Charter member of the Stompers Matt Hibbert has agreed to a contract and will return to Sonoma for his fourth season the team announced Tuesday.
James Toy III/Sonoma Stompers.
Geoff Safford, Director Of Broadcasting
SONOMA, Calif. -- the Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, is excited to announce the return of veteran outfielder Matt Hibbert. The fan favorite will once again patrol center field at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field and hopes to help the Stompers defend its championship.
“Hibbert is, in many ways, the heartbeat of this team,” team President and General Manager Theo Fightmaster said. “He's a gold-glove-caliber center fielder with speed that sets the tone for our lineup out of the leadoff position. He's also, in many ways, a team captain. As he goes, we go. We're thrilled to have him back in Sonoma, and I'm certain our fans share that sentiment.”
Hibbert will enter his fourth season in Sonoma. He also spent time with the Geary RailCats of the American Association in 2015, and 2016. The Long Beach State product has been an offensive and defensive powerhouse with the Stompers.
“I am excited to be back in a Stompers uniform in 2017 to help defend our 2016 Pacific Association Championship,” Hibbert said. “This is a class act organization that has built a tradition of winning since we began in 2014. From our Front Office, staff, general manager, manager, and to the players in the locker room, there is a culture of professionalism has been a major key to our success.”
Hibbert won the Defensive Player of the Year honor in 2015 and has made only six errors in three seasons as the team’s centerfielder. He also has been a successful leadoff hitter, accumulating 77 steals in 91 attempts in his Stompers career. His success has lead to him becoming a fan favorite in the Sonoma community. Hibbert sees Sonoma as his second home and looks forward to once again playing in front of the Stomper Faithful.
“Sonoma is a great place with even greater people in it,” Hibbert said. “Speaking for the team, we look forward to not only providing fans with nightly entertainment in Sonoma, but also with a team and family environment that they can grasp on to.”
The Stompers will kick off the season against the Diamonds in Pittsburg, Calif. on Jun. 2. Season, group event, and single game tickets for the upcoming season are now available at stompersbaseball.com.