Hibbert To Return To Sonoma For Fourth Season

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.

Stompers Release Single Game Tickets, Special Events

Fans can now get their single game tickets & plan ahead with the special events calendar

SONOMA, Calif.  — The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, has released single game tickets, in addition to Six Pack Plans where fans get six tickets they they can redeem for any game they like. Ticket, Six Packs and discounted, full-Season Tickets are online at StompersBaseball.com, or at the Fan Shop on 234 West Napa Street in Sonoma.

The 2017 Stompers home slate begins with the home opener at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field on June 13, against the Vallejo Admirals, with first pitch scheduled for 6 p.m. The team will once again host its annual Fourth of July Game, where fans are invited onto the field to take in the spectacle of Sonoma’s world famous fireworks show. On June 29, KNBR 680 San Francisco Giants pre-and-postgame host Marty Lurie, will be on hand to throw out the first pitch, and meet with fans.

Other fun nights include Father’s Day: The Remix, on June 24, as the Stompers celebrate Dad’s with a voucher for a $1 hot dog, and will give away prizes to the kid wearing their best Dad Duds. And speaking of duds, we’ll be sharing our favorite Dad Jokes out there -- no foolin!

Saint Francis Winery will be giving away a Stompers corkscrew on June 15, and winemaker Chris Louton will throw out the first pitch. St. Francis will be sampling some of their wines, too. For a special treat, our sweetest sponsor, Sweet Scoops will be selling its homemade ice cream at the ballpark on June 23, July 14, July 28, and Aug. 18.

Jul. 6 is the Stompers’ First Annual Women in Sports Day, featuring female sports executives, reporters and journalists, and athletes — including the Stompers own Kelsie Whitmore and Stacy Piagno. The evening will start with a pre-game panel and a Q & A session.

On Thursday, July 20, the rivalry start here, as we host the first Napa Night presented by MIV Insurance, in anticipation of the Napa Silverados, who are set to join the Pacific Association in 2018.

Also new for 2017, every Stompers home stand will feature and benefit a non-profit organization in the Sonoma community, and the team will be raising money and awareness for fantastic causes such as Boys & Girls Club of Sonoma Valley, the Sonoma Valley Ed Foundation, La Luz, Make A Wish, the Mentoring Alliance and more. More details will be announced soon.  

The Stompers are planning other, exciting events, promotions and celebrity appearances, so please check our website frequently, to make sure you don’t miss a pitch.

PROMO & EVENTS SCHEDULE

EVENT | DATE | OPPONENT | GAME TIME

Opening Night | Jun. 13 | Vallejo Admirals | 6 p.m.
Saint Francis Corkscrew Night | Jun. 15 | Vallejo Admirals | 6 p.m.
Sweet Scoops Night | Jun. 23 | San Rafael Pacifics | 6 p.m.
Father’s Day the Remix | Jun. 24 | San Rafael Pacifics | 5 p.m.
Out at the Ballpark/LGBTQ Night | Jun. 25 | San Rafael Pacifics | 5 p.m.
Marty Lurie Night | Jun. 29 | San Rafael Pacifics | 6 p.m.
Independence Day & Fireworks | Jul. 4 | Pittsburg Diamonds | 6 p.m.
Women in Sports Day | Jul. 6 | Pittsburg Diamonds | 6 p.m.
Sweet Scoops Night | Jul. 14 | Pittsburg Diamonds | 6 p.m.
Napa Night | Jul. 20 | San Rafael Pacifics | 6 p.m.
Bocce Ball Night | Jul. 22 | Pittsburg Diamonds | 5 p.m.
Sunday Punday | Jul. 23 | Pittsburg Diamonds | 5 p.m.
Sweet Scoops Night | Jul. 28 | San Rafael Pacifics | 6 p.m.
Key & Peel Night | Aug. 8 | Vallejo Admirals | 6 p.m.
Sweet Scoops Night | Aug. 18 | Vallejo Admirals | 6 p.m.
Fan Appreciation Weekend | Aug. 19-20 | Vallejo Admirals | 5 p.m.

All tickets plus new merchandise is on sale on our website, www.stompersbaseball.com, or at the Stompers Fan Shop at 234 West Napa Street in Sonoma. For questions and information regarding tickets, please email jen@stompersbaseball.com, or call 707.938.7277.

Slugger Daniel Baptista Re-Signs With Sonoma Stompers

The Stompers announced Thursday that first baseman Daniel Baptista has agreed to terms on a contract and will return for the 2017 season. Baptista lead the team in hits, and RBIs last year.

James Toy III/Sonoma Stompers

Jacob Braga-Murray/Sonoma Stompers

SONOMA, Calif.—the Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, is bringing back a fan favorite for the 2017 season. It was announced Thursday that first baseman Daniel Baptista has agreed to terms with the Stompers.

“I'm thrilled to have Daniel back. He's great in the lineup, he's great on the field and he's great in the clubhouse,” Fightmaster said. “We're lucky to have a player of his caliber here in Sonoma, and at the same time, we have high expectations of him for the season.” 

2017 will be Baptista’s fourth professional baseball season, and his third with the Stompers. Baptista crushed nine homeruns last season while driving in a team leading 61 runs. A career .315 hitter, Baptista has 177 hits over his four pro seasons, with 86 of them coming in 2016 which was tops the team. 

Baptista will join a roster that includes fan favorites from last season, Designated Hitter Joel Carranza, Right Handed Pitcher Mike Jackson, Jr and Right Handed Pitcher Stacy Piagno. To go along with returning players the Stompers will also have some new faces including three players signed at the California Winter League. The Stompers are also bringing on four players that were signed at the annual Pacific Association tryout. 

The Stompers season starts on Jun 2, against the Diamonds in Pittsburg, Calif., with the first home game on Jun 13 against the Vallejo Admirals. Single game tickets go on sale Apr 22, at the Stompers First Annual Fan Fest, at the Fan Shop, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Season ticket packages are available now on Stompersbaseball.com. Tickets and merchandise are also on sale at The Stompers Fan Shop, located at 234 West Napa Street in Sonoma. For more information email jen@stompersbaseball.com or call (707)938-7277. 
 

Stompers Sign Four At Pacific Association Try Out

Infielder Ryan Wheat (right) taking batting practice at the Pacific Association Tryout at Los Medanos College in Pittsburg, California. 

Geoff Safford, Director of Broadcasting

SONOMA, Calif- The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, Presented by Virginia Dare Winery, signed four prospects from the Pacific Association Tryout that took place on April 8 and 9 in Pittsburg, Calif. Infielders Ryan Wheat and Kevin Farley will join pitchers Austin Fairchild, and Ross Slaney with invitations to spring training. 

"We are very happy with the players we selected in the draft following the tryout," Assistant General Manager Jen Ramos said. "We think they can be valuable assets to the team and we look forward to seeing them in spring training."

Fairchild will enter his sixth season as a professional. The left-hander was drafted in the 16th round of the MLB Amateur Draft by the Kansas City Royals in 2012. He spent three years in the Royals minor league system. The 23-year-old Texas native looks to pitch professionally for the first time since 2014. 

Wheat will begin his professional career after playing the last two seasons at California State University East Bay. The Benicia native was a career .325 hitter in his time playing at the NCAA Division II level, where he had the second highest batting average on the team in 2015 with a .317 average.

Slaney will kick off his professional career after playing at the Division I school San Jose State University for three seasons. During his senior season Slaney made 17 appearances with four starts. The Sunnyvale native compiled a 4.68 ERA in 33 innings in his senior season in 2015. 

Farley joins the Stompers after playing at The University of Portland, where he started over 100 games in his time playing in the Pacific Northwest. He had his best season as a junior in 2015 when  he had a .233 average, and was second on the team in doubles with 12. The San Ramon native accumulated a .219 average in the 2016 season in 48 games for the Pilots. 

The 2017 season kicks off on June 2 against Pittsburg Diamonds. Season Ticket packages are available now at stompersbaseball.com. Single game tickets go on sale on April 22 at Stompers Fan Fest at The Fan Shop located at 234 W Napa Street in Sonoma starting at 11 a.m.

Piagno Agrees To Contract For 2017 Campaign

The Stompers Announced Monday that they have resigned right handed pitcher Stacy Piagno to a contract for the 2017 season.

James Toy III/ Sonoma Stompers

Geoff Safford, Director Of Broadcasting

SONOMA, Calif. The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club presented by Virginia Dare Winery made history last summer with the signing of two female players on July 1. Pitcher Stacy Piagno took the mound as a starting pitcher while left fielder Kelsie Whitmore took the field behind her. In the process, the Stompers became the first coed baseball professional baseball team in over 50 years. Piagno will look to continue to blaze a trail for women in baseball once again this season. 
The Right hander has agreed to terms on a contract, and will once again take the mound in Sonoma for her second season.

"Having Stacy back on the team this year is fantastic," Assistant General Manager Jen Ramos said. "As a member of the Stompers, Stacy offers value as a player and as a representative of the larger message of diversity and inclusion we believe is necessary for the growth of the sport."

The St. Augustine, Florida native appeared in eight games as a pitcher with three starts in 2016. Piagno also made six plate appearances and started one game at first base. Piagno will look to build on her experience as a rookie to be a strong contributor in 2017.

“I am very excited to be joining the Stompers again this season. Last year everyone was so supportive, and I was able to gain a lot of great pitching advice,” Piagno said. “I have been working hard to perfect it, and I am looking forward to growing even more as a player.”

Piagno is also a member of the National Women’s Baseball team and competed in the Women’s World Cup in South Korea last fall. Piagno appeared in three games with two starts in 10 innings for the US. Piagno struck out 13 batters in those innings and finished 2-0 with a 2.53 ERA. Piagno also became the first pitcher in the history of US Women’s baseball to throw a no-hitter in the 2015 Pan American games in a 9-0 win over Puerto Rico. 

The Stompers begin their 2017 season on June 2 against the Pittsburg Diamonds. Season ticket packages are not available on stompersbaseball.com. Single game tickets will go on sale on April 22 at the First Annual Stompers Fan Fest at the Fan Shop located at 234 West Napa Street in downtown Sonoma. 
 

Stompers Acquire Three From California Winter League

Matt LoCoco (left) and Alex Sawelson (right) were two of three players signed by Stompers Manager Takashi Miyoshi at the California Winter League.

Geoff Safford, Director Of Broadcasting

Sonoma, Calif.--The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club Presented by Virginia Dare Winery became stronger this winter with the signing of 3 strong prospects out of the showcase California Winter League in Palm Springs, California. Outfielder Matt LoCoco infielder Alex Sawelson, and pitcher Tyler Garkow will look to bolster a strong group of returners in the Stompers title defense run in 2017.  
LoCoco will enter his first season of professional baseball after playing the last two seasons at the University of Hawaii. The Santa Rosa native stood out as one of the best leadoff hitters at the Winter League in his time with the Palm Spring Chill. LoCoco accumulated a .324 batting average in 10 games batting almost exclusively at the top of the order. He excelled using a patient approach at the plate by drawing 13 walks in 34 plate appearances.  LoCoco looks forward to having the opportunity to play close to home as a professional.
“Signing a professional contract was an amazing moment for me; I'm excited to get to continue to play the game I love, especially locally in Sonoma,” Said LoCoco. “I’m looking forward to competing every day and contributing to the overall success of this team.”
Sawelson will join his former collegiate teammate LoCoco in his first professional season after a two year career at Hawaii. The Woodland, California product rose eyebrows in Palm Springs with his stellar work at the plate with the Canada As. Sawelson lead the team with a .432 batting average in 10 games. He finished in the top five in batting average at the CWL, and reached base at least once in every game that he played in. The first year professional will look to build on his positive experience in Palm Springs with the Stompers. 
 “The winter league was awesome experience. I was roommates with my former college teammate Matt [LoCoco].  Having the opportunity to share the field with him again will be incredible,” said Sawelson. 
Garkow will enter his third season of professional baseball in 2017 coming off a stint with the Washington Wild Things of the Frontier League last season. The right hander was one of the strongest pitchers in the league in his time with the Hit King in Palm Springs. Garkow had a 1.81 ERA in 27 innings pitched in a starting pitcher role. Garkow excelled at attacking hitters with exceptional command. Garkow lead the league with 50 strikeouts while only allowing five walks. Garkow hopes that his success in Palm Springs leads to a break-out season in Sonoma.
 “I am excited for the opportunity to play in Sonoma this season.” said Garkow. “I have heard nothing but great things about the team. I want to help bring another championship back to Sonoma.”
The Stompers will begin their 82 game regular season on June 2 against the Pittsburg Diamonds. Sonoma will begin its home slate against the Vallejo Admirals on June 13. Season ticket packages are available now on stompersbaseball.com. Tickets and merchandise are also available for purchase at The Fan Shop located at 234 West Napa Street in Sonoma. For more information email jen@stompersbaseball.com or call (707)938-7277.

SONOMA STOMPERS ANNOUNCE KEY & PEEL NIGHT

Legendary duo to appear together at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field

Sonoma, Calif.  -- Fans will want to get out to the ballpark on Tuesday, August 8, when the Sonoma Stompers present Key and Peel Night at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field.

This duo, famous for unlocking life’s zest, will be the featured guests of honor as the Stompers host the visiting Vallejo Admirals. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. and tickets for the event, as well as all other single game tickets, go on sale April 22, at the Stompers Fan Fest, taking place the Fan Shop at 234 West Napa Street in Sonoma.

That night the first 200 fans in attendance will receive a commemorative token from Key and Peel Night, presented by co-sponsors, Friedman’s Home Improvement and Sonoma Market that the team hopes will slice through the outer layer of the game’s fruitful core.

“I’m excited. I hope I’m pitching that night,” said Stompers starting pitcher J-Wan Espinosa. “Key has opened a lot of doors for me, both personally and professionally. And Peel really got my juices flowing a lot of times.”

The promotion is just one of many in a soon-to-be released bountiful harvest of a promotional calendar for the team.

“It’s a key game,” according to the Stompers Assistant General Manager J-Yen Ramos. “You really want to make sure to appeal to everyone. Not to mention it’s the last month of the season and you really have to show your pith.”

Join the Stompers for their Fan Fest on Apr. 22 at the Fan Shop on 234 West Napa Street in Sonoma and will feature new merchandise and the sale of single game tickets. Full season tickets, mini-plans and partial season tickets are on sale on our website, www.stompersbaseball.com, or at the Stompers Fan Shop. For questions and information regarding tickets, please email jen@stompersbaseball.com, or call 707.938.7277.

STOMPERS BRING BACK JACKSON, JR. AND CARRANZA FOR 2017

The two Stompers veterans are returning as player-coaches for their fourth season.

Sonoma, Calif.--The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, welcome back two very familiar faces to help defend their 2016 title in their fourth season. Designated hitter Joel Carranza and pitcher Mike Jackson Jr. have both agreed to terms and will join the Stompers for their forth seasons with the club as player-coaches.  Both players have been a part of the Stompers since the team’s inaugural season, and were contributors on the 2016 Pacific Association Champion squad.

Carranza had one of the best individual seasons in franchise history in 2016. The Pembroke Pines, Florida native headlined a dominate offensive attack on his way to his first Most Valuable Player Award in the Pacific Association. He led the league in batting average at .316, and was second in home runs with 15. It was a long time coming for Carranza who is the franchise leader in home runs with 44 in three seasons.

Carranza spent part of the 2015, and 2016 season with the Trois-Rivieres Aigles of the Canadian-American Association before returning to Sonoma on Jun 8, 2016. Carranza is looking forward to once again calling Sonoma home as the Stompers defend their title.

“Sonoma has always felt like a home away from home to me,” Carranza said. “Since day one everyone in town and the Sonoma Stompers organization has supported me and made me feel like family. With such a great support system between the front office, my host family and all the fans, it makes coming back to Sonoma an easy decision. I'm looking forward to the season, seeing the team again and doing everything I can to help this organization win another championship.”

The veteran right-hander Jackson Jr. had one of the best seasons of his professional career in his third season in Sonoma as the ace of the pitching staff. The Pittsburgh product lead the Pacific Association in wins (8-2) and was second in ERA at 2.84. Jackson Jr. had one of the most dominant stretches of any pitchers in the league in the second half of last season.

Jackson Jr. dominated the league going 5-0 with a 1.49 ERA in his last five starts of the season. Jackson Jr. finished the season with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League after being called up on August 15. Despite missing the last few weeks of the regular season, Jackson Jr. still finished second in the Pitcher of the Year voting behind San Rafael’s Patrick Conroy. The Sonoma fan favorite will return to mound in Sonoma with hopes of building upon what he accomplished last season with the club.

Team President and General Manager Theo Fightmaster was thrilled to bring back two important pieces of the 2016 team back to Sonoma.

"It's hard to describe just how important these guys are to our organization," Fightmaster said. "They've both been here since Day One. They're integral to what we've accomplished, and what we hope to accomplish this season."

Sonoma begin its season on Jun. 2 against the Pittsburg Diamonds. Season Tickets for the upcoming 2017 season at People’s Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field are available now on stompersbaseball.com. The Stompers’ home opener is on Jun. 13 against the Vallejo Admirals.

Full Season tickets, mini-plans and partial season tickets are on sale on our website, www.stompersbaseball.com, or at the Stompers Fan Shop, located at 234 West Napa Street in Sonoma. Group events and Group Tickets are also available now. Please email jen@stompersbaseball.com, or call 707.938.7277 for questions and more information.

STOMPERS ADD TO FRONT OFFICE WITH NEW ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER, JEN RAMOS

Northern California Native Brings Robust Skill set to Stompers Organization

Sonoma, Calif. – Jen Ramos, accomplished Digital Journalist with a Master’s of Science in Journalism from the University of Southern California who worked for the NHL’s San Jose Sharks, has been named the new Assistant General Manager of the Stompers Professional Baseball Club, team president Theo Fightmaster announced on Monday.

According to Fightmaster, the first move since the team’s recent acquisition by Jon Sebastiani, Ramos’ addition, will add a new dimension to the organization.

“Jen comes to us highly regarded among her peers, and greatly respected by her references, several of whom I know and trust,” Fightmaster said. “She brings a wide array of skills, a positive mix of experiences – both professional and academically – and she’s seen the game from different angles; be it as a fan, a writer and an analyst.”

Ramos will be tasked with many responsibilities, among them serving as the director of ticketing and fan experience, and she will have a hand in the club’s promotions and media relations. In addition to helping build a team that can defend the Stompers’ 2016 Pacific Association Championship, Ramos will work improve the business operations too.

“Jen’s worked in small businesses, and she’s worked with the Sharks,” Fightmaster said. “She’s spent a lot of time writing about and attending minor-league baseball games. I’ve been very impressed by her understanding of not only who the Stompers are, but what we’re striving to become.”

"I'm excited to serve as the new Assistant General Manager for the Stompers and bring my expertise to the team," Ramos sad. "With a diverse background in numerous fields, I feel like I can help the team develop from its current success into something even bigger." 

Ramos graduated from the University of Southern California in 2016, with a master’s of science in journalism, where she was part of Lambda Pi Eta, the communications and journalism honors society. She’s a member of the Association for Women in Sports Media, the Society of American Baseball Researcher and the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America.

ABOUT THE STOMPERS

Founded in 2014, the Sonoma Stompers have garnered local and national support by providing a fun, community atmosphere that is pitch perfect. On the national level, the Stompers have received attention for the team’s 2016 homerun additions of female athletes Kelsie Whitmore, whose Stompers memorabilia was recently enshrined into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, and Stacy Piagno. These additions made the Stompers the first co-ed professional baseball team since the 1950’s to have more than one female player on the roster simultaneously.

The Sonoma Stompers play ball at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field, located at 234 W. Napa Street, Sonoma, CA 95476. The 1,400-seat stadium is in the heart of Sonoma, just off the historic plaza. The Stompers hit the field for the 2017 season beginning in May. For more information on the Sonoma Stompers, please visit www.stompersbaseball.com.

KRAVE JERKY & SONOMA BRANDS FOUNDER JON SEBASTIANI ACQUIRES SONOMA STOMPERS BASEBALL ORGANIZATION

Kelsey Minigan and Jon Sebastiani pose in their new Stompers Baseball caps in front of the Sonoma Brands office on East Napa Street in downtown Sonoma, Calif. Photo courtesy Robbi Pengelly/Sonoma Index-Tribune.

Sonoma-Based Entrepreneur to Give Back to Community Through Local Baseball Team

Sonoma, Calif. – Jon Sebastiani, accomplished entrepreneur and Founder of KRAVE Jerky and Sonoma Brands (ZÜPA NOMA, SmashMallow, DANG Foods), announces today the acquisition of the Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club. The Sonoma Stompers play as a member of the Pacific Association Professional Baseball Clubs and were 2016 Pacific Association Champions. Sebastiani’s latest entrepreneurial endeavor reaffirms his commitment to the Sonoma region and the preservation of the area’s strong tourism, family values and traditions.

“I am very proud to call Sonoma my hometown; a region so rich is culture and tradition,” said Jon Sebastiani. “I am thrilled to continue the growth of the Sonoma Stompers organization by elevating fan experiences and making the club an even larger part of the fabric of our community.”

Read the exclusive story in the Sonoma Index-Tribune.

Founded in 2014, the Sonoma Stompers have garnered local and national support by providing a fun, community atmosphere that is pitch perfect. On the national level, the Stompers have received attention for the team’s 2016 homerun additions of female athletes Kelsie Whitmore, whose Stompers memorabilia was recently enshrined into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, and Stacy Piagno. These additions made the Stompers the first co-ed professional baseball team since the 1950’s to have more than one female player on the roster simultaneously.

"I'm excited to see the Stompers remain under local ownership, and I look forward to working together to continue to promote women in baseball," says Francis Ford Coppola, whose Virginia Dare Winery is a premier sponsor of the Sonoma Stompers.  It was Francis Coppola who originally approached the Stompers and brought forth the effort to promote the recruitment, development and advancement of women in baseball. 

"I'm very much looking forward to continuing this amazing journey with the Stompers,” said Theo Fightmaster, General Manager of the Sonoma Stompers.  “We've been part of historic moments in baseball, we've sent players to major league organizations and we’ve won a lot of games. I'm grateful for everything Eric and Lani Gullotta, and Derek Rampone did to help usher in this great era of Stompers Baseball, and I'm excited to begin working with Jon in writing the next chapter of baseball in Sonoma." 

The Sonoma Stompers play ball at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field, located at 234 W. Napa Street, Sonoma, CA 95476. The 1,400-seat stadium is in the heart of Sonoma, just off the historic plaza. The Stompers hit the field for the 2017 season beginning in May. For more information on the Sonoma Stompers, please visit www.stompersbaseball.com.

About Jon Sebastiani
Jon Sebastiani is a graduate of Santa Clara University with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and holds a dual MBA from the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley and Columbia University. His expertise in establishing and growing successful food brands has been cultivated through years of managing operations in previous positions, as managing partner of Wines.com, President of the premier California winery destination Viansa Winery, and most recently leading the jerky renaissance as Founder of KRAVE Jerky. In 2016, following the acquisition of KRAVE Jerky by The Hershey Company, Sebastiani launched Sonoma Brands. Sonoma Brands is a one-of-a-kind consumer products incubator and venture fund, set to revitalize stagnant industry categories with innovation. Sonoma Brands has since invested in Dang Foods and has launched two brands under its incubator umbrella; ZÜPA NOMA and SmashMallow. For more information on Jon and Sonoma Brands, please visit www.sonomabrands.com. 

About Virginia Dare Winery
Virginia Dare Winery, American wines since 1835, pays tribute to America’s winegrowing heritage. The existence of the 400-year-old scuppernong “Mother Vine,” a variety of muscadine, growing on Roanoke Island, North Carolina is intertwined with the story of one of the first English settlements in the New World, which later mysteriously disappeared without a trace, leaving nothing but a spellbinding story of mythical and mysterious characters – each of which grace the labels of our wines. Crafted with grapes from the finest viticulture regions in California, our wines are rich with characteristics befitting an American legend: Pure. Natural. Distinctive. Learn more by visiting Virginia Dare Winery located at 22281 Chianti Road, Geyserville, CA 95441.