Stompers Defeat Diamonds in Dramatic Fashion in First Game of Season

Sonoma Stompers catcher Issac Wenrich hits a home run against the Pittsburg Diamonds Friday to tie the Pacific Association season-opening game at three. Sonoma would go on to win 7-5 in the 11th. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

Sonoma Stompers catcher Issac Wenrich hits a home run against the Pittsburg Diamonds Friday to tie the Pacific Association season-opening game at three. Sonoma would go on to win 7-5 in the 11th. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

Hayley M. Slye / Media Relations

PITTSBURG, Calif.– The 2016 Pacific Association champion Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, opened the 2017 season with a hard-fought road victory over the Pittsburg Diamonds 7-5 Friday.

“To me, this is not only a one-game win,” said Stompers manager Takashi Miyoshi. “Opening day’s game, to win, it means a lot. I feel like I won ten games.”

The Stompers were down to their last three outs when catcher Isaac Wenrich sent a ball over the fence in right to tie the game at three.

“Earlier on in the game I was kind of struggling against that lefty, he had my number the whole night,” Wenrich said. “I thought to myself, just keep (my hands) inside… I just got lucky I didn’t miss it.”

The game went to the tenth inning, causing the Pacific Association’s new tie-breaker rule to apply. The Stompers began the frame with runners on first and second as Matt LoCoco laid down a sac bunt to set up a two-RBI double from Matt Hibbert.

Pittsburg responded with a two-RBI triple of their own before righty Adam Ogburn struck out two Diamonds to end the 10th.

“To give up a triple like that, it’s easy to get deflated and I actually saw him gain more confidence,” Wenrich said.

With the bases loaded in the top of the 11th, Eddie Mora-Loera sent a ball to the left field corner to give the Stompers another two-run lead, which proved to be the difference in the game.

“Bases loaded situation, pitcher’s got to come to me. I really was just trying to put a good swing on it and let the ball fall where it falls,” Mora-Loera said.  

Prior to Wenrich’s shot, Diamonds pitching had all but silenced the Stompers’ bats since the fifth. The Stompers responded with their own solid performances on the mound. Righties Jacob Cox and Ryan Richardson kept the Diamonds off the board as well in that span.

“We probably have the best bullpen in the league, and it showed tonight,” Wenrich said.

Wenrich ignited the Stompers in the first two innings of the game, throwing out a runner to end the first, then flipping a bloop single to left and stealing a base in the top of the second. Wenrich also scored the Stompers’ first run of the season as second baseman Kevin Farley knocked him in and collected his first professional hit and run batted in.

Mike Jackson Jr. started for the Stompers Friday and relied on solid Stompers defense early.

“He didn’t have his best stuff but he’s a bulldog, he battled through it,” Wenrich said.

Pittsburg went 36-42 last season, finishing third in the Pacific Association. Right-hander Juan Espinosa is scheduled to start the second game of the series at Winter Chevrolet Stadium Saturday at 5 p.m.

STOMPERS TICKETS

Opening Day at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field is June 13. Tickets and merchandise are available now either online, at the fan shop at 234 W Napa Street or at the box office on game day.

Use promo code "OPENINGDAY" to receive 15% off of home opener tickets online.

For more information, contact the front office at 707-938-7277.

2017 Opening Day Roster Announced: League Champions Return MVP, Defensive Standouts & Familiar Faces

2016 Pacific Association Most Valuable Player Joel Carranza will be returning to the Stompers in 2017 along with other stars from last season's championship team. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

2016 Pacific Association Most Valuable Player Joel Carranza will be returning to the Stompers in 2017 along with other stars from last season's championship team. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

Hayley M. Slye / Media Relations

SONOMA, Calif. – The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, begins its 2016 Pacific Association Championship defense with the 2017 season opener on the road Friday against the Pittsburg Diamonds at Winter Chevrolet Stadium. 

The Stompers will feature 14 returning players from 2016 on their Opening Day roster, including the league’s 2016 Most Valuable Player Joel Carranza and 2015 Defensive Player of the Year Yuki Yasuda

Mike Jackson Jr., who received the second-most votes for 2016 Pacific Association Pitcher of the Year, will also be returning to the mound for the Stompers, and is scheduled to get the start on Friday.

The 2017 roster also features Kelsie Whitmore and Stacy Piagno, who became the first women to play co-ed professional baseball since the 1950’s as Stompers last season.

The 2017 Stompers will be led by 2016 Manager of the Year Takashi Miyoshi, who’s been at the helm in Sonoma since 2015. Miyoshi has designated Carranza to serve as the team’s hitting instructor and Jackson Jr. to be the team’s pitching coach. Even Neiser, who pitched for the Stompers in 2016 will serve as the club’s bench coach.

2017 OPENING DAY ROSTER

CATCHERS

Isaac Wenrich**

Daniel Comstock

 

INFIELDERS

Joel Carranza*

Scott David*

Yuki Yasuda*

Kevin Farley

Eddie Mora-Loera*

Masa Miyadera

 

OUTFIELDERS

Matt Hibbert*

Brennan Metzger**

Matt Lococo

Marcus Bradley

Kelsie Whitmore*

 

PITCHERS

Mike Jackson, Jr., RHP*

Juan Espinosa, RHP*

Tyler Garkow, RHP

Scott Plaza, RHP

Pat Lemmo, RHP*

Adam Ogburn, RHP*

Ryan Richardson, RHP*

Jacob Cox, RHP*

Andy De La Cruz, LHP

John Kovalik, RHP

DJ Sharabi, RHP

Stacy Piagno, RHP*

 

*Denotes returning from 2016 team

**Denotes returning from 2015 team

 

STOMPERS TICKETS

Opening Day at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field is June 13. Tickets and merchandise are available now either online, at the fan shop at 234 W Napa Street or at the box office on game day. 

Use promo code "OPENINGDAY" to receive 15% off of home opener tickets online.

For more information, contact the front office at 707-938-7277.

Stompers visit San Quentin Giants, come away with change in perspective

Members of the Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club staff and team gather outside of San Quentin State Prison Saturday. 

Members of the Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club staff and team gather outside of San Quentin State Prison Saturday. 

Hayley M. Slye / Media and Communications Intern

SAN QUENTIN, Calif.–The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, played an exhibition game against the San Quentin Giants Saturday.

Manager Takashi Miyoshi had a spot in his own lineup, going 3-5 in addition to a few pitching performances from position players as the Stompers won the game 10-4. Still, those weren’t the most out of the ordinary elements of the experience. The San Quentin Giants are a team made up of prison inmates from San Quentin State Prison.

It was outfielder Matt Hibbert’s second time visiting the prison to play ball, so he had an idea of what to expect.

“It’s not about us playing, it’s more about them,” Hibbert said. “You just see how their faces light up when they get a chance to compete.”

It took the team at least 40 minutes to get to the field as the guards carefully inspected the players’ gloves and IDs, Stompers utility infielder Kevin Farley said. Farley said the team also had to pass through the holding cell, where the bars “clanked behind” them.

Once they got there, players said the yard bubbled with energy.

“The most surprising thing for me was how in good spirits all the guys were,” Farley said. “It felt like little league again because the other team was just pumped the entire game.”

The field was surrounded by an audience of other inmates and flanked by athletic activity on all sides.

“There were very few times when I was there where I would stop and think ‘what’s this guy in here for,’” Farley said. “There wasn’t anything tipping you off”

“To invite us in there and allow us to really see the way they live and how they got there, to tell us their stories, it’s kind of eye-opening because you understand that it does take one mistake,” said Stompers Catcher Isaac Wenrich.

The Giants also had some “trick plays,” Hibbert said.

“They kept on picking us off on base because we’d be in a conversation with them and they’d run a play and get us out,” Hibbert said. “It’s a great experience and I hope we can continue to go out there every year. It’s one of those moments that makes you really thankful and grateful for where you’re at.”

The defending Pacific Association champion Stompers will open the season on the road Friday against the Pittsburg Diamonds. 

“The smallest little things are things that we take for granted that they wish they could do,” Farley said. “Something as little as being able to come home and lay down on the couch and talk to their family is something they don’t get to do.”


STOMPERS TICKETS

Opening Day at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field is June 13. Tickets and merchandise are available now either online, at the fan shop at 234 W Napa Street or at the box office on game day.

Use promo code "OPENINGDAY" to receive 15% off of home opener tickets online.

For more information, contact the front office at 707-938-7277.

Stompers Fall In Exhibition Finale To Pacifics

The Stompers offense was kept off the board for much of the game Tuesday in the 7-2 loss to the San Rafael Pacifics in Exhibition action. Spring Training concludes Wednesday. James Toy III/Sonoma Stompers

The Stompers offense was kept off the board for much of the game Tuesday in the 7-2 loss to the San Rafael Pacifics in Exhibition action. Spring Training concludes Wednesday. 

James Toy III/Sonoma Stompers

Geoff Safford, Director of Broadcasting & Operations Assistant

SONOMA, Calif. The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club could not get their bats going Tuesday and fell by score of 7-2 to the San Rafael Pacifics in an exhibition game at Petersen Field. The league foes split the two exhibition games they played over the last three days. A few familiar faces stood out on the mound for San Rafael while a newcomer shined on the mound for Sonoma.


Veteran right-hander Nick DeBarr was very solid in his four innings of work for San Rafael. The Hayward native allowed only one hit in those innings with a pair of strikeouts. The sixteen year professional retired 12 batters in a row after allowing the first batter of the game to reach base. DeBarr will enter his fourth season in San Rafael. 


Marin County native Patrick Conroy also tossed a scoreless fifth in his first appearance against the Stompers this season. The 2016 Pacific Association Pitcher of the Year allowed one base-runner before inducing an inning ending double play. 


Tyler Garkow was a bright spot in his three innings of relief for Sonoma. Garkow attacked the bottom part of the zone in three shutout innings in relief of starter Randy Keen. The Point Loma product struck out five batters and allowed three hits. The three year professional was pleased with his performance against a soon to be familiar opponent.


“Anytime you have success against an opponent it gives you confidence,” Garkow said. “It felt great to perform well against the Pacifics in my first time facing them. It definitely helps having a manager like Yoshi [Takashi Miyoshi] who I have some familiarity with. There is a mutual respect between both of us. I know that he has faith in me as a professional.”  


The Pacifics grabbed the lead early by scoring five runs in the first three innings. San Rafael used a three run rally in the third to stretch their lead to 5-0. The big blow in the inning was a two run triple by right fielder Devin Carter. The Pacifics rounded out their scoring effort in the eighth on an RBI single by catcher Ricky Gingras to make the score 7-1. 


The Stompers closed out their exhibition slate Tuesday, and will complete one final team workout Wednesday to wrap up spring camp. With opening day quickly approaching, the team will now focus on getting ready to face Diamonds on Friday night in Pittsburg, Calif.


Tickets for the upcoming season are now available on stompersbaseball.com. Tickets to opening day at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field on June 13 are also still available.  Use the online promo code OPENINGDAY to recieve 15% off tickets to opening day. You can also purchase tickets at the Fan Shop located at 234 W Napa Street in Sonoma, or at the box office on game days at Arnold Field. For more information on the team, call our front office at 707.938.7277.

Strong Pitching Highlights Victory Over Pacifics In Exhibition Tilt

Starting Pitcher Mike Jackson Jr. Impressed in the Stompers 8-2 victory against the San Rafael Pacifics Sunday. Jackson Jr. did not allow a run, and struck out 5 in three innings of work. James Toy III/Sonoma Stompers

Starting Pitcher Mike Jackson Jr. Impressed in the Stompers 8-2 victory against the San Rafael Pacifics Sunday. Jackson Jr. did not allow a run, and struck out 5 in three innings of work. 

James Toy III/Sonoma Stompers

Geoff Safford, Director of Broadcasting & Operations Assistant

SONOMA, Calif. The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club faced a familiar foe Sunday in an exhibition matchup at Petersen Field. Sonoma faced the visiting San Rafael Pacifics for the first time since the two teams met on the final day of the 2016 regular season. Although both teams have some new faces, a strong core of veteran standouts still remain from both squads. A solid performance from the Stompers’ pitching staff was key in an encouraging 8-2 victory. Manager Takashi Miyoshi was pleased with team’s performance to this point in spring training.


“We set the tone for what kind of team we want to be this season on the very first day of spring training,” said Miyoshi. “We already have a great winning culture from last season because of the returning players we have. That has made our camp much more organized. I am satisfied by how we have performed so far in camp and the team’s performance today against San Rafael illustrated where we are.” 


Mike Jackson Jr. set the tone early Sunday with three shutout innings to start the game. The seven-year professional allowed two base runners while striking out five. The charter member of the Stompers had his best season in 2016, which lead to his promotion to the Atlantic League on August 14.  He was 5-0 with a 1.49 ERA in his final five starts in Sonoma. Miyoshi believes his experiences from last season will benefit him in the coming year.


“I think he is in a much better place this season compared to last,” Miyoshi said. “When he went to the Atlantic League he was around players with a lot of affiliated experience and this made him a much better player. He knows exactly how to approach things on the mound. He seems much more professional.” 


The remaining four pitchers followed suit with solid performances of their own, keeping the Pacifics off the board until the eighth inning. Newcomer Scott Plaza impressed with two scoreless innings. The University of Wisconsin at Whitewater product struck out two batters while allowing only one hit. 


The offense used some timely hitting to take advantage of walks surrendered by the Pacifics pitching staff. First-year professional Kevin Farley delivered in the first inning with a two-run single that gave the Stompers a 3-0 lead. Sonoma never looked back and scored the game’s first seven runs. 


The Stompers will continue their spring training slate Monday with a meeting with the East Bay Lumberjacks before once again facing the Pacifics in an exhibition matchup on Tuesday May 30. Spring training will conclude on Wednesday in preparation for their season opening contest against the Diamonds in Pittsburg, Calif. 


Tickets for the upcoming season are now available on stompersbaseball.com. Opening Day in Sonoma is scheduled for Tuesday June 13 and tickets are available now. Use the online promo code OPENINGDAY to receive 15 percent off tickets to opening day when buying online. Tickets are also available at the Fan Shop located at 234 W Napa Street, or at the box office on game days at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field. For more information contact the front office at 707.938.7277. 

The Red Grape To Be the Stompers’ Official Restaurant of Spring Training

PA Championship Logo.jpg

 

News Release, Sonoma Stompers

 

SONOMA, Calif.—The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, have proudly announced a partnership with Sonoma restaurant The Red Grape, which will be the Official Restaurant of Stompers Spring Training.

“We are very happy to partner with The Red Grape for Spring Training,” Vice President and General Manager Theo Fightmaster said. “They have the reputation of serving high quality food and we feel lucky to provide our players with meals from them.”

Stompers players report to Spring Training on May 22 and will be playing exhibition games at Peterson Field in Sonoma, Calif.

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.

ABOUT THE SONOMA STOMPERS
The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club was founded in 2014 and is a member of the Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs. It plays its home games at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field, just a block away from Sonoma’s historic plaza. The independent baseball club has had two players in its history signed by Major League Baseball organizations, as Sonoma’s own Jayce Ray was signed by the Boston Red Sox in 2015 and Santos Saldivar was signed by the Milwaukee Brewers shortly before the 2016 season. For more information on the team, visit StompersBaseball.com or visit the team’s Fan Shop located at 234 West Napa Street, Sonoma, Calif. 95476.

ABOUT THE RED GRAPE
The Red Grape, located at 529 First Street West in Sonoma, Calif., was started fifteen years ago by Carol and Sam Morphy. The Morphy’s went east to search for a New Haven-style pizza that would be the star of the Sonoma eatery they dreamed of opening. After touring, tasting and tinkering, the Morphy’s came home with their very own secret recipe to open The Red Grape just off Sonoma’s historic plaza.

 

Wenrich Acquired In Trade From Railroaders

Catcher Isaac Wenrich will return to Sonoma for his second season after being traded the team announced Thursday. Wenrich played much of the 2015 season in a Stompers uniform.James Toy III/Sonoma Stompers

Catcher Isaac Wenrich will return to Sonoma for his second season after being traded the team announced Thursday. Wenrich played much of the 2015 season in a Stompers uniform.

James Toy III/Sonoma Stompers

Geoff Safford, Director of Broadcasting & Operations Assistant

SONOMA, Calif. — The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, acquired the rights to catcher Isaac Wenrich in a trade with the Cleburne Railroaders of the American Association the club announced Thursday. The Five year veteran will begin his second stint in Sonoma after spending much of the 2015 season with the Stompers. 

“We're excited to have Isaac back, we've been lucky with the catching position over the years, and we've grown to expect a lot from that position,” said President & General Manager Theo Fightmaster. “Isaac will do a great job for us this season.”

The West Lawn, Penn native began his professional career with the Vallejo Admirals in 2014. After a successful season, he joined the Stompers in 2015 and became one of the team’s most productive offensive players. Wenrich batted .296 with 10 home runs and 33 RBIs in 58 games. His contract was purchased in August of 2015 by the Florence Freedom of the Frontier League. Wenrich started in 55 games at catcher for the Freedom last summer.

“I couldn't be more excited to come back to Sonoma,” Wenrich said. “This is a place where my teammates drive me every day to work harder. Having a manager like [Takashi Miyoshi] who shows confidence in me but is also stern with me is great because it makes me a better player and a better man.”

Wenrich will look to fill the void behind the plate left by 2016 Defensive Catch of the Year Mason Morioka. Wenrich proved in his time with the Stompers in 2015 that he is more than capable of doing just that. He was named the Defensive Catcher of the Year himself in 2015 for his fantastic play. Wenrich had a .988 fielding percentage with 42 assists that season. 

The Franklin Pierce University product looks forward to once again playing in front of the Stompers faithful. 

“I've been so fortunate to have been received so well by the city and fans of Sonoma,” Wenrich said. “They make it easy to play here. This season is the year for me, I am more focused than I've ever been on my purpose in this game and Sonoma will be a great place to take the first step towards the next step in my career.”

The Stompers kick off their season on the road on Jun. 2 against the Diamonds at Winter Chevrolet Stadium in Pittsburg Calif. Season and single game tickets are now available on stompersbaseball.com. You can also purchase tickets at the Fan Shop located at 234 W Napa Street in Sonoma. For more information call the front office at 707-938-7277.
 

Espinosa To Return To Sonoma For Second Season

The Stompers have re-signed right handed pitcher Juan Espinosa to a contract for the 2017 season. The Miami native will look to build on the success of his rookie campaign in 2016.James Toy III/Sonoma Stompers

The Stompers have re-signed right handed pitcher Juan Espinosa to a contract for the 2017 season. The Miami native will look to build on the success of his rookie campaign in 2016.

James Toy III/Sonoma Stompers

Geoff Safford, Director of Broadcasting

SONOMA, Calif. — The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, have re-signed  right handed pitcher Juan Espinosa. Espinosa impressed as both a starter and reliever and looks to build on the success he had in his rookie season. 

“Juan was a fantastic find for us last year, he was a critically important part of the pitching staff, and our team," Team President & General Manager Theo Fightmaster said. "We're lucky to have him back. We expect him to play a big role for us this year, and we're hoping his hard work this off season pays off."

Espinosa pitched over 64 innings in 19 relief and starting appearances in 2016, where he struck out 60 batters and walked only 22 . Espinosa’s rookie campaign earned him honors and finished third in league Rookie of the Year voting in the Pacific Association. 

Espinosa began the 2016 season  in a reliever role. In 14 appearances, Espinosa was 2-1 with a 2.97 ERA. In one stretch Espinosa went over nine innings without allowing a run out of the Bullpen. Espinosa was 2-2 with a 4.76 ERA in five starts.

The 2017 season kicks off on Jun. 2 on the road against the Diamonds in Pittsburg, Calif. Season tickets and single game tickets for the upcoming season are available on stompersbaseball.com.
 

Pacific Association Names Stone League's Commissioner

SAN FRANCISCO—The Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs has named San Francisco businessman and marketing specialist, Jonathan Stone, the League’s new Commissioner. Team owners voted unanimously to appoint Stone on Monday, May 1.

Stone’s immediate role will be managing expansion, while promoting the league, which is entering its fifth season in 2017. The Pacific Association is set to welcome its fifth team, the Napa Silverados, in 2018, and is evaluating other markets and potential investors for a sixth team as well. Stone feels the league is primed for growth.

“The Pacific Association is in a great position. We are the last remaining independent league on the West Coast, and we’re entering our fifth season,” Stone said. “The ownership and stability of the league has never been stronger. With a commitment of Napa to be a fifth team in 2018, we will be fielding six teams in 2018, with a goal of growing the league to eight teams in the Bay Area.”

“On behalf of the clubs of the Pacific Association, I’m overjoyed to have Jonathan Stone join our league as Commissioner,” said San Rafael Pacifics Managing General Partner, Eugene Lupario, who is the league’s longest tenured executive.  “We are confident that the Pacific Association will greatly benefit from his wide-ranging experience and commitment as we continue our efforts to build the league and meet the challenges of sustaining independent minor league baseball in the Bay Area." 

Stone brings over three decades of marketing experience. In 2014 he sold his San Francisco business of 26 years, Another Dancing Bear Productions, a nationally recognized leader in the promotional advertising industry. Team owners and front offices are hopeful Stone can channel his experience into continued growth and sustainability for the league. Additionally, he will be charged with forging league and corporate partnerships.

A strong desire to work and a passion for baseball lured him to the North Bay, where he learned about the Sonoma Stompers. Soon thereafter, Stone grew excited by the league and its prospects, and became closely involved in the operations in Sonoma. In 2015, Stone served as a consultant on marketing, merchandising and fan experience for Sonoma. In 2016, he worked in sponsorship sales, and served as the team’s Host Family Coordinator.

In San Francisco, Stone served on the Board of Directors for the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce as well as many other business, charitable and non-profit organizations. He has represented the Stompers in several Sonoma related projects. The Newton, Mass. native currently resides in Sonoma, where the league office will be.

Since 2013, the Pacific Association has served as a laboratory of innovation and progressive practices. In 2015, during a series with the San Rafael Pacifics and Vallejo Admirals, the Pacific Association became the first professional league to use robotic umpires, and a computer-automated strike zone. A year later, HBO featured the experiment for an episode on Real Sports.

In 2015, the Sonoma Stompers turned over the reins of baseball operations to statistically inclined baseball writers, Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller. The two documented the experience in the New York Times Best-selling book, “The Only Rule Is It Has to Work.”

In 2016 the league hired the first female manager, Justine Siegal (San Rafael), and the Stompers became the first pro men’s team to roster multiple women since the Negro Leagues in the 1950s (Stacy Piagno, Kelsie Whitmore and Anna Kimbrell).

The Pittsburg Diamonds have been managed and led on the field by Aaron Miles, who played more than nine seasons in the Major Leagues with the White Sox, Rockies, Cardinals, Cubs and Dodgers. Miles played in 135 games with the World Champion Cardinals in 2006, and finished fourth in National League Rookie of the Year voting in 2004 with Colorado.

The league has promoted more than 60 players to higher levels of baseball, including several players to MLB organizations in 2016. Nearly a dozen former Major League Baseball players have played in the Pacific Association. Most notably, Jose Canseco, Bill ‘Spaceman’ Lee, Eric Byrnes, Tony Philips, and former San Francisco Giants, Tony Torcato and Wayne Franklin. Miles also played for Pittsburg in 2014. In 2014, Lee became the oldest pitcher to win a professional game when he started for the Stompers in August that year.

In the two-plus years of Kevin Reilly’s tenure as owner and proprietor of the Vallejo Admirals, the team has enjoyed strong growth in attendance and sponsorship support. Admirals games also serve the Vallejo community as a great opportunity to recognize local and civic-minded achievements, as well as honor students, leaders in the business community and philanthropy. 

Stompers Hosting Pitch Hit & Run Contest May 13

Youth aged 7-14 are invited to compete at Petersen Field in Sonoma. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. 

Youth aged 7-14 are invited to compete at Petersen Field in Sonoma. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. 

News Release, Sonoma Stompers

SONOMA, Calif.  -- The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club presented by Virginia Dare Winery will host a Pitch Hit & Run™ competition for local youth on Saturday, May 13 at Petersen Field in Sonoma. Registration for the event will begin at 9:30 a.m. with the competition beginning at 10 a.m. All softball, and baseball players aged 7-14 are invited to compete. 

Pitch Hit & Run™ is the official skills competition of Major League Baseball®.  This grassroots program is designed to provide youngsters with an opportunity to compete, free of charge, in a competition that recognizes individual excellence in core baseball/softball skills.

Boys and girls are divided into four age divisions: 7/8, 9/10, 11/12, 13/14, and have the chance to advance through four levels of competition, including Team Championships at Major League ballparks and the National Finals during the 2017 MLB™ All-Star Week®.

The individual Pitching, Hitting and Running Champions, along with the All-Around Champion in each division age group at the Local Competition will be awarded and advance to the Sectional Level of Competition.

All participants must bring a copy of their birth certificate and have their parent or guardian fill out a registration/waiver form prior to the start of the competition. Click Here to register your child online today. For questions concerning the competition, please contact your Local Coordinator Geoff Safford at geoff@stompersbaseball.com.