LOVES PARK, Ill. – A new face in DeKalb is planned to be a familiar one in Rivets Stadium this summer.
The Rockford Rivets announced on Tuesday that they have signed Northern Illinois University catcher Mike Roberson for the Northwoods League season. Roberson, a 21-year-old Chicagoland native, is a transfer from Mesa Community College.
“Mike is expected to be the No. 1 catcher at NIU,” said Rivets manager Brian Smith, a Northern alumnus and former captain. “He is transferring in after having a lot of success in junior college. The NIU coaching staff has a lot of confidence in this kid. We are hoping that Mike can bring in a veteran attitude to a young offensive group.”
Last year at MCC, Roberson hit .291 with two home runs and 35 RBI. He committed just four errors and had a .975 fielding percentage.
Roberson is returning to the Mid-American Conference. After graduation from Bartlett High School, he appeared in seven games as a freshman at Ball State and was 0-for-8.
The Rivets’ season begins May 30 at Kalamazoo. The home opener is at 6:35 p.m. June 2 against the Wisconsin Woodchucks. The Rivets are offering a $50 four-game pack that includes a replica Rivets jersey, tickets to four select games and all-you-can-eat food (burgers, brats, hot dogs, grilled chicken, popcorn and fountain soda) for the following dates: Friday, June 2; Saturday, June 24; Friday, July 14; Friday, July 28. The four-pack can be purchased only by calling the Rivets at 815.240.4159 or in person at the Rivets Stadium box office. There are a limited number of jerseys available, so don’t wait to order this four-pack.
The Rockford Rivets are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League, which will play its 24th season of summer collegiate baseball in 2017. The Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 20 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, 160 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including two-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (Washington Nationals), two-time World Champion Ben Zobrist (Chicago Cubs) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (Chicago White Sox), Jordan Zimmermann (Detroit Tigers), Curtis Granderson (New York Mets) and Lucas Duda (Mets). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website, NorthwoodsLeague.com.
