By Luke Tanaka, Radio Broadcaster
Battle Creek Mich. – Four Battle Creek Bombers, Dan Swain (Siena), Lin Li (Taiwan), Nick Medeiros (Santa Clara), and Steven Wells Jr. (Florida State) have been selected to participate in the 2015 Major League Dreams Showcase, which will be hosted by the Madison Mallards at Warner Park on Tuesday, August 4.
Headlining Battle Creek's selections is Swain, an outfielder who leads the Bombers in many offensive statistical categories. In playing 54 of the team’s 58 games, Swain tops the Bombers in hits (67), batting average (.307), on-base percentage (.387), doubles (12), home runs (four), slugging percentage (.445), runs scored (33), stolen bases (nine), walks (26), and at bats (218). His 67 also hits ranks fifth in the Northwoods League.
Li joins Swain as the other Bombers position player. The middle-infielder jump-started his production in the second half, which has placed him second on the team in batting average (.288). He also ranks right behind Swain in games played (52), hits (55), doubles (eight), runs scored (26), and at bats (191). In the second half, Li has posted a team-leading .326 batting average. He also has a .306 average with runners on base and hits at a .360 clip against left-handed pitching.
Recently converted from a reliever to a starter, Medeiros has been selected to pitch in the showcase. The right-handed pitcher from San Jose, Calif. was dominant in his seven appearances as a reliever this summer, posting a 0.53 earned run average and allowing just 12 hits, while striking out 14 in his 17 innings out of the Battle Creek bullpen.
Wells Jr. who both pitched and played the outfield for the Bombers was selected as a pitcher, but has since left the team.
The annual Showcase will consist of a doubleheader featuring the top players from the Northwoods League who were selected by a panel of Major League Baseball Scouts. The players will participate in a day of workouts in front of scouts, which will be followed by the doubleheader.
Battle Creek’s representatives will be on game two’s visiting team roster along with players from Alexandria, Wisconsin Rapids, and Green Bay. They will be facing a team made up of selections from Madison, Lakeshore, Kenosha and Wisconsin. First pitch for the game is scheduled for 7:35 p.m. Central time.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Northwoods League Foundation. The Northwoods League Foundation utilizes the game of baseball to enrich the quality of life for children and families with an enduring and caring focus on Northwoods League communities.
Tickets for the event can still be purchased and are available at mallardsbaseball.com.
2015 Northwoods League Major League Dreams Rosters
The Battle Creek Bombers are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 22nd season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 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, more than 120 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Allen Craig (BOS) and Ben Zobrist (OAK). For more information, visit www.battlecreekbombers.com.
(Feature story photo courtesy of Battle Creek Photography and Design – Levi Green)
