NORTHWOODS LEAGUE ANNOUNCES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: March 16, 2009
Bombers Bring Back two Catchers
(BATTLE CREEK, MI) The Battle Creek Bombers are pleased to announce the signings of two catchers for the upcoming 2009 Northwoods League season, Parker Berberet and Jimmy Tanner.
Berberet (Cypress College, Cypress, CA) returns for his second season with the Bombers after a solid season in 2008. The 6’4” 205 pound sophomore played in 51 games for the Bombers last summer, compiling a .249 average (43-for-173) with a pair of home runs and 24 RBIs. Berberet connected for both home runs in a 7-6 loss to Duluth (he also added a double and 4 RBIs) and was named the Northwoods League Player of the Night.
Behind the plate, the native of Yorba Linda, California also excelled for the Bombers. Berberet won the “Rawlings Finest in the Field” Award for fielding excellence at his position for the 2008 season. In 41 games behind the dish, he made just three errors (.990 fielding percentage) and threw out nearly 30% of all base runners attempting to steal (10th best in the NWL).
“Northwoods League experience and upside best describes Parker,” said Tom Fleenor, new Bombers field manager in 2009. “His decision to come back will go a long way in reversing the fortunes of this organization. We expect him to not only contribute on the field with his skills, but to also provide the leadership necessary for a successful summer for the Bombers.”
Berberet is set to play for national power Oregon State of the Pac-10 Conference this Fall.
Tanner, a 6’1” 210 pound junior, also returns for his second tenure in Battle Creek following a promising season in the team’s inaugural season of 2007. Tanner batted .288 (46-for-160) with 19 RBIs in 44 games for the Bombers that summer. Last spring as a sophomore at the University of South Carolina Upstate (Spartanburg, SC), Tanner hit .304 in 52 games for the Spartans.
“I am very familiar with Jimmy and his abilities as a result of the fact that I recruited and signed him in my final year as the recruiting coordinator at USC Upstate,” said Fleenor. “He brings with him a wealth of experience. I expect him to provide much needed leadership to the Bombers in 2009.”