KALINE SET FOR RETURN TO BATTLE CREEK
Battle Creek, MI – The Battle Creek Bombers announced today that infielder Colin Kaline has signed to play for the team in 2009, marking a return to Battle Creek after an abbreviated season a year ago.
Kaline, a sophomore at Florida Southern College (Lakeland, FL), becomes the fourth player to rejoin the Bombers for the upcoming season.
The grandson of Detroit Tigers Hall of Fame outfielder Al Kaline, Colin hails from Birmingham, MI and is a graduate of Birmingham Groves High School. The 5’10”, 175 pound infielder was the team captain and an all-state performer his senior season at Groves prior to being selected by the Tigers in the 25th round of the MLB amateur draft in June 2007.
Kaline is currently finishing up his second season at Florida Southern, a Division II school with a rich baseball history. The 9-time NCAA champions are currently ranked #15 in Division II by Collegiate Baseball Magazine. In 47 games for the Moccasins, he is batting .281 with a .442 on base percentage (good for 3rd best on the team).
“We are excited to have Colin back with us this coming season,” said Rick Lindau, Bombers General Manager. “With his season cut short last year due to illness, it will be a nice opportunity for him to show what he can do when healthy, and hopefully impact the Bombers with both his bat and glove,” added Lindau.
In 10 games for the Bombers last season, Kaline hit .217 (5-for-23) before landing on the team’s inactive list for the remainder of the season.
