Waterloo, IA – The Waterloo Bucks, a member of the Northwoods League, have announced shortstop Thomas Lindauer will return to Waterloo for his third season in 2013. Lindauer (pronounced LINN-dow-ur), a junior at the University of Illinois, is the third player to be named to the Bucks’ roster for the team’s 19th season.

Last year for Waterloo, Lindauer played in 63 games, hitting .229 with 14 doubles and 30 RBI. The 6’2", 180-pounder finished the year with a .308 on-base percentage and led the NWL in putouts by a shortstop with 113. Lindauer’s 63 games played mark in 2012 is tied for the 10th most in a single-season in the Bucks’ record book, while his 245 at bats last season is the seventh most in a single-season by a Waterloo player.

During his two seasons with the Bucks, Lindauer has played in 116 games, hitting .223, with 21 doubles, 54 RBI, and 30 stolen bases. The Moline, Illinois native ranks seventh on the team’s all-time list in at bats with 440, while his runs mark (81) is tied for seventh in a career.

Lindauer also ranks in Waterloo’s career record books in doubles (tied for seventh), games (ninth), and walks (tied for ninth with 51). The team career base on balls record, set by Illinois product Ryan Hastings in 2004 and 2006, is 79, a mark that Lindauer is only 28 shy of.

"Tommy is one of the premier shortstops in the college game today and he has some of the best baseball instincts and glove action you’ll see in a middle infielder," said Bucks coach Pat Casey. "His knowledge and passion for the game goes hand in hand with his talent. At the plate, he’s a clutch performer who attacks the ball and understands how to play the game. In the field, his defensive ability is top-tier, supported by his plus arm strength and superb ability to make the plays both up the field and in the hole. I look for Tommy to have a huge summer for us, both at the plate and in the field, and I know the Bucks and the city of Waterloo are excited to have him back for a third season."

In 2012 for the Fighting Illini, Lindauer played in 52 games, hitting .279 with 22 RBI and 15 stolen bases. Lindauer was named third team All-Big Ten, finishing the year with a .368 on-base percentage as Illinois’ leadoff hitter.

Born December 2, 1991, Lindauer played high school baseball at Moline High School where he was ranked as the 15th best prospect in the state by Prep Baseball Report. During his senior year in 2010, Lindauer was named the Quad City Times Athlete of the Year along with being named to the All-Big 6 Conference first team. Thomas is the son of Derek Lindauer and Andria McDermott.

The Bucks will open the 2013 season at home versus the St. Cloud Rox on May 29. Season tickets, group outings, and single-game tickets are currently on sale. For more information, call the Bucks’ Ticket Line at (319) 232-5633.

Fans are encouraged to stay in touch with the Bucks in the off-season by utilizing their website at www.waterloobucks.com.