The Rochester Honkers Baseball Club announced that Phil Haig, a 6’3”, 205-pound sophomore left-handed pitcher from the University of Illinois, will return for his second season on the mound for the Honkers. The Inver Grove Heights, MN native was a mid-season All-Star for the Honkers last summer.

Eau Claire Express field manager Dale Varsho announced three commitments from Baylor University. They include returning utility man Brooks Pinckard along with newcomers Jon Ringenberg and Trent Blank. The trio brings the Express roster to eight.

The Mallards are excited to announce the team has signed St. Mary’s freshman infielder Troy Channing for the 2009 season. Two weeks ago the former Foothill High School (Pleasanton, CA) product was named the West Coast Conference Player of the Week for a second time after hitting .550 with two doubles, two home runs, and 12 RBIs.

The Waterloo Bucks Baseball CluB announced the resigning of Chris Pack, a 6'3", 188-pound right-handed pitcher from Villanova University. Pack joins James Jones and Bob Lackovic on the Bucks' 2009 pitching staff.

Illinois sophomore right-handed pitcher Nick Chmielewski has signed with the Madison Mallards. Last year for the Illini Chmielewski (pronounced Chim-uh-LEW-skee) went 3-2 in 31.2 innings of work over 15 appearances. He also pitched last summer for the Fayetteville Swampdogs in the Coastal Plain League, throwing 25.2 innings over 17 appearances. So far this spring he's 1-0 with a 3.18 ERA in five relief appearances.

Pepperdine University has sent the likes of Jason Dominguez, Matt Aidem, Eric Thames and Scott Alexander to La Crosse in the past and that trend will continue when left-hander Matt Bywater and Aaron Gates slide into a Logger uniform this season.

Eau Claire Express field manager Dale Varsho announced that pitcher/outfielder Lucas Herbst and outfielder Blake Silguero have committed to play with the team in 2009. The two newcomers bring the Express roster to five.

The Rochester Honkers Baseball Club announced the finalization of their coaching staff for the 2009 season. Field Manager Rusty McNamara has hired Joe Cotton as his pitching coach and former Rochester Honker and assistant coach at the University of North Dakota, Eric Hoffmann, who will be in charge of hitters and outfielders.

The Thunder Bay Border Cats announced the re-signing of two players from the 2008 roster. Third Baseman Chris Curley and Catcher Dean Forthun will both be returning to the defending Northwoods League Champions.

The Waterloo Bucks Baseball Club announced the signing of Bob Lackovic, a 6'0", 190-pound, right-handed pitcher from Creighton University. Lackovic, a junior, is the second pitcher to be added to the Bucks 2009 staff.