The Waterloo Bucks Baseball Club announced the re-signing of Michael Giller, a 6'3", 195-pound outfielder from the University of Illinois. The junior rejoins the Bucks after a productive 2008 season and is the second player to sign with Waterloo for their 15th year of Northwoods League play.

The Mallards roster now stands at 29 players with the signing of Georgia Tech freshman pitcher Jacob Esch and Fresno State sophomore pitcher Jacob Floethe. Esch (pronounced ‘Esh’), a 6’3” right-hander, was a three-sport athlete (baseball, basketball, football) at Cretin-Derham Hall and led the school to the state title on the diamond in 2007 following a runner-up finish the year before. He posted a career prep record of 16-1 with a 1.50 ERA and 125 strikeouts in 121 innings. He also hit .445 with 13 home runs and 92 RBIs. Meanwhile, Floethe (‘FLOW-Thee’) comes to Madison after appearing in 18 games as a freshman last season for the NCAA National Champion Bulldogs. He recorded 20 strikeouts in 25 innings of work. Floethe also pitched in the first game of the College World Series championship round against Georgia.

After leading Livermore (CA) High School to its first East Bay Athletic League Championship in 29 years, Santa Clara freshman infielder J.R. Graham has signed to become a Madison Mallard in 2009. Graham (pronounced GRAM) set three single-season school records at Livermore, including hitting streak (16 games), runs scored (31), and saves (15). Last year as a senior he hit .418 with 20 RBIs and an on-base percentage of .465. On the mound Graham went 4-1 with a 1.10 ERA in 31 innings. After the season he was ranked as the 123rd Best 2008 Prospect in the nation by Perfect Game Cross Checker and 200th by Baseball America. This past summer he was also selected to play in the Area Code Games, Perfect Game Nationals, and the Bay Area World Series.

The “2009 Northwoods League Media Guide and Record Book” is now on sale.

Eau Claire Express field manager Dale Varsho announced the first three commitments for his 2009 roster. They include returning shortstop/pitcher Ryan O’Sullivan and new catchers Rafael Neda and Aaron Fujiki.

Indiana University sophomore first-baseman Jerrud Sabourin joins 23 new Mallards set to entertain the “Duck Pond” faithful beginning June 1.

The Waterloo Bucks inducted three new members into to the Bucks Baseball Hall of Fame last month at their fourth annual banquet. The former Bucks inducted were Bartt Carney, Ryan Gripp, and Jim Magrane. Along with the players, Greg and Nancy Wolf were be honored for their 10 years of service as housing parent

NWL 2008 All-Star, offensive centerpiece and three-year Beetle-to-be Keith Castillo has committed for the 2009 Alexandria Beetles season. Castillo was among the team leaders in nearly every offensive category in 2008.

The La Crosse Loggers continue to build for the upcoming 2009 season as team officials announced the signings of a pair of pitchers from the University of Tennessee. Right-hander Clayton Gant and southpaw Stephen Gruver will dawn the Logger green after their spring season in the SEC is complete.

Illinois junior shortstop Brandon Wikoff [pictured left] headlines the list of returning Madison Mallards players for the 2009 season.