Waterloo, IA – The Waterloo Bucks have announced that outfielder Will Sparks will return to Waterloo for his second season in 2014. Sparks,
a junior at the University of Washington, is the 11th player to be named to the Bucks’ roster for the team’s 20th season.
Last season for Waterloo, Sparks hit .290 with two home runs and 21 RBI. The 6’4”, 240-pounder played in 40 games and finished the season with a .400 on-base percentage. Sparks hit .302 versus right-handed pitchers and .350 with runners in scoring position and two outs.
“Last summer, Will came through for us time and time again not only at the plate but also in the outfield,” said Bucks’ field manager Travis Kiewiet. “There were several times where he would be parallel to the ground and make a diving grab or blowing a runner up at the plate to save a run from scoring. Will is also a great clubhouse guy who helped keep the guys loose by doing things such as wearing baseballs off of the chest during batting practice and becoming known as ‘mustache man’ on the Northwoods League postgame shows. He will be an integral part of our success this summer and I look forward to watching him troll the outfield at Riverfront Stadium once again.”
Last season for the Huskies, Sparks played in 15 games, making 11 starts. The Saratoga, California native’s year was cut short by injury, but managed to finish with a .237 average with three RBI.
Born January 17, 1992, Sparks attended Bellarmine Prep High School where he hit .355 with 24 RBI as a senior. For his efforts, Sparks was named a
second team All-WCAL player and earned an All-State nomination. Will is the son of Tim & Karen Sparks.
The Bucks will open the 2014 season on the road versus the Rochester Honkers on May 27, but return to Waterloo for their home opener versus Rochester on May 28. Season tickets and group outings 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.
The Waterloo Bucks are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 21st season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 115 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (DET) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Allen Craig (STL) and Ben Zobrist (TB). All league games are viewable live and free of charge via the Northwoods League YouTube channel. For more information, visit www.waterloobucks.com.
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