WILLMAR, MN- The Willmar Stingers of the Northwoods League continues to finalize its 2011 roster as the team has recently signed four players and hired an infield/hitting coach for the upcoming season.  Joining the Stingers are juniors Oregon State University outfielder Brian Stamps, Stephen F. Austin pitcher Jason West, Stephen F. Austin catcher Jarid Scarafiotti and Bradley University second baseman Rob Elliott. This brings the roster to 21 players signed for the second season of Northwoods League baseball in Willmar.  Also added to the Stingers team this week was infield/hitting coach Brandon Cohen. Cohen will coach third base and join returning pitching coach Tyler Shepple and field manager Matt Hollod.

The recent players who signed this week will look to make an immediate impact this season beginning at 7:05 p.m. on Wednesday, June 1 at Bill Taunton Stadium.  Stamps, a 5 foot 11 inch, 170 lbs. outfielder joins the Stingers as the ultimate utility player.  Stamps during his sophomore year at Sacramento City College he was the winner of the Rawlings Gold Glove award at shortstop and was 15-for-19 in stolen base attempts. This spring, Stamps has seen time in all three outfield positions as well as infield for the Beavers. 

“We know that Brian can play just about anywhere, and with his speed on the bases, he will be fun to watch this summer.” Field Manager Matt Hollod said.

Also joining the Stingers are current college teammates West and Scarafiotti.   West is a 5 foot 11 inch, 185 lbs. right-handed pitcher who is having an impressive spring where he has a 3-1 record and in 20 2/3 innings has struck out 30 hitters he has faced.  Scarafiotti is a 5 foot 10 inch, 215 lbs. catcher who is currently hitting .388 with two home runs this spring for the Jacks.

Elliott is the final player to sign a contract this week. He is 6 foot 180 lbs. infielder who is the team captain for the Braves and is currently hitting .298 and is 17-for-19 in stolen bases so far this spring. He missed most of the 2009 season with Bradley due to a hamstring injury. In 2008, he won the Kirby Puckett Gold Glove Award as a sophomore.

Cohen, a former four-year starting outfielder/infielder at Seton Hall University brings a wealth of experience to the organization. He retired this past fall from professional baseball as he spent the last five years playing in the Frontier League.

“We are fortunate to have coach Cohen join our coaching staff,” Co-owner Ryan Voz said. “He brings a ton of playing and coaching experience to the Stingers this season.”

Cohen attended River Dell High School where he as the Bergen County Player of the Year and a 1st team All-County Player his senior year. Cohen was then drafted by the Minnesota Twins in 2002 out of high school, but opted to attend Seton Hall.  He has spent the off-season over the past four years coaching and doing instructional lessons with other professional players and major league scouts before reporting to spring training each year. 

The Stingers are members of the largest summer collegiate league in the country. More than 160 players were drafted into professional baseball in 2010 from the Northwoods League.  Season tickets for the 2011 season are $149 for reserved seat backs and $169 for box seat season tickets. Single game tickets go on-sale on Saturday, April 23 at the Home Run Hive in the Hansen Advertising building across from the Flags of Honor.  For more information regarding the roster and upcoming season presented by Charter Communications, please call 320-222-2010.