All-Stars Dwyer, Smith, Barnes join Hall of Fame inductees at banquet

WILLMAR, MN – The Stingers are excited to announce its special guests for an upcoming Winter BBQ presented by Charter and the West Central Baseball Hall of Fame banquet on Friday, January 17th at the Willmar Conference Center.  Former Stingers players Sean Dwyer, Jacob Barnes and Jordan Smith will join manager Matt Hollod as part of the upcoming event.

Dwyer was a member of the Stingers during the 2010 and 2011 seasons and finished up his first season playing in the Colorado Rockies organization for the Tri-City Dust Devils (A).  Dwyer was drafted by the Rockies in the 11th round (319th overall) of the 2013 MLB First Year Player Draft.  Dwyer hit .252 for the Dust Devils  with 7 doubles and had 29 walks.  Dwyer was named to the Northwest League All-Star team, winning the home run derby contest held during the festivities.  

Smith was a member of the 2010 Inaugural franchise for the Stingers and finished his third season of pro ball playing for the Carolina Mudcats (A) in the Cleveland Indians organization. He hit .292 with 29 doubles and had 54 Runs Batted In. Smith was selected in the 9th round (278th overall) of the 2011 MLB Draft and has been named an Indians organizational all-star following both the 2012 and 2013 seasons.

Barnes was a dominant reliever for the Stingers during the 2010 Inaugural Stingers season as well.  He is currently a member of the Milwaukee Brewers organization, currently playing for the Brevard County Manatees (A) this past summer.  Like Smith, Barnes is in his third year of professional baseball after being drafted in the 14th round (431 overall) in the 2011 MLB Draft.  Barnes has proven to be a steady arm on the Manatees pitching staff leading the team in wins with 9, which is tied for fifth best in the Florida State League.  In 2012, Barnes was a member of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers that won the Midwest League championship.

These former players along with team mascot Barry will be available for photos and autographs following the event. Doors will open at 6:30 pm with the festivities beginning at 7 pm.  The program will feature the induction of the inaugural class to the West Central Baseball Hall of Fame and a question & answer session with three former Stingers players and manager Hollod.

A limited number of tickets are available with proceeds of the event benefitting local charities.  Tickets are $10, which include a ballpark style meal, and can be purchased by visiting www.willmarstingers.com or calling the Stingers office at 320-222-2010. 

The Willmar Stingers 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 summer collegiate 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 MLB All-Stars Max Scherzer (DET), 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.willmarstingers.com