May 6, 2008, Evansville IN – On Monday May 5, the Frontier League held its annual Tryout Camp followed by the 2008 Draft. The Evansville Otters made three overall selections in the draft, including two in the first round.

With the second overall pick, the Otters selected infielder Troy Krider. Krider played his collegiate ball at Michigan State for the first three years of his career, amassing a .340 batting average in 165 games before transferring for his senior year to the University of Evansville. While with the Purple Aces, Krider batted .291 with 21 RBIs in 53 games.

The Otters acquired Southern Illinois’ first round selection in an earlier trade and took catcher Zach Goldberg with the fifth overall pick. Goldberg began his professional career in Independent ball in 2007, splitting time between the American Association and the Kalamazoo Kings of the Frontier League. In 13 games between the two teams, Goldberg batted .281 with two homeruns and seven RBIs.

Finally, with the second pick in the second round, pick 14 overall, Evansville selected outfielder Mike Sullivan, a former farmhand of the Detroit Tigers. Sullivan played his college ball at Ball State before being signed by the Tigers in 2006. In two seasons with the Tigers, Sullivan played in 106 games, batting .269 with 15 doubles, nine triples, and 30 RBIs. He also recorded 16 stolen bases and a .364 on-base percentage.

April 30, 2008, Evansville IN – The Otters have signed former River City Rascal OF/1B/DH Trey Hendricks to a contract for the 2008 season. Trey, a switch hitter from Spring, TX, played his college ball at Harvard University and upon graduation, was drafted in the 24th round of the 2004 amateur draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Last season with the Rascals, Hendricks played in all 96 games, batted .258 with 10 doubles and 10 homeruns while picking up 44 RBIs.

April 29, 2008, Evansville IN – Members of the Evansville Otters 2008 Baseball Team will travel from across the country to pursue their dreams of becoming professional baseball players. Players will be hours away from family members and friends, and are hoping to feel that comfort of home from a family who will be willing to host a player(s) during the 2008 season.

Families will get an inside view into professional baseball, while forming personal relationships with young men working to reach their goal of the big leagues. Families receive free season tickets, enabling them to attend each of the Otters 51 home games in 2008.

If you are able to provide a home, or would like more information regarding our host family program, please contact Casie Williams at 812-435-8686 or by e-mail at cwilliams@evansvilleotters.com.

April 22, 2008, Evansville IN – The Evansville Otters have reinstated former University of Evansville pitcher Mark Murray from the retired list and signed him for the 2008 season. Murray was a member of the Otters last season when he compiled a record of 3-4 with a 3.34 ERA in 18 appearances, including six starts.

Mark is excited about returning to the Otters in 2008. “It’s always nice to be able to play in front of family and friends, and to be given the opportunity to continue my baseball career in my hometown of Evansville…I couldn’t be more pleased.”

Murray played his high school ball at Memorial before pitching for the Purple Aces, compiling a career record of 11-11 with 17 saves.

April 22, 2008, Evansville IN – The Evansville Otters have signed former Los Angeles Dodgers prospect Tycen Povey to a contract. Povey was a three-time All-American at the NAIA and Junior College levels, putting up a .423 batting average his senior year at Bethany College, adding five homeruns and 20 doubles.

The 6-3, 220 pound outfield was signed by the Dodgers and played in just 18 games at their rookie affiliates, batting .205 with three extra-base hits and an RBI.

April 21, 2008, Evansville IN – The Evansville Otters professional baseball team announced today their broadcasting partnership for 2008. For the sixth consecutive season, all Evansville Otters baseball games, home and away, will be heard on 91.5 FM, WUEV. The station will broadcast all ninety-six regular season games as well as any playoff games Evansville qualifies for at the end of the season.

All games will also be broadcast on the web at evansvilleotters.com.

WUEV General Manager Mike Crowley is excited about the continued partnership.

"WUEV is once again thrilled to be carrying Evansville Otters baseball on the radio for the sixth consecutive season. We are looking forward to an exciting season with new manager Jason Verdugo and couldn't be more ecstatic that Jason Troop is returning for his second season as the play by play announcer. Otters baseball is a big part of summertime in Evansville and WUEV is glad to play a role in this great summertime tradition."

The Otters open their season May 21 at Bosse Field against the defending Frontier League Champion Windy City Thunderbolts. Gates open at 6:00pm for the opening day festivities with first pitch scheduled for 7:05pm.

April 17, 2008, Evansville IN – Evansville Otters manager Jason Verdugo has announced the addition of Todd Baker, an assistant coach at Louisiana State University—Eunice, as a volunteer assistant coach for 2008.

“Todd will be a great addition to the 2008 staff”, said Otters’ Manager Jason Verdugo. “He will be coming to Evansville after working with one of the top JC programs in the country and I have no doubts that his tremendous work ethic will rub off on the players with our club.”

Last season, Baker took the job as an assistant coach at Louisiana State University-Eunice where he helped lead the Bengals to a number one ranking and the NJCAA Div. II National Championship.

Before joining LSUE in August, Baker served as outfield, hitting and third base coach at Ranger Junior College in Ranger, Texas, for two seasons. He also coached for Davidson of the Southern Collegiate League in the summer of 2007 and Lima of the Great Lakes Collegiate League in 2006.

Baker played collegiately at Florida Southern College Lakeland, Fla., in 2002, Kishwaukee Community College in Malta, Ill., in 2003, and Bethel College in Mishawaka, Ind., in 2004 and 2005. He was also a member of the national amateur team in 1999 and 2000.

April 16, 2008, Evansville IN – The Evansville Otters and Jacob’s Village are proud to announce the 4th annual exhibition game at Bosse Field to benefit Jacob’s Village, a non-profit residential community. The Otters will be playing the Southern Illinois Miners in a game that is set for Friday, May 16 at 7:05pm. Tickets can be purchased at Bosse Field, all Ritzy’s locations, and at Jacob’s Village. Tickets cost just three dollars for general admission seats and box seats for just five dollars with all proceeds going to Jacob’s Village.

Jacob’s Village is a nonprofit organization dedicated to meeting the needs of people with functional disabilities by offering accessible living accommodations in a caring, home-like environment. With a professional, caring staff, residents have the support system they need to lead lives filled with opportunities. Everyone who lives at Jacob’s Village benefits from an environment that fosters enjoyment, lifelong learning, independence and community involvement. Whether going to work, participating in our fitness program, attending a car show, going to church or participating in an array of other available activities, residents of Jacob’s Village are continually encouraged to expand their boundaries, to grow more self-sufficient, and to live joyfully.

Last year the paid attendance was 3,443, which raised $11,193 for Jacob’s Village. The dream and prayer of Jacob’s Village is that everyone living here will enjoy a life rich in experiences and opportunities. For ticket information please contact the Evansville Otters, Jacob’s Village, or all G.D. Ritzy’s locations.

April 16, 2008, Evansville IN – The Evansville Otters have signed former Oakland A's prospect Isaac Omura to a contract for the 2008 season. Omura spent the past three seasons in the Oakland system after being drafted in the 17th round in 2005 out of the University of Hawaii.

A two-time All-WAC selection, Omura batted .331 with 36 doubles and 11 homeruns while being rated the best defensive second basemen by Baseball America. While with the A's last season, Omura batted .295 with 19 doubles, 47 RBI and five homeruns. Omura played high school and college ball with fellow Otter Ricky Bauer.

April 14, 2008, Evansville IN – The Evansville Otters invite all members of the media and the public to attend a press conference Wednesday, April 16 at 3:00pm at Bosse Field to announce details of the Otters' fourth annual exhibition game for the benefit of Jacob’s Village. Representing the Evansville Otters will be General Manager Liam Miller along with President Bill Bussing. Jacob’s Village will be represented by President/CEO Cheryl Kuchna and Jacob’s Village supporters, including G.D. Ritzy’s.

Refreshments will be served.

April 14, 2008, Evansville IN – The Evansville Otters are looking for Bat Boys for the 2008 season. All applicants must be between the ages of 13 and 16 and be willing to commit to up to 51 home games throughout the summer. For those interested, or for more information, please contact the Evansville Otters front office at 435-8686.

April 14, 2008, Evansville IN – Jodi Graham and Courtney Wahl, Head Coaches and Directors of the Otter Belles, would like to introduce the following members of the 2008 Otter Belle dance and promotion team: Shea Curtis, Jenna Fischer, Allie Fowler, Jennifer Guebert, Gina Lawson, Kylie McFall, Kayla Nance, and Lisa Wanninger. Results are final and non-negotiable.

April 11, 2008, Evansville IN – The Evansville Otters have announced the signing of Madisonville, KY native and former University of Evansville pitcher Nick Utley. Utley played for the Purple Aces as a freshman in 2003 throwing 16 innings out of the bullpen while going 2-0 with a 5.63 ERA. Utley transferred to Itawamba CC and then to Lee University before being signed last season by the Macon Music of the South Coast League.

“Nick comes highly recommended from his manager in the SCL”, says Otters’ skipper Jason Verdugo. “He’s a tremendous athlete that really established himself as a fulltime pitcher last year.”

While with the Music, Utley posted a 6-2 record with a 4.12 ERA in 14 starts, striking out 61 while walking 26.

April 10, 2008, Troy, IL – On Sunday, May 4th and Monday, May 5th, the Frontier League will host its annual Tryout Camp and Draft at Rent One Park in Marion, IL. The Southern Illinois Miners, the League’s newest member, will serve as the host team.

“We are ecstatic to be partnering with the Miners to host this event,” Commissioner Bill Lee said. “They are a first class organization and they have a first class facility.”

The Tryout Camp and Draft is open to all baseball players who were 27 years old (or younger) on January 1, 2008 and over the age of 18. “This is the best way for aspiring players to make a Frontier League roster,” Lee said. “All twelve teams will be represented. Each club will draft at least two players to take to spring training.”

Players interested in trying out can register online at www.frontierleague.com/tryouts.php. Registration will also be available in person at 8am on Sunday, March 4th at Rent One Park. For more information, contact Kevin Rouch at the Frontier League office via e-mail at krouch@frontierleague.com or telephone at (614) 203-7911.

April 2, 2008, Evansville, IN – The Evansville Otters and Leadership Evansville are partnering up for the fifth annual Otters’ Fan Fest at Bosse Field on Saturday, April 12. Come out and join local youth organizations as they showcase programs and activities available to area youth. Fan Fest begins at 4:30 and lasts till 7:00. Admission is absolutely free, and there is plenty of fun to be had. Take batting practice with Otters’ manager Jason Verdugo, bounce and slide on our inflatables, or go on a scavenger hunt. Clowns will be here, and even some of your favorite Otters’ baseball players will be signing autographs.

Do you want to sing the National Anthem or become an Otter Belle at Bosse Field? National Anthem auditions will be held throughout the evening with the Otter Belle tryouts for candidates at least 18 years old getting underway at 5:30. For more information please contact the Evansville Otters’ front office at 435-8686.

April 2, 2008, Evansville, IN – The Evansville Otters have announced the signing of former University of Evansville starting pitcher Adam Rogers. A Harrison High School graduate and four year starter for the Purple Aces, Rogers compiled a 4.42 ERA in 57 career starts with 13 complete games and 290 strikeouts.

Otters’ Manager Jason Verdugo is excited about the acquisition. “We look for Adam to play a big role on our staff this season. I'm sure the fans of Evansville are familiar with his success while with the Aces and I'm sure he will provide the Otter fans with much to cheer about as he did at the university.”

Rogers was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 31st round in 2006 and pitched out of the bullpen for five teams in the Jays’ system reaching as high as AA last season. Rogers went 8-3 with a 3.61 ERA in his two seasons with the Blue Jays, striking out 69 and walking just 10.

April 1, 2008, Evansville, IN - The Evansville Otters Booster Club is an essential part of the process of providing fun, action, and sports for the community through its outreach to the Evansville Otters players. We are an independent organization that works with the approval, support, and cooperation of the Evansville Otters team management, in order to help the players on the team throughout the season.

If you love Otters baseball and want to get even closer to the game and its players, the Booster Club is for you. Otters Booster Club members are a friendly, fun-loving group of Otter fanatics dedicated to maintaining quality treatment of the players and to providing the Otters organization a valuable and responsive resource of support. By becoming a Booster Club member you receive the following: discounted Otters merchandise, discounted season tickets, free Booster Club t-shirt, three picnics for members, players, and coaching staff, and discounted charter bus trip.

The Booster Club's only sources of revenue are from Club dues and our Half Pot sales at home ball games. This money is then used to provide the following for the players: player travel bags, team pull over jackets, pre-season meals at try outs, road trip meals on every road trip throughout the season, home stand after game meal once a month, three picnics during the season, All-Star gifts for the participants, scrapbooks for all the players and coaching staff, Player of the Game awards, and plaques and awards for all the players and coaching staff at the end of the season.

If you would like additional information or would like to join the Otters' Booster Club, contact a club officer or Board of Director.

March 27, 2008, Evansville, IN - The Evansville Otters have announced the signing of right handed pitcher Ricky Bauer (Kaneohe, HI) for the 2008 season. Bauer comes to Evansville from the San Francisco Giants organization, where he spent the three previous seasons compiling a career 4.45 ERA while pitching in 32 games, striking out 57 and walking 19. Bauer started nine of his 15 apearances last season with Salem-Keizer, the single A affiliate of the Giants in the Northwest League, going 4-3 with a 4.34 ERA. Bauer pitched four years at the University of Hawaii striking out 204 batters while walking just 50.

March 20, 2008, Evansville, IN - This Saturday the Evansville Otters’ broadcaster Jason Troop will join Frontier League historian Tim Perry on his Frontier League Radio Show.

Troop and Perry will be discussing Otters Baseball, including the ballpark improvements that took place during the offseason as well as some of the promotions slated for 2008. In addition, Jason will have a brief preview of the upcoming season on the field including new coaches and players, as well as some of those returning from 2007.

The Tim Perry Show can be heard this Saturday at 10:30AM on the Internet at www.blogtalkradio.com/flhistory. You can check out all the previous shows as well to get your fix of Frontier League Baseball as we get set for the home opener at Bosse Field.

March 18, 2008, Evansville, IN - The Evansville Otters have announced the re-signing of INF Matt Reynolds and OF/1B Daniel Burton to contracts for the 2008 season.

Reynolds joined the Otters in early June of 2007. As a starting third-baseman, Reynolds was a solid bat in the middle of the Otters lineup, hitting .313 in his first month, including an 11-game hitting streak in early July. After some injuries, Matt finished the season with a .232 batting average with 2 homeruns, 15 RBI's and 11 stolen bases over 61 games.

Daniel Burton (New Albany, IN) will also be returning to the Evansville Otters. Burton joined the Otters 8 games before the All-Star break in 2007 and provided a solid bat in the lineup, splitting time between the outfield and first base. Over the course of the season, Burton compiled a .244 average with 6 homeruns (2nd most on Otters in 2007), and 17 RBI's.

March 15, 2008, Evansville, IN - The Dayton Dragons' logo edged the Otters' logo 53% to 47% in the first round of the CNBC Logo Awards Contest. Voting ended at 8 a.m. Saturday. A total of 5,896 votes were cast in the matchup that pitted sixth seed Dayton against eleventh seed Evansville.

March 10, 2008, Evansville, IN - The Evansville Otters logo has been selected as one of the top logos in minor league baseball, according to Darren Rovell of CNBC.com.

Over the next month, fans can log on to the CNBC website (http://www.cnbc.com/id/15837548/cid/97537) and vote for their favorite logo, via a tournament bracket setup. There will be five new matchups each day, allowing a 24-hour window for voting per matchup. It is unknown when the Otters first matchup will take place, but stay tuned to www.evansvilleotters.com for more details.

The Otters are one of three Frontier League logos selected in the tournament, along with Southern Illinois and River City.

March 10, 2008, Evansville, IN - The Evansville Otters have signed catcher Tom Pennino and southpaw pitcher Tom Thornton to contracts for the 2008 season. Pennino spent 2007 behind the plate for the Otters, while Thornton split time between the Nashua Pride and the Traverse City Beach Bums.

In 2007, Thornton (Middleboro, Massachusetts) compiled a 2-3 record between his time in Nashua and Traverse City. As a starter for the Beach Bums, Thornton was 2-2 with a 4.86 ERA with a 31/6 K-BB ratio in seven starts. In 2006, the Notre Dame graduate pitched for Oneonta of the New York Penn League, compiling a 2-4 record with a 3.33 ERA in 11 starts.

Tom Pennino will return to Bosse Field after spending the 2006 and 2007 seasons with the Otters, striking fear into opposing baserunners. In 2007, Pennino led the Frontier League with a .993 fielding percentage while throwing out 24 of 49 runners (49%). Offensively, Pennino hit .223 with two homers in 64 games.

The Otters will open their season on Wednesday, May 21, as the Windy City ThunderBolts come to town as part of Fifth Third Bank's Opening Night. Individual game tickets will go on sale on Saturday, April 12.

March 7, 2008, Evansville, IN - The Evansville Otters announced today a trade with the Southern Illinois Miners that will send 1B/DH Scott Simon to Evansville for infielder Tony Roth.

In 2007, Simon played in 62 games with the Miners, splitting time between 1B and DH. He accumulated a .264 batting average (.286 on the road), with one home run and 36 RBIs. Scott will also bring a solid glove to Evansville, having only committed one error in his time at Southern Illinois, giving him a fielding percentage of .996.

Simon played his collegiate ball at Northern Illinois University, where he holds the all-time school and MAC conference career record for hits. As a senior in 2007, Simon hit .329 with three home runs and 37 RBIs in 57 games. He shared the Central Illinois Collegiate League's most valuable player award after hitting .337 for Quincy in 2006.

Roth played in just 10 games at the conclusion of the Otters' 2007 campaign, filling in for then traded shortstop Ryan Bethel. In his 10 games, Roth hit .378 with a double and 2 RBI's.

March 3, 2008, Evansville, IN - The Evansville Otters have resigned righthanded pitcher Justin Jordan of Nashville for the 2008 season. Jordan played for the Otters in 2005, but was signed by the Seattle Mariners after only one game. After spending 2005 and 2006 in the Mariners' organization, Justin re-signed with Evansville before the 2007 season.

In 2007, Jordan led the Frontier League in complete games (4) and finished 10th in the league with a 3.13 ERA. A gradute of Belmont University, he was also among the Otters' leaders in wins (6), strikeouts (96), and innings pitched (123.2).

The Otters will open their season on Wednesday, May 21, as the Windy City ThunderBolts come to town as part of Fifth Third Bank's Opening Night. Individual game tickets will go on sale on Saturday, April 12.

February 21, 2008, Evansville, IN - Jose Pineda, 25, a product of the Oakland Athletics' farm system, has agreed to play for the Evansville Otters in 2008.

A native of the Dominican Republic, Pineda was signed by the A's as a nondrafted free agent in 1999. He spent four years with Oakland's rookie league teams in the Dominican Summer League. After Pineda hit .339 in 2004, Oakland promoted him to its Midwest League Class A team in Kane County, Ill. In 2006, his second season with the Cougars, Pineda hit .254 with 15 home runs and 74 RBIs in 130 games.

Last year at Class A Stockton of the California League, Pineda hit .271 with 20 home runs in 112 games, driving in 64 runs.

February 20, 2008, Evansville, IN - Starting today, 25-game Half-Season and 12-game Mini-Plan packages are available for both the field box and general admission seating areas.

There are three available Half-Season packages: Family Package, Adult Package, and an Ala Carte package. The Half Season Package is only $140 for field box seating or $100 for general admission.

The 12-game Mini Plan package is also available for only $75 for field box seating or $50 for general admission.

To purchase one of these plans, please call the Otters front office at (812) 435-8686.

February 20, 2008, Evansville, IN - Otters manager Jason Verdugo has re-signed two left-handed pitchers, Ben Foster and Kyle Pawelczyk, for the 2008 campaign.

Ben Foster was a key starter during the 2005 season, compiling a record of 9-5 with a 2.99 ERA, as well as being named to the Eastern Division All-Star team. In 2006, Ben made 2 starts, going 1-1 before being placed on the retired list.

Kyle Pawelczyk has been a staple of the Otters bullpen over the past 3 seasons, pitching in 60 games in his Otters career while compiling a 4.03 ERA. Kyle has spent time in the Angels, Padres, and Brewers organizations.

February 19, 2008, Evansville, IN - Michael Hyde, a three-year starter at Florida State University, has signed a 2008 contract with the Evansville Otters.

A Tallahassee native, Hyde was 26-5 with a 4.03 ERA in 57 career appearances at FSU. He was 10-2 with a 3.35 ERA as a senior in 2007. Hyde pitched at Tallahassee Community College as a freshman.

Hyde appeared in nine games out of the bullpen for the Gulf Coast Yankees last season. Evansville's first Florida State alum since Robby Read, Hyde was 3-0 with a 3.49 ERA.

February 15, 2008, Evansville, IN - The July 4 game versus the Rockford Riverhawks has been changed from a 1:05 PM start to a 3:05 PM start to better accommodate the Riverhawks' travel schedule. Fans are encouraged to kick off the holiday weekend with an afternoon of great Evansville Otters baseball, before the Freedom Festival's Fireworks Spectacular takes place on the Evansville Riverfront at 9:30 PM.

The Otters will hold their Independence Day celebration on Thursday, July 3, with their own post-game fireworks show.

February 8, 2008, Evansville, IN - Former Evansville Otter George Sherrill was traded today from the Seattle Mariners to the Baltimore Orioles as part of the Erik Bedard deal.

Sherrill, who pitched for Evansville in 1999 and 2000, was the first Otter to reach the major leagues when he joined Seattle in 2004. In four seasons with the Mariners, Sherrill accumulated a 10-8 record with a 3.65 ERA out of the Seattle bullpen.

With Chris Ray, the Orioles' closer in 2007, likely to miss the 2008 season after elbow surgery, Sherrill, a southpaw, is expected to contend for the closer's role.

February 7, 2008, Evansville, IN - The Evansville Otters have announced the signing of first baseman Brendon Hitchcock, a four-year starter from Division I Binghamton (N.Y.) University of the American East Conference. A first-team all-conference choice in 2005, 2006 and 2007, Hitchcock was named the league's top player as a senior in 2007, when he hit .364 with five home runs and 39 RBIs in 47 games.

A lefthanded hitter, Hitchcock finished as the Bearcats' career leader in hits (246), RBIs (150), doubles (48) and batting average (.360). He was Binghamton's starting leftfielder as a freshman in 2004.

A resident of Laceyville, Pa., Hitchcock won four letters in baseball at Wyalusing Valley (Pa.) High School. He was selected first-team all-conference all four years.

February 5, 2008, Evansville, IN - The Evansville Otters announced today a partnership with the Executive Inn Hotel and Convention Center in downtown Evansville, making the established hotel the official team hotel for the Otters 2008 season.

The Executive will host all Frontier League teams that visit Evansville during the 2008 season, as well as league officials, umpires, and Otters players during spring training. The Executive was the host hotel during the 2006 Frontier League All-Star Game in Evansville, as well as the team hotel for the Otters' playoff run during the 2003 season.

"We are very excited to announce this partnership with the Executive Inn", said Scott Trible, Director of Operations for the Otters. "The Executive is a staple of downtown Evansville and is a first class facility all around."

The full-service hotel features the Advantage Fitness Center with indoor-swimming pool and tennis courts available to all guests, Wi-Fi connection throughout the entire hotel, a first-class dining facility, and the evening spot "Time Out Lounge".

February 4, 2008, Evansville, IN - Love baseball? Looking for a way to entertain your family or company with a memorable night of fun and excitement? Look no further than season tickets with the Evansville Otters!

There are plenty of great seats still available in the field box area for the 2008 season. The field box package gives you your own personal seat for the entire 51-game regular season, guarantees you any premium giveaway item, and gives you major savings from the gate price! Your own personal seat at historic Bosse Field can be yours for only $250!

Contact the Otters front office at (812)435-8686 or ottersbb@evansville.net for more information or to reserve your seats today!

January 31, 2008, Evansville, IN - The Evansville Otters have announced that Liam Miller has been promoted to general manager and Scott Trible has been named assistant general manager.

Miller, entering his fifth year with the Otters, had held the title of senior account manager. Before joining the Otters, Miller served as a ticket events assistant for the Oakland Athletics for three seasons. The Juneau, Alaska, native graduated from Indiana State University with a degree in recreation and sport management in 2001. Deana Johnson, Evansville's previous general manager, has been on maternity leave since the birth of her first child in October. She will remain heavily involved with the Otters as the director of special events.

Trible, of Mt. Vernon, Ind., is entering his fourth year with the Otters and his fifth season in professional baseball. He joined the Otters in 2004 as a promotions intern and was named promotions coordinator in 2005. After spending the 2006 season with the Modesto Nuts of the California League, Trible returned to Evansville as the director of operations in 2007. He graduated from Ball State University in 2006 with a degree in sports management.

The Otters will open the 2008 season on May 21 at home against the reigning 2007 Frontier League champion Windy City ThunderBolts on Fifth Third Bank Opening Night. The Otters will play 51 home games in 2008.

January 30, 2008, Evansville, IN - The Evansville Otters continue to add to their 2008 roster by signing infielder Justin Randall and starting pitcher Mike Damchuk.

Randall, of Sarnia, Ontario, joins the Otters from Ashland University of the Division II Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. During Justin's senior year, he accumulated a .425 batting average with 2 home runs in 45 games, while only striking out 2 times in 174 at-bats, leading all of D-II hitters in strikeout %. He was named the conference's player of the year as a junior in 2006.

Damchuk, of Corunna, Ontario also excelled in his collegiate playing years. In two seasons at Spalding University in Louisville, Mike compiled a record of 16-4 with a 2.13 ERA and two shutouts. During Mike's two seasons, Spalding won the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference regular season and tournament championships. Damchuk was chosen as the conference's pitcher of the year as a senior in 2007.

Prior to playing for Spalding and Ashland, Damchuk and Randall were teammates at St. Clair Community College in Port Huron, Mich., in 2004 and 2005.

January 10, 2008, Evansville, IN - Otters manager Jason Verdugo has assembled his coaching staff for his debut 2008 season. Verdugo will have former Otters pitcher Brendan Sagara as his pitching coach and Bobby Bell as his hitting coach. Sagara and Bell will join bench coach Bill McKeon who will return for his third season.

Brendan Sagara joins the Evansville Otters after spending 2007 as the Pitching Coach and Assistant Director of Player Procurement for the Windy City ThunderBolts. Sagara's staff led the Frontier League in ERA (3.63), wins (68), saves (35), shutouts (10), and opponent average (.242). 2008 will mark Brendan's seventh season as a pitching coach in professional baseball. In his six previous seasons, Brendan's teams have won two league championships (2007 Windy City, 2005 Gary SouthShore), four division championships, had 10 All-Star selections, and had a combined record of 333 wins and 230 losses.

Before becoming a coach, Sagara attended the University of Hawaii-Hilo where he ranked among the school's all-time leaders in wins, winning percentage, ERA, opponent avg., and strikeouts. During the end of the 1999 season, Brendan joined the Evansville Otters' bullpen and posted a 1.69 ERA as the Otters were in the midst of clinching the Western Division Championship.

"I am very excited about my return to the Evansville Otters", said Sagara. "I really enjoyed my time there as a player and appreciate the opportunity to rejoin such a proud franchise. I have heard a lot of great things about Jason Verdugo and look forward to building a championship contender with him in Evansville. I have always maintained a strong affinity for the city and its people. Evansville is truly one of the special places in professional baseball."

Also joining the Otters coaching staff will be Bobby Bell. Bell served as the hitting coach for the Joliet Jackhammers during the 2004 and 2005 seasons and the Schaumburg Flyers during the 2006 season. Prior to coaching, Bell spent six years catching in the California Angels minor league system from 1986-1991, reaching as high as AAA. Bell also owns and operates the "Hittin Stix" baseball instructional services.

"My family and I spent a lot of time in the Evansville area this past summer, and we are looking forward to being part of the Otters family" said Bell. "I am also very excited to be working with Jason (Verdugo) this year because of what I believe he will bring to the organization and the fans of the Evansville Otters".

January 7, Evansville, IN -- The Evansville Otters announced today a trade with the Washington Wild Things that sends INF Ryan Bethel back to Bosse Field. Bethel is the player to be named later from a trade with Washington last August.

Bethel began the 2007 season as the starting shortstop for the Otters. Bethel hit .249 with 2 homeruns and 35 RBI's in 72 games with the Otters before being traded to Washington.

January 4, Evansville, IN - Outfielder Tony Konicek, a two-time first-team NCAA Division III All-American from Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, Minn., has signed a 2008 contract with the Evansville Otters of the Frontier League.

A native of Rochester, Minnesota, Konicek was the two-time most valuable player of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and a three-time All-MIAC selection.

Konicek led all Division III players with a .895 slugging percentage as a senior in 2007; in 36 games he hit .452 with 10 home runs and 55 RBIs. He began the season as the Gusties' centerfielder before switching to third base.

In addition to earning the Max Molock MIAC Most Valuable Player Award for the second year in a row, Konicek was honored as the 2007 Midwest Region Position Player of the Year by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and named to the NCAA All-American First Team as a third baseman.

"I look forward to working with Tony; his numbers are just a small portion of what he adds to our team," said Otters manager Jason Verdugo, who faced Konicek as coach of Hamline University. "Tony adds a very strong winning attitude and competitive fire. In six years I have coached in the MIAC, I have allowed 5 intentional walks...4 to him, in the same game....that's how much respect I have for Tony and his ability."

As a junior in 2006, Tony was named to the ABCA/Rawlings All-American First Team after hitting .484 with 8 homeruns, 49 RBI's, 28 runs scored and a .989 fielding average.

Konicek finished as the Gusties' career leader in batting average (.440), hits (228), triples (12), RBIs (178) and runs scored (tied with 135). His 31 home runs, 53 doubles and 518 at bats rank second all-time among Gustavus Adolphus batters.

The Mayo High School graduate also holds the Gusties' single season record for at bats (171), hits (74) and RBIs (55). He is the first multiple-time All-American in Gusavus Adolphus baseball history.

September 18, Evansville, IN - The Evansville Otters are already gearing up for the 2008 season and are looking for bright, young college students to help out during the summer. The Otters are currently accepting resumes for promotional internships, and operations/concessions internships. For more information on these positions, or to apply for one of these positions and to post your resume, please visit the following link:

Internship Opportunities

Stay tuned to EvansvilleOtters.com in the coming weeks for some exciting news around the ballpark as well as the release of the 2008 Frontier League schedule.