Vipers To Stay In Superior???
The Bayside Vipers will likely remain in Superior, WI for the 2010 season. After a stressful winter on trying to find a home and facing possible re-location the Vipers got notice that they could remain in Superior and would have a brand new renovated ball park if they choose to do so. The Vipers could be calling Morrie Arnovich Field their home in 2010. Morrie Arnovich Field mostly known as a hitter friendly park has gone under costly renovations over the winter months - such as a brand new up to date lighting system, brand new dugouts with much more space added, and a brand new outfield fence that has been pushed back with a 20 foot tall monster added to the short porch in right field.
Welcome to the Show!!!
Former Viper now a St. Louis Cardinal
INDIANAPOLIS — The St. Louis Cardinals thought about drafting lefty Ben Jukich three years before they actually did.
Back in 2006, Jukich, a starter for Dakota Wesleyan, was on the Cardinals’ draft board — a target to add potential depth to the annual thin list of lefthanded pitchers the Cardinals had in the system — but he went to Oakland in the 13th round of that draft, before the Cardinals had him pegged. They got a do-over in the Rule 5 draft. With the 20th pick in the annual Rule 5 draft, the Cardinals selected the lefty starter from the Cincinnati Triple-A roster.
Jukich will have to remain on the Cardinals 25-man roster throughout the season for the club to wrestle permanent control of him.
“He’s had success (in the relief role),” general manager John Mozeliak said. “Whenever you’re looking at somebody who might be used as a lefthanded reliever, we felt he had a good enough breaking ball to survive. But more importantly, when you’re looking at the Rule 5 … you’ve got to be able to do more than just one out.”
If the Cardinals keep him as a third lefty, Jukich would fit in a Brad Thompson-like role, with cameo appearances — at best — as an alternative to veteran specialists Dennys Reyes and Trever Miller.
Jukich, 27, went 9-6 with a 4.10 ERA in 29 games (17 starts) for Cincinnati’s Triple-A affiliate in Louisville, Ky. He had 40 walks and 106 strikeouts in 123 innings there. The Cardinals also scouted him recently in the Dominican Winter League, where he led the league in ERA until his most recent start. In nine game there (all starts), Jukich is 3-2 with a 2.78 ERA. He has 32 strikeouts and 12 walks in 45 1/3 innings.
Here is Jukich’s page, crowded with stats, at MiLB.com.
2009 Bayside Viper Awards
Chad Susen's MVP Award = Corey Verhel
Most Valuable Pitcher = Marcus Besonen
Homerun Champion = Corey Verhel / Joe Stark
Batting Champion = Corey Verhel
Big Bat Award (RBI Champion) = Bob Eastman / Marcus Besonen
Rookie of the Year = Cal Fougner
Best Utility Player = Cal Fougner
Gary Gustafson Comeback Player of the Year = Bryan Olson
Gold GLove Award = Corey Verhel
