PASADENA, CA – Another move by the EPBL has been made. This time sending young rookie Adam Koutz to the 2017 Empire League Champions, Plattsburgh RedBirds.

Koutz, a 22 year old rookie from Las Vegas, Nevada, was consistently in the top 90’s. He was the third and final pitcher signed to the Empire League during this weekends Empire League Tryout Camp in California.

“He’s a young player with a good mindset. He fits our league perfectly and I think this would be exactly what the league is about in helping a young man start his professional career.” VP of Baseball Jerry Gonzalez

The Plattsburgh RedBirds won the EPBL Championship last season and will look to repeat in 2018 with Koutz on the mound.

The Empire League will have spring training in Delaware on June 4-8, 2018 to finalize the final 120 roster spots/contracts available. For those players interested in pursuing your dreams and would like a shot at professional baseball, remember, the EPBL only signs players that attend spring training. Visit empireproleague.com and register for our spring Training Tryout camp before camp spots are filled. There are limited participants accepted into the EPBL ST Tryout camp.

Article by Empire Media

PASADENA, CA – Right handed pitcher Logan Maxwell has officially signed to the Empire Professional Baseball League and has been assigned to the New Hampshire Wild.

Maxwell, who immediately nicknamed “Thor” by VP of Baseball Jerry Gonzalez, topped out at 92mph and consistently 89-90mph with a curveball, slider and changeup.

“Logan pitched very well. I think he tops out at 92mph but regardless hes got potential to be a very good pitcher with a great appearance and multiple pitches. He deserves a shot and I’d like to give him one with the New Hampshire Wild” VP of Baseball Jerry Gonzalez

Maxwell will not have to report to spring training but he will instead report to Concord, New Hampshire when the team is finalized at the Delaware Spring Training Tryout.

The Empire League will have spring training in Delaware on June 4-8, 2018 to finalize the final 120 roster spots/contracts available. For those players interested in pursuing your dreams and would like a shot at professional baseball, remember, the EPBL only signs players that attend spring training. Visit empireproleague.com and register for our spring Training Tryout camp before camp spots are filled. There are limited participants accepted into the EPBL ST Tryout camp.

Article by Empire Media

PASADENA, CA – The Empire League held its first camp this Easter weekend at Jackie Robinson field next to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.

The Empire League has contracted Right Handed pitcher Ricky Schafer and has assigned him to the Old Orchard Beach Surge. Schafer came out of the gate strong setting the tone as he was the first pitcher to throw to live hitters.

“I was excited to see the pitching today as this was the only day i was going to really get to see them and he came out strong throwing in the upper 80’s to low 90’s. He dominated through about 12 batters and there was no doubt in my mind that this kid could pitch at the next levels. With Surge manager in attendance, he wasted no time and I didn’t blame him” – VP of Baseball Jerry Gonzalez

Schafer, who pitched briefly in the Pacific Association last year, will get his shot with the Old Orchard Beach Surge for the 2018 season.

The Empire League will have spring training in Delaware on June 4-8, 2018 to finalize the final 120 roster spots/contracts available. For those players interested in pursuing your dreams and would like a shot at professional baseball, remember, the EPBL only signs players that attend spring training. Visit empireproleague.com and register for our spring Training Tryout camp before camp spots are filled. There are limited participants accepted into the EPBL ST Tryout camp.

Article by Empire Media

TAMPA, FL – 2017 Sullivan Explorers manager Jim Hayes will be returning to the Empire League this season as the new skipper of the Old Orchard Beach Surge club in Maine.

Jim Hayes an avid baseball lover with a passion for helping young man achieve goals will return to the Empire League to manage on his second year after his first year was cut short due to health conditions.

Jim has been medically cleared to do what he loves. Everyone in the Empire League is extremely happy to see Jim back in good health and we look forward to seeing him lead the Surge. Jim is a great part of what we do in influencing and preparing young men for the next level” Director Eddie Gonzalez.

 

 

2018 will be a awesome baseball year! With Jim Hayes returning, the Surge are contenders to return to the final game in search for their first title in Empire League History.

Article by Empire Media

PLATTSBURGH, NY – After spending two seasons with the Empire League proving to everyone that he belongs at this level, Tarik El-Abour has been signed by the Kansas City Royals.

In his first season with the Empire League, Tarik El-Abour was named rookie of the year. He posted a .323 batting average in 19 games as a rookie with the 2016 Empire League Champions Sullivan Explorers.

That wasn’t enough for Tarik as he also won the 2017 Empire League Championship with the Plattsburgh RedBirds posting a .240 batting average in 38 games played and a total of 122 plate appearances. He drove in 11 runs and was second in the league with 18 hit by pitches.

“He has been a champion every year he has stepped foot on an Empire League field. His mindset is set on one goal and that’s Major League Baseball. We believed in Tarik like many doubters did not. I am so beyond excited and happy for this kid i can’t explain it. This is a great day for Tarik’s career and we are beyond happy that we were able to help him along his path.”- VP Jerry Gonzalez

Tarik will report on April 1st to Arizona where he will begin the extended spring training program with the Rookie team of the Kansas City Royals.

The two year EPBL Champion expressed his gratitude for the EPBL as he believes he couldn’t have done it without the Empire League’s help in the fact that he was able to put up numbers playing in the Empire Professional Baseball League was a huge reason for the Kansas City Royals to sign him.

The Empire League executives expressed their excitement with President of the EPBL Eddie Gonzalez commenting,

“Opportunity is earned first before its given… and this young man has rightfully earned an opportunity.  A devoted, dedicated, hard working ball player who has overcome so much adversity, and been told NO a thousand times, all he needed was one yes.  I am honored to have been blessed with an chance to sign a player of his caliber.  I didn’t do it because i wanted to prove people wrong, I signed him because I saw what he could do and he wanted to prove everyone wrong.  Well he has done just that in the Empire League.  Two seasons, Two Championships, a lot of maturing and learning. That’s what a independent minor league of this level should be about. I am very Happy for Tarik, and I cant wait to follow his journey.  He is a prime example to the many ball players that reach out to us needing just one yes. Good Luck Tarik, and welcome to the fraternity of man that played affiliated baseball. The Kansas City Royals are class organization for providing this opportunity earned by Tarik.” – CEO Eddie Gonzalez

Article by Empire Media