NORMAL – Empire League Most Valuable Player, Islanders MVP, Home Run King and RBI monster Jacob Bissell has officially signed to play with the Normal Cornbelters of the Frontier League.

Bissell led the Empire League in Home Runs and RBI’s while playing for the Puerto Rico Islanders. This coming after the Islanders traded for Bissell midway through the first half of the season.

“JJ is not only the MVP of the league, but the guy is a team player, he’s hilarious and a powerful left handed bat. There’s not enough i could say about JJ but I will say I am so happy and proud to have watched him play and do what he did in the Empire League and now for him to get an opportunity to play in the Frontier League is just deserving. I wish him great success in the future” – VP Jerry Gonzalez

Bissell will join a team with a few familiar faces. One being Pascual Santiago former manager of the Old Orchard Beach Surge and now current hitting coach with the Normal Cornbelters.

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NORMAL, IL – After joining the team mid way through the season, Mark Hendricks performed too good to ignore. He will now represent the Normal Cornbelters of the Frontier League.

Hendricks posted a 2.05 ERA with 26.1 innings pitched and sticking out 25 batters and walking only 12. Hendricks tossed a complete game shutout and a (3-1) record in his 4 starts.

“Hendricks came in fired up and he did just that! He threw fire! He has incredible potential and he will do well for the Cornbelters” – VP Jerry Gonzalez

The Georgia products signed on February 13, 2018. He will join former manager Pascual Santiago.

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SULLIVAN, NY – James Mulry, who signed late in the season with the Sullivan Explorers signs with the 2017 Champions Schaumburg Boomers of the Frontier League.

Mulry appeared in just 6 games for the Explorers and although his numbers didn’t show it, Mulry was a very effective big left handed pitcher.

“James is 6’3″ 235 lbs of an athlete. Hes got a great appearance and can throw the ball pretty hard. What manager in the world wouldn’t want that? He wasn’t here long enough to do much but what he showed was very impressive and we hope that he shows that in the Frontier League to help lead Schaumburg to another Championship” – VP Jerry Gonzalez

The 24 year old struck out 11 batters in 8 innings of work and 7 of them looking. Mulry will join many other Empire League players who will continue on with their careers in the Frontier League this coming season.

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PLATTSBURGH, NY – The RedBirds 2017 top hitter Raul Shah is on his way to another level as he has officially signed with the Traverse City Beach Bums of the Frontier League.

Shah, who finished the season hitting for an average of .314 with 56 games played, 212 plate appearances, 54 hits, 3 triples, 32 walks and 31 runs batted in, will join another Empire League player Jake Simpson of the Old Orchard Beach Surge.

“Rauls work ethic is special. From his meals, to his workouts, to his daily routine. He’s got the perfect baseball mentality and that’s going to take him a long ways. The Empire League was a start and we certainly hope he keeps it going in the Frontier.” VP – Jerry Gonzalez

Shah’s 56 games played, 54 hits, 3 triples, and .314 average was a teams best!

The Traverse City Beach Bums came in last place in their division and 11th out of 12 teams in the league. They will look to bounce back this season with the help of a couple of Empire League guys like Shah.

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FLORIDA – Its Official, The Empire League has announced the participation of two new franchises for the 2018 season. This not only means opportunity for more players, but it also means we have managerial and coaching position openings.

The League is now accepting resumes and seeking to interview candidates.

“We are looking for qualified individuals” said President Eddie Gonzalez. “We don’t need MLB experience managers. Those guys can find their own jobs. We are looking to provide a resume building opportunity for guys that want to pursue a professional coaching career.”

Applicants must have at least played and experienced college baseball or played on full year of independent professional baseball.

The League is seeking guys that can be leaders and help young men grow not only as baseball players but as people and be mentored to reaching their highest potential. The league doesn’t want or need the guys with already established careers, only the guys that are looking to build a career and take their first steps into coaching at the professional level.

Coaches must be able to recruit and access players at a national level.

Interested candidates please email a resume to baseball@empireproleague.com for further consideration.

Article by Empire Media