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One Week Until Opening Night Beach Bums Begin Roster Shuffling

May 16, 2007 - Frontier League (FL)
Traverse City Beach Bums News Release


TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. - With only a week remaining until the 2007 season begins in Kalamazoo, the Traverse City Beach Bums have begun to shuffle their roster.

The Beach Bums today announced the addition of Jonathan Thomas, an outfielder recently released by Newark of the Atlantic League. Also joining the team will be left-handed pitcher Jason Duncan, acquired via trade from the Washington Wild Things for future consideration.

Thomas has three years of professional experience but is still considered a rookie as he has never totaled more than 127 at bats in a season. Initially signed by the Kansas City Royals as a non-drafted free agent, Thomas latched on with the Newark Bears after getting let go following spring training in 2005. He played in only two Atlantic League games that season but recorded four hits in his seven at bats and drove home three runs. Thomas played in 44 games for Newark last season and connected on a homer while driving in 13 runs.

A graduate of New Jersey City University (NJCU), Thomas finished his career with a .384 batting average, fourth highest in school history. He stole 24 bases in his senior season and hit .442, 20th in Division III. He also ranks among the NJCU career leaders in runs, hits, and on base percentage.

Jason Duncan is in his first year as a professional after finishing his career at North Carolina State University in 2006. A 6-4 left-handed pitcher, Duncan appeared in 71 games during his career with the Wolfpack. As a junior he posted a career best 5-0 record in 46 innings out of the bullpen to go with a 2.74 ERA. He struck out 50 during the season and allowed only 31 hits and 12 walks. Last season he started six of his 18 games and finished 4-0.

To counter adding two new players, the Beach Bums announced the release of catcher Evan Jackson, signed from the Beach Bums open tryout, pitcher Dennis Lane, the team's first pick in the Frontier League Tryout Draft, and outfielder R.C. Dickerson, signed shortly before the opening of camp.

The Traverse City Beach Bums spring training roster now stands at 27, by league rules it must drop to 24 by May 22nd. The current full roster is attached. Wuerfel Park opens its gates for the first time on May 25, 2007 as the same Kalamazoo Kings visit for a 7:05 pm contest. The Beach Bums will play a 96 game schedule with 51 home games at Wuerfel Park, named "Best minor league ballpark in Michigan" by AAA Living magazine.

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