CICL TO HOLD ANNUAL MEETING

The CICL (Central IL Collegiate League) will hold their annual meeting in Philadelphia on January 3-6 at the American Baseball Coaches Convention (ABCA). In addition to the league meeting, the CICL will meet with Major League Baseball and the NASCB (National Association of Summer Collegiate Baseball). The league agenda will include the 2008 schedule, expected to be confirmed and released immediately following the convention. Danville Dans management will meet with a variety of coaches, key to Dans recruiting efforts. In addition to league meetings and a trade show, the conference will include workshops with presentations by some of the nation’s top coaches and professional players.

DANS 2008 PRE-SEASON ROSTER

Johnny Dishon - LSU - OF
Drew Haynes - Louisville - OF
Jonathan Lilly - Purdue - OF
Dan Evatt - Baylor - 1B/OF
David Worthington - DACC - OF/1B/DH
Ryan Bridges - Purdue - 3B
Zach Walters - San Diego - SS
Dan Kaczrowski - Hamlin - 2B
Chris Lewellyn - DACC - Utility
Kevin Mirabel -Fl. International - C
Andrew Pollack - Az State - C
Brooks Kimmey - Baylor - C/3B/OF
Austin Ross -LSU - RHP
Worth Tate - Memphis - RHP
Paxton Pace - Miss State - RHP/2B
Tyler Hess - Pepperdine - RHP
Tony Sedlmeyer - Purdue - RHP
John Foley - Univ.of Evansville - RHP
Nick Ousman - San Diego - RHP
Michael Busby - Miss State - RHP/SS
Jon Clarence - Louisville - LHP
Matt Bywater - Pepperdine - LHP
Forrest Moore - Miss State - LHP/1B
Rickie Goodenow - Vanderbilt - LHP

DANS COLLEGIATE REPORT

A.J. Griffin (Dans 2007-San Diego) has been named Louisville Slugger (TPX 2008) NCAA Division I Pre-Season All-American.

Aaron Weatherford (Dans 2006-Mississippi State) is among the Danville Dans expected to head up MLB’s 2008 Draft Class, notes “Collegiate Baseball.” Aaron is one of the top pitchers in the SEC, and according to MSU Head Coach Ron Polk, his makeup is off the charts.

DANS PRO REPORT

The Philadelphia Phillies have claimed LHP Shane Youman (Dans 2000 - LSU) off waivers from Pittsburgh.

The Minnesota Twins have signed free agent Jon Knott (Dans 1999-Mississippi State) to a minor league contract.

Matt Tolbert (Dans 2001-Ole Miss), has been added to the Minnesota Twins 40 man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft.

DANS HONORED FOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

This fall, the Mississippi State Baseball team lead all other men’s teams with a composite grade point average of 3.23. Three Danville Dans, Jet Butler (2007), Nick Hardy (2005-2006), and Andy Wilson (2004), were among the 7 players attaining a perfect 4.0. They were joined by Jason Nappi (2007), named to the President’s Scholar list, and Ricky Bowen (2007), earning Dean’s Scholar honors. Great job Dans!

PAPELBON UPDATE

Baseball America should be required reading for the serious baseball fan (www.baseballamerica.com), a great Christmas present if you need to do some last minute shopping! A little humor regarding Jon Papelbon (Dans 2001) from this month’s Peter Gammons' column. “Boston has the luxury of an elite closer in Jonathan Papelbon, whose stuff and makeup are off the charts. He is fearless, and he is Fingers-esque, as in Hall of Famer Rollie Fingers, who saved 341 games, won the 1981 AL MVP and Cy Young awards, and closed for three World Series Winners. In the bottom of the 9th in Game Two of the AL Division Series against the Angels, as David Ortiz was being walked intentionally to bring up Manny Ramirez, Papelbon asked Francona (Red Sox Manager), whether or not he would pitch the 10th inning if they scored. “If we score Pap, it’s over,” laughed a teammate. And Ramierz drilled a three-run homer.” Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to players, friends and fans!

3rd DAN JOINS TOP PROSPECT LIST

Wes Roemer (Dans 2005) joins Dans alumni Van Pope and Chris Coghlin (see November 17 posting) in being recognized by Baseball America as a Top 10 Prospect for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Drafted in 2007 (1st round supplemental) Wes spent the 2007 minor league season with the Arizona Diamondbacks Yakima club with limited work, after pitching 144 innings during the spring season with Cal State Fullerton. Roemer is expected to begin the 2008 in Visalia (CA).

DAN WINS ALL-AMERICAN HONORS

2007 Danville Dan alumni, Kiel Roling, has been named, by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA), 2nd Team All-American after a dominating season in Tempe where he hit 15 homers, drove in 63 runs, and finished the season batting .356. He also earned 1st Team All-American honors from the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA). Kiel’s season with the Dans was cut short due to an injury. He is completely mended and looking forward to the 2008 season with Arizona State. Arizona State opens their season Feb. 22nd at home with Miami (Ohio).

WALLACE WATCH LIST

Danville Dans Aaron Weatherford (2006 - Mississippi State)and A.J. Griffin (2007 - Univ. of San Diego) have been named to the preseason watch list for the 2008 Brooks Wallace Award. The Wallace Award is presented to the nation's top collegiate baseball player in conjunction with the College Baseball Hall of Fame annual induction to be held July 3, 2008 on the campus of Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas.

Weatherford completed the 2007 campaign at Mississippi State as one of the SEC's top relief pitchers with five saves and a 1.82 ERA in 14 relief stints. He earned a pair of saves and did not allow a run in four clutch NCAA regional/super regional relief appearance. While with the Dans, Aaron sported a .083 ERA.

A first-team All-West Coast Conference selection, Griffin finished his freshman year at USD recording 11 saves to place second at the school in that category, trailing only Tony Perez's (13 saves in 2003). Griffin posted an overal record of 6-2 with a team-leading 2.70 ERA. While with the Dans, A.J. posted a 2.61 ERA with 43 strikeouts in a closing role and held the opponents to a .147 Batting Average.

The Wallace Award is dedicated to former Texas Tech player and assistant coach, Brooks Wallace (1977-1980, who succumbed to cancer at the young age of 27.

Other Dans alumni previously named to the watch list are Chris Choglan (Dans 2004 - Ole Miss) and Paul Coleman (Dans 2004 - Pepperdine.