Danville Cougars: My Site News
Sunday, November 12Cougars To Play Martinsville Mustangs in 2007
The Danville Cougars and the Martinsville Mustangs have agreed to play a two game series in 2007. This will be the first meeting between the two clubs, and should prove to be a great thing for both. The Mustangs, a member of the Coastal Plain League, are located just twenty minutes west of Danville. In 2006 they were one of the top teams in the CPL, the largest summer collegiate league in the country.
The Danville Cougars are the defending 2006 Carolina Virginia Collegiate League champs.
The Mustangs were also among the league leaders in attendance in 2006, routinely drawing crowds in excess of 1,000 fans.
"We are very excited about this opportunity," stated Mustangs GM Doug Gibson. "It should prove to be a great thing for both clubs. We expect to have big crowds on both dates, and I expect to see some very good baseball."
Danville manager Buddy Smith was equally excited.
"This series is something that we have been trying to work out for a couple of years. Because the two teams are so close, it is a natural rivalry. It will be a good test for our players, and give them an opportunity to play in front of a big crowd."
Both games will be played in Martinsville, VA at Hooker Field. The first game of the series will be on Sunday, June 3rd and the second date will be Friday, July 20th. Both games will start at 7:20 pm, and can be heard live over the internet.
Monday, November 20
Hundley Inks Pro Contract
The Danville Cougars are excited to announce that three time Cougar, Travis Hundley has signed a pro contract with the South Georgia Peanuts of the South Coast League. The Peanuts are an Independent League team located in Albany, Georgia. They signed Hundley at an open tryout in early November.
"We are extemely excited for Travis," stated Cougar manager Buddy Smith. "He has been a big part of our program, and has helped to get us where we are today. I wish him well and think that he will have a successful season in 2007."
Hundley also gave Danville some of the credit for getting a professional opportunity.
"Playing in Danville definitely made me a better player. I got a lot of at bats against good pitching, and really developed as a player. They gave me an opportunity to continue playing in 2006, and that is probably the difference between me making it or not."
Hundley became the second member of the 2006 team to sign professionally, following RHP Rudy Darrow, a 34th round pick of the Detroit Tigers.
Tuesday, November 28
Cougars Set to Battle Thomasville in 2007
The Danville Cougars have added another key date to the 2007 schedule. The Cougars will travel to Thomasville, NC on July 27th to take on the Hi-Toms of the Coastal Plain League. The Hi-Toms are the defending CPL champs, and should give the Cougars a great game. It will be the second CPL team to invite the Cougars to town in 2007.
The Hi-Toms drew over 1,000 fans to every Saturday game in 2006, so it should be an electric atmosphere at game time.
"We are very happy to have this opportunity," stated Buddy Smith. "It is going to be a lot of fun for our players, and should be a real test for our team. It will be the weekend right before our tournament, so it should have us clicking on all cylinders."
The game will be aired live over the internet at www.hitoms.com.
Friday, January 19
Cougars to Host 2007 Youth Baseball Camps
The Danville Cougars are proud to announce their first annual "Youth Baseball Camps" in 2007. The Cougars will partner with the Caswell County Parks and Recreation Department to host two camps for local youth. The first camp will be June 11th through June 15th and will be for kids ages 6-9. The second camp will be held on June 18th through June 22nd and will be for kids ages 10-14. Both camps will run from 9:00 am until noon each day.
Monday through Thursday will feature instruction on fielding, hitting, throwing, and base running. Both Fridays will feature a home run derby consisting of 2007 Cougars, a hitting game for the campers, and fruit and ice cream for instructors and campers.
The two week camp will conclude with a June 23rd Danville Cougars home game in which all campers will be granted free admission to see their instructors in action.
"We are very excited about this opportunity to work with the Caswell County Parks and Rec to make this happen in 2007," stated Cougar coach Conrad Smith. "We feel like we can get over 300 kids out during these two weeks, which should translate into a big crowd for us to play in front of on June 23rd. It also gives our players a chance to give back to the baseball community and to help younger players improve their skills. I think that it will be a great experience and something positive for them to take out of the summer."
For additional camp information, please contact Conrad Smith at 434-489-4342 or Jason Barrow of the Caswell County Parks and Recreation Department at 336-514-2604.
Friday, February 9
Cougars Sign Two Pitchers, Make Plans to Head to the Swamp
The Danville Cougars are pleased to announce the signings of two more pitchers to round out the 2007 staff. Trevor Varley and Matt Miller will both make the long trip from Peru State College in Nebraska to join the Cougars in 2007. They come to Danville as the top two starters for Coach Jason Cronin at PSC. Varley is a lefty while Miller is a right hander. Both are juniors, and should be two of the top arms for the Cougars this summer.
"We are very excited to have these two guys," stated Buddy Smith. "We have really been hoping to get a couple of older guys who are proven at the collegiate level, and we have done that with Trevor and Matt. Both had a lot of success at the junior college level, and will log a lot of innings at Peru State this spring."
The Cougars are also excited to announce another key date in the 2007 schedule, as they will travel to Fayetteville, NC on July 6th for a Friday night game against the Fayetteville Swampdogs of the Coastal Plain League. The game will be played at 7:05 pm, and will be broadcast live on ESPN radio and on the internet. It will be another opportunity to play in front of a big crowd and gain exposure for the Cougar players.