IN 

                          http://www.scifastpitch.com/    <-------------  Visit the SCIFL Web Site

The 2008 version of The Long Beach Black Sox looks to be strong again. The Sox set a team record with a 31-7 record in winning the inaugural SCIFL league by a large margain. The Sox virtually return their entire team intact to make a run at defending their title.The 2008 Long Beach Black Sox hope to defend their SCIFL crown and go to the Nationals in August. The team will compete in the SCIFL and play in approximately 8-10 tournaments in 2008. If you have any interest in sponsoring the Black Sox please email Fred Hanker  fhanker@aol.com and I can email you a sponsor information packet. You can also donate on our secure online site below. By clicking on the link you can get more information. The SCIFL is a non profit organization with a tax ID number. All the teams that play in the league are also part of the non profit organization. I hope we can do business in the future. With our website we can offer you advertising in exchange for your donation which many other teams cannot. I have several plans available which you can also access from the Sox Record Book/Sponsor link on the home page or click the link                                  SPONSOR INFO   

Click here to donate online.             

                           PITCHERS 

2007 MVP Ron Rupp returns to be the staff ace and also provide a solid bat in the middle of the order. Randy Clay the Sox all time wins leader will be the # 2 man again and looks to add to his win total. Dave Blackburn will join the Sox and provide a solid veteran who can start or relief.

 Ron R         Randy C          Dave B

                           INFIELDERS  

 The Sox had the best defensive infield in the league in 2007. The best middle infield in Southern California return intact. The Martinez brothers Chris and Andy will man second base and shortstop. Both are gold glove winners in the past. Angel Martinez only 19 years old will return at third base after winning the 07 Rookie of the Year. Andy Miramontes will play all the infield positions and was outstanding in 07. Firstbase will be shared by Ron Rupp and his .462 average and Bob Aguilar.  Todd Budke and his world class bat will also play on a limted basis again. Dave Hanker could come out of retirement and provide some relief. Radio Schlegel and his big bat could warrant some playing time at first also. Jeremy Rooney a new pickup provides a big bat and agressive play in the outfield and infield. He also can hit leadoff and steal some bases.

 Andy and Chris   Angel M   Bob A         Andy M 

 Jeremy R   Ron R      Dave H      Todd B

               OUTFIELDERS  

The Sox outfield is littered with big bats. Chris Minogue, Dave Demaio and Fred Hanker will play the bulk of the games. Hanker leads the Sox in almost every career stat. he might be called on to play center field. In the off season he lost 35 pounds in anticiaption of playing some center field. Minogue is a well respected veteran hitter and in the top 5 in all the Sox career stats. Demaio burst onto the scene last year with a fantastic season batting in the 5 spot. Chris and Tim Hunt figure to play a part time role again and both change the dynamics of the team with their speed and power and outstanding defense. Promising rookie Nathan Hanker could steal some time in the outfield. Jeremy Rooney a new pickup provides a big bat and agressive play in the outfield and infield. He also can hit leadoff and steal some bases.

  Nathan H      The Hunts       Marcos T 

     Fred H         Dave D          Chris M      Jeremy R

                          CATCHERS   

The catching duties look to fall to Bob Aguilar and Fred Hanker.  Aguilar hopes to play more this year and improve on his .228 average in 2007. he provided leadership behind the plate. Fred Hanker who caught more than expected last year will also see some action behind the plate. He recently lost 50 pounds in the off season and is primed to catch as much as needed. Daniel Roth well fill in and play when available as he is a solid hitter and serviceable catcher. 

               Bob A                     Fred H                    Daniel R

            HEAD COACH      

  Sox Management Hanker and Lopes

What has been rumored for weeks has become reality as Dale Lopes, Long Beach Black Sox Hall of Famer as a player, will now become the manager of the 2008 Long Beach Black Sox. The announcement was made today by Fred Hanker Black Sox owner. Lopes will work with Hanker on all roster moves and lineups. Dale will also coach third base and run the offense. When needed Lopes will fill in as a player. Lopes last managed Team Rainey to a to 3-2 finish in the ISC in 2005 just missing the elimination round. Lopes is well respected in the fast pitch community and will take over a Sox team that finished 31-7-1 in the SCIFL. Virtually the entire 2007 roster returns in tact for Lopes as he tries to defend the SCIFL crown. Lopes will be in attendance for the first Sox practice at Biscailuz Park in Lakewood Sunday February 10 from 12-2 PM. Fred Hanker had this to say of the Lopes hiring. "I needed someone to help me run the team so I can concentrate more on playing."."It has become more difficult to do everything and play as I get older." "Dale will do a good job and he and I think along the same lines when it comes to strategy." "I have known Dale for a long time and its good to have him back in the game."

Dale Lopes is in the top 5 in every career Black Sox hitting category. He was inducted into the Sox Hall of Fame in 2007 along with Chuck Vranich. Lopes is a career .385 hitter with Long Beach and drove in exactly 100 runs in his illustrious run with the Black Sox. He is one of the original Black Sox players when Fred Hanker started the team in 2003 in the Artesia League. He is first team all time catcher for Long Beach's tournament teams where he also was selected all tournament 8 different times. Lopes will take over the managing duties for the first time ever with Long Beach. Fred Hanker has been the only manager The Black Sox have ever had.   

                         2007 MVP RON RUPP

 The 2007 season was one to remember for the Long Beach Black Sox. They would finish 1st in the newly formed NAFA SCIFL Travel League going 31-7-1 winning the league by 20 points. Ron Rupp had the single greatest season ever for a Sox player. Rupp was 17-3 on the mound with a 1.46 ERA in the SCIFL and 20-3 with a 1.81 ERA overall. He also had 2 saves and appeared in 23 of his Sox 32 games on the mound. He also mounted an impressive 128 K's with only 20 walks. At the plate he hit .462 with 21 RBI. Fred Hanker was the only Sox player to appear in all 39 games hitting .386 with 5 HR and 26 RBI and also drawing an impressive 24 walks. Newcomers Dave Demaio, Tim and Chris Hunt were a big part of the offense. Tim Hunt hit .500 with 5 HR and 28 runs scored which all led the team. He also played a gold glove caliber center field. Chris Hunt coming off a serious wrist injury hit .421. Dave Demaio a mid season pickup hit .388 with 15 RBI in the middle of the Sox lineup. Angel Martinez at the rip age of 19 hit .264 as the Sox Rookie of the Year. Randy Clay the Sox all time leader in wins was 8-2 as the number 2 starter. Chris and Andy Martinez formed the best defensive middle infield in the league. World class player Todd Budke hit .600 in limited time.Steady veteran Chris Minogue didnt have his best offensive year hitting .286, but shined with the glove in left field. He committed only 1 error all season. Doug and Jeremy Rooney late season pickups make huge hitting and pitching contributions. Jeremy hit .389 in limited duty and Doug was 2-0 with a 1.19 ERA. This was arguably the best Sox team of all time.