Jeff Holm  (Blues 07) @ Michigan State   16-18  Stolen Bases  34 RBI's 

Ryan Lindquist (Blues 06) @ Eastern Illinois   .383

Lloyd Burchett (Blues 08) @ Arkansas Pine Bluff  .351                                            

Jack Krause (Blues 07) @ Triton College  .370

Greg Stolzenburg (Blues 07) @ Elgin College   .479   38 RBI's   3rd Team  All American

Corey Moylan (Blues 07) @ Vermont   .312   14 2B's    SLG% .525

Ryan McMillin has been chosen  as a recipient of the 2008-09  NABF College Scholarship Award.    Ryan, a graduate of Lyons Township High School, was a huge part of the season long success of the 2008 Blues, culminating in a successful run at the NABF Senior Division World Series in Jackson Mississippi.  Ryan is now a freshman infielder at Western Michigan University, playing alongside another former Blues infielder, Grant Simotes.  CONGRATULATIONS  RYAN !

Josh Levy was selected by the NABF to the 2008 Senior Division World Series All Tournament Team.  He was one of five outfielders chosen by the Tournament Committee.    Josh had a very productive tournament while competing against the best teams in the nation.    CONGRATS  JOSH LEVY !!

Kevin Dubler (Blues 2004, 2005) was selected Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week and to the Austin Peay Ivitational 2008  All Tournament Team. Kevin hit  .571 for the tournament; with 8 hits, 4 doubles,  2 homeruns, 6 runs scored and 7 RBI's.  Kevin was also voted "Second Team All Missouri Valley Conference" for the 2008 season.  He was also drafted in the 8th round of the June 08 Professional Draft by the Chicago White Sox.   Great Job  Kevin!  Looking forward to seeing you play at The Cell.   Kevin has now signed with the  White Sox.

Rick Zagone
Rick Zagone (Blues 04) was named "National Co-Pitcher Of The Week" for the University of Missouri. Rick was drafted in the Sixth Round of the 08 Professional Baseball Draft by the Baltimore Orioles. He has now signed with the Orioles. Rick's brother Sam, also a left handed pitcher, plays with the 08 Blues.

CONGRATS Rick Zagone!

The Blues completed the 2007 season with a fifth in the nation finish at the NABF World Series in Jackson, Mississippi.  In their opener, the Blues were beaten 5-4 in nine innings by the Southern California Renegades.  Craig Peters was the starter and left in the 6th with a 4-2 lead.  Leading hitters in the game were Kurtis Smith, David Hoffman, Matt Igara and Eric Aguilera.  In their second game, Norwood, defeated the defending national champion Jackson Ninety Sixers 10-3.  Sam Dickstein earned the victory on the mound.  Leading contributors to the offense were Dave Hoffman, Jeff Holm and Matt Igara.   In the third game the Blues defeated Youngstown, Ohio 9-5.  Stew Brase was the starter and Jeff Holm gained the victory in relief.  Leading the offense were Corey Moylan, David Schwabe, and Kurtis Smith.  Advancing to the championship bracket quarter finals, the Blues took on the Houston Heat and  lost a tight 3-0 game.  Anthony Campanella and Ryan Overton performed well on the mound but the Blues could not push any runs to cross the plate.  Also contributing to the World Series effort were Greg Stolzenburg, Jack Krause, Josh Colon, Josh Levy, Jon Carlson and Ryan Lesner.   The Blues finish the 2007 season with a final record of 35-11-1, three tournament titles and a fifth in the nation finish.

Two members of the 2007 World Series team were selected as part of the "All Tournament Team"  at the National Finals in Jackson Mississippi.  Right handed pitcher Sam Dickstein, the winning pitcher in the Blues' victory over the defending national champion Jackson 96ers, was chosen as one of the pitchers on the team.   David Hoffman was picked as the second baseman .  David  had a very productive World Series with the bat as well as playing flawless defense.  He was also a member of the Blues' 2006 World Series team.    CONGRATULATIONS SAM and DAVE  !

Ryan Anetsberger (Blues 03, 04) was selected in the MLB Free Agent draft by the Florida Marlins in the 15th round. Ryan, a junior at Illinois State, has signed with the Marlins.
In addition, Anetsberger was selected as the Most Valuable Player for the 2007 Illinois State Team.

Congratulations and Best of Luck, Ryan!

Jim Sajewich (Blues 04, 05) was selected the Most Valuable Pitcher for the 2007 Illinois State Team.       Congrats Jim!








Tuesday, June 26
Petrick Called Up by Cubs
Bill Petrick (Blues 2001) was brought up from AA to the Chicago Cubs major league team today. Petrick who pitched for the Blues in the 2001 NABF World Series in Wilmington, Delaware will join the Cubs bullpen as Ryan Dempster is placed on the DL.    Best of Luck Billy!


Monday, June 4
Waylock Chosen First Team All Region J.C.
Infielder John Waylock (Blues 2004, 2005) was selected for the All Region Division I Junior College Team. John is a red shirt freshman at Muscatine Iowa Junior College.
Great Work John!


Wednesday, December 5
07 Blues Make College Commitments
These current Blues players have made college commitments for the 07-08 school year.
More to follow soon.

Matt Williamson      University of Vermont
Kit Crook            Saddleback College/California
Stewart Brase       Charleston Southern
Josh Colon          Heartland College
Jeff Holm            Michigan State University
Michael Corrigan    St. Louis University
Craig Peters         Lehigh University
David Hoffman       Augustana
Curtis Smith         Hofstra
Paul Zarlengo       Triton
Jack Krause          Triton
Corey Moylan         University of Vermont
Greg Stolzenburg    Weathorford College

CONGRATULATIONS !!


Friday, August 11
Carlson Selected For World Series All Tournament Team
Pitcher Jon Carlson was chosen by the NABF as an "All Tournament Team" selection for the 2006 National Final/World Series in Jackson, Mississippi. Jon threw a complete game, two hit shutout in the Blues' 3-0 win over the defending national champion, Bayside Yankees of New York. The win advanced the Blues out of their pool and into the elimination round of the Series.

Monday, August 7
Blues Finish Fourth at NABF National Final
The Norwood Blues earned a "Fourth In The Nation" finish in the 2006 NABF National Finals held in Jackson, Mississippi. In the opener, Norwood defeated Team Ontario 7-0. Drew Luedtke was dominant on the mound, giving up one hit while striking out twelve. Steve Binder, Grant Simotes and Sam Guttosch each had two hits. In game two, the Blues lost a 3-2, extra inning heart breaker to the Jackson 96ers. Jesse Stepniewski was the hard luck starting pitcher, with two runs scoring on a controversial "no catch" call in the second inning. The game was tied by the Blues in the bottom of the 7th inning resulting from a pinch-hit triple off the bat of David Hoffman. In game three, Norwood defeated Greenbelt Maryland 3-0 on a complete game two hitter from Cole Livermore. The Blues scored all three in the first inning with Steve Binder drawing a base on balls, David Heasley's bunt for hit, Grant Simotes' base hit, Jake Goebberts' sacrifice bunt and Mike Pericht's base hit. In game four, the Blues defeated the defending national champion Bayside Yankees 3-0 on a complete game two hitter from Jon Carlson. The big hit of the game was a two out, two RBI double off the bat of David Hoffman. In their finale, Norwood was defeated by the eventual 2006 National Champion Jackson 96ers by a score of 6-2. Too many errors bunched together early in the game resulted in all of Jackson's runs. Matt Williamson and Frank Rizzo pitched well enough to win but the defense created too many opportunities for the 96ers. Jake Goebbert's "inside the park" home run accounted for both of the Blues' runs.   
Also playing a big part in the Blues' success in Mississippi were Kit Crook, David Fallon, Kurtis Smith, Brian Riegler, Matt Igara, Nate Weglarz and Pat Luehring.

The Blues' summer season ends with a 35-11-2 record, three tournament titles and a Fourth In Nation finish.

Blues' Early Signings
Several players on the Blues roster for the 2006 season have signed National Letters of Intent during the early NCAA signing period. They include:

Chase Barbier      Murray State
Grant Simotes      Western Michigan
Jacob Goebbert    Northwestern
Pat Luehring       St. Joseph/Indiana
Cole Livermore    Northwestern
Anthony Ruffolo    Illinois State
Mike Pericht       St. Joseph/Indiana

CONGRATULATIONS !
Additions to these early signings include:

David Heasley       University of St. Francis
Drew Luedtke       Hofstra
Steve Binder       Edgewood College
Jesse Stepniewski   IIT
Jon Carlson         Augustana
Nathan Weglarz      Parkland

Monday, June 12
Pericht Selected by Astros in Professional Draft
Blues' catcher Michael Pericht was selected by the Houston Astros in the 2006 Professional Baseball Amateur Draft.    Congrats!

NABF SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED TO QUINN EWERT
Quinn Ewert (Blues 2003, 04, 05) was awarded the NABF Player Scholarship for the 2005/06 school year. Quinn played three years for the Blues and appeared in three NABF Regional Tournaments and three NABF World Series. He is now a freshman and valuable member of the pitching staff at Michigan State University.       CONGRATULATIONS QUINN !

Tuesday, August 9
"Rawlings Big Stick Batting Champion" Awarded to Jacob Goebbert
Norwood Blues first baseman Jacob Goebbert earned the NABF World Series "Rawlings Big Stick Batting Championship" for his performance in the 2005 World Series/National Championship in Jackson Misssissippi. Goebbert led all hitters in the tournament with a .473 average.
Jacob was also selected to the "All Tournament Team".

CONGRATULATIONS   JAKE !

Kevin Tomasiewicz to Mets
Kevin Tomasiewicz (Blues 2001) was selected by the New York Mets in the 2005 draft and signed a professional contract. Congratulations Kevin!

Two Blues Pitchers From 2000 in 04 Draft
Two members of the Norwood Blues pitching staff in the year 2000 were part of the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft. Matt Zaleski (Indiana State) was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the 30th round. David Haehnel (UIC) was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the 8th round. CONGRATULATIONS AND GOOD LUCK!

Both have now signed and begun their professional careers.

05 Blues Commit In Early Signing Period
A number of Norwood Blues class of 05 have made their college choice during the NCAA early signing period in November.
Those who made this choice and have signed include:

Andy Deain          Northern Illinois University
Gabe DeMarco       Illinois State University
Kevin Dubler       Illinois State University
Quinn Ewert         Michigan State University
Brett Nommensen    Eastern Illinois University
Brad Riegler       University of Illinois/Chicago
Rick Zagone         University of Missouri

Additional commitments from the 05 class have now been made by:
Don Hansen          Augustana
Kyle Hallett       Akron University
Brian Rintz         Augustana
Jim Sajewich       Illinois State
Matt Otteman       Texas/Arlington
Ryan Lindquist      Elgin CC

Blues Players Named to All Tournament Team
Four members of the 2003 Norwood Blues, World Series Team were chosen for the "All Tournament Team" of the NABF National Finals.
They are as follows:

Chase Sonen    Pitcher
Kyle Cherney    Catcher
J.D. Mynhier    Utility Infielder
Rick Chomicz    Outfielder

CONGRATULATIONS !

2003 Blues Finish Third In Nation
The 2003 Norwood Blues returned home from the NABF National Finals in Ontario Canada with a 3rd in in the nation finish. The Blues went 3-1 in their pool, qualifying for the National Semi-Final game, in which they came up short against the eventual national champion, Batting Practice Bulldogs from Pittsburgh, PA. by a score of 10 to 6.
In the opener, Norwood defeated the Maryland Orioles by a score of 8 to 2. Craig Brookes pitched 6 innings for the victory, with Rob Inzinga picking up the save. Bobby Loos led the offense with a single, double and triple. Kyle Cherney had two doubles and J.D. Mynhier hit a home run. In game two, Norwood beat the Ontario Renegades 7-1. Chase Sonen went the distance, giving up three hits, striking out eleven. Bryan Tews and Rick Chomicz led the offense with two hits apiece. Pat Minoque, Adam Varrassi and Kevin Zalnis all drove in runs. In game three, the Blues fell short in a 6-4 loss to the Indiana Bulls. Leading hitters for the Blues in this back and forth game were Rick Chomicz, with three hits and J.D. Mynhier with two hits. Peter Wolf turned in a solid job on the mound in relief. In the critical fourth game of the pool, the Blues defeated the Pike Creek Diamonds of Delaware 12-7. Quinn Ewert was the starter and winner, with three and a third innings of stellar relief help from Alex Guttosch. Rick Chomicz, Bob Loos, and J.D. Mynhier each had two hits. Key RBIs were also delivered by Greg Zage, Marcus Artner, Kyle Cherney and Adam Varrassi, who hit a two run homerun. Pat Minogue was the defensive standout of the game, with multiple "web gems" in left-field. On one play, he dove across the bullpen mound to grab a line drive. In the Semi-Final the Blues came up short inspite of shutting down the Bulldogs in the final four innings with a solid relief effort from Rob Inzinga.
Others who contributed to the World Series success of the Blues included Byron Banks, Bob Steinsdoerfer, Joe Mandele, Griffin Baum and Kevin Curtin.

The Blues finished the 2003 Summer Season at 43 Wins and 5 Losses.

Blues Selected In Professional Draft 2003
Four present and former Norwood Blues players were selected in the 2003 Professional Baseball Amateur Draft.

Vasili Spanos   11th round Oakland Athletics
Blues/1999

Joe Mazzuca      12th round Florida Marlins
Blues/1998, 1999

Adam Tobler      32nd round   Chicago Cubs
Blues/2001, 2002

Ryan Kalita       17th round Chicago Cubs
Blues/1999

In addition, Tim Marks Blues/1998, 1999, has signed a professional contract with the Richmond Roosters of the Frontier League.