Normal CornBelters
From BR Bullpen
- Location: Normal, IL
- League: Frontier League (2010-present)
- Affiliation: Independent Leagues
- Ballpark: The Corn Crib
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[edit] Team History
The Normal Cornbelters began play in the Western Division of the independent Frontier League starting with the 2010 season. Their stadium is called The Corn Crib.
The CornBelters are the first professional team to play in Normal, Illinois. Normal's twin city, Bloomington, was home to the Bloomington Bloomers for many years in the Illinois-Iowa-Indiana League (1903-1910; 1912-1917; 1919-1929; 1935; 1938-1939).
Following a controversial first online contest to name the team, a second was held. On May 18, 2009, team management selected the "CornBelters" from four possible choices. Their name and their logo reflect the importance of farming, and especially corn, to the local economy.
The CornBelters very first game was on the road on May 21, 2010 against the Evansville Otters at Bosse Field in Evansville, Indiana. The CornBelters won 7-0 behind the pitching of Tyler Lavigne and the hitting of third baseman Daniel Cox and first baseman Steve Alexander. They played their first home game at the Corn Crib on June 1st against the Windy City ThunderBolts, with ThunderBolts winning 3-2. The first home victory for the CornBelters came on June 4th, when the they beat the Kalamazoo Kings 13-12 in 12 innings with a walk-off home run by Jeff Cowan.
The CornBelters reflect an international flavor of baseball as they have had players on the team who were born in Australia, Canada, and the Dominican Republic in addition to those from the United States.
[edit] Mascot
The team mascot is named "Corny". He is a cornosaurus.
[edit] Hal Lanier Era
Hal Lanier was announced as the CornBelters' manager on October 7, 2009. After guiding the CornBetlers to a 90-102 record in their first two seasons, on September 13, 2011, it was reported the CornBelters did not offer Lanier a new contract.
Brooks Carey was later named as pitching coach on January 12, 2010, and Josh Patton was named hitting coach on January 20, 2010. On August 11th, Patton left the team to be closer to his family in Oklahoma.
On May 15, 2011, Charles "Boots" Day joined the staff as the CornBelters' new hitting coach.
[edit] Chad Parker Era
On October 10, 2011, Normal signed Chad Parker as the field manager. Parker previously managed the River City Rascals in the Frontier League in 2008-2009, and the Joliet Jackhammers in the Northern League during 2010..
[edit] Broadcasts
CornBelters games are broadcast over the WJCB/CornBelters Radio Network (WJBC 1230 AM and 93.7 FM; WEZC 95.9 FM and wjbc.com where all games are streamed live).
[edit] Year-by-Year Record
| Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 44-52 | 8th | Hal Lanier | |
| 2011 | 46-50 | 7th | Hal Lanier | |
| 2012 | Chad Parker |
[edit] Current Normal CornBelters
- 2010-present Steve Alexander* (1B) 2010/03/19-present; re-signed 2011/01/20
- 2010-2011-present Andrew Barbaro* (C) 2010/02/16-2011/05/13; re-signed 2011/01/03; released; re-signed 2011/07/24
- 2011-present Matt Click (RHP) 2011/08/15-present
- 2011-present Mike Click (RHP) 2011/05/05-present
- 2010-present Daniel Cox* (3B) 2010/02/01-present; re-signed 2011/01/13
- 2010-present Donald Furrow (LHP) 2010/07/16-present; re-signed 2011/01/11
- 2010, 2011-present Tyler Lavigne* (RHP) 2010/04/09-2010/07/15 contract sold to Boston Red Sox; re-signed 2010/12/06
- 2011-present Jacob Liedka (LHP) 2011/02/17-present
- 2011-present Frank Martinez (IF) 2011/01/03-present
- 2011-present Tyler McNeely (OF) 2011/07/05-present
- 2011-present Andy Mee (RHP) 2011/07/22-present
- 2011-present AJ Miller (C) 2011/06/21-present
- 2011-present Mike Mobbs (OF) 2011/02/17-present
- 2011-present Matt Mossey (RHP) 2011/07/14-present
- 2011-present Brandon Newton (INF) 2011/07/14-present
- 2011-present Ben Paxton (RHP) 2011/07/14-present
- 2011-present Gary Perniar (RHP) 2011/08/02-present
- 2010-present Bobby Pritchett (RHP) 2010/06/27-present; re-signed 2011/02/07
- 2011-present Alvaro Ramirez (OF) 2011/05/13-present
- 2011-present Tim Rodriguez (OF) 2011/01/17-present; currently on suspended list
- 2011-present Mark Samuelson (1B) 2011/08/06-present
- 2011-present Marshall Schuler (RPH) 2011/04/26-present
- 2010-present Asif Shah* (OF) 2010/02/03-present; re-signed 2011/01/13
- 2010-present Ryan Sheldon* (RHP) 2010/05/04-present; re-signed 2011/01/11
- 2011-present Andy White (2B) 2011/08/09-present
* original Cornbelter on the 2010 inaugural season Opening Day roster
[edit] CornBelters All-Stars in the Frontier League
- 2011 - Steve Alexander (1B) starter
- 2011 - Alvaro Ramirez (OF) starter
- 2011 - Tyler Keeble (SS)
- 2011 - Asif Shah (OF)
- 2011 - Ryan Sheldon (OF)
- 2010 - Daniel Cox (3B) (also named to the 2010 Frontier League post-season team)
- 2010 - Tyler Lavigne (RHP)
[edit] CornBelters Alumni in Affiliated Baseball
- 2010 - Tyler Lavigne (RHP) - Boston Red Sox - Lowell Spinners/New York-Pennsylvania League assigned 2010/07/16; declared free agency 2010/11/06
- 2011 - Adam Osteen (RHP) - Arizona Diamondbacks - Yakima Bears/Northwest League assigned 2011/07/16; released 2011/08/01
[edit] See Also
- 2011 Opening Day CornBelters Roster
- 2010 Inaugural Season Opening Day CornBelters Roster
- Former Normal CornBelters
- CornBelters Transactions By Year
[edit] Related Sites
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