Independent Baseball Insider Vol. 11, No. 40,  December 19, 2013            Give credit to the Sioux City (IA) Explorers for an exhaustive search for a new manager to help end that community’s 21-year drought without a championship in Independent Baseball.  After all, Sioux City is one of three remaining franchises from the Northern League’s startup...Read More

(Courtesy Sioux City Explorers) Sioux City, Iowa – The Sioux City Explorers announced on Wednesday that they have hired Steve Montgomery as the teams new field manager for the 2014 campaign, which will mark the organization’s 22nd season in Sioux City. Steve Montgomery comes to the Sioux City Explorers in 2014 after spending the last...Read More

Durham, N.C. – The American Association has announced that the contract of Laredo Lemurs RHP Bradley Blanks was sold to the Arizona Diamondbacks’ organization on Thursday. Blanks was dominant out of the bullpen for Laredo over the last two seasons, going a combined 8-2 with a 1.49 ERA in 56 appearances, all in relief. The...Read More

(Courtesy Wichita Wingnuts) Wichita, Kansas – The contract of Wichita Wingnuts slugger C.J. Ziegler was sold to the Minnesota Twins’ organization on Wednesday. Ziegler will report to spring training with the organization in February.  The 28- year old infielder enjoyed a record-breaking 2013 campaign.  Playing in all 107 regular-season and playoff games at first base,...Read More

American Association Winter Baseball Update Mexicali Aguilas LHP Edgar Osuna (Winnipeg ’13) has had a superb start to the 2013 winter baseball season, picking up his league-leading seventh victory of the season after limiting Culiacan to a run on three hits in five and one-third innings of work Friday evening. The native of Mazatlan, Mexico,...Read More

Independent Baseball Insider by Bob Wirz Vol. 11, No. 39,   December 5, 2013            Chris Martin does not have to be protected on Boston’s 40-man roster for another season although if his rapid rise continues the 6-foot-7 righty with a mid-90s fastball would not be a complete shock to get a call to Fenway...Read More