Free Agent Signings 2004

In response to a number of emails inquiring "who went where" we put this little chart together.   When they say "you need a program", now you have it.  It's a work in progress, so don't feel bad if we left you out.  And if we erred, be sure to let us know!

(Players listed alphabetically.)

Player Last year This year Notes
David Bell KHT Pumpers Retired? After 20 years in the game, David has retired to coach his two sons and work on his golf game.  (Tiger, Mickelson beware) Not to worry though, he'll still be hosting 3 Vegas fastpitch tournaments in March, June, and October.  Retired for good? Was Roger Clemens? Another in the long line of good hitting pitchers, watch the pick-up list come August.
Mark Bennett So Cal Bucks Portland Merchants & Santa Barbara Have arm, will travel. The Big Man will pitch with the Portland Merchants in the West Coast tournaments  and the ISC World, and with his old Instant Reply crew in the So Cal A/B league, 40+ and the ASA "A" Nationals in Lancaster.   Mark will give Portland added depth to try to improve on their Sweet 16 finish at the ISC World  last year.   A strikeout pitcher, Bennett seems to save his best for the ISC World Tournaments. 
Marcel Bernal Gamecocks Palm Springs Nice addition to PS, will keep the Express loose in the clubhouse to boot
Todd Budke The Farm L.B. Black Sox OK, OK, I'm just kidding.  Had to see if you were really reading this.  Well, he did hit .538 for the Sox in Norwalk :-)
Paul Castillo Rounders None (Retired) Say it ain't so Paulie. The guru retired?
Randy Clay Where were you pitching, last year, Randy? L.B. Black Sox Off the ASA "B" list, inked by Fred Hanker.  Great addition to the Sox, and league.
Nate Devine Sun Devils, Cal Crew Team Rainey The rich get richer.  Big time player, key addition. 2002 NAFA WS MVP, clutch as they come.
Joe Edwards Kanakas, etc. Raymar Vies with Meltz as  craftiest lefty in league.  Will give Raymar solid trio plus Damo in the pen.
Tim Hunt Team Rainey Raymar Coming off shoulder surgery, but when healthy, adds yet another good bat to that lineup.  Raymar front office giving the Yankees a run for their money.
Wayne Geisler Genesis Panteras Back to his former team after demise of Genesis; Was with Panteras at their tournament. Permanent addition?
Benny Guerrero Raymar Amigos No father-son reunion at here :-) Wait until Damo has to face his dad pitching.   Good luck junior!
Damian Guerrero Team Rainey Raymar "MadPumper95" returns to the fold.  Big bat in the middle of the order.  Add that to the Shaw acquisition and Raymar was busiest team in off season.
John Hamaty Gamecocks Palm Springs Gamecocks fold, PS acquires another ace. The Express tough before, better still now.
Gilbert Joiner Panteras Edge Gilbert, we saw you in Orlando, FL pitching for Panama, then the Edge at Norwalk tournament. Has Boras locked up your new contract yet?
Bobby Lara Raymar Edge (formerly Kanakas) Spent winter pitching with the Lakewood Jets, many of whom are former Kanakas.  Doesn't matter what the team name is, these guys among the best in league. Lara only getting better.
Andy Lawry Anderson Homes, WI El Segundo Rounders Midwestern transplant finds a home with the Rounders, via free agency. Can play multiple positions. His Wisconsin team finished 5th at the NAFA WS last year.
Dale Lopes Team Rainey L.B. Black Sox From the manager's seat back onto the playing field. They're still talking about that .917 batting average at the November tournament...oh, and that modeling photo ;-) All kidding aside, a vital part of the Black Sox quick success.
Nick Muratella Genesis River City Rockers Catcher and on field leader last year for an outstanding Genesis team. Nick has relocated to Sacramento, and  has found a home with Rob Penticoff's crew, the River City Rockers.  The folks in So Cal will miss him, excepting opposing pitchers of course.
Tony Peeples Team Lyons Team Rainey From one "Team" to another.  Lyons out. Rainey in.  Best pitching staff in California. Could turn their Top 20 ranking into Top 10.  Already with a couple of rings,  Peeps a proven winner.
Jason Porto Team Lyons Team Rainey Another key piece from the Lyons championship squad joins Team Rainey.  If the addition of Tony Peeples was a "Kevin Brown" signing, then label this one "Alex Rodriguez." Porto will add another dimension (long ball) to the TR attack. And like A-Rod, it won't matter what position he plays, just so long as you get his bat in the order.  (Porto played both infield and outfield at the NAFA AAA World Series last year.) 
Robert Renteria Panteras Raymar Yes, that was Robert in the photo holding the Bombers runner up hardware in Norwalk.  But the word is that the Bombers will play tournaments, so he'll play league with Raymar, giving Raymar more left handed power. (Yogi, you've been busy!)
Cesar Rodriguez So Cal Bombers L.B. Black Sox Spent much of last year playing at A/B level, lends top talent to new team. A-Rod to the Yankees, C-Rod to the Sox.
Joe Salcido Genesis Raymar

"Papa Joe" among the leagues most consistent starters, will lend veteran leadership to dramatically improved Raymar

Brett Semans Not, but played in Bay area previously L.B. Black Sox Another nice sign by Fred Hanker.  Plucked from the free agent market. Will be behind the plate.
Doug Shaw Genesis Raymar Part of 3 player deal, big bats to join Damo in the heart of order
Ken Shaw Genesis Raymar The Shaws might be biggest blockbuster acquisition of the off season
Matt Shaw Genesis Raymar Matt among the best young talent around
John Simmers So Cal Bucks El Segundo Rounders Has played for Rounders in past, incl. Vegas tourneys, will join club full-time this year.  Gets his own number now, deservedly so.
Chuck Vranich Gamecocks L.B. Black Sox Gamecocks fold, Sox get a solid veteran pitcher, with as much experience as anyone in the league (that includes me, Chuck :-)
Dean Waltier Team Lyons Portland Merchants Another example of "you can go home".  Finished season on crutches for NAFA AAA WS champions Team Lyons, look for big season from Dino, playing at home again.
Billy Zylstra Rounders

None

(Semi-retired)

Retired to ride motorcycles, or so he says. 
Someone to add to our list? Correction?

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