By Robert H. Kelly
(May 26, 2007, Houston, Texas) On Sunday, May 27 at Clear Creek High School, a new era in Houston sports occurs. The Bay Area Toros Baseball Club begins their inaugural season in the Continental Baseball League.
Billed as an independent league with no affiliation to any major league club, the upstart league features four teams; the Toros, the Texas Heat, the Lewisville Lizards, and the Tarrant Country Blue Thunder.
The Toros will begin their season with a three game series against the Heat, with the first game starting at 5:00pm Sunday.
The Toros will feature some players who have ties to the Houston area sports scene.
Former Willowridge High School standout Marcus Chandler, who played for the Kansas City Royals will play outfield for the Toros.
"I've been trying to get back into the game for at least three years, and having this team (come along) was a plus," said Chandler, who is the second-oldest player on the team. "I still have a lot of ability and I feel like I can play on a higher level. For the last couple of years, (people) have been saying that I'm getting a little bit too old, but I feel like I'm still strong and can compete. The Lord blessed me to make the team.”
Noah Scott, who is the younger brother of the Houston Astros Luke Scott, will be taking to the mount for the Toros. He is also slated to see some time as the team’s first and third baseman.
Other players with from the Houston area include Mike Medrano, who played his high school ball for Pearland High School and later on for the University of Houston, right handed pitcher Sean Kelly (J. Frank Dobie High School and Alvin Community College) and third baseman Daniel Cox (Channelview High School and San Jacinto Junior College).
Toros General Manager Mike Pede sees interest for the local community as high. "The response in the Bay Area and all around the city of Houston has been phenomenal. Fans seem excited, we're selling a bunch of tickets and people are signing up for camps and all sorts of things. Hopefully, we can hold up our end of the deal, win some games and pay off their loyalty.”
The Toro are going to be HOT! It will be good to see some more pro baseball in our area.
ReplyDeleteI can bet that Luke Scott might even show up for some of the Toros games to see his brother play. That is if the Astros have an off day when the Toros are playing.