Thomson Merchants prepare for 09 season
May 2, 2009
Thomson, IL
Thomson Merchants prepare for 09 season
The Thomson Area Merchants men’s fast pitch softball team based out of Thomson, IL is preparing for the upcoming season. The roster and schedule are complete, and the team will soon be in action to start their quest for a good showing in this season’s International Softball Congress World Tournament to be held in Moline, Illinois at the Green Valley Sports Complex. This should be the strongest team fielded by the Merchants since getting back together in 2005.
The roster features four young men from outside the United States. One of those young men is a returnee for the Merchants. Jonas Mach from the Czech Republic will be coming back to Thomson after a two year stint with a team from Aurora, Illinois. Jonas is looking forward to his return to Thomson and the Merchants will be glad to have the hard throwing Czech back in their corner.
There will be two young men from Ontario, Canada also joining the Merchants this season. Andrew Putnam will be joining the team as a top pitcher from Canada. Andrew is an up and coming star in the game and has led his Scarborough Wolverine team to two past Canadian Junior National titles. Andrew pitched very well in last years World Tournament and big things are expected from him this season. The other Canadian joining the team is Rob Bennett also from the Scarborough Wolverine team. He too was a part of two junior national championships and Scarborough's ISC 2008 accomplishments . Rob was added to our team because of his versatility. Rob will play many positions and add solid hitting in the heart of our lineup. He will also see the mound as a talented pitcher too. Rob will help our team out tremendously with his versatility and will be a huge asset.
The final acquisition for the Merchants is Marcelo Malatesta. Marcelo is a hard hitting catcher/outfielder from Argentina. This will be his first trip to the United States and big things are expected from him at the plate as well.
The in area players on the roster include:
| Scott Glazier |
Thomson, IL |
| Bruce Bielema |
Thomson, IL |
| Marquise "Q" Cody |
Prophetstown, IL |
| Kevin Anderson |
Rock Falls, IL |
| Ray Sharp |
Sterling, IL |
| Scott Beal |
Grays Lake, IL |
| Mike House |
Clinton, IA |
| B.J. Gulick |
Hammond, WI |
2009 schedule:
| May |
| 16-17 |
Dick Tracy Tournament
|
Rockford,IL |
| 22-24 |
Walcott Memorial Day Tournament |
Walcott, IA |
| June |
| 5-7 |
Ken Grafmeier Tournament
|
Kimberly, WI |
| 19-27 |
Walcott ISC Tournament
|
Walcott, IA |
| July |
| 10-12 |
Boys of Summer
|
Denmark, WI |
| 17-19 |
AFSA Classic |
Aurora, IL |
| 24-26 |
Thomson Tournament |
Middleton, WI |
| August |
| 7-9 |
NAFA Major
|
Thomson, IL |
| 14-22 |
ISC Worlds
|
Moline, IL |
