Strike Out for Troops

I appologize for my lack of posts, but I'm getting over Strep throat -- I'm down to the nasty summer cold stuff now, and have been sleeping rather a lot.

This article showed up in the Herald today and reminded me that I forgot to include in my article on Errol Simonitsch:

Barry Zito providing for troops

It seems Zito is not the only one with a generous soul.

Miracle pitcher Errol Simonitsch has pleged $10 per strike out to SFT this season. He and Zito share an agent.

If you don't think that sounds like a lot, consider this: Simonitsch had 9 strikeouts Sunday for a total of $90. Yet he only makes around $250 a week and needs to provide not only his food and personal expenses, but his housing from that amount as well.

Drafted in the Sixth round of the 2003 draft, Simonitsch joined the team with a modest $140,000 signing bonus. He's not rich by any means. Yet when he heard about this deal well...

"It was just something I had to do." he says.

Simonitsch is not the only Miracle member contributing. Catcher Kyle Phillips, taken in the 19th round of the 2002 draft, has pledged $10 per hit.

"I'm not donating too much though, as I'm not getting any hits," he says. It's a stituation he hopes to change.

Phillips donation was only $50 last week, a total of $200 to date.

Simonitsch's $470 though is outstanding for a minor league player.

Miracle pitcher gives $10 per strike to troops

Strikeouts for Troops was at William Hammond Stadium Sunday to watch Simonitsch pitch and accept donations.

You can pledge per pitch if you want, or just make a one time donation. To get involved, visit their website at www.strikeoutsfortroops.org which unfortunatly, seems to largely ignore the minor league contribution to this effort.

If you're "pitching" in with a donation, please also take a moment to "pitch" in and write to kathy@kj-pr.com and ask her to include minor league content on their website.

Hang tight, I should have some updates coming shortly including a feature on a little known minor league prospect.

While, your waiting, also check out GCL Twins for an interview with minor league pitching prospect Eduardo Morlan which was included in a recent edition of At the Yard magazine.