York Revolution: September 2007 Archives

Are you sure about that plea, Jose?

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — Former major league All-Star Jose Offerman pleaded not guilty Monday to charges he attacked a pitcher and catcher with his bat during a minor league game.

Offerman is scheduled back in Bridgeport Superior Court on Oct. 17. He declined comment after his appearance on Monday.

Offerman was charged with two counts of second-degree assault when he charged the mound after he was hit with a pitch while batting for the Long Island Ducks on Aug. 14. He was accused of hitting two Bridgeport Bluefish players and indefinitely suspended from the Atlantic League the next day.

During the ensuing melee, the middle finger on pitcher Matt Beech’s non-throwing hand was broken and catcher John Nathans suffered a concussion.

Offerman’s attorney Frank Riccio has said he doesn’t believe his client struck the players with a bat.

Offerman last played in the majors in 2005 with the New York Mets.

The Atlantic League playoffs start Tuesday.

I can't believe it. It seems like yesterday when I boarded a plane for Tampa, headed for the York Revolution's first spring training.

OK that's a lie. They played 126 games, and I swear it felt like 127. Really.

Before this whole postseason circus starts -- whoever heard of a best-of-three series?!?! -- I have some predictions.

Exceprts from an interview done by Daily Record/Sunday News reporter Angie Mason....

Mayor John Brenner said many weren’t sure how to expect the York Revolution’s first season to go, particularly since so much work still had to be done on the stadium. But it went better than he anticipated, he said.

“I think all Yorkers who’ve experienced it would agree it’s been a tremendous boost to the city,” he said.

York Revolution manager Chris Hoiles signed a one-year contract prior to Tuesday's game and expects to return to the York bench.

The rest of the coaching staff will negotiate with the team at a latter date according to Revs GM Matt O'Brien.

The Revs signed 48 players this season. Six players signed contracts to return to affiliated baseball, and two players signed contracts with international leagues.

York competed for the second-half division title, holding first play for 35 games.

York Revolution officials said at 2:50 p.m. today that tonight's home game against the Bridgeport Bluefish is still on, despite weather concerns.

The game at Sovereign Bank Stadium is scheduled to being at 7:05 p.m.

The forecast is calling for continued showers and scattered thunderstorms this afternoon, with rain lessening after 5 p.m.

The Barnstormers have inched their way up in the Atlantic League South standings, and in somewhat of a surprise move re-acquired outfielder Quincy Foster for the final week and a half of the season.

But Lancaster also could have lost first baseman Jeremy Todd for the remainder of the season.

The moves in Lancaster could spell more trouble for York, a team struggling to remain one game ahead of Lancaster.

By JEFF DEWEES

After a flurry of injuries, affiliated signings and one high-profile release, a depleted York Revolution roster got some much-needed help on Tuesday.

The Revs signed first baseman/designated hitter Kelly Hunt and left-handed relief pitcher Zach Cline. Both were in uniform for the Revs’ home game against Newark on Tuesday night.

The Revs have lost outfielder Jason Aspito for at least a few games, and possibly the remainder of the season.

Aspito broke a bone in his left wrist after being hit by a pitch during York's 6-5 loss to Somerset Friday. The left-handed slugger stripped off his batting glove to show the red mark to the home plate umpire who didn't realize he had been hit.

York manager Chris Hoiles called the injury day-to-day, but admitted Aspito could miss several games.

"I broke my wrist," Hoiles said. "It's not fun."

For the second time this week, a major league organization has plucked a reliever from the York Revolution's pitching staff.

The Boston Red Sox purchased the contract of right-handed reliever Jeff Farnsworth before Saturday's game, assigning the former major leaguer to Triple-A Pawtucket.

Earlier this week, the Milwaukee Brewers purchased the contract of closer Franklin Nunez.

After tossing three members of the York Revolution during a two-game stretch earlier this week, umpire Daniel Blanton won't return to Sovereign Bank Stadium. At least not this year.

Blanton and the other two members of his officiating crew were scheduled to return to Sovereign Bank Stadium Saturday to officiate the York and Bridgeport game. But Blanton was absent from the regular crew that included Dan Wilson and Dave Perry.

York police commissioner Mark Whitman replaced Blanton in the officiating crew, and worked third base during the game.