STEEPLECATS SIGNINGS
NORTH ADAMS, MA - The North Adams SteepleCats
of the 12-team New England Collegiate Baseball League
announce the signings of Trey Wiedman, an outfielder/first
baseman from the University of Memphis; a right-handed
pitcher, Tim Norton, and two-way player, Cole Franklin, from
William and Mary.
Wiedman has had a productive sophomore season after
red-shirting in 2007. He is currently leading the Tigers in
homers and RBI with five and 20 respectively and is second
on the team in hitting at .306. In 2006 as a freshman, the
right-handed batting Wiedman made an immediate impact
hitting .303 in 36 games for Memphis. Following that 2006
season, Wiedman starred for the Melville Millionaires of the
Western Major League in the summer. For the playoff bound
Millionaires, Wiedman hit .303 with two homers, 30 RBI and
14 doubles.
"Trey is a middle of the line-up hitter. We expect Trey to
be a significant run producer for the 'Cats this summer
while playing first base," said McGrath.
Norton is a highly touted freshman for the Tribe who was
rated as one of the top 100 prospects in the Northeast by
Perfect Game. In the 2006 Perfect Game Wood Bat
Championships held at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, FL,
Norton was outstanding tossing five no-hit innings. He
currently is one of the top freshmen in the Colonial
Athletic Conference as he has already worked his way into
the rotation for William and Mary with a 4-1 record and a
4.67 ERA in eight games (seven starts). Opponents are
hitting just .248 against the right-hander from Ramsey, NJ
"Tim is another polished freshman pitcher who is expected to
be a significant contributor for William & Mary and the
SteepleCats. The coaches have been very impressed with him
and feel that he is their best freshman pitcher who will
continue to get better with experience."
A teammate of Norton's at William and Mary, Franklin is a
right-handed pitcher who also doubles as an outfielder. Part
of the 2003 Mickey Mantle World Series Dallas Patriots,
Franklin is fourth on the Tribe in appearances this season
with 10. He also has four appearances in the outfield this
season and has reached base in five of his seven appearances
with a pair of RBI. Last season he played in the outfield
full-time for Furman U., starting
18 and batting .205.
"Cole has a lot of talent. He has a strong arm and generates
a lot of bat speed. W&M plans on utilizing him more as a
pitcher this season, but expects him to be a significant
contributor to their bullpen and line-up next year,"
said McGrath.
The SteepleCats will open their 2008 campaign with a three
game home stand against southern division foes, starting on
June 6th with a date against the Torrington Twisters. June
7th sees the Newport Gulls come to Joe Wolfe Field with the
weekend concluding against the Manchester Silkworms on June
8th. All three games have a first pitch slated for 7 p.m.
with the gates opening at 6 p.m. For more information, visit
www.steeplecats.com
In case you haven't purchased your season ticket for the
upcoming season, please visit one of the 7 local businesses
listed here to purchase your full season's ticket or 10-pack
ticket. The Full Season Family Plan is $100; Full Season
Individual Plan is $70; Ten-Pack Family Plan is $60; and the
Ten-Pack Individual Plan is $45. Tickets are sold at all of
the following locations: Adams: Val's Variety; Clarksburg:
Cross Road Variety; North Adams: Man's World and Moulton's
General Store; Stamford, VT: Billmont's Country Store, and
in Williamstown at Angelina's Submarine Shop and St.Pierre's
Barber Shop.
