AIRHOGS STADIUM

1600 LONESTAR PARKWAY

GRAND PRAIRIE, TX 75050

OFFICIAL
GAME
INFORMATION
MAY 16th
________________________
AirHogs: Team Info
-This will be the team's first game under new
skipper James Frisbie, who replaces Eric
Champion in Grand Prairie. He is the 4th
manager in AirHogs history, joining Pete
Incaviglia, Ricky VanAsselberg, and Eric
Champion.
- The AirHogs finished 40-60 in 2014 and
29-71 in 2015. In their history, neither the
AirHogs nor the Thunderheads have had 3
straight losing seasons.
- The team has already had 2 contracts
purchased by MLB teams
(Tanner Witt, Twins, May 4th
Tony Rizzotti, White Sox, May 12th)
-Roster as of May 16th features 4 pitchers
who were in independent ball last year (2 in
American Assoc.) and 9 position players. All
7 INF were in the Frontier League, as were
both outfielders for some period of time. 11
players spend time in MiLB in 2015, incl. 7
pitchers
-The team will pare its roster down to 22
ahead of the opener vs. the T-Bones at
Community AmericaBallpark in Kansas
City, Kansas

POTTER COUNTY MEMORIAL STADIUM

3300 E. 3RD STREET
AMARILLO, TX 79104

____________________________
GAME NOTES
GAME 1 (Preseason)
AirHogs Stadium
Grand Prairie, TX
AirHogs vs. FargoMoorhead RedHawks
START: 7:05 PM
______________________
STARTING PITCHERS:

Between Amarillo and Grand Prairie,

there are 13 seasons of independent
professional baseball. The two towns
have combined for 611 wins, 3
division titles and 1 Amer.
Association title (GP, 2011)

SERIES INFO

_____________________________

Expected Starters Game 2:

RHP Palmer Betts vs.
RHP Tyler Herron

- Fargo-Moorhead finished 44-56 last

season. They finished the season 4-6 in
their last 10 and did not qualify for the
playoffs.

Fargo opens its reg. season

schedule at Laredo on
Thurs. AirHogs open regular
season Thurs at Kansas City

-The team is playing a heavy preseason

schedule of 9 games. 3 vs. St. Paul, 2 vs.
Winnipeg, 1 vs. the New Jersey Black
Sox, 1 vs. Wichita and closing preseason
schedule at AirHogs May 16-17

Tune In:
mixlr.com/TXAirHogs

-AirHogs open the reg. season home

schedule against Fargo May 23-25

Number of returners from last year's

teams: 1 (Sam Martin, pitcher for
GP)

__________________

Final 2 Preseason Games

For Each Team

-AirHogs vs. Fargo last year: 2-1

-Thunderheads vs. Fargo last year: 1-2
(the 3 games played were each squad's
final 3 of season)

2015 Record (GP): 29-71

2015 Record (Amarillo): 45-55

The two towns have hosted 5 players

in the last 5 years who have gone on
to play in the MLB. Most notable:
David Peralta, who had 144 hits for
Arizona last season, played in
Amarillo in 2013.

LHP Derek Callahan

vs. RHP Richie Mirowski

Opponent: Team Info

-Team was struck with tragedy this past

offseason when Scott Miller, their
longtime radio voice, passed away after
being afflicted with melanoma.

AIRHOGS: THE NUMBERS

________________
TEAM LEADERS
Wins:
ERA:
Saves:
Appearances:
Strikeouts:
H:
2B:
3B:
HR:
TB:
RBI:
R:
AVG:
OBP:

This season:
Overall:
Streak:
Home:
Road:
vs. North:
vs. Central:
vs. South:
SHO record:
1-run record:
2-run record:
When scoring 3:
When scoring 5:
When scoring 8:
Extra innings:
Doubleheaders:
Day:
Night:
Overall Series Record:
Home Series:
Road Series:
When Scoring First:

AIRHOGS COACHES
JAMES FRISBIE,
MANAGER (1st year)
__________________

JEFF BROOKS, HITTING

COACH (1st year)
_________________

The AirHogs will be

managed this season by
James Frisbie, who served
as manager of the
Rockford Aviators of the
Frontier League from
2013-2015. He led the
Aviators to a 49-47 record
and a playoff berth last
season. He was named
manager of the West
Division All-Star team in
Schaumburg, Illinois.

Jeff Brooks will serve as

hitting coach for the 2016
season. Brooks, a former 3rdround selection of the
Diamondbacks who has won
a Pacific Association
championship as a manager,
worked with skipper James
Frisbie last year in Rockford.

Frisbie played
professionally in the
Texas-Louisiana League
from 1998-2001 after
pitching at Abilene
Christian University. He is
no stranger to American
Association baseball in
Texas, having served as the
pitching coach for the Fort
Worth Cats from 20082010.
With the AirHogs on the
road quite a bit this season,
Frisbie will draw on his
experience as manager of
the Bradenton Juice in
2007. A road team in the
South Coast League,
Frisbie led them to a 47-42
season in 2007.
A native of Kent,
Washington, he has also
worked as an instructor in
the California Winter
League and as an associate
scout for the Texas
Rangers.

The former corner infielder

brings plenty of experience in
professional baseball. A
native of Mountain City,
Tennessee, Brooks began his
pro playing career in the
Diamondbacks organization
in 1997. He also spent time
as part of the San Diego
Padres organization and
played in the independent
Northern League, Northeast
League, and Can-Am
Association from 2003-2006.
Brooks was the hitting coach
with the Maui Warriors in
2012 and helped the team to
a Pacific Association
Championship as the
manager in 2013. He has
previous American
Association experience,
having served as hitting
coach for Amarillo in 2014
before joining Frisbie as a
member of the Rockford
Aviators (Frontier League)
last season.

JUICE GUMBS,
BENCH/INFIELD COACH (1st
year)
__________________
Lincoln Juice Gumbs will
serve as the bench and infield
coach on skipper James Frisbies
staff in 2016.
Born in the Virgin Islands,
Gumbs attended Eastern Illinois
University and was a 1990
draftee of the Houston Astros.
He played professionally in the
MiLB, the Texas-Louisiana
League, where he was an
opponent of Frisbie as a member
of the Tyler Wildcatters and
Abilene Prairie Dogs, the
Southeastern League, and in
Colombia and Canada.
Gumbs has been a pivotal part of
the Houston RBI Program,
serving as director of the
organization from 2009-2012
and participating in the
Southwest Regional
Championships. He has also
served as a coach and an
instructor in the California
Winter League with the Palm
Springs Power, the Midwest
Haymakers, and the Palm Desert
Coyotes. His team has qualified
for the championship series in
each of his 3 years participating
in the Frontier League-affiliated
CWL.

JEFF RUSSELL,
PITCHING COACH (3rd year)
________________
Jeff Russell will once again serve as pitching coach for the 2016 season.
Russell, a two-time MLB All-Star, has been with the AirHogs since 2014.
A native of Cincinatti, Ohio, Russell enjoyed a 14-year professional career
that included time with the Reds, Athletics, Red Sox, Indians, and, most
famously, the Texas Rangers. He was selected to the MLB All-Star Game in
1988 and 1989, when he led the American League with 38 saves, and he is a
member of the Texas Rangers 2015 Hall of Fame Class.
Russell has also served as pitching coach for the San Rafael Pacifics and the
Fort Worth Cats.

AIRHOGS STARTER
#25 DEREK CALLAHAN
Position: Pitcher
Bats: Left, Throws: Left
Height: 6' 4", Weight: 205 lb.
Born: December 29, 1992 in Edmonds, Washington, United States (Age 23.138)
High School: Edmonds-Woodway HS (Edmonds, WA)
School: Gonzaga University (Spokane, WA)
Drafted by the New York Yankees in the 16th round of the 2014 MLB June Amateur Draft from Gonzaga
University (Spokane, WA).
Pitch selection: Fastball (89-91 MPH), slider (78-81 MPH), curveball (74-76 MPH), changeup (80-82 MPH)
Callahan spent last year with with the Staten Island and Tampa affiliates of the NY Yankees, in the New YorkPenn and Florida State Leagues respectively. He was 6-4 in 14 appearances and 13 starts for Staten Island and 0-2
with a 9.39 ERA in 2 appearances and 2 starts in Tampa Bay.
Fun Fact: Pitched collegiately in the summer for the Taylor Baseball, the same team that Jon Lester once pitched
for. Callahan says he models his approach and style after Lester.

OPPONENT STARTER
RHP Richie Mirowski
Position: Pitcher
Bats: Right, Throws: Right
Height: 6' 2", Weight: 190 lb.
Born: April 30, 1989 in San Mateo, California, United States (Age 27.015)
High School: Serra HS (San Mateo, CA)
School: Oklahoma Baptist University (Shawnee, OK)
Drafted by the Washington Nationals in the 45th round of the 2011 MLB June Amateur Draft from
Oklahoma Baptist University (Shawnee, OK).
Spent last year in Amarillo, where he went 4-2 in 11 appearances and 7 starts. His ERA was 3.57. The
RedHawks sent catcher Charlie Valerio and cash to the ThunderHeads in exchange for Mirowski.
Pitch selection: Fastball (89-91 MPH), cutter, "fosh" (split-change, 80-82 MPH that breaks in and down
on righties), curveball
Fun Fact: In college, he identified Achilles as his favorite classic hero for the Oklahoma Christian
Baseball bio page. Quote: "What youre learning in school, and the lessons your baseball coaches are
teaching you on and off the field, things kind of tie-in. If you can be well-rounded, the game gets
maybe not easier, but you better understand it."

ADDITIONAL AIRHOGS TEAM INFO

The legendary Joe DiMaggio once said that Opening Day is like a birthday party when youre a kid.
You think something wonderful is going to happen.
The Texas AirHogs will be looking for that wonderful something when they kick off 2016 campaign
next week in Grand Prairie with an exhibition game vs. the Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks May 16th and
when they officially open their regular season schedule May 19th in Kansas City vs. the TBones.
First-year skipper James Frisbie is excited about a talented roster that has already drawn attention from
the MLB. Middle infielder Tanner Witt, who signed with the AirHogs in April, had his contract
purchased by the Minnesota Twins on May 8th, and right-handed pitcher Tony Rizzotti, who signed in
January, had his contract purchased by the White Sox on May 11th. The remaining roster remains
formidable though, with a good mix of players with MiLB and independent league experience.
I dont even worry about win/loss record. Its about improving every day, said Frisbie, a native of
Roseburg, Oregon and a graduate of Abilene Christian about to begin his 5th independent season as a
manager in independent professional baseball.
Frisbie spent 2013-15 in the Frontier League managing the Rockford Aviators, helping them to a 4947
record and a wild card playoff berth last summer. His roster choices reflect his winning formula from
his time in Rockford. Six former Aviators will open the 2016 season on the AirHogs roster. Among
them will be CF Michael Hur and 1B Devon Rodriguez, each of whom accumulated over 100 hits in the
Frontier last season.
The opening day pitching staff will be long on experience, especially in affiliated ball. Griffin Russell,
Ryan Atwood, and Cody Hebner all finished last year as part of the Padres organization. Derek Callahan
and Ethan Carnes each pitched in the Yankees system. Palmer Betts pitched for an affiliate of the
Pirates, and Carlos Misell played for an affiliate of the Mariners.
Handling the pitching staff behind the plate will be a trio of offseason signees: veteran Juan C. Torres,
who played in the Mets organization from 2006-2012, 2015 all-Missouri Valley Conference selection
and Bradley University alum Drew Carlile, and former Dallas Baptist University standout and San
Diego Padres draftee Michael Miller.
In the outfield, the team will no doubt benefit from the bats of Teo Martinez and Burt Reynolds, who
should provide further reinforcement to a batting order that Frisbie describes as potentially scary good.
Martinez started 2015 with Frisbie in Rockford before his contract was purchased by the Yankees. The
24-year-old would split time between the Yanks affiliates in the Gulf Coast and Florida State Leagues
before signing this offseason. Like Martinez, Burt Reynolds spent 2015 in the MiLB, doing his work for
3 Mariners affiliates in Bakersfield, Clinton, and Jackson. The 27-year-old racked up 11 HR, 46 RBI
and 114 total bases for his 3 clubs. He accumulated 5 assists, playing mostly the corner outfield
positions, in 2015.
A particular challenge for the roster this season will be having one of the heaviest travel schedules in the
American Association. The team is set to play 25 games in Grand Prairie, 25 games in Amarillo and 50
games on the road. Frisbies past experience managing the Bradenton Juice of the South Coast League
should be beneficial in helping the team in this regard: playing almost exclusively on the road in 2007,
Frisbie guided the Juice to a 47-42 record, playing just 4 games in a true home stadium.
With the support on the field from his coaching staff, which will include former Aviators hitting coach
Jeff Brooks, former Tyler Wildcatter Lincoln Juice Gumbs, and 3rd-year AirHogs pitching
coach/former Texas Rangers All-Star Jeff Russell, Frisbie expects high energy and strong effort from a
roster that he calls a classy group of guys.
Were young in some areas, were veteran in some areas, he said. My expectation is that well
compete.

ADDITIONAL GAMEDAY INFORMATION

TODAY'S WEATHER (GRAND PRAIRIE)

Fargo Preseason
May 8 at St. Paul L 3-2
May 9 vs. NJ Black Sox W 5-2
May 10 at Winnipeg W 4-2
May 11 at Winnipeg L 9-3
May 12 vs. St Paul W 12-11
May 13 vs. St Paul W 8-2
May 15 at Wichita W 6-3
May 17 at Texas
May 18 at Texas
Reg. Season
May 19-21 at Laredo
May 23-25 at Texas
May 27-29 vs Wichita
May 30-Jun1 vs Sioux City
RedHawks Coaches
DOUG SIMUNIC
Field Manager & Director of
Player Personnel
BUCKY BURGAU
Third Base Coach

AirHogs
TICKET
INFO
Grand Prairie Single Game Tickets

KOLE ZIMMERMAN
Hitting/First Base Coach

Price

MICHAEL SCHLACT
Pitching Coach

Officer's Club Level Seats:

$15

ROBBIE LOPEZ
Bullpen Coach

Box Level Seats:

$12

CHRIS "BAMBINO" KRICK

Clubhouse Manager

Reserved Level Seats:

$8

MATT MCMANUS, MA,

ATC
Athletic Trainer

Amarillo Single Game Tickets

Price

JEFF BITTIGER
Player Personnel Consultant
Home Stadium: Newman
Outdoor Field
CEO: Brad Thom
GM: Josh Buchholz

Box Level Seats:

$8
Club Level Seats:
$5
Call for Purchase.
For ticketing information you may contact:
Scott Stephen (Vice President/Head of
Sales)- (817)-343-0729
sstephen@airhogsbaseball.com; James
Holloway (Sales/Promotions)- (903)-4071845 jholloway@airhogsbaseball.com;
Tommy Burrell (Sales/Promotions)- (601)953-9382 tburrell@airhogsbaseball.com

AirHogs
UPCOMING
May 16 vs. Fargo
May 17 vs. Fargo
Reg. Season
May 19-22 at KC
May 23-25 vs. Fargo
May 27-29 vs. Laredo
May 30-Jun 2 at Lincoln
Jun 3-5 at Joplin

Last Year Final Standings