Bay Area Toros
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Bay Area Toros Go 1-1 In Exhibition Play
By Robert H. Kelly
(May 19, 2007, League City, Texas) In their second game of their exhibition season, the Toros lost 5-1 to the Northwest Wildcats.
Looking to work out their roster for their upcoming inaugural season was the mahjor goal of manager Jim Bolt. The Totos pitching gave up a total for 11 walks, along with a three run homer.
The one shining moment on defense was a diving catch in the 8th inning by second baseman Josh Odell. On offense, all the Toros could manage was a single run in the bottom on a single RBI by Joseph Mandile.
They also accounted for fifteen strikeouts from the superior pitching of the Wildcats. Right handed pitcher Albert Carmona was credited with the loss.
The Toros showed improvement in play in all positions, however Manager Jim Bolt was quoted in saying, “The team cannot have that many strikeouts. Our pitchers need to bear down on their strike zones. The Wildcats should have been held to one run, if you took away all the walks.”
The Toros pre-season record is now at 1-1 after their first game 8-4 victory over the Friendswood Bengals.
The Toros will take to the field for their third exhibition game at the Pre-Season Challenge Series at Killeen High School in Killeen, Texas. They will face the Texas Heat in a 2:00pm game on Sunday, May 20, 2007. They will then play their final exhibition game with a home tune up on May 23 against the Houston Apollos at Clear Creek High School Wildcat Stadium. Game time will be 7:00pm. The game will be free to the public.
Bay Area Toros Opening Day Set For May 27
By Robert H. Kelly
(May 26, 2007, League City, Texas) On Sunday, May 27 at Clear Creek High School, a new era in Houston sports occurs. The Bay Area Toros Baseball Club begins their inaugural season in the Continental Baseball League.
Billed as an independent league with no affiliation to any major league club, the upstart league features four teams; the Toros, the Texas Heat, the Lewisville Lizards, and the Tarrant Country Blue Thunder.
The Toros will begin their season with a three game series against the Heat, with the first game starting at 5:00pm Sunday.
The Toros will feature some players who have ties to the Houston area sports scene.
Former Willowridge High School standout Marcus Chandler, who played for the Kansas City Royals will play outfield for the Toros.
"I've been trying to get back into the game for at least three years, and having this team (come along) was a plus," said Chandler, who is the second-oldest player on the team. "I still have a lot of ability and I feel like I can play on a higher level. For the last couple of years, (people) have been saying that I'm getting a little bit too old, but I feel like I'm still strong and can compete. The Lord blessed me to make the team.”
Noah Scott, who is the younger brother of the Houston Astros Luke Scott, will be taking to the mount for the Toros. He is also slated to see some time as the team’s first and third baseman.
Other players with from the Houston area include Mike Medrano, who played his high school ball for Pearland High School and later on for the University of Houston, right handed pitcher Sean Kelly (J. Frank Dobie High School and Alvin Community College) and third baseman Daniel Cox (Channelview High School and San Jacinto Junior College).
Toros General Manager Mike Pede sees interest for the local community as high. "The response in the Bay Area and all around the city of Houston has been phenomenal. Fans seem excited, we're selling a bunch of tickets and people are signing up for camps and all sorts of things. Hopefully, we can hold up our end of the deal, win some games and pay off their loyalty.”