FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Media Contact: Jon Versteeg
June 22, 2007 815-774-2881

JACKHAMMERS SIGN PALOS PARK NATIVE FORYSTEK

Will Be the JackHammers Starting Pitcher On Saturday, June 23 vs. Winnipeg

JOLIET, IL-The Joliet JackHammers have signed Palos Park resident and LHP Brian Forystek, (Fore-is-tek) as well as catcher Nicholas Wayne to 2007 contracts. Forystek comes to the JackHammers from the New Britain (CT) RockCats (AA, Minnesota Twins) of the Eastern League. Forystek went 1-1 with a 4.73 ERA in 16 games with the RockCats in 2007 and will join the JackHammers starting rotation immediately. To make room for Forystek and Wayne, the JackHammers released LHP Victor Kleine and C Eric Zeedyk.

Forystek is a 1996 graduate of Carl Sandburg High School in Orland Park and a 2000 graduate of Illinois State University. Originally a 14^th round selection of the Baltimore Orioles in the June 2000 First Year Player Draft, Forystek spent parts of seven seasons in the Orioles system. He ended his Orioles career with the Bowie (Md.) Baysox of the (AA, Eastern League) with his best statistical year in 2006. He went 6-3 with a 3.57 ERA in 43 appearances with the Baysox last season. Forystek has made 211 starts over his seven and a half year career.

Wayne last played baseball in the 2005 season at Shawnee State (OH) University. He spent part of the 2007 spring training season with the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks.

Loose Gravel: With the roster moves today, the JackHammers are currently carrying 12 pitchers. The roster total stands at 21 active players.

The JackHammers are currently home through June 27. For tickets or for more information, please give the JackHammers a call at (815) 726-BALL (2255), go online to www.jackhammerbaseball.com, or stop by the Silver Cross Field Box Office during normal business hours.

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