FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                       Media Contact: Jon Versteeg

August 4, 2009                                                                                        860-309-9293 cell

                                                                                 jversteeg@jackhammerbaseball.com

 

JACKHAMMERS ADD NEW HITTING COACH

Patton Comes to Joliet to Serve Under New Manager Ira Smith

 

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, CANADA-The Joliet JackHammers have added Northern League veteran Josh Patton as its new hitting coach effective immediately. Patton, who spent his entire 12-year playing career in the Northern League and American Association (1997-2008), will be in uniform when the JackHammers begin their 6-game road trip in Winnipeg tonight.

 

Patton holds the Northern League career record for most Games Played (751), Doubles (196) and Walks (360). He is also second in the Northern League record books in At-Bats (2,773), Runs (455) and Hits (847). An outstanding defensive second baseman, Patton set American Association single-season records for putouts (219), assists (308) and double plays (78) for a second baseman in 2006 with the Lincoln SaltDogs. He owns a .308 career batting average with 1,176 hits through 12 seasons.

 

“Josh is somebody that I had on my radar for whenever I got my first managerial job,” said JackHammers Interim Manager Ira Smith. “Josh has been one of the best hitters ever in the Northern League. At one point, Josh had the most hits in league history. He’s always been the hardest working guy around. We pretty much have the same hitting philosophy. It was an easy hire as far as I’m concerned.”

 

Patton started his career with the Thunder Bay (ONT) Whiskey Jacks of the Northern League in 1997. He played for Thunder Bay (1997), Sioux City (1998-2001), Fargo-Moorhead (2002), Lincoln (2003-2007) and Sioux Falls (2008). Originally from Connerville, IN; Patton played collegiate baseball at Western Kentucky and now resides in Lincoln, NE with his wife Dimitra and his son Kai.

 

“I’m excited to be with the JackHammers,” said Patton. “Being around baseball as a coach is something I’ve always wanted to do. I look forward to helping our guys over the last month of the season.”

 

Loose Gravel: The JackHammers have also announced the completion of a trade with the Schaumburg Flyers that brought 3B Vince Harrison to a Joliet uniform on July 28. The JackHammers have sent RHP Jason Richardson and LHP Ryan Gehring to the Flyers. Gehring leaves the JackHammers with a 3-8 record and a 5.12 ERA.

 

The JackHammers next home stand begins on Monday, August 10 against the Winnipeg Goldeyes at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, or for more information, please contact the JackHammers TODAY at 815.726.2255 (BALL), visit their website www.jackhammerbaseball.com or stop by the Silver Cross Field Box Office during normal business hours.

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