RECORD CROWD SAYS GOODBYE IN ST. PAUL; MORE PETE ROSE SIGHTINGS PLUS AFL ASSIGNMENTS

Leave it to the St. Paul (MN) Saints. They played their 999th and final game at Midway Stadium Thursday night as they prepare to move into a sparkling new home for American Association games next season, and a franchise record 9,455 fans turned out.

The Saints have been a big draw since their very first year (1993) in the Northern League, and this crowd brought the season home total to 248,106, their best since 2009. The fans had to have a nostalgic feeling for Midway because the team is out of playoff contention. Incidentally, St. Paul was beaten by playoff-bound Winnipeg, 4-3.

PETE ROSE BACK IN DEMAND FOR TWO INDY APPEARANCES

The major leagues’ all-time hit king, Pete Rose, has been booked for two more visits to Independent Baseball stadiums before the season ends, following up on his one-day stint earlier as guest manager for the Bridgeport (CT) Bluefish of the Atlantic League.

Rose will even step into the batter’s box as the leadoff hitter in the bottom of the first inning for the Florence (KY) Freedom of the Frontier League on Tuesday (September 2). He will be introduced, then a pinch hitter will replace him and Rose will coach both third and first base for some of the remaining innings.

On September 14, he returns to Bridgeport once again in a guest manager slot to take part in Ken Shepard Day activities as the team honors its general manager, who is leaving after the season to continue his fight against Stage 4 kidney cancer.

INDEPENDENT PLAYERS, FIELD STAFF HEADED TO ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE

Two players are among a contingent of at least five people with Independent Baseball credentials headed to the prestigious Arizona Fall League. All represent major league organization now.

Right-handed pitchers Brandon Cunniff and Alex Smith are on the rosters announced to this point. Both spent time in the Frontier League. Cunniff, who played for Southern Illinois and River City and now belongs to the Atlanta Braves, will pitch for Peoria. Smith, out of River City and currently in the New York Yankees system, will be with Scottsdale.

Onetime Frontier League Manager Andy Haines (Windy City, Dubois County), who has worked his way all the way up to managing Miami’s top minor league club in New Orleans, will lead the Salt River team. Peoria’s co-pitching coaches are Jason Simontacchi and R. C. Lichtenstein. Simontacchi, now coaching in the minors for St. Louis, played for Atlantic League teams in Lancaster, PA, Long Island, NY and Bridgeport as well as for Springfield of the Frontier League. Lichtenstein, a Tampa Bay minor league coach, was involved with Dubois County (and possibly other Indy teams).

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