All-Star Team Loaded With Miners

No surprise here... The Frontier Leagues best team places eight players on the 2010 All-Star roster. I will be the last person to suggest how you should spend your dollars...but I can't recommend enough to catch a Miners game.

As unpredictable as baseball is you never know if the Miners current roster will remain intact. As well as they are playing I think it's safe to say big league clubs are paying attention and could swoop down and sign guys to deals.

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By Scott Gierman (Southern Illinois Miners)
Marion, Ill. - The Southern Illinois Miners are excited to announce that a league-leading eight Miners, including four starters, have been voted to the 2010 Frontier League All-Star Team. The 18th Annual Frontier League All-Star Game will be played at Rent One Park on Wednesday, July 14 at 7:05 p.m.
First baseman Brad Miller, designated hitter Todd Martin and outfielders Stephen Head and Jereme Milons have been voted starters for the West Division All-Stars, along with catcher Brendan Akashian. Pitchers Joe Augustine, Mike Damchuk and Jake McMurran have also been voted to the team. This is the second all-star selection for Miller and McMurran.

"It is a great honor to be recognized in this league," Miller said. "It is extra special being able to play in front of our loyal fans."

Miners Manager Mike Pinto will manage the West All-Stars. Later this week he will select three more players from the division to join the 24-man roster. He will also decide the starting pitcher.

"I could not be more proud of the players on our team voted to the all-star squad," Pinto said. "It is a testament to their preparation coming into the season and the tremendous skills they have shown in the first half in helping us to a great start to the season. I am thrilled that our coaching staff gets the opportunity to have so many of our players join us for the all-star festivities next week. It will be a week I am sure we will all remember."

The all-star rosters were voted on by Frontier League coaching staffs, general managers, radio broadcasters and local media representatives.

Pinto Wins 200th Career Game

I know this is a couple of days old...But wanted to get in on the blog. Kudos to Southern Illinois Miners manager Mike Pinto

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CRESTWOOD, Ill. - Southern Illinois Miners Manager Mike Pinto recorded his 200th career victory Wednesday night with a 13-5 win over the Windy City ThunderBolts. Since joining the Miners prior to the inaugural 2007 season, Pinto has led the franchise to a 131-103 record, with a winning percentage of .560.

Pinto began his professional managerial career as the skipper for the Sioux Falls Canaries in 2005. He spent two seasons with Sioux Falls before being named manager of the Miners. Entering this season, Pinto
ranked ninth in Frontier League history in career winning percentage.
His 58 regular season wins in 2008 tied him for sixth most in a single Frontier League season.

"Mike has been great for us on and off the field," Miners General Manager Tim Arseneau said. Everyone here is excited for him to reach this milestone, and we look forward to seeing him reach more milestones with Southern Illinois. He's done a phenomenal job building this team from scratch into a contender.