Beech Tree News Network

Lovers of all things Baseball, mark April 2, 2013 on your calendars as the the day it was announced to the Media that the Bowling Green Hot Rods in conjunction with the Tampa Bay Rays have rostered a Kentuckian for the first time in the Team’s history.

Hailing from Edgewood, Luke Maile will make his full-season debut with the Hot Rods in 2013 after being selected by the Rays in the eighth round of last June's draft.  Luke won "Mr. Baseball" in 2009 while at Covington Catholic and then the catcher/first baseman excelled at the University of Kentucky for three seasons.  He states that his”Goal is to become a Pro” and that he is “ready for the challenge”.

The outlook for the Team is very bright this year as they have acquired seven of the top thirty Ray prospects according to Baseball America. New as manager is Jared Sandberg. Sandberg is the third Coach in the Team’s history. Jared hails from Olympia Washington and says “I am looking forward of playing 142 games and staying focused”.

Sandberg is joined on the field staff by pitching coach Kyle Snyder, coach Manny Castillo, and trainer Chris Tomashoff.  Snyder begins his second season in the Rays organization as the new pitching coach for the Hot Rods. Tomashoff has spent 17 years in the Rays organization. 

Returning for his fourth year is Coach Manny Castillo. Manny is former Major League player for the Royals and the Mariners. Manny is very confident of the Team this year and states that “If we stay healthy we have the potential to go beyond the Playoffs”.
The Bowling Green Hot Rods first home game will be Monday, April 8 against the Lansing Lug Nuts. For more information contact the Hot Rods at 270-901-2121

Story and photos by Jim Baird,Beechtree News