Sutton on the move

The Wild Things made their first major roster move of the offseason Tuesday when they announced that right fielder Matt Sutton, pictured, has been traded to the Lake Erie Crushers for future considerations.

Sutton, an excellent defensive right fielder, had an up-and-down career over three seasons with the Wild Things. He hit .295 with 12 home runs in his rookie season of 2007 and was the Wild Things' best hitter during the postseason. In 2008, he played in only 33 games before being suspended by manager Greg Jelks. Manager Mark Mason reinstated Sutton last year and the lefty batted .264 with 15 home runs. Sutton did strike out a career-high 82 times and hit only .181 (19-for-105) in July, but he rallied and batted .336 over the remainder of the season.

At Lake Erie, Sutton will be reunited with former Wild Things manager John Massarelli.

Washington also signed infielder Richard Michalek. A Pittsburgh Central Catholic and Slippery Rock University graduate, Michalek played in three games last year for the Brockton Rox of the Can-Am League. Michalek played second base, shortstop and outfielder at Slippery Rock, where he was a .355 career hitter. In 2008, Michalek was MVP in the Jayhawk League, a college summer league based in Kansas.

“We have gotten good reports on Rich,” general manager Ross Vecchio said. "We like his versatility. He can play anywhere on the field. He had a great career at Slippery Rock and will be given an opportunity to win a spot on our 2010 roster.”

The Wild Things also have announced that pitchers Craig Snipp and Nick Peterson have retired.

Interview with the new boss

Had a chance this week to talk with new Wild Things managing director Todd Marlin, pictured, for a story that will appear in a future edition of the O-R. Here's a few quick things that came out of the interview:

- The new boss said two of his biggest points of emphasis will be ticket sales (adding more people to the ticket staff) and improving customer service.

- The list of potential managers has been trimmed to "three or four candidates." It should be wrapped up by late next week. More than 40 coaches have inquired about the opening.

- Though he helped put together the team when he was general manager of Bridgeport of the Atlantic League, Marlin will not handle that job with the Wild Things. Ross Vecchio and the manager will continue to put the baseball team together.

- Marlin said the Wild Things have a good reputation in independent baseball. "It's more on the business end. They have a fantastic logo and a great fan base. Throughout the industry they have a great reputation."

- He mentioned that he wants to focus on the entertainment value for the fans and keep the product fresh, though he didn't offer any ideas that I haven't heard or seen already."

A symphony for the FL?

Apparently, the city of Westfield, Ind., is on the Frontier League's radar.

A recent story in the Westfield Star mentioned that a mixed-use development called Symphony includes plans for a ballpark. The Star quotes Paul Estridge, who came up with the idea of the development, as saying he has a "handshake agreement" with the Frontier League to have a team at the stadium. He already is considering a team name, which he doesn't want to divulge yet.

The stadium will seat about 5,000.

The Hamilton County Convention and Visitors Bureau originally brought the idea to Estridge, and it evolved from there. A ballpark could bring in visitors, and the Visitors Bureau liked Estridge's site because it had "momentum," said Karen Radcliff, deputy director of the tourism group.

Westfield is located north of Indianapolis and Carmel, Ind. The location is good one for the Frontier League, which badly needs a team in central or northern Indiana. Westfield is not far from Interstate 70.

Head of the Kingdom

One of the two remaining managerial positions in the Frontier League was filled this week when the Kalamazoo Kings hired Jamie Keefe, pictured. You might recall that Keefe was manager of the Florence Freedom (2005-08) and Chillicothe Paints (2001-04).

Keefe, who is third on the FL's all-time wins list for managers, replaces Fran Riordan, who is the league's winningest manager. Riordan left the Kings after the 2009 season to become manager of the lake County Fielders, an expansion team int he independent Northern League.

Keefe, 36, did not manage last season.

“We’ve known Jamie for years because he’s been managing in the (Frontier League) and he’s known and respected in the league,” Kings owner Bill Wright said. “He’s a players’ coach.”

Keefe spent nine years as a players in the minors. He was the third-round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1992. He reached the Triple-A level in 1997.

Banks on the move

Former Wild Things first baseman Ernie Banks is changing teams again.

Banks, pictured, was acquired by the Southern Illinois Miners in a trade that sent outfielder Stephen Holdren and relief pitcher Derrick Miramontes to the River City Rascals. Southern Illinois is Banks' third Frontier League team in less than a year.

Banks played in only 77 games last year but hit 24 home runs, which ranked fifth in the league. Banks also made the FL's year-end all-star team. With shortstop Tony Roth and outfielder Joey Metropoulos, the Miners now have three of the nine hitters from that all-star list.

"This is as big a deal as we have done with the Miners," Southern Illinois manager Mike Pinto said. "And it's a great trade for both teams. It brings us a bonafide middle of the order power hitter. Ernie not only hits for power but also for average and on-base percentage. Just as important, Ernie plays the game with intensity and with a will to win. He is very competitive, and I believe he will flourish here this season. As an LS-2 in our league, this is a great pickup for us."

Southern Illinois had to give up a lot for banks. Holdren .311 with 20 home runs and 56 RBIs last year. The three-time all-star has 63 career home runs, which ranks fifth in Frontier League history.