Welcome to Chico American Legion Baseball! Chico is located 90 miles north of Sacramento and has a rich history in baseball.In addition to Chico American Legion Baseball, one of the best programs in California, Chico is also home to the Chico State Wildcats, the two time Division II National Champions, and the Chico Outlaws of the Golden Baseball League. Chico American Legion Baseball is celebrating its 70th anniversary this season.
Chico American Legion Baseball is made up of four teams. The Chico Nuts are the premier team, comprised of the best 16-19 year old baseball players in Chico and the surrounding communities of Paradise, Durham, and Colusa. They have won the District Title seven out of the last ten years and play 65 games during he summer season, competing with teams on a national scale.
The Chico Suns Blue and Red are the junior teams in the program, comprised of the best 15-17 year old baseball players in Chico and the surrounding communities. They play 50 games during the summer season, and the Chico Suns Blue have won the District Title eight out of the last ten years and have made three trips to the state championships in that time.
The Chico Rice are the freshman team in the program, comprised of the best 13-14 year old talent in Chico and the surrounding communities. They play 40 games between March and June, and compete in several tournaments during the spring/summer season.
MIKE KRUKOW TO SPEAK AT SPRING FEVER 2010! DINNER TICKETS SOLD OUT! LIMITED NON DINNER TICKETS AVAILABLE.
Grab some pine meat! Grab some pine in Chico at Spring Fever 2010 as former San Francisco Giants pitcher and current Giants announcer Mike Krukow will be the featured speaker. The event is scheduled for Friday, February 26, 2009 at Manzanita Place.
Krukow pitched for 14 years in the major leagues, the last seven with the San Francisco Giants. He came up to the Chicago Cubs in 1976. He was an National League All Star and a 20 game winner. For the past 16 years he has been the voice of the San Francisco Giants, and has been a five time Emmy winner for his work as a broadcaster. Mike is also a graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where he ranks among the Mustangs all time leaders.
Tickets are available and will go fast so get your now! Adult tickets are $45 and 18u tickets are $30. Every person in attendance will be able to obtain Mike Krukow's autograph, and meet the Giants legend.Dinner will once again be catered by Outback Steakhouse and Mr. Frank Kennemer and his fabulous staff.
Table sponsorships are available: $475 for a table of eight that includes reserved up close seating, and advertising for business or family.
the event will also feature a lve and silent auction, featuring memorabilia items from Cal Ripken Jr, Pablo Sandoval, Brooks Robinson, Tim Lincecum, Tom Lasorda, Ted Williams, Troy Aikman, Aaron Rodgers, Emmitt Smith, Rickey Henderson and many more. Trips to numerous Giants and A's games, San Francisco 49ers games, wine tasting in Napa, Oakland A's luxury suites, the College World Series, golf at all local courses, beach condo on the Oregon coast, Dodger Stadium trip, Sacramento Kings trips, Chico Outlaws and Chico State Baseball items, and much more.
Chico American Legion Baseball will also be hosting a small luncheon with Mike at 12:00pm on Friday February 26 at La Hacienda restaurant. 40 people will have lunch with Krukow and be able to listen to stories and ask questions. $100 includes lunch and an autographed baseball.
Get your tickets now! Contact Tom Stevens at 530-518-4437, 530-342-0717 or tstev47095@aol.com for information. Hope to see you there! You can also dwnload the file below which is an event flyer with all necessary information.
CHICO AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL 2010 TRYOUTS RESCHEDULED! TRYOUTS ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7 ONLY.
Tryouts for the Chico Nuts and Chico Suns Baseball Clubs have been canceled for Saturday, February 6. Tryouts for both the Nuts and the Suns will be held at 9:00am on Sunday, February 7 at Pleasant Valley High School.
All players need to have release form completed to try out. Players from Chico, Paradise, Durham, Colusa, Maxwell, Willows, Maxwell, Hamilton City and Orland are eligible.
The Chico Nuts will play over 50 games this summer and travel to national tournaments in Omaha, Nebraska and Reno, Nevada. The Suns Blue team will also play 45 games and travel to tournaments in Eugene, Oregon and all over Northern California, and the Suns Red team will play 32 games and play in three Northern California tournaments.
The Chico Rice tryouts are also canceled for Saturday, February 6, and will resume on Sunday, February 7 at Pleasant Valley High School JV field from 11:00-1:30.
For further information please contact Tom Stevens at 518-4437.
CHICO AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL 2010 GOLF TOURNAMENT
Chico American Legion Baseball will be holding it's annual golf tournament on April 10, 2010 at Sevillano Links Golf Course. Last year's tournament was a huge success at the John Daly designed course. In addition to 18 great holes of golf on one of the best courses in Northern California, all participants will receive range balls, tee prizes, a bbq lunch, shirts, and will be automatically entered in a $10,000 hole in one shot. There will also be longest drive, and closest to the pin contests, and players can participate in contests for Nike clubs, Visa gift cards, and Bose sound systems.
Check in begins at 7:30 am, with tee off to begin at 8:30 am. Cost per player is $100. For further information contact Tom Stevens at 530-518-4437. Entry forms below. Help support Chico American Legion Baseball's players this season as they compete against teams from all over the United States!
OUTBACK GIVES BACK
Outback Steakhouse of Chico is known for their great food, atmosphere, and service. The best steaks, seafood, and spirits in Chico. But what most people do not realize is that Outback Steakhouse is one of the greatest supporters of the Chico community and Chico American Legion Baseball. Over the last 12 years Outback proprietor Frank Kennemer and Outback Steakhouse have helped raise over half a million dollars for charities in the Chico and surrounding communities.
In the past fifteen years Kennemer and Outback Steakhouse have helped the Boys and Girls Club, Big Bothers Big Sisters, Saint Judes Hospital, Shiners, Make A Wish Foundation, American Cancer Society, Wings of eagles, Girl Scouts of America, Chico State Athletics, North Valley Blood center, Muscular Disthrapy Association, American Red Cross, Chico Fire Department, Paradise Fire Department, Butte valley Fire Department, and Special Olympics.
And...Frank and Outback have been one of the most generous and loyal sponsors ever to Chico American Legion Baseball and its young men. They have been a phenomenal sponsor for Spring Fever for twelve years, providing a superb Outback meal for over 600 peoploe every year. in addition, Frank cooks the food himself, and his crew volunteers for the entire evening to help serve, cook, and support our program. Spring Fever would not be possible without Outback. Thank you to Frank and Outback for all they do for our program and community.
GREG BICKNELL TO COACH CHICO RICE
Chico American Legion Baseball is happy to announce the addition of Greg Bicknell to its staff as the head coach of the Chico Rice. Bicknell pitched at many levels of professional baseball, including stints with both the Chico Outlaws and the Chico Heat. He also pitched in the Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays farm systems, and in Taiwan and China.
CHICO NUTS...ON THE ROAD TO OMAHA IN 2010
The Chico Nuts will return to Omaha in 2010 to compete in the Decker College World Series 19U tournament, scheduled for June 23-27. The tournament features 48 prestigious national teams, with eight different locations throughout Omaha. This will be the fourth time the Nuts have competed in the tournament, finishing runner up in 2006, and reaching the quarter finals in 2007 and 2008.
The trip also allows the Nuts to see the NCAA College World Series at Rosenblatt Stadium, where the top eight teams in college baseball will compete for the 2010 national title.
Mor information on hotel and travel plans will be posted soon.
TOURNAMENT/SCHEDULE NEWS
The Chico Nuts will play in three consecutive tournaments in June 2010. They will compete in the 12th annual Father's Day Classic at Doryland Field in Chico, then travel to Omaha to compete in the Decker College World Series Tournament, and then finish off the trip with the University of Nevada Reno Tournament. The best schedule and competition around. The Chico Suns Blue will travel to Eugene, oregon to compete in the Best of the West Tournament.
CAMERON HORD AND JAMES SANDERSON TOP POST SEASON AWARDS FOR CHICO NUTS The Chico Nuts recently named it's post season award winners for the 2009 season. Cameron Hord was the 2009 winner of the Bob Busch Mr. American Legion award winner, presented to the player who best represents his community, team, coaches and parents through his play on the field, his work ethic and dedication, and his character. Hord has played in the program for seven years and is currently attending Point Loma University. Sanderson was named the team's Most Valuable Player after a great season where he hit 8 home runs and drove in 48, while also contributomh on the mound.
MR AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL.....CAMERON HORD
BEN SILVA AWARD (LEADERSHIP).....WES SKILLICORN
CLARK McGARR AWARD (INSPIRATION).....MATT GILBERTSON
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER.....JAMES SANDERSON
MOST OUTSTANDING OFFENSIVE PLAYER.....TAYLOR JOHNSON
MOST OUTSTANDING PITCHER.....LUKE BARKER
MOST OUTSTANDING DEFENSIVE PLAYER.....GENE GRIFFIN
MOST OUTSTANDING BASE RUNNER.....MATT GILBERTSON
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR.....STEVEN JOHNSON
MOST IMPROVED.....HAYDEN MEYERS
CHICO SUNS BLUE WINS SHASTA LKE TOURNAMENT
Game 1 vs Shasta Lake Bass- Mike Davis allowed 2 hits over five innings and the Suns Blue banged out 16 hits en-route to an 18-0 win in five innings. Riley Cox and Kyle Santuccio hit home runs and Brandon Coborn and Kurt Laver each had three hits.
Game 2 vs North Humboldt Knights- Teddy Finney allowed 2 hits over five innings and Kyle Santuccio pitched the 6th as the Suns Blue won 9-1 in six innings. Garrett Thomas (2 hits, 2 RBI), Kurt Laver (2 hits, 3 RBI) and Trent Flaherty (2 hits, 1 RBI) all contributed to the offense.
Game 3 vs Susanville Renegades- Andy Amaro threw a complete game allowing two runs in the first inning and then shutting down the Susanville offense as the Suns Blue won 7-2. Amaro struck out 11. Brandon Coborn (2 hits, 3 runs scored), Kurt Laver (2 hits) and Steven Koehnen (2 hits, 2 RBI) led the offense.
Game 4 vs Colusa Channel Cats- In the semi-final game, the Suns Blue scored six runs in the top of the first and then continued to add runs in the 14-9 victory that put them into the Championship game against Eureka. Riley Cox allowed one run in 5 innings, giving up 4 hits before being relieved. Kyle Santuccio was 4-5 with 5 RBI to lead the 16 hit attack. Mike Davis had two hits including a home run and drove in four. Cory Louber had two doubles and 3 RBI.
Championship game vs Eureka- Eli Stanley needed only 50 pitches to complete five innings in the 11-0 win for the Suns Blue. Brett Loughlin was 2-3 with 2 RBI, Brandon Coborn was 2-2 with 2 RBI, Trent Flaherty had two doubles and 3 RBI.
ANDY QUIRING COMMITS TO OREGON STATE
Chico Nuts alumni Andy Quiring recently committed to the two time national champion Oregon State Beavers. Quiring played three seasons with the Chico Nuts and seven in Chico American Legion Baseball. In that time he became the all time leader in hits for the Nuts. The right fielder then moved on to Feather River College where he iwas a two year All Section player. Quiring will begin attending OSU in the fall of 2009, and will be on the field of play in the Spring of 2010.
DERRICK MIRAMONTES SIGNS WITH SOUTHERN ILLINOIS MINERS
Chico Nuts alumni Derrick Miramontes has signed a professional contract to play for the Southern Illinois Miners of the Frontier League. Miramontes pitched two tremendous seasons for the Nuts before moving on to Butte College followed by the University of Chicago Illinois.
MARION, Ill. - The Southern Illinois Miners have reacquired right-handed relief pitcher Derrick Miramontes from the Shreveport-Bossier Sports of the American Association.
Miramontes, 22, made his professional debut with the Miners in 2009 after finishing his college career as the closer at the University of Illinois at Chicago. As a senior at UIC, he appeared in 25 games for the Flames and finished with a 2.58 ERA and seven saves in 45.1 innings.
As a rookie with the Miners, he tossed a total of seven innings in seven relief appearances before being traded to Shreveport-Bossier for a player to be named later. The deal included an agreement that Miramontes would be returned to the Miners for the 2010 season. With the Sports, he appeared in 19 games, four of them starts, and posted a 3.95 ERA. In 41 innings of work, he struck out 25 and walked only nine.
“We really liked Derrick but thought he needed to get more professional innings than we were going to be able to give him last season,” Miners Manager Mike Pinto. “This was a great opportunity for him, and he did the most with it and excelled. He got the innings and experience he needed to help us this season and did a great job for Shreveport along the way. I am glad to have him back in the fold for our 2010 pitching staff.”
CHICO NUTS GRADUATES MOVING ON
The Chico Nuts are very proud of all players moving on to play at the college or professional levels of baseball. Currently 75% of Chico Nuts players move on to play at the college or professional ranks. Here is are a few of our recent graduate. Check the alumni page for the entire list.
Class of 09
Nuts Player
School
Years Played
Patrick Randolph
Butte College
2008-
Matt Gilbertson
Butte College
2009-
Steven Johnson
Butte College
2009-
Shawn Lee
Butte College
2009
Jeremy Richardson
Shasta College
2009
Nuts Player
College or Team
Years Played
Logan Lotti
Oregon State
2005-2006
Andy Quiring
Oregon State
2006-2008
Derrick Miramontes
University of Illiinios at Chicago
2005-2006
Michael Maehl
San Jose State
2005-2005
Evan MacLane
St Louis Cardinals
2000-2001
Steve Bryant
University of Hawaii
2000-2001
Joe Borrayo
Butte College
2007-
Kevin Griffin
Butte College
2006
Cody Brown
Butte College
2006-2008
Jared Votaw
Brescia University
2002-2004
Jeff Henning
San Francisco State
2003-2004
Ryan Lauer
Butte College
2005-2006
Jesse Morris
Butte College
2008
Gregorio Beck
University of Puget Sound
2004-2005
Trevor Beck
University of Puget Sound
2005-2007
Kyle Dahlgren
Butte College
2005
Ben Severe
Shasta College
2007-2008
Kyle Lohse
St Louis Cardinals
1994-1996
Erik Lohse
Los Angeles Dodgers
1995-1997
Nick Bryant
Chico State
2001-2004
Casey Smyth
Chico State
2001-2004
Matt Bitker
Chico State
2001-2004
Matt Moran
San Diego Padres
1994-1997
Travis Anderson
UOP
1994-1997
Wes Skillicorn
Butte College
2007-
Austin Prott
Butte College
2008-
CHICO SUNS BLUE WIN EUGENE TOURNEY
Game 1 vs Sheldon- Kurt Laver drew a one out walk in the bottom of the 7th and scored from first on a Clay Eagleton triple for a walk off win against Sheldon. The Suns Blue scored four runs in the 5th to take a 6-4 lead. Sheldon scored two in the top of the 7th to set the scenario for the 7th inning dramatics. Eli Stanley threw 6 2/3 innings before giving way to Quinn Sullivan to get the last out in the top of the 7th. Clay Eagleton was 2-3 with 3 RBI, Quinn Sullivan was 2-4 with a triple, Brandon Coborn had two hits and Steven Koehnen had a pinch hit double that knocked in three runs.
Game 2 vs Willamette- Andy Amaro scattered four hits and used six strikeouts to propel the Suns Blue to a 9-1 win in six innings. Trent Flaherty, Mike Davis and Steven Koehnen each had two hits. Brandon Coborn (center field) and Kurt Laver (shortstop) contributed stellar defense to keep Willamette off the basepaths.
Game 3 vs Nampa (Idaho) Braves- Teddy Finney threw just 59 pitches, striking out seven as the Suns Blue beat Nampa 9-0 in five innings. The game lasted one hour, ten minutes. Finney scattered four hits for the victory. Clay Eagleton (3-3, 3 RBI), Kurt Laver (2-3) and Quinn Sullivan (triple, 2 RBI) powered the offense. The Suns Blue moved to 3-0 and play North Eugene Legion on Friday at 8:30 PM and South Eugene on Saturday at 8:00 AM to finish pool play.
KYLE LOHSE SIGNS WITH CARDINALS
Chico American Legion Baseball alumni has re-signed with the St Louis Cardinals , signing a four year contract to be part of their pitching rotation.
Lohse was 15-6 with a 3.78 ERA this season and led the staff with 200 innings. He agreed to a $4.25 million, one-year contract on March 14. His new deal contract calls for a $1.25 million signing bonus and salaries of $7,125,000 next year, $8,875,000 in 2009 and $11,875,000 in each of the final two seasons. He also gets a full no-trade clause.
Lohse said he was able to remain more consistent this season in part because of better preparation under pitching coach Dave Duncan and manager Tony La Russa. "I've had pretty good runs in the past but I'd have a couple of games where it skewed the numbers a little bit," he said.
"He really became the glue of what we needed to have happen," general manager John Mozeliak said at a news conference.
Congratulations Kyle!
NUTS SELECTED TO LIONS ALL STAR ROSTER
Congratulations to Chico Nuts players selected to play in the 2009 Bob Busch lions All star game. Nuts players on the south squad include Patrick Randolph (2B/P), Steven Johnson (P/OF), and Jordan Schwarz (SS/P) from Pleasant Valley High School, Matt Gilbertson (SS/2B/P) from Paradise High School, and Drew Sullivan Hames (P/1B) from Chico High Schoo. Jeremy richardson (OF) from Durham High School was selected as an alternate. Chico Nuts head coach Tom Stevens was selected as an assistant coach. The Lions All Star game is scheduled for May 31 at Doryland Field in Chico.
