Six players and three coaches will represent the Florence Freedom, presented by Titan Mechanical Solutions, at the 2019 Frontier League All-Star game in Rockland County, New York on July 10.
The game will be played at Palisades Credit Union Park, home of the Rockland Boulders. It will pit the All-Stars of the Frontier League against the best of the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball (Can-Am League).
No team in the Frontier League will contribute more All-Stars than the Freedom, who’s skipper, Dennis Pelfrey, will manage the team alongside his hitting coach, Drew Martines and first-year bench coach, Mike Morris.
“It is truly an honor to represent the Frontier League in the All-Star Game and even more so with our All-Stars playing against another league’s All-Star team,” Pelfrey said. “I’m excited about the opportunity to showcase our best players so we can elevate the already positive reputation of our league.”
This will be the second time the Freedom skipper has managed in the mid-summer classic, last earning the honor in 2017 as Florence was in the midst of their best season in franchise history, going (61-35) on the way to the Frontier League Championship Series.
In 2018, the Frontier League All-Star game experimented with a Rookie vs. Veteran format, but never before has the All-Star game featured the best of two different Independent Leagues.
“I believe this dynamic of an All-Star Game between two leagues can really provide opportunities and information for future players when choosing to play independent baseball,” Pelfrey added. “This All-Star game will show the competition level of both leagues and exactly what independent baseball is about. The electricity in the ballpark that night is going to be something you shouldn’t miss.”
Pelfrey has guided the Freedom to the best record in the Frontier League, perching the club atop the highly-competitive West Division standings.
Freedom right-handed ace, Tyler Gibson earned his first All-Star selection after posting a (5-1) record and 2.73 ERA in eight starts the first half of the season.
Southpaw hurler, Mike Castellani also earned his first All-Star honor, boasting a (4-1) record while holding the opposition to the tune of a 2.25 ERA.
Power right-hander and setup man, Brian McKenna will return to his native state for his first All-Star selection, fanning a bullpen-high 26 batters in 16.2 innings while in the midst of his second stint with the Freedom this season.
Returning to the mid-summer classic for the second time in as many seasons with the Freedom is closer, Johnathon Tripp, who has managed to go the first half of the 2019 campaign without allowing an earned. Tripp has 9 saves this year, tied with Connor Eller of the Schaumburg Boomers (9) for most in the league.
Right-fielder, Ricky Ramirez Jr. will start in the outfield for the Frontier Leauge All-Stars, earning his first selection to the event by averaging a.378 in his last 10 games, lifting his season-long batting average to .282 with 3 homers and 19 runs batted in. Ramirez also boasts a.844 OPS.
Shortstop Austin Wobrock will join Tripp in making his second appearance at the Frontier League All-Star game. Wobrock got off to an incredible start offensively and defensively, making the number two play on SportsCenter’s Top Ten during a home game with the Evansville Otters on June 2nd.
“I’m excited these guys were recognized for the work they have put in,” Pelfrey continued. “Florence is well represented in the All-Star game with these six guys. I’m lucky I get to see them work everyday.”
The Florence Freedom are members of the Independent Frontier League and play all home games at UC Health Stadium located at 7950 Freedom Way in Florence, KY. The Freedom can be found online at florencefreedom.com, or by phone at (859) 594-4487.