Kevin Hooper

The worst part of Tim Tebow signing with the Patriots is the breathless overkill we'll get from ESPN. This is when the 'worldwide leader in sports' becomes the most provincial newsgathering organization on the planet. If it happens in the Northeast everyone must care about it…right? Bring Tebow into that equation and you have the perfect force feed fodder for a long summer---make sure your gag reflex is in working order. I don't blame Tebow--- For whatever reason, Tebow is one of the most polarizing figures in sports.

On a gorgeous Sunday afternoon in Wichita, Kevin Hooper is in his office working on salary cap issues for the Wichita Wingnuts.  Earlier in the day he and general manager Josh Robertson worked out a couple of young outfielders who wanted to get a look.  He was also checking in on the Wichita State Shockers' score.  "Something like that doesn't happen too often out there," says Hooper, a former Shocker player himself.  He is referring to...

The Wichita Wingnuts have a familiar name on the roster.  The team signed former WSU and Major League player Nate Robertson.  Roberton is also part owner of the Wingnuts. "Nate is a longtime teammate of mine and a longtime friend," said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper.  "It's pretty special to be able to bring a guy like that into this clubhouse, and we are ecstatic to have him. " Robertson is 57-77 with a 5.01 ERA during nine seasons in the Major Leagues, seven of which were spent with the Detroit Tigers.  The veteran left-hander made at least 28 starts and logged at least 168.2 innings in five consecutive years from 2004 through 2008.  A Wichita native, Robertson won 32 games from 2004-06, including a career-high 13 in 2006 where he helped the Tigers reach the World Series.  The 34-year old Robertson started one game in each of the Tigers' three playoff series that season.  Robertson outpitched Oakland Athletics' left-hander Barry Zito in Game One of the American League Championship Series, tossing five shutout innings to earn the win and propel Detroit to a four-game sweep.  Robertson then matched up against St. Louis Cardinals' ace Chris Carpenter in Game Three of the World Series, allowing just two earned runs in five innings.

Wichita Wingnuts' center fielder Brent Clevlen has been purchased by the Philadelphia Phillies' organization. Clevlen has been assigned to the Double-A Eastern League's Reading Phillies.  The Austin, TX native debuted for Reading last night, going 0 for 1 after joining the game as part of a double switch. "Anytime we can get a guy signed out of here, it's a wonderful thing for our organization," said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper.  "Obviously it's tough when you lose a three-hole hitter of Brent Clevlen's caliber, but he has to what is best for his career.  The plan for all of these guys is to try and get into affiliated ball.  Our staff and organization wishes him nothing but the best, and hopefully he can do well and get back to the Major Leagues.

The Wichita Wingnuts re-signed former Major League outfielder Brent Clevlen on Sunday. Clevlen (pronounced KLEEVE-lehn) opened spring training on the Wingnuts' roster before signing with the Cincinnati Reds' organization.  In 29 games for the Triple-A Louisville Bats, Clevlen hit .247 with three home runs and 10 RBI. Since 2006, Clevlen has spent parts of four seasons in the Major Leagues, including three with the...

The Wichita Wingnuts lost 7-6 to the Fort Worth Cats at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Monday night. The Wingnuts twice led by four runs, but the Cats scored over their final four at bats to tie the game and eventually take the lead on a Trent Lockwood solo home run in the top of the ninth inning. With the Wingnuts leading 6-2 in the top of the seventh, Fort Worth scored two runs on a two-out, two-run double to left-center field by Marcos Rodriguez. Starting pitcher Jonathan Ellis was then relieved by Jared Simon who retired Metcalf to end the inning.

The Wichita Wingnuts made two roster additions on Tuesday, signing rookies Blake Bergeron and Zac Mitchell. Bergeron (pronounced BAR-jer-ahn) recently finished a four-year career at Nicholls State University in Louisiana.  A first baseman, Bergeron hit .278 with seven home runs and 37 RBI in 54 games played during his senior season.  The right-handed hitting Bergeron starred in the 2010 National Baseball Congress World Series for the Liberal Bee Jays, hitting .361 with three home runs and 15 RBI in eight games to capture MVP honors and lead the Bee Jays to the tournament championship.

Former Wichita Wingnuts left-handed pitcher Dustin Pease has been signed by the San Diego Padres organization. Pease was one of the top relief pitchers in the American Association in 2010, setting a league record with 54 appearances, while posting a 6-1 record with a 2.46 ERA.  Pease struck out 64 batters in 55.0 IP, and held opponents to a .222 batting average.  Over his final 30 games, the Baltimore, MD native pitched to a 0.98 ERA. "This is what it is all about and is why I do what I do", said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper.

In the 2009 offseason Wichita Wingnut's bench coach Brian Rose was doing what most everyone does in baseball during that time:  he was looking for a job.  After being released by Grand Prairie Rose started calling around the league to look for an opening.  Word quickly reached Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. "I had heard through some other people that he was good at what he did and I talked Josh (Robertson) into bringing in a fourth coach, a bench coach for me," says Hooper.

The Wichita Wingnuts acquired right-handed pitcher Derek Blacksher from the Fort Worth Cats in exchange for outfielder Ryan Patterson in a late-Sunday trade. Blacksher, the American Association's 2009 Right-Handed Pitcher of the Year, was 3-6 in 11 starts and one relief appearance with a 4.55 ERA for the Cats.  In 65.1 innings, the 26-year old Blacksher struck out 55, walked 22, and allowed 69 hits.  Born in Bridge City, TX, Blacksher allowed three or fewer earned runs in eight of his 11 starts, including a two-hit, 12-strikeout performance versus the Amarillo Sox on June 3rd. "I am excited to have Derek Blacksher back in a Wingnuts uniform," said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper.  "He was a key part to our success in 2009, and hopefully can help us make a run to the postseason to finish out this year.

The worst part of Tim Tebow signing with the Patriots is the breathless overkill we'll get from ESPN. This is when the 'worldwide leader in sports' becomes the most provincial newsgathering organization on the planet. If it happens in the Northeast everyone must care about it…right? Bring Tebow into that equation and you have the perfect force feed fodder for a long summer---make sure your gag reflex is in working order. I don't blame Tebow--- For whatever reason, Tebow is one of the most polarizing figures in sports.

On a gorgeous Sunday afternoon in Wichita, Kevin Hooper is in his office working on salary cap issues for the Wichita Wingnuts.  Earlier in the day he and general manager Josh Robertson worked out a couple of young outfielders who wanted to get a look.  He was also checking in on the Wichita State Shockers' score.  "Something like that doesn't happen too often out there," says Hooper, a former Shocker player himself.  He is referring to...

Wichita Wingnuts veteran outfielder Mike Conroy has announced his reirement from professional baseball. Conroy played 11 seasons from 2001-12, spending a year away from the game in 2007. The 30-year-old collected 879 base hits in 914 career games, while averaging 85 runs scored, 27 doubles, 11 triples, 79 RBI, 17 stolen bases, and 59 walks per 162 contests. His 28 triples during four seasons in the American Association are tied for the most in league history. "It's going to be tough not seeing Mike Conroy's name penciled into our lineup this season," said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper.

The Wichita Wingnuts made two roster additions on Tuesday, signing rookies Blake Bergeron and Zac Mitchell. Bergeron (pronounced BAR-jer-ahn) recently finished a four-year career at Nicholls State University in Louisiana.  A first baseman, Bergeron hit .278 with seven home runs and 37 RBI in 54 games played during his senior season.  The right-handed hitting Bergeron starred in the 2010 National Baseball Congress World Series for the Liberal Bee Jays, hitting .361 with three home runs and 15 RBI in eight games to capture MVP honors and lead the Bee Jays to the tournament championship.

The Wichita Wingnuts have a familiar name on the roster.  The team signed former WSU and Major League player Nate Robertson.  Roberton is also part owner of the Wingnuts. "Nate is a longtime teammate of mine and a longtime friend," said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper.  "It's pretty special to be able to bring a guy like that into this clubhouse, and we are ecstatic to have him. " Robertson is 57-77 with a 5.01 ERA during nine seasons in the Major Leagues, seven of which were spent with the Detroit Tigers.  The veteran left-hander made at least 28 starts and logged at least 168.2 innings in five consecutive years from 2004 through 2008.  A Wichita native, Robertson won 32 games from 2004-06, including a career-high 13 in 2006 where he helped the Tigers reach the World Series.  The 34-year old Robertson started one game in each of the Tigers' three playoff series that season.  Robertson outpitched Oakland Athletics' left-hander Barry Zito in Game One of the American League Championship Series, tossing five shutout innings to earn the win and propel Detroit to a four-game sweep.  Robertson then matched up against St. Louis Cardinals' ace Chris Carpenter in Game Three of the World Series, allowing just two earned runs in five innings.

The Wichita Wingnuts made two additions to their lineup on Friday, re-signing outfielder Josh Workman, and signing catcher Angel Flores. Workman helped anchor the Wingnuts' lineup last season, appearing in all 100 of the team's contests.  An alumnus of Wichita State University, Workman set career-bests in nearly every offensive category, including batting average (.325), runs scored (66), doubles (29), home runs (10), and RBI (68).  The Atchison, KS native drew 44 walks against only 68 strikeouts, and finished with a .398 on-base percentage.  The left-handed hitting Workman hit safely in 73 of 100 games, and totaled 36 multi-hit contests--11 of which were for three hits.  Unfazed by same-handed pitching, Workman hit .361 against southpaws in 97 at bats.  Workman was also a model of consistency, and went consecutive games without a base hit just four times the entire season.

The Wichita Wingnuts announced their first player moves for the 2012 season on Monday, signing pitchers Brandon Mathes and Shawn Joy. Mathes enters his fourth season in professional baseball, and third overall with the Wingnuts.  Last summer, the right-hander posted a 4.50 ERA for Wichita while earning one save in 31 appearances.  In late July, Mathes was traded to the Frontier League's Florence Freedom where he made 20...

Wichita Wingnuts' center fielder Brent Clevlen has been purchased by the Philadelphia Phillies' organization. Clevlen has been assigned to the Double-A Eastern League's Reading Phillies.  The Austin, TX native debuted for Reading last night, going 0 for 1 after joining the game as part of a double switch. "Anytime we can get a guy signed out of here, it's a wonderful thing for our organization," said Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper.  "Obviously it's tough when you lose a three-hole hitter of Brent Clevlen's caliber, but he has to what is best for his career.  The plan for all of these guys is to try and get into affiliated ball.  Our staff and organization wishes him nothing but the best, and hopefully he can do well and get back to the Major Leagues.

In the 2009 offseason Wichita Wingnut's bench coach Brian Rose was doing what most everyone does in baseball during that time:  he was looking for a job.  After being released by Grand Prairie Rose started calling around the league to look for an opening.  Word quickly reached Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper. "I had heard through some other people that he was good at what he did and I talked Josh (Robertson) into bringing in a fourth coach, a bench coach for me," says Hooper.