T-Bones acquire catcher, pitcher in trades

The Kansas City T-Bones announced they have acquired catcher Jake Taylor and pitcher Kyle Brady in separate trades.

Taylor, who’s 6-foot-1 and 175 pounds, comes to Kansas City, Kan., from St. Paul in exchange for a player to be determined. In 61 games for the Saints in 2014, Taylor batted .283 with 63 hits, including 10 doubles, a career-best nine home runs, and a career-high 34 RBIs.

In five professional seasons — all in independent baseball — Taylor, whom the Florida Marlins selected in the 35th round of the 2005 MLB Amateur Draft, is a .270 career hitter with 21 home runs and 114 RBIs. Prior to spending last season in St. Paul, Taylor played two seasons (2012-13) with Sioux Falls, one season with Grand Prairie and one with Oakland County of the Frontier League.

“Jake is multi-position guy who can catch and provide some power offensively,” said T-Bones manager John Massarelli.

The T-Bones acquired right-handed pitcher Brady from River City of the Frontier League for pitcher Pat Doyle. In 2014 for River City, Brady, who’s 6-foot-9 and 240 pounds, went 2-3 with a 4.98 ERA in 25 appearances.

In 59 2/3 innings he struck out 72 and walked 33. During 2013, Brady’s first professional season out of Wingate University, he went 3-2 with a 3.77 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 40 games for the Frontier Greys.

“Kyle has an average major-league fastball, and he’ll come in to compete for a spot in the rotation,” Massarelli said. “As far as Pat, this gives him an opportunity to pitch at home, and we wish him nothing but the best.”

– Story from T-Bones

Piper results

Piper High School – football vs. Bonner Springs
– Piper varsity lost 24-31 (overtime)

Piper High School – volleyball
– Piper varsity at Spring Hill (5th place)
– lost to Blue Valley Southwest (22 and 22)
– lost to Paola (20 and 12)
– defeated Turner (12 and 21)
– lost to Spring Hill (25-17, 14-25, and 25-21)
– lost to Washburn Rural (11 and 11)

– From Doug Key, Piper activities director

Voting opens for Sporting KC annual awards

Voting is now open for Sporting Kansas City’s annual team awards, to be presented at the club’s Pitch Black celebration on Saturday, Oct. 11 at Sporting Park.

Fans can vote online at SportingKC.com/vote through 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 9.

Pitch Black will welcome fans alongside Sporting Kansas City players and coaches for a night of drinks, dining and live entertainment on the field at Sporting Park from 7 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11. Individual tickets are available online for $99 with a portion of the proceeds benefiting The Victory Project in its mission to help children thrive through life’s challenges.

Sporting Kansas City will recognize award winners in the following categories:

• Most Valuable Player
◦Nominees: Dom Dwyer, Benny Feilhaber, Graham Zusi
• Offensive Player of the Year
◦Nominees: Dom Dwyer, Benny Feilhaber, Graham Zusi
• Defensive Player of the Year
◦Nominees: Matt Besler, Aurelien Collin, Igor Juliao, Eric Kronberg, Seth Sinovic
• Goal of the Year
◦Nominees: Dom Dwyer (March 29), Benny Feilhaber (July 16), Soony Saad (Aug. 16)
• Newcomer of the Year
◦Nominees: Antonio Dovale, Andy Gruenebaum, Igor Juliao, Sal Zizzo
• Golden Boot
◦Awarded to the team’s top goal scorer
• The Victory Project Humanitarian of the Year
◦Awarded to the team’s most philanthropic player
• Bob Gansler Award
◦Awarded to an outstanding Sporting KC Academy player
• Sporting Club Network Club of the Year
• Academy Affiliate Club of the Year
– Story from Sporting KC