Category: T-Bones

The Kansas City T-Bones announced that the Colorado Rockies have purchased the contract of pitcher David Holman.

Holman, an Andale, Kan. native, is a 6-foot-6 and 220-pound right hander, who currently lives in the Kansas City area.

He went 4-5 with a 4.36 ERA for the T-Bones in 2016, his first full season since Tommy John surgery kept him out of baseball in 2015. In 23 games (11 starts), Holman gave up 25 earned runs, struck out 25 and walked 12 for Kansas City.

“David is a true pro on and off the field, who worked hard to get this opportunity,” said T-Bones vice president and general manager Chris Browne. “Our baseball staff and coaches played a part in this, as well. We wish David all the best going forward.”

This will be Holman’s second time in affiliated baseball. He reached high-A High Desert with Seattle in 2014, going 3-1 with a 4.07 ERA. In five professional seasons, four of which were in the Seattle organization, Holman is 18-21 with 12 saves and a 3.80 ERA in 118 games (30 starts). He has 181 career strikeouts and 82 walks. Holman is the son of former Seattle Mariners pitcher Brian Holman and the nephew of former Mariners pitcher Brad Holman.

“I’m very excited for all of our players that get a second opportunity,” said new T-Bones manager Joe Calfapietra. “That’s what makes independent baseball great.”

Holman is the 26th T-Bones player whose contract has been sold to a major-league organization. In October, the Miami Marlins purchased outfielder Dalton Wheat’s contract.

– Story from T-Bones

In the first move of the Joe Calfapietra era, the Kansas City T-Bones announced they have acquired starting pitcher Gabe Perez from Laredo in exchange for relief pitcher Tyler Ybarra.

Perez, 25 (06-03-91), is a 6-foot and 190-pound right hander from Puerta Plata, Dominican Republic. Perez went 1-1 with a 4.22 ERA in eight appearances (seven starts) for Laredo in 2016. He struck out 38 and walked 10 in 32 innings.

Perez faced the T-Bones twice in ’16 — both at CommunityAmerica Ballpark — allowing five hits and striking out nine of the 25 batters he faced in 6 innings, but he did not receive a decision in either appearance.

Perez pitched for Calfapietra, Kansas City’s new manager, in 2015 at New Jersey of the Can-Am League. He went 8-4 with a 2.90 ERA in 18 games (all starts). That season Perez had several single-season career highs, including strikeouts (108) and innings pitched (108 2/3).

“We’re excited to have Gabe in the fold,” Calfapietra said. “I’m looking forward to managing him again. His fastball can get in the low 90s, he has a strikeout slider and he has good command. He’s capable of coming in and putting a successful season together.”

Perez, who started his career in the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim’s system in 2009, is 50-19 with a 3.10 ERA in 98 career games (95 starts). He’s thrown 543 innings, and has 520 strikeouts and 192 walks.

Ybarra, who battled injuries in 2016, went 1-0 with one save and a 2.53 ERA coming out of the bullpen for Kansas City. In 10 2/3 innings he gave up 10 hits, walked eight and struck out 12.

The T-Bones open the 2017 regular season at home on May 19 against Lincoln.

– Story from Matt Fulks, T-Bones

The Kansas City T-Bones have announced their 100-game schedule for the 2017 season, which will be the club’s 15th in Kansas City, Kan.

“It’s always an exciting time for us when the schedule is released, but with this marking our 15th season in Kansas City, we’re especially looking forward to fun…well done in 2017,” said T-Bones president Adam Ehlert.

After home exhibition games on May 10, 11, 14 and 15, the T-Bones open their 15th regular season with a six-game homestand, beginning Friday, May 19, against Lincoln. That’ll be followed by three games against Gary SouthShore.

The 2017 schedule includes Independence Day and Labor Day games at home, with the T-Bones playing host to Sioux Falls on the Fourth of July and ending the regular season on Labor Day against St. Paul.

“Baseball and Independence Day go together,” said T-Bones vice-president and general manager Chris Browne. “Home games on July 4 have become a tradition with the T-Bones and our city, so CommunityAmerica Ballpark is definitely the place to be for fireworks.”

That July 4 game against Sioux Falls is during one of two seven-game homestands for the T-Bones, their longest stretches at home in 2017. Besides July 3-9 against Sioux Falls and Sioux City, Kansas City plays host to Fargo-Moorhead and Sioux City during June 19-25. Kansas City has a stretch of 10 home games at the end of July, sandwiching the American Association All-Star break on July 24-25.

All 11 American Association opponents, including the league’s newest addition, the Cleburne (Texas) Railroaders, will visit CommunityAmerica Ballpark in 2017. The T-Bones will travel to each city except Cleburne during the season.

The month-by-month breakdown of the 50 home games: May (6), June (13), July (17), August (10) and September (4). The T-Bones will have nine weekend series at home, which is the same as last season. Their total of 30 home games in June and July is four more than they had in 2016.

“Having the bulk of our home games in June and July is great for families, kids, and all of our fans overall,” Browne said.

The Monday through Saturday games will start at 7:05 p.m., with first pitch for the Sunday games at 1:05 p.m. The three exceptions will be June 7 (11:05 a.m.), Sept. 3 (7:05 p.m.) and Sept. 4 (1:05 p.m.).

Full season and nightly promotions will be announced later this offseason, as will more information about the team’s 15th anniversary.

Full and half-season ticket packages, as well as flex plans, are on sale now. Group ticket packages will be available in early December. Single-game tickets will go on sale in March. Parking for T-Bones games will remain free in 2017. For more information, call 913-328-5640 or visit the Providence Medical Center Box Office at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.

The complete T-Bones schedule is online at http://tbonesbaseball.com.ismmedia.com/ISM3/std-content/repos/Top/PDFS/2017%20Schedule_Nov%201_2016.pdf.

– Story from T-Bones