Sliders baseball team returns for summer
Prospect league provides opportunity for local talent
By Josh Rizzo
Rocket Sports Editor
Issue date: 12/5/08 Section: News
After a one-year absence, the Slippery Rock Sliders are back as part of the 2009 Prospect League season. The Prospect League is a wooden bat, summer league for collegiate players. The Sliders were originally apart of the Frontier League, an independent professional baseball league.
The Sliders will play a 54-game schedule, with 27 of their games being played at Jack Critchfield Park.
The Sliders were purchased by Butler area businessman Mike Bencic and his wife, Laura. Bencic said he bussed the team when they were in the Frontier League in 2007, and has owned businesses in Butler for the past 27 years.
Bencic is also the owner of Bencic's Moving Storage and the president of Slippery Rock Sports Group, LLC.
On Monday, Nov. 24, Bencic announced the hiring of 25-year-old SRU alumnus, Chase Rowe, who will coach the Sliders.
Bencic said he was excited with being able to hire Rowe.
"[Rock baseball coach] Jeff Messer recommended Chase to us," Bencic said. "When we first met, he handled himself well. He was our first choice and we were glad he decided to accept the job, you don't always get your first choice."
Rowe was a standout player for SRU from 2003-2005. During his three seasons at the Rock, Rowe was named first team All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference-West Division, twice.
During his senior season, Rowe hit .412, which was second place in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, or PSAC.
Rowe said he plans to use this job as a steppingstone to a career in managing. Rowe is the head coach at La Roche College.
"There were never many questions for me taking this job," Rowe said. "The toughest part of this job is going to be getting to know the players and finding out where to play guys."
Rowe said he will be running the show, but may have some limitations. Many collegiate coaches may want their pitchers to stick to strict pitch counts.
"I'll probably contact the players' managers and see what they want their guys to get out of the league," Rowe said.
The Sliders will play a 54-game schedule, with 27 of their games being played at Jack Critchfield Park.
The Sliders were purchased by Butler area businessman Mike Bencic and his wife, Laura. Bencic said he bussed the team when they were in the Frontier League in 2007, and has owned businesses in Butler for the past 27 years.
Bencic is also the owner of Bencic's Moving Storage and the president of Slippery Rock Sports Group, LLC.
On Monday, Nov. 24, Bencic announced the hiring of 25-year-old SRU alumnus, Chase Rowe, who will coach the Sliders.
Bencic said he was excited with being able to hire Rowe.
"[Rock baseball coach] Jeff Messer recommended Chase to us," Bencic said. "When we first met, he handled himself well. He was our first choice and we were glad he decided to accept the job, you don't always get your first choice."
Rowe was a standout player for SRU from 2003-2005. During his three seasons at the Rock, Rowe was named first team All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference-West Division, twice.
During his senior season, Rowe hit .412, which was second place in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, or PSAC.
Rowe said he plans to use this job as a steppingstone to a career in managing. Rowe is the head coach at La Roche College.
"There were never many questions for me taking this job," Rowe said. "The toughest part of this job is going to be getting to know the players and finding out where to play guys."
Rowe said he will be running the show, but may have some limitations. Many collegiate coaches may want their pitchers to stick to strict pitch counts.
"I'll probably contact the players' managers and see what they want their guys to get out of the league," Rowe said.
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