18-Grip Shield Glory Days

SEVENTEEN PLAYERS ADDED TO PALM BEACH LEAGUE ROSTERS THROUGH TRYOUTS Some brand new players, returning ones and fall league players who've switched teams made up the list of seventeen drafted by six Palm Beach League teams in the spring tryouts held at the Santaluces Complex on Sunday, Feb. 29. Will Ford, 19, from Jupiter was the first pick of the Boynton Red Sox who are moving into the 18AAA Wood Bat League after a successful campaign in the 18AA Fall League. Ford showed ability in the outfield, infield and on the mound in Sunday's trials. He played with the Rockies in the Fall 18AAA league. The Rockies took 26-year old outfielder David Gabrielson of Lake Worth and Carl Pultz, 28 year old first baseman-third baseman from Lantana. The Pirates, who played as the Red Sox in the 18AAA league in the fall and now managed by Scott Woronick, selected a former Palm Beach League player. Jason Liberto, 33year old third baseman from Lake Worth, formerly played with the NABA White Sox in the late 1990's. The Rockets made one selection and picked up a versatile type in 29 year old Damien Tullier (pronounced Tool-yay). Tullier is a middle infielder but can play just about any position. 18AA selections included 23-year old outfielder Nelson Godoy of Greenacres and 24-year old lefthanded hitting outfielder Kevin Rubel of West Palm Beach. Both were selected by Duffy's Palm Beach Seminoles. The Yankees, dropping into the 18AA league after playing in 18AAA in the fall, wound up with brothers Hicidro Ortiz, a 30-year old middle infielder who played with the Rockies in the 18AAA league in the fall and 22-year old outfielder Jose Sime of Boynton Beach. Steve Ausdenmoore's Cardinals will have a bevy of newcomers as they drop down to the 18AA league after several years in the upper league. They selected Adam Sallas, a 22-year old second baseman from Jupiter. The other new Cardinals, who were invited to practice sessions are: Ed Cooper, 33, (1B-OF from Wellington) who played with the Atlantic Sails (18AA) in the fall and Tom Dudley, 33 OF-Pitcher from Lake Worth; Kevin Morrison, a 28-year old first baseman; 34-year old Edwin Vasquez, a second baseman; Malvin DelaCruz, a 19-year old second sacker; Edgar Santos, 18-year old outfielder and Lino Batista, 26 year old outfielder, all from West Palm Beach. Batista played with the Seminoles last season.