2010 Schedule!

The Topeka Golden Giants independent summer collegiate baseball team is proud to announce its 2010 schedule.

The 2010 season kicks off with a bang, as the Golden Giants will play host to the Rockford Foresters of the new Great Plains Baseball League - June 4, 5, 6th.

Topeka will also play host to a variety of local and regional teams, many with very good track records of success in the National Baseball Congress tournament. The most notable is the defending NBC champion El Dorado Broncos, who come to Topeka on June 30th.

The Golden Giants wanted to have a schedule this year which featured teams from around Kansas to show how strong Summer Collegiate baseball is in the state. Topeka will play host to the Dodge City A’s, Valley Center Diamond Dawgs, Salina Blue Jays, Midwest (Wichita) Wolverines, Kansas City Barnstormers, Clearwater Cowboys and their friendly rivals to the west - the Junction City Generals. In fact, the Golden Giants and Generals will face each other five times throughout the season.

Rockford isn't the only out of state team the Golden Giants will face this year, Topeka will welcome in the Denver Cougars, Kansas City Blues and former MINK League foe - the Sedalia Bombers.

After the regular season is complete, the Golden Giants will host the National Collegiate Summer Classic beginning on July 12th. The Summer Classic is an open tournament for any summer collegiate baseball team in the country. Interest in the tournament ranges from New York, Georgia, Colorado, Illinois, Virginia, Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. Participants will be announced at a later date, but the Summer Classic promises to be great collection of baseball talent.

2010 Topeka Golden Giants Schedule (home games in bold)

Rockford Foresters@ Topeka June 4th 7:05 pm
Rockford Foresters @ Topeka June 5th 7:05 pm
Rockford Foresters @ Topeka June 6th 1:05 pm
Kansas City Barnstormers @ Topeka June 7th 7:05 pm
Kansas City Barnstormers @ Topeka June 8th 7:05 pm
Kansas City Blues @ Topeka June 9th 7:05 pm
Valley Center Diamond Dawgs @ Topeka June 10th 7:05 pm
Topeka @ Junction City Generals June 11th 7:05 pm
Junction City Generals @ Topeka June 12th 7:05 pm
Salina Blue Jays@ Topeka June 13th 1:05 pm
Salina Blue Jays @ Topeka June 13th 4:05 pm
Sedalia Bombers @ Topeka June 15th 7:05 pm
Kansas City Blues @ Topeka June 16th 7:05 pm
Denver Cougars @ Topeka June 18th 8:05 pm
Denver Cougars @ Topeka June 19th 1:05 pm
Denver Cougars @ Topeka June 19th 4:05 pm
TBA @ Topeka June 20th
Midwest Wolverines @ Topeka June 22nd 7:05 pm
Clearwater Cowboys @ Topeka June 23rd 7:05 pm
Topeka @ Dodge City A's June 24th 7:05 pm
Topeka @ El Dorado Broncos June 25th 7:05 pm
TBA @ Topeka June 26th
Junction City Generals @ Topeka June 27th 1:05 pm
Topeka @ Sedalia Bombers June 29th 7:05 pm
El Dorado Broncos @ Topeka June 30th 7:05 pm
Topeka @ Junction City Generals July 1st 7:05 pm
Dodge City A's @ Topeka July 2nd 7:05 pm
Dodge City A's @ Topeka July 3rd 7:05 pm
Junction City Generals @ Topeka July 4th 6:05 pm
Topeka @ Rockford Foresters June 7th 7:05 pm
Topeka @ Rockford Foresters June 8th 11:05 am
Topeka @ Rockford Foresters June 8th 7:05 pm
Topeka @ Rockford Foresters June 9th 7:05 pm
Topeka @ Rockford Foresters June 10th 7:05 pm
National Collegiate Summer Classic July 12th
National Collegiate Summer Classic July 13th
National Collegiate Summer Classic July 14th
National Collegiate Summer Classic July 15th
National Collegiate Summer Classic July 16th
National Collegiate Summer Classic July 17th

Golden Giants sign four from Hutchinson CC

The Topeka Golden Giants are proud to announce the next batch of player signings for the 2010 summer collegiate season. This group of four players will play baseball collegiately this spring at Hutchinson Community College. We are happy to welcome in the following Blue Dragons; Jamell Cervantez, David Longmore, Joey Goodwin and Andy Urban.

These four players now push the Golden Giants roster to 14 players signed so far.


Jamell Cervantez – Hutchinson Community College (OF)
6-0 / 185lbs from Topeka, Kan.

Cervantez returns to the Golden Giants after playing for the Newton Rebels of the Walter Johnson league in 2009. In 2008, Jamell played for the Golden Giants and led the team in stolen bases. Last year at Hutchinson Community College the speedy Cervantez batted .100 in 3 games with 1 run and 1 hit. Jamell collected 3 put outs with no errors and carried a 1.000 Fielding Percentage. Cervantez earned third team All-Centennial League honors and All-City honors in 2007 with Topeka West High School.


David Longmore – Hutchinson Community College (OF)
6-3 / 180lbs from Liberty, Mo.

In 2008 he was an All-Suburban Big Seven second team selection for Liberty High School and played for the Wichita Sluggers of the Walter Johnson League last summer. With Hutchinson Community College in 2009, he batted .263 in 13 games collecting 8 runs, 5 hits, 2 doubles and 7 RBI. He had a .368 slugging percentage and a .440 on base percentage for a .808 OPS. Longmore drew 2 Walks, stole 5 bases, had 6 put outs and had an .875 fielding percentage.


Joey Goodwin – Hutchinson Community College (C/U)
From Stillwell, Kansas

Goodwin broke his foot in the third game of the season as a junior at Blue Valley High School. Last season, as a senior, he lead the team in batting with a .435 average and a .545 on-base percentage (.980 OPS). Joey had 27 hits, seven doubles and 19 runs batted in during the 2009 season. Goodwin was a second team all-state selection in Class 6A and first-team All-East Kansas League pick, Goodwin threw out an impressive 8 of the 17 base runners who attempted to steal on him.


Andy Urban – Hutchinson Community College (P)
From Lawrence, Kansas

Urban struck out nine while tossing a no-hitter during Lawrence High’s 10-0, five-inning thumping of Shawnee Mission North last spring. Urban — who possesses a fastball that has been clocked around 86 mph, overcame a case of “the yips” in 2008 and earned a spot as a 2009 All-Sunflower League second team selection. Urban was the winning pitcher for Lawrence High as they beat Shawnee Mission West to win the 2009 Class 6A state title.

Four more 2010 signings

TOPEKA, KS - The Topeka Golden Giants are proud to announce four more signees for the 2010 summer collegiate baseball season. The addition of these four players will increase the signed roster to 10 players for the upcoming season. Already committed for 2010 are Robbie Rea, Tobi Cowdin, Andrew Melanson, Blake Stroth, Dale Ricketts and Cory Deedrick.

The Golden Giants welcome these players to the family and are excited to see them on the field at Lake Shawnee this summer.

Nick Parent - University of California Santa Barbara (C)
6-2 / 200lbs from Palo Cedro, CA

Parent, a three-time letter winner at Foothill High school in California had five home runs, 30 RBI, 15 runs scored and stole three bases in his senior year. He was an all-league selection, all-section pick and was named Best Defensive Third Baseman. Against Red Bluff in the CIF semifinals his senior season, he went 2-for-3 with two doubles and two walks, helping the Cougars win in the bottom of the 11th. In 2008 he helped his team win the league championship and CIF section title. Last year he posted a 3.4 GPA. Nick is the son of former Major League catcher Mark Parent, who played for San Diego, Texas, Baltimore, Chicago (NL), Pittsburgh, Detroit and Philadelphia.

John Vaccaro - University of California Santa Barbara (IF)
6-2 / 195lbs from Berkeley, CA

A well-decorated athlete at Miramonte High, John earned six total varsity letters in baseball and football. In his senior season, he batted .512 with 35 RBI, four home runs, 38 runs scored and 10 stolen bases. He was also an effective pitcher, posting a 9-1 record and 2.30 ERA, as he struck out 40 batters in 60 innings. As a freshman Vaccaro tossed a three-hit shutout against Piedmont in the Spring Break Tournament championship game. He also hit a pair of home runs vs. Campolindo in a North Coast Section playoff game. Vaccaro was named the Diablo Foothill Athletic League MVP in 2009 and was a three-time all-league selection. John was named a First Team All-State pick courtesy of calhisports.com and led his team to NCS title as a senior. He made it to the North Coast Section playoffs all four years of his baseball career. In 2007, as a member of the Matadors football team, helped squad to the North Coast Section championship and earned Athletic Academic Honors, posting a GPA over the 3.50 requirement.

Kevin Sweeney - Drury University (P)
6-4 / 200lbs Overland Park, Kansas

Kevin was a first team All-State and All-Eastern Kansas League selection for St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Overland Park. He earned second team all-metro honors and was a first team All-Sun pick. He was named the 2009 MVP for St. Thomas Aquinas and helped Aquinas to a third place finish in 2008 and 2009. Kevin was named to the Jim Draper All-Tournament team and was an honorable mention All-Eastern Kansas League selection in basketball. He helped the Aquinas basketball team to a third place state finish, was on the Principal's Honor Roll and was a first team All-Eastern Kansas League Scholar Athlete.

Josh Cyr - University of North Alabama (IF)
6-1 / 240lbs Huntsville, AL

Cyr played first base, third base, and catcher at Westminster Christian Academy under head coach John Honea. He helped lead the Wildcats to the state playoffs every year from 2006-2009. Cyr was named all-state in 2008 and 2009 and holds the school record for most home runs in a season. He had a slugging percentage of .695 and a batting average of .579 and drew 31 walks in 2009.

Giants announce the signing of 6 returning players

TOPEKA, KS - The Topeka Golden Giants are proud to announce the first group of signees for the 2010 season. Anchoring the team for the Giants are returning standouts Robbie Rea, Cory Deedrick, Tobi Cowdin, Andrew Melanson, Blake Stroth and Dale Ricketts.

With many changes in store for the team this year the returning players are more excited than ever to play in the capital city. “It shows that the team is not content just being the same program, “ said Pitcher Robbie Rea. “You want the right atmosphere and people but most of all winning.”

While collegiate summer baseball provides an entertainment option for fans it’s also a stepping-stone for each players career in baseball.

“Playing summer ball with the Golden Giants gives the player an insight into how an organization similar to a professional team runs,” said Catcher Dale Ricketts. “The lifestyle of playing everyday and the over all environment of working under coaches like the Golden Giants have.”

The Golden Giants are excited to have each one of these young men back in the fold for 2010. We will be announcing more signees in the coming weeks in preparation for an exciting summer of baseball.

Robbie Rea - Seaman/Cowley CC (RHP)

Topeka native and Seamen High School standout Robbie Rea will look to boost the Giants as a threat on the mound. The two-sport athlete, who excelled in football and baseball, went 3-0 pitching this past season and was 5A player of the year and was named first team All-State in 2008. Rea took the field with the Golden Giants last summer and is excited to be playing for the team again. “It’s helped me see the talent that is out across the country and opened my eyes to see how much work its going to take for me to be successful,” says Rea. He will suit up for Cowley Community College as a freshman this spring before joining the Giants again in June.

Cory Deedrick - University Of Central Missouri (IF)

Former Seaman High School standout Cory Deedrick looks to bring the Golden Giants success in the infield. Last spring at the University of Central Missouri, Deedrick started 25 of 31 games played in and averaged .333 at bat. The 5-foot-8 infielder added 18 runs and 11 RBI on 27 hits. Equally as strong in the field he finished the season with a .974 fielding percentage. Cory is back this summer to provide depth in the infield for the Golden Giants once again.

Tobi Cowdin - Southeastern Community College (RHP)

Southeastern Community College Right Handed Pitcher Tobi Cowdin aims to bring power to the Golden Giants pitching staff. Cowdin, who starred for both Topeka West and Silver Lake during his high school career, is a power hitter with a drive to succeed. The 6-foot-2 freshmen that once struck out 17 while pitching with a broken foot, now he's fully healed and ready to show what he's got on the mound.

Andrew Melanson - University Of Central Missouri (U)

Andrew Melanson, a 6-foot-2 infielder from Blue Springs, MO, comes back to the Golden Giants for his second season this summer. The first baseman ended his sophomore season with the University of Central Missouri with a .048 batting average in 14 games and 21 at bats. He had 1 hit, 4 walks and was hit by a pitch twice scoring 3 runs and 3 RBI. Defensively Melanson shined with 48 put outs, 3 Assists, and only 1 Error finishing the season with a .981 fielding percentage.

Dale Ricketts - Kansas City Kansas Community College (C)

Back for his second summer on the team is Dale Ricketts, a 6-foot-4 catcher from Lara, Australia. Ricketts took a few years off before following his brother to the states to play for Kansas City Community College. In his freshman season Dale played in 8 games for KCCC gathering 6 hits in his 17 at bats. Ricketts drove in 6 runs and ended the season with a stellar .353 batting average. While Ricketts can provide leadership behind the plate he most looks forward to the atmosphere and learning experience playing summer baseball provides. “Being able to play at Lake Shawnees facilities is a thrill in its self,” Ricketts said, “and having the fans being behind you brings the atmosphere as you would experience at any ball stadium.”

Blake Stroth - University of North Alabama (IF)

Providing needed depth for the Golden Giants this season is infielder Blake Stroth. A Topeka native, Stroth played last season for Kansas City Community College at the shortstop position. In 43 games he hammered 44 hits, 9 doubles and 33 RBI with a collective .328 batting average. Always strong defensively, Stroth will strive to improve his game at the plate this season. “I can help the Golden Giants out with my defense, and smart at bats at the plate; not so many strikeouts and working the count,” Blake said. Stroth is slated to suit up for North Alabama this spring and will make his return to Topeka this summer to play for his hometown team.