Joey Gathright signs with Peoria Explorers of the Freedom Professional Baseball League

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Former major league outfielder Joey Gathright has signed with the Peoria Explorers of the Freedom Professional Baseball League. Gathright has seven seasons of big league experience with the Tampa Bay Rays (2004-06), Kansas City Royals (2006-08), Chicago Cubs (2009), and the Boston Red Sox (2009, 2011). He played last year with the Cincinnati system's Triple-A Louisville and Bridgeport of the independent Atlantic League.

Gathright has been leading off and playing center field for the Explorers. "I appreciate the opportunity to stay in shape and keep playing baseball," Gathright said. The Freedom Pro Baseball League and the Peoria Explorers coaching staff are also excited about the opportunity to have a player like Gathright, but understand a player of this caliber may not be around for long. "We are happy to have his leadership with our club during spring training and into the start of the season," the Explorers coaching staff said. "Joey is in great shape and there is no reason he should not be back in the big leagues this year."

Players reported for spring training last Wednesday, May 8th, to begin preparing for the league's second season. Spring training is currently being held at the Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds practice fields in Goodyear, Arizona. The city of Goodyear and Goodyear Ballpark will be the new home of the Centennials team that was based out of Scottsdale last season. The season officially opens for the Freedom Professional Baseball League on May 31st and continues through the end of August.

A staff of former professional players that include first year manager Brett Jenkins, hitting coach Rafael Melchione, and pitching coach Jon Huizinga will head up the Peoria Explorers. The Explorers play their home games at the Peoria Sports Complex in Peoria, Arizona and are looking to build on an inaugural season that left them tied for third with a 27-32 record.

About the Freedom Pro Baseball League

Former pro baseball player and baseball instructor, Joe Sperle, founded the Freedom Pro Baseball League in 2012. The Freedom Pro Baseball League is focused on providing high quality, affordable, family-friendly baseball entertainment in Arizona. Their goal is to make our games exciting by recruiting some of the best professional athletes for the community to watch. They plan to embed their teams into the communities where they play, and contribute to local organizations and charities through their athlete outreach program. As a business in the community they are certainly looking for opportunities for partnerships to assist us in sustainability, and providing affordable local entertainment to Individuals, families, military and the retired section of the communities. Baseball fans may very well have an opportunity to see a future Hall-of-Famer, or personally witness the excitement of Major League scouts actively pursuing one of their outstanding athletes. Probably even more important to local athletes is the opportunity to be signed by a professional baseball team right in their own community.

The current league structure provides four fully operating teams teams for the 2013 season. The league is also scheduled to play interleague games with the Pacific Associations teams located in California and Hawaii. As mentioned above, their teams will not only play within the community, but many of their staff and players are citizens of the community and active in various organizations. They have taken significant steps with their organization policies, rules, and procedures, to exhibit the highest quality image of their league and the communities in which they play.

If you’d like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Joey Gathright or any staff at the Freedom Professional Baseball League, please call the front office at (480) 946-0211 or email freedomproleague@gmail.com.

All Professional Players Start Somewhere, Freedom League Offering A Chance For Players To Make A Dream A Reality

Staff of former Major Leaguers scout and develop players attending

The Freedom League’s inaugural winter program was successful for the players attending as well as the Freedom League itself. Players from Arizona, California, Louisiana, New Jersey, North Dakota, and Venezuela reported February 12^th for instruction at Chandler’s Snedigar Park. League President Joe Sperle commented, “I am very pleased with the amount of talent we had turn out”. The winter program provides opportunities for players to get exposure with not only the Freedom League, but Major League clubs as well.

Freedom League instructors included Arizona Centennials managers Ben Johnson, hitting coach of the Arizona Centennials Rafael Melchione, and league president Joe Sperle. Pittsburgh Pirates scout and former big league player Jamie Brewington spoke to players the first day about what scouts look for in players and his experience in professional baseball. Dr. Raymond J. Petras presented on injury and pain management using mental training. Manny Mota Jr. taught players exercises to strengthen their core and worked with players on their conditioning.

Scrimmage games were played on Saturday and Sunday mornings to give players game experience and an opportunity to expand on their training during the week. Freedom League staff constantly reminded players that they had multiple opportunities to showcase their skills to those connected to both Major League baseball and the Freedom League. With such personal instruction the Freedom League can make decisions on whether to sign these players based on a 2-week evaluation instead of a traditional 1-day tryout.

Although rain and even a rare flurry of snow disrupted baseball elsewhere in the valley, the Freedom League pushed on with the help of North Scottsdale indoor sports facility Play at Eaze. Players worked on hitting and pitchers took advantage of the dirt mound by throwing bullpen sessions to keep on track. 

Scott Hanish, 2012 Freedom League pitcher and owner of Zinger Bats, opened his doors to players to provide insight on wood bats. Winter League players watched a square block of wood turn into a finished Zinger Bat before their eyes, and even assisted with the sanding and custom lettering process. 

The Winter League concluded February 26^th with all players invited to the front office to discuss goals and their future. A majority of these players signed a 2013 Freedom League contract or were given invitations to the league’s spring training in May.

A spring session will be held April 3-17 in Goodyear, Arizona and interested players are encouraged to contact the Freedom League for more information.

About the Freedom Pro Baseball League

The Freedom Pro Baseball League was founded in 2012 by former pro baseball player and baseball instructor, Joe Sperle. The Freedom Pro Baseball League is focused on providing high quality, affordable, family-friendly baseball entertainment in Arizona. Their goal is to make our games exciting by recruiting some of the best professional athletes for the community to watch. They plan to embed their teams into the communities where they play, and contribute to local organizations and charities through their athlete outreach program. As a business in the community they are certainly looking for opportunities for partnerships to assist us in sustainability, and providing affordable local entertainment to Individuals, families, military and the retired section of the communities. Baseball fans may very well have an opportunity to see a future Hall-of-Famer, or personally witness the excitement of Major League scouts actively pursuing one of their outstanding athletes. Probably even more important to local athletes is the opportunity to be signed by a professional baseball team right in their own community.

The current league structure provides four fully operating teams and two expansion teams for the 2013 season. The league is also working on a mid-season All Star Game, playoffs and a championship series with other leagues, which will certainly offer additional local revenue generation during the scheduled events. As mentioned above, their teams will not only play within the community, but many of their staff and players are citizens of the community and active in various organizations. They have taken significant steps with their organization policies, rules, and procedures, to exhibit the highest quality image of their league and the communities in which they play.

For more information about the Spring League click here. 

Fashion Show at mall in Prescott

Our players in Prescott last weekend for a fashion show and signing autographs.

Take a look...