Dornes set for return engagement with Webster

Much of the Webster Yankees’ 2009 roster will consist of names and faces making their first appearance in the New York Collegiate Baseball League.Fortunately, Head Coach Dave Brust will also welcome back at least one familiar face.2008 NYCBL All-Star, Geoff Dornes, will wear the pinstripes for a second consecutive summer.Dornes (pronounced DOOR – ness) played 30 games in the field hitting .301 with six extra-base hits for Webster last summer.  The outfielder also worked 14 base-on-balls en route to an on-base percentage of .380.

“Geoff is a great kid,” commented Brust.  “He loves to play the game.”

Dornes made 13 appearances on the hill for the ’08 Webster nine.  The southpaw struck out 25 while only walking 10 in 43 frames of work.  A native of Landisville, Pennsylvania, Dornes is familiar with these parts as he plays his school ball for Rochester Institute of Technology.

“Geoff is our best player and our hardest worker,” commented R.I.T. coach, Rob Grow.

Currently, R.I.T.  has limped to a record of 7-12 including 1-3 in the Empire 8 Conference.  The Tigers have suffered three one-run losses at the start of the campaign. Dornes is hitting .286 with eight RBI and six extra-base hits.  The junior is perfect on the base paths with six steals in as many attempts.  For most those numbers would be acceptable.  But Dornes is the reigning two-time conference player-of-the-year.

“We are off to a slow start,” noted Grow.  “He takes a lot of responsibility for our wins and losses.  He hurt himself early in the season when he dove in the outfield.  He injured his ribs, but wouldn’t let anyone know he was playing in pain.  That’s the type of kid he is.”

As a sophomore Dornes led the Tigers to a record of 22-14 and 11-5 in the Empire 8.  He hit .386 with 5 home runs and 37 RBI.  The lefty also struck out 27 and walked four in 51 innings of work while posting a record of 3-2 with an ERA of 2.82.

Webster opens the 2009 NYCBL season at Webster Town Park on June 9th when 2007 league champion, Elmira Pioneers, come to town.  The New York Collegiate Baseball League, founded in 1978, is a summer wood bat development league for professional baseball. Major League Baseball funds a small portion of the league’s annual budget. The league gives college players who have not yet signed a professional contract the opportunity to develop their skills at a higher level of play, gain experience with wood bats, and be evaluated by scouts. Current major leaguers Brad Lidge, Tim Hudson, John McDonald, and Dallas Braden all spent time in the NYCBL.

Pickin’ Splinters