US pitchers Ryan Chaffee and Kurt Heyer join Adelaide Bite ahead of Australian Baseball League season
ADELAIDE Bite has recruited a pair of experienced American pitchers with past Major League links, as its roster for the upcoming Australian Baseball League season continues to take shape.
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ADELAIDE Bite has added a pair of experienced American pitchers to its ranks as its roster for the upcoming Australian Baseball League season continues to take shape.
Ryan Chaffee and Kurt Heyer were on Friday confirmed as the SA club’s latest recruits, following last week’s signing of German international Markus Solbach.
Closer Chaffee, 30, was a round three draft pick for US Major League side LA Angels in 2008 and most recently played independent ball for Southern Maryland Blue Crabs.
Heyer joined the St Louis Cardinals organisation six years ago and played Triple-A – the highest level of Minor League Baseball – until last season.
The Californian was looking forward to an adventure in a new competition.
“I just wanted to keep playing and I was just drawn to the idea of competing in Australia,” Heyer, 27, said.
“I honestly didn’t know much about the ABL beforehand.
“But I assumed like everywhere it is the same game with players wanting to compete and win championships.
“I’m excited for the experience.”
Heyer was part of the University of Arizona’s 2012 NCAA division one championship team alongside former Bite player Brandon Dixon.
The 190cm hurler, who had previously played in Venezuela and the Dominican Republic, was expected to form part of Adelaide’s starting pitcher rotation this summer.
“Playing in Australia and meeting new teammates will hopefully be easier,” said Heyer, who has featured in the Frontier League for Southern Illinois Miners this year.
“There’s no language barrier for the most part.
“My biggest strength is my work ethic.
“I pride myself in being the best player I can be and having the desire to be a winner.
“Plus I throw strikes, so that helps.”
Chaffee has also experienced college success, helping Chiploa to its first NJCAA championship in 2007. The right-armer finished his Minor League career affiliated to the Miami Marlins two years ago.
Chaffee and Heyer were due to arrive in SA in early November, a fortnight before Adelaide’s ABL season-opener against Brisbane Bandits.
The Bite, which finished bottom last summer, has also re-signed experienced SA outfielder Angus Roeger for his seventh campaign in the national competition.
Originally published as US pitchers Ryan Chaffee and Kurt Heyer join Adelaide Bite ahead of Australian Baseball League season
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