New Players Thrilled to Join Fielders

For at least two players on the Lake County Fielders minor league baseball team, getting a chance to play ball is a dream come true.

Jairo Valdez and Doug Coe both joined the team earlier this week.

“I always said if I ever get a chance to do it again and they called, I would go play in a heartbeat, said 26-year-old Coe of Appleton, Wis.

Coe was playing for a semi-pro team in Green Bay earlier this year. His minor league career was sidelined when he underwent knee surgery after his 2008-2009 season with the Windy City Thunderbolts, where he went on to earn a Championship ring.

He said when he received a call to join the Fielders, he jumped on the opportunity. “For me this is one more chance to play pro baseball. It’s a kids dream come true,” Coe said.

For 23-year-old Jairo Valdez of Boston, Mass., playing middle infield with the team is a great opportunity. He just finished his baseball career with Rogers State University in Oklahoma when he was asked to help the Fielders finish the season.

“As soon as I got the call I was really excited,” he said remembering his family being thrilled for him. “They are happy. This is just such an awesome opportunity.”

Both Valdez and Coe are looking forward to a busy schedule ahead. Fielders’ games are scheduled almost every night for the next two weeks, most of which are against the Kenosha County Fielders.

“The Kenosha fans are excited to come down and we’re excited to have them,” said Kelly Wells, community relations and promotions manager for the team. “The rivalry is good and it’s nice to have people in the stands cheering for both teams.”

It’s quite a turnaround from the events of the past several weeks.

The Fielders organization cancelled several home games and road trips that fueled rumors of the team leaving the North American League. Players said they hadn’t been paid in months and were frustrated with how the operation was being run.

The team’s home field in Zion is still incomplete. The city claims the team owes $185,000 in rent for the stadium. Team officials say they won’t pay until the field in complete.

While the future of the team remains up in the air, the organization remains determined to give baseball to the fans who want it.