Friday, March 21, 1997

Manager close to signing most of the '96 championship team

By LANCE FLEMING

Staff Writer

Barry Jones said when he was hired as the Abilene Prairie Dogs manager that he would like to bring back as many of the players off last year's league championship team as possible.

He appears to be off to a good start.

Jones told the Reporter-News that he's close to signing eight to 10 of last year's players, including 1996 saves leader Ken Winkle and rightfielder Paul Coleman. Jones said he should have contracts back by the middle of next week.

Winkle set the Texas-Louisiana League record for saves in a season with 27, and his presence in the bullpen will once again give Abilene the league's best closer. If Winkle does re-sign with the Prairie Dogs, Jones can turn his full attention to the starting staff with the knowledge that he has a guy in the bullpen that can put a quick end to games.

In 44-1/3 innings last year, Winkle allowed just 23 hits, struck out 50 batters and had an ERA of 1.42.

And if Coleman re-signs with the team, Jones will have a power hitter that he can stick in the middle of the lineup and build around. Coleman hit .334 last year with nine home runs and 59 RBI.

Jones said he anticipates contracts to start rolling in sometime next week.

"The guys that I felt like had the opportunity and talent to play here, I went after them first," Jones said. "I think I've two sure bets and maybe one more to get what I need. If I can get 10 or 12 of the guys from last year's team, then I'll be home free."

The reason Jones wants a solid foundation from last year is that last year's team finished 67-31 in the regular season and swept both Amarillo in the divisional series and Lubbock in the championship series to win the league title. Its 72 total wins is the most in T-L League history.

Jones has also been contacting his sources throughout baseball in an effort to fill out his roster. The biggest drawback for the league, however, is the pay scale.

"I guess the biggest thing with some guys is the independent league salary cap," he said. "But, like I've told several of them, if you're with an organization it's basically the same. There are always a couple of players who might deserve more money than we can give them, but we can't always give them what they want. We have to work within a salary framework, and that's all we can do."

So instead of selling players on the money, Jones is trying to sell them on the league's status.

"We have guys in this league who are good enough to get a shot (at an organization), but aren't getting it for some reason," Jones said. "This is a 'second-chance league.' This league isn't for guys trying to work their way up; it's for guys trying to get another chance. And guys have to realize that they can't give up because they get passed over one time."

The Prairie Dogs will begin practice May 14 with the season scheduled to start May 22 with the Dogs in Tyler for a three-game series against the Wildcatters.