Sussex, NJ - The Sussex Skyhawks announce that Nick Belmonte
will be handling player procurement for the 2008 season. Belmonte
has logged over 16 years of experience in handling player
procurement and placing players in the Independent Leagues. He
has been responsible for big names in the Major Leagues such as
Jeff Sparks, Joey Eischen, Bobby Madritsch, George Sherrill, Rey
Ordonez, and Eddie Oropesa.
Belmonte estimates that he has
placed about 12,000 players in tryout camps and given more than
500 players the opportunity to play professional baseball. At
least 250 of those players have made the transition from
Independent Baseball to a Major League affiliated team. From
1993-2000, Belmonte was Director of Baseball Operations for the
Northern League. While in this position, he has been credited
with sending more players to affiliated teams than any other
Independent League.
From 1990-1992, Belmonte was busy
setting a record no one could beat. During those three years,
Belmonte was manager for the Salt Lake Trappers (Pioneer League).
He held a winning percentage of .672, which was the best
percentage of all teams in the Minor and Major Leagues.
Belmonte also had a hand in firming two independent
teams, the Lincoln Saltdogs (American Association) and the Joliet
Jackhammers (Northern League). It was with the Jackhammers that
Belmonte and new manager for the Skyhawks, Hal Lanier, continued
working closely together.
Both have been working together
in baseball for about 12 years and have an exceptional
relationship. “Working with Hal has definitely been a
highlight in my baseball career. The great thing for these young
men that will play for Sussex this year, is playing for Hal,”
said Belmonte. “It will probably become a highlight in
their careers as well.”
Among his accomplishments,
Belmonte is also a television analyst for many different media
outlets. Going on his 21st season, some of the outlets include
Fox Sports South, Cox Sports TV, and ESPN.
Besides his
Independent League work, Belmonte also works with the New York
State League as their Director of Player Procurement. The league
features recent college graduates who are taking the next step in
their professional baseball career. Players have the opportunity
then to advance into other Independent Leagues and move up from
there. Since February of 2007, Belmonte has place 40 players into
the Independent League system from the New York State
League.
Together with the Skyhawks, Belmonte will be
assisting Lanier in recruiting new players for the 2008 season.
This entails staying within the guidelines of the Can-Am League’s
classification system and salary cap.
Belmonte is excited
about what the future will bring with the Skyhawks. "I look
forward to bringing in players with the ability and attitude to
reach our goals, which is nothing less than a championship.”
The
Skyhawks 2008 season will kick off on Thursday May 22, 7:05 PM.
Skyhawks season tickets and mini plans are currently available.
The Skyhawks 12-game mini plan is the only was to guarantee a
seat to every regular season firework show during the 2008
season. For more information on the 2008 season, fans can log
onto www.sussexskyhawks.com or call 973-300-1000 x 21.