Suburban/SKS Add Three New Players to
2009 Roster; Look to Defend World Title
2009 Roster; Look to Defend World Title
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Kalamazoo, MI 11/19/2008
The ASA World Champion Suburban/Street Kids softball team became even stronger this off season as they
added three new players to a team already filled with so much talent.
Jeff Taylor, Jeff "Pook" Filkins and Mike Ortiz all agreed to join the Suburban/SKS team in 2009, with
hopes of not only repeating in ASA as champions, but hopefully bring him the championship in other
associations, including the NSA.
"I am very happy with our off season pick ups," said the man behind the Suburban/SKS team, Matt
Lavender. "We have added some defense and a whole lot of hitting. Chris Douglass was key to picking up a
couple of these guys and I appreciate all the hard work he has done to help make this happen."
Taylor, a 15-year veteran outfielder, has played the majority of his softball with Cavaliers and is looking
forward to his new team.
"I am very excited to be part of one of the most professionally run softball teams anywhere," said the Battle
Creek native. "I enjoy everyone that is on the Suburban/SKS squad and looking forward to being part of this
team. I know that every weekend when we show up at a tournament, this team will be one of the favorites to
win, and that is also exciting."
Many people have never heard the name Jeff Filkins in softball. And its not because he has only played for
five years. More people know the hard hitting infielder by his nickname of Pook.
"Its funny because no one knows my real name," laughed Filkins during a phone call on Wednesday. "They all
just know me by 'Pook'."
Whether you know him by Pook or Jeff, one thing you will know is his ability and heart.
"I bring 100% every time I play," Filkins added. "Thats how I have always played. Off the field, I am a laid
back guy, and I think thats why I get along with so many players. Suburban/SKS is a classy organization and
I am really excited to be playing with Chris Douglass in 2009. He talks about how special it is to be part of
this team and I am looking forward to it."
Douglass, the 2008 Suburban/SKS offensive player of the year, was the best man in Filkin's wedding back in
May.
Mike Ortiz is another outfielder that will bring great offense along with superb defense. The former
Monhollon outfielder is looking forward to something great with Suburban/SKS.
"After I saw them (Suburban) win the ASA worlds last year I knew that this team was special," the four-year
veteran said. "I knew then that I wanted to be part of it. I have played against or with these guys for the past
few years and I hang out with Chris Douglass and he helped me make this decision possible. He basically
said this was a stand up organization and I wanted to be part of something like that."
The ASA World Champion Suburban/Street Kids softball team became even stronger this off season as they
added three new players to a team already filled with so much talent.
Jeff Taylor, Jeff "Pook" Filkins and Mike Ortiz all agreed to join the Suburban/SKS team in 2009, with
hopes of not only repeating in ASA as champions, but hopefully bring him the championship in other
associations, including the NSA.
"I am very happy with our off season pick ups," said the man behind the Suburban/SKS team, Matt
Lavender. "We have added some defense and a whole lot of hitting. Chris Douglass was key to picking up a
couple of these guys and I appreciate all the hard work he has done to help make this happen."
Taylor, a 15-year veteran outfielder, has played the majority of his softball with Cavaliers and is looking
forward to his new team.
"I am very excited to be part of one of the most professionally run softball teams anywhere," said the Battle
Creek native. "I enjoy everyone that is on the Suburban/SKS squad and looking forward to being part of this
team. I know that every weekend when we show up at a tournament, this team will be one of the favorites to
win, and that is also exciting."
Many people have never heard the name Jeff Filkins in softball. And its not because he has only played for
five years. More people know the hard hitting infielder by his nickname of Pook.
"Its funny because no one knows my real name," laughed Filkins during a phone call on Wednesday. "They all
just know me by 'Pook'."
Whether you know him by Pook or Jeff, one thing you will know is his ability and heart.
"I bring 100% every time I play," Filkins added. "Thats how I have always played. Off the field, I am a laid
back guy, and I think thats why I get along with so many players. Suburban/SKS is a classy organization and
I am really excited to be playing with Chris Douglass in 2009. He talks about how special it is to be part of
this team and I am looking forward to it."
Douglass, the 2008 Suburban/SKS offensive player of the year, was the best man in Filkin's wedding back in
May.
Mike Ortiz is another outfielder that will bring great offense along with superb defense. The former
Monhollon outfielder is looking forward to something great with Suburban/SKS.
"After I saw them (Suburban) win the ASA worlds last year I knew that this team was special," the four-year
veteran said. "I knew then that I wanted to be part of it. I have played against or with these guys for the past
few years and I hang out with Chris Douglass and he helped me make this decision possible. He basically
said this was a stand up organization and I wanted to be part of something like that."