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Richard to Join Street Kids Tourney Team

Will Play on July 8^th in Crete, Illinois

Mishawaka –

Joe Richard had been a member of the Street Kids team since 2000 and will finally make his tournament debut on July 8^th in a USSSA tournament in Crete, Illinois. He currently plays both Monday and Tuesday league nights with the Kids but signed with Diggers Title Express in the winter to play NSA and USSSA tournaments as the Kids were still trying to make the decision to play NSA. After a few months of playing with Diggers, Richard expressed his unhappiness with his team and called manager TJ Jorgensen.

“Joe called me on Saturday while we were in Kalamazoo,” confirmed Jorgensen. “His team had another tough loss in Muncie (Indiana) at the NIT tourney and his team has struggled. He’s had a great season so far and Diggers told everyone if they want their release, they would get it. Joe called me and I said I would talk to some guys on the team and make a decision over the weekend. Joe has been with this team for a long time and if this was just any guy and probably wouldn’t do it, but he will be a big lift for us at any capacity, whether is in the outfield, or even DH… we can use him.”

Richard, who is batting .740 this season overall (all of his league games and tournaments), is having a breakout season. He attributes the good start to working out and eating better and changing a few things in his swing. He is excited to come back to what he calls home.

“The Street Kids team is my home,” said Richard Sunday. “My closest friends are on the team and all these guys are close. I miss that and I hope I can help this team win.”

When asked how the team will receive him after playing with another NSA team, he was optimistic.

“I hope they’ll be excited. If I was a new guy I can see how they would look at it as a threat to their position or break up the close knit of the team, but I play with these guys twice a week. I’m not a new player and I hope the team looks forward to my return.”

Jorgensen reminded the team that Richard only stayed with Diggers because he gave his word that would remain with them while they tried to compete in tournaments.

“You have to respect Joe for what he did,” Jorgensen added. “The minute I called him and told him we were going to NSA, he was sad about it. I asked him if he would join us and he really wanted to, but he gave his word and he also paid the mandatory buy-in to the team so he had a vested interested as well. I respect his decision and I think we can use him back here with us. The way I look at it, Joe’s coming home.”

Other members of the team had comments as well.

“We have struggled in tournaments,” said Dave Morrical, who will most likely miss the entire season with an injured back, but has been to almost every game and tournament. “You would be a fool to say no to a good player like Joe. Plus he’s been with this team for so long.. it would almost be a joke to tell him no.”

“With his ability to play many positions and the way he’s hitting the ball this year, we can use him,” said Chad Doan.

The team will do as it always does when it comes to tournaments and make the effort to field the best players every game. With players being hurt or not making tournaments at times, having another outfielder will not be a bad thing, plus, as Doan put it, he can play many positions.

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