| Street Kids Excited About Perry, Sears Signing |
South Bend, IN-
The Zolman Tire/Street Kids/Tanel softball team announced today the signing of outfielder Dave Perry to the league team as well as the NSA
tournament team. They also announced the return of former Street Kid, Justin Sears to the league team.
Perry has played competitive softball for four years, but still plays baseball regularly in South Bend. He says he is not ready to give up playing
baseball, but will try to do what many softball players in the past have had a tough time doing: playing both sports.
"I love softball and I love baseball," says Perry, 27. "I enjoy playing both and I want to be able to be good at both. We'll see how it turns out."
Perry came out to hit and field at a private practice Thursday with just a few players, including manager TJ Jorgensen.
"I like what I saw," says Jorgensen. "I think he is five tool athlete who is great shape. He hits for average, has power, fast, great glove and a gold
rod hanging from his shoulder socket. He may have one of the best arms not only on the team, but in the area. I think he'll be a great addition to us
in league and in tournaments."
Perry will play on the Tuesday night league team and also play as many NSA tournaments as he can, starting with the Michigan City tournament on
the 29th. He will most likely play right-centerfield, but his speed and glove will allow Jorgensen the flexibility to shift to a five-man (three outfielders).
He will get a chance to meet the full team at next Thursday's final practice.
Perry will have a few familiar faces on his new team. Chad Doan and Perry both work together at Zolman Tire, the Kids chief sponsor, and his
sister, Melissa Perry is engaged to 2005 Gold Glove winner Ryan Harlacher.
Sears recently moved back to the Michiana area after living in Fort Wayne. He began his Street Kids career in 1998 and played until 2002. He is
excited about returning to the Kids and playing with his friends again.
"I miss these guys," Sears said via phone. "Playing with Joe (Richard), JR (Shapiro), TJ, Doc (Xave Creary) and Jim (Johnson) again will be like the
old days, except we are surrounded by a ton of talent. I'm looking forward to doing my part and making this team better."
Sears will most likely play first base for the Monday team, but could see some time at other positions and even the NSA tournament team, but with
his family still living in Fort Wayne while he drives back and forth twice a week to Granger, his weekends will be spent with his wife and two kids.
Sears was a prominent member of the Street Kids teams in the late 1990's and early 2000's that won several league championships. He was the
cleanup hitter and shortstop at the time.
"We have shortstops now that are better than me," Sears laughed. "Plus my arm is not what it used to be. I'm looking forward to my transition to
first base."
The Zolman Tire/Street Kids/Tanel softball team announced today the signing of outfielder Dave Perry to the league team as well as the NSA
tournament team. They also announced the return of former Street Kid, Justin Sears to the league team.
Perry has played competitive softball for four years, but still plays baseball regularly in South Bend. He says he is not ready to give up playing
baseball, but will try to do what many softball players in the past have had a tough time doing: playing both sports.
"I love softball and I love baseball," says Perry, 27. "I enjoy playing both and I want to be able to be good at both. We'll see how it turns out."
Perry came out to hit and field at a private practice Thursday with just a few players, including manager TJ Jorgensen.
"I like what I saw," says Jorgensen. "I think he is five tool athlete who is great shape. He hits for average, has power, fast, great glove and a gold
rod hanging from his shoulder socket. He may have one of the best arms not only on the team, but in the area. I think he'll be a great addition to us
in league and in tournaments."
Perry will play on the Tuesday night league team and also play as many NSA tournaments as he can, starting with the Michigan City tournament on
the 29th. He will most likely play right-centerfield, but his speed and glove will allow Jorgensen the flexibility to shift to a five-man (three outfielders).
He will get a chance to meet the full team at next Thursday's final practice.
Perry will have a few familiar faces on his new team. Chad Doan and Perry both work together at Zolman Tire, the Kids chief sponsor, and his
sister, Melissa Perry is engaged to 2005 Gold Glove winner Ryan Harlacher.
Sears recently moved back to the Michiana area after living in Fort Wayne. He began his Street Kids career in 1998 and played until 2002. He is
excited about returning to the Kids and playing with his friends again.
"I miss these guys," Sears said via phone. "Playing with Joe (Richard), JR (Shapiro), TJ, Doc (Xave Creary) and Jim (Johnson) again will be like the
old days, except we are surrounded by a ton of talent. I'm looking forward to doing my part and making this team better."
Sears will most likely play first base for the Monday team, but could see some time at other positions and even the NSA tournament team, but with
his family still living in Fort Wayne while he drives back and forth twice a week to Granger, his weekends will be spent with his wife and two kids.
Sears was a prominent member of the Street Kids teams in the late 1990's and early 2000's that won several league championships. He was the
cleanup hitter and shortstop at the time.
"We have shortstops now that are better than me," Sears laughed. "Plus my arm is not what it used to be. I'm looking forward to my transition to
first base."
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