February 18, 2008

Paints Begin their 16th Season in Southern Ohio on May 21!

Contact: John Wend
Phone: (740) 773-TEAM (8326)

For Immediate Release:

Paints welcome back Rutgers, Flanigan and strengthen starting rotation

     The Chillicothe Paints are pleased to announce that veteran, Paul Rutgers and All-Star reliever,  Ryan Flanigan have signed contracts for the 2008 season.
     Flanigan, age 23, had a stellar season for Chillicothe in 2007 and was named to the Frontier League Eastern Division All-Star team. The crafty right-hander hurled 77.1 innings and posted an eye-catching 9-2 record with a 1.28 ERA. He struck out 56 batters while issuing only nine free passes.
     This past winter, Flanigan, along with Paints’ catcher, Dan Cummins played in Columbia. Flanigan, 5-11-180, makes his off-season home in Ocoee, Florida.
     Rutgers, age 24, will be playing his third season for the Paints after a four-year stint in the Minnesota Twins organization. Splitting playing time between second base and left field, the 5-10, 200 pounder, hit .254 with 22 doubles, three triples, six home runs and 41 RBI last year. In ’06, he batted .285 for the Paints that included 12 two-baggers, seven round trippers and a .423 slugging percentage.
     During the winter, Rutgers plays professionally in his native country, Australia.
     In May, 2007, the Paints traded outfielder, Luke Barganier, to the Bradenton Juice of the newly formed independent South Coast League for a player to be named later.  In September, 2007, the Juice finally completed the swap by sending pitcher, Brian Gartley to the Paints, and Gartley recently signed a Paints contract for the upcoming ’08 campaign to confirm the transaction.
     Gartley, 5-10, 225, enjoyed an outstanding professional rookie season with the Juice by posting an impressive 10-3 won-loss record and a lowly 2.32 ERA. A left-handed workhorse, Gartley hurled 105. 2 innings, allowing just 32 free passes, while fanning 96 batters.  He was rewarded for his efforts by being voted to the SCL All-Star Team.
     “We are very pleased with the acquisition of Gartley,” commented Mason. “We think he can play a key role in our starting rotation.
     Gartley, age 23, is a native of Bradenton, Florida and played collegiate baseball at Georgia Southwestern State University.  He is currently residing in Norwood, Ohio.

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