PLAY BALL Mining City Tommyknockers prepare for inaugural season
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PLAY BALL Mining City Tommyknockers
prepare for inaugural season
Lights brighten 3 Legends Stadium, the home
of the Tommyknockers, Butte’s new summer
collegiate wood-bat baseball team as the sun
sets on the Mining City on May 18.
MEAGAN THOMPSON, THE MONTANA STANDARD
2 | Tuesday, June 1, 2021 The Montana Standard
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The Montana Standard 2021 SEASON PREVIEW Tuesday, June 1, 2021 | 3
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4 | Tuesday, June 1, 2021 The Montana Standard
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The Montana Standard 2021 SEASON PREVIEW Tuesday, June 1, 2021 | 5
GREEN BAY BOOYAH
Tom Carty, in blue, managed the Green Bay Booyah of the Northwoods League — a summer collegiate wood-bat league — for two years. In October 2020, he was hired as Butte’s first
manager in the Expedition League.
An experience for everyone
BLAKE FUSSELL inaugural season would be at home,” said one of the best coaches in college baseball, the entire team, he is a pitching specialist
THE MONTANA STANDARD Tommyknockers general manager Dane and he’s well-respected around the US.” who coached three LIU-Brooklyn pitchers
Blake.Fussell@406mtsports.com Wagner. “But with the way the schedule Carty will coach the Tommyknockers this to all-conference honors in 2019.
From the moment the team was an- panned out, I worked to get us a preseason summer and will return to Long Island Uni- Brandon Cowan, former star pitcher at
nounced in October 2020, the Mining City showcase series for the fans.” versity-Brooklyn (LIU-Brooklyn) where he Lincoln Memorial University (Texas) and
Tommyknockers organization has made it The roster for the inaugural season in- coaches during the collegiate season. While
clear that the team’s presence will offer an cludes athletes from around the country Carty is the field manager watching over Please see EXPERIENCE, Page 6
experience for players, baseball fans and and the world. Daiki Asaumi, of Kanagawa,
everyone in between. Japan, was the first international player to
Part of the Expedition League, the Tom-
myknockers will compete against other
sign a full-season contract with the Tom-
myknockers. Ren Yokoyama, also from Proud to SuPPort
Butte’S BaSeBall
teams in the northwest, including one Japan, will play temporarily for the Tom-
located in Manitoba, Canada. Teams are myknockers.
formed by collegiate players during their While recruiting efforts were extensive,
school’s off-season. multiple Montana athletes made the cut
The Tommyknockers begin the sea- for the inaugural season. Butte native Liam
son with a road series against the Canyon Sommer and Missoula Sentinel graduate
County Spuds and their home-opener Drew Leonard will pitch for the Tommyk-
will be June 1. In hopes to engage the en- nockers, while infielder Matt Krieger, of
tire southwest Montana community and to Helena, will play on a temporary basis.
give players a few extra reps, they competed “The coach does the heavy lifting, they 406-565-5626
in a preseason showcase series in Helena on use the contacts they’ve established over
May 21 and Anaconda on May 22.
“My hope was that the first game in the
the years and know how to recruit really
good players,” Wagner said. “Tom Carty is
WelCoMe toMMYKNoCKerS!
6 | Tuesday, June 1, 2021 2021 SEASON PREVIEW The Montana Standard
Mining City Tommyknockers 2021 roster Experience
From Page 5
POSITION PLAYERS Bats/
PITCHING STAFF
Name College Position Throws Height Name College Throws Height current assistant coach at South Forks
High School (Florida) will train Mining
David Melfi Wagner C R/R 5’11” Liam Sommer University of Mary R 6’3” City pitchers, while South Carolina as-
Luke Trainer Millersville C L/R 6’0” sistant coach Jacob Schubert will be the
Evan Reynolds Northeastern L 6’2” Tommyknockers’ hitting coach.
Jake Mastillo Lock Haven C/UT R/R 6’1”
“Hiring Tom Carty as coach was crucial
Pat Doran North Carolina Central 1B L/L 6’4” Dylan Wilheim USC Aiken R 6’2”
for the recruiting of our team,” Wagner said.
Elijah Buries Grand Canyon IF R/R 6’1” Jon Cordaway Tarleton R 6’5” “Starting to see our team get assembled, we
focused a lot on pitching and then filled in
Miles Hartsfield Georgia SW IF L/R 5’9” Riley Powers Georgia Southwestern R 5’11” with some really nice position players.”
Seth Lucero Dawson IF L/R 6’2” “When I look at our roster compared to
Kyle Wellman Hendrix L 5’11”
Judah Wilbur Southern IF R/R 6’0” the rest of the Expedition League, we have
Zach Camp Swarthmore R 6’2” the best by far,” Wagner continued. “It’s an
Mathew Ivancich Dixie SS R/R 6’0”
impressive squad and it’s going to be fun
Justin Greene Milligan OF/UT L/R 6’1” Ryan Jacobs Tarleton R 6’4” to watch for sure.”
Jack Walker Dixie OF R/R 5’11” With eight Division I athletes on the
Drew Leonard Sioux Falls L 6’1”
roster, the Tommyknockers are prepared
Hayden Brown Grand Canyon OF L/R 6’3”
Jason Kramlich Northeastern R 6’0” for a competitive first season. Yet, the play
Steven Strachan Hillsdale OF/1B R/R 6’5” on the field is just one aspect of the team’s
Carter Dobrinski Tarleton UTL R/R 6’1” Connor Phelan Montevallo R 5’10” presence in Butte.
The fan experience has been a prior-
Alec Burns West Virginia OF/1B R/R 6’4” Marty Carnahan McMurray R 6’2”
ity for the team since the day their arrival
was announced. One example of this was
Matt Krieger of the Helena Senators jumps the team name vote, which was left to the
for a ball against the Spokane Cannons last Butte community.
summer at Kindrick Legion Field in Helena. Over the course of a month, the Butte
GARY MARSHALL, BMGPHOTOS.COM community was asked to submit team
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The Montana Standard 2021 SEASON PREVIEW Tuesday, June 1, 2021 | 7
name ideas and votes narrowed down the
process.
“We had a domain name reserved for our
website, we were going to be the Butte Big
Horns,” Wagner said. “But then we looked
at the vote and turned it to the community,
and Big Horns was not even in the top five.”
A tommyknocker is described as a myth-
ical beast that would warn mining workers
of falling rock and other dangers. The name
captures the history and vibe of Butte and
is not likely to be replicated.
The in-person fan experience has been a
focus as well. The Tommyknockers worked
to bring a water element and party deck to
3 Legends Stadium, but the idea was struck
down by Butte-Silver Bow commissioners.
Despite the failed idea, Wagner said the team
will continue to find way to engage fans.
“From year one to year 100, there will be
additions to the stadium and the fan ex-
perience,” Wagner said. “It all depends on COURTESY PHOTO
construction and contractors and things Liam Sommer follows through after throwing
MCMURRY SPORTS INFORMATION
like that.” a pitch earlier this season for the University
Just as the team will bring new opportu- Marty Carnahan waits for a pitch while batting for McMurry University. of Mary.
nities and experiences to Butte, the Butte
community has the opportunity to provide support for players. Host families will be Applications are available for those who Single-game and season tickets are
an experience as well. As players begin recognized on-field at a game during the want to become a host family at mctom- available on the team’s website. The Tom-
moving to the area from various places, regular season, and will also be offered myknockers.com. Those who are interested myknockers are still finalizing radio and
host families are needed for the summer. perks including tickets and merchandise can also contact Dane Wagner with ques- television contracts and will announce
Host families provide housing, meals and discounts. tions at dane@mctommyknockers.com. their broadcast plan once it is official.
Welcome to Butte, TOMMYKNOCKER Baseball!
TROLLEY TOURS ARE AVAILABLE
MAY - SEPTEMBER
Monday - Saturday
10:00 | 12:30| 3:00
Sunday
10:00 | 12:30
8 | Tuesday, June 1, 2021 2021 SEASON PREVIEW The Montana Standard
The Montana Standard 2021 SEASON PREVIEW Tuesday, June 1, 2021 | 9
10 | Tuesday, June 1, 2021 2021 SEASON PREVIEW The Montana Standard
From the Peach State
to the Treasure State
Miles Hartsfield,
right, and Riley
Powers (30) play
their college
ball for Georgia
Southwestern
University. They
will remain
teammates over
the summer
as Mining City
Tommyknockers.
COURTESY PHOTOS
Tomm
Go ykn o ckers!
GOOD
LUCK
TEAM!
120 W Broadway St., Butte • (406) 299-2710
www.derailedbikes.com
321 West
est Park Street, Butte | 406-723-3043THE MONTANA STANDARD 2021 SEASON PREVIEW TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 2021 | 11
Leonard
returns to
Montana
PHOTO COURTESY OF DREW LEONARD
Drew Leonard pitching for Sioux Falls in a game this season.
BLAKE FUSSELL
“My
THE MONTANA STANDARD WELCOME
Blake.Fussell@406mtsports.com grandpa TOMMYKNOCKERS!
After suffering multiple major injuries, was ‘Pork
there was a time Drew Leonard believed
his baseball career was over. Now the Chop
Missoula-Sentinel graduate has landed a
spot in the bullpen on Montana’s newest
John’, the E v E r E t t C o o k L aw
baseball team, the Mining City Tommyk-
legacy
nockers. behind • Personal Injury • Insurance Disputes &
Leonard played for the Missoula Maver- that and
icks in high school, where he was a part of • Workers’ Compensation Bad Faith
2017 state championship team. with all • Car Accident & Motorcycle • Consumer Protection
“I grew up playing sports, my family is the family Accident Injuries • Wills, Trusts & Estates
a big football family,” Leonard said. “My
grandpa played football for the Griz and my I have there, when I heard • Social Security Disability • Wrongful Death
little brother just signed to go play. But I Butte was getting a team I
chose baseball.” had to do everything I could
Leonard said he enjoyed playing Legion
baseball because of the unique opportuni- to get on it.”
ties it presented. Leonard met many friends
from schools he was not involved in due to Drew Leonard
baseball.
But his time with the Mavericks brought
challenges as well. Just before his first game “Finally in my freshman year of college at
as a senior, Leonard tore the labrum in his Sioux Falls I started feeling healthy,” Leon-
left hip which required season-ending sur- ard said. “But then I retore the left one and Bernard J. “Ben” J. Ben Everett Adam Cook
gery. I missed 22 months of baseball.” Everett
Leonard then found that his other la- Despite multiple setbacks, Leonard
brum was torn as well. He had surgery on continued to train and work hard to return 217 East Park strEEt • PO BOx 969
his right hip just six months after his left
hip surgery in June 2018. See LEONARD, PAGE 12
tElEPhOnE (406) 563-5005 • Fax (406) 563-038012 | Tuesday, June 1, 2021 2021 SEASON PREVIEW The Montana Standard
406MTSPORTS.COM FILE PHOTO
Former Missoula Maverick Drew Leonard delivers a pitch during the 2017 Class AA American Legion baseball state tournament in Bozeman. Leonard will pitch for the Mining City
Tommyknockers this summer.
Leonard “It was always a determination thing,
I’ve never been a guy to back down and I’ve
play at Sioux Falls in his junior year of high
school. His injuries came after the offer but
since 2016. He said he feels healthy, with
no worries about his hips.
Continued from Page 11 never had anything handed to me,” Leon- the school respected the deal, which has Born in Montana and with family mem-
ard said. “It always meant more to me to meant a lot to Leonard. bers linked to John’s restaurant, playing
to the field. Leonard credited his family, keep going.” “I was committed before I got hurt and in Butte is special for Leonard. While he
doctors and Sioux Falls support staff for After the season in Butte, Leonard will they never gave up on me. I’ll always be is from Missoula, he described Butte as a
his recovery. return to play Sioux Falls. Despite the dis- thankful for that,” Leonard said. “We’ve second home.
This spring, Leonard played his first tance, he did not travel to college alone. His been able to turn this (Sioux Falls) program “My grandpa was ‘Pork Chop John’, the
full season of baseball since 2017. Leon- former pitching coach in Missoula took a around. We ended up winning 11 of our last legacy behind that and with all the family
ard said he is excited to continue gaining position at Sioux Falls, and is a big reason 16 games.” I have there, when I heard Butte was get-
experience once he joins the Tommyk- why Leonard is there today. Leonard helped Sioux Falls make their ting a team I had to do everything I could
nockers. Leonard was offered a scholarship to conference tournament for the first time to get on it.”The Montana Standard 2021 SEASON PREVIEW Tuesday, June 1, 2021 | 13
Butte’s backstops
J ake Mastillo, below, and Luke Trainer will be joining David Melfi (not
pictured) in putting on the tools of ignorance for the Tommyknockers.
COURTESY PHOTO MARK PALCZEWSKI, MILLERSVILLE ATHLETICS PHOTO
Proud to Support
Butte’s New Baseball Team
Mining City Tommyknockers
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1301 Harrison Ave 212 Cottonwood St.
Butte Anaconda
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Get to know pitcher
BLAKE FUSSELL
THE MONTANA STANDARD
Blake.Fussell@406mtsports.com
Conner
Pitcher Conner Phelan will make a cross-country trip to join the
Tommyknockers as his collegiate season concludes at The University
of Montevallo (Alabama). Phelan, originally from Naples, Florida,
pitched 19 innings and sported one of the lowest ERAs at Montevallo
this season.
Phelan said he knew very little about Montana before he received
an offer from the Tommyknockers, but now he is excited for the
Phelan
experience. He is a true freshman at Montevallo and graduated from
Barron Collier High School in Naples.
COURTESY PHOTOThe Montana Standard 2021 SEASON PREVIEW Tuesday, June 1, 2021 | 15
Get to know pitcher Conner Phelan
How did your first season go as a college baseball Before being considered for a spot on the team, If baseball didn’t exist, what’s an activity you
player? did you know much about Montana? would take up?
Phelan: We kind of had a rough year this year, Almost nothing besides my cousin who lives Does golf count? If golf counts, definitely golf.
we didn’t do as good as we wanted. But I got a there. I knew it was an opportunity to play some
little more playing time than I thought I was more baseball, then I looked at some pictures and What makes you excited to play summer ball?
going to get going in, so that was good. did some research. I thought it looked beautiful It’s a chance to get better. The coach is good
so I looked into the city. I think it’s going to be from what I’ve been hearing from everyone and I
You’re pretty far from Montana. How did you a cool place to live, and I’m also excited to play think it’ll just be a cool place to live. I want to see
hear about the Tommyknockers? with kids that I don’t know. It should be a good all the landmarks.
My coach came up to me after practice and told time with all them.
me about Tom Carty, said he’s a really good coach What’s your favorite food?
and he wanted me to come up there and play this How do you feel about being on the field with Pizza. Yeah, probably pizza.
summer. I knew it’d be a dedication to come out players you don’t know?
there, but I thought it was a good idea to play for I’m very excited but also a little nervous to Do you play MLB The Show? Are you a gamer at
a good coach, go out west and have some fun. meet everyone, I can be a little socially awkward all?
at first. Yeah I play The Show, I’ve got a good record in
Diamond Dynasty. I like to find ways to win, I’d
say I’m pretty decent.
How did you fall in love with the game of baseball?
Well, I played since I was five, that and golf. And then I realized I had more fun winning and I
was better at baseball. I just like to win too much, golf is hard to come in first.
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Mining City
toMMyknoCker’s
AutogrAphs!
Bring this section to a Tommyknocker’s baseball game
this season and get your favorite players autograph!You can also read
