Area notes: Pat Hughes to speak at CrackerJacks lunch

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Updated: March 7, 2012 9:45AM

Cubs broadcaster Pat Hughes will serve as the keynote speaker for the Will County CrackerJacks’ “Hot Stove Luncheon” from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Feb. 16 at the Plainfield Village Hall.

“We could not be more excited to have Pat Hughes at our hot stove luncheon,” said Mike Garabedian, CrackerJacks director of broadcasting and media relations. “This is the second time we have partnered with a Cubs icon and we really feel this will be a tremendous event for avid baseball fans in our community.”

Fellow Cubs broadcaster Keith Moreland was featured at last year’s “Lead-off Luncheon” for the CrackerJacks.

The CrackerJacks are members of the Midwest Collegiate League, a summer collegiate wood-bat league based in the Chicagoland area. The CrackerJacks begin the season June 1 when they travel to Flossmoor to take on the Southland Vikings.

Only 100 seats are available for the luncheon. Ticket cost is $45. Call the CrackerJacks at (815) 704-2255 or email info@crackerjacksbaseball.com.

In other news involving the CrackerJacks, the team has entered into a rental agreement with Lewis University to make Brennan Field the facility for 2012 home games. Wayne King Field at Joliet Junior College was the home base last season.

Slammers add pitcher

The defending Frontier League champion Joliet Slammers announced the signing of right-handed pitcher Anthony Perez, who hails from Hialeah, Fla., and is friends with fellow Hialeah native and star Slammers pitcher Tommy Mendoza.

“Perez is a pitcher who comes highly recommended and we expect him to compete for a spot in the bullpen,” Slammers vice president of baseball operations Ron Biga said. “He put up very good numbers at a young age in college and we’re excited to see how he develops.”

Originally a University of Miami recruit, Perez shined as a sophomore with the University of Tampa where he earned first-team All-America recognition in 2008. He led the Spartans with 17 saves while recording a 2.79 ERA. He also compiled a 4-2 record while striking out 60 in 51‰ innings.

Perez is the first rookie pitcher signed by the Slammers this offseason. They also have signed rookie outfielders Jimmy Waters and Trevor Willis and rookie catcher Ryan Ferguson.

Girls volleyball

Ultimate Volleyball Club’s Girls 15-under Gold team won the ASICS-Mikasa Invitational 16-under division at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn.

Ultimate started the tournament by defeating Wisconsin’s Acers 15U 21-12, 21-11 and the MVP Lady Aces 16U 21-19, 21-12. Ultimate then beat Rolling Thunder Boys 14U Blue of Lake Zurich 21-8, 21-10. The team concluded pool play undefeated by beating llinois Performance Volleyball 16U Frost 21-9, 21-9.

Defense was the driving force behind Ultimate’s semifinal win over IPV Storm 25-23, 25-14 and championship win over MVP Full House 16U 28-26, 25-18.

Lewis’ Bolling cited

Lewis senior outfielder Mike Bolling has been named a 2012 Preseason All-Midwest Region first-team selection by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.

Bolling was a 2011 NCBWA All-Midwest Region second-team selection last season when he stole a Great Lakes Valley Conference-best 31 bases. His .427 on-base percentage and 37 runs led the team.

This is Bolling’s second preseason honor of 2012. He earlier was named an American Baseball Coaches Association Midwest Region Preseason All-American.

Lewis opens March 4 against Findlay in Florida.

Lewis softball

The Great Lakes Valley Conference announced that the Lewis softball team again is expected to be at the top of the pack. The two-time defending conference champs have been picked to win the GLVC East in the annual preseason poll as voted by league coaches.

Lewis received 12 of a possible 15 first-place votes to win the East, while 2011 GLVC regular-season champion Missouri-St. Louis was picked to win the GLVC West. This year marks the first season in which the 16 GLVC softball squads will play a divisional schedule.