Become a Host Family

The Helena Minor League Baseball Booster Club is looking for host families, individuals or housing for the Helena Brewers players when they arrive in Helena for the 2008 campaign. Players will arrive around June 14th and will be ready to move in with their host family a few days later. The booster club will need housing for approximately 30 players ranging in age from 18-23 years. This is a great way to show Helena hospitality and help a young player taking his first steps to the Major Leagues. If you would like information on being a host family or simply joining the booster club, contact: Marlene or Dave Hughes at 442-8529 or dhughes8529@msn.com.

Retro Jerseys Raise Money

for Caring Foundation

On Tuesday January 15th, the Helena Brewers Baseball Club presented a check to the Caring Foundation. The Caring Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides medical service for underinsured children of Montana.  The Brewers wore these Milwaukee Brewers retro jerseys on every Tuesday home game played during the 2007 season.  The Brewers were able to raise the money in conjunction with Ken Olsen at Quick Drop of Helena through an auction held on eBay.  The auction raised $1,000 for the foundation. 

LaPorta learning new skills

Jack of all trades will try out in right field in Spring Training

By Adam McCalvy / MLB.com

MILWAUKEE -- Add top prospect Matt LaPorta to the list of Brewers who will be tinkering with a new position this spring.

LaPorta, a collegiate first baseman and catcher who moved to left field after the Brewers made him their top pick in last June's First-Year Player Draft, will try right field beginning next month. With this week's news that another former first-round pick, Ryan Braun, will man left field for the big league Brewers next season, the team intends to use LaPorta at both corner outfield spots during the 2008 Minor League season.

"He needs to make sure that both sides are covered, that he feels like he's able to play both sides, and we'll make that decision later," Brewers assistant general manager Gord Ash said on Monday, when the team showcased prospects LaPorta and Mat Gamel to kick off its annual Winter Warm-Up.

The team announced Monday that it had invited LaPorta to Major League Spring Training, an honor for a player so young in his pro career.
For more on the move click here.

2008 Schedule Announced

We are excited to bring another year of Pioneer League baseball to Helena and the surrounding communities.  The Brewers will open our 2008 season on June 17th against the 2007 North Division Champions, Great Falls. 

Also, we are running Early Bird Specials on all Bonus Books.  You will receive two free tickets with every Bonus Book purchased before January18th.  Bonus Books are 10 undated tickets for only $45 or $55 for a reserved seat Bonus Book.  These make great gifts for fans of all ages.  Please call the office at 495.0500 for more information.

For printable schedule click here.

All home games are in Bold.  

New Skipper for Helena

December 11, 2007 - The Helena Brewers announced today, Rene Gonzales as the new 2008 Skipper.  Gonzales fills the vacancy left by Jeff Isom who was promoted as the Field Manager for West Virginia Power (Milwaukee’s Single A Affiliate in the South Atlantic League). 

Gonzales a spent last year with Milwaukee’s Rookie ball team in the Arizona League which was also his first year coaching in the Brewers organization.  In the second half of the season, Gonzales was able to improve the team’s record from .250 to .429.

 “Gonzo brings a wealth of Major League experience to the Brewer organization,” said Reid Nichols, Milwaukee’s Director of Player Development.  “He has played multiple positions and played for many well respected managers.  The Helena team will benefit greatly from his professionalism and enthusiasm.”    

Gonzales played at Cal State- Los Angeles before being selected in the fifth round of the 1982 June Draft by Montreal.  Two years later he broke into the Major Leagues with the Expos and enjoyed a career that spanned 13 years with Montreal (2), Baltimore (4), Toronto (1), California (3), Cleveland (1), Texas(1), and Colorado (1).  His career batting average was .239 with 19 HR and 136 RBI.  His best years, statistically, were when he played for the Angeles organization.

“Rene seams to possess extensive knowledge of the game of baseball that will benefit our young players,” said Paul Fetz, General Manager of the Helena Brewers. 

Gonzales is a native of Austin, Texas and currently resides in Covina, California.

Joining Gonzales, will be 2007 returnees Paco Martin (hitting coach), Aris Terado (pitching coach), Aaron Hoback (trainer), and newcomer Jake Marx (strength coach)

Norberto “Paco” Martin comes back to Helena for his third season (2004, 2007, and 2008).  Martin spent four years playing with the White Sox (1993-1997), one year with the Angels (1998) and one with the Blue Jays (1999).  Primarily a second baseman, Martin earned a career fielding percentage of .970, and a career batting average of .278.

Aris Tirado joined Helena in the middle of the 2007 season.  This will be Tirado’s second season with Milwaukee’s farm system but will be his 12th as a pitching coach having spent the previous ten with the Texas Rangers minor-league system.  Originally signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Mets, Tirado also played for the Yankees and the Expos from 1981-1991.  He also pitched at Caserta in the Italian Summer League from 1992-94 and was named Puerto Rican Winter League Pitcher of the Year in 1988 and 1989.

Aaron Hoback will spend his second year with Helena and fourth year in Professional Baseball, having completed internships with the 2004 St. Louis Cardinals and the 2005 Springfield Cardinals.  

Jake Marx joined Milwaukee’s farm system in 2007 with the Brevard County Manatees (Milwaukee’s A+ Affiliate in the Florida State League).  Along with his duties in Helena, he will also handle the daily strength and conditioning duties for all programs conducted in Arizona.

Ryan Braun NL Rookie of theYear

11/12/07- The Baseball Writers Associations of America named Ryan Braun as the 2007 National League Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award. Braun edged out Rockies rookie Troy Tulowitzki by two points.

Braun made his proffesional debut with Helena in 2005 batting .324 in nine games. For a complete story click here.

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