December, 2008

Pitching Ace and All Star Josh Palmer and All Star 1st Baseman Jess Bechard will be returning for the 2009 London Majors Season. 

Palmer is a 22 year old right handed pitcher from Bewdley Ontario.  Josh is 6'2, 210 lbs. and is currently in his Junior Seaon on a baseball scholarship at Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU).  Prior to OBU Palmer was with the Prairie Baseball Academy in Lethbridge Alberta.

Last season (2008) was a major breakout year for Palmer.  He was 8-0 with a stingy 2.14 ERA which led the IBL during the regular season.  Josh was a 1st Team All Star and also represented the Majors in the All Star Game.

"Josh had an unbelievable season, says Roop Chanderdat, General Manager, Field Manager and Co-Owner.  "Palmer showed great maturity and leadership last season and had a very even keel demeanour on the mound and this along with his great work ethic led to his breakout season", says Chanderdat.

Bechard was a four-year letterwinner at Kent State University (Ohio), where he was a Baseball America Freshman All-American and finished his career as the Golden Flashes' career leader in several offensive categories, including hits, doubles, total bases and runs batted in. Drafted in the 41st round by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1995, Bechard followed up his career at Kent State with one season of professional baseball with the London Werewolves in 2001, where he was the starting third baseman in the Frontier League's all-star game. A left-handed hitting infielder, Bechard also brings international experience to this years Majors, having represented Canada on four occasions, most recently at the 2003 World Championships in Havana, Cuba.

DOB: Oct. 4, 1977 (30 yrs)
Height: 6-2
Weight: 190
B/T: L/R
Born: Brantford, Ontario
Reside: London, Ontario
Pos: 2B, 3B
Draft: Toronto Blue Jays 1995 - 41st rd.
College: Kent State University (1997-00)
Pro: London Werewolves (Frontier League - 2001)

In his first season with the Majors Bechard hit 0.356 whcih was 9th overall in the league.  In addition he had 8 homeruns and 34 rbi.  Bechard was the 2nd Team All Star 1st Baseman.  Bechard is very versatile and can play both the infield and outfield.  He spent most of the 2008 season batting 4th or 5th in our lineup.

"In only one season with the team Jess has emerged as one of the leaders in the clubhouse", says Roop Chanderdat, General Manager, Field Manager and Co-Owner.  "Bechard is very knowledgable and understands the game and is willing to assist our younger players", says Chanderdat.