Some post weekend News and Notes – saw that a few more former Boise Hawks have been signed to contracts in the independent leagues, as indy ball starts up for real in the next week or so.  2010 All-Star OF Alvaro Ramirez has signed with the Normal Cornbelters of the Frontier League, Luke Sommer (’08) has signed with the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League, while Steve Grife (’09/’10) signed with the Lake County Captains in the North American League.

Jerry Blevins (’04/’06) was sent to AAA Sacramento last week by the Oakland Athletics after struggling with his command in his last six outings, while Rich Hill (’02/’03) was promoted by from AAA Pawtucket by the Boston Red Sox and even got a cameo last night on Sunday Night Baseball (was warming up in the pen next to Josh Bard – Bard and Jonathan Papelbon got the relief calls).

The weekend also saw the launching of the newest social media outlet for Hawks Radio Broadcasts in 2011.  I have created a Twitter account, so fans can get the latest, up-to-the-minute information regarding the team – without waiting to read something online or in the newspaper.  Follow us at http://www.twitter.com/BoiseHawksRadio and get up-to-the-minute news and notes from the radio booth.

Friday the 13th was also a gloomy day for one of my favorite spots in the NWL, Yakima, as the Bears’ ownership group announced their intentions to move the team to Vancouver, Wash., in 2012.  If passed, a new 3,500-seat ball park will be built in Vancouver through the same a public-private venture that the Hawks front-office has talked about in the process of trying to build a new park in the Treasure Valley.  The Vancouver venture would tack a 5% entertainment tax on all entertainment outlets (movie theaters, fairs, concerts, games, etc.) to help build the new stadium, which would be shared by high schools and Clark Community College.  It will make our two trips to the Palm Springs of Washington that much more special this summer – and will be interesting to see how the fans in the Yakima Valley react at the gate.

Looking ahead – I have yet to finish my Best of the Northwest League pieces from the end of 2010, so look for a new blog post on that in the coming days