WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts announced their first player move for the 2010 season, signing veteran center fielder Chris Colton.
Colton set career-highs in 2010 with 18 home runs, 69 RBIs, and 34 stolen bases, while batting .249 for the Frontier League's River City Rascals. The ninth-year veteran also drew a career-best 60 walks which paced the Frontier League.
The Newnan, GA native anchored center field for the Wingnuts' inaugural team in 2008, hitting .260 with seven home runs and 40 RBIs. The 27-year old has delivered 10 or more outfield assists in each of the last two seasons. In the Wingnuts' first ever game on May 8th, 2008, Colton picked up the first base hit and RBI in team history. Colton was one of only two players who appeared in all 95 of Wichita's games in 2008. Colton was originally drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 15th round in 2001, spending six seasons in the organization and reaching High-A in three different seasons.
The Wingnuts are coming off their first playoff berth in team history, posting a league-best regular season record of 58-38. In late September, the Wingnuts resigned Kevin Hooper, the American Association's 2009 Manager of the Year, to a two-year contract extension. The following month, Steve Ruud purchased the majority share of the team, effectively making the Wingnuts 100 percent locally owned. Colton's signing sparks the first of several player announcements expected in the coming weeks.
The Wingnuts open the 2010 season on the road, taking on the St. Paul Saints on May 13th. Wichita's home opener is set for Tuesday, May 18th versus the Sioux Falls Canaries. Season tickets and packages are on sale now. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625.
-Wingnuts-
