Out In Left Field-BASEBALL

Pat Perry (Niwot) was back in Niwot June 20 for a short visit from his home in Utah. Perry, a scout for the Texas Rangers, is getting ready for the organization's pre-draft meeting. The annual amateur draft will take place on July 14-16 in Ft. Worth, Texas. The 2023 world champion Rangers will have to wait until draft pick No. 30 for their first selection.

Skye Messinger (Niwot) is back on the playing field after undergoing Tommy John surgery late in 2023. Messinger was working out with one of his college coaches at Texas, former Rockies' shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, when he heard a "pop." The torn ligament kept him out of spring training, except for rehab work. Messenger, a third baseman now serving as a DH, has played nine games for the Rockies' Arizona Complex League, where he is hitting .265 with one home run and eight RBIs.

Jed Kilpatrick (Niwot) hit .327 for Indian Hills Community College in Iowa this spring. The infielder scored 21 runs in 24 games, with one home run and 14 RBIs. His best game came April 30 against Marshalltown, when he had a double and a home run in two official trips to the plate, scoring three runs. He also had three hits in a March 30 game against Iowa Lakes, with three runs scored and four RBIs.

Jack Brooker (Niwot) made his 2024 debut with Queens University of Charlotte Feb. 16, pitching one inning in a 12-2 loss to Samford University on Feb. 12. Brooker allowed one earned run on one hit. For the season, he finished with a 1-0 won-loss record, and an ERA of 8.24, sixth-best of the 16 pitchers on the team. His best outing came against Gulf Coast April 30, when he pitched three innings, allowing one run on two hits. He picked up the victory in the final game of the season when he started on the mound, going five innings and allowing four runs in an 11-7 win over Bellarmine. Queens finished 14-40 on the season.