New player details

Some detailed info on some of the guys we've signed for the 2009 season.  Stories are the ones I posted on the Armada website.  Click the players' names for their career stats...

Scott Lonergan, RHP

The Armada continues to improve its already strong pitching staff by adding AAA-experienced Scott Lonergan to the staff for 2009. Lonergan spent the last two seasons in the Red Sox organization after being drafted by Boston in 2007.

The right-handed pitcher has been used primarily as a reliever in the Red Sox system. In 2008, he appeared in six games with the California League’s Lancaster Jethawks, allowing 11 hits and 8 earned runs in 12.1 innings of work (5.84 ERA). Lonergan appeared in one game for the AAA Pawtucket Red Sox of the International League in 2007, pitching 4.1 innings giving up 3 hits and 3 earned runs while striking out 3 and walking 2 batters. He played at Rice University in 2007 after playing two seasons for Santa Clara University (2004-05).

Joshua Banda, C

The Armada continued to stock the 2009 roster with home-grown talent, signing catcher Joshua Banda to the roster. The Artesia HS (Lakewood, Calif.) product comes to the Armada after three seasons with the Tri-City Dust Devils, the Single-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies in the Northwest League.

Banda, 23, was drafted by the Rockies three times before signing with them in 2006. In three minor league seasons, he hit .239 with 12 homeruns and 52 RBI. Before signing with the Rockies, Banda played for Cypress College and Orange Coast College before spending two years at California Baptist University where he studied kinesiology with an emphasis on physical therapy.

Casey Garrison, OF

The Armada have signed former Chico Outlaw Casey Garrison to help restock the outfield for the 2009 season. The northern California native comes to the Armada after playing 77 games for the Outlaws in 2008.

Garrison, 26, drove in 54 runs for Chico last season – blasting 11 homeruns – while hitting .302 for the season. The 6’4” 245-pound outfielder has a career batting average of .298 in two professional seasons. Prior to joining the Outlaws, Garrison played for the Macon Music of the independent South Coast League in 2007 where he was named as a league All-Star. He graduated from San Francisco State University in the winter of 2007 with a liberal arts degree. Look for Garrison to use hand-made bats his father Dennis makes during each plate appearance this season.

Keith Ramsey, LHP

The Armada added more firepower to its pitching staff when the team announced the signing of former AAA pitcher Keith Ramsey this week. The 29-year-old lefty returns home to play ball in Southern California after seven years of affiliated and independent ball across the country.

The Cleveland Indians drafted Ramsey in the 10th round in 2002 (304 overall). He spent three seasons in the Indians system, reaching AAA with Buffalo Bisons of the International League in 2004. Ramsey started two games for the Bisons, going 1-1 with a 3.60 ERA. Ramsey also spent time playing for minor league affiliates of the Diamondbacks, Phillies, Rockies and Rangers since 2005. Last season with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs of the Atlantic League, Ramsey started 20 games, going 7-6 with a 4.01 ERA in 130.1 innings of work.

Ben Fox, LHP

Left handed pitcher Ben Fox has signed with the Long Beach Armada for the 2009 season. A 10th round pick of the San Diego Padres in 2001, Fox is reunited with manager Garry Templeton who managed Fox during two seasons in the GBL with the Flyers.

Fox, 27, has played professionally for six seasons. In 2007 with Templeton’s Flyers, Fox joined the team mid-season and became the de facto ace of the staff, starting 10 games and going 5-3 with a 2.99 ERA and 3 complete games to earn a GBL All-Star selection. The 6’0” 190-pound pitcher attended Dixie State College of Utah, the home field of the Golden League’s St. George Roadrunners.