Alexandria's VanAsselberg selected to coach UBL All-Stars

Edinburg, TX- United League Baseball announced Wednesday that Alexandria Aces manager Ricky VanAsselberg will be the skipper of the United League All-Stars for the inaugural United League vs. Golden League All-Star Game on Tuesday July 15 in San Angelo, Texas.

VanAsselberg, who is the two-time ULB Manager of the Year, also led the Aces to a league championship in each of the league’s first two seasons.

In addition, San Angelo Colts manager Doc Edwards, a former Major League player and manager, will serve as VanAsselberg’s bench coach in his home ballpark.

“It’s a great honor for me to be manager but at the same time it’s somewhat odd for Doc to be my bench coach since he is Mr. Baseball to me, with 51 years in the game,” said VanAsselberg. “He always takes care of us younger guys and I’m just looking forward to spending a couple of days with him and pick his brain about the game.”

In the 2007 ULB All-Star Game in Amarillo, Edwards led the Northern All-Stars to a 10-1 victory over Team Rio Grande.

“To me, it’s an honor whenever you take part in any All-Star game but this will be even more special since it’s in front of our great fans here in San Angelo,” said Edwards. “And it’s my honor to be the bench coach for someone like Ricky, who has a tremendous future in this game.”

Former Major Leaguer Mike Busch of the Calgary Vipers will be managing the Golden League Team. This year is the first of two that the independent leagues will play each other with the United League All-Stars visiting the Golden League next season.

“This is a very exciting opportunity for both the United League Baseball and the Golden League,” ULB President Craig Brasfield said. “Ricky and Doc are two of the most respected mangers in our league as well as Independent Baseball. The 2008 All-Star Game should be one to remember.”

The GBL and ULB are two of the most heavily scouted independent leagues in the country and together had over 30 of their players from 2007 acquired by major league organizations. The 20-man rosters will be comprised of players from the eight GBL teams in California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, and western Canada versus players from the six United League teams in Texas and Louisiana.