It may be November and the holidays may be just around the corner, but the Beacons front office has been very busy lining up potential players for the 2008 season.
Former Isotopes third baseman Mark Dearborn is rumored to the Beacons' first major off-season acquisition. Dearborn and Dearborn's agent, Scott Moras, have been negotiating a two-year deal with the Beacons brain trust and may be close to an agreement.
Dearborn would provide some stability at the hot corner, a solid bat and veteran leadership.
Other potential players that may walk through that door include former Isotopes players Darryl Cauchon and Chis Sciaky, who may be interested in playing for a team where they would have more significant playing time. Cauchon and Sciaky were left off the Topes 2007 roster during the off-season, but have maintained vigorous work0ut programs and are eager to play.
Former Isotopes player and coach Dan Paul may also be coaxed out of retirement to help the Beacons manage the team in its inaugural season. Former Topes standout shortstop Jon Blain may also be asked to join the new franchise.
"We still have a long way to go," Cook said at the team's front office in South Berwick, Maine. "But we're off to a good start. Interest in our new team and the league is high and in the months ahead we will be more aggressive."
Cook said part of the Beacons's strategy to recruit new players will include mass e-mails to the team's growing network of potential male and female players, classified ads in several carefully selected newspapers, as well as flyers posted in various health clubs and gyms.
"Ultimately, we just want to put together a team that will enjoy playing softball and support one another, win or lose," Cook said.
