If you build it they will come.
That worked for Kevin Costner in Field of Dreamsand it’s working now for the City of High Point. Like Costner, the city built a ballpark – or at least is now in the process of building one – and, just like in Field of Dreams, players are arriving.
The High Point Rockers rang in the New Year of 2019 by announcing the signing of their first player ever: Matt Sergey, a 29-year old right-handed pitcher who joins the team after winning an Atlantic League championship in 2018.
Jamie Keefe, the recently named manager of the Rockers, said he’s thrilled about the team’s first hire.
“He has all the stuff we are looking for in a pitcher and leader on this team,” Keefe said, “and we look forward to building the rest of our staff around him.”
Sergey has played baseball professionally for seven years. Last season, he was a member of the Sugar Land Skeeters, when he helped that Sugar Land, Texas-based team win an Atlantic League title. That’s the independent baseball league the Rockers will play in.
The right-handed pitcher has a career earned run average of 3.16 and a career strikeout-to-walk ratio of more than 3 to 1.
Baseball legend Frank Viola, who recently took a job as the Rockers’ pitching coach said he’s extremely pleased with his team’s first hire.
“I am looking forward to having Matt on our staff,” Viola said. “He’s an established veteran arm who can either start or relieve. Matt is a strike-thrower who will give us a chance any time he pitches.”
Originally from Plantation, Florida, Sergey was drafted straight out of high school by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2007. However, he chose to go to college instead and after transferring to Campbell University, had a perfect 7 – 0 record for the Campbell Camels in 2012, earning First-Team All-Big South honors.
In addition to signing Sergey on the first day of the year, the Rockers also unveiled their 2019 marketing slogan – “First Things First” – along with their new logo.
The Rockers’ first home game is on Thursday, May 2, at High Point’s new stadium, BB&T Point. Group and single-game tickets will go on sale at a to be determined date, however 2019 season tickets are currently on sale. Team officials say the interest in season tickets has been strong.
