FARMINGTON’S JEFF FISCHER, FORMER EMU STANDOUT, JOINS MIDWEST SLIDERS

YPSILANTI, MI, June 28, 2009 – Jeff Fischer is coming home to pitch in more ways than one.  A 10th round selection in the 2007 amateur draft by the Colorado Rockies, the 6 ft. 5 in. 225 pounder from Farmington, MI, in Oakland County, was the MAC Pitcher of the Year in 2006 when he was the ace of the Eastern Michigan University Eagles baseball team.

Fischer spent two years with the Rockies’ Casper (WY) Ghosts of the Pioneer League, where he struck out 148 batters while walking just 32 in 156.2 innings of work.  Released by the Rockies this year in spring training, he signed with the Gary Railcats of the independent Northern League.

“We worked him out at our Oakland County Cruisers Baseball Academy in Waterford in April and wanted to sign him then,” said President & Director of Team Personnel Rob Hilliard, “but he had already made a commitment to Gary.”

Fischer, who was used as a spot starter and reliever in Gary, said he’s happy to be coming back to EMU and pitching at Oestrike Stadium and will be living at home in Farmington.  “I’ll be getting my regular starts as part of the Sliders’ rotation, and I really think I can help this team get back into playoff contention,” he said.

Fischer already has paid dividends.  Slated to have one relief appearance before making his first start, he threw three and two-thirds innings of effective relief on Sunday and picked up the win in Midwest’s 17-6 thrashing of the Florence Freedom.