PRESS RELEASE:  August 17, 2015 - Portland, Oregon - J.J. Altobelli, a former star shortstop with the Oregon Ducks, is the first manager of the Portland Pickles.  Altobelli, most recently third base coach for the Medford Rogues of the West Coast League, is an administrative assistant on Coach George Horton's staff at the University of Oregon.  The Pickles begin play next June in the new summer collegiate wood-bat Great West League.

 

"I'm thrilled to join the Pickles," said the 24-year-old Altobelli, a native of Irvine, California.  "The Pickles organization is first class and we'll be bringing in players that the community will be proud of."

 

Altobelli was selected for the Pickles position after a nationwide search.  "J.J. is a very impressive person and comes highly recommended," said Pickles Vice President Grant Wilson.  "He has great contacts in college baseball and we believe J.J. will bring in some of the top college players in the country and put together an exciting team for the Portland fans."

 

An All-Pac 12 shortstop his senior year, Altobelli was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 18th round of the 2013 draft.  He spent the 2013 season with the Johnson City Cardinals, hitting .285 with two home runs, two triples, 12 doubles and 18 runs batted in.  J.J. retired from professional baseball in the spring of 2014 to return to Oregon and join the Ducks baseball staff.

 

In the summer of 2014, Altobelli was with the West Coast League Klamath Falls Gems as a coach, prior to joining the Rogues this past season.  J.J. not only coached third base with the Rogues, but also worked with infielders and hitters.

 

"This is a great opportunity to advance my coaching career," added Altobelli.  "I've already started recruiting players who hold the ambition to play in the Major Leagues, and we'll have a team the folks in Portland will want to come out and see play."

 

"We're pleased to bring on a manager of J.J.'s stature," added Pickles President and CEO Ken Wilson.  "With the exciting renovations underway at Walker Stadium and the addition of J.J. to lead our baseball operation, we're well on our way to providing the community with a truly high level of affordable family entertainment."

 

Portland Pickles - Starting next June, the Pickles will play 30-home games each season at the newly renovated Walker Stadium in East Portland.  The Pickles are all about FUN and will be presenting the best entertainment package in the Portland area.  More than half of the tickets are $8 or less and the Pickles offer special discounts to groups and fund raising opportunities for organizations throughout the community.  Season tickets go on sale October 10th.  Fans can receive more information about the team by calling 503-775-3080, by visiting the team website www.portlandpicklesbaseball.com or visiting the team's office at Walker Stadium.

 

Great West League - The Great West League is one of the premier summer collegiate wood-bat leagues in North America, providing a professional, minor league-like atmosphere for top college players seeking professional baseball careers, while providing affordable family entertainment and enriching the quality of life in its member communities.

 

Media Contact:  Grant Wilson - 360-442-1037