Try to figure out THAT title!

Schwartz in in the middle, Dudley to the right
Schwartz in in the middle, Dudley to the right

I happened across a photo earlier today of two former Valley Leaguers- Mike Schwartz (Harrisonburg 2009) and Aaron Dudley (Winchester 2008-09)- during batting practice for the independent team Normal CornBelters, in the Frontier League. Both players had played organized ball for a bit- Schwartz with the White Sox, and Dudley with the Miami Marlins, but both were released.

I love that both of them are still chasing the dream, and that they’re playing together, too!

Schwartz is actually having a tremendous year for Normal: he’s hitting 350/456/575 in 43 games and 160 at-bats, along with an amazing 28/26 BB/K ratio (of course, Mike always did control the strike zone very well). Dudley is doing well too, hitting 287/391/503 in 41 games and 143 at-bats. Aaron also has an amazing BB/K ratio, at 22/16. (Wasn’t his nickname “Rooster” back in Winchester?)

Perhaps both can make it back to a major league organization!