MARION, Ill. – The Southern Illinois Miners have signed catcher Beau Milner and second baseman Robert Ninfo for the 2008 season

Milner, a 6-foot-2-inch, 220-pound catcher played last season for the Regensburg Legionaires of the German Professional League where he hit .410 and helped lead the Legionaires to the final game of the league’s championship. He began his college baseball at Mendocino (Calif.) College and later transferred to Bethany (Calif.) University. While at Mendocino, he led the team in hitting with a .374 average and was a first team All-Big Valley Conference selection two consecutive seasons.

Beau comes highly recommended by a friend who is a former major league scouting director,” Miners Manager Mike Pinto said. “(Miners Coach) Bart Zeller had a chance to work him out last week as well and saw the same thing I had in two other scouting reports. Beau has a plus arm behind the plate, can generate some bat speed and has some power. He will be a good addition to bring to spring training.”Ninfo played the last two years at Newman University in Wichita where he hit .388 in conference play. In 2006 he helped turn a team record 49 double plays for the Newman Jets. That year he helped lead the Jets to the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference championship.

Ninfo played the last two years at Newman University in Wichita where he hit .388 in conference play. In 2006 he helped turn a team record 49 double plays for the Newman Jets. That year he helped lead the Jets to the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference championship.

He also played the last two summers for the Crestwood Panthers who finished third in the National Baseball Congress World Series in both years. In 2006, he won the award for the Most Spectacular Play of the World Series. Ninfo began his college career at Los Angeles Valley Community College where he also won a conference championship.

The reports I have are that Robert has quite the glove at second,” Pinto said. “We want to continue to be a defensively excellent team on the field and Robert fits the bill of what we are looking for. I am told that he is a real blue collar, gamer-type player who leaves it all out on the field every day

All of the Miners signings are scheduled to report to spring training in Marion during the first week of May.“Mike has done a great job filling in the gaps in our roster this off-season,” Miners General Manager Tim Arseneau said. “I’m looking forward to seeing these guys in May.” The Miners home opener is scheduled for Saturday, May 24 at 7:05 p.m.



ALL-STAR SCANZANO RE-SIGNSMARION, Ill. – The Southern Illinois Miners have re-signed all-star shortstop Mike Scanzano for the 2008 season. This is the first announcement the Miners have made regarding re-signing players from the inaugural 2007 season.In 81 games with the Miners, Scanzano hit .309, 15th best in the Frontier League. The former Pittsburgh Panther posted a .347 batting average prior to the all-star break but battled through an injured right hand in the second half of the season. Despite his injury, Scanzano led all FL shortstops with a .959 fielding percentage in 2007. “I am thrilled to have Mike back,” Pinto said. “He gives us such solid defense in the middle of the field and will be a leader for us this season. Our fans saw the heart and fire he plays with every night. He will be the start of a great list of returning players from last season.”Scanzano will be 27 years old on Opening Day, and Miners General Manager Tim Arseneau is excited to have an important piece of the Miners puzzle back for the 2008 season.“We’re glad to have Scanzano back in Southern Illinois,” Arseneau said. “Our fans can look forward to seeing more of our core players re-sign in the weeks leading up to the season.”The Miners home opener is scheduled for Saturday, May 24 at 7:05 p.m