The Baltimore Orioles have purchased the contract of Sioux Falls Pheasants reliever Kyle Mertins, Following the 2012 season, Baseball America recognized Mertins as one of the top 20 independent league prospects in the nation.
The Sioux Falls Fighting Pheasants will open their 2013 American Association schedule may 16th in Sioux City. The Pheasants home opener is set for the following night against the Explorers at Sioux Falls Stadium.
More people went to the ballpark this summer. The Sioux Falls Pheasants were one of just five teams in all of professional minor league baseball to increase their attendance by more than 65 percent this season. The Pheasants attendance jumped 72 percent from 2011 to 2012.
Jack Van Leur became his own player to be named later Tuesday when the Winnipeg Goldeyes sent the Brandon native back to the Sioux Fall Pheasants to complete a late-season trade between the two clubs.