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The Shannon Fence/ College Prospects of America, Inc. franchise originated in 2002 as the Tri-County Diamonds of the Erie Shores Collegiate Baseball League. Founded by Garfield Heights High baseball coach Dennis Markiewicz, the franchise transferred in 2004 to Cleveland sandlot legend Jim Barry, who then led the Diamonds to the NABF National Tournament that same year.
The team became known as Shannon fence in 2005 when longtime Lake County sandlot backer Tom Shannon began sponsoring the team. When the Erie Shores League folded after the 2006 season, Shannon Fence, along with fellow Erie Shores member Ohio Monarchs, moved to the Tri-State Collegiate Baseball League. The team has continued to call the TSCBL home, and in 2009 Gary Kadow of College Prospects of America joined its sponsorship.
Current field manager and GM Spark Sankal (former Eastlake North H. S. head coach, 2009 Ohio High baseball Coaches Hall of Fame inductee) joined Barry as an assistant in 2005, taking over all team operations in 2006 when Barry retired. Past assistants have been Perry High’s Mike Ryan (OHSBCA Hall of Fame 2008 inductee), former Cardinal H.S. baseball coach Jerry Wantz, and ex-Kent State pitcher Don Shisila (class of ’72).
Since reaching the NABF nationals in 2004, Shannon Fence/College Prospects of America Inc. has qualified for the post-season and has posted winning records in four of the last five years. Three former players have been drafted by major league clubs: pitcher Jon Zinnicker (2006) by the Houston Astros; outfielder Jake New (2008) by the Los Angelas Dodgers; and Jamie Walczak by the Cincinnati Reds (2009). Other players have and currently are competing in the professional independent minor leagues.
The team continues to fill its ranks primarily with players from the Lake, Cuyahoga, and Geauga county area. Its goal remains to give significant developmental playing time to college position players and pitchers.
Sankal is currently assisted by Glenn Ebbert and Dave Blair. |
