South Jersey Baseball: Surf Play Role of Stepping Stone Tuesday, August 10, 2004 By Chuck Betson Atlantic City Surf Director of Media Relations The Atlantic City Surf have set a team record for players being sent back to affiliated baseball. The Atlantic League’s first half South Division champions have kept winning despite losing ten players this season to major league organizations. Team leader Ozzie Timmons who led the league in homeruns, RBI, slugging percentage, and was second in the league in batting average had to wait over three months to be picked up. Other players such as former San Francisco Giant leadoff man Marvin Benard and shortstop Victor Gutierrez were only with the team for eleven days before having their contracts purchased by the Toronto Blue Jays and Anaheim Angels, respectively. While pitcher Carlos Reyes never even made it on the plane for Atlantic City after being signed before the New York Yankees came calling. Despite the plundering, the Surf remains one of the top teams in the league. After clinching a playoff berth by winning the first half, the Surf have the second best overall record at 50-34. Player Team Numbers (as of 8/8/04) Chad Alexander Toledo (Tigers’ AAA) 34 G, .263 BA, 2 HR, 12 RBI, 17 R Conor Brooks Portland (Red Sox AA) 1 G, 0-0, 4.50 ERA, 2.0 IP, K Marvin Benard Syracuse (Blue Jays’ AAA) 33 G, .211 BA, 4 HR, 18 RBI, 15 R Jeff Farnsworth Indianapolis (Indians’ AAA) 11 G, 2-6, 8.18 ERA, 47.1 IP, 26 K Vic Gutierrez Arkansas (Angels’ AA) 37 G, .269 BA, HR, 8 RBI, 5 2B Demetrius Heath--- Rancho Cucamonga--- (Angels A) 7 G, .379 BA, 4 RBI, 2 SB, 10 R Ryan Minor Carolina (Marlins’ AA) 21 G, .243 BA, 4 HR, 14 RBI, 7 2B Felix Villegas Reading (Phillies’ AA) 21 G, 2-1, 3.79 ERA, 34.0 IP, 24 K Carlos Reyes Trenton (Yankees’ AA) 9 G, 0-4, 5.33 ERA, 50.2 IP, 38 K Ozzie Timmons Norfolk (Mets’ AAA) Has not played