August 12, 1999	Contact: Geoff Rose or
	Ric Sisler 607-734-1270

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BETHEA ADDED TO PIONEERS ROSTER

The Elmira Pioneers added first baseman Larry Bethea to their roster in an attempt to make a late season run at the second half championship in the Northern League East's South Division the team announced today.

Bethea, a 79th round draft choice of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1995, comes to the Pioneers from the Mexican League where he hit .285 with 12 home runs and 36 RBIs in 73 games with Coronado this season. Fourteen of his hits this season were doubles, and he also stole 12 bases.

Bethea played his first season of pro ball in 1995 with Great Falls of the Rookie League where he hit .172 with three RBIs in 21 games. After taking the 1996 season off, he returned to baseball in the Baltimore Orioles organization playing for them in the Gulf League in 1997. There he hit .164 with three doubles and 15 RBIs in 36 games.

Bethea played independent baseball last year, splitting time between Nashua of the Atlantic League and Massachusetts of the Northeast League. He hit .258 with eight home runs and 34 RBIs in 76 games with Nashua. He spent three games with Massachusetts, batting .125.

"Larry should add some needed power to our ballclub," General Manager Ric Sisler said. "He was hitting the ball well in Mexico this season which is comparable to Class AAA."

The Pioneers will finish a seven-game homestand tonight as they face Les Capitales de Quebec at 7:05 p.m. Gates open at 6:05 p.m.

Career Statistics