DIONICIO DEAL DONE, LYNCH LOCKED AND LOADED
Cannons 2006 Roster Nearly Complete, Opening Day Four Weeks Away

West Hartford, CT (AP)--Another important step in the assembly of a championship-caliber club for the upcoming A Division season was completed on Saturday as the West Hartford Cannons officially announced the signings of Leo Dionicio and Mark Lynch at 4:00 p.m. (EST). The Cannons now have a total of sixteen roster invitees prepared to start the season with the big league ball club (Andy Borst and John Giudice have yet to ink deals for the 2006 campaign though management is still optimistic that both can be signed before the April 11 deadline).

Dionicio, the thirty-six year old slugger from the Dominican Republic, finalized the terms of his contract late Thursday evening and a collective sigh of relief rippled from Cannon Yards to the far reaches of West Hartford. "Leo is a leader both on and off the field," said Assistant Manager Mike Weber. "His value to the team is immeasurable and he provides added pop to an already potent Cannons line-up. Leo's been huge for us and he was an integral part of the 2005 championship run. We're really excited to have him back on board." Dionicio expressed his feelings in a prepared statement: "I'm so happy because the Cannons experience has been the best thing to happen to me as a baseball player. My love for the Cannons is immense. I'm really motivated to play and show the other A Division teams that we are the real deal. 2006 is going to be special." Dionicio has been hotly pursued by rival teams during the past two off-seasons but management has found a way to lock up the Latin Lothario each year. Dionicio batted .417 in both the regular- and post-seasons and was the team's regular-season leader in home runs (3), RBI (15) and slugging percentage (.667)...he also led the ball club with 24 at bats and 10 hits (tying Tom Luby) in the post-season. A fan favorite from Day One, Dionicio was the recipient of the 2005 Silver Slugger Award and was voted 2005's Sexiest Cannon Alive (some staunch competition has been added for this season so a title defense will be tough for the Dominican Dreamboat). Dionicio's #5 replica jerseys have been flying off the racks since word was leaked that the Gringo from Santo Domingo was expected to return.

Mark Lynch, a home-grown thirty-six year old recruit, signed a two-year deal with the team late last week (terms were not disclosed). Lynch will be used primarily as a catcher (Steve Markie's busy summer schedule makes this acquisition all the more important) though he will see action at a number of other positions throughout the season. Close personal friend Mike Calabrese said, "Mark is a great pick-up for us. He's a solid player and a stand-up clubhouse guy. He is a perfect fit for this team and I expect big things from him." When reached for comment, Lynch stated, "I'm excited to be a Cannon. West Hartford is the CNMSBL's most storied franchise and I am honored to be a part of it all. The A Division is going to have its hands full this season. It should be a great ride." The 2006 recruiting class (along with Lynch the Cannons have signed Jason Maule and Brian Pinney and hope to get a commitment from Giudice before the season begins) is the most highly touted group to enter the league this season and in terms of overall talent it rivals the rookie-rich classes of 2002 (Tom Bogiatzis, Luby, Kevin McGann, Ed Poland) and 2005 (Chris Barsa, Calabrese and Dionicio), the building blocks for last season's title run. Manager Matt Celio added, "These guys can flat out play and if they give us the spark that the 2005 class provided, as I fully expect them to, then we will be a tough team to beat this season. I love our chances." Lynch will wear #11 in Cannon Red.

Cannons News and Notes: Kevin and Heather McGann welcomed their third child on March 20 (Colin Edward); McGann recently celebrated his 42nd birthday; Mike and Debbie Weber announced that they are expecting their second child in late September; the 2006 Tees and More order was picked up late last week (a t-shirt order will be placed in the very near future); at the third CNMSBL winter meeting on March 14, it was announced that the Lakeville Yankees have decided to fold (the decision became final at 12:00 a.m. on Saturday morning), making the A Division a seven-team league and significantly altering this season's schedule (Opening Day has been moved up a week, open dates have been implemented, etc.)...the new 2006 West Hartford Cannons schedule can be seen in its entirety at whcannons.blogspot.com.