Senators barnstorm into Choctaw

By By Will Bardwell / staff writer
April 29, 2004
CHOCTAW Professional baseball is coming to town.
The Jackson Senators, the defending champions of the independent Central Baseball League, will play their first exhibition game of the year on Friday at Choctaw Central High School against the Pensacola Pelicans.
The Senators will feature a handful of familiar faces from Mississippi's recent baseball past. Josh Hoffpauir, a former standout at Southern Miss whose brother Jarrett is a current star for the Golden Eagles, is a new acquisition for Jackson.
Hoffpauir spent four years in the Seattle Mariners organization before being released recently.
Former Neshoba Central standout Tommy Bost, a CBL All-Star in 2002, is also close to re-signing with the Senators after being released by the Florida Marlins organization in March.
The outfielder will probably not sign until this weekend, Brassfield said, and therefore will not appear in Friday's exhibition game against Pensacola.
What fans at the game will get a good look at, though, is what Brassfield considers the key to the Senators' hopes for a repeat as champs their pitching staff.
Jackson will once again be led by manager Dan Shwam. With over 500 wins, Shwam is the third-winningest manager in independent league history.
Tickets will be available at the gate for $5. Brassfield said he hopes for a big turnout, and that it won't be the last time fans see the Senators.