After reinforcing the pitching staff with the German National Team pitcher Andre Hughes, MR COCKER HCAW signed outfielder Jason Rees to improve the offense of the Dutch Hoofdklasse club. The 24-year-old Australian is currently playing for the CENTRAL COAST MARLINS of the New South Wales League in his home country. He is batting .276 (SLG .474) with two homeruns, two triples, five doubles, 20 runs scored and 20 RBI in 21 games.
In 2007 Rees played in the inaugural season of the Israel Baseball League for the SHEMESH BLUE SOX and was voted into the all-star team that year. He had a batting average of .362 and led the league with 17 homeruns and 50 RBIs. He also received an award as best defensive outfielder. This performance earned him a minor league contract with the NEW YORK YANKEES organization the following winter. However he was among the first cuts in minor league spring training and was released after a few exhibition games. Rees played for the Cloud County Community College and the Fort Hays State University in Kansas before going to Israel in 2007.
Rees is expected to arrive in the Netherlands in mid-March. Hughes will already begin working out with HCAW in January. His former club the SOLINGEN ALLIGATORS informed this week about the loan contract with the Dutch team, which allows Hughes to continue his coaching responsibilities at a school in Germany.