If you can’t beat ’em, sign ’em.

The Bangor Blue Ox did just that Tuesday afternoon, signing former University of Maine first baseman Gabe Duross away from Northeast League rival Elmira (N.Y.).

“I probably wouldn’t have played anywhere else in the league,” said Duross. “I didn’t want to play for Elmira because I didn’t have ties there or anything.”

Duross, who turns 25 on Saturday, batted .321 with three home runs and 38 RBIs in 48 games to help the Newburgh Night Hawks hold off Bangor in a race to the playoffs last year. After the Hawks decided to sit out the 1997 NEL season, Duross’ contract was sold to Elmira.

Following a month of talks, Bangor bought his contract for an undisclosed sum and he signed a one-year contract with an option year.

Duross’ Blue Ox contract nets him a $200-per-month raise over his $1,200/month Newburgh deal and reunites him with UMaine teammate and Blue Ox starting outfielder Chad White.

“I can’t wait to get started. This is the first spring I haven’t already been out playing,” said Duross. “I think Chad and I can help instill a winning feeling among those guys up there.”

The Plattsburg, N.J., native was a 1993 33rd round draft pick of the Chicago Cubs and played for six minor league teams in Single and Double A from 1993 through 1996.

Last summer, he latched on with the Night Hawks after he was released from the Chicago White Sox’ Birmingham Barons.

Duross fills a dire need for the Blue Ox as first baseman Corey Parker contemplates retirement. Parker missed much of last season after being injured in a game and hospitalized with complications resulting from hemophilia.

“That was as bad as it got, and I think that’s what prompted him to very seriously consider retirement,” said Bigham.

“He mentioned something to [team president] Dean [Gyorgy] about possibly being involved in front office work somewhere in the minors or maybe coaching. He definitely wants to stay in the game.”

Duross’ signing brings the number of players officially under contract with the Blue Ox to five, three of them former UMaine or Husson College players.

Duross joins Chad White, former Husson College hurler Mark Hreben, and Campbell College teammates Andy High and Jamie Davis.