Effect of visa cap has ‘Jacks jumping

The effects of the United States’ ongoing effort to battle terrorism are being felt everywhere, even on the baseball diamond.

A federal government directive to cap temporary work visas for foreign workers at 66,000 and hold to it is affecting plenty of Maine summer businesses, but not just those in the travel, tourism, and restaurant venues.

The Bangor Lumberjacks have had to scramble to replace five players they had already penciled in as starters and/or key players because of the likelihood that no more visas will be issued, despite lingering rumors to the contrary.

“We kind of held on until the last week in March because some people think they’ll give out another 20,000, but we couldn’t afford to take a chance and wait that long,” said Lumberjacks general manager Curt Jacey. “We’d rather try to get them somewhere else to play.”

The Department of Homeland Security cut off H2-B visa applications on March 9 once the 66,000-worker cap was reached. Since employers are prohibited from applying for H2-B’s sooner than 120 days before they need the workers, the Lumberjacks were caught between a bat and a hard ball.

“I’ve never experienced this before and I’ve been doing it for nine years,” Jacey said. “As long as I’ve been doing this, I’ve never known all 66,000 to have been exhausted … ever, and supposedly they’ve already all been given out.”

The five prospective Bangor players affected are second baseman Mitsuru Kobayashi of Japan, closer Oscar Montero of Venezuela, and three from the Dominican Republic: primary bullpen setup man Henry Santiago, shortstop Sammy Rosario, and righthanded pitcher Octiva Rivero.

Kobayashi and Santiago played for Bangor last season.

“It’s pretty tough. There are a lot of teams and players suffering,” Jacey explained. “We’re particularly hard hit because we usually have more visa guys than the other [Northeast League] teams.”

Jacey and manager Kash Beauchamp have been working feverishly to find capable replacements before the already thin talent pool dries up. They think they’ve been successful.

Former Los Angeles Dodgers free agent draftee Jose Rafael Garcia has been signed. He batted .251 with 59 RBIs and 25 stolen bases in the Frontier League last year. Another speedy middle infielder, Mike Grasso, will battle Garcia at second base. The Atlanta Braves’ 2002 11th-round draft pick batted .263 with 22 steals last season in the Double A South Atlantic League and was called the fastest player in the Braves’ spring training camp.

“We’re still in pretty good shape, despite what’s happened. We’re pretty happy where we are,” Jacey said.

Bangor also obtained Lance Woodcock from the Northern League’s Lincoln Saltdogs as the player to be named later in an offseason trade. Jacey calls the 6-foot-1, 190-pound shortstop a “gamer” who’ll hit around .270 and play solid defense.

John Mangiria, a power pitcher with a good sinker, was brought in from the Atlantic League’s Long Island Ducks to be the closer, and 6-8, 238-pound, righthanded fastballer Greg Dukeman was acquired from the Braves’ Single A Bakersfield Braves.

Bangor’s front office is also working hard to try and find teams for the five players that don’t have visas.

“My pain comes from the players we weren’t able to get here,” said Beauchamp. “They’re getting the carpet pulled out from underneath them and that hurts. It’s going to be difficult for them because it affects every U.S. team.”

Montero has already been traded to the Northern League’s Winnipeg (Calgary) Goldeyes. Canadian teams are not affected by the visa shortage.

“This directive even affected the [independent] tryout camps in Florida,” said Jacey. “Foreign players were just told to go home. It’s widespread beyond baseball. It’s confusing to me how the 66,000 visas were given out so quickly.”

Still, some teams are holding out hope they’ll still be able to secure visas for some players.

“There are two [NEL] teams that are gambling heavily on those 20,000 visas becoming available, but it’s a big gamble and you’re playing God a little with a kid’s career,” Jacey said.

Dalzell one in 4 million

All Victoria Dalzell was hoping for when she bought a ticket for Friday night’s Sea Dogs game was to see a good ballgame. She got that and a whole lot more.

Soon after walking through a turnstile, the Portland woman was greeted by Sea Dogs president and general manager Charlie Eshbach, who told her she was the four millionth fan to attend a Dogs’ game.

Her brush with fate earned her two 2004 season tickets, the use of a Hadlock Field skybox suite for one game later in the season, and an assortment of merchandise from the team’s souvenir store. She also threw out the ceremonial first pitch and watched the game from the owner’s seats.

This season marks the 11th for the Sea Dogs, who are ranked among the top five Double A franchises in terms of attendance. After drawing an Eastern League-record 375,197 fans in their first year (1994), Portland has consistently drawn around 400,000 fans per season. Last season’s attendance was a franchise-record 405,021. Hadlock Field’s seating capacity is 6,231 fans.

Andrew Neff can be reached at 990-8205, 1-800-310-8600 or aneff@bangordailynews.net.