Burke, Kernan, Smith Named to All-Star Team

Vigilante first baseman Alan Burke, outfielder Phil Kernan, and right-handed pitcher Mike Smith will represent the Vigilantes at the Western Baseball League all-star game on July 13. It’s the league’s first all-star game since 1995.

The three are part of the South Division team that will play the North Division all-stars at Nettleton Stadium in Chico.

Burke is among the league leaders in home runs (11) and RBIs (44). Kernan is batting .356. Smith--the league’s 1997 pitcher of the year--has a 3-2 record and is among the league leaders in strikeouts with 48.

“They’re all deserving,” Vigilante Manager Buck Rodgers said. “They’ve been gems in, what so far, has been an ordinary season for us.”

Of the three players, Kernan, who struggled through an injury-riddled 1997 season with Salinas, appeared the most excited by his selection. “It’s the first time I’ve been on any kind of all-star team since college,” he said. “To be among the players chosen is such an honor.”