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HIGH POINT, N.C. – High Point Rockers manager Jamie Keefe on Tuesday announced the signing of infielder Ethan Skender to a contract for the 2026 season. Skender spent three seasons in the San Diego Padres system before playing with the Gastonia Ghost Peppers in 2025.

A native of Metamora, Ill., Skender was an outstanding hitter for the Ghost Peppers last year, hitting five home runs in 22 games against the Rockers. For the season, he posted a .268 average with 13 homers and 58 RBI.

“Ethan gives us a veteran presence in the infield, a solid hitter who can play about any position,” said Keefe. “I love the fact that we can play him at short, second or third or in the outfield if we need him there.”

Skender began his professional career in 2019 after being selected in the 28^th round of the 2016 MLB Draft by the San Diego Padres out of Florida State College-Manatee-Sarasota.

In his rookie season he hit .302 between the Padres’ Arizona League team and Fort Wayne in the Class A Midwest League. Skender was at Fort Wayne in 2021 before being elevated to Class AA San Antonio. In 2022, he was listed as the Padres’ No. 3 prospect at third base behind starter Manny Machado.

Skender was the Peoria, Ill. Journal Star Player of the Year in 2015 and helped Metamora High to a No. 1 ranking in the state and a third-place finish in the Illinois High School Class 3A state tournament in 2014.

Since joining the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball in 2019, the Rockers have posted more wins than any other club, with 435 victories, 79 more than the Long Island Ducks. The Rockers have reached the playoffs in four of their six seasons and won two South Division championships. In 2025, the Rockers reached the ALPB League Championship Series after winning the South Division Championship in five games over Gastonia.

Season tickets for the 2026 campaign are on sale now and are available at www.HighPointRockers.com or by calling the Rockers at (336) 888-1000.

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About High Point Baseball, Inc.

The High Point Rockers, operated by the non-profit High Point Baseball, play their home games at Truist Point, a state-of-the-art $36 million ballpark which serves as a catalyst to the rejuvenation of downtown High Point. The Rockers have reached the Atlantic League playoffs in three of four years after winning the South Division title in both halves of the 2023 season. The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, an MLB Partner League, has 10 clubs from New York to North Carolina. For more, visit HighPointRockers.com.

About the High Point Downtown Stadium Foundation

The High Point Downtown Stadium Foundation, a 501c3 exists for the public benefit, providing sports, entertainment and community events at Truist Point in Downtown High Point. The non-profit serves as the anchor of a larger development initiative including private development in the Downtown area. The Foundation operates Truist Point, a state-of-the-art $36 million ballpark which serves as the home stadium for the High Point Rockers and Carolina Core FC.

About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball

HIGH POINT, N.C. – The High Point Rockers today announced that the game times for the upcoming 2026 season have been set.  Rockers home games this year will start at 6:35 p.m. for all Tuesday through Saturday games while Sunday games will have a new 3:36 p.m. first pitch.

“Our fans have been pleased with our 6:35 p.m. starting times,” said Rockers President Pete Fisch. “We have moved our Sunday starting times up to 3:36 as a unique way to honor our fans throughout the Triad with the 336 area code.”

The Rockers are set to open the 2026 campaign at Truist Point on Tuesday, April 21 against the Gastonia Ghost Peppers. The Rockers will be at home for games on Mother’s Day (May 10), Father’s Day (June 21) and Independence Day July 4. High Point will play 63 regular season games at Truist Point in 2026, finishing with Gastonia on Sunday, September 13. The ALPB playoffs begin on Tuesday, September 15.

The Rockers will play three midweek day games this season. The Wednesday, June 17 home game with the Lexington Legends will start at 12:05 p.m. and the Wednesday, July 15 contest against the Hagerstown Flying Boxcars will also be a 12:05 p.m. start. The Rockers will host their annual Education Day with elementary students from Guilford County schools and surrounding counties invited to the game on Wednesday, September 9. The contest will start at 11:05 a.m. as the Rockers take on the Charleston Dirty Birds.

Since joining the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball in 2019, the Rockers have posted more wins than any other club, with 435 victories, 79 more than the Long Island Ducks. The Rockers have reached the playoffs in four of their six seasons and have won two South Division championships. In 2025, the Rockers reached the ALPB League Championship Series.

Season tickets for the 2026 campaign are on sale now and are available at www.HighPointRockers.com or by calling the Rockers at (336) 888-1000.

About High Point Baseball, Inc.

The High Point Rockers, operated by the non-profit High Point Baseball, play their home games at Truist Point, a state-of-the-art $36 million ballpark which serves as a catalyst to the rejuvenation of downtown High Point. The Rockers have reached the Atlantic League playoffs in three of five seasons and won the South Division title in both halves of the 2023 season. The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, an MLB Partner League, has 10 clubs from New York to North Carolina. For more, visit HighPointRockers.com.

About the High Point Downtown Stadium Foundation

The High Point Downtown Stadium Foundation, a 501c3 exists for the public benefit, providing sports, entertainment and community events at Truist Point in Downtown High Point. The non-profit serves as the anchor of a larger development initiative including private development in the Downtown area. The Foundation operates Truist Point, a state-of-the-art $36 million ballpark which serves as the home stadium for the High Point Rockers and Carolina Core FC.

About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
Celebrating its third decade, the Atlantic League is Major League Baseball’s first Professional Partner League, a player gateway to the major leagues, and a leader in baseball innovation. Over its 27-year history, the ALPB has sent over 1,450 players to MLB organizations while drawing nearly 50 million fans to its 10 state-of-the-art ballparks that stretch from New York to North Carolina. Follow the action at AtlanticLeague.com.

(January 19, 2026, New York) – The Atlantic League, Baseball America, and IndyBall Jobs have announced the dates and location of the 2026 ALPB Pro Days player tryouts.

The 2026 Pro Days event will be held at Meritus Park in Hagerstown, Md. on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 31-April 1, and will result in ALPB professional contracts being offered to at least 10 players with clubs able to sign additional players. The event attracts top quality players with professional experience, especially those recently released from MLB clubs. Player registrants will be pre-screened to ensure quality, with preference offered to players with qualifying MLB, Atlantic League, MiLB and MLB Partner League experience. Participants must be at least 21 years old to participate in the Baseball America-Atlantic League Pro Days, unless they have previous class A or higher or Partner League professional playing experience. All players will be vetted for high-level college or professional experience.

The 2025 event saw six of the 12 draft choices earn roster spots on Atlantic League teams, including one who was transferred to an MLB organization contract. A seventh player signed as a free agent and went on to earn ALPB Midseason All-Star honors

Meritus Park has been named the ALPB Ballpark of the Year in each of the last two seasons. Opened in 2024 and built to Atlantic League standards, the state-of-the-art facility has a capacity of over 4,000 and features advanced digital technologies, including a Daktronics video board and a light-up model of a Flying Boxcar.

The Pro Days tryouts follow the conclusion of Major League Baseball spring training, offering options to highly-skilled professional players seeking to continue their playing careers and return to Major League Baseball organizations and other high caliber domestic and international professional teams.

All Pro Day drills will be conducted by IndyBall Jobs staff and managers and coaches from the 10 Atlantic League clubs. In addition, representatives of other MLB Partner Leagues, MLB and international league scouts will be in attendance. Scouts from MLB clubs will be able to sign players at any time during the event.

“Our league was founded 28 years ago on the premise of providing players a second chance to return to Major League Baseball,” said ALPB President Rick White. “Partnering with Baseball America, the premier publication evaluating player prospects, and IndyBall Jobs, the experts in pro level player tryouts, is another way for us to fulfill that premise.”

Over the last three seasons, over 140 Atlantic League players have had their contracts purchased by Major League Baseball or international professional league organizations. In three of the last four seasons, at least one ALPB player has opened the season in the Atlantic League and appeared in MLB games later that same year.

Prospects will be put through the typical range of tryout activities including 60-yard dash, infield/outfield drills (range, arm, glove), batting practice, and simulated game action.  Pitchers will throw bullpens and limited simulated game action. Catchers will be measured on POP times, arm strength and receiving skills, in addition to hitting.

Immediately following the event, the ALPB will hold the 2026 Baseball America-Atlantic League player draft on Wednesday, April 1 with the Hagerstown Flying Boxcars holding the first pick.

About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
Celebrating its third decade, the Atlantic League is Major League Baseball’s first Professional Partner League, a player gateway to the major leagues, and a leader in baseball innovation. Over its 27-year history, the ALPB has sent over 1,450 players to MLB organizations while drawing over 49 million fans to its 10 state-of-the-art ballparks that stretch from New York to North Carolina. Follow the action at AtlanticLeague.com.

About Baseball America (BA)

Baseball America identifies future stars of the game today. With an editorial staff of experts at every level of the game (from high school to college to international to minor leagues) BA delivers a high-level of expertise and insight to its readers. Baseball America covers baseball at every level, around the world, with a focus on finding the stars of tomorrow before anyone else has heard of them. BA has been doing it since 1981, growing from a tiny independent publication to one of the most respected voices in the game.

(New York, N.Y., Dec. 2, 2025) – The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB) today announced an agreement with HomeTeam Network (HTN), making the end-to-end sports streaming platform its new digital broadcast partner and offering a 50% savings compared to previous ALPB streaming platforms.

“We can’t wait to begin the partnership with HomeTeam Network,” said Atlantic League President Rick White. “Our goal is to offer fans better-quality broadcasts that align with our efforts to provide affordable, family-friendly entertainment. In short, better baseball, better broadcasts, and better value. We look forward to working with HTN to achieve that mission.”

Beginning with the 2026 Championship Season, fans will encounter vastly improved productions throughout the Atlantic League’s 10 member clubs. Broadcasts will feature split screen, replay and Automated Ball/Strike technologies. Live and on-demand streaming of all ALPB games will be available to subscribers online at www.hometeamlive.com and can be viewed a variety of ways including mobile phones, tablets, Roku streaming devices and Amazon Fire TV.

Each game broadcast will be produced by HomeTeam Network and will include state-of-the-art, AI-powered multi-camera feeds, graphics packages, and home and road play-by-play commentary. Additional content is slated to be featured on HTN’s platform throughout the year.

“We’re thrilled to partner with the Atlantic League,” said Tanner Goetz, co-founder of HomeTeam Network. “The league has a remarkable history and has consistently been at the forefront of innovation in professional baseball. Leveraging HTN’s platform to elevate the fan viewing experience represents the next major step in advancing that tradition.”

All regular season and playoff games from Major League Baseball’s premier Professional Partner League will be streamed exclusively on HTN, offering fans an improved  viewing experience and better value. Seasonal, monthly and daily subscription packages will be available for purchase. Fans are encouraged to follow league and team social media accounts and stay tuned for details regarding exclusive HTN promotional offers.

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About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)

Celebrating its third decade, the Atlantic League is Major League Baseball’s first Professional Partner League, a player gateway to the major leagues, and a leader in baseball innovation. Over its 27-year history, the ALPB has sent over 1,450 players to MLB organizations while drawing over 49 million fans to its 10 state-of-the-art ballparks that stretch from New York to North Carolina. Follow the action at AtlanticLeague.com.

About HomeTeam Network (HTN)

HomeTeam Network (HTN) was founded with a mission to deploy next-generation technology that delivers professional, broadcast-quality sports streaming and makes it accessible to organizations at every level. HTN powers live content for professional, collegiate, Olympic and amateur sports programs across North America. Each year, HTN produces thousands of live events with on-site support throughout the U.S. and Canada. In its continued efforts to advance sports media, HTN broadcasts have reached audiences in more than 80 countries and span over 40 different sports.

HIGH POINT, N.C. – Atlantic League Manager of the Year Jamie Keefe, along with former Cy Young Award winner and pitching coach Frank Viola, have signed contract extensions that will keep them leading the High Point Rockers through the 2028 season. Rockers team President Pete Fisch made the announcement on Wednesday.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that Jamie Keefe is the best manager in the Atlantic League and Frank Viola is the top pitching coach. Together, they have led us to six successful seasons and it is important to the High Point community that we continue to have high quality people like Jamie and Frank leading the Rockers. This extension is not only a reflection of what they have accomplished but also the success we anticipate in the future.”

“I have been truly blessed to lead the Rockers over the past six seasons,” said Keefe. “I want to thank the High Point Rockers Board of Directors and Pete Fisch for the opportunity to continue calling High Point our home for another three seasons.

“Our goal remains clear: to bring an Atlantic League Championship to High Point – all while showcasing our Rockers talent to MLB and international leagues. To my staff, players, front office, and the incredible Rockers fans – thank you for your unwavering support. I can’t wait for the 2026 season to begin!

Keefe and Viola have been with the Rockers since the team’s inception in 2019. Together, they have led the Rockers to four playoff appearances in six seasons, 435 wins and the best six-year record in the Atlantic League at 435-332, a .567 winning percentage. The Rockers, in their six seasons, have claimed two first half South Division titles and earned two Wild Card berths into the playoffs.

“I am thrilled to be able to continue to be the pitching coach with the Rockers,” said Viola. “To be associated with the Rockers from the very start and to be able to see it through is a dream come true. We still have a league championship to win and I look forward to accomplishing that soon.”

During the 2025 season, the Rockers won the South Division’s first half championship and defeated the Gastonia Ghost Peppers in the South Division Championship Series in five games before falling to the York Revolution in the League Championship Series, three games to one. Keefe was named the Atlantic League Manager of the Year in 2025, the fourth time in his career he has received that honor.

The Rockers have reached the League Championship Series twice in the last six seasons, one of only three teams in the ALPB to have made multiple appearances. In addition, High Point is the only club with six consecutive winning seasons. The Rockers 225 home wins and 210 road wins are also the most of any ALPB team.

Keefe and Viola have helped to place 49 Rockers into Major League Baseball organizations or foreign leagues over their tenure. Seven former Rockers have gone on to play in MLB.

The 2026 season begins on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 when the Rockers host the Gastonia Ghost Peppers at Truist Point.