Clarksville, Ark.-Former University of the Ozarks standout pitcher Curt Dixon signed with the Kalamazoo (MI) Kings, it was announced on Tuesday.
The 6-foot-5, 225-pound McAlester, Okla., native has spent the last two seasons with the Big Bend Cowboys in Alpine, Texas, where he is currently 4-0 with a 2.10 ERA in 34.1 innings of work. The right-hander recorded 27 strikeouts and allowed just eight earned runs while holding opponents to a .155 batting average. Kalamazoo is a member of the Frontier League, an independent league made up of twelve teams. Kalamazoo competes in the East division along with Traverse City (MI), Oakland County (MI), Windy City (IL), Lake Erie (OH) and Washington (PA). The Kings can be followed at www.kalamazookings.com.
"I am really excited to be picked up by Kalamazoo,” said Dixon. “I did not want to leave Big Bend, but this is an opportunity I could not turn down. It was really hard to leave my teammates and fans of Big Bend. My host family, Paul and Marian Grabsky, made my time there so enjoyable. I will miss them and my teammates. I feel fortunate to have been able to play and experience the people and lifestyle of west Texas.
Dixon saw action with the Southern Illinois Miners, also a member of the Frontier League, in 2008.
“It is a great league to be a part of," said Dixon. "There are a lot of former high A and Double AA experienced players in the league as well as former SEC, Big 12 and other major college prospects. I feel really blessed to be able to have the opportunity to compete at this level."
Dixon, who is in his third season of pro ball, made the Continental Baseball League All-Star last season.
At Ozarks, he went 9-1 with a 2.92 ERA in 71.0 innings of work his senior season. He owns career records at Ozarks in strikeouts (205), innings pitched (256.2), wins (24) and games started (46).
Topics: Athletics