Ben Risinger
Encyclopedia
Benjamin Risinger, is an Australia
n professional baseball
player.
. The next year, he was a huge disappointment, going 0 for 15 with 4 walks for Perth.
In the 1997-1998 season, the right-handed batter batted .244/.351/.358 for the Melbourne Monarchs
. Risinger was 9 for 25 with 6 walks, 2 doubles and a home run in the 2000-2001 International Baseball League of Australia
season.
title as the regular shortstop. He hit .242 and slugged .366. He saw scant action for Melbourne in the winter, going 4 for 15 with 2 doubles and a walk. Moving on to Organized Baseball, the 21-year-old played for the Pittsburgh Pirates
organization in 1999, hitting .249/~.309/.334 for the Hickory Crawdads
as their primary third baseman and also seeing time at shortstop, first base and second base.
Pittsburgh traded Risinger to the San Diego Padres
for a player to be named later (who became Luis Andújar
). In 2000, Ben split time between the Fort Wayne Wizards
(.176/.268/.201 in 50 games) and the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
(.260/.345/.460 in 15 games). He played catcher, second base, third base, the outfield and pitched that year, only missing out on shortstop.
In 2001, he played for the Lake Elsinore Storm
, producing at a .251/.333/.305 clip in 105 games, playing at least 15 games at shortstop, second base, third base and catcher. Lake Elsinore was co-champion of the California League
when the final series was cancelled due to the attack on the World Trade Center on September 11.
In 2002, Risinger had his best minor league season. Playing for the AA Mobile BayBears
, he batted .288/.357/.363 with 26 doubles. He played every position except pitcher, primarily being used at third base (97 games). He just missed the Southern League
's top 10 in batting average, falling 4 points shy. He was named to the SL All-Star team as a utility man.
Risinger was primarily a 3B/C in 2003 when he made his AAA debut with the Portland Beavers
. He hit .252/.321/.371 in 86 games of action. In 2004, he batted .242/.310/.344 in 79 contests for the Beavers, playing every position except the outfield. The next season, his average fell further as he only eked out a batting line of .211/.369/.336 in 41 games; all he had going for him was the fact that he managed to get hit by pitch 13 times. He cut back on the number of positions played, appearing at catcher, first base and third base. He was not close to the Pacific Coast League
lead in times plunked as Carlos Quentin
was hit 29 times.
Released by Portland, Risinger signed with the Gary SouthShore RailCats
and hit .310. In the postseason, he batted .432 with a team-high 3 home runs and 12 RBI as Gary won the Northern League title.
San Diego re-signed Risinger but he only played one game for Portland in 2006 (going 0 for 3). He was then brought up to San Diego, not as a player, but as the bullpen catcher when Mark Merila
was battling a brain tumor.
, Risinger put on a fine show hitting .550-.625-1.000 with 6 runs, 3 doubles, 2 home runs and 6 RBI in 7 games at DH. He led the Cup in average but was not included in the All-Star team as Maximiliano De Biase was chosen as the DH. Risinger tied Omar Linares
for the third-highest average in an Intercontinental Cup
from 1991–2007, trailing only Jeffrey Cranston (.591, 1995) and fellow Australian team member Paul Gonzalez
(.571, 1994). Risinger was a RF-DH for Australia in the 2007 Baseball World Cup
and hit .346-.485-.423, getting hit by four pitches in 8 games. He only scored one run despite getting on base frequently, but did drive in seven. He had a couple key hits. Against South Korea, he came to bat with two outs in the bottom of the 9th, two outs and Justin Huber
aboard.
After falling behind 0-2 in the count, he smacked a 93-mph fastball from Doo-sung Hwang into deep center field to drive in Huber with the winning run. Against Canada
, he came to bat with a 5-4 lead in the 9th and Brad Harman
and Huber aboard. He delivered a 2-run single off of ex-major leaguer Mike Johnson for a 7-4 lead. The hit became significant when Canada scored twice in the bottom of the 9th. Had Risinger hit into a double play instead of singling, Australia would have lost the game.
In the Beijing 2008 Baseball Qualification Tournament, Risinger hit .267-.290-.400 as the main Australian left fielder. He was 4 for 5 with 3 runs and 4 RBI against Spain
but otherwise hit .192 with no RBI in the event. Australia did not make the top three and failed to earn a trip to the 2008 Summer Olympics
.
, he played as first base in all team games. Against Mexico, he hit .400 and was 5 for 2 with 2 runs and 3 RBI included a HR.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n professional baseball
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
player.
Early Career
Risinger played for the Australian entry that won Bronze at the 1995 World Junior Baseball Championship. He made his professional debut in the 1995-1996 Australian Baseball League, hitting .265/.321/.286 as a backup infielder for the Perth HeatPerth Heat
The baseball team Perth Heat is a team in the current Australian Baseball League and a foundation member of the now-defunct Australian Baseball League...
. The next year, he was a huge disappointment, going 0 for 15 with 4 walks for Perth.
In the 1997-1998 season, the right-handed batter batted .244/.351/.358 for the Melbourne Monarchs
Melbourne Monarchs
The Melbourne Monarchs were one of the foundation members of the now defunct Australian Baseball League. The Monarchs had their licence revoked after the 1990–91 championship following a controversial dispute with Australia Baseball League officials....
. Risinger was 9 for 25 with 6 walks, 2 doubles and a home run in the 2000-2001 International Baseball League of Australia
International Baseball League of Australia
The International Baseball League of Australia was a baseball league which existed from 1999 to 2002.The league was created by David Nilsson after he purchased the rights to the Australian Baseball League in 1999 when it was near financial collapse...
season.
Minor league career
Signing with the Springfield Capitals, Risinger helped them to the 1998 Frontier LeagueFrontier League
The Frontier League, based in Sauget, Illinois, is a professional, independent baseball organization located in the Midwestern United States, Western Pennsylvania, and Southern Ontario. It operates mostly in cities not served by Major or Minor League Baseball teams and is not affiliated with either...
title as the regular shortstop. He hit .242 and slugged .366. He saw scant action for Melbourne in the winter, going 4 for 15 with 2 doubles and a walk. Moving on to Organized Baseball, the 21-year-old played for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
organization in 1999, hitting .249/~.309/.334 for the Hickory Crawdads
Hickory Crawdads
The Hickory Crawdads are a Minor League Baseball team in Hickory, North Carolina, USA. They are a Class A team in the South Atlantic League, and have been a farm team of the Texas Rangers since 2009. Previously, they were a Class A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Crawdads play home games...
as their primary third baseman and also seeing time at shortstop, first base and second base.
Pittsburgh traded Risinger to the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
for a player to be named later (who became Luis Andújar
Luis Andujar
Luis Andujar Sanchez is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball and Korean Baseball Organization....
). In 2000, Ben split time between the Fort Wayne Wizards
Fort Wayne Wizards
The Fort Wayne TinCaps are a Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the San Diego Padres, that plays in the Midwest League. They won their first Midwest League Championship in 2009.-History:...
(.176/.268/.201 in 50 games) and the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes are a minor league baseball team in Rancho Cucamonga, California, USA. They are a Class A – Advanced team in the California League and a farm team of the Los Angeles Dodgers, their third major league affiliate in team history....
(.260/.345/.460 in 15 games). He played catcher, second base, third base, the outfield and pitched that year, only missing out on shortstop.
In 2001, he played for the Lake Elsinore Storm
Lake Elsinore Storm
The Lake Elsinore Storm is a minor league baseball team in Lake Elsinore, California, USA. It is a Class A - Advanced team in the California League, and is a farm team of the San Diego Padres. The Storm plays its home games at Lake Elsinore Diamond...
, producing at a .251/.333/.305 clip in 105 games, playing at least 15 games at shortstop, second base, third base and catcher. Lake Elsinore was co-champion of the California League
California League
The California League is a Class A Advanced minor league baseball league which operates throughout the state of California. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High-A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth...
when the final series was cancelled due to the attack on the World Trade Center on September 11.
In 2002, Risinger had his best minor league season. Playing for the AA Mobile BayBears
Mobile BayBears
The Mobile BayBears are a minor league baseball team based in Mobile, Alabama, United States. The team, which plays in the Southern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks major league club. The BayBears play in Hank Aaron Stadium, named after baseball's former all-time home...
, he batted .288/.357/.363 with 26 doubles. He played every position except pitcher, primarily being used at third base (97 games). He just missed the Southern League
Southern League (baseball)
The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams...
's top 10 in batting average, falling 4 points shy. He was named to the SL All-Star team as a utility man.
Risinger was primarily a 3B/C in 2003 when he made his AAA debut with the Portland Beavers
Portland Beavers
The Tucson Padres are a minor league baseball team, representing Tucson, Arizona, in the Pacific Coast League . They are the Triple-A affiliate for the San Diego Padres. The team was formerly known as the Portland Beavers and played its last home game at PGE Park on September 6, 2010...
. He hit .252/.321/.371 in 86 games of action. In 2004, he batted .242/.310/.344 in 79 contests for the Beavers, playing every position except the outfield. The next season, his average fell further as he only eked out a batting line of .211/.369/.336 in 41 games; all he had going for him was the fact that he managed to get hit by pitch 13 times. He cut back on the number of positions played, appearing at catcher, first base and third base. He was not close to the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
lead in times plunked as Carlos Quentin
Carlos Quentin
Carlos Josè Quentin is an American outfielder who plays for the Chicago White Sox. In 2008 and in 2011, Quentin was selected as an All-Star.-Early career:...
was hit 29 times.
Released by Portland, Risinger signed with the Gary SouthShore RailCats
Gary SouthShore RailCats
The Gary SouthShore RailCats are a professional baseball team based in Gary, Indiana, in the United States. The RailCats are a member of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. The RailCats have played their home games at...
and hit .310. In the postseason, he batted .432 with a team-high 3 home runs and 12 RBI as Gary won the Northern League title.
San Diego re-signed Risinger but he only played one game for Portland in 2006 (going 0 for 3). He was then brought up to San Diego, not as a player, but as the bullpen catcher when Mark Merila
Mark Merila
Mark Merila is currently the San Diego Padres bullpen catcher.Prior to his current position, Merila attended University of Minnesota and was drafted by Major League Baseball teams twice - first, he was taken in the 10th round of the 1993 draft, though he refused to sign...
was battling a brain tumor.
National Team career
In the 2006 Intercontinental CupIntercontinental Cup (baseball)
The Intercontinental Cup is a baseball tournament between the members of the International Baseball Federation . It was first held in 1973 in Italy, and was held every other year following until 1999....
, Risinger put on a fine show hitting .550-.625-1.000 with 6 runs, 3 doubles, 2 home runs and 6 RBI in 7 games at DH. He led the Cup in average but was not included in the All-Star team as Maximiliano De Biase was chosen as the DH. Risinger tied Omar Linares
Omar Linares
Omar Linares Izquierdo is a former Cuban baseball player. Linares, who played third base for the Cuban national team and for Pinar del Río and Vegueros in the Cuban National Series wearing the number 10 on his jersey, is considered one of the greatest Cuban players of all time...
for the third-highest average in an Intercontinental Cup
Intercontinental Cup (baseball)
The Intercontinental Cup is a baseball tournament between the members of the International Baseball Federation . It was first held in 1973 in Italy, and was held every other year following until 1999....
from 1991–2007, trailing only Jeffrey Cranston (.591, 1995) and fellow Australian team member Paul Gonzalez
Paul Gonzalez
Paul Gonzalez is the general manager of the Brisbane Bandits and former Australian third baseman...
(.571, 1994). Risinger was a RF-DH for Australia in the 2007 Baseball World Cup
2007 Baseball World Cup
The XXXVII International Baseball Federation Baseball World Cup was held in the Republic of China from November 6 through November 18, 2007. Four stadiums hosted...
and hit .346-.485-.423, getting hit by four pitches in 8 games. He only scored one run despite getting on base frequently, but did drive in seven. He had a couple key hits. Against South Korea, he came to bat with two outs in the bottom of the 9th, two outs and Justin Huber
Justin Huber
- New York Mets :He was originally drafted as a catcher by the New York Mets in .- Kansas City Royals :Huber was one of the top prospects within the Mets organization when he was traded to the Kansas City Royals before the trade deadline for José Bautista...
aboard.
After falling behind 0-2 in the count, he smacked a 93-mph fastball from Doo-sung Hwang into deep center field to drive in Huber with the winning run. Against Canada
Canada national baseball team
Canada has qualified for two Olympic games, in 2004 and 2008. Canadian teams also competed twice when baseball was a demonstration sport, in 1984 and 1988.-1984 Summer Olympics:...
, he came to bat with a 5-4 lead in the 9th and Brad Harman
Brad Harman
Bradley Christopher Harman is a Major League Baseball second baseman who is currently a free agent.-Professional career:...
and Huber aboard. He delivered a 2-run single off of ex-major leaguer Mike Johnson for a 7-4 lead. The hit became significant when Canada scored twice in the bottom of the 9th. Had Risinger hit into a double play instead of singling, Australia would have lost the game.
In the Beijing 2008 Baseball Qualification Tournament, Risinger hit .267-.290-.400 as the main Australian left fielder. He was 4 for 5 with 3 runs and 4 RBI against Spain
Spain national baseball team
The Spain national baseball team is the national team of Spain. It is governed by the Royal Spanish Baseball and Softball Federation. It is a member nation of the Confédération Européenne de Baseball, or Confederation of European Baseball....
but otherwise hit .192 with no RBI in the event. Australia did not make the top three and failed to earn a trip to the 2008 Summer Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
.
2009 World Baseball Classic
He participed with Australia in 2009 World Baseball Classic2009 World Baseball Classic
The 2009 World Baseball Classic was an international baseball competition. It is the only international baseball tournament to feature a large number of players from the major leagues of North America and Asia. It began on March 5, 2009, and finished March 23, 2009.Japan emerged victorious for the...
, he played as first base in all team games. Against Mexico, he hit .400 and was 5 for 2 with 2 runs and 3 RBI included a HR.