DOVER, Del. (AP) Creditors of the Los Angeles Dodgers are joining the team in urging a federal district judge not to halt implementation of a bankruptcy court order authorizing the Dodgers to begin a process for selling television rights to future games.

In a filing Wednesday, the committee said there’s no guarantee that a sale of the team without the TV rights will result in Dodgers creditors being paid in full.

The committee noted that the Dodgers face several unreconciled claims, including a lawsuit filed on behalf of a San Francisco Giants fan who is represented on the creditors committee and was critically injured in an assault outside Dodger Stadium on opening day.

Fox is challenging the proposed media rights sale, saying it violates the company’s rights under an existing contract with the Dodgers.

Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers invited 15 players, including nine former Great Lakes Loons, to their fifth annual developmental minicamp at Dodger Stadium in January.

Former Loons include pitcher Steven Ames, pitcher Rubby De La Rosa, pitcher Shawn Tolleson, pitcher Josh Wall, pitcher Allen Webster, catcher Griff Erickson, outfielder Alfredo Silverio, outfielder Scott Van Slyke and catcher Matt Wallach.

Other Dodger minor leaguers invited include itchers Michael Antonini, Stephen Fife and Chris Withrow, plus position players Alex Castellanos, Tim Federowicz and Tyler Henson.

Two of the former Loons netted organizational honors, with Tolleson named the Dodgers minor league Pitcher of the Year and Van Slyke earning minor league Player of the Year honors.

De La Rosa, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, was at last year’s mini-camp, as was Erickson and Wallach.

The minicamps is to help the top prospects in the farm system get a little extra help as they near a possible promotion to the major leagues. It also gives Dodgers officials a chance to get a closer look at the prospects, while also giving the coaches a chance at some early instruction prior to spring training.

“He’d bring out a football every once in a while and throw me routes,” Pratt said. “We’d always talk about, ‘If baseball doesn’t work out, we’ll go back and play football.’ Everybody else is like, ‘Yeah right, that’ll never happen.’ And the two of us were kind of like in the back of our minds thinking, ‘Yeah? We’re going to do this if baseball doesn’t work out.’”

They might be the only the ones not surprised by this rare Fiesta Bowl reunion.

Weeden, Oklahoma State’s 28-year-old starting quarterback nicknamed “Grandpa” by students, dropped baseball in 2007 for the gridiron. Pratt, a freshman walk-on wide receiver at Stanford some call “The Professor,” is just beginning his college career at age 26 after eight years in the minors.

As their teams get ready to meet in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 2, both are playing out that football fantasy on opposite ends of odd college careers — something they could only imagine six years ago on baseball diamonds thousands of miles away.

“It’s kind of ironic when you look back at how things kind of evolve from those days,” Weeden said.

The two formed a teammate bond while chasing the dream of pitching on Dodger Stadium’s mound.

They lived in the same apartment complex, played beach volleyball with other teammates during down time, spent countless hours together on bus rides, eating meals at truck stops and staying in motels.

Both spent time in a variety of cities and leagues. Columbus offered shorter travel than most; the longest bus trip was about seven hours that season.

The Catfish also had several future major leaguers, including Dodgers center fielder Matt Kemp in 2004. However, it was not one of the most desirable places to play.

“It was hotter than crap. We didn’t get many fans,” Weeden said.

While they played multiple sports in high school, each turned to baseball first.

Weeden spent five years in the minor leagues after being a second-round pick — and first player taken — by the New York Yankees in the 2002 draft. He always had an idea of what he’d do if baseball didn’t work out, and that’s exactly what led to him to being an unexpected Cowboys sensation.

Pratt played for eight years in the minors before seeking out Stanford. He received a $175,000 signing bonus with the Dodgers and is now taking advantage of a $120,000 college scholarship program with his baseball days done.

“Scouts were telling me I had a chance to do some things if things worked out baseball wise, and so I really wanted to give that a shot and leave no stone unturned,” Pratt said. “So that’s why I was always focusing on baseball. It was always kind of my first love. I knew I could always go back to school.”

December 20, 2011 – American Association (AA) Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
FARGO, N.D. – Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks 3B C.J. Retherford had his contract purchased by the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, the American Association club announced Tuesday.

Retherford, 26, batted .339 with 24 doubles, four home runs, 37 RBI and 34 runs scored in 56 games for Fargo-Moorhead last season. He joined the RedHawks in late June after being released by the Detroit Tigers organization.

Retherford began his professional career in 2007 with the Chicago White Sox organization after signing as a non-drafted free agent out of Arizona State University. Retherford quickly advanced through the White Sox minor league chain, reaching Triple-A with the Charlotte (N.C.) Knights of the International League in 2010.

Retherford is the second player from the 2011 squad to have his contract purchased by a Major League organization, and 55th in franchise history. RHP Alex Caldera was purchased by the Florida Marlins in August.

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