Valley’s Lentini Stompers player-manager

A life in baseball has come full circle for Sonoma’s Fehlandt Lentini, who started his diamond journey as a Valley youth, progressed to Sonoma Valley High School all-league and Sonoma State University All-American, reached the professional level as a player, and is now running the show as a manager.

The Sonoma Stompers, a member of the Pacific Association of Professional Baseball League and under the new ownership of Valley residents Eric and Lani Gullotta, recently hired Lentini as their player-manager for the 2015 season.

“With this addition, we’re adding an outstanding ball player to our lineup, and a tremendously passionate man to our clubhouse,” said Theo Fightmaster, vice president and general manager of the Sonoma Stompers. “Feh (Lentini) has seen, done and achieved so much in this game, and he’s ready to begin the next phase of his career. We’re thrilled that an opportunity existed within our organization, and lucky that we can give Feh the chance to play and manage in front of friends and family – including many who haven’t had the privilege of seeing him play since high school.”

Lentini is a 1995 SVHS graduate who starred in college as an electrifying leadoff-hitting outfielder and led SSU to the California Collegiate Athletic Association’s 2001 championship, a top-10 national ranking in NCAA Division II, and a high postseason seeding and regional run.

Named the CCAA’s most valuable player and the West Region’s player of the year, Lentini was a 2001 American Baseball Coaches Association NCAA Division II All-America first-team selection.

Originally signed by Major League Baseball’s Houston Astros, Lentini played in numerous pro organizations and independent leagues. He’s taken his hometown Stompers reins and, while conditioning himself as a player, is implementing managerial skills he has picked up playing for a wide range of managers.

Lentini and Sonoma’s front office are currently assembling their 2015 roster and the Stompers, and the PAPBL’s San Rafael Pacifics, will host a tryout for all baseball players interested in playing at the professional level the weekend of March 14 and 15, on Peterson Field at the Field of Dreams in Sonoma.

Representatives from each of the PAPBL teams will draft players based on Saturday’s open tryout, with selected players invited back for a second day of tryouts on Sunday. The pre-registration cost is $100 and day-of registration $150. To register, or for more information, go to pacificsbaseball.com or call 415-485-1563.

All players are welcome, however it is recommended that those players wishing to try out have exhausted amateur eligibility and have previous pro or college experience.

Last year’s inaugural tryouts were a success for the PAPBL resulting in the signing of a record 19 players.

The Sonoma Stompers recently added three new players to their 2015 roster, signing Japanese infielder Yuki Yasuda, Puerto Rican catcher Billy Gonzalez, and utility infielder Danny Martinez of St. Petersburg, Florida.