Sonoma pro team signs former SV High star

The independent minor league Sonoma Stompers Baseball Club has signed Tommy Lyons, a former Sonoma Valley High School standout, to the team’s first contract. The Stompers open their inaugural home season July 1 at Arnold Field.

“I heard talks of the league adding a new team and I kept my fingers crossed that the team would land in Sonoma,” Lyons said. ”The opportunity to represent a new franchise, in front of my hometown no less, is truly a dream come true.”

Lyons, 23, spent 2013 in the Pacific Association with the then-named East Bay Lumberjacks. As a Sonoma Dragon, he was a key member of the first North Coast Section Championship team in school history in 2008, when he hit .321 with 30 runs batted in. He was a two-time First Team All- Redwood Empire selection.

Don Lyons, his father, is the Sonoma Valley High baseball coach.

“Tommy represents baseball and Sonoma in everything he does,” said General Manager Theo Fightmaster.

Lyons said, “Words cannot express my gratitude towards the entire Sonoma Stompers organization for giving me a chance to continue my playing career, and especially to play in front of my hometown.”

The Stompers open the season on June 2 in San Rafael as they take on defending Pacific Association Division champions, the San Rafael Pacifics. Sonoma opens its home season on July 1. Season tickets are on sale now at Stompersbaseball.com, and start at just $3 a seat.