Anyone who cares about Independent Baseball will want to follow the Caribbean Series for the next few days (especially if they can see the games on ESPN Deportes or ESPN3)since about 25 per cent of the players on the four teams are current or former Indy players. New Newark, NJ (Can-Am League) coach Ken Oberkfell is even managing the Dominican Republic entry.

In fact, three of the four opening day starting pitchers in what turned out to be pitching-dominated games have Indy ties. The latest after the Insider was put to bed last night was southpaw Kris Johnson (pictured), who limited Mexico to three hits and an unearned run in five innings to get the host Dominicans off to a good start in a 2-1 win

When it comes to successful hiring, it would be tough to top what the Kansas City (KS) T-Bones did when the American Association team brought in all-time Kansas City Royals star Frank White as a coach. “Wherever Tim Doherty, the manager, wants my help that’s where I’ll be,” the Royals Hall of Fame second baseman and recent television analyst told MLB.com.

White (pictured) and T-Bones VP and General Manager Chris Browne have known each other since the latter was a batboy and clubhouse attendant for the American League team.

Lefty James Paxton (pictured), who some feel could jump to the parent Seattle Mariners roster this season, has officially been invited to the team's major league spring training camp in Arizona. Paxton broke into the professional ranks with Grand Prairie, TX in the American Association, and recently was placed at No. 77 on a list of best major league prospects.

The non-roster count for onetime Independent players is up to 32.

The American Association currently has 31 former players that are participating in winter league baseball. The league is represented in seven different countries with alumni playing in Australia, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico and Venezuela. All of the winter leagues are currently in the postseason.

Rafael Alvarez (Lincoln Saltdogs) - .348, 13 RBI, 16 Hits [LaGuaira Tiburones - Pictured]

The American Association of Independent Professional Baseball has 14 current players that are participating in winter league baseball. There are five players in Venezuela, two players each in Colombia, Nicaragua and Puerto Rico and one apiece in Australia, the Dominican Republic and Mexico. All of the winter leagues are currently in the postseason.

Justin Justice (Winnipeg Goldeyes) – .268, 38 Hits, 5 HR, 6 Doubles [Sincelejo Toros - Pictured]

Miami continues to be active in grabbing both players and coaches. The Marlins' recent signees include power-hitting Ryan Patterson (pictured), whose late-season acquisition nearly propelled St. Paul, MN to the American Association title.

The 28-year-old outfielder, who was singled out for the Pointstreak Star of Stars Award for producing the best statistical season in the league, banged 20 homers, drove in 90 runs and hit .325 in 99 combined games with Wichita, KS, Fort Worth, TX and finally the Saints. He was among the league leaders in most every offensive category, and even stole 16 bases. Patterson drove in 13 runs in only 11 games with St. Paul to help get the Saints into the playoffs, then drove in nine more runs in 10 postseason games.