Back in West Michigan?

Here are a few stories about the 5-time, 5-time, 5-time, 5-time, 5-time Midwest League Champion West Michigan Whitecaps.

First the on-field news:
DePastino likely to return to Whitecaps

Joe DePastino has been told by the Detroit Tigers he will manage in the club's minor league organization in 2009.

Where is yet to be determined, but it will probably be at West Michigan.

Now, the off-field news:
Whitecaps selling control of Berlin Raceway

[Mike] Blackmer announced he signed a letter of intent to buy the lease to operate the half-mile oval track in Marne this fall from West Michigan Whitecaps Racing Inc. He will pick up the remaining 17 years of the 25-year lease the Whitecaps bought from the Berlin Fairboard in fall 2000.

Neither party would reveal how much Blackmer paid.

The Whitecaps will stay involved, however, operating the track's food, beverage and souvenir departments. But Blackmer will call the shots.