Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era

Barnstormers sign Owens

The Lancaster Barnstormers have signed former Chicago White Sox outfielder Jerry Owens for the 2013 season.

Owens, 32, becomes the first player under contract with the defending Freedom Division champions for the upcoming campaign.

Owens spent time in Chicago from 2006-09 and was a regular in the White Sox outfield in 2007. That season he batted .267 in 93 games while stealing 32 bases.

Owens signed with the Montreal Expos in 2003 as their second-round draft choice and batted .292 with 30 stolen bases for Class A Savannah in 2004, his first full pro season. The following offseason, he was dealt to the White Sox for outfielder Alex Escobar.

The lefty hitter went on to win the Southern League batting crown for Class AA Birmingham in 2005, hitting .331 while also finishing among the league leaders with 99 runs scored and 38 stolen bases. He earned his first promotion to the big leagues the following September after hitting .262 with 40 steals for Class AAA Charlotte.

Prior to making the full-time switch to baseball, Owens spent two years playing football at UCLA.

"Jerry is a tremendous athlete," said manager Butch Hobson in a press release. "He's a guy coming here with something to prove."