Saturday, May 16, 2009
Beach Bums 6, Sliders 2
Just wanted to post the final score from the second game...Brad Miller had a triple and a three-run homer...I was the public address voice so I had to move my location and couldn't blog, but the full recap is coming soon!!!
Game One Starting Lineups
Here is what will happen for Game One...Noon start, still on time in spite of the weather...
MIDWEST SLIDERS OF YPSILANTI (1-0)
Zack Pace - CF
Sam Deluca - DH
Jeremy Jones - LF
Dom Lombardi - C
Jimmy Baker - 1B
Gil Zayas - 3B
Jonnie Knoble - RF
Roberto Mena - SS
Maikel De La Rosa - 2B
Doug Brooks - RHP
The rest of the pitchers for Midwest will be varied...
BEACH BUMS (0-1)
Bryan Frew - 3B
James Guerrero - 2B
Mike Epping - CF
Kyle Maunus - 1B
John Alonso - DH
Robby Alcombrack - C
Brian Lapin - RF
Brad Miller - SS
Corey Whiting - LF
Kevin Reese - RHP
Resse will go three innings...Pete McEneaney two, Matt Trausch one, and David Hurst one as well for the first contest...
MIDWEST SLIDERS OF YPSILANTI (1-0)
Zack Pace - CF
Sam Deluca - DH
Jeremy Jones - LF
Dom Lombardi - C
Jimmy Baker - 1B
Gil Zayas - 3B
Jonnie Knoble - RF
Roberto Mena - SS
Maikel De La Rosa - 2B
Doug Brooks - RHP
The rest of the pitchers for Midwest will be varied...
BEACH BUMS (0-1)
Bryan Frew - 3B
James Guerrero - 2B
Mike Epping - CF
Kyle Maunus - 1B
John Alonso - DH
Robby Alcombrack - C
Brian Lapin - RF
Brad Miller - SS
Corey Whiting - LF
Kevin Reese - RHP
Resse will go three innings...Pete McEneaney two, Matt Trausch one, and David Hurst one as well for the first contest...
Midwest 4, Beach Bums 2 (Exhibition Game One Final)
Bot 7th New pitcher for Midwest...It's Chris Tierney, formerly of the Southern Illinois Miners...Two innings for Haldis...One hit, a walk, two strikeouts...Reed Welker on deck for the Beach Bums...Kevin Carkeek now playing first base...Brad Miller grounds out to third...Welker pinch hits for Corey Whiting and grounds out to second...Beach Bums down to their final out in the opener...It's Bryan Frew...Frew walks for the second time today on a full-count pitch...Game continues a bit longer...Those two-out walks can come back to hurt...Frew moves to third on an errant pickoff throw...First error of the game for either team...Infield single for Guerrero as he beats out a tough back-handed play at third...Frew scores...Tying run to the plate...Mike Epping strikes out swining for the third time...Game over...MIDWEST 4, BEACH BUMS 2
Top 7th David Hurst is the second of four Frontier League Draft First Round picks who will throw today...Pete McEneaney has already thrown for the Beach Bums while Nick Pepper will go in the second game along with Midwest starter Chris Rollins, who was this year's top overall choice...Ralph Rosas leads off the frame with a single through the left side for Midwest...Gil Zayas walks...Robby Alcombrack throws to second for a close play on a near pickoff attempt, Rosas, a Second Round Frontier League Draft Choice this year, is on the ground in pain...Here comes trainer Andrew Shaver (First mention of the year)...Rosas is favoring his shoulder...Jonas Fester is prepared to enter as a pinch runner though Rosas is trying hard to stay in the game...Nope, he has to leave...Jonnie Knoble attempting to sacrifice but Hurst can't find the zone...Bases loaded as Knoble walks on five pitches...Roger Mason headed to the mound for his first visit of the game, attempting to settle down Hurst, who is behind Roberto Mena 2-0...Mena bounces into a fielder's choice on a 3-1 pitch...Fester scores as Miller gets the force at second...Knoble steals second...Infield in...Sacrifice fly off the bat of Maikel De La Rosa adds to the lead as he flies out to right...Brian Lapin throws home and it is up the line...Dennis Jones grounds out to end the inning...MIDWEST 4, BEACH BUMS 1
Bot 6th Jon Haldis still on the bump for the Sliders...John Alonso grounds out to short...Robby Alcombrack also grounds out to short...Two up, two down...David Hurst making his way in from the bullpen, he will throw the final frame for the Beach Bums...Brian Lapin strikes out looking, the second punch out for Haldis...MIDWEST 2, BEACH BUMS 1
Top 6th Matt Trausch climbs the hill for the Beach Bums...Pete McEneaney went two innings and allowed a hit to go with a strikeout, facing the minimum...Dennis Jones pinch hits for Zack Pace...Jones walks on four pitches...Ben Barrone bats for Sam Deluca...Barrone is also a pitcher who threw yesterday...Jones steals second...Good throw one hops but he is safe...Barrone grounds out to third...Jones waits for the throw to break for third and beats the return from Maunus...He's at third with one out...Infield in for the Beach Bums...RBI single by Jeremy Jones into center gives Midwest a 2-1 lead...Jones caught stealing...Dom Lombardi grounds out to short, ending the inning...MIDWEST 2, BEACH BUMS 1
Bot 5th Jon Haldis, former Beach Bum in 2008, takes to the hill for Midwest...Doug Brooks in four innings allowed a run on two hits while walking two and striking out five...Corey Whiting to lead off...Whiting reaches on a leadoff infield single...He can fly...The shortstop bounced the throw but it wouldn't have beaten him...Corey Whiting was picked off first by Jon Haldis but used his speed to get around the tag of Ralph Rosas at first because the throw from short came too late...Whiting steals second...Safe by a mile...Bryan Frew draws a walk...James Guerrero moves up the runners with a sacrifice bunt...Second and third with one out...Infield moves in for the Sliders...Mike Epping strikes out for the second time today...Two down, infield back to normal depth...Kyle Maunus grounds out to third to end the inning...MIDWEST 1, BEACH BUMS 1
Top 5th McEneaney will get a second inning of work for the Beach Bums...He threw just 10 pitches in his 1-2-3 fourth...Jonnie Knoble leads off the inning with a single into left-center on a 3-2 offering...It's just the third hit of the game for the Sliders...Roberto Mena grounds into a 6-4-3 double play...Maikel De La Rosa grounds out to first...McEneaney covers...Another solid inning and a good recovery from the leadoff single...MIDWEST 1, BEACH BUMS 1
Bot 4th Doug Brooks still pitching for Midwest but the bullpen is stirring so this is likely his final frame...John Alonso continues to swing a solid bat, hitting a liner towards first that is stabbed on a hop by Jimmy Baker who takes it to the bag for the first out...Robby Alcombrack walks on five pitches...Brian Lapin hits a towering fly to deep left...He got jammed a bit...Jon Haldis, a former Beach Bum, is in the pen for Midwest...Ralph Rosas by the way is now playing first base...Brad Miller strikes out swinging to end the inning...Four left on base...MIDWEST 1, BEACH BUMS 1
Top 4th Pete McEneaney coming in out of the bullpen...Great outing by Kevin Reese...Three innings, two hits, one run, one walk, three strikeouts...That was as good as I have seen him look this spring...Dom Lombardi leading off for Midwest...He flies out to deep right-center...Jimmy Baker strikes out looking...Gil Zayas ends the frame with a fly out to right...Good inning by McEneaney in his lone frame today...10 straight retired by Beach Bums pitchers...MIDWEST 1, BEACH BUMS 1
Bot 3rd Bryan Frew lines out to second base on the first pitch...James Guerrero hit by a pitch...Got him between the shoulders but he's ok...Mike Epping lifts a shallow pop to left on the first pitch, it gets caught in the wind but Jeremy Jones races in and makes a good sliding grab...Guerrero is definetly ok...Stole second by a mile...Kyle Maunus strikes out swinging...MIDWEST 1, BEACH BUMS 1
Top 3rd Zack Pace leads off the inning by flying out to left...Could be a quick inning...Three pitches, two outs as Sam Deluca grounds out to Guerrero at second...Seven straight retired by Reese as Jeremy Jones goes down looking...Eight-pitch inning...The Beach Bums bullpen has started...If that's the end of the contest for Reese it was impressive...MIDWEST 1, BEACH BUMS 1
Bot 2nd Kyle Maunus leading off the inning...Maunus rips the first pitch into center for the first hit of the game, nearly taking off Doug Brooks' head in the process...John Alonso, who had both RBI in yesterday's loss, at the plate...Gregg Langbehn coaching at third, J.T. Tamargo at first...Kyle Maunus on the move...Alonso drives the 2-2 pitch deep into the left-center gap to drive in another run...Tie game!! Robby Alcombrack grounds out to third...Alonso forced to hold...One out...Brian Lapin flies out to left...Two down...Brad Miller draws a walk...Wilp pitch moves the runners...Corey Whiting goes down looking at a 2-2 pitch, third strikeout for Brooks...MIDWEST 1, BEACH BUMS 1
Top 2nd Jonnie Knoble leading off the inning for the Sliders...He strikes out looking...Roberto Mena strikes out swinging...Maikel De La Rosa grounds out to shortstop...Kyle Maunus makes a beautiful pick of the throw at first...Inning over, and a quick one for Reese...MIDWEST 1, BEACH BUMS 0
Bot 1st Bryan Frew leading off against Doug Brooks...Frew strikes out looking on a pitch that drew many groans from the faithful gathered at Wuerfel Park...James Guerrero lines out to second...Mike Epping strikes out swinging to end the inning...MIDWEST 1, BEACH BUMS 0
Top 1st Zack Paces flies to deep right...Brian Lapin brings it in for the first out...Sam Deluca has to duck out of the way of a high and tight fastball from Reese...Deluca hits a grounder up the middle...It deflects off the glove of Reese to Brad Miller who's throw to first is late...Infield single...This is a full game, no pitch counted innings...Jeremy Jones draws a walk in a full count...First and second with one out...Dom Lombardi flies out to right...Deluca tags and goes to third...Two outs...Lapin's throw in knicked the glove of Miller, who was trying to cut it off...Jimmy Baker drives in a run with a single through the right side, scoring Deluca...Gil Zayas grounds out to Reese to end the frame...Midwest with the lead...MIDWEST 1, BEACH BUMS 0
UPDATE (12:01 PM): Kevin Reese fires the first pitch of the game to Midwest's Zack Pace...Its right there for a strike...
UPDATE (11:56 AM): National anthem time...Its the Faith Hill rendition...
UPDATE (11:53 AM): Starting lineups are being introduced by the stadium voice of the Beach Bums...Kevin Reese and Doug Brooks are warming up in their respective bullpens...
UPDATE (11:50 AM): Umpires have made their way to the field...I am told these are high school umpires that will be directing these contests...
UPDATE (11:46 AM): I believe I see the sun popping out...
NOTES: Midwest infielder Roberto Mena, who was the mystery #15 yesterday, is another player who was with Beach Bums Manager Gregg Langbehn in Lexington last season...I chatted with some of the players after yesterday's contest and they were all remarking about how improved the Sliders are for this season...All of their pitchers were touching in the 90's and they were very quick and athletic...
Today's exhibition doubleheader is open to the public...I will post some updates here during the first game...During the second game yours truly will be on the stadium PA mike...
Top 7th David Hurst is the second of four Frontier League Draft First Round picks who will throw today...Pete McEneaney has already thrown for the Beach Bums while Nick Pepper will go in the second game along with Midwest starter Chris Rollins, who was this year's top overall choice...Ralph Rosas leads off the frame with a single through the left side for Midwest...Gil Zayas walks...Robby Alcombrack throws to second for a close play on a near pickoff attempt, Rosas, a Second Round Frontier League Draft Choice this year, is on the ground in pain...Here comes trainer Andrew Shaver (First mention of the year)...Rosas is favoring his shoulder...Jonas Fester is prepared to enter as a pinch runner though Rosas is trying hard to stay in the game...Nope, he has to leave...Jonnie Knoble attempting to sacrifice but Hurst can't find the zone...Bases loaded as Knoble walks on five pitches...Roger Mason headed to the mound for his first visit of the game, attempting to settle down Hurst, who is behind Roberto Mena 2-0...Mena bounces into a fielder's choice on a 3-1 pitch...Fester scores as Miller gets the force at second...Knoble steals second...Infield in...Sacrifice fly off the bat of Maikel De La Rosa adds to the lead as he flies out to right...Brian Lapin throws home and it is up the line...Dennis Jones grounds out to end the inning...MIDWEST 4, BEACH BUMS 1
Bot 6th Jon Haldis still on the bump for the Sliders...John Alonso grounds out to short...Robby Alcombrack also grounds out to short...Two up, two down...David Hurst making his way in from the bullpen, he will throw the final frame for the Beach Bums...Brian Lapin strikes out looking, the second punch out for Haldis...MIDWEST 2, BEACH BUMS 1
Top 6th Matt Trausch climbs the hill for the Beach Bums...Pete McEneaney went two innings and allowed a hit to go with a strikeout, facing the minimum...Dennis Jones pinch hits for Zack Pace...Jones walks on four pitches...Ben Barrone bats for Sam Deluca...Barrone is also a pitcher who threw yesterday...Jones steals second...Good throw one hops but he is safe...Barrone grounds out to third...Jones waits for the throw to break for third and beats the return from Maunus...He's at third with one out...Infield in for the Beach Bums...RBI single by Jeremy Jones into center gives Midwest a 2-1 lead...Jones caught stealing...Dom Lombardi grounds out to short, ending the inning...MIDWEST 2, BEACH BUMS 1
Bot 5th Jon Haldis, former Beach Bum in 2008, takes to the hill for Midwest...Doug Brooks in four innings allowed a run on two hits while walking two and striking out five...Corey Whiting to lead off...Whiting reaches on a leadoff infield single...He can fly...The shortstop bounced the throw but it wouldn't have beaten him...Corey Whiting was picked off first by Jon Haldis but used his speed to get around the tag of Ralph Rosas at first because the throw from short came too late...Whiting steals second...Safe by a mile...Bryan Frew draws a walk...James Guerrero moves up the runners with a sacrifice bunt...Second and third with one out...Infield moves in for the Sliders...Mike Epping strikes out for the second time today...Two down, infield back to normal depth...Kyle Maunus grounds out to third to end the inning...MIDWEST 1, BEACH BUMS 1
Top 5th McEneaney will get a second inning of work for the Beach Bums...He threw just 10 pitches in his 1-2-3 fourth...Jonnie Knoble leads off the inning with a single into left-center on a 3-2 offering...It's just the third hit of the game for the Sliders...Roberto Mena grounds into a 6-4-3 double play...Maikel De La Rosa grounds out to first...McEneaney covers...Another solid inning and a good recovery from the leadoff single...MIDWEST 1, BEACH BUMS 1
Bot 4th Doug Brooks still pitching for Midwest but the bullpen is stirring so this is likely his final frame...John Alonso continues to swing a solid bat, hitting a liner towards first that is stabbed on a hop by Jimmy Baker who takes it to the bag for the first out...Robby Alcombrack walks on five pitches...Brian Lapin hits a towering fly to deep left...He got jammed a bit...Jon Haldis, a former Beach Bum, is in the pen for Midwest...Ralph Rosas by the way is now playing first base...Brad Miller strikes out swinging to end the inning...Four left on base...MIDWEST 1, BEACH BUMS 1
Top 4th Pete McEneaney coming in out of the bullpen...Great outing by Kevin Reese...Three innings, two hits, one run, one walk, three strikeouts...That was as good as I have seen him look this spring...Dom Lombardi leading off for Midwest...He flies out to deep right-center...Jimmy Baker strikes out looking...Gil Zayas ends the frame with a fly out to right...Good inning by McEneaney in his lone frame today...10 straight retired by Beach Bums pitchers...MIDWEST 1, BEACH BUMS 1
Bot 3rd Bryan Frew lines out to second base on the first pitch...James Guerrero hit by a pitch...Got him between the shoulders but he's ok...Mike Epping lifts a shallow pop to left on the first pitch, it gets caught in the wind but Jeremy Jones races in and makes a good sliding grab...Guerrero is definetly ok...Stole second by a mile...Kyle Maunus strikes out swinging...MIDWEST 1, BEACH BUMS 1
Top 3rd Zack Pace leads off the inning by flying out to left...Could be a quick inning...Three pitches, two outs as Sam Deluca grounds out to Guerrero at second...Seven straight retired by Reese as Jeremy Jones goes down looking...Eight-pitch inning...The Beach Bums bullpen has started...If that's the end of the contest for Reese it was impressive...MIDWEST 1, BEACH BUMS 1
Bot 2nd Kyle Maunus leading off the inning...Maunus rips the first pitch into center for the first hit of the game, nearly taking off Doug Brooks' head in the process...John Alonso, who had both RBI in yesterday's loss, at the plate...Gregg Langbehn coaching at third, J.T. Tamargo at first...Kyle Maunus on the move...Alonso drives the 2-2 pitch deep into the left-center gap to drive in another run...Tie game!! Robby Alcombrack grounds out to third...Alonso forced to hold...One out...Brian Lapin flies out to left...Two down...Brad Miller draws a walk...Wilp pitch moves the runners...Corey Whiting goes down looking at a 2-2 pitch, third strikeout for Brooks...MIDWEST 1, BEACH BUMS 1
Top 2nd Jonnie Knoble leading off the inning for the Sliders...He strikes out looking...Roberto Mena strikes out swinging...Maikel De La Rosa grounds out to shortstop...Kyle Maunus makes a beautiful pick of the throw at first...Inning over, and a quick one for Reese...MIDWEST 1, BEACH BUMS 0
Bot 1st Bryan Frew leading off against Doug Brooks...Frew strikes out looking on a pitch that drew many groans from the faithful gathered at Wuerfel Park...James Guerrero lines out to second...Mike Epping strikes out swinging to end the inning...MIDWEST 1, BEACH BUMS 0
Top 1st Zack Paces flies to deep right...Brian Lapin brings it in for the first out...Sam Deluca has to duck out of the way of a high and tight fastball from Reese...Deluca hits a grounder up the middle...It deflects off the glove of Reese to Brad Miller who's throw to first is late...Infield single...This is a full game, no pitch counted innings...Jeremy Jones draws a walk in a full count...First and second with one out...Dom Lombardi flies out to right...Deluca tags and goes to third...Two outs...Lapin's throw in knicked the glove of Miller, who was trying to cut it off...Jimmy Baker drives in a run with a single through the right side, scoring Deluca...Gil Zayas grounds out to Reese to end the frame...Midwest with the lead...MIDWEST 1, BEACH BUMS 0
UPDATE (12:01 PM): Kevin Reese fires the first pitch of the game to Midwest's Zack Pace...Its right there for a strike...
UPDATE (11:56 AM): National anthem time...Its the Faith Hill rendition...
UPDATE (11:53 AM): Starting lineups are being introduced by the stadium voice of the Beach Bums...Kevin Reese and Doug Brooks are warming up in their respective bullpens...
UPDATE (11:50 AM): Umpires have made their way to the field...I am told these are high school umpires that will be directing these contests...
UPDATE (11:46 AM): I believe I see the sun popping out...
NOTES: Midwest infielder Roberto Mena, who was the mystery #15 yesterday, is another player who was with Beach Bums Manager Gregg Langbehn in Lexington last season...I chatted with some of the players after yesterday's contest and they were all remarking about how improved the Sliders are for this season...All of their pitchers were touching in the 90's and they were very quick and athletic...
Today's exhibition doubleheader is open to the public...I will post some updates here during the first game...During the second game yours truly will be on the stadium PA mike...
Friday, May 15, 2009
More Cuts
It is never an easy day to be a manager and have to let players go, but I am sure today was especially hard as Gregg Langbehn and his staff let go of two players who were on the squad last year...
Infielder Damon Lessler and Catcher Ryan Kottke were released today, both were members of the 2008 Beach Bums...Also let go was RHP Eric Theisen, the Third Round Pick in the 2009 Frontier League Draft...
The roster now stands at 29 with 15 pitchers...
Infielder Damon Lessler and Catcher Ryan Kottke were released today, both were members of the 2008 Beach Bums...Also let go was RHP Eric Theisen, the Third Round Pick in the 2009 Frontier League Draft...
The roster now stands at 29 with 15 pitchers...
Exhibition #1: Midwest 7, Beach Bums 2
Top 8th: Ben Barrone, a Midwest hurler, takes to the hill...Kevin Carkeek will serve as his catcher...The rest of the players on the field are Beach Bums...One of my favorite things about spring training is watching the pitchers run around the warning track in the outfield following their outing...Jeff Williams and Jared Locke are running as a team in left...Sean Snell breaks his bat...Snell reaches via the base on balls, or BB, or walk...This is the last half...Mystery man #15 is at the plate...Kyle Maunus can't handle a foul pop...E3...Runner breaks for second on a 3-2 pitch...Strike him out throw him out double play...Jonnie Knoble bounces a one-hopper to short and that's it...Midwest wins...MIDWEST 7, BEACH BUMS 2
Bot 7th: Kevin Gerard enters to pitch for Midwest...Andrew Barbaro leading off, his first at bat...I just glanced at the boxscore...The Beach Bums have just four hits currently...Barbaro hits a chopper over the mound...Fester fields at second and throws him out...John Alonso is at the plate...He has provided two of the four hits and has driven in both runs...Alonso is retired for the first time, grounding to second off the end of his bat...Chase Gerdes with his first at bat...First pitch swinging...Flyout to left...MIDWEST 7, BEACH BUMS 2
Top 7th: Jeff Williams taking the place of Jared Locke on the hill...Williams is the last scheduled hurler for the Beach Bums...I have heard a Midwest pitcher will likely throw the final half for the Beach Bums...Yikes!!! Williams went up and in with his first pitch fastball and creamed Jonas Fester...He is down and being tended to by Andrew Shaver, the Beach Bums trainer...Fester leaves the game...De La Rosa pinch runs for him...Runner goes, pitch is fouled away...Jeremy Jones reaches for the second straight at bat with a walk...Runners at first and second with no outs...Brad Miller saves a hit with a nice back-handed play in the hole at short, throwing to second to record the force for the first out...Kevin Carkeer nearly takes off Williams' head with a liner up the middle and in to center to score a run...Jimmy Baker doubles into right-center to clear the bases and drive in two, adding to the lead...Jason Acevado goes down looking and that is the last batter of the inning...MIDWEST 7, BEACH BUMS 2
Bot 6th: J.J. Pannell takes the place of O'Leary in the hill for Midwest...O'Leary allowed a double in his inning and also recorded a strikeout...Pannell walks the leadoff man, Al Barbato in his first plate appearance...Corey Whiting making his first plate appearance...Mound visit as Carkeer and Pannell got crossed up...A tough feat as Whiting, who is extremely quick, grounds into a double play to the shortstop...Kyle Maunus pops out to first on the first pitch...To the 7th!MIDWEST 4, BEACH BUMS 2
Top 6th: Jared Locke coming in...B.J. Hagen worked an inning and walked a man...Jason Acevado pinch hitting for Midwest...Bryan Frew stabs a liner at third...Sean Snell with his first at bat for the Sliders, who continue to lead...Snell strikes out...Jeff Williams tossing in the bullpen...Maikel De La Rosa with a single to right-center, his second hit of the game...Jonnie Knoble gets underneath one to deep left, Welker hauls it in to end the frame...MIDWEST 4, BEACH BUMS 2
Bot 5th: New pitcher for Midwest...Left-hander Michael O'Leary is in...For James Albury, the Austrailian native, four innings, three hits, two runs, both earned, three walks, five strikeouts...He is in line for the win...Brad Miller greets O'Leary rudely, smashing the first pitch into left-center off the wall for a double in the deepest part of the park...Miller breaks for third...Welker fouls it off...Kevin Carkeek now catching for Midwest...Welker strikes out swinging in a good battle...Miller breaks for third again...Robby Alcombrack fouls it off...He must be getting his running in for the day...Each team with action in the bullpen...Two outs as Alcombrack grounds to third...Bryan Frew grounds out to second to end the inning...MIDWEST 4, BEACH BUMS 2
Top 5th: Enter B.J. Hagen out of the bullpen...Here's the line on Roberts, who is on the hook for the loss...Four innings, six hits, four runs, three earned, two walks and a wild pitch...Other changes...Corey Whiting in center, Chase Gerdes in right...Andrew Barbaro behind the plate...Al Barbato to second...Hagen walks the first batter he faces, Jeremy Jones...Jones promptly steals second...Barbaro to the hill for a quick chat as Hagen falls behind 2-0 to Gil Zayas, the cleanup man...Make that 3-0...Fights back to make it full...Zayas grounds out to short...Jones moves to third...Infield comes in...Grounder right at Barbato...Runner holds at third...Two outs...Jones left at third as Hagen makes an outstanding barehanded play on a slow bouncer to the third base side, planting and throwing to get Jimmy Baker and end the inning...MIDWEST 4, BEACH BUMS 2
Bot 4th: Mike Epping leads off...Lots of changes for Midwest...Jonnie Knoble to center...Sean Snell to right...Jonas Fester to second...Epping strikes out, four in the game for Albury including two straight...Three straight strikeouts as Kyle Maunus goes down swining...Midwest has to go to first to get hte out on a pitch in the dirt...Albury getting stronger as the game goes on...B.J. Hagen looks ready to go in the Beach Bums bullpen...Patrick Perry goes the other way, snapping the strikeout streak by doubling into left-center...Speaking of going the other way...John Alonso drives in his second run with an opposite field single into right, scoring Perry...Alonso goes to second on a fielding error by the right-fielder...Brian Lapin hits it on the nose, but right at the third baseman...MIDWEST 4, BEACH BUMS 2
Top 4th: Steve Roberts still pitching...I imagine we will see him go five because he has a relatively low pitch count...As soon as I say that the bullpen gets started...It's B.J. Hagen...Sharp double to deep center for Dom Lombardi over the head of Mike Epping...I think Midwest Manager Eric Coleman really wanted him to try for three but Epping got the ball in quickly...Jimmy Baker pops out to first...Ralph Rosas swings at the first pitch and grounds it to the left side...Brad Miller dives, its off his glove and in to left...Lombardi scores...Dennis Jones bounces to third...Bryan Frew fields and tries to go to second, throwing the ball into right...Rosas moves to third...Runners at the corners, one out...Jones on the move...Maikel De La Rosa fouls it off...Jones goes again, stealing second for the second time today...Roberts walks De La Rosa on a 3-1 pitch...His first walk of the game...Bases now loaded...Jonnie Knoble pinch hitting for Zack Pace...Flies out to left...Two down...Another pinch hitter...#11, I am guessing it is Jonas Fester...He grounds to first to end the inning...MIDWEST 4, BEACH BUMS 1
Bot 3rd: I don't think I've mentioned this...But I am watching from my broadcast booth with the windows open...Slight wind blowing out to left...A little chilly...I just put on my jacket...Robby Alcombrack, the 10th hitter in the Beach Bums lineup, leads off, breaks a bat, and flies out to left on a full count offering from Albury...Nate Jorgensen, Director of Media Relations, was sitting with me...He just left to go type some stuff up...I closed his open window...Bryan Frew grounds out to short...Midwest just issued uniforms today...Some players have a navy blue hat with a green brim while others have the opposite...Guerrero at the dish...Albury has his first 1-2-3 inning...He is slated to go four or five...Guerrero struck out looking on a back door slider...MIDWEST 3, BEACH BUMS 1
Top 3rd: Back to the top of the order...Zack Pace leading off...Fights off a 1-2 pitch and loses his bat...Grounds out to Maunus at first...On the first pitch Sam Deluca drops a bloop into left-center...Mike Epping makes a sliding attempt but it leads to a double due to the slide...Roberts throws to second to try and pick off Deluca...To no avail...Jeremy Jones grounds to short...Deluca moves to third...Two outs...Gil Zayas flies out to Welker in left...End of inning...MIDWEST 3, BEACH BUMS 1
Bot 2nd: John Alonso leads off for the Beach Bums...Alonso connects on a 2-1 pitch from James Albury, lifting it high in the air in left center, clanking off the scoreboard for a leadoff homer...First homer of the spring for Alonso...Brian Lapin grounds out to the first baseman who feed Albury covering...Brad Miller strikes out swinging...The Wuerfel Park speed gun has been turned on in left-center...Reed Welker strikes out swinging on three pitches to end the inning...MIDWEST 3, BEACH BUMS 1
Top 2nd: There are about seven people in the stands watching in addition to the Beach Bums pitching staff charting and shagging balls behind the plate...Dom Lombardi leads off for Midwest...Lombardi bounces one over the mound...Brad Miller charges and beats him to the bag with a throw by a half step...Lombardi trips over the base but is ok...Jimmy Baker singles sharply up the middle...Baker hustles to second on a pitch in the dirt...Ralph Rosas walks on a full count...First and second, one out...Dennis Jones bounces into a fielder's choice, keeping the inning alive...Rosas forced out at second...Dennis Jones steals second...Maikel De La Rosa singled home two runs into left...Roberts hits his pitch count, inning over...MIDWEST 3, BEACH BUMS 0
Bot 1st: Bryan Frew tried to bunt his way on and popped the first pitch foul...He has his pants rolled up to show off the blue socks...Hitting Coach J.T. Tamargo is coaching first with Gregg Langbehn at third...Frew worked the count full and drew a leadoff walk against Midwest starter James Albury...James Guerrero showed bunt on the first pitch as well but took high...Frew stole second...Guerrero flew out to center...Mike Epping worked the count full and walked...First and second, no outs...Using the binocs to scope out the speed gun that Kevin Reese has behind the plate, Albury is touching around 90 MPH...Runners moving on a 3-2 pitch, fouled away by Kyle Maunus...Four straight full counts...Runners not moving on the next pitch...Maunus pops out to second...Midwest Manager Eric Coleman informs the Beach Bums that Patrick Perry will be the last hitter of the inning...Gee, another full count...Perry walks, inning over with the bases loaded...MIDWEST 1, BEACH BUMS 0
NOTE: The catchers are calling balls and strikes...There are no umpires today...
Top 1st: Zack Pace legged out an infield single and went to third on an errant pickoff throw...Sam Deluca lifted a sacrifice fly to left to give Midwest the lead...Jeremy Jones grounded out to second as did Gil Zayas to end the frame...MIDWEST 1, BEACH BUMS 0
(5:58): Steve Roberts delivered the first pitch of the contest to Zack Pace...It's a strike...We're underway...Top 1st
MIDWEST 0, BEACH BUMS 0
(5:56): The Beach Bums have taken the field...
(5:45): Both starting pitchers are warming up in the bullpen each under the careful watch of their respective pitching coach...Midwest catcher Kevin Carkeek played under Gregg Langbehn in Lexington last season...
UPDATE: Pitchers will be on a pitch count per inning as they have been all spring so thus innings can just randomly end...I was hoping to be able to do a whole boxscore, but it looks like updates it is...Teams are stretching...About 20 minutes or so till the curtain drops...
Bot 7th: Kevin Gerard enters to pitch for Midwest...Andrew Barbaro leading off, his first at bat...I just glanced at the boxscore...The Beach Bums have just four hits currently...Barbaro hits a chopper over the mound...Fester fields at second and throws him out...John Alonso is at the plate...He has provided two of the four hits and has driven in both runs...Alonso is retired for the first time, grounding to second off the end of his bat...Chase Gerdes with his first at bat...First pitch swinging...Flyout to left...MIDWEST 7, BEACH BUMS 2
Top 7th: Jeff Williams taking the place of Jared Locke on the hill...Williams is the last scheduled hurler for the Beach Bums...I have heard a Midwest pitcher will likely throw the final half for the Beach Bums...Yikes!!! Williams went up and in with his first pitch fastball and creamed Jonas Fester...He is down and being tended to by Andrew Shaver, the Beach Bums trainer...Fester leaves the game...De La Rosa pinch runs for him...Runner goes, pitch is fouled away...Jeremy Jones reaches for the second straight at bat with a walk...Runners at first and second with no outs...Brad Miller saves a hit with a nice back-handed play in the hole at short, throwing to second to record the force for the first out...Kevin Carkeer nearly takes off Williams' head with a liner up the middle and in to center to score a run...Jimmy Baker doubles into right-center to clear the bases and drive in two, adding to the lead...Jason Acevado goes down looking and that is the last batter of the inning...MIDWEST 7, BEACH BUMS 2
Bot 6th: J.J. Pannell takes the place of O'Leary in the hill for Midwest...O'Leary allowed a double in his inning and also recorded a strikeout...Pannell walks the leadoff man, Al Barbato in his first plate appearance...Corey Whiting making his first plate appearance...Mound visit as Carkeer and Pannell got crossed up...A tough feat as Whiting, who is extremely quick, grounds into a double play to the shortstop...Kyle Maunus pops out to first on the first pitch...To the 7th!MIDWEST 4, BEACH BUMS 2
Top 6th: Jared Locke coming in...B.J. Hagen worked an inning and walked a man...Jason Acevado pinch hitting for Midwest...Bryan Frew stabs a liner at third...Sean Snell with his first at bat for the Sliders, who continue to lead...Snell strikes out...Jeff Williams tossing in the bullpen...Maikel De La Rosa with a single to right-center, his second hit of the game...Jonnie Knoble gets underneath one to deep left, Welker hauls it in to end the frame...MIDWEST 4, BEACH BUMS 2
Bot 5th: New pitcher for Midwest...Left-hander Michael O'Leary is in...For James Albury, the Austrailian native, four innings, three hits, two runs, both earned, three walks, five strikeouts...He is in line for the win...Brad Miller greets O'Leary rudely, smashing the first pitch into left-center off the wall for a double in the deepest part of the park...Miller breaks for third...Welker fouls it off...Kevin Carkeek now catching for Midwest...Welker strikes out swinging in a good battle...Miller breaks for third again...Robby Alcombrack fouls it off...He must be getting his running in for the day...Each team with action in the bullpen...Two outs as Alcombrack grounds to third...Bryan Frew grounds out to second to end the inning...MIDWEST 4, BEACH BUMS 2
Top 5th: Enter B.J. Hagen out of the bullpen...Here's the line on Roberts, who is on the hook for the loss...Four innings, six hits, four runs, three earned, two walks and a wild pitch...Other changes...Corey Whiting in center, Chase Gerdes in right...Andrew Barbaro behind the plate...Al Barbato to second...Hagen walks the first batter he faces, Jeremy Jones...Jones promptly steals second...Barbaro to the hill for a quick chat as Hagen falls behind 2-0 to Gil Zayas, the cleanup man...Make that 3-0...Fights back to make it full...Zayas grounds out to short...Jones moves to third...Infield comes in...Grounder right at Barbato...Runner holds at third...Two outs...Jones left at third as Hagen makes an outstanding barehanded play on a slow bouncer to the third base side, planting and throwing to get Jimmy Baker and end the inning...MIDWEST 4, BEACH BUMS 2
Bot 4th: Mike Epping leads off...Lots of changes for Midwest...Jonnie Knoble to center...Sean Snell to right...Jonas Fester to second...Epping strikes out, four in the game for Albury including two straight...Three straight strikeouts as Kyle Maunus goes down swining...Midwest has to go to first to get hte out on a pitch in the dirt...Albury getting stronger as the game goes on...B.J. Hagen looks ready to go in the Beach Bums bullpen...Patrick Perry goes the other way, snapping the strikeout streak by doubling into left-center...Speaking of going the other way...John Alonso drives in his second run with an opposite field single into right, scoring Perry...Alonso goes to second on a fielding error by the right-fielder...Brian Lapin hits it on the nose, but right at the third baseman...MIDWEST 4, BEACH BUMS 2
Top 4th: Steve Roberts still pitching...I imagine we will see him go five because he has a relatively low pitch count...As soon as I say that the bullpen gets started...It's B.J. Hagen...Sharp double to deep center for Dom Lombardi over the head of Mike Epping...I think Midwest Manager Eric Coleman really wanted him to try for three but Epping got the ball in quickly...Jimmy Baker pops out to first...Ralph Rosas swings at the first pitch and grounds it to the left side...Brad Miller dives, its off his glove and in to left...Lombardi scores...Dennis Jones bounces to third...Bryan Frew fields and tries to go to second, throwing the ball into right...Rosas moves to third...Runners at the corners, one out...Jones on the move...Maikel De La Rosa fouls it off...Jones goes again, stealing second for the second time today...Roberts walks De La Rosa on a 3-1 pitch...His first walk of the game...Bases now loaded...Jonnie Knoble pinch hitting for Zack Pace...Flies out to left...Two down...Another pinch hitter...#11, I am guessing it is Jonas Fester...He grounds to first to end the inning...MIDWEST 4, BEACH BUMS 1
Bot 3rd: I don't think I've mentioned this...But I am watching from my broadcast booth with the windows open...Slight wind blowing out to left...A little chilly...I just put on my jacket...Robby Alcombrack, the 10th hitter in the Beach Bums lineup, leads off, breaks a bat, and flies out to left on a full count offering from Albury...Nate Jorgensen, Director of Media Relations, was sitting with me...He just left to go type some stuff up...I closed his open window...Bryan Frew grounds out to short...Midwest just issued uniforms today...Some players have a navy blue hat with a green brim while others have the opposite...Guerrero at the dish...Albury has his first 1-2-3 inning...He is slated to go four or five...Guerrero struck out looking on a back door slider...MIDWEST 3, BEACH BUMS 1
Top 3rd: Back to the top of the order...Zack Pace leading off...Fights off a 1-2 pitch and loses his bat...Grounds out to Maunus at first...On the first pitch Sam Deluca drops a bloop into left-center...Mike Epping makes a sliding attempt but it leads to a double due to the slide...Roberts throws to second to try and pick off Deluca...To no avail...Jeremy Jones grounds to short...Deluca moves to third...Two outs...Gil Zayas flies out to Welker in left...End of inning...MIDWEST 3, BEACH BUMS 1
Bot 2nd: John Alonso leads off for the Beach Bums...Alonso connects on a 2-1 pitch from James Albury, lifting it high in the air in left center, clanking off the scoreboard for a leadoff homer...First homer of the spring for Alonso...Brian Lapin grounds out to the first baseman who feed Albury covering...Brad Miller strikes out swinging...The Wuerfel Park speed gun has been turned on in left-center...Reed Welker strikes out swinging on three pitches to end the inning...MIDWEST 3, BEACH BUMS 1
Top 2nd: There are about seven people in the stands watching in addition to the Beach Bums pitching staff charting and shagging balls behind the plate...Dom Lombardi leads off for Midwest...Lombardi bounces one over the mound...Brad Miller charges and beats him to the bag with a throw by a half step...Lombardi trips over the base but is ok...Jimmy Baker singles sharply up the middle...Baker hustles to second on a pitch in the dirt...Ralph Rosas walks on a full count...First and second, one out...Dennis Jones bounces into a fielder's choice, keeping the inning alive...Rosas forced out at second...Dennis Jones steals second...Maikel De La Rosa singled home two runs into left...Roberts hits his pitch count, inning over...MIDWEST 3, BEACH BUMS 0
Bot 1st: Bryan Frew tried to bunt his way on and popped the first pitch foul...He has his pants rolled up to show off the blue socks...Hitting Coach J.T. Tamargo is coaching first with Gregg Langbehn at third...Frew worked the count full and drew a leadoff walk against Midwest starter James Albury...James Guerrero showed bunt on the first pitch as well but took high...Frew stole second...Guerrero flew out to center...Mike Epping worked the count full and walked...First and second, no outs...Using the binocs to scope out the speed gun that Kevin Reese has behind the plate, Albury is touching around 90 MPH...Runners moving on a 3-2 pitch, fouled away by Kyle Maunus...Four straight full counts...Runners not moving on the next pitch...Maunus pops out to second...Midwest Manager Eric Coleman informs the Beach Bums that Patrick Perry will be the last hitter of the inning...Gee, another full count...Perry walks, inning over with the bases loaded...MIDWEST 1, BEACH BUMS 0
NOTE: The catchers are calling balls and strikes...There are no umpires today...
Top 1st: Zack Pace legged out an infield single and went to third on an errant pickoff throw...Sam Deluca lifted a sacrifice fly to left to give Midwest the lead...Jeremy Jones grounded out to second as did Gil Zayas to end the frame...MIDWEST 1, BEACH BUMS 0
(5:58): Steve Roberts delivered the first pitch of the contest to Zack Pace...It's a strike...We're underway...Top 1st
MIDWEST 0, BEACH BUMS 0
(5:56): The Beach Bums have taken the field...
(5:45): Both starting pitchers are warming up in the bullpen each under the careful watch of their respective pitching coach...Midwest catcher Kevin Carkeek played under Gregg Langbehn in Lexington last season...
UPDATE: Pitchers will be on a pitch count per inning as they have been all spring so thus innings can just randomly end...I was hoping to be able to do a whole boxscore, but it looks like updates it is...Teams are stretching...About 20 minutes or so till the curtain drops...
May 15: Midwest Exhibition Lineups...
Here are the starting lineups for tonight's exhibition with the Midwest Sliders of Ypsilanti...The Beach Bums will use a 10-hitter lineup to give guys maximal opportunity to get their work in...
MIDWEST
Zack Pace - CF
Sam Deluca - 2B
Jeremy Jones - LF
Gilberto Zayas - 3B
Dom Lombardi - C
Jimmy Baker - 1B
Ralph Rosas - DH
Dennis Jones - RF
Maikel De La Rosa - SS
James Albury - RHP
BEACH BUMS
Bryan Frew - 3B
James Guerrero - 2B
Mike Epping - CF
Kyle Maunus - 1B
Patrick Perry - C
John Alonso - DH
Brian Lapin - RF
Brad Miller - SS
Reed Welker - LF
Robby Alcombrack - DH
Steve Roberts - RHP
Also slated to appear are B.J. Hagen, Jared Locke, Jeff Williams, possibly Matt Trausch, and a pitcher from Midwest who is going to throw against his team just to get his work in and get the full contest...
MIDWEST
Zack Pace - CF
Sam Deluca - 2B
Jeremy Jones - LF
Gilberto Zayas - 3B
Dom Lombardi - C
Jimmy Baker - 1B
Ralph Rosas - DH
Dennis Jones - RF
Maikel De La Rosa - SS
James Albury - RHP
BEACH BUMS
Bryan Frew - 3B
James Guerrero - 2B
Mike Epping - CF
Kyle Maunus - 1B
Patrick Perry - C
John Alonso - DH
Brian Lapin - RF
Brad Miller - SS
Reed Welker - LF
Robby Alcombrack - DH
Steve Roberts - RHP
Also slated to appear are B.J. Hagen, Jared Locke, Jeff Williams, possibly Matt Trausch, and a pitcher from Midwest who is going to throw against his team just to get his work in and get the full contest...
Midwest in Town
The Midwest Sliders of Ypsilanti are in town for the next two days...The teams will play a closed scrimmage today and an open doubleheader exhibition tomorrow...Tickets for tomorrow are just $5 and the contests begin at noon...
While today's exhibition is closed to the public that doesn't mean you can't find out what is happening...Yours truly will be hard at work updating the contest as it unfolds right here on Calderwood's Corner...
Here is the Link for Game Updates
I had a good chat with Midwest Manager Eric Coleman who is rearing for the season to go...For more on the Sliders check out my offseason recap which is linked below from earlier this month...
Midwest Sliders of Ypsilanti Offseason Recap
Some other roster moves were made today, more on that coming soon as three more players were let go including a pair of returners...
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Where Are They Now?
With other independent leagues opening their schedule today (American Association) and tomorrow (Northern League) plus one already underway (Atlantic League), I thought today would be a good day to examine where some former Beach Bums players are making their home in 2009 as teams have now set their rosters...I tried to find as many pictures as I could...
Weston Curles - Kansas City T-Bones (Northern League)
Released by the Beach Bums after being used as a starter in 2008, Curles has landed on the staff of the defending Northern League Champs...
Ryan Gehring - Joliet JackHammers (Northern League)
Initially signed for 2009 by the Beach Bums, was traded to Joliet to complete the deal that brought David Nathanson back in 2008...Will be in the rotation...
Mike Reese - Gary Southshore Railcats (Northern League)
The first player signed by the Beach Bums in 2006 who owns several franchise firsts...Presently on the inactive list for Gary, where he has spent the past two summers primarily as a DH...
Steve Shippey - Schaumburg Flyers (Northern League)
Spent 2006 and part of 2007 with the Beach Bums before being released and signing with Kalamazoo...Aged out of the Frontier League after 2007 and signed in the Northern League, struggling but making every start...Likely to be in the rotation again in 2009...
Tom Thornton - Gary Southshore Railcats (Northern League)
Was with the Beach Bums at the end of the 2007 season...Spent most of 2008 on injured reserve with the Evansville Otters after signing as a free agent but recovered to return late...Was flawless in the spring for Gary and may be in their rotation finally fully healthy...
Hunter Davis - Pensacola Pelicans (American Association)
A Beach Bum in 2006, Davis has spent time in the Rays system in addition to other independent teams and will again be in Pensacola...
Aaron Garza - Grand Prarie AirHogs (American Association)
Set a single season homerun record in 2007 (Tied by Kyle Maunus last season) with 10 for the Beach Bums after signing out of college for the second half of the season...Traded to the AirHogs in 2008 and spent that season as a starting outfielder in his home state...
Tyler Meigs - Sioux City Explorers (American Association)
Picked up in a trade with Chillicothe in 2007, Meigs served as the closer for the Beach Bums for the remainder of that campaign, setting a then single season and career record for saves...Traded to Joliet of the Northern League in 2008 with David Nathanson for Jake Whitesides...Was a Northern League All-Star...Should be at the back of the pen for the X's...
Shaun Parker - Camden RiverSharks (Atlantic League)
Roommate of Justin Holmes as a starting pitcher with the Beach Bums in 2006...Battled injuries, latched on with Rockford in 2007, got hurt and hasn't pitched before this season...May not last much longer as in just 1.1 innings has an ERA of 33.75 with five walks...
Jeff Vincent - Camden RiverSharks (Atlantic League)
Began 2007 with the Beach Bums and homered in the first two games of the season before being dealt to Gateway and eventually to Chillicothe, where he spent 2008...Is mainly a fourth outfielder in the Atlantic League, currently batting .231 in eight games with two RBI and two stolen bases...
I will keep tab on these and other former players throughout the season during broadcasts...
PHOTOS
Pictured in game action with the Beach Bums are Weston Curles (2008); Ryan Gehring (2006-2008); Tom Thornton (2007); Aaron Garza (2007); Tyler Meigs (2007)
Spring Training Recap: May 14
The Gold recorded a 6-2 seven-inning decision over the Blue on Thursday afternoon in the final intrasquad contest of the week...It was a very blustery afternoon with winds blowing out to right at 20+ MPH...I am not sure if I will have photos today or not...
Gold struck first, scoring without a hit in the first inning by taking advantage of three walks and two wild pitches from Blue starter Pete McEneaney...Another run in the fourth made it a 2-0 lead when Andrew Barbaro came across on a two-out error...
Blue knotted the game with two runs in the fifth inning against Greg Ford...Damon Lessler led off the inning with a walk and came in to score on a ground rule double by Al Barbato...Patrick Perry tied the game by pulling a single into right to score Barbato...
Gold came back in the bottom of the sixth against Eric Theisen, scoring three times to take the lead...Andrew Barbaro and Ryan Kottke coaxed walks to start the frame...Bryan Frew singled in a run, and James Guerrero plated two with a single through the left side...The final run of the game scored in the seventh off David Hurst as Kyle Maunus and Andrew Barbaro doubled consecutively...
OFEENSIVE HIGHLIGHTS
James Guerrero was 2-for-3 for the Gold with a walk and two RBI...Andrew Barbaro also posted a pair of hits in going 2-3 with a walk, a run, a double, and an RBI...
PITCHING
Jason Kiley was extended for the Gold, tossing four innings without allowing a hit...He did walk five and strikeout three...All three strikeouts came in the second inning when he struck out the side and recorded a fourth out on a groundout to reach his pitch limit...Greg Ford struggled a bit during his first inning, going to a full count against the first two hitters and allowing two runs, but settled down in his second frame to retire all four batters he faced including striking out the final three hitters...Kyle Touchatt tossed a 1-2-3 seventh with a strikeout...
For the Blue, Pete McEneaney got off to a rocky start, walking three in his first inning...But McEneaney settled down in the second, posting four outs among the five batters faced...Nick Pepper went two innings and allowed an unearned run on two hits...Eric Theisen walked three and allowed three runs in his two innings while David Hurst threw the final frame, retiring the first two batters before allowing consecutive doubles...
DEFENSIVE HIGHLIGHTS
Brad Miller made a leaping stab of a liner off the bat of John Alonso in the bottom of the third and turned it into a double play by throwing to second to catch Mike Epping away from the bag...The play was one of three twin-killings turned by the Beach Bums in the game...
NOTES
The Blue team manged just two hits in the game but did walk six times...Gold drew six walks...James Guerrero's two hits were his first multi-hit game of the spring...After failing to reach base yesterday, Bryan Frew got on three times in a 1-3 showing with a walk, two runs scored, and an RBI...Roger Mason made his first visit to the mound in the first inning...Usually the first year pitching coach has been watching from the stands and going to the dugout to talk to pitchers between innings...Today he went from behind home plate to visit with Pete McEneaney after two walks to start the contest...Corey Whiting stole his sixth base of the spring in the third inning...
LINE SCORE
Blue 0 0 0 - 0 2 0 - 0; 2R, 2H, 2E
Gold 1 0 0 - 1 0 3 - 1; 6R, 8H, 0E
WP: Greg Ford(1-0)
LP: Eric Theisen (0-1)
SV: Kyle Touchatt (1)
UP NEXT
The Midwest Sliders of Ypsilanti will be in town tomorrow for a weekend series...Tomorrow's contest is closed, but I will be updating on Calderwood's Corner in addition to writing a full game recap similar to this...Saturday will feature a doubleheader at noon and it is open to the public...Tickets will be just $5...Don't miss your first glimpse at the 2009 squad...
Gold struck first, scoring without a hit in the first inning by taking advantage of three walks and two wild pitches from Blue starter Pete McEneaney...Another run in the fourth made it a 2-0 lead when Andrew Barbaro came across on a two-out error...
Blue knotted the game with two runs in the fifth inning against Greg Ford...Damon Lessler led off the inning with a walk and came in to score on a ground rule double by Al Barbato...Patrick Perry tied the game by pulling a single into right to score Barbato...
Gold came back in the bottom of the sixth against Eric Theisen, scoring three times to take the lead...Andrew Barbaro and Ryan Kottke coaxed walks to start the frame...Bryan Frew singled in a run, and James Guerrero plated two with a single through the left side...The final run of the game scored in the seventh off David Hurst as Kyle Maunus and Andrew Barbaro doubled consecutively...
OFEENSIVE HIGHLIGHTS
James Guerrero was 2-for-3 for the Gold with a walk and two RBI...Andrew Barbaro also posted a pair of hits in going 2-3 with a walk, a run, a double, and an RBI...
PITCHING
Jason Kiley was extended for the Gold, tossing four innings without allowing a hit...He did walk five and strikeout three...All three strikeouts came in the second inning when he struck out the side and recorded a fourth out on a groundout to reach his pitch limit...Greg Ford struggled a bit during his first inning, going to a full count against the first two hitters and allowing two runs, but settled down in his second frame to retire all four batters he faced including striking out the final three hitters...Kyle Touchatt tossed a 1-2-3 seventh with a strikeout...
For the Blue, Pete McEneaney got off to a rocky start, walking three in his first inning...But McEneaney settled down in the second, posting four outs among the five batters faced...Nick Pepper went two innings and allowed an unearned run on two hits...Eric Theisen walked three and allowed three runs in his two innings while David Hurst threw the final frame, retiring the first two batters before allowing consecutive doubles...
DEFENSIVE HIGHLIGHTS
Brad Miller made a leaping stab of a liner off the bat of John Alonso in the bottom of the third and turned it into a double play by throwing to second to catch Mike Epping away from the bag...The play was one of three twin-killings turned by the Beach Bums in the game...
NOTES
The Blue team manged just two hits in the game but did walk six times...Gold drew six walks...James Guerrero's two hits were his first multi-hit game of the spring...After failing to reach base yesterday, Bryan Frew got on three times in a 1-3 showing with a walk, two runs scored, and an RBI...Roger Mason made his first visit to the mound in the first inning...Usually the first year pitching coach has been watching from the stands and going to the dugout to talk to pitchers between innings...Today he went from behind home plate to visit with Pete McEneaney after two walks to start the contest...Corey Whiting stole his sixth base of the spring in the third inning...
LINE SCORE
Blue 0 0 0 - 0 2 0 - 0; 2R, 2H, 2E
Gold 1 0 0 - 1 0 3 - 1; 6R, 8H, 0E
WP: Greg Ford(1-0)
LP: Eric Theisen (0-1)
SV: Kyle Touchatt (1)
UP NEXT
The Midwest Sliders of Ypsilanti will be in town tomorrow for a weekend series...Tomorrow's contest is closed, but I will be updating on Calderwood's Corner in addition to writing a full game recap similar to this...Saturday will feature a doubleheader at noon and it is open to the public...Tickets will be just $5...Don't miss your first glimpse at the 2009 squad...
First Cuts
The Beach Bums made their first cuts of the spring today, releasing three pitchers...
Jason Cairns, Brandon Daily, and Kyle Stahlberg were let go this morning...
The roster now stands at 32 with 16 pitchers...
Further Info
Jason Cairns, Brandon Daily, and Kyle Stahlberg were let go this morning...
The roster now stands at 32 with 16 pitchers...
Further Info
Offseason Update: Florence Freedom
Florence Freedom
Manager: Toby Rumfield
First Season at Florence
Fourth Season Overall (83-109 at River City)
Pitching Coach: Bill Browett
Hitting Coach: Greg Stone
Player Personnel Coach: Jeff Kunion
Let go after two seasons in River City, Toby Rumfield latched on in Florence and immediately started to bring players in from River City that helped him improve 11 games last year in addition to familiar faces in the coaching staff...Most of his offseason trading was with River City...Rumfield is signed to a one-year deal...Florence lost a lot from the 2008 season with key players aging out and others deciding to hang it up (With one player on more than one occasion)...There are a lot of true rookies on the roster mixed in with other experienced players...The Freedom boasted the third best hitting team in the league in 2008...
Returning
RHP – Chris Eberhart
24 G, 0-2, 6.28 ERA, 28.2 IP, 19 K
LHP – Demetrius Banks
9 G, 4 GS, 0-0, 4.74 ERA, 19 IP, 20 K
LHP – Stephen Shao
24 G, 1 GS, 1-4, 5.54 ERA, 39 IP, 27 K
RHP – Brent Lotito
5 G, 4 GS, 2-0, 4.38 ERA, 1 CG, 24.2 IP, 11 K
RHP – Andy Clark
10th in the Frontier League in ERA...T-5th in wins...
19 G, 12 GS, 10-2, 3.36 ERA, 1 SV, 83 IP, 79 K
RHP – Everett Saul
19 G, 13 GS, 7-7, 5.44 ERA, 81 IP, 73 K, 1 CG, 1 SHO
IF – Tim Grogan
46 G, .309, 11 HR, 33 RBI
2B – Billy Mottram
90 G, .300, 10 HR, 53 RBI
IF/OF – John Welch
86 G, .280, 10 HR, 40 RBI
OF – Ryan Basham
2007 Frontier League Rookie of the Year was solid in his sophomore campaign...
95G, .278, 11 HR, 53 RBI, 24 2B, 5 SB
Newcomers (All Stats from 2008 unless Otherwise Noted)
RHP – Nolan Shaffer (True Rookie from Bridgewater College)
Acquired in a trade with Sioux City of the American Association...Played at Division III Bridgewater...
12 G, 11 GS, 7 CG, 6-4, 3.24 ERA, 75 IP, 70 K
RHP – David Clark (True Rookie from the University of Southern Mississippi)
Made nine starts last season in Conference USA...
9 G, 9 GS, 3-4, 5.61 ERA, 43.1 IP, 33 K, 1 CG, 1 SHO
RHP – Charles Williams (True Rookie from Jackson State University)
Ace of the staff at Jackson State...
16 G, 16 GS, 10-4, 4.33 ERA, 87.1 IP, 77 K
RHP – Jonathan Miller (River City Rascals -- LS-1)
Spent two years under the tutelage of Rumfield in River City...
31 G, 10 GS, 3-5, 3.76 ERA, 9 SV, 91 IP, 87 K
RHP – Julio Soriano (North Shore – Rookie-2)
Did not pitch in 2008…Threw for four teams in 2007...Began his pro career with the Orioles organization in 2004...Struggled at times with his control...Stats are from the North Shore Spirit of the Can-Am League in 2007...
8 G, 0-1, 7.20 ERA, 10 IP, 1 SV, 10 K
LHP – Carlos De La Rosa (Rookie-2 from the Giants System)
Spent six seasons as a reliever in the Giants system but is still a Rookie-2...Threw an inning at Triple-A Fresno in 2007, retiring all three batters and posting a strikeout...Most of his career has been at the Rookie level where he was last season with the Arizona League Giants...
7 G, 1-2, 5.06 ERA, 2 SV, 10.2 IP, 9 K
RHP – Jake Edwards (True Rookie from Tennessee Tech)
Used as both a starter and reliever in his time with Tennessee Tech, a Division I school...
17 G, 10 GS, 3-4, 5.35 ERA, 74 IP, 69 K
RHP – David Arnold (River City Rascals – LS-1)
Spent two years in the Rockies system before signing with River City last year...Peaked at High-A Modesto in the California League where he posted a double-digit ERA in 12 games...
6 G, 3 GS, 1-1, 4.32 ERA, 16.2 IP, 9 K
RHP – Luis Pardo (LS-1 from the Astros system)
Played for Beach Bums Manager Gregg Langbehn in Lexington in 2008...Ninth round pick of the Astros in 2007 owns a career professional record of 1-17...
16 G, 12 GS, 1-9, 5.57 ERA, 63 IP, 45 K
C – Joseph Kala (True Rookie from Saddleback Junior College)
Junior college player spent this past winter in the Arizona Winter League with the Blythe Heat...Stats are from that season...
16 G, .333, 1 HR, 9 RBI
C – Justin Pickett (LS-1 from the Rangers System)
Drafted in the 22nd Round of the 2006 Draft by the Padres...Picked up by the Rangers in 2008...Spent parts of two seasons in the Midwest League...Stats are from Spokane of the Northwest League…
35 G, .252, 4 HR, 28 RBI
C – Jeremiah Parker (True Rookie from Georgia Southern College)
Starting catcher for a team that won 33 games last season…
57 G, .326, 14 HR, 70 RBI
IF – Dan Williams (True Rookie from the University of Pittsburgh)
Finished fourth on Pitt in slugging percentage...
53 G, .275, 6 HR, 30 RBI, 7 SB
IF – Armando Gil (North Shore Spirit – Rookie-2)
Did not play in 2008...Was fairly successful as a utility player in the Can-Am League in 2007...
55 G, .284, 1 HR, 11 RBI
IF – Henry Sanchez (True Rookie from Lambuth University)
53 G, .267, 1 HR, 20 RBI
IF – Jeff Miller (River City Rascals – LS-1)
Has played for Rumfield the past two seasons in River City, appearing in every game in 2008...Middle of the order presence...
96 G, .298, 15 HR, 66 RBI, 19 2B
OF – Brad Hough (River City Rascals – LS-2)
In his fourth year as a pro in independent baseball…Has spent the last two years in River City as a starting outfielder...Hit .285 for the Rascals in 2007, playing in all 96 games...
92 G, .270, 9 HR, 60 RBI, 25 2B, 24 SB
OF – Erold Andrus (Veteran from the Rays System)
Spent parts of the last two seasons in Double-A Montgomery with the Rays...Has been a professional since 2001, appearing in eight different seasons...Native of Venezuela was originally signed by the Yankees but has played in three different organizations...Led the Midwest League in at bats and was second in hits (161) back in 2004...Will turn 25 this summer...
128 G, .255, 7 HR, 59 RBI
OF – Cory Underhill (True Rookie from St. Gregory University)
Leading hitter for the NAIA school, also leading the team in homers and RBI...
49 G, .397, 10 HR, 41 RBI
OF – Jay Johnson (Veteran from the Red Sox System)
13th Round Choice by the Red Sox in 2005...Played at Double-A Portland three times in his career...Has four years of pro experience out of Xavier...Belted 11 homers in the South Atlantic League in 2006...Hit 27 doubles for Portland in 2007...Local product...
12 G, .256, 0 HR, 10 RBI
OF – Tewayne Willis (Rookie-2 from the Cubs System)
Selected by the Cubs in the 28th Round of the 2008 Draft...Spent the entire season in the Arizona League...
41 G, .196, 0 HR, 12 RBI, 10 SB
OF – Bryan Burke (Texarkana Gunslingers – Rookie-2)
Signed out of the Florence open tryout...Played in the Continental League last season...
43 G, .284, 0 HR, 21 RBI
OF – Angel Sierra (LS-1 from the Athletics System)
Spent three years in the A’s system after being chosen in the 8th Round of the 2006 Draft...Briefly played in the Short Season Northwest League in 2007, all of his other professional experience is from the Arizona League...
21 G, .234, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 12 SB
Departed
C – Eddie Gonzalez
Signed with Evansville as a free agent...Released on Monday…Frontier League All-Star in 2008...
43 G, .213, 3 HR, 16 RBI
C – Matt Hackney
Released on April 3...
38 G, .236, 1 HR, 11 RBI
3B – Kelly Hunt
Aged Out...Frontier League All-Star who threatened the single season homerun record...
75 G, .310, 26 HR, 73 RBI
C – Josh Lex
Aged Out
51 G, .271, 6 HR, 28 RBI
OF – Garth McKinney
Retired, unretired, retired, unretired...Now on the suspended list, my guess is he decided again to hang it up...
90 G, .303, 18 HR, 65 RBI, 17 2B, 28 SB
OF – Angel Molina
Aged Out…Frontier League All-Star Game MVP
90 G, .327, 22 HR, 71 RBI, 22 2B, 14 SB
OF – Justin Randall
Traded back from whence he came...AKA he got traded back to Evansville…Florence received Nick Salotti to complete the deal which was the same trade as mid-season, but Salotti was sent to Worcester of the Can-Am League...Stats are combined…He struggled with Florence...
84 G, .280, 0 HR, 35 RBI, 7 SB
RHP – Cody Castle
Traded to New Hampshire of the Can-Am League...
31 G, 1-3, 3.71 ERA, 14 SV, 34 IP, 31 K
RHP – David Cross
On the suspended list
2 G, 0-0, 5.40 ERA, 3.1 IP, 1K
RHP – Brandon Hamlett
Traded to River City in the deal that brought Jeff Miller, Brad Hough, and Jon Miller to Florence...Garth McKinney was traded to River City initially in this deal...
9 G, 0-0, 1.08 ERA, 16.2 IP, 13 K
LHP – Chris Ingoglia
Sent to River City for Danny Powers...Was third in the Frontier League in strikeouts in 2008...
29 G, 13 GS, 6-8, 4.38 ERA, 2 SV, 2 CG, 1 SHO, 125.1 IP, 132 K
RHP – Gary Lee
Traded to Southern Illinois for Mike Victor who was later released and has since signed with Windy City...Stats are combined between River City and Florence...
32 G, 8 GS, 5-3, 4.88 ERA, 2 CG, 97.2 IP, 59 K
RHP – Bryan Villalona
Sold to El Paso of the American Association...
5 G, 4 GS, 1-0, 4.39 ERA, 26.2 IP, 20 K
Questions
Since most teams have announced their spring training rosters or pretty close to it, I am assuming these players either retired or were released though I couldn’t find them on the league or team transaction wire...
SS – Jeff Landry
58 G, .206, 1 HR, 15 RBI
RHP – Andy Schon
5 G, 5 GS, 0-1, 5.95 ERA, 19.2 IP, 20 K
SS – Eric Padilla
24 G, .284, 0 HR, 7 RBI
RHP – Liam Shanahan
17 G, 16 GS, 6-7, 4.52 ERA, 99.2 IP, 53 K
Keep Your Eye On
Outfield
How do you replace two of the top outfielders in the league (Molina/McKinney)? Simple, use your veteran and LS-2 slots on outfielders...Florence has two vets, an LS-2, and a pair of LS-1’s in their outfield during spring training...Can we say competition? Not to mention that John Welch, an LS-1, played outfield last season as a way of getting into the lineup...My lone question is with a crowded outfield, can all those players be fully utilized? That is one of the tasks in front of Toby Rumfield.
Trending
Down
Again I say, these trends are simply based off what they have back from last year and what they have to replace...Rumfield started to turn the corner last season with River City, owning first place in the West for a good portion of the first half...The issue facing Florence is finding players to drive in runs...The Freedom probably had one of the most feared lineups in the league last year, but gone are over 200 RBI from just three players (Molina, Hunt, and McKinney) which was nearly half the team’s total and was over half of the team’s homeruns...Billy Mottram and Ryan Basham will have to significantly improve their offense...Outside of Andy Clark there are a lot of questions on the pitching staff including who can close with All-Star Cody Castle gone...There is still some talent back, and the Freedom will be competitive in the East, but staying in the playoff race might be an uphill battle...
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
May 13 Spring Training Update
I am noticing a trend with the weather...Good one day, bad the next...Today was the latter and with rain projected for the entire afternoon, the Beach Bums switched up the schedule to get all their work in early...The scrimmage began around 9:45am or so instead of 12:45pm...
The Gold posted a 3-1 decision over the Blue in a 6.5 inning game this morning under windy conditions, gray skies, and a sporadic spinkling of rain...
The Blue opened the scoring in the top of the second as Brian Lapin connected on his second homer of the spring leading off the frame, clearing the fence in left on the first pitch he saw from Gold starter Brett Bostelman...
Gold took the lead with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth...John Alonso doubled to left-center off of Jared Locke to start the frame, moved to third on a single by Kyle Maunus, and both runners were able to score on an error...John Alonso was part of the final run that scored as well, lifting a sacrifice fly to plate James Guerrero in the bottom of the sixth...It was the first RBI of the spring for Alonso...
OFEENSIVE HIGHLIGHTS
The lone Gold player to post more than one hit was Kyle Maunus, who went 2-for-3with a run scored and a stolen base...John Alonso scored a run and drove in a run while Andrew Barbaro also drove in a run...
For the Blue, Reed Welker posted a pair of hustle doubles, which is to say alert baserunning...Corey Whiting also had two hits and stole a base...
PITCHING
Brett Bostelman was stretched out over four innings for the Gold, earning the win after surrendering one run on three hits to go with a walk and three strikeouts...B.J. Hagen threw one scoreless frame, striking out two, while Kyle Stahlberg posted the save following two scoreless innings...
Steve Roberts started for the Blue, throwing an inning...Roberts was scratched from his appearance on Monday due to illness and today would have been his side session day, so he just threw his side session in the game...Roberts was perfect in his lone inning of work, striking out one...Jeff Williams became the first pitcher of the spring to strike out the side, throwing just three balls in his entire inning of work and getting two hitters looking...Jared Locke was stretched out a bit in his second spring appearance, tossing two innings and taking the loss after allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits to go with a strikeout...Matt Trausch closed things out for the Blue, becoming the second pitcher of the spring to strike out the side in the fifth inning, facing just three hitters...He worked the sixth as well and finished with two innings, three hits, a run, and three strikeouts...
DEFENSIVE HIGHLIGHTS
Brett Bostelman picked off Corey Whiting with a great move in the first inning after Whiting singled to begin the game...The throw came as Whiting was getting his secondary lead...
NOTES
For the first time this spring, Bryan Frew neglected to reach base on at least one occasion...Kyle Stahlberg was hit with a comebacker in the sixth off the bat of Corey Whiting but was able to deflect most of it with his glove and stayed in the game without even requiring assistance...
LINE SCORE
Blue 0 1 0 - 0 0 0 - 0; 1R, 6H, 1E
Gold 0 0 0 - 2 0 1 - x; 3R, 6H, 0E
WP: Brett Bostleman (2-0)
LP: Jared Locke (0-1)
SV: Kyle Stahlberg (1)
PHOTOS
Taken by Beach Bums Director of Media Relations Nate Jorgensen at the workout today...John Alonso working at first base...Jared Locke delivering on the hill...Damon Lessler at the plate...
Southern Illinois Gets a Big Leaguer
Clay Zavada will become the second former Frontier League player to make his Major League debut when he takes the hill for the first time with the Arizona Diamondbacks...Zavada will be the 19th player from the Frontier League to reach the majors...
Zavada has a truly unique story, read all about it in the Pantagraph Story linked below, and was with Southern Illinois to begin last season before he was sold to the D-Backs in what was nearly a straight trade with the club that was eventually rejected by MLB...Zavada was gone by the time the Beach Bums faced the Miners, but he went 2-1 with a 1.78 ERA and four saves in his 12 appearances in the Frontier League last season...He was placed on Arizona's 40-man roster to start the season and received the call from Double-A...
Chris Jakubauskas, formerly of Florence and Ohio Valley, debuted earlier this season with the Seattle Mariners and is in their starting rotation...
The photo came from the Frontier League website and is Zavada posing with Southern Illinois Manager Mike Pinto at Diamondbacks Spring Training this winter...
More on Zavada
Bloomington-Pantagraph Story
On a side note, Bryan Rembisz, who is the highest Beach Bums player ever in affiliated ball, has gone 15.1 innings without allowing an earned run at Double-A in the Angels system with the Arkansas Travelers...
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Bowl With the Beach Bums Photos
Hope everyone who came out to Wilderness Crossing last night had a good time...I posted some of my favorite photos from the evening's events...Suntan and Sunburn were of course a hit...
Some notes that came away from the evening...Patrick Perry rolled the high game with a 277...Note to self...Don't go bowling with him...
Bowl With the Beach Bums Recap
PHOTOS
Suntan rolls on the lanes...First Round Frontier League Draft Choice David Hurst rides the bull...Patrick Perry shows off the form that enabled him to bowl a 277...Suntan takes a turn on the bull...
May 12 Scrimmage Update
Two weeks exactly before the home opener on a beautiful afternoon at Wuerfel Park the Blue walked off with a 6-5 comeback win over the Gold in 7.5 back and forth innings of spring training action for the Beach Bums...
Brian Lapin lifted the Blue to the victory by doubling into the left-center gap off of Brandon Daily on a 3-2 offering in the top of the eighth to score Kyle Maunus, who was running on the pitch, from first base...
The Gold jumped out to a 2-0 lead with a pair of second inning runs against Blue starter Kyle Touchatt...Touchatt had already recorded three outs, but with pitch counts expanding, coaches want to see more of the pitchers to be able to make difficult decisions which are coming soon...Al Barbato singled, moved to second on a wild pitch, and was along for the ride when Chase Gerdes hit a two-run homer over the fence in right-center, his first homer of the spring...
Blue was able to cut into the lead in the top of the third, scoring an unearned run against David Nathanson following back-to-back two-out errors...
Gold got the run back to stretch it to a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the inning...Brad Miller led off the inning with a single, moved to second on a one-out single off the bat of John Alonso, and scored when Patrick Perry singled through the right side...
Blue tied the score with two unearned runs in the top of the fourth, also off of Nathanson...Ryan Kottke started the rally with a leadoff single...Damon Lessler dropped down a sacrifice bunt but reached safely on an error...Bryan Frew walked to load the bases...James Guerrero grounded in to a double play that enabled one run to score, and a two-out error allowed the tying run to cross...
Single runs in the fifth and sixth gave Blue its first lead at 5-3...With two outs in the fifth inning, Corey Whiting tripled to right off Jason Cairns...Ryan Kottke singled him home...Bryan Frew singled leading off the sixth, moved to third on an error, and scored on a groundout by Kyle Maunus...
Gold was able to get both runs back in the sixth inning against Nick Pepper...Chase Gerdes doubled the opposite way on a two-strike pitch, stole third, and scored on a groundout by Brad Miller...Mike Epping knotted the score with his second longball of the spring, lifting a 2-2 pitch over the wall in right...
A two-out error allowed Kyle Maunus to reach with two outs in the eighth before Lapin doubled him home, ending the game...
OFFENSIVE HIGHLIGHTS
Gold
Start with Chase Gerdes, who was 2-for-3 with a double, a homer, two runs scored, two RBI, a walk, and two stolen bases...
Blue
The only player to post more than one hit was Ryan Kottke, who finished 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI...Bryan Frew reached base two more times, surprise...He singled and drew a walk...
PITCHING
David Nathanson looked much improved as he went a little deeper into the game for the Gold...Nathanson worked four innings and allowed three runs though none were earned...He surrendered just two hits with one walk and four strikeouts...Nathanson recorded five outs in the second inning before hitting his pitch limit...Jason Cairns pitched two innings as well for the Gold,allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits...Brandon Daily also went two innings, taking the loss after allowing the winning run to score unearned in the eighth...Daily allowed just one hit while striking out one...
Kyle Touchatt was extended for his second appearance on the Blue side...Touchatt threw three innings and gave up three runs on five hits to go with a strikeout...Two of his three runs scored after he already retired three hitters...Greg Ford showed some life on his fastball and di not allow a run in two innings...He walked two and struck out one...Nick Pepper tallied the win, allowing two runs on two hits to go with a strikeout in his inning...
DEFENSIVE HIGHLIGHTS
For the first time this spring there were struggles on the defensive end...I think there were more errors today than in the first three games combined...The Gold committed six errors, four of which came on throws from third base...There were some highlights though...Al Barbato made two outstanding defensive plays to take away hits in the second and sixth, one came at second and the other came when he was playing short...Versatility is a word I've thrown around a lot this spring and today was no exception...Kyle Maunus started in the outfield and has now played first, third, and outfield this spring...Bryan Frew saw time at every infield position but first as did James Guerrero and Damon Lessler...Brad Miller spent time on the right side of the infield at second base in addition to short...
NOTES
The series is tied 2-2 between the Blue and Gold...Two bats went flying out of hitters hands...There were three broken bats...
LINE SCORE
Blue 0 0 1 - 2 1 1 - 0 1; 6R, 7H, 0E
Gold 0 2 1 - 0 0 2 - 0 x; 5R, 7H, 6E
WP: Nick Pepper (1-0)
LP: Brandon Daily (0-1)
PHOTOS
Official Beach Bums Photographer John Russell was at practice today...Here are a couple of his shots...Bryan Frew in the field...Kyle Maunus at the dish...Nick Pepper working on the mound...
Storm Rips Through Southern Illinois
Speaking of pictures being worth a thousand words...It seems I am on a Southern Illinois kick this morning, but check this out...An inland hurricane ripped through Southern Illinois and caused some damage to Rent One Park, knocking down two light towers...Wind was estimated at 106 MPH!!! And yet shortly there after, Mike Pinto had his team on the field practicing and thankfully everyone was safe...One of the advantages of having turf...The first photo came from the Marion Daily-Republican while the other is presently on the Frontier League website...Check out the story below...
Damage to Rent One Park Fails to Hamper Miners Spring Training
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
That is one of my favorite quotes of all time, and its true in this case...Southern Illinois played Florence in an exhibition game that featured a couple ejections...Check out the article below from the Marion Daily Republican...Photo is on their photo gallery from the game...Florence won 14-5 by the way...
Marion Daily Republican Story
In other exhibition action, Rockford has beaten Gary twice in a row to improve to 2-2 on the exhibition season, shutting out the Railcats yesterday by a 6-0 count...Windy City dropped back-to-back contests to Joliet...Former Beach Bum Ryan Gehring tossed a scoreless inning while another former Beach Bum, Jake Whitesides, drove in a run for the JackHammers...
Once the season gets rolling I will post an alumni update so you can have an idea of where everyone that once wore Blue and Gold is now playing...
Don't forget, the Beach Bums will host their own series of exhibitions this weekend when the Midwest Sliders of Ypsilanti come calling...Saturday is a doubleheader open to the public beginning at 12pm...Tickets are just $5...
Monday, May 11, 2009
Scrimmage Update: May 11, 2009
Back to live action for the Beach Bums this afternoon with a 10-inning intrasquad scrimmage game...Full recap is below...
Brian Lapin stole the show in a 4-1 victory for the Gold over the Blue...Lapin drove in three runs, hit a two-run homer and also threw a man out at the plate from center field in addition to nearly throwing out another runner at second from left field...
Gold jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning against Kevin Reese, who took the loss for the Blue...Bryan Frew drew a leadoff walk, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by James Guerrero, stole third, and scored on an errant throw...Kyle Maunus singled, stole second, and scored on a base hit through the left side by Brian Lapin...
Blue cut into the deficit in the ninth inning against Eric Theisen...John Alonso connected on an opposite field double to right and scored when Patrick Perry tripled into the right-center gap...
Brian Lapin added to the lead in the bottom of the ninth with his homer, just the second of the spring by the Beach Bums (Mike Epping hit the other last Friday)...Kyle Maunus singled to begin the frame and Lapin followed by belting a 1-1 pitch from Kyle Stahlberg into the grass in left...Shawn Joy earned the win for the Gold, who are now 2-1 on the spring...
OFFENSIVE HIGHLIGHTS
Bryan Frew drew three straight walks for the Gold and also posted a pair of infield singles...He finished the game 2-for-3 with three steals, three walks, and a run scored...Other Gold notables included Kyle Maunus, who posted a pair of singles to go with a walk and two runs scored...Brian Lapin finished 2-for-5 with the homer and three RBI...
For the Blue, Chase Gerdes posted two doubles out of the leadoff slot, narrowly beating a Lapin throw to second in the 10th inning...Patrick Perry posted three hits, the most from either side in the game...Perry was 3-for-5 with a triple and an RBI...Al Barbato, Andrew Barbaro, John Alonso, and Mike Epping also posted two hits each for the Blue, who left 12 men on base in the contest...Both of Alonso's hits went the other way...
PITCHING
Shawn Joy started and earned the win for the Gold, tossing five innings and allowing four hits to go with one strikeout...Pete McEneaney threw two innings and allowed a pair of hits to go with a strikeout...Matt Trausch did not allow a run despite surrendering five hits and a walk in his two innings...Jared Locke made his first appearance, retiring all four batters he faced in his inning of work to go with a broken bat...Eric Theisen closed things out for the Gold with two innings of work, allowing a run on four hits to go with a strikeout...
Kevin Reese threw threw innings for the Blue and took the loss, allowing two runs on three hits with a pair of walks and a strikeout...B.J. Hagen threw two innings in his spring debut, walking three and striking out two but not allowing a hit...Jeff Williams allowed an infield hit in his inning of work...David Hurst did not allow a run in his two innings of work, walking one and surrendering a pair of hits...Kyle Stahlberg finished out the game with two innings for the Blue, allowing two runs on four hits with a walk and a strikeout...
DEFENSE
Kyle Maunus made wuite a few great plays from third, showcasing his arm as well as his versatility...Al Barbato made a great play on a Corey Whiting grounder up the middle in the ninth...Brian Lapin played all three outfield positions and threw out a Brad Miller at the plate in addition to nearly nailing Gerdes at second (The throw beat him to the bag)...
NOTES
Steve Roberts was scheduled to go but left feeling under the weather...Jared Locke and B.J. Hagen each made their spring debut on the hill...The Beach Bums may have found their leadoff man...Bryan Frew has only been retired four times in the three scrimmages thus far in 10 at bats and has also drawn six walks while stealing six bases...Not only can he get on, but he can also play multiple positions...Frew today played in the outfield after having previously played second, third, and short...The unofficial count of broken bats from Monday's scrimmage was five by five different pitchers...Pitchers are limitied in pitches during each inning, so sometimes they can record more than three outs or less than three outs depending on that count...I am just calling each pitch count as an inning regardless of how many outs they record...Generally, pitchers looked as good if not better than their first outing with a couple exceptions...The Gold swiped six bases...
LINE SCORE
Blue 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 - 0 0 1 - 0; 1R, 15H, 1E
Gold 0 0 2 - 0 0 0 - 0 0 2 - 0; 4R, 9H, 1E
WP: Shawn Joy (1-0)
LP: Kevin Reese (0-1)
SV: Eric Theisen (1)
PHOTOS
Taken by Beach Bums Director of Media Relations Nate Joregensen...
Brian Lapin makes a throw from center field...Lefty Matt Trausch works on the mound...Corey Whiting at the dish...
Offseason Recap: Southern Illinois Miners
Southern Illinois Miners
Manager: Mike Pinto
Third Season at Southern Illinois (107-85)
Fifth Season Overall (176-207)
First Base Coach: Ralph Santana
Pitching Coach: Brendan Sagara
Hitting Coach: Bart Zeller
Scouting Coach: Ron Biga
Perhaps the best addition for Southern Illinois this offseason came in the form of Brendan Sagara, who was added to Mike Pinto’s staff as the pitching coach. Another big assist can be given to the St. Louis Cardinals, who decided that 2008 Frontier League Pitcher of the Year Ryan Bird was not good enough to make any of their minor league squads. So now the man who came just short of setting the league’s single season record for strikeouts is back in the gold and black. Coming off of their first playoff appearance in franchise history (Southern Illinois was upended by eventual champion Windy City in four games of the first round), the Miners have a lot of returners on the pitching staff, but will again have several offensive holes to fill. The same could be said however last season when Brandon Jones arrived on the scene. One thing the Miners will benefit from is having one of the only coaching staffs in the league that stayed completely intact save for Sagara, who brings with him the resume of having been the pitching coach for the best staff in 2007 (Windy City), having a Northern League Championship ring as the pitching coach for Gary in 2005, and experience working with five different teams in the league, including Evansville last year. At his disposal is the second best pitching team in the league last year, trailing only the Beach Bums.
Returning
LHP – Bo Prather
4 G, 0-0, 1.93 ERA, 4.2 IP, 6 K
RHP - Nick Starnes
20 G, 11 GS, 3-4, 4.74 ERA, 74 IP, 39 K
RHP – Kevin Dooley
2 G, 1-0, 3.00 ERA, 3 IP, 4 K
RHP – Ryan Bird
2008 Frontier League Pitcher of the Year
21 G, 20 GS, 13-3, 2.48 ERA, 123.2 IP, 152 K, 1 SHO
RHP – Griffin Bailey
Led the league in appearances last season…Spent some time as the closer…
47 G, 5-5, 2.79 ERA, 6 SV, 58 IP, 44 K
RHP – Jake MacMurran
Frontier League All-Star
46 G, 1 GS, 4-3, 2.82 ERA, 1 SV, 73.1 IP, 61 K
RHP – Mike Phelps
Late season acquisition that developed quickly into one of the top closers in the league…
17 G, 1-0, 0.40 ERA, 3 SV, 22.2 IP, 39 K
LHP – Josh Neal
Retired in July last season but has opted to make a return…
3 G, 0-0, 4.15 ERA, 4.1 IP, 2 K
IF – Tony Roth
Spent the final part of last season on the injured reserve list…
48 G, .290, 5 HR, 25 RBI, 6 SB
1B – Brad Miller
47 G, .310, 5 HR, 32 RBI
OF – Joey Metropoulos
93 G, .315, 20 HR, 66 RBI, 21 2B
OF – Kevin Koski
63 G, .285, 3 HR, 19 RBI, 16 SB
C – Randy Rosa (currently on the suspended list)
Picked up from River City, Rosa developed into a good backup to Brendan Akashian behind the plate…Stats are just with Southern Illinois…
27 G, .289, 0 HR, 5 RBI
Newcomers (All Stats from 2008 unless Otherwise Noted)
RHP – Chris Wiman (True Rookie from Abilene Christian University)
Led all NCAA Divisions in wins with 13 as a senior, used mainly as a reliever…
30 G, 8 GS, 13-5, 4.39 ERA, 4 SV, 80 IP, 78 K
RHP – Gary Lee (LS-2 from Florence)
Picked up in a trade from Florence for IF Mike Victor
Used as a reliever in River City but as a starter in Florence after being released, will likely be looked at to start for Southern Illinois…Pitched in the South Coast League for Aiken in 2007…Stats are just from Florence…
7 G, 7 GS, 3-3, 3.99 ERA, 47.1 IP, 26 K, 2 CG
LHP – Tim Dennehy (Rookie-2 from the Yankees System)
Teammate of Beach Bums hurler Jason Kiley at Staten Island in 2008 after playing in the Gulf Coast League in 2007…Used primarily as a reliever…26th Round Pick in the 2006 Draft…
16 G, 2-1, 3.68 ERA, 22 IP, 16 K
LHP - Cory Lapinski (Rookie-2 from the Astros System)
Has not pitched since 2006 after missing two seasons with Tommy John surgery…Managed by Beach Bums skipper Gregg Langbehn in the New York-Penn League with Tri-City for two years…Was also a teammate of Roger Clemens’ son…Once threw seven innings of relief without allowing a run in a game…Stats are from the 2006 season, his last in professional baseball…
18 G, 2-1, 2.41 ERA, 2 SV, 37.1 IP, 45 K
RHP – Zack Pitts (Rookie-2 from the Cardinals System)
Used as both a starter and reliever in the New York-Penn League last season…24th Round Draft Choice out of the University of Louisville where he was the Big East Pitcher of the Year…Pitched in the 2007 College World Series…
14 G, 7 GS, 1-5, 3.31 ERA, 51.2 IP, 38 K
LHP – Anthony Bradley (LS-1 from the Royals System)
Spent two seasons in the Royals system as a reliever and made a brief appearance at Triple-A Omaha in 2008…Spent most of 2008 in the Midwest League, the stats are from his time with Burlington, whom he was with on three different occasions last season…Released by the Royals at the end of spring training…
26 G, 1-4, 2.14 ERA, 4 SV, 42 IP, 35 K
RHP – Joe Augustine (LS-1 from the Royals System)
Another player who spent 2008 with Burlington of the Midwest League…Spent two years with the Royals, working as both a starter and reliever…Set single season school records for wins and strikeouts at Kean University, a Division III school…Won the 2007 national championship…
28 G, 5 GS, 4-2, 3.77 ERA, 105 IP, 85 K
RHP – Tyler Davis (LS-1 from the Padres System)
Briefly reach Triple-A in 2008 with Portland…Spent significant time in both the Midwest League and the Northwest League…Two year member of the Padres organization…21st Round Pick of the Padres out of the University of Hawaii…Stats are from Eugene of the Northwest League…
22 G, 3-3, 2.42 ERA, 1 SV, 26 IP, 19 K
RHP – Jameson Maj (Rookie-2 from the Cardinals System)
Released in spring training after spending two years in the Cardinals organization as both a starter and reliever…Split time in 2008 between the New York-Penn League and the Midwest League…Stats are from Batavia of the New York-Penn League…Drafted in the 45th Round of the 2007 Draft out of Abilene Christian where he was Conference Pitcher of the Year…
9 G, 5 GS, 2-2, 3.63 ERA, 1 SV, 39.2 IP, 37 K
RHP – Chandler Barnard (Worcester Tornadoes -- Rookie-2)
Acquired in a trade from Worcester of the Can-Am League to complete an earlier deal…
Signed as a free agent with Worcester following his college career…Pitched for the Division III National Champions in 2008, Trinity…
11 G, 2 GS, 1-0, 4.44 ERA, 26.1 IP, 12 K
RHP – Danny Zeffiro (Rookie-2 from the Reds System)
Let go by the Reds this spring training…Spent two seasons with the Reds after signing as a free agent out of Kean University…Won a national title in 2007 at Kean where he was an All-American…Teammate of Joe Augustine in college…Reached the Florida State League last year…Stats are from Billings of the Pioneer League in 2008…
14 G, 2-0, 4.31 ERA, 31.1 IP, 25 K
RHP – Don Jordat (True Rookie from Miami-Dade CC)
Here is what I could find on him which pretty much comes verbatim from the Southern Illinois website…Spent two seasons at Miami-Dade CC where he went 10-2 with a 1.76 ERA…Drafted out of high school by the Brewers in the 38th Round of the 2004 Draft…
C – Cris Crescenzi (Evansville Otters – Rookie-2)
Served as the backup to All-Star Tom Pennino behind the plate in Evansville last season, battling injuries…Began his pro career in 2007 with two different Can-Am League teams…
41 G, .213, 5 HR, 19 RBI, 40 K
C – Brandon Ketron (Southern Maryland – LS-2)
If this name sounds familiar it is because he was on Lake Erie’s roster for a while but was released before spring training...Here is what I wrote on him in my Lake Erie post...UPDATE: Lake Erie released Ketron on April 23
Ketron was a Frontier-League All-Star catcher at Washington in 2006 after hitting .330 with five homers in 52 games. He spent two years in the Yankees system before returning to the indy circuit by joining Southern Maryland last year in the Atlantic League.
50G, .199, 3HR, 19RBI
C – Brad Meier (Rockford RiverHawks -- Rookie-2)
Began 2008 with Rockford, serving as the backup catcher…Released after 11 games with one hit in 19 at bats…First round pick of the 2009 Frontier League Draft…
11 G, .053, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 8 K
IF – Mike Higa (True Rookie from Hawaii-Hilo)
Holds many career offensive records at Hawaii-Hilo, a Division I independent…Stats are from 2008, when he was the leading hitter for a team that finished 17-27…
40 G, .407, 2 HR, 22 RBI
IF – Gered Mochizuki (Evansville Otters – LS-1)
Acquired in a trade from Orange County of the Golden League in exchange for Armando Carrasco…
Spent 2008 as a middle infielder for Evansville with current pitching coach Brendan Sagara…Appeared mainly at short but also played at second and in the outfield…Traded late season to Orange County where he appeared in one game…Stats are from Evansville where he finished ninth in the league in hitting…Drafted out of high school by the Royals but did not sign…
75 G, .314, 4 HR, 26 RBI, 19 SB
IF – Tyler Kmetko (Corpus Christi – Rookie-2)
Played in the Continental Baseball League with the Corpus Christi Beach Dawgs at second base in 2008 after concluding his career at the University of Utah…Finished third in the league in hitting…Drafted as a junior at Utah by the Diamondbacks in the 37th Round but did not sign…His father is a scout for Arizona…
65 G, .300, 0 HR, 16 RBI, 12 SB
IF – Chase Odenrider (Rookie-2 from the Yankees System)
Played three years in the Yankees system, reaching Charleston of the South Atlantic League…Played just 12 games there in 2008 but has played outfield, third, and first in his career…49th Round Pick in 2006…
12 G, .061, 1 HR, 2 RBI
IF – Andy Preston (True Rookie from Loyola Marymount University)
Hit .390 in junior college before making his way to Purdue for 2007, batting .267 for the Boilermakers…Played for Loyola Marymount as a senior, making 44 starts…
49 G, .267, 4 HR, 28 RBI, 11 2B
IF – Pedro Lopez (LS-1 from the Puerto Rican National Team)
Starting shortstop and leadoff man for the Puerto Rican national team that included three former major leaguers in 2008…Played in the United League in 2007 which is where the stats are from…Played in the Cubs system for a year out of high school…
63 G, .280, 1 HR, 17 RBI, 20 SB
OF – Travon Jackson (Orange County Flyers – LS-1)
Traded from Orange County for Cardoza Tucker in early March…
Posted astounding numbers in his first season as a pro in a well respected league, the Golden League…Stats are below…Led Division II New Mexico-Highlands in hitting as a senior…
60 G, .352, 0 HR, 14 RBI, 5 SB
OF – Blaine Rutledge (True Rookie from Central Missouri)
College teammate of two Miners at Central Missouri…Played in the NCAA Division II World Series hosted by Gateway…Second leading hitter at Central Missouri as a senior…
63 G, .395, 7 HR, 57 RBI, 20 2B, 22 SB
OF – Jereme Milons (Ottawa – Veteran)
Has been playing professionally since 2002…Originally drafted by the Dodgers in the 21st Round of the 2001 Draft…Also played in the Diamondbacks organization…Reached High-A in both the 2006 and 2007 seasons, hitting .301 in 100 games in 2006…Spent 2008 in the Can-Am League…
93 G, .298, 10 HR, 56 RBI, 16 2B, 10 SB
OF – Dave Powell (True Rookie from Bellevue University)
Played for a very successful NAIA program…
62 G, .351, 4 HR, 49 RBI, 20 2B
OF – Kellen Kimiecik (True Rookie from Southern Wesleyan University)
Second Round Pick in the 2009 Frontier League Draft…Played 50 games in the outfield last season for an NAIA school that won 35 games…
50 G, .300, 3 HR, 27 RBI, 8 SB
Departed
C – Brendan Akashian
Sold to the Phillies…Recently activated from extended spring training to be placed on the roster for the Lakewood BlueClaws in the South Atlantic League…
69 G, .302, 1 HR, 32 RBI, 13 2B
2B – Andrew Bennett
Traded to Edmonton of the Golden League along with OF Kevin House for future considerations
12 G, .227, 0 HR, 3 RBI
1B – Tim Dorn
Had his contract purchased by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim but is not currently on a team…He was a finalist in last year’s homerun derby at Wuerfel Park as part of the Frontier League All-Star Game festivities…
93 G, .299, 23 HR, 83 RBI, 20 2B
OF – Kevin House
Traded to Edmonton of the Golden League along with 2B Andrew Bennett for future considerations…Hit just .177 overall but was fairly successful with the Miners after being traded from Gateway…His Southern Illinois stats are below…
5 G, .316, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 6 SB
3B – Brandon Jones
Aged Out…Frontier League All-Star in 2008…
95 G, .276, 18 HR, 75 RBI, 24 2B
OF – Brad Goldsmith
Traded to San Angelo of the United League for Future Considerations
38 G, .292, 2 HR, 14 RBI, 5 SB
OF – Andre Miller
Retired
17 G, .267, 0 HR, 5 RBI
UT – Manny Paula
Traded to Ottawa of the Can-Am League along with Chris Allen for Jereme Milons
Stats are combined as he also played with Gateway…
72 G, .256, 6 HR, 38 RBI
SS – Mike Scanzano
Aged Out…Frontier League All-Star starter in 2008 and the only player to record more than one hit in the game…
91 G, .256, 1 HR, 38 RBI, 21 2B
OF – Eric Suttle
Sold to the Astros Organization but not currently with a team
88 G, .285, 4 HR, 36 RBI, 8 2B, 5 3B
IF – Mike Victor
Signed with Windy City as a free agent after being traded to Florence for Gary Lee
35 G, .272, 1 HR, 12 RBI
RHP – Chris Allen
Traded to Ottawa of the Can-Am League along with Manny Paula for Jereme Milons
13 G, 11 GS, 6-2, 3.39 ERA, 61 IP, 43 K
RHP – Armando Carrasco
Traded to Orange County of the Golden League for Gered Mochizuki…Numbers are just from his time with Southern Illinois, he also played for another league team to begin 2008…
32 G, 2-2, 2.87 ERA, 6 SV, 37.2 IP, 32 K
RHP – Chris Little
Aged Out…Starter on the mound for the East Division in the Frontier League All-Star Game…
20 G, 19 GS, 9-4, 2.90 ERA, 121 IP, 94 K
Questions
Since spring training is underway and I can't find these guys, I am assuming these players either retired or were released though I couldn’t find them on the league or team transaction wire…
RHP – Brett Scarpeta
15 G, 15 GS, 9-3, 3.81 ERA, 87.1 IP, 73 K
RHP – Jeremy Dow
Former Beach Bum began the season with Midwest before getting released and signed by Southern Illinois…Stats are combined, he was used as the fifth starter/long relief man by the Miners for the second half of the season…
17 G, 13 GS, 2-10, 6.85 ERA, 1 SV, 69.2 IP, 57 K
1B – Gordon Gronkowski
Played in just one game and struck out in his lone at bat…
Keep Your Eye On
Starting Pitching/Catching
If you are noticing a trend it is because most teams have a lot of questions on the pitching staff…In the case of Southern Illinois there are 20 pitchers in camp which means at a minimum eight will be let go…Last year they had what I consider to be the best rotation in the league especially since they were together for most of the season…They were as good 1-5 as Windy City the year before…The Miners have Ryan Bird back thanks to the Cardinals…Nick Starnes was a starter for parts of last season but struggled, and he is the lone returner outside of Bird to the starting staff…Gone is Chris Little, who aged out, Chris Allen who was outstanding at times last year, and Brett Scarpeta, who won nine games…That leaves a lot of holes though some of the pitchers in camp had some pretty good numbers last year…The other key battle in my mind is behind the plate where Brendan Akashian has departed…Akashian was cited multiple times as one of the big reasons for the success of the pitching staff last year…Pinto has brought in a lot of experienced players to attempt to fill his shoes including Brandon Ketron, who was recently released by Lake Erie and in my mind has the in for the starting job…
Trending
Down
Again I say, these trends are simply based off what they have back from last year and what they have to replace…Most of the newcomers I have never seen play before but when you lose three key starting pitchers, an All-Star left side of the infield, and one of the most prolific homerun hitters in the league it is hard for me to say trending up though there are some very experienced and impressive players joining the fray this year…As I mentioned earlier, having the same coaching staff in a year when almost half of the league turned over will help…That said, I still expect Southern Illinois to be in the hunt in the West…
Record-Eagle Feature on J.T. Tamargo, Jr.
Yesterday's Record-Eagle featured an article on Beach Bums Hitting Coach J.T. Tamargo, Jr.
James Cook Story
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