The Southern League is strange ... don't know if the other AA and AAA leagues are the same ... but if a National league team is playing against an American league team ... whether home or away they use the DH. I personally think they should have to play according to the rules of the 'home field' MLB league affiliation, just as they do in the Bigs.
I am not a fan of the DH because I think it is more challenging to manage a team with the pitcher having to hit. That being said ... we were all surprised AJ hit for himself last night because we knew he was not coming back into the game. But if they had replaced his spot in the line-up before his at-bat, they would have had to do a double switch. Besides, it was fun to know that he kept the game going ... as I understand it, he 'went the other way' and poked the ball into right field. Even the radio announcer sounded excited ... and a bit surprised. Too bad AJ doesn't like to bat (does not like the idea of a 95 mph ball coming at him) because hew as always a good hitter ... oh well. He pitches better when he doesn't have to worry about hitting or being hit LOL.
Mary Ann * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * "The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8 [8/21/08]
Posts: 3937 | Location: Somewhere out there beneath the pale moonlight ... | Registered: January 02, 2003
Yesterday - 41 degrees and a 15 MPH wind with a light steady rain.
Today - 37 degrees and a 20 MPH wind - with snow flurries.
Welcome to Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Its really gotta suck playing in that type of weather.
You spend a good piece of your life gripping a baseball, and in the end it turns out that it was the other way around all the time. ~Jim Bouton, Ball Four, 1970
Posts: 5809 | Location: Huntersville,NC | Registered: December 27, 2002
When you get up and do it, it's like 'Wow, I can't believe I did that,' " Simmons said. "I thought you had to be really, really famous to be on the radio.
Yesterday - 41 degrees and a 15 MPH wind with a light steady rain.
Today - 37 degrees and a 20 MPH wind - with snow flurries.
Welcome to Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Its really gotta suck playing in that type of weather.
YES it does! but it's even harder to be a spectator! BTW, its, I couldn't attend any of the games this series, but I see there are a lot of former PG guys on that LugNut roster along with Darin.
Always have to chuckle when the southern boys and Dominicans show up for the very first time. What a shock! They are easy to spot because they have 7 layers of clothes on.
It's all good experience because there are a lot of cold weather teams in the Major Leagues.
Posts: 4839 | Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Registered: December 27, 2002
Nothing beats last year... it was in the 20's several night games were moved to the afternoon... and yet it was still too cold and games had to be rescheduled
Posts: 1176 | Location: NJ | Registered: December 30, 2002
There are a very interesting group of minor league promotions this month led by:
Augusta GreenJackets (South Atlantic League) Mad Chad Performance, April 18 Here's another Minor League performer worth mentioning: Mad Chad the Chainsaw Juggler. Chad's act entails (wait for it) chainsaw juggling, which is one of the most compulsively entertaining art forms known to man. On Friday, Chad will visit Augusta to bring his act to the Minor League masses. Expect a death- (or at least limb-) defying performance from a man who knows how to bring the drama. As it says on Chad's web site: "If you really want people to put two hands together, you've got to risk one of your own!"
Its an odd thing - with each passing year - as I get older - I whine a little bit more about the weather.
NC has spoiled me - bad. LOL
You spend a good piece of your life gripping a baseball, and in the end it turns out that it was the other way around all the time. ~Jim Bouton, Ball Four, 1970
Posts: 5809 | Location: Huntersville,NC | Registered: December 27, 2002
Tuesday morning was school day at the park, it was packed, all school kids. Dave said he didn't think many were paying attention, just glad to be at teh park instead of school for the day.
Dog day at the park, about 100 dogs, it was very quiet. I am not sure they really enjoyed the game.
Posts: 10774 | Location: South Florida | Registered: July 28, 2003
02^04, my son is also playing in SAL. He plays OF for the Greenville Drive. His name is David Marks. They are off to Augusta this AM to play the Greenjackets. We are going to the game this evening and hope the weather gets better. Yesterday the weather couldn't have been better in Greenville. Kid didn't play last night after taking a foul ball off the ankle on Thursday nights game. Our first trip to see the Drive and just can't believe the stadium!!!
Posts: 11 | Location: Bellevue, Wa | Registered: August 25, 2007
I am sure you are speaking of Justin. Darin and Justin have become good buddies.
Justin has tremendous talent!!!
You spend a good piece of your life gripping a baseball, and in the end it turns out that it was the other way around all the time. ~Jim Bouton, Ball Four, 1970
Posts: 5809 | Location: Huntersville,NC | Registered: December 27, 2002
Outlaw, I see they play the Tourists in June, I will probably get to at least 1 of the games in the series and say hello to David if given the chance, but for sure will be cheering him on!!
Its, of course it is Justin. He is such a nice young man. Well grounded, he deserves everything he gets as he had worked very hard for all he has gotten.
Haven't posted too much here, I guess due to uncertainty.............
But, it's all uncertain, ain't it?
An assignment to High A in Stockton for a player with 38 minor league games under his belt when many of the players are there with 200+ games.
"We don't normally do that Smitty"
So, there was an expected return to Kane County.
"Not a demotion, Smitty."
So, for some of you that check on him in in the Stockton area, he's been tranferred to Kane County.
And, for those of you interested in the Midwest League area, he's back.
A limo ride at 3:00AM to the airport for a 6:00AM flight to Chicago and another flight into Lansing to catch up with the Cougars on the road yesterday.
Wasn't in the lineup last night, it's or I would have said something last night.
On to Great Lakes this evening after a 1/3 day with a double off the wall.
Just about ready to get an extra car out of the shop for shipment to CA next Monday or Tuesday, then decided to drive it to Chicago for a three game series in the next weekend or so and fly home.
With the music playing and not many chairs, it's pretty easy to look around and see who is gonna get the empty seats.
But, no movements noted, yet, and then this, which I think some of you will find interesting.
"Dad, the other catcher is a Naval Academy graduate, and has to leave for two weeks to serve his country recruiting."
Posts: 3119 | Location: Texas | Registered: December 27, 2002
I had no idea that Matt would be there last night. We could have had some fun - at my expense given D's 0-fer yesterday LOL
Matt roped his double to CF today though - and as luck would have it - today D had his first day off this season.
That would have been cool - another HSBBweb link - Matt doubles to CF and D has to go and chase it.
My best to you and Matt!
You spend a good piece of your life gripping a baseball, and in the end it turns out that it was the other way around all the time. ~Jim Bouton, Ball Four, 1970
Posts: 5809 | Location: Huntersville,NC | Registered: December 27, 2002
FO, I met Brad Furnish tonight, guess he and Matt played against each other. One thing they say is true, you never fully unpack your bags in pro ball. Dave's friend just got called up to AA to help the struggling Springfield as a closer. He was called at night and told to pack up he was on a plane asap. Stranegly enough that opened a place for Dave to stay without 4 others in an apartment.
Good luck to Matt, looking forward to a KC vs. LL match up between him and D.
Posts: 10774 | Location: South Florida | Registered: July 28, 2003
