Finally, I get to add something to this thread. Got to go to Arkansas and catch a couple games.
Observations:

Seams on the pro ball and the college ball are very different, has to be something that they have to adjust to.

Strike zone in AA is tiny. Saw two games, with two different umps, talked to a number of players and they all indicate that the strike zone has shrunk from A ball.

Hitters do not chase bad pitches. Can not count on the hitters getting themselves out. Much different than A ball.

If it is straight it is going to get hit unless it is over 95.

Much more serious, as far as prep and after game activities.

Was impressed with the level of play, especially defensively.

As far as the tragedy that happened Sunday, as is usually the case, people rise to the occasion. On Tuesday afternoon, Mike Coolbaugh's brother, a coach also in the Texas league, called the manager of the Travelers and sent the message to go play live the dream that is what Mike would want.

Also received word that Mike Coolbaugh's wife called with a similar message to the Tulsa Driller's.

Travelers ball club did a classy job with the game on Tuesday and the fans turned out in support and with open wallets and donated a lot of money to the memorial fund.

Can you explain the difference between the seams?

Seams for the college ball are raised. The pro ball is smooth. No raise in the seams at all.

How does that affect the pitchers,hitters? Better for the hitters?

Guys in HS and college with great breaking balls get to pro ball and the ball doesn't move as much. It lets you know who has spin and who doesn't.

It is definitely better for the hitters, but going from metal to wood kind of evens things out.

That is why guys with great bb in HS or college get hammered in pro ball at first. They lose their bb. Those who figure it out survive. Those who don't get left behind.

Don't ask me why, but my son actually liked the feel of the pro ball better. He did say it was tougher to make the ball move. Location/deception is imperative to succeed. Especially if you don't have that low/mid 90's heater!

Mine indicates that the curveball is tougher to throw but gets great sink and run with the pro ball. Watched them tinker with a college ball and it was sick the stuff they could get it to do with the raised seams.

Don't think it helps the hitters at all. Don't leave alot of hanging breaking balls in AA ball and last to long.

And if it's that tough at the AA level imagine how much tougher it gets in the majors.
You see guys that dominate at the AA level and get hammered at AAA and majors.

Evrything I hear i that it is not that different between AA and majors

bighit.

tell that to your backside, after a long bus ride.

My point was that the talent difference is not that great at that level. Of course the private jet is better than the bus. Dit da dit. lol Bobby Molinaro once pointed out to me that the difference between AA and the Bigs is one bloop single a week, or 50 points on your average.

quote:

Bobby Molinaro once pointed out to me that the difference between AA and the Bigs is one bloop single a week, or 50 points on your average.

There is some truth in that. Over 600 at bats, a 300 hitter will have exactly 30 more hits than a 250 hitter (180 versus 150). Assuming the season starts in April and ends in September, the 300 hitter averages slightly over one extra hit per week.

Based on my recollection of the Indians organization, almost all their premier prospects for their big league roster come from the double A level and occasionally some will jump from the single A level up to the big leagues. The triple A level seems to be more of a place holder for guys who are at the cusp of the big leagues and sometimes maybe are viewed more as journeyman prospects. That is not always the case however.

Here's an interesting note, Andrew Miller pitched 41 innings at A ball this year and the hitters at that level had a noticably higher batting average and struck out less than the major league hitters in 50 innings of work, go figure.

Could have been a situation where they were working on something in A ball and he wasn't throwing all his pitches. May have been very predictable could explain alot.

Bobby Molinaro?

I heard the 'one bloop single a week is the differnece between a .250 hitter and a .300 hitter from Crash Davis.

With ya'lls forgiveness, I'm about to do something I've never done.........

Here goes.



Cougars Stay Hot, Beat Wizards
GENEVA, IL – Matt Smith hit his first professional homer, newcomer Josh Horton went 2-for-4 and Sean Doolittle drove in two as the Kane County Cougars trounced the Fort Wayne Wizards, 6-3, Thursday night in front of 6,082 fans at Elfstrom Stadium. The victory was the Cougars' third in a row.

Right-hander Travis Banwart, making his first pro start, gave up a game-starting solo homer but settled down to last three innings and walked none. The Cougars quickly erased the 1-0 deficit in the bottom of the first against Steve Delabar. Horton, who joined the Cougars Thursday from Short-A Vancouver, doubled home Mike Massaro to tie it and scored on a grounder by Greg Dowling for a 2-1 count. Doolittle belted a two-run double later in the inning for a 4-1 score.

Jermaine Mitchell scored an unearned run in the third, and Smith launched a towering solo job to left in the fifth to make it 6-1. James Heuser (7-6) relieved Banwart to pick up the win, lasting five innings, walking none and fanning six. His only blemish was a two-run homer in the eighth that accounted for the final runs of the game. Scott Moore notched his 11th save with a scoreless ninth.

The Cougars (13-18) and Wizards (13-18) continue the four-game set Friday night at 6:30 CDT when Jason Fernandez (5-1) takes on Nick Schmidt (0-0).

Players of the Game:

Matt Smith (hitters); James Heuser (pitchers)

And that's the first time I've ever seen him in his professional uniform.

That ball is deep.

It is going

It is going.

That ball is gone!!!

Yeah baby!!!!

FO,

Tonight - a couple of my buddies came over to watch the game on milb.com.
D's team isnt on webcast all that much - so - they brought a few beers and we sat around the computer to watch some action - and made it a little Thursday mini get together. (A bunch of baseball bums - LOL)

First at bat - triple off the centerfield fence.

I dont know what is going to happen tomorrow - but the moments - at this point - are good enough for me.

Congrats again for Dinger #1

Thanks, its.

quote:

Tonight - a couple of my buddies came over to watch the game on milb.com.
D's team isnt on webcast all that much - so - they brought a few beers and we sat around the computer to watch some action - and made it a little Thursday mini get together. (A bunch of baseball bums - LOL)

One of the college games was on Fox this spring.

I got a bunch of wings, two six packs of beer for myself, my younger son, my brother, and another friend/client just showed up.

Matt hit two home runs in that game while I sat in my easy chair and had a beer. (or two)

My brother had to go get two more six packs after the second inning.

About a week later the same friend/client/doc showed up at another game and Matt hit another dinger.

Now he expects beer, wings, and a dinger every time he comes.

I guess I'll have to take him with me to Chicago.

I feel like I have been sitting on the edge of the chair for a whole month now.