FO,

I also think it is reasonable to assume that if Matt keeps hitting these dingers - you are going to be one very drunk man.

LOL

FO The Kane county cougars play in my backyard. If you get to town let me know I would love to meet you at a game. Further, if the boy needs anything let me know would love to help out. And congrats.

quote:

Originally posted by Bighit15:
Everything I hear is that it is not that different between AA and majors

You don't carry you bags in the show. All the girls in the show have long legs and brains, or so I hear.

Interesting article about a AAA Mets outfield prospect talking about the difference in levels. He said they throw more breakers in AA than high A. Pitchers are more polished at AAA than AA. makes sense as he 3 for 18 in AAA though.

Corey Coles

iitg and FO,

deldad,

I haven't got to go to Geneva, yet, but I will be up there in a few weeks.

Last Saturday they had 13,500 in a stadium with a capacity of 10,000.

Then on a MONDAY NOON game there were 6,000.

With a losing record that just amazes me, and I can't wait to get up to see those people enjoying themselves at the game.

FO, you're forgiven and forgiven and forgiven . Hope to hear many more similar stories!!

I've had Kane bookmarked for two years now. Mike Massaro and his dad are great friends of mine and my sons since they played summer ball together for many years. Now I check on two of Kane's players!!

FO & its --- this is some exciting stuff!

As for the beer and wings addiction, "My name is FO, and I'm a Baseball Dad". The support group understands.....

Wow!, FrankF, I love hearing Mike Massaro make plays.

Thank you very much TPM and Orlando.

quote:

I can't wait to get up to see those people enjoying themselves at the game.

FO, thanks for sharing the news. Congrats to Matt on the 1st one, and especially for his assignment to the MWL. It is terrific that he is being challenged at that level. That is not the norm and it is a challenge.
The MWL is a terrific league with, for the most part, great stadiums and community support. I think you will enjoy your trip immensely.
If you can, it would be great if you could get to stadiums in Peoria, Dayton, Grand Rapids or Lansing, amongst others. Wonderful places to watch a game, terrific fans and a lot of fun.

quote:

Originally posted by infielddad:

quote:

I can't wait to get up to see those people enjoying themselves at the game.

FO, thanks for sharing the news. Congrats to Matt on the 1st one, and especially for his assignment to the MWL. It is terrific that he is being challenged at that level. That is not the norm and it is a challenge.
The MWL is a terrific league with, for the most part, great stadiums and community support. I think you will enjoy your trip immensely.
If you can, it would be great if you could get to stadiums in Peoria, Dayton, Grand Rapids or Lansing, amongst others. Wonderful places to watch a game, terrific fans and a lot of fun.

Some of the best ballparks in America are here in the midwest and fully agree with infieldad's assessment!

FO - outstanding picture of Matt and huge congrats - he already looks like a big league ball player in that picture. PS - have also been known to send someone out for a beer run during a game

FO, Congrats on the First of many big hits for Matt! What a handsome young man too!!

Thanks to you FO, iitg, deldad, rz1, tpm, orlando,and others for sharing your new journey with us.

quote:

The MWL is a terrific league with, for the most part, great stadiums and community support. I think you will enjoy your trip immensely.
If you can, it would be great if you could get to stadiums in Peoria, Dayton, Grand Rapids or Lansing, amongst others. Wonderful places to watch a game, terrific fans and a lot of fun.

It really is a terrific league and and awesome opportunity to start his career there.

It also provides a place to be demoted.............

But, anyway.....

So far, the longest bus ride was about 250 miles arriving home last Friday morning about 3 or 4 AM then played that night.

That's not normally what you hear abou the minor leagues.

Matt took his camera and takes some pictures of the ballparks so he can upload for us to see.

And, while you sit and listen to the game at the computer you wander over to the oppponents website and read about their facilities, players, etc.

As FrankF pointed out, baseball is a really small world.......


The debate about the strength of the upper D1's v. A ball has always been lengthy.

bbscout always indiated the A ball was stronger than D1.

The stronger pitching v. the wooden bat changes the entire complexion of the game by itself.

Then the defensive skills and speed come into play.

It's really hard to "hit one where the ain't" unless you hit it out of the yard.

Watching fly ball's, foul balls, and ground balls that might have sneaked through get caught game after game for the last thirty days really changes your perspective of the comparison of D1 to A ball.

The first homerun was a milestone, but I was thinking, "they couldn't catch that one....."

During a dinner conversation with his aunt this week, he told her "this is where I am supposed to be....."

The last thirty days have been intense, but I have learned so much and one of the things that you learn is that there is so much more to learn.

quote:

Then the defensive skills and speed come into play.

It's really hard to "hit one where the ain't" unless you hit it out of the yard.

Watching fly ball's, foul balls, and ground balls that might have sneaked through get caught game after game for the last thirty days really changes your perspective of the comparison of D1 to A ball.

FO, combine that type of talent with scouting reports and it gets even tougher to hit 'em where they ain't.
Our son tells a story about one organization that required every hitter to take a pitch. As soon as that got out, guys were taking 83-85 mph fastballs, thigh high, in the middle of the plate. By July, you could hear the hitters grumbling as they walked to the plate.
It was pretty interesting for me to go in May and again in August/Sept and watch the difference in how teams played the hitters.
Ours is a gap hitter...out of desperation in a sense. By August, you would think the centerfielder called for a group hug when he came to bat.
You don't have that problem when you hit'em out.
Another aspect of Milb ball that is so much different.

FO - Tell Matt we said "CONGRATS!" I have seen many of Matt's dingers and they are BEAUTIFUL! We are proud for him. DD

FO and IITG,

It's great fun to read your highlight reports. Continued success to your sons!!!


Julie

Hilton Richardson;

One of our players from our Australia Goodwill Series, Hilton Richardson recently signed as a high school senior by the KC Royals reported today from Surprise, Arizona.

Last night, Hilton played in a 17 inning game which ended at 1:30 am today. He loves minor league baseball and hit his 3rd HR last night.

Hilton played in only one "showcase" the Area Code game, last year with the Nationals team.

He has traveled twice to Australia and will again this year as a coach of our '14 and under' team.

Bob Williams

Here is a fun one:

Last night - listening to the game on radio. Opposing team broadcast.

D gets a hit - steals second.

Next guy up hits a routine ground ball to SS.

Announcer #1 - Groundball to the ss - over to first and Sanchez is out - and here comes Mastroianni. Heres' the throw - and he is safe!

Announcer #2 - Did that guy just score from 2nd base?

Announcer #1 - Oh yeah - he just scored.

LOL

Run like a wild dog baby!

Yep, that is a good one, its.......

That's a great one its

I got stuck listening to the owner of my son's team spend 3 innings complaining about the number of baseballs the players throw in the stands. He stated that the baseballs cost $5 a piece and that they were useing 8 dozen a game. I felt like reaching through the radio and strangling him with my bare hands. He then spent the next next three innings telling us how soft the players, coaches and umpires are today. Further a fan got hit in the stomach with a batted ball and he was making jokes. In the same park that a week ago was the scene of the coach tragedy. What an idiotic, moron.
Meanwhile my kid was perfect through 3, commits and error and winds up being pulled in the sixth down 6-1.

Miserable night on the radio.

FO,

I am getting a beer now. LOL

2nd inning - pitcher struck out our first 3 batters in the 1st and next 2 in the 2nd.

Our 6 hole hitter singles and then:

D - 1st pro homerun

Tie game - 2-2