(DURHAM, N.C.) - USA Baseball announced Thursday 23 players who will represent the United States at the 2009 International Baseball Federation (IBAF) Baseball World Cup in Europe from Sept. 9-27. Players eligible for selection were those not currently on 25-man Major League Baseball (MLB) rosters. The 2009 World Cup is the 38th installment of the IBAF's biennial world championships.
USA Baseball will name a 24th - and final - player for the roster prior to September 1. Team USA is the defending World Cup champion, having defeated Cuba, 6-3, in the 2007 final in Taiwan. It was the first World Cup title for the U.S. since 1974.
Six alumni of past USA Baseball teams are among the 23 players selected for the World Cup Team. These players include IF Pedro Alvarez (2006-07 Collegiate National Team), IF/OF Ike Davis (2003 16U and 2004 18U National Teams), LHP Kasey Kiker (2003 16U National Team), IF Trevor Plouffe (2002 16U National Team), IF Justin Smoak (2007 Collegiate National Team), and most recently, IF Terry Tiffee, a veteran of the bronze medal-winning 2008 U.S. Olympic Baseball Team.
Also selected to the team were C Jason Castro and LHP Trevor Reckling who, along with Alvarez, represented Team USA in the 2009 XM All-Star Futures Game. The Chicago White Sox Triple-A affiliate Charlotte Knights led all minor league clubs with three players on the World Cup roster, including RHPs Lucas Harrell and Ehren Wassermann, and IF/OF Josh Kroeger.
"We have what we think is a solid mix of young players and veterans on this team," said Bob Watson, USA Baseball General Manager of Professional Baseball Operations.
"For the first time in over 30 years we head into a World Cup as the defending champion, and we think this team is more than capable of returning to the medal stand."
Twenty countries will begin IBAF World Cup competition in five groups of four teams, with the top two from each group advancing to the second round (the top-four third-place teams also advance). Once there, they will be joined by Italy and the Netherlands - the two hosts of Round 2 - to form a 16-team quarterfinal. The top-eight teams from the quarterfinals advance to the third round, which will be held exclusively in Italy, where they will be split into two pools and advance to the finals based on best pool-play record. The U.S. will kick off World Cup play on Sept. 10 in Regensburg, Germany in Pool E and will be joined by China, Germany and Venezuela. In addition to Regensburg, the World Cup will also feature first round pool play in Barcelona; Prague; Sundbyburg, Sweden; and Zagreb, Croatia.
The World Cup Team will first gather in Cary, N.C. at the USA Baseball National Training Complex where it will train from Sept. 2-6. It will work out on Sept. 2 and square-off against the Canadian World Cup Team Sept. 3-6.
Last week USA Baseball announced the coaching staff for the 2009 World Cup, with Eddie Rodriguez being named manager of the club. Joining Rodriguez are pitching coach Kirk Champion, hitting coach Ernie Young, 3rd base/bench coach Jamie Quirk, bullpen coach Rolando "Roly" de Armas, and auxiliary coach Jim Bowie. Rodriguez (2000 Olympic), Champion (2001 World Cup and 2006 Olympic Qualifier), Young (2000 Olympic and 2003 Olympic Qualifier - both as players), and de Armas (2006 Olympic Qualifier, 2007 World Cup and 2008 Olympic) are all veterans of past USA Baseball teams.
The gold-medal winning 2007 World Cup Team finished with a 9-1 record and was made up of some of the best minor league players in baseball who have since advanced to the big leagues, including Tampa Bay Rays All-Star 3B Evan Longoria; OF Colby Rasmus of the St. Louis Cardinals; 2007 World Cup MVP and Chicago White Sox 2B Jayson Nix; and IF/OF Brian Bixler, C Jason Jaramillo, RHP Jeff Karstens, 3B Andy LaRoche, IF/OF Steve Pearce, and IF/OF Delwyn Young, all of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Overall, the 2009 roster is made up of 15 Triple-A and eight Double-A players. Reckling is the youngest player on the roster at 20 years old and RHP Jason Childers is the oldest, at 34. The Philadelphia Phillies join the White Sox as the MLB organization with the most players on the team with three, and the Tampa Bay Rays, Pittsburgh Pirates and Texas Rangers are each represented by two players.
The entire roster can be found here
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Buckeyes in the Minors: Luebke selected to play for Team USA
JOHN MAFFEI - jmaffei@nctimes.com | Posted: Saturday, August 29, 2009 11:10 pm
Cory Luebke wasn't even one of Baseball America's top-30 Padres prospects when the 2009 season opened.
And there is no reason that the left-handed pitcher should have been after going 3-6 with a 6.84 ERA in 17 appearances with Single-A Lake Elsinore last season.
But Luebke, a supplemental first-round draft pick out of Ohio State in 2007, has turned it around this season.
He was 8-2 with a 2.34 ERA at Lake Elsinore before earning a promotion to Double-A San Antonio. And he was nearly as good with the Missions, going 3-2 with a 2.58 ERA. In 38 1/3 innings, he walked just 12 and had 30 strikeouts.
But he won't finish the season with San Antonio. On Tuesday, he'll be in Cary, N.C., joining Team USA for the IBAF World Cup tournament that starts Sept. 10. Team USA, the defending champion, draws Venezuela in the first round in Regensburg, Germany, in a pool that also includes China and Germany.
The gold medal game is Sept. 27 in Rome.
"Cory Luebke was something special when he was with us," Lake Elsinore manager Carlos Lezcano said. "He has great stuff, great command and great composure.
"Honestly, you can see this kid making it to the big leagues. You can't say that about every player, but I think you can say it about Cory."
Luebke's arsenal includes a fastball that averages in the low 90s and reaches 94. His slider is considered a plus pitch by scouts, and his changeup ---- a must pitch for Padres pitchers ---- is said to be improving.
"He has great late movement in the strike zone on his (sinker)," one scout said. "If he gets to the big leagues, that's the pitch that will get him there."
Padres officials would have liked to send Luebke to the Arizona Fall League, but they consider the World Cup experience invaluable. Other first-round draft picks on Team USA are Pedro Alvarez (Pirates), Jason Castro (Astros), Ike Davis (Mets), Josh Kroeger (White Sox), Trevour Plouffe (Twins) and Justin Smoak (Rangers).
Cory Luebke wasn't even one of Baseball America's top-30 Padres prospects when the 2009 season opened.
And there is no reason that the left-handed pitcher should have been after going 3-6 with a 6.84 ERA in 17 appearances with Single-A Lake Elsinore last season.
But Luebke, a supplemental first-round draft pick out of Ohio State in 2007, has turned it around this season.
He was 8-2 with a 2.34 ERA at Lake Elsinore before earning a promotion to Double-A San Antonio. And he was nearly as good with the Missions, going 3-2 with a 2.58 ERA. In 38 1/3 innings, he walked just 12 and had 30 strikeouts.
But he won't finish the season with San Antonio. On Tuesday, he'll be in Cary, N.C., joining Team USA for the IBAF World Cup tournament that starts Sept. 10. Team USA, the defending champion, draws Venezuela in the first round in Regensburg, Germany, in a pool that also includes China and Germany.
The gold medal game is Sept. 27 in Rome.
"Cory Luebke was something special when he was with us," Lake Elsinore manager Carlos Lezcano said. "He has great stuff, great command and great composure.
"Honestly, you can see this kid making it to the big leagues. You can't say that about every player, but I think you can say it about Cory."
Luebke's arsenal includes a fastball that averages in the low 90s and reaches 94. His slider is considered a plus pitch by scouts, and his changeup ---- a must pitch for Padres pitchers ---- is said to be improving.
"He has great late movement in the strike zone on his (sinker)," one scout said. "If he gets to the big leagues, that's the pitch that will get him there."
Padres officials would have liked to send Luebke to the Arizona Fall League, but they consider the World Cup experience invaluable. Other first-round draft picks on Team USA are Pedro Alvarez (Pirates), Jason Castro (Astros), Ike Davis (Mets), Josh Kroeger (White Sox), Trevour Plouffe (Twins) and Justin Smoak (Rangers).
Thursday, August 20, 2009
3rd class of 2010 commit: Walsh Jesuit 3B/P Greg Greve
August 20th, 2009 Cleveland.com
Pitcher/third baseman Greg Greve, who helped Walsh Jesuit reach the Division II state championship game for the third time in the past four years, has made an oral commitment to Ohio State.
Greve, 6-3, 195 pounds, was instrumental with his arm and bat in helping the Warriors finish the season with a 28-4 record.
The Brecksville resident compiled a 7-1 record and a 1.74 ERA, striking out 60 batters in 48 1/3 innings. He got the Warriors into the state semifinals when he threw a five-inning, 10-0 no-hitter against Lima Shawnee in the regional final. When given the opportunity to bat, Greve delivered, hitting .409 with four home runs and 31 RBI. The opportunity to pitch and hit was one of the things that sold him on OSU.
"They told me they would like to see me with a bat in my hands, and that was very important to me," said Greve, who was offered a scholarship when he made an official visit to OSU in June.
An outstanding student with a 4.07 grade-point average and membership in the National Honor Society, Greve, who is entering his senior year at Walsh, said he is undecided on a course of study.
Pitcher/third baseman Greg Greve, who helped Walsh Jesuit reach the Division II state championship game for the third time in the past four years, has made an oral commitment to Ohio State.
Greve, 6-3, 195 pounds, was instrumental with his arm and bat in helping the Warriors finish the season with a 28-4 record.
The Brecksville resident compiled a 7-1 record and a 1.74 ERA, striking out 60 batters in 48 1/3 innings. He got the Warriors into the state semifinals when he threw a five-inning, 10-0 no-hitter against Lima Shawnee in the regional final. When given the opportunity to bat, Greve delivered, hitting .409 with four home runs and 31 RBI. The opportunity to pitch and hit was one of the things that sold him on OSU.
"They told me they would like to see me with a bat in my hands, and that was very important to me," said Greve, who was offered a scholarship when he made an official visit to OSU in June.
An outstanding student with a 4.07 grade-point average and membership in the National Honor Society, Greve, who is entering his senior year at Walsh, said he is undecided on a course of study.
2nd Class of 2010 Commit: Texas RHP Clayton Crum
Klein, TX-
Klein High senior Clayton Crum verbally committed to play baseball at Ohio State.
Crum was the No. 2 pitcher on the Bearkats staff last season behind southpaw Matt Purke, who was drafted in the first round in June by the Texas Rangers.
Crum, who was also the starting quarterback for the Klein football team, tore his UCL earlier this summer and had Tommy John reconstructive surgery last month.
He’ll miss the football season and play a limited role for the KHS baseball team next spring, but he’ll report to Columbus, Ohio as a freshman ready to play fall baseball.
Courtesy of The Sun
Crum is one of the top 2010 Seniors in the state of Texas according to Donald Boyles of The College Baseball Blog and comes in at #20 in his list of the top players.
Klein High senior Clayton Crum verbally committed to play baseball at Ohio State.
Crum was the No. 2 pitcher on the Bearkats staff last season behind southpaw Matt Purke, who was drafted in the first round in June by the Texas Rangers.
Crum, who was also the starting quarterback for the Klein football team, tore his UCL earlier this summer and had Tommy John reconstructive surgery last month.
He’ll miss the football season and play a limited role for the KHS baseball team next spring, but he’ll report to Columbus, Ohio as a freshman ready to play fall baseball.
Courtesy of The Sun
Crum is one of the top 2010 Seniors in the state of Texas according to Donald Boyles of The College Baseball Blog and comes in at #20 in his list of the top players.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Alumni Update: McIlvan and Middleton take over HS programs
Trent McIlvain is now the fourth head baseball coach in the last 45 years at Canton South High School.
During tonight’s board of education meeting, McIlvain was hired by the board of education to fill the position of varsity baseball coach. He will succeed Tim Miller, Rocky Bourquin and Phil Forshey, others who have served since 1964. Forshey stepped down this spring after six seasons, so he could spend more time with his wife and two daughters.
McIlvain, who was also hired as a teacher’s assistant at South, has served as an assistant coach at Malone University for the past two years. He had previously served as an assistant coach at the University of Akron. He has also been a professional instructor at the Massarelli baseball school, and he is the owner of the McIlvain School of Infield. He served as a regional scout with the Baseball Factory in 2003.
McIlvain is a Marlington High School and Ohio State University graduate. He studied human ecology at OSU and was a four-year letterman on the varsity baseball team. He has a master’s degree in sport science and coaching from the University of Akron.
McIlvain and his wife, Heidi, have a two-year-old son, Austin.
Courtesy the Press-News
The spring of 2010 will see Matt Middleton take the reins of the Golden Bears varsity baseball team.
"Matt is a graduate of Ohio State University, where he was an All-American," Potts said. "He went to Jonathan Alder as a head coach, won a district title there, their first, then coached at Kings Mills in Cincinnati and had a good run there. He was an assistant at Indiana for about half a year.
"He gave that up, and had been looking for a coaching job. He interviewed really well, and I'm real excited to get him."
Middleton will also teach at the school in the physical education department.
Middleton replaces Barry Keith, whose contract was not renewed after two seasons with the Bears.
Courtesy SNPonline
During tonight’s board of education meeting, McIlvain was hired by the board of education to fill the position of varsity baseball coach. He will succeed Tim Miller, Rocky Bourquin and Phil Forshey, others who have served since 1964. Forshey stepped down this spring after six seasons, so he could spend more time with his wife and two daughters.
McIlvain, who was also hired as a teacher’s assistant at South, has served as an assistant coach at Malone University for the past two years. He had previously served as an assistant coach at the University of Akron. He has also been a professional instructor at the Massarelli baseball school, and he is the owner of the McIlvain School of Infield. He served as a regional scout with the Baseball Factory in 2003.
McIlvain is a Marlington High School and Ohio State University graduate. He studied human ecology at OSU and was a four-year letterman on the varsity baseball team. He has a master’s degree in sport science and coaching from the University of Akron.
McIlvain and his wife, Heidi, have a two-year-old son, Austin.
Courtesy the Press-News
The spring of 2010 will see Matt Middleton take the reins of the Golden Bears varsity baseball team.
"Matt is a graduate of Ohio State University, where he was an All-American," Potts said. "He went to Jonathan Alder as a head coach, won a district title there, their first, then coached at Kings Mills in Cincinnati and had a good run there. He was an assistant at Indiana for about half a year.
"He gave that up, and had been looking for a coaching job. He interviewed really well, and I'm real excited to get him."
Middleton will also teach at the school in the physical education department.
Middleton replaces Barry Keith, whose contract was not renewed after two seasons with the Bears.
Courtesy SNPonline
Buckeye 9 Interview with OF Zach Hurley
Photo courtesy Jim Davidson the-ozone.net
Imagine waking up one day and realizing you have the ability to play baseball for a living and have been offered thousands of dollars to do so. Pretty sweet dream huh?
The dream became a reality for Zach Hurley this past June as the Florida Marlins selected the Springboro, Ohio native in the 45th round of the 2009 MLB Amateur Draft.
After a 2008 summer which saw the five-tool athlete be selected as the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League's top prospect, as well as compiling a summer that saw him land PGCrosschecker's top 20 performances of the summer, Hurley had a tidal wave of momentum going into the fall.
Unfortunately an injury to his throwing shoulder limited Hurley's ability to fine tune his game in the Autumn, and kept him from being 100% this past spring further rockerting up draft boards.
You probably had a hard time telling Hurley was 100%. In 60 games, only taking a day off once, Hurley hit .346 his 89 hits lead the team as did his six triples. The 12 doubles and six home runs powered Hurley to 53 RBI and a .510 slugging percentage. The .421 on-base percentage Hurley posted worked quite well for the leadoff hitter, allowing him to steal 14 bases being an all around force for Bob Todd and the Buckeyes. Oh and he only committed one error in the field.
After doing his part to lead Ohio State to their first Big Ten Championship since 2001, Hurley woke up on June 12th the day after the Marlins obtained his rights with a decision to make.
Return to school or go pro? As the deadline approaches unsigned draft selections have until Monday the 17th at 11:59 PM to sign their professional contract. The Buckeye Nine catches up with Hurley to get his decision.
B9: First off initial thoughts on being drafted?
ZH: Highest honor you could get as a baseball player...I've been asked this question quite a few times this summer and my response is always the same.
Having an organization pick you as one of their draft picks out of the thousands of college baseball players across the country is just a true honor. It is a goal every college baseball player has including myself and to think that a team considers you good enough to play professionally is awesome. I don't think there is a better compliment a player could receive.
B9: What has went into your decision of whether to leave or return? Is it an individual decision or did you look to your family for advice? What impact did discussing all options with the Marlins and OSU coaches have? And ultimately what is your decision?
ZH: Well first of all my family is always and will always take priority in my life. They were a huge impact on my decision and there were many long talks over the course of the couple weeks that went into the decision following the draft.
We listed out all the positives and negatives to leaving or staying and at the end of the day I had to put a dollar figure on what I felt my remaining time at OSU was worth. What I was willing to leave for and what the Marlins were willing to offer just didn't match up, which at the end of the day doesn't disappoint me at all.
I'm a true believer in everything happens for a reason and that God has a plan for me. I've always wanted to play professionally and I still do however there's not a doubt in my mind that coming back to OSU was the right decision for me to make and I couldn't be happier.
I've talked to a lot of people including the coaches and we all agreed that coming back for my senior year was the right thing to do. The thought of being able to play for The Ohio State University for my senior year and all the memories and good times I'm going to share and have with the guys on the team is absolutely priceless to me.
I can't wait to join up with my teammates here soon for fall ball and set out on an unbelievable 2010 season.
B9: Quite a few publications thought very highly of you and your abilities going into 2009 coming off of a summer that saw you selected as the top prospect in the GLSCL in 2008. Though you were drafted and you've said it is an honor to be selected, were you surprised at all you did not get selected until the 45th round? Did you hear any reasons on why it ended the way it did?
ZH: You know to be honest I was a little surprised. I've put in tons of hard work into my career and I felt that I had the ability to play with the best. That's just the way I've always been.
I'm never going to be the fastest guy or throw the hardest or hit the furthest homeruns but that is ok with me. I feel like I have the ability to play with the best and that is the way my mindset has always been.
With that in mind, obviously I was hoping to be taken a lot earlier than the 45th round. I was hoping to get an opportunity a lot earlier than that. I'm not sure why I didn't get drafted before the 45th round and to be honest I'm not sure I'll ever know why but I didn't ponder on those thoughts for too long. I just put all that in the back of my mind and have just used it and will continue to use it as motivation.
B9: In using that as motivation in going forward, what have you been doing this summer? Any baseball related activities?
ZH: This summer I've taken a step away from the playing field by deciding to not partake in summer ball. I've been able to work and pour all of my focus into my body and driving it into the ground daily.
I've been able to hit the weights hard along with doing yoga and lots of conditioning... things I haven't been able to focus on since my time last year was spent rehabbing my shoulder for the start of the season. I've also been able to break down my game and focus on some key elements were I need improvement.
B9: Where are the areas and elements of your game you were not pleased with and have worked at and focused on this summer?
ZH: I definitely needed to get my arm back. I was 100% during the season health wise as far as my shoulder was concerned but as far as arm strength from the outfield it wasn't up to my standards that was a biggie for me this summer.
The other was more power at the plate. I'm a pretty big kid and really used the summer to break down parts of my swing so I can get the full benefit of my size and strength to drive the ball further. Arm strength and power were definitely the two big areas of focus for me this summer.
B9: There isn’t a lot to nitpick with your abilities to find flaws, especially coming off of a 2009 season that was a career year for you, anchoring the Bucks lineup as the leadoff hitter. Did you have the season you felt you were capable of?
ZH: At the end of the day I was happy with the season that I had in 2009 .Sure there were definitely some goals of mine I didn't reach, I would of liked to have hit for a better average but there were also things I did well so I was pleased with how the year went.
You know, I always think there is room for improvement and I always set the bar extremely high, I'm always going to think I'm capable of more so with that said I am happy with the 2009 season that I had but I'm going to be looking for bigger and better things in 2010 especially since it is my last year at OSU.
B9: Gearing towards 2010 you as stated took a step away from baseball this summer. After turning down the professional contract and rumored to be in the Cape this summer, what went into the decision to stay away from playing summer ball focusing on working out was it the arm?
ZH: Well I definitely wanted to play professionally and if it didn't work out I wanted to play in the Cape, that's where the best in the country played so I wanted an opportunity to go up against the best.
However, none of those situations worked themselves out so I elected to drop baseball for the summer and solely focus like I said before on my strength, flexibility, and conditioning as well as work on all the things in my game that need improvement. That way it would give me the best shot at being the most complete baseball player I can possibly be with no flaws.
I felt like improving on these areas as well as my body would benefit me much more than continuing play for another couple months. Also, since my shoulder surgery last September I never really had the time to get myself where I like to be physically and mentally before the start of the season. It was rehab every single day, I missed out on a lot of things especially fall ball and working out with the guys. My last day of rehab was the day before the first game of the year down in Florida against Notre Dame.
B9: As you mention you missed fall ball last year, as fall ball is now is about a month away. Did it set you back any not being able to participate in last Autumn's practices?
ZH: You know I don't think it set me back on a playing level as much as it did a personal level.
What I mean by that is considering my age and the amount of time and AB's that I've had, missing fall ball wasn't going to affect me as much as it would of I was only a freshman or sophomore because I have seen the college pitching and I've been in those clutch situations you encounter and experience during the fall.
The set back in my opinion that I faced was with the guys especially the new guys. I didn't get the opportunity to step up and establish myself with them as far as a leadership role and as a guy they could rely on to get the job done.
B9: After a healthy fall is under your belt, do you have any personal goals for 2010?
ZH: From a personal standpoint my main goal for the 2010 season is to have fun. I'm not going to try and hit .400, blast 20 home runs, etc. I'm just going to have fun. This is my senior year, the last time I will be around all the guys on the team so I'm going to enjoy it and have fun with it... Everything else will take care of itself.
B9: What do you expect the teams attitude and focus to be on in 2010 coming off of a Big Ten Championship and NCAA Regional?
ZH: I think the confidence among the team will definitely be there. We are the champs of the Big Ten, regional contenders, however that was the past and this is the now.
What happened last year was great but it wasn't good enough. With the talent this team has coming back and coming in our eyes need to be set further than winning a Big Ten Championship. We worked harder than ever last year and where did that get us? A thirty-plus deficit to a Florida State team and an embarrassing chunk of time on SportsCenter.
On the other hand that was a great season when you look back at it. The champs of our conference, a 40+ win season. But to make up for the way it ended we are going to need to work 3x harder as a team than we did last year. And we will.
B9: 2010 will be a success in your eyes if...
ZH: 2010 will be a success...If as a team we put in the total dedication from top to bottom...every guy on our roster needs to put every ounce of what they have to the limit every single day, day in and day out, no exceptions. We are only as good as our weakest link and if we work harder than ever at this time next year we will have no regrets.
The Buckeye 9 thanks Hurley for taking the time to sit down and fill us in on his decision as we look forward to seeing Zach back in the Scarlet & Gray.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Led by Wimmers Bourne wins Game 1 of CCBL Championship Series
Bourne Takes One Game Under Blanket of Fog
By Jim Chandley, CCBL Intern
BOURNE, Mass.—Over 6,000 fans packed into picturesque Doran Park for the first game of the Cape League Championship Series to witness the Bourne Braves defeat the Cotuit Kettleers 15-5 in a fog-shortened six-inning game.
Cotuit came in fresh off of an 18-4 drubbing of the Y-D Red Sox. Unfortunately for Ketteleers fans, the tables turned on Tuesday night. The Braves sent 12 men to the plate in the first inning for a total of seven runs on five hits. The attack was spearheaded by Kyle Roller (East Carolina) and Pierre LePage (Connecticut) each of whom walked and singled to keep the merry-go-round moving.
Production dropped off for the Bourne offense in the second when they only sent 10 men to the dish. They struck for another six runs including a double by Roller that drove in two. Although Bourne was hitting well and watching pitches patiently, they had only eight hits in the two monstrous innings. Cotuit pitching issued eight free passes and a hit batsman in the first two innings alone.
While Andres Caceres (Connors State) and Navery Moore (Vanderbilt) struggled for Cotuit in the early going, Alex Wimmers (Ohio State) was impressive in his starting role for Bourne.
He gave up four hits in the three innings he pitched (he was lifted after three because Bourne seemed to have the game well in hand). Wimmers struck out seven batters in those three innings and allowed just one run.
Wimmers would be lifted for Michael Dimock (Wake Forest) who also pitched well. Bourne would tack on two more runs in the bottom of the fifth, the last time they would see the bat on the night. When Cotuit came up in the top of the sixth, it was 15-1.
Although the Ketteleers slapped the ball around in the sixth for four runs, it felt like too little, too late. In fact it would be, but not because their offense ran out of steam. Heavy fog rolled into Doran Park as the Kettleers were putting on their fireworks display.
There were two separate breaks taken in that same half inning in hopes that the fog would pass. When it finally became apparent that it would not relent, there was a meeting of the minds in foul ground behind home plate. Commissioner Paul Galop and Umpire-in-chief Sol Yas were joined by the umpiring crew, the managers and the general managers of the two teams.
“We basically let the two teams come to a decision and they decided it was best for the players and for everyone if we just call it a game,” said Galop after the game was called. “I think they made the right call.”
The game will be recorded officially as a 15-5 victory for Bourne. The two teams will meet Wednesday at Lowell Park for game two of the three game set. Should Cotuit win, they would return to Doran Park on Thursday for a decisive game three. If the Braves win, they will hoist the Arnold Mycock championship trophy on Cotuit’s field.
By Jim Chandley, CCBL Intern
BOURNE, Mass.—Over 6,000 fans packed into picturesque Doran Park for the first game of the Cape League Championship Series to witness the Bourne Braves defeat the Cotuit Kettleers 15-5 in a fog-shortened six-inning game.
Cotuit came in fresh off of an 18-4 drubbing of the Y-D Red Sox. Unfortunately for Ketteleers fans, the tables turned on Tuesday night. The Braves sent 12 men to the plate in the first inning for a total of seven runs on five hits. The attack was spearheaded by Kyle Roller (East Carolina) and Pierre LePage (Connecticut) each of whom walked and singled to keep the merry-go-round moving.
Production dropped off for the Bourne offense in the second when they only sent 10 men to the dish. They struck for another six runs including a double by Roller that drove in two. Although Bourne was hitting well and watching pitches patiently, they had only eight hits in the two monstrous innings. Cotuit pitching issued eight free passes and a hit batsman in the first two innings alone.
While Andres Caceres (Connors State) and Navery Moore (Vanderbilt) struggled for Cotuit in the early going, Alex Wimmers (Ohio State) was impressive in his starting role for Bourne.
He gave up four hits in the three innings he pitched (he was lifted after three because Bourne seemed to have the game well in hand). Wimmers struck out seven batters in those three innings and allowed just one run.
Wimmers would be lifted for Michael Dimock (Wake Forest) who also pitched well. Bourne would tack on two more runs in the bottom of the fifth, the last time they would see the bat on the night. When Cotuit came up in the top of the sixth, it was 15-1.
Although the Ketteleers slapped the ball around in the sixth for four runs, it felt like too little, too late. In fact it would be, but not because their offense ran out of steam. Heavy fog rolled into Doran Park as the Kettleers were putting on their fireworks display.
There were two separate breaks taken in that same half inning in hopes that the fog would pass. When it finally became apparent that it would not relent, there was a meeting of the minds in foul ground behind home plate. Commissioner Paul Galop and Umpire-in-chief Sol Yas were joined by the umpiring crew, the managers and the general managers of the two teams.
“We basically let the two teams come to a decision and they decided it was best for the players and for everyone if we just call it a game,” said Galop after the game was called. “I think they made the right call.”
The game will be recorded officially as a 15-5 victory for Bourne. The two teams will meet Wednesday at Lowell Park for game two of the three game set. Should Cotuit win, they would return to Doran Park on Thursday for a decisive game three. If the Braves win, they will hoist the Arnold Mycock championship trophy on Cotuit’s field.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Buckeyes in the Minors: Hale assigned to Rookie Ball Missoula
Keeping up with Buckeyes in the minors, in a bit of puzzling news it appears just today the Arizona Diamondbacks sent former Buckeye All-American reliever Jake Hale down to the Missoula Osprey of the Pioneer League. Hale previously was with the Yakima Bears of the Short Season A Northwest League where Hale was assigned following the draft. The Pioneer Leaguer transaction page shows the move being made effective as today.
The move comes with just more than three weeks remaining in the minor league season. Hale in his time with Yakima was 2-2 with a 5.29 ERA as a reliever. Hale pitched 17 innings allowing 19 hits and 10 runs. In the 12 games Hale struck out 14, walked , while posting a .302 batting average against. Hale's last appearance as a Yakima Bear came August 8th where he pitched two innings of four-hit one-run baseball.
The puzzling part comes on three fronts. With such little left in the season if moves are made typically they are up a level to challenge a player breifly before the season is over, unless a player is in way over his head. Maybe the Diamondbacks do not view a move from SS-A to Rookie ball as a demotion, but with a Low A team in South Bend in the Silver Hawks having Hale face Midwest League batters, especially closer to home would appear to be the move if this was a promotion.
Also even though he allowed a run in his last game, Hale has came around after a rough start to his professional carerr. No signs at least numberwise that Hale was underpeforming. Lastly given Hale's age being 23 and spending 4 years in college to go to a Rookie team full of 1st and 2nd year professionals out of high school msotly 18-20, it isn't a "better fit" you would think.
But it is Arizona's decision and we wish Jake the best. Hopefully it is a mover to allow Jake to work specifically with someone or for other positive reasons as we hope Jake moves up the minor league ladder.
The move comes with just more than three weeks remaining in the minor league season. Hale in his time with Yakima was 2-2 with a 5.29 ERA as a reliever. Hale pitched 17 innings allowing 19 hits and 10 runs. In the 12 games Hale struck out 14, walked , while posting a .302 batting average against. Hale's last appearance as a Yakima Bear came August 8th where he pitched two innings of four-hit one-run baseball.
The puzzling part comes on three fronts. With such little left in the season if moves are made typically they are up a level to challenge a player breifly before the season is over, unless a player is in way over his head. Maybe the Diamondbacks do not view a move from SS-A to Rookie ball as a demotion, but with a Low A team in South Bend in the Silver Hawks having Hale face Midwest League batters, especially closer to home would appear to be the move if this was a promotion.
Also even though he allowed a run in his last game, Hale has came around after a rough start to his professional carerr. No signs at least numberwise that Hale was underpeforming. Lastly given Hale's age being 23 and spending 4 years in college to go to a Rookie team full of 1st and 2nd year professionals out of high school msotly 18-20, it isn't a "better fit" you would think.
But it is Arizona's decision and we wish Jake the best. Hopefully it is a mover to allow Jake to work specifically with someone or for other positive reasons as we hope Jake moves up the minor league ladder.
Buckeyes in the Minors: DeLucia & Shuck
A day late, but as promised we catch up with two former Buckeyes who are enjoying success in Advance A ball. Be it overpowering hitters enjoying baseball from the mound sandwiched between the Atlantic and Gulf Coast as is Dan DeLucia or abusing opposing pitchers sending balls into the warm breeze off the Pacific as is J.B. Shuck, the two 2008 draft picks are causing quit the stirs in their respective Florida Coast and California Leagues.
It was the Houston Astros who selected the two-way standout from Ohio State in the 6th round, selecting the Galion, Ohio native J.B. Shuck as an outfielder with the 182nd pick overall. Shuck was a New York-Penn League All Star is first professional season, finishing 2008 batting .300 for the Tri-City of the NYPL. After enjoying a very strong debut season, Shuck continued to turn heads in the 'Stros minor league camp. J.B. forced his way into having the organization bump him all the way up to A+ ball, skipping the Low A level.
The jump from A- to A+ has been said to be the toughest for a hitter. What would it be like for Shuck going from short season A to High A? Shuck and the Astros could not anticipate the 2009 summer J.B. is enjoying. Through 108 games the sweet-swinging lefty is hitting .329 which places him sixth in the California League, as does his .404 on-base percentage. Though leading off for the Lancaster JetHawks, Shuck is slugging .437 off 26 doubles, 10 triples and a home run. Shuck has successfully stolen 18 bases in 25 attempts.
Expect to see Shuck in AA at Corpus Christi in 2010 as mentioned today by the Houston Chronicle
. "(Jon) Gaston, J.B. Shuck and T.J. Steele, who has missed much of the season to injury, are hovering in the high .300s or low .400s in on-base percentage and form a trio that could be in for a real test next year at Class AA.
They also cover a lot of ground in that spacious outfield.
“We're a very good offensive lineup throughout,” Gaston said. “And we're porbably the fastest in the league. It's a good outfield. We can play all three positions.”
As we focus in on how the other lefty of the 2008 draft class is doing, DeLucia continue to shine as he finds second life with the Dunedin Blue Jays. As previously mentioned here DeLucia started 2009 in the Northern League playing in front of Canadians before seeing the Toronto Blue Jays offered him a minor league contract in hopes of one day returning to Canada in their uniform. If DeLucia continues he progress that might not be out of the question.
Former three-time captain for the Scarlet & Gray has a 1-1 record with a .87 ERA. DeLucia has allowed just 2 runs in 20.2 innings pitched. DeLucia has 16 strikeouts to match the 16 hits allowed, the 8 walks combined with the hits add up for a WHIP of 1.18. Equally as impressive is DeLucia is limiting opponents to a .216 batting average against. That number gets even stingier as righties are hitting just .184 off Danny.
So far so good in 2009 for a pair of former All-Big Ten Buckeyes. As the minor seasons come to a conclusion here over the next month, both Shuck and DeLucia hope to finish strong in High A leaving the door to AA in 2010 wide open.
It was the Houston Astros who selected the two-way standout from Ohio State in the 6th round, selecting the Galion, Ohio native J.B. Shuck as an outfielder with the 182nd pick overall. Shuck was a New York-Penn League All Star is first professional season, finishing 2008 batting .300 for the Tri-City of the NYPL. After enjoying a very strong debut season, Shuck continued to turn heads in the 'Stros minor league camp. J.B. forced his way into having the organization bump him all the way up to A+ ball, skipping the Low A level.
The jump from A- to A+ has been said to be the toughest for a hitter. What would it be like for Shuck going from short season A to High A? Shuck and the Astros could not anticipate the 2009 summer J.B. is enjoying. Through 108 games the sweet-swinging lefty is hitting .329 which places him sixth in the California League, as does his .404 on-base percentage. Though leading off for the Lancaster JetHawks, Shuck is slugging .437 off 26 doubles, 10 triples and a home run. Shuck has successfully stolen 18 bases in 25 attempts.
Expect to see Shuck in AA at Corpus Christi in 2010 as mentioned today by the Houston Chronicle
. "(Jon) Gaston, J.B. Shuck and T.J. Steele, who has missed much of the season to injury, are hovering in the high .300s or low .400s in on-base percentage and form a trio that could be in for a real test next year at Class AA.
They also cover a lot of ground in that spacious outfield.
“We're a very good offensive lineup throughout,” Gaston said. “And we're porbably the fastest in the league. It's a good outfield. We can play all three positions.”
As we focus in on how the other lefty of the 2008 draft class is doing, DeLucia continue to shine as he finds second life with the Dunedin Blue Jays. As previously mentioned here DeLucia started 2009 in the Northern League playing in front of Canadians before seeing the Toronto Blue Jays offered him a minor league contract in hopes of one day returning to Canada in their uniform. If DeLucia continues he progress that might not be out of the question.
Former three-time captain for the Scarlet & Gray has a 1-1 record with a .87 ERA. DeLucia has allowed just 2 runs in 20.2 innings pitched. DeLucia has 16 strikeouts to match the 16 hits allowed, the 8 walks combined with the hits add up for a WHIP of 1.18. Equally as impressive is DeLucia is limiting opponents to a .216 batting average against. That number gets even stingier as righties are hitting just .184 off Danny.
So far so good in 2009 for a pair of former All-Big Ten Buckeyes. As the minor seasons come to a conclusion here over the next month, both Shuck and DeLucia hope to finish strong in High A leaving the door to AA in 2010 wide open.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Church of Baseball: Wimmers Top 25 2009 Summer Player
The Church of Baseball has done their top 40 performances of the 2009 summer season to date. As expected Wimmers continues to turns heads, and even though he had a late start due to his Team USA invitation, he's quicky turned into one of the Cape's best.
25. Alex Wimmers, RHP- Cape Cod (Ohio State): It is hard to rank him higher, since he has had limited time in the Cape, but he did pitch fairly well in the Team U.S.A. trials. Wimmers has limited his walks and hits allowed while striking out 31 through 19 innings of work, posting a 1.42 ERA. He has solid low 90's velocity and a tight curveball that misses bats, while he has shown off solid, smooth mechanics this summer.
25. Alex Wimmers, RHP- Cape Cod (Ohio State): It is hard to rank him higher, since he has had limited time in the Cape, but he did pitch fairly well in the Team U.S.A. trials. Wimmers has limited his walks and hits allowed while striking out 31 through 19 innings of work, posting a 1.42 ERA. He has solid low 90's velocity and a tight curveball that misses bats, while he has shown off solid, smooth mechanics this summer.
From the world of "OMG he went there"
This is not Ohio State baseball related, in fact it is on the complete opposite end of the electromagnetic spectrum.
In my 2-week absence the guys over Varsity Blue made the move over to MGoBlog.
Now normally this is "who cares" it is Michigan. And a year ago I would have that same feeling. But a Big Ten championship later and seeing Michigan fall out of the top 6, you have sympathy and tolerate them. And its almost football season. Enough said.
Sarcasm aside, Formerly Anonymous who is a frequent visitor here will head the baseball cover from MGoBlog and I encourage the Buckeyes to frequently hop over there, as well as the other Big Ten baseball blogs to support the Big Ten. He does a good job of keeping everyone updated on the latest Mazie & Blue news, and they say keep your friends closer, but you're enemies closer.
In my 2-week absence the guys over Varsity Blue made the move over to MGoBlog.
Now normally this is "who cares" it is Michigan. And a year ago I would have that same feeling. But a Big Ten championship later and seeing Michigan fall out of the top 6, you have sympathy and tolerate them. And its almost football season. Enough said.
Sarcasm aside, Formerly Anonymous who is a frequent visitor here will head the baseball cover from MGoBlog and I encourage the Buckeyes to frequently hop over there, as well as the other Big Ten baseball blogs to support the Big Ten. He does a good job of keeping everyone updated on the latest Mazie & Blue news, and they say keep your friends closer, but you're enemies closer.
WHSV: Armstrong out four months, might redshirt 2010
Renowned Doctor Performs Surgery on TA Grad Armstrong
For professional athletes that need surgery, the doctor they want to see is Dr. James Andrews.
Andrews, one of the most renowned sports doctors in the country, has worked on the likes of Michael Jordan, Roger Clemens, Jack Nicklaus, Brett Favre and Tom Brady.
On Tuesday, Andrews performed surgery on former Turner Ashby baseball standout Andrew Armstrong in a facility in Birmingham, Alabama.
"You go in there and you see all these jerseys he's signed, all these thank you notes," says Armstrong. "Once you meet him, he's just like any other doctor. He's nice, he'll talk to you and have a conversation with you."
The Ohio State Buckeye needed to have surgery for a torn labrum. Armstrong, who led TA to back-to-back baseball titles in '06 and '07, is glad to be on the road to recovery.
"I'm tired of pitching hurt," adds Armstrong. "I don't want to have to worry anymore about how my arm is going to feel."
Armstrong will be out for at least four months, which may force him to take a medical redshirt next season at Ohio State
For professional athletes that need surgery, the doctor they want to see is Dr. James Andrews.
Andrews, one of the most renowned sports doctors in the country, has worked on the likes of Michael Jordan, Roger Clemens, Jack Nicklaus, Brett Favre and Tom Brady.
On Tuesday, Andrews performed surgery on former Turner Ashby baseball standout Andrew Armstrong in a facility in Birmingham, Alabama.
"You go in there and you see all these jerseys he's signed, all these thank you notes," says Armstrong. "Once you meet him, he's just like any other doctor. He's nice, he'll talk to you and have a conversation with you."
The Ohio State Buckeye needed to have surgery for a torn labrum. Armstrong, who led TA to back-to-back baseball titles in '06 and '07, is glad to be on the road to recovery.
"I'm tired of pitching hurt," adds Armstrong. "I don't want to have to worry anymore about how my arm is going to feel."
Armstrong will be out for at least four months, which may force him to take a medical redshirt next season at Ohio State
The Daily Record: Buckeyes in 2010 recruit Blake Bellman's final 5
By MIKE PLANT
Daily Record Sports Writer
Blake Bellman, Northwestern's sure-handed shortstop, has been fielding offers along with baseballs this summer.
The three-time All-Daily Record first-teamer will be a senior this year and hopes to have his college selected sometime this fall. Bellman, whose Huskies have won Wayne County Athletic League championships twice in his three years on the varsity, has an impressive list of suitors.
Wednesday, he visited Kent State, the top baseball program in the Mid-American Conference. The Golden Flashes are in his top five, along with Ohio State, Arizona State, Cincinnati and Xavier.
"It's been nerve-wracking at times, but it's a pretty neat process that not many get to go through," said Bellman of his recruiting experience. "It's been fun.
"Right now, I'm just taking everything in. Eventually I'll sit down and talk with my family, talk about the schools, academics, figure out a major, then funnel it all down to one school."
While most of Bellman's possible destinations are in the Midwest, Arizona State became interested last summer when he played in the Junior Olympics in Arizona. "That's where some people saw me," Bellman said. "I also played on a national travel team out of Southern California, so I've played a lot out West."
A switch-hitter, Bellman hit .443 last season for Northwestern, with four home runs, 29 RBI and 40 runs scored. Hitting a baseball is what first sparked his interest in the game.
"At an early age I fell in love with hitting, then I started switch-hitting when I was 7 and just got better and better at it," Bellman said. "Then I started playing travel baseball and my whole family fell in love with it. Now, behind my house, my dad built me a 5,000-square foot indoor batting cage. I've really been blessed to have such great support from my parents (Larry and Cindy).
"Obviously, I've put a lot of time into hitting, and a lot of people have told me that that's what will get me into college."
Most of the schools looking at Bellman project him as a second or third baseman at the next level. "That probably fits me best," said Bellman, who said he's received several full-ride offers and at least partial scholarships to some of his favorites.
But he'll definitely be at shortstop next spring for the Huskies, when he's planning on helping his team back to the top of the WCAL.
"It would be nice to go out with a bang," Bellman said. "The goal every high school team has is to go to state. This will be the last time I get to play with my friends and we're very competitive, so we'd love to win the league and then go as far as we can in the tournament."
Bellman said he may return to play his senior year of basketball, and he gets away from everything by going hunting. He'll also spend a lot of time in the weight room.
Along the way, he'll zero in on the college he likes the best.
"I'm just looking for a good fit, and I think I'll know it when I find one," Bellman said.
"I haven't really set a date yet, I'll just finish out the summer and talk to some people," he added. "It'll be nice to know where I'm going, then I can have fun enjoying my senior year."
About as much fun as coaches at competing WCAL schools will have seeing Bellman graduate.
As the Buckeye Nine previously mentioned, the Buckeyes already have a verbal commitmet from 2010 recruit Tim Wetzel. After giving the current depth chart the Bucks will lose a lot of talent in 2010 due to graduation and the draft and will need to reload. Hopefully Bellman can join Wetzel in that process.
Daily Record Sports Writer
Blake Bellman, Northwestern's sure-handed shortstop, has been fielding offers along with baseballs this summer.
The three-time All-Daily Record first-teamer will be a senior this year and hopes to have his college selected sometime this fall. Bellman, whose Huskies have won Wayne County Athletic League championships twice in his three years on the varsity, has an impressive list of suitors.
Wednesday, he visited Kent State, the top baseball program in the Mid-American Conference. The Golden Flashes are in his top five, along with Ohio State, Arizona State, Cincinnati and Xavier.
"It's been nerve-wracking at times, but it's a pretty neat process that not many get to go through," said Bellman of his recruiting experience. "It's been fun.
"Right now, I'm just taking everything in. Eventually I'll sit down and talk with my family, talk about the schools, academics, figure out a major, then funnel it all down to one school."
While most of Bellman's possible destinations are in the Midwest, Arizona State became interested last summer when he played in the Junior Olympics in Arizona. "That's where some people saw me," Bellman said. "I also played on a national travel team out of Southern California, so I've played a lot out West."
A switch-hitter, Bellman hit .443 last season for Northwestern, with four home runs, 29 RBI and 40 runs scored. Hitting a baseball is what first sparked his interest in the game.
"At an early age I fell in love with hitting, then I started switch-hitting when I was 7 and just got better and better at it," Bellman said. "Then I started playing travel baseball and my whole family fell in love with it. Now, behind my house, my dad built me a 5,000-square foot indoor batting cage. I've really been blessed to have such great support from my parents (Larry and Cindy).
"Obviously, I've put a lot of time into hitting, and a lot of people have told me that that's what will get me into college."
Most of the schools looking at Bellman project him as a second or third baseman at the next level. "That probably fits me best," said Bellman, who said he's received several full-ride offers and at least partial scholarships to some of his favorites.
But he'll definitely be at shortstop next spring for the Huskies, when he's planning on helping his team back to the top of the WCAL.
"It would be nice to go out with a bang," Bellman said. "The goal every high school team has is to go to state. This will be the last time I get to play with my friends and we're very competitive, so we'd love to win the league and then go as far as we can in the tournament."
Bellman said he may return to play his senior year of basketball, and he gets away from everything by going hunting. He'll also spend a lot of time in the weight room.
Along the way, he'll zero in on the college he likes the best.
"I'm just looking for a good fit, and I think I'll know it when I find one," Bellman said.
"I haven't really set a date yet, I'll just finish out the summer and talk to some people," he added. "It'll be nice to know where I'm going, then I can have fun enjoying my senior year."
About as much fun as coaches at competing WCAL schools will have seeing Bellman graduate.
As the Buckeye Nine previously mentioned, the Buckeyes already have a verbal commitmet from 2010 recruit Tim Wetzel. After giving the current depth chart the Bucks will lose a lot of talent in 2010 due to graduation and the draft and will need to reload. Hopefully Bellman can join Wetzel in that process.
Charlotte Sun Herald: Buckeyes a potential team for 2010 Snowbird Baseball Classic
Partington's background brought baseball here
When the Port Charlotte Invitational college baseball tournament skipped town, Steve Partington decided to step in and find a replacement.
Partington, a retiree who used to umpire in Ohio for Big 10 and Mid-American Conference college games, lives in North Port with his wife. He didn't think the area should lose an opportunity to host a college tournament.
"I had to see what I could do," Partington said.
So, two years ago, he began putting together the framework of what became the Snowbird Baseball Classic. He relied on friendships and associations made through years of umpiring -- including some acquaintances who now live in the area or have second homes here. As an example, he points to one of his neighbors, who he said is from Wooster College in Ohio.
The response, he said, was enthusiastic. Several college baseball teams, especially those in the Midwest and in the Northeast, look for tournaments in warm weather states and they leaped at the opportunity to participate.
One of the results that most pleased him most about this past winter's event was that it raised several thousand dollars for the Punta Gorda and Murdock Little League teams.
There were other aspects that he found pleasing, he said, such as the fact Major League scouts from several teams attended, including those from Atlanta, Cincinnati, Colorado and Tampa Bay.
"One of the ballplayers, Aaron Dott, with the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, was drafted," he said. "He's a left-handed pitcher. He went in the 31st round by the Rays."
Of the teams that participated, two of them made it to the Division III World Series -- Carthage College and Wooster College -- the latter made it to the final game, he added.
Unlike the Port Charlotte Invitational, the Snowbird Baseball Classic was much smaller in scope.
At its height, the Invitational had between 80 and 100 college teams from four divisions participating: Division II, Division III, NAIA and community colleges. This year's inaugural tournament featured only Division III schools, 23 in all.
Part of the reason for the smaller slate was the availability of ballfields that fulfilled college standards. Partington said only two fit the bill: South County and North County Regional parks. Another limitation was the number of games that could be played each day.
However, Partington said he hopes to secure more fields for next year, as he projects there will be 30 to 40 teams participating.
He wants to expand the tournament to include local high schools and higher Division I college teams -- including The Ohio State University, Duquesne and St. Louis University.
"I've probably turned down 30 Division I teams," he said.
In addition to the nearly two years it took to assemble the classic, Partington said it cost nearly $100,000. That expense was defrayed in part by a $10,000 grant from the Florida Sports Foundation that the Charlotte Harbor Visitor and Convention Bureau was able to secure.
"We are one of 21 sports commissions able to apply," Sean Doherty, sales and marketing manager for the Charlotte Harbor Visitor and Convention Bureau, said. "The grant was awarded because it fulfilled a criteria: 'How many people will this bring in from out-of-state.'"
Hotels and restaurants, Partington said, were of tremendous help, especially restaurants that gave away free meals as well as deeply discounted coupons. He said 11 hotels have already signed up for next year, as well as people who have condos for rent.
For next year's tournament, Partington is looking for additional sponsors who will provide prizes and other goods for spectators.
One of the things Partington learned was the need for volunteers to provide services such as taking tickets, working concessions, and serving as concierges providing information about directions, other attractions, even restaurants. Anyone interested in asked to visit the tournament's Web site: www.snowbirdbaseball.com, or e-mail Partington at: steve@snowbirdbaseball.com
By STEVE STEINER
You can find more information on the Snowbird Baseball Classic here
When the Port Charlotte Invitational college baseball tournament skipped town, Steve Partington decided to step in and find a replacement.
Partington, a retiree who used to umpire in Ohio for Big 10 and Mid-American Conference college games, lives in North Port with his wife. He didn't think the area should lose an opportunity to host a college tournament.
"I had to see what I could do," Partington said.
So, two years ago, he began putting together the framework of what became the Snowbird Baseball Classic. He relied on friendships and associations made through years of umpiring -- including some acquaintances who now live in the area or have second homes here. As an example, he points to one of his neighbors, who he said is from Wooster College in Ohio.
The response, he said, was enthusiastic. Several college baseball teams, especially those in the Midwest and in the Northeast, look for tournaments in warm weather states and they leaped at the opportunity to participate.
One of the results that most pleased him most about this past winter's event was that it raised several thousand dollars for the Punta Gorda and Murdock Little League teams.
There were other aspects that he found pleasing, he said, such as the fact Major League scouts from several teams attended, including those from Atlanta, Cincinnati, Colorado and Tampa Bay.
"One of the ballplayers, Aaron Dott, with the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, was drafted," he said. "He's a left-handed pitcher. He went in the 31st round by the Rays."
Of the teams that participated, two of them made it to the Division III World Series -- Carthage College and Wooster College -- the latter made it to the final game, he added.
Unlike the Port Charlotte Invitational, the Snowbird Baseball Classic was much smaller in scope.
At its height, the Invitational had between 80 and 100 college teams from four divisions participating: Division II, Division III, NAIA and community colleges. This year's inaugural tournament featured only Division III schools, 23 in all.
Part of the reason for the smaller slate was the availability of ballfields that fulfilled college standards. Partington said only two fit the bill: South County and North County Regional parks. Another limitation was the number of games that could be played each day.
However, Partington said he hopes to secure more fields for next year, as he projects there will be 30 to 40 teams participating.
He wants to expand the tournament to include local high schools and higher Division I college teams -- including The Ohio State University, Duquesne and St. Louis University.
"I've probably turned down 30 Division I teams," he said.
In addition to the nearly two years it took to assemble the classic, Partington said it cost nearly $100,000. That expense was defrayed in part by a $10,000 grant from the Florida Sports Foundation that the Charlotte Harbor Visitor and Convention Bureau was able to secure.
"We are one of 21 sports commissions able to apply," Sean Doherty, sales and marketing manager for the Charlotte Harbor Visitor and Convention Bureau, said. "The grant was awarded because it fulfilled a criteria: 'How many people will this bring in from out-of-state.'"
Hotels and restaurants, Partington said, were of tremendous help, especially restaurants that gave away free meals as well as deeply discounted coupons. He said 11 hotels have already signed up for next year, as well as people who have condos for rent.
For next year's tournament, Partington is looking for additional sponsors who will provide prizes and other goods for spectators.
One of the things Partington learned was the need for volunteers to provide services such as taking tickets, working concessions, and serving as concierges providing information about directions, other attractions, even restaurants. Anyone interested in asked to visit the tournament's Web site: www.snowbirdbaseball.com, or e-mail Partington at: steve@snowbirdbaseball.com
By STEVE STEINER
You can find more information on the Snowbird Baseball Classic here
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Palesta.net: OSU Pitcher Rolling In Cape Cod League
Caught this video interview with Alex Wimmers as the Palestra.net caught up with Alex this past week and talked about his spring with the Bucks and summer so far as a Bourne Brave.
OSU Pitcher Rolling In Cape Cod League
OSU Pitcher Rolling In Cape Cod League
Buckeyes in the Minors: Strong day for 2007 Draft trio
Cory Luebke, Matt Angle, and Eric Fryer came to Ohio State in the Autumn of 2004 as part of a highly touted recruiting class as they were the 4th, 6th, and 17th best 2004 high schoolers according to The Buckeye Scout. The three-year starters would be mainstays in Coach Todd's line-up from day one littering the Buckeye record books until the trio was drafted in the 2007 MLB Amateur Draft as top 10 round draft picks. Now in their third professional season the products of Maria Stein Marion Local, Whitehall-Yearling, and Reynoldsburg are making the climbs through the minors.
Luebke making his second start after spending nearly three weeks on the DL after tweeking his hamstring had a very strong outing last night for the AA San Antonio Mission the AA San Diego Padre farm team. Cory would toss two innings of one-run baseball allowing five hits, while striking out four and walking two. After dominating the High A California League Luebke while fighting injury has handled his own in the Texas League. On the season the lanky lefty is 2-0, with a 1.27 ERA, in 21.1 IP, he has struck out 13 walked 8, and opponents are batting .217 off of the 2007 Big Ten Pitcher of the Year.
From the blazing heat of mid-Texas to the coastal breeze of the Atlantic in the Carolinas we see Angle and Fryer having solid nights.
Angle the everyday centerfielder of the High A Frederick Keys has been the prototypical leadoff hitter in his professional carrer. With an ability to make consistent contact and speed to kill for, it was the big fly that sparked Angle's evening last night from Winston-Salem. Angle would go 2-for-4 hitting a two-run homer to right, picking two RBI and a run scored on the evening. The long ball was the first this summer for 2007 seventh round pick of the Orioles who known for his speed is hitting .286 in 101 games, picking up 113 hits and stealing 32 bases in the process.
As Angle was getting the job done in North Carolina it was Fryer getting it done in South Carolina. Fryer echoed Angles 2-for-4 outing in Myrtle Beach for the Lynchburg Hillcats as Fryer was involved in a mid-season trade between the Pirates and Yankees. In splitting time between the outfield and behind the dish Fryers combined numbers have him hitting .241 with 15 doubles, 2 triples, and 3 home runs.
As the summer seasons are coming to an end for the current Buckeyes I'll try to more actively cover the progress of the former players. We'll check in n 2008 draft picks JB Shuck and Dan DeLucia on Monday.
Didn't plan it but figured these three would be the 400th post on here. Oh well they're good guys, great friends and deserve it. As part of the 2004 HS class myself, knowing Angle for 10 years now, then later Luebke and Fryer through baseball, without them I honestly would not be interested in Buckeye baseball and be here doing this, so I should also send them a thank you.
Luebke making his second start after spending nearly three weeks on the DL after tweeking his hamstring had a very strong outing last night for the AA San Antonio Mission the AA San Diego Padre farm team. Cory would toss two innings of one-run baseball allowing five hits, while striking out four and walking two. After dominating the High A California League Luebke while fighting injury has handled his own in the Texas League. On the season the lanky lefty is 2-0, with a 1.27 ERA, in 21.1 IP, he has struck out 13 walked 8, and opponents are batting .217 off of the 2007 Big Ten Pitcher of the Year.
From the blazing heat of mid-Texas to the coastal breeze of the Atlantic in the Carolinas we see Angle and Fryer having solid nights.
Angle the everyday centerfielder of the High A Frederick Keys has been the prototypical leadoff hitter in his professional carrer. With an ability to make consistent contact and speed to kill for, it was the big fly that sparked Angle's evening last night from Winston-Salem. Angle would go 2-for-4 hitting a two-run homer to right, picking two RBI and a run scored on the evening. The long ball was the first this summer for 2007 seventh round pick of the Orioles who known for his speed is hitting .286 in 101 games, picking up 113 hits and stealing 32 bases in the process.
As Angle was getting the job done in North Carolina it was Fryer getting it done in South Carolina. Fryer echoed Angles 2-for-4 outing in Myrtle Beach for the Lynchburg Hillcats as Fryer was involved in a mid-season trade between the Pirates and Yankees. In splitting time between the outfield and behind the dish Fryers combined numbers have him hitting .241 with 15 doubles, 2 triples, and 3 home runs.
As the summer seasons are coming to an end for the current Buckeyes I'll try to more actively cover the progress of the former players. We'll check in n 2008 draft picks JB Shuck and Dan DeLucia on Monday.
Didn't plan it but figured these three would be the 400th post on here. Oh well they're good guys, great friends and deserve it. As part of the 2004 HS class myself, knowing Angle for 10 years now, then later Luebke and Fryer through baseball, without them I honestly would not be interested in Buckeye baseball and be here doing this, so I should also send them a thank you.
Yahoo Sports/Rivals.com: Grading the Big Ten plus Sorenson's thoughts
It was the Big Ten's turn to receive their report card from Yahoo Sports and Rivals.com college baseball writer Kendall Rogers.
Here is what Rogers said of the Buckeyes:
Ohio State
Grade: A
Season analysis: After finishing in the middle of the pack in the Big Ten two seasons ago, the Buckeyes entered this past season with something to prove. They rose to the occasion in impressive fashion. Ohio State won the Big Ten regular season title with a record of 18-6. They also reached the Tallahassee Regional final against Florida State and ended the campaign with an overall record of 42-19. The Bucks won some games in the postseason and captured 40-plus victories. That’s a successful season.
You can read the rest of the Big Ten and the grades they received from Rogers here
Rogers would say overall about the Big Ten:
"The Big Ten finally had an opportunity to make a huge statement.
The conference has long tried to make significant gains in college baseball. But until this past season, that hadn’t happened.
That was until Ohio State, Minnesota and Indiana each made an NCAA regional.
The Buckeyes won the conference regular season title and played Florida State in the Tallahassee Regional final, Minnesota finished second in conference and played LSU in the Baton Rouge Regional final. Then there’s Indiana, which played well down the stretch and earned a trip to the Louisville Regional.
Other teams such as Illinois and Michigan weren’t so lucky.
The Illini made a statement early in the season with a road series win over LSU, but were unable to do enough down the stretch to make a regional. Michigan, meanwhile, was a huge disappointment with a 9-15 Big Ten record."
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You can't disagree with his sentiments on Michigan and Illinois, but I personally take issue with his view of the Big Ten just now making a statement thought. You only have to go back to 2007 to see 3 Big Ten teams in Regional play as Michigan, Ohio State, and Minnesota made the NCAA's. In fact Michigan went down to Vandy and WON the Regional that was hosted by the #1 team in the country Vanderbilt, and beat #1 draft pick David Price in his final collegiate start. Oh and Michigan also was no hitting eventual CWS Champ Oregon State at home in Supers through 8.2 before falling. Combine OSU and Minny's 3rd place performances, 2009 is more of vindication that the Big Ten is on the up and up, not some rise out of nowhere.
Nothing against Rogers, he is great for the sport, but for a Big Ten perspective in how the conference is doing nationally, we turn to our main man Eric Sorenson for his views.
In an email exchange Eric said:
"Oh, and I almost forgot... I think the Big Ten is making the right strides - despite OSU's horrid losses in Tallahassee. With nearly every team building/improving their facilities, the conference is on the right track. We'll see how that transpires in the next year or two.
But this was a conference that REALLY needed to upgrade everything, while also needing to lighten up the non-conference death marches. That's why, despite Illinois' successful trip to LSU, the Big 10-Big East challenge was a great idea. No sense in opening your season playing teams that have had three weeks of outdoor practices and you've had none.
It's still all about money and commitment. If the Big 10 and northern teams put more money into programs and emphasize them, they'll get better and better and eventually make more national noise. If not, they won't."
I'll pass along more of Sorenson's words and thoughts as he also touched on Coach Todd's tenure and the current state of the Buckeyes, as I'm working on a "state of the program" for you guys to piece apart in getting the most thorough scope of all things Ohio State baseball.
Here is what Rogers said of the Buckeyes:
Ohio State
Grade: A
Season analysis: After finishing in the middle of the pack in the Big Ten two seasons ago, the Buckeyes entered this past season with something to prove. They rose to the occasion in impressive fashion. Ohio State won the Big Ten regular season title with a record of 18-6. They also reached the Tallahassee Regional final against Florida State and ended the campaign with an overall record of 42-19. The Bucks won some games in the postseason and captured 40-plus victories. That’s a successful season.
You can read the rest of the Big Ten and the grades they received from Rogers here
Rogers would say overall about the Big Ten:
"The Big Ten finally had an opportunity to make a huge statement.
The conference has long tried to make significant gains in college baseball. But until this past season, that hadn’t happened.
That was until Ohio State, Minnesota and Indiana each made an NCAA regional.
The Buckeyes won the conference regular season title and played Florida State in the Tallahassee Regional final, Minnesota finished second in conference and played LSU in the Baton Rouge Regional final. Then there’s Indiana, which played well down the stretch and earned a trip to the Louisville Regional.
Other teams such as Illinois and Michigan weren’t so lucky.
The Illini made a statement early in the season with a road series win over LSU, but were unable to do enough down the stretch to make a regional. Michigan, meanwhile, was a huge disappointment with a 9-15 Big Ten record."
------------------------------------------
You can't disagree with his sentiments on Michigan and Illinois, but I personally take issue with his view of the Big Ten just now making a statement thought. You only have to go back to 2007 to see 3 Big Ten teams in Regional play as Michigan, Ohio State, and Minnesota made the NCAA's. In fact Michigan went down to Vandy and WON the Regional that was hosted by the #1 team in the country Vanderbilt, and beat #1 draft pick David Price in his final collegiate start. Oh and Michigan also was no hitting eventual CWS Champ Oregon State at home in Supers through 8.2 before falling. Combine OSU and Minny's 3rd place performances, 2009 is more of vindication that the Big Ten is on the up and up, not some rise out of nowhere.
Nothing against Rogers, he is great for the sport, but for a Big Ten perspective in how the conference is doing nationally, we turn to our main man Eric Sorenson for his views.
In an email exchange Eric said:
"Oh, and I almost forgot... I think the Big Ten is making the right strides - despite OSU's horrid losses in Tallahassee. With nearly every team building/improving their facilities, the conference is on the right track. We'll see how that transpires in the next year or two.
But this was a conference that REALLY needed to upgrade everything, while also needing to lighten up the non-conference death marches. That's why, despite Illinois' successful trip to LSU, the Big 10-Big East challenge was a great idea. No sense in opening your season playing teams that have had three weeks of outdoor practices and you've had none.
It's still all about money and commitment. If the Big 10 and northern teams put more money into programs and emphasize them, they'll get better and better and eventually make more national noise. If not, they won't."
I'll pass along more of Sorenson's words and thoughts as he also touched on Coach Todd's tenure and the current state of the Buckeyes, as I'm working on a "state of the program" for you guys to piece apart in getting the most thorough scope of all things Ohio State baseball.
Summer League Buckeyes: Stats through 8/7
Photo of Rucinski from All Things Valley League
Apologies for the two-week hiatus. Been a bit busy as the internship was winding down with the Settlers, camp and two-a-days have picked up as HS football is now underway, rink renovations at the ice rink, and needing a bit of break as baseball burn-out is setting in, as we're a month away from the start of fall ball. Yeah, the season just ended it feels and we're getting ready for 2010.
I'll have more things to pass along now that I have some free time, but to catch our Buckeyes finished, or are as the seasons across America in their respective summer leagues have completed except the CCBL playoffs where Wimmers might get one last start.
Bad news in the form of Best and Armstrong ending their summers early and have surgery on their pitching arms. Both should and hopefully will be 100% for 2010, but fall ball practice will be paper thin on pitching.
Good news, Wimmers continues to shine in the Cape, as too has Burkhart. Strayer finished with 2 solid outings in the Valley while Rucinski went on a second half tear down there finishing with very impressive numbers. Engle, DeLucia, and Kovanda performed very well across the board showing the Bucks infield will be loaded with depth as they defend their championship.
Hitters
Valley Baseball League:
Cory Kovanda-Waynesboro Generals: 41-for-141;.291 average, three 2B, one 3B, one HR, 13 RBI, .348 SLG, .369 OBP, .717 OPS 5/8 SB/SBA
Brian DeLucia-Rockbridge Rapids: 32-for-117; .274, three 2B, one 3B, three HR, 18 RBI, .393, .351, .749, 3/6
Shawn Forsythe-Rockbridge Rapids: 3-for-24, .125, three RBI, .125, .125, .250 0/0
Great Lakes:
Tyler Engle-Licking County Settlers: 18-for-53; .340, three 2B one HR, nine RBI, .453, .379, .832
Cape Cod:
Dan Burkhart-Hyannis Mets: 23-for-78; .295, two 2B, one 3B, six RBI, .346, .375, .721
Atlantic Baseball Confederation:
Ryan Cypret-Jersey Tides: 17-for-53; .321, one 2B, one HR, six RBI, .407, .434
Zack Nowland-Jersey Tides: 11-for-45; .244, one 2B, five HR, 15 RBI, .600, .433
Pitchers
Great Lakes:
Eric Best-Licking County Settlers 3-0, 3.50 ERA, 18.0 IP, 17 H, 17 K's, 5 BB, .243 BAA
Cape Cod:
Alex Wimmers-Bourne Braves 2-0, 1.23, 22 IP, 12 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 37 K's, 13 BB, .155
Valley Baseball League:
Jared Strayer-Rockbridge Rapids: 0-2, 8.27, 20.2 IP, 32 H, 27 R, 19 ER, 16 K's, 14 BB, .368
Drew Rucinski-Luray Wranglers: 3-1, 2 SV, 3.22, 44.2 IP, 22 R, 16 ER, 41 H, 48 K's, 14 BB, .230
Andrew Armstrong-Luray Wranglers: 1-1, 6.19, 16 IP, 14 H, 15 K's, 12 BB, .222
New England Collegiate:
Dean Wolosiansky-Newport Gulls: 4-0, 2.41, 33.2 IP, 11 R, 9 ER, 29 H, 20 K's, 12 BB, .222
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