Minor League Baseball Fans's Blog

Bumming Around TC

Miguel#94 — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 10:06:58 GMT

Bummer! Last Game of the Season

Finishing Finishing up our last fun weekend of the summer with go-carts and water slides, we ended it watching the Traverse City Beach Bums taking on the Kalamazoo Kings in Frontier League action. This is the second to last game on the Beach Bums 2009 schedule, but for us, it's most likely the last game we'll see live untill 2010. Bummer.

It was a beautifull night for baseball, and the home team Bums won 5-2. The kids spent more time on the playground than watching the game, but at least it kept them busy. We opted for the lawn seats at Wuerfel Park, which has nice areas in the outfield to sit and watch from a blanket or lawn chair.

The kids each recieved a free baseball at the gate and they were able to get some players autographs on them. The only bummer was that former Major League pitcher and Bums pitching coach Roger Mason refused to sign for the kids. We were told he was 'too busy' and he basically turned his back on us. What a loser. You can see from the pic just how busy he was. Oh, well, we still didn't let it ruin our last game. Photos photos property of MIB

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Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and Paul Molitor

Miguel#94 — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 15:41:57 GMT

Hello, Wisconsin

Appleton, WI-August 4-5, 2009: It's already August, and the kids will going back to school soon, and summer will be officially a thing of the past. Wanting to get one more trip in, we headed west through the U.P. to Wisconsin to take in a couple of Timber Rattler games. We watched the T-Rats play the Kane County Cougars on Tuesday night at 7:05, then for a Wednsday matinee at noon before heading home.

Playing in the Midwest League, the T-Rats are enjoying there first season as a Class A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. This is obviously helping attendance, as the stadium was packed with Brewers fans for both games. Also helping was the fact that Hall of Famer and former Brewer legend Paul Molitor was there signing autographs on Tuesday night. I didn't even bother to get in line to see him the line was so long. I also enjoy visiting a ballpark for the first time and Fox Cities Stadium didn't disappoint. Not as big as some of the other Class A ballparks, but really nice and not a bad seat in the house. The lower box seats make you feel like your right on the field. The food was pretty good and the beer was cold, so no complaints there.

The Rattlers lost both games to the Cougars, but both were very competitive. Tuesday night game went to the tenth with Kane County coming out on top 4-2. Wednsday's game ended 3-1 in favor of the Cougars again. Wisconsin left a lot of base runners in scoring position both games. We saw some good pitching and defense from both teams, too. I have to give props to the Cougars Chris Berroa(pictued) for throwing me a game ball.

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A Great Baseball Story

Miguel#94 — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 09:31:29 GMT

Newest Beach Bum Never says Die

Thinking that Jeff Williams being picked up by the Yankees was a 'feel good' story, maybe this one outshines it a bit. The Traverse City Beach Bums just signed infielder and former Florida Gater Brandon McArthur to patrol third base at Wuerful Park.

What's amazing, is the path and adversity that McArthur has gone through to get to this point. His biggest hurdle was battling back from a severe head injury after a random act of violence in October of 2003 that put him in a drug induced coma at Tampa General Hospital. He was attacked outside a Gainsville night club and hit his head on the sidewalk. The doctors were'nt sure he'd even survive after having to remove 5% of his brain during two life-saving operations. When he was finally awake in November and went to use the restroom, he immediatly hit the floor, forgetting how to walk. He also permanatley lost his sence of taste and smell, as well as the names of all of his teammates. The doctors informed him he's never play baseball again, and told his family that he would be paralyzed and unable to communicate.

Over the next year or so, McArthur would prove the doctors wrong. After regaining his ability to walk and talk, he next turned his attention to baseball-hitting off a tee, then slowly throwing, and taking batting practice.

On February 11, 2005, McArthur took the field at McKethan Stadium-as the Florida Gators starting third baseman. He and the Gators would go on to the best season in school history. They won the SEC Championship and even made it to the finals of the College World Series, eventually losing to Texas.

Unfortunately, this is not where the story ends. In his sophomore campain, McArthur would miss ten games with a deep bone bruise and reoccuring shin problems. He still went on to hit four doubles, two triples, two home runs, and drive in 20 runs. In 2007, his season would begin and end in the first game of the season. McArthur tore his ulnar collateral ligament during a routine throw to first base and had to suffer through a whole year of rehab. He would come back as a starter in 2008, though, only to rupture his anterior cruciate ligament. Playing injured, he still batted .367 with 20 RBI's.

McArthur was granted a sixth year of eligability by the NCAA, and in 2009 he posted a career-best .338 average with 14 doubles, three home runs, and 20 walks. He was a .301 career batter with the Gators, with 36 doubles, eight triples and ten homers. He also earned the Academic All-SEC award and SEC-All Freshman Team honors.

Off the field, McArthur was even more valuable to his school and community. Here's a small list of his activities: Florida Student Athlete Advisory Counsil, speaker for Fellowship of Christain Athletes, frequent visitor to the pediatric unit at Shands Hospital (where he re-habed), wheel-chair basketball with Special Olympians, speaker at 'Youth Quake' Christian youth event, member of Big Brothers, and speaker at the March of Dimes Health Conference in 2008 and participated in the Climb for Cancer Sports Camp.

Wow. I got tired just reading and typing all of that. Truely, this is a special individual who would not accept defeat in the wake of tragedy. Now he's a professional baseball player. If the Beach Bums criteria of signing players is high character, then I think they just out did themselves. McArthur was a 2003 draft pick of the Minnesota Twins, so maybe he can work his way back up to that level.

Photo courtesy of the Traverse City Beach Bums

Posted on July 24, 2009 at 4:15 AM
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Making The Best Of It

Miguel#94 — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 09:29:12 GMT

Making The Best Of It

While being sent away for training down south, all you can really do is make the best of it. I did this by taking in some great Minor League Baseball action in some historic cities with great baseball atmospheres.

Charleston RiverDogs: I was able to make it to two games of the RiverDogs here in Charleston, South Carolina. They are Single A in the South Atlantic League. It's always nice to be at a ballpark for the first time and 'The Joe' as they call it is a nice place to watch a game. It's pretty big ballpark, but you still got a great view from anywhere. I was shut out at getting a game ball and the Dogs beat and lost to the Lexington Legends.

Savannah Sand Gnats: Luckily the Sand Gnats were also in town while I was down here, this time playing the Charleston RiverDogs (maybe they're thinking I followed them). I love Grayson Stadium, though, as I was here back in 2005 when I was training in Brunswick then. Always a good time in Savannah, and the Gnats played well losing a close game Tuesday night and winning in extra innings the next. I'd love to bring the family down here at some point.

Sorry the picture quality is so bad, but had to pick up a desposable camera while down there. They're better than nothing, I guess.

2009 Baseball Trip

Miguel#94 — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 09:23:58 GMT

2009 Baseball Trip

Tues. May 5-South Bend, Indiana: Our first trip to Coveleski Stadium in South Bend pitted the home Silver Hawks against the Cedar Rapids Kernels. We fought off the rain all week, and it started here with some drizzle, but the rain actually held off and we got the whole game in. Trevor made the trip with us this year, and he was uccessful in getting two game balls. The stadium is a little plain, but cut into the ground which I like and had good seating. We had good seats in the front row. Thurs. May 7-Indianapolis, Indiana: We experienced out first rain out Wednesday, but if one of our games was to be missed, that would be it because we planned on returning to Victory Field on this day for a morning game anyway. The Indians played the Scranton/WB Yankees in a double header starting at ten in the morning. Again, rain threatened us, but it turned out to be a beautiful day. The home town Indians got beat both games, but this is a great ball park and we would love to back here again. Pictured is me and Trevor in the upper deck. Trevor got a fowl ball here, too. Louisville, Kentucky: Heading to Louisville Slugger Field for a night cap, gave us a record setting three games in one day. We did it, though, and enjoyed every second. As nice as the park is in Indy, this one is just amazing. The facade is build into an old rain road warehouse and it's just another great place to watch a ball game. The Bats beat up on the visiting Rochester Red Wings, too. We got another foul ball, as I took Trevor to the play area, it just happened to bounce in there to me. We've been having lots of luck with this. This is another AAA ball park I would love to visit again. Pictured here is Trevor from the outfield, but out seats were front row down the third base side. Not a bad seat in this house, though. Friday, May 8-Louisville Slugger Factory and Museum: This was just awesome seeing how these famous bats are made. We got to hold unfinished bats of some of the best players in the game today, and saw older bats swung by the likes of Babe Ruth and Joe DiMaggio. The factory tour was interesting and we each got a souvenir mini-bat when it was all over. Lots of stuff for kids, so Trevor had a great time, too. I highly recommend this to anyone in the Louisville area. A ballgame and the museum are a great combination. I dropped a little coin at the gift shop here, too. Fort Wayne, Indiana: We can at least say we were at Parkview Field during it's inaugural season here in 2009. The newly named TinCaps also helped by beating the Peoria Chiefs, too. This is a beautiful park, and maybe the class of the single 'A' circuit. Really nice sight lines around Fort Wayne, too. As you can see by the pic, we were right next to the TinCaps dugout and got a game ball here, too. Still lucky on the weather front, as it rained when we got here, but actually cleared up for the game. Trevor got to run the bases afterward which made it even more special for him. Sat. May 9-Lansing, Michigan: Ending our trip in our home state. Like most of the days, it rained all the way up to Lansing, so we dreaded that we'd get this far and miss some baseball. The 'baseball gods' must have been looking out for us, as is cleared up as we got to Michigan State. In probably the best ball game we saw, MSU beat Prudue 6-5. Oh, yeah, you guessed it, Trevor got a foul ball at the newly remodeled McLane Stadium also. Our trip finally ended at Oldsmobile Park featuring the Lansing Lugnuts and the Beloit Snappers. The 'Nuts got beat and it was a bit cold, yet we're happy it didn't rain and we got the game in. This is the only game we got shut out on getting a foul ball. We were all pretty tired by this time, but stayed for the post game fireworks, which seemed like and fitting end to our trip. This is the first year we missed a game in Grand Rapids watching the Whitecaps, but we'll be down there later this summer. Next year we're looking into heading to Iowa or maybe the other teams in Ohio we haven't seen. It's never too early to start planning. Recommend this? [?]

Baseball Parks Visited (23)
Baseball Grounds(2005)
Jacksonville Suns/SL
C.O. Brown Stadium(2005-2006)
Southwest Michigan Devil Rays/MWL
Comerica Park(2001)
Detroit Tigers/AL
Coveleski Stadium(2009)
South Bend Silver Hawks/MWL
Fifth Third Ballpark(2005-2009)
West Michigan Whitecaps/MWL
Fifth Third Field(2007)
Dayton Dragons/MWL
Fifth Third Field(2007)
Toledo Mud Hens/IL
Grayson Stadium(2005, 2009)
Savannah Sand Gnats/SAL
Joesph P. Riley, Jr. Park(2009)
Charleston RiverDogs/SAL
Louisville Slugger Field(2009)
Louisville Bats/IL
McLane Stadium/Kobs Field(2009)
Michigan State/NCAA
Miller Park(2008)
Milwaukee Brewers/NL
Oldsmobile Park(2006, 2009)
Lansing LugNuts/MWL
Parkview Field(2009)
Fort Wayne TinCaps/MWL
Pilot Field(1993)
Buffalo Bisons/IL
Theunissen Stadium(2008)
Central Michigan/NCAA
Pohlman Field(2008)
Beloit Snappers/MWL
Tiger Stadium(1977, 1987)
Detroit Tigers/AL
Turner Field(2005)
Atlanta Braves/NL
Victory Field(2009)
Indianapolis Indians/IL
Wrigley Field(1996)
Chicago Cubs/NL
Wuerfel Park(2006-2008)
Traverse City Beach Bums/FL
Dow Diamond(2007)
Great Lakes Loons/MWL

Favorite Baseball Sites

West Michigan Whitecaps
Tigers Class A Affiliate
Savannah Sand Gnats
Mets Class A Affiliate
Where Have You Gone, Johnny Grubb?
Greg Eno talks baseball.
Minor League Baseball
Minor League Baseball official site
Red State Blue State
Tigers and Cardinals blog
Casper The Friendly Tiger
former Whitecap and Tiger prospect Casper Wells
*touch* em all
Alyssa Milano-'nuff said

Sandberg Moving Up

Miguel#94 — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 09:41:04 GMT

Chicago Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg has been promoted to manage the AA Tennessee Smokies of the Southern League. He has spent the last two season with the Peoria Chiefs of the Midwest League.

"For me, it's an excellent opportunity advancing up the ladder with what I'm doing now in baseball," Sandberg stated. "I appreciate the opportunity the Cubs have given me these past two years, and I am looking forward to the challenges in taking this next step and being successful in Tennessee."

Pitching coach Dennis Lweallyn, hitting coach Tom Beyers and athletic trainer Nick Frangella were also added to the Smokies' coaching staff for the 2009 season.

"Ryne has been a great ambassador for the game over his career as a player, manager and Hall of Famer, and we welcome him to East Tennessee." Smokies General Manager Brian Cox said. "We are excited our fans will get the chance to see a Cubs legend every night this summer at the ballpark."

As a member of the Cubs, Sandberg was the 1984 National League Most Valuable Player, hit .285, was a 10-time NL All-Star, seven time Sliver Slugger Award winner, and won 9 Gold Gloves.

Here's a pic of Sandberg last season signing some cards for my kids while managing Peoria.

He's my son's favorite so he'll miss seeing him at the games in Grand Rapids.

At least we know the Nationals' minor league(s) work

DC Sports Nut: Nats, AGAIN?? — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 23:22:13 GMT

I think the last blog I wrote for this group dealt with the Potomac Nationals winning the Carolina League championship, as well as the Nats' team in the Dominican Republic winning that title.

So, time to update the doings "down on the farm" for the Nats.

The only thing I have to contribute deals with Matt LeCroy being named the new manager @ Hagerstown. (That's the low-A team for the Nats, BTW.) Keeping Tony Tarasco on as the hitting coach for the Suns is a smart move...seeing as how Hagerstown led the South Atlantic League in hitting last year. Why screw up a good thing, really??

That's it, basically. Anything else about the Nats' farm teams, I probably forgot by now. Hard to read these things on one's cell phone. LMAO

Kernals win MiLB President's Trophy

Miguel#94 — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 06:55:41 GMT

The Cedar Rapids Kernels were awarded Minor League Baseball's John H. Johnson President's Trophy. The President's Trophy is MiLB's top award and is presented annually to honor the complete baseball franshise-based on franchise stability, contributions to league stabililty, contributions to baseball in the community, and promotion of the baseball industry. Cedar Rapids has had professional baseball since 1890 and the Kernels have been in the Midwest League since 1962.

The Kernels were extremely valuable to their community in 2008 when flooding was devestating parts of the city. Approximately 20% of Cedar Rapids was ravaged by the floods, and the clubs stadium parking lot served as a stagiang area for the National Guard, FEMA, and city officials and emergency vehicles.

The Kernels assisted many charitible organizations, raised over $60,000 in flood relief, collected 12,000 pounds of food, allowed local organizations to host or relocate events to their ballpark, and opened luxury suites during games to fans that had been forced to evacuate thier homes to go to shelters.

"The Kernels organization is appreciative and humbled to win this prestigous award from Minor League Baseball", stated Cedar Rapids General Manager Jack Roeder. "We will dedicate this award to the citizens of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Our friends and neighbors have shown, and continue to demonstrate thier spirit, determination and enthusiasm in the face of the unbelievable destruction brought on by the devastating floods in June of 2008."

Roeder and his staff maintained thier usual community acivities, despited taking on the extra burdens. The most prominent of these is the Kernels Foundation, which uses it's funds to help build recreational facilities and programs in the area.

The Kernels are the class A affiliate of the California Angels, er, I mean the Los Angelas Angels of Anahiem.

The 2008 MiLBY Awards

Miguel#94 — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 10:36:04 GMT

Minor League Baseball has completed it's awards list for the 2008 season. Here's a list of the winners, and the MLB team they are affiliated with.

BEST HITTER

Overall: Matt Wieters (Orioles)

Triple-A: Nelson Cruz (Rangers)

Double-A: Lou Mantanez (Orioles)

Class A Advanced: Carlos Santana (Indians)

Class A: Michael Stanton (Marlins)

Class A Short Season: Roberto Lopez (Angels)

BEST STARTER

Overall: Jhoulys Chacin (Rockies)

Triple-A: Charlie Zink (Red Sox)

Double-A: Vincent Mazzaro (Athletics)

Class A Advanced: Tim Alderson (Giants)

Class A: Madison Bumgarner (Giants)

Class A Short Season: Kyle Nicholson (Giants)

BEST RELIEVER

Overall: Robert Delaney (Twins)

Triple-A: Jason Bulger (Angels)

Double-A: Robert Manuel (Reds)

Class A Advanced: Anthony Slama (Twins)

Class A: Clay Zavada (Diamondbacks)

Class A Short Season: Pat Venditte (Yankees)

BEST SINGLE-GAME PERFORMANCE

Overall: Micah Hoffpauir (Cubs)

Triple-A: Micah Hoffpauir (Cubs)

Double-A: Tommy Everidge (Athletics)

Class A Advanced: Tommy Hanson (Braves)

Class A: Bruce Billings (Rockies)

Class A Short Season: David Francis (Braves)

BEST TEAM

Overall: Augusta GreenJackets (Giants)

Triple-A: Sacramento RiverCats (Athletics)

Double-A: Trenton Thunder (Yankees)

Class A Advanced: Potomac Nationals (Nationals)

Class A: Augusta GreenJackets (Giants)

Class A Short Season: Spokane Indians (Rangers)

Minor League Player Indicted in Ohio

Miguel#94 — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 08:08:21 GMT

A Minor League pitcher accused of throwing a ball that hit a fan right in the forehead was indicted last week on two counts of felonious assault.

The Peoria Chiefs' Julio Castillo is accused of throwing into the stands during a game on July 24 at the Dayton Dragons where both teams were involved in a 10 minute bench clearing brawl. At the time the fan was treated for a concussion and released from the hospital.

Castillo was trying to hit a Dayton player in the dugout, but missed and hit the fan. A Montgomery County grand jury indicted him on one count of felonious assault with a deadly weapon and one count of felonious assault causing serious physical harm.

Prosecutor Mathias Heck Jr. stated that Castillo threw the ball with intent to hurt someone, putting spectators that included children in danger. "There is no excuse for this type of behavior, whether it's in a ballpark or a back ally", Heck said. "Fans should not be subjected to violence because a player in unable to control his temper."

Defense attorney Dennis Lieberman stated that the Dominican Republic born Castillo will plead not guilty. "In my research, I have found this to be and unprecedented indictment in American baseball," Lieberman said. "These are very serious charges that could destroy this kid's chance of ever playing baseball in the United States again."

If he is convicted on both counts, Castillo could face up to 16 years in prison. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Nov. 13. Castillo is still currently with the Chicago Cubs' organiztion.

I would like to here what other baseball fans have to say about this. Not sure what to think myself, as we've all lost our temper and done something supid. Should this guy get 16 years for this, or something less severe. Obviously, some punishment is in order. In reality, he could have hit a kid and done some serious damage.

Minor League Baseball Fans's Blog

Bumming Around TC

Bummer! Last Game of the Season

Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and Paul Molitor

Hello, Wisconsin

A Great Baseball Story

Newest Beach Bum Never says Die

Making The Best Of It

Making The Best Of It

2009 Baseball Trip

2009 Baseball Trip

Favorite Baseball Sites

Tag Cloud

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Sandberg Moving Up

At least we know the Nationals' minor league(s) work

Kernals win MiLB President's Trophy

The 2008 MiLBY Awards

Minor League Player Indicted in Ohio