Odds & Ends

It seems like the Tacoma Rainiers have been for sale for more than a few years. Not anymore:

The Tacoma Rainiers are on the verge of being sold to an out-of-town buyer who plans to keep the team in the city.

Schlegel Sports Group intends to back up that commitment by signing a new lease to remain in Cheney Stadium and renewing the minor league baseball team’s affiliation with the Seattle Mariners.

“Their plans are to keep it in Tacoma,” Rainiers general manager Dave Lewis told The News Tribune on Thursday. “They’re happy with the market. … They’re happy both with the current conditions and with our affiliation.” ...

The new primary owner will be Kirby Schlegel of Dallas, who already owns the Texas Tornado of the North American Hockey League and is vice chairman of the ownership group of the Iowa Stars of the American Hockey League.

John McGrath of the Tacoma News-Tribune has a few memories that surfaced when he heard about the sale and the thought that maybe the Rainiers may leave town.

A classic minor league baseball nugget: A few years ago, my oldest son’s Metro Parks baseball team took a field trip to Cheney Stadium.
“Study the players,” the kids were told. “Watch how they prepare for each pitch. Watch how they position themselves on defense.”

The next morning, I ask: “How’d it go?”

“Awesome dad! There was a huge brawl!”

So, you want to work in minor league baseball? MILB.com has started a new series called Working the Minors. Oddly enough, the first installment is at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma. Patrick Brown gets to work a typical day with the Rainier Grounds Crew:

Tuesday I got the opportunity to work the grounds at Cheney Stadium, proud home of the Tacoma Rainiers. The game was at 7:05 p.m., but I was told to be at the stadium by 11 a.m.

I thought that was early, but on a normal day the crew shows up around 8 a.m. It was a late start because there hasn't been any rain for awhile, and the field is in good condition.

Did I just say rain? Oops. That won't ever happen again. I'll explain later.

He also learns an important lesson that Head Groundskeepers learn in Day One of Grounds Keeping School:

Pat Brown's grounds crew rule No. 1: Don't step on the grass unless you absolutely need to. No questions asked.

Ever wonder what a nightmare would be for a minor league radio announcer. Well, the one writing this blog has several. But, this is about # 4 on my list:

Deik Scram was having a rough afternoon on Thursday at KeySpan Park.But the center fielder delivered a two-run single in the 26th inning as the Oneonta Tigers defeated the Brooklyn Cyclones, 6-1, in the longest game in New York-Penn League history.

Yep, 26 innings! I've done a pair of seventeen innings games. A doubleheader that lasted a total of twenty innings and a couple of triple overtime hockey games. But, 26 innings?

HERE is the boxscore of that game. Deik Scram, who may be with the West Michigan Whitecaps next season, was 1-for-12 but got the hit to put the Tigers ahead. And notice, the Cyclones scored a run in the first inning and didn't score again.

This one has been up at RattlersReport.com for a few days, but I haven't had a chance to post about it here. It was Red Smith Night at Fox Cities Stadium on Tuesday night.

What began as a celebration in January culminated with one final recognition in July.

With Fox Cities Stadium serving as the backdrop, proceeds from this year's Red Smith Sports Award Banquet were distributed during an on-field ceremony on Tuesday as part of Red Smith Night.

The annual event was held prior to the scheduled Midwest League game between the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and the Swing of the Quad Cities.

Twenty-six Northeast Wisconsin youth sports organizations were given checks in a ceremony that also included the recognition of six area scholarship recipients.

The Red Smith Banquet happens in January and is a great night. Verne Lundquist was in a couple of years ago as the keynote speaker and was great.