The first is about manager Eddie Rodriguez, his background, and a bit about today's Diamond Jaxx starting pitcher Jason Mackintosh (WI '04).
New Jaxx manager likes team's focus, spirit
He was called up from extended spring training and joined the club in Montgomery after Justin Thomas was placed on the seven-day disabled list with a sore elbow.
Mackintosh, 26, is a 6-foot, 215-pound left-hander with a variety of pitches. He started in the Jaxx's first game against Jacksonville, a 3-1 victory, but didn't get a decision because he didn't work five innings. He went four innings, allowing four hits, a walk, a run and striking out five.
"I don't throw in the 90s, mostly around 86 or 87," Mackintosh said. "So I've got to throw strikes and change my speeds and get ahead (in the count) early."
He tries to keep batters off-balance with a fastball, sinker, change-up, knuckle-curve and slider. He said he's excited about pitching the first game at Pringles Park this season.
"Last year in Double-A, I had to battle my excitement level before I pitched," Mackintosh said. "This year, I've been more under control. I'll just go out, compete and try to win."
Then, there is this story which includes a very interesting passage
Jaxx team gets involved in community
An autograph booth on the Pringles Park concourse will be manned by two Jaxx players prior to each home game.
And the Jaxx Ribbee Reading Program begins this week. Two or three players will visit area schools and spend time reading to the students. Jaxx pitchers Mumba Rivera, Joe Woerman and Andy Baldwin are scheduled to be at Gadsden Elementary on Tuesday at 9 a.m.
"We've always wanted to do the autograph booth, but we had a little problem with the Cubs doing it," Jaxx general manager Jeff Parker said. "The Seattle organization is very open to getting their players involved in the community, and that's a big reason we wanted to be the Mariners' Double-A affiliate."
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