Always watching

Dayton manager Donnie Scott thought it would be a good idea to have a scout talk to his players before the game on Monday.

That scout, Gene Bennett, has been on the job for 56 years.

Bennett let the players know batting and fielding practice should be used for more than just warming up.

"Pregame stuff is as important as anything you'll ever do," said Bennett, who went on to explain scouts arrive at the park early to see if players can catch, throw and run in case the game doesn't allow them to showcase those abilities.

He told them a scout's impression of a player goofing off might be a lasting one.

Yep, this one scout saw A-Rod goofing off at Goodland Field once. Never wrote him up as a prospect. Okay, I made that up.

There is also a Chrlie Leibrandt story in there.