Of course, MILB.com has a preview.
From a Jonathan Mayo story on the return of baseball to Pulaski.
Absence has made the heart grow fonder in Pulaski, Virginia.The Appalachian League was down to nine teams in 2007 when the Blue Jays left Pulaski following the '06 season, despite many efforts to find a way to field a team at historic Calfee Park. Then the Mariners stepped in to save the day, agreeing to bring baseball back to Pulaski by fielding a seventh minor league club -- and third short-season or rookie-level team -- in the United States.
It's worked out pretty well for all parties involved, with the Pulaski Mariners ending the Danville Braves' four-year run as the East Division champions. Attendance has increased by roughly 10 percent after the one-year layoff, from 902 fans per game in 2006 up to 1,007 this year. Considering Pulaski has less than 9,500 residents, that's not nothing, and the "blooming" fan base is gearing up for a championship matchup against the Elizabethton Twins, who have won the title in two of the past three years.
"It's been great," said Mariners farm director Greg Hunter. "We were stretched more than we had been in the past. I'd like to have a little more insurance on the bench, but it worked out. Guys were able to get at-bats and innings pitched more than in the past. Having the three teams enabled us to put the right guys in the right spots."
1 comment:
How great would it be to see some of that talent at (insert radio announcer voice here) "Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium" next year?
I know you can't comment Chris (you make the big bucks, but probably not enough to absorb the $250k fine)...so i will.
2005 wasn't that long ago was it?
The parent club is horrible, thus increasing the likelihood of another Jeff Clement or Adam Jones or another high draft choice (dare i even say it...T-U-I...!!!) coming through here next year.
Who doesn't want to see Coach SDM trotting out to the first base coaches box next year giving love to the fans and yelling out "RBI, RBI!!!" when we get runners in scoring position?
I realize that at the very least the Appleton Baseball Club is exploring other options (read Brewers) or they'd have accepted the Mariners bid to re-sign already. And likewise the Brewers and West Virginia.
I hope we're not pretending that attendance will be given a huge spike just because we're a Brewers affiliate and people are under the illusion that Ryan Braun will rehab a back spasm here. Are people really going to come out to see Seth McClung throw a rehab start?
I know it's all a business decision and no matter who the Rattlers are affiliated with I'll be there for the 36 degree first pitch next April.
Let's everybody get out to the stadium for the final two home games this year!!!
And Chris, not that the weather guessers have any idea what they're talking about, but just in case can we get Carl fired up for tomorrows home finale?
WAR bringing back the Mariners!!!
WAR bringing back Sprecher Rattler Brau!!!
WAR Rattlers!!!
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