From around the Midwest League

A few things that caught my eye this morning:

#1 is from Lake County. The Captains are hosting a Fantasy Camp.

Captains Fantasy Camp: Blog entry No. 3

Day 2 of the Captains Fantasy Camp is in the books and what a day.

Team News-Herald got back on track after being shut out by Team Pepco on Friday by sweeping two games on Saturday, thanks to some hot hitting.

As good as the bats were, the story and star of the fantasy camp, in my opinion, has been the play of left fielder Al Grate of Team News-Herald.

Grater is participating in his first fantasy camp and, after talking to him before Friday's first day, wasn't expecting much. He's in his 60s, but in good shape. He's a retired teacher from Ashtabula County who now lives in Concord. He's a great person, and also very determined.

For example: Grater, who coached high school baseball back in the day, hasn't just played the outfield the first two days. He's owned the outfield.

Here is entry #1 and entry #2

#2: It's father versus son in Lansing

It's been 15 years since John Tamargo Jr. last saw his father in the summertime. Their differing baseball schedules just wouldn't allow for it.

So when the son found out he'd be joining the Lugnuts's staff and his dad, John Sr., would be managing their Midwest League compatriot Clinton LumberKings, the two knew they'd finally have a chance to cross paths again.

Little did they know then how special - and historic - that lone series would become.

When Sal Fasano decided to take his Toronto Blue Jays organization-required four-day vacation this past week, it thrust the younger Tamargo into the manager's seat for the first time in his six seasons as a minor league coach. That meant, after winning his first three games at the helm, he got to match wits with his dad Saturday.

"He was always coaching. When I was younger, in high school and college, I'd go with him in the summer," said the Lugnuts acting manager, who just told his father recently that he, too, would be managing. "But ever since I turned professional and signed a contract and started playing, I hadn't seen him in the summer."

And at least on this night, Junior got the best of Senior as the Lugnuts downed the LumberKings 12-7 at Cooley Law School Stadium.

#3: Homer Bailey...He's honest.

Homer Bailey could have answered the question another way, but he chose to be honest.

Asked if he had fond memories of pitching for the Dayton Dragons in 2005 on his way up the organizational ladder, the Cincinnati Reds right-hander replied with an immediate and emphatic “No.”

“It was just such a big learning adjustment,” said Bailey, who went 8-4 with a 4.43 ERA for manager Alonzo Powell. “I was 18, and I’m 24 now. I didn’t know what to expect. It was my first time away from home. I thought I knew everything back then. I guess we all do when we’re 18.”

That said, the native Texan is excited to be back, especially to the extent that his rehab start Monday, July 26, against Quad Cities hastens his return to the majors after being sidelined since May 24 with an inflamed right shoulder.

Plans call for Bailey to throw about 70 pitches, then take his act to Louisville for two more starts, which, if all goes well, would then put him in position to help the Reds down the stretch.