Guest blogger (1/18)

Hi, kids. It's me. Broomy McSweep. I'll make occasional appearances during the season. Usually after the Timber Rattlers sweep a doubleheader or a series.

But, today I'm here to represent the cold weather getting swept out of the Midwest. It was actually 17 degrees above zero when I was outside. I am also here to represent sweeping out the inbox of the guy who writes this blog.

First: Lara lost 4-2 to Caracas. Ivan Blanco ('05) 2-1/3IP, 2H, 0R, 3K got in the Liga Venezuela Beisbol Profesional Playoffs.

Second: Just Blue Skying in Peoria.

The NHL hit one out of the park when it staged an outdoor regular-season game last season and again this season.

How about an outdoor hockey game in Peoria?

It’s something the Peoria Chiefs are considering. They’d like to play host to a Winter Classic, American Hockey League style, at O’Brien Field.

Chiefs president Rocky Vonachen and Peoria Rivermen chief operating officer Josh Morin have talked, only informally, about the logistics of having the Rivermen play an outdoor game at O’Brien Field next winter.

It’s only exploratory. But as the NHL event continues to grow in popularity, it’s a matter of time before someone in the minors pulls this off, too.

Third: The important part about Scott Steinmann taking over as the manager of the Clinton LumberKings...what Ted thinks.

"He probably knows the bus routes by heart. We’re excited to have him. I enjoyed getting to know Scott when he was on the other side of the field,” Clinton general manager Ted Tornow said.

“He’s had some success at higher levels and as Seattle reorganizes its organization, they obviously believe he has something to offer in terms of educating and guiding their younger players.”

Fourth: Never leave like this...ever. Mehring jumped in with a few comments, those are in italics. I bolded the really relevant thing.

New Curve broadcaster Ron Potesta, like owner Bob Lozinak, spent the past six years in a place where fans don't care much about minor league baseball.

Radio announcers are like players (editor: We are?), Potesta said, in that they don't get too enthused going to the ballpark and performing when there are 200 people in the stands (editor: We don't?). That was the norm when Potesta worked for the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx in Jackson, Tenn.(editor: except for last year when attendance jumped over 25% over the 2007 season to 2,096 per game), but he knows things will be very different with the Curve at Blair County Ballpark.

''I am so excited to see 5,000, 6,000, 7,000 people at the ballpark,'' Potesta said. ''It puts an extra spring in your step.''

Potesta, who replaces Jason Dambach as the voice of the Curve, comes to Altoona with 12 years of minor league broadcasting experience. He worked for Lozinak's former team in Tennessee, and prior to that he had career stops in Lubbock and Abilene, Texas, Elmira, N.Y., and Vero Beach, Fla.

''In my 12 years of broadcasting, this is probably going to be the first year where the fan base is actually relevant,'' said the 44-year-old Potesta, who earned Southern League Broadcaster of the Year honors in 2007 with West Tenn.

So long, Diamond Jaxx and thanks for the memories.

Fifth: Whitecaps to host Irish Music Festival.

[T]he Aug. 22 event will boast an Art at the Park show with exhibits and sales of original paintings, sculptures, jewelry, fabric, ceramics and pottery, along with performances by popular Celtic acts The Elders, Screaming Orphans, Stephen's Green and balladeer Brendan Nolan, who will emcee.

They must not have been able to get Celtic Women:

Sixth: Former Kane County Cougar and current Philadelphia Phillie announcer Scott Franzke was interviewed by Shay Roddy of the Phillie Phanatics blog. Just click the link for some good announcer stuff.

Seventh: Between the Green Pillars has revealed Cutter Dykstra as the #13 prospect in the Brewer organization.

Dykstra was sidetracked briefly in July with a groin injury, which resulted in a short rehab assignment in Arizona, but he returned quickly to Helena. He played SS in high school, but was moved to CF late in his senior year, which allowed scouts to get a look at the position he’ll play in the pro’s. The most obvious flaw in Dykstra's game is his below average arm, which could limit his ability to play CF. If his arm can be playable in CF, he has a good shot to be an everyday player in the big leagues at some point. If he isn’t able to do that, he will probably become a 4^th OF “tweener” type, because he lacks LF power and obviously couldn’t play everyday in right. He’s got the makeup of a Dykstra, which was obviously something that intrigued the Brewers and is a good enough reason to give him the benefit of the doubt on making the adjustments he’ll need to make to get to the big leagues. Unless something unforeseen happens, you can probably count on him being the lead-off hitter for the Appleton Timber Rattlers next year.

That's WISCONSIN Timber Rattlers, Ryan. But, otherwise good stuff.

Eighth: Last week, Tom Hardricourt revealed his Top 10 Prospects in the Brewer system as he put it together (with one tweak by the editors) for Baseball America. BA will be putting up that list along with 11-20 and some scouting reports tomorrow at some time. But, since the cat is out of the bag...

1. SS Alcides Escobar
2. 3B Mat Gamel
3. C Brett Lawrie
4. RHP Jeremy Jeffress
5. C Angel Salome
6. OF Lorenzo Cain
7. OF Cutter Dykstra
8. 3B Taylor Green
9. OF Cole Gillespie
10. C Jonathan Lucroy

That seems like a good place to stop today.

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It's time

This has been in the works for a long time. Finally, from the team release, it can be announced:

The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers are excited to announce the installation of a brand new LED video board to Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium.

The 16mm LED video board made by Daktronics is 16’ high x 36’ wide and will replace the existing matrix board in left center field. The HD16 LED video board will provide an unparalleled image to show video, replays, head shots, animations, and fan enhancements.

In addition to the video board, the Timber Rattlers will be installing a new LED scoreboard to replace the existing scoreboard. The new scoreboard will feature all the typical features such as balls, strikes, outs, runs, hits, errors, inning, and score throughout every Rattlers home game. It will also allow actual team names on the scoreboard instead of VISITORS versus RATTLERS.

I've got an awesome picture, er, artist's conception of the new board. But, stupid blogger won't let me post a PDF. Stupid blogger.

Daktronics HD16 LED video board is the newest evolution in video technology and optimizes viewing angles, prevents off-angle color shifts and also includes adjustable intensity to overcome harsh lighting conditions, even direct sunlight.

"We are excited to provide this new amenity at our ballpark. We feel this will allow us to continue to enhance the overall experience for our fans. With this technology, we will also be able to broadcast Rattlers games live throughout the ballpark. Fans will be able to keep up with the action from within the Leinie Lodge, our VIP suites and at the concession stands,” said Rattlers president Rob Zerjav.

Installation of the new video board and scoreboard will be in time for the Rattlers season opener at Time Warner Cable Field on Thursday, April 9th. Advertising opportunities are currently available on the new video board and scoreboard. If you are interested in advertising with the Timber Rattlers, please contact corporate partnerships at (920)733-4152.

Hey! How did that last part get in there?

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It's by percentage

Benjamin Hill over at milb.com has a column on teams with the largest percentage increases in attendance over the last three seasons.

There are two teams on the list from 2008 (edit: added in for clarity) and one of them is from right here in the Midwest League.

6. Quad Cities River Bandits, 2008
Average attendance: 3,451 (53% increase over the previous season)

Under the leadership of new owner Dave Heller and GM Kirk Goodman, the River Bandits implemented a staggering array of changes in 2008. After four years as the awkwardly named "Swing of the Quad Cities," the club returned to the River Bandits moniker and unveiled a new logo. Meanwhile, a much greater emphasis was put on the game-day experience at Modern Woodman (formerly John O'Donnell) Park. In addition to a greatly expanded concession stand menu, fans were able to enjoy a drink at the Tiki Lounge and even take a dip in the hot tub overlooking right field.

That's great and all, but the windows in the press box still don't open.

He closes in Burlington, too

Lee Smith as at the Bees Winter Banquet in Burlington last night.

Smith praised the small town supporting professional baseball Friday night during the Sixth Annual Bees Winter Banquet at Pzazz Convention and Event Center.

"To see this turnout is just really awesome to see that in baseball," Smith said, commenting on the not-so-warm weather he found in Burlington. "The way things are going in baseball now, it's so tough to see how you can keep coming back and coming back, all the negative stuff in baseball right now. I just want to give you guys a hand for sticking by these young men."

There is some news in this article, too.

Smith deftly avoided naming his favorite team for which he played.

During his talk, Smith stood at a podium situated between his Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals' jerseys, which were the featured items in the live auction.

"I'm glad to be right here in the middle," Smith said. "I know when it comes to the question and answer, what's your favorite team? I'm going to tell you right now, I'm in the middle. Before that question gets out, I just want to say it was real good to play for both those teams."

Smith did give a slight indication of his preference during the auction. While the bidding was going on, someone called out, "Which jersey are you going to wear in the Hall of Fame?"

Smith discreetly pointed to the Cubs jersey.

The live auction raised $4,650 for Friends of Community Field.

A good idea....from Beloit?

Yes, this blog cracks on our good friends from Beloit...occasionally. But, credit where credit is due. This is a nice idea.

The Beloit Professional Baseball Association will present two awards for the firs time at the annual Snappers Winter Hot Stove Banquet.

Earning the Stateline Area Team of the Year is the Hononegah baseball team. Beloit Turner senior Mike Jacobs is the Stateline Area Player of the Year.

The Hononegah Indians, led by head coach Matt Simpson, went 23-9 during the 2008 season, winning a regional championship and reaching the sectional final before falling to the eventual IHSA state champions, 4-2.

Well played, Snappers front office. Well played.

Edit: Not well played by the Beloit Daily News. I think the word firs is not recognized as an alternate spelling for first.

Wrigley to host another minor league game

I-Cubs vs. 51s...8/9/09

"We're excited," said Sam Bernabe, the Iowa Cubs president and general manager. "It's a great opportunity not only for our guys to play in Wrigley, but maybe to pick up a few more fans from around the Chicago area."

The starting time and ticket information will be announced at a later date. Both teams will return to Des Moines to resume the four-game series on Aug. 10.

It will be real easy to go back to Des Moines after that game.

Lara in the Playoffs

Cardenales de Lara got shutout yesterday in the Liga Venezuela Beisbol Profesional playoffs.

......R...H...E
Zulia.4..10...0
Lara..0..10...1
Boxscore

Ex-Rattlers for Lara:
Jose Escalona ('06, '08): 2/3IP, 0H, BB, K
Ivan Blanco ('05): 1/3IP, 0H, 0R

Lara has lost three in a row, are 6-6 in round robin play, and tied for second with Caracas and Aragua. Those three teams are one game behind first place La Guaria.

Lara hosts La Guaria tonight at 7:00pm.

Drawing nothing

Good morning, all.

I've been looking in the usual places for something to post, but I've got nothing today. It must be something to do with the weather. Right, Captain?

Here's a little winter haiku to get you through the day:

The snow on the ground
freezes and baseball seems far
HOLY SMOKES it's cold!

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Instead of Motivation

It's been a rough couple of days for Columbo villians.

Patrick McGoohan, who was the killer on four episodes that I can remember, and Ricardo Montalban , who was a bullfighter trying to get away with murder in Mexico, both have recently died.

I tried finding a baseball clip on youtube for each and I struck gold.

It's a promo for ABC Saturday shows programs in about 1978. Stick through the What's Happening?, Operation Petticoat, and The Love Boat with Jim Nabors and Dihann Carroll. You will see brief clips of a Fantasy Island episode in which Gary Burghoff strikes out Steve Garvey with a little help from Mr. Roarke's Island.



Other players in that episode:

George Brett (Himself (uncredited))
Ellis Valentine (Himself (uncredited))
Ken Brett (Himself (uncredited))
Fred Lynn (Himself (uncredited)
Steve Garvey (Himself)
Tommy Lasorda (Himself)

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What else?

Oh, right. The Mariners announced their minor league coaching staffs.

Of particular interest would be who will be in Clinton:

After managerial stints in high-A and double-A, former Wisconsin Timber Rattlers manager Scott Steinmann will return to the Midwest League in 2009 as the manager for the Clinton LumberKings. Joining Steinmann on the staff will be veteran pitching coach Lance Painter, hitting coach Eddie Menchaca and trainer Eduardo Tamez.

Painter was the pitching coach for the Rattlers in 2007 and 2008. Menchaca played for the Rattlers in 2002 and filled in as a hitting coach a couple of times.

The first Timber Rattler road trip this year? To Clinton April 16-19. The LumberKings are in Grand Chute May 16-19 and June 30-July 3.

The rest of the announcements are over at the Mariner site. Of note:

Former Managers:
Daren Brown ('03) is back to manage in Tacoma
Terry Pollreisz ('08) is the hitting coach in West Tennessee
Jim Horner ('06, '07) is managing in High Desert

Former Coaches:
Jaime Navarro ('08) is the pitching coach in High Desert
Tommy Cruz ('05, '06) is the hitting coach in High Desert
Rafael Santo Domingo ('08) is the hitting coach in Pulaski

Speaking of exhibitions

The Quad Cities River Bandits have scheduled a pre-season game. Against the Cardinals...The Springfield Cardinals:

On Tuesday, the River Bandits made a major announcement signifying a new era in the River Bandits-Cardinals relationship. On April 5, 2009, Quad Cities will host the Double-A Springfield Cardinals at Modern Woodmen Park in what will be the first exhibition game against a Double-A team in the history of Quad-Cities baseball.

That might draw a few Cardinal fans.

Hawks on the radio

After several years off the air, the South Bend Silver Hawks have a new radio contract for 2009.

The South Bend Silver Hawks will take to the air this season with all 140 regular season games and playoff games broadcast live on ESPN Radio 1490 AM and streamed live online at SILVERHAWKS.com. The Silver Hawks partnership with Artistic Media Partners puts the Silver Hawks back on the airwaves for the first time since the 2004 season.

There is also this from the Hawks:

The Silver Hawks and Notre Dame will face off in the annual Silver vs. Gold exhibition game on Tuesday, April 7. First pitch is slated for 5:30 PM. and gates will open at 4:30 PM.

The Silver Hawks defeated the Irish last year in the inaugural battle by the score of 5-3.

This year's exhibition game will be a fundraiser with a portion of the proceeds going to the Ara Parseghian Medical Research Foundation to fight Niemann-Pick Type C.

Lara over the last few days...

Cardenales de Lara results in Liga Venezuela Beisbol Profesional Playoffs:

Monday
.........R..H...E
Caracas..4...9..1
Lara.....5..12..0
Box score

No ex-Rattlers got into Monday's game for Lara

Tuesday
........R..H...E
Lara....3...7..1
Aragua..7..11..0
Box score

No ex-Rattlers got into Tuesday's game for Lara

Wednesday
.........R...H...E
Aragua...5...7...0
Lara.....2...4...0
Boxscore

No ex-Rattlers got into Wednesday's game for Lara

Thursday is an off day for Lara.

Baseball on TV (1/14)

No time to play this morning. Maybe later. So, here is George Costanza and his theory of hitting.



And here is an old Miller Lite commercial starring Yogi Berra. See if you notice someone else...


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The Academy

Did you know the Brewers are the only team currently without a Latin Baseball Academy? Did you know that there is a recommendation for that to change?

While the second installment of the Brewers' winter Latin development camp got under way Monday in the Dominican Republic, team officials were working on plans to re-establish a permanent academy there for the first time since 2003.

Multiple members of the front office said they expect to recommend to ownership during Spring Training that the club re-open a facility in Latin America, part of an ongoing effort to get the most out of the team's dollars spent on scouting and developing international players.

"I can't tell you if it's going to happen, because it will obviously require an investment of a sizeable nature," Brewers assistant general manager Gord Ash said. "But it's certainly going to be our recommendation."

This is a long article -- for mlb.com -- with plenty of good stuff. Like:

"The thinking was that we would take a different approach," said Brewers director of player development Reid Nichols, who was hired by [GM Doug] Melvin in November 2002 and oversees the team's development camps. "Instead of spending a lot of money on a lot of players, we would spend the same amount on fewer and higher-quality players and bring them right to the States."

and

While plans to find a permanent home in the Dominican Republic continue to develop, 18-20 Latin American prospects from Milwaukee's Minor League system gathered at an academy just north of San Pedro beginning Monday for the team's eight-week winter development camp. Most of the players hail from the Dominican Republic and Venezuela, all are first-, second- or third-year players and all have a chance to be at one of the Brewers' full-season affiliates -- Class A or higher -- in 2009.

This marks the second straight season that the Brewers have hosted a development camp at the Carp Baseball Academy, a modest facility built by the Hiroshima Carp that produced Alfonso Soriano.

and finally

Players will not exactly train in the lap of luxury. The Carp built the facility in 1990 to help develop talent to bring to Japan, but that team is in the process of leaving. The on-site dormitories that the Brewers rented last year are no longer staffed, so program participants instead will stay at a hotel 20 minutes away on the country's southern coast.

The Brewers are renting two fields, four bullpens and batting cages. Sessions will also be held about community service and "learning to be an independent individual," Ash said in January 2008, when the team re-introduced the program.

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Into the Hall....

No, not that Hall. This one:

2009 Central WI Baseball HOF class announced

Included in that class, is the current GM of the Cedar Rapids Kernels.

Jack Roeder is one of four diamond standouts who will be inducted January 21st into the Central Wisconsin Baseball Hall of Fame.

He was the Wausau Timbers General Manager from 1982 through 90 and twice honored as the Midwest League's executive of the year. He's been in the GM chair with the Class A Cedar Rapids Kernels ever since.

Wausau resident Frank Radigan makes the hall as a former minor leaguer with the Detroit Tigers.

John Bauer is an Auburndale graduate and played in the Mets and White Sox organizations.

The late Ed Kardach was a Stevens Point native... was signed by the White Sox and enters the hall for his coaching talent with the American Legion.

The ceremony will be on January 21 at Dale's Weston Lanes in Schofield. Davey Nelson of the Brewers will be the keynote speaker.

There are brief bios on each inductee. Here is Jack's:

Roeder was the General Manager of the Wausau Timbers from 1982-1990. He was voted the Midwest League's Executive of the Year two times in both 1987 and 1992. He was also awarded a symbolic Key to the City of Wausau from Mayor John Robinson on August 27th, 1990, in a pregame ceremony at Athletic Park. Roeder has served as General Manager of the Cedar Rapids Kernels since 1991. The Kernels, a class A-affiliate of the Anaheim Angels, were awarded the John H. Johnson Award in December 2008. The award signifies the top organization in minor league baseball. The Kernels have won the John H. Johnson Award for the Midwest League in both the 2007 and 2008 seasons.

Cutting with scissors

In about two weeks, the Great.Lakes.Loons will have a little ceremony.

ESPN 100.9-FM will unveil its new state-of-the-art radio studios with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony January 28, 2009, held in conjunction with the Midland Chamber of Commerce.

The studios for the Tri-Cities’ only 24-hour all-sports station have been re-located to the press box at Dow Diamond, overlooking the baseball field. Since the station’s purchase in March 2008, operation of the station has taken place in the Citadel Broadcasting studios in Saginaw.

The event will begin at 4pm on the third floor of Dow Diamond and is open to the public. Complementary soft drinks and snacks will be provided, and a cash bar will be available.

Cash bar? For a radio station function? In the words of Rod Farva, "Open Bar, dude!"

Changing the culture

New Dayton manager has an idea. Beat writer points out the height of the hill to climb. Did I say hill?

Todd Benzinger was born in Dayton, Ky., just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati, a few miles east of Newport.

He grew up in New Richmond, Ohio, just a few miles farther south and east on the river. He considers himself a diehard Reds fan.

"I've been a Reds fan all my life," Benzinger said over lunch last week near his home in West Chester Twp. "I want to make sure all the (players) know this is a winning culture, a winning organization."

Whoa. Benzinger's got a mountain to climb there.

Next month he goes to spring training as the new manager of the Dayton Dragons, a franchise the Reds operate as a place to develop players, and not necessarily in a winning environment.

In four of their nine seasons, the Dragons didn't make the Class A Midwest League playoffs, a tough accomplishment since four of the six teams in their division make the playoffs every year. In five seasons — including last summer — the Dragons finished with a losing record.

In the years the team did make the playoffs, the Reds so crippled it with call-ups that the team has never advanced past the second round.

It goes on from there.

Needed to be posted

Anytime the Post-Crescent publishes a picture of Goodland Field, I'll do a post.

Here is the caption: 1961 The first big crowd sheltered under the new grandstand roof at Goodland Field. A total of 2,018 fans turned out Thursday on "Friendly Tavern Night" to watch Fox Cities beat Burlington 7-0. Post-Crescent Historical file photo

The in play light pole always gets me.

This was part of a column by Maureen Wallenfang that dealt with a little bit of Appleton history. Plenty more historical photos at a link within that link.

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They were memorable

There has been a lot of talk about entrance music and baseball since the Brewers signed Trevor Hoffman. And why not? His Hells Bells entrance is one of the best ever.

In fact , it's second only to Frank Charles playing Rockin' Robin on the organ at County Stadium before Robin Yount stepped up to the plate.

In this post over at the Daily Drink, I admitted that Behind Blue Eyes by The Who would be my entrance music. Yes, it's mellow. But, it's all in the lyrics.

But my dreams
They aren't as empty
As my conscience seems to be

I have hours, only lonely
My love is vengeance
That's never free

Yeah. I could close a game after that.

Anyway, here are some of the more memorable entrance/walk up songs I've heard over the years in the Midwest League.

Chris Snelling ('00) had Dragula by Rob Zombie.

TJ Bohn ('03) had Dirty by Christina Aguileria.

Michael Kesten ('02) had the SpongeBob SquarePants Theme.

Juan Done ('02) had Down with the Sickness by Disturbed.

There was a player with Beloit when they were a Brewer affiliate who used The Dukes of Hazzard Theme.

But, the all-time best walk up song belonged to another ex-Snapper who was a Brewer farmhand. Jeff Eure had this as his:

The link to the real video is here.