Sunday, August 29, 2010
Attendance
Did anyone else find it a coincidence that the attendance Sunday was 1,776 on Benedict Arnold bobblehead day?
Roster changes
Pitcher Brandon Barrow, who appeared in one game, was released. But there are three new faces.
RHP, Jeff Farrell (5-5, 3.14 GCL Tigers), who was Detroit's 26th-round draft pick this year; SS Dixon Machado (.261 GCL Tigers) and RHP Wilsen Palacios (4-4, 2.83 combined between GCL and FSL) will join the team Monday.
It wouldn't surprise me if we see a few more changes before Connecticut heads to Aberdeen to close out the season.
RHP, Jeff Farrell (5-5, 3.14 GCL Tigers), who was Detroit's 26th-round draft pick this year; SS Dixon Machado (.261 GCL Tigers) and RHP Wilsen Palacios (4-4, 2.83 combined between GCL and FSL) will join the team Monday.
It wouldn't surprise me if we see a few more changes before Connecticut heads to Aberdeen to close out the season.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Worth pondering
Rumor has it that a few Major League organizations were sniffing around in the event the Player Development Contract (PDC) between Detroit and Connecticut was not renewed.
When you consider the team's who could have been in the market for a new New York-Penn League home, it certainly makes for interesting conversation.
The Nationals, Phillies, Cardinals and Blue Jays were potential options. The truth is, teams love Dodd Stadium and what it has to offer. It's a big reason why Detroit wanted to stay put.
Now, with the time and money spent on establishing the team name along with the extended PDC, don't expect a new team name in 2011. Get used to the Connecticut Tigers.
When you consider the team's who could have been in the market for a new New York-Penn League home, it certainly makes for interesting conversation.
The Nationals, Phillies, Cardinals and Blue Jays were potential options. The truth is, teams love Dodd Stadium and what it has to offer. It's a big reason why Detroit wanted to stay put.
Now, with the time and money spent on establishing the team name along with the extended PDC, don't expect a new team name in 2011. Get used to the Connecticut Tigers.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Connecticut, Detroit extended PDC
The Connecticut Tigers announced Friday that its Player Development Contract with parent, club, the Detroit Tigers has been renewed through 2012. The PDC was set to expire following this season.
“They are one of the more stories franchises in all of professional sports and we feel privileged to have a part in their minor league system,’ Connecticut general manager Andrew Weber said in a release. “I hope our fans will enjoy watching Detroit’s prospects play at Dodd Stadium for years to come.”
The short-season Single-A team is in its first season in Norwich, having moved from Oneonta, N.Y., in April. With little more than a week remaining in the season, the Tigers are just one game out of first place in the New York-Penn League’s Stedler Division.
“The Tigers are very pleased to enter into this extension agreement with Connecticut,” said Detroit Tigers Director of Minor League Operations Dan Lunetta.
“…We view Norwich as a locale that fits well into our player development system. We are confident that the fan base will grow in the coming years and that the facility will be well maintained. We look forward to continuing our relationship for many years to come.”
“They are one of the more stories franchises in all of professional sports and we feel privileged to have a part in their minor league system,’ Connecticut general manager Andrew Weber said in a release. “I hope our fans will enjoy watching Detroit’s prospects play at Dodd Stadium for years to come.”
The short-season Single-A team is in its first season in Norwich, having moved from Oneonta, N.Y., in April. With little more than a week remaining in the season, the Tigers are just one game out of first place in the New York-Penn League’s Stedler Division.
“The Tigers are very pleased to enter into this extension agreement with Connecticut,” said Detroit Tigers Director of Minor League Operations Dan Lunetta.
“…We view Norwich as a locale that fits well into our player development system. We are confident that the fan base will grow in the coming years and that the facility will be well maintained. We look forward to continuing our relationship for many years to come.”
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Injury updates
P.J. Polk "tweeked" his right ankle after his cleat became stuck in the grass. He said he hurt that ankle badly in college and felt it best to not play on it because it felt funny.
Josue Carreno took a liner off the outside of his right foot. It looked fine, but it may swell up tomorrow or increase in soreness.
James Robbins' left knee collided with that of a base runner in the third inning. He needed some attention but remained in the game.
Josue Carreno took a liner off the outside of his right foot. It looked fine, but it may swell up tomorrow or increase in soreness.
James Robbins' left knee collided with that of a base runner in the third inning. He needed some attention but remained in the game.
That was quick
P.J. Polk injured a leg on the second batter of the game and limped off the field. More after the game.
Kendrick gone...for now
Tyson Kendrick was sent up to Double-A Erie, but should be back by the weekend.It's just a temporary fix for the SeaWolves.
Also, one of Connecticut's investors was here touring the stadium. Maybe he was getting an idea of what needs to get done around Dodd Stadium by next June. Try more fans.
And from the If You Were Curious Department, none of the 2010 draft picks signed by Detroit at Monday's deadline have been assigned to Connecticut. They are in the Gulf Coast League.
Also, one of Connecticut's investors was here touring the stadium. Maybe he was getting an idea of what needs to get done around Dodd Stadium by next June. Try more fans.
And from the If You Were Curious Department, none of the 2010 draft picks signed by Detroit at Monday's deadline have been assigned to Connecticut. They are in the Gulf Coast League.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Tigers spark AL All-Star win
he American League scored three times — thanks in large part to the play of several Connecticut Tigers — in the bottom of the eighth to rally for a 4-3 win over the National League Tuesday night in the New York-Penn League All-Star Game.
Tigers first baseman James Robbins (1-for-2, run) led off the inning with a double. Teammate Julio Rodriguez (2-for-2, run) followed with a single. Another Tiger, P.J. Polk (run), drove in Robbins with a ground out.
After Rodriguez stole third, Trent Mummey and Connecticut’s Matt Perry walked. Tiger Ryan Enos tied the game with a sac fly and Jose Garcia followed with what proved the winning run.
Tigers first baseman James Robbins (1-for-2, run) led off the inning with a double. Teammate Julio Rodriguez (2-for-2, run) followed with a single. Another Tiger, P.J. Polk (run), drove in Robbins with a ground out.
After Rodriguez stole third, Trent Mummey and Connecticut’s Matt Perry walked. Tiger Ryan Enos tied the game with a sac fly and Jose Garcia followed with what proved the winning run.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Bark in the Park
This is one of my favorite promotions, Bark in the Park, that is. The dachshund race in the outfield is the best. But nothing stands out like the time one pup left a gift in right field and an outfielder found it with his foot.
Good times.
Good times.
Fit it!
This is coming from a selfish place, but after years of malfunctioning windows in the press box, the window at the Bulletin's station no longer works properly.
In the main section of the box there are six windows. Three need blocks or wood boards to remain open and one doesn't work at all.
So, Stadium Authority -- fix it.
In the main section of the box there are six windows. Three need blocks or wood boards to remain open and one doesn't work at all.
So, Stadium Authority -- fix it.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Hmmm?
Figures. Only on Friday the 13th would the Tigers' bus break down en route from Jamestown. As a result, the team won't make it back to Dodd in time for tonight's game, which has been postponed.
Only in Norwich.
Only in Norwich.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
FYI
What was left out of the ESOL story was that Chao-Ting Tang recently passed his drivers license exam.
More ESOL notes
If you haven't read my story in today's Bulletin about the English classes provided by the Detroit Tigers to their minor leaguers, in particular, those in Connecticut, here's the link:
http://www.norwichbulletin.com/sports/x905703554/Single-A-Baseball-English-lessons-help-Tigers-perform-on-and-off-field
Also, what didn't make it into the story is this bit of info from Major League Baseball, which e-mailed me this morning. The Tigers aren't alone in helping their players:
* The Boston Red Sox have a full-time employee who travels to all of their affiliates responsible for teaching English language and United States life skills.
* The Cleveland Indians conduct a formal education program in the Dominican Republic before players come to the United States, where players are taught English language and cultural skills. In the United States, the Club has implemented a cultural development program and employs a full-time bilingual cultural assimilation coordinator. In addition, the Club’s farm directors and roving coordinators speak Spanish and the Club also teaches English in spring training, instructional league and in-season.
* The Philadelphia Phillies have an assimilation program in Clearwater, Florida, which is run by a full-time employee. The Club teaches English via Rosetta Stone and also hires tutors for players.
http://www.norwichbulletin.com/sports/x905703554/Single-A-Baseball-English-lessons-help-Tigers-perform-on-and-off-field
Also, what didn't make it into the story is this bit of info from Major League Baseball, which e-mailed me this morning. The Tigers aren't alone in helping their players:
* The Boston Red Sox have a full-time employee who travels to all of their affiliates responsible for teaching English language and United States life skills.
* The Cleveland Indians conduct a formal education program in the Dominican Republic before players come to the United States, where players are taught English language and cultural skills. In the United States, the Club has implemented a cultural development program and employs a full-time bilingual cultural assimilation coordinator. In addition, the Club’s farm directors and roving coordinators speak Spanish and the Club also teaches English in spring training, instructional league and in-season.
* The Philadelphia Phillies have an assimilation program in Clearwater, Florida, which is run by a full-time employee. The Club teaches English via Rosetta Stone and also hires tutors for players.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
All-Stars, but who'd know?
With little fanfare -- and no announcement from Los Tigres -- Connecticut had five all-stars for next week's New York-Penn League All-Star Game in Staten Island, N.Y.
P.J. Polk, Julio Rodriguez, Matt Perry, Ryan Enos and James Robbins.
P.J. Polk, Julio Rodriguez, Matt Perry, Ryan Enos and James Robbins.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Batgate
Recently posted on the clubhouse wall at Dodd Stadium is a list of approved bat manufacturers. So when the umpires took Connecticut shortstop Ryan Soares’ bat following an eighth-inning single because it was produced by a company not on Minor League Baseball’s list of valid bat makers, there was certainly a sense of irony.
It also added to what was already a difficult inning for Soares.
Minutes earlier, it was his throwing error on a routine play in the top half of the frame that allowed Hudson Valley to tie the game at 2.
Fortunately for Soares, his teammates were there to pick him up. The Tigers beat the Renegades, 3-2, Thursday night at Dodd Stadium. And in the process they moved into sole possession of first place in the New York-Penn League’s Stedler Division. Vermont, which lost to Auburn, 7-4, fell a half game behind Connecticut.
Connecticut (26-21) goes for the sweep of Hudson Valley tonight at 7 p.m.
“It’s a bottom line situation, and the bottom line is we won -- somehow,” said Tigers skipper Howard Bushong.
Bushong said somehow Renegades manager Jared Sandberg knew Soares was using an illegal bat. He simply waited until Soares did something before bringing it to the umpires’ attention.
It’s a brand of bat Soares had been using all season and was caught off guard by the confiscation.
“I have no idea,” Soares said of how the Renegades knew his bat was illegal. “I couldn’t tell you, it doesn’t look any different especially when you can use composite bats in this league. It doesn’t make sense.”
Said Bushong: “It was real strange that they knew.”
It also added to what was already a difficult inning for Soares.
Minutes earlier, it was his throwing error on a routine play in the top half of the frame that allowed Hudson Valley to tie the game at 2.
Fortunately for Soares, his teammates were there to pick him up. The Tigers beat the Renegades, 3-2, Thursday night at Dodd Stadium. And in the process they moved into sole possession of first place in the New York-Penn League’s Stedler Division. Vermont, which lost to Auburn, 7-4, fell a half game behind Connecticut.
Connecticut (26-21) goes for the sweep of Hudson Valley tonight at 7 p.m.
“It’s a bottom line situation, and the bottom line is we won -- somehow,” said Tigers skipper Howard Bushong.
Bushong said somehow Renegades manager Jared Sandberg knew Soares was using an illegal bat. He simply waited until Soares did something before bringing it to the umpires’ attention.
It’s a brand of bat Soares had been using all season and was caught off guard by the confiscation.
“I have no idea,” Soares said of how the Renegades knew his bat was illegal. “I couldn’t tell you, it doesn’t look any different especially when you can use composite bats in this league. It doesn’t make sense.”
Said Bushong: “It was real strange that they knew.”
Bats in the belfrey
The umps are now checking Ryan Soares' bat after he lined a single up the middle in the bottom of the eighth.
Just when it looked like a win...
The Tigers decided an already long game needed to go longer. Ryan Soares' throwing error with two outs in the top of the eighth allowed the game-tying run to score.
How often do you see it?
A player (Alexander Nunez) makes a great play in the field (a diving stop on a bases-loaded grounder), only to come back in the next half inning and come up big at the dish (RBI triple)?
That's what Nunez did in the fifth inning to give the Tigers a 2-1 lead.
Also that inning, Ryan Enos was tossed for slamming his helmet down after being called out on a grounder deep in the hole at short. He was safe, if anyone cares.
That's what Nunez did in the fifth inning to give the Tigers a 2-1 lead.
Also that inning, Ryan Enos was tossed for slamming his helmet down after being called out on a grounder deep in the hole at short. He was safe, if anyone cares.
Late start
Because of the rain that hit the area this afternoon, tonight's game has been pushed back to a 7:35 p.m. start. The grounds crew has been hard at work for the last two hours or so getting the field ready for play.
Had tonight's game been rained out, there would not have been a doubleheader Friday. League rules stipulate that a team cannot play three doubleheaders in a week.
Also, with it being Military Appreciation Night, the Tigers are wearing red, white and blue uniforms. Mascot, CT, is wearing the jersey and, well, you can't miss it.
Had tonight's game been rained out, there would not have been a doubleheader Friday. League rules stipulate that a team cannot play three doubleheaders in a week.
Also, with it being Military Appreciation Night, the Tigers are wearing red, white and blue uniforms. Mascot, CT, is wearing the jersey and, well, you can't miss it.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Game 2
The Tigers win by the same score as the opener, 2-1.
Miguel Mejia (3-1) went five innings, allowing one run on six hits. Tyler White closed out the final two innings for his third save.
Connecticut had two hits but was helped by four Hudson Valley errors.
These were important victories for Connecticut, which is second in the Stedler Division and tied for third in the New York-Penn League wild card standings.
The Renegades entered the doubleheader tied with the Tigers in the race for the final playoff spot. Connecticut is now a half game behind Vermont in the division and three behind Williamsport for the wild card.
“We needed that,” Bushong said. “We need them all right now. We needed that against those guys. We need to put together some games. We’re capable of doing it and hopefully we’ll just keep going.”
Miguel Mejia (3-1) went five innings, allowing one run on six hits. Tyler White closed out the final two innings for his third save.
Connecticut had two hits but was helped by four Hudson Valley errors.
These were important victories for Connecticut, which is second in the Stedler Division and tied for third in the New York-Penn League wild card standings.
The Renegades entered the doubleheader tied with the Tigers in the race for the final playoff spot. Connecticut is now a half game behind Vermont in the division and three behind Williamsport for the wild card.
“We needed that,” Bushong said. “We need them all right now. We needed that against those guys. We need to put together some games. We’re capable of doing it and hopefully we’ll just keep going.”
Game 1
Read more on NorwichBulletin.com on Thursday
Patrick Lawson, making his second straight start, allowed one run over five innings to lead the Tigers to a 2-1 win over the Renegades in the first of two games Wednesday night at Dodd Stadium.
Lawson's made four starts this season and is definitely in the rotation, manager Howard Bushing said.
Lawson said it's pretty easy going between the bullpen and the rotation, something he did often at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte.
There were two big defensive plays. The first was a double play that started with a barehand grab by Lawson, who threw high to second. Ryan Soares went up, snared the ball and completed the twin killing.
The other came with one out and a runner on first. Roby Price doubled to left. Les Smith fielded, fired to Ryan Soares at short. Soares gunned down the runner at home to preserve the 2-1 Tigers lead.
Patrick Lawson, making his second straight start, allowed one run over five innings to lead the Tigers to a 2-1 win over the Renegades in the first of two games Wednesday night at Dodd Stadium.
Lawson's made four starts this season and is definitely in the rotation, manager Howard Bushing said.
Lawson said it's pretty easy going between the bullpen and the rotation, something he did often at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte.
There were two big defensive plays. The first was a double play that started with a barehand grab by Lawson, who threw high to second. Ryan Soares went up, snared the ball and completed the twin killing.
The other came with one out and a runner on first. Roby Price doubled to left. Les Smith fielded, fired to Ryan Soares at short. Soares gunned down the runner at home to preserve the 2-1 Tigers lead.
Funny business
If you haven't been to a game lately, you might want to just to check out some of the revisions to the in-game sound effects.
The music/sounds played when the visiting team is batting make for some good laughs. If it isn't a ballad, it's a cartoon clip or something else that mocks the other team in good taste.
There are some good bits for the Tigers, too, especially after a stolen base.
The music/sounds played when the visiting team is batting make for some good laughs. If it isn't a ballad, it's a cartoon clip or something else that mocks the other team in good taste.
There are some good bits for the Tigers, too, especially after a stolen base.
Update on peanut sales
C.J. Knudsen stopped by to tell me that he loves selling peanuts -- one of the perks of working in minor league baseball.
If you saw it, the birthday hat for CT the Tiger's birthday party was a nice touch.
If you saw it, the birthday hat for CT the Tiger's birthday party was a nice touch.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
And the Tigers win
Josue Carreno was impressive, going six innings and allowing just one run in Connecticut's 3-1 win over Tri-City. That puts him at one run allowed over his last 11 innings.
Read tomorrow's Bulletin to see the high praise manager Howard Bushong bestowed upon the 19-year-old Venezuelan pitcher.
I'll be back at Dodd Wednesday and Thursday, so maybe I'll see you there.
Read tomorrow's Bulletin to see the high praise manager Howard Bushong bestowed upon the 19-year-old Venezuelan pitcher.
I'll be back at Dodd Wednesday and Thursday, so maybe I'll see you there.
You know things are tough
when the Tigers' assistant GM is selling Cracker Jack in the stands.
The team was likely short staffed.
The team was likely short staffed.
Back at home
Two innings in and Tigers starter Josue Carreno has looked impressive. Eight batters faced and he's thrown each a first-pitch strike. There have really been two blemishes: a ground rule double -- the ball bounced in the corner and became stuck in the bullpen fence -- and a an RBI single.
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