It could be a fireworks-filled opening weekend for the Biscuits.
If you haven't heard, minor-league umpires and Minor League Baseball have been trying to negotiate a labor agreement. So far, they've been unsuccessful and the umpires say they're going on strike. Next week, if no agreement has been reached, Minor League Baseball will use fill-in umpires, apparently from each team's area, from the college or high school ranks. Fill-ins are already working spring training games.
This could get interesting.
I've already seen more sniping at the umpires this spring than the two previous years. Spring minor-league games are quite relaxed and a borderline call -- in the past -- rarely drew more than a glance.
I don't challenge the fill-ins qualifications, but the players and coaches do. They'll question them in full force when the season starts. I will say that the speed of a professional game is significantly faster than the amateur level (and the language is much bluer and tolerated). Calling a prep game one day and the Biscuits the next isn't a tasty recipe.
If the situation isn't settled, expect a highly charged atmosphere -- and plentiful dugout-to-umpire diatribes -- at the stadium.
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Show some Pridie
The jigsaw puzzle had an extra piece dropped in it today. Jason Pridie is back with the Devil Rays after the Minnesota Twins decided to leave him off their major-league roster. Pridie was taken in the Rule V draft last December and had to stay in the majors or be offered back to the Rays.
The Rays jumped at the chance. Pridie had only a .213 average in 28 games at Montgomery last year after a serious early-season knee injury, but has shown signs of an ability to create runs.
He was greatly welcomed at the minor-league complex. He stood near the entrance and, with the dexterity of a discount-store greeter, shook a lot of hands and talked to almost everyone.
The speedy Fernando Perez seemed a possibility to make the jump two levels from low-A Southwest Michigan, where he swiped 57 bases last year, to the Biscuits. Perez now appears set for high-A Visalia.
The Rays jumped at the chance. Pridie had only a .213 average in 28 games at Montgomery last year after a serious early-season knee injury, but has shown signs of an ability to create runs.
He was greatly welcomed at the minor-league complex. He stood near the entrance and, with the dexterity of a discount-store greeter, shook a lot of hands and talked to almost everyone.
The speedy Fernando Perez seemed a possibility to make the jump two levels from low-A Southwest Michigan, where he swiped 57 bases last year, to the Biscuits. Perez now appears set for high-A Visalia.
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Snobbish behavior
Well, I embarrassed myself -- yet again -- today. I had just chatted with someone in the clubhouse at the minor-league complex and started walking toward the fields. Someone was behind me, but I didn't recognize him and just kept walking. It was Chris Seddon, who pitched for the Biscuits in both 2004 and 2005.
In my defense, Seddon has grown his hair out a little bit. He had a crew-cut look last season, but now it can hang into his eyes. No matter the hairstyle, if Seddon continues his professional trend, he's due for a big season at Durham.
In the last two years, Seddon has started his season back at the level he ended the previous season, greatly improved his performance and earned a first-half promotion. Both times, he had average numbers after the promotion, but a steep learning curve led to early success.
Seddon did it at Montgomery in 2004-05. He was the Biscuits' pitcher of the year in 2004, despite a 9-10 record, a 4.39 ERA and 129 hits against him in 119 innings. He was much better in 2005 and was gone at the end of May.
Today, Seddon made sure to tease me for ignoring him. Hopefully, he won't be easy to ignore at Durham.
In my defense, Seddon has grown his hair out a little bit. He had a crew-cut look last season, but now it can hang into his eyes. No matter the hairstyle, if Seddon continues his professional trend, he's due for a big season at Durham.
In the last two years, Seddon has started his season back at the level he ended the previous season, greatly improved his performance and earned a first-half promotion. Both times, he had average numbers after the promotion, but a steep learning curve led to early success.
Seddon did it at Montgomery in 2004-05. He was the Biscuits' pitcher of the year in 2004, despite a 9-10 record, a 4.39 ERA and 129 hits against him in 119 innings. He was much better in 2005 and was gone at the end of May.
Today, Seddon made sure to tease me for ignoring him. Hopefully, he won't be easy to ignore at Durham.
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Prochaska performance
Mike Prochaska threw four-plus shutout innings in the Class AA exhibition game with the Trenton Thunder today. Prochaska was with the Biscuits for much of 2004, but stayed at Class A Visalia almost all of last season.
Brett Wayne and Jeff Ridgway each threw two shutout innings and the Biscuits led 3-0 after 8 1/2. Alas, Trenton touched Joe Little for three runs and won it in the 10th.
On a neighboring field, Elijah Dukes hit a towering home run in the Class AAA game. It was a windy day, but Dukes' shot wasn't helped by it. Just after contact, someone in the stands said, "Look at it go." Kevin Witt followed with a more generic home run to right.
Brett Wayne and Jeff Ridgway each threw two shutout innings and the Biscuits led 3-0 after 8 1/2. Alas, Trenton touched Joe Little for three runs and won it in the 10th.
On a neighboring field, Elijah Dukes hit a towering home run in the Class AAA game. It was a windy day, but Dukes' shot wasn't helped by it. Just after contact, someone in the stands said, "Look at it go." Kevin Witt followed with a more generic home run to right.
Friday, March 24, 2006
Sound of spring -- brrr
Made it to St. Petersburg and I'm glad I brought a jacket and a sweatshirt. Biscuits manager Charlie Montoyo said it had been warm this week, just before he accused me of bringing the cold weather with me.
Nice enough drive (just more than 500 miles, if you're curious). I have to wonder if there is any longer stretch of blank road than that between Tallahassee and Lake City. Rolled past a wreck in Tampa where a cement truck had overturned. It blocked all three lanes of traffic and police directed cars through the emergency lane. It took about 50 minutes to go five miles.
I hit the minor-league complex first and it's amazing how many people you meet when you cover a baseball team. Everybody is saying hi. Delmon Young, who was sometimes frosty last season, was warm and friendly. With his obvious baseball talent, if he can embrace that kind of personality, he'll be a major star.
Rolled down to the major-league game tonight and the Reds beat the Rays 6-1. Carl Crawford hit an inside-the-park home run for Tampa Bay. Ruddy Lugo, who was with Montgomery last season, had a nice two innings and gave up just one hit. New Rays owner Stuart Sternberg was in the house and talked about how his efforts to revive the franchise.
Nice enough drive (just more than 500 miles, if you're curious). I have to wonder if there is any longer stretch of blank road than that between Tallahassee and Lake City. Rolled past a wreck in Tampa where a cement truck had overturned. It blocked all three lanes of traffic and police directed cars through the emergency lane. It took about 50 minutes to go five miles.
I hit the minor-league complex first and it's amazing how many people you meet when you cover a baseball team. Everybody is saying hi. Delmon Young, who was sometimes frosty last season, was warm and friendly. With his obvious baseball talent, if he can embrace that kind of personality, he'll be a major star.
Rolled down to the major-league game tonight and the Reds beat the Rays 6-1. Carl Crawford hit an inside-the-park home run for Tampa Bay. Ruddy Lugo, who was with Montgomery last season, had a nice two innings and gave up just one hit. New Rays owner Stuart Sternberg was in the house and talked about how his efforts to revive the franchise.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)