Odds & ends................

The brawl last night was just as I wrote; beanball 101. The 54 minutes was due to weather however. Some of that business last night is likely due to the replacement umps being used because of the labor dispute with the regular Eastern League umps. No warnings were issued by the HP ump despite three battters being hit ( 2 Defs, one Philly) prior to the third Defender being hit and the fight that followed. And even after that Defender pitcher Matt Palmer hit a Philly and didn't get tossed; so it sounds like an out of control situation. For more fight details check out the on-line issue of the Reading Eagle newspaper and a blog entry about it by one of their reporters. Note: that's where the picture comes from--the Reading Eagle newspaper. Wonder if D-Mac and Garrett will report on it on their blogs.
1B Travis Ishikawa and P Jonathan Sanchez (who has been lights out as a converted reliever) are up with the MLBB Giants. It is Travis' second stint with the parent club this season and he went 3-4 last night with 3 RBIs; his first MLBB RBI's. Reports I read is that Travis should be back later next week. Sanchez is taking Scott Munter's place in the Giants pen. Good luck and congrats Jonathan!
Former Gator Brad Viecker is playing for the Gary SouthShore RailCats joining former Gators Chris Curry, Jay Pecci and Josh Habel. Chris and Jay are doing pretty well so far stats wise.
Got a Defenders newletter yesterday. Good edition of it and the best part was they are bring back unused ticket days--the last Wednesday of the month. Great deal epecially since I have one and the annoucement comes just after I wondered about it in this space. No news about the cap deal for the upcoming Portland SeaDog games for all you Yankee fans out there..
Judging by the daily pic of the day on the team website it looks like the Defenders are wearing their away uniforms during some of the weekday home games. Haven't been able to catch one of those midweek day games lately because of work but I'm planning on the June 1 game next week so maybe I'll get lucky.
Took at quick look at eBay last night re: the Clemens bobbleheads. There are three on the auction block ranging in price from $9.99 to $34.99 but no action so far.
I've seen 18 games so far this year (17 gates) and the Defender record is 12-6 for those contests. I've used 10 vouchers so far with 14 left. Last year I hit 43 games and made the 24 vouchers last so we'll see.