Thoughts and pictures of my local minor league baseball team the New York Penn League Connecticut Tigers; a Detriot farm team. We'll still be looking at former Navigators/Defenders players along the way....

Monday, August 31, 2009

Senators double up Defs 8-4 tonight in PA...

as Josh Phelps bat came alive as he hit a pair of homers and knock in three runs. His glove work at first however needs some work as he committed two errors. Brett Pill had the night off, save a PH appearance, and Phelps was playing his first game at first.
Daryl Maday (4 IP 6 runs, 5 earned ,3 BBs and two WPs) takes the loss falling to 6-5 on the season. Mitch Lively ( two runs one earned) and Shane Kaufaman pitched two innings each with Kaufman giving up no runs.
Defs start the final regular season home stand tomorrow with a three game set against the FisherCats and then five games against the R-Phils. Can't believe the season went so fast!

Misc fan notes: Trenton beat the RockCats tonight so just one game separates the two teams for second place with a head to head 4 game series in NB starting Friday.

BFTP 2005 hitters continued....



Julio and Carlos both are in their second tour of duty in 2005. Julio played in 101 games batting .210 (57 for 272). He hit 6 HRS and had 29 RBIs.



Carlos hit .294 over 130 games. He recorded 33 doubles, 8 HRs, 58 RBIs and stole 29 bases.

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Bobby Felmy, Dan Griffin lead CT to a 6-3 win..

over the Senators in Harrisburg today. Felmy hit his 6th homer of the season, a two run shot, in the fourth to give CT a 3-1 lead. Felmy had a RBI single in the second inning to give the Defs a brief 1-0 lead. Ramon Castro went 3 for 4 on the day scoring three runs and hitting a solo homer, his second of the season.
It was Johnny Wholestaff today for CT's pitching duties as Craig Whitaker started and went two innings. Winning pitcher Dan Griffin was great throwing 4 innings, giving up just 2 hits, no walks, runs and striking out 5 batters. Jesse English, Shane Kaufman and Matt Yourkin combined to finish the ball game for CT. Yourkin picked up his 7th save. Griffin improves to 8-6.

Misc fan notes: An important game in the standings tomorrow as Trenton and New Britain face off in NJ separated by just two games in the battle for second place in the Northrn Division.
New Britain is home the rest of the season playing Reading Sept 1-3 and then faces off against the Thunder for a four game Labor Day Holiday weeekend series. Trenton travels up to Portland for a three game set before going to NB to end the season with those four games. Is there a one game playoff in their future??

8/08=2881

Check out Joe Perez's article about Brett Pill...

in today's on-line edition of the Norwich Bulletin. It's good.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Defs clinch first place in the Northern Division...

as the RockCats lost Game 1 of their DH against Trenton 6-5. CT is leading Game 1 of their DH against the Senators 5-3 after 4.4 innings.

UPDATE: Defs win Game 1 5-3 behind Brett Pill's three RBI performance and Sharlon Schoop's two run single. The three RBIs boost Pill's season total to 100. Geivy Garcia started and Joe Paterson records the win in relief. JoePat is now 5-6 this season. Mitch Lively throws a scoreless 7th to record his first save.

In Game 2 both teams both teams are scoreless after 5 innings as I'm pulling the plug tonight.

CONGRATS TO THE DEFENDERS!!! FIRST PLACE NORTHERN DIVISION!

Dan Runzler promoted to Fresno....



Dan was lights out in his brief time here going 3-0 with a save. He pitched to a 0.96 ERA in 7 games, 9.1 IP with 11 Ks.
Better not be any more promotions off this team until after the playoffs!

And who exactly does Pat Misch have to kill to earn his first MLBB win? Watched yesterday's game on SNY and he was 6 outs away. He pitched great too.....and now he has tied or broke some wierd record about starting pitchers whose team has never won when they start--it's like 12 in a row now for Pat.

Friday, August 28, 2009

2005 roster continues....



Trey was the Opening Day catcher in '05 but an injury ended his season early on. He played in 36 games batting just .171 (19 for 111) with a homer and 11 RBIs. He made his MLBB debut in '02 with the Giants.



Second tour with the Navigators in '05 for Randy. The outfielder played 83 games batting .281 (64 for 228) with 5 HRs and 31 RBIs.



Fred played in 137 games in '05 batting .273 (140 for 512). He had 28 doubles, 7 HRs, 47 RBIs and 30 SBs. He made his MLBB debut on 2006.

All-Stars! Brett Pill and Brock Bond are on...



the EL's season ending All-Star Team as voted by team managers, coaches, radio and print media:

From the EL Leagues's press release:

"First Base: Brett Pill, Connecticut Defenders (.293, 15 HR, 97 RBI, 63 R)
Connecticut first baseman Brett Pill has been one of the top hitters in the league this season while leading the Defenders to first place in the Northern Division standings. Pill, who was selected by the San Francisco Giants in the seventh round of the 2006 draft, is hitting .293 with 15 home runs in his first season at the Double-A level. The 24-year old has driven in a league-high 97 runs for the Defenders this season and he is also ranked among the league leaders in hits (141-3rd), doubles (34-3rd), total bases (222-3rd), and extra-base hits (50-tied 3rd). Brett also leads all Eastern League first baseman in fielding percentage (.996), making just four errors over 122 games. The San Dimas, California native has twice been named the Eastern League Player of the Week this season, winning the award for the week ending July 5th and the week ending August 9th.

Second Base: Brock Bond, Connecticut Defenders (.337, 1 HR, 31 RBI, 88 R)
Connecticut Defenders second baseman Brock Bond got a single in his first career Double-A at bat on April 16th against Trenton and he hasn’t stopped hitting since. The 23-year old had his batting average as high as .360 for the Defenders this season and is currently leading the league with a .337 average. Bond, who is a native of St. Louis, Missouri, also leads the league in runs scored (88) and on-base percentage (.432) and is ranked among the league leaders in hits (139-4th), walks (62-6th) and OPS (.841-tied 6th). The 5’10”, 195 lb. switch hitter was the starting second baseman for the Northern Division at the 2009 Eastern League All-Star game and drove in one run."

Congrats to Brett and Brock!

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Defs clinch playoff spot! Short and sweet again tonight..




as the Defenders beat the RockCats tonight 3-1 and sweep the three game series at Dodd. The victory clinches a playoff spot for the Defenders and reduces their magic number to 1 for clinching first place in the division.
GB started and pitched great going 6.2 IP allowing just 5 hits and just the single run. He struggled with control, 4 walks, but pitched out of just one jam. He evens up his record at 4-4 and lowers the ERA to 4.59. Joe Paterson threw 1.1 innings and Matt Yourkin came on in the ninth to record his 6th save.
Down 1-0 Brad Boyer tripled but was then thrown out a home trying to score on Brett Pill's grounder to third. With Pill on first EME hit the fly ball to center that the center fielder somehow lost sight of and rolled to the wall. Pill scored and EME had his second triple of the season. Good base running on the play by Pill who saw the center fielder had lost track of the ball and started running hard early. EME however ended up being stranded at third.
CT took the lead in the sixth as Boyer lead off with his second triple of the night and came in on Brett Pill sac fly. RBI # 97 for Pill. EME then followed with a solo homer, his eight of the season to make it 3-1.
EME fell a double shy of hitting for the cycle going 3 for 3 with 2 RBIs. With his two triples, Boyer now leads the EL with 10 triples this season.
Defs close out the regular season series 16-4 against NB.

Misc fan notes: Can't believe that next week starts the last homestand--seasons always seem to go so fast!
This game, like last nights, moved along fairly well taking just two hours and 18 minutes to play.
The franchise's last playoff appearance was in 2002 when the Navigators (Yankees) won the EL crown.
Long lines to get in as the New London Day promo (two free tickets) was well recieved with a crowd of 3800 on hand.
Check out GB's latest blog entry on Baseball America--it's a good one!
Pics: EME's HR and GB

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Short, sweet and to the point as the Defs win 3-0


behind Madison Bumgarner and two relievers in a game that took just a hour and 51 minutes as the Defender beat the RockCats again tonight at Dodd.
MadBum went 7 IP, giving up just 4 hits wiyj a walk and 3 Ks. The Hondo Hurricane's unofficial pitch was 81. Dan Ruzler and Shane Kaufman were both lights out in their one inning of work each with Kaufman getting his second save. Madison improves to 9-1 with a 1.91 ERA.
Like last night CT jumped out to a quick lead in the first. Brock Bond lead off with a single and went to third on Mike McBryde's double. Mike went 2 for 4 with a pair of doubles as his hot hitting continues. Bond scored on Brad Boyer's RBI ground out to make it 1-0. McBryde advanced to third on the grounder and scored on Matt Fox's WP to make it 2-0 CT.
Defenders had a chance to score again in the but came up empty. Bond walked to lead off the inning and McBryde grounded to the short shop who threw to second for the force as Bond's slide injured the RockCats second baseman who had to leave the game as McBryde was safe at first. After the defensive substitution, Matt Fox wheeled to first and picked off a totally flat footed McBryde who barely move an inch. Of course Boyer (2 for 4) would then single and would then be thrown out trying to score on Brett Pill's double off the left field wall.
Pill finally got his RBI in the the sixth scoring McBrdye who had doubled leading off the inning to complete the scoring as CT lead 3-0. Pill now has 96 RBIs to lead the EL.
With the victory CT's first place lead is now 10 games over the second place RockCats.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Defs hang on and win 5-4 at Dodd tonight..



as they beat the second place RockCats and extend their first place lead to 9 games over NB. They also reduce their magic number to 6 games for winning the Northern Division.
CT jumped out to a quick 4-2 in the home half of the first. Mike McBryde lead off with a walk and then score as the next batter Brad Boyer doubled. Brett Pill ( 2for 4) hit a hard smash up the middle that was deflected off the pitcher for an infield single, Boyer going to third. Josh Phelps(0-4) stuck out in his first AB with the Defenders for the first out. EME brought in Boyer with a sac fly to make it 2-0. Brandon Crawford double to put runners on second and third. Ramon Castro then singled in Pill and Crawford to make it 4-0 CT.
CT starter Daryl Maday (6-4 3.69 ERA) gave up a run in the second and two more runs in the fourth with a runner cut down at the plate on a swallow fly ball to left that Crawford caught and threw out the runner a home trying to tag from third, NB made it 4-3. CT pushed across it's final run in the fourth as Crawford singled went to third on a pair of wild pitches and came in on Jackson Williams two out double as CT made it 5-3.
Maday gave up another run in the top of the fifth but prevent further damage by getting the final batter he faced to ground into an inning ending double play.
Joe Paterson came on and threw three innings of no hit ball before turning over the ninth inning to fellow lefty Matt Yourkin who nailed down the win for his fifth save.

Misc fan notes: Tough start for Phelps who played RF tonight and stuck out twice. Phelps spent most of his MLBB career with the Blue Jays but also with the Indians , Yankees (36 games in '07, totally forgot about him), Pirates and Cards.

With the win tonight the Defs are 14-4 against the RockCats this season.

Bunch of NB vocal NB fans in the stands tonight; playoffs should be fun.

Pics: Mr. Phelps, your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to go to Connecticut and rehab. Should you or any member of your team be caught or captured the GM will disavow any knowledge of your mission. This blog will self-destruct in five seconds. Good Luck Josh. (Cue up Lalo Schifrin's iconic theme music.)

Monday, August 24, 2009

Defs win 9-6 behind Mike McBryde and Sharlon Schoop....

as Mike goes 5 for 5 with two doubles, two runs scored and a RBI. Sharlon hits his third HR of the season and knocks in 3 runs. CT takes three of four from the B-Mets
Dan Runzler gets the win to improve to 3-0 with a 1.08 ERA. Another tough outing for Jesse English as he doesn't get out of the 4th as he gives up 5 runs.

Misc fan notes: I'll be at Dodd the next three games as the RockCats come in for what looks like a preview to the Northern Division playoffs.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Another game, another walk-off....

as the Defs rally from two runs down in the ninth and win 7-6 over the B-Mets on Sharlon Schoop's RBI single. Dan Griffin pitches the 9th and improves to 7-6 with a 5.74 ERA. Ben Snyder started and gave up all of the Mets runs in his 6 IP. Craig Whitaker (doubled and scored in his first EL AB), JoePat, Shane Kaufman and Griffin shut down the Mets the rest of the way.
Mike McBryde and EME were the hitting stars for CT. Mike went 4 for 5 with two doubles and a RBI. EME was 2 for 4 with a double and 4 RBIs. EME also scored the winning from second on Schoop's winning hit. Did anyone see it? as there a play at the plate?

Misc fan notes: SORRY for the late post as I worked 12 hrs today and then caught some of the latest Red Sox/Yanks marathon before posting tonight.

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Ramon Castro's walk off homer wins it.....

for CT tonight 4-3 over the B-Mets. That'll teach me to bail out early for the NASCAR race. CT who looked flat again all night, scored a run in the bottom of the 8th thanks to a Mets error to make it 3-2. In the 9th EME drew a one out walk. Sharlon Schoop pinch ran for him and scored ahead of Castro's first homer of the season for CT. Castro was wearing #40 tonight after wearing #19 last night for the first time.
Matt Yourkin (6-2) gets the win by virtue of striking out the one batter he faced. Geivey Garcia made the start and didn't have his best stuff giving up all B-Mets runs. Mitch Lively pitched three shut out innings and Shane Kaufman went IP. Nice win to keep the RockCats from picking up a game.

Misc fans notes: Great seeing LC again.

Funny moment--Garcia walks the opposing pitcher with the bases loaded and the pitcher threws his helmet toward the batboy along with his bat.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Just a stupid loss...as the Defs fall to the B-Mets



3-2 at Dodd tonight. Between the lack of timely hitting, failure to sac bunt, letting the #8 batter(BA. 228) reach bas 3 times( he scored twice) and an overall flat effort this game was doomed. Funny thing is they could have won it anyway. GB (3-4) scattered and I mean scattered ten hits for three runs over 6 IP and it could have mean worst if not for a nifty play by Sharlon Schoop throwing out the speedy Reben Tejada at home off ball sharply deflected by GB.
Steve Decker must of saw something early on, as Brett Pill hit a pop up past first base that drifted into fair territory, and Pill watched it from the batters box. Pill came out shortly after that. His replacement, Ramon Castro (now wearing #19) ended up going 3 for 4 with a double and scored both CT runs. I'm pretty sure he's keeping the new number. EME batting behind Castro, was the other CT batter to show up tonight going 4 for 4 with a walk, double and RBI.
Anyway, Saturday's another day.

Misc fan notes: Cutter must have got stuck in traffic as he was three innings late tonight.
LC returns to Dodd Saturday night!
Pics top to bottom: Happy fans at Dodd (we know who) and GB at bat trying to channel hitters who have worn #8 before...Justin Knoelder...EME...

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Defs win 4-2 behind Bumgarner and Pill...

as Madison pitches 5 inning to get the win and improves his record to 8-1 with a 2.05 ERA. Brett Pill goes 3 for 5 with a RBI (#95). Craig Whitaker and Shane Kaufman finish the game on the mound for CT with Shane getting his first EL save.
Looking forward to Friday's game at Dodd!

2005 roster continues....



Bomber hit .240 (123 for 512) in 134 games as the Navs everyday 1B. He had 14 HRs and 75 RBIs in his second season at Norwich.



Dan had a big season in '05. The outfielder played in 135 games hitting .274 (138 for 503). He hit 23 doubles, 20 Hrs and had 79 RBIs. He also stole 35 bases.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Defs, FisherCats tied at 3-3 going into the 9th

as CT had a 3-0 lead at one point. Daryl Maday started and gave up a two run homer. Shane Kaufman gave up the tying run. Mitch Lively is now pitching. Mike McBryde is 4 for 4 with a double and RBI in the lead off spot (where's Bond?). Brett Pill and Brad Boyer have the other RBIs for CT.

**UPDATE: DEFS WIN 5-3 thanks to a two run throwing error by the NH shortstop. Mitch Lively (2-0) gets the win. Matt Yourkin strikes out the side for his 4th save and gets some payback for last night's game.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Defs lose 11-7 in NH as..

the FisherCats score 5 runs in the bottom of the 8th off Matt Yourkin (5-2 2.67 ERA) for the victory. Jesse English started and didn't last long. Bobby Felmy was the bright spot driving in 4 runs, three of them on his 5th HR of the season.

2005 BFTP continues...



Carlos became the everyday center fielder inhis second season with Norwich. He appeared in 130 games. He abtted .294 (145 for 493) with 33 doubles, 8 HRs 58 RBIs and 29 SBs.



This was Brian's first season in Norwich. He played 64 games batting .228 with a homer and 23 RBIs. He was sent down to SJ midway thru the season. He made his MLBB debut with the Twins in 2007.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Congrats Brad Boyer......EL Player of the week!!


Eastern League press release:

"Connecticut Defenders third baseman/outfielder Brad Boyer has been named the Eastern League Player of the Week
for the week ending August 16th. The 25-year old had an excellent week for the first place Defenders, hitting .478 (11-for-23) with
two doubles, one triple, one home run, eight runs scored, six RBI, two walks and a .783 slugging percentage over six games. Boyer,
who is a native of Santa Monica, California, drove in or scored at least one run in each of the six games he played in last week and had
four multiple hit games, including going 4-for-5 with one triple, two runs scored and one RBI in a 6-5 win over Erie on Friday night.
The 6’0”, 185 lb. slugger has been one of the hottest hitters in the league during the month of August, batting .438 with 14 runs scored
and nine RBI in 13 games. He has hit a total of seven triples on the season, which is currently tied for second in the league. Brad,
who is hitting .294 with 17 doubles, 41 runs scored and 34 RBI in 86 games with the Defenders this season, was selected by the San
Francisco Giants in the 13th round of the 2006 draft after hitting .323 with nine triples, 65 runs scored and 21 stolen bases during his
senior season at the University of Arizona."

Last week Brett Pill and this week Brad Boyer! And Boyer got off to that 0 for 30 start or something like that to start the season. Thanks AR fan for the tip!

Strolling down memory lane ..the 2005 roster revisted..



A.J. was the everyday 2B during the '05 season playing in 135 games. He batted .265 (125 for 472) with 20 doubles 4 HRs and 61 RBIs.



This outfielder appeared in just 21 games going 8 for 37 or .216. A homer anf three RBIs.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

I realize you can't win them all but....






a three run "double" off Mike McBrdye's glove that he catches 99 out of 100 times and a liner over Brock Bond's head that he gets 99 out of 100 in times lead to four Erie runs and the SeaWolves avoid a three game sweep and win 6-5 at a hot, hot Dodd Stadium this afternoon.
The other thing is that EME only hits homer's when I'm up in Lou's Lounge. This time I saw it as EME lined one down the left field line just past the foul pole as CT regained a brief 5-4 lead. It was EME's 7th HR of the season.
CT jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the third as Tyler LaTorre doubled and scored on McBryde's RBI two out single. McBryde scorced as the Erie's LF dropped a fly ball off the bat of Brad Boyer. Boyer scored from second as Brett Pill's single made it a 3-0 lead. It was Pill's 93nd RBI of the season.
Erie scored it's only run off Ben Snyder in the top of the fouth to make it 3-1. Ben went 5 IP giving up just 2 hits along with a pair of walks in just his second start of the season.
Shane Kaufman came on for Snyder in the sixth and loaded the bases before Santo De Leon's fly ball kicked off McBryde's glove in center clearing the bases for a 4-3 Erie lead.
EME's HR gave CT that brief lead but Joe Paterson (4-6 2.37 ERA) gave up a single runs in the seventh and eighth, the last run being a liner that Bond should have caught.
Old friend Jason Waddell pitched a scoreless 9th to get his first save for Erie.
CT with a day off Monday and then a three game set with the FisherCats in NH starting Tuesday.

Misc fan notes: Adam Witter shipped out to Fresno as Buster Posey and Steve Holm are both banged up some. Thanks to Brian Irizarry for that news and have a good time at CitiField Monday Brian!
Pics top to bottom: Waddell, Whitaker, Pill and Snyder.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

8-2, not the score but the play of the game...





and after seeing games up a Dodd for 15 years probably the best hit a catcher has ever taken by a base runner and of course it came on football night.
Mike McBryde's throw from mid center field on a single cut down Andy Dirks trying to score from second as Jackson Williams took a big hit knocking him over head over heels but hangs onto the ball preserving a 3-2 CT win over Erie.
Geivy Garcia and Brad Boyer were the other story lines in tonight's win. Garcia has found life as a stater all of the sudden. He went 6 IP giving up 6 hits and two runs with 4 Ks. This was his fourth start and he is 2-1 with a 2.70 ERA in 20 IP.
He didn't get the decision tonight as he departed with the score tied at 2-2. In the bottom of the 7th after Mitch Lively threw a scoreless inning, Brock Bond (1-2, two runs scored, two walks) hit an infield single and Brad Boyer continued his hot streak doubling Bond in from first on a long double to left center. It was Boyer's second RBI of the game and gave CT a 3-2 lead. Boyer in his last 10 games is hitting .500 (20 for 40) with a homer and 9 RBIs and has an 11 game hit streak.
Dan Runzler had an eventful 8th giving up 2 walks, a batter HBP and a single but was bailed out on McBryde's throw home.
Runzler gave up a walk in the 9th but earned the two inning save his first with the Defs. Lively gets his first win as a Defender.

Misc fan notes: Good seeing AR Fan at the game and getting an AR update as Antoan is doing well with the Flyers.
Saw some of the Giants-Mets game before heading up to Dodd. Nate hit a double that would have been at homer at Dodd and most everywhere else. CitiField is big. Saw Cain hitting Wright--which was very scary and saw Pablo's two singles but missed his homer. Kung Fu Panda is something else...
Pics top to botton: Garcia, Boyer, McBryde and Williams

Friday, August 14, 2009

Brett Pill....sitting on 92 RBIs with 24 games left...


to play in the season. He has more RBIs than any other Giants farm hand to play at Dodd surpassing Mike Cervenak's 91 RBIs in 2003.
In regards to the Yankee years of the franchise (1995-2002), Marcus Thames had 97 RBIs in 2001 and the franchise record holder is Donny Leon with 100 in 1999.
In the last five seasons in the EL the most RBIs by anyone has been Jeff Larish's total of 101 with Erie in 2007.
How was Brett Pill not an Eastern League All-Star again???

If my team had 17 hits I'd expect to win...






but I'm not an Erie SeaWolves fan as despite those 17 hits CT pulls out the win in extra innings for the second straight night 6-5.
In the bottom of the 10th Brad Boyer tripled with one out. Brett Pill was walked. Mike Mooney hit a grounder to the Erie second baseman whose throw home was missed by the Erir catcher and Boyer scored the winning run.
CT trailed in the game 4-1 going into the bottom of the sixth but rallied for four runs to take the lead. Jackson Williams walked, Brock Bond singled and a wild pitch moved up both runners. Mike McBryde hit a RBI ground out to make it 4-2. Boyer then singled. Pill crushed a double down the left field line to score both runners and tie the game with Pill taking third on an error. Those were RBIs #91 and #92 for Brett. EME then scored Pill with a sac fly to give CT a 5-4 lead.
Erie would tie the game up off Joe Paterson in the 8th setting up extra innings.
CT starting pitcher GB didn't have much tonight giving up 11 hits but surprisingly just three runs in 5 IP thanks to some solid defense behind him. The above pics show the end result of a McBryde to Brandon Crawford to Jackson Williams relay to cut down a run at home in the top of the second. Bobby Felmy had a circus catch in the third up against the left field wall on a long drive.
CT used a lot of the bullpen tonight as Dan Griffin (a run allowed on a wild pitch), Craig Whitaker, JoePat, Shane Kaufman and Matt Yourkin all pitched. Yourkin gets the win with 2 IP and improves to 5-1 on the season.
Brad Boyer goes 4 for 5 and Brock Bond goes 2 for 4 with a double and two runs scored as the Baby B's carried a big load tonight.

Misc fan notes: Ben Snyder will start on Sunday. No idea why.
Always great seeing Joe Perez at the park.

Last two! 2004 roster complete....



Justin played in 115 games for the Navs in 2004. The everyday catcher hit .274 (112 for 409) with 28 doubles, 9 HRs and 47 RBIs. He made his MLB debut on the last day of the MLB season in '04 with the Giants.



Julian played in 65 games, mostly at first base. He hit .272 (59 for 217) with 12 doubles, 7 HRs and 37 RBIs.

And that's it fot the 2004 team. The Navs finished 4th in the Northern Division going 69-73 under manager Shane Turner. Mike Cervenak lead the team with 21 HRs and 88 RBIs. Doug Clark was the team leader with 36 stolen bases.
On the pitching side, Chris Begg lead with 9 wins. Alberto Montes lead in saves with 16. Josh Habel and Pat Misch tied for team lead with 123 Ks.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Burlington loss, our gain?....








The Vermont Lake Monsters, who play in the New York Penn League, are one of the short season A teams rumored as perhaps moving to Dodd after the Defs move to Richmond. In a personal twist of irony, I've been to Centennial field a few times back in the 90's to watch Vermont Expos games--as the team was called then. My wife's family lived in South Burlington and I'd try to schedule a vacation week every summer to catch a ball game or two with my father-in-law. Centinnial Field is located on the campus of University of Burlington. Parking at the venue is very, very limited and most folks have to park off site and walk in. They used to pack the place pretty good and game days were a happening in town and if you had a ticket it was something to boast about around town. The team had the added bonus of being close to the parent club, the Montreal Expos and they were pockets of Expos fans up in Vermont as Montreal isn't that far away. The local newspaper, the Burlington Free Press, gave it a ton of coverage and there was a gift shop in the local mall that had plenty of traffic when I shopped it.
Not really a lot of seating, and the seats are what they are but the worst place to watch a game. The place had a great home town feel to it and I know it'll be missed by the fans up there if it moves. I know that little building the visiting team uses; my office at work is just a little bigger.

The above pictures were taken in 2002. Top picture are the seats where my late father-in-law and I sat and saw our last game together (1999). Doug passed late 2000. It easy for me to remember where we sat when I went back; it was next to the little press box up in the grandstand. Doug had seat 20 and I had 21

Anyway, this is from the Free Press written by Mike Donogue earlier this month:

"An effort to rehabilitate — and perhaps rescue — dilapidated Centennial Field to preserve minor league baseball in Burlington could cost $5 million to $7 million. But there might be some hope.

Vermont Lake Monsters owner Ray Pecor Jr. said last month there are serious concerns about whether Major League Baseball will continue to grant exceptions for the park’s unsafe conditions. He said he thought it could take up to $20 million to eliminate the unsafe conditions and replace substandard locker rooms, lights and other items. Now the Preservation Trust of Vermont has stepped in to try to help save 103-year-old Centennial Field, the oldest minor league baseball park in use in the nation.

“The numbers that I have seen are that it is going to cost $5-to-$7 million to solve the deficiencies that the league found,” Executive Director Paul Bruhn said Friday. He confirmed the new projections, based on talks with Pecor, architects and the University of Vermont, which owns the property.

“These were numbers that were developed by a combination of folks at UVM, an architect, and massaged by Ray and his people who know the field well,” Bruhn said.

Lake Monsters General Manager C.J. Knudsen deferred questions to Pecor, who could not be reached for comment Friday night.

Pecor has one year left on his player development contract with the Washington Nationals, who provide minor league players for Vermont. He has said he fears MLB could direct him to move to a more suitable park or to sell the franchise.

A public report prepared for the Commissioner’s Office of Major League Baseball — obtained by The Burlington Free Press last month — indicated the playing surface, the field lighting, dugouts, bullpens and both clubhouses are seriously deficient for Single A ball.

The 21-page report prepared in 2007 showed the pitching mound wasn’t regulation and that two of the four bases were more than 90 feet apart. The bases have since been aligned properly.

Bruhn said he called Pecor after reading reports about the uncertain future of Centennial Field. His personal concern dovetails with the goals of the Preservation Trust, a charitable, nonprofit organization founded to assist local and statewide efforts to preserve historic, architectural, cultural and community resources.

“There needs to be a solution,” Bruhn said. “Ray had made a huge contribution with the baseball team. I’m sure it is not the most profitable of all his ventures. It has been a real labor of love and a gift to the community.”

“It is an important asset for the community, for families and kids, and is an inexpensive form of entertainment for Burlington and this part of Vermont,” he said.

Bruhn said it was very early in the discussion and much work remains if Centennial is to be preserved. He said he had meetings only with Pecor and with John Goodrow, a staff member for Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt.

“I know Sen. Leahy is very interested, and he really understands the importance of having baseball in the community,” he said.

Goodrow said Leahy’s office hosted a meeting with officials from UVM and the city of Burlington about a week ago.

“The purpose of the meeting was to sit down with them and talk about Centennial. UVM was comfortable with giving us time to keep baseball here. They were very welcoming to that,” Goodrow said.

Bruhn said all possible sources of revenue would be considered and could include a combination of individuals, businesses, foundations, and state and federal sources.

“It’s hard to know when you embark on a fundraiser,” Bruhn said. “It is a tough time economically, and you never know until you ask.”

Richard Cate, UVM vice president of finance and administration, said the university has said in several recent meetings that it is keeping the door open for the continuation of Centennial Field.

“There have been a variety of conversations in all the meetings. We are open to what folks have to say,” Cate said Friday night. He said there are concerns about whether there are adequate resources to make the improvements identified by the league.

He reiterated earlier comments from Athletic Director Robert Corran that there are no plans to build housing on the open land. He said UVM plans housing for other locations.

“It is not part of our current master plan. Other then mowing the grass, we don’t have a plan (for Centennial),” Cate said.

“It is an important asset for the community, for families and kids, and is an inexpensive form of entertainment for Burlington and this part of Vermont,” he said.

Bruhn said it was very early in the discussion and much work remains if Centennial is to be preserved. He said he had meetings only with Pecor and with John Goodrow, a staff member for Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt.

“I know Sen. Leahy is very interested, and he really understands the importance of having baseball in the community,” he said.

Goodrow said Leahy’s office hosted a meeting with officials from UVM and the city of Burlington about a week ago.

“The purpose of the meeting was to sit down with them and talk about Centennial. UVM was comfortable with giving us time to keep baseball here. They were very welcoming to that,” Goodrow said.

Bruhn said all possible sources of revenue would be considered and could include a combination of individuals, businesses, foundations, and state and federal sources.

“It’s hard to know when you embark on a fundraiser,” Bruhn said. “It is a tough time economically, and you never know until you ask.”

Richard Cate, UVM vice president of finance and administration, said the university has said in several recent meetings that it is keeping the door open for the continuation of Centennial Field.

“There have been a variety of conversations in all the meetings. We are open to what folks have to say,” Cate said Friday night. He said there are concerns about whether there are adequate resources to make the improvements identified by the league.

He reiterated earlier comments from Athletic Director Robert Corran that there are no plans to build housing on the open land. He said UVM plans housing for other locations.

“It is not part of our current master plan. Other then mowing the grass, we don’t have a plan (for Centennial),” Cate said.

EME with the walk off RBI single, Defs win 3-2...





in 10 innings tonight and avoid the sweep by Akron.
Things started out very well for the Defs as Mike McBryde (back in the lineup at last) lead off the first with a single and the next batter Brad Boyer followed with his third HR of the season to give CT a quick 2-0. Little then did we realize those were the last hits the Defs would get until the bottom of the 8th with the game then tied at 2-2. Akron starter lefty Eric Berger was lights out in just his second EL start no hitting the Defs the next 5 innings he threw. Akron reliever Steve Wright, who is 9-0, allowed just two hits as the Defs threaten in the 8th but Wright retired EME with runners on second and third to work out of a jam.
In the bottom of the 10th, CT finally broke thru on one out walks to Boyer and Brett Pill. EME then singled up the middle off Neil Wagner (throws in the mid 90's) to give CT the 3-2 win.
Madison Bumgarner went 6 IP giving up 4 hits and both Akron runs, one unearned. He stuck out two and his ERA is at 2.07. Shane Kaufman, Joe Paterson each threw an inning for CT. Dan Runzler (2-0) pitched the 9th and 10th to get the win. Runzler escaped a bases loaded one out jam in the top of the 10th to keep the game in order for EME game winner.

Misc fan notes: Welcome back Tom!! You were missed. Get well Harold, long time Navs/Defs fan who found himself occupying the same space as a foul ball tonight.
Kelly, if you need/want pics email me at: gfogg@ct.metrocast.net I have plenty.
Umpiring at first and home tonight was shaky to say the least.
Pics top to bottom: Carlos Santana, Runzler, Kaufman and Bumgarner

Julio and Brad... 2004 BFTP hitters continue...



The all purpose infielder played 25 games in '04. He batted .239 (22 for 92) with 2 HRs and 9 RBIs.



I understand there was a buzz about this guy coming out of San Jose. He played in 17 at first going 10-52 or .192 with 2 RBIs in limited playing time.