Sunday from the Catbird Seat
Well, for some reason, Mike thinks I might add something to this here blog. I don't know what additions I could make other than a rambling paragraph or two, but here goes:
I love the game. As difficult as working in minor league baseball can be, I do have a gig where I get to see 80-100% of the game. Not always to the point of being able to pay attention, but enough that I can follow a story line most nights. It's a good gig, I get to play noises for the fans to cheer with the hope of pumping the crowd up enough to pump up the players. I love the game and I think I can bring something on occasion that a fan in the stands might not see.... perhaps not today, but in the future.
So, from my perch "high above the crowd" here goes for Sunday...
Several changes were made from the original lineup we were given to the one that actually started the game. The big change, Eric Fry sat at DH and Timmy Rodriguez played in his stead. Not sure if something happened to Fry, but it sure sent the press box scrambling, as we had already announced the lineups and both radio teams were on air with now outdated lineups.
Regardless, Font started for Hickory, and for the first time, I paid attention to delivery, etc. Delivery was as smooth as butter and so effortless. Lively fastball and seemed to have more control of his pitches today. Our underreading stadium gun read up to 94 mph, and even that appeared too low.
Both teams (Hickory and Kannapolis) have their first true day off tomorrow; no travel, etc. Both teams looked like they may need it. Neither team appeared willing to take the game.
For the first game in the home season, the pitching wasn't as sharp as it has been. Kannapolis, hitting .204 entering the game, had 13 hits. Admittedly, several hits were flairs with a few infield hits thrown in, but still, 13 hits. To their credit, Font, and especially Tufts, did a great job of keeping damage to a minimum, as they stranded 11, alowing Kannapolis hitters a line of 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position.
Mike Bianucci, yet again, gunned down a man at home for a fly ball, double play. Bianucci has 4 outfield assists in his last three games. Not bad for a player whose glove has been considered his weakness.
The Crawdads did a good job of stunting the Intimidator running game with a pair of pickoffs at first. Both pickoffs were of Kenny Williams, the son of the Chicago White Sox GM. Leonel De Los Santos' throw was especially effective from behind the plate, easily nailing Williams at first. Tufts has a quick move to first from the mound and also easily picked off Williams.
Unafortunately, the 'Dads were guilty of poor baserunning too. Timmy Rodriguez was picked off at second with none out. On another play either Bianucci or West missed a sign on a potential hit-and-run, as West took a pitch with Bianucci running. Bianucci was thrown out by 7-10 feet. Hector Ortiz's reaction at third seemed telling.
In the 9th, the box score will show the errors by West and Jared Bolden were costly, leading to the two unearned runs. But Mark Hamburger has to shoulder a bit of the blame, as he hit Justin Green with a pitch after getting ahead 0-2 in the count. That and the wild pitch would prove crucial.
Well, after a 73 hour week in 6 days of a home stand, the brain has had enough. Hope this was enough interest and look forward to writing more in the future.
-Mark P.
I love the game. As difficult as working in minor league baseball can be, I do have a gig where I get to see 80-100% of the game. Not always to the point of being able to pay attention, but enough that I can follow a story line most nights. It's a good gig, I get to play noises for the fans to cheer with the hope of pumping the crowd up enough to pump up the players. I love the game and I think I can bring something on occasion that a fan in the stands might not see.... perhaps not today, but in the future.
So, from my perch "high above the crowd" here goes for Sunday...
Several changes were made from the original lineup we were given to the one that actually started the game. The big change, Eric Fry sat at DH and Timmy Rodriguez played in his stead. Not sure if something happened to Fry, but it sure sent the press box scrambling, as we had already announced the lineups and both radio teams were on air with now outdated lineups.
Regardless, Font started for Hickory, and for the first time, I paid attention to delivery, etc. Delivery was as smooth as butter and so effortless. Lively fastball and seemed to have more control of his pitches today. Our underreading stadium gun read up to 94 mph, and even that appeared too low.
Both teams (Hickory and Kannapolis) have their first true day off tomorrow; no travel, etc. Both teams looked like they may need it. Neither team appeared willing to take the game.
For the first game in the home season, the pitching wasn't as sharp as it has been. Kannapolis, hitting .204 entering the game, had 13 hits. Admittedly, several hits were flairs with a few infield hits thrown in, but still, 13 hits. To their credit, Font, and especially Tufts, did a great job of keeping damage to a minimum, as they stranded 11, alowing Kannapolis hitters a line of 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position.
Mike Bianucci, yet again, gunned down a man at home for a fly ball, double play. Bianucci has 4 outfield assists in his last three games. Not bad for a player whose glove has been considered his weakness.
The Crawdads did a good job of stunting the Intimidator running game with a pair of pickoffs at first. Both pickoffs were of Kenny Williams, the son of the Chicago White Sox GM. Leonel De Los Santos' throw was especially effective from behind the plate, easily nailing Williams at first. Tufts has a quick move to first from the mound and also easily picked off Williams.
Unafortunately, the 'Dads were guilty of poor baserunning too. Timmy Rodriguez was picked off at second with none out. On another play either Bianucci or West missed a sign on a potential hit-and-run, as West took a pitch with Bianucci running. Bianucci was thrown out by 7-10 feet. Hector Ortiz's reaction at third seemed telling.
In the 9th, the box score will show the errors by West and Jared Bolden were costly, leading to the two unearned runs. But Mark Hamburger has to shoulder a bit of the blame, as he hit Justin Green with a pitch after getting ahead 0-2 in the count. That and the wild pitch would prove crucial.
Well, after a 73 hour week in 6 days of a home stand, the brain has had enough. Hope this was enough interest and look forward to writing more in the future.
-Mark P.
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