vs CAMDEN RIVERSHARKS
Ryan Schurman (1-0, 1.64 ERA) vs.
Clayton Andrews (NR)
The Barnstormers try to win back-to-back games for the first time since May 9 and 10. That was when Lance Burkhart was scorching hot and all seemed right with Lancaster’s baseball world. Andrews is making his first pro appearance since September of 2005. Schurman has allowed nine hits in 11 innings this season.
Lineups …
Camden (11-11) ……………………..Lancaster (7-15)
Denny Abreu, LF ……………………..Quincy Foster, LF
Justin Singleton, CF ………………….Danny Gonzalez, SS
Ben Davis, C …………………………….Dominick Ambrosini, DH
Angel Pena, DH …………………………Jeremy Todd, 1B
L.J. Biernbaum, RF ……………………Chris Van Rossum, CF
Craig Paquette, 3B ……………………Lance Burkhart, C
Brad Strauss, 1B ……………………….Steve Van Note, 3B
Matt DeMarco, 2B ……………………..Russ Cleveland, RF
Milko Jaramillo, SS …………………….Bo Hart, 2B
FINAL: Riversharks 5, Barnstormers 1
Scoring summary:
Sharks 2nd: Biernbaum hits solo home run.
Stormers 4th: Gonzalez hits solo home run.
Sharks 6th: Pena hits solo home run.
Sharks 8th: Strauss’ single scores Davis and Pena.
Sharks 9th: Davis’ single scores Abreu.
Notes:
– Cleveland earns a second consecutive start in right field after going 2-for-3 in his debut Sunday.
– Hileman gets his first day off of the season.
– Davis is a former No. 2 overall draft pick out of Malvern Prep in Chester County. He played in the big leagues with the Padres and Mariners.
– Andrews will probably be on a strict pitch count. He only threw two innings in one game during spring training. He’s wearing No. 9, which once belonged to the immortal Joey Dawley.
– Schurman has 39 career Atlantic League wins. He’s 2-3 with a 5.71 ERA lifetime against the Barnstormers. Van Note has hit two homers off Schurman.
– Andrews’ line: 2 2/3 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, 2 K (64 pitches)
– Reliever Ross Peeples struck out Paquette with bases loaded in third inning. Peeples’ line: 3 1/3 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K.
RECORD: 7-16
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Angel Pena (3-for-5, a solo homer and three runs scored).
WHAT WENT RIGHT: Clayton Andrews made his debut. This was like a spring training start for the lefthander, who hadn’t pitched in a regular-season game in 21 months. He allowed one run in 2 2/3 innings and threw 64 pitches. For Andrews, it was good to be back on the mound.
“I had the jitters,” he said. “All day the anticipation builds up. But I wouldn’t say it was anything out of the norm as far as nervousness.”
Andrews figures to get better once he builds arm strength and shakes off some rust. He’s expected to throw between 60-70 pitches in his next start.
“The big thing for me is to relax, to not try to throw the perfect pitch,” Andrews said. “That’s something I did today too much.”
*Ross Peeples pitched 3 1/3 innings of terrific relief and received one of the most undeserving losses you’ll ever see. The only hit Peeples allowed was a wind-aided pop up from Pena that floated into the front row of the picnic area. Peeples’ ERA is 3.45 in 17 2/3 innings, which is a brutal workload for a reliever at this stage of the season.
*Danny Gonzalez hit a solo home run, his second of the season. His power is starting to come around.
WHAT WENT WRONG: One day after belting a team-record seven doubles and scoring 12 runs, the Barnstormers scored one run on six hits. Afterward, there was a crack in manager Frank Klebe’s everything-will-be-OK exterior.
“I’m tired of using the excuse that guys are pressing,” Klebe said. “That’s not what’s happening. I don’t want to look for excuses any more. Winners find a way to win.”
*Home plate umpre Dave Perry was inconsistent and drew the ire of several Barnstormers hitters, including Quincy Foster — who was called out on a pitch eight inches outside to end the game. This is the same umpiring crew from the Newark series, during which Klebe was ejected.
“The umpires aren’t doing their job,” the manager said. “They’re lackadaisical. This crew right now has got me a little upset. They’re not bearing down. … I’m not saying they can’t have a bad day, but everybody is supposed to do their job out there.”
*Reliever Derrick DePriest allowed his first two runs of the season. They came in the eighth inning as Camden extended its lead to 4-1. The Barnstormers felt DePriest wasn’t getting a fair strike zone.
“If they’re not going to give him that pitch at the knees for a strike, he’s going to struggle,” Klebe said. “I thought they were strikes. Burky thought they were strikes. DePriest thought they were strikes. That’s three to one. I’ll take those odds anywhere, wouldn’t you?”
*Jeremy Todd went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts as his average dipped to an un-Todd-like .278. He looks frustrated and is expanding the zone in an effort to produce runs.
*The first six hitters in the Barnstormers’ order were 2-for-22.
Catcher Lance Burkhart was asked if the Barnstormers need to add a bat to boost the lineup.
“No,” he said. “You’ve got to battle through times like this.
“What some people don’t realize is we’re professionals and we’re going to come to the ballpark every day and play hard. That’s all we can ask of ourselves and that’s what we’re going to do.”
*Andrews was asked about the state of the clubhouse. He has an interesting perspective since he just arrived Sunday.
“I think everybody is in an OK mindset,” Andrews said. “I don’t think anybody is panicking. Obviously, everybody here wants to win. This is the second game that I’ve seen. The ability is there with everybody on the field. Once the ball starts rolling our way, the team has the ability to do a lot of good things. I think that’s going to happen.”
It’s good to get out of the first inning without a hit or run with a new pitcher.
Come on lets get this run back!!
In regards to I.M Fun… you don’t know what you got till it’s gone
Ata boy Danny!!
It’s good to see Danny coming alive. Jason told us to be patient.
The Spongebob Squarepants song is going to send me into a seizure before the season is over.
Jason also plays w/ his bird!
…. I’m referring to Bosco.
I inherited the parrot in December and he hates me.
I do like the pac-man sound bit when someone strikes out though.
Man can our pitchers pick off runners. Russ owes Ross a dinner for that move.
I love Spongebob Squarepants.
I’m sure Bosco doesn’t hate you. He is probably still just struggling with the fact that his original owners are never coming back.
Give it some time. I know its tough! Just think of what Bosco has had to go with. Positive reinforcement is key!!
Yes Mr. B, think POSITIVE. And Russ picks himself up after the error.
The Barnstormers really like to sacrifice bunt and it hasn’t been working out too well.
Yeah its starting to look like they revolve their game plan around bunting.
Is that FUN with Jason?
You have some eagle eyes, Stormin’.
This is why I don’t like sacrifice bunting. In the next inning, Pena hits the cheapest home run in the history of baseball. Runs are usually easy to come by here. Why give away outs with sacrifices?
All we need now is a Galaga sound to bring back the old memories.
On another note, the program has Pena listed at 220. If he is 220 then I am 140.
Especially when Quincy has a good bat.
Stormin–speaking of video game classics, I just recently purchased a stand up Centipede arcade game. There is a dude locally who sells arcade games on ebay. You can save $$$ by picking it up yourself. Let me know if you’re ever interested.
Jason—Tell FUN that he is missed!! We should put his gray Rocky sweatshirt and pants in the future Barnstormer museum.
Out of curiosity, what does a stand-up Centipede game cost?
I think about a grand.
Nothing like a little Celine Dion to get the ol’ heart racin’.
Yea and another possible sacrfice.
I got mine for $750. Buy it now prices on ebay average $1100 to $1400. Classic early 80’s games like Ms. Pac Man, Galaxian, Tempest, Donkey Kong can be expensive. Late 80’s early 90’s Games like NBA Jam, Gauntlet, Karate champ can go anywhere from $100 to $400. Pinball games can be anywhere from $800 for crap to $4000 for primo! Like everything there are collectible ones too.
Nothing like a little Chears to get you going.
If I were to pick one, I’d go with Donkey Kong. This is relevant to no one except myself.
Foster is batting BELOW .300?!?
Donkey Kong is a great game! I’m trying to find the game TRON locally.
“CHEERS” that was such a great show!
Foster keeps sacrifice bunting. I don’t think that helps thee ol average.
A good ole TRON game would also be great but I would love to have the USA vs RUSSIA dome hockey game.
That’s right Dave and Tom. The glass is always half full.
How is that Replica Champ ring that was given away today?
Todd really looked fustrated when he went back to the dugout. He went down to the end by himself. He is just not getting the pitches and his two good swings were just under the ball.
Did the replica rings have a big diamond shaped lollypop on it?
OK big inning! Just like practice guys! Believe in yourself! go the distance! Shoot for the stars! You got to want it! Go for the gold!
Where is FUN (Rocky) when you need him. Every time I hear the theme I think Fun is coming out somewhere.
The ring/keychain is not to bad.
Let’s go STORMERS.
Jason–Did you get Bosco from FUN?
It’s my fault. I should have not washed the underoos.
It’s not your fault Stormin. You did what you could. I’m not sure what the answer is. Maybe we should put lambs blood on all the stadium doors? I wonder if they would let us do that?
The ring was nice but I’d like to know how you go from a 12-0 win to a 5-1 loss in two days time. Foster’s hitting below .300, Todd is hitting below .300, I didn’t even bother looking at anyone else’s numbers. So far, the best thing about this first half is that I’ll be out of the country for a while.
I did notice that there were a lot of thrown helmets today. Also, the ump really stunk. I think Jason could have done a better job from where he sits. The way he called Quincy out and started right for the locker room. Maybe his favorite show was coming on.
Oh well. I have my championship ring to remind me of brighter days gone by.
We’ll get them tomorrow night. Maybe they need to bring back the blue uniforms.
There should be some thrown helmets. Last time I looked, Van Note was batting almost on par with Foster and Todd and Van Rossum’s avg is in the crapper, too. Maybe next year we’ll be playing Nashua and AC again in the CanAm league.
Why would we be playing Nashua and Ac again in the Can_Am league?
Good recap Jaydog.
I think I’m finally starting to like Klebe now that he is being honest with himself.
Burkhart gave the politically correct answer, but just because everyone is a professional and plays hard, obviously doesn’t mean they couldn’t use some more help.
Dave Perry is a BUM!
Don’t forget to feed Bosco (Ok I’ll drop it).
Klebe’s demeanor was noticeably different after this game. It was the first time he seemed to feel the weight of losing. It was refreshing, actually. You can’t keep acting like nothing is wrong or it’s bad luck or the team will snap out of it soon — forever.
The Barnstormers are 3-14 in their last 17 games. To put that in perspective: The 2005 team, which was put together on a shoestring budget in the first half and had zero expectations, never had a 17-game stretch like this one. Their worst stretch was 6-11.
There was an interesting comment left on Jeremy’s website about todays game. I will leave it at that.
I thought it was interesting that Celine Dion (a Canadian) sung God Bless America.
Did anybody else see this today? After a single by Pena that went thru the hole at short, Quincy ran in and said something to Gonzales and then it look like Gonzales blew him off. I would assume Quincy had some words of wisdom, but it didnt look like Danny wanted to hear it.
On the positive side, Ross Peeples did a real nice job in long relief. He looks really tough to hit this year.
WOW! That was an interesting comment. Thanks for pointing it out Stormin.
I have some friends that hang out at some of the local bars that the players do and I’ve heard some similar meathead stories before.
That persons response actually did put some things into perspective and also put out an interesting angle. Maybe these guys don’t really want to win? Even though they’ll deny it until Jesus comes back. If it’s true (which why would BSD lie) about no one cheering when Danny hit a home run, then that’s just Flippin lame. Maybe they all just feel safe w/ Frank around and are just going through the motions? I wonder what type of ring leaders roam the locker room?
I think everyone on that team should read BSD’s response on Jeremy’s page.
One last comment on today’s game–I am glad Klebe finally said what was on his mind. This game was definitely winable. We again went 0 for the whole game with men in scoring position. But we arent going to win (without a HR threat other than Jeremy) when we cant knock a single run in from scoring position.
I do understand players being frustrated by bad ump calls but… if they notice one call bad they should be able to compensate for it at this level of play. I am tired of seeimg Bo Hart slam his bat down after a bad call, I saw it twice yesterday and once today. He is starting to look like a spoiled child. The guys are good players they just do not seem to be playing together. I sit on third base side and can see into the dugout. The guys do not seem to be working together.
It is interesting to watch and see Russ Cleveland off the bench first to congratulate Danny after his homerun. Yesterday he was the first to greet players in the dug out after they scored a run. He has been in two games and is working at being a team leader. I hope he can stay.
Maureen
Sobkowiak put it best after the loss on Wednesday: Succeeds breeds success and failure snowballs. That’s especially true in baseball. The Barnstormers were slow to react to their shortcomings and now they’ve fallen into a deep hole. There is no logical reason for this team to be 7-16, but once you start sliding it’s hard to get things going in the right direction again. Everything gets negative.
By the way, Peeples is having a really good season. He has allowed 14 hits and has 15 strikeouts in 17 2/3 innings. He’s still just 27. Some affiliated team should give him a look.
Peeples and Ackerman both. They are both lefties that have proven they can go in long releif. Dave Collins said yesterday I think that lefties are hard to come by in the big leagues and he feels that Ackerman should get noticed.
I guess when you are a loser (as in loosing games), you might feel like you have to make up for those shortcomings, like getting girls numbers (as BSD explains in his/hers comment). They can at least try to be less obvious about it.
And only three guys show up to the player meet and greet? Who the heck was project managing the team on that one? Or is that really just for whoever wants to show up?
BASA is going to have a big problem if people loose interest and are turned off. One thing I’ve learned about Lancaster in the 8 years I’ve been here is people easily go with the flow or in other terms, like to do what the Jones’s do. If some of the easily swayed fans start to drop out, then surely their friends will follow. This isn’t a big city where circles of friends are diluted. The money here is pretty tight nit.
Loosing a lot is one thing. But being known as not so family friendly is another thing. The two problems together is a Belushi speedball!
I’m not saying that the players are not family friendly, all I’m saying is that people are now starting to look for other reasons not to go to games than the fact that they suck right now.
there were big moves in the front office since last year – the GM, IM Fun, Jason Jesberger (who worked a lot with the player appearences) out – could that be trickling down to affecting the locker room attitudes? Are the new guys treating the players the same?
Also, speaking of changes.
I think they got a new grounds keeper. I like to think POSITIVE, but is it me or does the field already look in bad shape, and what is with the mowing pattern? No more criss-crossing.
That’s kind of what I figured, too. New players, new coach, new positions, new staff, new GM….they’re closer to where they were in 2005 then they were in 2006. I’ve missed a couple of season ticket holder events because I was never notified of them and it seems like everything is in constant disarray in every other aspect of the operation so I can imagine that it’s no different in the locker room and on the field, which can’t help the situation. I can’t imagine that the players are being treated “badly”, but it wouldn’t be hard to believe that they’re finding things out 10 minutes after they happen and so on.
The field did look a little more beat up than usual, but it has been dry lately. I’ve been watering but my yard is starting to yellow and it’s still May.
I feel like Lancaster’s population will continue to support the team no matter what. We are such a small part of the fan base and don’t really matter. The AL is what it is. When you get right down to it, it is a semi-professional operation. We can’t make excuses for it any longer. Poor public relations, poor website management, lack of sports information (transactions), worn playing surface, and players doing what they want, when they want.
When it comes to on-field talent, the Barnstormers are much better than the 2005 team. They’re not getting the results for a variety of reasons. I don’t think it has anything to do with the front office.
True the AL is what it is and actually most people don’t have a clue about the business decisions that are made or locker room strife (myself included), but I do think that like any team, if they keep loosing, people will loose interest. And the heart of the question is why are they loosing? Something more than just a slump is going on.
Generally speaking, the team’s on-field performance has little long-term effect on the attendance of the team…although Lancaster could easily be an exception to the norm.
Bridgeport is the winningest team in the history of the Atlantic League, and their attendance has taken a pretty steady nosedive since their inception.
Bridgeport and Lancaster are obviously two VERY different markets, though…so while I think you’ll eventually see things level off, I doubt they ever will to the extent that you’ve seen that in Bridgeport and Newark, etc.
Even in Lancaster, which is more interested in baseball than most minor-league towns, I think losing will have a small impact on attendance. At least this season.
Stormin….I agree about the condition of the field. It hasnt looked that great at any time this season. Previous groundskeeper had this field looking great no matter what the weather or event was held there. Last night after the tarp was removed the infield dirt looked terrible….they shouldnt have had to put that much dirt onto it to dry it out..if you ask me. Also looking across from the third base side towards 2nd it looks like something needs flattened or something. It also seems like the grass either isnt cut as often as before OR its not being cut short enough…not sure on that either but the grass looks longer than normal?
I guess we have blamed everything and everyone for the way this season is going…coaches, manager, front office, owners, BASA, … whats next…who’s the first to blame Cylo?
Mr. Positive will still be there. I was there when Dallas went 1-17, I was there when Atlanta was in the basement in 1990.
Maybe that is why no Atlantic League team has every won back to back championships. Players move up, retire, etc. after a championship season and let’s not forget the pressure.
Maybe that is the problem this first part of the season. The pressure of repeating. I know a lot of people had high expectations of the team and after seeing the team on paper at the begining of the season, they thought this was the team. Maybe we should have realized after the spring training record that there was a reality.
You can see everytime some of the payers go up to bat they are trying to swing for the fences. I light what Van Note is trying to do, just put the ball in play.
Maybe the players need to hear it from the fans that we don’t care if they repeat and the pressure will be gone and they can go out there and enjoy the game and the winning will come.
I know that is a lot of maybe’s but what can I say, the glass is half full.
I don’t know. I can’t blame Cylo. He keeps the laughing going. I don’t if anyone else saw it Sunday but Cylo was to do the run off with the kig but was in the stands.
He comes flying down the isle on the first base side and steps up on the wall and hits one step on the field and the next thing you know, Cylo is face first in the dirt.
I lost it. He gets up like nothing happened.
It’s funny, we could win the next ten games and my opinion would probably be the opposite of what it is now. I guess thats where the nature of the “level out” phenomenon comes in.
This is where having a BASA is a good thing. Our team isn’t owned by a single deadbeat who will run the team into the ground.
And yeah, people will always come and go.
Ahhh, the seasons of our lives … (cue the music).
Live together, die alone.
I don’t think the pressure of repeating is a factor. I think the baseball decision makers have failed to sustain the team’s talent level.
Five of the best players from last year’s team are gone: Harriger, Taylor, Ortiz, Bowers and Weatherby. Two of the players who were signed as replacements are gone: Williams and Delgado.
It took the Barnstormers two weeks to replace Williams, even though Ambrosini was available and they knew it. That cost the Barnstormers big time. The team STILL hasn’t replaced Delgado.
You can’t lose good players, fail to replace them and expect to keep getting the same results.
ALRIGHT who do I need to talk too then to get things done? I’m sick of playing these games!
{this is where everyone starts to yell}. “NO MR.B!, don’t go in there alone! You’ll get hurt! It’s not you’re fight! I LOOOVE YOUUUU!!”
OK, maybe nix that last part.
Is it Frank’s decision WHEN to go after a player or does he say I need someone and the front office or BASA says we have to wait.
I know you said in the past that the manager has a big input on who he goes after but I was not sure of timing.
And if Frank could have said the day after Williams left that we need a big stick and would have gotten one or he chose this course of let’s wait and see, then I have to really question his managing skills.
Every decision is a collaborative effort. If Klebe wants a guy, he talks to the BASA duo of Adam Gladstone and David Keller and they make a collective decision. The same is true when BASA wants to add a player to the roster.
The Barnstormers could have signed Ambrosini immediately after Williams left. Everyone knew he was available. I talked to Gladstone about Ambrosini during the 0-6 first road trip. I was told it was early and they wanted to give the players they had a chance.
It must be frustrating to Frank when he requests guys knowing that what he will get will depend on where BASA thinks will be in their best interest.
Imagine Frank looking at a player that he wants then BASA feels that the player would essentially make them more money in York so they send the player to York. Can you imagine! That could even make Frank feel like he’s scouting for 4 teams sometimes.
GO STORMERS!
As far as I can tell, Klebe has gotten everyone he wants to this point. Both he and Gladstone said the same things when it came to Ambrosini. They wanted to wait and see how the current players fared.
Also, the urgency to improve the team has increased now that the first half has fallen into the infinite abyss.
Come on guys. We are still only 5 games back. Team makes urgent changes, turns around, and wins first half. What a story.
It’s all about money. It’s all about money. The team is profitable and is helping to subsidize the others. The All Star Game will be a boon to ticket sales and ODP will be happy. The second half will bring us Reggie Taylor and a few decent arms and we’ll make a run. There is no way that a team that potentially draws 7,000 paying fans to a play-off game will miss making them. No way.
I disagree. The Ducks are one of the best drawing teams in the league and have previously signed every Major Leaguer available just to make a playoff run, and they didn’t make the playoffs in their first few seasons of existence…
Or 8,000 a game to a York/Lancaster playoff series, conspiracy fans.
The Long Island Ducks seems to be the Yankees of the AL. Their ex-Major Leaguers dont seem to be part of the team. They play when they want and if they want. I think the team concept adds to a franchise being successful whether it is Major League or Atlantic League. I just havent seen the team concept with the Duck signings.
Okay, lets put yesterday behind us. Time to start getting ready for tonights game.
Let’s Go Stormers !!!!
Good afternoon everyone. I would personally like to thank who ever was responsible for signing Ambrosini. Very nice eye candy..
I mean, a good addition to the team. LOL.
Stormin, any predictions on tonight score?
Please let it be a win!
Gonna take a night off from the Clipp… still worn out from the heat yesterday, but I will be here listening to you Dave.
Hey Blondie, you out there????
Ok. My prediction is 10-3 Stormers. I am wearing the White jersey tonight.
I am glad Radical is not in charge of signings. We would have the best looking team that can’t win.
Yeah but look at all the girls/fans that would pack the stadium. It would be standing room only every night.
HOT BUNS!!
Prediction update. Since I have his jersey, Stormers 10, Camden 7. Lira gets a save.
Nice call !!!
OK.. I’ll ask,
Mr.B who are you? Where do you sit ??
just curious
Radical,
We will meet soon enough at the Barnstormer blog whiffle ball game. As for the games, just look for a 6′7″ African American guy w/ a cane and glass eye. (look into my right eye when you talk to me, it will make our conversation less uncomfortable).
I’m thinking 5-2, Lancaster over Camden after a 7th inning Rally. Hope springs eternal!
I much rather have a blogger’s pool party… anybody have a pool???
Begging/nagging the hubby for one, he should be giving in soon
All jokes aside, you can see my stats if you click on my name. I usually like to roam the stadium mainly because of my A.D.D. You can find me sometimes in the wheelchair seating area or tackling kids going for foul balls over on the third base side right past the dugout.
I can see it now. A Barnstormin’ vs Viva York Revolution blog wifflle ball game.
I’ll be the cheerleader!!!! couldja guess??
Oh goodness, 6:10 gettin close to game time. Better do some house work so the hubby thinks I worked hard today…Ha Ha
Fly Stormers Fly, On the road to victory.
Fight, Stormers Fight for a HR One, Two, three.. Hit em high, hit em low just hit those hard balls …. oops, sorry Love the E,A,G,L,E,S too!!!
see ya’ll soon
I think what Southernalfan meant by subsidizing teams was that we are subsidizing Camden and York right now since we’re owned by the same person.I’d think also we have subsidized Camden the past 2 yrs. also. You know rob Peter to pay Paul. Camden doesn’t draw well but I think York will and help pay for Camden Lol.
Why doesn’t Camden draw? Besides the fact that it is #1 in the nation for murder . I’ve taken my kids to a couple day games over there and had a nice time. My cousin owns a bar right where most of the players live and he doesn’t know about the AL or the team.