Games 62 & 63: Stormers sweep (3-0, 5-2)
July 9, 2007 by Jason Guarente
VS SOMERSET PATRIOTS
Keith Ramsey (4-2, 5.32 ERA) vs.
Brett Evert (4-4, 5.50 ERA)
Sam Marsonek (2-3, 4.85 ERA) vs.
James Lira (3-3, 7.22)
It’s (most likely) meaningless doubleheader day. The Barnstormers and Patriots play for pride in the suffocating heat of July. Evert has been Lancaster’s best starter recently and Lira has excelled since entering the rotation last month. The Barnstormers roughed up Ramsey at the Clip last week.
Pre-game notes:
– Somerset’s Jeff Nettles and Long Island’s Danny Graves were named player and pitcher of the month for June.
– The home run derby contestants will be announced Tuesday. Jeremy Todd is representing the Barnstormers.
– Danny Gonzalez is playing both games in this doubleheader. (Insert smart aleck comment here). Brandon Knight, a pitcher, is starting in right field for Somerset in Game 1. Jon Cannon, another pitcher, will likely get that job in the nightcap. Old friend Manny Santana is in the lineup for Somerset in Game 1.
– Randy Jones, Josh Stevens’ favorite ump, has home plate in the opener.
GAME 1 LINEUPS
SOMERSET (35-26): Danny Garcia, 2B; Teuris Olivares, SS; Josh Pressley, 1B; Alan Zinter, LF; Jose Morban, CF; Travis Anderson, DH; Manny Santana, C; Patrick Boran, 3B; Brandon Knight, RF.
LANCASTER (27-34): Steve Booker, DH; Danny Gonzalez, SS; Jutt Hileman, CF; Jeremy Todd, 1B; Lance Burkhart, C; Dominick Ambrosini, LF; Steve Van Note, 3B; Chris Van Rossum, RF; John Wolff, 2B.
Scoring summary:
FINAL: Barnstormers 3, Patriots 0
Stormers 6th: Burkhart’s home run scores Todd and Hileman.
Barnstormers lead 3-0.
GAME 2 LINEUPS
SOMERSET (35-27): Danny Garcia, 2B; Teuris Olivares, SS; Josh Pressley, 1B; Alan Zinter, LF; Jose Morban, CF; Travis Anderson, C; Patrick Boran, 3B; Manny Santana, DH; Brandon Knight, RF.
LANCASTER (28-34): Vince Blue, LF; Danny Gonzalez, SS; Jeremy Todd, 1B; Dominick Ambrosini, DH; Jutt Hileman, CF; Chris Van Rossum, RF; Steve Van Note, 3B; Jeremy Deitrick, C; John Wolff, 2B.
Scoring summary:
FINAL: Barnstormers 5, Patriots 2
Patriots 3rd: Sam Marsonek’s single scores Garcia. Morban’s groundout scores Olivares. Patriots lead 2-0.
Stormers 3rd: Hileman’s double scores Todd. Van Rossum’s double scores Ambrosini and Hileman. Barnstormers lead 3-2.
Stormers 4th: Ambrosini’s home run scores Blue. Barnstormers lead 5-2.
RECORD: 29-34 (end of 1st half)
PLAYERS OF THE GAME: Lance Burkhart (game-winning homer in sixth inning of opener). James Lira (6 innings, 2 runs in nightcap).
WHAT WENT RIGHT: Burkhart caught. It was his first appearance behind the plate since June 9. This is a much better team when Burkhart’s wearing the gear. He called a seven-inning shutout, threw a runner out trying to steal and won the game with a homer. Not bad.
“When you’ve got a catcher with his experience and knowledge, he’s another coach on the field,” manager Frank Klebe said. “A good catcher makes good pitching better, makes mediocre pitching good and he can even take some bad pitching and make it halfway decent.”
*Burkhart, by the way, WILL start the All-Star Game at catcher. He was going to sit out the event, but since he felt well enough to catch Monday he will play Wednesday.
*Evert dominated. The righthander pitched 5 2/3 shutout innings in Game 1. He’s 2-1 with a 2.54 ERA in his last five starts. Those are No. 1 starter-type numbers. I’ve written this before, but … Evert probably has the best stuff of the staff.
*Lira is reborn. The former closer is a reliable starting pitcher. He’s 3-1 in his five starts and has brought stability to the No. 5 spot in the rotation. Lira loves the role.
“Throwing in the bullpen, you never know when you’re going to go back out there,” Lira said. “When I was struggling, I was waiting for my opportunity. You’re always thinking, ‘Man, am I going to go out there and have another rough one or what?’”
*Klebe has taken some heat on this site (especially from me), but turning Lira into a starter was a masterstroke by the manager.
“There was a time when he was thinking about retiring,” Klebe said of Lira. “I just felt we could fix him. I saw him when he was good.”
“It is surprising how I’ve been able to go out there throwing 90-100 pitches, still throwing 89-92 mph in the late innings,” Lira said. “I just feel good out there. I feel like I’m going to get stronger as the season goes.”
*Dominick Ambrosini smashed his seventh homer in the nightcap. He went 3-for-6 in the two games.
*Jutt Hileman had three hits.
*John Wolff made his first start at the Clip and went 1-for-5 with a single. He also showed that he’s a good defensive middle infielder.
*Chris Van Rossum belted a two-run double and made a terrific diving catch in the second game. I point out the catch for packmule, who loves the D.
*Eric Ackerman pitched 1 1/3 innings of relief in the opener to improve to 3-0.
*Somerset was playing shorthanded. It had to use pitcher Brandon Knight in right field and had to use its pitchers as the DH in the second game after Josh Pressley was injured.
*The Barnstormers finished the first half with five wins in six games. They were 10 games back of first-place Camden.
“It’s nice to end on this note,” Klebe said.
The second half starts Friday.
WHAT WENT WRONG: Very little. Two runs allowed. No errors. A doubleheader sweep. It was a good day for the Barnstormers.
WOW Jason - The New Era Article: GREAT!
Is there a scout/scouts in the Clipper? Otherwise playing Gonzalez at all games is _ _ _ _ _ _ _. Better left blank.
Wow, guess I better go out and buy the paper before I get to the game.
stormin - read it online @ lancasteronline.com
Thanks. Jason, you NAILED it.
Jaydog can you post the link? I’m too lazy… plus I’m in a wheelchair.
Where the heck is Nuke? Brett is pitchin..
I’ll be at the Clipp around 7… much to hot for me right now.
Great article Jason!
Re time for front office: A distinquished job of reporting.
You and young Wolffie should collaborate on a Barnstormin sports novel.
Great article Jason,
regarding Mr. Jones, somebody better hope he isn’t behind the plate when he pitches again anytime soon! Mr. Jones needs a different job!
Hola amigos!
Wasn’t Randy Jones the original Cowboy in the Village People?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Village_People#Original_.27People.27
Sounds like clown mouths for both teams right now eh??
radical what’s up? beat the heat with a couple o’ cold ones and sit in the shade!!!
nice work lil’ bro!!!!
Go Barnstormers! Nice hit Lance, way to put the team ahead.
homer is a homer fellas’!!
Lance is good. The second half is looking good.
Glad he made the shower issue clear!! hahahha
sounds like Lance is back in a bit of a groove eh?
Anyone know the Home Run Derby participants?
RW,
They’ll be announced Tuesday. One of your Road Warriors is expected to participate.
Thanks a lot Jason. That’s what I was hoping for!
sorry dude.
C’mon, get a sweep today! That’s only 5 games below .500. What are we whining about?? Hahahaha.
What is the attendance like today?
Great article in the paper this evening, Jason. As soon as I walked into the stadium this afternoon I was asked by some of the other regulars if I had seen it and there wasn’t a naysayer in the bunch. Most definately a hit. Hopefully it hits a nerve somewhere before it’s too late.
Just curious - how did Wolff do tonight?
Great article Jason!
Hey Nuke. Sorry I missed your earlier post.
A guaranteed closer, just amazing… ( yes, I’m suckin up)
I made to the stadium at “halftime”. Listened to Brett do a fantastic job !!!
And then.. Lira did a fantastic job also!!! And lets not forget Depriest
Oh Southernalfan there must have been 500-1000 ?? Not a good turnout but then again… the temp must have been in the mid to upper 90’s. If Lira wasn’t pitching I might have been home sittin at my computer in the nice, cool AC
Nice way to end the half. Things are lookin good.
WAY TO GO STORMERS!!!!!!!!!! The guys were great. Brett Evert pitching a good game, then Ackerman in, and Lance with the homer for the first game!!!! Then Lira pitching a good game and Depriest and Dominick with his homer thats AWESOME!!!!! Can’t wait to see the second half!!! GO STORMERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Way to go Jutt and Chris with their doubles can’t forget those guys!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey what about the VanAwesome catch out there in no-mans land… Just AMAZING Chris.
Thanks for the ball Derrick.. you’ll have to sign it so I can place it up on the Stormer Wall of Fame.
Yes that catch was AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!
Wolff went 1-for-5 with a single in the two games. He made a couple of nice defensive plays.
I’m sure you say that about every catch JUTT makes
was both Chris and Jutt both good players
Don’t forget this team was 22-18 after the 7-16 start. The hole was just too deep.
Jason: Thank you for the update on Wolff. I’m glad he got an opportunity to play tonight. I’m sorry that I had to miss it.
Hey Radical Stormerfan what was up with the guy in sec. 7 tonite? He drove me crazy
Mike Ashmore Reports
HR Derby Rosters Set
NORTH
Javier Colina (NWK)
Vito Chiaravolloti (RW)
Ray Navarrete (LI)
SOUTH
Jeremy Todd (LAN)
L.J. Biernbaum (CAM)
Mike Lockwood (SOM)
Also Lockwood will be replaced by teammate Josh Pressley, But Since He left injured last night who knows what will happen.
I can’t take credit for that, Jim Seip has it and was credited as such…
Interesting quote by Keith Ramsey in Ryan Dunleavy’s game story as well…
“I think this field is a joke. We’re professional baseball players and there’s a circus in right field just to bring in more fans.”
To keep it in context, Ramsey gave up a home run to Lance Burkhart that barely cleared the right field wall…
Was he calling our right field a joke?
OK I know it’s still a day away but ……
What are the plans for the All Star game if it rains? Will they have everything on Thursday night? I have people coming who have a bit of a drive so I hope any decisions are made early.
Don’t worry PTBNL I rang my cowbell for Wolffie when he came up to bat…. got especially loud when he made it on base.
I think he was more upset with the dimensions than he was anything else…
Mike … As our “League Representative” any thoughts on my post #44?
That’s probably a question best asked of Jason, with the game being in Lancaster…
Any time I can avoid contacting the league, I do it at all costs…
Rad:
Thank you for supporting the new guy with the cowbell!Unfortunatley, I could not be there to attend to see him play. I’m sure he is thrilled to be here and playing for this team. Go Stormers!
Jason: One minor critique of your excellent BASA article…I didn’t see any mention of the umpire crew of Jones, Beaver and the other one who’s name escapes me at the moment. If I read correctly elsewhere, they’re also BASA material and a real sore spot with everyone I know who attend games with any regularity. Each is worse than the other and, perhaps it’s just perception, but I recall several games where the lousy calls were so stacked against Lancaster that I had to wonder if was intentional. It’s bad enough that individual players limped out the gate, Frank didn’t wake up until weeks into the season and the Lancaster roster is consistently screwed, to throw the Three Stooges on top of it all is simply adding insult to injury. I *really* hope the AL has the sense to have gotten someone else to ump the all-star game tomorrow.
How can a team like Long Island allow BASA to own all the umps? Does BASA really just offer super discounted prices that league feels like they just can’t turn away?
That would be like if the Yankees owned the umpires. No one would go for it. Maybe it really is ALL about player development?
I’m not going to question the integrity of the umpires. While I think they’re combative and not particularly good, I don’t think they favor specific teams. If they don’t seem to get along with the Barnstormers, maybe it’s because the manager has turned a couple of bad calls into a circus show this season. That probably ticked some people off.
The Barnstormers’ problems run deeper than BASA. I just wanted to point out that BASA has failed to support one of the most popular franchises in the league this season and it shouldn’t go unnoticed.
I could have gotten into other issues, such as the budget or Frank Klebe’s struggles, but you need to narrow your focus or you’re writing 50 inches and no one gets your point.
Frankly, I didn’t think what I wrote was that inflammatory. I was surprised at the reaction. The fact that BASA is spread too thin and can’t adequately find players for its four teams is common knowledge around the Atlantic League. Just look at the rosters. It’s obvious.
No Jason the article was big! You have been lifted to Hero status in many circles. Welcome to the world of FAME! Just don’t forget your roots….. or to feed Bosco.
PS. Now that you will probably start being invited to all the parties, just remember to keep the nose candy to a minimum!
When you say common knowlege around the league, are talking general fan base or just die hard fans who follow the AL closely?
My guess is that out of the average 5,000 fans that we draw per game that 10 - 15 percent really know the interactions between, Lancaster, York, Camden, ODP, and BASA. I could be wrong.
I didn’t know the interactions until I started reading this site on a regular basis. As I said before, thanks for all the information!
It’s common knowledge among players and people who work for the league’s teams. I don’t know about the fans. You can’t have a director of player procurement who doesn’t attend even half of the team’s games. You can’t have a director of player procurement who doesn’t even talk to the manager on a daily basis. It doesn’t make any sense.
Somerset dumped BASA because the Patriots got shafted all of last season. Gladstone took them for granted since that was his original franchise. They didn’t get help and muddled through a mediocre season. Somerset went with Brett Jodie instead and he’s done a terrific job. Just look at the Patriots’ roster. It’s terrific.
No matter what BASA does or does not do, we’re stuck with them because of how they’re intertwined with ODP - correct?
I’m assuming Somerset ha a different ownership group and that’s how they were able to get out from under BASA’s thumb?
If BASA isn’t working - which seems to be the consensus - don’t think that ODP won’t re-evaluate it. They don’t want a business that is ineffective. I’m sure they’ll look to tweak the process, the personnel, whatever, to make it work better.
What would happen if BASA hired one individual per team to find players and his loyality was only to that team? That way “one” person would not be looking for players for four teams. Would that work in this league?
Stormin, I think I remember hearing that BASA has given the team a single person who is supposed to take care of the team, I also thought I heard that the person we got was pretty much an assistant? Jason would know.
Scottie–Yeah, for BASA to go ODP has to go. Or they can get rid of project BASA, rename it and bring in a new staff.
I understand the limitations of print and all, my post was more a vent than anything else. I think they actually screwed Somerset more than they did Lancaster last night. I also don’t seriously question their integrity in that they don’t throw games, but I do think there have been evenings where they wanted to go home and suddenly the strike zone was from the ankle to the chin and any steal was an out. Also, I don’t really think they’ve changed the outcome of a game this half but, as I mentioned previously, they are needless salt in the wound. The crowd gets louder and ruder with each bad call. Someone should start a pool on what date the first trash is thrown onto the field after a bad call.
Frank certainly doesn’t help the situation either, nor does Ambrosini who walks out practically looking for a fight every other game. These guys are erratic and everyone knows it. If you stand there and watch a close called strike 3 go by, the only person you should be yelling at is yourself.
Per #57, I was really surprised by the number of people I talked to yesterday who were really appreciative of Jason’s article and not surprised by the content. It leads me to believe that there are a lot of people who have figured out there’s more to this first half than mismanagement and personal slumps. Myself included.
I may be wrong but I don’t see ODP making any changes to BASA unless they are feelling a lot of heat. If they are making money, why would they change the system. They are not going to hire more people or change the system. It would cut into their profit. Now, if there is a ton of heat, they may not have a choice and will have to make changes. I would like to have changes but I still have one problem with BASA. Even though you may have one guy finding players per team (Which is better than what they have now), you still run into the problem of they may want one team to do better because they are not drawing at the gate so they give them the better players (no paper) because ODP can make sure this player go where they want if they really want to. The only way for this system to be fair is for each team to find their own guys. BASA would have to die. I know it cost money but I am willing to have the barnstormers cut things out for the understanding that at least everyone is playing fair and that the deck is not stack against us from the very start.
Right now BASA primarily consists of two people: Adam Gladstone and David Keller. They have to find the players, negotiate the contracts, handle the paperwork, visa issues and so on. It’s a TON of work when you’re talking about four teams.
I’m not opposed to the concept of BASA. If I read correctly, they’re also responsible for player insurance and so on. They provide one place for players who are looking for a place to play. I’m sure there are plenty of other benefits but I’m kind of tired today. Anyway, BASA doesn’t need to go away, it needs to play fairly and operate in a transparent manner so we can all see that they’re being fair to everyone.
Then there’s the worst scenerio….BASA swings decidedly in our favor in the second half, screwing someone else in the process. Then what? Do we continue to call for them to clean up their act or do we become hypocrits? I’d love to see the guys kick ass and take names in the second half, but not if it means someone else is treated the way we were treated in the first half.
I am going to say something that may not be very popular. I am a huge baseball fan. It’s been part of my life for 26 years (I am 33 years old). I played the game a big part of that time and I followed the game all of that time. I will follow it to my grave because there is not a better sport around (Just my opinion). I love the history of baseball, so that gets me to my point (Sorry). Does Brooks Robinson being part of ODP make you feel different about him in a bad way. I know he is just a face for ODP and has very little to do with ODP. He does a few things for them. I just have a hard time with this as someone that loves the history of baseball and many of the past players. This is not fair to him but I just have got to the point where I don’t look at him the same before ODP and him joined together. I just feel that someone like him would not want to be part of something like ODP and he is. I know there is a lot of people that really like him around here and will not like this post but I was just wondering what others were thinking about him being part of ODP.
I feel BASA needs to change even if it helps us out. I want to watch baseball that is fair. Let the best team win (I hope it is us) but let it be done fair.
I don’t know what’s going to happen, but my guess is nothing changes for next season.
One thing that seems to be happening is the lines between the BASA teams are getting blurrier. Bryan Edwards, for example, started the season on Camden, was sent to Bridgeport when the Bluefish were desperate for pitching then was sent to York when the Revs were in trouble. I don’t remember that kind of stuff taking place in 2006.
There have, however, been stories like this one: Team A’s manager finds a player. He talks to Gladstone about signing the player. The player ends up on a different one of Gladstone’s teams. I don’t know if those stories are true, but I’ve heard a couple of them.
If that is really true (I can see BASA pulling that stuff), then how can AL allow ODP/BASA to do that. It make this league look bad and ODP/BASA will bring down this league. This is suppose to be the top indy league and you see players not wanting to come here and veto trades or just say I am not playing. I know some has to do money but not all the time. There is a story on Mike site about Bryce Florie. He was traded from Macon Music (team from a brand new indy league) to Newark. I was looking at the web site of the south coast league and saw that the trade was vetoed and then read today on Mike’s site that he did not want to come. Now, I know for a fact the South Coast league does not pay as much as the AL. So unless he like Macon so much and does not care about his baseball career then why would you not come to the AL. Maybe it is because the AL and now BASA are getting a bad name and word of mouth is passing from player to player. Also, AL as lost more players to Mexico this year then in the last 4 years and I know some is because of money but I don’t think every one had to do with money.
That’s my guess too. Assuming they see this and assuming they care, I can’t imagine they’d change anything overnight. But I’m paid up for a few years and when next year rolls around, or the year after that, Lancaster is miles ahead of everyone else and poor Camden just can’t seem to do anything right….you know, like last year….then what? Do I flush few thousand dollars in disgust? Do I go watch the team slaughter their way to a now meaningless championship with a scowl on my face? If there’s no change in the way business is conducted, those are the alternatives to last year when ignorance was bliss.
By the way, wasn’t Cleveland a “loaner” from York? And I was always kind of suspicious of the Hutchins/Todd trade. Norm had character, for sure, but he and Todd didn’t seem to be in the same league as far as actual talent. Maybe they just covered their tracks better then and, having gotten away with it a few times, now figure they have us by the short ‘n curlies (I love that phrase) and who’s going to protest?
Gladstone and Keller need to go. Have you ever looked at Keller’s credentials? He was basically a community college coach.
And good point about Brooks Robinson. His affiliation with the league does kind of sully his name in my mind. Kind of like a hall of famer that shows-up doing tv infomercials just to make dollars bills.
We all know ODP is just using Robinson to sell tickets and I’d think it would be embarrassing to Robinson.
The Todd-Hutchins deal was legit. It happened in 2005, before BASA was in place. That was a glorious time when each team ran its own baseball operations.
AAHH - 2005
Inaugural year
so new, so full of promise
the excitement of it all
you said it Jason - a glorious time
So…
A) Last year’s championship was a sham, the ending is known before it even starts and, as far as any of us are concerned, there’s absolutely no point to any of this and I’ve wasted a huge chunk of time and money. Awesome.
Or
B) I can forget about all this crap, go to the damn game and have a good time as a spectator.
Let’s see, I have a 16 year old who just got a permit to drive, a fairly high stress job in London, a Manhiem Township mortgage, two car payments and in what little free time I have, I enjoy watching baseball and don’t care for MLB ever since the strike. Nothing personal but this is what is known as a no-brainer before I even include the time and money I’ve already dropped on the Barnstormers for the simple pursuit of getting out of the house and forgetting about life for a couple hours an evening a few months out of the year. You can do whatever you’d like but this is where I get off.
mmm the Inaugural days! memories of frolicking gloriously in the stadium or partaking the delightful food and spirits are over.
Because BASA has come along and violated us!
Mark–I agree with you 100% Unfortunately it’s like we ate the apple of Eden.
So we looked behind the curtain - and found -
THERE IS NO WIZARD!!
maybe we should just go back to taking the freebies at the gate, slugging back a few, chatting with friends and cheering for the boys….and not taking it all quite so seriously.
I do believe the second half will be better.
There’s no place like home, there’s no place like home…
BUT! It can get back to normal! Just as soon as we don’t have an owner that owns 3 out of 4 teams in the same division.
I will say though that once I go to a game, have a few beers, I really just enjoy the baseball and venting on the umps or someone really suckin it up. BASA slips my mind easily and the game takes over. Hell, it’s not like we grew up w/ the Barnstormers anyway so how much of a relationship can we really have. And like all relationships, hopefully by the time the love buzz wears off and the team is ten years old, then the real love will be discovered and by then hopefully we’ll have some new owners who are in love w/ the team too.
Nope. Last night I sat in the stadium yesterday and had a great time watching the guys play, cheering on Manny as he knocked out a couple good hits that, unfortunately for him, didn’t amount to anything and talking with others who were also having a good time. I don’t even drink and I had a good time. I always have a good time. because none of this crosses my mind once I’m there or when the game starts on the radio and Dave does his magic. There’s no apple of Eden unless you make it yourself.
Yesterday was great.
I was greeted by a ticket attendant and told, “sit wherever you like”. What service. It was warm but is was baseball at its best. $1.00 hot dogs, good pitching, Lance back in the lineup, and to finish it off, a sweep. Oh yeah, Presley music ever other inning.
I just sat back and enjoyed the game, no cow bell, no blogging, just baseball.
Mr B, that is what impresses me about Somerset. They are in their 10th year, same coach since the beginning, three championships, major league field, and still are in second place with average attendence.
There is hope for us. I feel Lancaster will be that way too. In ten years we will look back at this post and say, what is BASA, who is ODP, and where is Bosco.
And by the way, I’m not saying Jason et.al. are wrong, I’m saying I’m not cutting off my nose to spite my face. I had no interest in sports at all for a long time, then the Barnstormers came to town and despite that lousy first year, they loved to play and it was great to sit in a stadium with lots of other people who also loved to watch guys who loved to play. And it still is. That’s it, it’s that simple. Hell, I forget I’m in Lancaster some times. Sure, it’s been a bad year and I like to vent, but I go every day there’s a home game and listen when they’re away. But if BASA and all the rest of the faceless stuff no one can really do anything about has to factor into every conversation and reduce it to the choices I laid out above, and apparently that’s what they are, then I’m done conversing about it.
Just to echo Mark’s thoughts I said this in a post yesterday ……. In the big scheme of things remember this is only a game. I love baseball and i like Mark, just like to go to the games and relax.
LETS GO STORMERS !!!!!!!!!
You’re right Stormin, good stuff!
and hopefully we won’t be talking about how Jason’s party lifestyle eventually caught up w/ him and how it’s hard to visit him in the hospital because all he does is yell at you!
Let’s turn over a new leaf. Let’s post only POSITIVE comments form now on. No more negativity.
I despise talking about BASA. It wasn’t the reason I started this site. Unfortunately, when improvements aren’t made to a losing baseball team, you have to investigate why. BASA is part of the answer.
It’s easy to overlook all the BASA stuff if a complete, competitive team is in place here. Then you focus on the team itself — like I did all of last season. That’s what fans deserve and they haven’t gotten it.
I can dig it. And I’m not saying everything has to be positive all the time, either. There hasn’t been a whole lot to be positive about this year. Nor am I saying I don’t ever want to hear about BASA again and as I mentioned before, you’re correct. But it doesn’t have to infect everything. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. There were, and still are, a lot of problems caused by Klebe not being awake when a pitcher is in obvious distress and needs to be taken out. That has nothing to do with BASA. The last game against the Road Warriors…there was no “battling”. When you have 2 whole hits by the 8th inning and the opposition has 10, it’s a safe bet that the home run in the 9th was a lucky shot. Sure, they may have done better if they had a ore rounded roster but still, it has a whole lot less to do with BASA than it does with having a bad night. Time and time again I read, on this site, that the Barnstormers aren’t that broken, they need some minor work and they’ll be good. And when you look at player stats, that still seems true. When Todd, Gonzalez, Hileman and Van Rossum finally got it in gear, they did pretty well and continue to do so. To look at the trend, they could be contenders in the second half. But their personal slumps the first few critical weeks of the season that blew the first half has nothing really to do with BASA. And BASA didn’t put Lance on the DL for a freaking MONTH for a reason to be named later. I’m sure it’s probably perception but when you scan through this site, it seems like BASA is blamed for everything. If it’s to be blamed for everything bad that happened this year, then it’s also to be credited for everything good that happened last year and I don’t buy either. It may well be that Lancaster was left to twist in the wind with the thinking that, under the leadership of Tom Herr and after last year, Klebe learned something and would be capable of handling things more or less himself, leaving BASA to concentrate on building other teams. Judging by his comments like that after the Road Warriors game, bad assumption. We (and others) also lost a lot of talent to affiliated and foreign leagues. The AL has never been known to be particularly generous with players compared to other leagues and it has to be expected.
I’m not yelling, I’m just making a point. And I haven’t seen you obsess over BASA but it has been an obsession. Given all the other problems that could have been solved right here and would have made the year a lot more tolerable, to blame everything on BASA all the time not only makes the team look helpless, but it cheapens everything they accomplished last year. And therefore, if one has to make a choice between believing this is all done with a prewritten script and believing that although it’s a business, nothing is preordained, I choose to believe the latter because that’s where I’m led by the evidence. Yes, BASA is bad in it’s current form, but it’s not evil and not unsalvagable if the potential benefits outweight the drawbacks.
I suppose those who believe BASA is the root of all evil also believe their lives have already been laid out and they’re simply acting out a script. Personally, I’m athiest. I don’t believe in Zeus.
Oh…I forgot to add Ambrosini and Van Note to the list. They’re not very consistent yet but both have improved considerably in offense and defense. Cleveland isn’t a great player but his awesome personality and enthusiasm may well have been what saved this team from an even worse first half.
Hey.. Russ is a GREAT clutch player. And don’t you forget it !!!
Hey Mar
What do you do for a living? Write novels?
Ha! Yeah, in a way. I’m a programmer. But I’m trying to make clear the point that perhaps instead of this constant obsession over things that are out of reach, practically speaking, we should be thinking about things that can be changed right here and now.
Per Russ, don’t get me wrong, I’m *really* glad he stayed and if new faces show up, I *really* hope his isn’t one that disappears, but I don’t know if I’d put him in as a pinch hitter when we’re down by one with a man on base. But at the team’s lowest point, if someone did something good, he was always the first one out of the dugout with a high-five and a smile. I think his attitude is what kept things from getting worse than they already were. And any man who picks White Zombie as “his song” is alright by me.
don’t get me wrong, i enjoy reading the venting blogs. i was only kidding about the positive only comments. jason knows me, i try to look at the positive side of everything, and believe me, i have left a few negative ones myself. this is a great site for learning. i have learned more about the barnstormers since january then since the middle of the 2005 season. keep blogging everyone.
White Zombie sounds great with a “on beat” cow bell ring.
Russ is a great player, i think his personality is just what the Stormers needed….i have to say he better not be leaving anytime soon or i will cry
You didn’t hear the news. Russ just got traded back to York for Travis Hake. Apparently Frank wants Deitrick to stay.
Ha Ha. Not really, just having a comedy break.
Your dead .. again Stormin. Never joke around about a trade!!!
I had just begged Russ for a bat to go along with my lovely jersey… which is one of TWO… I won in the auction,. Russgirl had me very upset at the game last night.. ” I haven’t seen Russ all day, did he get traded”. I almost lost it but then realized… All Star break, he flew home to ‘Vegas Baby”… … only away a few days… Thank Goodness.
Don’t forget. 5:30 in front of
“Jason’s throne”
Mark—I like what you had to say on #89. I myself am guilty in giving BASA way to much credit for the horrible first half. There is a lot of blame to go around. And sorry girls, the players aren’t angels either. They share some of the blame with Frank, BASA and the even ground crew.
There is hope for the second half though and we should be contenders.
Also Mark–Don’t mock Zeus! you really think that it’s just luck that we get the perfect amount of moonlight and sunlight each day? and why would an eye evolve into an eye if it didn’t have a purpose the first million years it was evolving and pretty much useless!
Not funny.
In fact, I’m fairly certain Rad just had a heart attack.
someone send over the medics - STAT. Get Dr. Clooney from the E.R. on the phone.
Rad — have you seen those York player signs hanging on the fencing around York stadium? One of them is of Russ in his Rev uniform–I laugh when I see it, only because they traded him this year. But I am sure late at night, you could “acquire” one of those. No security outside by those fences.
The only time I get over to DDDDDDork is to … shop at Macy’s, of course !!!!
But
I would be willing to “fund” a stealth operation to “aqiure” such a sign.. catch my drift
wink, wink……gotcha……..I ll put my boys on it.
Strictly a cash transaction.
By my boys…I mean, I dont know who I will get. But maybe it will fall off a truck.
I wasnt implying anything else,
actually, brownies may be enough..i hear they are killer
ROFL! Very nice! Zeus rules!
Holy crap, you read all that?
Thanks. I don’t expect great things in this second half, but I would like to see the guys be able to play to their potential. There’s a lot of talent in that dugout and we’ve see glimpses of it all season. With that and decent management, they could possibly go onto great things. I hope Klebe and Murray can step up as much as the guys have of late.
Brownies it is…
I just saw that the All Star jerseys will be auctioned off. You ladies better bring your check books to the game.
Oh sorry, bidding starts Thursday at 9am on York and Lancaster players uniforms–visit website, it says, for details.
Brownie talk is now banned in the Atlantic League!
Hey Pack… boy or girl brownies?
Lira isn’t wearing a Jersey so we’ll see.
Maybe I could go for Depriest… might need a ton of alterations
Hey Rad, i know you were upset but then I thought you would be happy for me!!! I am glad Russ will be back cause i missed him too…..
Ha Ha Ha BASA Rep. your just jealous… NO Brownies for you !
No problem RG… I know you were just curious.. I think/hope someone would have told me if Russ got traded.
The auction is on ebay and I’m *real* good at ebay.
Per Cleveland, his stats are good. They’re not great, but they’re good. What makes him memorable is his personality on top of his talent. His ability to smile, high-five the guys, bounce out of the dugout to the plate with a bat or a mask or a hand held high and a smile on his face for whoever just crossed the plate, even if it was the 1 in a 10-1 game. He was a little bit of sunshine in an otherwise grey dugout. At first I figured it wouldn’t be long before he was as down as everyone else but instead, everyone else rose up to meet him. I’ll really miss Russ if he goes.
I’m sure you would have been notified. Me, I would be the last one to find out….hehehehehe
#119 is for Rad
Oops Rad messed up…i was saying that you would be notified first and me, i would probably be the last (hehehehe)
I missed blogging on Monday. I just went back to read “battle lines”……..man, I wouldnt have brought up brownies if I knew they were so taboo.. ha ha
Russ better not leave or get sent….i think he adds a lot to team chemistry of the team. You need someone so positive on that team. He is the “Stormin” of the Barnstormers. We all need those positive types around.
And I want to second the motion, that it was great to see Lance back on the field Monday. They are a lot better team with him out there. It was great to see him at first, spelling Todd in the last innings of the second game. When I watch him, I always see hard work and toughness–the definition of a catcher. A definite All Star
Yeah, Stormin would make a great guidance councilor. Or a really nice gym teacher without all the baggage (not too many people get that compliment I bet).
As in gym teachers have a lot of baggage, not Stormin.
Ya know Mark, I might have a change of heart about you. Like you said,Russ is ” a ray of sunshine in an otherwise grey dugout”.
Russ kinda reminds me of a reliever I used to know. A bundle of energy. Always there for the guys when they tagged home plate. Always turning to the crowd to get us pumped. He really loved the game and so does Russ.
dmd. There have been trades I didn’t find out about until everyone else.. some times the guys just don’t know
Mr. B, not all of your “hits” make it out of the park, but you do keep swinging. Keep up the good work
Sorry, Im getting tired and off my game…. nighty night…
Yep, time for bed…
I was just thinking. I bet the Stormer front office is like a Bride of the eve of her wedding… Not sleeping a wink tonight .
yeah, and praying no rain
Cool, thanks! I’m not a bad guy, I just don’t see a point to sugar-coating the team’s problems. Or much of anything else, really. I don’t dislike anyone here, I simply got tired of the perceived insults and used a couple of recent examples. Other than that and this BASA obsession, I don’t really care what anyone has to talk about and I don’t ignore anyone. Per the team, it’s not like I want to see them fail as individuals or a team, Klebe included. I like Frank, I’ve liked him since day one, but that doesn’t mean he’s been what I consider a good manager. These guys have a lot of talent, I’d like nothing more than to see them use it to their fullest. I also tend to get really frustrated when everything that can go wrong does go wrong.
Anyway…
I have Foster’s jersey from last year. As far as I know, it was my son and I that started the unpopular “Gimme a Q! Gimme a Wincy! What’s that spell?”. I have a picture of Foster, Van Note and my family hanging on the wall. I liked the man. But I heard he and Klebe didn’t get along real well and I’m wondering if it’s entirely coincidence that the team seemed to perk up a little more after he left. Since day one I said I didn’t think Foster was quite right this year and I can’t help but wonder if there was more to that than I knew at the time.
hmmm, lots of food for thought
I should say that I don’t mean to be a bad guy. Obviously it doesn’t always work that way.
Don’t worry Mark - you’ll never take the title of resident bad-guy away from Mr. B
Rad, drove by the York stadium this morning. How much will you pay for the banner of Russ?
Yeah Scottie, I worked hard for that title and I won’t give it up easily.
…. Sad truth is though that no one sees me weeping alone at night wishing I could change.
Stormin.. got an offer for a batch or tw of Brownies.
It would cost you a lot more than that. We are talking possible jail time if caught.
Hey Rad…at 5:30 I am on the field for the autograph session..perhaps you could point me out to the others!!!! I will have on the JT #34!
Rad…I had been wanting to tell you about the Russ sign over at DDDDDork…I just keep forgetting about it. Steve and I thought of you immediately. The first time we were there…the thing was splattered with mud…..but Sunday when we were there he was all cleaned off! It is pretty nice but I am not sure how you would aquire something like that!!! It would be awesome for you to have though..haha,
Stormin– the Russ sign on the fence near the creek is easy pickins. Go after 5pm when York rolls up the sidewalks, you will be the only one downtown.
You wont get jail time if caught, you will just have to help build the stadium as community service. Besides, where is that positive attitude…you can do it, you can do it, you can do it
Jason….just read through the update of the 2 games….should have done it earlier. Now that is what I am talking about–best recap ever. Great job. Thanks
I will make a few calls and see what I can do.
And just for the record, I really dont condone stealing the sign. We will just have to figure a legal way to obtain it. I will call the team and see when the fences might come down.
Stormin, if you call, tell them that you are the one on the blog that STILL has their log up. Free advertising!
Mr. B - no one cares
Rad, a phone call has been placed. Waiting for a return call. Cross your fingers everyone.
Dad,
Mom does not like to see you cry. She wants to get back together. Give her a call and we can be a family again.
Agree….call the team and find out .
oh Amy, how could you “forget” about the Russ sign??? You knew I’d end up in jail and you were just protecting me from serving major prison time for theft of “great looking picture”. Wonder how much time the judge would give me?
Maybe if I baked him a batch of brownies he would let me off easy!!!
If someone got caught stealing the sign, one could claim not guilty by mental defect. One would just say… “who in their right mind would steal a sign with a York Revolution player on it.” Case dismissed!