Ambrosini released
April 22, 2008 by Jason Guarente
The Barnstormers have released OF Dominick Ambrosini, the team’s co-MVP last season, following a lackluster performance in spring training.
Ambrosini was 1-for-16 in the five exhibition games and was shaky defensively. He was dropped to 10th in the batting order before the fourth game and didn’t even start the fifth.
When manager Von Hayes warned that no player was safe during camp, now we know what he meant. He said this decision was based on Ambrosini’s approach and his defense.
“It was the attitude I saw coming back to the dugout, like he didn’t really have a worry in the world,” Hayes said. “If I played on a last-place team the previous season, I would show more energy in the spring of the following year. I didn’t see that. I didn’t want to have a repetition of that attitude carrying over from last year.”
Ambrosini was acquired by the Barnstormers in May and quickly emerged as one of the team’s best hitters. He batted .316 with 19 homers and 70 RBIs in 100 games — the best production of his nine-year pro career.
Hayes said his primary concern was defense. Left fielders have to cover a lot of ground at Clipper Magazine Stadium.
“The main thing is that when I got down there and saw the type of league this was going to be as far as hitting, I felt that a defensive approach was the best way to go,” Hayes said. “It was shown to me early on that defense was not his priority. We already have a DH on our team. We need to get stronger defensively.”
This transaction is also a sign of the times for the Barnstormers. They have a new manager and new player procurement operation and they’re constantly looking to refine the roster. They won’t stand pat like last year.
The team expects to sign another OF prior to the start of the season. That announcement could be made as soon as Wednesday. The Barnstormers considered trading Ambrosini, but didn’t feel they had the roster flexibility to add another player.
“This move was made to improve the ballclub,” head of baseball operations Keith Lupton said. “Dom did an outstanding job last year and we really appreciated it. He’s had a good career and will find another job in the Atlantic League – I’m almost certain. I think his success will continue.”
If Ambrosini decides to play in this league, one obvious potential destination is the Ducks. He played for them in 2005 and 2006 and is a Long Island native.
The Barnstormers made no other roster moves today. INF Juan Francia, P Sendy Rleal and P Jose Cabrera will likely start the season on the inactive list. None has received his visa. Francia was expected to arrive in Lancaster on Thursday, but approval of his visa has been delayed.
No kidding…one of the defining resaons I did not renew my full season ticket package was the vision of Ambrosini cutting off for the dugout at the 45′ line after a fly ball. His lack of professionalism was simply evidence of what surrounded the team. Good going Von for recognizing it early. Maybe I should have renewed.
There was a game last season…not sure who it was against…Todd got Brushed back 1st AB….Brushed back 2nd AB…Got Hit 3rd AB. The bench erupted when he got Hit. Ambro was on deck about 10 feet from me. When Jeremy got HBP and the bench erupted…all I saw Ambo do was put his hand to try to cover his mouth and snickered.
Not the kind of Player I want covering my back.
Yes, he had a good year last year hitting. His fielding was NEVER very good. His baserunning was less than adequate. Never seemed like he was paying attention…especially when he got Picked off and NEVER even flinched. Just stood there like a Statue.
I think Hayes make a shrewd move…and a needed one. Come on Friday!!!!!!
Well Hayes has changed any doubt in my head of his style of managing. In the beginning I was thinking he was going to be somewhat of a softy, maybe it was the whole 10 year at home dad thing. I like how he sent out his “I can be a hard @ss” message with the Dom move today. From where I’m standing, he really has made an effort to clean up this team. I hope Gladestone is somewhere cringing.
I am sure goin to miss Dom!! Want to wish him the best of luck in what ever he decides to do.
I really like Von Hayes.
Now lets see how he treat Danny’s attitude. Watching him play last year was very painful. Seemed he picked the days he wanted to play. I sure hope that changes this year. I would rather a player without skill working than watch someone with skills pick when he wants to play.
Wow,that was pretty shocking. Also shocking to see the negative reaction towards him from some fans. I’m not saying their wrong,I wasnt there to see it.Just surprised.
One thing that was evident during spring training: The Barnstormers were a one-dimensional, slugging team. They don’t have a lot of speed, which translates into range defensively. The OF they’re going to add is faster and presumably more athletic than Ambro. So that’s a plus.
But …
If the Barnstormers lose Stavisky, and they probably will, they’re going to miss Ambrosini’s bat. There are really no other left-handed power hitters on the club at this point. That could change in the future obviously. I think this was about sending a message as much as anything else. The feeling seems to be that more talent will be available if needed.
It seems like to me that some of you support and love the players when they are doing well for your team, but once they start going through a struggle you leave them high and dry and start ragging on them. I’d like to see you get out there and perform on a day to day basis and be 100% everyday all season long. Cut the guy some slack. He was one of the best hitters on the team last year. I will definitely miss seeing him play here. He was a really nice guy on and off the field. Hopefully he will end up on a team that appreciates him ALL of the time.
He was a wonderful Hitter on a Last Place Team. I’m sure he was a Nice guy. They are all nice guys. I don’t pay for a Season Ticket to see nice guys play baseball. I pay to be entertained. I would also like to see a winning Team. This isn’t about being a cheerleader for the Team. If they play hard and lose, I can live with that. All I want is an effort. Obviously Hayes didn’t see much of an effort. He saw a player that didn’t take “voluntary” BP. He saw a player that didn’t seem to be putting out an effort. Nice guys that don’t make any effort or show any urgency…well….let York have them.
Amen.
Right on, Booby!
If they can’t take the heat! Get ‘em out of the kitchen!
Man, I can’t wait until Friday! We are going to have some fun!
GO STORMERS!
See you at the Ballpark!
Barnstormer Fan, you would make a great booster club addition!
Yeah I agree with Double D’s #10 comment. You can’t get emotionally attached to players. In the end you will only get hurt.
Even Jason doesn’t seem to be immune to the sentiment. Sorry Jason, I know Dom was your favorite. I will say though, I think I see the beginning of a beautiful relationship between you and LeCroy.
Hey Booby, you are right. Dom was a positive on a negative team last year. I was always wondering way he was not signed by anyone in the beginning of the year last year. We picked him up in the middle of the first half that seemed a little strange.
Go Stormers!!!
Dominic was not just a positive on a negative team. He was one of the top ten batters in the whole Atlantic League. It takes a whole team to be good. He would have been a star on any team he wa put on, good or bad. However, I am still excited that we have the makings of a good team this year! Go Barnstormers!
I think everyone has a valid point and there obviosly truth to everyones comments. He was a good guy, He was a good hitter. His defense was week.
What it comes down to is, like Jason said, it’s the sign of the times. These are the Von days of Lancaster.
The question is…. whos next? No one is safe. IT COULD BE YOU!
Beware of the Von Mower!
But the effort on the defensive side WAS NOT THERE! I have nothing against Dom offensively..he will put up the numbers wherever he ends up. Von Hayes is obviously geared towards improving the defense, which I am happy to see. He is also not as emotionally attached to these guys as we have gotten. Defensively he saw that we are “lacking”..and he saw that the effort was not there from Ambro. Nothing wrong with his decision…sometimes you have to make those decisions. Hayes is clearly not afraid to do what needs to be done. He’s a proven championship/winning manager more than once and he has a way he wants to go with the team.
Von Mower.
lol…that’s cool….cuz it like…rhymes with “lawn” and stuff.
Maybe Dom will be motivated by his treatment by the ‘Stormers and maybe it will help his career in the long run. This was a wake-up call to the team and to the individual.
Leave it to the wit of Mr B.
I am so happy to see how serious Von is about the attitude
of the players, including the effort they put in to every game. I realize people have their off days and are tired, but when you consistently look like you are not making any effort on defense, that needs to be addressed. I certainly feel the same about Danny. I never understood the prasie
Danny and Dominick received. There is more to look at then just a player’s batting average.
Bottom line is, Do you want to play or just go through the motions.
That’s correct. Complacency is never a good thing. If you are going to be here give us a full effort. Thats all we ask. And it looks like Von has established the fact that he won’t tolerate anything less.
There is a good write-up on Revolution Rumblings about how Gladestone (York) and Keller (Camden) will square off Friday night.
Most people on this site know the two as B _ S _ last year. I just can seam to say that word anymore so I left out the vowels. It shows how compettion will be among the two.
Sorry, replace “can seam” with “can’t seem”. First error of the season.
Truthfully this Gladstone vs Keller thing will be a fun thing to watch. It should add some MORE competitve goings on in player procurement. But I wouldn’t count Mr Lupton out of that as well!
I guess I should by powerball ticket since I proposed the question the other day was he one of the guys Von was talking about. From my lawn chair in left field I observed a lot last year, and the effort wasn’t always there. We need to remember this is a business and the players need to perform. Hopefully this will keep Danny more in tune!
Personally I think Danny has pretty much worn out his welcome here as well. Unless he comes to play everyday and not just some of the time I think he will be in Hayes doghouse fairly quickly. Either he ends up a pinch hitter and sitting a good bit of time on the bench OR he gets his head in the game and focused. If not I dont see Hayes putting up with that and he gets a quick exit from here.
Losing a fellow Italian is never a good thing! Seriously, I thought I was overtihnking last season when I thought he was “lollygagging” in the field. i’m glad to know other fans saw the same thing. I also agree that being a nice guy doesn’t matter. I pay to be entertained as has been previously said. All I ask for is a full effort. I am completely shocked by this move but I have faith that Von knows what he is doing. At least we go into Friday’s game knowing thaqt we not only have a new season but a new attitude as well. I hope the new outfielder is Italian!
I know that we all have our “favorite” player(s) and we do root for them all to do their best. But the bottom line is still that professional baseball is a business. As much as I deny that to myself over certain player moves on my favorite teams, the powers that be are there to “manage” the team. Their job and their livelihood does depend on the success of their team. So as much as we dislike losing a certain player, if the personnel in charge does not see the effort and results that he is looking for there is almost always someone else nearby to take his place.
So all I can say is Von Hayes is doing his job. Doing what he is being paid to do. And I think this got everybody’s attention.
Play Ball!!!!
Cutting your best hitter based on spring training results and lack of defensive effort? Good thing MLB teams don’t do that, most clubs wouldn’t be able to field a team.
Like LaTroy Hawkins said of spring training after dominating this spring, “Dude, spring training don’t mean S*$!”. Apparently, he was right, he has gotten BOMBED so far since the real season started. Spring Training means nothing…look at Brandon Webb and Jake Peavy this spring…ERA’s of over 8. Professionals know when they need to make their money. And oh, they aren’t getting paid by the Stormers during spring training…who wants to get hurt while not even getting paid?
You can make your mark as a manager without releasing your best hitter and replacing him with a guy with the same “lack of team” reputation.
The key here is the teams reaction. If they don’t care, it might be an indication that Von was acting based on his teams wishes.
avatar!
well, that didn’t work
Practice? Practice?? I am talking practice.”