Ivanon Coffie slides into second base
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Erik Dessau 0-2, 5.72 ERA |
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Jeff Blitstein 2-3, 4.99 ERA |
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The Barnstormers had an interesting option presented to them this week. They could have signed OF/DH Curtis Pride, who was released by Southern Maryland. Lancaster, which has been searching futilely for outfield help for months, declined.
Pride has his limitations and drawbacks. He’s 39. Age has sapped his trademark speed and mobility, which is the reason he was used primarily as a designated hitter by the Blue Crabs. Those were reasons manager Von Hayes cited when explaining why he and head of baseball operations Keith Lupton didn’t pursue this avenue.
The decision to pass on Pride re-ignites an old debate. Are the Barnstormers taking the right approach when building their roster? They’d prefer to employ guys like Jutt Hileman, Jordan Herr and Michael Campbell in the outfield. They’re going for upside and potential, rather than experience and track record. They’re also saving money.
While Pride is no savior, he’s a 23-year veteran and a left-handed batter who posted a .372 on-base percentage in 89 games for Southern Maryland. His defensive limitations could have been masked by putting him in right field at the Clip and he would have been a great fit for the No. 2 slot in the batting order.
Still, the Barnstormers said no. There appears to be some stubbornness here. This team is 50-64. Even though their formula hasn’t worked, the Barnstormers are reluctant to take any chances and make dramatic changes. It’s perplexing but it has come to be expected over the past two seasons.
The Barnstormers simply don’t operate like other Atlantic League teams. They don’t sign guys like Pride. They don’t sign guys like Ruben Mateo or Raul Gonzalez or even Shea Hillenbrand. It seems this team hasn’t found that balance between youth and experience – which it had in 2006. It seems this franchise is stuck in a losing rut. Until they alter their approach a little bit, the Barnstormers probably aren’t going to be successful.
ROSTER MOVES:
P Eric Ackerman has been placed on the disabled list after allowing nine runs in 2 1/3 innings Tuesday night. Shane Youman will take Ackerman’s next turn in the rotation, which is Sunday.
OF Michael Campbell has left the team for personal reasons. He will be placed on the inactive list.
Lineups …
22-22 |
20-24 |
|---|---|
| Bobby Hill, 2B | Mike Woods, LF |
| Ramon Castro, SS | Lloyd Turner, CF |
| Jose Herrera, RF | Ian Bladergroen, 1B |
| Willis Otanez, 3B | Matt LeCroy, DH |
| Ruben Mateo, LF | Danny Gonzalez, SS |
| Raul Gonzalez, DH | David Castillo, C |
| Randall Simon, 1B | Ivanon Coffie, 3B |
| Ramon Nivar, CF | Jordan Herr, RF |
| Manny Mejia, C | Mike Caruso, 2B |
Scoring summary …
| Bears | 000 | 180 | 21x | 12 | 21 | 0 |
| Barnstormers | 005 | 140 | 000 | 10 | 16 | 2 |
FINAL: Bears 12, Barnstormers 10
Stormers 3rd: Bladergroen’s single scores Woods. LeCroy’s home run scores Turner and Bladergroen. Gonzalez hits solo home run.
Lancaster leads 5-0.
Bears 4th: Simon’s double scores Otanez.
Lancaster leads 5-1.
Stormers 4th: LeCroy’s walk scores Caruso.
Lancaster leads 6-1.
Bears 5th: Mejia scores on Herrera’s fielder’s choice. Otanez’s home run scores Castro and Herrera. Gonzalez’s home run scores Mateo. Mejia’s home run scores Simon.
Newark leads 9-6.
Stormers 5th: Caruso’s groundout scores Castillo. Woods’ home run scores Coffie. Bladergroen’s single scores Turner.
Lancaster leads 10-9.
Bears 7th: Nivar scores on Castillo’s throwing error. Castro’s single scores Just.
Newark leads 11-10.
Bears 8th: Mateo hits solo home run.
Newark leads 12-10.
Well stated Jason…
I have reached the point management should fear most…I simply don’t care. I, like management, am done for the season.
Exactly who is “The Man” making these decisions? I’m sure it’s not Hayes alone. Lupton?? Danos?? Cummings???
Upside and potential doesn’t make any logical sense!!! Why do that in a League where there are
1.No Multi Year Contracts
2.Good prospects get bought by the Affiliated Teams and you never reap the benefits of bringing along a prospect.
3.What kind of improvements can you expect in a 120-130 Game Season?? Not much I’m sure.
Why did they buy into the Atlantic League?? Why not a developmental League where they only need to pay the Players $1000 a season?? Gee, maybe because they would have a hard time “selling” that brand of Baseball.
May be hard to keep selling the current brand of Baseball sooner than they think.
Major league races heating up, kids heading back to school, and Stormers out of the race adds up to very few people showing up on Prince street. I’m thinking this year was more of a disappointment than last year.
I’m with you hitone,but unfortunately I bought season tickets for the first time this year and trust me my last.Come next season I’m going a lot less to the Clipp.
I am in total agreement with hitone and stormersfan 86. I only have a 22 game season ticket. I am just disgusted with the management part of the team. No infusion of any help at all to make the team challenge for the division title.
I have better things to do with my time tonight and I will spend my concession money on something else tonight.
I am not saying Pride would have helped us win the division, but it would have been nice to see some transactions to give us a better chance of winning a few more games (or at least not lose by double digits as many times.)
I understand everyone’s disappointment. I am there too. However, I am a Diamond Club member and am signed up till 2010.
I enjoy coming to the game with my wife and talking to friends, seeing some of the on-field entertainment, and maybe catching a win. I do not spend my money on concessions too much because after 60-65 games, that 3.00 soda adds up. You can bring in bottled water for free.
For the price of admission I would rather see the Barnstormers play than going to Philly or Baltimore to see a major league game. When you add up the price of a ticket, transportation, and parking (free at the clip) one game could be the same as a week of games at the Clip and I may see the same type of game that we did last light. It was just not our night. Didn’t the Rangers kill someone 20-0 earlier this season.
I am there to cheer on my favorite professional baseball team, the Lancaster Barnstormers. I have no say in what happens on the field, in the clubhouse, or in the front office. Me not going to games is only going to hurt the thing I enjoy, baseball. My seat, and yours, will be filled by someone else. Lancaster has a good baseball market.
Sit back and enjoy the great game of baseball. I do.
Stormin’ I hear what your saying but the only real attraction for the Atlantic League and The Barnstormers for me is winning or at least being competitive. If I go to a game in Reading or Harrisburg I get all of the things you mentioned (the concessions are somewhat less at the other venues) and if the game/team is not competitive I still get to see future major league players. I also very much realize the Stormers are probably not marketing to my type of fan so I need to be realistic about that.
Stormin’,
I totally understand where you are coming from. The local experience of a hometown baseball team is much better than a trip to Baltimore or Philadelphia. I have no say what happens on the field, in the clubhouse or in the front office either, other than not showing up for a game or spending extra money there. I know two fans (my wife and I) really wont hurt them. But my seat will not be filled by someone else tonight. It will not be a sellout. Lancaster does have a good baseball market but they hardly ever sell out. So my minor protest does not make things much different but it gives me a slight expression of dissent to the way things have been run this year.
hitone,
I know the Barnstormers are NOT marketing toward us baseball fans who want a competitive team, but I am in denial thinking that that fact might change.
Its a shame that the team is not doing better, but we still have some games left in the season. As stated by somebody earlier we only have about 4 weeks of baseball left then, we will have to wait until next year. Lets all hope some changes are made in the off-season. I will be back next year. Just think what will we have to complain about in the off-season?????????
I hear the Cubs are looking for more bandwagon fans, jump on!
I love going to games, I love watching the team play. I like walking around the stadium. We are only on the forth season of this team, I am sure there is still a learning curve. In 4 years we had one championship, that is a good record.
I like Von because he signs autographs with a smile. I like the players because they sign autographs with a smile. I like watching Boots and Von walk out to home plate night after night with a child to meet the other team manager. I enjoy the start of every game because you never know what can happen.
Two roster moves. See above.
With Campbell leaving, I think they should go after Pride. I hope he is still available
Won’t jump from the wagon too fun of a ride. We will get better, got to have a little faith. Maybe not this season but next ? Besides I would not want to go to a major league park to see a game, the players are unapproachable and I really lost respect for them when they went on strike years ago. They make more money in one season than some of us will in a lifetime and still have the nerve to complain that they can not live on what they earn. Why don’t they try to get a real job and bust their humps like we all do. The guys in this league will at least talk to you and show you some common courtesy when you talk to them. And even after some of them leave The team the will still acknowledge you.
What a game… truly indicative of the whole season. I guess there needs to be a come back win (for the ‘Stormers).
WHAT DID I SAY?
As I stated many times..they leave starters in way too long ..I don’t give a hoot about relievers supposedly being too tired. When you don’t have it..you don’t…it’s a given. As some have said…I won’t being going again this year…listening to losers is a lot cheaper than $5.50 Beers at the Park..HeHe
I can’t believe I’m missing the game tonight.. Sounds very exciting.. and Quincy is visiting.. he better be there tomorrow!!!!
Hey Tom& Dave
Speaking from my own experience.. When you host a player you form a bond.. Not only are they a ball player but they become a member of your family.
If we didn’t care about this Team…we wouldn’t complain as much as we do. There is a passion in these complaints.
I love going to the Games. I have made alot of new friends of wonderful people I would never have met. I can sit there and watch the Game and relax and forget about all the trials and tribulations in everyday life. I can get to know the wonderful and gracious people sitting around me.
I totally love baseball. No matter how much I complain….I’ll be back.
I’m also a very competetive person. Teams I root for , I get very passionate about. I don’t like to lose…period.
It’s about the people for me when you get down to brass tacks…plain and simple. The Ushers…the Staff…but most of all, it’s about the Great group of people that I sit with. I’d miss them too much.
Hey Booby – you forgot to mention your fellow bloggers. I know you would miss us too
Can Michael be player of the game even though the team lost?
I think it is time for a top of the 3rd inning meeting of the Bloogers at the game. Anybody interested?
No tempers aloud at the meeting…
LOL…not sure I want to give up my aninimity. Rad might throw a brownie at me…..besides aren’t ya’ll in the Booster Club anyway??? So everyone knows each other??
Booby:
You can’t assume that we are all Booster Club members.
You’re right but I do think alot are..may be wrong..wouldn’t be the 1st Time…lol..
only a few here are LBBBC members