Lloyd Turner
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Monte Mansfield 2-0, 3.75 ERA |
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Rolando Viera 3-2, 3.11 ERA |
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York’s second-half turnaround and playoff-clinching performance emphasized the value of roster stability. The Revolution has seven position players who have appeared in at least 100 games and that doesn’t include its catching tandem — Sandy Aracena and Luis Taveras — that has been together the entire year.
Instead of having to constantly to fill gaping holes, the Revs were able to find complementary additions. Their baseball operations was effective, but it also had an easier job. Part of that was because York was patient when players struggled in the early going.
The Barnstormers never found that stability. Four of their best position players, Brian Stavisky, Vasili Spanos, Matt LeCroy and Ian Bladergroen, were either injured or signed during the first 30 games and the team never adequately replaced the big bats. The Barnstormers had four position players appear in 100 games and only two of their opening day starters — Jutt Hileman and Mike Woods — made it through the entire season without landing on the DL.
Some of this is luck. Some of it is planning. In order to win in the Atlantic League, a team’s core has to stay healthy, productive and intact. York has benefited from having Jason Aspito and Chris Ashby in the middle of the lineup most of the way. The Revs, who were the worst hitting team in the league at the end of June, have batted a collective .305 since. You win in this league with offense and they’ve produced.
This year’s Barnstormers roster has included 14 position players who appeared in 20 games or fewer. As a result, this was never really a team. Some of that can be attributed to injuries, of course, but part of it can be attributed to signing guys who never should have been in the Atlantic League in the first place. Too many projects. Not enough prospects.
The baseball operations needs to be fine-tuned. The Barnstormers need to be able to address their roster concerns more quickly in the future and they need to have a better core at the start of the season. The September surge shouldn’t overshadow the problems they had from April through August. They still have the worst record in the league and they’re in danger of finishing 10 games under .500 for the third time in their four-year history.
For a franchise that boasts one of the best fan bases in the league, that shouldn’t be considered an acceptable level of performance.
How many people did York send back to affiliated ball? I know we send a few and that caused some problems…
Just a thought – could it be possible that Von and management are looking a ‘multi-year’ plan to get a good roster? Jason mentioned “Too many projects. Not enough prospects.” Perhaps it was done on purpose and gives the Barnstormers a head start on ‘09.
But I think we need to cut the team a little slack. Jason talks about roster stability and how York stuck with it’s players when they struggled early. Seems that when we stick with someone who struggles we get all up in arms about it and then complain when it’s not addressed in a prompt manner. Seems to me that we tried to address the needs as evidenced by the 3, 267 players were on roster at some point this season in Lancaster. Obviously, though – a bunch of them had no business being here – and that’s wherein the problem lies. Scouting and talent evaluation.
The Barnstormers had a lot of bad luck this season. I’ve acknowledged it repeatedly and I’ve tried not to be overly critical of the people in charge because I think it’s a difficult job — especially with a revolving door on the DL.
But here’s the bottom line: When the team needed outfield help, it didn’t upgrade the position for months. The Barnstormers were signing first-year pros and players released from other indy leagues while other teams were finding better solutions. That can’t happen again or the team will continue to lose and next September we’ll be asking the same questions we’re asking now.
Sorry I missed you on the Dugout Report Jason. As soon as Dave told me you were going to be on, I grabbed my radio to find out that my batteries, too, ended up on the Barnstormer DL.
I did however find replacements in a timely manner and should be good to go for the weekend.
Jason, I hear you but could you imagine the uproar that would have happened with the fan base if Jutt had been released in July or if he lost some of his playing time? We needed someone after Stavitsky was called up and did have a hard time filling that roll. There were times I was happy Jordan Herr was playing, like when he hit that great walk off double to end another late game.
What are the chances of Woods or Turner being called up? I would hate to see Woods back, I think he really deserves another shot.
Are we still ” Code Red”-ing it tonight and through the weekend? We still can keep the ” Community Cup ” and also have a winning record against York this year. GO BARNSTORMERS !!!!!
I also noticed like Stormin’ in York mentioned that many of the York fans left in the early 8th inning. I do realize it was a school night, but thought it was interesting that they left. I also wonder do our fans act rude like the York fans do when we are over there, when York is over here ? I would hope not.
Here comes the obligatory “our fans are better than your fans” crying after a Lancaster loss to York.
I can’t wait to hear the attendance numbers smack-talk and isolated examples of Stormers fans having their delicate sensiblities offended as fans of the road team at a sporting event.
Perhaps, by the way, the York fans left in the 8th because they felt pretty confident that a nine run lead would hold up for one inning.
I know the playoffs are out of the question, but the season isn’t over yet! We can still keep the community cup! Let’s play hard this weekend because, frankly nothing feels better than beating York. Let’s end the season on a high note!
Absolutely CODE RED !!
sodaman: I think it is safe to say that Lancaster fans are much classier than York fans. We certainly don’t get mentioned in the morning paper for our “derisive” cheering.
I didn’t say any one hurt my feelings. I could care less about attendance numbers. And most fans in York are very nice people, we had a lot of fun last night with the York fans that were around us. I was just saying I hope we do not act like that to visiting teams. Apparently I hurt someones feelings. Sorry. GO BARNSTORMERS !!!
Hey Fan of a Playoff Team….grow up would ya??
Nothing more obnoxious than a sore winner
Yeah I can’t understand WHY any of them are offended because there was an organized group of Lancaster fans at York to cheer on the Barnstormers. The Lancaster fans were NOT yelling obnoxious things only cheering for their team as is their right to do. They were not doing anything wrong….cowbells and red towels and wearing red? Why is that a problem to the sensitive York fans?
shooter:Esspecially since we sit on the 3rd base side – the visiting team’s side. If York fans don’t want to put up with us they should have bought tickets on the firstbase side.
I’m sure had this been reversed we would have given the Revolution fans some good natured ribbing. I think the York-Lancaster rivalry is great and appreciate the passion both cities have for their teams. Believe me if Harrisburg and Reading would have been battling for an Eastern League playoff spot I doubt either city would have even been aware of it. Sure I was rooting against York last night but I’ll be at the playoff game Tuesday rooting them on.
I’ve NEVER heard a York Player Booed after a HR in Lancaster ….ever! I haven’t heard a York Fan Booed for cheering for his Team in Lancaster…..ever….or a Newark fan…or a Long Island fan.
That’s the difference.
Thank you Booby, that was the point I was trying to make. I congradulate York and wish them luck in the playoffs. They had the better team and earned the right to the playoffs, I am not taking anything away from them. GO BARNSTORMERS !!!!!
Hope,
York fans bought tickets? Shocking news itself!
I agree Booby. I must say, if the fans in Lancaster
would act as unsportsman like as those in York, I would not
be attending the games as a do. It makes for a very
unpleasant atmosphere.
Go Barnstomers!!!
York won a Championship???? Really??? When ????
All good points, people. I have never heard boos or the kinds of things that were being heard last night in York FOR ANY TEAM that has visited Clipper magazine Stadium….maybe they were upset that we were allowed to get the piggy banks..haha.
Yea I did not like the nasty comments about why am I sitting in sec. 10 when I am a barnstormer fan. Most know why I sat there. At home I sit in sec.19. Just nasty things that were being said around me. I sure hope the fans here do not act like that. I could have just heard it if we would have won…
May have to double think about going there next year.
Good nature ribbing one thing, humiliation is another. When they call a cigarette mascot a Lancaster fan because he is stinky and smelly is uncalled for.
Crazy27…I wouldn’t think twice about going to York next year..if you want to see a game there GO! Do NOT let them take your fun away….apparently they do not want visiting fans that are passionate and vocal in their support of their team. We all know that our team appreciates our support no matter what. If Yokr fans want to sit on their hands and not be vocal..thats their problem. Last I knew cheering for your team is not illegal. And neither is sitting in any section of any ballpark home or away. The cowbells annoy them…the red towels annoy them..the wearing of red annoys them?? The cheering annoys them? Perhaps they should “take over” their own ballpark by doing something about it? If their fans want to come to our house and not be vocal…hey thats their problem but we should not be afraid to make noise for our team.
Personally I am not as vocal for my team as those in red last night but that’s how I am…and it shouldn’t stop those who are..sorry for the long rant but its just my opinion!
Thats true Stormin…there is such a thing as good sportsmanship..this stuff should all be in fun…not being nasty or obnoxious or rude.
Are you at the game SIY?
Way to go Guys!!!
Great job Matt!!!
Can’t wait til tomorrow night and Sunday!!! Let’s end this season with a bang!!!
I have just got back in town and I got to listen to tonight’s game from York since I was coming up from Virginia. Then I turned on Dave Collins as soon as I could get him on the radio.
This is what I heard from the York station…….their announcers were talking rude about the competition. They were discussing how Mansfield had an unusual delivery. They laughed at him as they compared him to a bobblehead.
This is what I heard from Dave Collins…….nothing but professionalism. He was talking pleasantly about the opponents. He was talking about how Matt Dryer was a pleasant and friendly fan favorite. He was discussing Matt’s good qualities.
Now you decide who you would rather have to listen to the game with………hands down …Dave Collins.
I say just disregard any comments any York fan makes. Their park is rude to the Barnstormers and their fans in their park. They are rude to the Barnstormers on their radio station. Who needs them????
Actions speak louder than words.
By the way, I also drove through Southern Maryland Blue Crabs territory on the way back from Williamsburg. I couldnt believe with all of the people in that area that their fan base isnt bigger than it was this year.
I hope Monte is ok!!! Great job Monte!!! Hang in there!!
Booby,
Read a little slower, with tongue in cheek.
You know pack you are correct about the York radio guys. I noticed that as well. in all the times I have ever even listened to them I noticed that they seem to talk about everything but the action on the field. Blah blah blah this and blah blah blah that….and oh strike one…the game seems unimportant to them.
Great Job Stormers!!!!
Way to go Wes for picking up Monte, that is Awesome!!!
Nice job tonight guys. I plan on wearing my replica championship ring the rest of the weekend. Just to show York we have one.
BTW, York front office staff, the visor shuttle is getting old. Try something new.
One game closer to the Community Cup.
Patterson pitching against the Nats in the 13th in DC.
So-so performance so far, I’m afraid. Walked one, wild pitch….can’t get that last out.
1 2/3 innings total. Did ok but lost steam quickly.
Monte took a line drive in the arm in the first inning. Four was as far as he could go. Apparently, he really gutted it out. Wes was terrific. That performance saved the rest of the pen for the Saturday DH>
Packmule,
Thanks for the comments. Those guys are bigger than I am. If I say something nasty, they could come after me…
Really, though. Have you ever had the discomfort of running into someone you have just spoken badly about. This is something I really try to avoid.
How many others doing both games of the double header? Looks like we will good weather. Just can not believe its the last weekend for baseball, guess now I’ll have to do the ” honey-do ” list that was suppose to be done back in …..the spring. GO BARNSTORMERS!!!!!!!
WOW, I made it through my first 14 inning game. I think the Padres used the entire bullpen…
and the Padres won!!!!
A very emotional and exhausting night.
Congratulations on the WIN Stormers.. and thanx to my little brownie who me posted.
Nighty nighty all.
And Dave.. you really must learn to text !!!
Rad…maybe the man would like just a tad of privacy
Is this really about the fan base of the teams, or the teams themselves? C’mon it does not say game 137: Lancaster fans Vs. York fans… Enjoy the games for what they are.