Along with two Flyers games I managed to watch a Threshers’ game and 3 XST games. I think I saw about 6 runs scored in the 4 baseball games. I saw way to many errors and fielding mistakes during the same period. I probably saw close to 400 pitches … just by pitchers in the Phillies organization.
First, the Threshers. Continue reading Clearwater Round-up thru April 12, 2014
This afternoon, we enjoyed one of the many quirky promotions that you encounter in minor league parks – Bark at the Park. Afterward, we were treated to a Cole Hamels’ start for the Threshers.
Hamels’ second pitch was rocketed over the right field wall by Jays’ star Dwight Smith, Jr. In the third inning, Hamels hit the number 9 batter in the heel while ahead in the count. He proceeded to pick the runner off first base. Good thing, too. Smith followed with another bomb over the wall in right center.
Including a single off the shortstop (I had scored it E6), Hamels line was – Continue reading Cole Hamels vs. Jays at Bright House; April 6, 2014
The Threshers faced JA Happ on a rehab assignment tonight. Happ proved to be a formidable foe for the young team. Happ retired the Threshers in order in 3 of his 5 innings. He allowed 2 runs on 3 hits and a walk. He struck out five. In the 4 innings after Happ exited the game the Jays bullpen limited the Threshers to 2 hits and a walk.
Meanwhile, The Jays greeted starter Jon ProsinskI with 4 consecutive hits in the first inning. ProsinskI settled down and got out of the inning allowing only 2 runs. Continue reading Threshers at Dunedin; April 5, 2014
Tonight we were treated to an old fashioned pitchers’ duel in a 10-inning Threshers 2-1 victory. All three runs were tainted by errors, 2 were unearned. Through 9 innings, both teams had been able to manage only 1 run and 2 hits each.
Ethan Stewart put together a quality start in his first outing of the season. After a first inning sequence that began with an infield error, a 5-pitch walk, a wild pitch, and a sacrifice fly to center, Stewart Continue reading Threshers Home Opener vs. Dunedin; April 4, 2014
Tonight’s game was the season opener for both teams. One of the perks of being a season ticket holder in the Florida State League is that you can gain admittance to any FSL park when your team is playing. I took advantage of that tonight and sat about 10 feet from Charley Manuel. Cool. Cooler still, Dunedin posts pitch speed on their scoreboard. Continue reading Clearwater Threshers at Dunedin Blue Jays; April 3, 2014
I just received exciting news. The Clearwater Threshers have agreed to provide me with press credentials for the 2014 Threshers season, XST, and GCL.
Understandably, at this level, they do not have an open clubhouse. I will have to arrange any interviews with players and coaches through the front office. So, provide me with the names of players/coaches you would like to hear from and I will do my best. If you have specific questions you would like answered, you can forward those too.
You can provide both in the comments section or if, you would like, you can e-mail them to me at jimpeyton19@yahoo.com.
Groups 1 and 2 this morning. Normally, I would have watched Group 2, but Mike Adams was going to pitch the first inning in the Group 1 game. Since this would be against slightly more advanced hitters than those he faced against Group 2 in an intra-squad game earlier in the week, I chose to watch Group 1. Adams was followed by Pettibone for 3 innings.
I reported earlier this week that Adams threw well against Group 2, but after retiring the first 3 batters, he gave up singles to Joseph and Harold Martinez before the outing was called by the coaches. Continue reading MiLB Spring Training 2014; March 22nd, Adams vs. the Blue Jays
Groups 3 and 4 were back on their normal fields, Ashburn and Schmidt playing the Blue Jays farm teams. Group 5 was playing an independent team from Long Island, the Storm. I was able to get a good spot at the backstop on Ashburn, so I Group 3 and Miguel Nunez. Continue reading MiLB Spring Training 2014; March 21st, vs. the Blue Jays
I didn’t expect much today. It was a scheduled camp day where Groups 1 and 2; and Groups 3 and 4 would play intra-squad games while Group 5 would play a team from the Blue Jays. I could see Jesse Biddle warming up, so I ended up at Roberts Field to watch him this afternoon. While waiting for the game to start, I noticed that Scott Palmer was sitting in the bleachers. Soon after, Pat Gillick walked past. Then Charley Kerfeld. Dickie Noles came out to the back of the cage. So did Dallas Green. Gary Matthews came out to sit with Palmer. Ruben Amaro came out and sat at the table in the balcony behind home plate. Why were so many guys here and not in Dunedin where the Phillies were playing the Toronto Blue Jays in a Grapefruit League game?
Mike Adams. Continue reading MiLB Spring Training 2014; Camp Day
Heavy rains throughout central Florida forced the cancellation of games yesterday. Today, Groups 1 and 2 were on the rode in Bradenton. Groups 3 and 4 played at the Complex. Group 3 usually plays on Ashburn Field, but the 1-3 inches of rain that fell in the Tampa Bay area must have rendered the field too water-logged for a game. Group 3 was moved to Roberts Field.
Group 4 played on Schmidt Field. Ranfi Casimiro was the starter. I checked the line up card and saw that Cozens was slated to start in center, again.
Ethan Stewart was the starter for group 3. I had to leave early to pick up family at the airport, I chose to watch Stewart. The wind on Roberts was strong, blowing from the left field corner to the right field corner. Continue reading MiLB Spring Training 2014; March 18th, vs. the Pirates
