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quote:
Originally posted by justbaseball:
CD, did you go there after all?

I agree, one of the nicest ballparks in America (at least that I've been too Wink ).

justbb - we almost did!

Those pictures were taken by parents of a player who is still at Coastal Carolina. They live in Ft. Wayne and were kind enough to post those and about a dozen others on Facebook.
quote Dad04,
Everyone in A to AA can run..fast. I saw itsinthegames's son play a Good Friday. He can cover half the outfield. So can most of his (AA) team, including at least one pitcher I know. High A and double A players fly around the field like birds of prey. The difference from D1 is startling.

This is a great and informative discussion. I don't have anything to add other than to say that in all sports speed is a great separator and determining factor for stepping up to the next level.
I would agree with that.

I have seen alot of games at this point - both college and 4 levels of minor leagues.

The biggest differences I have noticed - and they are actually pretty startling:

1) The overall speed of every facet of the game
2) The huge difference between fundamentally sound swings and aluminum bat swings.

Really no valid comparison bewteen high level college baseball and pro ball at the high A level and above.
quote:
1) The overall speed of every facet of the game
2) The huge difference between fundamentally sound swings and aluminum bat swings.


Yup.

Speed of the infield play...catch-and-release, knocking down balls in the hole, awareness.

Swings that foul and foul and foul and work the count. Patience. The beautiful sound of wood hitting the ball.

As I said before...I used to go to MiLB games, drink a beverage, eat a dog and chat with friends. Now its a whole different game and its a very good and graceful game.
You are all correct. Speed and quickness.
When we travel to Japan, Korea, China, Australia
with future professional players and professional coaches, it is apparent at age 15-18 who will play
in professional baseball.

With the metal bat in college it is and will be difficult to evaluate the talent.

Remember the pro scout has two difficulties in scouting.
1. the bat
2. "make up"

There are a few players which I would bet against playing in the MLB and I would have lost.

The Ft Wayne park is beautiful. For the California
fathers; do you remember Zuppo field in Lodi; Rohnert Park Stadium and Municipal Stadium in San Jose.

They are the stadiums, which I rented for the early Area Code games and Goodwill Series.

During the 1st year at Rohnert Park, I was the radio
announcer with Ken Korick [now Oakland A's].

Minor league baseball is great! All you father's
and mother's enjoy this moment, "bottle it",
record the sound of wood. "Opportunity of a lifetime"

Bob
quote:
For the California fathers; do you remember Zuppo field in Lodi; Rohnert Park Stadium and Municipal Stadium in San Jose.


I have certainly been to SJ Muni many, MANY times. A venue for the SJ Giants (Bees and others before them), college (San Jose State) and HS (many teams including the Section playoffs).

Lots of great memories for us there...and a few difficult ones too. Eek
Last edited by justbaseball
One of the cool things is that minor league cities/franchises are investing in some pretty nice stadiums and amenities.

The price for an MiLB game is affordable, the game is good, closeness to the players on the field is an attraction (kids especially) and I think its a nice option for families.

I also think people enjoy almost touching future big leaguers...and being able to look back and say they saw them back "when."
On the road you can get a sense how difficult it is to fill out a day. Not much to do but stare at the walls in a cheap hotel. As the saying goes however, if you don't like the food, travel, or the accomodations in the minors - play better.

My son was not in the lineup last night so it was a slow night for our family. As we were watching BP, a genetlemen approached me and he said he knew my son from summer ball in Columbia SC. He said his son had been drafted in the 42 rd last summer and had just been called up from extended spring training by the Reds. After bs'ing with him for about an hour, I told him I would be rooting for his son to get in the game and in fact he did and pitched well for the Dragons. We took our son out for dinner after the game and we ran into the young man who pitched and his family at the same restaurant. Small world sometimes...

The Dragons have three ex-big leaguers as their coaches, Todd Benzinger, Ken Griffey, and Tony Fossas.

After next weekend, my son returns to his hometown to play ball. This is the low A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians known as the Lake County Captains. The Captains currently have the best record in the minor leagues if I am not mistaken. One of their hot hitters is Bo Greenwell - son of Mike Greenwell. I am pretty sure there will be a nice contingent to see my son play.

Ironically, the last time he played in Lake County was at Captains Stadium in 2005 for the rights to go to the State Chamionship. They won their games there and made their way to states which was ironically held at Dayton Dragons Stadium known as 5/3 Ballpark where we are this weekend. Thus, the last two times he played in Ohio, he will have played at the same two ballparks on his return to Ohio. That seems ironic to me anyways Smile
My son had the thrill of coming back to play milb in his hometown last night. It was freezing but that didn't stop people from coming out to see him play. It was nice for us for a change not having to drive for hours to watch him play. Here is a local news report. At the end of the report is a two minute video that captures his love for the game quite well. You old-schoolers should like the ripped and dirty pants. That is how he plays the game. The highlight of the game for him might have come in the first inning. He had a nice at bat where he worked the pitcher for a walk. He was on second when a hard liner was hit to shallow left and the coach sent him home. The catcher was blocking the plate when the ball and my son arrived. The catcher bowled in one direction and my son bowled in the opposite direction. Catcher got up holding the ball but nonetheless the play jazzed up the "home" crowd.

http://www.news-herald.com/art...sports/nh2486187.txt
Last edited by ClevelandDad
quote:
Originally posted by floridafan:
Sounds like a fun time! I know you must have been grinning ear to ear!

floridafan - thanks! I am not a grinning ear-to-ear type I am happy he is happy but I also know how fickle baseball is One day you are grinning ear-to-ear and the next day you are frustrated as hell I always have a certain amount of supersticion/trepidation that keeps my grins in check Big Grin

Seriously, it was nice to see him play and it was nice to see the joy others had watching him play.
We've been here in Bowling Green Kentucky and the state is beautiful, the city is beautiful, and the weather has been wonderful. Last night's game didn't go all that well for our team but we had fun nonetheless...

My son pulled a few strings and arranged to allow my grandson to participate in the mascot race (between innings) where the participant races the mascot around the bases and touches home. Before it began, they announced he was my son's nephew on the loudspeaker. When it came time for the little guy to race (he is 3&1/2), he took a couple of steps toward second base chasing the mascot and came up with stage fright. He decided to run back toward his "nanna" who was encouraging him along with the crowd and alas, that was the end of the race. The stadium announcer said that was the first time in the history of the race that the mascot had won! Eek Big Grin

Minor league games are so much fun. A very relaxing way to reduce stress. Fire works tonight!
Everyone has shared such kind words and support in this thread and it is most appreciated.

This is a sport where doing good 3 out of 10 times makes you a star in the sport. Very humbling.

Putting the pay issue aside, minor league baseball has many similarities to the big league experience. Many of these ballparks like the one here in Kentucky are brand new and have all the amenities of big league parks. The fields are immaculate. Basically the only difference is fewer seats but that actually is a positive as it adds to the intimacy and coziness of the setting. Talent-wise, there isn't a whole lot of difference. You still see guys hitting 400 footers and guys who can light up radar guns. Big arms in the infield, outfield, and behind homeplate and speed all over the place. One of the main differences is consistency. For instance, you'll see more errors, less command of the strikezone, and less discipline at the plate than in the big leaques.

One thing I always do when I travel to see games is watch the teams take BP. Last night, the weather was great but the wind was blowing hard in from left field so none of the players hit any bp homeruns. I saw this tall skinny guy with a nice athletic body stand in there a couple of times and take some swings. He wasn't wearing a helmut like the players are required but he had a gorgeous swing and you could tell he had more power than any player on either team last evening. His name was Rocco Baldelli. Yes there are differences between big leaguers and minor leaguers and you could tell it by watching bp.
Last edited by ClevelandDad
quote:
Originally posted by RHP05Parent:
quote:
ClevelandDad -
This is a sport where doing good 3 out of 10 times makes you a star in the sport. Very humbling.
If only that were true for pitchers!!! Big Grin


That's funny! Big Grin

Pitchers mind you, we hold them to higher standards Big Grin

Continued good wishes for Eric! Please, if other minor league parents have pictures, please post them thanks! Love to hear more stories!
ClevelandDad, your son looks like he is having a great time! I haven't commented on this thread but have been following it since it started. Keep up the posts as this may be as close as some of us come to hearing what its like from the inside to play minor league ball. That one field with the large bridge behind it looks a lot like the Corpus Christi Hooks stadium which also has a scenic bridge past the fence. Good luck to your son and I hope he makes it all the way!
I know ClevelandDad doesn't like it when we post great stuff about his son, but I can't help it. So much fun to see Tyler doing so well in MiLB:

Player of the Week - article June 21
http://web.minorleaguebaseball...&fext=.jsp&sid=t2498

Another Three Hit Night - article July 3
http://web.minorleaguebaseball...&fext=.jsp&sid=t2498

Extra-Inning Double Pushes Hot Rods To Win - article July 7
http://www.wbko.com/sports/headlines/97914829.html

Good job, Tyler!


Julie
You guys are the best and my heart-felt thanks go out to you. This has been a tough week with the LeBron James betrayal but there are more positive things to talk about...

Anbody ever heard of this kid before - he is pretty good:

Darin Mastroianni

Dirtbag2bMom's son Vance Worley is tearing it up as well:

http://web.minorleaguebaseball...=news_milb&fext=.jsp

Last edited by ClevelandDad

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