Road Kill Sports Blog

2009 Spengler Cup Preview

2009-12-17T19:03:00.000-08:00

Each Boxing Day for Canadian hockey fans marks three things: 1. The end of Christmas, 2. The start of the World Juniors, and 3. The Spengler Cup.

Of the two hockey tournaments, the Spengler is the least known out of the two, just by the fact it's not advertised for 3 months ahead of its opening, like the World Juniors are.

This tournament features five teams from around Europe, as well as the Canadian National Team. The Canadian team is combined of players in Europe, the AHL, or other pro leagues around the world besides the NHL.

This year, Canada will have a number of returning players, who will now play under ex-Edmonton Oilers Head Coach Craig MacTavish, who will manage two AHLers, one player in Austria, one player currently playing in Finland, as well as Yannick Tremblay in Germany, to go along with 18 Swiss players, taking part in this Swiss tournament.

Notable names include Serge Aubin, the captain, Mark Bell, Stacy Roest, Josh Holden, Alex Daigle, Ric Jackman and JP Vigier.

In net, Canada will have the 1-2 duo of David LeNeveu and Brent Krahn.

Canada opens the tournament with a game against Karlovy Vary, the reigning Czech Champions, who feature such players as Lukas Mensator and Ondrej Nemec.

On the 28th, after a day off, Canada squares off against host HC Davos, who are usually in contention at this tournament.

Marc Gianola, Mathias Joggi, the von Arx brothers and Sandro Rizzi make up the bigger part of the club.

Next for the Canadians is the Mannheim Eagles, who are from Germany. This team features 10 North Americans, including 9 Canadians. Fred Brathwaite of Canada mans the net, while players such as Sven Butenschon, of Canucks fame, Pascal Trepanier, Scott King, Colin Forbes and Justin Papineau will suit up for the dangerous Eagles.

Closing out the Round Robin for Canada is a date with Dynamo Minsk, the KHL club.

Minsk is a club that could really do some damage at the tournament, with Canadian Duvie Westcott, Byron Ritchie and Geoff Platt, not to mention Jussi Makkonen, Kaspars Sauletis, Alex Kulakov, Dmitri Korobov and Mikko Jokela who also play for the Belarusian Club.

The top two teams will then meet on New Years Eve, for a final that could feature another Canadian-Davos title fight, or one with perhaps underdogs (from this site at least) Mannheim and Vary.

Our predictions? Here they are, game-by-game:

Boxing Day will go down with Dynamo Minsk taking on HC Davos, in perhaps the biggest game of the Round Robin portion. Minsk features some offensive explosion in their repertoire, while the host Davos will have the better part of the arena on their side. This opening game will be a 5-3 win for Minsk in our mind.

The second game on this day pits Karlovy Vary against the Canadians, who will take this one 6-2.

With a 0-1 record to date, HC Davos will pound Karlovy Vary on the 27th, 7-1, before Mannheim loses a close one, 2-1 to Minsk.

Next, Mannheim will squeak out a win against Karlovy, 4-2, before the Canadians take on Davos, in another highly-anticipated match. Who will win? Canada 4-2.

The 29th will do much for Vary who don't play after their tilt with Minsk, but will lose, 5-2.

Canada will also beat Mannheim, 1-0.

On the final day of Round Robin play, the Canadians face Dynamo Minsk, and will lose 6-5. Then, HC Davos will come up with a clutch win, beating Mannheim 3-2.

This puts Karlovy Vary's record at 0-4, Mannheim at 1-3 as well, and that puts Minsk at 4-0, the Canadians at 3-1, and Davos at 2-2.

Final? Minsk and Canada which will go down to the last minute, 3-2 for the Canadians. Check back on December 26th for daily updates from this spectacular tournament.

World Juniors One Month Away

2009-11-26T18:57:00.001-08:00

Exactly one month from today, the World Junior Hockey Championships, also known as the U-20s, will open in Regina and Saskatoon.

The World Juniors start every Boxing Day, and the Round Robin normally concludes on New Years Eve, with the traditional battle of Canada vs USA.

This year is much of the same, with four games on Boxing Day, two in Regina, and two in Saskatoon, a theme that will continue for most of the tournament. On Opening Day, the Czech Republic battles Sweden in Regina, while Nikita Filatov's Russians tangle with Austria in the later match in the secondary host city.

Up in Saskatoon, the main stage for the event, Canada opens their tournament against Latvia, and the Slovaks take on the Americans.

The host Canadians are in a group with Latvia, Slovakia, Switzerland and the USA, playing all four teams over a course of 6 days.

As is customary, a number of exhibition games will be played in the host country prior to the tournament, with the most notable being Canada playing a pair of games in Regina, as well as another in Calgary. Their first tune-up will be on December 20th against the Swedes, before going to Calgary on the 22nd to battle Finland. The next day, they'll close out against the Czechs back in Regina.

The Division I Tournament, with teams in the lower-rankings will take place starting December 14th, and Road Kill Sports will have up-to-the-day coverage of said event, which takes place in France.

There are only six teams, the Danes, host France, Japan, Slovenia, Ukraine, and the favorite Germans. It is a perfect tune-up for hockey fans excited for the regular tournament, in Canada.

The Kazakh team from last year's tournament in Ottawa was relegated to Division IB, in Poland, while the Division III tournament, five levels below the one in Saskatoon, features teams competing in Turkey. There, it'll be the Turkish team, the Australians, Bulgarians, Iceland, New Zealand, Chinese Taipei and the DPR Korea.

Team Canada may have an interesting lineup, with as many as 9 returning Gold Medalists. A few, including Evander Kane and Tyler Myers are currently in the NHL so the chances of them making the team are very slim, but you never know.

From the host cities of Regina and Saskatoon, last year's hero Jordan Eberle plays for the Pats, and is expected to make the team, while teammate Colten Teubert has had a rough year, after playing on the team last year. Stefan Elliot wasn't at Development Camp, but the Saskatoon Blades D-Man is in the hunt for a position, while Saskatoon, Saskatchewan native Brayden Schenn, a first round LA pick, will likely make the team.

Taylor Hall, Nazem Kadri, potentially Cody Hodgson and Scott Glennie are four others who are close to locks to make the team.

More on this tournament, as the month unfolds...

Launch of Road Kill Sports with 85 days left!

2009-11-19T19:32:00.001-08:00

Road Kill Sports has seen many formats over the years, but fan emails have been consistent - in wanting more IIHF coverage. Your wishes have been granted as we switch to a IIHF ONLY format.

This means World U-20s (this year in Saskatchewan), IIHF World Championships (in April/May of 2010), and the 2010 Winter Olympics, in Vancouver. During the Olympics, expect a twitter account with game by game hockey details live from Canada Hockey Place, for most hockey events.

Stay tuned, because there's no turning back.

85 days until Vancouver 2010, and many more posts to come. No more Giants. Only IIHF.

Seattle Thunderbirds 2 - Vancouver Giants 4

2009-09-23T13:19:00.000-07:00

A night after a brutal Home Opener, the Vancouver Giants looked to gain revenge with their first home victory of the year, hosting Prab Rai and the Seattle Thunderbirds.

Well, things went according to plan, here are the Starting Goalies:

Seattle: Calvin Pickard, 2nd WHL season
Vancouver: Brendan Jensen, 1st WHL game

Sitting out for Vancouver was James Wright, who is still with Tampa Bay, Evander Kane (Atlanta), and Todd Kennedy and Gary Nunn who were injured but in Vancouver.

Lane Scheidl, and Brandon Scholten sat out as healthy scratches.

Jensen was tested not so early and often like was the case Saturday night for Jamie Tucker, as Seattle had only 6 shots in the first period. One of which was a goal, Colin Jacobs' second of the season.

The Giants looked much more like themselves in the second, but not before Jonathan Parker netted a goal at 1:49 of the second to put Jensen in an early hole.

That's when the Giants began to shine, tying the game up before the period was over.

Sebastian Svendsen scored his first WHL goal since being chosen in the CHL import draft, from James Henry and Brendan Gallagher, and Lance Bouma's second of the year was set up by Neil Manning and Kevin Connauton on the PP.

Manning scored the eventual game winner at 1:37 of the 3rd, with Stefan Warg in the box for Seattle, before JT Barnett sealed the deal with his 3rd in 3 games, from Bouma and K-Con.

Giants win, 4-2.

Game Notes:

- Vancouver outshot Seattle 39-24, a stat that is phenomenal considering they were outshot by Everett one night prior.

- Jensen's 22 saves helped him to his first WHL career victory in front of 5517 at Pacific Coliseum.

- Canucks prospect Prab Rai was -2 on the night for Seattle. In fact, the 3 Assistant Captains, and Captain (Lindsay Nielsen) for Seattle were a combined 0 on the +/- stat, with 0 points, and 4 PIMs.

- Kevin Connauton has 4 points in 3 games since joining the WHL from NCAA hockey.

Road Kill Sports Three Stars:

1. Neil Manning, Vancouver: A helper on the game-tying goal, and the eventual game-winner was enough for Manning to be out #1.

2. Lance Bouma, Vancouver: The Captain had a goal and an assist, and was a force to be reckoned with.

3. Brendan Jensen, Vancouver: First WHL game. First WHL win. Nuff said.

Everett Silvertips 4 - Vancouver Giants 2

2009-09-20T12:52:00.000-07:00

Two nights removed from one of the most exciting Opening Nights in Giants history, Vancouver hit the ice at the Pacific Coliseum for the first time since being knocked out of the playoffs last season by the Kelowna Rockets in Game 6.

The Everett Silvertips and new coach Craig Hartsburg were in town, after a disappointing campaign last year.

Starting Goalies:

Everett: Thomas Heemskerk, 4th WHL season (0-0-0-0)

Vancouver: Jamie Tucker, 2nd WHL season (1-0-0-0)

Giants scratches:

Evander Kane (Atlanta Thrashers)
James Wright (Tampa Bay Lightning)
Garry Nunn (Broken Leg)
Todd Kennedy (Injury)
Greg Lamoureux (Healthy)
Zach Hodder (Injury)

After the OT thriller on Thursday night, it didn't take long for Craig Cunningham to make another mark on this club, after the penalty shot winner in Kelowna, as he opened the scoring at 8:11, with a powerplay goal, from Nolan Toigo and Lance Bouma, his second of the year. It was Cunner's 5th point.

Vancouver out-shot Everett 10-9 in the first, but Cunningham's marker was the only highlight of the first frame.

Mike Piluso, a familiar name to Giants fans, wanted to keep the excitement going for the hometown crowd, so he decided to put one past the local boy Heemskerk just over four minutes into the middle stanza, for his first WHL goal since February 8th, and his first goal at the Pacific Coliseum since December 29th.

The Everett Silvertips were probably getting screamed at by the vocal Hartsburg, because Shane Harper netted his first goal since March 13th in Vancouver. 2-1 G-Men.

That was all the scoring for the second, but there was some other highlights for Everett, in the fact that they outshot Vancouver in the second period, 8-6. This was the first time the Tips outshot Vancouver in a period at the Coliseum since the second period of a game on October 20th, 2007.

Radko Gudas, of the Czech Republic was in just his second WHL game last night, but scored 3:18 into the 3rd to tie things up, and again 12 minutes later to give his new club the outright lead. 3-2 Everett.

That's all she wrote, because with Jamie Tucker pulled, Tyler Maxwell netted an empty netter, to seal the deal on the Giants home opener.

Game Notes:

- Shane Harper had a goal and two assists for Everett, and was one of four Silvertips with a +3 or better rating.

- The first fight of the year for Vancouver was between Dillon Scholten and Cameron Abney, for the fact that Abney was chirping at the Giants netminder. With new fighting rules in place, expect to see less fights in the WHL this year.

- This was the second regulation loss in 20+ games that Tucker has appeared in for Vancouver between the pipes.

Road Kill Sports Three Stars:

1. Radko Gudas, Everett: For a d-man in his second WHL game to pick up a pair of goals isn't common, and the fact they were the tying and game-winning goals only makes a stronger case for Gudas to be the #1 star.

2. Shane Harper, Everett: Harper's three points, and +3 rating made him a strong case to be the #1 star.

3. Ryan Murray, Everett: Murray had a +4 rating and an assist, and was a key part of Everett's blueline all night.

Vancouver Giants 6 - Kelowna Rockets 5

2009-09-19T16:39:00.000-07:00

The regular season couldn't have gotten off to a better start for the Vancouver Giants, who opened the new campaign with a OT victory in Kelowna, facing a Rockets club that was celebrating their 2009 WHL championship win.

This game wasn't headlined by the spectacular goaltending that could've been if Kelowna netminder Mark Guggenberger wasn't out injured, but the offensive battles more than made up for it.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vancouver: Jamie Tucker, 2nd WHL season

Kelowna: Adam Brown, 2nd WHL season

In front of the Prospera Place crowd, Stepan Novotny of Czech Republic fame scored the first WHL goal of the year on Jamie Tucker just :57 into the game. Mitchell Callahan and Shane McColgan assisted the marker, which was Novotny's 20th in his two-year WHL career.

Stepan was at it again 10 minutes later, this time with only Callahan picking up a helper. 2-0 Rockets midway through the first.

Highly regarded d-man Kevin Connauton, a pick of the Vancouver Canucks didn't wait long to leave an impression, scoring his first WHL goal on the Powerplay at 19:23, to put his team down one heading into the break.

The G-Men kept piling it on in the 2nd, scoring two quick goals just 4 minutes in, with JT Barnett and Lance Bouma each scoring their first of the season. Barnett's was on the powerplay, and was assisted by Connauton and Craig Cunningham, while Cunningham also assisted Bouma's at even strength.

With two points on the night, Mitchell Callahan tied the game with a goal of his own, this time assisted by Novotny at 5:32, knotting things up at 3.

Stepan Novotny was not done with his three points right there, scoring another one, this time a PP goal at 12:18 of the middle frame from Kyle St Denis and Tyson Barrie. 4-3 Rockets.

Sophomore Barnett of the Giants wanted to add to his goal earlier in the game, scoring the first goal in the 3rd, to tie things up for the second time, with his second of the game from Cunningham and Neil Manning at 3:00 on the PP again.

Barnett could be a threat on the man advantage if he keeps this up, with two goals on the night.

James Henry gave his club the lead with a goal 3 minutes later, from Brendan Gallagher and newcomer Ryan Funk. Vancouver takes the lead in the 3rd.

Novotny, searching for his 5th point, already with a hat-trick, netted one more on Jamie Tucker, scoring his 4th of the game, exactly 20:00 after his 3rd, at 12:18 of the final stanza.

OT, here we come.

Just 1:40 or so in, the G-Men had a rush up ice, and Craig Cunningham was tripped up, resulting in a penalty shot.

He took advantage, and scored for his first goal of the year, and his 4th point of the game. Giants won 6-5.

Game Notes:

- JT Barnett had a career night, more than doubling his career marks in goals (1 heading into the game, 3 at game's end), and he took part in his first career fight. The soph from Arizona will look for everyday minutes this year, as he is a 17-year old.

- This was Craig Cunningham's first time getting more than two points in a single game, picking up a goal and 3 assists on the road.

- Stepan Novotny's first multi-goal WHL game came in his second season, in the first game, with four on the night.

Road Kill Sports Three Stars:

1. Craig Cunningham, Vancouver Giants: Ritchie was a force on the ice, even if two of his four points were on the PP, and the goal came on a penalty shot in OT. Look for great things from the player who attended Rangers camp this fall.

2. Stepan Novotny, Kelowna Rockets: If this had gone to a shootout, Novotny would've been our first star hands down, but Cunningham did too much for Vancouver in this one. Four goals and one assist may be the best mark in the WHL all season to come.

3. JT Barnett, Vancouver Giants: Barnett's two goals really made the difference for Vancouver on the powerplay, and it was, like I said, a career night for the winger.

September 17th: Vancouver Giants at Kelowna Rockets preview

2009-09-17T18:06:00.000-07:00

As the puck is now just an hour or so away from dropping on the 2009-2010 WHL season, the Vancouver Giants are on the road in Kelowna to take on the defending WHL champion Kelowna Rockets.

Jamie Tucker is expected to start for Vancouver in net, facing off against Mark Guggenberger's Rockets, who will celebrate last year's achievements before the game.

Rocket to watch: Colin Long is coming off of a 91-point performance last season, almost as good as the 100 points he collected two seasons ago. Long is an Overager who will look to guide Kelowna to victory on Opening Night.

Giant to watch: Jamie Tucker takes over for Tyson Sexsmith who manned the pipes for many a season in Vancouver, before heading to the San Jose system this offseason. Tucker has some big shoes to fill, but he was 18-1-0-1 last year, so never fear. Tucker has 3 more years of eligibility and tonight kicks off his tenure as the starting netminder.

Prediction: Giants by 3.

2009 Vancouver Giants Season Preview

2009-09-17T17:31:00.000-07:00

No more other commitments, it's Vancouver Giants/Abbotsford Heat only on this blog this year, plus the usual International Hockey pieces. I mean it, 100% hockey on blogs, so this is it and I'm excited to be back.

The Vancouver Giants kick off their 2009 season tonight on the road against the defending WHL champion Kelowna Rockets, who abruptly ended Vancouver's campaign last year in Game 6, when Mikael Backlund lead his Rockets to a comeback victory.

Backlund is gone (to the Abbotsford Heat no less), but the Rockets are still mostly in tact, with a lineup that will make tonight's tilt interesting.

Vancouver has lost their starting goalie, two defencemen and the number of forwards missing is yet to be determined.

Tyson Sexsmith is off to the Sharks system, Brent Regner to Columbus, Jon Blum to Nashville, and Evander Kane will probably crack the Atlanta Thrashers roster. What remains to be seen is if James Wright will head elsewhere this year, as the 19 year old can either go to the Lightnings where he is now, or come back to BC. My vote's on Vancouver.

On the back end, Nolan Toigo returns just days after being cut from the Vancouver Canucks, and returning is also Neil Manning who has been plagued with injuries in his two Giants seasons. Manning will man the point this year, and is expected to have a major impact.

20-year-olds Ryan Funk and Toigo are the only Overagers on the D, but up front Overager Garry Nunn is out for 6-8 weeks with a broken leg. Vancouver could bring in an extra overager but who knows as of yet.

The roster was not officially announced so there are still some question marks, but Funk, Kevin Connauton of Vancouver Canucks draftee fame, Manning, Toigo, Mitch Spooner and Dillon Scholten seem like locks for 6 spots. The others could go to Lane Scheidl or Luke Fenske, or even David Musil.

Forwards returning are Lance Bouma (Calgary), Brendan Gallagher, Todd Kennedy (out for a month), Craig Cunningham (NYR), Mike Piluso, JT Barnett, Nunn, James Henry, Import Andrej Kudrna and James Wright potentially. Out of the 7 in Kelowna tonight, there are still 5 spots that remain, and they could go to Brandon Scholten, Mikael Jung and Sebastian Svendsen who is a lock being the only other European. Greg Lamoureux who is 17, and Nathan Burns, a 16 year old will also see time this year.

In net, Jamie Tucker will man the ship, after being a key part to the G-Men last year, with Brendan Jensen, a 17 year old, serving as his backup.

This year will be interesting with all the young talent on the Giants, but whether Evander Kane returns or not will play a large role in the team's success.

Germany clinches 2010 Olympic hockey berth

2009-02-07T22:53:00.000-08:00

The 2010 Men's Hockey Qualification for the Vancouver Olympics is underway, and nearly complete, as one club has already punched their ticket to Vancouver, although it is in the toughest group.

The Germans have clinched Group E in Hanover, Germany, after defeating Austria 2-1 today.

Had the Austrians beaten Slovenia in Regulation and not Overtime, it would've been a competition until the fat lady sung on Sunday, but instead the 2-1 Germany victory over Michael Grabner and the Austrians has Germany in a group with the USA, Canada and the Swiss come 2010. Yikes, that'll be a competitive group.

Austria will likely finish 2nd, with Japan in 3rd and Slovenia in last, after Japan defeated Slovenia 5-4 Saturday in the early game.

Group F isn't over quite yet, but it's close, with Latvia needing just a point to move on. Latvia is 2-0 with 6 points (a win in regulation gives you 3 points, 2 if it's in OT and one if you lose in Overtime), while Ukraine has 3 points, Hungary with 0 and Italy with 3 as well. If Italy defeats Latvia Sunday, Italy makes Vancouver, but if Latvia brings the game into OT, they're headed to North America, in a group with Slovakia, the Czechs and the Russians.

Go Latvia (they've so far defeated Ukraine 4-2 and Hungary 7-3).

A group that won't be decided until around 11 AM Pacific on Sunday is Group G that features a 1-2 race between Norway and Denmark.

Norway has picked up 6 points thanks to wins against Kazakhstan and France, while Denmark lost to the French in Overtime, and beat Kazakhstan 3-2 to stay alive in their group.

France was knocked out, but had they scored and tied the game against Norway, they'd be all but out playing Kazakhstan the next day, who have a winless record.

Norway and Denmark play at 5:00 local time, around 8 AM Pacific, winner moving onto Vancouver, well sort of. Denmark has 4 points, Norway 6. If Norway wins congrats they've made it into Group C with Sweden, Finland and Belarus, but if Denmark wins in Regulation, they're headed West.

It should be an interesting day in Europe, to say the least.

Shane Keough: His 'legacy' continues

2009-02-06T21:02:00.001-08:00

Remember in 2007 when a filming crew came to Nat Bailey Stadium, just minutes before the game if I remember correctly, asking if they can film OF Shane Keough, for "The Real Housewives of Orange County", a reality show starring his mom, among other women in Orange County.

Keough had already brought a lot of attention to himself, with tons of gorgeous girls following him around on road-trips, and getting more applause when he went up to bat than Corey Brown and Sean Doolittle.

Shane went on to hit .214 for Vancouver in 54 games, not bad considering his home park was Nat Bailey Stadium.

This year, things went sour for Shane near June. After opening the year with a .286 April and .301 month of May, things were looking bright for the young prospect, before four straight months of below .250 baseball brought his average to a respectable .244. In the last four months, he had one RBI more than he did in May alone, and struck out 67 times between June and September.

At The Nat, Shane seemed like a good kid, he handled the media pressure well, but there was one thing that irked how people thought of him this week, and I can tell you he won’t last long under the media spotlight if he continues to act like he did on the most recent ‘Housewives’ episode.

This is all, of course, after last winter he told the show (which aired this) that he played for Kane County, months before Spring Training, prompting the Cougars to send out a message saying they’ll keep their fans informed on this ‘breaking news story’, and many fans of the show bought Season Tickets just to have a chance to see the young Keough play baseball. Good business move, none-the-less.

A week Wednesday (13 days) I can see for myself, but after seeing comments posted here (some of which I even deleted), saying how arrogant he was to his mother on her trip to see him play, but like I said it aires in Canada next Wednesday (6:00 PM, Slice TV) and I’m interested to see what he actually does.

If Keough can handle himself well, he’ll do fine, and like I said nothing against him personally, because I’m sure he’s a great guy, but Shane, you’re a reality ’star’, everyone’s watching.

By the way, Nat Bailey Stadium and Pitching Coach Extraordinaire Jimmy Escalante were featured when the TV crew came to the Nat, and it’s always fun seeing yourself on TV after (crowd shots were numerous).

EDIT: Found a clip from the show, I’m thinking this is what everyone was talking about, although there’s probably more to it. Click on the link for yourself to see: Shane Keough video.

The Clip can be seen in Canada, on February 11th

2009 Vancouver Canadians Schedule

2009-01-26T21:01:00.000-08:00

The Vancouver Canadians have now officially announced their ‘09 schedule, and includes road games, and times for each of the 76 games they’ll play.

From Rob Fai:

(Nat Bailey Stadium – Vancouver, BC) – The Vancouver Canadians have released their home schedule for the upcoming 2009 Northwest League season. The C’s will open up their 10th season as the Oakland Athletics NWL Affiliate on Saturday, June 20th as they host the Everett Aquasox starting at 7:05pm.

“It is always nice in the middle of winter to be able to release our home schedule, reminding fans that baseball and summer are right around the corner. We are proud to be able to give our fans of all ages another great season of Canadians baseball out at Nat Bailey Stadium”, says Owner Jake Kerr.

Vancouver will play 38 home dates over the course of the season with twelve (12) of those dates set for 1:05pm starts. Six (6) Sunday day games are scheduled in 2009, and Six (6) weekday ‘Nooners’ will keep the local baseball tradition alive.

The Canadians will once again be home for Canada Day (Wednesday, July 1st) as they host the defending NWL West Division Champion Salem-Keizer Volcanoes.

Ticket information for the 2009 season is available right now by visiting www.canadiansbaseball.com or by calling the Nat Bailey Stadium Ticket Office at 604.872.5232.

And now for the schedule itself:

Saturday,
June 20 vs.
Everett Aquasox 7:05pm Nat
Bailey Stadium
Sunday,
June 21 vs.
Everett Aquasox 1:05pm Nat
Bailey Stadium
Monday,
June 22 vs.
Everett Aquasox 7:05pm Nat
Bailey Stadium

Tuesday,
June 23 at
Tri-City Dust Devils 7:15pm Gesa
Stadium
Wednesday,
June 24 at
Tri-City Dust Devils 7:15pm Gesa
Stadium
Thursday,
June 25 at
Tri-City Dust Devils 7:15pm Gesa
Stadium
Friday, June
26 at
Tri-City Dust Devils 7:15pm Gesa
Stadium
Saturday,
June 27 at
Tri-City Dust Devils 7:15pm Gesa
Stadium

Sunday,
June 28 vs.
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 7:05pm Nat
Bailey Stadium
Monday,
June 29 vs.
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 7:05pm Nat
Bailey Stadium
Tuesday,
June 30 vs.
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 7:05pm Nat
Bailey Stadium

Wednesday,
July 1 vs.
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 1:05pm Nat
Bailey Stadium
Thursday,
July 2 vs.
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 7:05pm Nat
Bailey Stadium
Friday,
July 3 vs.
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 1:05pm Nat
Bailey Stadium

Saturday,
July 4 at
Spokane Indians 6:30pm Avista
Stadium
Sunday, July
5 at
Spokane Indians 6:30pm Avista
Stadium
Monday, July
6 at
Spokane Indians 6:30pm Avista
Stadium
Tuesday,
July 7 at
Spokane Indians 6:30pm Avista
Stadium
Wednesday,
July 8 at
Spokane Indians 6:30pm Avista
Stadium

Friday,
July 10 vs.
Boise Hawks 7:05pm Nat
Bailey Stadium
Saturday,
July 11 vs.
Boise Hawks 7:05pm Nat
Bailey Stadium
Sunday,
July 12 vs.
Boise Hawks 1:05pm Nat
Bailey Stadium
Monday,
July 13 vs.
Boise Hawks 7:05pm Nat
Bailey Stadium
Tuesday,
July 14 vs.
Boise Hawks 1:05pm Nat
Bailey Stadium

Wednesday,
July 15 at
Everett Aquasox 7:05pm Memorial
Stadium
Thursday,
July 16 at
Everett Aquasox 7:05pm Memorial
Stadium
Friday, July
17 at
Everett Aquasox 7:05pm Memorial
Stadium

Saturday,
July 18 at
Yakima Bears 7:05pm County
Stadium
Sunday, July
19 at
Yakima Bears 5:35pm County
Stadium
Monday, July
20 at
Yakima Bears 7:05pm County
Stadium
Tuesday,
July 21 at
Yakima Bears 7:05pm County
Stadium
Wednesday,
July 22 at
Yakima Bears 7:05pm County
Stadium

Thursday,
July 23 vs.
Spokane Indians 7:05pm Nat
Bailey Stadium
Friday,
July 24 vs.
Spokane Indians 7:05pm Nat
Bailey Stadium
Saturday,
July 25 vs.
Spokane Indians 7:05pm Nat
Bailey Stadium
Sunday,
July 26 vs.
Spokane Indians 1:05pm Nat
Bailey Stadium
Monday,
July 27 vs.
Spokane Indians 7:05pm Nat
Bailey Stadium

Wednesday,
July 29 at
Boise Hawks 7:15pm Memorial
Stadium
Thursday,
July 30 at
Boise Hawks 7:15pm Memorial
Stadium
Friday, July
31 at
Boise Hawks 7:15pm Memorial
Stadium
Saturday,
August 1 at
Boise Hawks 7:15pm Memorial
Stadium
Sunday,
August 2 at
Boise Hawks 1:15pm Memorial
Stadium

Monday,
August 3 vs.
Yakima Bears 7:05pm Nat
Bailey Stadium
Tuesday,
August 4 vs.
Yakima Bears 7:05pm Nat
Bailey Stadium
Wednesday,
August 5 vs.
Yakima Bears 7:05pm Nat
Bailey Stadium
Thursday,
August 6 vs.
Yakima Bears 7:05pm Nat
Bailey Stadium
Friday,
August 7 vs.
Yakima Bears 1:05pm Nat
Bailey Stadium

Saturday,
August 8 at
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 5:05pm Volcanoes
Stadium
Sunday,
August 9 at
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 5:05pm Volcanoes
Stadium
Monday,
August 10 at
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 6:35pm Volcanoes
Stadium

Tuesday,
August 11 vs.
Eugene Emeralds 7:05pm Nat
Bailey Stadium
Wednesday,
August 12 vs. Eugene
Emeralds 7:05pm Nat
Bailey Stadium
Thursday,
August 13 vs.
Eugene Emeralds 1:05pm Nat
Bailey Stadium

Friday,
August 14 vs.
Tri-City Dust Devils 7:05pm Nat
Bailey Stadium
Saturday,
August 15 vs.
Tri-City Dust Devils 7:05pm Nat
Bailey Stadium
Sunday,
August 16 vs.
Tri-City Dust Devils 1:05pm Nat
Bailey Stadium
Monday,
August 17 vs.
Tri-City Dust Devils 7:05pm Nat
Bailey Stadium
Tuesday,
August 18 vs.
Tri-City Dust Devils 1:05pm Nat
Bailey Stadium

Thursday,
August 20 at
Eugene Emeralds 7:05pm Civic
Stadium
Friday,
August 21 at
Eugene Emeralds 7:05pm Civic
Stadium
Saturday,
August 22 at
Eugene Emeralds 7:05pm Civic
Stadium

Sunday,
August 23 at
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 5:05pm Volcanoes
Stadium
Monday,
August 24 at
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 6:35pm Volcanoes
Stadium
Tuesday,
August 25 at
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 6:35pm Volcanoes
Stadium

Wednesday,
August 26 at Eugene
Emeralds 7:05pm Civic
Stadium
Thursday,
August 27 at
Eugene Emeralds 7:05pm Civic
Stadium
Friday,
August 28 at
Eugene Emeralds 7:05pm Civic
Stadium

Saturday,
August 29 vs.
Eugene Emeralds 7:05pm Nat
Bailey Stadium
Sunday,
August 30 vs.
Eugene Emeralds 1:05pm Nat
Bailey Stadium
Monday,
August 31 vs.
Eugene Emeralds 7:05pm Nat
Bailey Stadium

Tuesday,
September 1 at
Everett Aquasox 7:05pm Memorial
Stadium
Wednesday,
September 2 at Everett Aquasox 7:05pm Memorial
Stadium
Thursday,
September 3 at Everett
Aquasox 7:05pm Memorial
Stadium

Friday,
September 4 vs.
Everett Aquasox 7:05pm Nat
Bailey Stadium
Saturday,
September 5 vs. Everett
Aquasox 7:05pm Nat
Bailey Stadium
Sunday,
September 6 vs.
Everett Aquasox 1:05pm Nat
Bailey Stadium

BOLD denotes home games played at Nat
Bailey Stadium

It should be a great summer, out at the Nat.

Nat Notes goes Rapid Fire with Rob Fai

2009-01-18T21:00:00.000-08:00

I had two interviews with C’s media guru Rob Fai from a couple of months ago - part one can be read here, but I’ve been holding onto part two, for the Winter months. The first installment talked about the ‘08 Canadians, while this edition of Rapid Fire (the first ever on Nat Notes) is quick questions that regard to Fai’s career in baseball, and more.

Let me present, Rapid Fire with Rob Fai.

Jeremy Knight: Favourite Baseball movie?
Rob Fai: Natural, The Rookie and/or Ken Burns Baseball

JK: Favourite MLB team?

RF: Whatever team my pal Ryan Dempster plays for. I am a Cubs fan, as well as a Jays fan.

JK: What’s the one MLB Stadium you’d like to visit, and watch a baseball game at?

RF: Dodger Stadium with a walkman to hear Vin call the game.

JK: Go-to-pitch in College?

RF: Two-Seam Fastball

JK: Most memorable teammate from the NBI or Team Canada?

RF: Ben Gasorowski (Pitcher) with the NBI. He was a former Whalley Chief and one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met.

JK: If I wasn’t in Broadcasting I’d be…

RF: A Sandwich Artist (left)

JK: Favourite phrase to use during a broadcast?

RF: ‘Big Boy’

JK: A baseball memory I’ll never forget is…

RF: Gosh, a rapid fire answer to this? One of my favourite memories was playing amateur baseball in Agincourt (suburb of Toronto) alongside my friend and former Canuck, Oiler, Capital, Blue Jacket, Ranger and King, Anson Carter. We had so many great times together, that was when baseball was great. Just a bunch of kids who had their parents drive them to the game, never had shoulder pain, bad knees, wonky foots, nothing. It was all about getting dirty, making the big play or two and laughing.

I wish I could bottle up the feeling of being a kid who played baseball. I would sleep in my uniform the night before a big game. I have loved this game so very much, and am charmed I still get to sit on the edge of it, swirl my feet around in it and feel as close to it as I did 20 years ago.

JK: Toronto Maple Leafs or Vancouver Canucks?

RF: Can I take the 5th on this one? They are both light years away from the Stanley Cup. It’s like which is worse, a headache or a migraine. Either one hurts to think of.

JK: What’s your favourite: ‘Nooner’ or a night time game?

RF: Nooner. Some call Nat Bailey Stadium ‘Wrigley North’. I love watching the fans suntan, enjoy a cold drink and wave their shirts around when the C’s score a big run.

JK: Favourite meal from the Nat Bailey concession?

RF: Hm, probably our Bratwurst with a big ol’ glob of mustard.

JK: The one broadcaster I’d love to meet someday is…

RF: Vin Scully, no one comes even remotely close. No one.

JK: Funniest thing you’ve ever seen in, or at a baseball game?

RF: Gosh, I actually remember while playing baseball back in Toronto with Leaside, we were in some huge amateur tournament in Sarnia, Ontario. It was the Championship Game of a 64-team tourney against a touring team from Puerto Rico. It was a super close game, and and I had been warming up in the bullpen as I was Leaside’s closer. I saw our manager go out to the mound to chat with our pitcher who was struggling.

I could’ve sworn he pointed to the bullpen - which of course is the gesture you make to make the change. So I drop my warm-up ball and sprint into the game. I was flying in with the adrenalin of a prize fighter, and then I get to the mound and my manager looks at me and says, "What the hell are you doing here?" I had to do the walk of shame back to the dugout with him to a large ovation from about 1,000 fans and my teammates who by that point in the season expected nothing less.

It took the edge off the moment, and two batters later I got to come into the game, for real.

Thanks again to Rob, and be sure to check out Canadiansbaseball.com, where you can read what award the C’s picked up from the Team 1040 for 2008.

Interview with South African RHP Barry Armitage

2009-01-12T21:00:00.000-08:00

Over the last couple years, I’ve been very fortunate to have writing for Nat Notes as a ‘past time’. Because of this, I have been lucky enough to interview MLB greats (Tim Raines), MLB prospects (Corey Brown, Jeremy Barfield and Lance Sewell, left, to name a few), and great broadcasters, such as C’s PBP man Rob Fai, whose interview from last year remains the best - in my opinion - I’ve ever had.

But there’s always been a different aspect of the game I’ve always been interested in - that from Overseas. I remember a couple years ago there was a Russian playing for the Everett Aquasox, and I thought that was odd there would be someone from over the Atlantic playing a North American game.

Then, just days before the first World Baseball Classic, Rick Magnante was announced as Vancouver Canadians field manager, at the same time as he was managing a different squad - that of South Africa (Magnante is from California by the way).

While I don’t remember much from that WBC - I remember two events: South Africa narrowly losing to Canada, and the Canadians beating the Americans.

What happened between Canada and South Africa? The RSA bunch was up by a run before the 9th inning, when Canada rallied for 4 runs in the top half to take the game 11-8. At the time, I was wondering how the hell this team from Africa could come close to beating Canada - but over the last couple years I’ve realized they’re not just ‘a team from Africa’, they’re the South African Baseball Team - who have produced maybe half-a-dozen minor league ball players in the last 10 years.

After seeing Rick Magnante guide our Vancouver Canadians for three seasons - as he approaches a fourth, it doesn’t surprise me, how South Africa almost beat Canada, and now I expect them to do some damage at the next WBC.

I talked with RHP Barry Armitage (top left), the first South African to play in an MLB Exhibition game, on the weekend, to get his thoughts on his team’s chances in March, and beyond.

Jeremy Knight: Your story is one that might not be the top story on ESPN, but it’s pretty remarkable on how you were discovered. Want to explain?

Barry Armitage: Oh, that question has been asked several times throughout my career, and it always brings back a, well very special memory. I remember that day like it was yesterday! The funny thing is, I was so close to not making the tryout. The Royals were having a tryout, and actually I wasn’t even aware of it until a good friend and then teammate called me at work.
He was talking to the Royals scouts (Alaird Baird and Louis Silverio) about me, as I had just happened to have a really good game the weekend prior. They said I should come down and try out!

When my buddy called me, he told me to come try out, and I told him I couldn’t get off work. He showed up at my work (a sports store) 5 minutes later, and made me go.

The rest, well that’s history.

But that day changed my life, I will never forget it. Every little detail…it was incredible. It still seams unreal to me! Words cannot describe what an amazing day that was in my life, It takes my breath away and pretty much brings a tear to my eye.

I’ll never forget how proud my Mom and Step Father looked when we signed the contract, it was truly amazing!

JK: How was the transition after the tryout, to playing in North American parks, against guys who have been playing since they were little kids, with training you maybe didn’t have access to in South Africa?

BA: I’ll never forget my first day on the field. I was there and they were doing PFP’s - which of course was German to me, I had no clue. They said when it was my turn, they’d kinda explain. I was the only pitcher on the field wearing a wristband/sweatband on my arm. Before I even ran onto the field the manager was like, "Hey kid, take that off!" And that was my introduction, haha.

But other than that, I adapted fairly well, I had to convince myself that I deserved to be there, that was the hardest part. Once I got on the mound, well that will always be the place where I’m most comfortable (other than sleeping, haha), I was okay. Everyone there made me feel so welcome as well, so the transition really wasn’t too bad.

JK: In Canada, with hockey being the big attraction, most kids dream of ‘dawning the Maple Leaf’ on the crest of their jersey. When you put the RSA jersey on for the first time, were there goosebumps?

BA: No doubt. I remember I was really young. The first time I played on the National team, I was 17, and the rest of the team was filled with guys that were my idols growing up. It too will be a moment I will never forget. The greatest memories come from the moments you least expect!

JK: Being 17, was there also the intimidation factor, playing with guys who, like you said, were your idols?

BA: It was all very much overwhelming for me. When I was young I could throw harder than most people, but the control aspect was still very new. I also didn’t have a consistent second or third pitch. I really didn’t have many highlights before I made the National team, but South Africans have an amazing ability to show confidence in one another. As intimidated as I was, my teammates, my idols, were very quick to show their support and make me feel like I ‘belonged’.

JK: Other than the two obvious ones - Rugby and Cricket - and then of course Baseball, what were athletics like growing up in a country where politics were a big part of the picture?

BA: Growing up, I think I was more fortunate that politics and ‘apartheid’ weren’t so much of an issue. I went to schools that had both blacks and whites and we participated in sports together. The only unfortunate thing was really, was that Baseball was never given much respect as the other major sports!

JK: Was it eye-opening to see that across the world - in North America especially - that Baseball is such a phenomenon for some people?

BA: It was kinda hard to grasp, actually. I kinda treated it (Baseball) as a hobby, but it was something I cared for very deeply. It was strange to see on TV, the superstars making millions of dollars playing a sport, which was, well, just fun!. I think even after I signed, I didn’t realize it was possible to play in pro ball.

I think the last World Baseball Classic opened the eyes of many South Africans. So many people were able to watch the games live back in South Africa, almost beating your Canadians in the first game, well that showed every South African that watched, that we are on the map, and that we can compete!

JK: When you got word you were going to suit up for an MLB Exhibition game (His Royals against Roger Clemens and the Houston Astros), what immediately went through your head?

BA: [Laughs] Good one. The first thing, was probably "Holy Crap I need to call my mom," but it could’ve been, "Shit, I need to get a Sportscoat," or a Blazer as we call it back home.

JK: So it wasn’t, "How much beer can I buy if I make the team?"

BA: [Laughs] No not at all. It was the most amazing experience of my life. I wrote everyone that I knew an email of the entire thing. I wish I had a copy still. Apparently it was posted on the wall at the fields where I used to play in Durban, South Africa, as inspiration. Those 3 days made it all worth it, and I wouldn’t trade a thing for them.

JK: You already mentioned almost beating the Canadians - and I can’t say I was necessarily cheering for you guys at the time - but was lining up against Ken Griffey Jr, Derek Lee, Roger Clemens, the guys that will one day be in the hall-of-fame, was that an experience you can’t describe? Especially since you faced Clemens in that exhibition game the year before?

BA: You know, it’s bittersweet. It turns out I was injured at the time of the last classic. Make no mistake, I still gave it everything I have, and wow what a lineup the US had. I still remember, as a pitcher you were taught to play the match-ups - you know right vs right etc. So I laughed when a lefty came up to bat, probably Chipper Jones and I looked on deck and thought, Geez can someone give me a break? [Laughs] Injured or not, it was an awesome experience, and I am just a little upset they’re not in our group this time around, for redemption. All in all though, I’m 1-1 vs Clemens, who has always been my pitching idol.

JK: So did Roger get injected with steroids or not?

BA: There’s a lot of controversy in that one. I believe he is a fantastic player, one of the best all-time. And I will always be a huge fan!

JK: The WBC switched to a different format in 2009. What could that mean to South Africa, having to face Cuba in a matchup that could spell trouble for you guys, if you lose?

BA: Cuba are known as a powerhouse. But I think our pitching is different to what they’re used to. I think we have a good shot. Baseball is a funny game, anything can happen on the day and I believe this time around, the group is in our favour.

JK: The toughest batter I have ever faced is…

BA: Wow, that’s a good one. Most hitters are ones that take advantage of pitchers mistakes. In that case, guess I gotta say Griffey Jr [Laughs] (Ken Griffey Jr went long off of Armitage at the WBC, with such superstars as Derek Jeter on base for the 3-run blast)

JK: I wouldn’t be able to post this if I didn’t ask you about one of the reasons I still have this gig. How has Rick Magnante transformed the South African baseball program?

BA: I gotta tell ya, I admire his persistence. He has been there since a few months before the last World Baseball Classic. I can’t begin to imagine how difficult it is building a team, when you don’t live in the same hemisphere, never mind the country. He has brought a level of professionalism and helped players understand it with an amazing ability. He really has been a breath of fresh air to South African baseball, and he does so much to help the team grow!

JK: What would be your best advice for a young baseball player, South African or otherwise?

BA: Hm, my best advice would be ‘never give up’. If you love your sport, never give up. I know that’s cliche’d, but when I was young, I was very, I mean very bad. I could throw hard, but walked more players than I got out, and I felt terrible for my catcher - man he got abused. But I loved baseball, and every week I was the first one there. It paid off, I got better.

Thanks again to Barry, and keep checking back on Nat Notes for coverage on the C’s, the A’s, and the RSA’s.

World Juniors: December 30th recap

2009-01-01T13:46:00.000-08:00

With only two days remaining on the World Junior slate for Round-Robin play, eight of ten teams were in action on Tuesday, vying for spots in the Quarterfinals - or in some instances - the Semis.

Game 13, Russia vs Slovakia:

Russia and Slovakia has never developed into a huge rivalry since Czechoslovakia was split into two nations, but a blowout wasn't fully expected on Tuesday, which had Zdenko Kotvan making his first start for Slovakia, while Vadim Zhelobnyuk replaced Danila Alistratov in net for Russia.

Nikita Filatov has been one of - if not the top Russian forward at this tournament, and the Columbus prospect didn't disappoint against Slovakia, opening the scoring at 2:12, for his 3rd goal of the tournament. 1-0 Russians.

Adam Bezak didn't waste too much time tying things up, as his first of the tournament found netting behind Zhelobnyuk, from Milan Kytnar. 1-1 in the 1st.

One thing the Russians didn't want, was to be down, or tied heading into intermission, because it'd keep the Slovaks in the hockey game. With the game tied at one a piece, Maxim Goncharov made sure that didn't happen, scoring his 2nd of the tournament on the PP. 2-1 Russians after one.

Goncharov wasn't done yet, scoring another goal 1:05 into the 2nd, before Filatov's second of the game was scored 3 minutes later, on the Powerplay. Suddenly, the scoreboard read 4-1 in favour of Russia.

Four minutes later, it was Igor Golovkov celebrating a goal, his first of the tournament made the score read 5-1.

Filatov added another in the period for the Hat Trick, again a PP goal, and it was 6-1 after the middle frame.

Sergei Andronov and Sergei Korostin each scored minutes apart in the 3rd, widening the score to 8-1, which was the final.

GAME NOTES:

- Zhelobnyuk's first action of the tournament was full of good Slovakian chances, but he held them to a goal on 27 shots.

- Zdenko Kotvan didn't have as much success, and was pulled after Russia's 5th goal in the 2nd. Jaroslav Janus replaced him, and Janus gave up 3 goals on 11 shots.

- Maxim Goncharov had two goals for Russia, on 4 shots, while Sergei Andronov had a goal and 3 assists.

- Nikita Filatov had 4 points, 3 goals and a helper, and fired off 5 shots.

- Maxim Chudinov had 4 assists, but couldn't get away a shot.

- Alex Komaristy (2), Alexei Potapov (1), Evgeni Grachev (1), Vyacheslav Voinov (2) and Nikita Klyukin (1) had the rest of the Russian assists.

- Adam Bezak had the lone Slovakian goal, and Milan Kytnar had the single assist for his club. Juraj Valach, once a Vancouver Giant now playing in Europe, was -2.

Game 14, Czech Republic vs Germany:

In a game that would likely decide who would take the final Quarterfinal spot in Group A, the Czechs and Germans faced off at Scotiabank Place, both hoping for a clutch victory.

Timo Pielmeier started for Germany, while Dominik Furch got the nod for the Czechs.

If I were a betting man, I would've put my money on Germany who had strong showings against both the USA and Canada, but the Czechs were a goal away from tying the Americans, however Germany's netminders had been spectacular before this game, so as I said, I would've gone with Germany. Boy was I wrong.

The Czechs scored two PP goals in the first, one from David Stich and the other courtesy of Zdenek Okal. 2-0 after one.

Ondrej Roman scored his second of the tournament, and collected his second point of the night at 15:58 of the middle frame, from Jan Kana on an even-strength marker, his club's first of the game.

3-0 after two.

Now, Germany was penalized 5 times after two periods, and the Czechs only once. This would prove costly in the game.

In the 3rd, Tomas Knotek notched his first of the tournament past Pielmeier, for his club's 4th of the game. 4-0.

Radko Gudas wanted to get in on the action, so the defenceman scored his first of the tournament to make things 5-0.

Obviously the Czechs were pulling away, but Ondrej Roman put insult to injury, scoring his second goal in as many periods, 6-0 Czech Republic was your final.

GAME NOTES:

- Timo Pielmeier who had been near spectacular heading into the game, let in 6 goals on 53 shots, that's still pretty impressive numbers.

- His counterpart Furch, stopped all 18 shots that came his way.

- Three Czech D-Men had goals, while Ondrej Roman had a pair, and Zdenek Okal had the other one.

- Jan Kana, Milan Doczy and Tomas Kundratek each had two assists.

- Kana and Roman had 7 shots a piece, while Vladimir Ruzicka, Jan Piskacek, Roman Szturc and Tomas Kubalik were the only players on the winning side without a shot.

- Steven Rupprich had 12 PIM, and collected 5 shots, more than doubling five other players who had two shots.

Game 15, Finland vs Latvia:

Latvian fans have always come out in good numbers for this tournament, but have never had a great team to cheer for. This year fans were obviously hoping for a good result, but heading into this one, they were still winless.

They put their usual goaltender Nauris Enkuzens to face Juha Metsola of Finland, who had been the backup to this point.

Things didn't get off to a great start for Latvia, with Edgars Lipsbergs picking up a Tripping penalty 39 seconds into the hockey game.

It'd prove costly as just under a minute and a half later, Tomi Sallinen scored his first of the tournament, from Teemu Hartikainen and Jesse Jyrkkio. 1-0 Finland.

Nestori Lahde would add a goal of his own, from Niclas Lucenius and Antti Roppo, making the score 2-0.

Things would get interesting when Roppo took down Janis Straupe, and the Canadian referees awarded Straupe with a penalty shot. He missed, and things didn't bite Finland in the behind.

2-0 for the Finnish Faithful after one.

Mikael Granlund, who hasn't blossomed offensively in the tournament, scored his first two goals in Ottawa early on in the second, doubling the score, on a 2-man advantage PP, and another on a shot taken with 5 on 5 being the situation. 4-0 for Finland.

Roppo would add a goal to go along with his earlier assist, to extend the lead to 5 goals, at 10:34.

Roberts Jekimovs tried to make things interesting on a 5-3 chance for Latvia, scoring on a goal set-up by Janis Straupe, to lower the deficit to 4 goals.

That's as close as they'd get, however, with Finland coming on top 5-1.

GAME NOTES:

- Latvia's Enkuzens stopped 51 of 56 shots, a great stat if I do say so myself, but it's too bad his team couldn't muster up any offence.

- Juha Metsola blocked 17 of the 18 Latvian firearms, through 60 minutes of play.

- Jesse Jyrkkio and Teemu Hartikainen both had two assists, while Mikael Granlund had a pair of goals.

- Of Finland's 56 shots, Tomi Sallinen (a goal), Toni Rajala (no points), Mikael Granlund (two goals) and Jyri Niemi (no points) all had at least 7 shots. Sallinen, Rajala and Granlund all had 8 each. Combined, they accounted for 31 of 56 shots.

- Roberts Jekimovs had a goal and a team-high 6 shots, and Aldis Pizans had 5 shots as well, but those 11 of 18 couldn't lead their team to more than a goal against Finland.

Game 16, USA vs Kazakhstan:

After a 16-0 thrashing to Canada, Kazakhstan must not have expected to win this one, but making it close against the Americans would've at least been nice.

I'll hand this to them - they didn't allow a goal until 16:26 of the first period. That's really damn impressive.

It was the USA's Ian Cole who opened the scoring, from Kevin Shattenkirk and Jordan Schroeder on the Powerplay, before Aaron Palushaj scored 41 seconds later to open the gap to 2 goals. Matt Rust and Mike Hoeffel had assists on his first goal of the tournament.

Drayson Bowman scored his third goal for Team USA from Fairchild and O'Brien at 18:59, leaving the score at 3-0 after one.

Colin Wilson scored two goals off the bat, 19 seconds apart, for his 2nd and 3rd goals of the tournament, from James van Riemsdyk (twice), and Ian Cole and Jordan Schroeder each once, at 0:52 and 1:11 respectively. 5-0.

van Riemsdyk scored his 4th of the tourny from Shattenkirk and Cole 4 minutes later, on a Powerplay opportunity.

Danny Kristo scored a goal set up by Ryan McDonagh, less than 120 seconds after van Riemsdyk's goal, 7-0 now.

Aaron Palushaj's second of the game made things an 8-goal game, his was assisted by Fairchild and Blake Kessel.

Mike Hoeffel scored his first goal 10 minutes into the 3rd on a two-man advantage, and Jimmy Hayes made it a double-digit game with his first of the tourny from O'Brien and Shattenkirk.

Palushaj assisted Mitch Wahl's first for the US, and Matt Rust (who now has two goals within the last 5 seconds of the hockey game), scored with 5 seconds left from Palushaj and Eric Tangradi for his 3rd of the World Juniors. 12-0 was the score, as the USA shot 61 times, compared to Kazakhstan's 10.

GAME NOTES:

- Palushaj had two goals and two assists on 8 shots, while Colin Wilson had a pair of goals as well.

- Matt Rust and Mike Hoeffel each had a goal and an assist, compared to James van Riemsdyk and Ian Cole who had a goal and two assists.

- Jordan Schroeder had a pair of helpers, and Cade Fairchild did the same as did Jim O'Brien.

- Kevin Shattenkirk had 3 assists, and finished with a team-high +4 rating.

- Their goalie Thomas McCollum blocked all 10 shots he faced, while Andrei Yankov of Kazakhstan stopped 49 of 61.

- Yakov Vorobyov had 4 shots, almost half of what his team combined for in the end.

December 29th World Junior recap

2008-12-31T11:32:00.000-08:00

Game 11, Latvia vs Sweden:

In a complete miss-match on paper, a miss-match on the ice occurred, as the Swedes were pitted against the Latvians.

Mark Owuya started for the first time for Sweden, while Raimonds Ermics started for the first time in this tournament.

Latvia didn't get off to a great start, with Ronalds Cinks getting the call for Hooking just a minute into the game, and it would prove to cost his club.

Mattias Tedenby capitalized on Cinks penalty, with assists being dished to Andre Petersson and Erik Karlsson. 1-0 Sweden.

The score quickly escalated to 2-0 after prospect Magnus Svensson Paajarvi scored his first of the tournament, from Simon Hjalmarsson and Joakim Andersson.

The score clock read 3-0 after Petersson's first in Ottawa, and Svensson Paajarvi scored his second of the game making things 4-0.

Sweden kept putting it on, and lead 5-0 after Nicklas Lasu scored for his country. Carl Gustafsson had the assist.

Luckily for Latvia, they headed into the intermission with at least a goal, Roberts Jekimovs netting his first of the tournament. Janis Ozolins and Janis Straupe had the assists.

5-1 in favour of Sweden, after a period of play at the Civic Centre.

Well, you'd probably like me to say that the underdog Latvians came back in the 2nd, but truth be told, they didn't.

Simon Hjalmarsson put his 2nd goal of the tourny past now-Latvian goalie Nauris Enkuzens who replaced Ermics after just 13:42 of play. 6-1.

I'll sum it up quickly, because the rest of the game just involved more and more scoring on behalf of the Swedish side. Sweden came up with the win, 10-1, crushing the Latvians.

GAME NOTES:

- In his only appearance of the tournament so far, Mark Owuya stopped 10 of 11 shots fired from the Latvians. Jacob Markstrom will probably get the nod for Sweden against Russia.

- Nauris Enkuzens only played 46:18, but faced 44 shots, and allowed 7 goals.

- Raimonds Ermics stopped 14 of 17 that came his way, before he was yanked in favour of Enkuzens.

- Janis Ozolins had an assist for Latvia, as did Janis Straupe, but Ozolins also lead his team in shots, with 3, while Roberts Jekimovs (with the lone goal), Kriss Grundmanis and Edgars Lipsbergs each had a pair of shots.

- Despite scoring a goal, Jekimovs was -3.

- Victor Hedman, a coveted prospect for Sweden, had an assist, and 4 shots on goal, finishing +2.

- Erik Karlsson, a Swedish defenceman, had a goal and two assists, to go along with 5 shots.

- Mikael Backlund didn't have any points, while LA Kings forward Oscar Moller had an assist.

- Joakim Andersson and Andre Petersson each had a goal and an assist.

- Simon Hjalmarsson had a goal and an assist, while Magnus Svensson Paajarvi had two goals and two assists, shooting on net 9 times, to lead his club.

Game 12, Germany vs Canada:

Canada was expected to destroy Germany, such as they did with Kazakhstan, so Chet Pickard got the nod in net for the 2nd straight game, while Philipp Grubauer was the German netminder, despite Timo Pielmeier playing well for Germany against the USA.

Zach Boychuk opened the scoring for Canada on a PP, his 2nd of the tournament from Tyler Ennis and Ryan Ellis.

1-0 Canada after a period. It was actually surprising, considering their opponents were from Germany. But the Germans played a similar style of play against the US that kept them in the game through a period.

Jamie Benn, fresh off of a hat-trick the game before, scored on a 2-man advantage for Canada, from John Tavares and Ryan Ellis. 2-0 Canadians.

Stefan Della Rovere took a Cross-Checking penalty minutes later, and just 12 seconds into the man-advantage, David Wolf scored Germany's first goal, from Sinan Akdag and Conor Morrison. 2-1, and it was once again a tight hockey game.

A minute into the 3rd, a mad scramble for the puck ensued at the German net, and it was Evander Kane who came out with the puck, putting it past Grubauer. 3-1, on Kane's second of the tournament.

John Tavares opened up the game for Canada with his 5th for the Canadians, from PP mates Hodgson and Eberle, with the PP unit on the ice.

Zach Boychuk managed his second of the game, from Di Domenico and Pietrangelo with 4 minutes remaining, and once again with the Powerplay. 5-1 Canada was the final.

GAME NOTES:

- Grubauer stopped 44 of 49, while his counterpart Pickard let in a goal on 13 shots.

- Denis Reul had 25 minutes in penalties for Germany, after hitting Angelo Esposito viciously, which resulted in a Game Misconduct.

- Of his club's 13 shots, Jerome Flaake was responsible for 5 of them, while Gerrit Fauser had 3.

- John Tavares added a goal and an assist, on 9 shots.

- Zach Boychuk had a pair of goals on 5 shots, and Evander Kane had his 2nd goal of the tournament in the 3rd period.

- Jamie Benn had a goal, he has four in his last two games, and Ryan Ellis had assists on the first two Canadian goals.

Canadians come out on top...to say the least as Kazakhstan goes down hard

2008-12-29T15:47:00.001-08:00

Day 3 at the World Junior Hockey Championships saw 4 games on the schedule, including Canada vs Kazakhstan, which was, as anticipated, a blowout.

Game 7, Russia vs Finland:

The day's opening game pitted the Fins against the Russians, at the Civic Centre.

Harri Sateri got the start once again for Finland, while Danila Alistratov started for Russia.

The underdog Finnish club got off to a surprising start, scoring just 5 minutes into the hockey game, on Jani Lajunen's first of the tournament.

Russia, however, was quick to strike back, scoring three goals before the end of the period, including a pair within 38 seconds. Nikita Filatov, Evgeni Dadonov and Dmitri Klopov each had markers, and for Filatov and Dadonov it was their first in Ottawa, while Klopov had one prior to the game against Finland.

Finland came out hungry in the 2nd, and after the Russians took a costly Hooking call 3 minutes in, Joonas Nattinen fired it past Alistratov to lower the score to 3-2 and suddenly it was a hockey game again.

Never fear if you're a Russian fan, as the ex-Soviets extended their lead minutes later on Columbus prospect Filatov's second of the afternoon.

Russia put the nail in the coffin on a Powerplay late in the 3rd, on Klopov's 2nd of the game and 3rd of the tournament.

5-2 Russia was the final.

GAME NOTES:

- Sateri stopped 21 of 26 between the pipes for Finland. I think Juha Metsola should start their next game, but that's just me.

- Danila Alistratov was barely tested, with Finland firing only 14 shots, but he did let a pair in the net.

- Dmitri Klopov and Nikita Filatov each had two goals on the afternoon, with Klopov adding to his totals with an assist as well.

- Nikita Klyukin had 3 assists, while Evgeni Dadonov had a goal and two assists.

- No Finnish player had more than a point, with only two goals, and two assists on the day.

- Only 4 players on Finland had more than a shot, and in total, only 6 players shot the puck.

Game 8, Kazakhstan vs Canada:

This game was scheduled to be a blowout from the beginning, and Canada didn't disappoint, scoring numerous times. Here's the recap, of the game played in front of 19176 Canadian fans.

After a mad scramble in front of the net, Jordan Eberle scored his first of the tournament, on a rebound goal, with the assist going to Cody Hodgson.

Canada extended the lead to 2-0 with a PP goal from Jamie Benn, from Alex Pietrangelo at 8:48.

It was 4-0 after the first period, after Benn scored another (from Tavares and Hodgson) on a 2-man advantage, while PK Subban netted his first in Ottawa minutes later on Canada's second even-strength goal of the game.

Cody Hodgson quickly made it a 5 goal game, with his first as a Canadian, just minutes into the 2nd, while Chris Di Domencio capitalized on another Kazakh penalty, scoring his first of the game, from Thomas Hickey and Tyler Ennis. 6-0 Canada.

Jamie Benn's first hat-trick for Canada made things 7-0, from Subban and Ennis at 4:41 of the 2nd, 30 seconds after Di Domenico's marker.

Tyler Ennis scored for the first time in the game, from Benn and Di Domenico, before Tavares scored for Canada, from PP teammates Hodgson and Eberle.

That sparked the end for Kazakhstan's goalie Andrei Yankov, who let in 9 goals on 44 shots.

Maxim Gryaznov came in for the 3rd period, but didn't fare much better, letting in a goal 50 seconds in, on Evander Kane's first of the tournament.

John Tavares' second multi-goal game of the tournament was complete after he scored 11 minutes later, but teammate Cody Hodgson scored his second of the game a minute later. 12-0.

Two defenceman had goals later in the period, PK Subban and Tyler Myers, while Stefan Della Rovere scored his first of the tournament with 4 minutes left, on the PP from Kane and Hickey.

Canada won 15-0.

GAME NOTES:

- Canada goalie Chet Pickard was tested only 11 times, stopping all shots that came his way. He'll start against Germany so the coaches can get a much better idea how he can play against any other team.

- Yankov, Kazakhstan's starting goalie, stopped 35 of 44 in two periods, while Maxim Gryaznov stopped 19 of the 25 Canadian shots in the 3rd period.

- Kazakhstan's Alex Kaznacheyev was penalized for 27 minutes, shooting 4 shots, the most on his team.

- Four Canadians had multi-goal games, Jamie Benn (3), Cody Hodgson (2), PK Subban (2) and John Tavares (2).

- Nine Canadians had multi-point games: Thomas HIckey, John Tavares, Chris Di Domenico, PK Subban, Jordan Eberle, Cody Hodgson, Evander Kane, Tyler Ennis and Jamie Benn.

- Benn had 5 points, a hat-trick and two assists.

- Cody Hodgson had two goals and 4 assists, while PK Subban and John Tavares both had two assists and two goals.

- Each Canadian had a shot on goal, except for Keith Aulie who had an assist.

- PK Subban was +6

- Ryan Ellis had 9 shots, but didn't pick up a point. John Tavares also had 9 shots.

Game 9, Sweden vs Slovakia:

Sweden's Jacob Markstrom faced off against Jaroslav Janus in net, for Slovakia.

Sweden picked up a goal just a minute into the game, on Simon Hjalmarsson's first of the tourny,

With Sweden on the PP, their 2nd of the game, Mikael Backlund scored his 2nd goal in the last couple games, as he extended the lead to 2-0.

Sweden added another in the 2nd, from Backlund and Prospect Victor Hedman, after Erik Karlsson found net.

With the score 30, and Slovakia attempting a comeback, Martin Uhnak scored 5 minutes into the 3rd.

Although Slovakia had a chance, Sweden ran away with this one, 3-1 being the final.

GAME NOTES:

- Victor Hedman remains without a goal in the tournament. He had an assist on Sunday.

- Erik Karlsson and Mikael Backlund each had a goal and an assist.

- Another top prospect for Sweden, Magnus Svensson Paajarvi had an assist, his first point of the tournament.

- Jacob Markstrom stopped 26 of 27 en route to victory for Sweden while his counterpart Jaroslav Janus was shot on 44 times, letting in only three goals.

- Two Slovaks had 4 shots, but neither picked up a point.

Game 10, USA vs Czech Republic:

If the USA had lost to the Czechs, their goal to come in 1st place for Group A would've been near impossible to complete, but they managed to find a way to win, thanks to Jordan Schroeder, the University of Minnesota's rising star.

Thomas McCollum once again started for the US while Dominik Furch started in place of Tomas Vosvrda.

Jordan Schroeder is a top prospect for the upcoming NHL Draft, and this tournament is making his stock rise more and more each game. He scored against the Czech to open the scoring, with help from teammates Coin Wilson and Kevin Shattenkirk. 1-0 USA after a period, thanks to Schroeder's PP goal.

The Czechs however, came back fighting in the 2nd, and as Kevin Shattenkirk exited the penalty box, Ondrej Roman opened up the Czech scoring, and evened the game up at 1 goal a piece.

Matt Rust, who scored a late goal against the Germans, scored his second of the tournament from captain Jon Blum 6 minutes later, re-gaining the lead for his club.

The US opened up the gap even more when James van Riemsdyk found the back of the net for his 3rd goal of the tournament, from Shattenkirk and Schoreder at 18:34. It was the club's second PP goal of the game.

Schoreder came back firing after the intermission, scoring his second of the game, and collecting his 3rd point, from James van Riemsdyk at 3:43.

With the score 4-1, some hockey fans would've considered the game over...but not the Czech players or coaching staff.

Martin Paryzek scored for his club, to somewhat bring them back into the hockey game, as it was suddenly 4-2.

With the US in the penalty box, and just minutes remaining in the hockey game, Jan Kana scored for the Czech, from Roman and Tomas Kundratek to make things a tight one-goal hockey game! 4-3, USA.

Although the Czechs pulled their goalie twice, nothing came out of it, as the USA held on in a nail-biter.

GAME NOTES:

- Thomas McCollum stopped 24 of 27 shots, but I think Josh Unice should get the nod against Kazakhstan on Tuesday.

- Dominik Furch made his first appearance as a starter, and didn't do too badly, keeping his club in the game, stopping 23 of 27. I just wonder if the Czech Republic could've come out on top, if Tomas Vosvrda was in net.

- Jordan Schroeder continues to impress, scoring a pair of goals to go along with an assist.

- James van Riemsdyk had a goal and an assist, while Matt Rust had the other USA goal.

- Kevin Shattenkirk had two assists, and both Jon Blum and Colin Wilson had an assist a piece.

- Ondrej Roman had a goal and an assist, while Martin Paryzek (Goal), Tomas Kubalik, Radko Gudas, Roman Szturc and Zdenek Okal each had a point.

Slovakia pummels Latvia; Germany murders Borat

2008-12-27T21:46:00.000-08:00

Game 5, Latvia vs Slovakia:

The Latvians after losing to Russia put Nauris Enkuzens back in the net, facing Jaroslav Janus of Slovakia on Saturday afternoon.

Lativa put a man in the box early, and Slovakia capitalized with just seconds remaining in the Powerplay, as Radoslav Tybor found the back of the net. 1-0 Slovaks.

Latvia equaled the score just minutes later, as Janis Straupe scored for the team in White. 1-1.

Ronalds Cinks had his first of the game at 14:05, on a Powerplay marker 2-1 for Latvia. Things were suddenly looking good for the team that fell 4-2 yesterday.

But, with a Latvian man in the box, Ondrej Rusnak scored his first of two on the day, tying the game at 2, heading into the first intermission.

Slovakia came out firing in the 2nd, with Rusnak picking up his 2nd PP goal of the game, 38 seconds after Marek Hrivik scored an even-strength goal.

Radoslav Tybor scored his second of the afternoon minutes later, and it was all Slovakia from there, as they were up 5-2.

The third period was all Slovakia again, despite being short-handed twice. Tomas Tatar scored for Slovakia, essentially putting the cat in the bag, 6-2 Slovaks.

It was 7-2 after a SH goal was handed out to Adam Bezak, and that was all she wrote, as the Latvians were just out-hustled.

GAME NOTES:

- Janus backstopped 15 of 17 for Slovakia, but didn't receive much action from Latvia.

- Meanwhile, Enkuzens of Latvia stopped 36 of 43 shots, in his second straight game between the pipes.

- Slovakia had two players reach two goals for the game, with Ondrej Rusnak and Radoslav Tybor finding net twice.

- MIlan Kytnar had a pair of points for Slovakia, both assists, while Adam Bezak had a goal and an assist. Tomas Tatar also had a marker and a helper.

- Slovakia had 8 players with 4 shots.

- For Latvia, Ronalds Cinks had 3 shots on goal, but only the one goal. Janis Straupe had the other marker, while Roberts Jekimovs, Roberts Bukarts and Edgars Ulescenko each had an assist.

- The game at the Civic Centre was refereed by Canadians Marc Muylaert and Guy Pellerin.

Game 6, Kazakhstan vs Germany:

A day after the Germans were manhandled by the Americans at Scotiabank Place, Germany was playing Kazakhstan, the nation of Borat, in the 'headline' game of the day at said Scotiabank Place in front of 18000 strong.

Kazakhstan was playing their first game of the tournament, and were playing Canada on Sunday.

Timo Pielmeier who played well against the USA before being pulled got the start for Germany, while Andrei Yankov got the nod for Kazakhstan.

Germany was up 3-0 after the 1st period, after even-strength goals from Simon Fischhaber, Andre Huebscher and Jerome Flaake.

Germany managed 4 more goals in the 2nd, all with no man-advantage, which marked the end for Kazakh goaltender Andrei Yankov.

The German markers in the middle stanza were from Marco Nowak, Gerrit Fauser, Daniel Weiss and Steven Rupprich.

Maxim Gryaznov came in for the 3rd, and gave up two goals on 15 shots, after Jerome Flaake's second of the game, and Conor Morrison's first.

The Game was 9-0 at the end, after 52 German shots, compared to the 17 fired from Kazakhstan.

GAME NOTES:

- Pielmeier stopped all 17 shots that came his way, as he continues to impress at the World Juniors.

- Yankov blocked 30 shots despite letting in 7 goals in the first 2 periods.

- Gryaznov fared alright, allowing only two goals.

- Jerome Flaake had two goals and an assist, while Gerrit Fauser had three assists to go along with his goal, and Simon Fischhaber had a goal and an assist.

- Fauser and Flaake each shot 5 times.

- All of Germany's goals were at Even Strength, a rarity in International Hockey.

If this is any indication of how Kazakhstan will play Canada tomorrow, the Canadians should demolish Borat Nation.

Canadians pounce on Czechs as Sweden knocks off Finland

2008-12-26T18:55:00.000-08:00

Day 1 of the World U-20 Hockey Championships in Ottawa didn't feature any surprise upsets, unless you're a Czech fan, Finnish hockey fan, from Germany, or live in Latvia, because then you'd be shocked your team didn't win. For hockey gurus though, this day turned out just like it was supposed to.

After the Russians knocked off Latvia 4-1, the USA trounced on Germany 8-2, before in the evening games, Sweden defeated Finland 3-1, and Canada blew by the Czech Republic.

Game 3: Finland vs Sweden, Ottawa Civic Centre:

Finland put Harri Sateri in net, instead of Juha Metsola who started the Exhibition game against Canada, while Sweden went with Jacob Markstrom.

Before a penalty was called, there had been two goals, both Swedish tallies. Marcus Johansson had the first, at 9:15 from David Ullstrom, while David Rundblad had his first of the tournament minutes later, from Ullstrom and Andre Petersson.

2-0 Sweden after one.

Luckily for the Finnish Faithful, they were right back in it, after Toni Rajala beat Markstrom 1:12 into the second period.

Early on in the 3rd, still 2-1 for Sweden, a penalty shot was called, and the referee signaled for Oscar Moller to head to the Red Line to shoot on Sateri of Finland.

Moller missed, and essentially kept Finland in the game.

The Fins had three powerplays in the 3rd, before pulling their goalie at 18:39. No harm was done for the first 40 seconds, but at 19:20, Mikael Backlund ended Finland's hope for victory, as he found the open net.

3-1 Sweden was the final score.

GAME NOTES:

- Harri Sateri stopped 26 of the 28 shots that came his way, as the final Swede goal was an Empty Netter.

- Jacob Markstrom rejected 20 of the 21 pucks that were fired at him, as he lead his club to victory.

- Toni Rajala was the only Finnish player with a point, and had 4 shots, which was the most for his club.

- Joonas Rask, brother of Tuukka Rask, Boston Bruins prospect, was held to only a shot.

- Mikael Backlund had a goal on two shots, as he prepares to potentially head to the WHL's Kelowna Rockets after the Tournament.

- David Ullstrom had a pair of assists, but failed to get a shot off for Sweden.

Canada vs Czech Republic, Game 4:

Canada's opening game of the tourny pitted Dustin Tokarski of the host nation against Tomas Vosvrda, former goalie for the Medicine Hat Tigers of the WHL, and the Czech Republic.

After a dull first period, where Canada and the Czechs were penalized twice, John Tavares came out with a key powerplay goal, with just 4 seconds left in the first period. Tavares' first of the game was a difference maker, and gave the Canadians the edge heading into the intermission. Jordan Eberle and 17-year-old Ryan Ellis had assists.

In the 2nd, with another Czech in the penalty box, Tavares capitalized again, scoring his second of the game, from Eberle and Canucks prospect Cody Hodgson 2:09 into the middle frame.

Canada struck again 5 minutes later, as Angelo Esposito, 3 time cutee of Team Canada, scored his first, from Tavares.

Ryan Ellis scored his first for Canada a minute later, from Boychuk and Hodgson at 8:13.

Canada extended the lead to 5 goals at 13:33, as Tyler Ennis netted his first of the tournament, from Brett Sonne as the WHL connection connected for the first time of the tournament.

It became 6-0 early in the 3rd after Chris Di Domenico's first goal, from Ennis and Boychuk at 2:08. 7-0 was the score when Boychuk found the back of the net, and then Alex Pietrangelo found glory, as he was helped by Ellis and Di Domenico.

The Czechs did find a spot behind Tokarski at 18:00 into the third, as Jan Kana scored his teams lone goal. Ondrej Roman had an assist.

8-1 was the final score, as Tokarski lead Canada to victory.

GAME NOTES:

- Tokarski stopped 21 of the 22 shots that came his way for Canada.

- Tomas Vosvrda was replaced after the 5th Canadian goal, but his replacement Dominik Furch didn't fare much better, allowing 3 goals on 15 shots.

- John Tavares had two goals and an assist, and remains a leg up on Viktor Hedman of Sweden.

- Chris DiDomenico scored once and assisted another, and fired away 6 shots, while collecting a +4 rating.

- Jordan Eberle and Cody Hodgson combined for 7 shots, and 4 assists.

- Angelo Esposito's first goal of the tournament was his first in 4 attempts with Team Canada, after being cut 3 times.

- Tyler Ennis, a Medicine Hat Tiger, had a goal and an assist.

- A special spot was made for 17-year-old Defenceman Ryan Ellis, and Ellis scored a goal and collected two assists in his first game.

Russia and USA get off to quick starts; knock off Latvia and Germany respectively

2008-12-26T15:29:00.000-08:00

Of the four games scheduled for Opening Day at the World U-20 Hockey Championships, two are in the books, one is underway, and another will kick off in under an hour.

The first game was at the Civic Centre, non-host of the Ottawa Senators, and the host for round-robin play at the Championships.

The Civic Centre will also play host to the post-round-robin play, not involving the Quarterfinal or Semi Final teams.

Game 1 of the 31 game tournament was between Latvia and Russia.

Nauris Enkuzens started in net for Latvia, while Danila Alistratov got the call in net for the Russians.

Russia got off to a lead before the game had had an intermission, as Vyacheslav Voinov scored his first of the tournament with the man advantage. Dmitri Kulikov and Pavel Chernov had assists for the Russians. 1-0 for the ex-Soviets after one.

With just over 8 minutes remaining in the 2nd period, the Russians added to their lead, as Pavel Chernov picked up his second point of the afternoon, on an even-strength goal. Sergei Andronov had an assist on the goal, as Chernov made it 2-0 for Russia.

The 3rd period didn't get off to the start that the Latvians wanted, as just 7 minutes in, with Ronalds Cinks in the box for Latvia, Maxim Goncharov had a blast from the point that beat Enkuzens, and Russia was now up by three. Nikita Klyukin and Mikhail Pashnin had assists on the second powerplay goal of the evening.

Latvia answered back, albeit with two minutes remaining in the hockey game, as Janis Ozolins had a tally put beside his name, on his second shot of the hockey game. Roberts Jekimovs also had his first point of the season with the assist on Ozolins' assist.

With the lead trimmed to a pair, Latvia had a shot, slim or not, but Dmitri Klopov put the nail in the coffin with a goal of his own with 12 seconds remaining in the game. 4-1 Russia was the final.

Game Notes:

- Danila Alistratov stopped 14 of the 15 shots that came his way, while his counterpart for Latvia, Nauris Enkuzens faced 44 shots, and blocked 40 of said shots.

- Of the 15 shots on goal for Latvia, Roberts Bukarts was responsible for 1/3 of them, as he had 5 shots in the game. Roberts Jekimovs and Janis Ozolins (with the goal) each had two shots.

- While the 5 shots for Bukarts looks good for Latvia, Dmitri Klopov had 7 shots for Russia, including a goal, while Nikita Filatov, a Columbus prospect, had 6, and Dmitri Kulikov had 4 shots, and had an assist.

- Russia was 2 for 6 on the Powerplay, with their first and third goals coming with a Latvian in the box.

Germany vs USA:

In Game 2 of the tournament, and the first featured on TSN, the Germans and Americans faced off at Scotiabank Place, which was hosting its first game of the tournament.

The Americans had Thomas McCollum blocking shots, while Timo Pielmeier started the game for the Germans between the pipes.

Both teams exchanged penalties in the early opening, with the Germans heading to the box first, b efore the Americans were sent off for Slashing. Germany took a penalty to Captain Toni Ritter, before another German went off, this time for Slashing, and suddenly the Americans had a 5 on 3.

Colin Wilson took advantage of this, and scored his first of the tournament, from Jordan Schroeder and Kevin Shattenkirk. 1-0 USA.

Germany tied the game with Toni Ritter's first of the tournament, on a shot McCollum may not have seen. 1-1 was the score at the time.

Drayson Bowman of the Spokane Chiefs has been 'double-teamed' for most of the last two years due to his ability to put the puck in the net, but at this tournament he's just another guy, so the fact he scored in the first period can't come as too much of a surprise. 2-1 Americans after Bowman's from O'Brien and Mitch Wahl of Bowman's Spokane Chiefs.

Jordan Schroeder wasn't happy his team - heavy favourites for the Gold Medal or at least the Silver or Bronze - were still in a close game with Germany, so the NHL Draft prospect netted his first of the tournament past Pielmeier, and suddenly the Americans were cooking, 3-1 after the unassisted marker.

James van Riemsdyk netted his first of the tourny with Germany's captain in the box for the 2nd time, from Wilson and Schroeder. The powerplay goal brought the American lead to three.

Tyler Johnson scored less than two minutes later, an even strength goal bringing the score to 5-1, the same score that would be at the end of two. Hoeffel and McDonagh had assists on Johnson's first.

Just 35 seconds into the third, van Riemsdyk came out with another beauty goal, that should've been whistled down, but it still counted. 6-1 USA. Wilson and Schroeder assisted on his goal.

7-1 was the score after Drayson Bowman's second of the game, from Mitch Wahl, his Spokane teammate.

Patrick Pohl brought the deficit to 5 with his first of the game, 7-2 Americans. Jerome Flaake and Daniel Weiss had assists on Germany's second goal.

Now, with just around 10 seconds left, the USA took off with a fast break chance down the ice. You'd think with one second left they'd play back and not try to do anything, but that wasn't the case as Matt Rust scored a goal with just one second remaining in the hockey game.

8-2 for the Americans was the final score.

Game Notes:

- Germany's goalie Timo Pielmeier was pulled after two periods, after he let in 5 goals on 32 shots. Pielmeier left the game when his team was down 5-1. He made some remarkable saves, and may have a future in North American professional hockey if he plays like this for the rest of the tournament...maybe if he can let in less goals though.

- His backup Philipp Grubauer stopped 11 of the 14 shots that came his way in the 3rd.

- Germany's Captain did have their first goal of the game, but Toni Ritter did have 4 PIMs as well, and two of the US' 8 goals came with Ritter in the box.

- Jordan Schroeder of the Americans, who is vying to be a Top 5 pick in the upcoming NHL Draft, got off to a good start, as he picked up a goal and 3 assists in this game.

- Linemate James van Riemsdyk had a pair of goals on 7 shots, while the other player on the top trio of players, Colin Wilson, had a goal and a pair of assists.

- Mitch Wahl had two assists while Spokane teammate Drayson Bowman had two goals in this one, and the two of them probably have a lot more left in the tank before this tournament is over.

- Jon Blum, Captain of the US Team and the Vancouver Giants of the WHL, didn't have any points, he did have 4 shots, but the most important stat may be the +3 that lead his team today. If he can be a leader and help his team score goals, they could go far this winter.

- Thomas McCollum started the game in net for the Americans, but his spot isn't guaranteed, and like Canada, Josh Unice (the Americans backup today) will start the next game, according to rumours. McCollum stopped 16 of the 18 shots that came his way.

Sweden plays Finland, and Canada plays the Czech Republic later this evening.

2010 U-20s to feature Switzerland and Austria

2008-12-26T13:29:00.000-08:00

Relegation is a key thing in the World U-20 Hockey Championships, and an incentive for all teams in this year's competition in Ottawa, is to not finish in 9th or 10th place. Why? Well, you'll end up in the U-20 Division I in 2010.

The tournament on TSN is the top division, just called the World U20 Championships. The group below that, where teams 9 and 10 go, is Division I, and there are two groups in Division I.

A and B is where the teams go. 9 goes to A (or B) and 10 goes to the other.

This year, Austria and Switzerland won gold at Division I A and B U-20 Championships, so both teams will now be headed to Saskatoon and Regina in 2010, as they look to improve their world rankings.

Austria defeated the host Danes 8-3 in the Gold Medal game, while host Switzerland captured I A.

Division I A is a group I'm going to talk about right now, because it's a joke that Estonia was in. Why? Let's look at their games:

12-1 Switzerland over Estonia
22-2 Slovenia over Estonia
4-2 Poland over Estonia
19-1 Belarus over Estonia
19-0 France over Estonia

WOW. They were outscored 76-6.

Obviously now they've been relegated to Division II next year.

Belarus was only a goal away from heading to the top tournament next year, but the Swiss broke the tie in the 3rd period with a goal from Roman Josi.

The bottom two teams from this year's tournament in Ottawa will be in Division I Next year.

IIHF U-20 Hockey Tournament Preview

2008-12-25T21:57:00.001-08:00

This is the unofficial preview of the 2009 IIHF U-20 Hockey Tournament, taking place in Ottawa between December 26th and January 5th.

The 10 participating nations are Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, USA.

All teams had a few exhibition games leading up to the tournament in Ontario, or in Germany, where the Germans had a pair of exhibition matches, when they came out on top against Japan, but fell to Belarus in their Opening Game.

The Germans finished the exhibition schedule 1-2, after a loss in Brockville to Latvia.

Sweden had an alright schedule, going 1-1, with the loss coming at the hands of Gold Medal favourite Canada. They defeated the Czechs 5-1, in Brampton, after the Canadians came out firing in the first game on December 19th.

Finland's travel may have harmed them on their way to North America, going 0-2, with the losses coming to Canada (7-3) and Kazakhstan (2-1). I don't figure Kazakhstan will be much of a threat, but maybe Finland just didn't have their full squad out...you'd hope so.

Speaking of Kazakhstan they lost to Russia 4-1, but with the win they finish the schedule 1-1.

Latvia came out with a win against Germany on the 22nd of December, but fell 13-2 against the USA. Hello Relegation.

Slovakia didn't have a great start to their quest for Gold, going 0-2, with the defeats at the hands of Czech Republic and Canada (7-0).

The Czechs were 1-1, with a win against the Slovaks and a loss against Sweden.

Russia was 1-1 as well, beating Kazakhstan but losing 5-1 to the Americans.

The USA was 2-0, outscoring their opponents 18-3.

Canada was superb, although they could've defeated Sweden a bit more single-handedly, but they finished 3-0, outscoring their opponents 18-5.

PREDICTIONS:

Gold Medal: The Canadians may have their hands full with the Swedes, Russians and Americans, but with solid goaltending between the pipes in Memorial Cup Champion Dustin Tokarski and Chet Pickard, mixed in with a defensive corps that includes 6'8 Tyler Myers, 6'6 Keith Aulie, 17-year-old Ryan Ellis, Team Captain Thomas Hickey and Colten Teubert of the Regina Pats, and Canada looks to be good with respect to the defensive side of the game.

Up front is a different story. Canada isn't just good, they're great. The first line of John Tavares, Jordan Eberle and Cody Hodgson will raise more than a few eyebrows, as that figures to be one of the top lines in the tournament. 17-year-old replacement Evander Kane, Zach Boychuk of the Lethbridge Hurricanes, Brett Sonne, Angelo Esposito (who has been cut many times before this year), Jamie Benn, Tyler Ennis and the tough guys such as Stefan Della Rovere and Chris DiDomenico will make Canada a contender for the Gold. And I believe, that they'll come out on top.

Silver Medal: USA, USA! The Americans may not win the Gold this time around, but they'll obviously put up a good fight, and there are enough talented players that they can make that happen.

Top prospect for the '09 NHL Draft Jordan Schroeder is a 5'9 18-year-old who has a late birthday. Schroeder, along with guys such as Drayson Bowman, Mitch Wahl and James van Riemsdyk, not to mention Colin Wilson of Boston University, make up a talented front group.

On the blueline, Jon Blum of the Vancouver Giants is a very good offensive and defensive player, and add Blake Kessel to the mix, the brother of Boston Bruins forward Phil, and it can be a talented group if they come together.

They might not be able to handle Victor Hedman in the later stages of the tournament, but if they can, look for the Americans to go far.

Bronze Medal: The Russians are coming, the Russians are coming. The Russian National Team may not have the late Alexei Cherepanov on their team, but there are a group of young players already making a name for themselves in North America. Goaltender Sergei Gayduchenko is a Florida Panthers prospect, as is Evgeny Dadonov, a 5'10 forward. Nikita Filatov is the big name for the tournament, after being drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets. Defenceman Vjateslav Voynov plays for Manchester of the AHL, and there is also Maxim Mayorov, a teammate of Filatov with Syracuse of the AHL.

The Russians have always performed well at the tournament, and although there is no Evgeni Malkin, Alex Ovechkin or Cherepanov, they look like a lock to be a contender for Silver or Bronze.

4th place: Sweden is an interesting group of players, with 11 players having their rights belonging to NHL teams, while only Oscar Moller plays in North American currently (with the LA Kings in the NHL). In net, it looks like Jacob Markstrom could lead the club, but Mark Owuya is a good player as well.

On D, Victor Hedman leads the pack, as the hopeful for #1 overall in the upcoming NHL draft looks to impress in front of many NHL scouts. Nichlas Torp will be playing in front of some Montreal Canadiens fans in Ottawa, he is one of their draft picks from two years ago. Erik Karlsson will get his first chance to play at Scotiabank Place, he's a draft pick of the Senators.

Oscar Moller leads the way up front, and the LA Kings forward is guaranteed his spot on the roster once the tournament is over. Most NHL teams do not do that.

Mikael Backlund may become a Kelowna Rocket after the tournament, as rumours are flying around that the young winger, who is a Calgary draft pick, has been playing 3rd line minutes with Vik Vasteras of the Swedish Elite League, and that him playing for the WHL team with his rights may be the best thing for his development. As a Vancouver Giants fan, I hope this doesn't happen, but I'm guessing a strong showing at the tournament could help him come to Canada.

With Backlund, Moller and Hedman, Sweden can already be considered a contender, but with the Russians always having a good showing, Sweden may find themselves out of contention for a medal.

BEST OF THE REST:

5. Czech Republic: The Czechs have a good contingent of players playing in the WHL, OHL or QMJHL who accumulate a lot of points.

6. Finland: The Finnish hockey nation has had Saku Koivu, Tukka Rask and many others play for them nationally over the last 12 or so years, but this year with tough competition all around, they may not even make the Bronze Medal Game.

7. Latvia: I believe the Latvians will surprise this year, and come in 7th place, much better than the Division II hockey the played last year.

8. Germany: The Germans may not get relegated, but they won't have a good tournament, facing the USA, Canada and the Czech Republic. They do have an easy game against Kazakhstan, however.

9. Slovakia: The Slovaks don't have a Mario Bliznak or anybody for that matter that can lead them to the Medal Round this time around. Looks like they'll be in Division II next December.

10. Kazakhstan: No way they can overcome Canada, the US, Germany and the Czech Republic.

Check back for DAILY updates of the WJs.

WERE BACK

2008-12-25T21:48:00.001-08:00

After a 2+ month absence, Road Kill Sports is back, but I'm not covering the Giants anymore, I can't commit to anymore day-to-day team blogging. Here is the new 'mission statement':

- ALL IIHF Hockey Tournaments featuring the Canadian U-20 hockey team, or coverage of the IIHF U-20 Division II Tournament this winter

- Coverage of the 2009 Men's World Hockey Championships in Switzerland this April-May

- Coverage of the UBC Men's Baseball Team in 2009

- Vancouver Canadians 2009 Baseball Season

- World Baseball Classic 2009 with lead-up on South Africa and Canada

- WHL Post-Season Coverage

This blog has struggled over the last couple of years because of the Giants, and the fact at 1 AM on each Friday and Saturday I don't feel like writing a report on a game I heard bits of on the radio. All of these things above I watch, and pay a lot of attention to. Happy Reading :P

Rod Pedersen Interview

2008-10-05T22:02:00.000-07:00

In the years since I started this blog, I've met, and talked to, some great individuals, either athletes or broadcasters. One of said persons is Rod Pedersen, voice of the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Regina Pats. I even found myself listening to Pedersen's call when his Riders won the Grey Cup last year, instead of watching the game on CBC.

He keeps a daily blog at It is a hit among Canadian sports fans, and I invite you to read it, as well.

This is my second interview with Mr Pedersen, a year and a half after the first.

JK: You knew Kerry Joseph in his days as a rider, including a MOP last year, what's up with him now? Now he's a back-up for the Toronto Argonauts? Do you see this as a short-term move or will Kerry's days in the CFL be numbered after "The Don's" latest move?

RP: I think Kerry's one of the greatest guys I've ever known in sports but I had a feeling he'd struggle in Toronto without the guidance of Kent Austin. He's obviously a quality player, but he was put into an awkward position with the Argos right off the bat. He may be regretting asking for a trade, but probably not when he looks at his bank statement!

JK: Last year's Riders Head Coach Kent Austin is now the Offensive Co-ordinator for the Ole Miss Rebels. They're 2-1 this year, and Kent will face his first big challenge in a few weeks, against the #5 ranked Florida team. Do you think Kent'll be up for the challenge in the rigorous NCAA season, after his Grey Cup ring last year?

RP: Kent wanted that challenge of the NCAA. His season in Oxford, MS has already been a success when you consider what they did last year (0-8) in the SEC. Kent will win no matter where he goes.

JK: The Giants just dealt fan favourite Mitch Czibere to your Regina Pats, what have you seen from Czibere in his first week or two as a Pat, and how shall he contribute this year?

RP: It was a great trade for the Pats. I don't know how the Giants feel about it. The Pats needed a veteran centre like that and he's been great. He's playing in all situations and playing valuable minutes.

JK: Speaking of the Pats, how do you feel they'll do this year?

RP: The Pats are going to have a great year. They're exciting, they're fast, and that sounds just like their coach (Dale Derkatch) did when he played. I expect they could win a few rounds this year.

JK: Many hockey fans from across the country were expecting you to be one of the top candidates for the HNIC job, doing either the Eastern or Western game each week. Were you disappointed not to have been chosen, or is sticking with Regina sports in your best interest for the time being?

RP: I was actually stunned at first because they had put out the call for resumes and I even talked to CBC executives. I got Bob Gainey and Les Jackson to call on my behalf, but it didn't seem to matter. Maybe there's a chance down the line. Everything happens for a reason so we'll see.

I love what I do in Regina but the immense workload is getting to be a little too much to handle.

JK: If I understand correctly, you have a book coming out in the next week. What's the book on, and how can fans buy a copy?

RP: It's called "Green Magic -- Canada's Team Wins The 2007 Grey Cup", so the topic is self-explanatory. It's basically an inside account of what went on with the franchise between their two Grey Cups of 1989 and 2007. It's packed with colour photos from the season last year and it's a pretty good memento of a very special year.

It can be purchased at www.lulu.com or in the Rider Store at Mosaic Stadium.

JK: Growing up in Saskatchewan, with no NHL team, do you expect one to be considered in the next few years, either from re-location or expansion?

RP: I thought there might be a chance down the line of Saskatoon getting a team but now I'm not so sure. That's a decade away if not more. I'd be equally as happy if Winnipeg got their's back because they deserve it.

If the six Canadian NHL teams sell 80% of the league's tickets, that tells you something. But it'll take an awful lot for the Atlanta Thrashers to move to Saskatchewan.

JK: With the NHL in mind, who's your favourite club?

RP: I was a diehard Oilers fan till August 12, 1988. That day they traded Gretzky and I turned my back on them. I was team-less for two years until by Dad got hired as a scout for the Minnesota North Stars in 1990 and I've cheered for them ever since.

JK: Finally, if you could call the games for one other sporting team across the world, besides the Riders and Pats, who would it be?

RP: I would be pleased and proud to call games on radio for any NHL team. That's been my lifelong dream.

Again thank you so much to Mr Pedersen, and check out his blog, which now has a link on the right-hand side of the blog.

Giants defeat Winter Hawks, score 17 goals over two games

2008-10-05T21:25:00.000-07:00

It was a fantastic weekend for the Vancouver Giants, who, scored 17 goals, in just two games, one against Seattle, the other versus Portland.

The Portland game was a tough act to follow, after the thumping of the Thunderbirds on Friday night.

Giants scratches:

Simon Witt (Healthy)
Brendan Gallagher (Healthy)
Curtis Kulchar (Out for 3-4 weeks)
Todd Kennedy (Day to Day)
Mitch Spooner (Was re-assigned for the rest of the season last week)

Two early penalties for the Giants didn't end up hurting them, despite Mikhail Fisenko getting sent off just 36 seconds inito the game, before JT Barnett tripped an opponent two minutes later, as Portland couldn't capitalize on either Powerplay.

Unfortunately for the Winter Hawks, Vancouver is a better team with the man advantage, and a soft goal, off of a weak slapshot from Jon Blum, beat Kurtis Mucha, and Vancouver, like that, took an early 1-0 lead.

The luck continued, as Lance Bouma scored his 3rd goal of the campaign 10 minutes later, also on the Powerplay.

Casey Pierro-Zabotel added a tally under two minutes later, bringing the Giants lead to 3 goals, after a period.

With Portland's two mistakes, penalties, that lead to Giants goals, the Winter Hawks, and Vancouver, in fact, laid off on the penalties, and went over 30 minutes, without a referee having to send a player to the sin bin.

The Giants dominance continued early on in the 2nd, with Craig Schira scoring his 3rd of the year a mere 24 seconds into the period. Brad Ross of Portland responded with a goal of his own, just 18 seconds later, his 1st of the season.

Despite the 4-1 lead, Vancouver felt it needed to add to that total. Evander Kane added to the lead with his 6th as a member of the '08-'09 Giants, three minutes after Portland's first of the game. 5-1 G-Men after two.

One night after scoring his first 3 WHL goals, Andrej Kudrna scored his 4th in the 'Dub, to give his team a 5 goal advantage.

James Henry scored an unassisted marker, late in the game, 7-1 Giants, which was the final score.

It was a great game to be at, and Giants netminder Jamie Tucker was great between the pipes, in his home debut.

Road Kill Sports Three Stars:

1. Casey Pierro-Zabotel, Vancouver: CPZ or 'The Hyphen' had a goal and three assists, and was easily the best player on the ice for Vancouver last night.

2. Evander Kane, Vancouver: Kandy had more than the one opportunity for a goal, but only managed the one. He also had two assists to go along with a +3 rating.

3. Jon Blum, Vancouver: Blum was a leader on the ice, ending up being +4, and had a weak goal, but still was a team leader, and helped his club to victory.

Giants next play Friday, as they host Kelowna.

Giants improve to 5-0-0-1 on season, after 10-2 beating to Seattle

2008-10-04T12:51:00.000-07:00

The Vancouver Giants head into their Saturday night matchup with Portland, leading the WHL in points. There have been many great storylines already, such as rookie sensation Jordan Weal with the Regina Pats (more on them in a second), Giants rookie backup netminder Jamie Tucker with two shutouts, and the Giants leading the league, by one point over Swift Current and Calgary.

Vancouver has scored 33 goals this year, 9 more than the team in second place in that department, the Calgary Hitmen. They have only allowed 10 goals, which is second in the league, two goals behind Spokane.

The Giants look like the team from two years ago, when they captured the Memorial Cup, only a bit more physical, and that's debatable.

Now, speaking of the Regina Pats, I have an interview from their voice, Rod Pedersen, that I'm going to be posting after this post. Mr Pedersen is a true hockey fan, and phenomenal broadcaster as well, as I found myself listening to his call, rather than that on TV, when his Saskatchewan Roughriders captured the Grey Cup last season. It's an honour to interview him.

Back to the G-Men...

The Giants second game of the season was in Kamloops, where rookie netminder Jamie Tucker faced off against Jon Groenheyde, despite Giants full-time goalie Tyson Sexsmith returning that day from San Jose training camp. It looks as though Vancouver will feature a rotating goalie-schedule, similar to the one with Dustin Slade and Tyson Sexsmith two years ago, before Slade walked away from the Giants.

In this game in Kamloops, Vancouver was up 2-0 early, after a goal from James Wright, off of a Brent Regner pass, and Evander Kane, whose goal was assisted by Craig Schira. The Blazers answered back with a goal later on in the first, but Vancouver managed another tally in the goal column, after Casey Pierro-Zabotel's first of the campaign. Kamloops fought back with two more goals, tying the game at 3 going into Overtime.

Fights: In this game, Giants enforcer Todd Kennedy got into it with Cole Grbavac...with this one getting a draw.

Overtime came and went, with no goals, so onto the Shootout.

Vancouver's first three shooters, CPZ, James Wright and Mike Piluso, couldn't find any net behind Groenheyde, nor could Kamloops' first two snipers. Their third, however, beat Jamie Tucker, with CJ Stretch's shootout winner. 4-3 Kamloops was the final.

Road Kill Sports Three Stars:

1. CJ Stretch, Kamloops: An assist in regulation, as well as the Shootout winner.

2. Evander Kane, Vancouver: Kandy Kane had a goal and an assist in this one, but wasn't called on in the shootout.

3. Giffen Nyren, Kamloops: Nyren had two assists, which ultimately helped his team to victory.

HOME OPENER:

Vancouver returned home after that game in the Interior, to face BC Division rival Prince George, in what was their home opener, as well. Tyson Sexsmith made his first appearance of the season, facing off against Kevin Armstrong of the Cougars.

The G-Men were faced with a 1-1 tie after a period, thanks to a Craig Cunningham goal, assisted by Regner and Wright on the PP, before the Cougars answered back with Brian Matte's first of the campaign, also on the Powerplay.

Neil Manning helped Vancouver regain the lead with his second of the season, from Adam Basford, but 30 seconds later, Brett Connolly evened things out with his 2nd of the year.

After that, Vancouver slaughtered the Cougars. Craig Schira tallied his first of the season, credit Cunningham and Basford with assists, before a pair of powerplay markers really opened up the game for Vancouver. Neil Manning scored his 2nd of the game, as did Craig Schira. On both goals, there were two assists, Evander Kane, Garry Nuun, Mikhail Fisenko and Lance Bouma, getting credited.

A rebound goal, scored by Brendan Gallagher, the 5'6 rookie's first in the WHL, was assisted by sophomore James Henry. Evander Kane added his first of the game, and 3rd of the year, in the final frame, from Nuun and CPZ, before Vancouver gave Prince George another goal, on the Powerplay.

7-3 was the score, and Vancouver out-shot the Cougars 40-27.

Tyson Sexsmith stopped 24 of the 27 shots he faced, and Cougars netminder Kevin Armstrong saved 16 of 22, before getting pulled in favour of Ian Curtis, a 6'5 goaltender. Curtis gave up a goal, on 18 shots.

Road Kill Sports Three Stars:

1. Craig Schira, Vancouver: The Giants captain scored his first two goals of the season, and lead his club to victory, as well.

2. Neil Manning, Vancouver: The sophomore D-Man had a pair of goals, in this thumping.

3. Brendan Gallagher, Vancouver: Despite having only one goal, Gallagher was a force on the ice, despite being just 5'6. He scored his first goal in his short WHL career, as well, on a rebound.

TO PORTLAND WE GO:

After the Home Opener, Vancouver travelled on the bus down the I-5, where they battled the Portland Winterhawks, at the Memorial Coliseum. For those who don't know, Portland has struggled immensley over the last few seasons, and are considered one of the joke teams in the league. I don't feel that way, so no dis-respect to them, but they need to turn things around.

Vancouver dominated the game, with Rookie goaltender Jamie Tucker picking up his 2nd WHL shutout in his 3rd game. Vancouver won 5-0, and out-shot the 'Hawks 35-19.

Adam Basford had a goal in the first period, and Mike Piluso had one in the middle frame.

In the 3rd, Vancouver scored three goals, all in the last 1:15 of the game. Mike Piluso scored one on the Powerplya, before Brendan Gallagher added one seconds later, his 2nd of the season. Lance Bouma had his 2nd of the campaign with 8 seconds remaining in the game, as well.

Portland goalie Jordan White saved 30 shots, of the 35 he faced between the pipes.

Road Kill Sports Three Stars:

1. Mike Piluso, Vancouver: Piluso scored his 2nd and 3rd goals of the season, and proved he deserves to be with the Giants.

2. Brendan Gallagher, Vancouver: I love this kid on the ice, he's small, fast, and feisty, as well. Gallagher had an assist, to go along with his goal in this game.

3. Jamie Tucker, Vancouver: Tucker saved all 19 shots that came his way, en-route to his second career Shutout.

GIANTS PROVE BRUINS ARE WACK:

To complete the 3 games in 3 nights last weekend, Vancouver was close to home, battling the Bruins of Chilliwack, about an hour away from the Pacific Coliseum. It may have been a road game, but the Giants seemed right at home, winning 4-1. Vancouver managed 38 shots on goal, to the 26 Chilliwack had.

This game was like most Bruins-Giants games, lots of goals, and grit. Todd Kennedy battled Liam Darragh of the Bruins, but unfortunately for Kennedy, he hurt himself during the fight and will be out for a week.

Mike Berube dropped the gloves with Partik Bhungal, and Jesse Craige of the Bruins was given a 10 minute misconduct.

James Wright opened the scoring at 14:37 of the first period, with Garry Nuun and Adam Basford getting the helpers.

In the middle frame, Mikhail Fisenko scored his first goal in the WHL, off of a Jon Blum pass, who got the puck from CPZ, on the Powerplay. 2-0 Giants.

Evander Kane netted his 4th of the season, from CPZ and Regner in the 3rd, before the Giants bid for a second consecutive shutout was ruined, due to Ryan Howse's first goal of 2008.

Jon Blum did manage his first of the year, in his first game, from Nuun and Wright, at 17:35 of the third.

Mark Friesen stopped 34 of 38 shots between the pipes, and Sexsmith allowed just a goal, on 26 shots.

Road Kill Sports Three Stars:

1. Jon Blum, Vancouver: Tired, and fatigued from his first NHL camp, Jon Blum made his season debut as Giants captain, and didn't disappoint, scoring a goal, helping on another and finishing the night with a team-high +3 rating.

2. James Wright, Vancouver: The Price was 'Wright' for James, who had a goal and an assist, as well as a +2 rating on the night.

3. Evander Kane, Vancouver: Kandy Kane scored his 4th of the season, in just 5 games.

T-Birds get mauled by Giants:

Vancouver opened October, the same way they finished September, with a dishing to the Seattle Thunderbirds. Vancouver beat Seattle 10-2, and had two less goals, than Seattle did shots. In fact, Seattle managed a lone shot in the first period, to Vancouver's 15. And in the 3rd, the Giants had 3 shots, and all of which were goals.

Vancouver had three goals in the first period, one by Mike Berube, his first of the year, another by Andrej Kudrna, his first in the WHL, and another by Garry Nuun, his first of the campaign as well. Evander Kane, Casey Pierro-Zabotel, James Henry, Craig Schira, Adam Basford and Jon Blum all had assists.

The middle frame came and went, with 4 more Giants goals. The first, by Kudrna, assisted by Henry, the second from Adam Basford, his second goal of the season, another by Pierro-Zabotel, he now has a pair on the season, and finally from James Henry, who had assists going out to Andrej Kudrna and Brendan Gallagher on the play. It was Henry's first goal in the 2008-2009 season.

Evander Kane opened the 3rd period up with a goal, he now has points in all 6 of his games thus far, with 5 goals as well. His assists were dished out to Berube, and goalie Tyson Sexsmith.

Seattle's first goal of the night came at 11:45 of the third, scored by David Richard. It broke up Tyson Sexsmith's shutout.

Andrej Kudrna completed his first hat-trick in the WHL, on the night he scored his first goal. CPZ had an assist, on the short-handed marker.

James Wright added an unassisted goal at 13:23, and Sena Acolatse scored his first of the year for Seattle, with 10-2 being the final score.

It was a thumping to say the least, and the Giants played excellent hockey.

Road Kill Sports Three Stars:

1. Andrej Kudrna, Vancouver: On the night he scored his first WHL goal, Kudrna managed a hat trick. He had a Powerplay goal, an even-strength goal, as well as a short-handed tally to cap off his night of firsts, and thirds.

2. Evander Kane, Vancouver: One of the faces of the Franchise, Evander Kane scored a goal and had two assists in the beating, and has 5 goals on the season, to go along with his 10 points.

3. Mike Berube, Vancouver: Picking up his first two points of the season, a goal and an assist, Berube was +4, which was tied for a team lead in that game.

Vancouver gets back on the ice tonight against Portland, before resting up until next week, with a pair of home games, against Kelowna on Friday, and Prince Albert on Sunday. The play Everett on the 15th, wrapping up the homestand.

Giants defeat Silvertips, to open '08-'09 season

2008-09-20T21:45:00.000-07:00

The Vancouver Giants 2008-2009 season got off to the start, they envisioned, defeating Everett 4-0, as the visiting team.

Vancouver put rookie Jamie Tucker in net, making his WHL debut, and after his game in net, he has all but confirmed he'll be Tyson Sexsmith's backup as this season progresses.

Tucker's counterpart, Everett's Shayne Barrie, was making the 23rd appearance in his WHL career.

Vancouver's scratches:

Chris Cloud (Healthy)
JT Barnett (Healthy)
Bronson Maschmeyer (Day to Day)
Curtis Kulchar (Out 4-6 weeks)
Jon Blum (NHL Camp)
Brent Regner (NHL Camp)
Tyson Sexsmith (NHL Camp)

Vancouver dressed 13 forwards and 5 defenceman, after Bronson Maschmeyer's debut this year was held back, due to an ankle injury. He was 'questionable' heading into the game, but was a scratch.

Giants rookie Adam Basford, who was used as a call-up last season, took a penalty from the get-go, 3 minutes into the game. Everett's Markus McCrea was called for an Interference penalty almost 5 minutes into the contest, and Vancouver capitalized as his penalty wasn't even halfway done.

James Wright and Andrej Kudrna picked up assists on Neil Manning's first of the season, and Manning must've been beaming, after the injury-filled season he suffered last year. 1-0 after the PP marker.

Everett's Cam Abney and Vancouver's newest forward, Todd Kennedy got into a scram late in the first, with Kennedy picking up 17 minutes of penalty time (5 for fighting, 10-minute misconduct, 2 for instigating) and Abney being dealt the Fighting Major.

Brendan Gallagher and Andrej Kudrna, both Giants, were penalized early in the 2nd frame, but Everett couldn't score a goal on either powerplay, and unfortunately for the Tips, Vancouver's luck with a man advantage continued minutes later.

With Jeff Regier serving a Holding sentence, Evander Kane netted his first of the campaign, from Pierro-Zabotel and Craig Schira. After the goal, and while Vancouver was celebrating, Silvertips Assistant Captain Graham Potuer grabbed Kane, and was dealt a Cross-Checking minor.

Vancouver didn't, however, score with Potuer in the box.

Giants netminder Jamie Tucker was dealt his first penalty as a junior hockey player, 2 for delay of game, at 15:26.

Everett Captain Zack Dailey didn't set a good example for his club, taking an elbowing penalty in the dying minutes of the 2nd period. Of course, Vancouver scored their third Power-Play goal of the contest, this time, a beauty of a goal from Mike Piluso. Giants colour commentator Bill Wilms said the goal looked like it was from a 40-goal scorer. Craig Schira was handed his second assist of the game, and Neil Manning added another point to his game total.

A strange event happened with 8 minutes remaining in the 3rd, as Everett pulled Shayne Barrie. Maybe it was to send a message, to his club, from coach John Becanic, but I call it dumbfounding. Lance Bouma capitalized under a minute later, and Craig 'Cunner' Cunningham and the Bass, Adam Basford also picked up his first WHL point on the play, with the assist.

Markus McCrea was handed two minor penalties at the same time, a few minutes later, Slashing and High Sticking, but Vancouver didn't need an extra goal, as they took this one 4-0.

This game was actually quite boring to listen to, compared to other Giants/Everett games in the past. Oh wait, that's because Everett goon Kyle Beach is off getting beat-up at NHL Camp with Chicago. 'Beeotch' is rumoured to be traded, over the coming weeks.

For those who don't know, the Road Kill Sports Three Stars after every game have nothing to do with the building's three stars, it has to do with what we think. Usually, both versions of the Three Stars resemble each other. ;)

Road Kill Sports Three Stars:

1. Jamie Tucker, Goalie, Vancouver: Tucker's WHL debut turned out to be a 30-save shutout, that included a pair of penalty minutes, and some beauty saves throughout the contest. Tucker is only 17 and figures to be a top prospect for Vancouver in the years to come.

2. Neil Manning, Defence, Vancouver: Manning scored the Giants first goal of the season, and also assisted Mike Piluso's tally in the 2nd period. Manning has already tied the number of goals he scored last year, and is 1/4 of the way to tying his career-high in points last season.

3. Mike Piluso, Center, Vancouver: While Craig Schira's two assists could've given him the 3rd star, Piluso's goal was an absolute beauty and had Bill Wilms howling in the press box. ;) Piluso is apparently on the chopping block, and if he performs as well as he did tonight, he may just be a Giant for the rest of the season.

News and Notes:

A new rule, I had never heard of, was mentioned to me today, and that is that all WHL 16-year-olds must play in 40 games. That means Simon Witt, Mitch Spooner and Brendan Gallagher all have 39 games to go, at least. JT Barnett still hasn't made his WHL debut.

Jamie Tucker was a beast between the pipes tonight. He made save after save, and definitely warrants the Giants backup netminder position.

Next G-Men game is Wednesday, at Kamloops. Expect Tucker to get the start, but then again Kraymer Barnstable could be in for his last game as a Vancouver Giant.

September 20th: Giants at Everett; Season Opener preview

2008-09-20T17:37:00.000-07:00

The 0-0-1 Everett Silvertips will host the Giants tonight, in what will be Vancouver's first game of the 2008-2009 WHL season. Last night on the road in Kamloops, the 'Tips fell 4-3 after overtime, to the Blazers.

Paul Van de Velde, Matt Ius and Shane Harper had the markers for Everett, while Vancouver's BC Division rival Kamloops, had CJ Stretch, Shayne Wiebe, Captain Scott Wasden and ex-Giant Kenton Dulle scoring goals.

Everett's goalie, Shayne Barrie, saved 25 of 29 shots last night. Vancouver will be missing only three players in their lineup tonight, two of which play defence, while one is the starting goaltender.

D-men Jon Blum and Brent Regner remain at NHL camps, while Tyson Sexsmith is still with the San Jose Sharks. Blum is expected back in 7-8 days, while Regner has no timetable for his return. He may be in Vancouver for the Home Opener next Friday. Sexsmith is expected to fly back to play with the Giants, for Wednesday night's game in Kamloops.

Vancouver have 15 forwards listed on their roster, and 9 defenceman, including Blum and Regner. Curtis Kulchar, a recently acquired d-man is out 4-6 weeks with an injury, and fellow blueliner Bronson Maschmeyer is questionable for tonight's game. If Maschmeyer is out of the lineup, a forward may have to fill in.

Mike Berube, Craig Schira, Simon Witt, Neil Manning and Mitch Spooner are all guaranteed to be playing tonight.

It looks as though, the three forwards not in the lineup tonight may be Brendan Gallagher, JT Barnett and maybe a guy like Mike Piluso.

Jamie Tucker is expected to get the nod in net.

PLAYER TO WATCH (Vancouver): Casey Pierro-Zabotel is looking to fight for a job as one of three Overagers, and although he looks like a shoe-in after being returned from the Pittsburgh Penguins, CPZ will want to explode this year, to make Pittsburgh want to sign him next year, so he can keep playing hockey.

Keys to a win:

Don't let Everett 'Tuck' the puck into the net: Jamie Tucker is making his WHL debut tonight, and a win will all but put his name on the Giants backup position this year.

Man the point: Neil Manning, who had an injury-filled season last year as a WHL rookie, will be looking to secure his spot as a Top 4 Blueliner with Vancouver.

James squared: James Wright is coming off of a Rookie Camp with Tampa Bay, after a so-so season with the G-Men in '07-'08. The other James, James Henry, had a good rookie year with Vancouver, and will look to bank on it, starting tonight.

Giants prepare for Silvertips, as WHL season begins

2008-09-19T09:20:00.001-07:00

This blog has been 'abandoned' over the last few months, but that's all changing. You have my word, that starting Saturday night, every single Vancouver Giants game will have a game preview and a game recap. The Vancouver Canadians will get press, as will the UBC Thunderbirds Baseball team, once again. The Vancouver Canucks, will have an independent blogging home here, as we'll cover them as well. So buckle up, as Road Kill Sports shifts into overdrive.

The Giants open up their season Saturday night, in Everett, to face the Silvertips. Everett will have the likes of Kyle Beach and Zach Dailey up front, with Taylor Ellington and fellow Overager Graham Potuer. Ellington and Beach are both still at their respective NHL Training Camps, no word on if either one will be in the 'Tips lineup on Opening Night.

Between the pipes, Shayne Barrie (19) will be looking to replace Leland Irving, the longtime Everett goalie. Barrie, in 21 games in the WHL, has a 12-6 record, and in the playoffs, is 0-0-1.

The Giants will play Kamloops, next week, on the road, and are probably hoping that Overage player Scott Wasden and Defenceman Nick Ross don't make their way back to BC's interior before Wednesday night. Both players, as well as RW Tyler Shattock, are at NHL Training Camps.

Next Friday night, the G-Men open the year at home, hosting the Prince George Cougars. The Cougars season much depends on how Dana Tyrell does at Main Camp with the Tampa Bay LIghtning. The 19 year old forward scored 65 points last season as Assistant Captain of Prince George, but if he makes the Lightning out of Training Camp, the Cougars could be in serious trouble.

The Cougars goalie this year appears to be 20-year-old Kevin Armstrong, last year's backup to Dustin Tokarski on the Memorial Cup champion Spokane Chiefs. Through 3 years in the 'dub, Armstrong holds a 65-42-6 record, and has 5 career shutouts.

After Friday's game, Vancouver will board the bus to take on Stefan Schneider's Portland Winterhawks on Saturday. The Winterhawks were the joke of the league last season, and are looking to strip that title of worst team, with young stars like 16-year-old Taylor Peters. Jason Grecica is expected to have a bigger role this season, as is returning European Radim Vulchar.

On Defence, former top WHL Bantam Draft pick Ryan Kerr is one of four 19-year-olds, and former Giant property Scott Gabriel, a 20-year-old, wants to bank on his career-high in points (6), and Penalty Minutes (244). Stefan Schneider, who was dealt from Vancouver last week, wants to prove he belongs in the WHL.

Between the pipes, Kurtis Mucha is off at an NHL Training Camp, and overage player Jordan White is expected to pick up the work load, with Mucha away. Unfortunately for Portland fans, White was 1-20-1 last year, and 1-5-1 the year before with Prince George. Yikes.

Vancouver will complete the 3-game weekend with a early evening game in Chilliwack, renewing their rivalry against the Bruins. Mark Santorelli isn't expected to be back with the Bruins, and Oscar Moller may or may not be in Chilliwack for another season, as the NHL is looming. Matt Meropoulis is off at NHL camp, but chances are that he'll be back in Chilliwack before that meeting between the two teams on the 28th.

Vancouver native Evan Pighin, Prince George's own Ryan Howse and guys like Partik Bhungal and Chris Van Duynhoven all return for Chilliwack. Import Alex Wiklund is also expected to make an impact.

At goalie, it'll be either Mark Friesen or Lucas Gore between the pipes. Friesen was 10-12-4 last year for Chilliwack in 31 games, while Gore appeared once, and gave up a goal in 12 minutes.

The Giants have two players back from NHL camps, in James Wright and Lance Bouma. Still left at the NHL level are Captain Jon Blum, Goalie Tyson Sexsmith, Forward Casey Pierro-Zabotel (who may or not be coming back to Vancouver) and D Brent Regner.

Wright and Bouma shall be in the lineup tomorrow night. Game preview tomorrow morning, here at Road Kill Sports.

Canadians end year on high note; finish with 34 wins

2008-09-19T09:20:00.000-07:00

An up and down season has come to an end for the Vancouver Canadians faithful, with more downs, than ups. Not to say this year was a ‘wash’ year, because that might be an over-reaction, but it’s safe to say this year won’t go down as the best in Canadians short-season history. Just be thankful we don’t live in Yakima, where an average of 1900 fans show up to each game, and their team wins just 28 games after 76 matches. Yikes.

In the dugout, Manager Rick Magnante returned for his third year with the C’s, and with the help of Jimmy Escalante and JT Stotts, transformed several players from second-rate players, to first-class gentleman. Take David Thomas for example, a guy who probably hadn’t played First Base since High School, who was penciled in one game to take over for Dusty Napoleon. Did he do well? You could say that. But it’d be an under-statement.

In one of the last home games of the season, Thomas dove over the bag, and flipped a double-play from his knees. I have never seen anything like that at the 3 slot, and probably never will again. Thomas, mark my words, will be playing for Oakland by 2012. Easily.

OF Jeremy Barfield went through a bit of a slump over the last two weeks of the season, hitting just .194 over his last 10 games, but still finished the year with a very respectable .271 BA through 69 games. He had three dingers, 17 doubles, and averaged just under a hit per game. Barfield hit just .222 in June, before picking it up, hitting .280 and .290 respectively in July and August. As much as I don’t want to bring up family in a ballplayer, the son of Jesse, and the brother of Josh, it looks like Jeremy might be off to the Majors to be the second, second-generation Barfield to make the Major Leagues.

JD Pruitt ended his NWL season, with a four-game hitting streak, which included a 3-4 season finale against Salem-Keizer, and a 2-4 game on September 1st. Pruitt missed a good chunk of the year with a concussion, but still hit .282 in his sophomore campaign in Vancouver. He legged out 4 doubles and a pair of troubles, as well as knocking out four home-runs.

Pruitt also hit .444 against left-handed hitters, in 27 at-bats. OF Mitch LeVier suffered a few injuries, but still managed to hit .241 on the year, committing no errors in the outfield. LeVier stole four bases, and legged out 7 doubles.

DH Mike Lissman played the outfield on a few occasions, but was better suited as the Designated Hitter. Lissman, in 44 games, hit six home-runs, and five of his home-runs came in July. Lissman drove in 22 runs, and scored 25 times.

Moving to the infield, SS Jason Christian led the pack, offensively and defensively. Christian suffered a few blunders at short early in the year, and committed 18 errors when the year was said and done, but his .291 average, and 16 doubles more than made up for it. Jason also drove in 24 runs, stole a team-high 13 bases, getting caught only once, and walked 39 times, good enough for 2nd on the team.

Jason did strike out 65 times, another team-high, and finished second in team home-runs, with 4.

Christian’s late-season replacement Dusty Coleman sure made a splash, with his first Northwest League hit coming as a walk-off, against the Boise Hawks at home. Coleman played in 19 games, and hit .319 with 8 doubles in that short time. Coleman struck out 26 times in just 72 at-bats, and bobbled just three balls at shortstop.

2B Marcos Luis had some of the coolest walk-up music in the C’s locker room, and also was a hit on the field, picking up a hit, on average, every four at-bats. He batted .250, and despite playing in 38 games, only had 5 errors in the field. Luis was speedy on the base paths, picking up 3 steals, but was also reliable in flipping double plays, diving for ground balls, and doing pirouettes at second base, on one occasion. Unfortunately, it resulted in a injury, he never really recovered from. Luis should be the everyday 2nd baseman in Kane County next year.

Dusty Napoleon’s sophomore campaign with Vancouver went a bit better than his first, and with that second year, came more playing time, at a different position. Napoleon finished third in games played, and legged out 12 doubles, one triple (which was actually an inside the park home-run), and smacked two home-runs. He walked a team-high 41 times, and struck out 41 times as well.

The other infielders, 2B Francisco Tirado and 3B Rodney Rutherford combined bobbled 36 balls, and both hit just above .210. They both had similar seasons, walking the same amount of times (16) and each had 8 extra-base hits.

3B Leo Gil joined the team in late-July but still fared well with the C’s, batting .208 in 25 games. Gil had one home-run in Spokane’s right-field porch, and drove in 8 runs. He had just 4 errors.

Behind the dish, Juan Nunez batted .206 after two separate stints with the C’s this year, while Julio Rivera didn’t quite make the Mendoza Line, despite having a fairly good end to the year, batting .244 in August. Dante Love’s second year in Vancouver was much of the same as the first, and actually Love had a better first year, than his second. Unfortunately, Love’s season was abruptly ended in August, after breaking his nose. He finished the year with a batting average of .151.

One guy who seems to get lost in the offensive shuffle is Jareck West. Now, Jareck played in 59 games this year, and hit .181. Those don’t seem like monster numbers, and I won’t lie, they’re not. Jareck was a pinch runner for 4 of his last 10 games. And did much of the same all year. But you know what? He didn’t complain. Will he be back next year? Probably. Will he be happy? Doubt it. Will he take it in stride? Hell yes. Of Jareck’s 29 hits, 7 were doubles, 4 were triples and two were dingers, which both came in back-to-back at-bats, in two different games in Spokane, including a game-changing Grand Slam late in the game.

Jareck West may not be the star of this team, but if you’re reading this Mr West, be damn proud of yourself, because you’re gonna get far in life, as well as in baseball, if you keep up this attitude. Ladies and Gentleman, he’s for real.

On the hill, Vancouver had a few stars, and looking at the stats it’s easy to tell who.

He might not have had the lowest ERA, but Pedro Figueroa was by far the best pitcher in this C’s staff. Going 2-5, with an ERA of 3.93, ‘Figgy’ started 15 games for the C’s, and struck out 77, which put him tied with Ronny Morla for the team lead. In his second year with Vancouver, Pedro made a name for himself, and will likely move up to Kane County next year.

Ronny Morla started the most games all year, 16 in all, and was 2-6 with an ERA just under 5.00. Morla may find himself wearing a C’s uniform next year, but if not, will likely be in Kane County, with Figueroa.

RHP Shawn ‘Harvard’ Haviland was converted to a starter midway through the year, and excelled, to say the least. His ERA as a reliever was 1.04, and as a starter, 4.62. But don’t let that confuse you, Haviland was dominating on the mound, and didn’t usually get defensive help, even though he’d never admit to that. Haviland struck out 10 in his second-last home game, against Boise after just 4 innings, and also had three games where he struck out 6 or more batters.

‘The Nat’ wasn’t very kind to Haviland, as his ERA was almost 4.00 lower on the road, than at home. He surrendered just 5 earned runs all year on the road, and all five were when he started.

Southpaw Trey Barham was arguably the best left-hander all year, combined with Pedro Figueroa, going 4-4 with an ERA of 3.46, as a reliever/starter. Barham gave up one run or less in four of his 7 starts, and gave up four runs only once. Trey failed to give up a run in day games, including a start, where he battled with Boise, where both teams had a perfect game through 5 innings. Barham struck out 7, in 7 innings, in two games, on Day Games.

The C’s other starter, was RHP Mike Hart who suffered down the stretch, but still had a great year, coming out of the Texas State Baseball program. Hart failed to give up a run after his first three starts, before yielding one on August 16th against Boise. He then gave up three in his final two starts, before an injury prevented him from a start in the last homestand.

Hart’s season ERA finished at a very good 2.52, and finished the year with a WHIP that stood at 1.09, finishing third on the team, and leading all starting pitchers.

LHP Carlos Hernandez made a name for himself in the ranks of minor league baseball this summer, after a less than stellar 2007. Hernandez threw for a trio of teams in less than two months, pitching for Vancouver, Kane County and Stockton, in their playoff run. And for all three teams, he maintained an ERA below 2.30. It’s a much different story than last year, when after a pair of games as a C’s reliever he was sent down after giving up three earned runs in two innings. He headed down to Arizona, worked on a breaking ball, and finished the year with a 6.75 ERA between Vancouver and the AZL A’s.

I have never, seen such a dramatic turn-around, as I have this summer with Carlos. After 7 starts in Vancouver, he gave up just 8 earned runs in 39.2 innings, striking out 38, before getting the call up to Kane County. His ERA was 1.82, and was 2-0. In Illinois, it was much of the same for the 5′11 155lbs southpaw, going 5-0 with an ERA of 2.29. Again, he failed to give up 10 runs, as he surrendered 9 through 35 innings.

This year, pitching for Stockton in the Cal League Playoffs, he was magnificent. In his first outing, in a hitters league, after 6 innings on the mound, he gave up three hits and walked just one batter, while fanning 10. His last, and final appearance of the year, came on Sunday, when in the final game of the Cal League Championship series, his starting performance led the way to a Ports victory. 5.1 innings, 6 hits, 1 earned run, 2 walks and four strikeouts. Not bad for a guy who might have been on the A’s chopping block, 12 months ago. Kudos to both Carlos, and Jimmy Escalante, as well as Craig Lefferts, and everyone else who has turned this kid around, he is one great ballplayer.

Fireballer Hector Garcia didn’t finish the year with Vancouver, but still had respectable numbers when with the C’s. The pitcher who touched 98 here-and-there was 2-4 with an ERA of 4.46. Half of his games were starts, before he got turned to the bullpen in July. Garcia walked 5 more, than he struck out, and gave up the same amount of runs, as K’s.

LHP Fabian "Pick-Me!" Gomez might not have had luck on the field, think in Spokane when a sure inning-ending double play turned into a Leo Gil mental error, as Gil picked up only one out on the play, and thought the inning was over. Of course, Spokane scored another run or two.

Gomez, did, however manage to pick-off a bunch of NWL baserunners. I have the total somewhere, and when I find it, I’ll post it on the site. His 3-2 record and 5.94 ERA suggest he did poorer than he actually did, as being put into tough situations, game-in and game-out don’t always help pitchers.

RHP Ryne Tacker needs to forget. Tacker’s 0-5 record, mixed in with a 10.03 ERA after 8 starts and 6 relief appearances, is something the Texas native needs to put behind him, as he works on regaining his composure. Think Carlos Hernandez, Ryne, you could be in the same situation a year from now.

RHP Matt Fitts and Ken Smalley put up similar numbers this year in Vancouver, but for Fitts, his 1-1 record might be the worst part of his stats. I’m kidding, of course, as Fitts was undefeated in college this year, pitching for the NAIA champion Lewis-Clark State. The loss may not be something Fitts is used to, but his 2.86 ERA more than makes up for that one lone loss. And after 11 games at Nat Bailey this year, 9 as a Canadian, 2 as a Warrior, he is still, undefeated.

Smalley, on the other hand, had never pitched at ‘The Nat’ ahead of this summer, and compelled a 5-1 record, that tags along with his 3.07 ERA. Smalley had one blunder, an error in August, that almost cost the C’s the victory, but threw in the 95mph range all summer, and fooled hitters left and right. Smalley struck out 34 batters in almost 30 innings.

Edgar Tejeda has worn the C’s jersey for two years now, even though last year he only did for about 7 days. After a sizzling season opening performance, where he struck out 9 in 4 innings, Tejeda cooled off, going 1-1 with an ERA of 5.17. The ERA is a career low for Tejeda, since leaving the Dominican Summer League back in 2006. Tejeda struck out 40 batters in 31 innings, and gave up just under a hit an inning.

Lefty Ben Hornbeck’s numbers weren’t fantastic, but could’ve been worse for the Phoenix, Arizona native who shall be right at home come Spring Training. Hornbeck was 3-2 this summer, 2-2 with Vancouver, and 1-0 with Kane County. He was called up in late-August, with Jason Christian, where he helped the Cougars in the post-season. Hornbeck threw 31 innings in Vancouver, gave up 30 hits, and struck out 40, and those are the same numbers as Edgar Tejeda. Spooky.

Dan Thomas had fans looking at the Left Field radar gun every time he threw the ball. In his first game in July, it seemed as though every pitch was hitting 97. Since that time, he was throwing 97 and 98 consistently. Unfortunately for him, opponents were hitting off of him near the end of the year, but of his 13 relief appearances, he gave up runs in only three. He fanned 20 over 18.2 innings of work.

Canadian Mathieu Leblanc Poirier excited fans at the Nat once they knew he was an actual Canadian, and his stats weren’t too shabby either. He went 1-0 with an ERA below 1.00, after joining the club in mid-August. The only run he allowed was in his second-last game, against Eugene.

This baseball team, didn’t have the best record on the field. Some of these players, didn’t have the stats they were hoping for. Some of the management might not have been happy with the crowds on some nights, maybe they were disappointed with the Opening Night turnout, who knows. But this organization, led by Andy Dunn, Jake Kerr and Jeff Mooney, are on the right track. And let me tell you, in a few years, we’ll be up there with the Sacramento Rivercats as one of the darn finest organizations in all of baseball. And that, C’s fans is why I tip my cap to them.

Giants to open season in less than two weeks

2008-09-14T21:04:00.000-07:00

After a disappointing playoff exit to the eventual Memorial Cup champion Spokane Chiefs, the Vancouver Giants are back in the hunt, without former fan favourites Garet Hunt, Michal Repik and Mario Bliznak, among others including last year's captain Spencer Machacek who is expected to make Atlanta's AHL roster this year out of Training Camp.

The WHL season opens in 4 days, when Spokane battles the Kootenay Ice on Shaw TV, channel 4.

The Giants year starts two nights later in Everett. After that, on the 24th, the G-Men head to Kamloops, before the Home Opener on the 26th of September as they host Prince George. The boys board the bus to Portland the following day for a rendez-vous with the Winter Hawks, before a early evening game with Chilliwack on Sunday, capping off a three-game weekend.

The G-Men haven't decided on their roster for the year, and have four Overagers, one above the WHL maximum. Luckily, there is a deadline a few weeks into the season, giving Vancouver time to single out the unlucky 20-year-old.

Currently they have two forwards who are overaged, as well as two 20-year old D-Men. Chris Cloud and Casey Pierro-Zabotel are up front, while Craig Schira and Mike Berube are the pair hanging around the blueline.

Schira put up good numbers in his first year with Vancouver in '07-'08 after being traded from Regina a few games into the season. Schira, in 65 games last year, scored 8 goals and assisted 22 markers, coming to a total of 30 points. He was also a +24 on the year. His 8 goals, and +24 rating were both career highs. His career high in assists, is 28 back in his second year in the 'dub.

Berube was fairly successful as well, scoring 5 goals and tallying 13 assists in 72 games. He set career-highs in Penalty Minutes (95), +/- rating (+28) and goals (5). In my view, if a d-man were to head out of town, it'd be Berube.

Casey Pierro Zabotel (LW) could make the Pittsburgh Penguins or their AHL affiliate out of Training Camp, but if not, he'll be a dominating presence with the Giants. In 49 games last year, as a WHL rookie, 'CPZ' scored 19 goals, and assisted 29 others, totaling 48 points, averaging just under one point a game. He also, somehow, went to the penalty box only four times.

Chris Cloud doesn't have a guaranteed spot on the roster for this season, as the 20-year-old's status with Vancouver remains to be known. Last year, in his first year with the G-Men, Cloud tallied 8 goals and 11 assists, and picked up 105 penalty minutes. Cloud may have to hope CPZ makes the AHL, because if not, he could be finding himself on a bus out of town.

As of today, there are 16 forwards, 9 Defenceman and 3 goalies left with Vancouver in Training Camp. Thanks to Giantsbeat.com for the info. Right now, the Giants have only 13 forwards in camp, with James Wright, Lance Bouma and Casey Pierro-Zabotel all away at NHL camps.

They also have 7 defenceman, because Captain Jon Blum and Brent Regner are also at their respective camps.

Starting goalie Tyson Sexsmith is in San Jose Rookie Camp, leaving Jamie Tucker and Kraymer Barnstable to duke it out for the back-up role.

The Giants made three trades over the last week, with Defenceman Stefan Schneider heading to Portland, Forward Jon Parker going to Seattle and C/LW Mitch Czibere was dealt to the Regina Pats, in exchange for RW Todd Kennedy and D Curtis Kulchar.

Of the 13 forwards in Giants camp, expect most if not all to remain for another week or two, probably until the Home Opener, when most of the guys away at NHL camps will return. Some may be back as soon as next weekend.

Up front, the two imports, Mikhail Fisenko and Andrej Kurdna have their spots on the Opening Day roster, and both players are expected to make a splash in the WHL this season.

Returning players still on the roster, include Evander Kane, Craig Cunningham, James Wright, Garry Nunn, James Henry, Lance Bouma, Cloud, Pierro-Zabotel and Mike Piluso.

On the blueline, the returnees are Brent Regner, Craig Schira, Neil Manning, Mike Berube and Captain Jon Blum.

And in net, Tyson Sexsmith will man the ship as the starter, with either last year's backup Kraymer Barnstable or newcomer Jamie Tucker being his 2008-2009 back-up man.

Four young forwards expected to crack the roster, are Mikael Jung (16), Adam Basford, JT Barnett (16) and Brendan Gallagher (16). Depending on how the next three or four weeks pan out, overage wise, one of these young guys could be re-assigned to their respective clubs.

Simon Witt wants to be one of the Giants d-men this year, but his spot is not set in stone. Witt, Mitch Spooner (a top Bantam Draft pick from a few years ago) and Bronson Maschmeyer are all vying for the final spots on the Giants blueline. So far, there is Brent Regner, Craig Schira, Neil Manning, Mike Berube, Jon Blum and Curtis Kulchar. Spooner is all but guaranteed a spot, being one of the club's top prospects, but Witt and Maschmeyer may have to duke it out next week to make the team.

Between the pipes, I'd give the edge to Jamie Tucker, just because Kraymer Barnstable had an all but good game against Chilliwack this past weekend, and Kraymer didn't have the best start to his Giants career last year.

Barnstable was 6-4 in 14 games last year, but his play wasn't as good as those stats may suggest. Tucker is a year younger than Barnstable, as Jamie is 17, but may have to wait another year before cracking the G-Men.

In the Division:

Look for a preview of the BC Division, on Tuesday, which will tell you which teams, from Kelowna to Prince George, will make a splash this season in the 'Dub.

Road Kill Sports will continue its coverage of the Giants, the Vancouver Canucks and UBC Thunderbirds Baseball this coming year.

75 down, 1 to go

2008-09-03T09:03:00.000-07:00

It's been that kind of season for the Vancouver Canadians, where with just one game left on the schedule, the guys just want to get it over, and done with. On paper, they look like a good team. Dave Thomas, JD Pruitt and Jeremy Barfield in the outfield, and a few weeks ago they had Jason Christian, Dusty Napoleon, Marcos Luis and Rodney Rutherford in the infield. Add Dusty Coleman to the mix, and it looked like they could've done some damage after all.

The team, in other words, couldn't put it together. Manager Rick Magnante, in his third year, did the best job he could with the players he was given, and should return next year. That is, after he manages South Africa at the World Baseball Classic in March.

Pitching Coach Jimmy Escalante returned for his second year, and both times it's been last minute, with Craig Lefferts being sick. Jimmy should be back in Arizona next year, where he can use both of his languages to full use, Spanish and English. Jimmy did, however, do an excellent job with the C's in his two-year tenure.

Hitting Coach JT Stotts, a former C's shortstop from back in '01, filled in for the demoted Ed Campaniello, and quickly gained respect from his players, and peers. JT is a scout in the off-season. No word on if he'll be back next year.

As for the organization, it was a huge step forward. 129, 073 fans showed up in the summer of '08, compared to the 126, 491 that came in 2007. That increased by three thousand over 2006, where it was the C's lowest season attendance since 2001.

Vancouver averaged 2585 fans a game, good enough for second best in the Northwest.

Team President Andy Dunn, combined with GM Andrew Seymour made going to the Nat, fun again. There were the Zooperstars, Birdzerk, the San Diego Chicken, Fergie Jenkins, Bret 'Hitman' Hart and Tim Raines. There was face painting, fireworks, A&W days, all the little things that make going to the ballpark an enjoyable experience.

The C's media department made strides, putting in concourse audio of the broadcast, with Rob Fai, and video on the big screens, filmed up top on the roof. You could then hear, and see, what was going on when you were waiting for food.

Video was put up on the website, Rob Fai broadcasted the whole season on the internet and the Team 1040, and his daily segment with Manager Rick Magnante made it for a very enjoyable listen.

To end the year, the C's managed a sell-out and a near sellout in the final three games of the year, and the team swept Eugene, with a walk-off hit in the 9th in Game 2, a 7-run 2nd inning in the first, and a crushing blow to Eugene in the series finale.

The C's season-high 4 game win streak ended last night, and therefore they'll go down as the worst team in Canadians history. The 2003 Canadians had 35 wins, and this team could have as many as 34 if they win tonight.

Once the C's finish tonight, I'll post the stats, who did what, who didn't do what, etc. but for now, and this is to all Vancouver Canadians fans, I invite you to send an email to the Canadians staff, and let them know your experience at the Nat this summer. If you really loved something, if they know, it might be around for next year. Hey, you could even ask that Chef Wasabe win more than once next year, but they did a great job this season, and hats off to the owners Jeff Mooney and Jake Kerr. Not every owner in the world would do the Chicken Dance, let alone get up and socialize with fans.

For the Record

2008-08-27T14:02:00.000-07:00

After Vancouver split a Monday night double-header, and lost a rain-shortened game in Everett on Tuesday, it's become obvious this team will go down as the least winning team in short-season C's history. With 28 wins with 8 games remaining, Vancouver needs to win 7 of those last 8 in order to tie their 2003 season season, when Dennis Rogers' Canadians had 35 wins.

But, there are some reasons to come out to the ballpark this upcoming week, for the remaining three home games. Records. Here are some records that may or not be broken by September 3rd.

OF David Thomas currently has 17 doubles, good enough for a tie for fourth with three past Canadians. Dan Hamblin holds the record of 21, with Matt Sulentic following with 19, and Corey Brown with 18. Teammate Jeremy Barfield has 16, which puts him in a tie for 8th all-time.

Jeremy Barfield needs 7 hits to be put in a three-way tie for 9th for short-season hits. Barfield has 63, while Dan Johnson and Greg Dowling each had 70. The record was set by Javier Herrera, who had 84 in 2004.

Barfield is also one RBI away from tying Matt Allegra and two other C's alum for 8th place on the all-time RBI list. 2007 Canadian Dan Hamblin holds the record of 62.

OF Jareck West is one triple away from tying four former Canadians for the season record, of 4. Corey Brown is the most recent Canadian to reach 4 triples in a season. West has 3, through 56 games.

DH Mike Lissman needs a home-run to be tied for 6th all-time. Lissman has 6 on the year, good enough for a tie of 8th, but another one will put him tied with Casey Myers and Jorge Soto, who both had 7 in 2001.

SS Jason Christian finishes the year with 39 walks, which puts him in a tie for 8th place all-time. 1B Dusty Napoleon has 38, and is currently in a tie for 10th all-time. JD Pruitt set the record of 50 last season, and has 35 this year.

Christian will also hold the mark for the 8th most Stolen Bases in a single season, with 13.

Depending on how many more times he comes to the plate this year, JD Pruitt could set a record for On-base percentage. The current record is .487, set by Jeremy Brown, and Pruitt's is .500. I don't believe he qualifies yet though, with only 93 at-bats.

deaza_inoel.jpgRHP Ronny Morla has two more starts in him this season, and unfortunately for him, he's only one loss away from the short-season record, of 7 set by Inoel Deaza (left) and Christian Gonzalez. Morla has 6 losses on the campaign, which puts him in a tie with Brad Hertzler and Edwin Minaya.

If Morla surrenders 12 hits in his final two starts, he'll hold the short-season record. Currently it's 90, set in 2001. Ronny needs to give up only three more earned runs to break the record of ER in a season as well.

Jose Guzman needs to appear in two more games this year, to break the record of most appearances in a season. The current number was created when Dan Fyvie made 26 appearances in 2003. Guzman has 25.

Guzman needs one more save to tie Brad Kilby's record of 14, and two more to break it. I have a good feeling, that he will indeed smash the record.

Manager Rick Magnante has 104 wins as a Canadians manager, tops for a short-season boss, but is still more than a hundred wins from the C's all-time lead. Magnante needs 7 more wins to be tied with Tony Muser for 7th place. Right now, Magnante is in sole position of 8th place.

Left-Handed Reliever promoted to Kane County

2008-08-25T09:01:00.000-07:00

One day after Nat Notes reported that SS Jason Christian was on his way up to Kane County, we have learned he will have a familiar face with him as he makes the trip to Beloit, Wisconsin this week, for the Cougars road trip. LHP Ben Hornbeck, a reliable southpaw out of the pen has been taken off the C's roster, and will immediately head to the Cougars.

Ben was 2-2, in 18 relief appearances for the Canadians. His ERA was at 4.88, and struck out 40 batters in 31 innings. The 6'5 intimidated the batters he faced, and will now be a key lefty in the Cougars bullpen, in their push to the championship.

Vancouver now only has a pair of left-handed relievers, in Fabian 'Pick Me' Gomez and Brad 'Perfect' Hertzler.

Hornbeck will be the third southpaw in the Cougars 'pen, joining 2007 Canadians Lance Sewell and Nick Walters. LHP Anthony Capra and 2008 ex-Canadian Carlos Hernandez are the two lefties in the starting rotation.

The C's return to the field tonight, without Hornbeck and Christian, for a double-header, against the Everett Aquasox. RHP Ronny Morla takes the hill for Game 1, and Pedro Figueroa gets the ball for game 2.

Roster Moves, Rainouts, Robbing Runs, C's eight back of Volcanoes

2008-08-24T21:00:00.000-07:00

After being swept by the Eugene Emeralds, the Vancouver Canadians were virtually eliminated from NWL Post-season contention. Even after a series opening victory against the Everett Aquasox, the C's fate is still gloomy. Heading into Sunday's NWL action, the C's are tied with the Aquasox for last place in the West Division, 8 games back of both the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes and Eugene Emeralds, who are both tied for first in the division. The two are currently playing each other down in the Pacific Northwest.

Last night, a 3-run bomb from Juan Nunez, plus a solo shot by JD Pruitt (who has now hit dingers in back-to-back games), gave the C's an 8-3 victory in front of 4200 fans. Nunez also caught a high throw from JD Pruitt to rob a runner at home plate, with Nunez leaping in the air, and swooping down on the runner to get him out at the dish. It was an excellent defensive snag, to say the least.

David Thomas was 3-4, and Jeremy Barfield was 2-4. Dusty Napoleon was walked three times, and Jason Christian was 1-4 with a double in his last game as a Vancouver Canadian.

Christian, last game? What? The C's SS has been moved up to the Kane County Cougars today, as the Cougars desperately need a middle infielder for their playoffs, which begin next week. Congrats to Jason, who will look to help lead the Cougars into the league championship.

Thanks to the Jason Christian Facebook Fan Club for the 'inside scoop'.

Christian will join the Cougars in Beloit tomorrow, and hopefully for him, he can draw into the lineup as soon as possible. The Cougars hold the Midwest League wild-card playoff spot from the First Half and their regular season ends on September 1st.

Today's scheduled, 'Nooner' between the C's and Aquasox has been postponed due to heavy rain in the area. There will now be a double-header on Monday, starting with Game 1 at 5:00 PM. Both games will be 7 innings long. Ronny Morla takes the ball for Game 1, and Pedro 'Figgy' Figueroa will mend the ship for Game 2.

Bilingual Coach making home in Vancouver..sort of

2008-08-20T20:58:00.000-07:00

Suzanna Ahearne of the Vancouver Sun profiled C's pitching coach Jimmy Escalante in yesterday's 'Westcoast' section of the Vancouver Sun. You can read the full article, here.

Young pitchers working with Escalante don't just get the opportunity for intensive coaching in their mother tongue, a great leg-up in itself, but also have in Escalante a cultural interpreter, guide and big brother.

"I do everything with these kids," says 31-year-old Escalante following a coaching session before an evening game.

The players on the field at Nat Bailey are loud and boisterous. English and Spanish are spoken in clusters. Escalante slips in and out of his two languages with ease.

"They definitely need a shoulder to lean on. They're away from home. Many have never done this before. ... They can come up to me in any situation. I'm basically their voice."

Escalante's primary goal is to help the young people develop their play but in order to move up the ranks, they have to improve their English skills with mandatory lessons. He knows that the young Latinos' year with him is vital. "If someone isn't there teaching them in Spanish, they don't get the information....I tell these guys a lot of what they have to do [to get to the majors] happens here."

This is Escalante's second year here, after being scheduled both times to coach the Arizona A's, where most latino prospects start their careers.

Giants just weeks away from start of pre-season

2008-08-20T12:42:00.001-07:00

The Vancouver Giants will have a different opening day lineup than last season, that is for sure. Gone are enforcer Garet Hunt, Mario Bliznak and RJ Larochelle. On their way out, to NHL clubs and their affiliates, are Spencer Machacek and Michal Repik. After a tough loss to the Spokane Chiefs in last year's playoffs, the G-Men are looking to repeat as Memorial Cup Champions, as they won the trophy two years ago.

Watch this space in the coming days leading up to the pre-season opener on August 29th, with schedules, rosters and training camp info.

C's remain six back heading into home stretch

2008-08-20T11:58:00.000-07:00

A week ago, the Canadians were closer to 10 games back of the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, but now, they're just six away from the first-place powerhouse. Would it take a miracle for Vancouver to get into the playoffs? Yes, but they're still not out of the picture entirely.

Vancouver is on the bus heading to Eugene at the moment, before coming home to face the third-place Everett Aquasox. They'll then finish the home-and-home with the Flipper Kids before the Emeralds come to visit to close out the home portion of the schedule. Vancouver finishes the year on the road in Salem-Keizer.

That's 15 games left, and the most important three are the last trio of games. Even if Vancouver makes up three games on the Volcanoes in their next 12 games, they'll only be three back heading into the series with the Volcanoes. That means a sweep would tie the teams. Not impossible.

Salem is coming off a series when the Spokane Indians absolutely demolished them, with the Injuns taking four out of the five games. Spokane out-scored Salem-Keizer 38-15. Yikes. Now the Volcanoes are heading to Everett, where they play a three-game series with the Aquasox. After that, they have six games in a row against the Emeralds, another three-game series with Everett, before hosting the C's to end the year.

Salem is 2-4 vs Everett this season, and 3-3 against the Emeralds. They play six of their last fifteen at home, and the other nine on the road. Unfortunately, they're much better as visitors, going 18-11 compared to the 14-18 record at home. Vancouver's in the same boat, with three less losses on the road, they have, however, also played three less games on the road.

Everett is absolutely pitiful on the road, with an 11-21 record, good news for C's fans who want Everett to beat Salem, because the Flippers are 16-13 at home.

The standings look like this:
Salem is up one game on Eugene. Everett is four back of Eugene, and five back of Keizer. And the C's are one back of Everett, five back of Eugene and half-a-dozen games behind Salem.

It will sure be an interesting next two weeks.

boise_hawks_2004.gifBack to baseball now, Vancouver lost two of three to the Volcanoes to open this last homestand, but took three out of five from the Boise Hawks. The first game of the series saw Pedro Figueroa pick up his first win of the season, with his only blunder happening when he gave up a solo blast to Andrew Rundle. Figgy two-hit the Hawks through six, striking out 7. The three relievers, Mathieu Leblanc Poirier, Ken Smalley and Jose Guzman all pitched hit-less innings on the mound. It was Guzman's 12th save of the campaign.

Offensively, Julio Rivera was 2-4 with a double and a run scored, while Mitch LeVier was 1-3 with an RBI and a run. Dave Thomas led the offence, going 2-4 with a pair of doubles and an RBI, to go along with his 5th stolen base of the season.

Vancouver took the game 3-1.

The next night was a hitters battle, with Boise leading 7-3 going into the bottom of the ninth. Jeremy Barfield hit a game-tying Grand Slam, but the Hawks pulled away in the 10th, scoring twice to win it, 9-7. Boise doubled the Canadians in hits, 20-9.

On the hill, Mike Hart surrendered two runs, one earned, through four innings, while Matt Fitts gave up a pair of hits and walks while striking out five in his two innings. Dan Thomas gave up two runs in the 7th and 8th, and Ben Hornbeck allowed three runs in the 9th.

Jose Guzman took the loss as the winning two runs scored in the 10th on his account. Brad Hertzler pitched a perfect inning of relief, after Jose gave up the runs.

barfield-jeremy.jpgAs I said, Barfield hit a grand slam in the 9th, his third home-run of the season, and Mitch LeVier was 2-5 with a double. JD Pruitt picked up his first hit since being injured in July, he was 1-5 with two runs scored. Dusty Coleman's NWL debut wasn't so hot, 0-5 with three strikeouts.

Sunday afternoon's game featured a C's comeback after leading the game through the 7th. Boise scored three times in the 8th and 9th to tie the game, but a Dusty Coleman walk-off hit brought in the winning run.

Dave Thomas had a double, RBI and run, while Marcos Luis was 2-3 with a triple and an RBI. Jeremy Barfield was 0-3 with a trio of strikeouts, but was the winning run after getting on base via a hit-by-pitch. It extended his on-base streak to 24 games, which is what it ended up being, after failing to get on base Monday night.

Dusty Coleman had the wakoff knock, for his first hit in the NWL.

It was for sure a pitchers duel, with Boise's Aaron Shafer one-hitting the C's through 5 when his day was done, he struck out six. Trey Barham was much of the same for Vancouver, 5 hits, six strikeouts, 6 innings. Mathieu LeBlanc Poirier pitched a scoreless 7th, before Edgar Tejeda gave up two unearned runs in the 8th. Ken Smalley took the Blown Save and the Win, as he surrendered a run.

Monday night was a good comeback, with all but two C's starters pick up a hit. JD Pruitt was 2-3 with a double and the winning run scored, and both Jason Christian and Dusty Coleman were 2-4, Coleman with a double as well. Dusty Napoleon was 1-2 with a two-run home-run in the 6th.

Shawn Haviland was spectacular on the mound, 4 innings, 10 strikeouts. Yes, all but two of his outs were K's. He gave up three runs, before Ben Hornbeck and Brad Hertzler each gave up one as well. Jose Guzman picked up his 13th save of the year, and is now one back of Brad Kilby for the single-season record of 14 set in 2005. Vancouver won 6-5 after a comeback.

Tuesday was a nightmare, with three Boise Hawks picking up four hits, and another pair each getting three. All Boise batters had at least one hit, even the guy who had one at-bat. For Vancouver, Rodney Rutherford was 4-5 with a double, 2 RBI and two runs scored. Dave Thomas was much of the same, 3-5, 2 doubles and 4 RBI. JD Pruitt was hit for the first time since being injured, and he was beaned twice, but seemed to be OK.

Starter Ronny Morla surrendered 7 runs in 3.2 innings, before Ryne Tacker, Fabian Gomez, Edgar Tejeda and Julio Rivera all gave up 9 more runs. To Julio's defence, only one run was earned and he hasn't looked that bad on the hill in both of his outings.

Pair of positioin players have arrived

2008-08-16T11:57:00.000-07:00

Two new players have flown into Vancouver, and were in uniform for game time last night. The one player, is a 2008 returnee. He started the year with the C's, got promoted to Kane County, hit .333 and then got injured on July 14th. He's back now, in Vancouver, and is a catcher named Juan Nunez. He should split time with Julio Rivera behind the dish, but I don't know if he's (Nunez) still injured or not.

An update on Dante Love, per the Canadians, is that he's out day-to-day. He isn't probable to return for this series.

INF Dusty Coleman, a 28th round pick out of Wichita State who signed for 675k a few weeks ago has finally joined the Canadians. Coleman was rumoured to be heading north when he first signed, according to his agent, but batted just above the mendoza line in Arizona and has found himself wearing the Red and White colours of the C's. He was the team's first-base coach last night for the first few innings.

Coleman is primarily a shortstop, but with Jason Christian eating up most of the time at the 6 hole, he might find himself DH'ing and Pinch-Hitting for the first little while.

Coleman was a teammate of 2007 Canadian Travis Banwart, and was drafted by Oakland, as a sophomore.

None-the-less both of the newcomers will be welcomed additions to the C's as they make their push to the playoffs. With both OF's JD Pruitt and Mitch LeVier completely healthy, once Dante Love is back the whole roster will be active.

Stellar pitching and David Thomas gives Canadians a series-opening win

2008-08-16T11:56:00.000-07:00

When you're 8 games back going into the final 5-game series of the season, you might ask yourself, "Why am I doing this,"? Well, the 2008 Canadians didn't and picked up a 3-1 victory over the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes. Thanks to the stellar pitching of Pedro Figueroa, and the amazing bat David Thomas had on the night, as well as Julio Rivera, the C's pulled off the victory.

JD Pruitt made his return from a concussion he suffered in July against Tri-City, starting in LF. Mitch LeVier anchored Center, and Jeremy Barfield patrolled right. Leo Gil was at third, Jason Christian at short, Luis at 2nd and David Thomas at first, taking over for Dusty Napoleon, just for the night. Rivera was the other half of the battery with Figgy and Jareck West was the Designated Hitter.

In the top of the first, a single opened the game for Boise. Then, a very questionable walk call to Andrew Rundle put a runner in scoring position with none out. Former First-Rounder Josh Vitters popped up, before Figgy ended the inning with a strikeout to the cleanup hitter, and a pop up from Sean Hoorelbeke.

The bottom half saw Vancouver get a few runners on base, and one was one heck of a hit. Lead-off man JD Pruitt, in his first at-bat since July, was called out on strikes. Not just any strike, a very low strike. David Thomas cranked a pitch to left field, bouncing off the top of the left field wall. It literally could've gone either way, over the fence, or back into the park, which it did, good enough for a double.

Jeremy Barfield walked before two strikeouts ended the threat.

In the bottom of the 2nd, a pair of walks opened the inning, before a flyout advanced the runners. Marcos Luis singled-in Mitch LeVier, before JD Pruitt was caught swinging. Luis, at first, looked like he was trying to score the runner before being tagged out himself, and while the runner was running home, Luis was tagged out halfway between first and second. Mind-boggling to say the least. 1-0 C's.

Boise answered in the top of 5 with a run of their own, over the right-field fence. It was Andrew Rundle's 6th home-run of the season.

Vancouver re-gained the lead in the bottom half as Mitch Levier singled home Jason Christian.

The bottom of the 6th featured the other run of the game, and it came on David Thomas' second double of the game, which scored Julio Rivera. With the bases loaded and two out, after an intentional walk, pinch-hitter Dusty Napoleon struck out swinging. 3-1 for the C's.

Mathieu Leblanc Poirier came into pitch for the C's in the 7th, making his Canadians debut. He walked his first hitter, before striking out the next. A ground out picked up the second out of the inning, before Julio Rivera gunned down runner David Macias. Not a bad half-inning for his NWL debut.

Kenny Smalley pitched a hit-less 8th, before Jose Guzman closed the game with three outs in 4 batters.

Game Notes:

The Boise Hawks had 5 hits on the night, and walked 6 times as well. Josh Vitters was 2-4 with a double in his Nat Bailey debut, and teammate Andrew Rundle was 1-3 with a home-run. The team leader in Average was 1-2 with a pair of walks.

JD Pruitt was 0-4 in his return from injury, but walked once. David Thomas was 2-4 with two doubles and an RBI, raising his average to .262.

Jeremy Barfield was 1-4 with a walk, extending his on-base streak to 22 games. Yes, 22 games straight he's made it on base.

Mitch LeVier was 1-3 with an RBI, run and a walk.

Julio Rivera was excellent, going 2-4 with a ground rule double and a run.

Pedro 'Figgy' Figueroa went six strong innings, giving up just 5 hits, and only an earned run. He struck out 7, and I may add the run came on a home-run. His ERA now stands at 4.21, and he is 1-4 on the season, picking up his first win of the year.

Jose Guzman picked up his 12th save, and is now two saves away from tying the Canadians record of 14, set by Brad Kilby in 2005.

magnante-rick2.jpgAnd this next congratulations is much overdue, as Rick Magnante, with the C's win, now has 100 wins as a NWL manager. 'Skip' has worked tirelessly for this team, and since the club switch to short-season baseball, Magnante has held the job for the longest. Never given a superstar like Travis Buck in 2005 or Javier Herrera in 2004, Magnante has done wonders for the Canadians, and in the last three seasons I have never heard one player say anything bad about him. So to you, Rick, congrats!

Rick is the 8th most winning manager in C's history, and if Vancouver can win 11 more games this season, he'll be 7th. Some names he is ahead of, are 1999 Manager Mike Quade, Salem-Keizer manager Tom Trebelhorn, Jack McKeon, former manager of the World Series champion Florida Marlins, Bob Lemon and Lefty O'Doul.

The C's get back at it Saturday night, with RHP Mike Hart taking the hill.

Series notes: Hawks vs C's

2008-08-15T16:56:00.000-07:00

After a very promising series victory against the NWL First-Place Spokane Indians, things were beginning to look very promising for Vancouver Canadians fans. However, a series loss to Salem-Keizer now has Vancouver 8 games back of the Volcanoes. The C's still have 20 games remaining in the short NWL season, and if they pull of a late-season push, they could end up finding themselves in a playoff position, that is if they sweep Salem, crush Eugene, beat Everett and have a good series against Boise.

Two new pitchers who are very capable of pitching well, mixed in with the tremendous starting pitching Vancouver's had this season makes it seem like Vancouver isn't out of it, just yet. Vancouver is 4-2 in their last six games, and in their last 11 games at home (11 of their last 20 games are at Nat Bailey Stadium), the C's are 5-6.

Boise Hawks:

The Eastern Division's second place team, just 5 games back of the Spokane Indians, are coming off a 12-5 victory over those Indians two nights ago, and fortunately for the Canadians, are in the middle of a 'slump'. In their last 9 games, they're 3-6. Boise is 19-16 against Western Division opponents this season, including sweeping the Everett Aquasox in 5 games back in July. When Vancouver visited Idaho, Boise took the series, 3-2.

Who's Hot:

1B Ryan Keedy, who is hitting .361 on the season, is batting .333 in his last 10 games. In his last game on Wednesday, he was 2-5 with a double and 3 RBI. His OPS for the season is .934.

3B Josh Vitters, brother of 2006 Canadian Christian, a former first round pick, is hitting .343 all season, and .341 in his last 10 games, with one home-run and 8 RBI. In his last 5 games, Vitters has 9 hits in 22 at-bats. He should be the one guy standing out on the field.

INF Ryan Flaherty has been tearing it up in the NWL this season, with 6 home-runs in 37 games. To top it off, he's batting .319 and in his last 10 games, is batting .409 with 4 home-runs. Last week he was 4-5 with two doubles and a triple in a game against Yakima. He was a HR away from the cycle.

RHP Dan McDaniel, the team's relief pitcher/closer has been excellent for the Hawks. In 23.1 innings, he's given up just one run, for an ERA of .39. He's generally been used for 1-2 innings every three games or so. He has 12 more strikeouts on the year than he does innings!

Vancouver Canadians:

Who's Hot:

RF Jeremy Barfield has been dominant in his last two weeks. After hitting his first homerun against Tri-City Barfield has been hard to stop at the dish. Barfield was 5-12 against Salem-Keizer, which included a 3-4 night on Wednesday. Barfield has two home-runs all season, and is batting .293 for the year. It's safe to say, he's doing pretty well as a NWL rookie.

SS Jason Christian, a Loveland Ohio native, is batting .292 for the season, just .001 back of Jeremy Barfield for the team lead. Christian has had just two games in his last 10 without a hit, and was 2-4 with a double on Thursday afternoon. Christian has hit three home-runs all season, with two of the three coming against Boise.

2B Marcos Luis has been hampered by injuries this season, but when's he's played, both offensively and defensively he's been very good. Marcos has played just 8 times since July 20th when he hurt his ankle in the field, but is hitting .286 for the season. Luis has just three errors, and was 3-7 in a series against Everett earlier in August.

OF JD Pruitt, who has been sidelined since July 27th with a concussion, was 4-6 in his last two games before coming out after being hit-by-a-pitch. Pruitt demolished the NWL HBP record last season, and this year has two home-runs, both at Nat Bailey, including a grand slam. Pruitt may be in the C's lineup by the end of the series. If he is, Vancouver will certainly appreciate his baseball smarts at the dish.

3B Rodney Rutherford has easily been one of the best hitters on the Canadians team in the last week. Since August 6th, Rutherford is 9-23, with two walks, 8 RBI, a triple and three doubles. He has a 6-game hitting streak, and 8-game on base streak.

RHP Mike Hart is 0-0 with an ERA of 1.08 in 12 games, 3 of which were starts. He's given up just 3 earned runs all season, and in 25 innings has 34 strikeouts. He's given up no runs in his last 7 appearances, and in those 7 games, has 23 strikeouts in 16.1 innings.

LHP Brad Hertzler hasn't given up any runs or hits in his lone appearance of the NWL season, and Right-handed fireballer Daniel Thomas has an ERA of 1.86 since joining the Canadians.

Friday is a 7:05 start, Saturday as well, before a Nooner on Sunday. Monday is at 7:05 and the series concludes at 1:05 on Tuesday.

C's welcome a pair of new arms to Bullpen

2008-08-15T11:55:00.000-07:00

With the NWL season coming to a close, the Oakland A's decided to bring up RHP Mathieu LeBlanc-Poirier to the Vancouver Canadians, making the Quebec native the first Canadian-born player to play for the C's since Steven Ryder-Carter in 2005. LeBlanc-Poirier is expected to make his C's debut later on this homestand, as the Canadians play Josh Vitters and the Boise Hawks.

(Nat Bailey Stadium – Vancouver, BC) – The Vancouver Canadians are proud to announce the arrival of two players in time for the opening of a five game series vs. the Boise Hawks. Both RHP Mathieu-Leblanc-Poirier and LHP Brad Hertzler will round out the Canadians pitching staff.

Leblanc-Poirier was a 21st Round selection in this years MLB First-Year Player Draft selected by the Oakland Athletics. A native of Montreal, Quebec, Leblanc-Poirier attended Ahuntsic College and has spent time with the Academie du Baseball Canada. LeBlanc-Poirier has spent the past few weeks with the Arizona Athletics (Rookie) and will be added to the Canadians Roster effective Friday, August 15th, 2008.

Mathieu Leblanc-Poirier RHP 6’1” 175 Ahuntsic College

Year Club W-L ERA IP H ER SO BB
2008 Arizona (R) 0-1 7.89 21.2 34 19 18 6

Hertzler returns to the Vancouver Canadians after beginning this season in Kane County (A). A native of Orono, NE, Hertzler debuted in Vancouver on Wednesday night picking up the victory in a 7-6 come from behind win over Salem-Keizer.
Hertzler returns as Oakland tries to get the left-hander some additional innings while providing Vancouver with a much needed southpaw out of the bullpen.

Hertzler, Brad LHP 6’1” 195 Kane County Cougars

Year Club W-L ERA IP H ER SO BB
2008 Kane County (A) 2-5 5.26 63.1 70 37 49 13
Vancouver 1-0 0.00 1.0 1 0 0 3

The Vancouver Canadians are now carrying 30 players on the 2008 roster. 16 pitchers, 2 catchers, 6 infielders and 6 outfielders.

* NOTE: Catcher Dante Love left Nat Bailey Stadium prior to Thursday’s game after a bat accidentially struck Love in the cheek. No update will be available on Dante’s status until Friday, August 15th at 12 noon.

Hertzler was one of the C's top pitchers last season, pitching a 5-inning rain-shortened perfect game, and should have an immediate impact. Mathieu, on the other hand, will more than likely be a target for Vancouver media, seeing as how he's Canadian-born.

C's OF JD Pruitt hasn't played since being hit in the back of the head by a pitch in Tri-City last month, but I would assume he'll be back by the end of the week. JD had one of the hottest bats on the team before going down, going 4-6 in his last two games. Pruitt also had two home-runs at Nat Bailey Stadium, including the king of them all, a Grand Slam. He'll be a much appreciated addition back into the lineup when he has fully recovered.

And as for Dante Love, there's no word on how long he'll be out of the lineup. Depending on if he broke his nose or where the bat exactly hit him, it could be two or three weeks. I'm not a doctor, so I wouldn't know the exact dates of if you break your nose etc. but any length of time will be hard for the C's to deal with, having only Julio Rivera to catch.

The Canadians return to action tonight against the Boise Hawks, featuring last year's top pick by the Chicago Cubs, and brother of former Canadian Christian Vitters, Josh Vitters. Vancouver sends southpaw Pedro 'Figgy' Figueroa out to the mound tonight, on Back-to-school night, before another evening game tomorrow when Mike Hart takes the hill. Hart has been superb since converting to starting three games ago, and in 11 innings as a starter has struck out 16, and hasn't given up an earned run. Opponents are hitting just .143 against him all year.

Sunday afternoon will feature LHP Trey Barham, who in one appearance in a Day Game this year has an ERA of 0.00. At home, his ERA is 2.00 and opponents are hitting a mere .212.

Monday night will have RHP Shawn Haviland throwing for Vancouver, and the Harvard grad has been one of the top pitchers of the C's staff. Haviland's season ERA is 3.60 and averages almost a strikeout an inning.

And finally to conclude the homestand, RHP Ronny Morla and his array of pitchers will face Vitters' Hawks on Tuesday Afternoon. Morla is a 'Day Game' pitcher, going 0-1 with an ERA of 3.43 in three starts during the afternoon.

Volcanoes steal series after 8-1 'Nooner' victory

2008-08-14T17:53:00.000-07:00

Strong Salem-Keizer pitching, mixed with Vancouver having a so-so middle innings, saw the Volcanoes win the finale of a three-game set with the C's. Ronny Morla hurled for the C's, while the defence had Mitch LeVier, Jareck West, Jeremy Barfield, Rodney Rutherford, Jason Christian, Francisco Tirado and Dusty Napoleon. Julio Rivera completed the battery with magnante-rick3.jpgMorla. Mike Lissman was the DH.

The second inning saw Morla give up a run, in John Monell, after a bases loaded walk to Caleb Curry. He did get 'Vlad' Frias to line out, however, to end the threat.

The bottom half of said-inning had Vancouver on the scoreboard, thanks to a Jason Christian single to start the hit parade in the inning, before Rodney Rutherford brought him in with a single.

Ronny Morla lasted 5 innings, giving up three hits, a pair of earned runs, 5 walks and striking out three.

He was replaced by Fabian Gomez in the 6th, after Morla had pitched to a pair of batters in the inning before Manager Rick Magnante took him out. Gomez, who had to come in with runners on the corners, and none out, picked up two quick outs, but on the last one, a sac bunt, John Monell scored. A ground out did, however, end the inning.

Jeremy Barfield looked like he wanted to do something about the C's trailing, and he did. A lead-off double off of Eric Stolp. Only problem was, the C's couldn't bring him home. 3-1 after 6.

The 7th saw the Volcanoes break out. With one out, they scored a run after a triple, before a double scored the second run of the inning. A single put runners on the corner, and also ended Gomez' day on the mound. I must say, Fabian wasn't getting some calls he should've, and that was why the Volcanoes were hitting.

Edgar Tejeda came in, and gave up a double scoring two runs, before picking up two outs. 7-1 visitors.

The top of the 9th described the Canadians game, with Francisco Peguero hitting a lead-off dinger over the left field fence.

Bottom of the 9th, new pitcher, with Jason Christian batting. What does he do? Crank a pitch to center field, good enough for a double. Lissman now up, strike out. Rutherford steps in, passed ball advances Christian. Then, catcher Eliezer Zambrano got hit by Rutherford's bat, or the ball he hit, and he was on the ground. He would be OK.

Rutherford struck out, as did Julio Rivera and the game ended, final score of 8-1 for the bad guys.

C's are now hoping Eugene loses tonight to Tri-City, so they can remain 8 games back.

There was a new player for the C's, not in uniform, but at the park none-the-less. More on him, when the C's put something in print.

With three weeks left in the NWL regular season, Vancouver isn't totally out of it, but it would take some timely hitting and pitching to keep them in the playoff race. Stranger things have happened. And as for the team on the field, their bats are finally starting to get hot, in the last 10 or so games, and the starting pitching has been amazing. With 5 games against Boise, three versus Salem-Keizer, six against Eugene and half-a-dozen against Everett as well, Vancouver has a shot. And as we found out with Rick Magnante's South African team back in the World Baseball Classic against Canada, it ain't over 'til it's over.

Canadians edge out Volcanoes after late-inning comeback

2008-08-14T17:22:00.000-07:00

After a tough losshornbeck-ben.jpg Tuesday night to Salem-Keizer, the Vancouver Canadians were looking to rebound in Game Two of a three-game set. The C's sent Shawn Haviland out to the mound, as the Harvard Grad looked to pick up his second win of the short Northwest League season.

The Canadians lineup had David Thomas, Mitch LeVier and Jeremy Barfield from Left to Right in the Outfield, and Rodney Rutherford, Jason Christian, Francisco Tirado and Dusty Napoleon in the Infield. Julio Rivera caught for Haviland, and Mike Lissman was the DH.

Shawn Haviland didn't get off to his greatest start, giving up a hit-by-pitch, a single and a RBI double, with two out. Michael 'Amunition' Ambort drilled a single to right field, and Mike 'Lowly' Loberg scored on the play to right field, before Jeremy 'Gun' Barfield threw Jose Flores out at home, on an incredible throw from shallow right. 2-0 after one.

Mike Loree, Salem's pitcher, struck out the side in the first, and did much of the same for the rest of the time he was in the game.

The C's defence remained 'OK' after giving up three runs in the 2nd. With two outs, again, a hit-by-pitch erupted the Volcanoes offence. Back-to-back singles loaded the bases, with both hits coming to Shawn Haviland, before a Francisco Peguero single drove in two Salem runners. 4-0, and a Shawn Haviland wild pitch scored Vlad 'Thrill' Frias, 5-0 Volcanoes.

Ben Hornbeck (left) replaced Haviland in the 3rd, and with two out, gave up a double to John Monell, before a fly out ended the inning.

The Canadians finally got on the board in the 3rd, with a lead-off triple from Rodney Rutherford headlining the inning. The LF Casey Bond couldn't find the ball within the C's bullpen which allowed Rutherford to chug to third base. Julio Rivera singled him in, before a wild pitch with one out advanced Rivera to 2nd. A Mitch 'Two-Beer' LeVier single advanced Julio to 3rd, and with two outs, Jeremy Barfield singled his catcher teammate home. 5-2 after three innings.

The Canadians offence came alive again in the 5th, after a HBP and single put David Thomas on third and Mitch LeVier on first with none out. A new pitcher couldn't do much, with Joseph Edens giving up a sac fly to his first batter, scoring Thomas. 5-3. A Jeremy Barfield single put runners on first and second, before a Dusty Napoleon walk loaded the bases.

With one out, and bases loaded, Mike Lissman flew into a sacrifice fly. Mitch LeVier scored but a questionable baserunning move by otherwise game hero Jeremy Barfield, ended the inning as the youngest Barfield was gunned out heading for third.

Ben Hornbeck's day was done after 3 innings on the hill, giving up two hits, two walks, while striking out four. His ERA stands at 3.67 as his hot streak on the mound continues.

For the rest of the game, Kenny Smalley pitched two hit-less innings, before newcomer/2007 Canadian ace Brad Hertzler pitched an inning, albeit the winning inning, just hours after arriving from the Kane County Cougars. He walked three to load the bases, but didn't give up a run after getting out of the inning.

In the bottom of the 8th, with Vancouver down by two, a new pitcher named Brian Irving came in, to face the C's heart of the order.

Jeremy Barfield led off the inning with a single, before pinch runner Jareck West advanced to 3rd on a Dusty Napoleon single. West could've gone home on the play, thanks to a bobble by Francisco Peguero, but Rick Magnante held him at third. With runners on the corner, Mike Lissman popped out before Francisco 'Tornado' Tirado doubled to center, scoring West and advancing Dusty to third. Then, Rodney Rutherford walked to load the bases.

How many times have we seen the C's leave the inning with bases loaded? Well today wasn't one of them, as pinch-hitter Marcos Luis grounded out, but scored Dusty Napoleon. 6-5 Canadians. David Thomas struck out swinging with two runners in scoring position.

Jose 'Goozey' Guzman came into close for the Canadians, and with two outs, and one ball and two strikes to Jose Flores, the King of Floors doubled to left field. A pinch runner, that would've been the tying run was stranded, as Amunition Ambort struck out to end the game.

Now I know what Minor League ball is all about

2008-08-11T23:51:00.000-07:00

So in Spokane I had one of the funnest times you could have watching baseball on the road, with a baseball team that really does know how to come up with clutch hits (Hey Jareck!), timely pitching (Hector+Mike), and good intentional walking skills, even though the at-bat ends with a wild pitch that scores the winning run (David Thomas). To say it simply, I love this team.

I've gone on the road before, watching the C's, in both Everett and Spokane.

The first time we went to Spokane it was for a day game, where less than 1,000 people showed up, for the Indians only afternoon game all year. It was a not-so-pleasant experience to say the least. I don't even remember how we did.

The Everett trips, on the other hand, have been a blast. Other C's fans have come out, and it has always been a fun experience.

This year, we chose four games in Spokane to go to, and each one was worth it, in their own ways.

The first game we saw there was Jareck West grand slam. Game 2 had another Jareck home-run, before a lightning delay. Game 3 had a 9th inning comeback, due in part to Rodney Rutherford and West. Game 4, had awesome pitching from Mike Hart, and two great dingers from Jeremy Barfield and Leo Gil.

The C's were 3-1 when we were in Spokane, losing the game before we got there. But I must say, now I know more about the grind of minor league ball than ever before. No, I didn't head to the stadium early, and no I didn't go to Hooters after the games, but seeing up close, not behind the friendly confines of Nat Bailey, how emotional players can get, whether it be good or bad, I have a new respect for every player who has ever come through the doors of 'The Nat'.

Jareck West is where I'll start off. He hits a grand slam in the 9th inning, before hitting a home-run in his next at-bat, in the following game. You'd think he'd be happy with his series performance, after yet another great game the next night. Well, in the final game of the series he was still angry when he struck out, and was mad when he couldn't get on base another time. I've seen players before who have had a good first couple games of a series, and then act like they don't care at the end. 'Wild' West really showed the true meaning of minor league ball.

Jeremy Barfield is going to be one heck of a ballplayer when he's older. He's just 20 years old, and yet is 6'5. Barfield hit his second home-run of the year last night, and it was a shot. A few nights earlier, he'd made the nicest attempt for a foul ball, diving into the stands, reminiscent of something you'd see on SportsCentre. He didn't come up with the ball, but his determination was amazing, and he is quickly becoming one of my all-time favourite C's. It helps too, that he's batting over .280, weeks after his BA was under .250.

Mike Hart, the C's starter last night, was remarkable through 4 innings, but hurt his foot in the 4th. This was earlier in the inning, and instead of taking himself out of the game, he stayed in there, and proceeded to strike out the batter he was facing. That wouldn't happen in the Majors. In the MLB if a guy gets a paper cut he's out for two weeks. 'Iron' Mike? Nope, he stayed in and finished the inning, failing to give up a run.

Ryne Tacker, has had a tough season. His command has been lost on a few occasions, and his ERA shows that. Last night, he was throwing ball after ball in the dirt. Most pitchers would've come into the dugout after being pulled, and still high-fived their teammates after just three batters, trust me it's happened. Or, if not, they'd slam their glove down, and toss everything in sight. Tacker didn't. He shrugged off teammates, refusing to pump fists or anything in that nature, but also didn't get upset, at least physically. Of course he had to be upset with how he pitched, but honestly keeping your composure physically can be tough, but he held it together.

And in regards to Manager Rick Magnante, he couldn't be doing a finer job in my opinion. His third year at the helm of the C's, the players love him, and more importantly he's the kind of guy you want managing a short-season club. He doesn't throw bases in the air (Hello, Wichita Wingnuts of Independent Baseball), he doesn't scream at an umpire unless it's to fire his team up, and he most importantly doesn't get in the face of a 20 something year old ballplayer, whose made a mistake.

Instead, he explains what they did, and in my view, that's all you can do at short-season baseball. I mean, at the same time, you can't say "Great play," when a guy bobbles the heck out of a ball, but you can tell him what he did and hope he improves it.

That is to me, what short-season baseball is all about. A rally in the 9th inning, a home-run hot streak, a guy who even if he gets hurt wants to finish the inning. The guy who doesn't want to make a scene and throw stuff in the dugout, instead keeping to himself, when he has a bad night. And a manager who explains mistakes, but not in an arrogant or explosive way.

At Nat Bailey, you tend to shrug off a guy's error in the field for the C's, and think if someone dives for a ball it's amazing even if it's 5 feet in front of him. On the road, that's different. Every player dreams of playing for sell-out crowds, and if they make a mistake they'll get mad, trust me, but they won't let it get to them, as much as on the road when all the fans dis-like them anyways.

No Nat Bailey fan unless they're drunk is gonna yell at their own player and say "You suck, learn how to pitch." They're going to applaud the guy anyways, and hope he improves. And I'm not trying to single this pitcher out, but you can tell after a game on the road whether he really does know how to control himself after leaving to a crowd who thinks it's hilarious at how many 'dirt-balls' a guy throws. It's not his fault he has a bad night. I mean he can try to improve but if he doesn't, we all have bad days don't we?

I am more and more convinced after seeing all of these events, the C's are destined for post-season glory. They're 7 games back, but hey, the C's play both Eugene and Salem-Keizer a combined 12 times. They play Everett half-a-dozen times as well. And maybe it will take a miracle for them to make the playoffs, but Miracles happen, just ask the US Olympic Hockey team from the Early-80s or the 1988 New York Mets, or even the Colorado Rockies of 2007. And if they play with as much determination as I saw on the road, they will make it.

Minor League Baseball isn't about the hefty pay-checks, or the endorsements that come from Nike or Reebok, it's about the smell of Peanuts and Cracker Jacks, and more importantly the love of the game. That is what Minor League Baseball is all about.

C's win series vs Indians at Avista

2008-08-11T23:50:00.000-07:00

Two words describe why there were no post-game reports from Spokane: Slow. Internet. My goodness, it was terrible. Loading a single web page took as long as 5 minutes, before I gave up hope.

So you get a batch of 4 post-game reports today. Lucky readers. :)

Game 1 we missed, but I posted the report from Rob Fai for that game, but Game 2 saw RHP Shawn Haviland (top left) pitch against Spokane's 18-year old phenom Wilfredo Boscan. Actually Boscan was scheduled to start, but relieved Neil Ramirez who lasted two innings throwing a no-hitter before Boscan got the call.

On the Spokane pitching front, Boscan picked up his 7th win of the year, and lowered his ERA to 2.23, giving up just three hits in 5 innings, striking out 5.

The 8th inning was also scoreless, by another reliever, and I'll get to the 9th in a second.

Shawn Haviland lasted 3 and two-thirds as the Canadians starter, and gave up a pair of hits, one earned run, and 4 walks. His ERA now stands at 2.45. Ryne Tacker relieved him and had a rough time, giving up 5 hits and three earned runs in just one-and-a-third innings on the hill.

Edgar Tejeda gave up two earned runs in 0.2 innings, before Kenny Smalley took over, giving up just a hit and a pair of walks.

Then, Fabian Gomez didn't have his beset stuff, and gave up two earned runs in the 8th.

Matt West, Spokane's 3rd baseman, who was hit by Hector Garcia the night before creating a bench-clearing non-physical altercation, was 2-4 with two doubles, two runs scored, 3 RBI and a walk. Eric Fry had a similiar night, bringing his average to .338. He was 2-3 with a double, a pair of runs and a pair of walks.

Vancouver had two stars, in Julio Rivera, and Jareck West. West knocked his first home-run of the year out of the park, for a grand slam in the 9th inning, but the comeback was still short, as the C's fell 8-5 to the Indians. Cliff Springston was the Indians pitcher go gave up the 'slam, but still managed to pick up the last two outs of the game.

So it wasn't a great effort, but the C's managed 5 runs in the 9th, so at least the Indians didn't shut them out.

Game 3:

barfield-jeremy.jpgThis game was interrupted for more than an hour due to a lightning storm in the area, but the C's pulled out a win, scoring the winning run in the 9th inning after 4 innings of scoreless baseball. The game was 2-0 after the first, and then 3-0 after one and a half, after Jareck West smacked his second consecutive home-run. Spokane scored one run in each of the next three innings, leaving the score at 3-3 at the lightning delay.

The C's top performers on the night were West, who was 1-3 with the solo dinger, Dusty Napoleon who was 2-3 with a pair of doubles and RBI, and Jeremy Barfield (left), who had a double and a run scored.

David Paisano, Spokane's CF was 3-5 on the night, but couldn't manage an RBI or run scored.

Francisco Tirado wasn't too hot defensively, committing two errors.

The C's pitching was hot, with starter Ronny Morla going 4 innings giving up six hits, three runs (two earned) and striking out 5.

Ben Hornbeck was very good relieving, giving up just two hits in 1.1 innings, while Edgar Tejeda and Hector Garcia both pitched no-hit stuff in the next 2.2 innings.

Jose Guzman picked up his 10th save with a scoreless 9th. C's won 4-3.

Game 4:

Vancouver really didn't play well until the 7th inning, nor did the pitching, who gave up three dingers, two of which were to Jared Bolden of the Indians.

Jeremy Barfield did well, going 0-1 with three walks and two runs scored. Rodney Rutherford was the reason Vancouver scored three times in the 7th, starting a come-from-behind victory. Jareck West was also 2-4 with a double and 2 RBI.

Here's what happened in the 9th. Vancouver was down 6-3, and a pair of walks opened the inning. A strikeout gave the Indians one out, but Dante Love singled to load the bases. Rodney Rutherford walked in a run, before a new pitcher, Justin Gutsie gave up a two-run double to Jareck West. A wild pitch on - get this - a intentional walk scored Rodney Rutherford, to give Vancouver the lead.

On the hill, Pedro Figueroa went 5 strong, giving up 5 hits, 4 runs (3 earned) and striking out 6, while giving up a pair of home-runs.

Matt Fitts was good in relief, giving up two runs, before Dan Thomas pitched no-hit stuff for the 8th and 9th, securing the victory, his first as a professional.

Game 5:

The C's opened the game with a bang, with homers from both Leo Gil (his 1st) and Jeremy Barfield (#2). Gil finished the night 2-4 with two RBI, the homer and a double, with two runs scored, while Barfield was 2-4 with a home-run, 2 RBI and a run. Rodney Rutherford also had a good game, going 1-5 with a double and 2 RBI.

Needless to say, Vancouver won 7-2, thanks to a stellar pitching performance from 'Iron' Mike Hart. Hart went 4 innings, giving up just two hits, and a walk, striking out EIGHT. His ERA is a team-best 1.08.

tacker-ryne.jpgKenny Smalley picked up the victory pitching two no-hit innings, before Ryne Tacker had a mediocre performance. Tacker pitched to just three batters, walking the first two, before throwing a wild pitch, and another pitch in the dirt before getting the heave-ho from Rick Magnante. Tacker just didn't have his best stuff, and the dirt was his enemy Sunday night.

Hector Garcia went two strong innings, before closer Jose Guzman, in a non-close situation, gave up a home-run, but still secured the win in the 9th inning.

C's won the series 3-2.

See my next post, either later tonight, or tomorrow morning, about the whole experience in Spokane, aside from the baseball. But I can say, it was an awesome time.

C's fall to 1-5 in August with loss to Spokane

2008-08-06T23:49:00.000-07:00

I'm in Everett right now, and tomorrow will be going to Spokane to watch the remaining 4 games of the series with the Indians. So, this is the press release from the C's website, but expect Nat Notes recaps starting tomorrow.

(Avista Stadium - Spokane, WA) - The Vancouver Canadians continued their struggles on the diamond falling 8-3 to the Spokane Indians Wednesday night. The loss drops Vancouver to 19-30 on the Northwest League season.

The Indians were off and running in the bottom of the 1st inning when with two outs DH Joey Butler hit a double off the center field wall scoring CF David Paisano giving Spokane a 1-0 lead.

C's starter LHP Trey Barham was touched up again in the bottom of the 2nd inning when LF Mike Biasucci hit a home run over the left field wall extending the Spokane lead to 2-0.

In the bottom of the 3rd inning, the Indians exploded for three more runs as RF Eric Fry doubled home CF David Paisano, followed by a two-run single from 3B Matt West scoring both Fry and DH Joey Butler to give Spokane a 5-0 lead.

Tempers flaired in the bottom of the 5th inning when Canadians reliever RHP Hector Garcia threw a pair of pitches behind 3B Matt West and then hit him with a 93 MPH fastball in the back. Both benches cleared without a punch thrown as both Managers (Magnante and Hulett Sr.) kept their respective players from each other.

Moments later, both Spokane pitcher RHP Tim Murphy and Manager Tim Hulett Sr. were ejected in the top of the 6th inning as the first pitch thrown by Murphy buzzed Canadians SS Jason Christian up near his head. The umpire immediately tossed Murphy followed by Hullet Sr. who had a lengthly argument before leaving the field. The C's responded to the pressure with a trio of runs that included a RBI double from C Julio Rivera scoring 3B Rodney Rutherford cutting the lead to 5-3 Spokane.

The Indians got two of those runs back in the bottom of the 6th ining when 2B Jason Ogata hit a two-run double scoring both C Doug Hogan and 1B Jared Bolden to extend Spokane's lead to 7-3.

Canadians LHP Ben Hornbeck got touched for a run in the bottom of the 8th inning as C Doug Hogan hit his 2nd home run of the season to make it 8-3 Spokane.

With the loss, the Canadians drop their third straight and are 1-5 in the month of August. Vancouver will play game two of this five game road series at Avista Stadium Thursday evening with first pitch set for 6:35pm. Canadians RHP Shawn Haviland will get the start against Spokane Indians ace RHP Wilfredo Boscan.

Let's hope the boys can get it together tomorrow night, as they are now trailing first place by 7 games, good, or bad enough for last place in the Western Division.

C's bats stall in series opener

2008-07-31T23:49:00.000-07:00

It was not a good night for baseball weather wise, and it was not a good outcome for the hometown fans who braved out the rain, and there was a lot of rain, only to see a 2-0 shutout victory for the visitors.

C's RHP Mike Hart was making his debut as a starter, since signing with the A's out of Texas State, and he was effective with all 56 pitches he threw. He gave up one lone hit, and surrendered one walk, while striking out 5 batters in three innings, lowering his season ERA to an astounding 1.59.

Hart struck out Francisco Peguero, Mike Loberg, Mike Ambort, Casey Bond and Caleb Curry, and ended his day with a double play from RF Jeremy Barfield to Dusty Napoleon after Barfield made a catch, before doubling off Skyler Stromsmoe.

Once Hart's day was done, Kenny Smalley came in, and was very effective until the 7th inning. Unfortunately for Smalley, a pair of strikeouts and a ground out didn't allow any runs to score, after the C's had the bases loaded with none out in the bottom half of the 6th.

Then, in the top of 7, Smalley gave up back-to-back doubles to Peguero and Loberg, scoring Peguero on the latter, before Fabian Gomez relieved Smalley who was perfect through 3 innings.

Gomez gave up a single to Jose Flores who advanced his teammate Loberg, before Gomez picked off Flores at first. Michael Ambort singled in Loberg, and kept the threat alive. The bases were loaded with two out, before Skyler 'Tongue Twister' Stromsmoe grounded out to end the inning.

In the 9th, still down by a pair of runs, the C's brought in Rodney Rutherford to bat for Leo Gil, and Rutherford struck out swinging. Then, Napoleon struck out swinging. And then, Mike Lissman grounded out, to end 'the game from hell' where a 3 and a half hour game, filled with pouring rain, a good pitching performance from the C's, and some timely hitting by Jeremy Barfield that was for nothing, finally ended, before fireworks at the Nat.

As I mentioned Barfield had a great game at the dish. He was 2-3 with a double and drew a walk, and struck out once. His other hit was on a bunt single, which was perfectly place, putting him on base.

Dusty Napoleon didn't get a hit, but extended his on-base streak at home to a dozen games.

David Thomas was 2-4 with a double and a walk, while Leo Gil was 0-4 with 4 strikeouts.

Together, Francisco Tirado and Jareck West were 0-7 with 6 strikeouts.

Game 2 goes Friday at 1:05.

Getting to know OF Jeremy Barfield

2008-07-31T11:48:00.000-07:00

When scanning a roster of the Vancouver Canadians, one name sticks out. Barfield, Jeremy. Look at the stats, and they're very respectable numbers beside his name, but if you watch him bat, or play in the field, he's playing much better than the stats say.

Take last Thursday afternoon for example. He hit a foul ball out of Nat Bailey Stadium, but it was about 15 feet foul. Jeremy hit his first home-run in Tri-Cities, and is now a threat with the bat, and in the field for the Canadians. I chatted with the slugger during his off-day.

JK: Congrats on your home-run the other day, does it feel good to have the first one out of the way?

JB: Thanks. Yeah it feels great to get the first one out of the way. Hopefully it is the first of many.

JK: Have the first 42 games of your first professional year gone the way you had hoped/planned?

JB: Yeah I expected to be challenged and to have a great time and it helped that I was warned how hard it is to hit at Nat Bailey Stadium. It's been great so far.

JK: Is there any current or former major league player that you model your game after?

JB: Ken Griffey Jr. is a given for me. He's just that good. Also lately I've been watching Pat Burrell, Ryan Ludwick and especially Alex Rios as of late. They are impact corner outfielders in their respective leagues and hopefully I project out to their stature someday.

JK: What's the craziest/funniest thing you've seen a fan do this season home or away, to get a player's autograph?

JB: I had a guy give me an Ichiro rookie card for one of my broken bats on a road trip. Of course I made the deal, it's Ichiro!

JK: You couldn't stop laughing when the San Diego Chicken was in town and he kicked you off as being first base coach. Was it your first time seeing him perform, and more importantly did you enjoy watching him?

JB: Yeah he called me Marco (Luis) so I couldn't stop laughing at that. It was also hilarious to me that the Chicken is just some tiny old man with glasses, yet he's made so much money over the years.

JK: Getting to know a new team, where you know nobody as of Opening Day can be tough, but has the transition been good from a tight-knit JC team to a short-season minor league club been pretty good?

JB: Yeah it's been great. I actually met David Thomas at a Braves workout in early June and then we met again at a Reds workout at Great American Ballpark a week later so I already talked to him before we signed and everything. That was pretty cool and showed me how small this pro baseball circle really is.

JK: Finally, will you know you've made it big in professional baseball when you can play as yourself in a baseball video game?

JB: That will be the day. Somebody said this to my brother though and it made sense.."You know you've made it when they make life size cardboard cutouts & bobbleheads of you. You've made it." Hopefully I get a Fathead vinyl poster someday. That would be awesome.

Thanks a lot to Jeremy for taking time out of his schedule to talk to me, and good luck to him and the C's as Mike Hart takes the mound tomorrow night against first-place Salem-Keizer.

Cougars break world record...in Pillow Fighting!

2008-07-28T11:47:00.000-07:00

With all the traveling I've been doing lately, I've been slack on checking my emails, but this one I found today from Rob McGowan is one that really caught my attention.

The Cougars recently held a 'Pillow Fight Night' and now hold the unofficial Guinness World Record for largest pillow fight.

Kane County Cougars fans have unofficially broken the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest pillow fight, eclipsing the previous Guinness record of 3,648 people. Following this evening’s game, 3,872 fans descended upon the Elfstrom Stadium outfield grass and took part in a memorable 90-second pillow fight. The historic try, sponsored by Back to Bed included both young and old fans, families with children and groups of teenagers. Many anxious Cougars faithful arrived to the ballpark with pillows brought from home, some containing pillowcases that were homemade creations featuring the Cougars’ logo and team colors. With the help of Back to Bed, fans were also provided regulation pillows that were used during the attempt.

This part really makes me laugh:

Throughout tonight’s pillow fight, fans were seen erupting in uncontrollable laughter as they swung their pillows. Just seconds into the fight, spectators observed a thick blanket of white feathers that were strewn across the right field grass in the designated “red zone”. Cougars staff divided the outfield grass into three “levels of aggression” – a green zone for families with small children, a yellow zone for families of teenagers, and a red zone for adults.

So if you're really competitive, you could head over to the 'Red Zone' and kill everyone in sight with a pillow. Now that would be fun. So please Vancouver Canadians, if you have 3,873 people on the field after a game hitting each other with pillows, we'll be world record holders, and bruised baseball fans.

JD Pruitt knocked out

2008-07-27T20:45:00.000-07:00

No the title is not mis-leading.

Pruitt was hit in the left side of the head, half-helmet, half-head, and was knocked unconscious for several minutes at home plate. He's been taken to a local hospital and all anyone can do is hope the concussion was the extent of the injury.

Thanks to Hans Havas for the heads-up. More as it comes in.

C's fall to Dust Devils; Pruitt alright

2008-07-27T11:46:00.000-07:00

Tonight's game was more than a baseball game for the Canadians, it was for a teammate, JD Pruitt who was beaned in the head with a ball in the 3rd inning. Pruitt is alright, and last I heard from Rob Fai, he's been released from hospital, but he dodged a bullet.

JD went down for minutes, apparently out cold, down on home plate. The former NWL HBP king was hit, but wasn't getting up. Pruitt was taken to a local hospital, where he has since been released, reportedly.

Pruitt was 1-1 with the HBP when he went out of the game.

Tri-City managed three runs off of Shawn Haviland in the 5th, and 2 more in the 7th off of Hector Garcia. Mike Hart came into the game with none out and the bases loaded in the 7th, but failed to give up a hit, or a run. Vancouver fought back, scoring three runs in the 8th, but two strikeouts and a line out ended the game in the 9th.

And you know what, I can't blame them. When a teammate goes down, or even an opponent, early on in the game, it's not about a baseball game. In the back of your head, for every pitch, every swing, and every out, you are always wondering about the guy who went down.

And it's not fun. I've played when kids have broken their bones, gone out cold, and had to finish a game. It is not fun. And that's little league. These guys travel together, spend all day together, and to see a friend go down? It's hard enough to step back into the batters box after someone gets hit but to manage a comeback? I know it sounds amateurish of me to say this, but they did one hell of a great job.

Jason Christian was exceptional tonight, going 2-2 with 2 walks, and a double. He also stole a base. Jeremy Barfield was 1-3, and Leo Gil was 1-4 with a double.

Edgar Tejeda pitched a scoreless 8th, 5-3 was the final in favour of the Dust Devils. My thoughts are with JD tonight, hope he can recover as soon as possible.

Come-backs: A thing of beauty

2008-07-24T23:44:00.000-07:00

You know what, this team is really making me excited. In the midst of a 7-2 breakout week and a bit, the Canadians are finally beginning to look like a team that can contend. Jeremy Barfield absolutely killed two foul balls today, one leaving the ballpark, just going a bit foul, the other was a high foul that went into the Nat Bailey parking lot.

Mike Hart pitched excellent in relief, as did Kenny Smalley. Fabian Gomez was excellent on the hill. Dusty Napoleon was superb at the dish, as was Mike Lissman who is becoming a fan favourite in Vancouver, after crushing his third home-run of the short NWL season. Francisco Tirado turned on the jets and sped home make it a 4-2 game early on, coming within about 10 feet of his teammate ahead of him at home plate.

And the best part? The fans were into it. I'm beginning to have a whole lot of faith and excitement when I get to the ballpark, something I haven't had in the last few years when the team was struggling. This is the best part of the year for a team to start winning, and now, Vancouver is only 1.5 games back of Salem-Keizer for first place. A 5-game rendez-vous against Tri-City starting tomorrow could be the difference between first place at the end of July, and having to wait to get first place after a 8-game roadtrip through Washington State.

Trailing 2-0 after the first inning, Yakima managed two runs in the 5th before Vancouver answered back with two more in the later half of the inning. Both runs came in on a Dusty Napoleon double, scoring Jareck West and Francisco Tirado. West was on 2nd base, and Tirado on first, but at home plate, Tirado came within just feet of West, making it look like the runners came from the same base. Tirado really has jets when he uses them correctly. Big thumbs up to that.

The 8th inning is where Vancouver took command, and never looked back. Dante Love walked, before an error put Rodney Rutherford on base. Jareck West had a sac bunt with a full count, advancing the runners, before David Thomas flew out. Francisco Tirado singled, and scored both Dante Love and Rodney Rutherford. Dusty Napoleon singled, scoring Tirado (who had advanced to 2nd on an error) before the inning was capped off with a two-run blast by Mike Lissman scoring two runs.

A new pitcher in Daniel Vasquez walked Jason Christian, before Jeremy Barfield hit a bomb to left field, just going to the left of the foul pole. He struck out to end the inning, but man it got the crowd going. I haven't seen Barfield's power until today. And props to him.

The 9th saw Jose Guzman come in for the save, and with one out, he gave up a double to Alfredo Marte, who has been on base more than a few times this series. Andrew Fie advanced him to third, but a low strike pitched by Guzman to Ramon Castillo ended the game. 7-4 the final score.

But there were two things that really stood out to me in this game.

Dudes wanted it bad.

The other, the fans want it bad.

This season may end up being one of the best finishes in C's history, if both parties do their parts. The players doing what they're doing now, and the fans cheering like they are.

Jeremy

C's drop series finale to Dust Bunnies

2008-06-21T23:37:00.000-07:00

It was a series that any team would like to forget, as Vancouver Canadians dropped four out of five games against the Tri-City Dust Devils to open the 2008 NWL season.

Very strong pitching performances from Pedro Figueroa, Hector Garcia and Carlos Hernandez managed only one win in the series, while poor outings from guys like Ryne Tacker and Inoel Deaza on the hill cost Vancouver a game or two.

And errors, oh man, the errors. It was a disaster on Thursday and Friday with the number of errors the C's committed. And as someone at the ballpark pointed out tonight, the one good thing from tonight's performance, despite the loss, was the fact the C's didn't commit 6 errors like Thursday night.

The team was 1-1 to open the year, but fell short three games in a row, and now stand two games back of first place in the NWL Western Division. Hopefully a road trip will help the team bond, and find their stroke.

Offensively, it's been a terrible few games, aside from a few select players. I'm talking about Jason Christian, Jareck West, Marcos Luis, Juan Nunez, JD Pruitt, Jeremy Barfield and Walter Correa. Even most of these guys have been so-so hitters, but everyone else has just been brutal.

Tonight Vancouver put the following line-up out on the field:

LF JD 'Beaned' Pruitt (top)
SS Jason 'Wings' Christian
CF Jareck 'Wild Wild' West
1B Walter 'WAAAAAAALT!' Correa
DH Lorenzo 'Zorro' Macias
RF Jeremy 'Legacy' Barfield
2B Marcos 'Luuuuuu' Luis
3B Carlos 'Peachy' Arrieche
C Juan 'Bullet-time' Nunez
SP Hector 'Heavy Heat' Garcia

In the bottom of the first, with no score, JD Pruitt stepped into the batters box to open the game, nothing special. Pitch 1, just misses his head. Pitch 2, beans him in the side of the body. Yes folks, JD Pruitt was hit for the 35th time in his two-year NWL career.

Jason Christian walked, so the next batter Jareck West stepped in. Pitch 1, just about creams him. Pitcher Josh Sullivan wasn't looking too hot at this point. But two infield fly's later, as well as a ground out, got him through the inning, no harm done.

Tri-City had a great 4th inning, with Bo Bowman tripling, before Josh Band brought him into score. 1-0 Dust Devils after four.

In the 5th, more defensive woes for Vancouver. With runners on first and second, one out, Carlos Arrieche jumped in the air and caught a one-hopper at third base. Easy, just touch the runner (who was about half-way down the base path) or tag third base. Not for Peachy. He decided to throw to second, but his throw was way off the mark, so a run scored, and the hitter stood at 2nd, while another runner was at 3rd. A sac fly scored Austin Rauch, 3-0 Dust Devils.

It was now the bottom of 7, and with runners on first and second, a throwing error brought Jeremy Barfield to third base, and Marcos Luis to 2nd. Carlos Arrieche grounded out, but Barfield came home to score, cutting the deficit to two runs.

A wild pitch by the reliever Brad McAtee advanced Luis to 3rd, but Juan Nunez struck out, with the Nat Bailey crowd cheering him on.

In the Top of 9 now, with Brent Lysander in his third inning on the mound, Brent hit Chris Vasami, gave up a single to Chad Lembeck, before Austin Rauch doubled to left, scoring two runners. A ground out and a double by Leo Reyes scored Rauch, and then a wild pitch brought Reyes to third, before he scored on a Radames Nazario sac fly. 7-1 Dust Devils.

During the bottom of the 9th, Andrew 'Gravy' Groves came into pitch for Tri-City, and walked Walter Correa on four straiaght pitches. Lorenzo Macias struck out, and Jeremy Barfield flew out, leaving Correa on 2nd with two out. Walter would end the game on a force out at 2nd, on a Marcos Luis ground out. 7-1 Dust Devils, who took the series 4-1.

Game Notes:

JD Pruitt had a productive day at the plate, going 0-2 with a walk and a HBP. Only 33 more HBP's to go before he ties his own record from last season. He's hitting .231 on the season.

Jason Christian had his best game of this short season, going 2-3 with a walk. He improved his average to .333.
Jareck West finally had an unproductive day at the plate, going 0-4 with a strikeout. He's batting .278.

Jeremy Barfield was 1-4 with Vancouver's only run, and has now hit safely in three consecutive games.

Carlos Arrieche was 1-3, with his first hit of the season. He's played in all five Canadians games, but had failed to get a hit until tonight.

Juan Nunez had an off-night at the dish, going 0-3 with 3 K's. Nunez had been hitting .400 going into the game.

Hector Garcia is sure fun to watch, throwing in the mid-high 90's on almost every pitch. He went 6 strong, giving up three hits, 3 runs, 1 earned run, 3 walks and striking out a pair.

Returning Canadian Brent Lysander threw 3 innings of relief, giving up five hits, four ER (all in the last inning) and hit a batter, in his first appearance of the NWL season.

The C's now hit the road to Yakima for a 5-game stand, where they hope to improve their bats, and their win-loss record. Rob Fai has the call of all 76 Canadians games this summer, on canadiansbaseball.com.

Side note: The C's received three players today for Phoenix, and they are LHP Trey Barham, 3B Rodney Rutherford and IF Ryne Jernigan.

C's lose squeaker to Dust Devils in front of 3,000 strong

2008-06-20T23:36:00.000-07:00

It was Nooner number one of the 2008 season for the C's, and was one they'd like to forget. With the winning run on first, and the tying run on second, with one out in the bottom of the 9th, Julio Rivera swung at a high pitch, to strikeout, before teammate Mitch LeVier did the same during the next, and final AB of the game.

Here's how the boys of summer lined up in their 4th game:

CF Mitch 'No Fear' Levier (left)
DH JD 'Beanball' Pruitt
SS Jason 'Fundamentalist' Christian
LF Jareck 'Wild Wild' West
3B Walter 'WAAAAALT!' Correa
1B Dan 'Good King' Wentzell
RF Jeremy 'Legacy' Barfield
2B Marcos 'Luuuu' Luis
C Juan 'Bullet-Time' Nunez
SP Carlos 'Sit-Down' Hernandez

The C's took the field for the 4th time this year, against the Dust Devils, who had, going into this game, taken two of three from the C's. Carlos Hernandez was making his first start since last season, where he appeared twice in relief for the C's, and he was looking to rebound from those two tough outings.

JD Pruitt got the Nooner crowed going in the bottom of the 1st, tripling with one out. Any other runner on the team would've managed a double, at most, but Pruitt hustled his way to third, and slid into the base for his first triple of the season. Unfortunately, Jason 'The Fundamentalist' Christian and Wild Wild West couldn't cash him home. 0-0 after one.

The top of the 3rd was a very good one for the Dust Devils, as they scored a run off of Hernandez who was pounding the zone with his breaking ball on two strikes. Radames Nazario singled to open the half-inning, before stealing second with one out. He advanced to third with two out, and came home when Leonardo Reyes doubled to Jeremy Barfield. On the next play, a phenomenal throw from Jareck West in left, threw out Leonardo Reyes as he tried to score on a Charlie Blackmon single to left.
The C's answered in the bottom half, trading in two outs for a run, as Marcos Luis scored on a Mitch LeVier double play. 1-1 after three.

In the 5th, Patrick Rose scored on a single to Marcos Luis, who couldn't come up with a play. 2-1 Dust Bunnies.

Vancouver got the run back in the bottom half of the 6th, with Lorenzo Macias coming around to score. The inning started with a Juan Nunez single, before he advanced on a sac bunt. Lorenzo Macias came into replace Nunez on the base paths, and advanced to 3rd on a ground out. A new pitcher didn't fare much better, with Jason Christian reaching on Catcher Interference, putting runners on the corners.

Jareck West singled-in Macias, and advanced The Fundamentalist to 2nd. Walter Correa had an infield single which loaded up the bases, before Dan Wentzell grounded out with the bases loaded to end the threat.

Bad King Wentzell... BAD KING! (rolled-up newspaper to the nose)

2-2 after 6.

Tri-City didn't waste much time re-gaining the lead, this time with Edgar Tejeda on the mound for the C's. Tejeda got Jhaysson Agustin out swinging, before Radames Nazario got very unlucky, with Jareck West coming up with an amazing catch. Catcher interference and a single put Pat Rose on 2nd and Thomas Field at 1st, with two gone. Leonardo Reyes singled to center, and Rose came down to score. Tejeda intentionally walked the bases, but Scott Robinson flied out to Mitch LeVier, ending the inning. 3-2.

Shawn Haviland saw his first action of the '08 season, and the Harvard grad scared the Nat Bailey crowd. With one out, back-to-back singles but runners on first and second. A fly out made it a bit easier on him, but a wild pitch advanced Chris Vasami to 3rd base. Luckily for Shawn, Pat Rose was called out on strikes to end the Top of the 8th.

The 9th inning wasn't terrible, except for a defensive blunder from defensive replacement, catcher Julio Rivera.

Jose 'Goose' Guzman came in to pitch, and had Thomas 'Corn' Field standing on 1st, with one out. After a pitch from Guzman, Rivera threw the ball to Dan Wentzell to hold the runner, but the throw was wild and Field stood on 3rd. Then, the batter only had to hit a sac fly to score Field, and it would be a costly run. 4-2 Tri-City going into the last half-inning.

Austin 'Chamber' Chambliss came into pitch, and had the crowd on their feet.

He walked Walter Correa to open the inning, before Dan Wentzell went down on strikes. Jeremy Barfield singled, and Correa advanced to 2nd, before a questionable play by the SS Thomas Field scored Correa on a Marcos Luis single.

So pinch-runner Carlos Arrieche stood on 2nd base, the tying run, and the winning run, Marcos Luis was on 1st. Only one out, and Julio Rivera was due up. Well, how can I put this? He swung at a very high pitch, and missed. Two out.

No Fear LeVier? He had a great AB, but struck out swinging as well, and the Canadians lost, 4-3.

Game Notes:

Juan Nunez was named the in-stadium Player of the Game, and I know he went 2-2, but was the person who chose the POG watching the same game I was? Jareck West was amazing. An amazing catch, to call of Mitch LeVier, that definitely prevented a double or triple, and threw out a runner at home, from Left Field. Oh yeah, and he went 1-4 at the plate with an RBI. He has now driven in a run in 3 of the teams' 4 games. I mean, Nunez had a good game, but personally I don't think he compared to West.

Thomas Field, SS for Tri-City, was one of the poorest players on the field. And I'm being nice. Whenever he'd get the ball, he'd wait to see what to do. And I don't mean split-second decisions, I'm talking about 3-4 second decisions. He was only charged with an error, but could've been given two or three, from what I recall. There were also numerous occasions when he'd hold onto the ball and not do anything. He will probably not be in the lineup tomorrow, from his performance defensively today. Offensively, however, he was 2-3, scoring once.

On the hill, Carlos Hernandez, was great. Six innings, 6 hits, 2 ER, BB, 6 SO and one of the best curveballs I've seen at Nat Bailey. What a beauty, that was torching the mid-70's on the NFTN Radar Gun. His Fastball was hitting around 86-88, but the breaking ball was having fans ooo-ing and aww-ing all over the place.

Edgar Tejeda, got the loss, but didn't give up an earned run. He did let a run score, but it was unearned. He struck out one, in his inning of work, and got lucky when Jareck West robbed a Dust Devil of a sure extra-base hit.

Shawn Haviland started his professional career today, and was pretty solid, throwing an inning, where he gave up a pair of hits and struck out a pair of batters.

Goose Guzman pitched for the 2nd time this season, and gave up a run, because of Julio Rivera's throwing error. He only gave up a hit and struck out one. His ERA stands at 0.00.

Hector Garcia will take the mound tomorrow, and is rumoured to throw in the High-90's. It should be a real treat to watch, in the finale of the Opening Homestand, and on the 2nd of 9 Fireworks Nights.

Opening Day 2008: A recap

2008-06-17T23:35:00.001-07:00

It might not have had a sell-out crowd, or a Canadians victory, but all-in-all it was a great night for baseball last night, at the Nat. The one down-side, or questionable thing, from last night, was why there were so many TV crews and camera crews, yet there were absolutely no highlights of the team on any local TV station.

Yes, I know Perry Solkowski was there as was Shane Foxman of CBC, but don't know you think that with all the trouble they went through of being there, hooking up the cables etc. they could at least show a hit? Or a strikeout, or even the first pitch from Jack Poole?

I guess they didn't realize Minor League Baseball President Pat O'Connor was there, or that Tim Raines will be there tonight. Honestly, this organization is doing so well at the moment, they're promoting the hell out of short-season ball, they've upgraded the stadium (HUGE props go out to Jake Kerr, Jeff Mooney and Andy Dunn for all of the small additions they've made to the ballpark, including the radar gun in left field, the 'Canadians' word behind home plate, as well as the A&W Root Beer Mugs out in Left and Right Field), and the guests they have this year is pretty incredible.

Pat O'Connor did make his first appearance to Vancouver, and from the sounds of it, he loved it. But still no freaking media outlet in the city, that I can tell, showed one single highlight of the game.

Sure on Global they showed a quick glimpse of the score and that Ronny Morla picked up the loss, but on CTV, where they had a crew at the stadium, they just said that the C's lost to Tri-City 5-1, and nothing more.

The game itself, was awesome. Inoel Deaza may have gotten pounded in his only inning of work, but at least the fans got to see two home-runs (all-be-it hit by the wrong team). The Scottish Rugby team was a good source of entertainment for the fans, and Bob Brown Bear made an immediate impact with younger fans. There was even a lineup to shake his hand in the 8th inning.

There is now a Canadians player of the game, and it went to Edgar Tejeda, who in his second stint with the C's, threw three innings of no-hit, 8 strikeout ball. Now, if only he hadn't hit Patrick Rose, he would've been perfect.

Offensively, there wasn't much going on. The Canadians managed 5 hits, one from JD Pruitt, Zo Macias and Walter Correa, as well as a pair of Jareck West, who has already made a name for himself in the lineup.

However, despite only getting a walk in three at-bats, Dan Wentzell (top left) really deserves huge props in this one. During his first at-bat, he took 9 pitches, including numerous fouls, before striking out. I don't care what the end result of the AB was, that was huge, because the Dust Devils' starter Juan Nicasio was unhittable. In 5.2 innings, he gave up just a pair of hits, walked one and struck out 7. He threw 89 pitches, and had it not have been for Wentzell's decisions at the plate, he probably could've thrown much farther into the ballgame.

For the C's on the hill, Ronny Morla didn't have his best stuff the farther he went. Morla threw 78 pitches, on my count, and I'd say by about the time he got to 60, his stuff started to tail off. Early in the game, he was consistently throwing around 92, but as the game wore on, he was clocking in the mid-high 80's. He however, did much better than Inoel Deaza.

Back for his third year with the C's, Deaza just didn't have it on Tuesday. He gave up two hits, two home-runs (including a three-run shot) and I don't think he even hit 90 on the gun. His replacement, Edgar Tejeda, did the opposite. 3 innings, 8 strikeouts, one hit batter. I can't see him sticking around too long if he throws like this every night.

The Stadium improvements are amazing. The TV's showing live coverage of the game in the concourse, as well as listening to Rob Fai and Chris Pritchett is a fantastic extra-touch. Oh, and I'm loving the team store. All three jerseys are on sale for 100 dollars, plus a variety of different kinds of t-shirts, hoodies, hats and team novelties (i.e. bar glasses which I bought and look awesome).

The best improvement, is by far the Notes From the Nat radar gun. Now you know what every player is throwing, and if you come to every game, you can tell if a pitcher is having an off-night, if his stuff isn't where it's usually at on the gun.

Tonight, Tim Raines night, as well as the Opening of the Bud Kerr Baseball Museum, it should be a blast.

EDIT: As Oz pointed out, we'll be calling it the NFTN Radar Gun from now on. Also, 24 hours had a nice write-up of the game, and are now the unofficial Transit newspaper of the Vancouver Canadians, or at least in my books.

Opening Day just hours away

2008-06-16T23:34:00.000-07:00

For baseball fans in Vancouver, tomorrow is Christmas Eve, and the baseball game at Nat Bailey, Christmas morning. It should be a great day of baseball, and it has some phenomenal players, involved. I'll get to that in a second. Here's your basic information for tomorrow's game.

Who: The Vancouver Canadians versus the Tri-City Dust Devils.

Where: Nat Bailey Stadium; 4601 Ontario Street (at 30th Avenue), Vancouver, BC

When: Tomorrow night, Tuesday, the 17th of June. Gates open at 5:30, first pitch 7:05.

Why: Best. Baseball Team. Ever. You also may witness history, if the C's win, because Manager Rick Magnante will be tied for the most wins by a Manager in short-season franchise history.

It honestly should be a blast, and is expected to sell-out. There will be a lot of unexpected surprises.

The Canadians released their roster today (thanks for sending it my way Leithan), and it includes many familiar faces, as well as some new ones.

On the hill, there are three southpaws, all three of which are returning from last year's team. They are Pedro Figueroa (#32 in your program books), Fabian Gomez (#5) and Carlos Hernandez (#11). Both Gomez and Figueroa spent all of last year in Vancouver, while Hernandez split time between the C's and Arizona.

Other returning pitchers are Edgar Tejeda and Inoel Deaza (back for his 3rd year). Also returning is a 2006 pitcher who missed all of last season, Chad Lee. He will wear number 20, as he did two years ago. Some new Dominican pitchers are Hector Garcia, Ronny Morla and Juan Villegas, all three of whom pitched in Arizona last season. Morla, I should add, has been named the Opening Day starter. Two pitchers are coming out of College, and they are Ryne Tacker (who saw action in Kane County last month) and Shawn Haviland, fresh out of Harvard University.

Behind the dish, it'll be the combo of Julio Rivera and Juan Nunez, with Petey Paramore expected to arrive over the next few days.

In the infield, Dan Wentzell, Francisco Tirado and Marcos Luis are all newcomers, while Walter Correa and Carlos Arrieche return. Expect Jason Christian to arrive in the next few days, following a break from his Michigan baseball season.

Out in the OF, there are five players, and two have Nat Bailey experience. Those two are JD Pruitt (the HBP king) and Lorenzo Macias, who was injured in the final game of the '06 season, and didn't play last year due to an injury. Straight out of college are Jeremy Barfield (#35) and Mitch LeVier (#4). Coming from the rookie league is Jareck West.

More draft picks are expected to come to the Nat in the coming days, but until then this looks like a pretty decent lineup.

The Dust Devils don't have a roster out as of Monday night.

Opening Night isn't just the only great night of the opening 5-game homestand, because Tim Raines is here the following night, as well as the opening of the Bud Kerr Nat Bailey museum. The next night is a seat-cushion giveaway, followed by a weekday nooner. To top the homestand off, a Saturday night fireworks show. How can you not go to all five of these? :)

Opening Night less than 48 hours away

2008-06-15T23:31:00.000-07:00

Exams have been holding back my postings lately, but they'll all be over, thank god, by Opening Night.

Two more A's draft prospects have been signed to the system since the last post by Oz, and they're two of the most sought after ones.

3rd rounder Petey Paramore and OF Rashun Dixon (top left) from the 10th round, which is huge considering Dixon had a Division I Football Scholarship that he's willing to give up for baseball.

Paramore is a catcher with all of the tools, and is projected to be in the Majors very quickly, thanks to his defensive abilities. He can also hit the ball too. Look for him to go straight to Kane County with their catchers struggling as of late. The Cougars top catcher, Dusty Napoleon, is hitting just .235. Dante Love was promoted to Illinois this week, but doesn't have a hit in 10 at-bats, striking out twice.

Dixon is expected to go to Phoenix for the summer, where he'll work on his defense, which will look to compliment his speed on the bases, and consistent bat in the box. Power, however, doesn't seem to be his game.

The biggest news, however, out of C's camp today was a Coaching change. Out (for the second straight year) is Craig 'Lefty' Lefferts, and in, once again, is Jimmy Escalante. Lefferts found out today he has to have surgery for 'Mallet Finger', and will miss the upcoming Northwest League season. Escalante was scheduled to be at Papago Park in Phoenix, working with the young players with the Arizona A's.

Best of luck to Craig.

Well, with less than 48 hours until Opening Day, the only thing left that's needed is a roster, and players for that matter. Only the first batch of players arrived tonight, at YVR, with the rest slated to arrive later in the week. A member of the C's Front Office pointed out that the C's won't know the roster, until hours before the Opening pitch.

I can, however, spoil some names for you (this is collected from other websites including minorleaguebaseball.com, and word from players in Phoenix). The Opening Day Outfield is expected to include JD Pruitt, back to re-write the NWL HBP record, David Thomas, a 14th rounder out of Catawba College and Jeremy Barfield, son of Blue Jays great Jesse Barfield.

The infield is rumoured to include SS Jason Christian (5th round, Michigan) and 2B Jareck West (AZL A's last season).

Behind the dish, Julio Rivera is expected to come back, along with potentially Dante Love, who has, like I said, struggled in his first three games in Kane County.

On the hill, things aren't as clear. It could be anyone the A's have signed, and only a few names have been released. One is 25th rounder LHP Trey Barham, along with some returning C's. Brent Lysander is one of those returnees, after being demoted from Kane County this morning. Joining him from last year's staff are LHP Fabian Gomez, along with the likes of Deaza and Figueroa. Again, this isn't official, it's just stuff gathered from other sites, and I'm not spoiling anything.

If you want to know the official Opening Day roster, I'm sorry, you'll have to go to Nat Bailey Tuesday, and watch some Opening Day baseball, which is going to be the start of the '08 Northwest League season. I can't wait.

Draft news: David Thomas to sign

2008-06-09T21:20:00.003-07:00

A 14th round draft pick of the A’s, CF David Thomas is expected to sign with the Oakland club this week. From Catawba College, Thomas is a College Senior, and according to the Salisbury Post, in North Carolina, he’s excited.

Here’s a bit of the article:

Thomas wasn’t just a four-year starter; he was a four-year superstar.

His senior statistics were ridiculous. He batted .435. His school-record 101 hits included 16 doubles, three triples and 22 homers. He stole 23 bases, knocked in 64 runs.

He walked 11 more times than he struck out, and he made zero errors in the outfield, while chasing down everything that didn’t leave Newman Park.

You can’t have a better year — or college career — than Thomas had. Now he turns the page.

He didn’t start seriously thinking about the draft until he ruled the wood-bat Coastal Plain League as a Thomasville HiTom last summer. He was league MVP, and scouts started writing his name down.

Yikes, what a beast. 22 home runs, 3 triples and 16 doubles? Those are some serious numbers.

Shortly after David Thomas was drafted in the 14th round by the Oakland Athletics on Friday, his phone rang.

"Well, David, you’ve made it," a cheerful friend said.

"Nope," replied Thomas. "Now the real work begins."

Very soon, Thomas will have the dream job he’s always wanted — professional baseball player — but he understands he has his work cut out.

He’s a college graduate, a three-time All-American, arguably the greatest player in Catawba history and owner of countless records. But now he’s back to square one. He’s 0-for-0 with no homers and no RBIs as a pro.

That’s a great attitude, and the C’s would be lucky to have this young man play for them come the 17th.

Interview with 2nd round pick, Tyson Ross

2008-06-09T21:20:00.001-07:00

The A’s were considered to have snagged a few prospects this week, during the MLB Draft, and one of those snags was none other than Oakland native, RHP Tyson Ross. The 6′5 right-hander was nice enough to chat with me about the draft, the A’s and more.

Jeremy Knight: Can you describe, or put into words, what it feels like to be drafted by your hometown A’s?

Tyson Ross: Being drafted by my hometown team is truly a dream come true. The A’s are the team I grew up cheering for, I played little league just down the street from the Coliseum, went to countless games over the years, and now I have the opportunity to play for them. Its every kids dream to grow up and play for their home team, and I am just lucky enough to have that dream become a reality.

JK: The numbers look pretty good, but how would you say your season at Berkley went?

TR: This season at Cal went pretty well. We had a really good team and were ranked in the top 25 for most of the season. I had a minor injury early in the season that really set me back from being at 100% for a while. My numbers this year weren’t as impressive as my past two seasons but I wasn’t at 100% for a while. Overall we had a pretty good season and several of the draft eligible players are moving on to play at the next level.

JK: Some draft experts considered you to be the snag of the draft. Keeping that in mind, do you think the 2nd round was a good round to be drafted in?

TR: I definitely think the 2nd round was a good place for me to go, mainly because I was picked by Oakland. The A’s have one of the best farm systems as far as player development and opportunity to move up goes. It looks like the A’s had several snags in the draft picking up 3 players from team USA (Petey Paramore, Brett Hunter and myself). I am very pleased to be taken where I went and to the A’s.

JK: I read somewhere you hit the crap out of the ball as a hitter, yet you’re a pitcher. Do you sometimes wish you could go back to bat?

TR: Yeah I used to swing it back in high school and actually went into college as a two-way player. But a few weeks into my fr. year I decided to focus on developing as a pitcher and that has really worked out for me. I still enjoy going out and hitting a little BP every now and then, but I know I belong on the bump.

JK: On average, how deep can you go in a game?

TR: My typical outing has been 7+ innings, but it all depends on how efficient I am with my pitches. In the past when I would rack up a bunch of strikeouts I found that I had to be taken out of games not because I was struggling to be effective, but because I was throwing too many pitches. This season I tried to force more contact early and try and use my defense and save my arm a little more.

JK: Obviously getting drafted by the A’s has to be pretty cool for you, so is it fair to say you’ll sign?

TR: Yes I am signing, I just can’t wait to get out there and start playing.

I really would like to thank Tyson so much for this interview, during a busy week for him. Hopefully, he’ll be at the Nat next Tuesday.

Oakland Athletics 2008 draft picks: Rounds 35 through 50

2008-06-09T21:19:00.001-07:00

Round 35: Virgil Hill CF from Mission College - Was a 28th round pick of the Marlins last year..Freshman at College

Round 36: Jonathan Berti SS from Troy High School - Was batting .481 with six homeruns and 26 RBI as a leadoff hitter as of May 21. Signed a letter of intent to Bowling Green State University. News

Round 37: Ryan Doiron RHP from Barbe High School - Was scheduled to play at Tulane University of Louisiana next year. ESPN High School Pitcher of the Week as of May 22nd.

Round 38: Robert Crocker CF from Aptos High School - Signed letter of intent to Cal Poly, doubt he’ll sign. He was ranked 59th in the Top 100 high school players, per Baseball America. News

Round 39: Dennis Clement RHP from Cascia Hall High School

Round 40: Jeffrey Dennis LHP from Binghamton University - A 6′6 hurler from New York, First-team all league winner senior year of High School. Was 4-5 with an ERA of 3.97 this season, 6 complete games. Bio

Round 41: William Hawn 3B from Walters State Community College - Goes by ‘Cody’. Drafted in the 23rd round by Milwaukee last year. Could’ve gotten a full ride scholarship to Arkansas this year, but decided against it after being injured his whole senior year of high school. News, Bio

Round 42: Kent Walton 2B from Brigham Young University - Batted .309 with 12 doubles, 7 triples, 4 homeruns and 44 RBI. Walked 15 times and struck out 35. Had just three errors all season. Stats, Bio

Round 43: John Maronde LHP from Lexington Catholic High School - Goes by ‘Nick’. Top notch pitcher, who is unfortunately going to Florida next year. Scouting Report, Scouting Report

Round 44: James Messer RHP from South Caldwell High School

Round 45: Derek Benny RHP from Roseville High School - Fresno State recruit. Struck out 72 batters in 52 innings, going 7-2 with eight saves. News

Round 46: JR Graham RHP/SS from Livermore High School - Recruited to Santa Clara. News, News

Round 47: Coley Crank Catcher from Pinole Valley High School - Recruited to Michigan. News

Round 48: Brett Holland RHP from University of Texas Tyler -Was 11-0 with an ERA of 2.76, with 9 complete games, giving up just 16 earned runs, and striking out 113. Stats, Bio

Round 49: Matt Bowman 2B from University of Nevada Reno - Batted .355 in 217 at-bats. Had 20 doubles, a triple and four home runs. Drove in 36 runs. Could be the next JD Pruitt, was hit by pitches 12 times. Had just two errors all year. Stats, Bio

Round 50: Derek Wiley IF from Belmont University - Batted .299 with 17 home runs, 62 RBI. Walked 26 times, struck out 46. Bio, Stats

Oakland Athletics Day 2 draft picks (Round 7 through 34)

2008-06-09T21:18:00.000-07:00

Round 1: Jemile Weeks 2B from University of Miami - Profile - Scouting report - Video - News
Round 2: Tyson Ross RHP from University of California Berkley - Interview - Interview - Profile
Round 3: Petey Paramore C from Arizona State - Scouting report - Injury? - Interview
Round 4: Anthony Capra LHP from Wichita State - News
Round 5: Jason Christian SS from University of Michigan - News
Round 6: Tyreace House OF from College of the Canyons - Interview
Round 7: Brett Hunter RHP from Pepperdine U
Round 8: Jeremy Barfield OF from San Jacinto College - (Violent streak?) News - News - Interview - Interview
Round 9: Mitchell LeVier C from Fullerton College
Round 10: Rashun Dixon OF from Terry HS - (Headed for football?) News - Profile
Round 11: Christopher Berroa CF from Chipola JC
Round 12: Zachary Elgie 1B from Minot HS - (Three sport prospect) News - (LoI with Kansas University) News
Round 13: Daniel Thomas RHP from U South Florida
Round 14: David Thomas CF from Catawba College
Round 15: Nino Leyja SS from Houston Christian HS
Round 16: Matthew Fitts RHP from Lewis-Clark State - Bio
Round 17: Bradley Glenn 3B from University of Arizona
Round 18: Rayan Gonzalez RHP from Antonio Luchettti HS - (drop in velocity hurt draft spot) News
Round 19: Michael Hart RHP from Texas State U
Round 20: Rodney Rutherford 3B from Columbus State - Facebook
Round 21: Mathieu Leblanc-Poirier RHP from Ahuntsic College - Facebook - News (translated from French)
Round 22: Preston Guilmet RHP from University of Arizona - Interview
Round 23: Christopher Rusin LHP from University of Kentucky - Interview
Round 24: Kenny Smalley RHP from Delta State University - Facebook
Round 25: Donald Barham LHP from Virginia Military Institute
Round 26: Ryan Doolittle RHP from Cumberland County College - Younger brother of ‘07 pick Sean - News - News
Round 27: Brent Warren OF from Xavier HS - Heart condition drops him down draft list, but he’s back
Round 28: Dusty Coleman SS from Wichita State - Interview
Round 29: Justin Murray RHP from Kansas State University
Round 30: Kevin Jernigan 2B from University of South Alabama
Round 31: Mickey Storey RHP from Florida Atlantic University - Dead arm? - Sore elbow
Round 32: Benjamin Hornbeck LHP from Kansas State University
Round 33: Shawn Haviland RHP from Harvard University
Round 34: Riley Welch RHP from Desert Mountain HS - son of former A’s pitcher Bob Welch

Oakland Athletics 2008 sixth round draft pick: Tyreace House (OF)

2008-06-09T21:17:00.002-07:00

5′10, 180lbs
Hits: Right
Throws: Right
School: College of the Canyons
Bio: Washington Rivals, College of the Canyons

A former highly-sought after Running Back, Track and Field star, and now baseball player, Tyreace House may have gone a little too high, in the 6th round. The A’s last pick on Day One is a Sophomore at College of the Canyons, where he’s listed as having played Football, Track and Baseball on his bio.

He’s dropped 13 pounds in the last year, and has grown an inch, according to his Freshman profile. The drop in weight has added more speed, to an already fast guy. His motto with baseball is one every coach dreams of, "Live playing sports, die playing sports". He says he works hard, and that’s to be expected if he was not only a Track and Baseball star, but if he was the star Running Back, Slot Receiver, Cornerback, Kick Returner and Punt Returner back in high school.

His forty yard dash speed was 4.47 seconds, his vertical is 27 inches, shuttle is 4.25 seconds and as I write this it astounds me how good of an athlete he really is. If you know what happened to his football career, please drop a note.

I assume his brother is Davon House, who hit .397 in 2007 with Tyreace’s old baseball team, and if so what an athletic family. Tyreace played Centerfield in 2006 during his Senior year of high school, hitting a whopping .521, in 95 plate appearances, driving in 27 runs, scoring 38 times, legging out 7 doubles, a triple and hitting three home runs. He walked 16 times, and struck out a measly four times. His OBP was .606 and his slugging was .767.

I think this really sounds like I’m going on and on about him, but the more I look into him, the more I like. Three-sport athletes come along very often in minor league baseball, but it sounds like he could’ve been a college football player, track star or baseball player (the path he chose).

I’ve gone on about his past, but not so much his current form, and it’s as good. He batted .348 this year, playing in all 43 games his Canyon team participated in, with 13 extra-base hits, two home runs, 25 RBI and 55 runs scored. He also stole a whopping 31 bases and had a 100% fielding percentage.

It’s Oakland’s gain, because their plan for the Outfielder is big, and it mostly involves speed. The chances of seeing him in Vancouver are slim, because he might need some tuning in Arizona before heading to the C’s, but he would certainly be a treat to watch this summer.

Oakland Athletics 2008 fifth round draft pick: Jason Christian (SS)

2008-06-09T21:17:00.001-07:00

6′3, 170lbs
Hits: Left
Throws: Right
School: University of Michigan
Bio: University of Michigan

An above-average hitter, who can fine-tune his defence, Jason Christian was the Oakland A’s 5th draft choice of the 2008 draft. Christian pounded the ball this season, hitting .330 in 50 games, legging out 13 doubles, 6 triples and banging 6 home runs. He drove in 48 runs and walked 39 times. He also had 16 stolen bases, but things weren’t so hot defensively.

He committed 13 errors, finishing with a fielding percentage of .938. His college career didn’t start out so hot, however, having a very poor Freshman year. He batted .180 in 24 games, and had only 9 hits in 50 at-bats. He had four more strikeouts than he did hits, and the same amount of strikeouts as RBI, and Total Bases.

His Sophomore year, things only improved. In 61 games, 244 at-bats, he had 80 hits, 22 doubles, 2 triples, 7 home-runs and 44 RBI. He still struck out more than he walked, but his average improved .148 over his first year, and he stole 14 bases. The only down-side, was the 18 errors.

So, to recap, he can pound the crap out of the ball, has great wheels on the base-paths, can hit some-what for power, who has troubles at shortstop. If he can get the defence down, he’ll be one player opponents will hate to face.

Oakland Athletics 2008 fourth round draft pick: LHP Anthony Capra

2008-06-09T21:16:00.000-07:00

6-1, 200lbs
Throws: Left
Bats: Left
School: Wichita State
Bio: Wichita State

Capra, a Colorado native, was unbeatable on the mound this season, and that’s literal. He was 9-0 with an ERA of 2.87, through 13 starts, one of which went the distance. In 75 innings he gave up just 24 runs, 30 walkss but struck out 87 batters. Opponents batted just .212 against Travis Banwart’s former teammate. Control may be an issue, with 9 wild pitches, but the rest of his makeup seems very good.

In high school, he threw a no-hitter against Chatfield, and also fanned 18 batters in a game against Smokey Hill. He was second team Academic All-State in his senior year.

In his first two years with the WS Shockers, he both times had an ERA of 1.76, with 9 wins and three losses combined over his Freshman and Sophomore years. His first year, he was a reliever, before being converted to part-time starter in 2007. He was ranked 7th in the nation, with his ERA as a Sophomore.

He reportedly has a curveball, changeup and fastball. The heater usually goes between the 88 and 93mph range.

While he isn’t a guy that was on second or third round draft pick lists, heading into the draft, he will certainly make a welcome addition to the A’s organization, whether he makes a splash with the C’s or Cougars.

Oakland Athletics 2008 third round draft pick: Petey Paramore (Catcher)

2008-06-09T21:15:00.000-07:00

6-2, 215lbs
Bats: Switch
Throws: Right
School: Arizona State
Scouting Report: Sox Prospects, Minor League Baseball
Bio: Arizona State

The Catcher from Allen, Texas, has baseball in his blood (his Dad Glen played at BYU and Weber State), and could be someone to rival Kurt Suzuki for the A’s catching job come 2011.

He possesses some power, as well as timely, clutch hitting, which will make him an easy fit with the A’s organization. In a system with little depth at the Catcher position, he may be rushed through the system, despite having a young and incredible Catcher in Suzuki with the big club.

In High School, Paramore was a Collegiate Baseball High School All-American, and hit 5 home runs, drove in 30 runs, walked 44 times and hit .452 as a HS Senior. His numbers didn’t really drop off as a Freshman, batting .318, and hitting 3 long bombs, including defensively, having two errors behind the plate in 53 games.

His defensive numbers were as impressive as a sophomore, giving up just a pair of errors, in 64 games. He batted .379, drove in 52 runs, 6 home-runs, 19 extra-base hits, and scored 64 times, putting himself on MLB scouts’ radars.

This season, he only improved, batting .361 in 57 games. He had 7 homers, 10 doubles, 49 RBI, and walked 19 more times than he struck out. He committed just three errors this year, as well.

Paramore is known best for his defensive ability, but as well as his hitting from the right-handed side. He still does well as a lefty, hitting to all parts of the field. Minor League Baseball describes his defensive ability in one sentence. "Paramore could handle catching in the big leagues right now." And that ladies and gentleman, is why grabbing this guy in the 3rd round is pretty amazing.

Oakland Athletics 2008 second round draft pick: RHP Tyson Ross

2008-06-09T21:14:00.000-07:00

6-6, 225lbs
Throws: Right
School: University of California Berkley
Scouting Report: Sox Prospects
Bio: CalBears.com

This Oakland, California native might have the privilege of playing for his hometown A’s, in a few years. Ross is a dominant, athletic pitcher, who intimidates batters with his 6 foot 6 frame.

He doesn’t have a lot of heat, throwing in the high 80s to low 90s, but his off-speed pitches are some of the best in the Pac-10. His curveball and changeup are supposed to be amazing, and he’s rumoured to have outstanding control of all of his pitches.

In the summer of ‘07 with the US National Team, he was 4-1 with an ERA of .82, walking just seven batters.

He was the University of California Bears #1 starter this season, where he started all 12 of his appearances. His record was 7-4 with an ERA of 4.25, which probably isn’t the dominant numbers he expected to put up, but they’re still very good. He threw 78 innings off the mound, giving up 76 hits, 33 walks and striking out 66.

His last appearance as a Golden Bear wasn’t his best, going 6.2 innings, giving up 9 hits, 5 runs (2 earned), walking three and striking out four. His team went on to get shutout 5-0 in front of 1365 fans on the road.

His earlier years at Cal were very respectable, and make his 2008 numbers look like nothing. As a freshman, he struck out 85 batters in 84 innings, with a record of 6-4, to go along with an ERA of 3.19. Last year as a sophomore he was even better, going 6-6, side-by-side with an ERA which stood at 2.49, striking out an amazing 120 batters, in 115 innings. He was named the National Player of the Week once by Collegiate Baseball, and was a Pac-10 Honorable Mention as a Freshman. The one down-side, are his mechanics.

Look for him to break into Minor League Baseball as a Canadian or Cougar, if he signs.

Around-the-horn: Draft day less than 24 hours away; C's make a splash with new show

2008-06-04T21:13:00.000-07:00

It’s that time of year again. Just two weeks (13 days) remain until Opening Day, and in two days, the Oakland Athletics will have completed the 2008 draft, which will make up for most of the C’s roster for ‘08.

Thursday morning, through Friday night, all 30 MLB teams will go through round after round, trying to find the next Alex Rodriguez, or Randy Johnson. Last year, with their First Round pick, Oakland selected James Simmons, 26th overall. The RHP has done nothing but impress in his first full pro season, despite some injury troubles.

In ‘06, Oakland didn’t select until 66th overall (2nd round), picking another RHP Trevor Cahill, who in two seasons remains one of the organization’s top prospects. And back in 2005, the A’s had pick number 21, selecting SS Cliff Pennington, who was recently promoted to AAA. While Pennington is in the Top 10 for A’s prospects, those selected behind him in the ‘05 draft include OF Jacoby Ellsbury, RHP Matt Garza and RHP Clay Buchholz.

Who they’ll pick this year remains to be seen, but with the 12th overall pick, this could make or break the organization. One guy who they could pick, is one of the most sought-after power-hitters in the draft, Brett Lawrie. The Langley Blaze 3B doesn’t have a set position (even though he’s listed at the hot corner), but it doesn’t matter. He can flat out pound the ball. He stands at 5′11, 200 pounds, but still remains the top Canadian in the draft, and could go as high as the Top 10.

After Oakland picks their first-round selectee, they won’t go back to the picking until the Second round, with the 58th pick. They don’t have one pick in the Compensation Rounds, but then again, it was more than a few years ago when they last had this high of a First Round pick.

Who will the A’s select, you ask? And will they wear red and black this summer? Well, there are five guys I can see the A’s picking, and they’re all very talented. The first is a no-brainer, a guy they picked out of high school, before he elected for post-secondary education, Justin Smoak.

A 1B from the University of South Carolina, he has a great bat, but the chances of him falling to the 12th pick are slim to none.

The next guy, is OF Aaron Hicks (left), out of Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach. Hicks is supposed to go to USC next season, but he is considered the best two-way player in the draft. He has a good consistent bat, a huge threat on the base paths, and a defensive threat in the outfield. In his Sophomore and Junior years, he hit a combined .375, with just 29 strikeouts and 19 extra-base hits in 187 at-bats. Oh yeah, and there’s the 70 stolen bases, getting caught just once. Did I mention he switch-hits? This kid’s got all of the tools, and is the real deal.

One other of the five is RHP Andrew Cashner, a 6′6 giant out of Montgomery, Texas. The College Junior hails from Texas Christian, where he had a team-high 30 appearances, with an ERA of 2.32, a record of 9-4, to go along with 9 saves in 54.1 innings, striking out 80 batters. Batters batted just .122 against him, now that is clutch pitching. If Huston Street was ever to leave Oakland soon, Cashner would be a fine replacement.

LHP Christian Friedrich comes from the Eastern Kentucky Colonels baseball team, where the 6′3 starter compiled a 5-1 record, to go along with an ERA of 1.78 - good enough for best on the team. He hurled 65 innings, giving up just 13 earned runs, 24 walks, while K-ing 86 batters. Opponents batted .142 against #12. I’ll tell you what - with only Greg Smith and Dana Eveland as LHP starters in the majors (even though Dallas Braden and Dan Meyer are right behind them), the A’s could certainly use someone of Friedrich’s nature in the future.

The final guy I can see the A’s nabbing, is none other than 1B/3B Brett Wallace, out of Arizona State’s Sun Devil Baseball program (which produced A’s ’star’ Travis Buck). In his Sophomore year, he won the Pac-10 Triple Crown, and Player of the Year award, where he had an average of .404, 107 hits, 16 home-runs and 78 RBI, which were all best in the Conference.

His favourite team growing up was the A’s, and they still are, and his favourite MLB player is Eric Chavez. If there wasn’t a better fit for Wallace - I’d be shocked. This season, Wallace has only improved his 2007 numbers. His average stands at .414 (with the season not over yet), and after 227 at-bats he has 94 hits, 12 doubles, 2 triples, 21 home-runs, 81 RBI, 45 walks, and he’s scored 83 times. He was also named this year’s Pac-10 Player of the year (Back-to-back), and still leads the Triple Crown categories. The last player to win back-to-back? Ex-Canadian Casey Myers in 2000 and 2001.

Those five will certainly be top picks in this year’s draft tomorrow, but no draft analyst is set on which player Oakland will take, tomorrow afternoon.

Radio show a home-run:

The C’s have made improvement after improvement going into the 2008 season, and Sunday afternoon was one of the first that really became a hit off the bat. Rob Fai’s ‘Vancouver Canadians Gameday’ made a perfect first impression, with guests Bert Blyleven (a future MLB hall-of-famer) and Pete Incaviglia, whose story is one that doesn’t come up very often.

The show talked to the pair of MLB greats, as well as recapping where some ex-C’s are these days, in addition to some self-promotion of Opening Day Tickets. Which brings me to my next point, Ticket Manager Jason Takefman says Opening Day box seats are almost sold-out, two weeks prior to the first pitch, man that’s great to hear.

Back to the show, this Sunday’s guests will include BC’s Justin Morneau (why so many Twins players? Well, Andrew Seymour worked with the Fort Myers Miracle, a farm team for the Twins, and yes Morneau played for them some years ago..), among others. And with the draft’s completion Friday evening, Fai could end up talking about some players we could see in Vancouver very shortly.

C's debut new uniforms; Petit excelling at MLB Level

2008-05-28T21:29:00.001-07:00

Sorry, delayed post after I wrote this last Tuesday...

It’s been a long time coming, but the Canadians have finally revealed their new 2008 jerseys, to the public. While I’m not as keen on the road jerseys as I am the alternate black and home white, these jerseys are still a huge step forward from the variations of team jerseys since the short-season inception back in 2000.

While wearing the white jerseys, the team will sport the popular red hat, as well as wearing white pants. On the road, it’ll be black and grey from head to toe, with the black hats, grey uniforms and grey pants. When the club wears the ‘Alternate’ Jersey, which is solely to be worn on Saturday nights, it’ll be the black hat and either white pants at home, and grey on the road.

(Nat Bailey Stadium - Vancouver, B.C.) - The Vancouver Canadians Baseball Club introduced a trio of uniforms set for wear during the 2008 Northwest League season. The uniforms were unveiled at Nat Bailey Stadium by Canadians owners Jake Kerr, Jeff Mooney and President Andy Dunn.

Minutes before the Canadians trotted out their newest look, the baseball club paid tribute to past Vancouver professional teams by inviting 1954 Vancouver Capilano’s Arnie Hallgren, 1965 Vancouver Mountie’s Ozzie Chavarria, 1997 Vancouver Canadians’ slugger Chris Pritchett, as well as Elmer Morishita representing the 1941 Vancouver Asahi Japanese professional club. All four gentlemen wore jerseys and hats from their playing era.

The Canadians home white uniforms sport red lettering with grey outline stating the word "Canadians" across the front. The white home jersey marks the first time the Canadians have worn all white since 1999.

The C’s stayed consistent with their road colours remaining with a grey uniform with black lettering etched in white with "Vancouver" marked across the front. The Canadians will wear a New Era 59/50 black hat with their road grey.

Vancouver rounded out their look for the 2008 season with a black alternate jersey that the club states will only be worn for games on Saturday. This marks the first time in the Canadians 30-year history that a Vancouver team will take to the field in a black jersey. The Canadians primary mark will cover the left breast of the jersey and the club will alternate wearing white pants at Nat Bailey Stadium and grey away from home.

The black is pretty much last year’s home jersey, in a different colour, and with a new logo, but it looks much better than the previous years’ jersey. The white home is reminiscent of the Spokane Indians home jersey, while the road grey is almost completely identical to the Chicago White Sox’ road uniforms.

Petit does well at major league level:

After ex-C’s SS Gregorio Petit was called up to The Bigs over the weekend, it came with a lot of expectations. During Spring Training, he almost made the club, and having seen him in person, he could’ve been a starter he was playing so well. Well, after two games at 2nd base, he’s doing exceptional. He’s batting .375, with 3 hits in 8 at-bats, with four strikeouts. One strikeout came with a tying run on third in the 8th inning with one out (on Sunday), but he’s young, so you can’t fault him too much. He’s just getting his feet wet.

Way to go Greg!

Pair of ex-Canadians done with pro ball:

Two 2007 RHP’s from the Canadians are done with professional baseball…for now. RHP Bryan Collins (left) was released by Oakland, after spending the last month and a half at Papago Park, participating at Extended Spring Training. He struggled last season in Vancouver, but he had some great stuff, and it’s too bad the system was so crowded he had to be let go before even heading up to Kane County.

The other guy who left the A’s was Lee Land, a closer who joined the C’s late in the season from the Cape Cod League. He raised more than a few eyebrows, but suffered an arm/elbow injury with four games left in the season, and didn’t report to Phoenix until Extended Spring Training. He retired from the organization on Sunday. After four years of four schools, including one where he didn’t even pitch due to an injury, I’m guessing he felt it was time to hang up the cleats.

On a happier note, RHP Brent Lysander and Catcher Dusty Napoleon (thanks for the heads-up Melissa!) were sent to Kane County this morning, with Lysander set to pitch later tonight.

And, on the Canadians front, 2007 Catcher Dante Love is expected to come back to Vancouver, to platoon with Juan Nunez, a Latin catcher currently catching pitches in Stockton, due to an injury within the Ports.

One month until Opening Day; plenty of Canadians involved in moves within the A's system

2008-05-19T12:55:00.000-07:00

There are 29 days until the Vancouver Canadians will open their gates for the fans, on Opening Day. The Canadians club is full of expectations this season, with new uniforms, a new logo, an improved stadium, and many returning players.

Stars like Dan Hamblin and Grant Desme may return this year, due to injuries, as will Justin Frash, Dante Love and probably HBP king JD Pruitt.

A Oaklandclubhouse.com story yesterday with A's Player Development official Keith Lieppman said Catcher Dante Love (circa 2007 Canadian) will be back in black and red this season, with Juan Nunez who is currently catching balls in Stockton, filling in for Raul Padron who's out with a Steroid suspension.

Also from the story, came word that 2007 Canadians hurler Lee Land has retired from professional baseball. He's been in Extended Spring Training since April, and was expected to head back to Vancouver or up to Kane County. The only problem was that Land suffered an arm/elbow injury late last season, and it's rumoured those injuries were still lingering at the time of his retirement this weekend.

RHP Bryan Collins was released by the A's, and you have to feel bad for the Texas native. In a crowded C's bullpen, Collins was almost the odd-man out, getting put into very tight situations. He ended the year with a 1-1 record, and an ERA of 6.59. In 27 innings he allowed 20 earned runs, and struck out 25 batters. Good luck Bryan!

The C's will be making a splash of their own this week, revealing their 2008 uniforms. They are absolutely stunning, even though anything is better than the jerseys they've worn since 2005. But if you want a sneak peek at the jerseys, go to the Vancouver Canadians website, go to 'Coaches' under their roster page, and there are slight pictures of the managers and coaches wearing the new home jerseys.

Speaking of the C's, there are still a ton of last year's players that haven't been assigned to another A's affiliate.

On the hill, there's Inoel Deaza, Pedro Figueroa, Fabian Gomez, Jose Guzman and Brent Lysander, while position players Dante Love, Julio Rivera, Dusty Napoleon, Justin Frash, Dan Hamblin (Injury), JD Pruitt and Grant Desme (Injury) still remain off a team roster.

While I believe Figueroa and Guzman were released, I'm not quite certain. I'll look into that.

Success is the word at Nat Bailey last weekend, unless you're a T-Bird

2008-05-16T21:56:00.000-07:00

Yesterday proved to be a busy, yet successful day for the Nat Bailey faithful, as well as the Lewis-Clark State Baseball team.

UBC’s baseball team lost their opening round game Thursday, before staying alive on Friday with a grand slam by Senior Mike Styrna. They then, however, lost to College of Idaho Friday night, ending their 2008 season on home turf.

COI advanced to the final, where they faced Lewis-Clark State on Saturday.

VANCOUVER — The Lewis Clark State Warriors jumped out to a big lead in the first inning and never looked back on their way to winning the Region 1 championship by a score of 15-4 over the College of Idaho Coyotes.

With one out in the bottom of the first, LC state went on a rally that saw six straight Warriors reach base and five runs come in. That would be all the offence they needed to win the Region 1 title, as the
Coyotes were held to four runs off seven hits in five innings of work by Warriors starter Blaine Hardy, with Justin Mace throwing four no-hit innings in relief to seal the deal.

LC state finished with 17 hits, including at least one hit in every inning but the sixth. All but two of their starters registered at least one hit in the game, with Mike Rivera’s four hit performance leading the team.

With the win, the Warriors have earned the right to host the Super Regionals, which get underway on May 15 in Lewiston, Idaho.

So once again, Lewis-Clark State pulls away with the Region I title. It’s bad enough they get an automatic berth into their own NAIA World Series, but why do they have to compete in Region I? It sucks if you’re a UBC fan.

Many good things came out of this season, though. Scott Webster and Senior Fletcher Vynne each cranked five home-runs, and DH Ryan Pilgrim hit four, with a few years still left at UBC, and Seniors Matt Chester (who went out injured a few weeks ago) and Mike Styrna (Grand Slam Friday) found their groove, hitting .350 and .336 respectively. They combined for 50 RBI and four home-runs as well as 21 extra-base hits.

The future looks bright, with Pilgrim, Ben Torrie, Jon Syrnyk, Alex White, Scott Webster, Sammie Starr, Craig Leebosh, Jordan Pandoff, Bob Foerster and a handful of others (such as Sean Everest, Mike Elias, Nic Lendvoy and Nic Lindsay) all scheduled to come back next season on offence. On the hill, there wasn’t one ERA below 4.28, and one starting pitcher who hadn’t given up a home-run. Taylor King was injured for most of the season, which was a very bad thing, but he should be back next year.

Saturday was also a big day for the Canadians, who hosted a job fair, National Anthem tryouts, and it marked the first day for buying single-game tickets. Here’s how Jason Takefman summed up the day’s events:

All aspects of yesterday’s festivities were excellent: Our Job Fair and National Anthem tryouts attracted a lot of returning and new faces, our field crowned a champion (not the team we wanted, but a champion nonetheless), and fans ensured they got the best seats for all the big nights. Granville Island Brewing Opening Night Fireworks, Dayton Boots Hall of Fame Grand Opening with Rock Raines, and ‘The Hitman’ on July 10th were the most popular game choices.

Tons of great seats still remain for these games, but buy yours sooner rather than later. You don’t want to be turned away at the door like hundreds of fans at last year’s Opening Night.

Thunderbirds to host Region I Tournament

2008-05-07T07:27:00.000-07:00

It should be a great weekend of baseball, starting 2:00 on Thursday, when NAIA Champion Lewis-Clark State battles Concordia-Portland, in advance of UBC’s tilt with College of Idaho at 6:00.

This double-elimination tournament takes place at Nat Bailey Stadium, hosted by the ‘Birds.

After winning one of a possible three conference games on the weekend in Caldwell, Idaho, UBC clinched the tournament, a huge advantage.

The Thunderbirds look to take back the Region I crown, two years after they made a remarkable run to the NAIA World Series. Will they repeat? Who knows, but they could go far, with the team they have.

From the UBC website:

CALDWELL, Idaho — The College of Idaho Coyotes swept the T-Birds in their double-bill season finale on Sunday to pull level with them in the Region 1 standings. However, UBC holds the head-to-head tiebreaker, and will host the Region 1 tournament beginning on May 8 at Nat Bailey Stadium.

The wins for the Yotes (17-7) gave The College of Idaho a share of the regional regular season pennant, but UBC won the all-important tiebreaker, giving the T-Birds the host site for next week’s Region I Tournament.

There you have it, 6:00 Thursday night, Thunderbirds and College of Idaho.

Press, Press and more Press

2008-05-07T07:25:00.000-07:00

Have the Vancouver Canadians ever received so much ink, with just over six weeks until their season is set to begin? Most of their players for 2008 are still in College, playing for their respective teams, and probably a handful of them haven’t even graduated from High School. Yet, the C’s are more popular than ever, and they can’t stay out of the spotlight.

Whether it’s minorleaguebaseball.com, The Province or even the Canadian Press, GM Andrew Seymour and President Andy Dunn are certainly getting a lot of credit for promotions, mascots and much more, and so they should.

Let’s start off with the article from the Canadian Press:

The reincarnation of the Vancouver Canadians as a single-A team in the Northwest League is becoming a rare success story for minor-league baseball in this country.

Attendance is solid, the ownership is both local and strong, and, perhaps most importantly, a long-term commitment to the city has been made with a 25-year lease for Nat Bailey Stadium.

All of that is why Vancouver looks set to buck the woes that have killed minor-league clubs in other Canadian cities, leaving it the sole remaining outpost of affiliated ball north of the border.

"The Northwest League business model works real well for us," team president Andy Dunn said during a recent visit to Toronto. "I think what we need in Vancouver is just a good, strong, traditional minor-league promotional plan.

"We really play on the old throw-back, historic feel, both at the facility and with the promotions."

[…]

"Most of the fans are coming out for the entertainment experience more than they are the baseball experience," said Dunn. "So
part of your fanbase is the die-hard baseball fan and they’re going to notice the difference, the other part of your fanbase is looking for the entertainment experience, so they want the fireworks show or to see the San Diego Chicken or an inexpensive night on the town that’s a great experience.

"If you give people a reason not to come, they’ll always find it. That’s the mentality you have to look at it with. Yeah, it’s not a triple-A franchise but it’s still professional
baseball."

That’s only a bit of the article, and if you’re even the smallest fan of Canadians baseball, you still need to check it out.

Now, moving onto Marc Weber’s article focusing more on the promotional aspect of the team:

Andrew Seymour is a one-man dream team of theme, but the Vancouver
Canadians’ new GM says the main plot line this season will be good, clean, family fun.

That’s not to say the man who brought Billy Donovan Night, Bobble-Butt Night and Mike Tyson Ear Night (see sidebar) to the Florida State League’s Fort Myers Miracle won’t go a little goofy on occasion. Just that he knows the topical humour so popular in Florida isn’t necessarily needed at the Nat.

"In the Florida markets, each night you’ve got to dress it up a bit," said Seymour, a Torontonian who goes way back with new president Andy Dunn, a two-time Florida State League executive of the year."With Vancouver there’s a tradition of people coming out to Nat Bailey so you don’t have to get too silly, too risque. You don’t have to have whoopee cushion night every third Sunday."

[…]

The Canadians, who open the season at home on June 17, will soon
announce their Superstar Series — a list of celebrity appearances — and that’s where Dunn’s connections come in. Five A&W Sunday Family Fun Days will be a blast for kids, and Dunn wants to ramp up the classic nooners — make them a one-stop shop for business types. "I want fans to be able to get shoe shines and hair cuts," he said. "I’m trying to find a laundry service that will partner with us."

If anyone, thought that 9 years ago, this team would be as successful and as organized as they are today, I wouldn’t have believed them.

It says they’ll ’soon’ announce their Superstar Series, but I guess they didn’t tell Minorleaguebaseball.com that, because during their interview with Andrew Seymour, they posted the names of those Superstars, as well as the team’s new mascot which will be revealed in less than a month. Since that time, they’ve taken the Superstars, and the mascot off the site.

I’ve quoted enough articles, so you can check out Seymour’s interview for yourself, and it is a great read.

41 days until Opening Day, single-game tickets go on sale next Saturday at 10 AM.

Canadians announce full 2008 season schedule

2008-05-01T16:59:00.000-07:00

The promotions for 2008 are supposed to be exceptional, especially with new GM Andrew Seymour (left) at the helm, but looking at the schedule right now, it looks even greater than anticipated.

(Nat Bailey Stadium - Vancouver, B.C.) - The Vancouver Canadians introduced their full 2008 schedule with promotions, game times and opponents. The C’s gearing up for their 9th season in the Northwest League will open up the summer at home against the Tri City Dust Devils on Tuesday, June 17th, 2008 at 7:05pm.

Vancouver will host nine fireworks nights over the course of the Canadians 38-game home schedule including Canada Day as well as include seven weekday ‘nooners’ and five A&W Sunday Family Fun Days, all 1:05pm starts.

The promotional schedule is packed with a number of great nights for fans of all ages including a new Superstar Series that will have celebrity appearances throughout the season. The Canadians have more than a dozen great giveaways at the gates this season including batting helmets, old school lunch boxes and jersey t-shirts.

Single Game Tickets for the 2008 Vancouver Canadians season go on sale Saturday, May 10th at 10am. Fans looking to grab a seat for their favorite events can head down to the Nat Bailey Stadium Box Office, visit the C’s website at http://www.canadiansbaseball.com or call the Box Office at 604-872-5232. All fans who purchase tickets on Saturday, May 10th will be eligible for the chance to win an autographed bat from one of the legends in our Superstar Series as well as a ‘Meet and Greet’ with that star!

2008 VANCOUVER CANADIANS NORTHWEST LEAGUE SCHEDULE

DATE DAY OPPONENT TIME STADIUM PROMOTION

6/17 Tues vs. Tri City Dust Devils 7:05pm Nat Bailey Opener & Fireworks
6/18 Wed vs. Tri City Dust Devils 7:05pm Nat Bailey Superstar Appearance
6/19 Thurs vs. Tri City Dust Devils 7:05pm Nat Bailey Seat Cushion Giveaway
6/20 Fri vs. Tri City Dust Devils 1:05pm Nat Bailey Nooner
6/21 Sat vs. Tri City Dust Devils 7:05pm Nat Bailey Fireworks

6/27 Fri vs. Eugene Emeralds 7:05pm Nat Bailey
6/28 Sat vs. Eugene Emeralds 7:05pm Nat Bailey Mini Bat Giveaway
6/29 Sun vs. Eugene Emeralds 1:05pm Nat Bailey A&W Family Fun Sunday
Batting Helmet Giveaway

6/30 Mon vs. Everett Aquasox 7:05pm Nat Bailey Dog Day of Summer
7/01 Tues vs. Everett Aquasox 7:05pm Nat Bailey Canada Day Fireworks
7/02 Wed vs. Everett Aquasox 1:05pm Nat Bailey Nooner

7/09 Wed vs. Spokane Indians 7:05pm Nat Bailey
7/10 Thurs vs. Spokane Indians 7:05pm Nat Bailey Superstar Appearance
7/11 Fri vs. Spokane Indians 1:05pm Nat Bailey Nooner
7/12 Sat vs. Spokane Indians 7:05pm Nat Bailey Fireworks
7/13 Sun vs. Spokane Indians 1:05pm Nat Bailey A&W Family Fun Sunday
Jersey T-Shirt Giveaway

7/20 Sun vs. Yakima Bears 7:05pm Nat Bailey Fireworks
7/21 Mon vs. Yakima Bears 7:05pm Nat Bailey
7/22 Tues vs. Yakima Bears 7:05pm Nat Bailey
7/23 Wed vs. Yakima Bears 7:05pm Nat Bailey Superstar Appearance
7/24 Thurs vs. Yakima Bears 1:05pm Nat Bailey License Plate Frame Giveaway

7/31 Thurs vs. Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 7:05pm Nat Bailey Fireworks
8/01 Fri vs. Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 1:05pm Nat Bailey Nooner
8/02 Sat vs. Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 7:05pm Nat Bailey ZOOperstars

8/12 Tues vs. Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 7:05pm Nat Bailey Superstar Appearance
8/13 Wed vs. Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 7:05pm Nat Bailey
8/14 Thurs vs. Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 1:05pm Nat Bailey Nooner & Mouse Pad Giveaway
8/15 Fri vs. Boise Hawks 7:05pm Nat Bailey Old School Lunch Boxes
8/16 Sat vs. Boise Hawks 7:05pm Nat Bailey Fireworks
8/17 Sun vs. Boise Hawks 1:05pm Nat Bailey A&W Family Fun Sunday
Batting Glove Giveaway
8/18 Mon vs. Boise Hawks 7:05pm Nat Bailey BirdZERK
8/19 Tues vs. Boise Hawks 1:05pm Nat Bailey Nooner

8/23 Sat vs. Everett Aquasox 7:05pm Nat Bailey Fireworks
8/24 Sun vs. Everett Aquasox 1:05pm Nat Bailey A&W Family Fun Sunday
Kids Cap Giveaway
8/25 Mon vs. Everett Aquasox 7:05pm Nat Bailey Team Photo Giveaway

8/29 Fri vs. Eugene Emeralds 7:05pm Nat Bailey
8/30 Sat vs. Eugene Emeralds 7:05pm Nat Bailey Fireworks
8/31 Sun vs. Eugene Emeralds 1:05pm Nat Bailey A&W Family Fun Sunday
Umbrella Giveaway

Three superstar appearances, 7 nooners and a bunch of other great promotions including the tons of free swag available at the gates, and ‘A&W Family Fun Sunday’. 7 more long weeks.

BC Lions busy on CFL Draft Day

2008-04-30T21:48:00.000-07:00

To introduce that we'll cover the BC Lions for the 2008 season, I'll recap the 2008 CFL Draft, in terms of the BC Lions.

The Leos made six draft choices, including two OL, one DL, a DB, a LB and a Running Back/Fullback.

Their first round pick, OL Justin Sorenson from Parksville, BC, and out of South Carolina, the fifth-year Senior was redshirted in 2004, and therefore could go back to school for another season (next year). By doing so, he could have a shot with an NFL team next spring/summer, and may not ever come back home to the Lions. If he does, however, join the Lions, he could be a potential CFL All-Star. From his College website:

Fifth-year senior offensive lineman who is the projected starter at the right tackle position... started all 12 games at the position in 2007 and has made 18 consecutive starts at right guard... one of the biggest players on the team at 6-7 and 327 pounds... one of two Canadians on the team, along with offensive lineman Gurminder Thind.

2006: Saw action in all 13 games... was limited primarily to special teams duty until he was inserted in the lineup at right tackle for the second half at Vanderbilt... made his first career start the next week against Tennessee and retained his starting role for the remainder of the season... made six starts overall... the Gamecocks totaled over 400 yards of offense in each of the season's final four games...

2005: Served as a squadman... saw action in three games, appearing in the Alabama, Troy and Missouri games, primarily on special teams.

2004: Redshirted as a true freshman.

HIGH SCHOOL: Graduated from Ballenas High School in Vancouver Island, B.C. in 2004... played offensive tackle for Coach Hines... was named his team's Most Valuable Player.

PERSONAL: Justin Sorensen was born June 8, 1986... pursuing a degree in retailing.

Rolly Lumbala, a RB/FB was BC's second round choice, and what a snag he was. A projected first-round pick, the Calgary native dropped to the 9th pick in the draft, before BC chose him. He's headed to a mini-camp with Miami if the NFL this weekend, and if he gets a spot at their rookie camp, it could be a wasted pick by the Lions. However, if he doesn't crack the Dolphins, he'll be a big force in BC's backfield. He was a senior this year with the Idaho Vandals of the NCAA.

From their site:

2006: Played all 12 games as part of the backfield and H-back rotations ... had 21 carries for 95 yards and caught one pass for nine yards ... excelled as a blocker and in short-yardage situatuions.

2005: Started six and played in all 11 games ... carried the ball 128 times for 472 yards ... also caught 22 passes for 217 yards ... had 689 all-purpose yards ... best outing was 21 carries for 86 yards in Idaho’s victory at New Mexico State ... also had 21 carres vs. Utah State ... twice had four receptions in one game ... scored two TDs, one rushing and one passing, vs. Utah State.

2004: Played in all 12 games and started twice as a true freshman ... carried the ball 141 times for 614 yards ... scored six rushing touchdowns ... also caught six passes for 40 yards ... best outing was 125 yards on 22 carries against Louisiana-Lafayette ... also scored two TDs in that game and had career-long run of 34 yards ... with one reception for seven yards also had career high of 132 all-purpose yards ... shared time with fellow true freshman Jayson Bird.

High school: Graduated in 2004 from Saint Francis High School ... led team to Provincial championship (equivalent to U.S. state title) ... team did not keep individual statistics ... team captain.

BC's third pick was Justin Shaw, a DL from the University of Manitoba, where he was a Canada West All-Star. The Victoria boy had a great career in the Prairies and should look to build on that with the Lions. The senior had 77 tackles over four seasons, with 26 tackles for losses, 15 sacks, one INT, 5 forced fumbles, and 9 fumble recoveries. Not bad, at all.

Jason Arakgi, a McMaster boy drafted as the Lions fourth pick, is the legacy of father Nick, who played for Montreal from 1982 through 1985, winning Most Outstanding Canadian in 1984. Arakgi can play LB or DB, but is better suited closer to the line of scrimmage. At McMaster, he picked off five passes, sacked five quarterbacks, tackled 99 men on his own, and helped out with 29 others. He played in 31 games at the Hamilton-based school. He could fit in very nicely with the Lions.

BC's fifth round pick was Brady Browne, a DB from Maple Ridge who played at Manitoba along with fellow Lion draftee Justin Shaw. Browne only picked off three balls in four seasons, but tackled 79 players, recovered two fumbles and forced another. He was once the Canada West Defensive Player of the Week in his Junior season, as well as being a 2007 Canada West Conference All-Star and Second Team All-Canadian. With the loss of DB Markeith Knowlton yesterday to Hamilton, Browne could find himself in action sooner than he would've thought had he been drafted with Knowlton still on the roster.

The Lions final selection in the draft was OL Hubert Buydens out of the Huskies program at the University of Saskatchewan. Saskatoon's own is in just his third year of eligibility, but has impressed none-the-less so far. In '06, he was a Second Team All-Canadian and Canada West All-Star, as well as being a Canada West All-Star this season. He could go back to school, but he could also start his pro-career. It was still a good pick by Wally Buono's staff.

DRAFT NOTES:

As expected, Hamilton GM Bob O'Billovich took DB Dylan Barker with the first pick of the CFL draft, before taking WR Sam Giguere, a highly touted prospect who may go to the NFL this season. O'Billovich was quoted as saying "Dylan could be playing for a long time in this league...He's one of the better athletes at that position I have seen in a long time." That's quite the compliment, considering the amount of talent O'Billovich has seen during his tenure in the CFL, that's including coaching Mark Washington, Barron Miles and Ryan Phillips to name a few. Hopefully, Barker can turn the franchise around. The best part? He's from Moose Jaw. Canadian born-and-raised. You gotta love it.

UBC Thunderbirds one win away from hosting Region I Tournament

2008-04-30T20:37:00.000-07:00

After walking through the doors of Nat Bailey for the first time in over 7 months Friday, and buying the new and very stylish black Canadians hat, I watched the UBC Thunderbirds take on NAIA powerhouse Lewis-Clark State. Was it Northwest League baseball? No. But it was certainly worth the 5 dollar admission. DH/P Scott Webster led the way on the mound early, and ended up going 6.1 innings, giving up half-a-dozen hits, five runs (two earned), a walk and he managed to strike out five Warriors. He got the loss but, man he threw well.

Relievers Kurt Schumacher, Ashton Florko (a former Warrior) and Geoff Burke all pitched in relief, and in their 2.2 combined innings of work, gave up just five hits, one run and a lone walk to the visitors. UBC lost 6-3, but despite the injuries of many players (which I’ll get to in a second), they came up strong. Matt Chester was 3-5 with two runs scored and a double, and DH Ryan Pilgrim had two hits, a walk (HBP), and an RBI.

Compare this to the four players on the Warriors who each had multi-hit games (including one pinch-hitter who ended up going 2-2 with two runs), and it doesn’t look too great on the Thunderbirds, but they still held their ground, only loosing control of the game in the 7th when Lewis-Clark State broke out of a 2-2 tie with three runs.

LC State’s starting pitcher Matt Fitts improved to 9-0 on the season with his 7 innings of four-hit baseball, where he struck out eight batters. Man, 9 wins in a season that’s not over yet, amazing. Then again, Lewis-Clark is 44-4 on the season. They still have many more games to go before it’s all over as well.

The game was great. The crowd, was pretty good for a Thunderbird Friday afternoon game, and despite the fact UBC lost it was well worth the trek. One weird note however, DH Ikaika Lester wears a softball helmet. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, and I’m guessing he’s gotten nailed in the face with a ball if he now has a cage, but it’s never something I’ve ever seen at a college or pro ballgame.

Lewis-Clark won the other three non-conference games this weekend, sweeping UBC 4-0. The Thunderbirds failed to beat them all season.

UBC played the University of Washington yesterday, and lost 14-4. And UW is a Division 1 team, UBC’s only Division I opponent of the season.

The ‘Birds now head to Caldwell, Idaho, where they must win one of three Conference games from the College of Idaho Coyotes (formerly Albertson), in order to host the Region I Tournament next week. It would feature LC-State, College of Idaho, UBC and Concordia-Portland (these teams are already confirmed). If College of Idaho sweeps UBC, the ‘Birds will head back on the 12-hour bus ride to Caldwell, and play there again for the second series in as many days. It wouldn’t be fun is my point.

Unfortunately, UBC has fallen victim to the very dangerous injury bug.

Outfielder Matt Chester was injured Saturday after blowing his MCL/ACL and is out for the season, his Senior one. He has played his final game as a Thunderbird. Senior Mike Styrna and Mike Elias are both doubtful for the weekend, they’re both outfielders as well. Last year’s star Nic Lendvoy is out for the season, as are SP Taylor King and RP Jordan Anderson. Man, that must be hard with four outfielders, the #2 starter and a great reliever all out of the lineup.

They’re one win away from hosting Region I, and it would be a shame to come this close, and not host.

28/04/08: Around the Horn: The Chicken to cluck once more at Nat Bailey; C's name Hitting Coach

2008-04-28T19:24:00.000-07:00

After the 2007 visit of the Famous Chicken to Nat Bailey Stadium was dubbed ‘his final’, the Chicken will cluck once more, heading to Nat Bailey on July 23rd, when the Canadians play against the Yakima Bears. Maybe this will be his actual ‘farewell tour’, but for the sake of Canadians fans, let’s hope not. The Nat Bailey stop is one of 28 on Ted Giannoulas’ June-July-August tour, which includes stops such as the Triple-A All-Star game, and San Diego, where he’ll perform at a Padres game.

———-

C’s finally name hitting coach:

It’s been something Canadians fans have been waiting for since the rest of the coaching staff was announced in November, but a Hitting Coach has been confirmed for the 2008 season. Meet Ed Campaniello, former property of the Cincinnati Reds, and ex-Italian Baseball League MVP.

After playing 9 seasons of pro baseball, Campaniello enters his 1st season as a coach, aftering helping out at American Baseball Camps over the last few years. The graduate of California Lutheran University is 33 years old, and has a bio as follows (from The Baseball Cube).

Ed Campaniello has had a well traveled 9 year professional baseball
career both here and abroad. Most notably with the Cincinnati Reds
organization, his career highlights include two championship rings, a
minor league batting title in his rookie year and a career high .343
avg in 98. In 99′ being of Italian decent he was asked to play for the
Rimini Pirates of the Italian Major League (Seattle Mariners) and
brought home the A/1 series MVP and Championship. "Semi Retired" as of
2004 finished with a career average of .304 Having played every
defensive position over his 9 year pro career he brings a vast
knowledge of the defensive side of the game. Ed has worked with little
league to top college prospects over the years in Southern California.
Ed now works as a professional hitting instructor and is a National
Director for Americas Baseball Camps. He now resides in Anthem AZ and
will be launching his own website Campybaseball.com

He played for Trois-Rivieres of the defunct Canadian Baseball League, where he batted .207 in 27 games.

Sounds like he has quite the baseball background, and he should have a great season with Rick Magnante, Craig Lefferts and Travis Tims. Welcome aboard, Mr. Campaniello.

———-

Greatest Canadian player happens to be Canadian-born:

When GM Andrew Seymour was hired back in January, fans were immediately excited about his wacky promotions, but no one thought they’d come as soon as they did. No, the promotion schedule isn’t out yet (though, he says it’ll be out by next week), I’m talking about the Greatest Canadian Contest, posted on the Canadians website.

In a march-madness style tournament, the greatest Canadian hitter (Javier ‘Juiced’ Herrera) and greatest Canadian pitcher (Rich ‘Under the Knife’ Harden) were announced, after a few rounds of fan voting, but the real winner overall hadn’t been announced until in this month’s edition of Between the Lines.

The Canadian-born Harden picked up the award, and to seal the deal, Rob Fai created Herrera on MLB 06 the Show, and put Harden on the hill to face the 2004 NWL MVP. Herrera couldn’t handle Harden through 5 at-bats, and therefore Harden took the award.

Well, if a video game says so, it must be true. ;) Good job to Rich, who is undoubtedly the most experienced, and most successful ex-Canadian. The only problem is he needs to learn how to control his arm. DL = bad Rich!

———-

"The Matrix" heads to the booth:

Check out Between the Lines to get hints towards who will be Rob Fai’s side-kick/colour guy on the Team 1040 broadcasts this season, and here’s my hint to finding out who it is. Check out BTL. It should be a great season listening to Fai and his colour guy in the booth. Team 1040 will broadcast 15 games, all of which on the weekend.

2008 NBA Playoffs: Shaping up to be a beauty

2008-04-19T21:29:00.000-07:00

Eastern Conference:

Boston Celtics (1) vs Atlanta Hawks (8):

This series doesn't get underway until Sunday night, but it should be a beating from start to finish. The amazing trio of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, mixed with the dazzling skills of Rajon Rondo will be too much for the Hawks to handle. Then again, Atlanta should just be happy to be in the playoffs, but Mike Bibby, Joe Johnson and Al Horford won't be enough, to let Atlanta advance past the NBA's best team. Boston should advance in a 4-game sweep.

Detroit Pistons (2) vs Philadelphia 76ers (7):

This shouldn't be as bad of a series as some may think, but the Pistons will dominate Allen Iverson's ex-club. Tayshaun, Rip and the rest of the Pistons have a lot of playoff experience, compared to Philadelphia, whose top player is the overrated Andre Igoudala. They do have a good club, but no more than five games should be necessary for Detroit to prevail.

Orlando Magic (3) vs Toronto Raptors (6):

In a series that should feature an upset, the Toronto Raptors should come up on top, over the Dwight Howard-led Orlando Magic. On the Raps, they're coming off a good 2007 and 2008 season, including a great finish in the 2007 post-season. They have two great point guards in Jose Calderon and TJ Ford, mixed with the likes of Parker, Delfino, Bargnani, Nesterovic and of course CB4, Chris Bosh. Rashard Lewis, Hedu Turkoglu and Howard don't have anything up, on the only Canadian NBA team. Raptors in six.

Cleveland Cavaliers (4) vs Washington Wizards (5):

Perhaps the best series in the Eastern Conference, should see Cleveland come on top, as they did in Game 1 on Saturday, 93-88. Lebron and Boobie Gibson are too strong for Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jameson of the Wizards, although this series should be a tight one. Cleveland in six.

Western Conference:

Los Angeles Lakers (1) vs Denver Nuggets (8):

Carmelo Anthony needs to have huge basketball games, in order for Denver to have any chance at advancing to the second round past Kobe and Pau. The possible addition of Center Andrew Bynum, mixed with Gasol, Kobe, Odom and Farmar is a dominating lineup, and this series shouldn't even go more than the necessary four games. Lakers in four.

New Orleans Hornets (2) vs Dallas Mavericks (7):

This is one of two West upsets for me. I know New Orleans won Game 1 104-92, but Dirk is a good enough player to step up his game in the playoffs, and being the leader he is, should tell his team to do the same. Chris Paul and Tyson Chandler, along with David West need to come up huge for the Hornets, but to conclude, Dallas will come up on top. Mavs in seven.

San Antonio Spurs (3) vs Phoenix Suns (6):

If Game 1 was any indication, we're in for a great series. San Antonio defeated the Suns 117-115 after two overtime periods Saturday afternoon, after a pair of clutch three's. Mike Finley hit the first one with 15 seconds left to tie the game in Regulation, and Center Tim Duncan hit one of his own in the first OT, extending the extra time. Steve Nash hit a pair of amazing three pointers, but it wasn't enough, with San Antonio coming up on top. However, I believe Phoenix could win this series in the maximum seven games. Suns in 7.

Utah Jazz (4) vs Houston Rockets (5):

Utah won Game 1 93-82, and that kind of win margin should be expected throughout the series. I believe Utah will take it in five games, because Houston is really only in the playoffs after their huge 20+ game winning streak in mid-season. Yao's Rockets aren't good enough. Jazz in 5.

Around the Horn: Cougars un-stoppable; 2008 C's schedule released

2008-04-19T09:28:00.000-07:00

It was an early-bird look at the 2008 schedule, when the Vancouver Canadians released their ‘Schedule Preview’ back in October, but the real thing is out, and she’s a beauty.

Included in the 2008 schedule are seven weekday Nooners, four Sunday Nooners (including the final home game of the season) and a June 17th Opening Night, as the C’s host the Tri-City Dust Devils. The radio schedule is every home game that falls on a weekend (this is for the Team 1040), but Rob Fai will broadcast EVERY game on the C’s website this season, in addition to a video webcast for all 38 home games.

The longest home-stand is 8 games, and falls between the 12th and 19th of August, when Boise and Salem-Keizer drop by. A rare 6-game home series splitting games between Eugene and Everett convenes the 27th of June, finishing on the 2nd of July, which means the Canadians will be home for Canada Day once again.

The only downside so far for me? A scheduled 9 fireworks nights (there is no promotion schedule out yet, but Rob Fai mentioned this on C’s TV). Nine? Oh, come on. I know they’re a big seller, but like someone mentioned to me, if they over-do Fireworks nights, the novelty will wear off and it won’t be a sellout every time they happen (but, then again, this season attendance should rise dramatically). Then you add in all the angry neighbour tenants (I’m thinking those living in the area), and it might not be as picture perfect as the game itself. Who knows though, I could be proven wrong. Hopefully.

Vancouver opens the season at home, with a 5-game series with the Dust Devils, but finish on the road, ending the Labour Day weekend trip to Everett that had grown tradition with some fans. The Canadians will be in nearby Everett midweek in late-August, and on the BC Day long weekend (Sunday through Tuesday). After that BC Day long weekend, the Canadians directly head to Spokane. There couldn’t be a more perfect Road Trip.

59 more days until Opening Day.

———————–

2007’s Canadians weren’t overall the best team in the Northwest League, finishing the season many games behind Salem Keizer. However, the players that moved up to Kane County this season, are certainly making an impression, opening the season 14-1. Some wins included a 17-inning affair in Game 1 of a double-header, and a combined no-hitter in another double-header game, pitched by Craig Italiano and former Canadian Branden Dewing.

Corey Brown has emerged as the top 2007 pick on the Cougars, batting .306 in all 15 games, with five home-runs (good enough for a share at the top of the league), 14 RBI, and nine walks. The down-side? He’s struck out a league-leading 21 times.

Greg Dowling has impressed, batting .393 in all 15 games as well, knocking two out of the park, and legging five extra-base hits. He’s only struck out once, which is great news for the 2nd year Cougar.

Jake Smith, whose 2007 season was cut short by injury, is batting .385, and has emerged as the catching star. He’ll need to continue that streak of impressiveness, because Stockton catcher Matt Smith has been demoted to the Cougars as of tonight, and will platoon with Jake, Gustavo ‘Rosie’ Rosendo and Jon Johnston in Geneva.

Speaking of Rosie, in five games and 14 at-bats, he has four hits. Doesn’t really sound impressive, but for a guy pegged to be a career back-up, he’s doing well. Jon Johnston, the ex-Navy man, hasn’t done so well at the plate, striking out 14 times, with only 7 hits in 41 at-bats. The up-side, is that he’s stolen five bases in 11 games while managing to hit .171.

Matt ‘Manta’ Ray may be tied with Walter Correa for the team-lead in Errors defensively, but he’s stepped it up at the dish, swinging a healthy .284. The SS has struck out 15 times, but leads the club in Doubles (6) and At-Bats (67). Correa and Christian Vitters haven’t been so lucky, batting a combined .223. Vitters is the every-day third baseman, and has only one error in the field, but has only nine hits in 54 at-bats.

Todd Johnson is swinging the lumber well, with three home-runs and 15 RBI already in the season. He’s batting .276 and has four doubles. 2007 C’s CP Leonardo Espinal had one at-bat in the 17-inning game, and struck out. Tough luck Leo.

On the hill, the Cougars staff has been unstoppable. Scott Hodsdon, Craig Italiano, Travis Banwart and Scott Mitchinson have all three given quality starts on the mound, while #5 pitcher and Canadian-born Jamie Richmond has had a few mistakes in the early season.

Mitchinson (who never came to Vancouver) is 2-0 with an ERA of 2.81 through 16 innings, while Banwart also has a pair of wins after 16 innings on the hill, with an ERA a bit higher, sitting at 3.38. He has the only complete game of the season for Kane County.

Italiano, the Opening Day starter, has pitched a no-hitter (with Branden Dewing pitching the last 1.1 of that game), and only allowed three earned runs to cross home plate in 14 innings. What a way to start a season, following a line-drive to the head last May. I’m shocked he hasn’t been moved up to Stockton yet. His ERA’s at 1.93.

Richmond in 12 innings has given up eight runs, 17 hits, with an ERA of 6.00. Hopefully he’ll find his groove soon.

The other SP, Scott Hodsdon, has pitched two quality starts, yet has the teams’ only loss of the season. His ERA of 3.12 looks good, but he’s given up too many hits, and three earned runs.

In the ‘pen, Justin Friend (left) is emerging as the star. In four games, he’s 3-0 with an ERA of .77, and has thrown more innings than SP Scott Hodsdon has. Friend has given up six runs, but only one has been earned.

Scott Deal, a 2006 C’s starter, is pitching well for Kane County, while he has given up two home-runs in 10 innings. He should find himself in California sooner rather than later.

Brad Hertzler, who pitched a rain-shortened perfect game in Vancouver last year, has an ERA of .96 in three games, including one start. His only earned run came on a home-run.

The other five relievers in Geneva are Nick Walters, Branden Dewing, Scott Moore, Leonardo Espinal and Jose Fragoso (who in 5 innings has 12 strikeouts!), who combined have an ERA of 0.00 in over 35 innings logged between the five. Oh, and OF Shane Keough pitched one inning of relief, and didn’t give up a hit or run, but walked two.

The Cougars have had a stellar run, giving up on average two earned runs per game, while offensively they score 5.8 runs a game.

Kane County Cougars: Week 1 recap

2008-04-13T00:01:00.000-07:00

There's been one no-hitter, four games postponed because of rain and snow, and many double-headers yet to be scheduled. It hasn't been good weather to say the least in Illinois lately, but the Kane County Cougars remain undefeated to start the 2008 season. They're 8-0 heading into their Sunday double-header in Peoria, before returning home to play - hopefully - a dry series against South Bend.

Greg Dowling has been the offensive star, batting .464 going into Sunday, with four doubles and a home-run, and 9 RBI which is good enough for 2nd on the team.

Todd Johnson is next in line, with three home-runs, and a team-leading 10 RBI and 9 runs scored (another team lead). He also has a double and triple to go along with his already impressive stats.

Mike Richard has only played in three games, but has been impressive batting .333. Not known for his power 'Rocket' Richard has a double and three hits in 9 at-bats.

Mike Lissman might be the surprise so far, batting just over .300. Lissman spent 2007 with the Arizona A's, and already has three extra-base hits, as the everyday Outfielder with Johnson and Corey Brown.

Speaking of Brown, what a job he's done. Corey has two dingers, and two doubles. The only downside? In 32 at-bats he's struck out 14 times. Ouch. Come on Corey, you can do better than that.

Matt Ray, Christian Vitters and Walter Correa are all fighting for everyday positions in the infield, and so far Ray is doign the best job to impress the coaching staff. Playing in all 8 games, and leading the team in at-bats, 'Manta' has three doubles and a triple, but like Brown has struck out way too many times (10). He is tied for the team lead in errors (surprise, with Walter Correa), but still is batting .273.

Vitters hasn't done much, and has struck out one times less than Ray, and has batted seven less times. He has time to get better, in his second year with the Cougars.

Correa is averaging a hit every four at-bats, but hasn't really gotten the opportunity to impress yet this season, batting just 16 times.

NOTE to Shane Keough: I'm Sorry. You're going to be back in Vancouver. So far ex-Playmate Jeana's kid has played in three games, with just four at-bats (and one hit). Keough has two strike-outs in those four at-bats, and is being used as a pinch-runner. See you in the red and black.

Behind the dish, Jon Johnston is doing a good job on the base paths, but can't do much at the plate. He's walked six times, struck out eight, and hit just twice in 22 at-bats, but when he's on base, he leads the team and is second in the league with stolen bases.

His competition Jake Smith is struggling just as much, batting .217. Luckily, he's struck out only once in 23 at-bats.

Another back-catcher Gustavo 'Rosie' Rosendo is batting .400 in his limited at-bats, but it sounds like he might have a shot to make Stockton later in the season if he gets playing time with the Cougars.

On the hill, Kane County is unstoppable. Craig Italiano, their #1 starter, is 1-0 with a 2.79 ERA including a combined no-hitter with Branden Dewing, and in 9.2 innings has 14 strikeouts, and has given up just five hits and three runs.

Another starter Travis Banwart is almost as impressive, averaging a hit an inning, and in two starts has two wins with a 3.00 ERA. Travis has 8 K's and has only walked two batters.

Four guys who are competing for the remaining three spots in the rotation, Brad Hertzler, Jamie Richmond, Scott Mitchinson and Scott Hodsdon have all done very well. Hertzler is 0-0 with a 1.35 ERA in two games (one start), giving up just one run in 6.2 innings. Canadian-born Richmond is 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA through 5 innings, but has given up a hit an inning, and two runs (including a dinger). He's done well though. Mitchinson has only had one chance to impress, and went 4 innings giving up an earned run and five hits, while striking out eight. Imagine what he can do through 12 innings! Hodsdon has started once, and has yet to give up a run. Giving up four hits and striking out three, he's pitched through 3.1 innings.

In the 'pen, Scott Deal is the best reliever on the team. He shouldn't even be in Kane County he's so good. 1-0, 1.35 ERA, 4 hits, ER, 5 strikeouts. They don't sound too good after 6.2 innings, but he was a starter last year, and with a big figure (6'5), he's a hitters nightmare on the mound.

Justin Friend has done equally as well, and he's 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA in two appearances (4 and a third on the hill). He's given up four hits and five runs (none of which were earned), and has struck out nine batters.

Chris Farley has gone four innings, giving up a lone hit, and one walk. Great stuff.

The best strikeout threat? Jose Fragoso. One save, 3.2 innings, one hit, and NINE strikeouts. Only three hitters he's faced have not fallen victim to the Venezuelan.

Nick Walters has done well, 2 appearances, one hit, four walks, five K's but it doesn't compare to Branden Dewing.

Dewing in two games has given up two hits, and pitched a perfect 1.1 innings, finishing off Craig Italiano's no-hitter.

Scott Moore has come in twice, striking out one, in 1.1 on the hill.

The Cougars need to play more, but so far being undefeated (8-0) they look like the team to beat in the Midwest.

UBC and Corban split two Conference games

2008-04-12T23:50:00.000-07:00

After winning two very key Conference battles against Corban College on Friday, the UBC Thunderbirds looked to take the series sweep, taking on the Warriors twice more on Saturday, which was a beautiful day in Vancouver.

Game 1 Batting Order:

C Ben 'Right Wing' Torrie
LF Matt 'Emcee' Chester
3B Fletcher 'Sour Grapes' Vynne
1B 'The Doctor' Scott Webster
CF Jon 'Ex-Triplet' Syrnyk
DH Ryan 'Mayflower' Pilgrim
RF Mike 'Fright' Styrna
2B Alex White
SS Sammie 'Major League' Starr
SP Eric Brown

Game 1 of the double-header saw two offences clash, and what a battle it was.

After the Warriors managed a run in the 1st, UBC responded with a five-run 2nd. Jon Syrnyk was HBP, before a Ryan Pilgrim single and Mike Styrna ground out advanced Syrnyk to third. He crossed home on a 2-RBI hit by Alex White, as did Pilgrim. 2-1 at this point. Sammie Starr singled, putting runners on first and second, before Ben Torrie knocked in another run, singling to right. 3-1. The two other runs came in on Fletcher Vynne and Scott Webster singles. The inning's lead-off hitter Jon Syrnyk flied out, to end the monster half-inning.

Unfortunately for 'Birds fans, Corban scored four more runs in the 3rd. Tie-game 5-5.

The biggest half-inning of them all was in the 6th, when Corban accounted for 7 (count 'em) runs off of Greg Chong and Jeff Hall.

UBC scored four runs in the 7th, and two more in the 8th, but Corban scored a pair of their own in inning number eight, and took the game, 14-11.

Notes:

UBC had many batters with multi-hit nights, including Ben Torrie who was 2-4 with an RBI, Steve Bone who was 2-2 with 2 RBI, Fletcher Vynne (2-5, RBI, BB, SO), Scott Webster (2-5, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB), Ryan Pilgrim (2-5, RBI, 2 R, BB, SO) and Alex White who had a huge game at the dish, going 2-5, with 3 RBI and two runs.

UBC didn't have ONE extra-base hit, despite 15 singles. Where art thou 2007 Jon Syrnyk?

Game 2:

This recap is from the UBC site:

Game two was a much different story, as the two sides were locked in a 1-1 tie until the eighth inning. Jon Syrnyk finally broke the deadlock with an RBI single to left, and the T-Birds got some insurance when shortstop Daniel Flores couldn't handle a hard grounder off the bat of Ben Torrie. Two runs came in to score on the play, giving the Birds a 4-1 advantage which they took into the ninth inning.

Andrew LaFleur came in to close the door for UBC, but the Warriors made things interesting with a couple of runs in and the tying run on second base before LaFleur secured his second save of the weekend by getting Josh Warner to fly out to center field to end the game.

Kurtis Schumacher was credited with the win for UBC after he came in to relieve Webster, who looked good in his first appearance on the mound in 2008 conference play.

"That was his first time pitching since California," said UBC coach Terry McKaig, "So for him to come out and throw three innings for us really helped keep us in the game."

Craig Spicer had four hits in game two, finishing the day an impressive 6-for-10 at the plate. Torrie, Webster and White each had three hits for UBC on the day.

The T-Birds' conference record sits at 13-4 after the split with Corban who are 5-12 on the year.

"It's good that we got three out of four, but our expectations were to come in and win four at home against Corban, who haven't been playing really well," said McKaig. "But they really battled us hard all weekend, and not one game was easy. We are still going through a lot of struggles right now, trying to get a lot of guys back on track. Nothing seems to be coming easy for us. Our pitching is kind of struggling right now and we can't get timely hits so we are in a little bit of a funk right now, but to not be playing your best baseball and still win three out of four keeps us in the race for hosting, so that's the important thing. "

UBC heads out on the road next weekend to take on Oregon Tech before returning to Nat Bailey on April 25 to begin their final homestand of the season against defending NAIA World Series champs Lewis-Clark State College.

UBC Thunderbirds Baseball doing wonders in 2008

2008-04-11T22:19:00.000-07:00

After the cinderella story season in 2006, the UBC baseball team surprised many, and advanced to their first NAIA World Series. In 2008, even despite the presence of Connor Janes, Johnny Yiu, Mark Capone, Davey Wallace, Brett Murray, Brendan Rolfe, Doug Grant and Brendan Kornberger to name a few, they might just head back to Lewiston for the second time in their program's history.

After an average 4-7 record to start the season, UBC bounced back in Conference Play February 29th, en-route to winning their next 9 baseball games, 8 of which were in Conference play (the other coming in a non-conference win to Concordia).

UBC lost a non-conference game to Oregon Tech on March 16th, ending their impressive 9-game streak.

Then, on the road in Lewiston, they dropped four non-conference games against LC-State, before returning home for three home series.

They stretched their undefeated Conference streak to 9 games, before falling in game two of a double-header against College of Idaho on March 29th.

They defeated the ex-Albertson club on the Sunday in both the conference and non-conference games, hoping to start a new streak.

Unfortunately, Concordia had different plans, winning both games of a Saturday double-header. The two Sunday games were postponed due to heavy rain, and will probably be made-up when UBC makes their way back from Oregon Tech next weekend.

Today, they won both games against Corban College, who they will play again with two Conference games on the line starting at 12:00. It will be two games that could mean a lot come tournament time, with UBC only leading Concordia by half-a-game in the Conference standings.

UBC has had many surprises offensively this season, and maybe the most important player in that category is Mike Styrna. Styrna, who is now a Senior, has spent two years on the bench with the 'Birds, but has really gotten a chance to play in 2008. Batting .348 with 19 RBI and 32 hits (which is good enough for 2nd on the team), 'Fright' leads UBC in doubles, something not many people would've predicted from the local boy one year ago.

Other highlights have been Ben Torrie, Matt Chester, Jon Syrnyk, Scott Webster who continues to pound the ball, Ryan Pilgrim, and the infield duo of Alex White and Sammie Starr. Fletcher Vynne has tried to emerge in his Senior season, and is doing pretty well. The same, however, cannot be said for Nic Lendvoy. 'The Dew' had a very good rookie season last year with UBC, but has struggled in '08, batting just .253 with 9 extra-base hits. Another season could be the difference between pro, and a slo-pitch league.

Power wise, Webster and Pilgrim are leading the way. The Doctor Webster leads the club with 5 home-runs, and still manages to bat .324. The Mayflower (Pilgrim), is excelling with his new team, batting .314 and leading the 'Birds in RBI. He might be the most improved player from this year's squad.

The biggest disappointment offensively is Bob Foerster. Expected to do wonders at the dish, he's batting .172 in 23 games, and is still trying to get his dozenth hit. Next year, if he remains a T-Bird, has to be a productive one.

On the mound, the best starter has arguably been Mark Hardy, who is 5-3 with a 3.10 ERA, in 10 starts (including 4 complete games). He has dominated against LC-State in the past, and that could be key come playoff time. He has pitched the most innings on this year's pitching staff.

A disappointment of sorts is Taylor King, who in two appearances is 1-1 with an ERA of 5.25. I'm trying to find out if he's hurt, but he's certainly fallen under the radar.

Greg Chong's done well in his second year as a Thunderbird, pitching in 11 games, with an ERA of 1.89. That's great stuff from the Ontario native. Andrew LaFleur has done well adapting to the bullpen, after a 2007 season full of excitement in the rotation. He's pitching 1-2 with a 3.68 Earned Run Average, leading the team with two saves.

UBC still has a few weeks left in the season, and are making a push to host the Region I tournament. Come out and support them tomorrow at 12:00 as they face Corban College, in their second-to-last homestand.

What a week it's been.

2008-04-11T15:49:00.000-07:00

I've been lazy lately, and haven't really done much blogging due to my own activities. Hopefully, I'll be a daily blogger for the next little while, with an addition of most other sports, to talk about. UBC Thunderbirds Baseball will be written about later tonight (I haven't written about them in over three weeks :S), Oakland A's minor league baseball will be followed VERY closely starting tomorrow, and the 68 day countdown to the Vancouver Canadians season, with in-depth analysis also starts this evening.

Thoughts on the NBA Playoffs? NHL Playoffs? You'll find that here too, as well as the new home for BC Lions blogging. A weekly CFL preview starting in June, as well as nightly game recaps for all teams, and special looks at the Lions.

We've taken a lot into consideration lately, but Road Kill is back, and 100% ready for the challenge. Anything else you want to read about? Mad I've been gone lately? roadkillsports@hotmail.com is your best bet, ladies and gentleman. Until tonight...

2008 Kane County Cougars Opening Day Roster/Preview

2008-04-02T22:50:00.000-07:00

The low-A Midwest located Kane County Cougars open up their 2008 campaign on Thursday, in Beloit against the Snappers.

This years edition of the Cougars aren't as 'stacked' as they have been in previous years, but they do have some strength on offence, and some prospects in the rotation and bullpen.

On the hill, many names will be familiar to Canadians and Cougars fans alike, with 9 ex-Canadians and six ex-Cougars Pitchers. The rotation will consist of Craig Italiano, Travis Banwart, Scott Hodsdon, Scott Mitchinson and Jamie Richmond.

Italiano is now in his third season with Kane County, after his season ended abruptly last year, getting hit in the head by a line drive. He will be the teams' Opening Day starter. Travis Banwart was a 2007 draft pick, who was sent to Vancouver, only to never pitch, and be kicked up to the Cougars where he excelled as a rookie. He returns as the #2 pitcher. Scott Hodsdon is the #3 guy, after a good season in Vancouver. He was arguably the C's best starter in '07, and went 8.2 innings in his final start, pitching a near perfect game.

Mitchinson and Richmond were picked up in the off-season, and Richmond is a Canadian-born hurler acquired from the Atlanta Braves in the Mark Kotsay trade. They'll be the 4, 5 guys to open the season.

In the pen, Scott Deal headlines the pitchers that will try and help the Cougars to a Midwest League title. 'Real 'em Deal 'em' is back for his second year in Geneva, Illinois, and will recognize Nick Walters who also returns to Kane County. Walters started the year in Vancouver, after a pair of seasons with the White Sox in rookie ball, and was exceptional with the C's, before being moved up to Stockton, and Kane County over the course of the final two months of the season. The southpaw should be a key player with the Cougars.

Brad Hertzler, who threw a rain-shortened perfect game last year in Vancouver, and Branden Dewing are the other two lefties in the 'pen. Dewing returns after a season in Stockton and Kane County. With the Cougars, he was 0-2 with an ERA of 0.64 in 19 games, before heading up to Stockton where he struggled in 21 appearances. Hopefully he can regain the stuff he had in the Midwest, and be sensational on the mound once again.

Rounding out the bullpen are MWL All-Star from a season ago Scott Moore, who should be the closer, Justin Friend (a 2007 Canadians hurler), Jose Fragoso, Chris Farley and Leo Espinal, who will start the year on the disabled list after suffering a late injury in the Spring.

Offensively, Kane County might not be as strong as once hoped.

Behind the plate, Jake Smith will take the reign, after his season was cut short with an injury. He can hit for power at times, but struggles to hit consistently. Following him on the depth chart will be Gustavo Rosendo, in his second year as Cougars backup catcher, and Jon Johnston, a Navy grad who now has a shot to play pro ball thanks to the Navy being generous with th 24-year-old rookie backstop.

In the infield, it'll be Greg Dowling at first base until Dan Hamblin returns from an off-season injury, while 2nd base and the left side of the infield isn't totally set.

We know it'll be Walter Correa, Matt Ray, Mike Richard and Christian Vitters splitting time between the three positions, but who will play where is yet to be heard. Vitters should be the everyday third baseman, while Richard should hold down the fort at short. Correa may have an upper-hand on Ray at 2nd, but that is Ray's natural position, while Correa enjoys SS.

The outfield is looking good for Kane County, with Corey Brown, Todd Johnson, Shane Keough and Mike Lissman patrolling Elfstrom Stadium. Brown is a coach's dream, hitting for power, consistency, and he also has a bit of speed. He could be in the majors as soon as 2010 or 2011.

Todd Johnson returns for a second year with Kane County, while Shane Keough makes his low-A debut. Keough spent 2007 with Vancouver, and suffered a back injury in 2006 that prevented him from starting his professional career. That's been healed for almost two years, and he's ready to add to his numbers from last season, which were a bit disappointing. Lissman is a non-drafted free agent from the back-to-back college world series champion Oregon State Beavers, and looks to be the odd-man out to start the season.

Once 2007 Canadians slugger Grant Desme gets back into Kane County from an injury suffered in Spring Training, look for the top Cougars hitter in the OF to move up, backing up the three outfielders in Stockton.

Overall: The Cougars have a good 1, 2 and 3 pitchers in the rotation, but whether they'll stay healthy remains to be seen. The bullpen is rather strong, with Dewing, Hertzler, Moore, Walters and Deal. Once Espinal comes back, they'll be deadly, and hard to counter with. The only real question mark is catching, with Gustavo Rosendo and Jon Johnston, both unproven backstops, backing up an injury-prone Jake Smith.

The additions of Dan Hamblin and Grant Desme who are coming off injuries will be huge once they crack the lineup.

The downside of April: A number of ex-C's stuck in Arizona until June

2008-04-02T22:47:00.001-07:00

I'm about to headline the A's minor league rosters, which were announced earlier this week, in the next four posts, but here is a team list that won't be cheered for by some A's minor leaguers.

The dreaded ‘Extended Spring Training’ roster came out Monday, and there are many ex-Canadians who will be staying at Papago Park until a spot opens up for them with one of the short-season clubs, or a full-season team who needs an extra player or two.

From the 2007 Canadians, there are just shy of 20 players still in Phoenix, including all three C’s catchers.

Keep in mind, many of the players on this list who have played at a higher level (i.e. Kevin Melillo) are probably rehabbing injuries, while other guys such as Francisco Tirado and Raymond Rodriguez are almost shoe-ins to be Vancouver Canadians in June.

Here is the list:

Extended Spring Training Roster
Catchers
Love, Dante
Napoleon, Michael
Nunez, Juan
Rivera, Julio

Infielders
Arrieche, Carlos
Frash, Justin
Gil, Leonardo
Luis, Marcos
Melillo, Kevin
Rodriguez, Yunior
Tirado, Francisco
Wentzell, Dan

Outfielders
Boyd, Chad
Cunningham, Aaron
Desme, Grant
Donovan, Todd
Hernandez, Franklin
Herrera, Javier
Hudson, Herbert
Klein, Adam
Macias, Lorenzo
Pruitt, J.D.
Rodriguez, Raymond
Sierra, Angel
West, Jareck

Pitchers
Christensen, Kyle
Collins, Bryan
Deaza, Inoel
Figueroa, Pedro
Garcia, Hector
Garcia, Jose
Gissell, Chris
Glushon, Jason
Gomez, Fabian
Guzman, Jose
Hernandez, Carlos
Kerfoot, Chad
Komine, Shane
Land, Lee
Lee, Chad
Lysander, Brent
McLaughlin, Josh
Meyer, Dan
Mitchell, Mike
Morla, Ronny
Mota, David
Oakes, Earl
Sewell, Lance
Shafer, David
Sharpe, Steve
Shull, James
Tacker, Ryne
Tejeda, Edgar
Villegas, Juan
Windsor, Jason

The injuries have piled up over the course of the last month, with 2004 NWL MVP Javier Herrera, 2007 OF Grant Desme, 2005-2006 1B/OF Chad Boyd and RP Mike Mitchell and Jason Windsor all battling injuries.

That doesn’t include the guys who haven’t even reported to Phoenix, such as ‘Amblin’ Dan Hamblin and Steve ‘Squeaky’ Kleen. Kleen is recovering from an undisclosed off-season surgery, and Hamblin suffered an off-season injury.

The Sacramento Rivercats, Midland Rockhounds, Stockton Ports and Kane County Cougars all open their season this Thursday. Kane County has announced their Opening Day starter, and it’s three-time Cougar Craig Italiano, who returns to baseball after getting hit in the head with a line-drive last season. Good luck to the ‘Cougs.

A recap of 'zona

2008-03-31T22:49:00.000-07:00

Look for more Minor League posts tomorrow, with all of the A's minor league seasons starting Thursday. I'm back in school, which is why there's been a drop-off but here's a recap of my trip to Spring Training.

After writing this one the weekend, my computer froze so I’m writing this again - hopefully with a better result.

Anyone who has ever been to Spring Training and complained about anything they experienced, should really think twice. The 9 days I was down there I had one complaint, and it was that it rained for an hour on one of the days. That’s how nice it is. The weather is around 90 degrees and sunny (the coldest day was 75), and there are at least 15 baseball games (professional and minor leagues) each day in the Phoenix area.

We decided to do half minor leagues and half majors leagues, which ended up working out for the better. The last post I wrote was after the A’s vs Rangers game on Sunday, so I’ll try and do short recaps of all the other days.

Tuesday the 18th:

Monday we decided to head up to Sedona, Arizona because the weather in Phoenix was supposed to be the worst of the week. Well, it was, but it ended up snowing in Sedona. Just when we thought we’d get out of the bad weather, coming from Vancouver.

Anyways, James Heuser said he was pitching Tuesday, which meant we ventured to Papago Park to watch his Stockton Ports take on the Anaheim Angels High-A club.

Heuser was exceptional on the mound, pitching a perfect three innings. No hits, no walks, many strikeouts.

The rest of the game went all in favour of the Ports, who wound up winning 6-1. Christian ‘Thumbbreaker’ Vitters hit a two-run home-run late in the game, and the rest of the Ports offence was on fire. To open the game, the Ports had (from left-to-right) Matt Sulentic, Jermaine Mitchell and what looked like Todd Johnson. In the infield (3B to 1B) it was Vitters, Josh Horton, Larry Cobb and newly acquired Chris Carter. Behind the plate it was the combo of Matt and Jake Smith.

‘07 Third Baseman Justin Frash came in late in the game, and did a fairly good job. As I mentioned, 6-1 was the final. Stockton looked fairly good, but the one guy I was very impressed with was Chris ‘Coach’ Carter. He hits the ball with power and a lot of consistency, despite not being a very good fielder. He could end up in Midland by mid-season.

Josh Horton, who had a very short stay in Vancouver, hit the ball well and made a couple great defensive snags. Jermaine Mitchell looks like he could surprise more than a few people, which is why many think he could be Oakland’s next big southpaw outfielder come 2010.

Wednesday the 19th:

A trip to Mesa, to watch the A’s final game of the 2008 Spring, between the hometown Cubs and Oakland, who put out a Single-A team come the 6th inning.

Ex-Canadian ‘Big’ Joe Blanton was on the hill facing BC’s own Ryan Dempster, who was looking to solidify his spot in the Cubs rotation.

It was essentially Chicago’s opening day lineup, despite the fact for both teams it was a split-squad effort. Alfonso Soriano, Felix Pie and Kosuke Fukudome lined the outfield, while Aramis Ramirez, Ryan Theriot, Mark DeRosa and Derek Lee patrolled the infield. Henry Blanco caught.

Contrarily for Oakland, their only OD starters were Ryan Sweneey, Jack Hannahan, Daric Barton, Jack Cust, Kurt Suzuki and Travis Buck. That is a pretty good lineup, except that all of their reserve were all Single-A players.

We didn’t think there’d be Corey Brown starting in Left Field, or Sean Doolittle as a pinch-hitter, but the best part was seeing 2006 RP Derrick Gordon warming up. We called over to him during the warmup, and I have to say I’ve never seen a baseball player - or an athlete - ever smile as much as he did. He’s expected to start the year in Stockton, and there he was talking with Blanton, Buck, Barton before the game. He never got to play, but after he had been a batboy at Papago the day before, it must’ve been pretty special.

Gregorio Petit, our ‘04 SS, got the nod in the starting lineup, and did exceptional.

The game was scoreless after six innings, despite a huge double by Petit early in the game, when he hit the ball off of the top of the left field fence. Kurt Suzuki was tagged out at home plate by Kosuke Fukudome, who had many great throws from RF.

Chicago managed two runs off of Andrew Brown in the 7th, with one of them coming off of Derek Lee’s first home-run of the spring. Aramis Ramirez also scored. 2-0 Cubs after seven.

By this time, Brooks Conrad, Gregorio Petit and Corey Brown were the only A’s starters still in the game, with Danny Putnam, Justin Knoedler, Sean Doolittle, Cliff Pennington, Eddie Cornejo and Archie Gilbert now into the game.

Oakland loaded the bases in the 7th, but Brooks Conrad struck out with one gone already, and that ended Oakland’s chances to score a run. That’s why in the 8th they had some revenge to get. After Oakland had loaded the bases - all on walks - Eddie Cornejo took four balls, and walked in a run. 2-1 was the score, and Carlos Marmol - who is a top reliever with the Cubs - walked Archie Gilbert to tie the game. 07 C’s superstar Corey Brown hit a single past Second Base, 3-2 A’s and they’d never look back.

5-2 was the final.

Man, Kosuke Fukudome who is a Japanese import, may be the top rookie OF in the Majors. His arm is exceptional, and wearing #1, he does not at any cost want to fail. Good on him, too.

Corey Brown was 1-3 with a walk and RBI, and looked sharp at every at-bat. That can’t be said for Travis Buck, who was 0-3 with a strikeout before being pulled in favour of Danny Putnam.

Joe Blanton was great on the mound, pitching six innings giving up four hits and striking out five in his final tune-up before the MLB Season Opener in Japan. Gibsons, BC boy Ryan Dempster gave up just one hit in 5.1, walking two and striking out seven. The Cubs ended up walking a combined 9 batters, between six pitchers.

Thursday the 20th:

We decided to spend the day not at a ballgame, instead going to a night game in Peoria between the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners. It was a good game, which featured MLB Save Leader Trevor Hoffman and Seattle’s Miguel Batista on the hill.

There were very good players in both lineups, with Ichiro, Raul Ibanez, Jose Lopez, Adrian Beltre, Jose Vidro, Brad Wilkerson, Jamie Burke and Yuniesky Betancourt rounding out the lineup. The pitchers had to bat in this one (San Diego was home), which was a first for me. Man, it sucks to watch.

San Diego had Brian Giles, Tad Iguchi, Kevin Kouzmanoff, Adrian Gonzalez, Khalil Greene, Jody Gerut, Jerry Hairston, Josh Bard and Justin Germano all in the lineup.

The game ended in a 6-6 tie after 10 innings, and was extended after Chase Headley hit a two-run bomb off of Eric O’Flaherty. Josh Bard was 2-3 on the night, driving in a run, even though he had many base-running mistakes, which resulted in a bunch of boos from the fans. Raul Ibanez was 3-3, with a walk and a run, while Ichiro was 3-4 with three runs scored, and two doubles.

It was a back-and-forth game, but was very boring not having a team to cheer for. Having a hometown team, or a favourite team, really makes a game more interesting.

Friday the 21st:

Never having seen a AAA/AA game since the old C’s left town, we decided to go back to Papago to watch Sacramento take on the Chicago Cubs. The best part? Cubs Opening Day Starter Carlos Zambrano was pitching for the AAA squad. Seeing him pitch against Jeff Baisley and Nick Blasi was pretty awesome.

The score was 0-0 after six innings, when we decided to leave, after Zambrano gave up only two hits and three walks. We didn’t have a roster sheet, so it was hard to pay attention not knowing who anyone was, but we did notice Jeff Baisley and Nick Blasi which made things sort of interesting. The A’s NEED to put names on the back of their jerseys, just like the Cubs and Brewers do.

Saturday the 22nd:

Our last day in Phoenix, we and Dancing Hans’ crew went back to Papago to watch Stockton take on the Angels High-A team once again.

Jared Lansford had a hard couple of innings as starting pitcher, but James Heuser rebounded, giving up just one hit pitching between the fourth and six innings. Combining his two stints of action between Monday and Saturday, he gave up one hit in six innings. That’s pretty good, and Doogie looks better than ever on the mound.

Craig Italiano, Branden Dewing and Derrick Gordon all pitched in relief. The lineups in the field were the same as they were Tuesday, except that ‘Coach’ Carter was DHing, and ex-C Sean Doolittle was at first base.

Christian Vitters hit another home-run, to go along with the one we saw him smoke on Tuesday. However, with Lansford putting the Ports in an early hole, Stockton trailed for most of the game. With two outs in the bottom of the 9th, Sean Doolittle crushed the ball, hitting the only walk-off homer of our week. Stockton won!

It was a great trip, which ended with a great hit. Seriously, if you’re a minor league baseball fan, how could you not go to Spring Training. Don’t buy the good seats at Major League games, instead buy the cheap 5 dollar outfield seats because there really is no better atmosphere. It’s just like being at the Nat. This trip is well worth it, especially considering at Papago, games are free, and you can visit the training sessions in the morning if you’re looking to watch a specific player (ala Henry Rodriguez and Landon Powell).

The Spring-Break round-up

2008-03-31T22:47:00.000-07:00

I’m back from Phoenix, where 9 days in baseball heaven has me even more pumped for June 17th than I already was. I wrote a very long post Monday afternoon about everything I encountered at Papago Park and everything else baseball, and then when I hit Submit my computer froze. Give me a couple more days when I have an hour or two to write it up again, and I will.

It’s getting old, very old:

Remember a few months ago when I ranted about how the Kane County Cougars are holding their breath as to whether or not Shane Keough, ‘Real Housewives of Orange County’ star, will join their team or not? This is after he told all of America he plays for the Midwest League affiliate of the A’s in January.

With my weekly subscription to the Cougars online newsletter this morning, I got a notice from the front office staff.

REMINDER: Will Shane Keough from the "Housewives of Orange County" be part of the 2008 Cougars roster? One of the stars from the Bravo TV show is drawing a lot of interest among curious Cougars fans. Check out www.kccougars.com for the latest details.

Talking to Rick Magnante last summer I got the feeling that Shane gets a bunch of 20-year-old girls following him in the States (on the road), but this is just insane.

On the website there’s someone to email if you want to get an answer on where Shane will play as soon as Kane County knows. Well, he might not be a big-leaguer, but Shane Keough has certainly made it big.

And yes, I’m still getting 10-20 incoming people on my other blog who all searched for ‘Shane Keough 2008 Kane County Cougar star’. That’s one way to get traffic.

Harden near perfect in Tokyo:

After dropping Game 1 of the Tokyo Opening Series against the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday morning (thanks Emil Brown), the Oakland A’s wanted revenge in the final game of the series, sending ex-Canadian and Victoria native Rich Harden to the hill, to encounter with last year’s World Series Game 4 pitcher Jon Lester.

Harden, who has been hampered with injury troubles over the last few years, struck out nine opposing Red Sox batters through six innings, giving up just three hits, one run (on a Manny Ramirez blast to left field), and three walks while picking up the win. Nine strikeouts, for a guy who last picked up an MLB win (as a starter) 12 months ago! Let’s just say all Canadian baseball fans should be proud right now.

The A’s won 5-1, and were helped by a three-run home-run by Emil Brown (yesterday’s goat), to go along with a 2-3 night by 2004 C’s catcher Kurt Suzuki. Travis Buck continues to slump at the dish, going 0-5 (he’s hitless on the year), while leaving five runners left on base. The only other ex-C who has participated in the series is Santiago/Jairo Casilla/Garcia, who pitched an inning today, striking out two and giving up a lone hit.

Oakland now returns to the Bay Area for a pair of exhibition games against the San Francisco Giants, before continuing their regular season series against the Red Sox a week from yesterday. Joe Blanton and Harden will each pitch the remaining two games against the ‘Sox.

Get your brackets out:

Have you had a tough March Madness, with your favourite college basketball teams getting knocked out early? I hear you Duke fans, but here’s your chance to redeem yourself. May I present, the alternative March Madness edition of Canadians Bracketology:

Rob Fai and the Canadians are looking to the fans to decide who is the all-time greatest hitter and pitcher in Canadians history. There are two parts to it, one for hitters, the other for pitchers. In each part, it is the ‘Elite 8′ meaning there are eight players to choose from, with four going on and so on.

The two choices I’m stumped on, are whether Travis Buck is better than Nick Swisher, and if Javier ‘Roids’ Herrera can beat out Andre Ethier. We shall see, but in the mean time get your picks int to Rob Fai, by following the link.

Side note: Minor League Baseball is having their own March Madness theme, by getting fans to decide who has the best name in Milb. So far, 2007 Canadian Dusty Napoleon has moved onto the 2nd round, where he is facing Woods Fines. Dusty is, so far, winning. I don’t know what will happen if he moves on, however, because he’s going up against guys whose names are, Smelin Perez, Gonzalo Gonzalez, Tagg Bozied, Benito Beato, Keltavious Jones, Rocky Roquet, Rowdy Hardy, Cirilo Cumberbatch, Brock Bond, Henry Henry, Tobi Stoner and my personal favourite, Winter Polo. Good luck Dusty.

Trip to the Desert: Day 2 (Sunday)

2008-03-16T21:07:00.000-07:00

After a minor-league filled day on Saturday, today's game we went to was a major league bout between the Oakland A's and Texas Rangers. The starting pitchers were Oakland's top prospect Gio Gonzalez, and for the Rangers, Sidney Ponson.

Oakland put some-what of a B-Squad on the diamond, facing Texas' A-Lineup.

Oakland had the following batting order:

LF Chris Denorfia
1B Daric Barton
RF Emil Brown
DH Jack Cust
CF Ryan Sweeney
3B Jack Hannahan
SS Donnie Murphy
C Rob Bowen
2B Brooks Conrad

And for the Rangers:

2B Ian Kinsler
LF Kevin Mench
SS Michael Young
DH Josh Hamilton
RF Marlon Byrd
3B Hank Blalock
CF Dan Murphy
1B Ben Broussard
C Gerald Laird

Oakland got off to a great start in the first inning, scoring four runs off of Texas' 5th Starting Pitcher candidate Sidney Ponson, 4-0 A's after one.

Texas got back in the 2nd, with Gerald Laird hitting his 4th home-run of the spring off of Gonzalez, on a shot to left field. Laird wouldn't have even come to the plate (there were two out), except for the fact that on a Ben Broussard hit up the middle, Brooks Conrad fumbled the ball.

Texas lit Gio for four more runs in the third (still none out), when Troy Cate came into the game, and brought the Rangers down 1-2-3.

Oakland brought the game within three scoring a run in the fourth, but it was their pitching after that point that really helped them out.

Pitching innings 4 through 7, prospect Greg Smith, who was acquired from Arizona in the Dan Haren trade, gave up just four hits and one run in those four innings, and was nothing but dominant on the hill. To say he did well would be an understatement, especially since the first three innings took an hour and fifteen minutes.

Oakland scored another run with Smith on the hill, down 7-6 going into the 8th.

Joey Devine, a future potential closer for the A's, replaced Smith in the 8th, and struck out the three batters he faced. This brought the fans at Phoenix Municipal to their feet.

The 8th inning was unbelievable for A's fans, as they came back to lead the game. Dan Johnson drew a pinch-hit walk, before scoring on a RBI Triple by OF candidate Todd Linden. Linden later scored on a throwing error, and Oakland would score another run, 9-7 after eight.

Huston Street, Oakland's definite closer, came in to pitch a hit-less 9th inning, which finished on a long fly ball out, caught by Jeff Fiorentino.

A's win!

Game Notes:

- Kaz Fukumori, Texas' off-season international signee, threw the ball into center field from the mound trying to get a runner out on base, which eventually scored an A's run. He was charged with an error.

- Man, the Rangers throw inside on left-handed batters a lot. Daric Barton was just about hit half-a-dozen times, and other A's were close to being beaned.

- There were the same amount of former Canadians on Texas, as there were on Oakland. For the Rangers, Franklyn German and Nelson Cruz, while for Oakland it was Gregorio Petit and Dan Johnson.

The best part? The sprinkling rain held off until after the game.

Trip to the Desert: Day 1 (Saturday)

2008-03-16T21:05:00.001-07:00

For anyone who’s ever been to Spring Training before, you can feel my excitement. The cactus on the roads, the canyons in the distance, and the smell of baseball on every corner. There is no better place to be.

Today was my first day at my first Spring Training, and was a great way to start off a trip.

The key to the week I have, is waking up early. The kids at Papago start training very early in the morning, and don’t rest until very late in the afternoon.

I got to Papago Baseball Complex (Home of the A’s minor leaguers) at 11 AM, just in time to see the tail end of their morning workout.

Many familiar faces, like Chad Boyd, Justin Friend and James Heuser were all fielding balls in the outfield, while a long-haired Justin Sellers swung the bat with the big boys. The craziest thing happened though, Matt ‘Manta’ Ray and Walter Correa were training with Richie Robnett and Landon Powell. Yes, they’re training with the AA/AAA squads, and playing with them too. Weird.

After a quick pit stop at Jack In the Box, we decided to watch the game at Papago between the A’s Single-A players and those of the Milwaukee Brewers. The AA/AAA squads would play Milwaukee’s higher squads at their minor league complex.

After deciding to watch the low-Single A Cougars, it was a blowout from the start.

Travis Banwart was Oakland’s pitcher, a guy Vancouver fans saw in the bullpen, though he never appeared in a game. I could see why he’s such a valuable asset to the franchise, because he was dominant. The only faux pas he had in his three innings of work, was not covering third on a tight play, which eventually brought in a run.

Offensively in the first, Grant Desme struck out, while 2007 Canadian teammate Corey Brown hit a deep home-run, over the 410 mark at Papago Park.

A few innings later, Shane Keough hit an opposite-field double, as did 2006 Canadian Greg Dowling. One runner scored, 2-1 A’s after three.

Scott Hodsdon replaced Banwart on the hill, and was lights out. Same went for the following pitcher Brad Hertzler. Hodsdon and Hertz combined to pitch innings 4 through 8.

Offensively, Mike Richard was beaned twice by a pitch in his quest to beat JD Pruitt’s season HBP record, and Dante Love reached base a few times.

I left after eight innings, when Oakland was up 6-2. Aaron Jenkins was scheduled to pitch the 9th.

Notes:

-James Heuser (left) was in a good mood watching Stockton play, and says he’ll pitch 2-3 innings Tuesday afternoon against Los Angeles.

-Dusty Napoleon, Earl Oakes, Justin Friend, Lance Sewell, Aaron Jenkins, Shane Keough, Dante Love, Corey Brown, Mike Richard, Grant Desme, Leo Espinal, Chad Kerfoot, and Pedro Figueroa are all 2007 Canadians who are on the Kane County squad, and there are probably others who were trying to find some shade on this 79 degree day.

-How is Haas Pratt still in Kane County? He played here in 2005 as a first baseman, and hit the longball, before struggling in two seasons with the Cougars. Do something with this guy, because being a back-up catcher/1B/DH in low-A won’t do much for his development. Of course, I might be mistaken because although he was in the Cougars dugout Saturday, there is no roster sheet to assure what team players are on.

-Craig Lefferts was tossing BP and coaching the AA/AAA squads, meaning his health is close to 100% for this season with the C’s.

Next up for the trip: A matinee game between the Texas Rangers and Oakland A’s this afternoon, where prospect Gio Gonzalez will throw his Lord Charles Curve towards Ian Kinsler and the Rangers, against washup pitcher Sidney Ponson of Texas.

Oh, and if you’re ever in Phoenix, join Planet Orange and watch the Phoenix Suns. Anytime you get to see Phoenix score 79 points in the first half, crushing Sacramento, it’s a great way to start off a trip.