Line of the Day: April 30th, 2011

April 2011

SP James Shields of the Tampa Bay Rays pitched into the ninth inning, allowing one run, six hits, a walk and tied a career-high with 12 strikeouts in the Rays' 2-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels. Shields, perfect through one out in the fifth inning, was saddled with a no-decision when closer Kyle Farnsworth couldn't lock down the save.

Line: 8+ IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 12 K; ND, QS

My fantasy perspective: Shields continues to prove he's the real deal in 2011. He's thrown five of six quality starts this season, allowing just 35 hits and 11 earned runs over 46.1 innings with a 39:9 K:BB ratio, a 2.14 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP. For a pitcher with an ADP of 203.9, he's putting up similar numbers to Roy Halladay (46.1 IP, 39 H, 11 ER, 47:7 K:BB) at a fraction of of the draft day cost.

How is it that he's 100% owned in ESPN leagues but just 78% owned in Yahoo! leagues? Check your Y! waivers in case you are unfortunate enough to be in a league that's already been busted just one month into the season.

Agree? Disagree? Check out ESPN's formula for determining the best daily performances and nominate your own Line of the Day player using the comments section or hitting me up on Twitter.

FungoMan Testimony: Brenham HS - Jim Long

April 2011

Jim Long, the head coach at Brenham High School Brenham, TX explains how he uses FungoMan automated baseball practice machine to maximize his practice.

Line of the Day: April 29th, 2011

April 2011

SP Jason Marquis of the Washington Nationals pitched a five-hit, complete-game shutout to beat Tim Lincecum and the San Francisco Giants 3-0. He struck out seven and walked none in pitching his fourth career shutout.

Line: 9 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 K; W, QS, CG, SHO

My fantasy perspective: Marquis is trying to make believers out of fantasy owners by throwing his fifth consecutive quality start of the season while upping his record to 3-0 and lowering his ERA to 2.62 and WHIP to 1.17. In 34.1 innings this season, he's struck out 24 (6.33 K/9) and walked just 5 batters. His ownership numbers are so low (3.3% ESPN; 3% Yahoo!), so there's no hurry to make a decision but be aware that his next scheduled start would be against the Phillies...in Philadelphia. I'm waiting to see how he comes out of that game before I start believing he's fantasy-relevant again. Wait, was he ever?

Agree? Disagree? Check out ESPN's formula for determining the best daily performances and nominate your own Line of the Day player using the comments section or hitting me up on Twitter.

My Crazy Week

April 2011

What started out as a fantastic week didn’t end as well. On Monday my hubby and I celebrated our 30^th wedding anniversary in Sedona. We stayed at Hotel L’auberge De Sedona which is located near Oak Creek. We had a lovely cottage near the creek where we watched the ducks play. The weather was in the 70’s, very clear and crisp. The night before was to be our UFO tour but because of the high winds, that was cancelled. The next day on our anniversary we decided to hit the many shops and take a ride up the narrow road through Oak Creek Canyon to the lookout above. If you are ever in Sedona, you have to take that drive. It is gorgeous up there and throughout the canyon. We had a nice dinner later on and the rest I won’t mention, *wink*.

The next day we decided to take a trip to Jerome since it is only a few miles away from Sedona. After driving the winding two lane narrow road to the top where the shops are located, we got out to check out the place. The wind was blowing and it was chilly. Jerome is like a throw-back to the 70’s. Everyone is laid back and in a bit of a time warp. I rather enjoyed that about the place. There were many abandoned places and historical buildings but my hubs is not an adventurer and didn’t want to stop. We did check out a couple of places but to get the full effect of what Jerome is all about, I will need to spend the night there with my road trip buddy (Sharon) and get into mischief getting our photos and video of the many cool places around town.

After Jerome, we went to the historic ruins of Tuzigoot. It is amazing to see the partial construction of an ancient Indian ruins that were built thousands of years ago. I took many pictures and will do a post on Tuzigoot and Jerome later.

Before arriving back at our cottage, we went back to the shops and grabbed a bite to eat. We had to buy some delish chocolates on the way back to the car. Back at the cottage, I took a bite of caramel and my damn temporary crown came off. At dinner, I had to eat on the other side of my mouth where I have a broken tooth. I have been putting off getting the permanent crown and a root canal on the broken tooth because of finances. We simply don’t have the money for them right now. The broken tooth has messed up my gums and now is infected. It hurts like a mother f…er!

Today I was scheduled to finally get the basal cell cancer removed from my face. But because my gums and tooth may be infected, the surgeon cancelled. He wants me to see the dentist, get the tooth fixed and get my surgery rescheduled. I have an appointment with the dentist later and hope he can fix the problem.

What started out as a great week didn’t end on a high note. I plan to take it easy this weekend, work on my book, and hopefully get more crafts done. Next week promises to be better. I will be busy getting ready for my granddaughter’s 2^nd birthday party and hopefully will be blessed with being a grandma again. My son and his wife are expecting any day now and we are so excited.

Did You Know?: April 29th, 2011

April 2011

If you weren't already aware, know this. I am a box score guy. I love the simplicity of the story it tells with numbers. I'm also excited about all of the new baseball statistics that seem to pop up yearly and even though I'm a little late to the game in understanding their utmost importance in using them when evaluating fantasy baseball players, it doesn't mean that I'm not paying attention. I hope to incorporate more of them into my analysis as I see fit. Stay tuned.

Now on to some statistics which you may not be aware of nearly a full month into the season in the latest installment of Did You Know?:

Adam Dunn has just two home runs and 10 RBI in 19 games this season, while Ben Zobrist accomplished those numbers in yesterday's doubleheader.
Names I did not expect to see in the top 10 in Total Bases this early in the season: Lance Berkman (1st), Jeff Francoeur (tied 6th) and Ike Davis (tied 9th).
Aren't stolen base guys supposed to be stealing bases? Juan Pierre has five steals and has been caught six times. Brett Gardner has four steals and has been caught three times. Chone Figgins has three steals and three caught stealings.
Josh Johnson has allowed just 13 hits in 34 innings pitched. Batters are "hitting" .116 off of him this season.
Austin Jackson is hitting just .167 (16/96) and has nearly twice the number of K's (31) as hits (16).
Vladimir Guerrero is hitting .284 with a .303 BABIP with zero walks in 95 at-bats. He must like his own chances when swinging the bat. Hopefully you don't own him in an OBP league.
Ryan Dempster has allowed 33 earned runs in 31 innings pitched. His ERA of 9.58 is higher than his K/9 ratio of 8.42.
At age 37, Johnny Damon is on pace for 130 RBI in just 136 games played (20 RBI in 21 of Rays first 35 games). Don't forget about 26 HR/26 SB pace, too.
Jorge Posada and Russell Martin have each hit six home runs in exactly 69 at-bats this season. Martin is batting .290 compared to Posada's .130 average.
Huston Street leads the majors with nine saves and is on pace for 63 total.
Matt Garza has 41 K's in just 30.2 innings pitched for a staggering 12.03 K/9 ratio yet he's 0-3 with a 4.11 ERA and an ugly WHIP of 1.47.

Are there some surprising statistics floating around out there already that have you scrambling to acquire or drop a player? If so, share them with the group, please. We all have a right to know.

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April 2011

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E-mail fail: Yanks leak personal info of 20,000 ticket holders

By Rob Iracane

Thousands of current season ticket holders for the New York Yankees got a surprise in their inbox on Monday, giving them an unexpected glimpse into the lives of their fellow fans.
Yes, someone in the Yankees front office unwittingly unleashed a spreadsheet containing the names, account numbers, mailing addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of every single current non-premium season ticket holder — 21, 466 names in all — to a select list of recipients. The spreadsheet was an attachment to an email and has since spread all over the web.
That means if you subscribe to any sort of ticket plan with the Yankees and you don't sit inside the premium moat, your personal information has now been divulged to the world.
Change your passwords now, folks.
So how did this avalanche of private numbers and addresses begin? Barry Petchesky at Deadspin has the scoop (as did Ross at NYY Stadium Insider), and there's at least one person in the Yankees front office feeling like he or she pulled a Costanza:

The release of the spreadsheet can be traced to a simple mistake by a hapless Yankees season ticket rep, one wrong click revealing the team's records to all of his contacts. Monday morning, an account executive sent an email to nearly 2,000 clients, a regular informational newsletter that they receive periodically. According to several fans who received the email, a file labeled "STL Homestand Newsletter (042511)" was attached that contained the information on all non-premium ticket holders — not just the rep's own licensees.

In a move reminiscent of the Bridgestone "Reply All" commercial that aired during the Super Bowl, the hapless rep attempted to "recall" the errant email using a feature in Microsoft Outlook. Unfortunately, it didn't work.

The Yankees have since issued a letter to all their season ticket licensees, regardless of whether they were affected by this slip-up, finishing with this paragraph:

Please note, immediately upon learning of the accidental attachment of the internal spreadsheet, remedial measures were undertaken so as to assure that a similar incident could not happen again.

Full disclosure: I'm a direct beneficiary of Yankees tickets because my father has subscribed for the entire season package since 2000. I spoke with him on the phone Wednesday night and while he's not ready to pen a nasty letter to the Steinbrenners, he's disappointed that the Yankees did not more closely guard their clients' most personal of information.
So while the Yankees have apologized for the breach and promise that it won't happen again, people like my father must scramble to change their passwords for season ticket holder web access and worry about unwanted solicitations from strangers and businesses.
If someone were to figure out his password through brute force, they could potentially log in to his account and actually steal his tickets. How? Well, the Yankees website is tied to Ticketmaster and they give you the option of printing tickets on their account management page, or even emailing them to a friend. Convenient, yes, but in this case it makes it wildly easy to steal hundreds of tickets.
So what can the Yankees do to make things right?
First and foremost, they must produce a sacrificial lamb for the error and fire somebody. Who better than the ticket representative who was responsible? Sorry, pal, but even if it was an innocent mistake, it's exploded into something big enough to warrant dismissal.
The team needs to hire a new (or better) IT consultant, too, someone who can introduce safeguards on sensitive documents that would prevent them from getting disseminated as if they were mere press releases. To protect their clients like they protect late-inning leads, the Yankees essentially need the Mariano Rivera (notes) of IT guys, not the Rafael Soriano (notes).
Also, to prevent unauthorized users from logging on to the Yankees website and noodling around with ticket holders' info, the team should either issue new account numbers or provide a second level of security. Or perhaps a round of obscure Yankees trivia would do the case. After all, we all know that only real Yankees season ticket holders would know who holds the team record for most career triples.* Right?
*Lou Gehrig, 163
It's kind of odd, though, that Deadspin was the one to break this news. The sports blog is part of the Gawker media network that had its commenters' accounts and passwords compromised last year by a hacker. Folks, get out there and make sure your entire online life is safe and secure.
And if you work in a ticket department for a massively popular sports team, watch what you attach to your outgoing emails.

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Brian Cashman Headed for Eternal Damnation?

April 2011

With Bartolo Colon, Freddie Garcia and Ivan Nova manning 60% of the Yanks' starting rotation, Phil Hughes destined for the knife, and the likes of Kevin Millwood and Carlos Silva the current plan B, I must say I fear for Brian Cashman's mortal soul.

Before pulling the trigger on any trades Cash should make an appointment in Hell to speak with the last person to cast out a savior named Jesus...

Game Six Redux

April 2011

Apparently, MLB Network thinks we have a burning desire to watch Game 6 again—with in-depth analysis to boot. On Sunday, May 1st, the network will air the latest installment of its "20 Greatest Games" series. Yeah, you guessed it. 'The Flushing' is the game.

Bill Buckner, Mookie F. Wilson and Bobby 'The Turncoat" Ojeda will be on set to wallow in the detritus of our misery. As Yogi Berra might advise MLB network on this score:

"Black it it out in Boston, no one will be watching it there anyway."

Little Tikes Auto Pitch Batting Trainer

April 2011

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Get kids started on their way to a great batting average with this terrific baseball trainer that helps develop hitting skills, muscle tone and hand/eye coordination. For beginners, use it as an easy-hit T-ball set. As your child's skills improve, it transforms into an automatic pitch-up machine. One push on the foot switch releases five time-delayed balls in a row, and an audible signal indicates when the next ball is coming. Includes a bat, five balls and auto shut off. Requires 4 "D" batteries, not included. Measures 13.75"L x 13.75"W x 26"H.

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Fantasy Baseball's Line of the Day: 04/27/2011

April 2011

1B Justin Smoak of the Seattle Mariners was 2-for-4, homered and drove in a career-high five runs in a 10-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers. It was Smoak's second home run in as many days and his fourth of the season.

Line: 4 AB, 2 R, 2 H, 5 RBI; HR, BB

My fantasy perspective: Smoak burst on the fantasy scene in 2010 as the "next great thing" at first base but struggled in Texas and Seattle to the tune of a .218 overall batting average. In 19 games this season, he's got a triple slash line of .302/.408/.571 with four home runs, 14 RBI and a 14/12 K/BB ratio. Only being 17.4% owned in ESPN leagues and 19% owned in Yahoo! leagues proves fantasy owners aren't sold that he's the real deal yet. He definitely needs to be owned in deeper mixed leagues that utilize roster positions such as CI, IF or even multiple DH or UT slots.

Agree? Disagree? Check out ESPN's formula for determining the best daily performances and nominate your own Line of the Day player using the comments section or hitting me up on Twitter.

Waiver Saviors: April 27th, 2011

April 2011

Waiver Saviors will be a semi-regular feature on COSFBA looking for players available in a majority of leagues (ESPN and/or Yahoo!) who are currently having a statistical impact and could/should be worth owning, if you have the need. Waiver pickups are all about filling a need with a player(s) currently hot and beating your fellow owners to the punch without destroying your current roster in the process.

Here are some players having a hot week worth taking a long look at for the short and long term, depending on your league type, too:

OF Peter Bourjos, LAA (11.1% ESPN owned; 22% Yahoo! owned) has gone 9/23 (.391 BA; 1.112 OPS) over the last week with no home runs (four extra-base hits for 16 total bases), four runs, an RBI and a stolen base. For the season, his 5x5 line is now at .321/11/2/9/2 and very worthy of an outfield slot in all leagues except the shallow ones.
OF Melky Cabrera, KC (21.9% E; 14% Y!) has gone 10/26 (.385 BA; 1.141 OPS) over the last week with one home run (five extra-base hits for 18 total bases), five RBI, four runs and a stolen base. His season's 5x5 line of .301/15/2/14/2 has to be taken seriously soon by fantasy owners or at least while he and the Royals are firing on all cylinders.
OF Ryan Ludwick, SD (2.2% E; 6% Y!) has gone 11/34 (.324 BA; 1.067 OPS) over the last week with three home runs (seven extra-base hits for 24 total bases), five RBI and four runs scored. He's 5x5 line of .209/12/4/11/1 is getting better but may only have value as a spot starter in deeper mixed leagues or very shallow NL-only ones. An encouraging sign is that three of his four home runs have come at PETCO but that unfortunately comes along with a .157 batting average at home, too.
OF Ben Francisco, PHI (26.8% E; 20% Y!) has gone 8/26 (.308 BA; .960 OPS) over the last week with two home runs (three extra-base hits for 16 total bases), six RBI and three runs scored. He seems to have settled back in as the Phillies' everyday right fielder and has produced a season's 5x5 line of .262/10/4/14/1, with is becoming more ownable in most league formats.
2B/SS Darwin Barney, CHC (41% E; 24% Y!) has gone 12/34 (.353 BA; .824 OPS) over the last week with one home run (two extra-base hits for 16 total bases), eight RBI, five runs and one stolen base. His 5x5 line of .329/13/1/13/1 makes him a great find for a MI slot in deeper leagues and a must-own in NL-only formats. He should continue to get the majority of starts at second base and hit out of the number two hole.
SS Erick Aybar, LAA (67.3% E; 16% Y!) has gone 9/28 (.321 BA; .679 OPS) over the last week. He's started at shortstop the last seven games and stolen two bases. He won't contribute much to your fantasy team unless he continues to hit for average and steal bases. Even then, his value is limited to a spot start or MI position in the deepest of leagues.
OF Kosuke Fukudome, CHC (2.9% E; 4% Y!) has gone 14/23 (.609 BA; 1.292 OPS) over the last week but that was helped by 5-for-5 and 4-for-7 performances. He's only starting against right-handed pitchers, so he may only be worth rostering to play in favorable match ups.
1B Brett Wallace, HOU (8.3% E; 10% Y!) has gone 11/21 (.524 BA; 1.260 OPS) over the last week with no home runs (four extra-base hits for 15 total bases), two RBI and five runs scored. He doesn't have the power numbers (1 HR this season) to be a primary option at first base but his overall 5x5 line of .347/14/1/8/0 makes him a target as a CI or IF candidate on deeper leagues.
OF Carlos Gomez, MIL (15.3% E; 6% Y!) has gone 10/27 (.370 BA; .861 OPS) over the last week with one home run (one extra-base hit for 13 total bases), four RBI, five runs and a stolen base. Maybe he's feeling the pressure of Nyjer Morgan being brought in and Corey Hart coming off the DL? Keep an eye on his playing time if you plan to pick him up.

Starting pitchers are harder to grab off waivers, with most only have four or five starts to show their stuff. Keep an eye on all of the "pitch and ditch" type articles regarding streaming to see if there's a gem or too hiding in there. Relief pitchers in the mix for saves should be grabbed now and dumped later if things don't pan out. You'll probably miss out if your league is worth anything when it comes to scavenging for saves.

Campo de béisbol de suciedad menos extraño extrae raves del equipo de la escuela secundaria

April 2011

Miércoles, 27 de abril de 2011

Campo de béisbol de suciedad menos extraño extrae raves del equipo de la escuela secundaria

Correo electrónico

Imprimir

Rally de preparación

Wed 27 de Apr 09:01 am EDT

Campo de béisbol de suciedad menos extraño extrae raves del equipo de la escuela secundaria

Cameron Smith

Cuando se trata de los lugares tradicionalmente asociados con el béisbol, pocas cosas pueden rivalizar con suciedad anticuado. Jugadores diapositiva de inicio y llegan a marrón con manchas de suciedad. Lanzadores primicia hasta pequeñas puñados para proporcionar control adicional mientras los bateadores intentan patear pequeñas tormentas de polvo en el cuadro de bateadores como una forma de desenfoque sus líneas traseros. Suciedad anticuado juega un papel tan prominente en diamantes de béisbol tradicionales que prácticamente se respira lo mezcla con perros calientes y cacahuetes en el aire que circula a través de las gradas. Suciedad es béisbol casi como la tarta de manzana examinarlos es a los Estados Unidos.

Sin embargo, en un nuevo diamante de béisbol en el oeste de Pennsylvania, ninguno de esos papeles tradicionales son lleno, por una razón clara: el parque no tiene suciedad en absoluto.

Según el Washington observador-Reporter, Consol energía Park, la casa recientemente rebautizado de las cosas salvajes de Washington de la Liga independiente de la frontera y Trinidad del Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (PA) alto, es una instalación de béisbol con una superficie compuesta por césped del campo, incluso la "suciedad". El estadio de liga menor utilizado una superficie de béisbol de hierba y suciedad tradicional a través de la temporada del 2010, después de que fue instalado ProGrass césped sintético.

El resultado de la renovación de la pretemporada es una nueva superficie que busca y, al parecer, tanto como la hierba, juega con una gran diferencia: los administradores de equipos pueden ahora dejar el palo de manchas de marea en casa al lavar uniformes después de un juego en el CEP.

Mientras que Tampa Bay y Toronto aún utilizan el césped artificial en grandes ligas de béisbol, ambos equipos utilizan suciedad alrededor del plato y entre las bases. No es el caso en el CEP. En lugar de basepaths de suciedad, Consol energía tiene césped del campo de tierra marrón de color, basada en pellet entre las líneas, con césped blanco marcando la casilla de bateadores y líneas de base.

Mientras el equipo independiente de ligas menores de béisbol no abre la temporada hasta finales de mayo, Trinidad ya alberga otros colegios de la zona, poniendo la superficie Consol Energy aprovechar con buenas críticas.

"Desde 1997, nos hemos estado practicando en nuestro campo de fútbol, que cuenta con césped artificial. Sabemos cómo tienes que deslizarse sobre el césped,"entrenador de Trinidad Levi Bristor le dijo al observador-reportero. "Pero es bueno poder tomar una ronda de campo en la práctica y se te va a estar en la misma superficie que podrá jugar la mitad de nuestros juegos en. Antes, si queríamos práctica sobre hierba, hemos tenido que ir al sur de Trinidad."

Para Trinidad, el traslado a un centro de césped de todos ha sido menos de golpes en el sistema que podrían anticiparse a muchos. Como Bristor mencionado, su programa se ha practicado en césped artificial campo de fútbol de la escuela desde 1997, un fondo que da a los jugadores de Trinidad una ventaja sobre sus oponentes.

Ese campo de práctica de césped también ha ayudado a Trinidad ajustar a la su nuevo parque de ninguna política de clavos de metal, un cambio en el calzado que podría deshacerse de otros equipos WPIAL que entrarán CEP obligados a abandonar su tradicional calzado de día de juego.

Bristor insiste en que ni la falta de calzado tradicional o la falta de tierra entre las líneas plantea una importante ventaja para su equipo, todo mientras raving sobre una superficie que ha sido descrito como "increíblemente verde" y capaz de albergar un juego tan sólo unos minutos después de un fuerte aguacero.

"Es un gran campo", Bristor le dijo al observador-reportero. "Estamos encantados de estar aquí, y estoy seguro de que si tuviera que pedir cualquier equipo visitante que va a jugar aquí, contaré después que les gusta demasiado".

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Publicado por Tommy Leavitt en el miércoles, 27 de abril de 2011

Bizarre dirt-less baseball field draws raves from high school team

April 2011

Prep Rally

Wed Apr 27 09:01am EDT

Bizarre dirt-less baseball field draws raves from high school team

By Cameron Smith

When it comes to the sights traditionally associated with baseball, few things can rival old-fashioned dirt. Players slide home and come up brown with dirt stains. Pitchers scoop up small handfuls to provide extra grip while batters try to kick up small storms of dirt in the batters box as a way to blur its rear lines. Old-fashioned dirt plays such a prominent role at traditional baseball diamonds that you can practically smell it mingling with hot dogs and peanuts in the air that circulates through the stands. Dirt is to baseball almost as apple pie proverbially is to America.

Turf construction at Console Energy Park

Yet, at one new baseball diamond in Western Pennsylvania, none of those traditional roles are being filled, for one clear-cut reason: The park doesn't have any dirt at all.
According to the Washington Observer-Reporter, Consol Energy Park, the newly re-baptized home of the Washington Wild Things of the independent Frontier League and the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League's Trinity (Pa.) High, is a baseball facility with a surface comprised entirely of field turf, even the "dirt." The minor league stadium used a traditional grass and dirt baseball surface through the 2010 season, after which ProGrass Synthetic Turf was installed.

Finishing new turf construction at Console Energy Park

The result of the offseason renovation is a new surface which looks and, reportedly, plays much like grass, with one big difference: Team managers can now leave the Tide stain stick at home when washing uniforms after a game at CEP.
While Tampa Bay and Toronto still use artificial turf surfaces in Major League Baseball, both teams use dirt around the plate and between the bases. That's not the case at CEP. Instead of dirt basepaths, Consol Energy has dirt-brown-colored, pellet-based field turf between the lines, with white field turf marking the batters box and baselines.
While the independent minor league baseball team won't open the season until the end of May, Trinity has already hosted other area high schools, putting Consol Energy's surface to good use with generally positive reviews.
"Since 1997, we've been practicing on our football field, which has artificial turf. We know how you have to slide on the turf," Trinity coach Levi Bristor told the Observer-Reporter. "But it's nice to be able to take a round of infield at practice and know its going to be on the same surface as the one we'll be playing half our games on. Before, if we wanted to practice on grass, we had to go to Trinity South."
For Trinity, the move to an all-turf facility has been less of a shock to the system than many might anticipate. As Bristor mentioned, his program has practiced on the school's artificial turf football field since 1997, a background which gives Trinity's players an edge over their opponents.
That turf practice field has also helped Trinity adjust to the its new park's no metal spikes policy, a shift in footwear which could throw off other WPIAL teams which will enter CEP forced to abandon their traditional game-day footwear.

Bristor insists that neither the lack of traditional footwear or the lack of dirt between the lines poses a significant edge for his team, all while raving about a surface which has been described as "stunningly green," and able to host a game just minutes after a heavy downpour.
"It's a great field," Bristor told the Observer-Reporter. "We're pleased to be here, and I'm sure if you were to ask any away team that's going to play here, they'll tell you afterward that they like it too."
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FN Poll: Trade For Doumit?

April 2011

Vote in our latest FenwayNation Poll, asking whether the Red Sox should trade for Pittsburgh catcher Ryan Doumit. VOTE HERE

Doumit Era On The Way?

April 2011

With the increasing use of Jason Varitek—beyond a simple "Dice-K/Beckett" platoon—one has to wonder if Jarrod Saltalamacchia's days in the bigs are numbered. If the Red Sox pull off a deal for a more experienced backstop (Pittsburgh's Ryan Doumit is available), it would make sense to send Salty to Pawtucket for more "seasoning" (sorry). NESN's Mike Cole has suggested as much.

Doumit has had injury woes, is a defensive "work-in-progress" and would cost Boston over $5 million. But how much is the post-season worth to Theo and The Trio? He is hitting above .270 this year and has thrown out 31% of runners. Decent on both counts—and he's only 30 years old. The Sox can't continue to overwork a nearly 40-year old catcher while hoping that Salty "comes around".

All things considered, a trade for Doumit (parting with some middle infield talent like Scutaro or a prospect) seems to make sense.

The Bradshaw Mountains

April 2011

Located in central Arizona in the Sonoran Desert sits the harsh black rock terrain known as the Bradshaw Mountains. Named after William Bradshaw, this mountain range consists of an interior forest, to an exterior desert grassland and shrubbery from the Sonoran Desert surrounding the rocks.

(From Wikipedia) “The first known settlements in the Bradshaw’s were a group of Yavapai Indians called the Kwevkapaya who built forts and mined copper from around AD 1100 to 1600. Apaches occupied the area around 1800 as a means of keeping white settlers out. But by 1863, a party led by William Bradshaw was in the area, followed by the Walker party. In 1864, a group of five white settlers was attacked by Apaches at what is now called Battle Flat. One of the settlers went for help, but upon his return found the Apaches had left. The Walker party found gold, and within a few years, the Bradshaw’s were filling up with settlers mining for gold, silver, and copper. In the early part of the 20^th century, most of the towns that had sprung up were little more than ghost towns.”

Today there are over 40 ghost towns that surround the Bradshaw Mountains. Along with the cacti, several creatures such as javelinas, mule deer, wild turkey and short-horned lizards make the black rocks and surrounding desert their home.

ATEC Backyard Cage 40 Foot Net & Install Kit

April 2011

Sale Price : $599.95

Availibility : Usually ships in 24 hours

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Technical Details

Includes the frame kit and batting cage netting
This batting cage net is trimmed with .25 inch black nylon rope for added strength and support
The net is number 21, 1.75 inch weather treated/UV resistant black polyester mesh
The installation kit hardware includes (4) frame corners, (6) unions, (10) white leg caps for safe use indoors
All corners and unions are 1.5 inch welded steel tube with a durable powder-coat finish for long wear
And (6) quick-link connectors for suspendng the net internally to the frame

ATEC Backyard Cage 40 Foot Net & Install Kit Overview

The ATEC ® Backyard 40' Cage is field quality at a back yard price. Functional design, durable, high strength materials, quick and easy set up. Dimensions are 40' L X 10' W X 10 H. Great for indoor or outdoor use .Lightweight and portable it is constructed using a rugged #21 , 1 3/4 " black polyester mesh treated for weather and UV resistance. It is trimmed with 1/4 " black nylon rope for added support where its needed most. Installation kit includes frame corners, unions, and white leg caps for safe use indoors and quick ink connectors for suspending the net internally to the frame. All corners and unions are 1 1/2 " welded steel tube with a durable powder coat finish for long wear. All you need to purchase separately is 23 ,10 FT. pieces of 1 3/8" fence top rail tubing , typically priced under each . Purchase separately at any home improvement store. 1 year limited warranty.

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Fantasy Baseball's Line of the Day: 04/26/2011

April 2011

1B/OF/DH Adam Lind of the Toronto Blue Jays went 3-for-5 with two home runs, five RBI and three runs scored in a 10-3 win over the Texas Rangers. It was his fifth career multihomer game and his third at Rangers Ballpark, where he now has nine home runs in his last 12 games.

Line: 5 AB, 3 R, 3 H, 5 RBI; 2 HR

My fantasy perspective: Lind's batting average has crept its way up to .256, which is better than last season's .237 but still way below his .305 average in 2009. If he can keep his average moving in a positive direction, at his current pace, he'd hit 21 home runs, drive in 120 runs and score 85. Those are very fantasy-relevant numbers for a first baseman.

Agree? Disagree? Check out ESPN's formula for determining the best daily performances and nominate your own Line of the Day player using the comments section or hitting me up on Twitter.

Marshwood's Fernandes throws no-hitter against Portland

April 2011

Marshwood's Fernandes throws no-hitter against Portland

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Marshwood's Luke Fernandes threw a no-hitter against Portland on Tuesday.Ioanna Raptis photo

By Roger Brown

sports@seacoastonline.com

April 26, 2011 8:50 PM

SOUTH BERWICK, Maine — Luke Fernandes was in complete control during the Marshwood High School baseball team’s 8-0 triumph over Portland on Tuesday. There was no debate about that.

Here’s what was up for discussion: whether or not Fernandes tossed a no-hitter.

Fernandes, a junior, held Portland to three baserunners. Two Portland players reached base via a walk, the other was awarded first base because of catcher’s interference.

Marshwood credited Fernandes with a no-hitter, but Portland coach Tony DiBiase disagreed and said the batter is credited with a hit when catcher’s interference occurs. According to the official rules of Major League Baseball, however, there is no base hit credited for catcher’s interference. Instead the play is scored as an error on the catcher.

“I didn’t know if it was an out or what was going on with that (catcher’s interference),” Fernandes said. “I might have thrown a no-hitter in Little League, but not in high school or Babe Ruth.

“In my bullpen before the game I was working on a changeup and it wasn’t working for me, so I just stuck to a breaking pitch and a fastball for the whole game. I was able to spot my fastball on the inside and outside of the plate and that’s what got me through.”

Fernandes struck out nine. He faced two batters over the minimum. Portland’s Joel DiPietro, the player who reached base on catcher’s interference, was thrown out attempting to steal second in the fifth inning.

DiBiase had plenty of praise for Fernandes.

“He was excellent,” DiBiase said. “He’s as good as I’ve seen in the last four or five years. We were just talking about who’s been better.
“He just overpowers people and he doesn’t walk anybody. He’s very good. You don’t see pitchers like that very often around here.”

Marshwood, which raised its Western Maine Class A record to 2-0, jumped on Portland starter Nate Smart for two runs in the first inning. The Hawks did the rest of their scoring in the fifth, when they sent 10 batters to the plate and pushed across six runs.

Marshwood’s six-run fifth featured four hits and four walks. Portland reliever Nick Volger didn’t help himself in the inning. In addition to the four walks he issued, the Hawks scored a run on a balk and another on a wild pitch.

Second baseman Ben Claus collected three of Marshwood’s nine hits. The Hawks also received two hits and two RBIs from leadoff hitter Alex McLean. Claus was the only senior in Marshwood’s starting lineup.

Eight different players scored for the Hawks.

“I was happy that we scored early,” Marshwood coach Eric Fernandes (Luke’s father) said. “Portland’s always athletic, so when you can put up an 8-0 score against Portland it’s a good thing.”

Portland, which had six sophomores and a freshman in its starting lineup, dropped to 1-1. The Bulldogs opened the season with a 9-4 victory over Gorham.

Fernandes was 2-3 with a 1.55 ERA and a league-high 58 strikeouts last season. He earned the save when Marshwood opened its season with a 5-4 triumph against Bonny Eagle.

“Luke’s off-speed pitch seemed to be crisp, and he was living low,” Eric Fernandes said. “I’ve seen him be that way in a game quite a bit, but I’ve never seen a no-hitter out of him.”

Until Tuesday, that is.

The Abandoned Dog Track

April 2011

As we got off the highway to Black Canyon City, this abandoned dog track caught our eyes. I wanted to take photos so we drove around to see if there was an entrance to the grounds. After being harassed by a buzzard and couldn't find an entrance, we went back to the start of the road, parked the car, and got as close as we could to the building.

This once was a thriving greyhound dog racing track. In 1982 it was closed and has sat abandoned, deteriorating from the harsh Arizona climate. I just saw it as another beautiful photo opportunity.

Ryan Williams 1: e baseball bat angle equipment

April 2011

It is the first plate appearance of Ryan in the Little League Machine Pitch A

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Fantasy Baseball's Line of the Day: 04/25/2011

April 2011

SP Ian Kennedy of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitched a complete game three-hit shutout to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies 4-0. He struck out 10 and walked none in recording his first career complete game.

Line: 9 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 10 K

My fantasy perspective: Kennedy (ADP of 209.6 on ESPN) was on my fantasy radar this offseason as a pitcher capable of 12-15 wins, an ERA under 4.00, a WHIP around 1.30 and the ability to rack up 175 K's. Those numbers were right in line with other projections. For the season, he's 3-1 with a 4.02 ERA with a 1.09 WHIP and a 7.47 K/9 ratio. At that rate, over 200 innings pitched, he'd be looking at 167 K's for the season. Kennedy is currently owned in 55.9% of ESPN leagues and 52% of Yahoo! leagues. I'd pick him up for his next start against the Cubs.

Agree? Disagree? Check out ESPN's formula for determining the best daily performances and nominate your own Line of the Day player using the comments section or hitting me up on Twitter.

Wild Card Fever!

April 2011

According to the website AccuScore.com, the Red Sox are the current favorites to take the American League Wild Card. Thanks to their recent surge, Boston is projected to win 89 games (actually 88.8), and would barely make it into the post-season. But, considering the start, it's amazing they are at this point today.

Playing the Name Game

April 2011

We've all seen the fantasy baseball articles where the writer will compare one nameless player's statistics to another nameless player's statistics and then hit you with a ton of reasons why you should be looking past simple name recognition if you want to be winning your fantasy baseball league. And do you know why you see articles of this type all over the fantasy baseball blogosphere? Because they're very helpful when evaluating your roster and the "who's who" out there on waivers.

I'll run through a few of my own comparisons (using standard 5x5 categories) for your fantasy baseball viewing pleasure and hopefully give you something to mull over as you assess your roster(s).

Player A: .321 BA (17/53), 15 R, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 1 SB
Player B: .255 BA (24/94), 15 R, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 1 SB

Simple comparisons show that Player A has only gotten roughly half the at-bats that Player B has received so far but has been able to score the same amount of runs, hit the same number of home runs and steal the same amount of bases, all with a higher batting average and just four less RBI. A deeper look into another statistic shows Player A has an .956 OPS while Player B's is .691. Any guesses yet? Well, Player A is Casey Blake and Player B is Martin Prado. Blake is owned in 12.4% of ESPN leagues and Prado is 100% owned, as he should be.

My fantasy perspective: Blake has settled in as the Dodgers' number two hitting and should get plenty of opportunities to continue scoring runs with the likes of Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier tearing it up behind him, as long as he keeps getting on base. His value comes in deeper mixed leagues that utilize an extra CI and/or IF roster spot or in the much shallower NL-only format. Prado owners shouldn't be concerned.

Player A: .282 BA (22/78), 11 R, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 2 SB
Player B: .311 BA (28/90), 10 R, 0 HR, 8 RBI, 3 SB

Not a ton of difference here other than the fact that Player B hasn't shown the ability to hit a home run yet. A deeper look into their player profiles shows that Player A has walked 15 times compared to Player B's six times. Both players qualify at 2B, while Player B also qualifies at SS. Player B leads all 2B-eligible players with 28 hits this season. Any guesses? Player A is 100% owned Dustin Pedroia while Player B is 54.6% owned Ryan Theriot.

My fantasy perspective: Theriot is another of those players manager Tony LaRussa loves to pencil in at the top of his lineup card night after night. His value comes in the runs and stolen base categories while not hurting you in batting average (career .285 average). He won't help you much in home runs or RBI. His 2B/SS eligibility could help you in those deeper mixed leagues with an MI position or the shallow NL-only leagues. Pedroia owners should start to see even more benefits to their investment now that the Red Sox offense seems to be firing on all cylinders.

Player A: 0-2, 26 K, 3.90 ERA, 1.10 WHIP
Player B: 3-2, 29 K, 2.64 ERA, 1.17 WHIP

To start off, each of these pitchers have started five games this season and recorded four quality starts. Player A has allowed two runs or less in four starts and had his bullpen blow three chances for a win. Player B has allowed just one earned run and nine hits in his last three starts (20.2 innings pitched). Any guesses who these pitchers are yet? Player A is 100% owned Chris Carpenter while Player B is 39.1% owned Randy Wolf.

My fantasy perspective: Carpenter has been a tough luck recipient of a bullpen in flux but should benefit now that Mitchell Boggs has been named the closer and acting like one (3-for-3 in save opportunities). Wins aren't an easy stat to predict but he'll give you the the ERA, WHIP and K's we've come to expect from him. Wolf is in a groove and should be streamed, if not owned, for his next start against the Astros.

Player A: .283 BA (28/99), 13 R, 1 HR, 12 RBI, 1 SB
Player B: .216 BA (16/74), 10 R, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 5 SB

This is the classic case of owners drafting a player based on potential and hanging on to him longer than warranted. Player A was virtually undrafted while Player B cost owners an ADP of 67.7. So what's an owner to do when saddled with Player B, one that's cost them such a high pick? Sell low? Cut and run? There aren't many options for owners (such as myself) who thought this could be a bounce-back season for B.J. Upton other than to either keep running him out there and taking the good (5 SB) with the bad (.216 BA) or keeping him on the bench to limit the damage and hope he turns it around soon. Oh, Player A is Melky Cabrera and he's only 19.5% owned. Nothing sexy about throwing his name around fantasy baseball circles but he's currently playing with a renewed fire and has value in leagues using lots of outfield roster spots.

Doing exercises such as these regularly will help you not fall in love with a player's name recognition or your personal investment you have in him. And it is even easy to do if you're in a one-and-done league rather than a keeper or dynasty format. Just make wise decisions when it comes to the waiver wire because in no world am I suggesting you ever drop Upton to pick up Melky. But dropping Julio Borbon (.214/3/0/4/2) for Cabrera wouldn't be a difficult move to make at this point. Just be ready to do the opposite should Borbon turn things around.

What types of fantasy baseball articles are you finding most valuable to your teams on the web these days? Player projections? Injury updates? Waiver wire gems? Hot players being added or why others are being dropped? Let me know so I can continue to tailor the content COSFBA has to offer the competitive fantasy baseball player in this, just year two, of a site that continues to find its place in the blogosphere.