Baseball in Fort Wayne

Archive for September, 2006

I haven’t been able to put much work into the site lately, but I finally did get some league links added, and have also posted information about the forthcoming book; Baseball in Fort Wayne. Check out the The Book page to read the back cover and see front cover art.

Every team wants to be the last team in the league to walk of the field as winners. Even though this year’s Fort Wayne Wizards squad was capable of being that team, they lost a hard-fought series to the West Michigan Whitecaps in the first round of best-of-three Midwest League playoff series. Another great season has come to an end. Thanks to the Wizards’ players and staff for putting together another geat year! I’m already waiting for 2007.

The 2006 edition of the Fort Wayne Wizards were really exciting, and puzzling, at times. Strings of dominance were often interrupted by periods of doubt and inability to get the job done on the field. Still, the team provided a lot of late season excitement; ending with playoff spot and a lot spark. 

As a 9/4/06 Wizards’ press release notes:

Outfielder Will Venable was named the Wizards Most Valuable Player and closer John Madden and middle reliever Alfredo Fernandez were announced as the Co-Most Valuable Pitchers. Following Saturday’s regular season home finale, the Fort Wayne Wizards coaching staff and front office, in conjunction with Times Group Community Publications, awarded the 2006 team postseason awards.

It should also be noted that outfielder, Mike Sansoe claimed the final Midwest League Offensive Player of the Week (from August 28 through September 4).

Sansoe hit .521 (12-for-23) to lead the Wizards to a 6-2 mark against the Clinton Lumber Kings (Texas Rangers affiliate) and the South Bend Silver Hawks (Arizona Diamondbacks affiliate). He raised his season average from .272 to .293 over the week. [Wizards 9/5/06 Press Release]

They dropped the post-season opener last night to a fierce West Michigan team, but hope to right the ship and take the next two to advance to the next round.

In an opinion editorial that appeared in the August 31, 2006 News-Sentinel, Fort Wayne City Councilmen Tim Pape and Sam Talarico Jr (D and R respectively), discuss their involvement and findings with the BaseballPLUS committee in addition to their hope for Fort Wayne’s future. It’s an interesting read and very well done from a PR perspective.

(SEE THIS:) Baseball stadium can spark greater downtown revitalization

The Fort Wayne Wizards locked up the final playoff spot in the Midwest League last night, bringing their second half record to 37-29. This marks the fourth consecutive playoff year for the Wizards, and the eighth time in the 14 year year history of the Wizards.

Congratulations to the hometown team. Good luck in the playoffs!