Baseball in Fort Wayne

Archive for March, 2007

• When:
  March 31, 2007 1:00 PM
• Where:
  4320 Coldwater Road
  Fort Wayne, IN 46805
• Phone:
  260.471.5598
• More Info & Map: Click Here

Former Daisies pitcher, Isabel Alveraz showed up at my last signing. What a surprise to meet her!

Though he was never a Fort Wayne Wizards player, Rob Bowen has played in both the Minnesota Twins and San Diego Padres organizations. A 1999 graduate of Homestead High School, Bowen broke into Major League Baseball with the San Diego Padres in 2006 after being selected in the second round (56th overall) by the Minnesota Twins in 1999.

A recent article on MLB.com discusses Bowen’s defensive work this spring and the likelihood that he will be Josh Bard’s backup on the Friar’s roster this season.

“Rob brings a nice dimension to the club,” [Padres Manager Bud] Black said. “He was here last year, and he’s familiar with the pitchers. He did catch well last yea. He’s a switch-hitter. And he has a cannon for an arm. He’s got some tools that are very solid that he brings to a club.”

Photo credits: Black and White, courtesy of Rob Bowen and Caleb Kimmel; Inset, Christian Petersen/Getty Images

[tags]Rob Bowen, Padres, Twins, Josh Bard[/tags]

The Fort Wayne Baseball Federation will conduct its scheduling meeting at 1 p.m. Sunday at Crumback-Symon Chevrolet in New Haven. The Federation includes teams in the Colin Lister League (age 18 and younger) and the Red Carrington League (unlimited age).

For information, e-mail Brent Windmiller at dustydap22 @ comcast.net or call 260-749-8674.

(Note: Windmiller’s e-maill address should be entered without the spaces, which were added to reduce instances of being picked up by spam robots)

This time of year, there are dozens of stories pushed by MLB and other sources. Here are a few that relate to the local scene that I have gleamed over the last few days:

• Peavy’s dead arm looks alive: former Wizards pitcher, Jake Peavy discusses his Spring tune-up and outlook for the season.
• Perez gradually coming of age: Another former Wizards pitcher, Oliver Perez attempts to take his game to a higher level this year on the heels of a solid post-season. in working with Mets’ coaches, Perez looks to stabilize the Met’s rotation.
• Barfield returns to Knology Park: Former Wizards infielder discusses playing in the Spring Training park that he grew up watching hs Dad, Jesse Barfield play at and to play big league games at Rogers Field – where Jesse used to play as a member of the Blue Jays.
• Wedge’s future in limbo: On the heels of Mark Shapiro’s six year extension, the debate now turns to skipper and Fort Wayne native, Eric Wedge, following a disappointing 2006 campaign that started to unravel with C.C. Sabathia’s opening day injury. “It’s not something I spend energy on,” Wedge said. “My focus is on this ballclub and this season, and that’s where my focus should be right now. We have plenty of work to do.”

[tags]Jake Peavy, Josh Barfield, Oliver Perez, Eric Wedge, MLB, Baseball, Spring Training, Baseball in Fort Wayne, Baseball News[/tags]

I spoke with Mary Jane Smith. She owns and operates MJ’s Bookmark in Auburn, Indiana and is currently carrying Baseball in Fort Wayne. She has very graciously invited me for a book signing next month. here are the details:

When:
April 7, 2007 – 2-4PM
Where:
MJ’s Bookmark, Inc.
414 S. Main St.
Auburn, IN 46706
Phone:
260-925-2330
Map: Click Here

Back in 1993, Torii Hunter was selected in the first round of the MLB draft. He joined the Fort Wayne Wizards for the 1994 season and turned in a solid .293 average while hitting 10 home runs with 50 runs batted. He dazzled the Fort Wayne faithful with his wizard-like skills in the outfield and has gone on to shine on the game’s biggest stage. Hunter is arguably the most well-known former Wizards player and has spent his entire career in the Minnesota Twins organization.

And while there has been much speculation that Torii Hunter’s tenure as a Twins player will soon come to an end, there is a new Hunter on the Fort Wayne horizon.

The San Diego Padres have a top prospect in Cedric Hunter, who batted .371 while in rookie ball and after a stellar prep career. Selected in the third round of last-year’s draft, Cedric Hunter recently turned 19 and has impressed many observers during his (very) young career. A recent article suggests that Hunter is expected to begin the 2007 campaign in Fort Wayne.

[tags]Fort Wayne Wizards, Torii Hunter, Cedric Hunter, Padres Prospects[/tags]

In my effort to keep you all up-to-date, I am posting my March signings.
Continue to watch this blog as more events are added.

• When:
  March 24, 2007 – 02:00 PM
• Where:
  Jefferson Pointe Shopping Center
  4140 W. Jefferson Blvd. Bldg. J
  Ft. Wayne, IN 46804
• Phone:
  260-432-3343
• More Info & Map: Click Here

• When:
  March 31, 2007 1:00 PM
• Where:
  4320 Coldwater Road
  Fort Wayne, IN 46805
• Phone:
  260.471.5598
• More Info & Map: Click Here

Hope to see you at one (or both) of these events. There are also a couple events being planned for April if you cannot make the March events. Stay tuned.

Former Fort Wayne Wizards outfielder, Paul McAnulty is considered a long shot to make the San Diego Padres roster, but he determined to prove the skeptics wrong. Last season at Triple-A Portland, he hit .310 with 19 home runs and 79 RBIs over 125 games. This spring, he has picked up where he left off.

“He’s in the mix of guys who are battling for left field,” Padres manager Bud Black said. “What he’s done in the Minors with the bat warrants him a chance at this level. This winter we decided the best chance for him was in left field. He’s definitely a hard worker.” [source: MLB.com]

He’s been tried at first base, third base and in the outfield. And while his defense has been the source of much criticism, his bat has done most of the talking. “It’s something special to watch him hit,” said Padres catcher and McAnulty’s Portland teammate, Luke Carlin. In September of la season, McAnulty launched his first big league home run, an 11th inning walk-off pinch hit home run against Colorado.

While in Fort Wayne during the 2003 campaign, McAnulty played in 133 games, had 124 hits, 27 doubles and 73 runs batted in. He also hit .273 with the Wizards. In five seasons of minor league ball, he has a .305 average with 73 dingers over 2,112 at bats.

[tags]Paul McAnulty, Padres, Wizards[/tags]

The 2007 edition of the Fort Wayne Wizards will kick off with a new twist. In lieu of the traditional “Meet the Wizards” event that has occurred in the past, the hometown club will face the Crusaders from Valparaiso University on April 4 at Memorial Stadium. The scheduled start time is 6:00 p.m. and admission to all fans is free. Parking will be $4.00 per car.

The game is marks the first time in Wizards’ history that the team has face a college-level opponent in exhibition play. In addition, the game will include at least two local ties to the area.

The college squad is led by former Wizards skipper, Tracey Woodson. Woodson led the Wizards in 2002, with a record just above .500 at 69-68.

Woodson’s professional playing career was highlighted by five seasons in the major leagues. He was a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1987-1989, playing the corner infield for the World Champion 1988 squad. Woodson also played for the Saint Louis Cardinals in 1992 and 1993.

Woodson played in the minor leagues through 1996, when he was named the New York Yankees AAA Most Valuable Player with Columbus. He was a member of three AAA championship teams and a AAA All-Star in 1988. He also played in the AA All-Star game in 1986. [source: Valparaiso Website]

Valparaiso’s roster also features Fort Wayne native, Matt Stucky a graduate of Concordia Lutheran High School. Stucky, a freshman, was a three-year letter winner, an Honorable Mention All-Summit Athletic Conference selection and a member of National Honor Society in addition to several other awards.

Matt Stucky is the son of Lynn and Carol Stucky. He appears on page 13 of Valparaiso’s Baseball Media Guide.

(Note: Woodson [above] and Stucky [below] photos were blatantly lifted from Valparaiso’s website.)

Related Articles: Wizards Website | Valparaiso Website

[tags]Fort Wayne, Wizards, Valparaiso, exhibition game[/tags]