Baseball in Fort Wayne

Archive for April, 2007

I have recently come across a couple Fort Wayne Daisies-related items and thought I would share them with you:

• Feb. 7, 2007 – “Women in spotlight at Economic Club event” (mLive.com) – Dawn Parker recaps an Economic Club of Jackson [MI] luncheon. The keynote speaker was former Fort Wayne Daisies player, Vivian Kellogg, who presented “We’ve Come A Long Way” to spotlight her achievements as a pioneer in women’s sports.
• Apr. 26, 2007 – “Chasing dreams in league of her own” (Cincinnati Post) – Jack Hicks caught up with former Fort Wayne Daisies player, Pat Scott, to discuss her experiences and peruse her scrapbook of memories. The article also includes some details on Scott’s live after playing in Fort Wayne.
• Want to see the Daisies in action? There is a brief clip of the Daisies in play against the Racine Belles at The Digital Deli. Pretty neat clip. Footage includes Pat Scott, Tibby Eisen, Jo Weaver, and others.

[tags]Fort Wayne Daisies, Pat Scott, Vivan Kellogg[/tags]

One question I often get asked is “What ever happened to Sean Burroughs? You remember him?”

The second part is easier to answer. Yes, I remember Sean Burroughs.

The son of former Major Leaguer, Jeff Burroughs, first made a name for himself in the Little League World Series as a pitcher but came to the Fort Wayne Wizards as a third baseman after having been drafted in the first round (ninth overall) by the San Diego Padres in 1998.

With the Wizards in 1999, he posted a .359 average and .464 OBP while collecting 80 RBI’s and 30 doubles en route to being named the Padres’ Minor League Player of the Year and earning a selection to the Midwest League All-Star Team.

In 2005, the Padres traded Burroughs to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for Dewon Brazelton. After spending the season with the Rays (mostly in their minor league system), Burroughs was released.

During the off-season, Burroughs signed a minor league deal with the Seattle Mariners, but has yet to take an at bat at any level within their system.

He is currently in San Diego working with a personal therapist to rehab his injured left shoulder. He was hurt while fishing a couple of weeks before the start of Spring Training. Provided he passes a physical exam, the 26-year-old third baseman will resume his career in extended Spring Training in Peoria, Ariz.

Photo by Chad Gramling

[tags]Sean Burroughs, Padres, Mariners, Devil Rays, Minor Leagues[/tags]

There have been a few Wizards Alumni in the news as of late and Fort Wayne native, Rob Bowen’s name has popped up a few times in recent weeks. Here’s a summary:

Torii Hunter drew a lot of attention for his giving nature. Unfortunately, it nearly cost him a three-year suspension from Major League Baseball. Here are a few links;

• Royals to return Hunter’s bubbly
• Hunter’s bubbly gift to Royals broke MLB rule
• Hunter’s bubbly brings trouble
• The Griddle: Ungifting, perhaps leading to regifting

Josh Barfield has started his sophomore season with a struggle. He’s hit just .123 (7-for-57) with on home run, six RBIs and a meager .153 OBP in his first 15 games with the Cleveland Indians after being traded from the Padres during the offseason. Both Barfield and his skipper, a Fort Wayne native, Eric Wedge are focusing on the positives and see good things in Barfield’s future. Read more here.

When Padres starting catcher, Josh Bard, was sidelined with a strained left groin earlier in the season, it gave Fort Wayne native, Rob Bowen, more at-bats. Bowen has taken the opportunity to shine. As his comfort level increased with more at-bats, so too did his average.

“He’s swinging with a lot of confidence, he’s seeing the ball better,” manager Bud Black said. “… He’s in a good place right now.” Read more about Rob Bowen and his success as a switch hitter here.

[tags]Torii Hunter, Josh Barfield, Eric Wedge, Rob Bowen, Fort Wayne Wizards, Baseball in Fort Wayne[/tags]

In a 6-3 vote, the Harrison Square project has passed. Construction is expected to begin this September with the ballpark to be ready for play for the 2009 season.

Indiana’s News Center: “Harrison Square: PASSES”
Downtown Fort Wayne Baseball: “Harrison Square Vote Passes 6-3”
WaneTV: “Harrison Square Project Gets the Nod”
FortWayne.com: “Harrison Square Passes 6-3”

Harrison Square: Today and Tomorrow (an interactive look via FortWayne.com)

Photos by Chad Gramling

Photos by Chad Gramling

Fort Wayne Observed has photos of the fire at the office/clubhouse of a mobile home park near Lakeside Golf Course on North Coliseum Boulevard. This is the future site of the next incarnation of Carrington Field, where the Fort Wayne Baseball Federation will call home.

FWDailyNews has an interesting look at the Harrison Square development from a youth standpoint (I think I may the oldest of those who are included – but don’t quote me on it).

From the article:

Harrison Square may have opened a generation gap, but he thinks the project, if built, could close that gap.

“I think there’s a huge generational divide there, and you think about it and baseball is kind of that one link between the generations,” he said.

[tags]Harrison Square, Baseball in Fort Wayne, Generational Divide[/tags]

Daryl Jones holds the base runner in check during the second game at the castle Tuesday night. Photos by Chad Gramling.

[tags]Wizards, Fort Wayne, Baseball, Daryl Jones[/tags]

The exhibition gam for tonight has been cancelled due to poor weather conditions. Read more at the Wizards Website.