Baseball in Fort Wayne

Archive for May, 2008

With the Harrison Square development, many folks have asked me what will happen with regards to the evolution of the Wizards team. They ask me if there will be a name change, league change, what the stadium name will be (presumably if there is one), if there will be a change in Major League affiliates etc. My typical answer: “I Don’t Know.” Here’s what I can tell you.

League and/or Level Change:

I doubt it, but anything is possible. Travel is always a consideration for a minor league baseball team. It not only creates a sense of regional rivalry, it cuts expenses because there is less fuel usage and fewer hotel stays. If you were to few the Minor League Baseball teams according to our region, you’ll see that there are not many options other than the Midwest League. There are 23 MiLB teams in the region. Of those teams, 17 are Class-A teams, one is Double-A and five are Triple-A.

Within the Single-A teams, 14 of the 17 are in the Midwest League. Of the three remaining, the Mahoning Valley Scrappers are in the New York-Penn League; which is Class-A Short Season (a level lower than the Midwest League). The other two teams in Class-A are the Lexington Legends and the Lake County Captains; who are in the South Atlantic League. The “Sally League,” operates primarily in the southeastern United States and is pretty much on the same level as the Midwest League. Moving to this league makes little sense because it would be a lateral move and mean more travel and hotel stays. The only benefit that local fans would see is a change in teams that come through the area.

Double A is pretty much out of the question. The only team within Indiana or any of the surrounding states at this level is the Akron Aeros; who are on the far east side of Ohio.

But what about Triple-A? That would put Fort Wayne at a level just below the MLB and unite them in the International League with the other teams in the region; Toledo, Louisville, Iowa, Columbus (Ohio) and Indianapolis. Methinks this would be the most likely option next to remaining in the Midwest League, but I seem to recall the park in Harrison Square being built to Double-A specs.

Stadium Name:

First there must be someone willing to pony up the money. To my knowledge, this has not happened. That said, the city of Fort Wayne will receive 50% of naming rights revenues (up to $300,000 per year) and 100% of revenues in excess of $300,000 per year. With the city involved in that aspect, methinks it will happen. With the sheer number of business entities using “Three Rivers” in their names, I’d suggest that all of them pool their money together and call it “Three Rivers Ballpark”.

Affiliate Change:

Since the Wizards’ tenure in Fort Wayne, there have been two MLB affiliations; the Minnesota Twins and (currently) the San Diego Padres. I don’t have the evidence to back this assertion, but I would imagine that Fort Wayne has the distinction of being the MiLB team that is furthest from their MLB parent club. Without a doubt, the team would benefit significantly to unite with a parent club that is closer in proximity to Northeast Indiana where there is a denser fan base. The Cubs, White Sox, Reds, Indians, Tigers and Brewers come to mind. If there were a change to Triple-A, the Toledo Mudhens might take up issue if Fort Wayne tried to hook up with the Tigers. Methinks there will be many Padres draft picks taking the field at the yet-to-be named ballpark in Harrison Square in 2009.

But What About the Team Name and Mascot?

Aha, Now here is something were there is evidence to support a change. In 1993, the Wizards came to Fort Wayne and Wayne the Wizard was Grand Marshall of the metaphoric parade. Years later, when General Sports purchased the team, they sent Wayne into virtual retirement where he has been a miserly hermit. He’s lost a step or two in his dance moves, but he is still seen from time to time on special occasions. In his place, Dinger the Dragon appeared and has been the mascot mainstay since that time.

As pointed out by WhatsGoingDown(Town), the mascot and the team name have very little linking to local affinity. I suggested they name Dinger “Mad Anthony” when General Sports held a suggestion contest, but apparently, the NBADL liked it better.

All that said, as of now, there are no definite plans for a name and/or mascot change:

“Freier said he has been too busy with other pressing matters, including getting units in the condominium building sold, to have a name change be a top priority. But he said it likely will be considered, especially because the name Wizards has nothing to do with Fort Wayne. Furthermore, it isn’t unique to the Summit City as Washington’s National Basketball Association team and Kansas City’s Major League Soccer team share the mascot.

Methinks; that when we walk through the turnstiles at Harrison Square in 2009, it won’t be to see the Wizards. However, I do hope we get a chance to see Dinger AND Wayne on hand to pass the torch to an exciting new era in baseball for Fort Wayne and all o Northeast Indiana.

I recently came across a Minor League Baseball retrospective by Don Ehrke. In it, he discusses some early Wizards memories:

When we lived in Fort Wayne, however, Sean Burroughs played the better part of a season with the Wizards. He tore the cover off the ball, but even at the Single A level, his lack of power was already looking like a detriment. We also saw A.J. Pierzynski and Michael Cuddyer stop off in Fort Wayne as 19-year-olds on their way to bigger and better things in Minnesota.

Full article can be read here.

If the Padres have begun to make “wholesale changes” in the big league lineup, it will undoubtedly have impact on the farm clubs as well. We saw the first of those changes earlier in the week, and now they have made some moves to the Wizards roster as well.

Right handed pitcher, Steve Delabar was released from Padres organization and infielder, Lance Zawadzki was placed on disabled list. These moves made room for infielder Ray Stokes, who was promoted from extended spring training and right handed pitcher, Bryan Oland, who was also promoted from extended spring training

Delabar was 2-1 witha 5.27 ERA for the Wizards this season. He had given up 8 runs over 13.2 inning pitcher and appeared in 11 games.

Before joining Fort Wayne, Stokes was hitting 255 in 18 games. in 55 at-bats, he has 14 hits with 17 runs and 9 stolen bases. (Just what the Wizards need . . . more speed!!!). In his first game with the Wizards last night, he went 1-3 with a run, a hit and a strikeout. He was a 16th Round (483rd overall) pick by the Padres in the 2006 amateur entry draft. He appeared in one game with Fort Wayne in the 2007 season.

Bryan Oland has a 6+ ERA over 16 games and 20 innings pitcher this season. He joined the Wizards last night and pitched one shutout inning with one strikeout. He was a 24th Round (747th overall) pick by the Padres in the 2007 amateur entry draft.

Lamond Pope also updates the status of Mat Latos:

Mat Latos was placed on the disabled list Thursday with a left intercostal strain. Wizards manager Doug Dascenzo didn’t have a timetable for his return.

“He’s probably going to be a little bit longer (than seven days),” Wizards manager Doug Dascenzo said. “We just want to make sure he’s 100 percent before he gets back.”

Latos is the No. 3 rated prospect in the San Diego organization, according to Baseball America.

Update: Infielder, Brian Joynt also joined the Wizards today. Ooutfielder, Brad Chalk was placed on the disabled list, retroactive to Wednesday, May 21. Joynt was selected by the Padres in the 29th round of the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft. He has split time between the Eugene Emeralds of the Northwest League and the Arizona League Padres. Joynt hit a combined .195 in 41 games, with seven doubles, 15 runs batted in and three stolen bases. [source: OurSports Central]

This week on Talkin’ Sports, Wildcat Baseball League’s Bill Derbyshire will join us, as will Tri State University Football coach, and new Fort Wayne Freedom coach Matt Land.

We’ll also be covering IHSAA baseball Sectional schedules and taking your calls at 1-800-946-9689.

The Talkin’ Sports Top-5 Athletes of the Week this week included:

• Northrop track’s Jessica Harms.
• Woodlan baseball player Corbin Bell.
• Adams Central tennis player Rachel Barger.
• Carrol track’s Chelsea Blanchard.
• Northrop golfer Cory Wenclaff.

If you’d like to nominate a student-athlete, send your nomination detailing their accomplishments to talkinsports@wnuy.com.

Tune in Saturday morning at 10 for Talkin Sports, on FM 100 Talks, 100.1 FM WNUY.

After losing their pitcher and catcher to injuries in the same inning on different plays, you have to wonder what the Padres are gong to do for an encore. At the same time, usually reliable closer, Trevor Hoffman, has not been himself this season.

For the last few days, there has been some speculation about Padres GM, Kevin Towers, starting the process of big changes. The freak inning may have been the tipping point.

Denis Savage is reporting for MadFriars that Former Wizards pitcher, Jared Wells is expected to get a call-up from Triple-A Portland, where he “is 1-1 with nine saves in as many chances, posting a 5.85 ERA across 19 appearances.” Wells will become the 64th former Wizards player to make his way to the Major Leagues once he debuts.

He’ll be joined by Portland teammates, Mike Adams and Josh Banks and former Wizards catcher, Colt Morton, who made his MLB debut earlier in the season. The moves also saw former Wizards pitcher, Justin Germano, designated for assignment. I don’t understand that logic.

A while back, I suggested the Padres throw in the towel. It’s time for prospects to show what they can do, and some of them have hit their strides at the right time.

The most obvious is one that many had predicted would have a roster spot coming out of Spring Training. Yes, Chase Headley. The number of headlines I have seen that have included his name over the last several days is quite impressive.

Baseball America recently named him to the top of their prospect hot sheet.

For the record, Headley is hitting .471/.550/.647 in 34 May at-bats. And if he keeps that up, it’s precisely the type of bat-wielding the offense-starved Padres could use.

Headley, led the Padres in slugging percentage at the time of his demotion – an area that the Friars could certainly use help. After starting slow in Triple-A Portland, the converted outfielder has performed well. Over the first 38 games he batted .288 with 12 doubles, six home runs and 42 strikeouts; his overall OPS was .839. Oh, and he’s a switch hitter. That’s gotta account for something.

Portland Manager, and former Wizards skipper, Randy Ready thinks he might be ready:

He’s been swinging that bat well as of late, driving the ball, slugging a little bit right now. He’s doing the same thing he was doing at the beginning of the year except for all of a sudden he’s getting the count in his favor and his swing has smoothed out. He’s letting the ball travel a lot longer than he was earlier this season.

Yet, despite his improvement, when the Padres shed Jim Edmonds from their roster, they didn’t call up Headley, they called up Jody Gerut instead. And Headley took being bypassed like a professional:

“To be honest, Jody didn’t belong here,” Headley said. “In the time he was here, he was pretty dialed in. He deserved a callup before I did. When things started to pan out, it was obvious what was going to happen. It didn’t bother me one bit” [source: MLB.com].

Don’t worry Chase. You’ll get your chance soon enough.

Congratz to the Northeast Indiana Baseball Association Hall of Fame Class of 2008. Pictured left to right are the 2008 NEIBA Hall of Fame honorees; Bill Derbyshire, Dick Crumback, Doug Bair and the Bob Parker Memorial Award recipient, Isabel Alvarez. Not pictured is the Colin Lister Award recipient, Ella Hardiek.

I’ve blogged a lot about Joakim Soria on this blog because he may go down to be one of the best Rule-5 pickups in MLB history. Just days after the Royals plucked him from the Padres organization after being left unprotected in the 2006 Rule-5 Draft, Soria pitched a perfect game in the Mexican League. He broke into the majors that very season and had a very impressive year.

This year, he’s been lights out. He has a 1.04 ERA this season with 11 saves in 18 appearances. His 11-for-11 success streak also matches the Royals club record to start a season.

The Kansas City Royals are now building upon some good decisions in turning around what has been one of the most pathetic baseball teams in the last decade or two. Today, they locked up Soria through 2012 (hat tip to MLB Rumors). It was a wonderful birthday present for the former Wizards pitcher.

The deal includes $8.75 million in guaranteed money over the next three seasons with club options for 2012-14 that could boost the total value to $32.75 million . . . Soria is making $426,500 this year in his second big-league season. The new deal boosts his salary to $1 million in 2009, $3 million in 2010 and $4 million in 2011. He gets $750,000 as a buyout if the Royals choose not to exercise a $6 million option for 2012 . . . The fourth year becomes guaranteed if Soria makes 55 appearances in 2011 or 110 in 2010-11. The total value for six years would be about $30 million if he remains a reliever.

Today, I saw a post at Fort Wayne Observed about Washington High School retiring Fred Jones’s number 23 in memoriam. You may recall that Fed Jones was killed by gunshot at an off-campus party.

This is not the same Fred Jones from Churubusco who attended the University of Evansville and was later drafted by the New York Yankees. As far as I know, he is alive and well, though he is on the 7-day disabled list for the Staten Island Yankees of the Class A Short-Season New York-Penn League.

Not sure why the names didn’t catch my eye before, but today it did.

From the May 17, 2008 game.