Baseball in Fort Wayne

Archive for August, 2008

The Fort Wayne Revolution in San Diego seems to be in full effect as two more former Wizards are likely to be on their way up to the big show, joining several others who have already made their debuts this year. It’s very clear that the remainder of the season will basically be early auditions for the 2009 squad.

The Padres are releasing second baseman Tadahito Iguchi and pitcher Brett Tomko to open roster spots for second baseman Matt Antonelli and pitcher Wade LeBlanc.

Both Antonelli and LeBlanc are being called up from Triple-A Portland where they will join the Padres in Dodger Stadium, where the Friars will begin a three-game series on Monday.

Matt Antonelli was a first round pick (17th overall) in the 2006 draft.  He saw a total of five games with the Wizards in 2006, hitting .125 in 16 at-bats. He hit .314 the following year at Lake Elsinore before being promoted to Double-A San Antonio, where he hit .294. On the 2008 campaign, he’s hitting just .215 with 7 home runs and 39 RBIs in 128 games. The North County Times recently did a great piece on Antonelli that discusses his season of struggles and hope for redemption. I encourage you to check it out.

Wade LeBlanc  was also a high round pick by the Padres in 2006. Drafted in the second round (36th overall), LeBlanc joined the Wizards that year and saw action in seven starts. He posted a 4-1 record with a 2.20 ERA. In 32.2 innings pitched, he struck out 27 and walked ten. This season with Triple-A Portland, LeBlanc has rebounded from early season struggles and now boasts an 11-9 record with a  5.32 ER, 139 strikeouts and 42 walks over 138.2 innings pitched. He was named the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the week for the span inclusive of July 28-Aug. 3. He was 2-0 and allowed just four hits and no walks over 13.0 scoreless innings. He tallied 17 strikeouts over the combined two starts during that week.

Good luck guys. We’ll be watching!

Related Posts:

• Wade LeBlanc’s Changeup Still Attracting Attention (March 2, 2008)

I finally got this posted. Sorry it took so long. Enjoy.

[Show as slideshow]

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• Luis Cruz (from the 2003 Wizards’ squad) went 3-4 with a double and his second homer of the season; a two-run shot that broke a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the eighth to outlast a Louisville rally to give Indianapolis a 5-4 win Thursday night at Victory Field. He launched another homer on Friday to lead the Indians to another victory over the Bats in front of 13,558 fans at Victory Field.
• Controversy again found A.J. Pierzynski. During a rundown between second and third, Pierzynski appeared to get tagged out after falling, but umpire Doug Eddings called him safe, citing interference by Rays third baseman, Willy Aybar. Replays showed that Pierzynski initiated contact by hitting Aybar with his elbow before falling. So, Pierzynski was awarded third base and scored a couple batters later. The White Sox ended up winning by one run. Both Eddings and Major League Baseball later admitted the blown call.
• Geoff at Ducksnorts rounds out his reviews of the farm by spotlighting Portland. Looks like he’s softening his stance on Will Venable: “I like Venable’s chances a little better now than I did at the same time last year, but he still looks like a fourth outfielder to me.” He also takes a look at Matt Antonelli, Peter Ciofrone, Wade LeBlanc and more.
• Yes, you saw Sean Burroughs in the headline. Friar Forecast took a look at Burroughs’ fielding and found that his dissappointing offense underscored his above average defense. Good reading here.
• It’s a Wizards reunion in San Diego: “[Chase] Headley welcomed newcomers [Josh] Geer and outfielder Will Venable, who also was promoted from Triple-A. The trio and rookie catcher Nick Hundley, along with last night’s starting pitcher, Dirk Hayhurst, helped Double-A San Antonio win the Texas League championship last year. Rookie utility man Sean Kazmar also played for the Missions.”All six of those players are former Wizards as well.
• Midwest Leaguesaves leader, Jackson Quezada was the lone Fort Wayne representative of the Midwest League postseason all-star roster.
• Paul DePodesta takes a look at the 2008 late round draftees.
• Torii Hunter is still doing his thing in the Outfield, having robbed a couple crucial home runs lately.
• Finally, MadFriars has been going crazy with Wizards-related headlines (subscription required for the links below):
  • Fort Wayne Hitting Coach Tom Tornicasa
  • Fuson on Padres prospects in low minors
  • The Transition Game: Several players from last year’s championship Double-A squad are getting their shot in the Majors. A great article/interview that talks about the transition from prospect to Major Leaguer and how they are handling it.
  • Manager Doug Dascenzo on Wizards prospects
  • Tom Gamboa on Padres Prospects
  • Burke puts name on prospect map

Former Wizards Pitcher, Josh Geer made his Major League Debut tonight. He became the 71st Wizards player to reach the MLB level one night after another former Wizard, Will Venable became the 70th. Venable was also in tonight’s lineup, as was former Wizard Chase Headley.

Geer pitched 5 innings. He gave up two runs on five hits and walked three while striking out five. Thanks to some timely Friar’s offense, it was enough to garner his first MLB win.

“That’s special, to go out and win your first start,” said Padres catcher [and fellow former Wizard] Nick Hundley after the 9-4 win at Petco Park.

Geer, a 25-year-old promoted from Triple-A on Friday, escaped after the Rockies put runners on second base and third with none out in the first inning [source: SanDiegoOnline].

The right-hander was selected by the San Diego Padres in round three (98th overall) of the 2005 draft. He joined the Wizards for 5 games that year and collected a 1-1 record with a 4.25 ERA. He struck out 23 and walked nine in 29.2 innings pitched.

He spent about half of 2006 with the Wizards too. In 12 games, he went 6-2 with a 3.10 ERA while striking out 46 and walking 13 over 72.2 innings pitched. He also had one complete game.

After Fort Wayne, Geer quickly rose through the Padre’s ranks and had his best career year last season while at Double-A San Antonio where he went 16-6 with a 3.20 ERA. This year, he is 6-7 with a 4.08 ERA at Triple-A Portland.

Geer is the ninth Wizard to make his MLB debut this season. That number currently ranks second to 2002; which saw eleven former Wizards make their MLB debuts.

In the bottom of the second inning versus the Colorado Rockies, former Fort Wayne Wizard Will Venable launched a shot to deep right and landed a triple in his first Major League at-bat. He then promptly scored his first Major League run on a wild pitch. Not a bad way to make your MLB debut.

Venable grounded to second two innings later in his second at-bat. In the sixth, he grounded out to the pitcher and struck out in the eighth to go 1-4 on the night.

Former Wizards catcher, Nick Hundley also had a home run in the contest. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to get Hayhurst his first Major League win in his second career MLB start. He took the loss after giving up four runs over four innings.

“I was just in that ‘I can’t believe I’m here, this is great’ mode,” he said. “I got the first hit out of the way and it was great, but it was kind of surreal. I was really on auto-pilot. I was just there reacting and got a pitch to hit” [source: Marin Independant Journal]

Venable is the 70th former Wizard to reach the Major League level and the eighth to do so this season; Luke Carlin, Jared Wells, Eddie Bonine, Leo Rosales, Nick Hundley, Sean Kazmar and Dirk Hayhurst being the others in that respective order.

Venable was drafted out of Princeton in 2005 and spent 2006 with the Wizards. By all accounts, it was a very good year for him. He hit .313 with 11 home runs and 92 runs batted in. It was enough to garner the Wizards Most Valuable Player season award. With Portland on the season, he’s hit .292 with 26 doubles, four triples, 14 home runs and 58 RBIs.

Related Posts:

• Will Venable Continues to Develop
• Wizards’ Venable Featured at DailyPrincetonian.com

Looks like Will Venable will become the 70th former Wizards player to make his MLB debut. He is in the starting lineup for the Padres tonight against the Colorado Rockies after having his contract purchased along with fellow former Wizard, Josh Geer. Tonight’s lineup features four former Wizards as Dirk Hayhurst makes his second MLB start.

Geer will start tomorrow’s game for the Padres and be the 71st former Wizard to debut.

Also on Saturday, former Wizard, David Pauley is expected to pitch for the Red Sox in a spot start. This will be his third Major League stint with the BoSox. Hopefully he’ll fare better this time around. More an all these players to come.

Tonight was the last game we’ll ever see the Fort Wayne Wizards take the home field in Fort Wayne. It was also likely the last professional baseball game we’ll ever see played in Memorial Stadium; which is slated to be demolished in 2009 shortly after the yet-to-be-named Fort Wayne team takes the field for the inaugural season at the ballpark at Harrison Square.

The stadium first fielded Wizards in 1993 as an affiliate of the Minnesota Twins organization. Future Twins, such as Torii Hunter, LaTroy Hawkins, Matt Lawton, Luis Rivas and Michael Cuddyer broke in their gloves while playing in the Summit City. In 1999, the Wizards became affiliates of the San Diego Padres. Since that time, future Friars like Sean Burroughs, Jake Peavy, Josh Barfield, Chase Headley and others kicked up dirt at Memorial Stadium. To date, 69 former Wizards players have made it to the Major Leagues – with many others sure to follow. And, for you trivia fans out there, here’s some:

• The last out in Memorial Stadium history was made by Danny Payne at 10:03PM Eastern.
• Former Norwell High School standout and Silverhawks prospect, Jarrod Parker dominated the Wizards through five innings of one hit ball. The Wizards offense came alive immediately after his departure . . . too bad they were already down 17 to 0.
• The last game at Memorial Stadium took place the same night that Major League Baseball first instituted instant replay availability.
• Dinger the Dragon faced off against former Wizard’ mascot, Wayne the Wizard in the Mascot Race. You would think one would finally win. Nope. They tied and therefore they both lost. Amazing.
• Olympian Gold Medalist, Lloy Ball threw out the ceremonial first pitch.
• My family came home with eleven softy balls, one Memorial Stadium replica and two bags of free potato chips.

And now, there is little else to do but turn our attention to the Major Leagues as the playoff races take shape. By early September, we may know the new name of the team and quite possibly have the opportunity to purchase (or receive) the new branded merchandise by the holiday season. And who knows, maybe I’ll publish another book during Spring Training! These are all some small milestones to help us endure another winter where following the Arizona Fall League just doesn’t quite cut it.

Oh, and there’s always this little vignette for Memorial Stadium that I put together. I’ll post a photo gallery tomorrow night.

It’s been a wonderful year. Thank you to the Wizards for keeping us entertained and providing me with the opportunity to take batting practice at Memorial Stadium, view an occasional game from the best seats in the house and so much more. To all those I have met and met up with at the Castle, I hope to see you downtown next season. I’m already looking forward to helping kick off a new era in Fort Wayne baseball history on Opening Day at Harrison Square.

Note: the music that accompanies the vignette is “The Last Song” by Thousand Foot Krutch. It’s a hidden track on their cd, “The Flame in All of Us” on Tooth and Nail Records.

Scott Hairston was putting together his best season Major League season, so it is unfortunate that it will come to an early end due to a torn thumb ligament that was suffered Wednesday during the outfielder’s diving attempt at a play. He could have surgery as soon Friday to repair the torn ulnar collateral ligament.

Former Wizard and a personal favorite here at BBIFW, outfielder Will Venable will more than likely will be promoted from Triple-A Portland to replace Hairston’s spot on the roster, General Manager Kevin Towers said.

Venable was scratched from the lineup Thursday night in Portland, a sign which is solid sign that he’s in store for a promotion. The the former Princeton baseball and basketball star could join the Padres before Friday night’s game against the Colorado Rockies.

UPDATE: MadFriars is reporting that right-hander, Josh Geer will also likely debut this weekend for San Diego:

After winning the Texas League Pitcher of the Year last season with Double-A San Antonio, Josh Geer has gone 8-9 with a 4.54 ERA across 28 games, including 27 starts, for Triple-A Portland. The right-hander has logged 166.2 innings, giving up 187 hits and 45 walks while striking out 107 . . . Geer is expected to start on Saturday and the announcement of the move could wait until then

So now the race is on to see which will be number 70 and 71!

• Fort Wayne Wizards say goodbye to Memorial Stadium (Chicago Tribue) (WLFI/Associated Press) (The Munster Times)
• Finale gets hometown touch: Parker faces Wizards at Memorial Stadium (Journal Gazette)
• Memorial Stadium, 1993-2009? (Journal Gazette)
• Big Send-Off For Memorial Stadium (Indiana’s News Center)
• Parker’s in Finale (News Sentinel)
• Final Game at the Slab Tonight (What’s Going Down(town))
• Charly Butcher Weighs in on Memorial Stadium’s Final Night [video] (Indiana’s News Center)
• Norwell Grad Parker Winds Down First Professional Season [video] (Dean Pantazi – Indiana’s News Center)
• Goodbye to All That (Rattler Radio)
• Goodbye to Memorial Stadium (Leeper, Sarvay, Pantazi, Olsen, Clabaugh -Indiana’s News Center)
• Goodbye “Castle” (Cathy Dee)
• Last Ballgame at Fort Wayne’s Memorial Stadium (AP/The Munster Times)

I’ll add others as I find them and have the time. If you find any, please comment. Check back late tonight. I’m planning on regapping the game with photos and video.

As the ballpark at Harrison Square has been debated and discussed, there was much talk of looking to other cities, such as Dayton and Louisville for inspiration, ideas and lessons learned. I had even heard – and often suggested – that the developers look to Toledo for the same reasons.

Having visited there in 2006 for the Triple-A All-Star Game, I saw a great facility that had little to surround it. While it was not as bad as Detroit, where you walk out of a beautiful stadium and suddenly feel like you’ve been dropped into a scene from The Road Warrior or Mad Max, Toledo bored me. There was absolutely nothing to do near the park. Yet, you could tell they were on the upswing (or so I thought).

 

At the time, it seemed to me that Toledo was several steps ahead of Fort Wayne. However, Toledo Blade Staff Writer Matthew Eisen (wonder if there’s any relation to former Daisies player, Tibby Eisen), posits that Toledo may look to Fort Wayne for inspiration.

In Fort Wayne, Ind. — a city with a metro population equal to Toledo’s, just short of 600,000 — a comprehensive plan released in 2002 provided the blueprints for 76 downtown projects.

Sharon Feasel, a redevelopment specialist for Fort Wayne, said the city has completed nearly 50 percent of those objectives, including expansion of its convention center and smaller initiatives such as the landscaping of city center medians.

The second-largest city in Indiana is in the middle of building a new ballpark for its Class A minor league baseball team, the Fort Wayne Wizards, in the Harrison Square area downtown. The project includes a Marriott hotel and 60 new condominiums.

“We set about the process of thinking about all of the complexities of downtown,” she said. “Downtown, everyone has to do everything together, and you have to mix all uses, all races, all incomes, mix all everything.

“We just literally set about trying to promise that this wasn’t going to be a plan that sat on the shelf.”

Ms. Feasel said the plan has experienced so much success that Fort Wayne produced an update — Blueprint Plus — zeroing in on more specific parts of downtown, including the waterfront along the city’s own stretch of the Maumee River.

Eisen’s article bases a lot of Toledo’s current momentum on the tenets of an architectural movement that is collectively known as New Urbanism; which is a concept that “endorses the creation of heterogeneous neighborhoods with a variety of shops, offices, and accessible green space while encouraging public transportation and walking.”

During the years of 1950 to 2007, urban populations grew from 110 million to 275 million. During the same time frame, rural populations grew from 62 million to 63 million. Projections suggest that urban populations will to continue to ascend — increasing to 401 million by 2050. At the same time, rural populations are expected to fall to 44 million.

New Urbanism definitely has its advantages. Higher density creates lower energy costs. Working near employment reduces commutes, and further saves energy. Additionally, there is always a social outlet for those seeking it.

Naturally, this is a type of living environment that caters to young professionals. I’ve observed this fact many times over. Those who are for the HS project, are typically 30 and under. Those who are against it, are typically . . . well, older than that. (While I like comments, let me preempt potential backlash by observing that I did NOT say every 30 year-old loves the Harrison Square idea and everyone over 30 hates it). Chew on this for a minute:

The millennial generation — 78 million born from 1977 to 1996 — has started becoming a major part of the work force as baby boomers — 82 million born from 1946 to 1964 — begin to take a bow and pack up their desks. The group of fresh workers might be more apt to look for residences downtown if their jobs are already there . . .

With jobs generating activity during the day, and residents filling the void in the evenings, downtowns suddenly become more attractive to other businesses, much as they were 50 years ago when they served as the hub of industry.

Most urban planners agree revitalization then typically goes to entertainment — restaurants, nightclubs, theaters, sports venues — followed by retail, a far more fickle downtown staple, all on the heels of other developments to complete the city center package.

Eisen concludes his piece by stating that “[v]ery few cities in the country the size of Toledo have a ballpark, a convention center, a world-class art museum, a picturesque waterfront, and a budding arena to attract visitors and residents to the city.”

While he is correct, I look to Fort Wayne. Fort Wayne has all that, plus a phenomenal public library, the Embassy Theatre, the Botanical Conservatory, additional museums and plenty of dining options. Honestly, this is an opportunity that others have worked very hard to achieve, and one that can’t be passed up.

I guess Fort Wayne isn’t that far behind after all.