The blog now allows for anonymous comment. I’ll leave this function as long as I don’t start getting spammed.

This may be ‘hit and miss’, likely heavy on the ‘miss’ - trying to predict which players will be here in 2007.

Bobby Scales looks like a good bet to be in Ottawa - he’s listed as an infielder (second and third), but appears to have spent some time in the outfield as well.

Stats:

Ht: 6-0 Wt: 175
Position: IF, OF

Bats: B
Throws: R
Date of Birth: 10/4/1977
Birthplace: Roswell, GA
Experience: Prospect

Last year with SWB, he played in 105 games and had 357 at bats with 44 RBI and 7 HR. For the season he had a 291 average with an on base percentage of 369. See his lifetime stats here. Mr. Scales was invited to the Phillies spring training in 2006, but spent the majority of the season with SWB.

In his last year with the Portland Beavers of the Pacific Coast League, he was named the “2005 Community Player of the Year” for his “philanthropic efforts” during the season.

“I try to do what I can do to help out folks,” Scales said. “It’s the least we can do as players. I’ve been fortunate enough to have people help me and make a difference in my life. Portland was so good to me the last three seasons, and I think it’s very important to show we care about the community we play in, even if we don’t live there year-round.”

This season, Scales, who resides in Roswell, Ga., took part in all three of the Beavers’ youth baseball camps, stressing the fun of the game while passing along his considerable baseball knowledge to Portland-area kids during the popular camp program.

Additionally, Scales, a veteran of seven professional seasons in the San Diego Padres organization, made numerous appearances during the season and was a fixture at player autograph sessions and Kids Club activities at PGE Park over his three campaigns in Portland.

Read the entire article here.

Here’s an off-season journal he kept in 2005, his final season with the Beavers. It gives a little insight into this potential Lynx player.

And it will be lengthy - likely a series of posts on who the new Lynx players may be next year.

Stay tuned.

And it will be lengthy - likely a series of posts on who the new Lynx players may be next year.

Stay tuned.

I heard the news concerning the “imminent” change in affiliation while I was out riding this morning (aside: Man, I HATE intervals…). I made a mental note to run an online check of the news sources that I was certain the radio had relied on. Quick check of the Ottawa Sun turned up nothing, CBC online - nada. Found it in the Ottawa Citizen - the link is here, but I have no idea how long it will be good for.

I hesitated about posting about this story as I’ve pretty much decided I want to avoid doing what I’ve criticized the media for: speculating about the Lynx. However -

Lynx owner Ray Pecor has been in Europe for the past month and is expected to return to his Vermont home today.

He and general manager Kyle Bostwick will then get together with Arbuckle and Phillies minor-league operations director Steve Noworyta to hammer out the details.

“We are planning on making an affiliation change official within the week, and it looks like all signs point to Philadelphia,” Bostwick said.

I consider Kyle to be a reliable news source (reference: “However, given the media’s deplorable track record on the subject, I will put my faith in what Mr. Pecor and Mr. Bostwick have to say on the subject of the team’s future.” see the full post here. Wow. Quoting myself. The height of arrogance?)

Just a couple of comments:

1. Interesting that there’s no mention of Joseph Finley and Craig Stein, the new majority owners of the Lynx. I’m wondering if the terms of the ‘conditional sale’ leaves the control of the day to day operations in Mr. Pecor’s hands. Which leads to my second comment.

2. Memo to Lynx ownership: Leave the Ottawa front office staff intact/alone.

My 2 cents.

I heard the news concerning the “imminent” change in affiliation while I was out riding this morning (aside: Man, I HATE intervals…). I made a mental note to run an online check of the news sources that I was certain the radio had relied on. Quick check of the Ottawa Sun turned up nothing, CBC online - nada. Found it in the Ottawa Citizen - the link is here, but I have no idea how long it will be good for.

I hesitated about posting about this story as I’ve pretty much decided I want to avoid doing what I’ve criticized the media for: speculating about the Lynx. However -

Lynx owner Ray Pecor has been in Europe for the past month and is expected to return to his Vermont home today.

He and general manager Kyle Bostwick will then get together with Arbuckle and Phillies minor-league operations director Steve Noworyta to hammer out the details.

“We are planning on making an affiliation change official within the week, and it looks like all signs point to Philadelphia,” Bostwick said.

I consider Kyle to be a reliable news source (reference: “However, given the media’s deplorable track record on the subject, I will put my faith in what Mr. Pecor and Mr. Bostwick have to say on the subject of the team’s future.” see the full post here. Wow. Quoting myself. The height of arrogance?)

Just a couple of comments:

1. Interesting that there’s no mention of Joseph Finley and Craig Stein, the new majority owners of the Lynx. I’m wondering if the terms of the ‘conditional sale’ leaves the control of the day to day operations in Mr. Pecor’s hands. Which leads to my second comment.

2. Memo to Lynx ownership: Leave the Ottawa front office staff intact/alone.

My 2 cents.

First, let me welcome everyone who’s linked here from the Cat’s Pride website. I should also apologize to the people over there as I pilfered one of their images of Brian Burres without asking for their permission first. My apologies.

Second, the blog is now sufficiently long that some of the earlier posts are dropping into the archives section. To see all the posts, you have to go to the section on the right of the blog and click on ‘September’.

Finally, please feel free to leave any feedback, gripes, suggestions, complaints in the ‘comments’ section which follow every post.

I’m really happy that some of the ‘Cat’s Pride’ people are finding their way over here, but I realized that I might be coming off as a bit ‘preachy’; after all, who the heck am I and where have I been for the last few years? Valid questions, and I certainly admit (with regret) that I have shown up extremely late to the party. I gratefully acknowledge the work that the booster club has done for the last thirteen (?) years and look forward to joining you next season. I hope that nothing I’ve written appears disrespectful of your efforts with and for the team.

We went to a 67’s preseason game on Friday night and it confirmed a number of things for me. First, I really don’t enjoy the atmosphere in a hockey arena - being indoors, under bright lights with what seemed like incessant loud music, just doesn’t appeal to me. Second, and I realize this is blasphemy for a typical Canadian, I don’t really like hockey all that much. Hard to believe, I know. As kids, we were as immersed in the hockey culture as most, but we never played organized hockey. I attribute my affinity for baseball to both ‘nature’ and ‘nurture’; I’m half Japanese and adopted by American parents. We all know how crazy the Japanese are for baseball, matched only by the Americans in their love for the game. Third, the 67s organization, as good as it is, doesn’t present nearly as good a ‘game day’ experience as the Lynx. The highlight of the evening? Three kids got to participate in an on-ice promotion! Woo-freakin’-hoo! Sorry, I’m trying to keep this positive. There were also a few Subway sandwich tosses. Generally, I don’t bring Rebekah along because she just gets too restless - there isn’t enough going on, or things to do (besides walking the concourse) to hold her attention.

Zak admitted that he still liked baseball just a bit more than hockey. He enjoys going to 67s/Senators games, but if he had his choice, he’d prefer to watch the Jays/Lynx. That’s my boy.

I’m almost positive that I won’t get through this list right now; my mornings start at 3.30 during the week in order for me to get my training time in on the bike. Unfortunately, that cuts into ‘blogging’ time.

Best promotion

Tough one. Hallowe’en ranks up near the top, as does the night the Amazing Racers came to town.

Most memorable “I’ll just sit down and shut-up now” moment

Dave Trembley has been holding runners back all night. Finally, I can’t take it any more - “Come on, Dave - let ‘em run!!!” He does send the next runner, who proceeds to get gunned down. Mr. Trembley glances my way as he makes his way to the dugout. He’s not really looking at me - I thought. Then he caught my eye, and gave a quick little tip of the hat. Oooh boy. Thanks for coming out Carl!

Most memorable security moment

No brainer. DJ’s takedown of the idiot who decided he’d run the bases during the world record “Twist” night. Clean, quick, efficient (and hopefully painful for the moron).

Worst promotional moment

Also during the Hallowe’en night. Gary, of the Fun Crew, dressed as Hulk Hogan. In true Hulkamaniac fashion, he tears his shirt off and throws it into the crowd as he’s leaving the field between innings.

Oh.
Dear.
God.

Will no one think of the children?

Best fan moment

Durham is in town. Every time Delmon Young steps onto the field, there’s about six guys along the first base line chanting: “Throw your bat, throw your bat….”. For his final at bat, they finish up with: “We’re back tomorrow, we’re back tomorrow….” Classic. Their own third base coach was trying not to laugh.

To be continued….

UPDATE:

Zak’s proudest moment

At the autograph booth in late August. Eddie Rodriguez says to him: “Hey, I know you. You always throw by the bullpen. You’ve got a good arm.” Zak knows this is a guy who’s thrown in the majors. Could his day get any better after hearing that?

My proudest moment

Zak catches a ball tossed into the stands. He’s caught a bunch during the season. He turns, without prompting, and asks the kid sitting behind him if he wants the ball.

Most embarrasing moment

In the men’s room, with my daughter (Mom was working late), and a bunch of other guys. “Daddy? You got a tail!” Please don’t make me explain this one.

Thing I regretted most

Leaving my glove behind. Man. I still can’t believe no one turned it in.

Thing I’m most glad I did

Introduced my son to Kyle Bostwick during the rain delay on Sunday, September 3 (actually became a rainout). Full disclosure - I give most of the credit to Kyle (it’s okay - I have permission not to refer to him as Mr. Bostwick) for the Lynx surviving in Ottawa as long as they have.

Or what I referred to as “For the love of God, please don’t let Zak injure one of the players” day. “Jr. Lynx Day” was a little shorter, so I guess that’s why they went with that.

Anyway.

The first “Little League” day back in June (?) was rained out, so we missed that one. We went to it last year, and there were tons of kids. I was told Jr. Lynx day was different, and there wouldn’t be too many kids. On Little League day, it wasn’t uncommon to get only one turn to field, throw or run before a rotation to the next area. People were right - Zak was in a group with about ten other kids and he had lots of time with each player. His age group started with our second favorite catcher, Eli Whiteside. Mr. Whiteside was teaching them the finer points of baserunning. Good - I thought. I’m pretty sure he couldn’t hurt anyone while running, at least not seriously. I was immediately impressed with the amount of time Mr. W took with the kids to make sure that they understood, that they did it right. In fact, all of the players - Brian Burres, Brooks Badeaux, Howie Clark and Eli Whiteside were like that. I guess I figured that they wouldn’t take things too seriously - wrong again.

Here’s Mr. Whiteside, explaining to Zak how to take his “secondary” lead

Brooks Badeaux handled the infield fielding and footwork part of the clinic. What a really fun guy - does he ever stop smiling? Here he’s explaining the importance of that first cross-over step.

Talking to the group - just before Zak’s hand shot up. Mr. Badeaux was unfortunately subjected to one of Zak’s infamous multi-part five minute questions. “What if the ball goes to my right, and I’m left handed, but I’m right leg dominant, and there’s a runner on third with two outs, but we’ve got a big lead…..”

The following sequence were moments of sheer terror for me. Zak had no fear - he was just throwing to Brian Burres. I saw it as Zak throwing to “Baltimore prospect, we’ve got a lot of time and money tied up in this guy, good hard throwing left handed starter, might get called up” Brian Burres. Should be harmless right? He’s just a 9 year old kid - right? Wrong. You’ve obviously never been hit in the temple with one of his patented split finger, four seam, circle change tennis balls. Never take your eyes off a kid with a baseball in his hand. Unfortunately for Mr. Burres - there were about ten lethal weapons, er, kids, lined up like a firing squad about twenty feet away from him. The only thing missing was the blindfold, last cigarette and a priest reciting the 23rd Psalm.

Actually, Zakky looks pretty good here.

We moved on to the final area, fielding pop-flys with Howie Clark. Whoa. Can you say intense? This guy was serious. Seriously. The kids made the mistake of joking around while he was talking - once.

In the next photo, Zak (God love him), has put up his hand and is going to ask a question. Mr. Clark points at him, all business, appearing slightly annoyed: “Yes?”. Patented multi-part question (again). Answer: “Yes.” Smart man, Mr. Clark - I like him more already.

Getting the kids to shag fly balls that were over their heads.

Howie (Mr. Clark just doesn’t fit) was a lot of fun. The kids had to listen, but he kept them running and started really “playing” with them. After the announcement came that time was up, he conspiratorially encouraged them - “come on guys, let’s get one more run through”.

To do this ‘post’ justice, I’ll have to finish up later. Check back after lunch!

** UPDATE **

Howie and the other three Lynx players hung around after the official end of the clinic to sign autographs and talk with the parents and their kids. It occurred to me, that these guys had obviously volunteered to take time out of their Saturday to do this, which made their enthusiasm and serious approach to the clinic even more special. Zak had a great time, and learned a few things too - I know that he’d never even considered footwork before that afternoon.

I left the park, as I had many times this past season, shaking my head. What had I been thinking for the last few years? I should have been out here with Zak all the time…