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I’m still here…

Good evening,

Apologies for the infrequent posts lately. I’ve been busy attending to a few of the technical things. This hasn’t exactly been a two-day vacation at The Waffle House for me… although, it is worth noting that there is a Waffle House on every block in this town. Okay, not that many, but there are a lot. I’m from California so I don’t have a huge background with the establishment.

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A few things that have stood out thus far.

I feel that Matt Helm is playing a terrific third base thus far. He’s committed a couple errors – including one tonight – but what isn’t showing up on the stat sheet are the exceptional plays he’s made that have prevented extra-base hits and runs. The double-play he turned in the fourth inning tonight saved at least one runs, maybe two. While he has committed some errors, that comes with the territory at 3B. He takes pride in his defense and that is apparent.

Ender Inciarte is a great fit at the leadoff spot. Puts the ball in play, has good speed and draws walks. Not a huge strikeout guy either.

I think the bullpen will be a big time strength in due time. Lots of guys that were accustomed to taking the ball real late in games last season. We saw Seth Simmons today, we have not yet seen D.J. Johnson. Taylor Siemens looked very sharped yesterday.

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Check out the Visalia Silver Hawks Rawhide box score. Lots of familiar names.

Also check out the view from broadcast booth in Bowling Green. I’ve had to keep a lot of my pitch calls pretty ambiguous.

Let’s see if the Hawks can salvage a win tomorrow.

TL

 

 

Audio Problems

For those that experienced streaming problems today, I am pretty confident that they will be rectified come tomorrow. Internet streaming can be shaky at times. As I mentioned on the air, it is often difficult to tell when I am on or off. For those that sent e-mails, that was a big help.

So keep them coming to tlucian@silverhawks.com… even if it’s just to say hello. Anything to help me know that broadcast is operable.

While there weren’t a ton of highlights tonight, I’ve included a few below. Enjoy.

Inciarte Triple

Helm Defense

Helm 2B

Just download the file on WikiUpload. WordPress won’t let me insert MP3s … not for free at least.

4/5 Game Notes

For your own edification I’ve posted the game notes for tomorrow’s game against Bowling Green. Bus leaves South Bend at 7:30 a.m. Should get to Bowling Green around noon and then to the field a few hours after that. There will be a time change tomorrow as we angle our way back into the central time zone. Bowling Green is the southern most MWL affiliate and the furthest MWL team from South Bend.

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Broadcast information:

Pregame Show — 7:15 p.m. EST

First Pitch — 7:35 p.m. EST

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To check out the game notes, check the link below. Information is subject to change. These will usually be posted the afternoon of a game, but the first edition is a little different since I’ve had the luxury of being able to gradually compile the info over the last few weeks.

I pull the information from a variety of sources, so if you ever see an inconsistency or inaccuracy with information about a player you are related to or familiar with, please feel free to let me know. I’m striving to be as factual as possible.

South Bend @ Bowling Green 4/5/12

TL

Pitching probables

The players arrived in earnest today and with so many returning players everyone seemed very comfortable with each other and with South Bend. Not a total surprise, considering a good chunk of the team either played together in Missoula or South Bend last season. Needless to say, it was a good sign from a “team chemistry” standpoint.

The team got its uniforms and were introduced to the Hawks Front Office. After that they had batting practice followed by a simulated game. I have posted pictures of said game below.

A few of the pitchers who tossed in the simulated game were J.R. Bradley and Jesse Darrah — Jesse is slated to start the Monday home opener and Bradley has the Tuesday tilt vs. Fort Wayne. So pitching today keeps both of them on schedule. And that brings me to the topic at hand… the tentative pitching probables for this weekend. Is “tentative pitching probables” an oxymoron? Don’t think so… just redundant I think.

Thursday: RHP Archie Bradley

Friday: RHP Jeffrey Shields

Saturday: LHP John Pedrotty

Sunday: Off

Monday: RHP Jesse Darrah

Tuesday: RHP J.R. Bradley

Again, subject to change, and if it does … you will be the first to know.

A self-promotional programming note. Thursdays game — and all games for that matter — can be found here. I will also post a link in the blog. You can also click “Multimedia / Silver Hawks Broadcasts” on http://www.silverhawks.com. Whatever floats your boat, really.

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Veteran Bunch

Good morning,

Just two days away from baseball in Bowling Green. Real briefly here before I put the finishing touches on the media guide… This team is an older, veteran group of guys. This year’s opening day roster features just four players younger than 21 years old, it’s not unheard of to have around 20 players that young on any given roster. The Silver Hawks also return 10 players that have at one point or another worn a Silver Hawks uniform.

J.R. Bradley  /  Tyler Green  /  Kable Hogben  / Jeffrey Shields  /  Tyson Van Winkle  /  Niko Gallego  /  Matt Helm  /  Gerson Montilla  /  Bobby Stone  /  Ender Inciarte

So welcome back to those guys and to the newcomers as well. If you haven’t seen the roster you can refer to the post below. It should also be posted on the Web site at some point this morning.

Before I forget… Rock-Chalk-Champion– oh wait, nevermind.

TL

A Few More…

In anticipation of our own roster announcement, here are a few more MWL teams that have released rosters today. We mentioned, Dayton, Fort Wayne, Kane County and Lansing yesterday… West Michigan and Bowling Green joined the mix today.

To read more about the Hawks opponent Thursday — the Hot Rods — take a look at their roster … here.

The Hawks won’t see West Michigan until May, but you can take a look at their opening day roster … here.

Worth nothing, in Bowling Green you have a pair of former Western Kentucky Hilltoppers making the roster while in West Michigan you have the grandson of Al Kaline and the son of Tiger’s Manager Jim Leyland on the roster. Pitcher Nick Avila is the cousin of Tigers catcher Alex Avila and the nephew Tigers VP Al Avila.

The next time you hear from me, the roster will have been announced. A week from today, barring weather, three games will be in the books. A week from tomorrow is the home opener at The Cove.

Where is Alex Trebek when we need him? Maybe this will help.

 

Roster Update

Good evening,

As I’m sure you’re aware, the roster still hasn’t been announced. It could really happen at any minute over the next 24 hours. Players that have already been privately informed that they will be starting in South Bend are on their way.

Several team’s around the Midwest League have announced Opening Day Rosters. All teams are at the mercy of their respective parent clubs. So we are merely waiting on the Diamondbacks.

The Lansing Lugnuts (Toronto) have announced their opening day roster here.

Kane County (Kansas City)  announced theirs … here.

Fort Wayne (San Diego) released theirs … here.

Stay tuned for the Silver Hawks roster. The Diamondbacks are on the clock!

TL

Official Roster

For those wondering about when the roster will be posted, just know that the final minor league workout is tomorrow, March 31st. Players will be in town early next week. With those parameters in mind, it will probably either be tomorrow night or Sunday. Be sure to keep an eye on http://www.silverhawks.com along with any social media you utilize.

Once it’s announced, I’ll have a full breakdown in “The Cove” as well.

I can’t wait…

TL

Dbacks Prospect Watch: John Pedrotty

Today’s prospect includes yet another pitcher. I’m not discriminating… the Diamondbacks organization is chock-full of good up-and-coming arms. Left-hander John Pedrotty ranks No. 29 in BA and spent the 2011 season with the Yakima Bears in the Northwest League after getting drafted in the 13th Rd in June.

While there, he primarily started and appeared in 15 games (13 starts). He went 2-4 with a 3.04 ERA in 68 innings of work. He struck out 70 and walked just 29.

Pedrotty, at 6-4 220, does not have an overpowering stuff, but instead gets outs with good movement. His fastball sits 88-92 MPH with good sink… he also throws a change up, curve ball and slider.

Prior to pitching professionally, Pedrotty played college ball at Holy Cross (Mass.). BA has him pegged for South Bend in 2012.

Notes:

For those wondering, there will not be an exhibition game with Notre Dame this season. There will, however, be a media day, and that is next Tuesday.

My efforts to draft former Silver Hawk Miguel Montero onto my fantasy team were thwarted. I have no further comment.

I have also included a few photos. The real boring photo is of the new carpet in our office. I understand it’s a rather pointless photo to include for many, because the average reader doesn’t have a reference point or anything to compare it to. Heck, neither do I.

I took a shot of the scoreboard yesterday during Holy Cross vs. Judson.

The other one is a view from the soon-to-be home plate suite which will offer the “best view in the house.”

Enjoy,

TL

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