Roster thoughts

I earlier said I doubted Brian Bocock was en route to Norwich. I have to step away from that claim. Fresno placed Bocock in "extended spring training," which means he's either back with the Grizzlies or here by Friday.

This opens a slew of other moves. First, Jake Wald or Olmo Rosario are leaving here. If you want to count Rosario as an OF, than it's Wald who's on his way out of town. The problem then becomes five OFs, three spots and one of them (Eddy Martinez-Esteve) has to become you're every day DH. That also means that between Rosario, Ben Copeland, Antoan Richardson and Carlos Sosa, one is gone. Rosario may go up, but I think that's counter productive to everything the Giants seem to be doing.

Matthew Downs isn't coming, he was just added to Fresno's roster. If he was coming to Connecticut, he would have been added directly.

Romo to the Giants

No, this isn't a bad NFL trade. Sergio Romo, the Defenders closer has been promoted to San Francisco and has joined the Giants in Cleveland. To make rom for Romo, Vinnie Chulk has been designated for assignment.

Romo leaves Connecticut with a 1-3 mark and a 4.00 ERA. He had 11 saves in 24 appearances.

The absence of Romo creates one open space on the roster. The question now is who leaves with the arrival of Pablo Sandoval and Ben Snyder tomnorrow? Just one player or more?

All-Star voting

It's time for me to turn in my ballot. This is how it works: one player for each position, a DH, four pitchers, the two best pitchers on the Defenders and the team's three best position players.

1B: Nick Evans, Binghamton
2B: Steven Tolleson, New Britain
3B: Wes Hodges, Akron
SS: Jason Donald, Reading
C: Lou Marson, Reading
OF: Lou Montanez, Bowie
OF: Jeff Corsaletti, Portland
OF: Roger Bernadina, Harrisburg
DH: Mike Carp, Binghamton
P: Michael Bowden, Portland
P: Jason Jones, Trenton
P: Chris Tillman, Bowie
P: Randy Newsom, Akron
Defenders pitchers: Joey Martinez and Osiris Matos
Defenders position players: Olmo Rosario, Kyle Haines and Ben Copeland.

The newest Defenders is...

Third baseman Ryan Rohlinger. He joined the team today from San Jose. He hit .280 with 7 Homers and 46 RBIs.

What does this mean for Dave Maroul and Simon Klink? I think this means Maroul will be going to San Jose on Wednesday, since Klink can play first.

Sandoval is coming

Giants Director of Player Personnel Bobby Evans confirmed to me a few minutes ago that Pablo Sandoval will be in Norwich in a few days. There was some concern he would skip the California-Carolina League All-Star Game. But he will have the chance to play in the game first.

Martinez honored

Defenders RHP Joey Martinez was named the Eastern League's Pitcher of the Week today. Martinez blanked New Hampshire 9-0 last week with seven shutout innings, allowing just two hits and a walk over seven innings with four strikeouts.

Martinez is 4-5 with a 1.73 ERA this season. He's pitched 19 scoreless innings and hasn’t allowed an earned run since May 26.

A funny video

Jake Wald showed this to me today and I thought you would love to see this:

Chh-chh-changes

Change is-a coming to the Defenders, so says manager Bien Figueroa. His words were that by this time next week it will be a different team.

Maybe these are idle threats. Maybe the Giants are taking the lack of success here seriously.

What I can tell you is the first of any change comes Monday when Travis Ishikawa's roster spot is filled.

What I can also tell you is that a certain hot-hitting prospect appears to be coming this way by week's end. That's right, Pablo Sandoval, the catcher/first baseman will join the team. This is a major coup because originally the Giants had no desire to send him here.

There may be ball

The rain has stopped and the grounds crew is hard at work trying to get the field ready. The umnpires and managers walked through the field and seems no sign of a postponment.

I'll keep you updated.

Does this count as a sweep?

While today's game hasn't officially been ppd., there's no doubt in my mind it will be. With the Defenders having won the first two games against the Rock Cats, I guess we can call it a sweep.

The teams are sitting tight because there is some light breaking through and the radar images show a clearing. The problem is the warning track resembles a dirt pool.

It's too bad the weather isn't better; today was suposed to be cowbell day!

Goodbye Ishi!

Travis Ishikawa, the Defenders first baseman for most of the past three years was promoted to Triple-A Fresno. He is in transit, but I hope to speak with him before the weekend is out.

He hit .291 with 8 homers, 48 RBIs, 34 runs and 10 steals this season.

Good luck and congratulations to Travis.

Also, today is the last day with the Defenders for head grounds keeper Mike Cannistra. He is off to serve as the No. 2 groundsman with the New York Mets.

This and that

An update on Carlos Sosa: He was hit in left hand in Trenton and sustained a bruise, which has kept him out of action since then. He is considered day-to-day and may play this weekend against New Britain.

The other bit of info for you is that Eliezer Alfonzo is expected to remain with the Defenders through Saturday's game. From here he will head to Fresno on Sunday.

Catching up

Just got in a little bit a ago from the Padres-Yankees game in the Bronx. Nice of my boys to win when I'm in the stands. The last two times I've gone there, A-Rod homered, including No. 500 last August.

Anyhow, the big news today, or yesterday as it would be, is Eliezer Alfonzo rehabbing with the Defenders. Pardon the pun, considering the guy is serving a suspension for using an illegal substance earlier this year.

This is either a very funny way of Brian Sabean and the Giants throwing Norwich a bone (watch Alfonzo not be with the team this weekend) or a weak attempt to pacify the fan base, which would like to see in the event of injury, someone along the lines of Aaron Rowand.

According to my trusty Defenders media guide, this is the first Giant to "rehab" (again, sorry) with the Defenders.

Ishi

Check out my feature on Defenders first baseman Travis Ishikawa in today's paper. He discusses how faith helped him find himself on and off the field.

This counts as one of those interviews where there was so much I wanted to squeeze into the story, but there simply wasn't enough space. Ishikawa is a good guy and worth rooting for. He's really turned things around from his previous two years with the team.

A Giant record

The San Jose Giants, a Single-A affilliate of the San Francisco Giants, clinched its fourth-straight division title Saturday when it captured the California League's first-half championship. The four consecutive titles is the most in league history.

Rehab assignment

There's a player on minor league rehab assignment participating in today's game. Sorry folks, it's not for the Defenders. The Pittsburgh Pirates have sent outfielder Chris Duffy to the Altoona Curve. Duffy is leading off and playing centerfield.

"Celebrity" HR contest

On July 25, the Defenders will host their first anual "Connecticut Celebrity Homerun Derby" at 6:15 p.m.

Since Dodd Stadium is soooooo impossible to hit in, there will be temporary fences set up with points being awarded for non-home runs. There will be 10 contestants.

Among those expected to compete are:
Rich Cappola
Kevin Nathan
UConn football coach Randy Edsall
and
ME!!!

Don't laugh. Actually, go ahead, laugh.

An Eastern League first

Tomorrow's game between Connecticut and Altoona will feature a first by any Eastern League team, although it is one given little fanfare or publicity.

As part of its promotional events, the Defenders are celebrating Pride Night, welcoming the areas gay and lesbian community. I was a little surprised to learn after calling around to the league's other 11 teams that no one had done this before.

Team GM Charlie Dowd told me tonight that some or all advertising fails to reflect this promotion, hwever, a mistake on his part. But there is also no mention of Pride Night in tonight's in-game announcements.

"We're not social pioneers; we're just trying to market better," Dowd said.

It would have been nice if there had been greater plugging of the event, which oddly enough, is paired with the Army's birthday celebration at Dodd Stadium.

Rumors

Some affiliation chatter has been brought to my attention by highly reliable sources. I am told that with Atlanta leaving AAA Richmond after this season, that Detroit would move its Eastern League affiliate to Richmond (which would be free to join any league) and San Francisco would move to Erie.

My take on this: How about the Giants moving to Richmond to be closer to Augusta and out of Norwich, and the Tigers jump from Erie to Norwich.

Thoughts?

Leave comments here and vote in the poll on the right.

I'm baaaack!

Hello everyone! I hope the last week was as good for you as it was me.

While the Defenders are on the road today, they start a series with Trenton toting along the current Eastern League Player of the Week, Travis Ishikawa.

Last week he posted a .455 average with 3 homers, 5 doubles, 9 RBIs, 5 runs, 3 steals, 4 walks and an outrageous 1.091 slugging percentage. Those numbers have boosted his season totals into a very respectable, even all-star worthy, performance.

Ishikawa is batting .299 with 7 homers 14 doubles and 42 RBIs. Add to that 29 runs, 10 steals, 32 walks and a solid .471 slugging percentage.

because he's such a strong defender (no pun intended) and plays a position that is particularly weak in the Giants organization, it should only be a matter of time before he is promoted. In his third season with the Defenders, it looks as if Ishikawa is finally clicking.

One last note

Head grounds keeper Mike Cannistra will be leaving the team as soon as he can find a replacement. He is joining the New York Mets as their No. 2 grounds keeper. It has beena trying season for Mike. He put in the new playing surface, had his apartment burned down and now is leaving for the majors.

Hiatus

Guys,

I won't be on here for a week, as it is vacation time. It's a use it or lose deadline with the Mrs., so this was the only clear chance to get away. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to e-mail me as I may have a chance to respond.

See you all soon!

Much deserved credit

With the rain delays Saturday, I want to applaud the hard work of the Defenders staff, including play-by-play man Brian Irizary, who was soaked and dirty while still having to perform his radio duties.

What I want to know is, where was his partner Matt Martinez?

Just kidding, Matt. I know you do a great job.

Just a few things

First, if you stuck around for the second game Saturday and saw the heated exchange between Bien Figueroa and the home plate umpire, I'll let you know what that was about.

Figueroa said that the umpires knew when they lifted the tarp from the first delay that there was more rain 10 minutes away. He was upset that the tarp wasn't kept on until that patch of rain passed. As a result of the stop and start, Dave McKae couldn't come back out.

Second, I want to not that despite his struggles in the opener, I tip my cap to Simon Klink for willingly and openly talking about his base running errors. Its guys like Klink who don't hide that make me appreciate how much skill baseball requires. He's also a funny dude.

Lastly, I want to thank everyone who e-mailed me about my column earlier in the week. What I think some people read into my words were to not support the Defenders. That's not it. I hope every game is a sellout. These guys do play hard. Yes, there are some who complain, which we all do. But because they are public figures in our community they are scrutinized more. That's OK. But don't let any dislike for how the Giants have handled their relationship here keep you from supporting this team.

Tough game for Klink

In the fifth inning, Simon Klink led off with a double, but failed to tag up on a fly ball to the left-center wall. The next batter, Nestor Rojas, flew out to shallow center, but Klink took off around the bases and was doubled up to end the inning.

Then in the seventh, starter Joey Martinez allowed three unearned runs. Back-to-back errors by Dave Maroul at third and Klink at first, followed by a Josh Petersen RBI single put the Mets on the board.

Making Klink's game worse, he was called out on strikes to end the game.

Answers

Just a couple of quick answers to recent questions:

Derin McMains is not with the Dodgers, but is a coach within the Giants organization. His injuries became too much to overcome, but he is doing something that I think he always felt he would do.

Dave Machemer agreement when he was fired as Defenders manager was to be reassigned as a scout and have another year, this year, added on to his contract.

Stache and Hawk

Jake Wald and Derin McMains will be XM Satellite Radio's baseball channel tonight discussing their latest album.

I've heard half of the new CD and it's better than the first.

New role

After Sunday's game, Defenders skipper Bien Figueroa said that Dave McKae, who had normall served as a starter for the team over the past year, will primarily see action as a long reliever. Figueroa went on to say that McKae will still start on occassion, which includes one of the two games of a scheduled double header with Binghamton next Saturday.

Also check out Tuesday's Norwich Bulletin for my column on the state of the Defenders-Giants in Norwich.

Cutter's Birthday

Between Cutter, Tater, and the mascots from Bridgeport and New Britain being here at Dodd Stadium, Mascots outnumber fans.

I kid, but it's a sad state of affairs here when it's 72 and sunny.

Lineup changes

After tonight's game, a smiling Bien Figueroa said he will rest Travis Ishikawa after TI's four strikeout performance. He said Ishikawa was pressing and as a result, swinging at bad pitches.

Figueroa also wants to get more at bats for Kyle Haines and Olmo Rosario. He said it's tough to play both and hot-hitting Jake Wald because they are all middle infielders.

Bad reaction

I'm quickly becoming disillusioned with what's been happening at Dodd Stadium. Usually, my biggest beef isn't so much with the Defenders, but its parent club, the San Francisco Giants. Today, however, my gripe comes with something that doesn't originate outside of Dodd Stadium.

In the top of the seventh inning, a foul ball lined into the stands just beyond the visitors dugout and hit one of the visiting school kids. The crowd of 4,495 -- the largest of the season -- was almost all kids visiting as part of DARE Day.

So what happens? It takes minutes, not seconds for an usher or a medic to get down to the child. Thankfully, the child only needed some ice packs, but what if this was a more serious injury? How can the Defenders justify such a delayed reaction? And to make matters worse, when you are struggling to get people into the stands and something like this happens, it has to leave a bad taste in the mouths of some people.

It has with mine.

Movin' on up

I don't mean to sound critical, and this is meant more as a statement about the Giants organization than anything, but how does Travis Denker, who hit .184 with the Defenders, and .314 with Fresno in eight fewer games, get called up to the majors?

You know why? Because the Giants -- and the players in the organization discard what happens in Norwich. It's the biggest cop out ever. If it's so hard to hit at Dodd Stadium, how were the Navigators able to win an Eastern league championship?

It's this sort of reckless mentality that leads the Giants to skipping over Norwich with the few prospects they have.

I wish the best for Denker; he's a good guy. I just wish the Giants would leave town with their shallow logic.

This is nonsense

How can the Connecticut Defenders expect fans to want to come out to the ball game when they don't play "Take me out to the ball game" during the seventh inning stretch?

In all of my years of watching, listening and attending baseball games, this is the first time I have ever been at a game where the staple sing of ballparks across this country wasn't played. Why? To advertise future promotions. Guess what? You have 30 people here for Wednesday's game. Instead of trying the hard sell, how about trying to make the experience as enjoyable as possible.

I'll tell you what? The next time you go to the dentist, make sure your local DDS promotes his great root canal services during a cleaning.

Not playing "Take me out to the Ball game" is not avant garde. It's not even funny or someting no one will miss. It's as baseball as Cracker Jack, the pop of the ball hitting a glove and the crack of a bat.

Now, I fully expect that tomorrow's 10:30 a.m. game will be filled with kids and thus the song will be played. Let's just hope tonight is the last time we don't hear the song during the seventh inning stretch at Dodd Stadium.

Baseball memories

For the better part of the past two days, I have been cleaning out my closet in an effort to create more space around the house. Needless to say, my wife is excited about this. First, I cleared out a decade's worth of media guides -- mostly NBA. But I also took the time to edit my baseball card collection. I had done this once before, back in 2001. That was no fun. I was moving back to New York from Charlotte, N.C., and there simply was not enough room for everything.

I started collecting when I was 10. My father told me all the stories of how his mother threw away his cards, which he claimed would have been a small fortune back in 1985. I'm pretty certain that had something to do with why I never wanted to give up any card. Maybe I saw value in everything, but that's too much like watching where you walk so you don't accidentally step on an ant.

Anyhow, I would say I am well on my way to cutting my collection to half. And yes, there were times I had to stop and remind myself certain cards needed to be let go.

Before you ask, no, I'm not trashing the cards. Anything of actual (not my perceived) value either is or will be on eBay in the coming days. Whatever doesn't sell I will likely donate to someone.

At any rate, sifting through the thousands of cards made me think of so many baseball memories from my life. You know what I'm talking about. Did you ever have a card that brought back a game you watched or heard? Maybe a chance meeting with a player?

Since this is a Defenders blog, I need to tie things together...

I grabbed a handful of cards, which all turned out to be 50 or so rookie/prospect cards. Not one of them played a full season in the majors. I thought about all of the hype, yet coming up short of the Big League dream. I'm sure as baseball fans there are more than a few names and faces that come to mind when you think of what could have been, what might have been and where are they now.

Sure, for the Defenders playing baseball is a job. It is also childhood. That's what makes the game so great. It's not like computers in that five years later they are outdated. Baseball is baseball.

Enjoy watching these guys play. You don't know where they will be in five years or even tomorrow. One day you'll sit around and ask yourself, "What ever happened to ...?"

Another Defender in the Bigs

That would be pitcher Alex Hinshaw., who got the call today. I'm very happy for Alex. He's one of fhe guys I got to know well last season. He's funny and honest, which makes it tough to dislike the fella. This is probably going to be just a quick tatse unless he sparkles in the opportunities given to him. Either way, he's a deserving and I am sure everyone who saw him play here last season -- he was an All-Star -- before arm woes sidelined him for most of the second half, will agree.

It's been too long

Sorry I've been away for much of the past two weeks. What's worse is I haven't been given the opportunity to see the Defenders when they are at home. The one game I was assigned to last weekend was rained out. Even when they return don't be surprised if I'm not there for half that home stand. It's not my choice, just the way the cookie crumbles in these parts.

That being said, I am looking forward to the team returning home next week. An 8-3 mark in the month of May is certainly cause for optimism. The team brought its batting average up to .233, which is encouraging. I don't have the April-May split, but I promise you May must be in the .260 ball park. If you hit .260 all year and pitch the way the Defenders do, you have a chance to see postseason play. No, I'm not calling them contenders yet. Ask me at the All-Star break.

Kyle Haines is over .300, albeit in half the at-bats as Eddy Martinez-Esteve, who is also over .300. Honestly, I never thought I would say that, but I have to give the guy props. He's worked hard this season.

Despite not having the best judgment of the strikezone and the desire to hit a homer every time up, Carlos Sosa has had a few big games to really pick up his teammates. As has Travis Ishikawa, who is more interested in playing his way to triple-A than being unhappy that he's here again. The thing with Ishikawa is that if he continues to play the way he is, he'll get to the majors because his hitting has been OK, but his glove has been spectacular.

Dave Maroul is coming around, too. He's still hot and cold, but when he's been hot, he's as tough an out as there is in the Eastern League.

The pitching staff is still hands-down the best in the league. But because the Defenders are only two games over .500, no one will give them as much credit.

I challenge anyone to find a better bullpen than the Defenders. Even with Sergio Romo hurt right now (he's been the best closer in the league) the relievers haven't missed a beat. Osiris Matos, Jason Waddell and Steve Palazzollo have shined.

The rotation lost Brooks McNiven to Triple-A, but Joey Martinez has looked downright unhittable at times. Adam Cowart has been equally impressive. He's a crafty and resilient pitcher who does exactly that, pitch.

If these guys can keep it together on both sides (maybe with a bit of a boost to the offense), maybe this will turn out to be the best season Dodd Stadium has hosted in a quite some time.

Can the rain stop the Defenders?

Your Connecticut Defenders are back home after a successful road trip. While they were away, the team's bats came to life (GASP!) and everyone seemed to be getting in on the act. Whenever this team has gotten hot at the plate I've wanted to urge caution -- even last season with John Bowker, Tyler Von Schell, Randy Ruiz and Eugenio Velez -- the bottom finds a way to drop out in these parts.

This time, I look at two points: the team the Defenders most recently beat up on and how they were scoring runs.

Skipping over Binghamton, who will be in town this weekend because they are not that good, Connecticut took 3-of-4 from Harrisburg, which entered the series with the best record in the Eastern League. They now have the second-best record.

The Defenders have been scoring runs in every fashion, on every type of hit, or with sac flies, bases-loaded walks, etc. They are also not scoring just two runs a game. After plating 33 runs in the last two games against the B-Mets, I am sure the last team Binghamton wants to see right now is the Defenders.

All of that said, I wouldn't be shocked if tonight's game gets the ppd. slapped on it. That also means because if the forecast of showers today, don't expect more than 100 people max with an announced attendance of 2,138 for Fireworks Night.

First Defender honored in '08

Ben Copeland brought home the Eastern league's Player of the Week award, it was announced today.

Copeland hit .480 for the week, with three doubles, two homers and a triple. He drove in six, scored 11 runs, stole a base and walked twice. His slugging percentage was .920.

Over the six games played last week, Copeland raised his average 77 points to .253.

Welcome back, Wald

Jake Wald is back with the Defenders. He wasn't having the best of luck with Fresno, but it was a much-deserved opportunity at Triple-A. I don't expect Jake to be the happiest guy in the world to be back here, but he will get regular at-bats and provide a sure-handed defender in the middle of the infield.

Just as important is that Jake is a good guy and will be able to help the much younger guys learn a thing or two about how to carry yourself.

Also, if you haven't heard of Hawk and Stache, the musical duo comprised of Wald and Derrin McMains, do so ASAP.

What was that?

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the Defenders won, 19-5, over the B-Mets. I joked it was the sum total of runs scored in the last month, but truth is they scored 19 runs in a game!

Where has this been? Was it because of bad pitching or great hitting? Either way, if the Defenders can score a third of those runs on a nightly basis, they will win their division. But let's not get too far ahead of ourselves. Baby steps, my friends.

Inside the numbers

How bad has the Defenders' hitting been this season?

Here is a list of the worst batting averages in minor league baseball and the teams' records:

Burlington (Midwest League, Low A) .211, 11-14.
Great Lakes (Miderst League, Low A) .214, 11-15.
Connecticut (Eastern League, Double A) .215, 12-14.
Lehigh Valley (International League, Triple A) .216, 4-24.
Mississippi (Southern League, Double A) .218, 7-20.

Fundraising update

The Defenders and their fans stepped up in a big way last night raising a total of $2,909.78 to benefit the residents of the Peachtree Apartments, which were burned down in a fire last weekend.
“We are grateful to Lou DiBella and the entire Defenders ownership group for allowing us to do this event. Their focus on the community enables our staff to reach out when our community is in need,” Defenders General Manager Charlie Dowd said in a a statement. “Even more so, we are grateful to our fans as they showed up in force to help. We are overwhelmed with the amount of support that they have shown.”

Looking back

Last night's defensive display made look to see what was the team record for errors in a game. It happened nearly three years to the day, as the Norwich Navigators committed six errors in a 12-11 win in 10 innings at Trenton on April 28, 2005.

The Navigators needed six runs in the eighth inning to pull even. Jeremy Accardo picked up the win and Billy Sadler notched his first save of the season.

Trenton's Melky Cabrera was 5-for-6 with three runs scored. Fred Lewis and Tyler Von Schell both went 3-for-5 with three runs for Norwich. Anthony Labarbera had two hits and five RBIs, including a bases-load walk in the final frame to force in the winning run.

As a side note, the Defenders have more wins (2) against Trenton this season than all of last season (1).

Helping out

Please come out to tomorrow's Defenders game. All but $2 of every ticket sold will be donated to the Norwich Red Cross Family Fund to help those displaced by the fire at the Peachtree Apartments early Saturday morning.

I know three people who lost their homes, including Defenders groundskeeper Mike Cannistra. Come out and be part of the community effort to help the 160-plus people in need.

Moves

Brooks McNiven and Dayton Buller were called up to Triple-A Fresno today. The Grizzlies are in dire need of arms after injuries and Barry Zito's awful pitching has created a trickle down need for arms.

Buller's call-up was needed after former Defender Eliezer Alfonzo was suspended 50-games for using a performance-enhancing substance. Alfonzo is on San Francisco's 40-man roster and there is no word as to who will be the backup catcher here.

Olmo Rosario

I was recently asked about Rosario, and what role he plays in the Giants organization. Truth is, I don't think they know for sure. This is a kid who came over from the Indy leagues and they like what he can do with the stick but expect a lot of bumps along the way. He's flashed some nice leather but has gotten a bit crossed on the routine plays. If I had to guess, they'll move him around a little between both middle infield spots and in the outfield to utilize his speed.

That's something he has plenty of, speed. He's no Eugenio Velez, but the guy could steal 20 bases if he gets on regularly.

Maybe I'm missing something...

But with Adam Witter being intentionally walked in the bottom of the ninth, how much sense did it make to pinch run for the trail runner AND potentially lose your best power bat/catcher if the game went into extra innings?

Of course, it doesn't matter now because Bien Figueroa looks like a genius since he pinch hit Olmo Rosario for Carlos Sosa and it worked out perfectly.

Rotating door

Guess who's back from extended spring training? Justin Hedrick and Trey Webb. Guess who's gone -- for now? Daryl Maday and yesterday's starter Garrett Broshuis. Broshuis will be back this weekend when the teams heads to New Hampshire.

Also, a couple names worth noting: One is Jeff Nettles, as Greg mentioned in a previous post, and th eother is former Mariners and White Sox catcher Ben Davis. Also, Michael Garciaparra, the younger brother of "Nomah," is with Bowie but on the DL.

43

No, that's not some tribute to a former Defender/Navigator. That's how long the game was delayed because of lighting malfunctions, most notably the towers in the right-center and left-center field areas.

Everything is up and running, so hopefully it stays that way and there are no further delays tonight forward.

Throwback unis

If you attended tonight's game or had the chance to see some photos, be sure to check out Reading's uniforms. They are straight out of the 1970s and 1980s Philadelphia Phillies uniforms. I'm waiting for Mike Schmidt and Lara Bowa to take the field.

Roster move

It looks like Trey Webb is heading to extended spring training. Whether this is due to injury or just a case of the team needing to make a move to get another pitcher after last night's marathon remains to be seen.

My Opening Day

Granted, I am about two weeks behind schedule, but for all intents and purposes, today is my Opening Day. From the last day of the 2007 season, I began looking forward to the first game at Dodd Stadium in 2008. Prior commitments kept me away until today, and I am giddy to be back at the stadium.

The weather is nice and the team has been competitive thus far. The slew of one-run losses tells you the Defenders are close to putting everything together. This is the minors, so they get the luxury of working on things.

It was good getting back into the swing of things, chatting with GM Charlie Dowd or catching with the gang in the pressbox or shooting the breeze with Simon Klink and Trey Webb.

Hopefully you, the fan, will have as much fun this season as I have covering this team.

New addition

A minor league season is always filled with its fair share of comings and goings, and today is no different. The Defenders added pitcher Daryl Maday from Augusta. The righty reliever was 1-1 with a 2.13 in five games (12.2 innings) at Single-A Augusta.

No word just yet as to who he is replacing. I'll have that for you by first pitch.

Way to go, John

John Bowker, who had an all-star season a year ago with the Defenders, has been called up to San Francisco. The guy is one of the nicest guys I have come across in my time covering the team, he is a great teammate by all accounts and is a heck of a ball player. Bowker is one of the few outfielders in the organization who has power. I don't suspect he will be a 30 home run kind of guy in the Bigs, but he could one day be a .300 hitter because he hits to all fields and may clobber 20-25. That's not to say he won't do better, but I think .300 and 20 homers a year wouldn't bother the guy too much.

I suspect the Giants won't waste time getting him into the middle of the lineup, probably in the six spot to start.

New addition

The Defenders have added infielder Kyle Haines from extended Spring Training. Haines was a first-round pick in 2004. Last season with San Jose, he hit .250 in 60 games with three homers, 17 RBIs and six steals.

2008 roster announced

It's make or break of TI and EME. Here is the team's release:

The Connecticut Defenders released their Opening Day roster today, which features a mix of young prospects and savvy veterans. The roster includes several big league camp invitees and a myriad of players with promising potential.

Osiris Matos re-joins the Defenders’ bullpen for the 2008 season after posting an impressive 5-0 record in Connecticut coupled with a stingy 2.89 ERA in 35 appearances. Kelvin Pichardo also comes back to Connecticut in 2008 after putting together a remarkable 2007 season, splitting his time between High-A San Jose and Connecticut. Pichardo struck out 87 in just 67 innings of work in 2007.

Making his 2008 debut in Connecticut is newly acquired second baseman Travis Denker who spent his 2007 in the California League first with the Inland Empire 66ers (Dodgers), then with the San Jose Giants. Denker’s .400 (10-for-25) average in seven games with the High-A Giants earned him a spot with the big league camp in 2008. Denker’s teammate in San Jose, outfielder Ben Copeland comes to Connecticut for the first time in his career in 2008. Copeland’s plate discipline and patience was well recorded in 2007 as he walked a team-high 70 times.

Fourteen 2008 Defenders’ spent time on the 2007 roster and will return to Norwich to improve their skills. They include utility infielder Mark Minicozzi, hot corner glove Simon Klink, backstopper Dayton Buller, middle infielder Trey Webb, outfield gunners Eddy Martinez-Esteve and Carlos Sosa and first base slugger Travis Ishikawa who made his Major League debut in 2006 where he hit .292 (7-for-24) in twelve games of action in San Francisco.

Also returning to the “Rose of New England” are right handed starter Dave McKae, spot starter and bullpen specialist Ryan Sadowski, wiry Canadian Brooks McNiven, composed starter Garret Broshuis and April 2007 Giants Player of the Month Justin Hedrick whose 2.14 ERA was among the best in the Eastern League in 2007.

Newcomers to Connecticut include power hitting catcher Adam Witter, Antoan Richardson who is regarded as the best outfield arm in the system, Olmo Rosario who spent 2007 winning a batting title in the Canadian-American Independent League, 2005 College World Series standout third baseman Dave Maroul, and slick-fielding catcher Barry Gunther who spanned from the Rookie Arizona League all the way to Triple-A Fresno in 2007.

New pitchers coming to Connecticut include left-handed veteran Jason Waddell, Augusta GreenJacket ace Adam Cowart who put together a 14-7 record in 2007, right-handed starter Joey Martinez, Missouri-native Ronnie Ray, Sergio Romo, whose 1.36 ERA anchored San Jose’s bullpen and the massive 6’10” righty Steve Palazzolo.

Non-roster invitees announced.

Former Defenders Steve Holm and Brian Horwitz, as well as former Binghamton Met Bret Harper, have been invited to Spring Training.

Good luck to them.

I do want to comment on Harper. His addition to the organization seems to be a continuation of the the Giants signing players who have been more of the career-minor league type (see Randy Ruiz). It wouldn't shock me if Harper is one of the Defenders outfielders this season.

Speaking of Ruiz, he is going to be in Twins camp.

New skipper

If you haven't read it on NorwichBulletin.com yet, be sure to check out the story of the Defenders' new manager.

The team announced Thursday that Bien Figueroa will be the 10th manager in franchise history. He comes to the Defenders and their parent organization, the San Francisco Giants, after serving as the bench coach for the Bowie BaySox in 2007.

Figueroa will be joined by pitching coach Bob Stanley, hitting coach Victor Torres and trainer Dustin Luepker.

Rule 5 update

Former Defender Joe Bateman was selected by Milwaukee in the Triple-A phase of the Rule 5 draft. One other Giants prospect, LHP Travis Blackley was selected by Philadelphia in the major league phase.

The Giants selected Jose Capellan from the Red Sox in the major league phase and SS Juan Ciriaco from the Padres in the Triple-A phase.

As for Bateman, he showed signs of having big-league stuff especially once he regained his comfort level after returning from an arm injury in spring training. Good luck to him.

And just an amusing note, Ray Liotta (not from Field of Dreams) was selected by Kansas City in the Triple-A phase.

The end of the season

Sad that it came so soon. How great would it have been to have played another week or so? I can't say it enough, this team was far better than its previous version and despite that, the record doesn't show that.

I was impressed by a few guys and there were those who frustrated the life out of any baseball fan watching.

I don't know if what we witnessed the final two weeks is a true sign of who they were because there wasn't anything tangible on the line. Pride, however is a great motivator.

Seeing Eugenio Velez make it to the majors last week told me a few things: 1) the Giants don't view him as a player who can make a major impact. What does he do that Rajai Davis can't? He may be faster but Davis is a better fielder and hitter. 2) the Giants aren't going to rush anyone they feel has long-term potential and start their clocks towards arbitration.

The two guys who I expect to see in the bigs are John Bowker and Nick Pereira. They share different personalities but both seem equipped to succeed. Bowker's numbers say it all and he should spend all of next season in Triple-A unless injuries force his promotion. Plus, with a few other deserving guys in Fresno, there shouldn't be a rush.

Pereira's numbers were misleading. He was in the top 10 in many stats, but doesn't get the credit he deserves. Talking to him during the last homestand, he expressed to me how he's learning to not try to strikeout everyone -- to pitch. He's grown up a lot this season.

There were a few pitchers who should reach the majors at some point and in various capacities: Joe Bateman, Osiris Matos, Brian Anderson and Geno Espineli stand out. I suspect that if Dave McKae and Brooks McNiven become more consistent, they will be there as well. I like Kelvin Pichardo's arm but he losses the strike zone easily.

Steve Holm may make it as a backup or as a starter for a year or two. He's one of the most level-headed guys in the clubhouse and a stand up teammate. He's never ran excuses for anyone or anything and is underestimated defensively. Of course, his bat was what we all noticed.

Simon Klink showed singns of promise, but is this close on defense from being a top fielder and his at-bats were MUCH better after the all-star break.

I think Carlos Sosa proved clutch at many times this season and should be back next year. My gut feeling is he, Jake Wald, Trey Webb, Pat Dobson, Dayton Buller, Alex Hinshaw, Justin Hedrick, McNiven and McKae are back here next season. Honestly, I hope Garrett Broshuis is not. He's one of my favorite guys to talk to. He's a great teammate and can discuss anything under the sun. He fell victim to poor run support and shouldn't be blamed for the bad record. His stuff isn't as good as everyone else, but he's a thinking man's pitcher.

The All-Star Game was about as fitting as anything related to the team. There's the struggle to sell seats, a late surge and then the fog wipes out the game. Personally, game or not, I enjoyed being around Dodd Stadium for those two days and feel what the Defenders did was nothing short of great.

Now, if there were more fans throughout the season. It sucked, to be blunt. I don't want this team to leave but am worried it will. I'm tired of the excuses about it not being a Sox, Yanks or Mets affiliate. That's nonsense. If people wanted to see those teams, why did attendance stink against Portland, Trenton and Binghamton? I agree, however, that the Giants have to go. I haven't been given the impression that they care about what happens and would rather keep players away from here than have them play at Dodd.

This should be a good start for us to chat....let me your thoughts.

And guys, thanks for the input and conversation -- it's been fun.

Classifieds

As the season winds down, many of the players pack up as much as they can before returning home for the offseason. One thing catcher Steve Holm is hoping to leave behind is his car. He has a 1997 Nissan Pathfinder with 165,000 miles and is asking $4,999 or best offer.

Last chance

Sorry it's been a while -- I was out of town. Now that I am back, let's discuss the start of the final home stand of the season.

What is amazing -- record aside -- is how fast the season has gone by. With the all-star game more than halfway into the season, the "second half" flies by rapidly.

Anyhow, back to business...there's a double header Tuesday and five good games should be expected. We all know the crowds have been less-than-desirable, but here's hoping that baseball fans come out in full force this week to cheer on the Defenders.

Look, you may not like how they've played, but they have played hard so let them know you appreciate them and the value of minor league baseball.

Hardest time

“By far, not even close. Part of it is because I feel like I’m not only worrying about making sure that I’m prepared and that the team’s prepared, I’m worried about individual psyches, where they’re at and where they’re going. That’s a non-stop job.”

-- Manager Shane Turner on the nine-game losing streak being the toughest experience as a player or manager.

Holm on DL

Catcher Steve Holm was placed on the disabled after a mishap in the team’s indoor batting cage Tuesday. While playing catch with Dayton Buller, Holm jumped to make a catch and rolled his ankle when he landed. Replacing Holm on the roster is Todd Jennings, who has spent parts of the last two seasons with the Defenders. Jennings and Buller will share the catching duties.

Fun comment

from Trenton's Noah Hall:

"No, I think with hitters, there are just teams that sometimes you're just comfortable against them for one reason or another. Although like (Joe) Bateman, I hate facing that guy, you know? That's a guy that's really tough for me. He's just tough. It's not always just the team, but some teams, for some reason or another, you're just more confident and you happen to get more hits. That's all it is."

ARGH!!!!

Another game blown in the ninth inning. It gets pretty frustrating even when there are two weeks plus left to the season.

RIP Phil Rizzuto

I never got to see him play. That is, outside of video highlights from his World Series games. But I am part of the last generation to experience "The Scooter" in the broadcast booth.

My childhood is filled with memories of watching Rizzuto and Bill White discussing cannoli and calling people Huckleberry in between pitches.

His passing is such a great loss. It's safe to say we'll miss Phil.

Here's one last "Holy Cow" just for you!

Re: Sunday's article

I want clear something up before I say anything else: the team is not leaving after this season. The reality is they are here at least through next season and very likely in 2009 (possibly as a lame duck).

That said, I couldn't agree more with the responses posted below. There are multiple parties to blame for what's happening here. The only factor which is exempt of blame is that the market size is small. But, it was big enough when it was a Yankees affiliate. Did the novelty wear off? I'm beginning to believe so.

Those who decided to put the stadium in a business park should be ashamed of themselves for the short-sighted thinking and for essentially condemning the team to Siberia.

Not having local ownership has hurt the team, but I'm not convinced that it has been that big of a factor.

What bothers me the most is that the staff in place this year has done a fantastic job and those who have decided to turn away from the team for whatever reason are missing out on a fun experience irregardless of what happens on the field.

As for on the field, I am sick and tired of hearing people tell me that the Defenders front office (i.e. GM Charlie Dowd) doesn't put good enough players on the field. HELLO!!!! Dowd and the Defenders aren't responsible for providing players. That distinction belongs to the San Francisco Giants, who have done about as poor of a job as possible.

The best player in recent memory skips Norwich entirely, there are no every day position players on the big league team and don't provide the attractive rehab assignments. Look, the best position player the Giants have had here is John Bowker and no one knew what we were in store this year until two months had passed.

The hope here is that things somehow turn around before its too late.

Check out Sunday's Bulletin

I provide an analysis of what the future may hold for the Connecticut Defenders. Hopefully it will spark debate, conversation and maybe even action towards keeping the team in place.

Just when ou thought it was safe

The Defenders blow a late-inning lead and lose tto Erie Saturday night. The usually reliable bullpen faltered as Kelvin Pichardo and Billy Sadler gave up home runs in the bottom of the eighth. The Defenders scored once in the ninth -- on a Tyler Von Schell homer -- to get within a run, but that was all they could do.

Nice win

Wednesday's win is exactly the kind of win the Defenders would have usually let slip away. They took an early lead, allowed Akron to tie the game, but instead of faltering in extras, they hung in there to pull out the win on Simon Klink's home run.

Maybe even more impressive is that it was at Akron, a place the Defenders had only won once since changing affiliations.

Back at it

Sorry I was gone for a few days so there weren't any updates. The Defenders, however, are back on the road after a solid series with Erie. The D-Men are out in Akron, Ohio to take on the Aeros, who showed last week that they are a good team and don't need to be flashy, either.

If the Defenders learned anything they can take into this set it is that the team cannot afford to give away games with mistakes. Connecticut can't allow letting tr=he routine plays slide so Akron can extend an inning. There seemed to be one inning in each game that ultimately doomed them. If the Defenders cab avoid this again, they may win a game or three.

Ouch

That's the feeling watching this game. The Defenders looked lifeless as the Aeros scored five runs in the fifth inning.

Manager Shane Turner wants to see his team rise above challenges on the field but the message seems to have fallen on deaf ears. Let's give Akron starter Chuck Lofgren cedit, but the Defenders have just looked bad tonight.

At one point, I felt as if I went back in time to April or May before realizing it was never this warm during those months.

Welcome back

to Billy Sadler, who was sent to the Defenders today from Triple-A. Taylor Wilding was sent to San Jose.

From San Francisco Chronicle

This is a portion of an article on the SF Chronicle website. It reiterates point I brought up last week in a blog entry regarding Giants outfielders:

In an interview last week, Sabean said he and manager Bruce Bochy hope to give more starts to younger players such as Lewis and Kevin Frandsen over the final two months of the season. If Sabean can clear more roster space by trading older position players, either today or during the August waiver trading season, he plans to promote more prospects so the team can evaluate them for 2008.

Dan Ortmeier, Clay Timpner and Nate Schierholtz, three outfielders at Triple-A Fresno, are swinging the bat well, with the latter two batting over .300, possibly earning them a look.

"I really believe we'll need to play some of our young people to evaluate them," Sabean said. "I have talked to Boch about that."

Sabean also offered more details on the Giants' reconstruction plan. For the first time, he acknowledged he might have to trade some of the young pitching the organization holds dear to acquire talented young position players who can complement the team's aging veterans as the Giants transit to a new era.

"We're going to be in a position where we have an opportunity to study and identify which positions we need to focus on, and we may have to cross that bridge in the winter," he said.

At the same time, Sabean acknowledged that young impact hitters are difficult to acquire, and he has a Plan B. If the team cannot engineer such deals, he is prepared to rip a page from the San Diego Padres' playbook: Have the Giants do the best they can offensively with the talent in hand and bolster the pitching.

"We will build around the pitching we have," he said. "If we have to make it stronger, we'll strengthen it. We've all learned from San Diego what pitching can do in this division. We're halfway there with what we have in hand without any moves we have to make to acquire position players.

"That's the road we might have to take if we're going to have a different lineup that is challenged on the power side or on the run-scoring side. Why not make our strength even stronger?"

That comment might dishearten fans hoping for a quick fix that could turn the Giants into a young, exciting, speedy, powerful team. But as any rebuilding team can attest, there are no quick fixes without spending a gazillion dollars on free agents - a path the Giants swear they plan to abandon.

Patience might be in order as the Giants see whether such minor-league outfielders as Ortmeier, Schierholtz and Timpner can cut it in the majors. Behind them is right fielder John Bowker, who is posting impressive numbers for Double-A Connecticut.

Bowker is batting .296 with 17 homers and 70 RBIs playing in a pitcher's park and a pitcher's league. On the other hand, he has 81 strikeouts in 395 at-bats.

Behind Bowker are Class A shortstop Brian Bocock and 17-year-old third baseman Angel Villalona, both appearing in distant dreams.

Ahead of them all is Lewis, the next best hope for the Giants to break their long drought of home-grown position players.

Coming back home

The Defenders are back home starting Tuesday with a pair of three-game series against Southern Division teams. Both Akron and Erie are tough and have gotten decent pitching performances. Off the top of my head, I'm not sure if Erie's Dallas Trahern, an all star, will pitch this weekend.

Connecticut has gotten itself out of last place -- again -- and I'm interested to see how the offense functions after playing football in Portland. The season seems to be more about being competitive than it does trying to make the playoffs. Reality is, the odds are slim to nothing against the Defenders. Could they catch New Britain? Yeah. I think if they continue to play the way they have in the past two weeks they can. But catching New Hampshire and Portland is a tall task.

John Bowker is out of the slump he entered after the all-star game and is on a tear. Eugenio Velez is on the Giants' 40-man roster and Randy Ruiz joins his fourth EL team in two seasons. The last month should be interesting.

Update

Ruiz was signed as a free agent after he was released Tuesday by the Triple-A Ottawa Lynx. No word as to what roster move was made to accommodate the addition.

Defenders add Ruiz

More to follow on the addition of one of the more dangerous hitters in recent EL history.

Trading places

With the trade deadline less than a week away, it's always interesting to see the names that come up in rumors and speculation. I learned earlier this week that a lot of what you read in papers covering major league teams are more about guessing than it is about reliable information.

That aside, I still find myself biting when there's something about my Yankees. As for the Giants and Defenders, the only name I'm hearing much of is San Francisco pitcher Matt Morris.

There haven't been as many scouts following the Defenders recently, but two teams which have been fairly present at home and away are the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners. Scouts from other teams have popped up here and there and have spoken with me regarding some of the Defenders.

Two players that came up in conversation most often were Alex Hinshaw and Eugenio Velez.

It wouldn't surprise me if Velez was dealt. Considering the number of outfielders in the Giants' system, the team can reduce the backlog and possibly acquire infielders, which are the greatest need.

With Nate Schierholtz, Dan Ortmeier, Fred Lewis, Brian Horwitz, Clay Timpner, John Bowker and Velez there are plenty of outfielders at the Triple- and Double-A levels.

Figure with the current Giants' OF of Barry Bonds, Dave Roberts and Randy Winn not having many years left (Bonds and Roberts are likely gone after this season), there's a need for players. Lewis likely moves into the lineup with Schierholtz next season.

My guess is that Bowker is the most likely to stick in the bigs out of the remaining cast. Logic, plus the need to move players up in the system, makes it seem likely that an outfielder will be moved either via trade or during the offseason.

Might I say...

It dawned on me that I took over this beat about a year ago. What a year it has been!

This season has been better than last in so many ways. Mostly because coming in mid season is tough. But I think my writing is better, which hopefully makes those 1-0 defeats easier to stomach the next day.

Covering the Defenders is fun. Whether it is getting to know the guys as more than baseball players or being around baseball nearly every day for five months, you can't beat it.

Being as competitive as I am, I would like to see better media coverage of the team. I know some outlets are only interested in the Defenders fans' dollars but don't want to return the interest in the team with coverage. I'm also a little fed up with disingenuous responses to why the Defenders don't deserve this or that. Maybe it's that the team knows there are some who view them as second-class citizens. I don't want the Norwich Bulletin to be a follower in the "Who Gave up on the Defenders first" race. It's much nicer making the case for why they shouldn't be ignored; never mind they are a newsworthy element in the community.

That's part of what hurts them. We have plenty of media outlets from Hartford to New Haven on East who ignore them. I understand the TV stations can't get out here regularly. Maybe twice a month would be nice.

The point is that if the media doesn't feel the team deserves coverage, than why should those who watch/listen/read from those outlets believe the Defenders are worth their while.

I had a peer recently ask me why the Bulletin and I continue to cover the Defenders because they are "bad." I would simply say: why bother ever showing up if your not going to make a consistent effort?

There are two other papers within a short distance of Dodd Stadium besides the Bulletin. One shows up every full moon and the other hasn't been down once.

I'll cut one paper some slack, they are very small and don't have a particularly large staff. The other? They're bigger than the Bulletin and just turn a blind eye.

It's time the local media wakes up and realize they have a role in how the Defenders' future plays out.

Congrats

Brooks McNiven was named the Eastern league's Pitcher of the Week today.

Mac story

By JOE PEREZ
Norwich Bulletin

NORWICH -- Sitting in what had been his office for nearly three seasons, Dave Machemer sat at the desk one last time, looking equal parts tired and relieved.
Three years can seem like an eternity, especially for a minor league baseball manager. Machemer, who has never managed a team for as long as he has the Connecticut Defenders, stepped down Sunday. He was replaced by Shane Turner, who managed the team the two seasons prior to Machemer‘s arrival.
“Sure I’m disappointed in the way the club played this year,” Machemer said. “As a manager, I always tell the guys, it’s the captain of the ship is the guy that’s going to go down with the ship.”
Bobby Evans, the San Francisco Giants Director of Player Personnel, offered Machemer the option of being reassigned as a major league scout or be released. Machemer said he didn’t sleep much Saturday night but after much deliberation, decided to remain employed.
“After some reservations at first, because it is a change,” Machemer said of the new post. “It’s something I had never done. Once I heard what it curtailed and the chance that it guaranteed me another year on my contract, I felt a new chapter in my life needed to begin.”
The move itself wasn’t unexpected. The timing, however, was. With the Defenders mired in last place and 10 ½ games out of a playoff spot, it would seem that the postseason serve as a likely time to change directions. But the Giants thought otherwise.
It had been a difficult week for Machemer and the Defenders. The Giants general manager and vice president of player personnel were present for two games in New Britain where the Defenders gave up 24 runs in two games, including the series finale in which the Defenders allowed 12 runs in the seventh and eighth innings, costing the team a win.
It appears that it was the team’s play over those two days that sealed Machemer’s fate.
After the game, Machemer held a team meeting that Turner was present for.
“I think all of us involved, we’re all a part of this no matter how big or small,” said Turner, who will manage the team through the final month plus of the season, “I felt responsible. I’ve been here enough. I felt like we can get more out of these kids.”
With the Defenders on pace for their worst winning percentage in franchise history, Machemer’s 176-206 record with the team became too much to bear.
“Any time the club struggles, you always look at what your options are to improve the club or help the situation. It’s a difficult situation because we have a lot of confidence in Machemer. Sometimes making change is what’s best for the club.”
Earlier this season Machemer became the team’s all-time leader in wins for a manager and was the fifth among active minor league managers with 1,233 wins over 18 years as a manager.
The players were surprised that the move came when it did and are unsure of how the managerial change will affect the team, especially this late in the season. With the exception of May, when the team was 11 games under .500, the Defenders’ performance had not been horrible, per se, as they have been six games under even in April, June and July combined.
“I feel like I let him down,” shortstop Jake Wald said. “In the end, he’s the head of this team, he’s the leader of this team and the Giants felt a switch would help us. … I do feel a little bad.”
Many of the Defenders are familiar with Turner, who managed Triple-A Fresno and most recently served as a roving outfield/base running instructor within the Giants organization.
“We had no idea,” catcher Steve Holm said. “This is my seventh year playing and I’ve never been involved in anything like this. I guess it’s going to be a learn on the fly thing. We know Shane, so it’s not like they’re bringing in someone you don’t know.”
On his way out, Machemer had few regrets, if any.
“I can still say I came to work with a positive attitude every day and I thought on that given night, we came to play hard and we came to win,” he said. “I think I have given the players an honest shake every night. I really do.”
Reach Joe Perez at 425-4257 or jperez@norwichbulletin.com

The explaination

Bobby Evans, the Giants Director of Player Personnel, spoke with Machemer last night and made him the offer of accepting a reassignment as a major league scout for the team or be fired. The Giants obviously value Mac's ability to evaluate talent, so that's the reason they kept him on board. They also gave Mac a guaranteed contract through next season, something he did not have as manager of the Defenders.

Machemer out

Shane Turner is new (old) manager. More later.

Tony Scott on ESPN2

The Defenders box office manager Tony Scott just completed a four-minute segment on ESPN2's "First Take" to discuss tonight's Harry Potter promotion.

I think a few minutes were cut from the originally planned segment because of "breaking news" regarding Michael Vick.

This looks like a good promotion tonight and Scott said he anticipates close to a full house.

Tidbits with Sabean

On the Giants' draft philosophy:
"First and foremost, most of the time we have driven our draft with pitching. The last couple years, we've gotten more diverse and I think we've seen that we've been successful in developing those pitchers, not only for our own purposes but in trade for position players. Now the game has changed where position players are getting so expensive to go out and trade for or moreso sign on the free-agent market that we've got to have a better balance and we realize that now."

"Unfortunately for us, our pipeline's been pitching, for some reason, whether it's a young fan or anybody that follows the club from year to year, they get excited about following the position players that come through whatever organization or whatever affiliate and it's one of those years that we get guys like Velez, who's going to play in the big leagues, Bowker's going to play in the big leagues, I'm impressed with Holm's development, he's a kid that's come a long way, so I think it's just proof in the pudding that you need a better balance and we're striving for that."

On moving the field this offseason:
"I don't know. I know it was one of our requests at the beginning of the year and I know it was caught up in some red tape with the ballclub or the franchise or the city, I'm not sure, but it was on our wish list."

On the lack of rehab appearances:
"It's geography, more than anything. It's very difficult with any major league player when you have Triple A in Fresno, San Jose right down the street from us, 30 minutes, and then of course we've got our own complex and spring training situated year-round in Arizona. So with those three opportunities, you're able to stair-step guys. Unless the team was actually on the East Coast working their way west, it really doesn't make sense."

On the MLB all-star game:
"The All-Star Game was very exciting. At this time of the year, us in the front office, quite frankly, unless you're going out to see a minor league team, you want to try to take a step back and evaluate things. But with all the family and friends in town and seeing how the city put on such a great reception for these guys, it was very exciting. I think it's good for the organization to showcase the ballpark and the city. That was a big first step. Of course, the next one is hopefully to get Barry [Bonds] over the hump with this home run record as soon as possible. That part has been a distraction for everybody."

On fan support of Barry Bonds:
"He's never had a problem at home. The San Francisco community, given that he grew up with his dad playing there and the great things he's done for the organization, that's really his bastion. I'm not surprised. I'm smart enough to realize that there's a way online you can stuff the ballot box, so to speak. They paid him all due respect, so to speak. I think it's fitting he started in left field for the National League."

On whether he worries if Bonds passes Aaron on the road:
"I worry right now more about scoring four runs at home, like we did last night. No matter who's in the lineup, we get a chance to win. What's frustrating for us is that he's not swinging the bat well at all, whether it's him trying to hit a home run or getting a home run in the game or moreso him to drive in runs as a fourth hitter. He has to go back to being more relaxed and putting the ball in play more, and when he's on, which is good in the pinch-hit appearance last night when he drove the ball to left field, to left-center, it means he's staying on ball better and he's not pull-hooking it, trying to hit the ball nine miles to right field."

Bonds' future with the team:
"Everybody's going to be evaluated on the year as a whole. The one thing of concern would be the age factor as well as what we're seeing in the past week or so. It's tough to get him there in the day after a night game and he's going to need a couple of days off here and there. It's not so much him and his talent, but as you build a lineup or team for the future, you want your everyday three, four and five hitters out there as much as possible. We'll keep an open mind, but he's got a hill to climb."

With having an aging MLB team, what is the significance of this season of player development:
"The position players are going to be given more of an opportunity. Fortunately, we've got guys right now like [Kevin] Frandsen, who's going to play a little bit more. Even [Fred] Lewis. We brought up [Dan] Ortmeier and [Nate] Schierholtz, who I think are going to crack the situation before the end of the year. Fortunately, for the organization itself, on the big league team we've got a young pitching staff that we'll be able to build upon and around. But the game – with everybody's concern being the budgets that we all have or moreso just the rigors of the schedule, it seems to be getting younger and younger every year, and we all have – we'll follow through as much as the rest of the decision has."

On the trade deadline:
"We'll see. I think we said all along, and this is before we knew what kind of fortunes we were going to have. Right now, we're obviously in last place and way below .500, but we want to get involved in transactions that help us present and future. We're not going to rent players and we have to be really smart in who we give up. It would be safe to say that we will not want to give up any shining lights, especially in the pitching department and moreso with position players that will impact us next year."

More in the paper tomorrow

Special guests

Giants GM Brian Sabean and minor league director Dick Todrow are with the Defenders. More on my conversation with Sabean later.

New poll

Vote and leave comments with your thoughts.

Tough loss

This is a frustrating team. They have as much young (read not career-minor league) talent as anyone not named Trenton and with it comes mistakes of inexperienced. Part of me is convinced that the majority of the team probably should be in Single-A or hey need to bring in some serious experienced help to give them a boost.

The let downs of Ishikawa and EME (who I doubt will be in the organization after this season, hurt early on. But now it seems many of the offensive players are in a funk. And after the All-Star break, that shouldn't be.

I think the poll this coming week will be about what you, the fan, wants to see. Keep an eye out for it during the NB series.

The winner is...

2,423. That's what is announced.

Let's make a deal

My eye count says there are 500-800 people. The Defenders will announce 2,000, or at least I think they will. Let's see what's closer my eye count or my guess at what will be announced.

It looks like a spring training game here -- minus palm trees.

No dice

Tonight the Defenders had planned on giving away Daisuke Matsuzaka bobble heads, but because of Major League Baseball's trademark and licensing agreement, the promotion had to be scrapped. In its place, the giveaway was a camouflage San Francisco Giants cap.

Thoughts

I've gotten a few votes on the poll to the right, now let's hear what you guys thought beyond one word votes.

It's been some time

Since the Defenders were more than just percentage points out of last place. After the 2-1 over Binghamton Thursday, the Defenders are a game ahead of Binghamton, which also marks the first time in roughly two months since they have been out of the basement.

New look

I've changed the appearance of the blog and added a poll. Keep your eyes open for a new poll question every week.

Fire! Not really.

The fire alarm went off at Dodd Stadium and caused a 15-minute delay in the home run derby. It was comical because every time the PA announcer tried to speak, the alarm would go back on.

Star gazing

I'm up at Dodd and there weren't too many people here. There was a couple dozen autograph seekers outside the gate. Sales have picked up, with nearly 6,000 sold and additional premium seats made available.

Tyler Von Schell was named the Eastern League's Player of the Week after batting over .400 with three homers and 10 RBI.

Amazing first half

With two RBI already against Binghamton today, John Bowker has passed Nate Schierholtz's team-best RBI total from last season.

All-Star changes

Alex Hinshaw is out and Brian Anderson and Osiris Matos are in.

The team felt with Hinshaw recently coming off the DL, it wasn't worth the risk of him getting hurt in an exhibition game. He is replaced by Anderson. Matos joins the team as a replacement for Portland's Clay Buchholz, who is pitching in the future's game in San Francisco.