No Blog Tonight

Will write up game results tomorrow.

Game Preview 4/27/11 – Bring Your Rain Gear!

The weather for tonight’s Ironpig game shows heavy storms between 4:00 and 7:00pm. Fear not, though… gates will open and the game will most likely be played.

I felt this song was appropriate for the weather of late, by Supertramp (no relation to my ex).

So with the rain we will see a familiar Duck Worth his weight in pitching gold right now. Former Ironpig Brandon Duckworth takes the mound for Pawtucket tonight sporting an incredible 2-0 record and 0.48 ERA. In 3 starts our Ducky friend has allowed 13 hits but only 1 run. He has walked 3 and struck out 14.

To oppose Duckworth, Ryne Sandberg will send Brian Bass to the mound. Bass, 0-1 with 5.14 ERA in 3 starts, is looking for his first win of the season. He has only lasted 4 innings in his past two starts.

Here’s hoping the Bass eats the Duck for a change tonight.

See you there!

OinK!

Photos From Ironpig Game 4/26/2011

The call was safe, many disagreed.. what do you think?

Will the "Grilli Gorrilla" make an appearance soon?

Our old friend Paul Hoover

More of former Ironpig Paul Hoover

All photos by Cheryl Pursell

Fun Night – But the Pigs Still Lost

We had a lot of fun in the outfield today. The Pigs got stomped. Nothing more to say about that.

The excitement started with the Ryne Sandberg bobble head giveaway.. I got there around 4:00 to check out the crowd and by the time the gates opened there was about 5,000 people in line behind me.

One special note to the person who thought of cutting off part of the upper parking lot to accomodate the overflow from the lines at the gate.. BRILLIANT! I’ve never seen a line as orderly and content before at The Coke! Good job!

Other than that, just a nice warm, breezy night for baseball, friends and an overall good time.

This is our town… this is our team.. we triumph no matter what!

OinK!

Game Preview 4/26/11 & Weather Alert!

First things first.. there is a slight chance of passing thunderstorms tonight. There is more than adequate cover at the park, just be prepared to move under the concourse in case of a storm coming by. Anything that happens won’t last long.

For the game we get our first look at the 2011 Pawtucket Pawsox. They have been been on a hot streak of late winning 8 of their last 10 games following a 3 win / 5 loss start. The Pawsox are currently 1 game behind the division leader SWB Yankees and 2 games ahead of the Ironpigs.

Taking the mound for the Pigs will be the solid Shoeless Eddie Bonine. Bonine has had some bad luck in the last couple games and is sitting atop a 1-2 record with a decent 2.60 ERA.

Opposing him tonight will be Pawtucket’s Andrew Miller. Miller boasts a 1.32 ERA and has allowed only 8 hits in his previous 3 starts. Miller was a part of the 2007 deal that sent Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera to the Detroit Tigers. Let’s hope the Ironpig batters can put a show on for us tonight!

OinK!

Response From I.L. President Randy Mobley

In regards to my letter emailed last evening, I received a response from the International League President Randy Mobley.

I have to say, I am impressed. To have a letter from a fan answered so professionally and quickly is a classy and admirable act.

In the response, Mobley confirmed that the existing rules were followed and also added:

… I would like to make it clear that while field maintenance judgments did need to be made thought the course of this game, including when to cover the field, these were all in the hands of the umpires as opposed to anyone associated with the Buffalo team. So, when you suggest suspicions you need to direct that comment at the umpires. I can assure you that while working 8-10 years in the minor leagues for a chance at a major league umpiring position the last thing these or any Triple-A umpires would choose to do is intentionally put themselves in this type situation. While you may disagree with the judgments made by the umpires in their care for the field, your disagreement should be in the same vain as you would disagree with a ball/strike call or an out/safe call. You can rest assured that suspicions related to the decisions they make would be unwarranted.

Ok, so Buffalo Bison.. I apologize. I can admit when my frustrations were misdirected. I am truly sorry for suggesting that the organization is less than reputable following the rain shortened game yesterday.

As for umpires Gerard Ascani, David Rackley and Toby Basner… I wish you the best in your quest to become a Major League Umpire. Take this experience as a lesson learned.

My Letter to the International League

To the International League,

I am writing in reference to the game played earlier today between the Lehigh Valley Ironpigs and Buffalo Bison. The game ended as the result of inclement weather and in a controversial way.

To summarize, the game had a steady light rain throughout the game and into the ninth inning when, during a legitimate rally on the part of the Ironpigs, the grounds crew pulled the tarp onto the field effectively ending the game. With only one out and the bases loaded, it was very likely the Ironpigs could have tied or even taken the lead in this game.

While I am familiar with the rule that any game not completed due to weather is considered final if past the 5th inning, I would suggest this rule might be adjusted to meet the circumstances of the specific game.

For example: In the 2008 World Series, Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig stated that no playoff game would be rain shortened, and a new rule was made.

Baseball history is full of new rules stemming from players, teams and coaches trying to gain an advantage while still keeping within the existing rules. When Ty Cobb perfected a bunt that landed in fair territory and would ricochet far behind the catcher, a new rule was created to prevent that trickery. When players like Eddie Stanky would place themselves several yards up the left field line on a fly ball, then running at full speed timing his touch of 3rd base with the catch of the fly, a new rule was created.

The circumstances of why the field in Buffalo was not properly tended during the game and the timeliness of the tarp being pulled raise many suspicions to all involved.

Let’s clear this up and create a rule that states a game can be suspended if the circumstances, like the above, would provide for it.

Respectfully submitted,

Dan Kehl