Can we get a win at home?
Published on August 8, 2003 under New York-Penn League (NYPL)
Batavia Muckdogs News Release
Since the last newsletter, in mid-July the Muckdogs have fallen on hard times. A win on July 17 against Mahoning Valley would be significant for many reasons. Following that win, the 'Dogs would drop 7 straight games. The streak was interrupted by two rain-outs in Jamestown. The seven games was also the Muckdogs longest losing skid of the season.
The Muckdogs broke the losing steak by defeating the Doubledays for the first time all season at Falcon Park, 7-1. However, the Muckdogs lost the next night to continue their slump and make it 8 of 9. After a much needed day off the Muckdogs traveled into Mahoning Valley to take on the Scrappers.
On their way to Niles, Ohio the Muckdogs received word that a consistent left-handed bat was going to meet them at Cafaro Field. The Phillies 3rd round selection in the June 2002 draft, Kiel Fisher was promoted to Batavia from the Gulf Coast League Phillies. Fisher and the Muckdogs shined at Mahoning Valley as Batavia took 2 of 3 and the Fisher went 4-12 with 3 RBI.
Batavia played 5 games in the next 3 days (to make up for the games lost to rain 2 weeks earlier) as they played 2 double-headers against Jamestown. The Muckdogs took 3 of 5 from the Jammers with star pitching performances by Vinnie DeChristofaro and C.J. Woodrow, who are both battling with Justin Libey for the open 5th starting spot in the rotation.
The Muckdogs look to make a late season push at the wildcard in the next couple weeks. The Muckdogs have series' with Mahoning Valley and Aberdeen, then come home for a 8 games home stand as they play Tri-City, Vermont and the Scrappers.
As we mentioned earlier, about the significance of the July 17th win. As of today, that was the LAST Muckdogs win at Dwyer Stadium.
Who's Hot
Jake Blalock- The Muckdogs outfielder had to deal with another position change when Michael Bourn came on the scene. Blalock's move to right field did not hurt his bat as he finished the month of July hitting .281 with 2 HR and 10 RBI. 12 of Blalock's 27 hits in July were for extra bases, which included 6 doubled and 4 triples.
Kiel Fisher- The Muckdogs new 3B hit .500 in the month of July and started out hot for Batavia going 4-12 in his first series against the Scrappers of Mahoning Valley. Fisher had 3 RBI in the series and is showing promise in the field as well for Batavia.
Vinnie DeChristofaro- DeChristofaro was one of the most promising pitchers in the final 2 weeks of the season for Batavia. Vinnie finished July with a 2-0 record and an ERA under 1 at 0.50. He allowed only 1 run in his 18 innings pitched and was a winner in a recent double-header against the Jammers to move the Muckdogs season win total up to 21 games.
Who's Not
JR Riley- The reason Riley was put on the Who's Not list is that he has not played in over 2 weeks for the Muckdogs. Riley last started a game in the middle of July and last week was put on the DL with right shoulder inflammation.
Jean Machi- The Muckdogs starter was hot early in the year but has cooled off as of late. He finished July with a 1-4 record with a 6.65 ERA. Opponents hit over .330 against Machi and he finally was moved out of the starting rotation due to his lack of performance.
Alumni Update.....G.G. Sato
Each season it seems as if there is an increase in foreign-born players coming into the Major Leagues. Players from Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, and now even Cuba. With the insertion of Ichiro Suzuki into the Seattle Mariners lineup and Hideki Matsui into the New York Yankees scorecard, one can wonder if it isn't Japanese players who are starting to have the largest impact on the game as it is now being played. For the 2001 and 2002 seasons, the Muckdogs themselves were fortunate enough to have a taste of Japanese baseball right in Batavia.
G.G. Sato was signed as a free agent by the Philadelphia Phillies out of Ichikawaski, Japan in December of 2000. Following a stint as a member of the Gulf Coast Phillies, Sato was assigned to Batavia where he spent two years splitting time as a catcher and as a designated hitter.
For the 2003 season, Sato was promoted to Lakewood; the Phillies Class A affiliate where he has been seeing action this season. Sato has taken part in 77 of the teams 112 games. He has hit at a .259 clip so far this season, leading the BlueClaws in doubles with 24. Sato is also second on the team in stolen bases, not bad for a catcher of his size. Sato's 24 doubles place him in fourth place in the leader category in the South Atlantic League.
As for the BlueClaws, they are 45-67 on the season in the South Atlantic League so far this season. For more information on Sato, you can reach the Lakewood BlueClaws at their website at www.lakewoodblueclaws.com, or through the Muckdogs website, www.muckdogs.com
Fan Profile: About Smith
Her smile can never be missed and her personality can never be lost within the rest of the crowd in the third base grandstand. Diane Smith is another regular Muckdogs fan that is right there during the good and the bad throughout the season.
"The local atmosphere makes me enjoy baseball," Smith said. "Seeing the local neighbors and rooting on the team is an enjoyable experience for me." Diane is usually joined by her family at the ball games. "When they are with me they know the only way to spend time with me is by coming to the games," Smith said.
Diane did not have a good start to the season, sort of like the Muckdogs who started 0-4. "I broke my leg in a boating accident," Smith said. "The problem now is that it is not healing and more than likely I will need to get the leg put back into a cast next week." Smith might be hurting but unlike some professional baseball players she does not plan on spending any time on the DL. "I am hurting and it hurts but LOOK, I am still here," Smith said.
Even with the broken leg, Smith still did her part to participate in the game. Smith does not only root on the team but she also sings the National Anthem. "I like to sing," Smith said. "I wanted to have a live singer at the games because each time they would play a canned National Anthem. The Anthem was very appropriate but I did not like it and thought why not sing it live at the games for a change."
Smith has been coming to the games since 1997 where she sits in the third base grandstand and enjoys every minute of it. "It's great to know people around me," Smith says. I definitely love the two old guys that sit behind me and always talk about Maxwell, you know they have been coming to the games for over 30 years!"
Besides helping cheering the team on from the stands Diane also enjoys watching and participating in the on-field promotions. "I love the Dizzy Bat race," Smith said. "I think that is cool and is funny when the kids fall down, of course as long as they don't get hurt. I also enjoy it when the Phillie Phanatic comes to town!"
Diane is a very friendly face that will talk to anyone at the ball that she knows, root on the team and even help the young guy out on the field with the promotions. Besides being a loving mother and a singer at Dwyer Stadium, Diane is also a clerk for her church. Through rain, hot summer days and even 21 innings, Diane is one of the "True Blue" Batavia Muckdogs fans!
Dates to Remember
August 13: Stop DWI Substance FREE GENERAL ADMISSION NIGHT
August 15: Tully's Mascot Challenge
August 18: Key Bank Night
These are just 3 of the highlights from the upcoming 8 game homestand!
For the complete schedule, go online to the Muckdogs web site.
PLAYERS OF THE MONTH
The Phillies recently announced their minor league pitcher and player of the month, for the month of July. Both of these men were former Muckdogs. IF Sean Walsh (Clearwater) won player of the month honors,. In 30 games, he hit .323 with 4 HR and 18 RBI. Pitcher of the month honors went to Geoff Geary. Geary, who is a member of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre bullpen appeared in 11 games, threw 21.1 innings and did not allow a run during the month. He also struck out 26 batters.
New York-Penn League Stories from August 8, 2003
- Expos Doubled Up by Oneonta - Vermont Lake Monsters
- Staten Island Falls to NJ, 5-4, in 10-innings - Staten Island Yankees
- Bad Inning Does in Diefenderfer, 'Dogs - Batavia Muckdogs
- Can we get a win at home? - Batavia Muckdogs
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
