Fisher Cats update
July 15, 2004 - Eastern League (EL1)
New Hampshire Fisher Cats News Release
Despite playing most of their games on the road in July, the Fisher Cats continue to battle for first place with the Binghamton Mets. Heading into an eight- game road trip tonight (Thursday), New Hampshire trails Binghamton by just a game in the Northern Division standings. The road-trip takes the Fisher Cats to Harrisburg for four games, and then on to Binghamton. Be sure to catch all of the action with Mike Murphy on the WKXL Radio Network (WKXL AM1450 in Concord, WFEA AM1370 in Manchester, WTSV AM1230 in Claremont and WNHV AM910 in White River Junction, Vermont). Games can also be heard on the internet at www.fishercatsradio.com or www.wkxl1450.com.
New Hampshire will welcome division rival Trenton into Gill Stadium for three games starting next Friday, July 23. These will be the final games this year with the Thunder, the Yankees Double-A farm club. The Fisher Cats lead the season series with Trenton 13- 4. Tickets are still available, and can be purchased by calling the ticket office at 603-641-2005 or visiting www.nhfishercats.com.
Friday, July 23 will be NASCAR night at Gill Stadium, in salute to the first major weekend of racing at New Hampshire International Speedway. The first 1,000 fans will recieve a Coca-Cola NASCAR water bottle perfect for watching the race from you home, friends house, or the speadway. Greg and the Morning Buzz from ROCK 101/WHEB 100.3 will be there, and the Fisher Cats will have "Funny Cars" on display.
Saturday, July 24 the first 1000 fans will receive a baseball cap, courtesy of Sovereign Bank. Fans can play catch on the field after the game, bring your ball and glove.
Sunday, July 25 is Family Day. The first 1000 fans through the gate will receive playing cards.
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Hill Shines in Futures Game
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HOUSTON -- Four days ago, Aaron Hill wasn't even ticketed to play in the All-Star Futures Game at Minute Maid Park. But Russ Adams, also a shortstop in the Toronto Blue Jays organization, suffered a rib-cage injury and Hill replaced him on the USA team roster.
And Sunday, Hill was the unassuming Most Valuable Player of the USA's 4-3 victory over the World team that ended with the tying run on third base.
"They told me four or five days ago that I was going to the Futures Game in like two days," said Hill, who's an All-Star for the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats in the Eastern League. "There were no complaints, no questions asked. Obviously I wasn't even in the media guide. But that was no big deal. I got to play in Minute Maid Park."
Hill came in as a defensive replacement at the start of the fourth inning and in the fifth he doubled home what proved to be the winning runs in his only plate appearance. USA team led, 4-0, heading into the seventh and final inning and when the World came back with a three-spot, the two-run double proved to be decisive.
Still, Hill was floored when he was called out on to the field after the game to accept the award. And now the bat he used to strike the big double is on its way to Cooperstown, N.Y., to be displayed prominently in the National Baseball Hall of Fame along with an artifact from each of the last five Futures Game MVPs.
"It still hasn't sunk in yet," he said. "I had to put the trophy in my locker. If I carried it around I would've dropped it."
Hill, though, is no stranger to the spotlight.
Playing for Louisiana State University in 2003, he was Player of the Year in the Southeastern Conference. Then Toronto used its top pick to select him 13th overall in the June 2003 First-Year Player Draft.
In his third professional season, he's batting .264 with 83 hits, 11 doubles, six homers and 45 RBIs.
Asked for his assessment of his first-half performance, Hill, 22 years old and a native of Visalia, Calif., said: "I really haven't been doing much of anything."
It's been enough to place him on the Northern Division roster in Wednesday's Eastern League All- Star Game at Prince George's Stadium in Bowie, Md.
Adams, who had been picked to play in the Futures Game before the rib-cage injury, is a level ahead of Hill and plays for the Triple-A Syracuse SkyChiefs in the International League. The two became friendly this past Spring Training, where they built a healthy competition.
"I met him in the Cape Cod League in the All-Star [Game] over there," Hill said. "And then just in Spring Training we got along pretty well. He's a really good guy. But if they want to move me up quicker because of a game-winning double, that's fine with me."
Aside from the stellar afternoon, Hill will also savor his brush with Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith, who chatted it up with the U.S. team during batting practice. Hill said he was in awe just standing on the same field as Smith, a 13-time Gold Glove shortstop.
"He's an All-Star and a Hall of Famer and a guy you just look up to," Hill said. "He comes running out there and then I've got to try and field ground balls? You've got to be kidding me."
Two hours later, the game had culminated with an honor that was beyond Hill's wildest dreams.
"It's an unforgettable experience, that's for sure," Hill said.
Rich Scores the Only Run for the Northern Division in the Eastern League All-Star Game ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bowie, MD -Jeff Keppinger, of the Altoona Curve, proved to be the star among stars, as Southern Division defeated the Northern Division, 4-1 in the 3- A-Day of Dairy 2004 Eastern League All-Star Game last night at Prince George's Stadium, home of the Bowie Baysox.
Keppinger went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a double for the Southern Division to earn the The Sports Network Star of the Game Award. John Castellano (Reading), Maxim St. Pierre (Erie) and Scott Pratt (Akron) each contributed two hits for the Southern Division All-Stars in a winning effort.
Baysox pitcher Dave Crouthers earned the win before 9,166 hometown fans, pitching a perfect third inning, striking out one batter. The Southern Division pitching staff did not allow a run until the top of the ninth inning, when Angel Pagan hit an RBI single off Jacobo Sequea to score Dominic Rich.
Neal Musser (Binghamton) took the loss as Keppinger hit an RBI single in the bottom of the third inning. Musser gave up three hits and two earned runs over one inning of work.
Before the game, Mitch Jones of the Trenton Thunder won the Arby's Home Run Derby defeating Val Majewski (Baysox) in the final round 6-5. Jones had to overcome steep competition also defeating Eastern League home run league leader, Ryan Howard of Reading.
Baysox Manager, Dave Trembley, who managed the Southern Division All-Stars was awarded a plaque after the second inning to celebrate his 1,200th career victory as a Minor League manager. Trembley earned the big win at Binghamton on July 9th.
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Inside the Numbers
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2B Dominic Rich, who struggled in the early part of the season at Gill Stadium, has now reached safely in 16 consecutive home games. Since June 6, Rich is hitting .298 in Manchester (17-for-57).
C Paul Chiaffredo, who spent much of the season with Triple-A Syracuse, has clobbered the ball since his return to New Hampshire. Since his return to the line-up on July 1, Chiaffredo is hitting .429 (15-for- 35) with 4 HR and 10 RBI. He has five multiple hit games out of the nine he has started.
As the team prepares for a big four-game series in Binghamton, keep an eye on DH John-Ford Griffin. Nobody on the club has hit better against the Mets this season. Four of Griffin's homers have come against Binghamton.
All-Star Brandon League has now worked in six consecutive games without allowing a run. He has walked just one, and struck out eight batters over the last 13.1 innings.
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Eastern League Stories from July 15, 2004
- Baysox absolutely trounce Navs - Chesapeake Baysox
- Senators Come From Behind To Beat Fisher Cats In 10 Innings - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Thunder fall, 9-1, as Brown pitches on rehab - Trenton Thunder
- Thunder spearhead collection for NJ flood victims - Trenton Thunder
- Senators Dodd and Lieberman to join Governor Rell - Connecticut Defenders
- Senators Make Roster Changes - Harrisburg Senators
- Fisher Cats update - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Curve's Nicholson Named to Canadian Olympic Team - Altoona Curve
- Keppinger earns Eastern League All-Star Game MVP honors - Altoona Curve
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.
