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March 25, 2004 - International League (IL1) News Release


BUFFALO BISONS

IT MAY BE EARLY, BUT, ...: The Buffalo Bisons are off to a hot start this spring, going 4-0-1, while outscoring their opponents 36-14 in their first five games. First baseman Eric Crozier has led the charge, hitting safely in each game while compiling a .471 (8-17) average and a .941 slugging percentage. Second baseman Stubby Clapp has three doubles and a .400 (6-15) average as the Herd team is hitting a combined .320. Buffalo pitching has been just as strong as Bison hurlers have posted a 2.66 ERA, striking out 44 batters in 44.0 innings pitched.

GETTING INTO THE SUMMER SWING: The Bisons are getting ready for week 2 of their annual 3-week hitting academy. The sessions, open to kids aged 6-16, are being instructed by Bisons' radio analyst and former minor league manager Duke McGuire. Each class, kids learn the fundaments of the swing while getting to take cuts in the indoor batting cages at Dunn Tire Park.

THE BRAWL IS BACK IN 2004! Back by popular demand, the Buffalo Bisons will be holding "Ballpark Brawl II" on Saturday, July 17th. Presented by Alfred State College, the event will give fans a chance to experience live the crazy, entertaining, and unpredictable world of professional wrestling. It all takes place after the Bisons take on the Scranton/WB Red Barons at 2:05 p.m.

CHARLOTTE KNIGHTS

KNIGHTS ROSTER TAKING SHAPE: With Opening Day just around the corner, the Charlotte Knights 2004 roster is quickly coming into focus. As the White Sox pare down their Spring Training roster, several farmhands have learned they will begin the season in the Queen City.

Most notably, top prospects Joe Borchard and Jon Rauch will once again be in Knights uniforms. Borchard, ranked by Baseball America as the No. 5 prospect in the White Sox system, has been slowed by a strained left quadriceps this spring. The injury has limited the switch-hitting outfielder to just three at-bats, but Borchard believes he will be fully healthy to begin his third straight year with the Knights. Rauch's assignment to Charlotte was the result of a logjam of pitchers in camp with the White Sox this year. The 6'11" right-hander pitched in two games (one start) for the Sox this spring, going 1-0 with a 4.50 ERA in six innings. Rauch pitched for the Knights in each of the last three seasons, amassing a combined 15-12 record in 49 games.

There has been no word on the fate of top prospect Jeremy Reed as of yet. Still in the major league camp, Reed has hit .219 with three RBI in 13 games. The 22-year-old outfielder is tied for second on the team in stolen bases with three.

SIX DAYS AND COUNTING: It's less than a week until Knights Stadium will once again be filled with the familiar sights, sounds and smells of baseball. On Wednesday, March 31, the University of North Carolina will take on the University of South Carolina in the first-ever Battle of the Border at Knights Stadium. South Carolina is ranked No. 4 in the nation, while North Carolina is not far behind at No. 16. The Gamecocks have compiled a 20-2 record this season, compared to the Tar Heels' 18-5 mark. The last time the two teams met was in last year's Columbia Super Regional where South Carolina defeated the Tar Heels to win a berth in the College World Series.

COLUMBUS CLIPPERS

MEET THE TEAM PARTY: On Wednesday, April 7th the Clippers will be hosting a "Meet the Team" Party at Gameworks in the Easton Town Center. Clippers fans will have the opportunity to meet the players and coaching staff of the 2004 Clippers. The event will be mc-ed by local radio personalities Wags and Elliott.

TEAM WORKOUTS: Cooper Stadium will be open to the public on Tuesday April 6th at 7:00 pm and Wednesday April 7th at 1:00 pm for the team's first official workouts.

BUBBA CROSBY CONTINUES HOT SPRING: Clippers' outfielder Bubba Crosby is staking his claim to the Yankees' final roster spot this spring. Through 19 games Crosby leads the team in total bases with 28, doubles with 6, and he is second on the team with a .412 batting average and 11 RBI. Crosby had an inside-the-park grand slam against the Detroit Tigers on the 22nd, his second home run of the spring.

DE PAULA BOUNCES BACK: Clipper Ace Jorge DePaula pitched 5 innings of 2 hit, 1 run baseball against the Devil Rays on the 21st. He earned his first victory of the spring after a slow start. Because of Jon Lieber's injury, the strong showing put DePaula back into contention for the Yankees' fifth rotation spot.

DURHAM BULLS

BULLS LOOK TO VETERAN LEADERSHIP IN '04: As spring training moves on, it appears that the 2004 Durham Bulls roster will showcase several veterans from previous Bulls teams, including six players who played during the Bulls back-to-back Championship seasons. Pitchers Dewon Brazelton, Bartolome Fortunato and Jim Magrane, along with catcher Pete LaForest all saw time with the Bulls in both 2002 and 2003. In addition, infielder Jared Sandberg enters his fifth season in Durham, while fellow infielder Brooks Badeaux will be with the Bulls for the fourth season in his career. Also returning are veterans from last season's championship club including outfielders Jonny Gomes and Matt Diaz, infielders Antonio Perez and Jorge Cantu, and starting pitchers Jon Switzer, Rob Bell and Carlos Reyes.

NEW VIDEO BOARD INSTALLED IN DBAP: Durham Bulls Athletic Park received a facelift last week when a new Prostar Video Plus Display by Datronics was installed and the old Matrix board was removed from behind the centerfield wall. The new video board will provide instant replays, highlights, live video and fun animations adding to the excitement of Bulls baseball.

OPENING NIGHT INCLUDES TRIBUTE TO PAST CHAMPIONS: On Opening Night the Bulls will honor their champions of the past as all 11 Bulls teams to win titles will be recognized. Former players will be present as pennants of each team will be raised and hung on flagpoles throughout Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Those teams include the 1922,1924,1925,1930,1940 and 1941 Piedmont League Champions; the 1957, 1967 and 1969 Carolina League Champions; and the 2002 and 2003 International League Champions.

INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS

BASEBALL UP CLOSE PACKED WITH ENTERTAINMENT: Victory Field comes alive in April as the Tribe roll out the 2004 game day promotional schedule. Two visits from the Famous Chicken, Friday night fireworks, appearances from Scooby Doo, The Wild Thornberry's, SpongeBob SquarePants, the SKyy Dogs and the Zooperstars headline an array of ballpark entertainment.

Opening Day, Thursday, April 15, features the Indians and the Norfolk Tides at 2:00 pm. The first 4,000 fans in attendance will receive a Tribe schedule magnet, courtesy of The Indianapolis Star, Miller, Marsh Supermarkets and Fox 59. Single game and season ticket packages are available by calling the Indians box office at (317) 269-3545, stopping by the Victory Field box office at 501 West Maryland or purchasing online at www.IndyIndians.com.

LUCKY FANS VISIT SPRING TRAINING: In cooperation with ATA, WHMB-TV and ESPN-950 AM, the Indians hosted six fans on a recent trip to Phoenix to catch the Indians and Brewers at spring training. Three pair of contestants received roundtrip tickets, hotel accommodations, $100 cash and game tickets. Winners included Larry Hensel, Kokomo; Dave Luckett, Indianapolis; and Scott Burnett, Brownsburg.

BREWERS FARM SYSTEM RATED BEST: Baseball America rated the Brewers organization No. 1 in its 2004 Talent Rankings, ahead of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Anaheim Angels, Atlanta Braves and Minnesota Twins. Last season, Brewer affiliates, Double-A Huntsville, Single-A Beloit and Pioneer League Helena, reached their Leagues' championship round, providing much optimism for Tribe fans in 2004. Indianapolis anticipates the arrival of top prospect pitchers- lefty Jorge De La Rosa and right-hander Ben Hendrickson -along with position players Corey Hart, Dave Krynzel and J.J. Hardy.

LOUISVILLE BATS

OPEN HOUSE: The Bats had their annual Open House on Saturday, March 20 with well over 2,000 fans coming by Louisville Slugger Field to pick up their tickets and enjoy self-guided tours throughout the stadium. A speed pitch machine and an inflatable slide entertained many children (and adults) while the home clubhouse was open along with two luxury suites and the dugouts.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN! Louisville opened their exhibition game schedule on Friday, March 19 with a 5-4 win over Ottawa. So far, the Bats are 2-1 with two ties. The offense has been potent, scoring 32 runs in five games. Of Louisville's 14 exhibition games, six are with the Ottawa Lynx.

COMMUNITY AWARENESS: In the team's on going efforts to reach out to the Louisville community, Slugger Field opened its doors to host Anthem's first leg of their racing Triple Crown. Over 6,000 runners came out on Saturday, March 13 to run a 5K in 30 degree weather. And this Saturday will see more runners downtown on the Waterfront, legging out a 10K as part of the second leg of the Triple Crown.

NORFOLK TIDES

METS 5TH STARTER STILL UP FOR GRABS: The Tides are still awaiting the fall back once the Mets decide who their 5th starter will be to start the season. Tyler Yates, who was mentioned as one who would find himself in Norfolk come Opening Day, had an unexpected opportunity to plead his case yesterday when Al Leiter was diagnosed with shoulder tendinitis. Yates got the nod and threw 5 shutout innings against Houston striking out 3. He now has an ERA of 0.64 in 14 innings pitched during Spring Training. Others still vying for the spot are Grant Roberts, Aaron Heilman, Scott Erickson, and James Baldwin. The Mets expect to make a decision this weekend after each gets one more start.

DEFENSIVE DANNY: Danny Garcia who wowed Tides fans last year has been trying to earn the job as the back-up infielder in New York. So far in Big League camp he is batting .281 with 8 runs scored, 4 doubles, and 7 RBI and has played in 19 games (the most of any position player). With the Mets still talking about shopping around to fill the spot it is likely that Garcia will start the season in Norfolk. Although Garcia would undoubtedly rather go to the Big Apple, it is not bad news for Tides' fans and it certainly wouldn't hurt Garcia to play every day until he gets a permanent and inevitable shot at the Show.

OH SAY CAN YOU SING: With the help of a local radio station, Tides staff members listened to over 90 National Anthem singers since the last report. About 30 of them have been selected to sing at Harbor Park during the 2004 season.

TICKETS ON SALE: The Tides will open their Ticket Windows this Saturday to begin selling individual game tickets. With 6 fireworks nights and many exciting promotions including 2 bobblehead nights, the lines are sure to be long.

OTTAWA LYNX

SPRING FLINGS: Tim Raines Jr., fighting for a roster spot with the Orioles has had a very impressive spring thus far. Raines Jr. has hit .355 thought 16 games, with a team-leading four stolen bases. Canadian Erik Bedard, who lives only minutes from Lynx Stadium in Ottawa, has also had a very strong camp. Bedard, who had Tommy John surgery and missed most of last year, has posted a 3.08 ERA and a 1-0 record in four games, striking out 12 in 11.2 innings of work. A great feel-good story from camp continued yesterday, as LHP Rob Ramsay, who had a cancerous tumor removed from his brain only two years ago, took the mound for the Orioles. Ramsay, who is expected to start the season with the Lynx, gave up one run and two hits in one inning.

LYNX SEARCH FOR SINGING "SUPERSTAR!": The Lynx will be holding their 4th annual contest to find National Anthem singers on Saturday, March 27th. Dubbed "Ottawa Lynx Superstar" aspiring singers will show their stuff in front of a panel of celebrity judges, which include local TV and Radio personalities and Lynx GM Kyle Bostwick. The grand prize winner of Lynx Superstar will receive the opportunity to travel to Baltimore to sing the National Anthem(s) before an Orioles game this season.

CATS OFFER FREE DOGS ON THURSDAYS: The 2004 Ottawa Lynx promotional schedule was released this week, and headlining this year's promotions was "Free Hot Dog Thursdays", where the first 1,000 children aged 14 or younger will receive a Hot Dog on each Thursday game. Other highlights of the Lynx promotional schedule include visits by children's favorites SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer.

PAWTUCKET RED SOX

PAWSOX "WELCOME HOME LUNCHEON" SLATED FOR APRIL 7th: The Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce and The Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce once again this season invite all PawSox fans to the Annual Pawtucket Red Sox "Welcome Home" Luncheon that will be held on Wednesday, April 7th at 12:00 Noon at the RI Convention Center in Providence. The entire 2004 PawSox team will be in attendance just one day before they open the 2004 season with a game vs. Buffalo at 6:05 pm at McCoy Stadium on April 8.

Jeremy Kapstein, Senior Adviser/Baseball Projects of the Boston Red Sox, will serve as the featured guest speaker. Kapstein, a Rhode Island native, joined the Red Sox in July of 2002 when he was named Senior Adviser to President and CEO Larry Lucchino. Jeremy has done sports on TV-12 and radio work for Providence College basketball games (1960's), was in the booth for Monday Night Football (1970's), and represented athletes in contract negotiations from 1973-89. He was the CEO of the San Diego Padres from 1989-90 and the Senior Director of Baseball Operations for the Padres from 1997-2001. Also, since 1990 he has been the founder and director of an outreach program for the homeless in the San Diego area.

Tickets are $30 per person and can be obtained by calling the Chamber's Registration Hotline at (401) 334-1000. Fans can also register on-line at www.richamber.com.

A NEW PLAYING FIELD AT McCOY FOR 2004: McCoy Stadium will have a new playing field when action begins in two weeks. The PawSox decided to replace the entire grass playing surface in the ballpark last fall and when the field was recently uncovered the new grass looked superb.

The project began last September because the five-year-old field at McCoy, while still widely considered a fine surface, had been invaded by small spots of foreign grasses like poa annua. The result was a patchy look in a few parts of the field – some grass was a lighter color than the majority of the turf. Repairs on this type of problem are essentially impossible – these other species eventually grow back and repeat the condition.

The first step in the process was removing the old turf all the way down to the dirt. Workers from Kingston Turf, the company that helped with the project, brought out a large tractor-like machine that drives along the grass and grinds it up as it goes. The torn-up grass then was spewed out into a barrel like snow flying out of a snow blower. The machine sheared the ground down to the dirt and flattened at the same time.

The new sod was pure Kentucky blue grass, cut in long, thin strips of four feet by sixty feet. Kingston Turf provided the sod, which was grown in Plainfield, Connecticut. Again, a special machine was used to roll the strips out. That step took just three and a half days. Once the sod was on the dirt, nature took over – the grass took hold on its own without any extra work. Even a typically harsh New England winter could not prevent McCoy from maintaining her new-found good looks. Incredible as it may seem, fans will get their first glimpse of the new McCoy field two weeks from tonight.

RICHMOND BRAVES

IF IT WASN'T FOR BAD LUCK: Since closing out the 2003 season by collecting a hit in 13 of his last 14 games, infielder Wilson Betemit has been plagued by the injury bug. He tore ligaments in his right hand during instructional league in the fall and then suffered a strained left hamstring March 17 in spring training. Betemit, who hit .262-8-65 with a club-best 13 triples last year with Richmond, is hitting .211 this spring with Atlanta after opening with an 0-for-11 drought at the plate.

MAKING HIS CASE: Signed to a minor league contract in November, C.J. Nitkowski is making the best of his spring training invitation to big league camp. Through five appearances with the Braves this March, Nitkowski has compiled a 1.93 ERA, allowing just two runs on six hits and five walks in 9.1 innings of work. A former first round selection in the 1994 draft by Cincinnati, Nitkowski has eight years of major league experience having suited up for the Reds, Tigers, Astros, Mets, and Rangers.

HIGH HEAT: Although he has not pitched higher than Single-A Rome, right-hander Jose Capellan is making a bid for a spot in the Atlanta bullpen. Capellan, 23, was sidelined for two years by elbow ligament-replacement surgery and has pitched just 80 innings since 2000. He spent the 2003 campaign in the South Atlantic League going 1-2 with a 3.80 ERA with Rome. While Single-A Myrtle Beach would appear the likely destination for Capellan, he could very well break camp with Richmond or Atlanta. Capellan has reached as high 102 MPH on the radar guns and routinely throws in the mid-90s. Entering Grapefruit League games today, he is 1-0 through seven appearances this spring.

ROCHESTER RED WINGS

LET'S GO CAMPING: Going into today's game Rochester is 2-2-1 in their 13-game spring training schedule which includes yesterday's 8-5 win over the Pawtucket Red Sox. Shortstop Jason Bartlett, third baseman Terry Tiffee, second baseman Luis Rodriguez and right-handed pitcher Matt Guerrier are all having very good springs. Rochester looks to have their first winning record during spring training since 2001.

COMPETITION HEATING UP FOR FINAL ROSTER SPOTS: RHP Sean Douglass, RHP Joe Roa, RHP Seth Greisinger, LHP Brad Thomas, LHP Carlos Pulido, and RHP Grant Balfour are all battling for the final two spots on the Twins pitching staff. Originally only one spot remained but RHP Rick Helling went on the disabled list with a hair-line fracture in his right leg opening up another roster spot.

RIPKEN BOOK SIGNING: Tickets for the Cal Ripken Book Signing will go on sale for the public for the first time Saturday, March 27. Ripken and his brother Billy will sign copies of their just released baseball instructional book prior to the Red Wings game with Pawtucket on April 13. Saturday's ticket sale marks the opening of the Red Wings ticket office for the 2004 season exactly two weeks before the Wings home opener April 10.

SCRANTON/WILKES-BARRE RED BARONS

HERNANDEZ CLAIMED OFF WAIVERS: The Phillies were awarded the contract yesterday of catcher Michel Hernandez on a waiver claim, General Manager Ed Wade announced. Hernandez had been with Boston this spring. He spent most of last season with triple-A Columbus, where he hit .280 with four home runs and 30 RBI in 89 games. He made his major league debut with the Yankees as a September call-up last season, appearing in five games and going 1-for-4 with a walk. Hernandez is expected to split time at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre with A.J. Hinch. To make room for Hernandez on the 40-man roster, the Phillies designated lefthander Bud Smith for assignment. Smith, 24, was 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in four relief appearances this spring.

SPRING NOTES: Kevin Barker, a former International League All-Star in the late 1990's with Louisville, is battling for a roster spot with the Red Barons at first base. Barker, 28, clubbed 23 home runs with 96 RBI in 1998 and 23 home runs with 87 RBI in 1999 for the RiverBats. If he doesn't make the Triple-A roster he may remain in the organization at Reading...Cary Hiles is closer to coming back than originally expected. He tossed one scoreless inning Monday with no apparent ill effects to his surgically repaired shoulder....The same cannot be said about Jeremy Wedel who was seen walking around camp with a forearm cast. He will not return until the all-star break.

SYRACUSE SKYCHIEFS

NO BULL: After a week of spring training games, the SkyChiefs are off to a 5-2 start. Syracuse would have an unblemished record if it wasn't for the Durham Bulls. The SkyChiefs have won three meetings with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and have also taken a pair of games from Columbus. Syracuse will play nine more games in Florida, including four against Durham, before heading north.

THE MAN FROM DOWN UNDER: One of the SkyChiefs hottest hitters this spring has been infielder Glenn Williams. The Australian native connected on a tiebreaking, two-run home run in the top of the ninth inning of Wednesday's game against Columbus, giving the SkyChiefs a 5-3 victory. A day earlier, Williams hit a key triple and scored the tying run in the bottom of the eighth inning against the Clippers. For the spring, Williams is 7-for-18 with four doubles, a triple, and a home run.

BLUE JAYS MAKE THE LIST: Ten Blue Jays prospects have been selected to the list of the top 100 prospects in baseball as compiled by Dan Perry. Perry, who works for both the Baseball Prospectus and Fox Sports websites, tabbed OF Alexis Rios as the 20th best prospect. Rios was the MVP of both the Eastern League and the Puerto Rican Winter League last year. Other Blue Jays in Perry's top 100 are RHP Dustin McGowan (21st), RHP David Bush (25th), SS Aaron Hill (40th), C Guillermo Quiroz (43rd), SS Russ Adams (47th), RHP Jamie Vermilyea (51st), OF Gabe Gross (55th), 1B Vito Chiaravalloti (76th), and RHP Jason Arnold (80th). No other organization had more than six players in Perry's top 100.

POND LOOKING TO STICK WITH JAYS: 2003 SkyChiefs team MVP Simon Pond is making a strong case to make Toronto's Opening Day roster. Pond is batting .333 (15-for-45) this spring with six doubles and three home runs. Pond, who has played primarily first and third base in his minor league career, has seen extensive playing time in the outfield this spring. Other candidates to make the Blue Jays roster as an extra outfielder include Noah Hall, Chad Hermansen, and Jayson Werth.

TOLEDO MUD HENS

OH SAY, CAN YOU SING? Toledoans flocked to Fifth Third Field on Saturday, March 20, in hopes of becoming Toledo's next superstar. The Mud Hens hosted the first-ever live auditions to sing the National Anthem prior to a game this season. While the auditions were slated to be held from 9 am until noon, an amazing 244 potential singers came downtown for their shot at Mud Hen fame, therefore extending the time spent at Fifth Third Field. The last singer finished at 4 pm.

THE PRICE OF STARDOM: The Toledo Mud Hens were made famous in part by Toledo's own Jamie Farr, who sported Mud Hens jerseys and hats on the hit television show M*A*S*H. Today, the Mud Hens are keeping their popularity alive with a recent mention in Maxim magazine. A blip on the video game MVP Baseball 2004 includes "nothing satisfies like spanking the Toledo Mud Hens."

FAMILIAR FACES: Mud Hens fans will see some familiar faces take the field in 2004. Manager Larry Parrish, along with coaches Jeff Jones and Leon "Bull" Durham, will take on another season at the helm of the Toledo Mud Hens. Other possible returnees include Cody Ross, Warren Morris, Danny Klassen, Chris Mears, Eric Eckenstahler, Franklyn German, Shane Loux, Pat Ahearne, Andres Torres, Omar Infante, Nate Robertson, John Ennis, Andy Van Hekken, and Brant Ust

ONLY TWO WEEKS UNTIL FIRST PITCH: The 2004 Mud Hens season is rapidly approaching with opening day scheduled for Thursday, April 8 at 1:00 PM. The Hens will host the Durham Bulls for the third opening day in Fifth Third Field history. The Mud Hens have sold out opening day the past two seasons and again expect over 11,000 fans to fill the Hen House. The day will be highlighted with pre and post game parties at the ballpark and the first 5,000 fans through the gates will receive free magnet schedules. The Hens have pre-sold over 325,000 tickets for the 2004 season.

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