Goodbye from South Bend

Now that the team has been eliminated from playoff contention, I wanted to address something that has been floating around for the last few weeks.  Unfortunately, the rumors are true and I will be leaving the South Bend Silver Hawks at the end of this season. 

Without going into too much detail, this was not entirely my decision.  The team is moving in a different direction in regards to the broadcast position, turning it from a full-time job into a seasonal one and I'm the odd man out.  Rather than complain and argue about it, I've accepted their decision and look forward to pursuing other opportunities in the near future.

I came to South Bend in March of 2009 eager to begin my first job as the play-by-play voice of a Minor League Baseball team.  After spending three years as an assistant with the Dayton Dragons, I felt that I was ready to assume control of a broadcast position, and I was honored to be given that chance by the Silver Hawks.

Now, three seasons later, I leave the team knowing that my talents as a broadcaster and Media Relations Director are much stronger and I am still very thankful for the opportunity provided to me by the Silver Hawks. 

More than that, however, I am thankful for the wonderful people I've been in contact with over the past three seasons.  From the coaching staff to the players, from the front office of South Bend to those in other cities around the league, and from the fans both locally and afar, everyone has welcomed me (or at least my voice) with open arms (and ears).

As a special note to the families of the players and to the loyal listeners of my broadcasts, I hope that in some way I was able to make the games come alive for you.  I hope that my words became your eyes.  I hope that my voice allowed you to "watch" as your sons, or your grandsons, or your brothers, or your friends, or your favorite players came alive on the radios and computers at your home.  In short, I hope that I provided the connection between fans and players that is the main reason why baseball on the radio has been so successful for so long. 

I hope that the Silver Hawks realize what a great marketing tool radio can be and continue to be broadcast both online and on local radio in future years.  It was disappointing to be online only this season, but I'm glad that I was still able to serve as the voice of the Silver Hawks.

I don't know what the future holds for me from a professional standpoint.  I will pursue other broadcasting jobs this offseason and hope to continue my dream of being a baseball broadcaster.  From a personal standpoint, I am blessed to be marrying the love of my life on October 15th.  Trust me when I say that I am the luckiest man to have found Jenny, the most caring and supportive person I've ever met.

Finally, this will be the final post on this blog for this season as it relates to the South Bend Silver Hawks.  There is always a chance this blog continues should I land with another team, but that remains to be seen as it will be an interesting offseason to say the least.

And with that, I say good bye.  Thank you for your support, your comments, and for listening for the past three seasons.  Let's enjoy the final few games and may God bless you all.

Tonight's Lineup - September 1st at Fort Wayne

Ender Inciarte - CF
David Narodowski - DH
Raywilly Gomez - C
Matt Helm - 3B
Gerson Montilla - 2B
Ramon Castillo - 1B
Roberto Ortiz - RF
Roberto Rodriguez - LF
Niko Gallego - SS

Mike Bolsinger - P

Pregame interview is with Randy Hamrick. First pitch at 7:05 PM. Pregame coverage at 6:45 PM

Arbelo Suspended for Three Games

Yazy Arbelo has been suspended three games for his role in Tuesday's brawl with Lake County.  He will begin serving that suspension today and will miss through Saturday's game at Great Lakes.

The suspension will keep Arbelo from setting the franchise record for most games played in a season.

Playoff Race - 5 To Play

West Michigan keeps winning, so that's hurting the Silver Hawks a bit more right now since the Whitecaps hold the tiebreaker and they play the TinCaps for the final three games.  If the Silver Hawks lose either of the next two games, or if West Michigan wins either of the next two, it will eliminate the Silver Hawks due to the tiebreaking scenarios and those final three games with the Whitecaps and TinCaps going head-to-head.

(If South Bend wins the next two, they'll be one game behind Fort Wayne.  However, if West Michigan wins one of the next two, then the Whitecaps will remain at least two games ahead of the Silver Hawks.  Thus, in order to surpass the Whitecaps over the final three, Fort Wayne would have to sweep the head to head series.  If Fort Wayne does that, the Hawks will jump West Michigan but stay behind the TinCaps by a game.  A bit confusing, but that's how it works.)

The playoff picture is listed below...

Eastern Division First Round
Dayton (Second Half Champ) vs. Lansing (First Half Wild Card)
Bowling Green (First Half Champ) vs. TBA (Second Half Wild Card)

Western Division First Round
Burlington (First Half Champ) vs. TBA (Second Half Wild Card)
Quad Cities (First Half Wild Card) vs. TBA (Second Half Champ)
*Clinton and Kane County have clinched spots, but it's not determined which one will be the champion yet.

**Eastern Division Wild Card Race** (Note, this is only for the wild card since Dayton has clinched the championship)

Team	W	L	GB
Fort Wayne	35	30	--
West Michigan	35	30	--
South Bend	32	33	-3.0

Lake County and Great Lakes have been mathematically eliminated from postseason contention.

Western Division (Both Clinton and Kane County have clinched a playoff spot, they are now fighting for who will be the champ and who will be the wild card)

Team	W	L	GB
Clinton	37	27	--
Kane County	35	30	-2.5

Peoria, Wisconsin, Beloit, and Cedar Rapids have all been mathematically eliminated.