Reassigning Players

Got this notice from the Diamondbacks yesterday about players being reassigned to various teams from Major League camp.  I've italicized former players and bolded those that appear to be coming to South Bend.

I'll try to do this every time I see this information from the parent club.

(PHOENIX) — The Arizona Diamondbacks announced today they have optioned right-handed pitcher Juan Jaime to Single-A South Bend and assigned right-handed pitcher Matt Gorgen and outfielder Marc Krauss to Double-A Mobile, catcher Rossmel Perez to Single-A Advanced Visalia and infielder Andy Tracy, outfielder David Winfree and left-handed pitcher Clay Zavada to Triple-A Reno, according to D-backs’ Executive Vice President and General Manager Kevin Towers.
The D-backs’ now have 54 players in Major League camp, including 15 non-roster players.

Spring Training...Here I Come (Hopefully)

So it looks as if I'm finally going to get the chance to go to spring training, if only for a few days, at the end of this month. 

I'm still waiting on confirmation from the airlines (because I redeemed some vouchers for the flight), but a handful of Silver Hawks staff members will be heading to the desert in a few weeks.

In my sixth year of Minor League Baseball, I'm thrilled that I finally have the opportunity to make it to spring training.  Cross that one off the ole bucket list!

Notes from the Parent Club

It's kind of a slow day around the blog the last few days, but I can always count on the parent club Diamondbacks to be in the news. Here's a rundown on some good reads about what Arizona has been doing the last few days:

-First of all, I know some people are planning on attending Spring Training at the new facility. Here's a schedule of when the Diamondbacks will play in the Cactus League.

-Yesterday, the Diamondbacks inked former Dayton Dragons star Wily Mo Pena to a Minor League deal. He's an option in left field, according to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic.

-Arizona also has to make some decisions on whether to tender contracts to eight players. See the list here.

New Diamondbacks Spring Training Facility Named

Some of you may be aware, but the Diamondbacks and Rockies are constructing a new spring training site in Scottsdale that they'll move in to next year. The name of the facility was announced today as "Salt River Fields At Talking Stick". The name embraces the location of the field, which is in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. More information about the new complex can be read here.

Salt River Fields will replace the former spring training home of Arizona, Tucson Electric Park, where the Diamondbacks had trained since the team's inception. The new facility will feature 12 practice fields that many current and former Silver Hawks will inhabit next March.

Pollock with the Big Club

A.J. Pollock got an at-bat with the big league club a few days ago in Spring Training.

Given that I'm on the couch under a blanket fighting off a nasty cold or sinus infection and my head is all scrambled from medicine I've been taking, it's probably better to just let Steve Gilbert do the summary.

Wednesday Morning Wrap-Up

-Last night I spoke to the Goshen Aktion Kiwanis Club, which is a group of developmentally disabled adults. They were very gracious and excited to have me there, served hot dogs and cracker jacks for dinner, and played baseball songs on the piano while they ate. It was a great time, and I thank them for inviting me to their meeting.

-The Diamondbacks beat my beloved Cincinnati Reds in a spring training game yesterday. Former Silver Hawks outfielder Justin Upton had a home run for the Diamondbacks, while former Dayton Dragons outfielder Jay Bruce homered for the Reds.

-It's rainy in South Bend today, which normally stinks, but it's warm enough outside that I'm not complaining.

-Mark Haley has a new blog entry over at the Tribune's website.

Diamondbacks Lose Spring Opener

Not that it really matters, but Arizona lost their spring training opener yesterday to the Colorado Rockies by a final score of 11-1 (ouch!).

MLB.com's Steve Gilbert has some notes on the game.

Daily Promotions Poll Results

Based on the latest poll, it seems as if most of you are excited about the Souvenir Saturdays this season. To be honest, I can't blame you. Fleece Blankets, Hats, Cups, Team Pictures, and Bobbleheads are just some of the items that will be given away this season at Coveleski Stadium.

We had a tie for second, with Dollar Mondays, Thirsty Thursdays, and Friday Fireworks each generating a lot of interest.

A new poll is up on the right with your thoughts on Spring Training and the month of March.

Mark Haley is Blogging!

I never thought I'd see the day when Mark Haley got with the latest technology and started blogging. But here we are, on March 2nd, 2010, and the manager of our Silver Hawks will be blogging about Spring Training from Arizona for the South Bend Tribune.

Here's the link: http://www.southbendtribune.com/article/20100302/BLOGS38/100309894

I'll also be referencing his blog a lot on these pages, so you'll be hearing a lot from the manager in the next few weeks.

PITCHERS AND CATCHERS REPORT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There really aren't enough exclamation points in the world to explain how excited I am about pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training and workouts beginning today.

Rather than let us enjoy it, Nick Piecoro over at the AZ Republic is starting a debate that will most likely linger through most of Spring Training: Dan Haren or Brandon Webb on Opening Day.

He lays out the two sides of debate at the link above.

My vote: Dan Haren.

I'm all for honoring the veteran who has been with you for years, but Haren is the better pitcher right now.

How's That Prediction Looking Now?

I was all hot to trot to get my Super Bowl prediction published before the game, so that if I was right, I could come in and brag this morning.

Yeah...about that...um...Oops.

Nice game for the Saints. Their defense played better than I thought, and Brees picked apart the Colts defense WAY MORE than I ever imagined he would.

Now that football is over, we can turn our attention to two of my favorite things:
1) The final two months of college basketball
2) Spring training and the start of baseball season