Post Number 1,000

This post is my 1,000th since starting this blog in March of 2009. I don't really have anything special to say other than my fingers must be tired from all the typing I've done the past year and a half.

When I started this blog, I envisioned it as a way to give some additional information about the team that you wouldn't find on the main silverhawks website. I also wanted parents of the players to stop by and get a glance at some photos from the stadiums while we were on the road, giving them an idea as to where their sons were playing.

While I maybe haven't taken as many photos as I thought I would, I never imagined that I would receive over 200 page views per day on this blog. I continue to be amazed at the unwavering support of the fans.

The best compliment I've ever received came from the parent of a player on last year's team. He wrote me an email saying "While I don't always agree with what you say, you tell it like it is and are very fair in your broadcasts." I hope that you all feel the same way and know that I truly appreciate all the kind words, emails, and support from the fans.

Oh, one more thing...don't worry about this team yet. It's still a better start in the second half than it was in the first half, and just because they struggle against the Loons, I still have confidence in this team's ability to be a playoff team. There is more talent on this team than maybe any other team in the league. They are growing and I'm seeing a lot of improvement even though it doesn't always seem like it.

Unfortunately, the Silver Hawks are snake bit against the Loons and the frustration sets in from time to time with the players, coaches, and even the broadcaster, but I look forward to being finished with the Loons for a while after tonight's game and seeing what the Silver Hawks can do against everyone else in the league.

Poll Results - Western Division

The overwhelming majority of voters feel that the MWL made a big mistake in restructuring the schedule and that every team should visit the other 15 cities in the league at least one time. I'm not shocked at all by those results, because I feel the exact same way (even if it means more time on a bus).

A new question is up on the right side of the page asking your thoughts on the finish to the first half: Is it important for the confidence of a young team to get to the .500 mark in the first half?

Oops

So less than a day after the Silver Hawks played arguably their best game of the season (4-1 win over West Michigan on Tuesday night), they easily played their worst.

Consider:

• 21 hits alllowed
• 11 runs allowed
• 6 errors committed
• Held to just five hits

It was ugly. That's all you can really say. It was a horrible game. Those happen from time to time. I'm trying to stay positive with this club, and at the same time, I'm keeping in mind that this stretch of schedule through June and early July is very tough (Fort Wayne 12 times, West Michigan for 8, Great Lakes for 4). At the same time, it would be nice to start beating some of these teams.

As for the rest of this series, I'd say it's important to get at least one more win. It's very early, but for confidence reasons, if you take game one of a four-game series, you certainly don't want to lose the next three games (see: Dayton, early June).

This series aside, the four games at Lansing beginning on July 4th looms large. That is a team the Silver Hawks beat 7 out of 10 times in the first half. Again, it's early in the second half, but that series could set the tone for the rest of the season. Win 3 out of 4, and you realize that you can still beat up on some of the other teams that you had success against in the first half. Lose 3 out of 4 and it could turn into a long second half as confidence levels will probably drop.

But again, hopefully South Bend will get one or two more against West Michigan to wrap up this home stand.