West Michigan Food....Ugh

(Second post of the day...remember to scroll down so you don't miss anything)

For those of you that know me, you know I'm not a big eater.  I have Crohn's Disease, so I have to be careful about what I eat, particularly before sitting for 3 hours and broadcasting.

However, I understand some people's fascination with food, and innovative dishes served at the ballpark.  For that reason, I give you this link from the West Michigan Whitecaps where you can vote for what creative (and somewhat disgusting) food options they will have at the ballpark this year.

Catching Up

Using this post to catch up on some stories that I missed over the past few days:

-Former Silver Hawk Bryan Augenstein was claimed off waivers by the St. Louis Cardinals. Augenstein pitched with South Bend in 2008, made his MLB Debut in 2009, but spent 2010 struggling in double- and triple-A.

-The West Michigan Whitecaps will be looking for a new skipper next year. Joe DePastino will become a roving catching coordinator for the Tigers organization.

-Likewise, the Dayton Dragons will need a new skipper. Todd Benzinger has been told by the Reds that he is not returning. He used his firing to express how much he really didn't want to be a Minor League manager anyhow. Well then Todd, I guess that worked out for you.

-Finally, Nick Piecoro did a nice piece on the Diamondbacks prospects, citing a bunch of former Silver Hawks as examples.

Playoff Recap - Round One, Game Two

Well, well, well, isn't this interesting? All the losers from game one came back and won game two. All four matchups are going to a deciding third game tonight. Below are last night's results...

Great Lakes 10, Fort Wayne 5
Main Storyline: The Loons scored eight runs in the eighth inning to rally from what was once a 3-0 deficit to post a 10-5 victory and keep their season alive.

Secondary Storyline: Both teams have won at home. The Loons host tonight.

Up Next: Game three is at Great Lakes tonight at 7:05 PM. RHP Jerry Sullivan goes for Fort Wayne against RHP Matt Magill for the Loons.

West Michigan 8, Lake County 0
Main Storyline: The Whitecaps avoided elimination by pounding out eight runs on 19 hits in a shutout of the Captains.

Secondary Storyline: Trevor Feeney (WP, 1-0) went 8.1 innings without allowing a run in the winning effort for the Whitecaps.

Up Next: Game three is at Lake County tonight at 6:30 PM. Neither team has won at home in this series. Jared Wesson goes for the Whitecaps against Jason Knapp for the Captains.

Kane County 5, Quad Cities 4
Main Storyline: Kane County had homers from Conner Crumbliss and Rashun Dixon as part of a five-run second inning, and then held on late to stave off elimination.

Secondary Storyline: The Cougars tried to blow the big lead, but stranded the tying run on base in the ninth. Kane County used three different pitchers in the ninth inning to stay alive.

Up Next: Game three is at Quad Cities tonight at 8:00 PM Eastern Time. Chris Mederos goes for the Cougars against Daniel Bibona for the River Bandits.

Clinton 8, Cedar Rapids 2
Main Storyline: Clinton methodically dismantled the Kernels by scoring runs in five of their nine at-bats to force a decisive game three.

Secondary Storyline: Like two other teams in the league, the Kernels failed to wrap up a series on their home field, and now must go against a tough pitcher in game three.

Up Next: Game three is at Cedar Rapids tonight at 7:35 PM Eastern Time. The pitching matchup will feature Erasmo Ramirez for Clinton and Stephen Locke for Cedar Rapids.

Deadline Deals involving Midwest Leaguers

It happens every year, but twice yesterday a current Midwest League player was included in a trade that sent a major leaguer from one team to another.

First, the Detroit Tigers acquired Jhonny Peralta from the Indians, and they traded West Michigan Whitecaps pitcher Giovanni Soto straight up for him (imagine that, a single-A pitcher being traded one-for-one with a major leaguer!). In an odd twist, Soto and the Whitecaps were playing at Lake County (Indians affiliate), so he packed up his bag, walked down the hall, and joined his new teammates. There's a chance Soto will pitch against his former teammates in one of the next two nights.

Secondly, the Dodgers traded for Scott Podsednik and sent Great Lakes Loons pitcher Elisaul Pimentel to the Royals as part of the deal. Pimentel was tied for the league lead in victories.

Bobby Stone's Catch

The West Michigan Whitecaps have posted Bobby Stone's terrific catch in the bottom of the ninth inning on YouTube with the play-by-play from their announcers. I have embedded it below for your viewing pleasure. He got up and finished the game.

Photos from West Michigan

Here's a link to the photos I took in West Michigan last season, so you can check out the surroundings here at Fifth Third Ballpark.

http://owensbaseballblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Fifth%20Third%20Ballpark

This is the place last season where a foul ball came flying in the window of the radio booth and smacked off my hand. I'm horribly ashamed I didn't catch it.

Game time tonight at 6:35 PM. Notes and Lineups will be posted a bit later on.

Casey Fien Claimed by Red Sox

I've been busy working on some sales stuff this morning, but saw this post and wanted to put it on the blog.

You may remember Casey Fien from the West Michigan Whitecaps in 2007, when he basically owned the Midwest League as a set-up guy. He was 6-1 with the Whitecaps that year, posting a nice 3.10 ERA and striking out 77 batters in 61.0 innings. Fien got the save over the Silver Hawks in game one of the Eastern Division Championship Series, pitching 1.1 scoreless innings.

When the Tigers signed Johnny Damon, they designated Fien for assignment. Yesterday, he was claimed by the Red Sox.

Monday Morning Links (January 11th)

As I try to recover from the heartbreak of the Bengals loss this weekend, here's a batch of links for you to keep you up to date on the top stories in baseball:

-In a stunning bit of news, the Cincinnati Reds swept in and apparently won the bidding war for the services of Cuban pitcher Aroldis Chapman. I'm a Reds fan, and I didn't see this happening in a million years, so trust me when I tell you it is a great surprise to the people of Cincinnati.

-Vlad Guerrero has signed with the Texas Rangers. The last paragraph of the article linked here presents a very interesting stat.

-Derek Jeter is getting married. Clearly he learned nothing from Tiger Woods.

-Finally, Baseball America has the top 10 prospects for the Indians (who are now in the MWL with the addition of the Lake County Captains) and the Tigers (West Michigan Whitecaps)

Bourquin Suspended

Tigers farmhand and West Michigan Whitecaps alum Ronnie Bourquin has been suspended 50 games for testing positive for amphetamine use.

Bourquin was the "Star of Stars" for the Midwest League All-Star Game this summer at Clinton.

Movin' On Up

No, I'm not moving up. But former West Michigan Whitecaps manager Tom Brookens is. Brookens has been named the first base coach for the Detroit Tigers. Click the link and read the full article. It tells an interesting story about how Brookens has learned twice from the same guy that he's going to the majors.

West Michigan Series Probables

Saturday: RHP Ryan Cook vs. LHP Casey Crosby
Sunday: LHP Keny Sosa vs. RHP Anthony Shawler
Monday: RHP Brett Moorhouse vs. LHP Adam Wilk
Tuesday: RHP Randy Rodriguez vs. RHP Luke Putkonen

Note: I was told that Sosa is still the probable for Sunday, so that means Taylor Sinclair is going to miss at least one more start...if not more. I do not know the full extent of the injury, as details of injuries aren't often released to the media relations director. Again, if I find out more, I'll let you know.

Two Tigers Prospects Traded

The Tigers got Jarrod Washburn today, but traded away two prospects to get him.

Mauricio Robles was pitching for West Michigan most of this season, having recently been promoted to high-A Lakeland. He faced the Silver Hawks on April 11th, throwing 5.0 shutout innings in earning the win.

Lucas French pitched for West Michigan a couple of years ago, so you should remember his name if you have been following the Hawks for a while now.

Story here.

Photos from West Michigan

Happy Easter! I'll be back tomorrow with all your usual gameday goodness, but for your Easter enjoyment today, here are a few photos of the ballpark in West Michigan.


From the third base side, looking back towards the press box


Down the Third Base Line


A look at the outfield from the left field bleachers

From the Press Box, giving you an idea of the seats layout.

My view from the press box. This is during batting practice, well before the ball came flying in my window and smacked into my hands during the game. No, I didn't catch it. Yes, I am ashamed that I dropped it. And Yes, there is a reason that I'm a broadcaster and not a player (although sadly, defense was the strength of my game when I played).

Happy and Sad from Grand Rapids

The team has arrived at our hotel in Grand Rapids, and will be heading to the Fifth Third Ballpark in about an hour. Game time against the West Michigan Whitecaps is at 6:35 PM, with the pregame show starting at 6:15 PM. (FYI...I will always give the times in Eastern time.)

Once I get to the ballpark, and get all my equipment set up, I'll do my best to post some more information about starting pitching matchups and the starting lineup, when available.

I'm also deeply saddened to find out about the tragic death of Nick Adenhart of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Adenhart pitched in the Midwest League in 2006 for the Cedar Rapids Kernels, compiling a 10-2 record with a 1.95 ERA. To say that he was talented would be a gross understatement. Adenhart was an outstanding pitcher. I remember a game Adenhart pitched against the Dayton Dragons, who I was broadcasting for at the time, and he went 7.0 innings with 9 strikeouts. Simply dominating.

Times like these remind you how short life can be, and how blessed we are to be playing (or broadcasting) a game that we all love.