Saturday, November 29, 2008
Team records updated
The individual team career hitting records have been updated through the 2008 season.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Career hitting stats updated
Rather than spend the day after Thanksgiving shopping, I have used the day to begin the stats updates on the website. I have updated the career top ten hitting leaders today, and will do the individual team career hitting leaders in the next few days.
A few things of note are that in addition to Mike Breyman shooting up the charts in several categories, Travis Garcia was hot on Breyman's heels. With both those guys now out of the league, Washington's Chris Sidick should move up several notches in several categories next.
Sidick, who has at least one year of FL eligibilty left, is in sight of the following records:
* Games (ranks 10th, needs 74 for 1st)
* At bats (9th, needs 246 for 1st)
* Runs (5th, needs 64 for 1st)
* Hits (13th, needs 80 for 1st)
* Total bases (11th, needs 212 for 1st)
* HBP (11th, needs 19 for 1st)
* Walks (6th, needs 42 for 1st)
Chris is also within range, although less likely, for records for strikeouts, caught stealing and sacrifices. He already is the career leader in triples.
Also of note is that Joe Ramos moved past Brody Jackson in to second all time in stolen bases, but he is still 72 behind Doug Schutt. He has one year of FL eligibility left.
A few things of note are that in addition to Mike Breyman shooting up the charts in several categories, Travis Garcia was hot on Breyman's heels. With both those guys now out of the league, Washington's Chris Sidick should move up several notches in several categories next.
Sidick, who has at least one year of FL eligibilty left, is in sight of the following records:
* Games (ranks 10th, needs 74 for 1st)
* At bats (9th, needs 246 for 1st)
* Runs (5th, needs 64 for 1st)
* Hits (13th, needs 80 for 1st)
* Total bases (11th, needs 212 for 1st)
* HBP (11th, needs 19 for 1st)
* Walks (6th, needs 42 for 1st)
Chris is also within range, although less likely, for records for strikeouts, caught stealing and sacrifices. He already is the career leader in triples.
Also of note is that Joe Ramos moved past Brody Jackson in to second all time in stolen bases, but he is still 72 behind Doug Schutt. He has one year of FL eligibility left.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Woodstock, Illinois To Join FL
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=251970
Apparently, a Frontier League team is coming to McHenry County after all. The new proposed ballpark will be placed in Woodstock, Illinois. private investors and donators would fund the entire project. Plans were announced on Wednesday to build a mutli-use facility that would host the teams and dozens of other sporting events begining in 2010.
The venue would hold 6,500 seats and 10,000 for events open to lawn seating. Long-range plans include the possibility of developing the site as a future home of the McHenry County Fair, a fire mueseym and an exhibition hall. Foundation officials said the design will take into account "smart growth" principles and preserve about 75 acres of wetlands and oak savannah on the property.
You know, it's kinda funny how these stories just happen to pop up all of sudden. Take into account that we haven't heard much of anything from McHenry County's hunt for a FL team in a long time before this article came out. A huge obstacle, if I recall, was that the proposed ballpark would effect the environment and the surrounding water areas. It was at first opposed by the community and the county council, but all of the problems must have been ironed out.
I still have to wonder how this is going to work long term. I know these rumors have been going on for a long time now; the one that involves the Northern League Chicagoland teams jumping ship to the Frontier League. That hasn't happened inspite of that buzz, but the Northern League, from what I could tell, is still not so stable. So what if the Northern League goes belly up? How can the FL say "no" to the three NoL teams close by in that situation?
Look at the number of teams in the Northern Illinois/Chicago area alone in this list on the Indy Baseball Map:
Windy City Thunderbolts
Rockford RiverHawks
Schaumburg Flyers
Gary-Southshore Railcats
Joliet Jackhammers
new McHenry County team
possible Champaign, Illinois team
Apparently, a Frontier League team is coming to McHenry County after all. The new proposed ballpark will be placed in Woodstock, Illinois. private investors and donators would fund the entire project. Plans were announced on Wednesday to build a mutli-use facility that would host the teams and dozens of other sporting events begining in 2010.
The venue would hold 6,500 seats and 10,000 for events open to lawn seating. Long-range plans include the possibility of developing the site as a future home of the McHenry County Fair, a fire mueseym and an exhibition hall. Foundation officials said the design will take into account "smart growth" principles and preserve about 75 acres of wetlands and oak savannah on the property.
You know, it's kinda funny how these stories just happen to pop up all of sudden. Take into account that we haven't heard much of anything from McHenry County's hunt for a FL team in a long time before this article came out. A huge obstacle, if I recall, was that the proposed ballpark would effect the environment and the surrounding water areas. It was at first opposed by the community and the county council, but all of the problems must have been ironed out.
I still have to wonder how this is going to work long term. I know these rumors have been going on for a long time now; the one that involves the Northern League Chicagoland teams jumping ship to the Frontier League. That hasn't happened inspite of that buzz, but the Northern League, from what I could tell, is still not so stable. So what if the Northern League goes belly up? How can the FL say "no" to the three NoL teams close by in that situation?
Look at the number of teams in the Northern Illinois/Chicago area alone in this list on the Indy Baseball Map:
Windy City Thunderbolts
Rockford RiverHawks
Schaumburg Flyers
Gary-Southshore Railcats
Joliet Jackhammers
new McHenry County team
possible Champaign, Illinois team
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Website Stats Updates
Over the weekend I have updated the season hitting and pitching records pages, the manager records page, and the individual teams' season records.
Next up is to convert and compile this year's stats in order to update the career stats sections. This will likely not be done until after Thanksgiving.
Next up is to convert and compile this year's stats in order to update the career stats sections. This will likely not be done until after Thanksgiving.
Numbers That Could Be Retired
I would like to talk about the accomplishments that two former Paints players have made. While the Paints will no longer be a part of the Frontier League, it sure doesn't hurt to think about the possibility of two noteworthy players having the opportunity of having their numbers sitting next to the 7 other retired numbers at V.A. Memorial Stadium. Looking at their stats alone, they have done quite enough to earn this kind of honor.
Perry Cunningham (#26) has the most wins out of any FL Paints pitcher in their career. He has a record of 37-21 with .638 win percentage to go along with a 3.54 ERA, 7 complete games, 2 shutouts, a save, and 325 K's in almost 500 innings pitched, (497.2 to be exact). You could put him with any other solid starting pitcher the Paints have had from 2004 to 2007, and Perry would be right there.
Whether he was with John Martinez (single season wins leader), Kurt Hartfelder (rookie of the year in '06) or anyone else, Perry did a good job while he was in Chillicothe. He was, and still is, a class act and a fun guy to hang around with. His time off the field is more to take note of. That's where players in the FL really show who they are.
Matt McCay (#18) was such a good batter for the Paints, and he's a great batter in Paints history who unfortunately doesn't get talked about as much as the others. Matt lead the FL Paints in just about half of all offensive categories career-wise. He leads in batting average (.423), in games played (305), in at-bats (1143), in runs scored (217), in hits (363), and then there's caught stealing (20). I didn't get the opportunity to see Matt McCay play but from what I hear, he really was a gamer for the FL club. With numbers like that, he should get alittle bit of consideration.
As for what McCay is doing now, he is helping out the University of North Carolina with their baseball program, and he is doing a good job as of today. That just goes to show you that he has a baseball kind of mind for the job as a coach. He knows how to play the game and to play it the right way.
Perry Cunningham (#26) has the most wins out of any FL Paints pitcher in their career. He has a record of 37-21 with .638 win percentage to go along with a 3.54 ERA, 7 complete games, 2 shutouts, a save, and 325 K's in almost 500 innings pitched, (497.2 to be exact). You could put him with any other solid starting pitcher the Paints have had from 2004 to 2007, and Perry would be right there.
Whether he was with John Martinez (single season wins leader), Kurt Hartfelder (rookie of the year in '06) or anyone else, Perry did a good job while he was in Chillicothe. He was, and still is, a class act and a fun guy to hang around with. His time off the field is more to take note of. That's where players in the FL really show who they are.
Matt McCay (#18) was such a good batter for the Paints, and he's a great batter in Paints history who unfortunately doesn't get talked about as much as the others. Matt lead the FL Paints in just about half of all offensive categories career-wise. He leads in batting average (.423), in games played (305), in at-bats (1143), in runs scored (217), in hits (363), and then there's caught stealing (20). I didn't get the opportunity to see Matt McCay play but from what I hear, he really was a gamer for the FL club. With numbers like that, he should get alittle bit of consideration.
As for what McCay is doing now, he is helping out the University of North Carolina with their baseball program, and he is doing a good job as of today. That just goes to show you that he has a baseball kind of mind for the job as a coach. He knows how to play the game and to play it the right way.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
CICL and Prospect League To Merge
The Prosect League Era
So, with the news we've read about some of the Central Illinois Collegiate League joining the new teams in the upstart Prospect League on Ballpark Digest, perhaps this would be a good time to get in my first thoughts about this new league the Chillicothe paints will be a part of.
At first glance, this will be just like what Richmond Roosters fan Tom Arnett told me, this will be just like old times for the most part. What I mean by that is there will be numerous markets that used to field Frontier League teams. Since of course they've bowed out of the league. This will be paying some type of homage to the early days of the Frontier League, when they were just starting out.
Consider these markets; Chillicothe, Richmond, Lorain, Dubois County, Slippery Rock. Would they be more than legit for a summer collegiate league? Yes they would. Though the economy has been a real pain (and let's be honest, it has), the fact that a place like Chillicothe can get something that is close and similar to the Frontier League style of play even with the swan dive that the team took the final few months of last year, has to be saying something.
So throw in places like Danville, Quincy, Hannibal, Butler and Dupage County, and you have something to work with. This has been a topic that FL commissioner Bill Lee has been thinking about. When going over the options in the more than crowded Chicagoland area to try to expand the FL, we find that some of those markets have been in talks (but just talks) with the Northwoods League, the best summer collegiate league out there right now. The Prospect League here is intending to be a farm system for the Frontier League.
Is the Prospect League a step down from the FL? Yes it is, but it's not as big as a demotion as you might assume. Players do come out of summer collegiate league teams and make their way to afilliated baseball. Personally, I believe that it will be a different road to go through for everyone involved with this project, and the fan attendance and support still needs to come, but when this thing takes off, people will warm up to it. Basically, it's still baseball, and it's still fun family entertainment for anybody who goes to the games.
As for coverage of the Prospect League on this blog? I will make sure that I will report to you as much as I can. Whatever that's of note, I will be here to bring it to you. The Chillicothe Paints are gone from the Frontier League, but are not gone from baseball in general. V.A. Memorial Stadium is still a great place to see a game, (for any sport I should add), and I hope that the V.A. can finally hold up a championship banner of some sort, because the wait it getting alittle too long.
That's just my thoughts, though.
So, with the news we've read about some of the Central Illinois Collegiate League joining the new teams in the upstart Prospect League on Ballpark Digest, perhaps this would be a good time to get in my first thoughts about this new league the Chillicothe paints will be a part of.
At first glance, this will be just like what Richmond Roosters fan Tom Arnett told me, this will be just like old times for the most part. What I mean by that is there will be numerous markets that used to field Frontier League teams. Since of course they've bowed out of the league. This will be paying some type of homage to the early days of the Frontier League, when they were just starting out.
Consider these markets; Chillicothe, Richmond, Lorain, Dubois County, Slippery Rock. Would they be more than legit for a summer collegiate league? Yes they would. Though the economy has been a real pain (and let's be honest, it has), the fact that a place like Chillicothe can get something that is close and similar to the Frontier League style of play even with the swan dive that the team took the final few months of last year, has to be saying something.
So throw in places like Danville, Quincy, Hannibal, Butler and Dupage County, and you have something to work with. This has been a topic that FL commissioner Bill Lee has been thinking about. When going over the options in the more than crowded Chicagoland area to try to expand the FL, we find that some of those markets have been in talks (but just talks) with the Northwoods League, the best summer collegiate league out there right now. The Prospect League here is intending to be a farm system for the Frontier League.
Is the Prospect League a step down from the FL? Yes it is, but it's not as big as a demotion as you might assume. Players do come out of summer collegiate league teams and make their way to afilliated baseball. Personally, I believe that it will be a different road to go through for everyone involved with this project, and the fan attendance and support still needs to come, but when this thing takes off, people will warm up to it. Basically, it's still baseball, and it's still fun family entertainment for anybody who goes to the games.
As for coverage of the Prospect League on this blog? I will make sure that I will report to you as much as I can. Whatever that's of note, I will be here to bring it to you. The Chillicothe Paints are gone from the Frontier League, but are not gone from baseball in general. V.A. Memorial Stadium is still a great place to see a game, (for any sport I should add), and I hope that the V.A. can finally hold up a championship banner of some sort, because the wait it getting alittle too long.
That's just my thoughts, though.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Not Frontier but Close
Just thought you all would like to see the info on the new league in which Richmond & Chillicothe will be participating in this next year. Go to Ballparkwatch.com and look on todays date for details. This is all I know for right now.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Tom Sutaris interview
I've just posted my interview with former Ohio Valley Redcoat Tom Sutaris. Tom played for the Redcoats in 1993, 94 and 96 and has great memories of the early days of the Frontier League.
Beach Bums Hire Manager
Following on the heels of Monday's hiring of Toby Rumfield by the Florence Freedom, the Traverse City Beach Bums today announced the hiring of Gregg Langbehn as the manager for the 2009 season.
The 39-year-old Langbehn managed the last two seasons with Houston's South Atlantic League affiliate in Lexington, KY. From 2004-06 he was the skipper at Tri-City (low A New York-Penn League), leading the Valley Cats to two playoff appearances. He also served at the pitching coach for the 2000 Midwest League champion Michigan Battle Cats.
Langbehn was drafted out of high school by the Mets in 1988 and spent seven years altogether in the minors with the Mets, Red Sox and Brewers organizations. His best year was 1989 when he was 10-3, 1.80 for Pittsfield (NYPL). He spent parts of three seasons at the Triple-A level.
Langbehn joins Avon's John Massarelli as the only current Frontier League manager with affiliated managing experience. Ironically, they both managed in the Astros system, so I wouldn't be surprisde if they know each other.
The 39-year-old Langbehn managed the last two seasons with Houston's South Atlantic League affiliate in Lexington, KY. From 2004-06 he was the skipper at Tri-City (low A New York-Penn League), leading the Valley Cats to two playoff appearances. He also served at the pitching coach for the 2000 Midwest League champion Michigan Battle Cats.
Langbehn was drafted out of high school by the Mets in 1988 and spent seven years altogether in the minors with the Mets, Red Sox and Brewers organizations. His best year was 1989 when he was 10-3, 1.80 for Pittsfield (NYPL). He spent parts of three seasons at the Triple-A level.
Langbehn joins Avon's John Massarelli as the only current Frontier League manager with affiliated managing experience. Ironically, they both managed in the Astros system, so I wouldn't be surprisde if they know each other.
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