SunGrasses

His nickname from way back is "Luke." That's what everyone calls him.

I really don't know how rare it is, but I've never seen it before. I saw a catcher make an unassisted double play at third base. The catcher: Jonathan Lucroy Date: August 2, 2009. Huntsville Stars vs. Jacksonville Suns Here's a video of it:

Loo

It's pronounced Loo croy (Lew croy). It's spelled Lucroy, not LuCroy.

From what we heard, to be in the Rising Stars game, you have to be either a 1st round pick or be on the 40-man roster - no matter what your numbers are in the AFL. We haven't research the rosters to see if this is true or not.

DHonks, you would be correct. I haven't followed it in the past. I wasn't insinuating anything secret or sneaky was going on. I only reported what happened last week, and from what I understand, it was quite an interesting event. I'll definitely ask about "priority players."

We'll be in Jupiter on Saturday for the tournament. Our youngest son is pitching. We'll try to keep an eye out for your boys.

Lucroy also threw out 3 baserunners during the game. Apparently, the Major League organizations try to dictate the lineup and playing time during the AFL. The Dodgers wanted "their guy" (Lucas May) to catch 4 games a week. The Peoria manager was trying to accommodate the Dodgers when the Brewer brass got wind of it and balanced the catching time somewhat. Lucroy now seems to be catching 2 days per week. May appears to be getting 3 days, and on Saturdays, the taxi squad catcher (another Dodgers guy, Jessie Mier) plays. Lucroy gets the start tomorrow.

thebruce44: When the players are called to Arizona in February and March, they do not know to which team they will later be assigned. There were the usual assumptions and hopes, but nothing from the organization until the day before they flew out to their respective teams. Because of the last minute notice, they were unable to secure an apartment in advance. Once in WV, the players scoured the newspapers for apartments, but were uneasy because they didn't know if the apartments listed were in a safe area. Most could not get around to visit the apartments. The players pay the clubhouse attendant, the "Clubbie", dues to provide a meal before the game in the clubhouse. He also washes the uniforms. At away games, the players eat hotel breakfast and sandwiches in the clubhouse before the game. They are also given $15.00 per day for meals while on the road. The meal before the game in the home clubhouse varies from day to day, and from team to team. Of course, the higher you go, the better the food. This is in direct correlation to how much money the players have to pay the dues. Higher level = Higher pay = Higher dues = more and better food. PBJ's were a staple in Helena. The real food mostly came from the host family. The host families there were required to provide food and housing to each player. The players paid a nominal fee to the host family for this service. It appeared to us that in Helena, West Virginia, and Brevard, all players are treated the same, regardless of draft status or signing bonus. Of course, I may be wrong about this. The players who signed for a plane ticket were in dire straights. In Brevard, there were apartments that had revolving doors for players that came and went. There is no active host family organization in Brevard. The players seemed to take care of each other there. They are all older and have usually been in the program a year or more. The older ones take the newer ones under their wings. I don't know how these apartments were originally secured. We didn't notice the bewilderment in Helena or Brevard that we saw in West Virginia. It was a frustrating experience.

wvpowerblkwel stated: "I generally comment on the kids that we have done host duty for... " While it is nice to say that West Virginia Power has host parents, they sure leave a lot to be desired. The host family that we had immediate contact with was very helpful, supportive and nice. But, as a whole, the organization was not very organized. The players arrived from Arizona on Monday, March 31st, where they stayed in team supplied hotel rooms for 2 days. Then, the season opened with a 5 day road trip. Upon arrival back to Charleston, there was no team hotel. They had no place to live. Many players, and at least one coach, were sleeping on the clubhouse floor on air mattresses, if they could get one. Since the team had arrived by plane, no one had vehicles to go buy supplies or food, or find place to stay. They were able to get pillows and blankets at the Dollar General next door. They ate in the clubhouse or the restaurant at the field. Some ate at the hospital cafeteria. While I don't have personal knowledge of every player's situation, and certainly not of the above poster's situation, I do know that our son's host family let several players stay at their home while they helped them find an apartment. His host mother never let our son or two others sleep on the clubhouse floor. She tried her best with what little she had. Her family was a blessing to the players they hosted. A few days later, they found an apartment and she gave them some kitchen items, a bean bag chair, 1 fitted sheet each, one towel and wash cloth each. It was April 12 when the host parent organization opened up a garage with items available for the players' use. This was a help to many players and they were grateful for it. It was our understanding that the garage was unable to be opened before then. Something about a key... We drove 15 hours with supplies and furniture for our son and his roommates. We loaded a truck with a futon, double bed, a TV, and other items. We filled the fridge with food. We went to an estate sale in Charleston and bought hangers, towels, sheets, kitchen utensils, plates, bowls, fans, etc. for the players in his apartment. When he left WV, our son left everything there for other players to use because he knew how hard it would be for them. I spoke to a host parent on April 13th and asked where her player was living. She told me that their player was living in the clubhouse. I was embarrassed for her because she didn't even realize how bad that sounded. She was bragging that she was a host mother. I almost started to cry. The reason I'm stating these facts is because this poster seems to always have something negative to say about players. This poster has no idea how hard it is for them to play their best after sleeping on a hard floor, or having to worry about where they will live, or how they're going to pay for their restaurant food on their meager salary. With 2000-5000+ fans at nearly every game, (which is tremendous!) it would seem to me that plenty of host parents could be found. I assume it is published when the players would arrive in town and when the season would start. Plans and preparations could be made in advance to accommodate them. Donations could be collected. Supplies could be distributed early among the host parents. Apartments could be located and held. Opening day discounts or free admission should be given to fans that arrive with non-perishable foods or supplies. What isn't used by the players and coaches would be donated to local shelters. What great PR! Everyone wins! The clubhouse floor should be off-limits to pillows! But, if you're going to host, HOST! Don't just say you host. Maybe West Virginia needs to call Helena to see how it's done. Since this poster seems compelled to critique the players, usually in a negative way, then we feel it is our prerogative to critique the host parents. Yes, the playing situation in Charleston needs to be improved. The players need to get better. So does the host organization. We realize that baseball is all about hard work, hardship, and sacrifice, which always makes a person stronger. Every one of these young men has made the decision to give it 100% of their ability. Maybe we all should take a lesson from them. Take it how you want. If I sound like a whining parent, so be it. I'm just stating the facts.

I heard Jeremy Jeffress is going to AFL.

Jonathan Lucroy was just notified that he will remain in West Virginia for the All Star game, then report to Brevard County.

Yes, he's OK. He didn't need stitches. But he needs a new helmet! I bet tonight's game will be interesting...

What's not written here is that following the bench clearing "incident", a Greensboro batter had better aim than their pitcher. Basurto, who couldn't manage to hit Caleb Gindl, left the job to the offense. Power catcher, Jonathan Lucroy, was hit in the back of the head by a bat on a backswing so hard that it cracked his helmet and cut his head open. But, last night was not the first time for this to happen. It also happened Thursday night, 6/12/08, and before that when they were in Greensboro!

I liked the "Back to Back Jack Jackity Jacks!"