Jim Goulart

Follow Sunday's action as it happens: Nashville Game One (Gameday also available) Nashville Game Two (Gameday also available) Huntsville (Gameday also available) Brevard County Wisconsin Game One Wisconsin Game Two

Sunday's Daily Menu: Times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: RHP Amaury Rivas and LHP Sam Narron in a doubleheader at Omaha (Royals), 1:50 PM pre-game; 2:05 gametime; each contest slated for seven innings Live Audio Link iPad/iPhone: Listen MiLB.TV -- For subscribers Huntsville: RHP Michael Bowman at home vs. Carolina (Reds), 1:03 PM gametime Live Audio Link iPad/iPhone: Listen Traditional broadcast via Carolina feed: Listen Brevard County: RHP Kyle Heckathorn at home vs. Tampa (Yankees), 4:05 PM gametime Sorry, no audio available for this contest... Wisconsin: LHP Del Howell and RHP Tyler Thornburg in a doubleheader at home vs. Peoria (Cubs), 12:45 PM pre-game; 1:05 gametime, each contest slated for seven innings; look for RHP Dan Britt to likely follow Thornburg on the mound Live Audio Link

Went back and watched LaTroy Hawkins' stint on MiLB.TV. He threw quite a few breaking pitches, most of those out of the zone, a couple missing badly. No radar gun graphic or mention. The final count was 21 pitches, 11 for strikes. Brett Pollock, former voice of the Stars, was on the mike during Hawkins' stint.

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Werner Park debut a success for Storm ChasersBy Rob White, Omaha World-Herald Staff Writer Bases loaded, eighth inning, nobody out and protecting a one-run lead. Go get ’em, Jesse. And that’s what Jesse Chavez did Saturday night, helping the Omaha Storm Chasers preserve a 2-1 victory over Nashville in the home opener before 6,533 at Werner Park. “Getting out of that jam was big,” Omaha manager Mike Jirschele said. “That got us over the hump.” Chavez inherited the sticky situation and struck out Brandon Boggs on three pitches before getting Jeremy Reed to ground into a snappy double play, one of three turned by the Storm Chasers’ defense. “The first pitch is the biggest thing,” Chavez said. “If you can get ahead in the count, you’re in control and you don’t have to groove anything. “After that, I just want to rely on my sinker and try to get ground balls (for double plays) or a short pop up where the outfield is coming in instead of going back. The strikeout was just a bonus.” Louis Coleman struck out the side in the ninth for his second save. Chavez (1-0) got credit for the win since he was the most effective Omaha reliever after starter Danny Duffy left with a lead before completing five innings. Duffy dominated for 4 2?3, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out seven. The left-hander struck out five of the first seven batters he faced, including three in a row in the second inning, which he finished with a 96 mph fastball past Martin Maldonado. But Duffy reached his 75-pitch limit one out short of qualifying for the victory. “He just ran out of pitches,” Jirschele said. “On a cold night, just getting a win by pitching to one more batter here isn’t worth risking an injury.” That’s fine with the 22-year-old Duffy, considered one of the top pitching prospects in the Kansas City organization. “As long as we pull out the win, that’s what matters,” Duffy said. “I’m not a stat rat.” The Chasers put together four straight hits to produce two third-inning runs. David Lough doubled, but was cut down at home trying to score on Eric Hosmer’s single to center. Hosmer moved to second on the play, then scored the first Class AAA run in ballpark history on Mike Moustakas’ opposite-field double into the left field corner. Johnny Giavotella then delivered the first triple in park history, scoring Moustakas. Omaha was decked out in special jerseys, with puzzle pieces on the sleeves to symbolize autism awareness. The uniforms were autographed and auctioned off after the game. Despite the wind chill dipping into the low 40s, the Chasers appreciated their new home-field advantage. “I don’t think we hear as much right now because we’ve got the heater going in the dugout,” Jirschele said. “But at the end, when we won it, you could tell this is a different atmosphere than it was at Rosenblatt.” Photo by KENT SIEVERS/THE WORLD-HERALD The Storm Chasers Eric Hosmer is welcomed home after scoring the first run in the bottom of the third inning. http://www.omaha.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=OW&Date=20110416&Category=SPORTS&ArtNo=704169748&Ref=AR&maxw=600&maxh=400 *** With the grand opening and all, there is additional coverage, if not from a Sounds' perspective, naturally. You can view that here. Pretty much what could have been with Nashville as long as two years ago now. Oh well...

Great to see the Post-Crescent do these again in 2011 -- Timber Rattlers profile: No. 3 Nick Shaw, infielder Compiled by Mike Woods, Appleton Post-Crescent Quick Hits - Age: 22. - Position: Second base/shortstop. - Height/weight: 6-0, 161. - Bats/throws: Left/right. - Hometown: St. Petersburg, Fla. Notes: Selected by the Brewers in the 25th round of the 2010 First-Year Player Draft. ... Was an Arizona League all-star last season, leading the league in on-base percentage (.471) and walks (37). ... Finished fourth in the league in batting average (.339). ... Attended Barry University in Miami Shores, Fla., where he set an NCAA Division II record with 215 career walks (previous mark was 200). ... Named a third-team Division II all-American in 2009 and an honorable mention all-American pick in 2008. Favorites MLB team growing up: "Boston Red Sox. My family's from Maine, so a very big following up there in the whole New England area." MLB player growing up: "Nomar Garciaparra. He played short; I played short — that type of thing." Current player: "You know, my favorite hitter was Manny Ramirez, but lately it's tough to be a fan of him. So, I really don't … I still follow the Red Sox here and there but they're off to a rough start." Brewers player: "I'd have to say Ryan Braun." Sport other than baseball: "Soccer. Played a lot when I was young and when I got to high school I had to choose one and my dad made me choose baseball, but that's all right. It's worked out, I guess. " Food: "Any kind of chicken." Thing about Florida: "The weather. Geez, can't beat it." TV show: "I don't watch that much TV. 'Family Guy,' I guess." Musical artist: "I like Jason Aldean, country, that kind of deal." NFL team: "I guess the Buccaneers. I really don't follow it much, but that's the hometown team." Q&A Q: Thursday night, you went zero-for-zero at the plate with five walks. Last year, you led the Arizona League in walks. How'd you develop such a good eye? A: "I don't know if this is it, but when I was younger, I played games in the back yard with a strike zone behind me. My dad would pitch to me and if it hit the strike zone, it was a strike and if not, it was a ball. That and video games when I was younger. Had a strike zone, same type of thing. That could have helped me, I think." Q: Is it hard to learn plate discipline? A: "I think so. It just has to be worked on over and over again. What you think the strike zone is and if the ball isn't near it, let it go." Q: How'd you end up at Barry University? A: "Coming out of high school, I was small. I think I was 5-foot-6, 130 pounds soaking wet. So I had a couple of community colleges and then Barry came out of nowhere. They actually wanted my high school teammate and, as a package deal, I went with him." Q: What kind of experience was that for you? A: "It was a great experience. Played as soon as I got there, so I got in four years at a four-year college. I couldn't have asked for anything better." Q: What did you major in? A: "I was pre-pharmacy, the biology, chemistry route. Then, my junior year, I had to choose either four night classes during the season or give up baseball. It was one or the other. So I choose baseball, obviously, and changed my major to sports management." Q: On Opening Day, you hit your first professional home run. What did you do with the ball? A: "I never got the ball. My parents asked 'Did you get the ball?' No, I watched the replay and I think a little kid grabbed it, so that's great. I gave the bat away, too." Q: Who'd you give the bat to? A: "I saw some kid by the dugout. Everyone was asking for autographs. He was just sitting there with his parents minding his own business. The bat was broken so I just signed it and gave it to him." Q: What's the hardest thing about playing in cold weather? A: "Keeping your hands from going completely stiff — well, actually, your whole body. Try to stay loose. Try to stay focused on the game. It's tough to want to keep going through it for nine innings but you just have to put your mind to it." Q: How'd it feel to get drafted and how did you find out? A: "I was actually out in the back yard with my parents and a couple of friends in the pool. I got a call in the 20th round. I think it was from the Astros. They said, 'Have you heard anything from anybody else?' I said, 'No.' Being a senior, I figured I was going to go real late. They said, 'All right, probably late tomorrow, late 30s (round) or early 40s.' So I said OK and I stopped paying attention to the computer and went back into the pool. The next thing I know, my mom and her fiance jump into the pool fully clothed. Her fiance had his phone in his pocket and that's when I assumed I got drafted and they told me it was by the Brewers. That was pretty funny." Q: How'd you spend your first paycheck? A: "I think I bought some shoes, quite a few bats and some clothes." Q: What's your most prized sports possession? A: "I still have my T-ball glove. That's still in my closet. I actually have my college jersey framed, too. So between those two." Q: Why are those special to you? A: "The glove, symbolizing like a start, where I started to where I am now. And the college jersey, just for the opportunity I got there. Having that just reminds me of that experience." Q: Do you feel you've had to show more, or have had something extra to prove, because of your size? A: "I definitely feel I have to do extra things because I'm smaller. It's been like that the whole way up. When I was young, then going into high school and into college, even finding a college in the first place. You just go out there and do what you can. Don't try to do anything extra. It's got me through so far." Q: Any significance to No. 3? A: "No, just always wore it when I was younger and all the way through." Q: If you could take one guy deep, who would it be? A: "Let me think. It's got to be a Yankee. I guess I'd say (CC) Sabathia." Q: What's been your favorite sports moment either that you were involved in or watched? A: "The Red Sox coming back from 3-0 down (in the 2004 ALCS against the Yankees). I got the chills. When that happened, it was crazy." The Tool Box Wisconsin manager Matt Erickson breaks down infielder Nick Shaw: "Obviously I haven't seen much of Nick. He didn't show up to instructional league because they gave him the opportunity to finish his schooling, and he took advantage of that. And that automatically tells me he's a fairly intelligent guy. "This spring training, as I watched him play and do his daily work, I was impressed. Obviously, not a real big guy but fundamentally pretty good. His work ethic is good. And a lot of times those go hand-in-hand. But I love him at the top of our lineup. His pitch selection is great. He's not afraid to take some pitches. He's going to give you a good at-bat. He's a tough out. With that, he can swing the bat a little bit. He's capable of driving the ball. He's not only a leadoff guy that takes pitches but I think he's got some hit-ability to him. He's capable of swinging the bat. I fully anticipate him being at the top of our lineup all season. "His glove, he's been a shortstop his whole life. But last year was a little bit of an adjustment for him playing second every day. But it looks like he is very comfortable with that. He is going to play some shortstop. I told him maybe once a week we're going to try and throw him over there to make sure he's not lost in the shuffle as just a second baseman. If he's not an everyday second baseman, the next thing is a utility guy and he needs to have value playing shortstop. And he has no problem with that and loves the position. "He's solid at turning the double play. He's quick there. I just see him as a guy you can rely on, throw him at the top of your lineup, put him at short or second, go do your thing." http://cmsimg.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=U0&Date=20110417&Category=APC020602&ArtNo=104170616&Ref=AR&MaxW=640&Border=0 Nick Shaw will play second and occasionally shortstop for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. / Post-Crescent photo by Dan Powers.

Big drop in our availability to Huntsville coverage this year -- no (or at best infrequent) game summaries provided, even for home affairs. We lost highlight and interview archiving from 2010, the broadcast-that-is-not-a-broadcast from the couch is a failed, if not AWOL, experiment thus far, and the Huntsville Times apparently sat idly by for the doubleheader as well. Makes link reporting more of a chore for us, and for family and friends of the Stars, certainly not a good situation. Unacceptable at the AA level, actually. We respect those trying to make it happen there, but at least at this point, it's hard to paint a pretty picture. At least things are going well on the field in Huntsville, where it matters.

Pitchers share bond Manatees' Anundsen, Wooten have surgery in common by Mark DeCotis, Florida Today VIERA — Evan Anundsen and Rob Wooten have more in common than being strapping right-handed pitchers and former all-stars for the Brevard County Manatees in the Class A Advanced Florida State League. They share the experience of having undergone surgery in the past year, Anundsen on his right shoulder and Wooten on his right elbow. Both are now working through the process of rehabilitating their bodies and their minds. The surgery was the second for Wooten, 25, who had the labrum in his right shoulder repaired in 2003. The surgery for Anundsen, 22, marked the first time he had arm trouble and a subsequent procedure. As expected, Wooten said his recovery has been as easy as one could expect while Anundsen admits to having to regain confidence in his pitches. Both have progressed to the point where they are pitching again. Anundsen has pitched three innings, allowing seven hits and eight runs, walking four and striking out one, while Wooten has pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing just three hits and hasn't allowed a run. "I'm still working on getting the velocity back up, that may take some more time," Wooten said. "But as far as the way I feel, I feel great. "Going through a surgery before, back in 2003 with my shoulder, that was more the mental part. To get over that took some time, especially as a young kid. Going through that really helped with this past surgery. The mental part was a breeze." For Anundsen, he admits to feeling better. "The surgery went well," he said. "On other things, back to pitching, it's a little bit of a different story right now." Being a sinkerball pitcher, Anundsen needs to regain the fine touch required to make everything work. "Basically all year last year I was throwing to be healthy instead of throwing to actually get people out," he said. "Now it's going back to throwing to get people out. It's taking me a little bit longer than I'd like but I'm making strides in the right direction. "The difference from what my pitches did two years ago when I was here and what it is now, it's a little different. That's the problem with me, convincing myself that 'yeah, I can get back to where I was, and possibly better at some point.' "That's more that I've got to convince myself versus the fact that my shoulder, I'm blessed so far that my shoulder's healthy right now and it feels good." That's the same assessment Manatees Manager Jeff Isom provided. "Well Wooten is ahead of Anundsen right now," Isom said. "Velocity and everything with Wooten is back to where it was before, secondary pitches have been very good and consistent. He's right where he needs to be now. We just need to build him and get his innings in and see where he goes from there. "With Evan, he's still babying it a little bit. I don't think he feels anything in there with his shoulder. He's just got to realize that he's healthy, he's got to be able to let it go. Sometimes that takes time. You get out there and get in some pressure situations and then all of a sudden let a pitch go and say 'that felt pretty good. I'm OK.' Once you get over that hump, then usually you're going to fine. With him it's just a matter of getting over that hump right now." Anundsen, 23, is in his sixth minor league season and has pitched in 81 games while Wooten, 25, is in his third season and has 69 games to his credit. Anundsen pitched three innings in his one appearance for the Manatees in 2010 before having surgery and missing the remainder of the campaign. Wooten appeared in 27 games for Double A Huntsville in 2009 before undergoing ligament replacement surgery and missing the 2010 season. Brevard County Manatees pitcher Evan Anundsen was a Florida State League All-Star in 2009, but is now recovering from shoulder surgery last year. (For FLORIDA TODAY, 2009 file) http://cmsimg.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=A9&Date=20110417&Category=SPORTS&ArtNo=104170329&Ref=AR&MaxW=640&Border=0

Nashville Audio Archive -- April 16 - Chat with Pitcher Tim Dillard

The MiLB.TV experience thus far -- The video feed is fine. There are no graphics from Omaha, although other random games I sampled earlier did include them. But the audio feed is of some radio station (music, commercials) instead of the game. I pulled up Stu's audio call, but it's behind the video feed by a couple of minutes. Manny Parra loaded the bases in the 1st but got out of it. I'll likely call it a night here in terms of posting. Eric will be by as usual with your recaps.

The Phillies have announced they are not skipping Joe Blanton's turn after their rainout with the Marlins Saturday. Instead of Halladay - Lee - Oswalt, it'll be Blanton - Halladay - Lee. So it'll be Marcum - Blanton, Wolf - Halladay, Narveson - Lee.

The Carolina audio is available -- in a game scheduled for seven innings, the Stars and Mudcats are tied at 6-6 in the bottom of the 5th. Five of the Stars have reached base twice each thus far. *** Tough first inning for Maverick Lasker at Brevard -- three runs, five hits.

Reminder that the Nashville game is available via the MiLB.TV subscription. Manny Parra to start. MiLB.TV also archives full game coverage.

Huntsville is underway, but the Stars' audio link has dead air, and the more traditional broadcast call from Carolina has a country music station playing, so not sure if you're going to have any audio during the course of the doubleheader. Game One Lineup -- Huntsville Stars Player Pos AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG Komatsu CF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .667 Cline SS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .316 Halton 1B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .379 Caufield LF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .391 Jones, B RF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .217 Wilson, S 3B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .320 De La Rosa C 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .333 Ortiz, Y 2B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Sanchez, Je P

Nashville Media Notes includes the following -- BOGGS ON BASE: Outfielder Brandon Boggs leads the PCL with a .559 on-base percentage and is one of 11 players to reach base via hit or walk in each of the season’s first eight games. Boggs co-leads the PCL with nine walks drawn this season.

The Sounds say hello to Lorenzo Cain tonight. Exciting news -- if the schedule holds, Jeff Suppan faces Nashville in a Monday matinee!

PCL American North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Nashville 5 3 .625 - - 5-3 0-0 5-3 L1 Iowa 4 4 .500 1.0 136 0-0 4-4 4-4 W1 Memphis 3 5 .375 2.0 135 3-5 0-0 3-5 L4 Omaha 2 6 .250 3.0 134 0-0 2-6 2-6 L4 SOU North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Huntsville 5 2 .714 - - 2-0 3-2 5-2 W3 Tennessee 5 2 .714 - - 2-0 3-2 5-2 W2 Chattanooga 4 3 .571 1.0 63 2-3 2-0 4-3 W3 Jackson 3 4 .429 2.0 62 0-2 3-2 3-4 L2 Carolina 1 6 .143 4.0 60 1-4 0-2 1-6 L2 FSL North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Clearwater 6 3 .667 - - 2-0 4-3 6-3 W1 Daytona 6 3 .667 - - 4-1 2-2 6-3 L3 Lakeland 6 3 .667 - - 3-1 3-2 6-3 W2 Tampa 5 4 .556 1.0 61 2-3 3-1 5-4 W2 Brevard County 3 6 .333 3.0 59 1-3 2-3 3-6 L1 Dunedin 1 8 .111 5.0 57 1-6 0-2 1-8 L2 MID Western Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Burlington 6 2 .750 - - 3-1 3-1 6-2 W2 Beloit 5 3 .625 1.0 - 3-1 2-2 5-3 L1 Quad Cities 5 3 .625 1.0 - 2-2 3-1 5-3 L1 Cedar Rapids 4 4 .500 2.0 62 2-2 2-2 4-4 W2 Wisconsin 4 4 .500 2.0 62 2-2 2-2 4-4 L2 Kane County 3 5 .375 3.0 61 1-3 2-2 3-5 W1 Peoria 3 5 .375 3.0 61 2-2 1-3 3-5 L2 Clinton 2 6 .250 4.0 60 1-3 1-3 2-6 W1

Follow Saturday's action as it happens: Nashville (Gameday also available) Huntsville Game One (Gameday also available) Huntsville Game Two (Gameday also available) Brevard County Wisconsin

Saturday's Daily Menu: Times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: LHP Manny Parra at Omaha (Royals), 6:50 PM pre-game; 7:05 gametime -- expect RHP Frankie De La Cruz to follow Parra Live Audio Link iPad/iPhone: Listen MiLB.TV -- For subscribers, the Nashville game is the first MiLB.TV opportunity of 2011. Huntsville: RHP's Jesus Sanchez and Cody Scarpetta in a doubleheader at home vs. Carolina (Reds), 4:43 PM gametime; each contest slated for seven innings Live Audio Link iPad/iPhone: Listen Traditional broadcast via Carolina feed: Listen Brevard County: RHP Maverick Lasker at home vs. Clearwater (Phillies), 6:05 PM gametime Sorry, no audio available for this contest... Wisconsin: LHP Del Howell at home vs. Peoria (Cubs), 12:45 PM pre-game; 1:05 gametime Live Audio Link

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Our modest Brewerfan original, Patrick, won't be pleased that I've highlighted this thread for the weekend, but it is so well-deserved. Even though he and I are separated by distance and have communicated almost exclusively via online means only for 10+ years now, I know that I can state without question that they don't come any classier than Patrick. For him to be able to take his incredible passion for amateur baseball and nurture it, develop it, build those contacts, network, and then migrate from a professional and productive life outside of baseball to his new full-time managing editor gig at Perfect Game is a special accomplishment that we all celebrate. True congratulations are in order and a special note to his understanding better half as well http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif. My thanks to "colbyjack" for all his efforts that you readers have seen here at Brewerfan over the years, but even more so for his words here behind the scenes. A wonderful reward and kudos to Perfect Game on a very wise hire. And yes, I finally hope to host colbyjack for some Cape Cod League summer games in the coming years... -- Jim

Against Tampa, so no audio or Gameday at all, sigh. Sit by your game log!

Just-released infielder Pete Fatse (a native of Connecticut) signed with the Worcester (MA) Tornadoes of the independent Can-Am League.

PCL American North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Nashville 5 3 .625 - - 5-3 0-0 5-3 L1 Iowa 4 4 .500 1.0 136 0-0 4-4 4-4 W1 Memphis 3 5 .375 2.0 135 3-5 0-0 3-5 L4 Omaha 2 6 .250 3.0 134 0-0 2-6 2-6 L4 SOU North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Huntsville 5 2 .714 - - 2-0 3-2 5-2 W3 Tennessee 5 2 .714 - - 2-0 3-2 5-2 W2 Chattanooga 4 3 .571 1.0 63 2-3 2-0 4-3 W3 Jackson 3 4 .429 2.0 62 0-2 3-2 3-4 L2 Carolina 1 6 .143 4.0 60 1-4 0-2 1-6 L2 FSL North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Daytona 6 2 .750 - - 4-1 2-1 6-2 L2 Clearwater 5 3 .625 1.0 62 2-0 3-3 5-3 L1 Lakeland 5 3 .625 1.0 62 2-1 3-2 5-3 W1 Tampa 4 4 .500 2.0 61 2-3 2-1 4-4 W1 Brevard County 3 5 .375 3.0 60 1-2 2-3 3-5 W3 Dunedin 1 7 .125 5.0 58 1-5 0-2 1-7 L1 MID Western Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Burlington 6 2 .750 - - 3-1 3-1 6-2 W2 Beloit 5 3 .625 1.0 - 3-1 2-2 5-3 L1 Quad Cities 5 3 .625 1.0 - 2-2 3-1 5-3 L1 Cedar Rapids 4 4 .500 2.0 62 2-2 2-2 4-4 W2 Wisconsin 4 4 .500 2.0 62 2-2 2-2 4-4 L2 Kane County 3 5 .375 3.0 61 1-3 2-2 3-5 W1 Peoria 3 5 .375 3.0 61 2-2 1-3 3-5 L2 Clinton 2 6 .250 4.0 60 1-3 1-3 2-6 W1

Follow Friday's action as it happens: Huntsville (Gameday also available) Brevard County Wisconsin