Jim Goulart

Despite allowing the lone run, loving listening to Cody Scarpetta's innings... I see we're officially in spring training game thread mode http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif.

TODAY’S GAME: Is the first of 2 games against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim this spring.....the teams also meet on 3/24 in Tempe. ON THE MOUND: Also scheduled to pitch this afternoon (subject to change) is RHP Takashi Saito, RHP Wily Peralta and RHP Cody Scarpetta. MINOR DETAILS: Joining the team today from minor-league camp is INF Scooter Gennett (93), OF Brendan Katin (97), INF Yadiel Rivera (90), RHP Eulogio De La Cruz (96), RHP Mike Fiers (94) and RHP Jesus Sanchez (92). Lineup and notes from the J-S.

After checking in or reviewing recent press releases, here's what we can expect for Link Report audio connections in 2011: MiLB.com has indicated that they still are not prepared to go back to archived full broadcasts of all games, as was the case a couple of years back. It seems like there was a lot of dependence on all the various radio station engineers to make that happen on a consistent basis, but the coordinated effort was certainly a boon to folks like ourselves, as we could track down highlights such as game-ending plays, critical on-field injury moments, and all the pre-game interviews. Still a big loss... AAA: Stu Paul will be back in the booth in Nashville for a second season (all went just fine during his maiden AAA voyage), and we should continue to get archives of pre-game interviews. MiLB.TV plans to expand their subscription video package to other, if not most, AAA stadiums, but don't look for Greer Stadium to be included. Stu should be in-season blogging again as well. AA: The Huntsville situation seems to be the most in flux right now. Once again the coverage appears as though it will be internet only -- fine for Link Report devotees, less convenient for those in Joe Davis Stadium, although today's mobile phone web technology will likely allow fans to listen in the stadium with their smart phones if they wish. Neither Chad Anderson nor Aaron Morse will be back. Chad now lives in Nashville, and is focusing on his other career interests (and his upcoming wedding), but is still involved in broadcasting as well and we hope to hear from him down the road. Aaron, a Huntsville intern last season, accepted a new media / broadcast position in independent ball, congrats. We've confirmed that the Stars will not have an announcer on the road with the team, and will broadcast home games only. You'd have to think the Stars would be one of the very few, or perhaps the only AA franchise to not have full-time audio if that's the case, but the situation leaves us with the opponent feed only for all road games. Not optimum, as it appears those now infamous budget woes in Huntsville played a part in this decision. Thank you, Miles Prentice. GM Buck Rogers updated Huntsville fans recently -- Look for a change to our broadcasts this season...every home game will feature our broadcasts not from a radio booth on the 3rd floor, but from the seating bowl of the stadium complete with a fan of the game on as a guest announcer. We're taking the broadcast into the seats and you'll have your chance to be an announcer for a game! We'll get you more information as we iron out the details, but if you've ever wanted to be a part of the broadcast team, you'll get your chance this season! Your family and friends can listen in around the globe, we'll have question and answer innings, shout-outs to listeners who email in, some food and drinks delivered to the broadcast team, and break all the molds associated with how games have been broadcast in the past. Why are you having your game broadcasts from the seating bowl this season? Very simply, to add to the fan experience. The radio broadcast booth has always been an area that has been off-limits for fans. Why? Most fans, given the opportunity would jump at the chance to get on the mike and help call a game. For some it would be the memory of a lifetime. Your family and friends all over the world could listen in on the internet. You could get a mp3 recording of it for a keepsake. I don't think we'll have any vacancies once we begin registration for guest announcers. All we're trying to do is continually improve and by bringing the booth into the crowd and having fans involved we think we'll add to some fans enjoyment. Sure, we'll have the traditional radio guys out there going nuts, but we found our host broadcaster who will call the play-by-play action while incorporating the fan and a guest into the game. His name is Pokey Hayden and he's been assisting the broadcast team of the Troy University sports department for the past couple years. And when you meet him - and his brother Preston - you're going to agree that he's the perfect guy for this job. If this "fan in the booth" experiment is beyond a once in a while thing, it could be interesting, and not in a good way. Just sayin', good luck with that. The rest of the broadcast will probably be just fine... Chad and Aaron did a nice job with game highlight and interview audio archiving -- we'll see what the coming season holds, but considering the hosting archive site belonged to Chad, a repeat is not likely. Side note -- former Voice of the Stars Brett Pollock (2005 - 2009) will be part of the AAA Omaha (Royals) broadcast booth this year. High-A: The Florida State League is not a media mammoth, as you know, and friends and families of the 2011 Manatees will face a similar situation as those from prior years. We'll let you know whenever an opponent feed is available (if you can stomach things from a Cubs' perspective, there are always plenty of broadcasts from the Daytona crew, a common enemy on the regular season diamond). At some point later in the summer, Stephen C. Smith, who self-produced and broadcast several Brevard County games at his own expense in 2010, may pick up the mantle again. As of right now, those plans are on indefinite hold. A: The Timber Rattlers have extended their relationship with WNAM 1280 in Oshkosh all the way through the 2016 season. Mr. All-Things Appleton baseball and Rattler baseball, Chris Mehring, will be back in the booth for each and every game, and on his year-round blog, and with special features hosted on the Rattlers' official site. At some point we believe he sleeps, but we're not sure when. In addition, we'll remind you a day or two in advance so you can set your DVR's, but Time-Warner Cable 32 will again broadcast ten Rattler evening home games: Day Date Opponent Time Thursday April 7 Kane County 6:35pm Thursday April 28 Clinton 6:35pm Thursday May 12 Cedar Rapids 6:35pm Thursday May 19 Beloit 6:35pm Wednesday June 29 Peoria 7:05pm Wednesday July 6 Kane County 7:05pm Wednesday July 13 West Michigan 7:05pm Thursday August 4 Clinton 7:05pm Wednesday August 24 Kane County 7:05pm Monday August 29 Cedar Rapids 7:05pm Rookie: The always popular Steve Wendt will lend his voice to all Helena game broadcasts again this summer. Link Report season always goes into overdrive mode when the two rookie seasons commence, and Steve's been a big part of that for many years now. *** As for game recaps and media coverage of home games -- AAA: Doug Scopel and the Nashville staff provide timely and very detailed game stories via the Sounds' site. The game summaries are the "lifeblood" of the Link Report in a way, and Nashville does it right. The Tennessean and the other Nashville daily newspapers basically gave up on coverage of the Sounds last year. We'll see half-a-dozen features sprinkled throughout the season, and that's about it. That's not unusual in AAA, but still unfortunate. Compare that to the coverage we see from the rookie Pioneer League and all its outposts. AA: We are hopeful that the Stars will be able to provide timely and meaningful game summaries of all their home games. Last season everything was hosted on former broadcaster Chad Anderson's own website -- we'll wait to see how it comes together in 2011. The Huntsville Times has often provided very good game-day reports that went beyond the play-by-play. The articles were mostly written by non-staff correspondents, which was fine. At some point last summer those features stopped publishing on the archaic Times web site, although we understand they still appeared in the printed version of the paper. We will attempt to work with the Times to get access to anything of this nature for you. A+: An occasional player / coach feature will appear in Florida Today, and the Manatees' staff did provide basic game summaries of home action last year. Not quite as detailed as those from Nashville and Wisconsin (those are tough to match), but certainly they were sufficient. A: A new-look Appleton Post-Crescent will keep us very busy with their coverage, including many photo galleries. As noted, Chris Mehring will have our game summaries in good hands. Rookie: Similar to Brevard County, we can expect basic but handy home game summaries. However, while Manatee newspaper coverage will again be very sparse, the Helena Independent Record will undoubtedly blow us away for another season with their work. Amber Kuehn is still with the Record, we can only hope she's once again the H-Crew beat writer for 2011. Maryvale and the Dominican: Yeah, right. Your debut 2011 regular season Link Report is Thursday, April 7th...see you then. Well, before then, too, but you know what we mean...

Don't forget our In-Game Chat Room (link)! WTMJ and assorted affiliates with the radio broadcast, and Ueck and Cory can be heard (1:50 pre-game, we believe) via MLB.com's audio link. Box score here. Gameday, which mainly allows you to scroll through a "game log" later on -- no pitch-by-pitch yet, can be found here. No XM radio until Monday.

WSSP: Gord Ash Latest from McCalvy and Haudricourt

Friday's box Only Marco Estrada (two scoreless innings) and Hunter Morris (0-for-1, groundout) from minor league camp.

Don't forget our In-Game Chat Room (link)! SF and MIL meet today for 2nd of 3 Cactus League meetings...Giants took 1st meeting this spring 10-9 in Maryvale. WTMJ and assorted affiliates with the radio broadcast, and Ueck and Cory can be heard (1:50 pre-game, we believe) via MLB.com's audio link. Box score here. Gameday, which mainly allows you to scroll through a "game log" later on -- no pitch-by-pitch yet, can be found here. No XM radio until Monday. The J-S has the starting lineup and other tidbits, including discussion about Luis Cruz' versatility. The Brewers are late with their game notes today re: other pitchers and minor leaguers.

Tom Haudricourt on Eric Farris -- not sure how you can sit down with Farris and not ask about shortstop, especially when the featured theme in the post is Eric's defense...

Just prior to Scooter's stay-alive single and De La Rosa's blast, Brian Anderson said "Got a feeling something's good about to happen here". http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

On Thursday, Scooter Gennett kept the bottom of the 9th alive for Anderson De La Rosa's walk-off three-run home run. Scooter was the lone position player from minor league camp to participate. RHP David Johnson teamed with Randy Wolf to post a very crooked number in the 2nd inning, striking out two while allowing two runs, one home run. Box

Don't forget our In-Game Chat Room (link)! This is the first of three meetings between the A’s and Brewers this spring…the clubs meet again in Phoenix this Sunday and the A’s return to Maryvale March 11…the A’s won both meetings last spring after going 0-2-1 against the Brewers in 2009. Brian and Rock can be heard via MLB.com's audio link. Box score here. Gameday, which mainly allows you to scroll through a "game log" later on -- no pitch-by-pitch yet, can be found here. ON THE MOUND: Also scheduled to pitch this afternoon (subject to change) is RHP Sean Green, LHP Manny Parra, RHP Mike McClendon, RHP Brandon Kintzler, RHP Amaury Rivas, RHP Robert Hinton and RHP Roque Mercedes. MINOR DETAILS: Joining the team today from minor-league camp is INF Scooter Gennett (94), LHP Chris Cody (93), RHP Donovan Hand (98) and RHP David Johnson (96).

WSSP: Yovani Gallardo Chris Narveson

Hunter Morris with a pinch-hit single Wednesday, now 2-for-2 on the spring, and RHP's Eulogio De La Cruz, Michael Fiers, and Jim Henderson finished up -- Fiers with a 1-2-3 inning with a K, as the Power 50's # 29 (and admittedly, some of those in the Brewer blogosphere believe he should be higher) continues to garner attention. Unless some old(er) arms are stashed in Huntsville, there are going to be some relief arms the organization will need to say goodbye to come the start of the minor league seasons. Just not enough spots... FYI -- Power 50 shortly after the start of the new seasons.

WSSP: 3/2/11 Rickie Weeks talks spring training, having a new coach and Prince

Don't forget our In-Game Chat Room (link)! This is already the final spring meeting between the Cubs and Brewers … the clubs met at HoHoKam Park this past Monday, with the Brewers taking a 5-3 victory. The Cubs and Brewers play 16 times during the upcoming regular season, beginning with a three-game set in Milwaukee, April 8-10 … the clubs won’t meet again until a four-game series at Wrigley Field, June 13-16. WTMJ and assorted affiliates with the radio broadcast, and Ueck and Cory can be heard via MLB.com's audio link. Box score here. Gameday, which mainly allows you to scroll through a "game log" later on -- no pitch-by-pitch yet, can be found here. Driving around or subscribe online to XM radio? XM 187 for the WTMJ feed. ON THE MOUND: Also scheduled to pitch this afternoon (subject to change) is LHP Dan Merklinger, RHP Zack Segovia, RHP Eulogio De La Cruz, RHP Mike Fiers, RHP Jim Henderson and RHP Nick Bucci. MINOR DETAILS: Joining the team today from minor-league camp is OF Erik Komatsu (93), INF Sergio Miranda (97), 1B Hunter Morris (99), INF Yadiel Rivera (90), RHP Dan Britt (95), LHP Brian Garman (92), RHP Damon Krestalude (81) and RHP Eric Marzec (91).

The Brewers Media Notes indicate that McGehee signed a one-year deal today, terms not disclosed. So it's good he wasn't "renewed", and perhaps talks are still underway for a long-term deal, or maybe they are tabled for later in the season, or perhaps they won't discuss until next winter.

Great topic! I'm voting for Mike McClendon -- I love trying to guess at which point he's going to go into his "quick pitch" windup mode and watch how it messes with the batter's timing.

Brewers 3, White Sox 1 (box) RHP Donovan Hand kept Zach Greinke's line pretty, stranding Zach's baserunner by getting two outs in the 2nd. Hunter Morris with a triple in his AB. RHP Marco Estrada surrendered the Brewers' staff only run, but did get the save.

This Greinke interview thread is still recent and is less than 50 posts, we'll use it. figured it a good time to start our "Brewers in news" kinda thread..... We appreciate the effort, but the thread title you chose was "SI story about Greinke", so folks would never know it was a more generic media thread. But thanks regardless.

Baseball America: Milwaukee Brewers Signed: C James Skelton (career stats) Lefty-swinging catcher James Skelton has been an on-base machine in the minors (.396 OBP), and he even dabbled at second base last season in the Pirates chain. This will be Skelton's age 25 season, and he's seen action at the AA level in the Tiger, Diamondback, and Pirate chains. The Tigers drafted him out of a California high school in 2004 (14th round). In the Rule 5 draft prior to the 2009 season, Arizona plucked him from Detroit's system. He didn't make the D-Backs that spring (150/.244/.175 in 40 at-bats) and cleared waivers, and Arizona made a deal with Detroit to hold on to him. At the time, Rotoworld wrote -- The Tigers didn't think Skelton would make it as a catcher, so they didn't value him especially highly. If he does develop into an average backstop, his on-base skills would make him a valuable player. If he doesn't, at least he's quick enough to potentially be of use as a utilityman. He figures to spend the season in Double-A. He signed as a minor league free agent with Pittsburgh for the 2010 season. This article is now three years old, but provides some background on Shelton and his small frame. *** On the surface, Shelton seems young enough and versatile enough that he could be a valuable 25th man on a major league roster within a year or two, best case scenario, obviously. Enjoy the plate discipline in the meantime. Both photos below from the 2010 season. http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1306/4705958392_d8b998f5ba.jpg And in the field at second base (linked photo)

Latest from Haudricourt and McCalvy, each before Tuesday's game

Apparently Eric Farris missed the squeeze sign...

Man, I forgot all about DiFelice. Is he in the plans for a spot in the bullpen or does he have minor league options? He's not on the 40-man, so the Brewers can stash him in nashville to begin the season if need be -- wonderful depth.

Don't forget our In-Game Chat Room! Brian and Rock with the webcast -- Box score here.Broadcast available to MLB audio subscribers here. A Gameday, play-by-play not pitch-by-pitch, can be found here. ON THE MOUND: Also scheduled to pitch this afternoon (subject to change) is LHP Chris Narveson, RHP Kameron Loe, LHP Zach Braddock, RHP Mark DiFelice and RHP Justin James. MINOR DETAILS: Joining the team today from minor-league camp is INF Carlos George (91), OF Brandon Jones (97), 1B Hunter Morris (99), LHP Chris Cody (93), RHP Marco Estrada (92), RHP Donovan Hand (98), RHP David Johnson (96) and RHP Maverick Lasker (94).

Yeah, we're duplicating some portions of the conversation, so we'll close this thread and refer folks to this Off-Topic thread for MLB.TV and all things related.