Jim Goulart

Honestly, there must have been at least a dozen articles during the offseason that we could have linked to but didn't concerning the Sounds and their ballpark. We chose not to. It was like "wake us up when you break ground". Of course, there's still no plan, no proposals in place, but there is relatively new Sounds ownership, a new mayor, but it's still a lot of 'blah-blah-blah". This latest article again includes quotes from Gord Ash, but don't expect regular updates from us. We fell for this nonsense once, and won't again. The discussion will certainly heat up around next August when all the affiliate speculation talk re-heats as the Brewers affiliations all expire after 2010, except for Wisconsin (2012, and you may as well put 2092 on that one). Love this updated page for reference. *** Big brother is watching The Sounds' ballpark situation is being watched closely by the team's major-league affiliate, the Milwaukee Brewers. Since beginning its relationship with the Sounds in 2005, the Brewers have provided Nashville with highly regarded prospects such as Ryan Braun, Prince Fielder and Yovani Gallardo. But, the Brewers' affiliation agreement with Nashville expires at the end of the season and the team wants to see progress toward a new ballpark. "I think, because you're still six or seven months away, you need to see what unfolds and make a decision based on the facts you have at that time," Brewers Assistant General Manager Gord Ash said. "Nashville is a first-class town. It supports the team well. Our players enjoy living there for the summer. In geographical terms, it's perfect for us. "The only drawback is the condition of the ballpark." The Sounds and then-Mayor Bill Purcell reached a council-approved financing plan for a new ballpark, but the deal fell apart, with both sides blaming each other. The plan was for a mixed-use development, which would have included residential and retail components around the ballpark. Downtown ballparks in cities similar to Nashville have seen success in recent years. Last year, Columbus, Ohio, opened Cooper Stadium downtown and averaged 9,526 fans per game, up from 7,700 in 2008. Nashville averaged 4,492 fans at Greer in 2009.

Let's keep the rotation battle talk within this thread and not worry about "rounds", thanks.

Tom H. with more on Lorenzo Cain via a blog post.

Adam McCalvy with multiple updates on today's action, including a Ryan Braun switch.

ON THE MOUND: Also scheduled to pitch this afternoon (subject to change) is RHP LaTroy Hawkins, LHP Mitch Stetter, RHP Chris Smith and RHP Kameron Loe. MINOR DETAILS: Joining the team from minor-league camp is 1B Chris Errecart (#99), OF Lee Haydel (#91), OF Norris Hopper (#92), 2B Brett Lawrie (#96), OF Erik Miller (#93), C Austin Stockfisch (#98) and INF Zelous Wheeler (#95). Can't wait for Ueck to talk about Stockfisch. Good for the kid.

Box score here. This is a WTMJ game with Bob and Cory. MLB audio subscribers can listen here. We think how it's working out is if it's a webcast (non-radio), it's free to all. If it's a WTMJ audiocast, you appear to need a subscription. No XM radio coverage until Sunday the 14th. Gameday, which is pretty much functioning normally for most of the action now, can be found here. *** We know posts may be light here during spring training, and while posts are still welcome, we will be pushing our Spring Training Chat Room during all our In-Game Threads. When you look at the list of all our Forums, you'll see how many are in the chat room at any one time. Schmooze with fellow Brewer fans who are into the team enough that they've made listening to spring training games a part of their day! Shortly before game time, media notes should be available here, with scheduled pitchers and players from minor league camp listed. Prince Fielder, Rickie Weeks and Alcides Escobar will be taking part in this contest.

Box score here. No video or audio of any type for this one. Gameday, which is pretty much functioning normally for most of the action now, can be found here. *** We know posts may be light here during spring training games and certainly this game in particular, and while posts are still welcome, we will be pushing our Spring Training Chat Room during all our In-Game Threads. Shortly before game time, media notes should be available here, with scheduled pitchers and players from minor league camp listed. Ryan Braun, Corey Hart and Casey McGehee will be taking part in this contest.

Ideally, this would be linked in a separate thread from the "looking heavy" one, but other McGehee threads seemd too dated. Minor league guru John Sickels with a look at Casey's past, present, future...

WSSP: Mitch Stetter Jody Gerut Jon Heyman of SI ESPN Radio: Reminder that Haudricourt archives twice daily

Love the fact John Axford continues to open eyes. Lorenzo Cain with a fine first week, and a tough day for Cody Scarpetta yesterday, if you hadn't listened in. Brewers infielder Zealous Wheeler tries in vain to slide past Padres catcher Chris Stewart. Wheeler was trying to score from third base on an infield grounder Wednesday afternoon. AP photo via the J-S http://media.jsonline.com/images/660*479/plate31010.jpg

Closing this thread, continue following this one for now...

Adam McCalvy on Steffan Wilson

Zelous Wheeler getting picked off of 2nd by the catcher to end the 6th, representing the tying run with two outs, is something he's sure to lose sleep over tonight. Ouch.

If you refresh the page I linked to initially (here), you'll now see MLB has removed any reference to a TV broadcast for the Brewer game. Bummer, although I was listening to Brian and Bill regardless (easier to listen than watch at work, and this time of year, you learn close to nothing about the Crew by taking in the opposing feed of any kind).

Hopefully the webcast audio is free for you because I can't envision a scenario where the TV feed will be free.

Their games begin on Friday the 19th, we hope to provide box scores like last season, although that's more of a curiosity than anything it's going to really tell you.

Lorenzo Cain Video Interview at MLB.com

ON THE MOUND: Also scheduled to pitch this afternoon (subject to change) is LHP Scott Schoeneweis, RHP Todd Coffey, RHP John Axford and LHP Zach Braddock. MINOR DETAILS: Joining the team from minor-league camp is OF Lee Haydel (#91), OF Norris Hopper (#92) and INF Zelous Wheeler (#95).

Box score here. Fans can listen in via the webcast (which will archive) here. We think how it's working out is if it's a webcast (non-radio), it's free to all. If it's a WTMJ audiocast, you appear to need a subscription. Are you an MLB audio / video subscriber, like yours truly? If so, you can watch today's game at MLB.com if you don't mind the Padres broadcast team. No XM radio coverage until Sunday the 14th. A Gameday, which mainly allows you to scroll through a "game log" later on, can be found here. *** We know posts may be light here during spring training games in particular, and while posts are still welcome, we will be pushing our Spring Training Chat Room during all our In-Game Threads. When you look at the list of all our Forums, you'll see how many are in the chat room at any one time. Schmooze with fellow Brewer fans who are into the team enough that they've made listening to spring training games a part of their day!

Associated Press photo via the J-S: Of course, Carlos Gomez is just looking the ball into his glove.... http://media.jsonline.com/images/600*437/carlos030910.jpg

WSSP's tour with Tim Allen continues -- Corey Hart Carlos Villanueva Craig Counsell Dale Sveum

WSSP Audio with Mark Rogers Of course, their web site added the dreaded "D" to his last name, but nice to hear from the 24-year-old "kid"

Boston Herald Looks like he's accepted his role in baseball's big picture. Nothing caustic towards the Brewers, at least in this interview / article.

Tom H. visits with RHP Alex Periard

Chris Capuano -- WSSP