Jim Goulart

The Manatees will benefit from improvements going into Space Coast Stadium for the Nationals, no doubt a reason the Brewers felt comfortable signing their Player Development Agreement through the 2010 season with Brevard County: http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071204/NEWS01/712040339/1006 Stadium goes back to fundamentals BY JAMES DEAN FLORIDA TODAY It's been years since Space Coast Stadium's hand-operated scoreboard celebrated home runs by launching a blinking baseball satellite and plumes of smoke. But the Washington Nationals have a more fundamental concern with the old-fashioned and sometimes faulty equipment: timely and reliable score keeping. Brevard County last week pitched in another $1 million to make stadium improvements requested by the team before spring training begins in February. The new money comes on top of $2.8 million spent last year. Most noticeable to fans could be the installation of a $109,000 electronic scoreboard with a video monitor to replace the retro display, which for years hasn't performed its jazzier functions, such as the billowing smoke. "These days, fans like to have more immediate information than what a hand-operated board can provide," said Michael Shapiro, the team's senior vice president of business affairs. "Our manual operation sometimes lagged behind." But Shapiro said the team's priority would be making less flashy repairs, such as the drainage, fencing and lighting needed to achieve major league standards and improve the fan experience. Team officials believed the spring training home they took over in 2005 had fallen into disrepair, referring to it last year as "a sponge." "I think we've taken some major steps toward putting that facility back in good shape," Shapiro said. A makeover begun last year featured dark blue seats with red railings that replaced the faded teal remnants of the stadium's original 1994 spring training tenant, the Florida Marlins. This year, the most costly change will probably be replacement of field lighting to meet league standards, Assistant County Manager Stockton Whitten said. "We may have to change the entire lighting system," he said. Under a lease that expires in 2017, the team pays for stadium operations and maintenance while the county is responsible for capital improvements. The county typically budgets $500,000 a year for that purpose, but must maintain a $2 million fund. The budget also includes $765,000 to repay bonds that will be retired in 2013. The money comes from taxes paid by tourists on lodgings -- not local property taxes -- that are specifically earmarked for the stadium and promotional activities. The proposed new scoreboard is only slightly more expensive than the reported $90,000 spent on the original, which attempted to blend low-tech baseball tradition and space themes with a design resembling a launch facility. In addition to providing instantaneous updates on hits, runs and errors, baseball executives said electronic boards with monitors can broaden the stadiums' appeal for community events. "With a scoreboard today, it's not so much the baseball game side of house, it's what you're trying to accomplish with your stadium," said Buck Rogers, general manager of the Brevard County Manatees, a Class A team that shares the stadium. For example, he said, some teams host movie nights at their fields. One resident who won't miss the existing scoreboard is 64-year-old John Sheppard of Melbourne, who for more than two years had the job of hanging numbered cards on its pegs from a catwalk exposed to the elements. The retired postal worker once bought clothespins to keep the numbers from blowing away in high March winds, and heard heckles on the rare occasion he made an error. "It was hectic up there, running back and forth putting them cards up," said Sheppard, who gave up his outfield perch a couple of seasons ago. "I'd go for an electronic scoreboard. I think it would be beneficial for both the stadium and the spectators."

RHP Patrick Lawler, a bit of a late-season surprise release by the Brewers, has signed with Winnipeg of the independent Northern League. Lawler, 24, went 3-0 with a 3.45 ERA in 2007, fanning 23 in 15-plus innings over two stops in the Milwaukee system after signing as a free agent out of NCAA Div. II Grand Canyon University.

Rotoworld: Ty Taubenheim (Overbay trade) Claimed by Pirates

Minor league free agent deals per Baseball America: INF Keith Ginter to Boston RHP Justin Lehr to Cincinnati C Mark Johnson to St. Louis Remember RHP Bronswell Patrick? New rookie league coach in the Cubs' system...

Baseball America: RHP Edwin Linares, C Orton Rodriguez, SS Carlos Guzman Colbyjack, do these names show up on any of your premier latin prospect lists? Three more signings for the Crew, we'll build Brewerfan Player Index pages in the spring when the media guide is out with specifics.

Link: Interesting interview article with former Stars' Pitching Coach Rich Sauveur from the Huntsville site -- enjoy! Yovani Gallardo, who was promoted to the Stars in June of 2006 and who is now pitching in the big leagues with the Brewers "will be the stud everyone thinks he will be. 25 years from now I can say 'I coached a Hall of Famer'." http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

Link while active, text follows: http://www.al.com/stars/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/sports/1196418175306380.xml&coll=1 Money returning to Stars in '08 Manager slotted to spend fourth season in Double-A Huntsville By MARK McCARTER Huntsville Times Sports Staff markcolumn@aol.com Don Money, the first Stars manager in 20 years to guide his team to the Southern League championship series in consecutive seasons, will return as the Huntsville manager in 2008. Money, 60, named Manager of the Year in the league last season, will be in his fourth year with the Stars. He is a former major league infielder with Philadelphia and Milwaukee and is enshrined in the Brewers' "Walk of Fame." "I'm not disappointed to be coming back," Money said, "because the organization is basically on a roll. Nashville has won a couple of pennants, and in Huntsville we've been doing some good things, so I'm happy to be back." He'll be joined by a new pitching coach, Chris Hook, a 39-year-old native of Florence, Ky., who was with that city's entry in the independent Frontier League last season. He replaces Rich Sauveur, who joined Boston's Triple-A club in Pawtucket, R.I. Sandy Guerrero, a Huntsville resident, returns as hitting coach and David Yeager of Athens will serve as trainer. Hook pitched in 55 games as a reliever with the San Francisco Giants in 1995-96. He came up through the Cincinnati Reds' organization after his career at Northern Kentucky University, and was with the Reds' Southern League affiliate in Chattanooga in 1993. He was also in the Angels, Astros and Padres organizations. He later became involved with a baseball Web site called "At the Yard" and a magazine by the same name. He spent five years as the Florence Freedom pitching coach, but as an independent team, there was no major league affiliate. He contacted Brad Del Barba, a Brewers scout who had helped Jeff Isom move from the Frontier League to become the manager of Milwaukee's rookie league team in Helena. That led to meetings with Milwaukee officials. "I wanted to get in a situation where I could eventually help pitchers get to the big leagues, so I started looking to affiliated ball," Hook said. The Stars went 60-79 in 2005, Money's first season. In 2006, the club sat 35-63 on July 22. The Stars won 32 of their next 40 to reach the Southern League playoffs. After sweeping Chattanooga in the first round, they were bounced by Montgomery in the finals. Last year, Huntsville was 75-62, winning the Southern League North title in both halves. The Stars knocked out Tennessee in the first round and lost to Montgomery in the finals.

MiLB.com updates: Dominican -- OF Vinny Rottino has only four hits in his last 33 at-bats (.121) to drop his average from .299 to .240. In 100 AB's, he has a .644 OPS, nice .374 OBP but no slugging (three doubles, 21 singles). Venezuela -- C Mike Rivera (Brewers) hit .385 (5-for-13) with two RBIs in his first four games. Venezuela -- After a hot start, 2B Hernan Iribarren (Brewers) has two hits in his last 17 at-bats (.117) Iribarren's .804 OPS line still looks good after 57 AB's.

Jerry Royster the first American to manage in Korea

Link while active, text follows: http://www.djournal.com/pages/story.asp?ID=259636&pub=1&div=Sports It's your day, Bill Hall By Gene Phelps Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal NETTLETON - Bill Hall and the Milwaukee Brewers had a great ride for 133 days last season, but it eventually ended two games short of the postseason. Hall, who was honored here Saturday, said winning the NL Central championship remains the team's goal for 2008. Last season, the Brewers led the division by as many as 8 1/2 games in late June. "It was discouraging not to make the playoffs," said the centerfielder, whose club finished 83-79 overall and two games behind the division-winning Chicago Cubs. "We knew we need to get that .500 and get it out of the way. We hadn't done that in 13 years. "That was a big step for us." Hall, who turns 28 next month, is the oldest of the Brewers' young guns. He's joined in the lineup by third baseman Ryan Braun, the NL Rookie of the Year who batted .324, hit 34 homers and drove in 97 runs last season; slugging first baseman Prince Fielder, who belted 50 homers; and the middle infield of second baseman Rickie Weeks and shortstop J.J. Hardy. "We've got a good baseball team ... young, enthusiastic and fun to watch," Hall noted. "We're definitely going to be here for a while." Hall will be looking to bounce back from season that saw him hit .254 with 14 homers and 63 RBI. He had a breakout season in 2006, belting 35 home runs and driving in 85 runs. An ankle injury in July was a major factor in Hall's struggles at the plate. He was supposed to take six to eight weeks off, but returned to the lineup in less than three weeks. "I probably came back a little too quick, but my team was in a pennant race and I felt like I needed to get back out there as soon as possible and help," he said. Hall, who bats right-handed, injured his right ankle, which is his plant leg. "I couldn't generate the power I was used to having from the ankle up," he said. "I kind of had to alter my swing a little bit to make it all work. "Obviously, it didn't turn out the way I wanted it to, but I was out there trying to help my team at the end, and that's what matters." Hall says the ankle is nearing 100 percent and "shouldn't be an issue" when he reports to spring training. Hometown salute The former Nettleton High School and Tupelo American Legion standout was honored with a parade through town, and a program and reception at Palestine United Methodist Church. "We're wanting to honor Bill Hall for doing things the right way and being Christian," said Rev. Chris C. Diggs, earlier this week. "He's an exceptional baseball player, but an even better person." Hall, who wore his Brewers home jersey for the occasion, said he appreciated the tribute from his family, friends and hometown. "The whole community stepped up and wanted to do something for me to show their appreciation and their support for me," he said. "It's huge to come back home and be a part of something like this ... to be thanked and showed how everybody feels about you."

Mike Adams had two surgeries to his left knee (September '06, March '07) -- he was actually Padres' property this past season, but never saw the field: http://caller.com/news/2007/Jun/23/adams-hopes-to-pitch-by-august/

Link while active, text follows: http://www.thedailytimes.com/article/20071123/SPORTS/71123004 Dreams of the field: Blount County baseball players pursue big leagues By Alan Yarbrough of The Daily Times Staff (Maryville, Tennessee) An opportunity to pursue a dream is all anybody can ask for. That's all three Blount County baseball players are wanting. Needing. Yearning for that one chance. Each hungering for an elusive shot to play Major League Baseball, Bryan Crosby, Travis Barnett and Brandon Ketron just want a chance to show they have what it takes. It's as simple as that. Currently on three separate minor league teams, the trio's work ethic is unquestionably there. Coming from three different backgrounds, they met last year and instantly hit it off. Now, they usually work out five to six times a week, all to impress a select elite in their respective organizations. But even with all the talent and commitment present at Cherokee Athletic Facility most weekdays, there is still a major obstacle: Their dreams are in other people's hands. "At this point in their careers, I think they're looking at it as a huge mountain to climb," said Doug Bochtler, who played 10 years in the minor leagues along with another five in MLB. "The one thing that they've got to stay focused on is it's a developmental process and that process takes time. You have people outside of your realm of control that can get you to a certain point. "What you've got to do is just control what you can control and execute pitches or put good swings on the ball when you're at that particular level." Crosby, a 2006 William Blount graduate, has the farthest trek since he's still a third baseman in a Rookie League for the Milwaukee Brewers organization. Barnett, a pitcher, and Ketron, a catcher, are both in Class A for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and New York Yankees, respectively. "It's difficult, because if you're sitting there in Class A ball and you're a pitcher, you're looking at five other teams ahead of you before the Major Leagues," Bochtler said. "Then you're looking at another group of people in the Major Leagues, so you're sitting there thinking, 'Man, just within this one group of people, I've got 50 other people I've got to get better than.' It's a difficult process. When you're there, you're always seeing the negative side of things." That doesn't mean the three are giving up without a fight. "Really, it's how long you can stick around and execute," Barnett said. "Just work hard. You've got to be one of those guys, unless you have bookoos of money invested in you, you've got to battle. It's really just fighting your way up through the ranks." Crosby had to battle back. Following a successful junior campaign at William Blount, he was primed for a stellar senior season. Scouts had him projected to be drafted in the middle rounds. But a hamstring injury caused Crosby to miss most of his final high-school season. As a result, his stock plummeted, even though he was still named to the All-Region team after hitting .477 with six home runs in limited action. The Milwaukee Brewers took him in the 44th round in 2006. "It was always a dream that I had," Crosby said. "Honestly, I was more sure it was going to happen when I was a little kid than when I was in high school. As I got older, I realized how tough it really was to get drafted and how many good ballplayers are out there that don't get the opportunity. "I was lucky enough to be one of them, especially after being hurt most of my senior season." The Brewers, however, weren't quite ready to allow Crosby into their organization. First, he had to prove his health at Cleveland State. Apparently, Milwaukee was impressed with the .320 batting average he compiled in his lone season. Finally on May 23, nearly a year after being drafted, Crosby signed a professional contract. Currently, after completing his first pro season for the Arizona League Brewers, the 19-year-old Crosby would like to be in the big leagues by around age 24. "It's a night and day difference once you get into that environment compared to collegiate or high school," Crosby said. "Those guys got big-league talent already. They're the guys you watch on TV. Some of them have the mental ability to make it and some of them don't. "For me, it's figuring everything out. You watch these guys that play every day in the Major Leagues and you see how they hit and how they go about their business. There's just a certain way that you go about it, and that's just pretty much figuring it out. What it will take is to be consistent every day in a 162-game schedule so a major-league team would want you to be a part of their roster." ___ Crosby has some work to do. His small sample of Maryvale numbers were unimpressive, and he wasn't an instructional camp invitee. So young, though, so we'll see: Bryan Crosby Arizona Brewers 2007 colbyjack's notes from his home page 2007 draft class review, which included 2006/2007 DFE's like Crosby: Bryan Crosby, 3B .179/.303/.179 in 56 at-bats with Arizona While the numbers may indicate otherwise, the Brewers drafted, followed and eventually signed Crosby due to his sweet swing and overall athletic ability. He has been hampered by injuries the past several years, and will need to find a way to stay healthier over the long, professional schedule. Crosby is likely to start next season in extended spring training before being assigned to one of the organization's two rookie level affiliates.

Just posted on the major league forum: Unfortunately, because it's the White Sox, who were among baseball's worst teams last year, the Brewers will have to settle for a second-rounder (and not a first-rounder) to go along with their supplemental first-round pick. The supplemental sandwich pick should be about the 36th pick, and the White Sox pick will be around pick # 46.

Story wasn't sappy at all, thanks so much for sharing.

Anybody else looking forward to Frank TV's debut (finally) on WTBS tonight? I'm not sure if I'm a fan of Seinfeld 2027 below, but give him credit for trying. http://www.tbs.com/video/index/#/all-video/shows/frank-tv/125269/page-1/

Fire at Greer Stadium, serious but could have been much worse...

Locking this thread while directing folks to the news on the major league forum: http://forum.brewerfan.net/viewtopic.php?t=9373

I'm sure online reports will be forthcoming, but it's all over Sports Radio here in Boston that Mike Lowell has spurned various four-year deals to re-sign with the Sox today (three years, $37.5 million).

Chris Bosio is AA Chattanooga's (Reds) new pitching coach. At one time he was a big league pitching coach (Tampa Bay).

Fixed -- thanks for catching.

Matt LaPorta came in at # 4 among Baseball America's Top 20 AFL prospects., impressive. RHP Jake Arrieta of the Orioles chain (a former unsigned Brewer draft pick) was at # 14. http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/features/265219.html

Mesa wins, 6-5 to end the AFL season Dave Johnson got the win with a 1-2-3 top of the 9th (three ground balls). In his 11-inning AFL sample, Johnson had a 4.25 ground ball / fly ball ratio. Adam Heether reached base all five times today (four singles and a walk). That brought Heether's OPS to a respectable .772 in his 54 AB's this fall. If you've been reading all along, you pretty much know how everyone's been doing, but here are final numbers: Tim Dillard Mitch Stetter Steve Hammond Matt LaPorta Lou Palmisano

Steve Sollmann suited up for three different AFL teams this fall, and he was idle as the AFL regular season wrapped up Thursday. Sollmann finished 12-for-52 with four doubles, only two walks (there were a few HBP's) and eight K's. http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Steve%20Sollmann&pos=1B&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=446538

Mesa loses, 1-0, but Steve Hammond and Mitch Stetter both pitch well to end their seasons Matt LaPorta was HBP in four plate appearances (0-for-3), Steve Sollmann was 0-for-3 for Scottsdale and committed an error. Box Score This game hasn't archived yet, but will at the link below. So, like the Hawaii League game Wednesday, a chance to watch future big-league Brewers this offseason. AFL Video Archives

On Tuesday, Matt LaPorta went 3-for-5 including a double; his average is back up to .248 (.868 OPS), and his 22 RBI leads the league by six RBI. Lou Palmisano and Adam Heether also saw action -- Lou walked and threw out one of three base stealers, Adam walked and stole a base on otherwise quiet days. http://www.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l119&t=g_box&gid=2007_11_13_msswin_surwin_1 On Wednesday night, MLB.TV's Offseason Package includes live airing of Mesa's game against Steve Sollmann's Scottsdale club, 8:15 Central. http://www.mlb.com/mlb/subscriptions/index.jsp