Jim Goulart

Chuck Valenches' Nashville blog: www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=2203

These links will be included in each daily report when the Nashville Sounds and/or Huntsville Stars are scheduled to play. Normally they are updated an hour or two prior to gametime, with Nashville's usually earlier: Nashville Media Notes (Adobe .pdf format): www.nashvillesounds.com/pdf/notes.pdf Huntsville Media Notes (Adobe .pdf format): www.huntsvillestars.com/i...eNotes.pdf

Follow Thursday's action as it happens: Here's what you do, right click on each of the links below and choose "Open in New Window". Open the Nashville Gameday. For the others, choose "Log". While you're listening to your minor league game of choice (or watching/listening to the big league Crew when they are playing), simply refresh your game log browsers every so often. Nashville: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_nasaaa_1 Huntsville: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_hunaax_1 Brevard County: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_breafa_1 West Virginia: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_wvaafx_1

Nice blogspot entry here with photos: sportsmediaamerica.blogsp...a-day.html

Link while active, text follows: www.dailymail.com/story/S...the+mound/ On Opening Night, Wright hopes for magic on the mound Jacob Messer Charleston Daily Mail Sportswriter For those West Virginia Power fans who plan to keep an eye on Opening Night starter Brae Wright, here is some friendly advice from the tall, lanky left-hander himself: Don't watch the radar guns behind the backstop or the mph monitor on the scoreboard. Instead, pay attention to the plate. That, he said, is where he works his mound magic. "I'm not going to show you anything as far as speed or velocity," Wright said in his thick Southern drawl, the result of a lifetime living near the Mississippi-Tennessee border (Tennessippi, he calls it). "Basically, I just want to get out there and pitch rather than throw. The way I run my game is, I like to keep the ball down in the zone and throw a lot of strikes. From what I understand, the ball flies out of this park pretty good. You just have to stick to your game plan and go with it. "I'm going to do what I have to do to keep our team in the game and give us an opportunity to win." Weather permitting, Wright will take the Appalachian Power Park mound for the first pitch at 7:05 tonight (6:05 Central)when the Class A club opens South Atlantic League play with the first of a three-game series against the Lake County (Ohio) Captains. "I'm really excited about it," said Wright, who is from Southaven, Miss., which is 20 miles south of Memphis, Tenn. "I'm honored to get the start on Opening Night. It should be a lot of fun." Wright throws three pitches -- fastball, changeup and slider. His fastball usually hits 88 mph, which is comparable to 90 or 91 mph for a right-hander. Although his fastball can't keep up with those thrown by the Milwaukee Brewers' four premier pitching prospects -- Jeremy Jeffress (95-97 MPH), Mark Rogers (95-97), Yovani Gallardo (90-94) and Will Inman (89-92), all of whom are right-handers -- Wright has "more than enough velocity for a left-hander," Power pitching coach John Curtis said. "He can pitch," said Curtis, who notes that his observations are based on the brief time he spent with Wright during spring training. "He has some terrific physical tools. He has a good mound presence about him. He knows what he's doing. He moves his fastball around on both sides of the plate. He has some pretty good sink action." That, Curtis and Wright said, should result in plenty of ground balls from Power opponents. "I don't try to go out there and strike everybody out," Wright said. "I like to let the defense play behind me and make outs wherever they can." The 6-foot-5, 205-pound Wright admittedly isn't a power pitcher, but Curtis said "cerebral" or "finesse" aren't accurate adjectives for him, either. "He has good enough stuff to where he doesn't have to fool anybody," Curtis said. "He's going to be aggressive and go after them. The big thing with him, like all of our guys, is he has to stay down in the zone. He's capable of doing it." The Brewers drafted Wright, 23, in the sixth round (182nd overall pick) last year. He received a $31,500 bonus when he signed. Off-the-field woes throughout his college career cost Wright thousands of dollars, to be sure. Consider this: The Brewers gave a $166,000 bonus to their fifth-round pick, a $115,000 bonus to their seventh-round selection, a $145,000 bonus to their eighth-round pick and a $60,000 bonus to their 10th-round selection. At that point, however, Wright was more than happy to sign the contract and put his past behind him. Wright played two seasons at Mississippi and two seasons at Oklahoma State. He was 10-6 with the Rebels and 12-5 with the Cowboys. Wright twice was suspended during his sophomore season at Mississippi for the infamous and ambiguous "violation of team rules." The second time was permanent. Wright transferred to Oklahoma State, where troubles followed. Wright appeared in only seven games during his first season in Stillwater because he injured his pitching arm when he punched a teammate. The injury -- and the incident itself, perhaps -- dropped him from a third-round prospect as a junior to a sixth-round pick as a senior. Wright's inaugural season in professional baseball was a forgettable one. Pitching for Helena (Mont.), Milwaukee's Pioneer League affiliate (high rookie), Wright had an 0-2 record and a 5.98 ERA. He surrendered 21 runs (18 earned) and 34 hits in 27 1/3 innings. He finished with 12 strikeouts compared to 14 walks. However, he didn't allow any home runs. Milwaukee Director of Player Development Reid Nichols considers Wright one of the players to watch at West Virginia this year, despite his struggles at Helena last year. Curtis agreed, noting that Wright likely will be one of the first pitching prospects promoted to Brevard County (Fla.), the Brewers' Florida State League affiliate (high Class A). "I think he learned a lot over a half-season in Helena and in our winter program," Nichols told MLB.com. "He learned how to focus and get the job done."

Really nice story here -- Link while active, text follows: www.dailymail.com/story/S...ony+Festa/ 'I had a lot of fun playing here' -- Power's Tony Festa Jacob Messer Charleston Daily Mail sportswriter In between sips of cold beer from a plastic cup Tuesday night, Tony Festa laughed and smiled as he talked to his fellow fans inside Appalachian Power Park. Dressed in a baseball cap, a T-shirt, a pair of jeans and a pair of sandals, he was indistinguishable from anyone else in the crowd on hand to watch the West Virginia Power's exhibition game. However, Festa is different than everybody else. It was only last year when he was one of the players on the field rather than one of the fans in the stands. After only three seasons in minor league baseball, he called it quits ... with no regrets. "I was old for the level I was (playing), which made it easy to walk away," said Festa, 26, who was a high-energy, lead-by-example utility player for West Virginia, the Milwaukee Brewers' low Class A affiliate. "I had a lot of fun playing here. But if I'm still playing here (at my age), then there's something seriously wrong with my baseball career. "I know I'm going to miss it and I know I'm going to wish I was out there, but I have no regrets. The pros of leaving outweigh the cons. Baseball has been really good to me, and I felt like I gave it everything I have, but it was time. "I just didn't feel like there was anything more I had to accomplish for myself. It was a selfish decision. It was about me and where I was at in my life. I was fortunate enough to have my (college) degree. So, I was able to walk away and start the next phase of my life." When he considered his situation, Festa came to this conclusion: He couldn't pick a better way to cap his career. The Power finished the year with a winning record (74-62). Festa played well enough (.290 batting average, .378 on-base percentage, .401 slugging percentage, six homers, 55 runs and 60 RBI) that he likely would have received a promotion to Brevard County (Fla.), the Brewers' high Class A affiliate, if he had returned this season. More importantly, Festa met the love of his life, Meagan McCoy, a West Virginia University Tech student who works at Appalachian Power Park. Not even a hard-charging and high-sliding base runner could have flipped him head over heels like she did. "Everything about last season, on and off the field, came to a great climax," he said. In the wake of his decision, Festa has made the transition from a baseball uniform to a business suit. He is a sales executive for WeSave, a members' benefit program for public employees. The Charleston-based company has its headquarters on Capitol Street. Festa has found that his current job is comparable to his former one in regard to the pressure to perform. "You have to prove yourself every single day," said Festa, who graduated from California-Riverside with a bachelor's degree in business administration. "For my effort and my results, I'm judged every day and every month. "The pressure is there. I get paid to perform, just like I did in baseball. The only difference is, I'm using my social skills rather than my physical skills. It's very similar. It's very competitive, just like baseball." With his girlfriend and his job here, Charleston now is home for Festa -- and that is fine with him. He loves the "big-city buzz and small-town charm" it offers. "It's a great mix," said Festa, who was born in San Francisco but grew up 45 minutes away in the suburb of Danville, Calif. Plus, "the people are so welcoming here. They make you feel like you are from here." Power fans not only can see him in the stands but also can hear him on the radio this year. Thanks to an idea they hatched during a discussion at a local bowling alley, Festa will join Andy "Bull" Barch in the booth from time to time this season. "He brought it up, and we spoke about it," said Festa, whom the Brewers drafted in the 23rd round (676th overall pick) in 2004. "That's something I would love to do. I'm going to come out to the games because I'm a baseball fan. I'm going to be here anyway." Festa can offer insight that others can't. "Having been in the dugout and on the field and in the clubhouse, there is so much stuff that we see and go through," Festa said. "I know what all of the players are thinking in August when they have played 100 games and they have 40 more to go. "Bull is good. He doesn't need any help. But if I can offer any variation to what he does, I would be glad to do it and I think it would be a lot of fun."

By the way, a nice Jim Powell piece here from OnMilwaukee -- and that's a great shirt, too, Jim http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif : onmilwaukee.com/buzz/arti...ell07.html

If I can indulge you for a moment, because I'm asked quite often -- how did a lifelong Massachusetts resident latch on to the Brewers? My dad was a bigger football guy, so as the oldest child, I had kind of free reign to adopt a favorite baseball team without a big Red Sox influence in my life. As a ten-year-old, I remember buying a package of baseball stickers that could have randomly been any team. It was the Brewers, and I immediately made myself a Brewer T-Shirt with the stickers. My grandmother recently passed away at 93, and we found this linked clipping among her belongings. It's from 1973, 34 summers ago, I was ten years old, probably five days into my Brewer fandom (OK, obsession, if you will). Notice the T-shirt. Good looking kid, if I say so myself http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif Adobe link: www.brewerfan.net/media/B...an1973.pdf And here I am, all these years later with tons of Brewer memories tucked away, one of your humble "Link Reporters", along with pogokat (Brad) again this year. Thanks, Jim Powell, for the shout out last night, which I heard live (that's always cool), and here's to a great season of Brewer ball, both on the big league and prospect level.

Three additional links to the Tennessean's coverage: Strong arms still pitching for Sounds Sounds player capsules What to watch in 2007

Link while active, text follows: www.nashvillecitypaper.co...s_id=55505 Jack-of-all-trades Rottino closes in on dream By Nate Rau, Nashville City Paper Sports Correspondent When the Nashville Sounds open their season tonight at Greer Stadium against New Orleans, Vinny Rottino will be in the lineup somewhere. Maybe he?ll be behind the plate catching starter Zach Jackson. Maybe he?ll be at third base, where he played most of last season, or maybe he?ll be somewhere in the outfield. Who knows where manager Frank Kremblas will have the jack-of-all-trades Rottino. What is known is that Rottino came within a hair of making the Milwaukee Brewers? opening day roster and, instead, the consummate underdog will begin his season in the minors in Music City. This was supposed to be the year Rottino made good on the rags to riches story he?s been writing for himself the last five years. After a sterling career at Division III Wisconsin-La Crosse where he was an All-American and an honor student, Rottino was passed over in the 2002 Amateur Draft. He signed as an undrafted free agent with his homestate Milwaukee Brewers and began working his way up the minor league ranks. ?Being an undrafted guy, I didn?t really have a position. They told me they were going to play me everywhere. So in order to get in the lineup, I had to be ready to play just about every position,? Rottino said. And so began his career as an old school utility man. Rottino learned to play the outfield, mastered the infield and even started logging time behind the plate three years ago. While learning to play every position, Rottino never let his offense suffer. He has hit at least .296 every season in the minors and in 2004 he was named the Brewers? minor league player of the year. Last year while leading the Sounds with a .314 average, Rottino earned a late season call-up with Milwaukee. Five years worth of mounting momentum pointed Rottino to this year?s spring training, where he was in contention for the Brewers? final bench spot until the last cut-down day. It seemed like Rottino?s underdog odyssey from undrafted free agent to the opening day roster of a major league team was finally going to have a happy ending. But somebody didn?t hand the script to Milwaukee?s front office. The Brewers gave the final roster spot to Tony Gwynn ? citing his ability to pinch run and be a defensive outfield replacement late in games. Rottino was sent down to Triple A Nashville. But instead of sulking at the turn of events, Rottino used the opportunity to count his blessings and get back to the task of making his big league dream come true. ?I thought I had a pretty good shot at staying with the team for opening day in the big leagues, you know that?s pretty special to think about,? Rottino said. ?When they told me [i didn?t make the roster], initially I was a bit shocked, disappointed. ?But the next morning, I just woke up and had a realization, ?I get to play baseball and get paid to do it.? It was a thing to realize.? Kremblas, for his part, is happy to have a player of Rottino?s versatility. He can pinch run, sub for almost any position including catcher, and play just about anywhere in the lineup. ?He?s a guy that makes a manager?s job easier because you can use him in so many different ways,? Kremblas said. ?A guy like Vinny has a ton of value to a team.?

Link while active, text follows: www.al.com/stars/huntsvil...amp;coll=1 Stars lean to the left As season begins, team feels right with four left-handed pitchers By BRUCE McLELLAN Huntsville Times Associate Sports Editor, bruce.mclellan@htimes.com A day after jokingly imitating a spitball pitcher during a Huntsville Stars photo session, Rich Sauveur declared that he's not an oddball left-hander. But the Stars coach - a former left-handed pitcher in the major leagues - did admit to non-conformist actions as a player. "I used to sprint onto the field and off the field," Sauveur said Wednesday. "And I raced a horse in Mexico." Obviously, the Stars' 2007 pitching staff is in the right hands - a left-hander's. Four of Huntsville's five starting pitchers are left-handers, including Adam Pettyjohn, who'll start tonight's season opener at 7:05 at Joe Davis Stadium against the Mississippi Braves. Sauveur insisted that the Stars' lefties, including three relievers, don't fit the stereotype of nutty left-handers such as former Boston Red Sox pitcher Bill "Spaceman" Lee. "Hey," Sauveur said, "I've seen some weird right-handers." But Pettyjohn said, "This is my 10th professional year, and I've met very few normal left-handers. All left-handers have something quirky. "This group of left-handers is no exception." Sam Narron, the lefty who'll start Monday night in the final game of the opening series, is the "jokester" of the starting staff, according to Pettyjohn. The other two lefty starters, Manny Parra and Steve Hammond, are quiet and reserved, Pettyjohn said, much like himself. But he's sure they'll eventually get to know their teammates and show their left sides. "You see a lot of left-handers wearing their hats out to the left, not wearing them straight - just kind of goofballs," Pettyjohn said. He'll be serious about his business tonight as he continues trying to rebuild his career at the age of 29. Originally drafted by Detroit in the second round in 1998, Pettyjohn went 1-6 in the major leagues in 2001 with the Tigers. But a bout of ulcerative colitis resulted in colon surgery in 2002 and he missed that entire season. He's been trying to regain his health since. He pitched for an independent team in Long Beach, Calif., in 2005 before starting last season with Seattle's Double-A team in San Antonio, Texas. He had a solid 2.91 earned run average and 2-4 record there when the Mariners released him in late June. He then went back to Long Beach to stay in shape before finishing the year with the Oakland A's Triple-A team where he was 3-2 with a 4.57 ERA. The Milwaukee Brewers - parent team of the Double-A Stars - signed him as a free agent in December. "I really felt like I made big strides last year with getting my strength back," Pettyjohn said, "and I look forward to picking up where I left off last year." Left off? While left-handers make up only about 10 percent of the general population, they'll make up 90 percent of the starting pitchers in the five-game opening series. Matt Harrison will start for Mississippi tonight as the first of five lefty Braves starters in the series. Huntsville's Mike Jones, scheduled to start Saturday, will be the token righty. And Huntsville manager Don Money said the abundance of left-handed pitchers might negate the advantage they traditionally have over left-handed hitters used to facing right-handers. "If you see them enough, it doesn't have the lefty-on-lefty effect it used to have years ago," he said. Meanwhile, the Stars enter tonight's game trying pick up where they left off last year, too. After going 24-45 in the first half of last season, they went 43-26 in the second half to make the Southern League playoffs. "We should be much, much better," Money said. "Our pitching should be good. Defensively, we should be better. "I'm ready to go. I think everybody's ready to go."

Link while active, text follows: www.floridatoday.com/apps...Cy/Vw7k%3D Manatees open with Cubs tonight New for 2007: Series winner takes trophy BY JEFF NAVIN FLORIDA TODAY It's only natural that the Brevard County Manatees would have a rivalry with the Daytona Cubs in the Florida State League. Now, the rivalry has a trophy to battle for as the two teams open play for the 2007 season at 7:05 PM today (6:05 Central) at Space Coast Stadium. Whoever wins the 20-game season series between the teams in 2007 will take home the I-95 Battle for the Roadside Trophy. The Florida State League splits its 140-game schedule into a first half and a second half. "I used to work for the Daytona Cubs -- I jumped ship after the 2003 season," said Brevard County Manatees general manager Buck Rogers, who attended Wednesday's Meet the Manatees barbecue at Beef O'Brady's in Viera. "It's a good-natured rivalry outside the lines. The two teams get along really well. But we both want to beat each other's butts when we're on the field." Left-hander Derek Miller will start for the Manatees today against right-hander Mitch Atkins of the Cubs. Miller was 8-2 with a 3.57 ERA last season for the West Virginia Power of the South Atlantic League and 1-3 with a 3.91 ERA for the Manatees. Atkins was 13-4 with a 2.41 ERA for Peoria of the Midwest League last season. "This is going to be a fun year," Rogers said. "Front Row Joe (Rowe) is coming down (today) from Daytona. He's the guy who got the tattoo to be a lifetime Daytona Cubs season ticket holder. I had to get him 20 seats. He's gone to something like 700 consecutive games. We've got a guy here (at the barbecue) -- Ed Drosten -- who has tattoos of both the Cubs and the Manatees on his back." The two teams will face each other again at 7:05 p.m. Friday at Space Coast Stadium. Right-hander Will Inman, who was 10-2 for West Virginia in 2006 with an ERA of 1.71, will face right-hander Jeff Samardzija. Samardzija, a former Notre Dame wide receiver who had to make the difficult choice to play professional baseball or professional football, caught 78 passes for 1,017 yards and 12 touchdowns during the 2006 season for the Fighting Irish.

Link while active, text follows: wvgazette.com/section/Sports/2007040429 Park puts squeeze on Power pitcher By Mike Whiteford Charleston Gazette Staff Writer On Monday, after arriving in Charleston from spring training, West Virginia Power left-hander Brae Wright made a quick visit to Appalachian Power Park, where he and his teammates will spend the summer. On Tuesday afternoon, as many of the Power position players took batting practice, Wright stood in front of the dugout and glanced around the 2-year-old ballpark. Like any ballplayer, he paid special attention to the park?s size and the flight of the baseball off the bat. ?It?s a hitter?s park,?? said Wright. ?The ball kind of flies out of here. You can tell the ball travels real well here.?? Wright, a 23-year-old native of Southaven, Miss., will pitch the Power?s season opener beginning at 7:05 tonight (6:05 Central) against the Lake County Captains at Appalachian Power Park and knows that the ballpark itself can have an impact on his life this season. He also knows that the execution of his fastball, slider and changeup are far more important than the size of the park and the gentle breezes that sometimes nudge fly balls toward right-center field and onto Morris Street. Indeed, APP?s inviting dimensions and gentle breezes should serve as a reminder to all pitchers: focus on pitching and not something beyond your control. By Class A South Atlantic League standards, the 6-foot-5, 205-pound Wright is a veteran. He played two seasons at the University of Mississippi, two at Oklahoma State and pitched last season at Helena of the Pioneer (rookie) League and has learned a few things about a good mental approach. ?As long as you?re keeping the ball down, you increase your chances of keeping the ball in the yard,?? he said. ?You can?t pitch to the park. You still have to stick to your game plan. We?ll see what happens. I?m looking forward to it. If I can execute and do what I can to keep my team in the game, that?s all that matters.?? At Helena last season, Wright pitched mostly in relief, appearing in just 27 innings, and did not post imposing numbers. But the parent Milwaukee Brewers like his potential, particularly as a left-hander, and have designated him the Power?s No. 1 starter. ?I didn?t know Brae until I got to spring training,?? said Power pitching coach John Curtis. ?Jim Rooney, our pitching coordinator, said this guy?s a real comer, meaning that if he demonstrates all the things that we hope he will here, we may not have him for too long. He?s going to be a good one from everything I?ve seen so far.?? Wright is not a strikeout pitcher and needs to keep his pitches low in the strike zone and vary his velocity and location. ?My game is locating the ball, moving it in or out,?? he said. ?I just try to pitch, rather than try to overpower a guy.?? Power manager Mike Guerrero liked what he saw in spring training. ?He?ll light your eyes up,?? said Guerrero. ?I think we have a pretty good pitching staff, but it?s going to take a little time for them to adjust and learn.?? If, in fact, Wright successfully executes the fundamentals of pitching this summer, he might actually take advantage of Appalachian Power Park?s reputation as a hitter?s park. He?s aware that many Class A hitters are free swingers; they?re often undisciplined, eager to show off their power and make a good impression on management. Such a free-swinger can sometimes be easy pickings for a smart, talented pitcher. ?A lot of times, it?s in the back of the hitters? minds,?? said Wright. ?They?ll think, ?All I?ve got to do is turn on one here,? and you can kind of pitch to that. Not to say that they will, but sometimes [the ballpark] can get in their heads.?? In the dugout between innings, he and Curtis may discuss how to approach a particular hitter. A guy who?s obviously swinging for the fences can be exploited. ?There are certain hitters whose profiles make attacking them easier,?? said Curtis, who spent 15 seasons in the majors. ?So we will talk about certain swings that can be attacked in a certain way. It may be a pitch up a little bit, a pitch in. And if a pitcher is capable of doing that on any given day, he can attack that certain hitter.?? POWER POINTS: The Power hit only 79 homers last year to tie with Delmarva for 12th place in the 16-team South Atlantic League. The Power led the league with a .277 team average and was fourth in runs scored. ... Like last year, the team is not expected to be a power-hitting threat but should steal bases, take the extra base and show good range defensively. ?We have a very fast lineup this year,?? said outfielder Michael Brantley, who batted .300 for the Power in 2006. ... Power right-hander Mike McClendon is scheduled to start Friday, and left-hander Zach Braddock will pitch Saturday. The team is off Sunday. ... Tonight?s game will mark the city?s 21st consecutive season in the South Atlantic League. Power pitcher Brae Wright Photographer: Charleston Gazette Chris Dorst http://www.wvgazettemail.com/images/stories/PWRPTCHR.jpg

A power failure chewed up my initial effort at setting up the Link Report tonight. Please rest assured we'll have you all set up for four audio choices Thursday evening.

Link for a nice Yovani Gallardo photo, text follows: www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=2244 Top Prospects Lead Sounds Past Belmont, 5-1 NASHVILLE ? The Milwaukee Brewers? top two prospects led the Nashville Sounds to a 5-1 victory over the Belmont Bruins on Wednesday evening at Greer Stadium in a seven-inning exhibition game. Right-hander Yovani Gallardo, the Brew Crew?s top prospect and the 16th-best prospect in the minors as ranked by Baseball America entering the 2007 season, turned in a solid start to earn the victory. He struck out nine batters while allowing only two hits and two walks over five scoreless frames. Gallardo threw 70 pitches, 50 for strikes. Third baseman Ryan Braun, the Brewers? # 2 prospect, provided the lumber, finishing 2-for-3 with a double and three RBIs on the evening. Belmont left fielder Kane Simmons stifled the Sounds? first attempt to break a scoreless tie in the bottom of the second inning when he threw out Vinny Rottino at the plate to end the inning as he attempted to score on an Ozzie Chavez single. Braun gave the Sounds a 1-0 lead with a two-out RBI double to center off Bruins reliever Andy Stanley that drove in Callix Crabbe, who had singled and stolen second to open the inning. Braun upped the Nashville advantage to 3-0 in the fifth with an opposite-field, two-run single to right that brought in Jose Macias (walk) and J.D. Closser (double). Braun later scored the fourth Sounds run in unearned fashion on a Brad Nelson sacrifice fly to left. Crabbe accounted for Nashville?s final tally of the evening in the sixth when his fielder?s choice groundout plated Andy Abad, who opened the frame with a single and moved to third on a Chavez single to left-center. Belmont broke up the Sounds? shutout bid in the top of the seventh against Nashville reliever Lindsay Gulin, who worked two innings following Gallardo?s exit. Packy Elkins, who doubled with one out, scampered home from third on a bases-loaded Gulin wild pitch. The two-time defending PCL American Conference Northern Division champion Sounds open their 2007 regular season on Thursday evening at Greer Stadium with a 7:00 PM contest against the New Orleans Zephyrs, the new Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets. Returning left-hander Zach Jackson, who went 4-6 with a 4.12 ERA in 18 starts for Nashville last season, will make the Opening Day start for the Sounds and face New Orleans right-hander Phillip Humber. Box Score: www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=2245

Cards and Stros heading for 0-3 tonight...

Nashville Site: The Nashville Sounds take on the Division I Belmont Bruins this evening at 6 p.m. at Greer Stadium in the teams' annual exhibition game. Free admission to all fans. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. Right-hander Yovani Gallardo, the Milwaukee Brewers' top prospect and the 16th-best overall prospect in the minor leagues entering the 2007 season as ranked by Baseball America, will make the start for the Sounds. Nashville opens its regular season on Thursday evening at Greer with a 7 p.m. contests against the New Orleans Zephyrs (AAA-Mets). Nashville Media Notes: Here's your regular season starting rotation: LHP Zach Jackson (Opening Night), then RHP"s Tim Dillard, R.A. Dickey, Chris Oxspring, and Gallardo. Full Media Notes (PDF format)

Link while active, text follows: www.dailymail.com/story/S...this-year/ Power manager expects plenty of ups and downs this year Jacob Messer Charleston Daily Mail sportswriter Sitting in his office Tuesday evening, less than an hour before his players took the field for an exhibition game, West Virginia Power Manager Mike Guerrero said this team has not only an abundance of talent but also an abundance of youth. A look at the roster confirms the latter as 16 of the 27 players are first- or second-year players, including 10 of the 14 pitchers. As a result, he said, ups and downs are inevitable. "I have high expectations for my team," said Guerrero, who is in his second season with the Power (74-62 last year). "We are going to have a lot of room for improvement because we are very inexperienced. When you are young and inexperienced, you have a lot of room to grow." The Power showed it has a ways to go Tuesday during its 12-1 win over visiting West Virginia University Tech, an NAIA school and Mid-South Conference member. The score suggests a lopsided game, and ultimately it was, but not in the first three innings. In fact, the Power trailed 1-0 entering the bottom of the fourth inning at Appalachian Power Park, where a small crowd gathered for the exhibition game. It didn't even have a hit at that point. But the Power scored three runs in the fourth, four in the sixth, four in the seventh and one in the ninth to pull away from the Golden Bears, who are 14-14 overall and 1-7 in league play this season. Outfielder Michael Brantley had a team-high five RBI for the Power on a three-run homer in the sixth and a two-run single in the seventh. Catcher Andy Bouchie added a solo shot in the ninth. The Power will open South Atlantic League play at 7:05 PM (6:05 Central) Thursday at Appalachian Power Park against Lake County. The Power will start left-hander Brae Wright. * * *Like his teammates, especially the other newcomers, Power pitcher Zach Braddock is looking forward to the season opener Thursday. He likes what he has heard about the stadium and the fans here. "The biggest thing I have heard is the second part of our team is the fans," Braddock said. "I have heard the fans are amazing and are an extension of the team, which is wonderful. "We have a beautiful ballpark here. You can't ask for more than a great place to play and a great group of fans to come watch you everyday." * * *In case anyone is wondering what happened to the prospects who spent time with the Power last season, here is a player-by-player breakdown. Promoted to Huntsville (Ala.), the Brewers' Class AA affiliate (Southern League): Joe Thatcher. Promoted to Brevard County (Fla.), the Brewers' high Class A affiliate (Florida State League): Ryan Barba, Mike Bell, Lorenzo Cain, Nestor Corredor, Ryan Crew, Mat Gamel, Steve Garrison, Will Inman, Rafael Lluberes, Derek Miller, Kevin Roberts, Angel Salome, David Welch and Ned Yost IV. Returned to West Virginia, the Brewers' low Class A affiliate (South Atlantic League): Brantley, Stephen Chapman, Darren Ford, Kenny Holmberg and Patrick Ryan. Remained in Arizona for extended spring training: Julian Cordero, Shawn Ferguson, Matt Kretzschmar and Scotty McKnight. Released: Hector Bernal, Josh Louis, Ronny Malave, Ryan Marion, Steve Palazzolo, Brandon Parillo, Kyle Pawelczyk, Dane Renkert, Robbie Wooley and Nate Yoho. Retired: Tony Festa and Brad Willcutt. Traded: Wilfrido Laureano (to Philadelphia, sinc released by the Phillies). WVU Tech shortstop Danny Flores (4) is upended by Andrew LeFave, of the West Virginia Power. Charleston Daily Mail Photo: Craig Cunningham http://www.dailymail.com/images/ZZZZPwrTech3407.jpg

I still think standings for each team in the org would be a nice thing to have (since you normally have to go to several places to see it all in one place) but I understand you need to get them from somewhere else so this probably won't work. For a few years now, that has been a prominent part of the Link Report's first few posts. Granted, it reflects action before that day's games, but that's still a nice attraction. can we get the minor league scores in the Scoreboard section? We've done that for years; I know, because I tediously do so each evening / morning http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif . (We do not post the minor league spring training games there.)

Link while active, text follows: www.nashvillecitypaper.co...s_id=55493 Sounds strike out on stadium deal extension By John Cummins, Nashville City Paper news correspondent Don?t start looking for home-run balls in the Titans parking lot anytime soon. In an overwhelming rejection of the squabbling between the Nashville Sounds and Baltimore developer Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse, the Metro Council voted 38-0 Tuesday night to reject giving the parties more time to agree on building a downtown baseball stadium. The move gives the Sounds and Struever only until April 15 to find a way to solve their differences. At that time, the agreement between the Sounds, Struever and the city lapses. And no stadium will be built, at least in the near term. Both the Sounds, Struever and the city were quick to blame each other for the impasse. Yaeger, in a Tuesday letter to Metro Council member Mike Jameson, said the Sounds had doubts about Struever?s ability to perform nine months ago, but ?Metro refused our repeated requests to find Struever Brothers in default.? Struever struck back, with Chief Financial Officer John Kovacs saying in a statement that ?Had the Sounds spent their time, energy and money performing the tasks required under the [agreement] as opposed to continually looking for ways to make others pay for those same tasks, we would be closing the transaction today instead of watching it die.? And in a press release from Metro issued by attorney Larry Thrailkill, Metro blasted the Sounds for engaging in ?revisionist history rather than meeting [the Sounds?] obligations to the people of this community and your business partner.? At Tuesday?s Metro Council meeting, both Yaeger and Kovacs said their organizations were still committed to making the downtown stadium development a reality, although neither offered any details on how to do it. ?The future of the project is now in the hands of the city,? Kovacs said. But the mood of Metro Council members toward both the Sounds and Struever was cool. Several council members pointed out that the city had given extensions and taxpayer money to the deal, in hopes the Sounds and Struever could reach an agreement, without any results. ?The public is just as tired of this as we are,? said Jim Gotto. He was echoed by several other members, including Jim Shulman. ?A lot of people wanted this project to work out,? said Shulman, noting the downtown stadium planning dates back to 2002. ?It makes sense to disapprove it tonight,? he said. ??We basically struck out, and that?s too bad.? The Sounds will continue playing at Greer Stadium. They will open the 2007 Thursday against the New Orleans Zephyrs.

David Weiser's www.starsboxscore.com/ In speaking with manager Don Money, I found out that a decision won't be made on pitcher Bo Hall and 1st baseman Mike Carlin until probably the end of the month or thereabouts. Everything comes from the top......... Also in a league decision that came as a surprise to many, including Don, league rosters will remain at 24 throughout the season, rather than dropping to 23 after about a month as had been the past rule. Pitcher Mike Jones told me his shoulder felt GREAT and he was very happy in saying that to me....... Jeff Housman didn't feel as cheerful, saying he's "eight months behind." Housman, reportedly, is starting the season on the DL, with Hall and Carlin. Huntsville's 2007 roster has been released. It's now up on the "STANDINGS" link for the remainder of the season: www.starsboxscore.com/standing.htm Several new faces on this team. Of the 12 pitchers, eight are new: ? GRANT BALFOUR: An Aussie. The first we've had. Previous major league experience with the Minnesota Twins in 2001, 2003, and 2004, mainly as a long reliever. Has a 94 mph fastball, a heavy sinker, and a solid slider. Holds runners well. ? MARK DiFELICE: Oldest member of the Stars at 30. Southern League All-Star when he was with the Carolina Mudcats in 2001. In two seasons with the Mudcats (2000-01), he was 13-9, 3.38, 4 CGs in 40 starts and 2 relief appearances. Faced the Stars twice in his past, beating them, 7-2, June 7, 2000 and losing 7-0, July 18, 2001, when Derek Lee extended his scoreless streak to 21 innings. ? BO HALL: First Bo we've had on this team since pitcher Bo Kent in the '80s. Was 5-5, 5.80 at Brevard County last year. Is at a crossroads after three years in high A-ball. ? ROBERT HINTON: Another middle reliever. A 40th round pick in 2003. Jeff Eure was a 44th-rounder in 1998, so he's not the lowest round pick on this team, but he is the lowest round pick from that draft that produced Rickie Weeks and Tony Gwynn, Jr.. Now Hinton's the 24th-ranked prospect on the Brewers according to Baseball America. 5-4, 3.33 ERA and 1.28 WHIP at Brevard last year. ? SAM NARRON: Cousin of Reds' manager Jerry Narron. Tallest Star at 6'7". Nice fella to talk to, too. 5th man in Stars' rotation. Had a 2-4 record, 3.27 ERA and even better, a 1.14 WHIP at Brevard County last season. ? ADAM PETTYJOHN: To start the opener for the Stars Thursday night. Started 28 games for the Jacksonville Suns in 1999 and 2000, yet never faced the Stars. Pitched in 16 games for the Detroit Tigers in 2001, seven in relief. Career was sidetracked in 2002 by ulcerative colitis, for which he underwent a colectomy, First major league strikeout was Ken Griffey, Jr. ? MARINO SALAS: Claimed by the Brewers off waivers, February 1. Has saved 48 games over the past three seasons for Orioles' farm teams, 19 last year for Class AA-Bowie (Eastern) as their closer. 1.11 WHIP last year was his career-best. Ranked 18th among the Orioles Top 30 minor league prospects by Baseball America this year, up from 25th in 2006......93-95 mph fast ball, a plus slider. Held Eastern League hitters to a .215 average last year. If he gets a good start, expect a quick trip to Nashville..... His first appearance for Huntsville will be the 200th in his career. ? LUIS VILLAREAL: Has beaten the indy tracks since 2004. Prior to that, was in the Red Sox organization for two years, getting as far as the SAL........ 21-18, 3.58 in 3 seasons with five different independent league teams. ? MAXIM ST. PIERRE: From Quecec. Obtained by the Brewers from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for Ben Hendrickson about a week ago. 10 years in the Tigers organization, getting as far as Class AAA - Toledo (Int.) in 2002 and 2006. History similar to Ron Acuna, who spent nine years in the Mets' chain and one with the Blue Jays. He went on to lead Southern League outfielders in fielding as set a Stars season record for outfield assists. Has four at-bats with the Tigers in a 2005 exhibition game. ? MIKE CARLIN: Getting his first taste of Double-A when he gets off the DL, hopefully by the end of the month. Acquired by the Brewers in last winter's Rule V draft. .285 hitter after four minor league seasons in the Pirates farm system. 13 HRs, 74 RBIs last year in Class A-Lynchburg (Carolina). ? HERNAN IRIBARREN: Hernan the Hurricane. Second baseman. Lefty bat, well-below average power, and good speed makes him an ideal #2 hitter. Venezuelan. Ranked #21 among the Brewers' Top 30 minor league prospects by Baseball America. Florida State League All-Star last year. 3rd among FSL batting leaders. ? YOHANNIS PEREZ: Will start at short. Cuban refugee, now living in the Dominican. The Coast Guard got him the first time. Jailed and sent back, but he was successful the second time, making his way to Mexico on a rickety fishing boat. Was considered Cuba' top shortstop not too long ago. Out of baseball the last two years, so the curiosity factor is high. Soft hands, excellent range, but the rust has to come off. ? STEVE SOLLMANN: Brother of former Huntsville Stars outfielder Scott Sollmann, Class of '99. Will play 1st base. Not much power in a position traditionally reserved for a power hitter, but can hit, run, and doesn't strike out much. I see him as a #6 or #7 hitter, who can hopefully carry a .280 average. ? RON DAVENPORT: Seven years in the Blue Jays' chain, last year with Class AA-New Hampshire (Eastern) and Class A-Dunedin. hit just .181 for New Hampshire. Hit .270 for the Fisher Cats in 95 games in 2005. A free swinger who usually makes contact. Holds down the strikeouts. Went 3-for-17 for the Stars in spring tune-ups. Signed by the Brewers, November 28, 2006. Will share left with ? MEL STOCKER: Came to steal bases. Hit .303 and stole 56 bases, while being caught just 8 times for Long Island (Atlantic), an independent team last year, but has carried a light stick in six years in the Kansas City chain. Got a lot of playing time for the Stars this spring, hitting .279 (12-for-43) with eight RBIs.

Link while active, text follows: www.al.com/stars/huntsvil...amp;coll=1 Stars hope they're as hot as their finish Players say lessons of 2006 pennant race still valuable By MARK McCARTER Huntsville Times Sports Staff, markcolumn@aol.com Rain coming down in sheets. Hail like popcorn. Followed by sunshine and smothering humidity. Now a depressing forecast for night-time temps that'll make a polar bear go through an L.L. Bean catalog for help. Must be baseball season. Into this meteorological mishmash, the 2007 Huntsville Stars have arrived for work. Already, they've had a false start. The scheduled exhibition game with UAH was washed out by Tuesday afternoon's brief but vicious rain. The Stars will open the regular season Thursday at 7:05 p.m. against the Mississippi Braves. The Stars of '06 accomplished what pitcher Manny Parra called "the most remarkable run I've ever been a part of." It was a worst-to-first resurrection in the span of only a few weeks. "Night and day," said outfielder Steve Moss. They were 20-20 to begin the year. Then they went 4-25. ("As bad a half as you could ever have," said manager Don Money.) They won 32 of their last 40 regular-season games, then swept Chattanooga in the first round of the playoffs before falling to Montgomery in the championship round. "It was fun," said outfielder Brendan Katin. "Every game made a difference. It mattered." Is that ancient history? Is there momentum? Are the lessons to be carried over from what Moss called "really a self-revelation" for the players? Or is anything else carried over? "Hopefully, attitude," said Katin, to the latter. "Guys wanting to be here and playing, and being positive." "There's quite a few guys that are back," said pitcher Steve Hammond. "We realize the atmosphere we had. We're trying to bring that winning atmosphere back this season." Hammond was a mid-season addition to the club and Katin arrived in August for the pennant drive. Katin, Moss and catcher Lou Palmisano are the only players in the everyday lineup who were here for the pennant race; Jeff Eure, the team's RBI leader and key utility man, and versatile infielder Guilder Rodriguez are the only other position-player holdovers. What G-Rod remembered from last year was the sense of accomplishment, and even in losing to Montgomery "everybody was happy because everybody gave 100 percent and we tried." "It's a whole new team, a whole new season," Eure said. "It's like you're starting from scratch. It'll take a few days for everybody to get to know each other. We've only had a few days in spring training when the roster was set. "The next few days," Eure continued, "will be important for us to get on the same page. The guys who were here last year, we can learn from that. Hopefully this team will jell and we can win some ball games." Forecast: Not as gloomy as last year's first half. Long-range, it's much too early to tell. Starbrites: Corey Thurman, a mainstay of last year's pitching staff, is suffering from food poisoning and remained behind in Arizona. He'll begin the season in the bullpen, having gotten minimal work while spending much of the spring in the big league camp. ... Pitchers Bo Hall and Jeff Housman begin the season on the disabled list here. Outfielder Mike Carlin is also listed on the Stars' DL, but remains in Arizona. ... The team will work out today at 3 p.m.

Link while active, text follows: www.floridatoday.com/apps...002/SPORTS Manatees down Florida Tech, 6-4 BY JEFF NAVIN FLORIDA TODAY Using seven pitchers in a game usually means trouble in the Florida State League. On Tuesday, it was just fine for Brevard County Manatees manager John Tamargo. The Manatees, who open their season at 7 PM (6:00 Central) Thursday with a home game against the Daytona Cubs, defeated Florida Tech 6-4 in an exhibition game at Space Coast Stadium. "We just drove into Florida yesterday (Monday)," said Tamargo, who was Brevard County's manager in 2005 before guiding the Durham Bulls last season. "This was good in that we got the pitchers some work and nobody got hurt. We swung the bats well and we had just one bad inning." Florida Tech (24-11), which moved up to No. 20 in the latest Collegiate Baseball Magazine NCAA Division II poll, scored four runs in the top of the eighth inning to whittle a 6-0 deficit to 6-4. With one out, Danny Sutton singled to center field and Eric Trillas followed with a single to right field. Will Lanier walked to load the bases. Dane Maglich then hit a bouncer up the middle, which was fielded by Brevard County shortstop Alcides Escobar. But Escobar couldn't flip the ball to second baseman Ryan Barba and he was charged with an error as one run scored. Right-hander Kevin Roberts walked Kyle Diamantas to force in a run, a wild pitch by Roberts scored another run and Eric Casto's sacrifice fly to center field drove in the fourth run of the inning for the Panthers. Luis Pena, a hard-throwing right-hander, retired the side in order for Brevard County in the ninth inning to end the game. The Manatees took advantage of two errors by Florida Tech in the first inning to forge a 3-0 lead. Consecutive one-out singles by Ryan Crew, Lorenzo Cain and Mat Gamel led to one run. Cole Gillespie followed with a fly ball to right field, which was dropped by Mike Messana for an error as Cain scored on the sacrifice fly. After Trillas dropped a pop fly at second base, Chris Errecart followed with a sacrifice fly to center field to drive in Gamel with the third run of the inning. "It was good to get under the lights and have the players get used to the heat and humidity," said Tamargo. "They also needed to get used to the time zone change. We're looking for big things from Cain, Gamel and some of the others this season. This is a tough league and the guys will be tested. I think we'll be solid." The Manatees extended their lead to 4-0 in the second on Gamel's run-scoring single. Ned Yost, the son of Milwaukee Brewers manager Ned Yost, hit a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning, and Freddy Parejo's run-scoring single to center field made it 6-0 in the bottom of the sixth inning. Brevard County starter Jesse Harper and left-handed reliever Jeremy Lewis each pitched two scoreless innings. Vince Perkins, David Welch, Ben Stancyzk and Pena each pitched one scoreless inning. "We've got some good pitching prospects here, and they'll be helped by the bigger park," Tamargo said. "They can make some mistakes and get away with it. We have some of our better pitching prospects in the organization here, and they'll have better chances to be successful.

Photo Gallery Link includes Nestor Corredor, Charlie Fermaint, Derek Miller, and Jeremy Lewis: www.floridatoday.com/apps...amp;Ref=PH

Link while active, text follows: www.wvgazette.com/section...2007040340 Second go-round for some Logjam in system keeps Brantley, Ryan with Charleston Power By Mike Whiteford Charleston Gazette Staff Writer Down here in Class A baseball, a subtle, never-wavering goal lingers in the minds of all players. Though most of them exercise admirable patience, they all want to be promoted and thus take another step up the professional baseball ladder that will move them closer to their ultimate objective of the big leagues, where childhood dreams are fulfilled and unfathomable riches await. Conventional wisdom has always dictated that a solid season with, say, the West Virginia Power of the Class A South Atlantic League will bring a promotion to the slightly more advanced Brevard County Manatees of the Class A Florida State League. But exceptions always arise. In the case of Power outfielder Michael Brantley and pitcher Patrick Ryan, their 2006 numbers strongly suggest they should now be in Brevard County, preparing for the season opener, but instead they spent Tuesday afternoon working out with the Power and playing an exhibition game at Appalachian Power Park. Beginning at 7:05 PM (6:05 Central) Thursday at APP, Brantley and Ryan will begin another season in Charleston, still waiting and hoping for an advancement that, in all likelihood, will eventually come. Last year, Brantley batted .300 to finish in a tie for seventh place in the South Atlantic League, and Ryan compiled an earned run average of 1.87 and allowed just 77 hits in 91 2/3 innings of relief. Pitching coach John Curtis called him the team?s most valuable pitcher. But neither is complaining and, besides, both agree Charleston and Appalachian Power Park have served their needs well. ?I obviously have no control over what happens. I?m just glad to come back here,?? said Ryan, a 23-year-old right-hander from Tampa, Fla. ?It?s a good place to play baseball. It?s awesome; it?s great. There?s a lot of fan support, a good facility, good competition around the league and good parks around the league. The people here are really great. They?re really friendly. They make it an enjoyable place to play.?? At least for the moment, Brantley fell victim to an outfield logjam in the parent Milwaukee Brewer organization and, at age 19, there?s no big rush. Moreover, Brantley knows that playing every day in Charleston is far more beneficial than being a fourth outfielder at a higher level. ?Where you play doesn?t matter as long as you play every day and develop and work on your tools,?? said the Fort Pierce, Fla., native. ?Playing every day, that?s the key. You don?t want to have to play every other day or sit behind someone else. To be starting every day is a blessing.?? Like Ryan, Brantley enjoyed his 2006 season in Charleston. ?It?s a great town to play baseball in, and I love it,?? he said. ?It?s very laid back. There?s not a lot of bad areas where you can get in trouble, and there?s always something to do. The ballpark?s phenomenal. We go to a lot of stadiums that are not close to this.?? As a reliever last year, Ryan worked in the late innings, mostly as a setup man, and saved two games. But a wealth of pitching depth at Brevard County and Class AA Huntsville is keeping him with the Power. ?He did everything here that we asked him,?? said Curtis. ?I called him the most valuable pitcher on our staff last year. He controlled that territory from the fifth inning to [closer] Joe Thatcher. It did it consistently all year. He was there when we needed him. He?s going to be in [the Florida State League] before much longer.?? Said Ryan, ?From a career standpoint, it would have been ideal to have gone [to Brevard County], but things will work themselves out.?? Another 2006 Power veteran, outfielder Darren Ford, might have expected a promotion but will open the season in Charleston. Ford, a 21-year-old native of Vineland, N.J., batted .283 last year and stole 69 bases in 84 attempts. Second baseman Kenny Holmberg, a 24-year-old native of Dunedin, Fla., also returns. After an outstanding season at Helena of the Pioneer (rookie) League in 2005, he played in Charleston last year but suffered a high-ankle sprain in April and missed seven weeks. POWER POINTS: In the season?s first half last year, the Power finished second to Lexington in the Northern Division and in the second half was third behind Rome and Augusta. Overall, the team was 74-62, but the roster, like always at the Class A level, is drastically different. ?All I can tell you right now is we have a good bunch of guys,?? said manager Mike Guerrero. ?I think it?s going to be another fun year here in West Virginia.?? ... Power general manager Ryan Gates said a continuation of warm, sunny weather would have assured a standing-room-only crowd on Thursday, but the forecast calls for a dramatic temperature drop. ... After Thursday?s home opener against the Lake County Captains, the teams will play at 7:05 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Sunday is an off day. Lefty Brae Wright will pitch in the Power?s opener Thursday night. Charleston Gazette Photographer: Chris Dorst http://www.wvgazettemail.com/images/stories/WRIGHT.jpg