Jim Goulart

Link while active, text follows: www.azcentral.com/sports/...s1010.html 4-course education for 5-tool athletes Brewers give players lessons in life skills Joseph A. Reaves The Arizona Republic If you want to make the major leagues, you're going to have to learn how to hit a forkball. If you want to make the major leagues with the Milwaukee Brewers you're going to have to learn which fork to use first at a five-star restaurant. That, and how to hold a wine glass, where to put your napkin and when to stand when your date comes back to the table. Those were just some of the skills that 18 of the Brewers' top young prospects worked on during a two-hour practice session at Razz's Restaurant & Bar in Scottsdale last week. The Brewers, like many major league teams, are investing time and money these days to make life better for their players - on and off the field. "We're teaching them life skills outside of baseball," said Reid Nichols, a former major leaguer who is in charge of player development for the Brewers. "Most of these guys have never been in a place like this." Some people in Scottsdale have never been in a place like Razz's. Gourmet magazine rated it one of the top 20 restaurants in Arizona. Esquire magazine called it one of the "Best New Restaurants" in the country in 1996. The New York Times even wrote it up as one of the new breed of eateries catering to the "more sophisticated and demanding clientele" of Phoenix. Last Thursday night, fresh from postgame showers at Scottsdale Stadium, 18 players from the Brewers' instructional league team gathered around two long tables in Razz's main dining room for a crash course in etiquette. The players, ages 16 to 22, were all from Latin countries - Venezuela, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Curacao. The Brewers consider them among their top prospects, and they are in Arizona to play top prospects from other major league clubs in the Instructional League, which runs through Oct. 21. "Good table manners are a reflection of your social status," Bobbi Jo Haynes says, opening the training session. Haynes co-owns Razz's with her husband, chef Erasmo "Razz" Kamnitzer, and serves as etiquette guru for the evening. "The Brewers are giving you this gift to help you get bigger contracts if you have dinner with the sponsors from Budweiser." A few seconds later, after Becky Schnakenberg translates, the players break into laughter. Schnakenberg works with the Brewers and six other major league teams on their "career development" programs. She teaches English as a second language to the Spanish-speaking players and elementary Spanish to the English-speaking players. The Brewers also have more than a dozen other life skills classes for their prospects - everything from sports nutrition to public speaking, banking and finance, umpire education, media training and cultural diversity and awareness. "We are trying to help them assimilate into the culture," says Schnakenberg, who covers topics such as the legal drinking age, professional behavior and how old a girl should be if a player wants to date her. The Brewers target their higher-profile prospects and bring them to the states at a younger age. "Some of these guys would have spent another couple years back home, but now we're bringing them here sometimes when they are 16 years old," Nichols said. "Being thrown into a different culture is tough. I played two years of winter ball in the Dominican, so I know what it's like to have to try to adjust." Learning how to eat in a fancy restaurant turned out to be a tough adjustment for some of the young Brewers. Uli Snijders, a 20-year-old catcher from Curacao, spent all evening trying to master the continental style of eating with an overturned fork in his left hand. Haynes had to lean over Snijders' shoulders a few times to teach him the knack. On Thursday, they had four courses - Italian crepes and duck cakes, seafood shrimp, braised beef ribs and a dessert combination of coconut-pineapple crème caramel and chocolate pâté with berries. "Fold your napkin like this," Haynes tells the class, folding a blue cloth napkin into a triangle. "Place the fold against your waist with the pointed end facing down." Sixteen-year-old Alixxon Cequea quickly finds out why. "He wants to know what to do with this?" Schnakenberg translates from Cequea. Haynes walks around the table to see the young third baseman has a good portion of his appetizer on his lap. After the laughter stopped, Haynes says: "It's perfectly acceptable to lift your napkin and shake the food back into your plate. If you're not comfortable with that, then that's why you have the napkin folded. You can just double it over and cover the food." Haynes shakes Cequea's food back onto his plate, and he deftly picks up an overturned fork with his left hand to resume his meal. "The whole night was spectacular," he says as the class is winding down. "I've never been in a place this, and I never would have learned something like this." By the end of the evening, the players all have managed to eat continental style. They all have waited until everyone at their table is served before eating. They know to pick up a wine glass only by the stem. They know that if they leave the table, they drape their napkins across the back of their chair. And they learn to stand when their date leaves the table and stand again when the woman is one foot from taking her seat again. "Even if the woman is liberated and wants to pull out her own chair, you still should stand," Haynes says. "It is a sign of respect." Up goes a hand, and Schnakenberg translates another question. "How do we know if a woman is liberated?" a player asks. More laughter. "You'll know," Haynes says. "You'll know."

Alec Zumwalt loads the bases in the 6th with no one out and then gets out of it; Dennis Sarfate a 1-2-3 inning with two swinging K's; Steve Moss 1-for-4, single, run, two K's; Vinny Rottino 1-for-5, SB as the DH...

The Brewers will be sending: Steve Bray Manny Parra Dennis Sarfate Alec Zumwalt Vinny Rottino Steve Moss Ryan Braun League officials have expanded the pitching staffs in the AFL to 20 pitchers for each of the six teams in order to allow coaches to better balance workloads, and to try and keep the inflated offense of prior years down. As part of that expansion, the Brewers have added 6'7" 25-year-old LHP Sam Narron, who missed the 2005 season due to Tommy John surgery, to the squad. He pitched pretty well in 55.1 carefully scheduled innings for Brevard this past season.

David Weiser has completed his 2006 Huntsville recap, which includes a review of his Top Ten Games of the Season. With a possible updated note or two, the main page of David's site will remain intact through the offseason, so we'll link to it here rather than cut and paste. Thanks David, for your insights all season long... www.starsboxscore.com/

when does the AZL start? Tuesday night the 10th...

North Shore wins 3-2 on Friday. Pitchers (Hinton and Thatcher) idle; Ford and Cain still at the top of the order, Lorenzo a single and a walk: www.hawaiiwinterbaseball...._10-6.html I'll be offline until Tuesday AM; North Shore continues play with Saturday and Sunday games; I'm sure someone will volunteer and peek in and update you via this link: www.hawaiiwinterbaseball.com/schedule/ The game links are normally posted early next day, remember Hawaii's five hours behind Central Time. I still can't believe these kids get to play in Hawaii all fall. The Brewers' more advanced (AAA, AA) kids must be kicking themselves that this league was dormant (volcano pun) for eight years.

Part III from Prospectus with a tiny blurb on Manny Parra, now places Scottsdale in last place with only the relievers yet to be analyzed: www.baseballprospectus.co...4e588a2f82

Basically, how it works, is that players who had been on the 40-man roster during the season but were subsequently outrighted to the minor leagues, they "can elect free agency" immediately after the regular season ends if they either have enough service time (seven pro years) or if they have been outrighted off a 40-man more than once. For other minor leaguers like the Brent Abernathy's and Jermaine Clark's of the Brewers, technically they are free to pursue new teams after October 15th each year, when the transaction gets filed under "Contract Expired". Basically guys like Moeller and Simpson in this instance simply get themselves out on the market a few days earlier than the other soon-to-be minor league free agents.

RHP Chris Mabeus was released -- the news is included in this thread on the Major League Forum which also mentions the Brewers' waiver claim of RHP Grant Balfour, and the outright assignment to Nashville of former 40-man roster pitcher Vince Perkins: p092.ezboard.com/fbrewers...3179.topic

Interesting stuff from Baseball Prospectus, both free -- just focus on the "Scottsdale Scorpions" updates if you wish: Part I: baseballprospectus.com/ar...cleid=5588 Part II: Steve Moss (Brewers) was a big disappointment at Double-A this year, which says a lot as not much was expected from him in the first place. baseballprospectus.com/ar...cleid=5589

Wednesday's North Shore game story, Thursday off -- Joe Thatcher is da bomb... North Shore Honu 6, West Oahu Canefires 2 Dustin Martin went 2-for-2 with a home run, three RBIs and two runs scored to lead the North Shore Honu to a 6-2 victory over the West Oahu Canefires on Wednesday night. Martin, a 26th-round draft pick of the New York Mets in 2006, blasted a three-run homer in the fourth inning to give the Honu (2-1) a lead they would not relinquish. The 22-year-old Texan singled and scored in the fifth inning before being lifted for a pinch-hitter in the seventh. Martin was one of just four hitters in either team's starting line-up who did not strike out in the ballgame. The Canefires pitching staff recorded 16 strikeouts, while Honu hurlers combined to whiff 13. North Shore's offense picked up six stolen bases, although just one led directly to a run. Astros prospect Koby Clemens reached on an error in the fourth inning, stole second, advanced to third on pitcher Toyoji Matsumura's throwing error, and came home on an RBI groundout by Issei Nakamura. Clemens and Nakamura each contributed an RBI single in the fifth inning to cap the game's scoring. Milwaukee Brewers farmhand Joe Thatcher, the third of six Honu pitchers, struck out three over two perfect innings and earned the win. Japanese southpaw Satoshi Yamazaki struck out the side in a scoreless seventh, while Keisuke Hayashi scattered three hits and a walk over two shutout frames while striking out three. West Oahu (1-2) plated a pair of unearned runs in the first inning. Boston Red Sox prospect Jeffrey Corsaletti reached on an error and Tomkata Sakaguchi singled to put runners on first and third with no outs. Corsaletti then scored on a botched pickoff attempt, while Sakaguchi eventually came home on an RBI groundout by 2005 first-round draft pick John Mayberry, Jr. (Texas Rangers). Toyoji Matsumura pitched the fourth inning for the Canefires and took the loss, surrendering four runs -- three earned -- on three hits and a walk. Starter Ryan Phillips (Boston Red Sox) struck out six batters over three shutout frames. ***Tough day for Lorenzo Cain, a clean inning for Robert Hinton, Darren Ford two more walks and a stolen base, this link has the Gameday where you can see pitch counts (impressive for both Thatcher and Hinton) and other goodies: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...;fext=.jsp

Click on one of the four team names at this link, then click on the link for updated stats in the pop-up box that appears-- the Brewer boys are on Honu: www.hawaiiwinterbaseball.com/stats/

More complete report from Tuesday if you click on the Gameday Link for the North Shore game in this article: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...;fext=.jsp Ford with two walks, three K's, two SB's and an outfield assist to second base; Cain with his triple, a walk, two K's, and a stolen base.

Lorenzo Cain's second triple in as many games; Cain adds a stolen base, and Darren Ford two SB's in Tuesday's 6-3 North Shore loss, played with Roger Clemens in attendance. Ford likely walked at least once, although this box score isn't as detailed as most. www.honoluluadvertiser.co...052/SPORTS Lorenzo Cain photo is the 6th in this photo gallery: the.honoluluadvertiser.co...hotos.html

I can't imagine what link you're thinking of, Cy, other than the Player Index. I do know that by mid-October each year we publish the list of all the Rule 5 eligibles (it wouldn't include any of the potential free agents listed who are technically still Brewers until October 15th). "And That" and I usually compare notes on that and present the thread, and I'll make it a point to have the list available within the next week or so (I'll be away for three days this weekend in New Hampshire for a post Link Report season getaway...)

Robert Hinton started, and he and Joe Thatcher combined on three scoreless innings, box score at bottom of this link: www.honoluluadvertiser.co...032/SPORTS The league is idle on Monday.

Link while active, text follows: starbulletin.com/2006/10/...ory03.html Koby Clemens gives the crowd even more to expect in the Honu?s victory Choy Foo reaches base three times in opener By Kyle Galdeira Special to the Star-Bulletin If his first Hawaii Winter Baseball game is a sign of things to come for Koby Clemens, his future is looking quite bright. The third baseman went 3-for-4 with a double, triple, and a game-high three RBIs to help lead the North Shore Honu over the West Oahu CaneFires 11-5 in the opening game of the HWB season yesterday evening in front of 1,531 at Hans L'Orange Park in Waipahu. "It was almost like playing in an All-Star game because of all the talent out there," said Clemens, the son of future Hall of Fame pitcher Roger Clemens. Koby realizes that fans will instantly expect more from him because of his father's numerous accomplishments. "We can (eventually) get to the (major league) level. I'm always going to have that target on my back with all the things (my father has) achieved. I'm just trying to follow my own path and just be Koby." The Honu got out to a quick 2-0 lead after scoring runs in each of the first two innings. Center fielder Darren Ford, who had three hits of his own, singled to lead off the game and came home on Rodney Choy Foo's groundout to second base. Catcher Keiyo Aomatsu spanked the first home run of this HWB season on a fastball that he drove down the left-field line, just inside the foul pole. "I thought it was a well-played game," said North Shore manager Dave Clark. "Our guys came out with a lot of energy. They played great, especially with it being the first game here." West Oahu answered back in the third inning with two runs of its own despite failing to hit the ball out of the infield. Two walks and two wild pitches from North Shore relief pitcher Keisuke Hayashi coupled with two errors by Cory Dunlap at first base allowed the CaneFires to tie the game. But the Honu regained the lead on a towering solo home run off the bat of left fielder Xavier Paul in the fifth inning that cleared the fence in deep right-center field more than 400 feet away from home plate. North Shore, which pounded out 14 hits in the game, scored four runs in both the sixth and seventh innings to increase the lead to 11-3. "It's important to start off strong," said Paul. "I knew when I hit it that I had at least a triple, so I started booking it. I saw the umpire raise his hand (to signify a home run) and I was surprised, I didn't think it would get out." Scott Koerber picked up the victory in relief of starter Robert Hinton after allowing one run and striking out a batter in two innings. West Oahu's Joba Chamberlain pitched two strong innings with a strikeout, but gave up Paul's homer and was saddled with the loss. The game featured a combined 13 pitchers as the two coaching staffs tried to get an idea of what the hurlers could do for the first time. The CaneFires got the bulk of its offensive production from Peter Ciofrone, who went 2-for-2 with two RBIs, and first baseman Mike Stodolka, who collected three singles and an RBI. The two players combined for five of the team's seven hits in the game. For Choy Foo, the game served as a homecoming as the designated hitter played his first game in Hawaii since graduating from Kailua High in 2000. The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder, who is a member of the Cleveland Indians organization, went 1-for-3 with an RBI and also walked and was hit by a pitch. He said he felt "nervous" in front of the hometown crowd, but is enjoying the opportunity. "I try not to think about it," said Choy Foo, when asked about representing Hawaii as one of the local players in the league. "I try to just play my game and relax. It's good playing with different guys. It's gonna be fun." This is the second go-around for HWB after a nine-year hiatus. All the players in the four-team league are under contract with Minor League Baseball, Japan Professional Baseball or the Korea Baseball Organization. In anticipation of yesterday's opener, numerous changes were made to historic Hans L'Orange Park, including renovations to the grandstands, lights and restrooms, as well as the addition of a new open-air press box along the third base line, portable clubhouses and a well-manicured field. (Lorenzo Cain went 1-for-4, with a triple, and scored a run.) Photo by JAMM AQUINO, starbulletin.com The West Oahu CaneFires' Sean Kazmar applied a tag to the North Shore Honu's Darren Ford in the bottom of the third inning yesterday. http://starbulletin.com/2006/10/02/sports/art3a.jpg

From Buck Rogers, Manatee GM: Good news for those that miss games because of work or scheduling conflicts. The Manatees are close to finalizing plans to web cast the games this season, both home and road. Additionally, we are close to having radio coverage as well. The Manatees will have a new staff member with substantial techno-experience to make this a reality for us this season. Fans will be an interactive part of this arrangement as will a wireless mike on the field as soon as games end to get immediate post-game interviews with Manatees players and coaches. If you're a player's family member living outside the area, you'll get your access to the game. If all goes as planned later this winter, we will have close circuit coverage of our games on the concourse. Also, I've placed an update in our Trading Post Forum from Buck, regarding Manatees jerseys that are available.

Toronto Sun, 9/30/06: PLAY IT OUT, SON Jays hitting coach Mickey Brantley got a call from his son Michael recently who was playing for the West Virginia Power (Milwaukee Brewers) of the South Atlantic League. Michael was on the eve of the final game of his season and sitting on a .300 average. He was banged up and wondering if he should ask out of the final game. Father's advice went something like this: "Walk into the clubhouse and if your name is in the lineup go out and get two hits. If it's not, it's not." Turns out the game was rained out.

ON THE FAST TRACK Vineland native Darren Ford is thankful for the opportunity to play baseball for a living Originally published July 21, 2006 By BEN WATANABE Staff Writer bwatanabe@thedailyjournal.com The brim of Darren Ford's black West Virginia Power cap was straight as a frozen-rope line drive. Pulled low over his eyes, it almost hid the sheepish expression on his face. Less than four hours before the first pitch of the Power's series opener against the Lakewood BlueClaws, Ford shifted uncomfortably in a folding chair in the visitor's locker room at FirstEnergy Park. A Vineland High School graduate now playing for the Milwaukee Brewers' Single A affiliate, Ford was making his first on-field appearance in New Jersey as a professional ballplayer. Friends and family congregated in the stands down the third-base line. A long overdue visit home was planned after Game 2 of the series, an 11 a.m. matinee. Apart from the familiar faces, though, Ford said he'd rather have all the attention go away. "Right now, I'm just trying to enjoy life, take joy in every day," Ford said in a barely audible mumble. "Tomorrow's not promised. It's just another day that could bring a whole new situation." It's a philosophy Ford, 20, has developed during his short minor-league career, bouncing from Phoenix to Helena, Mont., and finally to Charleston, W.V., in a single calendar year. In fact, Ford has visited more states in the last year than he did his first 18. For four games last week, Ford was in the state he calls home. The Daily Journal joined Ford in Lakewood for the first three days of his trip, chronicling his new career, his big-league aspirations and everyday life in the minors. Day 1 Everything is surreal. Ford heads to the indoor batting cage at the stadium, dresses and warms up on the field. The game is a blur, except for the annoying reporter and photographer who are following him around. His teammates don't quite understand the big deal, but that doesn't stop them from giving him a hard time about it. The fact that Ford goes hitless in a 7-2 loss is rendered irrelevant when he exits the clubhouse to see his mother, Carla; his grandmother, Ann; his sisters, Janine and Marianna; and a host of other family and friends. He gives his sister a hug. He gives his niece a kiss. He is happy to see them, but says he doesn't worry about them when he is 400 miles away. "I'm always thinking about them, but I don't worry too much because I know they take care of each other," Ford says. "I know they'll be OK." Day 2 After a stomach-churning, late-night dinner at IHOP, Ford has another forgettable day at the plate in a 4-1 loss. He goes 0-for-3 and walks twice with two outs, both times running out short flies by the next batter that end the innings. Luckily, the game is over by about 2 p.m., leaving plenty of time for the 90-minute trip to Vineland for a home-cooked meal. Ford is a young man of deep religious faith. He speaks softly because he does not want his words to be misconstrued as bragging. The talent and speed that registered 6.1 seconds in the 60-yard dash (fast by baseball standards) are not his doing, he says. "God put me in this position, and it's on me to go out there every day and work on fly balls, work on hitting," Ford says, who is hitting .268 with a team-high 43 stolen bases. "That's all I can take credit for." Day 3 After staying the night in Vineland, Ford returns to Lakewood in plenty of time for the 7:05 p.m. first pitch. Leading off, he hits a shot to left-center. The center fielder snags it on a lunging catch, continuing Ford's mini-slump. Ford emerges from his rut with a ground ball single up the middle in the seventh. He gets robbed again in the ninth, when he pulls a fast-sinking line drive that the left fielder leaps and extends to make a highlight-reel play. The Power, the top hitting team in the South Atlantic League, drop their third straight, 8-3. So far, Ford is 1-for-10 in the series. He doesn't try to hide his disappointment in the post-game clubhouse, but perks up when asked why he wears No. 15. "It's in honor of Latrice Johnson," Ford says. "She died May 15, 2004, in a car accident. You know about that, right? That's why I wear No. 15." One more day in Jersey awaits. The game is a sellout, as all Friday home games are in Lakewood due to weekly fireworks. Ford expects to hear his family yelling his name from the lawn beyond the outfield fence. "It's gonna be a full house," Ford says. "I'm gonna play as well as I can play, because this could be the last time I play in front of New Jersey fans." Day 4 Searching for a happy ending to an otherwise frustrating series, Ford saves his best for last. With three hits, three stolen bases and three runs scored, Ford supplies the thrills for more than 20 family members in the stands in a 6-1 victory. "You missed it!" Carla Ford yells over the phone. "Darren was great. I had about 200 agents coming up to me. I said, get away from me. Darren's already got an agent." Ford doesn't have a lot to say. Early in the week, he protested, "I'm not quiet. I'm just quiet right now because I don't know what to say." But he does very little to make anyone believe otherwise, especially when his mom confirms, "Darren was always very humble, very quiet." Next stop, Charleston That night, the bus pulls away and the Power head back to Charleston. Apart from the travel, Ford insists he likes the baseball lifestyle. Whereas at one time football was his No. 1 passion, the past two years have given him an appreciation for the game that has become his vocation. "This game is hard," Ford says. "Baseball's the hardest game, in my opinion. It's not like football, where you can get the game-winning touchdown by just throwing the ball down the field. It's not like that. You've got to hit the little white ball. You've got to catch the little white ball. "It's hard. But I'm learning." According to Baseball America, at least four outfield prospects are listed ahead of Ford in the Brewers' system. The road ahead will be full of bumps and bruises. "I want to do it because around the way, a lot of people that are real good at something didn't make it because something else stopped them from doing it," Ford said. "No matter what, I try to keep my head up. My life's taken a route that I'm happy I chose." Who has developed into Ford's closest friend in the system? "Lorenzo Cain. I lived with him in Arizona, but not in Helena. He's more than a friend, he's like a brother, because he pushes me and I push him. We played against each other in junior college, and we came out to Maryvale and found out we were on the same team. About a week into spring training, we told each other we both wanted to get to West Virginia. He told me he was going to push me to get there, and I told him I was going to push him."

From July, and the Daily Journal in New Jersey and Staff Photographer Craig Matthews, an impressive photo gallery of Darren Ford photos (43 of them), during his visit to Lakewood -- enjoy: cgi.thedailyjournal.com/c...arren_Ford Among the photos, this one of Angel Salome (on the left) and Ford: http://www.thedailyjournal.com/gallery/sports/07242006/Darren_Ford/Darren%20Ford%203.jpg Lorenzo Cain (on the left) and Ford: http://www.thedailyjournal.com/gallery/sports/07242006/Darren_Ford/Darren%20Ford%2014.jpg

www.hawaiiwinterbaseball.com/ http://www.hawaiiwinterbaseball.com/images/teams/honu_logo.gif

Link while active, text follows: starbulletin.com/2006/09/...ory01.html After nine years, winter baseball returns with high hopes for talent and attendance By Jason Kaneshiro jkaneshiro@starbulletin.com Duane Kurisu made himself a promise amidst the bustle of preparing for the return of Hawaii Winter Baseball. He's actually going to have fun at the ballpark this season ... or at least he'll try. "I think this time around I will make an effort to enjoy things rather than be caught up in the business issues that come up," said Kurisu, chairman and chief executive officer of HWB. "Professional sports and professional baseball, with so many games involved, it's a really, really tough business because you have so many different customers to please. So I will make an earnest effort to sit down and enjoy myself and enjoy the game like everybody else." Kurisu and the HWB staff haven't enjoyed much downtime lately, as they've been busy getting players situated while attending to the myriad details inherent in restarting a professional baseball league. And when the league returns tomorrow after a nine-year absence, Kurisu is anticipating a higher level of play than the league's first run (1993-97), which featured future big leaguers Ichiro Suzuki, Todd Helton, Jason Giambi and Derrek Lee. "We have more high-quality, top-line prospects in one season than we had probably in the whole five seasons," said Kurisu. "We have some incredible players who have been sent from Major League Baseball and from Japan. The quality of play is exceptional, and I think everybody will be able to see that." (Kurisu also is an investor in the Star-Bulletin and on its board of directors.) HWB returns to action in Manoa and Waipahu tomorrow, as the four teams -- the Honolulu Sharks, North Shore Honu, Waikiki Beach Boys and West Oahu CaneFires -- open their 40-game schedules. The Beach Boys and Sharks meet at Les Murakami Stadium, and the Honu and CaneFires play at Hans L'Orange field. Both games start at 3 p.m. The season runs through the championship game on Nov. 22. The league rosters -- which were still being finalized late into the week -- are primarily Single- and Double-A prospects. Seven first-round picks in Major League Baseball's First-Year Player Draft are among the players representing 21 major-league organizations and 10 Japan Pro Baseball teams. Each team will have a mix of players from U.S. and Japanese organizations. Three local products -- Kailua graduate Rodney Choy Foo and 'Iolani products Kila and Kala Ka'aihue -- are among the players assigned to the league. Choy Foo and Kala Ka'aihue are on the Sharks' roster, and Kila Ka'aihue is on the CaneFires' roster. Kila Ka'aihue probably won't play because of a knee injury. In its first stint, Hawaii Winter Baseball paid the players' salaries, giving officials the latitude to invite numerous players with Hawaii ties. This time MLB is handling the salaries -- a major factor in the league's return -- which means the commissioner's office has the final word in making the assignments. Also, some Hawaii players are in organizations that chose not to assign prospects to the league. "They're dictating who they're willing to invest their moneys in," Kurisu said. "So the three kids who are playing here are truly bona fide prospects, because the big league clubs have determined that these guys are prospects and they're willing to invest money in these guys to play here." The dugouts will also have a local flavor, with (former Milwaukee Brewer) Lenn Sakata (Kalani) managing the Beach Boys and current West Virginia Power hitting coach Mike Lum (Roosevelt) serving as a coach for the Honu. Kurisu said the league's reputation helped make HWB an attractive option for teams looking to develop their young prospects during the winter. He negotiated with MLB to keep the rosters at 28 players. Kurisu wants to keep the rosters at a manageable level to make sure the players get enough innings to improve their skills. "The teams wanted to send even more players -- we just couldn't accommodate them," he said. "I want this to be a terrific experience for the players. Not only outside enjoying Hawaii, but on the field." With HWB's return, Hans L'Orange has been spruced up to meet Major League Baseball's specifications. Kurisu credited the efforts of Walter Komatsubara and Zen Abe in grooming the natural-grass surface, and B. Haymon Co. for providing labor and equipment. Although HWB's contract with Major League Baseball calls for the league to be limited to Oahu for two years to facilitate scouting, Kurisu's long-term goal is to restore teams on Kauai, Maui and the Big Island. For now, though, he is simply looking forward to kicking back in the bleachers for a few hours. "A lot of these guys are going to end up being superstars," Kurisu said. "In the past we felt like these guys were going to be big-league players; we didn't know how large they would become. We know from experience that we have some Jason Giambis and Ichiros in this league."

We'll officially follow RHP Robert Hinton, LHP Joe Thatcher, and OF's Darren Ford and Lorenzo Cain in this thread. Link while active, text follows: www.kokomotribune.com/sit...31902.html Hawaii is next stop in Thatcher?s baseball odyssey Former Kat enjoying a productive spell in Brewers? system By PEDRO VELAZCO Kokomo Tribune sportswriter Joe Thatcher knows exactly what he?s doing on the mound. Great control has helped the young pitcher move up the minor-league baseball ladder. However, you?ll have to forgive the former Kokomo High School athlete if he occasionally has location problems off the field. Over the past two seasons, Thatcher has played for four teams in the Milwaukee Brewers organization, and previously played on an independent team. When a team needs him, he has to go, quickly. The adjustment isn?t always easy. His most harrowing experience as a quick-move artist was his first, after signing with the River City Rascals near St. Louis. The team plays in the independent Frontier League. ?When I went over to play in independent ball I was staying with a host family,? Thatcher said, explaining that there was no time to settle in before jumping into his uniform. ?I signed and went right to the game and my host dad comes up during the game and says ?we?re your host parents and you?re going to stay with us.?? Thatcher was to follow his new host family home after the game. He didn?t leave the park until about 10:30 that night, went home with his host family, but had to be up at 6 a.m. the next day for an eight-day road trip. When the team got back to Missouri, he still had to find his way back to his new home. ?I?m still trying to remember how to get home, and I find the neighborhood and pull into a house that I think is theirs. I put the key in the door and it unlocks,? Thatcher said. He walked in and then ?some old lady comes running into the room scared to death!? Wrong house. ?I was about three or four houses off,? he said. ?I?m trying to explain to her, while she?s all frantic, why I?m in the wrong house. After a few minutes she settled down, and I settled down. It was an honest mistake.? Every minor leaguer comes with great stories and Thatcher has a trunk full. After the Brewers discovered him playing with River City, he?s been promoted all the way from rookie ball in Montana, to Florida, then to West Virginia this season, and Florida again, and finally three weeks ago he was promoted to the Huntsville Stars, the Brewers? double-A affiliate in Alabama. Each change of venue is exciting, but comes with the stress of an instant move, and friendships left behind. ?It?s pretty crazy,? Thatcher said of the moves. But they?re easy for him now. ?I take my suitcase with me. That?s about all I?ve got really.? A closer in Class A ball, he adjusted to set-up duty in Huntsville, bolstering the bullpen as the Stars closed the season and played in the Southern League playoffs. The Montgomery Biscuits topped the Stars in the league championship series. In Huntsville, Thatcher also adjusted to an air mattress, set up on the floor in the apartment of teammates where he stayed during his short stint with the Stars. Not every move up in the minors is glamorous. But his next move should make up for it. Thatcher will spend the fall in Hawaii. Thatcher was back in Kokomo for a few days last week, but left last Wednesday to head to Arizona and work out in the Brewers? spring training facility. Today (the 27th) it?s off to Hawaii to play in the newly re-formed Hawaii Winter Baseball league. Each MLB organization is allowed to place as many as four players in the league. The four-team league also pulls players from Asian leagues and plays a two-month schedule of games on the island of Oahu, where Honolulu is located. Thatcher will play for the North Shore Honu. ?It?s just an opportunity to keep playing,? he said. ?It?s an opportunity for me to get some more innings and work on things I need to work on. At the same time it?s going to be something that?s rewarding for players who had good years, to go out there and enjoy that kind of atmosphere. ?It should be something I?ll never forget, that?s for sure.? While playing for the West Virginia Power, the Brevard County (Fla.) Manatees and Huntsville, Thatcher compiled a 5-4 record with a 1.37 ERA and 12 saves. He pitched in 46 games, all in relief, totaling 65.2 innings pitched, 80 strike outs and only 17 walks. Opponents batted just .179 against him. He?s eager to get to work improving his arsenal of pitches in Hawaii. ?I?m working on developing my change-up,? Thatcher said. ?I?ve never really had enough confidence to throw it when big-game situations called for it. That?s basically it, working on my change-up. But there?s all kinds of little things that can be improved. The more you throw, the better you get.? He?s had success at each stop in the Brewers? farm system. ?I found a couple miles an hour on my velocity, and I?ve always been able to locate my pitches successfully, pretty regularly,? Thatcher said. ?Now, I?ve got a couple more miles an hour on my fastball, my fastball has movement, which is always a plus. I feel like I can throw my off-speed stuff for a strike when I need to. I don?t know if I?m better than I was, I?m just getting an opportunity and it?s working out right now.? Undrafted out of Indiana State in 2004, Thatcher held on to his dream by playing with River City, hoping to get noticed by a big-league organization. Outside of his change-up, he hasn?t worried about confidence. That?s helped him move up in the Brewers? organization. ?When I didn?t get signed out of college, I felt like I had the potential, the ability to pitch at the next level,? Thatcher said. ?I think the thing that?s helped me most is when I do move up, I don?t think there?s anything to be timid about. I go right at hitters. If what I had isn?t good enough, that?s all I can do, but when I get out there, I want to be aggressive and attack hitters, and so far I?ve had pretty good success doing that.? Thatcher was impressed with the talent he saw in his brief stint at the Double-A level and hopes to get assigned back to Huntsville when next season begins. ?Everybody I?ve talked to says I have real potential and a really good shot at making it one day,? he said of a chance at playing major-league ball. ?A lot of factors go into whether you get the opportunity or not. All of that stuff is out of my hands. I?ve just got to go out there and throw like I?ve been throwing and see what happens.? TRAVELING MAN: Kokomo native Joe Thatcher chats during a practice with the Huntsville Stars recently. The pitcher has enjoyed success in Milwaukee?s farm system this season, earning two promotions and a trip to Hawaii for winter baseball. http://www.kokomotribune.com/apstorysection/images_sizedimage_270230240/xl

These Brewer kids, such young families -- Corey Hart (24), husband and father of three; Prince Fielder (22), husband and father of two; Yovani Gallardo (20) husband and father. We'll print this week's very detailed Manatee newsletter from GM Buck Rogers in full: Here's your weekend update, Manatees fans. The Milwaukee Brewers awarded Pitcher Yovani Gallardo and 3B Ryan Braun Pitcher and Player of the year awards this past weekend at home plate at Miller Park. The photo is on our website at www.manateesbaseball.com. For those that got to know Yo's wife, Patricia, and young son (Li'l Yo), you'll be pleased to know Little Yo is now walking. Both Yo and Ryan send their regards to Manatees fans and thank you for a memorable season. The Vero Beach Dodgers are no longer the Vero Beach Dodgers. Next season the Dodgers High-A team that plays in the Florida State league will be a Tampa Devil Rays affiliate. Fans in Dodgertown are probably stroking out right about now as those 'homers' down there are very protective about their Dodgers. What do you call the team now? After the Steve Irwin thing last month I wouldn't name the team the Rays. They already have a Grapefruit for a mascot (Squeeze), therefore I'd change the name to the Indian River Fruit (Indian River County) and watch all those Dodgers fans really moan and groan. Take away their Dodger blue for grapefruit yellow and orange, remove all those old seats from Ebbett's Field as well and watch the cardiac care clinic's attendance triple for any given day. Get one of the local orchards to sponsor the team, hand out free juice when you leave the ballpark. I think it just sets up a new rivalry with our closest opponent geographically. It gets interesting as we are now not the only team in the league that plays in a ballpark where a different MLB team has spring training. I see a trend developing. But, we have the best MLB affiliation and I'll argue that point with anybody. Anybody wanting to check out all the affiliates, go to www.ballparkwatch.com and read the stories. There are links to take you to the site's affiliates page to see all the changes. Ballpark Watch is the place to go to get all the latest business news in the Minor or Major Leagues before your hometown newspaper gets it. Internet rumor-tism has it that the Lakeland Tigers may do a logo and name change as well, however, stay as a Detroit Tigers affiliate. No idea what you could do with Lakeland except get those water skiers from Cypress Gardens involved. Think about the Go-Gos video on MTV from the song 'Vacation' back in the 80s. Yeah, that's got potential. And with the Vero Beach Dodgers/Indian River Fruit probably moving to Port Charlotte in a year or two when the Devil Rays move their spring training operations there, that would make the Lakeland Tigers an Eastern Division opponent for us. Speaking of last weekend in Milwaukee...all the Brewers Minor League affiliates were treated to a fantastic weekend with the San Francisco Giants in town. I have never heard a louder booing for any player in any sport at any level than what Barry Bonds received. That is until he homered after being introduced. Then it got ridiculously noisy. But the truly amazing fact was after rounding the bases after a home run and not one, not even one person's shadow, made it out of the Giants' dugout to congratulate him. It spoke volumes. That, and the Brewers put the four-game sweep smackdown on the Giants and booted away any possible playoff chances that the Giants were dreaming about. Season Ticket Holders, look for your renewal forms in the mail with an invitation to an upcoming World Series Party. If you don't receive your invitation by the 10th of October, please call us at (321) 633-9200. Anybody wanting to be a new season ticket holder can stop by our offices, fill out the short form and make a small deposit and you will also be cordially invited to attend the Season Ticket Holders World Series Party. Got those wedding day blues? Not if you're Rob Brown and Lori McCarthy. The pair will be married at home plate at the ballpark tomorrow at noon. One will wear a home Manatees jersey, the other the road jersey. Team Chaplain Donnie Legg will officiate the ceremony. Rob and Lori are season ticket holders. No idea if they'll want The Wedding March or Take Me Out to the Ball Game played after the ceremony. Congratulations, Rob & Lori. Rock on. The Manatees will be attending the 2006 FSL League Meetings on October 11th and 12th. The Manatees will be submitting a proposal to host the FSL's 2008 All-Star Game. The 2007 ASG will be held in Daytona Beach at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Father's Day Weekend. If you have an idea for a fan event for an All-Star Game weekend in Brevard County, send your idea to info@spacecoasstadium.com. DO NOT 'REPLY' TO THIS EMAIL. Also at the meetings: The 2007 FSL schedule is all but approved. The teams will vote to accept the schedule at the league meetings. As it stands right now the Manatees will open the 2007 season on Thursday and Friday, April 5th and 6th, at home against the Daytona Cubs. The teams will fly from Arizona on the same flight and begin the season duking it out at Space Coast Stadium days later. We are in the process of finalizing an exhibition game again this season against the Florida Tech Panthers. This game is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, April 3rd. The Brevard County Manatees will have a page in our program next season that will be a fundraising page for the Brevard Achievement Center. This page will be available to fans for private postings on a game-by-game basis with a small donation made to the Brevard Achievement Center. You might want to place a spouse's childhood photo and birthday wish in it on his or her birthday, a family photo or one of your group when attending the game, or place a small want ad for something you're selling, a garage sale note, a marriage proposal or any number of things. In return, you'll be helping raise funds for the Brevard Achievement Center. Last season our interest for a Manatees Booster Club was lukewarm at best. We are going to try again this off-season and we will be bringing in ideas and reps from a couple other FSL teams' Booster Clubs in our attempt to get a Manatees Booster Club off the ground. And if we have 10 members the first year, so be it, we have to start somewhere and we're committed to getting this organization started. We would like to emulate what the Daytona Cubs have in place. The Cubs Booster Club raises funds to have post-game dinners on Sundays with their players, coaches and club members. They also assist in player transportation to the airport after the season ends, they pick up players' family members if they need rides from the airport, they have in-game fundraisers to cover all their costs and quite frankly, their Booster Club is more a family than it is a club. We have contacted other teams as well and have some good ideas that will not only support the players and coaches, but also add to club members' experiences behind the scenes at Space Coast Stadium. For those that have already provided input, we will not schedule this meeting on Wednesday or Thursday nights so Bones, Justice, Grey's Anatomy and Survivor: Cook Islands are still safe (for those without Tivo) for you. We have tabulated all of the Deal or No Deal forms from this past season and have come up with clear picture of where our fans live (zip code), what the favorite promos are, what radio stations you listen to, where you get your game information, etc. This information allowed you to remain anonymous; we do not have your email address, address, telephone number, etc...nothing except your zip code and preferences. Thanks for your input because it now allows us to streamline our advertising operations into a more effective effort. Although, some of you have some twisted answers...favorite pastime other than baseball netted us some wild answers, some of which we can't print here. We'll have a quicker version of Deal or No Deal next season and we'll do it on top of the dugout during the game. The Manatees Desperate Househusbands idea was recognized in ESPN The Magazine this month in the annual Veeckie Awards. The top seven promotions of Minor League Baseball are featured. The promo of the year belonged to the Lake Elsinore Storm for featuring a figurine (bobblehead) of Tom Cruise jumping on Oprah Winfrey's couch like he did on her TV show. No, I'm not kidding...ya' gotta love Minor League Baseball. That's it for this week. Have a great weekend, everybody.