Jim Goulart

This link will be included in each daily report when the Nashville Sounds and/or Huntsville Stars are scheduled to play. Normally it is updated an hour or two prior to gametime: Nashville Media Notes (Adobe .pdf format): www.nashvillesounds.com/pdf/notes.pdf Following Nashville's lead, Huntsville now makes its media notes available as well, nice: 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_srcaaa_1 Huntsville Game One: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_msbaax_1 Huntsville Game Two: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_msbaax_2 Brevard County: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_sarafa_1 West Virginia: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_delafx_1 Helena: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_helrok_1 Arizona Rookie: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_brrrok_1

Thursday's Daily Menu: All times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: RHP Ben Hendrickson at Sacramento (A's), 8:45 PM pre-game, 9:05 gametime Audio link: www.nashvillesounds.com/listenlive/ Huntsville: RHP Corey Thurman and LHP Steve Hammond in a twinbill at Mississippi (Braves), 5:50 PM pre-game, 6:05 gametime Audio link: www.espn1450radio.com/ See Huntsville TV note belowBrevard County: RHP Robert Hinton at Sarasota (Reds), 6:00 PM; sorry, no web audio for this series West Virginia: LHP Steve Garrison at Delmarva (Orioles), 5:55 PM pre-game, 6:05 gametime Audio link: www.sportsjuice.com/provi...e=wvpower. Helena: RHP Chris Jean at home vs. Missoula (Diamondbacks), 7:50 PM pre-game; 8:05 gametime Audio (click on "Listen Live"): www.helenabrewers.net/html2/index.php Arizona: TBD at home in Maryvale to face the Rangers' kids, 9:00 PM Central time, never any web audio for the Arizona League

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Link while active, text follows: news.bellinghamherald.com...004/SPORTS Grueling schedule puts offseason preparation to the test Six months ago, as spring training was approaching and a rigorous off-season conditioning program was ending, I felt there was no way I could wear down during the season. I felt I had graduated from the stage of preparation for the long season to being prepared for the continual cycle of being active day in and day out. Now, with one month left, the realization of imperfection is here, and what I thought was enough was only scratching the surface. Both things controllable and uncontrollable have had effects on the slow tearing down of both the mind and body. Parts of the season sailed along like a sleek boat on a calm day, and other days your only wish is to scream into the infinite abyss with anger and frustration. With built-in excuses for failure being so easy to find, it's hard to look past them and know you're only in control of your actions and therefore your results. It's been a season where proposed pre-game rituals have become habitual and self-reflection has been a rude wake-up call to the inevitability of not being invincible. It has created an interesting and entertaining reflection of what steps were taken prior to this season. It also makes you realize what needs to be done differently during the next off-season and where your focus must change. In essence, I'm using my body as a personal scale or gauge of what I felt worked well and what needs improvement. KEEPING IN TOUCH With time zones, late nights and long bus rides, it's a difficult task to try and stay in touch with home and keep up with those close to me. So my mom took it upon herself to avoid these disruptions for a week and come to watch me play. She got a visual image of what I have told her over the phone about my job - my lifestyle. Besides getting to see me play for the first time as a professional, she was able to meet my diverse group of teammates and coaches. Although her first priority was seeing me and the historic sites around the area, she enjoyed the games and noticed the level of seriousness at this level compared to that of college or high school. Her visit was a perfect reminder of what will always come first, and that is family and those close to me. It's so easy to get caught up in the repetitive nature of baseball that when someone visits it's a nice portal back down to earth and what is real. Dane Renkert is a relief pitcher for the West Virginia Power of the Class A South Atlantic League. Before becoming a member of the Milwaukee Brewers' minor league system, he was a played for Sehome High, the Bellingham Bells and Washington State University. He will chronicle his thoughts and experiences during the baseball season.

Link while active, text follows: www.dailymail.com/story/S...home+loss/ Power gets offensive in home loss Jack Bogaczyk Charleston Daily Mail Sports Editor Two of the pivotal figures Wednesday night at Appalachian Power Park were Josh Morris and Josh Louis. Still, no joshing around, Rome's rout of the West Virginia Power was one of those South Atlantic League baseball games you don't see every night. A crowd of 2,429 witnessed a ballpark-record number of runs as the Braves gained a split of a four-game series with a 17-11 triumph over the Power. Rome's runs also tied a record (Lakewood, 17 at home on June 5, 2005) for a West Virginia opponent in two Power seasons. Morris' two solo homers -- his first and second as a professional -- helped the Braves gain the Power Park record for most runs by a visiting team. That matched the 17 scored twice this season by West Virginia (May 4 against Lexington, including a Class A all-time record six homers in one inning, and June 23 against Kannapolis). The game also included 11 extra-base hits and two catcher's interference calls for the same Braves' hitter (Quentin Davis) against West Virginia's Angel Salome. The second came in the Rome ninth when a Patrick Ryan fastball crashed untouched into Salome's protective cup as home plate umpire Mike Brundage awarded Davis first base. Salome said he never touched the bat, but ended up prone for five minutes before leaving the game. That wasn't the only ouch for the Power (22-23 second half) on a difficult night. West Virginia closed the first inning with a 4-1 lead, but Rome scored the next 15 runs against three Power pitchers. Seven runs in the final two Power at-bats salved the pain a little. "When you don't make routine plays on fly balls and line drives, like we didn't, and you give a pretty good team chances like that, this is what's going to happen," Power Manager Mike Guerrero said. Seven weeks ago, Morris was with Georgia in the College World Series. The first baseman is one of three Braves who played in Omaha in June, joining pitchers Kevin Gunderson (NCAA champ Oregon State) and Lee Hyde (Georgia Tech). All were drafted two months ago and signed after the series. Atlanta must have liked Morris, a first baseman who owns UGA's single-season (23) and career (51) home run marks. The Braves drafted him in the 12th round (No. 370 overall), but gave him about seventh-round bonus money ($100,000 neighborhood) to sign. "The first month here there was a real learning curve," said Morris, whose belts made a 10-hour bus trip back to his home state a shorter ride. "I was kind of surprised to go to low (Class) A right away. "Now, I'm getting comfortable. The biggest difference between here and the Southeastern Conference, really, is the wooden bat. "There was great pitching in the SEC. I think it helped prepare me for this." Although the score seemed like someone was using metal, Rome used that wood better than the Power. While West Virginia was held hitless from the second through sixth innings by wild Brave starter Beau Jones and winner Nelson Payano (3-3), the Braves pounded reliever Louis in a six-run fifth, then added four in the eighth off lefty Julian Cordero, just acquired by Milwaukee 10 days ago in the Carlos Lee deal with Texas. Power points -- Salome, just back in the lineup after having a slight sprain of his left (catching) wrist, said he was OK after taking a pitch in the groin. He also had a tough 0-for-5 night, but still leads the SAL with 79 RBI. ... Guerrero said regular Power center fielder Darren Ford remains "day-to-day" with a bone bruise in his right leg. Ford, with 55 stolen bases, is only six thefts shy of the Charleston Class A record of 61 set by Alley Cat Mike Curry in 1999. ... West Virginia's league-best team batting average remained at .277. ... The Power climbed past 200,000 in attendance for the second straight season. West Virginia's season attendance is 201,989 (3,811 average). Last season's Charleston baseball record attendance was 234,160. The Power has 13 remaining home dates scheduled. ... Rome starter Jones was the No. 41 overall pick in the 2005 draft (supplemental first round selection) and got an $825,000 bonus from Atlanta. The lefty walked six in four innings and his 68 bases on balls tops the SAL. ... The Power opens a four-game set tonight at Delmarva, sending Steve Garrison (5-4) to the mound against the Shorebirds' Brandon Erbe (5-8). ... West Virginia returns home Tuesday to start an eight-game homestand, divided between Hickory and Hagerstown. ... The loss to the first-half Southern Division champion Braves left the Power with a 25-22 record against SAL Southern teams this season. West Virginia is 36-31 in intra-division play.

Link for Ned Yost IV photo while active, text follows: www.floridatoday.com/apps...002/sports Following in dad's footsteps BY SCOTT BROWN FLORIDA TODAY Baseball has survived and thrived in spite of itself at times, through strikes and scandals. One reason the game has been so enduring: It has been passed down from generation to generation. Is there anything more timeless than a father playing catch with his son? Anything more priceless than a father teaching his kids to fill out a scorecard at a baseball game? Pro baseball has countless examples of sons tracing the same cleat marks left by their fathers, and two of those were on display last week at Space Coast Stadium. Saturday, the Brevard County Manatees' starting lineup included first baseman Ned Yost IV, son of the former big leaguer and current Milwaukee Brewers manager. Kevin Boles, son of former Florida Marlins manager John Boles, trotted to home plate with his team's starting lineup shortly before the game. Boles is manager of the Fort Myers Miracle, and games are when the former Indian Harbour Beach resident is most visible. But that's far from the only time he is working. Boles' days usually start at 9 a.m. and don't end until 3 a.m. In between, he is writing reports -- Boles not only has to file them regularly on his own players, but also others he sees in the Florida State League, like Yost -- and working with his players. Boles also guides them during the endless grind of games and sometimes makes bed checks afterward to make sure they haven't blown off curfew. Boles probably would call his job many things, but work is not one of them. "I get to live a dream every day," Boles said. "I realize how fortunate I am, and I never take it for granted." Just 31 years old, he is in his seventh season as a manager and in his third year with the Minnesota Twins organization. A former catcher, he played pro ball for a few seasons before embarking on the path his father took to the majors. John Boles, who still lives in Brevard County, worked in player development for many years, leading to two managing stints with the Marlins. He currently is a special assistant to Seattle Mariners general manager Bill Bavasi. "I get a kick out of (his son's career) because I did the minor league managing thing," Boles said earlier this week from Seattle. "He just loves it so much." A watchful eye Ned Yost III also gets a kick out of following his son's career. After every game, there is a cooling-off period before the Brewers skipper meets with reporters. During that time he gets on the Internet to see how his son fared that night (Ned Yost IV played at low Class A West Virginia before earning a promotion to Brevard County). The elder Yost said he tracks the progress of all players in the Brewers' minor-league system, but there is only one prospect he talks to on the phone pretty much every day. But, as with Boles, having a father in the game means almost nothing for the younger Yost if he doesn't produce. "Because he's got that name doesn't give him any advantages or disadvantages," Yost III said earlier this week from Milwaukee. "He's never taken anything for granted and looked for any easy way out because of it." Yost IV knows it will not be an easy road to the majors. The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh product signed with the Brewers before last year's amateur draft in June -- fifth-year seniors in college have the option of doing that -- and said he likely would have been a late-round selection. A former catcher who moved to first base a couple of years ago because of a wrist injury, Yost IV hit .287 with 46 RBI in 331 at-bats for West Virginia. His goal is to move up a level a year, and he can say he's on track since he likely will finish the season with the Manatees. "My goal is definitely to be in the big leagues, but they're going to have to kick me out of the minor leagues to make me quit playing," said Yost, who took a .208 batting average into Wednesday's game at Sarasota. Speaking of the big leagues, teams are allowed to expand their rosters from 25 to 40 players next month. When asked if he'll lobby his father for a September call-up, Yost smiled. "I'd never ask him for anything like that," he said. "There's guys that deserve it more than I do right now." Friends, competitors Ask John Boles about the younger of his two sons, and he'll say Kevin has earned everything he's gotten. The father knows as well as anyone how demanding and multi-faceted the job of managing in the minor leagues is. How it takes a lot more than just love of the game to do it. Father and son talk on a regular basis, and Kevin often asks his dad for advice -- from dealing with a player going through personal problems to an underachiever whose potential has been tough to unlock. Kevin Boles calls his father his "best friend." "He's mine, too," said John Boles, who lives in West Melbourne with his wife, Rosemary. "He can ask me anything and I can tell him anything." Well, almost anything. Since they work for competing employers, they don't talk about specifics such as personnel in their organizations. Boles can talk tricks of the trade with his son but not about potential trades, and vice versa. "We trust each other," John Boles said. "I don't give him any inside information on the Mariners. He doesn't give me any inside information on the Twins. That's the way it should be." The benefit of having a father with a deep background in the game is that Kevin Boles grew up around it. So did Yost IV. As such, Manatees manager Ramon Aviles probably doesn't worry about Yost IV preparing himself for games. When his father managed in the minors for the Atlanta organization, Yost IV remembers watching future stars such as Ron Gant and Ryan Klesko. He got an inside look at what they did on a regular basis before games. Being around his father's line of work at a young age also made an impression on the younger Boles. "Every little thing means something to him," said Rosemary Boles, "and with John it's the same way." Kevin started his career managing the Marlins' Gulf Coast League team at Viera in 2000, and he's made a slow but steady climb. If he eyes one day managing in the majors as his father did, he isn't saying. "I don't even look at it that way," Kevin Boles said. "If you have your own goals or your own agendas, you're in the wrong business. What we try to do as a staff and organization is get guys to the big leagues." NOTE: Nice story by Scott -- wonder if he knew he could have expanded it by including Robert Hinton, son of former big league pitcher Rich Hinton -- Jim

Link while active, text follows: www.wvgazette.com/section.../200608101 A painful night for Power, Salome Four errors by the team, two catcher?s interference calls, one unfortunate pitch in the cup, highlight 17-11 loss By Nick Scala Charleston Gazette Staff Writer Look homeward, Angel. Or, at least, look out, because it?s been a rough week. Catcher Angel Salome had missed the West Virginia Power?s last four games with an injured thumb, and when he finally returned to the lineup Wednesday night, he left again in pain after taking a ninth-inning pitch off his protective cup. To make his pain even worse, the South Atlantic League RBI leader was called ? unjustly, Salome said ? for catcher?s interference on the play, his second such infraction of the night. He was also hitless in five at bats as the Power got pummeled by the Rome Braves 17-11 at Appalachian Power Park. Salome, whose 79 RBIs are tops in the SAL, said this latest injury won?t keep him out of the lineup, but it was scary nonetheless. After the indelicate collision of ball against cup, he was writhing on the ground in pain for several anxious minutes. ?I was feeling bad for a minute,? he said. ?I almost passed out.? Rome?s Quentin Davis was awarded first base for catcher?s interference for the second time. The first came as the first batter of the hot, sticky night. But according to Salome, the latter call was incorrect. ?The umpire must have heard the sound of the ball hitting me in the cup, and thought it was me hitting his bat,? Salome said. ?But it didn?t hit nothing, it just hit me.? The team?s biggest bat should be in the lineup tonight when the Power begins a four-game road trip to Delmarva, so there won?t be any injury to add to Wednesday night?s insult. Salome said he?s already missed enough time after getting hit on his left wrist on a backswing while catching Friday night against Columbus. ?I?ll be fine,? he said. ?Things happen. You have to take it the way it is.? The Power ended its eight-game homestand with five wins, but the finale was an ugly mess. Counting the two catcher?s interference calls, the Power committed four errors, allowed 17 hits and found itself trailing 16-4 going into the bottom of the eighth. Rome?s big lead wasn?t built in an inning; it was built in three huge frames. The Braves scored four runs in the third inning, six in the fifth and four in the eighth. Rome needed them, because the Power offense was also clicking to the tune of a four-run first frame, a five-run eighth and a two-run ninth. ?We had some plays we should have made that opened up the big innings for them,? Power manager Mike Guerrero said. ?A couple popups that should?ve been caught, a couple errors. When you give a team that?s pretty good some extra outs, that?s what?s gonna happen.? Davis reached base five times for Rome, going 3-for-4 with a double and triple. Josh Morris clubbed two home runs ? his first two of the season ? for the Braves in a 3-for-5, three-RBI night, and Jamie Trejo added a two-run homer, also his first, and a two-run double. Tony Festa, coming off a 5-for-5 game in Tuesday?s win over Rome, went 3-for-4 and Kenny Holmberg was 2-for-4 with three RBIs for the Power. Shortstop Ryan Barba also drove in three runs despite going 0-for-4, bringing in runs on a sacrifice fly and two groundouts. Power starter Rafael Lluberes (4-7) took the loss, allowing five runs ? but just one earned run ? on five hits in four innings. The Power bullpen was charged with the other 12 runs, 11 of which were earned, over the final five innings. Nelson Payano (3-3) picked up the win in relief for Rome. POWER POINTS: The crowd of 2,429 pushed the Power?s season attendance over 200,000. ... The Power dropped to 22-23 in the second half and 61-53 overall, while Rome improved to 20-25, 62-53. ... Lefty Steve Garrison (5-4, 3.66 ERA) will start for the Power tonight at Delmarva, while the Shorebirds will counter with right-hander Brandon Erbe (5-8, 3.47). Charleston Gazette Photographer: Chip Ellis The Power?s Michael Brantley (14) is safe at second as Rome?s Elvis Andrus applies the late tag. http://www.wvgazettemail.com/images/stories/Power2.jpg

Wednesday's Helena KCAP Pre-Game Audio Chat with C/1B J.R. Hopf (Select date for August 9th, skip to the 8:00 minute mark) -- www.minorleaguebaseball.c.../audio.jsp

Final: Arizona Royals 10, Arizona Brewers 4 Arizona Brewer Box Score and Game Log: Brewers team ERA a league-worst 6.52 (WHIP 1.77); we recognize catcher Jesse D'Amico's first pro HR, a three-run shot in the 9th... www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_royrok_1

As hined at in August 9th's Link report, use this link, then look on the left hand-side and click the video link for Around the Minors from Charleston, WV. There's a video interview with Angel Salome (not a lot of nuts-and-baseball talk, but still fun to see), and a chat with the Toastman that's fun also. www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a/more.jsp

Tuesday's Helena KCAP Pre-Game Audio Chat with RHP Chris Jean (Select date for August 8th, skip to the 13:00 minute mark) -- Interesting concept, broadcaster Steve Wendt conducts the interview from the pitching coach's office with Jean as Chris conducts film study work of a recent outing... www.minorleaguebaseball.c.../audio.jsp

Monday's Helena KCAP Pre-Game Audio Chat with 2006 6th round pick out of Oklahoma State, LHP Brae Wright (Select date for August 7th, skip to the 10:30 minute mark) -- www.minorleaguebaseball.c.../audio.jsp

Final: Rome (Braves) 17, West Virginia 11 West Virginia Site Game Summary: BRAVES OUTSLUG POWER Wednesday night?s game at Appalachian Power Park saw the West Virginia Power and Rome Braves combine to score 28 runs on 28 hits as the Rome Braves won the series finale and earned a series split with a 17-11 victory. Quentin Davis scored the first of 28 runs on a wild pitch in the first inning. In the bottom of the first the Power scored four runs to take their only lead of the game. The four-run first was highlighted by a pair of bases loaded walks and Tony Festa?s RBI single. Rome scored four runs in the third inning to take the lead and never looked back. The Braves tied the game in the third on Cody Clark?s sac fly and they took the lead on Josh Morris?s first of two home runs on the night. Rome added to their lead scoring six times in the fifth. The six-run frame was highlighted by a two-run shot from Jaime Trejo and an RBI triple from Davis who came a home run away from the cycle. In the seventh inning Morris hit his second homer of the game, a solo blast to make it a 12-4 game, and the Braves put the game out of reach with a four run eighth inning which involved RBI singles from Clark and Morris and was capped off by Trejo?s two-run double. West Virginia didn?t go quietly as they scored seven more runs in the game. In the eighth they scored five times, getting RBI singles from Nate Yoho and Kenny Holmberg, while Michael Brantley walked with the bases loaded, Lorenzo Cain drove in a run on a groundout and Ryan Barba plated a run on a fielder?s choice. Rome scored their last run in the ninth on a sacrifice fly from Eric Campbell, while the Power scored twice in the bottom of the ninth on Barba?s RBI groundout and Holmberg?s run scoring double. West Virginia finished the eight game home stand with a 5-3 record. The 17 runs and 17 hits allowed are the most allowed by the Power in a single game this season. Nelson Payano (3-3) got the win, and Rafael Lluberes (4-7) obtained the loss. The Power are 61-53 overall and 22-23 in the second half after the loss while the Braves improved to 62-53 overall and 20-25 in the second half after the win. The Power will begin a four game series against the Delmarva Shorebirds at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium on Thursday night. Right hander Brandon Erbe (5-8, 3.47) will make the start for Delmarva and the Power will counter with left hander Steve Garrison (5-4, 3.66). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (6:05 Central). West Virginia Box Score and Game Log Link: Mat Gamel reaches base five times, Tony Festa four; rough night for Angel Salome -- 0-for-5, two catcher's interference calls, a passed ball, and baserunners 5-for-6 in SB attempts; only Patrick Ryan acquitted himself well on the mound... www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_wvaafx_1

Huntsville Site: Stars and Braves Rained Out in Mississippi The Stars and Mississippi Braves have been rained out Wednesday night in Jackson, MS and will make up the game as part of a doubleheader on Thursday evening starting at 6:05 p.m. central time. Heavy rains fell for 45 minutes before the game was called and steady lightning was a presence throughout the area around the stadium for more than an hour and a half before the decision was made to call the game off. This is only the third game that has been postponed because of rain since Trustmark Park opened on April 18 of last season. The Stars will send right-hander Corey Thurman and southpaw Steve Hammond to the mound in the twin bill, while the Braves will counter with left-handers Francisely Bueno and Chris Waters. Coverage of the games will begin at 5:50 p.m. central time and can be heard locally on ESPN Radio 1450 AM and through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com. Mass Haas note: Tennesse won tonight -- the Stars are four games out of first (three in the loss column). The Stars don't play the Smokies again this season. Season ends Labor Day, September 4th.

Forgot to mention that RHP Brett Evert, a recent Huntsville release, landed in AAA Pawtucket (Boston).

Your "TBD" starter for Brevard tonight was LHP Sam Narron, stretched out to four very good shutout evenings tonight. Josh Wahpepah in the new role of piggy-back, allowed two runs (one earned) upon entering in the 5th -- 2-0 Sarasota, the Hurricane 2-for-2 thus far...

BaseballChannel.TV is the video show mentioned above, and it's airing now (at 11:00 AM Central) Wednesday from West Virginia. We'll archive to it when available. mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/me...p#20060809 MLB.com radio shining spotlight on Power baseball Charleston Gazette A SHORT VISIT to Charleston?s Appalachian Power Park by MLB.com radio continues to put the West Virginia Power in the spotlight this week. MLB.com radio is an increasingly popular free Internet-only audio service. ?Around the Minors? co-host Lisa Winston stopped in to check out the West Virginia Power last week, broadcasting live from the APP Wednesday and Thursday. If you missed the extensive discussion of Charleston?s South Atlantic League affiliate, the archives of those programs that air live weekdays at noon are available at www.mlb.com. Click on the MLB radio link near the bottom of the main page, where you will then find the program archives. MLB Advanced Media operates minorleaguebaseball.com (or www.milb.com), where a long article by Winston on Charleston?s Rod ?The Toastman? Blackstone is featured. Winston, who covered the minor leagues for more than a decade for USA Today?s Baseball (now Sports) Weekly, interviewed Blackstone prior to the Power?s first game of the current homestand against the Columbus Catfish last Wednesday. Winston?s interview with Blackstone, along with video clips of his toast-throwing antics and interviews with Power standouts like catcher Angel Salome, will be available in a new ?Around The Minors? video show that debuts Wednesday at www.milb.com.

Link while active, text follows: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...;fext=.jsp Meet West Virginia's Toastman By Lisa Winston / MLB.com By day, Rod Blackstone is the assistant to Charleston, W.Va., Mayor Danny Jones. But by night, or at least nights when the West Virginia Power have a home game, he morphs into Toastman. And while you might think that being the right-hand man to the mayor of a state capital is pretty prestigious, Blackstone's "alter ego" has far more fame and notoriety in the world of Minor League baseball. Last week, I was chatting with Kinston Indians manager Mike Sarbaugh and happened to mention I was going to be heading down to Charleston to see the Milwaukee Brewers' South Atlantic League farm team. His eyes immediately lit up. "You're going to see Toastman!" exclaimed Sarbaugh, who managed the Lake County Captains in the Sally League in 2005 (he was also a hitting coach in the SAL in 1995-96). Well, Blackstone wasn't the reason we scheduled the trip, but rest assured, he ended up being one of the highlights of the visit to Appalachian Power Park (you can see all of those highlights on the Around The Minors video show that airs Wednesday, Aug. 9). How can I explain Toastman in a nutshell? (Or a crust, I guess). Diehard fan doesn't begin to describe it. A season ticket holder, Blackstone holds court in the front row of Section 107, in the aisle seat just to the visiting dugout side of home plate (the better to rag on the visiting players in the on-deck circle). He's really hard to miss because, among other things, he has a TV table set up in front of him which holds an electric toaster with piles of freshly made burnt toast (he deliberately burns it so no one will eat it). When an opposing batter strikes out, Blackstone will lead the fans in a chant of "You are toast! You are toast! You ... are ... toast!" and fling pieces of toast into the stands. He also sports an impressive collection of handmade signs that include individualized cheers for each member of the Power as well as taunts for the opposition. He's rarely at a loss for words, be they caustic for the visitors (though never quite bordering on personally insulting) or encouraging for the home team. He is the consummate heckler crossed with the fanatical fan. Love him, hate him, you've gotta admire him. Toastman was born (or harvested, I guess) in 1990, when the city's home team was the Charleston Wheelers. It was August, the team was gunning for the Sally League title, and Blackstone and a friend got caught up in the Minor League spirit for the first time. They began leading fans around them in cheers when Blackstone made an interesting discovery. "We suddenly realized that people will follow you and say what you want if they know what to say," he said. "So we started coming with signs." In 1991, they spontaneously added the "You are toast" chant one night when an opponent struck out. And it was so well received that it became a part of their cheer lexicon. One night, the team owner let them in on a little secret. "He told us, 'You know, there's an outlet on the other side of the wall there,'" Blackstone recalled, referring to an electrical outlet that was actually on the playing field side of the backstop. "'You could plug in a toaster there.'" And that, my friends, was the genesis of Toastman. "We started waving around the pieces of toast so the opposition felt really good about striking out," Blackstone explained. "The batboy would plug the toaster in for us and in the 14 years that we were at the old ballpark (Watt Powell Park), no opposing player ever unplugged it, though they could have." One year, however, when the Greensboro Bats were a Yankees affiliate, two players stuffed bubble gum into the outlet in an attempt to sabotage Toastman. Coincidentally, Blackstone had just happened to bring some extra burnt toast slices from home that day. Blackstone is more than just a guy who waits for the strikeout and pops the lever on his T-Fal. He does more homework than an honors student, able to hold forth on every negative statistic or embarrassing gaffe a visiting player may have made at any time in his career (though, of course, preferably against the Power), to single out (loudly) a player's slump or weak point. "It's all about trying to get the opposing team to think about me, if only for a second, so they're not thinking about the next pitch or the next play," he said. "Quality heckling is about distraction. The usual shouting isn't going to do it. I like to think we're more creative here." In 2005, the team moved to brand new Appalachian Power Park with a brand new name -- the West Virginia Power -- and a new affiliate, the Milwaukee Brewers. When the new park was designed, the owners agreed to place an outlet on the seating bowl side of the wall, right by Blackstone's seats so he could be self-sufficient (and this was before he was a municipal employee). Mayor Jones has the seats right behind his assistant, and though he will indulge in a bit of heckling, he has yet to become Peanut Butter Man or Jelly Man. My own introduction to Toastman was memorable: The Power were hosting the Columbus Catfish (Dodgers) in the first game of a homestand following an eight-game road trip. The temperature topped 100 degrees, yet the club still drew an impressive crowd for a weekday evening. Toastman's table was piled high with stacks of frozen bread that was thawing pretty quickly. As we chatted, he kept up a steady stream of chatter and a steady progression of four slices into the T-Fal. Up pops the burnt toast, four more slices into the T-Fal (he ended the night with a lot of unused toast, however, as even with ace Will Inman on the mound, the Power fanned only five batters). After a local woman sang the national anthem (she does not get heckled), it's Prime Time for Toastman. Infielder Ivan DeJesus led off for the visiting Catfish. "Welcome to Charleston, Ivan," Toastman calls politely as the strains of Bobby McFerrin's "Don't Worry, Be Happy" play over the PA system. Inman quickly gets two strikes on DeJesus, the son of the former Major Leaguer who also, coincidentally, managed in the Sally League with the Lexington Legends (Astros). "Smell the toast, Ivan! Surely, your dad warned you about the toast!" But DeJesus flied out and the toast had to wait. The next batter was first baseman/DH Jason Mooneyham, who was reassigned to Columbus from Class A Advanced Vero Beach in early May, despite hitting .279 at the time. "Mooneyham," Toastman calls to him in the on-deck circle. "You were hitting .279 at Vero and you're sent down? What is wrong with that picture?" Mooneyham's lips definitely twitched as he tried not to laugh. There are individualized barbs for each Catfish batter, but not one strikes out against Inman in the first inning and the toast sits there -- cold, burnt and neatly piled. In the bottom of the first, signs were raised for fans to chant for their hometown heroes while Toastman and company are simultaneously getting all over Columbus pitcher Marlon Arias for the fact that he's given up a South Atlantic League season-high in home runs. They decided to change his name to Jack in honor of the "jacks" he'd allowed and dubbed the night "The age of Jack Arias." Their timing couldn't be more perfect as West Virginia catcher Angel Salome ("Hark the Herald Angel Swings," read Toastman's homemade sign) went deep off Arias to take the SAL RBI lead. Toastman's disciples have a few witticisms of their own, though he might also want to give a course in Heckling 101 with a lesson on how NOT to heckle. Example: We've all heard the singsong chant "pitcher has a big butt" from the movie "Rookie of the Year" too many times to count. But one young fan felt the need to sing the ditty to Arias several times. At 6-foot-3 and 175 pounds, Arias practically disappears when he turns to the side. The pitcher had NO butt. Son, you're in the presence of a master. Sit, listen, learn. Excitement grew as outfielder Lucas May's turn in the Columbus batting order approached. This may have been one of Blackstone's more creative potential heckles. May came into the night with 107 strikeouts. Blackstone printed up a few dozen bright yellow signs that read MAY K and distributed them to everyone sitting in Section 107. When May came up, they all waved them in the air. The plan was that if May fanned for the 108th time, everyone would hand their sheets over to the folks in the NEXT section for the rest of the night, and so on. Sadly for the fans, and happily for May, he did not strike out that night or the next night. I assume fans are still sitting there in Section 107 with their MAY K sheets waiting for him to be toast. In the second, however, Adam Godwin finally gave Power fans a chance to get their burnt toast as he struck out swinging at an Inman offering. Frisbee-slung burnt toast slices flew around Section 107 like ... well, like toast at a Power game. In case you were wondering how hard it was to be creative, innovative and original, we found out that it's not all spontaneous when newly acquired Power shortstop Ryan Barba came to the plate for the first time. Signed by the Brewers in July as a non-drafted free agent out of New Mexico, Barba started the season in the Arizona League and joined the team on its recent road trip, so this was his first Appalachian Power Park appearance. No signs, no nickname, no chant was ready, though they tried. At first, Blackstone tested a call-and-answer with the fans to "I say Barba, you say Q," but it didn't really work. At least, not at first. Bet you by the end of the homestand Ryan Barba has a nice catchy phrase all his own. As it turned out, we were really seeing Toastman in fine form that night. "I'm not usually saying something about everyone on the other team during every at-bat, though our cheers for the home team are that regular for every at-bat," he explained later, apologizing if he seemed too harsh on the "bad guys." "I had the benefit of an eight-game road trip following the end of church softball season that added to my preparation time for this team. Quite honestly, I'm usually not quite that comprehensive." And truth be told, not every visiting player suffers the barbs ... or Barbas ... of Blackstone's unique version of heckling. At least one player was spared. Temporarily, anyway. When catcher J.R. House came through the South Atlantic League in 2000 with the Hickory Crawdads (Pirates), even Blackstone couldn't quite bring himself to turn the Pittsburgh prospect into toast. A local high school football hero from the Charleston suburb of Nitro, House had set all sorts of national records as a quarterback. And in case you hadn't heard, they're pretty serious about their high school football in West Virginia. House's first appearance in Charleston that season happened to coincide with a primary election night party that Blackstone had convinced his boss at the time (the governor of West Virginia) to throw at the ballpark. "He struck out in his first at-bat, probably a little anxious with so many family, friends and football fans in the stands," Blackstone recalled. "I pointed and shouted, "You are ... J.R.!" The Charleston players later gave him some grief, but, as he told them, "He's more popular in the town than I'll ever be, and you have to know your audience." Later that season, Blackstone met with House and explained to him that to save face with his home team, he was going to have to "toast him" eventually. "He understood, and I finally did toast him when he struck out that night in what was a close game," Blackstone said. "He looked up at me heading back to the dugout and I said, 'This is hurting me more than it's hurting you.'" As much as Toastman is known for his roasting of opponents, it's more important to him that his Power boys know he and the other fans are supporting them every step of the way (he's even a host parent to players during the season; don't ask what they have for breakfast). Power outfielder Lorenzo Cain (his sign is "Raisin' Cain!") understands that. "I can hear him ragging on the other teams all the time," he said. "I'm just glad he's on my side." While some players and field staff have reacted angrily (he's been flipped off more than a few times), others understand that it's all in fun. Perhaps the most creative response came from, not surprisingly, Asheville Tourists manager Joe Mikulik, who got his own share of notoriety earlier this season when his on-field histrionics earned him an ejection, suspension, fine and airtime on most of the national morning talk shows. "Last year, one of our guys struck out against them in a key situation," Blackstone recalled. "Mikulik had his guys throw toast out of the dugout." An opponent must have struck out because Rod Blackstone is tossing toast to the crowd. (West Virginia Power photo) http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/images/2006/08/04/aY4keB2g.jpg

Standings through Tuesday's action: Pacific Coast League (AAA) - American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [b]Nashville 63 55 .534 - 35-25 28-30 L2[/b] Iowa 60 57 .513 2.5 34-27 26-30 L1 Memphis 46 71 .393 16.5 26-33 20-38 W1 Omaha 45 73 .381 18.0 27-32 18-41 L3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern League (AA) - North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tennessee 26 19 .578 - 16-9 10-10 W1 Chattanooga 25 20 .556 1.0 16-9 9-11 W2 [b]Huntsville 22 22 .500 3.5 12-12 10-10 W2[/b] West Tenn 21 24 .467 5.0 14-6 7-18 L6 Carolina 19 26 .422 7.0 13-7 6-19 W6 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - East Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Daytona 26 18 .591 - 18-10 8-8 W1 St. Lucie 25 19 .568 1.0 13-9 12-10 W3 Palm Beach 24 22 .522 3.0 13-8 11-14 W5 [b]Brevard County 19 25 .432 7.0 9-9 10-16 W1[/b] Vero Beach 19 26 .422 7.5 11-14 8-12 W2 Jupiter 18 26 .409 8.0 11-13 7-13 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- South Atlantic League (A) - Northern Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lakewood 29 16 .644 - 14-5 15-11 L2 Lake County 25 18 .581 3.0 12-9 13-9 W2 Hickory 24 21 .533 5.0 12-15 12-6 W3 Greensboro 22 21 .512 6.0 13-11 9-10 W1 [b]West Virginia 22 22 .500 6.5 12-8 10-14 W2[/b] Hagerstown 19 25 .432 9.5 10-15 9-10 L2 Lexington 18 27 .400 11.0 12-11 6-16 W4 Delmarva 15 28 .349 13.0 8-12 7-16 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pioneer League (R+) - North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Missoula 6 4 .600 - 5-1 1-3 L1 Billings 5 5 .500 1.0 2-2 3-3 L2 [b]Helena 5 5 .500 1.0 4-1 1-4 W1[/b] Great Falls 4 6 .400 2.0 3-2 1-4 W2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arizona League (R) - Arizona League Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AZL Angels 8 2 .800 - 2-0 6-2 W6 AZL Padres 7 2 .778 0.5 4-1 3-1 L1 AZL Giants 8 3 .727 0.5 3-2 5-1 W3 AZL Royals 8 3 .727 0.5 4-2 4-1 W2 AZL Athletics 4 6 .400 4.0 3-2 1-4 L4 AZL Mariners 4 6 .400 4.0 4-2 0-4 L1 AZL Rangers 3 7 .300 5.0 3-3 0-4 W1 AZL Cubs 3 8 .273 5.5 1-5 2-3 L3 [b]AZL Brewers 1 9 .100 7.0 1-4 0-5 L1[/b]

Follow Wednesday's action as it happens: Here's what you do, right click on each of the links below and choose "Open in New Window". 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. Huntsville: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_msbaax_1 Brevard County: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_sarafa_1 West Virginia: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_wvaafx_1 Helena: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_helrok_1 Arizona Rookie: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_royrok_1

This link will be included in each daily report when the Nashville Sounds and/or Huntsville Stars are scheduled to play. Normally it is updated an hour or two prior to gametime: Following Nashville's lead, Huntsville now makes its media notes available as well, nice: www.huntsvillestars.com/i...eNotes.pdf

Wednesday's Daily Menu: All times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: Idle Huntsville: RHP Corey Thurman at Mississippi (Braves), 6:50 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime Audio link: www.espn1450radio.com/ Brevard County: TBD at Sarasota (Reds), 6:00 PM; sorry, no web audio for this series West Virginia: LHP Rafael Lluberes at home vs. Rome (Braves), 5:55 PM pre-game, 6:05 gametime Audio link: www.sportsjuice.com/provi...e=wvpower. Helena: LHP Brandon Parillo at home vs. Missoula (Diamondbacks), 7:50 PM pre-game; 8:05 gametime Audio (click on "Listen Live"): www.helenabrewers.net/html2/index.php Arizona: TBD at the Royals' complex to face the Kansas City kids, 9:00 PM Central time, never any web audio for the Arizona League

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Link while active, text follows: www.helenair.com/articles...906_05.txt Brewers even up record By TOM COTTON - Independent Record Sports Editor What started out as a slugfest between the Missoula Osprey and Helena Brewers turned into a nice little pitchers duel Tuesday night. The Brewers evened their second-half record at 5-5 as they got past Missoula 5-1 thanks to superb pitching by Amaury Rivas. Rivas gave up one earned run in five innings of work. He struck out three over that span. The one earned run came in the first inning when Matt Oxendine cracked a solo home run. After that point, however, the Osprey offense was held completely in check. ?He keeps challenging (hitters),? said Helena pitching coach Mark Littell. ?He keeps coming at you any way he can.? Littell said that Rivas kept his cool on the mound after the shot by Oxendine and didn?t over throw his pitches. Rivas kept batters off balance by mixing his pitches well. His control was shaky at times, as he issued four walks over five innings, but he seemed to get stronger as the game went on, putting down the Osprey 1-2-3 in both the fourth and fifth inning. Littell said he is pleased with how the Brewers starting pitching is rounding into shape. ?They are mixing their pitches well,? he said. ?They are trying to throw their off speed pitches and are more knowledgeable in the second half about what is going on.? Faced with an early 1-0 deficit. Helena responded in the first frame with an RBI single by Zach Clem. Clem has tormented the Osprey as of late, going 4-8 at the plate in the previous two meetings between the two clubs. He reached base three times Tuesday night. Clem, an 11th round pick from the University of Washington, has raised his batting average over the past several games from under .100 to .161. He has been plagued by a concussion to start the season and recently a virus has slowed him down. ?He never had a chance to get some playing time, because this is really the only time that he has been healthy,? said Brewers manager Ed Sedar. After both teams posted a run in the first inning, their bats went quiet until the middle of the contest. Helena broke through with two runs in the fifth and two more in the eighth to salt the game away. The fifth saw Chris Errecart drive in a run with a double. He would later come home on a passed ball. Helena could have put more up on the scoreboard, if it wasn?t for an unconventional 5-2-6-4 double play. With the bases loaded, Jordan Swaydan hit a ground ball, snagged by Missoula third baseman Andrew Fie. That started a run-down that eventually netted Clem. After Clem was put out, Missoula catcher Julio Parra threw to second to nab Swaydan, who was trying to advance to second in the confusion. Swaydan, however, would later single and score a run in the eighth. Helena is now one game out of first place in the Northern Division of the Pioneer League. They continue the four-game set with Missoula today at 7:05 PM (8:05 Central). Dan Fournier will start for Missoula. Brandon Parillo is the scheduled starter for Helena. Jon Ebelt Independent Record Staff Photographer - Helena Brewer Stephen Chapman, left, beats the pickoff throw to Missoula first baseman Shea McFeely as the Osprey work at keeping the speedy Chapman honest during Pioneer League action Tuesday at Kindrick Legion Field. http://www.helenair.com/content/articles/2006/08/09/sports_top/b01080906_05.jpg