Jim Goulart

VIDEO report on today's Osceola County / Kissimmee announcement *** And another

This is Sweet - literally!

A ton of internet buzz today on this proposed government action

AUDIO via Tuesday's Sky Sox pregame show - RHP Ariel Pena

Tuesday's game -- Extra-Inning Knock

Helena Independent Record - Captioned Photo Gallery from Tuesday

Timber Rattlers DVR Alert for tonight!) THU, June 30, vs. Clinton LumberKings, 7:00 PM, TWC SportsChannel

Look for these just prior to the respective game times -- Biloxi Media Notes - Linked on the Shuck Dynasty blog Wisconsin Media Notes - Linked on the Rattler Radio blog *** STANDINGS: AAA - Pacific Coast League American Northern Division AA - Southern League South Division High-A - Florida State League North Division A - Midwest League Western Division Pioneer League North Division Arizona League Central Division Dominican Summer League San Pedro Division *** Sortable individual stat pages: Colorado Springs Biloxi Brevard County Wisconsin Helena Maryvale DSL Brewers *** Weather.com: Birmingham, AL Viera, FL Grand Chute, WI Helena, MT Mesa, MT San Pedro de Macoris, DR

Follow Wednesday's action as it happens with box score / game log links: Biloxi Brevard County Wisconsin Helena Maryvale DSL Brewers Game One DSL Brewers Game Two MiLB.com feature -- organizational scoreboard, Brewers

Wednesday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Colorado Springs: Idle ********** Biloxi: RHP Brooks Hall at Birmingham (White Sox), 6:45 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime Free Live Audio Link Chris Harris is the play-by-play voice of the Shuckers. Follow Chris on Twitter @CHarris731. We'll be linking to his fantastic "Shuck Dynasty" blog. Thaddeus Krzus (@Shucks1stIntern) joins Chris often. All games, home and away, are scheduled to be radio broadcast. MiLB.TV - Eight of the ten Southern League teams telecast their home games, and Biloxi is among them. ********** Brevard County: RHP Cody Ponce at home vs. Daytona (Reds), 5:35 PM gametime Free Live Audio Link (Daytona feed) Unfortunately, the Manatees have dropped their broadcast coverage for 2016. No Florida State League games are available via MiLB.TV. Ten of the 12 Florida State League teams provide audio (some only for home games), we'll do our best to let you know when an opponent's audio is going to be available. ********** Wisconsin: RHP Freddy Peralta at home vs. Clinton (Mariners), 6:45 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime; expect RHP Miguel Diaz to pitch in a tandem role Free Live Audio Link Chris Mehring is back to do his customary fantastic work as the Voice of the Rattlers. Follow him on Twitter @CMehring; we'll link to Chris' infamous blog often -- Rattler Radio. MiLB.TV - Eight of the 16 Midwest League teams telecast their home games, and Wisconsin, once again, is among them. We'll let you know when a road TV feed is available. NOTE: Thirty-nine (!) of the Rattlers' 70 home games will be broadcast on local TV this season. Time Warner Cable SportsChannel (10) and WACY-TV My NEW32 (29) will split duties. We'll let you know when and who, and remember to refer to the Rattlers' full TV schedule (scroll to bottom of link) so you can coordinate your DVR activity. ********** Helena: RHP Nattino Diplan at home vs. Missoula (Diamondbacks), 7:50 PM pre-game, 8:05 gametime Free Live Audio Link We welcome and look forward to hearing first-year Voice of the H-Crew Craig Durham ([b@CraigMDurham[/b] on Twitter). ********** Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): at the Athletics' complex in Mesa, 9:00 PM gametime; never audio for games in this league ********** DSL Brewers: Doubleheader at the DSL Cardinals, 9:30 AM, although game data won't be available until later in the day We'll link to this Dominican Summer League Brewers' thread as part of the Daily Menu all season to assist you with your familiarity with these young men.

http://www.brewerfan.net/images/store/dailylinkreport.jpg

Osceola County announces minor league baseball team, asks fans to pick new name WFTV.com http://mediaweb.wftv.com/photo/2016/06/29/OSC-MANATEES-BASEBALL%20ANNOU_20160629162227851_5142548_ver1.0_640_360.jpg OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — Osceola County has a new minor league baseball team. The Manatees will relocate from Brevard to the Osceola Heritage Stadium starting next spring. The county had been trying to recruit a new team since the Astros moved to West Palm Beach. County commissioners announced Wednesday that next year, the facility will be the new home to the Brevard County Manatees. The team is currently an affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. “We are going to make sure that they have a fantastic time at the ballpark, they are entertained, that we make them laugh,” said Brevard County Manatees team president Joe Arrington. Osceola County is a diverse community with a large Hispanic population. Visitors come from all over central and South America. “By having it here, we can tap into the thousands of Brazilians, Ecuadorians and other folks that come to our community on a yearly basis, and once again provide that more affordable family entertainment that they might be able to experience,” said District 3 Osceola County Commissioner Brandon Arrington. The team wants to change its name and wants to public to help. “We want your submission,” said Arrington. Fans can submit their new team names for the existing Brevard County Manatees minor league team coming to Osceola County here: www.probaseballbackincentralflorida.com.

Here's the latest on Baseball Prospectus from Josh -- the autograph fan he assisted is none other than our own former contributor "Batman", who had a wonderful run with us back in the middle portion of the last decade when Brewerfan was a bit more than just the forum (a fine forum, that is) we are today.

Everything about this feature is wonderful -- the insights, the photos, the video, enjoy. What’s it like in the minors? We followed a Shuckers player for a day The Shuckers’ Chris McFarland was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2011 Life in the minor leagues is usually anything but luxurious McFarland keeps in touch with family using technology by Patrick Ochs, Biloxi Sun-Herald

Yes, a current association can extend any time, up to four years out. And the new Kissimmee location changes nothing for the Manatees in terms of the rules specified in the Q&A above.

From this link at the Syracuse Chiefs' site -- Here is a list of common questions that the Syracuse Chiefs' front office has received regarding the affiliation process under which Major and Minor League clubs enter into Player Development Contracts ("PDC"). All of the answers listed below have been provided by the Minor League Baseball office. Q: When can a Major League and Minor League club who are parties to an agreement renew that agreement? A: The parties can agree to extend a PDC at any time during its term. Q: What is the term of a PDC? A: A PDC between a Major and Minor League club is for a minimum of two years and may be extended in two-year increments. Q: When can Major and Minor League clubs that are not currently affiliated begin talking to each other? A: The Major and Minor League clubs that give notice that they intend to discuss a possible new affiliation may begin such discussions on September 16 (note: due to the Bricktown Showdown, this date is September 18 for triple-A clubs). Any discussion or comments before that date may constitute tampering that could subject the club to fines or other penalties. The time to give notice begins on the first day following the close of the regular season (this year September 5). Q: When is the deadline to sign a new PDC? A: If a new PDC is not signed by September 30 the Commissioner of Baseball and President of Minor League Baseball will assign a PDC by October 7. Q: Can a club with a PDC this season be left without an affiliate at the end of the process? A: No. Q: Can a Major or Minor League club offer a benefit (money, exhibition games, etc.) in exchange for entering into a PDC? A: No. All PDC terms are the same and clubs are prohibited from promising economic benefits including exhibition games. Q: Can a PDC be terminated early? A: Only in limited circumstances, and usually only if another club is willing to switch. Q: What penalties can be imposed on clubs that violate the rules? A: Penalties include fines of up to $100,000 for Minor League clubs and $500,000 for Major League clubs. Q: Why won't Minor League clubs talk about Major League teams they would like to have as their PDC affiliate? A: Because these kind of comments can constitute tampering and lead to serious penalties.

That is the best idea I've seen on this "escaping Colorado Springs" topic yet, and you also researched the Marlins' record there, nice work. Hopefully "Mr. Special Projects" Gord Ash is preparing his case in a really sweet binder (PowerPoint, etc.), because unless by covert means, he's not allowed to formally proceed until a specific fall deadline, as detailed below.

Final: Colorado Springs 5, Round Rock 3, ten innings Sky Sox Take Series With 5-3 Victory Sky Sox beat Express with two in 10th to win third out of four in Round Rock By Aaron Cheris / Colorado Springs Sky Sox Read that summary to learn who drove in 10th inning runs... *** Colorado Springs Box Score Whoo-hoo, back to .500 and rising! OF's Kyle Wren and Michael Reed combined for six hits atop the order, and each is red-hot... Colorado Springs Game Log

Final: Helena 4, Missoula 2 Two Late Home Runs Lead to Second Straight Win Martinez the Hero in Helena By Craig Durham / Helena Brewers http://www.milb.com/assets/images/9/9/8/186834998/cuts/YMartinez480w_7cjgmcot_50p32l7o.jpg *** PHOTOS at the link below Brewers double up Osprey to retain league lead Curt Synness, Helena Independent Record n a Pioneer League game that saw two balls hit completely over the 40-foot net in left field, the Helena Brewers prevailed over the Missoula Osprey on Tuesday, 4-2. Right fielder Yerald Martinez provided the big stick for the Brewers, belting a pair of solo home runs. His first blast sailed over the netting in the bottom of the sixth inning -- duplicating the feat of Missoula's Eudy Ramos in the top of the frame -- giving the hosts a 3-2 lead. Martinez, 20, a lanky 6-foot-2, 180-pounder from the Dominican Republic, belted his second homer in the seventh stanza -- to left again -- this time landing about one-third of the way up the net, for an insurance marker. The win in front of a packed house of 2,140 fans at Kindrick Legion Field moves Helena to 8-4 on the season. The Brewers hold a one-game lead in the Northern Division over Great Falls, at 7-5. Last-place Missoula, meanwhile, slips to 3-9. To clarify, Martinez did not exactly match Ramos' moon shot, which soared over the net and hit a building across the street on the fly, traveling at least 450 feet. Martinez's shot was not quite as far, bouncing across the street after going over the netting. Ramos, a little stockier than his fellow Dominican at 6-1, 195, led the visitors' offensive attack, going 3 for 4, with a double to go along with his homer. Both teams had nine hits. Joining Martinez with multi-hit games for the home team were Joantgel Segovia and Lucas Erceg (double), with two hits apiece. The Brewers other RBIs belonged to Juan Ortiz and Franly Mallen. Jordan Desguin, 22, started on the bump for Helena and worked six innings for the win. The 6-1, 195-pound right-hander from Port Charlotte, Florida, gave up six hits and two runs, while striking out five Missoula batsmen and walking two. He was relieved by Zack Brown (two innings) and Colton Cross (one inning), who gave up a combined total of three hits over the final three scoreless frames. Missoula used three hurlers -- Bryant Holtman, Gabe Gonzales and Erbert Gonzales -- with Gonzales being saddled with the loss. The two teams play the third contest of the three-game home-stand on Wednesday at Kindrick Legion Field, with the first pitch slated for 7:05 PM (8:05 Central). Helena will send Nattino Diplan to the mound opposite Luis Madero for Missoula. Helena Box Score H-Crew wins despite going 1-for-11 with RISP, stranding 11. Helena Game Log

ARTICLE: Via the Post-Crescent's Tim Froberg, Wisconsin game story includes a video interview and profile of RHP Conor Harber

Regardless of the final score (tied at 3-3 in the 9th), have to love the work by the Sky Sox bullpen thus far -- Inherited runners-scored: Goforth 2-0; Kirkman 2-0; Knebel 2-0.

If (big if) the Sky Sox move to San Antonio happens, then the locals only want to bring a Pioneer League team (likely Helena) to Colorado Springs if a new, smaller downtown stadium is built. Talk of a downtown Colorado Springs stadium resurfaces in minor league baseball shuffle Brent Briggeman, Colorado Springs Gazette

Hopefully these players who have the most combined time between the 50-89 2015 Timber Rattlers and the 23-51 2016 Manatees are keeping their spirits up, that's a lot of "L's" to deal with. Not blaming these young men, just noting their service time in terms of these clubs. OF Elvis Rubio IF Dustin Demuth C Greg McCall OF Brandon Diaz (now back with Wisconsin) RHP Angel Ventura LHP Kodi Medeiros LHP Zach Hirsch RHP Josh Uhen Hang in there, gentlemen...

Manatees lose their 11th straight, this on a walk-off grand slam against closer Jon Olczak, who did not retire a batter. Unfortunately, it's a road game, so Donald's report later tonight won't include Joe Ayrault quotes, which is perhaps for the best. Must be a fun clubhouse these days. On the "bright" (not really) side, this year's Timber Rattler batters are going to love smoking balls in California League ballparks next year.

He wasn't performing well in 2016 at AA, but still surprised to see LHP Mike Strong, not long ago a member of the Brewers' 40-man roster, released by his home state Twins back on the 20th.