Search for Pitching Continues

While it is still a bit early to make too many judgments about the second half of the Atlantic Leagueseason, one can be certain the six teams still in search of postseason berths will constantly monitor their pitching.  Do we have enough?  Starters?  Relievers?  Who might be available?

      At least three former major leaguers are being given a look, but the verdict is out on each of them.

      Lancasterhas added Rick Bauer, but he had struggled at Long Island(3-9, 5.49).  Manager Tom Herrliked what he had seen in Bauer’s two starts against the Barnstormers(nine hits, five runs in 13 innings). Bridgeportwill feel somewhat better about its starting corps to go along with its muscular offense if Dan Serafinican contribute as a replacement for Patrick Ryan,who has moved on to the Boston Red Soxorganization.  The verdict is not yet in despite a win Thursday night because he has allowed eight earned runs in 13 innings his last two outings.   Long Islandgot a little encouragement when Kip Wellsgave the Ducksthree decent innings (three hits, three walks, one earned run) in his first start.  But this shows finding replacement arms is not easy this time of year.

Pulsipher Adds Coaching to His Pitching Talent

      A longtime Atlantic League—and major league—pitcher has been in the news this week because he was declared a free agent in the independent Golden Leaguethrough a loophole when the Yuma (AZ) Scorpionswere late with paychecks.

      Bill Pulsipher,at one time a highly coveted up-and-comer with the New York Metsand a lefty who has had four different stints at Long Island, was both the pitching coach and a starter for Yuma.  The southpaw, who turns 37 in October, was the topic for a lengthy feature by The Yuma Sun newspaper’s Edward Carifio, not only because of the contract snafu but also because of Pulsipher’s ongoing battle with a general anxiety disorder which played a big role in the hotshot prospect’s loss of control.

     “I want to be around the game, I want to help people out,” Pulsipher told The Sun. “I think I’ve learned a lot through my trials and tribulations—my successes and failures…”  The 6-foot-3 hurler leaves no doubt of the fact he still needs medicine, said to be Paxil.  “I take medicine to this day when I pitch,” Pulsipher told Carifico.  “I have to every day.  I’m still a pitcher, and I know if I don’t take my medication, my anxiety level goes up, and the next thing you know I’ll start walking guys.”

      Pulsipher hopes to continue pitching this season, and to be coaching in the long run, so he can continue to help young hurlers.

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This ‘n That

     First-half Liberty Divisionchampion Southern Marylandhas not lost more than two games in a row since May 22… Tom Cochran (Lancaster)had his string of starts in which he had allowed no more than two earned runs end at eight when he gave up three runs in 5.1 innings in a no-decision Thursday.  The lefty is 7-3, 2.47 for Cincinnati’sDouble-A Carolinaclub… Nelson Figueroa (Long Island)has been designated for assignment again by Philadelphia,despite the fact he has not allowed an earned run in his last 8.1 innings, and is 2-1, 3.46 for 13 games this season… Steve Palazzolo, also a right-handed pitcher who had been signed out of Southern Marylandbefore he played any games, has been released by the Seattleorganization…Former Atlantic LeagueManager Wayne Krenchickihas been let go as manager of the Evansville (IN) Ottersof the independent Frontier League… Philadelphiakeeps bouncing former Yorksparkplug Keoni DeRennearound as a utility man in four different leagues with him currently at Readingwith a combined .308 batting average for 29 games.

         (These are excerpts from the Atlantic League Notebook.  Subscriptions to the full Notebook are available via www.AtlanticLeagueBaseball.com or www.WirzandAssociates.com .  Bob Wirz also writes a weekly column, the Independent Baseball Insider, as well as a blog, www.IndyBaseballChatter.com. The author has 16 years of major league baseball public relations experience with Kansas City and as chief spokesman for two Commissioners and lives in Stratford, CT.)