NBA Star Tracy McGrady, Japanese, Cuban Hurlers All Part of Buildup to New Atlantic League Season

The 2014 Independent Baseball season debuts next week with the startup of the Atlantic Leagueseason, which once again opens about three weeks ahead of everyone else on the non-major-league-affiliated map because of its 140-game season.

The interest in the Atlantic League seems especially high ahead of Thursday’s (April 24) openers not only to eventually find out if the Long Island (NY) Duckscan outlast such expected powerhouses as Sugar Land, TXand Somerset, NJto corral their third championship in a row, but also because of some of the inviting personnel in the eight training camps which opened this week.

And the greatest attention, at least at the outset, may be on a former NBAstar who would like to add baseball pitching success to his formidable resume.

Sugar LandManager Gary Gaettidid not waste any time getting Tracy McGradyonto the mound, starting him in the season’s initial exhibition game Wednesday night.  Nine of his 15 pitches against Alvin Community Collegefound the strike zone with three accounting for hits and one run.

“He did fine,” Gaetti told us this morning despite a leadoff double.  “He had to get off his jitters.  I’m sure the last couple days his head’s been spinning (with all the team has been doing in camp).  I’m sure there is some culture shock (after basketball).”

Asked about his plans for McGrady, Gaetti said “he’s got to make the team first”, which one would have to believe Sugar Land would like to see because of the extra promotional value, but there are 35 players in camp trying to squeeze onto a 27-man opening night roster.

The 6-foot-8 McGrady played baseball from the age of five until he was nearly out of high school before becoming a star who averaged nearly 20 points (19.6) a game during his professional career for five different NBA teams.

Cuban, Japanese Hurlers Add Interest

The Atlantic League’stwo Pennsylvaniateams, Lancasterand York,are hopeful players from Japanand Cuba,respectively, might do for them at least some of what Masahiro Tanaka (New York Yankees)and Jose Abreu (Chicago White Sox)are doing to liven up their major league teams.

Butch Hobsonhas brought in 37-year-old submariner Shunsuke Watanabe, who made three appearances for the Boston Red Soxduring spring training and has won 87 games for the Japan Pacific League’s Chiba Lotteover the last 13 seasons, including a 15-4 campaign in 2005 when Bobby Valentinewas his manager.  “He can do so many things, plus he’s a novelty,” Hobson praised.

York’s pitching candidate from Cuba is Jorge Martinez, 30, who has been showcased to various major league scouts since he will be eligible for the draft in June.  “He comes highly recommended,” praised RevolutionManager Mark Mason.

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Jason Lane Excelling in San Diego System

Lefty Jason Lane, the converted former major league outfielder, could not be doing much more to impress San Diegobrass.  Lane has a 1.00 earned run average (2-1) after his first three starts for Double-A El Paso, TX.

“He is doing fantastic,” praised his former Atlantic League (Sugar Land, TX)Manager, Gary Gaetti,who pointed out not to be looking for Lane as a left-handed specialist “though he can get lefties out.  He is a starting pitcher.”

Other former Independent players off to nice starts in the affiliated minor leagues include another southpaw, Ryan Feierabend (York, PA,Atlantic) at 2-0, 3.95 after three starts in Triple-A for Texas,righty Bo Schultz (Grand Prairie, TX,  American Association)at 1-1, 2.31 after two starts at the same level for Arizonaand Raul Valdes (New Jerseyand Nashua, NH, Can-Am League)at 1-0, 2.45 for four AAA bullpen outings in the Houstonchain.

(This is an excerpt from the column Bob Wirz writes on Independent Baseball.  Thirty-six columns are planned during 2014.  Fans may subscribe at www.WirzandAssociates.com , enjoy added stories on the blog www.IndyBaseballChatter.com , or comment to RWirz@aol.com .  The authorhas 16 years of major league baseball public relations experience with Kansas City and as spokesman for two Commissioners and lives in Stratford, CT.)