Second Team on Long Island Hot News for Atlantic League

The Atlantic League was assured of a very good week long before the first baseball was rubbed up for its annual All-Star showcase in York, PA because the 14-year-old circuit, which expects to entertain its 25 millionth fan later this summer, won a major step toward securing another coveted market. “Some dynamic times are ahead […]

Long Island Takes First Title, Quebec Has Top Indy Record

     The Long Island (NY) Ducks hold the distinction of winning the first Independent Baseball title of the season, clinching the Liberty Division crown for the first half of the split season in the Atlantic League, but the honor of the best record so far belongs to the Quebec Capitales, who have won 29 of […]

Recent MLB draft stirs memories of MCC great, Ken Lelek

It’s been 35 years since Ken Lelek first heard his name called in the Major League Baseball draft, but last month’s annual free agent selection bridged a more than three-decade gap to the Monroe Community College hall-of-famer. When the Oakland Athletics picked Chris Bostick in the 44th round of the 2011 draft, it was the […]

Old Injury Costs Job in Washington Nationals Chain

     Ryan Quigley of the Joliet (IL) Slammers is enjoying what could easily be consider a dream season in the Frontier League, except that for most practical purposes the 25-year-old closer with only Independent Baseball experience on his professional resume could easily be getting batters out in the Washington Nationals’ minor league system.       The […]

The Other Guys

Major League Baseball’s 2011 First-Year Player Draft, now nearly a month old, ushered in the next crop of prospects.  Most of the hype and media attention centered on first rounders such as Gerrit Cole and Anthony Rendon, and rightfully so.  Many first-round draft picks have the athletic talent, physical attributes and mental approach to play […]

Bostick is keeping time on his side

On June 18th, Chris Bostick went through the formality with fellow classmates and crossed the stage at Rochester’s Eastman Theatre to receive his diploma from Aquinas Institute. In actuality, the Gates, New York resident started graduation proceedings almost two weeks prior to the official high school ceremony. The Oakland Athletics chose Bostick in the 44th […]

‘Extra Outfielder’ Now a Hitting Star

     In forging their way to the best record in the Atlantic League, the Long Island (NY) Ducks have relied on the talents of such established players at this level of play as John Rodriguez, Lew Ford, J. R. House, Ray Navarrete and Javier Colina.  It is a substantial group.         And they have Kraig […]

Rave Reviews for Newest Can-Am Stadium For the Rockland Boulders

The consensus seemed unanimous. The Can-Am League’s new Rockland (NY) Boulders have a winner in $38 million Provident Bank Park, which opened—and appeared virtually completed—to a sold out crowd Thursday night. A 6,000-seat facility only an hour or so north of New York City it has all the amenities any new stadium should have plus […]

10-1 in Cubs System in 2010, Indy Leaguer Today

     How do you figure this game?       James Leverton was 10-1 with a 2.75 earned run average in his third season in the Chicago Cubs’ system in 2010, earning mid-season all-star status in the Midwest League and finishing the year in Class AA.  Yet, he was released out of spring training.       What my […]

Cochran’s First Major League Trip a Short One

     Anyone who had ridden a roller coaster should be able to relate to what Independent Baseball veteran Tom Cochran has experienced in recent days.       “I’ve never had a bigger smile on my face,” he told MLB.com last Sunday after the Cincinnati Reds gave the 28-year-old lefty his first call-up to the major leagues.  […]

Valley Fans Have a Long-Standing Love Affair With Baseball

The day that many Shenandoah Valley residents have eagerly awaited since last August will arrive tomorrow when the Valley Baseball League begins its 89th season. The Haymarket Senators pay a call on the Strasburg Express to kick off the latter’s inaugural season, but the passion of Valley fans for their local teams is nothing new. […]

Buckner and Canseco Managing Debuts in Spotlight

Big names always offer a special allure. That is why two of the most anticipated managerial debuts in some time in Independent Baseball have been drawing extra attention.  Add together their 4,592 major league hits and 636 home runs plus the side stories of Bill Buckner and Jose Canseco, and it is guaranteed they will […]

A Good Pitcher, Even Better Writer

Pitching in the Promised Land Where would you go to follow your dream?  Wouldn’t it be nice if the journey took you far away and, at the same time, back home? That’s what happened to Aaron Pribble, a lifelong baseball habitué whom, by the summer of 2007, realized that having reached the age of 27 […]

‘Dugout of Dreams’ Part of New Can-Am Stadium Experience

     The Can-Am League will be the last of the Independent leagues to open, starting next Thursday (May 26), and it will be another three weeks before the new Rockland Boulders get to inaugurate their 4,300-seat ballpark in Ramapo, NY.  But it seems an understatement to say the enthusiasm is building in Rockland County, which […]

Sally League Showdown (Almost) Matches the Hype

The showdown between two of the South Atlantic League’s best teams just about lived up to all the hype that preceded this week’s four game series as the Delmarva Shorebirds sandwiched two victories around two defeats to the Hagerstown Suns. Manny Machado, the Orioles top selection and 3rd overall in the 2010 draft was on […]

If Montreal Gets Stadium, Indy Team Will Follow

     The French counterpart to the word “if”, I am told, is “si”.  Well, si got considerable attention north of the United States border this week.       Miles Wolff, the commissioner of  the Canadian-American League, which this corner tends to shorten to Can-Am, sat down to talk baseball in bustling Montreal this week, along with […]

Royals’ Crow Latest Talking Point for American Association

     The American Association already has plenty of talking points for the inauguration of its sixth season next week, not the least of which is its five new franchises and its expansion to 14 teams, more than in any other Independent Baseball league.       Its newest headline-drawing major league pitcher could be another point of […]

Some Thoughts Far Away as Indy Season Launches

     While the Atlantic League inaugurates the Independent Baseball season in its normal Eastern-based cities Friday night, Founder Frank Boulton and his associates must surely have growing thoughts—and perhaps a little anxiety—over what is to come 12 months from now.        This 14-year-old league, which always has lofty goals with new stadiums and most of […]

Broadcaster Gets to Majors; ‘Electric’ Hurler Hopeful

     Almost without exception, the goal of those who get into Independent Baseball is to get out.  The faster, the better.       This isn’t a plague-on-the-house type of thing.  It is that the major leagues are the goal.        Today’s lesson, class, is about the guy who achieved his dream and the one still determined […]

MARK PRIOR COULD JOIN JAKUBAUSKAS, RICHMOND WITH MAJOR LEAGUE TIME

     It is good to see that two of Independent Baseball’s brightest “finds” of recent seasons have not gotten lost in the shuffle because injuries interrupted their time in the major leagues.       Chris Jakubauskas has joined the parent Baltimore Orioles and fellow right-handed pitcher Scott Richmond got a brief return call to the Toronto […]

Southern League Scouting Report: Tennessee Smokies vs. Chattanooga Lookouts – 4/7/2011

Brett Jackson, Center Field, #2 Prospect in Cubs Organization Glows: Brett took part in the 2010 All Star Futures Game and Pan American Qualifying Tournament. Jackson appears to be above average in the following areas: patience/pitch selection (2 walks), contact (hit in run scoring situation), base running/speed (hit triple, went first to third on single), […]

Another Indy Milestone Achieved With 150th Major Leaguer

     Independent Baseball reached another impressive milestone shortly after the major league season opened.             Appearances by rookies Tom Wilhelmsen and Aaron Crow plus a re-appearance by Eric Almonte, who is at the game’s highest level for the first time in eight years, jumped the non-affiliated branch of baseball past the 150 mark in getting […]

2011 Preview: Chattanooga Lookouts (Double-A Dodgers Affiliate) Interviews with Top Prospects and Coaches

On April 5th, the Chattanooga Lookouts held their annual Media Day. I had the opportunity to interview Chris Withrow, Kyle Russell, and Franklin Stubbs. I’ll be posting interviews with other Southern League prospects and coaches throughout the season. Click on links to listen to audio ________________________________________ Chris Withrow: Starting Pitcher (#4 Prospect in Organization) Withrow […]

Wilhelmsen, Almonte Step Up, Give Indy Game 14 on Opening Day Rosters

     Erick Almonte’s unexpected jump onto the Milwaukee Brewers’ bench grabbed much of the Independent Baseball attention during spring training, but now that the reality of Opening Day is here the 32-year-old, who has not been in the major leagues since 2003, has to share the spotlight with a quartet of pitchers who also have […]

Coste Adds Phils TV Job While Elbow Heals

     One of Independent Baseball’s favorite sons, so designated because of the dogged determination in which he did not debut in the major leagues until his was 33, has a new job in broadcasting, but at the same time is continuing his comeback from Tommy John elbow surgery with hopes, at 38, of landing a […]

Many Indy Players in Running Two Weeks Before Openers

     The axe started dropping this week, sometimes unexpectedly, dashing the hopes of several former Independent Baseball players of being on Opening Day rosters with their parent major league clubs.  It does not have to be a forever disappointment, but a reality check at least for right now and their names will appear in minor […]

Rick Anton and the Utah Utes return home to face BYU

The three-game series starts on Thursday as the Utah baseball team looks to build off recent momentum.  The Utes started the year 0-5 after Cal and Arkansas proved too much in early season play but the squad rebounded in March and now sits at a record of 5-7. Anchoring the staff is senior Rick Anton, a 2011 MLB […]

Hindsight is 20/20: Prospect Lists

Every off season, leading up to Opening Day, the talk amongst fans, blogs, and scouting services is Prospect Lists. It’s a passion for many because they want to know who will be the stars of the future, or they want to know if there is any reason to get excited about their favorite team’s future. […]

Daubach Interesting Choice as Bryce Harper’s First Manager

     One of the charms of spring training that builds so much momentum for a baseball season is the great writing that emerges, and the memorable stories those in the baseball-writing business dig up.        Washington Post writer Dave Sheinin brought to the surface the fact Brian Daubach, who managed in the Can-Am League at […]

Prior, Cramer Draw Early Attention Among Indy Players

     When it comes to what could be significant news in major league spring training camps, some of those in the spotlight include pitchers Mark Prior and Bobby Cramer, both off stints with the Orange County (Fullerton, CA) Flyers of the Golden League, as well as catchers Mike and Rene Rivera.       Prior is getting […]

If Only All 48 Indy Players Could Catch This Break

    Robert Coello has only been pitching for four years after starting his professional career as a respected catching prospect, but the 6-foot-5, 250-pound right-hander no doubt is the envy of many of the other products of the Independent Baseball leagues who have their nameplates posted on a dressing cubicle in a major league clubhouse […]

‘Excited’ Amarillo Adds to American Association

The American Association has expanded from 10 to 14 teams this offseason so it’s only natural that a giant share of the attention has been on the four franchises moving from the long-established Northern League. Still, some of the greatest excitement is being generated in Amarillo, TX, which also is new to this mushrooming league. […]

Pepperdine center fielder Brian Humphries focused on regional bid

Pepperdine center fielder Brian Humphries enjoyed an industrious sophomore campaign culminating in a West Coast Conference selection to the 2010 All-WCC Team. The junior, fresh off a summer spent playing baseball in the prestigious Cap Cod Baseball League, believes the Waves contain in their ranks the right mixture of hitting and pitching needed for a […]

One Gets Look from Cards While Other Star Waits

     The stories of players who have come through the Independent Baseball ranks and show some major league promise are forever fascinating.  Will they get a break by being in the right organization at the right time and make the most of the opportunity or have to settle for a decent minor league career?       […]

Yankees Won This Battle With Texas

    This will shock some, but it turns out while neither of the supposed top two bidders won Cliff Lee’s heart, the New York Yankees did beat out the Texas Rangers for one player.  The Bombers got Mark Prior, the onetime National League All-Star (Chicago Cubs), a free agent who had been in Texas’s system […]

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