At 23 and 5-Foot-6, ‘Veteran’ Independent Umpire Takes His Talent to Affiliated Baseball
April 13, 2013 by Bob Wirz · Leave a Comment
Kevin Winn couldn’t be blamed if he popped a few pride buttons these days with three of the umpires he has supervised working major league spring training games and half of the 10-man umpire contingent in the Class A California League coming out of the American Association, but I found him this week largely singing […]
Umpires Out of Independent Leagues Are Advancing; Adam Hamari Could Get Shot in Majors Soon
November 3, 2011 by Bob Wirz · Leave a Comment
It is only natural to focus on players in this column, but two umpires out of Independent leagues are drawing attention in the major league-affiliated ranks and at least one of them likely will be seen on the national stage very soon. Adam Hamari, who only six years ago (a very short span for an […]
Lindsey Looms Large Even With New Indy Players Appearing
December 2, 2010 by Bob Wirz · Leave a Comment
We have pinpointed at least two worthy candidates who could break into the major leagues for the first time in 2011, but even if they make it they will have some distance to travel before they nudge this year’s best headline-maker into the shadows. Big John Lindsey continues to do and say the things that […]
My Minor Thoughts on the 2010 Season
September 6, 2010 by Matt Aber · 2 Comments
Labor Day is usually seen as the last marker before the final push for a spot in the MLB post-season. Interest for fans hoping for a miracle or those just praying to hang on to that final spot gets turned up a notch.  For a small niche of baseball fans though, Labor Day also marks […]
Urckfitz climbs another rung
September 3, 2010 by Paul Gotham · Leave a Comment
Pat Urckfitz makes a habit out of being successful in baseball. For the past two seasons, the Houston Astros farm hand accepted a variety of roles from Rookie ball to Advanced A minor league baseball. Each time, Urckfitz proved worthy of moving on to the next level. This season is no different.
Strasburg In Harrisburg: Altoona, April 11, 2010
April 18, 2010 by Gerry Von Hendy · Leave a Comment
Who is he? He’s a right-handed pitcher, picked first in the nation by the Washington Nationals in the 2009 draft. We know as much. He grew up in Santee, California, under his parents Jim and Kathleen Swett, and went to West Hills High School there. He then attended San Diego State University as a public […]
