Canada versus Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kids. Feel free to follow along here!
Well, how do you like that. Pete Orr draws the leadoff walk, but doesn't score.
Stubby Clapp lined out to centre, and then Jason Bay reached on a dribbler to short that was charitably scored an infield hit. Justin Morneau waved, badly, at strike three and Matt Stairs was coaxed into a dribbler for a 2-3 putout.
Scoreless heading into the bottom of the first.
Stubby Clapp lined out to centre, and then Jason Bay reached on a dribbler to short that was charitably scored an infield hit. Justin Morneau waved, badly, at strike three and Matt Stairs was coaxed into a dribbler for a 2-3 putout.
Scoreless heading into the bottom of the first.
Starting pitcher for SA is Carl Michaels who played one season in the Brewers system. He had an ERA under 4 as a reliever for Beloit in the Midwest league. Looks like a junky pitcher, 86 mph fastball.
Erik Bedard also walks the leadoff man, but a sac bunt and two K's leave him at second. Scoreless through 1.
Canada strands a Corey Koskie walk, and it's still zeroes through one and a half.
12 out of the 15 team canada position players bat left... Wierd.
Puerto Rico beat Panama 2-1. Alexis Rios hit 2 for 3 I think, with a home run, he had the only 2 hits allowed by Panama starter Lenin Picota. I hope he hits as well with the Jays...
In other Jays news, Frankie Catalanotto went 2-for-4 with a single, triple, run and RBI for Italy before being lifted. It's a laugher in Orlando, with the Italian side blowing out Australia 9-0 late.
Canada nudges a run across with a straight-up manufacture in the 5th. Adam Stern walked and stole second. Pete Orr caught the South Africans napping with a bunt, which he popped up into no man's land up the first base line for an infield hit. Stubby Clapp grounded into a 3-6 fielder's choice, and it's 1-0 Canada.
Matt Stairs knocks in two more with a double after another poor at-bat by Morneau. 3-0, as Canada continues to tune up.
Yikes. Some shaky pitching and glovework have led to four South African runs in the bottom of the fifth. No mercy rule tonight -- Canada trails 4-3.
Alas, South Africa is not so deep in the pitching department. Tyrone Lamont fooled nobody in the middle of the Canadian order, as Bay doubled off the top of the wall, Morneau doubled him in and Corey Koskie belted Canada's first-ever WBC homer. Canada 6, South Africa 4 in the seventh.
"12 out of the 15 team canada position players bat left... Wierd."
I wonder if it has to do with all of the left handed hockey players. It seems that we also have a disproportionate amount of lefty golfers.
I wonder if it has to do with all of the left handed hockey players. It seems that we also have a disproportionate amount of lefty golfers.
I don't know if its because I'm baseball deprived but this game has been a lot more exciting then I would have thought it was going to be. I never really got the whole cheer for your country thing since it never existed in baseball and its the only sport I watch but its been fun watching this game. Waking up at 530 tomorrow for work won't be fun though. I'm going to have to tape Canada vs USA and watch it when I come home.
This seems an appropriate time to link to a pinch hit article I did during the 2004 Olympics: Canada's Left Handed Hitters
For what it's worth, I do think that hockey is the cause of our lefty heavy lineup. Just compare the number of right-handed hockey sticks to the number of lefties in a store.
Uh-oh. Yet another reliever (Chris Reitsma) loads the bases, and yet another South African (Paul Bell) clears the bases with a double. Incredibly, it's 8-7 South Africa heading into the ninth!
"This could be the most shocking win in the new history of baseball in South Africa."
Gotta love those ESPN2 announcers.
Gotta love those ESPN2 announcers.
Ryan Radmanovich leads off the ninth with a blast to the deepest part of the park...not gone, but a nice ricochet off the fence for a triple. Tying run's on third, no outs.
One pitch later, Adam Stern laces a double. Tie game!
And speaking of things you gotta love, the South African centrefielder isn't exactly Aaron Rowand. Is that the second or third ball he's butchered?
One of baseball's oft-forgotten axioms: Bunts are hard to field. Orr's bunt is thrown down the line, and Canada gets a cheapie. 9-8!
Rob, even a lot of the routine fly balls caught for outs have been awfully adventurous in the process.
I hate to think what the score would look like if it wasn't for the poor defence of the South Africans...
Wow, wild pitches and horrible defense are saving us. This is a real nail-biter.
I wonder if it has to do with all of the left handed hockey players.
I doubt it, because the "left-handed hockey players" more often than not are right-handed people. Like me! And, oddly enough, most of the left-handed people I know are "right-handed" hockey players. Hmmm.
It makes me think that what we have here is a piece of rather goofy hockey terminology. When a "left-handed hockey player" takes one hand off the stick, which hand does he keep on it? That's right - "left handed hockey players" depend on their right hand. The stick just happens to be pointing to the left.
That is all.
Adventurous is an understatement. Those outfielders looked like me out there.
""It makes me think that what we have here is a piece of rather goofy hockey terminology. When a "left-handed hockey player" takes one hand off the stick, which hand does he keep on it? That's right - "left handed hockey players" depend on their right hand. The stick just happens to be pointing to the left.""
But by the same token, I bat left and am right handed. When I take one hand of my bat, it is my dominant right hand that stays on the bat.
But by the same token, I bat left and am right handed. When I take one hand of my bat, it is my dominant right hand that stays on the bat.
That, of course, is the point. Most of these "left-handed hockey players" really are right-hand dominant. But, since in many cases hockey is their main sport, they bat the same way they play hockey -- "left-handed".
So, says the theory, while there aren't more left-hand dominant people in Canada than the US, there *is* a higher proportion of baseball players who bat left-handed in Canada than there is in the US, because of the hockey background.
This phenomenon is apparently quite pronounced in golf. See Brian W's article (and the discussion that followed) for more...
So, says the theory, while there aren't more left-hand dominant people in Canada than the US, there *is* a higher proportion of baseball players who bat left-handed in Canada than there is in the US, because of the hockey background.
This phenomenon is apparently quite pronounced in golf. See Brian W's article (and the discussion that followed) for more...
But, since in many cases hockey is their main sport, they bat the same way they play hockey -- "left-handed".
That is interesting. (And I've probably been reading too much into my own experience. Once more - the plural of "anecdote" is not "data")
Are there odd combinations out there? Brooks Robinson, for example, does pretty much everything left-handed. Except bat and throw. Jimi Hendrix was a right-handed guy who played the guitar left-handed...
I throw left, however, I bat and shoot right. I hear batting right and throwing left is weird. Maybe that's why I emulated Rickey when I played minor softball. I felt a bond. A bond of abnormality. I also write left and eat right. Well, eat right-handedly. I most certainly do not eat right. Or well.
That game was almost too close for comfort. After that 8th inning I couldn't help but think "first the men's Olympic hockey team and now this?"
But the bats and arms are just warming up and I’m glad they drew South Africa as their first game and not Mexico. Mexico would not have let Canada back into the game as easily.
I'm looking forward to today's game vs. the USA. Let's hope all those lefties can scap out a run or two off of Dontrelle.
But the bats and arms are just warming up and I’m glad they drew South Africa as their first game and not Mexico. Mexico would not have let Canada back into the game as easily.
I'm looking forward to today's game vs. the USA. Let's hope all those lefties can scap out a run or two off of Dontrelle.
Re: All the Left Handed Hitters/Pitchers on Team Canada
Is there a chance when college scouts recruit Canadians that left-handedness sticks out on the roster/info sheets used in such exercises.
I have a feeling this is probably the largest factor.
Is there a chance when college scouts recruit Canadians that left-handedness sticks out on the roster/info sheets used in such exercises.
I have a feeling this is probably the largest factor.
Was this game on TV here?
I was listening last night on satellite radio, and the play-by-play team seemed to be rooting for the RSA.... Maybe it was a pro-underdog thing.
I was listening last night on satellite radio, and the play-by-play team seemed to be rooting for the RSA.... Maybe it was a pro-underdog thing.
The game was on Sportsnet, at least in Ontario.
Me Grimlock liked watching the South Africans, they reminded me of me's high school softball team, that went 0-8 and had a Pythag of like 7-155, but had a good time nonetheless. Me Grimlock was the Team MVP, BTW.
Team Canada was saved by less than stellar SAF defence -- no play seemed routine for the defenders -- judging a fly ball is hard, turning a double play is hard, fielding a bunt is hard, blocking a pitch in the dirt is hard -- all these things that major leaguers do routinely makes me Grimlock forget that sometimes.
Heading into the top of the ninth, me Grimlock knew Canada would pull it out under "Little League World Series" rules. In the LLWS, teams ALWAYS choke when they're about to win the big one and if it's at all close. SAF would choke, and three batters in, they gave up a crazy triple, misplayed a bunt, and had given up two wild pitches.
Me Grimlock liked watching the South Africans, they reminded me of me's high school softball team, that went 0-8 and had a Pythag of like 7-155, but had a good time nonetheless. Me Grimlock was the Team MVP, BTW.
Team Canada was saved by less than stellar SAF defence -- no play seemed routine for the defenders -- judging a fly ball is hard, turning a double play is hard, fielding a bunt is hard, blocking a pitch in the dirt is hard -- all these things that major leaguers do routinely makes me Grimlock forget that sometimes.
Heading into the top of the ninth, me Grimlock knew Canada would pull it out under "Little League World Series" rules. In the LLWS, teams ALWAYS choke when they're about to win the big one and if it's at all close. SAF would choke, and three batters in, they gave up a crazy triple, misplayed a bunt, and had given up two wild pitches.
I'm glad that ESPN is doing the broadcasts; they're the best. Papa/Stone did a nice job calling the game and putting things in context (e.g. I quickly knew to expect S Africa had limited pitching depth, etc.).
The Canadian/hockey/left handed batter issue reminded me of an article I read in Sports Illustrated probably 7 or 8 years ago. The article was about Larry Walker. The article quoted a scout who said that playing hockey hinders Canadians chances at becoming baseball players (or more specifically their speed or ability to run). From what I can remember the scout's argument was that the skating motion somehow messes up one's ability to run fast. Basically your feet go out when you skate like this: \/ and to run fast you need to have your toes straight ahead or slightly in. I believe that was the scout's reasoning anyway. I'm not a big believer in that theory but I thought it applied to the hockey/baseball discussion.
Wow, Team Canada taking it to the Americans 5-0 in the 3rd. Obviously, as an American, I'm pulling for the US but it's pretty neat to see all those lefties in the lineup and Ernie Whitt in the dugout.
Hopefully Vernon can help lead a US comeback but Canada has been impressive.
Hopefully Vernon can help lead a US comeback but Canada has been impressive.
7-0 after a two-run single from Matty Stairs. Good heavens!
Down a touchdown? Obviously, Drew Henson should be on Team USA.
Does anyone know what the tiebreaker rule is in case three teams in the group finish at 2-1?
Yup. If Canada hangs on but loses to Mexico, the next tiebreaker is fewest runs allowed. Canada gave up 8 last night, but have hung 8 on the U.S. so far today. Remember, USA beat Mexico 2-0 yesterday.
Make that fewest runs allowed in the head-to-head games between the tied teams, Mike. That 8-spot to the South Africans will be irrelevant if Canada, Mexico and the US all finish 2-1. So it could be important, even if we lose to Mexico, to keep the score close.
It's still early today, given our bullpen and their bench. I'm not counting any poultry just yet...
It's still early today, given our bullpen and their bench. I'm not counting any poultry just yet...
Far be it from me to second-guess Ernie Whitt. So before a pitch is thrown, why would you "turn around" Varitek to his better side?
If this man ever manages the Blue Jays, I'm an ex-fan.
Think Whitt should think about letting Francis pitch the second half of this game? Go for the win time?
Absolutely not, Paul. First of all, Francis is a career starter who's been preparing all week for tomorrow night. Secondly, what if they lose anyway? They wouldn't have as good a chance tomorrow.
The best way to advance is hold on today and beat Mexico. :)
The best way to advance is hold on today and beat Mexico. :)
Absolutely not, Paul. First of all, Francis is a career starter who's been preparing all week for tomorrow night. Secondly, what if they lose anyway? They wouldn't have as good a chance tomorrow.
Yeah, that's probably the safe bet. I'd still be tempted to do it, but I probably wouldn't. If you do it and lose, you'll never hear the end of it, while if you don't do it and lose people won't give you a hard time. It also would have been alot more tempting to go for it when they were up 8-0 and had the chance at a mercy win.
Cyr is fearless; that was an awesome two-strike hook to Lee (good call, Max) and two superb pitches to get A-Rod.
What happened to Bay? Or was taking him out another Whitt brainstorm?
What happened to Bay? Or was taking him out another Whitt brainstorm?
I was just going to ask that, Coach.
It appears that Whitt has taken Jason Bay out of the game in favor of Ryan Radmanovich. I've yet to hear an explanation for this.
It appears that Whitt has taken Jason Bay out of the game in favor of Ryan Radmanovich. I've yet to hear an explanation for this.
Ugh. Why would you run on Francoeur? He was out before that ball was thrown.
Yeah, tremendous relay. I'd probably have sent him with two away myself; takes two perfect throws but that's what they got.
Someone send a taxi for Dempster...
Someone send a taxi for Dempster...
That's using the whole park! Three more outs.
As I implied in the Beer Club thread, anyone who knocks this event must enjoy negativity more than baseball. The game's been my religion for more than 45 years, and I've never been so excited in March.
As I implied in the Beer Club thread, anyone who knocks this event must enjoy negativity more than baseball. The game's been my religion for more than 45 years, and I've never been so excited in March.
No doubt, this has been a lot of fun.
It's really a shame that we don't have Gagne to nail down the ninth. Can you imagine being an A-ball guy and trying to close out this game? Wow.
It's really a shame that we don't have Gagne to nail down the ninth. Can you imagine being an A-ball guy and trying to close out this game? Wow.
Gah! Adam Stern came so close to salting it away!
Who needs Gagne when you've got Steve Green?
Congratulations to Team Canada (especially Adam Stern and Adam Loewen) on one of the biggest upsets ever.
Congratulations to Team Canada (especially Adam Stern and Adam Loewen) on one of the biggest upsets ever.
Folks, that was some outstanding closing by Steve Green. Perfect pitch after perfect pitch against four of the most electric hitters in baseball.
Brilliant work!
Brilliant work!
Wow, I still can't beleive we pulled off the upset, and to top it all off, it was with A ballers on the mound.
Yes, that is huge. Because our A/AA guys did such an awesome job, Canada has the core of their bullpen in tact for the next game. Ecstasy.
What an AWESOME victory! This is so insanely awesome, I can't even describe how this makes me feel as a Canadian. I think the rest of Canada is going to get behind this tournament after this amazing showing. And how about Adam Stern? He's my new hero, what a great Canadian kid.
While I'm obviously skeptical of Ernie's managerial talents, credit where it's due for replacing the stick with the glove behind the plate. Maxim St. Pierre, who we had the pleasure of meeting in Erie a couple of years ago, is simply terrific back there. Like many great defensive catchers, he probably won't hit enough to play in the Show, but confidence in Max is a big reason why the Canadian minor-leaguers pitched so well in those critical late innings.
Wow, what a game. Adam Stern showed up for work in a big way, and our bullpen was fantastic. Huge win, I'm happy, and I can't wait till tomorrow. This is march madness.
Awesome win for Canada. Who the hell is Steve Green!?!? Is this the biggest upset of the tourney so far?
If this doesn't get Adad Stern front page of the Canadian Jewish News, I don't know what will.
Bless you boys!
Bless you boys!
There were TWO EXCELLENT thing about this game.
1) Vernon had three walks!!
2) Canada won!
Now, where can I buy an Adam Stern jersey?
1) Vernon had three walks!!
2) Canada won!
Now, where can I buy an Adam Stern jersey?
While Coach referred to the tiebreaker rules earlier, let me expand in case anyone's interested...I know I was.
Tiebreaker 1: H2H record of tied teams - Let's for now assume Mexico beats Canada tomorrow and South Africa tonight. This tiebreaker would be moot as all teams would be 1-1 against each other.
Tiebreaker 2: Fewest run allowed per inning against the tied teams. USA has allowed 8 runs in their two games. Canada 6 so far (in one game), Mexico 2 so far. If Mexico beats Canada 1-0 tomorrow (a possibility given the pitching the Canucks saved for the game and the fact the lefty lineup faces another lefty tomorrow), the USA GOES HOME! A 2-0 Mexico win sends this to tiebreaker 3
Tiebreaker 3: Fewest earned runs between tied teams - Same as above. 2-0 Mexico win still moves to tiebreaker 4.
Tiebreaker 4: Highest batting avg in games played against tied teams - USA .231, Canada .342. If it gets to this point and Canada does better than 2 for 27, USA goes home.
It's not likely to happen...but it's possible I suppose. Let's go Canada!!!
Tiebreaker 1: H2H record of tied teams - Let's for now assume Mexico beats Canada tomorrow and South Africa tonight. This tiebreaker would be moot as all teams would be 1-1 against each other.
Tiebreaker 2: Fewest run allowed per inning against the tied teams. USA has allowed 8 runs in their two games. Canada 6 so far (in one game), Mexico 2 so far. If Mexico beats Canada 1-0 tomorrow (a possibility given the pitching the Canucks saved for the game and the fact the lefty lineup faces another lefty tomorrow), the USA GOES HOME! A 2-0 Mexico win sends this to tiebreaker 3
Tiebreaker 3: Fewest earned runs between tied teams - Same as above. 2-0 Mexico win still moves to tiebreaker 4.
Tiebreaker 4: Highest batting avg in games played against tied teams - USA .231, Canada .342. If it gets to this point and Canada does better than 2 for 27, USA goes home.
It's not likely to happen...but it's possible I suppose. Let's go Canada!!!
Terrific game from Canada today, congrats to all here. Tough to be an American on the other end of watching A and AA pitchers shut down MVP's, All-Stars, and Hall of Famers. I couldn't be a bigger Canada fan against Mexico!
Jay, in your calculations, you assume that the US will shut out South Africa. They may, but that has me somewhat nervous. Does anyone else find it strange that the 2nd tiebreaker (behind the obvious head-to-head) is runs allowed? Isn't it usually run differential? That seems awfully weird, for a team to win 2-0, lose 8-6, then win, say, 13-4 to go home in a tiebreaker to a team that won it's two low-scoring games by 1 run each. So essentially, I have to root for a high-scoring game no matter who wins. Too bad that's not very likely.
Great event so far though. Some great games and the interest seems pretty strong. As much as you guys are rooting against the US, it may hurt the long-term future of the tourney if somehow the US doesn't advance.
Jay, in your calculations, you assume that the US will shut out South Africa. They may, but that has me somewhat nervous. Does anyone else find it strange that the 2nd tiebreaker (behind the obvious head-to-head) is runs allowed? Isn't it usually run differential? That seems awfully weird, for a team to win 2-0, lose 8-6, then win, say, 13-4 to go home in a tiebreaker to a team that won it's two low-scoring games by 1 run each. So essentially, I have to root for a high-scoring game no matter who wins. Too bad that's not very likely.
Great event so far though. Some great games and the interest seems pretty strong. As much as you guys are rooting against the US, it may hurt the long-term future of the tourney if somehow the US doesn't advance.
Dr. Zarco,
The U.S./S.A tilt means nothing to the tiebreaker (assuming they win). The runs allowed tiebreaker only applies to games against tied teams.
The U.S./S.A tilt means nothing to the tiebreaker (assuming they win). The runs allowed tiebreaker only applies to games against tied teams.
Congrats to Team Canada. What a phenomenal performance by Adam Loewen, Adam Stern and the rest of the crew. Maybe that scare against South Africa was exactly what they needed to wake them up and also build camaraderie.
I only saw the 1st and 7th-9th innings (watching the last 3 at a bar by myself), so I didn't see the middle innings. I was impressed by the job that Whitt did in the first when he calmed down Loewen and by his management of the game at the end (even if it was relatively straightforward). The decision to remove Bay for Radmanovich was curious, I agree. However, it seems like Begg was struggling in the 5th and could not the decison to turn Varitek around have simply been a necessary byproduct of the need to get Begg out of the game at that point? I didn't see it, so I don't know, but I would argue that if Begg was not on today than it's a perfectly defendable move.
I've not seen enough of Whitt on a day-to-day baasis to issue a judgement of him as a tactical manager (perhaps by the time the tournament is over), but he seems to be doing a good job of the motivational side of a manager's role, if the comeback against S. Africa, this result and the 'looseness' of the team are any indication.
I only saw the 1st and 7th-9th innings (watching the last 3 at a bar by myself), so I didn't see the middle innings. I was impressed by the job that Whitt did in the first when he calmed down Loewen and by his management of the game at the end (even if it was relatively straightforward). The decision to remove Bay for Radmanovich was curious, I agree. However, it seems like Begg was struggling in the 5th and could not the decison to turn Varitek around have simply been a necessary byproduct of the need to get Begg out of the game at that point? I didn't see it, so I don't know, but I would argue that if Begg was not on today than it's a perfectly defendable move.
I've not seen enough of Whitt on a day-to-day baasis to issue a judgement of him as a tactical manager (perhaps by the time the tournament is over), but he seems to be doing a good job of the motivational side of a manager's role, if the comeback against S. Africa, this result and the 'looseness' of the team are any indication.
Ah, reading closely has never been my strong suit. Thanks for clearing that up Hollywood. In that case, it's a tad scarier for Canada. Give up 3+ runs and lose, and they're out. Tough.
It looks like Canada still has a lot of pressure to win the game against Mexico. If they give up more than two runs (entirely likely the way these games have gone), and end up losing, they go home. I can't believe that grand slam by Varitek could still come back to haunt them.
As I type this, Mexico leads South Africa 5-3 going to the 5th. If South Africa can come back to win this one (improbable but not out of the question), Canada would clinch first place in the pool. The final spot would then be between the United States and South Africa when they go head-to-head on Friday and Canada's game tomorrow against Mexico would be meaningless.
Let's pull a Sweden and attempt to lose against Mexico 2 zip eliminating the U.S.
Selig would be toast.
Selig would be toast.
Well it's now 9-3 Mexico in the 7th, so it looks like that option is out. A South Africa win would have been nice for the US too, making it a simple win and you're in, instead of the mess that is earned runs allowed. Can't wait to see how it plays out!
Is this webite dead or what??
It's spring training and there's no talk about the Jays, no round ups, no game reports, no anything. Just previews about other teams in the MLB. No talk about Canada in the WBC except in the Live Chats.
Can we step it up a bit around here?? This site just doesn't have the same feel to it anymore. I fear that the user feel is missing, and it's just a boring read along.
Anyone else agree?
It's spring training and there's no talk about the Jays, no round ups, no game reports, no anything. Just previews about other teams in the MLB. No talk about Canada in the WBC except in the Live Chats.
Can we step it up a bit around here?? This site just doesn't have the same feel to it anymore. I fear that the user feel is missing, and it's just a boring read along.
Anyone else agree?
I think we'll all too depressed about Mexico thumping our boys last night. Once the pain wears off... things will be ok.
JB21 has a point, this time last year there were even game reports on Spring training games that had been rained out.
And looking back, it seems NFH and Jordan were the heroes of the Grapefruit updates on da Box.
And as any great NFH fan would know, he's been out of town this week.
I'm not sure who has (or wants) the power or interest to delegate responsibility of content creation, but I have a sneaky feeling someone is going to say we shouldn't even be talking about this in public.
"Can we step it up a bit around here??"
Pinch hits are always welcome and if there's anything regarding Blue Jay spring training, the WBC or anything else baseball related there's a 'Notes from Nowhere' thread that can be easily found to talk about it.
This site is entirely paid for and run by volunteers who have lives outside of this site. The best way to 'step it up' is to start by making a contribution yourself, not complain or order people around.
If there's anything further about this that anyone would like to discuss contact a Roster member.
Pinch hits are always welcome and if there's anything regarding Blue Jay spring training, the WBC or anything else baseball related there's a 'Notes from Nowhere' thread that can be easily found to talk about it.
This site is entirely paid for and run by volunteers who have lives outside of this site. The best way to 'step it up' is to start by making a contribution yourself, not complain or order people around.
If there's anything further about this that anyone would like to discuss contact a Roster member.
JB, I know you're not jazzed about team previews, but I just put up a Marlins piece that I think you might enjoy.
Fresh, piping hot new content. Ask and you shall receive!
Fresh, piping hot new content. Ask and you shall receive!
So how does someone go about making new threads?
I don't want to write a novel about a some stat, and potential hall of famer, simularity in a name or letter, or a team other than the Jays, I just want a thread with some info on the previous Spring Training game with some links to articles about the Blue Jays and the players.
This would give us regular guys a place to read and comment about the Spring, and how guys are doing so far. I feel like nobody knows where to post, or where to read posts.
I realize you want to be an Interactive Magazine, but I feel like this site has lost it's sense of a community of Blue Jay's fans.
I don't want to write a novel about a some stat, and potential hall of famer, simularity in a name or letter, or a team other than the Jays, I just want a thread with some info on the previous Spring Training game with some links to articles about the Blue Jays and the players.
This would give us regular guys a place to read and comment about the Spring, and how guys are doing so far. I feel like nobody knows where to post, or where to read posts.
I realize you want to be an Interactive Magazine, but I feel like this site has lost it's sense of a community of Blue Jay's fans.
I agree. A new round up thread would be great; just somewhere for general baseball analysis, following spring training and following the World Baseball Classic. I know myself, and I’m sure many, others feel conflicted about posting about the Blue Jays on a Barry Bonds thread, or a Canada vs. S. Africa thread.
That said, I think I speak for everyone in saying that all of the work done around here is much appreciated.
Now, for lack of a better place to post, I must say that I am pumped about the minor league season. I think I read the Minor League updates almost every day last season. We should organize a road trip to catch a Syracuse or New Hampshire game.
I also cannot wait to sink my teeth into some draft coverage! Last year was pretty much the best case scenario in terms of bouncing back after the season from hell, playing competitive ball, yet still maintain our first round pick.
That said, I think I speak for everyone in saying that all of the work done around here is much appreciated.
Now, for lack of a better place to post, I must say that I am pumped about the minor league season. I think I read the Minor League updates almost every day last season. We should organize a road trip to catch a Syracuse or New Hampshire game.
I also cannot wait to sink my teeth into some draft coverage! Last year was pretty much the best case scenario in terms of bouncing back after the season from hell, playing competitive ball, yet still maintain our first round pick.
Woops, misplaced coma. That should read: "I know myself, and I’m sure many others, feel conflicted about posting about the Blue Jays on a Barry Bonds thread, or a Canada vs. S. Africa thread."
I realize that everybody has a life outside da box and it's totally understandable. Spring Training buzz has worn down and we're in the final 23 day stretch until Blue Jays Opening Night begins. But the one thing I could always count on by coming here was that I could always learn something new and learn it in a way that didn't bore the hell out of me. I'm far from a gifted writer and knowledgeable baseball fan, so any pinch hit from me would be of poor quality and a waste of time.
This criticism isn't directed at the roster, but more at the community as a whole to sort of pick it up and get the traffic here up back to where it was a year or so ago.
This criticism isn't directed at the roster, but more at the community as a whole to sort of pick it up and get the traffic here up back to where it was a year or so ago.
"I realize that everybody has a life outside da box and it's totally understandable."
Ya, like Raptorblog.com!... But other than those two websites, I actually have no life.
Ya, like Raptorblog.com!... But other than those two websites, I actually have no life.
So how does someone go about making new threads?
Write the article. Send it to me. The e-mail address to use is in the FAQ at the top of the page.
As much as I would love to write an article about any of the Spring Training games, I have been totally unable to listen to or watch even one. Sorry -- it's just not going to happen unless someone can step up and do it.
The regular season Game Reports are a scheduled thing that we all make time to write. Unfortunately, we just do not have the time to do them for Spring Training. Personally, I wanted to do Reports on some of the WBC games, but I've only caught part of two different games and have not had enough time to write anything up.
It really is a case of "you get what you pay for" -- all of us on the Roster shell out time and money to run this place (I've personally put about $2000 into Photo of the Day for the upcoming season and haven't shot a single photograph yet), and without any kind of income from Batter's Box we cannot leave our day jobs to work on this full time.
I'm not going to tell you not to post complaints like these, but I am going to tell you that they annoy us.
Write the article. Send it to me. The e-mail address to use is in the FAQ at the top of the page.
As much as I would love to write an article about any of the Spring Training games, I have been totally unable to listen to or watch even one. Sorry -- it's just not going to happen unless someone can step up and do it.
The regular season Game Reports are a scheduled thing that we all make time to write. Unfortunately, we just do not have the time to do them for Spring Training. Personally, I wanted to do Reports on some of the WBC games, but I've only caught part of two different games and have not had enough time to write anything up.
It really is a case of "you get what you pay for" -- all of us on the Roster shell out time and money to run this place (I've personally put about $2000 into Photo of the Day for the upcoming season and haven't shot a single photograph yet), and without any kind of income from Batter's Box we cannot leave our day jobs to work on this full time.
I'm not going to tell you not to post complaints like these, but I am going to tell you that they annoy us.
I'm not going to tell you not to post complaints like these, but I am going to tell you that they annoy us.
Totally understandable. I think all people are really asking for, or at least what I would ask for, is just a new thread every couple days where we can talk about the recent Jays games and post links to interesting baseball articles. Those types of threads that are found here everyday during the regular season are some of my favorite site content and now that Spring training has started, I miss them.
Maybe it was a miscommunication or a misunderstanding but I thought the most recent Notes thread was for talking about Barry Bonds and steroids. Im prepared to accept that that could be just my own personal stupidity, but that is what I thought. So when Ive been visiting the site the last couple days it looks to me like there hasnt been a new Roundup-type thread in almost a week.
The work that goes into the site is very much appreciated. I check everyday and Id be lying if I said I wasnt concerned by the recent perceived inactivity. Concerned not because I think anyone on this site owes me anything, but concerned because I really really enjoy what you guys have built here and I dont want to lose it.
Just a reminder, today's game is on the Fan. Josh Banks takes on the Reds. Come talk in the Live Chat, it'll be a hoot.
Well if everyone in the world didn't speak up b/c they thought they were going to annoy someone, then we'd have a pretty quiet world. I'm not too worried about that.
But anyways, I asked how does someone go about making new threads, I didn't ask how I go about writing articles. There are more than enough articles to read here, that's not the problem. What I'm trying to get accross is I feel that members don't have a sense of where to post. All I'm asking for is a round up thread, something with a box score, a couple links to a couple newspapers articles, or bluejays.com articles and a place for people to post about the Jays & the players in Florida.
I realize I don't pay squat, but I have a funny feeling that the $2000 you spent on the Photo of the Day (we're going to have Photo's posted EVERY day??) is something that you probably bought for personal use as well.
But anyways, I asked how does someone go about making new threads, I didn't ask how I go about writing articles. There are more than enough articles to read here, that's not the problem. What I'm trying to get accross is I feel that members don't have a sense of where to post. All I'm asking for is a round up thread, something with a box score, a couple links to a couple newspapers articles, or bluejays.com articles and a place for people to post about the Jays & the players in Florida.
I realize I don't pay squat, but I have a funny feeling that the $2000 you spent on the Photo of the Day (we're going to have Photo's posted EVERY day??) is something that you probably bought for personal use as well.
Speaking for myself, I wasn't requesting someone write an article or full analysis on the Jays or anything. I was only saying that a fresh thread would nice. The reason being it has been frowned upon to post off topic comments in threads that have specific purposes. For example, my post will not at all relate to the game between Canada and S Africa.
At any rate, I recently received my fresh copy of Baseball prospectus. Once again they are bullish on the Jays. All and all I have enjoyed what I have read. I highly recommend the ST. Louis Cardinals essay, and Gary Huckaby's piece entitled "where does statistical analysis fall down? Reality and perception."
(I’m not sure what is appropriate to comment on in terms of protected content.)
In Blue Jays related news:
-We do not have a top fifty prospect by their list.
-Ricky Romero does not get a profile in the team section. This is more a function of our pitching depth than any thing else. Plus BP would not have much to offer in terms of performance analysis for Romero. However, I would have been more curious to hear about their take on him over say Jesse Carlson.
- boiled down our off-season moves by saying that we got a pitcher with a "spotty track record of heath and performance, another who ranks among the games most overrated, and a third baseman with potential injury concerns."
-Assuming it is BJ they call overrated, I don't like this sentiment. Especially when they also say in BJ's write up that he vaulted himself front the top rank of closers and his peripherals were dominating. They do make the point that expecting him to repeat his career year five tomes may be stretching it.
-They call Overbay "Low upside, low power, high OBP..." Uhh guys, he would have been our third best slugger last year behind Vernon and (ahem...) Frank Catalantto. While he is not your prototypical first baseman, he is a good hitter and will improve our line up.
-They also harped on the Koskie, and Delgado deals again.
-BP admits that we are an improved team, however says that we were not as good last year as we thought we were. Pointing to our fortunate amount of runs scored based on our hits and walks. To sum up their commentary we will be better than last year, but we will fall short of the playoffs.
See you guys in the live chat.
At any rate, I recently received my fresh copy of Baseball prospectus. Once again they are bullish on the Jays. All and all I have enjoyed what I have read. I highly recommend the ST. Louis Cardinals essay, and Gary Huckaby's piece entitled "where does statistical analysis fall down? Reality and perception."
(I’m not sure what is appropriate to comment on in terms of protected content.)
In Blue Jays related news:
-We do not have a top fifty prospect by their list.
-Ricky Romero does not get a profile in the team section. This is more a function of our pitching depth than any thing else. Plus BP would not have much to offer in terms of performance analysis for Romero. However, I would have been more curious to hear about their take on him over say Jesse Carlson.
- boiled down our off-season moves by saying that we got a pitcher with a "spotty track record of heath and performance, another who ranks among the games most overrated, and a third baseman with potential injury concerns."
-Assuming it is BJ they call overrated, I don't like this sentiment. Especially when they also say in BJ's write up that he vaulted himself front the top rank of closers and his peripherals were dominating. They do make the point that expecting him to repeat his career year five tomes may be stretching it.
-They call Overbay "Low upside, low power, high OBP..." Uhh guys, he would have been our third best slugger last year behind Vernon and (ahem...) Frank Catalantto. While he is not your prototypical first baseman, he is a good hitter and will improve our line up.
-They also harped on the Koskie, and Delgado deals again.
-BP admits that we are an improved team, however says that we were not as good last year as we thought we were. Pointing to our fortunate amount of runs scored based on our hits and walks. To sum up their commentary we will be better than last year, but we will fall short of the playoffs.
See you guys in the live chat.
All I'm asking for is a round up thread, something with a box score, a couple links to a couple newspapers articles, or bluejays.com articles and a place for people to post about the Jays & the players in Florida.
That still takes time and effort. I'm sure everyone else would appreciate it if you could put that together every couple of days and submit it to a roster member to post as a new thread. Otherwise, I'd suggest that using the hot topics to follow active threads should suffice.
As for the rest of the comment, wow.
That still takes time and effort. I'm sure everyone else would appreciate it if you could put that together every couple of days and submit it to a roster member to post as a new thread. Otherwise, I'd suggest that using the hot topics to follow active threads should suffice.
As for the rest of the comment, wow.
I realize I don't pay squat, but I have a funny feeling that the $2000 you spent on the Photo of the Day (we're going to have Photo's posted EVERY day??) is something that you probably bought for personal use as well.
Actually, the cameras and lenses I owned previously were more than up to all of the challenges that face them. However, they were a little lacking when tasked with last year's Photo of the Day. I purchased this new equipment specifically for shooting baseball, and I doubt that it will supplant any of my other equipment for my regular shooting.
But thanks for trying to belittle or demean my contribution to the site! I surely appreciate being taken to task for spending my own money for your entertainment.
Actually, the cameras and lenses I owned previously were more than up to all of the challenges that face them. However, they were a little lacking when tasked with last year's Photo of the Day. I purchased this new equipment specifically for shooting baseball, and I doubt that it will supplant any of my other equipment for my regular shooting.
But thanks for trying to belittle or demean my contribution to the site! I surely appreciate being taken to task for spending my own money for your entertainment.
I'm sure everyone else would appreciate it if you could put that together every couple of days and submit it to a roster member to post as a new thread.
Exactly! Send the raw HTML to the address for pinch hits listed in the FAQ and I'll put it up.
Exactly! Send the raw HTML to the address for pinch hits listed in the FAQ and I'll put it up.
Woops, misplaced coma. That should read: ...
Be very careful with those misplaced comas, TJC: they can (whoops) kill you.
Be very careful with those misplaced comas, TJC: they can (whoops) kill you.
If you guys want money so badly, just put up a PayPal link. It isn't hard.
I've tried donating in the past, but haven't found an avenue to do so.
I've tried donating in the past, but haven't found an avenue to do so.
King Ryan, this is obviously not a plea for donations. Our point is that this is a labour of love, and that there isn't a single author here who doesn't have other professional or academic priorities.
Has our Jays content been a little sparse lately? Sure. That's partly because, as Magpie explained, there is not a single position battle in camp. It's partly because we're working hard on season previews for all 30 teams. And it's partly because we haven't taken as much initiative as we should thinking up new material. I will note, though, Gerry's interviews, Mick's Hall of Names, Mike Green's Hall Watch, etc. have all been superb this offseason.
Think it through -- the "meat" of this site starts in April with our Jays coverage, the Minor League Updates, the Photos of the Week and Advance Scouts. And it'll all be written before or after work or class, depending on the author, when we all could be doing other things with other people.
We don't begrudge you or the other readers. In a way, it's a compliment that people want to read more of our writing. But just keep in mind that we don't have offices or interns or editors; it's just some friends spread out across North America contributing whatever time and effort they can.
Have patience. Once the big league and minor league seasons begin, once preparation for the draft begins in earnest, and once opponents start rolling into town, Batter's Box will once again be the place to be.
Has our Jays content been a little sparse lately? Sure. That's partly because, as Magpie explained, there is not a single position battle in camp. It's partly because we're working hard on season previews for all 30 teams. And it's partly because we haven't taken as much initiative as we should thinking up new material. I will note, though, Gerry's interviews, Mick's Hall of Names, Mike Green's Hall Watch, etc. have all been superb this offseason.
Think it through -- the "meat" of this site starts in April with our Jays coverage, the Minor League Updates, the Photos of the Week and Advance Scouts. And it'll all be written before or after work or class, depending on the author, when we all could be doing other things with other people.
We don't begrudge you or the other readers. In a way, it's a compliment that people want to read more of our writing. But just keep in mind that we don't have offices or interns or editors; it's just some friends spread out across North America contributing whatever time and effort they can.
Have patience. Once the big league and minor league seasons begin, once preparation for the draft begins in earnest, and once opponents start rolling into town, Batter's Box will once again be the place to be.
I didn't ask for money -- I asked for consideration because I put in time and money.
<i>But thanks for trying to belittle or demean my contribution to the site! I surely appreciate being taken to task for spending my own money for your entertainment.</i>
I'm pretty sure the Pictures last year looks just fine.
Did you really need to spend 2 gino's on new equipment just to make the pictures better on this site? Probably not.
Did you need to tell me and everyone else that you spent that money on equipement? Definitely not.
Anyways, I see that we have a new Thread so complaining did work.
Even if you don't post Links or type more than 10 words in a new thread, it just gives the community a place to talk about the Blue Jays, something that has been lacking.
Anyways, Thank you. I look forward to get the feel back that made me come to this site everyday.
I'm pretty sure the Pictures last year looks just fine.
Did you really need to spend 2 gino's on new equipment just to make the pictures better on this site? Probably not.
Did you need to tell me and everyone else that you spent that money on equipement? Definitely not.
Anyways, I see that we have a new Thread so complaining did work.
Even if you don't post Links or type more than 10 words in a new thread, it just gives the community a place to talk about the Blue Jays, something that has been lacking.
Anyways, Thank you. I look forward to get the feel back that made me come to this site everyday.
I understand all of that, Mike. I really don't miss the Roundups at all since I hardly read them anyway. I am not the one complaining with the content this offseason.
What I am tired of, is being beaten over the head with the idea that we (the readers) don't contribute and shouldn't complain or voice our opinions. In the other thread, Magpie quotes a roster member (probably Burley) as saying that we can't complain until we start mailing in cheques.
So, let us. Let us contribute. You can't yell at us for not contributing when you don't give us a chance.
What I am tired of, is being beaten over the head with the idea that we (the readers) don't contribute and shouldn't complain or voice our opinions. In the other thread, Magpie quotes a roster member (probably Burley) as saying that we can't complain until we start mailing in cheques.
So, let us. Let us contribute. You can't yell at us for not contributing when you don't give us a chance.
You can't yell at us for not contributing when you don't give us a chance.
I note that the phrase "pinch hit" appears 4 times in this thread already. I note also that there's a difference between "a chance to contribute" and "total free reign".
Burley has not been a member of the Roster for quite some time.
We're constantly soliciting contributions -- written contributions. We get very, very few.
We're constantly soliciting contributions -- written contributions. We get very, very few.
I'm pretty sure the Pictures last year looks just fine.
Well, I'm pretty sure they didn't. They have all manner of technical issues, and they were done primarily in a slow, costly manner.
Did you need to tell me and everyone else that you spent that money on equipement? Definitely not.
I cannot allow to stand the concept that the contributions we make, in time and money, are small or insignificant. So yes, I had to illustrate it.
As to "needing" to spend it, I spent $2000 up front to minimize my outlay over the course of the year for Photo of the Day, which became far too expensive last year. In the end, I will have spent less for '06 and delivered more and better results. My options were to spend a good chunk of money and create Photo of the Day, or to not spend it and not create it. I want to continue to do it, because I enjoy it. But I didn't need to do it any more than we need to do any part of Batter's Box.
Well, I'm pretty sure they didn't. They have all manner of technical issues, and they were done primarily in a slow, costly manner.
Did you need to tell me and everyone else that you spent that money on equipement? Definitely not.
I cannot allow to stand the concept that the contributions we make, in time and money, are small or insignificant. So yes, I had to illustrate it.
As to "needing" to spend it, I spent $2000 up front to minimize my outlay over the course of the year for Photo of the Day, which became far too expensive last year. In the end, I will have spent less for '06 and delivered more and better results. My options were to spend a good chunk of money and create Photo of the Day, or to not spend it and not create it. I want to continue to do it, because I enjoy it. But I didn't need to do it any more than we need to do any part of Batter's Box.
Agreed b/c you Enjoy it.
We're going to have a Photo of the Day Thread every day this summer??
We're going to have a Photo of the Day Thread every day this summer??
Burley has not been a member of the Roster for quite some time.
My apologies. I didn't mean that seriously -- I'm not great at conveying humour.
Yes, I realize we can send in a so-called "pinch-hit." But that really isn't the point. When reader JB21 requests a new NFN thread, he gets yelled at because he doesn't volunteer his time like the roster does. If JB21 had sent in a pinch-hit in the past, would that have changed things? Would you all have said "Well, JB21 has contributed in the past so he's allowed to voice his concern?"
I mean don't get me wrong. I appreciate the work that most of you do. I really love this website -- it's been my homepage for three years. But sometimes I feel like certain indviduals get a little haughty because they chose to donate something to the site that many of us don't have the opportunity to do.
Remember, in a Pena, there is no distinguishable difference between the members and the non-members. :-)
Every weekday, like last summer. Weekend doesn't get enough traffic.
In addition, more articles will be illustrated with photographs (like the O-Dog Gone But Not Forgotten thread, which was sort of a style test).
In addition, more articles will be illustrated with photographs (like the O-Dog Gone But Not Forgotten thread, which was sort of a style test).
Nice, the O-Dogg pic is my wallpaper. It's very nice.
But sometimes I feel like certain indviduals get a little haughty because they chose to donate something to the site that many of us don't have the opportunity to do.
I think that we get our backs up when the suggestion is made that we're not doing something or that we should hop to it and provide something. F'rinstance, I can tell you that some of the guys who've put a lot of effort into season previews are frustrated that there's a new one every single day but people are complaining of a lack of stuff to talk about.
I think that we get our backs up when the suggestion is made that we're not doing something or that we should hop to it and provide something. F'rinstance, I can tell you that some of the guys who've put a lot of effort into season previews are frustrated that there's a new one every single day but people are complaining of a lack of stuff to talk about.