Local Pitcher Called Up To The Bigs

Courtesy of MadFriars.com

*UPDATE* Scribner managed to get into last night's game against the Braves. Evan pitched 2 scoreless innings, giving up 2 hits and walking 1. An impressive debut to say the least. 

So I just got word that Evan Scribner has been called up to the San Diego Padres today. Scribner was a former pitcher at Shepaug High School and played for the Torrington P38s American Legion Baseball team. Scribner was called up to the Show from AAA Tucson while lefty Wade LeBlanc was sent back down.

I had the opportunity to face Evan back in the day (early 2000s) and he sure was one hell of a pitcher in his younger days. Luckily the books have been burned as I'm sure I have a lifetime 0-fer against him. 

I wish nothing but the best for Evan and hopefully he can stick around the pros for a long time. He should stand as an inspiration for every aspiring youth pitcher in our local area. 


YES you can make it kids....


Here are the links to stories from the Register Citizen and the San Diego Padres

Torrington Titans Announce Special Celebrity Host for the 2011 All-Star Game

So when I heard there was going to be a "Special Guest Celebrity" hosting our big 4th of July All-Star spectacular I pretty much assumed that we got a a former big leaguer or even a local well known celebrity. I rejected the celebrity idea after only coming up with this guy as being from the local area...

Good Ol' Rip Torn

It came as a total shock to me when I received the press release saying our host for the festivities would be this man....

Are we really this desperate?

Here's the press release by the Torrington Titans printed by the Register Citizen on April 17, 2011:

In an interesting twist to the American tradition of baseball on the Fourth of July, the Torrington Titans are bringing in a special guest.

Former American Idol star, William Hung, will host the 4^th of July Bonanza at Fuessenich Park on July 4^th, 2011. Mr. Hung will perform his signature song that propelled him to stardom, “She Bangs” originally sung by Ricky Martin, as well as two to three other hits throughout the night. Once Mr. Hung has completed his performances for the evening, he will sign autographs and take pictures with his fans.

Hung, who you might remember for his “unique” performance on Fox’s American Idol reality show, which gives contestants a chance to be America’s next star, will be celebrating the 4^th of July with Titan fans in Torrington. Hung made a gallant effort at the American Idol crown but was eventually eliminated in the first round.

“We got the guy we want. His talent is remarkable, the energy that he brings is phenomenal and the Titans couldn’t be more honored that Mr. Hung is going to celebrate America’s birthday with us,” Mike O’Malley, GM of the Titans quoted.

After Mr. Hung’s run on American Idol, he has toured the country performing in many different venues and states. Hung recently performed “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” for the Toronto Blue Jays. This will be the first time that Mr. Hung will be performing in Torrington.

The Titans will play against a team of Tri-State League all-stars in an exhibition contest beginning at 6pm. A Home Run Derby is scheduled before the game beginning at 4pm with the teams comprised of sluggers from the Titans and Tri-State. Tri-State will also be bringing in a former star of its own.

Tri-State commissioner Ed Gadomski has announced that former New York Yankee Jim Bouton will pitch for the Tri-State side. A member of the 1962 World Series Champion team as well as a member of the 1963 All-Star team, Bouton has mastered the art of the knuckleball and still regularly pitches competitively. Bouton also wrote the popular baseball memoir ‘Ball Four’ “I feel very fortunate to have Jim at the ballpark on the 4^th. He is a great competitor and I’m excited that he is going to be on our side,” Gadomski stated.

“Jim Bouton played in the Tri-State League” said long-time Tri-Stater Gregg Hunt, who manages the Titans. “That’s certainly going to be interesting.” Hunt said it will be different for the college kids on the Titans to see the knuckleball in action. “I think it’s going to be a good night for both the Titans and the Tri-State League,” Hunt said.

A block party during the day will feature a performance by the ‘All in Band’ and there are discussions of a “patriotic pyrotechnics/light show” in the works following the game. The concessions will be open throughout the afternoon and evening.

General Admission for the day will be $5 for adults and $3 for kids 12 and under with children 5 and under entering for free. Part of the proceeds will go to the United Way Campership Fund, which has partnered with the Titans and Tri-State for the day. Contact GM of the Titans Mike O’Malley at michaelkomalley@gmail.com for more information.

 I love how they hype up William Hung's "phenomenal energy" and that he will be signing autographs and taking pictures with his fans (all 2 of them). This should lead to an interesting day, one that I'm sure will not help with my alcohol addiction.


A special thanks does go out to the United Way for being part of this event where parts of our proceeds for the day's activities will go. Proceeds will help the United Way Campership Fund. This program gives out scholarships to 500 local youth so they can attend one session of summer camp this year.


I end you all on this note.....

CT Tri-State Roundup: Jim Bouton

Former New York Yankee Jim Bouton has committed to playing at the 4th of July All-Star game pitting the Tri-State All Stars vs. The Torrington Titans. Jim was a member of the World Series champion 1962 New York Yankees ball club and pitched in the 1963 major league baseball all-star game. Bouton started his career with the New York Yankees in 1962. Bouton appeared in 36 games during the 1962 season, including 16 starts, and had a win-loss record of 7-7. By 1965, arm injuries unfortunately started to slow him down. In 1968, Bouton left the Yankees and played for the Seattle Pilots in 1969 and then moved on to play for the Houston Astros from 1969-1970.

Bouton retired midway through the 1970 season after the Astros sent him to the minor leagues. He moved on to local sports anchor jobs, as well as acting in a few movies and television shows. Bouton returned to baseball in 1975 with the Portland Mavericks, skipped the 1976 season, and returned in 1977 when Bill Veeck signed him to a contract with the Chicago White Sox. Bouton then went on to play for the Atlanta Braves in 1978.

Bouton is the author of Ball Four,  a controversial baseball book that is a memoir of his 1969 season, along with his years with the Yankees, Pilots, and Astros. His national bestseller revealed habits and exploits of ballplayers and exposed a side of baseball that was previously unseen.

Jim still throws 3 times a week and has mastered the knuckleball. He will use that knuckler for one inning against the Titans.

CT Tri-State League Preseason Writeup

Here is the Preseason Writeup that our Commissioner Ed Gadomski has released for the upcoming season. Great things are ahead for the league. 

The Tri-State Baseball League will feature 18 teams in the 2011 season but says good-bye to one of its long-time members, the Thomaston Spoilers. Hall-Of-Fame head coach Dave Post will ‘retire’ after 26 seasons at the helm of the Spoilers with two league championships (1989 & 2003) on his resume. The Spoiler players will migrate to other teams in the league.

Tri-State will also open its arms and say hello to a former foundation member as Lakeville rejoins the league after a twelve year absence. The Lakeville Firemen were one of the original Tri-State league members from 1968 and played in the league until 1999 with six league championships during that timeframe. Chris Lambert, owner of the Winsted Dome, will sponsor the new team, who will play under the nickname ‘Outlaws’ to distinguish Lakeville’s next chapter in the league. The Outlaws will play their home games at The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville.

Friday May 20^th is slated for opening day with a double-header scheduled at Muzzy field in Bristol. The rest of the league will open up on Sunday May 22^nd. Each team will play a 19 game regular season. The ‘top 12’ teams will play in a round-robin double-elimination tournament beginning in August to crown a league champion. Four different teams have won the league championship the past four seasons. The Bethlehem Plowboys are the defending champs after knocking off the Tri-Town Trojans in the best-of-three finals in 2010. Brass City Brew (2009 champs), Winsted Whalers (2008 champs), and Torrington Rebels (2007 champs) will all compete for another title. Rounding out the league will be the Watertown Blaze, Tribury Pavers, Terryville Black Sox, Waterbury Wild, Naugatuck Dogs, Prospect Hearts, Litchfield Cowboys, Burlington Hunters, Bristol Greeners, Amenia Monarchs, Wolcott Scrappers, and Mazda Dodge who will now play under the name of Thomaston Threshers.

A Monday 4^th of July extravaganza featuring the Tri-State ‘All-Stars’ in an exhibition game against the FCBL Torrington Titans will be played at Fuessenich Park (7pm) and will feature a pregame Home Run Derby (4pm) to raise money for the United Way. ‘Contacts’ have been made to draw some former big league ball players to the ballpark for the festivities. Contract negotiations are also underway with a ‘surprise’ mini-celebrity to join us that night. A block party in the parking lot will kick–off the days’ events starting at noon. The local band ‘Tirebiter’ will provide live band entertainment and a ‘pyrotechnic special-effects’ light show will be on display following the game to round out the days jamboree. The Fire Marshall and extra Police ‘manpower’ have been assigned as a crowd of 3000 people is expected for the game/light show. Any businesses or sponsors who would like to make a financial contribution/donation and have their ‘names’ advertised for the night please contact me for further info.

The league will also participate in several charity tournaments during the course of the year. May 14 & 15 will feature a ‘Goodwill’ tournament versus the other Stan Musial leagues in the state. A ‘Campership’ charity tournament will be held on Saturday June 18^th at Fuessenich Park with three games scheduled to be played where all proceeds’ will be donated in the memory of Glenn Winn (son of Torrington Park & Rec administrator Donna Winn) to the Campership Foundation. Tri-State will send a representative to the PAL tournament fundraiser in Manchester the third week of August and will play in an all-star game versus the Wallingford Twilight League to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness in September. In addition, five teams will also qualify to play in the Stan Musial state tournament the last week of July with a chance to advance to the AABC regional and national tournament. The 2011 Old Timers Day game and Hall-Of-Fame ceremony will be played at Doc Bartlett Field in Amenia, NY on Sunday June 5^th.

Tri-State has joined ‘I-Score Baseball Scorekeeper’ for the 2011 season and will keep digital real-time stats of every game automatically uploaded to the league website where teams, players, and season long statistics can be tracked separately at the touch of a button as well as the ability to view any scored game of the season. I-Score gives the capability to post pitch-by-pitch updates to the internet so that people who cannot attend the game in person can follow along on the league website.

The Jamie Moyer of the Tri-State League

Probably throwing a 50mph Curveball

I for one don't believe that I'm a great pitcher. If anything I could be labeled as a crafty lefty righty. The only time I thought that I could even pitch at a higher level say college was during my sophomore year in high school. Back then I could actually throw the ball with decent velocity and felt somewhat dominant over high school batters. My junior year on the varsity squad left me with limited innings due to having a bunch of seniors on the team that our coach felt deserved more playing time than I thought they needed. Whenever I was given the chance I tried to make the most of it and ended up pitching in some memorable moments that I will surely never forget. I hurt my back during my senior year and pitched the last inning of our last game of the season, hurling a 1-2-3, 9-pitch inning consisting of only fastballs because my body hurt to much to attempt anything else. I was never the same pitcher after that initial back injury and many more serious medical problems arose in my life including Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma which made me a shell of my former self. Because of these issues I had to learn how to adapt if I were to continue competing on a level with past, present, and future college players and pros.

I lost the ability to throw a "Fast"ball with any credible velocity and because of this I had to come up with a repertoire of pitches to complement this pitch. After several seasons of tinkering I finally came up with two main pitches that worked well with my fastball. The first one is my bread and butter pitch, the curveball. After listening to Bert Blyleven talk about Sandy Koufax's "drop ball," I began to do my research and discovered how both held theirs and tried it out for myself. It has now been labeled by my teammates as the "Gravity Ball" since it probably comes at you at 50mph but breaks from your head to your toes. Most guys either swing and miss at this or pop it out to the infield. The other pitch I use is a slider. I hold it just like a normal curveball but release it like I was turning a doorknob instead of coming straight over the top. The beauty of this pitch is that it looks just like a straight ball coming in and breaks at the last second usually missing the fat part of the bat and sending batters into a fit of expletives. 

For the past six seasons I have been using these pitches to frustrate batters in our league. One team in particular that I know hates me is the Winsted Whalers. I have beat them every time I have faced them and on many occasions beat them while facing off against their ace, Donny Crossman, who in my opinion is one of the top pitchers in our league and has plenty of accolades to show. Crossman has even said it himself that they just can't figure out how to hit me. It just goes to show sometimes that guts and determination can triumph over brute and strength. 

I find it funny at times when catchers ask me what pitches I am going to throw before a game. A chuckle and wry smile creeps up on my face and I say, "1, 2, 3...Changeup, Curveball, Slider." They get the joke and chuckle as well.

Later I'll post pictures of the pitches I throw along with a side story for each....check back later.

Tri-State Winter League Bonus Stop

Courtesy of Team Connecticut Baseball

This afternoon at 2:00pm my winter league team will be facing off against CCSU's Co-Rec baseball at Central's beautiful artificial turf field in New Britain. I have never played there myself but have been told by teams that played there last week that it is truly a great place to play. Can't Wait. I'll be sure to post updates if anything exciting pops up during the game. Stay tuned...

Aces In An Early Season Hole

(Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

 "I felt good. But when you're going against another team's No. 1 and give up four runs, you're going to lose,"   -David Price on his outing against Baltimore.

Here's the list of pitchers from yesterday's slate that ended up struggling taking either the loss for their team or ending up with a no decision: David Price, Jon Lester, Ubaldo Jimenez,  CJ Wilson, Fausto Carmona, Carl Pavano, and Mike Pelfrey. That is one hell of an All-Star caliber list of guys right there. As David Price stated above, if you give up 4 runs facing off against the other teams ace, you will most likely lose.


The start that stood out most to me was Jon Lester's against the Rangers. Lester lacked command of most of pitches throughout the outing giving up 3 home runs. It was the first time in his career that he gave up 3 dingers in a start. At one point Lester hit 2 batters in an inning and left his pitches out over the plate and missed Jarrod Saltalamacchia's glove way too much resulting in giving up 5 earned runs. His stat line for the outing was as follows:

Jon Lester: 5.1 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 HR, 1 BB, 0 K, 2 HBP

The Red Sox will need a quick turnaround from Lester with the uncertainty of Josh Beckett and in my opinion the ugliest pitcher to watch throw a game, Daisuke Matsuzaka. Lester does have a history of terrible April starts and since 2008 has an ERA of over 8. I expect nothing but improvement from Lester but as for opening day starts goes, this one was ugly.

*Do note that even as a Yankee fan I have nothing against Jon Lester. In fact we both share something big in common both having fought Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma at around the same time. 

Utley, Werth? Who Needs Them? Meet Valdez and Mayberry Jr.

Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images

In what seemed like an eventual opening day loss for Philadelphia Phillies turned into an exciting 5-4 comeback win. Chase Utley’s replacement at second base, Wilson Valdez tied the game at 4 with a bases loaded single to left field in the ninth inning. Brandon Lyon blew the save for the Houston Astros, giving up 3 earned runs on 6 hits, one of those hits being the game winner to pinch hitter John Mayberry Jr. who lined a shot over Michael Bourn in center field.

Brett Myers almost seemingly outdueled Roy Halladay on what would have started a media frenzy on the over hyped Phillies starting rotation had the Phils lost. In the end it was both teams’ faltering bullpens that led to the late inning dramatics.

Opening Day 2011: The Unofficial National Holiday

There is not a day more anticipated by baseball fans than opening day. Everyone for at least one day is in first place and everything just seems right. With six games leading off the season there was plenty to be excited about and the games didn't disappoint. Here's a recap of my version of Christmas...

 

(Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

 Tigers 3, Yankees 6

Mike Mussina threw out the ceremonial first pitch (a sentimental favorite of mine) as the Yanks took on the Tigers in the Bronx on a gloomy dreary day but came out on top in this one. Mark Teixeira managed to blast a 3-run bomb off of Justin Verlander and the player of the game, Curtis Granderson had the biggest hit of the day putting the Yanks in the lead for good with a solo homer off of former Yankee Phil Coke (a lefty might I add). Granderson also made 2 spectacular catches in the games. The Yankees' improved bullpen took over for CC Sabathia and held Detroit in check the rest of the way for the win. Joba Chamberlain, Rafael Soriano, and Mariano Rivera earned the Win, a Hold, and Save respectively.

Celebrate. (Associated Press)

Brewers 6, Reds 7

Offense was a big deal in this matchup and the Brew Crew took on the Reds in Cincy. Back to Back homers by Rickie Weeks and Carlos Gomez started the game while Ryan Braun added his own solo shot. Milwaukee took a 6-3 lead to the ninth where it all seemed to unravel. John Axford blew the save for the Brewers when he gave up a 2 out, 3-run walkoff oppo homer to Ramon Hernandez and the Reds continued with their 2010 ways by stealing another win from an NL Central team.

Braves 2, Nationals 0

Derek Lowe was on his game and held the Nats scoreless while Jason Heyward added another opening day homer to his resume.

Angels 4, Royals 2

Anaheim's bullpen almost let this one slip away but otherwise the Angels looked like their old winning selves beating KC 4-2. Jared Weaver pitched 2-hit ball into the seventh and homers by Torii Hunter and Jeff Mathis led the offense for LAA.

Padres 5, Cardinals 3 F/11

They needed eleven innings to settle this opener. Albert Pujols GIDP'd 3 times in this one (must be the contract....joking). Cameron Maybin his a solo shot for the Padres and his single in the 11th led to the Padres taking the lead and holding on for the win.

Giants 1, Dodgers 2

3 Giant errors were costly against Los Angeles as Clayton Kershaw dominated the Giant's offense for a 2-1 win in LA.