Padres Strike a Blow for Texas

The Padres took another step in their quest to become the National League team of Texas when their AA affiliate San Antonio threw a no-hitter in the Lone Star state.  Three Missions' pitchers completed their gem at Whataburger Field in Corpus Christi.

The Missions starter, James Needy faced one batter over the minimum in seven innings of work.  He allowed only an infield single to the Hooks' Rene Garcia in the sixth inning; however, after the game, the official scorer ruled that the hit had actually been an error.

Needy was relieved by Frank Garces and R.J. Alvarez.  The duo wrapped up a 6-0 Missions win by throwing one perfect inning of relief each.  San Antonio now leads their season series with Corpus Christi 13 games to nine.

Jason Lane to Make First Big League Start Today

UPDATE:  Lane took the loss in his debut. However, he pitched six scoreless innings against the Braves.  At one point, he retired 14 of 16 batters.  He allowed a solo home run in the 7th inning.  His final line was 6 IP, 6 hits and 1 run allowed.  He also picked up a base hit at the plate.

Jason Lane is scheduled to make his first big league start as a pitcher Monday afternoon in Atlanta for the San Diego Padres.  Lane, who made two relief appearances for the Padres earlier in the season, has started 19 games for AAA El Paso so far in 2014.

Lane, 37, won his most recent start for the Chihuahuas on Wednesday against Sacramento.  In that contest, Lane allowed two earned runs in six innings.  He also went 3 for 3 with a home run at the plate.

Feet in Your Shoes

  There's no limit to the places you will go if you have brains in your head and feet in your shoes.

The Brady Bunch- Astros' Edition

UPDATE: Thanks to Cassie an intern at Sports Radio 610, who put these lyrics to music earlier today, and to Ryan McCredden, the station's Program Director, who posted the audio here.

After an intriguing six-week run, season one of The Brady Bunch- Astros' Edition will come to a close Friday afternoon at 4 pm (Central Time).  The ground breaking program included mystery, medicine, comedy and drama.

Following are the lyrics to the show's theme song.  Thanks to the karaoke version at this link, you can sing along while you wait for the final episode to air.

THE BRADY BUNCH- Astros' Edition

Here's a story of a kid named Brady

Who was pitching and wowing all  the scouts

He was every GM's dream, a can't miss prospect

A future star no doubt

Here's the story of the Houston Astros

Just a baseball team hoping for some wins

They were young and they needed talent

To reach the top again

"Til the one day when the Astros drafted Brady

Unaware his pitching ligament was gone(or mostly gone?)

And this tale which started out so simply

Kept going on and on

The Brady Bunch

The Brady Bunch

That's the way they became the Brady Bunch

c2014 Royal Worm

This post was made possible by Baseball Cards for Sale.  If baseball cards are your thing, check out Baseball Cards for Sale.

The Hungry Caterpillar

  Many people don't know that Eric Carle's very hungry caterpillar had desert on its road to becoming a butterfly.  This culinary tale completes his meal.

Wiffle Ball was Awesome! Thanks, Skeeters

I can't speak for the other activities offered at the Skeeters' Fan Fest on Tuesday night at Constellation Field, but the Pros vs. Joes Wiffle Ball game was a big hit. The experience was definitely worth the drive to Sugar Land.

Over the course of about 90 minutes, all 16 fans who were randomly selected as part of the promotion played a 30 minute game on the field with and/or against a few Atlantic League all-stars. Those all-stars are in town to take on the Skeeters in Wednesday night's Atlantic League All-Star Game, which can be viewed on ESPN3.

Note to the Skeeters in case they do this event or something like it again:  While the event was promoted as "Pros vs. Joes", it was more fun in my opinion to be on a team with Joes and Pros playing againsta another team of Joes AND Pros.

I was teamed up with Adam Donachie of Somerset, Amadeo Zazueta of Southern Maryland, and a (I think) high school kid named Jarred(Spelling?).  The format of the games wasn't crucial, but it was an added bonus to be on a team with a few all-stars.

I could complain about James Simmons of Bridgeport hitting three home runs off of my pitching. Honestly though, it was my fault for hanging my curve ball up in the strike zone against him.

My compliments to the Skeeters for putting together such a neat promotion on the Tuesday night before the all-star game when their field became available on relatively short notice. Thanks.

"Bat Man" is Coming to Constellation Field

Atlantic League All-Stars, be warned!  Bat Man is coming to the Wiffle Ball match at Constellation Field on Tuesday night.

The "Bat Man" shirt pictured above was my uniform of choice for many summers of slow pitch softball on the fields of St.Mark Lutheran in the Spring Branch area.  The shirt had been retired for a few seasons. However, when I learned I had been selected to play in the Skeeters' Pros vs. Joes Wiffle Ball game on Tuesday night, I thought it would be appropriate to pull it out of the closet for a one-time appearance.

Unfortunately, the original shirt is in worse shape than I remembered. To put it nicely, its structural integrity has been compromised, and it can no longer be worn in public.

Fortunately, work is currently being done on a replacement "Bat Man" shirt, which should be ready by game time!  So, note to the Skeeters, if walk-up music is part of the agenda for the wiffle ball game, here is my request.

The Wiffle Ball game is part of the Skeeters' Free Fan Fest on Tuesday night.  The event includes family friendly events and a concert by Kevin Fowler.

This Sweet Swing is "Going Pro"

Finally, the sweet swing pictured above will be seen on a professional baseball field!  I just received word from the Sugar Land Skeeters that I was randomly selected to participate in the team's "Pros vs. Joes Wiffle Ball Game" on Tuesday, July 15 at Constellation Field.

The game is part of the Skeeters' All-Star Fan Fest, which is free to all attendees.  Sugar Land is hosting the Atlantic League All-Star Game on July 16.  My understanding is that Skeeters fans will be facing off against the Atlantic League all-stars, so Adam Bailey and all-time Atlantic League save leader, Jim Ed Warden had best bring their "A" game.

I am confident that participating in this game will be a blast.  I began my quest to play on a professional field when I was still blogging about the Astros of the Future.

The Skeeters Prepare to Take on the East Coast

The Sugar Land Skeeters will take on 22 representatives of the other seven teams in the Atlantic League during the league's All-Star Game scheduled for Wednesday, July 16 at Constellation Field. Skeeters' manager Gary Gaetti will utilize his regular season roster in the match up against the East Coast's best.  The contest will be streamed live on ESPN 3.

The "East Coast" roster:

Adam Bailey, OF, Long Island
Adam Donchie, C, Somerset
Lew Ford, OF, Long Island
Shaun Garceau, P, Long Island
Cole Garner, OF, Lancaster
Matt Gorgen, P, Camden
Tim Gustafson, P, Bridgeport
Jake Hale, P, Camden
Erik Hamren, P, Southern Maryland
Alex Hudak, DH, Camden
Rommie Lewis, P, York
Jake Limonta, 1B, York
Eric Patterson, 2B, York
Chris Schwinden, P, Lancaster
Corey Smith, 3B, Somerset
James Simmons, OF, Bridgeport
J.R. Towles, C, Bridgeport
Wilson Valdez, SS, York
Jim Ed Warden, P, Southern Maryland(All-Time Atlantic League Saves Leader)
Lance Zawadzki, UT, Lancaster
Amadeo Zazueta, UT, Southern Maryland
Matt Zielinski, P, Somerset

Clemens Softball Game Finds a New Home

Originally scheduled to take place at Constellation Field, Roger Clemens' celebrity softball game is now scheduled for Minute Maid Park on July 15.  The event, which benefits Clemens' foundation, has been promoted by the Sugar Land Skeeters as taking place at their stadium as recently as July 1 in game notes. (If the previous link is blank, try this one).  July 15 is the day before the Atlantic League All-Star Game, which is being held at Constellation Field.

Roger Clemens pitched two games for Sugar Land in 2012.  His son, Koby had been a member of the Skeeters since September 2012.  However, he was released on Thursday, June 26 according to the Atlantic League website. 

Clemens Released by Sugar Land

According to the Atlantic League Transactions page, the Sugar Land Skeeters released Koby Clemens on Thursday, June 26. Clemens, 27, played 126 games for the Skeeters from 2012-14.  He hit 22 home runs.  In 30 games this season, Clemens posted a .190 batting average.

After Further Review, I think the Skeeters ARE Eliminated

After checking the Atlantic League's tie breaking procedures(page 32 of this link), and doing some research of 2014 game results, I have concluded that, contrary to what I posted earlier,  Sugar Land actually was eliminated from contention for a first half division title when they lost Friday night to Southern Maryland.  Here is why:

If the Skeeters win their game against Southern Maryland tonight, and Lancaster defeats York Saturday and Sunday, the first half standings would look like this:

Lancaster-40-29- ---
York-40-30- 1/2
Skeeters-39-30- 1

This standing would appear to necessitate Lancaster(against Somerset) and Sugar Land(against Long Island) making up a first half games that were rained out.  If Lancaster loses their make up game and Sugar Land wins theirs, the FREEDOM DIVSION would end in a three-way tie.

Lancaster- 40-30- ------
York- 40- 30- ------
Skeeters- 40- 30- -------

However, in the case of such a three-way tie, the Skeeters would lose out to Lancaster.  Based on this fact, Sugar Land has no chance of claiming the first half division title of the Freedom Division and the  play-off berth that goes with it.

HOW DOES THE TIE-BREAKER WORK?

In the case of a three-way tie, the first tie breaker in the Atlantic League is "head to head to head" records amongst the three tied teams. If the above scenario plays out, Lancaster would have the edge in this tie-breaker over York and Sugar Land.

Head to Head to Head

Lancaster-13-11(vs. SL-7-4; vs. York-6-7*)- Lancaster wins the division
York- 10-11(vs. SL-3-5; vs. Lancaster-7-6*)
Skeeters- 9-10(vs. York-5-3; vs. Lancaster-4-7)

*York and Lancaster's head to head record is based on Lancaster beating York Saturday and Sunday.

Skeeters on the Brink of Elimination

UPDATE on Saturday Afternoon: The Skeeters won their first game against Southern Maryland Saturday.  After that game, Ira Liebman indicated on the game broadcast that the Skeeters own the tiebreaker if that were to come into play.  In other words, if Lancaster and Sugar Land's make up games become relevant, and Sugar Land wins their make up game while Lancaster loses theirs, the Skeeters would win the division.

After losing on Friday night at Southern Maryland, Sugar Land is on the brink of being eliminated from the first half Liberty Division race.  The Skeeters need the following results Saturday and Sunday to keep a glimmer of hope alive.

Sugar Land sweeps Southern Maryland in Saturday's doubleheader.
Lancaster beats York on Saturday AND Sunday.


This would leave the first half standings as follows:

Lancaster-40-29- -----
York-40-30- 1/2
SL-   39- 30- 1

Lancaster and Sugar Land each had a rain out in the first half.  The standings seen above would make those rain outs relevant.  In that case, I assume the games would be made up and the first half title would be decided at some point in the second half.

Skeeters Have a Chance Heading into the Last Week of Season's First Half

Heading into the final week of the first half of the Atlantic League season, Sugar Land has an outside chance at winning the first half championship of the league's Freedom Division.  The Skeeters are currently in third place in the division behind York and Lancaster.

Standings
York- 40-28-  ---
Lancaster-38-29- 1.5
Skeeters- 37-30- 2.5

Remaining Games

York
at Lancaster(2)

Lancaster
at Somerset(1)-Rain Out
vs. York(2)

Sugar Land
at Southern Maryland(2)

#-Note, the Skeeters had a game rained out vs. Long Island late in May. This game will be made up at some point in the second half(and counted as a first half game) if it has a bearing on the division title.  Otherwise, it is my understanding that it will not be made up.

After I Ate Green Eggs and Ham

What happened to Dr. Seuss' beloved character after he ate green eggs and ham?  This tells his tale.

Kansas City Releases Nannini

The second stop in Mike Nannini's comeback to professional baseball has ended.  The Kansas City T-Bones of the American Association released Nannini on Wednesday after three starts.  He pitched a total of 17 innings for the T-Bones, allowing 26 hits and posting a 6.35 ERA.

Barnyard Dance

  Stomp your feet, clap your hands, everybody ready for the Barnyard Dance.