Tuesday, October 19, 2010

HERR DEPARTS LANCASTER, OTANEZ HITS MORE HOMERS AND TALK OF ONE MORE PENNSYLVANIA FRANCHISE

The extent of professionalism throughout the managerial ranks was one of the most pleasant aspects of my summer in covering the Atlantic League for my Atlantic League Notebook. Tom Herr was in the upper echelon, too, so I reacted with a touch of disappointment when I learned Tuesday morning he was out as manager of the Lancaster Barnstormers.

This is not choosing sides between the team and Herr because the 'Stormers surely know their business, and the team's new skipper (to be announced later today) most likely will fit a similar mould.

Herr certainly showed his skill in keeping Lancaster in the playoff hunt after such players as Matt Watson, Brett Harper and Jason Perry left and no less than seven pitchers departed for affiliated organizations or to satisfy personal needs.

WILLIS OTANEZ STILL HITTING HOMERS

It should come as no surprise that Willis Otanez wielded one of the big bats that carried the Dominican Republic to the title in the World Cup Qualifier played in Puerto Rico.

The husky 37-year-old, who has shuttled between the Atlantic League (Bridgeport, Newark and late this season Long Island) and Mexico since 2002, had a pair of two-run homers in key games, first in second round play against Cuba and later in the 7-2semifinal victory over Team USA.

Otanez went 0-for-2 in the 5-2 finals win over Cuba although he scored a run in the five-run first inning. Victor Mercedes, who left Bridgeport during the Atlantic League championship series in order to earn a bigger paycheck in the Qualifier, drove in the final run in that inning. He was with Newark one year ago. Alberto Castillo, the regular catcher for the Dominicans, went 1-for-3 in the championship game. He has played for Camden, Newark and Long Island, and was in the major leagues (Baltimore) earlier this season.

ANOTHER TEAM IN PENNSYLVANIA?

It is pretty early in the game to understand the chances of it happening (or what league would be involved), but about 175 people turned out in West Chester, PA (mere miles west of Philadelphia) to discuss a plan for a multi-use stadium which would include a minor league team.

The presentation was held at the Chester County Historical Society, and DailyLocal.com said applause indicated most of the attendees were supporters of the concept.

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