Friday, July 30, 2010

THIS NOTEBOOK'S STORIES ARE NOT THE NORM

Today's (Friday) Atlantic League Notebook was extra fun to put together because most of it was not about game-time exploits. We featured these stories:

--The Atlantic League trainer who goes beyond her normal duties by using her softball experience to hit fungoes during pre-game workouts

--The success of a batting practice pitcher, who loves the involvement despite a lifetime battle with cerebral palsy

--The pet-loving outfielder who brings his parrot to work

--Yes, we also featured the latest signing by a major league organization

Subscribers receive the Atlantic League Notebook every Tuesday and Friday via email. Signup is easy elsewhere on this page or at www.WirzandAssociates.com.

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Tuesday, July 27, 2010

BRIAN ADAMS'S RETURN TO SOMERSET MOUND JUST ONE NUGGET FROM TUESDAY NOTEBOOK

Numerous stories make up each Atlantic League Notebook, a twice-a-week offering exclusively for subscribers. One of Tuesday's stories follows:

Somerset’s last place standing in the Freedom Division with a 6-12 record may look bleak, but it is far too early to count the two-time defending champions out since they only trail division-leading Lancaster by four games (five in the loss column). The Patriots, who have already tried 22 pitchers this season, have bolstered their mound staff with the return of southpaw Brian Adams from Mexico, where he was 2-0 with an imposing 1.07 ERA for 42 innings. Adams won 39 games (39-17) for Somerset the last three years, including 13 one year ago. Somerset has added three left-handed arms of late starting with Bill Pulsipher then Adams and Andrew Dobies, a 24-25 career minor leaguer.

Other highlights of the Tuesday Notebook included:

--The connection between the new Hall of Famers and Atlantic League personnel

--Which Independent league produces the most players for major league organizations? We offer all the details

--How are such Atlantic League alumni as Derrick Ellison, Dane DeLaRosa, Cory Aldridge, Charlton Jimerson, Jay Gibbons, B. J. LaMura and Buzzie Buzachero doing for their major league organizations.

You may request a free sample copy of the Atlantic League Notebook by writing albnotebook@aol.com or subscribe by hitting the link elsewhere on this page.


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Friday, July 23, 2010

THE STORY BEHIND STEVE MOSS'S CLIMB TO THE ATLANTIC LEAGUE BATTING LEADERSHIP

Steve Moss of Bridgeport, the Atlantic League batting leader, has a fascinating mentor. This story led off today's Atlantic League Notebook, a twice-a-week report to subscribers on various happenings in and around the league. Today's Notebook also included stories on the following:

--Bill Pulsipher is coming back to the Atlantic League.

--Southern Maryland loses two key offensive players to major league farm systems.

--More details surrounding Matt Watson, who hit his first major league home run this week, less than two months after leaving Lancaster.

--Another Barnstormer breaks a long streak in Japan.

--Numerous notes and stats on former Atlantic League players.

Atlantic League Notebook subscriptions or a free sample copy are available elsewhere on this page.

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Tuesday, July 20, 2010

TAKING THE PULSE OF THE DIVISION LEADERS AS YORK ADDS THREE NEW ARMS

While the majority of Tuesday's Atlantic League Notebook was devoted to checking up on the two division leaders, we also let subscribers know what was happening elsewhere in the Atlantic League, including this nugget:

York is not resting on its first-half championship since the Revolution will have three new hurlers on board by the time they begin a homestand Thursday. Two are southpaws, including one with more than 20 major league victories and a winning career record. We've got the details covered.

Subscribers have received the entire Notebook, which also included stories on the following:

--The latest on Armando Benitez's career.

--What former Atlantic League player lost his major league job today.

--Encouragement during a matinee game for defending league champion Somerset.

Subscriptions to the Atlantic League Notebook are available elsewhere on this page. Get news and commentary delivered into your email box every Tuesday and Friday.

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Friday, July 16, 2010

BILL PULSIPHER HAS HAD QUITE A SUMMER...ALREADY

One of the featured stories in the Friday Atlantic League Notebook, which has gone out in its entirety to subscribers, follows, in abbreviated form:

A longtime Atlantic League—and major league—pitcher has been in the news this week because he was declared a free agent in the independent Golden League through a loophole when the Yuma (AZ) Scorpions were late with paychecks.

Bill Pulsipher, at one time a highly coveted up-and-comer with the New York Mets and a lefty who has had four different stints at Long Island, was both the pitching coach and a starter for Yuma. The southpaw, who turns 37 in October, was the topic for a lengthy feature by The Yuma Sun newspaper’s Edward Carifio, not only because of the contract snafu but also because of Pulsipher’s ongoing battle with a general anxiety disorder which played a big role in the hotshot prospect’s loss of control.

“I want to be around the game, I want to help people out,” Pulsipher told The Sun. “I think I’ve learned a lot through my trials and tribulations—my successes and failures…” Pulsipher hopes to continue pitching this season, and to be coaching in the long run, so he can continue to help young hurlers.

Other stories in the Notebook included:

--Details on some pitchers added recently by teams hoping to make the playoffs.

--How former Atlantic League players fared in the Triple-A All-Star Game.

--Remembrances of George Steinbrenner from Atlantic League personnel.

--Updates on various Atlantic League players in affiliated leagues.

Subscriptions to the Atlantic League Notebook may be obtained from the link elsewhere on this page for only $29.95 for the balance of the season.

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Tuesday, July 13, 2010

PHILLIES TAKE TWO YOUNG RELIEVERS FROM ATLANTIC LEAGUE

The story below represents one small portion of Tuesday's Atlantic League Notebook, which has been sent to subscribers in its entirety:

Player sales out of the Atlantic League to major league organizations slowed up for a time, but Philadelphia jumped back into the picture Tuesday by purchasing two of the younger players in last week’s All-Star Game, right-hander Joe Esposito out of Long Island and lefty Derrick Loop from Camden. The sales brought the number of players moved this season, including those who went to foreign leagues, to 30, Executive Director Joe Klein said.

Both of the Philadelphia purchases had high strikeout and low hit totals. Esposito, 25, had fanned 53 hitters and allowed only 35 hits in 48.1 innings, which included four starts among 25 appearances. The New York Tech product hurled a scoreless ninth inning in the All-Star Game, and leaves the Ducks with a 3-4, 2.98 record. Loop, 26, a pickoff artist, fanned 40 batters and gave up 22 hits (no home runs) in 31.1 innings while compiling a 1.72 earned run average. He lost his only decision.

The Notebook also included these stories in detail:

--A trivia contest question on each of the Atlantic League managers, all of whom have considerable major league experience. It is a name-dropper's delight.

--How Atlantic League graduates fared in All-Star action Monday.

--The exuberant words of one player after his long-awaited first major league hit, which, ironically, almost was taken away by another player from the Atlantic League.

--An Atlantic League rememberance of Bob Sheppard.

Subscriptions to the Atlantic League Notebook are $29.95 for the season, and may easily be obtained on this very page.


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Friday, July 9, 2010

ONE KEY BLUEFISH PLAYER SOLD, OTHERS COULD FOLLOW

Here is one excerpt from Friday's Atlantic League Notebook, which has been delivered to subscribers:

Atlantic League earned run average leader Patrick Ryan’s departure to the Boston farm system could put a substantial damper on Bridgeport’s optimism for the second half, but the most awkward fact for the Bluefish is they could have any number of other players somewhere on the radar of major league organizations. Leftfielder Steve Moss has not hurt his chances of being noticed by leading the league in batting (.344) and winning the MVP award for the All-Star Game and rightfielder Charlton Jimerson was Player of the Month for June with a league-high .398 average with 11 doubles, six homers and 27 RBI in 26 games. He won the batting championship last season while with Newark.

Other highlights from the Notebook include details on the following:

--A new shortstop debuts in style for Newark

--Long Island also has a new face in a former league RBI champion

--A report on how Lancaster's first two major league graduates are doing

--A number of players have been promoted, demoted or released. We offer details.

Subscriptions to the Atlantic League Notebook are available for the season for $29.95 with details available here or at www.WirzandAssociates.com. Delivery is twice a week via email.


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Thursday, July 8, 2010

POWER OUTAGE A CONCERN FOR ALL-STARS; FIRST PLAYER SALE ANNOUNCED

Some leftovers from Tuesday's Atlantic League All-Star Game...

--Now it can be told that Ducks officials were genuinely concerned about the warnings of a possible blackout on Long Island because of the extreme heat. Owner Frank Boulton took to the telephone himself to take any possible measures that Central Islip would be spared.

--The first confirmed sale of an All-Star is that of Bridgeport right-hander Patrick Ryan to the Boston Red Sox. The 27-year-old will report to Salem, VA of the Class A Carolina League Saturday. Ryan was the league earned run average leader (1.39), and had just been named Pitcher of the Month (5-0, 0.94 with 48 strikeouts in 38.1 innings.

--Seven scouts requested credentials with five from major league teams.

--Of the 44 players in the game, 11 have major league experience while seven have not played above Class A. Everyone else has topped out at AA or AAA to this point.

--Bridgeport first baseman Josh Phelps turned down an opportunity to play, feeling his production had not been up to his standards, although his numbers would have been better if not for a few weeks in the Cleveland farm system earlier this summer.

--Lancaster lefty Tim Hamulach had to be replaced on the Freedom all-stars, reportedly because of an arm injury. It would be a shame if the injury is major since he has been getting rave reviews for his overpowering relief work.

--Matt Watson got into his first major league game since 2005 Wednesday when he played leftfield and hit eighth in Oakland's 6-2 loss to the New York Yankees. The recent Lancaster outfielder went 0-for-3. Watson is the second Barnstormer to reach the majors, following reliever Scott Patterson, currently in Triple-A with Seattle.

--League batting leader Steve Moss of Bridgeport (.343) was MVP after hitting a two-run homer (2-for-2 plus a walk and two runs scored) in the Liberty Division's 7-1 triumph and Josh Pressley of Somerset took the home run-hitting championship by belting three out of Citibank Park with only one failed swing remaining in the second playoff round. He edged the host Ducks' Ray Navarrete.

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Tuesday, July 6, 2010

DESPITE THE HEAT, EXPANSION AND TWO NEW MAJOR LEAGUERS ARE KEY TOPICS AT ALL-STAR GAME

The Atlantic League knew it had an upbeat day Tuesday well before the All-Stars were scheduled to swelter their way through near 100-degree temperatures to put on a display of their talent before a number of major league scouts and a sellout crowd of more than 6,000 fans at Citibank Park on Long Island.

Mid-year planning sessions of both owners and general managers could be expected to have an extra jolt of pride because two more of the league’s players had been promoted during the holiday weekend to major league opportunities they had pursued for several years. Left-handed-hitting outfielders Cory Aldridge and Matt Watson were promoted, Aldridge to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and Watson to Oakland.

Watson, alone, was worth boasting about because he was at Lancaster as recently as May 28, so every one of the 44 All-Stars knew their goal of major league gratification was possible. He had not been in the majors since 2005, ironically also with the Athletics. Aldridge, who played at Newark two years ago, had only been in the majors back in 2001 when he spent 27 days with Atlanta.

The story above was part of Tuesday's Atlantic League Notebook which has gone to subscribers. Other stories in the Notebook included:

--The league's hopes to establish a Western Division

--What Cory Aldridge and Matt Watson said about getting to the majors

--Sparky Lyle's recollections of a previous All-Star Game in New York

--Details on the lingering injuries at Somerset

Subscriptions to the Notebook, which is delivered every Tuesday and Friday, are available at www.AtlanticLeagueBaseball.com or www.WirzandAssociates.com.


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Friday, July 2, 2010

IF RAGS TO RICHES FORM HOLDS, YORK WILL BE THE 2010 CHAMPION

Longtime major league catcher Andy Etchebarren has been mourning the loss of his wife the last several months, but he now has at least one reason to find some happiness in that he has completed a rags-to-riches type story in rebuilding the York Revolution from last season’s 53-87 disaster into the Freedom Division’s first-half champions.

If his buddy, Southern Maryland Manager Butch Hobson, can find one more victory against second place Camden in the next three days to nail down the Liberty Division the skippers can relax a bit before the playoffs begin in September and devote more of their daily telephone conversations to such important things as whether Hobson’s cornbread is the best around or is too dry.

York became only the third team in Atlantic League history to go from last place overall the previous year to a first half title, according to the Revs’ Darrell Henry, and if they continue to follow the pattern of the 2000 Nashua (NH) Pride and the 2007 Newark Bears they will end up with the postseason championship.

The story above topped today's Atlantic League Notebook, which has already gone out to subscribers. The Notebook also included, among other things, stories on the following:

--What Willie Upshaw thinks about Barry Bonds

--Who are the four former Atlantic League players starring in other independent leagues, with three of them taking Player of the Month honors?

--A rundown on Atlantic Leaguers selected to play in affiliated minor league All-Star Games

--A recap of feats of still more grads playing in affiliated leagues

--Newark's latest addition for the second half

Subscriptions to the Atlantic League Notebook are available at www.AtlanticLeagueBaseball.com or www.WirzandAssociates.com.