Thursday, June 7, 2012
Long Beach Draft Picks 2012
Shane Watson (Lakewood) Pick 40, Philadelphia Phillies
Chase DeJong (Wilson) Pick 81, Toronto Blue Jays
Kevin Maxey (Poly) Pick 536, Los Angeles Dodgers
Matt Duffy (LBSU) Pick 568, San Francisco Giants
Brennan Metzger (LBSU) Pick 688, San Francisco Giants
Steven Gallardo (LBCC) Pick 600, St. Louis Cardinals
Lance Breedlove (LBCC) Pick 706, Pittsburgh Pirates
Shawn Stuart (LBSU) Pick 948, Colorado Rockies
Monday, April 9, 2012
National Classic Begins Today
The 16-team Hard 9 National Classic begins on Monday, and it will be an opportunity for a group of Southern California-based teams to demonstrate they have the pitching depth to make a deep run in the playoffs come May. The championship game is Thursday night at Cal State Fullerton.
Alemany, Esperanza, El Toro, Cypress and El Dorado are the teams to watch. They will need to combine quality pitching with good defense and some key hits to make it to the finals.
An Alemany-El Toro quarterfinal game could happen on Tuesday if both teams win their openers on Monday.
Alemany, Esperanza, El Toro, Cypress and El Dorado are the teams to watch. They will need to combine quality pitching with good defense and some key hits to make it to the finals.
An Alemany-El Toro quarterfinal game could happen on Tuesday if both teams win their openers on Monday.
Friday, January 27, 2012
ABD Academy 1992-2012
Ron Miller of Gardena Serra, won't be playing for the Cavaliers this season, Coach Wilmer Aaron said Friday. Miller, a senior third baseman who batted .439 last season, has decided to play in the San Bernardino-based ABD Academy league that takes place during the high school baseball season.
Amateur Baseball Development (ABD), has been around sense 1992 and has seen a number of players (who have played in their leagues) become drafted. However, most of them have had high school/college exposure. Miller would be one of the most visible players to ever give up high school baseball to play in the league.
The ABD Baseball Academy is a recognized leader in training and is considered one of the Top Baseball Development Academies in the United States. They are located in San Bernardino, California and are administered by USA Baseball.
You can find them on the web at: http://www.eteamz.com/abdacademy
Amateur Baseball Development (ABD), has been around sense 1992 and has seen a number of players (who have played in their leagues) become drafted. However, most of them have had high school/college exposure. Miller would be one of the most visible players to ever give up high school baseball to play in the league.
The ABD Baseball Academy is a recognized leader in training and is considered one of the Top Baseball Development Academies in the United States. They are located in San Bernardino, California and are administered by USA Baseball.
You can find them on the web at: http://www.eteamz.com/abdacademy
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Harvey Schiller A Heavy Hitter
According to the LA Times, one of the power brokers in American sports has aligned himself with former Dodger stars Steve Garvey and Orel Hershiser in their effort to buy the team, according to two people briefed on the matter.
Schiller formerly was the chief executive of YankeeNets, the onetime parent company of the New York Yankees, New Jersey Nets and New Jersey Devils. That entity spawned YES Network, the kind of team-owned cable sports channel that the new Dodgers owner would have the option to launch. Schiller also is a former president of Turner Sports and executive director of the U.S. Olympic Committee. Schiller, would provide Garvey and Hershiser with expertise in the business side of sports, particularly in television.
The Dodgers' contract with Fox Sports expires after the 2013 season. A new owner could expect to reap about $4 billion in a new deal with Fox or Time Warner Cable -- or could start a Dodgers cable channel in the hope of making even more money. Outgoing owner Frank McCourt, according to the LA Times, hopes that media companies will try to secure the Dodgers' television rights by buying the team outright, which could push the sale price above $1.5 billion.
Let the games begin.
Schiller formerly was the chief executive of YankeeNets, the onetime parent company of the New York Yankees, New Jersey Nets and New Jersey Devils. That entity spawned YES Network, the kind of team-owned cable sports channel that the new Dodgers owner would have the option to launch. Schiller also is a former president of Turner Sports and executive director of the U.S. Olympic Committee. Schiller, would provide Garvey and Hershiser with expertise in the business side of sports, particularly in television.
The Dodgers' contract with Fox Sports expires after the 2013 season. A new owner could expect to reap about $4 billion in a new deal with Fox or Time Warner Cable -- or could start a Dodgers cable channel in the hope of making even more money. Outgoing owner Frank McCourt, according to the LA Times, hopes that media companies will try to secure the Dodgers' television rights by buying the team outright, which could push the sale price above $1.5 billion.
Let the games begin.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Lame Duck Owner Makes Lame Deal
The bankrupt Dodgers signed left-handed Chris Capuano for two years and $10 million.
The addition of the fragile Capuano all but ends right-hander Hiroki Kuroda’s four-year career with the Dodgers, and leaves the Dodgers with three left-handers in their rotation — Clayton Kershaw, Ted Lilly and Capuano. Chad Billingsley is their only certain right-handed starter. Right-hander Nate Eovaldi is currently in line to be the team’s No.3 starter.
The addition of Capuano, 33, as a fifth starter with a two-year, $10-million deal should leave everyone a little anxious. Capuano, had Tommy John surgery in 2002 and again in 2008, missed all of the 2008 and 2009 seasons, and nearly half of 2010. Last season he went 11-12 with a 4.55 ERA and 1.35 WHIP for the Mets. Not exactly tearing it up. Bad news: He also gave up 27 homers. Good news: He struck out 8.1 batters per nine innings pitched.
Time will tell.
The addition of the fragile Capuano all but ends right-hander Hiroki Kuroda’s four-year career with the Dodgers, and leaves the Dodgers with three left-handers in their rotation — Clayton Kershaw, Ted Lilly and Capuano. Chad Billingsley is their only certain right-handed starter. Right-hander Nate Eovaldi is currently in line to be the team’s No.3 starter.
The addition of Capuano, 33, as a fifth starter with a two-year, $10-million deal should leave everyone a little anxious. Capuano, had Tommy John surgery in 2002 and again in 2008, missed all of the 2008 and 2009 seasons, and nearly half of 2010. Last season he went 11-12 with a 4.55 ERA and 1.35 WHIP for the Mets. Not exactly tearing it up. Bad news: He also gave up 27 homers. Good news: He struck out 8.1 batters per nine innings pitched.
Time will tell.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Dodgers Remain Tight
General Manager Ned Colletti says the team probably won't make a run at top-line free agents such as Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder. The Dodgers are expecting to reduce payroll next season because of their bankruptcy and impending sale. Their payroll was at around $110 million last season, including deferred payments to players who were no longer on the team. When asked of the possibility of adding a big bat, Colletti said, "As of today, it looks less realistic."
With players such as Clayton Kershaw, Andre Ethier and James Loney eligible for salary arbitration and expected to receive significant raises, the Dodgers have a limited budget with which to work for the remainder of the winter. To say nothing of Matt Kemp's recent eight-year, $160-million contract.
Here is a look at who the Dodgers have signed; 1)Mark Ellis to a two-year, $8.75-million contract. A defensive specialist who batted .248 for the Oakland Athletics and Colorado Rockies last season, 2)Matt Treanor (catcher) to a one-year, $1-million deal who batted .214 in 72 games for the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers last season.
Without a premium bat coming in, Colletti is counting on Ethier, Loney and Juan Uribe to recover from disappointing offensive seasons and produce as they have in years past.
Let's hope so.
With players such as Clayton Kershaw, Andre Ethier and James Loney eligible for salary arbitration and expected to receive significant raises, the Dodgers have a limited budget with which to work for the remainder of the winter. To say nothing of Matt Kemp's recent eight-year, $160-million contract.
Here is a look at who the Dodgers have signed; 1)Mark Ellis to a two-year, $8.75-million contract. A defensive specialist who batted .248 for the Oakland Athletics and Colorado Rockies last season, 2)Matt Treanor (catcher) to a one-year, $1-million deal who batted .214 in 72 games for the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers last season.
Without a premium bat coming in, Colletti is counting on Ethier, Loney and Juan Uribe to recover from disappointing offensive seasons and produce as they have in years past.
Let's hope so.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Odds and Ends
CIF 100th Anniversary
In honor of its 100th anniversary in 2013, the Southern Section will pick its 100 greatest high school athletes and plans to announce it at a red-carpet event that's still being planned.
That's going to be one tough job limiting it to 100 greatest athletes. The City Section recently inducted its first class into a new Hall of Fame, and that was a grueling process.
Dave Demarest, inducted into the Southern Section Hall of Fame.
Demarest coached baseball for 34 years at La Quinta, winning 753 games, 22 league titles and three Southern Section titles.
Baseball Proposal Defeated
A proposal to create a double-elimination post-season baseball tournament in the Southern Section beginning in 2013 was rejected on Thursday by a vote of 46-26 at the Southern Section Council meeting.
Coaches have wanted to replace the single-elimination playoffs with a double-elimination tournament for Divisions 1 through 4. The San Diego Section has had a double-elimination tournament.
Concerns about travel costs and adding up to seven additional games for teams in the playoffs won out.
In honor of its 100th anniversary in 2013, the Southern Section will pick its 100 greatest high school athletes and plans to announce it at a red-carpet event that's still being planned.
That's going to be one tough job limiting it to 100 greatest athletes. The City Section recently inducted its first class into a new Hall of Fame, and that was a grueling process.
Dave Demarest, inducted into the Southern Section Hall of Fame.
Demarest coached baseball for 34 years at La Quinta, winning 753 games, 22 league titles and three Southern Section titles.
Baseball Proposal Defeated
A proposal to create a double-elimination post-season baseball tournament in the Southern Section beginning in 2013 was rejected on Thursday by a vote of 46-26 at the Southern Section Council meeting.
Coaches have wanted to replace the single-elimination playoffs with a double-elimination tournament for Divisions 1 through 4. The San Diego Section has had a double-elimination tournament.
Concerns about travel costs and adding up to seven additional games for teams in the playoffs won out.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
HS Baseball Rule Changes
Rules changes approved by the National Federation of State High School Baseball Rules Committee will place more responsibility on coaches for rules-compliant player equipment, effective with the 2012 high school baseball season. At its June 5-7 meeting in Indianapolis, the committee also took steps to define a new tamper-evident protocol for non-wood bats. All changes were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.
Prior to the start of each game, each head coach must now verify to the umpire in-chief that all participants are legally equipped and equipment is in accordance with NFHS rules. Such rules include “compliant bats that are unaltered from the manufacturer’s original design and production and helmets that are free of cracks and damage.”
Another rule was added to address unsportsmanlike conduct toward umpires after a game has ended and after the umpires have departed the game site. It calls for state associations to determine appropriate action when dealing with these situations.
In addition, umpires no longer will be required to perform pregame equipment checks, as that responsibility will fall to coaches beginning next year. Coaches can still ask umpires at the pregame conference to confirm that equipment is compliant.
“The committee is placing a great importance on increased coach responsibility,” said Elliot Hopkins, NFHS assistant director and liaison to the Baseball Rules Committee. “It is one of our top priorities.”
Prior to the June 2012 meeting of the Baseball Rules Committee, the NFHS will work with appropriate parties to research and develop a baseball bat tamper-evident protocol for non-wood bats and present the recommendations to the committee for its consideration. The goal for implementation is for non-wood bats manufactured after January 1, 2015.
“Bat tampering is illegal and a major problem in high schools,” Hopkins said. “Everyone is looking for a competitive edge. With this note, we want to make sure that the state associations, coaches, teams and the public are aware that we are committed to minimizing any risk for players with bat tampering.”
In addition, a minor change to Rule 1-3-5 states that “No artificial or intentional means shall be used to control the temperature of the bat,” based on scientific research that altering the bat damages the bat and poses an unnecessary risk of injury.
Changes to Rules 1-5-8 and 3-1-6 deal with players’ equipment on the field. State associations may now authorize exceptions to NFHS rules to provide “reasonable accommodations to individual participants with disabilities and/or special needs and unique and extenuating circumstances,” so long as they do not fundamentally interfere with the sport. Players and coaches must also clean or remove “any” (formerly “excessive”) amount of blood from a uniform or piece of equipment before being allowed back into the game.
Prior to the start of each game, each head coach must now verify to the umpire in-chief that all participants are legally equipped and equipment is in accordance with NFHS rules. Such rules include “compliant bats that are unaltered from the manufacturer’s original design and production and helmets that are free of cracks and damage.”
Another rule was added to address unsportsmanlike conduct toward umpires after a game has ended and after the umpires have departed the game site. It calls for state associations to determine appropriate action when dealing with these situations.
In addition, umpires no longer will be required to perform pregame equipment checks, as that responsibility will fall to coaches beginning next year. Coaches can still ask umpires at the pregame conference to confirm that equipment is compliant.
“The committee is placing a great importance on increased coach responsibility,” said Elliot Hopkins, NFHS assistant director and liaison to the Baseball Rules Committee. “It is one of our top priorities.”
Prior to the June 2012 meeting of the Baseball Rules Committee, the NFHS will work with appropriate parties to research and develop a baseball bat tamper-evident protocol for non-wood bats and present the recommendations to the committee for its consideration. The goal for implementation is for non-wood bats manufactured after January 1, 2015.
“Bat tampering is illegal and a major problem in high schools,” Hopkins said. “Everyone is looking for a competitive edge. With this note, we want to make sure that the state associations, coaches, teams and the public are aware that we are committed to minimizing any risk for players with bat tampering.”
In addition, a minor change to Rule 1-3-5 states that “No artificial or intentional means shall be used to control the temperature of the bat,” based on scientific research that altering the bat damages the bat and poses an unnecessary risk of injury.
Changes to Rules 1-5-8 and 3-1-6 deal with players’ equipment on the field. State associations may now authorize exceptions to NFHS rules to provide “reasonable accommodations to individual participants with disabilities and/or special needs and unique and extenuating circumstances,” so long as they do not fundamentally interfere with the sport. Players and coaches must also clean or remove “any” (formerly “excessive”) amount of blood from a uniform or piece of equipment before being allowed back into the game.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Matt Kemp - Triple Crown Is Still A Possibility
Matt Kemp quietly took the field in a half-empty ballpark on his 27th birthday with a chance to do something no National League player has done in 74 years - win a triple crown. The last NL player to win a triple crown was Joe Medwick of the St. Louis Cardinals, who did it when Tom Lasorda was 10 years old. Carl Yastrzesmki of the Boston Red Sox was the last American League player to do it, in 1967.
The homer Kemp hit during Dodgers' 2-0 win over San Diego ties him with Albert Pujols for the NL lead at 37 and strengthens his triple crown bid. His 119 RBIs lead the league, and his .326 average is close to top. Kemp's ranking is near the top of a wide range of hitting categories — he leads the NL in runs (109) and is second in steals (40).
With four games left in the regular season it would seem that Kemp has his work cut out for him but, with three more home runs, Kemp will be part of that exclusive group to have hit (40) or more home runs and stole (40) or more bases. Of the four players to hit 40 home runs and steal 40 bases in the same season — Bonds, Jose Canseco, Alex Rodriguez and Alfonso Soriano — none batted higher than .310.
Go Matt!
The homer Kemp hit during Dodgers' 2-0 win over San Diego ties him with Albert Pujols for the NL lead at 37 and strengthens his triple crown bid. His 119 RBIs lead the league, and his .326 average is close to top. Kemp's ranking is near the top of a wide range of hitting categories — he leads the NL in runs (109) and is second in steals (40).
With four games left in the regular season it would seem that Kemp has his work cut out for him but, with three more home runs, Kemp will be part of that exclusive group to have hit (40) or more home runs and stole (40) or more bases. Of the four players to hit 40 home runs and steal 40 bases in the same season — Bonds, Jose Canseco, Alex Rodriguez and Alfonso Soriano — none batted higher than .310.
Go Matt!
Friday, September 9, 2011
Baseball's New Trend
At least two baseball players who played last season at Orange Lutheran won't be playing high school ball this season, instead choosing to play travel ball, Coach Eric Borba said. One still attends Orange Lutheran and the other has transferred to another school. Several players in the Inland Empire are already following that path.
Parents have the right to choose what's best for their sons and daughters, but don't trust some private coach who doesn't have the education or experience and insists he'll get your child ready for the next level. There is a great deal of money to be made by private clubs, coaches and training centers, so know what you are being drawn into.
UCLA Coach John Savage had this to say about the decision not to play high school baseball. "I don't like it," he said. "I think it sends a poor message. It's about your team and developing on and off the field with your teammates."
Parents have the right to choose what's best for their sons and daughters, but don't trust some private coach who doesn't have the education or experience and insists he'll get your child ready for the next level. There is a great deal of money to be made by private clubs, coaches and training centers, so know what you are being drawn into.
UCLA Coach John Savage had this to say about the decision not to play high school baseball. "I don't like it," he said. "I think it sends a poor message. It's about your team and developing on and off the field with your teammates."
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Ybarra Transfers to Downey
Jordan Ybarra, a top pitcher at Long Beach Millikan, has transferred to Downey, according to Gazettes.com. The transfer was accompanied by a change of address, so Ybarra will be eligible to play this season.
Jordan, will be missed from the mound more than anywhere else at Millikan. His ability to keep his team close, as well as go deep into a game, will be difficult to replace next season.
Athletes moving/shopping for schools has become more and more of an accepted practice in this day and age, as evidenced by a willingness of parents to relocate. However, the uncertainty of coaches/teachers keeping their jobs in most schools in the LBUSD must have many parents unsettled.
Millikan, once again, has more head coaches displaced than any other Moore League School. Jeff Breuklander - Head Basketball coach; Kevin McCarthy - Head Track Coach; Scott Glasser - Head Baseball coach; Jack Murry - Assistant Varsity Football coach/Head Tennis coach, have all been either relocated or not yet re-assigned.
Add to this, two new head coaches in; Water Polo and Cross Country......it is going to be a very challenging year at Millikan to say the least.
Jordan, will be missed from the mound more than anywhere else at Millikan. His ability to keep his team close, as well as go deep into a game, will be difficult to replace next season.
Athletes moving/shopping for schools has become more and more of an accepted practice in this day and age, as evidenced by a willingness of parents to relocate. However, the uncertainty of coaches/teachers keeping their jobs in most schools in the LBUSD must have many parents unsettled.
Millikan, once again, has more head coaches displaced than any other Moore League School. Jeff Breuklander - Head Basketball coach; Kevin McCarthy - Head Track Coach; Scott Glasser - Head Baseball coach; Jack Murry - Assistant Varsity Football coach/Head Tennis coach, have all been either relocated or not yet re-assigned.
Add to this, two new head coaches in; Water Polo and Cross Country......it is going to be a very challenging year at Millikan to say the least.
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