AHIBA3
5/23/2011 Transactions
By George Shattuck
March 18, 2010
Phoenix, AZ - Carlos Rivera (SS) came off the DL today, setting off a flurry of transactions at Burns Stadium. SS Clark Thompson was sent down to AAA Enochville to make room for Rivera. Also, 1B/DH Fernando Mauave was released after going .234/4/18 over the Dry Heat's first 43 games. Fernando, 36 years old, was let go so that younger players Devlyn Kean (Inf) and Steve Underwood (of) could get more AB's at the DH position, keeping them sharp for their backup rolls. With Rivera back, the defense improves, moving German Rios back to 2B full time.
Also announced today was that SP Christian Dalmer was sent to the bullpen to see if he can staighten himself out after a slow start this year. The talented Dalmer has gone 3-5 with a 6.20 era in his first 9 starts, and the hope is that he will "find himself" and start pitching well, to help later on down the stretch. Taking his place in the rotation will be Marc Tate, who was called up after going 5-4 with a 3.16 era at AAA Enochville.
Phoenix is hoping that these changes can help them stay atop the SL Ruth Division, were they are 26-17 and have a 3 game lead.
Wingate to Battle Asheville for Division Lead
I asked Jeff Palin, General Manager for the Gladiators, what he thought about this series. "Wow, this season is starting to get fun! We finally took a series from Asheville last time and we hope to sneak out this series on the road. Our pitching staff has been great the last month or so, and our hitters have come around a bit of late. Asheville has a really well-balanced team and I agree with Mr. Lifsey that this race will last the whole season. Don't forget about the other teams in our division! Every team has a .500 record or better, so there is no time for a letdown against any these teams." Division Leaders Set to Battle
The Asheville Smokies arrive in Wingate today to start a 3-game series that could either put the Gladiators hot on the Smokie's tails or solidify the Smokie's lead in the Mantle division. So far this season Asheville holds a 4-2 advantage versus Wingate; Asheville, also, was the only team in the Sluggers League to have a winning record against Wingate in 2010. Wingate sends Jimmy White, David Marino and Murray Clay to the mound in the series while it appears that Asheville will send Justin Fulton, Bailey Gabrielson and Bill Bowman. Jeff Palin had this to say about the series, "While it would be nice to get a sweep and really close up this division race, I think we would be satisfied if we could just take 2 out of 3 against this team. Asheville has really matched up well against us the last year and a half. They have a really good team and this should be a battle all season." Gladiator Notes: It was confirmed today that Se-tol Pak will indeed miss the rest of the season with a ruptured Achilles tendon. Rick Martin will be called up to take his spot on the roster later today. It appears that Pablo Gonzales and Joseph Lewis will split playing time at 1B in Pak's absence. Last weeks Sluggers League Player of the Week was the Gladiators Mel Wright. "Getting sent to AAA for a week was a real eye-opener for me. It just reinforced that I need to work hard at all times. I was able to get back on track while I was in AAA and re-focus on what I need to do to help this team win. I look forward to producing at my accustomed level the rest of the season." Spike Horn's last 3 outings have resulted in a total of 9 1/3 innings pitched and an ERA of 13.50. "I'm not tired and I'm not hurt, I've just had a few bad outings. After watching the tapes of the games back I believe that I may have been tipping off my pitches. I will be working on correcting that in my next bullpen session this week." |
First place! Oh yeah and a new G.M.
Winston-Salem Times Winston-Salem, NC – After several late night negotiations, Joe Potteiger was announced as Carolina’s new G.M. In the previous two season that would have been the headline. However, in one night not only did they sign Potteiger, an eager G.M., the Bear Cats managed to take over first place from the defending champs Brooklyn. After two losing season the Bear Cats prospects paying off and playing big. When asked what he thinks of this new opportunity, Potteiger was quoted as saying “You don’t get too many opportunities to take over an organization that is as young and deep in talent like Carolina is right now. When I look up and down this organization, it is loaded with talent. To be in first place in our division and have 4 of Baseball America’s top 20 prospects, 3 of which are in the minors, is a situation most general managers would love to be in.” Potteiger did not want to quote on personnel right now. “At first glance I like what I see, but until I get in there and really spend some time looking at the rosters, I don’t want to rush to judgment. I will say that my phone is never turned off, and I am always willing to listen to offers.” It sounds like Potteiger is here to win now and into the future. After fielding questions for about 45 minutes, Potteiger ended the press conference by saying, with a big smile, “Something special was started here. I guess now it is my job not to screw it up.” Wingate Gladiators to 2nd - 5-23-2011
March 18, 2010 Wingate, IN - The Wingate Gladiators have won 4 straight games to move into tie for 2nd with Long Island in the tough Mantle Division. They still trail Asheville by 5.5 games. In a bold move earlier in the week Wingate traded prized prospect Donald Black along with Oliver Case and Stewart Wooten to Downington for "Toad" Bart, a starting pitcher who appears to be as good as anyone on this pitching staff. Bart promptly pitched an 8-inning gem to start the Gladiators current winning streak. "Toad may end up being the ace of the staff eventually and I don't mean that as an insult to the other guys; he is just that good when he is on and he is in a good frame of mind," said Jeff Palin, General Manager. Mr. Palin added, "We wouldn't have given up Black for a lesser player than an ace starting pitcher. Donald Black is going to be a beast when he is fully developed, and I imagine he will be up by mid-year 2012." |
Mary Jane Pleasant
By Joe Potteiger
