There is rarely a minor league I have attended that did not feature a special group of fans in attendance. Being that I go to most of my games on the weekends, that usually means gaggles of kids from the local little league, a local retiree group, or perhaps even a company function of some sort. But last Friday in Bradenton I saw my first pre-wedding party. Enjoying the Florida State League game between...
With the New York Yankees starting pitching a hodge-podge mess of has-beens, never-weres, and the all-star arm of CC Sabathia, it is no wonder they have dipped deep into their minor league system to help fill the gap between Sabathia starts. At the end of last season, the Yankees called up right-hander Ivan Nova. Nova has performed respectably with the Bronx Bombers, starting 14 games so far with a 4.59 ERA. Then, as they...
I completely forgot to mention this earlier, but this season I am not only writing for Bus Leagues Baseball, but also for Minor League Baseball.com. My beat with MiLB.com is a weekly notebook on the Florida State League, which is of course convenient, since I’ve been covering the FSL here for the last two years. I’m sure I will provide more regular updates of my MiLB work, but for now here are my first...
I was looking through my old archives on one of my many old sites and noticed something interesting. Three years ago today I started writing about the time I tried out for the Atlanta Braves. If you are ever interested how a tryout works or the struggle of a former junk-balling Little League left hander to fulfill his big league dreams, I’d suggest checking out the links below: Going After My Big League Dreams:...
While the big league club is mired in mediocrity, financial despair, and a gloom more fit for the peasantry than the residents of Queens, the St. Lucie Mets are running through the Florida State League like a team possessed. Already 17 and 2, the Class A Advanced Mets, lead by staff aces Matt Harvey and Jeurys Familia, have already pulled off a 9-game winning streak. Between them Harvey and Familia have allowed only one...
Part 2 of my interview with traveling baseball fan Tug Haines. Bus Leagues Baseball: You told me you have been getting a lot of support from players and front office personnel. Could you tell me a little about that? Tug Haines: I knew it was a special thing. It was exciting for me. I sort of kept it under my hat and kept it close to my vest. I started planning last June in...
As I mentioned via video in the previous post, traveling baseball fan Tug Haines is visiting the Florida State League now. I caught up with Tug in Dunedin during last week’s game against the Clearwater Threshers and talked to him during the game. Bus Leagues Baseball: Who are you and why drive around the country watching baseball? Tug Haines: Ok, well, my name is Tug Haines. I’m a cranberry farmer for most of my...
A week ago, we caught up with Tug Haines and asked him a few questions about his travels. We will have the referenced Q&A with Tug up tomorrow.
Tonight I made my first 2011 visit to Steinbrenner Field. Whereas last year I was the afro-clad doofus gallivanting about and starting cheers and taking crazy pictures, this year I am approaching some games with a different view. I’m actually paying attention to the game. Amazing, I know. Armed with my Baseball America Prospect Handbook 2011 and my trusty notebook, I sat in the stands and paid attention from the first pitch to the...
I always enjoy finding fan blogs of minor league teams. There is a passion needed to cover a team not too many fans know about. And if done well, an independent minor league team blog can quickly become the alternative voice for people looking for news on a prospect or on the team. As I mentioned last June, there are few really good fan-based blogs of teams in the Florida State League (yes, the...
2012 05 14 Scranton Wilks Barre/ Empire State Yankees vs Pawtucket Red Sox
