So what of the Link Reports in 2019?

[Mass Haas]

Hi everyone.

 

Since mid-season 2001.

 

Minor League Link Reports.

 

That's a long time. Jim Powell talking us up during broadcasts of woeful big-league Brewers teams.

 

The fact is that our viewing numbers for the Link Reports have dropped precipitously in recent years. I can think of several reasons. Our site is not exactly mobile-friendly, at least not mobile phone-friendly. We can't embed Twitter images. Speaking of Twitter, that platform has allowed for minor league fans to easily follow along on a nightly basis. I know Twitter is a huge "go-to" platform for me.

 

Plus, years ago, MiLB.com was a wasteland. Not all the affiliates were under the MiLB site umbrella. Affiliates often wouldn't post game summaries. It just wasn't the well-oiled MLBAM machine it is now.

 

We're still going to post a Link Report daily.

 

The initial daily post will be up before all the action begins, and will continue to include links to all the radio broadcasts. In fact, the initial post will look a lot like it has in recent years:

[Mass Haas]

Organizational Scoreboard including starting pitcher info, game times, MiLB TV links, and box scores

 

Dominican Summer League Scoreboard (includes DSL Brewers/Indians game)

 

***

 

Links for affiliate audio

 

***

 

Media notes, standings, and sortable stat pages

 

***

 

The entire local TV Timber Rattlers broadcast schedule

[Mass Haas]

The full-season affiliates are going to pump out game summaries all season. I'm just looking to ease the process and streamline here for all involved.

 

I've always appreciated the efforts of our Link Reporters, somebody normally latches on to one particular affiliate for as many as 130 or more of that team's 140 games.

 

In the example here from the initial post above, August 6th, 2018, Biloxi won, 2-1.

 

So a newly-condensed Link Report post would look like this:

[Mass Haas]

Box: Biloxi 2, Jacksonville 1

 

Grisham's Game: Shuckers Take Down Jumbo Shrimp 2-1

[Mass Haas]

Clean and simple.

 

No need to copy and paste text or photos from the same game summary that fans are going to click on anyway.

 

Now, if there are tidbits that one of our "Link Reporters" wants to share (perhaps they were able to watch or listen, and something's not included in the game story, why of course, they'll have the freedom to add that).

 

But those comments should not be duplicate of what the box score or summary tells us.

[Mass Haas]

Now, by early the next morning (basically during the overnight), we'll still link to subsequent video highlights via Minor League Baseball's YouTube page, as we've done in the past.

 

We'll have also linked to any available online audio, including the voluminous audio library that is and will continue to be the Rattler Radio podcast.

 

We'll still link to video from the local TV newscasts, something that in particular Biloxi's outlets provide a great deal.

 

We'll learn together what the San Antonio experience when it comes to the Link Report is all about.

 

When player quotes are available in local newspaper articles or player hometown newspaper features, you'll still see those.

 

By the time mid-morning rolls around, the Link Report will still be your one-stop shop for Brewers affiliate news, as it always has been.

[Mass Haas]

One place where I think we can really stand out from elsewhere is when the rookie level squads begin play.

 

Colorado Springs will provide fine coverage of the Rocky Mountain Vibes, but we know that there is nothing formal out of the Dominican or Maryvale. And between those two locations alone, there are now four box scores to review.

 

So once June rolls around, that will continue to be an area where we can be of particular interest. Between myself, Toby, and others, we should be good in that regard.

[Mass Haas]

So in most ways, little is changing.

 

The Link Report posts for the four full-season affiliates will be brief, I know as a minor league diehard, the fun is in poring over the box scores, and the links will be direct for you.

 

I'd love to get readers' insights as to how your reliance (or non-reliance) on the Link Report has evolved over the years.

 

Do we still serve a purpose? (I'm guessing if you're a regular, you'd say yes.)

 

Overall the process is still a bit demanding. It's a labor of love for those of us who contribute, and there is no financial benefit for us in getting higher click counts or such.

 

But if it's still appreciated, we'll push on.

 

Please feel free to chime in, or if not a registered member, you can tweet me @Mass_Haas.

 

Thanks to all.

[mrolsent]

Just want to say that I (and surely many others) appreciate all the work you and everyone puts in! The daily thread is usually one of the first things I open up in the morning.

[brewmann04]

I concur the work with the Minor league reports are top notch and look forward to them.

I love the links to the Box scores link to starting pitchers etc as well as game Summary.

 

Thanks again

[docduany]

Thank you to Maas and all of the link reporters. I greatly appreciate all of your work.

[True Blue Brew Crew]

Thank you Mass Haas and all who contribute to putting this together daily. Even in the finest seasons by the big club, it's vital daily reading to check in and see how the future is faring. I think the new clean and simple approach will be more than fine. The discussion of the standouts of the day has a way of taking the discussion where it needs to go.

[clancyphile]

I have always enjoyed checking out the Link Reports... often to see how the young talent I had high on my Top 25 ballot did...

[foamboy1]

Link reports are part of my morning routine for five months or so - and please accept our gratitude for all the excellent work in advance. I'm sure I'll thank you two or three times during the season as well. It's really a great feature appreciated by all.

[homer]

Literally the first thing I look at each morning during baseball season. I wish I could contribute more in the way of help.

[DuWayne Steurer]

Same as many others, I check the link reports maybe not every day, but quite a lot during the regular season. Feel bad for simply not saying I appreciate the work that goes into this. I have a twitter, but I absolutely don't use it more than 3-4-5 times a month, so link report is my go to for Brewers minor league stuff.