Link Report for Games of Thursday, June 17th

[MassBrew]

Pioneer League action for Helena begins tomorrow night in Billings! Until then, today is a day for wall-to-wall baseball, from a Huntsville matinee to the parent club to Mr. Hendrickson to a west coast nightcap!

 

Thursday's Daily Menu :

 

All times Central; pitchers subject to change; pre-game audio begins approx. 15 minutes prior to game time listed...

 

INDIANAPOLIS: RHP Ben Hendrickson at Durham (Devil Rays), 6:00 PM

 

Audio link:

www.newstalk1430.com/

 

Alternate audio link (Bulls' feed):

www.sportsjuice.com/provi...ame=dbulls

 

HUNTSVILLE: LHP Ryan Costello at Birmingham (White Sox), 12:30 PM; catch some action prior to the Brewers' game this afternoon -- old-time baseball in a sidetrip to one of America's oldest ballparks...

 

Audio link:

www.espn1450.com/

 

HIGH DESERT: RHP David Bradley at Rancho Cucamonga (Angels), 9:15 PM

 

Audio link:

www.hdmavs.com/listen_live.htm

 

BELOIT: LHP Dana Eveland at home vs. Clinton (Rangers), 7:00 PM

 

No audio for this series http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/frown.gif

[Luke7799]

Two Run dinger for Nelson 2-0, Stars. scored Gwynn in front of him.

[Luke7799]

now 3-0 Ozzie Chavez run scoring double, knocking in rayburn.

[Luke7799]

Top of 3 3-2 Stars, Costello gave up a 2 run shot

[Luke7799]

top 3 bases loaded for stars, 1 out and one in on an RBI single by Rayburn, Just chased the Birmingham starter

[Luke7799]

Now 5-2, K. Johnson with a sac fly. Going to bottom of 3rd.

[Luke7799]

Now 7-2 stars, Prince with an RBI, missed the other run, juggling the Stars and Brew Crew. Going to bottom of 4th.

[Luke7799]

8-5 Stars to the top of the 6th, sorry I don't know what happened I was listening to the Brewers.

[MassBrew]

Indianapolis Pre-Game Notes:

Paul Stewart gets a spot start Friday...

 

www.indyindians.com/pdf/gamenotes.pdf

[hardytheman]

geez,

 

how long is huntsvilles game gonna last?

 

Ive been checking sportsnetwork for an hour and its been in the ninth inning the whole time.

[bullox]

Just now showing final, 8-6 Huntsville

 

Raburn 4-5

Gwynn 2-5, 2 Runs scored

Nelson 1-2, 2 walks, 12th HR 3 RBIs 2 Runs

[hardytheman]

Nelson is the best player on the team IMO.

 

Prince is next and his age has a lot to do with it.

 

I think everyone but Nelson should stay at AA next year, unless Prince really heats up in the second half.

[MassBrew]

In progress: Indianapolis 5, Durham (Devil Rays) 3, after 5.5 innings in Durham

Corey Hart already has two more extra-base hits, a HR and double in this one...

[MassBrew]

Final: Huntsville 8, Birmingham (White Sox) 6

 

Huntsville Box Score:

 GAME DATE: 6/17/04 HVL at BIR HUNTSVILLE 8 AT BIRMINGHAM 6 YTD YTD HUNTSVILLE AB R H BI AVG BIRMINGHAM AB R H BI AVG R.Weeks 2B 4 1 0 0 .244 M.Spidale CF 3 0 1 0 .300 A.Gwynn CF 5 2 2 0 .245 R.Yan 2B 5 0 0 1 .257 P.Fielder 1B 5 1 1 0 .272 M.Morse SS 5 0 1 1 .286 B.Nelson RF 2 2 1 3 .288 B.Becker 1B 5 1 3 1 .600 R.Knox LF 4 0 0 0 .274 N.Murphy LF 5 1 1 0 .290 J.Raburn 3B 5 1 4 1 .262 R.Sasser 3B 5 1 1 2 .225 K.Johnson DH 3 1 1 1 .235 S.Bikowski RF 3 1 1 0 .271 O.Chavez SS 5 0 1 1 .207 C.Maldonado DH 3 1 2 0 .255 J.Alvarado CAT 3 0 1 1 .146 C.Maldonado CAT 0 0 0 0 .255 R.Costello PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 C.Stewart CAT 3 1 1 0 .238 B.Adams PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 N.Martel PH 1 0 0 0 .307 J.Novinsky PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 D.Ulacia PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Bullard PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 B.LaMura PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Fields PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 36 8 11 7 TOTALS 38 6 11 5 HUNTSVILLE 2 1 2 2 1 0 0 0 0- 8 11 0 BIRMINGHAM 0 2 0 3 0 0 0 0 1- 6 11 3 E--R.Yan 2, R.Sasser. DP--HUNTSVILLE 0, BIRMINGHAM 1. LOB--HUNTSVILLE 9, BIRMINGHAM 9. 2B--P.Fielder (14), O.Chavez (6), B.Becker 2 (2), N.Murphy (7), C.Maldonado (10), C.Stewart (8). 3B--S.Bikowski (1). HR--B.Nelson (12), B.Becker (1), R.Sasser (4). SB--A.Gwynn (16). CS--B.Nelson. SF--B.Nelson, K.Johnson. SH--K.Johnson. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA HUNTSVILLE R.Costello 4.0 8 5 5 2 3 1 5.28 B.Adams (W,2-1) 3.1 1 0 0 1 1 0 4.24 J.Novinsky (S,4) 1.2 2 1 1 1 1 1 3.66 BIRMINGHAM D.Ulacia (L,4-4) 2.1 6 5 5 2 2 1 4.23 J.Bullard 2.2 4 3 1 1 2 0 4.17 B.LaMura 3.0 0 0 0 2 2 0 0.00 J.Fields 1.0 1 0 0 0 3 0 1.60 WP--R.Costello, J.Fields. PB--C.Stewart. SO--R.Weeks 2, P.Fielder, B.Nelson, R.Knox 2, K.Johnson, O.Chavez, J.Alvarado, M.Spidale, M.Morse, S.Bikowski 2, N.Martel. BB--R.Weeks, B.Nelson 2, R.Knox, J.Alvarado, M.Spidale 2, S.Bikowski, C.Maldonado. T--3:26. A--7165

Huntsville Game Log:

 

www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=15651

[tyguy20204]

I have to concur on the statement that Brad Nelson is a bona fide hitter.

[MassBrew]

In progress: Beloit 6, Clinton (Rangers) 1, after six innings

It appears Dana Eveland is pitching the Snappers to a sweet four-game sweep in this series, rewarding the home fans. Kane County, the A's affiliate, has won their game tonight -- despite a very solid first half, there won't be a first-half division title for Beloit. But this club's been pretty successfully workmanlike.

[MassBrew]

Final: Indianapolis 7, Durham (Devil Rays) 4

Just wrapped up -- time to switch to High Desert audio; remember, no split season for AAA standings; Mr. Hendrickson solid again, earns the win...

[MassBrew]

At least as of 9:00 Central, the High Desert audio link indicates they'e not broadcasting tonight. For you late-nighters, the Quakes' audio is here:

 

www.stretchinternet.com/quakes/live.html

[MassBrew]

Final: Beloit 6, Clinton (Rangers) 2

 

Beloit Site Game Summary and Player of the Game Info:

 

www.snappersbaseball.com/...me_id=1326

[madbad2000]

A few thoughts from Beloit:

 

Dana had it going on tonight. Was thowing low to mid 90's...he sawed off a lot of bats tonight. It was more than 3 though. Looks like Dana should be fresh for the Midwest League All-Star game on Tuesday.

 

Scouts were out in full force tonight. I sat in the reserved section behind homeplate and counted 7 guns. 2 were from the Snappers/Lumberkings. Of the 5 scouts I saw...one was Milwaukee, one was the Mets, one was Colorado...I thought I saw the Tigers guy too. They were watching Dana pretty heavy, Heether seemed to get some looks as well.

 

Bottom of the first Truffles bunt single, Lewis bunt single. What comes next for all you Money fans out there? That's right...double steal. Lewis slipped after a horrible jump and was picked off easily. Money is so easy to coach against it's not funny. I have never seen a manager bunt as much as he does. I know you have to create runs Don but for pete's sake if you bunt everytime, when you really need one they are expecting it.

 

Drew Anderson had a 3 run job to right center. Nice to see him have a good night.

 

Deevers made a fantastic catch in the right center gap to rob the hitter of extra bases. Laid out for it full extension.

 

Mitch Stetter....his breaking pitch is filthy. Mitch took the 8th and 9th to lock it down. We had to laugh as the lefty hitters couldn't touch him...even Micah Furtado (who looks very good). This one hitter Mitch threw it right at him....the batter pulls back...the pitch snaps in there for a perfect strike. Amazing...oh and uh check out his era as well http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

 

Grybash...can flat bring it. Problem, as with most minor leaguers, control. twice had bases loaded but only gave up one run on a deep, warning track to right center sac.

 

Marks didn't have the best of nights defensively. Gave up a stolen base to second due to a huge jump, then next play they steal third and Marks fires a one hopper into left to give up the run on his error.

 

Truffles is fast....came up to bunt (go figure)...after going down 0-2...works count a bit then....fires off a 2 strike bunt and makes it due to confusion between pitcher and first baseman as to who would take it.

 

Great night tonight and great fireworks show. Throw in a sweep and it was a very enjoyable evening.

[pogokat]

Indianapolis Box Score:

Its true that Corey Hart's OBP isnt stellar at .339, but it's not bad...he seems to hit for more power at each level, which is definitely a sign a good things to come...I think Corey could play full-time next year and put up a .775-.825 OPS...and improve from there until he is a relative Jenkins clone around .900 -- pogokat

 GAME DATE: 6/17/04 IND at DUR INDIANAPOLIS 7 AT DURHAM 4 YTD YTD INDIANAPOLIS AB R H BI AVG DURHAM AB R H BI AVG P.Bergeron CF 5 1 2 1 .225 J.Gathright CF 5 0 1 0 .304 M.Erickson 2B 4 1 2 1 .246 B.Upton SS 4 0 3 1 .317 C.Magruder LF 5 1 2 0 .261 J.Cantu 2B 5 0 0 0 .291 C.Hart RF 5 2 3 2 .283 M.Cummings DH 3 1 1 1 .317 B.Gemoll 1B 3 0 0 0 .242 J.Gomes LF 4 0 0 0 .261 T.Durrington DH 5 0 0 0 .056 M.Diaz RF 4 1 1 1 .315 L.Figueroa 3B 3 1 0 1 .262 J.Sandberg 3B 4 1 2 0 .227 S.Scarbrough SS 3 1 1 2 .225 P.LaForest CAT 4 0 1 0 .203 A.Delgado CAT 5 0 1 0 .167 J.Maxwell 1B 3 1 1 1 .250 B.Hendrckson PIT 0 0 0 0 .200 J.Veras PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 B.Ford PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 T.Corcoran PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 C.Michalak PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Gonzalez PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 M.Childers PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 F.Nunez PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 R.Giron PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 T.Minix PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 38 7 11 7 TOTALS 36 4 10 4 INDIANAPOLIS 0 0 0 3 1 1 0 0 2- 7 11 1 DURHAM 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 1- 4 10 2 E--S.Scarbrough, B.Upton, P.LaForest. DP--INDIANAPOLIS 1, DURHAM 0. LOB--INDIANAPOLIS 11, DURHAM 8. 2B--M.Erickson (15), C.Hart (15), S.Scarbrough (12), A.Delgado (3), B.Upton (7). 3B--C.Magruder (3). HR--C.Hart (10), M.Cummings (11), M.Diaz (7), J.Maxwell (3). SB-- P.Bergeron (2), C.Magruder (6). HBP--S.Scarbrough. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA INDIANAPOLIS B.Hendrckson (W,6-2) 6.0 7 3 3 1 6 2 2.54 B.Ford 0.2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0.00 C.Michalak 0.2 0 0 0 0 1 0 5.92 M.Childers 0.2 0 0 0 0 2 0 4.66 R.Giron 1.0 2 1 1 0 1 1 3.46 DURHAM J.Veras (L,1-2) 5.0 8 4 4 2 0 1 4.21 T.Corcoran 1.0 2 1 1 0 0 0 4.37 J.Gonzalez 2.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 5.28 F.Nunez 0.2 1 2 2 4 1 0 3.65 T.Minix 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 7.71 HB--T.Corcoran. PB--P.LaForest. SO--T.Durrington, S.Scarbrough, B.Upton, J.Cantu 3, M.Cummings, J.Gomes 3, J.Sandberg, J.Maxwell. BB--M.Erickson, B.Gemoll 2, L.Figueroa 2, S.Scarbrough, B.Upton, M.Cummings, J.Maxwell. T--3:01. A--8808

Indianapolis Game Log:

Matt Erickson's been heating up; Ben Ford loaded the bases in his stint before Chris Michalak came on for a clutch strikeout -- MassBrew

 

www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=14180

 

Beloit Box Score:

Dana with a great game...lots of hits from Truffles, but no extra bases...the lack of power isn't good -- pogokat

 GAME DATE: 6/17/04 CLN at BLT CLINTON 2 AT BELOIT 6 YTD YTD CLINTON AB R H BI AVG BELOIT AB R H BI AVG A.Bourassa CF 5 2 1 0 .246 T.Trofholz CF 4 3 3 0 .311 D.Bubela RF 4 0 1 0 .275 W.Lewis 2B 3 0 1 1 .444 M.Furtado 2B 4 0 1 0 .345 D.Anderson LF 4 1 2 3 .271 J.Fransz DH 4 0 1 1 .289 V.Rottino DH 4 0 1 1 .298 J.Kreuzer 1B 4 0 2 0 .249 A.Heether 3B 4 0 0 0 .265 A.Wishy LF 3 0 0 0 .250 M.Ramirez 1B 4 0 0 0 .265 C.Clark CAT 3 0 0 0 .162 J.Murray SS 2 0 0 0 .196 J.Hatcher CAT 1 0 0 0 .328 R.Deevers RF 3 1 1 0 .231 E.Frostad 3B 3 0 0 0 .186 T.Marks CAT 3 1 1 0 .208 A.Sandoval SS 4 0 1 0 .170 D.Eveland PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Chavez PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 D.Grybash PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Kirsten PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 M.Stetter PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 C.Cordeiro PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 35 2 7 1 TOTALS 31 6 9 5 CLINTON 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0- 2 7 0 BELOIT 1 0 4 0 1 0 0 0 X- 6 9 2 E--W.Lewis, T.Marks. DP--CLINTON 0, BELOIT 0. LOB--CLINTON 11, BELOIT 3. 2B--J.Kreuzer (23). HR--D.Anderson (3). SB--A.Bourassa 2 (11). CS--W.Lewis. SF--W.Lewis. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA CLINTON J.Chavez (L,4-3) 5.0 9 6 5 0 3 1 4.59 J.Kirsten 2.0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1.57 C.Cordeiro 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.89 BELOIT D.Eveland (W,5-2) 5.2 7 1 1 2 7 0 3.10 D.Grybash 1.1 0 1 0 3 2 0 5.60 M.Stetter 2.0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1.96 WP--D.Eveland. PB--C.Clark. SO--D.Bubela 3, M.Furtado 2, J.Kreuzer 2, A.Wishy 2, C.Clark, J.Hatcher, A.Heether, J.Murray, R.Deevers 2. BB--D.Bubela, M.Furtado, J.Fransz, A.Wishy, E.Frostad, J.Murray. T--2:16. A--2010

Beloit Game Log:

Eveland managed to strand multiple runners -- MB

 

www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=12495

 

High Desert:

 

Can't post the box just yet, but I can tell you that it's tied in the 10th...apparently the Mavs held off a loss with a run in the top of the ninth...if I'm still up when the game ends, I'll post the box...

 

edit: It is now 4-4 in the top of the 11th, as both teams put up a duece in the 10th...so, I can safely say: clutch hitting by someone, choke pitching by someone else...

[MassBrew]

Final: Rancho Cucamonga (Angels) 5, High Desert 4, 11 innings

One of those games where a box score is missing-in-action until later today...

 

Game Story from Rancho's Daily Bulletin:

A Daily Press game story from the High Desert perspective will be out later today...

 

By AARON MENDONCA

STAFF WRITER

 

RANCHO CUCAMONGA - Anyone for a roller coaster ride?

 

The Quakes took a lead into the top of the ninth and allowed High Desert to tie the game before the Mavericks scored twice in the 10th to take a two-run lead.

 

Quakes catcher Ryan Budde, however, brought his team back with a two-run homer in the bottom of the inning to tie the game at 4-4, which is where the game stood through 10 innings at presstime.

 

The California League announced its all-star team earlier this week, and the Mavericks' Callix Crabbe showed why he was selected. The speedy second baseman delivered a clutch two-out single in the top of the ninth to drive in the game-tying run against Quakes closer Von Stertzbach.

 

In the 10th, a costly error by left fielder Jason Sugden and a wild pitch by Cliff Smith gave the Mavericks a seemingly save lead in the rubber match of this three-game set.

 

With Dan Boyd on second base, Mavs catcher Frolian Villanueva singled to left field. Sugden allowed the ball to get underneath him, allowing Boyd score the go-ahead run.

 

Sugden had just entered the game as a defensive replacement. Later a wild pitch with the bases loaded let Villanueva score for a 4-2 lead.

 

The tying rally started with Eric Henderson's one-out double, and he moved to third on a wild pitch.

 

Crabbe brought him home by taking a 3-2 offering from Stertzbach and smoking it to center field to easily score Henderson. It was only the second blown save for Stertzbach in 10 chances.

 

The Quakes got two men on with no outs in the bottom of the ninth but couldn't deliver. Erick Aybar singled and Reggie Willits walked, but Michael Kusiewicz got Greg Porter to pop out on the first pitch to send the game into extra innings.

 

Both starting pitchers had good outings, but neither figured in the decision.

 

Jean Toledo gave up just one run over six innings in his longest outing of the season, but couldn't nail down his second win against a team he has fared well against. While Toledo has struggled this season to the tune of a 1-5 record and an ERA over seven, he's 1-1 with a 2.57 ERA against High Desert.

 

High Desert scored its only run off Toledo in the fourth inning on an RBI single by Jeremy Frost.

 

David Bradley also had his longest appearance of the season, going 6 2/3 innings while giving up two runs, only one of them earned.

 

Matt Abram, making his Quakes' debut, doubled to lead off the second and later scored on an error for a 1-0 lead.

 

In the seventh, Bradley would leave the game with the game tied at 1 with two outs and man on. Greg Porter greeted reliever Kusiewicz with a double that scored Nick Kimpton to put the Quakes ahead 2-1.

[MassBrew]

Indianapolis Post-Game Notes:

 

Hart, Hendrickson Lift Tribe

June 17, 2004 - GAME HIGHLIGHTS:

 

Indianapolis bats came to life (11 hits) Thursday night as the Tribe defeated Durham, 7-4, snapping a four-game losing streak.

 

Corey Hart ignited the Tribe offense in the fourth inning with his 10th homer of the season and Ben Hendrickson (6-2) pitched six solid innings to earn the victory. Jose Veras (1-2) was pinned with the loss.

 

The Bulls collected three home runs in the loss and added 10 hits.

 

Indianapolis improves to 33-32, Durham falls to 35-30.

 

QUOTES:

 

Chris Michalak, Indians reliever on bases loaded strike out of Jorge Cantu:

 

?I?ve faced Cantu many times over the years,? said Michalak. ?Right away, I wanted to get ahead of the count. I knew that he?s had success with offspeed pitches. I started him out with a hard sinker, then worked in a curve ball. He hit the curve ball about two feel foul. It?s nice to something go our way for once. I knew that he would be looking for a breaking ball, so I came back with another hard sinker and he swung over the top of it. It worked out well. We battled tonight and kept the pressure on them.?

 

Manager Cecil Cooper on the win:

 

?This is a game that we needed to win,? said Cooper. ?From the outset, we were very aggressive on the bases. Corey had some big hits tonight and Ben pitched well enough for the victory. Our team responds well when Hendrickson is pitching. Michalak and Matt Childers also threw well tonight.?

 

NOTES:

 

RHP Ben Ford joined the Tribe Thursday night from Milwaukee on a rehab assignment and made his first appearance for Indianapolis since he pitched for the Tribe in 2003. Matt Erickson has hit .419 in his last 10 games. Alex Delgado has hit .308 in his last 10 games. Indianapolis has never played under .500 this season.

 

Cecil Cooper is three wins shy of earning his 100th victory as skipper of the Indians.

[MassBrew]

Huntsville Site Game Summary:

 

Perhaps the Stars just needed an escape. From the weight of their seven-game losing streak. From their fall out of the first-half pennant race. Historic Rickwood Field offered such an escape, and Huntsville seemed relaxed and right at home. The Stars snapped their season-high losing streak with an 8-6 win over the Barons on Thursday afternoon in the 9th Annual Rickwood Classic.

 

For the second straight season, Huntsville joined the Barons in celebrating a past era in Birmingham baseball. Clad in throwback uniforms like those worn by Industrial League teams of the 1930?s and 1940?s, the Southern League rivals took fans on a trip back in time at the country?s oldest park, Birmingham?s Rickwood Field, opened in 1910.

 

As if on cue, the Stars crafted one of their most fundamentally complete games in the month of June. Error-free defense, opportunistic offense and one monstrous home run propelled Huntsville into the win column for the first time since a victory over the Barons at Joe Davis Stadium on June 8.

 

With a blast reminiscent of those hit by Rickwood legend Reggie Jackson, the Stars? Brad Nelson opened the Classic with a bang, crushing a two-run homer to deep right-center in the first. Ozzie Chavez?s run-scoring double made it 3-0, Stars.

 

After Birmingham?s Rob Sasser launched a second-inning two-run homer, Huntsville answered in the third. Johnny Raburn?s RBI-single and Kade Johnson?s sacrifice fly put the Stars up, 5-2. In the fourth, Ruddy Yan?s throwing error and Nelson?s sacrifice fly made it 7-2, Huntsville.

 

The Barons trimmed the lead to 7-5, but Joel Alvarado?s run-scoring single pushed Huntsville?s lead back to 8-5 in the fifth. The Stars? bullpen took care of the rest, as lefty Brian Adams and right-hander John Novinsky combined to hold Birmingham at bay.

 

Adams (2-1) picked up his second win, giving up just one hit and one walk while fanning one over his 3 1/3 scoreless frames. Dennis Ulacia (4-4) suffered the loss, surrendering five runs on six hits and two walks with two strikeouts in just 2 1/3 innings. Novinsky notched his fourth save, permitting one run, Brian Becker?s ninth-inning solo homer, and two hits with one walk and one strikeout over the final 1 2/3 innings.

 

Stars righty Dennis Sarfate (3-6, 5.14) takes the mound against Barons right-hander Eduardo Villacis (1-1, 4.59) in game two of the series on Friday night at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium. Game time is 7:00 p.m. The FPH Financial Services Pre-game show starts at 6:45 p.m. Stars baseball can be heard on ESPN 1450 and at www.huntsvillestars.com.

[MassBrew]

David Weiser's www.starsboxscore.com Huntsville update:

 

A TRIP BACK IN TIME

Masquerading as an industrial team, the Huntsville Stars won their first Rickwood Classic and broke their seven-game losing streak, their longest since 1999....... Perhaps the Stars should wear the uniforms of the cotton mill teams that played at Huntsville's Optimist Park in the '30s if it works this well.

 

Forget Stars. Forget Barons. Today, it was an homage to the past, and both teams celebrated in vintage uniforms in front of over 7,000 fans, a time when baseball was wildly popular and some 150 industrial teams flourished in and around Birmingham, representing steel mills, paper mills, coal mines, iron works, ethnic associations, and even competing grocery stores. These far-flung semi-pro leagues were united into a single federation, becoming the largest in the nation by 1936, lasting for decades until the workers who played and the fans who came, became a richer, more diverse and mobile middle class in the '50s. No longer part of a decaying neighborhood, and no longer depending on baseball for entertainment, the leagues faded into oblivion........ But those who remembered honored those who played in these leagues on this hot 87° afternoon, where they once competed. About two dozen former Industrial League players were introduced in front of the crowd before the game, some who once played with future major league players in these leagues --- Harry and Dixie Walker, Ben Chapman, Frank House, Willie Mays, Virgil Trucks, Dan Bankhead, and future major league managers Luman Harris and Bobby Bragan.

 

The Rickwood Classic has been a fundraiser to preserve what is the oldest professional ballpark still in use, a working museum --- Rickwood Field, built in 1910 --- laid out by Connie Mack, as a favor to friend and owner Rick Woodward, but modeled after Forbes Field....... Here, where scenes from the movie "Cobb" were shot, nostalgia abounds, and if you can allow yourself, you feel the ghosts of Babe Ruth, Burleigh Grimes, and Dizzy Dean, all of whom played here on the same field as Ryan Costello, Prince Fielder, and Brad Nelson today........ In 1996, the Birmingham Barons agreed to return to Rickwood to play for the first time in nine years, wearing 1948 Barons' uniforms. A sellout crowd of 10,023 came back to Rickwood to enjoy the vintage park to inauguarate the Rickwood Classic --- one of the most symbolic "throwback" games in history.

 

And there exists no better ballpark on earth to play such a game...... I looked around to take mental pictures of the huge wooden overhang, protecting the wraparound grandstand extending from the 3rd base line midway to left field to about 30 feet in back of right field, where African-Americans were once segregated, then without any protection from the sun or the rain......... Distinctive were the unique lightstands on the roof (Rickwood was the first minor league park with lights), the depression and war-era billboards (Burma Shave, Fatima Cigarettes, Grape-Ola, etc.), the hand-operated chalkboard-colored scoreboard (originally 500 feet from home plate) with the clock on top and the scheduled games of the Southern Association and major leagues as it existed in 1948, ready for updates, and the assymetrical outfield design (dead center is 392 ft., but left-center juts out to 399')........

 

Standards from the '30s were played over the loudspeakers and whenever possible, a dixieland band played from an area behind home plate. The seats were the old-style cast iron that you might find at Fenway or old Tiger stadium (except roomier).......The neighborhood around had seen better days. Several dwellings near the stadium were boarded or bricked up. By 1986, Barons owner Art Clarkson had to face economic realities and the Birmingham Barons left Rickwood for good after the 1987 season for modern, detached Hoover Met....... It's hard to imagine it's lasted this long, and that the Stars played their very first game here in 1985, but it's not hard to imagine that presevationists would fight to keep it, and pay for its upkeep, and that is what the Rickwood Classic is for.

 

The Stars wore the blue caps and white uniforms of U.S. Steel's Fairfield Mills. The logo on the left breast was too small to be seen, except with binoculars, almost looking like plain cotton uniforms. The numbers on the back were large as life though. For some reason, Ryan Knox and Ozzie Chavez exchanged their regular uniform numbers, 36 and 24, for 10 and 12 respectively......... The Birmingham Barons wore the uniforms of Sloss Industries, a prominent coke foundry still operating today now in Hoover...... They also wore white uniforms, but you could plainly see the blue block letters spelling out "SLOSS", so there was really no mistaking the two teams....... Even the umps were dressed in throwback style, wearing the balloon protectors outside their black and white uniforms.

 

The Stars threatened to tie a club record they set at this ballpark in their very first game on April 12, 1985, by scoring in five consecutive innings, falling one inning short........ They were stopped cold by B.J. LaMura, pitching three no-hit innings in relief in his first appearance against the Stars, but by this time, the Stars were in front 8-5 and Brian Adams, the Stars' most effective pitcher this month (2.38 ERA in 11 1/3 IP) was likewise holding the opposition scoreless........ Meanwhile, the Stars were crafting the most fundamentally sound, opportunistic game they had played in awhile, playing error-free nine-innings for the first time since May.

 

It began with a monstrous two-run home run to right-center by Brad Nelson, evoking the memories perhaps of some Barons fans who remember Reggie Jackson when he played here........ In the 2nd inning, Johnny Raburn and Kade Johnson parlayed a succession of perfectly-placed bunts that set up Chavez's RBI double which hugged the left field line........ Rob Sasser's no-out two-run HR in the 2nd inning brought the Barons as close as they would ever get in this game, 3-2. It was a rough inning for Ryan Costello, who was fortunately taken out of this sweltering heat before he could become eligible for the win, but he struck out Scott Bikowski on an 0-2 change and was saved by some good defense from Prince Fielder, who dug out a wide throw from third baseman Raburn....... Prince made a similar, and even better play in the 8th, sprawling in the dirt, while keeping his foot on the first base bag for the first out, presaging a bases-loaded situation.

 

The heat was wilting Dennis Ulacia (2-5, 3.81 vs. Huntsville since 2001). After a Fielder double to the right field corner, two walks, and another hit by Raburn manufactured two more runs, giving the Stars a 5-2 lead, Ulacia was gone........The heat even got the better of catcher Chris Stewart, who was removed in the 7th for heat exhaustion........ Stewart's passed ball put runners on 2nd and 3rd in the 4th inning, setting up two more runs. Fielder hit a 3-1 high hopper to Ruddy Yan. Yan went home to get Rickie Weeks, who drew a one-out walk, but the low throw hopped up on Stewart, bouncing off his mask and eluding him. With Tony Gwynn, Jr. now on 3rd, Brad Nelson was able to get him home, thanks to Gwynn's speed, on a medium fly ball to left........

 

Brian Adams came in for Costello in the bottom half after Gwynn missed a tumbling attempt at Scott Bikowski's dying pop to shallow center that went to the wall for a triple, followed by a walk and a double to the left field corner by Stewart........ From that point on, things were quiet for both sides......... Adams retired three of the four batters to face him in the 4th, then retired eight straight batters before Brian Becker, making his Birmingham debut, hit his second double of the day. In the 9th inning Becker's home run just cleared the vintage Coca Cola sign in left......... B.J. LaMura stopped the Stars from scoring for a club record 6th straight inning in the 6th, and never allowed the Stars to hit one ball out of the infield, and that was to second baseman Yan on the outfield grass.

 

For the Stars, it was the most runs scored since a May 22 10-1 win over Jacksonville. Prince Fielder hit his 7th double of the month -- as many as he had in April and May combined......... Johnny Raburn had the third four-hit game by a Huntsville Star this year, the last coming from Kade Johnson on April 26.

 

The Chattanooga Lookouts added outfielder Bobby Darula to their roster. Darula hit .325 for the Lookouts in 2002 and was a Southern League all-star that year, but Stars fans might remember he played for us in 2000 (hitting. 239) and 2001 (.277 in 22 games before his demotion to High Desert)........ The Philadelphia Phillies promoted outfielder Chris Cosbey to their Class AA Eastern League farm club in Reading, then went 2-for-4 with an RBI double in his debut for Reading on Thursday, as they beat Erie, 7-5......... Cosbey was hitting just .216 with 1 HR and 19 RBIs at Class A-Clearwater (Fla. St.). Last year, Cosbey, signed by the Brewers off the independent rolls, hit .171 in 33 games for the Stars, then was sold to the Phillies on June 3. Last year, he hit .246 for Clearwater with no home runs and 16 RBIs.

 

The High Desert Mavericks will send two possibly future Huntsville Stars to the Calilfornia League All-Star game --- first baseman Travis Hinton and second baseman Callix Crabbe. Hinton is hitting .317 with nine HRs and 19 doubles for the Mavs. Crabbe is hitting .305 with 11 doubles and five triples. High Desert has three of the Cal League's top four stolen base leaders. In addition to Crabbe, who's 4th, there's Chris Morris with 24 and Kennard Bibbs with 22. High Desert leads the California League in stolen bases....... Ben Hendrickson slipped from 1st to 3rd among International League ERA leaders. Hendrickson is 6-2 with a 2.54 ERA for Indy......... Jason Belcher went 3-for-4 and hit his 1st HR for Harrisburg, Thursday, as they beat Altoona, 11-2 in Eastern League action. Belcher is hitting .310 for them.