Hawaii Winter Ball: Latest -- Darren Ford Hometown Article

[deeswan]

Just a note, the off-season baseball begins soon for Brewer farm-hands. Lorenzo Cain and Darren Ford will be playing in the revived Hawaii Baseball League. Play starts on October 1.

[Mass Haas]

We'll officially follow RHP Robert Hinton, LHP Joe Thatcher, and OF's Darren Ford and Lorenzo Cain in this thread.

 

Link while active, text follows:

 

www.kokomotribune.com/sit...31902.html

 

Hawaii is next stop in Thatcher?s baseball odyssey

Former Kat enjoying a productive spell in Brewers? system

By PEDRO VELAZCO

Kokomo Tribune sportswriter

 

Joe Thatcher knows exactly what he?s doing on the mound. Great control has helped the young pitcher move up the minor-league baseball ladder. However, you?ll have to forgive the former Kokomo High School athlete if he occasionally has location problems off the field.

 

Over the past two seasons, Thatcher has played for four teams in the Milwaukee Brewers organization, and previously played on an independent team. When a team needs him, he has to go, quickly. The adjustment isn?t always easy.

 

His most harrowing experience as a quick-move artist was his first, after signing with the River City Rascals near St. Louis. The team plays in the independent Frontier League.

 

?When I went over to play in independent ball I was staying with a host family,? Thatcher said, explaining that there was no time to settle in before jumping into his uniform. ?I signed and went right to the game and my host dad comes up during the game and says ?we?re your host parents and you?re going to stay with us.??

 

Thatcher was to follow his new host family home after the game. He didn?t leave the park until about 10:30 that night, went home with his host family, but had to be up at 6 a.m. the next day for an eight-day road trip.

 

When the team got back to Missouri, he still had to find his way back to his new home.

 

?I?m still trying to remember how to get home, and I find the neighborhood and pull into a house that I think is theirs. I put the key in the door and it unlocks,? Thatcher said. He walked in and then ?some old lady comes running into the room scared to death!?

 

Wrong house.

 

?I was about three or four houses off,? he said. ?I?m trying to explain to her, while she?s all frantic, why I?m in the wrong house. After a few minutes she settled down, and I settled down. It was an honest mistake.?

 

Every minor leaguer comes with great stories and Thatcher has a trunk full. After the Brewers discovered him playing with River City, he?s been promoted all the way from rookie ball in Montana, to Florida, then to West Virginia this season, and Florida again, and finally three weeks ago he was promoted to the Huntsville Stars, the Brewers? double-A affiliate in Alabama. Each change of venue is exciting, but comes with the stress of an instant move, and friendships left behind.

 

?It?s pretty crazy,? Thatcher said of the moves. But they?re easy for him now. ?I take my suitcase with me. That?s about all I?ve got really.?

 

A closer in Class A ball, he adjusted to set-up duty in Huntsville, bolstering the bullpen as the Stars closed the season and played in the Southern League playoffs. The Montgomery Biscuits topped the Stars in the league championship series.

 

In Huntsville, Thatcher also adjusted to an air mattress, set up on the floor in the apartment of teammates where he stayed during his short stint with the Stars. Not every move up in the minors is glamorous.

 

But his next move should make up for it. Thatcher will spend the fall in Hawaii.

 

Thatcher was back in Kokomo for a few days last week, but left last Wednesday to head to Arizona and work out in the Brewers? spring training facility. Today (the 27th) it?s off to Hawaii to play in the newly re-formed Hawaii Winter Baseball league.

 

Each MLB organization is allowed to place as many as four players in the league. The four-team league also pulls players from Asian leagues and plays a two-month schedule of games on the island of Oahu, where Honolulu is located. Thatcher will play for the North Shore Honu.

 

?It?s just an opportunity to keep playing,? he said. ?It?s an opportunity for me to get some more innings and work on things I need to work on. At the same time it?s going to be something that?s rewarding for players who had good years, to go out there and enjoy that kind of atmosphere.

 

?It should be something I?ll never forget, that?s for sure.?

 

While playing for the West Virginia Power, the Brevard County (Fla.) Manatees and Huntsville, Thatcher compiled a 5-4 record with a 1.37 ERA and 12 saves. He pitched in 46 games, all in relief, totaling 65.2 innings pitched, 80 strike outs and only 17 walks. Opponents batted just .179 against him.

 

He?s eager to get to work improving his arsenal of pitches in Hawaii.

 

?I?m working on developing my change-up,? Thatcher said. ?I?ve never really had enough confidence to throw it when big-game situations called for it. That?s basically it, working on my change-up. But there?s all kinds of little things that can be improved. The more you throw, the better you get.?

 

He?s had success at each stop in the Brewers? farm system.

 

?I found a couple miles an hour on my velocity, and I?ve always been able to locate my pitches successfully, pretty regularly,? Thatcher said. ?Now, I?ve got a couple more miles an hour on my fastball, my fastball has movement, which is always a plus. I feel like I can throw my off-speed stuff for a strike when I need to. I don?t know if I?m better than I was, I?m just getting an opportunity and it?s working out right now.?

 

Undrafted out of Indiana State in 2004, Thatcher held on to his dream by playing with River City, hoping to get noticed by a big-league organization. Outside of his change-up, he hasn?t worried about confidence. That?s helped him move up in the Brewers? organization.

 

?When I didn?t get signed out of college, I felt like I had the potential, the ability to pitch at the next level,? Thatcher said. ?I think the thing that?s helped me most is when I do move up, I don?t think there?s anything to be timid about. I go right at hitters. If what I had isn?t good enough, that?s all I can do, but when I get out there, I want to be aggressive and attack hitters, and so far I?ve had pretty good success doing that.?

 

Thatcher was impressed with the talent he saw in his brief stint at the Double-A level and hopes to get assigned back to Huntsville when next season begins.

 

?Everybody I?ve talked to says I have real potential and a really good shot at making it one day,? he said of a chance at playing major-league ball. ?A lot of factors go into whether you get the opportunity or not. All of that stuff is out of my hands. I?ve just got to go out there and throw like I?ve been throwing and see what happens.?

 

TRAVELING MAN: Kokomo native Joe Thatcher chats during a practice with the Huntsville Stars recently. The pitcher has enjoyed success in Milwaukee?s farm system this season, earning two promotions and a trip to Hawaii for winter baseball.

 

http://www.kokomotribune.com/apstorysection/images_sizedimage_270230240/xl

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

starbulletin.com/2006/09/...ory01.html

 

After nine years, winter baseball returns with high hopes for talent and attendance

By Jason Kaneshiro

jkaneshiro@starbulletin.com

 

Duane Kurisu made himself a promise amidst the bustle of preparing for the return of Hawaii Winter Baseball.

 

He's actually going to have fun at the ballpark this season ... or at least he'll try.

 

"I think this time around I will make an effort to enjoy things rather than be caught up in the business issues that come up," said Kurisu, chairman and chief executive officer of HWB.

 

"Professional sports and professional baseball, with so many games involved, it's a really, really tough business because you have so many different customers to please. So I will make an earnest effort to sit down and enjoy myself and enjoy the game like everybody else."

 

Kurisu and the HWB staff haven't enjoyed much downtime lately, as they've been busy getting players situated while attending to the myriad details inherent in restarting a professional baseball league.

 

And when the league returns tomorrow after a nine-year absence, Kurisu is anticipating a higher level of play than the league's first run (1993-97), which featured future big leaguers Ichiro Suzuki, Todd Helton, Jason Giambi and Derrek Lee.

 

"We have more high-quality, top-line prospects in one season than we had probably in the whole five seasons," said Kurisu. "We have some incredible players who have been sent from Major League Baseball and from Japan. The quality of play is exceptional, and I think everybody will be able to see that."

 

(Kurisu also is an investor in the Star-Bulletin and on its board of directors.)

 

HWB returns to action in Manoa and Waipahu tomorrow, as the four teams -- the Honolulu Sharks, North Shore Honu, Waikiki Beach Boys and West Oahu CaneFires -- open their 40-game schedules.

 

The Beach Boys and Sharks meet at Les Murakami Stadium, and the Honu and CaneFires play at Hans L'Orange field. Both games start at 3 p.m. The season runs through the championship game on Nov. 22.

 

The league rosters -- which were still being finalized late into the week -- are primarily Single- and Double-A prospects. Seven first-round picks in Major League Baseball's First-Year Player Draft are among the players representing 21 major-league organizations and 10 Japan Pro Baseball teams.

 

Each team will have a mix of players from U.S. and Japanese organizations.

 

Three local products -- Kailua graduate Rodney Choy Foo and 'Iolani products Kila and Kala Ka'aihue -- are among the players assigned to the league. Choy Foo and Kala Ka'aihue are on the Sharks' roster, and Kila Ka'aihue is on the CaneFires' roster. Kila Ka'aihue probably won't play because of a knee injury.

 

In its first stint, Hawaii Winter Baseball paid the players' salaries, giving officials the latitude to invite numerous players with Hawaii ties. This time MLB is handling the salaries -- a major factor in the league's return -- which means the commissioner's office has the final word in making the assignments. Also, some Hawaii players are in organizations that chose not to assign prospects to the league.

"They're dictating who they're willing to invest their moneys in," Kurisu said. "So the three kids who are playing here are truly bona fide prospects, because the big league clubs have determined that these guys are prospects and they're willing to invest money in these guys to play here."

 

The dugouts will also have a local flavor, with (former Milwaukee Brewer) Lenn Sakata (Kalani) managing the Beach Boys and current West Virginia Power hitting coach Mike Lum (Roosevelt) serving as a coach for the Honu.

 

Kurisu said the league's reputation helped make HWB an attractive option for teams looking to develop their young prospects during the winter. He negotiated with MLB to keep the rosters at 28 players. Kurisu wants to keep the rosters at a manageable level to make sure the players get enough innings to improve their skills.

 

"The teams wanted to send even more players -- we just couldn't accommodate them," he said. "I want this to be a terrific experience for the players. Not only outside enjoying Hawaii, but on the field."

 

With HWB's return, Hans L'Orange has been spruced up to meet Major League Baseball's specifications. Kurisu credited the efforts of Walter Komatsubara and Zen Abe in grooming the natural-grass surface, and B. Haymon Co. for providing labor and equipment.

 

Although HWB's contract with Major League Baseball calls for the league to be limited to Oahu for two years to facilitate scouting, Kurisu's long-term goal is to restore teams on Kauai, Maui and the Big Island.

 

For now, though, he is simply looking forward to kicking back in the bleachers for a few hours.

 

"A lot of these guys are going to end up being superstars," Kurisu said. "In the past we felt like these guys were going to be big-league players; we didn't know how large they would become. We know from experience that we have some Jason Giambis and Ichiros in this league."

[Mass Haas]

www.hawaiiwinterbaseball.com/

 

http://www.hawaiiwinterbaseball.com/images/teams/honu_logo.gif

[Mass Haas]

From July, and the Daily Journal in New Jersey and Staff Photographer Craig Matthews, an impressive photo gallery of Darren Ford photos (43 of them), during his visit to Lakewood -- enjoy:

 

cgi.thedailyjournal.com/c...arren_Ford

 

Among the photos, this one of Angel Salome (on the left) and Ford:

 

http://www.thedailyjournal.com/gallery/sports/07242006/Darren_Ford/Darren%20Ford%203.jpg

 

Lorenzo Cain (on the left) and Ford:

 

http://www.thedailyjournal.com/gallery/sports/07242006/Darren_Ford/Darren%20Ford%2014.jpg

[Mass Haas]

ON THE FAST TRACK

Vineland native Darren Ford is thankful for the opportunity to play baseball for a living

Originally published July 21, 2006

By BEN WATANABE

Staff Writer

bwatanabe@thedailyjournal.com

 

The brim of Darren Ford's black West Virginia Power cap was straight as a frozen-rope line drive. Pulled low over his eyes, it almost hid the sheepish expression on his face.

 

Less than four hours before the first pitch of the Power's series opener against the Lakewood BlueClaws, Ford shifted uncomfortably in a folding chair in the visitor's locker room at FirstEnergy Park. A Vineland High School graduate now playing for the Milwaukee Brewers' Single A affiliate, Ford was making his first on-field appearance in New Jersey as a professional ballplayer.

 

Friends and family congregated in the stands down the third-base line. A long overdue visit home was planned after Game 2 of the series, an 11 a.m. matinee. Apart from the familiar faces, though, Ford said he'd rather have all the attention go away.

 

"Right now, I'm just trying to enjoy life, take joy in every day," Ford said in a barely audible mumble. "Tomorrow's not promised. It's just another day that could bring a whole new situation."

 

It's a philosophy Ford, 20, has developed during his short minor-league career, bouncing from Phoenix to Helena, Mont., and finally to Charleston, W.V., in a single calendar year. In fact, Ford has visited more states in the last year than he did his first 18.

 

For four games last week, Ford was in the state he calls home. The Daily Journal joined Ford in Lakewood for the first three days of his trip, chronicling his new career, his big-league aspirations and everyday life in the minors.

 

Day 1

 

Everything is surreal. Ford heads to the indoor batting cage at the stadium, dresses and warms up on the field. The game is a blur, except for the annoying reporter and photographer who are following him around. His teammates don't quite understand the big deal, but that doesn't stop them from giving him a hard time about it.

 

The fact that Ford goes hitless in a 7-2 loss is rendered irrelevant when he exits the clubhouse to see his mother, Carla; his grandmother, Ann; his sisters, Janine and Marianna; and a host of other family and friends.

 

He gives his sister a hug.

 

He gives his niece a kiss.

 

He is happy to see them, but says he doesn't worry about them when he is 400 miles away.

 

"I'm always thinking about them, but I don't worry too much because I know they take care of each other," Ford says. "I know they'll be OK."

 

Day 2

 

After a stomach-churning, late-night dinner at IHOP, Ford has another forgettable day at the plate in a 4-1 loss. He goes 0-for-3 and walks twice with two outs, both times running out short flies by the next batter that end the innings.

 

Luckily, the game is over by about 2 p.m., leaving plenty of time for the 90-minute trip to Vineland for a home-cooked meal.

 

Ford is a young man of deep religious faith. He speaks softly because he does not want his words to be misconstrued as bragging. The talent and speed that registered 6.1 seconds in the 60-yard dash (fast by baseball standards) are not his doing, he says.

 

"God put me in this position, and it's on me to go out there every day and work on fly balls, work on hitting," Ford says, who is hitting .268 with a team-high 43 stolen bases. "That's all I can take credit for."

 

Day 3

 

After staying the night in Vineland, Ford returns to Lakewood in plenty of time for the 7:05 p.m. first pitch.

 

Leading off, he hits a shot to left-center. The center fielder snags it on a lunging catch, continuing Ford's mini-slump.

 

Ford emerges from his rut with a ground ball single up the middle in the seventh. He gets robbed again in the ninth, when he pulls a fast-sinking line drive that the left fielder leaps and extends to make a highlight-reel play.

 

The Power, the top hitting team in the South Atlantic League, drop their third straight, 8-3.

 

So far, Ford is 1-for-10 in the series. He doesn't try to hide his disappointment in the post-game clubhouse, but perks up when asked why he wears No. 15.

 

"It's in honor of Latrice Johnson," Ford says. "She died May 15, 2004, in a car accident. You know about that, right? That's why I wear No. 15."

 

One more day in Jersey awaits. The game is a sellout, as all Friday home games are in Lakewood due to weekly fireworks. Ford expects to hear his family yelling his name from the lawn beyond the outfield fence.

 

"It's gonna be a full house," Ford says. "I'm gonna play as well as I can play, because this could be the last time I play in front of New Jersey fans."

 

Day 4

 

Searching for a happy ending to an otherwise frustrating series, Ford saves his best for last. With three hits, three stolen bases and three runs scored, Ford supplies the thrills for more than 20 family members in the stands in a 6-1 victory.

 

"You missed it!" Carla Ford yells over the phone. "Darren was great. I had about 200 agents coming up to me. I said, get away from me. Darren's already got an agent."

 

Ford doesn't have a lot to say.

 

Early in the week, he protested, "I'm not quiet. I'm just quiet right now because I don't know what to say." But he does very little to make anyone believe otherwise, especially when his mom confirms, "Darren was always very humble, very quiet."

 

Next stop, Charleston

 

That night, the bus pulls away and the Power head back to Charleston. Apart from the travel, Ford insists he likes the baseball lifestyle. Whereas at one time football was his No. 1 passion, the past two years have given him an appreciation for the game that has become his vocation.

 

"This game is hard," Ford says. "Baseball's the hardest game, in my opinion. It's not like football, where you can get the game-winning touchdown by just throwing the ball down the field. It's not like that. You've got to hit the little white ball. You've got to catch the little white ball.

 

"It's hard. But I'm learning."

 

According to Baseball America, at least four outfield prospects are listed ahead of Ford in the Brewers' system. The road ahead will be full of bumps and bruises.

 

"I want to do it because around the way, a lot of people that are real good at something didn't make it because something else stopped them from doing it," Ford said. "No matter what, I try to keep my head up. My life's taken a route that I'm happy I chose."

 

Who has developed into Ford's closest friend in the system?

 

"Lorenzo Cain. I lived with him in Arizona, but not in Helena. He's more than a friend, he's like a brother, because he pushes me and I push him. We played against each other in junior college, and we came out to Maryvale and found out we were on the same team. About a week into spring training, we told each other we both wanted to get to West Virginia. He told me he was going to push me to get there, and I told him I was going to push him."

[EdgarDiazRocks]

Kevin Goldstein has a prievew, most of which you can read for free . . .

 

www.baseballprospectus.co...2c6a446ac1

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

starbulletin.com/2006/10/...ory03.html

 

Koby Clemens gives the crowd even more to expect in the Honu?s victory

Choy Foo reaches base three times in opener

By Kyle Galdeira

Special to the Star-Bulletin

 

If his first Hawaii Winter Baseball game is a sign of things to come for Koby Clemens, his future is looking quite bright.

 

The third baseman went 3-for-4 with a double, triple, and a game-high three RBIs to help lead the North Shore Honu over the West Oahu CaneFires 11-5 in the opening game of the HWB season yesterday evening in front of 1,531 at Hans L'Orange Park in Waipahu.

 

"It was almost like playing in an All-Star game because of all the talent out there," said Clemens, the son of future Hall of Fame pitcher Roger Clemens. Koby realizes that fans will instantly expect more from him because of his father's numerous accomplishments.

 

"We can (eventually) get to the (major league) level. I'm always going to have that target on my back with all the things (my father has) achieved. I'm just trying to follow my own path and just be Koby."

 

The Honu got out to a quick 2-0 lead after scoring runs in each of the first two innings. Center fielder Darren Ford, who had three hits of his own, singled to lead off the game and came home on Rodney Choy Foo's groundout to second base. Catcher Keiyo Aomatsu spanked the first home run of this HWB season on a fastball that he drove down the left-field line, just inside the foul pole.

 

"I thought it was a well-played game," said North Shore manager Dave Clark. "Our guys came out with a lot of energy. They played great, especially with it being the first game here."

 

West Oahu answered back in the third inning with two runs of its own despite failing to hit the ball out of the infield. Two walks and two wild pitches from North Shore relief pitcher Keisuke Hayashi coupled with two errors by Cory Dunlap at first base allowed the CaneFires to tie the game.

 

But the Honu regained the lead on a towering solo home run off the bat of left fielder Xavier Paul in the fifth inning that cleared the fence in deep right-center field more than 400 feet away from home plate. North Shore, which pounded out 14 hits in the game, scored four runs in both the sixth and seventh innings to increase the lead to 11-3.

 

"It's important to start off strong," said Paul. "I knew when I hit it that I had at least a triple, so I started booking it. I saw the umpire raise his hand (to signify a home run) and I was surprised, I didn't think it would get out."

 

Scott Koerber picked up the victory in relief of starter Robert Hinton after allowing one run and striking out a batter in two innings. West Oahu's Joba Chamberlain pitched two strong innings with a strikeout, but gave up Paul's homer and was saddled with the loss.

 

The game featured a combined 13 pitchers as the two coaching staffs tried to get an idea of what the hurlers could do for the first time.

 

The CaneFires got the bulk of its offensive production from Peter Ciofrone, who went 2-for-2 with two RBIs, and first baseman Mike Stodolka, who collected three singles and an RBI. The two players combined for five of the team's seven hits in the game.

 

For Choy Foo, the game served as a homecoming as the designated hitter played his first game in Hawaii since graduating from Kailua High in 2000. The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder, who is a member of the Cleveland Indians organization, went 1-for-3 with an RBI and also walked and was hit by a pitch. He said he felt "nervous" in front of the hometown crowd, but is enjoying the opportunity.

 

"I try not to think about it," said Choy Foo, when asked about representing Hawaii as one of the local players in the league. "I try to just play my game and relax. It's good playing with different guys. It's gonna be fun."

 

This is the second go-around for HWB after a nine-year hiatus. All the players in the four-team league are under contract with Minor League Baseball, Japan Professional Baseball or the Korea Baseball Organization.

 

In anticipation of yesterday's opener, numerous changes were made to historic Hans L'Orange Park, including renovations to the grandstands, lights and restrooms, as well as the addition of a new open-air press box along the third base line, portable clubhouses and a well-manicured field.

 

(Lorenzo Cain went 1-for-4, with a triple, and scored a run.)

 

Photo by JAMM AQUINO, starbulletin.com

The West Oahu CaneFires' Sean Kazmar applied a tag to the North Shore Honu's Darren Ford in the bottom of the third inning yesterday.

 

http://starbulletin.com/2006/10/02/sports/art3a.jpg

[Mass Haas]

Robert Hinton started, and he and Joe Thatcher combined on three scoreless innings, box score at bottom of this link:

 

www.honoluluadvertiser.co...032/SPORTS

 

The league is idle on Monday.

[Mass Haas]

Lorenzo Cain's second triple in as many games; Cain adds a stolen base, and Darren Ford two SB's in Tuesday's 6-3 North Shore loss, played with Roger Clemens in attendance. Ford likely walked at least once, although this box score isn't as detailed as most.

 

www.honoluluadvertiser.co...052/SPORTS

 

Lorenzo Cain photo is the 6th in this photo gallery:

 

the.honoluluadvertiser.co...hotos.html

[Mass Haas]

More complete report from Tuesday if you click on the Gameday Link for the North Shore game in this article:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...;fext=.jsp

 

Ford with two walks, three K's, two SB's and an outfield assist to second base; Cain with his triple, a walk, two K's, and a stolen base.

[plowjockey]

Cain is also photo # 5.

[sbrylski]

I can't seem to find anywhere that lists their totals for the league. Anyone know?

[Mass Haas]

Click on one of the four team names at this link, then click on the link for updated stats in the pop-up box that appears-- the Brewer boys are on Honu:

 

www.hawaiiwinterbaseball.com/stats/

[Mass Haas]

Wednesday's North Shore game story, Thursday off -- Joe Thatcher is da bomb...

 

North Shore Honu 6, West Oahu Canefires 2

 

Dustin Martin went 2-for-2 with a home run, three RBIs and two runs scored to lead the North Shore Honu to a 6-2 victory over the West Oahu Canefires on Wednesday night.

 

Martin, a 26th-round draft pick of the New York Mets in 2006, blasted a three-run homer in the fourth inning to give the Honu (2-1) a lead they would not relinquish. The 22-year-old Texan singled and scored in the fifth inning before being lifted for a pinch-hitter in the seventh.

 

Martin was one of just four hitters in either team's starting line-up who did not strike out in the ballgame. The Canefires pitching staff recorded 16 strikeouts, while Honu hurlers combined to whiff 13.

 

North Shore's offense picked up six stolen bases, although just one led directly to a run. Astros prospect Koby Clemens reached on an error in the fourth inning, stole second, advanced to third on pitcher Toyoji Matsumura's throwing error, and came home on an RBI groundout by Issei Nakamura.

 

Clemens and Nakamura each contributed an RBI single in the fifth inning to cap the game's scoring.

 

Milwaukee Brewers farmhand Joe Thatcher, the third of six Honu pitchers, struck out three over two perfect innings and earned the win. Japanese southpaw Satoshi Yamazaki struck out the side in a scoreless seventh, while Keisuke Hayashi scattered three hits and a walk over two shutout frames while striking out three.

 

West Oahu (1-2) plated a pair of unearned runs in the first inning. Boston Red Sox prospect Jeffrey Corsaletti reached on an error and Tomkata Sakaguchi singled to put runners on first and third with no outs. Corsaletti then scored on a botched pickoff attempt, while Sakaguchi eventually came home on an RBI groundout by 2005 first-round draft pick John Mayberry, Jr. (Texas Rangers).

 

Toyoji Matsumura pitched the fourth inning for the Canefires and took the loss, surrendering four runs -- three earned -- on three hits and a walk. Starter Ryan Phillips (Boston Red Sox) struck out six batters over three shutout frames.

 

***

Tough day for Lorenzo Cain, a clean inning for Robert Hinton, Darren Ford two more walks and a stolen base, this link has the Gameday where you can see pitch counts (impressive for both Thatcher and Hinton) and other goodies:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...;fext=.jsp

[Mass Haas]

North Shore wins 3-2 on Friday.

 

Pitchers (Hinton and Thatcher) idle; Ford and Cain still at the top of the order, Lorenzo a single and a walk:

 

www.hawaiiwinterbaseball...._10-6.html

 

I'll be offline until Tuesday AM; North Shore continues play with Saturday and Sunday games; I'm sure someone will volunteer and peek in and update you via this link:

 

www.hawaiiwinterbaseball.com/schedule/

 

The game links are normally posted early next day, remember Hawaii's five hours behind Central Time.

 

I still can't believe these kids get to play in Hawaii all fall. The Brewers' more advanced (AAA, AA) kids must be kicking themselves that this league was dormant (volcano pun) for eight years.

[plowjockey]

Saturday, North Shore wins 5-4. Thatcher strikes out 4 in 3 innings of shut out ball. Hinton lit up for 4 runs in the ninth. Ford 0 for 4 with 3 k's, Cain idle.

www.hawaiiwinterbaseball.com/scores/honu_beachboys_10-7.html

[plowjockey]

Honu 7, Beach Boys 1. Cain 0 for 5. Ford, Thatcher and Hinton DNP. Both Ford and Cain are hitting in the low .100's now, but beware the small sample size. Their first extended season will be a good learning experience. A very wise man once told me that being served a piece of humble pie every now and then is healthy.

www.hawaiiwinterbaseball.com/scores/honu_beachboys_10-8.html

[Mass Haas]

North Shore loses a wild one Tuesday, 9-8. Robert Hinton bounces back with two perfect innings, striking out four; Darren Ford singles and walks in five plate appearances, scoring two runs; Lorenzo Cain and Joe Thatcher idle.

 

www.honoluluadvertiser.co...052/SPORTS

[Mass Haas]

You can create a free account at iamhawaii.com.

 

This gives you an easy link to listen to the games live and follow via live Gameday's.

 

Your non-Sunday games would begin at either 11:30 PM or midnight Central time. Sunday games would be at 8:00 PM Central.

 

Also, by creating the account, you can click on the Gameday's for the prior night when you wake up the next day. We'll do our best to post results here early on as well.

 

On Wednesday, North Shore lost, 1-0

 

Darren Ford is now 4-for-26 on the season (.154) after going 0-for-4 with two K's, although North Shore's lineup combined for only two hits overall.

 

Lorenzo Cain idle for another game, hopefully he's not hurting.

 

In two scoreless innings, lefty Joe Thatcher, again showing why we can never overlook the most obscure of acquisitions (Thatch was an independent league signing), allowed two singles, and picked off a runner who subsequently returned safely to first base on an error by the shortstop in the rundown.

 

Thatcher has simply been setting the bar too high for our expectations, really since his signing last year. In Hawaii, batters are hitting .148 against him (4-for-27). He has walked one and struck out nine. Lefties are 1-for-11 against him. With runners on base, batters are 0-for-10. Personally, I look forward to when he's thought of in closer terms for the big league club, not just as a LOOGY, although that's a nice thing to have as well.

 

We've read reports from baseball exec's who feel the overall talent level of the kids in Hawaii exceeds that of the Arizona Fall League farmhands, just that these kids have less pro experience.

[pogokat]

Quote:

---

Lorenzo Cain idle for another game, hopefully he's not hurting.

---

 

too many mai tais?

 

My wife actually broke her ankle while we were in hawaii...it's a slippery place

 

hopefully Zo is ok

[And That]

Hey, it is nice to be able to "watch" some baseball at 3 am in October. Darren Ford gets his BA back to .200...

[Mass Haas]

Darren Ford with two singles and a walk, Lorenzo Cain still absent, and a day off for Robert Hinton and Joe Thatcher on the mound in North Shore's 6-5 win Thusday:

 

www.hawaiiwinterbaseball....10-12.html

[Mass Haas]

North Shore falls, 5-4, Friday night

 

Darren Ford reached base three times (2-for-4, walk, two K's), with one of the hits a double. He stole second base twice, and made an error in the 9th that did not lead to an unearned run, although on the play, the go-ahead (and losing) run did score. Reviewing Gameday (how great is Gameday), Ford had a very busy game in center field. In the 5th, Ford was thrown out at home on a fielder's choice on what appears to be a "run on contact" play. Darren ended the game by striking out with runners on 1st and 3rd, a six-pitch at-bat with a few stay-alive foul balls.

 

Robert Hinton was brought in to end the 9th for North Shore after the team had surrendered the key run. He struck out John Mayberry, the only man he faced.

 

Still no Lorenzo Cain -- ugh.

 

Box Score, Game Log:

 

www.hawaiiwinterbaseball....10-13.html

 

Gameday (create free log-in account):

 

iamhawaii.com/site/hwbstream

 

Actually, Gameday for the HWBL is now also available via the MiLB.com home page:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c.../index.jsp

[Mass Haas]

Saturday's game rained out for North Shore, doubleheader Sunday beginning at 6:00 PM Central.