I had the pleasure of taking in my first minor league game. It was definitely a fun experience! There was little or no energy in the crowd (it got pretty cool and rain was off and on which made it more understandable) but I got a real sense of passion for baseball that the fans in the park had. The stadium is very pleasant and when or if Alliance Bank Stadium ever gets real grass (or FieldTurf with a full dirt infield), the place will look magnificient.

I also had the pleasure of visiting Cooperstown on Saturday. If you haven't ever been there, it's essentially Homer Simpson's vision of The Land of Chocolate, except baseball. Stores upon stores are full of memorabilia, merchandise, and history. If you're a fan of the Yankees, Red Sox, or Mets, you've really got it made as every other logo in the town is one of those teams, but there's still plenty to go around for everyone else. We went to DoubleDay Cafe where we had excellent food and walking around was alot like Niagara-on-the-Lake except without it being so fake and artificial.

The Hall was fantastic, it was grand and historic and just so well done. There was alot of great artifacts present and it really allowed you to take a step back in time. The hall which featured the plaques captured the mystique of baseball's past and present and just seemed grand. I purchased the membership which goes year round, and I definitely plan on going again, perhaps during the Hall of Fame weekend. (Though I imagine it will be so busy, there won't be air to breathe!).

The only negative about the Hall was leaving it, knowing that there's a very good chance that Tom Cheek will never get in there. It's such a shame. It brought a tear to me eye.

Tomorrow is the Hall of Fame Game, and Jordan Bastian says in Jays Notes that every starter sans Glaus or Hill will get at least one at-bat. Kutos to the Jays for this! It would have been much easier for them to take the short drive to Baltimore but it'll definitely be a treat for the fans to see them all playing in such a magical and historic park.

Generally pitchers who are relievers in the low minors are not considered prospects, so management is not as inclined to move them quickly through the system, as they feel that they will eventually hit the wall as a "prospect".

Also, if looking at Overbey for a promotion, one must also consider his "co-closer" at Lansing, Paul Phillips. While Overbey hasn't given up a run, Phillips has better numbers in a few categories, including K/9 (12.5 vs 7.8), K/BB (8.3 vs 5.25) and K% (33.8% vs 26.9%). They are equal in B/9 (1.5), and Overbey has a slightly better WHIP of 0.661 (as compared to 1.056(, most likely due to an incredible .174 BABIP (whereas Phillips is a more "normal" .246).

What is wrong with Duncan?  Also, Vento hasn't played for a month or more.  Do you know what is wrong with him?  I was talking about a permanent roster move, and in that scenario, wouldn't David Smith be next in line? ---he's definitely holding his own this year after ranking in the top few of the Eastern League in most categoreis last year---when it is hard to get in a groove for him.  For some reason, from the opening game, he was kinda designated as the 4th outfielder after being a solid starter last year, and has only played regularly there when Lydon left and before Patterson came up.  He has DH'd a lot, and sat out more than Mathews or Majewski, who by the way, have not DH'd at all this year.  Patterson has DH'd a couple of games.  It's hard to imagine that the organization feels the other 3 outfielders play better defense.  Scout.com felt Smith could play all outfield positions and has an above average arm.   After watching all 4 in spring training, Smith has the best arm, and runs as well as the others, and runs better than Patterson.  I know Patterson is a "prospect", though. 

OF at the minors could see a chain reaction move as we near June, with Snider possibly seeing Dunedin and Matthews seeing Syracuse.  Who moves up to the FisherCats?  JoJo Hetherington?