muckdogs

The Muckdogs hitting instructor, Jeff Albert, is an interesting cat.  He's best known for his video analyst of players swings (he used to blog here and here's his Swing Training site.). It looks like his minor league playing experience was limited to 21 ABs on independent teams.

You can't argue with the results he's getting from the Muckdog hitters this season, though. It seems like the entire team has shown improvement over the course of the season.

FutureRedbirds.com posted an interview with Jeff.

Switching gears a little bit, tell me about some of your players. I thought Shane Peterson was an interesting draft pick due to his great college career at Long Beach St., but seeing him on video, he does have that odd two-step swing. Is that at all a concern of yours?

With Shane’s line-drive ability and strike zone judgment, I can see where he had success. The pre-swing move from his draft video is more exaggerated than what he showed up here with, so I wouldn’t say he has a two-step swing that causes concern. Everyone here is striving for a more efficient swing, and Shane is no different. He shows up every day to do his work and sometimes I literally have to kick him out of the cage.

Give me your impressions of the following players: Jermaine Curtis, Frederick Parejo, Colt Sedbrook, Charlie Cutler, Alex Castellanos and Xavier Scruggs.

Curtis is a gamer - he’s made all the plays at 3rd base and swung well from the 3-hole. Hand and foot injuries have kept him out of more games than any of us would like. Parejo had a good showing at the all-star game, having hit the only home run. For him to put together an all-star year after jumping from the GCL last year is impressive, especially when you factor in that he was 17 when the season started.

Sedbrook has been our most consistent hitter to this point, and his swing and approach are a good match - he drives the ball the other way and plays to his strengths in the box. Cutler has settled in and is driving the ball with more authority, which is a good sign considering that he has one of the lowest swing-and-miss percentages within the entire organization. Castellanos just got here and came out swinging - the ball really jumps off his bat towards right-center field. Scruggs has some power and deserves a lot of credit for his diligence. He has probably made the biggest improvement of all the hitters here since day one.

I left this remark in the comments:

I’m surprised Jeff isn’t more concerned about Shane’s swing. To me, it’s a big, loopy, slow swing. He starts with his hands too far forward, and then has a little hitch just before he starts the bat forward. His mechanics rob any chance he has of hitting for power. He only does as well as he does because of exceptional plate discipline.

I wish you had asked about Beau Riportella. To me, he’s the best looking guy at the plate on the team. And he’s been showing consistent and improving results recently. He just needs to reverse his K and BB totals. If he does that, he could evolve into a legit three-hole prospect.

Meanwhile, Mollie Radzinski, who has supplied us with coverage of the team this season, has her own blog and posted about her experience this season as a Muckdogs intern.

First, there are the players. Fresh out of college, these guys have signing bonuses ranging from $940,000 to $1,000. Unlike many of the bigger-league stars, every one of them is willing to sign autographs for fans.

I won’t say there aren’t any egos on the team, but it is hard to have too much of an ego when one has to drive around town on a Huffy bike.

Look at the post Dave Wellenzohn just left on The Batavian.

Find me one other general manager in all of baseball who has gone onto a media and site directly encouraged fans to support the local team!

Listen, people, YOUR TEAM -- and the Batavia Muckdogs are your team -- are in the midst of an exciting and significant pennant race.

You need to attend these home games. You must attend these home games.

And let me ask you -- where is the Daily News in encouraging its readers to attend these final Muckdog games?

Let's be real: The Batavian isn't even five months old.  Our audience is still growing. The Daily News is more than 100 years old and its audience is established. The Daily News can do more to put people in Dwyer Stadium seats than we can, so WHERE is the Daily News support for the home town team? Come on, Tom Turnbull, show us you really love Batavia -- get this stadium sold out these final games of the season.

There is no reason these final games shouldn't be sold out every night -- especially the two games against Jamestown.

So, are you going to support YOUR team, or not?

As the Muckdogs chase their first title since 1963 ( pre Muckdogs) We need noisy fans at Dwyer Stadium.4 home games left, Sun,Thurs,Fri,Sat Let's cheer our boys on as they go for the title. Of course, I'm biased but a championship would be great in 08

With the seven game win streak ending in a big 16-7 loss to Williamsport last night, and a Jamestown win over Auburn, the Muckdogs now sit in second place in the Pinckney Division, half a game behind the Jammers.  However, Batavia is represented very well in many statistical categories in the NYPL.  Here's a look:

• Arquimedes Nieto overtook 1st place again in pitching, with a 1.20 ERA and 6-0 record.
• Adam Reifer still leads in saves (19) and games (27).
• Colt Sedbrook is 4th in batting with a .324 average.  He also leads the league in hits with 73 and is 2nd in on-base percentage (.416)
• Jose Garcia's 20 stolen bases put him in 3rd place.
• Shane Peterson has a .395 on-base percentege which makes him 4th in the league.
• Overall, the team is 3rd in batting with a .264 combined average and 4th in pitching with a combined 3.22 ERA.

Tonight, the Muckdogs start a two-game series in Mahoning Valley...and I will be there! (It's only 45 minutes away from Kent State).  I'm excited to be able to watch the team live once more!  Hopefully, this road trip will be the start of our next lengthy win streak!

The Crosscutters (32-30) scored sixteen runs to Batavia's (39-24) seven to put an end to the Muckdogs' seven game win streak.  Adam Veres (0-1) had a shaky start that gave him the loss.  He lasted two innings with six hits, six runs, two walks and four strikeouts.  For Williamsport, Justin De Fratus (5-4) picked up the win in five and a third innings with seven hits, four runs, four walks and nine strikeouts.

Williamsport got the lead right off the bat in the 1st on two singles and a double.  Batavia answered with one run in the bottom of the inning when Jose Garcia reached on a fielder's choice, stole second and came home when Colt Sedbrook hit a double down the middle.  However, the Crosscutters added twelve runs in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th innings to make the game unreachable.

Batavia wasn't quite finished, though, as they had a three-run 6th inning when Charlie Cutler and Jairo Martinez had back-to-back singles and Chris Swauger tripled to drive them in.  Swauger then came in to score on a Brett Lilley single.  They also had a three-run 8th inning.  Swauger, Garcia and Sedbrook all singled and Shane Peterson had a two-run double, giving the Muckdogs seven total runs, but it was not enough as the Crosscutters plated sixteen on the night.

Swauger went 3-for-5 with a triple, two RBI and two runs scored.  Peterson was also 3-for-5 with two RBI.  Sedbrook continued to raise his average, going 2-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a run scored.  Batavia looks to get back on the winning track Tuesday as they travel to Mahoning Valley for two games with the Scrappers.

A four-run 8th inning for the Muckdogs (39-23) was enough to get the 4-3 win against Williamsport (31-30).  Arquimedes Nieto (6-0) picked up the win, pitching the 6th, 7th and 8th with one strikeout.  Adam Reifer (19) earned himself the save in the 9th with two hits, one run and two strikeouts.  Jesse Oster (1-1) blew the save and got the loss throwing one inning with two hits, four runs and two walks for the opposition.

The Crosscutters started their early lead in the 3rd, scoring one run when Brandon  Haislet singled, Bryan Frew walked and Steve Susdorf came up with a RBI single.  They added another in the 5th after Haislet was hit by a pitch and moved to second on a wild pitch.  Later in the inning, Haislet came around to score on a Susdorf sacrifice fly.

However, Batavia came through in the 8th to score enough for the win.  Jose Garcia got on base with a walk and advanced on a wild pitch.  Colt Sedbrook came up and singled to send Garcia home.  After Osvaldo Morales also was walked, Xavier Scruggs drove one over the fence in right field to bring three runs home.

Williamsport threatened in the 9th by scoring one run on a Troy Hanzawa double and Tim Binkoski single, but Reifer struck out the next two he faced to finalize the win.

Sedbrook had a big game, having three of the team's five hits in four at bats, including a double, RBI and a run scored.  Scruggs was clutch in his 1-for-3 day with a homerun and desicive three RBI.  The Muckdogs look to sweep Williamsport and increase their streak tomorrow night at home.

Batavia's (38-23) four errors looked to be costly, but the Muckdogs took the game into extra innings to get the 4-3 over the Williamsport Crosscutters (31-29).  Josh Hester started the game positively, going five innings with four hits, one run (unearned) and three strikeouts.  LaCurtis Mayes (4-0) threw the 11th and 12th innings for the win.  He walked one while striking out three.  Williamsport's Michael Schwimmer (0-2) got the loss in two and a third innings with two hits, one run, one walk and three strikeouts.

The Crosscutters led 1-0 after the 4th when D'Arby Myers reached on a throwing error and came around to score on a Steve Susdorf double.  The Muckdogs took over the lead by scoring three in the 7th.  Colt Sedbrook singled and Shane Peterson reached on catcher's interference.  They then both advanced on a balk before Xavier Scruggs came up with a double to score them both.  Charlie Cutler followed with a single to move Scruggs to third.  A wild pitch then allowed him to score.

However, Williamsport came back in the next inning to even things up.  Arlon Quiroz and Myers both singled, then Susdorf had a RBI double.  The other run came on a sacrifice fly that scored Myers.  The game remained at a 3-3 standstill until the bottom of the 12th inning.  Edwin Gomez started off the inning with a single.  After Frederick Parejo was intentionally walk, Sedbrook singled through the right side to let Gomez come in to score to win the game.

Sedbrook and Gomez both finished 2-for-4 with a run scored.  Xavier Scruggs went 2-for-5 with a double, two RBI and a run scored.  The two teams meet again today at 1:00.

The Muckdogs picked up a 4-3 Saturday night over Williamsport, and with Jamestown beating Auburn by an identical 4-3 score, Batavia retains its half gain lead in the Pinckney Division.

Xavier Scruggs went 2-5 and drove in two runs, while Edwin Gomez and Colt Sedbrook each gathered two hits.

The winning pitcher was LaCurtis Mayes (4-0) who tossed two innings of scoreless ball.

The starter, Joshua Hester, went five innings and surrendered four hits and one unearned run.

Hector Cardenas was tagged for two runs in 2 1/3 innings.

The Muckdogs move to 38-23 (Standings).

Attendance was 1,070.

(Box score)

With our 5th win in a row tonight, we hold on to our first place standing in the Pinckney Division.  Jamestown was able to pull out a win in extra innings to remain just a half game back.  Here's a look at where we stand in other areas of the NYPL:

• Batavia is 3rd in batting and pitching with a combined .264 BA and 3.08 ERA.
• Arquimedes Nieto is now 2nd in pitching with a 1.28 ERA and perfect 5-0 record.
• Adam Reifer still dominates in saves and games at 18 and 25, respectively.
• Colt Sedbrook is 8th in batting with a .310 ERA.  He is also 3rd in on-base percentage at .403 and tied for 3rd in triples with 5.
• Shane Peterson is 5th in on-base percentage (.388).
• Jose Garcia's 19 stolen bases makes him tied for 3rd.

Make sure you get to the ballpark this weekend for some great promotions!  Tomorrow (Saturday) the first 500 fans will receive a Chase Utley bobblehead.  Sunday, the ZOOperstars will be in town for some added entertainment at the game, and as always, kids can run the bases after the game.

The Batavia Muckdogs improved their record to 37--23 with a 10-1 win over Mahoning Valley Scrappers at Dwyer Stadium tonight.

The Muckdogs retained their half-game first-place lead over Jamestown, who beat State College tonight 2-1.

Thomas Eager improved his record to 4-3 by going five innings and giving up only two hits and one run, though he did walk four.

Eager carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning, when a line shot from the first batter he faced bounced off his glove toward the third base line. The next batter singled to left and then Eager issued a walk.  A run scored on a double play, and then Eager walked the next two batters -- missing badly on several pitches -- to load the bases again. He retired the next batter he faced, however.

(Sorry, while I was there -- I wasn't keeping score, so I don't have the names of the Scapper batters involved in that one-run inning.)

In only his third game as a Muckdog, second baseman Alejandro Castellanos went 3-4 with a triple and two RBI.

Chris Swauger also had three hits, while Edwin Gomez and Cold Sedbrook each had two (Box Score).

Eight of the Muckdog's runs came in an explosive third inning, which proved to be a preview of the fireworks that would follow the game.

The post-game show was worth the $5 GA by itself.  It was a major league exhibition lasting for at least 20 minutes.

The announced paid attendance was 1,490. 

There should have been at least another 1,000 people there to see the first-place Muckdogs continue its quest for a division crown (not to mention the great fireworks show).

Dave Wellenzohn was energetic as always with between inning games and promotions. He certainly throws himself into supporting the team.

Unfortunately, I didn't get to see my favorite Muckdog, sweet-swining Beau Riportella, who rode the bench for the night.

Saturday at 7:05 p.m. the Muckdogs take on Williamsport while Jamestown visits Auburn. Game time for Sunday is 1:05 p.m.

The Muckdogs (37-23) excelled on both sides of the plate to take down Mahoning Valley (26-35) by a score of 10-1.  Thomas Eager (4-3) started and earned the win in five innings with two htis, one run, four walks and five strikeouts (including four straight).  George Brown (3) picked up the save in the 9th, allowing one hit and one walk with one strikeout.  On the losing end, Mark Rodrigues (0-2) went two-thirds innings with three hits and four runs.

Batavia had one of their biggest innings of the season, scoring eight runs in the 3rd inning to put the game out of reach.  It all started when Chris Swauger and Edwin Gomez plated back-to-back singles.  Jose Garcia then had a sacrifice bunt to advance both runners one base.  When Frederick Parejo was up next, he reached and the two runners scored on a fielder's choice; Parejo then moved to second on a throwing error.  Colt Sedbrook singled in the next at-bat to score Parejo.

Shane Peterson then reached on another fielder's choice, Osvaldo Morales was hit by a pitch and Charlie Cutler singled to load the bases.  Alex Castellanos then came up with a two RBI single.  After Swauger walked to load the bases again, Gomez had his second hit of the inning, a three-run double.  The Muckdogs scored the eight runs on six hits and an error and had thirteen come up to the plate during the inning.

Mahoning Valley's only run came in the 5th inning as singles by Brock Simpson and Jeremie Tice put two on.  Simpson scored the only run when he came home on a double play ball.  On the night, Swauger was a perfect 3-for-3 with a double, a RBI and two runs scored.  Castellanos went 3-for-4 with a triple, two RBI and two runs scored.  They finish out the weekend with a three-game series against Williamsport at home.

*At the completion of all tonight's NYPL games, I'll have an update on our standings!*

Two new faces have been added to the Muckdogs roster. Here's a look at our new players:

• Ismael Cardona, Catcher: Cardona comes up from the GCL Cardinals where he was batting .222 with 7 RBI.  Orignally from La Sabana, Venezuela, Cardona will add some depth in catching.
• Osvaldo Morales, First Base: In Johnson City, Morales was batting .250 with 12 homeruns and 28 RBI.  In his first start as a Muckdog last night, he went 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored.

Also, I know I'm a little late with the reminder but, don't foget there are player appearances today at Denny's from 11:30-12:30 and at Oliver's Candies 12-1! Be sure to stop out, chat them up and get to know some Muckdogs...and then of course get out to a game to cheer them on! We are home all this weekend and this Monday with all games starting at 7:05, except for a 1:05 start on Sunday.

Behind a solid starting pitching effort by Scott Gorgen (3-2), the Muckdogs (36-23) remain in 1st place in the Pinckney Division after a 4-2 win over the Mahoning Valley Scrappers (26-34).  Gorgen threw five innings with five hits, one walk and seven strikeouts.  Russell Young (4-3) suffered the loss in his six innings with five hits, three runs (one earned), one walk and 2 strikeouts.

In the 2nd inning, Batavia started things off by scoring two runs on three hits.  Chris Swauger singled and Alex Castellonas doubled to get on base and Edwin Gomez came up with a double to drive them both in.  They added another run in the 4th when newcomer Osvaldo Morales doubled and Swauger singled.  The Muckdogs's 4th and final run of the night came in the 8th inning.  Jose Garcia bunt-singled, stole second and then advanced to third on a throwing error.  With Frederick Parejo at the plate, the Scrappers had a fielding error which allowed Garcia to come in to score.

Mahoning Valley threatened in the 9th, scoring two runs in the inning on a walk and two doubles, but it was not enough.  Jason Buursma came into relieve Miguel Tapia in the 9th to earn himself his third save.  In an inning of work, he let up only one hit while striking out two.

Castellonas finished the game 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored.  Swauger also went 2-for-3 with a RBI and a run scored.  The teams face each other again tonight in Batavia at 7:05.

Batavia Muckdog closer Adam Reifer, who leads the league in saves with 18, picked up the win Tuesday night, and Muckdog Charles Cutler scored the winning run, as the National League erased a two-run deficit in the bottom of the ninth to cap a 4-3 walk-off victory.

In fact, NL manager Darin Everson said it was Reifer's performance that semi-inspired the comeback win.

"It was very dramatic," Everson said. "I was telling the other guys that having the energy of Reifer throwing in the ninth inning, our dugout was kind of bubbling with energy after watching him throw."

Muckdog Frederick Parejo broke the game's scoreless tie in the bottom of the fifth when he he homered off of right-hander Robert Bell (Auburn).

Here's the game's box score.

The Muckdogs host Mahoning Valley tomorrow to open the closing weeks of the season in first place with a half-game lead over Jamestown.

Thursday and Friday's games start at 7:50 p.m. 

Williamsport is in town Saturday and Sunday. After that, there are only four more regular season home games (the team is 18-10 at Dwyer this year), including two against Jamestown, which should make for a dramatic close of the season.

Your team is fighting for the division pennant, Genesee County, go support them. General admission tickets are only $5. These kids have put on a great show all season; they deserve to see the stands packed with fans.

My wife and I will be there Friday night. Look for us in the third-base bleachers. I expect I'll be wearing my old school San Diego Padres cap.

Here's a look at where our Muckdog leaders are in the NYPL:

• Arquimedes Nieto remains the league's pitching leader with a 5-0 record and 1.28 ERA.
• Adam Reifer also still leads in saves with 18 and in games with 25.
• Colt Sedbrook is 8th in batting with a .312 BA.  He also is 2nd in on-base percentage (.406) and tied for 4th in triples (5).
• Jose Garcia is 4th in stolen bases with 18.
• As a team, the Muckdogs are 3rd in both hitting and pitching.  They have a combined batting average of .263 and a combined ERA of 3.13.

*In closing, Sunday was my last game here in Batavia. I am returning to school at Kent State University to begin my senior year as a broadcast journalism major.  It was great getting to know those of you who I had a chance to meet at games and getting feedback from you!  I will still be posting frequently for the Muckdogs with game reviews, information on players being moved up or down, community events, and so-forth.  So keep checking in! And get out to Dwyer Stadium as we continue our great run for the playoffs!

The Muckdogs (35-23) took down the Doubledays (31-27) by a score of 5-3 to complete the sweep this weekend.  Ramon Delgado (5-1) had a strong start for the win, going five innings with two hits and four strikeouts.  Adam Reifer (18) came in to pitch the 9th and got the save.  He let up one hit, one run and one walk while striking out one.  Auburn's Joel Carreno (5-4) suffered the loss in his five innings with seven hits, five runs, two walks and two strikeouts.

Batavia started their offense in the 1st, scoring once in the inning on a Brett Lilley walk, Colt Sedbrook double and a sacrifice fly by Christian Rosa.  They added two in the 2nd when Frederick Parejo double and came around home on a throwing error.  Jairo Martinez then doubled and Jose Garcia singled to drive him in.  In the 4th, Alex Castellanos doubled and Martinez singled to make it 4-0.  The Muckdogs last run came on a Chris Swauger homerun in the next inning.

The Doubledays threatened in the 7th as they scored two runs, the first on a solo-homerun by Adam Amar and the second on a Joel Collins double and Karim Turkamani single.  Collins also had a homerun in the 9th, but Batavia held on for the win.

Martinez finished 2-for-3 with a double, run and RBI.  The Muckdogs now send seven players to the All-Star game this week before returning to league action at home versus Mahoning Valley on the 21st.

Batavia resident Donald Weyer writes in the Daily News that WBTA's broadcast of Muckdog games helps reduce attendance.

I disagree.

I bet Mel Allen would, too. And Harry Caray. And Jack Buck. And Red Barber. And Vin Scully.

My point is, baseball and radio have a pretty long, rich and memorable love affair.  WBTA has a pretty fair announcer, to put it mildly,  in Wayne Fuller.

Good baseball radio does more to sell the team than detract from it. If that were not the case, wouldn't MLB franchises have stopped broadcasting their games decades ago? In fact, today, every MLB puts every single home and away game on television (which is even a closer substitute for actually being their than radio). Why? Because it helps sell tickets.

Game broadcasts do as much to put people in the stands than any other marketing a team could do. Broadcasts help generate interest in individual players, allow people who can't attended every day to keep up with the running story line that is a baseball season, act as a regular reminder -- this is your team, support it.

I thought about responding to Mr. Weyer in a letter to the editor, but since it is allegedly an offense punishable by firing to even acknowledge the existence of The Batavian in the pages of the Daily News, I figure the letter's editor wouldn't publish it.  So if somebody could let Mr. Weyer know -- in case he doesn't know about the site yet -- that somebody did attempt to "disabuse" him of is "erroneous reasoning," as he requested.

In his letter, Mr. Weyer offers four other suggestions. If you've read the letter and have thoughts about any of those other ideas, feel free to post a comment below.

Previous post: Daily News: Muckdog attendence lagging

 Batavia (33-23) looked sharp defensively as they beat Auburn (31-25) 5-1 to gain another game on the Doubledays.  Hector Cardenas (4-0) remained perfect in the win, going five innings with two hits, one run (unearned), two walks and three strikeouts.  Matthew Wright suffered the loss in his four and a third innings, giving up five hits, two runs, two walks and striking out two.

The Muckdogs jumped on board first in the 2nd as Charlie Cutler scored the first run after he walked and scored on a Frederick Parejo double.  The Doubledays came back to tie it up in the top of the 3rd.  Luis Rivera scored the only Auburn run of the night when he singled, moved around the bases on two sacrifice bunts and scored on a fielding error.

However, the Muckdogs came out with offensive power to get the win.  In the 5th they got the lead back after Jose Garcia doubled and then came home when Colt Sedbrook grounded out.  They plated another in the 7th on three singles by Edwin Gomez, Brett Lilley and Sedbrook.  Batavia's big inning came in the 8th as they added two insurance runs on back-to-back round-trippers off the bats of Xavier Scruggs and Cutler.

Sedbrook ended the night 3-for-4 with an RBI and Gomez went 2-for-4 with a run scored.  The Muckdogs travel to Auburn tomorrow to try to gain yet another game on the Doubledays.