What is it about inclement weather that always seems to prompt me to blog?  It seems a little funny to, in the midst of a winter storm, proclaim that the start of the 2011 season is right around the corner, but, believe it or not, it is! 

The official count is less than 90 days until Opening Day on April 7… that’s about as precise as I get with figures beyond my finger counting capabilities.  Check back in in late March for an exact countdown!

Just in case you don’t trust my counting — I wouldn’t blame you — here are a couple signs that the season is approaching…

1) The interns are coming, the interns are coming! That’s right, the first of a brand-new crop are starting this Tuesday — Group Sales Assistant Megan Meade and Promotions Assistant Jared Weymier. 

More will follow, but Megan and Jared are the first of our seasonal interns to arrive in Hickory, and we couldn’t be more excited to get them started and continue to welcome in the very promising members of our 2011 intern group as the season draws nearer.  Ask anyone in any minor league sports organization and they will tell you all about the importance of bringing in quality folks as seasonal interns.

Beyond simply providing extra manpower during the season and the preceding months, one of the greatest values our interns bring with them is their diversity.  They all come from different backgrounds with different past work and educational experiences, and they can be invaluable in providing differing perspectives when it comes to brainstorming everything we brainstorm around here, from promotions to ticket plans and everything else!

We’re excited to bring them all in, and we’re also excited that they are signal #1 that Opening Day is near!

2) We’re heating things up with the annual Hot Stove Banquet on Thursday, January 27!  The Hot Stove is always a great time and a great way to start getting our fans (and sometimes front office members!) back in the mood for baseball!

Last year, our keynote speaker, Texas Rangers GM Jon Daniels, really put a great cap on a fun-filled night, and we’re expecting another great event in a couple of weeks.  Our highlighted speaker this year will be Rangers 1B Mitch Moreland.

Of all the guys on the big league squad, Mitch actually had the best overall postseason and really contributed down the stretch with some timely hitting in the World Series.  Oh yeah, did we mention that his MLB debut came only about two months before the playoffs?  He fit in in The Show right away, and I can not wait to hear what he has to say about his first major league campaign and World Series run.

Another reason why I am particularly excited that we’ve got Mitch coming is that he was in the minors as recent as last year.  Furthermore, Moreland was in Low-A (our level) with the Rangers former affiliate, the Clinton LumberKings, as recent as 2008!  In two years he made the ascent to the big leagues, and it is going to be a blast to hear about his speedy journey.

Of course, we are also going to have some great season previews from area college and high school coaches, a silent auction, delicious dinner and a social that will get everything going at 6:15 p.m. on Jan. 27.  The Hot Stove will be back at Rock Barn Golf and Spa, and tickets are on sale now for just $35.  Seating is limited, so order your tickets early and be sure to not miss out on listening to a guy we were all just watching on Fox’s World Series coverage in Oct.

Well, it is still snowing, but at least my fingers got a little work out!  Be sure to check this blog forum for more and more entries as we continue to progress through the winter months to Opening Day on April 7!

Andrew Buchbinder enters his third season as director of broadcasting/media relations with the Crawdads.  He previously served in similar capacities with the Bakersfield Condors (ECHL) and the Bakersfield Blaze, the ‘Dads former High-A affiliate in the California League.

-Nick Parson, Front Office Assistant

 

As the grand finale of the 2010 MLB awards season, Texas Rangers’ outfielder Josh Hamilton took home the MVP award for the American League.

Hamilton, a native of Raleigh, is the first recipient on the Rangers since Alex Rodriguez won it in 2003. In addition to being the AL MVP and an American League Champion, Hamilton also earned himself the MVP award in the ALCS.

Although Hamilton and his Rangers  team mates fell short of a World Series victory, they have won just about everything else they could have. In addition to Hamilton’s recent honors, Rangers closer Neftali Feliz locked up the vote for American League Rookie of The Year.

Having received 22 of 28 first place votes, Hamilton set the bar with a league leading .359 batting average and .411 on-base percentage. In addition to outstanding offensive numbers, Hamilton also demonstrated an impressive amount of determination late in the season as he battled rib fractures to remain in the lineup going into the postseason.

With all of the accomplishments that they have made this year, both on team and personal levels, the Texas Rangers certainly have something to be invigorated about when they start camp in February. As far as what this means for the Crawdads, players like Josh Hamilton are setting a precedent for what it means to be a member of the Texas Rangers, giving the players in Hickory an example to follow.

-Nick Parson, Front Office Assistant 

Despite falling short of their first World Series title, the Texas Rangers, MLB affiliate of the Hickory Crawdads, have a long list of things to be proud of now that the 2010 season has drawn to an end. Adding to that list is the young closer Neftali Feliz, who has earned himself the American League Rookie of The Year Award for 2010.

With the award, Feliz has put an end to the longest drought in the American League for a Rookie of The Year. Prior to this season,  a Rangers rookie had not won since Mike Hargrove in 1974.

Feliz, who was just 21 years of age when he broke camp with the Rangers last spring, put up intimidating numbers to say the least. In addition to his Rookie of the Year honors, Feliz earned a trip to this year’s MLB All Star Game, and set a new record for saves by a rookie with 40 to his credit.

Although Feliz did not come up through the Rangers system, he serves as yet another reminder of the value that the Rangers place on young talent. Feliz was signed by the Atlanta Braves in 2005 and was acquired by Texas in the trade that sent Mark Teixeira to Atlanta in 2007. Having made his major league debut as a September call-up in 2009, Feliz got his first opportunity as a closer for Texas after Frank Francisco began the 2010 campaign with two blown saves. From that point on, sitting batters down in the 9th inning became a habit for Neftali Feliz.

Although postseason appearances are not considered in awards voting, Feliz had a successful playoff run as he retired the Yankees in order in Game 6 of the ALCS to send Texas to their first World Series appearance in franchise history.

As for what this award means for next season, Feliz will have the same challenge that every Rookie of the Year faces in proving himself as more than just a fluke with beginner’s luck. The one thing that Feliz has already proven though is that he not only has the potential to be a dominant closer, he has the potential to be one of the best in the game.

-Nick Parson, Front Office Assistant

 

The Texas Rangers appeared to be loaded for bear going into the 106th World Series against the San Francisco Giants. Unfortunately for the Rangers, they could only get a few shots off before being soundly beaten 4-1 in the best of seven series.

As disappointed as we were to see the Rangers fall in the World Series, we tip our caps to local hero Madison Bumgarner, who is now Hickory’s resident World Series champ. Bumgarner, who pitched his highschool ball mere miles away from L.P. Frans Stadium, was a key contributor for the Giants in their World Series victory, shutting down the Rangers to the tune of three hits over eight frames in Game 4.

Also getting a World Series ring is former ‘Dad Aaron Rowand. Rowand played in Hickory during the 1998 season, and is now a utility outfielder for the Giants.

The longest postseason run in Texas Rangers history definitely generated some exitement here in our front office. Things can get lonely here sometimes after the ballpark has been empty for a month, but the fact that our big brothers on the Rangers kept their season going for so long made the transition into the offseason just a little more gradual.

Now that the baseball season is officially over, we have turned off the tv and are hunkering down at our desks to begin crafting the 2011 Hickory Crawdads campaign. The ideas are flowing freely now, and we look forward to having you all here at L.P. Frans next season to see some of our new plans come to fruition. In addition, we hope you take advantage of the opportunity to see the future players for what is now a World Series calibur franchise, the mighty Texas Rangers!

Until baseball here gets going again on April 7th, stay tuned to our website for announcements on ways to make your winter more fun. From events at the ballpark to ticket deals for those looking for stocking stuffers, we’ll be keeping things exciting around here until the players break from camp and show up at our doorstep.

Until next time, keep those warm North Carolina nights fresh in your memory and get excited to do it all over again next season.

 

-Nick Parson, Front Office Assistant

 

After all these years (51 of them to be exact), the Texas Rangers are heading to the World Series for the first time in franchise history. After beating the New York Yankees 4-2 in the best of seven ALCS, the Rangers are about to go where no Ranger has ever gone before.

Ever since the Rangers won Game 2 of the ALDS against the Tampa Bay Rays, the list of firsts for this ballclub has gotten longer and longer. Prior to this season, the Rangers had only won one single playoff game in history. They had made it to the post-season three times prior to this year, facing the Yankees on all three occasions, and were swept twice and lost 3-1 in the best of 5 series the other time. 

Although the Majors can feel a ways away from Hickory, Crawdads fans should be excited about the recent fortune of the Rangers. Not only is being an affiliate of a successful team something to be proud of, but it gives our players something to look forward to and something to look to for inspiration. In Single A, we are the foundation for the talent that will someday rise to the MLB ranks. In the years to come, when we see former Crawdads on the starting roster of the Texas Rangers, we can all take pride in the fact that we were with these players from the beginning. With the dark days of inadequate pitching and uni-dimensional lineups seemingly behind the Rangers, we can look forward to the numerous ways that Crawdads players might contribute to a championship caliber team someday.

Given that our affiliation with the Rangers is still somewhat fresh, there are no former Crawdads on the Rangers roster during this remarkable playoff run. The lone Crawdad that has made it to this year’s Fall Classic is Aaron Rowand of the San Francisco Giants. Though he has seen limited action this postseason, (seven PA’s thus far), we are all proud to see a former Hickory Crawdad on baseball’s biggest stage, and wish him luck.

All this excitement has given us some good fodder for water cooler chats here in the front office. We hope that all you ‘Dads fans out there embrace and root for the Rangers, even if your beloved Braves or Yankees missed out on the action. The World Series is baseball at its absolute best, and we hope that the next time you come visit us here at L.P. Frans, you’ll keep in mind how exciting the possibilities of the future could be for our players here in Hickory.

-Nick Parson, Front Office Assistant

The Texas Rangers stand with a 2-1
advantage over the New York Yankees in the 2010 ALCS. Had it not been for one
horrific inning for the Rangers bullpen in Game 1, they would be poised for a
sweep of the AL Wild Card winning Yankees.

As is often the case with the playoffs, the pitching
performances have been headline worthy. For Texas, mid-season acquisition Cliff
Lee has been stunning the baseball world with his continued dominance of
otherwise fierce lineups. In three games, two against the Tampa Bay Rays and
one against the Yankees, Lee has gone a combined 24 innings allowing only
thirteen hits, two runs, and one walk. As for his strikeout pace, Lee has set a
major league record by notching over ten strikeouts in each of his first three
postseason appearances this postseason. By deciding to wait until Game 3 to
send Lee to the mound, Rangers manager Ron Washington now has the comfort in
knowing that if there is a Game 7, he will have Lee on hand to face the Yankees
at the Ballpark in Arlington.

For the Yankees, their starting pitching has been
disconcerting at best. In Game 1, Yankees ace C.C. Sabathia was hammered early,
giving up five runs in only four innings pitched. He was able to escape the
loss column due to a dramatic 8^th inning implosion of the Rangers
bullpen, however this is surely not something the Yankees want to count on for
future games. In Game 2, the young Phil Hughes was even more ineffective than
Sabathia, giving up a total of seven runs on ten hits in only four innings
pitched. The only quality start of the series for the Yankees has come from
Andy Pettitte, an October veteran who is looking for his 20^th
postseason win. With 19 postseason wins already to his credit, Pettitte holds
the major league record. Unfortunately for the Yankees, Pettitte’s sole blemish
of allowing a two-run shot in the first inning to Josh Hamilton was all that
the Rangers would need while riding the back of Cliff Lee’s performance.

As one can imagine by the pitching numbers, there are many
Yankees who have had no offensive impact yet whatsoever. There are only two
Yankees that have greater than two hits in the series, those players being
Derek Jeter with three hits, and Robinson Cano with five hits. Cano is leading
the Yankees in all offensive categories for the series. He has slugged New
York’s only two homers, knocked in three of the eight runs that have been
scored during the series, and scored three of those runs himself. Beyond Cano,
the Yankees are desperately searching for answers.

For the Rangers, the offensive attack has been well rounded.
With the exception of Pettitte, the Rangers have had no trouble getting through
past Yankees pitching.  Josh
Hamilton has provided the most spark for the Rangers thus far with his two
home-runs, five walks, and five RBI, all the while striking out only three
times. Vladimir Guererro is the only player with greater than six at-bats that
has yet to knock in a run for the Rangers.

If the Yankees hope to continue their bid for ring 28, it is
clear that they have a host of issues to address with both their pitching and
their hitting. For Texas, they can only hope that their starters keep doing
what they have done so far, and that the bats stay alive against a Yankees team
that has tremendous potential, even if they haven’t had the results yet.

In other news, local boy Madison Bumgarner is the likely
starter for the San Francisco Giants in Game 4 of the NLCS. Bumgarner, a
graduate of South Caldwell High, was a dominant starter for the Spartans during
his tenure. As the 4^th pitcher in the Giants’ postseason rotation,
Bumgarner had an impressive outing in the NLDS against the Atlanta Braves,
going six innings allowing only a pair of runs on six hits. Bumgarner will
likely face Joe Blanton, who did not pitch in the NLDS for the Phillies as they
went on to sweep the Cincinnati Reds.

-Nick Parson, Front Office Assistant

And then there were four. The League Division Series has
come and gone, and for the first time in franchise history the Crawdads’ major league affiliate, the Texas Rangers, came out of it with the win. The Rangers were able to vanquish the Tampa Bay
Rays 3-2 in the best of five series, relying heavily on the dominant pitching
of Cliff Lee and C.J. Wilson.

Cliff Lee, who was nearly acquired by the Yankees prior to
the non-waiver trade deadline, has stepped into the role of being the foundation
on which the Rangers are hoping to build their first championship season. In
his two starts in the ALDS, Lee allowed only 2 runs on 8 hits over 16 innings
pitched. That, combined with Wilson’s 2 hit, no run performance in Game 2,
finally got the Rangers past the first round of the playoffs. Prior to this
year’s ALDS, the Rangers had made it to the first round three times. In those
three appearances, they were swept twice, and lost the series 3-1 on another
occasion. All of these losses were suffered at the hands of the New York
Yankees.

With their first hurdle behind them, the Rangers now go on
to face the Yankees in the American League Championship Series. The Yankees,
fresh off a sweep of the Minnesota Twins in their ALDS matchup, are firing on
all cylinders after a September slide that had many people questioning whether
this Yankees club is built for a title defense. In typical fashion, the Yankees
have thus far silenced their critics in the postseason. Meanwhile, the Rangers,
who would have finished in third place had they been in the same division as
the Yankees, are the team that will have to prove their mettle to the critics.
There is one thing that has already been proven however, and that is that these
are not your typical Texas Rangers. 

In recent years, the Rangers have developed a reputation of
imbalance. They are known for having outstanding power numbers at the plate,
but not much else. For example, in 2008, the Rangers led the American League in
hits, runs, slugging, and were second in OBP. In addition, their pitching staff
had the highest ERA, the most hits allowed, and the second lowest number of
strikeouts. Regardless of the offensive attack that the club mounted in that
season, they finished with a losing record of 79-83.

Now, just two years removed, the Rangers enter the ALCS with
a staff that appears up to the challenge of the vaunted New York lineup. Having
pitched a complete game on three day’s rest to knock out the Rays, Cliff Lee is
not projected to start again until Game 3. In tonight’s series opener in Texas,
the Rangers will send C.J. Wilson to duel with fellow lefty C.C. Sabathia.

This is Wilson’s first season as a major league starter,
getting his innings as a closer for the past four years. Wilson’s
transformation from mediocre closer into impact starter has been nothing short of
extraordinary. Wilson was able to log over 200 innings this season, and came
out of them with a 3.35 ERA. It is this recent body of work that gives Rangers
manager Ron Washington the confidence to start Wilson against an extremely
capable Yankees offense in Game 1.

With pitching being the highlight of the 2010 playoffs thus
far, the Rangers look to continue the trend and contain the Yankees as much as
possible. In addition, the Rangers will have to find their own ways of beating
an equally impressive Yankees pitching staff. With playoffs veterans C.C.
Sabathia and Andy Pettitte, and young gun Phil Hughes, the Yankees are just as
formidable a foe on the mound as they are at the plate. They will have to be
careful though, as the Rangers have demonstrated their ability to punish teams
for their mistakes. In Game 5 of the ALDS, the Rangers were able to score two
runs while the pitcher had his back to the plate while attempting a play at
first base. In another instance, Nelson Cruz drew an errant throw from Rays
catcher Kelly Shoppach while making an aggressive steal of third base. The
throw sailed past Evan Longoria into left field, and Cruz scored easily.

Considering that the Yankees have one of the best defenses
in the game, the Rangers cannot count on mistakes to win games. If the Rangers
are hoping to finally advance past New York in the postseason, then they will
have to do so on the backs of their starters. For the first time in many years
however, the Rangers feel as though they finally have the right men for the
job.

 

 

~Andrew Buchbinder, Director of Broadcasting & Media Relations

Did August 28 sneak up on anyone else out there? I mean, weren’t we just getting ready for Open House? Preparing for the Salute to Troops? Shooting ESPN commercials?  Gearing up for Independence Day Fireworks? Taking in the tunes with the 10th Avenue North Christian Concert? Upsetting a 300+ pound human being while amusing an entire country with the Crawdads Conditioning Challenge?

Could those all have really already happened?  Are they already scripted pages in the 18th chapter of Crawdads Baseball here in Hickory?  I guess so.

It’s kind of a surreal feeling when you reflect on another season in the books.  It’s bittersweet when you say so long to another group of seasonal interns that have been your family for the past six months.  And, above all, it’s a rush and a reminder-of-why when you see a packed house of 4,444 fans come out for that last round of fireworks that we had last night.

As we get ready for the regular season home finale tonight, I’d like to take advantage of this forum to say thank you to everyone that came out and supported us this season.  It was a fun 2010 campaign, and it would be nothing if we didnt have the phenomenal community and fan support that we are lucky enough to enjoy, but never take for granted. 

Another thing we never take for granted is the hard-work put in by everyone that chips in to make each game a possibility.  From those seasonal interns to the game-day staff, we appreciate it all and are glad to have shared in another journey with you.

Well, time to get set for tonight’s Team Card Set Giveaway, Fan Appreciation Night and Game Worn Jersey Auction, wrapping up the home schedule with a bang!  Hopefully, we’ll see everyone out tonight, and hopefully we’ll have some playoff baseball in September as well!  As always, Go ‘Dads!

Andrew Buchbinder is in his second season as director of broadcasting/media relations with the Crawdads.  He previously served in similar capacities with the Bakersfield Condors (ECHL) and the Bakersfield Blaze, the ‘Dads High-A affiliate in the California League.

-Graham Doty, Broadcast Assistant

The Texas Rangers organization has had quite a season so far.  The Rangers are red hot and have one of the best farm systems.  The Rangers have a lot of talented pitchers in the minors and it certainly shows.  Let’s take a look at all of the Texas Rangers teams and some former Hickory Crawdads.

Texas Rangers
The Rangers have had an outstanding season so far.  They are hoping to make a deep run in the postseason this year.  They recently added one of the best pitchers in the game in Cliff Lee.  They have an MVP candidate in Josh Hamilton who is leading the majors with a .357 batting average.  The Rangers are 63-45 overall and have an 8.5 lead over the Oakland A’s in the AL West.

AAA Oklahoma City RedHawks
The RedHawks are 59-52 overall.  They are currently in 1st place in the PCL American South division.  They currently have a 2.5 game lead over the Albuquerque Isotopes.  They lead the league with a team ERA of 3.81 and they have also given up the fewest earned runs in 414.

AA Frisco RoughRiders
The RoughRiders are 59-50 overall.  They clinched the first half by 2.5 games over the Corpus Christi Hooks.  In the second half, they are currently 2nd in the TEX South division.  They are one game behind the Midland RockHounds.  The RoughRiders lead the Texas League with 35 triples.

Former Crawdads pitcher Tyler Tufts is pitching for Frisco.  He has appeared in two games and has pitched two innings with no walks and two strikeouts.

High A Bakersfield Blaze
The Blaze are 55-55 overall.  They are currently in 1st place in the CAL North division in the second half with a 26-14 record.  The have a six game lead over the Stockton Ports.

The Blaze have a lot of former Crawdads.

RHP Andrew Doyle has pitched one inning with no hits, runs, walks or strikeouts.

RHP Wilmer Font is 1-2 in nine starts with a 3.86 ERA.  He has pitched in 49 innings giving up 26 runs, 32 walks and 52 strikeouts.  Opponents are batting .217 against Font.  He is currently on the DL.

RHP Danny Gutierrez has one start.  He went 3.2 innings and gave up 7 earned runs with 3 walks and 3 strikeouts.  He picked up a no decision.

RHP Trevor Hurley is 0-1 in 8 games.  He has a 2.51 ERA and has 1 save.  He has pitched 14.1 innings giving up 7 runs, 8 walks and 14 strikeouts.

RHP Hector Nelo has pitched in 7 games.  His ERA is 3.97 and he has pitched 11.1 innings.  He has given up 8 runs, 7 walks and has 9 strikeouts.

LHP Robbie Ross is 3-2 in 5 starts.  Ross has a 4.28 ERA in 27.1 innings.  He has given up 19 runs with 9 walks and 25 strikeouts.

RHP Joe Wieland is 3-2 in 7 starts.  His ERA is 6.53 and he has pitched 40 innings.  Wieland has allowed 30 runs with 6 walks and 48 strikeouts.

C Vinny DiFazio is batting .143 in two games.  His only hit has been a home run.

OF Cody Podraza is batting .444 in 8 games.  He has 3 doubles and 6 RBI.

OF Miguel Velazquez is batting .293 with 4 home runs and 22 RBI.

Low A Hickory Crawdads
The Crawdads are 63-46 overall and are currently in second place in the SAL Northern division.  They are just 1.5 games behind the Lakewood BlueClaws.  The Crawdads are one of just three teams in the league to have at least 60 wins.

Class A Short Season Spokane Indians
The Indians are 27-20 overall.  They clinched the first half of the NOR East League.  They are currently in 2nd place in the division in the second half.  They are one game behind the Yakima Bears.  The Indians are 1st in team ERA with 3.11.  The pitching staff has allowed the fewest runs with 172.  They are also getting it done with hitting.  The Indians lead the league with a .268 batting average and 211 RBI.

AZL Rangers
They are 20-16 overall and are in 1st in the AZL West.

DSL Rangers
They are 31-20 overall and are 1st in the DSL San Pedro.

Graham is in his first season as
broadcast assistant with the Crawdads.  The Oxford, Mississippi native
graduated from the University of Mississippi in 2010 with a degree in
broadcast journalism.  He has spent the last two summers broadcasting
games for the Brewster Whitecaps in the Cape Cod Baseball League.  He
enjoys all Ole Miss Athletics and spending time with family and friends.

-Graham Doty, Broadcast Assistant

The Lakewood BlueClaws have had an amazing season.  They clinched the first half by two games and they currently lead the second half by 1.5 games.  The Crawdads have been right on their heels all season.  The Crawdads play the BlueClaws in only one series this season and it is shaping up to be huge.  Lakewood comes in to town on August 25th for a four game series.  Since these two teams have been the best two teams in the league for most of the season, I thought it would be interesting to look at the two teams remaining schedules until the showdown in late August.

First let’s take a look at the Lakewood BlueClaws.  Their current overall record is 66-43 and they are 24-15 in the second half.  They have 30 games left in the regular season.  Of those 30 games, 17 games are at home and 13 are on the road.  The BlueClaws also have an easier schedule too.  Their opponents combined winning percentage is 47.4%.  The good news for the Crawdads is that when Lakewood rolls into town, they will be in the middle of an eight game road trip.  They play at Hagerstown on August 24th and then have to ride down to Hickory and take on the Crawdads the next night.

Now, let’s look at the Hickory Crawdads.  Their current overall record is 62-46 and they are 22-16 in the second half.  They have 30 games left in the regular season.  Of those 30 games, 13 are at home and 17 are on the road.  The Crawdads have a tougher schedule than the BlueClaws.  The Crawdads opponents combined winning percentage is 52.8%.  The Crawdads will be in the middle of an eight game home stand, so they won’t have to do any traveling.

This is shaping up to be a huge series.  These have been the best two teams in the South Atlantic League all season.  They are two of the three teams in the entire league to have at least 60 wins.  Crawdads fans have been waiting to play Lakewood for a long time.  More than likely, the winner of the Hickory/Lakewood series will win the second half.  The Crawdads would like nothing more than to beat the BlueClaws and to win the second half.  The Hickory fans have been great all season.   With 13 homes remaining, let’s finish strong.   Come to the ballpark and bring your family, friends and neighbors.   Let’s cheer the Crawdads on to victory.

Graham is in his first season as
broadcast assistant with the Crawdads.  The Oxford, Mississippi native
graduated from the University of Mississippi in 2010 with a degree in
broadcast journalism.  He has spent the last two summers broadcasting
games for the Brewster Whitecaps in the Cape Cod Baseball League.  He
enjoys all Ole Miss Athletics and spending time with family and friends.