-Kevin Zeni, Media Relations Assistant

As all you die-hard baseball fans know, and as you not so diehard fans are about to find out, the Major League Baseball non-waiver trade deadline is this afternoon. While several clubs have already made some substantial moves over the last few days and weeks, some of the biggest and most exciting action doesn’t occur until seconds before the 4 P.M. Eastern Time deadline.

While many folks believe that these trades solely affect just the major league teams, and in some cases that is the case, more often than not, it is minor league players like the ones here in the South Atlantic League that become parts of these big deals. Already, SS Jimmy Paredes of the Charleston RiverDogs and SS Jonathan Villar of the Lakewood BlueClaws have been shipped to the Houston Astros organization in separate trades involving Lance Berkman and Roy Oswalt.

While no players have been traded away from the Crawdads active roster, at least not yet, the trades made by the parent club Texas Rangers to acquire Cliff Lee, Jorge Cantu, and Christian Guzman will shakeup several of the organization’s Minor League rosters. As players at the upper levels get traded in each of these deals, guys from the lower levels get the opportunity to move up a level in a domino effect, thus affecting several teams’ rosters.

The deadline is always an exciting time with teams that have fallen out of the race moving veterans to cut costs and teams looking to make a stretch run into the playoffs picking up those veterans to give them that extra edge. I can’t wait to see how the next few hours unfold.

Kevin enters his first season as media relations assistant with the
Crawdads and second year in minor league baseball, after spending the
2009 campaign with the Inland Empire 66ers of the California League
(High-A).  The Los Angeles, California, native is a 2009 graduate of the University of La Verne.

-Graham Doty, Broadcast Assistant

There are baseball players who have been blessed with a canon for an arm or with blazing speed.   You hear the term “5 tool baseball player” mentioned.    Then there are players who are productive through hard work and determination.   Chad Cregar of the Greensboro Grasshoppers fits into the later category.

Chad and I are both from Oxford, Mississippi, a picturesque college town in the northern part of the state.   Chad is a year older than me, but we played little league baseball together.   Even in little league, Chad could hit the baseball.   Most guys that age change sports with the seasons, but not Chad, he was a baseball player.

In Chad’s senior year at Oxford High School he helped lead his team to the state championship.   He batted something north of .500 and, I believe, that he was the team Most Valuable Player.   Three of his fellow teammates signed baseball scholarships with big name Southeastern Conference schools.   There were no suitors for Chad.   Very quietly, he signed with our local community college, Northwest Community College and prepared himself to play at the next level.

At Northwest, he did what he had always done, hit the baseball.  He had two productive years at Northwest and this time there was a Division 1 scholarship offer.   Western Kentucky University, in Bowling Green, gave Chad the opportunity to continue to play the game of baseball.

In Chad’s first season with the Hilltoppers, he enjoyed a year that very few players have ever experienced.   He was in the top-5 in the nation in home runs (21) and runs batted in (82).  He received many honors and looked forward to the major league baseball draft.   Again, there were few suitors and he was not drafted until the 47th round by the Chicago Cubs.   Chad did what he had done in the past and very quietly went back to work and decided to return for his senior year at WKU.

His senior year was more of the same.   He finished with 16 home runs and 63 runs batted in. The Hilltoppers earned a spot in the Oxford Regional.   WKU beat Missouri twice and lost to Ole Miss once.   They found themselves in the position of having to beat Ole Miss, the home team, twice in order to advance to the Super Regional. 

Ole Miss took an early lead and added several runs until they had a commanding lead.   By the bottom of the seventh the Ole Miss fans felt this one was in the books.   The Ole Miss right field section is the student section, Ole Miss’ answer to Wrigley Field’s bleacher bums.    The students began to taunt Chad, who was playing right field.   He answered their taunt by raising his hand to the bill of his cap and nodded ever so slightly.

In the eighth inning, with his team down to their last six outs, Chad came up to the plate and promptly hit a shot over the center field wall.   The Hilltoppers scored six runs in the inning to tie the game.   They took the lead in the ninth and Ole Miss, in a state of shock, was unable to respond.

An unusual thing happened in those two innings.   Chad, through his play and the manner that he carried himself, won the respect of the student section.   He became “off limits” to any taunts for the rest of the regional.   It was something to behold.

The dramatic victory set up a final game with Ole Miss.   WKU’s pitching staff was depleted and Ole Miss responded with a great pitching performance from Drew Pomeranz.  Ole Miss won the game and the regional.   Chad finished his collegiate career in his home town in front of his friends and family.   This time around he was drafted in the 15th round by the Florida Marlins.

Chad and his Grasshopper teammates have one more game to play at L. P. Fran Stadium.   Pull hard for our Crawdads, but keep an eye on Chad.   He is a very fine example that hard work and determination pays off.   He plays with a lot of heart and he carries himself with a lot of character.  

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

Now that the first half and All Star game have come and gone, let’s take a look at the all star players that have moved on from the South Atlantic League.  Each team had at least one player that participated in the all star game that took place in Greenville, SC on June 22.  Many of these players have been promoted.  Here is the breakdown for each team.

Asheville Tourists:
They had five all stars and two have moved on.

RHP Alan DeRatt was promoted to the High A Modesto Nuts.
He has appeared in two games and has pitched a total of 3.2 innings.  He has 5 strikeouts and 1 walk.

3B Joseph Sanders was also promoted to the High A Modesto Nuts.
He has 1 hit in 24 at bats and has also scored 2 runs.

Charleston Riverdogs:
They had three all stars and one has moved on.

CF Zoilo Almonte was promoted to the High A Tampa Yankees.
He is batting .265 with 3 RBI through 9 games with the Yankees.
He already has 4 stolen bases.  He only had 7 in 58 games with the Riverdogs.

Hagerstown Suns:
They had five all stars and one has moved on.

RHP Trevor Holder was promoted to the High A Potomac Nationals.
He is 0-1 in 4 starts with a 3.48 ERA.
He has 11 strikeouts and 2 walks in 20.2 innings.

Hickory Crawdads:
Our Crawdads had five all stars and one has been promoted.

CF Miguel Velazquez was promoted to the High A Bakersfield Blaze.
He is batting .286 through 6 games with the Blaze.
He has 4 RBI and has also scored 4 runs.

Rome Braves:
They had two all stars and one has moved on.

RHP Arodys Vizcaino was promoted to the High A Myrtle Beach Pelicans.

He has started 3 games for the Pelicans and has yet to pick up a win or loss.
He has 11 strikeouts and only 3 walks in 13.2 innings.

Savannah Sand Gnats:
They had six all stars and four have been promoted.

RHP Brandon Moore has been promoted to the High A St. Lucie Mets
He is 1-0 with a 3.27 ERA in two starts for the Mets.
He has 12 strikeouts and 4 walks in 11 innings.

C Kai Gronauer was promoted to the High A St. Lucie Mets.
He has been on fire batting .344 through 9 games.
He has 1 home run and 6 RBI.

SS Wilmer Flores was promoted to the High A St. Lucie Mets.
He is tearing the cover off the ball, batting .431 in 13 games.
He has 1 home run and 8 RBI.

LF Juan Lagares was also promoted to the High A St. Lucie Mets.
He is batting .173 through 13 games.
He has 6 RBI and 3 stolen bases.

LHP Mark Cahoon was promoted to the Double A Binghamton Mets.
He is 1-0 with a 4.91 ERA in 3 starts.
He has 7strikeouts and 2 walks in 14.2 innings.

None of the all stars from the Augusta Greenjackets, Delmarva Shorebirds, Greensboro Grasshoppers, Greenville Drive, Kannapolis Intimidators, Lakewood Blueclaws and Lexington Legends have been promoted yet.  I will keep you updated on their progress and all the other players in the South Atlantic League.

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. 

-Kevin Zeni, Media Relations Assitant

Here we are in the last series of the first half. With just three games left in the half, the Crawdads sit just one game behind of the Lakewood BlueClaws in the South Atlantic League Northern Division. The Crawdads have been working hard to make up the ground, including winning three of their last four games, but they’re going to have to rely on some outside help as well.

Not only to the ‘Dads need to rely on the Kannapolis Intimidators winning at least one game against Lakewood, but they need help from all of you fans out there as well. If we can get all of Crustacean Nation at each of the final three home games of the first half, rooting hard for your hometown team, I know it will give them that extra push they need to nab that first-half title.

So fans, make sure to come out in force tonight at 7 p.m., Saturday at 7 p.m., and Sunday at 5 p.m.! You can get those tickets at www.hickorycrawdads.com, by calling the Front Office at (828) 322-3000, or by coming to the Ticket Office in person. Whichever way you prefer, just make sure to get your tickets to catch all the exciting action.

Kevin enters his first season as media relations assistant with the
Crawdads and second year in minor league baseball, after spending the
2009 campaign with the Inland Empire 66ers of the California League
(High-A).  The Los Angeles, California, native is a 2009 graduate of the University of La Verne.

-Kathryn Bobel, Co-Director of Group Sales

Well, we’re 8.5 weeks into the fantasy baseball season (and the real one for that matter, but who follows whole teams anymore?), so I think it’s time to give all you throngs of readers out there not lucky enough to be part of the Who’s Your Crawdaddy League an official VizquelGivesItThome update.  

Up until last week’s blip-on-the-radar-loss to No Dept Like IT Dept, we were sitting pretty in the three spot, reveling in the fact that this rookie was going all Paul O’Neill versus a Gatorade cooler on more than a couple seasoned fantasy baseball vets. However, when you have an immature, though wholly talented, number one pick who loafs after groundballs, shoots his mouth off, and then subsequently gets benched (cough::Hanley Ramirez::cough), it throws a wrench in the process–especially if you are not a devoted fantasy baseball-oid who checks his or her roster updates every day.  (Seriously, who has time to log in every single morning and check whether or not the inflammation on Jorge Cantu’s left eyelid has gone down, therefore earning him his spot back as one of my two utility guys? I’m doing well if I’ve got on a matching t-shirt and shorts in the morning).

All ranting aside, I have learned a few things that will come in handy to any other novice fantasy baseballers. These tips may make you slap your forehead and say, “Uh, DUH, Kathryn,” but hey, I’m giving it a whirl. What more do you stat-loving, number crunchers want?  1) Draft a closer.  I underestimated the significance of saves–and by that I mean I didn’t know it was one of the ten categories that head to head match up consists of.  2) Pay attention to whether the pitchers you draft are starters or relievers and how many of each you draft.  Starters obviously pitch only once every five days, so if your pitching staff is made up of mostly starters, the chances of you garnering stats from more than two guys in one day is slim.  In my defense, once I realized my error I did do a little research–dropped a couple guys, added a couple guys, and then proceeded to watch the guys I added go on the DL with a strained right ear lobe and a torn left pinkie toenail, respectively.  3) If your league is made up of mostly co-workers, hold your draft in the office one day after work. Your boss will think you’re really getting after it when nine people are still staring diligently at their computers at 7:30 pm on a Tuesday.  Just refrain from swearing at your intern through the walls when he drafts the guy you had penciled in as your third outfielder–apparently, that was our downfall.

So, as we sit here, the month of May dipping below the horizon, VizquelGivesItThome is holding strong onto 4th place, just a couple solid weeks away from the medal stand. There is still a lot of ball to be played, though, and who knows who will blow the doors wide open after the all-star break and who will go on the DL because he tried to iron his shirt while wearing it. ‘Gotta love this game!

Kathryn
Bobel is entering her second season with the Crawdads and first as
Co-Director of Group Sales.  She served as Sales Assistant with the
‘Dads throughout the 2009 campaign, after stints with the Indianapolis
Indians (AAA) and US Track and Field.

-Kevin Zeni, Media Relations Assistant

I love my job! While I may not get paid very much, the hours are longer than Willie Nelson’s hair (pre-haircut), and I live thousands of miles away from my loving fiancé Amanda, the actual work has just been phenomenal.

Not too many people get to work with and write about a winning, first-place team like I do. This 2010 season has started off greater than any Crawdads fan could have ever hoped for. The team is 30-18 (as of this post on Friday, May 28) and has held sole-possession of first place in the Northern Division of the South Atlantic League since May 12.

The reason for the ‘Dads success largely falls upon their pitching. This young staff is just a joy to watch. LHP Robbie Ross is tied for the league-lead in wins with six, RHP Matt Thompson is tied for the most strikeouts in the SAL with 58, and LHP Robbie Erlin has allowed just one earned run in 30.1 innings on the mound. The staff has even stayed steady after the promotions of starter RHP Wilmer Font and closer RHP Josh Lueke.

Meanwhile, CF Miguel Velazquez leads the charge on the offensive side of the ball, leading the team in most offensive categories. SS Leury Garcia has also displayed why manager Bill Richardson hits him in the ‘Dads leadoff spot most nights, swiping a league-leading 26 bags on the season and only getting caught twice. Once Garcia gets on base it’s not a matter of if he will steal, but how many.

Like I said before, working with this team and following all the exciting action on the season thus far has been a great experience and I can only hope that things continue the way that they are.

So fans, don’t forget to get your Crawdads tickets and come down to L.P. Frans Stadium to watch your first-place team play and partake in all the fun games and promotions we’ll be holding throughout the remainder of 2010. Go ‘Dads!

Kevin enters his first season as media relations assistant with the
Crawdads and second year in minor league baseball, after spending the
2009 campaign with the Inland Empire 66ers of the California League
(High-A).  The Los Angeles, California, native is a 2009 graduate of the University of La Verne.

-Douglas Locascio, Tickets Manager

It has been a few weeks since my last post and things have been cranking here at L.P. Frans with the season well underway now. This Thursday starts our third home stand of the season and the stadium has been full of entertainment both on and off the field so far and will continue throughout the entire season.

With summer time approaching, parents are looking for affordable family fun activities and what better place to do it then here with us. What better way than the catch a baseball game and we have deal for you. New this season is our Family 4 Pack. The package includes 4 box seats and 4 meal vouchers (hotdog, drink, fries/chips) for only $29.99 in advance or $45 day of.

This next home stand features many great promotions with Tiger Woods night starting off the stand, followed by our Team Set giveaway, Salute to Veterans and firework show the following evening. On Saturday its Little League Night with anyone wearing their Little League uniform receiving a free grandstand ticket. Sunday is another Faith and Family Day at the ballpark with a service starting at 3:30 p.m. and first pitch set for 5 p.m. Monday is Country Night at the park as well as seniors buy one ticket get one free deal, and kids eat free with paid admission. Tuesday, the ‘Dads are proud to team up with Hickory and Lenoir in their effort to Woo Google in Gotta Get a GigaHIT campain. Print off your coupon and receive a free Grandstand Ticket to the game and it is Dollar Day at the park with 10 different items available for only $1. Wednesday we crown the winner of our month-long Mustache MAYhem with all the proceeds going to the winners’ charity of choice. On Thursday, our home stand wraps up with our ever-favorite Thirsty Thursday were you can get $1 beverages all night long and it is also Casino night at the park..  Come out to the Crawdads game tonight and press your luck at winning big with our Blackjack Tournament. The grand prize winner will win a trip for two to Atlantic City; 2nd-5th place will win a bus trip to Harrah’s Cherokee Casino.

As you see there are plenty of fun things going on here with the Crawdads. Come support your 1st place ‘Dads and enjoy a night of family affordable fun. When at the game, don’t forget to vote for your Crawdad staff member who you think has the best mustache (close race any donation will be appreciated in my bucket) and remember all proceeds for the event goes to a good cause with the winners charity of choice.

Now its time that I get back to work and print some more tickets that you folks are ordering. Remember beat the lines and purchase your tickets now for any game online were you can print the tickets right from the convenience of your own home. Any questions about any of our upcoming promotions or ticket needs feel free to call us here at the office (828)322-3000.

Douglas enters his first season as interim tickets manager with the
Crawdads and second year in baseball, after spending the 2009 campaign
with the Wilmington Sharks of the Coastal Plain League.  The Tampa,
Florida, native is a 2009 graduate of Campbell University.

Wow.  What a road trip the 1st-place Crawdads just had… especially after what was an ominous beginning to say the least. 

The team really got it’s first taste of the effects South Atlantic League travel can have on you at the beginning of the trip.  We played a tough one in Hickory two Fridays ago, and then had a nice 5:30am wake up for the 7am bus to Savannah… with a game that night.

To make matter less convenient, after the four and a half bus ride down to Savannah, we had to kill some time due to the rooms not being ready yet.  Ok, not too big of a problem.  Well, we killed some time, and a handful of rooms still weren’t ready, which significantly eats into nap time (nice for a radio guy, important for a ballplayer after an early morning wake up and ride).

So, needless to say, the series didnt start off quite as we wouldve hoped, dropping that night’s game then committing six errors, somehow coming back for a lead in the top of the ninth and blowing the lead in the bottom of the frame on Sunday to start the trip 0-2.

I’m not sure what changed, what clicked with a Sunday evening spent decompressing in Savannah, but whatever it was that sparked this team did so in a big way.

The ‘Dads came back and won the final two against the 1st place Sand Gnats (in the South) before cruising to a series sweep in Charleston, concluding the road trip with six straight wins. 

A fitting exclamation mark occurred in the bottom of the ninth of the Crawdads 1-0 shutout win against the RiverDogs on Saturday night.  With no one on and one out, closer Josh Lueke got C Kyle Higashioka to pop one into foul territory, mid way down the right field line, just past the Charleston dug out.  1B Mike Ortiz chased after it, got to the wall and was in the process of reaching out into the crowd for the pop fly when some blur flashed in front of him. 

That blur, as it turned out, was 2B Joe Bonadonna.  Bonadonna came flying over from the infield, dove for the pop fly, caught the ball in mid air above the first row of fans and crashed into the stands.  It was remarkable… easily one of the best plays, if not the best play, I’ve ever seen in person.  While trying to figure out how to describe what I had just witnessed, I compared it to the famous catch that Derek Jeter made against Boston, when he crashed into the stands in foul ground at Yankee Stadium.

Reflecting on the two plays, however, one crucial difference has become clear.  Jeter caught the ball on the run and his momentum carried him over the wall and into the stands.  Bonadonna dove, caught the ball in mid air over the wall and crashed into the stands.  Now that this realization has donned on me, it’s become clear that I didnt do Bonadonna justice for equating his catch to Jeter’s — Bonadonna’s was more impressive.

Just one of many highlights from a great road trip, full of exciting action and a current six game winning streak on the field, as well as some quality off the field time taking in the sights and sounds of two great Southern cities – Savannah and Charleston (just about my all-time favorite).

Now, with the trip behind us, there’s only one thing left to do… keep the streak going on Monday night when the ‘Dads kick off an 8-game homestand, starting with four against the Asheville Tourists.  It’ll be 2-for-1 Senior Night, courtesy of ResCare and 63 Big Ways 630AM, and kids get to eat for free on Monday with a ticket purchase.  Plenty of reasons to come on down for the 7 p.m. first pitch, not the least of which being… who knows what this team will do next?  I personally don’t have a clue, but I look forward to finding out with everyone else!

Andrew Buchbinder is entering 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

~Andrew Buchbinder

Tonight is game #20 of the 2010 season.  It’s tough to believe that somewhere in the whirlwind that the past three weeks have been, we’ve played 19 ballgames this season.  Seasons come along and seasons go so quickly, it is imperative to try to slow things down and breathe every once in a while.

For me, that’s been what this series in Savannah has been all about.  Opening road trip is done, the first homestand of the season is in the books, and now routine can settle in.  There’s no better city to foster a little relaxation than this one.

Savannah oozes history, my other love.  Just being in the ballpark, aptly named ‘Historic Grayson Stadium,’ is a special experience.  Historic Grayson juxtaposes the new and the old perfectly with a new playing surface that has been kept up very well situated within old, yet comfortable confines.

It is impossible to deny the ‘ol southern charm of the ballpark in Savannah.  With the old-fashioned, and probably just old, benches that make up the majority of the stands and the gigantic fans hanging from the grandstand cover that cool everyone off beneath them, it’s almost a ballpark out of one of those great baseball movies that document the game in the good old days.  (A side note, The Natural was on tv this morning… if you haven’t seen it, do so NOW… I’m in the double digits and it gives me goosebumps every time).

It almost feels as if everything moves slower, as if, with the benches and fans, and southern moss hanging from twisty old trees all around, we’ve been transplanted into a quieter, simpler environment.  It’s impossible not to relax.

Not to even mention a great night spent meandering up and down the cobblestone-laden River St., taking advantage of the incredible seafood and fun night life after our day game on Sunday.  With live music at every turn, the sweet, salty breeze blowing in off the water and street performers serenading strangers on the riverwalk, again, it is impossible not to relax.

Entering this trip, I (somewhat) jokingly said that I was happy to come to Savannah in April before it gets so hot down here that the simplest of movements feels like a chore.  Now, with one day remaining in our lone trip to this city, I have a different perspective. 

While I am still happy to not be in the midsummer humidity down here, I’m more thankful that we’re here right now because it provided me a moment to breathe, a moment to experience the unavoidable history of this city and this region, and a moment to slow things down and gain a rejuvenated perspective on this marathon that we’ve embarked on yet again and are already a seventh of the way through.  The beginning of every season is frantic and stressful but also a beautiful thing once you settle into it, and there’s no better way to settle into a campaign than with a trip to Savannah.  Talk to you in a couple hours on The Big Dawg 92.1 FM and Hickorycrawdads.com… Go ‘Dads!

Andrew Buchbinder is entering 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

-Kevin Zeni, Media Relations Assistant

It’s finally that time of year… BASEBALL SEASON!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, Spring Training started over a month ago now, but now the games actually mean something. Now is the time where fans begin following every pitch and every swing in hope that this is the year the home team actually wins big.

I may be thousands of miles from my hometown Dodgers (who just finished a pretty miserable East coast road trip), but I still follow them closely along with my new hometown team, the Hickory Crawdads! While the Dodgers have been relying mostly on their strong offense, the ‘Dads have been exerting their dominance on the mound.

Hickory starter Robbie Ross is tied for the South Atlantic League lead in starters ERA at 0.00 and Wilmer Font leads the team pace in strikeouts with eight. It’s too bad the Dodgers can’t get pitching performances like that, if that were the case they may have won a few more games by now.

While I can’t look forward to attending a Dodger game until September, I am very much looking forward to our first home series at L.P. Frans Stadium with the Crawdads. Just in that first week we are having fireworks at our Home Opener on Friday, a Long Sleeve T-Shirt giveaway on Saturday, a Faith and Family Day service on Sunday, Kids Eat Free and Senior 2-for-1 tickets on Monday, Dollar Day on Tuesday with select tickets, merchandise and food sold for just $1, Thirsty Thursday with $1 beers and Pepsi products, and a Magnet Schedule giveaway the following Friday to close out the homestand.

Now that you are fully aware of our outstanding promotions and phenomenal pitching staff, there’s no reason why I shouldn’t see you out at the ballpark this season!

Kevin enters his first season as media relations assistant with the
Crawdads and second year in minor league baseball, after spending the
2009 campaign with the Inland Empire 66ers of the California League
(High-A).  The Los Angeles, California, native is a 2009 graduate of the University of La Verne.