Saturday, June 27, 2009

Rashad Eldridge's Demotion


Yesterday, Rashad Eldridge texted me to let me know he had been sent down from Durham to Montgomery. Starting today, he will be a Biscuit again. I know the Montgomery Biscuits fans will be glad to see him again (He was a 2008 Southern League All-Star), but the ultimate goal of a ballplayer is to play in the Big Leagues.

At the time of the demotion, Rashad was hitting .301 with 25 hits in only 21 games. Unfortunately though, the Tampa Rays are Outfield Heavy, (which means they have a ton of outfielders in their system). He also had an OBP of .731 and was playing a solid outfield for them. However, the minor league system is such that with limited time and limited resources, certain players are going to be pushed (or lifted) to the Big Leagues. Rashad does not appear to fall in that category.

His demotion pulls at my heartstrings in two ways. 1) He is also a user of the Pitcher's Nightmare Swing Trainer and I'd love to see him play in the Bigs, but more importantly, he is a very, very good friend. And I understand his frustration with the game we all love so dear. It is part of being a professional. Trust me, I know. I was demoted, shifted, benched, and ultimately released several times. Unfortunately for Rashad, as the Manager from Bull Durham says before releasing Crash in the 1988 movie Bull Durham (required movie watching for ballplayers...of a certain age..., "this is the toughest job a Manager has". It's also the toughest part on the players.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Notes on Game One of the CWS Finals.




Watching Game One of the Finals tonight. ESPN: Take Note: Orel Hershiser is worth every penny for his analysis on Coleman's (the LSU pitcher) problems in the stretch. He is absolutely right, and without a doubt, the best pitching analyst who is not sitting somewhere in a dugout.




Just saw a Home Run float out to left. Not a big deal except for the fact, the ball was MISS-HIT off the barrel opposite field!!! Omaha is a very bad combination for pitchers: Normal fence lengths on top of a hill (FYI, most Mid-western ballparks are much larger in terms of distance to the fences, due to the thin air), space-age aluminum bats, nobody pitching inside, hitters looking just as comfortable as they do in B.P...Did I mention the Thin Air? In other words, Home Run Derby.
Quick note: the announcers keep discussing the heat and how the umpires are dripping with sweat, the pitchers are cramping, etc. Next year, the tourney has been moved back even further into the month (June 19-30). Think it's hot this year, wait 'til next.








Thursday, June 18, 2009

Fun Off the Field in Omaha.

Looking back on my time in Omaha, there are so many things going on that you, the viewer on TV, can't see that make this place so much fun. Example: There are so many beach balls being bounced around in the outfield that in between innings they often fall on the field. At which time, a security guard will race as hard as he can to grab it and pop it (before one of the players can run over and throw it back up in the stands), with a shower of boos being rained down on him from the crowd. This tug of war goes on the whole game, with balls being bounced all around throughout the outfield stands, as the people laugh and cheer when the frustrated security guards just can't quite seem to grab the ball before it bounces back into the crowd, or booing crazily when they do somehow manage to catch one.
Another fun feature of Rosenblatt is the ballgirls behind the plate (again, something you can't see on TV). When a foul ball goes back, it will more often than not (unless it goes over the roof and outside the stadium) roll back down the protective netting and fall back onto the field. If you look carefully on TV, the ballgirl is inside a door right behind the plate. As soon as a ball is fouled back, she will race out of the door and run full-speed to where she believes the ball will fall. At which time, people in the front row will start pulling on the net to change the trajectory. Needless to say, in front of 25,000 people, wearing no glove, on a full sprint, with people pulling the net, this is not an easy task. However, as a fan, it is so much fun to watch! The girls will make routine catches to a nice golf clap, but more often than not, they will miss the ball, and get booed and teased incessently by the fans as they make their way back to the door behind the plate. Side note: During the LSU game, one ballgirl made a running one-handed catch just in front of their on-deck circle and it drew the greatest applause of the night! There is no doubt, it would have made the Top 10 Plays for that night on ESPN!
Finally, and who knows how this tradition started, but during the games, one group of outfield stands will begin to compete with the other to see who can tell the other group which one sucks the worst. Left field will yell, "one, two, three, RIGHT FIELD SUCKS!!!" At which time, right field will regroup and yell even louder, "one, two, three, LEFT FIELD SUCKS!!!" And this goes on the entire game. In fact, there are some times when they yell, it catches you by surprise because it is SOOO LOUD!!! There are even T-Shirts for sell in the souvenir stands that you can buy that read "Left Field Sucks" or vice versa. All the more fun if you are there.
I hope all of you readers who have read these blogs get a chance to one day see these things for themselves. There is no doubt I consider myself lucky to have had a chance to experience Omaha and Rosenblatt for myself, so tomorrow, I will give you some tips on travel should you ever get a chance to see the College World Series for yourself. Until then.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

The LSU Faithful











Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler! Or Let the Good Times Roll! LSU fans did just that last night as their beloved Tigers steamrolled through Arkansas 9-1. They came early (some Tiger fans were standing in line down the hill at 1:00 in hopes of getting tickets for the 6:00 game) and no doubt, stayed late! Lucky for them, a few brought their own crawfish in a cooler for everyone to suck on while they waited to climb the hill!




Their campers line the parking lot of Rosenblatt, and their fans start chanting "L-S-U" long before the first pitch is thrown. They have on their Tiger gear (check out the guy wearing the Tigger suit) and all are decked out in Purple and Gold. This makes Rosenblatt feel just like a SEC Saturday in the fall, only without the changing leaves and the tossing around of the pigskin.




Funny thing is, residents of Omaha told me last night that even on the very rare years LSU does not make the CWS, their fans still come on to Omaha anyway! Their campers roll into town and they still spend their vacations in the parking lots of Omaha and the bleachers of Rosenblatt. Amazing!




You really grow to love the Tigers after seeing their fans in person (unless of course, you are rooting for the opposition). They have a intense love for their Tigers and they know how to cheer their boys on to victory. And the way their boys looked last night, they could be cheering them on all the way to the CWS Finals!












Monday, June 15, 2009

Omaha!











Tailgaters gathered around the grill. The smell of burgers and bratwurst in the air. Roadside stands full of souvenirs. Open debates on who's the best. Welcome to the College World Series. Welcome to Omaha.








Rosenblatt is not a place. Rosenblatt is an event. The atmosphere is electric. Two and 'que hangs over the day game participants. The Driver's Seat awaits the night game participants. And the Diamond Vision continuously reminds everyone year after year, dreams can come true.








But unfortunately, Rosenblatt and what it represents is coming to a close. I found out today that next year is to be the last for this majestic place. The City of Omaha is building a new stadium (the trade off was the NCAA agreed to continue to play the CWS in Omaha for 25 more years) and will be moving the CWS downtown. Rosenblatt will be leveled and the zoo will be able to expand (the big bubble you see on TV behind the fence is part of the zoo). And one of the most amazing championship tournaments in the world will no doubt for all, be different.








There was not one person I spoke with today who is looking forward to Rosenblatt moving into extinction. And after drinking in the moment for myself, I wholeheartedly agree. Each and every Coach, Player, and Fan who enters this sacred place makes memories that last a lifetime. And today that happened for me.








Sunday, June 14, 2009

A Royal Beauty!




Today, when I landed in K.C., I decided to catch the Cincinnati Reds/Kansas City Royals Sunday afternoon matinee. Growing up as a baseball nut, I used to wear my George Brett White "#5" cleats with pride (as did everyone else my age in Little League). I remember him charging out of the dugout during the Pine Tar game. I remember him swaying back in the box, and ripping line drives. I remember him playing the game the right way. And I remember the Royals being winners.


Needless to say when I walked in today, I saw a photograph of him kissing home plate after a game at Kaufmann Stadium (the Royals home), and I knew I was in a special place. I have always heard that Kaufmann Stadium is one of the most beautiful stadiums in baseball, and the new "K" (it has been renovated this season) did not disappoint me. From the water fountains in the outfield, to the statue of ole' Georgie boy loading up (see my pics), this stadium is an absolute gem. And if you look real carefully down the left field line, you can't help but notice the flag reads "World Champions 1985".


Twenty-four years ago...Where in the world does it go? It only seems like yesterday George Brett and Bret Saberhagen were hugging and celebrating their miraculous upset of the St. Louis Cardinals in the I-70 Series (that's what it was called). But that flag doesn't stand alone. Others include American League Champs, 1980. Divisional Champs 1976,1977, 1978. 1984. Memories of Whitey, the Quiz, Smooth, and the turf. Unquestionably, a very rich tradition of winning from a long, long time ago. One of which I hope will soon be revived by another group of talented home-grown young stars (Billy Butler, Mark Teahen, Mike Jacobs, Zake Grinke, and others) who are trying in their own way to revive '85 in what is in my opinion, a stadium worthy of a champion.




Saturday, June 13, 2009

More Reflections on the Draft.

Well, now the draft is now officially over. From Stephen Strasburg (the first pick) to Alibay Barkley (the last pick), I would love to wish each and every player picked all the luck in the world and I hope to see you all play in the Big Leagues! But the reality of the situation is entirely different.

In my very first meeting after reporting to Mini-Camp in 1993, our manager, Norm Sherry, walked into the room and shouted "Congratulations! You are the draft class of 1993 for the San Francisco Giants! Give yourselves a big pat on the back!" And as we all strained to pat ourselves on the back like a bunch of class clowns, he said, "Two of you will play in the Big Leagues. The rest of you are here so those two will have someone to play with as they develop into Big League Ballplayers."...You could have heard a pin drop in that room as we all looked around and realized THAT really is the reality of the situation.

Looking back, Norm was right. There were two future Big Leaguers in that room. Bill Mueller, 2004 A.L. Batting Champion for the World Champion Boston Red Sox that year (he has since retired with leg problems) and Chris Singleton (who enjoyed a solid Big League career and is now best known as one of the analysts on Baseball Tonight (ESPN)). And the rest of us, although great ballplayers, were there so they would have teammates, games, crowds, and coaches to learn and play with as they became Big Leaguers.

Folks, I'm here to tell you it's tough to make it. Professional Coaches call it "attrition". In other words, life gets in the way. Some guys get homesick. Some guys can't adjust to playing everyday. Some guys just eliminate themselves through bad habits. But when all is said and done, the cream of the crop rises to the top. And that is who gets the honor of wearing a Major League Uniform.

Tomorrow morning, I leave to go to Omaha! So make sure you log on and see what's going on at the CWS!!!

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Reflections on the Draft.

Following the news about the 2009 MLB Amateur Draft reminds me of the day when I was drafted. The phone rang about 1:30 in the afternoon on that fateful Saturday and the voice on the other end asked, "Is this Paul Reynolds?" Now, for those of you who don't know me so well, my legal name is Paul Reynolds (although I go by Chance). My Dad is also Paul Reynolds (Jr...I'm the III, or turd, as my Mom used to say), so when people would call our house and ask for Paul Reynolds, the call was usually for my Dad. So I asked in return, "are you looking for Paul Reynolds, the Dad or Paul Reynolds, the Son?" And the unknown voice on the other end said, "I'm looking for Paul Reynolds, the Catcher." Once I heard that, I knew my dream of playing professional baseball had come true.

I looked at my Mom and gave her a thumbs up and listened to the voice on the other end of a phone call I had waited my whole life to hear say, "Paul, this is Bobby Gardner and I'm calling to tell you, you were just picked in the 54th round by the San Francisco Giants." The rest was a blur as my Mom cried, and I tried not to. My mind raced with excitement. I was to catch a plane the very next day and report to Everett, Washington, where I would be joining my new teammates and we would all begin an even crazier journey to one day try to play in the Big Leagues.

Draft Day is a very emotional moment in a ballplayer's life. Some guys never get the call, and their dreams usually end with the silence. But the ones that do, can always say "I was drafted." And it's a small fraternity of ball players that can say that. We all ran around on a Tee-Ball field together, but eventually the bottle has a neck, and the MLB Amateur Draft is the beginning of that neck.

Congratulations to each and every player who was drafted. I wish you all the success in the world!

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

What Not To Say!!!

I'm watching the Braves game tonight and the first base coach for the Pirates, Perry Hill, got to take an early shower due to something he said. Reminds me of a funny story. The very first game my oldest son, Dane, ever got to see me coach...I got tossed!!! Long story short, there was a pickoff play at second in which the ball got away and rolled into center. My baserunner jumped up and got interfered with by the shortstop as he started to run to third. The umpire did the correct thing in immediately calling "Interference!" and then he did something I did not quite agree with. He said, "The runner gets second."
Now, I called time, like a nice guy, and proceeded to make my way to second to explain to this older gentlemen how entirely wrong he was. Unfortunately for me, it turns out the umpire was right! After I got an early exit from the game, turns out the ruling was correct. The rule book reads that on such a play, the umpire awards the base that he feels the runner would have been safe at. The ump told me he awarded second to my runner (of which he already had) due to the fact, he felt my runner would have been thrown out at third. And long story short, I told him that he was full of something else that I'm sure you can figure out! (LOL)
Needless to say, the ump didn't change his call. I got thrown out at my son's very first game watching Daddy coach, and Jack Leggett, Head Coach for the Clemson Tigers, who was at the game recruiting my shortstop, also told me later, he would have gotten tossed over that call too!!! I guess it's true what they say. We're always learning something new in this game!

Monday, June 8, 2009

My Bio

Chance Reynolds, the inventor of the Pitcher's Nightmare Swing Trainer(http://www.pitchersnightmare.com/) and author of (http://www.pitchersnightmare.blogspot.com/) has dedicated his life to studying the science of hitting and the beauty of baseball. Named American Legion Coach of the Year in 2003 and 2000 for the State of Georgia, Chance is well respected as a clinician and an expert teacher of the game. Chance spent six years of his life as a Professional Baseball Player. He was drafted by the San Francisco Giants Organization in 1993. He spent a season and a half with the Pittsburgh Pirates Organization (1995-1996) and the Milwaukee Brewers Organization (1996). Chance also spent two seasons with the Canton, Ohio and the Erie, Pennsylvania Independent Organizations (1994, 1998) where he was a two-time Frontier League All-Star Selection. Chance also spent a season in Europe with the Paderborn, Germany club (1999 European Champions). Prior to his minor league experience, Chance played collegiately at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Florida under legendary coach Dusty Rhodes. Chance has also worked as an Associate Scout with the Florida Marlins, Seattle Mariners, and the Philadelphia Phillies Scouting Departments. When asked how and why he has become such an excellent coach, Chance is quick to say, "I've been lucky enough to be around some of the best teachers of the game and God has blessed me in so many ways."