Category: Tuesday’s Top Ten

This week’s Top Ten, Most outrageous minor-league baseball promotions, comes from the Kansas City Star.

I like #6. “Pre-planned Funeral night. They gave away a free pre-paid funeral. It was a success as the contest had 2000 entrants.

Me? I like the simple promos. Like the ones where if a certain opposing player whiffs, everyone gets a free carwash at the local Gas N Sip.

I remember seeing one of the those at Victory Field in Indianapolis. When that opposing player was up, EVERYBODY was rooting for the home pitcher and the batter was a dog. The crowd was at a fever pitch.

Sure enough. he struck out in his 3rd at-bat and everyone went wild.

Did we get our free car wash? No. But that wasn’t the point.

Top Ten college baseball teams according to Baseball America:

Rk.	Team	W-L	Last Week	Prev.
1.	Rice	42-10	3-1	1
2.	Cal State Fullerton	36-12	1-0	3
3.	Texas	38-15	2-0	6
4.	Clemson	39-13	6-0	7
5.	North Carolina	41-11	2-3	2
6.	Oregon State	35-13	1-2	4
7.	Kentucky	40-11	3-0	8
8.	Nebraska	37-12	1-4	5
9.	Virginia	41-11	2-1	13
10.	Alabama	36-17	2-1	12

 

 

Top Ten Best Minor League Ball Parks

1.  The Dell Diamond- Round Rock, TX

2.  FirstEnergy Stadium- Reading, PA

3.  At&T Bricktown Ballpark- Oklahoma, OK

4.  Isotopes Park, Albuquerque, NM

5.  Hammons Field- Springfield, MO

6.  KeySpan Park- Brooklyn, NY

7.  Fifth Third Field- Toledo, OH

8.  Fifth Third Field- Dayton, OH

9.  Banner Island Ballpark- Stockton, CA

10.  GCS Ballpark- Sauget, IL

This comes from the Minor League News web site and is based on criteria from Joe Mock’s book, Joe Mock’s Ballpark Guide. 

I’m surprised that Victory Field in Indianapolis isn’t on this list.  But I guess this is just one man’s opinion.

 

Update: This has been updated to reflect the 2006 top ten list.

Herb Pennock’s Ten Commandments for Pitchers

1.  Develop your faculty of observation.

2.  Conserve your energy.

3.  Make contact with players, especially catchers and infielders, and listen to what they have to say.

4.  Work everlastingly for control.

5.  When you are on the field always have a baseball in your hand and don’t slouch around. Run for a ball.

6.  Keep studying the hitters for their weak and strong points. Keep talking with your catchers.

7.  Watch your physical condition and your mode of living.

8.  Always pitch to the catcher and not the hitter. Keep your eye on that catcher and make him your target before letting the ball go.

9.  Find your easiest way to pitch, your most comfortable delivery and stick to it.

10.  Work for what is called a rag arm. A loose arm can pitch overhanded, side arm, three quarter, underhanded, any old way, to suit the situation at hand.

Plus…

11.  Don’t beef at the umpire. Keep pitching with confidence and control of yourself as well as the ball. Don’t get it into your head the umpire is your worst enemy. Fury is as hard on you physically as emotionally.

Courtesy:  The Baseball Almanac