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V. Castilla: It Couldn’t Be…Could It?

My friend Chris wrote this last night. Fun fact: it is the second post we’ve ever done in the month of February, and the first since 2008. Enjoy.

Earlier tonight I found myself channel surfing looking for something more than reruns of The Office and American Idol, but I wanted something more than that…. So I turned my sights to the MLB Network and I found a Caribbean World Series game between Mexico and Venezuela. There are a lot of young prospects that get a lot of experience during the Winter League; it is a proving ground for players seeking the attention of MLB scouts and General Managers. As they were going through the defensive lineup for Team Mexico the third baseman had a very familiar name: V. Castilla.

I was curious, and instead of just looking on the internet and finding the answer to my question I decided to wait until they mentioned his name or showed his face. No sooner than 4 pitches later, sharp ground ball to third, Castilla goes about 4 steps towards the hole and makes a solid throw to first to get the out. Then I hear the announcer say that sure enough it was the Vinny Castilla playing 3B for the Mexican team.

Castilla hasn’t played in the Majors since 2006 where he batted a dismal .229 with just 5 home runs. During the mid 90’s Vinny was one of those feared hitters who played in the Little League stadium known as Coors Field. Castilla, as well as Burks, Bichette, and Galarraga….pitchers worst nightmares but bleacher seats fan favorites. The 3 time Silver Slugger winner was playing at 42-years-old with players that were half his age.

Vinny played for Hermosillo in the LMP league, batting a very respectable .292 with 7 homers and 27 RBI’s. Although his time in the majors have come and gone, Castilla still has a passion for baseball and is once again proving that age is just a number.

Jose Offerman + Violent Incidents = Interesting Rationalizations

I meant to post something about Jose Offerman’s latest violent on-field outburst when it happened over a week ago, but never found the time to make it happen.  In fact, I had just deleted my bookmarks to relevant stories when along came the report that Offerman tried to throw down with an umpire because the man in blue spoke ill of his mother.  The translated version of the story contained the following quote:

“He mentioned my mother in the classic tone of someone trying to offend a man, and that’s where my reaction came to throw a punch.”

That’s hardly the first interesting thing that Offerman and those close to him have said on the heels of this and his previous outburst.  Below, three quotes from three different sources on different aspects of the two incidents:

A Dizzying Turn – Boston Globe, May 12, 2009

“If he got hit, it was because he tried to run behind me and take the bat, and that was an accident,” he said.

In other words, “I hit the catcher?  Clearly, that was a mistake – I was trying to hit the pitcher.  Actually, it’s the catcher’s fault for getting in my way.”

Victim of Jose Offerman’s Bat Rage Not Doing So Well – Deadspin, May 12, 2009

“Jose may have made a poor decision on that day,” says Offerman’s attorney, Frank Riccio II, “but the question now is, did he make a poor decision to the tune of $4.8 million?”

Yeah, many lawsuits are overblown, with way more money involved than is really necessary.  Still – and maybe this is me projecting on the guy because he’s a lawyer and lawyers often get a bad rap – doesn’t this come off as sounding a bit, I don’t know, jerk-y?  Like the next words out of his mouth could easily have been, “I mean, he’s playing independent baseball, he wasn’t gonna make $4.8 million playing baseball.”

Also: “…may have made a poor decision…”?  May have?

Source: Umpire crew working during Jose Offerman incident to leave Dominican Republic – ESPN.com, January 18, 2010

“TV replays show that Rayburn falls [to the ground] when he loses his balance, but not because Offerman hit him,” Ravelo said.

The point wasn’t whether or not Offerman’s punch connected hard enough to cause the umpire to fall down.  The point was that he threw the punch at all.

Baseball tends to be forgiving (unless you’re Barry Bonds or Jose Canseco).  I have a feeling Offerman will land on his feet.  It’s just a question of where.

Grant Desme Retires…

Yeah, you haven’t seen a post from any of us for a good three weeks. But that’s just because we’re living in the slow time for minor league baseball. The 6 year free agents of note have all been picked up.

But then came news from top propsect and one of the BLB Player of the Year finalists. Grant Desme.

Desme, seen here in his come hither pose, was having himself a tremendous 2009. The only man to hit 30-30, the Arizona Fall league MVP, an open Center Field for him for when he’s proven major league ready. The man seemed like he was on the path for millions of dollars.

But? Today Desme announced that he had a higher calling. He has left the Athletics organization to join the priesthood. I know I’ve made a joke on my twitter feed in regards to it. But obviously, it’s a deeply personal decision that was made here. Desme had a real shot at going somewhere with this whole baseball thing, But he let that go.

It’s not exactly the conformists way, but considering the rightward kant of sports in general? It’s actually kind of impressive. Do you think someone like a Jeff Suppan would leave the potential millions on the table so he can share his faith with the world? No.

So you know what? I salute Grant Desme. Fortune favors the bold, and you sir, are one bold lemon farmer.

Bus Leagues Q&A: Jesse Jack discusses the Alaska Baseball League

Every once in a while, in our quest to research every avenue professional baseball has to offer, we come across something we’ve never seen before. I (Eric) will speak only for myself in revealing that I had no idea there was such a thing as the Alaska Baseball League – perhaps some of my colleagues are better informed. Regardless, I knew none of us could understand it the way Jesse Jack does. He’s the proprietor of the relatively new blog 49th State Hardball, which provides more than enough information to acquaint newbies like myself with the league.

I did a short email interview with Jesse so we could find out some basics about the ABL.

Bus Leagues: In the lower 48, we don’t hear much about the Alaska Baseball League – can you give us a brief overview of its history?

Jesse Jack: The modern Alaska Baseball League was formed in the 1970’s, although its roots run deeper into baseball’s barnstorming era and even further back into the 1900’s when teams of pioneers and soldiers squared off under the midnight sun. The league that evolved out of this quickly became recognized as one of the top collegiate wood-bat summer leagues, traditionally considered to be the west-coast counterpart of the famous Cape Cod League. Today the ABL still develops and showcases top collegiate and amateur players that make up six teams in four Alaskan cities.

How did you get interested in the league?

I became a fan of the league the same way that most fans do, I imagine. When hockey is in its off-season, the Alaska League is the only chance for Alaskans to see any sort of high-level athletic competition. Neither or our major universities put a baseball team on the field and we are totally out of the way of any professional baseball teams, major league or minor. The ABL is really the only game in town, and that’s enough to get a lot of casual fans to the ballpark. But for me, what’s really fueled my passion for the ABL into becoming more than a casual interest, is being able to see some of the top amateur players polish their games before signing their first professional contract.

We think of hot summer days when we think of baseball. What are game days in Alaska like?

To the best of my knowledge we have never had a game delayed due to snow, although I wouldn’t rule out the possibility! But seriously, the Alaskan summers can be quite pleasant for baseball. The days are long and bright, and the weather is generally cooperative. A “hot” day up here is in the neighborhood of 70-80 degrees, which is comfortable for almost everyone. The colder days can be a little chilly; down into the 50-degree range. In fact, at least one team has installed heaters in their grandstand! But it’s very rarely too cold or too hot to take in a ball game, which is nice because Alaskans love to get out and enjoy the short summer while it lasts.

What kinds of promotions, mascots, food items do teams use to lure fans out to the ballpark?

One of the big draws of the ABL, like most leagues of this level, is that everything is very affordable. Concession and ticket prices are very reasonably priced as is, and on top of that, it seems like there is always a sponsor giving away free or discounted tickets. I don’t exaggerate at all when I say that it is entirely possible for a fan to get an ABL game, a dog and a beer for $10-12, which is significantly cheaper than going to a movie or a hockey game at the arena next door.

You mention on your page that some well-known ballplayers have passed through the ABL. Who are we talking about?

I won’t bore you with a long list, but I will give you a handful off the top of my head: Barry Bonds, Mark McGuire, Jason Giambi, Jeff Kent, Steve Trachsel, Craig Counsell, JD Drew, Jeff Cirillo, John Olerud, Rich Aurilia, and Randy Johnson have all done stints in the Alaska League. I listed these players because their careers are over or are winding down; there are still more younger ABL alumni just breaking into the major leagues or working their way through the minors as well.

What type of player usually ends up in the league?

ABL teams are composed of amateur players, mainly college-ball players, many of whom are only a step away from going pro. I would feel confident in saying that most of them will eventually be taken in the MLB amateur draft. Whether they know it or not, fans of minor league baseball are probably familiar with several recent ABL players who play for or against their favorite team. In addition, the teams usually carry one or two talented Alaskan players, showcasing some local talent that may otherwise go unseen.

Have there been some colorful players who became local legends rather than big league players?

The player who first comes to mind is Sean Timmons, pitcher for the Goldpanners of Fairbanks. He appeared briefly for the Panners in 1994. After finishing his degree, he returned to Fairbanks to work the 9-5 at an everyday job, and has kept his hand in the game by pitching for the home team ever since. The best part of all is that he’s not just a fan-favorite that they keep hanging around as a player-coach. He’s still an effective pitcher. At 35 years old Timmons can still go toe-to-toe with some of the best college batters and get them out. It goes without saying that he’s become kind of a “franchise player”, which is unusual in a league where players typically stick around for one or two seasons.

Are there any aspects of the league that are fundamentally Alaskan? Things you wouldn’t find anywhere else?

Summer days in Alaska are long; so long, in fact, that night games can be fit in with little or no use of artificial lighting. The classic example is the Midnight Sun Game in which the Goldpanners host a night game, usually an exhibition against a traveling team, on the summer solstice. The game continues past the midnight hour using only natural sunlight to illuminate the field of play. This has been an annual event in Fairbanks since long before the ABL even existed, and has become a time-honored tradition in baseball. There’s no other game like it played anywhere in the world.

Bus Leagues Q&A: Tiffany Brooks of the Arizona Winter League

A few days ago, I reported a tidbit of news about Japanese baseball star Eri Yoshida, who will be joining the Yuma Scorpions for the Arizona Winter League season. Turns out she’s not going to be the only woman joining the pros in the Golden League this winter. Former Gonzaga softball player Tiffany Brooks let me know that she’ll be there as well. I was pleased when she agreed to be interviewed for Bus Leagues, and I hope those of you who get a chance will head out to see some Arizona Winter League action and cheer Tiffany and her teammates on.

Here’s our conversation, which was conducted via coast-to-coast email as I was digging out from the east coast’s Snowpocalypse ‘09. We talked about why she wants to play baseball instead of softball, what she hopes to accomplish in her first crack at professional baseball in the U.S., and how young girls can realize their athletic dreams.

Bus Leagues: How did you connect with the Arizona Winter League? 

Tiffany Brooks: I was looking for tryout opportunities for pro baseball, and because there is an ancient (1952) and silly ban on women in the MLB, that meant I needed to focus solely on Independent Professional Baseball for now and originally started exploring the Continental League because of its expansion. I explored a few options, and was excited to get a call from the Joliet Jackhammers (Northern League), but there was no follow-up, so I started exploring other options where I could showcase and see what might happen. The Arizona Winter League (Golden Baseball League) is the best-established and best-attended by scouts, so I contacted Stephen Bedford and asked if women were welcome. He contacted the Commissioner, Kevin Outcalt, and although they both said it had never been done before, I got back an immediate and warm invitation. The Commissioner, by the way, has been amazing and supportive of my participation in the AWL.

What are your goals for the winter session?

Well, as you might imagine, like any ballplayer, my dream is to win a contract with someone. I’d love to play in the GBL because I live in the West, but would be happy to go literally anywhere to play. I’ve played in Holland in the amateur portion of the Dutch League and speak Spanish and a little Japanese, so who knows?

Beyond my personal goal to win a professional contract and fulfill a lifelong dream of playing pro ball, I do have some other large-scale goals. I’d say number one would be to play well, help my team and play the game the way it is meant to be played – to show that women who have a talent and love for the game and are willing to live, eat, sleep, and sweat baseball, if given the proper training and opportunities, CAN play baseball with the men at the professional level. In this way, I sincerely hope to help pave the way for women’s participation in pro baseball here in America, and throughout the world.

Lastly, I hope to hone my own skills through professional-level instruction, and through the process of raising the level of my game, learn instructional techniques I can bring back and share with women and girls who want to play baseball!

Do you meet many other women who want to play baseball instead of softball?

World-wide, baseball is much more popular with women than softball is, so yes, in my travels playing ball, I meet women who want to play baseball all the time! Here in the US, I’m meeting an increasing number who suddenly realize that playing Baseball is an option – that they don’t have to play softball unless they want to. They’re both great games, and I did play abroad on pro contracts in softball before realizing that my lifelong dreams of playing pro baseball might have a chance to come true!

In the US and Canada there are many, many women playing baseball right now – some in women’s-only tournaments, some playing in men’s amateur leagues, and some in both – who have realized their dream to keep playing baseball. Now it’s time for the next step – to integrate women into professional baseball, and give them the pathways to develop the skills necessary to get there.

You plan to room with Eri Yoshida in the AWL. Have you spoken to her yet, or will you meet for the first time when you get to Yuma?

I heard the initial plan is for us to room together. I haven’t spoken with Eri, so we’ll meet for the first time there. We should make for some interesting photo opps, as she’s 5′ and I’m a 6 footer with quite a lot of muscle. Eri is quite well known in Japan and has created quite a media buzz, so I’m not sure if rooming together is a done deal or whether we both may need some space for media and quiet time. Regardless, I look forward to meeting her, working together to help promote women’s baseball, and hopefully for some great cultural exchanges.

Why do you think softball became the more common sport for women to play?

That’s a complicated question, and not without some political implications.

Softball was originally invented to be played indoors for factory workers (mostly all men) to have something to do during the winter months in places like Chicago. Many were baseball players at various levels in good weather and wanted to keep playing something with a stick and a ball when it was too cold or snowy outside. In those days, the ball actually was “soft,” so that shorter distances could be used indoors without damaging walls, factory equipment, and yes, players. Nowdays the ball of course is anything but soft…equally as hard (if not more so) than a baseball.

How did it become a “women’s” sport (don’t tell that to the US Men’s National Fastpitch team, by the way!)? According to the synopsis of Jennifer Ring’s book Stolen Bases: Why American Girls Don’t Play Baseball, “In the early twentieth century, Albert Goodwill Spalding–sporting goods magnate, baseball player, and promoter–declared baseball off limits for women and envisioned global baseball on a colonialist scale, using the American sport to teach men from non-white races and non-European cultures to become civilized and rational. And by the late twentieth century, baseball had become serious business for boys and men at all levels, with female players perceived as obstacles or detriments to rising male players’ chances of success.” If this is truly the case (along with Commissioner Ford Frick’s ban of women in professional baseball in 1952), then it becomes fairly clear that pathways to pro baseball were no longer open, and many women who loved to play baseball got channeled into the “other” sport with a stick and a ball. Since then, of course, women have taken softball to the Olympics and into their own pro league, competing as highly-skilled athletes.

I think the harder answer to this question is that although all women CAN play baseball, just like men, not all of us have the genetic, physical attributes to play at the pro level, and given the lack of opportunities for women to advance their baseball playing abilities (it’s still a huge fight to play baseball in High School, College, or American Legion/Travel Ball), it’s rare to find a woman with not only a passion for the game, but the physical attributes and training necessary to play alongside men in professional ball. Hopefully that will change soon, as opportunities expand and girls and women are once again given the chance to dream about playing in the Big Leagues.

How did you first fall in love with baseball?

That’s almost like asking a fish how it first came to swim! I fell in love with baseball from the first moment I laid hands on a ball and glove. I started playing at age 4 in tee-ball and have played baseball or softball ever since. I was forced out of baseball at age 15, but returned to it after a career in Softball. There is something magical about every single time you step on the field. I think it’s a form of religion, a type of religious ritual. Those stadiums we get to play in sometimes are Cathedrals. They are our Notre Dames. High School fields are chapels…but sacred nonetheless. They are like holy places to me – and to most other ballplayers I’ve talked with…well, they feel the same.

Was it easy to find a game when you were a kid?

I grew up dirt poor, so I played wherever and whenever I could. We always found a way to play – pick-up games, in the street, whatever. I grew up rurally, so when there was no one around, stop signs and trees became catchers, tree limbs became bats, and there wasn’t a rock or dirt clod in sight that was safe. I would also sit for hours at a time and throw a tennis ball at a concrete wall.

As for playing on boys’ teams, I was very well accepted until about age 13. Then although I was still bigger than a lot of the boys, things started to change. My teammates respected my playing from age 13-15 when I played, pitched and hit well, but other teams began to put the pressure on my own teammates. Eventually, the pressure built and I was forced into Softball. Nevertheless, I was an all-star from age 8-15 at 1B and as a reliever.

You played in college. Are you worried that the current financial crunch in higher education might kill off some opportunities for women to play softball/baseball?

Great question. Yeah, the current financial situation is tough on schools, especially with sports programs. I think it could be a two-edged sword. On the one hand, the NCAA has recently ruled that baseball and softball are NOT equivalent sports, so no longer can women be funneled into Softball if they want to play Baseball. The ruling and the reality are two different matters of course, but it’s a big step in the right direction.

So, if a school were to eliminate softball, then the girls could possibly swell the ranks of baseball. On the other hand, if baseball and softball are both eliminated due to financial problems, then of course, ALL ballplayers are hurt. One side effect I’ve seen is that travel ball seems to be growing as the school programs are suffering financially. This may be good for girls who want to play baseball, but it’s too early for me to tell what will happen. I hope for the positive for all – for girls who want to play Softball to keep having the opportunity, and for girls who want to play Baseball, for them to have an open door to prove themselves and keep playing the game they love.

You’ve traveled quite a bit as a player. Where are some of the most exciting places you’ve gone around the world?

I’ve had the tremendous opportunity to play in many places, and that’s been made possible by all my coaches who gave of themselves selflessly over the years, by my present sponsors, Akadema, The 90 MPH Club, 3n2Sports, Gold’s Gym, Birch Bats, and Dr. Pirie at the Spokane Eye Clinic. I couldn’t do it without their support and the support of all my friends and family who have been patrons, patronesses, and just plain great.

I’d say I’ve loved to play everywhere I’ve had the opportunity. For baseball, playing in Hong Kong, China has probably been the most exciting…playing with women from all over the world and competing for the gold twice there has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. Playing baseball in Holland, a the only female ballplayer in the league was amazing… my coach there, Quansio Quant, my catcher, and all the guys were tremendously supportive.

In softball, I’d say playing in Australia and the Czech Republic…both were pretty exotic places to get to play, and although the Aussies might not think it’s exotic, watching a dozen wallabies hop off the practice field and being run off the field by an Aussie Brown (deadly) snake seem pretty exotic to me!

Do you have a signature pitch you hope to impress with this winter, or do you expect to see more time in the field?

I’d say we’ll have to wait and see. This will be a good test for me. I’ve played at the amateur level with guys about as far as I can go, and with women, about the same at international competition.

I have six pitches I throw, and I’m hoping at least a couple will give the guys some trouble. I’ve been hitting well at the amateur levels (wood bat), but again, this is quite a leap in level. I’m pretty sure I can compete defensively with my glove at 1B, but we’ll have to see where my strengths lie. The main thing is whether it is with my arm as a relief pitcher or with my glove and bat, I want to help my team and do honor to the game by playing it the best I possibly can.

What would you say to young girls out there who love baseball but have limited opportunities to participate on a team level?

I’d say do not give up! If this is the game you want to play, don’t take “no” for an answer. You’ll need to have thick skin on some of the teams, even at the teenage and adult levels. Shake off the negativity like a duck shakes off water. Practice your game. Train. Get strong… get just as strong as the guys. Don’t be worried about image…if you love the game, do whatever it takes to be successful. Practice at least 6 days a week, and think about the game every day. Believe in yourself and be the best player on the field. Play Hard and Dream Big!

Hello, Kitty: Japanese Teen Girl to Pitch in Arizona

I saw this on the Facebook feed of Ballpark Digest: the Yuma Scorpions of the Arizona Winter League have signed Japan’s first professional female baseball player to sling a few stateside.

Eri Yoshida is a 17-year-old sidearm pitcher with a knuckleball so slow it makes clocks run backward. She’s 5′1″ and Tim Wakefield (natch) is her hero.

“We are really looking forward to having Eri in the league and as a member of the Yuma Scorpions in the upcoming AWL,” said Yuma Scorpions manager Mike Marshall. “It’s an intense month of baseball, a great showcase, and an exceptional opportunity for any player to improve their game and move to the next level. Having played in Japan with Nippon Ham Fighters in the 1990s, I’m thrilled to be able to return the wonderful hospitality that I received and help Eri further her dream.”

[Our Sports Central]

Overseas branding opportunity for Eri? Publicity stunt for the Scorpions? Legitimate interest? Maybe a little bit of all three. But there’s something enjoyable about watching this guy whiff as this ball drifts across the plate like a seed from a cottonwood tree. I also like how she makes a hand motion in her follow-through that actually looks like she’s pulling a string.

Video courtesy of FanDome

That, and I always get a really trippy feeling when I see Japanese mascots. It’s a natural narcotic.

Samardzija’s Stuff is Muy Picante

The Northwest Indiana Times reported that our old Z-Meter chum Jeff Samardzija – former Notre Dame football star and a short-term Bus Leaguer before his callup to the Cubs last year – has shored up his standing with the team by appearing in the Mexican Fall League.

Samardzija was 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA in five starts with a club known as Mexicali (which makes me think of that corn with the peppers and pimentos in it), which was apparently enough to earn him a long look as a contender for the Cubs’ rotation in 2010.

“He threw well,” [Cubs GM Jim] Hendry said of Samardzija at the GM meetings Tuesday. “His command of his fastball was better. His secondary pitches were better. His command in the strike zone was better — not just throwing strikes, but location in the zone was much better. The slider got better. The (split-fingered fastball) obviously, he got back on track with a little better strike zone command of that, too.”

[Samardzija impresses Cubs' brass with play in Mexico]

This is all very interesting news, but this article never told me what I really wanted to know. Considering how much difficulty American announcers have had with Shark’s family name, it would make my day to hear the Spanish interpretation. I’m guessing something in the neighborhood of “Samaryee-yah!!!!”

Odds are, he won’t be back in Mexico any time soon, so we’ll just have to guess.

The Arizona Fall League Will Be On TV, But No Strasburg

The Arizona Fall League’s annual Rising Stars Game will be played tonight at 8:15 and televised on the MLB Network.  It’s a good opportunity for fans to check out some of minor league baseball’s best young players – guys like Drew Storen, Buster Posey, Dustin Ackley, Domonic Brown, and Grant Desme are expected to play.

One guy who won’t be making an appearance is Stephen Strasburg.  Originally announced as the starting pitcher for the East Division All-Stars, Strasburg was scratched on Friday with a muscle strain in his neck, a disappointing fact for who were hoping to see The Chosen One in action, many for the first time. (Strasburg really needs a nickname, does he not?)

Speed Bump For Strasburg

Stephen Strasburg is gonna be a bust.  Write it down.

How’s that for some reactionary thinking?

In reality, it is comically early to begin assessing Strasburg’s professional career.  He has made two starts in the Arizona Fall League.  One was reasonably good; the other, not so much.

The latter was Strasburg’s most recent outing, against the Peoria Javelinas.  He worked into the third inning, allowing eight runs on seven hits with four strikeouts.  As noted in the story about the game, he only gave up sixteen earned runs in his entire final season of college.

That’s a pretty terrible point of reference, however, when one considers that all of those runs were scored against college kids, in college games, the last of which took place nearly five months ago.  Those facts clearly illustrate the dual battles that Strasburg is fighting in the earliest stages of his professional career: one, he has to be rusty (pitches have a habit of not doing what you want when you haven’t thrown them in awhile), and two, this is his first experience against professional hitters.

At least Strasburg has the right attitude, though.  In the same story linked above, he said,

“I felt pretty good, but I just wasn’t able to work ahead in the count…I left some pitches up, and I know what I need to fix. Part of getting back into game shape is, you’re going to have some good games and some bad ones. It’s all about learning from it, and I feel I learned a lot from this outing.”

Can you really ask for anything more, especially from a 21-year-old kid?

ESPN’s E:60 to Feature a Bus Leaguer

Generally speaking, I’m not a big fan of having my heart warmed. That usually means someone is going to toy with my emotions somehow. But I’ll make an exception for Josh Faiola, the Frontier League player who stayed in an old folks’ home this season.

ESPN will tell Faiola’s story on October 27 at 7pm, and they were kind enough to provide us with this dandy sneak preview:

“Assisted Living” Excerpt

I guess the Annie Savoy situation is just a fantasy.