The best Baseball coverage is at BaseballJournal.com http://www.baseballjournal.com Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:03:24 -0500 RSSCreator 1.2 http://www.baseballjournal.com/images/design/logo.jpg http://www.baseballjournal.com New England Baseball Journal http://www.baseballjournal.com/news/2012/02/03_uconn_sets_up_funds_for_stadium.php The University of Connecticut Division of Athletics has established "Stadium Enhancement/Construction" funds in the sports of soccer, baseball and softball. The purpose of the funds are to upgrade or build new facilities for those sports. The projects are all still in the early planning stages and the full scope of these projects have yet to be determined. The projects will be funded entirely ... Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.baseballjournal.com/news/2012/01/29_daniel_bard_starter_or_reliever.php Daniel Bard spent the past two years setting the table for Jonathan Papelbon in Boston’s bullpen. But there comes a time when the most important pitchers on a team need to take on greater responsibility. Bard has reached that point. The plan for the flame-throwing righty is to report to spring training as a starting pitcher. However, depending on what happens the rest of the winter, there’s ... Sun, 29 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.baseballjournal.com/news/2012/01/29_valentine_is_right_man_for.php There was still about a half-hour to go before the next manager of the Red Sox was going to be unveiled, and the function room at Fenway Park already was packed. The buzz in the air could be felt, as journalists from Boston, New York and several on a national level gathered into their seats. The Red Sox don’t just have a new manager in Bobby Valentine. They have a full-fledged personality, one ... Sun, 29 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.baseballjournal.com/news/2012/01/29_tewksburys_mind_games.php Before Bob Tewksbury became the team psychologist for the Boston Red Sox, he was already well familiar with the assortment of adversities that professional baseball players can face. Over the course of his 14-year major-league career, Tewksbury was dealt his share of challenges. He believes those experiences as a player helped to make him more effective in his second career as a sports psychology ... Sun, 29 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.baseballjournal.com/news/2012/01/29_running_the_numbers_can_sox.php Entering the offseason, the Red Sox were faced with the obstacles of swapping out arguably the franchise’s greatest manager; replacing their all-time saves leader; promoting, signing or trading for a new right fielder, and filling out the back end of their rotation in light of losing their $82.5 million starter to Tommy John surgery. Just one year ago, times were a lot more simple. Last winter ... Sun, 29 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.baseballjournal.com/news/2012/01/29_hitting_know_each_pitchers.php Knowing where and when to look. Those are the two simple but important rules to reading the spin of the ball out of the pitcher’s hand. Every pitcher has his own release point, the point at which the ball leaves his hand — and the point at which a hitter should begin to read the pitch. With few exceptions, the most prominent pitchers release all of their pitches at the same spot. It’s ... Sun, 29 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.baseballjournal.com/news/2012/01/29_rules_automatic_base_award.php If I had a vote for the most interesting rules situation during the 2011 season, it would be the following play that occurred in the deciding Game 3 of the NCAA Super Regional between Texas and Arizona State on June 12 in Austin, Texas. In the top of the fourth inning, the Sun Devils were leading, 2-1, with Joey DeMichele on first and Zach Wilson at the plate with a 3-2 count and one out. DeMichele ... Sun, 29 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.baseballjournal.com/news/2012/01/29_recruiting_finding_-_and.php “Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small jobs.” — Henry Ford Just about everyone would like to be more motivated in the way they prepare for the upcoming season. This is never more important than in the winter months when the weather turns for the worse and the days on the field can seem distant. However, this is the time when you can make the most improvement ... Sun, 29 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.baseballjournal.com/news/2012/01/26_red_sox,_spinners_extend_contract.php The Boston Red Sox and Lowell Spinners have announced the extension of their Player Development Contract (PDC) for an additional two years. The extension keeps the Red Sox New York-Penn League Short-Season Single-A affiliate in Lowell through the 2014 season. Red Sox Director of Player Development Ben Crockett and Spinners owner Drew Weber and President/General Manager Tim Bawmann made the announcement. “We ... Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.baseballjournal.com/news/2012/01/26_boston_signs_ross_to_one-year.php The Boston Red Sox have outfielder Cody Ross to a one-year contract for the 2012 season. No further terms were disclosed. To make room for Ross on the 40-man roster, the Red Sox designated right-handed pitcher Scott Atchison for assignment. The announcement was made by Executive Vice President/General Manager Ben Cherington. Ross played in 121 games for the Giants in 2011, including 107 starts, and ... Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.baseballjournal.com/news/2012/01/25_bailey,_red_sox_agree_to_one-year.php The Boston Red Sox have agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Andrew Bailey on a one-year, non-guaranteed contract for the 2012 season, thus avoiding salary arbitration. Terms were not disclosed. The announcement was made by Executive Vice President/General Manager Ben Cherington. Bailey was acquired by Boston from Oakland on Dec. 28, 2011. The 27-year-old right-hander converted 24 of 26 save ... Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.baseballjournal.com/news/2012/01/24_around_the_region_futures.php The future looks bright for the second season of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League. The FCBL, which played its inaugural season in 2011 with just four teams, plans to double in size for the 2012 season, adding four new teams, including three failed franchises from other leagues. The Futures League already has announced the addition of teams in Leominster, Mass., and Old Orchard Beach, Maine ... Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.baseballjournal.com/news/2012/01/22_why_uniforms_matter.php When you think about your favorite teams, what comes to mind? Maybe that stylized “B” if you’re a Red Sox fan, or those classic Yankees pinstripes. The colors, and the uniforms. Fans identify with star players by wearing their jerseys, and show up at ballparks as if they were going to step out on the field to pinch-hit. Uniforms are the most visible association the public has with ... Sun, 22 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.baseballjournal.com/news/2012/01/22_buyers_guide_baseball_apparel.php Buyer’s Guide: Baseball Apparel MAJESTIC ATHLETIC http://www.majesticathletic.com Majestic Cool Base Batting Practice Jersey Worn by all 30 Major League Baseball clubs, the BP features Cool Base fabrication to keep you cool and dry. Ventilating mesh gussets and stretch fabric allow outstanding mobility for players and maximum comfort for fans. The full-button front design and tackle ... Sun, 22 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.baseballjournal.com/news/2012/01/21_sox_trade_scutaro_to_rockies.php The Boston Red Sox have acquired right-handed pitcher Clayton Mortensen from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for shortstop Marco Scutaro. Mortensen posted a 3.86 ERA (25 ER/58.1 IP) and 30 strikeouts while going 2-4 over a career-high 16 appearances, including six starts, over two stints with the Rockies in 2011. The 26-year-old right-hander held opponents to a .257 average (55-for-214) last season ... Sat, 21 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.baseballjournal.com/news/2012/01/21_red_sox_sign_bard_to_one-year.php The Boston Red Sox have agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Daniel Bard on a one-year, non-guaranteed contract for the 2012 season, thus avoiding salary arbitration. Terms were not disclosed. Bard, 26, set a Red Sox record and tied for the American League lead with 34 holds last season while posting a 3.33 ERA (27 ER/73.0 IP) and a 2-9 record. He topped the team while ranking among AL relief ... Sat, 21 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.baseballjournal.com/news/2012/01/20_new_englands_100_greatest.php There are so many ways to quantify greatness in baseball. With Hall of Fame inductions, World Series titles, All-Star appearances, home runs, RBI, pitching wins, ERA, saves, WAR, OPS and many other advanced metrics, there is no way to configure a list of the top 100 New England baseball players and managers that will satisfy everyone. Still, we gave it our best shot. We didn’t rely on one single ... Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.baseballjournal.com/news/2012/01/17_sox_sign_ellsbury_to_one-year.php The Boston Red Sox have agreed to terms with outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, infielder Mike Aviles and left-handed pitcher Franklin Morales on one-year, non-guaranteed contracts for the 2012 season, thus avoiding salary arbitration. Terms were not disclosed. Ellsbury, 28, was named American League Comeback Player of the Year and finished second in AL MVP voting after batting .321 (212-for-660) while setting ... Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.baseballjournal.com/news/2012/01/15_red_sox_sign_saltalamacchia.php The Boston Red Sox have agreed to terms with catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia and outfielder Ryan Sweeney on one-year, non-guaranteed contracts for the 2012 season, avoiding salary arbitration. Terms were not disclosed. The 26-year-old Saltalamacchia appeared in 103 games for Boston in 2011, including 101 contests (96 starts) at catcher. He ranked third among American Leaguers at the position with a ... Sun, 15 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.baseballjournal.com/news/2012/01/13_the_wonders_of_winterball.php Those who believe the holidays are the most wonderful time of the year probably don’t play a whole lot of baseball. For many, the longest months are those without any baseball. Thankfully, there is Winterball to scratch that itch every December for dozens of amateur baseball players across New England who want to keep on playing, even when the weather outside is frightful. Winterball has become ... Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.baseballjournal.com/news/2012/01/13_hangin_out_with__joe_castiglione.php Joe Castiglione is entering his 30th season as a radio broadcaster with the Red Sox, and his second book — “Can You Believe It? Thirty years of inside stories with the Boston Red Sox” — will be released in April. You are entering your 30th season behind the mike for the Red Sox. Could you have ever imagined that? “No, I never thought I’d be at any job for 30 ... Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.baseballjournal.com/news/2012/01/13_training_how_to_develop_pitchers.php When I think about what I want a pitcher at any level to be, I realize that the most important thing is to be consistent. To throw a two-hit complete game is great, but if it is sandwiched between two awful outings, then that pitcher is not someone the team really can count on. Think about the best big-league pitchers: Cliff Lee, Roy Holliday, Tim Lincecum, Chris Carpenter, CC Sabathia, Justin Verlander ... Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.baseballjournal.com/news/2012/01/13_jordan_cote_on_offseason_training.php Jordan Cote worked hard to get where he is, and now that he’s a professional, he’s working even harder. The New York Yankees drafted the Sanbornton, N.H., native and Winnisquam Regional High School product in the third round last summer, and he soon will be reporting to spring training to begin the minor-league portion of his career. To prepare, the hard-throwing right-hander is spending ... Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.baseballjournal.com/news/2012/01/13_have_we_seen_the_end_of_the.php July 30, 1997 — the day prior to MLB’s trade deadline. That was the last time that Boston Red Sox played a regular-season game without Jason Varitek (right) as a part of their organization. In a career that has spanned 1,546 games, all with the Red Sox, only eight players in Boston’s illustrious history have worn the uniform longer than Varitek. Of those eight players, half of them ... Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.baseballjournal.com/news/2012/01/03_red_sox_sign_12_free_agents.php The Boston Red Sox have announced the signings of 12 free agents to 2012 minor league contracts. All 12 players have also been invited to Boston's Major League spring training camp as non-roster players. The 12 free agents are right-handed pitchers Brandon Duckworth, Charlie Haeger, Will Inman, Doug Mathis, Tony Pena Jr., Carlos Silva and Chorye Spoone, left-handed pitchers Jesse Carlson, Rich ... Tue, 03 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST http://www.baseballjournal.com/news/2011/12/28_cape_league_announces_2012.php Commissioner Paul Galop has announced the 2012 Cape Cod Baseball League schedule. The regular season begins June 14 with a full slate of five games, preceded by the annual Frank Finn/CCBL Invitational pre-season tryout on Saturday, June 9 at Spillane Field in Wareham. There are no scheduled doubleheaders this summer. "We’re excited to be rolling out the 2012 CCBL schedule our Executive ... Wed, 28 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST http://www.baseballjournal.com/news/2011/12/28_red_sox_trade_for_oaklands.php The Boston Red Sox have acquired right-handed pitcher Andrew Bailey and outfielder Ryan Sweeney from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for outfielder Josh Reddick, and minor league right-handed pitcher Raul Alcantara and first baseman Miles Head. The announcement was made by Executive Vice President/General Manager Ben Cherington. A two-time All-Star, Bailey converted 24 of 26 save opportunities ... Wed, 28 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST http://www.baseballjournal.com/news/2011/12/23_can-am,_american_association.php Miles Wolff, Commissioner of the Can-Am League and the American Association, has announced that the two leagues will play an interlocking schedule for the 2012 season. The Can-Am League will adopt the American Association’s 100-game schedule, with play starting May 17 and ending Sept. 3. Five Can-Am teams will make one 10-game road trip to AA cities, and five AA teams will play 10 games each ... Fri, 23 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST http://www.baseballjournal.com/news/2011/12/23_magnante_will_return_as_lake.php Manager Rick Magnante and hitting coach Casey Myers will return to Vermont in 2012 as part of the Lake Monsters field staff, along with new pitching coach Ariel Prieto, the Oakland Athletics have announced with the naming of coaching staffs for each of their minor league organizations. Magnante led the 2011 Lake Monsters to a 39-35 record and the Stedler Division title in his first season as Vermont ... Fri, 23 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST http://www.baseballjournal.com/news/2011/12/23_sox_finalize_coaching_staff.php The Boston Red Sox have announced their 2012 Major League coaching staff. Tim Bogar has been named bench coach, Bob McClure joins the staff as pitching coach, Alex Ochoa has been appointed first base coach and Jerry Royster has been named third base coach. Additionally, hitting coach Dave Magadan and bullpen coach Gary Tuck will both return in the same roles they held in 2011. Executive vice president/general ... Fri, 23 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST