Cards' Game:

A return to roots while helping others to fly...

Manager Matt Fortuna (left) is helped into the Cardinals' new jersey 

by team owner Drew Brady (right) at the team's news conference Feb. 1, 2012. 

Photo courtesy Jason Nason.

Hamilton, ON - March, 2012 – The sports community in Hamilton is vast and varied. With a strong history of football and hockey, many would be surprised to learn that the city’s second oldest sports franchise is a baseball team. From May to August, the Hamilton Cardinals tour Ontario as members of the Intercounty Baseball League (IBL).

            During the Cardinals’ fifty-four year history, there has been a playing hiatus, and ownership and name changes. The most recent name switch came Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012, as team owner Drew Brady announced the team’s return to its roots as the Cardinals. “The entire Hamilton Rep Program are [sic] called the Cardinals. I felt that it was time to align ourselves with the rest of the city,” says Brady. “The timing was right to become `one’ with the rest of the programs and create a seamless transition from Tyke to Senior IBL baseball.” Gone is the Thunderbird blue the team wore since 2005. When the home season opens on May 13 this year, fans will see Hamilton’s IBL team dotting the field in red once more.

           Something that has stayed during Brady’s time in the owner’s seat is the team’s dedication to the community. The team works with charitable organizations in Hamilton and gives them a chance to enjoy the city’s highest level of baseball.

“Our players are also active in the local schools working with a `Stay in School Program’ to help kids make good choices about their education and athletic choices,” tells Brady of how the team further supports the city they represent.

“The Hamilton Cardinals also play a role in the development of baseball starting at the grass roots,” continues Brady, “and now offering a senior level of baseball for these athletes to aspire to!” It’s a sentiment shared by second-year manager Matt Fortuna.

First joining the Cardinals shortly before turning 18, Fortuna is well aware of the role the team plays in Hamilton’s baseball community. Playing with the Cardinals’ junior team as a catcher, he got his first taste of the IBL as an in-season call-up during the 1996 season. When asked about the club’s place in the Hamilton baseball world, Fortuna replies “… we represent an opportunity and an end. Kids who play baseball can aspire to be a part of our organization.” He hopes those aspirations “will inspire kids to keep playing and learning about a sport that, when played at a high level, is strategic and beautiful.”

After stints with four IBL teams in total, Fortuna returned to Hamilton to finish his playing career and transition to the manager’s office for the 2011 season. Citing four main reasons for the switch, Fortuna believes his experience as a catcher and his desire to learn played important stepping stones. “As I got older, I was able to pass (on the nuances of the game) to other players and my strength became my mind rather than my ability. When I was no longer able to play at a level at which I felt comfortable, I transitioned into managing,” explains Fortuna.  “I felt I could make a positive contribution to the team and the broader baseball community in Hamilton.”

Entering Bernie Arbour Stadium (a hidden gem at the corner of Upper Kenilworth and Mohawk Road), it’s easy to see people enjoying being part of the team. From pre-game meetings on the concourse, the volunteers, to Brady greeting fans with his trusty dog by his side; everyone is committed to the club’s success. “I decided to become a team owner when the current ownership at the time was failing, and I felt that the club would not survive unless somebody stepped up to purchase it ,” says Brady. “I love baseball, and did not want the city of Hamilton to lose their IBL franchise!”

            Still the team faces the same yearly challenge - consistent support from the community it’s proud to be a part of.  Brady points to the need of “the city, local businesses and investors, and the average fan `at large’ to embrace the ball team, support the team by attending games, and also supporting the various causes that the ball club engages in.”

            As Opening Day at Bernie Arbour looms, the Cardinals get ready for the new season. Another year of baseball to pay tribute to their past, work towards their future and to continue helping players and the Hamilton community develop and grow.  

Hello Spring!

Short, but sweet update about the wonderfulness of Spring Training. I'm heading there tomorrow night and I have been looking forward to this trip since before last season ended. 

For as magical as Opening Day always is, there's something almost mystical about Spring Training, even if you've been before. To try and describe it only detracts from it. I will say if you've never been, try to go. You won't regret it.

I'll wish you all well from sunny Florida. Keep counting down to April 9th. It's not too far now, ball fans.
JaysGirl5                                                                                    

P.S. Small trip highlight - getting to watch the Jays play Team Canada.

A little bit o' awesome...

1) BMorrow's gonna be around for a while! Just announced yesterday that Mr. Morrow is signed to be around  for the next three (possibly 4) years. Bringin' some heat behind RickyRo with a little added "a**hole" to boot! Gotta love his lovely wife's celebration of the signing.


2) E.T. is tweeting home! Err, wait. E.T. is now on Twitter! Check him out at @EThames14. Twitter highlight so far? Last week he put out an open call for questions, any questions as he "lust[ed] for entertainment." And believe me, ask Twitterverselings did.


JaysGirl5

Baseball Bookshelf Recommendation #5

We live in a world with incredibly high access to the baseball players and teams we root for. From websites, Twitter, MLBFanCave and even a show ("The Franchise) going behind the scenes with the Giants - we can almost get to know players off the field more than on the field now. 

But despite all this access, most of us will never really know or understand what it's like in the Brotherhood of Professional Baseball Players. We'll never really be able to know what it's like behind the clubhouse doors or in the dugout as an insider. 

Part of that brotherhood is "The Code". You know, the unwritten rules about not running up a score in a blowout, not mentioning a no-hitter or perfect game while it's underway, and many other intricate, debatable rules that govern the game of baseball on the field and unofficially. 

For an excellent sneak peek behind the clubhouse curtain, check out The Baseball Codes: Bean balls, Sign stealing and Bench-clearing Brawls: The Unwritten Rules of American's Pastime by Jason Turbow. 

Whether you believe in the existence or relevance of "The Code", Turbow offers some great anecdotes about the different aspects and executions of players policing themselves. He definitely also offers some great material to spark debate about the place of "the code" into today's game of baseball.

Above all, The Baseball Codes is an enjoyable read filled with great stories from the last fifty years of baseball from the player perspective.

Definitely passes the I.T.C.B. Baseball Bookshelf reading-worthy test.

Can you smell Spring Training yet fellow fans? 

JaysGirl5

Ready, Set...MEET!

Early December is always an interesting time of year on the baseball calendar. Most players start getting back to their workout routines, if they haven’t already. The new baseball season seems so much closer than it did when the World Series ended. And, oh yeah, there’s this little matter of the yearly GM meetings taking place.

This year’s festivities are set to start today in Dallas, Texas. I’m always intrigued to see what might come out of them, but this year seems a little different. A lot of that has to do with the new CBA that has officially been ratified between MLB and the MLBPA. (In general, I have an interest in collective bargaining agreements and employer/union relations. It’s the nerd in me, and my past experience I guess.)The other part of me is just the continual curiosity I have about what creative move AA is going to pull out of his bag o’ tricks next.

Other than the new CBA, the offseason to-date has been pretty quiet. Sure, Papelbon signed with the Phillies (thoughts on overpaying/not overpaying?) and there have been numerous rumors about where Pujols will end up. On the Jays front, it’s definitely been quiet. A few small moves (Brad Mills to Anaheim for Jeff Mathis, Luis Valbuena from Cleveland for cash) have been made, but all’s quiet on the blue bird front. Until now.

By all accounts, AA is looking to make some majorish moves, or at least start the ball rolling on the “big” moves we’ll see coming out of Toronto this offseason. I refer to them as “big” because I don’t see any of them being huge blockbuster deals like we’ve seen in the part. Looking around the roster, there are some key spots to be filled (2^nd base, closer), but nowhere near the amount of holes we’re seen before. Our core roster is strong and young, will a whole host of awesome guys working their way up through the minors.

The one “move” I will comment on that a lot of Jays fans have been backing is bringing Prince Fielder to Toronto. Especially now with an unconfirmed report that Toronto’s on Fielder’s short  list for places he’d like to play. Not surprising as from all accounts I’ve heard, he enjoyed visits here while his dad trolled the outfield for us.

I wholeheartedly do not support this move. Part of it is his possible asking price, but on within the context of his role on the team. I am a LindyHop enthusiast. I have enjoyed watching Adam Lind grow as a player since he made his debut back in Sep ’06. I like him at 1^st and believed for a long time before he moved out of the DH spot that he would find a home there.  

Not all Jays’ fans share my Lind love, and that’s okay. But what I don’t get is the call to heave him out of 1^st after only one full season (minus a month missed for back issues). Some point to his defensive skills, some to his drop off at the plate. Well, you try playing a fielding position for a full season for the first time in the Bigs after being a part-time outfielder/mostly DH for your career, then see if YOUR production doesn’t suffer. Adam said as much near the end of the season. It’s a more difficult physical and mental grind having to transition to playing every day, instead of just walking to the plate 3+ times in a game.

There’s no denying that Fielder is incredibly productive at the plate. It’s an attractive, attention grabbing quality on his résumé; having that much homerun power could be a great protective agent behind Bautista. But, what about the possible hit we’d take in the field? Maybe this is a reflection of me being a pitching and defense kind of person, but I’ll take Lind’s defense over Fielder’s any day. For those statistically inclined readers, here’s my backing to that statement.

In 2011, Fielder had the lowest fielding% among all 1^st basemen, at .990 (159 games). Lind was 6^th at .996 (109 games). Remember, this was Adam’s first full season at an infield position. I will also concede that Fielder did play 50 more games than Lind, with 411 more total chances. But, I’ll still take Lind. You can also compare both their first full seasons at first, in which Fielder did have more games, but I didn’t want to overload with numbers here. If you’re interested, just search Fielder and Lind’s stats on the MLB site. I will note however, that Prince has had only one season with a fielding percentage over .996 (2010; .997) and I foresee LindyHop getting better next season.

There’s also talk about bringing Prince to Toronto to DH, but I also balk at that idea. He’ll only be 27 as of opening day 2012. That is so incredibly young to move someone into the DH spot, and part of the reason Lind (28) is now at first. The Jays didn’t want to make him a career DH before he hit 30. Fielder might not be my favourite option as a new team member in T.O., but I also don’t think it’s time for him to leave the fielding part of his game behind.

I honestly get the draw and (some) of the reasons why bringing Prince to Toronto is being so highly talked about, and not just bandied about in the fan world. But I honestly don’t see the fit. We have other, more pressing concerns (see above) to worry about without getting into replacing guys that have/will contribute to the team’s success.

I am an Adam Lind fan, just as I am a Travis Snider, Eric Thames, and Edwin Encarnacion fan. We have an overabundance of guys that could play great roles filling places in the roster where we need them. Unfortunately, that doesn’t apply to all positions, but we’re in a pretty comfy (and soon to be very successful) place right now Jays' fans. Obviously AA is aware of that and is about the start workin’ his GM magic.

Pull up a chair Jays fans. It’s going to be a pretty neat next couple of days at the Winter Meetings.

Just wanted to send out some congrats/ROCK ONs to:

• -         Arencibia and Lawrie being named to the 2011 Topps All-Star Rookie Team
• -          And the following guys for being chosen by the BWA’s Toronto chapter Award winners:

o   RickyRo – Pitcher of the Year

o   JoBau – Player of the Year (Neil MacCarl Award)

o   JPArriba – Rookie of the Year

o   Janssen – Most Improved Player

o   McGowan – John Cerutti Award (given to a person who shows the cooperation, goodwill and character Cerutti was known for.)

Happy Early Holiday Season readers! I wish you and your loved ones the merriest, baseball filled (as much as possible in Dec/Jan) times!

JaysGirl5

P.S. the 2012 season is getting closer!