High Heels On The Field

Can-Am League, Brockton: John Kelly Time Out; Clyde Williams Hits 1,000th

I've kept an eye on the Can-Am League from time to time (Justine Siegel! Yeah!), and thought I'd update readers on a few favorites.

Clyde Williams, now playing for the Brockton Rox, just achieved some personal history. In a game against the American Defenders of New Hampshire, he went 3-3 with two home runs and collected his 1,000th career hit. Williams is a lifer, a dedicated baseball guy who's wife often travels with him, even all the way to his stint in Nicaragua. They were both well-liked during Williams time with the Atlantic City Surf. Williams contract was recently sold to Brockton by the very team he got his career milestone hit off.

Also in Rox news, longtime player and coach John Kelly will be taking a break. Kelly has long been considered the Rox ace and Brockton resigned him in the offseason. He is the career leader in wins and strikeouts, but has been dealth some challenges physically this year. The 36 year old has elbow tendinitis and asked manager Chris Carminucci to possibly bring in some help, while he tries to get back to form. Kelly, a former New York Mets draft pick, was 0-3 with a 10.91 ERA. He hopes to return later in the summer according to reports.

The Rox are seven games back from first, but have the two best pitchers in the league: Craig Anderson and Justin Long. Anderson is 4-1 with a 1.99 ERA and 24 strikeouts, while Long is 2-1 with a 2.22 ERA. He's struck out 11 and allowed just 17 hits, the league's second best.

Brad Thoma's Indy Roller Coaster

Brad Thoma's luggage got a lot of movement at the conclusion of spring training. The 25 year old had been traded to the New Jersey Jackals. But the night before final rosters were set he was told he'd been released.

"It put me in a tough spot for a couple of days," Thoma said in an e-mail.

I imagine being able to avoid bus trips to Canada are also a plus. I traveled only as far as Worcester, Massachusetts with the team and by the end wanted to run screaming for the hills. Thoma, a native of Ohio, will be closer to family this time around.

"This league primarily covers the Midwest so my family can come see me play more."

As for what happened that led to his release, the details are as complicated as figuring out what constitutes a balk. 

"A week before we reported Joe signed a 2nd baseman that had just been released from Double A with the Reds. Apparently he told him the same thing about short stop. When I got there, he kept me at 2nd the whole time."

In the off season Jackals manager Joe Calfapietra called Thoma and told him he wanted him at shortstop, a position he played for one full season. But Calfapietra's plans changed.

Thoma was in difficult situation, but understands the pace of the business. He went with it. He's now playing 2nd base for the Gateway Grizzlies of the Frontier League. 

"My role is definitely more defined. The coaching staff is great and the park is very favorable to put up good [offensive] numbers," he says.

In 2008, he hit .280 and collected 41 RBI. He also walked 27 times. The numbers were a significant improvement over his 2007 numbers with the Charlotte County Redfish, but he also saw more playing time with the Atlantic City Surf in '08.

While joining a Frontier League team is a reduction in pay, Thoma isn't focused on that.

"I don't play this game for money. I play because I love it and I want to."

Taking nothing for granted, he understands how lucky he is to be able to spend the summer playing baseball.

"It sure beats the hell out of a 9 to 5."