Heels On The Field: A Baseball Blog

Brooklyn Cyclones Season Opener Vs. Staten Island Yankees A Meaningful Announcement

The work has only just begun for New Yorkers after Hurricane Sandy.

The pain and loss cannot be calculated. The homes destroyed can be rebuilt (hopefully) but memories cannot be replaced. Many are still waiting for basic utilities and normalcy to return. The death toll is an unbearable reality.

While New York City tries to rebuild and restore what they can, a different, smaller kind of work is underway in Coney Island and Staten Island. It isn't life or death. It is just baseball. But baseball has always been a symbol of hope, a touchstone in the midst of sadness.

The Staten Island Yankees and Brooklyn Cyclones, of the Class-A Short Season New York Penn League, will open their season on June 17th at MCU Park, home of the Cyclones.

Richmond County Bank Ballpark and MCU Park were ravaged by the hurricane. The parking lot of MCU actually became a FEMA Disaster Assistance Service Center. Both islands experienced mass destruction and despair. It was unclear at first if either team would have a place to play, but, perhaps the one thing on their side was that the season starts so late. There's time.

In the meantime, it was nice to hear that the local tradition of baseball would continue when schedules were released. People that work in both stadiums or for the teams, still have jobs to go back to. Many of those people live locally, so it's safe to say this was a silver lining.

But for baseball fans that still love a ballgame, and connect with their families through the pastime, this is also a way to escape. Both are New York teams, the Cyclones are a Mets affiliate, and are home to many players that each year have recently been drafted. It's the get-your-feet-wet-show. While attendance has been an issue at times, as it is for many minor league teams, the fans that attend care deeply about tradition and the future of their favorite team. They get to see the raw start of many future major leaguers.

And there is, of course, the historic Coney Island boardwalk itself. A special symbol of what was that has lasted all these years and continues to draw crowds every summer.

Knowing that baseball will continue for both teams come June is something, not a huge something, but it matters to many. And the fact that it's a true New York baseball opener gives the match-up a more special quality.

Get tickets for the Cyclones home-opener and all games here: http://www.brooklyncyclones.com/tickets/individual/

Contribute to 'Staten Island Recovers': https://statenisland.recovers.org/

Related links:

Related articles

Link: New York-Penn rallies around its own

New York Penn League: Who Will Return In 2013?

Yankees Prospect Saxon Butler Works Intensive Off-Season Program

After splitting his time successfully between Class-A (short season) Staten Island of and Class-A Charleston, first baseman/DH Saxon Butler hasn't exactly rested.

After participating in instructional league, he's currently in the middle of a six-week training program that includes conditioning and a special diet. He just completed the first three weeks, will rest one week, and go into the final three weeks.

Here's what he had to say about the program, instructs, and the off-season...which doesn't seem like an off-season at all. Though he didn't seem to mind.

"[The program] is a lot of workouts, it's six days a week, and just consistently eating right."

"The Yankees discussed it with me and asked me if I'd like to participate. I agreed to it because I thought it was a good move career-wise."

"The focus is more agility, speed, while still staying in the weight room as part of it."

"[Defensively] Yeah, it helps definitely. I DH'ed mostly for Staten Island, then was mostly a first baseman at Charleston. I really got my feet wet. I'm not hitting right now, but the program is designed to make me a better player all-around."

"I'll rest when I get home a little. I'll start hitting again after Christmas. I mean, it's not tough. We spend most of our off-season in the gym anyway. But I haven't picked up a bat since instructs."

"Overall instructs went really well. I made some adjustments. I'm staying more in my legs and using my lower half more."

You can follow Saxon on Twitter @SaxonHolt33

The Top Five Most Romantic/Sexiest Baseball Movie Scenes

It's the off-season and sometimes I'll go off the minor league path to do something a little different here.

Here they are, my choices for the most romantic and sexiest moments in baseball cinema.

5. Major League- 'Winner'- Jake. That Jake. The cad that hurt Rene Russo's 'Lynn Wells' doesn't exactly deserve her, but forgiveness is essential to life and love. And Lynn proves how deep her love is for the Cleveland Indians catcher, when she's waving in the stands, the engagement ring from another man gone, when they win the ALCS. You want to believe that he takes her home and never again takes her for granted.

4. A League of Their Own- 'Homecoming' - With all that baseball, laughter, excitement, competing, Madonna dancing, and Tom Hanks being perfectly awful, it's hard to forget that the reason the Rockford Peaches exist is because there is a war going on. Geena Davis's 'Dottie' is a formidable catcher and the natural team leader, but she's also a worried wife. When we first think she might be the one getting news of tragedy, it's a different girl on the team. Dottie gets to see her man, Bob, again and the look on her face and the passionate embrace remind you that a very real battle was playing out, away from the baseball diamond. And you're just glad to know Dottie will not mourn.

3. The Natural - 'Stand' - Why does she do it? What makes Iris stand, when Roy Hobbs goes to the plate and is trying to find his way? She tells him, "I didn't want to see you fail." Whatever history has gone between them, whatever they've lost, they have a chance to be together, despite all the odds. When she stands, it's the simplest gesture, but it is the most powerful statement of love she could have made.

2. Bull Durham- 'Finally' - You can hear the fire engines if you listen close. Well, no, not really, but, wow, do Crash Davis and Annie Savoy smoke the screen up when they finally tear each other's clothes off (ok, it's more like peeling) and jump into bed...and on the floor...and in the tub...and on the counter... That might not be the hottest sex scene of all time, but it's enough to make you say, 'Oh my.'

1. Bull Durham- 'Front Porch'- Annie returns to her house one night to find Crash has returned from his final stint in the minors. All guards are down when they see each other. No more 'boys and baseball', no more sultry gazes or word games. In that moment you understand that those two people are meant for each other. The singular moment that should get any romantic's eyes to fill is the way she folds her ankles like a little girl, sitting beside him on the porch swing. 'Bull Durham' isn't a chick flick, as some have called it. It's a story about the human heart and that, ultimately, love is the most important thing you'll never find in a game or games of the heart. In that moment, the two beloved characters embody that.

Reading Phillies No More

Baseball through time has connected families, generations bonded by love of the game.

The Reading Phillies had been part of that rich tradition. Many Phillies fans had seen history unfold through the years, with the likes of Larry Bowa, Mike Schmidt, Greg Luzinsky, Darren Daulton, and Ryan Howard wearing the big 'R' on their caps at one time.

That 46-year history cannot be changed but the identity has been stripped.

On Saturday, the Reading Phillies of the Eastern League announced their new name, the Reading Fightin' Phils.

Confusion, frustration, and shock were the overall reaction since the team first announced their "re-branding effort" a few weeks ago. Phillies fans took pride in the name and couldn't imagine embracing a new identity.

Those who made the final decision on the new name seemed to only confuse their fans more. Fans are quite familiar with the fact that "Fightin' Phils" is literally the other name the big club Phillies are known as. Now, one says "Fightin' Phils", it's an actual team name.

While a re-branding effort is sometimes a matter of survival for a minor league team, the chosen name seemed to indicate that those involved were out of touch with the very fans that attend games. And maybe that explains a lot. Ultimately, the change, meant to create an individual identity for the Double-A Phillies, actually just borrows from the identity of their parent club. Puzzling, for sure, but perhaps that was their way of respecting the connection and tradition. And that makes sense, too.

But for those that have loved the team that plays in a place officially called, 'BaseballTown', that changes how they identify with the team. If you want to change the name, fine, but don't expect to change the way people feel.

In going forward, the Reading Fightin' Phils have to re-establish a connectedness that the Reading Phillies already had. Fans might get over their annoyance or disappointment, but will they buy the merchandise?

Maybe it sounds silly to make such a fuss over a minor league team's name, but the emotional meaning of that name is real. And those that decided to re-brand, should take that into account.

Dave Winfield, Jamey Carroll Offer Minor Leaguers Advice, Talk PED’s

New York City- Tuesday’s MLBPAA Legends For Youth Dinner in New York City provided an opportunity for former and current major league players to connect through a shared passion: the future of baseball.

The game as they knew it has changed and so has their place in it. But what hasn’t changed is their deep love and dedication to improving baseball. And reaching young players pursuing careers with the clinics players participate in gives kids a chance to imagine and work at baseball skills they might one day use professionally. For now, they’re having fun and learning some valuable lessons from some of baseball’s best.

Here, Dave Winfield, and Jamey Carroll impart wisdom to minor league players hoping for and working toward a long career in the majors.

Jamey Carroll (Infielder; Expos/Nationals, Rockies, Indians, Dodgers, currently Twins; MLB debut in 2002)

“Being part of the alumni association and put on the clinics for kids is huge for the kids. To continue the game, stuff like this is important. I’m thankful to be part of this event.”

Cracking Down on Performance Enhancers in MLB:

“I think we’re doing the best we can to eliminate [PED’s]. We want to show that you can still play this game regardless of past situations. Looking at the game this year and how it went, I think we did a good job with guys that try to cut corners. Those who did were caught.”

“I think I’m the perfect example that it’s not always the biggest guys that get to play. I take a lot of pride in that. I do my best to compete at this level. I want kids to realize they can go out there and have success without the use of anything. We’re improving testing each time and next year there’s the HGH testing. We’re trying to ensure that this game can be healthy.”

Looking Back on the Bus Leagues:

“I played seven years in the minor leagues. One of the main things I learned was that if I still had a uniform on, I still had an opportunity. I didn’t get called up until I was twenty-eight. I was realizing at that point, maybe I needed to find something else to do. I knew I could go out and get a job anywhere else and make more money, but as long as I had that uniform on there was possibility. You can always go back to school. But if you have the opportunity to play professionally, do what you can.

I think every player will tell you it’s a grind. It’s a drive. You really have to love it. Control what you can. I learned that there’s a lot of things going on and a lot of players running around, but there’s only a certain amount you can control. You take that and run with it.”

“Sure [there were times I doubted myself]. There were times I’d look in the mirror and wonder what is this I’m doing? I started YEAR in Triple-A not playing. That’s when I started thinking this may be the end for me. Then somebody got hurt and I took advantage of the situation. It’s a matter of where you’re at and what you’ve done along the way. In any job when you’re going through some tough times, they have to check themselves and see what they can do, whether it’s making a change or fighting their way through.”

Dave Winfield (Outfielder; Padres, Yankees, Angels, Blue Jays, Twins, Indians; MLB debut 1973; Retired 1995; Lifetime .283, 3, 110 Hits, 465 home runs)

“This [Lifetime Achievement Award] is a pleasure and an honor to receive it with my man Rusty Staub. I feel a little young for it, but I’ll take it. I support the good works that [the MLBPAA] does. They put on over 80 national and international clinics. And they’re free. Not only in baseball, but the golf events. The camaraderie with the players, it’s a good organization. It’s steady. Even the guys playing today, I applaud them for becoming members.”

Youth Baseball Today:

“Baseball is not as readily available to kids as it used to be. Every dad in the neighborhood was a baseball coach when I was growing up. Now most of them don’t know the game. There’s also the costs. It’s not free like it was when I played. Then there’s the connectedness. From 8-18, there’s very few communities that are doing it the way they used to. Baseball has to continue to be creative.”

Advice to Minor League Players

“Sometimes, that’s the problem. People talk about the pressure, the pressure...are you doing what you love? If you’re playing professionally at any level, you’ve got to feel good about yourself. If you have confidence, it kind of works in your favor. You have to look at it like, you don’t always succeed. I didn’t always succeed, but mostly when I played it was a good year one way or another. There’s so much media today and focus on pressure. If you can’t handle pressure, don’t play.”

They can’t think about [what media says] all the time. That can’t be the primary focus. If you want to succeed, you go out there and do what you do. It’s like running for president. You can win and half the people don’t like you. Don’t worry about it. Do your thing.”

“I’m always going to look fondly upon the coaches that helped me. I think really giving it all I had everyday, if you’re going to participate, give it all you have. And be prepared. More that that, you know, don’t make excuses for what happens. A lot of stuff happens in life. We expect a straight line, but life unfolds. Many times if you don’t achieve something when you want or how you want, don’t make excuses, keep on going. That among other lessons, how to take care of yourself and everything. And I never put any limits on myself. Don’t put limitations on what you can do. Had I done that, I don’t think I would’ve achieved what I did. I look back and people say, ‘Man, you knew you were going to do this. You knew you’d be an All-Star and Hall of Famer...no way I wasn’t even the best young athlete coming up. Growing up, I wasn’t the fastest, I had a good arm...but you never know what you’re going to achieve. I just never put any restrictions or limitations on what I’d be able to accomplish.”

AL ROY Mike Trout Talks About Minor League Lessons And 2012 Season

Angels outfielder Mike Trout was named American League Rookie of the Year on Monday, and Tuesday attended the MLBPAA Legends For Youth Dinner. Among other things, he addressed what he's learned as a young player and reflects on his remarkable rookie season.

"It helped me out a lot [getting called up last year] Taking it into this year, you just don't know what to expect."

"I look back at this year, but you have to be confident in your abilities. I knew I had it in me. There's still work to be done. We stopped short in the playoffs. So I gotta try harder next year."

"I figured [the power numbers] would come later in my career. But the adrenaline rush and just the way I was feeling at the plate, the ball was jumping out of the park."

"[What I learned in the minor leagues] is not to get down on yourself. You're always going to go through a little slump. You've got to get the negative out of your head and always stay positive. You're human, so you're going to make errors and mistakes. You can't worry about that stuff. I had to be confident in my ability. Looking at minor league numbers the power numbers weren't there, but average and stolen bases were there. I have to keep working hard to where I want to be."

"[Nationals NL ROY Bryce Harper] plays the game right. He plays the game hard. Yeah, there's some things that he does crazy. But he shows emotion on the field. He handles himself pretty good and he's out there playing a hundred percent. He wants to win and that's why you see him having emotion sometimes."

Fictionalizing the Minor Leagues & Preview of 'The Truth'

It is four years after baseball writer Lauren Day covered the biggest story of her career, and we find her still on 'The Beat' reporting on the Nationals Double-A club, The Hunters, now writing for 'The Trenton Truth.'

Jumping ship at The Trenton Daily and joining the rival paper, she also made a move to New York City where she hoped to find new professional challenges, clean up her personal life, and get over a nasty secret nagging her about her new job.

The season looms large from the start with two of the Nationals top prospects vying for attention. One, a first round pick, with the national spotlight fixed on his expected major league debut later that summer. The other, a less certain prospect with fight in him to get noticed and get his shot at the big leagues.

Along the way, we meet other players, wives, scouts, and coaches with their own story, some of them directly affected by the unfolding lives of those two young men.

Looking into the daily life of minor league baseball, players, and the people that report on them, 'The Truth' is about desire, competition, major league dreams, and one woman's struggle and triumph to do what she loves and have a life she is proud of.

None of that is achieved without facing hard truths about ourselves and our dreams.

The truth is, there's more of the truth in this story, than in 'The Beat.'

Getting past fear, hesitation, and uncertainty is important to developing as a writer, particularly in fiction. If you're going to make it real, you have to...ok, get real. That was hokey, but it's also the reality.

Adding elements that I'd never worked with before, including veering into the romantic, and, yes, sexual area wasn't easy. But I wanted readers to see more of Lauren, to see more of her inner life and personal struggles as a woman in a very aggressive, competitive, male-dominated industry. That life can be lonely and for many women in this business, fraught with personal and professional conflict.

I won't say what's true or what characters are based on, because much of what happens and many of the people are about as close to the truth as I've gotten. Some situations are exactly as they happened. That was scary, but in telling stories of players I've covered, reporters I've known, and, even revealing parts of myself, I feel I've gone the distance as a writer. For lack of a better term, I went for it.

And there's this. This will be curtains for the character of Lauren Day. There will be one more story, but that one will be a pre-quel, focusing on one of the other characters in both books. I'll keep that secret for now.

The publication date of this story is coming soon. It will once again be published on Smashwords and available for download on Amazon and other online sellers.

Thank you!

Update The release date is November 30th.

Marlins Prospect Greg Nappo Welcomes Bullpen Opportunity

Pitcher Greg Nappo had already been through the fires, long before his professional career began.

After his freshman season pitching for the University of Connecticut he underwent Tommy John surgery, causing him to miss his entire sophomore season.

For guys in college trying to get noticed by big league teams, that can create uncertainty about the future. But the lefty didn't concern himself with that. His perseverance paid off in the 18th round, when the Miami (then Florida) Marlins selected him as a junior.

What followed was another test of his perseverance.

In 2011 he was assigned to the New York Penn League Jamestown Jammers (short season) where he would (briefly) begin his professional career as a reliever. After pitching in just five games for Jamestown, he was promoted to the Greensboro Grasshoppers of the Low-A South Atlantic League. There he went 4-1 with a 4.61 ERA in 41 innings of work.

"I had never come out of the bullpen in my life," he said Thursday afternoon. "It was a huge adjustment. But I got used to it and embraced not knowing what I was going to be asked to do that day. It was kind of cool."

2012 was the biggest test of all, pitching his first full regular season in Class-A. The physical expectations were felt by the end.

"It's an absolute grind. Just what you have to go through everyday to keep your body and mind in shape. You have to focus and you have to eat right at home, on the road, get good sleep, all of that is so important. And I think I learned how to take better care of myself."

His pro career was preceded by an illustrious college career that ended with a Clemson Regional Most Valuable Player honor before he was drafted (he redshirted in 2008, which means a player sits out but gains an extra year of eligibility).

After Tommy John surgery, he said he struggled to find his path again.

"I didn't have an identity. I pitched poorly. Pitching in summer league gave me confidence which made all the difference."

Going from Short-A to Low-A so quickly in 2011 was unexpected. And, at first, there was discomfort. He'd thought he would be pitching at that level for the season and suddenly he was a part of a team that had already gotten to know one another.

"I felt out of place. It was almost like I was an intruder. I needed to get my feet under me. The level of competition is excellent, so I was facing a lot of quality talent."

Despite difficulties, 2012 was highly successful. In a career high 78 innings, he struck out 103 batters. He was used as a middle reliever, closer, and even made spot starts, but felt an affinity for one role.

"Closing gave me the biggest rush."

Reports on Nappo when he was drafted were that while he didn't throw hard, he has plus-command of his fastball. Something he points to as his biggest strength.

"I had the ability this season to get my fastball by people. If I can work off of that, that's huge."

His next test? Developing his changeup.

"[I'm working on] making that a strike, rather than a 'show-me-pitch'. I want it to be an option in any count."

If history is any indication, he'll pass that test too.

Orioles Matt Bywater Reflects On Season Of Transition

New York City - For all the mechanical stuff that players work on, they have to train their minds just as often.

The long season can play tricks on their minds, as well as their bodies. For young prospects who've not yet secured a career in the major leagues, they're battling for a job. Knowing themselves and staying the course with consistency is crucial. Changing positions makes that harder, adding another challenge.

For Orioles prospect Matt Bywater, that was the case when when he went from a starting role to the bullpen.

Drafted in 2010 in the 7th round- the lefty said he thought he'd go higher, but was excited just to hear his name at all- he was converted last season when he was bouncing between Low-A Frederick, High-A Delmarva and Double-A Bowie. He said that it's motivating, while also being disappointing to be demoted to Class-A after getting a taste of Double-A. Many guys make the jump to the majors from there. It's always possible, particularly if a team is heading for playoffs contention and, even better, if you're a reliever. Teams always need extra arms in September and in the post-season.

Bywater,23, took in the full experience, while trying to still get the hang of being a guy who can come in with the game on the line.

"It took some getting used to," he said from his home in California. "But I actually learned to enjoy it."

He was used in a number of roles including long relief and as a closer, proving he could be of value in many late inning situations. He was also called on to be a lefty specialist, a role that leaves almost no room for error.

"It's not like when you're a starter and you can get away with walking two guys. If you're brought in to face one guy and you walk him, you've failed to do your job."

He admits there was also a moment of disappointment in being converted to a reliever. Boys don't grow up wanting the ball in the 8th. But he had a lot of success quickly and throughout the season.

For Delmarva he pitched 17 innings, striking out 9 batters. The bulk of his work was with Frederick, where he logged 46 innings. He finished the season with a 4.21 ERA and 68 innings overall.

In 2011 Bywater began in the Gulf Coast League, but that didn't last long. He went on to pitch 45 innings for Delmarva, and stayed away from the home runs, surrendering just 3. He struck out 68 between both levels. But the walks were high, with 41 allowed to end the season. That was something he wanted to lower in 2012, in part that meant taking a few miles per hour off his velocity. That resulted in his allowing just nineteen walks all season.

Currently working on finishing his degree in advertising at Pepperdine, he's not planning on throwing again until December. The lessons from 2011 to now are huge.

"I really changed how I throw. Not because I couldn't get outs, but I needed to throw strikes. Losing some velocity was part of that, but that will come back."

He goes on to say that, "I hope I have more velocity in 2013, closer to what I had when I was drafted. But the main is trusting and knowing I can get guys out."

The boyhood dream might not be to become a middle reliever, but that's all beside the point, according to him.

"I just love to pitch."

Off-Season Check-In: Milwaukee Brewers Prospect Elliot Glynn

New York City - When Elliott Glynn switched to pitching full-time in his junior year of college, it was a decision he knew he had to make in order to move forward professionally.

That decision, to go from outfielder/pitcher, is not one without it's downside. To go from playing everyday, to either pitching every fifth day or not knowing when you'll be called on out of the bullpen, takes some getting used to.

2012 was a struggle for the twenty-two-year old lefty, but that's to be expected after making his professional debut in the Rookie League in 2011. 2012 was a learning process Glynn was committed to.

"It was an adjustment. Not throwing a lot of innings and having to be prepared, I definitely had to adjust to it."

He threw just 24 innings for the Pioneer League Helena_Brewers getting in 15 games and finishing the season with an 8.51 ERA. The results weren't always consistent, but those teaching-moments clarified a lot for Glynn.

But, he admits, "I do miss playing everyday."

The Tampa Rays drafted him in 2007, then in 2010 the San Diego Padres drafted him, but he didn't sign with either team. Finally, in 2011, he was one of a handful of players drafted out of the University of Connecticut, with him being selected on the third and final day of the MLB Draft, in the 39th round. He went on to pitch 16 innings as a rookie, going 2-1 with a 4.86 ERA.

Pitching in Low-A in 2012, he noticed what every pitcher does. With every level, hitters ability to make necessary adjustments increases.

"You have to counter-adjust. Hitters in Arizona might be a good fastball hitter, so it's all he's looking for. You just don't throw him fastballs. But as they get up to the next level, they know better what to do."

The learning process has included understanding what works for him and what doesn't. Try and try again. There are some things that there are no doubts about. Particularly as a left-hander.

"For me as a lefty having a good changeup is extremely important. It's important for any pitcher," he said.

He'll approach the off-season with a mechanical focus. The next phase, so to speak, is finding his way physically and knowing how to best attack hitters.

"I'm going to work on using the lower half of my body this year. I've been more of a drop and drive type pitcher. I think what I want to do is stay taller and get on top of the hitter and let the ball move more."

You can follow Elliott @ElliottGlynn07