NOTES FROM THE NAT: Vancouver Canadians news

Hey all. So Jeremy is about to hop a plane for Kane County, which is something he does every year, partly to enjoy some ball, partly to catch up with old friends, and partly to report back here about what’s going down with ex-Canadians players up the system.

It’s not a cheap task, and it’s something that takes a lot of his holiday time. But he does it because he takes a lot of pride in helping the Vancouver Canadians family stay in touch with its alumni.

This time around, he’s just going to enjoy some baseball, because I’m shutting the site down for a spell.

There are a few reasons, but the main one is a lack of gratitude for what the kid has been doing this past year from people who should know better.

Jeremy’s family hosts ballplayers. Jeremy gets to every game his school schedule will allow. He goes on the road a few times a year to follow the team. And he chases ex-players across places like Kane County and spring training. At the end of all that, he spends upwards of an hour every single night (often more) writing about what went down. He also does this in the off-season, when he tracks down players through a variety of methods to find out what’s new.

He does all of this for you guys - the fans, the families, the players, the random internet stranger. 

But what does he hear when he’s in the stands? People talking crap about this site.

We’re just about the only minor league team-specific blog anywhere that covers a team 7 days a week with detailed game reports. We’re about the only blog that gets to know players and staff to the point where we can bring you true ‘inside baseball’ stuff - which players are moving on, which are having issues off the field, which are destined for greatness, etc.

In the good old days, I had the time (as a freelancer) to hit every home game and really work the connections. And the team was okay with that. The players, staff and coaches would talk to me before and after games - sometimes during - and they were happy to reveal nicknames, road trip stories, problems they had with team decisions, things they were working on, chatter on the field… Heck, I nearly got on the team bus for a road series once.

It was good. They were the salad days.

But this past year, it seems the gates are shutting on NatNotes. The coaches are off-limits, the staff are bereft of insider info, and the players are keeping their mouths shut. It’s been a noticeable shift from "hey, we love the site, keep up the good work," to "I’m a little busy, can we talk later?" 

Sure, Jeremy and I have both gone over the line a few times in recent years, revealing things that players and staff have lost their heads about, rightly or wrongly. And we’ve probably both written things about the team that, in hindsight, we were wrong to write. I know I definitely have (quiet nod to Rick Magnante).

But that’s what you get when you’re writing something worth reading. If you’re pushing up against that line often enough, eventually you’ll fall over it. 

Our view on that was always, better to screw up once in a while and give people truly solid coverage the other 99% of the time, than to just play it simple and blurt out a two paragraph game recap and knock off early.

But those we used to rely on for an inside view aren’t helping anymore, and those we used to enjoy sharing that view with aren’t respecting it when it comes.

So, okay then. NatNotes needs a redesign anyway and with Jeremy out of town for a while, seems like a good moment to shut the door and retool things. 

It’s a sad day, because The Nat has long been a huge part of my life. Heck, I met my wife at the ballpark, way back when. We envisioned this site going on forever, giving a team that has scant media coverage a means of building a relationship with the fans, while giving the players a good solid yell from the rooftops when they deserve it most.

But if the team, players, and readers aren’t down with that - so be it.

If you have a comment for what you’d like NatNotes to be, leave it below and we’ll consider all opinions as we reformulate the site. Maybe we’ll update less often, but with more insight. Maybe it’ll be smaller updates daily. Maybe we’ll go dry journo-style, and leave all the inside stuff out. Maybe we’ll go completely hammy and be damned for stats and figures.

But the one thing I know is the old Notes From The Nat ends here. NatNotes v3.0 begins next week. Maybe.

Every baseball team has its traditions. At Safeco Field, you’ve gotta do the sushi. In Cincinnati, you’ve got to do the smokies. In New York, when watching the Yankees, you’ve got to be an ignorant douchebag. In LA, you have to leave during the seventh inning stretch, and in Toronto, you have to say, "Who is pitching for us again?" and pound away on your cellphone.

There’s no arguing about these - they’re just tradition. They go without saying.

The Vancouver version of baseball tradition is to lose the home opener (or any sold-out game) horribly.

What’s it been, like, eighteen years since the C’s won their home opener? Perhaps not quite that much, but it sure feels like it, and 2009 was no exception.

The C’s sent Joselito Adames to the mound, and he improved upon his Stockton form slightly, bringing his minors ERA down to 4.00 with a 5 inning, 2ER effort that saw him strike out 4 and walk a pair.

But then we entered the Ronny Morla zone and everything went to heck… ‘Morla less’.

With six hits and two walks surrendered in 1.1 innings pitched, The Mauler gave up three earned runs to put the C’s well and truly into unwinnable territory.

Jonathan Joseph apparently thought Morla’s performance was worth imitating, because he dished four earned runs in a single inning, giving the Flipperkids an extra digit on the scoreboard.

With the game basically lost by pitchers, the C’s bats didn’t pull much out of the bag to keep the fans entertained on opening day.

6′2" Mississippi born right fielder Rashun Dixon put one over the wall to at least end the shut-out, and 1B Wilfredo Sosa and 2B Nino Leyja joined the party with a pair of singles each, but Everett’s LF Ryan "They Come To Snuff The" Royster cancelled them out all by himself with a 4-5 night, driving in three runs and knocking out a double (first game report of the season and we’ve already got an Alice in Chains reference!).

Everett CF Kalian Sams chipped in with a 3-5 night with 3 more RBIs and Fred "Maria" Bello didn’t suck, rolling out with two doubles and 2 walks from 3 ABs. Pitchers Lewis, Reid and Rios only gave up one scoring hit between them and 5,132 fans kicked the seat in front of them in boredom until the fireworks kicked in.

Sunday saw a turnaround in form as the C’s rode some top notch hurling to a 3-1 victory. The bats weren’t exactly aflame, but Rashun "Mason" Dixon was again the star for the Canadians, rolling out a 2-4 game, driving in one.

Outfielder Connor "Crumbly" Crumbliss (pictured above) registered a triple, and DH Kent "John Boy" Walton drove one in on a 1-4 night.

But it was the pitching that ate the frogs Sunday afternoon, as Panama’s own Ricardo Penalba threw 5 innings of 7K, 4H, 0BB, 0ER ball. Northwestern College recruit Pat Schultz broke up the shutout, giving away 3 walks and a pair of hits in a 2.2IP, 1ER spell, but closer Jose "Goose" Guzman shut it down for the final four outs, locking down the victory for the boys in red and white in front of 4,193.

Monday brought about a chance to win the opening series of the season, and the C’s didn’t throw that chance away with another spell of serious pitching and vengeful offense.

Nino "The Playa" Leyja took his average to .364 with a 205 night, driving in one, while John Boy Walton drove in two on the back of a 2-4 night from the DH spot. AA drop-down catcher Gabriel Ortiz went 2-4 at the plate, driving in two more, but he should, being as he was hitting .280 in the Texas League before he came down to short-season ball. 3B Ryne Jernigan brought up the bottom end, going 1-2 with a pair of doubles and a ribby.

But all of that was mere window dressing as the pitching foursome of Hector Garcia, Kyle Christensen, Paul Smyth, and Daniel Straily came in with furious anger, destroying all before them. In striking out the side in the one inning he tossed, Smyth gets the nod of the night.

The C’s traveled to the Dustbowl Tuesday night for the first game in the first road series of the year against the Tri-City Dust Devils. It was a tight one, but a two-run opening frame for the home team and a backup run in the 5th was enough to get the dusty ones home.

John Boy and The Playa once again provided the offensive push with a pair of 2-4 outings, while Crumbly drew two walks in a 0-2 night. Dixon and catcher Rodney Rutherford drove in a run a piece, but Tri-City’s tight hurling kept the good guys at bay with a 3-2 loss.

First impressions? Obviously this is a very different team than the one that will grace the field in a few weeks time, when draftees sign contracts. But considering the fact that we’re usually playing a ragtag group of Dominicans bound for the Arizona League at this stage of the season most years (and this year is little exception) due to the inevitable wait for draftees, a 2-4 start is nothing to sneeze at.

The pitching has shown life, and John Boy, Mason-Dixon and The Playa are certainly showing spark with the bat.

If anyone can pull a clubhouse together to weather the early storm, it’s Rick Magnante. The big test will be how these guys react when the bonus babies arrive and compete with them for spots. Last season, that’s when the C’s fell to pieces. The year before, it spurred them to dominance.

This year…?

Baseball fans in the lower mainland come in two varieties - those who bought their tickets early for tonight’s home opener at Nat Bailey Stadium, and those who won’t be allowed in.

The Vancouver Canadians Baseball Club have announces that tonight’s June 20th season opener vs. the Everett Aquasox is sold out.

But that doesn’t mean ticketholders should take their time getting to the ballpark. In fact, when gates open at 6 p.m., the first 2,500 fans through the gate will receive a bonus in the form of a free 2009 Vancouver Canadians magnetic schedule.

In addition, after the game, Granville Island Brewing will presents one of seven fireworks displays at The Nat this season, which usually means the 6500 standing-room-only capacity of the ballpark is added to by a few thousand people camping outside.

The team is quick to point out that tickets are still available for the Sunday, June 21st Father’s Day game, which starts at 1:05pm, as well as Monday night’s series finale.

Canadians right-handed pitcher Joselito Adames will send down the first heater of the season for the C’s in what the team hopes will be the first home opener victory in four seasons. Adames started the season with the High-A California League Stockton Ports where he pitched long relief.

Returning players from previous Vancouver seasons include pitchers Hector Garcia, Chad Lee and Ronny Morla, catcher Rodney Rutherford, 3B Ryne Jernigan, and middle infielders Marcos Luis and Leonardo Gil. Oakland’s high draft picks will be arriving as they sign their contracts and are assigned to the club.
 
C’s Manager Rick Magnante will also set a record as the first manager to stick with the Vancouver ball club for four seasons running. Long-time pitching coach Craig "Lefty" Lefferts will resume looking after the bullpen after a couple of years out with medical issues.

Fans can listen to tonight’s game on TEAM1040 Sports Radio starting at 7:00pm with Rob Fai, Chris Pritchett and Lou Filippo. 

(Republished in the Vancouver Sun)

Shortstop Grant Green is considered to be one of the best defensive players in this years Major League Baseball player draft. In fact, he was projected to be selected with one of the top three picks.

Oakland got him at #13. They got lucky.

But Vancouver baseball fans, who eagerly watch Oakland’s draft results to see who will be parked with the A’s-affiliated Single-A Vancouver Canadians each season, will be even luckier to get a glimpse of the USC standout.

The last time a first rounder made it to Vancouver was in 2004 when Landon Powell turned out for the C’s on his way to the majors.

2008 1st round draftee second baseman Jemile Weeks skipped Vancouver and shot directly up to Kane County of the Midwest League, while 2007 top pick James Simmons went straight to Double-A Midland.

2006 top pick, 2nd-rounder and now major league hurler Trevor Cahill, started out a level below Vancouver in the Arizona League before jumping to Kane County the following season, while 2005 1st round slot Cliff Pennington stepped up to the Midwest League due to Oakland’s shortage of middle infielder.

That middle infield problem is still an issue, which makes the likelihood that Green will bypass short season Single-A ball a nigh certainty.

That’s not to say you won’t find quality prospects at a Vancouver Canadians game this summer. Currently on Oakland’s 40-man roster you’ll find a host of one-time C’s who have made their way up the system, including catcher Kurt Suzuki, outfielder Travis Buck, shortstop Gregorio Petit, and pitchers Jeff Gray, Dallas Braden, Andrew Bailey and Santiago Casilla (then Jairo Garcia).  

And then there’s those former Canadians who have moved on to other major league teams, including Victoria native Rich Harden, Joe Blanton, Nick Swisher, Andre Ethier, Mark Teahen, Jeremy Bonderman, Neal Cotts, Omar Quintanilla…

Bottom line: Get your Nat Bailey Stadium ticket packs here.

The MLB.com scouting report on Green says: "Premier college shortstops don’t come around all that often and when they do, they get drafted early. That should be the case for Green, who has the potential to shine on both sides of the ball with all five tools. He shook off some early struggles to perform up to expectations, though his lack of energy at times has bothered scouts. Even with that, he’s a confident and accomplished college player who shouldn’t wait long to hear his name called."

The next Oakland A’s pick comes in the 3rd round at slot #92.

Meanwhile, Pacific Northwest baseball fans will be celebrating the three first round picks of the Seattle Mariners.

#2 pick centerfielder Dustin Ackley is considered the best pure hitter in the draft, while #27 pick Nick Franklin is considered a solid gamer in the middle infield with decent 9if not stellar) tools across the board. At the #33 spot, Seattle took high school catcher Steven Baron.

The Toronto Blue Jays took right handed workhorse pitcher Stephen Kenkins at the #20 spot and lefty power-slider thrower James Paxton with the #37.

(opens door, flicks lights on, watches cockroach scarper under the fridge, opens fridge door, throws out some very old milk..)

Oh. You’re still here?

Sorry, I’ve been away for a while. Probably should have left a note. Wow, dusty in here, huh?

It was a bit of a blah season for me last year. Didn’t connect with the team on the field, didn’t connect with the personalities off it, lots of new faces, a couple of poorly received critiques… and then I got a new job at The Sun, which not only filled much of every waking hour (of those not filled by my two kids), but also put me in an odd position in which my blog posts were… let’s say "controversial" among some of my new bosses. 

So I tossed the keys to Jeremy and took some time off.

Did me well. Needed it. Refreshed. Clean slate.

Life’s become interesting in the mean time. I’m now covering mixed martial arts (AKA: UFC) for the paper, something that I enjoy a ton and has been greatly received. I’d like to be covering baseball in the year ahead, but Lyndon Little is a legendary ballpark press machine whose beat I refuse to intrude upon in any way, shape or form.

If Lyndon wants a night off and asks me to cover a game, it’ll happen. But if he doesn’t, you’ll see my words here and only here on the topic of all things ballpark in 2009.

To answer the questions of those who have asked - I’m still around. Still a fan. Still ready to flay those not giving their all, still looking to mock those that deserve mocking, still hoping folks will stick around and check the site on a daily basis.

There was some suggestion last year that Notes From The Nat might be consumed by The Sun - that’s still a potential arrangement, but would only happen if I can convince Lyndon to join us… and if you’ve seen Lyndon’s laptop, complete with a hand-cranked power supply, a steam engine-driven hard drive, and a soda-holder with "Tab" emblazoned on the side, you’ll understand that might be a tough task.

Either way, NatNotes.com will live on. And likely get me beaten by an angry third baseman while the hitting coach holds me down. 

Tip your hawkers. Wave to Bud. Game on. 

A day after they put the brakes on a four-game losing skid, the Northwest League Vancouver Canadians were back adding digits to the loss column after a hard-fought 6-4 loss to the Seattle Mariners-affiliated Everett Aquasox.

The Canadians scored often but failed to put forth a big inning to match the Aquasox four-run 5th, which put them ahead by 3.

The C’s conceded their first run in unimpressive circumstances, as converted first baseman Dusty Napoleon booted the ball to let Travis Howell on with no outs. A passed ball saw the runner move to second, and a second clanger from Napoleon, followed by a throwing error, saw the runner score without benefitting from a legitimate hit.

.289 hitting outfielder Jeremy Barfield knocked in a run for the C’s in the top of the 4th, and Dusty Napoleon atoned for earlier sins with a run-scoring double in the 5th. But the bottom of that frame saw Fabian Gomez relieve Pedro Figueroa in a two-on, one-out situation, and the Canadians pick-off specialist surrendered hits, doubles, walks, wild pitches, leaving the score 5-2 in Everett’s favour.

Barfield chipped one off that lead with a run in the 6th, which Everett regained in the 7th off the pitching of Ken Smalley, and a run-scoring single to struggling Jareck West in the 9th saw the C’s pull up two runs short, losing 6-4.

Barfield and second baseman Marcos Luis led the performances for the Canadians with both pulling 2-4 nights, but a 3-21 combined outing for hitters 1-5 for Vancouver made it heavy going. With the ball in hand, the best performance came from Ryne Tacker, with a scoreless 9th that bought his ERA down to 9.00

August 4, 2008
	Final    1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9      R   H   E   Vancouver   0   0   0   1   1   1   0   0   1      4   8   4   Everett   0   1   0   0   4   0   1   0   X      6   8   2  Recap | Box | W: P. Hann (1-3, 5.59); L: P. Figueroa (0-4, 4.46); SV: E. Fernandez (1) HR: None.