Rockford's Double-J goes for record
Rockford outfielder Jason James hit safely in both games of the RiverHawks' doubleheader sweep of Traverse City on Thursday night to increase his consecutive game hit streak to 35. That tied the Frontier League record held by Kevin Holt, who did it over two seasons (1996-97). I found it interesrting that Holt's streak happened while he played for two teams, Johnstown in 1996 and Richmond 1997.
James will try to break the record tonight when Rockford plays at Kalamazoo.
James hit safely in the first five games this season, then went five in a row without a hit. Since then, it's been 35 straight with a hit. Since the all-star break last year, James has hit safely in 76 of 87 games. When the RiverHawks visisted Consol Energy Park last August, James was injured and played in only one game, going 0-for-1.
James will try to break the record tonight when Rockford plays at Kalamazoo.
James hit safely in the first five games this season, then went five in a row without a hit. Since then, it's been 35 straight with a hit. Since the all-star break last year, James has hit safely in 76 of 87 games. When the RiverHawks visisted Consol Energy Park last August, James was injured and played in only one game, going 0-for-1.
Labels: Jason James
posted by Chris Dugan at
1:43 PM
58 Comments:
And indeed James did extend his record to 36 games with a homer tonight.
The cheese was in the house yet again tonight, great crowd and great game! But I wonder, how many come JUST to see the fireworks? Regardless, excellent game highlighted by the 3 consecutive homers by Brett Grandstrand, Michael Parker and Phil Laurent. Grandstrand had a great night, 3-4 with a homer, 2 RBI and 2 runs scored. But key point of the game had to be in the top of the 4th. Brian McCullough had given up 1 run and had 2 runners in scoring position with only 1 out, and was clearly laboring. But he managed to whiff the next 2 hitters to end the threat. Excellent performance.
Chris, I had seats in the premier box section tonight, and noticed 2 guys with Cardinals and Brewers gear on, with a radar gun. Major League affiliate scouts, perhaps? Or just Frontier League people wearing major league gear? How common is it to see a scout at CEF? And if they were scouts, what's the word on the street? Who are they interested in? And thanks again for answering quite a lot of my questions.
P.S. Another excellent performance during the 7th inning stretch by "Wild Thing". This guy is an emerging star.
Considering who pitched tonight, I'd have to assume that those were just pitchers from one of the two teams clocking their guy(s) for team use.
I think it's safe to say that a good many were there for the fireworks, but last I checked, that's the formula to get them in the gate at PNC for years.
This has only been my third WT things game this season. I prefer going to Pirate games and/or affiliated minor league ball (mostly in the Eastern League), but scored a luxury box ticket last night.
Spent most of my time outside of the box, and trying to keep the kiddo from wanting to play games as long as possible (he is 5), but don't really understand all the back biting comments I read on here.
The service has been great all three games I've been to. The product on the field 'is what it is', but nothing anyone should apologize for. It reminds me of short-A ball, and there is nothing wrong with that.
The 'parking problem' was basically a five second discussion from a man on my way to the lot asking if I had tickets to the game. Big deal. As a reader of this blog through the months, I was expecting an anal probe.
I think a lot of folks should be thankful of the venue and product they have in Washington. I grew up there and wished I had it when I was a kiddo, and plan to be back more this summer with my own.
I agree with Burgh. I attended my first game of the season last night as well and had a really good time with a friend of mine that I met up with (it was his first game ever at the stadium). The service was great and we were entertained. The popcorn I bought was a little ... eh ... but I blame myself for not getting something else. All in all a good time. Fireworks were better than I remember too.
^^^^^^^Excellent comments from Burgh08 and Brian. Hope you keep coming back, gentlemen. I've been to 6 games already this year. I wish I could go to them all, but I've got QUITE a long drive. There was an affiliated minor league league team in my town in the early 50's, wish I could have been there but I wasn't born yet. These games are so much more fun with a packed house. I had excellent "waitress service" in the premier box seat last night. That young lady worked her tail off, hats off to her.
To Michael, who mentioned me on the topic before this one, I appreciate that. I'm trying my best. Look at the participation on this blog now compared to this time last season. Great!
The wildthings announcaed they are sendind Ron Wilson to Kalamazoo to start bitching about an unproposed new stadium in exchange for peace and quiet.They along with most people on this blog are tired of his mindless babble about anything and everything.Also Bob from E.Wash and Joe from Gabby are included in the deal
Richard Lee
I would imagine that all the whiners and complainers take the weekend off from the blog.... or at least don't get up early enough on a Saturday to respond.
Great comments from all above & I agree whole-heartedly.
Watch out though, t-minus 20 minutes until all the 'regulars' come in and accuse you of being plants from the WT front office, hahaha.
Chris,
Keep your eye on the transactions list.
Not for Washington's transactions though, Mason is/was supposed to be a pitching guru, not only are the pitchers struggling night after night but so are his decisions on pitchers.
Someone is about to be traded to another league for future considerations. Comments on who you think should go?
6 game winning streak heading into the break would be great momentum for the second half.
Hats off to James. Very impressive no matter what league or level it's done at.
--insider
Swisscheda:
If they guys with radar guns were older than 27 and wearing Brewers and Cards gear, then they were likely scouts. The only people with radar guns behind home plate would be the visiting team's next-day starting pitcher or a scout. Washington doesn't put a pitcher in the seats with a gun (at least I haven't seen one this year). This would be a time that some MLB teams might have a scout stop at CEP. It's just before the all-star break and they might want to get a look at a player or two in game action before the workouts at the all-star game.
Thanks Chris! I would guess that the guys I saw were over 27. Then again, it's hard to judge ages anymore. The guy with the Brewers shirt had a radar gun, and both guys had a score sheet. (then again, I keep score and I'm just a fan..ha ha)It's something to keep an eye on if you're sitting in 108 or 109 tonight. I probably will miss parts of tonight's game as I turn the computer off during a storm, and can't pick up WPNA on the home radio.
There was a nice article about big Ernie in the Post-Gazette the other day. Follow the link:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09190/982494-139.stm
I want to nominate BURGH08 for funniest comment on the blog this year for "I was expecting an anal probe" (regarding the parking). I am still cracking up about that one.
One last thing....I assume most of you bloggers are local. Anybody been to the Trolley Museum before? How long should I allow to see everything? Thanks in advance! Go Wild Things!
Thanks Swiss, I humbly accept your nomination. :)
I'm still in my 30's, but it's still weird driving past Angelos' on the way to the park, or seeing land developed that was all high grass that I drove past for years now into such a well developed area.
I also have family in Erie, and see how a town has embraced minor league baseball. I actually saw John Lynch of NFL fame play for the team there in the New York Penn League.
I later watched guys like Aramis Ramirez, Jose Guillen, and Chad Hermansen play for the Short season A Seawolves. The only reason I add Hermansen is he was worth the price of admission to see people sitting near first base diving for the stands when he threw a ball from shortstop and/or third base at the time!
I respect you and other's being able to rip off these FL guys names, and Im starting to follow it a bit more. Hopefully I may catch up.
I'll keep reading, and posting if/when I think I can add to it. :)
There was a nice article about big Ernie in the Post-Gazette the other day.
_______________
Do you mean that hot headed idiot that thins he ows the ball field?
Do you mean that hot headed idiot that thins he ows the ball field?
Hey buddy, who was your English teacher? I'd sue if I were you. Brilliant, intelligent post there.
I'm new to this blog, but has been watching every wild things game for the past four years. I don't know if this topic has been posted yet this season, but is it just me or has there been a lot more home runs this season at CEP than in years' past. Is it good hitting, or bad pitching...or maybe both. Maybe the grounds crew moved in the fences before the season without telling anyone? Maybe its like the Coors Field effect and the higher elevation....or maybe not. Any ideas or thoughts?
PS: Who is Ron Wilson?
Do you mean that hot headed idiot that thins he ows the ball field
yeah thats him, the guy thats tearing the cover off the ball if you bothered to notice. keep it up ernie
I heard a rumor that Ernie Banks has a bad temper. Is that true? Wolfus P. McGinnus
lucas should have hit alexander in the eighth inning, right in the back.
"the boys are gonna get hot. very soon. and when they do, and win 6-7 in a row, then do it again, we'll have full houses (not 4200, mind you) again at falconi/consol/the house that leo misbuilt."
July 3, 2009 1:51 PM
did i tell you or what?
Tonight was a classic case of a manager loosing the game for the home team when he pulled the starting pitcher and did not give him a chance for a complete game.
Gregg Jelks, where are you when we need you?
Rockford's Jason James extended his hitting streak to 38 games tonight, and was batting .436 going into tonight's action. Outstanding.
I attended yet another game tonight, what a deflating loss. You have to feel for starting pitcher Jason Neitz. He had only given up 1 run up to the point where he was replaced by Edwards, and had gotten 19 of his 25 outs via groundouts or strikeouts. Outstanding game. Psomas' error in the 9th was critical. What hurts the most is the game's winning run reached base on a leadoff walk. Michael Lucas had an excellent first half, but even he isn't invincible. Hitters 5-9 in the lineup tonight went 2-23...ouch. Oh well, it was a good streak while it lasted.
I thought the star of the game was Evansville reliever Ben Paxton, who entered in the 5th down 5-1 with 2 runners on and nobody out. He walked Psomas to load the bases, then induced a popup and double-play grounder to put out the fire. He dominated innings 6-8, striking out 6. If Evansville has a fire sale, let's go after this guy!
I love the blogger who pasted my quote about Ernie Banks. He called Ernie an idiot, yet couldn't spell 2 SIMPLE words correctly. Amazing. Ernie is an RBI machine, maybe you haven't noticed the balls that he's launching over the scoreboard on a regular basis? And batting what, around .360? This guy is a freak of talent, let's enjoy him while he's here.
One final thing tonight. I just want to say that I think "Dutch" does a great job. I've read some negative stuff about him on here, and heard it in the crowd (especially behind the 3rd base dugout). He's better than any host I've heard in the other ballparks I go to. Excellent, professional delivery, and I think it needs to be said. No doubt saying that will lead to opening the flood gates of hate posts, but that's my two cents.
Anyone notice Traverse City lost 11 straight games. Talk about deflating!
WARNING:
The Wild Tings have started a policy of having the Bufort T. Justice rent-a-cops check all bags and purses for contraband.
Included are such dangerious thins as cookies, cant, and other such items.
Oooops, a little tired guys.
I meant to say "Included are such dangerious things as cookies, candy, and other such items.
very frustating loss tonight. i don't have a problem with neitz being lifted in the 9th. from the 8th on everything was up in the zone, but once the tying run was in the on deck circle it was a save situation. why edwards instead of peterson? edwards has not pitched well with inherited runners on base all season. and why lucas in the 10th after nick threw only a third of an inning?
another case of mason over managing the game. he either does nothing or he over manages. that was a win that was left on the field tonight.
WARNING:
The Wild Tings have started a policy of having the Bufort T. Justice rent-a-cops check all bags and purses for contraband.
Included are such dangerious thins as cookies, cant, and other such items
who cares. talk about the game and the homestand. why complain about something that stupid. they do have concession stands if you haven't noticed
swiss,
i been back and forth on something tonight. bot 9 and parker gets on first with no outs. the bunt is on, but laurent gets to a 2-0 count. a sure contact guy in a fastball count, i thought for sure they would go hit and run there or just let him swing away, knowing there was no way in hll they would pitch to the red hot banks with first base open
who cares. talk about the game and the homestand. why complain about something that stupid. they do have concession stands if you haven't noticed
--------------------
I have noticed, thank you. However, be a dibetic I can't eat
that stuff. Diabetics require small snacks in short intervals to maintain their suger level. I suppose you think I shouls stay home because I am diabetic.
That's why I care.
Someone get the diabetic a violin. Or a package of redfish.
Someone get the diabetic a violin. Or a package of redfish.
________________________
Another new low for civility on the list has now been reached to this remark.
Get him a dictionary too so he can learn how to spell dangerous.
I agree that Mason overmanages. If a bullpen guy pitches a perfect inning, you can bet he's out of the game the next inning. Seems like he makes moves just to make moves. No wonder this team can't close out games. Mason keeps putting in guys until he finds one who can give up the lead.
the comment wasn't a fact that you are a diabetic, i am one to. but your bag is going to be checked at every stadium and arena in the country, so why should this place be any different
Someone get the diabetic a violin. Or a package of redfish.
--
This list is populated with guys that would make fun of cancer victims. They would watch someone bleed to death and never even call 911.
The jackass that posted the remark about diabtics is a perfect of what happens when you marry your sister! Grow up you moron!
Has anyone looked into buying the domain firemarkmason.com?
“Someone get the diabetic a violin.”
OMG, I don't believe some of the complete bull sh** I read on this blog. Ass holes that actually make light of men and women with serious medical problems.
My wife has diabetes you fool and it's not a laughing matter. If I get a violin it will be to stick right up your rear end.
If there were ever a strong argument for abortion you would be the poster child.
Where the devil was Dr. Tiller when you were born. He could have done the rest of us a great favor by ramming a metal rod through you undersized brain.
The only reason idiots like you are allowed to live is because the law protects the feeble minded.
This list has been highjacked by a bunch of silly little children. Chris It is hard to believe you don’t remove these moronic messages.
^^ pot meet the kettle.
Oh and the Wild Things have two representatives in the Home Run Derby, Psomas and Dempsey. Good luck to those two.
could you losers cut the medical talk please or go to some medical blog and discuss diabetes.
we would really like to get back to the baseball talk
^^^^^^^^^^^^^
AMEN my brother
Would not you know something like that was going to happen. When the people of color try to save a few coins the WT start something to mess them up. This was the first year we started showing up and they want to check the brothers qand sisters purse and bags so they can’t take little treat for there young ones. Most of my folks can’t hardly afford the buy a ticket. Just when you think we are making progress somebody starts to feel the greed. You would think with the people paying for there field that they would not be so cheap. I know about the big league places but this is not a big league team
Ernie see if you can talk to some body because this is meant to keep blacks out of Falconi.
Jamal
What makes you think this is a baseball blog?
This is a children’s chat room where kids come to make fun of sick people and other such things.
Chris, will you be posting a mid-season report card topic during the all-star break? I think it would be interesting.
To anonymous from way up above, regarding the bottom of the 9th with the 2-0 count on Laurent. I think in that particular situation, where a run wins the game, any manager since Connie Mack would choose to bunt regardless of the count. If it's not the 9th, yes, swing away. As expected, they feared pitching to big Ernie, which sets up another double play possibility. But even after him, we still had Dempsey and Psomas coming up....you had to have liked those odds if you were Mark Mason. The big bats just didn't come through this particular time.
Chris, I read your interview with the Evansville manager the other day. Looking at their roster, I noticed something odd. They have none of the 3 maximum "veteran" classifications filled. Isn't this rather strange, or have you seen it in the Frontier League before? It just seems like it's more than a coincidence that such an inexperienced team has the worst record in the league.
Insider, where is this trade you have hinted at? There's nothing about it at the FL site yet.
And now I return you to our regularly scheduled program of insults and slander......
I see Ron has resorted to using the anonymous moniker. What a tangled web we weave win first we practice to deceive!
Whoops, I'm even starting to spell like him. WHEN first we practice to deceive.
Chris i was reading the article the other night about the Evansville's Manager,..... how bout mentioning we were on a 5 game winning streak,....maybe mentioning something about the game,.. i understand the OR is a boring newspaper and newspapers in general are going extinct with in the next couple yrs, but i dont think mentioning the important topics would hurt. instead off stroking the away managers ego,( which probably helped in winng game #3, just saying people),. maybe you could have focused your so called expertise on your home town team
just a thought Chris, but feel free to spend your time parading the Frontier League wed-site for useless knowledge that no-one will ever care about nor find the time to read about during the all-star break
Signed
Concerned reader the feels that a sports reporter is a lost art and a true reporter is too far wrapped into the mindless babble of nonsense to care about the story
just a thought
how bout mentioning we were on a 5 game winning streak
_________________________
What do you mean by "WE"? Are you on the team or do you have a turd in your pocket?
You probably meant the Wild Things, not "WE".
You should dream you could write as well as Chris.
Ron Wilson
I see Ron has resorted to using the anonymous moniker.
And YOUR name is......???
Being a diabetic doesn't make you any more special to getting your bag checked.
Throw a Snickers bar in your pants, and get over it. Or stay home.
What's next? Whining they checked your purse for prunes and you need them because you are constipated?
Then again, I can see that here with some of you complaining. You need much more fiber.
To Swisscheda:
The only teams I can think of that might not have filled at least one Veteran roster spot would be the traveling teams, Midwest last year and Ohio Valley in 2005. I can't think of any non-traveling team other than Evansville this year that has gone without a Vet or L2 on the roster.
I will be posting some kind of midseason story or analysis (haven't decided on the format), probably Wednesday. Today, at the risk of posting too much useless knowledge that nobody will ever care about nor find the time to read about during the all-star break, I'm planning on posting two or three pieces of numerical information from the first half.
To Concerned reader the feels that a sports reporter is a lost art and a true reporter is far too wrapped into the mindless babble of nonsense to care about the story:
Here is the story: The O-R had an early deadline Saturday night because of the large number of inserts in the newspaper. That meant there was no way the Wild Things' game story was going to make the first edition, which covers Greene County. That's why there was a story about the Evansville manager. If the Wild Things' game doesn't drag on to 3+ hours, then I write a game story and it replaces the manager story in the second and final edition, which goes to Washington County. That's the way we always handle early deadlines.
The problem with Saturday night was the laptop I have been using since at least 2000 (maybe even longer) died. Screen went blank in the third inning. Removed the battery. Replaced the battery. It wouldn't reboot. Tried everything I could think of but no progress. I had another (newer) laptop brought to me from the O-R. It was wireless-only and the WT's wireless service allows only one type of Mac operating system to tap into the service. This laptop did not have the operating system compatible with the WTs' wireless service.
Thus, for the first time in eight years, I had to drive back to the office and input the story from there. By the time that happened, it was too late to make the newspaper. It appeared only on the O-R's Web site.
So, just a thought, but maybe you should get the story before firing off remarks on a blog. But, I do appreciate you stroking my ego by suggesting that something I wrote impacted the outcome of the game Sunday. I didn't know I controlled what happens on the field.
Nice excuse, Chris. Joe Tuscuno would have gotten that story in the next day's paper!
That's probably true. Joe's very experienced when it comes to breaking laptops.
There are restrictions on how much/what outside food you can bring into any venue. You think the bag check at Consol is tough, try getting into PNC with a duffle bag full of food (like I saw a guy doing the other night). If you have dietary restrictions, they are your issues and not the concern of the other 3,000 people trying to enjoy the game. Eat before the game and leave if you need another snack before the 3 hr game is over. If the gentleman who brought the duffle bag full of food into the game is also the mysterious bloggind diabetic, try not eating so much and your diabetes may go away.
chris, you better be very careful with those company computers:
"Rose faces resentencing in online sex chats"
What do you mean by "WE"? Are you on the team or do you have a turd in your pocket?
You probably meant the Wild Things, not "WE".
You should dream you could write as well as Chris.
Ron Wilson
Seriously Wilson? You're online telling people how they should classify themselves as a fan of the Wild Things? A player may have written it anyway. Get a life so this blog can get back to talking baseball.
Let's keep this momentum after the break. We can win the next four series. And yes, I referred to the team as "we" and no I'm not a player, just a fan of baseball.
Sincerely,
Fred Flintstone
with the trade deadline approaching, is there any potential suitors to acquire ron wilson. it would be a win-win deal. he can annoy some other teams fans and would quit the constant complaining about th wild things.
we can even throw in some complainers to be named later. i will leave that to the rest of you on who could be included in the deal. we have a couple to choose from
The Wildthings announcaed they are sendind Ron Wilson to Kalamazoo to start bitching about an unproposed new stadium in exchange for peace and quiet.They along with most people on this blog are tired of his mindless babble about anything and everything.Also Bob from E.Wash and Joe from Gabby are included in the deal
This is some funny stuff.Send Jamal too.Oh yeah Jamal and Ron Wilson are the same guy as is Tom Hurley
Ron Wilson is a franchise player and can't be traded.
What you can do is trade the taxpayer turf for commonsense.
I would trade Ron Wilson for a horse. And then shoot the horse.
People, please! Not to sound like the second coming of Rodney King, but CAN'T WE ALL GET ALONG?
Actually, I think it's a crying shame that newspaper circulation seems to be getting worse each year. Is it a coincidence that the American people seem to be getting dumber and dumber each year? I like to read the news, and not have its spin force-fed to me by a Rush Limbaugh or Jon Stewart. The average person's English skills seem to be eroding, just read some of the comments on here. Some of us do enjoy reading Chris' articles, and he was given an award for best team coverage in the Frontier League on opening night.
Chris, I am suggesting a contest in the second half. The contest would be this: which number will be higher-the average innings pitched by Wild Things starters, or the average number of quality comments on a blog topic? You would have to be the judge, of course. I'd be willing to be the scorekeeper. What do you think? My money is on the Wild Things starting pitchers.
Just a quick amusing story on bag-checking. This will make the Wild Things look tame by comparison. I have a guy close to my family who is in the NFL. He got us tickets when his team came to Heinz Field to play the Steelers. It was a rainy day, so I brought a plastic grocery bag with: an umbrella, a rain poncho, a beach towel, and a plastic bottle of water. They let me take all of that stuff in, but they took away my plastic bag. So let's see: I could beat the guy in front of me over the head with my umbrella, strangle him with my poncho, or launch my bottled water onto the concourse below (the seats were way up high) and seriously injure somebody, but no plastic bag? Maybe these were the same geniuses who were in charge of security at Logan Airport on 9/11?
Please read John Steigerwald's article from Sunday's paper, I want to comment on it later.
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