Saturday night leftovers

Some observations, quotes and notes from the Wild Things' 2-1 loss to the River City Rascals Saturday night:

* The 4 2/3 innings of relief Washington's Kevin Hammons, pictured, threw was his longest outing since a five-inning start for Gateway in 2008. Hammons did not play play pro ball last season.

In 2007, Hammons played in the Florida Marlins' system with Jamestown of the New-York Penn League. His manager there was current Wild Things manager Darin Everson. Hammons had a 3-0 record and 3.63 ERA in 12 games for Jamestown.

When Hammons informed all Frontier League teams this past offseason through an email that he was returning to baseball and looking for a team, Everson suggested the lefty attend the Wild Things' invitation-only tryout in April. Everson liked what he saw.

"He was way more athletic and a lot more confident than he was in 2007," Everson said.

Against River City, Hammons allowed three hits and one run. He did not walk a batter and struck out three.

"He's been pitching great for us, but he was even better tonight," Everson said. "He showed us something."

* Josh Lowey was the winning pitcher and his identical twin brother Jason earned a save. However, the most-important inning by River City pitchers was thrown by reliever Derrick Miramontes, who tossed the eighth. Miramontes, a side-armer who seemed to be releasing his pitches from somewhere in the left-field party deck, faced Washington's 3-4-5 hitters while protecting a 2-1 lead. He struck out Mark McGonigle, got Adam Amar to ground out deep into the shortstop hole and Jacob Dempsey to pop out on a changeup.

Miramontes received no win, no save but plenty of handshakes from teammates for a job well done.

* River City manager Steve Brook on the water-logged condition of Consol Energy Park's outfield:

"You never know in game played in conditions like this if it's going to be a high-scoring game or a pitchers' duel. Playing in conditions like this, with puddles all over the outfield, you get balls stopping instead of rolling. The first run we scored might have been helped by the conditions. The ball (hit by Stephen Holdren) took a bit of a sideways bounce in the outfield. Strange things happen when you play in these conditions."

River City's first run crossed home plate when Stephen Holdren doubled to left centerfield, scoring Scott Robinson from first base.

* I'll expand on this in a later post, but Washington needs to sign another veteran to its roster. Vets – the Frontier league allows three per team – are guys who should carry your team. The Wild Things are playing with only two vets (Chris Sidick and Jacob Dempsey). Washington picked up a vet hitter in late-June of 2002 when they signed Josh Loggins. The move helped propel the Wild Things to the playoffs that year and Loggins was the league's MVP in 2003.

There will be affiliated players released after next week's first-year player draft, so maybe the Wild Things can find an impact vet.

Cleaning out the notebook

Here are some things that have happened around the Frontier League in the last week:

* In addition to Fran Riordan leaving Kalamazoo as manager, Joe Rosenhagen, the Kings' general manager, wont' be back in 2010.

In a Kalamazoo Gazette story today, Kings owner Bill Wright said the search for a new manager has centered around one person. When asked if the rumor was true that former Wild Things manager Greg Jelks is the top candidate, Wright said, "I don’t know, is he?"

Rosenhagen said he's leaving because of financial reasons.

"It’s the last thing I wanted to do,” Rosenhagen told the newspaper. "I have to leave for financial reasons. It’s been a challenge, because five years ago I took a pay decrease. I haven’t had an increase since. I’ve personally done everything I could to try to help the organization out by maintaining the salary. I do have two children in college and I needed to try to go out and make some more money.”

* As Bob Gregg commented, Kevin Rouch has left the FL. Rouch has served as deputy commissioner and the league's legal counsel for several years. His first association with the FL was as the Chillicothe Paints' broadcaster. During one less-than-memorable game in Johnstown, Rouch uttered a famous line about ambidextrous pitcher Jamie Irving, who was pitching left-handed until late in the game, when he decided to start an inning throwing right-handed.

When Rouch realized what was happening, he told his radio audience, "Jamie Irving is relieving himself on the mound with his right hand." Not once, but twice.

Rouch, who has terrific sense of humor, still jokes about that call. When he visits CEP, Rouch likes to talk about the night of the first game in Wild Things history. That's when a guard for then-Gov. Mark Schweiker tried to have Rouch removed from the field prior to the pregame ceremonies. Apparently, Rouch didn't look official.

Rouch will now have more time to devote to his law practice. He also teaches sports law in Columbus.

* One managerial job has been filled and another vacated.

Steve Brook, who only two years ago was pitching for River City, has been named the Rascals' manager. Brook has been River City's pitching coach. He replaces Chad Parker, who guided the Rascals to within one win of the league championship.

Thommy Thompson has resigned as Windy City's manager to take a job in the Chicago White Sox organization. One odd thing I noticed about Thompson is that he tapes his wrists for each game. Strange.

The ThunderBolts are expected to name their new manager tonight.

* Former Wild Things outfielder Tim Alberts was acquired by Windy City in trade with Joliet of the Northern league. Windy City sent pitcher Ross Stout, who went 24-8 in two seasons with the ThunderBolts, to Joliet.

* The Oakland County Cruisers will break ground on their new $8.5 million stadium Thursday. The park is being called The Diamond at The Summit.