The price of victory

Have you ever noticed that when a player hits a walk-off home run he will toss aside his batting helmet before reaching home plate and being mobbed by his teammates? This is done for safety reasons.

Here is a lesson on why it's a good idea to get the batting helmet out of your hand before the teammates get to you:

On Thursday night, Windy City's Tim Alberts – he played right field for Washington in 2008 – smacked an RBI-double in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the ThunderBolts a 7-6 victory over Traverse City. Alberts still had his batting helmet in his hand when greeted by his teammates between first and second base. During the celebration, an overly enthusiastic teammate knocked the batting helmet back into Alberts' face and caused a gash on the player's forehead.

The ThunderBolts' trainer bandaged Alberts' head so that he could make the bus trip to Washington last night. On Friday morning, a doctor in Washington put four stitches in Alberts' forehead to close the wound.

Two former Things back in FL

Two former Wild Things have signed contracts to play in the Frontier League -- but not with Washington -- in 2010.

Relief pitcher Travis Risser, who had an excellent season (4-2, six saves, 1.09 ERA) with the Wild Things in 2007 before being picked up by Tampa Bay, has signed a deal with Lake Erie, where he'll be reunited with former Washington manager John Massarelli. Risser was injured during spring training this year and released by the Devil Rays.

Outfielder Tim Alberts, who played for Washington in 2008, signed with Windy City after being acquired by the ThunderBolts in a trade with Joliet of the Northern League. There was much speculation from the Washington coaches and front office late last season that the Wild Things were going to re-acquire Alberts in a trade with Joliet but that never materialized.

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.

4 returnees, 2 newcomers, 1 retiree

The Wild Things announced several signings today and one retirement, which clears up the L2 roster problem.

Signing contracts for the 2009 season were shortstop Brett Grandstrand, designated hitter Jacob Dempsey (pictured), outfielder Tim Alberts and second baseman Chris Carrara. The Wild Things also announced the signing of two rookie pitchers, Brian Honeyman and Michael Mondesir, and that first baseman Nathan Messner has retired.

Grandstrand returns for his third season in Washington after posting career highs in batting average (.295), at-bats (295), runs (48), hits (87), home runs (4), RBI (47), and stolen bases (13). Grandstrand, who I consider best defensive shortstop in the Frontier League, has spent time in the Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay farm systems.

Grandstrand is currently the head baseball coach at Ringgold High School.

Dempsey was Washington's top offensive player last year and a league all-star. He hit .310 last season and led the league in games played (96), doubles (31), and RBI (88). He finished second in extra base hits (52) and fourth in total bases (203), walks (67) and on base percentage (.422). Dempsey's 31 doubles is a Wild Things single-season record, and his 88 RBI tied for the team record (Mike Arbinger 2005).

Carrara and Dempsey were teammates at Winthrop University and will be together for a second season in Washington. Carrara had a strong second half of the 2008 campaign and finished the year with a .285 batting average and 19 stolen bases.

Alberts also finished strong after signing with the Wild Things at midseason out of Niagara University. As a right fielder and DH, Alberts batted .289 with 11 home runs and 39 RBI. He hit nine home runs at Consol Energy Park. Only a handful of players have hit that many home runs at CEP in half a season.

Honeyman and Mondesir have no pro experience. Honeyman was the East Coast Conference Pitcher of the Year in 2008 at NCAA Division II Queens (NY) College. During his senior season, Honeyman had a 6-0 record with three saves and a 2.20 ERA. Mondesir joins the Wild Things from Division II Dominican (NY) College, where he led all D2 pitchers with a 1.12 ERA and 5.3 hits allowed per game last season. he had a 6-2 record.

Messner was a Frontier League All-Star in 2007. He appeared in 80 games last
season, batting .261 with 21 doubles, five triples, seven home runs, and
47 RBI.

The re-signing of Dempsey and Messner's retirement means the Wild Things will likely begin the season with Dempsey and closer Jonathan Lewis as their two L2 players and go with three Veterans and seven L1s.

An updated roster will be posted later.