THE DEFENDERS: GRAY LADY DOWN
Dreary.
The scene at Dodd Stadium tonight is almost surreal. With rain washing away the Connecticut Defenders’ planned fireworks display, the number of fans on hand can be counted exactly that way – on your hand.
Rain poured down steadily an hour before game time. The warning track was drenched but the infield was well-protected. The rain slowed down considerably at 6 p.m. and radar maps showed a window of opportunity. The Defenders were true to their obligation of getting the game in no matter how few folks were there to witness it.
A team gets only so many Friday nights and can schedule only so many fireworks shows so having one taken away is a difficult proposition for a franchise that is striving to improve its image. The scenario, with the Defenders' logo being a submarine, reminds me of the 1978 movie, "Gray Lady Down," with Charlton Heston about a nuclear sub stuck on an ocean ledge. The Defenders need to break free and glide away if the franchise is to survive in southeastern Connecticut.
The goal for Rock Cats manager Riccardo Ingram is for his pitching staff to establish itself. An ERA of 5.51 and 81 runs in 13 games aren’t what he had in mind.
“We’ve got to get some middle relief and our starters have to build up stamina and have better starts,” Ingram said. “The whole way around, we’ve got to shore it up.”
Right-hander Jesse Floyd, a former Defender, gets his chance to establish himself on a Dodd Stadium mound that should be mighty familiar to him. Floyd was 4-14 with a 4.00 ERA in 25 games last year before the Twins grabbed him the Rule 5 draft last December. He comes into the game at 1-2 with a 6.75 ERA.
The scene at Dodd Stadium tonight is almost surreal. With rain washing away the Connecticut Defenders’ planned fireworks display, the number of fans on hand can be counted exactly that way – on your hand.
Rain poured down steadily an hour before game time. The warning track was drenched but the infield was well-protected. The rain slowed down considerably at 6 p.m. and radar maps showed a window of opportunity. The Defenders were true to their obligation of getting the game in no matter how few folks were there to witness it.
A team gets only so many Friday nights and can schedule only so many fireworks shows so having one taken away is a difficult proposition for a franchise that is striving to improve its image. The scenario, with the Defenders' logo being a submarine, reminds me of the 1978 movie, "Gray Lady Down," with Charlton Heston about a nuclear sub stuck on an ocean ledge. The Defenders need to break free and glide away if the franchise is to survive in southeastern Connecticut.
The goal for Rock Cats manager Riccardo Ingram is for his pitching staff to establish itself. An ERA of 5.51 and 81 runs in 13 games aren’t what he had in mind.
“We’ve got to get some middle relief and our starters have to build up stamina and have better starts,” Ingram said. “The whole way around, we’ve got to shore it up.”
Right-hander Jesse Floyd, a former Defender, gets his chance to establish himself on a Dodd Stadium mound that should be mighty familiar to him. Floyd was 4-14 with a 4.00 ERA in 25 games last year before the Twins grabbed him the Rule 5 draft last December. He comes into the game at 1-2 with a 6.75 ERA.
posted by Ken Lipshez at
6:52 PM
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