TV GAME OFFERS A NEW PESPECTIVE
I didn’t go to the Rock Cats game against the Connecticut Defenders in Norwich tonight. Hey, even sports writers deserve a day off now and then.
The wife and I did some wine tasting up in Litchfield at Haight Vineyards, bought some plants at White Flower Farm and did some gardening, but I couldn’t stay away from baseball an entire day. The game was televised on the Comcast Cable channel, CN8, so naturally I tuned in.
No matter how many games you watch from a press box behind home plate, you get a much different perspective watching on TV, particularly from the camera stationed in center field that allows you to watch the pitches break. You also get the expert commentary of announcers like former Red Sox catcher and color broadcaster Bob Montgomery, which is equally as valuable.
The unique perspective allowed me to make some observations that are hard to make from the press box.
The Rock Cats fell behind early with the Defenders taking it to starter Brad Baker.
Baker, the Red Sox’ first-round draft pick in 1999 when Dan Duquette was calling the shots, is struggling, and it’s easy to see why. His fastball is none too fast and has little movement. He has a terrific changeup that breaks sharply away from left-handed hitters, but Connecticut hitters were aggressive to the fastball and doing serious damage.
Montgomery pointed out that Baker’s delivery allows hitters a long look at his pitches, which doesn’t bode well for a pitcher either. Baker reaches back with his pitches and holds it there for a split second before following through.
Baker’s stats belie his problems. Going into Saturday’s game, he had given up 37 earned runs in 65 1/3 innings (5.10 ERA). He had also walked 20, which in addition to his 69 hits allowed, indicates that far too many hitters are reaching base.
Montgomery and CN8 play-by-play man Dave Popkin did a revealing in-game interview with Monty’s former Boston teammate – Connecticut pitching coach Bob “Steamer” Stanley. Stanley’s spot starter Brooks McNiven had New Britain hitters in the palm of his hand by spotting his pitches beautifully in just his third start.
Stanley talked about the Giants’ minor league pipeline, which is funneling plenty of prospects the Defenders’ way. Connecticut is mired in last place in the EL North but the way things are going, they’ll catch the beleaguered Rock Cats before long.
After falling behind 4-0, Baker began spotting his changeup and curveball extremely well and he settled down. The strikeouts began piling up and he retired a bunch of Defenders in a row. But the way McNiven is throwing, four runs may be enough to send New Britain to its 12th loss in the last 13 games.
There’s another reason why it’s fun for a beat writer to watch his team play on the tube.
Eugenio Velez, Connecticut’s flashy young second baseman, laid down a bunt. As he made his way toward first, he made contact with the ball and home plate umpire John Tumpane called him out.
Defenders veteran manager Dave Machemer came out to argue. Tumpane huddled with his two colleagues. They determined that the bunt was foul. Rock Cats manager Riccardo Ingram, who hasn’t caught a break since the Twins named him Double-A manager in the winter of 2005-06, voiced his protest, but of course to no avail.
As the umpires went back to their positions, a voice rang out very clearly.
“You called it right the first time. That’s boolsheet.”
Montgomery and Popkin probably didn’t hear it. Even if they did, they wouldn’t have known who it was, but beat writers get to know the voices of the people on their teams.
It’s always good to hear Rock Cats hitting coach Floyd “Sugar Bear” Rayford expressing his opinion.
The wife and I did some wine tasting up in Litchfield at Haight Vineyards, bought some plants at White Flower Farm and did some gardening, but I couldn’t stay away from baseball an entire day. The game was televised on the Comcast Cable channel, CN8, so naturally I tuned in.
No matter how many games you watch from a press box behind home plate, you get a much different perspective watching on TV, particularly from the camera stationed in center field that allows you to watch the pitches break. You also get the expert commentary of announcers like former Red Sox catcher and color broadcaster Bob Montgomery, which is equally as valuable.
The unique perspective allowed me to make some observations that are hard to make from the press box.
The Rock Cats fell behind early with the Defenders taking it to starter Brad Baker.
Baker, the Red Sox’ first-round draft pick in 1999 when Dan Duquette was calling the shots, is struggling, and it’s easy to see why. His fastball is none too fast and has little movement. He has a terrific changeup that breaks sharply away from left-handed hitters, but Connecticut hitters were aggressive to the fastball and doing serious damage.
Montgomery pointed out that Baker’s delivery allows hitters a long look at his pitches, which doesn’t bode well for a pitcher either. Baker reaches back with his pitches and holds it there for a split second before following through.
Baker’s stats belie his problems. Going into Saturday’s game, he had given up 37 earned runs in 65 1/3 innings (5.10 ERA). He had also walked 20, which in addition to his 69 hits allowed, indicates that far too many hitters are reaching base.
Montgomery and CN8 play-by-play man Dave Popkin did a revealing in-game interview with Monty’s former Boston teammate – Connecticut pitching coach Bob “Steamer” Stanley. Stanley’s spot starter Brooks McNiven had New Britain hitters in the palm of his hand by spotting his pitches beautifully in just his third start.
Stanley talked about the Giants’ minor league pipeline, which is funneling plenty of prospects the Defenders’ way. Connecticut is mired in last place in the EL North but the way things are going, they’ll catch the beleaguered Rock Cats before long.
After falling behind 4-0, Baker began spotting his changeup and curveball extremely well and he settled down. The strikeouts began piling up and he retired a bunch of Defenders in a row. But the way McNiven is throwing, four runs may be enough to send New Britain to its 12th loss in the last 13 games.
There’s another reason why it’s fun for a beat writer to watch his team play on the tube.
Eugenio Velez, Connecticut’s flashy young second baseman, laid down a bunt. As he made his way toward first, he made contact with the ball and home plate umpire John Tumpane called him out.
Defenders veteran manager Dave Machemer came out to argue. Tumpane huddled with his two colleagues. They determined that the bunt was foul. Rock Cats manager Riccardo Ingram, who hasn’t caught a break since the Twins named him Double-A manager in the winter of 2005-06, voiced his protest, but of course to no avail.
As the umpires went back to their positions, a voice rang out very clearly.
“You called it right the first time. That’s boolsheet.”
Montgomery and Popkin probably didn’t hear it. Even if they did, they wouldn’t have known who it was, but beat writers get to know the voices of the people on their teams.
It’s always good to hear Rock Cats hitting coach Floyd “Sugar Bear” Rayford expressing his opinion.
posted by Ken Lipshez at
7:54 PM
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