Game On

[MGrage]

Good morning everybody,

I hope you got your roster moves in already, especially you Steve. A Brewer fan trying to run the table with disabled Cubs' pitchers, what is this world coming to?

Anyways, good luck everybody. I hope nobody's players gets injured and the Cubs go all the way. Baseball is in the air along with alot of rain. Mahalo

Matt

[stones]

mgrage said:

I hope you got your roster moves in already, especially you Steve. A Brewer fan trying to run the table with disabled Cubs' pitchers, what is this world coming to?

I was stressing over whether to make a move or not. I have no roster depth behind them so I was thinking of leaving them alone. A hurt pitcher can't hurt you. Unfortunately, as I look at Live Stats on TQS, there are at least 5 owners who might kill for a DL'd Cubs pitcher of their own, including someone named Matt!

Was at Opening day in Milwaukee and am going Saturday again.

Recap of the days activities:

Two Brats, three Brewer Burgers, three hot dogs, one bag of peanuts and two Sierra Mists, two Diet Pepsi's to wash everything down - $55.50.

A new Brewers cap - $30.00

Three tickets and a parking pass to watch the Brewers win on Opening Day - $100.00

Going to the game with my two almost grown up sons - Priceless!

I LOVE BASEBALL.

Fantasy recap -

Brewers - The Kid (Rocking Robin) returns to a Standing O, Carlos hit a monster driving in Jenkins (at .20 he is still a bargain!). Mr. Powerful himself, JJ Hardy hit a long ball in his first AB. The boy who will be King, Prince K's four times! Cirillo proves why the fans adore him with the go ahead pinch hit 2 RBI single in the bottom of the 7th. Davis gets his normal 1 run of of run support for a no decision, a Brewer middle reliever (Lehr) gets a vulture win and T-Bow closed it in dominating fashion.

Pirates - Oliver Perez looked very solid. Casey was his normal Doubles machine. Not much else to say.

[Nick's Picts (archived)]

Excellent game recap, Steve. Glad you were able to take in opening day, even if it was for a sub-optimal team. Then again, Wisconsin brats are the crown glory of mystery meat commestibles and their contribution to the experience cannot be discounted.

[Copperfields]

Nice recap, Steve. My boys and I watched the Cubs opener on TV (or at least, what was left of it after they got home from school -- what's up with scheduling school on a National Holiday?). Usually, we'd have a traditional ballpark lunch (hot dogs, etc) during the game, but since they weren't around for lunch we went the snack route -- big soft pretzels, Cracker Jack, etc.

Getting back to the Brewer game -- what's this I've heard about a new picnic ground actually built into the field of play at Miller Park? I only read a (poorly written) description of it, but it sounded like they put up a mesh-like fence (to make it see-throughable) in front of the existing RF fence. Is this true? And if so, what's the possible impact on HR?

Finally, when Eric, Teddy, and I met for dinner after the Shandler seminar back in February, we discussed the need for more in-season CFCL gatherings and one of the prime candidates was a roadtrip up to Miller. I know in the past you'd volunteered to organize an outing -- does that offer still stand? Anyone besides me, Steve, Teddy, and Eric interested?

Have a good time on Saturday, Steve. Just don't let the Brewers run too far away from the rest of the NL Central so early...

David

[stones]

copperfields said:

My boys and I watched the Cubs opener on TV (or at least, what was left of it after they got home from school -- what's up with scheduling school on a National Holiday?). Usually, we'd have a traditional ballpark lunch (hot dogs, etc) during the game, but since they weren't around for lunch we went the snack route -- big soft pretzels, Cracker Jack, etc.

To borrow a line from an old holiday standard "...It's the most wonderful time of year...It's the most hap happiest season of all..."

Now that's what I'm talking about, its the greatest day of entire the year, no doubt. We are all full of hope and unless you are in Kansas City, we all believe we have a chance to win it all. Full of hope and optimism, with visions of sugar plums dancing in our heads. I agree, David, it should be a national holiday, it should a required FAMILY DAY for everyone. I was going to post that it should be a required Father and Son day, but I remember that some of us also have or only have daughters and I am nothing if not an equal opportunity poster.

copperfields said:

Getting back to the Brewer game -- what's this I've heard about a new picnic ground actually built into the field of play at Miller Park?

There are some pretty cool upgrades to the park this season. There is a new video board ribbon similar to the ones at the United Center (only much newer and better) that surrounds the lip of the upper deck and has game stats. There is a new video scoreboard for out of town games in the left field wall where the manual NL scoreboard used to be. It actually is fantasy baseball friendly, in that it has the truncated box score (r, h, e) as well as a game follow feature that shows how many runners are on base. So you can see when a team might be ready to score big.

As for the Picnic area, it was added to the right field corner where the manual AL scoreboard used to be. It probably moves the right field wall in that small corner by about 5 feet. They projected that based on last season it might add 5 to 7 additional HRs throughout the season. On Tuesday night, former Brewer/Cub Jeromy Burnitz was the first to benefit. He hit a liner that would have been an out last year but sneak into the picnic area for his 300th career HR. So it will have an impact, but according to the experts, not that much of one. Lefty Jenkins at .20 is still a bargain. Say it with me, Short porch, short porch!

copperfields said:

Finally, when Eric, Teddy, and I met for dinner after the Shandler seminar back in February, we discussed the need for more in-season CFCL gatherings and one of the prime candidates was a roadtrip up to Miller. I know in the past you'd volunteered to organize an outing -- does that offer still stand? Anyone besides me, Steve, Teddy, and Eric interested?

I would be happy to coordinate something, but I have to warn you, tickets are getting a little more difficult to come by these days. Maybe you haven't heard, we're good.

Seriously, I would enjoy that and if people are interested I can look into some tickets. There might be a Cub game available, but it would be a week night.

copperfields said:

Have a good time on Saturday, Steve. Just don't let the Brewers run too far away from the rest of the NL Central so early...

David

3 & 0 = Run, run, run...run away

[Copperfields]

stones said:

Seriously, I would enjoy that and if people are interested I can look into some tickets. There might be a Cub game available, but it would be a week night

Thanks Steve! I'll add a note to this week's report to get a read on interest level.

To tell the truth, I'd just as soon go for a non-Cub game. While it would be fun to get all the Cub fans in the league to attend so we can gang up and berate you the entire time (or at least until Tomo Ohka takes Glendon Rusch deep), I'd imagine it'd be much easier to get tickets for an opponent who's not so close geographically. And since we've all got a CFCL rooting interest in other teams, I'd think we'd still have plenty to keep us involved.

David

[redhots]

David,
You mean you didn't let the boys stay home with you?? They looked like good kids.........and it is a National Holiday.

I'd definitely be interested in a CFCL road trip to Miller Park.

[Splinters]

Steve,

I want to once again bring up a possible outing to Miller Park. What can I do to help you coordinate?

Teddy

[stones]

I haven't heard from anyone else, so I was assuming there was no interest. But I am happy to coordinate this. At this point, I assume you, David and Eric are still interested. Matt, too perhaps? Anyone else?

Otherwise, I can start working on a date with these fine gentlemen.

[Copperfields]

Bob expressed interest earlier in this thread as well. I think the "interest" list at this point is:

- Steve
- Teddy
- Bob
- Matt G.
- Eric

That's half of the 10 in-the-area owners, which would be a pretty good turnout as non-Draft Day gatherings go. Once the five of us settle on a date, we may get others joining in as well.

As I mentioned earlier, I don't think there's any need to shoot for a Cub/Brewer game given the probably difficulty in getting tickets -- I'd be up for any opponent (though I'd prefer National League as opposed to an interleague game).

In terms of schedules, I'd prefer a night game on Saturday (lots of little league during the day), night game on Friday, or a Sunday game. Weeknights would be doable too, but a little more difficult.

Thanks Steve!

David

[stones]

If it is OK with the four of you, I would rather do a Saturday Night or Sunday afternoon/night game.

With that in mind, assuming that is acceptable to everyone, here are our options (hoping for a warm weather night with the roof open, but if not, we still PLAY BALL):

Saturday, May 13th. - 6:05 - Brewers v. New York Mets (D. Turnbow bobble-head night)

Sunday, May 14th. - 1:05 - Brewers v. New York Mets (Just the joy of the game, no fan give away but Sunday's are retro 1982 "Ball and Glove" Jersey Days)

Saturday, June 3rd. - 6:05 - Brewers v. Washington Nationals (D. Miller bobble-head night)

Sunday, June 4th. - 1:05 - Brewers v. Nationals (Just the joy of the game, no fan give away but as always, Sunday's are retro 1982 "Ball and Glove" Jersey Days)

Saturday, June 10th. - 6:05 - Brewers v. St. Louis Cardinals (considered a Marquee Game so prices are higher and in theory tickets are harder to get, but I can get them).

Sunday, June 11th. - 1:05 - Brewers v. Cards (B. Clark mini-bobble-head give-a-way AND as always, Sunday's are retro 1982 "Ball and Glove" Jersey Days) We consider this to be one of the triple bonus days; Marque Game, mini-bobble give-a-way AND Retro Jersey day. Too good to be true, right!

Saturday, July 8th. - 6:05 - Brewers v. Cubs (I know you said it doesn't have to be the Cubs, but I think I have some extra tickets to this game, already.) Also considered a Marquee Game, why I don't know, its just the dang Cubs!

Sunday, July 9th. - 1:05 - Brewers v. Cubs (See above but as always, Sunday's are retro 1982 "Ball and Glove" Jersey Days) Gotta love those Rockin Robin, Stormin Gorman and Paulie Jerseys!

Saturday, July 29th - 6:05 - Brewers v. Cincinnati Reds (Culver's Brewer Baseball Cap night) Something any good Cubs fan can appreciate, I am sure!

Sunday, July 30th - 1:05 - Brewers v. Reds (Brewers infield nesting dolls) Basically, you can shove Bill Hall, JJ Hardy & Rickie Weeks up Prince Fielders butt! Interesting! Oh and of course, it retro Jersey day again! Kind of getting sick of those jersey by then!

Saturday, August 19th. - 6:05 - Brewers v. Houston Astros (Wishbone Kids Lunch box night) Matt, this one has your name all over it!

Sunday, August 20th. - 1:05 - Brewers v. Astros (B. Hall mini-bobble-head for kids) Matt, its kind of your weekend I guess. Oh yeah and it's that dang jersey from the 80's day frickin again!

Saturday, September 2nd. - 6:05 - Brewers v. Florida (San Antonio) Marlins (Robin Yount bobble-head night and no stinking Cubs fan is leaving with one unless it's over my dead body!)

Sunday, September 3rd. - 1:05 - Brewers v. Marlins (or whatever) (no give-a-way but God help us if they don't wash those dang jerseys by then)

Saturday, September 9th - 6:05 - Brewers v. Astros again (no give-a-way)

Sunday, September 10th. - 1:05 - Brewers v. Astros (screw the dang jerseys!)

Saturday, September 23rd. - 6:05 - Brewers v. San Francisco Giants (Fan appreciation night, but rest assured we never appreciate Cubs fans)

Sunday, September 24th. - 1:05 - Brewers v. Giants (last home game of the season, no give-a-way and its the last time I have to see those stinking dirty-ass jerseys from a lifetime ago)

So let me know your pleasure and I will see what I can get.

Teddy, thanks for reminding me about this.

[Copperfields]

Steve - wow! Outstanding!

Thanks for doing all this work -- pulling the dates together was enough, but the the game-by-game commentary goes above and beyond. I think you're a swell guy, no matter what Rich says (though the image of nesting dolls has forever been ruined for me).

Right off the bat, the first two games listed (May 13, 14) are not possible for me. It looks like at this point the other dates are all possible. I'll need to confirm with the family calendar and will send other input via e-mail.

Thanks again!

[redhots]

copperfields said:

Steve - wow! Outstanding!

Thanks for doing all this work -- pulling the dates together was enough, but the the game-by-game commentary goes above and beyond. I think you're a swell guy, no matter what Rich says (though the image of nesting dolls has forever been ruined for me).

Right off the bat, the first two games listed (May 13, 14) are not possible for me. It looks like at this point the other dates are all possible. I'll need to confirm with the family calendar and will send other input via e-mail.

Thanks again!

Dangit David!!!! I was hoping to get a bobblehead of my Marquee Closer on May 13th.........if he's still the closer by then

Looking at the list quick June 10th and 11th are no good for me.....in Vegas.

July 8th and 9th are not good for me either (too bad...would love to see the Cubs dominate in Miller)......family vacation.

Anything after August 10th I might only be able to possibly do Sundays.......football season for me then.

Doesn't mean you can't set it up for one of those dates.......just that I definitely can't make it those dates.

Hope it works out.

Thanks!

[Copperfields]

Ah - see, now you see why it's so hard to set up one of these things -- two people have chimed in and already half the dates are gone!

Looks like we've whittled things down to :

June 3 - Nationals
June 4 - Nationals
July 29 - Reds
July 30 - Reds
August 20- Astros
Sept. 3 - Marlins
Sept. 10 - Astros
Sept. 24 - Giants

I'll take a shot -- how about Saturday July 29 vs the Reds? It's a divisional game, though possibly not the huge draw the Cubs or Cards would be, plus it's Culver's Cap Night, so we could all look like dorks wearing the same headgear (and, of course, shame all the CFCLers who don't attend by showing solidarity and wearing the caps to the 2007 Draft).

David

[Splinters]

My preference is for Saturday games.

Saturday July 29 will work for me. I love the idea of the hats.