AFL Update: November 9, 2010
How the Nats did on Monday in Arizona
The Scottsdale Scorpions won their fourth straight by a count of 8-3. Here’s how the Nats fared in the game:
- Steve Lombardozzi led off and played shortstop, going 2-for-4 with a walk and a run scored but committed his third error. He was also hit by a pitch.
- Derek Norris caught and batted seventh. He had an RBI double in his five at-bats, but struck out three times. Nobody attempted to steal against him.
- Brad Peacock was tagged for a three-run home run in the seventh, giving up two hits and a walk while striking out two.
The win, combined with a Mesa loss, puts Scottsdale three games up with nine to play. Sammy Solis is expected to start on Wednesday of this week.
###
In case folks haven’t heard, Brian Daubach has been hired as the new manager for the Hagerstown Suns while Matt LeCroy is reportedly taking the helm for Potomac in 2011. There is no word on the fate of Gary Cathcart. Officially, the Nats have not made any announcements for any of the affiliates coaching staffs for next year.
As stated in the comments, I had heard that Cathcart wasn’t returning to Potomac but with his assignment to the Florida Instructional League, I inferred that he is likely to remain and be reassigned within the organization. This is also the time of the year when coaches change jobs anyway, so it could also very well mean that Cathcart could be in the running for another managing job elsewhere.
It’s as good a time as any to also remind folks that what we see on the field is arguably the least important facet of a manager’s job. There are lots of funny saws about the art of managing (my favorites invariably come from Casey Stengel), but the common thread is about keeping young men prepared, engaged and motivated. I don’t think there’s any correlation between past playing success to those “people” skills.
Those games are not well attended, are they? It’s funny, since they might be some of the highest quality minor league teams you could watch.
Keith Law and others have mused about this lately. I’d link to the post, but it’s down right now. In a nutshell: the locals don’t realize it’s better than spring training, the games aren’t marketed a la GCL because it’s viewed by MLB as a scouting/development expense, and some of the ballparks are not well-situated for the casual fan to find.
MLB would do well to promote, market and advertise this gem of a league. The problems, though, are many. Not a huge population in Arizona to begin with. Also, the teams are more or less randomly picked and are split up right after the last game… never to play together again. This is not for the casual baseball fan. It’s minor leage ball for baseball nerds who live in Arizona in Nov. Small market. Still, I bet you could get more people in the seats if you asked some of the well known AFL alumni to help promote in some way.
I consider myself duly chastised for my McCroy comments in an earlier string, and feel shame.
Off-topic, but I’m considering at least a partial plan for the Pfitz for 2011 – Where’s the best ‘bang for the buck’ in seating, in your opinion? I floated around for a handful of games last year, but would like a steady seat this year. Shoot me a response, if you have the time. Thanks.