Futures Game Preview
Posted on 04. Apr, 2009 by Corey in Dayton Dragons Baseball, General Baseball.
At 3:05 PM today, the Cincinnati Reds and the “Future” Stars of the organization will again play at Fifth Third Field in Dayton, Ohio in front of a sold out crowd. Last night these two teams did battle as the “Futures” jumped out to an early 9-0 lead and cruised to a 12-4 victory.
At the time of this posting, I am not sure who will be starting for the Reds, but online reports say Jordan Smith will be taking the hill for the “Futures” team. He will be followed by Zach Stewart and several other relievers in the contest. The designated hitter will also be used allowing fans to see an extra offensive player instead of the pitcher hit.
After the game the “Futures” team will break up and report to their respective affiliates to start the minor league season.
The Reds will also be bringing a few Triple-A players with them to serve as backups on the squad.
The game can be heard on 700 WLW. Thom Brennaman is supposed to be joined by former Major Leaguer and former Red Kent Merker. Merker is one of the finest in the game and my favorite player to deal with. Just a real class act. He did a one game rehab with the Dragons last season and was the last to leave the clubhouse, as he hung around to share things with any player or staff member that would listen. I wish him the best in his post-baseball career.
Due to broadcasting rights, the Dayton Dragons will not be doing their own broadcast of the game.
Several former Reds (Ken Griffey Sr., Eric Davis, Jim O’Toole, Tommy Helms) will be serving as honorary coaches for the game.
The “Futures” team, which is filled with former Dragons, will be using the visiting clubhouse and dugout for the game.
I’m very excited to see this game. Sounds like a real WINNER.
Thanks for the updates. I’m looking forward to seeing more of your perspective as an insider with the Dragons.
What kind of food are you getting for the big leaguers. I bet they don’t want cold cuts.
Travis-
Thanks for reading…If there is anything you would love to know more about or things that you would like me to cover, please let me know…Did you get to go to the futures game today? What an event that was…
Corey
Corey,
I did not get a chance to make the trip up to Dayton today (had to chaperone prom this evening). I did catch a bit of the game on 700 though. Thom seemed to be really high on Zach Stewart, which was good to hear because I had been reading that the Reds’ pitching prospects are not quite as strong as the position prospects (Frazier, Valaika, Alonso, Francisco, Stubbs, etc.).
I do have a few questions for you regarding your position as a Clubhouse Manager. This summer I will be working on a Minor League Baseball project funded by the Eli Lilly Endowment of Indianapolis. As part of the project, I will be visiting Minor League ballparks throughout the Midwest, Southeast, and Northeast. The purpose of the project (aside from seeing a lot of baseball) is to report on how Minor League Baseball functions behind the scenes and how it impacts small cities from both a social and economic perspective.
You can read more about the project on my website, http://www.travisrmartin.com (click on Current Projects and Minor Leagues, Major Opportunity).
In the meantime, if you wouldn’t mind sending me your e-mail (travis@travisrmartin.com) I would love to send a few questions your way.
Thanks!
Travis
I can be reached at Corey@coreybrinn.com
And yes, Zach Stewart is nasty…