Travelerocity

The last week of Ray Winder Field: Post your goodbyes and tributes

What will I remember about Ray Winder Field?

I will remember sitting in the stands with my grandfather as he taught me to keep score, a true lost art. I will remember witnessing Hookslide Bradshaw's signals to the players and slide into the popcorn box, the craziest thing I had ever seen a fan do at a sporting event. I will remember running around in the Optimist Dugout section on nights my Rosedale Optimist baseball teams made an outing. I will remember playing cupball in the parking lot. I will remember all the photos I cut out of the newspaper to get signed by the players, and even Bill Valentine.

I will remember getting out of school to go see the St. Louis Cardinals play an exhibition game. I will remember the extremely used Shreveport Captains hat I got from a friend who was a bat boy. I will remember all the free Pepsis I got from my friends who worked at the concession stand (that was more than 20 years ago so the statute of limitations is up). I will remember Mike Harris, Terry Pendleton, and Mark Salas stopping by on their way to the dugout before the games and taking a drink from those Pepsis. I will remember the "Mike Harris #1" sign I displayed on the fence for most of a season and the bat he gave me as a thank you. I will remember the foul ball that I thought must have broken my wrist (it didn't).

I will remember when Jim Elder gave me his card with the instructions to use it at the gate any time I wanted in free. I will remember the time I went to IHOP after a game and ran into Captain Dynamite, and then proceeded to tell him that my friends and I were trying to get in the business with a similar act called the Firecracker Brothers. I will remember having a Busch Light or two in the bleachers. I will remember all those bombs sent over the Screen Monster and imagining where they were landing. I will remember the advice a friend gave to Erick Aybar. I will remember standing in the outfield and getting a true sense of what it was like to be out there with the noise from the traffic and the gravel, plus the unique perspective of the stands. I will remember sitting in the stands with Jered Weaver as he complained about the Arkansas heat.

Farewell, Ray Winder Field. We will miss you. But we look forward to all the new memories at Dickey-Stephens Park and the view of the skyline over the outfield fence.

Angels don't care about Travs fans, players just going through motions

When the Los Angeles Angels sent Travs star Brandon Wood off to Team USA, and then followed that by promoting outfielder Nathan Haynes and pitcher Daniel Davidson to Triple-A (giving the excuse that the Bees needed help), I knew that was the end of the season. But this season, which briefly recovered from the embarrassment of the first half, had already gone in the toilet before Wood left. Since Aug. 7, the Travs have won four of 16 games.

The Angels organization could care less, and the effort in the field doesn't seem to be there. So why should fans care about this team anymore if the parent club doesn't? Already, interest levels have dropped significantly as sports fans around here turn their focus to Razorback football. Attendance should be through the roof in the final home stand as Ray Winder Field starts to close its doors for good. But it won't be, and we have the Angels to thank for that.

Would people care a little more if the team was in the crapper but still affilliated with the Cardinals? No doubt. This is Cardinals country. President Clinton's visit to Shea Stadium to watch the Cards this week only reinforced that, and the following excerpt from the Associated Press story on his visit says why.

Seeing that famed birds-on-the-bat logo brought back all sorts of memories for Bill Clinton. Clinton recalled tuning the dial as a boy in Arkansas, picking up St. Louis station KMOX. "I grew up listening to the Cardinals on the radio. I can remember doing my homework in grade school all the way through high school, listening to Harry Caray do their games.” Clinton said Hall of Famer Stan Musial, no surprise, was his all-time favorite Cardinals player.

Yet another of last season's Travs gets a full page in Sports Illustrated

A few weeks ago Sports Illustrated devoted a full page photo to Jered Weaver, a Travelers pitcher from last season who is now 9-0 in Major League Baseball. This week, Howie Kendrick, who played second base for the Travs last season, gets the full-page treatment. I guess what amazes me about this is how much it contrasts with how these players were appreciated while playing in Little Rock last season, which was very little. Among the highlights in the story on the next page is that Kendrick has been nicknamed "Howiewood" by his Angels teammates for his foul-ball run-in with Ben Affleck at Fenway Park in Boston.

Ray Winder Field notes: I really thought the crowds would have grown bigger by now with games left at Ray Winder Field in the single digits. But the attendance has pretty much been business as usual. I haven't noticed a "saying goodbye" crowd so far. Maybe that comes in the last two home series... Anyone notice that the infield grass is suddenly a lot shorter. This just goes to confirm my theory that the grass was grown high to help reduce Brandon Wood's error rate. And speaking of Wood, this team just doesn't seem the same without him... I don't know about you, but I was rubbed the wrong way by a comment in the story Sunday about Nathan Haynes' promotion. So the Angels thought there was a need to give Salt Lake some more help? Hey, what about down here. Have you checked the Texas League standings lately?... Spotted at Ray Winder Field on Saturday night: U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor. I think his son was a volunteer working in the concession stand, and if that was him, I was very impressed at how courteous he was when I ordered my Sprite... Line of the week from the batboy who caught the black cat that ran on the field Friday night: "I put him by the dumpster." Will the cats be making the move to Dickey-Stephens? Maybe it will change North Little Rock's image to "Cat town."

Prospect Rodriguez called up to replace departed Wood at shortstop

Travelers shortstop Brandon Wood is gone. He may turn out to be the top prospect to play for the Travelers in years. To fill his void, the Los Angeles Angels have promoted shortstop Sean Rodriguez from Rancho Cucamonga. Rodriguez responded by hitting a home run in his first Double-A at-bat at Frisco on Thursday, which was the only run the Travs managed to manufacture in the initial game without Wood in the line-up.

Rodriguez is listed as the No. 23 prospect in the Angels organization and has been noted for having great strike-zone discipline. He hit .301 with 24 home runs and 77 RBIs for Ranch Cucamonga before being promoted. He's also had 15 stolen bases... and 124 strike outs, which is at least still short of Wood's 149 this season.

Baseball America had this scouting report on Rodriguez prior to the season: "Between the organization's depth at shortstop and Rodriguez' lack of pure shortstop actions, he won't play there much longer. His arm, solid glove, and instincts -- honed by his father Johnny, a minor league batting coach in the Marlins system -- would play in center field, at second base, and perhaps behind the plate."

Also joining the Travs this week is another back-up catcher, Tim Duff, up from Rancho Cucamonga. He will help fill in with Brent Del Chiaro while starting catcher Bobby Wilson continues to nurse a sore shoulder that has limited him to a designated hitter role.

You will find little on these players moves from the Little Rock media, but the San Bernadino Sun has the story of the player advancements from Rancho's perspective.

Update on more player moves: Departing the Travs on Thursday were outfield Nathan Haynes and relief pitcher Daniel Davidson, both to Salt Lake. In return, Salt Lake sent the Travs relief picther Jeff Heaverlo, who had a 7.43 ERA over 49.2 innings since joining the Bees on May 28. Heaverlo was a Texas League All-Star while with the San Antonio Missions in 2001.

On deck: Guide to home series with Midland RockHounds on Aug. 17-20

The bulk of the Travelers offense, shortstop Brandon Wood, has departed for Olympic Qualifying with Team USA and is gone for the remainder of the season. Who will step up at the plate to fill the void? The Travs are eight games out of the Texas League North and are in jeopardy of falling into last place again to finish out the second half of the season. It's not the greatest way to close out historic Ray Winder Field.

But the Travs aren't the only team in the Texas League to lose a player to the cause of Olympic Qualifying -- Midland catcher Kurt Suzuki, the A's #11 prospect and an '06 Futures Game All-Star, has left the RockHounds to also join Team USA. The Travs are tied 5-5 with the RockHounds in the season series. This series ushers in my least favorite promotion of the year -- Back to School weekend. I still hate the words "back to school" every August even after all these years. Along with lame NFL preseason games, they signal the first sign that summer is coming to an end. Regardless, there are only 13 chances left in your lifetime to see a Travs game at Ray Winder Field. It's time the fans started coming out to say goodbye.

Here's a quick guide to the upcoming promotions and the top players to watch for this home stand.

Thursday, August 17 - 7:10 p.m.
Bingo between innings, $3 family discount coupon in Arkansas Democrat-Gazette sports section, $3 discount with Petit Jean Meats proof of purchase

Friday, August 18 - 7:10 p.m.
Travs back-to-school backpacks to first 1,000 kids.

Saturday, August 19 - 7:10 p.m.
Travs back-to-school lunch boxes to first 1,000 kids.

Sunday, August 20 - 2 p.m.
Jim Elder Good Sports Fund kids clinic begins at 12:45 p.m. featuring instruction from Travs players and coaches. First 200 kids at the clinic get a free Travs baseball. Families get in for $6 with church bulletin. Free admission to AARP members.

Midland RockHounds (Oakland A's, Sacramento RiverCats)
16 Kevin Melillo 2B - A's #6 prospect, played in college at South Carolina, '06 Texas League All-Star, leads team with 63 runs
27 Brant Colamarino 1B - A's #23 prospect, played college at Pittsburgh which means he is a favorite of Travs broadcaster Phil Elson, leads team with 127 hits and 77 RBIs
35 Vasili Spanos 3B - '06 Texas League All-Star, leads team with .316 batting average (fifth best in league)
55 Matt Allegra CF - Leads team with 14 home runs
21 Cameron Coughlin OF - Leads team with .444 on-base percentage

47 Conner Robertson RHP - A's #24 prospect, NAIA World Series MVP at Birmingham-Southern where he is the school's all-time leader in home runs and RBIs
XX Brad Ziegler RHP - '06 Texas League All-Star, second in league among starters with 3.17 ERA
32 Brad Knox RHP - Leads team with 11 wins and 92 strike outs
39 Sam Walton LHP - Leads team among relievers with 1.69 ERA, started year at Springfield
20 Marcus McBeth RHP - Leads team with 16 saves

Arkansas Travelers of North Little Rock (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Salt Lake Bees)
10 Bobby Wilson C - Angels #22 prospect, played with Casey Kotchman on Seminole (Fla.) High's national championship team
XX Sean Rodriguez SS - Angels #23 prospect, just joined team to replace Brandon Wood
3 Eric Rodland 2B - '06 Texas League All-Star, leads team with .395 on-base percentage
11 Matt Brown 3B - Leads team with .306 batting average, 71 runs, 140 hits, 67 RBIs, and 25 errors
17 Dwaine Bacon CF - Second in league with 32 stolen bases
24 Terry Evans CF - Has hit a total of 32 home runs with three teams
8 Greg Porter 1B-DH - Played college at Texas A&M, leads team with 17 home runs
30 Devin Day 2B-CF-RF - Former Razorback

33 Jose Arredondo RHP - Angels #17 prospect, on Angels 40-man roster, from Dominican Republic, has thrown 1 shutout
20 Rafael Rodriguez RHP - Angels #21 prospect, from Dominican Republic, team co-leader with 73 strike outs, has given up league-leading 26 home runs
38 Bob Zimmerman RHP - Angels #27 prospect, part of SW Missouri State's '03 College World Series team
35 Nick Green RHP - Angels #29 prospect, leads team with 8 wins and 4.39 ERA
37 Jesse Smith RHP - '06 Texas League All-Star, team co-leader with 73 strike outs
6 Miguel Gonzalez RHP - '06 Texas League All-Star
16 Rich Thompson RHP - Leads team with 9 saves

Texas League leaders as of 8/16

Batting average
.330 Billy Butler, Wichita
.323 Josh Anderson, Corpus Christi
.322 Alex Gordon, Wichita
.317 Jonathan Ash, Corpus Christi
.316 Vasili Spanos, Midland

Home runs
29 Joe Koshansky, Tulsa
28 Nate Gold, Frisco
26 Hunter Pence, Corpus Christi
24 Alex Gordon, Wichita
18 Wladimir Balentien, San Antonio

Pitching ERA (starters)
3.10 Yorman Bazardo, San Antonio
3.17 Brad Ziegler, Midland
3.35 Chance Douglass, Corpus Christi
3.81 Enmanuel Ulloa, Tulsa
3.85 Mike Parisi, Springfield

Pitching strike outs
132 Thomas Diamond, Frisco
125 Paul Estrada, Corpus Christi
113 Chris Lambert, Springfield
110 Juan Morillo, Tulsa
109 Ryan Feierabend, San Antonio

Springdale city government can't be trusted when working in secrecy

In an article in Tuesday's northwest edition of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Springdale Chamber of Commerce president Perry Webb says he is meeting with Springdale city council members one-on-one to educate them on Minor League baseball. Why one-on-one, you ask? In Webb's own words: "The reason we do it one at a time is so the media doesn’t have to be told what was said, which is important in this process."

In other words, Webb skirts the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, which requires the the public be notified when two or more members of the city council discuss public business, by making sure only one of them discusses public business at a time. When will these types like Webb realize that they are doing taxpayer-funded business and not running a private club?

It has been tremendously quiet on the Dickey-Stephens front all summer when it comes to the North Little Rock City Council. Yes, Travs GM Bill Valentine provides us with great updates and we thank him for that, but we have not heard a peep from North Little Rock city government, which feels no need to have any sort of publicly accountable oversight committee like what was set up for Alltel Arena by Pulaski County.

In fact, the last time we heard from them, they were telling the public it didn't have a right to know what occurred in a meeting to discuss cost overruns. Should we be suspicious of the silence? I would hope North Little Rock is not going down the same road that Springdale has started on in its quest for Minor League baseball.

It's only your money.

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Update: The Arkansas Times blog has picked this up and there are some interesting items in the comments section regarding more cost overruns coming at Dickey-Stephens Park. I have no idea of the validity of this, and neither does anyone outside North Little Rock's privileged few inside city government. Even if false, this is the kind of speculation that happens when you lock out the public.

Travs shine in Yankee Stadium, again get mentioned in Sports Illustrated

"Jered Weaver was terrific. This kid, it looks like he is confident that he can throw any pitch over the plate any time he wants." -- Joe Torre

"He had, like, two or three different fastballs. It was hard to get a feel for him." -- Alex Rodriguez

Those are the reviews from the New York Yankees coming in for Jered Weaver after his win at Yankee Stadium. Weaver, now 8-0 for the Los Angeles Angels, was pitching in Ray Winder Field at this time last season. Weaver was one of eight former Travs to help the Angels beat the Yankees on Sunday, taking two of three games so far in this series, including Friday's win featuring former Trav Joe Saunders on the mound. Former Trav John Lackey pitches against the Yankees to conclude the series on Monday night.

With this kind of success, it's no surprise this group of great pitchers would again make it into Sports Illustrated, as shown in the feature box below. These future Major Leaguers who end up being heralded by the national media are the same players KARK sports continues to completely ignore on a nightly basis. It's gotten to the point that maybe the Travs should consider shutting KARK out of advertising or promotions at the soon-to-be-popular Dickey-Stephens Park.

Chicken Plucker update: The Wichita Eagle held a caption contest for a cartoon regarding the Wichita Wranglers impending move to Springdale. Below is the winner. One of the honorable mentions took a swipe at Arkansas with this line: "Dad said I need to get the team's autographs while they still remember how to read and write."

Take this poll: What is the most important thing about the Travelers to you as a fan?

A) The Travs win and consistently compete for the playoffs.
B) The Travs have top prospects on the roster.
C) The Travs are an affiliate of my favorite MLB team.
D) The Travs help the parent club through player development and trades.
E) The Travs provide a good night out for my entertainment dollar.

There's been a lot of discussion on what fans want from the Travelers and how that coincides with what the Los Angeles Angels and the Travs manager and coaches want. While some might say that winning and top prospects go hand in hand, I don't necessarily think so. This year it doesn't seem like winning is always the top priority, and for good reason -- it's not. The Angels dictate if players should get time on the field and where, even if it doesn't necessarily help them win. Most minor league managers have to go along with this to at least some degree.

I submit last season as Exhibit A. Why didn't Travs manager Tom Gamboa protest more after the umpire messed up the count in the last game of the championship series? I contend it's because winning had not been a priority all season, so why should he suddenly care? Gamboa was there to develop players and hit the golf course to get in his 36 holes. Winning was secondary.

Face it, the Travs exist for answer D, according to the parent club. Sometimes it works out that winning and top players come as a bonus. But is that what we want and do Minor League fans in general deserve more than that? If winning doesn't matter to some extent, are we content to just hope for the best players available to watch, or would some rather just have a connection to their favorite Major League team? For many next season who have mostly ignored the Travs in years past, I suspect E will be a popular answer.

So what are your thoughts? What do people most want out of the Travs, and can the Travs always deliver it?

Worst signature in Texas League, and new promotions for Game Week

Who's got the worst signature among Travelers and among all the autographs I've seen from Texas Leaguers? My vote goes to Nathan Haynes. Just look at this signature. What is this? It looks like he just drew a bicycle. That or a very bad version of Gusty. Post a comment below if you've come across a particularly bad signature this season or have been rudely snubbed by a visiting player.

Game Week in the Rock: As first reported here, the Travelers will be part of Game Week in the Rock on Aug. 27 - Sept. 3, the brainchild of Travs board member Rex Nelson to celebrate the multitude of sports activities taking place in the Little Rock Metro that week (plus watching the USC-Arkansas game on TV). But here are some new developments -- the Travs have added a few promotions for that last week.

On Saturday, Sept. 2, there will be a book signing in the Ray Winder Field concourse by three authors of books on Travelers baseball -- Jim Bailey, Todd Traub, and Terry Turner. The Aug. 29 game will feature something called "Frat Tuesday," which I may have to stay away from if it's going to mean 200 dudes all dressed in the same outfits from Abercrombie & Fitch. There will be fireworks after the Friday, Sept. 1, game (maybe that's not new), and the following day fans will get the chance to have their photos taken with Travs players. On Aug. 30, Travs GM Bill Valentine will give a lecture as one of the sports speakers at the Main Library (some might say we already got some of his lectures here).

Chicken Pluckers update: The Springdale baseball follies continue -- someone on the Springdale city council wants to look into an independent league team before proceeding with construction of the new stadium or negotiations with the Wichita Wranglers. Some independent league snake charmer is claiming he can build a new stadium with private money if Springdale will spring $3 million for the land. I'm telling you, this guy's next stop is Ray Winder Field. Be on the lookout Little Rock City Board!

Angels news: Former Trav pitchers Jered Weaver and Joe Saunders make their first starts in Yankee Stadium this weekend as the Angels make a trip east. And to think it wasn't too long ago these guys were pitching on another historic stage -- Ray Winder Field... "Access Hollywood" shot a segment Thursday of former Trav Howie Kendrick signing a ball for Ben Affleck, who you may remember almost caught a foul ball Kendrick was going for the Sunday before last when the Angels were in Boston. But, of course, Kendrick was totally ignored by most of the media here while playing for the Travs last summer... Wow, in Rancho Cucamonga they pass a hat around the stadium to collect money for a player who hits a home run. I say we do the same thing here for Shelly whenever he beats a kid in the race around the bases.

Memory #75: The Urine Trough, Plus words of wisdom for NLR mayor

The famous urine trough in the men's bathroom was curiously left off the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's list of 74 memories of Ray Winder Field that appeared as the cover story in Sunday's sports section. If they tear down Ray Winder and put this up for auction like they did with the urinals at Busch Stadium, I wonder how much the opening bid would be. My guess is $200. Someone somewhere wants to put this on the side of a backyard storage building. That is, unless the urine trough is traveling over to Dickey-Stephens Park?

Oh, and for the record, my favorite on the list of 74 memories -- #71 Carpet Ramps: “Where do we sit honey?” “I don’t know. Let’s all stand here and block traffic while we discuss it.”

Great Baseball Writing 101: The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette brings us two great columns on baseball today, both found on the opinion column pages (one though only in the northwest edition). The first is from the masterful Gene Lyons, who expresses his take on Greg Maddux going to the Dodgers. It includes this passage:

Then there was the time the late Harry Caray invited a pretty 14-year-old Girl Scout visiting the WGN-TV broadcast booth to come see her “Uncle Harry” again in five years. Some wondered if the legendary play-by-play man, a selfstyled “Cubs fan and Bud Man,” wasn’t sampling the sponsor’s product on the job. That was Harry.

The other column is from northwest opinion page editor George Arnold, who gives a strong lashing to Springdale city government for not keeping business regarding the voter-apporved ballpark out in the open. Could North Little Rock city government stand to take this same advice:

When a private company is doing work that is the “functional equivalent” of government work, the company falls under the provisions of the FOI. That was settled in a 1990 case called City of Fayetteville v. Edmark. Negotiating on behalf of Springdale is clearly the “functional equivalent” of conducting city business. Still, what’s the big deal ? Here’s what: It’s that $ 50 million that Springdale generously voted to spend to get the baseball stadium up and running. That’s public money. It’s not the mayor’s money, or the chamber’s, nor does it belong to the company that’s doing the negotiating for the team in Springdale’s name. State law says that public business should be performed “in an open and public manner.” That means that citizens have a right to know what’s being done with their tax money. There’s never been an exemption for Springdale.

Fan Punk'd at Clunker Car Night?; Update on Wood and Team USA

Like probably every fan in attendance at the game last night, I had no idea that the giveaway of Travs GM Bill Valentine's 2007 Cadillac was a prank being played on him until I read it in the paper this morning. It seemed so legit at the time, especially since the winning number was coming from the scorecard rather than the bingo card. Maybe I was just too naive. But that poor guy in the bleachers who "won" it. He was jumping up and down and high fiving everyone within 50 feet of him. I wonder what the scene was like when he made it to the office. I hope they gave him a Shelly bobblehead or at least a loaf of free bread.

Otherwise, it was a great atmosphere at the game last night, and I think a sign of things to come next season at Dickey-Stephens Park. What was most impressive was how many people were still there at the end of the game and genuinely cared about the outcome. Yes, half of them were drunk, but it was still fun to hear all the cheering as Terry Evans attempted to follow Brandon Wood's home run to win the game.

Some more scenes from last night from Roving Correspondent Lonesome Traveler...

A packed bleachers, the most people in that section all season. I can remember only opening day coming close.

Frisco's dugout with ace pitcher Thomas Diamond on the left. He refused to sign autographs unless you were wearing Rangers apparel. Maybe I'm wrong, but signing autographs seems like part of their job, and honestly they should be grateful anyone cares about their punk a...

Shelly and his designated driver ride in on the first Clunker Car of the night. No, Billy Squire was not blasting from the speakers.

When a moon like this rises over War Memorial Stadium on an October evening, Paul Eells would paint the scene as a "harvest moon" hovering overhead.

Team USA update: In case you were a little hazy on the whole Team USA baseball schedule, here's where Brandon Wood will be after he leaves the team Tuesday. He'll report to Orlando on Aug. 16 for a nine-day training camp, then leave for Cuba to compete in the Americas Olympic Qualifier against the likes of Puerto Rico and Cuba. If Team USA finishes in the top two of the seven-game round robin tournament, they qualify for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. The qualifying tournament ends Sept. 6, so Wednesday night is the last time you will see Wood in a Travelers uniform. Thanks for all the home runs.

Play Six Degrees of Dwaine Bacon

This game, of course, is modeled after Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon and works the same way. Connect Travs stolen-base maestro Dwaine Bacon with another baseball player in six names or less. For a twist, you can designate that a certain number of former Travelers be included in the list. I'll start with one of the biggest names in baseball, Barry Bonds, and a mandate that half the players named be former Travs. Here we go...

• Dwaine Bacon played with Ronny Cedeno on the '05 Iowa Cubs
• Ronny Cedeno plays with John Mabry on the '06 Chicago Cubs
• John Mabry played with Dmitri Young on the '93 Arkansas Travelers
• Dmitri Young played with Matt Morris on the '97 St. Louis Cardinals
• Matt Morris plays with Barry Bonds on the '06 San Francisco Giants

Now for your challenge: Link Dwaine Bacon with leading AL MVP candidate David Ortiz. Good luck.

What's missing from Angels renewal? The Rally Monkey and Vlad Guerrero

In the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette story chronicling the Arkansas Travelers of North Little Rock's two-year contract extension with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim -- also known as "the best relationship in major-minor league baseball," according to Travs GM Bill Valentine -- it says Travs management jokingly faxed a contract agreement complaining about the bullpen. I think they were actually on to something there. Here are a few more suggestions that should have been thrown in before both parties signed...

• Midget wrestling night to be replaced by Rally Monkey vs. Outfield Possum
• One rehab assignment per year at Dickey-Stephens Park, preferably Vladimir Guerrero
• Both teams agree to drop the ridiculous last part of their official names

But what I really wonder is if any other Major League teams were interested in the Travs, and what teams will be looking for a Double-A affiliate two years from now. Maybe there are better options out there?

In case you missed it, former Trav Alberto Callaspo finally got his call to the Arizona Diamondbacks. What a completely wasted trade the Angels made to get Jason Bulger. We could have taken him back if that's all they were going to get for him.

Late comment on Sunday's "74 Years of Memories" cover story in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette -- What a wonderful tribute to Ray Winder Field. It covered all the overlooked quirks and treasures that people have been enjoying -- and many missing -- for so many years.

Speaking of independent league teams, there's one that wants to come to Springdale and is even offering to build a stadium. Springdale says no, but I wonder how long before one of the independent team owners starts inquiring about Ray Winder Field.

Finally for all you St. Louis Cardinals haters, looks like ownership is taking a renewed interest in building the farm system. It might get tougher in the next few years to say the Angels have so many more top prospects. Even this year, that is debatable.

On deck: Guide to home series with the Frisco RoughRiders on Aug. 7-9 and open thread for game comments

Traditionally the biggest promotion of the year, the final series in this home stand brings in Clunker Car Night on Tuesday. The current Travs.com poll asks if you'd rather win the '88 IROC-Z or the '00 Daewoo Lubia. Maybe there's something I don't know about the Daewoo Lubia, but it's winning the vote by a 71 percent to 29 percent margin. Is there even such a thing as a Daewoo Lubia? The Rangers organization typically has an above-average amount of player movement, and this season is no different with many of Frisco's stars having already moved up to Oklahoma City. But they still have one of the most dominating pitchers in the Texas League in Thomas Diamond as well as Arkansas product Daniel Haigwood. You have 16 chances left in your lifetime to see a game at Ray Winder Field. The days of summer are dwindling.

Here's a quick guide to the top players to watch and the upcoming promotions for this home stand.

Monday, Aug. 7 - 7:10 p.m.
$3 family discount coupon in Arkansas Democrat-Gazette sports section, UAMS employees get in free

Tuesday, Aug. 8 - 7:10 p.m.
Clunker Car Night featuring a used car given away every inning, bingo between innings, $3 discount tickets at Exxon

Wednesday, Aug. 9 - 7:10 p.m.
$3 tickets where Reddy Ice is sold, free tickets at the Department of Health and Human Services and at the Little Rock Air Force Base of Jacksonville

Frisco RoughRiders (Texas Rangers, Oklahoma RedHawks)
11 Travis Metcalf 3B - Rangers #17 prospect and organization's Minor League player of year in '05, leads
21 Kevin Mahar OF - Rangers #22 prospect, leads team with 66 runs, 113 hits, and 11 stolen bases
2 Tim Hulett Jr. 2B - Leads team with .382 batting average and .477 on-base percentage
28 Nate Gold 1B - '06 Texas League All-Star, leads team with 26 home runs and 80 RBIs

31 Thomas Diamond RHP - Rangers #3 prospect and '04 top draft pick, got $2 million signing bonus, projected No. 4 starter in Rangers '09 rotation, '06 Texas League All-Star, leads team with 9 wins and 128 strike outs
20 Daniel Haigwood LHP - Was Chicago White Sox #19 prospect last season, went 43-1 at Batesville high school
41 Michael Bumstead RHP - Leads team with 1.63 ERA
18 Eric Hurley RHP - '06 Futures Game All-Star

Arkansas Travelers of North Little Rock (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Salt Lake Bees)
7 Brandon Wood SS - #3 prospect in Minor League Baseball, Angels #1 prospect and '03 top draft pick, $1.3 million signing bonus, '05 Futures Game All Star, called next Cal Ripken Jr., could be perennial MLB All Star, hit 58 home runs in '05 between Rancho Cucamonga, Arizona Fall League (four home runs in one game), and Team USA Olympic qualifying, projected starting third baseman for '09 Angels, '06 Texas League All-Star, leads team with 69 runs, 23 home runs, 75 RBIs, 138 strike outs, and 25 errors
10 Bobby Wilson C - Angels #22 prospect, played with Casey Kotchman on Seminole (Fla.) High's national championship team, leads team with .304 batting average
3 Eric Rodland 2B - '06 Texas League All-Star, leads team with .393 on-base percentage
11 Matt Brown 3B - Leads team with 129 hits
17 Dwaine Bacon CF - Leads team with 32 stolen bases
24 Terry Evans CF -
8 Greg Porter 1B-DH - Played college at Texas A&M
30 Devin Day 2B-CF-RF - Former Razorback

33 Jose Arredondo RHP - Angels #17 prospect, on Angels 40-man roster, from Dominican Republic
20 Rafael Rodriguez RHP - Angels #21 prospect, from Dominican Republic, leads team with 69 strike outs, has give up 25 home runs
38 Bob Zimmerman RHP - Angels #27 prospect, part of SW Missouri State's '03 College World Series team
35 Nick Green RHP - Angels #29 prospect, team co-leaders among starters with 7 wins, leads team with 4.71 ERA
37 Jesse Smith RHP - '06 Texas League All-Star, team co-leaders among starters with 7 wins
14 Bill Edwards RHP - Leads team in wins among relievers with 7
6 Miguel Gonzalez RHP - '06 Texas League All-Star
16 Rich Thompson RHP - Leads team with 7 saves

At least three Springfield pitchers expected to make it to St. Louis

The Springfield Cardinals pitching roster, now appearing at Ray Winder Field, is being described as "loaded" by a story from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Chris Lambert heads the list of Springfield's "six pack" of pitchers -- which also includes Stuart Pomeranz, Mike Parisi, Jordan Pals, Eric Haberer, and Blake Hawksworth -- and the Major League club expects at least three of the six to make it to Busch Stadium. The Cardinals also have the top closer in the Texas League in Mark Worrell, highly touted reliever Cory Doyne, and Carmen Cali, who made it to St. Louis briefly at the beginning of last season.

For the remainder of the Cardinals visit to Ray Winder Field, Haberer is scheduled to start Friday and Lambert on Saturday. You don't want to miss these guys if you are a Cardinals fan, which the majority of baseball fans in this state are.

Nothing against the Angels or all the great players they've brought us in the last six years, but thinking of all these Cards prospects, I can't help but again wonder what if they'd never left. It would be kind of nice again to see the Double-A prospects for the Major League team you follow -- a luxury we enjoyed for many years.

Exclusive: Paparazzi expose source of Shelly's unpredictable behavior

Next time Shelly misses a race around the bases, he's probably in the maintenance shed enjoying a "Shellyweiser."

Make your own caption about NLR and notes on Arredondo and Springdale

First a possum roams the outfield, now a dog. Somewhere in this photo, there's an easy joke about the move to North Little Rock. But I don't want to make it. I've never totally gotten the Dogtown references and I love dogs, so I'm leaving the caption contest up to you. Post them in the comments below if you've got a good one. By the way, the dog ("Yellow") is a 13-month-old retriever champion who threw out the first pitch. Scouts say he has a plus curve but is suspected of throwing spit balls. The Travelers plan to give him a shot at middle relief. Now that would be a promotion to rival Roscoe Stedmon.

Trade talk: While we kept expecting Travs shortstop Brandon Wood to be trade bait for the Los Angeles Angels, it turns out another current Trav, pitcher Jose Arredondo, was much closer to being traded. Reports say the Angels offered a package of Erick Aybar, Arredondo or Tommy Mendoza, and Reggie Willits or Tommy Murphy to the Washington Nationals for Alfonso Soriano. In another deal, the Angels offered Ervin Santana, Aybar, and Casey Kotchman or Arredondo to the Baltimore Orioles for Miguel Tejada.

Chicken Pluckers update: The terms of Springdale's lease with the Wranglers has been released, and I'm wondering how it compares with North Little Rock's deal with the Travelers. According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette story, team owners would pay Springdale $325,000 annually to rent the city-owned stadium. Revenues from concessions, parking, and stadium naming rights would go to the franchise. The team would pay for daily maintenance, equipment, and the operation of the stadium, and Springdale would be responsible for major repairs and capital improvements. The Wranglers would be responsible for utility costs up to $200,000, after which the franchise and Springdale would split the cost using a formula that hasn’t been determined. The team also would take the lion’s share of ticket revenues. Springdale would split ticket revenues with the team 50-50 only after attendance tops 300,000 fans per season.

Other stuff: Former Trav John Lackey was named the American League pitcher of the month for July... The guy from Baseballparks.com was at Ray Winder Field on Wednesday, so I guess we can expect a feature on the web site soon... Central Arkansas fans will get a rare chance to see the Los Angeles Angels on television this week as they play the Texas Rangers. The Thursday and Friday games are on Fox Sports Southwest (Comcast channel 24), the Saturday game is on Fox (but don't expect to see it), and the Sunday game should be on WB42 or RTN... From MiLB.com's top 10 promotions of the week, here's a new one -- the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays are giving away three-credit college courses from Kellogg Community College to three lucky fans at the ballpark.

Little Rock finally promotes Travs with 'Game Week in the Rock'

With all the complaints about Little Rock city government neglecting the Travelers over the years, at least the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau is finally giving the Travs some publicity. In LRCVB's monthly e-mail newsletter, they are promoting something called "Game Week in the Rock" as well as the Travs final month in Ray Winder Field.

Game Week, to be held Aug. 27 through Sept. 3, is described this way by LRCVB: "Game Week in the Rock is a week-long celebration devoted entirely to Arkansas football and baseball. Several sporting events will be held throughout the week: eight Arkansas Travelers games, including the final regular-season game at Ray Winder Field; the kick-off of the fall season for the Little Rock Touchdown Club, featuring Barry Switzer as the keynote speaker; the opening of high school football season in Little Rock, including the Salt Bowl and the Capital City Classic at War Memorial Stadium; and the first televised Arkansas Razorbacks game of the 2006 season."

It's kind of sad that they have to include as televised Razorback game as part of the week, but that's what the UA has relegated Central Arkansas to -- a spectator. At least the Travs are finally getting some free promotion out of the city and are serving as an anchor of this designated sports week.

On deck: Guide to home series with the Springfield Cardinals on Aug. 2-5

The Springfield Cardinals come into town for a four-game series with two of the best promotional giveaways of the year -- a Ray Winder Field figurine and a Jermain Taylor bobblehead. Cardinals country will want to get a look at some of the Cards top prospects, and for my money there are none bigger than pitcher Chris Lambert, who is third in the Texas League with 104 strike outs, and third baseman Travis Hanson, who played the first two-and-a-half months of the season with the Memphis Redbirds. Also, scoff if you must Angels fans, but some here are actually interested in seeing Larry Bigbie as he works his way back to St. Louis on a rehab assignment. There is a very small chance Mark Mulder might be in town for Saturday's game as he begins a rehab assignment as well. For more info on the Springfield Cards, you might want to check out the Springfield News-Leader, which has some of the best local media coverage (online, at least) of anywhere in the Texas League. Springfield leads the season series 13-6. The celebrity softball game scheduled for Friday has been postponed. Paul Eells was set to be the coach of one of the teams. You have 20 chances left in your lifetime to see a game at Ray Winder Field. Better get out there.

Here's a quick guide to the top players to watch and the upcoming promotions for this home stand.

Wednesday, Aug. 2 - 7:10 p.m.
Visit from the Great American Country bus with giveaways and video requests, $3 discount tickets where Reddy Ice is sold

Thursday, Aug. 3 - 7:10 p.m.
Alltel NASCAR car on display, bingo between innings, free admission to Alltel and Baptist Health employees

Friday, Aug. 4 - 7:10 p.m.
Greatest giveaway of the year -- Ray Winder Field figurines to first 1,000 adults and if you are too late they will be on sale in the souvenir stand while they last, first 1,000 kids receive sports pack from Arby's

Saturday, Aug. 5 - 7:10 p.m.
Jermain Taylor bobblehead dolls to first 1,000 adults, and you know this is the kind of thing that Jermain might show up for

Springfield Cardinals (St. Louis Cardinals, Memphis Redbirds)
16 Travis Hanson 3B - Cardinals #7 prospect, projected starting second baseman for the '09 St. Louis Cardinals
15 Cody Haerther LF - Cardinals #8 prospect, teammate of Brandon Wood in '05 Arizona Fall League, projected starting left fielder for '09 St. Louis Cardinals
26 Brendan Ryan SS - Cardinals #13 prospect and on 40-man roster, currently on rehab assignment at rookie level
33 Nick Stavinoha RF - Cardinals #18 prospect, played at LSU
3 Reid Gorecki CF - On 40-man roster, was Cardinals #11 prospect last season, team co-leader with 14 home runs
8 Shaun Boyd LF - Cardinals '00 top draft pick, $1.75 million signing bonus is Cardinals fourth-highest ever, leads team with .319 batting average
34 Juan Richardson 3B - Leads team with 58 runs, 105 hits, 56 RBIs, and 86 strike outs, team co-leader with 14 home runs
5 Mike McCoy 2B - Leads team with 25 stolen bases and 25 errors
4 Dan Moylan C- Leads team with .406 on-base percentage
22 Larry Bigbie OF - On rehab assignment from St. Louis

32 Chris Lambert RHP - Cardinals #4 prospect and '04 top draft pick, $1.52 million signing bonus, '05 Futures Game All-Star, teammate of Brandon Wood in '05 Arizona Fall League, projected No. 4 starting pitcher for '09 St. Louis Cardinals, third in league with 104 strike outs, leads team with 9 wins
25 Stuart Pomeranz RHP - Cardinals #10 prospect, 6'7", '06 Texas League All-Star, currently on disabled list
27 Mark Worrell RHP - Cardinals #21 prospect, led Minors with 35 saves in '05, has 25 saves so far this season, '06 Texas League All-Star
19 Eric Haberer LHP - Cardinals #22 prospect
44 Blake Hawksworth RHP - Cardinals #25 prospect, $1.4 million signing bonus
18 Mike Parisi RHP - Cardinals #26 prospect
38 Cory Doyne RHP - Cardinals #27 prospect, currently on disabled list, teammate of Brandon Wood in '05 Arizona Fall League, leads team with 2.98 ERA
31 Carmen Cali LHP - Former St. Louis Cardinal
41 Jordan Pals RHP - Has given up 21 home runs, which is second in the league to Rafael Rodriguez

Arkansas Travelers of North Little Rock (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Salt Lake Bees)
7 Brandon Wood SS - #3 prospect in Minor League Baseball, Angels #1 prospect and '03 top draft pick, $1.3 million signing bonus, '05 Futures Game All Star, called next Cal Ripken Jr., could be perennial MLB All Star, hit 58 home runs in '05 between Rancho Cucamonga, Arizona Fall League (four home runs in one game), and Team USA Olympic qualifying, projected starting third baseman for '09 Angels, '06 Texas League All-Star, third in league with 23 home runs, leads team with 67 runs, 72 RBIs, 134 strike outs, and 25 errors
10 Bobby Wilson C - Angels #22 prospect, played with Casey Kotchman on Seminole (Fla.) High's national championship team
3 Eric Rodland 2B - '06 Texas League All-Star, leads team with .396 on-base percentage
11 Matt Brown 3B - Leads team with .306 batting average and 125 hits
17 Dwaine Bacon CF - Second in league with 32 stolen bases
24 Terry Evans CF - Second in Minor Leagues in combined home runs playing for three teams this season
8 Greg Porter 1B-DH - Played college at Texas A&M
30 Devin Day 2B-CF-RF - Former Razorback

33 Jose Arredondo RHP - Angels #17 prospect, on Angels 40-man roster, from Dominican Republic
20 Rafael Rodriguez RHP - Angels #21 prospect, from Dominican Republic, team co-leader with 65 strike outs, has given up league-leading 24 home runs
38 Bob Zimmerman RHP - Angels #27 prospect, part of SW Missouri State's '03 College World Series team
35 Nick Green RHP - Angels #29 prospect
37 Jesse Smith RHP - '06 Texas League All-Star, leads team in wins among starters with 7, leads team with 4.81 ERA, team co-leader with 65 strike outs
14 Bill Edwards RHP - Leads team in wins among relievers with 7, leads team with 4.28 ERA
6 Miguel Gonzalez RHP - '06 Texas League All-Star
Rich Thompson RHP - Leads team with 6 saves

Texas League leaders as of 8/1

Batting average
.327 Jonathan Ash, Corpus Christi
.325 J.R. House, Corpus Christi
.320 Billy Butler, Wichita
.317 Vasili Spanos, Midland
.315 Juan Richardson, Springfield

Home runs
25 Joe Koshansky, Tulsa
24 Hunter Pence, Corpus Christi
23 Brandon Wood, Arkansas
23 Nate Gold, Frisco
19 Alex Gordon, Wichita

Pitching ERA (starters)
3.25 Enmanuel Ulloa, Tulsa
3.30 Yorman Bazardo, San Antonio
3.44 Chance Douglass, Corpus Christi
3.51 Juan Gutierrez, Corpus Christi
3.92 Travis Blackley, San Antonio

Pitching strike outs
120 Thomas Diamond, Frisco
113 Paul Estrada, Corpus Christi
104 Chris Lambert, Springfield
99 Ryan Feierabend, San Antonio
95 Juan Gutierrez, Corpus Christi

Travs GM updates Dickey-Stephens, says scoreboard screen among biggest

Travelers GM Bill Valentine posted this update below in one of the comment sections, and I am re-posting here so that more people will see it. These updates he provides are the best information on the progress of Dickey-Stephens Park that you will find anywhere, and we all thank him for taking the time to fill us in. Great news about the scoreboard. Eat it, Springdale. There are some detailed photos up of the construction at Travs.com. And, yes, I am really looking forward to that Ray Winder Field figurine being given away on Friday night.

The screen on the message board will be 18 feet high one of the tallest in minor league baseball...that is as big as a big double fence sign at Ray Winder Field....

We are going to lose some revenue but there will only be six outfield signs on the fence in right and four on the fence in left...there will be a space as large as a sign between EACH sign....painted green..so you can follow the flite of the ball to the outfield....

Everyone said we were building too many suites when we announced that we were building 24.....well we only have TWO left....and we never put on any push to sell them..just word of mouth and a small printed piece for those who asked for information....

The box seats will only be six rows deep...then a walk way...then a wall...and above the wall there will be three rows of upper box seats.... These seats will between the stairs to the box seats and will have a small wall on each side and in the front of them...will probably be the best seats in the house......

We are giving away a replica of Ray Winder Field on Friday nite to the first 1,000 adults with a 6.00 ticket..it is on a wood base and the details are unbelievable...I think it is the best promotional gift I think we have ever had....I have ordered extra and they will sell in the souvenir stand for $15.00.....If you are a fan of Ray Winder you will want one of these....

On another note: Best wishes to the families of Paul Eells and Billie Jo Burton, the other person who died in the car accident. Losing Paul is a big loss to the state. Also best wishes to Travs manager Ty Boykin as he leaves the team to be with his mother during her illness.