Author Archives: Pete Marshall

5 Years after his California League debut, he could be back in the league

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I’m getting excited about the start of Cal League in less than three weeks.

And for those of you who have a hard time keeping track of rapidly changing lineups from year to year, there  could be a familiar face back in the league yet again, with the Quakes.

Here are some clues:

66ers offering no-cost reading program

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The 66ers announced on Wednesday that they are offering a no-cost reading program to area elementary schools that is also sponsored by Rotolo Chevrolet.

Participating schools will have an assembly that includes Sixers mascot Bernie and the community relations team. Students will receive a baseball-themed bookmark, and will receive 2 tickets to a selected game if the student reaches his or her reading goal.

“We realize the importance of touching these students lives in a positive aspect. It’s a very special treat for Bernie and 66ers staff members to come to their school just for them. Kids hold on to those memories for a long time and we hope that it’ll further their interest in reading beyond finishing the bookmark,” 66ers Community Groups manager Kelsey Beckenbach said in a press release.

Perhaps even bigger in this era of cash-strapped schools is an opportunity for the schools to earn money.

Students will receive tickets to attend one of the first four Sunday home games in 2013: April 7, April 21, May 12 and May 19.

The 3 schools the the most representation throughout the 4 days will receive donations from the 66ers. The school with the most attendees will get $1,500, while second and third place will each receive $1,000.

 

Quakes still lead in wild-card, 66ers still alive

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There are 2 games left in the regular season and three teams still alive for 1 playoff spot in the California League’s South Division.

The Quakes entered Saturday leading Lake Elsinore by 1 game, but lost 10-7 at Bakersfield.
But that loss wasn’t a huge blow as Lake Elsinore lost to the 66ers, 9-1.
Lake Elsinore remains 1 back. And the 66ers are still alive, just 2 games back. If the 66ers win their final 2 and the Quakes lose their final 2, there would be a one-game playoff on Tuesday.
The Quakes and Lake Elsinore could also finish in a tie for a playoff spot. Should that happen, the Quakes would host the game on Tuesday based on the head-to-head regular-season record, won by the Quakes, 17-10.

However, if the Quakes and 66ers finish tied, that game would be in San Bernardino on Tuesday, because the 66ers own an 18-7 head-to-head edge on the Quakes.

2012 Cal League postseason awards

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Here are the 2012 California League postseason awards as released by the league today:

Manager of the Year Pedro Grifol High Desert Mavericks
Coach of the Year Roy Howell High Desert Mavericks
Trainer of the Year Greg Spence Inland Empire 66ers
Turf Manager of the Year Peter Hayes Lake Elsinore Storm
Clubbie of the Year Alex Mookas Lancaster JetHawks
Most Valuable Player Billy Hamilton Bakersfield Blaze
Pitcher of the Year Christian Bergman Modesto Nuts
Rookie of the Year C.J. Cron Inland Empire 66ers
Catcher John Hicks High Desert Mavericks
First Base C.J. Cron Inland Empire 66ers
Second Base Taylor Lindsey Inland Empire 66ers
Third Base Adam Duvall San Jose Giants
Shortstop Billy Hamilton Bakersfield Blaze
Utility Steven Proscia High Desert Mavericks
Designated Hitter Tommy Medica Lake Elsinore Storm
Outfielder Leon Landry High Desert Mavericks
Outfielder George Springer Lancaster JetHawks
Outfielder Kyle Parker Modesto Nuts
Pitcher Kevin Quackenbush Lake Elsinore Storm
Pitcher Christian Bergman Modesto Nuts
Pitcher Roenis Elias High Desert Mavericks
Pitcher Matthew Andriese Lake Elsinore Storm

Quakes move into playoff spot; Sixers on life support

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The Quakes entered play on Tuesday tied with Lake Elsinore with the South Division’s final playoff spot.
By the end of Tuesday night, they had sole possession of the spot.
The Quakes, behind three hits apiece by Austin Gallagher and Pedro Baez, the first pro home run by Yasiel Puig, and solid pitching by Garrett Gould (5-9), downed High Desert 4-2.
Meanwhile, a four-run sixth inning propelled San Jose past Lake Elsinore, 7-4. The Storm’s loss gave the Quakes a one-game lead.
Meanwhile, the 66ers, who entered the game three games back of the Quakes and Lake Elsinore, fell to Lancaster 7-2 as Telvin Nash hit a grand slam. The Sixers are now four games back with six to play.

Quakes, Sixers fall

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Both Quakes and 66ers fell on Wednesday. The Quakes lost 3-2 at Modesto, while the Sixers fell at home to Lake Elsinore 6-3.

The Quakes loss was especially excruciating. Trailing 2-0 entering the ninth, they rallied to tie the score on Austin Gallagher’s two-run single. But in the bottom of the ninth, Joey Wong’s single with two outs scored Juan Crousset from second base to lift the Nuts to victory.