#MiLB Players to Watch

[sportyconnect]

If you're a sports enthusiast, there's nothing quite like the thrill of a live baseball game. The crack of the bat, the cheer of the crowd, the strategic plays - it's a sensory experience that's hard to beat. But did you know that some of the most exciting games aren't happening in the major leagues? They're happening right in your backyard, in the world of minor-league baseball. In this article, we'll explore the world of minor league baseball and why it might just become your new favorite pastime. What is Minor League Baseball? Minor League Baseball, often abbreviated as MiLB, is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball (MLB). These teams are affiliated with MLB teams and serve to develop players and prepare them for the major leagues. Why Watch Minor League Baseball? There are several reasons why minor league baseball games are a must-see. First, they're a great way to see up-and-coming players before they hit the big time. You never know, you might be watching a future Michael Jordan or Kevin Durant in action! Second, minor league games are often more accessible and affordable than their major league counterparts. This makes them a great option for families, as well as die-hard baseball fans who want to watch live games without breaking the bank. Lastly, minor league teams are known for their fun and often quirky promotions. From unique theme nights to outrageous food options, there's always something interesting happening at a minor league game. Finding a Minor League Team Near You So, how do you find a minor league team to support? The first step is to check out the MiLB website, which has a comprehensive list of teams and their affiliations. You can search by location to find a team near you. If you're a fan of a particular MLB team, you might want to support their minor league affiliates. For example, if you're a fan of the Chicago Bears, you might want to check out their minor league affiliates to see the players who might one day make it to the big leagues. The Minor League Experience Attending a minor league game is an experience in and of itself. The stadiums are often smaller and more intimate, allowing you to get closer to the action. Plus, there's often more interaction between the players and fans, making for a more personal experience. In addition, minor league teams often go the extra mile to ensure that fans have a great time. From funny fantasy basketball names to unique promotional nights, there's always something fun happening at a minor league game. So why not take a break from the major leagues and check out the exciting world of minor-league baseball? Whether you're a die-hard baseball fan or just looking for a fun and affordable outing, minor league baseball has something for everyone. So grab your glove, put on your cap, and get ready to discover a whole new side of America's favorite pastime. The Thrill of Minor League Baseball: More Than Just a Game Minor League Baseball is not just about the sport; it's about the experience. It's about the smell of hot dogs and popcorn, the sound of the bat hitting the ball, and the sight of the sun setting over the outfield. It's about the camaraderie among fans, the excitement of a close game, and the joy of watching young players develop their skills. Minor League Baseball is a unique blend of sport and entertainment, offering a fun and affordable outing for families and sports enthusiasts alike. It's a place where you can see future major league stars in action before they hit the big time. The Minor League Experience One of the best things about attending a minor league game is the intimate atmosphere. The stadiums are smaller, which means you're closer to the action. You can hear the crack of the bat, the chatter from the dugout, and the cheers from the crowd. It's a much different experience than attending a major league game, where the players often seem distant and the action can be hard to follow.

In addition to the game itself, minor league baseball games often feature fun promotions and events. From fireworks displays to bobblehead giveaways, there's always something extra going on. Some teams even have theme nights, where fans are encouraged to dress up and participate in various activities. The Players While the entertainment value is high, the real draw of minor league baseball is the players. These are athletes who are working hard to make it to the major leagues. They're honing their skills, improving their game, and striving to catch the eye of the major league scouts. When you attend a minor league game, you're not just watching a baseball game - you're watching dreams in action. You're seeing players like Mikey Williams and Kenneth Lofton Jr. put their heart and soul into every pitch, every swing, and every play. You're seeing the future of baseball. The Community Minor league baseball is also about community. Many teams are located in smaller cities and towns, and they often play a big role in their communities. They offer a place for people to come together, to cheer on a common cause, and to share in the excitement of the game. Teams like the Missouri Tigers and the Denver Pioneers are more than just sports teams - they're a source of pride for their communities. They offer a sense of belonging and a connection to the larger world of sports. The Affordability Finally, minor league baseball is affordable. Tickets are usually much cheaper than major league games, making it a great option for families. Plus, the cost of concessions and parking is typically lower as well. So, if you're looking for a fun, affordable, and unique sports experience, consider checking out a minor-league baseball game. Whether you're a die-hard baseball fan or just looking for a fun outing, you're sure to have a great time. And who knows? You might just see the next Michael Jordan or Kevin Durant in action. Stay tuned for the final part of this article where we'll delve into how you can find minor league baseball games near you and what to expect when you get there. Discovering the Gems of Minor League Baseball Minor League Baseball is a treasure trove of experiences waiting to be discovered. Whether you're a seasoned baseball fan or a newcomer to the sport, there's something for everyone. Here's how you can find minor league games near you and what to expect when you get there. Finding a Game Near You Minor League Baseball is spread across the country, with teams in both large cities and small towns. To find a game near you, check out the Minor League Baseball website. Here, you can search by team, league, or location. You can also find schedules, ticket information, and details about the teams and players. Another great resource is the SportyConnect website, where you can find information about various sports, including Minor League Baseball. You can search for teams like the Missouri Tigers or the Denver Pioneers, and find out when and where they're playing. What to Expect at the Game When you attend a Minor League Baseball game, you can expect a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. The games are usually less crowded than Major League games, which means you can often get great seats for a fraction of the cost. Plus, the smaller crowds make for a more intimate and relaxed experience. In addition to the game itself, there are often a variety of promotions and events to enjoy. From fireworks and giveaways to mascot races and kids' activities, there's always something extra to look forward to. Some teams even host special theme nights, where fans are encouraged to dress up and join in the fun. As for the game itself, you'll get to see some of the most promising young players in baseball. These are athletes who are working hard to make it to the Major Leagues, and their passion and dedication are evident in every play. You might even get to see a future Michael Jordan or Kevin Durant in action!

Join the Community Attending a Minor League Baseball game is also a great way to support your local community. Many teams are deeply involved in their communities, hosting charity events, offering youth programs, and contributing to local causes. By attending a game, you're not only having a great time, but you're also supporting these valuable community initiatives. So why not take a chance on Minor League Baseball? It's more than just a game - it's an experience. Whether you're there for the sport, the entertainment, the community, or just the thrill of seeing a future star in action, you're sure to have a memorable time. And who knows - you might just become a lifelong fan.

[baseball-babe]

Do you watch spring training games??

I got rid of cable last summer so this is my first season not just having the tv on mlb network all the time!!! (I still have tv through Hulu but that’s annoying lol) But I will definitely try to catch some when I can!!

Update: I am watching this game lol

[wild-aloof-rebel]

did you have any visual inspiration for what baseballverse patrick looks like i.e. any specific photos, outfits, etc?

a lot of it is really just patrick as he is on the show, but i can def give you some specifics. i'll put them under a cut just in case anyone still hasn't read it and doesn't want to be spoiled (and because i'm including pics so it's gonna get long lol)...

the shirt he's wearing when they first meet (A man in dress slacks, his suit jacket already discarded somewhere, the sleeves of his light-colored shirt rolled up to his elbows...) is the one from the "oh i'm gonna get the money" scene at the end of the affair.

he's also in button-ups—though i didn't really have specific ones in mind—when he takes david out for both the wine and paint night (that tempting vee of skin peeking out of the unbuttoned collar of his shirt...) and to the italian restaurant, though he also wears a blazer for the latter (he opens the door to find Patrick there in a midnight blue blazer with tiny raindrops scattered across the shoulders like stars / the stretch of the jacket sleeves around his arms, the small vee between the points of his shirt collar...) so think grad night vibes there.

that kind of look is obviously his go-to for when he wants to dress to impress (it's not specified in the fic, but he'd also prob be wearing a button-up for the dinner after the milb all-star game, with johnny and all the team staff and all.) otherwise though, when things are more casual, it's def a lot more t shirts with either jeans or sweats.

when i originally wrote the patrick day scenes (which was before s6 aired), i was thinking his look was the hike, but without the hoodie and with different shoes. and then dan gave us pretty much exactly that in moira rosé and weirdly also referred to it as it being "patrick's day." just an odd coincidence. but anyway, yeah, basically the moira rosé look (sans hat) for both going on the picnic and watching the game at brebner's park that night.

and the m.v.p. is obviously a source of inspo, too, since it gives us what patrick looks like in baseball pants, lol (though as a catcher, patrick is more likely in full-length pants, not knickers, since that gets to be a lot of stuff happening around your knee/upper calf once you’ve got your pads on. it’s not impossible, but it’s def more common for catchers to wear long pants.)

(thanks to @patrickbluer for having all these reference pics readily available)

outside of what's pulled from the show, in the morning-after scene that starts ch 8, he puts on the worn, old University of Louisville tee and the boxer briefs. that would be the style of shirt below. the boxer briefs would just be black, and then of course it's later specified that he's also wearing mismatched socks, one burgundy and one aqua.

for the post game presser (Patrick is there, freshly showered and cozy in his team hoodie), he's in a standard issue blue jays hoodie with a pair of jeans and sneakers.

as for actually on the baseball field, the bears' team colors are basically the san diego padres' colors, so think that sort of look for the uniforms (though not the current pinstripe-y iteration).

and then the blue jays obviously just look like the blue jays.

and last but not least, my main real-life mlb player inspiration for patrick will always be dodgers catcher will smith, who just fully has Big Patrick Energy, plus a similar body type, so he's the model for any and all things on the field. for example, patrick hitting that home run in the alds and getting a gatorade shower after basically looks like this (though sebastien is not a submarine pitcher like rogers is here)...

[iluvnhlrs]

Listen, I’m no Mackenzie fan but I really wouldn’t look into oleksiak not posting her on his socials too much. The man barely posts anything ever (I know because I check a lot😂) and he rarely ever stories. Just once in a blue moon. He’s going to know that she’s posting him and that she’s public on Instagram, so he’s obviously ok with it. I was actually beginning to wonder if her going private was at his request so they could figure things out between them without the whole world watching, and that her going public was the sign that they made it official official

lol okay fair point. ugh social media is the actual WORST, but I just know me and I would be upset if my significant other didn't post me like EVER, granted big rig being a professional athlete adds a different layer to it.

Now, when I dated MiLB players we def kept it quiet and just sent pictures to our families, so I get wanting privacy and wanting to be private about it. HOWEVER EVEN then, he posted about me on SM, so IDK y'all.

[historynerd25]

While watching may favorite Christmas movie, #WhiteChristmas, I Google the cast (yet again) to learn more about them. This time, I found out that Bing Crosby's great-grandson (@augie.sylk) is a baseball player who was signed by the @kcroyals last summer (2019)...as a huge fan of both Bing and basebal, this is super cool!!! Hope to see him in the majors soon!!! ⚾️⚾️⚾️ #ancestry #famousfamily #socool #baseball #milb #mlb #bestmovie #bingcrosby #royals #funfact #ftm https://www.instagram.com/p/CIm3eBRllgU/?igshid=17gv9cctz89gu

[majorleaguefantasysports]

"That's Amore!" Undrafted MiLB Player Watch 2019

“That’s Amore!” Undrafted MiLB Player Watch 2019

We had our first taste of 2019 action when Oakland and Seattle played a two-game set in Japan. There were some great highlights as Domingo Santana opened up the season with a grand slam while closer Hunter Strickland rewarded his fantasy owners with back-to-back saves. On the opposite side of the spectrum, Oakland slugger Matt Olson left the second game with a wrist injury that required the…

[linuxgamenews]

Out of the Park Baseball 23 reveal and game discount

Out of the Park Baseball 23 OOTP 23) game opens up pre-orders for Linux, Mac, and Windows PC. All due to the efforts of developer Com2uS. Getting ready to make its way onto Steam soon. But you can pre-order now with a discount. Com2uS, is a global mobile, and online game development and publishing company. Who just announced Out of the Park Baseball 23 (OOTP 23). Which is the award-winning sports strategy series, launching on April 22, 2022. In addition, Com2uS, Major League Baseball, and MLB Players, Inc. have renewed their licensing agreement. All due to continue to bring the unbeatable level of authenticity of OOTP and other MLB mobile games and experiences. Doing so for the next five years. Out of the Park Baseball 23 is the next evolution of the beloved strategy series. Which also features new 3D visuals and all-new layers of customization options. Along with in-game tutorials that will appeal to rookies and veterans alike. All coming natively to Linux, Mac, and Windows PC. “Each year, it’s our goal to evolve and build on the legacy of OOTP’s unrivaled authentic baseball management experience. With Out of the Park Baseball 23 we’ve pushed these upgrades further than ever before,” said Richard Grisham, Director of Business Development at Com2uS. “Out of the Park Baseball 23 is a love letter to all baseball fans. While including an array of new tutorial features. Also making it the most welcoming entry point into the series yet. Adding all-new layers of customization and depth to the experience that we know our passionate community loves most about the game.”

Out of the Park Baseball 23 - Teaser Trailer (Linux, Mac, Windows PC)

“Out of the Park Baseball provides baseball fans worldwide the unique opportunity to manage their favorite players,” said Evan Kaplan, Managing Director of MLB Players, Inc. “Now Out of the Park Baseball 23 levels up this incredibly authentic gameplay. Doing so by allowing fans to take charge of their own baseball destiny. We’re looking forward to working with Com2uS. All so we can continue to bring fun and unique baseball games and experiences to fans for years to come.” In the coming weeks, baseball fans can tune into Out of the Park Developments’ Twitch channel. So you can get a first look at various aspects of Out of the Park Baseball 23 before launch.

Trailer Reveal - Catch a sneak peek of the exciting new features heading to Out of the Park Baseball 23 with the game’s first trailer reveal on Thursday, April 7 at 9 PM ET.

Gameplay Overview - Tune-in to watch the Out of the Park Developments team chat. With MLB Network’s Scott Braun and Markus Heisohn about the new gameplay features. All due to be apart of Out of the Park Baseball 23 to make it the most authentic, accessible. and entertaining version of the game yet. This is coming on Thursday, April 14 at 9 PM ET.

Perfect Team 23 Deep Dive - Check out the new features and gameplay enhancements heading to OOTP’s beloved “Perfect Team” feature. With an overview and gameplay reveal. Which is coming from Out of the Park Developments on Monday, April 18 at 9 PM ET.

This Week In Perfect Team Season Debut - All the brand new cards, missions, and other content surprises. Due to kick off a brand new season of Perfect Team on Thursday, April 21 at 9 PM ET.

Pre-order now:

Out of the Park Baseball 23 is now available to pre-order directly via the OOTP Developments website. Priced at $39.99 USD / £34.99 / 39,99€. Which will also be able to be Wishlisted soon on Steam for Linux, Mac, and Windows PC. Players who pre-order or wishlist the game will receive a 10% discount. This way you can be among the first to draft a Perfect Team of current and legendary MLB, MiLB, and KBO players. All due to create a memorable stadium experience for fans.

[richardwilk]

It was a pro baseball weekend, including some of the best up and coming MLB players. • Bobby Whitt Jr (Kansas City Royals) and Cody Thomas (Oakland A’s)- watch out, these guys are going to make a big impact very soon! • Zack Neal- previously played for the Oakland A’s & Dodgers, and is now playing in Japan. • James Russell- former pitcher for Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies. Great guys! I was honored to help create some of the fun this past weekend @circalasvegas #baseball #milb #mlb #athletes #sports #baseballlife #richardwilk #lasvegas (at Las Vegas, Nevada) https://www.instagram.com/p/CWZbL8kPZEn/?utm_medium=tumblr

[milujeme-baseball]

Martin Červenka signed with Toros del Este

Martin Červenka signed with Toros del Este #baseballCzech

Dominican LIDOM league starts on Wednesday. The league is known for players who play in MLB or MiLB. This year, Czech fans will have one more reason to watch the games however, as Czech national catcher Martin Červenka, will play there once again. LIDOM is not an unknown for Červenka. Two years ago, he played two games there, when he wore Gigantes del Cibao jersey. Toros will hope to play him…

[bookdancerfics]

Baseball Jargon Glossary

This is specifically for my WinterHawk Big Bang fic, Love Pitch, but if anyone else wants to reblog this or needs to look something up then go for it. More complicated stuff (like OPS, WAR, or BABIP) won’t be listed because it either didn’t have relevance in the fic or I purposefully steered away from it in-fic because it’s complicated.

Everything’s listed alphabetically.

American League (AL) - the worst league (jk i’m kidding). unlike the National League, the AL has designated hitters. teams in the AL can face teams in the NL, but they’re more likely to have games with other AL teams

batting average - the number of hits a player gets divided by their number of at-bats. so a player who gets 2 hits in 5 at-bats would have a .400 average. if a player has the same number of hits as they do at-bats (this can happen in the beginning of the season) then their average is 1.000. the higher the average the better. an average batting average is .240-.270. a player is doing well if they’re batting .270-.299. anything over .300 is really good

side note: most pitchers don’t have high batting averages, but some do (see: Shohei Ohtani (Angels), who’s actually the designated hitter even when he’s not pitching). and surprise, Babe Ruth, the home run king, was both an outfielder and a pitcher. most pitchers have batting averages between .000 and .200

bench players (the bench) - players who don’t start the game, they’re literally on the bench until they get called in

bunt - a batter bunts by squatting into a pitch and holding their bat out horizontally. one hand grips the barrel of the bat while the other holds the regular handle. hitting the ball like this helps to control the pitch. done correctly, the ball will drop to the grass and roll towards third base

usually done to advance a runner already on base. even if it’s done correctly, the batter is typically out, so it’s used strategically

bunting a ball foul on 2 strikes means that the batter is automatically out, so you have to be really confident in your bunting skills to bunt on 2 strikes

some batters (fast ones) will occasionally try to bunt for a hit, as in they bunt with no one on base and attempt to outrun the throw. it can be a successful move, but is typically only done when the batter isn’t batting particularly well, and is also generally looked down on because it’s such a risky move

championship series - there’s one championship series per league, and they’re the third part of the postseason (post-division series, pre-world series). each series lasts seven games, or until one team has won 4 games (so a team could win the series in 4, 5, 6, or 7 games). the winners of each division series play each other based on league (so AL v AL, NL v NL). the winners of the championship series go on to the world series

clean-up - the fourth batter in a lineup. aka the four-hole. aka one of the best batters in the lineup. when the clean-up comes up to bat, something’s expected to happen

designated hitter (DH) - only in the AL. a hitter that takes the pitcher’s spot on the hitting rotation. supposed to make the game more interesting (imo they don’t, but opinions are opinions). when an AL team plays an away game with an NL team, they aren’t allowed to use designated hitters. when an NL team plays an away game with an AL team, they’re allowed to use the DH but not required. frequently used to prolong a player’s career because they don’t actually need to field, just bat

disabled list (DL) - an injured player can be put on the DL to make room for a healthy player on the 25 man roster. once the player returns to the roster, though, someone always has to go back down to the minors

divisions - every league has three divisions. every division has five teams (six in my fic to allow for the extra, fictional teams). the team with the most wins in each division wins the division title each season

division series - there’s two division series per league, and they’re the second part of the postseason (post-wildcard games, pre-championship series). each series lasts five games, or until one team has won 3 games (so a team could win the series in 3, 4, or 5 games). the team with the best league record plays the wildcard winner, while the other two division winners play each other

free agent - players not affiliated with any team. their contract ran out without them being re-signed

hit by pitch (hbp) - when the batter gets beaned by a baseball thrown by the pitcher. sometimes intentional (see ‘intentional hbp’) and sometimes not

intentional hit by pitch (intentional hbp) - they pop up every now and then, although a lot of the time no team or pitcher actually admits that they did it on purpose. other times they don’t even try to hide it (see: cole hamels (phillies) intentionally hitting bryce harper (nationals) to “welcome him to the big leagues” (side note: bryce paid him back by stealing home, which is pretty much the most epic thing he could have done in this situation))

honestly it’s been a part of baseball for so long that you really could argue about it all day, and it’s mostly seen as a way to pay players back (usually for watching a homer too long). but hitting someone is never meant to injure them. any intentional hbp’s should always be aimed at the thigh because it may bruise, but it won’t actually put them on the DL

in the hole - where the batter is before they go into the on-deck circle. aka there’s the batter at bat, the batter in the on-deck circle, and then the batter in the hole

Major League Baseball (MLB) - as high as a player can get in American baseball

Minor League Baseball (MiLB) - different affiliates of the major league teams. also known to house the “farm system”, aka up-and-coming players

Single A (A), Double A (AA), Triple A (AAA) - different divisions of the minors, the more A’s there are, the higher up players are and the better chance they have of making the majors. previously injured players (just off the DL) will typically play a few games here to readjust before heading back to the majors

National League (NL) - the best league (i’m not joking this time). unlike the AL, they don’t use designated hitters. teams in the NL can face teams in the AL, but they’re more likely to have games with other NL teams

no-decision - because pitchers’ wins and losses are recorded, no-decisions come into play in certain instances. they’re only used for starting pitchers

so: if a pitcher starts the game, but exits when the game is tied, they automatically get a no-decision because they didn’t give up more runs than the opposing pitcher

or: if a pitcher starts the game, exits while their team is in the lead, and the team then loses the lead, they get a no-decision because they weren’t responsible for the lost lead

or: if a pitcher starts the game, exits while their team is behind, and the team then gains the lead, they get a no-decision because they weren’t pitching during the comeback

even if a reliever is pitching when these instances occur, the reliever will be assigned the win or loss instead of the starter

on-deck circle - where the next batter stands and practices their swing

pinch hitter - a hitter who replaces someone else in the lineup

usually used to switch out pitchers

pinch runner - someone who replaces a runner on base. rarely used, especially since the person who gets replaced can’t return to the game

relief pitcher (reliever) - pitchers who usually only pitch one or two innings a game. they come in to close the game out and hopefully get the starter the win. long relievers can go for three to five innings

rosin bag - small white bags filled with rosin powder. they’re kept on the mound throughout the whole game, usually behind the pitcher, and pitchers use them to keep their grips on the baseballs

rotation - every team has a pitching rotation. if you’re lucky, this rotation has five strong starters. if you’re not lucky… well. things can get interesting. (apparently there was a 4 man rotation on a team this season? and they used the bullpen for the 5th “starter”? i can’t remember who it is but like… ouch). it’s called a rotation because the pitchers rotate on a schedule, so every pitcher pitches every fifth game

or they should. off days can cause trouble, because you want to keep the rotation but you also don’t want every starter getting an extra day off (this sounds good in theory but it actually disrupts their training: not good!), so sometimes what teams will do is skip whoever would have pitched on the off day and just keep going. this means that every pitcher (with the one exception) keeps their training schedule, and only one of them is disrupted instead of all five

save - a reliever gets the save if they pitch the final half-inning without giving up the losing runs. a save situation only occurs if the run difference is between 0-3 runs and the pitcher’s team is in the lead

Spring Training - starts in February and goes through March. players get invitations to come to Spring Training and try to make the major league team. they play games with other teams and train in preparation for the season (which starts in late March/early April), but there’s always those minor league players who get invited. this is their chance to show the team that they can make it in the majors

starting pitcher - one of five pitchers who start games on a rotation. top three starters are usually the best of the five, but the goal is to have a solid five starters

starters - not to be confused with starting pitchers, starters are the players who literally start the game. they’re not on the bench

walk - a pitcher walks a batter when they throw 4 balls in the same at-bat. the batter immediately takes first base

wildcard - if a team doesn’t win their division, they still have a chance to make the postseason: by being one of the two teams with the best records behind the division winners (this means that, technically, both wildcard teams could have better records than one or two of the division winners, because the division takes precedence over the record. it all depends on the division). if a team gets a wildcard spot, they then play a one game series against the other wildcard team before the division series begin. the winner of the wildcard game continues on to the division series, the loser is immediately eliminated from the post season

world series - there’s only one world series, and it’s the fourth and final part of the postseason (post-championship series). each series lasts seven games, or until one team has won 4 games (so a team could win the series in 4, 5, 6, or 7 games). the championship series winners play each other, and the winner of the world series is the final, ultimate winner. there’s nothing better than winning the world series

[rickhorrow]

10 To Watch : Mayor’s Edition 2320

RICK HORROW’S TOP SPORTS/BIZ/TECH/PHILANTHROPY ISSUES FOR THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 3 : MAYOR’S EDITION

with Jacob Aere

Super Bowl LIV is in the record books, but celebrations in Miami continue. On Monday night, HSBC and Rick Horrow present SportBusiness 50: Lessons And Leadership From Legends Of The Game. The event, held at the University of Miami, features panelists including Dolphins Vice Chairman Tom Garfinkel, NFL Hall of Fame President and CEO David Baker, and RISE CEO Diahann Billings-Burford. The “Lessons And Leadership” Series will draw on contributors to Horrow’s latest book, The Sport Business Handbook: Insights from 100+ Leaders Who Shaped 50 Years of the Industry. The collaboration between HSBC and Horrow kicks off in Miami, focusing on the greatest moments in South Florida sports history and how technology has disrupted the industry. “We are always looking for new and interesting ways to connect with our clients and support their personal and professional growth,” said Michael Rogan, Head of Corporate & Strategic Partners, Retail Banking and Wealth Management, HSBC USA. “Collaborating with Rick on the launch of his new book provides us with an exclusive platform to share insights, perspectives and solutions from luminaries in the sports industry that will help support the long-term business success of our clients and prospects.” We will share the top “greatest moments” next week.

A new report predicts that sports sponsorship spending will increase the most it has in a decade. Global spending on sports sponsorships by advertisers is predicted to total $48.4 billion this year, up 5%, according to a new report from marketing intelligence firm WARC. The 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo is expected to garner $5.94 billion in sponsorship dollars, with $1.95 billion coming from Olympic partners including Coca-Cola and P&G, double the amount sponsors spent at the previous games. The report also predicts that local sponsors in Japan including Canon, Asahi, and Fujitsu will spend $3.33 billion, four times the amount spent during Rio's 2016 games. The report also forecasts that brand investment in esports will total $795 million this year, up 23.1%, with $584 million going to sponsorships and $211 million to ad breaks. Further, NBC projects that the Summer Olympics in Tokyo will set a record by surpassing the $1.2 billion in TV commercials it sold during 2016 games in Rio de Janeiro, per Front Office Sports. The network has already booked $1 billion in ad revenue commitments, and the Games are still five months away.

Tokyo 2020 organizers enter the final stretch of a decade of Olympics planning. According to Japan Today, the organizers are dealing with fewer issues than their counterparts did in the build-up to Rio four years ago. But a few challenges still remain before the opening ceremony on July 24, including the city's notoriously hot summer weather. "Everything is coming together now, and we are extremely excited," Tokyo 2020 spokesman Masa Takaya told Reuters. "It has been a long journey, with some bumps here and there, but for the most part everything has gone well. Everything is where we wanted it to be with six months to go – sometimes in an even better place." Noticeably different from Brazil is the weight of public support behind the Tokyo Games, with almost 4.5 million Olympics tickets having already been sold on the domestic market. By contrast, the Rio Olympics were met with widespread criticism over the use of public funds, as money was poured into venues that have since largely become white elephants. The centerpiece of Tokyo's Olympics is the 68,000-capacity National Stadium, opened by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in December.

A U.S. House of Representatives resolution targets minor league contractions in baseball. Less than two weeks before major league pitchers and catchers are due to report to spring training on February 12, a group of U.S. representatives led by Lori Trahan (D-Mass.) have introduced a resolution imploring MLB to "abandon its proposal to strip major-league affiliation from 42 minor-league teams across the country." The bipartisan legislation, according to the Boston Globe, is an "outgrowth of the 'Save Minor League Baseball' Task Force formed late last year." The measure is "non-binding, but after being assigned to a committee, the sponsors' goal will be to bring the measure to the floor of the chamber for a full House vote." Approval is "not guaranteed but the bipartisan support suggests passage would be more likely than not, an outcome that could stiffen headwinds MLB is already facing” in its talks with MiLB over a new working agreement. As baseball season inches closer and the 2020 elections heat up, look for more candidates nationwide to come out in support of MiLB and what it means to our communities.

The PGA Tour announced that the Tour and its tournaments have surpassed $3 billion in all-time charitable giving. The charitable total, which includes a record $204.3 million in 2019 to bring the all-time total to $3.05 billion, includes donations made by tournaments on the PGA Tour, PGA Tour Champions, Korn Ferry Tour, Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada, PGA Tour Latinoamérica and PGA Tour Series-China. “It’s truly a pleasure to thank our fans, sponsors, tournaments, players and volunteers for helping us generate over $3 billion for charity and positively impact millions of lives,” said PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan. “Together, we look forward to continuing to reach – and celebrate – millions more.” That’s an impressive number – as is the winner’s take just announced for the 2020 Players Championship. The PGA Tour, according to the Florida Times-Union, has “boosted the purse" for the event to $15 million in total and restored it to its "position as the tournament with the richest purse in golf.” The 2020 winner will take home $2.7 million, up from $2.25 million for the 2019 event won by Rory McIlroy.

Snapchat promotes its ability to reach millennials and Gen Z during March Madness. While everyone else’s mind is on Super Bowl LIV, Snapchat is focused on March Madness. According to Snap Inc. internal surveys, as reported by Hashtag Sports, nearly 75% of Snapchatters who intend to watch the 2019-2020 NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championship use the messaging application while watching live sports. Additionally, over 65% of that group will use Snapchat to chat with their friends about the games. Snapchat saw incremental reach up 23% on average among its advertisers’ target audiences, according to Nielsen, and 72% of the app’s Gen Z reach was not reached by TV. Snapchat concluded, “Marketers can look forward to March Madness on Snapchat in 2020 because of the hyper-relevant content on our platform, Snapchatters’ engagement during live sports events, our proven ability to add incremental reach to TV advertising and the strong performance advertisers saw during March Madness in 2019.” Reaching a desirable young demographic, clearly, is a snap.

SoFi Stadium builders said that the venue is 85% complete, but "finishing touches will take up much of the construction horde's remaining time" before the Inglewood venue opens in late July. Rams Executive VP and COO Kevin Demoff told the Associated Press, "Everybody here feels confident about the timeline and how it will come together. There's been no indication to us that there's been any slippage." The Rams and Chargers will take advantage of the stadium's "late-summer concerts and their own preseason games to work out any quirks or adjustments before the regular season begins." The 298-acre Hollywood Park development surrounding the stadium will "take longer to complete, although construction is already underway on the 450,000-square-foot building that will house NFL Media" beginning in 2021. Crews also are "currently building the stadium's translucent roof, with roughly 40% of the panels already in place." USC School of Architecture Associate Professor Alvin Huang said, "They're going against the historic convention of stadium design where it is a closed roof or a retractable roof." He added, "You will literally have millions of people looking at it from above. The roof not only becomes an architectural signature, it also becomes a branding signature."

YouTube and Google sign an exclusive streaming deal with esports Activision Blizzard. According to The Verge, video game publisher Activision Blizzard will see the Google cloud platform power all of its game hosting and technical needs. As part of the deal, YouTube will become the exclusive streaming partner for all of the game publisher’s big e-sports titles, including the upcoming season of the Overwatch League and the Call of Duty League. The deal is a huge win for YouTube, which has struggled to compete with game streaming leader Twitch, despite YouTube being the largest video site in the world and the second most-visited website on the planet behind only its parent company’s search engine. Twitch has long been the go-to destination for live gaming entertainment. In the larger esports streaming context, it’s Amazon-owned Twitch competing against Google-owned YouTube, while Facebook is also trying to build out its own live-streaming platform to capitalize on the popularity of gaming content. It is only a matter of time before other big streaming players, such as Disney, HBO, and Netflix try to get more involved in the live-streaming and gaming spaces, so Twitch and YouTube need to solidify their foothold on the new industry quickly

The NBA makes major All-Star Game format changes that include a tribute to Kobe Bryant. According to Larry Brown Sports, the 2020 NBA All-Star Game will be broken into a series of mini-games in which teams can raise money for Chicago-area charities. Scores will be reset to 0-0 at the end of the first three quarters, with the winners of each of the first three quarters receiving $100,000 to donate to their charity. When the fourth quarter begins, the scores for each team from the first three quarters combined will be redisplayed, and the team that wins the All-Star Game will be the first to reach a target score in the untimed fourth quarter. That target score will be determined by the total score the leading team through three quarters, plus 24. The 24 is a nod to Bryant’s jersey number. The final score is worth $200,000, making the total game worth $500,000 for local charities. If one team leads the entire way through, the losing team will still get $100,000 to donate to its charity. In an effort to honor Kobe Bryant and contribute to local charities, the NBA will make sure to place the Lakers star center stage during this year’s All-Star game.

Adidas will launch new fabrics from recycled polyester and ocean plastic. According to Reuters, the new fabrics will be expanded into Adidas product lines after the success of shoes made with the eco-friendly Parley for the Oceans initiative. Adidas first teamed up with Parley in 2015 and gradually ramped up production of shoes using plastic collected on beaches and coastal regions to make more than 11 million pairs in 2019, still just a fraction of a total of more than 400 million shoes. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation says less than 1% of material used for new clothing is recycled, a loss of more than $100 billion worth of materials each year. Adidas will continue to make Parley-branded shoes and clothes out of ocean plastic in 2020 and will also launch “Primeblue” fabric containing Parley marine waste that it will use in existing lines like its popular Ultraboost shoes, with the aim of having 100% of its polyester recycled by 2024. In total, the German sports giant will produce 15-20 million pairs of shoes using ocean plastic in 2020. While recycled polyester costs about 10% more than the other material, Adidas ultimately wants to get the price down so more consumers can afford to choose sustainable products and help save the planet.

[junker-town]

Reminder: extra innings are great, and anyone who wants to take them away from you is a traitor to God and country

The Dodgers and Diamondbacks played a whopper of a doozy on Monday night, and we need to be thankful for it.

After waking up this morning, I spent the first two hours of my day recreating an extra-innings game. Going over the game logs. Kicking myself for checking my phone last night, seeing a 6-3 game in the ninth, and going to bed. Replaying the videos on MLB.com. Replaying them again.

And even though I’m a tourist who didn’t watch the game for five hours and 46 minutes, I can certainly appreciate them, and I’m jealous of the people who got to watch it live. So it seems like a perfect time to remind everyone that extra innings are great, and anyone who wants to take them away from you is a traitor to God and country.

The game in question was a 15-inning affair between the Dodgers and Diamondbacks at Chase Field, and it featured blown saves, dramatic comebacks, and Yasiel Puig throwing a runner out at second base. In the bottom of the 15th, the Diamondbacks didn’t have anyone warming up, and they pinch-hit for their last pitcher, which means there was either going to be a starting pitcher getting ready quickly, even though he wasn’t fully rested, or a position player pitching.

The Dodgers were also out of relievers, and Wilmer Font had already thrown 74 pitches in four-plus innings by the time the Diamondbacks, so it’s possible that we might have seen a position player pitching there, too.

In other words, it was beautiful, sloppy baseball. It’s the kind of chaos that defines the sport and separates it from the rest. Games that travel deep into extra innings allow you to watch the frayed edges of the sport peel apart in real time, and they bend and stretch and weave themselves into something completely different. Pitchers are pinch-hitters. Pinch-hitters are pitchers. Outfielders become infielders. There are no wasted pitches, and it’s almost impossible to overreact.

Baseball is slowly laying down the groundwork to take this away.

At all levels of Minor League Baseball, extra innings will begin with a runner on second base. The runner at second base will be the player in the batting order position previous to the leadoff batter of the inning (or a substitute for that player). By way of example, if the number five hitter in the batting order is due to lead off the 10th inning, the number four player in the batting order (or a pinch-runner for such player) shall begin the inning on second base. Any runner or batter removed from the game for a substitute shall be ineligible to return to the game, as is the case in all circumstances under the Official Baseball Rules.

This dumb rule doesn’t have to spread to the major leagues. There’s a logistical reason for having it in the minors, where the teams have a dual responsibility of taking care of the parent club’s future players and winning, with the former taking precedence. No one benefits from a 22-year-old throwing three more innings than his manager feels comfortable with, just so that the Denton Tinder Squids can win a game in front of 174 half-interested fans. This new MiLB rule doesn’t have to infect the majors.

But I’m scared. The pace-of-play mania isn’t going away in the MLB offices, and this certainly would be a way to shorten the average game. It would be a bazooka for a termite problem, but the average time of game would drop. All it would take is one tiny rule change.

Except that change is the baseball equivalent of a shootout, except it would involve bunting and fly balls. The first team would bunt the runner over to third and try to get him in. Then it would be the next team’s turn. We’ll see this all summer in minor league games. It’s a shootout, but for people who hate baseball.

Instead, check out this Dodgers-Diamondbacks game. There were 12 half-innings of free baseball, and only two of them didn’t feature a baserunner. That meant there were 10 half-innings where the opposing fans started panicking and the other side was settling into an optimistic, “This time it’s gotta work” mindset. This happened organically, without the dumb rule that practically forces managers to bunt.

At the risk of psychoanalyzing an entire crowd, I’m going to guess that there weren’t a lot of people concerned about the time of the game or the pace of play. The people who were concerned had already left. They had spent their money, eaten their hot dogs, and generally left satisfied. They had seen a close game. There are no penalties for leaving an extra-innings game early, either, with “Sorry, gotta be up early tomorrow” being an entirely acceptable excuse. And the early departures leave behind people who knew they were seeing something weird and special. The people left are the ones who know they’ve won some sort of strange, anxious lottery that they might not ever win again.

These aren’t the games that keep people away; these are the games that stick in your head years later. I don’t remember a lot of concerts from my youth, but I do remember Mike Patton picking up a shoe, peeing in it, and tossing it back into the crowd during a Mr. Bungle concert. Monday night’s game was that, but with more Jeff Mathis, and both Diamondbacks and Dodgers fans will remember it all season. When a game goes into extras next year, they’ll remember it.

I remember the extended extra-innings games that I’ve attended and covered, the groans when the home team doesn’t cash in on a runner at third with one out, the pregnant tension of every pitch, swing, and play in the field. These aren’t the games that make me think baseball is boring.

Hrm, that has a ring to it. These aren’t the games that make me think baseball is boring.

These aren’t the games that make me think baseball is boring.

These are the gifts. Extra-inning marathons might not sell a neophyte on the sport, but they’ll definitely strengthen the bonds between the game and the established fan. I don’t want one of these games every night, but give me one of them every year, where I get to join in a Twitter peanut gallery that gets rowdier, more impatient, and more populated with each passing inning. Where I get to wear popcorn boxes on my head and scream at the players on the field and definitely have them hear me.

Where I get to be this guy:

Baseball can be slow, and baseball can be boring. These are not problems with baseball games thare are deep into extra innings, though. Extra innings are for Rick Camp hitting home runs and Brent Mayne shutting down a Hall of Famer at Coors Field. Extra innings are for long relievers turning into de facto starters who need to throw five or six strong innings. Extra innings are for Jeff Mathis becoming an offensive hero.

Extra innings are great, and I need you to be suspicious of anyone who tells you differently. Look at this danged April baseball game if you need proof.

[johncerilli]

Having a blast watching the #LehighValleyIronPigs (#AAA affiliate of the @Phillies) take on the #RochesterRedWings (AAA affiliate of the @Nationals) at #CocaColaPark in #Allentown #PA! First off, I’m a big fan of @dietcoke so it’s nice to be in a place where I don’t have to ask if they use @cocacola products. 🙂 Secondly, it’s #PrideNight so everyone got a free hat and the players are wearing caps with a rainbow bacon strip on them (pictured)! My only complaint? No funnel cakes! Their batter wasn’t up to snuff so they cut off sales — I was hankering a #funnelcake! @MiLB @lhvironpigs @rocredwings #baseball ⚾️ #pride 🌈 (at Coca-Cola Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CP9jjPfBsYz/?utm_medium=tumblr

[sportzwireradio]

THE HARD WORK PAYS OFF FOR TOMAS NIDO!

Ernest Dove contributing analyst and writer on the Sports Report writes about the journey for New York Mets catcher Tomas Nido. 

It has been a long road for Tomas Nido. He was drafted in the 8th round back in the 2012 MLB June Amateur Draft from Orangewood HS in Maitland, Florida. Mets decided to send him to Kingsport where he played in 38 games that year. 

He hit a very respectable .242 with 12 walks and 23 strikeouts. For me it was the walks that were telling me something. Throughout his entire 8 season milb career it has appeared to show his first season being his best as far as his walk rate. After struggling offensively in 2013 with the Brooklyn Cyclones, the organization decided to have Tomas repeat the level in 2014, with much better results. In 58 games he hit .277 with 14 walks. 

In 2015 Nido was sent to full season league for the first time with the Low A Savannah Sand Gnats, where he was beginning to show a little more power, setting career highs in doubles, triples and home runs during his 86 games played that season with only 12 walks. 

Then out of nowhere in 2016 Tomas Nido arrived in Port St. Lucie with the Class High A St. Lucie Mets. I was at the park that season watching Nido have his best season as a pro baseball player by far. Nido went on to win the Florida State League batting title that year hitting .320 for the affiliate. Nido cut his strikeouts in half that season from the year prior in Low A as well, while recording 19 walks in 90 games played.

My impression of Tomas Nido during this season has aligned with what many have seen and he has been showing since entering into the league and up the levels in minors. I saw Tomas to be more a free swinger, appearing to not see a pitch he didn’t like often. A very aggressive hitter who swings at any point in the at bat, pitches low and high in the zone, showing more line drive power than lift as he set a new career high in doubles and home runs during this season. The defense was as advertised, good behind the plate and a strong arm. 

Throwing out 50 out of 119 base stealers. From 2017 to 2018 Tomas found himself bouncing around from AA to AAA to fill holes, while also often sharing time with other catchers in the organization including power threat catch Patrick Mazeika while in Binghamton. Before joining the Mets essentially for good in 2019 Tomas played in 12 games with Syracuse Mets totalling one walk. 

Alot was said about Tomas Nido during this 50 games with the New York Mets, finishing with a batting average under .200 and now being labeled a defensive catcher. A long cry from days winning a batting title in A ball. Tomas sought to change that during this recent offseason. He wanted to improve his approach at the plate and his overall swing, cleaning up those swing mechanics. 

He hired the hitting coach that major league catchers Christian Vasquez (Redsox) and Omar Narvaez (Now with Brewers, previously with Mariners) had used prior, with powerful results that showed in their respective 2019 seasons offensively, each showing more power than had in their entire careers to that point.. Tomas also participated in winder ball, playing briefly in 9 games for Criollos de Caguas in the Puerto Rican Winter League. 

I spoke with Tomas briefly afterwards about his thoughts on the new swing and work he had put in with the hitting coach and how it was on the field during the games. “Small sample but felt good for what I wanted to feel. Going to be a fun year ahead”. I spoke with Tomas briefly again during this spring camp, with Nido continuing to talk about his progress from his work, seeing results, and feeling confident about the upcoming season. He is also aware of all the doubters out there, but continued to stay focused on his goals. 

He knows about all the concerns and labeling of him as defensive catcher with no bat. “I guarantee at the end of this year the people who are talking like that they know who I am are going to take it back. That’s my goal”. The future remains bright for now 26 year old Tomas Nido. He doesn’t become a free agent until 2025. It would be a smart move for the Mets to believe in their young catcher going forward, believing in the effort, hard work, confidence and self belief.

Ernest Dove is a contributing analyst and writer on the Sports Report you can follow him on twitter @ernestdove and on instagram at @ernest.dove

[ktuluzgaming]

WATCH: Former MiLB pitcher Loek van Mil died following injuries from a 'fatal accident'

WATCH: Former MiLB pitcher Loek van Mil died following injuries from a 'fatal accident'

[ad_1]

Former MiLB pitcher Loek van Mil died Sunday following injuries from a “fatal accident,” according to the Royal Dutch Baseball and Softball Association KNBSB.

Van Mil was tied for the tallest baseball player ever at 7-foot-1, matching the height of former Arizona Diamondbacks prospect Ryan Doherty. But van Mil was the more successful of the two towering record holders.

The Dutch righty…