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Must Read: Due to a conflict with a Gamecock Softball camp that Diamond Prospects has been informed of this week, our showcase at USC must be backed up one day to Thursday, July 20. The schedule for the day will remain the same, we apologize for any trouble this adjustment may cause you. We look forward to seeing you at Sarge Frye Field on the 20th! For more info on Diamond Showcases, click here. .

The Spring Training You Don’t See By: Austin Alexander April 2, 2006 After watching spring training games on television recently, it prompted me to dig a little deeper as to what actually happens every March in Florida and in Arizona. We know that Spring Training is a 6-week period of time for players get back in baseball shape being shipped off to their various cities. We know that Spring Training is an opportunity for minor leaguers to work with roving instructors and try to impress the front office brass. We know that Spring Training is a trial and error period for managers to tinker with line-ups, double-play combinations and bullpen match-ups. We know that Spring Training is a time for fans to get close to the superstars. We know that Spring Training is the only time of the year that professional players work on bunt coverages, cut-offs and relays, pick-off plays and covering bases. We also know that Spring Training is a chance for some guys to get comfortable with a new position or role. But what about that cagey veteran who has made the team? How about the million-dollar man in the middle of a long-term contract whose roster spot is a lock and knows he’ll be a fixture in the rotation or everyday line-up? As Spring Training wraps up and Opening Day is peaking around the corner, what did some of the older-heads of Major League Baseball accomplish in the Cactus and Grapefruit Leagues? The more I talk with players, hear interviews on television and read accounts from the pre-season, I continue to find it very interesting what the established players use March for. I was speaking recently with a former teammate of mine who spent several Spring Training’s around Greg Maddux. He told me a story I found surprising but adds to the genius of “The Professor.” The day before a start Maddux was scheduled to make, the future Hall of Famer sat in the bullpen and told the relief pitchers how he was planning to pitch Met catcher Mike Piazza. He intended to feed the future Hall of Famer a steady diet of hanging curveballs, he said, “I want him to hit three homeruns off of me!” Sure enough, the next day Maddux followed suit and stuck to his game plan. Piazza doubled and homered twice. Following the game, Maddux was asked by a few teammates why he allowed Piazza to embarrass him out there. Maddux said, “Now I’ve got him right where I want him. I’ve already made this team. Spring Training is a time for me to work on things and set-up hitters I know I’ll face throughout the year and in the post-season.” He continued, “Piazza thinks that is what my curveball looks like and he probably believes I’ll be afraid to throw him a breaking ball. When I need a big out with him at the plate, I’m not going to hang a breaking ball, he’ll get my good curveball…and I’ll win. He beat me today in a Spring Training game. I’ll beat in a situation that could send us to the World Series.” Word is, later that season in a pennant race, Maddux struck Piazza out to get out of a jam in a game that propelled the Braves to another division championship. Very profound, huh? Watching John Smoltz pitch a weekend ago, I noticed he was throwing a heavy dose of curveballs and change-ups. Normally he mixes a dirty slider with a filthy split-finger and his pitch selection that day struck me as odd. A post-game interview cleared everything up. Smoltz eluded to the fact he was using a different repertoire. The veteran right-hander was toying with whether he wanted to deepen his arsenal and with one pre-season start left, he had to determine if he was going to use those two pitches or junk them. Clearly, results were a non-issue for the established anchor of the Braves rotation; in case you were wondering, he was still dominant for six innings allowing only a lone run.   This approach is not exclusive to pitchers. Hitters create their own game plan as well. Hitters will tell you that certain game’s or certain week’s, they will only swing at pitches they can drive to the opposite field. This approach may be an effort on their part to improve plate coverage, work on two-strike hitting or maybe their objective is to better use the back-side. Some hitters will pre-determine that they will only swing at breaking pitches or inside fastballs, pitches up, pitches down, etc. I remember an old interview with Pedro Guerrero that adds a flip-side to the earlier referenced Maddux example. Guerrero said when facing a pitcher in Spring Training that he was certain he’d see later in the year, that he had no qualms at purposely chasing breaking balls in the dirt, face-high fastballs, etc. He said, “I didn’t mind letting the pitcher leave Florida thinking he can get me with his best pitch.” Base-runners will often get picked off more in aiming to have good secondary leads, better jumps on steal attempts or improving their read on pitches in the dirt. As you can see, Spring Training can be many things for its invitees, what the players plan is in March is often determined by his status within the game or the organization writing his checks. A year from now, look through a different set of eyes to see if you can figure out what the All-Stars may be working on that day, it could add an educational element to your Spring Training viewing experience. Until then, Play Ball in 2006! .

The Spring Training You Don’t See By: Austin Alexander April 2, 2006 After watching spring training games on television recently, it prompted me to dig a little deeper as to what actually happens every March in Florida and in Arizona. We know that Spring Training is a 6-week period of time for players get back in baseball shape being shipped off to their various cities. We know that Spring Training is an opportunity for minor leaguers to work with roving instructors and try to impress the front office brass. We know that Spring Training is a trial and error period for managers to tinker with line-ups, double-play combinations and bullpen match-ups. We know that Spring Training is a time for fans to get close to the superstars. We know that Spring Training is the only time of the year that professional players work on bunt coverages, cut-offs and relays, pick-off plays and covering bases. We also know that Spring Training is a chance for some guys to get comfortable with a new position or role. But what about that cagey veteran who has made the team? How about the million-dollar man in the middle of a long-term contract whose roster spot is a lock and knows he’ll be a fixture in the rotation or everyday line-up? As Spring Training wraps up and Opening Day is peaking around the corner, what did some of the older-heads of Major League Baseball accomplish in the Cactus and Grapefruit Leagues? The more I talk with players, hear interviews on television and read accounts from the pre-season, I continue to find it very interesting what the established players use March for. I was speaking recently with a former teammate of mine who spent several Spring Training’s around Greg Maddux. He told me a story I found surprising but adds to the genius of “The Professor.” The day before a start Maddux was scheduled to make, the future Hall of Famer sat in the bullpen and told the relief pitchers how he was planning to pitch Met catcher Mike Piazza. He intended to feed the future Hall of Famer a steady diet of hanging curveballs, he said, “I want him to hit three homeruns off of me!” Sure enough, the next day Maddux followed suit and stuck to his game plan. Piazza doubled and homered twice. Following the game, Maddux was asked by a few teammates why he allowed Piazza to embarrass him out there. Maddux said, “Now I’ve got him right where I want him. I’ve already made this team. Spring Training is a time for me to work on things and set-up hitters I know I’ll face throughout the year and in the post-season.” He continued, “Piazza thinks that is what my curveball looks like and he probably believes I’ll be afraid to throw him a breaking ball. When I need a big out with him at the plate, I’m not going to hang a breaking ball, he’ll get my good curveball…and I’ll win. He beat me today in a Spring Training game. I’ll beat in a situation that could send us to the World Series.” Word is, later that season in a pennant race, Maddux struck Piazza out to get out of a jam in a game that propelled the Braves to another division championship. Very profound, huh? Watching John Smoltz pitch a weekend ago, I noticed he was throwing a heavy dose of curveballs and change-ups. Normally he mixes a dirty slider with a filthy split-finger and his pitch selection that day struck me as odd. A post-game interview cleared everything up. Smoltz eluded to the fact he was using a different repertoire. The veteran right-hander was toying with whether he wanted to deepen his arsenal and with one pre-season start left, he had to determine if he was going to use those two pitches or junk them. Clearly, results were a non-issue for the established anchor of the Braves rotation; in case you were wondering, he was still dominant for six innings allowing only a lone run.   This approach is not exclusive to pitchers. Hitters create their own game plan as well. Hitters will tell you that certain game’s or certain week’s, they will only swing at pitches they can drive to the opposite field. This approach may be an effort on their part to improve plate coverage, work on two-strike hitting or maybe their objective is to better use the back-side. Some hitters will pre-determine that they will only swing at breaking pitches or inside fastballs, pitches up, pitches down, etc. I remember an old interview with Pedro Guerrero that adds a flip-side to the earlier referenced Maddux example. Guerrero said when facing a pitcher in Spring Training that he was certain he’d see later in the year, that he had no qualms at purposely chasing breaking balls in the dirt, face-high fastballs, etc. He said, “I didn’t mind letting the pitcher leave Florida thinking he can get me with his best pitch.” Base-runners will often get picked off more in aiming to have good secondary leads, better jumps on steal attempts or improving their read on pitches in the dirt. As you can see, Spring Training can be many things for its invitees, what the players plan is in March is often determined by his status within the game or the organization writing his checks. A year from now, look through a different set of eyes to see if you can figure out what the All-Stars may be working on that day, it could add an educational element to your Spring Training viewing experience. Until then, Play Ball in 2006! .

February Round-up By: Austin Alexander March 1, 2006 Baseball season is underway and Diamond Prospects hit the ground running. With the exception of all the rain at the Michelin Classic, weather held up enough for us to take in some very good baseball. Below is a rundown of the highlights of the first month of hardball this spring. Diamond Prospects Statistics: Teams covered-33 Games seen-15 Fields-12 Rainouts-3 Coaches without rosters-7 Miles traveled-2,294 Quickest game: Wando-Fort Dorchester, 1 hour 17 minutes Best game: Dorman 4 Landrum 2, 9 innings Best comeback: Wade Hampton (almost), five runs in bottom of the 7th but fell short 8-7 to Cullman (AL) High School Best home to first time: Alex Dozier (Dorman HS) 4.09 Best home to first time (turn): Alex Lee (Blythewood HS) 4.38 in the mud Best pop time: Trent Kline (USC) 1.88 Longest homerun: Nate Horton (Byrnes HS) On two occasions Best defensive play: Chris Price (Elon) Several diving grabs versus USC Best pitcher’s duel: Nick Sprowls (Wando HS)-Mark Henderson (Fort Dorchester HS) Most dominant pitching performance: Blake Cooper (Edisto vs. Barnwell) Hardest fastball: Arik Hempy (USC), Jeff Jeffords (USC) 92 mph Best baseball name: Cash Collins (Barnwell HS) Milestones witnessed: Chris Carter (Byrnes HS)-100th career win; Blythewood High School-First win in school history. .

February Round-up By: Austin Alexander March 1, 2006 Baseball season is underway and Diamond Prospects hit the ground running. With the exception of all the rain at the Michelin Classic, weather held up enough for us to take in some very good baseball. Below is a rundown of the highlights of the first month of hardball this spring. Diamond Prospects Statistics: Teams covered-33 Games seen-15 Fields-12 Rainouts-3 Coaches without rosters-7 Miles traveled-2,294 Quickest game: Wando-Fort Dorchester, 1 hour 17 minutes Best game: Dorman 4 Landrum 2, 9 innings Best comeback: Wade Hampton (almost), five runs in bottom of the 7th but fell short 8-7 to Cullman (AL) High School Best home to first time: Alex Dozier (Dorman HS) 4.09 Best home to first time (turn): Alex Lee (Blythewood HS) 4.38 in the mud Best pop time: Trent Kline (USC) 1.88 Longest homerun: Nate Horton (Byrnes HS) On two occasions Best defensive play: Chris Price (Elon) Several diving grabs versus USC Best pitcher’s duel: Nick Sprowls (Wando HS)-Mark Henderson (Fort Dorchester HS) Most dominant pitching performance: Blake Cooper (Edisto vs. Barnwell) Hardest fastball: Arik Hempy (USC), Jeff Jeffords (USC) 92 mph Best baseball name: Cash Collins (Barnwell HS) Milestones witnessed: Chris Carter (Byrnes HS)-100th career win; Blythewood High School-First win in school history. .

March Round-Up By: Austin Alexander Fool’s Day, 2006 A dry March resulted in some quality baseball played around the Palmetto State. Diamond Prospects breaks down some of the highlights. Diamond Prospects Statistics: Teams covered-40 Games seen-25 Fields-14 Rainouts-0 Coaches without rosters-14 Players on a cell phone behind the dugout during the game-1 Miles traveled-2,471 Possums hit-1 Quickest game: Didn’t see one. Best game: North Augusta 13 West Carteret (NC) 11 Best comeback: Tough call…GOLD Medal-Trailing 11-1 headed to the bottom of the sixth, North Augusta scored six runs in the sixth and six more in the seventh, winning 13-11 on a walk-off bomb. SILVER Medal-Manning’s 11-run fourth, after trailing 9-0, and went on to win 12-10. Weirdest play: Dillon defeated Myrtle Beach when a runner who was already out got hung up in a run-down allowing another runner, who had started at second base,  to score the winning run. Best home to first time: Andrew Greene (Furman) 3.84 on a push bunt Best home to first time (turn): Michael Ross Collins (West Florence) Best pop time: Drew Wingo (Mauldin HS) 1.91 Longest homerun: Brett Thomas (AC Flora) Best defensive play: James Harlan (Georgetown) Diving grab headed back and towards left-center field gap at the IP Classic, the height on his lounge at the ball won this category for him.  Best pitcher’s duel: Michael Ghizzoni (Wren HS) versus Nick Osterman (Stratford HS), Wren 2-1 in 8 innings at the IP Classic. Most dominant pitching performance: Michael Ghizzoni (Wren versus Stratford in the IP Classic) Hardest fastball: Jason Place 91 mph Best baseball name: (tie) Hamp Parler (White Knoll HS) and Kodiak Quick (Kansas University) Cleanest round of pre-game: Dutch Fork HS Top Fungo Guy: Mike Pulaski-Dutch Fork HS Best Dressed Evaluator: Ron Smith (Furman University) Best Catcher’s Pop-up: Frankie Ward (Manning HS), no competition in this category! Best Argument with an Umpire: Chris Carter (Byrnes HS), no competition in this category either! Best line from a mom in the bleachers: “That call was bullcrap Blue.” Best Playing Surface: Mauldin High HS, Manning HS Best pre-game tunes: (tie) Richland Northeast HS and Myrtle Beach HS  February’s Round-Up .

March Round-Up By: Austin Alexander Fool’s Day, 2006 A dry March resulted in some quality baseball played around the Palmetto State. Diamond Prospects breaks down some of the highlights. Diamond Prospects Statistics: Teams covered-40 Games seen-25 Fields-14 Rainouts-0 Coaches without rosters-14 Players on a cell phone behind the dugout during the game-1 Miles traveled-2,471 Possums hit-1 Quickest game: Didn’t see one. Best game: North Augusta 13 West Carteret (NC) 11 Best comeback: Tough call…GOLD Medal-Trailing 11-1 headed to the bottom of the sixth, North Augusta scored six runs in the sixth and six more in the seventh, winning 13-11 on a walk-off bomb. SILVER Medal-Manning’s 11-run fourth, after trailing 9-0, and went on to win 12-10. Weirdest play: Dillon defeated Myrtle Beach when a runner who was already out got hung up in a run-down allowing another runner, who had started at second base,  to score the winning run. Best home to first time: Andrew Greene (Furman) 3.84 on a push bunt Best home to first time (turn): Michael Ross Collins (West Florence) Best pop time: Drew Wingo (Mauldin HS) 1.91 Longest homerun: Brett Thomas (AC Flora) Best defensive play: James Harlan (Georgetown) Diving grab headed back and towards left-center field gap at the IP Classic, the height on his lounge at the ball won this category for him.  Best pitcher’s duel: Michael Ghizzoni (Wren HS) versus Nick Osterman (Stratford HS), Wren 2-1 in 8 innings at the IP Classic. Most dominant pitching performance: Michael Ghizzoni (Wren versus Stratford in the IP Classic) Hardest fastball: Jason Place 91 mph Best baseball name: (tie) Hamp Parler (White Knoll HS) and Kodiak Quick (Kansas University) Cleanest round of pre-game: Dutch Fork HS Top Fungo Guy: Mike Pulaski-Dutch Fork HS Best Dressed Evaluator: Ron Smith (Furman University) Best Catcher’s Pop-up: Frankie Ward (Manning HS), no competition in this category! Best Argument with an Umpire: Chris Carter (Byrnes HS), no competition in this category either! Best line from a mom in the bleachers: “That call was bullcrap Blue.” Best Playing Surface: Mauldin High HS, Manning HS Best pre-game tunes: (tie) Richland Northeast HS and Myrtle Beach HS  February’s Round-Up .

By: Austin Alexander-February 3, 2006  More than any other sport, baseball and its storied history are about the game’s statistics. A player’s mettle is often measured by his batting average, homerun totals or his earned run average. Using stats have become an easier way to compare generations of players and debate “who’s really the best.” While I tend to be more of a baseball historian than the casual observer, I still believe there are certain numbers that are synonymous with the game itself. Below are twelve numbers you need to know: 12) 59-Orel Hershiser’s consecutive scoreless innings streak in 1988. He broke the 20-year old record of fellow Dodger Don Drysdale, he posted zeroes in 58 straight. 11) 130-Rickey Henderson’s single season record for stolen base accomplished in 1982. He passed Lou Brock’s previous record of 118. Henderson went on to run past Brock’s all-time mark of 938 as well. Henderson retired (we think he’s done) with 1,406. Henderson also holds the MLB record for runs scored and walks in a career. 10) 1.12-Bob Gibson’s ERA in 1968, still remains a single-season low. As an aside, this was the year the pitching mound was raised from 12 to 15 inches. In 1968, Carl Yastrzemski won the AL batting crown with a record-low .301 batting average and Denny McClain won 31 games, the last time a pitcher eclipsed the 30-win mark in a season. 9) 73-Barry Bonds homerun total in 2001. Bonds broke the record that Mark McGwire had had set three years before. In 1998, McGwire blew past Roger Maris’ 61 dingers hit in 1961. 8) 511-Cy Young’s career win total. Number two on this list is Walter Johnson’s 416 wins. As a comparison, Roger Clemens presently has 341 victories in his 22 seasons. Young also holds the record for losses in a career, 313. 7) 7-Nolan Ryan’s final tally of no-hitters. Ironically the final no-no of his career was at the age of 44. Ryan also had 13 one-hitters. Sandy Koufax comes in second in this category with four no-hitters, Ryan passed him in 1981. 6) .406-Ted Williams’ batting average in 1941. Williams is the last person to hit over .400, Tony Gwynn has come the closest hitting .394 during the strike-shortened 1994 season. 5) 4,256-Pete Rose’s record number of hits in a career. He surpassed Ty Cobb’s total of 4,191 in 1985, a mark that stood for 57 years. 4) 42-Jackie Robinson’s uniform number. Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947 and had his number retired by all of professional baseball in 1997. 3) 2,632-Cal Ripken’s consecutive game streak. Ripken did not miss a game from 1982-1999, breaking Lou Gehrig’s mark of 2,130 in 1995. Gehrig’s record stood for 56 years. 2) 56-Joe DiMaggio’s consecutive game hitting streak in 1941. Of note, after having the streak snapped in Cleveland, Joltin’ Joe went on to hit in 16 more games in a row. In the minor leagues, he pieced together a 61-game hitting streak as a member of the San Francisco Seals. Pete Rose has come the closest, 44 games in 1978. Jimmy Rollins will open 2006 in pursuit of this record, he is sitting on 36. 1) 755-Hank Aaron’s record total of homerun’s in a career. He passed the immortal Babe Ruth with number 715 in 1974. Barry Bonds is closing in on baseball’s most sacred record, he presently has 708. Bonus: For those of you wondering how many of these facts are inaccurate, the last number you need to know…ZERO! .

By: Austin Alexander-February 3, 2006  More than any other sport, baseball and its storied history are about the game’s statistics. A player’s mettle is often measured by his batting average, homerun totals or his earned run average. Using stats have become an easier way to compare generations of players and debate “who’s really the best.” While I tend to be more of a baseball historian than the casual observer, I still believe there are certain numbers that are synonymous with the game itself. Below are twelve numbers you need to know: 12) 59-Orel Hershiser’s consecutive scoreless innings streak in 1988. He broke the 20-year old record of fellow Dodger Don Drysdale, he posted zeroes in 58 straight. 11) 130-Rickey Henderson’s single season record for stolen base accomplished in 1982. He passed Lou Brock’s previous record of 118. Henderson went on to run past Brock’s all-time mark of 938 as well. Henderson retired (we think he’s done) with 1,406. Henderson also holds the MLB record for runs scored and walks in a career. 10) 1.12-Bob Gibson’s ERA in 1968, still remains a single-season low. As an aside, this was the year the pitching mound was raised from 12 to 15 inches. In 1968, Carl Yastrzemski won the AL batting crown with a record-low .301 batting average and Denny McClain won 31 games, the last time a pitcher eclipsed the 30-win mark in a season. 9) 73-Barry Bonds homerun total in 2001. Bonds broke the record that Mark McGwire had had set three years before. In 1998, McGwire blew past Roger Maris’ 61 dingers hit in 1961. 8) 511-Cy Young’s career win total. Number two on this list is Walter Johnson’s 416 wins. As a comparison, Roger Clemens presently has 341 victories in his 22 seasons. Young also holds the record for losses in a career, 313. 7) 7-Nolan Ryan’s final tally of no-hitters. Ironically the final no-no of his career was at the age of 44. Ryan also had 13 one-hitters. Sandy Koufax comes in second in this category with four no-hitters, Ryan passed him in 1981. 6) .406-Ted Williams’ batting average in 1941. Williams is the last person to hit over .400, Tony Gwynn has come the closest hitting .394 during the strike-shortened 1994 season. 5) 4,256-Pete Rose’s record number of hits in a career. He surpassed Ty Cobb’s total of 4,191 in 1985, a mark that stood for 57 years. 4) 42-Jackie Robinson’s uniform number. Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947 and had his number retired by all of professional baseball in 1997. 3) 2,632-Cal Ripken’s consecutive game streak. Ripken did not miss a game from 1982-1999, breaking Lou Gehrig’s mark of 2,130 in 1995. Gehrig’s record stood for 56 years. 2) 56-Joe DiMaggio’s consecutive game hitting streak in 1941. Of note, after having the streak snapped in Cleveland, Joltin’ Joe went on to hit in 16 more games in a row. In the minor leagues, he pieced together a 61-game hitting streak as a member of the San Francisco Seals. Pete Rose has come the closest, 44 games in 1978. Jimmy Rollins will open 2006 in pursuit of this record, he is sitting on 36. 1) 755-Hank Aaron’s record total of homerun’s in a career. He passed the immortal Babe Ruth with number 715 in 1974. Barry Bonds is closing in on baseball’s most sacred record, he presently has 708. Bonus: For those of you wondering how many of these facts are inaccurate, the last number you need to know…ZERO! .

  Baseball Superstitions By: Austin Alexander February 21, 2006   Anyone who has ever been around our national pastime much at all knows how quirky baseball players, its coaches and fans can often be. For over a hundred years, many of the game’s greats have provided us with comical stories about what gets them ready or keeps them on a hot streak. On the flip-side some interesting stories have abounded of ways to end a personal or team slump. Most people are familiar with, perhaps, baseball’s oldest and most traditional superstition—avoiding the foul line. Next time you go to a game, watch everyone. Watch them during batting practice and the pre-game. Watch them in between innings as both teams enter and exit the field. Watch a pitching coach during a mound visit. Sometimes players will even go to the extreme by getting a running start and leap over the entire basepath! Very, very seldom will you witness someone breaking this unwritten rule of baseball. If you ever do see a baseball player or coach “buck the system”, it is generally an act of rebellion against the baseball god’s! Baseball players are no different than the fans who cheer for them. How many times have you been present during a big ballgame, whether you are participating or rooting vigorously for your favorite team? Here’s the scenario. Your club is trailing 2-1 in the top of the 7th inning, all of the sudden you stage a rally. You push two runs across and there is still only one out! All of a sudden someone in the dugout invariably will yell, “Same spots, hurry up and get in your same spots!” Or maybe in the bleachers, the patron beside you thinks now is the time to use the restroom or grab a hot dog. Immediately, everyone wearing the same colors threaten to block the aisle, how dare he or she decide to make a move right now? It never fails, we’ve all been there! If a player is “going good”, very seldom will he want to change anything over the course of the day that has been working for him. Many a player has been known to take wake up at the same time and take the same route to the ballpark. Some keep a consistent diet during a hot streak. Some dress in the same order, maybe even with the same socks or undershirt that have kept him hot. If a new bat is hitting for you, you won’t be the first to sleep with your new-found weapon! When a player’s production begins to go in the tank, sometimes they resort to desperate measures. Number changes and new “intro” songs become a quick-fix. Many ballplayers over time have blind-sided their girlfriends with “the break-up talk”, not because she did anything wrong but as a result of the .181 batting average he’s carrying since she came on board! Funny, to the player, it always seems be an outside force that creates failure! These examples are just a few of many superstitious actions ballplayers will try to pin their successes or defeats to. In our next exploration into superstitions in baseball, we’ll take a look at major league players that you know and determine the real reasons they have success and the lengths they will go to to reverse their fortunes when things go south. .