My New Local Minor League Team: The Columbus Catfish

Ever since they moved to Columbus in 2003, there have been rumors about the Columbus Catfish leaving Columbus. Now, we're sort of losing the team ... but still have the team. The Catfish players are leaving Columbus ... and won't be back. But the Catfish will have players here.

Confused? Let me explain.

In 2001, there was a new team that joined the South Atlantic League: The Wilmington Waves. They played in Wilmington, NC and were affiliated with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

For those that don't know what that means, the players on an affiliated minor league team are under contract with the parent organization (in this case, the Dodgers) and are assigned to the minor league team, which is owned by someone else. Usually. The players on the Waves played in Wilmington, wore the Wilmington uniform, but were under contract to and paid by the Dodgers.
Anyway, the owner of the Waves didn't like playing his games in a college baseball field, and moved the team after one year.

To Albany, Georgia.

And changed the team's name.

To the South Georgia Waves.

Which never made much sense to me. Since the ballpark in Albany is 140 miles from the Gulf of Mexico. Or 180 miles from the Atlantic Ocean.

Still, they were affiliated with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Only thing is, they didn't like that ballpark, either. So, after one season, they left.

And moved to Columbus.

One week before the season started.

Okay, eight days. More than a week. But you get the idea. The Waves and Albany got into a pissing contest, and the Waves left. For Columbus. Who had just lost their team, the Columbus RedStixx, during the off-season, when they moved to Eastlake, OH, becoming the Lake County Captains.

This soap opera continued with the Waves wanting to move to Evansville, IN. That fell through. But don't feel too sorry for Evansville. They have a team. The Evansville Otters won the Frontier League (independent) championship this year.

Anyway, the South Georgia Waves played in Columbus in 2003. Forget that Columbus isn't in South Georgia. Forget that Columbus is over 4 hours from either the Gulf or the Atlantic. The South Georgia Waves played in Columbus.

Anyway, when the move to Evansville fell through, the Waves ended up staying in Columbus for another year. The team figured out the whole South Georgia Waves thing didn't work in Columbus, so they came up with a new name: the Columbus Catfish.

And they were still a Dodgers affiliate.

Recently, there have been rumors of the Catfish moving to Columbia, SC. Columbia lost their team to Greenville, SC, who lost their AA team to Pearl, MS.

So, what's all this got to do with us getting a new team that's the old team?

Well, now you know the twisted, knarled, confused, and just plain weird history of the Columbus Catfish, Dodgers affiliate.

Only, now, they're no longer a Dodgers affiliate.

Seems the Dodgers signed an agreement with the Great Lakes Loons of the Midwest League.

Now, get your scorecard out. The Great Lake Loons used to be Southwest Michigan Devil Rays. That team played its last game this year. They're leaving Battle Creek, MI, for Midland, MI. And changing their nickname. They're also changing their affiliation. Like I said, they're now with the Dodgers.

Which means Tampa Bay needs an affiliate in Class A. The Clinton (IA) Lumberkings are expected to no longer affiliate with the Texas Rangers.

So, it's likely that the Devil Rays will sign with Columbus or Clinton. With the Rangers getting the other.

The Catfish indicate they're negotiating with 4 teams. They've mentioned Tampa Bay and Texas, but not the other teams. Since Washington dropped the Savannah Sand Gnats, I'm thinking that may have been one of the teams, but I don't know that; I'm just guessing here. But, since Washington has now hooked up with the Hagerstown Suns, it means that the fourth team may have been the Mets. Again, just guessing. But since the Mets signed Savannah, that's now out. The other possibility is the Milwaukee Brewers, who haven't renewed with the West Virginia Power.

Anyway, the Catfish are no longer affiliated with the Dodgers. Don't know who they're hooking up with yet.

According to the Catfish, the condition of the field in Columbus was the reason for the switch. If that's the case, it means that the Catfish will be in Columbus in 2007. So the rumors of a move are just that: rumors.

If the Catfish were moving, the field in Columbus wouldn't be an issue. So, either the Catfish aren't moving, or the reason given is BS. Or both.

Anyway, we're glad the Catfish will be back next season. Even if some asses don't care.

Interview with the Umpire

"Blue" calling balls and strikes at a Columbus Catfish vs. Savannah Sand Gnats game earlier this season.

At my blog, we do interviews with bloggers regularly on weekends. This one was posted this past weekend, and was a little different.

When Minor League Baseball started this season, they didn't have their regular umpires. The minor league umpires union was on strike. And the minor league teams used replacement umpires.

First game I went to, I thought one of the umpires looked familiar. Turns out I knew the guy. And he agreed to talk with me about it. After everything was done.

Well, everything's done. And he and I met for lunch one day...


How did you develop a love of baseball?


I lived in the country as a kid. And I would get baseball cards for the Braves and whoever they were playing. I learned the players ... and learned the teams.


How'd you get involved in umpiring?


In high school, I was called on to umpire for little league. Since I was 15, I've umpired every season.

In 1996, I started umpiring high school games. I was assigned to Columbus, Show, Hardaway ... all the big games. I worked the primo games since '99 ... and built up a good reputation for being a good umpire.


How about the jump from high school to pro ball?


When the strike happened, every minor league team was responsible for getting their own umpires. The GMs for each team was tasked with getting the best umpires in the area.

They called the secretaries of the umpire associations to get the best.

There were 3 from Columbus, 3 from Phenix City. Some of the college umpires didn't let their umpires fill in. We lost one guy because of that.


What was it like when you found out you'd be calling pro baseball games?


When the opportunity came, I got the call, and I thought it was my brother playing a joke on me.


Did you enjoy it?


If it wasn't for raising a family and all the commitments, it'd be a dream job.

After going to all the Catfish games, I've been thrilled to get the chance to umpire pro ball. Even though it's minor league ...


What about playing ball? Did you ever do that?


I had the speed of greg luzinski and the power of vince coleman. (laughs)

My brother got 2 rings in college. He had the better career ... but I got the first crack into pro baseball ... by umpiring.

It reassured me that if i had the chance to go to umpire school, I could have done it.


When you got the first call, were you already aware of the strike, or the possiblity?


Not at all, the call as a complete shock.


How did the players on the team, not just the Catfish, but their opponents, act towards you? Did you feel they thought any less of you since you weren't one of the "regular" umpires?


To be honest, I don't think so. We were very well received by the players.

While they're disappointed from time to time with the calls, they're concentrating on doing their job.

In my opinion, the umpiring that was going on, particular in Class-A baseball, where the incoming umpires are 19-20 years old, they were replaced by more experienced umpires, though not experienced at those levels.

The major differences in what I had umpired before are the speed of the game. At Class-A, they have major league tools. Like a ball hit to a shortstop, they can get to the ball where in high school they can't.

The velocity of the pitches coming in ... There's a definite adjustment of tightening the strike zone.

I'm sure the quality varied from city to city ... but if this was a Triple-A city, I could have done a Triple-A game.


What was the most difficulty you had with any team, manager, or player?


I've only thrown out three people in a baseball game in all these years. It's got to be bad for me to throw someone out. But one Catfish player went berserk on a called strike 3, and i had to throw him out.

As an umpire, if you screw up a call, you know it.

I understand those guys are playing on a lot of pressure, playing on a high level, competing against great players. Every at bat means something.

I was behind the plate on the home opener, 2800 people there. I was nervous. But after about 2 innings, I settled down and it was okay.

I was confident I could do the job that needed to be done. It's a personal challenge. as an umpire, you're competing. You compete against a standard to umpire a perfect game.


How many calls do you think you blew?


Really, I never harp on it. You make the call, you react. There may have been a couple that maybe you second-guess yourself for a split second... You put it out of your mind. You have to keep the same temperament whether it's the 7th game of World Series or 1st game of spring training.

If you think about a call you might have missed, you set yourself up to miss the next.

Out of 15 ballgames, I'm sure there were one or two I missed somewhere along the way.


The South Atlantic League uses a 2-umpire setup. Which position is harder: plate or field?


Normally, the bases are harder. But they play such good defense on that level (Class-A), it makes it easier. Here, being on the plate, you have to really be on your toes. Pitches are in the 90s, and you have to be right about the strike zone.

We were evaluated by a professional organization that supplies minor league umpires. He spent a week in Columbus, he evaluated me on the bases that night. Gave me some pointers, but said I reacted very well as the play developed. He said my partner behind the plate did very well, too.


What about Delmon Young? You heard about that. Was the 50-game suspension appropriate?


I think it was about right. The key thing there is if it ever happens again, it needs to be something severe. Ban, one- or two-year suspension. What he did ... it's totally uncalled for. Part of being a good athlete is being able to stay in control.


Did you ever think about something like that happening to you?


We were fortunate we never had any situation where teams started throwing at each other.

The GM of catfish emphasized he wanted us to take charge if a situation might get out of control.


What other differences did you run into umpiring at the pro level instead of high school?


This is the first time I ever umpired with wood bats. It was the final piece of the picture of being in pro baseball ... great players, wood bats, and hecklers.


What about hecklers?


It was funny as long as they weren't heckling me. Sometimes I got a laugh out of it.

But me personally, I don't like to see a minor league player heckled. They're young, away from home, and if they're hitting .200 or less, it's got to hurt.

When they're real, real young minor leaguers, it's got to be rough.

One catcher from the Sand Gnats, they got on real bad. But, fans pay their money, they can heckle who they want.

In a pro game, an umpire can't say anything. The primary concern is to the other paying customers, not to the players.

You have to stay balanced.


What about...


I tell you this. all the replacement umpires got a letter from president of minor league baseball. For us to step in and let baseball continue, they appreciate it.


Have you received any thing from the union umpires? I mean any ill feeling towards you?


We didn't get any of that in Columbus, but it happened in other cities.

They didn't put umpires names in box scores, we weren't introduced. They did what we could to keep our names out of the public at the start of the season.

I think the situation taught the minor league umps they're not in a position to strike.


Are you aware of the reasons for the dispute?


From what I understand, it was overall pay, health insurance, per diem meal money. What they got out of it, about a $100/month increase & 3/day meal money.

They are paid low. They get about $10-grand a season. 15 for Double-A or Triple-A.


Are the union umpires underpaid?


Here's my take: it would be nice if they could make more money. But the pay is dictated by the economics of minor league baseball. I don't know where you could put a dollar amount of what's a fair pay for the job.

Even the minor league players themselves don't make much. The high draft choices get a signing bonus, but they all get the same low salary.

A career as a minor league umpire isn't the goal -- It's to make the majors.

A couple told me "you look like a major league umpire" ...


How much difference is there in the play at the different levels?


One night, Greenville had a left-hander pitcher ... had a brief stint in majors in 2004. That pitcher was polished, the control he had was unbelievable.


Back to pay. You say minor league umpires don't get much pay. How about replacement umpires?


We got $90/game pay. And we got paid after every game


What one thing will you take with you, will you remember from this?


The Biggest thing is ... a lot of people in highly visible roles are just ordinary people. Even though I didn't go higher than Single-A, if you change the circumstances, you never know what you could have done.

You can do a lot of thing you might not consider until the opportunity comes.

---------------------------------

Thanks for taking the time to agree to this. And thanks for making baseball happen.

Baron pitcher hurls 1st 9-inning no-hitter in team history

Facing only 2 over the minimum, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons (Phillies) right-hander Jeremy Cummings tossed a no-hitter Sunday, blanking the Rochester Red Wings (Twins) 5-0.

“I wanted to go 8 1/3 innings and get my ERA under four,” the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons right-hander said.

Cummings did that and more. The eighth-year pro tossed the first nine-inning no-hitter in the Red Barons’ 18-year history, pitching to just two batters over the limit, in a 5-0 victory over the Rochester Red Wings.

“It was a masterpiece,” Red Wings manager Stan Cliburn said.

Cummings nailed down his piece of history by striking out Gil Velazquez swinging, as the crowd of 6,472 gave the Charleston, W.Va., native a standing ovation.

He threw a whopping 137 pitches, 84 for strikes.

[more]

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre has qualified for the International League (Triple-A) playoffs.

Two Complete-Game Shutouts Saturday

Las Vegas 51s (Dodgers) pitcher D.J. Houlton and New Britain Rock Cats (Twins) pitcher Colby Miller each threw complete game shutouts Saturday.

In Las Vegas, Houlton pitched his first complete game shutout since 2004.

The 51's scored all the runs they needed in the third inning scoring four times. With two out, and no one on, shortstop Sergio Garcia doubled to left. First baseman Eric Riggs followed with an RBI single to right scoring Garcia. After Riggs hit, right fielder Delwyn Young ripped an RBI single to right field scoring Riggs (who had taken second on the throw). The big blow of the inning was when third baseman Andy LaRoche came up, and hit a two-run homer (10) to left field to cap the inning.

Young would add an RBI single in the bottom of the fifth to make it 5-0.

Fresno never threatened other than having runners at first-and-second in the top of the fourth. After the fourth inning, the Grizzlies had just two runners reach.

[more]

Las Vegas and Fresno play in the Pacific Coast League (Triple A).

In an Eastern League (Double A) game, Colby Miller completed his comeback from last season's injury.

The 24-year-old Oklahoman took a big step in his comeback Saturday, throwing a two-hitter to lead New Britain to a 5-0 win over Harrisburg. He retired 18 batters in a row from the third through eighth innings and struck out seven.

[more]

78 Outs, 1 Run

The Portland Sea Dogs (Red Sox) pitching staff held the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Blue Jays) scoreless for 12-2/3 innings Saturday. Unfortunately for them, the Fisher Cats staff held the Sea Dogs scoreless for 13 innings.

LF Ryan Patterson delivered a two-out single in the top of the 13th inning, scoring RF Dustin Majewski from second base as the Fisher Cats defeated the Sea Dogs 1-0 Saturday night at Hadlock Field.

Majewski (2-for-6) singled to lead off the 13th, and went to second on a sacrifice bunt by CF Tony Miller. After DH David Smith grounded out, Portland reliever Mike Bumatay was summoned to face 1B Chip Cannon. Cannon walked, and Patterson followed with the game winning single.

Tracy Thorpe worked a perfect 13th to earn his 18th save in support of Brian Wolfe, who picked up his first win, working two shutout innings.

Starting pitchers Kyle Yates for the Fisher Cats and Thomas Hottovy for the Sea Dogs each worked seven innings, allowing just two hits.

[more]

It was the longest game of the night in the Eastern League (Double-A)

15 Innings In New Jersey

While not the longest game of the day in either innings or time, Saturday night's matchup between the Lakewood BlueClaws (Phillies) and the Lake County Captains (Indians) went the most extra innings.

In a game scheduled for 7 innings, the 5,397 fans in attendance saw 8 extra innings played, as hometown Lakewood beat Lake County 5-4 on Avelino Asprilla's sacrifice fly.

Asprilla drove in three runs in the game. His sacrifice fly in the 15th off Mark Jecmen (2-4) drove home Mike Spidale, who led off the inning with a single, stole second and moved to third on a groundout by Jeremy Slayden.

It was the second longest game of the season for the Captains, who played 16 innings in a game at Greenville exactly one month ago.

Chris Raulinaitis (1-1) pitched two scoreless innings for the BlueClaws to earn the win. He issued a pair of walks with one out in the top of the 15th, but struck out Juan Valdes and got Matt Fornasiere on a groundout.

[more]

The game was scheduled for 7 innings as part of a doubleheader. The 1:00 AM ending time meant the second game was delayed until Sunday night, weather and time permitting.