55° CLEAR, -
Tuesday, December 02, 2008, 10:48 pm
Charlotte High names Gorton volleyball coach
When the Charlotte High began looking for a volleyball coach, the Tarpons looked at their rivals across the river.
Charlotte plucked former Port Charlotte High athlete and coach Michelle Gorton to take over its varsity volleyball position.
“She’s young and energetic,” Tarpons director of athletics Brian Nolan said. “She has a great deal of knowledge and enthusiasm. She’s a good fit for our coaches and athletes.”
Gorton replaces Nanci Daniel, who guided the Tarpons the past four seasons and will pursue other opportunities in the Charlotte athletic department.
“I’m very excited,” Gorton said Tuesday on her first varsity coaching experience.
After a stellar career at middle hitter for the Pirates, she served as the Port Charlotte junior varsity coach and was on the varsity bench alongside Coach Rodney Taylor.
Gorton also coaches the Venetian Bay Club 14s and will be an assistant coach for the 16s traveling team.
A teacher at Murdock Middle School, Gorton plans to stress defense and serve receive.
“If we keep the ball alive, we’ll be able to win games,” she said.
The Tarpons fielded a young varsity squad, featuring five freshmen, all of whom received considerable playing time. With three seniors, Charlotte went 5-18.
“We have to work on hitting,” Gorton said. “That will come with experience.” -
Monday, October 27, 2008, 6:29 pm
Maddon shuffles Game 5 lineup
Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon shuffled his lineup for Game 5 of the World Series against Philadelphia at Citizens Bank Park.
The Rays will have LF Carl Crawford in the second spot, up from fifth. CF B.J. Upton dropped from second to third. 1B Carlos Pena and 3B Evan Longoria fell one spot to fourth and fifth, respectively.
Also, OF Rocco Baldelli got the nod in right field.
There is a 90 percent chance of rain after 8 p.m.
Tampa Bay’s starting lineup:
Akinori Iwamura 2B
Carl Crawford LF
B.J. Upton CF
Carlos Pena 1B
Evan Longoria 3B
Dioner Navarro C
Rocco Baldelli RF
Jason Bartlett SS
Scott Kazmir LH -
Sunday, October 26, 2008, 8:11 pm
Hinske replaces injured Floyd on Rays' roster
PHILADELPHIA — The Rays made a roster move prior to Game 4 of the World Series against Philadelphia.
Tampa Bay added INF/OF Eric Hinske to the roster, replacing DH Cliff Floyd.
Floyd suffered an injury to his right shoulder running the bases during Game 2. The left-handed hitter was 1-for-3 in the World Series and 4-for-18 (.222) with a home run and two runs batted in during the playoffs.
Hinske was on the playoff roster for the American League Division Series against the Chicago White Sox. He didn’t play in any of the four games.
For the American League Championship Series and the first three games of the World Series, Hinske was inactive, as the Rays opted to go with 11 pitchers. Tampa Bay added RH Edwin Jackson to replace Hinske.
Hinske has not had an at-bat since going 2-for-4 on Sept. 28 against Detroit. He has been traveling with the team and taken a regular round of batting practice.
Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon doesn’t expect Hinske to receive a start in the World Series, but he can be a valuable reserve as a pinch-hitter or in the field at either first base, third base, left field or right field.
In the only lineup change for the Rays, INF/OF Ben Zobrist will open in right field, his second start of the World Series, and hit seventh. Zobrist also started Game 1 in right field, going 1-for-3.
Maddon considered OF Rocco Baldelli in right, but Baldelli is 0-for-8 lifetime against Philadelphia starter RH Joe Blanton. Zobrist is 1-for-3 against Blanton.
No threat of rain or inclement weather tonight. In fact, it’s a perfect night for World Series baseball, crisp with the temperature the mid-50s and light wind. -
Saturday, October 25, 2008, 10:09 pm
A little late, but baseball is being played
The window in the main press box opened right at 10 p.m. and the atmosphere of a World Series game came pouring in, along with that good-old ballpark aroma.
Phillies starting pitcher Jamie Moyer made the long walk from the two-deck, bullpen in right-center field.
The Phillie Phanatic, one of the best mascots in the game, was entertaining fans.
Chants of “Lets go Phillies” rang out among the fans who appeared out of nowhere to fill all the seats at Citizens Bank Park.
The umpires huddled behind home plate.
Left fielder Pat Burrell led the Phillies on the field, as the fireworks lit up the sky for the second time, also after the National Anthem.
Moyer dug his hole in front of the pitching rubber, smooth some sand with his hand and began his warm-up tosses.
Catcher Carlos Ruiz threw the ball down to second base.
Tampa Bay leadoff hitter Akinori Iwamura stepped in to a chorus of boos.
The first pitch was thrown at 10:06 p.m., a delay of 1 hour, 31 minutes.
Temperature was 55 degrees and dropping.
Iwamura flied out to short center field.
The game was on. -
Saturday, October 25, 2008, 9:37 pm
There will be baseball Saturday night
Despite light rain, the tarp is coming off Citizens Bank Park field.
There will be baseball Saturday night.
Game 3 will be played after more than an hour delay.
Philadelphia starting pitcher Jamie Moyer is making the walk from the dugout to the bullpen to the cheers of many.
Tampa Bay bullpen coach Scott Cursi was booed as he made his way to the bullpen.
First pitch should be just after 10 p.m. -
Saturday, October 25, 2008, 8:01 pm
Ground crew working on Ciitzens Bank Park field
PHILADELPHIA – As rain, light at the present time, continues to fall, members of the Phillies’ ground crew are pushing water off the tarp that has covered the Citizens Bank Park infield all day Saturday.
There were some downpours and the wind has whipped up at times, but Game 3 of the World Series looks as if it will be played, even if it begins a little later than the scheduled 8:35 p.m. first pitch.
Citizens Bank Park appears to have a good drainage system.
There are a good number of fans, some of whom took their seats or stood near the railings on all three decks. But when the rain began falling harder, they took shelter under the overhangs.
The rain is supposed to subside at some part of the evening, but the temperature is expected to dip into the mid-50s. -
Saturday, October 25, 2008, 5:40 pm
Game likely to be played with start time slightly delayed
PHILADELPHIA – Joe Maddon had a pre-game meeting with the umpires prior to Saturday’s Game 3 of the World Series at an overcast and sometimes rainy Citizens Bank Park.
The Tampa Bay manager came away pretty sure the game would be played.
Although, it may be delayed at the start.
The report is the rain is expected to clear after 9 or 9:30 p.m.
“Unless anything changes, we will be able to start a little off time and be able to get the full game in,” Maddon said.
There isn’t a drop-dead time for a postponement.
“There wasn’t a definite, like if we get to 10 o’clock and we’re still not playing we’re not playing,” Maddon said. “I think we’re going to play. From what I’ve seen and what I’ve heard, we’re going to play. I believe we’re going to play. It’s just going to be late.
The first pitch was scheduled to be thrown 8:35 p.m., later than a normal start.
“The fact it starts so late to begin with, it might not be as bad as it seems,” Maddon said. “I don’t anticipate it being too bad.”
The forecast for Sunday and Monday is pleasant, at least for this area during this time of year.
Sunday there is a high of 66 and low of 44. Monday’s supposed to be between 53 and 34.
Then, it dips Tuesday and the rest of the week.
Tuesday, the high is 53 with a low of 34.
“It’s a cold week here,” Maddon said. “Let’s just play.”
Maddon wasn’t worried about his players being restless if there is a delay.
“Overall, our guys are all right,” he said. “Nice clubhouse with food. There’s room to get lost.”
If it was another visiting clubhouse, like Boston’s Fenway Park, which resembles a closet compared to most modern parks these days, it might be a different feeling.
“Fenway would be a little bit different,” Maddon said. -
Friday, October 24, 2008, 3:58 pm
World Series shifts to Philly and the outdoors
The windows faded into the roof on the press level and the crack of the bat could be heard.
Welcome to the first outdoor game in the 2008 World Series.
Welcome to Philadelphia.
The impressive skyline could be seen beyond the center field wall at Citizens Bank Park, home of Games 3, 4 and 5.
With the Tampa Bay Rays and Philadelphia Phillies having split the first two games of the best-of-7 series, the fifth game is now certain.
The date of the third game isn’t.
Varying reports have heavy rain passing through the area Saturday prior to the scheduled first pitch of 8:35 p.m.
How heavy and how long it lasts could determine whether the teams have another off day in the series.
After Friday’s off day, another is scheduled Tuesday before the series moves back to St. Petersburg for Games 6 and 7, if necessary.
If Saturday’s game, or any of the three in Philly are postponed, the off day goes away.
There was a little nip in the air Friday, but it is the Fall Classic in Philadelphia.
And these games are outdoors. -
Wednesday, October 22, 2008, 4:24 pm
Zobrist gets start in right in World Series Game 1
The Rays starting lineup for Game 1 of the World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies at Tropicana Field is in.
It includes one surprise.
INF/OF Ben Zobrist got the nod in right field. Zobrist played three playoff games, going 0-for-4. All his action came in the American League Championship Series against Boston.
The lineup:
2B Akinori Iwamura
CF B.J. Upton
1B Carlos Pena
3B Evan Longoria
LF Carl Crawford
DH Willy Aybar
C Dioner Navarro
RF Ben Zobrist
SS Jason Bartlett
SP Scott Kazmir -
Thursday, October 16, 2008, 3:31 pm
Game 6, if necessary, is sold out
The Rays have announced that Game 6 of the American League Championship Series scheduled to be played on Saturday at Tropicana Field sold out Thursday morning.
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Tuesday, October 14, 2008, 4:44 pm
Boston moves Drew to top of order
Drastic times call for drastic measures.
Boston manager Terry Francona shook up his lineup for Game 4 of the American League Championship Series on Tuesday night at Fenway Park.
RF J.D. Drew moved to the leadoff spot with CF Jacoby Ellsbury taking a seat on the bench.
After starting the postseason 6-for-12, Ellsbury is hitless in 12 at-bats in the series and 0-for-20 overall.
Drew is 2-for-8 in the ALCS with a walk and a hit by pitch. During the regular season, he hit 19 home runs and knocked in 64 runs.
The remainder of the Red Sox lineup has 2B Dustin Pedroia, DH David Ortiz, 3B Kevin Youkilis, LF Jason Bay, 1B Mark Kotsay, CF Coco Crisp, C Kevin Cash and SS Jed Lowrie. -
Tuesday, October 14, 2008, 4:19 pm
Tarps to come off; more Rays tickets available at Trop
Tickets to the possible American League Championship Series Game 6 at Tropicana Field will go on sale Wednesday to those who won the chance to purchase in the Postseason Ticket Opportunity through raysbaseball.com.
Winners will be notified by e-mail Wednesday morning, and the special Internet pre-sale will begin at 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Any remaining tickets will go on-sale at raysbaseball.com, 9 a.m. Thursday, if available.
Beginning with the possible ALCS Game 6, the Rays will remove the tarps in the upper level for all remaining 2008 postseason games, adding 5,762 seats to the capacity.
“Even before we put our first Division Series games on sale, interest in Rays postseason tickets was extraordinary,” Rays president Matt Silverman said. “Although the seating capacity we established provides an optimal fan experience, Rays fans have made it very clear that they want us to make every possible seating opportunity available. We are pleased to meet that demand.”
If any postseason game not take place, refunds will be issued at place of purchase.
Details of the possible ALCS Game 7 ticket opportunity, scheduled for Sunday night at the Trop, are to be determined.
Fans still can register to win the chance to purchase World Series tickets until 11:59 p.m. Oct. 16 at raysbaseball.com. Those who have registered during previous Postseason Ticket Opportunity registration periods do not need re-register.
For more information, call (727) 342-5757 or visit raysbaseball.com. -
Monday, October 13, 2008, 10:37 pm
Fenway faithful back ineffective Lester
Red Sox fans gave Jon Lester a standing ovation when he was removed from the game in the sixth inning of Game 3 of the American League Champion Series on Monday against Tampa Bay.
Imagine what they would have done if Lester pitched well.
Tagged for five runs (four earned) and eight hits, including long home runs by B.J. Upton and Evan Longoria, Lester suffered the loss, as the Red Sox fell behind 2-1 in the best-of-7 series with the upstart Rays.
The runs were the first allowed in the postseason by Lester in 16 innings.
After not allowing the leadoff hitter to reach base in any of his 24 postseason innings, Lester permitted the first batter to get on base four consecutive innings from the second through the fifth.
Yet, the Fenway Park faithful were appreciative of his effort.
Wonder if that will be the case if knuckleballer Tim Wakefield has a similar outing in Tuesday’s Game 4. -
Saturday, October 11, 2008, 9:33 am
Loss quiets Rays
There was no music blaring.
Very few players were milling around.
The ones who were in front of their locker spoke in soft, hushed tones.
It was a feeling the Tampa Bay Rays haven’t felt at Tropicana Field since Sept. 21.
“We don’t like losing at home,” designated hitter Cliff Floyd said.
The Rays not only lost at home, they were shut out.
Tampa Bay suffered a 2-0 setback to the Boston Red Sox on Friday in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series.
The shutout was the first at home since April 20 to John Danks and the Chicago White Sox.
“Tough night,” Floyd said. “Sometimes you have to tip your hat.”
Boston starter Daisuke Matsuzaka pitched six innings of no-hit ball. Three relievers, including lights-out closer Jonathan Papelbon, shut the door for the final five outs.
“A lot of it had to do with Daisuke,” Rays catcher Dioner Navarro said. “A lot of credit to him.”
“He pitched a good game tonight,” left fielder Carl Crawford said. “He had a good two-seamer (fastball). He threw harder tonight and made the pitches when he needed to.”
When the Rays spoke, they said all the right things.
“There’s nothing we can do about it now,” center fielder B.J. Upton said.
“We think, ‘What could we have done better?’ ” first baseman Carlos Pena said. “They just did a good job.”
The reality is Tampa Bay must face right-hander Josh Beckett, who never has lost the postseason, and left-hander Jon Lester, who might be Boston’s best pitcher right now.
“We have to come back tomorrow,” Pena said.
“We’ll come back tomorrow,” rookie third baseman Evan Longoria said.
The Rays also know if they are going to win the series and advance to the World Series, they will have to win at least one game at Fenway Park, since they squandered home field advantage.
“We’ve won at Fenway,” Longoria said. “The first thing we have to do is win tomorrow.”
“We still have confidence,” losing pitcher James Shields said. “We’ve done it all year long.”
“We did lose games in the regular season,” Pena said. “We can come back.” -
Friday, October 10, 2008, 9:25 pm
Not many Boston fans inside Trop
Not many Red Sox fans made it inside Tropicana Field for Game 1 of the American League Championship Series.
If Red Sox Nation was represented, it was drowned out by the rabid Tampa Bay fans, who were loud long before James Shields’ first pitch.
Dennis Maffezzoli
