12/5/09 Odds & Ends

We've got a pretty big "odds & ends" ends for you this weekend. Lots of little bits of news about the ABL! We've also got some great new blog posts already lined up for today and tomorrow so keep checking back with us.

Box Score:

- The creators of "Touching the Game" did an interview with WBZ-TV. The film is out now on DVD and is available on the Touching the Game website. I haven't got a copy yet so I can't tell you how it is,  but so far I have heard very good things. The Peninsula Clarion has a good article about it.

- We're on Facebook and Twitter. Both are great ways to keep up with 49thstatehardball.com because I post a lot of the updates to either one. The Facebook page I post to just once every day or two because I don't want to be really spammy; the Twitter I tend to be a little more active on because I use it to converse with readers and fellow bloggers, in addition to just sending out the links to new posts. But I would totally suggest you sign for one or both if you like this blog. Also, you can make a "live bookmark" of our RSS feed. That's another great way to keep track of what's going on over here.



- The Summer Ball blog has a Summer League Forum, where you can sign up and participate in online message boards about various collegiate summer leagues, including the ABL. I hate to say it, but the Alaska League section is pretty sparse! Why don't some of you ABL fans check out the forums, sign up, and get things going?

- Mat-Su Miners GM Pete Christopher reports that he's gotten contracts for all players and that the Miners' roster is 3 over the limit, but that he expects to "lose players during the spring". The Miners are also looking for more housing for players.

- The Goldpanners have given the front page of their website a face lift and it's a big improvement. It's a lot less busy, more organized, and just easier to find what you want without having to sort through stuff you don't. I don't mean to sound negative but it seems like a few of the team websites -- as well as the main league site -- look very "1997". I'd really like to see the ABL establish the kind of web presence that a top-notch summer league deserves (and I think a fan blog is an important aspect of that, so I will do my best to hold up my end).


On Deck: 

- Interviews! I don't want to promise anything specific until I get a transcript in my hand, because these things have a way of falling through for me. I don't know if I ask the wrong questions or what. But anyway, I've got a few irons in the fire...some more promising than others...so I'm sure I'll get at least one interesting ABL personality to bite sooner or later. 

- Waiting on some more rosters before I write up the "Players to Watch" for the other five teams. Again, the Miners supposedly have all their contracts in but still no roster. Oilers say it's "coming soon". Bucs, Fire and Pilots haven't put any teasers out there so there's no telling when that will be. Of course, I realize that there's still about 6 months or so to go until the next season opens so I can't be too impatient. But just rest assured that as soon as they get their rosters posted, I'll start working on the articles.

- Really, whatever you -- the fan -- want to see here, I could do. I will gladly accept ideas for posts, guest posts (that aren't written terribly), photos, comments, etc. and I will credit you one way or another for them. If you have something to contribute to make this blog better, please feel free to pitch it to me.

- A look at who's protected and who's up for grabs in the upcoming MLB Rule Five Draft, as it pertains to former ABL players. That will actually drop TOMORROW.

- A quick little opinion piece about why the ABL is freakin' awesome. That's coming up later TODAY.