4/17/2010 Odds & Ends: Broken Bones Edition

I broke my toe on Tuesday morning.
This week was all downhill from there.

Hey, it's Saturday, time for another Odds & Ends! This week was kinda light; my foot got in a fight with a dining room chair and lost (see photo to the left) and, yeah, that kinda set the tone for my whole week. But I got a couple posts in, and you know I'm always good for an Odds & Ends (unless something better comes up): 

- There have been a few roster moves made by the teams who have released tentative rosters. I've noticed a couple of players who are no longer listed for 2010. Bryan Harper (Pilots, 2009), big brother of uber-prospect Bryce Harper, is apparently not coming up for round two with the Glacier Pilots. A little birdie told me that he won't be back; I usually don't post "rumor mill" stuff but if you'll notice that the Glacier Pilots have written biographies on their websites for all of their returning players except Harper, it kind of corroborates that. Just putting two and two together on that one. Also, Jesse Darrah (Panners, 2009) has been taken off the 2010 roster. The story here is that the would-be returning Goldpanner out of Sacramento State is taking summer classes and may rejoin the team mid-season if things work out as planned. On the other hand, the Pilots have announced the signing of Thomas Rooke, and the Panners have booked Alex Pracher. I have a little write-up on those signings.


- Do you like prospect rankings? Well you're in luck buddy. I've began to rank my top professional prospects who have come out of the ABL. I'm not going to tell you who's on it right now. I don't even know where everyone is going to rank, or how I'm going to present it to you. But expect something soon, and I'll give you a hint: the 2006 Anchorage Bucs were stacked with prospects. Keep your eyes open.

- Speaking of prospects and the 2006 Bucs, Mets fans are apparently clamoring to see Ike Davis (Bucs, 2006) in whatever the hell they call that place that replaced Shea Stadium. Among those are Seven Train to Shea blogger Matt Pignataro who says it's time to bring Ike up to the big leagues. I'm Atlanta Braves faithful until the day I die, and I honestly never wish anything good upon the Mets, but I would be extremely happy, as a fan of all ABL alumni, if they called Ike up and he proved to be the next big thing in the big apple.

- Have you ever thought about housing a player of your favorite Alaska League team? Many of the clubs are looking for housing parents for 2010. I imagine there are some small requirements; you're basically responsible for adopting a player for a couple months so I'd guess a bed, some food, and possibly a washing machine and advice on what kinds of good wholesome Alaskan fun a kid from down south can get into during their stay are required. But if you meet those basic requirements, want a rewarding experience and don't mind helping a guy out, you should look into it! Several of the teams have info on their websites regarding summer parenthood (Bucs, Oilers, Pilots) and the others, well, I'm sure all you have to do is ask!

- If you're looking for another way to get involved, the Mat-Su Miners are having their field clean-up day on May 1st, starting at 9:00am. I'm going to be stuck in Montana until a week into the season, so I will not be there unfortunately. But if anyone wants to go and share the story with me I'd be glad to give you some space to write.

We're down to within 50 days of the start of the season. It's getting so close I can taste plastic-cup beer. I won't be in state until the 12th or so, I believe, but I've got an action-packed schedule of games I plan to attend for immediately after my arrival. I'll see every team at least once within the first 10 days of my return, and if I can scrape up enough dough to put some gas in the car (see that ad banner over there on the left? I think it needs some clicking!) I'll be including the Midnight Sun Game in that time frame.