To introduce myself my name is Weston "the Sports Guy" Komathy and I'm the new play-by-play announcer for the Long Beach Armada for the 2008 season. I will be joined by Jason Reed and Josh Feldman for the entire year. As a play-by-play person I have to know a thing or two about the team that I will be calling this summer. So without further adieu, my season preview.
The Armada will have a new coach this summer in former 1981 World Series Co-MVP Steve Yeager. The former Dodger catcher will field a talented team with plenty of pitching (mostly left handed) and lots of speed. The speed will be anchored by Outfielder Marland Williams who averaged 35 steals per season for the Arizona Diamondbacks organization. Infielder Cleatus Davidson had a total of 274 steals in the minor leagues and made his major league debut for the Minnesota Twins after being drafted by them in the Second Round.
The pitching will start at the top with Nick Bierbrodt (lefthander) a local boy from Long Beach Millikan High School. He was the first ever draft pick of the Arizona Diamondbacks back in 1996. He went a combined 45-51 with 752 strikeouts in both the Minor and Major leagues. Also played in Taiwan last season. Jerome Williams the former Giant, Cub and National will follow Bierbrodt in the rotation. His major league totals stand at 23-29 with a 4.24 ERA.
There's also plenty of pop in the lineup as well. Catcher David Parrish (the son of former major leaguer Lance Parrish) signed back on April 16th. He batted .243 with 33 home runs and 260 RBIs in the minor leagues. Outfielder/First Baseman Tony Torcato the former Giant, White Sox, and Mariner brings even more major league experience to the Armada. With a lifetime average of .296 in the minors and .298 in the majors he is counted on to provide a big bat from the left side. Four former first round picks headline this year's team (Bierbrodt, J. Williams, Parrish, Torcato).
Manager Steve Yeager starts Spring Training this Monday May 12th with over 40 players on the roster. The roster will need to be cut down to 23 active players by the following week. No easy task for any manager. This season is looking to be a productive one for the Armada and we hope that all of these players will get to the show sooner rather than later. Our first broadcasts take place Saturday May 17th at 7:00pm and Sunday May 18th at 6:00pm as the Armada play the Chinese national team at Blair Field.
I'm looking forward to a great season at Blair Field which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this season. For all information regarding Armada baseball, log on to LONGBEACHARMADA.COM. From ticket prices to promotional schedule, heck the broadcasts will be there to. Plus 10 of the home games will be televised live at IBNSPORTS.COM. I'm planning on giving a weekly blog here at LONGBEACHARMADA.BLOGSPOT.COM throughout the season. Stay tuned for many more postings in the coming weeks. I'd like to thank the Long Beach Armada for bringing me and Jason aboard this summer and to Josh Feldman for putting this blog together. This will be a fun summer. See ya at the ball park.
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2 comments:
Nice job Wes! This will be great summer for baseball in the LBC and I know that you, Josh and myself are looking forward to meeting all the fans out at Blair Field this summer!
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