Training Camp Underway

Day 1 of training camp is in the books, and what a day it was. Nearly 50 ballplayers worked out at Cal State Dominguez Hills for Manager Garry Templeton and his coaches as the Armada looks to narrow the group down to the final 22.

The players, highlighted by former NL All-Star Jose Lima, practiced in the morning session before playing games in the afternoon. Training camp will continue into next week, and over the next few days Templeton and his staff will begin to trim down the list of invitees.

One surprise name that showed up to camp, former Armada player Johnny Kaplan, who set a GBL record with 51 stolen bases for the Armada in 2007. Could he make the team and be back in Long Beach this season? Stay tuned...

PICTURES FROM CAMP

Batting practice


Lima gets his new hat


Don't forget to set your watch to LIMA TIME


Templeton throwing BP


Templeton and Lima during the morning session

Tijuana out of GBL for '09

It seems the Tijuana Project is once again going adios for now. The GBL announced today that due to health risks, the Tijuana Potros will not participate in the 2009 Golden Baseball League season.

While this does alter the Armada's 2009 schedule, it's not as bass-ackward now as you might think. Yes, the games that were originally scheduled against Tijuana are off, but the majority of the schedule is still in tact. I'm sure players will be disappointed that they won't have a chance to catch the swine flu ... darn. And, yes, I realize this announcement makes a previous post seem a little cavalier.

Here's the official word from the GBL:

Tijuana Potros Put on Hold For 2009 Season in GBL
Health Risk Issues Scuttles Team's Launch and Facility Too Close To Season Start

San Ramon, CA. May 7, 2009 – The Golden Baseball League announced today that the expansion Tijuana Potros have been forced to shelve their plans to participate in the upcoming 2009 Golden Baseball League season due to the impact of the health risk issues that have erupted throughout Mexico in the last few weeks. Sports facility closings, uncertainty of stadium availability, and government mandates limiting public gatherings have all contributed to an impossible business environment to launch and operate a professional sports franchise with the start of the season less than two weeks away.

"The H1N1 virus health risk and the necessary government response and actions have wreaked havoc with the economy and businesses small and large throughout the country," said Tijuana Potros President Jose Manuel Pena. "It is not possible to operate with this uncertainty that keeps sponsors from committing, fans from buying tickets, and the stadium unavailable to host public events. We know this will pass and the Potros will be ready for next year to bring exciting professional baseball back to the people of Tijuana, but realize the timing of this natural disaster has left us with no other choice."

With so little time left prior to the start of the season, the Golden Baseball League has amended the schedule to play with nine teams for this year. This solution leaves the schedules for all teams unchanged, with a few very slight modifications, with the exception of series that were to be played versus the Potros. Those series, which average just four home contests per team, are now open dates and will be used either for off days or may be filled with special games played outside of the official schedule -- such as fundraiser games with military teams, or for other organizations that are suffering in these difficult economic times such as school districts, police and fire departments, and charitable organizations.

The GBL South Division will now be composed of the Long Beach Armada, Orange County Flyers, St. George Roadrunners, Tucson Toros, and Yuma Scorpions. The GBL North Division will be made up of the Calgary Vipers, Chico Outlaws, Edmonton Capitals, and Victoria Seals. The dates of the season remain unchanged, but due to the unbalanced nature of the original schedule some teams will have a few more games than others each half. The split season format remains the same, first half and second half champions will be decided upon by winning percentage and will advance to playoffs as already scheduled.

"We understand and our very sympathetic to the plight of the Potros in these challenging times," said GBL Commissioner Kevin Outcalt. "We are disappointed to not have the Potros with us this year, but look forward to the health and economic recovery that is already underway that will enable the Potros to have a strong entry into the league next season."

What Manny should do

As reports surface of Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramirez taking steroids, the baseball world is once again being flung into a frenzy. As if the 50-game suspension isn't bad enough, how livid must the Dodgers be to know they supported this guy, and essentially built the majority of their recent marketing around this guy. The Manny-wigs sold in the merch shops. "Mannywood." The guy was the marketing piece of the Dodgers, and everyone in LA was fine with it ... until now when it appears to be collapsing.

The perspective from the No Joshin' blog about how Manny should handle the situation:

Manny Ramirez has one chance - just one chance - at redemption. As reports surface that the savior of the Dodgers tested positive for steroids and will be suspended 50 games effective immediately, the slugger must follow the footsteps of past perpetrators and apologize NOW!

Don't go down the road that Roger Clemens took, firm denial with a dash of rage. Don't try to shut out the outside world like Barry Bonds and as a result become vilified. Don't even attempt to move on without talking about it because it happened in the past, a la Mark McGwire.

No. Manny must apologize - even if he's not specific - to his fans, to the Dodgers, to baseball for letting them all down.

As my girlfriend, a Dodger-diehard said this morning upon hearing the news, "I'm just disappointed. ... It's like finding out Santa Clause isn't real." How true that is.

The man who seemingly single-handedly lifted the Dodgers from the middle of the pack to the champions of the NL West last summer after a blockbuster trade is now on the fast track out of the game unless he can do the necessary damage control.

Look at how Andy Pettitte or Jason Giambi and others were able to bounce back from similar reports. Learn from that and repeat.

Mannywood will never again have the same glitz, glamor or glory that fans came in LA came to enjoy last season. At this point, Ramirez can only diffuse the situation by coming clean, taking his lumps, and admitting what he did.

Just because Santa Clause isn't real doesn't mean you can't celebrate Christmas. But it certainly ruins some of the magic.

44 invited to training camp

Training camp 2009 starts Sunday, May 10 at Cal State University Dominguez Hills. Manager Garry Templeton along with pitching coach Jerry Spradlin, hitting coach Garry Templeton II, and bullpen coach Sean Buller will use the 10-day training camp to determine which of the 44+ training camp invitees will make the 22-man roster. The Armada season begins May 21 on the road with three series in Canada. Long Beach opens at home at Blair Field on Tuesday, June 9 against the Tijuana Potros.

**Not all players who will be attending training camp are listed below. Be on the look out for a few other names at camp this season. Check the website for the latest details!

Here's the list (returning players in bold):

Position players:
1B - Daryl Jones
1B - Chad Miller
1B/OF - Matt Edgecombe
2B - Steve Young
INF - Michael Glomb
SS - Omar Bramasco
SS - Brandon Howard
SS - Ryan Selden
UT - Jim Davenport
UT - Jimmy Rohan
OF - Casey Garrison
OF - Matt Hirsh
OF - Josh Jennings
OF - Isidro Perez
OF - JJ Sherrill
OF - Doug West
OF - Josh Womack
C - Josh Banda
C - Bryan Beres
C - Andy Bouchie
C/INF - Jack Chapman

Pitchers invited:
P - Jamie Arneson
P - Zach Beal
P - Dustin Birosak
P - Sean Buller
P - Ryan Claypool
P - Brian Daly
P - Ryan Foss
P - Ben Fox
P - Dustin Gober
P - Hideki Irabu
P - Juan Jimenez
P - Rusty Jones
P - Andrew Layfield
P - Jose Lima
P - Scott Lonergan
P - Shane Maguire
P - Keith Ramsey
P - Darmey Sanchez
P - Justin Segal
P - Andrew Soto
P - Eddie Spychalski
P - Ryne Tacker
P - Marcus Taylor

Could Barry Bonds join the Armada?

Independent and Minor League baseball teams are constantly searching for the "draw" - that season-long hook that will undeniably pack the seats with fans anxious to see someone or something. It's easy to have a "draw" for one game (like when the Armada sent starting pitcher Jose Canseco to the mound in 2006), but finding the lightening rod who can bring that energy to the ballpark every single night is much rarer. I think Ricky Henderson served that role for the San Diego Surf Dawgs in 2005, but there hasn't been anyone of that Hall of Fame caliber in the GBL since.

And now there's a rumor that intertwines Barry Bonds and the Long Beach Armada. The LA Times reported yesterday that Bonds - who says he hasn't "retired" - and his agent are still looking for a job for the all-time homerun king. And while his agent says that Bonds "shouldn't have to" play for the Armada just to prove to big-league clubs that he can still get it done, it doesn't necessarily mean it's out of the question.

Bonds would be that "draw", that hook fans would absolutely undeniably turn out in droves to see at the Blair Field for as long as Bonds put on an Armada jersey. Don't get me wrong, Jose Lima and Hideki Irabu are big signings for the organization. But they play once every five days and combined don't have a fraction of the clout that Barry Bonds has. No one in baseball does outside of possibly Alex Rodriguez as a result of a book that has him thrown under a bus. But with Bonds, it would be a frenzy.

The team's Assistant GM is already trying to figure out the process of roping off extra lockers and moving a recliner into the club house ... just in case.

So while the LA Times has our club reportedly sailing on without Barry Bonds, I would hope it's something that Mr. 762 would at least consider. Whether you love Bonds or absolutely hate him, it's undeniable that you'd come out to see him. And if he autographed your kid's baseball or cap, you'd love it.

So I guess there is just one question...

Will Mr. 762 join the team in (562)?

This Too Shall Pass

This too shall pass

As speculation over what the "swine flu outbreak" will mean for the 2009 GBL season, there is one possibility that seems to be the most rational and simple: hunker down and ride it out.

No, I'm not a doctor, but from all the reports in the media, the swine flu doesn't appear to be any more harmful that the regular flu that kills 36,000 Americans every year.  So if there is concern about swine flu in Tijuana - as evidenced by the cancellation of other sporting events for now - one must consider if those same concerns will realistically exist one month from now when the GBL season kicks off.

Doubtful.

Just let this thing blow over, and let's move on with the season.  By July, the talk will be more about the dynamic duo of Lima-Irabu leading Long Beach past opponents rather than pig-flu embattling the Potros.

Swine Flu in TJ?

This season the GBL added a team in Tijuana. Now the swine flu has organizers of an under-17 international soccer tournament held in Tijuana cancelled as a precaution it seems.

This leaves a few questions for the Golden Baseball League to answer as the 2009 season looms:

Will it affect the season schedule?
Will games be rescheduled/relocated?
Does this mean we still shouldn't drink the water in Mexico?

Not really sure of the answers to any of those (except #3, never drink that stuff). But we'll definitely keep you posted here. Also Mexican baseball league officials that some games involving Torreon, Minatitlan, Saltillo, Veracruz, Quintana Roo, Yucatan and Nuevo Laredo will be "played behind closed doors" according to USA Today.

What do yall think should be done:
1. as a precaution?
2. if it is determined to be a threat to players?

Discuss...