Tagged: baseball

This Week in Rocky Town

Cory Morrow to Perform at Citibank, RockHounds Blankets to be Given Out–April 22

Join the RockHounds at Citibank Ballpark for 2011’s first “Pride of Texas Night.”  Country singer and songwriter Cory Morrow will perform the national anthem and sign autographs on the concourse during the game.  Additionally, the first 1,000 fans will receive a RockHounds blanket.  Gates open at 6 p.m.; first pitch at 7 p.m.

United Blood Services Blood Drive–April 23

The RockHounds will be hosting a blood drive to benefit United Blood Services on Saturday from 5-8 p.m. at Citibank Ballpark.  Register online (www.midlandrockhounds.org) in advance to set your appointment.  All fans who register through the ‘Hounds website will be entered into a drawing to win one of ten $20 gift certificates to the Sidewalk Souvenir Store, as well as a ticket to a future RockHounds game.

Post-game Fireworks–April 23

It’s been a long week; you deserve a fun night out.  And, boy, what a night the ‘Hounds have planned for you! Once you have given blood, there is no better way to recover than a RockHounds victory with fireworks after the game.  Be one of the first 500 fans and receive a ‘Hounds seat cushion, so you can enjoy your show from the most comfortable seat in Rocky Town.  Gates open at 6 p.m., and the game begins at 7 p.m., with the fireworks immediately following.

Celebrate Easter at Citibank–April 24

Every Sunday is “Family Fun Day” at Citibank Ballpark.  With the coupon in that day’s Midland Reporter-Telegram, fans can purchase five reserved sears for $15, or five box seats for $30.  The Golf Course Road Church of Christ is hosting an Easter “Sunrise” service…and the entire community is invited.  At 9:30 a.m., the gates will open for the service, and the first 2,000 people to arrive will receive a ticket to that afternoon’s RockHounds’ game AND a free BBQ lunch!  The service begins at 10:30 with lunch following.  Already have morning plans?  Join us for Easter afternoon baseball: gates open at 1:30 p.m.; first pitch at 2 p.m.

Monday $2 Ticket Night at Citibank Ballpark–April 25

Every Monday night, fans can purchase $2 reserved seats or $4 box seats when they mention Basic Energy Services at the box office.  Gates open at 6 p.m.; first pitch is at 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday 2-for-1 Tickets at Citibank Ballpark–April 26

Baseball is meant to be enjoyed with family and friends, and there is no better day for that than Tuesday in Rocky Town.  Fans can get two tickets for the price of one with the wrapper from any Kraft Singles product or a coupon from Buffalo Wild Wings in Midland.  Gates open at 6 p.m.; first pitch is at 6:30 p.m.

We Win, You Win Wednesday at Citibank Ballpark–April 27

How can ‘Hounds victory make the night even better?  When you win, too!  If the RockHounds beat the Corpus Christi Hooks tonight, every fan will receive a voucher for a free ticket to, or concession item at, a future Wednesday game.  Gates open at 6 p.m.; first pitch is at 6:30 p.m.

Thirsty Thursday–April 21

Baseball is a game of symmetry…and so is this homestand.  Just like they started it, the ‘Hounds end the week with Thirsty Thursday in Rocky Town.  Fountain soda and draft and domestic bottled beer are half-price.  Come early, come thirsty.   Gates open at 6 p.m.; first pitch at 7 p.m.

Chevy and the ‘Hounds Host FREE Baseball Clinics–May 14 and June 11

Learn the game from ‘Hounds player s and coaches!  The Permian Basin Chevy Dealers and the RockHounds will be hosting two FREE youth baseball instructional clinics for boys and girls ages 7-13.  Find more information and register online at www.midlandrockhounds.org.  A post-clinic snack and goodie bag will be provided for all participants. Children have the option to sign up for one of two days:

 

 

Clinic Options:

Saturday, May 14, 2011: 9:00AM-12:00PM
Monahans Baseball Park
808 West 8th St.
Monahans, TX 79756

-OR-

Saturday, June 11, 2011: 9:00AM-12:00PM
RockHounds Citibank Ballpark
5514 Champions Dr.
Midland, TX 79706

Timeline for both clinics:
8:00AM – 8:45AM Check In
9:00AM – 12:00PM Clinic
12:00PM – Post Clinic Snack

Participants
Participants will need to wear and bring their own baseball gear and water bottle. Practice apparel or team uniforms are acceptable, as are cleats or tennis shoes. Each child should have a personal glove, and may bring a bat.

Each child is required to RSVP and bring a signed clinic waiver form (available online) to the registration table on the day of the clinic.

Family Members
Family members are encouraged to attend the clinics, but we recommend that you bring a cooler with refreshments as concessions may not be available. A post-clinic snack will be provided for all participants.

 

RockHounds Opening Day Roster Announced

Shortstop Grant Green Among 15 RockHounds Returning From 2010

 

The RockHounds will welcome a new field manager in 2011, as Steve Scarsone will guide the club.  Steve, in turn, will welcome the Oakland Athletics’ top prospect, shortstop Grant Green, as part of a roster that includes 15 players from the 2010 South Division championship club.

 

His official career statistics don’t reflect it, but Green appeared with the RockHounds in last season’s Texas League playoffs and, in fact, hit a home run on the first pitch he saw at the Double-A level.  The former University of Southern California star spent the entire regular season with Stockton (where Scarsone was his manager) before being promoted to the RockHounds for the Texas League post-season (playoff stats are not included in a player’s official career numbers).

 

Green was also one of three Stockton Ports to be named to the 2010 (Advanced-A) California League Post-Season All-Star team.  Third baseman Stephen Parker and pitcher Shawn Haviland also earned all-star honors in the Cal League, earning promotions to the (Double-A) RockHounds.

 

Parker, selected by Oakland in the fifth round of the 2009 draft out of Brigham Young University, hit 21 home runs and drove in 98 for Stockton last season and is rated a top-25 prospect on the A’s “farm.” Haviland, a 33rd round selection by Oakland in 2008 out of Harvard University, went 9-6, with a 3.65 earned run average for the Ports.

 

Haviland will be part of a pitching staff that will feature some very familiar names. Anthony Capra, Fautino de los Santos, Graham Godfrey, Carlos Hernandez, Jared Lansford, Lance Sewell, Paul Smyth, Mickey Storey and Neil Wagner all pitched for the RockHounds in all or part of 2010.

 

Godfrey was a 2009 Texas League All-Star for the RockHounds, winning 11 games, and spent most of last season at the Triple-A level.  Lansford, too, has pitched for (AAA) Sacramento, and has saved 27 games in a RockHounds uniform.  Storey got his first taste of Triple-A in 2010, and has been one of the ‘Hounds top relievers, spending parts of both 2009 and 2010 with the club. Wagner, acquired midway through last season from the Cleveland Indians organization, was sensational down the stretch and through the playoffs as the ‘Hounds closer.  Wagner did not allow a run (earned or otherwise) in his last 11  appearances.  Capra, who was in the ‘Hounds rotation all of last season, posted a solid 4.27 ERA with 118 strikeouts in 130 innings.  Acquired from the Chicago White Sox in the trade involving (former RockHound) Nick Swisher, de los Santos (whose velocity touches the high 90’s) is rated the #13 prospect in the Oakland organization by Baseball America.

 

Three of the four RockHounds’ outfielders played here a year ago: Matt Sulentic, Shane Peterson and Jermaine Mitchell.  Both Sulentic and Peterson, each just 23 years of age, rebounded from slow starts a year ago to finish at .275 and .265, respectively.  Mitchell opened 2010 at Stockton, his third season with the Ports, before earning a promotion to the RockHounds late in the season.  Jermaine, a Texas native (he lives in Daingerfield), was outstanding in the playoffs, hitting .350.  The newcomer in the outfield is also a Texan; Josh Barfield is a Houston native and was selected by Oakland in the eighth round of the 2008 draft, out of Klein High School in Spring (TX).  Josh, who stands 6-5, 250,

hit 17 home runs with 92 RBI for Stockton a year ago.

 

The infield is “all new,” with Green and Parker (who play short and third, respectively) joined by second baseman Tyler Ladendorf and first baseman Michael Spina.  That quartet formed Stockton’s infield for most of the 2010 season.  Although limited to 73 games, Jason Christian, Oakland’s fifth round choice in 2008 out of the University of Michigan, played second, third and shortstop, spending most of the season with Kane County of the (Single-A) Midwest League.

 

Yusuf Carter returns “behind the dish” and is joined by Petey Paramore and Mitch Canham.  All three played here a year ago, although Canham did so in a San Antonio Missions uniform.  Canham, who helped lead Oregon State University to back-to-back College World Series titles in 2006 and 2007, was signed as a minor league free agent this week.  Like Canham, Paramore is a Pac-10 product, and was a star at Arizona State.  Petey joined the ‘Hounds a year ago after Carter was sidelined by injury, hitting a solid .263 in the regular season and .304 in the playoffs.  Yusuf, in his first full season as a catcher, returned from the disabled list, playing for Steve Scarsone in Stockton in the second half of last season.  With the Ports, he hit .278 with 13 home runs in 48 games.

 

The RockHounds open the 2011 Texas League season Thursday, April 7,  when they host the Arkansas Travelers at Citibank Ballpark.