Big Papi Farewell - Atlanta video tribute

Tipping cap to crowd at Turner Field

Being a National League city, David Ortiz has not played many games at Turner Field. However, in his 13 games started there he has hit seven home runs, including a big 3 run shot that had the Red Sox come back from 5 runs down in a huge comeback victory on Memorial Day in 2014. 

In the first game of this two game series, the game was decided by a home run, but it was Jackie Bradley Jr, the hero in the 1-0 victory, as Ortiz just had a pinch hit appearance.  In the second game, the Braves honored Big Papi with a video tribute.  Fans gave him a very loud ovation, and when Ortiz came out of the dugout to tip his cap it got even louder. You can watch the video here.  Unfortunately that was the only appearance of the day for Ortiz, and barring a miraculous World Series berth for the hapless Braves, the last time Ortiz will play in Atlanta. 

Look here for the list of other team's farewells to David Ortiz.  And get your own Papi Farewell Tour tshirt here.

Big Papi Farewell - First Stop: Houston

Photo courtesy of Twitter @MLB

In what was the first of many stops on David Ortiz’ farewell tour, the Houston Astros honored Ortiz with a Stetson cowboy hat in a pregame ceremony.  Astros fans aren’t personally very familiar with Ortiz, as he’s only started 12 games at Minute Maid Park in his career, since Houston was in the National League for most of it, but of course they are well aware of his accomplishments and gave him a nice ovation.  His biggest moment in that park was probably in the 2004 All Star Game when he hit a home run off of Carl Pavano, to help the AL win that game and give them home field advantage in the World Series, which, of course, the Red Sox won that season.

Anyhow after the ceremony, the Red Sox went on to defeat the home team 6-2. Ortiz had a quiet night just reaching base once on a walk. 

You can see the entire presentation here.

And if you were at the game and want to get your own Papi Farewell tour shirt, you can order it online here:

Front

Close up of back of shirt

Big Papi Farewell Tour

As this is David Ortiz’ final season, his last visit to each visiting ballpark promises to be memorable. It may be the last opportunity for his fans in those cities to see him (other than possibly in the postseason) , and every team has something special planned for him.  Below is a list of dates showing the last regular season scheduled game at each team’s stadium. This list will be updated throughout the season with links to articles about how each team and their fans are honoring this great player.

April 24 – Astros

April 26 – Braves

May 5 – White Sox

May 18 – Royals

June 8 – Giants

June 12 – Twins

June 26 – Rangers

July 31 – Angels

August 4 – Mariners

August 7 – Dodgers

August 15 – Indians

August 21 – Tigers

September 4 – Athletics

September 7 – Padres

September 11 - Blue Jays

September 22 – Orioles

September 25 – Rays

September 29 – Yankees

October 2 – Last home game at Fenway

If you want your own Farewell tour t-shirt click on the images below:

Front

Close up of back of shirt

Undeserved Home Runs

In Thursday’s Spring Training game between Houston and the New York Mets, the Astros’ AJ Reed got credit for a home run on a ball that hit the warning track and rolled towards the fence. Yoenis Cespedes thought the ball was lodged under the fence and put up his hands indicating to the umpires that it should be a ground rule double.  And he just watched the ball as Reed circled the bases and got a home run. The umpire ran towards the ball, confirmed that it was in fact in play and the home run stood.  Click below to see this whole play:

On my Baseball Scoring site, I have a post explaining in detail why even though Cespedes just sat there and looked at the ball, the correct official scoring of this play is a home run and no error. Feel free to check it out, if you want.

I still don't understand how some people think this guy is a gold-glove outfielder. He has a strong arm, but takes absolutely awful routes to balls, and occasionally makes bone-headed plays.  Very glad he's not patrolling Fenway's outfield anymore.

For your entertainment purposes here are a bunch of other plays where batters got home runs, mainly due to fielder's misplays (but not errors!)

One week left of this 5 month hibernation!

Alberta Baseball Tournaments

As Spring Training starts, it's not too early to start thinking about registering for some spring and summer baseball tournaments taking place throughout our Province.
Below is a list of tournaments I've been made aware of.  If you are a local league / team / association and what to promote your tournament, drop me a line and I'll add it here and plug it on twitter.

Click on links for details of each tournament - some of the ages are flexible, the groupings below are just for quick reference.

Mosquito (11U) Tournaments
Lethbridge Jr. Dawgs Icebreaker - April 29th - May 1st - Contact Wade Pearce or Don Aos
St. Albert Early Bird Tournament - May 20 - 23rd - Contact tournaments@stalbertbaseball.com
Lethbridge Jr. Dawgs Spring fling - May 27th - 29th - Contact (12U) wademurr@telus.net or (10U) mabin5@shaw.ca
Darin McDonald Invitiational (Spruce Grove) - June 3rd - 5th
Dave Plotsky Memorial (Sherwood Park) - June 3rd - 5th

PeeWee (13U) Tournaments
Lethbridge Jr. Dawgs Icebreaker - April 29th - May 1st - Contact Wade Pearce or Don Aos
Calgary Redbirds Victoria Day Classic - May 20th - 222nd - Contact Jim Lawson
St. Albert Early Bird Tournament - May 20 - 23rd - Contact tournaments@stalbertbaseball.com 
Lethbridge Jr. Dawgs Spring fling - May 27th - 29th - Contact wademurr@telus.net
Darin McDonald Invitiational (Spruce Grove) - June 3rd - 5th
Dave Plotsky Memorial (Sherwood Park) - June 3rd - 5th
Calgary Redbirds Classic - June 10th - 12th - Contact Jim Lawson
Baseball Calgary Summer Slam - June 17 - 19 - Contact Colin Moro
Calgary Redbirds Dan Lawson Memorial - July 8th - 10th  - Contact Jim Lawson

Bantam (15U) Tournaments
Lethbridge Jr. Dawgs Icebreaker - April 29th - May 1st - Contact Wade Pearce or Don Aos
Calgary Redbirds Icebreaker - May 13th - 15th - Contact Jim Lawson
Calgary Redbirds Victoria Day Classic - May 20th - 222nd - Contact Jim Lawson
St. Albert Early Bird Tournament - May 20 - 23rd - Contact tournaments@stalbertbaseball.com 
Darin McDonald Invitiational (Spruce Grove) - June 3rd - 5th
Dave Plotsky Memorial (Sherwood Park) - June 3rd - 5th
Calgary Redbirds Classic - June 3rd - 5th - Contact Jim Lawson
Calgary Redbirds Classic - June 10th - 12th - Contact Jim Lawson
Baseball Calgary Summer Slam - June 17 - 19 - Contact Colin Moro
Calgary Redbirds Dan Lawson Memorial - July 8th - 10th  - Contact Jim Lawson
Calgary Redbirds Dan Lawson Memorial - July 15th - 17th  - Contact Jim Lawson

Midget (18U) Tournaments
Calgary Redbirds Icebreaker - May 13th - 15th - Contact Jim Lawson
St. Albert Early Bird Tournament - May 20 - 23rd - Contact tournaments@stalbertbaseball.com 
Calgary Redbirds Classic  - May 27th - 29th - Contact Jim Lawson
Darin McDonald Invitiational (Spruce Grove) - June 3rd - 5th
Dave Plotsky Memorial (Sherwood Park) - June 3rd - 5th
Calgary Redbirds Classic - June 3rd - 5th - Contact Jim Lawson
Peter DeVries (Edmonton) - June 16th - 19th - Contact Taylor Burns
Calgary Redbirds Stampede Showdown - July 1st - 3rd - Contact Jim Lawson
Medicine Hat Knights UCT Tournament - July 1st - 3rd - Contact Lovell McDonald or Keith Lutz
Medicine Hat Majestics Saamis Rotary Tournament - July 8th - 10th - Contact Lovell McDonald
Calgary Redbirds Dan Lawson Memorial - July 15th - 17th  - Contact Jim Lawson
Calgary Redbirds Dan Lawson Memorial - July 22nd - 24th  - Contact Jim Lawson