Weekday Afternoon Ballgames

I don’t think afternoon games on weekday travel days is a written rule, but you never know with the players union. I’m sure the TV networks have some say in it. Most teams hate the Sunday night ESPN game, which not only lasts longer than usual, but makes traveling to the next city an all night trip. Here’s a quick study of the Braves 2011 Wed/Thur games…

HOME: 10 night and 4 day games. The Braves traveled after 2 night games (to NY & Phil), but after 3 of the 4 day games (to SD, Philly, and Arizona).

ROAD: 8 day and 5 night games.

Sounds to me like the Braves determine the game time. Times are probably based on weather, travel distance, whether school is in session, etc. Interestingly, on Memorial Day weekend the Braves played the dreaded 8 pm Sunday ESPN game, then a 1 pm Monday game, then a 7 pm Tuesday game. I’m sure the Padres were thrilled, arriving Sunday night, then flying out even later Tuesday night.

With the comfortable wild card lead I think Fredi is trying to not pitch the same reliever every day, resting them for the stretch run. I thought he had given up on the Tuesday game. When he won it meant he could rest players in the Wednesday game.

Mark Bowman said at least two of those young minor league pitchers would be called up Sept 1st. Good chance Linebrink won’t be on the playoff roster. That was a good play by Chipper. Couldn’t believe he made that earlier error…he obviously lost the high chopper in the lights. That’s what happened to the Cubs rightfielder, when Barney made that great over the shoulder catch.

At least Lowe was upset with his performance, though he had the just one bad inning. Freeman’s deep fly just missed going out, otherwise the Braves would’ve tied it up.

I missed Chipper giving the foul ball to the lady…sounded hilarious. Saw that man last night catch a ball, and hand it to a kid. Everyone applauded. Will says that’s what he would do, and I guess I would too (but Matthew would want it).

See Chip Carey sing Take Me Out to the Ball Game Wednesday night? Tuesday night they played a replay of a past performance, then last night he donned huge glasses for the feat. Looked like he would’ve rather not had all the attention.

Might’ve mentioned the girl on M’s baseball team. The other Mt. Paran team also has a girl…Gracie, the younger brother of Will’s former teammate John Fulton. JF’s tall dad George manages a ChickFilA, and is always ready to talk baseball. This summer Gracie was part of an all-girl 12U team that competed in Cooperstown.

Wednesday night I pitched BP to M. He hates to practice, but every time he goes he improves.

Traded two unused baseball gloves at Play It Again Sports. I’ve got some youth golf clubs I’ll try to sell them next. Saw a bunch of GT basketball stuff in a thrift store. Only 2 or 3 jerseys, with names I’d never heard of.