Update 7/12

On Thursday, Jiandido Tromp hit his team leaden seventh home run. The three RBIs plated by the dinger brought his season total to 20. Sean McHugh registered his first hit as a professional ball player. He would finish Thursday 3-3 with an RBI.

Last night, the Cutters lost to the Vermont Lake Monsters to snap their five game win streak. A seven run top of the second gave Vermont a safe lead early in the game and they also scored seven other runs, making the final 14-2. Cris Oliver took the loss.

The Cutters are now 16-12 and are currently playing the Tri-City Valley Cats at  home. This is the first of a three game set.

Update 7/9

Hello All. It has been a few weeks since the last update. If you didn't remember I'm a high school kid so I have to worry about work for the blog as well as home and school things. Things are settling down at the moment though, so I can get back to focusing more with the blog. Thanks for your patience.

Since the last post on June 19, the Cutters are 11-8, bringing their season record to 14-11. Jiandido Tromp is having a solid season as he leads the team in home runs, RBIs and stolen bases with six, seventeen, and seven respectively. He also shares the team lead for runs alongside Cord Sandberg, with 18.

The Cutters are currently in third place in the Pinckney Division, trailing the State College Spikes by four games. Their next game is tonight at home against the Vermont Lake Monsters. First pitch is slated for 7:05.

Once again, I would like to say thank you for sticking with the blog. It is much appreciated. 

Cutters Finish Sweep of Jamestown

Since the Opening Night loss to State College, the Crosscutters have won four games and lost two more. Tonight, they finished a three game sweep against Jamestown.

Highlights of the series included a three home run night on Monday, two of which came off the bat of Jiandido Tromp. These homers were a part of a night that included nine hits, all for extra bases.

FINAL Cutters 12 Jammers 5

The next night, Cord Sandberg extended a hitting streak to six games with a single in the 11th inning. He would eventually score the Cutters winning run that inning after a throwing error over the plate. Drew Stankiewicz hit a swinging bunt to force that play.

FINAL-11 Cutters 5 Jammers 4

Tonight, Sandberg extended his hitting streak to seven games while picking up an RBI.

FINAL Cutters 4 Jammers 2

Recap 6/13

After a 34 minute delay to ensure the rain would pass before removing the tarp from the field, the game would get underway.

Alejandro Arteaga would allow a leadoff walk but get the next three outs. The game went on like so with not much offense from either team. State College’s Dewin Perez faced just one over the minimum in his five innings of work. 

The scoring got underway in the top of the fifth. Chris Rivera got on base, then took second on a failed pickoff attempt, then third on a balk. Brian Vigo-Suarez then drew a walk followed by a Jhohan Acevado single that scored Rivera. That was the first run of the game and the Spikes would score three more. That was before Rowan Wick stepped up to the plate. He took pitch over the wall in left center field that gave him two RBIs and his team a 6-0 lead.

State College would add on a run in the seventh, all of this while the Cutters had only managed one hit. Cord Sandberg had a bunt single in the fourth. 

In the eighth, Wilmer Oberto was on first when catcher Deivi Gullon hit a double for the RBI. Sandberg’s second infield hit of the night came later in the inning and it scored Herlis Rodriguez. Sandberg would follow him in after a Jiandido Tromp double.

Those three runs would be all the Cutters would score, but the Spikes weren’t quite done. Rowan Wick hit his second home run of the night in the ninth inning, a three run shot, making the score 10-3. Wick would finish the night with 5 RBIs.

FINAL SCORE: SPIKES 10 CUTTERS 3

WP:PEREZ LP:ARTEAGA

TIME OF GAME: 2HRS 39MIN

Game Preview

The Crosscutters open up their season tonight at 7:05 against the State College Spikes. The pitching matchup is between Dewin Perez for State College and Alejandro Arteaga for Williamsport.

In 2013, Arteaga had a 3.45 ERA in ten stars with the GCL Phillies and Clearwater. He started the 2014 season in Lakewood but was demoted to Williamsport after posting a 3-6 record with an ERA of 9.23 

The Cutters bats will face lefty Dewin Perez who was 2-4 with a 3.23 ERA for the GCL Cardinals in 2013.

The Cutters won their opener last year at State College but dropped their first game at home to the Spikes the following night in extra innings.

Media Day 2014

The Crosscutters held their media day yesterday. I had th e opportunity to speak to new manager Shawn Williams, pitcher Mitch Gueller and VP of Marketing and Public Relations, Gabe Sinicropi. 

2014 will be Williams’ first season as a manager and I asked if he would take any special approach to this year. He said the team would “focus on fundamentals and the little things like bunting and scoring from third.” also stating that this is how games are won. There is only one draft pick in Williamsport this year, but there were more last season. When asked about the typical acclimation period Williams thought the biggest adjustment is “playing every day with a stronger focus.”

Mitch Gueller is one of a few returning players this season. I asked if there were any specific improvements since last season. He says he has “a new mental approach” and he is “excited to show it in games.” He also has switched his pitching arsenal around. “I was throwing a curveball but it wasn’t really working,” Gueller said. “I throw a slider now.”  

Before I dive into my interview, I would like to thank Gabe for allowing me to return as a blogger this season and helping me out as I go.

Opening Day is exiting for any baseball fan, and when asked about his excitement he said “Always, I’m always excited for it.” A brief statement, but very true for all followers of the game. The Cutters got a new playing surface at Bowman Field last year and will be using the same surface in 2014. Gabe was sure to compliment the grounds crew on keeping the field maintained. “It’s the same surface, but it looks brand new though,” Sinicropi said.

The Cutters open up the season tomorrow night at 7:05 against the State College Spikes.

Draft 2014

The 2014 MLB First Year Player Draft is less than one hour away. Many prospects are awaiting the call for their shot at the Majors. The Phillies, who are currently 24-33, hold the seventh pick. They have lost five straight games and don’t exactly look promising for the rest of the season. They are not playing good baseball, and age is a major factor. Many players are pushing 35 or are older. Thirty-five in baseball years is like 57. 

On the left side of the infield, shortstop Jimmy Rollins is 35 and is nearing the end of his career. The Phils have two notable shortstop prospects in Roman Quinn and last year’s first round pick, JP Crawford. They are playing in Clearwater and Lakewood, respectively. Reid Brignac is currently playing third base. He is 28, but third base prospect Maikel Franco is tearing it up in AAA Lehigh Valley. Expect to see Franco sooner than later with the big club.

With a bounty of solid outfield prospects, the big hole to fill is on the right side of the infield. First baseman Ryan Howard is 34 and second baseman Chase Utley is 35. The Phillies have no first or second baseman among their Top 20 Prospects.* 

Many of the Top 200 Draft Prospects* are outfielders, pitchers and catchers So don’t be surprised if the Phillies don’t use their top pick on an infielder. Many quality pitchers will be on the board at the seventh pick. Picking a pitcher in the first round would not be disappointing selection this year.

*Prospect Rankings from MLB.com

Update

Hello there, it’s been a while. A lot has happened since our last update. Here’s a look:

-Cutters Opening Day is only 20 days out (Friday June 13 at 7:05)

-Scott Anderson is the new Skipper after Nelson Prada was promoted to A+ Clearwater

-The MLB First Year Player Draft is 12 days away. Much of the 2014 roster will come from the draft.

-The Phillies are 20-24

-That’s Last Place in the NL East

-Teachers from my school district went on strike. We called it Teachnado.

-Johnny Manziel was drafted by the Cleveland Browns

-The San Francisco Giants have the best record in the MLB (30-18)

-The Houston Astros have the worst (17-32)

-Gay marriage is legal in Pennsylvania 

-Bowman Field now is under a corporate name (Susquehanna Bank Park at Historic Bowman Field.)

It's Been A While

Hello Internet.

My last post was in September. That's a long time. Anyway, I'd like to say Happy New Year about three weeks late.

Lumber and Hide has a lot in store for 2014. Lots of stories that I hope you'll enjoy.


The Crosscutters hosted a banquet tonight in Williamsport. Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg was present. Unfortunately, I couldn't make it. Oh well.

Sorry for this poorly written article. Once again Happy New Year.

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@LumberAndHide and @RealRyanSharp