TEXARKANA, TEXAS (August 17, 2008) In a season which found all four teams in the Continental Baseball League spending time in first place during the regular season, it now comes down to the one-week playoff session to determine which team will win the coveted Ferguson Jenkins CBL Championship trophy.
The first round of the playoffs begins Monday night in Texarkana, a best 2-out-of-3 series between the host Gunslingers and the Corpus Christi Beach Dawgs, the league’s first half champion. The winner of this series advances to the league title series in Texas City to face the Bay Area Toros, which clinched a first round bye by virtue of having the best overall season record. The title series, also a best 2-out-of-3 set, will be played at Robinson Stadium in Texas City beginning on Friday night, August 22, and continuing Saturday evening and Sunday evening, if necessary.
Last season’s inaugural winner, the McKinney Blue Thunder, won’t be involved in the playoffs this time around. The team which relocated from Tarrant County to McKinney finished in fourth place during the regular 72-game season despite spending time in first place during the opening weeks of the campaign. Texarkana, which got off to starts of 0-6 and 2-9, rebounded well after Chris McKnight took over for manager Steve Trout in early June. The Gunslingers rode the offense of CBL batting leader Anthony Edwards during June, July and August. Edwards also led the CBL in RBI, runs, hits, triples and total bases.
At one point in late July, the Gunslingers had the best overall record in the league until a late season burst by the Bay Area Toros, winners of 12 of 13 games during one stretch during the past two weeks, allowed the Toros to clinch the best mark overall and a first round bye.
Despite finishing in third place after winning the first half title, Corpus Christi played well against the Gunslingers, finishing with a 14-8 mark in head-to-head competition, including a 7-5 record at George Dobson Field in Texarkana. The Gunslingers, however, did fare well overall at home, posting a 23-14 mark heading into Sunday night’s final regular season game. Texarkana also led the league in home attendance and is expected to have a good turnout for the first round playoff competition.
“This has been an exciting season in the CBL and the league was very well-balanced in that all four of our teams were in first place at some point during the summer,” said CBL league operations director Bob Ibach, who along with CBL commissioner Ron Baron started the independent league in 2007. “Last year we had a team like Bay Area which had a horrible start, yet finished strong and made it into the championship game against the Blue Thunder before they lost.
“Manager Jim Bolt and general manager Mike Pede of the Toros are to be commended for taking that franchise to another level this season, and for an exciting and strong stretch run in late July and August to finish on top and earn a bye into the championship series which they’ll host.”
The CBL is looking to add two, and perhaps four, new franchises for the 2009 season. Baron was extremely pleased by the progress made by Bay Area in its second season, and the warm enthusiasm displayed in Texarkana under the ownership of Frank Snyder. Texarkana had been without professional baseball since 1954 until the Gunslingers began playing in that city in May.
“Frank has done a first class job in promoting baseball in Texarkana, and we’re very encouraged by the response from fans in that city. After a bumpy start on the field, the Gunslingers have turned it around,” noted Baron. “It’s gonna be a fun series to watch this week with the Beach Dawgs because those two teams have gone at it pretty hard all season.”
Hall of Fame pitcher Fergie Jenkins, who starred several years with the Texas Rangers and was inducted into Cooperstown in 1991 after a 284-win career, lent his name to the CBL Trophy and the league is honored by that association.
“We’re proud to have Fergie associated with our league trophy and with our independent league,” said Ibach, a former front office member of the Chicago Cubs who was with that franchise at the close of Jenkins’ career. “Fergie has always been a first class act, and he has spent a lot of his time during the past 25 years helping out youngsters through the Fergie Jenkins Foundation that he has established.
“I know he’s probably thrilled to see how our league this season has evolved into a pitcher’s league, quite a reversal from our inaugural year in 2007 when the hitters seemed to rule.”
Jenkins, born in Canada, was recognized by his native country in 2007 with the Order of Canada Award. Jenkins played for the Texas Rangers in 1974-75 and again from 1978-1981. He began his career with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1965-66, and then played for the Chicago Cubs from 1966-1973 and again in his final two seasons in the big leagues from 1982-83. He also pitched for the Boston Red Sox in 1976-77.
“Having Fergie Jenkins’ name associated with our league trophy really adds prestige and stature to our championship series,” said Baron. “Whatever team wins the title, that team will forever linked to one of the greatest pitchers in major league baseball history.”
For more information on the Continental Baseball League, visit the league’s website at www.CBLproball.com
Ferguson Jenkins Continental Baseball League
2008 Championship Series
Schedule of Games
First Round (best 2 of 3) at George Dobson Field, Texarkana
Monday, August 18: 7:05 p.m. Corpus Christi at Texarkana
Tuesday, August 19: 7:05 p.m. Corpus Christi at Texarkana
Wednesday, August 20: 7:05 p.m. Corpus Christi at Texarkana (if necessary)
Championship Series (best 2 of 3) at Robinson Stadium, Texas City
Friday, August 22: 6:35 p.m. winner of first round at Bay Area Toros
Saturday, August 23: 6:35 p.m. winner of first round at Bay Area Toros
Sunday, August 24: 6:35 p.m. winner of first round at Bay Area Toros (if necessary)
Previous CBL Champions:
2007: Tarrant County Blue Thunder (manager, Curtis Wilkerson)
By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2008 TexSport Publications
DALLAS, TEXAS (July 29, 2008) Bay Area Toros' outfielder Grant Massie and McKinney Blue Tunder pitcher Justin Drabek were selected as the Continental Baseball League's (CBL) Player and Pitcher of the Week ending July 28.
Massey had paced CBL batters with a .429 average, going 6-for-14 with one home run, driving in 4 runs and scoring 5. For the year, Massie is fifth in the league with a .295 average, and ranks second in runs scored with 35.
Drabek threw a complete-game three-hitter on Thursday against Bay Area in McKinney's 3-1 victory, his second time going the distance for the Blue Thunder. Drabek has posted a stingy 1.26 ERA in 43 innings for the season, striking out 27 while allowing just over one base runner per inning.
The honor is the first for Massie, while Drabek was also honored with the award on the week ending July 6.
(right: photo of Kevin Wells, courtesy of Bay Area Toros)By Olivia Dodson
Copyright 2008 TexSport Publications
Bay Area Toros catcher Kyle Wells and pitchers Jack Tilghman (Texarkana Gunslingers) and Kevin Cooper (Bay Area Toros) were named the Continental Baseball League’s Player and Pitchers of the Week for the week ending July 20.
Wells led all CBL batters with a .417 average, going 15-for-36 while driving in a league-best 11 runs since the All-Star break. For the season, Wells is among the leaders in batting average (second, .328), on-base percentage (third, .407), and slugging percentage (.406).
Tilghman, the Texarkana relief ace, has appeared in seven games for the Gunslingers since the All-Star break, picking up two victories and two saves. In eight innings of work, he has allowed no earned runs and only 5 hits, striking out 13. Tilghman is far and away the CBL leader in games pitched (31) and saves (11), and has struck out 48 batters in 36.1 innings, posting a 1.49 ERA.
Cooper threw 8 innings of shutout ball against Texarkana on Saturday, July 11, striking out 11 Gunslingers while garnering his third win of the season. For the week, Cooper posted a 0.60 ERA in 15 innings with 14 strikeouts. Cooper is the CBL ERA leader at 1.42, and also leads the league in strikeouts (60) and fewest hits (5.54) and runners (9.81) per nine innings.
Both Cooper and Tilghman are second-time winners of the Pitcher of the Week award (Cooper previously shared the award on June 1, and Tilghman on June 22).
CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS (June 15, 2008) The Bay Area Toros stood one game from first place at the start of this evening's game and Corpus Christi was determined not to share the top spot with the visiting Toros. Bay Area had already accomplished what no other team in the league could by finally breaking the BeachDawg’s unblemished record at home by winning yesterday 3-1. To finish the series tied at two apiece was considered a perfect Father’s Day Gift for those in the Toros organization.
The game began as though the Toros were not determined enough to reach their goal as starting pitcher Alex Fernandez would only last into the Third Inning giving up three runs. His relief would follow suit allowing two additional earned runs. Entering the late innings, the Toros found themselves in the hole 5-1.
BeachDawg starting pitcher Gustavo Vazquez had handled the Toros well through the first six innings but after retiring one in the Seventh, he had to leave the mound after injuring his back. His relief, Garardo Valera, would enter the game with high hopes since the Toros seemed to not be able to muster any offense. Valera, however, would walk the first batter he faced and then proceed to hit the next, loading the bases since a Toro had reached prior to Vasquez’s exit by en error. What occurred next was a series of mistakes which propelled the Toros to score six runs, all of which were unearned. During the fiasco, the Toros’ bats would come alive. Two runs reached home each on a Greg Plecki single and a Grant Massie triple .
After the dreadful inning, Corpus Christi could not recover and closer Ryne Nelson would enter the game for Bay Area and earn his fourth save. Valera would be credited with the loss (0-1) and Toro pitcher Marcus Moore, who pitched last before the surge, was given the win (1-0). Both teams are now tied in first place.
CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS (June 13, 2008) The Bay Area Toros (11-8) and the Corpus Christi BeachDawgs (12-7) entered last night's game tied atop the Continental Baseball League standings and were out to vie for the coveted top spot. By the end of the night both teams played a defensive battle that was decided by costly errors.
The Bay Area Toros would work toward the opening score when lead-off hitter Grant Massie reached base on a single and was pushed along by a sacrifice bunt and then a groundout. While on third, BeachDawg starting pitched Ryan Kondratowiz would make an errant pitch which would allow for Massie to dart home providing the Toros with a 1-0lead which they would enjoy into the following inning.
In the Seventh Inning, Toro reliever Loren Lauver would walk the lead-off batter, Earl White. White would then manage a stolen base and would eventually advance to third on a passed ball between Lauver and catcher Kyle Wells. The slip would cost the Toros their lead as Michael Estrada would slice a ball down the left field line bringing White home.
The Toros would fail to break the tie in the Eighth Inning and would bring pitcher Will Smeltzer into the game in the bottom of the inning to speed through the Corpus order. Unfortunately, mistakes continued to pile up for the Toros. BeachDawg Tyler Kmetko would reach on an error and would be followed by a base-hit bunt by Brad Coleman. The play would develop when Smeltzer could not reach the ball in time. The following batter, Brandon McCabe, would reach on yet another error. With bases loaded, Kmetko would cross homeplate on a passed ball and Coleman would score on a sacrifice fly. The lead would hold for Corpus as Bay Area could not produce in the final inning.
Both teams will continue the fight for first tonight at 7:05PM in Corpus Christi.
By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2008 TexSport Publications
Nick Shay of the Corpus Christi BeachDawgs and Brandon Sisk of the Bay Area Toros were honored as the Continental Baseball League Player and Pitcher of the Week (respectively) for the week ending June 8
Shay paced the league with a .421 batting average (8-for-19) with a 3 for 4 performance in the BeachDawgs' come from behind extra-inning win against McKinney on June 3. In addition he went 2 for 4 against Texarkana, scoring the tying run in the sixth.
Sisk turned in the CBL's first complete-game shutout against McKinney on June 8, striking out 8 while walking 3. He faced Ryan Leger to gain the 1-0 win over the Blue Thunder.
For the week, Sisk allowed only one earned run, striking out 13 batters in 14 innings of work while posting a 0.64 ERA.
Shay's Beachdawgs are currently in first place in CBL standings, going 11-6 (.647) while remaining undefeated at home (8-0). Sisk's Toros are in second place (10-7, .588), a single game behind the BeachDawgs.
At McKinney, Texas:
Bay Area Toros 1 McKinney Blue Thunder 0
Win: Brandon Sisk (1-0) Loss: Ryan Leger (1-1)
At Robstown, Texas:
Corpus Christi BeachDawgs 6 Texarkana Gunslingers 5
Win: Daniel Chaffardet (1-0). Loss: Brandon Kelly (0-2). Save: Brandon Pello (3).
Schedule for Monday, June 9 through Wednesday, June 11:
McKinney at Texarkana
Corpus Christi at Bay Area
At McKinney, Texas :
Bay Area Toros 4 McKinney Blue Thunder 2
Win: Russell Revere (2-1). Loss: John Milton (1-1).
At Robstown, Texas:
Corpus Christi BeachDawgs 12
Texarkana Gunslingers 3 Win: Rob Alzuarde (1-0). Loss: Phil Monte (0-1).
Schedule for Sunday, June 8:
Bay Area at McKinney
Texarkana at Corpus Christi
Games of Friday, June 6, 2008.
At McKinney, Texas
Bay Area Toros 8
McKinney Blue Thunder 4
At Robstown:
Corpus Christi BeachDawgs 3
Texarkana Gunslingers 2
Win: Ryan Kondratowiz (1-1). Loss: Tyler French (0-1). Save: Brandon Pello (2).
Schedule for Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8, 2008.
Bay Area at McKinney
Texarkana at Corpus Christi
ADDISON, TEXAS (June 3, 2008) The Continental Baseball League Player of the Week for the week ending Sunday, June 1 is third baseman Gene Filyaw of the McKinney Blue Thunder. Filyaw finished the week batting .395 (15-for-38) with 2 HR and 14 RBI as McKinney got off to a fast 8-2 start.
Pitcher of the Week honors in the Continental Baseball League are shared by Travis Parker of Corpus Christi and Kevin Cooper of Bay Area. Parker allowed only one earned run in 13 innings of work for an 0.69 ERA, over two games for the BeachDawgs,
striking out 9 batters while earning the win in the franchise's first victory. Cooper fanned 14 batters in 16 and a third innings over three appearances, posting a victory and 1.65 ERA.
By Olivia DodsonCopyright 2008 TexSport PublicationsThese are the results from games around the Continental Baseball League for Saturday, May 31, 2008 games.At Texarkana, TexasCorpus Christi BeachDawgs-14 Texarkana Gunslingers-5 Win: Rene Recio Loss: William JackelAt Texas CityMcKinney Blue Thunder-9 Bay Area Toros-2Win: Donald Furrow Loss: Will SmeltzerSchedule for Sunday, June 1McKinney Blue Thunder at Bay Area Toros at 6:35pmCorpus Christi BeachDawgs at Texarkana Gunslingers at 7:05pm
By Robert H. KellyCopyright 2008 TexSport PublicationsTEXAS CITY, TEXAS (May 31, 2008) Scoring only two runs off ten hits while leaving 11 men on base, the Bay Area Toros lost to the league leading McKinney Blue Thunder 9-2 Saturday night at Robinson Stadium in Texas City.The crowd of 376 baseball fans saw the Blue Thunder erupt for nine runs off nine hits while leaving fifteen on base to take the victory.McKinney starter Donald Furrow went seven innings, giving up all of the Toros' ten hits while striking out three for his first win of the season. Toros starter Will Smelzter, who had yet to get a win for the Toros this season, went four 1/3 innings, giving up four runs off seven hits, while walking five and striking out three.Center fielder Mitch Elloitt led the offensive punch for the Blue Thunder, going two for three, scoring two runs and one RBI. Outfielder Ryan Forsythe contributed with two runs off four at-bats and one hit.The Toros remain in second place in the CBL standings with a record of 5-3, two games behind the Blue thunder, who stand at 7-2. Action continues tomorrow at 6:35 PM for the rubber game of this three-game series.Sunday's game is Ice Cream Sunday at Robinson Stadium with League City Wraps gives all kids in attendance at the game one free ice cream.
By Olivia Dodson
Copyright 2008 TexSport Publications
Games of Friday, May 30, 2008:
At Texarkana:
Texarkana Gunslingers-9 Corpus Christi BeachDawgs-1
Win: Brandon Wells. Loss: Garardo Valera.
At Texas City:
Bay Area Toros-8 McKinney Blue Thunder-4
Win: Kevin Cooper. Loss: Andrew Kelne.
Schedule for Saturday, May 31 and Sunday, June 1:
McKinney Blue Thunder at Bay Area Toros
Corpus Christi BeachDawgs at Texarkana Gunslingers
TEXAS CITY, TEXAS (May 29, 2008) Bay Area Toros starting First Baseman Ben Burum summed up Thursday evening's 9-2 loss to the Texarkana Gunslingers with only a few words, “We just couldn’t get the key hits we needed.”
Unfortunately, Burum was right on in his assessment. The Toros appeared lackluster at the plate striking out swinging and placing easily played hits. Collectively, the team managed a meager .151 average while the Gunslingers were true to their name, connecting nearly at .300. The two lone bright spots for the Toros were Greg Plecki and Jose Suncar who both scored runs and tied with the most hits at two.
Texarkana continued to exhibit their strength near the middle of their order as Third Baseman Gene Crimoli led the team with three hits out of four at bats. He would also score two runs while knocking in one. Defensively, Gunslinger pitcher Ryan Williams would give the Toros fits as he pitched into the sixth inning only allowing one run and striking out eight. His relief, William Jackel would nearly match his totals in slightly less than three innings. Five Bay Area batters struck out under his watch.
Toro starter Keegan Laycock looked to record his first win in two outings but was harassed by batters in the Second Inning after throwing expertly in the First. Facing a total of eight batters in the Second, Laycock surrendered two hits and walked three. A passed ball by Catcher Corey Thrush allowed the first score while a double by Erik Lingren would bring home three more.
Bay Area’s only response came during the Sixth Inning, ignited by Shortstop Jose Suncar’s triple. He would find home plate with a Greg Plecki single and Plecki would follow suit on an error by Texarkana Second Baseman Dane Peavy.
The mood in the home team clubhouse was somber to say the least following the game. Not only had the Toros given Texarkana their first win in franchise history, but the offense had seemed to disappear.
“We have to hit better, period,” Burum would sigh. “There is so much potential on this team, it is painful to go out and feel like we could have done better.”
The Toros will have to manage to rejuvenate their batting and fielding since the reigning champions McKinney Blue Thunder make their first visit to the Bay Area beginning Friday. The Blue Thunder and Toros will have a three game series with all games beginning at 6:35 PM.
By Olivia DodsonCopyright 2008 TexSport PublicationsThe McKinney Blue Thunder dropped the Corpus Christi BeachDawgs 4-1 in Continential Baseball League action on Thrsday night. The Texarkana Gunslingers won their first game of the season, defeating the Bay Area Toros 9-2 in Texas City.Game stats are below:At McKinney:McKinney Blue Thunder 4 Corpus Christi BeachDawgs 1
Win: Marcus Markary (1-0). Loss: Ryan Kondratowiz (0-1). Save: George Castillo (1). HR: None.
At Texas City: Texarkana Gunslingers 9 Bay Area Toros 2
Win: Ryan Williams (1-0). Loss: Keegan Laycock (0-1). HR: None.
Highlights: TEX - Gene Crimoli 3-4 RBI 2 runs; Jay Reynolds 2-5 3 RBI. BA - Greg Plecki 2-5 RBI 1run; Jose Suncar 2-3 1 run
By Olivia Dodson
Copyright 2008 TexSport Publications
Below are the stats and game notes from Wednesday evening's Continenal Baseball League (CBL) games
At McKinney, Texas:
Two games, both scheduled for seven innings, due to rescheduling of Tuesday's game.
Corpus Christi BeachDawgs 6
McKinney Blue Thunder 5
8 innings
The first game is Trey Salinas' first game as field manager of Corpus Christi. He assumes the position from his father, Hector Salinas. The elder Salinas will now focus on his role as BeachDawgs' GM. The younger Salinas enjoyed a nine-year career in professional baseball primarily as an outfielder and catcher, including stops in the Tampa Bay, Cincinnati, and Baltimore organizations, before closing out his playing career at home in the Corpus Christi area with the Coastal Bend Aviators in the Central League in 2004.
Corpus Christi BeachDawgs 2
McKinney Blue Thunder 3
Win: David Kennedy (1-0). Loss: Toro Trevino (0-2).
Former NFL wide receiver Jake Reed (Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints) served as first-base coach for McKinney in the second game.
At Texas City, Texas:
Bay Area Toros 6 Texarkana Gunslingers 3
Win: Alex Fernandez (1-0). Loss: Ryan Zimmerman (0-1).
Schedule for Thursday, May 29:
Texarkana Gunslingers at Bay Area Toros, 6:35pm
Corpus Christi BeachDawgs at McKinney Blue Thunder, 7:00pm
TEXAS CITY, TEXAS (May 28, 2008) On Wednesday evening, under a balmy and threatening sky, the Bay Area Toros found themselves ahead of the visiting Texarkana Gunslingers with ample amount of cushion. Before a crowd numbering over five hundred, the Texas City professional ball club would pull together their fourth win on the season, keeping them within a game from first place in the Continental Baseball League.
The bats would provide the Toros with plenty of offensive action during the first four innings pushing Bay Area to a 4-0 lead. Texarkana would counter with two runs of their own in the Fifth Inning, not only threatening the Toros but brewing a determination within the home ballclub that would create two additional runs in the closing innings.
Slugger Ben Burum and crafty Brian Schupp would each bat in two runs with Schupp going 2-3 on the night. With ten hits, the Toros would be outgunned by Texarkana with twelve connections. The difference, however, would be the keen play of the Bay Area defense. Despite Gunslinger Catcher Nick Encisco going 3-5 and Right Fielder Anthony Edwards knocking in two runs, the home-team fielders were on target and mechanically proficient.
Starting right-handed Pitcher Alex Fernandez would throw into the Sixth Inning with only one strikeout with seven hits and two runs, but his defensive mates managed to carefully cover for sixteen outs. Fernandez’s counterpart, Ryan Zimmerman, would last through six innings but would feel the brunt of the Toros’ fury, giving up all six runs and nine hits.
One more game remains between these two teams and it is to be played out tomorrow at Robinson Stadium at 6:35 PM. Texarkana will continue to look for the elusive first win while the Bay Area Toros aim to build upon the new tradition of winning. Through the first fifteen games of the 2007 Season, the team had merely managed a somber 1-14 record. Already the club is on pace to shatter last season’s total in the win column.
“It feels good,” GM Mike Pede stated. “Winning is great. Continuing that trend is going to take hard work.”
After Texarkana, the Toros will have their work cut out for them with a faceoff against the number one ranked team in the league, and reigning Champion, McKinney Blue Thunder.
Continuing the winning ways will be on everyone’s mind in the populous of Texas City.
CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS (May 25, 2008) The Bay Area Toros’ first road trip of the season did not begin like they wished. Despite the hard play of the team, rival Corpus Christi would pull out their initial victory of the season, giving the Toros loss number one.
Nine innings proved not to be enough for the previously undefeated Toros. Veteran pitcher Will Smeltzer would start the game for Bay Area and would last five innings. Three innings in, BeachDawg Shortstop Mike Estrada would reach the bases on a single. He would eventually become the first score for Corpus Christi when Center Fielder Pedro Catala struck a Smeltzer pitch out of the park for his first homerun of the season. The scores would put the BeachDawgs ahead 2-1 with the Toro run coming unearned from outfielder Kyle Wade during the top of the Third.
Smeltzer would give up another score during his final inning of the night to Tyler Kmetko. Despite surrendering three hits, the Florida native managed seven strikeouts. His opposition, however, would keep the Toro bats at bay. Travis Parker would allow five hits with eight strikeouts before exiting the game after seven. Toro Trevino would replace Parker and not allow Bay Area to reach any base for the remaining two innings. The final score would be cemented at 3-1.
“A loss is always tough to take,” Toros Manager Jim Bolt said after the game. “But we cannot keep it fresh in our mind. We have to start thinking about the next game. It’s a long season and I’m confident that (the Toros) will rebound without a doubt.”
The Bay Area Toros will finish out the short road trip tomorrow against the Corpus Christi BeachDawgs, ending the four-game matchup before returning home for six straight. The Texarkana Gunslingers will be the first to visit Texas City followed by the McKinney Blue Thunder, each for three games.
By Chris Price
Copyright 2008 TexSport Publications
MCKINNEY, TEXAS (May 25, 2008) The McKinney Blue Thunder defeated the Texarkana Gunslingers 4-3 in the resumption of their suspended game from Friday, May 23. The two-day game went 14 innings which is the longest in Continental Baseball League (CBL) history. It was also the inaugural game in Texarkana franchise history.
In the second game of their opening weekend series, the Blue Thunder downed the Gunslingers 3-1 in a mutually agreed seven-inning game.
The Blue Thunder raised their season record to 2-0 as the Gunslingers drop to 0-2.
They will continue the Memorial Day Weekend series in Texarkana on Sunday and Monday.
TEXARKANA, TEXAS (August 17, 2008) In a season which found all four teams in the Continental Baseball League spending time in first place during the regular season, it now comes down to the one-week playoff session to determine which team will win the coveted Ferguson Jenkins CBL Championship trophy.
