During spring training, Major League pitchers work on fine-tuning their mechanics and strengthening their legs so they don't break down during the dog days of summer.
It's doubtful these pitchers will give much thought to what the July heat might do to their brains, but perhaps they should.
A new study led by researchers from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business has found pitchers whose teammates get hit by a pitch are more likely to retaliate and plunk an opposing batter when the temperature reaches 90 degrees than when it is cooler. But if no one has been hit in the game, then high temperatures have little effect on a pitcher's behavior.
"We found that heat does not lead to more aggression in general," said Richard Larrick, a management professor at Fuqua. "Instead, heat affects a specific form of aggression. It increases retribution."
Major League statistics show there were 1,549 incidents of hit batsmen last season, an average of .64 hit-by-pitch incidents per game. Most pitchers are not intentionally beaning batters, as a hit batsman automatically proceeds to first base and increases the chances that his team will score, Larrick said. Despite that advantage, pitchers and team managers admit they sometimes target batters on purpose.
"When a batter is hit by the opposing team, his teammates don't know if it was an accident or deliberate," said Larrick, who also holds an appointment in the department of psychology and neuroscience. "We think hotter temperatures make a pitcher more likely to see the action as deliberate and hostile. And once a pitcher feels provoked, hotter temperatures increase feelings of revenge."
The study, which appears in the March 2011 issue of the journal Psychological Science, examined 57,293 Major League Baseball games from 1952 through 2009 -- roughly 4.5 million matchups between a pitcher and a hitter. Temperature was more predictive of struck batsmen if the opposing team's pitcher had already beaned one or more hitters. For example, if temperatures were in the 50s during a game, there was a 22 percent chance a pitcher would hit a batter if a precipitating pitch occurred in the first inning of a game. When temperatures were in the 90s, the retaliation risk rose to 27 percent.
To make sure other factors weren't confounding the link between temperature and hit batsmen, the researchers analyzed variables that might affect a pitcher's performance, including indicators of pitcher inaccuracy such as wild pitches, and other measures such as errors by the team, the year the game was played, where the game was played, inning and score.
"It was important to sort out whether heat tends to increase aggressive behavior, such as retribution, or whether it leads pitchers to be less accurate with their pitches," said Larrick.
Larrick, a longtime St. Louis Cardinals fan, first examined the link between heat and pitcher retaliation as a graduate student, but couldn't amass enough data -- at least not by poring through microfilms. He decided to revisit the question more recently because historical play-by-play game transcripts have been posted online by dedicated baseball fans.
As an expert in behavioral science, Larrick expected to find a connection between heat and aggression. "There are decades of research showing heat leads to aggression, like finding more violent crime in the summer," he said. "But in crime statistics, it's hard to really determine if it's heat or other things. One of the nice things about studying baseball is that we're able to control for factors besides heat."
Larrick said he was surprised that the "a batter for a batter" tradition of retaliation does not always hold. "Baseball fans will tell you the sport's code of honor dictates you're supposed to hit a player on the other team when your player has been hit," he said. "Nobody seems to be aware that players apply the rule much more at high temperatures than at cool temperatures."
Other authors of the study include Andrew Carton of Fuqua; Thomas A. Timmerman, Tennessee Technological University; and Jason Abrevaya, University of Texas.
The research report is available online at: http://pss.sagepub.com/content/early/2011/02/23/0956797611399292.full.pdf+htm
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Thursday, March 10, 2011
Hotter Temperatures Mean More Hit Batsmen in Baseball
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Former Major League Baseball Player Roger Clemens Indicted, Charged with Obstruction of Congress, Making False Statements, and Committing Perjury Before Congressional Committee
United States Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. and Shawn Henry, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, announced today that Roger Clemens was indicted by a federal grand jury in Washington, D.C. and charged with one count of obstruction of Congress, three counts of making false statements, and two counts of perjury in connection with his February 2008 testimony before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
The indictment was returned today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. If convicted of all charges, Clemens, 48, of Houston, Texas, faces a combined maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a $1.5 million fine. Under the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines, the range of imprisonment is presently 15-21 months.
In January and February 2008, the House Committee held a hearing titled, “The Mitchell Report: The Illegal Use of Steroids in Major League Baseball.” The hearing examined the allegations contained in a comprehensive report issued in December 2007 by former Senator George J. Mitchell titled, “Report to the Commissioner of Baseball of an Independent Investigation into the Illegal Use of Steroids and Other Performance Enhancing Substances by Players in Major League Baseball.” The Committee’s 2008 hearing followed a Committee hearing in March 2005 that was titled, “Restoring Faith in America’s Pastime: Evaluating Major League Baseball’s Efforts to Eradicate Steroid Use.”
During its 2008 hearing, the Committee took sworn testimony from Senator Mitchell, Clemens and several others. Clemens, a Major League Baseball pitcher from 1984 to 2007, made statements under oath denying his use of anabolic steroids and human growth hormone (HGH). Anabolic steroids and HGH are performance enhancing drugs. Following his testimony, the Committee formally referred this matter to the Department of Justice to investigate whether Clemens committed any federal crimes in connection with his testimony.
The charges in this federal grand jury indictment are a result of that referral. They are set forth in detail in the six-count indictment.
“The Department of Justice takes referrals from Congressional Committees very seriously. Americans have a right to expect that witnesses who testify under oath before Congress will tell the truth,” United States Attorney Machen stated. “Our government cannot function if witnesses are not held accountable for false statements made before Congress. Today the message is clear: if a witness makes a choice to ignore his or her obligation to testify honestly, there will be consequences.”
“The FBI has a responsibility to ensure the integrity of the investigative process is maintained, and that includes the obligation of witnesses to testify truthfully,” said FBI Assistant Director Henry. “This has been a long investigation, and I commend the special agents for their dedication collecting and analyzing the facts that have led to these charges.”
This is the Committee’s second referral to the Department of Justice that resulted from its investigation into steroid use in Major League Baseball. In February 2009, MLB player Miguel Tejada pleaded guilty to making misleading statements to Committee investigators concerning his knowledge of performance enhancing drugs. Tejada’s case stemmed from statements he made in August 2005.
The case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, with the assistance of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of criminal laws and is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.
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Friday, June 4, 2010
Gatorade(R) National Baseball Player of the Year: Kaleb Cowart
/PRNewswire/ -- In its 25th year of honoring the nation's best high school athletes, The Gatorade Company, in collaboration with ESPN RISE, today announced Kaleb Cowart of Cook High School (Adel, Ga.) as its 2009-10 Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year. Cowart was surprised with the news while he was taking a baseball team photo at Cook High School by 13-year Major League Baseball veteran Delino DeShields, also a Gatorade State Baseball Player of the Year as a high school senior.
"It felt great to surprise Kaleb with the Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year award and welcome him into one of the most prestigious legacy programs in high school sports," said DeShields, who stole 463 bases in his distinguished career, capping the 1997 season as the National League leader in triples. "Gatorade has been on the sidelines fueling athletic performance for years, so to be recognized by a brand that understands the game and truly helps athletes perform is a huge honor for these kids."
By claiming the 219th National Player of the Year trophy to be awarded in the program's 25-year history, Cowart joins two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Dwight Howard (2003-04, Southwest Atlanta Christian, Atlanta) and 2010 NCAA Final Four MVP Maya Moore (2006-07, Collins Hill, Suwanee), both of whom were ultimately named Gatorade High School Athletes of the Year, as the only high school athletes from the state of Georgia to earn Gatorade National Player of the Year recognition in any sport.
The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field, distinguishes Cowart as the nation's best high school baseball player. A national advisory panel comprised of sport-specific experts and sports journalists helped select Cowart from more than 473,000 high school baseball players nationwide. Cowart is now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade Male High School Athlete of the Year award, to be presented at a special afternoon ceremony prior to The ESPY Awards in July.
The 6-foot-3 1/2, 195-pound senior right-handed pitcher and switch-hitting third baseman led the Hornets (31-5) to the Class 2A best-of-three state championship series this season, where they handed eventual champion Calhoun High (35-1) its only loss of the year before falling, two games to one. Cowart finished 10-1 on the mound along with a save, posting a 1.05 ERA and collecting 116 strikeouts in 73 innings. At the plate, he batted .654 with 11 home runs, 59 RBIs and 55 runs scored, concluding his senior campaign with a 1.206 slugging percentage, a.721 on-base percentage and 36 stolen bases in 36 attempts. His 2010 batting average ranks second all-time in state history among single-season totals.
A 2009 Aflac All-American, Cowart is a three-time First Team All-State selection and is rated the nation's No. 6 prospect in the Class of 2010 by Perfect Game USA and No. 13 by Baseball America.
Cowart graduated with a 94.5 GPA in the classroom. He has volunteered in association with the Cook High Anchor Club, participating in service projects to assist needy local families and children as well as blood-donation drives and a literacy-outreach initiative for elementary-age students. He has also donated his time on behalf of his Fellowship Baptist Church. A past member of the Cook High Student Leadership Team, which facilitates freshman assimilation on campus, Cowart has also served as an Adel-Cook Recreation Department youth sports volunteer.
"I think Cowart has the chance to become the next Chipper Jones," said Cook High Head Coach Bob Owsley. "He has all the skill and tools it takes to succeed at a very high level. He's without a doubt the best player I have ever coached."
Cowart has signed a National Letter of Intent to play baseball on scholarship at Florida State University this fall, but is projected as an early round selection in next week's Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.
"Without question, Kaleb is deserving of recognition as the nation's best high school baseball player based on his statistics on the field and the impact his accomplishments have had on Cook High School's success," said Gatorade Senior Vice President of Sports Marketing Jennifer Storms. "But he is also a shining example to peers and aspiring young players of what a leader and a student-athlete should be. He represents everything we hope for in a Gatorade Player of the Year recipient."
The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one winner in the District of Columbia and each of the 50 states that sanction high school football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, baseball, softball, and boys and girls track & field, and awards one National Player of the Year in each sport. The selection process is administered by ESPN RISE and the Gatorade high school sports leadership team, which work with top sport-specific experts and a media advisory board of accomplished, veteran prep sports journalists to determine the state winners in each sport.
To celebrate the award's 25th anniversary, Gatorade wants you to vote for the All-Time Greatest Baseball Player of the Year at www.gatorade.com/POY25. For more information on the Gatorade Player of the Year program, including nomination information, a complete list of former winners, and future announcement dates, visit the Gatorade Player of the Year Web site at http://playeroftheyear.gatorade.com/, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GatoradePOY or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Gatorade.
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Monday, August 17, 2009
2009 Aflac All-American Classic Ends in Dramatic Fashion Tied 4-4
/PRNewswire/ -- A triple down the right field line by Rancho Buena Vista (Calif.) High School shortstop Tony Wolters sent the seventh annual Aflac All-American High School Baseball Classic into extra innings for the first time since the game's inception in 2003. A unique extra innings format saw both teams score a run in the tenth inning and the game ended in a 4-all tie Sunday night at Petco Park before a record crowd of 8,027. The overall East vs. West series record for the Aflac All-American Classic, which features 40 of the nation's premiere high school baseball players, now stands at 3-3-1.
Wolters' stellar play in the field and at the plate earned him the Aflac All-American MVP title. He finished the game going 2-for-3 with two runs scored and a steal. In the field, he flashed leather all night to back up his selection as the 2009 Rawlings Defensive Player of the Year.
"There are so many talented players on both squads," said Wolters. "I think all these guys (on both squads) should be receiving the MVP award. It is a huge honor and I feel very grateful to have had this experience."
The West squad wasted no time getting on the board as they took a 2-0 after both runners scored on a wild pitch and an error on the same play. Right-hander Jameson Taillon of The Woodlands (Texas) High School shut down the East squad with two scoreless innings -- including four strikeouts.
A single to left by Jacoby Jones of Richton (Miss.) High School drove in Trey Griffin of Martin Luther King Jr. High School (Stockbridge, Ga.) to tie the game 2-2 in the eighth inning. The East's Michael Arencibia of Key West (Fla.) High School scoring the go-ahead run off a wild pitch to give it the first lead of the game, 3-2.
Matt Lipka of McKinney High School (Frisco, Texas) walked in the bottom of the ninth off of Yordy Cabrera of Lakeland (Fla.) High School, to set the stage for Wolters' late inning heroics.
Due to pre-determined game rules, the game ended after 10 innings played. The bases were loaded with one out with each team having the opportunity to score. Both teams were able to put a run on the board to finish this year's Aflac Classic in a tie.
"These kids have the hearts of champions," said Steve Vickery, West team head coach from Lakeside (Calif.) High School. "It was great to see the kids step up and put it all on the line in the last inning. Their intensity and drive showed the true passion these kids have for the game of baseball."
Prior to the game, in a matchup of the top sluggers from the East and West squads, Cabrera hit five tape measure shots in the final round to win this year's Home Run Derby title.
Players were honored at the Aflac All-American awards dinner Saturday evening at the San Diego Hall of Champions. The top honor of the night went to Bryce Harper, a 6-foot-3,195-pound catcher from Las Vegas (Nev.) High School, when he won the Aflac National High School Player of the Year and was presented with the 2009 Jackie Robinson Award.
On hand to make the presentation was Sonya Pankey, granddaughter of Jackie Robinson, and Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith, the Aflac All-American Classic's honorary chairman.
Three other awards were given out at the ceremony. A.J. Cole, (Oviedo HS) of Winter Springs, Fla., was named Pitcher of the Year. For his outstanding abilities with his glove, Wolters won the inaugural Rawlings Defensive Player of the Year award. In a balloting of coaches, players and staff, Cameron Bedrosian (East Coweta HS) of Senoia, Ga., and Tyler Austin (Heritage HS) of Conyers, Ga., shared the Perfect Game Nick Adenhart Award. The award bears the name of Nick Adenhart, a 2003 Aflac All-American who was killed in an automobile accident hours after making his first start this season for the Los Angeles Angels.
During the banquet, Aflac, as part of its ongoing commitment to the fight against childhood cancer, donated $100,000 to Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego. Additionally, Aflac also made a $20,000 donation to Coaches Curing Kids Cancer. Since 2003, the Aflac All-American Classic has generated $805,000 for charity.
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Sunday, August 2, 2009
Strong Arms, Big Bats Comprise Talented Group of Aflac's National Baseball Player of the Year Nominees
/PRNewswire/ -- Five of the nation's most dominant prep players -- three power pitchers, one catcher and one two-way talent -- have been nominated for the sixth annual Aflac National High School Player of the Year Award, given to the country's top high school baseball player.
The Player of the Year recipient will be presented with the Jackie Robinson Award, a trophy named in honor of the late Hall of Famer. Robinson's granddaughter, Sonya Pankey, will present the award at the Aflac All-American Awards Dinner held at the Hilton Bayfront on Aug. 15 in San Diego, Calif. Also on hand for the ceremony will be Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith, who returns as honorary chairman for the 2009 Aflac All-American Baseball Classic.
The Jackie Robinson award, named after the first player to break the Major League Baseball color barrier, recognizes the nation's top player who demonstrates outstanding character, exhibits leadership and embodies the values of being a student athlete.
"The Jackie Robinson Award nominees are the very best our nation's high schools have to offer, and we honor them for their contributions both on the field and in their communities," said Jeff Charney, Aflac senior vice president and chief marketing officer. "We salute them for their achievements and commend them for representing Jackie Robinson's amazing legacy."
The 2009 Aflac National High School Player of the Year nominees are:
-- Andrew Cole, RHP, Oviedo High School - Winter Springs, Fla.
-- Bryce Harper, C, Las Vegas High School - Las Vegas, Nev.
-- Justin O'Conner, RHP/INF, Cowan Junior/Senior High School - Muncie,
Ind.
-- DeAndre Smelter, RHP, Tattnall Square Academy - Macon, Ga.
-- Jameson Taillon, RHP, The Woodlands High School - The Woodlands, Texas
The inaugural Jackie Robinson Award, presented in 2004, went to Aflac All-American alumnus Justin Upton, a shortstop from Great Bridge High School (Chesapeake, Va.). The Arizona Diamondbacks made Upton the No. 1 overall pick of the 2005 Major League Baseball June draft, and he was selected to the MLB All-Star roster in 2009.
Other previous winners include Cody Johnson, a first baseman/outfielder from Mosley High School (Panama City, Fla.) in 2005, Michael Burgess, an outfielder/pitcher from Hillsborough High School (Tampa, Fla.) in 2006 and Tim Melville, a pitcher/outfielder from Wentzville High School (Wentzville, Mo.) in 2007. Last year, Mychal Givens, a pitcher/infielder from Plant High School (Tampa, Fla.) won the award. Player of the Year nominees are determined by official Aflac All-American Baseball Classic selection partner Perfect Game and media partner Baseball America.
The seventh annual Aflac All-American High School Baseball Classic will be played Sunday, Aug. 16, at PETCO Park in San Diego, the second consecutive year the game has been played in a major league stadium. The event is the nation's elite high school baseball showcase, featuring the top 40 baseball players in an East vs. West matchup. The game will be televised live nationally on FOX Sports Net at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
The Aflac Baseball Classic is more than just a game. It is part of Aflac's ongoing commitment to the fight against childhood cancer, with proceeds benefiting Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego. Since 2003, the Classic has generated $685,000 for charity.
To learn more about the Aflac National High School Player of the Year nominees and the Aflac All-American High School Baseball Classic, visit www.aflacallamerican.com.
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Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Deja Vu: 10 More Aflac All-Americans Picked in First Round of 2009 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft
/PRNewswire / -- For the second year in a row, 10 former Aflac All-Americans were selected today in the first round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. Donavan Tate, regarded as the top high school player in this year's draft, went No. 3 to the San Diego Padres.
Aflac All-Americans have been well represented in the first round since the Aflac All-American Game's inception in 2003. Overall 62 Aflac All-American alumni have been selected in the first round, including current major leaguer Justin Upton (No. 1 overall, 2005) of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Last year, Tim Beckham was the first of 10 All Americans selected when the Tampa Bay Rays made him the draft's top pick.
The annual Aflac All-American High School Baseball Game showcases 38 of the nation's top high school players in an East versus West matchup following their junior year. Aflac All-Americans are chosen by official selection partners Baseball America magazine and prep scouting service Perfect Game USA.
Aflac All-American players drafted in today's first round included:
3 - Donavan Tate, OF, Cartersville HS, Carterville, Ga. (San Diego)
6 - Zack Wheeler, RHP, East Paulding HS, Dallas, Ga. San Francisco)
9 - Jacob Turner, RHP, Westminster Academy, St. Charles, Mo. (Detroit)
11 - Tyler Matzek, LHP, Capistrano Valley HS, Mission Viejo, Ca. (Colorado)
14 - Matthew Purke, LHP, Klein HS, Spring, Texas (Texas)
21 - Jiovanni Mier, INF, Bonita HS, Pomona, Ca. (Houston)
29 - Slade Heathcott, OF, Texas HS, Texarkana, Texas (New York Yankees)
30 - LeVon Washington, INF, Buchholz HS, Gainesville, Fla. (Tampa Bay)
36 - Matt Davidson, INF, Yucaipa HS, Yucaipa, Ca. (Arizona)
39 - Kentrail Davis, OF, Tennessee (Milwaukee)
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Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Georgia State Baseball Headed to Atlanta Regional
Making its first trip to an NCAA Regional, the Georgia State baseball team will stay close to home and play at Georgia Tech as part of the Atlanta Regional beginning Friday. The Yellow Jackets will host as the top seed, while Elon and Southern Miss round out the four-team, double-elimination bracket.
The fourth-seeded Panthers will play Georgia Tech at 7 p.m. on Friday night at Russ Chandler Stadium.
The entire team and coaching staff watched the NCAA selection show at local restaurant Six Feet Under near the Georgia State campus, along with numerous Panther fans.
“It’s a fantastic day for our baseball organization,” commented head coach Greg Frady. “The opportunity to play in an NCAA Regional is the culmination of a full body of work for the season. Seeing our name called on ESPN and going to our first-ever Regional is a wonderful experience.”
Each of the 16 four-team regionals will be played Friday through Monday, with the regional winners advancing to NCAA Super Regionals.
Fans interested in purchasing tickets should call the Georgia State Athletics ticket office at 1.866.GA.STATE beginning Tuesday morning at 8:30 a.m.
The Panthers (39-20) earned an automatic NCAA berth, the first in school history, by winning the Colonial Athletic Association championship with four straight victories. Georgia State has already posted a school-record victory total and enters NCAA play with an eight-game winning streak, equaling a school record. The Panthers have won 13 of their last 15 games.
“We feel great that we played baseball at a high level to win our conference championship and qualify for the NCAA Tournament.” It’s a most wonderful time to be at Georgia State University. There is so much excitement and enthusiasm about about our University and our athletic department, and it feels great to be a big part of that.”
Georgia State is one of five teams making its first appearance in the tournament.
The Panthers split with the Yellow Jackets this season and have won at Russ Chandler Stadium two times in the last three years. State earned a 10-1 win against No. 3 Georgia Tech back in March, the highest ranked opponent that the Panthers have ever defeated.
Junior Bradley Logan, who earned CAA Most Outstanding Player honors at last week’s CAA Championship after hitting four home runs in four games, leads the veteran laden team. A total of 11 seniors round out the roster, led by senior catcher Marc Mimeault who led the Panthers with a .394 batting average and 14 home runs.
All postseason games will air live on WRAS-FM 88.5 beginning with Panther Sports Talk, 30 minutes prior to game time. Live stats will be provided via NCAA.com and GeorgiaStateSports.com.
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Friday, May 15, 2009
Play Ball with the Braves June 6 at Ladies-Only Baseball 101 Clinic, Presented by Publix Super Markets
Women who want to learn more about America's favorite national pastime and hone their baseball skills can register now for Baseball 101 presented by Publix Super Markets. The clinic will take place on Saturday, June 6 at Turner Field, and ladies 18 years of age and up can sign up online at www.braves.com/baseball101 or contact the Braves Community Affairs Department at (404) 614-1435 by June 1.
Baseball 101 offers women the opportunity to learn batting, fielding, and pitching skills from Braves players and coaches. In addition to the on-field clinic, a variety of Braves "guest professors" will host a panel discussion on topics such as scouting, player development, the nuances of baseball, nutrition, and fitness. The clinic will end with an exclusive behind the scenes tour of Turner Field.
Women are encouraged to register soon as space is limited. Registration, which includes two tickets to that night's 7:00 p.m. game vs. the Milwaukee Brewers, is $80 for the Upper Box Package and $110 for the Outfield Package with proceeds benefiting the Atlanta Braves Foundation and the Doris Shaheen Breast Health Center at Piedmont Hospital. In addition to the on-field clinic with Braves players and coaches and two tickets to that night's game, the registration fee includes lunch, a Baseball 101 t-shirt, and a Braves gift bag with an autographed item.
The Atlanta Braves Foundation is the non-profit arm of the Atlanta Braves that actively supports community organizations and their programs within the metro Atlanta area. Since its inception in 1992, the Atlanta Braves Foundation has provided support to thousands of metro Atlanta based organizations and has contributed more than $3 million dollars in financial assistance to the community. Through the generous support of Braves players, employees, sponsors and fans, the Atlanta Braves Foundation continuously strives to improve the quality of life for our youth.
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Thursday, April 23, 2009
Atlanta Braves Invite Fans to Celebrate Their Birthday with Them - For Free
The Atlanta Braves announce a new promotion that lets their fans celebrate their birthday with the team for free.
Fans can go to www.braves.com/birthday to register for a free ticket to a game of their choice (does not include the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox series).
Birthdays in April or October are eligible to choose a game in April, May or October; birthdays in May or November are eligible to choose a game in May; birthdays in June and December can pick a game in June; birthdays in July or January can select a game in July; birthdays in August and February are eligible to choose a game in August and birthdays in September or March can choose a game in September.
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Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Opening Night at Turner Field is this Friday, April 10
• Braves Hall of Famer Pete Van Wieren will be honored before the game and will throw out the game's ceremonial first pitch
• Platinum selling recording star Jason Aldean will perform the National Anthem
• Pilots from Vance Air Force Base in Oklahoma will perform a flyover
The Atlanta Braves organization and fans will have a chance to show their appreciation to Braves Hall of Famer Pete Van Wieren, recently retired from a storied 33-year career as a Braves broadcaster, on Opening Night at Turner Field, Friday, April 10th. An on field presentation before the game will pay tribute to the legend in the broadcast booth and take a retrospective look at his distinguished career. Before the first home game of the season gets under way, Van Wieren will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
Pregame ceremonies will also include full squad introductions of both teams, and a National Anthem performance by platinum selling recording star Jason Aldean. At the close of the anthem, pilots from Vance Air Force Base in Oklahoma will perform a flyover.
After the game, and after every Friday night home game, fans will enjoy a spectacular Publix Friday Night Fireworks show. Also, the first 45,000 fans on Friday and Saturday night will receive a Braves 2009 magnetic schedule courtesy of Georgia Power.
Atlanta Braves 2009 individual tickets, starting as low as $6, are available now at Braves.com/tickets, the Braves box office at Turner Field, and all TicketMaster outlets.
Friday, April 10, 2009
5:00 p.m. -- Turner Field Gates Open
7:00 p.m. -- Pregame ceremonies
7:35 p.m. - Washington Nationals vs. Atlanta Braves
Turner Field
755 Hank Aaron Drive
Atlanta, Georgia 30315
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Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Atlanta Braves and Clear Channel Announce Move to Project 9-6-1 for 2009 Games
The Atlanta Braves and Clear Channel have announced that 2009 Braves games will be aired on Project 9-6-1 (96.1 FM) while continuing on 640 WGST. The previous two seasons, games were on their sister station, 94.9 The Bull.
Clear Channel will also air 52 Braves games on VIVA 105.7, broadcasting every Sunday and Tuesday game in Spanish.
The Atlanta Braves is Major League Baseball's winningest franchise since 1991. During that time, Braves teams have earned 14 division championships, five National League pennants and a World Series title. Based in Atlanta since 1966, the Braves franchise is the longest continuously operating franchise in Major League Baseball. Atlanta Braves games are telecast on FS South, SportSouth, and Peachtree TV with radio broadcasts heard in Atlanta on 640 WGST, Project 9-6-1 (96.1 FM) and VIVA 105.7 and regionally on the Atlanta Braves Radio Network.
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Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Jones Honored with Legacy Award
The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum will honor Chipper Jones as one of its 2008 Legacy Award winners.
As the National League batting champion, Jones will receive the Walter "Buck" Leonard Award. The Museum annually presents the Legacy Awards to the top performers from the National and American Leagues.
Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols and Twins catcher Joe Mauer have been named this year's Oscar Charleston Legacy Award winners. This award is the Museum's top honor, and it's presented to the best player from both the NL and AL. Charleston was a Negro League outfielder who has been compared to Willie Mays.
Each of the Legacy Awards winners will be recognized on Jan. 10 during a ceremony at the Gem Theater in Kansas City, a venue across the street from the Negro Leagues Museum. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Museum, which keeps alive the legacy of men and women who played, coached or owned teams when baseball was a segregated sport.
This marks the second year that MLB.com will sponsor the Sam Lacy Legacy Award, which is reserved for a baseball writer who embodies the pioneering spirit of Lacy, a Hall of Fame sportswriter whose half-century of work for the black press beat the drum for equality in the sport.
This year's Lacy Award will be presented to Chris Murray, a sportswriter for The Philadelphia Tribune. Murray has written extensively about baseball for The Tribune, a black weekly.
This year's other Legacy Award winners include:
Josh Gibson Award -- presented to the NL and AL home run leaders
Recipients: Ryan Howard, Philadelphia Phillies; and Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers
Bullet Rogan Award -- presented to the NL and AL pitchers of the year
Recipients: Tim Lincecum, San Francisco Giants; and Cliff Lee, Cleveland Indians
James "Cool Papa" Bell Award -- presented to the NL and AL stolen base leaders
Recipients: Willy Taveras, Colorado Rockies; and Jacoby Ellsbury, Boston Red Sox
Walter "Buck" Leonard Award -- presented to the NL and AL batting champions
Recipients: Chipper Jones, Atlanta Braves; and Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins
Andrew "Rube" Foster Award -- presented to the NL and AL executives of the year
Recipients: Doug Melvin, Milwaukee Brewers; and Tony Reagins, Los Angeles Angels
Charles Isham "C.I." Taylor Award -- presented to the NL and AL managers of the year
Recipients: Lou Piniella, Chicago Cubs; and Joe Maddon, Tampa Bay Rays
Larry Doby Award -- presented to the NL and AL rookies of the year
Recipients: Geovany Soto, Chicago Cubs; and Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays
Hilton Smith Award -- presented to the NL and AL relievers of the year
Recipients: Jose Valverde, Houston Astros; and Francisco Rodriguez, Los Angeles Angels
John Henry "Pop" Lloyd Award -- presented in recognition of baseball and community leadership
Recipient: Curtis Granderson, Detroit Tigers
Jackie Robinson Lifetime Achievement Award -- presented to an individual for career excellence in the face of adversity
Recipient: Cito Gaston, manager of the Toronto Blue Jays
John "Buck" O'Neil Award -- presented to a local or national corporate/private philanthropist for outstanding support of the NLBM
Recipient: Jon Wefald, president of Kansas State University
By Mark Bowman
MLB.com
Mark Bowman is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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Monday, November 10, 2008
Braves Add Dom Chiti as Special Assistant to the General Manager
Atlanta Braves Executive Vice President and General Manager Frank Wren announced November 7, 2008, that the Braves have hired Dominic "Dom" Chiti as a special assistant to the general manager.
Chiti, 49, joins the Braves after spending six seasons in the Texas Rangers organization where he served as the Major League bullpen coach the past three seasons. Prior to that, he was their director of player personnel from July of 2004 through the 2005 season where he provided recommendations for potential trades and free agent signings at the Major League level while also overseeing the organization's player development, scouting and Latin America operations. He served as a special assistant to the general manager in 2002 and 2003 before acting as the club's advance scout the first half of 2004.
"Dom brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise, which complements our already strong staff of Special Assistants," said Wren.
Prior to joining the Rangers, Chiti spent 12 years with the Cleveland Indians, from 1989 to 2001. He served as the Indians' American League advance scout from 1996-2001 after joining the eam in 1989 as a roving Minor League instructor. He was promoted to the Major League club's bullpen coach in 1992 and was an advance scout in 1994. In 1995, he was Triple-A Buffalo's pitching coach when they made the International League playoffs before moving to the A.L. advance scout role.
Originally selected out of Raleigh-Egypt (TN) High School by the Braves in the second round of the 1976 draft as a left-handed pitcher, he pitched from 1976 to 1980 in the Braves' system before ending his career with Baltimore affiliate Hagerstown in 1981.
A native of Independence, Missouri, Chiti is the son of former Major Leaguer Harry Chiti, who spent more than eight seasons with the Chicago Cubs, Kansas City Royals, Detroit Tigers and New York Mets. He currently resides in Auburndale, Florida, with his wife Jennifer. He has two children, Morgan and John and three stepchildren, Kira, Kassie and Krista.
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Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Braves Hall of Fame Member Pete Van Wieren Announces his Retirem
Pete Van Wieren, a member of the Braves Hall of Fame has announced his retirement, ending his 33 years as a play-by-play broadcaster for the Atlanta Braves. He spent this past season doing radio exclusively for 94.9 the Bull, 640 WGST and the Braves Radio Network, but had been a part of the Braves broadcasts on TBS for many of those 33 years.
"This is something my family and I have been thinking about the last couple of years," said Van Wieren. "It's simply a desire to live my life without the restrictions of a baseball schedule. I want to thank the Braves, my broadcast partners and especially the fans for their support over the years."
Since joining the Braves network in 1975, "The Professor" as he is known throughout baseball, has also covered the Atlanta Flames of the National Hockey League, the Hawks and the Atlanta Falcons NFL pre-season football. He also served as a sports reporter for CNN and served as a play-by-play announcer on TBS's Big Ten Conference college football games.
"This is a monumental moment in Braves history and a sad one for me personally," said Atlanta Braves President John Schuerholz. "Pete has been in our homes and in our lives as one of the great Braves voices, and we will sorely miss him. We wish him many years of good health and happiness in his retirement after 33 years as a beloved and admired voice of the Atlanta Braves."
In 2006, Van Wieren won the Georgia Sportscaster of the Year Award from the National Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association, marking the 10th time he won the honor (1980, 1988-95, 2006). He was dubbed Atlanta's Favorite Sportscaster in 1977 by the Atlanta Journal.
In 2004, he was inducted into the Braves Hall of Fame, along with fellow announcer Skip Caray, who passed away this past August. In 2000, Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell declared July 30th "Skip Caray and Pete Van Wieren Day" in honor of their 25 years of broadcasting Braves games.
Prior to joining Turner, he began his broadcasting career working as the play-by-play man for the Tidewater Tides of the International League for two years. He has also broadcast hockey, college and professional basketball and college and professional football. He also has been a sportscaster for WDHO-TV, Toledo, Ohio; WNBF-AM/FM/TV and WINR-AM/TV, both in Binghamton, NY; WPRW-AM/FM, Manassas, Va.; and WEER-AM/FM, Warrenton, Va.
Van Wieren, who was born in Rochester, NY, attended Cornell University. He and his wife Elaine live in Alpharetta, Ga. They have two children, Steven and Jon.
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Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Braves' Hanson Named AFL's Pitcher of the Week
Scottsdale Scorpions infielder Drew Sutton (HOU) and Mesa Solar Sox starting right-handed pitcher Tommy Hanson (ATL) are the Arizona Fall League's week two player of the week and pitcher of the week, respectively.
Sutton - Sutton hit a robust .643 (9-14) last week in four games, including two home runs and five runs batted in. He posted a .667 on-base percentage and 1.143 slugging percentage.
The Fall League's leading hitter at .600 (12-20) two weeks into its 17th season, the 6-3, 190-pound Sutton also leads in on-base percentage (.680) and slugging percentage (1.000).
The 25-year-old Jackson, Tennessee native and former Baylor star was the Astros' 15th-round selection in the 2004 draft. He hit .317 in 2008 at Double-A Corpus Christi with 20 home runs, 63 extra-base hits, 69 runs batted in, and 20 stolen bases.
Other player-of-the-week nominees were Phoenix Desert Dogs' outfielder Eric Young, Jr. (COL) and Peoria Saguaros infielder Daniel Murphy (NYM).
Hanson - The 6-6, 210-pound Hanson was nearly perfect last week, winning both his starts while allowing only one hit over 6.2 innings pitched. In his most recent start last Saturday, Oct. 18 vs. the frontrunning 8-2 Peoria Saguaros, Hanson struck out eight of the first nine hitters.
The 22-year-old Tulsa, Oklahoma native, who has allowed just one hit in 8.2 innings overall, is riding a streak of 8.1 consecutive hitless innings. He has not allowed a hit since a one-out single by Young in the first inning of Hanson's first start on Opening Day (Oct. 7). His earned-run average is 0.00 and he is one of three Fall League pitchers with two wins. He owns 14 strikeouts against three walks.
Hanson, who played college baseball at Riverside (CA) Community College, was the Braves' 22nd-round selection in the 2005 Draft. After starting 2008 at Advanced-A Myrtle Beach where he was 3-1 with a 0.90 earned-run average in seven starts, Hanson was promoted to Double-A Mississippi where he was 8-4 with a 3.03 earned-run average in 18 starts. He struck out 114 batters in 98 innings while allowing only 70 hits. Two other right-handers - Scottsdale Scorpion Clay Buchholz (BOS) and Peoria Saguaro Tobi Stoner (NYM) - were nominated for pitcher-of-the-week.
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Friday, October 17, 2008
Braves Museum and Hall of Fame Announces Offseason Specials, Including 'Free Admission Day' on November 15
This offseason, baseball fans will have the opportunity to explore the rich history of the Braves franchise and see behind-the-scenes areas of Turner Field during special monthly promotions at the Braves Museum and Hall of Fame. Monthly specials will begin with "Free Admission Day" on November 15, when fans of all ages will enjoy free admission and tours all day.
Offseason Specials at the Braves Museum and Hall of Fame
November 15, 2008: "Free Admission Day"
On Saturday, November 15, the Braves Museum and Hall of Fame will offer free admission during normal museum hours from 10 AM - 2 PM. Tours of the stadium, normally $12 for adults, $7 for children, and $10 for groups of 20 or more, will also be free on November 15th. Tours leave on the hour starting daily Monday-Saturday at 10:00 AM, with the last tour leaving at 2:00 PM.
December 1- 22, 2008: "A Toy for a Tour"
Children 13 and under who bring a new, unwrapped toy will receive free admission to the Braves Museum and Hall of Fame and a complimentary tour of Turner Field December 1-22. The Atlanta Braves Foundation will donate the toys to children's charities for distribution to those in need during the holiday season.
February 1-28, 2008: Black History Month education initiative
In an effort to encourage youth to learn about the many achievements of African Americans in baseball, children 13 and under who read a book about the Negro Leagues, Hank Aaron, Jackie Robinson, or any African American contributors to the sport, will receive complimentary admission to the Braves Museum and a free tour of Turner Field.
Students can bring in the book they read or a note with the name and author of the book from their teacher or librarian on school letterhead, Monday-Saturday during Black History Month.
The Ivan Allen Jr. Braves Museum & Hall of Fame features more than 600 Braves artifacts and photographs that trace the team's history from its beginnings in Boston (1871-1952) to Milwaukee (1953-65) to Atlanta (1966-present).
This educational and entertaining destination is open year-round and is the starting point of one hour guided tours of Turner Field. Tours take fans through behind-the-scenes areas of the ballpark including the press box and broadcast booths, and give fans the opportunity to sit in the Braves dugout and see their favorite players' lockers in the Braves clubhouse. Other stops along the tour include Sky Field, a luxury suite, the SunTrust Club, and the Braves Museum store.
The Braves Museum and Hall of Fame is open Monday - Saturday during the offseason from 10 AM - 2 PM, with Turner Field tours leaving on the hour. The museum will be closed November 27 - Thanksgiving Day, December 23 - January 2, and January 19 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Turner Field tours, including admission to the Braves museum, are $12 for adults, $7 for children 13 and under, and $10 for groups of 20 or more.
Free parking is available during the offseason in the Turner Field Green Lot, on the corner of Hank Aaron Drive and Ralph David Abernathy Avenue.
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Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
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Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Caray Family Plans Open Service at Christ the King Cathedral
The Caray family has announced plans for an open service for all of Skip's friends and fans. The service will be on Monday, August 11 at Christ the King Cathedral at the corner of Peachtree St. and Peachtree Ave. just north of West Wesley St. Services will begin at 4:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers the family is asking that donations be made to one of the following in memory of Skip:
Camp Twin Lakes
www.camptwinlakes.org or
P.O. Box 933507
Atlanta, GA 31193-3507
Winship Cancer Institute
www.cancer.emory.edu or
Plaza 1000
762 Clifton Road
Atlanta, GA 30322-4001
Friends House (will only accept donations online)
www.smalldoghumane.org
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Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Power Arms Vie for Aflac's National Baseball Player of the Year Honors
SSG Note: Kudos to Donavan Tate of Cartersville, GA. We're pulling for you!
PRNewswire/ -- Pitchers with incredible talent dominate the finalists as four hurlers are among the five players nominated for the fifth annual Aflac National High School Player of the Year Award, given to the country's top prep baseball player. The Player of the Year recipient will be presented with the Jackie Robinson Award, a trophy named in honor of the late Hall of Famer. Sharon Robinson, Robinson's daughter, will present the award at the Aflac All-American Awards Dinner held at the Omni Hotel on Aug. 8, 2008, in Los Angeles. Also on hand for the ceremony will be Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith, who returns as honorary chairman for the 2008 Aflac All-American Baseball Game.
"We are extremely pleased to once again have Jackie Robinson's name associated with this prestigious award," said Sharon Robinson. "This award has gone to fine young men who exemplify what my father stood for, and gives recognition to the student athletes who strive for excellence and give back to the community."
The Player of the Year nominees are:
-- Mychal Givens, INF/RHP, Plant HS - Tampa, Fla.
-- Austin Maddox, C/RHP, Eagle's View Academy - Jacksonville, Fla.
-- Tyler Matzek, LHP, Capistrano Valley HS - Mission Viejo, Ca.
-- Matthew Purke, LHP, Klein HS - Spring, Texas
-- Donavan Tate, OF, Cartersville HS - Cartersville, Ga.
-- Jacob Turner, RHP, Westminster Christian Academy - St. Charles, Mo.
The inaugural Jackie Robinson Award, presented in 2004, went to Aflac All-American alumnus Justin Upton, a shortstop from Great Bridge HS (Chesapeake, Va.). The Arizona Diamondbacks made Upton the No. 1 overall pick of the 2005 Major League Baseball June draft. Other winners were Cody Johnson, a first baseman/outfielder from Mosley HS (Panama City, Fla.) in 2005, Michael Burgess, an outfielder/pitcher from Hillsborough HS (Tampa, Fla.) in 2006 and Tim Melville, a pitcher/outfielder from Wentzville HS (Wentzville, Mo.), was honored last year.
The Jackie Robinson award, named after the first player to break the Major League Baseball color barrier, recognizes the nation's top rising senior who demonstrates outstanding character, exhibits leadership and embodies the values of being a student athlete. The player of the year nominees were determined by official Aflac All-American Baseball Game selection partner Perfect Game and media partner Baseball America.
The sixth annual Aflac All-American High School Baseball Game will be played Saturday, Aug. 9, at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. The event is the nation's elite high school baseball showcase featuring the top 38 rising senior players in an East vs. West match-up. The game will be televised live nationally on Fox Sports Net at 3 p.m. Eastern time. Proceeds from the game will benefit ThinkCure, the official charity of the Dodgers, which supports critical cancer research at City of Hope and Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles. Since 2005, the game has generated nearly $525,000 for charity.
Frady Leads Germany to Summer Success
While several Panthers have been busy playing in wood-bat amateur leagues far from home, Georgia State baseball head coach Greg Frady has spent part of his summer coaching the German National Team in Europe. The highlight of summer was the Germans sweep of bitter rival France in a seven-game series.
Frady also led the German squad in an exhibition against the United States National Team, which is comprised of collegiate players. The Germans hosted the game in Regensburg in front of 2,500 fans, the second largest crowd ever at Armin Wolf Arena. Frady was proud of his team’s play, as the Americans held a 3-1 lead entering the eighth inning. The U.S. club scored six runs in the eighth and prevailed 9-3.
“It was a great game and the first time the U.S. team has played in Germany,” said Frady.
In the seven-game series against neighboring rival France, the Germans outscored the French 63-11 in the series and rode a powerful offense to 12-1, 16-0, 10-3, 11-1 and 9-3 wins in the first five games. Frady’s squad played small ball and completed the sweep with 2-1 and 3-2 wins in games six and seven.
“To sweep the French was quite a great accomplishment,” Frady said. “The team did a great job working this summer to develop and prepare for the 2009 World Cup in Europe.”
The World Cup was originally scheduled to be held in Cuba in 2009, but the International Baseball Federation (IBAF) moved the tournament to Europe to help “develop the market for baseball,” noted Frady. “Europe is one of the last frontiers for baseball growth.”
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Gingrey Helps GOP to 11-10 Win in Charity Congressional Baseball Game
The game was back and forth early, with the score notched at four apiece as Republicans came to bat in the bottom of the sixth. Rep. Gingrey stepped in as a pinch hitter and reached first base on a fielder’s choice to keep the rally alive. His run would eventually score as the Republicans tacked on four runs in the sixth to take a large lead into the seventh and final inning.
