Chris

Announcer #1: He looked like he was holding his head Announcer #2: That's usually reserved for Dusty Baker

Extensions for everyone!

Apparently Juan was trying to steal left field there

Wow, nice throw!

official game!

Way to trip over 1st

ha ha, great idea!

Hill pitched ok tonight :wink:

That's gonna be a long rest :(

ha ha

I enjoyed my visit with him. He finished his fielding & workouts in the outfield then came to the dugout before going out for BP. Before taking some questions, he made it a point to sign several autographs for fans standing at the end of the visitor's dugout. One thing that you miss from reading the sessions is that you don't hear the tone of voice from the person as they answer the questions. Felix seems to have a good level of humility and dedication about himself. It was apparent after the session during BP that he has a great relationship with the other guys on the team. After the game, he made it a point to sign autographs on the way to the team bus to the hotel.

An interview with Felix Pie has been posted as well!

FWIW an interview with Felix Pie has been posted.

On the afternoon of May 1, I had the great pleasure of visiting with Felix Pie before the Iowa Cubs played the Nashville Sounds. This interview was made possible due to the assistance of Jeff Lantz of the Iowa Cubs and Doug Scopel of the Nashville Sounds. A special thank you to Felix for taking time to answer some questions. As always, thank you to all of you for making NSBB such a wonderful posting community! Interview with Felix Pie May 1, 2006 What skills do you most need to work on before reaching the major league level? I need to work on my base running and bunting skills a little bit and my discipline at home plate. Have the Cubs given you any indication of when you may get called up? They haven't told me anything. Was it much of an adjustment coming back this year after being injured much of last year? I'm forgetting what happened last season and focusing my mind on this season and being ready. What did Vince Coleman mean when he said that you'll be the Michael Jordan of baseball? [laughs] Yeah, he told me that, but, you know, it shows me that he’s seen me play and he’s seen that I’m determined and play like Michael Jordan in basketball, you know, and then be like a Michael Jordan. Which Major League city have you enjoyed playing in the most along the way. Chicago. Do you have a favorite baseball player? Ken Griffey Jr. What’s it's like to get all this attention you have been receiving? You were relatively unknown when you signed w/ the cubs, but when one of our site users saw you in Mesa this spring, fans were following you everywhere, even recognizing you in street clothes. Every baseball player is blessed for the fans. It drives me. Every town we go in, all of the people people like me, so I like it. I want to be in Chicago and see what happens. What is it like to know that everyone knows who you are? It makes me happy, it makes you walk in everyday, show everybody what you do, and be ready and show everybody when I come to the big leagues.

I've never met him, but I have swapped e-mails with him in the past. I heard him doing a radio spot about the book and decided to check out his site.

:shock: :shock: :shock:

The Q & A with Micah Hoffpauir has been posted!

Q & A with Micah Hoffpauir May 2006 From Flames24Rulz: Hi Micah! First of all, congrats on the real fast start you are off to this year and hopefully it'll continue! I have a couple questions for you. Brian Dopirak got hurt on the first game of the year and you have filled in and done an amazing job. I saw in the game on April 29th against Jacksonville that you played in LF. Is the plan (Edit: Was the plan) for you to move to the OF when Dopirak comes (came) back? My other question is what is your timetable for the rest of this year? The Cubs as a whole have pretty solid First Basemen at every level. Do you have a goal to be up at Iowa by the end of the year or even possibly with the major league team on September 1st? Thanks and I wish the best of luck to you for the rest of the season! Thanks! I think the plan from the beginning of the season was for me to back-up Dopirak at first and get some at bats in the outfield. As far as when he came back I am not real sure what would happen. I was moved up to Iowa on May 18th and have played first base every game I have been in. I would Love to be called up to Chicago. To play at that level is everyone's dream. Thanks for the questions. From karenmac: Hi Micah! Thanks so much for taking the time to answer questions for us. Congratulations on your great start I was wondering what it was like having a younger brother playing in the minors (and for the Cardinals org no less!). So often, we get to hear what it's like for the kid brother, but was curious about your experience as the elder sibling. All the Best wishes for Future Success! Karen Thanks! I think you have me confused with someone else. I did have a brother that played pro ball, but he was with the Cubs for one short season. I think you are talking about Jarret or Josh Hoffpauir. As far as I know they are no relation to me. Sorry. Thanks again. From JonMDavis: I heard your interview with MLB.com radio and you said that some of the additional power might be a result of using your legs more. Has your approach at the plate changed at all from last year? Are you being more aggressive early in the count or is it really just the same approach but driving the ball a little further thanks to your legs? My approach at the plate is the same as it was last year, but I am not missing the pitches early in the count like I did last year. I really believe that is just the fact that I have started to use my legs. I worked really hard this off-season with my father and then at spring training with the hitting coaches there. It is something that I have gotten away with until last season. My legs for me are making all the difference in the world right now. How often do you talk with someone in the Cubs front office about how things are going and what your future might be? And when you do, is that usually Fleita or someone else? I try not to talk to them too often, when I do it is to Fleita. He is the guy in charge of the minors so everything goes through him. As for my future, I think it is in my own hands. If I play and put up numbers then things will go well. If not then, I think we all know the answer to that. Have you had a chance to make it to Wrigley since you became a member of the Cubs? If so, what was that like? Thanks! I have been to Wrigley one time with my wife. It was a surprise trip from my wife. We went to the game and saw them play the Braves. It was fun. Thanks! From vance_the_cubs_fan: Micah, Congrats on the call-up. How does it feel to be one more step closer to realizing the dream of being a major league baseball player? Thanks! It feels good to be one step closer, but it would feel better to get the chance to prove myself at the big league level. I am looking forward to that chance. Also, you've played already at both AA and AAA. What's the difference in the two levels? What have you learned since your last time in Iowa that you think will help you this time around? The main difference between the two levels is the way you are pitched. In AAA people are not as willing to give in and throw you the fastball on hitters counts (2-0,3-1). The travel is also different. In AA you ride busses and in AAA you fly. I am not sure which is easier on the body yet. HA! I think the fact that I am more confident in my swing and what I am doing. Thanks again! From goony's evil twin: Micah, how quickly after a major leaguer gets injured do you, or other prospects, start thinking about how it could affect your career? I know you don't openly wish for injuries to others, and you probably feel bad for a guy that does go down, but at some point you have to think about what kind of positive can come from it, including a potential call-up to the majors. As a minor league player or anyone you never want to see someone get hurt, but you have to realize that may be a chance for you to prove yourself at the major league level. When we see someone go down it is almost instant that rumors start to fly. You almost have to expect to be called up so it is not such a shock when your are. Once again I and most other people do not like to see anyone get hurt, but you have to understand it is part of the game. Thanks! From NCCubbieFan: Thanks for participating on our board by answering questions. Last year you played at Iowa, but got sent back to West Tenn this year. How do you put the disappointment of being moved back a level behind you? Also, have the Cubs given you any idea what improvements to your game they want to see for you to resume upward progress? Thanks! One thing I have learned about this game is that it is a business just like any other. You have to learn to control the things you can and not worry about what you can not. It took me a while to see that, but I think I have a pretty good grasp of it now. They have been very complimentary of my power numbers. I think that will help in my progress back up the chain. Congratulations on making it back to Iowa. Having yourself been sent back to West Tenn to start the year after spending most of last year at Iowa, are you able to give any advice/encouragement to Brandon and Adam to help them deal with the disappointment of being moved down? As for Adam and Brandon all I can say is to keep you head up and play hard. It all goes back to controlling what you can. If they let it tear them down it will. I know it got to me last year when I was moved down to West Tenn. Thanks again. Thanks for all the questions. I hope I answered them thoroughly enough. If not feel free to send them back with what you would like for me to answer. Thanks again and I will talk to you all soon. Micah Hoffpauir

I'm really surprised that the poll is still up.

Here is Randy's second installment of his 2006 Jaxx Journal. I look forward to an update on housewars! Thanks Randy! Hello NSBB readers, The season is well underway now right at fifty games now if I counted correctly. We are hanging in there pretty good in the first half. I think when I checked tonight we are three games back of Chattanooga in the hunt to win the first half. We have had a little of everything in Jackson so far this year. As most of you know my good friend and big time prospect Brian Dopirak broke his foot in the first game of the season. The team moved on and got some power help in the middle of the lineup from Micah Hoffpauir and some clutch hitting through out the lineup. Micah and Luis Montanez have since moved up to Iowa, in return we got some more help to the lineup with Brandon Sing and Adam Greenberg. Our starting pitching has been solid all year long as has our bullpen. As of today we were leading the league in ERA. We have been playing a lot of close good ballgames and it has been great to watch and be around. The word is Dopirak will be back in a week, we could really use his bat in the lineup again and his presence in the clubhouse should really get things going again. On a more personal note, since coming off the D.L. I have been pitching pretty well. My arm has healed nicely and I have not felt any discomfort. I have felt really comfortable on the mound and my confidence in my teammates has really contributed to the success I have had so far. The group of guys on the team are great and the atmosphere in the clubhouse carries on to the field. It really makes my job a lot easier when you know you don’t have to be perfect with every pitch knowing that you have eight guys behind you that will make routine and unbelievable plays, and score runs for you. So far I am really pleased with my start to the season. Besides the short stint on the D.L. I have made quality starts and have been able to keep guys off base and keep them from scoring and keep the team in the games I pitch. As for the off the field stuff there’s not much to report. We finally found an apartment in Jackson. I still can’t believe how hard it was to find an apartment. Me, Tony Richie, and Chris Shaver are sharing an apartment in town. Hopefully our household can hold its own in the upcoming house wars. Some guys on the team who live in the apartment below us have challenged us to a series of housewars. The first event of a three event series is bowling. I believe miniature golf and paintball are the other two events. We might have to keep the paintball quiet around Listach. I will have to let you know how it turns out, I am pretty confident in our apt. Well until next time, hope all is well. Thanks again. RW

I see that Muddy the Mudcat is tied for 2nd

I plan to see a game in Chattanooga in the next couple of weeks. I'll be sure to print the results and give them to Looie. :lol: Ribbee is at 78% with 9,805 votes submitted

He's been pretty decent prior to this year, but he's a 25 year old in AA. I'm not sure what his stuff is like though, nothing on him from BA or the McKamey prospect book. He uses 4 pitches. His delivery is something to watch as well.

Reds

Obviously a different crew than this past Friday night :shock: