karenmac

for those that may be interested in a fun place to do a live fantasy draft... http://www.kccougars.com/20100129draft.html

we've been to ST for the last 3 years or so, and here are a few things to know: 1) the minor leaguers play at the Fitch Park complex, about 3-4 blocks south of HoHoKam...usually drills in the morning with games in the afternoon starting about 1/2way through March (until then pretty sure they practice all-day with a break at lunch). There are bleachers at Fitch, but not much shade so bring sunblock, a hat, an umbrella, or a combination of all 3 :-) 2) we usually stay around Country Club Drive. I can personnally attest that the Hilton Phoenix East / Mesa and the Hampton Mesa are both good spots. This year, we're trying something new and staying at the Holiday Inn because I got a substantially lower rate. 3) we usually see 4-5 games in 9 days or so and try and get to Fitch another couple of days. In seeing games in Phoenix, we usually try to go anywhere but HoHoKam it's similarly dumpy to Wrigley and not that great a spot to watch a game - this year, we're trying somewhere new and venturing to the Goodyear and will catch a game in Surprise and a couple in Tucson (one not cubs but dbacks / sox) 4) Our favorite lunch haunt near HoHoKam is north - a family-owned diner that makes everything from scratch - Cindy's AZ Cafe - 124 E McKellips, Mesa 85201. For breakfast, if we're not staying somewhere with something for free, we'll stop at the Basha's supermarket just south of Fitch for yogurt / fruit / etc. That addy is 339 E Brown Rd Feel free to PM me with any specific questions!

traffic can be bad in AZ, but these guys aren't getting on the bus in the middle of rush hour - most games I go to take 20-30 minutes from Mesa, which is far better than the 2-3 hour commutes that many of the FL teams have to make several times a week.

the lack of significant commute time in AZ vs FL should be a factor, at least if the players have anything to say about it. And Tucson won't be much of a factor for long, there are only 2 teams there now, and they'll be in Phoenix by 2011... http://www.springtrainingonline.com/200911171434/news/d-backs-rockies-break-ground-on-new-spring-complex.htm

bump! just thought I'd put a reminder out here about this league...we've got 6 teams, but life would be better if we could get 4-6 more...

Drop Soriano, Add Bay Drop Bruce, Add Werth

if anyone would like to play Fantasy Hockey this year, I've set up an NSBB league - http://hockey.fantasysports.yahoo.com/league/nsbbhockey to join - head to: http://hockey.fantasysports.yahoo.com/hockey/register/joinprivateleague_league_select?.scrumb= ID# 157899 password - gocubs

have also posted in the fantasy forum, but thought this might get to my target audience a little more directly... if anyone would like to play Fantasy Hockey this year, I've set up an NSBB league - http://hockey.fantasysports.yahoo.com/league/nsbbhockey to join - head to: http://hockey.fantasysports.yahoo.com/hockey/register/joinprivateleague_league_select?.scrumb= ID# 157899 password - gocubs I've currently got the draft set to go on Sunday 9/27, but that can be changed once we've got everyone signed up that wants to be.

it's great to see Kyler having a great year, both at the plate and in the field. His bat gets all the press (deservedly so this year) but it's always a pleasure to watch his defense too - he can run down a lot of stuff in right that many wouldn't get to, and has an arm that can gun someone down any time. Was in Cedar Rapids for Sat / Sun games and can only hope the Chiefs stay as hot for another 3 weeks :) Will try and post some pics in the appropriate game threads tomorrow sometime.

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/deluca/1727813,CST-SPT-deluca21.article good grief, it's the LumberKINGS for pete's sake. The mascot is one of my faves to giggle at in the MWL... http://indianapolis.indians.milb.com/images/logo/t500_logo_sm.gif I'm not sure if it's the goatee, massive bicep, or cheesy grin that gets me, but the in-the-park mascot is even better :)

So the Chiefs have been on the road for the last little bit, and didn't really get to see a lot of the games on Sat / Sun, but here are my opinions on Flaherty, Burke, Lake, Archer so far: Burke has been hitting the ball hard a *lot* - saw him last year when he was here and he has truly started to grow into the power they anticipated. He has been hitting more consistently than either Lake or Flaherty, from my point of view anyway (not sure what the stats say) Flaherty started the year hitting the ball quite well, but has seemed to be flailing a bit more lately. Not sure if that's the variety of different defensive positions he's been playing, but his approach doesn't seem as sound as it did at the start of the year. Lake is my least favorite to watch of the 3. He can connect, but swings and misses a bunch - perhaps it's just learning the patience he needs, but it's not good right now. Lake has also consistently struggled defensively, which makes it tough when I know we have folks that can handle things much more effectively in that space. His arm is very good, but again, not always accurate. Just my 2 cents on the hitters currently with the Chiefs - I haven't seen Archer pitch much lately, but will again soon enough :)

glad to see Kyle Reynolds caught on somewhere. The only one I didn't see mentioned on this list - Chris Shaver is playing for the Camden Riversharks of the Atlantic League as well.

Woot! That and not totally stinking in the HR Derby almost make up for the crappy seasons my fantasy teams are having :)

Yeah, bad timing. I'm going to the Peoria/Kane county game Friday night and was hoping to see Vitters, too. But it looks like Aramis will be playing 3b for Peoria that night, which helps a little. I'll miss it, if you get tickets behind home plate, you'll prob. see Oneri and/or Randy Bush. Maybe Hendry. I obviously wouldn't bother them while they're working (although plenty of people would recognize Hendry, Oneri and Randy would not recognized by 99.9% of the people). yep, all 3 are regulars in section 108. That said, I think the Chiefs will likely have a packed house this weekend ($5 seats on Saturday), so these guys may do seats in the press box instead.

yay - the Chiefs finally beat WI this year!

I'm so glad I got a ticket to this - can't wait!

I'll be at the Futures Game - as vance said, that will be the fun game to see anyway! I managed to get a ticket right behind home plate on Stub Hub for $89. Think I got lucky cause I just needed a single - but since the crappy seats that are left are $75 or so, I figured this was worth the extra cash.

it's totally going to rain here tonight - probably just in time for the 7pm start...think it's a good opportunity to stay home and listen to Nate on the radio :)

yup, sure will be. I'm glad we got rained out last night - I was not in the mood. Today looks like a much saner day at work, so should work out great.

A few miscellaneous notes: - heard Nate on the radio on the way to my noon meeting that Andersen had been activated and Mercedes back on the DL with a "nagging calf injury" - Ping, it sounds very much like it's going to be a monsoon in Peoria tomorrow with 1-2 inches of rain predicted. Not sure how that will affect the rotation, but perhaps that will push Shafer far enough so you'll get a chance to see him. Normally the husband and I make it up to Beloit for a couple of games, but he has to work this weekend, so won't be happening for us this series. - Think it got mentioned elsewhere, but pretty sure I heard Len and Bob mention Z would be pitching in Clearwater on the broadcast tonight. bah!

yep, the Chiefs games will be back-to-back...think it's usually about 30-45 minutes in between. Long enough to do some field maintenance while the guys get a little something to eat. Also, these will both be 7 inning games. I'm sad I'll be at work...have a great time!

Glad to see Tony getting moved so quickly - he was doing really well in Peoria. I am told that Campana may be the fastest player in the Cubs system. Many of his hits would be routine outs for most players because of his speed.His speed turns an average (no power) hitter into a offensive threat. absolutely - in fact, in his senior season at Cincinnati, he was ranked 4th in division 1 with 44 SB - he is quick, and moves enough with his lead on whatever base he's on to cause some nervousness for the pitcher.

Glad to see Tony getting moved so quickly - he was doing really well in Peoria.

it looks like O_O missed the story of the night in Burlington, the center fielder Tony Campana: (from the Chiefs wrap-up story] Casey's General Store Player of the Game - Tony Campana (CF)- Campana collected his second three-hit game of the season and also drew two walks. He singled, stole third and scored in the third. The center fielder drove home a run with a single and stole second in the fourth and then tripled and scored in the sixth. Campana finished 3-for-3 with two steals, three runs scored and a RBI. *************** wasn't there, but glad to see the Chiefs with some momentum! Hopefully they'll get the Thursday game in - I'm starting to consider building an ark here in Central IL :wink:

wow - that hot dog dressing makes me glad it's just the hubby and I! While I sounded snarky in my last post, I should mention that DARE Day is a great thing to do for the schools - giving a lot of tickets and lunches away to schools as a reward for participating is a good thing. And there's just nothing quite like the squeal of a 5th grade girl...I know, I was one once :)