Merry Christmas to all

Wherever you are spending your holiday!!

Windy City wins the 2008 Frontier League Championship

The 2008 baseball season is now over. We lost 6-5 in Game 3 of the finals, and the Thunderbolts swept us 3-0 to win the series. After falling behind 4-0, we scored the next 5 runs to go ahead but lost the game on a two run single in the fifth.It's been a great season, and a fun one. I am bitterly disappointed to not be getting my first championship ring, but I am proud of this team and what they accomplished this season.I am eager to return home and see my family again. Thanks for all sticking by me.

See you all soon.

Love

Jack

Championship Series Game 2: Windy City 6, Kings 2

Hi everyone,Well , Game 2 of the Championship Series has come and gone and we lost 6-2 in the second game. We now are behind 0-2 and if we lose one more game, we lose the series and they win the championship. Tonight they loaded the bases in the first inning and scored a run on a sacrifice fly. We tied the game in the third inning on a bases loaded walk and went ahead 2-1 in the fourth on a bases loaded sacrifice fly. But we gave it right back in the fifth, as they scored three runs in their half of the fifth on a bases loaded walk and a two run single. Then they got a two run hit to go up 6-2 in the eighth, and we were finished.

Now we need a three game winning streak to win the championship. Our hitting continues to be a real problem. I'll post after Game 3.

Love,

Jack

Championship Series Game 1: Windy City 8, Kings 2

In Game One of the Championship Series, we took it on the chin, losing 8-2 to the Windy City Thunderbolts at Standard Bank Stadium in Crestwood, Illinois. We fell behind in the third inning on two singles. Our first baseman, on the second RBI, was arguing with the first base umpire and had his back to home plate with a man on third base. As the arguing was going on, the runner scored from third to make it 2-0. They scored two more in the fifth, on a single and a home run by the league MVP, Phil Hawke to go up 4-0. It became 8-0 in the eighth on a three run home run by their shortstop, Wes Long and a double by their catcher, Danny Sawyer. We got two in the bottom of the eighth on a home run by our shortstop, Jorge Araiza to close out the scoring.

The problem for us tonight was that we just couldn't hit. Their starter, Ross Stout, threw a complete game , and struck out nine. In six of the first seven innings tonight, we were set down 1-2-3. That is not a recipe for success. We finally got it going a little bit in the eighth, but it was too little, too late.

Game 2 is Wednesday night. This is a MUST win game for us. Our pitcher in game 2, John Brownell, was 11-2 in the regular season and he threw a one-hitter his last time out against Gateway. If we go down 0-2 in this series, we're in deep trouble. So we need a win.The game goes on air at 7:45 PM EDT on www.espn1660.com. I hope you'll join me for the broadcast.

Love,

Jack

Homer Stryker River (oops, I meant field)

Here are some pictures of our field, after 2 straight days of torrential rain. It will take months to restore this field to normal.

Rain, rain, please go away so we can play

Well, we were supposed to have played Game 1 of the championship series last night, but here in Western Michigan we have been deluged with rain. It rained all day yesterday and it is raining again today. We were rained out of Game 1 last night, and quite honestly, it is doubtful we will play today, looking out my apartment window.

So, we will most likely play this championship series this upcoming week, Monday through Friday, with no days off in between. I'll keep you all posted.

Game 4- Kings 6, Gateway 4, Next stop- The Finals

Well, as you can see from Lori's post below, we have advanced to the championship series here in the Frontier League. We knocked out the Gateway Grizzlies last night 6-4 in Game 4 to advance. We were in control of the game really from the outset. We scored twice in the first to go up 2-0, only to see them cut it to 2-1 in the bottom of the first on a home run. We put it away in the third with three runs, and then added another run in the sixth. That run was very important, because they got three in the bottom of the ninth to make it close. Our pitcher in the ninth inning, Dan Baerlocher, pitched great and did not deserve to give up three runs. He got the first two batters out with a 6-1 lead, and then they got two broken bat hits to keep the game alive. Then their #9 hitter, Breck Draper, hit a three run home run to cut it to 6-4. But Dan ended it there, as he got the last batter to pop up to end it.

With the win, we now will play for the Frontier League championship. We will have our work cut out for us. Our opponents are the Windy City Thunderbolts (Crestwood, Ill). They finished tied with us for the league's best record at 60-36. They have the league MVP (first baseman Phil Hawke), an outstanding lineup, and a terrific pitching staff. Plus, they have experience- they won the title last year and are looking to defend their title.

Here is the series championship schedule: (All times EASTERN time)

GAME 1- SATURDAY 9-13 at Kalamazoo, 7 PM

GAME 2- SUNDAY, 9-14 at Kalamazoo, 7 PM

GAME 3- TUESDAY, 9-16 at Windy City, 8 PM

GAME 4- (if necessary) WEDNESDAY, 9-17 at Windy City, 8 PM

GAME 5- (if necessary) FRIDAY, 9-19 at Kalamazoo, 7 PM

All games can be heard streamed over the Internet at http://www.espn1660.com/. For all 5 games, click on the LISTEN LIVE button at the top of the website page.

GO KINGS!!!!

Talk after Game 1 Saturday, as I'll be posting recaps after each game.

Jack

Kalamazoo Kings Advance to the Finals!

Hi Everyone!

With last night's win , Jack's team has just won the semi-finals :-)

Go Kalamazoo Kings!

Game 3- Kings 3, Gateway 2

Game 3- Kings 3, Gateway 2
Well, the Kings are just one win away from the Frontier League championship series. Tonight we beat Gateway 3-2 in Game 3 to take a 2-1 lead in our best of five series. In the closest game of the series yet, we scored first in the top of the first. Our leadoff hitter, Brandon Anderson, tripled and one out later scored on an RBI single by Joe Ramos, our second baseman. They tied it at 1-1 in the bottom of the first. Then, they went ahead 2-1 in the fifth on a triple. We, in turn, rallied to win it in dramatic fashion. Simon Williams, our left fielder, hit a home run to tie it at 2-2 in the seventh, and then, Brendan Murphy, our DH, hit a home run to put us ahead 3-2 in the top of the ninth. Our pitching tonight was outstanding. Our closer, Brandon Parillo, faced five batters and got them all out.

With one more win, we move into the championship series. Game 4 is coming up on Tuesday night. Pre-game show is on at 7:45 and the first pitch is at 8:05 PM. You can hear it live at www.espn1660.com by clicking on the LISTEN LIVE button at the top of the page.

I'll talk to you all after Game 4.

GO KINGS!!!

Jack

Game 2- Kings 6, Gateway 0

Game 2 of the first round has come and gone, and this time, in Game 2, we were the ones who played the near perfect game, beating the Gateway Grizzlies 6-0 to even up our first round series at 1-1. The story was our starting pitcher, John Brownell. He had a no-hitter going into the eighth inning tonight, and he pitched out of this world. He gave up a double in the eighth, but that was it for Gateway. We scored in the bottom of the second to go up 1-0, and then, in the bottom of the third, blew the game open when our catcher, Mike Russell, smoked a three run homer to make it 4-0. That would be all the offense Brownell would need. We added a few more runs late, and we coasted to the 6-0 win.

On Sunday, we will be on the bus headed for Sauget, Illinois, right across the river from St. Louis, to resume the series. Game 3 takes place on Monday night, with an 8:05 PM Eastern start. I'll be on the air at 7:45 PM with the pre-game show. For anyone who would like to listen, the game will be streamed live at www.espn1660.com . Just click on the LISTEN LIVE button at the top of the page to listen in.


I'll talk to you all from St. Louis on Monday night!!!

Jack

Game 1- Gateway 6, Kings 1

Welcome to my first playoff update. We lost in the first game to Gateway 6-1 at home, and we now trail in this best of five series 1-0. Our starting pitcher, Jeff Long, threw the ball very well. He only made one mistake the entire night- he gave up a 2 run homer to their best player, Mike Breyman in the 3rd inning to put them up 2-0 (Breyman went 4 for 4 on the night). Other than that, he pitched really well. We got a run back in the third, as Jeff Grose, our center fielder, got an infield hit and went up to second on a throwing error by their second baseman. He stole third and scored on a sacrifice fly by our DH, Brendan Murphy. That was the only offense we got all night. They scored again in the eighth and then scored three more in the ninth. All told, we were limited to a grand total of three hits, all singles (2 by Murphy). Their starter, Eric Ridener, was brilliant against us (again), striking out 11 hitters in 7 innings. Over the last 14 innings against him, we have a total of 3 hits and one unearned run.

Tonight is Game 2, and unless we turn things around in a hurry, I'll be packing my bags to come home sooner than expected. Start time for Game 2 tonight is 7:05 PM, and the game can be heard live at www.espn1660.com (Click on the LISTEN LIVE button at the top of the page to listen in for free).

Take care,

Jack

New feature coming to the blog Sept. 5

Hey all,

Starting on Sept. 5, I'll be posting game recaps of all our playoff games here on the blog after each game we play. We have clinched home field advantage throughout the playoffs and are the # 1 seed overall. We will be playing the Gateway Grizzlies (Sauget, Ill). in Round 1. Games 1 and 2 will be here in Kalamazoo on Friday night (9/5) and Saturday (9/6). We will be heading to the St. Louis area on Sunday for game 3 on Monday night. All games can be heard live in their entirety at www.espn1660.com. First recap is coming after Game 1 Friday night.

Pictures from Notre Dame (South Bend, IN).

Today I visited the University of Notre Dame (South Bend, IND). on one of my rare days off from announcing baseball. Here are some pictures I took. I hope you like them.

Jack

Star of the Day

Wow, we have a superstar in the family. Jack, you really look great in the comic strip.

Let's hear it for Karen!!!

Hello all!

I received a call from my District Executive who was very excited to tell me that I am going to be recognized as a top performer at an award Luncheon on the 19th!!!! I am VERY excited about this because, in my 5 years here, I can honestly say that this is well deserved. I worked REALLY hard at it!!
This is not just within my district of 12 branches. This has to do with the entire Market!!

I just had to share!!!! Wooohoooooo.

Love ya
K

Pictures from Washington, PA. with the Kings

Some pics from Consol Energy Park in Washington, PA, with the Kings on our recent road trip. This might be my favorite park of them all.

Love

Jack

St. Louis pictures from last road trip

Here are some shots from St. Louis, from our last road trip. I got to see the great St. Louis Arch, as well as working in a great minor league park (GCS Ballpark). Enjoy !!

And the story continues with Jack calling the shots!

Check it out:
http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/custom/gilthorp/

Jack's a Comic Strip!

The Kalamazoo Kings have a local comic strip that runs daily.

Jack's in the strip today!

Here's the link:

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/custom/gilthorp/

Kings pictures from Evansville, Indiana

Here are some pictures from our current road trip, which has begun in Evansville, Indiana, at Bosse Field. This field is the oldest minor league baseball park in the country and is the third oldest baseball park in the country (behind Fenway Park and Wrigley Field). It was also here that the movie " A League of Their Own" was filmed in 1992, with Tom Hanks, Madonna, Geena Davis, and Rosie O'Donnell starring. Coming up next............ photos from Sauget, Illinois, right across the river from St. Louis.