March 28, Tucson - I have received some new information on the Redheads section for 2009. Before I pass it along, let me give all of you credit that made it such a great place to be for baseball fans last year. It was sold out every time and you raised more than $40,000 for your community in the process. Most importantly you reminded all of us that this game and its fans are FUN.

Here's what I have received from the mother ship.....

Redheads Information

·        - Redheads 6-packs for all 6 games available now at www.dbacks.com/redheads.  Buy now to get the best available seat to every Redheads game!

·          --Single game Redheads tickets will be on sale starting April 6

·         -Wheelchair accessible seating can be purchased by calling (602) 514-8400

·         -Tickets are $19.50 and include a ticket in sections 106-108 (yes, Redheads has moved!) and a commemorative T-shirt for each game

·         -People can now join the "Redheads" group on Facebook!

·         -Proceeds benefit the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation

Dates (last Tuesday home game of each month)

• April 28 vs. Cubs
• May 26 vs. Padres
• June 23 vs. Rangers
• July 28 vs. Phillies
• August 11 vs. Mets
• September 22 vs. Giants

See you at the yard.

March 27, Tucson - Merriam-Webster's dictionary defines the word minor as inferior in importance, size, or degree; comparatively unimportant; not having reached majority. After spending two days full days, from early morning 'til evening, embedded in Diamondbacks minor league camp, workouts, meetings, lunches and ballgames, it was easy to see very clearly that their is nothing actually minor about it. 

This Sunday is the final day that players in minor league camp can turn in a saying, slogan or phrase to Field Coordinator Jack Howell to be chosen as the one that most accurately describes the identity of the Dbacks minor league system and what it stands for. We'll let you know which one is chosen and which player came up with it.

Until it is decided, maybe we should borrow a favorite saying of Vice President of Player Development A.J. Hinch: attitude reflects leadership. Do you remember those words being uttered in a classic scene in "Remember the Titans"? 

Here's my conversation with A.J.:

AJ Hinch Interview.WMA

Speaking of minor league baseball, make sure to keep an eye on the brand new ballpark  being completed in Reno as the Triple-A home of the Diamondbacks. The home opener in April 17th for the Reno Aces. Congratulations!

See you at the yard.

March 24, Tucson - Watching today's tilt between the Dbacks and Giants, a very small spring training stat was announced over the press box p.a., "stolen base number one for Byrnes." It was the first pitch thrown by the Giants Matt Cain after Eric's RBI single and he was off, wasting little time in showing all of us that he was turning up the heat on his bid to swipe a starting spot in 2009.  It was Byrnes' 4th hit in 8 at bats and though we all know spring numbers are somewhat meaningless, something tells me they are not to the healing veteran. As I write this, Eric lines a double into left center. So it's now 5 for 9 this spring (update....5/10). In the true spirit of March Madness, Byrnes is beginning to box out to grab any available time that may spring free.

"I've always had to fight for my playing time," Eric shared with me recently, "But that's what I like, that's why I play the game. I play the game for the competition. So to be able to go out there and earn that playing time, that's all you can ask for to be able to get that opportunity. That's all that I'll be looking for this year, that opportunity to prove that I'm one of the best nine guys and I should be out there."

Two years ago, Byrnes stole 50 bases, his team raced to 109 and Chris Young  grabbed 27. Last year an injured Byrnes managed just 4 sb's, the team had 58 and CY just 14. Are the three clearly related and does it make a huge difference in wins and losses. What do you think? How about Eric?

"That's why we had so much success in 2007, because of the way we ran the bases. It was simple and...we lost it last year. I'd talk to players on other teams and they would say, 'Man what are you guys doing over there? You've got our coachin staff freaked out.' I'd say, 'We're playing the game the way it should be played.' I think we get that back this year. I think it's going to be real important. I think it's going to be the difference maker, the two-game difference maker."

Defense can also be a difference maker and that leaky boat has yet to be adequately patched up this spring. The 30 errors in 23 games is the fifth highest total in baseball and one that must become more managable once the games count. Here's hoping that the extra efforts we have witnessed will soon equal extra execution. You see..the only Six Months in a Leaky Boat anyone really enjoys is this one.

***News from the defensive update desk. Dbacks turn solid double play to end the 7th inning. Reynolds to Skelton to Whitesell....that's right James Skelton. The Rule 5 pick and third catcher candidate hung in there very nicely as the second baseman in the play.

See you at the yard. Leave your bucket at home, they won't need it.

March 21 - Spring Training is the ideal time for any baseball fan to begin to put the names with the numbers, the numbers on the back of a player's jersey and the numbers on the front of the mind's of those projecting the near future of our favorite players. But spring is also a great time to put the names with the thoughts inside the heads of the players we follow. Here are a few of those gathered in conversations I've been fortunate to have thus far this camp:

"I had alot to learn and I did learn a lot on the big stage. I failed miserably many times. There were high expectations on what I was going to do when I went up there. That's one of the things that's tough for these guys. They all have expectations of themselves as I did and if they don't live up to them that's hard to deal with." -Kirk Gibson

"We've learned. We've learned a lesson. Last year we were out by two games and I'm sure I can think of two games where baserunning could have won us the game. We know that we got a little lackadaisical last year when it came to the baserunning side of it. So this year I know we are going to take it at them from day one. We're going to push. We have a lot of guys that can run and we're definitely going to use that part of our game this year." -Chris Young

"I think the focus simply needs to be on servanthood. The best way I know to explain that is you make yourself available to the masses, whoever they might be in that locker room. You share whatever information you can, sometimes it's politely shared and sometimes it's not. But more often than not they realize that you are going to battle with them. They know when push comes to shove, they can lean on you. You simply make yourself available to whatever their needs are." -Tony Clark on his Veteran Role in the Clubhouse

"It's one of those things that when I go out and play, I play for my teammates. I don't play for me, I play for my teammates. It was a privilege last year, it really was, to do what I did, but we were two games short. I'd give you 30 points so I could get to the post season." -Stephen Drew on his Huge Offensive Season in 07'

"I will say Manny Ramirez is probably one of the best hitters that I have ever seen with my eyes. He's unbelievable. Being a baseball player myself, I can see him at the plate and the way he swings at the ball or the way he takes a pitch, I can tell what he's looking for. He goes up there with a plan every single time and I can tell in and out that he's studied the pitcher up and down that whole entire afternoon." -Justin Upton on his Opponent in L.A.

Finally, thoughts and prayers for a classy baseball player and friend Aaron Boone. His career might be over as he needs open-heart surgery to fix a problem with his aorta and aortic valve. I've known Aaron for more than 20 years and he has been great for the game, not a big surprise for those who know his dad Bob. Last year I had a chance to reminisce with the veteran.

Aaron Boone Interview.WMA

Get well soon!

See you at the yard. 

March 19, Tucson - Five seasons is the amount of time in the minor leagues that an organization  is given to evaluate an 18 year old signed out of high school. After that the player must be placed on the 40-man roster or he can be taken in the Rule 5 draft by another organization. If it is the Major League Rule 5, then that player must stay in the big leagues with the club that snatched him up all season long, or be offered back at half of the $50,000 fee to the original team. Waivers come into play if all of this occurs, it is probably best if you read the great explanation given this past winter by Baseball America. Isn't it incredible that Johan Santana and Roberto Clemente were Rule 5 picks? But so was Enrique Cruz and when is the last time you heard about him? There is risk involved.

This is where catcher James Skelton comes into the story. A Tiger for five seasons, now a Diamondback after being picked up with the 11th pick in the Rule 5 this past December. A 23-year-old who has a .416 on base percentage in 276 minor league games and has walked (181) more than he has struck out (179)..

The diminutive (5'11", 165lbs) catcher joins Ryan Roberts in the race for the 25th spot and obviously his circumstances are unique considering the way in which he was acquired. Here is our conversation:

James Skelton Interview.WMA

See you at the yard.

March 18, Tucson - Less than three weeks until opening day and not many jobs available in Diamondbacks camp. The one spot that can certainly still be discussed is the 25th and final roster spot. Today is a chance to formally meet one of the candidates Ryan Roberts.

Roberts has played in 15 games this spring and .325/.438/.525 are the numbers he has stacked up. The rest you can find out in our brief conversation:

Ryan Roberts Interview.WMA

Next up James Skelton.

See you at the yard.

March 17, Tucson - As mentioned yesterday, here is a follow up coversation with Bob Melvin on the ongoing effort to reduce the strikeouts for the 2009 season. Read the note below to better understand the actual drills.

Bob Melvin on Strikeout Cutdown.WMA

I had a great conversation with Ryan Roberts this morning as well and will add it soon.

See you at the yard.

March 16, Tucson - The number of strikeouts last season posted in the stat sheets by the Arizona Diamondbacks, second to only the Florida Marlins as the higest total in all of baseball. So this spring the approach in cutting that number down has been inventive and unique, according to manager Bob Melvin as explained to me this morning.

It starts with hitters spending some extra time in a batting cage with two sets of pitching machine offerings. The first throws breaking balls that start at the hip and drop over the plate for a strike, the second throws breaking balls that start middle to middle away and break out of the strike zone outside. In early sessions the hitters did not swing, instead they watched both sets of offerings and the purpose is simply to begin to recognize and differentiate between the pitch you want to attack and the one you want to let go.

The next step involves hitting the separate offerings in the batting cage as the bats now go to work with the pitch selection and recognition. Today, the next step was put in place when several Dbacks minor league pitchers journeyed over from their camp and after warming up in the bullpen,  took their live breaking balls into a simulated situation with the hitters involved back on field 3. The same attack was in play, breaking balls for strikes and those down and away out of the strike zone.

Creative attack on an achilles for the young, talented and athletic roster..don't you think?

I'll follow up tomorrow with an audio conversation with Bob about this. 

See you at the yard.

March 12, Phoenix - There are very few players that I had the good fortune to play with in the low minor leagues and then cover as a broadcaster. In 1993, extended spring training with the Atlanta Braves was the final stop in my brief yet enjoyable baseball career (using the term career loosely of course). Two players that are the easiest to recall as teammates that spring in West Palm Beach, because of their ability and pure love for the game, are Esteban Yan and Randall Simon. Both went on to play for the Danville Braves and manager Bruce Benedict that summer while I went to work at CNN. Yan and Simon eventually found their way to the top and should be proud of what they accomplished while they were there.

When I was finally able and blessed enough to make it back to baseball in 98' and 99' as the Braves pregame show host on Fox Sports South, Randall was there as well. He had the same energy, the same ability and the same joy that he was able to play the game he loved and get a paycheck for doing it. He was a true asset for a young broadcaster because he was honest and accountable and truth be told a great quote. Heck he could give you a quote in 3 or 4 lanuages if you needed it. In 99' he shared 1st base with Brian Hunter and Ryan Klesko on a Braves team that won 103 games and eventually lost to the Yankees in the World Series. Simon hit .317/.367/.459 that season and rarely met a pitch he didn't like, free swinger that is. After that it was Detroit, Pittsburgh, Chicago Cubs, Tampa Bay and Philly and every chance I had to catch up with him I would do it.

His final big league hit came as a member of the Phillies on September 28, 2006 as a pinch hitter in Washington. Or was that his final at bat in the show? Last year he played indy ball in Newark and put up .321/.346/.468.

Now he's back on baseball's biggest current stage in the WBC, on a cinderella Netherland's squad that sank the Dominican ship and plays on into the next round. In every interview, you can see that same joy and youthful excitement that I saw in West Palm Beach nearly 16 years ago. Keep rolling Randall.

Speaking of the Dominican team, the tryouts have ended for both Pedro Martinez and Odalis Perez. Martinez worked 6 dominating innings of 1 hit, 6 strikeout ball and we now watch to see where he lands, especially with an apparent return of velocity.

Perez may be a different story, despite his claims last week that 9 or 10 teams are interested in his services and he didn't pitch in the WBC. First and foremost, he backed out of a signed contract with Washington, not a wise move considering the state of our world and the fact that millions of people would give anything to have any kind of work for any kind of pay. Secondly, his numbers are not very good the last four years despite a decent season in 08'. Between 2005 and 2008, Perez is 80th in in the big leagues ERA (5.14), 80th in opposing batting average (.298) and 78th in baserunners allowed per 9 innings (13.82).

See you at the yard.

March 6 - When most of us think ahead to our off days, we envision it in its simplest form: a day in which we are off from having to work, sweat, focus and answer to our leaders. That certainly wasn't what occured during Thursday's supposed day of rest in Tucson.

By 6:00am the staff was rolling in, at 6:30 Tony Clark started the parade of players and by the time I arrived at about 7:40, work was being done. Coaches had laptops open in the conference room, the manager assumed the same position in his office while visiting with his troops individually as they randomly stopped by with questions, while the weight room, the batting cages and the video room were all in use.

Eric Byrnes put his hamstrings to the test on a back field as he ran between orange cones, certainly hoping that by not taking this day off he would be able to avoid any vacation days during the regular season. By the way, remind me in a later post to share with you how he made sure his tv show would air again this year on FS Arizona. That's for a later time and it is a great story, but I'll hold on to it until he's playing in games, because that's what he wants you to know him for first and foremost.

Augie Ojeda arrived to gather some gear and get work in the day after his "other team" Mexico blasted the Dbacks in a warm up for the WBC. In a typical and funny clubhouse moment, the super-sub was verbally banished from the room and told to go be with his other teammates. Those green lids are pretty nice.

There was hitting, fielding, baserunning and fundamentals during this so-called day off.

Happened to find one of my favorite quotes in a long time while preparing for the ASU-Stanford hoops game. It comes from Lawrence Hill of the Cardinal, a young man out of Glendale, Arizona, who played at Deer Valley High School. In the media guide under his most memorable athletic moment, Hill said, "Being able to play another day." You can learn a great deal about a person with words like that.

With that in mind, a word of deep thanks to both Arizona State Univ. (Men and Women) and Univ. of Wisconsin at Milwaukee for the opportunity to call their basketball games on television during this regular season. Best wishes to Coaches Jeter, Sendek and Turner Thorne this March. Here's hoping they all play as long as they can!

See you at the yard.

March 2  -  For the past week or so, we have had the opportunity to sit down with every Diamondbacks player, coach and their skipper Bob Melvin. When they arrive in the room that is set up, it is dark aside from television spot lights directed at a single area, and in that area there is a chair with a camera focused and ready for the subject to be seated. It is not FBI interrogation, but for some it must bear some similarities. The conversation lasts from 10 minutes to a half-hour and everything is discussed. The range might be somewhere between 'If you were a superhero, who would you be?' to 'Has it been difficult to be the sole father figure in your family at such a young age?' to 'How much do you hope to return to your base running attack of 2007?'. I'll let you venture guesses as to which person was asked the questions, but they just scratch the surface of the mental excavating that occurred for a four-plus days.

The answers will be found on DBTV, which is the team's in-house hi-def entertainment provider, Fox Sports Arizona, which means in-game sound bites plus pre and post game show features, and dbacks.com, which now airs a weekly show called Dbacks Dugout...and we may just put whatever is left in Eric Byrnes' iPod so none of it goes to waste.

For eight years I have had the joy of conducting these sorts of interviews and it is always educational on so many levels and truly a rewarding experience. As the season gets rolling, it becomes increasingly difficult to have a conversation of that length (on the record) with the key individuals that help shape the game we love.

Eric Byrnes spoke of being a brand new dad and how there was nothing that could have prepared him for the experience on so many levels (I guess now we know he's just like the rest of us). Justin Upton talked about last year's stint on the D.L. and recalled that for the first time in his young career, he watched baseball instead of playing it as the team's best player and learned a great deal. Chris Young remembered the two games back in the standings that Arizona finished behind L.A. and made it clear that with more aggressive and effective base running, those games would have been erased. Conor Jackson mentioned that he can't stand to strike out and took it a step further when he said it drives him crazy to swing and miss just once. Byrnes said he was the team's best dresser, while many disputed that fact..many!

But perhaps the simplest and most heartfelt response summed up why this game is so great:

Question: "Tony, what is it that you love most about this game?"

Tony Clark's Answer: "The people."

Please mark April 23 on your calendar if you enjoy playing golf on a beautiful course with great people for an even better cause. The event is "Sutton's Strokes for the Little Folks" and it tees off at Whirlwind Golf Club, which is just a 6-iron away from Wild Horse Pass Gila River Casino. The day benefits SARRC, The Southwestern Autism Research and Resource Center. There will be a gathering after with some incredible music performed by Ryan McIntyre, so stop by after if you can't make the golf. For more info and all the details, check out www.suttongolf.org.