Back to the Farm?

Well kids it is about that time when I make my annual pilgrimage to the Farm. That would be Durham for the Bulls, Raleigh for the Mudcats, and then to Norfolk for the Tides. That's right sports fans, it's Minor League Baseball Time for Whitey!

I got to the Gator's baseball games on a regular basis. Season tickets.... go figure! I made it to Cincinnati for the MLB experience with the Professor. However, I grew up in a Minor League town, so it is very close to my heart. The International League play is outstanding. The Durham Bulls and the Norfolk Tides are in this Triple A league. These guys are just a phone call away from getting their "Cup of Joe" in the Bigs. It is fundamental baseball, good fielding and situational hitting (the latter was nonexistent in the MLB All Star Game, but that is another story).

The Mudcats are Double A from the Southern League, which is closer to batting practice. Most of the pitching in the majors comes from Triple A because most of those guys are on the Disabled List. Minor League guys are deal makers for teams in trades. With the trade deadline coming up, I like to be up on the guys "To Be Named Later" in those trades. Every one knows the big names in a trade but the prospects are the ones that make a deal happen. Last year it was Lastings Mileage that was the "Buzz Name" at the trade deadline. Where is he now? Not playing baseball.

Now that we have the All Star game out of the way, it's time for the GM's to start looking for talent 'On The Farm', as they become buyers or sellers with the Trading Deadline looming.