Saturday, The Club held the 2015 Winter Warmup. Played on the last weekend of winter each year, it is meant purely to get players back into "baseball mode". Officially, it consists of physical warmups, stretches, and drills. Every year, however, there has been room for a scrimmage.
This year's scrimmage was divided by league, AL vs. NL. Up until this year, the younger AL players have had an edge over the older NL guys. In 2013, this advantage was primarily through scrappy hits and rallies that scored several runs at a time. In 2014, the younger guys hit more home runs than the year before, and pitching by Corey Knisley, Jeremy Freese, and other AL pitchers had an obvious advantage over the arms of their counterparts. This year, however, new additions to the NL like Chris Bequette, Jordin Wynn and Tyler McCann could change the tides, along with help from the ever-improving abilities of players like Tommy Wheeling, who seem to get better and better each season. The Winter Warmup performance of the new members had 2014 Champion Corey Knisley wondering if the NL would finally be in control. "The National League is looking like a power house this season," he said at the end of the day. "There's going to be some really tough competition this year." He was also impressed with the outfielding abilities of both Tyler McCann and Chris Bequette, who together with the amazing talent seen in Tony Francik make for an amazing set of outfielders, with other skillful outfielders likely playing elsewhere, ready to move to the outfield at any time. "The outfield is absolutely stacked," Corey said of the outfield situation specifically. "We've got 3 guys who could be amazing center fielders, and plenty of guys who have been in the outfield who may have to find somewhere else to go." Only time will tell whether or not the new faces and the growing talent with the NL players will be enough to topple the dominant AL, but if one thing is for sure, it is that there will be some fierce competition when the season opens in April. Kyle Knisley had his wisdom teeth surgically removed on Friday. While it's never a fun experience for the patient, he did provide Gateway Nation with the single best video selfie we've seen yet!
Only minutes after waking up from sedation, the camera started rolling... and the results are priceless: Watch it here!! After months of developing the new Power With A Purpose format, planning fundraisers, and designing logos, one of the most vital details of the fundraiser has changed: the recipient of the funds. Those who had already pledged to donate to the 2015 campaign received this email today: The Gateway Baseball Club will still have a team in this year's Relay for Life, but it will not be affiliated with Power With A Purpose. Instead, funds will be raised season-long for TASK, a local organization that provides athletic and social opportunities to kids with special needs.
Because of this change, the 2015 PWAP t-shirts will remain for sale through February, and are available for purchase here. While the timing seems odd, talks about changing the beneficiary of the PWAP funds have been in progress since last season, well before our efforts for the American Cancer Society were over. We are not yet sure whether or not the beneficiary will be changed every season or not. Over 40% of the Gateway Baseball Club's current roster played baseball for Fox High School at one point or another. When their days with the high school team were through, they continued on because they loved baseball, and had a passion for the game. Obviously, people come out of high schools with many passions besides baseball. For fellow Fox High Baseball player Trevor Leininger, that passion was music. Using the stage name Trev Hype, Leininger has proven his skills through his love of music, with a sound all his own. In only a few years since graduating, he's harnessed his rap skills, and has traveled the state performing the music he loves. "I'm still not really into music or anything, it's just a hobby" Trevor told us. "But I will keep doing it until it's no longer fun for me." For players of the GBC, that humble view is very familiar. Whether it's music, baseball, art, or anything else, we believe any dream should be pursued. For those that have a passion, there should be a way to enjoy it. Trev Hype will be performing at the Ready Room on February 8th at 7 PM. To listen to his music, including his new project "On My Way", visit soundcloud.com/trevhype The 2014 season ended the way a lot of people probably expected it to: Corey Knisley took the crown, with a dominant pitching game and a few clutch home runs (2 of his 3 Championship wins via walkoff home run). It was a picture that had been painted all season long, and while any championship win is exciting, it was hardly an upset.
The 2014 Postseason did hold it's share of surprises, though. The postseason excitement could arguably have started before the regular season even came to a close. Kyle Knisley fought to maintain first in the NL over Paul Kollar the entire second half of the season. Tony Francik finished the year on fire, earning his spot in the AL playoffs in the last game of the season, snatching the spot from Joe Baker, who's absence after winning the Home Run Derby undoubtedly cost him the playoffs. With so much going on when it all came to a close, it raises the question: How will it start in 2015?? We decided to let our players answer that question, asking them "who do you think will be awesome in 2015, and why?" Here are the answers: Corey Knisley - "I think that Paul Kollar is going to do great. He was the most improved player over 2014, and is the best defensive player in the club." Tony Francik - "I think Paul Kollar is going to do awesome. He's really dedicated, and I think he's going to fly under the radar and sucker punch you at the end." Brendan Henson - "I think Tommy Wheeling is going to have a great season. He improved a lot behind the plate last year, and I think he's really going to put it all together." Kyle Knisley - "I think Tony Francik is really going to break out in 2015. He looked great last season, and was really just starting to improve a lot. I think after the heartbreak he had in the Wild Card Game last year, he's going to be back with a chip on his shoulder..." John Wagner - I'm most excited to see Paul Kollar play this year. That kid brought it hard last season, and I'm excited to see what he brings to the field this year!" Joe Baker - "I'm excited to see Jeremy Freese. He was on fire at one point last year, and if he can do it again, he'll be a factor." Ty Smith - "I'm excited to see how Corey Knisley does this year. I want to see how he is going to return after being injured over the offseason, and how that will play into things. As the hitting gets better, I want to see how Corey will handle everything." Paul Kollar - "I can't wait to see how Tyler McCann works out. It's exciting to see a new face on the field, especially when we really needed some fresh guys on the roster." Tommy Wheeling - "Paul Kollar. Paul showed so much drive that second half of last season. I think he is going to be a tough competitor this year." Paul Kollar seems to be a popular subject in the eyes of his peers, but only time will tell! There are roughly 1,000 malls remaining in the United States. Of this rapidly dwindling number only about 400, the malls that cater to high income neighborhoods, are projected to remain open at the end of this decade. The rest will be closed, or re-purposed into offices and other commercial space. The Factory Merchants Outlet in Branson, Mo, is a perfect example of a vacant mall in need of re-purposing. But instead of turning into a mega-church, office space or a storage facility, the rebirth of the Factory Merchants Outlet will attract the same clientele that once filled its shops. Hamilton Chang, who recently acquired the property, has a vision for the mall as a landmark baseball facility for youth teams. Construction will soon begin on Ballparks of America, Branson, a $24 million design that will feature two-thirds replicas of some of the most prominent Major League Baseball stadiums of past and present. Youth teams will have the chance to field one off the Green Monster or play in Tiger Stadium, Wrigley Field and others. The facility will initially host 24 to 48 youth baseball teams for tournaments throughout the year, but those behind Ballparks of America, Branson expect those numbers to increase dramatically. As more communities seek new uses for their vacant shopping malls, or worse, watch helplessly as they sit vandalized in disrepair, I'd love to connect you with the team behind Ballparks of America; to learn about the way they are fighting “mall decay” by proactively boosting their own local economy. Article from KOAM News, Branson, MO
Corey Knisley may have had the best end to a season that anyone could have hoped for. He won his final game of the season, swept the playoffs, and clinched the 2014 Championship. It's safe to say (as his record can prove) that he had the best season in the Club.
When it comes to the offseason, however, he may prove to have it worse than anyone. It started less than two weeks after his Championship season came to a close, with a severe case of the flu that left him bedridden for days. After a few days in bed, sick, he finally made a return to work on Sunday. After a 12 hour shift to get back into the swing of things, Corey stumbled at work, injuring his ankle. After about an hour of waiting to see how things would develop, it became clear that his injury would require medical attention. After some x-rays, Corey was diagnosed with a fractured fibula and sprained ligaments in his ankle and knee. We have no doubt Corey will be back and dominant next season, but we are wishing him a speedy, and full recovery. A couple of weeks back, former Major League slugger Jose Canseco was rushed to a Las Vegas hospital a couple of weeks ago, when the handgun he was cleaning accidentally fired, hitting him in the hand. He was rushed into emergency surgery to reconnect one of his fingers, which had been shot off. Fast forward a few weeks, Canseco's finger had been reattached, but with no bone connected to hold it in place. During a poker tournament, the unthinkable happens... his reattached finger FALLS OFF!! Jose Canseco's finger... FELL OFF!! Lesson: Don't play poker with Jose Canseco...
Find his whole twitter feed here. Think you know baseball? Well, take this test to see if you are a true student of the game.
Tip: Grab a pen and paper to write down your answers as you go. If you are ready for the challenge, take the following test to see How Well You Really Know Baseball. 1.) How often does a pitcher throw the first pitch (0-0 count) for a strike? A. 51% B. 56% C. 61% D. 66% 2.) What is the most productive 2-2 pitch for a RHP vs. a RHH? A. Fastball B. Breaking Ball C. Changeup D. All pitches are equally productive 3.) You are the hitter. It is the first pitch of an at-bat. What percentage of the time of the time do you get a fastball? A. 47% B. 57% C. 67% D. 77% 4.) Last year, a team swung and missed 804 times. What percentage of the time were the pitches they swung and missed at out of the strike zone? A. 33% B. 43% C. 53% D. 63% 5.) The count is 0-0. You are the batter. What percentage of the time are you getting a FB in the strike zone on an on a 0-0 count? A. 30% B. 40% C. 50% D. 60% 6.) You are a coach, and you like to get an off speed pitch (breaking ball or changeup) on which to steal. What are the three most non-fastball counts in baseball? A. 0-1, 0-2, 1-2 B. 0-2, 1-1, 2-1 C. 0-1, 1-1, 1-2 D. 1-1, 1-2, 2-2 7.) You are the batter. The count is 0-0. You are thrown a strike. What percentage of the time do you take it? A. 30% B. 40% C. 50% D. 60% 8.) When a batter makes fair ball contact (he puts it into play), what percentage of the time is it a hit? A. 49% B. 44% C. 38% D. 33% 9.) If a batter swings and misses at a breaking pitch, what percentage of the time does the pitcher throw a breaking ball on the next pitch? A. 42% B. 52% C. 62% D. 72% 10.) On a 0-0 count, the pitcher throws a breaking ball for a ball. The count goes to 1-0. What percentage of the time does a pitcher throw another breaking ball? A. 16% B. 26% C. 36% D. 46% 11.) On which two counts is the batter most likely to get a hit off a pitch thrown for a strike? A. 0-0, 1-1 B. 1-0, 2-0 C. 2-1, 3-1 D. 1-2, 3-2 12.) What percentage of batters that have a 1-0 count eventually reach base? A. 44% B. 54% C. 34% D. 24% 13.) How often does a pitcher throw a FB for a strike? A BR for a strike? A CH for a strike? A. FB-51%, BR-48%, CH-49% B. FB-57%, BR-52%, CH-54% C. FB-62%, BR-57%, CH-58% D. FB-68%, BR-64%, CH-65% Click "Read More" below to see the answers! He played only one game in 2013, and was absent for part of the first half of the 2014 season, but Tony Francik has burst onto the scene in the second half – and not a moment too soon. Tony dominated the last month of the season, rocketing his record past Joe Baker’s and into third place, just in time to earn himself a spot in the 2014 GBC Postseason. He ended the regular season with a bang, too. Tony hit a whopping 4 home runs in the last weekend of the regular season, with a couple of them being grand slams. His arm has been a talking point around the club as well, with a zippy fastball, and a cannon from the outfield. Tony’s first Postseason obstacle will be Tommy Wheeling in the Wild Card game. This game was put in place to give the third place player in each division a chance to advance in the Postseason. If Tony defeats Tommy on Saturday, he will go on to play Jeremy Freese on Sunday in yet another one game playoff round. If Tony is going to succeed in the Postseason, then it will be a long, hard fought road. If his stellar play continues, however, it may just be a story you’ll want to keep your eyes on… |
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