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2 • Triad Baseball Guide 2018

Triad Baseball Guide 2018 • 3

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Grasshoppers announce 2018 coaching staff Grasshoppers add to front office Former MLB All-Star Vizquel headlines 2018 field staff Former members of Post 87 and CPL HiToms off to hot starts Winston-Salem Dash: from then to now Greensboro Grasshoppers 2018 Schedule Winston-Salem Dash 2018 Schedule High Point-Thomasville HiToms 2018 Schedule

20 Dash announce jam-packed 2018

22

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4 • Triad Baseball Guide 2018

promotional schedule

Minor League Baseball announces pace of play regulations for 2018

24 The history of the HiTom mascot 26 Passion to perform after Dash game 28 Triad baseball from the past 30 Autograph page

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Grasshoppers annnounce 2018 coaching staff The Miami Marlins announced Todd Pratt will return as the 2018 Greensboro Grasshoppers manager. Pratt will be joined by returning pitching coach Mark DiFelice, hitting coach Frank Moore and coach Angel Espada. Eric Reigelsberger will join the Grasshoppers as Athletic Trainer and Brady Fitzgerald will be the Strength and Conditioning coach.

Todd Pratt enters his second season as Manager of the Grasshoppers. In his first season as the team’s manager, Pratt led Greensboro to the South Atlantic League playoffs as Northern Division Second Half Champions, finishing the season with a 75-61 record. Prior to joining the Miami Marlins Pratt spent five years as the head coach of the West Georgia Tech baseball team. He was also named the school’s athletic director on November 2, 2015. Pratt was hired in 2011 as the school’s first baseball coach and built the program from a club-level team that first year to its current NJCAA Division-I status.

Prior to his time at West Georgia Tech, he enjoyed a professional baseball career that spanned more than two decades. Pratt played in the 1993 and 2000 World Series and was a catcher for the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, New York Mets and Atlanta Braves. Boston selected Pratt in the sixth round of the 1985 First-Year Player Draft, and he made his MLB debut on July 29, 1992, with Philadelphia.

Mark DiFelice returns to the Grasshoppers as pitching coach. Prior to joining the Miami Marlins, he spent three seasons with the Pirates organization. He spent the 2015 season with the West Virginia Power and the 2014 season with Jamestown. DiFelice was selected by th Colorado in the 15 round of the 1998 First-Year Player Draft, and was named an All-Star with Portland in 1998.

He would go on to be named a Carolina League All-Star with Salem in 1999, a Southern League All-Star with Carolina in 2001 and a Pacific Coast League All-Star with Nashville in 2011. The right-hander made his MLB debut on May 18, 2008 with Milwaukee vs. Boston and struck out Manny Ramirez for first career strikeout. He appeared in 77 MLB games during the 2009 and 2011 seasons; he missed 2010 with a right shoulder injury.

6 • Triad Baseball Guide 2018

Frank Moore returns to the Grasshoppers as hitting coach. Prior to his 2017 season with the Grasshoppers Moore has been hitting coach for Jupiter, a position he also held in 2011, following a one-year stint as the Marlins Outfield and Baserunning coordinator in 2015. He has spent nine years with the Marlins organization, also serving as hitting coach for Jamestown in 2009-10. Before being named Jamestown’s hitting coach, he played with the Albuquerque Isotopes in 2007. Moore was originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in 1998 out of Middle Georgia Junior College. He saw time with Marlins’ affiliates in Jupiter, Carolina and Albuquerque from 2005-07. He resides in Douglas, Ga. Angel Espada returns for his second straight season as a Grasshoppers coach. He managed for five seasons in the Marlins organization (2012-16) with Short-Season Jamestown and Batavia before joining Greensboro’s field staff in 2017. Espada spent time with both the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets organizations as a player, including a stint as a player in the South Atlantic League with the Capital City Bombers in 1997. Following his time in organized baseball, he played in the independent Atlantic League for 10 years beginning in 1998, one of only two players to play in each of the league’s first 10 seasons.

Season Tickets, mini ticket plans and advertising packages are now on sale for the 2018 season. For more information, please contact the Grasshoppers office at 336.268.2255 or visit www.gsohoppers.com.

Grasshoppers add to front office for 2018

Team to operate concessions in-house beginning next season The Greensboro Grasshoppers, Class A Affiliate of the Miami Marlins, have added four new members to the front office in preparation for the 2018 season, the 14th season of Grasshoppers baseball. As the team brings all food and beverage operations in-house for the 2018 season, the Grasshoppers welcome Drew Gill as the team’s Director of Food & Beverage as well as Shawn Wilson who will serve as the Kitchen Manager. Additionally, Josh Feldman joins the organization as the new Director of Production & Partnership Services while Jordan Billingsley is the new Head Groundskeeper.

Gill, a graduate of UNC-Greensboro, brings more than 13 years of food & beverage experience to the Grasshoppers. He began his work in the food industry as the General Manager of Natty Greene’s Pub & Brewery and has also worked for Red Robin, Lone Star Steakhouse, and Taco Mac. Gill has served in many roles in the food industry,

including kitchen manager, floor manager, event coordinator, and most recently the Assistant Facilities Director of a Denny’s franchise group.

Wilson has spent the past 10 seasons at First National Bank Field with the two previous third-party concessionaires, giving him intimate knowledge of the Grasshoppers operations as he joins the staff.

He brings more than 30 years of experience to the organization. He spent two years with Centerplate at the Greensboro Coliseum while also working at High Point County Club, Willow Creek Country Club, and the Marriott Hotel.

Feldman comes to Greensboro after seven seasons with the Kannapolis Intimidators where he served as the Director of Communications, radio broadcaster, and on-field MC. With more than a decade of experience in Minor League Baseball, he will help oversee many of the production elements of the new score-

board at First National Bank Field in 2018 season. He will also work in business development to expand both the sponsorship and season ticket base for the franchise. Feldman graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in Broadcast Journalism and worked in the independent Golden Baseball League for four seasons before joining the Intimidators in 2011.

Billingsley joins the Grasshoppers after building a strong resume in the Marlins minor league system.

He served as the Head Groundskeeper for the Gulf Coast League Marlins in 2016 before ascending to the role of Head Groundskeeper for the Jupiter Hammerheads and Assistant Head Groundskeeper of Roger Dean Stadium through the 2017 season. Billingsley graduated from Mississippi State with a degree in Turf and Turfgrass Management.

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Triad Baseball Guide 2018 • 7

Omar Vizquel

Charlie Poe

Matt Zaleski

Former MLB All-Star Vizquel headlines 2018 field staff

In conjunction with the Chicago White Sox, the WinstonSalem Dash have announced their on-field staff for the 2018 season. As previously released, former Major Leaguer Omar Vizquel, who won 11 Gold Gloves during his 24-year career in the big leagues, will manage the Dash this upcoming season. Vizquel will be joined by hitting coach Charlie Poe, pitching coach Matt Zaleski, athletic trainer Josh Fallin and strength and conditioning coach George Timke, while former Major League catcher Guillermo Quiroz will serve as an additional coach on the staff.

The 47th manager in Winston-Salem franchise history, Vizquel will be a skipper for the first time in affiliated baseball when he leads the Dash in 2018. He most recently served as the first base coach with the Detroit Tigers from 2014-17, and he was also the manager for the Venezuelan national team during last spring’s World Baseball Classic.

During his decorated playing career, Vizquel played 2,968 games for six different teams, including a twoyear stint with the White Sox from 2010-11. One of the premier shortstops of his era, Vizquel holds the all-time record at his position with a .985 fielding percentage.

He collected nine Gold Glove awards in a row between 8 • Triad Baseball Guide 2018

1993-2001 while playing with the Cleveland Indians and Seattle Mariners. The 50-year old is a threetime All-Star and ranks 43rd on the all-time hit list with 2,877. Vizquel is a first-time candidate for the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018.

For a fourth consecutive season, Poe will serve as Winston-Salem’s hitting coach. Last year, he assisted Zack Collins, Danny Mendick and Louis Silverio in earning spots in the Carolina League All-Star Game. Poe also aided Eloy Jimenez in collecting a CL Year-End AllStar nod, as the star prospect compiled a slash line of .345/.410/1.092 during his 29-game stint in WinstonSalem. In 2016, Poe helped Mason Robbins (.314) and Nick Basto (.308) finish first and second, respectively, in batting average amongst Carolina League qualifiers. He also worked with current White Sox Adam Engel and Omar Narvaez in 2015. As a player, Poe suited up professionally from 1990-2002, including three seasons at the Triple-A level.

Fallin will enter his 20th season in the White Sox system and 16th with Winston-Salem in 2018. A three-time Carolina League Trainer of the Year, Fallin was in Winston-Salem from 2001-10 before a two-year stint with Double-A Birmingham. At the collegiate level, Fallin has

Josh Fallin

George Timke

worked for New Mexico State University, his alma mater, and Wake Forest University, with whom he served on the 2007 national championship men’s soccer team.

During his first season with Winston-Salem in 2016, Timke earned the Carolina League’s Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year award, as announced by the Professional Baseball Strength and Conditioning Coaches Society (PBSCCS). The Suffern, N.Y., native began his White Sox tenure with Great Falls in 2013 before working in Kannapolis in 2014 and 2015. His professional career began with the Royals’ organization in 2009.

Zaleski, who pitched for parts of four seasons with Winston-Salem from 2006-09, will make his coaching debut at the High-A level in 2018. A 30th-round pick

by Chicago in 2004 out of Indiana State, Zaleski spent 11 seasons in the Minors, reaching as high as TripleA Charlotte. After beginning his coaching career as a pitching coach in Great Falls in 2016, the 36-year-old served the same role with Low-A Kannapolis last year.

Under Zaleski’s tutelage, four pitchers – Alec Hansen, Kyle Kubat, Jimmy Lambert and Mike Morrison – were named South Atlantic League Midseason All-Stars in 2017.

Quiroz enters his first season as a coach after appearing in 148 games over 10 Major League seasons. During his time in the big leagues, which stretched from 200414, the 36-year-old spent time as a backstop in Toronto, Seattle, Texas, Baltimore, Boston and San Francisco.

“We are excited to welcome Omar, Matt and Guillermo – three former players with a wealth of experience to Winston-Salem for the 2018 season,“ Dash President CJ Johnson said. “Plus, it will be great to see familiar faces like Charlie, Josh and George back in the home dugout at BB&T Ballpark.”

Brian Drahman will be the White Sox rehab pitching coach after serving as Winston Salem’s pitching coach in 2016. For the second straight year, former Dash managers Tim Esmay (2015) and Ryan Newman (2013)

Guillermo Quiroz

will act as skippers for Great Falls and the AZL White Sox, respectively. Justin Jirschele, who was an infielder for Winston-Salem in 2014 and 2015, will once again manage for Low-A Kannapolis. Both Jirschele and Esmay reached the playoffs last year in their first season with their respective clubs.

Baseball returns to Winston-Salem on April 12, 2018, for the ninth season at BB&T Ballpark. A full schedule has been released and single-game tickets are on sale now. For more information, call the Dash at (336) 7142287 or visitwsdash.com.

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Former members of Post 87 and CPL HiToms off to hot starts Thirty former Post 87 HiToms took the field for college baseball teams this season, with countless more members of the CPL HiToms playing collegiately as well.

Here’s a snapshot of some of the top HiTom performers in the early weeks of the season: Cesar Trejo, UNC-Greensboro – The former CPL and Post 87 HiTom has already expanded upon his 2nd-team All-SoCon selection a season ago with a torrid start at the plate in 2018. He’s hit safely in all 11 games, including six multi-hit games, to raise his average to .488. That mark leads the SoCon and ranks 10th in all of Division I. Trejo has also swatted 2 home runs and totaled eight more extra base hits, putting his slugging percentage at .902, which also leads the SoCon. It also ranks among the top 15 nationally.

That production vaulted Trejo into the cleanup spot in the order after batting eighth on opening night.

He has led UNCG to a 7-4 record to open 2018.

Evan Edwards, NC State – Edwards proved to be a huge part of the CPL HiToms in the summer, batting .355 and belting 13 home runs, all while making just two errors at first base. So far, he has shown that same kind of value to NC State after starring for two seasons at USC-Lancaster.

It took a few games for Edwards to break into the lineup, but he has started every game since knocking 10 • Triad Baseball Guide 2018

(Clockwise, starting top left) Cesar Trejo, UNC-Greensboro; Evan Edwards, NC State; Cody Grosse, Southeastern Louisiana; Randy Norris, WinstonSalem State; Hunter Slater, Southern Miss his first Division I home run over the wall against Furman on February 24. But Edwards truly announced his presence the following weekend.

On Friday against Bowling Green, Edwards finished 2-for-4

with two home runs and three RBIs. But the encore against Campbell on Saturday was even better—4-for-4 with two home runs, five RBIs, and four runs scored.

Edwards’ five home runs trail only teammate Brett Kinneman for the ACC lead, and his 1.036 slugging percentage ranks fourth nationally. The Wolfpack have opened the season 10-2.

He will return to the HiToms this summer, after competing with the team a season ago and as a member of the Post 87 team for the three seasons prior.

top of the order has led the Rams to an 11-6 record, including a current six-game winning streak.

Hunter Slater, Southern Miss – Slater has started all 11 games for the nationally ranked Golden Eagles, which opened the season with a three-game sweep against in-state rival Mississippi State. Slater boasts a .391 batting average, good for third on the team, while also ranking second on the team in RBIs with 13. The Mobile, Alabama, product played for the HiToms in 2015 and 2016.

Quick Hits Cody Grosse, Southeastern Louisiana – Grosse’s eight steals on the season rank in the top 10 nationally. He also sports a .340 batting average and a .426 on-base percentage and is a fixture at the top of the Southeastern Louisiana lineup.

The Lions are off to an 8-5 start.

Randy Norris, Winston-Salem State – Norris has hit safely in 16 of 17 games this season and has torched opposing pitchers to the tune of a .446 batting average. His 10 steals also rank in the top 15 nationally at the Division II level. His presence at the

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Triad Baseball Guide 2018 • 11

Winston-Salem Dash: from then to now Jocelyn jones The entire state of North Carolina has a rich history when it comes to baseball. No other city, besides perhaps Charlotte or Thomasville, has as rich a history than Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem is the host city of a minor league team called the Winston-Salem Dash. They are the Class A Advanced affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, and have been since 1997. When the word “affiliate” or “farm team” is mentioned, it means the team is for younger players to develop. Its purpose is for players to hone their skills, and it provides them with not only training, but experience as well. There is also an agreement put in place that successful players can move up to a higher level at any point during the season.

The team was not always known as the “Dash.” They were once called the “Twins” (referencing the cities of Winston and Salem that were merged in 1913), and were members of the Virginia-North Carolina League in 1905.

From there, they subsequently moved on to the Carolina Baseball Association from 1908 to 1917. Then to the Pied12 • Triad Baseball Guide 2018

mont League from 1920 to 1933 and 1937 to 1942. They moved to the Carolina League in 1945, which they are still members of to this day, making the Winston-Salem franchise the oldest in the league.

Since its creation, Winston-Salem has been affiliated with various MLB teams throughout the years. Initially, the team was an affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, and it retained the name of the Twins until around World War II. From 1957 to 1960, the team was briefly known as the “Winston-Salem Red Birds,” but in 1961, the organization switched their affiliation to the Boston Red Sox. They were known as the “Winston-Salem Red Sox” and remained with Boston for roughly 22 years up until 1983.

In 1984, the team changed affiliates once again to the Chicago Cubs. In the process, they changed their name to the “Winston-Salem Spirits” and kept that name even after they became an affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds in 1993.

They won the Carolina League championship the same year, but the franchise decided to change their name after the 1994 season. The Spirits sponsored a contest through the Winston-Salem Journal to come up with a new name. The

Photos by James Geiser courtesy of the Winston-Salem Dash

winning entry, The Warthogs, was chosen as the new official team name in 1995. But that was not the team’s final name change. The team announced a new permanent name change in 2009, where they would from now on be known as the Winston-Salem Dash.

The Dash are trying to bounce back from a disappointing season last year, finishing 56-84. However, the team has announced new staff hirings and promotions the beginning of January just ahead of the new 2018 season, as well as hiring a new manager. The Dash decided to replace former manager and White Sox infielder Willie Harris with former Major League All-Star Omar Vizquel. This will be his first year as a manager for affiliated baseball. Vizquel was the first base coach with the Detroit Tigers from 2014 to 2017, and he also served as the manager for the Venezuelan team during the World Baseball Classic last spring.

Vizquel played 2,968 games over the span of his 24-year career, for six different MLB teams: Seattle Mariners (1989-1993), Cleveland Indians (1994-2004), San Francisco Giants (2005-2008), Texas Rangers (2009), Chicago White Sox (2010-2011), and the Toronto Blue Jays (2012).

There are also a couple of new players who may not only see playing time, but may be able to make an immediate impact on the team: n First Baseman Gavin Sheets is a former standout from Wake Forest University, who was selected in the second round of the 2017 Draft by the White Sox. Sheets led the Atlantic Coast Conference last year with 21 home runs and

84 runs batted in (RBI) at Wake Forest. Sheets is ranked 15th best prospect in the White Sox system, and he will most likely have a considerable amount of playing time for the 2018 season. n Outfielder Luis Robert signed with the White Sox last May for $26 million, and is ranked as the 28th out of the 100 2018 Prospect Watch on MLB.com. The Cuban national will start the 2018 season in either Kannapolis or Winston-Salem. He is a player to watch, as he will probably ascend to the majors before either the end of the 2018 season, or the start of the 2019 season. n Pitcher Dylan Cease was one of four players sent to the White Sox from the Cubs in a blockbuster trade for pitcher Jose Quintana last July. According to MLB.com, he is ranked as the 61st out of the 100 2018 Prospect Watch.

He averaged 12.2 strikeouts per nine innings last season, which was the fourth best in the Minor Leagues. He was originally selected in the sixth round of the 2014 MLB Draft.

The Dash is slated to begin their season opener at home on Thursday, April 12 at BB&T Ballpark, located at 951 Ballpark Ln. in Winston-Salem.

The Dash has added plenty of promotions for fans during the 2018 season, including “Free Food Tuesdays,” “Pups in the Park Wednesdays,” “Thirsty Thursdays,” “Fireworks Fridays” and many other promotions and events. For more information, contact them at (336) 7142287 or visit wsdash.com Triad Baseball Guide 2018 • 13

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Delmarva Shorebirds Greensboro Hagerstown Suns Hickory Crawdads Kannapolis Intimidators Lakewood BlueClaws West Virginia Power

soUThern DIVIsIon ASH AUG COL CSC GVL LEX ROM

Asheville Tourists Augusta GreenJackets Columbia Fireflies Charleston RiverDogs Greenville Drive Lexington Legends Rome Braves

HOME AWAY *Schedule is subject to change.

Game times and promotions will be confirmed at a later date.*

Triad Baseball Guide 2018 • 15

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6:30pM 7:00pM 7:00pM 6:00pM 11 12 13 14

5

6

AWAy 17

AWAy 18

AWAy 19

7:00pM 6:00pM 20 21

AWAy 12

7:00pM 7:00pM 7:00 14 15 13

2:00pM 7:00pM 22 23 24

AWAy 25

AWAy 26

AWAy 27

AWAy 28

2:00pM 19 20

AWAy 21

AWAy 29

7:00pM

7:00pM

AWAy

AWAy

2:00pM 26 27

7:00pM 7:00 28 29

8

deW

AWAy

Tuesday

SAl

deW

AWAy

Sunday

bcA

7

lyn

2

9

SAl

2:00pM AWAy 15 16

bcA

bcA

Mbp

Mbp

SAl

AWAy

AWAy 30

SAl

Fre

7:00pM 31

cAr

7:00pM

16 • Triad Baseball Guide 2018

SAl

cAr Fre

SAl

cAr Fre

bcA

bcA

cAr

Mbp

SAl

SAl

deW poT

Mbp

Wil

bcA

AWAy

SAl

7:00pM

7

Mbp bcA

Mpb SAl

7:00pM

7:00 8

Mb

bc

AW 22

Mp

SA

7:00

alem dash

Ay

nesday

yn

Thursday

3

lyn

Friday

4

bcA

Saturday

5

Al

Monday

deW

deW

deW

bcA

deW

deW

3

cAr

5

4

2:00pM 10 11

AWAy 24

AWAy 25

AWAy 26

AWAy 17

0AM 7:00pM 31

AWAy

AWAy

cA

cA

bcA

bp

poT

Ar

0pM

bp

Thursday

2

cAr

cA

WAy

pb

0pM

Al

0pM

Friday

3

deW

7:00pM AWAy 10 9

poT

0pM

AWAy 11

poT

7:00pM 6:00pM 24 25

Mpb

bcA

SAl

7:00pM

deW AWAy

Friday

Wil

Mbp

SAl

6

SAl

7

SAl

cAr cAr

7:00pM 7:00pM 7:00pM AWAy 12 13 14 15

Mbp

Mbp

Fre

2:00pM

AWAy

Sunday

Monday

bcA

2

cAr

Wil

Wil

deW

deW

cAr

AWAy 16

Wil

All-STAr

26

Fre

27

Fre

AWAy

Fre

AWAy

Fre

AWAy

SepTeMber Tuesday

Wednesday

deW

7:00pM 7:00pM 4:00pM 28 29 30

Thursday

Wil

AWAy

AWAy

Friday

Saturday

1

deW AWAy

2

deW AWAy

Wil

AWAy

Saturday

7:00pM 6:00pM 8 9

deW

AWAy 23

7:00pM AWAy 30 31

Thursday

4

16

Wil

Wednesday

7:00pM 7:00pM 7:00pM 7:00pM 7:00pM 6:00pM 21 22 23 18 20 19

2:00pM 24 25

Saturday

7:00pM 6:00pM 17 18

bcA

cAr

deW

AWAy

guST

nesday

poT

Mbp

WAy

june

1

7:00pM 7:00pM 6:00pM 17 18 19

WAy

Tuesday

bcA

0AM 7:00pM 7:00pM 6:00pM 10 11 12

WAy

Sunday

3

deW

4

5

6

7

AWAy

TEAMS FRE LYN POT WIL CAR

8

Frederick Keys (BAL) Lynchburg Hillcats (CLE) Potomac Nationals(WSH) Wilmington Blue Rocks (KC) Carolina Mudcats (ATL)

MBP Myrtle Beach Pelicans (CHC) SAL Salem Red Sox (BOS) WSD Winston-Salem Dash(CHW) BCA Buies Creek Astros (HOU) DEW Down East Wood Ducks (TEX)

HOME AWAY *Schedule is subject to change.*

Triad Baseball Guide 2018 • 17

HITOMS 2018 SCHEDULE Sunday

Monday

28

27

MAY/JUNE Tuesday

29

Wednesday

30

Thursday

31

GAS

AWAY 3

5

4

12

13

GAS

GAS

AWAY 18

GAS 24

19

20

FLO MAR

AWAY

AWAY

25

26

FTC 27

ASH

FTC

Monday

2

Tuesday

3

MAR ASH

AWAY

8

10

AWAY

9

14

FTC

AWAY 21

15

16

Wednesday

4

17

11

MAR 18

ASH

ASH

AWAY 22

23

24

25

MAR GAS

ASH

AWAY 30

31

ASH

FTC

AWAY 6

1

7

ASH ASH AWAY 22

23

ASH ASH

28

29

FTC

AWAY

Thursday

5

Friday

6

GAS

AWAY 12

FTC 19

FTC 26

FTC

13

ASH 20

GAS

AWAY 27

30

MAR TEAMS Saturday

7

GAS 14

GAS

AWAY 21

GAS 28

MAR ASH

AWAY

AWAY

AWAY

2

3

4

ASH WLS

AWAY

AWAY

8

9

10

P E T I T T C U P P L AY O F F S 18 • Triad Baseball Guide 2018

16

AWAY

LEX MAR

ALL-STAR 15

FLO

AWAY 9

JULY/AUGUST

1

5

GAS 8

ASH

AWAY

Sunday

29

2

AWAY 11

17

7

1

Saturday

MAR MAR ASH ASH WLS AWAY

FLO 10

6

Friday

FTC

AWAY

ASH EDN FAY FLO FTC GAS HPT HOL LEX MAB MAR MHC PEN SAV WIL WLS

Asheboro Copperheads Edenton Steamers Fayetteville SwampDogs Florence RedWolves Ftcest City Owls Gastonia Grizzlies HP-Thomasville HiToms Holly Springs Salamanders Lexington County Blowfish Macon Bacon Martinsville Mustangs Morehead City Marlins Peninsula Pilots Savannah Bananas Wilmington Sharks Wilson Tobs

11

HOME

AWAY

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Triad Baseball Guide 2018 • 19

Dash announce jam-packed 2018 promotional schedule The Winston-Salem Dash kick off their ninth season at BB&T Ballpark on Thursday, April 12.

The 2018 season will include great promotions for Dash fans of all ages to enjoy.

Among the newest recurring promotions, the Dash will allow children who are 12 and under to enjoy the Kids Zone for free for all Sunday through Wednesday evening home games. Also, kids of that same age range will receive a free bag of popcorn on each of our Lowes Foods Family Sundays. Just like prior years, two Dash players will sign autographs on the concourse before every Sunday home contest.

The team will be bringing back one of its most popular food-related promotions. Rebranded from “AllYou-Can-Eat for Free Nights” to “Free Food Tuesdays”, fans will enjoy free hot dogs, hamburgers and cheeseburgers through the seventh inning for eight of the Dash’s nine Tuesday home contests (May 1, May 22, June 5, June 12, July 24, July 31, August 7 and August 21).

Normal ticket prices apply.

Pups in the Park Wednesdays – For six Wednesday home games (June 6, June 13, August 1, August 8, August 22 and August 29) and one Thursday contest (April 19), fans can bring their furry friend to the ballpark. Lawn seats are only $8, and Pooch Passes are $5, with proceeds benefitting an animal-related charity.

20 • Triad Baseball Guide 2018

Thirsty Thursdays, presented by Lowes Foods - Select beers will be available for just $1 through the seventh inning.

Fireworks Fridays – All 11 Friday games at BB&T Ballpark will precede a Fireworks display.

Fireworks will also follow the Dash’s game on Wednesday, July 4.

Chick-fil-A Four Pack Nights – On six Saturdays this season (April 14, May 12, June 2, June 16, July 7 and August 11), the Dash and the Chick-fil-A at Thruway Shopping Center are teaming up to offer fans the best entertainment deal in the Triad. For as low as $32, fans will receive four tickets to the game, along with four Dash hats and four Original Chicken Sandwich Vouchers, redeemable at the Chick-fil-A at Thruway Shopping Center. This deal must be purchased in advance.

Kids Run the Bases, powered

by New Balance Winston-Salem Youngsters can run the bases after all Friday, Saturday and Sunday games.

Energize the Ballpark Night with Passion Music (postgame concert) - The Dash have partnered with Energize Ministries for the third annual “Energize the Ballpark” concert at BB&T Ballpark.

Following the Dash’s 4 p.m. contest against the Down East Wood Ducks on Saturday, June 23, Passion Music featuring Kristian Stanfill, Melodie Malone and Brett Younker will perform a concert for all fans in attendance.

Notable Promotional Events Bolt’s Birthday April 15 Color and Coffee Night April 15 Yoga(mmunity) April 19, May 10 and June 7 Education Days (11 a.m. start) May 2 and May 23 Pure Barre at the Dash May 3 and June 14 Star Wars Day May 4 Mother Son Date Night May 4 Cinco De Mayo May 5 Mother’s Day May 13 Cycling Nights May 23 and May 24 Daddy Daughter Date Night June 1 and August 17 Hometown Heroes USA, presented by Salem One June 15 Father’s Day June 17 Sippin’ Sunday June 24 Movie Night June 29 Fourth of July Extravaganza July 4 Camp Day (11 a.m. start) July 25 Cancer Survivor Night August 10 City of the Arts Night August 18

For more information on each promotion, visit wsdash.com. The Dash will also celebrate several food-related holidays, including National Eat What You Want Day (May 11), National Donut Day (June 1) and National Ice Cream Day (July 15), by offering special discounts. All promotions are subject to change The Dash’s home slate begins with a Lowes Foods Thirsty Thursday. The other promotions during

photo courtesy of winston-salem dash

the Dash’s opening four-game homestand against the Carolina Mudcats include a Fireworks Friday, a Chickfil-A Four Pack Night and a Lowes Foods Family Sunday.

Season and single-game tickets for the Dash’s 70game home slate are on sale now. Fans can call (336) 714-2287 or click here to purchase their tickets for the 2018 season.

The Winston-Salem Dash are the Class-A Advanced Minor League affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. To purchase tickets and for more information, please call 336-714-2287 or visit www.wsdash.com.

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Daily Lunch & Drink Specials 1708 Battleground Ave • Greensboro, NC • 336-378-0006 @speakeasytavern • @thespeakeasytavern Triad Baseball Guide 2018 • 21

Minor League Baseball announces pace of play regulations for 2018 Minor League Baseball today announced rule and procedure changes aimed at reducing the length of extra innings games and the number of mound visits during a game throughout Minor League Baseball. In addition, the Triple-A and Double-A levels will use a 15-second pitch clock with no runners on base.

The procedures, created in partnership with Major League Baseball, aim to reduce the number of pitchers used in extra innings and the issues created by extra innings games, including, but not limited to, shortages of pitchers in the days to follow, the use of position players as pitchers and the transferring of players between affiliates due to pitching shortages caused by extra innings games.

“We believe these changes to extra innings will enhance the fans’ enjoyment of the game and will become something that the fans will look forward to on nights where the game is tied late in the contest,” said Minor League Baseball President Pat O’Conner. “Player safety has been an area of growing concern for our partners at the Major League Baseball level, and the impact that lengthy extra innings games has on pitchers, position players and an entire organization was something that needed to be addressed.”

EXTRA INNINGS n At all levels of Minor League Baseball, extra innings will begin with a runner on second base. The runner at second base will be the player in the batting order position previous to the leadoff batter of the inning (or a substitute for that player). By way of example, if the number five hitter in the batting order is due to lead off the 10th inning, the number four player in the batting order (or a pinch-runner for such player) shall begin the inning on second base. Any runner or batter removed from the game for a substitute shall be ineligible to return to the game, as is the case in all circumstances under the Official Baseball Rules. n For purposes of calculating earned runs under Rule 9.16, the runner who begins an inning on second base 22 • Triad Baseball Guide 2018

pursuant to this rule shall be deemed to be a runner who has reached second base because of a fielding error, but no error shall be charged to the opposing team or to any player.

PITCHER’S MOUND VISITS n Visits by coaches and position players will be limited based on the classification level. Triple-A clubs will be allowed six (6) visits per team, Double-A clubs will be allowed eight (8) visits per team, Single-A clubs will be allowed 10 visits per team and there will not be a limit on mound visits for Short Season and Rookie-level clubs. n These mound visit limits will apply whether the game is scheduled for seven or nine innings. n For any extra-innings played, each club shall be entitled to one additional non-pitching change mound visit per inning. n Official Baseball Rule 5.10(l), which governs mound visits by a manager or coach, remains in effect (i.e., a pitcher must be removed on the second visit by a manager/coach in an inning).

Definition of Mound Visit: n A manager or coach trip to the mound to meet with the pitcher shall constitute a visit. A player leaving his position to confer with the pitcher, including a pitcher leaving the mound to confer with another player, shall also constitute a mound visit, regardless of where the visit occurs or the length of the visit, except that the following shall not constitute mound visits: a. Discussions between pitchers and position player(s) that (i) occur between batters in the normal course of play and do not require either the position player(s) or the pitcher to relocate; b. Visits by position players to the mound to clean spikes in rainy conditions; c. Visits to the mound due to an injury or potential injury of the pitcher; and d. Visits to the mound after the announcement of an offensive substitution.

Cross-Up in Signs: In the event a team has exhausted its allotment of mound visits in a game (or extra inning) and the home plate umpire determines that the catcher and pitcher did not have a shared understanding of the location or type of pitch that had been signaled by the catcher (otherwise referred to as a “cross-up”), the home plate umpire may, upon request of the catcher, allow the catcher to make a brief mound visit. Any mound visit resulting from a cross-up prior to a team exhausting its allotted number of visits shall count against a team’s total number of allotted mound visits.

15-SECOND PITCH TIMER n Pitchers at the Triple-A and Double-A levels will be allowed 15 seconds to begin their wind-up or the motion to come to the set position when no runners are on base. n The pitcher does not necessarily have to release the ball within 15 seconds, but must begin his wind-up or begin the motion to come to the set position to comply with the 15-second rule with no runners on base. n With runners on base, the pitch timer will go from 15 to 20 seconds. n The timer shall start when the pitcher has possession of the ball in the dirt circle surrounding the pitcher’s rubber, the catcher is in the catcher’s box and the batter is in the dirt circle surrounding home plate. n The timer will stop as soon as the pitcher begins his wind-up, or begins the motion to come to the set position. n If the pitcher feints a pick off or steps off the rubber with runners on base, the timer shall reset and start again immediately. n Umpires have the authority to stop the pitch timer and order a reset. n Following any event (e.g., pick-off play) that permits the batter to leave the batter’s box, the timer shall start when the pitcher has possession of the ball in the dirt circle surrounding the pitcher’s rubber, and the catcher is in the catcher’s box. n Following an umpire’s call of “time” or if the ball becomes dead and the batter remains at-bat, the timer shall start after the next pitch or play. n Should the pitcher fail to begin his wind-up or begin the motion to come to the set position in 15 seconds with no runners on base, or 20 seconds with a runner on base, a ball will be awarded to the count on the batter. n Should the batter fail to be in the batter’s box and alert to the pitcher with seven (7) or more seconds remaining on the pitch timer, a strike will be awarded to the count on the batter. n The first 15 days of the season (April 5-19), will

serve as a grace period, with players receiving warnings for infractions. Beginning April 20, rules will be enforced as written.

“We feel that limiting mound visits and decreasing the amount of time between pitches with no runners on base will further improve the pace of play and make it a more enjoyable experience for our fans,” said O’Conner.

Minor League Baseball, headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida, is the governing body for all professional baseball teams in the United States, Canada and the Dominican Republic that are affiliated with Major League Baseball® clubs through their farm systems. Fans are coming out in unprecedented numbers to this one-of-a-kind experience that can only be found at Minor League Baseball ballparks. In 2017, Minor League Baseball attracted 41.8 million fans to its ballparks to see the future stars of the sport hone their skills. From the electricity in the stands to the excitement on the field, Minor League Baseball has provided affordable family-friendly entertainment to people of all ages since its founding in 1901. For more information visit www.MiLB.com. Follow Minor League Baseball on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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Courtesy Photo

TomKat with HiToms Players.

The history of the HiToms mascot Jocelyn jones In most sports, mascots are an integral part of getting the fan base involved in the game, and in team spirit. From high school to college, to professional sports, mascots are some of the most important aspects of the team. Especially in this day and age where people are more focused on their phones, and other various technology, rather than watching and engaging with the game.

No one knows this more than the High Point-Thomasville baseball team, the HiToms.

The HiToms are a part of the Coastal Plain League, a summer collegiate baseball league where players can work on their skills in the offseason. The team was started in 1999 and was one of the earlier teams to participate in the Coastal Plain League.

While they are a collegiate league presently, this 24 • Triad Baseball Guide 2018

wasn’t always the case. Initially, the HiToms were a minor league professional team that started in the late 1930s and was based in Thomasville at the historic Finch Field. The minor league team was started in 1937 and sheltered a rich legacy and a pipeline of talent from the minor leagues all the way to the major leagues. Finch Field once housed players such as Hall of Famer Eddie Matthews, and former manager of the Philadelphia Phillies, Dallas Green to name a few.

Called the Thomasville Tommies, the original mascot was created to help reflect the history of the town of Thomasville.

The name change came in 1948 after a former player and manager petitioned for a name change to encompass both the communities of High Point and Thomasville, hence the name “HiToms.” After the name change, the team was then dissolved and became apart of the Minnesota Twins organization. However, once

Courtesy Photo

TomKat with Warren King. the team came back as a collegiate league, they were without a mascot until 2001. The mascot was initially designed to represent a baseball player from the earlier years of the HiToms and was named Tommie.

However, after 16 years of being the official mascot, the organization decided that it was time for a change.

They wanted a change for the fans who were not familiar with the organization so that it would be more recognizable. And although they were searching for a change, they did not want to stray away from the rich history of High Point and Thomasville.

The organization then came across an array of cartoons from the 1950s that was about the HiToms in the High Point Enterprise. The cartoons featured a cat as one of the main characters, and this is how the modern mascot of the HiToms “TomKat” was born. The mascotdebuted in 2017, and he makes appearances at HiTom games, schools and special events for the team.

The man behind the costume is Mike Edwards. Edwards is not only the mascot for the HiToms, but he does work around the stadium with concessions and groundskeeping. Since the new mascot first unveiled, he has been able to suit up for special events involving

the HiToms. He hasn’t been able to do so in a game just yet, but will be able to do so during the upcoming season. The coolest part of being the mascot for him isn’t putting on the costume, or even being seen in it.

For him, it’s being able to interact with the audience, and most importantly the kids.

“The best part about it for me is definitely the kids’ reactions. I love seeing the kids get all [smiley] and happy,” Edwards said. “I’m really gentle with them.

They always like getting their picture with me, and some even want to pet my head.”

Being a “simple kind of man,” his favorite thing to do is watch baseball, especially his favorite team the Atlanta Braves, and watch movies in his spare time.

To catch TomKat in action this year, the HiToms first game of the season is on Saturday, May 26 at Finch Field, located at 7003 Ball Park Rd. in Thomasville, against the Kernersville Bulldogs at 6 p.m. If you want to see more of TomKat before the first matchup, check out the HiToms official webpage, www.hitoms.com/ for pictures and videos of not only TomKat but of the team as well. You can also check out the webpage for roster information, upcoming news, and for their schedule for the 2018 season.

Triad Baseball Guide 2018 • 25

Passion to perform after Dash game

The Winston-Salem Dash are proud to announce the return of our partnership with Energize Ministries for the third annual “Energize the Ballpark” concert at BB&T Ballpark. Following the Dash’s 4 p.m. contest against the Down East Wood Ducks on Saturday, June 23, Passion Music featuring Kristian Stanfill, Melodie Malone and Brett Younker will perform a concert for all fans in attendance.

Tickets to enjoy the Dash’s game and the Passion postgame performance are available for as low as $12 per person. Please contact the Dash at (336) 714-2287 to purchase your tickets, which will be good for both the game and the concert. There will also be a special rate for groups of 10 or more. A portion of each ticket purchased will go to support Energize Ministries. Seating is limited, and fans are encouraged to reserve their seats in advance.

The concert is set to begin approximately 30 minutes after the Dash and Wood Ducks wrap up their contest. Fans can view the performance from the seating bowl and will have limited access to the field.

Passion Music is a Christian organization that is known for their annual gatherings. Founded by Louie Giglio in 26 • Triad Baseball Guide 2018

1997, Passion has hosted concerts in the United States and around the world. The organization has taken home four GMA Dove Awards and has sold over 1.8 million units.

Their latest album, Salvation’s Tide is Rising, which was released in 2016, debuted at number one on iTunes.

All three performers have contributed to Passion’s success, including seven albums debuting at number one Billboard’s Christian Albums Chart.

Stanfill has worked with Passion since 2005, and he is currently a worship pastor. His second album, Mountains Move, peaked at number 64 on the Billboard 200 chart and number three on the Top Christian Albums list. Stanfill was nominated for Best New Artist at the 42nd GMA Dove Awards.

Malone joined the Passion City Church in 2010, where she has served as a member of the worship team and has contributed vocals to each of the group’s last two albums.

Younker is also a worship leader at Passion, where he won a GMA Dove Award for his work on Passion: Let the Future Begin. He has released several solo albums including The New Has Come, Come to the Water and Burning in My Soul.

The Dash’s 70-game home schedule begins on Thursday, April 12, and it will mark the ninth season in BB&T Ballpark history. Last year, the Dash paced all 30 High-A teams in total attendance by welcoming 304,607 fans to the downtown facility. Single-game tickets are on sale now, and fans can purchase their tickets by calling (336) 714-2287 or visitingwsdash.com. All promotions are subject to change.

For more information, please call 336-714-2287 or visit www.wsdash.com.

2018 PROMOTIONS Winston-Salem Dash

Free Food Tuesdays

FREE all-you-can-eat hamburgers, cheeseburgers, and hot dogs EVERY Tuesday home game

Thirsty Thursdays Select $1 beer specials

*Excludes August 28*

Fireworks Fridays

Come out and join us every Friday, and other select dates for a spectacular post game fireworks show!

Family Sundays

FREE Kids Zone!

Kids 12 and under will receive a FREE popcorn!

Apr

14

May

12

June

2

Saturdays June

16

July

7

Aug

11

4 Dash Tickets, 4 Dash Hats, 4 Chick-fil-A Sandwiches Total Price: $32

The Chick-fil-A Four Pack is only available in advance.

Sandwich voucher only redeemable at Chick-fil-A at 391 Knollwood St., Winston-Salem, NC 27103

To reserve your seats, call 336.714.2287 or visit www.wsdash.com today!

Triad Baseball Guide 2018 • 27

Triad Baseball From The Past

(Clockwise, starting above) Guilford College Baseball team, 1911.

Photo by Guilford College. Dave Barbee From Greensboro NC. Here With The 1926 Philadelphia Athletics Photo By Louis Van Oeyen.

Greensboro, North Carolina’s World War Memorial Stadium Circa 1940.

1943-45 Baseball Hall of Famer Luke Appling from High Point NC with the Chicago White Sox. 1929 Greensboro Patriots minor league team photo.

28 • Triad Baseball Guide 2018

Photos Courtesy of @TheSkimmers (Twitter)

(Clockwise, starting above) Rick Ferrell Red Sox catcher, Greensboro NC resident and Baseball Hall of Famer. 1908 Proximity Textile Mill Baseball team Greensboro, NC. Greensboro player, unknown and unknown team maybe the Patriots.

Triad Baseball Guide 2018 • 29

AUTOGRAPHS

Asking players for autographs is a baseball tradition and highly encouraged.

30 • Triad Baseball Guide 2018

Triad Baseball Guide 2018 • 31