Practice Tomorrow!

PARA 4:30pm

Finish!

This Date in Baseball

"...we Dodgers even disliked Halloween because its colors were orange and
black." -DUKE SNIDER, Dodger outfielder joking about his Brooklyn's intense
rivalry with the Giants with team colors of orange and black.

1931 The Cardinals release the last legal spitballer and future Hall of Famer Burleigh Grimes.
1953 After touring Japan with the Giants, Commissioner Ford Frick compares the level of Japanese play to that of Class A of the American minors.
1957 Yogi Berra says the Yankees returned fine money to players involved in the Copacabana fight.
1979 Orioles' Mike Flanagan (23-9, 3.08) wins the Cy Young Award outdistancing Tommy John (21-9, 2.97).

2001 For the first time since Philadelphia A's Mule Haas hit a game-tying two-run homer in Game 5 of the 1929 World Series, a team comes from behind to tie a Fall Classic game in the ninth and goes on to win in extra innings. Tino Martinez sends the game into overtime with a two-out homer off Diamondbacks' closer Byung-Hyun Kim and Derek Jeter, dubbed Mr. November, wins it after the stroke of midnight with a full count two-out round tripper giving the Bronx Bombers a 3-2 victory and knots the series at two games apiece.
2005 Although offered approximately $4.5 million for a three-year extension, four times the amount of his previous salary, Theo Epstein decides to leave the BoSox after being the youngest general manager to lead a team to a World Championship. The split with team president Larry Lucchino, who hired the 18-year Yale undergraduate as an Oriole intern, then gave him a position with the Padres before bringing the ‘Boy Wonder’ Boston, takes the Red Sox Nation by surprise.

2006 Joining Don Mattingly (Yankees,1987),Cal Ripken Jr. (Orioles,1991), Frank Thomas (White Sox, 1995), Jeff Bagwell (Astros, 1995), Manny Ramirez (Red Sox, 2002), Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols becomes the sixth player to get a perfect score (100) in the annual player rankings. The Elias Sports Bureau rating, which was created as part of the settlement of the 1981 strike to determine compensation for the loss of a free agent, takes into account a player's plate appearances, batting average, on-base percentage, home runs and RBIs compared to others playing the same positionduring the two past seasons.
2006 The Astros announce the club will not exercise their option on first baseman Jeff Bagwell for the 2007 season, paying instead the $7-million buyout of the first baseman's contract. The 38-year old perennial All-star, who played 2,150 games during his 15 seasons with the team,is the franchise all-time leader in home runs, RBIs and walks.

Practice Today!

4:30pm @ PARA

Post Game-Wrap vs. Niceville Eagles 10/28 @ 3:30pm

0 1 7 6 / 14

@


0 1 3 2 / 6

Force Factors:

Tucker 2-2 (2B)
Cam 2-2, run
Mason 2-2
Alex 2-2, run

Post Game-Wrap vs. Pensacola Stingers 10/28 @ 2pm

7 1 0 2 0 / 10

@


5 5 0 4 4 / 18

Force Factors:

Jaxon 2-3, 3 runs & rbi
Cam 4-4, 4 runs & rbi
Jackson 3-4, (2B) 3 runs & rbi
Mason 2-2, run
Colby 3-4, (2B,2) 3 runs & 3 rbi
Caleb 2-2, run & 2 rbi

Post Game-Wrap vs. Perdido Pelicans 10/28 @ 11am

0 0 0 / 0

@


7 7 1 / 15

Force Factors:

Tucker 2-2, (2B,2) 2 runs & 2 rbi
Jaxon 2-2, (2B) 2 runs & 2 rbi
Cam 2-2, 2 runs
Jackson 2-2, (2B) 2 runs
Alex 2-2, run
Kyle 2-2, rbi

This Date in Baseball

"A guy who throws what he intends to throw that's the definition of a good
pitcher." - SANDY KOUFAX, Hall of Famer (1955-1963)

1963 Sandy Koufax, who unanimously won the CY Young Award six days ago, is also named the National League's MVP. The Dodger legend out points Pirates' infielder Dick Groat, 237-190.
1964 American hurler Joe Stanka wins the league's MVP award pitching for the Nankai Hawks. His three straight victories over the Yomiuri Giants helps his team capture the Japanese Series.
1967 The White Sox announce the team will play nine regular season games in Milwaukee during the 1968 season. It's the first time since 1905 an American League team has played outside its own city.
1974 After leading the league with 25 wins and a 2.49 era, A's hurler Catfish Hunter is named the AL's Cy Young winner.
1975 Giants pitcher John Montefusco (15-9, 2.88, 215) 'the Count', wins the National League Rookie of the Year Award. Expo catcher Gary Carter finishes second.

1986 The Orioles trade Storm Davis to the Padres for catcher Terry Kennedy and minor leaguer Mark Williamson.
2000 Signing a three-year, $2 million contract, broadcaster Bob Brenly, 46, is named as manager of the Diamondbacks. The former major league catcher replaces Buck Showalter, the clubs' only manager, who was let go at the end of the season.

2001 George W. Bush becomes the eighth president to attend a World Series game and the first since Dwight D. Eisenhower to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Wearing a New York Fire Department windbreaker in honor of the heroes of the September 11 attacks, the Commander in Chief walks to the mound by himself, gives a thumbs up, and throws a perfect strike to the Yankees' backup catcher much to the delight of the stadium faithful.

Practice Tomorrow!

4:30pm @ PARA

Weekend Pics

*remember to click our jet pic link on the lower right to see more from this past weekend!

Weekend Pics

*remember to click our jet pic link on the lower right to see more from this past weekend!

Weekend Pics

*remember to click our jet pic link on the lower right to see more from this past weekend!

This week in force fitness, healthy mind and healthy body

"What its children become, that will the community become". Suzanne Lafollette

Just as it is important to have a healthy body and to teach our children to be aware of what is healthy to eat and what is unhealthy to eat so it is just as important to think clearly and be healthy in our mind.

I was reminded of this as we drove home from the ballpark yesterday. My dear sweet boy was heartbroken. All he wanted for his birthday was to walk away the winner of the tournament we had just finished playing.
As we sat in the truck, I said, why such the long face son. He as quiet as he could be, soon started to wrinkle up his face, pull down his cap and weep. I just wanted to win the tournament for my birthday.

So, here I am thinking, and hearing that little voice in my head that is screaming, teachable moment. DO NOT MESS THIS UP!

I looked at him and said. You did win and it all depends on what your definition of winning is.
We came home with the second place trophy, which was great but, in his little mind it was less than perfection and he is very much a perfectionist.
I then began to explain to him that winning is not necessarily coming home with the first place trophy. Winning is giving your all, playing hard, doing the best that you can even when you don't feel like it. I told him that he as well as his team did just that all day long so, they did win.

I am very much an observer of people, of behaviors. I love to go to the mall and just people watch. So, yesterday I was observing our little athletes a little more than normal.
Little boys slowly molding into little men. Cheering each other on, patting each other on the back when things were not going so well, and getting so excited when things were going very good. I saw little boys willing to play positions they don't normally play because it was better at that moment in time for the team and I heard one talk so manly in a way that expressed he understood that. I could see that not only did cam want to win for his birthday but his teammates wanted that for him.
I understood more yesterday that children often get it when we do not and the adults often do the job of messing that simplicity up for them.

I saw so clearly the definition of humility played out before my eyes. As I thought back upon our talk about humility yesterday, I decided to look up the formal definition. of both the word humble and humility.

Humble - Marked by meekness, or modesty in behavior, attitude or spirit.
Humility - Lack of pride.

I see these qualities in these boys. It is our job to nurture that.

This past week I listened to a sermon by a preacher out of Michigan. He told a true story of a little girl who wanted to be alone in a room with her newborn baby sister. The parents were not so sure about that but, after some thought they decided it would be okay. They had a monitor in the room and if anything went wrong they could hear. So they walked away and left the little girl overlooking her new sister in her crib. They ran to the monitor in the kitchen so they could listen in on what might be happening. They simply heard the little girl talking to her newborn baby sister and this is what she said.
"Baby girl, tell me all you know about God because I have almost forgotten."

This, along with weekend of activities reminded me of what all we have to learn from children. They get it when we sometimes do not. So, I wonder is it the child who needs to be taught to have a healthy mind or is it me, the adult who has been given the awesome privilege and responsibility to mold and teach them what it is to have a healthy mind body and spirit. Me, who through a child and me through children has a chance to make the community and the world a much better place.

This Date in Baseball

"There have been only two geniuses in the world. Willie Mays and Willie
Shakespeare." - TALLULAH BANKHEAD, actress

1949 The A's trade Nellie Fox to the White Sox for catcher Joe Tipton.
1979 Hall of Fame outfielder Willie Mays, one of the game's most popular players, severs all ties with major league baseball when he accepts a public relations job with Atlantic City casino. Due to the gambling aspect of the position, he had been given an ultimatum by Commissioner Bowie Kuhn to disassociate himself from the national pastime.
1985 Cardinal pitcher Joaquin Andujar is suspended for the first ten games of next season as a result of bumping Don Denkinger twice during his Game 7 dispute with the home plate ump over ball and strikes calls.
1991 Buck Showalter replaces Stump Merrill as the Yankee manager. During his four-year reign as the Bronx Bomber skipper, the 36-year old will compile a 313 -268 (.539) record capturing the AL manager of the Year award and AL East title in 1994 and first AL wild card the following year.
2001 Commissioner Bud Selig says major league baseball is considering eliminating two teams could by the start of next season. Contraction would include the Montreal Expos and either the Minnesota Twins or the Florida Marlins.

2001 Matt Williams becomes the first player in World Series history to hit home runs with three different teams. He homered in the Fall Classic for the Indians in 1997 and the Giants in 1989.
2002 Bringing the total to seven this month, three new managers are named including Ned Yost (Brewers), Ken Macha (A's) and Eric Wedge (Indians). Being younger than two of his players (Ellis Burks and Omar Vizquel), the Tribe's skipper, at the age of 34, becomes youngest manager in the major leagues.

2006 Silas Simmons, the oldest baseball player who ever lived, passes away at St. Petersburg's Westminster Suncoast retirement community in Florida. The 111-year old was a southpaw hurler in the Negro Leagues for 17 years played for the Homestead Grays, New York Lincoln Giants, and Cuban All-Stars.

Post Game-Wrap @ Pensacola Stingers 10/27 @ 4pm

0 3 3 6 1 2 / 15

@


0 1 1 5 0 x / 7

Force Factors:

Tucker 2-4, 3 rbi
Mason 3-4, 3 runs
Caleb 3-4, 3 runs & rbi
Alex 1-3, 3 runs

Post Game-Wrap vs. Niceville Eagles 10/27 @ 1:00pm

2 0 0 / 2

@


7 6 2 / 15

Force Factors:


Tucker 1-2, 2 runs & 3 rbi
Cam 3-3, 3 runs
Colby 3-3, 2 runs & 2 rbi
Caleb 2-2, 2 runs & 2 rbi
Jackson 3-3, 2 runs
Alec 2-2, run

This Date in Baseball

"He is sittin' in the catbird seat." - RED BARBER, Hall of
Fame announcer referring to a pitcher sitting on a lead

1953 The 'Old Redhead' Red Barber resigns as a Brooklyn Dodger broadcaster and takes the 'catbird' seat with the rival New York Yankees.
1954 Major league owners vote down the sale of the Philadelphia A's to a hometown syndicate. A week later the Mack family sells a controlling interest to Arnold Johnson who will move the team to Kansas City.
1958 In San Francisco, construction begins on the Giants' new ballpark in an area where the rocks look like candlesticks.
1961 Ground is broken for the Flushing Meadow Stadium. The future home of the New York Mets will be known as Shea Stadium in honor of Bill Shea, a lawyer who helped to bring back the National League to the Big Apple.
1979 Dick Howser replaces Billy Martin as Yankee manager.

1981 After losing the first two games, with the help of Pedro Guerrero's five RBIs and the solid pitching of Bert Hooten, the Dodgers defeat the Yankees, 9-2, to capture the World Championship in six games. It's the third time this post season Los Angeles come from behind to win a series (0-2 behind Astros NLDS and 1-2 behind the Expos in NLCS).
1988 The Padres trade Keith Moreland and Chris Brown to the Tigers for pitcher Walt Terrell.
1989 The A's complete the sweep of the Giants in the earthquake delayed Fall Classic with a 9-6 victory. Dave Stewart, who wins the series MVP, becomes the first hurler to win two games in both the LCS and World Series.
1995 In Game 6, Tom Glavine and Mark Wohlers combine on a one-hitter to defeat the Indians, 1-0 giving the Braves their first World Series since moving to Atlanta. David Justice's homer in the sixth inning proves to be the difference.

2001 Curt Schilling, who name his son Gehrig, receives the 2001 Roberto Clemente Award for his contributions to numerous charities, including ALS which is better known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. The Diamondback right-hander, who won World Series opener yesterday, was selected due his outstanding baseball skills combined with devoted work within the community.
2002 The Mets, after being unable to get permission to talk to Lou Piniella from Seattle and deciding not to wait ten days after World Series for the availability Giant skipper Dusty Baker, give Art Howe a four-year, $9.4 million deal to manage the team. New York's new skipper managed the A's to two AL West titles (2000, 2002) championships with his teams winning 383 games during the last four seasons matching Joe Torre's Yankee total.

2002 The Marlins do not renew the contract of John Routh, the 43-year-old man who has been Billy the Marlin, since the Florida's first game in 1993. Although 'Billy' will return next season, a new person will be hired to wear the 35- pound costume as the team is seeks to increase the mascot's visibility by changing the overall role of the character.
2002 Signing the veteran manager to a four-year contract, the Devil Rays name Lou Piniella as their team's new skipper. As compensation to sign 'Sweet Lou' away from Seattle, Tampa Bay sends their All-Star outfielder Randy Winn (.298, 14, 75) to Seattle for minor leaguer Antonio Perez.

Sunday Schedule

10:15am Warm up @ PARA
11:00am vs.

Saturday Schedule

11:15am Pre-Game BP @ Force Field

1:00pm Field #3 vs.

4:00pm Field #2 vs.

This Date in Baseball

"The Clydesdales have been on second base more than our
runners.." -WHITEY HERZOG, Cardinal manager, making an observation about his
team's anemic .185 World Series batting average.

1962 The Tigers begin a seventeen-game tour of Japan.

1985 The Royals become the sixth team to overcome a 3-1 deficit to win the Fall Classic as series MVP Bret Saberhagen, who became a new dad yesterday, blanks the Cardinals on five hits,11-0. Kansas City is the first team World Series history to lose first two games at home and then come back to win the World Championship.
1986 In another comeback win, the Mets defeat the Red Sox, 8-5 to win Game 7 of the World Series. Ray Knight makes amends for an earlier error by hitting a home run which puts the Mets ahead for good in the seventh inning.
1989 After a ten day delay due to the earthquake, the World Series resumes with the A's beating the Giants in Game 3, 13-7. Oakland uses the long ball hitting five home runs in securing the victory.
1991 In Game 7 of the 'worst to first' World Series, the Twins beat the Braves in ten innings, 1-0. Both Atlanta and Minnesota had finished last in their respective divisions last year.

1999 The Yankees, behind the solid pitching of Roger Clemens, sweeps its second straight Fall Classic beating the Braves, 4-1. Atlanta joins the New York Giants (1910-19) as the only teams to lose four World Series in a decade.
2000 New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani thinks it is okay for children to take a day off from school to watch the Yankees' ticker-tape parade. His Honor, believing baseball can be an educational experience, has allowed his own kids, Andrew and Caroline, to miss classes in the past to watch the Bronx Bombers' post-season celebrations.
2000 The Mets, this year's runner-ups in the Subway Series, turn down New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani's invitation to be part of the parade for the World Champion Yankees down the Canyon of Heroes in lower Manhattan.

2002 In the team's 42nd season, the Angels finally win a World Series title by beating the Giants, 4-1, in Game 7 at Edison Field . Garret Anderson's three-run double provides enough offense for John Lackey to become the first rookie to win a seventh game since 1909 when Babe Adams accomplished the feat for the Pirates.
2004 Under the moon’s reddish tint caused by a lunar eclipse, the Red Sox exorcised 86 year of agonizing losses by winning their first World Series since 1918. In one of the most dominating Fall Classic performances, Boston, who never trailed during the four games, blank the Cardinals, 3-0, to complete the sweep.
2004 After a 10-day Overstock.com on-line auction and 240 bids, Barry Bonds' 700th home run ball goes for $804,129. Steve Williams, who came up with the milestone ball in SBC’s left field bleachers on September 17, announced he was quitting his day job as a broker's assistant, but hadn't decided what to do with the windfall.
2006 At the new Busch Stadium, the Cardinals beat the heavily favored Tigers, 4-2, in Game 5 of the Fall Classic to win their first world championship since 1982. With a 83-78 record, St. Louis, who lost 10 of their last 14 regular season games, won less games than any World Series champion in baseball history.
2006 After leading the Padres to two consecutive NL West titles, Bruce Bouchy, with a year left on his contract leaves San Diego, to become the manager of the division rival, San Francisco Giants. The 51-year-old skipper, who compiled a 951-975 (.494) during his 12 seasons in the Friars dugout, signs a three-year deal worth approximately $6 million.

Voluntary BP Today!

Force Field 5-6pm

Be there if you need some extra hacks before our championship run this weekend!

This Date in Baseball

"Don't worry about your individual numbers. Worry about the
team. If the team is successful, each of you will be successful, too." -BRANCH
RICKEY, Baseball Executive

1940 Tigers' slugging left fielder Hank Greenberg (.340, 41,150) is named the American League's Most Valuable Player with Indian hurler Bob Feller (27-11- 2.61) finishing second. Having won the award in 1935 as a first baseman, 'Hammerin' Hank' becomes the first player to win the MVP again playing a different position.
1949 The San Francisco Seals of the Pacific Coast League complete an Asian tour which includes five Japanese games. One of the Japanese games draws over 100,00 fans to watch Lefty O'Doul's team.
1950 The BBWAA select Yankee shortstop Phil Rizzuto (.324, 7, 66) as the American League MVP. The ‘Scooter’, who receives 16 of 23 first-place votes, easily outpoints runner-ups Boston’s Billy Goodman and teammate Yogi Berra.
1950 Walter O'Malley succeeds Branch Rickey as president of the Dodgers.
1960 After operating the team in the nation's capital ever since Clark Griffith took over as manager of the club in 1912, Calvin Griffith, president of the Washington Senators, makes decision to move his club to the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.
1960 In a move designed to get a jump on the National League in the expansion race, the American League grants franchises to Washington and Los Angeles and okays the Senators move to Minnesota.

1982 The Phillies' thirty-seven year old 'Lefty' Steve Carlton (23-11, 3.10) wins the Cy Young Award for an unprecedented fourth time.
1985 Umpire Don Denkinger's controversial first base call helps the Royals to beat their cross-state rivals, 2-1 in Game 6 of the World Series. Jorge Orta was called safe even though it appeared Cardinal first baseman Jack Clark's throw to Todd Worrell covering the bag had beat him.
1996 After two one-sided losses at home, the Yankees win the next four games and take their first World Series since 1978 with a 3-2 victory over the defending World champs Braves in Game 6.
1997 With two outs in the bottom of the 11th inning of Game 7, Edgar Renteria singles home Mark Counsell giving the Florida Marlins their first World Series title with a 3-2 win over the Indians. The five-year old Marlins become the youngest expansion team to win the Fall classic.
1998 Potential free-agent all-star catcher Mike Piazza signs the most lucrative contract in major league history when he agrees to terms with the Mets. The seven-year deal is worth over $91 million and includes having a suite on road trips and a luxury box for home games at Shea.

2000 Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter becomes the first player to win the All-Star Game MVP and the World Series MVP honors in the same season.
2000 In Game 5 at Shea Stadium, the Yankees win their third consecutive World Series, the fourth title in five years and record 26th championship by defeating the Mets, 4-2. Luis Sojo's ninth inning two-out, tie-breaking single off starter Al Leiter is the decisive hit.
2000 Joining Hall of Famers Joe McCarthy (7) , Casey Stengel (7) , Connie Mack (5) and Walter Alston (4), Yankee manager Joe Torre becomes only the fifth skipper to win four World Series championships.
2002 When Russ Ortiz, tossing 5-0 shut-out strikes out Garret Anderson to begin the seventh, the Giants appeared destined to win their first World Series since 1954. Scoring six times in the 7th and 8th innings of Game 6, the Angels' rally from five runs down to stage the biggest comeback in Series history for a team facing elimination and beat the Giants, 6-5, forcing a Game 7.

2004 Prior to Game 3 of the World Series, Edgar Martinez receives the Roberto Clemente Award, an honor is given to the player who best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual's contribution to his team. The Mariners designated hitter, a native of Puerto Rico like the award’s namesake, is involved Parent Project/Muscular Dystrophy, Children's Hospital, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Big Brothers and Big Sisters.
2004 Curt Schilling becomes the first starting pitcher to win a World Series for three different teams. In addition to his Game 3 Red Sox victory over the Cardinals, his 8-2 lifetime post-season record includes wins for the Phillies (1993) and Diamondbacks (2002).
2005 Willie Harris scores the game’s only run in the eighth inning as Jermaine Dye, the series MVP, singles the pinch hitter home giving the White Sox a 1-0 victory over the Astros and the team its first World Championship since 1917. For the second consecutive year, an American League team sweeps its National League opponent.
2005 White Sox skipper Ozzie Guillen becomes the first foreign-born manager to win a World Series as the ‘Wizards of Ozzie’ sweep the Astros in the Fall Classic.
2005 Bobby Valentine becomes the first foreign manager to win the Japan Series in the 70-year history of Japanese baseball. Sweeping the Hanshin Tigers, the former Rangers and Mets skipper lead the Chiba Lotte Marines to their first league championship in 31 years.

2005 Tadahito Iguchi becomes the first Japanese native to win a World Series ring as the White Sox swept the Houston Astros to win the Fall Classic in 88 years. Leaving the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks, the second baseman signed as a free agent with Chicago prior to the start of the championship season.