Cardinals make two minor league trades…sign draft picks

July 3, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Press Releases from the St. Louis Cardinals

Redbirds trade international cap space for three Minor Leaguers

The St. Louis Cardinals announced a pair of trades today, sending international cap space to the Boston Red Sox for minor league infielders Stanley Espinal and Imeldo Diaz and doing the same with the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for minor league outfielder Lane Thomas.

Espinal, 20, was signed by Boston as an international free-agent on February 3, 2015 out of Santiago, D.R. and has compiled a .251 career batting mark with 8 HR’s & 82 RBI in 132 games in the minors, including seven this season with the Lowell Spinners of the New York-Penn League (short-A). The 6-2, 190-pound right-handed hitting third baseman led the Dominican Summer League in RBI (59) in 2015.

Diaz, 19, is a right-handed hitting shortstop who was an international free agent signee by the Red Sox on July 2, 2014 out of Villa de Cura, Venezuela.   The 6-0, 175-pound Diaz owns a career .222 batting average in his 123 games played in the minors, including seven this season for Lowell.

Thomas, 21, was drafted by the Blue Jays in the 5th round of the 2014 amateur draft out of Bearden High School in Knoxville, Tenn. The right-handed hitting centerfielder has produced a career .242 batting average, 18 HR’s, 123 RBI and 42 stolen bases in his 264 games in the minors.   The 6-1, 210-pound Thomas was batting .252 with 4 HR’s and 38 RBI in 73 games this season for the Dunedin Blue Jays of the Florida State League (high-A).

The St. Louis Cardinals announced today the signing of three additional players from the 2017 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft

Kramer Robertson, the Cardinals fourth round pick out of Louisiana State University, is a 5-foot-10, 166 lb., senior shortstop who was recognized as a Third Team All-American and Second Team All-SEC selection this season. Robertson was batting .319 with eight homers, three triples, 18 doubles, 43 RBI and a Division 1-leading 83 runs scored for the Tigers, who competed in the College World Series. As a junior, Robertson was voted Second Team All-American and First Team All-SEC before selected by the Cleveland Indians in the 32nd round of the of the 2016 First-Year Player Draft. Prior to LSU, Robertson was an All-American and All-State infielder at Midway High School in Waco, Texas, also playing quarterback for the football team and point guard for the basketball squad. His mother, Kim Mulkey, is the head women’s basketball coach at Baylor University and was a 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist in basketball in Los Angeles, Calif. His father, Randy, played quarterback at Louisiana Tech.

Wilberto Rivera, the Cardinals eighth round pick out of the Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy in Florida, Puerto Rico, is a 6-foot-3, 207 pound, right-handed pitcher. The 18-year-old originally committed to play next season at Florida International University.

The team also announced they have agreed to terms with third baseman Donivan Williams, (14th Round), who will forgo his scholarship to Illinois State University. The 6-foot-0, 190-pound Williams played shortstop at Harold L Richards (Ill.) High School, hitting .513 with 10 homers, four triples, 17 doubles, 47 runs and 49 RBI.

The Cardinals have until July 7 at 4:00 p.m. CT, to sign their selections from the 2017 MLB First-Year Player Draft.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Sports

Redbirds bow out to the 1923 Centralia sectional to the Marion Wildcats

July 3, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Note – The database I am getting these from skips several years of regionals.  Thank you for the positive response.   I wonder if Trout was built yet?  -sd

Centralia

Flora 22-8 Paris

Greenville 23-18 Chesterfield

Marion 14-10 Mount Vernon

West Frankfort 27-14 Robinson

Greenville 18-14 Flora

Marion 25-18 West Frankfort

Greenville 33-29 Marion

Filed Under: Sports, West Frankfort High School Sports

Miners Fall To CornBelters In Series Finale

July 3, 2017 By Leave a Comment

From the Southern Illinois Miners

MARION, IL The Southern Illinois Miners took an early lead on Sunday against the Normal CornBelters at Rent One Park but could not hold it as the visitors came back and piled on late to deal the home team a 7-2 loss, denying the Miners a series sweep in their final home contest before the all-star break.

After a scoreless first inning by Charlie Gillies (4-3) and Damon Proctor, with the latter making his professional debut for the Miners, Southern Illinois took the lead in the bottom of the second as Craig Massoni and Nolan Earley hit back-to-back leadoff singles. Two batters later, and RBI infield hit by Kurt Wertz, Jr. gave the Miners the initial 1-0 advantage.

Miners Hurler Jared Messer, who worked 1 1/3 scoreless innings in Relief. (Southern Illinois Miners Photo)

But Normal responded by tying the game on an unearned run that scored from third base thanks to an error with two outs in the top of the third inning by Ryan Lashley, making the score 1-1. The game would remain tied until the fifth inning, when Aaron Dudley doubled to deep left field to score both Craig Lepre and Santiago Chirino and give the CornBelters a 3-1 lead. Normal then added a run in the sixth on an RBI single by Chirino to make it 4-1, and after a scoreless sixth inning by Jared Messer, the visitors put up another run in the eighth inning for a 5-1 margin.

The Miners rallied for a run in the bottom of the eighth when Brett Wiley singled and Massoni walked against Francisco Carillo before Willi Martin reached on an error by Chrino at shortstop, bringing home Wiley when the CornBelters failed to tag him out in a rundown between third base and home plate. With the game at 5-2 Normal, and the tying run at the plate, however, the Miners failed to score again in the frame. Normal then added two more runs in the ninth inning for the final margin.

Earley went 3-for-4 in the game to lead the Miners offensively, tying his season high in hits while extending his hit streak out to eight games. Massoni finished 2-for-3 with a run scored, but it was not enough as the Miners were denied a sixth straight home win.

The Miners will head on the road next for a three-game series against the Schaumburg Boomers beginning on Monday night at 6:30 p.m. Chris Washington will pitch for Southern Illinois, while the Boomers will counter with Conrad Wozniak.

The Southern Illinois Miners are the 2016 Frontier League West Division Champions, the 2014 and 2015 Frontier League East Division Champions and the 2012 Frontier League Champions. They have been awarded the Frontier League Organization of the Year award three times since their inception, and also set a new Frontier League attendance record in 2007, their inaugural season. For ticket information, contact the Rent One Park box office at (618) 998-8499. For any additional information, visit our website at www.southernillinoisminers.com.

Box Score

Batting Stats

Normal
# Batter P AB R H RBI BB SO AVG
10 Ruiz, Y DH 3 1 2 2 1 0 .311
12 Chirino, S SS 5 1 1 1 0 1 .344
3   Morris, T 2B 0 0 0 0 0 0 .215
7 Dudley, A 1B 3 0 2 2 2 0 .369
15 Solorzano, J LF 5 0 0 0 0 1 .283
5 Meadows, N RF 4 1 1 0 1 0 .256
11 Fletcher, J 2B
3B		 5 1 2 0 0 1 .320
13 Cedeno, D CF 5 0 1 0 0 1 .278
24 Torres, M 3B
SS		 5 1 2 1 0 0 .285
28 Lepre, C C 2 2 0 0 3 2 .278
37 7 11 6 7 6

Batting
2B: A.Dudley 2 (18).  HP: S.Chirino (3).
RBI: Y.Ruiz 2 (26), S.Chirino (28), A.Dudley 2 (35), M.Torres (25).
SF: Y.Ruiz (1).  SB: Y.Ruiz (16), J.Fletcher (5).
Team LOB: 13.

Fielding
A: S.Chirino 5 (137), J.Fletcher 7 (89), M.Torres 2 (68), C.Lepre (23).
DP: 3 (J. Fletcher(2B) – S. Chirino(SS) – A. Dudley(1B),J. Fletcher(2B) – M. Torres(3B) – A. Dudley(1B),J. Fletcher(2B) – S. Chirino(SS) – A. Dudley(1B)).  E: S.Chirino (8), M.Torres (7).
PO: A.Dudley 11 (366), J.Solorzano 2 (19), J.Fletcher 4 (58), D.Cedeno 2 (89), C.Lepre 8 (285).
TC: S.Chirino 6 (215), A.Dudley 11 (405), J.Solorzano 2 (22), J.Fletcher 11 (152), D.Cedeno 2 (92), M.Torres 3 (104), C.Lepre 9 (310).

S Illinois
# Batter P AB R H RBI BB SO AVG
23 Massey, C SS 3 0 0 0 2 0 .310
19 Lashley, R 3B 5 0 1 0 0 1 .244
6 Wiley, B 2B 4 1 1 0 0 1 .259
11 Massoni, C DH 3 1 2 0 1 0 .266
15 Earley, N RF 4 0 3 0 0 1 .252
22 Critelli, A 1B 3 0 0 0 0 2 .364
25   Martin, W 1B
PH		 1 0 0 0 0 0 .288
8 Wertz Jr., K LF 3 0 1 1 1 1 .221
34 Taylor, Z C 3 0 0 0 0 0 .000
7   Moore, B C
PH		 1 0 0 0 0 0 .226
5 Sluder, R CF 4 0 0 0 0 2 .200
34 2 8 1 4 8

Batting
2B: N.Earley (7).  RBI: K.Wertz Jr. (12).  Team LOB: 9.

Fielding
A: C.Massey 2 (102), R.Lashley 3 (57), B.Wiley 4 (33), D.Proctor 3 (3).
E: R.Lashley (11).  PB: Z.Taylor (1).
PO: C.Massey (77), R.Lashley (16), B.Wiley (22), N.Earley 2 (71), A.Critelli 12 (29), Z.Taylor 4 (33), B.Moore 2 (244), R.Sluder 4 (15).
SBA: Z.Taylor 2 (5).  TC: C.Massey 3 (181), R.Lashley 5 (84), B.Wiley 5 (62), N.Earley 2 (75), A.Critelli 12 (32), Z.Taylor 4 (36), B.Moore 2 (259), R.Sluder 4 (15), D.Proctor 3 (3).

Pitching Stats

Normal
# Pitcher IP H R ER BB SO ERA
44   Gillies, C 6.2 7 1 1 3 5 4.06
8 Carillo, F 1.1 1 1 0 1 2 1.50
19 Blackwell, S 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 2.23
9 8 2 1 4 8

Pitching
BF: C.Gillies 28, F.Carillo 7, S.Blackwell 3.
P-S: C.Gillies 103-61, F.Carillo 36-21, S.Blackwell 9-8.

S Illinois
# Pitcher IP H R ER BB SO ERA
27 Losing Pitcher  Proctor, D 5.2 4 4 3 5 3 4.76
33 Messer, J 1.1 1 0 0 0 0 6.75
1 Palacios, N 0.1 2 1 1 1 0 5.16
21 Dubsky, A 1.2 4 2 2 1 3 4.82
9 11 7 6 7 6

Pitching
BF: D.Proctor 28, J.Messer 5, N.Palacios 4, A.Dubsky 10.
P-S: D.Proctor 106-60, J.Messer 16-10, N.Palacios 16-7, A.Dubsky 38-24

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Normal 0 0 1 0 2 1 0 1 2 7 11 2
S Illinois 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 8 1

Miners Transactions

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS MINERS:  Placed RHP John Lollar on the 7-day injured list.  Signed RHP Damon Proctor.

 

Filed Under: Slider, Sports

Benton City Council Approves Purchase Orders for Street Department

July 3, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.bentongazette.com/news/council-approves-purchase-orders-for-street-department/article_4e260e32-5ee0-11e7-95ba-7b49f53f224b.html

BENTON, IL – (William McPherson, Benton Gazette.  Please click on the link for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

Benton Streets and Improvements Commissioner Don Wyant had several purchase orders approved at last Monday’s meeting.

The council approved the purchase of a $6,700 jackhammer from Diamond Equipment. Wyant said that the cost of the jackhammer was to be shared by both the street and water departments. Also approved for purchase was a $1,400 hydraulic pump from FB McAfoo’s for one of the city’s mowers. Wyant first made a motion, which passed, to table purchase of a SM60 brush hog from FB McAfoo’s until October since, it being personally built to order, could not be delivered until September, but after some further discussion decided to purchase the mower now which saved the City $300 on the $8,430 purchase.

During audience comments, a citizen asked about the progress of the city’s tearing down of dilapidated lots and also inquired as to what the City was doing to attract the building of newer homes, suggesting tax breaks for new residential development. Mayor Kondritz responded that the City was working diligently to bring down the delinquent houses, and in many cases have been fighting long legal battles to gain the right to do so. As for the new construction, Kondritz said the key to that problem was the creation of new jobs. “There’s not anybody on this council who doesn’t lobby everyday for bringing in industry or bringing jobs in here,” Kondritz added. As for the tax break, the council added that the city’s portion of real-estate tax is minimal in comparison to the taxes levied at the County and State level. The Mayor also promoted the city’s TIF district and enterprise zone, citing the recent business addition of the new Cycle1 fitness center which Kondritz said utilized both. Kondritz also promoted the new sewer plant as part of the infrastructure which will set the stage for new business to develop

The City Council did take an executive session for discussion and possible action for a sale of real estate in which no action was taken..

Filed Under: Benton News, Breaking News, Slider

Red Cross Offers Steps to Stay Safe on 4th of July

July 3, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Press Release from the American Red Cross

We’re all looking forward to the 4th of July holiday. Millions of us will watch fireworks, take a dip in a pool or enjoy a family picnic. The American Red Cross wants everyone to enjoy their holiday and offers the following safety tips.

FIREWORKS SAFETY The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public fireworks show put on by professionals. Stay at least 500 feet away from the show. Many states outlaw most fireworks. If you are setting fireworks off at home, follow these safety steps:

 

  • Never give fireworks to small children, and always follow the instructions on the packaging.
  • Keep a supply of water close by as a precaution.
  • Make sure the person lighting fireworks always wears eye protection.
  • Light only one firework at a time and never attempt to relight “a dud.”
  • Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.
  • Never throw or point a firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials.
  • Leave any area immediately where untrained amateurs are using fireworks.

 

WATER SAFETY If your holiday plans include water fun, follow these tips to help stay safe:

 

  • Do your part, be water smart! Ensure that everyone in the family learns to swim well.
  • Adults: actively supervise children; stay within arm’s reach of young children and newer swimmers. And kids: follow the rules.
  • Don’t fool with a pool: fence it in. Enclose your pool and spa with four-sided, four-foot fencing and use self-closing, self-latching gates.
  • Don’t just pack it; wear your U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket – always when on a boat and if in a situation beyond your skill level. Inflatable children’s toys and water wings can be fun, but they are no substitute for a life jacket and adult supervision.
  • Swim as a pair near a lifeguard’s chair – everyone, including experienced swimmers, should swim with a buddy in areas protected by lifeguards.
  • Reach or throw, don’t go! Know what to do to help someone in trouble, without endangering yourself; know how and when to call 9-1-1; and know CPR.

 

PICNIC SAFETY Keep perishable foods in a cooler with plenty of ice or freezer gel packs. Wash your hands before preparing the food. Don’t leave food out in the hot sun. If you are going to cook on a grill, follow these steps:

 

  • Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use. Don’t add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited.
  • Never grill indoors – not in your house, camper, tent, or any enclosed area.
  • Make sure everyone, including the pets, stays away from the grill.
  • Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, the deck, tree branches, or anything that could catch fire.
  • Use the long-handled tools especially made for cooking on the grill to keep the chef safe.

 

DOWNLOAD RED CROSS APPS The Red Cross Swim App promotes water safety education and helps parents and caregivers of young people learning how to swim. The app has features specifically designed for children, including a variety of kid-friendly games, videos and quizzes. The Red Cross app “Emergency” can help keep you and your loved ones safe by putting vital information in your hand for more than 35 different severe weather and emergency alerts. The Red Cross First Aid App puts instant access to information on handling the most common first aid emergencies at your fingertips. Download these apps by searching for ‘American Red Cross’ in your app store or at redcross.org/apps.

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

Illinois DNR: No, there aren’t sharks in Illinois River

July 3, 2017 By Leave a Comment

https://www.ilnews.org/news/outdoorsenvironment/illinois-dnr-no-there-aren-t-sharks-in-illinois-river/article_3ae95fdc-5ddb-11e7-b225-a7e23edf3822.html

SPRINGFIELD, IL (Benjamin Yount, Illinois News Network.  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

NOTE:  There have been stories that have been circulated across Southern Illinois that is similar to this in nature.  One was there was a Shark in Rend Lake.  There was a dorsal fin Photoshopped in with a picture form the dam.  There was another that was similar that said the Lake of Egypt had piranhas with the power plant in the background.

These come under the name, Channel 23 News.  KBSI has local news, however KFVS produces it.  If you would see something like this coming from Channel 12 or other media sites in this market, it would be believable.-  Steve

 

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is assuring folks across the state that there are no sharks in the Illinois River.

Despite what your Facebook feed says, Illinois Department of Natural Resources spokesman Ed Cross said there are no bull sharks swimming in the Illinois River near Morris.

Cross said in the age of social media, even a parody website looks real enough.

“If you don’t see anything from us concerning a shark in a lagoon in Orland Park or in a pond in Sangamon County, there’s no need to hit the panic button yet,” Cross said.

 

 

Filed Under: Breaking News, Slider, State News

Governor Rauner Statement on Speaker Madigan’s 32% Tax Hike

July 3, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Press Release from Governor Bruce Rauner

SPRINGFIELD – Governor Bruce Rauner today issued the following statement following the House of Representative’s passage of a 32 percent income tax hike without any reforms to grow the economy, create jobs, or provide property tax relief:

Governor Bruce Rauner with State Representative Dave Severin, (R-Benton), touring Herrin Middle School back in February. Severin, along with Jerry Costello II, (D-Smithton), where the only two deep south legislators that voted down Senate Bill 0009 for the income tax increase, that Governor Rauner plans to veto. (Photo from Rep. Severin press release.)

“When I took office, I promised the taxpayers of Illinois that I would fight every day to take this state in a new direction after decades of failed leadership from both parties. Today, Springfield has decided to give the people of Illinois the largest tax hike in history and continue out of balance budgets with no real reform.

“Under Speaker Madigan’s direction, legislators chose to double down on higher taxes while protecting the special interests and refusing to reform the status quo. It’s a repeat of the failed policies that created this financial crisis and caused jobs and taxpayers to flee. “I will veto Mike Madigan’s permanent 32 percent tax hike. Illinois families don’t deserve to have more of the hard-earned money taken from them when the legislature has done little to restore confidence in government or grow jobs. Illinois families deserve more jobs, property tax relief and term limits. But tonight they got more of the same.

“For two and a half years we have been working to find common ground on a balanced budget.  As recently as two days ago we believed that was possible.

“The legislature could have passed a no reform budget like this one two years ago. Instead, they allowed Mike Madigan to play his political games, passed phony budgets, racked up our debt and inflicted pain on the most vulnerable. All of this to force a permanent, 32 percent tax increase on Illinois families

“Moving forward, this vote shows that if the legislature is willing to pass the largest tax hike in state history with no reforms, then we must engage citizens and redouble our efforts to change the state. “​

Filed Under: Breaking News, Slider, State News

Nationals Manager Dusty Baker was really nice to a nine year old kid

July 2, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford

Dusty Baker’s 1979 Topps baseball card. (Amazon photo)

As I was watching the Nationals whip up on the Cardinals tonight, my mind went back to August 14, 1979.  I did not remember the date.  I looked it up on Baseball Almanac.

There were a few things I remembered about that night.  The first was it was the night after Lou Brock picked up his 3,000th hit. There was a pregame ceremony Jack Buck was the emcee.  Cardinal owner “Gussie” Busch drove a Corvette onto the field and gave to Brock.

We had field boxes down by the Dodger bullpen.  I was still mad at the Cardinals for trading Reggie Smith to the Dodgers.  I still listened and watched all the Cardinal games.  With the Dodgers appearing in back to back World Series, my loyalty was leaning toward Tommy Lasorda’s Dodgers.

Smith went on the DL the night before.  Every Dodger starter and the whole pitching staff was great to sign autographs.  I remember that shortstop Bill Russell was a snob though, and I never liked him since the date.

Steve Garvey was great to all of us kids that were begging for autographs.  He spent time and had a conversation with each and every one of us.

My parents bought me a Dodger hat at the ballpark that night.  Dusty Baker noticed I had a Dodger tugged at the bill, and said he was going to hit a home run.  He also would look up at me and talk to me, while shagging balls in left field.

I knew he homered, but looking at the box score it was in the 8th inning off of John Denny, who was later a Cy Young award winner for The Phillies in 1983.

Burt Hooton was the starter for the Dodgers that night as he pitched a two hitter for the Cardinals.  I never knew why, but I did not like Hooton.  I guess because he pitched for the Cubs at one time.

This was two years before Fernandomainia swept across the U.S.  My favorite pitcher for the Dodgers was Don Sutton during that era who later went on to be a long time Atlanta Braves broadcaster.

The current Nationals manager is with his fourth team now.  Whether it was when Baker was managing the Giants, Reds. or the Cubs, the rivalry between him and then Cardinal manager Tony LaRussa was intense.  When Baker was with the Cubs especially those two would bark at each other in opposing dugouts.

Baker played for TLR in his last year as a player in Oakland in 1986, which LaRussa took over as the A’s manager in mid-season.   I always wondered if something carried over from that.  One thing I noticed was interesting when looking up some stats tonight, Baker was only four years younger, when he played for Tony LaRussa.

When the two butted heads, even when Baker was managing the Cubs, I always had a soft spot for him because of that night in 1979.

As I get older, I realize that when you show an act of kindness toward a small child, they will never forget it.   I have always said if you have an extra five minutes and an extra 50 cents never pass a lemonade stand up.  You will never regret it.

Here is the link to the box score from that night.

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-scores/boxscore.php?boxid=197908140SLN

 

 

Filed Under: Sports

State budget and tax increase passes the House

July 2, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford

Within the last hour, the Illinois House of Representatives passed both Senate bills 0006 and 0009 to bring some amendments to both bills back to the senate to vote on again, and then go to Governor Bruce Rauner’s desk.

State Representative Dave Severin (R-Benton)  voted for SB 6 which was the budget before a tax increase.  Southern Illinois representatives Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) and Brandon Phelps (D-Norris City) supported it as well.  The bill passed the house with a vote of 81-34.  This bill is veto proof.

Severin voted down SB 9, which raises the state payroll tax in Illinois from 3.75% to 4.95%.  This also raises the corporate income tax in the state to 7%.  It passed the house 72-45, one over the 3/5 of the house to override the bill, which Governor Rauner already stated he would veto.

Senate minority leader Jim Durkin earlier in the day said that Speaker of the House Mike Madigan put some add on amendments to SB 9.  It is worth keeping an eye on as the Senate reconvenes tomorrow.

Senate bills 6 and 9 were passed along party in the Senate in May.

More information about the bills will be provided in the morning as it becomes available.

 

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News, State News

West Frankfort Redbirds, 1922 Benton Regional Champs

July 2, 2017 By Leave a Comment

There might be some scores missing, but it looks like West Frankfort won the 1922 Benton Regional defeating Eldorado, 21-16.  They fell in the first round to of the Mt. Vernon Sectional to the Centralia Orphans, 28-19

Benton

Goreville 27-9 Chester

Christopher 32-20 McLeansboro

Galatia 24-14 Thompsonville

Percy 17-13 Chester

West Frankfort 21-16 Eldorado

Christopher 17-16 Marissa

Carrier Mills 21-13 Broughton

Thompsonville 45-20 Percy

Mount Vernon

Centralia 43-22 Greenville

Marion 58-26 Bridgeport

Collinsville 27-20 Olney

Centralia 28-19 West Frankfort

Marion 36-21 Collinsville

Centralia 32-12 Marion

Filed Under: Benton High School Sports, Christopher High School Sports, High School Sports, Sports, Thompsonville High School Sports, West Frankfort High School Sports
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