COACHES CORNER

General Manager-Bill Stacy

Bill has been with the Angels since their inception in 2003.  He takes great pride in the types of people he can bring into the organization.  "I believe that the perfect team has 1.) talent 2.) desire 3.) chemistry.  We look for the individual who has a good attitude and talent to perform.   A full roster in the 2008 edition of the Louisville Angels.  This is the deepest team we have had.  It will remain to be seen if is the most talented.  A  different approach beginning in 2007 (not just college guys), but a mixture of veterans lead the way to the most successful year in franchise history.  If this core stays together and committed, big things will happen for the 2008 edition of your Louisville Angels.

Manager-Bill Stacy

  Entering his sixth season as manager of the Angels, Bill Stacy is very excited about the possibilities of 2008 Angels.  "We have added some great depth, to go along with our talented core that returns.  The challenge will be for the guys to put the team first and stick together.  My challenge will be to make all the pieces fit together."

Game 1-Came out of the gate shaky as I expected.  I thought our pitching let us down with walks and hit batters.  Had a chance in the first to break it open, with the bases loaded and one out.  We end up only getting one run and was tied after one inning.  I thought Edelen was a little wilder than he normally is and they just caught us at the right time.  The first few games are always a struggle no matter who you play.  This game showed us where we are right now.  I expect hitters to be better on Wed. we will be missing Hunt and Towns,( injury)) but have 6 days off afterwards.  Newcomer Walden looked good for his first time out.  The "Young Guns" have to lead early because they have been playing all spring.  Herberger got on base 3 times and Glasscock 2b and drove in the only run.  Overall glad to get pitchers work and position players ab's.  Experience has to take over in order to get through these early games.    Loss 8-1 Orangemen

Game 2-A much better game from a focus standpoint.  Missing 4 guys from DL and another on vacation but, overall a good performance.  Wes Walden was absolutely brilliant.  Retired the first 10 batters he faced.  Went 5 strong scoreless innings enroute to picking up his first win of the season.  Stivers looked good for 2nd game in a row.  Blackburn finally got some work.  Brian Blackburn and Bryant Jones set the tables early and we flowed from there on.  Alex Meadows had 3 hits and started to shake off some rust at the plate.  Zev Bernard continued hot hitting with 2 more hits.  A couple of good at bats by Fenwick kept us rolling.  Got a glimmer of what this offense can and should do.  A good first win minus, a couple of obvious base running mistakes.  Win 6-2 Good Guys.

Game 3-Another well pitched game, mixed with good defense.  That is the recipe for success in a wood bat league.  Wes Walden was brilliant again and Newcomer Blake Drake showed fabulous potential in his debut for the Angels.  Not much offense, but Zev Bernard had a clutch hit in the 3rd to give us breathing room. Our first division game against the Stallions and a win for the good guys 3-1.

Game 4-Another tight game, once again great pitching and good defense.  Penland, Drake and closer Brad Blackburn got the job done in this one.  I am still a little disappointed that are offense isn't hitting up to their capabilities.  We scored 2 runs in the first and then only 1 run the rest of the way.  Brian Blackburn was good out of the lead off spot with 2 hits and swiping 3 bases.  Bernard stayed hot with 2 more hits and 2 RBI's.  As of right now very pleased with pitching and defense.  A great job by our middle guys Herberger and Wade turning 3 double plays.  Win against IUS 3-1.

Game 5-Our first game against the Norton's Bears. This one was the longest game in Angels history.  Got off to a slow start but, then took the lead with 2 in the 5th.  Gave up tying run in the 6th with a walk with the bases loaded.  Gave up 8 walks and 13 hits but held them to 4 runs in 13 innings.  Scored 2 runs in the top of the 7th to take a 4-2 lead but, then gave them right back on a throw to the wrong base.  If we keep the hitter off of 2nd then the next hitter's single would have moved the runner to 3rd instead of being tying run.  The next hitter flied out to left that would have been the ballgame 4-3.  We finally scored a run in the 12th to go on top 5-4.  Great, great play by Herberger to save the game in the bottom of the 8th inning.   3  double plays out of our defense for the 2nd game in a row.  Alex Meadows and Bernard each with 3 hits in this one and a 2b and 3b by Ward including 2 int. walks. Happy to be on the winning end of this one.  Win 5-4 in 12 innings. 

Game 6-Came out of the gate not ready to play and it showed on the hill all night.  Worst outing of the year from our staff.  Offense was totally dominated by Clark and former Angel Morgan.  Managed only one hit a bunt single by Blackburn.  Gave up 10 hits, 6 walks, and 5 HIT BATTERS, nuff said.  Rematch should been an interesting gauge for this team.  Both losses we have been shut down by superior pitching.  As a veteran team you have to find a way to compete and give our team a chance.  This game was over in the 2nd inning.  Need more production on offense or changes are coming soon.   Hats off to the Stars they completely dominated us.  Loss 10-0.

Game 7-Happy to get a win against the 1st place Riverats.  Scored 2 runs in 1st, should have had more but had the wrong guy up to bunt with 1st and 2nd nobody out.  He grounded into dp and we let them off the hook. Devin Ward led the offense from the 2 hole with 3 hits and 2 doubles.  9 of our 11 hits came from 2 thru 5 in the line up.  Good to see Brett Hunt get going.    Our defense let them stay in the game but, our offense answered with 3 runs on consecutive hits from Hunt, Bernard and Towns.  A good win 6-4

Game 8-Well played on our end until the last inning.  Antone Townes played like a mad man going 3-3 with a 2b and a long homerun.  Devin Ward continued to be consistent with a great catch early and a 2 strike hit that plated 2 runs.  Alex Meadows (league leading hitter) continued his hot pace with 2 more hits and 2 more RBI's.  Bryant Jones had 2 hits and Greg Glasscock had a big double in our 6 run 3rd inning.  Jacob Wardrip was lights out as the starter as he picked up the win in this game that was 8-1 until the last inning.  This is the kind of lineup I envisioned when I put this team together.  This may have been the best lineup I have ever put on the field.  In all 20 Angels played in this big win against the Orangemen.  8-5

Game 9-A tight battle all the way and we blinked first.  We had our early season #1 on the hill in 3-0 Wes Walden and he was as good as always.  He gave up a 2 out double that hit off of Towns's glove that tied the game and the next hitter hit a single to left center to put them ahead.  They just wanted it a little more than we did and they executed when they had to.  We are still learning how to play like a champion.  I told the guys after the game that other teams see us as a good team and they are going to throw their best arms and bring their "A" game when they play us.  To me this is the ultimate form of respect.   We had a chance in the 7th when Alex Kerins led off with a single, stole 2nd and moved to 3rd on a goundball.  Our key at bat was with 1 out and a runner on 3rd.  We had 2 shots to get the job done and coudn't execute.  This should be a learning experience for us.  A loss 2-1 to the Grenadiers.

Game 10-A 15 hit barrage for the Angels in this one.  Devin Ward lead off the game with a homerun and scored 3 runs. Greg Glasscock and Brian Blackburn combined for 4 hits out of the 2 hole.  Antone Towns is heating up he had 3 more hits and drove in 4 runs. Blake Harbert had 3 hits 2 sb's and was on base 4 times.  One weakness of this team is our inability to put teams away, we had a 6 run lead and gave up the big inning(6 runs).  4 hits 2 errors and a walk spell big inning.  Our youth has to start maturing and start making plays on a consistent basis.  We answered with 3 more runs in the 5th to take a 9-6 lead, a big 2 run 2b by Brian Blackburn put us on top.  An error and 3 doubles in a no doubles defense let them back in it.  Jacob Wardrip came in and slammed the door.  With the go ahead run at second he struck out the side.  A win in the bottom of the 7th on a single by Blackburn with 2 outs.  Wardrip gets the win and we get a learning experience.  Angels 10-9 over the Mustangs

Game 11-Wes Walden our best pitcher to date just didn't have it in this one.  Jacob Wardrip continued his hot pitching by only giving up 1 run in 4 innings, however that one run was the difference and he took the loss.  A tough catch in center just off of Ward's glove led to their final run.  The catches that kid makes far outweigh the ones he almost makes. Antone Towns carried us again with 2 hits and 3 RBI's.  Bryant Jones had 2 hits the last looked like it would tie the game but he hit it too hard and our runner rounded 3rd too much and was back doored on the throw for a big 2nd out.  This is why we teach to run and watch the ball.  A runner should always know where the ball is so he can 1. take advantage of a misplay.   2. So he can guard against a backdoor throw.  My real problem with this game is the time limit.  A 1 hour and 50 minute time limit really cheapens the league and takes away value of the game.  It makes you manage different then you normally would.  It speaks of little league.  Their manager was making a trip to the mound to stall.  I know this because he went out to the mound with a 3-1 count and nobody warming up.  My second problem was as soon as the inning was over he's yelling that it's game over, time limit.  This rule, I think is to the benefit of the umpires and the league workers, because it is a definite detriment to the values of this game.  Baseball was not meant to be played on a time limit, that's why we only play 7 innings.   A loss 5-4 to Norton's

Game 12-A game against the Stallions in which we had just enough hitting to get the job done.  Four of our 5 runs were unearned but sometimes you put pressure on a team and force them into mistakes.  Alex Meadows steal of 3rd base and subsequent throw off his head lead to another big run late.  Antone Towns was pitched around the last 3 times up, with walks.  We need consistent hitting throughout the lineup to keep anybody from pitching around someone.  A wounded team is a dangerous team and I was happy to get a win.  B.J. Stivern s continues his emergence into mid season form and Brad Blackburn is starting to pitch like a closer has to.  A late inning substitution of Blake Harbert paid big dividends.  With the tying run on 3rd base and one out he completed a double play off of Bryant Jones's glove that was not short of spectacular.  He also made a nice play on the final out of the game to preserve the win. That's what we are striving to be, a team of interchangeable parts.  Guys that are ready ahead of time and thinking the game before it happens.  Ready to go on short notice.  That's how championship teams are built every guy finding a way to contribute to the team.  An example of this is Devin Ward getting the water cooler in between innings.  Insignificant to the untrained eye, but not to people who are watching and learning the game on and off the field.  I must say though, I was a little disappointed in that I mentioned for someone to get the cooler earlier, but a starter had to step up and lead.  Baseball is a game of little insignificant things by themselves, but when collected and presented as a whole they lead to big things. A win at the Ole Pea Patch on Cadillac Court for the good guys 5-3

Game 13-A game which once again we didn't perform.  Defense let us down in this one, two misplayed balls led to 3 unearned runs.  Penland pitched well enough to win but sometimes you have to overcome bad breaks.  We as a team didn't.  Jumped on them for three runs and turned around and let the big inning happen.  A growing trend for this ballclub.  Disappointing that we didn't perform well for the 2nd time against them.  Loss to the Stars 5-3 

Game 14-A battle for first place against the Rats.  Jumped on them in the first but as usual they avoided the big inning.  We had a run in and runners on first and third, and nobody out.  Our runner attempts to steal second and is thrown out.  Simple baseball, why would I be aggressive here with the first 3 batters reaching base by putting the bat on the ball?  I would have maybe run with one out or two but not with nobody out and 4, 5, and 6 coming up.  The next hitter nubs one in front of the plate and we get tagged out at the plate and see you later to the big inning.  They tied it in the 3rd and we went back ahead on a big hit by Alex Meadows.  They tied it again on a hit batter and an error at short.   We scored our  final two runs in the 5th, one on a double by Brian Blackburn and the other off of Shartzer, on a sac fly from Meadows.  Let me say Shartzer has been the most effective pitcher in the league in the last 5 years.  We scored 2 runs but it could have been more.  I lost my cool in this one and shouldn't have bit on the bait that was thrown out there.  Let me explain that I am first and foremost about winning and if playing the shift is going to help my club then we are going to play the shift.  It shouldn't be taken personal, I'm just playing the percentages.  Most of my moves are based on instincts and they rarely let me down. B.J. Stivers gets the win, with a big save from newcomer Jason Chowning.   A tough win 4-3.

Game 15- Jumped on them for 2 runs in the 1st inning, added a run in the 3rd and 3 in the 5th. Brett Hunt and Andy Brinker had big doubles and 2 RBI'S. In the 5th as we scored 3 runs after a 2 out error.   Not a solid performance out of our starter Drake but he stayed with it and managed to get the win.  Jacob Wardrip pitched 2 solid innings in relief and got the save.  The Greenadiers are a scrappy team with good pitching and you have to stay on top of them.  A win 6-3.

Game 16- A battle with the Orangemen both teams scored a run in the first inning.  We had a 6 run inning in the 5th to break the game open.   New addition Brian Smith made an immediate impact going 2 for 3 with 2 RBI'S.  A great late season pick up for us that will help if we make the post season.  Blake Harbert had 2 hits and Bryant Jones drove in 2.  Wes Walden gets the win with 5 solid innings.  Brad Blackburn came on in the last inning and put to rest any thoughts of a comeback with a quick K and a popout to end it.  A good win, starting to put it together a little bit.  Win 7-3

Game 17-A game against the last place Stallions that we needed and got.  We scored in the first 4 innings and pulled away with a 7-2 win.  Got the performance we needed out of Justin Penland with 5 scoreless innings.  Jacob Wardrip goes the last 2 innings to secure the win.  Bryant Jones goes 3-3 in the leadoff spot with 2 more RBI'S and 2 doubles.  Antone Towns draws 2 walks and hits a double and a sac fly.  Andy Brinker continues to drive in runs with 2 more hits.  T.J. Brinker strokes a double in the 1st to give us our second run.  The team we can be by scoring early and often.  A win for the good guys 7-2

Game 18- Second game of a double header.  I was afraid we would come out flat and we did.  Shut down by a team we should beat, we only had 3 hits.  Andrew Herberger is starting to hit with 2 of our 3 hits out of the 9 hole.  A mediocre performance from B.J. Stivers, we have to have better starting pitching.  Not just B.J.  but we are being outpitched as a whole from a starting pitching standpoint.  That being said, with the game tied in the 5th I intentionally walked their leadoff to load the bases and put a force at any base on.  A groundball to 3rd base and we try to turn the normal double play instead of getting the force at home and resetting and going again with 2 outs.  The ball was to his left but a left handed batter, that can run at the plate.  Chances were better to set your feet and get the out at home.   A disappiointing 3-1 loss to the Mustangs.

Game 19-Once again a game that we reached the time limit on.  I absolutely hate this rule.  It demeans the league and what it should stand for.  Managers start playing the get out your watch and find ways to stall, instead of what move can I make to win a ballgame.  We actually stopped the game right in the middle of an inning.   I don't feel good when I win this way, which tells me something is wrong here.  A 3-1 loss

Game 20-A chance to eliminate the Stars and clinch a playoff spot.  A great start by Jacob Wardrip who is quickly moving up the rotation. A complete game 6 k 0 er performance.  This is the kind of pitching we need in the post season.  Brian Smith continues to make everyone better with his tough ab's.  A key 2b and execution to get the first run home did the trick.  A well balanced attack and some good defense set the tone. 2-1 win

Game 21-The game of the year in the league, the battle for first.  We controlled our own destiny if we won.  Jumped on them for 3 runs in the first but, it should have been more.  Had 3 runs in and runners at 2nd and 3rd with one out in the 1st.  Gave them 1 of their 2 runs in the 2nd inning.  Down 1 run in the 5th and a throwing error by us led to their final 2 runs.  Here's where it deflates.  With us down 6-3 the time limit is called.  Not to say we would have come back but, I sure would have liked to seen us bat in the 7th inn., with the top of the order up.  You play 21 games and are playing for the right to go to the World Series and once again the time limit cheapens the game.   A loss 6-3 to the Riverats.  Congrats to thier team and especially thier coach Kieth Schartzer.

Game 22- A game that had more of a personal touch for me, I'll leave it at that.  Come out swinging and got great pitching from Justin Penland, who goes 7 innings of shutout baseball.  2 hits for Bryant Jones and 2 2b's he is starting to give us the kind of bat we need at the top of the order.  Four more RBI'S for Antone Towns and his 2nd homerun of the season.  Very impressive performance out of Brian Wade and Mike Millsap.  This gives me confidence in our depth heading into the playoffs.  8-0 Win

An now once again on to the Playoffs.  We are going with the ones that brought us to the dance.  21 spots filled by 25 of the guys we had on the roster at the end of the season.  Looking very forward to going to Cincinnati and advancing the following week to the World Series. 

NABF Regionals

Game 1- Just a well played game.  We put it together on the bump, Jacob Wardrip had a no hitter into the 6th.  That's 3 great outinngs in a row for him and 2 complete games.  Our defense was very good, Alex Meadows was solid at 3rd with a great play from his knees.  Blake Harbert made a play up the middle that was amazing and I think the ump missed the call but it was close.  Bryant Jones stays red hot with 2 more hits and 2 runs scored.  Alex Meadows has 3 hits in a row that all drive in runs.  Blake Harbert came out swinging with 2 doubels and a RBI.  Andy Brinker broke the single season hit by pitch record with 7th.  He also drove a ball off the top of the fence in left that went over for a home run.  Andy came ready to play and he just keeps getting better.   A great way to start the tournament but we still have business to take care of. 6-1 win over Yorkville for the good guys.  

Game 2-Wes Walden throws a complete game (75 pitches) against the Frankfort, KY Sweathogs.  Former Angel Josh Richie plays for this team.  If we win this game we are assured a spot in the semi-finals on Saturday.  Walden only gave up four hits and struck out 7 batters.  This was a team we were supposed to beat and did.  The first five hitters all had a hit and an RBI.  We scored 2 runs in the top of the 3rd on a hit by Harbert and back to back doubles from Bryant Jones and Brian Blackburn.  Alex Meadows led off the 4th inning with a solo home run.  We scored our final 2 runs in the 6th again on back to back doubles, this time by Meadows and Brian Smith.  Through 2 games Alex Meadows is on fire going 5-6 with a 2B, HR and 4 RBI's.  EXPERIENCE wins games and our experience has held to form the first 2 games.  Win 5-2

Game 3-We have been a team all year with interchangeable parts.  My guys needed a rest and I didn't pull the trigger.  I knew I had some tired guys.  Should have let the young guns win this one with a possible 2 games on Saturday.  Justin Penland did all he could do but our tired legs lead to 5 errors and 4 unearned runs.  He went the distance perserving our pitching for Saturday. We had 8 hits, 2 by Bryant Jones (2B) and 2 by Brett Hunt (HR & 2B).  This was a very telling game, and I learned alot from it.  I will not make the same mistake next time, and there is always a next time, when you are talking about situations.  Loss 9-4

Game 4-We played the Cincinnati Chiefs in the first semi-final game, winner is in the championship game.  We started Blake Drake, part of our regular season rotation.  Drake who left us 2/3rds into the season to pitch in the Great Lakes League was back and ready to deal.  I knew he was coming back and I would have liked to have saved him for the championship.  I learned that never leave a great pitcher on the bench because you may not get to the championship.  One of the best things a manager can do is give his team the best chance to win, and with Blake I thought we did that.  He had a no-hitter into the 4th inning.  He was devastating in the first 3 innings, and my biggest concern was stamina.  We scored first on a Meadows single, stolen base and a error on their left fielder.  We held a 1-0 going into the bottom of the 5th inning, and Blake started to develop a blister on his throwing hand.  We gave up 2 runs on a BB and 3 hits in a row. Down 2-1 in the top of the 6th, we came right back and promptly scored 2 runs.  A lead off single by Bryant Jones and a double by Alex Meadows, his 3rd hit of the game, put us in position to do some damage.  We manufactured the 2 runs with a groundout and a sac fly. We let them off the hook.  We had runners at 2nd and 3rd, nobody out and 4,5,6 coming up.  Blake started the 6th but it was obvious that he couldn't pitch through it.  He hit the 1st batter of the inning and we made an error on the next guy, mix in a few hits and 2 more walks and 2 pitchers and we allow the big inning.  Down 6-3 our bats are shut down in the 7th, 8th and 9th and they add 2 in the 8th, game over.  8-3 Loss.  They wanted more when they got us on the ropes and just executed when they had to.

And so our season came to an end, I really believe we had the best team in the league this year.  We lost 2 key pitchers when we needed them down the stretch and it cost us from getting the automatic bid to the World Series. I would like to congratulate Keith Schartzer and the Riverats for almost winning it all the following week.  Keith is one of the good guys of the baseball world.  Anyone who hangs around him for an extended period of time is going to learn 2 things, 1. how to compete 2. How to handle things with class.  Which brings me to my next topic the CHIEFS.  I read on their website how they are always getting jobbed by the umpires, or someone was being overconfident or too cocky and how they kicked someone's ass.

                                                                        FROM THE CHIEFS

 He tried to act like we picked up a pitcher from the Great Lakes League.  We had him first and allowed him to be on loan because it was in the kid's best interest.  These kind of rants and finger pointing and chest thumping is exactly why they have not gone on to the World Series.  It's called false enthusiasm.  They turned right around and get run ruled in the championship.  Of course there is an excuse,