Friday, November 21, 2008
Quick Poll
Who will win tonight's GHSA State AAAAA Football Playoff game?
- Newnan: 56
- Tift County: 12
Total Votes:
Stuart Crosby Columnist
Published Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Minor-league locals make most of 2008 seasons
This week will bring an end to the 2008 regular season for the majority of minor league teams with several preparing for playoffs, reporting to another team or going to instructional league.
Among the teams getting ready for postseason are the Dunedin Blue Jays, Myrtle Beach Pelicans and the Orem Owls while the Delmarva Shorebirds ended their South Atlantic League season.
Former East Coweta infielder Brad Emaus has seen postseason at a variety levels with the Indians in the state championship series of 2003 and 2004 while also playing in the College World Series for Tulane in 2005 and will now see it at the professional level.
A member of the Dunedin Blue Jays, the Florida State League affiliate of Toronto, Emaus will see postseason beginning tonight as the Jays will face the Fort Myers Miracle in a best of three series.
As a second baseman for the Blue Jays, Emaus played in 124 games, had 143 hits in 473 at bats for a .302 batting average and 87 runs scored, to go along with 34 doubles, 12 home runs and 71 RBIs.
One of Emaus' former East Coweta teammates is always going to be part of the postseason as Brett Butts will be part of the Carolina League playoffs with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans.
With the Atlanta Braves affiliate, Butts had a 3-4 record with a 4.14 ERA in 35 games.
Primarily used as a reliever, Butts had a team high 10 saves with 65 strikeouts in 74 innings, while allowing 60 hits in that time span.
The Pelicans began a division playoff series with Winston Salem Monday after winning the both halves of the Southern Division title this year.
Meanwhile, former Northgate ace pitcher Will Smith spent his summer pitching for the rookie league affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and had a successful beginning to his pro career.
In 15 games on the mound for the Orem (Utah) Owlz, Smith made 13 starts and had a record of 8-2 with an era of 3.22 and had 67 strikeouts in as many innings. Smith's control was also impeccable, as he allowed six walks and surrendering six home runs as the Owls currently own the best record in the league at 24-8.
Smith was also one of five members of the Owlz to be named to the 15-man postseason all-star roster of the Pioneer League.
The Owlz will close their regular season Friday evening against the Ogden Raptors before entering postseason.
Games involving Emaus, Butts and Smith can be heard in the multimedia section of the Minor League Baseball website (http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com).
Former Indian outfielder Kieron Pope saw his season end Monday night with the Shorebirds.
In 107 games for the Baltimore Orioles farm club, Pope hit .232 with 12 home runs 18 doubles and had 45 RBIs as well seven stolen bases in 10 attempts.
Another former Indian saw his season end over the weekend as Rico Reid added some travel miles as he appeared in 17 games with Rome, Gulf Coast and Danville of the Braves organization and finished with an 0-1 record with a 3.44 era and two saves.
Former Newnan Cougar Chris Colton also concluded his season recently after he played the outfield with the Wichita Wingnuts of the independent American Association.
In 95 games, Colton hit .260 with seven home runs and 40 RBIs along with 17 doubles and 17 stolen bases in 24 attempts.