baseball
Sabermetric analysis of all things baseball - on-and-off the field. Barry Bonds fan club.
A&S Takes Down Dean’s Bridge with 13-10 Victory
See Slideshows Below A&S Slideshow Dean's Bridge Slideshow Summer is here, and Men’s Softball at Reis Park is in midseason form. A&S Softball versus Dean’s Bridge Road, the June 19 game went back and forth, and in the top of seventh, the tying run looked like it was coming to the plate on Brendan Mitchell’s sinking line drive. But on the mound Steve McNamara was happy to do a double take on the drama.
By Rich Monetti6 months ago in Unbalanced
Today’s 2025 MLB Draft: First‑Round Bonus Slot Values & Insights
The 2025 MLB Draft is primed to redefine the future of baseball, not just with top-tier talent, but by showcasing how much clubs are willing to invest. With MLB boosting slot values by 4.8% year-over-year, first-rounders are set for even bigger signing bonuses. Let’s unpack today’s slot-value landscape and how teams are strategizing their pools.
By Waqar Khan6 months ago in Unbalanced
2025 MLB Season Check-In (First Half)
The first half of the 2025 MLB season has concluded. Which teams will punch their tickets to the Postseason? It's anyone's guess, but the final three months will become even more challenging. So have my picks for each division fared well? We're going to find out.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 6 months ago in Unbalanced
My Experiences Attending Minor League Games
I've been writing a plethora of stories related to Major League Baseball, especially during the offseason. In this story, however, I'll share what it's like attending Northwest Arkansas Naturals games. As always, make sure to like this story if you enjoyed it. Follow me on social media, subscribe to my page, and please send me a one-off tip at the end of the story. No tip is ever too big or small. They support creators like me and encourage us to write and publish more stories.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 6 months ago in Unbalanced
Mets vs. Orioles: A Game of Surprises and Second Chances. AI-Generated.
Baseball is a game full of excitement, and sometimes, it gives us moments we never forget. One of those moments happened on July 8, 2025, when the New York Mets played against the Baltimore Orioles. What looked like a sure win for the Orioles turned into a shocking comeback for the Mets. Then, to add more drama, the next day’s game was postponed because of bad weather. Now, fans are getting ready for a doubleheader — two games in one day — on July 10.
By sehzeen fatima6 months ago in Unbalanced
Somers 12U Shows Fight in Opening Season Loss
On Wednesday June 18, Somers 12u Red Storm opened their season at Reis Park and a good summation of the 10-7 loss came from Luca Ciavardini. “We need more strikes by our pitchers and less mental errors in the field,” the first baseman admitted. But there was still an upside to the defeat that saw the storm fall behind 9-2.
By Rich Monetti6 months ago in Unbalanced
⚾ Dodgers vs Brewers: Inside the Rivalry Heating Up MLB in 2025
⚾ Dodgers vs Brewers: A Matchup Worth Watching The MLB 2025 season has been full of surprises—but nothing has captured attention quite like the ongoing battle between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Milwaukee Brewers.
By Abid Ali Khan6 months ago in Unbalanced
Even More Takes About Clayton Kershaw
Kerchoke. Chokeshaw. Choke Artist. Whatever you want to call him. The Dodgers continue to piss off their critics and their latest stunt proves how desperate they are of receiving even more attention. The MLB All-Star Game is fast approaching and in case you didn't know, Mr. Holy Holy, aka Clayton Kershaw, received the special commissioner's selection (aka the sympathy vote), landing a spot in the midsummer classic, which will be held in Atlanta. Not only that, but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts will also be managing the NL team. It's so pathetic that MLB is rewarding a heartless bigot something like this. Kershaw is currently in his 18th season in Major League Baseball, and I believe the real reason why MLB gave him that honor is because this might be his final season in the league. This latest move by MLB screamed desperation. Kershaw has been in the league for nearly 20 years and he's one of many players who wasn't deserving of an All-Star nod. I explained in my previous story regarding the All-Star fan voting that it needed to choose players based on their stats rather than their popularity, so as to avoid any bias and make the process fair. The Dodgers have received heavy backlash for having multiple players (some who had no business of being selected) who will be in the upcoming All-Star Game. They are the most selfish, spoiled, delusional, and entitled team in MLB. Them and the Houston Astros are the only two teams I heavily dislike. They (the Dodgers) took their selfishness to another level, because five Dodgers players will be participating in the All-Star Game and I blame the fans and bandwagon fans for this nonsense. Originally, there were eight in the first phase of voting. I also blame MLB for continuously showing favoritism towards the Dodgers. As I've stated in one of my previous stories, the world doesn't revolve around the Dodgers or Shohei. It's not always about them and they're talking over other teams and players who deserve more attention. The Dodgers suffer from main character syndrome, thinking that everything has to be about them. What I found hilarious was that they (Dodgers fans) cried over Fernando Tatis, Jr. being selected to the All-Star Game over Andy Pages, calling the voting a popularity contest. Their claims are hypocritical, because the Dodgers had faced heavy backlash from baseball fans for having multiple players selected to the midsummer classic, also calling those selections a popularity contest. So, pot meet kettle, Dodgers fans. The Dodgers can't have everything. Their offseason and current shenanigans prove that I dislike them even more. I continue to get attacked online by ruthless and delusional Dodgers fans, just for calling them out for their selfish and entitled behavior. It doesn't bother me, and my ongoing criticisms of this team prove that I was right all along. Going back to Kershaw: he didn't have to accept the aforementioned honor. He should finish out the season and retire. To be honest, he, Justin Verlander, and Max Scherzer aren't the same players as they were when they first debuted in the big leagues. Both Verlander and Scherzer are in their 40s and most likely nearing the end of their careers, while Kershaw is nearing 40. While I won't praise Verlander or Kershaw, due to obvious reasons, Scherzer is definitely a shoo-in to be a first-ballot Baseball Hall of Famer. He's one of my favorite pitchers and consider him a legend. Scherzer may be a no-nonsense player, but fans like and respect him, a menace (in a good way) any time he takes the mound, and doesn't make everything about himself or the center of attention. The Dodgers and Kershaw should take a page out of Scherzer's book and follow his example.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 6 months ago in Unbalanced
Three Reasons Why the World Series Is Amazing
The World Series: an event that millions of baseball fans look forward to every year. It's a shame that it doesn't receive the same attention as the Super Bowl. Here are a couple of statistics about the last couple of World Series:
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 6 months ago in Unbalanced
Bobby Jenks Dead at 44: What Killed the White Sox World Series Champion?
The baseball world is mourning the sudden loss of Bobby Jenks, the iconic Chicago White Sox pitcher and 2005 World Series champion, who died at just 44 years old. Known for his blazing fastball and clutch postseason performances, Jenks was a beloved figure not only for his on-field heroics but for his inspiring fight against cancer. Today, we explore what led to this tragic moment, celebrating his legacy and shedding light on the illness that took him too soon.
By Bevy Osuos6 months ago in Unbalanced
Somers Moves to State Championship with 27-6 Win
Click for Somers Photos Somers Sideline and Crowd Shots Click for Maine-Endwell Photos The Somers football team has used Middletown High School as a stepping stone to the State finals three times. So with many on the same players on the lacrosse team, the Tuskers arrived upstate on Wednesday June 11, and making the most of the familiar ground, ended on a grand scale
By Rich Monetti6 months ago in Unbalanced
I Was The Coolest Big Kid for a Day
Baseball: it's one of those sports that many of us fans are passionate and romantic about. Home runs, outstanding catches, and walk-off wins. Back in mid-March on a warm Saturday afternoon, I had an opportunity to take part in an exciting event. I was among the few dozens of people who took part in a batting practice event at Arvest Ballpark, home of the Minor League's Northwest Arkansas Naturals. For context, I never played any sports in school, because I was shy and severely bullied. The closest thing to me playing sports was being in PE classes. My favorite sports I enjoyed the most in PE class was basketball, indoor kickball, and dodgeball. The latter sport has since been taken out of schools, because many people have said it encouraged bullying. I found that claim laughable and ridiculous, because it seems like some people, not all, like to take the fun out of everything. This was an example of this is why we can't have nice things.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 7 months ago in Unbalanced
