Amarillo and Grand Prairie to merge for 2016 season

When the Can-Am League released their schedule a few weeks ago, there were no inter league games lined up with American Association teams. For those of us who follow indy ball, it immediately created a flurry of speculation regarding the impact on the AA. Thirteen teams simply doesn't work for scheduling purposes--so would we lose a team, or create a road team similar to the Can-Ams now-defunct Garden State Grays? Turns out we were wrong on both counts: the American Association 2016 schedule was released this week, along with the announcement of a 2016 merger between the Amarillo Thunderheads and Grand Prairie AirHogs. The team, known right now simply as Texas (merging the team names to ThunderHogs or AirHeads seems unlikely!) will play 25 home games at QuikTrip Park in Grand Prairie, Texas, and 25 at Potter County Memorial Stadium in Amarillo. Commish Miles Wolff said: “With 13 clubs and no interleague play, a schedule with an odd number of teams became unbalanced and difficult. We appreciate that Southern Independent Baseball, owner of the Amarillo and Grand Prairie clubs, agreed to the league’s request to operate its two teams as one in 2016. We fully expect that both teams will return in 2017 as individual entities with a full schedule in their respective markets.” Still a lot of questions to be answered, such as the team name, where players will reside, etc. Hats off regardless for a creative solution to a tough scheduling problem.

Fish acquire Vick from Amarillo

With the potential loss of Josh Mazzola, the Fish have bolstered their batting and added a solid outfielder with the acquisition of Logan Vick today. Vick was one of the breakout players on the Thunderheads' roster this season, with all kinds of mojo as an offensive player. The Goldeyes sent RHP Rett Varner to Amarillo. While on the surface it looks like a steal for Winnipeg, Varner was a solid bullpen hurler who will be missed. Interesting to note is that Amarillo had traded Vick to Sioux Falls on Oct. 16 for another RHP, Cameron McVey. Someone didn't want to report and they ended up swapping back players on Oct. 20. Let's hope this trade shall stick! All I can say is: is it spring yet?

Digital Gum Wave 2: The Amarillo Thunderheads

We go deep south for the second American Association baseball card set. I only had two nights of shooting so I didn't get as good a look at the bullpen as I would have liked (one of the pitchers in this set, Joseph Brown, also doubles as the bench coach). And the official scorecard didn't list a number 14 on the roster, but through a little investigation I believe he's Tyler Urps, who was listed as having #1 on the scorecard. If you're an Amarillo fan and see any errors in the set, drop me a line! Photos by Dan LeMoal.

Dexter Kjerstad, Amarillo Thunderheads

Dexter Kjerstad has had some impressive numbers in just 10 games with the Thunderheads; he's batting .410 with 3 homers and 11 RBIs. He had Amarillo's only run, a homer, in the team's 4-1 loss to Winnipeg July 31. Photo taken at Shaw Park, Winnipeg by Dan LeMoal.

Kyle Anderson, Winnipeg Goldeyes

Kyle Anderson pitched the 4-1 win as the Goldeyes swept their series with Amarillo, July 31. Reggie Abercrombie and Adam Heisler were the suspects in a post-game ambush during Anderson's TV interview. Bonus photos: Thunderheads' Christian Ibarra reaches for the ball at third; Goldeyes' Josh Mazzola practises some full moon levitation. Photos by Dan LeMoal.