2016 American Association/Can-Am All-Star Game Part 1: the Winnipeg connection

Got back from St. Paul yesterday, full credit to the St. Paul Saints organization, who collectively worked their asses off to make for a memorable two-day American Association/Can-Am All-Star event. CHS Field is a world-class facility and it was the perfect location to showcase the best players in indy ball. The North beat the South/Can-Am team 6-1, thanks in large part to an outstanding performance by MVP David Rohm. He's as reliable a hitter as they come, and Aug. 2 was no exception.

As one of the shooters in the Goldeyes' photo pool, my main goal of the trip was fairly simple: get as many shots of Rohm and Willie Cabrera (a late addition to the North All-Stars in place of injured Saint Angelo Songco) as possible. So I definitely had my lens pointed in their direction much of the time. At one point, while he was fielding, Rohm looked over at me as if to say "dude, quit it, I'm not even doing anything right now." I don't think David and Willie will be filing restraining orders against me just yet...they asked me to shoot several shots during pre-game and the home-run derby...but I won't push my luck much further...

Another highlight was seeing former Goldeyes Josh Mazzola and Luis Alen once again. Regardless of what jersey these gentlemen are wearing, they are two of the best ambassadors for the game the American Association could ask for.

More shots to come in the next few days. A big thanks to Paul McKeen, who came through with a 70-200 lens after I bounced mine off the concrete steps at Shaw Park a couple weeks ago (a casualty of Bark in the Park). Every lens has its own personality, and while I don't think I got my strongest shots at the All-Star event, I got by all right and that's all that matters. 

Also a big thanks to Kevin Luckow, Bill Tyler, leaders of the St. Paul tailgate crew. They were great hosts and it was fun to meet Steve Hamburger, Alonzo Harris Sr. and Will Alexander--a few of the all-star dads who also enjoyed a few hot dogs and beer just like the rest of us. Great, down to earth people who made the trip all the more enjoyable.

Goldeyes trade King Luis to Lincoln

End of an era today as The Fish trade vet Luis Alen and OF Logan Vick to the Lincoln Saltdogs for lefties Kevin McGovern and Conor Spink. Alen was a key member of the Goldeyes 2012 championship season and holds many team records over seven seasons: base hits (714), doubles (130), RBI (347), and walks (232). Catcher Carlton Tanabe was also signed today, so he'll be the go-to for the departing Alen and retiring Ryan Babineau. Tanabe spent last year behind the plate for both the High-A California League’s Bakersfield Blaze and the Double-A Southern League’s Jackson Generals. Luis will definitely be missed in Winnipeg, as the face of this current era. Along with the departures of Matt Jackson and Nick Hernadez, it will be a different look to the 2016 edition of the team.

Alen's heroics provide Turkey Night triumph over Sioux Falls

It was shaping up to be a Turkey Night Tragedy in Winnipeg. Sioux Falls were riding an impressive pitching performance by Shawn Blackwell, who had held the Fish scoreless for eight innings of ball; The Canaries held on to a two run lead heading into the last inning. That set the stage for a bottom of the ninth miracle: Sioux Falls kept Blackwell in, which resulted in Casey Haerther getting on first with a beanball. Tillman Pugh singled in Haerther and then Luis Alen took it home with a double shot homer. Final Score, Goldeyes 3, Sioux Falls 2. Pictured here are: (1 -3) Adam Heisler and Matt Jackson de-shirt Luis Alen; (2) Casey Haerther gets beaned; (4) The Casio Grider Show; (5) The Fish celebrate; (6) Canary Chris Grayson crushes the ball; (7) Shawn Blackwell on the mound. All photos taken by Dan LeMoal at Shaw Park, Winnipeg, Aug. 11.

T-Bones take Fish in series finale

A tough night on the mound for The Fish; The T-Bones take Game 3 and the series with a 7-5 victory over the Goldeyes. Photos by Dan LeMoal, Aug. 3 at Shaw Park. Pictured here: 1) Kyle Richards and the T-Bones celebrate; 2) starter Kris Regas fires from the mound; 3) Nate Tenbrink brings home the first run; 4) Jacob Hayes and Brent Peterson celebrate Kansas City's second run; 5) Jake Blackwood (perhaps my favourite baseball name) connects for a single; 6) James Boddicker's double shot; 7) Luis Alen snaps a pop fly behind the plate; 8) Adam Heisler and Tillman Pugh celebrate Pugh's two run homer; 9) Tillman Pugh connects.