Tigers Coverage (Lakeland Ledger)

21 Mar Detroit_Tigers

Clayton Green profiled non-roster invitee Andy Dirks and his breakout spring.

Green also wrote about Tigers utility player Don Kelly and him finally being named to the opening day roster.

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Astros Coverage (Orlando Sentinel)

21 Mar astros

Allen Levin wrote a story on Astros’ pitching prospect Jordan Lyles and making his case for joining the starting rotation.

Brentley Romine compiled a fantastic piece on Astros players filling out their picks for March Madness and the NCAA tournament.

Levin also profiled the race for the starting catching  spot between Houston’s Humberto Quintero and J.R. Towles.

Ex-Phillies pitcher Nelson Figuero struggled in his first start since facing the team that released him last July, as told by Romine.

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Peralta Feeling Good and Dazzling at Shortstop (Lakeland Ledger)

21 Mar Detroit_Tigers

Our very own Matt Reinstetle compiled this story on Tigers SS Jhonny Peralta for the Lakeland Ledger.

By MATT REINSTETLE
LEDGER CORRESPONDENT

Published: Thursday, March 17, 2011 at 11:42 p.m.

LAKELAND | Tigers shortstop Jhonny Peralta is feeling “really good” about how things are going for him in Tigertown.

Peralta, 28, continues to be a steady and reliable defender that his Tiger teammates can count on between second and third base.

“He doesn’t make errors, and he’ll surprise you, too,” Tigers second baseman Scott Sizemore said. “He gets to a lot of balls that you think are base hits and takes a lot of hits away. I like him a lot over there at short.”

Peralta did exactly that in a 4-3 win over the Minnesota Twins on Thursday. He leaped into the air and extended his body enough to grab what looked like a sure hit from Twins DH Jason Kubel and threw it in time to first baseman Miguel Cabrera in the top of the second inning.

“It was kind of a hard ball, you know, because the line drive was kind of moving in different ways,” said Peralta, who joined the Tigers after being trade from the Cleveland Indians. “But I tried to concentrate on the ball and how I could jump up there and catch the ball.”

Peralta’s main defensive goal is to improve his range.

At the plate, Peralta is hitting .237 in spring training, which puts him below his 2010 regular season average of .249. Against the Twins, Peralta was 0-for-3 with a strikeout. He said he wants to be a more consistent player and is working on his batting average and cutting down on strikeouts.

“No matter what I hit, like .200 or .300 in spring training, I go to home plate and try to do the best I can do,” Peralta said. “I try to work on everything and concentrate on the pitch and everything and whatever happens, happens.”

The Tigers have 11 games left in spring training, and Peralta plans to keep all these good feelings going and doesn’t want his numbers to distract him from what’s ahead.

“No matter what I hit … I feel really good, which is more important,” he said.

The Tigers made plenty of contact Wednesday, compiling 12 hits.

Left fielder Ryan Raburn opened the bottom of the fifth inning with a solo home run into left field. Two batters later, Cabrera hit his own solo shot on his first pitch from Pat Neshek, hitting the top of the berm in left field and tying the game 3-3. Cabrera was 2-of-3 with two RBIs.

Tigers third baseman Brandon Inge was 3-of-4.

The Tigers won the game in the bottom of the ninth when Danny Worth hit a single up the middle and Don Kelly scored from second base.

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Spring Training Preview: Houston Astros

14 Mar astros

Houston Astros

Spring Training site: Osceola County Stadium (1000 Bill Beck Blvd., Kissimmee, FL 34744

2010 Record: 76-86 (4th in NL Central)

Key losses (2010 stats in parentheses): 1B Lance Berkman (.245, 13 home runs, 49 RBI), SP Roy Oswalt (6-12, 3.42 ERA, 120 strike outs)

Key returners: OF Hunter Pence (.282, 25 HR, 91 RBI, 18 stolen bases), LF/1B Carlos Lee (.246, 24 HR, 89 RBI), 2B Jeff Keppinger (.288, 148 hits, 59 RBI), OF Michael Bourn (.265, 142 hits, 52 SB), 3B Chris Johnson (.308, 11 HR, 52 RBI), SP Brett Myers (14-8, 3.14 ERA, 180 SO), SP Wandy Rodriguez (11-12, 3.60 ERA, 178 SO)

Quick Hits: The Astros and pitcher Wandy Rodriguez avoided arbitration by agreeing to a three-year, $34 million contract extension. … The team retains the majority of their lineup from last year, while adding two new members to the infield in Clint Barmes and Bill Hall. … The Astros suffered from one of the most anemic offenses in the MLB last season. They will be looking at Hunter Pence and slugger Carlos Lee to help the cause. … The Astros have one of the youngest lineups in the MLB and are hoping Brett Wallace can prove himself at first base. … Top pitching prospect Jordan Lyles could be called up this season and make an immediate impact.

- Allen Levine

Spring training preview: Detroit Tigers

14 Feb Detroit_Tigers

Detroit Tigers

Spring Training site: Joker Marchant Stadium (2301 Lakeland Hills Blvd., Lakeland, FL 33805)

2010 Record: 81-81 (3rd in AL Central)

Key losses (2010 stats in parentheses): C Gerald Laird (.207, 25 RBI), LF Johnny Damon (.271, 51 RBI, .355 OBP), P Eddie Bonine (4-1, 4.63 ERA, 26 strikeouts)

Key returners: SS Jhonny Peralta (.249, 15 home runs, 81 RBI), 3B Brandon Inge (.247, 13 home runs, 70 RBI), RF Magglio Ordonez (.303, 12 home runs, 59 RBI), LF Ryan Raburn (.280, 15 home runs, 62 RBI), RP Joel Zumaya (2.58 ERA, 34 strikeouts, 11 holds), RP Phil Coke (3.76 ERA, 53 strikeouts, 7-5, 2 saves).

Quick hits: C Victor Martinez, who signed a four-year deal worth $50 million during the offseason, will be the team’s designated hitter and catch two to three times a week. … 2B Carlos Guillen is expected to return for the last two weeks of spring training after microfracture surgery on his left knee. … RP Joaquin Benoit (1.34 ERA, 75 strikeouts, 25 holds) was signed to add depth to the Tiger’s bullpen. … The Tigers traded SP Armando Galarraga to the Arizona Diamondbacks for pitchers Kevin Eichhorn and Ryan Robowski. … With Guillen recovering from injury, the Tigers will be using Scott Sizemore and Will Rhymes.

- Matt Reinstetle

Spring training preview: Atlanta Braves

14 Feb braves

Atlanta Braves

Spring Training site: Champion Stadium at ESPN Wide World of Sports (800 S Victory Way, Kissimee, FL, 34747)

2010 record: 91-71 (2nd in NL East)

Key losses (2010 stats in parentheses): RP Billy Wagner (7-2, 1.43 ERA, 37 saves), UT Omar Infante (.321, 65 runs, 47 RBI), RP Kyle Farnsworth (3-2, 3.34 ERA, 61 strikeouts)

Key returners: SP Tim Hudson (17-9, 2.83 ERA, 139 strikeouts), OF Martín Prado (.307, 100 runs, 15 home runs), C Brian McCann (.269, 21 home runs, 77 RBI)

Quick hits: Manager Bobby Cox retired following the 2010 campaign after 25 seasons with the Atlanta Braves. Replacing him will be his protégé and former Florida Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez…OF Jason Heyward will look to build off a memorable rookie campaign in which he hit .277, had 18 home runs and was an All-Star selection…3B Chipper Jones, a six-time All-Star selection, saw his 2010 season end prematurely after it was reported in August that he tore his ACL. The 38-year-old Jones is planning on coming back during Spring Training…The Braves traded for 2B Dan Uggla (.287, 33 home runs, 105 RBI in 2010 for the Florida Marlins) in hopes of adding power to their lineup. The Braves then agreed to a five-year, $62 million contract with Uggla … RP Billy Wagner is expected to officially retire, meaning the Braves will rely on youngsters Craig Kimbrel (4-0, .44 ERA) and Jonny Venters (4-4, 1.95 ERA) to handle closing duties…There’s been a lot of hype surrounding 1B prospect Freddie Freeman, who was drafted by the Braves in 2007. He’ll get a chance to validate his lofty billing, as he is projected to be an everyday starter.

- Brendan Sonnone

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Meet The Staff Of STC

15 Jan

Ryan Bass

Ryan Bass
Ryan is a senior journalism major at the University of Central Florida. He has previously worked at ESPN as a Production Assistant intern, one of two interns hired among 3,000 applicants, where he produced highlights for ESPN’s “Sportscenter”. In addition to working at ESPN, Ryan has interned at WOFL Fox 35 News, The Miami Herald and served as the Sports Editor for the Central Florida Future, UCF’s Student Newspaper, for two years. He beat wrote for the UCF football, basketball, baseball and women’s volleyball teams. Ryan’s skills aren’t limited to just print and broadcast journalism, he has also had experience in radio, hosting “The Sports Report” on UCF’s internet radio station since 2007. He serves as the stations Student Director and has worked in radio since 2006, where he interned at WAXY 790 The Ticket in Miami. His favorite sports teams include the Miami Dolphins, Miami Heat, Florida Marlins and, of course, the UCF Knights.

Nicole Saavedra

Nicole Saavedra
Nicole is a student at the University of Central Florida. She is majoring in journalism and minoring in political science and sports business. She works as a high school clerk at the Orlando Sentinel. She has also covered football, track and men’s and women’s tennis for UCF’s student newspaper, the Central Florida Future.

Brendan Sonnone

Brendan Sonnone
Brendan is a senior journalism student at the University of Central Florida. He currently works as a freelance writer for the Orlando Sentinel and regularly contributes to the high school recruiting section and UCF athletics beat. He has had multiple articles published on the front page of the Sentinel’s sports section and has broken stories that have later appeared on ESPN’s running ticker. His prior writing experience includes covering UCF football and basketball for Scout.com and freelancing for the Philadelphia Daily News, the Charlotte Observer and About.com. Past sports-related experience includes coaching the Oviedo Hagerty freshman football team and lettering three years as a football player at Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando.

Brentley Romine

Brentley Romine
Brentley is a junior journalism major at UCF. He also works for the Orlando Sentinel, covering high school sports. He is the beat writer for bowling, swimming and diving, soccer, lacrosse and water polo. He has experience covering spring training having freelanced for The Associated Press in Spring 2009. He is also a member of the UCF water polo team and a huge Orlando Magic fan. Check out his blog at OrlandoSentinel.com/varsityblog.

Brandon Ribak

Brandon Ribak
Brandon is currently a junior majoring in journalism at the University of Central Florida. He runs his own NBA website, www.nbaprimetime.com and is a freelance writer for the Orlando Sentinel. In the past, Brandon has written for UCF’s newspaper, the Central Florida Future, as well as Knight News and bleacherreport.com. He also has experience in radio hosting and interned with ESPN 760 in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Allen Levin

Allen Levin
Allen is a senior at the University of Central Florida, where he majors in journalism as a student in the limited-access Nicholson School of Communications. His focus is sports journalism and his content has been featured in multiple online publications, such as Bleacher Report and Digital Sports Daily. He has also been covering UCF athletics for four years and is one of the leading UCF basketball reporters for Knight News and formerly worked for the Central Florida Future. Additionally, he is the creator and host of the Southeast Showdown radio show that is featured on WKNT Knightcast every Friday from 4-6 p.m. He has interned with the Orlando Weekly and Orlando Magazine, as well as the Seminole Chronicle. Allen’s ultimate goal is to be an NBA beat writer for a prominent sports publication, such as Sports Illustrated or ESPN. His favorite sports teams are the Miami Heat, Miami Dolphins and the UCF Knights. Allen can be contacted on his website at www.allenlevin.com.

Chris Boyle

Chris Boyle
Chris is a senior journalism student at the University of Central Florida. He has written for the Orlando Sentinel, the Oviedo Voice, the Plymouth (N.H.) Citizen and the Palm Beach Post. Additionally, Chris interned for Fox Sports Florida in downtown Orlando, assisting with telecasts of Orlando Magic and Tampa Bay Lightning games. He also contributed three articles for the network’s web site ranging from Florida high school basketball to UCF football. He lives in Oviedo, Fla. and is a huge sports fan, cheering on the New York Giants, the New York Mets, the New York Islanders, the Orlando Magic and the UCF Knights.

Steven Ryzewski

Steven Ryzewski
Steven is a senior at the University of Central Florida with his minor in Magazine Journalism. His experience in the sports reporting field dates back to 2005 and his participation in the second Orlando Sentinel Sports Reporting Institute where he covered training camp for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, ESPN’s Great Outdoors Games, and multiple AAU Showcases. Before coming to UCF he served as the Sports Editor at the Valencia Voice, Valencia Community College’s campus paper. Steven has free-lanced for the Orlando Sentinel, covering high school football around Central Florida since 2006. His current position is with UCF’s student paper, the Central Florida Future, and he serves as the publication’s basketball beat writer, although he has reported and done opinion pieces for other sports as well. Steven’s favorite sports teams include the Chicago Bears, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Bulls, Orlando Magic, and the UCF Knights.

Nick Wilke

Nick Wilke
Nick is a senior majoring in journalism at the University of Central Florida. This is his first year in Orlando. Prior to transferring to UCF, Nick spent his first three years of college at Florida Gulf Coast University in Ft. Myers, where he interned for the Naples Daily News and the Naples News-Press. He also was a sports writer for the FGCU campus newspaper (Eagle News) for a year and a half. Nick got the opportunity to cover MLB first round draft pick and current White Sox reliever Chris Sale while at FGCU. During the fall of 2010, Nick covered high school football for the Orlando Sentinel. He currently works as a freelance writer for Slamonline.com, a basketball fan’s main source for the best in basketball. Nick’s favorite sports teams are the Miami Heat, Green Bay Packers, New York Yankees and UCF Knights.

Clayton Green

Clayton Green
Clayton is a junior journalism student at the University of Central Florida. This is his first year in the journalism major. He has previous experience covering general news for the Central Florida Future, the student newspaper at UCF. This will be his first experience with sports reporting. He plans on starting a blog about the Boston Red Sox once the season starts. His favorite sports teams are the Orlando Magic, Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tampa Bay Lightning and the UCF Knights.

Matt Reinstetle

Matt Reinstetle
Matt is a senior journalism student at the University of Central Florida. He is currently interning at Golfweek Magazine. Matt has been working in sports journalism since 2007 with The Ledger, a daily newspaper in Lakeland, as a freelancer. While working for The Ledger, Matt covered prep sports and UCF football. Matt has also interned and done freelance reporting on prep sports for the Orlando Sentinel. In between internships and freelance assignments, Matt writes film reviews and general news assignments for the Central Florida Future, the student newspaper of UCF. Matt’s favorite teams include the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Orlando Magic, UCF Knights, Columbus Crew and the US Men’s National Soccer Team.

Amy Foist

Amy Foist
Amy is a senior journalism major at the University of Central Florida. She has previously worked for the Florida Today and Axis Magazine. She currently writes for the Central Florida Future, UCF’s student newspaper. Amy is the softball beat writer; she also covers basketball and football. Some of her pieces include and interview with UCF basketball guard, Isaac Sosa, and most recently a piece on the St. Jude’s Hospital visit the UCF football seniors took in Memphis. Amy has also interviewed bands such as; Gym Class Heroes, Reel Big Fish, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Secondhand Serenade and Mayday Parade. Her favorite sports teams include the Philadelphia Phillies, Eagles, Flyers, Orlando Magic and the UCF Knights.

Jessica Gillespie

Jessica Gillespie
Jessica is a junior at the University of Central Florida with a major in journalism and a minor in sport business management. She is currently interning as the sports writer at the Seminole Chronicle. She will also be writing the UCF baseball and softball beats this season for the Central Florida Future, UCF’s student newspaper. During the summer, Jessica will be a Dow Jones sports copy editor at The Journal News in White Plains, NY. In the future, Jessica hopes to write for a MLB team and to eventually be an editor. Jessica grew up cheering for the St. Louis Cardinals at their spring training games in Jupiter.

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