Bud Clark gets dap after homering Sunday at Brown Stadium in Burton.
Clark
Returns to Roots for 09' Season, But for How Long?
Bud Clark has settled into many different places over the past few years, effectively ending his wiffle ball career
each time.However, Sunday afternoon at Brown Stadium, Clark found himself once again
settling into an old familiar stomping ground: the pitchers mound, as he pitched several innings of a split-squad preseason
game. Last year Clark moved from Las Vegas to Traverse City,
Michigan, but recently moved back to the Bay City
area. Clark was rusty, allowing eight runs in three full innings of work (both halves), but
had a better day at the plate hitting three homeruns and driving in four runs.
Andy Taylor hits Sunday at Brown Stadium.
The hope this year is that the
league will see an increase in the number of games played. The return of Clark and an enthusiastic preseason were steps in the right direction, but the league has
been here before only to see mid and late season participation drop off.
“We’re going to try
hard to accommodate schedules.We saw what it was like last year not playing
and it wasn’t a good feeling,” said MLY Commissioner Andy Taylor.
Last year the league played a
total of three games, including Opening Day.Last year marked the first time
an MLYCS was not completed since 1998 and no Wheeling Series was held since the series began in 2000. The league is hoping
to bring in new talent from the ranks of MottCommunity College to cover in times when one of several players cannot play.“It’s down to relying on one guy showing up to play.It’s better have more options than that,” said Shawn Brown, Mott CC’s men’s baseball coach.
Discussions are still ongoing
within the MLY commission about Opening Day’s location—traditionally held at Bradley Park, which is now closed.The park may be reopened for Opening Day, which will also serve at the farewell game
that was not held at the park last year.After Opening Day, all games will be
scheduled for Brown Stadium, which was recently updated with improved night lighting.Opening Day is tentative set for the first week of June, a full two months later than previous years.
Hoed Out List
1. Mike Jones
Could not play, had to continue 28-day Wendy's eating
streak
2. Benny
Declined free steak.
League Stats/Record Book
Video Feed
Andy Taylor hits a two-run homerun during preseason action Sunday afternoon at Brown
Stadium.