Hope I don't put the equivalent of the SI jinx on Jason James, but I have to comment on his incredible hitting streak. The Rockford outfielder, who is hitting .438 and leads the FL in that category by almost 60 points, has now hit safely in 36 consecutive games. He long ago passed the single season mark and has now exceeded the combined season record set, improbably, by Kevin Holt, who started his 35-game streak in 1996 with the Johnstown Johnnies and continued on into the 1997 season with the Richmond Roosters.
Friday night, James put himself alone atop the category with one hit in three official at-bats, but that hit, as if to punctuate his tremendous feat, was a home run at, of all places, Homer Stryker Field in Kalamazoo. He is one of those guys that comes along in the Frontier League that makes you scratch your head as to why he isn't moving up the affiliated ranks. James is a good defensive player with a strong arm and is a solid baserunner to go along with his hitting prowess. Oh well, I'm glad we all get to watch what he does night in and night out for the RiverHawks.
Speaking of moving up, it is noteworthy that play-by-play experience in the FL is paying dividends for a group of announcers that are making their mark in the Triple-A International League. It was announced yesterday that former Windy City broadcaster Jason Benetti has taken over as the main voice for the Syracuse Chiefs. Already in the IL are Scott Leo (Richmond) and Ryan Mitchell (Chillicothe) for the Columbus Clippers, who play in a beautiful new stadium in the Arena District of the Ohio capital, and Matt Andrews (Chillicothe) who is on the mike for the Louisville Bats, who inhabit a great ballpark on the Ohio river, Louisville Slugger Stadium, which is right down the road from the factory. Congrats to all of them - I hope they're able to make the next jump soon.
I'm about to get on the road toward Rockford, which will host the FL midsummer classic next Wednesday at Road Ranger Stadium. Will have reports when I get in the neighborhood. More then!
