Winnipeg Goldeyes Daily Clippings Thursday, July 30
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WINNIPEG GOLDEYES DAILY CLIPPINGS THURSDAY, JULY 30 th , 2020 - AA Success Noticed by Other Leagues—Winnipeg Free Press (Taylor Allen), 7/30/20 - Canadian Crouse: It’s ‘Pretty Special’ to be Playing—Winnipeg Sun, 7/30/20 - Too Wet to Play—Winnipeg Sun, 7/30/20 - Wednesday’s Game Suspended, Two Contests Thursday—Winnipeg Goldeyes (Steve Schuster), 7/29/20 - Dogs and Goldeyes Suspended Due to Rain—Chicago Dogs (Sam Brief), 7/29/20 - Goldeyes Accept Unusual Circumstances of Season—Winnipeg Sun, 7/29/20 - For One Goldeye, Being at Home on Road an Adjustment—Winnipeg sun, 7/28/20 - Kash Beauchamp Interview (Audio Link)—TSN 1290 (Darin Bauming), 7/27/20 - Goldeyes Dominating Both Sides of Running Game—Winnipeg Sun, 7/26/20 AA SUCCESS NOTICED BY OTHER LEAGUES TAYLOR ALLEN – WINNIPEG FREE PRESS – THURSDAY, JULY 30 th The excitement surrounding Major League Baseball’s opening day last week has quickly vanished. All it took was four days for a team, the Miami Marlins, to suffer a COVID-19 outbreak and put the remainder of the season in question. It was announced Tuesday afternoon the Marlins have 19 people, players and coaches, who have tested positive for the virus, forcing the MLB to put Miami’s season on pause. Unlike the NBA and NHL, MLB didn’t go for the bubble approach as teams have been travelling around the country to play games in empty ballparks. The strategy was criticized by many from the start and Miami’s situation has only added fuel to the fire. But, on the flip side of the coin, there’s the American Association, which may be proving that pro sports can work outside the confines of a bubble. The AA is nearly a month into its shortened 60-game season and the Winnipeg Goldeyes and the other five teams competing this summer have yet to have a major scare. The league cut the teams in half and is running with a six-team loop that’s based out of four hub cities: Franklin, Wis. (Milwaukee Milkmen), Sioux Falls, S.D. (Sioux Falls Canaries), Fargo, N.D. (Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks) and Rosemont, Ill. (Chicago Dogs). Fans are allowed at the games but ballparks can only operate at half capacity while ensuring physical distancing. The Goldeyes aren’t hitting dingers at Shaw Park these days as their home base for the 2020 campaign is Fargo’s Newman Outdoor Field. "Well, I think we’re proving them wrong so far," said AA commissioner Joshua Schaub on those who doubt pro sports leagues can survive without a bubble. Schaub spoke to the Free Press over the phone on Tuesday. "And then we keep our fingers crossed because obviously we could have the same situation as Major League Baseball," Schaub said. "The reality is, we’re probably gonna have to live with this virus for a long time and even though you’re in a bubble, it’s clearly not proven to be totally foolproof. We’re doing everything we can to provide safety for our players. The reality is, I just went to a grocery store and I’m not sure that’s not more dangerous than what our players are doing on a day-to-day basis in a lot of respects. "Now obviously we have some different hiccups because we travel, but we’ve done everything we could regarding that travel to also make it safe and then we’re providing testing which is much more than what many essential workers are getting out there and yet they’re going out on the job every day and performing their duties." The AA has drastically cut back on travel as teams like the Goldeyes play 42 of their games in their hub with the other 18 coming on the road. While the league has reduced the risk, it doesn’t mean things have been perfect as there were players in training camp as well as a couple during the regular season that have contracted the virus. Players are generally tested once a week. "I think things are going as well as they possibly could at this point," said Schaub. "We always knew we would have COVID-positive cases and we have, but we’ve managed them. I think we’ve managed them exactly how our protocols dictated and as we anticipated. I think the players have done a fantastic job at following protocol." Independent baseball has never been known for sell-out crowds, but even considering that, people aren’t exactly coming out of the woodwork to catch games this summer. The average attendance between the six clubs is 843 fans. When the Goldeyes are the home team at Newman Outdoor Field, they’re averaging a league-worst 303 fans. The AA might not grab headlines, but other leagues, and sports, have taken notice. Baseball, soccer and hockey leagues have reached out to the AA for some advice during these trying times. "I’ve had quite a few commissioners give me a call," Schaub said. "You know, commissioners throughout the country do talk often, but many are calling me asking about protocols, asking about our learning experiences. I’ve even had some brief conversations with Major League Baseball regarding some of the things we went through ahead of them starting their season. They’re fairly inquisitive about our fan experience because ultimately I think Major League Baseball wants to bring fans back." CANADIAN CROUSE: IT’S ‘PRETTY SPECIAL TO BE PLAYING WINNIPEG SUN – THURSDAY, JULY 30 th During their series this week in Chicago, the Goldeyes are facing one of Canada’s most talented players. Michael Crouse is his 12th season of professional baseball, and has been a member of the Canadian National Team since 2008. The well-traveled Crouse has played games in Australia, Mexico, Venezuela, and Peru, and has averaged 93 runs scored, 28 doubles, 19 home runs, 79 RBI, and 47 stolen bases per 162 games during his career. The 2020 season has been fraught with uncertainty, but like many of the Goldeyes’ players, the New Westminster, B.C. native just appreciates the chance to be playing right now. “Every opening day, I get nervous,” Crouse said. “I’ve got to find my legs again. I’ve got to find my way in the box. It was a little different this year because we only had one week of spring training, and didn’t play any games. It’s been good here in Chicago. The field is gorgeous. We’re all doing our part to keep this league going. Knowing that we’re one of the only teams playing in North America, it’s pretty cool and pretty special.” Crouse helped Team Canada to their Silver Medal finish at last summer’s Pan-Am Games in Lima, Peru. In 2011, a 20-year-old Crouse was part of the National squad that captured the Pan-Am Gold Medal in Guadalajara, Mexico. Fellow Canadians Wes Darvill, Eric Wood, Dylan Rheault, and Evan Grills have all played for the Goldeyes this season. “I’ll see a guy like Wes Darvill in the off-season in Vancouver, but other than that, I really don’t get a chance to see the rest of the guys until we meet up with Team Canada,” said Crouse. “It’s a special bond that we have as teammates, and there’s a respect factor when we play each other on different teams.” The 2020 Olympics have been pushed back a year, but Canada still has a chance to grab one of the final spots in the baseball competition. And while the COVID-19 situation may have an effect, the 2021 World Baseball Classic is still scheduled to take place. Crouse has had nothing but positive experiences playing for his country. “The first time I wore the Maple Leaf, I was 17 years old,” Crouse said. “They really break down the history of the guys (that came before us). The veterans do a good job of continuing that legacy and bringing in the right guys to maintain that positive energy. When you step between the lines, your ego has to go out the window. You’re playing for Canada first. “It’s such a magical experience,” Crouse added. “I wish that everyone could play for their country at some point. I’m fortunate because we have less players in Canada playing professional baseball, but every time I get the call from Ernie Whitt or Greg Hamilton, I have a big smile on my face. They’re big tournaments that mean a lot for our standings, and there are usually medals involved. It’s playoff baseball every single time we strap that thing on.” Darvill and Crouse grew up just over 30 kilometres apart. The fourth-year Goldeye recalls Crouse’s athletic prowess being evident at a young age. Crouse’s father, Ray, was a running back for both the Calgary Stampeders and BC Lions, and played all 16 games for the 1984 Green Bay Packers. “He was a phenomenal athlete growing up,” said Darvill, who is from Langley, B.C. “He was a great football player, as well as a great baseball player. He’s doing a lot of great things back in Vancouver right now with a baseball facility, giving back to the community and continuing to grow the game in British Columbia.” Both Darvill and Crouse have lauded the camaraderie fostered within the Team Canada clubhouse. The roster composition ranges from teenagers like Crouse when he was younger, all the way up to players in their late-30s such as former Major Leaguers Justin Morneau and Scott Richmond.