Fastball - The Documentary

This looks really promising. 

Slated for release in late-March (Thursday, March 24 to be exact) is a new Baseball documentary that focuses one the one thing we all covet and fear.  This documentary is about the "Fastball," and it draws from some very notable Baseball names and personalities.

It is narrated by Kevin Coster (of course) and features players like Justin Verlander, Andrew McCutchen, David Price, Hank Aaron, Nolan Ryan, Bob Gibson, Goose Gossage, Derek Jeter and the late Tony Gwynn.  Go here for the movie website.

Per a press release I received:

The essence of baseball is the primal battle between the pitcher and batter, but the magic of the game arises from that confrontation, only 396 milliseconds in the making. The mysteries and memories of Baseball's greatest heroes are revealed in “Fastball,” featuring interviews with dozens of former players, from legendary Hall of Famers to current All-Stars.

Based on the original idea by the film’s producer, Thomas Tull, who also produced the Jackie Robinson biopic “42,” “Fastball” is peppered with archival footage of baseball's greatest moments plus original high-speed 4K footage and motion graphics that unlock the secrets hidden within a ball traveling over 100 mph. While players, historians, and scientists might disagree on who was actually the fastest pitcher in history – and yes, the film does the physics and concludes with a clear verdict – “Fastball” tells the story of the game itself.

Watch the trailer below.

Fastball from Gravitas Ventures on Vimeo.

Video Link:

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Blog Kiosk: 2/18/2016 - Dodgers Links - LAsorda, Scully and Andrew Friedman

Tommy Lasorda... uhhh... The Tommy Lasorda bobblehead has arrived early for Spring Training in Glendale.  Photo above via @CamelbackRanch on twitter.

Below are more links to check out:

• Via Bill Shaikin at the LA Times, "Andrew Friedman Q&A: Dodgers grand plan explained." 

I think large-revenue teams can sometimes fall into a trap of focusing too much on the current, and that is something that we have tried to be extremely mindful of. We certainly understand and respect the fans’ passion. It’s one of the things I like most about my job.

We feel like our responsibility is to do everything we can to sustain a certain level of success -- as you look at it over a five-year period, a seven-year period, a 10-year period, we’re able to play through that time period as an upper-echelon, elite-level team. And it’s not as easy as people think it is, especially if you devote a large percentage of your focus and resources on just the now.

• This is fun.  Check out Steve Dilbeck's story at the LA Times, "These 23 things are guaranteed to happen during Dodgers spring training."

My laptop will blow up before the first exhibition game and my private computer repair man, General Manager Farhan Zaidi, will laugh and claim he lost his mini-screwdriver.

• Scout.com released their annual list of top 50 prospects and it includes Corey Seager at #1.  Check it out here.  BTW, four Dodger players made the list.
• David Young at True Blue LA writes about the tallest ballplayers ever to wear Dodger Blue, here.
• Check out this fantastic fan-made website in tribute to Vin Scully called: "The Master's Touch," here.  It includes some video, audio and a great writeup.
• Below is a fantastic graphic that celebrates the career of Vin Scully, via VIPtickets.com:

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2015 Panini National Treasures College - The Dodgers Insert Cards

Here is a final look at Dodgers players found within packs of Panini's 2015 National Treasures College (4-sport) packs.  You can check out the base cards here.  Below are the various inserts that are available.  The notable Dodgers rookies are Phillip Pfeifer and Walker Buehler - both of whom attended Vanderbilt. 

College BB Materials Signatures

#407 Philip Pfeifer                         #420 Walker Buehler

Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Guerrero, Ferrara, Brito, Williams and Johnstone

Here are this weekends autograph opportunities and events throughout the Southland. As always, be sure to check the Blue Heaven Calendar for other events (a link can always be found on the tab at the top of this page, just left of center), and always confirm with the establishment. Everything is subject to change.  Please email me with any tips about upcoming events in Southern California.  As the rest of the week progresses I'll update this post with other events (if there are any) as I become aware of them.  Also, I don't always list every event below, so be sure to check my Calendar.  I always try to favor free signing events over paying events.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

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Pedro Guerrero, Al Ferrara and super-scout Mike Brito will be signing autographs at Ultimate Pastime Sports Collectibles in Ontario.  Go here for information.  As you can see in the flyers below, there is a limited edition Brito bobblehead available.  Also, Al Ferrara is signing for free.

Ultimate Pastime Sports Collectibles 
1614 South Carlos Avenue, Suite K 
Ontario, CA, 91761

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On Sunday in La Mirada is an event featuring former Dodgers Stan Williams and Jay Johnstone.  Go here for information.

Sporting News Grill (inside Holiday Inn)
14299 Firestone Blvd
La Mirada, CA 90638

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Blog Kiosk: 2/17/2016 - Dodgers Links - Urias, De Leon and Kenta Maeda

Let's hope we see something like this in 2016... And more!

Featured above is a vintage October 2, 1949 ACME press telephoto of the Brooklyn faithful in the midst of some celebratory revelry.  The photo was taken during the last game of the season against the Phillies.  The Dodgers were clinging on to a one game lead in the National League, and would go on to prove these fans right.  They defeated Philadelphia to take the pennant.  Photo via an eBay auction I say this morning.

Below are more links to check out:

• You can now follow former Dodgers pitcher Dennis Powell on twitter: @coachpowell48.
• Here is a brief look at Baseball Prospectus' PECOTA projections for the MLB, here.  It predicts the Dodgers will have a banner year.  Like all projections, of course, you should take it with a grain of salt.
• David Schoenfield at ESPN; "Ranking the teams: 6 through 1."  The Dodgers are at #6.

The final word: With an estimated $242 million payroll, the largest in the game, the Dodgers really have only one big star. Oh, Seager is going to be one, Puig still has the potential to play like one and Gonzalez used to be one, but this is a team built on the depth of its 40-man roster. 

• Tim Brown at Yahoo Sports unveils his first Power Ranking list of the season.  The Dodgers are at #6.

For the first offseason in a while, they do not appear to have traded away an immediate All Star and batting champion. So, that.

• Kenta Maeda appears to be on track.  Via a translation from Dylan Herrnandez on twitter, he threw a 30-pitch bullpen session yesterday.
• Via Dave Defreitas at 2080 Baseball, "Scouting the Pacific Rim: The Progression of Kenta Maeda." (Hat Tip: Dustin Nosler on twitter)

I first picked up on the newly-signed Los Angeles Dodger Kenta Maeda in 2008 during his rookie season with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of the Nippon Professional Baseball League (NPB), while scouting for the Cleveland Indians. He was a highly touted 20-year-old, coming out of the high school baseball factory that is PL Gakuen, and being dropped into a Carp system with a reputation for drafting and developing players better than any team in the NPB. He was blade thin, but the athleticism was obvious; with fast-twitch muscle to burn, he just moved differently than most in everything that he did. He had the velocity, the command, and the secondary, so check those boxes; but what was more intriguing was the way the ball would leave his hand – the stuff really stood out and you could tell that there was more to come.

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Knapp gives notes on Dodgers' young arms."

"I can't be more excited, and not just with the pitchers in Major League camp, but the state of our Minor League pitching as well," said organization pitching coordinator Rick Knapp. "It's an exciting time to be me."

Knapp provides his thoughts on several Dodger pitchers; including Urias and De Leon below:

Urias: "He got a wake-up call struggling at Triple-A last year and learned he has to pitch on the plate more. He's always been ahead of the curve. Now, if we have any concern, it's to build up the innings cautiously. It's a balancing act. I was [Major League pitching coach] with Rick Porcello when he was with the Tigers at age 20. It might mean five-inning starts. We will manage Julio accordingly."

De Leon: "It seems he's come out of nowhere because he made a big change in his delivery, not throwing across his body, and he lost a lot of weight. Now he's on a mission. He has the makeup, intensity, competitiveness and he's figuring out the strike zone. Nothing he does will surprise me."

• Fast Company ranks, "The Most Innovative Companies of 2016: Top Companies by Sector" and it includes the Dodgers.  They are at #6 for their Accelerator program that focuses on incubating a crop of sports startups.

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2016 Dodger Spring Training Info and Complete Roster

The Dodgers just released their entire 2016 Spring Training roster, so I thought I would pass that along (see at very bottom).  This should be a helpful guide for those of you attending games at Camelback Ranch.  After all, it just isn't reasonable for you to know everybody's number.  BTW, this list will likely adjust/change as Spring Training moves along.  I'll do my best to update this.  Below are some pertinent dates:

• February 19 - Pitchers and Catchers Report 
• February 20 - Pitchers and Catchers 1st Workout
• February 24 - Position Players Report 
• February 25 - First Full-Squad Workout 
• February 27 - Dodgers Photo Day (media related) 
• March 9 - All Minor League Players 1st Workout

Here are the batting and field practice schedules for home games.

Afternoon Games (1:05 p.m. starts):

Dodger BP: Until 11:15 a.m.
Visitor BP: 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Visitor Infield: 12:20 p.m.-12:30 p.m.
Dodger Infield: 12:30 p.m.-12:40 p.m.

Night Games (7:05 p.m. starts):

Dodger BP: Until 5:15 p.m.
Visitor BP: 5:15 p.m.-6:15 p.m.
Visitor Infield: 6:20 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
Dodger Infield: 6:30 p.m.-6:40 p.m.

Dodgers 2016 Spring Training Roster
3	Carl Crawford	OF	40-Man
5	Corey Seager	SS	40-Man
6	Charlie Culberson	INF	NRI
7	Steve Yeager	Catching Coach	Coach
7	Alex Guerrero	INF	40-Man
8	Bob Geren	Bench Coach	Coach
9	Yasmani Grandal	C	40-Man
10	Justin Turner	3rd Base	40-Man
11	Micah Johnson	INF	40-Man
12	Turner Ward	Hitting Coach	Coach
13	Juan Castro	QA Coach	Coach
14	Enrique Hernandez	INF	40-Man
15	Brandon Hicks	INF	NRI
16	Andre Ethier	OF	40-Man
17	AJ Ellis	Catcher	40-Man
18	Kenta Maeda	RHP	40-Man
21	Trayce Thompson	OF	40-Man
22	Clayton Kershaw	LHP	40-Man
23	Adrian Gonzalez	1st Base	40-Man
25	Corey Brown	OF	NRI
26	Chase Utley	INF	40-Man
27	George Lombard	1st Base Coach	Coach
28	Austin Barnes	C/INF	40-Man
29	Scott Kazmir	LHP	40-Man
30	Dave Roberts	Manager	Coach
31	Joc Pederson	OF	40-Man
33	Scott Van Slyke	OF	40-Man
35	Brett Anderson	LHP	40-Man
36	Adam Liberatore	LHP	40-Man
37	Brandon Beachy	RHP	NRI
38	Brandon McCarthy	RHP	40-Man
40	Rick Honeycutt	Pitching Coach	Coach
41	Chris Hatcher	RHP	40-Man
43	Luis Avilan	LHP	40-Man
44	Frankie Montas	RHP	40-Man
45	Chris Woodward	3rd Base Coach	Coach
46	Mike Bolsinger	RHP	40-Man
47	Howie Kendrick	2nd Base	40-Man
48	Elian Herrera	INF/OF	NRI
49	Tim Hyers	Asst Hitting Coach	Coach
50	Brooks Brown	RHP	NRI
51	Zach Lee	RHP	40-Man
53	Pedro Baez	RHP	40-Man
54	Josh Bard	Bullpen Coach	Coach
55	Joe Blanton	RHP	40-Man
56	J.P. Howell	LHP	40-Man
57	Alex Wood	LHP	40-Man
58	Ian Thomas	LHP	40-Man
59	Lisalverto Bonilla	RHP	NRI
60	Jack Murphy	C	NRI
61 62	Cody Bellinger Louis Coleman	INF/OF RHP	NRI 40-Man
63	Yimi Garcia	RHP	40-Man
64	Rico Noel	OF	NRI
65	Kyle Farmer	C	NRI
66	Yasiel Puig	OF	40-Man
67	Jharel Cotton	RHP	40-Man
68 70	Ross Stripling Yaisel Sierra	RHP RHP	40-Man
71	Josh Ravin	RHP	40-Man
72	Chris Anderson	RHP	NRI
73	Shawn Zarraga	C	NRI
74	Kenley Jansen	RHP	40-Man
75	Alex Hassan	OF	NRI
76	Matt West	RHP	NRI
77	Carlos Frias	RHP	40-Man
78	Julio Urias	LHP	NRI
79	Jacob Rhame	RHP	NRI
80	Caleb Dirks	RHP	NRI
81	Chase De Jong	RHP	NRI
82	Steve Cilladi	Bullpen Catcher	Coach
83	Rob Segedin	INF	NRI
85	Rob Flippo	Bullpen Catcher	Coach
87 96	Jose De Leon Jamey Wright	RHP RHP	NRI NRI
99	Hyun-Jin Ryu	LHP	40-Man

*NRI= Non Roster Invitee

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