8-13-00
By BILL HASS, Baseball News & Record
Little did Ike Pohle realize that his
baseball odyssey would end in a marathon. Pohle (pronounced PO-lee)
joined the Greensboro Bats last week after stops in the Toronto
spring training camp, the Tampa Yankees, extended spring training
and the Staten Island Yankees.
That's memorable enough, but his first day with the Bats was one
he won't soon forget. He donned his catcher's gear, then went
out and played 17 innings as the Bats and Capital City Bombers
hooked up in an endurance contest that lasted four hours and 59
minutes Wednesday night.
"Surprisingly, I feel fine," he said the next day. "My
legs aren't too sore but my thumb is hurting where I caught a
couple of balls wrong. But I'm going to enjoy tonight off."
Pohle turned over the catching duties to Spencer Brazeal for Thursday's game.
Signed as a free agent by Toronto last year, Pohle hit .239 in the New York-Penn League. The Blue Jays released him after spring training, and he signed with the Yankees in a matter of hours. Oddly, Wednesday's game was the first time all season he had started at catcher.
One of the most difficult aspects of the night for Pohle was catching seven different Bats pitchers. He expected to get to know the staff little by little, not all in one night. Everyone in the bullpen threw except Scott Oliver.
"That was tough because I didn't
know the strengths and weaknesses of each one," Pohle
said. "They'd shake me off when they had to, but we worked
together and got through it. I'll know them a little better the
next time."
When the game was finally over after the Bombers won 7-6, the locker room was quiet.
"Everybody was wiped out," Pohle said. "I think we all laid around in our uniforms for five or 10 minutes before we took them off to shower. Losing made it worse. You battle for five hours and don't win, it leaves you mentally and physically exhausted."
Pohle said he was so tired when he got home that he couldn't go to sleep until after 3 o'clock in the morning. Not surprisingly, he slept past noon.
GAME FOOTNOTES: The game fell short of the longest in South Atlantic League history, but not by much. On Aug. 12, 1982, the Greensboro Hornets beat Gastonia 3-1 in 21 innings. That was matched in 1988 when Charleston, W. Va., beat Fayetteville 7-5.
Friday, July 6, 2001
BY BILL TEMPLETON
The stars have not exactly been in alignment this season for
the expansion Kalamazoo Kings, who have struggled out of the starting
blocks to post a 7-28 record.
But two of the Kings' stars will shine July 11 at Hawkinson Ford
Field in Crestwood, Ill., after being selected Thursday to the
Frontier League All-Star team.
Catcher Ike Pohle and outfielder Schuyler Doakes were named to
the 21-member East Division squad that will be managed by Canton
(Ohio) Crocodiles skipper Jeff Isom.
"I'm happy for Ike and I'm happy for Schuyler," said
Kings manager Andy McCauley. "Without a doubt, I think those
two kids deserve it."
Pohle is hitting .314 in 33 games this season for the Kings. The
Wayzata, Minn., native is tied for the team-lead in hits with
Doakes (38), including 10 doubles and three home runs. He has
also scored 15 runs and collected 20 RBIs.
"I'm excited about it," said Pohle. "I've worked
hard this year to hopefully make the team.
"Wins are what we're all going after and it is a team game,
but it's also the biggest individual game inside a team game.
It will be a good time and I am looking forward to it."
The speedy Doakes leads the Frontier League with 22 stolen bases
in 26 attempts, to go along with a .277 batting average in 33
games this season. The Detroit native has collected 20 RBIs and
scored 18 runs.
"Every player wants to win and I often dream about getting
a ring more than being on the All-Star team," said Doakes.
"But it is a goal that each player sets at the beginning
of the year.
"It's a little on a sour note because I wanted us to be having
a better season, but I am happy and proud to represent the Kalamazoo
Kings in the All-Star Game."
Isom, who has directed Canton to the top of the East Division
in his first full year as manager, will have at least five of
his own players on the All-Star squad, including pitchers Eric
Montoya, Joe Gallaty and Matt Baber, along with shortstop Clay
Snellgrove and outfielder Jon Weber.
McCauley hopes more of his players might also get a shot at being
named to the team when Isom announces his final three selections
today.
"Despite our record and despite our season, I think we have
some other kids that deserve to make the All-Star team, as well,"
he added.
"(Third baseman) Joe Payne's having a pretty good year for
himself, as well as (pitchers) Ryan Takach and Matt Gunderson."
Richmond and Chillicothe each had four players selected to the
elite squad, while London and Johnstown had three selections each.
Former Major Leaguer and first-year skipper Dick Schofield of
the Springfield Capitals will manage the West Division squad,
and will have at least five of his own players with him on the
team.
The River City Rascals will have at least six All-Star representatives,
including infielders Ryan Moore and T.J. Runnells, outfielders
Scott Boyd and Mike Robertson, designated hitter Tyler Bates and
pitcher Ryan Bauer.
Dubois County placed three players on the elite squad, while Gateway
and Cook County had two selections each.
Like Isom, Schofield will announce his final three selections
today.
The Kalamazoo Gazette