New Hampshire Bobcats and Elliot Sports Medicine: An Elite Partnership

MANCHESTER, N.H. -- The New Hampshire Bobcats and Elliot Sports Medicine are pleased to announce a major partnership that combines youth baseball with the state's most comprehensive health and orthopaedic care center. Elliot Sports Medicine is now the presenting sponsor and official healthcare provider of the Bobcats, an elite travel baseball program offering instruction and long-term development of the state's top players.

The Bobcats and Elliot Sports Medicine physicians will offer educational discussions on strength training, preventative care, rehabilitation and overall arm health throughout the off-season and regular season. In addition, Elliot Sports Medicine is the presenting sponsor for the Bobcats Classic on April 13-14, at Gill Stadium of Manchester, which celebrates 100 years of baseball this season. The 13- and 14-year-old Bobcats combined to post a 15-3 record in the Granite State Fall Wood Bat League and are now preparing for the New England Elite Baseball League spring season.

"In a short amount of time, the New Hampshire Bobcats have established themselves as a powerful and respected program. We are thrilled to be working together and providing our extensive resources to help these kids stay healthy and chase their long-term goals," said Jonathan Mack, MD, Medical Director of Elliot Sports Medicine.

To help kick off the season, Elliot Sports Medicine is hosting Bobcats Media Day on April 3 at the River's Edge Conference Center at 5:30 p.m. Players will meet with the Elliot staff, conduct interviews with Patrick Cavanaugh, Bobcats director of media relations, and enjoy a pro-like Media Day experience.

The Manchester-based Bobcats provide winter training and play a 30-game schedule from April into July. The rapidly growing program consists of development teams ages 9 through 14. Home games are played at St. Anselm College and Cawley Middle School in Hooksett. Three home games will also be played at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium, home of the Double-A Fisher Cats.


"This partnership couldn't be more of a perfect fit. I recently hurt my shoulder and was really impressed by the overall experience, from x-rays to physical therapy, that was provided by Elliot Sports Medicine," said Kevin Gray, Bobcats director of baseball operations. "It's comforting to know we can count on Elliot Sports Medicine for the very best in year-round healthcare for our players."


The Elliot offers expert personal and individualized care in the diagnosis and treatment of all orthopaedic conditions, including sports injuries, trauma care, joint replacement surgery and most musculoskeletal conditions. Elliot Orthopaedic Surgical Specialists offer experienced sports medicine physicians, caring therapists, and the most advanced equipment to help you return to sports. Our on-site x-ray, advanced imaging, bracing services, and all electronic medical records are fully integrated within the Elliot Health System to provide fast, high-quality and streamlined medical evaluation and treatment for your sports injury.

Firing up the Red Rocket

NBA Life Transcript. Matt Bonner with Kevin Gray and Chris Ryan ...

The Spurs ended their six-game road trip with a tough loss — and controversy — on Thursday night in Miami. Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker and Danny Green all were sent home prior to the game, a move to rest key players and help them recover from a 10-day road trip.
Concord native Matt Bonner made his first start of the season, scoring 10 points with 10 rebounds, as the defending champions posted a 105-100 win. On Friday, the Spurs were fined $250,000 by the NBA.

Question: What do you think coach Pop was thinking?
Matt Bonner: He’s thinking big picture and trying to keep those guys rested and healthy for the entire season. It’s a tough break that it happens on a night we’re playing at Miami and on TNT, but coach Pop is more concerned with the overall wellness of the team. It feels like we’ve been on the road the whole season. We had an eight-day road trip before this trip, then went home for four days, then back on the road.

Q: Wouldn’t those guys want to play against the Heat?
MB: Absolutely. Professional athletes have a competitive nature and want to compete, but coach Pop has the final say.

Q: The Spurs really showed a lot of character in that game.
MB: We had a lot of strikes against us heading into that game. We played four games in five nights on a 10-game road trip. Four starters weren’t playing. A lot of the guys on the team haven’t been playing, and it’s hard to stay sharp and stay in shape when you’re traveling so much on the road. Despite all these so-called excuses, we came together before the game and decided to play as hard as we can and play Spurs basketball. They’re a great team. Defending champs. They showed it down the stretch and got the win. We had them. We had a couple tough turnovers and shot ourselves in the foot in the last minute, but you have to credit them.

Q: Ray Allen’s 3-pointer with 22 seconds remaining was the dagger.
MB: That three by Ray was huge. We almost had the steal on LeBron (James) on that play. He somehow got it back and found Ray for the 3-pointer. Everyone back home knows what he usually does in that situation.

Q: What will it take for the Heat to become one of the NBA’s all-time greatest teams?
MB: It’s way too early. If you look back at the Celtics and Lakers and some of the great teams, they were great for 8-10 years. No doubt the Heat have an amazing roster and are the defending champs but if you want to be in that conversation, you need longevity.

Q: Are the Heat a better team right now than they were last season?
MB: I think they did get better. Those new guys (Allen and Rashard Lewis) add a whole new dimension and create more space for guys like LeBron and Dwyane Wade to slash.

Q: Is there any way to actually defend LeBron?
MB: We certainly have a theory of playing team defense. It’s almost impossible for one person to check the best offensive players in the league. You need to rely on your overall system, the weak side and rotations.

Q: Manu Ginobili said you are one of the core players and leaders of the team after playing seven years with the Spurs. What does that mean to you?

MB: It means a lot. Obviously, I’ve played a lot of games with those guys. I have tremendous respect for them as basketball players, competitors and human beings. The bottom line is the Spurs are all about doing things the right way and winning. When I was faced with a choice (two years ago) of being a free agent and maybe trying to get more money or increase my role somewhere else, it just wasn’t worth it. I have it good here.
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Bonner discusses The NBA Life each week with radio broadcaster Chris Ryan and New Hampshire Union Leader reporter Kevin Gray, and the interview appears weekly in the N.H. Sunday News.

Thanks, Joey Bats, for a helluva night

Jose Bautista provided the highlight of the 2012 Fisher Cats season, making a rehab stop on Aug. 23 before rejoining the Blue Jays. Joey Bats is a classy guy with lots of talent. He became baseball's greatest power hitter by obsessing over the mechanics of his swing and finally locking it down in 2009. 

Longest home game in Fisher Cats history

That's a night at the ballpark I'll never forget. To recap the 17-inning game between the Fisher Cats and SeaWolves in Manchester, N.H., last night:


Ryan Schimpf contributed to one of the most incredible games in Fisher Cats history with a home run in the ninth, triggering a Thursday-into-Friday marathon at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium. New Hampshire erased a four-run deficit in the ninth inning and a one-run deficit in the 11th inning but lost to Erie, 9-7, in the longest home game in club history. Highlights and historic notes from my game story in the New Hampshire Union Leader:

1. Erie slugger Jordan Lennerton fouled off four straight pitches before doubling off Chorye Spoone in the 17th, driving home Niuman Romero, and ending the 5 hour, 39-minute contest. Spoone (2-2) was the game's 13th pitcher.

2. Schimpf, called up from Single-A Dunedin this week, broke an 0-for-8 stretch with a two-run homer against fireballer Bruce Rondon. The Erie reliever blew the save but registered 100, 101 and 102 mph on radar guns.

3. New Hampshire trailed by four runs when Ryan Goins (4-for-6) stepped to the plate in the bottom of the ninth. Goins' train-track homer against Kelvin De La Cruz launched New Hampshire's four-run rally.


4. Erie pulled ahead in the 11th on Jamie Johnson's sacrifice fly, but once again the Fisher Cats played long ball to force extra frames.

5. This time, Kevin Howard cranked a first-pitch fastball from Ryan Robowski over the right-field wall, tying the game at 7-apiece.

6. In the 16th, the Fisher Cats loaded the bases with no outs. Reliever Michael Morrison entered to strike out Schimpf, Sean Ochinko and Brian Bocock. Morrison (3-3 ) worked two innings, striking out five straight, for the win. More in the Union Leader.

Sobo says:

"This is a reminder for everyone to take care of your skin and use lots of sunscreen. Beaches, boats, and the outdoors are all great, just please be aware that sun exposure has consequences in time" -- Mark Sobolewski

Sam Dyson's Fourth of July surprise

RHP Sam Dyson "shed a few tears" after learning he was being up called by Toronto. The 24-year-old will join the Blue Jays on Thursday, becoming the 56th New Hampshire Fisher Cat to reach the majors. Apologies for the quick edit.

July 4th Walk-Off

Fisher Cats RHP Sam Dyson has been called up by the Blue Jays following an INCREDIBLE night here with the Fisher Cats and Sea Dogs. Players are pretty pumped up for Dyson, who has been throwing 92-96-mph and touching 97 and 98 with a few pitches. Packed house in Manchester: 8,544, the largest attendance of the season and fifth-largest in franchise history. Kevin Howard belted a first-pitch fastball in the 11th inning to beat the Sea Dogs, 11-10, capping the incredible walk-off win. New Hampshire rallied for three runs in the ninth to force extras. Jacoby Ellsbury and Carl Crawford had hits, and Red Sox prospect Jackie Bradley, Jr., went 4-for-6 with knocks against Chad Jenkins and Scott Gracey. Postgame interviews with the Red Sox All-Star outfielders. Oh, and Ryan Sweeney is also playing for the Sea Dogs on Thursday.

Happy July 4! The Keene Swamp Bats of the New England Collegiate Baseball League, fittingly, defeated Great Britain, 33-0, on the diamond last night. As part of the Independence Day festivities, Keene took on the Great Britain U-23 national team. Once again, we crushed the Redcoats.


Looking forward to tonight's Fisher Cats-Sea Dogs game in Manchester. Carl Crawford and Jacoby Ellsbury are joining Double-A Portland, but the best outfielder in the game will be Jackie Bradley, Jr., a lightning-quick 22-year-old who recently was promoted to Portland. My UL story on the series here.


Fisher Cats RHP John Stilson, a Blue Jays prospect and Texas A&M legend (too strong?), will pitch on Friday. The 21-year-old has gone 2-1 (3.18 ERA) in four starts at Double-A, giving up one earned run in his past two starts. "It's been a learning experience. I'm trying to locate my fastball better and not spray everything over the plate," he told me after yesterday's bullpen session. I've been working on trying to stay back over the rubber and not lean forward so much, which causes my arm to drag behind." 


Stilson's fastball has been sitting in the low 90s and occasionally touching 95 and even 96 on radar gun. There's more in the tank, too, he said. "I'm very satisfied with (the velocity). I just need to get my mechanics straightened out. Right now, I can’t really give it everything because my fastball command isn’t quite there yet.”

Carl Crawford and Jacoby Ellsbury are both joining the Portland Sea Dogs on the start of their three-game trip to Double-A New Hampshire. Crawford made his Eastern League debut last night at Hadlock Field, going 1-for-2 with an infield hit and a pair of walks. He also fouled a pitch off his right knee in the third inning, falling to the dirt in obvious pain. He hobbled to first base and stayed in the game, eventually exiting in the 7th. Here's more on Fenway North in my story in today's Union Leader.

Podcast Excellence Award

Check out my boys in Back in Blue Episode XXV getting it done at the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame. These guys did a tremendous job on this podcast. 

Fisher Cats Player Watch

Fisher Cats third baseman Mark Sobolewski has caught fire over the past 10 games, belting four homers and posting a .372 average and 1.121 OPS. Let's be honest. Brett Lawrie isn't going anywhere. I'd like to see Sobo involved in a trade or eventually get picked up in the Rule 5 Draft. He's one of those guys always doing extra work. Pulling for him.

Rehabbing Red Sox take on Fisher Cats

Update: Carl Crawford has joined the Portland Sea Dogs and will play the outfield in Tuesday's 6 p.m. game against Trenton. He had a workout at Hadlock Field today and spoke with Mike Antonellis here. Sea Dogs play at New Hampshire on Wednesday. Do you have a ticket to watch Crawford play center field? The Fisher Cats ballpark could become Fenway North with CC and Jacoby Ellsbury in the house. Maybe even Ryan Sweeney.


We've seen A.J. Burnett pitch for the Fisher Cats, and we've watched Lyle Overbay beat the Sea Dogs with a grand slam. Major Leaguers who made rehabilitation stops in Manchester, including the year and attendance:

2010 - Travis Snider, 7,598
2010 - John Buck, 6,238
2009 - John Smoltz, 8,903
2009 - Jed Lowrie, 6,014
2009 - Daisuke Matsuzaka, 7,860
2006 - A.J. Burnett, 7,575
2007 - Lyle Overbay, 7,424

Lots of buzz today about Jacoby Ellsbury joining the Portland Sea Dogs for a rehab stint in the Eastern League. If you had tickets for Sea Dogs-Fisher Cats series, looks like you're a winner! Red Sox manager told the media in Seattle that Ellsbury could be joining Portland on Tuesday. That means the World Series champ/All-Star/Gold Glover could be playing against the Fisher Cats in the three-game series beginning Wednesday, weather permitting. I talked to Ben Cherington today, and he said Ellsbury will spend Tuesday in Florida with the Gulf Coast League. No decision on his next stop. In April, Ellsbury went down with a shoulder separation. He has been working his way back to the majors, making his first rehab stop in the Gulf Coast League. Kevin Thomas of the Portland Press Herald was all over this on his blog earlier today ... Would be cool to have Ellsbury playing the outfield with Jackie Bradley, Jr., who I wrote about yesterday.

UM, NOT SO MUCH. I challenged Matt Bonner to a game of P-I-G at his basketball camp in Concord, N.H., and was skunked. Couldn't get the roll. Not to mention Mr. Red Rocket hit a crazy clinching shot from halfcourt:

Law Enforcement Night

Wow, what a powerful night with the Fisher Cats, who honored police officers throughout the state and raised thousands for charity during tonight's game against Reading. Before the game, I met Manchester police officer Dan Doherty, 26, who was shot four times in a March gunfight and spent more than a month in the hospital. He threw the ceremonial first pitch for Law Enforcement Night, firing a strike before dozens of men and women in uniform. He told me about the night he was shot in the abdomen, hip and leg -- after responding to a report of an armed man on the West Side -- and how he constantly deals with flashbacks. "I think about it daily, hourly. I always think about what could've happened. I'm glad to be here now," he said. "It's a special night."

Greenland police chief Mike Maloney, killed in the line of duty in April, was an honored during pregame. It was a privilege to be part of the annual Law Enforcement Night -- and the Fisher Cats again did a tremendous job organizing this event.

Fisher Cats Focus: John Stilson

I enjoyed getting to know Fisher Cats newcomer John Stilson the past couple days as we conducted pregame interviews and had a photo shoot. Anxious to see him pitch tonight against Reading. There are some legendary stories about Stilson pitching through a shoulder injury (labrum tear) and sacrificing himself for the good of Texas A&M. As a sophomore, he set programs records and led the nation with an 0.80 ERA. As shoulder cartilage began to deteriorate as a junior, but he kept on trucking. Highlights from the interview and story in today's Union Leader:

"I knew I was hurt, for sure. I felt it on one pitch. I probably should have stopped right then, but I kept going and threw threw three or four more games. It kept getting worse and worse, but that's the type of pitcher I am. I'm not coming out unless you pull me off the field," he said. 

"I went out there and tried to help my teammates. It ended up hurting me more than it helped me, but that's all in the past. Everything happens for a reason. I'm just thankful the Blue Jays gave me this opportunity."

Asked if it's fair to say he was overworked by Aggies coach Rob Childress, Stilson made sure he didn't throw the skipper under the bus. "(College coaches) are in a tough spot. They either have to win or they get fired. They have to win ball games to make a living and support their family. I understand. It was also my choice to go out there and pitch."

Get this: Stilson once threw about 30 pitches against Dartmouth at Coral Gables, Fla., waited through a 1-hour rain delay, and returned to the mound. Later that night, he pitched in relief, earning a save as Texas A&M beat Miami. That's essentially three separate appearances on the same day! Hello.

Father's Day Pledge

TO MY SON AND DAUGHTER on Father's Day, There are lessons every dad should teach his children, and, along with looking both ways before crossing the road, I pledge to teach the game of baseball. Funny how what you learn on the diamond -- and from other sports -- can be applied to life. Presenting 10 baseball lessons every father should teach his kids:

1. Respect the game -- Great effort goes without saying. Hustling on and off the field and proper behavior are some of the ways to honor baseball's tradition and those who have played before us. It's a privilege to wear the uniform and represent the school or name on your jersey. Don't take it for granted.

2. Always have fun -- After all, isn't that what it's all about? Whether covering Little League games or World Series games, I've found a common theme from the most successful players and teams through the years.
"You want him to play the game like he's having fun and play hard. I look for that first, as a dad, to make sure he looks like he enjoys it," said Red Sox bench coach Brad Mills, asked about his son, Beau, who played against the Fisher Cats last week.

3. Teamwork -- In sports, there is nothing more rewarding than everyone believing in a common goal and pulling for each other, putting individual accomplishments aside. Championships, not batting averages, are what everyone remembers in the end.

4. Play by the rules -- There is no substitution for hard work. And no short cuts.
"You can't skip ahead in life," New Hampshire pitching coach Tom Signore said. "If you want to be a lawyer, you've got to go to law school."

5. Sportsmanship -- Respect your opponent and umpires. Win with humility and lose with dignity. Failure is part of the game, and throwing your bat or helmet will not be tolerated.

6. Throw a fastball for a strike -- Forget the off-speed stuff until learning the importance of commanding your fastball. Then think about throwing a changeup.

7. Don't forget defense -- Fisher Cats manager Gary Cathcart says it's the most neglected part of the game among youngsters. How to field a grounder? "Get in a ready position. Move your feet. Get your glove in a good position to make the play," he said.

8. Throw some more -- There is some truth to an old-school philosophy: A sore arm is a sign of not enough throwing. Play catch. Throw a bullpen session. Long toss will help strengthen the arm.

"Too many pitchers only pick up the ball when they play," Cathcart says. "Our pitchers throw every day during the season."

9. Listen to coach -- Pay attention. Ask questions. Be coachable. It's a game of endless fundamentals and strategy -- and it keeps getting better with the more you learn.

10. Baseball is life -- Some of life's most valuable lessons are right there in our national pastime: focus on what you can control. A strong work ethic is needed to succeed. Be tough. Rise above critics. In the end, character and integrity are more important than hitting home runs.


-- From a 2009 Father's Day column in the New Hampshire Union Leader

D.J. Davis video by Baseball America

With the 17th overall draft pick, the Blue Jays selected high school outfielder D.J. Davis of Mississippi. Check out the swing and speed. The swing is compact and short to the ball. Early stride and load and establishment of front-side resistance, which is what I try to teach my 13-year-old AAU team. Judging from this clip -- and let's not get crazy -- but Davis appears to show an advanced approach. Anxious to see the other tools. John Lott's early story here.

Ryan Goins breaks Travis d'Arnaud's record

Love getting the double apostrophe into a headline. The Fisher Cats lost again, 6-5, in a battle with the New Britain Rock Cats today, but I'm here to tell you about the silver lining. That's because I'm flat-out cheery today. Shortstop Ryan Goins had three hits, breaking a club record with his 41st base knock of the month. Travis d'Arnaud had the record for hits in a month (40) last July en route to winning Eastern League MVP honors. "I feel way more relaxed this season at the plate with my swing path and looking for pitches I'm getting to hit. I have confidence up there every day, just trying to be patient and be the best that I can be," Goins said ... Helluva month for Goins, who batted .357 with seven doubles. Excellent situational hitter knows how to move runners. Clutch, too. On the season, the kid is 21-for-47 (.447) with runners in scoring position.