The Montgomery Advertiser from Montgomery, Alabama • 20

2D SOUTHERN LEAGUE ALL-STAR GAME Tuesday Juiy 2006 Montgomery Advertiser a nira ran i MAX 2006 SOUTHERN LEAGUE ALL-STAR GAME: NORTH 9, SOUTH 4 O) ft 1 i i Montgomery All-Stars enjoy experience By A. Stacy Long Montgomery Advertiser slong1gannett.com The highlights for the Montgomery Biscuits weren't in winning or losing Monday's MAX 2006 Southern League All-Star Game. They were in the smaller stuff. The Biscuits' South Division team lost 9-4 to the North, but Montgomery's players came away with smiles and good memories. "Just the whole experience is memorable," Montgomery third baseman Wes Bankston said.

"You had the best players in the league together. I got a chance to meet them and talk to them. I had a great time. Elliot Johnson led off the bottom of the first with a bloop single and had an RBI groundout in the ninth, but said his highlight came before the first pitch. When he ran to second base to start the game, he looked at a record crowd and thought of his career.

"That was pretty cool," Johnson said. "I started thinking that everything is coming together. The years of sweat and hard work are coming together for you." Biscuits pitcher Jim Magrane had a high-profile moment during his one inning of work. Scott Moore, the game's most valuable player, hit the first of his two home runs off Magrane in the fifth inning, a no-doubt shot down the right-field line. Magrane was light-hearted about it after the game, congratulated Moore and gave a humorous description of the pitch he threw.

"It was a four-seam barrel finder and he hit it with a boat oar," said Magrane, who is a three-time Southern League All-Star. "I had fun hanging out with the team and enjoying the company of the other guys." Biscuits catcher Ryan Christianson admitted he had the jitters Monday at Riverwalk Stadium. He was in the Alfa Home Run Derby and felt the stress, but hit only one home run and did not qualify for the finals. "I said if I hit one, that was good because I just didn't want to get blanked," Christianson said. "I've probably never been as nervous on a baseball field Christianson was playing in his first All-Star Game.

He's an eight-year professional who was a first-round draft pick in 1999. "The thing is you're there (in the derby) because you're supposed to hit home runs and you have to do it," Christianson said. "If you don't, 'Why are you in That's pressure." In the game, Christianson and Bankston were both 0-for-2, TODAY'S GAME The Southern League rests for the third day of its Ail-Star break. On Wednesday, the Biscuits open a five-game home series with the Carolina Mudcats. Right-hander Jeff Niemann (0-3, 3.86 ERA) is scheduled to start for Montgomery.

The Biscuits are adjusting their rotation after the break. Following Niemann will be Andy Sonnanstine, Tony Peguero, Mike Prochaska and All-Star Jim Magrane. MONDAY'S NOTES Evans in uniform: Montgom-: ery's Frank Evans donned his uniform for his ceremonial first pitch duties Monday. The 84-year-old was unable to stand up. He was the only one at Riv-erwalk Stadium that didn't.

A capacity crowd gave Evans a standing ovation. "I enjoyed it," Evans said. "Thank God I was able to witness it." Evans wore a Birmingham Black Barons jersey, one he last wore two years ago at the Rickwood Classic. He also wore it when he attended the Washington Nationals' first game. Evans' pitch was a little outside, not that the Riverwalk Stadium crowd seemed to mind.

It also lacked a little velocity. "That was my change-up," Evans joked. "I took everything off that." Naimoii sees team: Vince Nai-moli no longer has a controlling interest in the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He's still a minority owner of the team and of the Biscuits and keeps close track of the Devil Rays. "I don't miss a game, whether it's in person, on radio or on TV," li said before Monday's game.

Naimoii gave up control of the team to Stuart Sternberg after last season. He helped Tampa Bay land the expansion franchise, which started play in 1998. The team finished last in the American League East every year but one. The Rays are in last place again but have seen an 11 -game improve- ment rom a year ago. "The young kids are starting to mature," Naimoii said.

"It takes so long to build an organization, but it's coming, it's coming. "It's going to be a couple of years, but they'll get there." Naimoii said he still plans to see each of Tampa Bay's minor-league teams. He's made annual trips to Montgomery. First-year pro: Mississippi's Barbara Canizares doesn't have much pro experience. It didn't stop him from being an All-Star.

Canizares is in his first year of mi-. nor-league ball. He's a Cuban defector who came over from the Communist island on a boat two years ago. i "I feel happy to be able to play in the States and make it to an Ail-Star Game," Canizares said. "This means a lot to me." Canizares landed in the Bahamas after leaving Cuba, then had to ride ii the boat again to reach the United States.

The trip, obviously, was not enjoyable. You have to be there to really know how hard it is," Canizares said. Futures travels: Five Southern League All-Stars made the trek to Montgomery after playing in Sun-' day's Futures Game. A couple had travel problems. Jacksonville shortstop Chin-Lung Hu and Chattanooga first baseman Joey Votto were delayed leaving Pittsburgh.

They made it in time to enjoy Montgomery's All-Star experience. "Inaven't had a lot of sleep, but it's been fun," Votto said. "I can't even tell you what day it is." Hu had a 2Vi-hour delay on his flight leaving Pittsburgh and missed Monday's All-Star luncheon in Mont- gomery. Hu's three-day break in-eluded two games. "It's all right," Hu said.

"This is just like the season." The Lookouts were playing at West Tenn when Votto left for the Futures Game. He flew from Mem-' phis, to Pittsburgh, played Sunday, flew out Monday for Atlanta and Montgomery. Votto said he still appreciated the experience, though it been drain-ing. D.I.. would never give this up," to said.

"Every player that plays wants to be a part of that, a big-league atmosphere." Mobile catcher George Kottaras had an 8 a.m. flight from Pittsburgh and wasn't delayed. He made every Montgomery event. "I went out and had a lot of fun meeting people," Kottaras said. "This has been great so far." The other SL All-Stars who also played in the Futures Game include west Tenn's Eric Patterson and Mobile's Luis Cruz.

Mincher's memories: Southern League president Don Mincher was a two-time All-Star in the major leagues. His pinch-hit appearances in the il, 1967 and 1969 games were similar. Both were against future Hall of Famer Bob Gibson. He struck out once and singled the other at-bat. "The biggest thing was being in the clubhouse with all those guys," Mincher said.

"When you're in the clubhouse, it's 'My God, I'm on an All-Star team and playing with super-' Mincher said he was always ex- cited to be picked an All-Star, even in the minor leagues, and said this year's Southern League stars showed the same enthusiasm. "We've had some people before 'V, who were reluctant to give up their three-day break," Mincher said. "Not this group." Heads up: Birmingham pitcher Tyler Lumsden came away from the Alfa Home Run Derby with a small bruise. Lumsden was lying on the grass in front of the third-base dugout, among his South Division teammates, when Montgomery's Ryan Chris-tianson took his derby cuts. One of Christianson's swings was a screaming foul ball right at Lum-" sden.

"I protected myself with the best part of my body," Lumsden said. -Right in the butt." Biscuits in stands: At least two Biscuits turned into fans Monday night. Catcher Chairon Isenia and Gabriel Martinet watched the All- 1 tf'-r -J v4 Mickey Welsh Advertiser Frank Evans tips his hat after throwing out the first pitch at the MAX 2006 Southern League All-Star Game at Riverwalk Stadium. MONDAY'S ALL-STAR BOX SCORE North 9, South 4 NORTH Danny Richar, 2b, Tennessee 4 Eric Patterson, 2b, West Tenn 1 2 0 Chris Walker, cf, West Tenn 3 Jose Campusano, cf, Carolina 2 Joey Votto, 1 Chattanooga 3 Jamie D'Antona, dh, Tennessee 5 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 Miguel Montero, Tennessee 3 1 3 Lou Palmisano, Huntsville 2 0 0 0 Scott Moore, 3b, West Tenn 4 Nic Jackson, rf, West Tenn 3 2 3 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 Miguel Negron, rf, West Tenn 2 Jerry Gil, ss, Tennessee 4 Noochie Varner, ss, Chattanooga 4 1 0 0 1 1 2 Totals 40 9 13 8 SOUTH ab Elliot Johnson, 2b, Montgomery 5 0 Chin-Lung Hu, ss, Jacksonville Luis Cruz, ss, Mobile Craig Brazell, 1b, Jacksonville Corey Smith, dh, Birmingham George Kottaras, Mobile Ryan Christianson, Montgomery Wes Bankston, 3b, Montgomery Tony Abreu, 3b, Jacksonville Ricardo Nanita, If, Birmingham Justin Ruggiano, rf, Jacksonville Barbara Canizares, 1b, Mississippi Drew Macias, cf, Mobile Totals 38 2 0 0 3 0 1 4 1 1 4 13 2 0 1 2 0 2 0 2 1 4 1 2 2 0 0 2 0 0 4 0 1 4 11 012 221 100 9 13 1 000 102 001 4 11 2 South Richar, Bankston, Kottaras. 2B Montero 2, Smith 2, Campusano, Nanita, Macias.

HR Moore 2, Varner, Abreu. LOB North 7, South 7.. SB Votto, Gil. DP North 1, South 1. North Mateo 1-0 Thurman CShaver Dillard Coutlangus Cherry Slaten Shaver IP ER BB SO 1.0 1 2.0 0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 South IP ER BB SO Wright 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 Lumsden 0-1 1.0 3 1 1 0 1 Nail 1.0 3 2 2 0 2 Broadway 1.0 2 2 1 1 0 Magrane 1.0 2 2 2 0 1 Thompson 1.0 2 1 1 1 1 Wassermann 1.0 1 1 1 0 1 Hoorelbeke 0.2 0 0 0 0 1 Lamura 0.1 0 0 0 0 1 Alexander 1.0 0 0 0 1 2 Pitchers North Chattanooga: David Shafer, Jon Coutlangus; Huntsvula: Tim Dillard, Corey Thurman; Tennessee: Doug Slaten, Ross Ohlendorf; West Tenn: J.R.

Mathes, Juan Mateo, Chris Shaver, Rocky Cherry. South Birmingham: Ehren Wassermann, B.J. LaMura, Lance Broadway, Tyler Lumsden; Jacksonville: T.J. Nail, Mark Alexander, Casey Hoorelbeke; Mississippi: Matt Wright; Mobile: Sea). Thompson; Montgomery: Jim Magrane.yV WP Nail, Broadway, S.

Thompson. Umpires Home, Josh Carlisle; First, Will Robinson; Second, Jason Bradley; Third, Scott Childers. 2:42. A 7,454. They had their pitching decisions already made to make sure every available pitcher got into the game.

The chart was a complicated chore. Biscuits pitching coach Xavier Hernandez and broadcaster Jim Tocco called every South pitching coach to settle on it last weekend. "It got hectic at the end," Montoyo said. Listach did the same in the North. "Once you get a hold of everybody, everything's OK after that," Listach said.

Dance Fever: Montoyo and Myron Noodleman did a dueling banjos dance-off in the middle of the second inning. It was an extended competition, at least until Montoyo gave up, Noodleman pulled out a modern dance move and Montoyo surrendered. "To be diplomatic, I would say that since he's used to dancing to salsa music, he did quite well," said Sam Montoyo, Charlie's wife. Sam said she wouldn't have given up as quickly as Charlie. "I can do the running man," she said.

League business: The Southern League approved its 2007 schedule at its All-Star meeting Monday and will continue to use five-game series next year. Mincher said the teams unanimously approved using five-game series again. The longer series mean less travel because teams make fewer trips to each city. "All the general managers, most of the (field) managers and all the farm directors love it," Mincher said. Next year: The Southern League All-Star Game will play in a Brave new world next year.

The Mississippi Braves, who joined the league last year, will host the All-Stars at Trustmark Park. The franchise relocated from Greenville, S.C., to Pearl, Miss. In 2008, the Carolina Mudcats will host the game for the first time since 1997. The Southern League has yet to award the 2009 game, but Montgomery would have a slim chance of landing it. "It would be tough," Mincher said.

"We have other clubs that would like to have it, ala Jacksonville, ala Tennessee. And who knows what the league will look like at that time?" Mincher said the Biscuits did a "fantastic" job hosting this year's game. "With the job they've done, I'd like to have it here every year." Compiled by A. Stacy Long Moore makes MVP plays at game time Jim Magrane gave up two runs Montoyo, despite a shaky dance routine with one of the game's entertainers, met all of his goals, "Nobody got hurt and we got i ,4 vu North third baseman and West Tenn player Scott Moore was named the Southern League All-Star Game MVP. A Montgomery Biscuits pitcher while Johnson was l-for-5 with an RBI.

Magrane gave up two hits and two runs in one inning, Biscuits manager Charlie Online extra i montgomeryadvertiser.com All-Star notes on the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx and Monday night's performance came as no real shock. "That's what this guy has been doing all year long," Listach said. "I keep trying to tell people, this kid is good. If we weren't playing in Jackson, he'd (be leading the league in home runs). There's no telling how many balls he's hit that went over 400 feet and he's come back to the dugout at our place with an out.

I'm just glad that we were in a smaller park and some of those long balls paid off for him." Moore left little doubt about either of his home runs. The first shot in the fifth inning cleared the right field wall, the flagpole and the fence that goes around Riverwalk stadium. Biscuits pitcher Jim Magrane was on the other end of that shot. "It was a four-seam barrel finder," Magrane said of the pitch Moore hit, "and he hit it with a boat oar." they helped make the Alfa 2006 All-Star Home Run Derby run smoothly. They served as catchers for the Southern League home run derby and supplied a half dozen MMBL players and personnel to help out.

Charlie Dees, a 1996 Lee graduate, is the founder of the MMBL. When the Montgomery Biscuits approached Charlie Dees with the idea, he didn't hesitate BISCUITS' NEXT 5 GAMES By Josh Moon Montgomery Advertiser jmoongannett.com North third baseman Scott Moore didn't do so well in the Alfa Homerun Derby prior to Monday's Southern League All-Star game. With a guy throwing slow, easy-to-hit pitches right down the middle, he managed one measly homerun. The South pitchers should have tried that slow, easy-to-hit approach. Because with the game under way and the pitches coming hard and fast, Moore pounded away.

He went 3-for-4 with two home runs and four RBIs, helping the North to an easy 9-4 win and helping himself to the MVP trophy. "Those home run derbies, they're not really my thing," Moore said, laughing. "This is an honor. You never expect to go out and hit two home runs. You don't worry about the MVP award or anything else.

You just go out and have fun and play. That's what I did, and now it's over and it's just hard to believe." It's not that hard to believe for North manager Pat Listach. Listach also manages Moore Photos by Mickey Welsh Advertiser and two hits in an inning. everybody in the game," he said, "It was a good game. I feel good for the Biscuits' family that we hosted an All-Star Game." Saturday Carolina 7:05 p.m.

Sunday Carolina 5:05 p.m. Montoyo, who also managed the South squad. "He was very good tonight." Listach said Moore rarely plays any other way. "When 7:05 arrives and the lights come on, you can count on him," Listach said. "When the game starts, he's always ready to go.

He plays hard, works hard every day. It's good to see a guy like that do well." portion of the home run derby. "I think it's neat," Brennan said. "You come out here, and you realize how much you miss the game. We all worked our normal jobs today and then we came out here to help with the home run derby.

"We had to do it. It may be 11 or 12 years before the All-Star game comes back to Montgomery. I don't know if we'll still be able to do this by then." Friday Carolina 7:05 p.m. Wednesday Carolina 7:05 p.m. Thursday Carolina 7:05 p.m.

Moore's second, which came off Sylacauga native Ehren Wassermann in the seventh, cleared the wall in dead center field, just above the 400-foot mark. It was the second straight time that Moore has hit two out in a game at Riverwalk. In the Diamond Jaxx's last trip to Montgomery in May, Moore hit two solo shots. "He likes this ballpark," said Montgomery manager Charlie Brothers help behind the scenes of home run derby Star Game from the stands. "It feels great to watch, enioy mv By Wesley Lyle Montgomery Advertiser wlylegannett.com Montgomery natives Charlie Dees and Brennan Dees have taken part in two home run derbies in the past three weeks.

The two brothers competed with each other in the Montgomery Metro Baseball League home run derby on June 24. Monday night, the two former Robert E. Lee sluggers didn't compete but with his answer. "I know people that would die to do this," Dees said. "We were just lucky they asked us to do it.

This is a once in a lifetime deal. To come out here and be a part of this is awesome." Joining the Dees brothers were Gene Cody, Josh Blackwell and Matt Ford. AUM assistant coach and MMBL advisory committee member Marty Lovrich pitched for the Southern League day off and see my teammates play, Isenia said. Isenia also planned to drink heav- 3ily. "Honestly, a lot of water because 'it's going to be hot," Isenia said.

"I 3 get a hotdog and hamburger, Sibut I won't eat a lot because I don't to gain weight." Pitching jigsaw: All-Star man-- agers Pat Listacn and Charlie Montoyo had their rotation ready early.