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Tokyo next stop for Julio
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Baseball on Broadway

Tokyo next stop for Julio

Travs pitching coach Alon Leichman headed to Olympics for Israeli National Team, Grant Black's Corner, plus stats, scores and so much more

Jeremy Peppas
Jul 12, 2021
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Welcome to Baseball on Broadway, a weekly look at the Arkansas Travelers that's normally published on Monday but because of the holiday, it is coming out Tuesday morning. This newsletter is extra coverage for readers of ArkansasNewsroom.com and, remember …

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Tickets to Arkansas Travelers baseball games at Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock can be purchased by clicking here.

The Travs went 5-1 in last week’s homestand against Frisco and that strong week, propelled the team into a tie for second in the league’s division standings.

Julio Rodriguez wasn’t in North Little Rock for all of the six-game homestand as he was placed on the temporarily inactive list on Saturday but not because of an injury and for all the right reasons. Rodriguez, 20, is ranked as the No. 5 prospect in minor-league baseball and went to the inactive list so be could play in Sunday’s SiriusXM Futures Game.

While there, he got a big surprise as his father, Julio Sr., flew in from the Dominican Republic to watch him play in person for the first time as a professional in the United States. Be sure to read MLB.com’s account by clicking here.

Twitter avatar for @TheLydiaCruzLydia Cruz @TheLydiaCruz
Julio Rodríguez getting surprised by his dad, who has never seen him play stateside, is the greatest content on all of the internets omg
Image

July 11th 2021

75 Retweets896 Likes

Rodriguez won’t be back in North Little Rock or with the Travs anytime soon as he will be headed to Tokyo for the 2020 Summer Olympics as a member of the Dominican Republic Olympic Team.

The Opening Ceremonies for Tokyo games will be July 23, and Rodriguez has obligations with his National Team in the Dominican Republic before that.

Rodriguez isn’t the only Trav who will be in Tokyo for the Olympics as the team’s pitching coach Alon Leichman will be a pitcher for the Israeli National Team.

A former member of the Israeli Defense Forces, Leichman was born in Israel after his parents moved there in the 1970s. He came back to the United States to play college baseball and completed his collegiate career at the University of California-San Diego. He joined the Mariners organization in 2019 after working as a coach in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization.

No stranger to competition, Leichman started playing for Israel in 2010, after his stint with the IDF was complete.

Twitter avatar for @ILBaseballIsrael Baseball @ILBaseball
Here is #TeamIsrael's 24-man traveling roster for @Tokyo2020 🇮🇱⚾️💪 #blueandwhite_baseball #בייסבול_כחולבן
Image

July 5th 2021

96 Retweets294 Likes
Twitter avatar for @ILBaseballShopIsrael Baseball Shop 🇮🇱⚾ @ILBaseballShop
.@alonleichman2 days until the fun begins in Tokyo! 🎉
Image

June 30th 2021

10 Likes

As for the team, the Travs hit the road to Springdale to face the Northwest Arkansas Naturals this week for six games at the Cow Palace.

Individual leaders

  • Brian O'Keefe climbs to No. 12 in hitting and the only Trav in the top 25 but was assigned to Triple-A Tacoma on Sunday.

  • Penn Murfee climbs to No. 11 in pitching, Alejandro Requena is in at No. 15 and Devin Sweet is at No. 21. 

Transactions

  • July 11: Arkansas Travelers activated RHP Tyler Herb from the 7-day injured list.

  • July 11: RHP Jake Haberer roster status changed by Arkansas Travelers.

  • July 11: C Carter Bins assigned to Arkansas Travelers from Everett AquaSox.

  • July 11: C Brian O'Keefe assigned to Tacoma Rainiers from Arkansas Travelers.

  • July 10: Arkansas Travelers placed RF Julio Rodriguez on the temporarily inactive list.

  • July 10: Arkansas Travelers activated RF Keegan McGovern from the 7-day injured list.

  • July 7: Arkansas Travelers transferred RHP Scott Boches from the 7-day injured list to the 60-day injured list.

Players of the Week

  • Nick Plummer - Springfield and Matt Tabor - Amarillo

The scores

  • Tuesday: Travs 3, Frisco 0

  • Wednesday: Travs 5, Frisco 1

  • Thursday: Frisco 8, Travs 0

  • Friday: Travs 4, Frisco 2

  • Saturday: Travs 4, Frisco 3

  • Sunday: Travs 5, Frisco 1

The standings

  • Wichita ... 33-27 ... .550

  • Travs ... 32-27 ... .542

  • Tulsa ... 32-27 ... .542

  • NW Arkansas ... 31-27 ... .534

  • Springfield ... 22-38 ... .367

Grant Black’s Corner

About Grant Black’s Corner: This is a weekly look at current Minor-League players with Arkansas roots. Have an addition to this list? Email us at arkansas@substack.com or leave a comment on the post.

Newport's Grant Black is still in Memphis and has thrown a total of 39 strikeouts in 32.1 innings pitched for the Redbirds and Double-A Springfield.

Grant Black

Many thanks to Arkansas high school baseball expert Kevin Bohannon for his help in compiling this list. You can catch him on the radio at 103.7 The Buzz as he's the station’s high school insider. He is also the co-host of The Hawg Talk podcast, which can be listened to here. He’s also on Twitter, @CoachKBo_HTP, so give him a follow. 

Others on the Corner

Note: Click the player’s name to get current stats.

  • Luke Bandy, Springdale: Greenville Drive, High-A Affiliate of the Boston Red Sox and @Luke_Bandy

  • Gray Fenter, West Memphis: Bowie Baysox, Double-A Affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles and @Bear_Fenter

  • Logan Gragg, Prairie Grove: Peoria Chiefs, High-A Affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals and @GraggLogan23

  • William Hancock, Little Rock Catholic:  Quad Cities River Bandits, the High-A Affiliate of the Kansas City Royals

  • Tink Hence, Watson Chapel: GCL Cardinals, the Rookie Affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals and @HenceTink3

  • Blaine Knight, Bryant: Bowie Baysox, the Double-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles.

  • Grant Koch, Fayetteville: Greensboro Grasshoppers, the High-A Affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates

  • Evan Lee, Bryant:  Wilmington Blue Rocks, the High-A Affiliate of the Washington Nationals and @Evan_Leeeee

  • Casey Martin, Lonoke: Jersey Shore BlueClaws, the High-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies and @cmartin15_

  • Jake Reindl, Fayetteville: Myrtle Beach Pelicans, the Low-A Affiliate of the Chicago Cubs and @jreindl24

  • Cody Scroggins, Bentonville: Salem Red Sox, the Low-A Affiliate of the Boston Red Sox and @cody_scroggins

  • Gavin Stone, Riverside High School (Lake City): Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, Low-A Affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers and @gavinstone02

  • Nick Starr, Conway: Hickory Crawdads, the High-A Affiliate of the Texas Rangers and @nickstarr6

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Schedule, tickets and promotions

On deck this week

AWAY GAMES | Tuesday, July 13: at Northwest Arkansas; Wednesday, July 14: at Northwest Arkansas; Thursday, July 15: at Northwest Arkansas; Friday, July 16: at Northwest Arkansas; Saturday, July 17: at Northwest Arkansas and Sunday, July 18: at Northwest Arkansas

Next week

Tuesday, July 20: Wichita

  • Start time: 7:10 p.m. 

  • Game Highlight: Kid's Night; Free Train Rides & $1 Select Ice Cream.* Presented By Hiland Dairy

Wednesday, July 21: Wichita

  • Start time: 7:10 p.m. 

  • Game Highlight: Dog Days of Summer; $3 General Admission Ticket at the Box Office if you bring your dog and $1 Hot Dogs.* Presented By Moix RV

Thursday, July 22: Wichita

  • Start time: 7:10 p.m. 

  • Game Highlight: Thirsty Thursday; $2 Busch Light, $3 Select Draft Beer for Mug Club members

Friday, July 23: Wichita

  • Start time: 7:10 p.m. 

  • Post Game Firework Show; Presented By Metro Disaster Specialists

Saturday, July 24: Wichita

  • Start time: 6:10 p.m. 

  • Promotion: Evan White T-Shirt Giveaway; Presented By New Age Distributors

Sunday, July 25: Wichita

  • Start time: 2:10 p.m. 

Ticket offers

  • Operation Military Appreciation Day: $3 off a Box, Reserved, or General Admission ticket with a Military ID; Presented By Mid-South Ford

  • Edward Food Giants $3 Off: $3 off a Box, Reserved, or General Admission ticket with an Edward Food Giant Coupon. Redeemable at the Box Office.

  • $10 Church Bulletin Family Pack: $10 for up to 6 General Admission tickets when you bring your church bulletin, no upgrades available with this package. Redeemable at the Box Office.

Rest of the schedule

AWAY GAMES | Tuesday, July 27: at Springfield; Wednesday, July 28: at Springfield; Thursday, July 29: at Springfield; Friday, July 30: at Springfield; Saturday, July 31: at Springfield and Sunday, Aug. 1: at Springfield

Tuesday, Aug. 3: Northwest Arkansas

  • Start time: 7:10 p.m. 

  • Game Highlight: Kid's Night; Free Train Rides & $1 Select Ice Cream.* Presented By Hiland Dairy

Wednesday, Aug. 4: Northwest Arkansas

  • Start time: 7:10 p.m. 

  • Game Highlight: Dog Days of Summer; $3 General Admission Ticket at the Box Office if you bring your dog and $1 Hot Dogs.* Presented By Moix RV

Thursday, Aug. 5: Northwest Arkansas (DH)

  • Start time: TBA

  • Game Highlight: Thirsty Thursday; $2 Busch Light, $3 Select Draft Beer for Mug Club members

Friday, Aug. 6: Northwest Arkansas

  • Start time: 7:10 p.m. 

  • Post Game Fireworks Show; Presented By Oaklawn Racing & Casino Resort

Saturday, Aug. 7: Northwest Arkansas

  • Start time: 6:10 p.m. 

  • Promotion: Wrestling Ring Giveaway; Presented By Midtown Billiards & Svedka Vodka

  • Game Highlight: Clunker Car Night; Presented By Midtown Billiards

Sunday, Aug. 8: Northwest Arkansas

  • Start time: 2:10 p.m. 

Ticket offers

  • Operation Military Appreciation Day: $3 off a Box, Reserved, or General Admission ticket with a Military ID; Presented By Mid-South Ford

  • Edward Food Giants $3 Off: $3 off a Box, Reserved, or General Admission ticket with an Edward Food Giant Coupon. Redeemable at the Box Office.

  • $10 Church Bulletin Family Pack: $10 for up to 6 General Admission tickets when you bring your church bulletin, no upgrades available with this package. Redeemable at the Box Office.

Tuesday, Aug. 10: Springfield

  • Start time: 7:10 p.m. 

  • Game Highlight: Kid's Night; Free Train Rides & $1 Select Ice Cream.* *Sales tax will be added for all food and beverages. Presented By Hiland Dairy

Wednesday, Aug. 11: Springfield

  • Start time: 7:10 p.m. 

  • Game Highlight: Dog Days of Summer; $3 General Admission Ticket at the Box Office if you bring your dog and $1 Hot Dogs.* Presented By Moix RV

Thursday, Aug. 12: Springfield

  • Start time: 7:10 p.m. 

  • Game Highlight: Thirsty Thursday; $2 Busch Light, $3 Select Draft Beer for Mug Club members

Friday, Aug. 13: Springfield

  • Start time: 7:10 p.m. 

  • Post Game Fireworks; Presented By Arvest Bank

  • Game Highlight: Diamantes Night; Presented by Telemundo

Saturday, Aug. 14: Springfield

  • Start time: 6:10 p.m. 

  • Promotion: Jake Fraley Bobblehead Giveaway; Presented By BEEF Council

Sunday, Aug. 15: Springfield

  • Start time: 2:10 p.m. 

Ticket offers

  • Operation Military Appreciation Day: $3 off a Box, Reserved, or General Admission ticket with a Military ID; Presented By Mid-South Ford

  • Edward Food Giants $3 Off: $3 off a Box, Reserved, or General Admission ticket with an Edward Food Giant Coupon. Redeemable at the Box Office.

  • $10 Church Bulletin Family Pack: $10 for up to 6 General Admission tickets when you bring your church bulletin, no upgrades available with this package. Redeemable at the Box Office.

AWAY GAMES | Tuesday, Aug. 17: at Frisco; Wednesday, Aug. 18: at Frisco; Thursday, Aug. 19: at Frisco; Friday, Aug. 20: at Frisco; Saturday, Aug. 21: at Frisco  and Sunday, Aug. 22: at Frisco 

Tuesday, Aug. 24: Corpus Christi

  • Start time: 7:10 p.m. 

  • Game Highlight: Kid's Night; Free Train Rides & $1 Select Ice Cream.* Presented By Hiland Dairy

Wednesday, Aug. 25: Corpus Christi

  • Start time: 7:10 p.m. 

  • Game Highlight: Dog Days of Summer; $3 General Admission Ticket at the Box Office if you bring your dog and $1 Hot Dogs.* Presented By Moix RV

Thursday, Aug. 26: Corpus Christi

  • Start time: 7:10 p.m. 

  • Game Highlight: Thirsty Thursday; $2 Busch Light, $3 Select Draft Beer for Mug Club members

Friday, Aug. 27: Corpus Christi

  • Start time: 7:10 p.m.

  • Game Highlight: Pyro In The Park; Presented By Cutwater Spirits/Budweiser

Saturday, Aug. 28: Corpus Christi

  • Start time: 6:10 p.m. 

  • Promotion: Tooth Ball Giveaway; Presented By Rock Dental Brands

  • Game Highlight: Teacher Appreciation Night

Sunday, Aug. 29: Corpus Christi

  • Start time: 2:10 p.m. 

Ticket offers

  • Operation Military Appreciation Day: $3 off a Box, Reserved, or General Admission ticket with a Military ID; Presented By Mid-South Ford

  • Edward Food Giants $3 Off: $3 off a Box, Reserved, or General Admission ticket with an Edward Food Giant Coupon. Redeemable at the Box Office.

  • $10 Church Bulletin Family Pack: $10 for up to 6 General Admission tickets when you bring your church bulletin, no upgrades available with this package. Redeemable at the Box Office.

Tuesday, Aug. 31: Wichita

  • Start time: 7:10 p.m.

  • Game Highlight: Kid's Night; Free Train Rides & $1 Select Ice Cream.* Presented By Hiland Dairy

Wednesday, Sept. 1: Wichita

  • Start time: 7:10 p.m. 

  • Game Highlight: Dog Days of Summer; $3 General Admission Ticket at the Box Office if you bring your dog and $1 Hot Dogs.* Presented By Moix RV

Thursday, Sept. 2: Wichita

  • Start time: 7:10 p.m. 

  • Game Highlight: Thirsty Thursday; $2 Busch Light, $3 Select Draft Beer for Mug Club members

Friday, Sept. 3: Wichita

  • Start time: 7:10 p.m. 

  • Post Game Fireworks Show; Presented By MiCampo

Saturday, Sept. 4: Wichita

  • Start time: 6:10 p.m. 

  • Game Highlights: Diamantes Night; Presented by Univision

  • Post Game Fireworks; Presented By Fuller & Son Hardware

  • Promotion: Growth Chart Giveaway; Presented By Fuller & Son Hardware

Sunday, Sept. 5: Wichita

Start time: 2:10 p.m. 

Ticket offers

  • Operation Military Appreciation Day: $3 off a Box, Reserved, or General Admission ticket with a Military ID; Presented By Mid-South Ford

  • Edward Food Giants $3 Off: $3 off a Box, Reserved, or General Admission ticket with an Edward Food Giant Coupon. Redeemable at the Box Office.

  • $10 Church Bulletin Family Pack: $10 for up to 6 General Admission tickets when you bring your church bulletin, no upgrades available with this package. Redeemable at the Box Office.

AWAY GAMES | Tuesday, Sept. 7: at Springfield; Wednesday, Sept. 8: at Springfield; Thursday, Sept. 9: at Springfield; Friday, Sept. 10: at Springfield; Saturday, Sept. 11: at Springfield; Sunday, Sept. 12: at Springfield; Tuesday, Sept. 14: at Wichita; Wednesday, Sept. 15: at Wichita; Thursday, Sept. 16: at Wichita; Friday, Sept. 17: at Wichita; Saturday, Sept. 18: at Wichita and Sunday, Sept. 19: at Wichita

*Sales tax will be added for all food and beverages.

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