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
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 …
Paid subscriptions make this newsletter possible, so consider a paid subscription if you’re able.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.