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Baseball on Broadway

Travs hit the road

Julio Rodriguez and Alon Leichman to play in the Olympics this week, Grant Black gets better while his Corner stands strong plus stats, scores and so much more.

Jeremy Peppas
Jul 26, 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 2-4 in last week’s homestand against division leading Wichita. The series record dropped the Travs into a tie for third place with the Northwest Arkansas Naturals.

MJ Melendez, of the Naturals, kept his hot streak going and was named the League’s Hitter of the Week for the second consecutive week.

The Travs are off to Springfield, last in the division for six games, before returning back to North Little Rock for August when the Travs play four of five weeks at home before concluding the season on the road in September.

Olympics Baseball

Julio Rodriguez, the Travs star rightfielder, is playing with the Dominican Republic National Team and will face host Japan in the opening game of the group stage at 10 p.m. this Tuesday.

Rodriguez is Baseball America's No. 3 prospect in all minor-league baseball.

Twitter avatar for @FarmToFame_
Farm To Fame @FarmToFame_
Julio Rodríguez is a good dude.. stops to take photos with fans after a long flight
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1:15 PM ∙ Jul 22, 2021
229Likes2Retweets

Alon Leichman, the Travs’s pitching coach, is on the Israeli National Team.

Leichman is in shockingly good shape and it wouldn’t be smart to challenge in a hand-stand pushup competition, as seen by the video below.

Twitter avatar for @Olympics
Olympics @Olympics
Pitcher's preparation! 💪⚾ Team Israel's Alon Leichman getting ready for the ball game! #StrongerTogether 🎥: @alonleichman2
Image
6:30 PM ∙ Jul 24, 2021
382Likes47Retweets

There’s a terrific piece on Leichman’s parents in the Forward. His father, David Leichman, and mother, the Rabbi Miri Gold, helped build Israel’s first baseball field in 1983. Read the whole story by Debra Nussbaum Cohen by clicking here.

Alon Leichman in action. (Margo Sugarman / Israel Baseball)

Schedule for group stage games

  • Tuesday: Dominican Republic vs. Japan, 10 p.m.

  • Thursday: Israel vs. South Korea, 5 a.m.; Mexico vs. Dominican Republic, 10 p.m.

  • Friday: United States. vs. Israel, 5 a.m.; Japan vs. Mexico, 10 p.m.

  • Saturday: United States vs. South Korea, 5 a.m.

Individual leaders

  • Brian O'Keefe was so good in his time with the Travs, he climbed to No. 9 in hitting despite being with Triple-A Tacoma.

  • Alejandro Requena is in at No. 14 in pitching and Devin Sweet is right behind at No. 15.

Transactions

  • July 20: RHP Reid Morgan assigned to Arkansas Travelers from Everett AquaSox.

  • July 20: LF Zach DeLoach assigned to Arkansas Travelers from Everett AquaSox.

Players of the Week

  • MJ Melendez - Northwest Arkansas and Noah Bremer - Frisco

The scores

  • Tuesday: Wichita 4, Travs 1

  • Wednesday: Wichita 6, Travs 4

  • Thursday: Wichita 5, Travs 0

  • Friday: Travs 4, Wichita 3

  • Saturday: Wichita 5, Travs 4

  • Sunday: Travs 7, Wichita 5

The standings

  • Wichita ... 41-31 ... .569

  • Tulsa ... 38-34 ... .528

  • Travs ... 37-34 ... .521

  • NW Arkansas ... 37-34 ... .521

  • Springfield ... 28-44 ... .389

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 45 strikeouts in 37.1 innings pitched for the Redbirds and Double-A Springfield.

Grant Black

Black was most dominant last week against Louisville when he appeared in two complete innings and threw 13 strikes on 16 pitches and notched two strikeouts.

Memphis last lost on July 9 and the Redbirds are riding a 15-game winning streak as they host Gwinnett for a six-game series at AutoZone Park.

Twitter avatar for @memphisredbirds
Memphis Redbirds @memphisredbirds
𝐓𝐖𝐎 more days until we take the field again at home! Come see us vs. @GoStripers July 27 - Aug 1 🎟️ bit.ly/3ivudFm
Image
2:28 PM ∙ Jul 25, 2021
20Likes4Retweets

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: Greenville Drive, the High-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: at Springfield; Wednesday: at Springfield; Thursday: at Springfield; Friday: at Springfield; Saturday: at Springfield and Sunday: at Springfield

Next week

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 (DH)

  • Start time: 5:10 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

  • Start time: 7:10 p.m. 

  • 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.

Rest of the schedule

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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