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 3-3 on a road trip to Tulsa last week but slipped to fourth in the league standings as a result, but the big news for the team came in two parts. The first part is Julio Rodriguez got the call to Double-A and will play his first game at Dickey-Stephens Park tonight, Tuesday, against Frisco.

All of 20, Rodriguez is one of the top prospects in all of minor-league baseball and is already bound for bigger things.

For one, he’s on the American League Roster for this year’s SiriusXM Futures Game, but the second part is even bigger as Rodriguez, a native of the Dominican Republic, will be leaving North Little Rock later this month to join his home country’s Olympic Team in Tokyo for the 2020 Games, that are being played this summer due to the ongoing pandemic.

Rodriguez told Ryan Davish with the Seattle Times, “…when I put on that Dominican Republic jersey and to have the Dominican on my chest, it just feels so different. I honestly felt a whole different level of emotions when I wear that uniform.”

The Opening Ceremonies for Tokyo games will be July 23, and Rodriguez has obligations in the Dominican Republic before that, so this might be his only week in North Little Rock. And even then, it will be a short week as the Futures Game is set for Sunday, July 11.

Rodriguez has already been sensational for the Travs and some baseball experts think he has the potential to be the top prospect in all of minor-league baseball before eventually making his way to Seattle.

Mariners Player Development @MsPlayerDev

The @J_RODshow was in full effect yesterday.

July 4th 2021

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He’s not the only player with connections to the Travs to play in the Olympics this summer as Eric Filia, a Mariners prospect with Triple-A Tacoma, was named to the United States Olympic baseball team.

Filia spent 2018 with the Travs where he played in 79 games and batted .274 before going up to Tacoma for 2019 and now 2021.

He played his college ball at UCLA and was a 20th round pick in 2016.

Murfee is June Pitcher of the Month

Arkansas Travelers pitcher Penn Murfee was named Pitcher of the Month for June in the Double-A Central as announced by Minor League Baseball.

Murfee went 3-0 with a 1.38 ERA in four starts last month including a nine inning complete game shutout on June 18 vs. Tulsa. It was the first complete game of his career and he struck out a career best 11.

A native of Nashville, Murfee was drafted by the Mariners in the 33rd Round of the 2018 draft out of Santa Clara where he pitched his final collegiate season after transferring from Vanderbilt. Murfee’s June monthly league award follows Travs lefty Ian McKinney winning league Pitcher of the Month honors for May. Murfee was also named Double-A Central Pitcher of the Week for June 14-20.

The Travs are back in North Little Rock today, July 6, to face Frisco in a six-game homestand.

Individual leaders

• Brian O'Keefe climbs to No. 7 in hitting and the only Trav in the top 25.

• Penn Murfee drops to No. 13 in pitching, Alejandro Requena is in at No. 18 and Devin Sweet is at No. 20. 

Transactions

• June 29: RHP Bernie Martinez assigned to Everett AquaSox from Arkansas Travelers.

• June 29: RF Julio Rodriguez assigned to Arkansas Travelers from Everett AquaSox.

Players of the Week

• MJ Melendez - Northwest Arkansas and Adrian Martinez - San Antonio

The scores

• Tuesday: Tulsa 10, Travs 4

• Wednesday: Travs 7, Tulsa 0

• Thursday: Rained out

• Friday (DH): Travs 3, Tulsa 1; Tulsa 8, Travs 4

• Saturday: Travs 7, Tulsa 4

• Sunday: Tulsa 3, Travs 0

The standings

• Wichita ... 31-23 ... .574

• Tulsa ... 30-23 ... .566

• NW Arkansas ... 27-25 ... .519

• Travs ... 27-26 ... .509

• Springfield ... 18-36 ... .333

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 38 strikeouts in 31.0 innings pitched for the Redbirds and Double-A Springfield.

Twitter is far from real life, but in a poll there by this site, posed the question: Which happens first? Grant Black in St. Louis or the Broken Bridge gets fixed. The former was the overwhelming pick as the very savvy readers here think Black will get the call to the Bigs. It helps that many of those very savvy readers are family and friends of Black. Maybe.

Lonoke’s Casey Martin, and a former star at the University of Arkansas, got the call to High-A and is now with the Jersey Shore BlueClaws in Lakewood, New Jersey. Not far from Philly or New York City, the city is in southern New Jersey and minutes from the Atlantic Ocean. Martin was a third-round pick in 2020 and is progressing nicely.

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

Tuesday: Frisco 

• Start time: 7:10 p.m. 

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

• Game Highlight: Diamantes Night; Presented by Univision

Wednesday: Frisco 

• 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: Frisco 

• Start time: 7:10 p.m. 

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

Friday: Frisco 

• Start time: 7:10 p.m. 

• Post Game Fireworks Show; Presented By Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield

• Promotion: Baseball Giveaway; Presented By Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield

Saturday: Frisco 

• Start time: 6:10 p.m. 

• Promotion: Team Card Set Giveaway; Presented By Jacksonville Parks and Recreation

Sunday: Frisco 

• 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.

Next 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

Rest of the schedule

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.

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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