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Tag Archives: St. Louis Cardinals
July 17, 2019 stvkrh905	Leave a comment
Dyar Miller's 51 years in professional baseball wrapped in 2018 as a pitching coach for the Triple-A Fresno (Calif.) Grizzlies, an affiliate of the Houston Astros.
The Indiana native witnessed many changes to the game as a player, manager, coordinator and coach.
When Miller began his career as a unsigned free agent catcher with the Philadelphia Phillies organization out of Utah State University in 1968, there were no pitching coaches in the minors. He did not work with a coach dedicated to the art until he was in the big leagues.
Miller, who was born in Batesville and graduated from tiny New Point High School (there were 14 in his graduating class), was turned into a pitcher by the Baltimore Orioles in 1969. He first toed the rubber in a major league game with the Orioles on June 9, 1975. Earl Weaver was Baltimore's manager. George Bamberger was the O's pitching coach.
"The Orioles are the first organization to use a radar gun," says Miller, an Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Famer who pitched seven MLB seasons with Baltimore, the California Angels, Toronto Blue Jays and New York Mets. "We used to phone or fax the game report in. Now it's on a computer.
"When I first signed, (minor league teams) had a manager and a trainers. Trainers took care of injuries.
"(Pitchers) talked among ourselves. Back then you repeated each league two or three times and you watched. We did not have video. We tried to learn from an opponent."
At the end of his career, Miller was often in video sessions with his hurlers, breaking down TrackMan information.
"Sometimes the pitcher would beat me to my office, looking for the data," says Miller. "The Astros mandated that we have cell phones or iPads — company-owned — for bullpen sessions. That was the (minor league pitching) coordinator's call."
As a coach, Miller encouraged his more-seasoned pitchers to pass information along to other hurlers.
"They'll listen to their peers," says Miller. "Just tell me what you're telling them.
"In the big leagues, they still do it that way."
From 1995-2012, Miller served in many roles with the St. Louis Cardinals organization, including pitching coach, roving minor league pitching instructor, minor league pitching coordinator and major league bullpen coach.
It was a standard rule for Cardinals starters to watch fellow starters do their side work and chime in with their observations.
Miller insisted that his pitchers always play catch with a purpose.
"I have to remind guys of that every time you throw a ball, throw to a target — maybe the left shoulder, right shoulder or chest," says Miller. "Long toss was real big there for awhile."
Each organization is a little bit different. But many have pitchers start at 60 feet and work their way out to 120 or more.
"Some do it up to 20 minutes on a certain day," says Miller. "It's more of a recovery thing. They get the lactic acid out of there.
"Moderation is the best thing. Some guys do too much long toss."
Miller likens the minor leagues to a laboratory and development — rather than winning the pennant — is the focus.
"We experiment with things here and there," says Miller. "(Players) develop something that suits them. We're not cloning everybody."
At the same time, organizations have specific throwing programs.
"It's pretty strict," says Miller. "The Astros don't like you throwing sinkers unless you're like Charlie Morton and have a real good one. They stress the change-up.
"There are drills and we give them options — things to work on — each day like inside throws and crow hops. It's pretty hands-on now, but there's still leeway to be individualistic."
Miller says that the higher player climbs the minor league ladder, the more they know themselves and what works best.
the higher you go in the minor leagues,
"At the lower levels, they are watched like a hawk," says Miller.
The diamond veteran has his pitchers look for external cues — visualizing throwing the ball outside the body and going for the outer or inner halves of the strike zone.
"It's more effective than internal (cues)," says Miller. "Nowadays, the favorite saying is 'recent studies show.' We've got what been studied and been shown to work."
Then there's the matter of rhythm.
"That's an external thing, too," says Miller. "You want to find your tempo and rhythm and pound the strike zone."
The idea is to get the synchronize with the other body parts.
"There should be no stress on the arm," says Miller. "It's coming through because your torso is rotating.
"Your arm just comes along for the ride."
Like winding a spring or a top, the pitcher loads up then it all comes loose at once.
"That's how you get the extra pop on the ball," says Miller. "A lot of people have trouble getting the load or it will leak out.
"It takes time to figure all that out."
It took time for Miller to gather all his pitching knowledge.
"I knew about 1/10th or less when I was pitching than I do now," says Miller, 73.
He does know that he is busier now away from pro baseball than when he was in it. Miller turned down an offer from the Mets to finish the 2019 season as pitching coach at Triple-A Syracuse.
"It was tempting," says Miller, who moved from Batesville to Indianapolis in 1997 to be closer to a major airport and now spends his days working around the house, catching up with family and friends or fishing at his place on Lake Monroe.
Dyar and wife Beth are on their second marriages. Between them, they have six children and 14 grandchildren with one on the way.
His sons look forward to the annual Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame Celebrity Golf Classic Oct. 4 in Jasper.
Miller still follows the game on television and was able to attend a Wright State-Indiana game in Bloomington, where he was able to catch up with IU director of player development Scott Rolen (who played for the Cardinals) and WSU head coach Alex Sogard (who pitched in the Houston system).
Another pupil in the Astros organization — right-hander Cy Sneed — made his major league debut June 27.
Former Houston farmhand Trent Thornton is now in the starting rotation for Toronto.
Batesville, Ind., native Dyar Miller served in several capacities in the St. Louis Cardinals organization from 1995-2012. (St. Louis Cardinals Photo)
Dyar Miller, an Indiana Baseball Hall of Famer, was in pro ball for 51 years — the last few as a pitching coach in the Houston Astros system. (Houston Astros Photo)
Alex SogardBaltimore OriolesBatesvilleBeth MillerCalifornia AngelsCharlie MortonCy SneedDyar MillerEarl WeaverFresno GrizzliesGeorge BambergerHouston AstrosIHSBCA Hall of FameIndiana Baseball Hall of FameIndiana High School Baseball Coaches AssociationIndiana UniversityLake MonroeLong tossNew PointNew York MetsPhiladelphia PhilliesScott RolenSt. Louis CardinalsSyracuse MetsToronto Blue JaysTrackManTrent ThorntonUtah State UniversityWright State University
Veteran broadcaster Ferber enjoys painting pictures for radio audience
June 6, 2019 stvkrh905	Leave a comment
Indiana broadcaster Walt Ferber calls about 250 live sporting events a year.
He enjoys them all, but he especially appreciates baseball on the radio.
"It lets you use creativity," says Ferber. "With football and basketball, you dot the i's and cross the t's. You get to paint a picture (with baseball).
"It's my favorite sport because of that. You get a chance to tell a story."
Ferber, program and sports director, on-air personality and account executive at WITZ AM/FM in Dubois County (the studio is located between Jasper and Huntingburg), is scheduled to do a little more painting as a statewide play-by-play voice at the State Finals for the third straight year on the IHSAA Champions Radio Network.
There are 29 affiliated stations across Indiana that will carry all or some of the four games (two each on Monday and Tuesday, June 17-18, beginning at 5:30 p.m.).
Ferber will be paired with analyst Bob Lovell for the first game (teams to be determined) on June 17 from Victory Field in Indianapolis. Ferber worked alongside Brian Jennings in 2018 and Rob Blackman in 2017.
"Victory Field at the State Finals is one of my favorite place to be," says Ferber, who has made the trip to Indy often as the Jasper High School Wildcats have made nine appearances in the championship game with five state titles.
"I've been spoiled," says Ferber. "Coach (Terry) Gobert does things the right way. He works very, very hard to get the best out of each of his players. He's kind of an old school coach.
"(Players) take ownership of what they do. It's something you learn from the time you're born into the feeder system."
That tradition has been reinforced on the air with his Ferber's partner, Ray Howard. The former Jasper head coach who recently turned 80 will throw batting practice and then make his way to the press box.
"Ray brings a depth of information to the broadcast," says Ferber. "The last nine year we've done this, I've learned a tremendous amount of baseball from him."
This year, Ferber will work 37 high school games, 30 collegiate contests (between the University of Evansville on ESPN3 and the Dubois County Bombers with partner Roger Stuckey on WITZ) plus the Bluegrass World Series and 10 to 15 softball games.
The Bombers play in League Stadium, where the grandstand was built in 1894 and the park became famous when "A League Of Their Own" was filmed there.
"They put on a pretty good show," says Ferber of the Bombers players and staff.
Ferber (facebook.com/wferber, twitter.com/WaltFerber) calls Jasper football, boys soccer, girls soccer, boys basketball, girls basketball and softball plus some Southridge, Northeast Dubois and Forest Park competition. He also describes Indiana State University women's basketball.
There will be double duty at the 2019 State Finals for Ferber if Southridge beats South Vermillion to win the Jasper Semistate. He will be on the call for WITZ Saturday, June 8.
At 62, Ferber says he knows he will probably cut back his schedule as some point.
"I don't see myself retiring altogether," says Ferber. "I'm pretty lucky to do what I do.
"I've wanted to do it ever since I was 5 years old. I did whatever I could to make it happen."
Ferber did his first work in radio at 14 and had his first play-by-play gig at 15.
He worked at WNAS and WREY in New Albany, becoming perhaps the youngest sports director in the state at the latter station in 1973. He graduated from New Albany High School in 1974 and earned a double major in Telecommunications and Marketing at Indiana University, graduating in 1978.
Ferber was at WTTS in Bloomington from 1974-79 and at WWWY in Columbus in 1979 before landing at WITZ in 1980.
Today, there are three entities and four frequencies — WITZ 104.7 FM, WQKZ 98.5 FM and Juan 99.1 FM and 990 AM (Spanish language station).
Ferber has been a Cincinnati Reds fan since boyhood.
"My favorite player when I was a kid was Pete Rose," says Ferber. "For obvious reasons, I'm a big fan of Scott Rolen. I got a chance to broadcast all of his games at Jasper High School."
WQKZ became a St. Louis Cardinals station when Rolen was with that team and has remained a Cards affiliate ever since. Ferber is scheduled to throw out a first pitch when the Chicago Cubs visit Busch Stadium July 31.
Ferber has been married to the former Melanie Padgett since 1980.
"On those nights I'm home, I usually watch what she wants to watch," says Ferber, who has two sons (Nathan and Jonathon) and two grandchildren.
Awards have come Ferber's way aplenty, including Indiana Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association Hall of Fame in 2010, New Albany High School Hall of Fame in 2011 plus Associated Press Play by Play awards in 1995, 1996 and 1997, ISSA Marv Bates Indiana Sportscaster of the Year in 1996, Indiana Interscholastic Administrators Athletic Association Distinguished Service Award in 1997, Indiana Basketball Coaches Association Virgil Sweet Distinguished Service Award in 2005, Network Indiana Play by Play awards in 2007 and 2008, NI Sportscaster of the Year in 2008 and IHSAA Distinguished Service Media Award in 2011.
IHSAA STATE FINALS
Victory Field, Indianapolis
Indiana Champions Network
Radio: Game 1 (5:30 p.m.) — Walt Ferber (play-by-play); Bob Lovell (analyst). Game 2 (following) — Greg Rakestraw (play-by-play); Chris Walker (analyst).
TV: Games 1 & 2 — Mark Jaynes (play-by-play); Brian Jennings (analyst).
Radio: Game 3 (5:30 p.m.) — Scott McCauley (play-by-play); John Herrick (analyst). Game 4 (following) — Brian Jennings (play-by-play); Justin Keever (analyst).
TV: Games 3 & 4 — Greg Rakestraw (play-by-play); Rob Blackman (analyst).
Roger Stuckey (left) and Walt Ferber broadcast games for the Dubois County Bombers of the summer collegiate Ohio Valley Baseball League on WITZ 104.7 FM.
Walt Ferber (left) and Ray Howard are the broadcast team on Jasper (Ind.) High School baseball games on WITZ 104.7 FM. Ferber is scheduled to call the first game of the 2019 IHSAA State Finals for the IHSAA Champions Radio Network.
A League Of Their OwnAssociated PressBloomingtonBluegrass World SeriesBob LovellBrian JenningsBroadcasterChicago CubsChris WalkerCincinnati RedsColumbusDubois CountyDubois County BombersGreg RakestrawHuntingburgIHSAA Champions NetworkIHSAA Champions Radio NetworkIHSAA State FinalsIndiana Basketball Coaches AssociationIndiana Interscholastic Athletic Administrators AssociationIndiana Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association Hall of FameIndiana UniversityIndianapolisJasperJasper SemistateJasper WildcatsJohn HerrickJuanJustin KeeverLeague StadiumMark JaynesMarketingMelanie FerberNetwork IndianaNew AlbanyNew Albany High SchoolOhio Valley Baseball LeaguePete RosePlay-by-playRadioRay HowardRob BlackmanRoger StuckeyScott McCauleyScott RolenSouth VermillionSouthridgeSt. Louis CardinalsTelecommunicationsTerry GobertUniversity of EvansvilleVictory FieldWalt FerberWITZ AM/FMWNASWQKZWREYWTTSWWWY
Fort Wayne Dwenger's Garrett relishes fatherly roles
January 29, 2019 stvkrh905	4 Comments
Jason Garrett relishes being a father and a father figure.
He and wife Sharon have 11 offspring "running around on the earth. Two lived briefly in the womb.
Emily (24), Dominic (23), Louis (21) and Grace (19) all attended Fort Wayne (Ind.) Bishop Dwenger High School where Jason is pastoral minister and head coach for football and baseball.
Senior Michael (18), sophomore Cecilia (16) and freshman Simon (14) are current Dwenger students. Xavier (13), Lydia (10), Blaise (8) and Jude (4) are future Dwenger Saints.
A 1988 Dwenger graduate, Garrett saw a chance to impact many young lives and came back to his alma mater in 2012 after serving in several jobs and coaching his kids in youth sports.
"I'm constantly in a fatherly role," says Garrett, who saw the Saints go 14-1 and win the 2018 IHSAA Class 4A state football championship in his first season in charge after six seasons as offensive coordinator and heads into his sixth season as head baseball coach this spring. "When I say these guys become like my sons it's genuine.
"It's something I love to do. I've been given some blessings and graces to be able to manage."
How does he manage all his roles?
It's a matter of balance.
"It comes back to my faith and believing what I do is something the Lord created me to do," says Garrett. "I believe it's my vocation. My work is an opportunity allows me to grow as a husband and father.
"My wife is a tremendous support for that."
Garrett maintains a close relationship with his baseball coaches.
"We made an agreement to see this through," says Garrett, who counts Steve Devine as assistant head coach and Todd Ellinger, Brad Brown, Mick Steele and Chad Kahlenbeck as assistants. Kahlenbeck is heading into his fourth season. The others are going into their sixth.
Devine is a former Indiana Tech head coach. He works with the varsity and JV squads with a concentration on pitching and base running. Fort Wayne Snider graduate Ellinger and Dwenger grad Brown both played baseball at Purdue University and are Dwenger football assistants.
In baseball, Ellinger works with both varsity and JV and serves as hitting coach. Brown spends most of his time with the varsity and works with catchers and the defense. Dwenger alum Steele is head JV coach and helps with fielding. Fort Wayne Concordia grad Kahlenbeck assists with the JV.
"In this role — as the head coach — I need to be the visionary and let guys coach," says Garrett. "The time investment is not much different than I was used to. You're managing and insuring the relationships and element of team are in place."
The Saints play an aggressive brand of baseball. Dwenger stole 133 bases in his first season and have pilfered at least 100 bags each year since, using many of the principles of graduate Matt Talarico (who is assistant coach and player development director at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, and the founder of StealBases.com).
"We're aggressive," says Garrett. "Some would say more of a small ball team — Get 'em on. Get 'em over.
Get 'em in."
Garrett and his players are well aware that the team that scores the most runs wins, so they will use the bunt, squeeze bunt, push bunt and slash to fuel their offense.
"It goes back to my years as a (Dwenger) player under coach Lance Hershberger," says Garrett of the man who now heads up the baseball program at Ivy Tech Northeast in Fort Wayne. "Everybody on the team was expected to know how to bunt.
"We are certainly willing and able."
By stealing home, Dwenger clinched the 2017 Summit Athletic Conference title. The SAC also includes Fort Wayne Carroll, Fort Wayne Bishop Luers, Fort Wayne Concordia Lutheran, Fort Wayne North Side, Fort Wayne Northrop, Fort Wayne Snider, Fort Wayne South Side, Fort Wayne Wayne and Homestead. Conference foes meet twice, either in a home-and-home series with day in-between or in a doubleheader.
The Saints are part of an IHSAA Class 3A sectional grouping with Luers, Concordia, Garrett, Leo, New Haven and Columbia City. Dwenger has won 11 sectionals — the last in 2016.
Dwenger hitters take pride in taking pitches or getting plunked by them to get on base for scoring opportunities.
Garrett notes that the high school season goes by pretty quickly (batters are lucky if they get 100 at-bats) and there's no time for a prolonged slump. Dwenger's style usually helps it get around that offensive lull.
Garrett likes to have 30 to 32 players in the program, which allows players to get enough repetitions to continuing development.
The recent advent of pitcher-only players has opened up the roster a little bit.
"It creates opportunities for some guys," says Garrett. "That's been a really good thing for us. We've had guys have the chance to pitch in college.
"If you want to play baseball at the next level, you certainly will have that opportunity through our program."
Since 2014, Dwenger has sent Dan Connolly (2015) to Hanover College, Noah Freimuth (2016) to the University of Saint Francis, Jack Harris (2016) to Saint Francis, Louis Garrett (2016) to Ave Maria University, Parker Noll (2016) to Wabash College, Dalton O'Boyle (2016) to St. Petersburg Junior College, Andrew Rolfsen (2016) to Anderson University, Eric Doyle (2018) to Ivy Tech Northeast, Eddie Morris (2018) to Ivy Tech, Michael Sundahl (2018) to Mount St. Joseph University and Jake Vanek (2018) to Heidelberg University. Grant Richardson played at Dwenger from 2015-16 and played his senior year at Fishers High School before going on to Indiana University. There are no current college commits for the Saints.
Dwenger graduates to be selected in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft as pitchers include left-handers Andy Helmer (New York Yankees in 1996 and Cleveland Indians out of Purdue in 2000) and Terry Kieffer (Montreal Expos out of Indian Hills Community College in Centerville, Iowa, in 1973 and St. Louis Cardinals out of Louisiana State University in 1974) and righty Ben Norton (Arizona Diamondbacks out of the University of Evansville in 2007). Norton is now the pitching coach at Butler University.
While it varies from year to year, Garrett estimates that 25 to 30 percent play both football and baseball at Dwenger on average. Of 92 football players last fall, 35 are in a winter sport and many will be three-sport athletes.
The multi-sport athlete is common at this institution.
"The culture, coaching and school, we encourage that very strongly," says Garrett. "Why do we play sports? What's the purpose of it? We see sports as a vehicle to grow in virtue. It's a way they learn tremendous lessons in life. We want them to find as many competitive opportunities as possible.
Not only do they get the chance to stay healthy through engaging in physical activity, they get the chance to embrace and battle through adversity.
Dwenger football has a tradition of excellence and that translates to the baseball diamond.
Is there pressure?
"I believe there's accountability to herald the great traditions in this school," says Garrett. "It's how we play, who we are and how we respect the opponent. The wins and losses take care of themselves.
"We have a deep spiritual component, a style of football that's tough and gritty and are strong academically.
"Our motto is: Trust. Unity. Toughness. We genuinely care for each other."
Dwenger shares Shoaff Park with Ivy Tech Northeast. Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation owns the facilities and the teams manage it. The relationship was initiated by former Dwenger head baseball coach Larry Windmiller.
Garrett played football for head coach Andy Johns at Dwenger then played four seasons of football for head coach Bill Reagan and two of baseball at Saint Joseph's College in Rensselaer, Ind. Heading the Pumas in baseball were Dennis Stitz in 1990 and Mike Moyzis in 1991.
After graduating SJC in 1992, Garrett went to Northern State University in Aberdeen, S.D., to get a masters in guidance and counseling and served a graduate assistantship in the school's counseling department.
Garrett helped form Conquest Clubs and Programs, a leadership program for fathers and sons. He was executive director of Redeemer Radio in Fort Wayne and worked as a pastoral associate at Saint Mary's in Decatur, Ind., before returning to Dwenger. He ran the St. Charles middle school program before joining the high school staff.
The main feeder schools for Dwenger (which has an enrollment of about 1,020 in Grades 9-12) includes St. Charles Borromeo, St. Jude, St. Vincent de Paul, Our Lady of Good Hope and Queen of Angels in Fort Wayne as well as St. Mary of the Assumption of Avila, Ind., and St. Joseph of Garrett, Ind.
The Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger Saints baseball team celebrate another run crossing the plate.
Father Jason and son Louis Garrett share a moment on the baseball field with the Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger High School Saints. Jason Garrett is also pastoral minister and head football coach at the school.
The Garrett family includes father Jason, mother Sharon and children Emily, Dominic, Louis, Grace, Michael, Cecilia, Simon, Xavier, Lydia, Blaise and Jude.
Anderson UniversityAndrew RolfsenAndy HelmerAndy JohnsArizona DiamondbacksAve Maria UniversityBen NortonBill ReaganBlaise GarrettBrad BrownButler UniversityCecilia GarrettChad KahlenbeckCleveland IndiansColumbia CityConquest Clubs and ProgramsDalton O'BoyleDan ConnollyDennis StitzDominic GarrettEddie MorrisEmily GarrettEric DoyleFatherFishersFootballFort Wayne Bishop DwengerFort Wayne Bishop LuersFort Wayne CarrollFort Wayne Concordia LutheranFort Wayne North SideFort Wayne NorthropFort Wayne Parks and RecreationFort Wayne SniderFort Wayne South SideFort Wayne WayneGarrettGrace GarrettGrant RichardsonHanover CollegeHeidelberg UniversityHomesteadIndian Hills Community CollegeIndiana UniversityIvy Tech NortheastJake VanekJason GarrettJude GarrettLance HershbergerLarry WindmillerLeoLouis GarrettLouisiana State UniversityLydia GarrettMatt TalaricoMichael GarrettMichael SundahlMick SteeleMike MoyzisMLB DraftMontreal ExposNew HavenNew York YankeesNoah FreimuthNorthern State UniversityOur Lady of Good HopeParker NollPastoral ministerPurdue UniversityQueen of AngelsRedeemer RadioSaint Joseph's CollegeSectional championsSharon GarrettShoaff ParkSimon GarrettSt. Charles BorromeoSt. JosephSt. JudeSt. Louis CardinalsSt. Mary of the AssumptionSt. Petersburg Junior CollegeSt. Vincent de PaulState championsStealingBases.comSteve DevineSummit Athletic ConferenceTerry KiefferTodd EllingerUniversity of EvansvilleUniversity of Saint Francis (Ind.)Wabash CollegeWright State UniversityXavier Garrett
High School, Pro, Uncategorized
New IHSBCA Hall of Famer Rolen reflects on family, baseball career
Circumstances kept the family of Scott Rolen away as he was inducted into the Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
But the former Jasper (Ind.) High School standout and 17-year major league third baseman had his loved ones on his mind during festivities Friday, Jan. 18, 2019 in Indianapolis.
Scott and Niki Rolen have two children — Raine (14) and Finn (11). Their daughter got sick at basketball practice so they were unable to be at the Sheraton at the Crossing.
Now the director of player development — a volunteer position — on head coach Jeff Mercer's baseball staff at Indiana University, Rolen is around the lend his expertise.
By rule, he does not coach individuals and can only recruit on-campus. But he can evaluate and provide input to that the Hoosiers can use.
"I can coach the coaches, basically," says Rolen. "I can talk with them about practice strategies and what each player can work on.
"It's a great fit. There's a real good thing going there right now."
The position allows him freedom for family time.
"The kids are my first priority," says Rolen. "I bounce in and bounce out."
Last summer, Scott and Dan Held coached their sons on an Indiana Bulls 10U Grey travel team. Rolen lives in Bloomington and brought six players from his neck of the woods, including son Finn. Held, who lived central Indiana and served as Bulls executive at the time, added six players, including son Boston.
The team played a small schedule and was done by the first part of July.
"Everybody could go on vacation, have fun or play other sports," says Rolen. "They could swim, throw the frisbee, have a blast."
He anticipates a similar schedule for an 11U team in 2019. Dan Held is now assistant coach/recruiting director at IU.
Rolen played for the original Bulls team co-founded by Dave Taylor in the early 1990's. The club featured top talent from around the state and played when the baseball landscape was much different than today.
The travel baseball world has really morphed into something big," says Rolen. "I'm very careful with my son.
"I love high school sports. I love rec sports. There's spot for some extra baseball, but I believe in playing year-round everything.
"I believe in the athlete. I don't believe in the baseball player. I'd like to see a little more well-rounded athlete."
Rolen, who was Indiana Mr. Baseball and runner-up to Indiana Mr. Basketball as a Jasper senior, also played tennis in high school. He was offered a basketball scholarship to the University of Georgia before being selected in second round of the 1993 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft by the Philadelphia Phillies.
He was the 1997 National League Rookie of the Year and went on to play for the St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds and Toronto Blue Jays. He finished with .281 average, 2,077 hits, 316 home runs and 1,287 runs batted in and 1,211 runs scored. He was an eight-time Gold Glove winner and recipient of a Silver Slugger Award in 2002. He earned a World Series ring in 2006 with St. Louis. He has had four shoulder surgeries and is scheduled for back surgery next week.
Scott grew up the youngest of Ed and Linda Rolen's three children behind Todd and Kristie.
Mom and dad were teachers and the Rolen kids were busy with sports. But they found a way to get together at meal time.
"We have a real close tight-knit family," says Rolen. "My parents never missed a ball game, whether it was mine, Kristie's or Todd's. They split up, divided and conquered.
"They really put us in a nice position to succeed in sports and school and gave us a nice solid upbringing."
Rolen made a major gift of an unspecified amount for the construction of IU's Bart Kaufman Field in 2013 and the clubhouse is named in honor of his parents.
Scott makes a point of telling his father how much appreciates his father. Ed Rolen, who is now in Florida and unable to travel, can't understand the fuss.
"Dad's the kind of guy that when I thank him, he says 'for what?,' says Scott. "Well, for being a great dad.
"He was there and he loved us — always."
Rolen, with brother Todd as executive director, has been showing love to other families through the Enis Furley aka E5 Foundation.
"It's named after an error at third base," says Rolen. "You poke a little fun at yourself from time to time."
Through E5, Indiana Children's Wish Fund and other organizations, four families with special needs children are identified and all their expenses are paid to come to Camp Emma Lou, a property of about 75 acres on Lake Monroe near Bloomington.
These kids get to experience a petting zoo, baseball field, bond fires, swim in the lake and more.
"It's just a little something that we can give back," says Rolen.
The foundation also brings sixth graders in Monroe County — about 1,000 kids — to the camp in spring and fall for leadership field trips and team-building activities.
"We talk to them about things that are going on in their lives," says Rolen.
Scott (Class of 1993) and Todd (Class of '91) played baseball together for IHSBCA Hall of Famer Terry Gobert (induction Class of 2007). In Todd's senior year, the Wildcats rebounded from a tough start to advance to the IHSAA State Finals.
Rolen, who was inducted into the 41st annual Hall of Fame class with Ron McClain, Fred "Cy" Williams, Bob Schellinger and Pat O'Neil, recalls Gobert's effective methods.
"Coach Gobert was pretty laid-back," says Rolen. "We were able to practice in shorts. But if we need to slide, we need to slide.
"We had to get our work done. If we don't do our work, we're going to wear pants and we're going run."
Rolen was nominated for the Hall of Fame by Ryan Berryman, head coach at Western High School and also an Indiana Bulls coach.
Hall of Famer Ray Howard (induction Class of 1990) is executive director of the IHSBCA Hall of Fame, located on the Vincennes University campus in Jasper, and was again behind the mic at Friday's banquet. The Hall is about to unveil more display space.
Jasper Hall of Famers (from left): Ray Howard (inducted in 1990), Scott Rolen (2019) and Terry Gobert (2007). Hall of Fame executive director Howard is a former Jasper (Ind.) High School head coach and current assistant. Rolen played for head coach Gobert at Jasper then for 17 years in the majors. (Steve Krah Photo)
Scott Rolen is director of player development on head coach Jeff Mercer's baseball squad at Indiana University. (Indiana University Photo)
Scott Rolen, who was Indiana Mr. Baseball at Jasper High School in 1993, played for the Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds and Toronto Blue Jays. He is now an Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Famer. (Cincinnati Reds Photo)
BasketballBob SchellingerBoston HeldCamp Emma LouCincinnati RedsCy WilliamsDan HeldDave TaylorDirector of player developmentE5 FoundationEd RolenEnis Furley FoundationFinn FolenGold GloveIHSBCA Hall of FameIndiana BullsIndiana Children's Wish FundIndiana High School Baseball Coaches AssociationIndiana Mr. BaseballIndiana Mr. BasketballIndiana UniversityIndianapolisJasperJeff MercerKristie RolenLake MonroeLinda RolenMLB DraftNational League Rookie of the YearNiki RolenPat O'NeilPhiladelphia PhilliesRaine RolenRay HowardRon McClainRyan BerrymanScott RolenSheraton at the CrossingSilver SluggerSt. Louis CardinalsTennisThird basemanTodd RolenToronto Blue JaysUniversity of GeorgiaVincennes University-Jasper
Bethel Hall of Famer Masterson keeping busy since baseball retirement
November 9, 2018 stvkrh905	2 Comments
Justin Masterson put the wraps on his professional baseball playing career in 2017.
A 6-foot-6, 235-pound right-hander possessing what was often a devastating sinker pitched for the Boston Red Sox (2008-09, 2015), Cleveland Indians (2009-14) and St. Louis Cardinals (2014).
"Mr. Clean" appeared in 25 games with the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians in 2016. He also pitched in the minors for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Los Angeles Dodgers organizations.
Before any of that, the Kingston, Jamaica-born, Beavercreek (Ohio) High School graduate spent two seasons at Bethel College in Mishawaka, Ind. (he was an honorable-mention NAIA All-American in 2004 and National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association All-American in 2004 and 2005), and one at San Diego State University (2006).
At Bethel, he was a combined 20-8 on the mound with 185 strikeouts posted earned averages of 2.09 in 2004 and 1.59 in 2005. With a bat, he clubbed a team-best 10 homers in 2005.
He was inducted into the Bethel Athletics Hall of Fame in 2013.
Masterson was selected in the second round of the 2006 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft by the Red Sox.
Justin and wife Meryl Masterson (her maiden name is Ham) celebrated 11 years of marriage Nov. 3, 2018. The couple resides in Fishers, Ind., and have three children — 7-year-old Eden and 4-year-old twins Cruz and Nadia.
Philanthropists, the Mastersons founded a non-profit, Fortress Foundation, in 2013 with business partner and former Bethel teammate Matt Zappasodi. Justin Masterson is chairman, Matt Zappasodi director, Meryl Masterson co-chair and Emily Zappasodi treasurer.
Masterson also partnered with the One Child Matters baseball project in the Dominican Republic in 2008, spoke at the Pentagon's weekly prayer breakfast in 2009 and worked with Bright Hope in 2013.
He has also indicated that he will support The BASE Indianapolis. The group brings baseball and educational opportunities to urban youth.
Masterson, 33, was an award presenter in October at the Bethel College Founders Society Dinner, where plans were revealed for the school's transition to Bethel University in May 2019.
Recently, Masterson agreed to an IndianaRBI Q&A session.
Q: What are some of your fondest on-field memories at Bethel College?
A: Let's see. Justin Gingerich, fellow pitcher, hitting a bomb off of me in fall ball. And — no! — he didn't have much practice leading up to that moment. I think that was the fall of our sophomore year.
I felt all the emotions during a doubleheader. We were facing Marian, I think for the conference, and I start the first game and we did well and won. Game 2, we are winning and I am brought in to close out this game. Control was a little off, I think I walked the bases loaded, then their best hitter at the time — don't know his name, but he had a solid beard and long hair — he came up and crushed one into the trees for a grand slam. The day started on a high note and ended on a low note. There are so many incredible memories!
We set a record in wins my freshman year (44 in 2004) and it was a pleasure to play with some great players.
One game, I am still trying to figure out if it was true or folklore, but Marcel Guevara, a well-sized left-handed Venezuelan, crushed six or seven homers in a doubleheader. And the joke remains that Marcel hit a guy with a ball over the fence during batting practice, we looked at Marcel and said, 'You hit that guy!' He responded with, 'He shouldn't have been standing there.' Fun times!
Q: What are some of your fondest off-field memories at Bethel College?
A: My time started with incredible roommates. First year I had my cousins Dan and Aaron Hamrick, along with Kyle Feller and Matt Savill.
The next year it continued with my cousin Aaron and we added Logan Halley and Aaron Engbrecht.
Along with the fact that my older sister (Mandy) was at Bethel, this made for the baseline of a blessed college journey.
One of my favorite things to do was to join my cousin Dan for open gym basketball just about every evening. Even the days I had two-a-day baseball practices, Dan would still drag me to open gym, but I didn't fight too hard either.
Meeting my wife, Meryl, has to be near the top of fondest memories at Bethel. I was a sophomore and she was a freshman. We were together in perspective of fine arts, that is we were both taking the class and she noticed me well before I noticed her, but once I noticed she was noticing me, well, lets just say we celebrated 11 years of marriage.
I could go on for days and know there are plenty that I am forgetting. Enjoying myself I did!
Q: What was your favorite class or classes?
A: Anything with Dr. Bob Laurent! There were other great professors and enjoyable classes but he — just like he has for thousands of students and people in his lifetime — impacted my life in lasting ways that were helpful in molding me into who I am today.
Q: What else can you tell us about your studies at Bethel or San Diego State? What was major?
A: At Bethel, I was taking a smorgasbord of bible classes and when I went to San Diego State those that transferred turned my major into a criminal justice/psychology/sociology major.
I worked hard in all my classes, but school was honestly a means for me to grow and develop socially, physically and mentally as I continued my journey to the Major Leagues.
Q: Who were the toughest hitters you faced in the big leagues?
A: One most people will agree with — Miguel Cabrera. I believe he is one of the best hitters because he can do anything with a bat and is willing to do what the situation dictates. He can hit a home run, but is satisfied with a base hit that scores a run. Not afraid to take a walk if the pitcher is giving it to him.
Melky Cabrera raked me, but the other I talk about most is Don Kelly.
If you haven't heard of him that is understandable, also means you are not a Tigers fan. Don was the king at just dropping balls in over the infielders' heads. (Kelly) would bat in the 9-hole against every other pitcher, but would hit in the 4-hole against me. It culminated to 2013, I gave up three runs in each of my games against Detroit. Those runs came from Downtown Don's two three-run home runs. If he wasn't an incredible guy, I might be more upset about it!
Q: Who were some of the best that you got out regularly?
A: I do not remember the best. I would say the majority of right-handed hitters I fared quite well against with my low three-quarters arm slot and heavy sinking action.
I do remember my first playoff series against the angels and facing Torii Hunter and Vladimir Guerrero each game. I did not get them out every time, but fared decently well against them, at least we won that series so I didn't do too terrible!
Q: What do you think it's been like for her to be a baseball wife?
A: A journey! It is such an interesting world to navigate as a professional athlete's wife.
That world ranges from ladies who, by the way they talk, are out on the field making plays, to ladies who are some of the kindest, most humble people you will ever meet.
Of course, my wife is a part of the kind, humble spectrum and she was and still is well-respected by all who crossed her path. Not only do they have to deal with each other, but they have to deal with their husband who may or may not have fared very well that night.
I think my wife's husband made that part of the gig a little bit easier. Not because he always performed well, but because the game was just that — a game! And he answers in third person!
Q: What are you doing these days?
A: I am available. What do I mean by that? I have dug a ditch, I have milled some logs, I have done some speaking, I have done some leading, I have done some lessons, I am coaching second grade basketball and the list can continue.
I did not want to jump into anything too permanent right away after deciding not to play anymore.
What do most of my days consist of? Lots of family time, reading, writing and some bootleg guitar playing!
Q: What about Fortress Foundation?
A: A refuge to those in a time of need. We are trying to go where God is leading us to impact spiritually, emotionally, and physically.
Meryl and I started the foundation in 2013 and do not plan on it lasting forever but wanted a way to be good stewards of God's financial blessings through baseball and also have a way to hold the organizations we work with accountable.
Matt Zappasodi and I are going to India soon to impact lives in a positive way
Q: Do you keep in-touch with other former Bethel teammates or classmates?
A: We have been blessed to have the Zappsodi's around and have also had chances to keep in touch with many Bethel people over the years.
One of the great things about baseball is that you travel to a lot of neat cities and with Bethel alumni being scattered throughout the country, lets just say the joke in the clubhouse was that I knew someone in every city that we went to.
And if I had time I loved meeting before the game or after the game for a late night bit to eat. Many opportunities have arisen though the friendships that I made at Bethel.
Q: You say you live in or near Fishers, Ind.? Is that near where Meryl is from?
A: Meryl is from the mean streets of Mishawka and I hail from two minutes east of Dayton. We could live anywhere after we were married and (the Indianapolis area) kind of splits the difference between our families. Ten years later, we are still here and it is a pretty good place to live.
Justin Masterson (foreground) captures the scene at a fall retreat in Brown City, Mich. Masterson is a member of the Bethel College Athletics Hall of Fame and former Major League Baseball pitcher. He is kept busy doing many things, including making impact spiritually, emotionally, and physically through the Fortress Foundation.
Aaron EngbrechtAaron HamrickBeavercreekBethel Athletics Hall of FameBethel CollegeBethel College Founders SocietyBethel UniversityBoston Red SoxBright HopeCleveland IndiansDan HamrickDaytonDon KellyDr. Bob LaurentEmily ZappasodiFishersFortress FoundationIndianapolis IndiansJamaicaJustin GingerichJustin MastersonKingstonKyle FellerLogan HalleyLos Angeles DodgersMandy MastersonMarcel GuevaraMatt SavillMatt ZappasodiMelky CabreraMeryl MastersonMiguel CabreraMishawakaMLB DraftNAIANational Christian College Athletic AssociationOne Child MattersPittsburgh PiratesSan Diego StateSt. Louis CardinalsThe BASE IndianapolisTorii HunterVladimir Guerrero
High School, History, Pro, Umpires
IHSBCA Hall of Fame to welcome Williams, McClain, O'Neil, Schellinger, Rolen
A very small town in the northwest quadrant of Indiana has produced to big league baseball players.
Within months of one another in 1887, Fred "Cy" Williams and Otis "Doc" Crandall were born in Wadena, Ind.
According to Cappy Gagnon's Society for American Baseball Research BioProject profile of Williams, Wadena had but 75 people in 1890. Wikipedia says the 2009 population was 20.
Wadena in Benton County can now claim Williams as a member of the Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame. He is part of the induction class of 2019. The veterans committee selected Williams and Ronald J. McClain with Pat O'Neil going in as a coach, Bob Schellinger as contributor and Scott Rolen as a player.
Williams played the first half of his career during the Deadball Era and still put up power numbers.
Donning the uniforms of the Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies from 1912-30, the lefty slugger hit .292 with 251 home runs, 1,005 runs batted in, 1,024 runs scored, 115 stolen bases. He led the National League in home runs four times, on-base percentage twice (not that they talked about that back then) and slugging percentage one time.
Williams died in 1974.
O'Neil, a graduate of LaPorte (Ind.) High School in 1975 and Kentucky Wesleyan College in 1980, is now head coach at Danville (Ind.) Community High School.
His career coaching mark of 364-124 includes a state championship (2005) and two state runners-up finishes (2003 and 2004) at Brownsburg (Ind.) High School. His Bulldogs also won five Hoosier Crossroads Conference titles, three sectionals, three regionals and three semistates.
O'Neil has coached 12 first-team all-staters, nine all-stars, two Mr. Baseballs (Lance Lynn and Tucker Barnhart) and sent more than 50 players to college baseball.
Pat's brother, Chip O'Neil, is already in the IHSBCA Hall of Fame. Both played for legendary coach Ken Schreiber.
Schellinger, a graduate of South Bend St. Joseph's High School and Illinois Benedictine College, coached with Schreiber at LaPorte. He served stints as head coach and assistant at South Central (Union Mills) High School.
He has been a licensed IHSAA umpire for 46 years with 17 sectional assignments, 11 regionals, five semistates, four State Finals and three IHSBCA North/South All-Star Series.
A four-time IHSBCA Umpire of the Year, Schlleinger was honored at IHSAA Official of the Year in baseball at the 2017 State Finals.
Rolen, who is now the director of player development at Indiana University, is a 1993 Jasper (Ind.) High School graduate. There, he was Mr. Baseball and a runner-up for Mr. Basketball.
A two-time first-team all-stater and IHSBCA All-Star, Rolen went on to play in the majors with the Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays and Cincinnati Reds. He was the National League Rookie of the Year in 1997 and wound up hitting .281 with 316 homers, 1,287 RBIs and 1,211 runs scored in 17 seasons. He also won eight Gold Gloves as a third baseman.
Hall of Famers will be honored during the IHSBCA awards banquet during the annual state clinic Jan. 17-19 at Sheraton at Keystone at the Crossing in Indianapolis.
Scott Rolen, a Jasper (Ind.) High School graduate, is part of the 2019 class of the Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
Bob Schellinger, a South Bend (Ind.) St. Joseph's High School graduate, coach for 26 years and umpire for 46, is part of the 2019 class of the Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
Pat O'Neil, a LaPorte (Ind.) High School graduate who guided Brownsburg to a state title and two runner-up finishes, is part of the 2019 class of the Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
Cy Williams, born in tiny Wadena, Ind., is part of the 2019 class of the Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
BioProjectBob SchellingerBrownsburgCappy GagnonChicago CubsChip O'NeilCincinnati RedsCy WilliamsDanville Community High SchoolDeadball EraDoc CrandallGold GloveHoosier Crossroads ConferenceIHSBCA Hall of FameIHSBCA North/South All-Star SeriesIndiana High School Baseball Coaches AssociationIndianapolisKentucky Wesleyan CollegeLance LynnLaPorteMr. BaseballMr. BasketballNational League Rookie of the YearPat O'NeilPhiladelphia PhilliesRonald J. McClainScott RolenSheraton at Keystone at the CrossingSociety for American Baseball ResearchSouth Central (Union Mills)St. Louis CardinalsToronto Blue JaysTucker BarnhartUmpireWadena
College, Uncategorized
Individual development key as Mercer builds Indiana Hoosiers baseball
October 25, 2018 stvkrh905	18 Comments
Jeff Mercer was once in their shoes.
That's why he takes the approach he does as a head coach in college baseball.
Mercer, who was hired last summer to run the program at Indiana University, wants to give his players their best chance to showcase what they can do.
With that in mind, Mercer and his staff (Dan Held, Justin Parker, Casey Dykes, Scott Rolen and Denton Sagerman) design their fall practice schedule with individual work first before intrasquad and exhibition games.
"Development has always been the core foundational piece of our coaching philosophy," says Mercer, who came to the Hoosiers after successful two-season run as head coach at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. "You really need to take the time to coach the players. We want to make sure we put guys in position to maximize their strengths.
"You only get to find those strengths through building the relationships and focusing on the individual development of the players."
Rolen, director of player development, brings his expertise from 17 Major League Baseball seasons and helped the staff lay out the whole 12-week fall plan. Former St. Louis Cardinals catcher and manager Mike Matheny was consulted on coaching and catching. New York Yankees infield coordinator Miguel Cairo was asked for his guidance.
Talking with players, coaches get to see what the goals and the prism through which they view life and baseball.
"It helps a ton to know where they're coming from when you're trying to coach them," says Mercer.
This is not a new concept with Mercer, who played NCAA Division I baseball at the University of Dayton and Wright State before beginning his coaching career.
"We've always done individuals first," says Mercer, 33. "A lot of programs will do the team portion first. That's their prerogative. I understand that.
"For us, if I look at it from a young man's perspective. I want to come in and settle in. I want to get in the weight room, get my body right. I want to learn what your expectations of me are as a player."
The athletes want to know what is expected of them from mechanical, workload and style/brand of baseball standpoints.
"All of those take a lot of time for a player to understand," says Mercer. "The player will do whatever the expectation is. They always rise to the occasion.
"So if you take five or six weeks and you give them time and structure and coach them like crazy."
"If I'm a young man, I want to be at my best when I'm competing and showcasing myself in the fall and earning an opportunity to play in the spring."
By putting the individual work first in the fall, players can figure out where their classes is and make the necessary physical and mechanical adjustments.
Mercer says fear of failure is taken away through this approach.
"Fear of failure is what holds back the most successful people," says Mercer. "If I remove the fear of failure, I can just go grow and compete.
"All the lessons we've been taught can be applied much more readily into the game.
"At the end of the day, these players have one career. It's our job to help them maximize their opportunity to play this game."
Mercer says that's what he wants for his son if he grows up to play college baseball. Jeff and Stephanie Mercer welcome Grady into the world in June.
What brand of baseball will the Hoosiers play in 2019?
"This team is more offensive and can just flat drive the baseball as opposed to a small-ball style," says Mercer. "Let's not take a guy who may hit 15 home runs and try to convince him to bunt for 30 hits.
Let's let him get into good counts. I want to run the bases, but let's make sure when we have a guy at the plate who can drive the ball, we don't take the bat out of his hands. We play in a more offensive ballpark (Bart Kaufman Field's dimensions are 330 feet down the left field line, 400 to center and 340 to right)."
Based on the fall roster, some of the Hoosiers' top returning hitters are juniors Matt Gorski (.356 average, 8 home runs, 40 runs batted in for 2018) and Scotty Bradley (.326/7/19) and seniors Ryan Fineman (.309/7/37), Matt Lloyd (.275/9/41) and Logan Kaletha (.261/8/31).
Outfielder Gorski (Hamilton Southeastern High School graduate) catcher Fineman (California) and outfielder Kaletha (Michigan City) swing from the right side while infielder/catcher Bradley (New Jersey) and utility player Lloyd (Alberta, Canada) are lefties.
There's also might in the relief core and not just in the late innings.
"We've got more bullpen arms," says Mercer. "We need to make sure we really use our bullpen to accentuate our starters.
"We have mid-relief guys who are good so let's make sure we utilize that strength."
With Mercer being new at IU, he came in with no preconceived ideas about players.
"I don't know how successful or unsuccessful we were," says Mercer. "I purposely did not look at any of the stats or video from last year.
"I came in with a blank slate for everybody."
Mercer has never appointed captains, but lets leadership reveal itself.
"Those personalities step forward on their own and you try to empower them," says Mercer.
When he transferred from the Dayton to Wright State as a player, the coaching staff did not tell him he could not be a leader because he was the new kid on the block.
"I was very empowered to lead early in my time at Wright State and I felt comfortable in that role," says Mercer. "A big part of my success was me getting to be myself.
"I hope the guys here feel the freedom to be whoever they want to be now and moving forward."
Mental skills was important at Wright State where Mercer brought in Diamyn Hall as the first full-time coach in D-I baseball devoted to that side of the game. At IU, mental skills are talked about on a regular basis and Mercer leads most of the discussions.
Mercer, a Franklin Community High School graduate, grew up around the Indiana program. His father, Jeff Mercer Sr., was an assistant for the Hoosiers in 1988 and 1989 and helped found the Indiana Bulls travel baseball organization.
Once the surreal idea of leading a team he cared so much about growing up wore off, Mercer began to focus on the day-to-day task.
"You have an ultimate responsibility to the young men and their families and the coaches that entrusted Indiana University to provide them a great experience," says Mercer. "It's an awesome responsibility, but it's one we don't ever take lightly.
"You can't get caught being a fan. You've got go to work."
Jeff Mercer is the head baseball coach at Indiana University. The 2019 season will be his first with the Hoosiers. (Indiana University Photo)
New Indiana University head baseball coach Jeff Mercer has been spending the time to develop individuals this fall. (Indiana University Photo)
Bart Kaufman FieldCasey DykesDan HeldDenton SagermanDevelopmentDiamyn HallFranklin CommunityGrady MercerHamilton SoutheasternIndiana BullsIndiana UniversityJeff MercerJeff Mercer Sr.Justin ParkerLogan KalethaMajor League BaseballMatt GorskiMatt LloydMental SkillsMichigan CityMiguel CairoMike MathenyNew York YankeesRyan FinemanScott RolenScotty BradleySt. Louis CardinalsStephanie MercerUniversity of DaytonWright State University


Departing Suffolk & Essex - Pull on your flat cap or fancy headdress and come and enjoy some "Tomfoolery" at the 1920s themed raceday at Newmarket Racecourses.
We're stepping back in time to this magical decade and fully immersing ourselves in the era with our raceday entertainment including; roaming music and dancers weaving through the crowds, superb showgirls, classic cars and live music after racing!
If you're feeling "hot to trot", further embrace the Peaky Blinder subculture of style by donning a three-piece suit, tailored jacket and flat cap for the gents and for the ladies lavish flapper and drop waist dresses, elegant pearls and feather headdresses and come and join us in our dedicated 1920s pavilion. Make sure that you dress to impress!


The 80-year-old female patient referred from a local doctor indicating the abnormal shadow in chest X-ray.
She had no symptoms and no medical history but had hypertension and dyslipidemia. Her height was 165 cm and weight was 55 kg. There was no other arteriosclerotic disease including coronary artery disease and carotid artery disease.
The contrast-enhanced CT scan showed the hairpin curve of descending aorta that shown as an abnormal shadow in chest X-ray, abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) (45 mm), left common iliac artery aneurysm (CIAA) (51 mm) and internal iliac artery aneurysm (IIAA) (28 mm). The proximal neck was angulated ver 90 degrees and the length was 19 mm.
The angle between left subclavian artery and aortic arch angulated that it was difficult to let the pigtail catheter go through the ascending aorta. In the angiography from a common femoral artery, the neck of AAA was very angulated and the length was short.
The both sides of the internal artery were embolized via each contralateral femoral artery using Vascular Plugs. The main body ofEndurant II was deployed just distal to the left renal artery (RA) and the contralateral limbs were deployed on each side. While deploying the main body of the stent graft, we pushed the delivery shaft of Endurant II up in order to align the first ring of the main body coaxial to the angulated neck. The distal landing points were the external iliac artery on both sides.
After touching up the stent graft using the Reliant balloon, we found that the stent graft jailed the left RA. It was impossible to approach the left RAbecause of the angulated proximal neck, and therefore, we had to approach it from the left brachial artery. An ultra-stiff wire deployed into the descending aorta in order to advance a 6 French guiding sheath through the descending aorta from the left brachial artery. A 0.014" Guidewire was able to cross the left RA, however, the acute angle of the aortic arch prevented a 6 French guiding catheter from approaching left RA. Therefore, we chose GuideLiner PV to solve this problem. GuideLiner PV could enter into the left RA and a 6 mm balloon successfully delivered into the left RA. A balloon anchoring technique allowed the tip of the 6 French guiding catheter passes the ostium of the left RAcovered by the stent graft. After the stent implantation in the ostium of the RA, no endoleaks and excellent blood flow of the left RA observed.
It is difficult to bail out an unexpected side branch occlusion during a stent graft implantation. The reason for the difficulty includes a torturous access route and artificial occupying objects. GuideLiner PV is an effective option to clear these difficulties.