THOSE CURIOUS TRADES AND A GREAT STORY ABOUT COMBINING COLLEGE AND BASEBALL

Some weekend thoughts now that another Independent Baseball Insidercolumn is out...

I only smile when I see some of the transactions between leagues at this time of year. I chalk it up as one of the benefits of being "independent". For instance, three more players from the final round of the American Association Championship Series were added to Atlantic League teams before rosters became frozen for the playoffs even though the AA series was still not decided at the time the deals were finalized.

Southern Maryland added talented infielder David Espinosa from Grand Prairie, TX on the deadline day of September 12 and he still played for the Air Hogs that same day as they wrapped up the American Association title.

Grand Prairie closer Jon Hunton, who hurled two innings September 12, was acquired by Long Island on that same date and pitcher Tyler Walker of AA runnerup St. Paul, MN was picked up by the Ducks, also while the other league playoffs were being finished.

TRAVEL IS SIMPLE, RIGHT?

How is this for dedication?

Infielder Matt Rogelstad of Edmonton went round trip from the Alberta city to attend a class at York (PA) College and was back with the Capitals in time for their clinching win in the North American League championships in about 40 hours.

But it was complex.

Rogelstad left for the Edmonton airport at 3:15 Monday morning, flew to Chicago, then to Baltimore and rented a car to drive an hour to his evening class. (Keep in mind he had missed two weeks of classes because of the playoffs.)

For the return, he was up at 4 a.m. the next day to catch an 8 o'clock flight in Baltimore. After a mechanical issue, the plane returned to the gate. The enterprising player, who is due to graduate in December, learned his delayed aircraft would not get him to Edmonton until well after the game started. He found a flight from another Washington-area airport, took a cab and flew to Toronto. Once in Toronto, he had only 45 minutes to clear customs and make his next flight.

Rogelstad did all of this, and walked into the Edmonton clubhouse at 5:45 p.m., then went out and had two hits to help the Caps win the title-clinching game.

"We love the game, he told The Edmonton Journal. "That's exactly why we're here."

Amen.

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