Ben Szeremeta

What’s the old poker saying, a chip and a chair? Well, even after losing two of their last three series the Saints are still in the game and have a chance, albeit a very small one. The team now sits six games back of three teams in the wild card race with seven games to play in the 2017 regular season. Let’s look back at how they got there, the playoff picture, and the last home stand of the regular season in St. Paul.Cleburne Railroaders (Aug 18th- 20th) Kicking off the latest home stand at CHS Field was a three-game series versus the Cleburne Railroaders. While the Saints knocked their league leading 100th team home run of the season during the set with Cleburne, not much else went right for our local nine. The Saints dropped the first two games (6-3, 5-1) before righting the ship in an 8-5 victory in the series finale. This is the third season in a row the Saints have hit 100 home runs, the only three seasons in franchise history the team has eclipsed the century mark for home runs. Wichita Wingnuts (Aug 21st – 24th) Next up in St. Paul was a four-game visit from the top team in the South, the Wichita Wingnuts. The Saints won the series three games to one, keeping their slim playoff hopes alive. Game one’s 2-1 victory featured a dominant return to CHS Field by Saints pitcher, Dustin Crenshaw. Crenshaw pitched in two games in June for the Saints prior to signing to play in Mexico for the summer. In the 2-1 victory, Crenshaw tossed a complete game, allowing only five hits and one run, while striking out four with no walks. The Saints lost the second game of the series 8-3, but set yet another franchise record for the season. The home team hit three long balls in the game, pushing their season total to 107, breaking the old mark of 106 set last season. Another Mark Hamburger start, another record. Or at least it seems that way this season. In game three’s 3-1 victory, Hamburger dethroned and re-enthroned himself atop the all-time leader board in the American Association for innings pitched in a season. While tossing his seventh complete game of the year, also tying his own league record set last season. Hamburger pushed his innings total to 159.1, eclipsing his old mark of 158.2 set last year. Also of note in the win, Saints first baseman Brady Shoemaker joined an elite group of only two other Saints players in franchise history, hitting his twentieth home run of the season. The feat has been done before only by Kevin Roberson who hit 27 bombs in 2002 and Ole Sheldon who did it twice with 22 in 2010 and 20 in 2012. The Saints won the series finale 5-1, aided by a strong start by Ryan Zimmerman and a 3-4 day at the plate by Mitch Delfino. At Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks (Aug 25th – 27th) Following the last game at CHS Field, the Saints boarded their bus and took off up Hwy 94 to their next series against the Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks. The phrase must win is often over-used in sports today, but not in this case. To keep their playoff dreams alive the Saints entered must win territory as soon as they crossed into North Dakota. Unfortunately, the Redhawks had no plans of slowing down their late season playoff push and helping the Saints stay in the race. They swept the series 3-0, almost closing the Saints chances at the playoffs. After losing the three games 11-5, 7-6 in eleven innings, and 6-5 also in eleven innings, the Saints were mathematically eliminated from the North Division title race, with the Winnipeg Goldeyes claiming the crown for 2017. Playoff Standings Wild Card Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks 52-39 Kansas City T-Bones 52-40, .5 games back Gary SouthShore RailCats 52-40, .5 games back St. Paul Saints 47-46, 6 games back Looking Ahead The Saints return to CHS Field Tuesday, August 29th for their final home stand of the regular season, a three-game matchup versus the first-place Winnipeg Goldeyes. The Saints need a sweep and some help to make a miracle comeback and reach the playoffs, so we need to pack the place. This may be your last chance to take in all the fun and great baseball played in St. Paul for this year. So, let’s all get out to the ballpark one more time to cheer on our hometown team and show them how much we love them! Promotions for the final home stand include Awkward Tuesday (Aug 29th), the 30th anniversary of The Princess Bride (Aug 30th), and Fan Appreciation Night followed by a post-game fireworks super show (Aug 31st). Click here to view the article

My oh my, what an up and down season this has become for our Saints. After closing within inches of a playoff spot with their last four-game winning streak, a recent five-game losing streak has put them on the brink of being eliminated from playoff contention. As of August 17th, with 18 games remaining in the regular season, the Saints sit eight games back of first place Winnipeg in the North, and five games back of Kansas City in the wild card race. Let’s take a look at how they got here, the full playoff picture, and their upcoming home stand.Sioux Falls Canaries (Aug 10th – 13th) At the start of their latest home stand, the Saints looked to continue their winning ways, facing the Sioux Falls Canaries in a four-game showdown. Unfortunately, the 3-1 series loss was highlighted by two season marks the Saints wish they hadn't set. In the first game, the team was able to muster only two hits, a season low, against Canaries starter, Miles Nordgren, who tossed his first ever complete game shutout in the 7-0 Canaries victory. Then, the Saints were blanked again in the series finale 7-0, making this the first time all season the team has been shut out twice in a series. Canaries pitcher Grady Wood held the Saints in check for all nine innings, tossing the second complete game of the series for Sioux Falls. The bright spot of the home stand was a 10-5 victory in game two. Nate Hanson hit his 12th home run of the year, and the Saints scored four runs in the sixth chasing Canaries starter, Joe Bircher from the mound. For the Saints, Benji Waite started went five innings allowing three runs, and Brandon Peterson earned the win, tossing two scoreless innings in relief. At Winnipeg Goldeyes (Aug 14th – 17th) Coming off two straight losses the Saints tried to right the ship against the first-place Goldeyes in Winnipeg. Alas, it looks like a road trip to Canada was not what the doctor ordered. With one game remaining in the series, tonight Aug 17th, the Saints have lost three straight (6-3, 8-2, 5-3) in Winnipeg, while also tying their season long losing streak at five games. Playoff Picture as of Aug 17th North Division 50-32 Winnipeg Goldeyes 43-36 Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks – 5.5 games back 42-40 St. Paul Saints – 8 games back 37-44 Sioux Falls Canaries – 12.5 games back Wild Card 47-35 Kansas City T-Bones 46-35 Gary SouthShore Railcats - .5 games back 43-36 Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks – 2.5 games back 42-40 St. Paul Saints – 5 games back Looking Ahead The Saints second-to-last home stand of the regular season begins on Thursday, August 18th. The local nine face off against the Cleburne Railroaders in a three-game set, followed by a four-game series versus the first-place team in the South, the Wichita Wingnuts. As you can see, it is going to be an uphill battle for the Saints to get back into the race with only 18 games remaining. While things may look bleak, I’ve seen how big crowds at home can give the team a lift. So, let’s all get down to Lowertown and pack CHS Field to cheer on our Saints. We need a winning streak! Promotions are aplenty during the seven-game home stand, here are the highlights: The opening series has Friday Night Fireworks (Aug 18th), Is it Goose or Grey Duck night (Aug 19th, and the Roy Campenella Print Giveaway, which honors the first African American player in the American Association (Aug 19th). Then next week is Monday Night Variety Show with gust emcees, Tom Barnard and Kathryn Brandt and musical guest Aby Wolf (Aug 21st), The World’s Largest Game of Twister, played on CHS Field post game (Aug 22nd), Darryl Strawberry Silver Season Bobblehead Giveaway (Aug 23rd), and rounding out the home stand is a celebration of Monty Python’s Flying Circus (Aug 24th). Click here to view the article

With the playoff chase in full swing and the last full month of the regular season underway, the Saints are looking to get back to their winning ways and to close the gap between themselves and a playoff berth. First up was a showdown with the second-place team in the North, the Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks. Following that there was a series versus the wild card-contending Gary SouthShore Railcats.Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks (Aug 3rd-6th) The Saints' first two games back at CHS Field unfortunately continued the woes the team has been having for a little more than a month. A 6-2 loss in the opener and a 6-5 follow-up had everyone wondering when the team would snap out of their funk. Well, they snapped out of it in games three and four and showed us what we knew they had all along, a fight and a hunger for staying in the race. Saying the Saints bats came alive in the third game would be an understatement. The 12-2 romp of Fargo included a season team high 19 hits, with eight of the nine starters getting at least one, eight of nine scoring at least one run and seven of nine recording at least one RBI. Tim Colwell led the charge with a two-RBI triple in the team’s biggest inning, a seven-run fourth. Nate Hansen extended his hitting streak to 16 games, going 2-4 in the contest. In the fourth game, Saints pitcher Mark Hamburger took the mound and took over once again. Hamburger tossed his league-leading sixth complete game, holding the Redhawks to just two runs on eight hits in the 6-2 victory. Tim Colwell once again came up big for the offense, going 3-4 and driving in three runs. In a hard-fought series, the Saints split the four games with the Redhawks, putting them 3.5 games out of first and 1.5 behind Fargo for second in the division. Gary SouthShore Railcats (Aug 7th-9th) Next up was a trip to Gary, IN for a visit to U.S. Steel Park and three games versus the Railcats. Like the last series and most of the remaining schedule, these games also had playoff implications: Gary sat a half-game ahead of the Saints in the wild card hunt. The opener was a tightly contested, well-pitched game that could have gone either way. With the score tied at one in the bottom of the ninth, the Railcats hit what looked to be the game-winning sacrifice fly. But after an appeal at third by the Saints, the apparent game-winning runner was ruled out for leaving the bag too early and the play turned into a double play. Then, in the twelfth inning, the Saints offense came through, putting their second run on the board. Kes Carter scored from third on an infield single by Breland Almadova giving the Saints a 2-1 lead that they held for the win. Both teams' pitching staffs dominated most of the game, striking out 18 combined batters while allowing only 15 total hits. Saints reliever Jason Hoppe got his second start of season and went 6.1 strong innings, giving up just one run on four scattered hits. The Saints followed that win up with a 6-4 win on Tuesday, but things don’t look as rosy on Wednesday. They trail 8-3 as this is being published. Below are the North Division and Wildcard playoff races as of August 9th, and don’t forget to check saintsbaseball.com for up-to-date complete league wide standings. Playoff Picture North Division 44-31 Winnipeg Goldeyes 41-32 Fargo Moorhead Redhawks – 2.5 games back 41-33 St. Paul Saints – 3 games back Wildcard 42-31 Kansas City T-Bones 41-32 Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks 1 game back 41-33 St. Paul Saints 1.5 games back 40-35 Gary SouthShore Railcats 3 games back Looking Ahead The Saints return home to CHS Field today, Thursday, August 10th, for a four-game series against the Sioux Falls Canaries. The visitors have fallen to 10.5 games out of first in the division, but they always play the Saints tough and will be another hard test in the chase for the playoffs. Promotions for the home stand include, St. Patty’s Day in August (Aug 10th), Earbud giveaway and Friday Night Fireworks (Aug 11th), Foam Baseball Mitt giveaway (Aug 13th). Click here to view the article

As we approach the dog days of summer, the Saints begin what should be a very exciting playoff push and end to the season. A sweep and a split in their last two completed series have our boys right back in the North division and wild card races. Toss in the All-Star game, and we’ve got a lot of baseball to talk about. So, let’s recap and take a look at how the playoff picture is shaping up.Salina Stockade (July 21st-23rd) After their last rough patch of games, the Saints bounced back in a big way versus Salina, sweeping the Stockade in their only trip to CHS Field this season. In the first game the home team, ending their five-game losing streak, used power to score runs in bunches, blasting four home runs in the 10-2 victory. Game three’s sweep-clinching victory also earned pitcher Mark Hamburger his league-leading tenth win of the year, his second straight season with double digit victories for the Saints. All-Star Game (July 25th) This year’s All-Star Game was held at RCGT Field in Ottawa in a game featuring the American Association taking on the Can-Am League. The Saints sent three representatives to the festivities: Mark Hamburger, Anthony Gallas and Tony Thomas. Hamburger started the game for the American Association and pitched one inning, giving up one run and striking out two. Gallas started in left field and went 1-3 with a double, a run scored and a walk. Thomas did not play due to injury. The Can-Am All-Stars won the game 3-2. Sioux City Explorers (July 26-27th Home, July 28th-29th Away) After the quick All-Star break the Saints returned to action in one of the odder scheduled four-game series you will see anywhere in baseball, a home and home series, with the first two games in St. Paul and the last two in Sioux City. The Saints continued their winning ways in the first game, outlasting the Explorers in a fourteen-inning, 4:45 minute game that finally ended with a walk-off home run by Kes Carter and a 5-4 Saints victory. The second and third games, one here and one there, were both slugfests with the Explorers coming out on top 9-7 and 9-8. The series finale, in Sioux City, saw the Explorers bats turn cold while the Saints continued to swing for the fences en route to a big 13-1 victory. Every Saints starter scored at least one run and the thirteen totals runs matches the team's season high. Lincoln Stockade (July 30th-August 1st) Dazed and confused, the Saints departed Sioux City for a three-game set against the Stockade in Lincoln, NE. The Saints dropped the first two games, 8-4 and 13-2, before salvaging the last game behind another gem by Hamburger. I bet they can’t wait to return home after this series is over. Looking Ahead After an off-day The Saints return to CHS Field Thursday, August 3rd for a four-gamer versus the North Division rival Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks. Following the showdown with Fargo, the Saints immediately board their bus and take a trip to Gary for three against the Railcats. With the All-Star break and the “half way point” of the season behind us it’s time to start looking at the playoff picture, especially in the North. As of August 1st, the North is a complete log jam with none of the four teams more than 6.5 games out of first and the top three teams separated by only a game and a half. 38-29 Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks 38-29 Winnipeg Goldeyes 37-31 St. Paul Saints (1.5 GB) 31-37 Sioux Falls Canaries (7.5 GB) The wild card race, which goes to the best overall record of non-division winners, is also a jam up with four teams within 2.5 games of the final playoff spot, including the Saints. It’s summer in Minnesota and there is a playoff race. Do you really need another reason to get out to the ballpark? Come on everybody, let’s go cheer on the Saints! Promotions for the upcoming home stand include, Superhero Night (Aug 3rd), Friday Night Fireworks (Aug 4th) and Jack Morris Silver Season Bobblehead giveaway (Aug 5th). Click here to view the article

Even during a season filled with broken records, awards and accolades, you are still bound to hit a bump in the road every now and then, and one of those times is now for the Saints. A tough home stand followed by an even tougher trip north of the border has the team now sitting three games back of the Winnipeg Goldeyes in the North Division. Let’s recap, and look ahead.Sioux Falls Canaries (July 10th-13th) Starting the latest home stand was a four-game series versus the Sioux Falls Canaries. Normally when the term “sweep” is used in my stories it is referring to the Saints, but not this time. For the first time in CHS Field history the Saints were swept at home, and for the first time in franchise history the Canaries swept a series visiting St. Paul. Every game of the series was tied going into the seventh inning. Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks (July 14th-16th) The Saints must have known the Twins Daily group was in attendance for the first game of the series against the Redhawks, winning in dramatic fashion with a solo walk-off home run by outfielder, Kes Carter. Carter, who was recently signed, hit the shot off his former team two weeks after they released him. Man, I love walk-offs. Saturday night saw an offensive explosion by both teams, ending in a 17-15 eleven inning loss for the home team in an 4 hour, 22 minute marathon of a game. In the final game in St. Paul Fargo defeated the Saints 4-0, winning the series. The loss marked the first time the Saints have been shut out this season. As mentioned above, Friday was the Twins Daily Saints game outing and after-party. Once again, John and everybody put on a great event, and even topped it off with a Saints win. Starting with a pregame picnic and ending at Tin Whiskers, it was a great night. Thanks! At Winnipeg Goldeyes (July 17th-19th) Following the home stand the Saints hopped on their bus to Winnipeg for a three-game stop versus the Goldeyes, the team with which they were tied for first place in the North. Unfortunately for the Saints, Winnipeg apparently doesn’t care much for tourists, as the Goldeyes swept the Saints, taking a three-game lead in the division. The Saints now have an overall record of 31-27 and are three games back in the division and two and a half out of the wildcard playoff spot. The Saints return to CHS Field for a quick three game series versus the Salina Stockade starting Friday, July 21st. Then, after two days off for the All-Star break, they play an even quicker two-game home set against the Sioux City Explorers starting Wednesday, July 26th. Promotions for the upcoming home stand include a salute to Mystery Science Theater 3000 (July 22nd), Pigs Eye replica jersey giveaway (July 23rd), and JD Drew Silver Season bobblehead giveaway (July 26th). Click here to view the article

A Player of the Month, three All-Star nods, the longest home stand of the season and a little bit of magic sum up the past two weeks for St. Paul’s boys of summer. With that much good to tell you about, let’s get right into all the action. The awards and accolades continue to roll in for the 2017 Saints team. It was announced July 1 that first baseman Brady Shoemaker was awarded June’s American Association Rawlings Player of the Month. Shoemaker reached base safely in 26 out of the 27 games, including two eight-game hitting streaks. He also hit for a .341 average, scored 25 runs, had six round trippers, drove in 15 and coaxed 21 walks. Congrats Brady, what a month!The mid-season honor of being voted on to the All-Star team is being enjoyed by three Saints this summer. Ace Mark Hamburger, infielder Tony Thomas and outfielder Anthony Gallas all will be representing the American Association as they take on the Can-Am League All-Stars, July 25th in Ottawa. Now, on to the games; starting with longest home stand of the season for the Saints, ten games in eleven days. Winnipeg Goldeyes (June 22-25) Kicking off the home stand was a four-game set versus the Winnipeg Goldeyes. The Saints quickly dispatched the visitors, sweeping the second-place team in the North and extending their lead in the division. The sweep included a couple of lopsided victories to begin the series and concluded with a walk-off solo homer by Brady Shoemaker to close out the Goldeyes. This was also the first time in franchise history the Saints had swept Winnipeg in a four-game series. By far the best moment of the series happened during Saturday night’s game. Returning for the 25th anniversary of the Saints first league title in 1993, former world champion Kevin Millar stepped in for the final at bat of his professional career - and holy cow did he not disappoint. On a 1-0 count Millar got a fastball he did not miss, crushing a no-doubter over the left field wall to ride off into the sunset with a two-run blast. What a moment for Millar and Saints fans together, and what a way to end a career. Pure magic. Way to go Kevin!!! Sioux City Explorers (June 26-29) Next up at CHS Field was a three-gamer against the Sioux City Explorers. The first two games didn’t end in favor of the Saints with the away team putting eight on the board in each to take a 2-0 series lead. Avoiding being swept at home has been a strength of Saints teams since they moved into CHS Field. In fact, they have never been swept in their Lowertown home. Luckily this year’s team remembered that fact and took care of business in game three against the Explorers, defeating the visitors 6-3 to salvage the series finale. Gary SouthShore Railcats (June 30-July 2) Closing out the longest home stand of the season for the Saints was a visit from the Gary SouthShore Railcats. This time the Saints jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the series with a dominating 10-0 complete game shutout by pitcher Benji Waite, his first career complete game shutout. Danny Oh had a career night, finishing with five hits and six RBI, both personal bests for the Saints outfielder. Unfortunately, after the great start the Saints came up short in the next two games, dropping both by one run, and losing the series two games to one. After ending their latest home stand with an overall 6-4 record; the Saints immediately hit the road for six straight, with quick three-game stops in both South and North Dakota. At Sioux City Explorers (July 3-5) and Fargo-Moorehead Redhawks (July 6-8) First up on the road trip was South Dakota and the Sioux City Explorers. Losing the first game of the series 4-2, the Saints endured something they haven’t all season long, a three-game losing streak. Thankfully this was a taste they didn’t like, rebounding in a big way with a 12-1 thrashing of the home team in game two. Sadly, that would be all the Saints could muster versus the Explorers dropping the last game 4-1, and the series 2-1. The final stop on the mini road trip was up to Fargo to face North Division rival, the Redhawks. After losing the first game 6-1, the Saints took control winning the final two games 11-7 and 4-2 and clinching the series victory. In the finale, pitcher Mark Hamburger struck out a career high 11 Redhawks en route to his league-leading ninth victory of the season. Next up – Sioux Falls Canaries (July 10-13) & Fargo-Moorehead Redhawks (July 14-16) With another successful home stand and road trip in their rear-view mirror, your first-place Saints return to CHS Field starting Monday, July 10th. The local nine, sporting a 30-18 record for second best in the league, will face off against two division foes in their next seven games in St. Paul. Upcoming promotions for the home stand include, Monday Night Variety Night with musical guest Chris Hawkey (July 10th), The 30th Birthday of the Simpsons (July 12th), and German Night along with the 2017 team card set giveaway (July 16th). And, don’t forget about Twins Daily Night at the ballpark Friday, July 14th. It includes a picnic and game ticket all for a minor league (and family-friendly) price. The promotion for that evening is also Biggie or Tupac, East Coast vs West Coast, followed by Friday Night Fireworks. I’ll see you there! Click here to view the article

Holy cow, it’s been awhile. With the State High School Baseball Tournament occupying CHS Field for almost the last two weeks, the Saints have not played a home game since May 28th. In other words, a lot has happened since we last talked. So, let’s get right to it.Kansas City T-Bones (May 26-28) When playing at home, it has almost been a lock that the Saints would come away with the series victory. The Kansas City T-Bones must not have been told, with the away team taking two of three from the Saints in front of a packed house every night. The first two games in St. Paul provided plenty of offense and the teams took turns flexing their muscles. Kansas City used two three-run homers to help top the Saints 10-5 on Friday night, though the Saints used a six-run third inning to turn the tables back in their favor, winning Saturday’s game 10-3. In the finale, the Saints had multiple chances to go ahead but were unable to get a hit when it was needed, stranding twelve runners in the game and losing 5-2. My MVP for the home stand is Nate Hanson. Hanson hit an impressive .428 with 2 doubles, 3 runs scored, 3 RBI and 2 homeruns, while also playing stellar defense at third base. Promotion highlights from the home stand included Ila Borders being on hand for her bobble head giveaway and signing copies of her book, Making My Pitch, outside the front gate prior to Saturday night’s game. Borders also was in town the day before and hosted a Girls in Baseball camp, teaching young girls the fundamentals of the game. Rounding out the weekend was all out craziness on the field like only the Saints can do. After Sunday’s game, not only were kids able to run the bases and get autographs, but everyone could go on the field for the Memorial Weekend food truck rally followed by a fireworks super show. Fans and players filled the field to enjoy the festivities. After the late night, the Saints embarked on their longest road trip of the season: a two-week bender that had our boys playing thirteen straight games away from home. Cleburne Railroads (May 29 – June 1) The first stop on the trip was in Cleburne, TX for a four-game set against the Railroaders, followed by a three gamer against the Salina Stockade in the same ballpark. The first four games at Depot Stadium were split at two apiece. Highlights from the series were a 15 inning, 5-hour marathon game one win for the Saints. The 5-hour game is a new franchise record for the Saints in terms of actual game time. Also, newly signed Ryan Zimmerman tossed six solid innings and allowing only one hit and one run in a 10-2 game three victory for the Saints. Zimmerman played the last two seasons for the Sioux City Explorers, winning 14 games for them in 2014. Salina Stockade (June 2-4) Next up in Cleburne were the almost homeless Salina Stockade. After being added to the league at the last minute to replace the Laredo Lemurs, Salina only plays a very limited amount of games at their home ballpark, Dean Evans Stadium in Kansas, since the schedule was already made prior to Laredo dropping from the league, and Texas is a long way from Kansas. So the Stockade were visiting Cleburne too, just like the Saints. In a hard-fought, rainy series, the Saints swept the Stockade three games to none. In the process the Saints began a six-game winning streak, which propelled them back into the first-place race in the North Division. Tony Thomas and Nate Hanson were once again key to the Saints offense in the victories. Thomas delivered the biggest hit of the series, crushing a go-ahead two-run shot in the seventh inning of game three, giving the Saints a 3-2 lead they didn’t relinquish. Hanson continued his hot hitting, earning himself the American Association Pointstreak Player of the Week from 5/29-6/4. Texas Air Hogs (June 5-7) & Kansas City T-Bones (June 8-10) Next up was a stop in Grand Prairie, TX for three games against the Air Hogs. The Saints easily swept the series, allowing only ten baserunners total, shutting out the home team in all three games. The three consecutive shutouts set another new franchise record on the road trip for the Saints. Game three starter (and former Twins farmhand) Mark Hamburger moved into a tie for most career complete games in American Association history with 14. After ten straight games in Texas, the Saints departed for the last leg of their trip, a stop in Kansas City. Awaiting them was the T-Bones, who seemed to not care that the Saints were red hot prior to arriving, beating our boys in the first two games with the Saints rebounding to salvage the final game, 8-3. Overall on the trip the Saints were 9-4, returning home in first place in the North Division and tied with Wichita for the best record in the league at 15-8. Next Up – Sioux City Explorers (June 12-14) After fourteen days on the road the Saints return to CHS Field to face the Sioux City Explorers in a three-game series beginning tonight, Monday, June 12th. If standings and history are indicators, this series should be a good one. Sioux City is 13-7 and in first place in the Central Division and has always played the Saints tough no matter the ballpark. A quick side note; If you’re looking for team or promotion information prior to a game check out the Saints Facebook page. At 4:30pm Monday – Saturday and 2:30pm Sunday, PA Announcer Lee Adams and Radio Broadcaster JW Cox host Saints Live to give updates and answer viewer questions. Promotions for the upcoming home stand kick off with Monday Night Variety Show hosted by comedian and TV personality Fancy Ray, with musical guest Frankie Lee. Tuesday night is getting uncomfortable when the Saints debut Awkward Tuesday. And rounding out the home stand is Play Hooky Day for Wednesday’s day game starting at 1:05pm. After another short home stand the Saints hit the road for two quick series. Stopping in Winnipeg and Sioux Falls for three games apiece before returning to St Paul Thursday, June 22nd. Click here to view the article

The Saints opened the season in front of a sellout crowd of 8294 at CHS Field on Thursday, May 18th. Even through the rain and cold, good baseball and fun prevailed, with St. Paul defeating the Gary Southshore Railcats en route to taking the series three games to one.The first game of the series used a formulas that the Saints hope will work all year: solid pitching + longball = win. Starter Mark Hamburger pitched 8.1 strong innings allowing only two unearned runs and striking out eight. Tony Thomas and Nate Hanson both sent a pitch over the fence to provide all the offense the team would need in the 5-2 win. The second game saw the pitching staff stand strong again and hold off the Railcats for a 2-1 victory. Four different St. Paul pitchers combined to keep the Gary Southshore offense at bay, while the Saints offense did just enough to secure the win. Tanner Vavra scored the winning tally in the bottom of the seventh on a RBI fielder’s choice by Breland Almadova. Saturday’s game three was postponed due to rain and rescheduled as part of a doubleheader Sunday afternoon. In the American Association, a doubleheader is a little different than in the major leagues. The teams play two seven-inning games back to back with only a twenty minute break in between. Game one followed the same script as the first two games of the series. John Straka pitched 5 scoreless innings followed by the Saints bullpen shutting down the Railcats for the remainder of the tilt. Tim Colwell hit a solo shot and Tony Thomas blasted his second homer of the home stand to secure the 4-0 win for our local team. The final game saw something that the Saints had not run into before in an opening series at CHS Field: a loss. Gary scored early and often while holding off a couple of Saints rallies for a 10-3 victory. My MVP for the home stand is Tony Thomas. Thomas reminded us quickly that he is one of the Saints big boppers this season. He hit .286 with a double, 5 runs scored, 2 HRs and 4 RBI in the first four games. Now, on to the fun. Opening night began with local musician, HarMar Superstar, singing a rocking version of the Mary Tyler Moore theme song by home plate. Live musicians are an aspect the Saints and musical director Andy Crowley have been infusing more and more into the pregame and in-between inning festivities. I think it really adds to the fun atmosphere in the ballpark. It wouldn’t be a Saints game without all the zaniness that goes on in the stands and on the field during the inning breaks. Entertainment Director, Brian Kelly and his team of Ushertainers, along with Director of Marketing and Promotions, Sierra Bailey and her team continue to put on a great show for the fans. From between-inning races to Chef Sharte taking a pie to the face, the fun never stops. Keep up the great work everybody! One promotional change from the weekend due to the rainout is that Star Wars Night has been rescheduled to Sunday, August 6th. After the second game of the doubleheader, the team boarded their bus and headed out on the road for a quick three-game series against North Division foe, the Sioux Falls Canaries. To say there was some runs scored in this series may be an understatement. The Saints cruised to a 12-5 victory in game one behind two Tony Caldwell home runs and a 5 for 6 night for Breland Almadova. Almadova also had 3 RBI and was a home run shy of hitting for the cycle. The second game saw Mark Hamburger toss a complete game and the offense put up a crooked number again, taking down the Canaries, 8-3. This was Hamburger’s 13th career complete game putting him one behind the American Association record held by Ben Moore. If, and more than likely when, Hamburger ties and breaks the record the most eye-popping stat will be how many fewer games it took him to get there. Ben Moore tossed 14 complete games in 121 starts. It has only taken Hamburger 43 starts to get to 13. Game three, we lost 16-3. Enough said. After a day off the Saints return home Friday, May 26th to face the Kansas City T-Bones for three games. KC comes into the series with a 1-5 record. While the Saints sit at 5-2 on the young season. Promotions for the holiday weekend include the first bobble head of the year, double fireworks and food trucks. Starting off the fun is Friday Night Fireworks shooting off to the music of the Beatles.The first 1,500 fans Saturday will receive an Ila Borders 25th Anniversary Season bobble head during You Play Like a Girl! Night. And Sunday is Military Appreciation Night followed by a Food Truck rally on the field and a Fireworks Super Show. After the upcoming home stand the Saints head back out on the road for 13 straight games. This is the team’s longest road trip of the year, due to the high school baseball tournament being played at CHS Field. The boys first make a stop in Cleburne, TX for four games against the Railroaders and three against the Salina Stockade. Then they travel to Grand Prairie, TX for three against the AirHogs. Lastly they stop in Kansas City for three against the T-Bones, finally returning home again, June 12th. That’s a pretty long time to be away from the ballpark; you might want to swing by during this weekend’s gorgeous weather…. For more on the Saints, including tickets to this weekend's games, stop by SaintsBaseball.com Click here to view the article

CHS Field was built with the capacity to be a AA affiliate someday. But I believe the Saints would prefer to stay independent if possible. The main reason being that staying independent gives them the freedom to sign whoever they want. Most players who get signed from the Saints and the American Association go straight to AA or AAA. When you are an affiliate you may get a Buxton for 2 weeks, but then he is gone. A lot of the veteran players that sign in the American Association are better than the regular everyday AA players. They just need a place to get noticed again.

Opening Day for the Saints is this Thursday, May 18th at CHS Field in St. Paul. This season also marks their 25th Anniversary, along with the same anniversary of their first league championship. The team is coming off a 2016 North Division title and another year that saw a record number of fans pass through the gates. Coming out to the ballpark for the first game of the year with an unrelenting hope for our favorite team is what all baseball fans look forward to all winter, and it sounds like we’re not alone. “It doesn’t matter what level you’re at Opening Day is great. Especially when the weather is like this. I can’t wait. I wish the offseason wasn’t so long.” said Saints Manager George Tsamis after the team’s first workout of the year.Team Regular season success and the numerous records broken by the team over the last two years at CHS Field are big reasons for optimism for this year’s squad. With a returning core of solid players and a few solid offseason acquisitions the team has nothing but a championship on their mind. “Your goal every year is to win a championship, we’ve had a couple good years and came up short in the playoffs. You need to give credit to the teams that beat us, we lost to two really good teams the last couple of years.” said Tsamis. Having an opening day rotation that is stacked, to say the least, is certainly a good start toward reaching that goal. Mark Hamburger, Robert Cole, John Straka, Kramer Sneed, and Eric Veglahn return to form one of the best opening day rotations the league has ever seen. On the offensive side of the ball, power may be the name of the game for our boys this year. New additions Brady Shoemaker and Kyle Roller, along with returning vets Nate Hanson and Tony Thomas, all have double digit homer potential. Shut-down pitching and big bats should keep the team in almost every game this year, along with making them extremely fun to watch every night. One quick note about the team’s Opening Day roster. If I’ve learned one thing from watching this team closely for the last few seasons, the roster will change - and quickly at times. From injuries to players being signed by a major league team, it changes. Manager George Tsamis is and always has been committed to helping his players take the next step in their career, while also putting the best team on the field every night to bring try to a title back to St. Paul. League Changes There is one big change to note in the South Division of the American Association for the 2017 season. It was announced earlier this month that the Laredo Lemars will not be operating in the AA this season. They will be replaced by the Salina Stockcade operating out of Salina, Kansas. The only changes to the schedule due to the team swap is the Saints will now play Salina in the beginning of June at Depot Stadium, the home of the Cleburne Railroaders. And, Salina will play at CHS field in late July when Laredo was originally supposed to visit St. Paul. Promotions As you would expect, this year’s promotion schedule is highlighted by the Saints 25th Anniversary season. Included in the celebration and fun are five bobble head giveaways featuring Saints greats from the past. Ila Borders, Bill Murray and Kevin Millar, JD Drew, Jack Morris and Darryl Strawberry all get the honor. Kicking off the season is Mary Tyler Moore Night. The first 6000 fans through the gates will receive a Moore-style tam hat. Then everyone will be encouraged to toss them in the air together after the second inning when the opening to her show will be played on the video screen. It should be a great tribute to the late star. The Monday Night Variety Show promotion, which features a different local celebrity guest MC and musical act, is back and has an impressive list of guest stars, including Fancy Ray, Nick Swardson, Chris Hawkey and Tom Barnard. Then on Tuesday, August 22th the Saints take their Fun is Good motto to a whole new level with The World’s Largest Game of Twister. Yes, Twister on a baseball field. After the game that night, all fans will be invited on to the field, along with Saints players and staff, to play the classic game. From foul line to foul line the outfield grass will be turned into a giant game board. Consisting of 70,896 game squares, 17,724 of each color, all 7 inches in diameter just like the real game. Before The Season: The World’s Largest Game Of Catch On Wednesday, May 17th the Saints are holding their annual World’s Largest Game of Catch in celebration of the upcoming season. The event is located on Jackson Street between 5th and 6th Streets in Lowertown, from 11:30am-1:00pm. Fans can meet the team and coaches, get autographs, and even get the chance to play a game of catch with them. Everyone in attendance will receive a soft baseball with the Saints logo on it. And don’t worry if you haven’t thrown a ball for a while, Sister Ros will also be on hand to massage out any kinks you may have, as befits her Christian ministry. This is also when the Saints reveal this year’s new ball pig and its name chosen from fan submissions. First Home Stand The Saints open the regular season Thursday, May 18th in St. Paul with a four-game set against the Gary Southshore Railcats. The local nine swept Gary to open the season last year and are a combined 8-0 in opening series at CHS Field. Can you say home field advantage? The promotion highlights include the above-mentioned Mary Tyler Moore Night, followed by Harley Night and Friday Night Fireworks, featuring the music of punk rock. Star Wars Night is on Saturday. And the always popular, Bring Your Dog to the Park Day rounds out a fun-filled weekend. Click here to view the article

Once again the Saints had an incredibly successful homestand at CHS Field. Surprising I know. Now they really need an incredibly successful homestand to keep the season alive. Starting September 1st, the good guys finished the 2015 regular season by sweeping a four game series with the Gary SouthShore Railcats. Then they took two of three from the New Jersey Jackals to close out the schedule, ending the year at a franchise best 74-26. Next up was a showdown with the only team in the league with a better record, the 75-25 Sioux City Explorers. But more on that in a minute.The keys to success for St. Paul were shutdown pitching and clutch offense. On the mound. Kramer Sneed continued to lead the way for the Saints earning his American Association record tying 15th victory in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Railcats. Robert Coe also continued his roll of stellar starts, winning twice during the stand. Ben Szeremeta writes about the Saints regularly at SaintsTrain.com A victory Friday night in the series finale versus Gary showed us something we haven't seen all year: a walk-off win. The Saints won the game 8-7 when Vinny DiFazio scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the ninth. They then decided it was so much fun, why not do it again Sunday? This time they bested the Jackals 3-2 on an Anthony Phillips single to center. Simply put, there was a "playoff atmosphere" inside CHS Field for the walk-off wins. During the ninth inning of both games, everyone was standing and cheering for almost every pitch. Even the players were getting in to it, waving to the fans to cheer louder. Man, I can't wait for the first home playoff game. It's going to be electric. My MVP for the stand is Ryan Cavan. The newly acquired second baseman hit .375 with three doubles, four runs scored, and two home runs for the stand. To go along with Sneed's record for victories a few other franchise marks were set this homestand as well. Alonzo Harris swiped his 39th base of the year Monday. Also, Vinny DiFazio and Angelo Songco tied for the most RBIs in a season at 82. When record-breaking seasons happen, awards always seem to follow, and this year is no different. To start, catcher Vinny DiFazio and first baseman Angelo Songco were both named postseason All-Stars after their great seasons at the plate. Songco finished the year batting .339 with 64 R, 17 HR and 82 RBI. DiFazio hit .361, with 70 R, 17 HR and 82 RBI. Vinny DiFazio also took home the league's top award of the season, being named the 2015 American Association Player of the Year. Vinny led the league in batting average, tied for third in home runs and tied for the lead in RBI. A near Triple Crown - wow. Great season Vinny! Reliever Mike Zouzalik was named Rookie of the Year after going 4-1 with a 2.06 ERA. He also recorded three saves and had 49 strikeouts in 48 innings pitched while holding his opponents to a .140 batting average for the year. But it's not only the players that can set records in St. Paul this year. For the first time the Saints passed 400,000 in season attendance, setting a new franchise record with 404,528 fans visiting the Field in 2015. That bested the previous mark by more than 105,000. After a well-deserved day off Tuesday the Saints headed to Sioux City for the first two games of their series with the Explorers. The final three games will be played at CHS Field. You might be asking yourself, why do the top two teams in the league play each other in the first round? It's all about geography in the American Association. The other matchup is between the Wichita Wingnuts and the Laredo Lemurs. So while we don't get a championship round match-up between the two best teams record wise, we at least get to see them play each other. The opening game of the playoffs was just what you'd expect, a nail-biter of a contest till the last out. Kramer Sneed tossed a complete game with a career high 15 strikeouts. Angelo Songco went 2-5 with a home run and 2 RBI. But in the end it wasn't enough as the Saints lost the game 3-2 to the Explorers. The second game is one the Saints need to forget on the bus ride back to St. Paul. The lost 12-1, managing just one hit, a solo home run by Angelo Songco in the 2nd inning. Tossing 7.2 innings for Sioux City was Patrick Johnson, the 2015 American Association Pitcher of the Year. Even with our home team down 0-2 in the series I can't wait for the first playoff game at CHS Field this Saturday. The boys have played great at home and I know the fans are going to do their best to cheer them on to three straight victories. There are still tickets left, the weather's going to be perfect, and it's playoff baseball. What are you waiting for? Get to CHS Field Saturday night and let's show them all what home field advantage really means! Go Saints!!! TRAIN! Click here to view the article

While I don't love the way the playoffs are set up, I can understand it. And you are correct it is about the almighty $. But if keeping it geographical keeps my ticket prices lower, I guess I can live with it. It would be better to have a chance for the two best teams play for the Championship, not in the first round. But it isn't even a guarantee they would both make it. As we've seen in short series in every sport, the better team can have a couple off games and never make as far as their supposed to. So, for this year, I look at it as at least we get to see the two best teams play each other in the playoffs regardless of the round. Also, from what I've been told, the agreement for the Saints to have home field advantage in the series was reached mutually between the two teams. Sioux Falls requested the first two games at home and the Saints requested the last three at CHS Field.

The Saints second to last regular season homestand at CHS Field in 2015 started Tuesday, August 18th. The Sioux City Explorers came to town for a three game showdown between the league’s top two teams, followed by another three game set against the Sioux Falls Canaries. We saw some great baseball, some wet baseball, and had tons of fun as usual.In the first series, the local nine jumped all over the Explorers thanks to a couple of great pitching performances. Kramer Sneed tossed eight shutout innings in a 2-0 win in the opener, allowing only four hits while striking out three. The second game saw Jeff Shields go seven strong with only one run crossing the plate in the team's 6-1 victory. He also added four strikeouts in the contest. Ben Szeremeta writes about the Saints regularly at SaintsTrain.com In the last game of the series, the Saints extra-inning woes continued as they fell to 2-4 in games that have made it to at least the 11th inning. The reason the 11th inning is the benchmark here is because that's when the International extra inning rule comes into play. The rule reads that each team begins with a player on second base starting each inning from the 11th on. The runner is the last out from the previous inning. The rest of the at-bat is then played like normal. The reasoning behind the gimmicky rule is solid: rosters are only 22 players in the American Association and bullpens are at a premium and can be killed by a 15 inning game. I myself do not like this current rule, or at least this version of it. I believe if kept, the rule needs to be changed to a runner starting on first not second. At least this way the pitching team has a shot at a double play without having to walk an extra base runner. Either way it doesn't feel right. But I understand - if they fix it. The results of the second half of the homestand didn't turn out the way the Saints would have liked. For the first time all season the St. Paul nine lost a series at CHS Field. After winning the first game 5-2 behind a complete game effort from starter Robert Coe (9IP, 3H, 2ER, 7K), the Saints lost the final two games, dropping the series 2-1. My MVP for the 'stand is the Tarp Crew. I don't think most people realize how dangerous a job it really is. When the wind picks up the tarp can throw just about anyone, no matter your size, around like a rag doll. During this home stand everyone with the Saints pitched in and deserves a round of applause. From the GM to interns, all available staff, and even a few players, helped out. Well done everyone. Also during the last homestand, two more Saints records were broken. First, Saints manager George Tsamis set his own single season win total with 63 by winning the opening game of the Explorers series. The previous best of 62 came in 2002 when he managed the New Jersey Jackals. Second, we once again set an all-time single game attendance record with 10,430 for Thursday night's series finale versus Sioux City. An entertainment highlight from the 'stand was when all the Ushertainers on hand for Sunday's game (Nerd, Nerdette, Coach, Miss Adventure, and Chef Sharte) had an epic dance party on the field in front of the Saints dugout between innings. Each character had his or her own moment to show off, with the party culminating with everyone dancing together. Even though I've seen it a ton of times, I still think Nerd doing The Worm is the best there is. Remember when I said Steph and I were going to pick random sections and areas of the ballpark to watch part of the game from? It was in my second Saints story on TwinsDaily this year. Of course you do, what was I thinking? Sorry to doubt my devoted readers. Anyways… This homestand we picked the seats directly behind home plate for the last couple of innings of Wednesday's day game. The ballpark emptied out pretty quick after a couple short misty rains and seats were aplenty for those of us that remained. I don't believe I have even ever sat in the equivalent of these at any professional game before. Wow, what a view! Especially at CHS Field where the seats are at field level. After the six straight in St. Paul, the Saints hit the road for three games in Wichita against the Wingnuts. Then they traveled to Kansas City for a four game set with the T-Bones. The road trip was a success as the Saints were able to set up their rotation for the playoffs and also win four of the seven games in the process. Heading into Monday's off day the team now has a 68-25 record, second only to the Sioux City Explorers 69-23 mark. Also on the trip, the Saints became the second team in American Association history to have four pitchers with ten or more wins in a season. Robert Coe joined Dustin Crenshaw, Kramer Sneed and Jeff Shields with double digit victories on the year. The next and final regular season homestand begins today, Tuesday, Sept 1st, when the Gary Southshore Railcats come to town for four games. Three more versus the New Jersey Jackals follow to finish out the schedule. As the regular season comes to a close we look forward to one of the best nights of the year, Fan Appreciation Night. The Saints always go all out with giveaways, contests, a post-game monster food truck rally, and a fireworks super show. I have a feeling Sunday is going to be a fun day. Go Saints!!! TRAIN! Click here to view the article