Lineup:

1. Furcal, SS
2. Pierre, LF
3. Ethier, RF
4. Kent, 2B
5. Loney, 1B
6. Martin, C
7. Jones, CF
8. DeWitt, 3B
9. Penny, P

No Kemp…

Josh Rawitch, a Dodger VP posted this on his blog a few minutes ago:

Many of you have had questions and or posted comments about our autograph policy during batting practice and I want to thank you all for your patience in getting a response. I didn’t want to post anything until we had all the correct information and I’m happy to say that thanks to the feedback of you and other fans, we have decided to essentially return to our previous pregame autograph policy.

As you probably know by now, renovations to the Field Level prompted us to limit traffic to only those with tickets to that concourse.  Members of our organization were concerned that our revamped areas, if open to all 56,000 fans, would cause long lines at the new concession stands, even though shorter lines were the goal.  

So here’s the new (or old, actually), policy: Fans who enter the Left Field Pavilion or the left field Field Level entrance for batting practice can do so starting two hours before the game until 90 minutes before the game (same as recent years). Such fans may stay on the Field Level until batting practice ends, which is 50 minutes before the scheduled first pitch. At that time, fans return to their seats.

On days when teams do not take batting practice, fans may still remain on the Field Level until 50 minutes before the scheduled start of the game.

The popularity of the new concessions still prompts us to limit traffic on the Field Level to fans holding Field Level tickets once Batting Practice ends.  We will continue to evaluate the length of the lines as the season continues.

In addition, the center field area, on the warning track, is also available to fans on a first-come, first-served basis to shag home run balls during Batting Practice. 

Plus, beyond the center field wall is “Autograph Alley,” where at least one former Dodger will sign autographs before every game from approximately two hours prior to game time until 15 minutes before first pitch. Dodgers expected this weekend include Ron Cey and Rudy Law (tonight), Wes Parker (Saturday), and Tommy Davis (Sunday). For the series Monday through Wednesday, the “probables” are “Sweet” Lou Johnson, Ken Landreaux, and Ken McMullen.

Again, thank you for your candid feedback and for your patience.

TJ Slimers of the LA TIMES continues to blast McCourt and the Dodgers in every possible way. His latest psuedo-issue involves people (kids especially) not being able to get autographs. At the end of his latest diatribe, a reader answers the question as to why ushers may have to keep people away from the field:

“Not to sound like a stuck-up snot, but 90% of the time the people swarming field level before the games for autographs are incredibly rude and don’t have a problem stepping on you or shoving you out of the way,” wrote Susan Lee. “This is not to sound racist, but a majority of Dodger fans appear to be ‘gangbanger types.’ “

I don’t know if she’s racist, but I doubt most Dodger fans are gangbanger-types. However, autograph hounds are frequently among the “dregs of society.” Many of these poeple are ruthless liars! I take a lot of the complaints about getting autographs with a grain of salt. I have seen them change clothes, hats, glasses and send kids (changing their clothes along the way) to get multiple autographs which they plan to sell, and then when they get caught they scream bloody murder and blame someone else. I have no sympathy for them.

I haven’t been to the Ravine this year, but I can tell you this: In Milwaukee, Cincy, Cleveland and St. Louis, you can’t go into another section if you don’t have a ticket - they have Nazi’s stopping you. You buy a ticket - That gets you into a certain section. Most ushers will prevent you from entering another section. PERIOD! It even happens here in our AAA ballpark in Indy.

There are 2 sides to every story. If I pay $200 for a seat, I wouldn’t want some gang-banger coming to my section for an autograph (yes, there are gang-bangers in LA). By the same token, if I were in the cheap seats, I’d want an autograph. If you think I’m prejudiced, you don’t know anything about me - I won’t even dignify that with a comment.

It’s sad that a kid can’t get an autograph, but let’s face it, not every kid can. There’s just not enough time. Somebody will be disappointed. We now live in a society where every time someone feels slighted that scream loud and long. My advice:

“Get Over It”

I turn on the tube and what do I see
A whole lotta people cryin’ “Don’t blame me”
They point their crooked little fingers ar everybody else
Spend all their time feelin’ sorry for themselves
Victim of this, victim of that
Your momma’s too thin; your daddy’s too fat

 

 

Get over it
Get over it
All this whinin’ and cryin’ and pitchin’ a fit
Get over it, get over it

You say you haven’t been the same since you had your little crash
But you might feel better if I gave you some cash
The more I think about it, Old Billy was right
Let’s kill all the lawyers, kill ‘em tonight
You don’t want to work, you want to live like a king
But the big, bad world doesn’t owe you a thing

 

Get over it
Get over it
If you don’t want to play, then you might as well split
Get over it, Get over it

It’s like going to confession every time I hear you speak
You’re makin’ the most of your losin’ streak
Some call it sick, but I call it weak

You drag it around like a ball and chain
You wallow in the guilt; you wallow in the pain
You wave it like a flag, you wear it like a crown
Got your mind in the gutter, bringin’ everybody down
Complain about the present and blame it on the past
I’d like to find your inner child and kick its little ass

Get over it
Get over it
All this bitchin’ and moanin’ and pitchin’ a fit
Get over it, get over it

Get over it
Get over it
It’s gotta stop sometime, so why don’t you quit
Get over it, get over it

I think The Eagles wrote that about Slimers. If you think the Dodgers don’t care about fans, why did they hire Dr. Stienberg and pay him big bux? Look at this Press Release I got yesterday and tell me they don’t care and aren’t trying to reach the common fan:

Subject: DODGERS TO OPEN SECOND HOMESTAND OF SEASON TOMORROW

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Public Relations

Thursday, April 10, 2008 (323) 224-1301

DODGERS TO OPEN SECOND HOMESTAND OF SEASON

TOMORROW

Series against the Padres and Pirates are highlighted by

Jackie Robinson Day celebration

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers kick off their six-game homestand this Friday with a weekend series against the San Diego Padres (April 11-13) and will finish off with three games against the Pittsburgh Pirates (April 14-16). On April 15, the Los Angeles Dodgers will celebrate Jackie Robinson Day on the 61

st anniversary of the day Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball. Robinson, who attended Pasadena City Junior College and UCLA, was a Brooklyn Dodger from 1947-56, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a Dodger in 1962. Children age 14 and under will also receive a free Jackie Robinson Replica Jersey Kids T-shirt at the gate.

Other promotional giveaways throughout the homestand include a 790AM Helmet Radio, a Russell Martin batting practice jersey for children age 14 and under, presented by Kragen, and a 50th Anniversary Blanket, presented by Time Warner Cable.

Saturday, April 12 vs. San Diego Padres – 7:10 p.m. All children age 14 and under will receive a Russell Martin Kids Batting Practice jersey at the gate, presented by Kragen. Broadway star Shoshana Bean, who most recently appeared in “Wicked,” will sing the National Anthem and international film star Jackie Chan will throw out the first pitch. Salute 2 Schools programs will be recognized on Saturday as well.

Sunday, April 13 vs. San Diego Padres – 1:10 p.m. Youth baseball programs will participate in a pregame, on-field parade and a representative from Los Angeles’ Jewish Community will sing the National Anthem as part of Jewish Community Day. After the game, kids will be invited to run the bases on the field.

 

Monday, April 14 vs. Pittsburgh Pirates – 7:10 p.m. Actor Sean Astin will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

 

Tuesday, April 15 vs. Pittsburgh Pirates – 7:10 p.m. Jackie Robinson Night will be highlighted with various ceremonies honoring Jackie Robinson and his legacy. A complete news release regarding all of the events planned will be distributed on Monday. All children age 14 and under will receive a Jackie Robinson Replica Jersey Kids T-Shirt.

 

Wednesday, April 16 vs. Pittsburgh Pirates – 7:10 p.m. The first 50,000 fans in attendance will receive a 50th Anniversary Blanket, presented by Time Warner Cable.

HOMESTAND HIGHLIGHTS:

Friday, April 11 vs. San Diego Padres – 7:40 p.m.

The first 50,000 fans in attendance at Friday’s game will receive a 790AM Helmet Radio, presented by TalkRadio KABC 790, the radio home of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The single-station radio is pre-tuned to 790 AM so that fans can listen to the Dodger broadcast. Friday is also L.A. County Night at Dodger Stadium, and representatives from the group will sing the National Anthem and throw out the first pitch. Several schools from the Salute 2 Schools program, an initiative designed to help area schools with their fundraising efforts, will also be recognized during pregame ceremonies.

 

The Dodgers aren’t perfect and you have to have some type of order when people go to other sections to seek an autograph. If you don’t stop some, you would have 10,000 people in a section holding 500. Where and how do you draw the line?

MINOR LEAGUE REPORT:

LAS VEGAS won 6-2.

Highlights:

• Jon Meloan pitched 6 string innings allowing only 3 hits and 1 run. He struck out 6 while walking 3. It appears his conversion to starting is beginning to work.
• Terry Tiffee continues to hit like he’s out of his mind. He was 3-3 last night and is now 19-31 on the season, bringing his BA to .617
• Jason Repko was 2-4 with a double, triple and 3 runs scored
• BOXSCORE

The Jacksonville Suns lost 2-0.

Highlights:

• Clayton Kershaw is now 0-2 as he pitched 5 innings allowing 7 hits while striking out 8. He allowed 2 runs
• Mitchell was 2-4 - this guy can hit
• Hammes pitched another scoreless inning
• BOXSCORE

The Inland Empire 66′ers lost 11-10.

Lowlights:

• Bell, Santana and Pedroza all had 2 hits
• Bell hit a HR and a triple and is hitting .343 - big diffeenece from last yera when he struggled at this level
• All the 66′ers pitchers got lit up. James Adkins started and pitched 4 innings allowing 3 hits, 3 ER and striking out 3
• BOXSCORE

The Great Lakes Loons did not play due to rain, in fact 6 out of 8 teams in that league were rained out as well.