It’s been a busy week for our Tides. They’ve been on the road playing in Louisville and Indy, and they just made it back home to us in time for a big weekend. Tonight’s game, starting in just a few minutes, is a double-header thanks to last night’s frightening weather. This stand with the Bats is a good time to get a look at one of the Reds’ future starts, Billy Hamilton. He is a base-running machine. In addition, the Bats are starting Corky Miller at catcher, or maybe pitcher, or maybe outfield. Versatile guy. He was fun to watch when he was with Cincinnati. However, you might have a hard time imagining him as a pitcher when you see him. He looks like a catcher and will start in that position tonight.

A couple of our favorite Tides have received some big honors in the past week. Travis Ishikawa was named Topps Player of the Month for minor league baseball, and he truly deserves that honor IMO. Also, Zelous Wheeler was IL Player of the Week.

There were a few notable personnel moves. One of those happened just a couple of hours ago. Arrieta was called back up to Baltimore today. Earlier this week, Gausman was optioned to Norfolk, and Belfiore is back with us.

This weekend is going to be an awesome one for baseball at Harbor Park. You can play catch on the field before the game Sunday afternoon with your dad. There will be fireworks tomorrow night after the game also. The Tides will be in town through the 20^th, so hopefully you can catch a game soon!

Before signing off, I want to remind everybody to go to the Tides’ website (norfolktides.com) and vote for all of the Tides for the MiLB All-Star Game. You can vote more than once too!

Oh, and a quick P.S.: my brother’s former team, the Indiana Hoosiers, is playing in the College World Series in Omaha. Check them out! They’re a fine team. – RR