06/05/2007

Bums cut Hayes loose

Injured outfielder released; TC home for pair of games

BY JEFF PEEK

jpeek@record-eagle.com

Hayes

TRAVERSE CITY — Jon Cahill couldn't wait any longer.

So LaFringe Hayes, hampered by a leg injury since training camp, is gone without ever playing a game at Wuerfel Park.

Hayes who was projected as the starting center fielder and lead-off hitter for the Traverse City Beach Bums this season, was released by the Frontier League baseball team Monday.

Former Western Michigan University outfielder R.C. Dickerson, who was released during camp, was re-signed.

"LaFringe is a great kid. It was a very tough cut,” said Bums manager Cahill. "He did everything he could to get better. Unfortunately, we just couldn't wait anymore.

"If everyone was healthy it might be a different story. But we're pretty banged up. We can't afford to have extra guys on the bench. We need somebody who can contribute now.”

Before heading on the road last week, Hayes said he was "very close” to returning, and Cahill gave him an opportunity on Friday at Windy City. Hayes started as the designated hitter that night, but after grounding out, he aggravated the injury running to first base and left the game.

It was Hayes' only at-bat in a Traverse City uniform.

Cahill said he didn't consider placing Hayes on the 14-day injured reserve list because "he's already had 12 games” to get healthy and hasn't.

Plus, Traverse City is already short-handed in the outfield. Jeff Vincent has biceps tendinitis and is taking anti-inflammatory drugs.

Cahill said he hopes Vincent can return to the lineup in 3-5 days.

J.T. Thomas has been battling an ankle sprain since training camp and Cahill admitted he even considered placing him on the injured list. But Thomas talked him out of it.

"He wants to play,” Cahill said. "He doesn't want to lose his job.

"He has a lot of fight. I love that.”

The Bums do have some encouraging news on the injury front: catcher/third baseman Takeshi Yamamoto is eligible to come off the disabled list today. He has been bothered by soreness in his throwing shoulder but said last week that he is feeling "no pain.”

In addition, second baseman Steve Young, out for at least six weeks with a separated shoulder, began his rehabilitation last week.

The Beach Bums have lost games four in a row and are 4-8 heading into tonight's home game against Central Division rival Kalamazoo — their first game at Wuerfel Park since Memorial Day. The contest begins at 7:05 p.m.

Traverse City hosts the Kings again Wednesday at 7:05 p.m., then heads back on the road for back-to-back series at Kalamazoo and Rockford before returning home on June 13.

The Bums had Monday off.

"It helps for them to get away and separate themselves,” Cahill said of his players. "It's almost like a fresh start. We need to string a few wins together and get our confidence back.”

Cahill said he is most disappointed with his team's defensive performance so far. The Bums have committed 21 errors, tied with River City for most in the league.

"We have to take better care of the ball,” Cahill said. "I took pride in my defense when I played, and it's disturbing to see the way we're playing in the field right now. It's a lack of concentration.”

Cahill said the sub-par defense is taking a toll on the pitching staff. He said Tony Casoli's 1-2 record is a perfect example of that. Casoli has walked only two batters in 17 innings, but opposing hitters are batting .310 against him and his earned-run average is 7.41.

"We can't give (the opposition) extra outs,” he said. "We just make our pitchers work harder.”

Last season, when Casoli went 13-3 and won Frontier League Pitcher of the Year honors, he didn't lose his second game until July 19.