#FANtasking Initiative by MLBAM Kicks Off Wireless Improvements at Parks

Thanks to the folks at Qualcomm for the heads up on a big initiative going on throughout all of Major League Baseball.  For everyone that's ever dealt with weak signals on his or her device at the ballpark, new and improved mobile experiences are coming soon!

With All-Star Brandon Phillips on board, helping to spread the word via social networking, the FANtasking has been rolled out and seems quite fun.  Check out the following details from a press release and find out how you could win tickets.

Baseball is a game steeped in history and tradition. Unfortunately for fans, the “tradition” of nose bleed seats is as old as the game itself. With its new FANtasking video feature, Qualcomm is making the impossible possible: turning the worst seats in the house into the very best.

Granted, hot dog piñatas are likely not going to become all the rage at MLB stadiums, but one thing is clear, the future for fans is brighter than ever thanks to the efforts of Qualcomm and MLB to bring the future for fans into the palms of their hands…or more literally into their mobile devices.

The short video below brings this exciting future to life in some rather “unorthodox” ways that we thought you and your readers would truly appreciate.



(Link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fquwqFGU_8U)
   

Qualcomm has teamed up with MLB Advanced Media and is “changing the game” for fans all across baseball by super charging the fan experience through their efforts to maximize mobile connectivity within MLB stadiums. Take me out to the ballgame, is becoming more and more, “take me INTO the ballgame” thanks to the role our mobile devices are playing in the fan experience. 

And speaking of enhancing the fan experience, Qualcomm’s FANtasking Photo contest is currently offering fans the chance to win a Samsung Galaxy S4 and a trip with tickets to Opening Day 2014 game of their favorite team (as long as you enter before 10/20/13)!

Fisher Cats Batting Practice Footage

Here's some batting practice footage shot last month of several Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats players.

Clips include Andy Burns, Kevin Nolan, Ryan Schimpf, Jon Talley, Gabe Jacobo and more.  Check it out in the media player below.

Marcus Stroman Bullpen Footage

Marcus Stroman was the Blue Jays' 1st round pick a year ago when he was selected 22nd overall out of Duke University in the annual MLB amateur draft.  Since that time, the 22-year-old has made a considerable impact on the pro ranks, posting a 3-0 record with a 3.26 ERA in 15 relief appearances with A level Vancouver and Double-A New Hampshire upon making his minor league debut last season and following that up with a 5-2 record and a 3.16 ERA as a starter this year for New Hampshire. 

On Friday night, Stroman threw seven innings, allowing two earned runs for a no decision in Trenton.  Prior to the contest, I filmed this footage of him getting loose in the bullpen.  Get a close look at this rising star in the media player below. 

RHP Deck McGuire Video Footage

Righty pitching prospect Deck McGuire picked up his second win of the season for Double-A New Hampshire on Thursday night against the Trenton Thunder (Yankees affiliate).  The Blue Jays' 1st round draft choice from 2010 allowed two earned runs while striking out two and walking three batters in five innings.

The victory took McGuire's record to 2-3 on the year.  He also sports a 5.11 ERA and a .246 batting average against.

Check out the media player below to see footage of the 23-year-old McGuire warming up in the bullpen, striking out Trenton's J.R. Murphy looking and getting Ali Castillo to ground into a fielders choice.

RHP Marcus Walden Video Footage

Double-A New Hampshire righty hurler Marcus Walden has been a bit of a surprise performer thus far in the 2013 season.  A 9th round draft pick of the Blue Jays in 2007, Walden has posted a 1-3 record with a 2.97 ERA while striking out 15 and walking eight in 33 1/3 innings pitched through six starts for the Fisher Cats.

The California native, who stands six feet tall and weighs 190 pounds, entered this season with a 26-18 record along with a 3.62 ERA in five pro seasons, having missed all of 2010 due to an injury.  Additionally, Walden, who is 24-years-old, is armed with a sinker, a cutter, a slider and a change up.

This past week, I shot some video of Walden.  The below clip features some pregame bullpen footage, a strike out of Trenton's Reegie Corona and a single surrendered to Thunder designated hitter Tyler Austin.

Exclusive BP Footage: d'Arnaud and McDade

Happy day after the baseball season, gang. We feel your pain. Surely, it has been a while since we've seen Toronto baseball action or any of our favorite prospects on the field. However, just to brighten your first day of the official 2011-2012 off-season, 1BlueJaysWay is bringing you some exclusive batting practice footage of two top Blue Jays prospects.

Travis d'Arnaud, the Double-A Eastern League MVP batting .311 with 21 homeruns and 71 RBI in 114 games during the 2011 season. Acquired from the Phillies in the Roy Halladay trade, d'Arnaud projects to be an impact player at the big league level. The 22-year-old California native led his New Hampshire Fisher Cats club to the EL championship.

McDade, a 22-year-old first baseman, was a force this year for the Fisher Cats as well. The 6-foot-1-inch 260-pound slugger posted a .281 average with 16 HR and 74 RBI. Time will tell what the ceiling is for McDade, but the future looks bright for this 2011 EL All-Star.

Check out some video of Travis and Mike slugging away at some pregame offerings in the media player below.



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Colby Rasmus Interview & Fisher Cats Video

As you've likely heard by now, Toronto's Double-A affiliate, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats are headed to the Eastern League championship series after defeating the Phillies' affiliate, 3 games to 1. From that series, 1BJW brings you loads of exclusive content.

Firstly, check out video of the final out from the divisional series clincher, as closer Bobby Korecky induces a groundout, and the on field celebration that followed, in the media player below.



In games 3 and 4 this past weekend in Reading, PA Jay's outfielder Colby Rasmus was in action, rehabbing his recovering right wrist. I spoke with Colby about several subjects, including his decision to sign his first pro contract, adjusting to Toronto after the July trade that brought him from St. Louis, the Fisher Cats team and plenty more. Check out the video player below to listen to the full interview.



Also, to read my full game story with quotes from manager Sal Fasano and outfielder Danny Perales, who hit the game winning homerun in Natural-esque fashion, click here.

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Chad Jenkins Notes and Footage

Two years ago right-handed pitcher Chad Jenkins was Toronto's top draft choice out of Kennesaw State University. In the time since then, Jenkins has climbed the developmental ranks, reaching the Double A level, where he is currently the ace of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats rotation.

The 6-foot-4-inch 235-pound Jenkins began his professional career just last year as a member of the Class A Lansing Lugnuts, where he was named an All-star. In 13 starts in the Midwest League, Jenkins posted a 5-4 record with a 3.63 ERA. He then earned a mid-season promotion to the Class A Advanced Dunedin Blue Jays, where he went 2-6 with a 4.33 ERA.

This season, Jenkins returned to the Florida State League with Dunedin and sported a 4-5 record with a 3.07 ERA through 11 starts prior to earning a promotion to New Hampshire of the Eastern League. In 13 starts with the Fisher Cats, Jenkins has gone 5-5 with a 4.08 ERA.

The 23-year-old possesses a repertoire that includes a sinker, which normally resides in the 90-93 MPH range, a slider and a change up, which are all improving and helping him excel upward in the Blue Jays' system.

As Jenkins advances in his career, he continues to be a key prospect to watch within the Toronto organization.

Check out the media player below to see footage of Jenkins at work in the bullpen prior to a start earlier this season.




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Prospect Footage: Henderson Alvarez

Eastern League All-star Henderson Alvarez has become one of Toronto's top pitching prospects. The right-handed fire baller, who has reached 101 MPH with his fastball this season, has been solid since joining the Double A New Hampshire Fisher Cats in May. Through 13 games, the Venezuelan born Alvarez has posted a 6-4 record with a 2.84 ERA.

Prior to his promotion, the 21-year-old Alvarez wasn't as sharp, going 0-1 with a 6.48 ERA in 2 starts with Class A Advanced Dunedin.

Since signing with Toronto in 2006, Alvarez has progressed steadily upward in the Toronto developmental ranks. After pitching in the Venezuelan Summer League in 2007, Alvarez pitched for the Gulf Coast League Blue Jays in 2008. That year, the 6-foot-1-inch 200-pound Alvarez produced a 1-4 record in 12 games (11 starts) and a 5.63 ERA. In 2009, Alvarez took great strides, posting a 9-6 record and a 3.47 ERA in 23 starts for Class A Lansing. Then, in 2010, Alvarez earned recognition as a Florida State League All-star with Dunedin. He sported an 8-7 record and a 4.33 ERA in 23 games (21 starts) over the full season.

With an electric fastball and developing command of his secondary pitches, a slider and a change up, Alvarez appears to have a bright future.

Check out the media player below for footage of Alvarez's mechanics while he warms up, prior to a recent start.


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