SB Nation User Blog: TedFord

The upcoming LAA series

TedFord — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:59:37 -0000

The Angels are in Arizona (sigh) this weekend while the Padres visit Arlington. Then they come to Texas for a pivotal 3-game series. You have to know the Halos have circled these games with Texas on their calendar ever since we took 'em to the woodshed during last series here. So, anybody plan on going? And also chime in with your thoughts on how you think this series might go and any other impressions.

Slideshow from Saturday night's game...

TedFord — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 13:03:38 -0000

Well, we stayed through over an hour of the power outage and some family members were getting restless, so we vacated the premises. I had a sinking feeling that all of Feldman's good work might come unraveled if the underside of the bullpen were trotted in to try and preserve the tie. Unfortunately, I was right.

The pictures were made from row 10 behind the visitor's dugout. Equipment was a Canon 40D camera and a Canon 100-400mm IS lens.

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v649/tim552/Saturday%20game%20vs%20the%20Dodgers/?albumview=slideshow

Tim Perkins

Rockwall

Fastest Ranger?

TedFord — Sat, 16 May 2009 14:27:32 -0000

Now that Golson has returned to his minor-league quarters, who do you think is the fastest Ranger? I'm going to assume it's a 3-man race between Andrus, Hamilton, and Kinsler. And rather than make it, say, a 40-yard dash, which might favor the quickness of Andrus over the size of Hamilton, let's say it's a timed home-plate to first to second to third race. My guess is that Andrus and Hamilton would tie, followed closely by Ian.

The Illusion of the Curve Ball

TedFord — Fri, 15 May 2009 15:29:53 -0000

The Illusion of the Curve Ball

Stole this outright from Lookout Landing. Tricky stuff.

Dear Dave Barnett

TedFord — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 18:53:03 -0000

I hope you are checking your work by listening to tapes. Here are a couple of things that you can work on:

1. Do you always talk this slowly? Try to step it up a notch. Granted baseball is a slow game, but when action breaks out, it demands quick description...which leads to #2..

2. Stuff is happening on the field and your call is lagging way behind. In the recent homestand, there would be a critical strikeout by a Ranger pitcher. But the way the listener found out was by the roar of the crowd, not by your call. Precious milliseconds passed before you let us know that indeed it was strike three.

We're pulling for you, Dave. Your body of work is so impressive. Your voice is perfect. Hope you understand.

Bonus Pix from Surprise

TedFord — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 23:53:26 -0000

Bonus Pix from Surprise

Here are a few more shots from last Sunday and Monday in Surprise.

Photos from Tuesday morning's practice.

TedFord — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 22:28:55 -0000

Photos from Tuesday morning's practice.

Photos from the Rangers/Padres game on Sunday.

TedFord — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 03:20:15 -0000

Photos from the Rangers/Padres game on Sunday.

Photos taken from behind the Rangers' dugout with a Canon 40D camera and a Canon 100-400mm zoom lens.

Critiquing Dave Barnett

TedFord — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 22:22:29 -0000

I'm a bit disappointed so far in Mr. Barnett, although I have to allow him room to settle in since it's so early. I was thrilled like everyone else to have him move in next to Eric Nadel, but I sense some growing pains. His voice is ideal, the perfect announcer's voice. But frankly, right now he's too slow on the draw for me. His call seems to be a bit late...I'm hearing the action and cheers from the field and the lag is there before Dave tells me what's happening. And his style of speech is a bit too deliberate for me. I find myself silently urging him to speed up and finish his thought.

But, as I said, it's early. Either he'll improve or I'll adjust to his pace. For you old-timers, he reminds me a bit of Bill Merrill, one of the announcers from the early 70's. Merrill was a wonderful fellow, but so slow in his descriptions that I screamed a lot at the radio.

Need spring training tips

TedFord — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 20:15:21 -0000

Since I have always wanted to do this and since I've got a couple of free roundtrip tickets from Southwest, I am pondering a trip to Surprise during spring training. Got some questions. Is there any charge to access the various diamonds where the Rangers work out in the mornings? Is the main road to Phoenix the one that I've heard horror stories about...due to traffic? Anybody who's done this trip have any overall tips? I am considering staying in Glendale. Is that a good choice?