Toeing the Rubber

Kyle at Spring Training in 2008 (Photo courtesy of Kelly O'Connor/sittingstill.net and used with permission). Winter ball is like 3 months of extra innings!

So in my quest to find things to read and write about that don’t include rehashing the ALDS, I stumbled upon news about Kyle Snyder (go figure, when I’m not really looking, I find it…I guess the universe isn’t as pissed at me as I thought).  He’ll be playing winter ball in the Puerto Rico Baseball League starting in November!

Keeping in mind that I don’t speak or read Spanish at ALL and have to rely on Babel Fish and/or Google Translate, I found the announcement of Kyle playing here:

The Wolves of Arecibo announced yesterday the hiring of other three players concerned for the campaign that initiates the next November.

Todd Frazier, antesalista of Cincinnati; Bobby Wilson, receiver of the Angelinos of Los Angeles, and the skilful gunner Kyle Snyder, of the Mets de New York, is the three new reinforcements of concerned Arecibo to lift their quota of to eight, still reducing two places for throwers.

“The skillful gunner”.   I love it. LOVE it.  :)  I haven’t been able to find much else out except that the games begin on November 12th and the Caribbean World Series runs February 2-10 in Venezuela on the Isle of Margarita.  Kyle’s team name is officially Los Lobos de Arecibo (The Arecibo Wolves – See?  I’m already learning Spanish!).

I have my work cut out for me.  I already have a couple of friends who have offered to translate what I find…we’ll see how this works.  If there is anyone out there who follows the Caribbean Winter Leagues I’d be greatly appreciative of any information you find and can share!

Hey, following winter baseball, especially with Kyle playing, is a good way to get over the loss of Red Sox baseball and gear up for the new season!