IronPigs Sty: May 10, 2008

Notebook entries from around the locker room and the diamond

May 10, 2008

NEW MEMBER OF 'PIGS LINEUP: THE RAIN MAN

Despite their struggles on the field, the IronPigs had been living a charmed life with Mother Nature. They enjoyed a warmer-than-usual April and did not have a single rain delay through their first 12 home games.

That changed Friday when an all-day soaker threatened to force the first postponement of the season and prompted a delay of an hour and 16 minutes at the start.

Some might have been shocked they played at all, but GM Kurt Landes said Coca-Cola Park has an excellent drainage system.

''Beneath the grass are two feet of sand and gravel to absorb the water,'' Landes said. ''Tonight was our first official rain delay, but we've been here on rainy days many times before and we've been watching how well the field drains. And this field drains fantastically well. So, if the rain stops, and we can get the tarp off, you're generally going to have a field without puddles and in great shape.''

Landes said a lot of variables factor into the decision to postpone or play.

''There's a ton,'' Landes said. ''You look at the radar and try to gauge what's coming, but you never truly know.

''And then you try to take into account what makes the most sense business-wise when you have a pre-sale of nearly 7,000 people. We had a lot of people who came here and waited it out, hoping to see a baseball game and a fireworks show.''

Landes said a postponement decision generally belongs to the club. But when a team is making its only series appearance of the season, as Columbus is this weekend, the umpiring crew gets more involved.

''The umpires act as league ambassadors, so to speak, to make sure these games are played,'' Landes said. ''Once the game starts, it's their decision.''

REVOLVING DOOR

The Phillies continued to tinker with the IronPigs roster Friday, adding shortstop Mike Rouse and lefthanded pitcher Stephen Randolph while assigning Joey Hammond to Reading.

The 28-year-old Rouse, acquired from the White Sox organization, was hitting .234 at Triple-A Charlotte. Hegot a taste of the big leagues with Oakland in 2006 and got his first hit off Randy Johnson, part of a 3-for-3 performance.

The 34-year-old Randolph joins his eighth organization, after being acquired from the Astros. He was 0-1 with a 1.23 ERA at Triple-A Round Rock with 21 Ks in 14.2 IP. He has 10 MLB wins.

Keith Groller