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[dextrous]

Okay, so did some research. I might be a bit off here, just trying to put together the pieces:

Jon Chappell, Greg's son, in 2002 was signed on by American League baseball team Toronto Blue Jays (as a catcher). He was 22, was signed for 6 years.

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'Striking' it rich

Both the Blue Jays and their new signing are being coy about contractual arrangements, but it should be noted that the signing-on fee for Glenn Williams, the last Australian to be picked up by an American major league team, was a cool $1.7 million.

Chappell will start his Blue Jays' career in the lower leagues but the real big bucks will begin to arrive should he progress to the major league where the average annual player salary is $4.5 million.

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/07/31/1027926913038.html
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You can confirm the story here:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/cricket/news/2002/07/31/chappell_baseball/

On April 1, 2005 he was fired after a stint in the minor leagues:
http://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20050401145459724

Retired shortly after that
July 19, 2005. http://www.frontierleague.com/transactions.html

So where's he? Any ideas? Will he be joining us as a fielding consultant? Or a hitting coach?

[Blwe_torch]

Hey!..you never know!
We can see an addition to GC's entourage!
BTW...the team he was fired from, is a real bad team, right?

[dhruvdeepak]

dont diss the Blue Jays! (* team)

[k-slice]

feel free to correct me but the blue jays then were sold to washington dc and now are called the nationals.
i lived in dc for a while and they were a medicre team compared to the jays who were absolute *e.
but then maybe it wasnt the jays who moved from toronto.

[dhruvdeepak]

no man blue jays are owned by a Canadian fella and very much still playing

[k-slice]

my bad dd
they were the montral expos
same difference Eh?
damn canadians. they should stick to ice hockey!!

[Sahir]

Hey!..you never know!
We can see an addition to GC's entourage!
BTW...the team he was fired from, is a real bad team, right?

Actually, the team is off to a pretty decent start this year.  They are 10-8 so far.

[Sahir]

All jokes aside, what do yout guys think about hiring a fielding consultant that has a lot of knowledge about baseball and cricket.  I know the Aussies hired Mike Young, a former professional baseball scout settled in Australia.  Young was recently also brought in by the Kiwis recently.  The main thing I would want help with is throwing, because when you look at baseball compared to cricket, the throwing abilities of the players are really like chalk and cheese.  You see much more powerful arms and much more accruate throws in baseball.  I heard Young talk a bit about throwing and he seemed very knowledgable on some intricate throwing techniques and ways to avoid injuries.  I know Greg and Ian Chappell both played quite a lot of baseball in their formative years, but I'm not sure whether Greg would be familiar with any advanced baseball coaching methods.  Personally, I would be more interested in hiring a specialist like Mike Young on a temporary stint than someone like Jonty Rhodes.

[worma]

All jokes aside, what do yout guys think about hiring a fielding consultant that has a lot of knowledge about baseball and cricket.  I know the Aussies hired Mike Young, a former professional baseball scout settled in Australia.  Young was recently also brought in by the Kiwis recently.  The main thing I would want help with is throwing, because when you look at baseball compared to cricket, the throwing abilities of the players are really like chalk and cheese.  You see much more powerful arms and much more accruate throws in baseball.  I heard Young talk a bit about throwing and he seemed very knowledgable on some intricate throwing techniques and ways to avoid injuries.  I know Greg and Ian Chappell both played quite a lot of baseball in their formative years, but I'm not sure whether Greg would be familiar with any advanced baseball coaching methods.  Personally, I would be more interested in hiring a specialist like Mike Young on a temporary stint than someone like Jonty Rhodes.

On the other hand a cricket specialist like Rhodes (not necessarily him...) can coach on catching techniques much better, and especially for relatively close catching...since those are not the same for baseball (from my v v limited baseball knowledge...mainly developed from stereotypical Hollywood movies ;-) )

[Sahir]

certainly close catching is not the same, but I would expect Chappell to handle that.  Afterall, he is recognized as one of the best close catchers to play the game-- so that needs to be his responsibility.  Personally, I would like a temporary stint for throwing with a baseball coach that is very familiar with cricket as well.  Reason being, as I mentioned earlier, the much more powerful and accurate throwing you see in baseball.  I think it is because of greater emphasis being placed on fielding and throwing in baseball.  Just a thought...other specialist coaches are also good, but not if they are called for only a 2-week stint like Rhodes is for Pakistan. 

[flute202020]

certainly close catching is not the same, but I would expect Chappell to handle that.  Afterall, he is recognized as one of the best close catchers to play the game-- so that needs to be his responsibility.  Personally, I would like a temporary stint for throwing with a baseball coach that is very familiar with cricket as well.  Reason being, as I mentioned earlier, the much more powerful and accurate throwing you see in baseball.  I think it is because of greater emphasis being placed on fielding and throwing in baseball.  Just a thought...other specialist coaches are also good, but not if they are called for only a 2-week stint like Rhodes is for Pakistan. 

Since  GC/RD are open to only consultants and no permanent fixtures in helping a specific area, if it helps, may be we can have temporary stints with both a baseball coach & Rhodes.

About baseball coach, I am not sure if training will improve anything, for a major part of the throwing abilities in baseball has also got to do with the arm power, physique etc. Can cricket throwing abilities be improved considerably with training? I mean how much of it is sheer physical ability and how much of it is technique in baseball?

[avinashgodkhindi]

" Jon Chappell is a 25 year old Australian. 2004 was his first year playing in the system, he was the backup catcher in Pulaski. Chappell hit well, he had an OPS of .960, but when you are older than some Blue Jays and still in rookie ball, your baseball future is not bright"

Emphasis on youth???No offence meant to either of the chappells but felt it was a little ironic

[Sahir]

certainly close catching is not the same, but I would expect Chappell to handle that.  Afterall, he is recognized as one of the best close catchers to play the game-- so that needs to be his responsibility.  Personally, I would like a temporary stint for throwing with a baseball coach that is very familiar with cricket as well.  Reason being, as I mentioned earlier, the much more powerful and accurate throwing you see in baseball.  I think it is because of greater emphasis being placed on fielding and throwing in baseball.  Just a thought...other specialist coaches are also good, but not if they are called for only a 2-week stint like Rhodes is for Pakistan. 

Since  GC/RD are open to only consultants and no permanent fixtures in helping a specific area, if it helps, may be we can have temporary stints with both a baseball coach & Rhodes.

About baseball coach, I am not sure if training will improve anything, for a major part of the throwing abilities in baseball has also got to do with the arm power, physique etc. Can cricket throwing abilities be improved considerably with training? I mean how much of it is sheer physical ability and how much of it is technique in baseball?

Yes, I am sure power is a part of it, but I also think technique has a great deal to do with it, just from hearing Mike Young speak.  I know the Aussies swear by some of the improvements he's helped make, and I just wonder, if it is a realtively low risk investment to hire him for a brief stint, with a distinct possibility of a good return.  In fact, if not with the national side, it may be a good idea to bring him in to the National Cricket Academy and bring some of his expertise there.  The reason I advocate this is because Young brings something to the table that other cricket coaches cannot offer-- the knowledge of some baseball techniques, while also having plenty of experience in cricket.

[Sahir]

" Jon Chappell is a 25 year old Australian. 2004 was his first year playing in the system, he was the backup catcher in Pulaski. Chappell hit well, he had an OPS of .960, but when you are older than some Blue Jays and still in rookie ball, your baseball future is not bright"

Emphasis on youth???No offence meant to either of the chappells but felt it was a little ironic

That is ironic, but the life of a minor league baseball player-- people get cut and traded with incredible frequency, sometimes multiple times in the same day!

[bouncer]

Blue Jays were the world champions in one year during 90's

[fineleg]

All jokes aside, what do yout guys think about hiring a fielding consultant that has a lot of knowledge about baseball and cricket.  I know the Aussies hired Mike Young, a former professional baseball scout settled in Australia.  Young was recently also brought in by the Kiwis recently.  The main thing I would want help with is throwing, because when you look at baseball compared to cricket, the throwing abilities of the players are really like chalk and cheese.  You see much more powerful arms and much more accruate throws in baseball.  I heard Young talk a bit about throwing and he seemed very knowledgable on some intricate throwing techniques and ways to avoid injuries.  I know Greg and Ian Chappell both played quite a lot of baseball in their formative years, but I'm not sure whether Greg would be familiar with any advanced baseball coaching methods.  Personally, I would be more interested in hiring a specialist like Mike Young on a temporary stint than someone like Jonty Rhodes.

I guess my stance is well known - I've been pleading for specialist coaches for fielding, bowling for a looooong time - if baseball coaches help, then so be it, I am all for specialized coaches and coaching.

[k-slice]

world champions my ass
i love MLb but they should stop calling in the world champions when the cubans and the japanese arent allowed to play.
castro's team unfortunately cant play in the us thanks to the fact that they wouldnt go back to cuba once they came to america!!

[ramshorns]

Blue Jays were the world champions in one year during 90's

Actually make that two if my memory serves me right. 92 and 93.

[ramshorns]

world champions my ass
i love MLb but they should stop calling in the world champions when the cubans and the japanese arent allowed to play.
castro's team unfortunately cant play in the us thanks to the fact that they wouldnt go back to cuba once they came to america!!

Are you supposed to say the highlighed portion as per the DG rules. .  That was funny.  I see your point, but with all the best talent that comes from around the world and represents the MLB, it would be tough for any national team to beat a solid MLB team or the eventual World Series Champions(BTW that is what it is called).  However I agree there is a certain degree of arrogance by naming championships such and could easily see some people getting ticked off.

[hastalavistababy]

no man blue jays are owned by a Canadian fella and very much still playing

Correct me please if I am wrong. CBIC Bank  and Labbat had the ownership of blue jays .But they sold it to Belgian company. I used to a fan  of blue jays till 1995(1994 95 they won back to back world series). After that belgian  company bought it, they sold all the star players and blue jays started fighting for the last place. hey  dhruvdeepak, do me a favour I do not find labbat blue here in USA. If you drink labbat blue( I know you are in toronto) tonight , give a proxy for me.

[Sahir]

gcph,
you can't find Labatt here in the US?  Where u at, cuz most major grocery chains do have it, I think.

[hastalavistababy]

gcph,
you can't find Labatt here in the US?  Where u at, cuz most major grocery chains do have it, I think.

but those are  brewed in USA. Test are not same.

[dhruvdeepak]

no man blue jays are owned by a Canadian fella and very much still playing

Correct me please if I am wrong. CBIC Bank  and Labbat had the ownership of blue jays .But they sold it to Belgian company. I used to a fan  of blue jays till 1995(1994 95 they won back to back world series). After that belgian  company bought it, they sold all the star players and blue jays started fighting for the last place. hey  dhruvdeepak, do me a favour I do not find labbat blue here in USA. If you drink labbat blue( I know you are in toronto) tonight , give a proxy for me.

blue jays were recently bought over by Rogers, Canadian company. they own the Sky Dome as well (home games for the Jays)

[hastalavistababy]

no man blue jays are owned by a Canadian fella and very much still playing

Correct me please if I am wrong. CBIC Bank  and Labbat had the ownership of blue jays .But they sold it to Belgian company. I used to a fan  of blue jays till 1995(1994 95 they won back to back world series). After that belgian  company bought it, they sold all the star players and blue jays started fighting for the last place. hey  dhruvdeepak, do me a favour I do not find labbat blue here in USA. If you drink labbat blue( I know you are in toronto) tonight , give a proxy for me.

blue jays were recently bought over by Rogers, Canadian company. they own the Sky Dome as well (home games for the Jays)

thanks ,

[dhruvdeepak]

Yankees playing Blue Jays at the moment Live. Blue Jays won last night 7-2 i think

Toronto    12    9    .571    -
Boston    13    10    .565    -
Baltimore    13    11    .542    0.5
NY Yankees    11    10    .524    1.0
Tampa Bay    10    13    .435    3.0


East    W    L    PCT    GB    E#    L10    STRK    vs E    vs C    vs W    INT    HOME    ROAD    vs R    vs L    XTRA    1-RUN    RS    RA    X W-L    LAST GAME    NEXT GAME
Toronto    12    9    .571    -    -    6-4    W1    9-6    3-3    0-0    0-0    8-6    4-3    7-6    5-3    1-0    1-1    128    104    12-9    4/28 @ NYY, W 7-2    4/29 @ NYY
Boston    13    10    .565    -    -    4-6    L3    7-6    1-2    5-2    0-0    6-4    7-6    9-5    4-5    0-1    5-1    104    116    10-13    4/28 @ TB, L 2-5    4/29 @ TB, 7:15P
Baltimore    13    11    .542    0.5    139    5-5    W2    7-9    2-1    4-1    0-0    8-6    5-5    12-6    1-5    0-0    4-1    128    139    11-13    4/28 v SEA, W 5-2    4/29 v SEA, 4:35P
New York    11    10    .524    1.0    140    6-4    L1    5-4    4-2    2-4    0-0    7-3    4-7    5-8    6-2    0-1    0-4    123    84    14-7    4/28 v TOR, L 2-7    4/29 v TOR
Tampa Bay    10    13    .435    3.0    137    3-7    W1    7-10    3-0    0-3    0-0    5-3    5-10    8-7    2-6    1-0    1-2    109    138    9-14    4/28 v BOS, W 5-2    4/29 v BOS, 7:15P