Posted September 3, 200420 yr Courtesy of FloridaMarlins.com MIAMI -- With Hurricane Frances looming off the east coach of Florida, baseball officials on Friday afternoon postponed Saturday's game between the Chicago Cubs and Florida Marlins at Pro Player Stadium. No makeup date has been set, and Sunday's series finale also is in jeopardy. Due to the storm, the teams and league are trying to figure out how to rework Friday and Saturday games over the final weeks of the season. One scenario is a doubleheader on Sunday, should South Florida avoid severe conditions. "Foremost, the Marlins' organization is concerned about the safety of all Florida residents, and will only return to playing baseball when the effects of Hurricane Frances have passed," Marlins general manager Admin Beinfest said through a team spokesman on Friday afternoon. Frances has weakened slightly from the 145-mph Category 4 storm that it was on Thursday to a 120-mph Category 3 storm, but remains a dangerous hurricane, according to Matthew Newman, senior meteorologist at The Weather Channel. "There still is the possibility that the hurricane could strengthen again, but the intensity forecast remains somewhat uncertain. "Florida could start feeling the outermost effects of the storm by late Friday," he added in his report on weather.com. "Present thinking puts landfall on the central or southern portion of the east coast of Florida, any time from late Saturday to Sunday morning. While the landfall point is important, the destructive impacts from Frances may be widespread. This storm is larger and will affect more land than Charley did once it makes landfall." The Cubs, who hold a 2 1/2-game lead over the Marlins in the Wild Card race, remain in Chicago and wait to see if or when they will travel to South Florida. "This uncertainty isn't very pleasant," Cubs manager Dusty Baker said. "It's only a game for us. What about the uncertainty for those that are down there about to wait out a hurricane, especially after the severity of (Charley) less than a month ago? To have stuff destroyed, this hurricane ain't no joke." Heeding to the storm, more than 2.5 million people have evacuated their Florida homes. And even if the Miami area avoids the brunt of hurricane-force winds, the threat of heavy rains and flooding is present. "I think you have to make sure everyone in OK," said Marlins All-Star third baseman Mike Lowell. "When Sept. 11 came, nobody cared about the games, and rightly so. I don't think they are important compared to the safety of a lot of people. I still think we might play one or two of those games. But in the scope of things, [the games] are not important." The Devil Rays, who are scheduled to open a three-game set with the Tigers at Tropicana Field, will wait until the potential path of Hurricane Frances becomes more apparent to determine a course of action for this weekend's series. "We will continue to monitor the path of Hurricane Frances and will not make a decision on the status of this weekend's games before Friday," the team said in a statement. "Our primary concern is for the safety of everyone involved." The Tigers, who had an off-day Thursday, made their scheduled trip to Tampa. "We hope it takes a different path, but we're all a little curious," manager Alan Trammell said. Tigers general manager David Dombrowski was the Marlins' GM for a decade before joining the Tigers front office, so he knows a little about hurricane watches. "I've been though this many times," Dombrowski said. "If there is any danger, err on the side of safety." The threat of the storm has caused a great concern among the Marlins players, many of whom live in evacuation areas in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties. "I think it's a concern for the people in South Florida, that's the key," Marlins manager Jack McKeon said. "Baseball, you can play that anytime. The people out there expecting the worst, I think you have to be concerned about their welfare. Players are included, because they have families. It's a little distracting. But hopefully it won't be too bad and we'll be able to play two or maybe even three games." Paul Lo Duca, Mike Redmond and Nate Bump are planning to stay a few days at Lowell's home just south of Miami, which isn't expected to receive the brunt of the storm's impact. "I think the wives are doing a good job getting food and stuff for the kids," Lowell said. "I think West Palm Beach is going to get hit hard, from what I hear. It's scary. I live pretty far south of Miami, which is good for this storm." Jeff Conine, who lives a bit inland in Westin, is planning on traveling to the western part of the state. "Mentally, a lot of guys here have their minds elsewhere, with their families in South Florida," Conine said. "We're getting in at the last minute to either bunker down, or get out of Dodge. We're leaving. I'm not taking any chances. We have a place in Naples." Juan Pierre and Dontrelle Willis live in Adventura, on the intercoastal waterway, near Pro Player Stadium. "I'm heading west," Pierre said. "I'm not staying in my place. I'm going somewhere."
September 3, 200420 yr Yep, i was pretty sure they were going to cencel this game as well. Hopefully the double header will still be played on sunday....
September 3, 200420 yr all the badness of the Hurricane aside, i think this could really be a good thing. if we cancel the whole thing, there's no way to make it up in Chicago (we won't play 2 double headers in 3 days), so they'll be forced to simply replay the series after the season. and imagine what the Pro would be like if the Cubs come in with the WC on the line. on top of that, Lo Duca has been playing like an animal, never taking off days at the rate that a catcher typically should. this will be good for him for the last month of the season, i think.
September 3, 200420 yr It was bound to happen. Well one way or another, this series is going to get played out. So whether its this weekend or next or the end of the season, the Fish will be ready for them. :mad :
September 3, 200420 yr Hopefully we can get a game (or two) in on Sunday and then play a game (or two) on the 20th.
September 3, 200420 yr One thing is for sure: I am not going to play a game in Chicago that we were suppose to play in Miami...NO WAY...
September 3, 200420 yr One thing is for sure: I am not going to play a game in Chicago that we were suppose to play in Miami...NO WAY... 541071[/snapback] Your not, but maybe the Marlins will.
September 3, 200420 yr One thing is for sure: I am not going to play a game in Chicago that we were suppose to play in Miami...NO WAY... 541071[/snapback] Your not, but maybe the Marlins will. 541079[/snapback] The Marlins don't have to play a game in Chicago that they were suppose to play in Miami...and I don't care what the leauge wants us to do! :mad :
September 3, 200420 yr does anyone know if the people who have tickets for saturdays game would be allowed in sundays game if there's a double header? i need to know cuz i have tickets for saturdays game and i heard theres a double header and im planning to go sunday to watch the game with my saturday tickets.
September 3, 200420 yr does anyone know if the people who have tickets for saturdays game would be allowed in sundays game if there's a double header? i need to know cuz i have tickets for saturdays game and i heard theres a double header and im planning to go sunday to watch the game with my saturday tickets. 541124[/snapback] No idea..I have tix for sunday. But call the stadium and see whats up. The thing is that sunday its already sold out so i doubt they will let you just use your tix for sunday. They'll probably only let you use them for other games.....Dunno.
September 3, 200420 yr does anyone know if the people who have tickets for saturdays game would be allowed in sundays game if there's a double header? i need to know cuz i have tickets for saturdays game and i heard theres a double header and im planning to go sunday to watch the game with my saturday tickets. 541124[/snapback] No idea..I have tix for sunday. But call the stadium and see whats up. The thing is that sunday its already sold out so i doubt they will let you just use your tix for sunday. They'll probably only let you use them for other games.....Dunno. 541132[/snapback] thanks, i guess i'll do that but i really hope they do cuz i really wanna go to a cubs series game and im a season ticket holder so i dont know i'll see
September 3, 200420 yr One thing is for sure: I am not going to play a game in Chicago that we were suppose to play in Miami...NO WAY... 541071[/snapback] Your not, but maybe the Marlins will. 541079[/snapback] Loria already said that's not going to happen and there is no way the Marlins would agree to something like that.
September 3, 200420 yr This can be a good thing. If it gets rescheduled after the series, the Marlins will play like magic. plus they can get some extra practice and will come bak full of power.the hurricane sucks tho.
September 3, 200420 yr Call late Saturday / early Sunday if Sunday's game isn't cancelled. Call Monday or Tuesday if it is. They should know what's up by then.
September 4, 200420 yr ugh this is total BS this gives the Other teams a Head start of us i hope they play on Sunday and Monday
September 4, 200420 yr ugh this is total BS this gives the Other teams a Head start of us i hope they play on Sunday and Monday 541610[/snapback] This gives us a cushion of having more games to play than them.
September 4, 200420 yr lets play a triple-header on sunday 1:00 PM for first game 4:45 PM for second game 8:45 PM for third game could work
September 4, 200420 yr lets play a triple-header on sunday 1:00 PM for first game 4:45 PM for second game 8:45 PM for third game could work 542065[/snapback] Yeah because the players dont need ANY rest in between the games......
September 4, 200420 yr lets play a triple-header on sunday 1:00 PM for first game 4:45 PM for second game 8:45 PM for third game could work 542065[/snapback] Yeah because the players dont need ANY rest in between the games...... 542076[/snapback] OK then 11:00 AM for game 1 4:30 PM for game 2 10:30 for game 3 now, unless they go into extra innings in any of these games, this would be good, no?
September 4, 200420 yr lets play a triple-header on sunday 1:00 PM for first game 4:45 PM for second game 8:45 PM for third game could work 542065[/snapback] Yeah because the players dont need ANY rest in between the games...... 542076[/snapback] OK then 11:00 AM for game 1 4:30 PM for game 2 10:30 for game 3 now, unless they go into extra innings in any of these games, this would be good, no? 542079[/snapback] Tell me you're joking? There is no way that these 2 teams are going to play 3 games in a day. Thats close to impossible.....not because of time, but because of players.
September 4, 200420 yr dude, triple header IS possible, and I believe that there should be one day with a triple header
September 4, 200420 yr A tripleheader will not happen. It's ridiculous to even mention it and be serious too.
September 4, 200420 yr lets play a triple-header on sunday 1:00 PM for first game 4:45 PM for second game 8:45 PM for third game could work 542065[/snapback] new lows
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