2007 Game Notes

5/13/07
Click here to see our new website. You'll see that it's a vast improvement. The minnetonkamillers.com domain name will eventually forward automatically, so no need to adjust your bookmark/favorites settings. See y'all there.

4/30/2007
Attention all Millers: here's is an updated practice schedule (sorry fans, these sessions are not open to the public. We will be conducting our annual "Meet the Millers" night soon, however. Stay tuned for the time & place).

Wed May 2 * 6:30 pm * Veterans Field

Thu May 3 * 8:15 pm * Velocity

Sun May 6 * 7:00 pm * Veterans

Wed May 9 * 6:00 pm * Veterans

4/22/07
Hi kids, just wanted to throw a little Minnetonka Miller update your way. The team is in full-fledged training mode (except me, of course, I am already back to my slacker ways) in anticipation of Operation Defend Our Title 2007. Or "ODOT" for short. We've got a new field (Veterans Stadium at Minnetonka High School) and a couple new players, and Schmidty has added a number of pieces to his flair lineup (though I think the anklet is a bit much), but besides that we're still the same old team.

The full schedule will be up tomorrow, so be sure to check back soon. We're looking forward to seeing you all at the ballfield this year. Especially the groupies.

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2006 Game Notes

9/9
Hey, didja hear? The Millers won the state tournament a couple weeks ago. We won back-to-back games against the Wesley Homes team -- the first on a 435-foot walkoff homerun by Tony Richards -- to take the 2006 Class A State Championship. This is the 7th state championship for the Minnetonka Millers, setting a new Minnesota amateur baseball record.

The victory was so dramatic, the wins so inspired, the experience so enjoyable, that your trusted webmaster has just now returned home from the celebration. True story. There was the party after the championship game, then the photo shoot, followed by the entire team being picked up via helicopter to fly down to Vegas for a weeklong stay, and after that the inevitable trip to Disneyland. Upon our arrival back home in Minnesota, there were interviews and autograph sessions and the parade in downtown Minnetonka. Did you hear about that? Of course you did. It was huge.

Anyway, much apologies for the delayed update to this here site. 'Tis been a busy start to the offseason. But, to make up for it, I will offer the following breathtaking action shots from the championship games. Do enjoy. We sure did.

8/14
ATTENTION! Tuesday's game has been moved to Wednesday. Same Bat time, same Bat channel. Be there or be hated.

8/10
Miller Review, written by Chris Urbain

Greetings baseball fans! Believe it or not, your favorite baseball team has once again earned the right to attend the state tournament as a participant. Shocking… I know. This marks the 13th year in a row that the Millers have made the tourney. That’s right, Waldo was 6 years old the last time we didn’t make it. Despite an appalling 42-7 record, Minnetonka may be peaking at the right time for the tournament. This year’s version of the Millers has been all business. “We could not have made it this far without total commitment from everyone” catcher Tony Richards commented.

The first game for the Millers at State is Saturday August 12th at 7pm. Please join us and cheer on your favorite squad.

Parrington Honored
Thanks to all that made the night for Matt Parrington special. As the first Miller to have his jersey retired, it was great to see so many fans come to honor him. It was great to get such a convincing victory over a strong Dundas team as well. As Parr is near the top in almost all offensive categories for a career, he is sorely missed in the line-up. Most importantly he is missed as the voice of reason for many of us when things aren’t going the way we would like. Thanks for all the memories Parr, and don’t be a stranger.

Miller Fan of the Year
Well, the time has come. It is, of course, time to announce the big award for Miller Fan of the Year. As we approach the state tournament, it is necessary to thank those that have been with us through thick and thin. After all, where would we be without our Miller rowdies. As previously announced, we have seen record crowds attend games. We only hope it continues through the state tournament. Before I announce the winner, let’s reflect on what it is to be Miller Fan of the Year. I must admit, it has gotten awfully competitive the last few years to be voted MFOY. We have had some great debates, but game attendance, extra-curricular activities (meet the Millers), party hosting, and longevity are of course some of the main considerations:

I think we can all agree that when it comes to attendance, it is clear that Steve Waldman should be a winner. I mean seriously, the guy even gets all the foul balls. However, he unfortunately does not have access to some of the other important categories. Props to Steve, and we appreciate him, but he is not MFOY.

While we have had some great attendance, there is one person this year that has qualified for all the categories by coming to games, attending Meet the Millers functions, hosting a barbecue, and most importantly, continuing to support the Millers through several seasons. That’s right…. This year’s MFOY is Melissa (Dalum). Over the years, Melissa has been the Susan Lucci of millers fans by competing for, but never winning the crown. We are very proud of her efforts. Congratulations!! To those of you who were close, thanks so much, and good luck next year! Here are some others who were in the running and need to be mentioned. THANKS TO ALL FANS:

Melissa (J-mac) – attended many games, brought Brandon, and attended Meet the Millers. Efforts like this put her as a strong candidate for next year due to longevity.

Amy Schmitz – attended many games while pregnant and hosted a miller party. Thanks!

Nicole (Urbie) – attended many games and events, even went to New Ulm after participating in a morning Triathlon! Unbelievable! She’s another voter favorite for next year.

Tim Abellero – started strong on attendance, but faded in the late innings. Looking forward to seeing him next year.

Katie Lash (Eck) – last year’s MFOY was hindered by Eck’s attendance to games. Don’t forget, it’s ok to show up even though your man is not there.

8/7/06
The schedule has been updated to include information on the Millers' first game of the state tournament (hey, we made it!). We expect each and every reader of this site to be at the games to cheer us on (face/chest painting optional). Those who don't attend better have a great excuse.

First-baseman-in-denial Steve Schmitz has already scheduled his foil/highlight/lowlight and mani-pedi appointments, so he can be in prime form for the tourney. Shortstop Shally is sporting a new Greg Brady-like perm. Watch out, ladies.

A few other notes, in case you care:

* Eric Utoft is not, in fact, dead. Whew. He showed up to his first game since early May just this afternoon. He was in good spirits, and, if you don't mind us saying, looked just fantastic. The entire organization hopes young Utoft doesn't "pull a Broxey" and go MIA again anytime soon.

* Former Golden Gopher C.J. Woodrow has joined the squad. One certain team member reportedly broke down in tears at the mere mention of C.J.'s name, presumably because of the heartbreak Woodrow inflicted as a former archrival on teams of both players' youth. The name of the pain-stricken player will not be divulged, but here is a tip: he is writing this as we speak (and, not surprisingly, sobbing uncontrollably).

* There is apparently a heated battle for the vaunted award of "Miller Fan of the Year." The webmaster does not know who specifically is still in the running for the award -- he does not pay attention to such things, instead devoting most free time to talking about himself and making voodoo dolls of new teammates -- but he does the battle is a tight one. Yet another reason to make an appearance at the upcoming state tournament games. Winner receives a box of steaks and a date with Chris Urbain (lucky!).

7/5/06
Evidently the webmaster didn't die, he's just lazy. Anyhowsers, the results page has been updated. Yay.

6/14/06
Turns out the Millers are human. We'd been suspecting that. The schedules page will tell the story (meaning score; we don't really feel like talking about it). One update: Sunday's game is at 3 pm. First 15,000 fans will receive a free Salad Shallenberger signed jockstrap!

6/4/06
Even though the clubhouse tension has reached a fever pitch (the new generation is trying to force the older guys to retire, but they simply refuse to leave), the Millers continue to win ballgames. Their most recent success came in the form of a tournament championship on the hallowed grounds of Memorial Field in Dundas, MN. The Millers didn't play their best baseball (how could they, with all those old timers in the lineup) but squeaked out victories by simply being gamers. They know no other way. The Millers will carry their undefeated record to Big Willow on Tuesday evening (get your tickets soon, a sellout is expected) in a league matchup against the even older Bloomington Bulldogs. Let's just pray no one breaks a hip.

The entire Minnetonka Millers organization hopes you are having a good day.

5/25/06
Anyone who watches SportsCenter or reads a newspaper is surely aware that the Millers have started regular season play. The team, full of all-stars, misfits and loudmouth sots, is currently boasting an undefeated record with no plans to sully it anytime soon. For those interested, the Schedule/Results page has been updated.

Two quick notes:

1. The June 15th game against Richfield has been moved to June 14. Please check the schedule for further details.

2. Directions to the Millers May 30th game against Maple Grove (a team/city that webmaster B hates with all his might) are as follows: the field is on 49th Ave, just east of 169. Should be easy to find. Millers players are expected at Big Willow for batting practice from 5:30-6:45 before heading up to the game to beat the pants off the hated MG squad.

4/8/2006
The Millers have just boarded their team jet to head to the annual World Amateur Baseball Classic to be played in Tokyo, Japan. The tournament, in its 68th year, is a bi-annual event that brings together the best "men's league" baseball teams in the world for a no-holds-barred tourney that draws television coverage (ESPN Deportes) and crowds upwards of 10,000 people. Their first round opponent: The Argentina Wildcats.

Okay, that's all a lie. In actuality, the Millers have just recently begun training for the upcoming 2006 campaign. And by "training" I mean converging at a team member's house to drink beers and dust off their favorite Millers stories.

Steve Schmidtz will be spending his preseason bedazzling his jerseys.

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