Notes: Last-minute party change

Dawn to stay on DL; Kat joins team
By Beth Sass / hereforthesass.blogspot.com

OAKLAND -- The Here for the Sass team was all set to have a party for the expected return of Dawn on Thursday, and were sad when news came early Thursday that Dawn would not be able to re-join the team. Initial doctor reports from earlier this week indicated that she would be well enough to rejoin the team, but on Thursday morning, those results were overturned, and Dawn remains on the DL.

Sass utility player Little Nicky Punto and Sass catcher A.J. Pierzynski were distraught, while Sass reliever Matt Guerrier was just “bummed.”

“We’ve been waiting so long. I was so excited when I heard she was coming back. We had a huge party planned, and now she’s not coming,” Matt said.

However, all was not lost, as the Sass welcomed KatHarriet as their temporary Clubhouse Manager while Rach is out on the DL. None of the players had met Kat before, but expressed pleasure in her joining the staff during the welcoming party after Thursday’s game.

“She’s awesome--fun, lively, and witty,” Sass reliever Brandon Medders said. “I’m glad that Beth and Dawn found someone so inspiring.”

Kat joined the team on Thursday, and was given a quick tour by Rach and Beth, and caught onto all the duties of her job, as well as picked up the spirit of the club, seemingly immediately. It is expected that Kat will stay with the team when Rach returns, although an official capacity has not been decided.

“She’s a perfect fit. I’m glad she applied for the job,” Dawn said, happily.

Kat’s seamless integration onto the Sass was a relief for the team and front offices, because doctors are indicating a stint on the DL would be good for Beth, although no official decision has yet been made.

And now catching… A.J. was hit by a foul ball on Thursday, and injured his wrist. While he was able to play the rest of the game, it’s expected he’ll need tonight off. As A.J. is the only catcher on the Sass roster, the Sass are trying to make due with what they can.

“I was a catcher in high school, so Beth informed me that I’ll likely get most of the catching duties. I think the starting pitchers will fill in some games, and, of course, Beth will likely make Michael Cuddyer catch, purely for her own amusement,” Sass first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz said.

Trainers expect A.J. to avoid the DL. If he would end up on the DL, Beth and Dawn would likely attempt to find a catcher to fill in temporarily.

Weekend activities: While most of the Sass team has no opinion about playing in California, Little Nicky is excited. Little Nicky is a certified scuba diver, and enjoys all water sports. He fully intends to take part in the “Surfing for Hunger” charity event that will take place on Saturday morning.

“I love surfing,” Little Nicky said, excitedly, “So to be given the opportunity to surf for a charity event while I’m out here is the absolute perfect thing.”

Little Nicky has requested, and been granted, permission to be late to batting practice on Saturday, depending on how long the event takes to complete.

“We at Here for the Sass are charity-minded. We are always happy to support our lads in whatever charitable endeavors they wish to participate in,” Dawn said.

Tonight: Beth, who had been a little gun-shy of starting pitching due to some poor performances by Sass starters recently, has been made a little more hesitant when she heard that Twins pitcher Scott Baker had been optioned down to AAA. Relief pitcher Matt Guerrier and outfielder Michael Cuddyer cornered Beth in the Manager's office last Thursday and made her promise to use at least one starting pitcher on Friday. Beth apparently took their words to heart, as she promptly informed starting pitchers Kristin Benson, Aaron Harang, and Chan Ho Park that all three were starting on Friday.

"One of them has to do something good. Right? Right?" Beth said hopefully. She said she plans on benching all starters on Saturday to recover, and will start Brad Halsey against Carlos Silva on Sunday.

"Meh, one of them has to do better than the other. I'll take that," Beth said.