Cleveland Sports Forum

Progressive Field in Cleveland to install innovative wind turbine developed by CSU professor

Published: Wednesday, October 12, 2011, 5:45 AM Updated: Wednesday, October 12, 2011, 10:47 AM
By Karen Farkas, The Plain Dealer
A drawing of the prototype "helix" wind turbine developed by a Cleveland State professor.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- If you're seeking a site to test a wind turbine where wind comes from all directions, there may be no better or more prominent place than on top of Progressive Field.
The Cleveland Indians and Cleveland State University announced Tuesday that an 18-foot-wide helix turbine developed by a CSU engineering professor will be mounted atop the ballpark's southeast corner, near East Ninth Street and Carnegie Avenue.

The turbine, which will be translucent white and lit within by colored LED lights, is the latest version of a "wind amplification turbine system," developed by Majid Rashidi, chairman of the university's department of engineering technology.

Selecting the site for the turbine, which will be installed by March, is the culmination of discussions that began almost three years ago between the Tribe and CSU, said Brad Mohr, assistant director of ballpark operations.

Mohr said he was approached by CSU officials after speaking at a meeting about the team's commitment to sustainability, including how it had installed solar panels and hoped to move into geothermal and wind projects.

"They said, 'We have an idea for you,' and we have been talking ever since," he said.

CSU had received a $1.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy in 2008 to design and install two structures based on Rashidi's patented system of a wind-deflecting structure with small-scale turbines that can generate power at low wind speeds.

In May 2009, CSU hoisted its first system, which weighed 10 tons, to the roof of its Plant Services Building on East 25th Street. Four turbines, 7 feet in diameter, are affixed to the side of what looks like an old water tower. The cylinder sits on a base that automatically rotates to face the wind. The system's design channels the wind to be more efficient.

Since then Rashidi continued to revise his concept, including reconfiguring the cylinder to look like an ice cream cone with a twist and seeking a second location.
Mohr said the size of the turbine fits the ballpark, which did not have enough space to put up a traditional three-blade turbine, such as the one at the Great Lakes Science Center.

Rashidi's is designed to pivot with the wind. "What better place than downtown Cleveland to capture the turbulent wind?" he said.

Grants will cover the construction cost and installation. It will generate about 40,000 kilowatt hours per year, about the same energy used to power four homes, Mohr said. The ballpark uses about 17 million kilowatt hours a year, Mohr said.

He hopes the turbine's visibility sparks interest in renewable energy so that one day the device can be put into production.

"We want to show that this experiment born here in Cleveland works in Cleveland," Mohr said. "The goal is not just to have the turbine in the ballpark. It is to get them into urban areas where traditional wind power won't work."

Cleveland Indians considering Tom Wiedenbauer as first base coach

Published: Wednesday, October 12, 2011, 12:43 PM Updated: Wednesday, October 12, 2011, 12:54 PM
By Paul Hoynes, The Plain Dealer


DETROIT, Mich. -- The Indians are close to hiring Tom Wiedenbauer as their first base coach. He would replace Sandy Alomar Jr., who was promoted to bench coach.

Wiedenbauer, 52, was hired as the Indians minor league field coordinator last year to replace Dave Hudgens, who left to become the Mets hitting coach.

The Indians are still looking for a pitching coach to replace Tim Belcher, who resigned at the end of this season to spend more time with his family. Belcher and Tim Tolman, who also resigned as bench coach at the end of the season, will stay in the organization.

Manager Manny Acta this week was interviewing candidates for the pitching coach job. Bullpen coach Scott Radinsky and Ruben Niebla, the pitching coach at Class AAA Columbus are believed to be candidates.

Wiedenbauer spent 35 years with the Houston Astros as a player, coach, manager, instructor, field coordinator and scout. The former outfielder/pitcher was a seventh round pick of the Astros in 1976. He made it to the big leagues briefly in 1979, playing four games and collecting four hits in six at-bats.

This past season Wiedenbauer replaced Alomar as first base coach on at least two occasions when Alomar missed games for personal reasons.

Acta said he was looking for a first base coach, who would double as an outfield and baserunning instructor.

If Wiedenbauer is hired, it means the Indians bypassed Mike Sarbaugh. Sarbaugh, who has led Class AAA Columbus to national titles in the last two years, did not fit the job requirement because he's a former infielder, but he's won wherever he's managed in the Indians system.

Justin Masterson underwent surgery Wednesday to repair a posterior labral tear in his left (non-throwing) shoulder.
The good news is that it shouldn't affect his spring program and he is fully expected to be ready for the start of the 2012 season. Masterson, 26, went 12-10 with a 3.21 ERA and 158/65 K/BB ratio over a career-high 216 innings this season. He should enter 2012 as a top 50 starting pitcher in mixed leagues.

Source: Jordan Bastian on Twitter Oct 12 - 3:07 PM

Matt Snyder agrees with Rusty

[quote="J.R."]R.I.P.: 2011 Cleveland Indians


OFFSEASON FOCUS
This may be unpopular, but I'd pick up Sizemore's option. He's still 29 and if his surgery last week fixed all the issues with his knee, it's entirely possible he returns to previous form -- which is an All-Star center fielder. Plus, having Sizemore around opens up a lot of options. If the Indians decide midseason to trade him, he could net a good return, assuming he's healthy. Michael Brantley could then slide over to center. But if Sizemore does return to All-Star form, they'll have a shot at locking him up as the veteran centerpiece of their young nucleus -- many of whom won't be free agents for four or five years.

EX-DODGER MILTON BRADLEY

He Threatened to KILL ME
... Wife Alleges

Former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Milton Bradley is a violent ticking time bomb ... who told his wife he was going to shoot her to death last month ... this according to court docs obtained by TMZ.

Monique Bradley has filed a request for a restraining order against the baseball player -- after a heated argument at their L.A. home on September 27 in which he allegedly picked up a photo of a gun and told her, "This is the gun that I'm going to kill you with."

Monique claims Bradley also threatened her with a baseball bat during the incident. ... and cussed her out ... calling her a "dumb b**ch" and saying she was "fat, ugly and lazy."

As TMZ previously reported, Milton was arrested for the incident and charged with assault with a deadly weapon.

In the docs, filed in L.A. County Superior Court, Monique claims Bradley has been "emotionally and physically abusive" throughout their marriage ... but she would often take him back because "I genuinely believed that one day I could fix him."

Now, Monique says the September incident was the last straw ... claiming, "I am very fearful that he will ... try to harm or even kill me."

Monique claims Milton also threatened to kill her during an argument back in January ... when she took their two young sons to live in a hotel after another screaming match.

According to the docs, Milton tracked down Monique and told her, "This is not a game. Bring back my children or I'll f**king kill you." Monique says he even made a throat-slashing gesture with his hand.

Monique says she had a temporary restraining order against Bradley -- but she NEEDS more permanent protection. A hearing on the matter is scheduled for Oct. 25.

Calls to Milton's reps have not been returned.

Manny Ramirez has pleaded not guilty to a domestic battery charge involving his wife.

Manny was arrested on September 12 after his wife told investigators Ramirez slapped her, causing her head to strike a bed headboard. Ramirez's attorney filed the written plea ahead of Friday's scheduled arraignment. The 12-time All-Star is free on $2,500 bail. Ramirez, 39, is looking to return to baseball next season but would have to serve a 100-game suspension for a second positive PED test.

Source: Associated Press Oct 14 - 11:59 AM

What? The plea of "Manny was just being Manny" wouldn't work?

apparently there is another mensa on the loose. Drew Pomeranz who we were all mourning several months ago was arrested this am for disturbing the peace. Just another loaded young and dumb professional athlete.

Drew Pomeranz arrested for disturbing the peace

Posted on: October 14, 2011 12:56 pm
Edited on: October 14, 2011 1:40 pm
By Matt Snyder

Rockies starting pitcher Drew Pomeranz has been arrested and charged with disturbing the peace by the Oxford Police Department in Mississippi. The arrest reportedly occurred at 1:25 a.m. Friday and Pomeranz was released on a cash bond at 4:40 a.m. (The Oxford Eagle)

Pomeranz, 22, is a very promising prospect. He was taken as the fifth overall draft pick in 2010 by the Indians after being an All American for Ole Miss. He then served as one of the main pieces of the trade -- along with fellow first-rounder Alex White -- that sent Ubaldo Jimenez to Cleveland. Pomeranz had a 1.78 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 119 strikeouts in 101 minor-league innings in his first professional season in 2011 (spread across High-A and Double-A). He was promoted to Colorado late in the season and went 2-1 with a 5.40 ERA.

The Rockies have yet to release a statement, but are expected to soon. We'll post it here when that happens.

Hat-tip: Troy Renck on Twitter

Drew Pomeranz - S - Rockies

Drew Pomeranz was arrested by Oxford, Mississippi police at 1:25 AM Friday morning for disturbing the peace.
The incident occurred after Pomeranz left a bar with friends. He subsequently was released on cash bond at 4:40 AM. It's worth noting that the young left-hander was also arrested in 2008 and charged with refusal to take a breath-alcohol test, giving false information to a police officer and possessing a fake ID. The Rockies are expected to release a statement on the matter later Friday.

Source: Denver Post Oct 14 - 1:04 PM

Sounds like a future Red Sox pitcher.

Maybe this deal is starting to make more sense after all.

Cleveland Indians complete coaching staff: Scott Radinsky, Tom Wiedenbauer, Dave Miller hired
Published: Friday, October 14, 2011, 1:04 PM Updated: Friday, October 14, 2011, 1:26 PM
By Paul Hoynes, The Plain Dealer
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Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer
Scott Radinsky is the Indians new pitching coach.
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Manager Manny Acta's coaching staff is complete. Scott Radinsky is the new pitching coach, Tom Wiedenbauer will be the first base coach and Dave Miller will be the bullpen coach.
All three moves were made from within the organization.
Radinsky replaced Tim Belcher, who resigned at the end of the year. He's been the Indians bullpen coach for the last two years.
Wiedenbauer was the Indians minor league field coordinator last year. He replaces Sandy Alomar Jr., who was promoted to bench coach following the resignation of Tim Tolman.
Radinsky, 43, has spent eight years in the Indians organization with the bullpen flourishing under his guidance the last two years. Indians relievers went 27-21 with a 3.71 ERA and 38 saves this year. The ERA was the fifth best in the AL.
In 11 big-league seasons, Radinksy made 557 relief appearances.
Wiedenbauer, 52, spent 35 years with the Houston Astros as a player, coach, manager, instructor, field coordinator and scout before joining the Indians. The former outfielder/pitcher was a seventh round pick of the Astros in 1976.

Miller, 45, has spent the last 10 years as the Indians minor league pitching coordinator. He has been in the organization for 19 years as a coach, scout and instructor.
The Orioles drafted Miller with the first pick in the now defunct January draft in 1986. He pitched seven years in the minors with Baltimore.

ESPN's Jason Churchill believes the Reds could be interested in free agents Michael Cuddyer, Kosuke Fukudome, and Grady Sizemore if he becomes available.

The Reds used seven players in left field this season with five of them receiving 60 or more plate appearances. Chris Heisey and Yonder Alonso provide in-house options but Alonso is considered below-average defensively and Heisey has yet to show he can hit left-handers. Heisey posted a .254/.309/.487 batting line with 18 home runs over his 298 appearances.

Related: Kosuke Fukudome, Grady Sizemore
Source: ESPN Insider Oct 14 - 8:30 PM

Pomeranz must have been getting fired up early for Ole Miss hosting #2 Alabama on Saturday (today, for most of you).

Seriously, I'm sure it's a great weekend to have some fun as an Ole Miss fan and alum. At least until the game starts.


If Ferbo is still reading, I'm sure he has some thoughts on Game Day in Hattiesburg....or Oxford in this case.

Ferbo is one of two Southern college professors ironically posting here as Cleveland Indians Fans.

(my California wife teaches a college class....though not YET in The South.......but I do not classify her as an Indians Fan......though she is happy when I tell her they win)

Go Ole Miss!! My mother & her side of the family (8 Uncles & Aunts) born in the Laurel area. Side note. When Katrina hit, one of my friend's cousins & a friend went down on a relief crew (heavy equp ops) & removed a huge tree from the family's driveway. Small world.