It’s about that time againwhen players report to Spring Training and baseball fans have yet again survived “The Void” that is the offseason. With the 2010 season getting closer by the day, and with around 20 days until pitchers and catchers report, I thought it was time to launch the site redesign. I’ve changed a few things around to make the site more functional and have added some new features as well that are explained in detail below.

Along with the new look, the newest editions to the site include a Tumblr, where fans can share and submit their findings, experiences, pictures, interviews, or anything else that pertains to the Braves, any of the players (current and former), and MLB with other fans. You do not have to have a Tumblr account to submit things to the blog or to ask questions, but if you have one, feel free to use it. If you’d like to register for an account at a later time, there is a register button located on the top right of the site’s Tumblr that allows you to do so. You can always find the Tumblr button at the top of the page on the right side of the navigation menu. I’m still trying to get everything to my liking at the site’s Tumblr, so if it looks a bit unorganized and unkempt, you know why. At one time I was thinking of transferring the site over to Tumblr, instead of using WordPress, while keeping the same domain name, but I’m still unsure of doing so for many reasons, as stated in the opening post on the Tumblr.

Another feature added to the site, which is actually apart of the site’s Tumblr account, is the new Mailbox feature. This feature is for anyone that might have any sort of question that needs to be answered. If you can think of a question, an idea, or suggestion, it will most likely be answered. Once your question is submitted, I will review it and once answered, it will be posted on the site’s Tumblr. Again, you do not have to have a Tumblr account to do this, you can ask questions/make comments anonymously if you wish to do so. This also allowed me to do away with the Chatango widget box that used to be on the sidebar. I was going to use formspring.me that a lot of people are using now for this same purpose, but Tumblr came out with an Ask feature on their site shortly after, and it’s a lot easier to keep most everything in one place as much as possible. I still recommend formspring.me, as it is still a good tool to use if you don’t wish get a Tumblr account.  You can always access the Ask feature by clicking the Mailbox link on the navigation menu or on the Contact page, which has all the links to Tumblr that you’ll need.

The site still has its Twitter account, as you can see on the sidebar. Each time I update the site’s Tumblr account, there will be a tweet posted with the post link to Tumblr. I will still be adding news and other tidbits on here as well. You can find the Follow link below the Twitter feed, at the top on the right of the navigation menu, or even on the Contact page.

Other things I did in the redesign was to make the comments look better and make them more functional. Comments also now have a preview option so you can review the comment before you post and can see how the comment will look. I added pagination to the site so viewers can navigate the site better. All credits for this theme and the site are located on the About page. The Nickname Guide page has still not been updated, but will be as soon as the 25-man roster has been finalized at the end of Spring Training.

I’m still looking the site over and making sure I didn’t forget anything. If you notice an error or know of something you’d like me to add to the site, please let me know. Any questions or comments, please feel free to ask away either in the comments or in the mailbox.

Categories: site, updates / Tags: site

Every year around December, I renew my subscription to ChopTalk, and by doing so, I receive an autographed card from ChopTalk around Christmas. I currently have three of these autographed cards, which are signed by Adam LaRoche (2006), Peter Moylan (2008), and this years, which is signed by Jair Jurrjens. I should have four, but in 2007 I never received mine, which was supposedly sent. Of course, by the time we mentioned it to them, it was too late to do anything about it. I’ve learned from that experience.

Click to enlarge.

Categories: miscellaneous, offseason, tidbits / Tags: JJ, misc

I received this “card” in an e-mail from Braves.com and it is very cute and very well done. Enjoy!

Featured in the video is Mac, KJ, Lowe, Huddy, Medlen, Hanson, Nate, MattE, Moylan, Rossy and Bobby.

Click the image above to see video.

Categories: offseason, tidbits / Tags: Bobby, Hanson, Huddy, KJ, Lowe, Mac, MattE, McLouth, Medlen, Moylan, Ross, videos

Braves sign closer Billy Wagner – AJC.com

The Braves surprised a few people when announcing today they have signed free agent closer Billy Wagner. There had been speculation that the Braves were interested in Wagner’s services for a few weeks now. My guess is that they didn’t want to wait too long and chance him signing elsewhere or accepting arbitration from the Red Sox. With the signing of Wagner, it is now less likely that Gonzo or Soriano will return via a one-year deal. This is probably just one of a few moves that are to come within the next few weeks.

Wagner grew up a Braves fan, and thus has always wanted to play for the Braves and for Bobby Cox. Wagner will wear the number 13 and will have to bribe Nate into letting him with something good. I’m sure Nate will let him sport the number without any problems. Wagner loves to hunt and seems to be happy that he’ll be closer to his home. I think he’ll fit in great with the bunch of guys we currently have on the team. Welcome to Atlanta, Billy!

For more info from the press conference that was held this afternoon, head on over to TalkingChop.com.

As for an update on the site, my laptop is still not fixed and I have no idea when it will be. My brother says that he can fix it, but I’m trying to find the parts for him to do so. I’m still trying to work on the new layout theme, which is about finished, but it’s a little different trying to do so on the desktop. I’m still getting used to it, but I really miss my laptop! Hopefully soon I’ll get it fixed and have it back. I’ll keep everyone updated.

Categories: offseason, site, tidbits / Tags: Gonzo, site, Soriano, Wagner

The Rally Foundation is adding to its annual Benefit Bash with a charity celebrity softball game the night after the Bash. The Brian McCann Celebrity Softball Game is set for Friday, November 13 at Georgia Tech’s Russ Chandler Baseball Field. With Mac and his wife, Ashley, being the spokespeople and huge supporters of the Rally Foundation the past few years and the honorary chairs at the Benefit Bash this year and last, the foundation has come up with another fun event for the entire family named after Mac. Chipper and his wife, Sharon, are helping out with this event as well.

Click banner above for the event page.

With Brian McCann anchoring one team and teammate Chipper Jones leading the opposing squad, the first ever Rally Celebrity Softball Game will be a contest not to be missed.

Tickets for the Rally Celebrity Softball Game are FREE for children 12 and under, $5 for students and $10 for adults, with all proceeds benefitting the Rally Foundation.

When/Where: November 13 at Russ Chandler Stadium. Gates open at 6:00 p.m., Home Run Derby begins at 7:00 p.m., and first pitch of the Celebrity Softball Game is set for 7:35 p.m.

All proceeds of the event will benefit the Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research and their mission to find better treatments with fewer long-term side effects and cures for childhood cancer.

Secure your tickets today at: www.rallyfoundation.org and “Participate” link.

The celebrities scheduled to attend are listed below:

Brian McCann, Chipper Jones, US Senator Johnny Isakson, Former NFL Player Todd Weiner, Kip Pardue the QB from Remember the Titans, Ed and Dean Roland from Collective Soul, Chris Dimino from 790 The Zone, Steve from the Regular Guys, Lewis from 99X, Former UGA and NFL Player David Pollack, CNN’s Holly Firfer, Sports Agent Todd France and Sports Agent BB Abbott.

I really hope I can attend this event, even though I am not in the Atlanta area. I’ve never had any experience with childhood cancer, but I’ve watched someone suffer and die from cancer. I fully support this event and its cause. I don’t live in the Atlanta area, nearly three hours south of Atlanta actually, but I really hope to be able to go to this event. If you are able, I hope that you do the same.

Categories: miscellaneous, offseason / Tags: charity events, Chipper, Mac