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Indianapolis Indians 2018 Game 1 Notes (April 6, 2018)

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The Indians open their 2018 season and 117th in franchise history tonight against the Columbus Clippers.

Location: Victory Field

First Pitch: 7:15 p.m. ET

Game #1/Home #1: Indianapolis Indians (0-0) vs. Columbus Clippers (0-0)

Probables: RHP Nick Kingham vs. LHP Shawn Morimando

Radio: Fox Sports 97.5 / AM 1260

TV: Comcast 90 / MiLB TV

WELCOME BACK: The Indianapolis Indians, in continuous operation since 1902, open the 117th season in franchise history tonight, welcoming a division foe and recent rival, Columbus, to Circle City. The Indians have been part of the International League since 1998, in addition to a one-year showing in 1963 when Indy secured its first of two Governors’ Cup Championships (also: 2000).

DRESS APPROPRIATELY: First pitch temperatures this evening are expected to hover around 40 degrees. Last year, Indy’s home opener against Toledo was a somewhat chilly affair as well, with the first pitch temperature being 48 degrees. Indy won that game by a 7-4 final, thanks to a five-run seventh inning that featured home runs by Jason Rogers and Max Moroff.

SPEAKING OF OPENING DAY: The Indians snapped a two-game Opening Day slide last year with their win over the Mud Hens. Tonight, the Tribe will seek its first winning streak on Opening Day since the early 2000s. Indianapolis last won consecutive games on Opening Day from 2003-05, winning 8-2 at Columbus, 2-1 at Norfolk and 7-5 vs. Pawtucket. Indy also reeled off four straight Opening Day wins from 1998-2001. They blanked Toledo 3-0 in ’98 and won again over the Mud Hens at Victory Field in ’99 by a 9-7 score. In 2000, Indy won 5-2 at Richmond before earning a 6-5 win over Toledo again at The Vic in 2001.

INDY VS. COLUMBUS, OPENING DAY: The Indians and Clippers have met on Opening Day nine times since 1997. Indy is just 3-6 against Columbus, including a 1-4 mark at Victory Field. Indy’s only win over Columbus at The Vic came in 2007 when the Tribe picked up a 6-1 victory behind five shutout innings from southpaw Sean Burnett.

NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN: Brian Esposito, announced as the 61st manager in franchise history in January 2018, is his sixth season of coaching and fifth as a manager in the Pirates farm system. He served as a player/coach for the Tribe under manager Dean Treanor in 2013, a squad that went 80-64 en route to a second straight IL West Division title. Esposito, 38, owns a career managerial record of 233-195 (.544). His best season came in 2015 with Low-A West Virginia, a team that went 87-52 (.626), good for the third-highest winning percentage among all full-season teams in Minor League Baseball.

FAMILIAR FACES: The Indians’ roster carries plenty of familiar faces into the first homestand. Thirteen players (four pitchers, nine position players) return from the 2017 division championship team. Returning pitchers include tonight’s starter Nick Kingham, along with Tyler Eppler, Brett McKinney, and Casey Sadler. Catcher Jacob Stallings and infielders Max Moroff, Kevin Newman, Jose Osuna, Erich Weiss and Eric Wood also return. In the outfield, 2017 Team MVP Christopher Bostick is joined by Pirates 2017 MiLB Player of the Year Jordan Luplow and Austin Meadows, the No. 2 prospect in Pittsburgh’s farm system according to Baseball America.

THE NEW GUYS: Twelve of Indy’s 25 active players are new to Indianapolis. Pitchers Tanner Anderson, Austin Coley, and Alex McRae all will get their first taste of Triple-A, with each having played a prominent role in Double-A Altoona’s run to the 2017 Eastern League title. New pitchers already with Triple-A experience include Kyle Crick, Johnny Hellweg, Tyler Jones, Damien Magnifico and Richard Rodriguez. Just four position players are new to Indy, including infielders Kevin Kramer and Jerrick Suiter who spent most of their 2017 seasons in Altoona. Veteran catcher Ryan Lavarnway and 29-year-old outfielder Todd Cunningham finish out the roster.

SOURCE: Indianapolis Indians

Jackknifed Semi Closes I-65 Northbound Near Rensselaer

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Jasper County, Indiana – A jack-knife semi closed I-65 northbound for two hours this morning at the 207-mile marker (this is two miles north of the Remington/Rensselaer exit) injuring the driver.

Preliminary investigation by Trooper William Stancy revealed at approximately 5:35 a.m., this Wednesday, April 4, 2018, morning, (male), 45 of Round Lake, Illinois was driving a 2008 Volvo semi pulling a box trailer, owned by Saia Motor Freight Line Incorporated out of Houma, Iowa when he lost control. Chioke was in the right lane northbound and road conditions were slick/icy when he jack-knifed. The semi went off the roadway crashed into the center median barrier cable, which caused extensive damage to the tractor and approximately fifty yards of the median cable barrier.

The Volvo then traveled back onto northbound I-65 and the tractor went into the east side ditch and the trailer blocked both lanes of I-65 northbound at the above location. The trailer was empty at the time of the crash.

Chioke was wearing his seatbelt and was taken to Jasper County Hospital in Rensselaer with non-life threatening injuries.

All lanes northbound were reopened at approximately 7:40 a.m.

SOURCE: Indiana State Police

Indianapolis Indians Fee Free Friday is TODAY

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The 2018 Indianapolis Indians season gets underway NEXT FRIDAY NIGHT, so get your tickets today, Friday, March 30, 2018, with NO FEES!

If you purchase Tribe tickets online today at http://www.milb.com/tickets/singlegame.jsp?sid=t484 the $1.50 processing fee will be waived!

Ticket prices range from $10-19. And if you have a child 14 and under, sign them up for the Indianapolis Indians Knot Hole Kids Club for only $17 which gets them a ticket to EVERY home game!

Indiana Comic Con 2018 Runs March 30-April 1

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The 2018 Indiana Comic Con runs March 30-April 1 at the Indianapolis Convention Center (100 S. Capitol Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46225).

The convention will feature comics, toys, guest artists, guest celebrities, costume contest and much more!

Guest celebrities scheduled to appear to include David Harbour, James & Oliver Phelps, Sean Astin, Matthew Lewis, Jonathan Frakes, Sean Young, Michael Biehn, Wallace Shaw, Renee O’Connor, William B. Davis & Walter Jones.

The convention runs Friday Noon-Midnight, Saturday 10 am-Midnight & Sunday Sunday 10 am-5pm. The Exhibitor Hall closes at 7 pm on Friday & Saturday.

Tickets are $30 for Friday, $40 for Saturday & @30 for Sunday.

A 3-Day Pass is $60.

Kids 12 and under are FREE.

Richard T. Coulter, 37, Austin, Critically Injured After Vehicle Falls from Overpass onto I-65

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Crothersville – Today, shortly after noon, the Indiana State Police responded to reports of a collision in which a vehicle fell off an overpass onto I-65 near the 37.5 mile marker in Jackson County.

The initial investigation by Sgt. Brian Wilson indicated that a red 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer, driven by Richard T. Coulter, age 37, Austin, Indiana was traveling westbound on County Road 600 South on an overpass over I-65. Coulter lost control of the vehicle on the ice covered overpass. Coulter’s vehicle broke through a metal guardrail on the south side of the road and fell into the northbound lanes of I-65. Coulter’s vehicle struck a red 2014 Toyota SUV, driven by Charles G. Jahnke, age 56, Green Bay, Wisconsin that was traveling northbound on I-65.

Coulter’s vehicle came to rest on its driver’s side in the middle of the northbound lanes of I-65. Jahnke’s vehicle came to rest on the shoulder of I-65.

Coulter was trapped inside the vehicle and had to be extricated by the Vernon Township Fire Department. He was transported to an Indianapolis area hospital with critical injuries. Jahnke was not injured in the crash.

The roadway surface condition, which was icy at the time, is believed to be a factor in the crash. The crash remains under investigation.

Alcohol and drugs are not believed to be factors in the crash.

The northbound lanes of I-65 were shut down for nearly two hours for crash investigation and cleanup. The Indiana Department of Transportation also had a bridge inspector come to the scene to inspect the overpass before the roadway was opened.

The Indiana State Police was assisted by the Crothersville Police Department, Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, Jackson County EMS, Vernon Township Fire Department, and the Indiana Department of Transportation.

Indiana State Police

Morgan R. Gibson, 17, North Vernon Killed in Jennings County Crash

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North Vernon – This morning, shortly before 8:00 am, the Indiana State Police and Jennings County Sheriff’s Department responded to a two-vehicle crash on US 50 near County Road 450 West that claimed the life of a 17-year-old North Vernon girl.

The initial investigation by Trp. Matt Holley, Indiana State Police-Versailles Crash Reconstruction Team, indicated that a gold 2001 Honda Accord, being driven by Morgan R. Gibson, age 17, North Vernon, Indiana was traveling westbound on US 50 near County Road 450 West. Gibson’s vehicle crossed the centerline into the path of an eastbound red 2011 Chevrolet Malibu, being driven by Destiny Gerringer, age 24, North Vernon, Indiana. Gerringer’s vehicle struck the passenger side of Gibson’s vehicle. Both vehicles came to rest in the eastbound lanes of US 50.

Gibson sustained fatal injuries in the crash. She was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Jennings County Coroner’s Office. Gerringer was transported to St. Vincent’s Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana with serious injuries.

Frozen precipitation was falling around the time of the crash. The roadway surface condition was icy. The roadway surface condition is believed to be a factor in the crash.

Alcohol and drugs are not believed to be factors in the crash.

The victim’s family has been notified.

The crash remains under investigation by the Indiana State Police-Versailles Crash Reconstruction Team.

The Indiana State Police was assisted by the Jennings County Sheriff’s Department, Jennings County EMS, Jennings County Coroner’s Office, and the Spencer Township Fire Department.

SOURCE: Indiana State Police

Emergency Rule for 2017 Indiana Deer Hunting Season

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An emergency rule signed today by the DNR, filed with the Natural Resources Commission and the Legislative Services Agency, states the following:

“Rifle cartridges that were allowed in previous years on public land for deer hunting are allowed on public land again this year during the deer firearms season, the reduction zone season (in zones where local ordinances allow the use of a firearm), special hunts on other public lands such as State Parks and National Wildlife Refuges, and special antlerless season.

This means that the rifle cartridge must fire a bullet of .357-inch diameter or larger, have a minimum case length of 1.16 inches, and have a maximum case length of 1.8 inches if used on public land. Full metal jacketed bullets are illegal.”

For more information on rifle requirements for deer hunting on private land, visit wildlife.IN.gov/7389.htm and click on “Equipment.”

For up to date information on waterfowl seasons, visit wildlife.IN.gov/3569.htm.

The 2017 Indiana Deer Hunting Firearms Season is Nov. 18 through Dec 3.

SOURCE: Indiana DNR

Health Department to Offer Special Flu Shot Clinics Oct 24, 26 & Nov 2

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The Marion County Public Health Department is offering low-cost flu shots at eight special walk-in clinics scheduled around the community in October and early November. These clinics are in addition to the flu shots available through the health’s department’s district health offices.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the flu vaccine for everyone six months of age and older. It is especially important for pregnant women, people age 65 and older, and anyone with certain medical conditions including asthma, diabetes and chronic lung disease.

Flu shots are $20 for adults and for children ages 2-18. Some fees may be waived based on insurance status. Shots for children under two years old are free. The special walks-in clinics are scheduled for the following locations and times:

Tuesday, Oct. 24
Southport Presbyterian Church
7525 McFarland Blvd.
9 a.m.-Noon

Thursday, Oct. 26
Cathedral Kitchen
1350 N. Pennsylvania St.
9-11 a.m.

Thursday, Nov. 2
Sharing Place
(located inside the Lawrence Education and Community Center)
6501 Sunnyside Rd.
10 a.m.-Noon

Indy Magic Monthly’s Halloween Show Tuesday Oct. 24

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For Halloween, Indy Magic Monthly brings you from Baltimore, MD, the great magic of David London. David’s been called “our favorite mad genius of magic” by The Washington Post and “More Cocteau than Copperfield” by New City of Chicago. This is a unique opportunity to see one of the new stars of magic.

Other acts to be announced, plus a costume contest. Door prizes, too.

David will lecture after the show.

Early time: 7 PM, David will lecture after the show!

Lecture tickets at the door only!! Cash and Charge accepted!

Special guest star: Mdm. Esmerelda Fallendo, Gypsy Magic Queen

And if you wear a costume, you get into a drawing for a gift certificate for 10 tickets to be used over the next year!