Story #25, 26, 27 -- Gearing up to be an All-Star

STOCKTON, CALIF. -- Greetings from one of the most crime-riddled cities in the United States. Oh, and the home of the Class A Advanced Stockton Ports and Banner Island Ballpark, which will play host to the 2007 California/Carolina League All-Star Game.

Yep, here's where things get a bit (more) interesting. It's time to roll up the sleeves and get to some serious work. Since the pitching matchups for the game have yet to be announced, that puts my workload at four stories due tomorrow, at various times of the day.

I will have to preview the pitching matchup in the morning, begin my notebook throughout the day, recap the Home Run Derby ASAP while the All-Star Game begins, than rock the running gamer to have the recap of the game in posthaste after its conclusion. It's going to be a lot of running around, a lot of writing on a tight deadline...basically things a real journalist does. It's time to get busy.

For the record, I have been busy in the previous days. For proof of that, feel free to check out my preview of the All-Star Game, as well as my previews for a couple of short-season leagues that kicked off their seasons with Opening Day today.

If you're too lazy to go to MiLB.com, here they are:

Click here to read my preview of the 2007 California/Carolina League All-Star Game (and be sure to check back in the next day or so to read the rest of my All-Star articles).

Click here to read my preview of the 2007 Pioneer League season. A shout out to Nick "Home on the Range" Brockman, who is interning with the PIO League's Helena Brewers this summer. His blog has been added to list on the left if you want to see what he's getting into in Montana. My guess is tumbleweeds and banjos.

Click here to read my preview of the 2007 Northwest League season. Some props to Paul's publication, the Yakima Herald-Republic. Many rosters were not released until today, making deadline tough to meet. The Yakima Bears were no problem, however, as the Herald-Republic was all over the announcements of their roster and coaching staff.

OK, like I said before-- check back soon too see if I pull this All-Star Game off.