the game.At least 18 footballs are used per CFL game. Thend

TORONTO – The Blue Jays play the rubber match of their three-game series with the Yankees on Sunday. With a win, Toronto (3-3) would head into its first off-day of the regular season above .500 and with the Astros coming to town for a three-game set starting Tuesday. KRATZS FIRST START Catcher Erik Kratz was looking forward to being behind the plate for Drew Hutchisons start on Sunday afternoon. “I like his demeanour,” said Kratz. “I like how he goes after hitters and hes not afraid of contact. Hes going to go right after these guys and Im excited about it.” Its been a whirlwind couple of weeks for Kratz. Acquired from Philadelphia in the offseason, along with pitcher Rob Rasmussen, it was assumed Kratz would have the inside track to be Dioner Navarros backup because hes an offensive threat. Kratz lost the job to Josh Thole, who has a lengthy track record catching knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, but was recalled in time for opening day when Casey Janssen went on the disabled list. “Theyve been up and down for sure,” said Kratz. “When I got sent down I was disappointed but when I got called back up obviously youre excited again. Its something that, its part of the game, its part of where Im at in my career.” He understands the business and knows there are limited opportunities to impress. But Kratz is familiar to the organization, the Blue Jays drafted him in 2002, and hes confident hes built up enough of a resume during his time in Philadelphia. He hit 18 home runs in 375 at-bats over the last two seasons. “I cant sit here and say, Oh man, this one at-bat that Im going to get off the bench is going to make or break my season,” said Kratz. “Its something that you do have to take advantage of your opportunities. Ive been fortunate to have opportunities in the big leagues so Ive put together a little bit of a resume.” Should he be called upon to catch Dickey this season, Kratz has confidence in his ability to receive the knuckleball. “Its as good as its been,” said Kratz. “I think he said it right and he knows the pitch the best. I definitely improved. Is there room for more improvement? Absolutely. I think its something that, getting that comfort level out in those games, lights are a little brighter than in spring training. Just the more reps I can get the more comfortable Ill get.” WALDEN “SHOCKED” AT CALL-UP Needless to say Marcus Walden was surprised when his contract was purchased from Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday. “I was definitely shocked,” said Walden. “I saw that they were calling up Chad Jenkins. I didnt hear of a 10-day rule, I had no knowledge of it, so my skipper called me in and I was shocked. Really shocked.” The 10-day rule to which Walden is referring applies to players optioned to the minor leagues. Players on option already are on the 40-man roster and if theyre sent to the minor leagues, they must spend 10 regular season days on option before theyre eligible to be recalled. The lone exception is to be an injury replacement when someone on the big league roster is placed on the disabled list. The Blue Jays intended to recall Chad Jenkins but, because hes on option, he isnt eligible for call up until April 10, the 11th day of the regular season. Walden wasnt on the 40-man roster, hence his contract being “purchased,” and so he was selected as Jeremy Jeffress replacement when Jeffress was designated for assignment. Walden, 25, is a sinkerball pitcher who relies on ground ball outs. His career minor league strikeout rate of 5.4 per nine innings reflects his approach. He missed most of 2009 and all of 2010 after undergoing Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery. Walden made a number of adjustments to his training regimen as a result. “Ever since then Ive kind of changed a lot of stuff about working out and doing a lot of things to get myself ready to pitch,” said Walden. “At the end of the day I think its paid off.” Walden swears by yoga; he estimates he participated in 40 to 50 sessions in the offseason. Hes considered one of the strongest players in the Blue Jays organization and he credits yoga. “I think its something, it kind of gets people to be more limber and more flexible,” said Walden. “If youve got really big, strong, tight muscles it does you no good. The more limber you are, the more flexibility you can have, the looser your muscles are to help with not having injuries.” ,b>POSITIVE SIGN For the first time in franchise history, the Blue Jays first three wins of a season have come with the club scoring fewer than four runs in each of the victories. The starting pitching, with the benefit of improved defence, is off to a much better start than last year. Its early but the Blue Jays 3.78 starting staff ERA has the team on track to vastly improve on last seasons 4.81 ERA amongst starters, which ranked second worst in baseball. Discount China Jerseys . Its the second of three meetings between these teams this season. Vancouver was a 2-1 winner on home ice December 22nd. Stitched Authentic Jerseys . The Major League Soccer teams were scheduled to play on Saturday night, but their game was rescheduled after Stu Tudor was hit during a pregame storm. The 54-year-old lieutenant in the Columbus Fire Department is in critical condition in the intensive care unit of the Ohio State Medical Center. https://www.chinajerseysfreeshipping.com/ . "Im proud, obviously. Its been a long day, but now Im a Crystal Palace player, Im very happy," Bannan said. "The seasons been started now for a couple of weeks and Ive not featured at Villa. Wholesale China Jerseys . First, Ivan Nova decided to have season-ending Tommy John elbow surgery. Then Michael Pineda was suspended for 10 games for using pine tar. Cheap Jerseys Paypal . The day began ominously for the Rangers when star pitcher Yu Darvish was scratched from his scheduled start with stiffness in his neck. Fill-in Scott Baker gave up three hits over six innings and Chris Gimenez hit a tiebreaking two-out RBI single in the sixth off Phil Hughes.TORONTO - The NFL and the CFL may have different rules and play different styles of football but they follow a similar protocol when it comes to inflating balls.Its a touchy subject in the NFL these days as Deflategate continues to rage less than a week before New England and Seattle meet in the Super Bowl. The controversy centres around whether underinflated footballs used by the Patriots in their 45-7 AFC title win over Indianapolis gave them an unfair advantage.While their size specifications differ slightly, footballs in both leagues must be inflated to between 12.5 and 13.5 pounds per square inch and be checked by officials prior to the game.At least 18 footballs are used per CFL game. The two teams provide six apiece that are stamped with their name and used exclusively by each on offence. These balls must be approved by the referee, who will decide if they meet new-ball standards.The home team also provides at least six new and unmarked balls that both teams wiill use on kickoffs, punts, convert and field-goal attempts.dddddddddddd The home squad must also have a sufficient supply of additional kicking balls available if needed.In the visitor runs out of offensive balls, it uses kicking footballs for the remainder of the game when on offence.Both teams present their footballs to the referee at least 90 minutes before kickoff. Additional ones can be provided afterwards but must meet new-ball standards to be used in games.Once the officials get the footballs, they measure them and check the air using an electronic pressure gauge before approving them for play. When balls are in the officials possession, teams cant access them except for normal, on-field play.During games, the league has four ball handlers on the sideline and the balls are kept in bags under the control of the sideline staff.And like the NFL, any CFL team using an illegal football or altering one during a game is subject to fine or suspension. ' ' '