Question: Can I use a trademark in my blog’s name or in the title of a blog post?

Answer: Yes, if it is relevant to the subject of your discussion and does not confuse people into thinking the trademark holder endorses your content. Courts have found that non-misleading use of trademarks in URLs and domain names of critical websites is fair. (Bally Total Fitness Holding Corp. v. Faber, URL http://www.compupix.com/ballysucks; Bosley Medical Institute v. Kremer, domain name www.bosleymedical.com). Companies can get particularly annoyed about these uses because they may make your post appear in search results relating to the company, but that doesn’t give them a right to stop you.

“Sometimes, you might use a trademark without even knowing someone claims it as a trademark. That is permitted as long as you’re not making commercial use in the same category of goods or services for which the trademark applies. Anyone can sell diesel fuel even though one company has trademarked DIESEL for jeans. Only holders of “famous” trademarks, like CocaCola, can stop use in all categories, but even they can’t block non-commercial uses of their marks.”

The high school lefty just pitched his 4th consecutive no-hitter (yes, you read that right), a Florida state record. According to reports there were more than a dozen scouts in attendance, including Florida Gator’s head coach Kevin O’Sullivan. Before the game was started, it was already dubbed “Patrick Schuster Day.” Talk about pressure.

Schuster struck out 17 in the performance, walking two.

According to my 2008 Baseball America Prospect Handbook, Schuster is ranked #42 of the top 100 high school prospects. After this development, I’d certainly look for him to make quite a jump. If he pitches #5 in a week, we might be talking about a phenomenon here.

Still, according to scouts, Schuster is a middle-ground pitcher who should go somewhere if the fourth round if he joins the major league draft. For that reason, I’d expect Schuster to join the University of Florida and let his stock rise. Before we know it, he’ll be a Scott Boras client. Here’s his scouting report for shits and giggles:

Fastball: Touches 90, grades as average.

Curveball: 74-77, also average right now.

Changeup: 78-80 mph.

While I was never around to watch Fidrych pitch in real life, I had the honor of watching him pitch on the MLB Network about a month ago. I remember telling my girlfriend, “That was one of the best things I’ve ever seen. You get the feeling that he realizes he is doing something that other people only dream of doing and that he enjoys it, appreciates it, and embraces it.” He was truly one of my favorite all-time baseball players. Long live The Bird.

The Man(n) gets his first MLB start on Wednesday or Thursday so we’ll finally see what the 22-year-old righty can do against a big league ball club. His start will be against the World Champion Phillies, no less.

Zimmermann didn’t fare too well in his first AAA start with the Syracuse Chiefs, tossing 5.1 innings while giving up three earned runs on four hits. He did, however, strike out four and only walk one. In the start, the long ball killed him, as the Twin’s AAA affiliate Rochester Red Wings stroked two four-baggers.

He’s the latest of the prominent pitching prospects to get the call this year, behind Cahill, Anderson, and Porcello, but perhaps displays the most promise. Despite his young age, scouts rave about Zimmermann’s polish and makeup, saying he could be a front of the rotation type pitcher. His repertoire includes a nasty sinking fastball, a sharp slider (that the Nat’s have asked him to diminish), a workable curve, and a developing change up.

Look at that inverted W!

He’ll probably get shelled in his first start but he’s worth having on your radar as he makes his way first trip through the NL East.

I hope this is the last one of these posts I have to do for a while.

Lincecum struggled against the lowly Padres on Sunday.

The San Francisco Giant’s Cy Young award  winner Tim Lincecum is struggling to the tune of a 7.56 ERA and an 0-1 record through his first two starts. That doesn’t seem like too huge a deal, but one of those starts came against the measly, beleaguered San Diego Padres.

In the fantasy world, Lincecum’s struggles are a blessing and a curse. On the curse side, Lincecum owners are likely weary and pissed off after spending a premier draft pick on him. On the bless side, non-owners are chomping at the bit for another poor outing, hoping to buy the superstar while he’s low.

There’s been no mention of injury from the Giant’s camp and it’s highly likely that Lince’s just getting settled in. After watching both games in some capacity, it’s apparent to me that his two-seamer and straight fastball seem to be riding up-and-in on righties and up-and-out to lefties. He’s also having trouble keeping his curve in the strike zone. Both of those problems indicate a simple mechanics issue to me. His change, which is usually not considered his out pitch, has looked real nice though.

During the offseason many looked at Lincecum as a dropoff candidate due to his high IP totals last year. That, coupled with his recent struggles, make him a perfect buy-low candidate if he struggles in outing #3.

I’ll be offering this year’s first Cy Young candidate, Texas’ Kevin Millwood.

That was sarcasm.

5.0 innings pitched, five hits, two ER, five BB, 1 K.

Cahill was the first to go, starting on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. In a no decision, the youngster pitched five innings, giving up two earned runs, walking five, and striking out one. One hopes that nerves played a role in his wildness as he is touted as a pitcher with great control who doesn’t walk many. Another indicator that Cahill’s stuff wasn’t quite there is that he only recorded only 7 ground balls compared to 12 fly balls. His sinking 2-seamer is his bread and butter and if that doesn’t translate into the major leagues, he’ll probably play on the downside of his ceiling. Truthfully, I’m excited for his next start and would look for a marked improvement. It’s expected that he’ll go against Seattle on Sunday.

5.0 innings pitched, nine hits, four ER, one BB, four K's.

The Tiger’s Rick Porcello went up against a formidable Toronto Blue Jay’s linep on Thursday. While his line may look bad, his start was the most encouraging of the three prospects. He displayed great stuff, a natural ability to get out of jams, and also the ability to miss bats. He cruised through four innings, allowing just one run on several scattered hits before it all started to unravel. He left a pitch in the middle of the zone to Aaron Hill in the bottom of the fifth and he took it for a home run. And to start off the sixth, he left a curve up in the zone to the red hot Adam Lind who also took him deep.

Despite the 7.20 ERA, it was an impressive performance. Following the Blue Jay’s first score, Porcello struck out the next batter, stopping the bleeding. After Hill’s homer, he struck out the next two batters, Alex Rios and Vernon Wells, on just seven pitches. Understandably, he wasn’t given the opportunity to work out of the sixth, but who knows what could have happened. He’s slated to go against the White Sox on Tuesday.

6.0 innings pitched, seven hits, five ER, two BB, two K's.

Anderson’s start was pushed back due to the Nick Adenhart tragedy. Instead of pitching against the Angels on Wednesday, he went against Seattle last night to mixed results. He had an absolutely miserable second frame, where he gave up all give of his ERs. Truthfully, I missed this start and would look for any further insight into it. Was his location good? Was his stuff working?

59 percent owned - I’m a big fan of the Tiger’s Brandon Inge. He plays in a potent lineup, has multiple position eligibility, and is really playing good baseball right now. The best part about Inge is that he can be played at catcher, a shallow position with little upside. With Geovany Soto possibly heading to the DL and Russell Martin sucking the big one, he’s a great deal as a replacement.

36 percent owned - Saves here! Come get your saves! Special for today only! Seriously, why is Carlos Villanueva only owned in 36 percent of leagues? He’s been a solid middle reliever and starter in Milwaukee for a couple years now and with Trevor Hoffman ailing, he was the definite heir apparent. If you’re in anything more than a 10 team league, scoop him up before he’s gone or you’ll be vulturing for saves before you know it.

25 percent owned – And in the get ‘em while they’re hot category, we’ve got the Blue Jay’s Marco Scutaro. In real life, the dude’s got no flash and is about as memorable as amnesia, but this last week Scutaro mashed out 8 runs, 2 homers, and 4 RBI. Since he’s available at 2B, 3B, and SS, he provides a great amount of flexibility for your rosters. Today, Scutaro’s already 1 for 1 so his hot streak is probably nearing it’s end. And in the tradition of fantasy baseball, hundreds go pick him up and then he falls flat…

9 percent owned - There is some people who will not roster a pitcher that is not a starter or a closer. I am not one of those people and I think you’re a friggin’ idiot if you are. That’s why I’m throwing Octavio Dotel‘s name on here. He’s a K machine and with all your starters working out the kinks, he’s a great bet to even out your ERA and WHIP while providing as many strikeouts in an inning as some bottom tier starters do in a game.

4 percent owned - Some OF’s are really coming along slow as shit. Nate McLouth, Rick Ankiel, and Carlos Quentin, I’m looking at you. Don’t worry though because Endy Chavez is out there. The Seattle left fielder is coming off a very productive weak, batting .409 with a couple RBI and a handful of runs. The best part is he’s got two steals, and as long as he plays, he’ll be running.

There’s nothing else to be said. Such an unfortunate tragedy.