[batted balls]

Max Mercy, Jr. here again, folks . . .

Ole Max is back and better than ever after spending the winter betting horses, sunning himself in the tropics and watching a little pigskin, hoops and puck.

It's time for Max's annual predictions for the All-American Baseball League races (just wanted to remind everyone that Max did pick Ivy to upset Arizona State in the first-ever College World Series last October). Here are Ole Max's fearless predictions:

AABL East
1. Ivy Eagles--How do you bet against Bob Seddon's defending champs with the 1-2 punch of Lou Gehrig and Sam Mele in the lineup?
2. Miami Hurricanes--Ron Fraser gets Mike Piazza for an entire season this time around. Miami may will 100 games again; again it may not be enough.
3. Mississippi State Bulldogs--This is a team on the rise with a good mix of pitching and hitting. Ron Polk likes the addition of Jonathan Papelbon to his starting rotation.
4. Illinois Fighting Illini--Strong pitching and home runs will once again carry Tom Dedin's crew.
5. Florida State Seminoles--Mike Martin's bunch put up quite a fight a season ago before fading into the pack. Ole Max assessed they'll fade early this time around.
6. Michigan Wolverines--Don Lund's gang just might be the surprise team of the season. Stayed tuned.
7. LSU Tigers--The young pitchers must come through if Skip Bertram's club is to make any noise in the Bayou. Ole Max's eyes tell him this Albert Belle character just might emerge as a top-notch slugger.
8. Notre Dame Fighting Irish--Outside of Cap Anson and Carl Yastrzemski there's not much fight in Pat Murphy's bunch.
9. Minnesota Golden Gophers--Richard Sibert's team will improve as players like Paul Molitor, Dave Winfield and Brent Gates continue to develop. The Gophers just won't improve enough to get out of the hole.
10. Michigan State Spartans--John Kolb's punchless club was shut out 30 times last season for cripes sakes!

AABL West
1. Arizona State Sun Devils--Bobby Winkles' boys are hungry after getting swept in the College World Series.
2. USC Trojans--Offense galore yet somehow pitching poor. Rod Dedeaux has replaced Barry Latman as closer with Ray Lamb.
3. UCLA Bruins--Art Reichle says his team will put more pressure on opponents with the likes of Jackie Robinson.
4. Cal Golden Bears--Clint Evans can pencil worsehorse Oval Overall in for at least 18 wins.
5. Texas Longhorns--Cliff Gustafson assures us his team will be better this year. Ole Max wonders just how much better.
6. Oklahoma State Cowboys--Gary Ward's team folded like a cheap tent after the All-Star break a season ago. Ole Max doesn't see them much better this year.
7. Stanford Cardinal--How desperate is Mark Marquess when he goes out and signs John Elway to a contract? You're supposed to be competing for a berth in the College World Series not the Super Bowl.
8. Arizona Wildcats--Jerry Kindall's club ran to an AABL-high in stolen bases last year. Ole Max asks, "Where are you running to?" Certainly not a pennant.
9. Cal State Fullerton Titans--CFS in the CWS? Not a chance for Augie Garrido and the gang.
10. San Diego State Aztecs--Charlie Smith replaces Tony Gwynn as manager. Wasn't the captain of the Titanic named Smith?

Ole Max's College World Series Selection:
Ivy over Arizona State in Six

This is Max Mercy, Jr. signing off . . .