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EMSoccerCoach · 09-12-2009, 06:15 PM

Pastime Baseball League
September Review (cont.)

Northern League Report

The playoff brackets are set, and September regrettably passed without a pennant race. The division winners, the New York Heroes and the Wichita Brigade will get their respective writeups in the series previews, so we'll use this space to cover the other six teams in the Northern League, who really didn't get much ink this season.

In the East, the Louisville Racers had an odd season, hitting for low average and power, yet somehow ranking fourth in runs scored. They also posted the second best ERA in the Northern League. Yet they lost the division by 13 games. 2B Hardy Richardson's (.213-10-62) OPS dropped more than 200 points from last year (.845 to .633) and the offense ended up being a one-trick pony. Dan Brouthers (.298-35-130) got little support: Next highest in homers and RBI? Joe Kelley with 11 and 78, respectively. Roy Oswalt won 18 games and struck out more than 200 batters for the second straight year. Edinson Volquez won 16 to back up Oswalt.

The Philadelphia Ringers were middle of the pack in runs and pitching, and predictibly finished with a .500 record. Despite having a good chance at the Outstanding Hitter (Charley Jones: .271-47-115) and the Outstanding Pitcher (Satchel Paige: 17-8, 2.93, 261 Ks), it took a 20-9 run in September to get the Ringers even. A pleasant surprise was Joel Pineiro (13-9, 3.42), who was strong after a 4-12, 5.74, year in 2009. CF John O'Rourke (.265-27-97) was solid but dropped considerably from his .320-47-112 campaign a year ago.

Down south, the Charlotte Cougars were abyssmal, losing 102 games. They locked up the first pick, though, and have plenty of holes to fill. The preseason loss of Matt Cain for the season hurt their staff tremendously, but a terrible season from Tim Keefe - who lost a whopping 24 games - and hard luck for Silver King (5-10, 3.49), were just some symbols of a lost season. One bright spot was a big step forward for young 2B Fred Dunlap (.293-32-109), who improved in all areas this season to become a potent offensive force.

Out West, it's stunning what a story the Chicago Hitmen have become. Buoyed by rookie star Babe Ruth (.280-25-87) and the growth of many powerful youngsters - Albert Pujols (.308-24-104), Josh Hamilton (.291-27-100) and Adam Dunn (.245-34-104) - the Hitmen blasted a PBL-best 190 homers. Cy Young (18-13, 3.34) stepped forward while Amos Rusie (10-16, 4.48) and Johan Santana (1-6, 6.08) stepped back on the hill. The team went 33-25 over its last two months, falling one win shy of the .500 record they set as their goal before the season. That .569 mark, if kept up for a full season, would have given them the 5th best record in the PBL.

The Sacramento Stingers dealt with the collapse of last year's Outstanding Hitter, George Hall (.276-13-59) and didn't do much well. CF Ginger Beaumont (.333-17-85) earned back the job he lost last year after injury, and RF Socks Seybold (.282-17-70) was solid. But the team lacked the spectacular in any aspect, from any player, eliminating early any hope of their chasing down the Wichita powerhouse. Biggest bright spot? P Cole Hames, who won 15 games with a 3.48 ERA despite making only 23 starts.

The Indianapolis Engines were never able to rev it up. Coming into the season, CF Billy Hamilton was rated baseball's #11 prospect. He stole 71 bases last year when he drew a .447 OBP and was expected to be the catalyst. Instead, he stole 22 bases, drew a mere 15 walks, tore his meniscus and missed three months instead of the expected one. RF Elmer Flick (.275-27-83) and LF Abner Dalrymple (.313-16-81) were solid. Jonny Gomes had a 12-homer June, driving in 35, but hit only 4 with 28 RBI the rest of the season.

AWARDS

Player of the Week
9/6 2B Fred Dunlap - Charlotte Cougars
9/13 SS Hanley Ramirez - Indianapolis Engines
9/20 SS/2B Sam Bankhead - Sacramento Stingers
9/27 LF Charley Jones (2) - Philadephia Ringers

Batter of the Month
LF Charley Jones (2) - Philadelphia Ringers

Pitcher of the Month
SP Joel Pineiro - Philadelphia Ringers

Rookie of the Month
LF Rube Bressler - Wichita Brigade

09-12-2009, 06:15 PM	#337 (permalink)
EMSoccerCoach Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2,444 Thanks: 34 Thanked 104x in 88 posts	*Pastime Baseball League* September Review (cont.) Northern League Report The playoff brackets are set, and September regrettably passed without a pennant race. The division winners, the New York Heroes and the Wichita Brigade will get their respective writeups in the series previews, so we'll use this space to cover the other six teams in the Northern League, who really didn't get much ink this season. In the East, the Louisville Racers had an odd season, hitting for low average and power, yet somehow ranking fourth in runs scored. They also posted the second best ERA in the Northern League. Yet they lost the division by 13 games. 2B Hardy Richardson's (.213-10-62) OPS dropped more than 200 points from last year (.845 to .633) and the offense ended up being a one-trick pony. Dan Brouthers (.298-35-130) got little support: Next highest in homers and RBI? Joe Kelley with 11 and 78, respectively. Roy Oswalt won 18 games and struck out more than 200 batters for the second straight year. Edinson Volquez won 16 to back up Oswalt. The Philadelphia Ringers were middle of the pack in runs and pitching, and predictibly finished with a .500 record. Despite having a good chance at the Outstanding Hitter (Charley Jones: .271-47-115) and the Outstanding Pitcher (Satchel Paige: 17-8, 2.93, 261 Ks), it took a 20-9 run in September to get the Ringers even. A pleasant surprise was Joel Pineiro (13-9, 3.42), who was strong after a 4-12, 5.74, year in 2009. CF John O'Rourke (.265-27-97) was solid but dropped considerably from his .320-47-112 campaign a year ago. Down south, the Charlotte Cougars were abyssmal, losing 102 games. They locked up the first pick, though, and have plenty of holes to fill. The preseason loss of Matt Cain for the season hurt their staff tremendously, but a terrible season from Tim Keefe - who lost a whopping 24 games - and hard luck for Silver King (5-10, 3.49), were just some symbols of a lost season. One bright spot was a big step forward for young 2B Fred Dunlap (.293-32-109), who improved in all areas this season to become a potent offensive force. Out West, it's stunning what a story the Chicago Hitmen have become. Buoyed by rookie star Babe Ruth (.280-25-87) and the growth of many powerful youngsters - Albert Pujols (.308-24-104), Josh Hamilton (.291-27-100) and Adam Dunn (.245-34-104) - the Hitmen blasted a PBL-best 190 homers. Cy Young (18-13, 3.34) stepped forward while Amos Rusie (10-16, 4.48) and Johan Santana (1-6, 6.08) stepped back on the hill. The team went 33-25 over its last two months, falling one win shy of the .500 record they set as their goal before the season. That .569 mark, if kept up for a full season, would have given them the 5th best record in the PBL. The Sacramento Stingers dealt with the collapse of last year's Outstanding Hitter, George Hall (.276-13-59) and didn't do much well. CF Ginger Beaumont (.333-17-85) earned back the job he lost last year after injury, and RF Socks Seybold (.282-17-70) was solid. But the team lacked the spectacular in any aspect, from any player, eliminating early any hope of their chasing down the Wichita powerhouse. Biggest bright spot? P Cole Hames, who won 15 games with a 3.48 ERA despite making only 23 starts. The Indianapolis Engines were never able to rev it up. Coming into the season, CF Billy Hamilton was rated baseball's #11 prospect. He stole 71 bases last year when he drew a .447 OBP and was expected to be the catalyst. Instead, he stole 22 bases, drew a mere 15 walks, tore his meniscus and missed three months instead of the expected one. RF Elmer Flick (.275-27-83) and LF Abner Dalrymple (.313-16-81) were solid. Jonny Gomes had a 12-homer June, driving in 35, but hit only 4 with 28 RBI the rest of the season. AWARDS Player of the Week 9/6 2B Fred Dunlap - Charlotte Cougars 9/13 SS Hanley Ramirez - Indianapolis Engines 9/20 SS/2B Sam Bankhead - Sacramento Stingers 9/27 LF Charley Jones (2) - Philadephia Ringers Batter of the Month LF Charley Jones (2) - Philadelphia Ringers Pitcher of the Month SP Joel Pineiro - Philadelphia Ringers Rookie of the Month LF Rube Bressler - Wichita Brigade __________________ The Pastime Baseball League The Pastime Baseball League - 10-Year Recap The Pastime Boxing Association Last edited by EMSoccerCoach; 09-12-2009 at 08:44 PM.