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EMSoccerCoach · 11-30-2009, 11:53 AM

Pastime Baseball League

April Review (cont.)

The New Orleans Knights started the season 17-10 and sit atop the Southern League's East division, buoyed by - well, everything. They've scored the most runs in the league and allowed the fewest, a good recipe by any measure. Four starters have ERAs below 3: Doc McJames (2.41), Josh Towers (2.45), Mark Prior (2.54) and Rich Harden (2.98). The only one above 3 is Dontrelle Willis, who is 4-1 despite a 4.75 ERA. Rookie Bruce Sutter has allowed 2 hits in his first 5 2/3 innings of work, and could take over the closer duties currently held by Jack Chesbro, despite Chesbro's own strong start, with four saves and a perfect ERA.

The defending champion Orlando Orcas have scored the third most runs, allowed the second fewest, and yet sit 13-14. The starters have posted a collective 2.74 ERA, tops in the league with Bill Hoffer, Aaron Harang and Al Javery a combined 10-3 with a 2.09 ERA. But the bullpen has a 5.45 ERA that has let Orlando down often in the early going, including closer and PBL Championship Series MVP Takashi Saito, who has an ERA over 9.

In Alabama, the Airmen are hitting only .242 and have dropped 7 of 10 after starting 9-7. CC Sabathia has posted an 0.55 ERA out of the bullpen and has been placed in the rotation, knocking out Barry Zito, whose 7.07 ERA can't be tolerated any more. Jimmy Rollins (.321) and Mike Tiernan (.307, 6 homers) are the only bats producing right now.

Other than the record, the world has returned to normal in Memphis, where the Strummers' Ty Wigginton (.228-3-13) has returned to earth after last year's 30-homer campaign; and Cap Anson has rediscovered his power stroke it appears. In 2009, Anson hit .338 with 26 homers. In 2010, he hit .282 with 5 homers, and last year .287 with 4 homers. But he's hitting .330 to start 2012, and already has five homers to top last season's total. A return to form by Anson would be a huge boost for a Memphis club hoping to return to pennant-chase baseball.

Out west, the defending division champ Los Angeles Idols are on top again, and once again it's the offense - led by last year's Outstanding Hitter Mike Donlin - leading the way, hitting .363 in the season's opening month. They've scored the second most runs while allowing the most.

The Las Vegas Bosses are throwing their rookies into the fire, carrying Terry Puhl, Willie Wilson, Lonnie Smith and Ken Landreaux on the big club right now. While the others are bench players for the moment, it's Puhl who has distinguished himself, hitting .322 while playing every day and earning Rookie of the Month honors. Lip Pike, whose injury plagued 2011 limited him to only 10 homers, has hit 7 in the season's first month. Oddly, he's been moved back to his natural position of first base, Alberto Callaspo is playing second - where Pike had been - and Ryan Howard finds himself on the bench, despite his status as 10th all-time in homers in PBL history (75).

The Arizona Sandmen can once again pitch but can't score, and that was worsened when Willie Wells went down with a badly sprained ankle. He's expected to miss a month, cutting the dynamic top duo of he and Jose Reyes (.318) in half. The bullpen has an ERA of 1.26 and has just been phenomenal, with Randy Choate, Jack Harper and Jose Valverde yet to allow a run.

Two-time Outstanding Pitcher Ted Trent is off to another great start, but his San Antonio Sheriffs can't say the same, stumbling out to an 11-16 start despite his 1.96 ERA. Making things worse is the loss of closer Hideki Okajima to an elbow injury that could end his season. The PBL's alltime leader in saves (88) hopes to return in September.

AWARDS

Player of the Week

4/9 LF Sam Crawford - Orlando Orcas
4/16 RF Mike Tiernan - Alabama Airmen
4/23 CF Oscar Charleston - Memphis Strummers
4/30 LF Pete Hill - Arizona Sandmen

Hitter of the Month

LF Sam Crawford - Orlando Orcas

Pitcher of the Month

Bill Hoffer - Orlando Orcas

Rookie of the Month

CF Terry Puhl - Las Vegas Bosses

11-30-2009, 11:53 AM	#535 (permalink)
EMSoccerCoach Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2,444 Thanks: 34 Thanked 104x in 88 posts	*Pastime Baseball League* April Review (cont.) The New Orleans Knights started the season 17-10 and sit atop the Southern League's East division, buoyed by - well, everything. They've scored the most runs in the league and allowed the fewest, a good recipe by any measure. Four starters have ERAs below 3: Doc McJames (2.41), Josh Towers (2.45), Mark Prior (2.54) and Rich Harden (2.98). The only one above 3 is Dontrelle Willis, who is 4-1 despite a 4.75 ERA. Rookie Bruce Sutter has allowed 2 hits in his first 5 2/3 innings of work, and could take over the closer duties currently held by Jack Chesbro, despite Chesbro's own strong start, with four saves and a perfect ERA. The defending champion Orlando Orcas have scored the third most runs, allowed the second fewest, and yet sit 13-14. The starters have posted a collective 2.74 ERA, tops in the league with Bill Hoffer, Aaron Harang and Al Javery a combined 10-3 with a 2.09 ERA. But the bullpen has a 5.45 ERA that has let Orlando down often in the early going, including closer and PBL Championship Series MVP Takashi Saito, who has an ERA over 9. In Alabama, the Airmen are hitting only .242 and have dropped 7 of 10 after starting 9-7. CC Sabathia has posted an 0.55 ERA out of the bullpen and has been placed in the rotation, knocking out Barry Zito, whose 7.07 ERA can't be tolerated any more. Jimmy Rollins (.321) and Mike Tiernan (.307, 6 homers) are the only bats producing right now. Other than the record, the world has returned to normal in Memphis, where the Strummers' Ty Wigginton (.228-3-13) has returned to earth after last year's 30-homer campaign; and Cap Anson has rediscovered his power stroke it appears. In 2009, Anson hit .338 with 26 homers. In 2010, he hit .282 with 5 homers, and last year .287 with 4 homers. But he's hitting .330 to start 2012, and already has five homers to top last season's total. A return to form by Anson would be a huge boost for a Memphis club hoping to return to pennant-chase baseball. Out west, the defending division champ Los Angeles Idols are on top again, and once again it's the offense - led by last year's Outstanding Hitter Mike Donlin - leading the way, hitting .363 in the season's opening month. They've scored the second most runs while allowing the most. The Las Vegas Bosses are throwing their rookies into the fire, carrying Terry Puhl, Willie Wilson, Lonnie Smith and Ken Landreaux on the big club right now. While the others are bench players for the moment, it's Puhl who has distinguished himself, hitting .322 while playing every day and earning Rookie of the Month honors. Lip Pike, whose injury plagued 2011 limited him to only 10 homers, has hit 7 in the season's first month. Oddly, he's been moved back to his natural position of first base, Alberto Callaspo is playing second - where Pike had been - and Ryan Howard finds himself on the bench, despite his status as 10th all-time in homers in PBL history (75). The Arizona Sandmen can once again pitch but can't score, and that was worsened when Willie Wells went down with a badly sprained ankle. He's expected to miss a month, cutting the dynamic top duo of he and Jose Reyes (.318) in half. The bullpen has an ERA of 1.26 and has just been phenomenal, with Randy Choate, Jack Harper and Jose Valverde yet to allow a run. Two-time Outstanding Pitcher Ted Trent is off to another great start, but his San Antonio Sheriffs can't say the same, stumbling out to an 11-16 start despite his 1.96 ERA. Making things worse is the loss of closer Hideki Okajima to an elbow injury that could end his season. The PBL's alltime leader in saves (88) hopes to return in September. AWARDS Player of the Week 4/9 LF Sam Crawford - Orlando Orcas 4/16 RF Mike Tiernan - Alabama Airmen 4/23 CF Oscar Charleston - Memphis Strummers 4/30 LF Pete Hill - Arizona Sandmen Hitter of the Month LF Sam Crawford - Orlando Orcas Pitcher of the Month Bill Hoffer - Orlando Orcas Rookie of the Month CF Terry Puhl - Las Vegas Bosses __________________ The Pastime Baseball League The Pastime Baseball League - 10-Year Recap The Pastime Boxing Association Last edited by EMSoccerCoach; 11-30-2009 at 06:59 PM.