Federal League Baseball
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Other Federal League News-Click Here 2006
Spring/Summer Season Original
Division Forecast April
24, 2006 (Federal League Wire Service) The
2005-2006 Fall/Winter season experienced a significant
delay due to the effects of Hurricane Wilma and, as a result,
was shortened. With playing venues reduced to a minimum, the
league held an abbreviated season followed by a double
elimination playoff tournament.
1. Parkland
Braves
2.
South Florida Sun Devils
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The
Parkland Braves captured the tournament crown to win their third
straight championship and 11th title overall.
This season the league returns to a full schedule with the
standard post season playoffs.
Here's how the editors of South Florida Baseball Report
see the race shaping up:
Mgr:
Michael
Cimilluca (7th season, 142-48 .747)
Last Season:
10-2 (1st place, won
championship)
The Story:
The Braves
won their third consecutive championship with a playoff
tournament finals win over the rival Black Diamonds. A successful infusion of youth
allowed the Braves to rebuild while they were still winning. The
same formula should be evident again this season as the Braves
try for an unprecedented fourth straight title.
Strength:
Always the cornerstone to their success, the Braves
live and die with their pitching. Manager Cimilluca leads a
talent laden staff that knows no equal. The lineup boasts a host
of former and current all stars, with names such as Augie
Garrett, Doug Jennings, Alex Rodriguez, Greg Cimilluca, Mike
Federman, and Peter Pappas, to name a few, and should provide
ample run support for the pitching staff. Youngsters such as
Ronnie Wysocky made a big impact last season and should be a
factor this season.
Weakness:
The Braves' weakness remains in its overall team defense.
Although this weakness has not proven costly the last two
seasons, the
Braves need to cut down on the volume of errors and generally poor
fundamental team defense if they are to repeat.
Prognosis:
Anything short
of a return trip to the finals would be a big disappointment.
Braves New World:
The Braves have won 11 league titles, far and away the most of
any team in league history.
Mgr:
Jon Simon
(11th season, 183-177 .508)
Last Season:
7-5 (tied, 2nd place, lost in
playoff tournament semi-final)
The Story:
Since winning
their first league championship four seasons ago and capturing
their first regular season pennant three seasons ago, the Sun
Devils have emerged as one of the league's powerhouse teams.
With strong pitching and solid defense, the Sun Devils remain
the biggest threat to the Braves' dynasty.
Strength:
The Sun Devils
have a strong pitching staff led by MVP Matt
Stubbs, James Keeney, and Sean Grove. Nestor Martinez, Tino
Burgos, Brandon Rodriguez, Anthony DeFilippis, and Dave Perry lead a more than adequate offensive
lineup with above average speed.
Weakness:
Although
strong at the top, the lack of pitching depth may be an issue.
Depth at catcher may also be a concern.
Prognosis:
The past four seasons have firmly established the Sun Devils a one of the
league's best teams. Another championship run is likely.
Sun Devil Rays:
The Sun Devils, once again, chose not to draft any players this
season.
3. DAS
Enterprises Black Diamonds
Mgr:
Dave Shmueli
(23rd season, 438-304 .590)
Last Season:
7-5 (tied, 2nd place, lost in
playoff tournament final)
The Story:
The Dark
Gems gave their fans a glimpse of their past glory as they drove
themselves to the playoff tournament final after another
uninspired regular season.
Strength:
The Compressed Lumps
of Coal still feature one of the league's most potent lineups
with Karl Ruf, Freddie Case, Ray Periera,
Mike Christoforo, and all star Brandon Rhodes. The pitching staff features Adam Lopez, Brant
Spring, and Jim Eddy and should keep the Diamonds in most
games.
Weakness:
We say it
every season, we'll say it again, the Diamonds have a penchant
for self destruction. The Diamonds find more creative ways of beating themselves than any other successful team in league history.
Prognosis:
If the
Shmuelimen can stay healthy and focused, always a big if, they
can be a factor come playoff time. If they suffer breakdowns,
both physical and mental, they could be in for another long
season.
Black Diamond
Mines:
Centerfielder
Freddie Guzman signed with the Sioux City Explorers of the
American Association in the off season.
4. Fort Lauderdale Superstars
Mgr:
Simon Walters (10th season, 152-138 .524)
Last Season: 6-6
(tied, 4th place, lost in play-in round)
The Story: If it still remains
unclear whether or not the Superstars are ready
to join the upper echelon of the Original Division, last season
indicated another positive step, but the progress has been slow,
if not steady. Always overloaded with new faces, the Superstars
are hoping for a breakout season that earns them the team's
second ever trip to the finals.
Strength:
Pitching and defense remain the strength of the ballclub. A strong
rotation and an improved lineup will continue to translate into wins.
Ryan Kondratowicz, Glen Zavitz, and Dan Jouve anchor a strong a deep staff.
Weakness:
Despite the presence of all star quality hitters such as Greg
Sherman, Billy Reinhart and Kyle
Dailey, as well as Frankie Fermin, the Superstars lack the
offensive firepower of the other contenders.
Prognosis: Still too many "ifs" exist to fully jump on the Superstar bandwagon.
But the past three seasons have proven that the team should not be taken lightly.
Superstar Treatment:
The Superstars picked up former White Sox 3B/OF Mark Vlismas in
the off season. Vlismas left the Pale Hose on less than good
terms and is anxious to prove his old club wrong.
5. Playball
Blue Jays
Mgr:
Randy Kierce
(19th season, 360-232 .608)
Last Season: 6-6
(tied, 4th place, lost
in playoff tournament semi-final)
The Story:
Last season, as the
Expos, the Playball team put the finishing touches on the rebuilding phase and
began to yield
some positive results, but many of their emerging stars signed
pro contracts in the off season and now, as the Blue Jays, the
team is back to square one. Another influx of youthful talent will be
introduced into the lineup as the Jays look for the right
combination. This team may flounder in the regular
season only to become a powerhouse in the post season.
Strength:
The
Kiercemen have a power packed middle of the order built around
veteran sluggers Omar Massiah and Yanko Huaradou. Speed,
as usual will be plentiful elsewhere in the order. Kierce
remains the best game manager in the business.
Weakness:
A lack of experienced players at key positions and on the mound.
While the Jays have plenty of prospects to fill in the infield
and outfield, the pitching staff remain a big question mark.
Prognosis:
The Jays,
as usual, will probably struggle to find themselves
during the regular season and then come up with a lot of the
right answers just in
time for the post season.
Blue Jay Ways:
Former Expos/BlueJays Mick Kurhan, Fausto Faraldo, Amaury Casano,and Juan
Infante all signed pro contracts with Shreveport of the
independent American Association.
6.
Tile Market Cubs
Mgr:
Dave Boczkus
(7th season, 50-112 .309)
Last Season:
4-8 (6th place, lost in play-in
round)
The Story:
The team
formerly known as the Yankees changed their nickname to the Cubs,
but failed to any difference in team fortunes. Manager Dave Boczkus is hoping
that this is the season the Cubs play to the level of talent on
their roster.
Strength:
The Cubs
should have a strong pitching staff. Lefty Tim
Betty, Duane Espinosa, Danny Bautista, and veteran righty Eric
Brotherhood head the rotation. Fireballing Jorge Garcia is the
closer. Pedro Bossio, Chris Saich, and
Jamie Bobrow should key the offense, while Dan Zukauskas, and
Louie Siciliano add some sock to the lineup.
Weakness: Traditionally,
the Cubs are not the league's
strongest defensive team. While there is a decent amount of team
speed, the Cubs still make too many baserunning mistakes.
Prognosis:
The Cubs will be looking to achieve respectability and hopefully,
go deep in the playoffs, but still have to prove that they can
be consistent winners.
Cub Reports:
While the Cubs' shortstop
of the future, James Preister, remains on the injured
reserve list, the team picked up former Expo Shinya Asano in the
off season to fill the position.
7. Broward White
Sox
Mgr: Mike
Garcia (2nd season, 2-10 .167)
Last Season:
2-10 (7th place,
lost in play-in round)
The Story:
The
White Sox expanded into existence last season and, like most new
teams, they suffered through a difficult initial campaign. This
season, the White Sox should be looking to escape the cellar and make
a playoff bid.
Strength:
The Pale
Hose should be carried by their pitching. Matt Leban, former
Brave Matt Garcia, Keith Lagunna, and first round draft choice
Matthew Holmes form the core of a
pretty decent pitching staff. Speed is plentiful with all star
shortstop Anthony Gonzalez at the top of the lineup and infield defense appears sound.
Weakness:
Power, or the lack thereof, will definitely be an issue. As a result, the White
Sox may have trouble scoring enough runs to support their pitching staff on a consistent basis.
Prognosis:
The White Sox
will be hoping to squeeze
their way into the playoff picture, but it appears that they are
still a few impact players away from that happening.
Sox Yarns:
Big things are
expected from second round pick, outfielder Adric Saxon.
2006
Spring/Summer Expansion Division Forecast
Click
Here For Full Story
