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Fourth Bay League Season To Open Tomorrow
Outpost News Service

After three successful trips, the Bay League will begin a fourth journey around the Outposts starting tomorrow, with the Elliott Springs Tornadoes attempting to become the first team to repeat as champions. One major change for this season is the introduction of a longer schedule, 98 games rather than the 70 games played in each of the first three seasons. There has been extensive debate about what it will mean for the league. Some have decried the effect it will have on pitching: traditionally, Bay League teams have relied on two or three pitchers, and with long off-periods between games, these pitchers have been able to come back at full strength. With a more condensed schedule -- the 98 games are played in roughly the same number of days as the 70-game schedule -- there is some concern about injury, as well as ineffectiveness.

"I think people are worried about nothing," said Silver Beach Whales pitcher Derrick Odle. "I could've pitched a hundred more innings last season, and that was when I was hurt. A good pitcher is a good pitcher." Elliott Springs manager Lennox Herrion wasn't so sure. "These pitchers are going to get tired. None of these guys have had to pitch this often, under the competitive lens. Offense is going to be up this year, you can mark my words."

Another consideration is the effect the lengthened schedule will have on league records. Bay League president and founder John Baxter has addressed this issue, stating that records for 70-game years will be kept separate of 98-game years. "It is certainly not fair to have the herculean efforts of early Bay Leaguers left in the dusty back corners of history, simply because they didn't have the opportunity to play 28 more games," said Baxter in his now-traditional Opening Week address.

The Bay League is also taking a greater interest in local leagues around the Outposts. Several teams have offered financial and material support to nearby communities in developing their city leagues and baseball facilities. One source in the offices of the Lorris Greens, who wished not to be named, stated that the league was considering adding these communities as affiliate teams in coming years. William Grant, mayor of the town of Haystack, welcomed the news. "We've wanted a part of the Bay League ever since it began, only to be told it wasn't possible," said Grant. "If they've finally seen the potential in our mid-sized towns, I couldn't be happier."