[meh]

That should offer a basic overlay of where im going with this, so to get the league started, I will breakdown each club (post-draft) before resuming with the monthly reports from the Confederacy and its baseball league.

Lee Division:

Atlanta Railers:
Prediction: 3rd

The Railers come into the innagural season on the back of a solid draft that saw them take Pitcher Lawrence Dugger, with their first pick (2nd overall). Dugger will provide a promising 1-2 punch at the top of their rotation alongside veteran Jermaine Cummings, who relocated from New York to participate in the Dixie League.

Out in the field, another New Yorker 'Scott Edwards' will take the second base slot, adding both contact and speed to the top of the Railer lineup. For their money, Atlanta added to further experienced players to the mix, with first baseman Kevin Allen and center fielder, Bryan Rountree both earning over $20,000 in 1901 and both required to put the numbers on the board.

As for prospects, the Railers failed to make any significant gains in the draft. Edwards is only 22 and touted as one of the top 10 players in the game (let alone prospect) whilst left fielder Ed Hardin (Georgia) looks also set to start in the majors for Atlanta.

Financially the Railers are sound, the have spent wisely but not put themselves in a win or bust situation. The overall outlook of the team is for an average season, so coming in at around .500 will give them a footing to build on for next season.


Norfolk Navy:
Prediction: 1st

The Navy picked 5th in the draft and came up trumps with pitcher Jesse Patterson, who will line up for the Navy as their ace. 31 year old John Kelley was also added during the draft, as the pitcher came down south from colder climes, to etch a career in professional baseball.

What will excite the Norfolk 'folk is the addition of 3 run machines, in CF Robert Frye, RF Sam Lee and SS Jim Turner, all projected as being in the leagues top 15 batters and all have good baggage with them, following successful mecenary careers in the confederacy through the 1890s. Southerners Frye and Turner should also help pull in the crowds to get behind their own boys.

As for the future, well the Navy went for pitching and managed to pick up 3 promising starters who will all start life with the Blue Stockings; 24y/o Justin Bertsch, 24y/o Dan Richard and 24y/o Chet Coley. Should any of these produce the numbers in AAA, you can expect Norfolk to add them to their major league roster to enhance their current crew.

The Navy dont have the biggest of budgets, so the acquasitions of Frye, Lee and Turner has hurt their bottom line. However, should the 3 prove to be a success, then Norfolk could reap the rewards with bigger crowds.


Petersburg Siege:
Prediction: 2nd

Jason Crowley was the cry from the Siege front office, as they took the young pitcher with their first pick in the innaguarl Dixie League draft. Crowley will however take second stage behind 31y/o pitcher Donald McGinn who suprisingly fell to the 4th round in the draft, enabling the Siege to snap up what they believe is the bargain of the season.

The Siege then went a little awry with their drafting and managed to ignore positional players and instead collected 4 further pitching prospects, none more so coveted than 18y/o Gene Hall, who left school to make his way south for the money offered. Hall was joined by Riley Teets, Stan Davey and Terry Latour, as the Siege have potentially the leagues strongest pitching staff.

Petersburg have managed to spend well within their budget, giving them room to pursue trade options should the need arise, though the big money deals given to John Hines, Emory Hobbs and Bob Mitchell suggest that they have gambled on mediocrity to get them runs.


Richmond Iron:
Prediction: 5th

With pitching the theme of the 1st round draft, the Iron didnt disappoint when they took Jude Bradley, as 27 year old pitcher, who offers endurance more than caliber. Another New Yorker made his way into the league, when the Iron took Bob 'Skates' Madigan in the 4th round. Bob or Skates as he is known around these parts, is nicknamed due to his funny walk which sees him glide to the mound.

The problem the Iron have is that they did not put together any plan when approaching the draft. Rumours circulated that the team would actually disband before the season started due to financial irregularities, though a community push to ensure they had league baseball, gave the Iron enough encouragement to give the season a shot.

Richmond have glaring holes in their roster, which are unlikely to be rectified anytime soon. Unfortunately for them, they also have a lack of talent at AAA Waynesboro, with 20y/o pitcher Luther Shaffer the bright hope. It is likely to be an arduos season for the Iron, possibly their first and last in the Dixie League.


Savannah Georgians:
Prediction: 4th

The Georgians also picked a pitcher with their first choice in the draft, however is was the drafting of 31y/o outfielder Phil 'Hotwire' Pearson that caught the leagues eye, as the $29,000 1 year deal given to the popular veteran to drive home the runs.

Savannah chose wisely with their draft, though their theme was to build through the system, as they snapped up 5 of the best prospects on offer. The following names are likely to become common place in the Dixie League as; pitcher Damon Fitzgerald, outfielder Roy McGee, pitcher Bob Riordan, shortstop Bruno Jennings and pitcher Jay Benz all sit in the franchises AAA Albany Steamboat roster.

This selection seriously allowed the Georgians to remain well within their budget, and although unlikely to make a trade or even push for success this year, the Georgians have set themselves up for a intriguing future.


Wilmington Forts:
Prediction: 6th

Poor Wilmington, on all fronts... the Forts have the smallest budget and payroll in the league, and this showed as a indifferent draft leaves the team lop-sided and volatile at best.

The Forts put too much money into the wrong places, as $25,000 went of Virginian outfielder Curt Hegarty and more worringly a $14,000 sum went to a local businessman, as he allowed his employee to become the leagues sole black player, as the Forts took advantage of the lax rule on giving black players the chance to play. Ed McGinley is the name, he has a 1 year contract, though his contract is tied via his master.

Thats all the excitment that the Forts have. A small payroll, a black player, a poor farm system (ranked 10th in the Dixie League) and a budget that could bust at any point, will the fans want to watch McGinley on the field... well it could distract them from all the losing they will go through.