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CatKnight · 03-01-2009, 11:11 PM

Early May 109 (II)

Oil lamps lit the conference room at the headquarters for the Hanover Eagles, actually a spare room at Heinz Industries. Derek Griffin, the manager, leaned back as the trainer reported on the state of the team.

Griffin was in his forties, a tough, unsmiling man who'd painstakingly surrounded himself with the most experienced, grounded, temperate men he could find: His bench coach was the sole exception, but he expected little from his assistant other than to follow orders. Overall a good crew, and they'd easily pared down the squad to 25.

Their general manager, Pat Huff, would be a problem. Huff was one of Heinz's junior managers, a puppy lacking in common sense, business sense, or much of anything else. Griffin had enough problems turning twenty five young men into a cohesive team without having to train his boss too.

"Our payroll is excessive," Huff said. "Can you explain that, Mr. Griffin?"

"According to our reports, our payroll is fifth in a six team league," Griffin retorted. "I would add that I didn't negotiate the contracts. Your assistants did."

"Hm..." Heavy lidded, as if he'd much rather nap than hold a meeting, Huff flicked his hand as if brushing away an insect. "What are our prospects?"

"We have the best offense in the league," Griffin replied. "I doubt anyone can hold a candle to CF Walt Reynolds. He'll get on base one way or the other, and he's fast. He doesn't have much power, but 1B Lao Quan does. He also gets his bat on the ball and may lead the league in homers. C Jaime Jiminez is simply the best catcher in the league."

Huff hummed. "You seem confident considering we have limited reports on the other club."

Griffin's face twisted, but he held his tongue. "Our best pitcher is Tony Hicks. Hicks' control needs work, but he's young yet. He's great at baffling hitters."
********

Joe Clark, General Manager of the Blackwell Mudrakers, sat alone in his office overlooking Blackwell Harbor. The pale, cold sunlight shone on his face as he read paper after paper, folder after folder.

His boss, Jason Branton, made it clear that he considered the Mudrakers his top priority. It would be good for the colony, he said. It would be good for Blackwell. It meant jobs, trade, and hopefully prosperity for everyone. Winning was secondary, but competing and doing well was absolutely essential.

Clark opened one folder and frowned. 30 year old Tim Cunningham might be the best pitcher on Whitehorse, though no doubt others would make that claim. What couldn't be argued was Cunningham's salary: He would earn quite a bit to hopefully dominate the league. He wouldn't walk many batters, and his wicked breaking ball promised a significant number of strikeouts. His backup, Ricky Stover, clearly needed more time to develop but he should hold his own.

Offensively? Another folder. More frowns. Here Blackwell would need help to prosper. CF Joe Massey was a bright guy who would get a lot of hits..none of them homers. RF Antonio Hernandez at least offered some power, though one day his greed would be his undoing.

Hum. A third folder: 32 year old 3B Pedro Lopez. Unnecessary..but not necessarily useless. He stood, walked swiftly to the door to his office, and opened it wide. "Daniel? I have a pulse I want sent to the other GMs. Tell them...."

03-01-2009, 11:11 PM	#7
CatKnight All Star Starter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 1,199	Early May 109 (II) Oil lamps lit the conference room at the headquarters for the Hanover Eagles, actually a spare room at Heinz Industries. Derek Griffin, the manager, leaned back as the trainer reported on the state of the team. Griffin was in his forties, a tough, unsmiling man who'd painstakingly surrounded himself with the most experienced, grounded, temperate men he could find: His bench coach was the sole exception, but he expected little from his assistant other than to follow orders. Overall a good crew, and they'd easily pared down the squad to 25. Their general manager, Pat Huff, would be a problem. Huff was one of Heinz's junior managers, a puppy lacking in common sense, business sense, or much of anything else. Griffin had enough problems turning twenty five young men into a cohesive team without having to train his boss too. "Our payroll is excessive," Huff said. "Can you explain that, Mr. Griffin?" "According to our reports, our payroll is fifth in a six team league," Griffin retorted. "I would add that I didn't negotiate the contracts. Your assistants did." "Hm..." Heavy lidded, as if he'd much rather nap than hold a meeting, Huff flicked his hand as if brushing away an insect. "What are our prospects?" "We have the best offense in the league," Griffin replied. "I doubt anyone can hold a candle to CF Walt Reynolds. He'll get on base one way or the other, and he's fast. He doesn't have much power, but 1B Lao Quan does. He also gets his bat on the ball and may lead the league in homers. C Jaime Jiminez is simply the best catcher in the league." Huff hummed. "You seem confident considering we have limited reports on the other club." Griffin's face twisted, but he held his tongue. "Our best pitcher is Tony Hicks. Hicks' control needs work, but he's young yet. He's great at baffling hitters." ****** Joe Clark, General Manager of the Blackwell Mudrakers, sat alone in his office overlooking Blackwell Harbor. The pale, cold sunlight shone on his face as he read paper after paper, folder after folder. His boss, Jason Branton, made it clear that he considered the Mudrakers his top priority. It would be good for the colony, he said. It would be good for Blackwell. It meant jobs, trade, and hopefully prosperity for everyone. Winning was secondary, but competing and doing well was absolutely essential. Clark opened one folder and frowned. 30 year old Tim Cunningham might be the best pitcher on Whitehorse, though no doubt others would make that claim. What couldn't be argued was Cunningham's salary: He would earn quite a bit to hopefully dominate the league. He wouldn't walk many batters, and his wicked breaking ball promised a significant number of strikeouts. His backup, Ricky Stover, clearly needed more time to develop but he should hold his own. Offensively? Another folder. More frowns. Here Blackwell would need help to prosper. CF Joe Massey was a bright guy who would get a lot of hits..none of them homers. RF Antonio Hernandez at least offered some power, though one day his greed would be his undoing. Hum. A third folder: 32 year old 3B Pedro Lopez.** Unnecessary..but not necessarily useless. He stood, walked swiftly to the door to his office, and opened it wide. "Daniel? I have a pulse I want sent to the other GMs. Tell them...."