[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League – Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 5, Monday, June 1, 2009 (cont.)

Northern League Profiles
New York Heroes

Record: Last 2 Weeks (6-6), Overall 24-23

2-Week Synopsis: Lost 3 of 4 at Louisville, Split 2 at Las Vegas, Swept 2 at Arizona, Split 4 vs Wichita

Leaders:
Avg – Ed McKean .335
HRs - Roger Connor 7
RBIs – Jesse Burkett 37

Wins - Jim McCormick 6
ERA - Jim McCormick 2.24
Ks - Harry Howell 59

Top Performance: Jesse Burkett went 3-for-5 with 2 runs and 4 RBI in a 13-3 win over Wichita on May 28.

Round Trip (Four miscallaneous points about the team):
1) The Heroes look forward to some home cookin' this month, as they play 14 of their 23 games at home. While they have played 11 more games on the road thus far, the Heroes also have only played .500 ball at home, so whether this will be a big positive remains to be seen.

2) The apparent resurgence of 3B David Wright hit a bump the past two weeks, and most specifically the past 5 games, as Wright has gone 1 for his last 21 to bring his average back down to .219. One positive sign: After drawing one walk in April, Wright drew 7 in May, a sign his discipline is improving. One of the game's top 50 prospects, Wright is only 21 and being thrust into a big market with big expectations.

3) The Heroes wholeheartedly believe 1B Roger Connor can do everything Dan Brouthers is doing in Louisville. But, while Connor has been solid (.280, 7 HRs, 22 RBI) asking him to match Brouthers is a tall order for anyone at this point. "He's the best in the game right now," Connor said. "No question."

4) Frank Killen made his debut May 29, throwing 2 2/3 innings on one-hit ball, striking out 3 in a 12-3 loss. Given Josh Fogg's failure (8.36 ERA in three May starts), Killen may well get a crack at the rotation.

Philadelphia Ringers
Record: Last 2 Weeks (4-7), Overall 22-23

2-Week Synopsis: Split 4 at Charlotte, Lost both at Arizona, Split 2 at Las Vegas, Lost 2 of 3 at Sacramento

Leaders:
Avg - John O'Rourke .333
HRs - John O'Rourke 12
RBIs - John O'Rourke 30

Wins - Old Hoss Radbourn 6
ERA - Old Hoss Radbourn 2.83
Ks - Satchel Paige 95

Top Performance: Pete Gillespie went 4-for-4 with 2 RBI and 2 runs scored in an 8-6 loss at Sacramento.

Injuries: Reserve squad player Cody Ross dislocated his shoulder falling down a flight of stairs. He's expected to miss 2 months.

Round Trip (Four miscellaneous points about the team):
1) The Ringers' anticipated 4 game set in Charlotte was exciting, but the 4-game split proved disappointing, as the team blew a 4-1 lead in the final game, allowing 3 in the 8th to tie and 1 in the 9th to lose the series finale 5-4.

2) Red Donohue went 3-0 with a 3.03 ERA for the Ringers in May. While Old Hoss Radbourn and Satchel Paige get the notice, Donahue has been every bit as strong. Should the Ringers make the playoffs, this trio will be remarkably tough to deal with.

3) An unsung hero is SS John Peters, who has hit .312 with 6 homers and 27 RBI. He's also been incredibly clutch, batting .440 (11-for-25) in close/late situations.

4) Catcher Jocko Milligan went 4 for 12 with a homer in the last series at Sacramento. But he's still hitting only .196, and if he doesn't get hot for an extended time, the club will have to give young Victor Martinez a chance to take the job.