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Eugene Church · 06-27-2009, 03:51 PM

The Islandian Times

March 13, 2004

Jailhouse Gang Still In Control In RU Wild Wild West
One of the more successful franchises in the Island Pro Alliance is the Volusia Vigilantes, known as "The Jailhouse Gang" because just over the right field fence at their ballpark is the town jail. Inmates can actually watch games from their cell windows.

The V's won the first pro championship ever in the Islands in the inaugural 2001 season, besting the Ginza Ninjas of the Tycobbian Union. Manager Alfonso Feliz' team has finished second, second and first in its first three seasons in the RU West Division. Except for the championship season, the Vigilantes have been playoff flops, losing to Middlefield and Forest City the last two years in the opening round.

The basebase pollsters think Volusia will remain on top this year and again win the division title, although they will get some strong arguments from Forest City, Colfax and upstart Sligo. Last year's runner-up Middlefield is expected to slip way down in the standings due to the retirement of their ace pitcher and 20-game winner Jackie Lee Bevis. His retirement brought huge smiles to IPA batters and managers, who won't have to face him anymore. It really shakes up the balance of the West race. The Roosters could drop as far as fifth in the standings.

Much of Volusia's success is due to its talented pitching staff, which has led the Ruthlandian Union in ERA the last two seasons. Feliz has a formidable foursome in his rotation led by Carl Schmitz, Raul Sandoval, Ricky Moreno and Mike Amato. In the bullpen the V's have an outstanding closer, Hernando Espederos.

The Vigilantes still suffer from a lack of hitting. It is one of the reasons they have trouble winning in the playoffs - they are playing more teams that hit with power and hit much better than them. Last year Volusia was near the bottom in batting and absolutely last in home runs, hitting only 69 homers the entire season.

But nothing has changed this year. Feliz made only one roster change, adding a pitcher. Otherwise, the V's are the same team. Rookie Todd Wolfe is the newcomer, a flame-throwing righthander. Feliz says 23-year-old Wolfe is "a work-in-progress" and will be brought along slowly. Only one change in his line-up, Feliz is going to split time at first base between the veteran Francisco Abreu and second-year man, Ruben De Andres. Abreu slumped badly last season, hitting only .225. Feliz said Abreu will have to pick it up this year quickly or he will have to make a change.

Best Pitchers: LHP Raul Sandoval (12-5 2.49), Carl Schmitz (18-15 3.34), Ricky Moreno (18-12 3.43), Mike Amato (12-12 3.43) and closer Hernando Esparderos (4-1 2.13) with 29 saves and 66 games appearances.

Best Batters: CF Ryan Raines (.293 BA/14 HR/74 RBI/90 R/38 SB), 3B Alejandro Salazar (.259 BA/11 HR/83 RBI), SS Scooter Perez (.274 BA/7 HR/58 RBI/84 R/52 SB), RF Lonnie Howard (.294 BA/3 HR/53 RBI/79 R/58 SB) and LF Briscoe Crowder (.319 BA/4 HR/42 RBI/53 R/19 SB) in 77 games.

06-27-2009, 03:51 PM	#1060
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,868	The Islandian Times March 13, 2004 Jailhouse Gang Still In Control In RU Wild Wild West One of the more successful franchises in the Island Pro Alliance is the Volusia Vigilantes, known as "The Jailhouse Gang" because just over the right field fence at their ballpark is the town jail. Inmates can actually watch games from their cell windows. The V's won the first pro championship ever in the Islands in the inaugural 2001 season, besting the Ginza Ninjas of the Tycobbian Union. Manager Alfonso Feliz' team has finished second, second and first in its first three seasons in the RU West Division. Except for the championship season, the Vigilantes have been playoff flops, losing to Middlefield and Forest City the last two years in the opening round. The basebase pollsters think Volusia will remain on top this year and again win the division title, although they will get some strong arguments from Forest City, Colfax and upstart Sligo. Last year's runner-up Middlefield is expected to slip way down in the standings due to the retirement of their ace pitcher and 20-game winner Jackie Lee Bevis. His retirement brought huge smiles to IPA batters and managers, who won't have to face him anymore. It really shakes up the balance of the West race. The Roosters could drop as far as fifth in the standings. Much of Volusia's success is due to its talented pitching staff, which has led the Ruthlandian Union in ERA the last two seasons. Feliz has a formidable foursome in his rotation led by Carl Schmitz, Raul Sandoval, Ricky Moreno and Mike Amato. In the bullpen the V's have an outstanding closer, Hernando Espederos. The Vigilantes still suffer from a lack of hitting. It is one of the reasons they have trouble winning in the playoffs - they are playing more teams that hit with power and hit much better than them. Last year Volusia was near the bottom in batting and absolutely last in home runs, hitting only 69 homers the entire season. But nothing has changed this year. Feliz made only one roster change, adding a pitcher. Otherwise, the V's are the same team. Rookie Todd Wolfe is the newcomer, a flame-throwing righthander. Feliz says 23-year-old Wolfe is "a work-in-progress" and will be brought along slowly. Only one change in his line-up, Feliz is going to split time at first base between the veteran Francisco Abreu and second-year man, Ruben De Andres. Abreu slumped badly last season, hitting only .225. Feliz said Abreu will have to pick it up this year quickly or he will have to make a change. Best Pitchers: LHP Raul Sandoval (12-5 2.49), Carl Schmitz (18-15 3.34), Ricky Moreno (18-12 3.43), Mike Amato (12-12 3.43) and closer Hernando Esparderos (4-1 2.13) with 29 saves and 66 games appearances. Best Batters: CF Ryan Raines (.293 BA/14 HR/74 RBI/90 R/38 SB), 3B Alejandro Salazar (.259 BA/11 HR/83 RBI), SS Scooter Perez (.274 BA/7 HR/58 RBI/84 R/52 SB), RF Lonnie Howard (.294 BA/3 HR/53 RBI/79 R/58 SB) and LF Briscoe Crowder (.319 BA/4 HR/42 RBI/53 R/19 SB) in 77 games.