The 16 teams of the Pastime Baseball League have reported to spring training and the exhibition season gets going in a matter of days. The Wichita Brigade look to defend their PBL championship and an influx of new talent from the November draft should bring changes around the league.
Here we will look at each team, recap their 2009 season and draft and address the biggest question surrounding each team.
Northern League East
Charlotte Cougars
2009 Record: 86-76, 3rd Place, 13 GB
Draft Recap: Pete Alexander (P), Lefty Tyler (P), Vean Gregg (P), Herb Pennock (P), Howie Shanks (LF)
Big Question: Will focus on pitching pay off?
The Cougars had the Northern League's #3 pitching staff last year, but only the #6 offense. And yet, the Cougars used their first four of five picks on pitching - and, to be fair, good pitching. It's hard to argue with Alexander, who many were surprised fell to #11. But beyond that, a team whose top offensive player posted an .816 OPS seems to need more than Shanks to boost the offense.
Louisville Racers
2009 Record: 87-75, 2nd Place, 12 GB
Draft Recap: Billy Southworth (RF), Gene Benson (RF), Johnny Bassler (C), Buck Weaver (SS), Jeff Tesreau (P)
Big Question: Can Brouthers do it again?
At the All-Star Break last season, it was a veritable lock that Dan Brouthers would win the Outstanding Hitter Award and, perhaps, the Triple Crown. He missed out on both, but his season - .336-51-145 - was a tremendous effort that led the Northern League's best offense. However, much as analysts question why Charlotte didn't address its weakness, the same holds for Louisville, which really needed more pitching. The failure to address that means either the pitchers behind ace Roy Oswalt need to step up, or Brouthers has to be brilliant yet again.
New York Heroes
2009 Record: 99-63, 1st Place, Lost NLCS to Wichita in 6 games
Draft Recap: Joe Connolly (LF), Irish Meusel (LF), Allen Sothoron (P), Bill James (P), Jim Viox (2B)
Big Question: Do Wright and Sizemore develop?
The Heroes had balance both in the lineup and the rotation last year, boasting the league's third best offense and second-best pitching staff. Consider that 7 players in the Northern League drove in 100+ runs last year...the Heroes had 3 of them. They drafted to keep that balance - including Jim Viox, who could be a steal in the fifth and final round. But their marketable young stars - David Wright and Grady Sizemore - could be key to New York making the next step. Both players evolved as the year went on, and Wright ultimately led all Northern League third basemen in RBI.
Philadelphia Ringers
2009 Record: 66-96, 4th Place, 33 GB
Draft Recap: Cy Williams (CF), George Burns (1B), Frank Snyder (C), Hank Severeid (C), Bill Doak (P)
Big Question: Is there any hope?
In 2009, the Ringers basically had Satchel Paige, Jim O'Rourke and little else. O'Rourke was great, but will likely shift to a corner as rookie Cy Williams enters the lineup. First base was a revolving door last season, and George Burns could fix that. Jocko Milligan struggled playing almost every day behind the plate, and now gets two solid prospects in Snyder and Severeid behind him. And Bill Doak could walk in as high as the #3 behind Paige and Charley Radbourn. As such, the Ringers could well be improved. Still, it's unlikely to be enough to get them near the top, at least this year.