Inaugural Draft (Part 2)
The top paid individuals as drafted were as follows:
Top of the heap was CF James Chown as drafted by the Bristol Dodgers.
Known affectionately as Munchkin the scouts had marked his card as being a five tool player as well as being extremely bright AND popular. The Dodgers immediately signed him up to a six year deal.
His was not the top contract signed however as over in the capital the Tigers had signed 29 year old SS Bernard Ainsley to a seven year deal worth $420k.
The Tigers hoped Mr "Fly By Night" would become the leader in the clubhouse and the tall switch hitter from near Liverpool had already become a popular figure with both fans and players by the time spring training came around. His ability to get on base was expected to make up for a lack of power and give the big bats in London something to aim for.
The time for talking was done now as spring training was around the corner and the next instalment will focus on the league's first outings. Would the fans turn up to watch grown men play what many still perceived to be rounders? Only time would tell.