Spring Training (Part 2)
It was universally accepted that pre-season spring training was a resounding success with some pre-eminent performances from the players. The League Office also released a statement praising all the "behind the scenes" individuals that made everything work with very few hiccups. Particular mention was made of the groundsmen that prepared the pitches, local tradesmen who pulled together and created seating and in many cases entire stadia in the short time since the league's creation. Also receiving mention were the stewards and other safety officials who had provided their time and skills freely. It was agreed that the clubs should award themselves a huge pat on the back on pulling this off. The crowds had turned up and been thrilled by some outstanding performances. This was evidenced by the number of season tickets already purchased league-wide, notwithstanding the poor weather the players were expected to perform in.
King of the bats proved to be the aforementioned James Chown of the Dodgers who led the league in AVG and OBP.
He was beaten to the SLG crown by Clive Pinch of the Pirates although still hit an entirely creditable 1.022 himself. Overall everything pointed to a fascinating power duel between the two in the season to come. One player who would take no further part in the season however was Arthur Stallard of the Birmingham Phillies.
Art had just come back from a mild hamstring pull when he suffered a torn flexor tendon in his elbow resulting in a projected 10 month layoff. Everyone wishes him well and a swift recovery. Hopefully he will be able to get in shape in time for next season. Word has it that he may agree to ground breaking surgery to improve his chances said Phillies spokesman Tommy John.
With the pre-season done and dusted the journalists had revised their predictions for the season ahead.
In the South the Brighton Browns had cemented their tag as favourites although the Cardiff Senators hopes had taken a tumble. What was noticeable however was the reduced expectation of offense overpowering pitching with ERA projections being a full run lower following the teams' run outs in Spring Training. This was mirrored in the Northern Division where the relative expectation of the Belfast Cubs and previous favourites Newcastle Indians seemed to have reversed. The reason for this appears to have resulted from a positive re-evaluation of the Cubs' pitching staff where their projected ERA had fallen from 5.02 to 3.09. Meanwhile the heavily spending Pirates continued to impress few.
All of this poring over statistics and extrapolating results over 154 games is all well and good and sells newspapers but the time had now arrived where individuals had to put up or shut up. Opening Day was nigh and as is said in association football the table doesn't lie at the end of the season.
The next report will be at the All Star break where hopefully there will be names to laud and performances to applaud.