The 1954-55 off-season marked the final time teams would be able to freely raid amateur talent from outside the British Baseball Association, and in terms of such signings it was a quiet affair.
All BBA professional clubs now had a 3 level system of affiliates to develop talent, and would mostly have to rely on bringing talent through the amateur draft and their own development system. Players may still be found in the independent league's and acquired, but after 5 years of heavily raiding them, it was becoming rare to find such playing talent.
Over the first month of play in the National League, we saw Bristol and Edinburgh lay down the gauntlet, making it clear they would not allow another year of Manchester dominance without a fight. It looks unlikely the Elephants will runaway with the National League this year.
The Union League appears to be a two-horse race between Croydon and Blackpool, by June third placed Newcastle were already 10 games back. Cardiff look to be in for a third successive season of struggle as the Welsh crowds continue to lose interest in a losing club.
Standings and Statistics page of The Baseball Review.
From the archive of The Baseball Review.