Both the American and National Associations had problems going into their ninth season -- but they were both good problems to have.
First off, the American has added two new teams: the
Providence Grays (bringing pro ball to the nation's smallest state) and the
Upstatesmen club of Buffalo. (
Editor's note: I'm not calling them the Bisons because I'm tired of that name. I found "Upstatesmen" on this very board, and whoever created it, I thank you.)
Meanwhile, the deciding game of last year's Centennial Cup has already become legendary: not just for the play on the field, but the throngs of people trying to get in. Every Cup playoff game was a sell-out, in fact, so the Association is expanding the Semifinal to a best-of-three, while the Final will now be a best-of-five affair.