[Elendil]

Upper Valley Nighthawks

The Nighthawks are another ex-collegiate club, but they have moved from White River Junction, Vt. to Dartmouth College's Red Rolfe Field. The college baseball season ends just two weeks before the GWL starts play. Leasing the field for the games is another expense for the UV ballclub, but it helps open their market to a wealthy Hanover, New Hampshire clientele. Their market is still pretty small, however.



The Nighthawks rotation is a little worse than average. They have two pretty good starters but also two really dire ones. The pretty good ones are Willie Warren, 32, a construction contractor who has never played professionally, and Justin Berg, also 32, who relies on finesse and threw 64 innings with a 4.08 ERA for the Cubs years ago.

The bullpen is all-around strong, but with only one potential star, southpaw Michael Kirkman, who boasts dominant stuff and movement but sometimes-erratic control. He amassed 109 MLB innings, mostly with the Rangers, and posted a 5.28 ERA with 56 walks and 104 K's.

The Upper Valley lineup is also all-around strong with no obvious holes, but again no obvious stars. First baseman Casey Kotchman is a notable name, now 34 years of age and having hit .260/.326/.385 in 3412 plate appearances, mostly with the Angels. Center fielder Fred Lewis, 36, also has extensive major-league experience, hitting .266/.344/.403 in 1763 PA's, mostly with the Giants. His outfield range isn't what it used to be, though.

Financially, Upper Valley is one of the best-positioned teams in the league and still has extra cash to spend on one-year contracts if it seeks to contend. They also have some of the better collegiate players on their scrimmage squad.

Projected record: 55-53. This could be a team to watch for the long haul - if there is a long haul.