American Baseball Federation

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The Charlotte Knights might be forced to relocate, sooner than later if you believe the local media. The front office grudgingly admits the franchise is struggling financially, and sports talk around the fair city is at the tipping point of turning negative, with roughly 50% fan apathy.

Several other regional cities have expressed interest in hosting the franchise if it is forced to relocate, but it is status-quo for at least the 2006 season.

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In the NSL North, perennial contender Victoria Capitals are at it again, and have a slim lead over the Wichita Wranglers and Dayton Dragons. Victoria is led by LF Freddy Baldwin and hard-throwing ace Fransisco Martinez. The usual division patsy Toronto Marlboros are surprisingly four games back, and having a respactable campaign because of their plethora of up-and-coming youngsters.




In the South, the Charlotte Knights are going from doormat to dominant, behind C Jose Gomez and ace SP Bill Jefferson. Local talk about the team being forced to fold have stopped, at least for the time being.

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In the EWL East, the Buffalo Bisons have an 8-game bulge at the break, and are threatening to run away with a weak division, which sees more than half the teams underwater at midseason. The Buffs are paced by RBI machine 1B Tom Campell, in only his second season, and 35-year old SP Evan Sanders. Sanders has lost some velocity in recent seasons, but is still capable of a big year, as witnessed by his stellar 14-2 record so far.




In the West, the Stockton Ports are out in front, with LF John Sharpe having another good year. Sharpe has lost a step, and can no longer play right or center, but the 33-year old vet is threatening to have another 100 RBI season, which he has done three of the past four years.

The Fresno Grizzlies are right there as well, two games back, behind 1B George Denton and veteran SP Kelly Wade. Denton is leading the Federation in slugging at .638, and is on pace for his third straight 100 RBI season.

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"This is why we play the game," commented Durham's manager after his club captured their 1st ABBF Championship crown by whipping the Buffalo Bisons 4-3 today at Bisons Field, reversing the outcome of the 2005 championship.

"Baseball don't get any better than this."

The Bulls were victorious 4-2 in the series after completing the regular season 86-68 and finishing in first place in the North-South League South Division.

The losing manager had his say, too, telling reporters, "Despite the loss, this year has been a pretty good story, a doggone good story. I'm proud of my guys. We had great veteran leadership and we had players that never gave up -- no quit in us at all. And it got us here. And I'm proud of that. I think you might see the Bisons back here soon."

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The East-West League announced today that Mike Roberts of Reno was the league's top hitter in 2006. He recorded a .368 batting average to win the honor.

The Aces center fielder had 188 hits with 39 doubles, 8 triples and 6 home runs. Roberts played in 137 games and completed the season with 65 RBIs and 85 runs scored.

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Pitcher: Anthony Heilbron (Lakeland Tigers)
Catcher: Bob Shockey (Lakeland Tigers)
First Baseman: Ronnie Kennedy (Victoria Capitals)
Second Baseman: Andrés Salazar (Indianapolis Indians)
Third Baseman: Bob Miller (Indianapolis Indians)
Shortstop: Steve Neal (Indianapolis Indians)
Left Fielder: Davey Brooks (Toronto Marlboros)
Center Fielder: Michael Ratzlaff (Charlotte Knights)
Right Fielder: Ralph Miller (Memphis Redbirds)

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Pitcher: Andrew White (Reno Aces)
Catcher: Bill MacDonald (Houston Aeros)
First Baseman: Erik Simpson (Oklahoma City Red Hawks)
Second Baseman: Jesse Brown (Harrisburg Senators)
Third Baseman: Cody Gray (Louisville Black Caps)
Shortstop: Greg Murphy (San Antonio Rampage)
Left Fielder: Alejandro Yánez (Syracuse Chiefs)
Center Fielder: Rod Parkinson (Montreal Royales)
Right Fielder: Richard Gardner (Salt Lake City Stingers)

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William Bradley 's age didn't show very often in his first year. He performed more like a veteran on the hill for the Wichita Wranglers and today he walked away with the 2006 North-South League Rookie of the Year Award.

The 21-year-old starter registered a 14-12 record this season in 39 starts. Over 236.1 innings he gave up 209 hits, struck out 131 and issued 70 walks as he held the opposition to a .243 batting average and fashioned a 3.08 ERA.

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In his apprentice season in the East-West League, Mike Roberts put up some quality statistics to sew up the prestigious Rookie of the Year Award.

This talented Reno center fielder posted a .368 average while accumulating 188 hits, 6 home runs, 65 RBIs and 85 runs scored in 137 games. He drew 47 walks as he fashioned a solid .426 on-base percentage.

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The Durham Bulls had an outstanding season, much of it due to their astute and gifted skipper. For his managerial excellence, Pat Kennedy reaped the reward of being voted North-South League Manager of the Year for the second consecutive year.

"A manager is only as good as the players he's managing," Kennedy told reporters. "If I didn't have the talent to work with, making all the right moves wouldn't have helped a bit."

Under Kennedy the Bulls finished first in the North-South League South Division with a record of 86-68, and won the ABBF Championship.

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Buffalo Bisons field manager Razan Watanabe has brought a winning attitude to the team and the city. His no-nonsense approach, work ethic and baseball experience has paved the way for success.

This season the Bisons parlayed his managerial skills and some talented ballplayers into a first place spot in the East-West League East Division standings. Buffalo finished the year with a 95-59 record, but lost to Durham in the ABBF Championship.

To everybody's delight Watanabe was voted the 2006 East-West League Manager of the Year by the baseball writers.

"Mr. Watanabe doesn't take any stuff. If you aren't doing your job, he's not afraid to call you on it," noted one of his ballplayers. "But the team wouldn't want to play for anyone else. He's tough, demanding, but he treats everyone fairly and doesn't play favorites. Nobody gets pampered on his ballclub."

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Indianapolis Greg Rutherford took home the 2006 North-South League Outstanding Pitcher Award earlier today after a remarkable season on the mound.

With a record of 22-13, Rutherford was certainly a worthy winner. He made 38 starts and posted 291.1 innings, 132 strikeouts and a 3.40 ERA.

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It was a dream season for Eduardo Castillo of San Antonio Rampage. He pitched his way to a 19-14 record and carted off the 2006 East-West League Outstanding Pitcher Award for the third time in his career.

Working 329.2 innings this year, Castillo made 39 starts, struck out 202 and crafted a 2.46 ERA. He gave up 278 hits and 85 walks and limited other teams to a .231 average.

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What a way to finish off the year -- being honored with the 2006 Outstanding Hitter Award in the North-South League. It had already been a very special season for Billings's Sergio Díaz, but today's announcement really put the icing on his cake.

All season long Sergio Díaz gave opposing pitchers fits by hitting .355 as he collected 150 hits, 25 doubles, 2 triples, 24 home runs and 87 RBIs.

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Rodrigo Pagán has been around American Baseball Federation enough to know a good hot streak when he sees one -- and he got to see one firsthand all year. For his standout run through the 2006 season, he's taking home the Outstanding Hitter Award in the East-West League.

The Houston Aeros first baseman put up a batting average of .317 with 53 doubles, 2 triples, 23 home runs and 106 RBIs.