American Baseball Federation

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Reno Aces CF Mike Roberts set a new Federation record this season with a 32-game hitting streak, surpassing the old record of 29-games established by Matt Guest back in 2001.

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Opening Day! The day that fans and players have long been waiting to see has now arrived. American Baseball Federation ushers in its 2007 season today and excitement across the league is high.

Baseball America Top 100 Prospects List Published

The season is about to start, so it's time for Baseball America to publish the annual Top 100 Prospects list. This year 22-year-old starting pitcher John Hill of the Brooklyn Cyclones is the #1 prospect overall.

Here is the top 10:
1) SP John Hill, 22, Brooklyn Cyclones
2) 1B Mike Hall, 24, Lakeland Tigers
3) MR Mark Bright, 24, Louisville Black Caps
4) RF Rick Shaffer, 25, Syracuse Chiefs
5) 1B Tim Iddiols, 22, Trenton Thunder
6) SP Ray Barrett, 24, Durham Bulls
7) LF Albert Hall, 24, Billings Mustangs
8) MR Lance Taylor, 19, Charlotte Knights
9) MR Ed Hall, 21, Boise Hawks
10) 1B John McMillan, 19, Lakeland Tigers

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At the midpoint in the NSL North, the Billings Mustangs have a 5-game edge over the Wichita Wranglers. Billings is having their best season ever, having never finished higher than 6th place in the ABBF.

In the NSL South, the Charlotte Knights and 2006 champ Durham Bulls are tied for the lead, with the Huntsville Stars a mere 3-games back. Charlotte is having their best year in the ABBF, having previously finished no higher than 4th place in the division.

In the EWL East, the Quebec Remparts are in first place so far. Quebec, after almost losing their franchise several seasons ago, is loaded with young talent from astute drafting over the past few years. The Buffalo Bisons and Montreal Royales are in hot pursuit.

In the EWL West, the two-time champ Reno Aces hold the lead at the break. Reno has slipped over the past few seasons after consecutive crowns in 2001-02. The Houston Aeros and OKC Red Hawks are trying to keep pace.

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The Reno Aces made quick work of Billings in the ABBF Championship and swept them. They cinched their 3rd American Baseball Federation crown today at Mustangs Field with a 14-1 victory over the Mustangs.

During the regular season play, the Aces notched a 90-64 record and wound up in first place in the East-West League West Division race.

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Lakeland Tigers left fielder Arthur Smith had added the 2007 North-South League batting crown to his resume. He batted .339 with 27 doubles, 3 triples and 21 home runs among his 177 hits. Smith also drove in 102 runs and scored 87.

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The top hitter in the East-West League this season was Joe Greenaway of the Salt Lake City Stingers. Nobody was better with the bat. Greenaway compiled a .358 batting average to surpass everybody for the 2007 title. In addition, his stats included 17 doubles, 5 triples and 16 home runs. This year's bat champion played in 117 games, scored 72 runs and drove in 94.

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In baseball circles, a player who has good range, a good arm and good hands is a great catch. Clubs strive to be strong in the field, especially "up the middle." Solid defenders can make a difference in the outcome of tight games and tight pennant races. The Outstanding Fielder Awards for 2007 in the North-South League go to these standout defenders:

Pitcher: Anthony Heilbron (Lakeland Tigers)
Catcher: Bob Shockey (Lakeland Tigers)
First Baseman: Steve Neal (Indianapolis Indians)
Second Baseman: Jon Willis (Indianapolis Indians)
Third Baseman: Luis Jiménez (Huntsville Stars)
Shortstop: Dylan Anderson (Victoria Capitals)
Left Fielder: Greg Smith (Indianapolis Indians)
Center Fielder: Fred Dillon (Huntsville Stars)
Right Fielder: Jorge Ruíz (Columbus Clippers)

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Defense is a critical element in the game of baseball. Many times late in the game, a light-hitting defensive specialist will be inserted in place of a superstar hitter. Good defenders are worth their weight in gold and today the best of them for 2007 have been recognized. These players will receive the East-West League Outstanding Fielder Award:

Pitcher: Wayne Banfield (Harrisburg Senators)
Catcher: Lee Bates (Quebec Remparts)
First Baseman: Barry Bailey (Quebec Remparts)
Second Baseman: Corey Gentry (Houston Aeros)
Third Baseman: León Silva (Yakima Bears)
Shortstop: José Pérez (Syracuse Chiefs)
Left Fielder: Luther White (San Antonio Rampage)
Center Fielder: Colm Ferrell (Trenton Thunder)
Right Fielder: Richard Gardner (Salt Lake City Stingers)

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Akihito Ohayashi's age didn't show very often in his first year. He performed more like a veteran on the hill for the Charlotte Knights and today he walked away with the 2007 North-South League Rookie of the Year Award.

The 22-year-old starter registered a 22-11 record this season in 39 starts. Over 289.2 innings he gave up 254 hits, struck out 104 and issued 138 walks as he held the opposition to a .244 batting average and fashioned a 2.95 ERA.

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John Daniel made quite a name for himself in his rookie year. The Buffalo Bisons shortstop brought home the 2007 Rookie of the Year Award today in recognition of his performance.

Daniel played in 144 games, batted .337, collected 185 hits in 549 at-bats, 8 home runs, 77 RBIs, 93 runs scored, 71 walks and compiled a .418 OBP.

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An outstanding season by the Durham Bulls garnered their manager Pat Kennedy the North-South League Manager of the Year award for 2007. He led Durham to a 92-62 record this year and a first place finish in the North-South League South Division.

Even so, Kennedy seemed less than thrilled. "I don't give a damn about the award," he growled to reporters, "I just want this team to win championships!"

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Luis Serrano, skipper of the Reno Aces was voted 2007 East-West League Manager of the Year and accepted the award earlier today.

He guided Reno to first place in the East-West League West Division with a 90-64 record and the ABBF crown.

"I'm very happy about this," he said at the press conference, "But I'm more happy about what my boys did on the field. They battled their butts off for me all year. They should get the credit."

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The Charlotte Knights have a rising superstar or maybe even a budding Hall-of-Famer in the making.

It's Kel Kelly, this year's North-South League Outstanding Pitcher Award selection. This blossoming hurler wowed fans, peers and sportswriters with a fabulous performance.

Kelly compiled a 19-10 record in 38 starts, tallied 227 strikeouts in 314.2 innings and recorded a 2.43 ERA. Other clubs managed only a .226 batting average against him.

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It was a glorious year for Andy Davis of Salt Lake City. He finish the season with 22 victories and only 12 losses with an impressive 3.25 ERA. The talented Stingers pitcher started 39 games and struck out 187 batters in 318.1 innings and copped the East-West League Outstanding Pitcher Award.

"It means a lot," Davis said. "I hadn't really had a chance to sit down and think about it yet. You guys know how I am about numbers and thinking about individual awards. It feels good right now. I can't really put it into words, but I'm sure later on tonight when I have a chance to sit down with my family and think about it, I'll have some words for it. But right now, I'm just happy that it happened this year."

Actually the numbers said plenty for him.

His skipper made this comment upon hearing that he has won the acclaimed award. "Not only is he a talented pitcher, but a great teammate, too. Andy never pointed fingers, never felt sorry for himself, stayed a positive, team-oriented guy and continued to contribute and pull for our team's victories, not worry about his own individual performance."

Later in the interview Davis did say he took a little peek at his stats. "Probably the last week or so, just to see if I had a chance," he admitted. "Some other people were talking that I had a chance to win. I did look at a few numbers. I felt that it could've gone either way. I'm just happy and thankful that it went my way."

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Indianapolis' Greg Smith put the wraps on a fine campaign today by winning the 2007 North-South League MVP Award

The 25-year-old veteran scorched the opposition with a .337 average, picking up 158 hits, 24 doubles, 8 triples, 25 home runs and 77 RBIs, while scoring 89 runs.

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It's been a year of triumph for veteran Ed McAlister of the Stockton Ports as he hit his way to the 2007 East-West League MVP Award.

The 31-year-old veteran compiled a .303 average and .424 on-base percentage by putting together 161 hits, 28 doubles, 2 triples, 32 home runs and 112 walks. He also scored 101 times and drove in 105 runs.

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