Heartland Baseball League: 1984 and Beyond

[HerbD]

I have the links wrong in the last post for the standings and for whatever reason I am not able to edit so I am reposting with the correct links.


HOM: Arthur Wells(BC) .409, 10 HR, 29 RBI
POM: Dave Gardner(ROC) 5-1, 2.51 ERA, 25 K
ROM: John Newman(DUL) .264, 5 HR, 14 RBI


HOM: Jason Hogan(DAY) .398, 11 HR, 30 RBI
POM: Zane Carver(CAN) 4-1, 2.05 ERA, 38 K
ROM: Mike Church(JEC) .309, 9 HR, 20 RBI

-Conrad Jones, Colin Reese, Ken Mills, and Darrel Moon have made the All-Star team in all seven HBL seasons.

-Preston Richards of Duluth tied the record for doubles in a single month with 14 and needs just five more to break the single season record set by Albert Lineberry in 1979.

-Kelvin Green of Poplar Bluff needs just five homeruns to break the single season record of 40 set by Bobby Bergeron in 1980.

-Five teams in the South are sitting at .500 or better while just two teams in the North have managed to stay .500 or better.

[HerbD]

Springfield, IL


Juoquin Herrera


The HBL North All-Stars knew what was at stake as they took the field Friday Night for the Seventh Annual Heartland Baseball League All-Star game. After losing the very first contest in 1978 the South had dominated the last five battles outscoring their counterparts 39-11 including a two hit, 8-0 shutout last season. "We're here to take this serious," said seven time all star Conrad Jones of Rochester. "We are tired of getting our asses kicked and we are gonna start a new All-Star streak."

The North certainly seemed focused when first time All-Star Ron Gordon of South Bend opened the game with a leadoff homer to put the North up 1-0 after just one batter. One out later Gordon's more heralded teammate, Joe Jackson, hit a solo shot of his own to deep center that pushed the lead 2-0. After a two run double by Rochester's Pat Turner in the top of the fourth gave the North a 5-1 lead it seemed the streak was over.

Not so fast. The South chipped away a bit in the bottom of the fourth when Rookie Mike Church followed a Ray Gray triple with an RBI single to cut the lead to 5-2. The South then exploded in the bottom of the fifth tying the game on homers from first time all stars Joaquin Herrera and Kelvin Green. Later in the inning the South would take the lead on an RBI single by veteran Robinson Velazquez.

The North would never again threaten to score while the South added three more runs to push the final score to 9-5 and the winning streak to six games. Herrera, who added two RBI and two runs scored to his two hits, was named the game's MVP while 22 year old reliever Ric Blaikie got the win.

"We let them have their moment, let them start feeling good about themselves," said seven time all star Colin Reese. "Then we snatched it away from them. It was fun!"

1984 HBL All-Star Box

[Mr. Baseball]

Predators' Moon Silently Slides Into Record Books



August 19th, 1984

The media has been in somewhat of a frenzy the last several weeks, frantically covering Kelvin Green's pursuit of the single-season home run record. Now that that record has been broken, torn apart, and shattered by 47 home runs through August, the hype is at last beginning to die down, granting journalists a much needed moment of silence to reflect on other potential record breaking seasons. Perhaps among the most notable, Poplar Bluff's long-time second baseman Darryl "Nimrod" Moon, tied the all-time record for triples in a single season in the 9th inning of a 6-5, nail-biting victory for the Predators over Dayton. The three-bagger came at the expense of Dawgs' reliever Brett Robinson.

Moon joined Nick Barnstaple and Wesley Heaver as the only other players to have smacked twelve triples in one year. With two weeks remaining, he will have ten games left to pursue the elusive number thirteen, earning him sole possession of the all time crown.

[HerbD]

Oshkosh, WI


Craig Challis

Who is Craig Challis? The short answer is this: the fifth pitcher in the history of the Heartland Baseball League to pitch a no-hitter. That's right folks...Craig Challis just pitched a no-hitter. In a year where hitting records are falling like rain, a relative unknown outside of HBL circles has done the unthinkable. And as if their season could get any worse the defending HBL Champion Oshkosh Outlaws were the victims...at home!

Things did not start well for the Reapers as 3B Curt Smith and SS Wesley Holmes collided chasing a shallow pop up on the first pitch of the game allowing Outlaws leadoff hitter Dan Smith to reach base effectively erasing any chance of a perfect game. Smith was charged with the error. Challis would recover to retire the next three batters without incident.

The bottom of the second would start with Challis issuing a four pitch walk to Allen Beck. Beck would be erased at second base on a fielders choice leaving Christian King at first. The next batter, Oshkosh's Ed Gray would hit a line drive to right center that was snagged out of the air in an all out Superman dive by Reaper's rightfielder Nathan Hamilton. As Hamilton lay on the outfield grass gasping for air King would return to first and tag up to head to second. Hamilton alertly popped up and threw a strike to 2B Clarence Harris to nail King sliding into second to end the inning.

With two outs in the bottom of the fourth Challis hit Outlaws catcher Anibal Cortez with the first pitch of the at-bat but Cortez was stranded at first after Beck struck out swinging.

With one out in the top of the fifth Rochester finally broke through with a solo homer from Darren West to give the Reapers and Challis a 1-0 lead. The run seemed to invigorate the veteran as he set down the final 15 batters of the game without incident. Rochester would add four more runs in the top of the eighth compliments of a two run homer by Don Conrad and a two run double by West to push the final score to 5-0.

Challis, who has been a reliever most of his career, threw just 86 pitches while striking out seven and evening his season record at 7-7. "Aside from that first batter the defense was great behind me." he said following the game. "It's funny that the pitcher gets all the credit for a game like this when in reality it is the defense behind him that makes or breaks the game."

[Mr. Baseball]

Poplar Bluff, Duluth Eye Gerald Humphrey



Teams that finished at the bottom of the Heartland League totem poll in 1984 may have something to look forward to in the coming months -- The First-Year Player Draft. As the end of the regular season draws to a close, only four teams have a mathematical chance at championship glory, and the remaining eight are forced to begin looking ahead to the future. Perhaps the best player in the upcoming draft is 22 year-old Purdue Boilermakers starting pitcher Gerald Humphrey, who is just coming off yet another incredible season at the collegiate level. Over four seasons with Purdue, Humphrey posted a 31-21 record, 2.00 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, .174 BAA, and a 12.20 K/9 ratio.

Scouts are describing the six-foot, two-hundred and five pound Indiana native as "having the tools to emerge as one of the best starters we have seen in years". The compliments are flattering, and well deserved for a player who's fastball has been known to reach speeds as high as 99 MPH.

On a personal standpoint, Humphrey is described as a team leader with a high intrinsic motivation for winning ballgames.

Teams that may have a legitimate chance at the starter include: Poplar Bluff, Duluth, and barring a last-minute surge by the Danger -- Cedar Rapids, Oshkosh, and Bay City remain in the running. Humphrey is not projected to be on the board past the second selection.

[HerbD]

sorry...double post

[Mr. Baseball]

HOM: Don Conrad (ROC): .306 AVG, 7 HR, 28 RBI, 16 RS
POM: Steven Hembrow (DUL): 5-1, 2.66 ERA, 61 IP, 40 K
ROM: John Newman (DUL): .243 AVG, 7 HR, 23 RBI


HOM: Elton Caldwell (CAN): .353 AVG, 5 HR, 30 RBI, 23 RS
POM: Jesus Deleon (EVA): 5-0, 2.15 ERA, 46 IP, 38 K
ROM: Mike Church (JC): .263 AVG, 6 HR, 16 RBI, 13 RS

Injury Reports

- After a miserable second chance with South Bend, former Closer of the Year Award winner Russell Sheppard will be sidelined for the remainder of the season with a strained forearm.

- 1984 All Star nominee Ron Gordan (South Bend) was also injured for the season with a strained hamstring. If he makes a speedy recovery, he could possibly join the team for the playoffs -- if they can overcome Rochester in the final two weeks.

News and Notes:

- Nick Barnstaple (DUL) will return from an injury endured in spring training, and will finally see action for the first time this season.

- Superstar Bobby Bergeron of Cedar Rapids remains unsigned, could be the most pursued free agent in years.

- Andrew Rodgers of Cedar Rapids leads the entire HBL in IBB with seventeen.

- Of the four teams pursuing a postseason birth, none of them have reached the championship before.

[HerbD]

The last day of the regular season and nothing has been settled in the Heartland Baseball League's North League. South Bend leads Rochester by one game with one to go. The Silver Sox play host to Bay City while the Reapers finish in Cedar Rapids. Evansville clinched the South League on September 9 and are waiting to find out who their opponent will be in the Heartland Series.

Bay City's Gary Allen(10-11) will face South Bend's Tommy Shelton(11-6)
Rochester sends out Tim Treweeke(11-11) to face Cedar Rapids' Sal Miller(1-1)

Treweeke's second half callapse is one reason Rochester hasn't ran away with the North League. He pitched over his head from until July where he posted a 9-3 record. Since Independence Day he has won just two of ten decisions.

7:00 National Anthem

7:05 First pitch in both games

7:15 A Conrad Jones SF give Roc a 1-0 lead

7:40 A Sam Shelton SF gives SB a 1-0 lead

8:10 Cedar Rapids takes advantage of three walks and four singles to score five runs and take a 6-3 lead

8:30 Rochester responds in the top of the fourth with two singles and a triple to close to within one at 6-5

8:47 Rochester's Don Conrad scores from first on a Stanly Logan double to tie the game at 6-6 in the top of the fifth

8:55 Bay City scores two in the top of the sixth to take a 2-1 lead

8:58 Back to Back RBI singles from Conrad Jones and Pat Turner score two to push Rochester to an 8-6 lead in the top of the sixth

9:02 South Bend ties the game at two in the bottom of the sixth thanks to a Leonard Boyd sac fly

9:13 Keith Boyd singles home Keith Johnson with two outs in the bottom of the sixth to cut the Rochester lead to 8-7

9:20 Bay City's Clark Andrews hits a pinch hit homer(just his fourth of the year) off the RF foul pole to take a 3-2 lead after the top of the seventh.

9:40 A Ron Hall RBI single pushes the Bay City lead to 4-2 heading into the bottom of the eighth.

10:01 Leading 5-3 Bay CIty closer Bryan Williams walks the bases loaded before recording an out in the bottom of the ninth. A Leonard Collins two run single ties the game at five and we are heading to extra innings.

10:04 Rochester closer Jason Davenport enters the bottom of the ninth with an 8-7 lead but gives up a leadoff single to Jimmy Brady. An RBI triple by Lance King ties the game at eight. One intentional walk later Sandy Reed shoots an RBI single up the middle scoring King winning the game 9-8 and ending the Reapers' season.

10:05 Ni-Source Stadium in South Bend erupts as the score from Cedar Rapids is announced. Silver Sox players celebrate in the dugout.

10:43 Bay City scores three in the top of the 11th including a Mike Bishop two run homer and the game finally ends 8-5.

A Breakdown of the final 11 days of the HBL Season:

|------------------------|
|AUG 31, 1984:           | 
|                        |
|NORTH          SOUTH    | 
|------------------------|
|SB  --         Eva ---- |
|ROC -3         JEC -1.5 |
|                        |
|SEP 2, 1984:            |
|                        | 
|OSH 3         EVA 5(+2) |
|ROC 2         SPR 3     |
|                        |
|SB  2(+2)     JEC  IDLE |
|DUL 3                   |
|------------------------|
|SEP 3, 1984:            |
|                        |
|OSH 5         DAY 8     |
|ROC 7         JEC 2     |
|                        |
|SB  4(+2)     EVA 4(+3) |
|DUL 2         SPR 2     |
|------------------------|
|SEP 4, 1984:            |
|                        |
|OSH 2         Day 4     |
|ROC 5         JEC 1     |
|                        |
|SB  6(+2)     EVA 0(+3) |
|DUL 5         SPR 1     |
|------------------------|
|SEP 5, 1984:            |
|                        | 
|              EVA 3(+2) |
|              SPR 4     |
|                        |
|              DAY 0     |
|              JEC 2     |
|------------------------|
|SEP 6, 1984:            |
|                        |
|ROC  4        PB  0     |
|BC  11        EVA 4(+2) |
|                        |
|OSH  6        CAN 5     |  
|SB   5(+2)    JEC 6     |
|------------------------|
|SEP 7, 1984:            |
|                        |
|ROC 6         PB  8     |
|BC  3         EVA 6(+2) |
|                        |
|OSH 2         CAN 9     |
|SB  4(+2)     JEC 2     |
|------------------------|
|SEP 8, 1984:            |
|                        |
|ROC 6         PB  5     |
|BC  3         EVA 8(+3) |
|                        |
|OSH 4         CAN 4     |
|SB  2(+1)     JEC 1     |
|------------------------| 
|SEP 9, 1984:            |
|                        |
|BC  1         EVA 4(CL) |
|SB 11(+1)     DAY 5     |
|                        |
|ROC 9         JEC 4     |
|CR  5         PB  6     |
|------------------------| 
|SEP 10, 1984:           |
|                        |
|BC  6                   |
|SB  4(+1)               |
|                        |  
|ROC 1                   |
|CR  4                   |
|------------------------| 
|SEP 11, 1984:           |
|                        |
|ROC 8                   |
|CR  9                   |
|                        | 
|BC  8                   |
|SB  5(CL)               |
|------------------------|

[HerbD]

The Heartland Baseball League has seen it's 1984 regular season come and go and with it will go a few single season records.

HITS

Arthur Wells(BC) 209
Joe Jackson(SB) 207

Old Record: Ken Mills(SPR) 200 1983

DOUBLES

Preston Richards(DUL) 53
Matt Church(JEC) 43

Old Record: Albert Llineberry(CAN) 42 1979


HOMERS

Kelvin Green(PB) 51

Old Record: Bobby Bergeron(CR) 40 1980

Runs Batted In

Kelvin Green(PB) 142
Matt Church(JEC) 140

Old Record: Colin Reese(CAN) 128 1982

BATTER WAR

Joe Jackson(SB) 9.36

Old Record: Ray Gray(DAY) 8.56 1982

TOTAL BASES

Arthur Wells(BC) 356

Old Record: Colin Reese(CAN) 355 1982

Games Pitched

Hilton Williamson(JEC) 83

Old Record: Ronald Waddell(CAN) 80 1983

Games Started

Steven Hembrow(DUL) 39

Old Record: By Three, most recently Dan Pace(CR) 37 1983

[HerbD]

VS

The History
This will be the first time that either South Bend or Evansville make an appearance in the Heartland Series. The Silver Sox only other above .500 finish was in the Heartland Baseball League's first season when they managed to win 74 games but only finished fourth in the North League. Since then they have had five consecutive losing seasons. The Twisters have had just a little more success than their opponents having two winning seasons before this year. 76 wins in 1978 garnered them a second place finish in the South and 73 wins in 1981 put them in a tie for second place just one game out of the postseason.

Each team boast a few postseason veterans most notable are South Bend's Leonard Boyd who has appeared in the Heartland Series three times, each with Canton, and has an HBL Championship on his resume. Enrique Ortiz and Sislau Nicolescu were also on that championship team in Canton. Robinson Velazquez has had great success in his only postseason appearance. The Evansville outfielder was named the Heartland Series MVP after hitting .452 and leading Cedar Rapids to the 1978 title.


Silver Sox OF Joe Jackson
Offense
South Bend's batting average and on base percentage is slightly higher than Evansville's but the Twisters boast a higher slugging percentage and OPS to make up for it. Evansville's 88 more extra base hits, including 49 more homers, more than offsets the 156 stolen base advantage of the Sox. South Bend has so many good outfielders they are playing them in the infield just to get tehm in the batting order. Joe Jackson(.356, 24 HR, 94 SB) won his first batting title this year at the age of 23 and Steven Evans(.338, 35 EBH, 52 SB) finished third. The Twisters' Doug Sullivan(.307, 32 HR, 106 RBI) is by far the best hitting catcher in the HBL while Velazquez finished with 30 homers in what would be considered a down year for him on the slash line.


Silver Sox Ace Sislau Nicolescu
Starting Pitching
Each team has four starters with ERAs under four with 42 year old Nicolescu(18-9, 2.92 ERA, 206 IP) having his best season and Tommy Shelton(11-6, 2.58, 167) winning the North League ERA title for South Bend. Walt Dundee(12-13, 3.68, 230) and Kelly Boyd(14-9, 3.89, 211) are very good three and four spot options. The Twisters have a slightly higher starter ERA with their top four a bit closer together in talent. Jose Garcia(17-8, 3.46, 213) is clearly the staff ace while Butch Oliver(15-14, 3.98, 255) is the innings eater. Aaron Kline(15-7, 3.55, 236) and Jesus Deleon(15-7, 3.70, 226) are very good at the back end. It could come down to who is rested enough to take the mound in game one with South Bend fighting with Rochester down to the last game of the season.

The Bullpens
Evansville has a clear advantage hear with a bullpen ERA almost a half a run better than the Silver Sox. Each team has a reliable closer with both Bill Davis(26 saves) and Walt Adams(37) blowing just four saves on the season. The Twisters have Bryan Murray(2.57), Alex Taylor(2.38), and Dave Johnson(3.56) to bridge the gap between starters and closer while Glenn Estes(2.83) and Ward Jones(3.82) are the only two reliable options for South Bend.


Twisters' catcher Doug Sullivan
Defense
South Bend fields a much better defensive team than their opponent with Steve Evans at first base the only real liability but the sacrifice is made to get his bat in the lineup and it's well worth the trade off. Jackson(+15.5 ZR) is one of the best in the HBL at getting to balls in the outfield and Walt Spence(+12) may be the best fielding catcher we've seen. Velazquez(+7.6) can still run'em down with the best of them and 1B Matt Stover(+8.6) is solid in the infield with Paul Frey(+6.8) and Dave Downing(+6.4) but Sullivan(-13) and OF Brian Jackson(-14) are among the worst in the league. Sullivan committed 23 errors, allowed 10 passed balls, and threw out only 26% of stolen base attempts making him a huge liability against a run happy South Bend squad.

Injuries
Both teams are missing an infielder for the series due to injury but South Bend will miss Ron Gordon more than Evansville will miss Gary Schneider. Gordon boast a +7 zone rating at short to go along with 49 XBH and 74 runs scored. Schneider was much less productive at third with a negative zone rating and 37 XBH.

Prediction
Although the experts believe the Silver Sox will run wild on Sullivan the inability of South Bend to win the division before the last day of the season caused them to pitch their two best starters in the last two games meaning neither will be ready for game one or two of the series. Keeping this in mind I predict Evansville in six games as the difference in their rotation from one to four is not as far as a drop in talent as it is for their opponent.
Twisters in SIX

[HerbD]

For Evansville and South Bend all attention is on the Heartland Series.
For the other ten teams in the Heartland Baseball League it's all about
free agency and the ammy draft. Today we will preview the top ten 1984
draft prospects.


1. SP Bruce McIntyre(MINN)
A two time Pitcher of the Year with the Golden Gophers, McIntyre posted a
very impressive college career winning 34 of his 79 starts while piling up
567 innings. His strikeout to walk ration is a very impressive 8/1 over
four seasons. He is considered a great leader with a high work ethic so
he should only get better while making those around him better.


2. SP Gerald Humphrey(PUR)
Humprhey posted a four year ERA of 2.00 for the Boilers while winning 31
of his 75 starts. He has a 4/1 strikeout to walk ratio in almost 500 innings
of work. He is a natural leader who performs well under pressure as he
did during his two no-hitters while in college.


3. OF Joe Sullivan
Finished his four year college career as the Big 12 leader in hits, total bases,
RBI, runs scored, and steals and could be a straight to the majors draft
pick. He's a very intelligent player who doesn't hit for great average but
drew 189 walks in 302 career games to make up for it.


4. OF Gustavo Flores(EVHS)
Flores had a very productive four years at Evansville High School driving
in 227 runs in 236 games. He has been accepted to Harvard so you know
he's smart but he also works hard at improving his game. He had 159
extra base hits to go with his 77 steals and .358 batting average and
should be the first high school player off the board.


5. SP Erwin Berbasa(OHST)
Berbasa knows where the plate is. He surrendered just 37 bases on balls
in 485 innings while at Ohio State pushing his strikeout to walk ratio to an
amazing 16/1. He actually gave up 10 more homers over his college career
than he did walks. If a team can get him to use his amazing control to
paint the corners then he could be end up being the best player in this draft.


6. OF Boyd Pearson(CANHS)
Pearson struck out just 56 times in 187 high school games while drawing 74
bases on balls and smacking 89 extra base hits. He really hit his stride as
a senior batting almost .400 while racking up 46 extra base hits including 29
doubles. He gets caught stealing way too often but the scouts say he's
smart enough to learn from professional coaches to improve all aspects
of his game.


7. SP Michael DeGroot(IU)
DeGroot may not have the flashy stats that the other college pitchers have
but he's a proven winner. He lowered his ERA by at least 1/3 of a run
every season while at Indiana and managed to finsih his career at .500
(20-20) for a school that finished 42 games under .500 during his career.
He's very intelligent and knows how to get his teammates up for every
game.


8. OF Bill Lamb(IOW)
Iowa always seems to have a position player drafted high and this year Lamb is
their guy. A two year starter he drove in 102 runs in just 143 games while
scoring 96. Injuries limited him to just 50 games his senior but he drove
in 45 runs and stole 21 bases in those games making him highly productive.


9. 1B Lucio Silva(ROCHS)
The 1983 HS Batter of the Year was hampered by a back injury his senior
season but still managed to hit over .400 with 31 extra base hits in 51
games. For his career he's a .433 hitter with 107 extra base hits but his
defense is a big enough liability that any team will have to think twice about
drafting him high.


10. 3B Tom Morris(JCHS)
This guy just produces. The 1984 HS Batter of the Year slugged 21 homers
and knocked in 75 runs in 60 games. He also drew 75 bases on balls rarley
getting anything good to hit. He finished his four year high school career
with 157 RBI, 154 runs scored, and 155 BB giving him a four year OB%
near .550. 37 errors at 3B make defense a real concern for him.

[Mr. Baseball]

September 20th, 1984

Throughout the Heartland Baseball League, fifty-seven players will be filing for free agency following the conclusion of the 1984 season. Some of those players will have a difficult time obtaining a job anywhere, while others will have every GM in the league trying to reel them in with dollars at the end of a fishing line. It's that time of year again -- time to preview the upcoming class of free agents!


SS Bobby Bergeron

After six seasons with Cedar Rapids, the legendary power-hitting shortstop has yet to be signed to an extension with the Rebels, refusing to negotiate new terms during the regular season. Given the opportunity to test free agency, Bergeron could justifiably be regarded as the best freelancer the HBL has seen in years! Bergeron finished the 1984 season with 36 home runs, enough for second in the North League, but a distant mile from Kelvin Green's 51 bombs for Popular Bluff. Bobby will be turning 32 years-old shortly, and still has a decent amount of speed to go along with an impressive glove, which has warranted him two Top Fielder Awards in 1980 and 1982. Though his specific contract demands are unknown, the slugger hasn't historically gained a reputation as a greedy player.


OF Nick Barnstaple

Barnstaple is going to be a HUGE gamble for any team looking to acquire his services in 1985. Despite being known for his electric bat, Barnstaple missed virtually the entire 1984 season after sustaining a torn back in spring training, resulting in just 37 AB's on the year. Being known for his greed, Nick signed the 9th largest contract in the HBL back in 1982 with Duluth, and will likely be pursuing similar compensation this off-season aswell. Though nobody questions his work ethic, it's important to remember that Barnstaple will turn 36 late next year, and there is no telling the impact his latest injury will have on his production. Whoever takes a risk on this kid, prepare for buyers remorse!


CL Gary Martin

Some people view the saves statistic as irrelevant and a poor indication of ability. If you're one of those people, maybe you don't place much emphasis on the fact that Gary Martin finished second in the HBL in saves last season, closing out 34 games for the Dawgs. If you're one of those people, or anyone for that matter, maybe you're turned off by the reality that Martin posted a borderline pathetic 1.47 WHIP last year. However, no matter who you are, it cannot be denied that he has ranked among the most effective relievers in the league on a year-to-year basis since 1978. Having completed four seasons with an ERA resting below 3.00, the 31 year-old closer has posted a career 3.09 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and .234 BAA in 355.2 innings.


C Doug Sullivan

Despite one of the best seasons among HBL catchers in 1984, Sullivan has failed to display consistency in his career, having not truly broken out until now. Nevertheless, the catching position is always thin, and Sullivan should be a viable upgrade for at least half of the clubs in the league. The kid is 28 years-old now, and completed the year with a .304/.346/.566 clip as the starting catcher for the League Champion Twisters. If you're looking for a player that is going to keep runners off the base-paths, you'll need to look elsewhere with just a 25.9 CS% in 1984 from Sullivan in 77 attempts. In summary, his glove is nothing to write home about, his speed is nonexistent, and his power has gradually been increasing the past few seasons.

[HerbD]

Game 1

A Sam Shelton three run homer in the top of the first put the Silver Sox firmly in front of the Twisters early. Evansville starter Jose Garcia also gave up a two run single to Joe Jackson virtually putting the game out of reach. Doug Sullivan and Dave Downing would later homer for the Twisters but the South Bend closer, Bill Davis, retired the last three batters to record the save and put the Silver Sox up 1-0 in the series. Walt Dundee gave up five runs in eight innings but still managed to get the victory.

POG: Sam Shelton(1-4, RS, 3RBI, HR)
South Bend leads series 1-0


Game 2


Steven Evans put the Silver Sox on the board early again with a lead off homer in the top of the first but South Bend ace Sislau Nicolescue walked in a run in the bottom of the third before giving up a grand slam to Evansville outfielder Robinson Velazquez pushing the Twisters in front 6-2. Aaron Kline got the win for Evansville and Walt Adams recorded the save while Nicolescu lasted only 2 1/3 innings and was pegged with the loss.

POG: Robinson Velazquez(1-4, Grand Slam)
Series Tied 1-1

Game 3


This time Evansville jumped out to an early lead scoring two runs in the top of the first inning off of South Bend's Tommy Shelton, the North League ERA leader. Doug Sullivan hit his second homer of the series to put the game out of reach in the fifth inning and starter Jesus Deleon pitched seven strong innings for the win. Francisco Murillo pitched two scoreless innings to preserve the win and get the save.

POG: Doug Sullivan(2-4, RS, 2 RBI, HR)
Evansville leads series 2-1

Game 4


South Bend starter Walt Dundee gave up eight runs in just 2 1/3 innings and the Silver Stars never recovered losing 11-3. 42 year old Chris Numbers, a mid-season free agent pickup, pitched 3 1/3 stron innings of relief for the win after starter Butch Oliver left in the fourth with a sprained ankle. Twisters' leadoff man Brian Jackson slapped four hits including two homers while Robinson Velazquez had two hits of his own.

POG: Brian Jackson(4-5, RS, 2 RBI, 2B)
Evansville leads series 3-1

Game 5


Any hope of extending the Heartland Series another game was crushed with three South Bend errors responsible for five unearned runs in an 8-4 Championship clinching win for the Twisters. Evansville ace Jose Garcia made up for a bad game one with a solid start giving up three earned runs in five innings for the win. The Evansville bullpen pitched four innings giveing up just one run and Francisco Murillo recorded his second save of the series. Sislau Nicolescue took the tough loss giving up four runs, only two earned, in five innings. Carson Stephenson had three hits for the winners and Robinson Velazquez and Paul Frey added two each.

POG: Paul Frey(2-5, RS, 2 RBI, 2B)
Evansville wins series 4-1

1984 Heartland Series MVP

Evansville OF Brian Jackson
(.353/.522/.765, 8 RS, 3 RBI, 2B, 2 HR, 6 BB)

[HerbD]

Hitter of the Year

1B Kelvin Green(PB)
.271/.350/.605, 15 2B, 4 3B, 51 HR, 87 RS, 142 RBI

The Predators finished dead last in the South League, a whopping 31 games behind the Twisters but this award is not called MVP, it's Hitter of the Year and noone can argue that Kelvin Green wasn't that. He demolished the Heartland Baseball League single season marks for homers(51) and RBI(142) in a single season despite playing for an awful Poplar Bluff squad. Green ran away with this award garnering nine of eleven first place votes for 59 points.

Pitcher of the Year

Edward Roberts(JEC)
18-7, 2.77 ERA, 233.2 IP, 167 K, 1.06 WHiP

Pitching for his fourth different team in four seasons, 33 year old Edward Roberts may have finally found a home in Jefferson City. Roberts, a 19 game loser just two seasons ago with this same Jackalopes squad, won the South Pitcher of the Year award setting franchise marks for wins(18), ERA(2.77), and win%(.720) helping Jefferson City push Evansville for the South Title through the final week of the season. "When Zane Carver went down on opening day I think the whole South League not only decided that any team could win this league, but any pitcher could now win this award," Roberts said when told of his honor. The Jackalopes hadn't posted a winning season since 1979 and surprised many by leading the league for much of 1984.

Rookie of the Year

1B Mike Church(JEC)
.304/.348/.614, 43 2B, 4 3B, 36 HR, 89 RS, 96 RBI

In a lot of seasons Mike Church would have been Hitter of the Year, just not this season. The 25 year old Jefferson City rookie burst onto the scene by setting franchise records for SLG%(.614), OPS(.962), Total Bases(315), doubles(43), homers(36), and RBI(96) but finished behind both Kelvin Green and Doug Sullivan for Hitter of the Year. His consolation prize is the South Rookie of the Year award in which he received all 11 first place votes. Church had hit just 39 homers in three seasons at the University of Illinois and 14 in three minor league seasons leading up to his breakout 1984 season.

Reliever of the Year

Ronald Waddell(CAN)
8 W, 2 Saves, 82.1 IP, 2.84 ERA, 1.07 WHiP, 72 K

Waddell pitched so well in relief in 1984 that he eventually made his way into the Canton rotation and will get a chance to start the 1985 season there. In 82.1 innings of relief he posted a 2.84 ERA and 1.07 WHiP while winning eight games and saving two. The 26 year old took six of eleven first place votes beating out Jefferson City closer Hilton Williamson for the award.

[progen]

Nice job Herb! Tremendous detail and really enjoy reading the breakdown of the players. Fun to follow for sure!

Randy

[HerbD]

Hitter of the Year

Don Conrad(ROC)
.334/.379/.626, 36 2B, 8 3B, 34 HR, 85 RS, 140 RBI

It's no surprise that Conrad put up Hitter of the Year numbers. The surprise is that he was on the field long enough to put up Hitter of the Year numbers. Always talented, the 32 year old Rochester firstbaseman was out for four months after a back injury in April of 1981 and hasn't been 100% until this season. His 140 RBI set a North League mark only surpassed by Poplar Bluff's Kelvin Green for the Heartland Baseball League record of 142.

Pitcher of the Year

Sislau Nicolascu(SB)
18-9, 206.1 IP, 2.92 ERA, 1.07 WHiP

The 42 year old Nicolascu finally found a home in South Bend and led the Silver Sox pitching staff to the Heartland Baseball League Championship in the process. The journeyman pitcher won a career high 18 games with a career best 2.92 ERA and ran away with the North Pitcher of the Year award by receiving seven of 11 first place votes.

Rookie of the Year

Bill Wall(CR)
.300/.337/.450, 20 2B, 4 3B, 10 HR, 59 RS, 58 RBI, 34 SB, 387 AB

The closest voting came from the North League Rookie of the Year voting where Cedar Rapids OF Bill Wall edged preseason favorite Jason Roberts of Bay City by just seven points. Wall received eight of the eleven first place votes with Roberts getting the other three. This award is somewhat controversial if you consider that Roberts beat Wall in most of the accumulative stats while posting 41 more at bats. Wall bested Roberts in three of the four slash line stats. On a team level the Lake Monsters won three more games than the Rebels.

Reliever of the Year

Bakhitar Davis(DUL)
4 W, 29 Saves, 56.1 IP, 0.64 ERA, 0.83 WHiP, 68 K, 3 BS

Davis was virtually unhittable as the Duluth Danger closer in 1984 allowing just four earned runs in 56.1 IP while compiling 24 or more saves in a season for the fifth time in his career and earning his third Reliever of the Year award. Pitching for a last place team Davis had only three blown saves all season and literally kept the ball in the park allowing no homers while striking out 68. He received 10 of 11 first place votes and won the award by a staggering 32 points over Bay City's Bryan Williams.

[HerbD]

It's that time of year again. Corn is being popped, dogs are getting hot, and baseball is back. Even an opening day loss couldn't damper the spirits in Evansville as the Twisters handed out Heartland Series rings and raised their 1984 Heartland Baseball League Championship Flag. The Twisters would lose on this night and the next but would win 18 of the next 24 to finish April with the best record in the HBL. In the North it is a surprising Duluth squad who finished the opening month of the season atop the standings with a 17-9 record and a slim 1.5 game lead over Oshkosh. The Danger have not finished any HBL season higher than third and haven't finished a season over .500 since 1980.




April 1985


POM: Butch Oliver(EVA) 6-0, 44.2 IP, 24 K, 2.82 ERA
BOM: Matt Stover(EVA) .346 BA, 9 HR, 24 RBI, 19 RS
ROM: John Winters(SPR) .257 BA, 5 HR, 19 RBI




POM: Steven Hembrow(DUL) 5-2, 48.1 IP, 40 K, 2.23 ERA
BOM: Joe Jackson(SB) .327 BA, 5 HR, 19 RBI, 25 RS, 16 BB, 18 SB
ROM: Avery Wood(OSH) .381 BA, 9 SB, 9 RBI

News & Notes from April 1985
-Springfield OF Russ Moleyns has a hit in 24 of his team's first 25 games including a 20 game hitting streak that dated back to the end of 1984.
-Oshkosh OF Batolo Salcido slammed three homers in an 11-7 win at Rochester on April 16
-Lee Wilson of Duluth pitched a five hit shutout at Cedar Rapids on April 15
-Melvin Shields(DUL) and Daneil Gordon(ROC) each had 5-5 games in April

Key Injuries
South Bend Silver Sox: SP Sislau Nicolescu was injured while pitching. The Diagnosis: partially torn labrum. He's expected to miss about 2 months
Dayton Dawgs: SP José Aguilar was injured while pitching. The Diagnosis: torn meniscus (knee). He's expected to miss about 6-7 weeks
Canton Kernels: CL Dave Ladd was injured while pitching. The Diagnosis: torn UCL (Tommy John surgery). He's expected to miss about 13-14 months
Bay City Lake Monsters: 2B Jason Harrison was injured in a collision at a base. The Diagnosis: torn thumb ligament. He's expected to miss about 6 weeks
Bay City Lake Monsters: SP Lee Franklin was injured while pitching. The Diagnosis: torn rotator cuff. He's expected to miss about 13 months

[HerbD]

As May comes to an end it's already "wait until next year" for teams like Dayton, Poplar Bluff, and Cedar Rapids while other teams still hold out hope for making a run at the top spot. Springfield's youth movement has then a few years ahead of schedule fighting defending HBL Champion Evansville and 1983 South Champion Canton for a spot in the Heartland Series. In the North Duluth continues to surprise everyone but will a season ending injury to the HBL's best closer spell doom for the Danger?




POM: Lee Wilson(DUL) 7 GS, 6-0, 2.53 ERA, 53.1 IP, 41 K
HOM: Rob Clemons(OSH) .349, 9 2B, 7 HR, 25 RBI, 17 RS, 12 BB
ROM: David Rubio(ROC) .333, 5 HR, 10 RBI, 13 RS, 8 BB





POM: Robbie Tyler(SPR) 13 G, 2-0, 10 SVS, 0.00 ERA, 14 IP, 15 K
HOM: John Winters(SPR) .330, 7 2B, 5 3B, 6 HR, 28 RBI, 21 RS, 8 BB
ROM: John Winters(SPR) .330, 7 2B, 5 3B, 6 HR, 28 RBI, 21 RS, 8 BB

News & Notes
-There were eight shut outs in May including a spectacular one hitter by Bay City's Aaron Johnson in a 2-0 win over Cedar Rapids on May 18th.
-Four players had five hit games in May including Duluth's Preston Richards and Mike Young in the same game, an 18-5 smashing of Rochester on May 14th. The Danger would finish the game with 26 hits and 8 bases on balls.
-Ray Gray hit three dingers in an 8-7, 15 inning victory over Duluth on May 8th.
-Canton's Elton Cantwell had his 20 game hitting streak snapped on May 12th by Bay City.
-Springfield rookie John Winters finished the first two months of the season with 10 triples. The record for triples in a single season is 12 done three times.

Key Injuries
-RP Jesus Gonzales(PB) will miss 6 months with a torn UCL
-OF Bryant Parsons(DUL) will miss 6 weeks with a torn ab muscle
-SS Enrique Ortiz(SB) will miss 6 weeks with an oblique strain
-OF Robinson Velazquez(EVA) will miss 4 months with post concussion syndrome
-CL Bakhtiyar Davis(DUL) will miss 5 months with a torn rotator cuff
-SS Benny Hubbard(BC) will miss 6 weeks with a strained groin
-OF Vernon Hall(BC) will miss 5 weeks with a sprained thumb

[HerbD]

The surprising Duluth Danger continue to lead the North League although their lead was cut in half during the month of June while the defending Heartland League Champion Evansville Twisters hold a slim one game lead over Canton and Springfield entering July.




POM: Dennis Miller(ROC) 3-1, 2.08 ERA, 47.2 IP, 24 K
HOM: Steven Evans(SB) .386 BA, 6 2B, 4 3B, HR, 24 RBI, 21 RS, 8 BB
ROM: Justin Mullen(CR) .296 BA, 3 2B, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 12 RS, 5 BB




POM: Robbie Andrews(DAY) 4-1, 1.61 ERA, 44.2 IP, 26 K
HOM: Mike Larson(DAY) .303 BA, 3 2B, 3 3B, 9 HR, 23 RBI, 21 RS, 7 BB
ROM: John Winters(SPR) .352 BA, 8 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 15 RBI, 21 RS, 10 BB

June News & Notes
-Aaron Kline of Evansville pitched the only shutout of the month allowing just five hits to Rochester on June 9.
-Joe Jackson(SB) & Melvin Shields(DUL) each slapped five hits in seperate games on June 18th.
-Russ Moleyns(SPR) had his 20 game hit streak snapped by Dayton on June 23.

Key Injuries
-SS Ray Gray(DAY) will miss 6 weeks with a strained groin
-RP Gary Martin(BC) will miss 12 months with a torn UCL
-OF Jason Roberts(BC) will miss 3 months with a strained ACL
-C Matt Bryant(JEC) will miss 3 weeks with a fractured rib
-OF Vernon Hall(BC) will miss 5 weeks with a sprained thumb

[HerbD]

With just a three game lead heading into July Duluth was in prime position to fold and give the North League up to Oshkosh or South Bend. Instead the Danger put on their big boy pants and went 18-9 stretching their lead to a whopping 11 games over the Outlaws with just 36 left to play. The South has been a soggy mess the entire month of July with more teams(4) in the hunt than out of it come the All-Star Break. When the smoke cleared Springfield emerged with a three game lead but four teams are still within four games of each other as we head down the stretch.




POM: Logan Gleeson(DUL) 4-1, 4.01 ERA, 42.2 IP, 37 K
HOM: John Newman(DUL) .379 BA, 7 2B, 3B, 10 HR, 29 RBI, 24 RS, 8 BB
ROM: David Rubio(ROC) .307 BA, 2 2B, 4 HR, 12 RBI, 8 RS, 8 BB




POM: Miroslaw Bielejewski(SPR) 4-0, 3.52 ERA, 15.1 IP, 14 K
HOM: Mike Church(JEC) .411 BA, 4 2B, 10 HR, 26 RBI, 20 RS, 8 BB
ROM: John Winters(SPR) .374 BA, 2 2B, 5 3B, 7 HR, 25 RBI, 25 RS, 11 BB

July News & Notes
-Four different players had five hit games in July including the Predators Darrell Moon and Arthie Gunther who did it in the same game on July 25
-There were five complete game shutouts in July including a three hit, no walk effort by Rochester's Dave Gardner on July 23

Key Injuries
-CL Robbie Tyler(SPR) will miss 2 weeks with an oblique strain
-OF Pat Turner(ROC) will miss 5 months with a fractured ankle
-OF Joe Jackson(SB) will miss 4 weeks with a herniated disk
-C Anibal Cortes(OSH) will miss 4 weeks with a strained rib muscle