Cyber Baseball Association Press Archives

It's stunning....Staub has not had a winner in the Finals since well, 2005 and Dennis Concepcion's Longue Pointe team won it all. The reigning champ Fidler is back. He is CBA's best, back for 3rd time in 4 years. Concepcion, a playoff perennial, didn't make it last year to the playoffs, but sure has the year in grand style. He swept the extraordinary San Diego Surf team. Both Indiana and LP were underdogs to two of CBA's greatest teams of all time. Both Conference teams beat the giant teams to help advance. Now they meet. Indiana just plain outslugs you, Longue Pointe just keeps you off the bases and runners from moving....Two contrasting Strat philosophies will square off. The games should be well attended just to see what the next CBA STrategy trend will be....Will it be good pitching with lots of K's and defense. A team that hit and runs you to death and steals at will? or will it be the ARoid, Pujols, Hamilton, Pence, Sizemore, reyes show?

For LP it was all pitching and unlikely heros. For Indy Pence, Sizemore and ARod. Lets look and see who they are...

Indiana was originally the expansion Houston Aeros, a last place team that was extremely fortunate to have won the 1st over expansion pick when 4 teams were broken up. ARod was originally on the Chris Boutin led Quebec Capitales. He was the first expoansion pick in 2003 by Chris Thomas' Houston club. He then drafted Albert Pujols with the first regular draft pick that year. There was the nucleus. Jose Reyes came over in a trade 3 seasons ago from San Diego, while OSwalt was an orinal draftee. Last year, Indiana acquired B. Wagner, C. Ruiz, K. Griffey, Jr in a major trade with Southwest for A. Ethier, Indiana's #1(09), #4(09), #5(09), #6(09). They got Loney from Kennesaw as well at about the same time for a #2 and Mientkiewicz. They got J Garland from Kennesaw as well in 2008. Posada came in July of 2007 for D Riske, Kaz Matsui and a 2,6 pick. Polanco came in from Philly for Brad Hawpe. Many good trades and some not as good. But always looking to improve. Indy traded picks, acquired, shuffled, drafted and built. Looking out of the picture in themid season they staged one of CBA's remarkable comebacks winning 41-17 to gain a last day wildcard, and now back in the finals after Fidler threw in the "Towel".

Longue Pointe has made a few trades mostly has built through drafting. The team, unlike 2005 is mostly of Concepcion's design. He drafts for bench reserve and defense. He drafts for talent, he drafts for good cards, he drafts to win with balance. He drafts strikeout artists, he drafts well. He acquired great draft pieces starting when he took guys like Richie Sexson at the end of rd 1 in 2005. Jason Varitek came in 2006 for Jason Kendall. 05 WS hero Torii Hunter came in 2005 for AJ Burnett and a #1. Dennis moved guys like Nomar Garciaparra a longue time favorite in Quebec, bringing in players like Aramis Ramirez, drafted some like pen guys CJ Wilson, Balfour, Marte, Seanez, Kiko Calero, Brain Fuentes, and even drafted more guys for the staff and who got outs, K's and stopped runners from moving. But Concepcion has thrived in the draft. After raising some eyebrows, whose wondering now? He drafted a minor league pick like Tim Lincecum in rd 1. He took Hideki Matsui in rd 1 too. Ryan Dempster another. He took Ryan Theriot in a later round. LP is well known for super sub scrubs. Each year he has his overachieving mutant cards. In 2005, it was Brian Jordan hitting .400. This year its Cliff Floyd, and Lou Montanez, otherwise guys like Gabe Gross, Kotchmann, Iguchi, new heros with small names. Remember Miracle Mirabelli?

Its gonna be a Jailbreak...Who will attend?

The Longue-Pointe Loggers swept the San Diego Surf four straight to win their second Staub Conference Pennant.

Like their series against Glenn Kenan's wildcard Ohio Thundercats, the Loggers faced a formidable foe

with Joe Wallace's Carter Division champions. This series was highlighted by many dramatic moments,

especially about a half dozen plays at the plate. Two of those occurred improbably as the Surf's final 2 outs

in an excruciating Game 3 finish as Torii Hunter and then Ichiro Suzuki nailed consecutive potential tying runs David Wright and Howie Kendrick respectively to end the game.

Here is that boxscore with the corrected PBP.

The clincher will be in a separate mailing.

BOXSCORE: 2009 San Diego Surf At 2009 Longue Pointe Loggers 10/15/2009

Staub Championship Series Game 3

Surf               AB R H RBI AVG     Loggers            AB R H RBI AVG
S.Victorino CF      4 0 0 0 .256     I.Suzuki RF         5 1 4 0 .478
C.Guzman SS         3 1 1 0 .333     R.Theriot SS        5 0 2 0 .244
A-T.Teagarden PH      1 0 0 0 .000     A.Ramirez 3B        4 2 1 0 .205
B-E.Renteria SS       0 0 0 0 .333     C.Floyd 1B          4 0 2 2 .452
M.Ramirez LF        4 0 0 0 .433   C-C.Kotchman 1B       0 0 0 0 .182
B.McCann C          4 0 1 1 .303     G.Gross LF          3 0 0 0 .219
K.Youkilis 1B       3 0 1 0 .306   G-N.Morgan LF         0 0 0 01.000
J.Dye RF            4 1 1 1 .231     T.Hunter CF         3 0 0 0 .357
D.Wright 3B         3 0 1 0 .147     G.Laird C           4 0 2 0 .219
H.Kendrick 2B       4 0 2 0 .394   D-J.Varitek C         0 0 0 0 .000
J.Peavy P           2 0 1 0 .250     T.Iguchi 2B         3 0 0 0 .118
E-R.Cano PH           0 0 0 0 .333     T.Lincecum P        4 0 0 0 .125
F-J.Bruce PH          1 0 1 0 .250     D.Marte P           0 0 0 0 .000
                                          G.Balfour P         0 0 0 0 ----
                     -- -- -- ---                            -- -- -- ---
         Totals      33 2 9 2                 Totals      35 3 11 2

A-Pinch Hit For Guzman In 7th Inning
B-Subbed Defensively (SS) For Teagarden In 7th Inning
C-Subbed Defensively (1B) For Floyd In 9th Inning
D-Subbed Defensively (C ) For Laird In 9th Inning
E-Pinch Hit For Peavy In 9th Inning
F-Pinch Hit For Cano In 9th Inning
G-Subbed Defensively (LF) For Gross In 9th Inning

Surf............ 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 - 2 9 1
Loggers......... 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0    - 3 11 0

Surf (4-5)               IP       H   R ER BB SO HR    ERA SCORESHEET
J.Peavy LOSS(1-1)         8      11   3   2   4   7   0   1.93 A1
Totals                    8      11   3   2   4   7   0

Loggers (9-2)            IP       H   R ER BB SO HR    ERA SCORESHEET
T.Lincecum WIN(2-0)       8 1/3   7   2   2   2 13   1   1.90 A1 D7
D.Marte HOLD(2nd)         0 1/3   1   0   0   0   0   0   0.00 D8 D8
G.Balfour SAVE(1st)       0 1/3   1   0   0   0   0   0   0.00 D9
Totals                    9       9   2   2   2 13   1

ATTENDANCE- 55,152 DATE- Thursday, October 15th 2009 TIME- Night WEATHER- Bad
UMPIRES- Ed Rapuano, Tim Welke, Larry Poncino, Dan Noonan
T- 3:15
LEFT ON BASE- Surf: 7 Loggers:12
DOUBLE PLAYS- Surf: 0 Loggers: 0
ERRORS- C.Guzman
DOUBLES- C.Guzman(2nd), B.McCann(3rd), C.Floyd(2nd)
HOME RUNS- J.Dye(2nd)
STOLEN BASES- D.Wright(2nd)
SACRIFICE HITS- J.Peavy
WALKS- K.Youkilis, D.Wright, A.Ramirez, G.Gross, T.Hunter, T.Iguchi
STRIKE OUTS- S.Victorino, C.Guzman-2, T.Teagarden, M.Ramirez-2, K.Youkilis,
             J.Dye-2, D.Wright-2, H.Kendrick, J.Peavy, A.Ramirez, C.Floyd-2,
             G.Gross, G.Laird, T.Lincecum-2
WILD PITCHES- T.Lincecum

Tim Lincecum racked up an impressive total of 13 strikeouts and Cliff Floyd
had 2 base hits and 2 RBI as the Longue Pointe Loggers outscored the San
Diego Surf 3 to 2.

Lincecum(2-0) looked very much in control throughout the night. He allowed
just 7 hits and 2 walks in 8 and 1/3 innings. San Diego made it exciting in
the 9th, but they were unable to push the needed runs across.

Lincecum got help from Grant Balfour who earned his 1st save. Jake Peavy(1-1)
was given the loss. He was hit hard and gave up 11 hits and 4 walks in 8
innings.

When asked about his strikeout total for the game, Lincecum offered, 'The
fan's really got into it. It is fun to see them tally up the strikeout
totals up there in the stands. Fortunately, I kept them busy tonight - of
course, it would be all for naught without the 'W'.'

Indiana defeats Southwest Lizard Kings for their 3rd Clemente title in 4 years.....Took 4 games to 1.

Well first of all I want to thank Eric for playing a good series and congratulate him on his great season. The Red Birds won games 1 and 2 again on the road and came home where they would lose game 3 once again this time 6-4. Then in Game 4 their bats came alive and built a 9-0 lead for Roy Oswalt who then got tired in the 7th inning and the final ended up 9-2. Game 5 was one for the classics as it ended up 2-1 as Indiana took the lead 1-0 in the 3rd inning when Polanco scored on a base hit by Reyes. Southwest managed to tie it up at 1-1 on a wild pitch with Either on 3rd he came in to score. Southwest got a runner on in the top of the 9th and Billy Wagner came in to try and stop the rally and he did as he struck out all 3 batters he faced. So the game was tied up at 1-1 in the both of the 9th with not the real A-Rod leading off but Indiana's A-Rod and he hit a 2-4 no doubter HR to send the Red Birds to the series for the 3rd time in 4 yrs. We want to once again thank Marc and Eric for playing great series. The only other thing I want to add which I got a chuckle out of when Eric IM me on it as he said I thought the road to the World Series was going through Brooklyn didn't think it would be Indiana. And at the start of the playoffs I would agree with him and I still do agree as my road to the World Series started in Brooklyn and now it has went through the Southwest part of California now we are just waiting on to see who our opponent as will we stay in California or will we have to go back to Brooklyn once again.

__._,_.___

@AP Newswire Date: Oct. 14, 2009

LOCAL INVESTIGATORS SEEK ANSWERS!

Arcane wording discovered scrawled upon a napkin in local steak house outside Indiana's Ballpark has raised concerns that a killer may be on the loose. It reads:

In the mighty halls of the CBA
there are only two things of certainty,
The future's uncertain, and THE END is always near!

Wow, I'm sick of doubt
Live in the light of certain
South side
Cruel bindings.

The Redbirds have the power
Dog-men and their mean women
Pulling poor blankets over
Our players

I'm sick of dour faces
Staring at me from the executive
Suites, i want roses in
My bullpen bower; dig?

Royal doubles, hard hit singles
Must now replace aborted
Strangers in the mud
These mutants, blood-meal
For the pitcher that's plowed.

They are waiting to take us into
The severed garden
Do you know how pale and wanton thrillful
Comes death on a strange hour
Unannounced, unplanned for
Like a scaring over-friendly guest you've
Brought to bed

Defeat makes angels of us all
And gives us wings
Where we had shoulders
Smooth as raven's
Claws

No more money, no more fancy uniforms
This other kingdom seems by far the best
Until it's other jaw reveals incest
And loose obedience to a REDBIRD law.

I will not go
Prefer a feast of friends
A lie she cried
Spread out against the sky
Like a patient etherized upon a marble slab
To the giant REDBIRD she spoke

I will not go, I will not go
Have I not wandered your streets of yellow haze?
And pitchers come and go
Speaking of Joe DiMaggio

I have measured out my life
In balls, strikes and cheap hot dogs
Am I not Lazarus raised from the dead?
Come back to tell you
To tell you all

THE END

Local officials and police detectives are puzzled by the cryptic verbiage and its meaning. Rumors that the much awaited contest between the Lizard Kings and the Rebirds will be tomorrow night at 5pm Pacific/8pm EST may be related to the arcane scriblings. Rob Fidler is reportedly suffering from massive migranes in anticipation of the bloody series and has been cleared of any ill-doings. However, maverick owner, Eric Lindner, has been heavily sedated and locked securely in a local sanitarium after being found in a darken alley with steak sauce smeared all over his vomit covered t-shirt.

The end is most certainly near for one of these vaunted warriors of the CBA.

Report filed by Bernard Shakey
Minister of Propaganda and Ticket Sales

LEAGUE STANDINGS FOR 2009 C.B.A. Playoff WON LOST PCT GB MAGIC# 2009 Indiana IRM 4 1 .800 ---- 157 2009 San Diego SSC 4 2 .667 .5 2009 Longue Pointe LLD 4 2 .667 .5 2009 Southwest SLM 4 3 .571 1.0 2009 Philly PPS 3 4 .429 2.0 2009 Ohio OTR 2 4 .333 2.5 2009 Belfast BBD 2 4 .333 2.5 2009 Brooklyn BSP 1 4 .200 3.0

Forbes: Lizard Kings greatest sports-biz turnaround

By Craven Moorhead, Forbes Magazine, October 16, 7:38 pm EDT

The Southwest Lizard Kings are currently facing off against the Indiana Redbirds in the Clemente Conference finals. The Lizard Kings led the league in attendance this season, and the four millionth fan recently passed through the turnstiles at Morrison Memorial. On TV, Lizard King Baseball is scoring its best ratings ever. These are stunning developments given that just one year ago, the Lizard Kings were one of the saddest franchises in professional sports, having languished in the CBA’s basement for years.

“I am not familiar with this kind of massive turnaround that occurred in a blink of an eye,” says Willie Makeit, president of Sportscorp, a sports-business consultancy. “It’s arguably the most remarkable turnaround in the history of sports in the United States.”

It almost seems bizarre, but baseball fever has taken over Los Angeles. A Lizard Kings jersey recently adorned the Field Museum’s Dissemination of Knowledge statue; divers at the John G. Shedd Aquarium are donning Lizard King Jerseys during underwater presentations and the Picasso sculpture outside the Ronald Reagan Center has displayed a Lizard Kings batting helmet. The atmosphere in Los Angeles is electric, as the Lizard Kings, a team that had made the playoffs once in the previous 14 seasons, has advanced one step away from the CBA’s World Series, which the team last never won.

LEAGUE STANDINGS FOR 2009 C.B.A. Dawson WON LOST PCT GB MAGIC# 2009 Longue Pointe LLD 92 70 .568 ---- *WON* 2009 Belfast BBD 91 71 .562 1.0 2009 Limoilou LWD 86 76 .531 6.0 2009 Montreal MCD 56 106 .346 36.0 Rogers WON LOST PCT GB MAGIC# 2009 Ohio OTR 86 76 .531 ---- *WON* 2009 Maine MER 85 77 .525 1.0 2009 Allentown ANR 79 83 .488 7.0 2009 Kennesaw Mtn KWR 78 84 .481 8.0 Carter WON LOST PCT GB MAGIC# 2009 San Diego SSC 109 53 .673 ---- *WON* 2009 Skokie SWC 91 71 .562 18.0 2009 Joliet JJC 65 97 .401 44.0 2009 High Bridge HHC 54 108 .333 55.0 Schmidt WON LOST PCT GB MAGIC# 2009 Philly PPS 105 57 .648 ---- *WON* 2009 Ottawa OOS 78 84 .481 27.0 2009 Stirling SRS 77 85 .475 28.0 2009 Westminster WPS 29 133 .179 76.0 Monday WON LOST PCT GB MAGIC# 2009 Southwest SLM 96 66 .593 ---- *WON* 2009 Indiana IRM 94 68 .580 2.0 2009 Lake County LLM 93 69 .574 3.0 2009 Bryan KBM 74 88 .457 22.0 Parker WON LOST PCT GB MAGIC# 2009 Brooklyn BSP 108 54 .667 ---- *WON* 2009 Cooperstown CIP 94 68 .580 14.0 2009 Carolina CCP 88 74 .543 20.0 2009 Sunville SSP 36 126 .222 72.0 SC Wild Card Standings WON LOST PCT GB MAGIC# 2009 Skokie SWC 91 71 .562 ---- 1 2009 Belfast BBD 91 71 .562 ---- 2009 Limoilou LWD 86 76 .531 5.0 2009 Maine MER 85 77 .525 6.0 2009 Allentown ANR 79 83 .488 12.0 2009 Kennesaw Mtn KWR 78 84 .481 13.0 CC Wild Card Standings WON LOST PCT GB MAGIC# 2009 Indiana IRM 94 68 .580 ---- 1 2009 Cooperstown CIP 94 68 .580 ---- 2009 Lake County LLM 93 69 .574 1.0 2009 Carolina CCP 88 74 .543 6.0 2009 Ottawa OOS 78 84 .481 16.0 2009 Stirling SRS 77 85 .475 17.0 OVERALL RECORD Team WON LOST PCT HOME ROAD LEFT RIGHT EXTRA 1-RUN LAST 10 STREAK ANR 79 83 .488 40-41 39-42 30-25 49-58 12- 9 20-26 5-5 Won 1 BBD 91 71 .562 45-36 46-35 33-26 58-45 5- 4 37-22 7-3 Won 4 BSP 108 54 .667 59-22 49-32 36-21 72-33 8- 7 25-22 5-5 Won 1 CCP 88 74 .543 44-37 44-37 29-22 59-52 10- 3 20-19 6-4 Won 4 CIP 94 68 .580 45-36 49-32 21-22 73-46 7- 7 33-17 8-2 Lost 1 HHC 54 108 .333 28-53 26-55 21-25 33-83 9-11 21-26 1-9 Lost 1 IRM 94 68 .580 45-36 49-32 22-20 72-48 9- 9 28-24 8-2 Won 2 JJC 65 97 .401 37-44 28-53 23-24 42-73 5- 7 24-30 6-4 Won 1 KBM 74 88 .457 35-46 39-42 22-26 52-62 6-10 25-18 3-7 Lost 2 KWR 78 84 .481 38-43 40-41 25-23 53-61 13- 8 24-30 4-6 Lost 3 LLD 92 70 .568 42-39 50-31 27-24 65-46 9-12 30-27 7-3 Won 3 LLM 93 69 .574 45-36 48-33 30-25 63-44 10- 9 22-20 7-3 Won 5 LWD 86 76 .531 43-38 43-38 28-14 58-62 7-10 20-32 5-5 Lost 2 MCD 56 106 .346 28-53 28-53 18-29 38-77 7- 6 25-22 1-9 Lost 6 MER 85 77 .525 43-38 42-39 33-16 52-61 13- 9 34-22 7-3 Lost 1 OOS 78 84 .481 39-42 39-42 15-32 63-52 12- 5 21-20 5-5 Lost 1 OTR 86 76 .531 39-42 47-34 31-23 55-53 7- 9 38-22 5-5 Won 3 PPS 105 57 .648 50-31 55-26 29-12 76-45 5- 1 16-19 8-2 Won 1 SLM 96 66 .593 44-37 52-29 31-20 65-46 3- 9 20-18 2-8 Lost 7 SRS 77 85 .475 42-39 35-46 17-31 60-54 3- 7 18-26 6-4 Lost 1 SSC 109 53 .673 54-27 55-26 38-16 71-37 10- 6 18-22 9-1 Won 5 SSP 36 126 .222 21-60 15-66 6-42 30-84 7-12 16-31 1-9 Lost 7 SWC 91 71 .562 43-38 48-33 31-18 60-53 4-10 13-23 4-6 Lost 4 WPS 29 133 .179 20-61 9-72 7-41 22-92 6- 7 8-18 2-8 Won 1 TOTAL 1944 1944 .500

This is Skip Duckworth of The Red Bird Gazette and we are setting down with Marc Wasserman CBA commissioner, Wolrman Shapario and John Miller who together GM the Skokie Wolfmen to the World Series and Bob Fidler the GM of the 2008 CBA Champions Indiana Red Birds. Listed below of our interview and the next parts will come shortly:

I want to thank you first for taking time to be interview and I just have a few questions for you.

We know that you have done a lot in SOM world but was wondering if could share some of your accomplishments over the yrs.

I am proud of quite a few things in life and in Strat-o-matic. Been playing since 1976. Was introduced to the game by a science teacher in middle school. Cut out, and went to Manhattan to buy the game at Brentano's book store. Only place that carried it.

    I am pleased to run and organize a free Strat-o-matic web and game service for a group of North American based friends. I am most proud of the dedicated base of GM's that have mutually agreed to become part of an elite corps of Strat-o-matic fanatics. I and others have made friends and acquaintances through my efforts. It keeps me going to know that I have had a hand in creating some good friendships and bringing fun into peoples homes.

One accomplishment of them was assisting or organizing and founding the CBA with friends Gerald Benoit and Claude LeMarre. I thought it was a great idea. The original concept was to unite the web and old film/TV radio media with Strat-o-matic Baseball if you could believe. With it the great website complex was born and under Gerald's care. I took over that job as editor and content and Cory Light provides the hosting at his own expense. Can't thank him enough. As a league President since inception, I became commissioner and took this league over from Gerald who was commissioner after LeMarre resigned from that post to become a full time GM. The league fell into apathy and erratic scheduling. The was a wide discrepancy between top and bottom teams.   I was able to set a three year plan for CBA to reestablish new consistency and structure. As result people are enjoying themselves.

I founded and ran the first web magazine in the Strat-o-matic history before SOMWorld when I debuted the StratAlliance. The Goal was to provide a FREE information resource for the hard core Strat fanatic or StratoFanatico's as we called them. We enlisted over 150 leagues around the world in Basketball, Baseball, Hockey, Football. I offered the latest news, staff writers, chat room, bulletin board, Help wanted, For Trade, Leagues wanted, Tips and references charts. Rating previews, Card making with Bundy and a nice little contest that our winner would be able to contribute a sound file for the computer game. Still there you know. Great magazine and chart resource. At some points we had 700+ hits in a day. I took it down when I realized all my work wasn';t appreciated by the community the way I had hoped. A Pair of Guys started up another webmag and yet we had worked together briefly on moderating a new web forum but went our separate ways for various reasons. They continue to perform a service for the community whose best interests is my concern.

Our next question is that you and the Red Birds have battle for the top spot in the Parker division for the last 3 yrs do have anything to say about what that means to you?

The Redbirds... 2 championships, Brooklyn 1. Says it all. Better team than Brooklyn in 2008. Bob Fidler is a top shelf GM and a good person as well. I respect Bob's game strategies. I also think he is a good man. As a strat only thing, he is Brooklyn's rival of late in CBA. It was Hamilton, Tennessee, and Longue Pointe Lim and Quebec before 99. But Indiana and Brooklyn are so close that every game and error counts. There is a rivalry in the field. The games are slug fests. The lead changes hands in the title race a few times. Brooklyn has looked for ways to gain the edge and even the score. Because there is a score to be settled. John Stearns, Hugh Jennings and the boys from the House Of Pain never forgot the Redbirds rubbing in 30+ runs and a bunch of records in a playoff game two years ago...

As CBA commissioner also what do you think that the World Series meant to the league and SOM world as it was a legend versus a GM that is writing his own legend in just 3 yrs?

The CBA World Series of 2008 was an event. But I am going to be candid here. It pitted the two best teams against each other. It put three of our best GM's in 2008 against each other. John Miller played no small role here winning in the reg and playoffs. We hoped for a classic and got a good one. It ended on a peaceful note. The key word was perseverance. I will pull no punches, the playoffs were marred by poor schedule and file management, personality differences and connection issues. We had the pitch count issue which impacted files. It was discovered after games were played.   CBA Worked very hard to keep GM's together which disturbed me most. The tech issues are just part of the ride but guys had issues that halted our schedule. It was not in the best spirit of CBA. I expect differently next season. I expect GMs to be accountable to each other by keeping timely schedules. Netplay issues should have been rectified well in advance and there will be a league wide team Netplay check before we start the season. CBA would like to see a few more netplay games, but it will never be required except in playoffs. The World Series lustre will be restored in the stats but not in my commissioners experience.

Wolfman has proven to be a winner in CBA but the big game eludes him. Fidler and Hite bit him. I believe he will wheel and deal again and take another run. He has figured out how to stay ahead of the competition. Fidler has had some good runs and good luck along the way. He was lucky enough to inherit a core from the old Houston Aeros who grabbed A Rod, Oswalt, and Pujols in the expansion and free agent draft. Those guys are key. But that's all the Aeros really had. Fidler then made great deal after deal and having excellent drafts and built what could be labeled a CBA dynasty. With 3 good years he would need a few more to put himself into the ranks of Limoilou 3 WS wins, or Philly with 3. Those teams have by longevity, been in more playoffs. Longue Pointe 2 WS, Brooklyn 1 WS, have been in many playoff series. Both teams hold division titles, though Brooklyn has won the most perhaps of any team in CBA. Indiana now is within the ranks. Another win would tie him with Jeff Boutet's Limoilou Wendigo. It takes a great manager to win a Conference title. Especially in Parker this year with Carolina, Ottawa, Philly, Cooperstown, Stirling, and Lake making noise.

I want to thank you for your time and if you have anything to add as you put together another great team this yr and had a great season that you should be proud of.

Listen to the voice of the Brooklyn fan:

Marvis Redfalgot:
"Brooklyn fans love the Superbas they real mad crazy 'bout them. They throw the best parties. Ooh Pardon me. ohh. Hey, you know, our boys is great. They chrew a parade wit that ole Superba darlin Albert Belle." "You know the CBA Hall of Famer who slapped 3 woman in the face as a symbol of joy and good will".

Lydia Lumpkin: "Oh I remember right through Prospict Paaahrk. Yeeeah I 'memba. Yo these Brooklyns got heart let me tell ya."

Bevo DelChiara: Ahh manajjjja. In the playoffs ahhh they not a makit me proud. But wacha gundoo eh? ah   woh. "Whata you ballparka makit clams like it dat/ eh? Only Brooklyn   I like it POibas "

Cabbie Shetstayn Al-Faisal: ":i i i i you the hit the good. Yes. Baseball good. Brooklyn   you want me take you?"

Richard Johnson: "The Brooklyn team is consistanly dangerous. Always in every game. The pitching improved last year but the offense was down. Could be down more in 09 unless that Marc Wass signs or trades for some."

Dave Accetta: Brooklyn made some dumb trades. They traded Manny for that guy Byrnes who had alike a hemorrhoid or something all year and wont be playing in 09? What did they get for him / Huh? Scootch Meow?

Umpire Svooge Nybroutiv: " They know the strike zone and never argue calls. Their manager is a fine sportsman" They deserve to win.

Linda Wallace: That Ruben Gotay is so cute, I hope he stays with them. He reminds me of my favorite hunk Don Mossi"

Bill Hanrahan: They Superbas suck. They cant win the big games in the playoffs. Oh they got Casey Blake today? Oh, They'll finish ahead of the Redbuzzards. This year the Fiddler is gonna be on the roof...Jumping off.   bahahahaaaaa. Oh Sorry I didnt mean that, I dont wish him harm, no wait we'll beat his a** in Parker again like we did before..."

Rufus Smiff: "Your think Superbas are wacky, you crazy Gee. Perbas gonna own Parker, yeeeah, nah seriously" "They Pitching staff and X rating fielding ratings will keep them in a mess of games. With some good OBA in the lineup. Cabrera, Howard, Doumit, Phillips, Blake, they will score a few with decent OPS." Indy has to watch out.

Slappy Pimpernle: Brooklyn needs to get picks and draft well to be a success.

Skip Duckworth

Head Sports Writer

The Red Bird Gazette

Interview with Skokie Co GM John Miller

Hi John,

Skip Duckworth here from the Red Bird Gazette We like ask you a few questions:

What did you to you as SOM player to co-manage at team and help them to the World Series with a Legend like Wolf man Shapiro?

Hi Skip,

The Wolfman is the brains behind the operation. He taught me the ropes and how to prepare our roster to get the best out of our players against each opponent. I just didn't mess up too often.

Q) We understand that you are friends with the Red Bird Skipper Bob Fidler and he recommends you to the league what did this mean to you to be recommending to such a great league as the CBA?

A) As far as being recommended by Bob Fidler-he and I have been friends for about 10 years now and have competed in the NABL in the same division. We have met before in the playoffs and played many regular season games as well. We laugh about how close the games usually are. I appreciate the recommendation and like the different way the CBA competes compared to most leagues.



Q) Also what did feel when you had to manage the first two games; how did you feel knowing that you were facing a friend and that both of your teams were the top of your leagues?

A) I felt confident that I could beat Bob and was happy to send Skokie home with a split in games 1,2.

Q) We like to enlighten our readers on some you accomplishments in SOM.

A) I have played SOM for about 30 years and gave enjoyed baseball more than the other sports. I have won several championships in a face to face league that is now defunct. I've made the playoffs several times in the NABL, but never made it to the World Series.

Q) Now next yr you are going out on your own and building your team what is your feelings about that?

A) Building a team, trading, and drafting are as fun as playing so I'm looking forward to creating a new team.



I want to thank you for taking time for this interview and we want wish you good luck next season, do you have anymore to add.

Thanks Skip; good luck to you too.

Thanks again and this is Skip Duckworth for the Red Bird Gazette

Hi Wolfman this is Skip Duckworth of the Red Bird Gazette and I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions about yourself and the World Series.

I want to say this is large step for the Red Bird Gazette to interview a fellow manager in the CBA as we have never done this before and right off we want Thank You for taking your time to do this. We know it was a great World Series and it lived up to the hype it was given. And going 7 games made even better.

We know you are a legend in the Strat-O-Matic world of Baseball and I and our readers would like to know if you could share some of your accomplishments over the yrs in Strat-O-Matic.

Hi Skip, it is a pleasure to talk with you and thanks for asking your questions. Well primarily I became known as Wolfman Shapiro for my early day exploits back in the 1970's and 1980's.First there was what was known as the Strat-o-matic Review which reported a mail series (as back in these days you either had face to face leagues or you would create an instruction sheet that would be sent by mail to your opposing manager when you were the away team, as there were no computers then) I had done against one of the few female players of this time Donna Chevrette. It was called the Battle of the Sexes and we used all star teams to play against each other, actually there were two series we played like the best of 17 games and I believe I won each of them. It was reported in the SOM Review.

The name of Wolfman came, when I sent a photo to the Commissioner of my first mail league, I can't recall his name right now, and since I have had a beard since I was about 16, he called me Wolfman, so I became Wolfman Shapiro.

I believe at the 2nd annual convention, held in combination by the game company and the SOM Review -- in Brooklyn, NY at a large Department Store, I believe I finished in the advance baseball tournament in the semi-finals. So again viathe Review people heard about the exploits of the Wolfman.

In 1974, while attending the University of Illinois and with the SOM Review not offering a convention, we (a group of friends and I) decided to continue the conventions and did so till 1980, with the first six being held at the Univ. of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois and the last year in 1980 being held at Northwestern University in Evaniston, IL.

During these tournaments I believe I came in second once in Baseball and second in a football tournament as well. All the conventions were reported in the SOM Review.

In 2004, I came back to SOM, as my Dutch wife, bought me for christmas the computer game and cards and I have participated in seven computer leagues so far, making the playoffs in six season, and in three of these seasons we entered the championship rounds or world series but we have not won yet (although in one league when I did play via Netplay the same team, I did win head to head, 4 games to 3 but this was not publicly reported).

Our Next Question to you what did this great season and team that you put together this yr mean to you as a GM?

Well each year as we prepare for the CBA, I always have to do a made scramble to get our team ready as a playoff contender as from year to year we have wholes to fill. Thanks to the early trades we were able to make (as this was a very usual year for us, we did not make one trade during the season, we tried to get another power hitter in the infield but we could swing any deals) we did fill all our holes and I believe this season we had one of the most balanced teams we have come up with in our four seasons as a GM in the CBA. We were able to create a good hitting team or our park plus have good starting and relief pitching with a capable defense at the end of the game to support our pitching.

We did take a chance on Bonds again, a poor fielder in LF and also we drafted D. Young to help us out at 1B and both of them provided tremendous offense at their positions and we were not hurt too much by their defense. Chipper Jones did a
great job setting our single season record for average and homers and we are very proud of his winning the MVP of our conference, so without these three players we would not have been so successful. We had a good defense up the middle with Grudzielanek at 2B and Wilson at SS plus Matthews in CF who did great in the playoffs. Sheffield also came through late in the year as we did a lot of platooning in our OF and hit 35 homers plus Ross -Winn - Bradley also all had great years to support this staff. Again we cobbled together three catchers as we lost the Pizza man who was our MVP last year that did well offensively.

Pitching wise Hudson had a great year and was our ace supported by Wang, Lilly, Redding and Clemens and our relief staff with Heilman, Sherrill, Soria and Nathan gave us a great back end.

So I was very pleased with the overall performance of our boys and that we could put on the field a versatile team to handle any pitcher or stadium we played in. This is a key to being competitive that every player on your team has a role and that you can handle any situation you come into.

As we know you have put a great team together and you came to face with another great team in the World Series that was manage by a fellow manager that you have came friends with in the last few yrs and I and our readers want to know what it was like.

Well to face Bob in the series was a dream come true. I don't know how he does it but there must be a magic with him because through his trades he puts together a team that is surely unbeatable. We feel honored we could battle this great team
to 7 games. Our teams were very similar but we can honestly say we didn't have the hitting and on base power that Indiana had. And if you study the score of the games, in six of the seven games, he scored 6 runs or more -- only in game 1 did we hold him to 1 run and in games 2 and six our bats came alive but essentially three of the four losses, he blew us out of the water scoring six runs or more. We knew game four was the key, where we lost 6-3 ... Lilly gave up too many homers early and we couldn't catch up plus we had a lot of trouble with Oswalt. So it came down to game 7, who could score runs and Indiana showed the world why they were the champs again. We put out all the stops, used all the strategies we knew to try to stop the hitting machine of Indy but we just didn't have enough steam to combat them in game 7. They truly were the champions of this season and we expect they will be back next year.

One word of warning we would give to the other managers of the CBA is please pay attention to the trades you make with Indy - we believe Indy won this year because it was able to field an unbelievable team via trades of key players they received for a small cost back -- if the other teams in the CBA wish to compete for the crown, really look at the value for value - sometimes a team only sees what they are receiving and not what they are giving to empower another team to become invincible.

We know that will probably go down as one of the Greatest World Series in the yrs of the CBA History was there one pivotal play or player that swung this World Series in one way or another?

I think it was Oswalt for Indy who held Skokie to 7 runs over 3 games if Skokie didn't compete with Indy in scoring then it didn't have a chance to take the series. For Skokie, Hudson came through with 2 victories and let the Skokie bats compete and Bonds, did quiet well as a hitter.

I want thank you again for your time and I want to congratulate you and your Skokie Wolfmen along with your Asst GM John Miller who will be step out on his own and build his own team next season. We also hear that you have already hired a replacement in Dennis Glade. Is there anything else that you would want to add?

We showed in the 2008 CBA season that a team can have success with two GMs. Between John and I, we never really had any disagreements although at times John made some rookie mistakes due to not understanding the rules, but these should serve him well as the skipper of one of the new franchises. It is always exciting to try to create a team that will be competitive and we were happy with the team we could field this season to get us back to the series. I am not sure for 2009
if we can perform such a miracle again, it is hard work to be competitive, to look at the current talent and future talent. I was honored to receive the GM award, this award must be shared with John, who took the reigns too -- the CBA has some of the best SOM managers in the world, and it is an honor to be part of this group.

Sometimes we won't always agree and the competition can be fierce which brings out strong emotions - but we must keep in mind that for a league to be strong, it is not just the work of one or two members but of all the members. As long as we honor each other and listen to the ideas, suggestions and comments with respect and play in fairness, this will continue to be a great league. I know since I have become a GM, I have driven our league Commissioner crazy at times and we don't always agree but at least we keep that mutual respect and find a way to stay friends and create win-win situations for everyone.

To the new franchises coming in - even though you are now building, try to read all the rules and thoroughly understand them, ask the other members questions - make tons of suggestions for trades and lastly work hard to create a team that will be fun to play with. It is time for those teams which always make the playoffs to be replaced - we congratulate this season Joliet and Maine for finally getting into the playoffs and hope you will be back. So to all CBA managers, dream big and you also can make the playoffs.

Thanks Skip for taking time to speak to me, I am an old strat player and a bit outspoken but I love this game and have met some of the most wondrous people in all these years.

A happy holiday season to everyone and may 2009 be a great and happy year even though here in the world, our finances and economy is getting a bit challenging.

This is the Skokie Wolfman, over and out, returning to his work as the wandering jew and a cs explorer.

Thanks for your time and good luck in 2009
Skip Duckworth/Red Bird Gazette

The Skokie News

your report John Rawlings

One of the most difficult things a manager
can do is to try to create a very competitive
team, year in and year out. The original
Montreal Royals, now known as the
Skokie Wolfmen, for the four years that
the Wolfman has held the reigns he
has created a competitive team. In
his four two years it took, two 7 games
series to eliminate him in the first round
and the last two years he finally found
his way to the series, last year he
had the worst record of any playoff team.

In the past, how the Wolfman has achieved
this success is through a combination of
filling holes during the draft and schrewd
trades. He and Trader Wayne, for the
last two years have been doing trades
before the draft where the Wolfman
has given his high draft picks for the
future to get players for the current season.

So lets look at some of the key players
for the Wolfmen that helped with their
success this season.

Last year during the draft, Bonds was
offered for a draft pick and led the team
in 2007 in HRs and RBIs and this year
was not bad for limited play with 35
homers (72 in 2 seaons) - of course for
next year Skokie loses the homerun
King but for two years he helped a lot
to help the team make the series.

Chipper Jones has been coveted for
the first two years of the Wolfman,
but in a trade last year Chipper was
brought to Skokie and the team
didn't need to give up any star players.
Last year Chipper did well but this
season he excelled and could be
the MVP of the league leading in
average and was second in homers.
Chipper had 4 homers in the first
two series in the playoffs. So via
trade Skokie was able to bring
in its top two sluggers.

Another player picked up that
was a castoff last year due to
limited play was Gary Sheffield
who hit 34 homers for Skokie this
season and brought back another
power hitting outfielder to go
with Bonds.

Tim Hudson was picked up last
year because Skokie needed badly
a starter with innings. Although
Wang and Clemens were the
aces last year, Hudson led the
team with victories with 13. This
year he became the Skokie ace
winning 18 games so again a lucky
move.

Speaking of Clemens - many people
were surprised when Skokie traded
for him in 2005, assuming that would
be his last season but he gave Skokie
four good years, winning 9 games in 2008
with limited innings and has been doing
a great job as the middle reliever (due
to an infraction that prevented Heilman
from being there)

Again last year, Skokie needed another
good starter with innings and picked up
Wang who helped Skokie greatly in
the playoffs last year - with Wang and
Hudson able to pitch at full strength
in the World series, Skokie has 5 games
where Indy hitters will only be able to
get home runs off their own cards. This
could be a key.

Another key player Skokie traded for
but was limited use but effectively
was Bradley - again picking up
Bradley last year for a player and
draft pick -- he helped Skokie verse
lefthanded pitching and a defensive
outfielder.

Now lets look at the draft - Skokie's first
pick was Soria, who normally is used
as a master closer but became the
setup man for Nathan. Skokie just
went for the best pitcher -- tried to
trade Soria to get some improvement
in their hitting but now we are sure
glad we kept him, he has excelled
in the playoffs.

Another weakness that Skokie had
was at 1B -- they used an effective
platoon system of Giambi/Aurilla/Speizio
last year but all three players had down
seasons. So they chose D. Young,
a switch hitter but poor fielder to fill
the whole. Young hit an unbelievable
.338 in the season with 20 homers
and gave 1B some stability.

The biggest lost to Skokie was
Piazza, the Pizza man, their most
valuable player in 2007. Fortunately
they were able to draft 2 catchers
in Molina (who hit .380) and Estrada,
along with Castro picked last year
as a backup, combined for 21 Homers
and 88 RBIs in the season, not what
Piazza did but good enough

The combination of Itzuris and Wilson
held at SS with Wilson hitting 18 homers
and Counsell, a RFA pickup early in
the season allowed only 6 erros at 2B
between him and Grudzielanek

Pitching wise, draft picks Redding as
a 5th starter along with Schroeder and
Shouse in the pullpen helped to give
Skokie a strong pen which saved 42
games - Sherill a key reliever picked
in the draft last year helped to anchor
the pullpen.

So through luck, good trades in the beginning
of the year and good draft picks, Skokie
was able to build a balanced team, perhaps
the best team they have had in the four years.
But is this team good enough to beat the
mighty Indiana Redbirds who are loaded?

The strange thing about Skokie this year is
they could not make any trades during the
season. Whereas the mighty Redbirds
picked up some amazing players. This
single factor could determine the 2008
World Series.

Anyway John Miller, a well known opponent
to Bob Fidler -- will be matched with the
Wolfman, off on another trip helping from
behind the scenes.

Earlier Mr. Filder made a mistake saying
the Skokie and Indiana had played in the
series before, he must have been psychic.
If you go to the Indiana webpage on the
CBA site, you can see a photo of Fidler
and Wolfman - that was taken at the
beginning of the season - little did these
two managers know as they were
ready to punch each other that they
would be squaring up for the 2008
CBA Championship.

May the best team win -- will it be
Skokie's first championship or will
Indiana take its second championship in 3 years

who are you routing for??

This is John Rawling, Skokie reporter
anxiously awaiting the 2008 CBA Championship

__._,_.___

Rd 2 Skokie-Joliet showdown in Staub...Indiana Clemente champs Results due Tuesday Nov 25th, 2008.

LP's second triple play. Last one was Counsell, Sexson....This one against Ohio features Vidro , McDonald, and Sexson. 2008 Longue Pointe Loggers At 2008 Ohio Thundercats 7/29/2008 Loggers AB R H RBI AVG Thundercats AB R H RBI AVG I.Suzuki RF 5 0 2 0 .335 C.Guillen SS 3 0 1 0 .273 J.Vidro 2B 3 0 0 0 .301 C-E.Aybar SS 2 1 1 0 .161 F-J.Cirillo 2B 1 0 0 0 .212 K.Johnson 2B 4 1 2 1 .291 A.Ramirez 3B 4 1 2 0 .283 M.Teixeira 1B 3 0 0 0 .267 R.Sexson 1B 4 0 0 0 .207 M.Diaz LF 3 2 3 0 .332 T.Hunter CF 3 1 1 2 .264 W.Pena RF 3 0 1 0 .259 H.Matsui LF 4 0 1 0 .239 D-M.Cabrera RF 1 0 0 0 .269 J.McDonald SS 4 0 1 0 .234 M.Ensberg 3B 3 0 0 0 .194 J.Varitek C 2 0 0 0 .248 E-A.Gordon 3B 1 1 1 1 .209 T.Lincecum P 2 0 0 0 .038 C.Young CF 3 0 1 1 .238 A-C.Kotchman PH 1 0 0 0 .248 D.Ross C 3 0 0 1 .148 R.Dempster P 0 0 0 0 .000 K.Millwood P 2 0 0 0 .147 T.Byrdak P 0 0 0 0 ---- B-J.Kubel PH 1 0 0 0 .321 K.Calero P 0 0 0 0 .000 M.Delcarmen P 1 0 1 11.000 D.Marte P 0 0 0 0 .000 G-N.Morgan PH 1 0 0 0 .220 -- -- -- --- -- -- -- --- Totals 34 2 7 2 Totals 33 5 11 5 A-Pinch Hit For Lincecum In 7th Inning B-Pinch Hit For Millwood In 7th Inning C-Subbed Defensively (SS) For Guillen In 8th Inning D-Subbed Defensively (RF) For Pena In 8th Inning E-Subbed Defensively (3B) For Ensberg In 8th Inning F-Subbed Defensively (2B) For Vidro In 8th Inning G-Pinch Hit For Marte In 9th Inning Loggers......... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 - 2 7 0 Thundercats..... 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 - 5 11 0 Loggers (60-56) IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA T.Lincecum 6 6 1 1 2 6 0 2.97 R.Dempster LOSS(2-3) 1 1/3 3 3 3 0 3 0 3.35 T.Byrdak 0 1/3 1 1 1 1 1 0 6.51 K.Calero 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 4.40 D.Marte 0 1/3 1 0 0 0 0 0 4.56 Totals 8 11 5 5 4 10 0 Thundercats (45-68) IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA K.Millwood 7 5 0 0 3 5 0 4.99 M.Delcarmen W(4-0)B(1st) 2 2 2 2 1 3 1 2.61 Totals 9 7 2 2 4 8 1 ATTENDANCE- 39,288 DATE- Sunday, July 29th 2008 TIME- Day WEATHER- Good UMPIRES- Paul Schreiber, Larry Young, Mike Winters, Ron Kulpa T- 3:15 LEFT ON BASE- Loggers: 9 Thundercats: 8 DOUBLE PLAYS- Loggers: 0 Thundercats: 0 TRIPLE PLAYS- Loggers: 1 Thundercats: 0 DOUBLES- C.Guillen(30th), M.Diaz(15th), A.Gordon(19th), C.Young(15th) HOME RUNS- T.Hunter(18th) STOLEN BASES- E.Aybar(5th) WALKS- J.Vidro, T.Hunter, J.Varitek-2, M.Teixeira, M.Diaz, C.Young, D.Ross STRIKE OUTS- I.Suzuki, J.Vidro, R.Sexson, H.Matsui, J.Varitek-2, T.Lincecum-2, K.Johnson-2, M.Teixeira, W.Pena-2, M.Cabrera, D.Ross-2, K.Millwood, J.Kubel WILD PITCHES- R.Dempster, M.Delcarmen WEB GEMS- Bot 4th: Longue Pointe turns a triple play!

BOXSCORE: 2008 Joliet Jackhammers At 2008 Belfast Brawlers 8/7/2008 Joliet's John Maine throws a no hitter! Jackhammers AB R H RBI AVG Brawlers AB R H RBI AVG D.Eckstein SS 5 1 1 1 .347 R.Davis LF 4 0 0 0 .277 A.Hill 2B 5 1 1 0 .289 A.Miles 2B 3 0 0 0 .306 M.Ordonez RF 5 3 3 2 .359 S.Hatteberg 1B 3 0 0 0 .320 A.Soriano LF 5 1 2 0 .251 A.Rios RF 3 0 0 0 .276 M.Lowell 3B 5 2 3 2 .318 N.McLouth CF 2 0 0 0 .266 A.Pierzynski C 5 3 3 4 .256 M.Napoli C 3 0 0 0 .235 R.Gload 1B 5 1 2 3 .317 A.Amezaga SS 3 0 0 0 .332 J.Pierre CF 4 0 0 0 .268 C.Figgins 3B 3 0 0 0 .328 J.Maine P 4 0 1 0 .208 C.Sampson P 0 0 0 0 .280 C.Baek P 0 0 0 0 .222 B.Tomko P 0 0 0 0 .269 T.Pena P 1 0 0 0 .667 R.Perez P 0 0 0 0 .000 A-A.Huff PH 1 0 0 0 .260 V.Chulk P 0 0 0 0 .500 M.Corpas P 0 0 0 0 .000 B-F.Sanchez PH 1 0 0 0 .255 A.Sonnanstine P 0 0 0 0 .179 -- -- -- --- -- -- -- --- Totals 43 12 16 12 Totals 27 0 0 0 A-Pinch Hit For Perez In 6th Inning B-Pinch Hit For Corpas In 8th Inning Jackhammers..... 5 2 1 0 0 0 1 0 3 - 12 16 0 Brawlers........ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 0 2 Jackhammers (66-53) IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA J.Maine WIN(12-5) 9 0 0 0 3 6 0 3.65 Totals 9 0 0 0 3 6 0 Brawlers (54-65) IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA C.Sampson LOSS(4-9) 0 2/3 5 5 5 0 0 1 6.34 C.Baek 1 2 2 2 0 2 2 4.11 B.Tomko 0 2/3 2 1 1 0 1 0 5.63 T.Pena 1 2/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 3.82 R.Perez 2 1 0 0 0 1 0 2.96 V.Chulk 0 1/3 3 1 1 0 0 0 4.12 M.Corpas 1 2/3 0 0 0 0 3 0 3.21 A.Sonnanstin 1 3 3 3 0 1 2 3.94 Totals 9 16 12 12 0 8 5 ATTENDANCE- 51,523 DATE- Tuesday, August 7th 2008 TIME- Night WEATHER- Bad UMPIRES- Tim Timmons, Mike Dimuro, Hunter Wendlestadt, Dale Scott T- 2:48 LEFT ON BASE- Jackhammers: 4 Brawlers: 3 DOUBLE PLAYS- Jackhammers: 0 Brawlers: 1 ERRORS- C.Figgins, R.Perez DOUBLES- A.Pierzynski(12th) HOME RUNS- D.Eckstein(3rd), M.Ordonez-2(18th), A.Pierzynski(5th), R.Gload(1st) WALKS- A.Miles, S.Hatteberg, N.McLouth STRIKE OUTS- D.Eckstein, A.Hill, A.Soriano, M.Lowell-2, A.Pierzynski, J.Maine-2, R.Davis, S.Hatteberg, A.Rios, N.McLouth, M.Napoli, F.Sanchez GIDP- J.Pierre John Maine(12-5) thrilled the fans at PNC Park as he crafted a no-hit masterpiece against the Belfast Brawlers. The Joliet Jackhammers won by a final score of 12 to 0. Maine was spectacular. He walked 3 Belfast batters. The tension was mounting with every inning after the 6th. Maine appeared oblivious himself to the mounting history until two were out in the 9th. Only then, did he allow himself one deep sigh and a slow trip around the mound. Joliet rapped out 16 hits for the night. Chris Sampson(4-9) took the loss. He pitched 2/3 of an inning allowing 5 hits and no walks. After the game, Maine was heard to say, 'This is something I have dreamt about since I was a little boy - to have it come true is just amazing!'

Historical record
.474	WON	LOST
1997	102	60
1998	90	72
1999	83	79
2000	45	117
2001	68	94
2002	50	112
2003	60	102
2004	84	78
2005	87	75
2006	78	84
2007	99	63
total	846	936


Ohio's Mark Texeira swings in the T-Cats first ever playoff series	Game 3: San Diego's David Wright tagged out by LP's Varitek


Southwest's Johnny Damon destroys Philly	Cliff Lee Stars for Eric Lindner'sSouthwest Lizard King's	Belfast Brawlers star Nate McLouth connects in the first Belfast playoff series in 3 years.

1997 Bodega Bay - Gerald Benoit	75	87
1998 Bodega Bay - Gerald Benoit	75	87
1999 Bodega Bay - Gerald Benoit	77	85
2000 Bodega Bay - Gerald Benoit	85	77
2001 Bodega Bay - Gerald Benoit	65	97
2002 Vermont Expos - Mario Fleming	85	77
2003 Montreal Royals - Gerald Benoit	80	82
2004 Montreal Royals - Gerald Benoit	78	84
2005 Montreal Royals - Wolfman Shapiro Wild card	95	67
2006 Skokie Wolfmen - Wolfman Shapiro Wildcard	97	65
2007 Skokie Wolfmen - Wolfman Shapiro Staub Champion	87	75


Phantastic Rob Hite	The Lizard King