Parity Exists, But Injuries and Player Losses Make the Challenges Tougher
May 16, 2010 by Bob Wirz · Leave a Comment
Parity appears extremely strong three weeks into the Atlantic League season with every team within two games of the division lead, but the challenge to managers and player personnel bosses to keep it that way is certain to build now that the expected roster-juggling has started. It seems every person this typist talks to has […]
It Is Easy to Tell How Much Sparky Lyle Loves Managing and the Atlantic League
April 27, 2010 by Bob Wirz · Leave a Comment
It only takes a few minutes with Sparky Lyle to understand how much the Somerset manager thinks of the Atlantic League. It is equally impressive that the 65-year-old, who was a major league star as early as the late 1960s, still has fire in his belly for his job, which has to be part of […]
Major Leaguers Ponson, Spiezio Stand Out in Openers
April 23, 2010 by Bob Wirz · Leave a Comment
Two of the most seasoned former major leaguers were among the opening night stars in the Atlantic League Thursday. Sidney Ponson would have had an unblemished six-inning stint in leading Long Island past Lancaster 8-5 if not for a three-run, second inning blast by Joe Gaetti, the son of former big league star Gary. And, […]
Atlantic League Economics Seem Bright As 2010 Independent Baseball Season Launches
As best we can read it, the economic picture could not look a whole lot better than it does in the Atlantic League as the 13-year-old circuit prepared to raise the curtain on the 2010 Independent Baseball season this very evening (Thursday). Definitive figures are not easily assembled, but Camden (NJ) Riversharks General Manager Adam […]
Half of ’09 All-Stars Return, Some in New Uniforms; As Incentive, Former Players Setting a Hot Pace
April 20, 2010 by Bob Wirz · Leave a Comment
Fans anxiously awaiting Thursday night’s season openers in the Atlantic League can look forward to the return of half of last season’s 14-man All-Star team although seven of the eight managers may not be quite so happy that three of them will be wearing the uniform of the back-to-back championship Somerset Patriots. In addition to […]
Bluefish Lose All-Star Jesse Hoorelbeke, But Replacement Josh Phelps Has Better Power Numbers
April 16, 2010 by Bob Wirz · Leave a Comment
It could not have been two weeks ago when we heard all-star first baseman Jesse Hoorelbeke and Bridgeport were in negotiation for the 32-year-old slugger to return for a fourth season with the Bluefish. But news came down Thursday that both Jesse and younger brother Casey have signed to play with Fargo, ND of the […]
Two Atlantic Leaguers May Be Vying for Same Job In Los Angeles Angels’ Outfield
March 18, 2010 by Bob Wirz · Leave a Comment
If we allow ourselves to dream once in a while why not conjure up a scenario where two former Independent Baseball players are competing for the same job in the major leagues. I cannot say that is the case because it is not possible to get all the way into Mike Scioscia’s head. But this […]
Two-Thirds of Players Who Start in Independent Play And Reach the Majors Are Pitchers
Among all players who would like to be the next success story by playing their first professional game in an Independent league and later making it to the major leagues, pitchers Aaron Crow, Pete Parise and Tanner Scheppers have to be the three leading candidates. It is pretty basic reasoning since they are in big-league […]
