AMERICAN LEAGUE NORTH PREVIEW

Ottawa Crawdaddies (86-76)

Question:
The last time the Crawdaddies won the American League North the following season the team had 25 fewer victories, can the team avoid another repeat of that this season.

Answer:
The Crawdaddies learned there lesson from a couple seasons ago and I believe they should be in the American League North contention once again this season.

Player to Watch:

Hardball Dynasty's

Mark Brantley

Brantley really pitched well last season and the team is really expecting him to make a big jump this year.

A word from the Coach:
The goals for the team this season is to make the playoffs. We where really disappointed that we couldn’t land a true leadoff guy during free-agency but overall I believe we improved in all areas this off-season. A lot is riding on last year not being career years for these guys. In a nutshell, a lot of potential on this team, but they have to prove it and stay away from inconsistency that this team sometimes gets into.

Outlook:
The young pitching staff of the Crawdaddies looked like they got tired down the stretch and the team really got pushed by the Landports at the end of the season. With another year under there belt I don’t think the pitching staff will struggle down the stretch and the team should get there second straight American League East crown. I think the team will finish with a 89-73 record.

Minnesota Milfoils (69-93)

Question:
With the Milfoils in rebuild mode, how bad will the team be this season?

Answer:
The Milfoils probably won’t compete for the playoffs but they won’t be the worst team in the league as they still have some good firepower on the offensive side.

Player to Watch:

Hardball Dynasty's

Dutch Douglas

Expect Douglas to see a improvement this season and the team would like he to walk a little more to provide the power hitters a chance to score runs.

A word from the Coach:

Outlook:
The Milfoils had some bad contracts and aging players last season but it looks like this team could see a short rebuilding project. The organization so far has really done a nice job getting some young talent to merge with the veterans on the club. I think the team will finish the season with a 68-92 record.

Scranton Beet Farmer's (79-83)

Question:
Can this team make a big enough step to challenge for a playoff spot and a .500 record for the first time in team history?

Answer:
In the American League North you never know who will win the division from year to year so the Beet Farmer’s could surprise some teams and take the American League North crown and I believe they should really come close to getting that .500 record.

Player to Watch:

Hardball Dynasty's

Phil Shigetoshi

Shigetoshi won the Rookie of the Year award in season 3 and he’s gotten some good numbers since then, just hasn’t improved them since his rookie season. The team really needs him to have a monster season this year.

A word from the Coach:

Outlook:
The Beet Farmer’s have improved a little every season and there getting really close to the .500 mark and within shouting distance of the American League North leaders. I think the Beet Farmer’s will get to the .500 mark but will fall short of the American League North leaders and finish in third place once again. I think the team will finish with a 81-81 record.

Seattle Sundogs (Portland Landports – 83-79)

Question:
Can a new coach and city get this team to stop underachieving and has the damage been done?

Answer:
The second half last season showed just how good this team could be and under the right kind of leadership this team could really scare a lot of teams this season.

Player to Watch:

Hardball Dynasty's

Eduardo Rivera

Rivera had his best season in his young career last year and the team is expecting him to improve.

A word from the Coach:

Outlook:
With the team making a move to Seattle the pitching staff is going to make a big improvement and with the new coach in place expect the team to play hard every game. The Sundogs should challenge for the American League East crown but I think they might just fall short of the goal once again. I think the team will finish the season with a 88-74 record.

NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST PREVIEW

Los Angeles Galaxy (Boise Hurricanes – 63-99)

Question:
Can knucklebones get this team back to the glory days during his first run with the team?

Answer:
Yes the team will get back on track it just may not be this season as the pitching staff is still the weak point for the team.

Player to Watch:

Hardball Dynasty's

Wes Withem

The young first basemen has really improved every season and even got a MVP vote last year but the question now with him is how will be take the move to Los Angeles this season.

A word from the Coach:
The players we have here a pretty good, especially on the offensive side so the goal this season for the team should be making the playoffs period. I think if we add a significant pitching talent, we could really make a jump in the standings and scare some teams. The Tacoma Pioneers have controlled this division the last three seasons and I think it’s time to knock them off the top.

Outlook:
The Galaxy will show improvement this season but unless they can find some pitching help, I believe they will fall short of there goal of making the playoffs. I think the Galaxy will have a record of 80-82 when the season is over.


Salem Gangstas (56-106)

Question:
Can the Gangstas get this team moving in the right direction after a disasters year last season with the second worst record in the league?

Answer:
Yes and No. The Gangstas are once again going to be one of the worst teams in the league this season but the team is moving in the right direction especially on the offensive side and in a couple seasons you could see this team getting close to a winning record.

Player to Watch:

Hardball Dynasty's

Glenn Woods

Woods had a great rookie season last year showing great discipline at the plate and hitting for some good power. Expect Woods to struggle a little at the beginning of the season but really come on strong to have a good season for the Gangstas.

A word from the Coach:

Outlook:
Expect to see the Gangstas improve a little this season but the problem was the offensive last year and I believe it will be it’s downfall as well this season. I think the Gangstas will finish the season with a 63-99 record.


Santa Cruz Timber Rattlers (Tucson Chupacabras – 85-77)

Question:
Can the Timber Rattlers keep there momentum going with a new ballpark and new owner after really surprising a lot of people with last season effort.

Answer:
Yes they can. The talent is there on the especially on the offensive side and with a less hitter friendly park the pitchers should improve as well.

Player to Watch:

Hardball Dynasty's

Victor Cruz

Cruz finally got the be a full time starter last season and really showed that he can play at the big league level and put up some great numbers as well.

A word from the Coach:

Outlook:
The Timber Rattlers should be challenging for the National League West crown once again this season and with the Pioneers looking to have a down year could be the first team besides the Pioneers and Galaxy to win the division. I think the Timber Rattlers will finish the season with an 85-77 record.



Tacoma Pioneers (94-68)

Question:
Can the Pioneers stay healthy this season and get any kind of offensive to help the pitching as well?

Answer:
The offensive for the Pioneers looks improved but the Pioneers have really been rocked hard during the offensive with there start pitcher leaving for free-agency. So it looks like the pitching staff will be the big question for the team this season and not the offensive.

Player to Watch:

Hardball Dynasty's

Jackson Cooper

The Pioneers gave up a lot to get Cooper last season and the fans will really expect him to produce this season.

A word from the Coach:
We may look like where down this season but with the player’s we have, we could really ban together and once again win the National League west. With the team winning are first playoff series last season, I really believe that we are moving forward in the right direction. The Timber Rattlers are really going to be a scary team and with the rest of the division improving it will be a hard fought battle once again.

Outlook:
The Pioneers have really taking some hard shots during the off-season but the pitching talent is still there and the offensive should really see a big improvement with a healthy lineup. I think the Pioneers will finish the season with a 90-72 record.

All-Star Pitcher Baek to Test Free Agency

Peter Baek none none Age: 35 B/T: R/R Born: Inchon, KR Position(s): P (P) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Tacoma, WA (USMLBAP): 4-time All-Star pitcher, Peter Baek, declined his option to return to the Tacoma Pioneers and instead will test the free agent market this off-season.

"We as a management team are saddened by the news," Pioneers owner "tomjames" commented. "We vow to do everything within reason to bring the All-Star pitcher back to Tacoma."

"I'd like to thank the Tacoma for the past four years in the organization," Baek said. "I think I've done my best for the organization, and I want to test the free agent market to see what options are out there. I need to plan for the future of my family. I can't feed my family right now with the money I'm currently making. Besides, I sometimes wonder what is going on with the 'Tacoma Aroma.'"

Baek has been dominant in his career, posting an 89-48 record with a 3.67 ERA. In his career, he has held opponents to a .245 batting average and his career WHIP is sitting at 1.19.

Baek had a career season last season, posting a 2.48 ERA, holding opponents to a 1.95 OBA while posting a whip of 0.92. He had nine complete games last season.

You can guarentee Baek will be commanding a lot of attention as well as a lot of money.