Teams are set and my bold predictions segment is going to more like the ones before.....

So Sunday night at camp is amazing -- they announce the teams and for the most part the energy of your squad gets everyone pumped up and excited.  It's like when an NFL team fires a coach and hires a new one - the possibilities are endless!

Well let's cut to the chase here and get you the list of teams and the coaches:

Team 1 - The EX-Terminators - coached by Frank Viola & Jeff Reardon

Team 2 – On the Rox – coached by Al Newman, Dick Stigman, & Stu Cliburn

Team 3 – Reloads – coached by Kent Hrbek & Tim Laudner

Team 4 – Last Call – coached by Mickey Hatcher, Juan Berenguer, & Gary Allenson

Team 5 – Mombo Lombo Stingers – coached by Steve Lombardozzi, Lee Stange, & Tommy Watkins

Team 6 – OverAchievers – coached by Gene Larkin, Scott Erickson, & Milt Cuyler

Team 7 – Belly-Ups – coached by Rick Aguilera & Phil Roof

Team 8 – Dilly Dilly’s – coached by Bill Campbell & Steve Braun

I was drafted by my lefty idol growing up - Frank Viola - this will be the 2nd time I am playing for Frankie's team - the last time was in 2012 - so looking forward to having another great week here in Ft Myers.

The draft usually produces some good laughs, Mickey Hatcher is always good for a few and this year he forgot to announce 2 of his rostered players so I am sure the Judge at Kangaroo Court will get him good on Tuesday night for that faux pas.  At least he figured it out just as the next team was announcing their roster!

The best part of the evening came a bit later. Over the years some of the Pro Staff have their "Favorite" players they tend to draft year over year.  Some years the Pro Staff will broker some trades to get some catching (or other talent) that is sorely needed -- while I didn't hear about the typical trades that might happen but this year featured a first.  A cash deal was made.  Lee "Stinger" Stange coughed up a $5 bill to get the rights to one Jack "Stumpy" Stamp and evidently Stinger had to think about it but decided giving up a bit of cold cash was worth getting one of his favorite guys on his roster.  So there you have it -- Cash for Talent (well Jack is talented off the field).  A camp first.  I asked Jack that he should ask for 0.50 of the funds that Al Newman collected out of Stinger's wallet.

Handicapping the field (yes since the Sampson's are not in camp) -- so to keep it brief I will do my Top 4 and yep....someone has to be the bottom 4.  I base my rankings mostly around pitching and this year will be interesting as games have been extended to 8 innings (instead of the usual 7 innings) - we have 14 guys to a roster so the camp director decided to add an inning -- I think come Thursday that extra inning will take a toll!!  

Top 4 Teams:

EX-Terminators - well rounded, very good defense and deep pitching should carry them

Belly-Ups - loaded with veteran campers, good defense and hitting will provide them with victories, they have pitchers but not a #1 starter (or #2)

Mombo Lombo Stingers - Defense and Hitting will be their strengths, I don't see some pitching depth here but solid roster

Dilly Dilly's - mostly because of their team name will they be there -- I like the hitters on this team and they will play good defense -- but not sure where all the pitching innings will come from -- but solid veteran team here

The others:

Overachievers - Pitching depth is good and hitting looks ok, but not sure how the defense will hold up

Reloads - Pitching is a big time strength but not sure how they will play defense or hit, so the good pitching might not be real valuable here

On the Rox - This team should field well but I really don't think they have enough pitching and unsure of the rookies on this team.

Last Call - the name of this team could be spot on.  They are stocked with rookies and I truly don't know how this team will do, but defense might be tough for them as I don't know who will be playing outfield for this squad and pitching appears thin

So there you have it -- I can't wait until tomorrow morning when I get a ration of "crap" for my predictions -- but sadly some teams look better than others -- the good part is we have not played a game yet and injuries could play a huge role this week -- we will have a great week and hopefully that involves some wins and a Saturday game in Hammond.

Games 1 and 2 will be tomorrow 9:45am and 1:10pm -- so let's get it on!!!!!!!!!!!

PB

~~ "You can observe a lot just by watching." - Yogi Berra ~~