Am I really this drunk? I feel like I've been asked to write a piece just like this before. I feel like it was a year ago that Dublin was making a bid for its third sports team. While the initial response was very negative about the addition of a baseball team, the city eventually opened its heart to the idea, only to have it ripped out by the folks in Southern Carolina.

Last year, Dublin sports mogul Brad Bodell spent most of his time trying to sell the idea of baseball in Dublin and change the perception of a sport that was widely considered to be played by sissies. The initial reluctance might have been what caused Dublin to lose its bid, despite a late rally by the city getting behind the proposed team. This year, with the city already behind him, Mr Bodell has been able to work on more pressing needs, like finding a stadium, GM and a coach.

Since he already owns the Dublin Bar Brawlers, the struggling, but very young and promising basketball team, and heads the school board of DUBA, home of the Oktoberfests, Mr Bodell has vowed to build a brand new complex to house all three teams if he wins the bid for a baseball team. Sponsors were lining up in hopes to add their name to the new complex, which is expected to become the most cutting edge complex in the world. While the initial leaders where the expected Guinness, Jameson, and Bushmills brands, a dark horse, the Scottish beer company Harviestoun, won the rights. The name they are proposing is Ola Dubh, after their beer which is aged in whiskey casks and a favorite of the locals. While the initial frame work for the stadium is done, they aren't proceeding before they know if baseball is coming.

As for a GM, Mr Bodell wanted someone with Irish ties, but also an understanding of American culture, where a majority of the other teams play. The decision was made rather quickly, bringing in Spicy McHaggis to lead the team. He was made famous by the band he was part of, the Drop Kick Murphy's, who had a very popular song called “The Spicy McHaggis Jig.” Mr Bodell was able to pry him away from the band to chase his lifelong dream of running a sports team. When asked why he was chosen, especially with no experience, he responded “Have you ever lived in Boston? You automatically know more than every professional sports person just by drinking the water.”

As for the coach, again the decision was made to go with someone with no baseball experience, but plenty of sports experience, and a fiery disposition. The man tabbed to lead the proposed team is none other than the famous John McEnroe. This reporter, smart enough to know not to approach him and question his pedigree for the job, sent an intern. As I watched him propose the question, out of know where Jonny Mac whips out a tennis racket and beats the poor intern down with it. At least we know players wont be getting out of line.

As for a team name? Well Mr Bodell seems set on it, but judging by his response, its not set in stone. “As of now, the teams name will be the Dublin Four Leaf Clovers, however I completely reserve the right to irrationally change the name to anything at anytime.”

Well there you have it, a second chance at a baseball team. This report hopes this works out, because these kind of articles take up too much of my drinking time.

-Jameson McStout
-The Chaser

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2009 EHCC Champions

The Bridgewater Weasels are the 2009 EHCC Champions! Championship series MVP Ryan Howard and GM Nastra Diggus celebrate the Weasels first championship in the teams history.

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Fired!

After 4 years on the job, Quebec City has let go of an icon.

Quebec City, CAN – The Quebec City Piglets announced today that Manager Brian Fantana has been fired after four seasons on the job.

“It is with a heavy heart that I deliver this news,” QC General Manager Pat Renaud said in a statement released this morning. “Brian Fantana is a good man, with an amazing mustache and a fashion sense to die for. Unfortunately, we as an organization simply need more than rugged good looks and assorted plaid blazers. We need championships. Mr. Fantana has failed to deliver that, and so we’ll try and find someone who will.”

Renaud was quick to point out that Fantana is a great manager, and certainly has a way with the ladies, but that regular season results can only take you so far.
“We love winning the Western Division every year, obviously” Renaud went on to say. “But I’d trade every last one of them to get our name on that plaque. You have to prioritize.”

Fantana had a bit of a checkered tenure as manager of the Piglets. Under his leadership the Piglets won the Western Division in 2007, 2008, and 2009. However, in his first year in 2006, the Piglets did not win the Western Division, the only time in their history since divisions were implemented that the Piglets have failed to do so. He led the Piglets to their first championship game appearance in 2007, where they were beaten by the 6th seeded Arlington Warriors, a team they’d beaten 10-0 only 4 weeks prior.

Inconsistency was a hallmark of the Fantana Piglets, and in the end his undoing. While the team dominated for a good part of the 2008 regular season, the team collapsed following the All-Star break, losing 4 of their last 9 games, including an 8-2 shellacking at the hands of division rival and lottery team Tokyo in week 18. The collapse proved untimely, as the Piglets would miss out on a bye by 0.5 games, leading to another first-round exit to Weymouth.

Despite a record-setting pitching staff in 2008, the Piglets pitchers all imploded in the first round of that season, costing the team what many thought to be their best shot at a title to that point. Much of the blame fell to pitching coach James Westfall, but Fantana refused to acknowledge his right hand man’s complicity in the collapse, and came into 2009 with his staff largely intact.

After dominating the entire 2009 season, the Piglets again collapsed in the playoffs. This time, it was the offense’s turn to sputter, as the team managed just 8 hits and 3 runs over the first two days, with no RBIs, or Homeruns, essentially punting 40% of the team’s potential points only two days into the contest. As the week went on and the pitching continued the losing trend, it became clear that something needed to give in Canada.

Brian Fantana could not be reached for comment.

“The guy was an icon,” team MVP Tim Lincecum said. “But they’re not too forgiving up here. You need results, or you can expect to get your walking papers.”

Lincecum’s words hang ominously over the Piglets going into the offseason. Renaud has never been afraid to shake things up, and it would seem as if the firing of Fantana is just the first step in what could be wholesale changes to the Piglets roster and managerial staff.

While Renaud has yet to name a replacement, there are many worthy candidates both inside and outside the organization. It is not yet clear if Fantana’s staff will be going with him, but inside sources say pitching coach James Westfall and team physician Dr. Kenneth Noisewater are as good as gone. Meanwhile, the same sources indicate that Bench coach Champ Kind and hitting coach Roy Hobbs appear to have the inside track to be the new manager.

Other sources, however, indicate that Renaud may just clean house entirely and start fresh. Either way, it’s sure to be a cold winter in Canada. Again.

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Tale of Two Seasons

Bridge H2O Today
By: Stevie Miller

Fifth time a charm? Bridgewater finds themselves in there fifth, yes fifth, championship series in the EHCC. It was a long and strange road to get to this point, much different than the prior year.


In the 2008 season, the Weasels dominated out of the gate, not losing a series until week 19 against Peoria. They ended up 16-3-3 that season and clinched a number one seed, first round bye in the playoffs. In the playoffs, the Weasels took down their Rakeville rivals and found themselves in the championship where they would go on and get demolished by the unstoppable Doggs. Another year, another loss in the championships.

Bridgewater’s supremacy in 2008 was long forgotten when the 09 season started. The Weasels looked like an old weak team from the get go. In the first half of the season, they went 4-6-1 getting blown out in the losses and barley sliding by in the wins. Injuries were a big part of it, but it just didn’t seem like the team had their pizzazz anymore. It seemed that the Weasels were going to miss out on the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. “It was embarrassing how we were playing, I was about to fake an injury just so I wouldn’t have to deal with this crap anymore” said Jimmy Rollins.

Owner Nastra Diggus didn’t think so highly of the team as well. Coming upon the approaching trade deadline, Diggus had some ideas and was thinking of blowing up the team. “I was thinking for the future, I didn’t think we were going to go anywhere this year and we were getting old, so I was thinking young” Diggus said. Bridgewater, which most of the core players have been together for awhile now, thought about cleaning house much like Rakeville did.

When the second half of the season started Bridgewater started looking at some younger players to trade for. That wasn’t the only thing they were doing though, they were also winning. In the first 3 games of the second half, Bridgewater won 7-3, 7-3, 9-0. There was hope again and the trade talks turned to whispers. The next week though QC came through and knocked the Weasels back down (lost 3-7) and brought the blowing up the team conversation back in. In week 16, the Weasels were on the outside looking in at the playoffs and had the trade deadline looming. “I really thought I was going to dismantle this team and start fresh, something we’re not accustomed to here” said Diggus.

By the end of the week the decision had to be made, and the team made if for Diggus. By the deadline the Weasels were crushing Weymouth and had a great shot at making the playoffs. Diggus decided he would make a run at the playoffs instead. And they did, not losing a single series from there on out and ended up going 8-1-2 in the second half of the season, scoring 7 points or more in those 8 wins. Not only did they get into the playoffs, they got the 5^th seed and almost snagged a bye for the eastern conference. “This team is filled with professionals who never give up, especially if you back is against the wall. I was just glad the rest of my team finally stepped up like I’ve been doing all year” said Weasels pitcher Chris Carpenter.

Last year the Weasels cruised into the playoffs without lifting a finger, in 2009 they had to claw and scratch their way in, with both stories ending the same way….championship series. The Weasels hope this years story turns out a little bit better than last years.

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2009 PEORIA CARDINALS POSTSEASON MEDIA GUIDE

Peoria Cardinals Media Relations Department has released its first ever Postseason Media Guide. The Cardinals are set to take on the Golden Gryphons in 2009 EHCC Semifinals.

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PEORIA CARDINALS CLINCH FIRST EVER PLAYOFF BERTH!!

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Rickey On Rickey

The EHCC will be making a few important decisions this off-season, including a vote on the league commissioner at the 2010 Winter Meeting. With Ellis Burks' term coming to an end he is expected to run for re-election, while a new face is entering his hat into the ring for consideration - Rickey Henderson.




Rickey on Rickey
By: Rickey Henderson

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Rickey [Henderson] the other day to pick his brain on the EHCC and his plans to run for commissioner.

Rickey: Thanks for taking the time to sit down with me. I know your life has been hectic as of late, with the Hall Of Fame inductions, having your number retired in Oakland, and signing autographs at root beer float socials.

Rickey: It's a pleasure to sit down with you. It really takes the stress level down a notch from my every day activities.

Rickey: You've been so busy in the MLB - playing for 9 different major league teams, coached 1st base for the New York Mets (along with being Jose Reyes' special base stealing coach), hold several MLB records, a two time MLB World Series winner, 10 time MLB All-Star, and are now a MLB Hall of Famer. Why continue your career in a rival league such as the EHCC?

Rickey: As I've said in the past, I've always wanted to be around the game. That's something that's in my blood. I said that in 2007, and it fits well now. I have the opportunity here in the EHCC to really make my mark, even more so than I did as a player.

Rickey: What kind of mark are you looking to make?

Rickey: I'm a big proponent of the divisions in the EHCC. I was a fan of the decision to start really using them in the 2009 season, even if it wasn't to the degree I'd like them used in the future. There needs to be a better way of creating rivalries and getting the fans more involved, and an unbalanced schedule based on the divisions would be a good way to start that. That will be one of the big things I'll push for.

Rickey: Are there any aspects of the EHCC you'd like to see expanded?

Rickey: There's one main area that comes to mind - I'd love to expand the league itself to 14 teams. Branching off to new markets would really help promote the league and the other teams already involved. It will bring out more competition and really start to separate those dedicated to winning from those, well, not so dedicated.

Rickey: What else would you push as commissioner?

Rickey: I'd like to see a waiver-like trading period, like in the MLB. A time after the trade deadline where teams could send players on informal trade waivers in order to get a trade done after the deadline.

Rickey: Are there are changes that Burks made while commissioner that you agree with?

Rickey: I'm a fan of the roster moves limitations placed on teams on a weekly basis, as well as the rule that doesn't allow recently drafted/signed minor league players to be drafted in the MiDraft until following season. It gives teams a good chance to study the players and know what they're getting with their picks, rather than gambling on a young player with a well known name.

Rickey: Once again, thanks for taking the time to sit down with me. Is there anything else my readers should know about your campaign before I let you go?

Rickey: I should make sure it is clear that I think Ellis Burks has done a wonderful job while in office. Moving forward I just believe Ellis has put a lot more on his plate than he should have to deal with. I've moved away from my previous, though I still keep in touch and occasionally help out with past endeavors, I've got a lot more free time to dedicate to the EHCC it seems. Ellis deserves a break.

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