Season set to begin

After a long cold winter, and a spring of learning how to hit with wood bats and shaking off the rust, we may have to wait a couple more days to get the 2009 Powerline Baseball League regular season underway.

Rain is forecasted for Tuesday night’s openers in Armena and Bardo where last year’s finalists square off against last year’s cellar dwellers.

This year’s Las Vegas favourite, the Leduc Milleters, take on the wild card Ryley Rebels Wednesday night, but that, too, could be delayed due to weather possibly.

But by the end of the week, all six teams should be in action on Thursday night when clear skies and warm weather returns.

The Favourite: 

Leduc Milleteers
The Milleteers lost in three games to last year’s eventual winners, and with the addition of a couple more hurlers look poised to pick up the $100 prize for finishing first in the regular season.

The Challengers: 

Bardo Athletics and Camrose Roadrunners
Bardo is always a mystery in the regular season. Despite the same bunch of guys, sometimes they have to scrap for a playoff spot, while other times they challenge for the regular season title. Expect them to be in the mix by season’s end.

Camrose on the other hand is a solid team that will likely be Leduc’s best competition during the regular season. However, there is a rumour pitcher Paul Ofrim could be missing and his brother Steve, too, although both have not been confirmed. But Camrosealways has young talent ready to step in and fill the void even if it is true so they will likely be in the top-half of the standings.

The Wild Card: Ryley Rebels

No one really knows what to expect from the Ryley Rebels, but they definitely won’t be your typical expansion team. They have multiple players who have played in the league in the past and have depth on the mound. Expect them to easily challenge for a playoff spot, if not higher, as long as they can stay organized off the field and disciplined on it. 
 

The Improved: Armena Royals and Tofield Lakers
Armena was a self-professed also-ran last year at 1-14. But this year they will be a tougher team to play against. With some former talent returning from their days as Axemen, plus some emerging young talent, the Royals could battle for the last playoff spot if they catch some breaks. Winning a few games, rather than just keeping the team afloat, will be this year’s goal.

Don’t count the Lakers out either. Tofield won five games last season and has the best female player in the league. With the parity of the league and wood bats cutting down on offence, they could challenge for a playoff spot and make the post-season for the first time in 10 years (1999).

Posted on May 12, 2009 by Jason Buzzell