Beaver Tales - 2025 At The Break

Beaver fans are pleased that four players have been honored by the ABL as members of the TML All Star team.

Pat Bancroft (DH/RF) has been among TML batting leaders all season and recently registered hit number 2,000 of his career. Baber Davi (1B) has been tearing up the league and recently was named TML Batter of the Month for June. Tanner Johnson (SP) is leading the TML in wins (12) and is sporting a 2.77 ERA in his first full season in the ABL. Carlos Rubio (RP) is enjoying his best season in the ABL as the team's late-inning, left-handed set-up man.

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Other News and Notes:

For the second time in three seasons, Nick Holmes suffered a major injury. This time the injury came midway through the current campaign.

 

The last time Holmes was sidelined, the team imploded. With the team leading the division at the break with a 58-29 record, the front office team was determined not to let that happen again. Therefore, upon learning that David Lewis was available the organization acted swiftly to secure his services.

Lewis has not played too much this season due to a hamstring injury that sidelined him for six weeks. However, at the time of the exchange he was performing well while on a rehab assignment. Last season, while playing for South Carolina, the 31 year-old outfielder batted .281 with 28 HR, 88 RBI, and a 2.8 WAR in 148 games. Beaver fans are hopeful that Lewis will provide enough punch in the lineup to adequately replace Holmes and enable the Beavers to continue to charge towards a playoff berth.

Go Beavers!

Beaver Tales - 2025 Season Update

With nearly one-third of the season in the books, Beaver fans are encouraged. The team has been playing very well as evidenced by a recent, nine game winning streak that enabled the home town nine to open up a five game lead in the division with a 32-19 record through June 1.

Fans again are flocking to Waterfront Park. Despite a 5.6% increase in the average ticket price, attendance is averaging a near-capacity 51,344 fans per game, a 2.4% increase over 2024. If the trend holds, the increase in revenue will bolster the financial performance and yield a nice profit. Owner William McAllister is delighted with the performance of the organization, both on and off the field.

Spotlight on:

Pat Bancroft (DH/RF) - The 34 year-old veteran is off to what could emerge as the best year of his 11 year career. He leading the ABL in batting with a .407 average, in on-base percentage, and in hits. Speaking of hits, last week he registered career hit number 2,000.

Bancroft has settled into the 2nd spot in the order very nicely. Given that he has bad wheels he is not the prototypical number two hitter, but he is a very savvy baserunner who can occasionally steal a base, this in addition to his ability to set the table for the power hitters. 

Baber Davi (1B) - Throughout his minor and major league career to date, Davi has put up excellent stats. With the Beavers, the 24 year-old, now in his third full season, has proven himself to be an RBI machine batting in the heart of the order. This season he has driven in 50 runs in 51 games, is hitting .384, and has recorded an outstanding 172 wRC+. In addition to his offensive prowess, he has a Gold Glove award to his credit and continues to flash the leather around the first sack.

In May Baber earned TML Batter of the Month honors on the strength of a .410/.433/.675 slash line and 28 RBI in 28 games. His name also appears on many TML batting related leader boards. 

Tanner Johnson (SP) - In his first full season as a member of the starting rotation, the 22 year-old southpaw is living up to the hype. In a month-long span that ended in late May, Tanner reeled off seven straight wins. Currently he sports an 8-2 record and a 2.12 ERA.

Johnson was rewarded for his many, dominating performances during May by being named the TML Pitcher of the Month. The front office team hopes that this is one of many awards the young star will accumulate during his career in the ABL.

Additional players who are exceeding expectations:

Mike Hobbs (C) - The veteran catcher has belted 18 dingers to date to lead the TML. With a .324/.372/.672 slash line and 49 RBI to date, he is well on the way to having a career year. Keep it going, Mike!

Shayne Linnie (SP) - Perhaps the biggest surprise so far this season has been the performance of Linnie. In ten starts he has registered a 5-1 record and a 3.49 ERA. Keep it going, Shayne!

Go Beavers!

August 2024 Review

In August the Beavers shifted into overdrive. When the dust settled the red-hot team had compiled a 20-8 record for the month, improved the season record to 80-55, and built a commanding, 12-game lead in the Earl Weaver Division. The team continued to play before near capacity crowds at Waterfront Park. Business at the many nearby pubs was booming. Everyone was excited.

Attendance now is hovering just north of 50,000 fans per game, an increase of nearly 18% over last season. The increased activity at the turnstiles should translate into increased revenue and a healthy net income for the season. Needless to say, the August 14 birthday celebration was one of owner Bill McAllister's happier ones.

Top Performances

Manuel Garcia continued to lead the staff during August. In five starts he averaged more than 7 innings per start, won three games without a loss, and recorded a 1.25 ERA. At the end on the month he was sporting a 12-2 record for the season.

Mike Hobbs, who was hot in July, turned the flame up a notch in August. His stats speak for themselves: a .309/.347/.617 slash line, 11 2B, 6 HR, and a 142 wRC+. Behind the plate, he has gunned down over 50 (35%) would-be base-stealers this season.

The heart of the batting order - Nick Holmes, Baber Davi, and Valentin Alvarado - continued to work together like a well-oiled machine to generate runs, but Pat Thompson again sparked the offense with a .372/.402/.496 slash line, 23 runs scored, and five stolen bases. Thompson, who seems intent on testing the free agent market in the off-season, is making a case for himself. Hopefully he will decide to continue to play for the Beavers. Until a decision is reached, fans will continue to enjoy having him lead off for the home town team.

Notes

On August 14 starting pitcher Brahmanida Raviraj hurled a no-hitter while pitching for the AA Boise Hawks. After the game in the Hawks locker room, he spoke to reporters. "I got really nervous in the last inning. I knew I had a chance at a no-hitter. It was hard to stay calm and concentrate. Thank goodness for my catcher. He told me to just concentrate on hitting his glove. He would do all the thinking."

Down on the Farm

Twenty-one year old Mun-wah Lok continues to impress the Portland front office team, coaches, scouts, and opponents. A second round pick in the 2022 free agent draft, Lok is coming on strong. In over 500 plate appearances while playing in Boise and Vancouver, the young second baseman is hitting over .280 with an on-base percentage over .380 and a slugging percentage over .440. In addition he has stolen nearly 40 bases. Clearly he is making a bid for consideration as the second baseman of the future for the Beavers. The front office team will continue to closely monitor his progress.

July 2024 Review

Despite posting a mediocre 12-13 record during the month, the Beavers ended July with a 60-47 record for the season and a seven-game lead in the Earl Weaver Division. The team outscored opponents by seven runs, 126-119, but a couple of blowout wins "wasted" some production. The highlight of the month was a six-game winning streak that commenced immediately after the All Star break. During the streak the pitching staff recorded two shutouts and surrendered more than two runs in but one contest.

Beaver Nation seems to have erased memories of last season. Fans are flocking to Waterfront Park. Every home contest is a sell-out or a near sell-out. Attendance for the season is up by over 15% with no sign of a decline in sight. Owner Bill McAllister is a happy man.

Top Performances

Second baseman and leadoff hitter Pat Thompson sparked the offense throughout July. In 107 official at bats he generated a .356/.364/.500 slash line, led the team with 19 runs scored, registered 12 doubles, and stole three bases in three attempts.

Catcher Mike Hobbs continued to call a good game while wielding a potent bat as evidenced by a .279/.367/.477 slash line. His five, towering home run blasts led the club.

Although many pitchers were hammered during the month, starters Manuel Garcia (2-1; 2.54 ERA) and Wilson Cruz (2-3; 3.26 ERA) continued to deliver solid performances in five starts each. Sadly their efforts did not translate into more wins.

The New Kid on the Block

After two starts each with AA Boise and AAA Vancouver, young Tanner Johnson made his debut with the parent club. In his first ABL start he fashioned a complete game shutout on the road in Georgia. He scattered nine hits and two free passes while fanning six. 

For the month, Johnson logged a 3-1 record and a 1.45 ERA in four starts. The kid has arrived!

Notes

Starting pitcher Manuel Garcia, shortstop Valentin Alvarado, and left fielder Nick Holmes were named to the TML All Star team. In the 5-1 win over the RCL, Holmes accumulated four hits in five at bats to earn Player of the Game honors. Garcia pitched one perfect inning to earn the win.

On July 15 veteran Pat Bancroft banged out five hits in a game for the eighth time in his career. This season he has accomplished this feat twice, each time pummeling pitchers toiling for the Jersey Jesters. On this occasion he recorded a double, two home runs, three runs scored, and five runs batted in.

Down on the Farm

The minor league organization continued to slog through a pathetic season. By the end of the month, each of the three teams seem destined to be eliminated from playoff contention. It appears that some off-season changes may be in order.

June 2024 Review

As the month of June drew to a close, Beaver fans were delighted that their team continued to lead the TML Weaver Division. The home town boys registered a 15-12 record during June to boost their record to 48-34 for the season. The Beavers continued to feature an explosive offense that ranks near the top in most categories, a pitching staff that exhibits occasional flashes of brilliance, and a defense that is improved over last season.

Fan interest continued to strengthen through the third month of the current campaign. Tickets to home games were in demand. With the Beavers drawing near capacity crowds to every home contest, attendance is up by more than 16% over 2023. Demand is so strong that some members of the front office brain trust are second guessing the decision to reduce ticket prices by 10% following a disastrous team performance last season. It was the right move to make at the time, but it is painful to be leaving some potential revenue on the table. Nevertheless, owner Bill McAllister is pleased with the performance of the team to date.

Top Performances

The extremely popular fan favorite Nick Holmes did not disappoint anyone during June as he compiled a slash line of .333/.426/.590. He launched 8 big flies, scored 24 runs, and drove in 19 baserunners to lead the team in all three categories. It's not surprising that he also led the club with 17 free passes issued by opposing pitchers who were afraid to challenge him. Further, the wRC+ mark of 153 he achieved for the month was outstanding. Nick truly is the team leader at the plate.

Dan Best, platooning at the hot corner, earned second star honors by posting a .304/.396/.522 slash line. The wRC+ of 135 he earned was second only to Holmes among players with significant playing time. He energized the lower third of the batting order throughout the month while playing well in the field. Dan seems to be enjoying his role.

The third star was awarded to young Manuel Garcia on the strength of a 4-0 record and 4.00 ERA in five starts. At the end of the month Manny, a recent graduate of The Ohio State University, was sporting a 7-1 record to date in his second full season pitching in the starting rotation. The front office team is hopeful he will continue to improve and contribute for many seasons.

Notes

The results for the month featured two series sweeps, one over the Hops in San Diego and the other over the Berserkers at Waterfront Park.

A rainout on June 24 translated into a twin bill on June 25, the birthday of GM Tim Ackley. The Beavers topped the Tornadoes in both contests on the way to a 3-1 series win.

Current Injuries

The team incurred several, minor injuries, which is to be expected during the long season. Fortunately, Alfonso Alonzo and Antonio Barbarro remained the only two players on the DL at the end of the month.

Down on the Farm

The entire organization was electrified by the acquisition of top prospect Tanner Johnson. The big left-hander signed with the Beavers for $5.5m and immediately went to work pitching before his home town fans in Boise, Idaho. After two starts he was promoted to the AAA Vancouver Canadians. Although he struggled in his first start for the Canadians, he won the game and showed signs that he is close to being ready for prime time. It is clear that before long he will make the jump to the Beavers.

During June the Beavers also signed 21-year old first baseman Tomas Rivera and assigned him to Boise. The organization is pleased to have him on board.

Beavers Top Prospect To Make Professional Debut

June 18, 2024 - Boise, Idaho

This evening highly regarded pitching prospect Tanner Johnson will make his professional debut before family and friends when the Boise Hawks host the Phoenix Lights at Basque Block Field. Since the Portland Beavers signed the first pick in the recent ABL first year player draft for a $5.5 million signing bonus, the mood in Boise and surrounding areas has been electric. Everyone is excited!

Johnson, a Boise native, learned the fundamentals and blossomed as a pitcher while progressing through Little League and high school. He also gained experience pitching in several, competitive summer leagues. Most recently he completed his final year pitching for Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.

Following is a photo taken of him pitching for a local American Legion team:

Tonight he returns home to take the next step in his career while pitching before thousands of family members, coaches, and friends who have played a part in molding him into the phenomenal, talented individual he is today.

Tanner, a 6' 10" southpaw, features electric stuff that includes a fastball that tops out at 98 miles per hour, a curveball, a changeup, and - to keep batters totally off-balance - a knuckleball. His skills appear to be nearly developed enough for him to pitch in the bigs, but the Portland front office brain trust plan to do their best to resist the temptation to rush him.

The current plan is for Johnson to start tonight and then again on Sunday when the Hawks host the Wichita Wolverines. At that point the coaching staff will assess his skill level. Hopefully Tanner will have demonstrated that he is ready for promotion to the Vancouver Canadians. After he gains experience and performs well at the AAA level, he should then be ready to ply his skills at the major league level. If all goes well, he could see action in a Beavers uniform sooner rather than later.

Join the excitement tonight at Basque Block Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm local time. Don't be late.

May 2024 Review

For most of the month of May, the Beavers saw some good wins offset by an equal number of losses. The team finished strong, however, by winning the final three games to finish with a record of 16-12 for the month. The surge enabled the Beavers to end May continuing to lead the Earl Weaver Division with a 33-22 record. 

Fan interest continued to be on the rise. During the first two months attendance has averaged over 48,500 per game, an increase of 14.2% over 2023. Owner William McAllister is very pleased in that this exceeds one of the goals he set for the front office.

Top Performances

For a few years the front office team has been searching for a long-term solution in center field. In early July of last season Wilson Flores took advantage of the opportunity to play every day. He performed very well during the latter half of the season. This year he continues to demonstrate that he deserves to continue to start. In May he led the Beavers with 24 RBI. He also clubbed 6 HR, batted .302/.348/.519, and stole 7 bases in 8 attempts. 

Wilson Cruz led all pitchers by posting a 4-2 record with a 2.76 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP in six starts. For the season, he leads the club with a 6-3 record and a 3.00 ERA. In his third full season with the Beavers, he continues to improve. He seems to be developing the skills necessary to contribute over time as a solid member of the rotation.

During the month of May, three-time MVP Nick Holmes was once again an offensive force. Holmes led the Beavers with 30 runs scored, was second in RBI with 22, and led the team with a .982 OPS. Two months into the season he is scoring runs at a pace that could result in 173 runs scored for the season.

Notes

During May Wilson Flores and Nick Holmes each were awarded TML Player of the Week honors.

Starting pitcher Fred Watson was suspended 10 games after a wild altercation with Frank Coleman of the Mustangs. To date Watson has been terrible, so the suspension may prove to be a blessing. He will have some time to work on his skills and, hopefully, pitch much better after he returns to action.

Current Injuries

Thankfully current injuries include only carryovers Alfonzo Alonzo and Antonio Barbarro. Alonzo's shoulder is healing as expected. He may see action in September. Barbarro will not be ready for action until next season.

Down on the Farm

Vancouver, Boise, and Eugene each are playing lousy baseball.

The emotions bubbling through the minor league organization erupted during a game involving the Emeralds and the Winfield Warriors. The principals brawled, benches cleared, and a whole lot of shoving took place among the bystanders. When the dust settled, shortstop Horiuchi Rin, of the Emeralds, and reliever Banyu Rais, of the Warriors, each were suspended for 5 games.

April 2024 Review

During April the Portland Beavers compiled an excellent 17-10 record and jumped out to a four game lead in the Earl Weaver Division. The train wreck that was 2023 is fast being forgotten by local fans as evidenced by a 12.6% increase in attendance. The Beavers are playing very well so far in the early stages of the young season.

Top Performances

Valentin Alvarado (SS) -- Signed as a free agent during the off-season, Alvarado was en fuego throughout April. For the month he registered a .306/.374/.649 slash line, launched 11 big flies, and drove home 35 runs. Also of note is that he led the club in extra-base hits, with 16, and led starting players with a wOBA of .417. The 30 year-old shortstop seemed to enjoy batting immediately after Nick Holmes!

Baber Davi (1B) -- Davi, now 23 years old, provided assurance that the excellent production and fielding prowess he contributed during his first full season in the bigs was no fluke. His April slash line of .375/.407/.571, 14 extra-base hits, and 23 runs batted in batting in the heart of the order helped fuel the offense.

Nick Holmes (LF) -- In a way, listing Nick as the third star is very positive. For the Beavers it means that two players played even better than the three-time MVP outfielder. Holmes had an excellent month in his own right ending with a .360/.431/.533 slash line. He also scored a team-leading 29 runs and walked a team-leading 15 times. Finally, he generated 27.2 runs created to edge both Alvarado and Davi for the team lead.

Notes

It is often said that the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry. So true. On April 10 rookie Antonio Barbarro suffered a ruptured medial collateral ligament legging out a base hit during a game in Kansas City. At the time of the injury Barbarro was hitting .368. As important had been his defense in right field. Two outfield assists and a 1.179 EFF in six starts suggested that he might provide the upgrade in the field we had been seeking. Unfortunately the front office team must wait for next year to see him contribute. In the meantime, it's back to the drawing board.

To fill the void created by the injury to Barbarro the front office team signed free agent Mario Rivera to add outfield depth.

A record of 7-3 in head-to-head competition within the Earl Weaver Division bodes well. Clearly we need to beat up on the Jacks, Toreros, and Grays at every opportunity.

Current Injuries

Alfonso Alonzo (IF) -- Alonzo, recovering from a torn labrum injury suffered in early December, is not expected to be available for another four months.

Antonio Barbarro (OF) -- The injury sustained by Barbarro is a season-ending injury.

Down On The Farm

Determined that he deserves a shot at playing in Portland, 22 year-old shortstop Bobby Flannery recorded a .270/.383/.450 month with 21 runs scored and 10 stolen bases playing for the AAA Vancouver Canadians. 

Darren Payne launched 9 homers in the first 26 games of the AAA Vancouver season. The 26 year-old center-fielder ended the month with a .287/.376/.596 slash line. He also led the club with 21 runs scored and 23 runs batted in.

In 26 games playing for the AA Boise Hawks, 20 year-old second-baseman Mun-wah Lok registered a .316/.409/.500 slash line, 11 extra-base hits, 18 runs scored, and 7 stolen bases.

2024 Season Preview

After capturing the Earl Weaver Division pennant in 2022, the Portland Beavers entered the next spring training period with high hopes. Nick Holmes had just garnered his third consecutive MVP award, led the TML in batting for the second consecutive season, and won the TML triple crown. The front office team also had made several moves that everyone thought would improve the squad.

The optimistic mood was, however, short-lived. In the first week of spring training Holmes fractured a bone in his elbow and was lost to the team for the first half of the season. The players pulled together and attempted to remain competitive, but after a decent showing in April the team imploded. A 5-23 record in May followed by an 8-18 record in June sealed the team's fate. The silver lining was that we were able to experiment in an attempt to identify players who could play more significant roles going forward.

In early July, Wilson Flores was called up and handed the starting job in center field. Flores had been tearing it up (.411/.479/.532 in 34 games) with the AAA Vancouver Canadians. Meanwhile Takiji Ojima had been a disappointment in that role playing for the parent club. Flores settled in and played very well (.314/.367/.444 in 77 games) for the Beavers throughout the remainder of the season. It appears that Flores is here to stay, one of the more positive outcomes that resulted while the franchise struggled to win 57 games.

Looking ahead to 2024, in the early off-season the front office allowed several players who had become dead weight to become free agents. Then, in December, three players each of whom could play a key role in the upcoming season were acquired. Infielder Valentin Alvarado was signed to a three-year contract. Alvarado will assume the role of starting shortstop. Reliever Tsuneyo Kakutama was obtained via the Rule 5 draft; he will have the opportunity to strengthen the quality of the bullpen. Finally, Starting pitcher Shayne Linnie was signed to a modest, one-year contract to eat some innings as the fifth starter.

The remaining two open spots on the roster will be filled from within the organization. Antonio Barbarro will start in right field and southpaw Felix Barrera will function as a swingman who will provide support in relief and, if necessary, be available to start.

In summary, although the composition of the roster has not significantly changed the front office team believes the moves will improve overall offense and defense. Pitching remains the primary weakness, but hopefully some of the younger pitchers will exceed expectations. If it all comes together we could, once again, compete for a playoff berth. If we do, we should be able to revive fan interest, which suffered in 2023, increase attendance, and avoid the financial loss we incurred as a result. Let's have some fun, win some games, and generate a profit in 2024.

The opening day roster includes:

CATCHER - Mike Hobbs (.254, 22 HR, 66 RBI in 2023) again will catch the majority of innings and Miguel Leon (.205 in 2023 after batting .286 in 2022) catching one or two games a week and providing late-inning defensive support.

INFIELDERS – In his first full season in the bigs, Baber Davi (.291/.343/.461, 21 HR, 86 RBI), now 23 years old, sparked the offense and captured a Gold Glove award at first base. We look for him to build on this and continue to contribute for us. Two time all-star Pat Thompson (.337/.378/.482, 16 HR, 68 RBI, 22 SB) again will start and play second base. WAR totals of 3.8, 3.8, and 4.8 over the last three seasons are evidence that he is one of the better second basemen in the league. Bob Hennessey (.299/.356/.378), who has a cannon for an arm, will man the hot corner. Last season Hennessey played third for the second half and did an excellent job (+2.2 ZR, 1.016 EFF). Newly acquired Valentin Alvarado (.258, 32 HR, 93 RBI for Quebec) should generate improved run-producing punch while providing very good defensive support at the shortstop position.

Off the bench, 1B Jesus Cruz will platoon vs. left-handed starters. He can back-up at first, but he is such an awful fielder that we prefer not to hand him a glove. Dan Best will provide back-up support at the first, second, and third sacks. Fortunately the starters play multiple positions, so we should be able to juggle the lineups to cover for short-term ailments and provide players with opportunities for rest days.

OUTFIELDERS – From left to right, the outfield positions will be patrolled by Nick Holmes (.344/.445/.533 in 71 games), Wilson Flores, and rookie Antonio Barbarro (.305/.363/.478 for Vancouver). During the last half of 2023 Holmes demonstrated that he has fully recovered from the elbow injury. The entire Portland fan base is looking forward to a full season of thrills and chills generated by one of the better players on the planet. Flores is eager to play his first full season for the Beavers. Starting Barbarro at right field will enable us to move Pat Bancroft to the designated hitter role. Bancroft has regressed into a pathetic fielder (-27.0 ZR, .830 EFF). Undoubtedly Barbarro will shore up the defense.

In addition to Bancroft, Mathieu Bodin and Allen Cummings will provide back-up support. Bodin can flash the leather at all three outfield positions. Cummings can hit, but he is a one-dimensional player who can hit but stumbles around in the field.

DESIGNATED HITTER – Although Pat Bancroft is a liability in the field, he still can hit (.330/.387/.471, 42 2B, 13 HR, 71 RBI). He will start most games with Jesus Cruz enabling him to take an occasional day off when the Beavers face a southpaw.

STARTING PITCHERS – Pitching remains problematic. Until the Beavers can address the overall quality – or lack of it – of the starting five, we will have to go with what we have. We will open the season with a rotation of Nate Gary, Manuel Garcia, Fred Watson, Wilson Cruz, and Shayne Linnie. Despite a 5-17 record in 2023, Gary maintained a 4.04 ERA and accumulated a 4.0 WAR in 33 starts. In his first full season with the Beavers, Garcia registered a 9-10 record and a 4.91 ERA in 200 innings pitched. After three solid seasons, Watson was an extreme disappointment (6-17, 6.19 ERA), but he somehow accumulated a 2.1 WAR. He arrived at spring training determined to bounce back in 2024. Cruz (9-10, 4.74 ERA) showed improvement in his second full season and he is looking to continue to improve this season. With a 1.80 ERA during spring training, he appears to be primed to do so. Linnie hasn't had a great deal of success at the major league level, but a change of scenery could be just what the doctor ordered. He will have an opportunity to start the season as the fifth starter. If anyone falters, untested Felix Barrera will get a shot.

RELIEF PITCHERS – After missing the second half of last season with a torn flexor tendon in his elbow, Troy Fountain (11 saves, 2.60 ERA in 30 appearances) will return and anchor the bullpen in the closer role. In the setup role, Larry Foley and Weldon Hoskins will attempt to hold late-inning leads and pass the game to Fountain in a position for a save. Foley missed most of 2024 with an injury. It is good to have him back on the active roster. Hoskins (3.78 ERA in 43 relief appearances) is looking forward to a more demanding bullpen role. Other members of the bullpen include lefty Carlos Rubio, righty Pablo Alomar, and righty Tsuneyo Kakutama.

THE BOTTOM LINE

In 2024 the Beavers should bounce back at the plate. We hope to once again prove to be one of the top run-scoring offenses in the TML. If we do, we should be able to be competitive. In the field, our overall defense should improve, especially since the more significant defensive liabilities have been replaced by players with improved fielding skills. Pitching should again be an adventure. The front office team is hopeful that a better defense will translate into fewer runs scored by opposing teams, but the pitching staff must step up and produce.

The bottom line is that this is the ABL and anything can happen. In the last four seasons the Beavers have bounced around from 1^st, to 3^rd, to 1^st, and to 4^th in our division. Can we improve by about 30 wins and again be in the playoff hunt? Who knows? The opening day prognosticators believe we can compete in a hotly contested race for the Earl Weaver Division pennant. We hope they are right.

Go Beavers!