Team Frosty Preview

When most people take a look at Team Frosty's roster, they almost automatically pick them to finish last. However, I feel that this team is the most balanced team in the league. Team Frosty has two good pitchers in Zimmerman and Dinger and two good fielders in Frosty and Divelbiss. Despite, what most people would call, a disappointing draft, with these 4 players and Vince Mead and Jeff Dean on the bench; this team could be very dangerous all season. I totally agree, as most people would, that captain Frosty screwed up in not selecting Miloser or Blose in the first round, but maybe he has a strategy we do not know about. Expect Frosty’s numbers to improve from last years, which could be scary, and I would look for RBI’s and HR’s to increase for Divelbiss from the past year. I would not look for the numbers Matt Dinger had last year on the mound and do not expect Zimmerman’s ERA to stay around where it was last season as well. Look for Divelbiss to bat behind Frosty once again, as he is strong from the two spot. Do not forget, Frosty lead this lineup to the World Series last year, and even improved in the acquisition of Matt Dinger, who will replace Adam Beveridge. If you were making early predictions on the season, I would definitely consider Team Frosty as a likely World Series Team. My surprise player for this team will go to David Zimmerman. He has improved every year and could find a spot on the all-star team at the midway point. 

2. Andy Divelbiss 

3. Matt Dinger

4. David Zimmerman

2. David Zimmerman

Projected Finish: 4th Place

Team Smacker Preview

Like Team Frosty, this team has three returning starters for the 2003 campaign. This team has high hopes and if Adam Beveridge and Heath Ellenberger continue where they left off at the end of last season and playoffs, this team could be a top team. The heart of the team lies in Marc Lantz. When Marc is doing well, the rest of the team feeds off of his success and begins to light up the scoreboard. However, with Marc’s shaking attendance last season and a surprise retirement, Team Smacker hopes for 20 games from could be MVP, Marc Lantz. With the separation of pitchers Joey Troupe and Matt Dinger, this team has the best, in my opinion, rotation in the league. Kyle Means who had a Cy-Young like first half and Adam Beveridge, who excelled in the playoffs, could be the dynamic duo in the league this year. The depth of Team Smacker is the biggest flaw by far for this team. Kayla McGee, AWBL’s only girl, is the best player off the bench, as Garrett Temchulla, Todd Martino and Matthew Means will probably come as often as Dustin Davis. Even when the younger Means brother makes an appearance, do not expect anything more from him then just cheering off to the side. This team will have little problem having four players each week and with 16-20 games out of the same four players, come playoffs, this team will be hard to stop. In all reality, this team’s success will come from Marc Lantz and his play.

2. Marc Lantz

3. Kyle Means

4. Adam Beveridge

2. Adam Beveridge

Projected Finish: 3rd Place

Team Walker Preview

Returning CO-MVP and returning CY-Young winner, this sounds like the start of a World Series caliber team. Ignoring the last three picks, this is a very rounded ball club. The one big question is, “Will they have enough people there every week?” Ronnie Walker and Joey Troupe will be there every Sunday, but will Stu, Andy, and Pritch make it out for the game. What appears to be a very strong lineup with Joey Troupe, Ronnie Walker, Stu White, and Andy Snyder; could be the weakness of Team Walker. It is very possible that this team could play with only three every week depending on the attendance of Pritchard. Attendance is more important for Team Walker than the other three teams in the league. If Ronnie and his first three draft picks show up for all twenty games, this team is going to be very hard to stop. The positioning of the players in the field for this team could make a difference in some wins and losses. This team is solid and really there is not too much to say about this team. Team Walker has a good, solid lineup, and as I stated before, the magic word for this team will be attendance.

2. Ronnie Walker

3. Joey Troupe

4. Stu White

2. Andy Snyder

Projected Finish: 2nd Place

Team Barilar Preview

What more can you except from defending World Series champions? Obviously, making the team stronger than last year did not cross your mind. The most common question is how your team becomes better when you lose the top two pitchers from the past season. The formula is simple, Blose + Miloser + Barilar + anyone else = Wins. The one flaw in this team will be pitching. If Miloser and Blose can have the pitching numbers of two years ago, I see no reason this team does not go undefeated. However, if the disappointment of last year on the mound for these two carry into this season, we might see Barilar make his first ever start. I am really interested on seeing Mike Pride this year, for he could be another Ronnie Walker. Captain Barilar is hoping for 20 game seasons from Blose, Miloser, and Pride. Who would not be wishing that when Mike Foster is your man off the bench? Kyle Barilar will be chasing after his third consecutive MVP title this year, and he has the players surrounding him to help him accomplish this milestone. It is very likely that records will be broken once again this season and do not be surprised if the majority of those new records come from players in this lineup. In fact, why not just pick one all-star team this year because you know the other all-star team will be Team Barilar. I have even heard rumors that the award ceremonies this year will be called “Tribute to Team Barilar.” When I asked Kyle Barilar to describe his expectations for his team this season in one sentence, he boldly replied, “I don’t need a sentence, just one word: unstoppable.” He also continued to say, “Anything less then 20 - 0 is disappointing.” With players like Adam Miloser and Kory Blose who are hungry for a championship, this team could set new standards for years to come. When you are driving down Route 119 on a Sunday afternoon and see a red ball fly overhead, do not stop your car and head for the nearest ditch because it will just be Team Barilar batting. 

2. Adam Miloser

3. Kory Blose

4. Mike Pride

2. Kory Blose

Projected Finish: 1st Place