Last week we provided previews for Bulldog’s, Brew House, Cantor and The Dog House. This week the fun continues with The Keg, the Invisible Team, Outback and Santa fe…….

The Keg- The loss of Dave Trunzo and Dan Ruzika would hurt any team and certainly The Keg is no exception. But if Preston P. Powell III has shown us anything it’s that recruiting is his game!  The Third has gone out and found perhaps a better replacement in Kirk Stokes at Shortstop and has added depth all over the field with Justin Watzka, Tim Donahue, John Lang and Ricky “The Preak Frean” Prioletti. And no, I didn’t make up the name Ricky Prioletti!! There are question marks with this team but the nucleus is there for the Keg to make that jump to the next level.

 

On the hot seat- Coach Powell! As Grandma Nuts used to say “You can recruit a chicken to do a turkey’s job but can you teach him how to be a turkey?”  The Third has shown us he can recruit now he needs to prove he’s a game day coach!

 

Ronaldo “Skeets” Zeigler- Remember Ronaldo “Skeets” Nehemiah? He was a track star turned NFL wide receiver. He would show flashes of brilliance but never turned the corner. That’s who Josh Zeigler has reminded me of so far. He has the athleticism to be one of the best but is yet to do it on a consistent basis!

 

Turning out the stars- Jeff Buhl and Eric Wu are two of the best hitters on the team and with consistency perhaps in the league. The problem is- they don’t show up every week. Coach Powell needs to recruit them on a weekly basis!

 

The Team Formerly Known as Lux- They may not have a name and they may have lost some players but don’t expect the men with no name to relinquish their spot amongst the leagues best teams! The men with no name or “The Invisible Team” as they heretofore shall be known, still feature Hasbun, Ryno, Dre, Gonzalez, Tse, Meyers, Mike Flynn, Boyd, Mense come playoff time and two new dudes that hit like the back end of a donkey. Does going against that lineup sound like a fun way to spend your Saturday afternoon? Didn’t think so! The Invisible Team will be just fine thank you!

 

            Keep an eye on- Newcomer Thomas Hill. Already 7 for 10 with 3 doubles and 9

runs scored. Suddenly the loss of Angelo doesn’t seem quite so large!

 

On the hot seat- Meyers!! The big man had a huge year last year and showed that there was no slowing down The Manatee.  But he will need to produce at the same level in ’09 if the Invisible Team expects to be on top.

 

Call in the Calvertry- Chris Calvert was one of the best defensive outfielders to perhaps ever play in the league. Replacing him will not be easy and the Invisible Team will need to figure out the defensive alignment in the outfield quickly.

 

Outback- Tell me a person in this league that doesn’t love the irascible Canadians? Tell me there’s a better crew in the league to hang with in the bleachers? Tell me you don’t love Turtle and Tmac? All that is great but this year coach Tmac is doing everything possible NOT to have you love them! The Men From Down Under are tired of losing and they went on a spending spree with Phil Glamann, John Oriordan and erstwhile pitcher Adam Levin. Tmac wants to compete and he wants to compete NOW!! With the upgrades they have made the Aussies may just find themselves in the middle of things this year!

 

Welcome back Mr. Cotter- After missing most of last year “Hilary” Duff Bishop is back in the middle of the lineup to add some much needed pop!

 

On the hot seat- Adam Levin! Will have to prove he can blend in with the cool breeze of the great white north!

 

Men at Work- The Men from down Under need to bring out their best man at work- Dave Work. It’s been years since Dave has consistently showed up at King’s Park. If The Men From Down Under are to compete at a high level they need Dave Work!

 

Santa Fe- What better way to end the season preview than with the final word in Hong Kong Softball- Santa Fe! The Movers are not only loaded but even more so than last year! Somehow they have managed to pick up perhaps the best SS in the league in Anthony “Heisman” Davis. And no there is no hyperbole in what I just said!! Wait ‘till you see the dude- he may be the Heisman winner all over again. Also new to The Movers this year is Ronnie “Horse Nuts” Moss to add pitching stability should Hoover not come back. As it stands now The Movers are going to be extremely difficult to beat. If Hoover comes back- checkmate!

 

On the hot seat- Butterass! Which begs the question- if Butterass is on the hot seat does he melt? Anyway, word from the brass is that management is growing tired of Butterass’ antics. Sleeping late, gaining weight and always ready to instigate, Butterass has had a hard time impressing the brass! Sure, the fans love him but they don’t fill out the lineup card!!  The famed "Butterass Blog" has rankled many of his teammates and he is in serious danger of being known as a "Me" guy!

 

Heisman Hype- I’m telling you- wait ‘till you see this dude play!

 

Batman- If Johnny Lau were Batman Spencer Seto would be his Robin! I may be going out on a limb here but he has to be the most underrated player in the league! He runs everything down, hits .600 and always has the clutch hit!