Mister Baseball

by John Baum

BARRACUDAS LOOK TO END FLYERS NINE GAME WINNING STREAK IN THREWIL SATURDAY
The Barracudas (9-4), currently in third place in the standings, travel to Therwil to take on the first place Flyers (10-1). The Barracudas, looking to solidify themselves in the playoff hunt, will need quality starting pitching if they hope to upend the country’s hottest team. Jeff Mottl (3-2, 3.33 ERA), and Nderim Coma (1-0, 2.19 ERA), along with American ace J.T. Schroeder (3-1, .55ERA) will try to hold down the dangerous Flyer hitters. Therwil, led by Australian Chris Blackbee (.425 AVG, 2HR, 15 RBI), Reto Siegel (.417 AVG, 18 RBI), and Dan Eichenberger (.364 AVG, 4 HR) will push the ‘Cudas pitching staff all day. The Flyers are a very balanced team, boasting the leagues second best team batting average, .334, along with the leagues lowest team ERA, 1.89. The ace of the staff is Blackbee, (3-1, .95ERA), followed by Stefan Koller, (5-0, 2.29 ERA). This balance is the main reason the Flyers stand in first place. The ‘Cudas can be good with the bat also, Schroeder, (.429 AVG, 3HR), and Coma (.364 AVG), will do their best to spark an otherwise struggling offense. The outcome will depend on how the Flyers respond to the absence of their starting catcher and coach, John Alexander (wedding). This I believe plays a role in the Barracudas finding a way to win one, holding onto their grip of third place.

EAGLES AND DEVILS FIGHT TO STAY OFF THE BOTTOM
In a game with relegation in mind, both clubs will fight to put them in better position not to fall out of the NLA. At least I hope they can find the motivation to make these games mean something. The Eagles (3-9) are in trouble with injuries to their top three hitters, import Ryan Rothford (.543 AVG), Rudy Vargas (.400 AVG), and Tom Huston (.387 AVG), are all finding it hard to stay on the field. Jerome Mueller (1-4 5.95 ERA) has been his inning eating self again this year, but is struggling to find the success he’s had in the past. The Devils (3-11), are coming off a hard fought loss to the Cardinals in game one two weeks ago, and hope to continue that good play. Roger Salvodelli (2-5, 2.67 ERA), has been the hard luck loser due to a lackluster offense (a league low .225 AVG). The only bright spot is the coming form of Rusty Tiedemann (.474 AVG, 2 HR, 12 RBI). The idea of the Eagles being without all those hitters should give the Devils a good chance to move off the bottom. If they do not play, the Devils will sweep this weekend.

CHALLENGERS GO TO SISSACH HAVING TO WIN TWO AGAINST THE FROGS
Last year’s finalist, the Challengers (5-7), are looking in from the outside of the playoff race with only eight games left to play. The Challengers look to move to .500 with two wins this weekend, and put themselves in a tie for fourth place. Their opponents from Sissach (4-10), like the Eagles and Devils, look to move away from the bottom of the table. Danny Traina (3-2, 3.68 ERA) has found his form on the mound again, helping to bring his team out of the relegation range at the moment. The injury to Christian Klarer will be a big hurt to the Frogs, as he was the team’s most dangerous hitter. Although he may still pitch, this isn’t where the Frogs need his skill. The Challengers have several dangerous hitters in the lineup, most notably Saentis Zeller, (.565 AVG, 9 2B). Jesus Martinez (.375 AVG, 2 HR), and Tobias Siegrist (.371 AVG, 13 RBI), also swing big sticks. The Challengers have way too much on the line to let these games slip away. With that being said the Challengers will leave Sissach with two farewell wins to coach Andy Fleischacker, who will return to the States to coach in Cleveland, Ohio.

The Bern Cardinals 10-2, and the Lausanne Indians 7-7, both have the weekend off.

Time	Div.	Home	Visitor	Field
Dates and Times are subject to change! In case of doubt check with the responsible national federation!
Saturday, July 19 2008
11:00	1	Wil Devils	Reussbühl Eagles	Embrach PZ Hard
11:00	1	Therwil Flyers	Zürich Barracudas	Therwil Känelmatt
Sunday, July 20 2008
11:00	2	Sissach Frogs	Zürich Challengers	Sissach Tannbrunn

Standings 1

Standings 2