2005 Team-By-Team Preview By Ben Smith

Because I care so much about the fans of the SBL, I thought I'd entertain you with my thoughts on this year's competition. This column is far from perfect, as I don't know a lot of the players of whom I'm mentioning, but it should be somewhat accurate based on my experiences last year and what I've seen and heard. I'm going team-by-team, projecting their lineups (with only one extra-hitter), and how I think they'll do in this upcoming season. Yes, this column more than likely contains some bias..and yes, I'm probably wrong about a lot of things, but who gives a damn? If you don't like this column, don't bother complaining to me. I'm too lazy to respond.

Anyway, I'm going to divide this column into two pages..one for the American Conference and another for the National. I'm not going to cover Jukebox Hero because too many players will play for them over the course of a season, so it's hard to project a regular lineup. Enjoy...


American Conference


Team Chicken Leg

Capitan: Dennis Lackey
Projected Lineup:
  • 1. Jamie Moroco
  • 2. Terry Shernisky
  • 3. Dennis Lackey
  • 4. Lenny Crist
  • Bench- Danielle Hennon is a very solid player off the bench and could even start a few games if needed. There aren't any other reliable options, and that could hurt this team.
  • Analysis- The combination of Lackey and Crist had more combined psyche-outs last year (31) than homers (22). Unless Shernisky turns out to be a stud, this team has no real power. Add into the fact that they don't have anybody who will tip in a lot of double plays (except maybe Shernisky), and you have some weaknesses. This team will have to rely on a lot of small-ball if they want to score runs. On the defensive side, they will be fun to watch, but they're going to have to rely heavily on a rookie to pick up most of their double plays. One would have to pencil in Shernisky as a ROTY candidate now. You have to assume he's good, considering that he passed up the chance to pick up a Nate Tomko or a Matt McClelland to get him. Overall, I can't say I like this team's chances. The bench only has one reliable player, and while they're not too weak in any areas, they're not too strong in any area other than psyche-outs. While psyche-outs are part of what sets apart baseketball from other games, they aren't likely to win any championships.


    • Train On Ted's Sister (T.O.T.S.)

    Capitan: Ben Smith
    Projected Lineup:
  • 1. Katie Kelly
  • 2. Mikey Moroco
  • 3. Ben Smith
  • 4. Stud Frankovich
  • Bench- Jason Betts, Sean Hood, and Jeremy Battyani are solid, reliable bench players. Patrick Nespor, if anything like his two siblings would be solid if he comes. And don't forget about Ted's sister, for whom this team is named. Please suit up, Allison Gilliland. If your older brother won't take you, I'd be more than happy to drive you.
  • Analysis- The starting four have something to prove. Katie Kelly, that she really is the next Shelly Goodpastor. Ben Smith, that he's more than home runs and a better defender than people think. Mikey Moroco, that he's ready to take the next step into being a big star. And Stud, that he can be reliable. As it is, this team should be able to light up the scoreboard. The weaknesses of this team (when Stud's not there) are defense and scrumming. If this team plays to their potential, they'll be very dangerous come playoff time. With a solid bench that can fill voids when needed and an offense that should be as good as any in the SBL, I expect T.O.T.S. to win more games than it looses. 11-13 wins is more than within reach. A lot of the pressure will fall on its capitain's shoulders, and the difference between an early exit from the playoffs and a possible championship run will rely heavily on his play and the attendence of Stud Frankovich.


    • Team Analisa Goodthing

    Capitan: Ben Elliot
    Projected Lineup:
  • 1. Elysa Farrell
  • 2. Billy Picciotto
  • 3. Ben Elliot
  • 4. Jon Olsavsky
  • Bench- Teddy Ballgame is the only reliable bench warmer for this team. When Ben lets him play, he should fare pretty well, provided that he says inside the triple line. Fred Shaffer, if he comes, could be a force.
  • Analysis- I really like this team. They're balanced in all phases of the game. They can hit short, long..play defense..psyche-out..scrum. The key here is how Ben Elliot plays. He didn't get much playing time in his first two seasons , but he played like a man possessed in last year's Fall Classic. I don't know that he'll be able to repeat that performance this season, but it's reasonable to believe that he'll put up some big numbers. Even when he struggles, he has Elysa Farrell, Billy Picciotto, and Jon Olsavsky to back him up. Analisa Goodthing has a chance to go far and be a serious threat to win the championship.


    • PJ & the Ladies

    Capitain: Billy Weisberg
    Projected Lineup:
  • 1. Billy Weisberg
  • 2. Nate Tomko
  • 3. PJ Nespor
  • 4. Big Rando
  • Bench-Aryn Christman, Jared Clayton, Seth Salcedo, Katie Burger, and Cassie Pyle give this team some depth (and some actual ladies). Although, I wouln't be too sure that Jared Clayton will play for this team.
  • Analysis-On paper, this looks to be the strongest team. With Aryn Christman or Jared Clayton (if he plays for this team), PJ & the Ladies is the most likely team to take advantage of the second extra hitter rule. They are the only team to boast four 4-year players. If games were decided on experience and scrumming, this team would be as dominant as the Serbian Jew Double Bluffs were. With all that said, it's no guarantee that they'll win it all. They lack a true leadoff hitter when Aryn Christman isn't there...and I just don't see their styles meshing all that well. Add in the fact that every team in the league is going to be gunning for them after the stuts they pulled on draft day (although I have to admit that it was pretty damn funny). Right now, this team would have to be the favorite, but unlike last year, there is no one dominant team.




    • National Conference Preview