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Watts Division preview

The Watts Division is sometimes referred to as the second class of the AUBL. Teams from the Watts have won just one of the last five championship series, and more often than not the division winner is the sole representative in the playoffs. Last year, Darwin separated itself from the pack and charged into the post-season determined to bring home the Aussie Trophy. Albury and Perth had other plans, however, as their wild card series stretched to seven games, and a well-rested Perth club easily swept the Select.

That said, the balance may be shifting slightly. Shrewd moves by several Watts GMs have the potential to improve every club in the division (with the exception of Livingstone). Will this be the year that Newcastle ends its playoff drought? Will Darwin finally bring home the Aussie Trophy? Stay tuned as the 2007 season kicks off this week.

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Ballarat Nemesis

Infield

The off-season acquisition of catcher Calvin Ambrose from the Perth Power was hailed as a coup for the Nemesis. Yes, they rescued Perth from a poor contract decision, but Ballarat gained a legitimate star at arguably the most important position on the field. Though Ambrose's numbers were not as good as previous seasons, this two-time Golden Glove award winner is still the real deal.

The rest of the infield is filled with unproven youngsters, with the exception of 3B Ethan Dulihanty, 31, who will probably hang out a lot with Ambrose in the clubhouse. Of the youngsters, 1B Trent Grenfell and SS Shi-yu Ang are the only ones who has proven major league experience. They are the cornerstones of this franchise at the moment. Unfortunately, Ang will miss the first month of the season on the DL with a fractured jaw. He has been injury-prone the past two seasons.

Grade: 3/5

Outfield

Another major off-season move brought LF Randy Barnes to Ballarat. Like Ambrose, Barnes had a off year last season, hitting 51 points below his career average and 118 points below his slugging percentage. He's got something to prove, however, in the final season of his contract.

In center field, Randy Wakely also has a lot to prove in a contract year. Last season, he traded average for some extra power, hitting a career high 19 HRs. His numbers overall were down, and the Nemesis will need him to bounce back as the leader of the outfield.

Ethan Haynes and free agent Cam Wanhalla will platoon in RF.

Grade: 1/3

Starting Pitching

Ballarat wanted desperately to improve their rotation this off-season, but lost out on the outrageous sweepstakes for the mediocre Tommy Holder. Instead, they return the same staff from last year, lead by a solid but unspectacular Bill Moy and lefty veteran Adam Backhouse. They're in some trouble here.

Grade: 1/5

Bullpen

As poor as the Nemesis are in the rotation, they do have some talent in the bullpen. Newcomer Brom Trask from Texas is the talk of the town. He's come in throwing fireballs and a deadly splitter. He has not yet officially been named closer, but it will likely occur before opening day.

Other significant contributors are Roy Bruce, Kelvin Higgins and lefty Bryce Skinner.

Grade: 3/3

Overall: 8/16

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Darwin Select

Infield

Considered to be the strength of the Select offense in the preseason last year, their infield did not live up to expectations a year ago. Production from shortstop and third base were less than stellar. The ever-active Darwin GM addressed the problem. Though the experiment with Pepillo Yaujar at shortstop was temporarily put on hold, Nicholas Kingsley brought in former Newcastle SS Ling-lai Xiao to replace the ineffective Yasujiro Ikezawa.

Harris Avery, a rising star at third base, returns despite a lackluster 2006 season. Look for Avery to return to his 2005 form.

Other newcomers include rookie C Ed Davis, who played sparingly late in the 2006 season, and 37-year-old veteran Chun-hua Xi, who will provide spark off the bench and valuable injury insurance.

Returning are all-stars 2B Shu-yaan Thean, C Walter Atwood and 1B Vaughan Purss, and utility man Brody Dingle.

Grade: 4/5

Outfield

Returning all three starters from last season, the only minor changes are on the bench. Gone is disgruntled CF Reginald Wlltshire. In his place, veteran Hayden Pearce and rookie Warren Hutchesson will back up the solid starting squad of RF Isaac White, CF Eddie Hanscombe, and LF Owen Farrell.

Grade: 3/3

Starting Pitching

Kyle Cobb returned successful from a torn tricep suffered in just his fourth start in 2005. He pitched 134 injury-free innings in 2006 with a 3.63 ERA. All indications are that he is even better this year, dominating his four starts in spring.

The top of the rotation is set with aces Bailey Beers and Gordon Waymouth, along with last year's newcomer Bembe Barrosa. Notably absent from the rotation is Nick Waddingham, dealt to division rival Livingstone. His replacement will be one of the youngsters: either Amin Kampibe, José García, or lefty Stewart Ebeling.

Grade: 4/5

Bullpen

Few can argue that Darwin doesn't have the best bullpen in the league, and it is the one area where no tinkering as occurred. Jayden Kline was lost to free agency and replacing him will be rookies Adrian Gallagher or Rich Millar. Otherwise, the formidable group lead by closer Brody Trewartha, Luigi Waddingham, and Jay Eastick return to clean up the competition. This dominance may change next season, however, as both Waddingham and Eastick have publicly stated they will test free agency.

Grade: 3/3

Overall: 14/16

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Livingstone Demons

Infield

Injuries have decimated the Livingstone infield to start 2007. Star catcher Edwin Baldwin and 1B Ralph Gilleland will both start the year on the 60-day DL. Luckily, Livingstone has depth at both positions, thanks to newcomer Samuel Goulding from Ballarat via Perth.

All-stars Tim Hogan and Pete Tibbles shore up as good a middle infield as there is in the AUBL. Youngster Allan Brice still has a lot to prove at third base.

Grade: 3/5

Outfield

Moving prospect Warren Hutchesson was a controversial move for the Demons, but they return a solid duo in Jake Rae and all-star and Bronze Baseball award winner Zachary Cashmore, who's injuries down the stretch last year may have cost the Demons a playoff spot. The inconsistent Gerry Colcott will provide help off the bench.

Grade: 2/3

Starting Pitching

Three starters return from a year ago, including Yee Goei and Norm Schwer, and newcomers Waddingham and Paddy Osbourne could provide much needed stability in the middle of the rotation. Surely, this will be an area to watch for the Demons in 2007.

Grade: 3/5

Bullpen

All-star closer Calvin Dutton was very efficient last season, posting 33 saves and four wins in 57 appearances. The rest of the bullpen is questionable, however, and will be relying heavily on several youngsters, including Gary Oeltjen and Declan Piper.

Grade: 1/3

Overall: 9/16

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Newcastle Hitmen

Infield

All-star newcomer Callum Toohey and rookie Wayne Southey are significant additions to an otherwise weak infield. Second baseman Nick Murphy had a breakout season in 2006, and will get a chance to build on that this year.

Grade: 2/5

Outfield

The youth movement in Newcastle continues in the outfield as well. Gone is the veteran Barnes. Instead, the Hitmen have turned to a quartet of up-and-coming youngsters: Jai Sweetman, Warren Puckeridge, José Torres, and Jordan Wonnocott.

Grade: 1/3

Starting Pitching

Their rotation makes them serious contenders in the Watts Division, despite a young and unproven offense. A trio of aces, Jay Paterson, Wayne Mccabe, and Gavin Toohey, matches the best in the league. Minor league Picther of the Year Yoshifumi Ishiwata gets his chance at the majors this year in the fifth slot.

Grade: 4/5

Bullpen

An upgraded bullpen further solidifies the club, led by the acquisition of MR Kline and rookie Stefan Donovan. Closer Terence Mills returns along with solid performers Nicholas Campbell and Allan Pryor.

Grade: 3/3

Overall: 10/16

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Seymour Firedogs

Infield

Steven Gladstone moves from left field to first base to help solidify this troubled unit. Carl Gerlach departed for Brisbane, leaving behind a depleted middle infield. Miguel Aguilar, a surprise in 2006, returns as full-time shortstop. Platoons at catcher, second and third mean more inconsistency this season, at least until or if 2006 free agent signee Malcom Zglinicki returns from a fractured ankle.

Grade: 1/5

Outfield

A rebuilt outfield may actually be a strength this season, as the Firedogs capitalized on Gerlach's value to deal him to Brisbane in exchange for young outfielder Zhong-xian Cheung. If Cheung can perform even close to last season's form, this will be a major win for the Firedogs. In fact, the other two starters in the outfield are also former Seadogs/Scorpions, Fraser Stobbie in center and Brendon Ablett in right.

Grade: 2/3

Starting Pitching

Since the departure of Marcello Blanksby to Brisbane, the Firedogs rotation has not recovered. They are counting on the development of youngsters Dylan Wall and Sam Jacobsen to shore up an otherwise dismal rotation. Tyler "Walmart" Wakefield led the league in losses four out of the last five seasons, yet he remains in the middle of the rotation. That's a sign of trouble.

Grade: 0/5

Bullpen

The deal for Matthew Hughes continued the Firedogs-Sea Dogs trade connection. Despite giving up a lot of young talent, Seymour finally has an anchor in the bullpen. Ben Rodda and Declan Stone head a group of quality relievers.

Grade: 2/3

Overall: 5/16

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Outlook

With luck and good health, Newcastle could finally see post-season play. Darwin still controls this division, but they need more firepower to compete with Perth for a championship.

Darwin Select 96-66
Newcastle Hitmen 84-78
Livingstone Demons 80-82
Ballarat Nemesis 77-85
Seymour Firedogs 59-103

NZBL debut

I've re-evaluated my stance on expanding the minor leagues of the AUBL, and I think I've come to a compromise solution that everyone will enjoy. In order for it to work, however, I need a little cooperation.

I have created a second AAA affiliate league called the New Zealand Baseball League. This league will operate during the off-season of our current league. Only current roster players with under 5 years of professional experience will be allowed to participate in the NZBL. It will be treated as a developmental league, where players can go to get extra experience during the winter months.

I acted on this immediately, given that we are approaching the end of the preseason, the only time that structural changes are allowed for the league. Please let me know what you think.

Spring Training under way

1 Sep 2007 (v)


The warming September air is here and the Australian Baseball League prepares for another season with the annual month-long training league. It is here that veterans shake off their rust and young players get to showcase their potential.

Over the next 28 days, rosters, rotations, lineups, and depth charts will be set. Spring training is also a time for players to experiment with new field positions. Such is the case with Darwin Select infielder Pepillo Yaujar. He's trying out at shortstop in order to get a shot at everyday playing time.

Pitchers also get a chance to try out new roles. Some move from the rotation to the bullpen, others vice versa. In any case, spring represents opportunity—to be fulfilled or wasted.

Pre-season has begun

Just a quick reminder that the preseason has begun and the next seven days are your last chance to submit any team or ballpark changes for the 2007-08 season.