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Eugene Church · 06-21-2009, 09:02 PM

The Islandian Times

March 8, 2004

Roosters Lose Top Pitcher, Season In Doubt
Middlefield is a very successful franchise starting its third year of play in the IPA. The Roosters have gone deep in the Pro Cup Series both years. They went to the Elite 8 in 2002 in the RU West and even further last season, making the Final 4. After a third place finish their first year with an 80-74 mark, Middlefield fell to the Valka Blackhawks. This past season they compiled an 85-69 record and almost made the finals, but were upended by the Valmara Vipers after making a spirited run for the Pro Cup.

But the Roosters were stunned in the off-season with the retirement of their All-Star ace, Jackie Lee Bevis. Although 40 years old, Bevis was on top of his game and went 23-9 with a 3.20 ERA to spark them to a Final 4 Finish with a 3-0 postseason mark and a 1.88 ERA. At his retirement Bevis just said he had had a wonderful baseball career, both in company league play and in the pros, and it was time to move on while he was still able to compete at a high level. "I've seen guys try to play too long. I wanted to go out on top. It would have been nice to win the Pro Cup, but that just wasn't to be. Final 4 wasn't a bad way to go out."

The loss could send Middlefield reeling this season. It is doubtful that Bevis will come close to being replaced. Four rookies will be vying for his place in the Rooster rotation. As a result, the baseball scribes are predicting a huge slide this season. Sixth place is not out of the question. The RU West is the most evenly-matched division in the league and several clubs are likely to move past Middlefield.

The Middlefield Roosters play in one of the smaller parks in the Islandian Pro Alliance and it comes in handy for the hitters, but really makes it tough for the pitchers. Manager Smitty Michaels' club certainly entertains the homer-happy fans at Middlefield Park. The powerful Roosters led the Ruthlandian Union with 186 home runs, but also gave up 186. Michaels has gone through quite a few clunkers and chuckers. In 2004 he almost has a new staff with newcomers Ross Jacobs, Daryl Malone, Don Shaw and Darby Bush. Michaels told reporters, "You are going to regret putting us down near the bottom in the league. My rooks are gonna prove you wrong."

Middlefield has added a slick fielder to its powerful line-up. Timmy Gage will be installed at second base. Gage is a patient, contact hitter with good range and good hands in the field. He will be a big plus with just his glove. Michaels expects Gage to hit around .300 and thinks he could be a Rookie of the Year candidate. That's how impressed he is with Gage.

The Rooster skipper also chided the reporters, "Just wait until my boys with the booming bats make you eats your words."

Best Pitchers: LHP Jamie Hicks (14-11 3.23), LHP Denny Yarrow (15-6 4.06) and closer Dave Webb (5-4 3.56) with 28 saves in 77 games. Yarrow was second in appearances and third in saves.

Best Batters: All-Star CF Ty DeWitt (.275 BA/37 HR/117 RBI/109 R/16 SB), Golden Glove RF Bailey Norcross (.312 BA/34 HR/98 RBI/116 R/63 SB), LF Cecil Clark (.292 BA/29 HR/81 RBI/111 R/22 SB), 1B Allie Ludlow (.266 BA/25 HR/105 RBI) and 3B Lowell Satterwhite (.285 BA/20 HR/71 RBI)

06-21-2009, 09:02 PM	#1036
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,695 Blog Entries: 1	The Islandian Times March 8, 2004 Roosters Lose Top Pitcher, Season In Doubt Middlefield is a very successful franchise starting its third year of play in the IPA. The Roosters have gone deep in the Pro Cup Series both years. They went to the Elite 8 in 2002 in the RU West and even further last season, making the Final 4. After a third place finish their first year with an 80-74 mark, Middlefield fell to the Valka Blackhawks. This past season they compiled an 85-69 record and almost made the finals, but were upended by the Valmara Vipers after making a spirited run for the Pro Cup. But the Roosters were stunned in the off-season with the retirement of their All-Star ace, Jackie Lee Bevis. Although 40 years old, Bevis was on top of his game and went 23-9 with a 3.20 ERA to spark them to a Final 4 Finish with a 3-0 postseason mark and a 1.88 ERA. At his retirement Bevis just said he had had a wonderful baseball career, both in company league play and in the pros, and it was time to move on while he was still able to compete at a high level. "I've seen guys try to play too long. I wanted to go out on top. It would have been nice to win the Pro Cup, but that just wasn't to be. Final 4 wasn't a bad way to go out." The loss could send Middlefield reeling this season. It is doubtful that Bevis will come close to being replaced. Four rookies will be vying for his place in the Rooster rotation. As a result, the baseball scribes are predicting a huge slide this season. Sixth place is not out of the question. The RU West is the most evenly-matched division in the league and several clubs are likely to move past Middlefield. The Middlefield Roosters play in one of the smaller parks in the Islandian Pro Alliance and it comes in handy for the hitters, but really makes it tough for the pitchers. Manager Smitty Michaels' club certainly entertains the homer-happy fans at Middlefield Park. The powerful Roosters led the Ruthlandian Union with 186 home runs, but also gave up 186. Michaels has gone through quite a few clunkers and chuckers. In 2004 he almost has a new staff with newcomers Ross Jacobs, Daryl Malone, Don Shaw and Darby Bush. Michaels told reporters, "You are going to regret putting us down near the bottom in the league. My rooks are gonna prove you wrong." Middlefield has added a slick fielder to its powerful line-up. Timmy Gage will be installed at second base. Gage is a patient, contact hitter with good range and good hands in the field. He will be a big plus with just his glove. Michaels expects Gage to hit around .300 and thinks he could be a Rookie of the Year candidate. That's how impressed he is with Gage. The Rooster skipper also chided the reporters, "Just wait until my boys with the booming bats make you eats your words." Best Pitchers: LHP Jamie Hicks (14-11 3.23), LHP Denny Yarrow (15-6 4.06) and closer Dave Webb (5-4 3.56) with 28 saves in 77 games. Yarrow was second in appearances and third in saves. Best Batters: All-Star CF Ty DeWitt (.275 BA/37 HR/117 RBI/109 R/16 SB), Golden Glove RF Bailey Norcross (.312 BA/34 HR/98 RBI/116 R/63 SB), LF Cecil Clark (.292 BA/29 HR/81 RBI/111 R/22 SB), 1B Allie Ludlow (.266 BA/25 HR/105 RBI) and 3B Lowell Satterwhite (.285 BA/20 HR/71 RBI) Last edited by Eugene Church; 06-22-2009 at 12:09 AM.