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Eugene Church · 06-24-2009, 11:27 PM

The Islandian Times

March 11, 2004

Crusaders Slight Favorite Over Belair Beach and Waleska In RU South
There were two teams in the IPA that had colossal seasons by going from worst to first in one year. Hartsdale of the TU North accomplished it - the other team was the St. John Crusaders, guided to the RU South pennant by the former all-industrial league catcher Dickie Billings, who played with the famous Marston "Murderers Row" team, one of the best company teams of all-time. The Crusaders won by four games over the Belair Beach Sunbirds and by six games over the revitalized Waleska Westerners. For that achievement Billings garnered the TU Manager of the Year Award.

The BNN preseason poll has made St. John the favorite over Belair Beach and Waleska in the Ruthlandian Union South pennant chase. Billings has a four strong starters and a solid closer, coupled with a good hitting and well-balanced team. Everybody on the team contributes in one way or another. Billings worked wonders as he had only three regulars that played more than 136 games. But he pieced it together and took the division crown and went as far as the Elite 8, where St. John ran into a torrid Middlefield Rooster team and were eliminated.

Last year Billings had to constantly rework his line-up until he found the best combination. Billings said he shouldn't have to do that this season except at center field and second base, where Billings has two players of equal talent, so he platoons them against lefties and righties. Last year he played three center fielders.

Billings will go with very few roster changes, picking up one lefthanded pitcher and a back-up catcher. Terry Garson is a 19-year-old and a work-in-progress. Garson will do duty in middle relief and mop-up roles.

St. John moved last year's shortstop Cal Kanellis to third base this season and moved his back-up Wayne Slaughter to short. This will keep Kanellis' bat in the line-up and strengthen the defense. The Crusaders play in the roomiest stadium in the IPA and Billings believes in having a strong defense.

Top Hurlers: Sterling Eccles (12-6 2.63), LHP Zach Simon (19-17 3.14), Eric Mayes (19-12 3.46), LHP George Wilson (17-9 3.88) and closer Eddie Thorsen (6-7 3.18) with an IPA high 30 saves in 72 games.

RF Kenny Hatcher (.283 BA/21 HR/107 RBI/92 R/41 SB), LF Don Kolstad (.294 BA/15 HR/78 RBI/77 R) and 1B Frankie Faber (.269 BA/14 HR/51 RBI/50 R/10 SB) in 80 games

06-24-2009, 11:27 PM	#1050
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,695 Blog Entries: 1	The Islandian Times March 11, 2004 Crusaders Slight Favorite Over Belair Beach and Waleska In RU South There were two teams in the IPA that had colossal seasons by going from worst to first in one year. Hartsdale of the TU North accomplished it - the other team was the St. John Crusaders, guided to the RU South pennant by the former all-industrial league catcher Dickie Billings, who played with the famous Marston "Murderers Row" team, one of the best company teams of all-time. The Crusaders won by four games over the Belair Beach Sunbirds and by six games over the revitalized Waleska Westerners. For that achievement Billings garnered the TU Manager of the Year Award. The BNN preseason poll has made St. John the favorite over Belair Beach and Waleska in the Ruthlandian Union South pennant chase. Billings has a four strong starters and a solid closer, coupled with a good hitting and well-balanced team. Everybody on the team contributes in one way or another. Billings worked wonders as he had only three regulars that played more than 136 games. But he pieced it together and took the division crown and went as far as the Elite 8, where St. John ran into a torrid Middlefield Rooster team and were eliminated. Last year Billings had to constantly rework his line-up until he found the best combination. Billings said he shouldn't have to do that this season except at center field and second base, where Billings has two players of equal talent, so he platoons them against lefties and righties. Last year he played three center fielders. Billings will go with very few roster changes, picking up one lefthanded pitcher and a back-up catcher. Terry Garson is a 19-year-old and a work-in-progress. Garson will do duty in middle relief and mop-up roles. St. John moved last year's shortstop Cal Kanellis to third base this season and moved his back-up Wayne Slaughter to short. This will keep Kanellis' bat in the line-up and strengthen the defense. The Crusaders play in the roomiest stadium in the IPA and Billings believes in having a strong defense. Top Hurlers: Sterling Eccles (12-6 2.63), LHP Zach Simon (19-17 3.14), Eric Mayes (19-12 3.46), LHP George Wilson (17-9 3.88) and closer Eddie Thorsen (6-7 3.18) with an IPA high 30 saves in 72 games. RF Kenny Hatcher (.283 BA/21 HR/107 RBI/92 R/41 SB), LF Don Kolstad (.294 BA/15 HR/78 RBI/77 R) and 1B Frankie Faber (.269 BA/14 HR/51 RBI/50 R/10 SB) in 80 games