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TOPIC: Season prediction revisions |
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| Slump Buster
March 15, 2009
10:15:32 PM
Entry #: 3088044
| Great year everyone!!.
This is how I see things shaking out...
1. Remax – look like they are losing some guys and they are still in my opinion the team to beat. They have the best hitters and they are all basically decent guys. Not sure how they can do it but they definitely need help in the corners infield positions. They have won seven trophies given out in this league and until someone takes them down in the regular season it’s just not right to pick anyone else as the favorite.
2. Sate Farm:Travel Lovers - The hard stats show that they will improve and not make lateral moves by adding players that have comparable stats or better to those that are leaving. The will get younger and stronger with solid players in the draft, but those players that left were already only used in limited roles. For this reason I think last year’s runner up will have a better team on paper, but do they know how to win.
3. Harding Display – Vic’s team just flat out plays the game the right way. They win because they play hard, smart and small ball well. No power hitters outside of the lefties, but all that can change with a good pickup in the draft. A better outfield will help out with an already stellar defensive team. They have the hardest hitting pitcher in the league and he can also field his spot well.
4. Crupi – This team looks like they may lose some key players, but hopefully will add some good guys as well. I just don’t know enough about them defensively. All in all I say it’s may be a wash and to expect the same high level of play you get out of Crupi’s teams the last few years.
5. Village Grocer – This team should be a much improved mess. They have arguably the drunkest group of guys in the league all assembled on one team, but mixed in they have some great hitters. As good as they will be offensively I think they will be the complete opposite defensively and it is hard to crack the top four in this league without a balance of both.
6. DST – This team has a mix of young guys and some old rotting corpses. They can hit for power, they can play real solid defense and they have enough old school tournament ball players to make games against them anything but easy.
7. Complete Plumbing – Still a very solid team with good all around defense and they still have one of the best power hitters in Unionville. I don’t know much about who they have lost. I do know that by season’s end they will be in the mix.
8. School – I don’t known what the problem is with this team. Nick has put together a nice group of ball players and friends. While I don’t know most of them I have seen them around and they are all decent ball players. They will be in a dog fight with most teams to avoid the bottom eight, but I believe they just may come out on top for the final playoff spot.
9.Jakes – This team consist of three very tough outs, collectively they have more power than Hydro one. These guys definitely are quality players that can more than match the bats of any team in the league. I question them defensively. They will win many games 35 to 33.
10. Bisons – Should be a good little team as long as people understand there roles, don’t need everyone hitting homeruns. Need to play smart and together and this team could surprise some of the top teams.
11. MAS – They still have great players there, but I have no idea who old Norman bribed to play with him or stay with him for that matter. I just figure the loss of key players over the years has hurt this team. They have to constantly replace talented players over the years. Defense is suspect.
12. Wild Wing - These guys will be much improved. Now that high energy, low carb players will be stepping up in this year. All kidding aside, I think they are highly motivated and as long as they don’t let the illusions of getting into the playoff round this year discourage them they will be poised to make a move for it in the ’09 season.
13. Blacksmith Bistro – I can make the same statements you read anywhere on the site – great group of guys, but lacking the talent to break out of the lower third of the league. They have the hardest hitting pitcher in the league and he can also field his spot well.
14. Angus – I like the Angus guys. Playing against them last year I had a blast. I think they have the most fun of any team and are very competitive. They have to catch more balls in the outfield to see improvements in 09.
15. Kelsey’s – They lost some players last year and the team went into the tank. I think they will have a hard time dealing with their inferior gloves, but they will hold their own against the lower third of the league.
16. Unionville Arms – Sorry to say I rank them 16 because I have no idea who the hell 99% of their roster is, but I can see what last years record was.
17. Kavanagh – same boat as Arms for me.
18. Griffith – Another awesome group of guys that unfortunately will be the cellar dwellers again, but I think they like it down there because the beer always stays cold in the cellar.
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| CHRIS L
March 16, 2009
9:40:08 AM
Entry #: 3088377
| 5. Village Grocer – This team should be a much improved mess. (AGREE) They have arguably the drunkest group of guys in the league all assembled on one team, (COULD BE) but mixed in they have some great hitters (WAITING TO SEE). As good as they will be offensively I think they will be the complete opposite defensively (COULDN'T BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH. VG WILL DEFINITELY BE THE TOP DEFENSIVE UNIT IN THE LEAGUE. STRENGTH AT EVERY POSITION, MIGHT END UP WITH ALL STARS AT 2B, SS, 3B, LC, RC) and it is hard to crack the top four in this league without a balance of both (YOU'LL SEE US AT THE TOP, ALONG WITH HARDING).
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| Tuna fish
March 16, 2009
4:26:28 PM
Entry #: 3088993
| Come on Chris....there is no way Adam can play all those defensive psoitions at once..... just kidding.... Good luck this season....
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| Teeee
March 17, 2009
2:50:30 PM
Entry #: 3090365
| Slow-pitch is a sport that is almost impossible to predict, and that's why we love it. As with life, throwing money at the problem cannot buy you a championship, only hard work and long hours can bring you to the pinnacle. But even then, the only thing that can propel you into glory is you.
The only way that we feel that we can feel the pulse of this thing we call the USPL, is to try to gaze into its depths and attempt to predict the upcoming season before it is ready to. This is my foray into this phenomenon.
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| Faux
March 18, 2009
10:32:11 PM
Entry #: 3092221
| This is sooooooo easy,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,the final four are crupi, Harding, Flakebaord and Remax
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| John
March 23, 2009
8:13:53 AM
Entry #: 3096362
| I want to give a quick nod to all of the forum members from the teams lower in the standings. This entire crap going back and forth over who's will win it this year. I think people are being very disrespectful to teams in this league by saying teams “awesome guys”. It’s been going on for too long and I've noticed we haven't heard anything from players on those teams that are being brushed off and I commend them for that.
I’m also trying to come to the defense of the teams we've played last year that are constantly being branded as pushovers. Yes we've played a lot of the teams that are low in the standings, but I don't think any of those teams beat themselves. I can't recall a single game where we picked up a win because the other team was committing tons of errors and popping up constantly. We made the routine plays, we made some of the great plays, we didn't let poor showings get us down to the point that we couldn't turn it around, and above all we've been hitting well and when it counts. Best Wishes to all teams.
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| Rouge
March 29, 2009
9:17:14 AM
Entry #: 3104234
| Remax all the way
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| Carp
April 1, 2009
9:49:59 PM
Entry #: 3109772
| MAS= MASTERS AT SLOWPITCH. WINNERS IN 2009
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| Tuna fish
April 2, 2009
9:29:34 AM
Entry #: 3110228
| Ya Ya what the Fish Guy said!!
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| Hotwings
April 5, 2009
9:16:22 PM
Entry #: 3113750
| Since everyone else is doing this, I have finally felt so left out as to get serious for a bit. Notice I said a bit, the comedy comes back as soon as this article is done. The Wings will be the things to beat in 2009.
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| MC
April 8, 2009
8:00:50 AM
Entry #: 3116930
| After the regular season is done.
Plumbers
Bisons
Remax
Harding
Travel Lovers
Crupi
DST
Blacksmith Bistro
School
Jakes
MAS
Angus
Wild Wing
Village Grocer
Unionville Arms
Kelsey's
Kavanagh
Griffith
champ= Remax over School
cony= Grocer over Arms
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| Jobber
April 8, 2009
8:45:17 AM
Entry #: 3116971
| good to see no one is even looking at Angus to do anything this year.
Will make it so much better to sneak up the ladder
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| Mac
April 9, 2009
10:51:23 AM
Entry #: 3118466
| complete over harding for this year
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| Tuna fish
April 9, 2009
1:59:37 PM
Entry #: 3118705
| Jobber I thought you were afraid of heights?
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| winnberg
April 9, 2009
2:36:26 PM
Entry #: 3118747
| Nice, Griffith is predicted to be last in the league by pretty much everyone. This means that no matter what we do, and how many games we win (or lose) we will have a successful year! Fantastic.
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| Dav1
April 12, 2009
8:14:18 AM
Entry #: 3120979
| DESPITE THE occasional clammy weather this month, our season start in about three weeks. No matter the level of your play amateur, professional or whatever bats and gloves will be used with great enthusiasm and the sounds of players and fans resonate throughout Unionville. I can’t wait to see the decline in the former champs. This is the year of a new, young team that will rise to the top and dethrone the better teams. The elevator will say
UP PLEASE
Unionville Arms
Village Grocer
Kavanagh
Kelsey’s
MAS
Going DOWN
The School
Plumbing
DST
Bisons
Crupi
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| Slump Buster
April 17, 2009
8:25:46 PM
Entry #: 3127399
| Before we roll with the 2009 predictions, some quick help for those of you about to be outraged: Soon as you decide I've personally insulted you and your favorite team, just cut-and-paste this form forum smack. It'll make your life so much easier when you respond with anger.
All you have to do is fill in the blanks:
Hey you raving -,
Your not picking - to make the playoffs just shows what a - you are. You know less about the game than my . I bet you danced ballet and wore a bright when you were a .
Eat, drink and be merry. Flakeboard beats Harding.
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| Redips
April 21, 2009
7:28:49 AM
Entry #: 3129880
| To the Beezoons boys, let’s keep our heads up and know that we can win and we might be able to steal a few more wins than last year. See you all soon.
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| Im Hittin That
April 23, 2009
6:52:24 AM
Entry #: 3132289
| Our team was a failure at the plate last year but our performance at the bar was stellar. The end of the most nights we were like an all star as we left the establishment. Once the jugs stopped flowing, we would know it was time to leave. Have an outstanding year all. Wings over DST
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| MOTOR MAN
April 28, 2009
2:57:59 PM
Entry #: 3136406
| Let me start off by saying I'm a Remax aficionado and a current player. Which wouldn't be a problem, if Remax were terrible, or if I expected them to be terrible. The boys from Remax are not just a great team, but one of the few teams ever to stay in the top 10 for at least fifteen plus years consecutive years in our league. So in formulating my 2009 season prediction, I've got to analyze everything and do the best I can to separate what I want from Remax from what I expect them to accomplish.
So, the way I see it, this is what the 2009 season will look like.
Plumbers
Unionville Arms
Travel Lovers
Crupi Law
Remax
Griffith
Blacksmith Bistro
Flakeboard
Angus Glen
M.A.S.
Kavanagh
Harding
Village Grocer
Kelseys
DST
Jakes
Wild Wing
The School
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| NL
April 28, 2009
5:53:13 PM
Entry #: 3136744
| Is the list above upside down?
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| Pinch Runner
April 28, 2009
11:03:28 PM
Entry #: 3137163
| I think Motor Man might be hanging out far to close to his exhaust pipe. haha.
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| Mac
May 4, 2009
9:30:48 AM
Entry #: 3143109
| The Harding team is poised to take over the USPL number one team this year with their depth of youth in the outfield and a powerful hitting lineup. It will be a hard fought battle between them and Remax for the top spot, but Remax experience will give them the edge in the playoffs. Travel Lovers will not be able to surprise anyone like they did after their coming out party in 2008. It does not matter because this team is for real and they will compete again in 2009 thanks to the loss of the older guys. Flakeboard did what they do best no new players in the off-season, but are their aging players going to hold them back? Plumbers will not be able to make their way into the top 4 they will make some noises thanks to their experienced players. Squabbling held Crupi back in 2008 and the upcoming 2009 baseball season does not look any more promising. When it comes to Crupi, the biggest question they have is who will throw the first glove against the fence?
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May 5, 2009
10:25:07 AM
Entry #: 3144736
| Mac...Please...No mention of Grocer at all? They have the best line-up in the league right now. And as for Harding? In Slo-pitch, youth means nothing. Look at TL and Remax..They had an average age of 55 and still pulled it off, well Harding was licking their wounds n the beer tent..saying, shoulda/coulda..You may have some good bats, but you still need to catch and throw the ball..
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| Steane Jr
May 5, 2009
10:54:54 AM
Entry #: 3144767
| Licking their wounds in the beer tent? An inexperienced Harding team played damn good ball throughout the playoffs and lost to a very tough TL team. We should continue to make strides this year. We will be there at the end!! As for having good bats but not be able to catch and throw.....I'm pretty sure our squad has been in the top 5 in defense for a couple of years now..
I will give you one thing. The Village Grocer will be a drastically improved team this year and will more than likely be on the championship side of things. After the strong draft that the Unionville Arms has had, expect much better things from them as well!
Good luck to all. Can't wait to get started!
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| Cashman
May 25, 2009
11:55:50 PM
Entry #: 3166272
| By now I’m sure all of you know that I am not a superstitious man nor do I subscribe to the entire end of the world nonsense that people have been speaking of as of late. However if I were the superstitious type the recent events that have been unfolding would certain look to me as if we were in the midst of enduring some sort of repeat of the biblical plagues! First remax lost two games so far this season. Then we get hit with the Swine Flu or H1N1 for those of you whom wish to remain politically correct…and now it appears that we are being overrun with wins from the Arms and The Grocer. It has become an inescapable fact of life that the Travel Lovers stock has skyrocketed through the roof and it seems to have scientists whom are studying the problem completely baffled.
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| Slump Buster
June 30, 2009
1:36:17 PM
Entry #: 3202645
| The most overrated team is ... ?
A: Travel Loves. The love has been off the charts following a shocking 08 season. Everyone had them somewhere in the top four, but I'm not buying in quite yet.
When gushing about TL, everyone seems to point out the relatively strong with the gloves. First of all, ranking teams in the preseason should be about how good the teams are and not where they'll end up (this is the fundamental flaw in how many do rankings, but that's for another time). Second, their gloves have many hold especially in the infield.
The best seven hitters will be decent, but not elite. It'll get helped immensely by the veterans at the bottom of the lineup, while the first two hitters are not consistent enough to hold up in the playoffs. And then there's the pressure factor.
It's one thing to have no real expectations and to come out of the blue in a down year, but it's another to have the bull's-eye on your back. Don’t get me wrong, this is a very, very good team, but it's not among the five best in the USPL.
Four of my other top five overrated teams ...
2. Remax - Unless there's some semblance of a hitting game unearthed over the next two months, the former champs are going to get swarmed over by the better teams this year. Their outfielders are not good enough for this team to be in the top ten.
3. School - I always get yelled at whenever I dare to suggest that playing the School is the main reason for the great record over the years, but this isn't a top 4 team based on their talent they have a suspect defensive corps. Would you take Nick pitching over Harding pitchers? Of course you wouldn't.
4. Crupi - If you're going by what their record is, Crupi is a top ten team. They will finish up 13-12, 11-14 at worst. If you're going by how good the team was going into the season, they should win 15-to-20. They struggle with porous fielding.
5. Harding - It's all relative. Everyone feels bad about what happened to the Harding boys last year so they're the automatic No. 1 pick to get to the finals. I have a gut feeling that the Display boys, rebuilt infield and all, are better, and I have another gut feeling they will not be playing on Sunday if they run into Crupi during the playoffs.
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| ADHD3
July 2, 2009
12:14:13 AM
Entry #: 3204344
| I just don't know what to think of the disaster that is TL this year.
They have won some good matches that I didn't expect them to (the Kelsey’s win especially) and lost some others that I'd thought were "shoe ins" for them.
Personally I reckon the lost of the older greats to the new and "modern" players is the biggest challenge. I don't think the current team will make it back to the finals, and I personally doubt that they will be "top four" by the end of the season.
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| Harry Package
July 2, 2009
11:42:45 PM
Entry #: 3205335
| Wow , what a revelation after a 4-8 start.... Can HD, ED's and DST hang on??? Predict something on the prediction thread....
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| Accessit
July 8, 2009
4:40:49 PM
Entry #: 3209486
| Harding and ED’s are the teams that I would not want to face most of all in the first round. In my opinion they are still the best teams in the league right now. DST is great too, but when the Harding is at full strength...they are a monster. Of course I think Remax can hang with anybody when we are not at full strength.
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| 3Bagger
July 8, 2009
4:46:04 PM
Entry #: 3209498
| I beleive Remax has done the majority of their winning with a full or almost full roster.In my opinion they are just a little tougher with less players only because they get to the furocious four faster.
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| Old Man
July 10, 2009
1:26:42 PM
Entry #: 3211389
| Remax will not be beaten, forget about the emotional less Harding youngster. The youth will be beaten by the experienced veterans.
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| Goodness
July 10, 2009
8:24:48 PM
Entry #: 3211727
| Hey Oldman,
I have lots of respect for Remax. They have spanked us on more than one occasion and gave us a lesson once again this year. But seriously, out with the old and in with the new..Runs against for Remax are fantastic, but if you take a wee look at runs for.....
Nuff said.
It's still very early in the season, with teams lots to prove. I think the league is more competitive than eva. Let's get it on!! It's going to be a mint playoff weekend.
But keep hate'n on us Harding boys, there's no better motivation.
#17
Goody
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| Slump Buster
July 30, 2009
7:19:08 PM
Entry #: 3231453
| 2 week's to go and it look's like 4 thru 10 could be decided by a coin flip...LOLOLO
Think this goes to show the draft process works, nice job boys!!!
Just thought maybe we could look at our predictions from week 1 to now and see who was close and who was off?
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| ADHD3
August 22, 2009
10:43:24 AM
Entry #: 3253114
| Ed’s Vision –They do not give up many runs because of a lefty on the mound. With the combination of the Hicks, Wares and Palmer, this makes a very talented and rock solid team throughout.
Remax - Experience speaks volumes. They were one of the best hitting teams in previous years. Good luck to opposing slowing these old men down.
Travel Lovers - They are out for blood in the fall with a sour taste in their mouth after loosing the championship by only a few runs last year.
Look out for the three teams above.
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| Slump Buster
October 3, 2009
2:45:17 PM
Entry #: 3293540
| I predicated Harding in early March. Well done fellas
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| Ledge
October 5, 2009
12:04:33 PM
Entry #: 3295396
| Got Griffith wrong though...Not a great season...but far from the basement
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