So the New Orleans players must have been pleased to escape the stifling atmosphere of those robot ballparks up in Perfect, because they started the season muy caliente.
Running shoeless through the outfield, toes in the grass and just… gamboling? Frolicing, perhaps? At any rate, for the first time in five seasons, they began the season with some signs of life.
11-1, in the opening two weeks, including a nine game winning streak. That is a team enjoying itself, and the pleasures of another year in the sun.
For April, 17-8. No bickering in the dugouts, no pitchers cowering in the bullpen to avoid the manager’s selection. It’s almost like a whole new team.
As expected, the tall grass only helped the pitchers. 1st in ERA, 1st in RA. The hitters were not quite so pleased with the new deadball Igloo, but the defense is already showing signs of improvement and the wins (particularly at home, 11-2) are beginning to pile up.
The league looks great, I see half a dozen other teams enjoying recent escapes from PeL.
We maintain a narrow 1/2 game lead over Anyang Tigers, who also launched the season with quite a warm start. So New Orleans is currently 1st in ACC, and 2nd overall. Keep an eye on Rhode Island Baysox, over in NCC, as they’ve PeL playoff experience and are surely seeking a way back up to try again.
I see the Orinda Ducks, frequent tournament opponents, leading the NCE. Budapest Brutes, over in ACE, and Pittsburg Paddy Cakes in ACW. All quite respectable teams.
What I don’t see is a rock-crushing, league-dominating evil empire. This year could actually be competitive and FUN.
Hope it lasts.
Face The Curtain 