Pioneer Baseball Association --Sims on T, Th, Sat (9pm est)

Philadelphia A's Sold!: :Ownership in the PBA has been a little tepid. A few owners have been core owners and have tried to run their team to win. Others joined and dabbled in ownership of a baseball league, but just didn't have the heart for baseball.

Reds and Orioles Make a Deal: :The Orioles put good catching on the trading block at the start of the season, but nobody was biting. The Reds, in dire need of hitting and an upgrade behind the plate would not have hurt, ended up getting a pretty good deal for Catcher Harry Bemis. Bemis is a guy who puts bat on ball. He makes very good contact and just needs more playing time. Last year he hit .322 in AAA and .359 in AAA this, although only .233 on the major league level. Bemis can flat out hit and his numbers will only improve. The Orioles get Archie Stimmel a good arm who has struggled at the major league level so far. Overall, the Reds might have reached the better end of this deal.

Trade Deadline Comes and Go: :Only one trade was made at the deadline and it was between the Reds and the Superbas. The main focus of the trade was the Superbas getting a SS in George Magoon. Magoon is hitting .259 this year after hitting .217 last season. Magoon plays great defense and is improving each year. In return, the Reds picked up an arm that the Superbas just didn't need. Mike McCann pitched 10 innings last year and 16 so far this year. Even though he has pitched very well, the Superbas did not want to give him very many innings.

1902 Draft...

#1 Pick: :The Boston Beaneaters are having a very tough season. Last place has never looked so far away from first. Today though, the Beaneaters get the first pick in the draft and they added a stud of a pitcher! 3 Finger Brown is now a member of the team and brings a great fastball and a curveball that touches the ground while you are swinging high. This is the type of player that the Beaneaters can build around. They now have a foundation to build on. This should be exciting to watch!

The Detroit Tigers are within striking distance of the American League and adding a player like Chief Bender could be all it takes. Bender is arguably the best player in the draft, despite the fact 3 Finger went first. Bender is a legend in the "Indian" community.

Of George Stone, perhaps the best hitter in the draft, went late to the Chicago White Sox. He should be able to step right into the lineup and provide some much needed contact in the lineup. This might end up being the steal of the draft.

 

News and Notes

+Is Sam Crawford the best player in the PBA? Leading the PBA in average, hits, slugging, runs created, homeruns and RBI, Crawford may have finally reached his potential. If only the Reds had anyone to put around him.

Doc Carney of the Boston franchise is on a 27 game hitting streak!

Nip Cuppy of Boston is on an 11 game winning streak!

Al Orth of the Phillies leads the majors in wins with 18. The Best Pitcher Award may be in his sights.