The 2018 CCJBL season is right around the corner! Lets get to the preseason team previews so you can get familiar with this years squads!
SHANNON EAGLES
Monte Irvin, 11, LF- Really struggled at the plate last season as a 10-year-old, should improve significantly.
Joyner White, 12, OF- Solid fielder, gets on base.
William Hamilton, 11, OF- Should be a star in his first year, can hit and run like a deer.
Pete Fox, 11, OF- Another first year kid that should hit for a high average.
Chip Hale, 12, IF/OF- Solid backup that plays a lot of positions.
Arnold Gandil, 11, !B- Not gonna lie. This kid seems a bit sketchy.
William Johnson, 11, 3B/1B- Winner. Loves the Yankees.
Shawon Dunston, 11, SS- Streaky hitter with a rocket arm at short.
Rogers Hornsby, 12, 2B- Did not hit up to his coach's expectations last season, looking to prove himself.
Jason kendall, 11, C- Gritty, tough little guy behind the plate.
Lawrence French, 12, P- Was the solid on an underachieving staff last year.
Leroy Paige, 12, P- If he pitches to his potential the Eagles could surprise.
Kenny DeNunez, 12, P - Had a terrific season on the mound and with the bat in his first year.
Team Summary: The Eagles return their entire pitching staff and if Paige can harness his remarkable talent and Hornsby hits like he should, Shannon could threaten for a league title.
MT. CARROLL
Frank Baker, 11, 3B- Brings the nickname "Home Run" from the Small Fry division. Let's see if he can live up to it!
Ira Thomas, 11, C- Doesn't hit much but has amazing intangibles behind the plate.
Willie Wells, 12, SS- The league's premier shortstop returns to lead the Hawks.
Edwin Joost, 12, IF- The teams swiss army knife, can do anything you ask defensively.
John Olerud, 11, !B- Sweet swinging lefty.
Gene Robertson, 11, IF- Solid player, plays multiple positions on the infield.
Donald Kelly, 11, OF/IF- Yet another very versatile defensive player.
Gerald Walker, 12, OF- The kid they call "Gee" is looking to bounce back after a rough season at the plate last year.
Michael Trout, 12, CF- The early favorite for MVP. Returning home run king.
Markus Betts, 12, RF- "Mookie" should have a breakout year and be a great compliment in the batting order to Trout.
Josh Smith-, 11. P- Will be counted on to provide some sold innings.
Rickey Vaughn, 11, P- Can he fill the shoes of departed ace "Nuke" LaLoosh? He has the talent. Is almost as goofy as LaLoosh was also!
Charles Radbourn, 12, P- The only returning hurler for the Hawks, "Old Hoss" will be expected to provide gritty leadership.
Team Summary: This team could be the heir to the league crown won by Savanna's Indians in 2017. Young pitchers will be key, but the lineup should be devastating!
SAVANNA INDIANS
David Freese, 12, 3B- The young team could sure use a boost from the returning third sacker.
Richard Zisk, 11, OF- This kid has a ton of pop in his bat.
Willie Hayes, 11, CF- Speed, defense, bravado.
Harold Reese, 11, SS- Returning shortstop that struggled last year defensively. Should be much better in the field, can already hit a bunch!
Collin Cowgill, 12, OF- Another returner, needs to step up at the plate and contribute.
Bret Boone, 11, IF- Part of a talented baseball family, should provide a lot of much-needed offense.
Bradley Ausmus, 11, C- Will back up Santiago behind the plate and play some first.
Brock Holt, 11, OF/IF- Very valuable for his versatility on defense.
Benito Santiago, , 12, C- very capable receiver that needs to hit more for this team to succeed. Only reached base four times last season.
Claude Jonnard, 11, P- Gotta be honest, don't know much about this kid. An unknown wild card.
Robin Roberts, 11, P- The heir to Greg Maddux? The Indians hope so.
Frank Viola, 11, P- Crafty lefty will be heavily depended on immediately.
Team Summary: Having to replace all three moundsmen from what was perhaps the league's best staff ever is not an enviable task. Could be a bit of a rocky rebuild season.
MILLEDGEVILLE MISSILES
Rickey Henderson, 12, OF- The reigning stolen base king. Wouldn't surprise me if he is the league MVP this year!
Harry Craft, 1B/OF- Played great defense in center as one of the leagues few 10-year-olds but had just one hit last year in part time duty.
Max Carey, 11, OF- Has nearly as much speed as Henderson.
Jarvis Brown, 11, OF- Honestly, just a backup that you hope contributes something at some point.
James Bloodworth, 12, IF- Versatile defender that won't give you much with the bat.
Fred Lindstrom. 11, 3B/CF- He's under a lot of people's radar but he can really hit the ball!
Tanner Boyle, 11, SS- Not a very talented kid, but should provide leadership by example with his relentless scrappiness. Probably be grounded for most of the season.
Alvaro Espinosa, 11, IF- Talented glove man that plays the entire infield equally well.
Joey Votto, 11, !B- This kid is amazing. Try to keep him off base, I dare you.
Timothy Federowicz, 10, C- One of the youngest players in the league at one of the most important positions. Should be interesting to watch this play out.
Robert Johnson, 11, P- Solid kid to have on the hill.
Todd Worrell, 11, P- Fireballer might close a lot of games for the Missiles.
Fernando Valenzuela, 12, P- Returning all-star and probably the leagues most likeable player!
Team Summary: Offensively they have lots of speed but may struggle to hti and score like last season. Will need big seasons from newcomers Votto and Carey. Were really hurt when Manwaring and Walker moved away after last season.
CHADWICK SILVER STREAKS
Luis Gonzalez, 11, OF- This little sparkplug has a sweet swing!
Albert Almora, 11, OF- Fiery and intense. Defensive specialist.
Reggie Sanders, 12, RF- Struggled with the bat last season, will need to step it up.
Mark McLemore, 11, 2B/RF- Versatile defensively.
Johnny Berardino, 11, IF- Probably not going to hit much, plays multiple positions.
William Robinson, 11, 3B- has some pop and should be a fixture at third all season. For some reason prefers to be called "Ed".
Jose Lind, 11, 2B- Automatically the finest defensive middle infielder in the league. A real wizard.
Micheal Kelly, 11, IF/RF/C- Is called "King" by the other players. Can back it up. A phenom that can hit and play virtually any position well.
Mathew Williams, 11, 3B- Heck of a player with power and defensive skills. Kind of a little hard-ass.
Garrett Kness- 12, C/3B/OF- Solid behind the dish. Didn't do much with the bat last season.
Jesse Haines, 11, P- Tore up the Small Fry League pretty good last year with his live arm.
Jered Weaver, 12, P- Returning all-star.
Steven Karsay, 12, P- Struggled to a 6.32 ERA last season. Will need to take a big step to help The Streaks.
Team Summary: Young but could surprise if some of the newcomers from Small Fry are really as good as they appear to be. Very versatile defensively.
LANARK BEAVERS
Cliff Mapes, 11, OF- Used to winning at all previous levels.
Mark Ellis, 11, IF- Appears to be a solid kid. Some pop in his bat and plays infield.
Frank Chance, 11, !B- Plays a marvelous first base, has blazing speed, hits for average.
Charles Knoblaugh, 11, 2B/SS- Goes by Chuck. Gritty middle infielder.
Moises Alou, 11, OF- May have an occasional meltdown in a tight situation and refuses to wear batting gloves, but when you can hit like this kid, who cares?
Edward Delahanty, 11, OF/!B/2B- Another new phenom. Could easily lead the league in hitting and has speed on the bases.
Enos Slaughter, 12, RF- The kid they call "Country" didn't do a lot last season. Don't count on that kind of performance again, he's too good.
Micheal Higgins, 12, 3B- "Pinky" rebounded from a slow start to hit over .300 last season.
Nicholas Simpson, 11, C/SS/3B- Newcomer looks to take over Cooper Pauley's role from last season.
Chris Iannetta, 12, C- Not a great defensive catcher but did get some clutch hits for The Beavers last year.
David Price, 12, P- Rocket armed, lanky lefty saved four of Lanark's six wins last summer.
Charles Finley, 12, P- sported a solid 2.74 ERA with 22 K's last season.
Amos Rusie, 11, P- Should be a really good first-year pitcher. Amos though? Come on parents. Give a kid a chance here.
Team Summary: There are some old souls on this squad. I predict they will be a mostly no nonsense bunch with old-school grit. Should contend for it all.
Well that's that for the team season previews! No rule changes from last year but I will post them below just as a refresher.
-6 inning games
-No ten run rule
-No ties
-Position players must play six defensive outs. Position players appearing as pitchers must still be in the game for six defensive outs
-No re-entry (includes pitchers)
-Pitchers must appear in one game per week. Either as a pitcher for at least one inning or as a position player under position player rules
-Players may pitch a max of six innings per game and nine innings per week. May only start one game per week
-Position player and pitcher playing rules apply to tournament and do not change whatsoever
-Ten game regular season
-Single elimination tournament seeded according to regular season record, with top two regular season teams awarded a first round bye
-All Star game that will take place after regular season and tournament are concluded
-11 and 12 year-old league. 10 year olds allowed if needed to complete the 13 player roster
-Only players on roster may appear in game for that team. Replacements for players that cannot be at the game are not allowed
-Home field ground rules will be respected as discussed with umpire prior to the game
-Games will be played at the following fields:
Chadwick- Handel Park
Savanna- Old Mill Park
Lanark- Eastland High School
Shannon- Lions Park
Milledgeville- Milledgeville High School
Mt. Carroll- Point Rock Park
-The league tournament and All Star game will always take place at Chadwick's Handel Park
