Coach’s Corner

The early favorite to be called “Big John Stud” by the end of the year, John enters his first season with the Pirates in 2009. A big, strong stick, he will be expected to provide some thunder from the left-side of the plate.

While it may be a little early, it is clear the coaching staff expects nothing less than Big Papi numbers out of this burly one bagger. (Disclaimer: That would be Big Papi circa 2008 with a knee and wrist injury, not 2004.) Though he has battled some shoulder problems early in the pre-season, he is in good shape play a key role as DH and as a lefty bat off the bench.

If his Buck Hunter skills are any indication, he should be in store for a season full of double and triple bucks.

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The prodigal son of PPoP founder Vin Bertrand, Dan is a Pirates lifer. A gritty player, he grinds out every at bat as if it were his last. Dan has played just about every position on the diamond over his career, but in 2009 he will be settling into a spot in the outfield where he will show off his range and the RPG he calls a right arm.

He has spent the winter reworking his swing and is ready to unleash the results on the ECABL. Infielders beware: Despite his mighty swing, he will keep everyone honest with a key bunt single when the situation calls for it.

The “Lil General” is poised for a great season and will be looking to get off to a great start again this season to follow up a 2008 campaign where he got big hits in three of his first five starts.

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Max Bogaert is the big hammer in the lineup. Although, with the number of HBPs he has, he often resembles the nail. Last year, he took a lot of physical abuse and played with a broken finger most of the season. However, he was still able to put up solid power numbers, batting third and playing first base. This season he will have some help in the lineup and in the field. The reloaded Pirates roster will allow him to catch some time coming off the bench as a DH, resting up his body and allowing some of those bruises to heal.

As one of the youngest players on the team, he is the future of the team. His big bat provides a lot of thump, but his tobacco chewing is what really draws a crowd. Weened at a young age by the legendary Ed Cooney, Max is a perennial all star and an indispensable member of the team. After posting a nifty .300 AVG through injuries last year, Max has his sights on improving his game now that he is fully mended.

He would seem a lock to bat over .300 again this season and possibly break the four-way tie for all-time PPoP Home Run King. With the potent lineup the Pirates will trot out this year, he seems destined for his first double-digit RBI season. If that isn’t enough, Max is going to try to log some innings on the mound as a late-inning stopper.

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Joe is entering his third and final season as a member of the PPoP. Coming off an MVP-caliber season, Joe is looking to add to his impressive offensive contributions last season, which included a team-high .342 AVG and .432 OBP. He was also second on the team in runs scored and third in RBIs, an impressive feat batting out of the number two spot most of the year.

A solid contributor in the two hole, Joe will continue showing off his plate discipline and strong abilities handling the stick. A stalwart behind the plate over the last couple of seasons, he will probably spend as much time patrolling the outfield this year.

Unfortunately, this season will be the last in the black and gold for Marra. After completing his program at MIT in June, he will be heading off to D.C. to spread the PPoP-way of baseball. But before then, he will be providing true leadership as a veteran and helping out his replacement in the all important spot in front of the meat of the lineup.

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With about 24 hours until first pitch, we felt it would be nice to introduce the team. Up first, the lead off man and centerfielder Eastwood Adare.

Evan is ready for his second tour of duty with the PPoP after a couple of abbreviated seasons. An original member of the inaugural Pirate team in 2006, he never managed to get on the field. After two years in Virginia re-tooling his game, Evan was a late season call up in 2008, providing some speed at the top and versatility in the lineup for the playoffs. Even though he is an outfielder by trade, he can pick up the 11 incher and toss it around pretty good on the infield dirt.

This season, we will look to him to be a sparkplug for the offense, getting on base and using his speed to keep the pressure on. But don’t be fooled, if a pitcher makes a mistake over the plate, he has the ability launch it over the heads of the outfielders as well as finding the gaps.

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It’s baseball season! The ECABL is finally kicking off the season this Sunday, April 26th. Check out the league’s Web site for the full schedule. However, we know all our fans care about is where and when the PPoP will take the field.

PPoP Nation can come root on your favorite players tomorrow at 4PM as we take on the Randolph Blues at Kelley Field. It should be a beautiful day. Kelley, the Pirates unofficial home field, is a great place to watch a game and relax in the bleachers or in the gazebo.

Opening day is, of course, the annual Everyone-on-the-Roster-Shows-Up Day. It should be a great opportunity for fans to meet all their favorite players at once — it might be your best chance to get your autographed 2009 PPoP team ball.

Finally, for all you ECABL fantasy players out there, we have decided to help you out by posting the starting lineup for tomorrow’s game.

The Starting 9:
1. Evan Adair, CF
2. Joe Marra, LF
3. Max Bogaert, DH
4. Jeff Francis, 1B
5. Cliff Goodband, 3B
6. Paul Benson, RF
7. Dan Gadbois, EH
8. Jake Walter, C
9. James Sharkey, SS
10. Jay Kreisberg, 2B

———————–

SP – Gino Beniamino

Reserves:
1. Dan Bertrand – OF/C
2. Chris Bettano – OF
3. Paul Crocetti – OF
4. Greg Holahan – 1B/OF/P
5. Saad Khalid – 2B/OF
6. John McKenna – 1B/OF
7. Justin Tullo – 2B/OF

It should be an excited year. Stay tuned for more updates leading up to tomorrows game.

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BOSTON, MA – Throughout their history, the Prohibition Pirates of the Parkway have been an all or nothing type team. This trend continued on Tuesday. In what could best be described as the Big Bang Theory of player acquisition, the PPoP announced the signings of seven players – the largest single-day coup in PPoP history. The signings included a mix players from every position including catcher, middle infield and pitcher.

Following an encouraging end to their 2008 campaign, the Pirates set out right away this off-season to bolster their ranks. Despite some early setbacks, they seem well on their way to building a dominant team. Through a concerted effort of trolling the Internet and searching out guys in bars, Manager Jake Walter has recruited the most players since the franchise’s inaugural campaign. (Though well shy of Vin Bertrand’s record of 24.)

“We’re Pirates,” said Coach Jeff Francis. “When we see something we want, we take it.”

The strong finish notwithstanding, the Pirates struggled to regularly field a consistent squad last season.

“At the end of last year, we were really lacking depth,” said Walter. “Add in some key off-season losses, the team was in desperate need of fresh blood.”

With the newest additions to the marauders of the ECABL coming to terms late Monday night, the front office is ready to officially welcome them to the squad on Saturday at the Extra Innings in Watertown.

“We have already worked these guys out in the cages pretty hard this winter. We are really excited for this year,” added Walter. “We know what they bring to the table.”

As is often the case, the Pirates were in need of pitching. With the loss of two pitchers and a squad littered with perennially injured shoulders, the team was ecstatic to discover pitcher Greg Holahan. A crafty southpaw, he will solidify the rotation behind returning stars Gino Beniamino and Paul Benson.

Another key position for the Pirates to address was shortstop. Over their three-year existence, the PPoP have endured a revolving door at the position (12 players have started at SS in 3 years). Newcomers James Sharkey, who moves over from Philadelphia, and Jay Kreisberg, signed away from Ohio, show the team’s dedication to search near and far for new alternatives.

“Recruiting is a full-time job. It takes a lot of miles and out-of-town weddings to really round out a squad,” said Walter.

As important as pitching and defense are, Coach Walter and the rest of the staff really get boned up watching the long ball. The coaches are confident Big John McKenna and Cliff Goodband can provide some much needed pop to the lineup. McKenna is a Buck Hunter fanatic, and if his ability to bag a triple buck is any indication, the pitchers of the ECABL will be running for cover all year. Goodband meanwhile helps even out the balance of power in the law enforcement business, which should give the Randolph Blues a run for their money.

Rounding out the new signees are Dan Gadbois and Justin Tullo. Gadbois, from the little town of Bethlehem, PA, is a solid bat and savior for the knees of fellow Bethlehem townie and catcher Jake Walter. Tullo is a solid lefty bat, as is McKenna, who should provide some much needed balance to the Pirates lineup.

While it would appear the PPoP are done shopping, the front office would not rule out adding more players, “if the price were right.” Rumors are swirling about a couple of deals still in the works. Though he would not give specifics, Coach Walter hinted that there might still be one or two deals on the horizon, though nothing is imminent.

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As 2009 gets underway, the Pirates are hard at work trying improve upon their strong finish to the 2008 campaign.  In an attempt to add depth to their starting rotation, the Prohibition Pirates of the Parkway have successfully expanded their search outside of the US.

On the signings of reality TV stars Patel and Singh, Pirates Assistant Coach Jeff “Franchise” Francis says, “Thankfully, we were able to move some money around and put together an attractive offer of 21st Amendment gift certificates, which eliminated the Boston Broncos from signing these talented studs.  I’m sure we’ll be riding them hard throughout the season.”

Returning Pirates pitchers Beniamino, Benson and Chaharmahalian are working hard to improve their strength and conditioning. But it is a long season, and the Pirates are always looking for strong, talented arms.

In addition to the overseas signings, the Pirates are scouring the Boston area for pitchers and position players.  With twelve men returning, the team is looking to fill about seven to eight roster spots.

The Pirates will be holding open auditions on Saturday, January 10 from 1PM to 2 PM at the Extra Innings in Woburn.  Any questions can be forwarded to Manager Jake Walter or Assistant Coach Jeff Francis.

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