Several undefeated teams in SSA

With the first couple of weeks under wraps in the 2004 Men’s Island Wide Slow Pitch Softball League and the 2004 Men’s Island Wide Fast Pitch Softball League, it’s time to figure out the difference between the potential champs and the potential chumps.

Though no team has played more than three games thus far, some trends are beginning to become apparent. In the Slow Pitch league, the Bud Light Clammers and the defending champion Natibu are cruising through the competition with perfect 2-0 records.

The Clammers have scored an amazing 74 runs in just two contests. The only thing more impressive than scoring so many runs is the fact that they have only allowed six runs against.

Natibu hasn’t lost a game this year, but they only beat Verizon 18-17 in their last game. So far these two are ahead of the pack, but it will all be a matter of how long the teams can hold off the hard charging competition.

Also undefeated are Buddz, Eliminators, and the Freedom Air Flyers. At 1-0, these three teams got off on the right foot. The only problem for the trio is that they have been sidetracked by the rash of foul weather that has made the softball field in Oleai look more like the lake in Susupe.

Buddz knocked off a talented Island Mix 13-11 in the first game of the season, while Eliminators and Freedom Air Flyers walloped their competition by 15 and 23 runs, respectively.

Hovering in the middle with a .500 record are Island Mix, Brotherhoot, and Team Juan Santiago. Team JS took their beating from the Flyers but quickly rebounded with a victory over the 0-2 Fadang. Brotherhoot dropped their opening game before bringing some pain to an 0-2 Bring It On to the tune of a 29-7 beating. Like the other two 1-1 teams, Island Mix suffered a loss to start the season, but they were able to pull it together to send Verizon into the depths of a 0-2 record.

The only teams that have yet to play are the Outlaws and Exclusive, and their next games will be against some powerhouses, that is unless the rain keeps up.

It’s anybody’s game in the Fast Pitch league according to scorekeeper extraordinaire Ray Palacios. Palacios has spent more time around the game than many of the players, and even he doesn’t think that there is a clear-cut front-runner this year.

“Fast pitch is unpredictable this year. Any of the top four teams can beat each other. But I would say that the D-9ers are definitely the team to beat.”

The D-9ers earned their first victory in a 17-9 trouncing of the Islanders, but due to the rain are only1-0 so far this year. Tied with the 9ers is Proa, who disconnected Verizon 15-8 in their opener. These two powerhouses were all set to go head-to-head last night in Oleai, but due to the weather.

At 2-1, Verizon is alone in third place, and they have looked impressive in their victories over Kagman 1-2-3 and Seabees Four, but their most recent outing was their stumble against Proa.

Seabees Four and the Islanders are even up at 1-1, and hold a slim lead over the last place Kagman 1-2-3, but Kagman is a new team that still hasn’t had the chance to gel.

If you are interested in getting involved in the fast pitch or slow pitch leagues for this season, contact Robert A. Guerrero by calling 888-0215 or 235-1580.