It was never the original plan to have an opening night tradition in Detroit, it just sort of happened by luck. For the fourth year in a row and second year on Belle Isle, our Detroit team will open up the season. This year, the Islanders will host the new look King Friday.
It’s a fitting matchup, as both teams have a lot of question marks. The Islanders big offseason loss was All-Star Michael Sessions, as he wanted to captain a team. That may not seem like a big deal as he only batted .035, but he served as Alex Linebrink's right-hand man in 2013, and brought many players to the Islanders. King Friday returns no one from their 2013 roster, and their six man roster currently has three veterans and three rookies.
New King Friday captain David Castle
Unretired! Michael Constanti returns
King Friday rookie Mike Milanovich
Recent KF acquisition: Nicco Lollio
Alex Linebrink and Pat Niebrzydowski
Will Mundel, Islanders ace
Linebrink at bat, Opening Night 2013
At the wind's mercy #LifeOfPirates The Islanders roster is still pretty unknown right now. Alex Linebrink will be bringing in a lot of rookies, and I expect it will take some time before he has a consistent roster. The Islanders had a second rookie All-Star last year with Sessions, and it was hurler Will Mundel. Mundel returns to the Islanders as their ace, and will get the Game 1 start. Mundel was found midseason last year and towards the end was the talk of the league. He almost single-handedly beat both the Wicked Aces and El Diablos. Joining Mundel on the hill will be fourth year WSEM veterans, Matt Murtha and Linebrink. Murtha won’t be at opening night, so Linebrink will pitch Game 2.
On the offensive side, the Islanders really struggled last season as their AVG/OBP/SLG numbers were .176/ .417/.219. What hurts even more is Andrew Mott, their best hitter from last season, isn’t expected to return.
The story of King Friday is an interesting one. The Warriors were the original opponents on opening night, but when David Castle moved from the Warriors to King Friday, one of the things he wanted was to still play opening night. The Front Office allowed it, and here we are. Originally for the 2014 season, Richard Hurd and King Friday were looking to have a team very similar to their 2012 roster, butunfortunately many of their players had to drop out. David Castle expressed interest in running a team, and was given the opportunity to take over King Friday. This happened in early April, and Castle has done a really nice job assembling a competitive team.
Castle is the leader both on and off the field. He will be asked to do a lot on the mound and at the plate, and the 5-star captain has the ability to take over games. His big move this offseason was putting together a package to acquire another 5-star player, Nicco Lollio. Lollio won’t be back in Michigan until his college baseball season is over, but when he returns he gives the team a huge threat at the plate. Lollio should also see some time on the mound. Three rookies – Tyler Shumake, Mike Milanovich, and Zach Holdwick – will also play for King Friday, but unfortunately none of them are pitchers. Needing another pitcher, Castle asked his former Duck teammate and two-time All-Star, Michael Constanti, if he would be interested in playing again. Constanti came out of retirement to sign with King Friday, and will get the Game 1 start vs. Mundel. Castle will pitch against Linebrink in Game 2, in a captain vs. captain matchup.
On paper, this matchup looks pretty close. All three previous opening nights have been sweeps. This year may be the first time that trend changes. We don’t have too many traditions in our young league, but this one is time honored. You don’t want to miss it!
It’s a fitting matchup, as both teams have a lot of question marks. The Islanders big offseason loss was All-Star Michael Sessions, as he wanted to captain a team. That may not seem like a big deal as he only batted .035, but he served as Alex Linebrink's right-hand man in 2013, and brought many players to the Islanders. King Friday returns no one from their 2013 roster, and their six man roster currently has three veterans and three rookies.
New King Friday captain David Castle
Unretired! Michael Constanti returns
King Friday rookie Mike Milanovich
Recent KF acquisition: Nicco Lollio
Alex Linebrink and Pat Niebrzydowski
Will Mundel, Islanders ace
Linebrink at bat, Opening Night 2013
At the wind's mercy #LifeOfPirates The Islanders roster is still pretty unknown right now. Alex Linebrink will be bringing in a lot of rookies, and I expect it will take some time before he has a consistent roster. The Islanders had a second rookie All-Star last year with Sessions, and it was hurler Will Mundel. Mundel returns to the Islanders as their ace, and will get the Game 1 start. Mundel was found midseason last year and towards the end was the talk of the league. He almost single-handedly beat both the Wicked Aces and El Diablos. Joining Mundel on the hill will be fourth year WSEM veterans, Matt Murtha and Linebrink. Murtha won’t be at opening night, so Linebrink will pitch Game 2.
On the offensive side, the Islanders really struggled last season as their AVG/OBP/SLG numbers were .176/ .417/.219. What hurts even more is Andrew Mott, their best hitter from last season, isn’t expected to return.
The story of King Friday is an interesting one. The Warriors were the original opponents on opening night, but when David Castle moved from the Warriors to King Friday, one of the things he wanted was to still play opening night. The Front Office allowed it, and here we are. Originally for the 2014 season, Richard Hurd and King Friday were looking to have a team very similar to their 2012 roster, but
Castle is the leader both on and off the field. He will be asked to do a lot on the mound and at the plate, and the 5-star captain has the ability to take over games. His big move this offseason was putting together a package to acquire another 5-star player, Nicco Lollio. Lollio won’t be back in Michigan until his college baseball season is over, but when he returns he gives the team a huge threat at the plate. Lollio should also see some time on the mound. Three rookies – Tyler Shumake, Mike Milanovich, and Zach Holdwick – will also play for King Friday, but unfortunately none of them are pitchers. Needing another pitcher, Castle asked his former Duck teammate and two-time All-Star, Michael Constanti, if he would be interested in playing again. Constanti came out of retirement to sign with King Friday, and will get the Game 1 start vs. Mundel. Castle will pitch against Linebrink in Game 2, in a captain vs. captain matchup.
On paper, this matchup looks pretty close. All three previous opening nights have been sweeps. This year may be the first time that trend changes. We don’t have too many traditions in our young league, but this one is time honored. You don’t want to miss it!
| The Island | J. Matt Memorial | Chestnut Field | |||||
| 4/25 | 4/26 | 4/26 | 4/27 | ||||
| KF | 15|3 | HB | 7|5 | EL | 19|14 | BW | 12|0 |
| IS | 1|4 | WO | 11|6 | WO | 0|3 | FS | 16|2 |
| Unavailable Pitchers: 1 Game: N/A 2 Games: N/A |
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Opening Weekend action continues Saturday afternoon at Jason Matt Memorial Field in Trenton. The Wolfpack debut their field and franchise with the most aggressive Week 1 scheduling: hosting both the Holy Balls and red hot El Diablos. The final say in the first week comes Sunday when "natural rivals" the Belgian Wiffles and Flying Squirrels meet at the brand new Chestnut Field in Woodhaven. How does the new crop of experts expect the action to play out? Scroll down to find out!
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 David (0 - 0) |
 Jason (0 - 0) |
 Chris (0 - 0) |
 Kyle (0 - 0) |
 @  Series Result |
King Friday Sweep Constanti takes Mundel deep in his first at bat back. |
1-1 Split Castle wins game 1 in a close one against Will "Overrated" Mundell. After that demoralizing defeat, the Islanders wake up in and put a hurtin' on a very rusty Constanti in a blow out victory. |
1-1 Split Linebrink's foot wiggle is too much for Castle |
1-1 Split Mundel throws an 8-inning perfecto |
 @  Series Result |
1-1 Split |
Belgian Sweep Not even a question. Belgian at full strength is a top tier studly stud team. The Flying Squirrels will have to earn my respect before they get a single pick from me. |
1-1 Split This series will be boring. 1-0 1-0 |
1-1 Split |
 @  Series Point Spread: EL -16.5 |
El Diablos -16.5 Even though Skin Flute goes 0-8 at the plate. |
Wolfpack +16.5 16.5?!?!?! Who made this line, Pete Rose?! If my team loses by 17 or more, I will personally drop my sister off at one of the "Wild Boys Night" parties that el diablos throw. |
El Diablos -16.5 Hollister pulls an 8 year old girl off of the jungle gym to pitch the second game. |
Wolfpack +16.5 Wags goes deep in his first series as an El Diablo |
 @ Total Runs Scored: O/U 22.5 |
Under #Bold |
Over I guaransheed this will be a slug fest. "I'm a top 3 power hitter in the league" says All Star hopeful Brandon Corbett. Pearson and Paquin will be clobbered and the #PPDynasty will be shattered on the first weekend. |
Over Agree with Kyle, 3 bombs for DP, Dylan and Corbett add 2 of their own. |
Over Goat has 3 HRs |
 First Pitch of 2014: Ball, Strike, Foul, In Play |
In Play Chipper Jones plays long ball then brags about his tattoo. |
Ball Will "Overrated" Mundell lets one loose and it sails over the rainbow for ball 1 of the 2014 season. |
Ball The Belle Isle Wind Gods wreak havoc on the pitchers. |
Strike 1st pitch K on Castle |
