June Update

Maple finished June with an above .500 record at 14-12.  This was the first time all season we have played over .500 ball in a month.  However; we trail SF by 8.5 games and made no ground up this past month.  A 7-3 record in the past 10 leading into July has Maple playing 2nd best overall in their past 10 next to Montreal who posted a 8-2 mark.

Maple's W/L improvement came from their play in close games.  We sit 17-13 now in 1 run games.  The pen is a strength of the club and they are doing their best holding the fort for a team that features one of the worst SP rotations in the league.  How things change so fast after only 1 season!  In summary, we have a very poor rotation & defense, excellent bullpen and average hitting with some great pop.  Might explain the 35-47 overall record as we approach the allstar break.

June started off with a big bang as Roberto Martinez was dealt to Nottinghamshire.  This was a deal consisting of two teams going in the opposite directions and fast.  We are happy with the pickup of youngsters Manny Palma CL and SP Robert Osborne.

We then decided to give two youngster a shot at the ABL when we called up OF Billy Greer and SS Clay Wadden.  Billy has added a nice bat facing RHP where Big Stick Anthony Shelton has really struggled despite being in the top 3 in the league in HRs.  Shelton though is crushing southpaws!  Clay hasn't hit too much but he has added much needed team speed and within one week had the team lead in SBs for the entire season!  Top prospect Dave Guenette 3B was sent down to AAA to make room.  The team also released veteran Derek Beimer SS.  He cleared waivers multiple times.  He does possess a decent power bat but, his limited defensive abilities really hurt him as a everyday player in the ABL.

Jason/Maple