Maple's run at a league championship ended in 5 games vs. SoCAL. We were just over matched by a better club in all areas.
It was a great run by a team that has rebounded nicely after a few seasons of horrible baseball. The owner is happy, the fans are happy and more importantly #GOLDI is happy with the teams' direction for the 2021 season.
Maple ownership made $62+ M last year and set an attendance record at 4,559,305 fans. Maple also set a team record for team batting avg at .283 and BABIP at .328. The 2020 season was the 5th time in 9 years that Maple has made it to the playoffs. The 4 time division champs made it in this season as wild card losing the division title to SF by 1/2 game.
We were very happy with the 2020 Amateur draft results as well. Pitchers: Durrani, Stroud, Hanson & Hastings all look to have a chance to make it to the ABL one day!
Meanwhile in the farm system, Single A Kingwood won their 3 straight league championship and AAA Astoria and AA Sandy Springs were eliminated in Round 1 of the playoffs. It was the 2nd consecutive season in the ABL that the Maple organization sent 4 teams to the post season. Last year we won 3 minor league titles and were knocked off in the ABL playoffs by Jacksonville.
One area where we have slipped is in the minor league rankings. Maple currently sits at #24 with 0 points. We have been promoting some of our youngsters especially in the OF to cover for injuries of late and have made some risky trades to improve now thus, this has hurt our overall minors system ranking in the ABL.
We are excited entering the 2021 season with stars ready to go; Maurice Gould will again anchor the starting rotation with Jake Nelson as the #2 man. The batting lineup is again loaded with Bill Nelson, Bartolo Valentin, Brad Thomas and Ronnie Talley leading the way. Watch out for 2nd year players Pete Moore and Arama Huanu in the OF to step up big time in 2021. Blake Reynolds at 1B and SS Sardeson now don't have to feel all the pressure in performing at a high level.
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