Season's Recap

Yes, it was a dissapointing season. The Dutchmen are not used to finishing .500. For various reasons the ballclub lost the services of 3 highly-contributing first-stringers from '97 in the persons of Brook Burley, Mike Onyon and Jesse Arvidson. While there are rookies who made contributions, particularly Kalik Blanks, too much offensive power was missing in order to overcome the problems of the pitching staff.

Veterans like Kiko Romaguera, new manager Donovan Cavallaro, Brian Lindhorst, Jed Sagazie, Ron Johnson and Chris Fabiano (when he could get off from work) made their usual if not enhanced contributions. But poor turnouts of personnel led to a record-matching 6-games losing streak, an embarrassing 0-4 record in the Sawyer Motors Tournament and the forfeiture of a game for the first time in 9 years. On that occasion there were enough bodies on hand, but the pitchers present had thrown as much as they could in the course of that weekend.

The Front Office feels strongly that the new pilot Donocan Cavallaro deserved better and next season's roster will be built with an eye on what was experienced in '98. It will be an historic season, the 20th, and every effort will be made to build up the Win Column significantly in 1999.

To the ballclub's credit, they were able to shake off the season's losses and disappointments to put together a true Dutchmen effort on the final weekend and capture the Roy Helsmoortel Memorial Tournament.

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