|
In this article we will be presenting a series of interviews with CBL team owners. Chris Jones (Port Hope Battery) will be interviewing Farmers League owners and Torin Stefanson (Moose Jaw Dragons) will be interviewing Fishermans League owners.
If you want to be represented here (and who wouldn't) then please contact either Chris (battery@thecbl.com) or Torin (dragons@thecbl.com).
We talked it over and thought what better place to start than with Steve McCoyne owner of the CBL Champion Blackwater Kolts and Fishermens League President
Steve McCoyne
Owner of the CBL Champion Blackwater Kolts
Fishermens League President
CBL Sampler: Hi Steve, first off congratulations on your great season, what a team! Since I know that you are busy preparing to defend your title I will get right to it. So here are the questions. In 2002 you completed your goal of winning the CBL Championship. What do you do for an encore?
Steve: Blackwater is going to do what every other team in the CBL is going to do in 2003: Buckle-down and play the best possible baseball we can. The Kolts are a veteran club, no doubt, but many of these players are at the peak of their careers. We'll work on some pitching issues, maybe close a deal or two for some arms, and we'll just keep trying to stack wins.
CBL Sampler: To what do you attribute the Kolts' success in 2002?
Steve: We've are very top-heavy with big hitters, so early in the season we were able to out-hit our opponents to win ball games. As the bigger pitching deals were made around midseason, our bullpen went from suspect to solid. When we got Azevedo, I felt that Blackwater finally had the three dominant starters that a team needs to be competitive deep into the postseason.
CBL Sampler: Winning a Championship is hard, but building a dynasty is really hard. What do you think you need to do to make the Kolts a dynasty?
Steve: Our only goal right now is to try and repeat. With this team, what you see is what you get. We have a very limited farm system, which we plan on keeping. We'll use our draft picks to plug holes as some of our guys get older. We've got some good-looking younger pitchers and we're pleased about that.
CBL Sampler: You have a number of players that won individual awards (1B Robert Husband, Player of the Year; CF Mark Gakeler, FSH MVP; C Zinn Orona, Silver Slugger) but do you have an unsung hero on the team?
Steve: Yes we do. I said in a press release after that the draft that Enos Kosar was the star of Blackwater's initial CBL draft. We got the kid in the 15th round, and we had him pegged as the No. 5 overall third baseman. This season he hit .294 with 11 HR and 51 RBI in 105 games. He came up for us big, time and time again in the Championship series against Yellowknife. With so many big-name players, it's tough for guys like Kosar to get any credit, but I think he's one of the best in the game at the hot corner.
CBL Sampler: How do you think your team will fair in the upcoming season and the next few after that?
Steve: While I can't imagine this team getting the same caliber of offensive production next year, I do think Blackwater is capable of winning 90 games. Well trade away our draft package (of course) again this season, probably look at a veteran starter or first baseman, and hope for the best.
I think Blackwater can remain highly competitive for the next three-to-four years. Of course we will always be looking at deals to make this team better. I think as this team gets older, they will lose a step or two, but they will still be highly competitive. Many of our marquee players are in the 30-32 range, so we think we can remain dangerous for the next couple of seasons.
CBL Sampler: What are the Kolts' strengths and weaknesses.
Steve: Our biggest strength is our offense. This team has a ton of power. Our weakness would probably be our fifth starter. I think we've got three dominant starters in Farry, Zipperer and Azevedo, and think we've got a very solid No. 4 in Slaten Figuerda. Our bullpen did a fantastic job down the stretch and in the postseason, so we are leaving that untouched. I'm not sure who our fifth starter will be this season, but I can assure you it will be a weakness.
CBL Sampler: Do the Kolts' have any players we've never heard of but are going to?
Steve: The only rookie we'll have on the 2003 Blackwater roster will be RHP Kawalsky Sivan. He's a 31-year-old junkballer with a good sinker and change-up. Look for him to chew some innings in the pen early in the season.
CBL Sampler: Well that's it, thanks for taking the time to talk to us. Good luck in the upcoming season.
Steve: Great questions man. I can't wait to read this thing. *S*
Steve's 2003 pre-season playoff predictions:
Fishermans League
East: Halifax
Central: Port Hope
West: Toronto
Wildcard: Blackwater
Farmers League
East: Moose Jaw
Central: Red Deer
West: Vancouver
Wildcard: Yellowknife
Randy Toye
Owner of the Val D'or Foreurs
CBL Sampler: Hi Randy thanks for agreeing to participate in the 2003 CBL Sampler. Your team was in the hunt to the end and narrowly missed the playoffs last year (2002). What moves do you think you need to take to improve the team and get to the next level?
Randy: We have a bunch of good guys here, I think the only improvement we need is a depth in our rotation. (Ricky) Orndorff can't do it all. He's an outstanding pitcher, only pitcher with back-to-back 20 win seasons if I remember correctly. Other than that our hitting looks good, we are looking to improve our strikeout ratio. We struck out a lot last year, we want that to improve.
CBL Sampler: Your division (The Fishermans Central) was the most hotly contested in the entire CBL in 2002. Do you see that trend continuing?
Randy: Yes. I believe our division will only get stronger, look for Montreal to have a better year this year as well under new management. It'll be another close one I guarantee.
CBL Sampler: What are your club's strengths and what are your weaknesses?
Randy: Well our strengths definitely lay in the hands of Orndorff and Fujita as well as our closer Clougherty. Also had Rod (Barsuhn) our most prominent hitter not gone down with an injury last year we probably would have made the playoffs. Our weakness, probably not enough depth in our bench and rotation. We are looking to move all three draft picks this year in exchange for a strong second or third starter.
CBL Sampler: Any player(s) we've never heard of but are going to?
Randy: Uhm, not really. We're sticking with the same guys this year. But look for Baron Krichell to improve. He hit over .300 this year and I expect an increase again this year.
CBL Sampler: Thanks for coming out Randy and good luck in 2003.
Randy's 2003 pre-season playoff predictions:
Fishermens League
East: Blackwater
Central: Port Hope
West: Toronto
Wild Card: Val D'Or
Farmers League
East: Moose Jaw
Central: Red Deer
West: Kelowna
Wild Card: Calgary
John Thronberg
Owner of the Charlottetown Blues
CBL Sampler: Hi John, welcome to the CBL and thanks for agreeing to participate in the 2003 CBL Sampler. You are fairly new to the CBL taking over the struggling Charlottetown Blues just after the trading deadline last year. What moves do you think you need to take to improve the team?
John: This team needs to get younger, particularly the pitching staff. Although the hitters for a large part were excellent, I'm going to have to trade a number away for young pitching.
CBL Sampler: It won't be easy to win your division in 2003 being that it hosts the CBL Champion Blackwater Kolts. How do you think your team will fair in the upcoming season and what are the critical factors that will influence that?
John: This team is not going to do well! We are just beginning a rebuilding process, which unfortunately, is going to include a strong nosedive down in the standings for at least a year.
CBL Sampler: What are your club's strengths and what are your weaknesses?
John: Well, a major part of the teams success in 2001 was hitting... unfortunately, we are going to have to deal from our success and move a number of veteran players to make this into a TEAM.
CBL Sampler: Any player(s) we've never heard of but are going to?
John: 2B *Carroway, Isreal, CF *Dender, Joabany, 2B Krouse, Christy... Krouse unfortunately, you'll hear about on a different team.
CBL Sampler: Even though it is early what teams do you predict will make the playoffs in 2003?
John: Well, not the Blues. We'll be singing for a while. I'm not that familiar with the rest of the league yet, although I would venture a guess that Toronto, Moose Jaw & Blackwater all figure to make strong returns.
Alex Major
Owner of the Toronto Turtles
Fishermans West Division Champions
CBL Sampler: First off Alex congratulations on another great season in 2002. I am not sure if many people know this but in the short history of the CBL Toronto is the only team to have made the playoffs both years winning your division (Fishermans West) each time. What factors have made this remarkable feat possible and what do you think you need to do to make the playoffs again in 2003?
Alex: Well it has been my focus to first go after 5 Killer SP, Then after I have filled that in try to start to go after some relief pitching...
CBL Sampler: Now in spite of the fact that you have made the playoff both years you still haven't won it all. Both years your team fell to an offensive juggernaut (Winnipeg Extreme in the 2001 BFTB and Blackwater Kolts in the 2002 FSH LCS). What steps do you plan to take to get to the next level and bring the CBL Championship home to Toronto in 2003?
Alex: Well I would like to acquire a better bat at a few positions C, CF, RF.
CBL Sampler: How do you think your team will fair in the upcoming season
Alex: Well I was kind of disappointed with my 91 win season last year... But I think that will change this year. With Jeovanny taking Andro in the off season err I mean his 88ch and 90PH I think he has a great chance to get a triple crown. If I can set the table in front of him.... Dato will be a great help towards that goal playing DH for me. A speedster DH that is kinda funny. I would like to try and shoot for between 100-105 wins. With my division being rather weak that kind of helps out a little.
CBL Sampler: And the next few years after that?
Alex: Well That is where I begin to worry a little in 2-3 years when the retirements in my pitching begin to kick in. I will need to start acquiring some SP/RP to fill in the gaps when players start to retire...
CBL Sampler: I think everyone knows all about the Turtles amazing starting rotation and last years FSH MVP 1B Jeovany Greif but who is(are) the unsung hero(s) on your team?
Alex: I think my LF Stahler is going to surprise some people this year. I know for the first two years I had a LF platoon situation (Stahler/Shiyou). Now since he had a great off-season I am going to let him play in LF alone.
CBL Sampler: Besides the relatively obvious answer to this question (pitching is a strength, offence is a weakness) in more specific terms what are your teams strengths and weaknesses?
Alex: Well some of my hitters may "hit like grandma" but play defense like a god. C, 1B, 2B, SS, 3B all have a defense of 65+ and 2 have a defense of 70+. On my pitching staff the lowest as is a 68 with most well into the 70's.
CBL Sampler: Are there any players on your team that we've never heard of that you think might have a breakout season in 2003?
Alex: Not really sure right now. Not really promoting any rookies to play in 2003.
CBL Sampler: Even though it is early what teams do you predict will make the playoffs in 2003?
Alex: I am so lousy about making predictions. Hell I was confident in another league that I would win the WS and I am now in close to last place. So I would rather like to avoid going there...
CBL Sampler: Well that's it, thanks for taking the time to talk to us. Good luck in the upcoming season.
James Wesley
Owner, Lethbridge Typhoon
and Commissioner, CBL
CBL Sampler: Typically, the Commissioner of a league contends for the playoffs. Some leagues, the Commish wins every year. Your team, to put this delicately, doesn't. What gives?
James: Well, actually I did try to make a team that would contend when I drafted, but I wanted a team that was young also. I didn't think I had a chance in the first year, so I traded away the best pitcher I had for a couple players, that I thought would turn out fairly good. After I traded away that pitcher, my team actually started doing better and I just let them ride their way to a playoff berth. This year, was a total surprise to me though. The league took a drastic change from a hitter friendly league, to a pitcher friendly one. Just look at the 2001 champions record this year for a good example of that. I also have a hard time finding enough time to look at my team, and offers for trades to my team, as I spend most of my time doing league duties. I do think my team will be a contender in another 4 years, and I plan on kicking Red Deer and Taber's asses all over the park.
CBL Sampler: You were first in 2001 at 93-69, then last year at 67-95. You tanked. Why?
James: It had alot to do with the league. It was a very hitter oriented league last year, and this year its like the ball was not juiced or something. Almost every offensive team took a nose-dive this year, except for a couple, including our new champions, the Kolts. I also seen the writing on the wall fairly quick, and traded away most of my talent (last years MVP, Rapuano for example) for picks and good young talent.
CBL Sampler: What do you have to do to get things turned around?
James: Sell my soul. But really I'm not in the mindset to try and change things around just yet. I do want to trade for a young third baseman, and maybe a second baseman, but I think I have some great talent in the minors that will be ready to put the Typhoon on the top in a few years. I think I will have a very deep pitching staff, and some great batters. So I will have to ride out a few lean years before I can get some glory.
CBL Sampler: I talked to the Commissioner of another league, and he was of the opinion that being Commissioner makes it very hard to do the wheeling and dealing - and sometimes, let's face it, the stealing - that trading demands when teams are trying to get better. Does being Commish make it harder for you to do the right thing with the Typhoon?
James: I think it's really hard, as I don't have as much time to look at trades, or even make trade offers. I am not a heavy trader to begin with, so it makes it that much tougher. I also think that owners are a little leary of trading with the commish, so there goes a few more options. But I am going to discuss a great new idea with the league, I am going to make a rule in which every team must give the commish any player he desires at the start of each season, so that should help me out ; )
CBL Sampler: What are the club's strengths and weaknesses?
James: Right now my team has no real strength, I have traded away pretty much any strength that I had. My real strength is the minor system that I built. I believe I will be on top in a few, with great players in both the pitching and batting side of things. I just have to hope that defense is picked up as they mature. My weakness for sure is my pitching right now. My team ERA is a joke, and my starters labour every game out.
CBL Sampler: Any player we've never heard of but are going to?
James: Jodd Janks for sure, he is a great offensive talent at catcher. RF Nichollas Rebeck will also get some time up in the show, as he already has the tools to do some damage. Johnny Kardow is also going to stick with the team, I had no idea he would do as good as he did. Next year will be the year I bring up quite a few youngsters, I think they will be ready to fit in then.
CBL Sampler: Even though it is early what teams do you predict will make the playoffs in 2003?
James' 2003 pre-season playoff predictions:
Fishermens League
East: Blackwater
Central: Port Hope
West: Toronto
Wild Card: Ottawa
Farmers League
East: Moose Jaw
Central: Red Deer
West: Victoria
Wild Card: Taber
CBL Sampler: This part is definitely going in the survey as well. I am in three different leagues. I am the Vice-Commissioner of one of them. This is, bar none, the best-run, most participatory, and most fun league of them all. Most of the credit for that belongs to you. On behalf of all of us, every owner in the CBL, thank you. You're a class act.
James: Aw shucks, haha. Thanks man.
Mike Canterbury
Owner, London Werewolves
CBL Sampler: London made a nice run last year, and looked threatening for a playoff spot until late in the season. What do you have to do to make it the rest of the way?
Mike: I think I should be greatly improved this year. I added to my pitching last year and I think over the long haul of the season this year I should make up a lot of ground. If we can stay relatively injury free I think we should contend for a playoff spot of some kind. But our pitching is going to be the key.
CBL Sampler: Talk about Toronto for a second. They have to be a concern with their incredible pitching.
Mike: Well, a lot can be said about their pitching, and it IS formidable. But don't overlook their hitting, either. Plus they play good solid defense. In short they don't beat themselves. Add that to the good young talent they have rising in the minors and I think you'll see Toronto contending for a long time to come.
CBL Sampler: You had some very nice success turning the Werewolves around - you were nine games better last year than the year before. What are you doing that makes such a difference?
Mike: Pitching, pitching, pitching. That's what it is all about. My starting pitching should be greatly improved this year and with a couple of young guys that should be ready I think my bullpen will show great improvement. Our goal this year is to improve my team ERA by a full point. That should bring it in around 3.90 or so. If we can do that... and be more consistent at the plate, I think we will make another 9 game improvement. That's the goal, anyway.
CBL Sampler: What do teams in bad situations have to do to make the same kind of turnaround?
Mike: Draft wisely to build for the future. Trade for pitching. If you want to make immediate improvements be willing to take older players (In their early 30's) in trade. I think the key to long term success lies in the amateur draft, though.
CBL Sampler: What are your team's strengths and weaknesses?
Mike: Well, I would say hitting is our big strength, along with several good young players. Our weaknesses would be defense and depth. I would like to think our pitching is turning the corner and is in the transitional stage. We should pitch better this year and show drastic improvement over the next couple of seasons.
CBL Sampler: Any player we've never heard of but are going to?
Mike: Olin McKenzie and Jud Vigue should make an impact soon on offense, while Tony Barrett will become an absolute monster pitching. Maybe this season... probably the next, though.
CBL Sampler: Even though it's early what teams do you predict will make the playoffs
in 2003?
Mike's 2003 pre-season playoff predictions:
Fishermens League
East: Blackwater-Too much offense! And just enough pitching.
Central: Quebec-Quality says it all. Tight race, though.
West: Toronto-Too solid to overtake this year.
Wild Card: London-Rising fast. Not enough depth to sustain rise.
Farmers League
East: Moose Jaw-Cream of the crop. Solid all around.
Central: Lethbridge-Great offense. Great pitching. Too good to stay down.
West: Kelowna-Bring in the Kelownas. Their year to roar in the West.
Wild Card: Yellow Knife-Solid all around. Watch them closely.
Chris Jones
Owner Port Hope Battery
Fishermans Wild Card
CBL Sampler: In spite of trading away many of your best players at the trading deadline you surprised many observers and made the playoffs as well as improving substantially over last year's record. To what do you attribute this success?
Chris: Funny things happen sometimes. Our first season we were well below .500 and out of the hunt by May. There was no reason to expect that things would be any different last year, so it was a huge surprise to me when things gelled early on and we were in the hunt for the division crown. But it didn't last, which I expected, and about the middle of June I made the call that we were not going to be able to compete. So we put every tradeable player on the team that was over 30 on the block, looking for draft picks, young stars, whatever.
We were six games out when we started restructuring. We finished eight games out. I can't explain it. We traded off an all star, a great pitcher that was Blackwater's playoff MVP, players like that, and we collected nine draft picks, but the guys just wouldn't lose. They battled right to the end. In our last six games we beat Val D'Or two of three and Blackwater two of three to clinch the wild card. It was just magic.
CBL Sampler: You made the playoffs but had to face the eventual CBL Champions the
Blackwater Kolts. What do you think you need to do in order to get to the Battle for the Beer this year?
Chris: Blackwater put us in our place for sure, but we were in two of the three games they won. Our pitching was just a little soft, and our hitters are pretty young. Our best hitter is only 26. We need to get some age and find another couple starters, find an ace, but I think if we do that we're going to be tough.
CBL Sampler: Your division (The Fishermans Central) was the most hotly contested in the entire CBL. Do you see that trend continuing?
Chris: Pretty likely. Ottawa is not going to sit still after being shut out three straight by Toronto, so they're only going to get better, and Val D'Or frankly was a better team than we were last year and they have to be fuming. Then Quebec was 16 games over .500 and finished 4th. Yeah, it's going to be a war for years in this division.
CBL Sampler: How do you think your team will fare in the upcoming season and what are the critical factors that will influence that?
Chris: We're going to give the division title a shot this year. The plan was to win the Beer in five years, and we're a little ahead of schedule after year one. That could continue. Pitching, certainly, is the main determining factor for us. We ran the last month of the season with Devontate Shimp as our #3 guy, and we brought him out of the low minors for that. He's only 25. The top two are almost certainly going to be Parkman and Bechtel, but after that, it's open season. We'll look the guys over in Spring Training and see what we can put together. There's always the chance of a trade, too.
CBL Sampler: What are your team's strengths and weaknesses?
Chris: Youth is our only real weakness. I think we have the deepest minor league system in the CBL, and it just takes a couple years to get those players ready to perform on the big club level. Our strength is definitely chemistry - we didn't have any player in the top ten in any offensive category last year, and except for Raoul McCosker's saves, no pitcher in the top ten, either. But we win. We're tough. We never allow inherited runners to score. And I think we do the little things right. We care about each other.
CBL Sampler: Any player we haven't heard of but are going to?
Chris: Oh, yeah. Devontate Shimp did a great job for us in the rotation late last year, and he's just getting warmed up. Watch for Ryne Biras to make a splash at #4 or #5 this season. And we're all kind of holding our breath to see how good SS Cleo Purdy will be.
CBL Sampler: Even though it is early what teams do you predict will make the playoffs in 2003?
Chris' 2003 pre-season playoff predictions:
Blackwater will run away again in the East. Too much hitting. I think their pitching is a little underrated as well. They are solid all the way through and they will be on top again for certain in that division.
This is probably bad luck, but I think we'll challenge for the top spot in the Central with Ottawa again, and it's possible we could get them this time. Really, any one of four teams could take the title and the wild card, but I think it's Port Hope and Ottawa.
Toronto just has too much pitching for everyone in the West. That's a hard thing to rely on, though, and I predict that this year they will be tested by London. Mike Canterbury is savvy and London was nine games better this last year than the year before. Still Toronto, but only by a couple games. And you could see a wild card out of London if the Central beats itself to death.
In the Farmers League East I have to like Moose Jaw. Great balance and good chemistry. Yellowknife is a half-step behind, but I have a feeling that Yellowknife takes a step backward this year. Just a hunch.
The Central is Taber's to lose. I can't believe they did not do better last year, but there's no way you see a repeat of it this season. Too much good talent there for anyone else. Red Deer is going to be tough all year and I think they take the wild card, battling it out with Yellowknife.
The West is going to be such fun. Victoria can throw, but there's a very underrated staff in Kelowna, too. Creston is not going to sit still, either. There could be a four-way tie there, and that wouldn't surprise me at all. I'll give the nod to Kelowna if you press me.
CBL Sampler: Thanks Chris, good luck in the upcoming season.
Torin Stefanson
Owner, Moose Jaw Dragons (Formerly Moose Jaw Gamblers)
2002 Farmers East Division Champions
2002 Owner of the Year
CBL Sampler: Which was better, making the playoffs for the first time, or winning Owner of the Year?
Torin: Winning Owner of the Year was great and totally unexpected. It is awesome to be acknowledged by your peers and this is a league with a lot of great owners but I like to put team goals ahead of personal ones so I think that making the playoffs was better. We were able to win the division series and took the LCS to seven games but the goal next year is to make it to the BFTB and win it all. Oh and repeat as Owner of the Year.
CBL Sampler: Your team improved 20 games from its first year to last year. What do you attribute the improvement to?
Torin: When I took over the team late in 2001 there were a lot of good players on the team but the chemistry just wasn't there. With a few free agent acquisitions and some roster moves as well as some of our key players (like 1B Devontay Wisell) coming off of injuries we were able to get off to a good start in 2002.
At the Amateur Draft we were in first place and by attending the draft live I was able to pick-up some great players that were over looked. One 3B Jerry Alverado I stuck on the major league roster and he was able to help us right away. The other two prospects we drafted ended up getting included in the rash of deadline deals to get some extra offence and pitching for the pennant chase which by this time was even more important because Yellowknife had passed us for the division lead and Taber had passed us for the wild card. We were not able to get any superstars but we got a solid group of players that filled some holes and gave us depth.
CBL Sampler: What areas do you need to address to get to the next level?
Torin: Our offence is our biggest weakness and needs to be addressed. We had an amazing record in one run games (a testament to our great bullpen) but we had way to many one run games. For the year we ended up scoring less than half a run more per game than our opponents at 3.52 runs per game which most teams would be happy with as their ERA. I think we can count on our pitchers doing well again this year but we need to score more. To this end I am looking to trade for some hitting particularly outfield and DH.
CBL Sampler: What are your club's strengths and what are your weaknesses?
Torin: Overall our pitching was great we had one of the best rotations and one of the best bullpens. We played good defense and even though we had no real super speedsters as a team we racked up a fair number of steals. Our offence although not nearly as good as I would have liked had some strong points we stuck out just over 800 times one of the lowest marks in the CBL. But really the key to everything was the pitching and I see that continuing to be our primary strength in 2003.
CBL Sampler: Any player(s) we've never heard of but are going to?
Torin: 3B Jerry Alverado might be a season away but I am hoping for a big breakout year from him.
CBL Sampler: Even though it is early what teams do you predict will make the
playoffs in 2003?
Torin's 2003 pre-season playoff predictions:
Fishermens League
East: Blackwater Kolts - They are just to damn good to go away.
Central: Port Hope Battery - They have a lot of draft picks to trade away for help down the stretch.
West: Toronto Turtles - Pitching rules and the Turtles are a fine example of a great pitching staff.
Wild Card: London Werewolves - A potent offence and a lot of hot young pitching prospects make this a team to watch out for.
Farmers League
East: Moose Jaw Dragons - In 2003 the Dragons will win it all. Of course I have a bias.
Central: Taber Rig Pigs - A lot of great young talent to go with the crafty veterans acquired last year.
West: Victoria has the pitching the just need some offence. Some one better snap this team up.
Wild Card: Red Deer Rage - The Rage were all the rage in 2002 but couldn't pull it off in the post season. Will give Taber a run for their money in the Central.
| 
