Chicago Minor League Review

Here Come the Cometas

Bryan — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 22:24:50 +0000

As one reader here pointed out recently, there is another ABA basketball team in the city of Chicago. Well, technically, it is a team that has decided to set up shop in the suburb of Cicero. The city of Cicero is one known primarily for being a favorite hang out for Al Capone and for the former town president who ended up in prison.

I used to live in Cicero. It was a town undergoing change then. Not many of the residents there thought it was a good change. It was moving from bohemian and white middle-class to mostly latino and latin middle-class.

I am not sure what to make of this revival of the ABA. It seems that anyone can have a team. I think if you sign up at their website, they just give you a franchise. There are something like 60 teams listed on the ABA corporate website. They seem to be a league filled with teams, but short on popularity or longevity. They certainly don’t get much media coverage

There have been several attempts at a Chicago team. There already is the Chicago Throwbacks, a team with a name so awful, and a website so poorly done, I have to wonder about whether or not a team will take the court at any point. Their website now shows a schedule, but I wouldn’t go out and buy season tickets if I were you.

Now comes the team known as the Cometas. For those of you unclear, that is Spanish for “comets.” Since Cicero is predominantly Spanish-speaking, when the owner decided to move the franchise from a city in Mexico to Cicero, he kept the name.

Their website is here and there is an interesting story on their home page from the Chicago Tribune about the team and where it came from. The owner seems like a guy who is passionate about his team and really wants it to succeed. From what I can see in the story, the people of Cicero seem intrigued by the idea and are welcoming.

I think what needs to happen is that one ABA team needs to win. Such a thing could rally a close-knit neighborhood like Cicero and turn the team into a success. It is possible.

Of course, the Chicago market is very saturated. Still, if they take their cues from some of the successful minor league baseball teams and make it as family friendly as possible…who knows? Maybe the Cometas will become something to watch around here.

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Railcats are Champs too!!!

Bryan — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 21:46:53 +0000

I should have posted this yesterday. My apologies to JohnU and the Railcats fans. The Railcats have also finished their season. They managed to defeat the Vipers to take the Northern League Championship for 2007. This is the second time they have won the entre thing.

The Railcats had a great first half of the season and then struggled a bit during the second half. However, once the post-season started, it was like the championship ‘Cats of old.

It was also good old-fashioned baseball and a real challenge, which made the playoffs exciting. I love a good match up and these two teams went at it with all of their might.

During the last game the Railcats jumped out to an early lead. They eventually got out to a five-run lead and managed to hold back the Vipers’ offense to only one run.

You can stock up on your Railcats championship-wear at their website now, by the way.

FINAL SCORE: Railcats 5 Vipers 1

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Thunderbolts are Champs!

Bryan — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 21:37:27 +0000

Well, it was a bit of a struggle, but the Windy City Thunderbolts have come out the winners and are now Frontier League Champions. This was the first time the franchise, and this is going back to its years as the Cook County Cheetahs, had even made it into the post-season. It turns out, their first trip was the one that got them the championship.

They swept through the Rockford Riverhawks in the first round, easily enough. The second round turned out to be more of a challenge as they faced off against the Washington Wild Things.

The Wild Things managed to get to a 2 games to nothing lead in the series, before the Thunderbolts were able to put aside their nerves and start their winning ways. During last night’t game, any doubts they may have had previously seemed to have vanished entirely. The came out swinging and jumped to a 5-0 lead.

Pitching and defense have marked the Thunderbolts’ season and that showed again last night. They held the Wild Things to only three runs.

FINAL SCORE: Thunderbolts 10 Wild Things 3

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Eagles Lose Another

Bryan — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 19:59:10 +0000

The Kane County Eagles were stunned in their last game. It was against the Wisconsin Bulldogs. It was close, but the Bulldogs managed to edge out the Eagles 37 - 35. The team was “light” and the result was the same as the last time they tried that…they lost.

With this loss the Eagles have fallen from their seemingly solid perch in first place in their division. They are now in second behind the Racine Raiders.

The Eagles face off against the Raiders in their next game, which turns this game into a crucial event for both teams. That game is September 22 and it is in the Raider’s home town and on their home field.

FINAL SCORE: Eagles 35 Bulldogs 37

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So, What’s Going on in the Playoffs Already??!!

Bryan — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 19:51:32 +0000

Hello to one and all and thanks for coming back to the Chicago Minor League Review. I apologize for my slowness. You see, as a writer, I have this new book that just came out. By the way, it’s called “Ghosts of St. Louis: The Lemp Mansion and other Eerie Tales” and you can buy it at Amazon.com and I think you should.

Anyway this caused me to have to go out of town to do some book promotion stuff. As such, I was away from computers much of the time starting last Thursday and only just got back into town late last night.

Meanwhile, those pesky teams just keep playing even without me around. Thankfully, the teams from the Chicago area that were in the playoffs before I went out of town, are still in the playoffs. In fact, one has advanced yet again.

THE NORTHERN LEAGUE

The Gary SouthShore Railcats vs. the Calgary Vipers

The Vipers beat the Railcats, as mentioned in a previous entry, during their first meeting. The next night the Railcats came right back and defeated the Vipers 6 - 3. There was a night off for both teams then as the games moved back to Gary.

On the 14th the two teams faced off again in Gary. The Vipers and Railcats went into extra innings, but the Vipers pulled this one out and jumped ahead by a game by winning 4 - 3. On Saturday the 15th the Railcats mustered their resources and edged out the Vipers with a 3-2 win. Finally, on Sunday the 16th the Vipers’ season came to an end after a sound 5-1 win by the Railcats.

The Railcats now advance.

September 12

FINAL SCORE: Railcats 6 Vipers 3

September 14

FINAL SCORE: Railcats 3 Vipers 4

September 15

FINAL SCORE: Railcats 3 Vipers 2

September 16

FINAL SCORE: Railcats 5 Vipers 1

THE FRONTIER LEAGUE

The Windy City Thunderbolts vs the Washington Wild Things

The Thunderbolts came into this second series looking a bit shakier than they had against the Rockford Riverhawks. It seemed like the ‘Bolts’ inexperience in the post-season might had caught up with them. Thankfully, the ‘Bolts have shown they are meant to be in the post-season and are determined not to go down easily.

On the 12th the two teams were deadlocked and it went into extra innings. By the time the 10th inning ended, however, the Thunderbolts were in a hole by two games. The Wild Things managed to score 6 while holding the Thunderbolts to just 3.

No games were scheduled for the 13th. The 14th the Bolts finally came back and managed to beat the Wild Things in their home stadium by two runs and a final score of 4 - 2. The ‘Bolts came right back on the 14th and edged the Wild Things and used their pitching and defense to tie up the series 2 - 2 with a final score of 2 -1.

No games were scheduled for last night.

September 12

FINAL SCORE: Thunderbolts 3 Wild Things 6

September 14

FINAL SCORE: Thunderbolts 4 Wild Things 2

September 15

FINAL SCORE: Thunderbolts 2 Wild Things 1

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A Call to All Athletes!!

Bryan — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 00:07:50 +0000

OK, I don’t want you to think I have sold out. However, when a guy from NBC calls you and says he say your website and wants you to help out with a promotion, well, if you’re like me, you say yes.

It seems that NBC is going to bring back the show “American Gladiators.” Needless to say they would like some athletic-type people to come and try out when they are in Chicago looking for contestants this weekend. Athletes from teams like the Chicago Wolves or the Rockford Icehogs or any of the teams that are no longer playing would be great.

So, Louis asked me if I could post something here and give the details about where they will be this weekend and if any of you readers of the Chicago Minor League Review would likle to attend, or you know someone sort of athletically inclined who might do well, please let them know.

So, they will be in Chicago Sunday September 16th at the Windy City Field House which is at 2367 W. Logan Blvd. They will be there from 9 in the morning until 5 in the evening.

You can find out more in two places: www.windycityfieldhouse.com and www.nbc.com/casting. You can also e-mail casting.AG@gmail.com if you have more questions.

So, forgive me for scratching the back of a major network, at least it is someone at a major network noticing this website and me.

Thanks,

Bryan

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Playoffs Turn Sour for Chicago Teams

Bryan — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 13:59:42 +0000

Well, the second round of playoffs for the minor league baseball teams in the area started up again on September 11. Unfortunately, the games did not turn out well for either for the remaining Chicago-area teams that are still battling it out for a spot for their league titles.

THE NORTHERN LEAGUE

The Gary SouthShore Railcats vs the Calgary Vipers

The Railcats had just come off of a see-saw battle against Winnipeg. They had a nice day off between that first round and the second, before facing off against the Calgary Vipers. It was a close game, at least, with both teams coming on strong. However, the Vipers were able to push one more runner across the plate than the Railcats were able to, and now the Vipers have jumped out to a one-game lead over the Railcats for the series.

FINAL SCORE: Railcats 6 Vipers 7

THE FRONTIER LEAGUE

The Windy City Thunderbolts vs. the Washington Wild Things

The Thunderbolts should have been flush with confidence and sure-footedness after sweeping the more-experienced Rockford Riverhawks. However, that cockiness may have been their downfall as they faced off against the Washington Wild Things. The normally certain Thunderbolts defense and picthing seemed to fail miserably this time around. The Wild Thing hit often and scored 12 runs. Meanwhile, the Wild Things were able to completely shut down the Thunderbolts offense and hold them to only two runs.

FINAL SCORE: Thunderbolts 2 Wild Things 12

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Eagles Get Key Win!

Bryan — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 20:28:13 +0000

The Kane County Eagles had just come off of a painful loss and were going to face the highly-ranked Northeast Missouri Wildcats. The Wildcats were undefeated and had talent just about everywhere. This was considered a key match up in the NAFL.

Thankfully, the Kane County Eagles proved that their previous championships were no fluke. They came back, mounted a serious offensive wall and rolled over the Wildcats 43-12 in front of the Eagles hometown crowd.

The Eagles are still firmly in first place in their division and in good shape for their next match up. Their next game is September 15 against the Wisconsin Bulldogs. This one will be on the road.

The Eagles are 6 - 1 for the season.

FINAL SCORE: Eagles 43 Wildcats 12

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First Round of Baseball Playoffs Over

Bryan — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 20:22:27 +0000

Well, the first round of playoffs are now over in both the Northern and Frontier Leagues. I am very happy to say that both of the teams that we follow here at Chicago Minor League Review are still in the thick of it and have made it into the second round. OK, I guess that last sentence shows my bias. We also follow the Rockford Riverhawks and they are now eliminated, and I am more of a Windy City Thunderbolts fan.

Still, the games have been exciting.

THE NORTHERN LEAGUE

The Gary SouthSore Railcats versus the Winnipeg Goldeyes

Apparently nothing has come easy for the Railcats this season. They may have won the first half in their division, but they struggled during the second half. So it only stands to reason that every time they managed to get ahead of the Goldeyes, the Goldeyes managed to find a way to come back and beat the Railcats. The games went back and forth all weekend, but the Railcats finally were able to win that all-important third game to win the best out of five series.

September 7

FINAL SCORE: Railcats 3 Goldeyes 7 (Goldeyes jump ahead 2 games to 1)

September 8

FINAL SCORE: Railcats 3 Goldeyes 1 (series tied 2-2)

September 9

FINAL SCORE: Railcats 5 Goldeyes 3 (Gary wins series)

No games are scheduled for Monday

THE FRONTIER LEAGUE

The Windy City Thunderbolts vs. The Rockford Riverhawks

Whereas the Railcats had to struggle in their match-up against Winnipeg, the Windy City Thunderbolts have come into their first post-season appearance with both guns blazing. They may have stumbled a bit during the second half of their season, but their momentum from dominating the first half has carried through. The Riverhawks had the experience and had been in the post-season many times. They were expected to count on that experience to carry them into the post-season and mount a challenge against the ‘Bolts. So, the ‘Bolts swept the Riverhawks and continue in their run for their first championship.

September 7

FINAL SCORE: Thunderbolts 8 Riverhawks 6

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Eagles Game Tomorrow

Bryan — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 21:49:34 +0000

The Kane County Eagles face a very serious adversary and a serious game this weekend, just as the NFL starts its full regular season. The Eagles have lost only one game so far this season and are still firmly at the top of their division. However, on Saturday September 8 the Eagles welcome the Northeast Missouri Wildcats.

The Wildcats are undefeated so far this season. The match up is also generating a lot of buzz for those who follow the minor league football games.

The game starts at 7 pm.

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