The Burlington Bulls enter into their 5th season of OSBA looking to continue their run of making league history. Last years 24-4 record set a new mark for best winning percentage and with their second championship, they tie the Stars and Dodgers for most ever. Adding to that, they also had tournament wins in the OSBA tournament (their 2nd) and Ottawa (back to back in 2007/2008) as well as solid showings in the Strathroy and New Lowell rep tournaments (semi-finalists in both) The Bulls have had some turnover from past years. Gone are original Bulls MATT LANGFORD and JEFF MCNAIR, as well, ERIC CONLON will not be a full time player for 2009 and it remains to be seen how many, if any, games he will participate in this year. Here’s how the ’09 edition stacks up. CATCHING – The Bulls rock behind the plate has always been CHRIS LORD (.278 AVG, 4 HR’S, 80 RBI’S) , who brings a great arm and has logged the most innings behind the plate since the inception of the team. Lord will continue to be the number 1 catcher, but BRAD JOHNSTON(.223 AVG, 22 RBI’S) and KYLE PITMAN(.352 AVG, 4 HR’S, 65 RBI’S) will both also see time behind the plate. Johnston may see a little less time than years before as he has proven himself one of the Bulls best defensive first basemen since the move of Cam McKnight to SS in 2007.. INFIELD – BRAD JOHNSTON, DAVE WILLITTS(.260 AVG, 40 RBI’S), CHRIS HAYES( .397 AVG, 12 HR’S, 79 RBI’S) and KYLE PITMAN will all spend some time at first base, With so many capable first basemen on the roster, Willits and BJ likely have the slight edge on defense, but Hayes and Pitman with their stronger bats, will also likely see time there and then be spelled defensively late in games. At second base, JAMIE KOZAK (.351, 5 HR’S, 53 RBI’S) was gold glove worthy there last year making all the routine plays and some spectacular ones as well. When pitching, the Bulls will look to either JON LEYLAND(.251 AVG, 4 HR’S, 49 RBI’S) or possibly newly acquired CAMERON KIRBY (.400 AVG IN 7 GAMES IN 2008) to fill in. At short stop, CAM MCKNIGHT (.306 AVG, 11 HR’S, 92 RBI’S) became the Bulls 3rd full time SS since 2005 (Brad Guy and Andrew Swagers) previously. When pitching, JAMIE KOZAK will shift over and the defense behind the ground ball pitching McKnight won’t suffer at all. At third base, BRAD GUY (.270 AVG, 5 HR’S, 123 RUNS) is as solid as they come. Widely recognized as one of the best defenders in the league, Guy continues to dazzle at 3rd. His pride in his defence sparks all the Bulls infielders to be better. When not at 3rd, CAMERON KIRBY and BRAD JOHNSTON become the Bulls next two options. Kirby played 3rd for the GHBL Bulls last year and proved himself a solid defender, while BJ stepped up huge for the Bulls in Ottawa where they were without Guy. No one is going to be Brad Guy at 3rd base, but with Kirby and BJ, the Bulls still feel like they are fielding an above average defense every game. OUTFIELD – The Bulls will rotate 4 OF’s throughout the season. MIKE MOUSSEAU (LF) (.326 AVG, 8 HR’s, 84 RBI’s) and MIKE HOWDEN (CF/RF) (.277 AVG, 12 HR’s, 57 RBI’s), KIP KEITH (.416 AVG, 7 HR’s, 44 RBI’s) and JON LEYLAND, Kip will likely see most of the time in CF coming off his gold glove season while Leyland will take over the role McNair filled last year as a roving outfielder who can play all 3 positions. DH – JEFF KING (.208 AVG, 12 RBI’s) and JASON HOGAN (.309 AVG, 9 HR’s, 79 RBI’s) will enter the season as the team’s DH’s. Hogan has improved every single year as a Bull since 2006 and has become the number 4 hitter. King struggled last year, but hopes to rebound to 2007 form that saw him post a .400 average. STARTING PITCHING –The Bulls rotation is down to 3 with the loss of Conlon, but they are all aces. CAM MCKNIGHT, JON LEYLAND and JAMIE KOZAK. MCKNIGHT a lifetime 42-15 with a 2.19 ERA is coming off posting his best ever win total in a season with a 13-4 record and 1.88 ERA. LEYLAND has a career 20-9 record with a 2.88 ERA is coming off a 8-3, 3.14 ERA season. Kozak, now in his 3rd full time year with the Bulls is a career 20-4 with a 1.73 ERA after posting 2008 numbers of 10-2 with a 1.75 ERA. For tournament/other pitching, the Bulls may look to either ERIC CONLON 23-7. 2.55 ERA or potential BRIAN SPECK who was 2-0 in 2 starts last year. As well, CHRIS HAYES, who saw little mound action in 2008 due to an injury, may throw a few innings depending on his health. RELIEF PITCHING:BRAD GUY (1-0 with 3 saves) and DAVE WILLITTS (6-2) may see some mound action, as well as the venerable knuckleballer KIP KEITH The Bulls overall pitching in 2008 was 45-11 with a 2.77 ERA. OFFENSE – The Bulls offense last year was the league bests in runs scored and ranks high among the Bulls all time teams. Their second best HR total with 31 HR’s (down from 2007 when Swagers alone accounted for 16). The team average was a little lower than 2007 at .296, but the team also played 20 of its 56 games with wood bats. THE BENCH – With a roster of 15 and the OSBA batting order down to 11, the Bulls should have no trouble fielding a team and if they are short, they have many players from past years and the GHBL Bulls they can draw on. The Bulls bench was a pivotal success in last years championship/tournament success with BRAD JOHNSTON and DAVE WILLITTS, both providing some of the intangibles that a successful ball club need. LEADERSHIP –CHRIS LORD and DAVE WILLITTS will assume coaching roles with the Bulls this year. This promotion will deal with the uncertainty of some of the 3 main coaches, but is also indicative of 2 Bulls who have been there since the start and always put the team ahead of themselves. CAM MCKNIGHT is also always heavily relied on both for his on the field intensity and off –field dedication to the team. COACHING STAFF – JAMES CRAWFORD, STEVE ATKINSON and MIKE MASTERS are entering into their 15th year coaching and have never once had a losing season. With a 47-11 record in 2008 including a 24-4 OSBA record setting season they are known for always putting on the field, the best possible configuration to win ball games. In their 4 years of coaching the OSBA Bulls they have a 141-43-1 record, a winning percentage unmatched by any other OSBA coaching staff. COMMUNITY SUPPORT – The Bulls play out of BOMBA (BURLINGTON ORGANIZED MINOR BASEBALL ASSOCIATION) and primarily play their home games at Milcroft park with some games at Nelson and Ireland. The Bulls are sponsored by BURLINGTON BOWL, JERSIES BAR AND GRILL and covered by the BURLINGTON POST. COMPETITION – With a 4 year history in the league, the Bulls records against other teams are: Twins : 10-0 Total record VS ALL OSBA TEAMS: 94-28-1
OVERALL – In 4 seasons, the Bulls have amassed a total of 3 pennants, 3 West Division titles and 2 OSBA championship over that time period. The Bulls are looking forward to ’09 and have very high expectations for the season, tournaments and playoffs.
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