Sticking Points 2044.4: Rockville Out To Best Start In Years

[aaronweiner]

The Rockville Pikemen have had a lot of issues early in the season over the past few years. Several players got off to slow starts, the team would often find itself in a deep, deep hole, and they would have to climb out to win 90+ games. Not this year. Rockville hasn't fallen below .500 this season, and has found themselves solidly among the Johnson League's best teams this season at the halfway point in the season.

"We've been hitting on all cylinders to an incredible extent," said manager Duane Whitley. "Our ballclub has been like a well-oiled machine."

How good has Rockville been this year? They're first in runs scored, first in pitching WAR, and while they've been lousy on the basepaths and in the field they've been overall just a force of nature. The offense is a pleasant surprise since there were questions about the offense coming into the league, but nobody expected the Pikemen to be first in the JL in home runs, too.

"It's not all on the road, either," said Bing-de Zhao, who has put a tough 2043 season in the rear view mirror to become one of the game's best players in 2044. "We're hitting home runs at home, on the road, everywhere. Me and Daniel (Pepper) are just playing off each other and having fun out there. It's great."

Zhao has been the biggest story for the Pikemen, but there have been other big stories of the 2044 season, too. For example, the ticking clock on Dan Cannon, who somehow is 5-2 anyway. The big trade for Adergazoz Ouakili that shakes up the team a little bit. Danny Leach's continued excellence from the bullpen. Another solid Rockville draft amidst somewhat embarrassing praise about Rockville's GM Aaron Weiner being the best drafter in the league.

"We're a team that has found so many different ways to win over the years," said Arthur Dempster. "This is going to sound a little bit phony, but I think this might be one of our best teams, and I'm here at 35 years old and it's so exciting to still be a part of this Rockville thing. Maybe we can win another pennant."