Off Topic
Coaching Ranks Churning
November 10, 2064: Marshall Islands – The era of leaving the chips on the table appears to be over in Forever Land, and amid tumultuous rounds of news about player releases and potential future call-ups, that tumulosity (apparently that’s a word, eh? Who knew!), is a whirlwind maelstrom that’s hitting the team’s managerial and coaching regime.
Manager Kate Fiscus 2.0 is apparently still safe from the scythe, but when pitching coach Fernando Alaniz retired (uttering the clichéd phrase “I’m getting too old for this shit” under rumors of general disquiet with the team’s performance), it quietly sent a message that is just now beginning to register on the Island’s internal Richter scale. Next came news that Alberto Lara, the team’s third base coach, wasn’t agreeing to extend his deal despite being offered a 20% raise. Then, beleaguered hitting coach Orlando Rangel, who was considered to be a bit too cavalier for the post, was released, leaving three openings.
Hubbard Promoted, Promises Improvement
New Coach Promises
More Runs“The move to replace Orlando was at least in part because we had a great hitting coach in our mix already, and wanted to make something happen for him,” said GM Ron Collins as he introduced one-time outfielder Ronnie Hubbard to fill the position. “Besides, he has a great name.”
Hubbard comes to the big leagues directly from Class-R in Ogden, where he spent five seasons, the last two seeing the team in the postseason.
“I’ve been here as a player,” Hubbard said in his remarks. “And I knew I wanted to make it here as a coach, too. So I want the guys to know I’m going to work with them. That I’ll work with them as hard or harder than they can work for me. We’ve got guys who can hit. There’s no reason this team shouldn’t be up toward the best offenses in the league, and I’m intending to get us there.”
Music to a Krill fan’s ears, but with the season still five months away, one can use a grain of salt or two with that heaping scoop of optimism.
Julyan to Take Hubbard’s Seat in Ogden
With Hubbard’s success, one supposes it’s not too surprising that the team would go to the well of past players to find his replacement. Longtime Seattle outfielder Alexander Julyan was named as Ogden’s pitching coach. Julyan may not be familiar to fans of the Earth’s Team, but he spent a decade and a half patrolling Seattle’s outfield, mostly in centerfield and right, retiring after being released as the team was moving to that atoll.
“I had the itch to come back,” Julyan said about the gap between his retirement and his assignment. “The kids are off on their own, now, and Shelly is getting tired of my constant projects around the house.”
He’ll join manager Jaak Verhoek and ex-teammate Héctor Márquez on the Thunder Duck’s staff.
Round of Musical Chairs Leaves Ramos In Charge of Pitchers
Will Ramos Keep
Arms Dominant?Word came that the team’s pitching coach situation had been addressed with the hire of Dirk Olinger, who was with the AAA team in the Black Hills of Dakota for the previous decade. However, a press conference scheduled to announce him was cancelled at the last moment, as rumors are that Bikini’s front office suddenly became aware that Black Hills was associated with the Sacramento club, and ferreted out a snitch. “We’re not saying Olinger was sent in to derail the team, but, you know … it really was aliens.”
Neither GM Ron Collins, nor his assistant has commented on the internal machinations that resulted in Olinger's coaching hokey pokey.
Instead, the Krill have now backtracked and reported that Class-SA pitching coach Ernesto Ramos will be promoted from Port au Prince to the atoll this coming year. “Ernesto is well-regarded by players and workers within the organization,” Collins said. “Like Ronnie with the bats, Ernesto can lean on a long career to help guide the guys.”
"This staff is good and still young," Ramos said via audio-link. "I'm excited to help them achieve their goals."
Ramos has coached alongside Hubbard, having spent four seasons in Class-R Ogden before being with Port au Prince the last three.
Players Excited
Bikini’s Zimmer Award-winning shortstop, Keith Williams, spoke highly of the moves to date.
“I know we still have spots open, but I like the guys they have coming in. It seems like the front office has decided we needed to have a little shakeup, and so that’s what we’re getting. I’m ready to go play again. When’s opening day?”
November 10, 2064: Marshall Islands – The era of leaving the chips on the table appears to be over in Forever Land, and amid tumultuous rounds of news about player releases and potential future call-ups, that tumulosity (apparently that’s a word, eh? Who knew!), is a whirlwind maelstrom that’s hitting the team’s managerial and coaching regime.
Manager Kate Fiscus 2.0 is apparently still safe from the scythe, but when pitching coach Fernando Alaniz retired (uttering the clichéd phrase “I’m getting too old for this shit” under rumors of general disquiet with the team’s performance), it quietly sent a message that is just now beginning to register on the Island’s internal Richter scale. Next came news that Alberto Lara, the team’s third base coach, wasn’t agreeing to extend his deal despite being offered a 20% raise. Then, beleaguered hitting coach Orlando Rangel, who was considered to be a bit too cavalier for the post, was released, leaving three openings.
Hubbard Promoted, Promises Improvement
New Coach Promises
More Runs
Hubbard comes to the big leagues directly from Class-R in Ogden, where he spent five seasons, the last two seeing the team in the postseason.
“I’ve been here as a player,” Hubbard said in his remarks. “And I knew I wanted to make it here as a coach, too. So I want the guys to know I’m going to work with them. That I’ll work with them as hard or harder than they can work for me. We’ve got guys who can hit. There’s no reason this team shouldn’t be up toward the best offenses in the league, and I’m intending to get us there.”
Music to a Krill fan’s ears, but with the season still five months away, one can use a grain of salt or two with that heaping scoop of optimism.
Julyan to Take Hubbard’s Seat in Ogden
With Hubbard’s success, one supposes it’s not too surprising that the team would go to the well of past players to find his replacement. Longtime Seattle outfielder Alexander Julyan was named as Ogden’s pitching coach. Julyan may not be familiar to fans of the Earth’s Team, but he spent a decade and a half patrolling Seattle’s outfield, mostly in centerfield and right, retiring after being released as the team was moving to that atoll.
“I had the itch to come back,” Julyan said about the gap between his retirement and his assignment. “The kids are off on their own, now, and Shelly is getting tired of my constant projects around the house.”
He’ll join manager Jaak Verhoek and ex-teammate Héctor Márquez on the Thunder Duck’s staff.
Round of Musical Chairs Leaves Ramos In Charge of Pitchers
Will Ramos Keep
Arms Dominant?
Neither GM Ron Collins, nor his assistant has commented on the internal machinations that resulted in Olinger's coaching hokey pokey.
Instead, the Krill have now backtracked and reported that Class-SA pitching coach Ernesto Ramos will be promoted from Port au Prince to the atoll this coming year. “Ernesto is well-regarded by players and workers within the organization,” Collins said. “Like Ronnie with the bats, Ernesto can lean on a long career to help guide the guys.”
"This staff is good and still young," Ramos said via audio-link. "I'm excited to help them achieve their goals."
Ramos has coached alongside Hubbard, having spent four seasons in Class-R Ogden before being with Port au Prince the last three.
Players Excited
Bikini’s Zimmer Award-winning shortstop, Keith Williams, spoke highly of the moves to date.
“I know we still have spots open, but I like the guys they have coming in. It seems like the front office has decided we needed to have a little shakeup, and so that’s what we’re getting. I’m ready to go play again. When’s opening day?”
