Sticking Points 2042.2: Rockville Off to Worst Start in Almost a Decade

[aaronweiner]

For every person who says a winning streak could go on forever, there's another that says that nothing lasts forever. Rockville's season is far from over; mired five games below .500 as we begin to enter June, they're still just 6 1/2 games back in their division race. They've gone without probably their best hitter, Bing-de Zhao, for most of the season. And the team morale, by all accounts, is still fine. Still, as the Rockville aces turn 33 years old, you start to wonder whether or not it's just Rockville's time.

"You never know what's going to happen in any given year," said three-time reigning Steve Nebraska winner Dan Cannon, having another outstanding season for the Pikemen. "It's not always in our control."

The numbers suggest Rockville is better than they've played, but not a lot better. They've been clobbered this year by Charlotte, a team that didn't exist when this current dynasty began. The Pikemen just don't seem like the same team they've had for years.

"We're not the same team," said starter Arthur Dempster, who shrugged off a rough start to once again look dominant. "We have so many new faces here that it's hard to say we're at all the same team."

It's not all bad news for the Pikemen. Danny Leach is establishing himself as one of the best relievers in the BBA. The team is picking up the offensive slack after a very slow start. And there's still a little magic in the team: Rockville brought up third baseman Sergio Valentin this year, who has probably won the job from incumbent Vincente Archuleta.

"We're not dead yet, and we're trying to consider all of our options right now," said manager Duane Whitley. "It's a long and winding road to the end of the season."

[jleddy]

Let sleeping dogs lie.

[lordtoffee]

You guys are going to be fine. The thing is that it's more of the Frontier being very deep right now. Those teams are going to beat on each other all summer long, and you will be back in the race.

[RonCo]

You guys are going to be fine. The thing is that it's more of the Frontier being very deep right now. Those teams are going to beat on each other all summer long, and you will be back in the race.

Don't goad him on.