League News and Ducks Awards

Bird Song

Miss you, Jerry

The Owlz are the 2008 Pittsburgh NABA Champions. I have no doubt that the only thing on Rob Cool's mind while assembling his team during the off-season was winning a championship, which he and hiz fellow Owlz did.

The Owlz won both the Division Series and the Championship series on walk off singles in third game of best of three series (once in extra innings). There was some great baseball down the stretch this year.

In 2009, would you rather be on the Owlz, or the team who beats the Owlz on the way to the title? Team of Destiny '09 is gunning for you next year, Z-Men. Enjoy it while it lasts. Quack, quack.

Seriously, congratulations on a season well played.

Fago for league MVP

Five Years Feels like Forever

• The Owlz won the Championship in their first year in existence. The first team to win a championship in its inaugural season; the 2003 South Oakland Ducks.

• The Owlz are the first team with a bird mascot to win the Pittsburgh NABA Championship since the 2003 South Oakland Ducks.

• The Owlz are the only team with a "Z" in their name to take home the trophy, this may remain fact for some time.

• The first team to win the title with a Confederate soldier for a mascot? The 2007 Rebels, who missed the playoffs this season.

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Here are the Ducks 2008 team awards as chosen by Manager of the Year, TC Jones, who also wrote the summaries.

Team MVP: Nick Homa.

Without a doubt Nick deserves the MVP award. Not only was he arguably the leagues best pitcher, but he put up pretty good offensive numbers too. Without Homa we would have been an under .500 team.

Offensive Player of the Year: Ben Gwin.

This may have been the hardest award to pick. I think this award could have easily gone to Chris Wojoton or Jesse smith, but I chose Ben Gwin because of his clutch and timely hitting. Any time we needed to drive in important runs, Gwin was the one to do it. The +20 RBIs on the season prove it.

Defensive Player of the Year: Coby Kolaja.

Can we argue with the diving catches, the flowing hair, and the absolute cannon of an arm? I don't think so. Coby Kolaja surprised everyone on the Ducks with his good reads and surprisingly accurate outfield arm.

Quack Talker of the year: Jim Spagnola.

I give this award to the Duck who made his presence felt with his verbal antics. It was a close call between Jim and Rick Whalen (both had particularly disgusting topics to ponder on the bench), but my decision was made after Spagnola called out an "F--- You" to an opposing pitcher after getting a hit.

Duck of the year: KT Murphy.

I give this award to the Duck who best accepted his position on the team as a role-player. KT was at every game and never complained. He was also our most timely pinch hitter and made the most out of every opportunity he got.

Most Improved Player of the Year: Garret Moore.

To be honest, at the beginning of the season I wasn’t sure how much time I would be able to get this man. But his hustle and ability to put the baseball in play during at bats gained him the starting role as the DH.

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My only complaint is that Garrett won an award instead of having another award named after him and given to someone else. ie. the Garrett Moore mustache of the year award, goes to James Spagnola.

I'm just happy to be here, and to be able to help the team.

No individual is bigger than the Ducks, except Rambo.

Nick Homa for 2008 Pitcher of the Year

TC Jones for 2008 Manager of the Year.

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The season in review will be lengthy.