Oilers sliding into Fulton

The Railroaders' win last night puts them into position tonight to tie up second place in the standings if they can beat the Oilers who lost on Friday.  The Oilers are playing pretty good ball and will be tough to take down.  The Railroaders are improving each game and are beginning to look like a team with a mission.  We need to keep the errors down and get the bats going better.  Hopefully the ran will stay away long enough to get the game in.  It should be a great night for baseball at the Yard.

Railroaders vs Bombers at the Yard

The 1-1 Railroaders will be looking for their first Home Win tonight against the 0-2 Bombers who’ll be trying to find their first win in 2014.  The Railroaders will finally have their full roster tonight and with one win under the belt we’ll see if the momentum will carry on.  I’m sure the Bombers would love to spoil things so it should be a good game. 

Looking at the early standings, and considering several games rained out, it is somewhat clear how the rankings are shaping up.  The 4-0 Hoppers seems to have their act together, as usual, and have the early lead.  I’m sure their strategy is to jump out early, get a 4+ lead over the second place team and stay there.  Its something they have done well every year since joining the OVL two years ago.

The Railroaders usually start slow losing too many games early on and come on strong before mid-season.  This year’s 1-1 start is the best since 2010 while in the old KIT league.  A stronger start this year should put us in a better position to catch and over take the Hoppers before regular season ends.

The 2-1 Oilers are certainly proving to be what is expected, a tough team to beat.  The Railroaders take on the Oilers this Saturday at the Yard, the next home game.  The two teams have a doubleheader next Thursday in Owensboro to make up the rainout from Monday.

The 0-2 Bombers and 0-3 Miners are struggling some getting out of the gate.  I’m sure they’ll find themselves soon, and when they do the pressure will be on for every team. Yes, its still early and anything can happen.  I just hope to see more lead changes this year than previous ones.

Hoppers at the Yard tonight.

Well maybe we'll finally get the Railroaders season started tonight and at the Yard in Fulton.  Our ole' rivals the Hoppers will be here, along with a few of their fans too.  I'm expecting a nice crowd of Railroaders supporters to be there as well.  If you can make it, you can listen online thru TeamLine, AND for the first time streaming video over the Internet if you so choose.  Look for you there or here!

Just too much water!

Having made the trip to DC for nice ballgame, I felt an impulse to do whatever I could to help dry the Bombers field after a downpour of rain (which occurred just as I arrived).  But after I mistakenly took what appeared to be barrels of Quick Dry and opened one up, I realized they contained napalm used by the Bombers.  Even at that, I thought the fire might help dry things up, but to no avail.

So both the Railroaders and Bombers have to wait another day before beginning their 2014 season.  The Bombers will head to Owensboro to play the Oilers who are idle tonight.  The Railroaders will now get to start their season at home after all, and against their nemesis Hoptown Hoppers.  Hope the rain doesn't follow me back to Fulton tomorrow.  Now time to find a train heading south.....  

"All Aboard" for 2014 Railroader Baseball

Just a week away before Opening Night at the Yard for the 2014 Season.  Seems like just yesterday the Railroaders ended the 2013 season with a big victory over the Hoppers in Hopkinsville and took the post season championship.  Next Saturday a new set of Hoppers will come Fulton to face a new Railroader roster that looks pretty good on paper.  I'm looking for this years batch of Railroaders to carry on the momentum from 2013 into 2014.

The Railroaders will actually begin their season on the road Friday night going to Dubois County in Indiana to play the Bombers, another tough team.  I'll hop a train to get there in hopes the Boys can start off with a win. The last 3 seasons the Railroaders haven't seen a victory to begin the season.  Regardless the outcome, I know the guys will be finishing the season strong. This year though, we're looking for a stronger start in the standings to go ago with a great finish.  For 4 Years now, the Railroaders have ended the regular season in 2nd place.  In those 4 Post Season playoff series the Railroaders have won 2 championships.  Let's add a Season Pennant to go with a Post Season title in 2014!

On a few notes about the Yard this year.  The Railroaders Owners have made some improvements to help bring a better summer baseball experience to the fans.  I haven't seen the menu this year yet, but there'll be grilling I'm sure.  A new extension to the concession area promises to improve an already great menu selection. I can hardly wait for the smell of food cooking.  And TeamLine will be back for online audio coverage of home games along with added, optional live video streaming from the press box.

Hopefully everyone who is able will get out to the Yard next Saturday to help the Railroaders kick off the OVL season in Fulton.  See you there!

Railroaders Win Post Season Playoffs - Final Season Remarks

Well the Railroaders finish off the 2013 season bringing the Post Season Championship home to Fulton. What better way to end it. The Boys of summer really came through! Up against the wall, down in the series 0-1, then go to Hoptown for back to back wins to take away the Playoff Championship.

To complete the season the Railroaders were 4-1 in post season, 27-17 regular season (17-5 at home and 10-12 away). The best home record since 2010 when Fulton was 21-5 at home.  We saw more homeruns this year than ever with the Railroaders hitting 41, half the total OVL homeruns for the season.

I could go on, but I'll leave that to rest of you to make your comments and observations here. In closing out the season here, I'd like to thank not only the players, coaches and owners for a great year of baseball, but also to all the parents, relatives and fans who listened and commented on Hoghead.  You certainly have added to the excitement of the season. Hope to see many of you next year.

A repeat of Last Year???

The hunt for the OVL Playoff Championship title begins tonight at the Yard.  Just like in the 2012 season the same first and second seeded team, Hoppers and Railroaders, will battle again for bragging rights in the off season. Déjà vu, anyone?

If Railroaders are to take the best of 3 series, they will have to win the final game on the road in Hopkinsville. Tonight though, game one is in the Yard and the Railroaders can help the effort winning at home.  Fulton won the first game at home last year, but dropped the next two in Hoptown.  Time for a change?  Will history repeat itself?

On paper the two teams are appear evenly matched in both season and head-to-head stats.  The only major differences are; the Hoppers steal twice as many bases and the Railroaders have 5 times the number of homeruns on the season.  The Hoppers are 5-4 over the Railroaders in the season series. Reviewing the head-to-head contests; the Hoppers tend to win the close games and the Railroaders have mostly taken games with larger leads.  We'll need all the bats tonight.  One thing is sure, you can't turn your back on the Hoppers only ahead by a couple of runs.  If you do...they'll jumped right over you at the last moment and cross the finish line first.

Both teams play well against each other and the final post season games promise to be exciting ones. The final Home game in Fulton on the year will be tonight, so everyone come on out to support and cheer on the Railroaders. I'm sure the Hoppers will bring plenty of fans with them. This time let's change the outcome and take the championship round.  Fire it UP!