Five Games in November
by Buzz Buzzinger

Prologue

Throughout the 2005 World Series, I was granted full access to Salem Cowtippers manager Mike Glander and his coaching staff, from the pre-series scouting meetings to the clubhouse to the dugout.  I sat with Glander and his coaches before, during and after the games, in order to capture the essence of what it is like to participate in a World Series in the Big Daddy Baseball League.

What follows is the collection of observations I gathered from Glander and his staff throughout the 2005 World Series.  As our story begins, the Cowtippers have just won their second Ozzie League championship title in the past four years, and they are awaiting the results of the Eck League Championship Series to find out who their opponents will be in the biggest series in franchise history.

Salem owned the best record in the BDBL during the 2005 regular season, and they outscored their opponents by more runs than any other team in the league.  But several key players on the team, including the top two hitters in the lineup, the top two pitchers on the pitching staff and the team's closer, are all set to file for free agency immediately following the World Series.  Not only does this represent Salem's best chance to date to capture that elusive championship trophy, but it may very well be their last chance for quite some time.

As the ELCS plays out, there is no perceived preference among the Salem coaching staff as to which team they would rather face.  The Allentown Ridgebacks feature a balanced team with few holes, an imposing pitching staff and a potent offense.  The Wapakoneta Hippos feature a lineup that includes the two most dominating offense forces in the game: Barry Bonds and Albert Pujols.  Their starting rotation is headed by ace Jason Schmidt, and their bullpen features lights-out closer Brad Lidge.  No matter who wins, the Cowtippers will have their hands full.

The only thing the Salem staff was rooting for was a long six or seven game series, as that would have given Salem an advantage in having more rested pitchers.  But the Ridgebacks manage to win the series in short order, knocking out the Hippos in just five games.  And now, the date with destiny is set in stone.  Salem will face the same team that knocked them out of their one and only World Series appearance three years before.  As if winning a championship trophy weren't enough incentive, Salem is now faced with the possibility of gaining a little well-deserved revenge as well.

Next up:
Chapter One: Advance Scouting