Go fish!!!

[BCRantzilla]

In spite of throwing a chance at a sweep in Fargo away literally, we're doing pretty good tonight up 5-0. The Fish haven't been good at holding leads this year and blew a HUGE lead in the season series with Fargo, (again,) and need to keep running it up if they want to lock this one up.

A win tonight will be a big lift for us after letting the Hawks sweep us at home at the end of the season, (in the most humiliating fashion possible.)

GO FISH GO!!!

[BCRantzilla]

Fargo's pitching has simply owned us, (we've gotten the hits but none that matter,) in game 4 so far. I'm VERY tired of this team owning us year after year. Is it a rivalry when it's this one sided? (Maybe ONE series win this decade beit regular season or playoffs and none since 2002.)

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

It's not over yet. I picked Winnipeg over Fargo...but I picked Winnipeg in four, not five.

[BCRantzilla]

Fargo was simply lights out on us. Our defense was mediocre at best and Fargo's may have been Triple A calibre tonight. (How many double plays did they hit in seemingly impossible situations tonight?)

I've seen this happen before to the Fish, in fact I've seen it EVERY FREAKING YEAR for FOUR YEARS NOW! That's why I've already conceded the series to Fargo. I am so sick of being good enough to lose. I am sick of our highly touted bats going cold and pitchers who couldn't strike out a t-ball player turning into the second coming of Tom Seaver at the sight of Goldeyes in September.

We can't beat a team built on pitching and defense and punch and judy hitting with ordinary pitching and power hitters who play the game like A-Rod. (Mr. April but 0-the millenium in October.)

[BCRantzilla]

This game is officially over.

3 errors, 6 runs in the 6th and a general laxidazical attitude towards team defense has crushed the Fish AT HOME in game 5. I am fed up with this as it's plagued the Fish for years now. It's time to replace Forney with a guy who actually has some drive.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Yep, I must admit you know your team. I picked the Goldeyes to win this series. I was even foolish enough to hint that they could take it in three straight. All I can say is, I'm glad I'm not a gambling person. I'd be broker for the experience.

The good news (for me) is that Gary is in the NL finals for the fifth straight year.

[BCRantzilla]

Yep, I must admit you know your team. I picked the Goldeyes to win this series. I was even foolish enough to hint that they could take it in three straight. All I can say is, I'm glad I'm not a gambling person. I'd be broker for the experience.

The good news (for me) is that Gary is in the NL finals for the fifth straight year.

Call it a combination of frustration and a common theme on Rick Forney teams. He has NEVER taken the Fargo rivalry seriously and has NEVER put an emphasis on fundamentals and once again a team with drive anihilated a Goldeyes team that thinks the season ends after 96 games and they can go home.

That said cudos to Gary for getting to 5 finals in a row, something neither Winnipeg or Fargo have ever done. I would also be preparing for a parade or at least a parking lot party as I'm picking the Railcats to blitz a taxed Fargo pitching staff in 4.

[caretaker110]

After 16 years as a season ticket holder and many road games every year I have not renewed my season tickets

The final straw was two more teams added out East for a total of 5 out there now

Also

The Northern League climbing in bed with The Golden League for all star game and it scares me to think what else

I will not attend another game until I see what is coming in the Future. I will follow from a long distance back

[BCRantzilla]

I'm okay with Rockford and the jury is out on Michigan right now.

The all star game with the GBL is a bit worrisome for me too but I'll give it the season to see where this goes.

My hope is an indyball tournament with all champions ala the World Baseball Classic. It could be a lot of fun to watch if organized right.

[TOROSFAN]

GBL is an excellent league...what's the problem with an all-star game? Seems like a great idea an may lead to other opportunities. We now play NL rules which is great...getting rid of a DH that has no future in being called to an affiliated org. Other leagues will follow our lead...the DH is a dead roster spot...opens up a good utility player spot or another pitcher.:)

[BCRantzilla]

My worry about all star games with other leagues is that it could lead to mergers that don't make sense ala the NL/Eastern League merger from the early 2000's. The NL shouldn't be merging with any leagues, just making the markets they do have work.

[alkalinefan]

Dumb Question but what league are you referring to when you say NL

[BCRantzilla]

Northern League; home of the Goldeyes, Redhawks and Railcats!

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

My worry about all star games with other leagues is that it could lead to mergers that don't make sense ala the NL/Eastern League merger from the early 2000's. The NL shouldn't be merging with any leagues, just making the markets they do have work.

I know the Northern League/Golden League all*star game doesn't make any sense to ME. Northern League fans like me won't know who the Golden League players are and I won't care who the Golden League players are.

I guess the Northern League couldn't do Chicagoland vs. the rest of the Northern League all*star games anymore since there are 5 Chicagoland teams now and only 3 the rest of the Northern League.

[alkalinefan]

I've followed the Northern League a little bit but don't remember their merger with the Eastern League as stated in an earlier post.Could you refresh my memory.The Northern League being an Independant League and the Eastern League not

[nlfan]

The original Northeast League (NeL) formed in 1995. Under Miles Wolff's prodding (he was commissioner of both leagues and owner of les Capitales de Quebec) it merged with the NoL in 1999.

During that merger the NeL franchises were called the "Northern League East." (It should have been called a "conference" but never officially was.) The only time the East and Central "met" was during All Star Games and league championships. The divisions even extended beyond the schedule to separate "league" stats.

Many central club owners were never particularly happy with the arrangement. As a result the merger was dissolved after the 2002 season. Soon after Miles left the NoL itself.

The former NoL-E clubs re-formed the NeL in 2003. That lasted 2 years until some franchises became "untenable" after 2004. The remaining NeL franchises reconstituted into the Can-Am League you see today in 2005.