There were some surprises in the first month of the 2008 NALB season. The defending champion Brooklyn Knights lost its first five games of the season. On the other hand, the St. Rock Mudcats stunned everyone with its 10-0 start. Every team had its share of player injuries. The Knights were hit particularly hard, however. By the end of April, Brooklyn’s Tracy Corkhill, Fred Millard, and Rip Sukeforth were joined on the DL by Erik Boyle, Gary Mccreery, and Andy Carpenter.

April 2008 awards:

League 1
Batter of the Month: Oscar Barrientes (St. Rock Mudcats)
Pitcher of the Month: Alberto Harrington (St. Rock Mudcats)
Rookie of the Month: Roque Cordero (Cornfield Axemen)

League 2
Batter of the Month: Leslie Hubbard (Stade Maples)
Pitcher of the Month: Max Brown (Stade Maples)
Rookie of the Month: Dan Conley (Phoenix Rattlers)

Several high profile players were injured during spring training. The Brooklyn Knights were struck particularly hard. In their first spring training game, ace starter Tracy Corkhilll tore a triceps muscle while throwing a pitch. He is expected to miss three to four months. A week later, fellow starter Fred Millard was the Knights’ second player with a serious injury. His inflamed rotor cuff will cause him to miss a projected three months of play. Backup catcher Danny Dygert experienced back pain during a game. It was a herniated disc. He is expected to miss two weeks of action. During the last week of spring training, Brooklyn’s pitching staff was beset by injury once again. Rip Sukeforth had to leave the game with a sore shoulder. The team doctor stated he would probably be out for two months. The very next day, right fielder Andy Carpenter had to leave the game with tendinitis in his right biceps muscle. Thankfully, he should be back in the lineup in about a week.

Despite the disastrous spring training, Brooklyn showed its depth of talent by posting the best record in League 1.

Leading up to 2008 spring training, there were some interesting player moves in the NALB offseason.

Key signings:

• The Luisville Beasts extended catcher Danny Clarkson’s contract for $15,060,000 over three years.
• Center fielder Phil Relaford and the Quebeck Sky Chiefs came to terms for another two years totaling $13,140,000.
• The Nashville Firecats signed shortstop Chick Veras for another three years. Veras will earn $6.27 million.
• The Firecats and star left fielder Nub Spade came to terms on a $15.1 million contract extension that will keep him around for another two years.
• Relief pitcher Rob Muncy signed a two year extension with the Stade Maples for $4,350,000 per year.
• Shortstop Gary Cooper will pocket $16,860,000 over the next two years after re-signing with the Richmond Slam.
• Stade gave Mark Huff a $47,640,000 four year contract to keep him playing center field for the Maples.
• The Vancouver Wild announced the blockbuster signing of starting pitcher Pete Adams. It was a four year, $35,720,000 deal.
• Free agent reliever Tim Fisher was signed by the Dayton Grizzlies. He will make $2,770,000 over the next two seasons.
• Stade and Phoenix swapped players. The Maples shipped 27 year old minor league first baseman John Holler to the Rattlers for 29 year old reliever Keith Richardson.
• The Maples have a new closer thanks to the signing of Elbert Sullivan. Stade awarded Sullivan with a three year contract worth $16,230,000.
• Relief pitcher Derek Keller was a key free agent signing for St. James. Keller received $6.56 million over two years from the Crusaders.
• Richmond wanted a new starter and spent big money to bolster their rotation. The Slam decided on free agent Atley Berger. The deal was for $20.5 million over two years.
• Left fielder Atlee Deleon, one the league’s marquee talents, entertained offers from several clubs. He opted to join the Luisville Beasts after receiving their two year, $8.56 million offer.
• Jack Wills, agreed to play shortstop for the Nashville Firecats. The free agent inked a four year, $10.4 million deal.
• The Firecats continued their spending spree by signing yet another shortstop. Nashville picked up 38 year old veteran Ismael Heard for $6,520,000 over two years.
• Reliever Mike Hodgin used his free agent status to land a job with a new team. Hodgin agreed to a two year contract with the Vancouver Wild worth $9,080,000.
• Washington came to terms with veteran first baseman Curt Daley, locking up the 36 year old to a $17,490,000, three year deal.

Key trades:

• The Nashville Firecats traded 28 year old second baseman Drummond Lopez to the St. James Crusaders for 33 year old right fielder Clyde Castro.
• The Quebeck Sky Chiefs parted ways with 31 year old left fielder Tim Aase in a trade with the Vancouver Wild for 29 year old reliever Ike Holman, a minor league prospect, and cash.
• The Brooklyn Knights sent relief pitcher Pete Barnes and four other minor leaguers to the St. Rock Mudcats for 23 year old minor league left fielder Roberto Jerrano and 21 year old minor league reliever Javier Herrera.
• 37 year old right fielder Jimmie Lepine was traded by the Las Vegas Luck for 31 year old left fielder Gil Wilhelm, minor league closer Paul Thompson, and $3 million dollars.
• Brooklyn acquired 23 year old minor league first baseman Alexis Schmidt from Stade. The Knights sent the Maples four minor league prospects in return.

I started playing the Heroes of Might and Magic IV campaigns back in April 2005. It took me a couple of months to finish the first three campaigns. I shelved the game for a while before resuming play in March 2007. I completed the next two campaigns in about a month’s time. Another two years went by before I started playing HOMM4 again. I just finished the final campaign last night. Now, the experience is complete. Well, that is not necessarily true. In addition to the campaigns, there are over 30 standalone scenarios I can play.

I really love the Heroes of Might and Magic series. Heroes III and Heroes IV provided me with many hours of great gaming. Down the road, I’m sure I will buy Heroes of Might and Magic V as well.