The Brooklyn Knights and the Stade Maples surged in May, going 23-6 and 22-7, respectively. Both teams overtook first place with their spectacular play. In May, the Maples’ Travis Araoz was on fire. He earned his league’s batter of the month award with a .398 batting average, 16 home runs, 45 RBIs, and 38 runs scored. Stade received some very sad news in May, however. Star pitcher Wally Pemberton informed the club that he was forced to retire, based on his doctor’s recommendation. The damage to his ulnar collateral ligament suffered last September was irreparable and he would not recover to pitch again. Over his fine nine season career, he went 118-68 with a 3.59 ERA and 1469 strikeouts.

May 2009 awards:

League 1
Batter of the Month: John Friddle (St. Rock Mudcats)
Pitcher of the Month: Terrence Steinman (Nashville Firecats)
Rookie of the Month: Carl Gwinn (Dunedin Otters)

League 2
Batter of the Month: Travis Araoz (Stade Maples)
Pitcher of the Month: Ronaldo Mijangos (Key West Corals)
Rookie of the Month: Paul Cain (Key West Corals)

The top teams in spring training all did well in April. Perhaps April’s biggest surprise was the play of the Washington Allies. They started last season 10-18, the worst record in League 2. This year, they were their league’s best team, going 19-9. Several teams experienced key injuries, including the Knights. Dick Moran and Andy Carpenter were placed on the DL. Brooklyn’s biggest loss, however, was Gary Mccreery. On April 6, Mccreery hit a triple and broke a bone in his elbow while diving into third base. He is expected to miss four to five months.

April 2009 awards:

League 1
Batter of the Month: Leo Sullivan (Luisville Beasts)
Pitcher of the Month: Dave Hambright (Brooklyn Knights)
Rookie of the Month: Raúl Mendoza (Luisville Beasts)

League 2
Batter of the Month: Travis Araoz (Stade Maples)
Pitcher of the Month: Roman Snyder (St. James Crusaders)
Rookie of the Month: Paul Cain (Key West Corals)

The Brooklyn Knights (17-7), Stade Maples (16-8), and Cornfield Axemen (15-9) all played terrific baseball during spring training. That was no surprise from these perennial powerhouses. The world champion Vancouver Wild (11-13) tied for first place in their division.

Key injuries in spring training:
St. Rock Mudcats: LF John Friddle strained a lat and will miss 5-6 weeks.
Vancouver Wild: SP Pete Adams tore a flexor tendon in his elbow. He is out for the rest of the season.
Dayton Grizzlies: MR Javier Rodríguez will miss 5 months with shoulder inflammation.
Dayton Grizzlies: 1B Mark Debord broke his kneecap and is expected to miss 5 months.
Nashville Firecats: RF Atlee Deleon sprained his ankle and will miss 6 weeks.
Nashville Firecats: RF Nub Spade will miss up to 5 weeks with an intercostal strain.
Stade Maples: MR Brian Hanson sustained a hamstring strain and will not play for 2-3 months.

Probably the biggest trade in the offseason was between the Nashville Firecats and the Luisville Beasts. The Beasts sent 25 year old first baseman Pete Porter to the Firecats in exchange for 37 year old right fielder Atlee Deleon.

Here were some of the big money offseason signings:

• The Cornfield Axemen signed 37 year old left fielder Dee Fletcher to a two year extension at $8,157,600 per year.
• The Firecats signed free agent first baseman Paul Lyons to a three year deal worth $31,080,000.
• The Firecats agreed to terms with free agent Ricky Agganis, a former member of the Axemen. His new contract is for $48.93 million over six years.
• Richmond Slam officials hailed the signing of starting pitcher Walter Sheehan as “an integral piece to our championship puzzle.” Sheehan will pocket $12,880,000 over two years.
• Cornfield fans and team officials celebrated the signing of Brian Hamburg. The 37 year old veteran center fielder settled on the Axemen after receiving their offer for $27,120,000 over three years.
• Floyd Minoso inked a deal that will keep the seasoned veteran in the bullpen of the Stade Maples for another two years. The terms were for $4,315,700 per year.
• The Phoenix Rattlers signed star reliever Gil Brown to a one year contract for $4,099,400.