NETWORK WINS, FINISHES 4-1 IN POOL PLAY AND EARNS QUARTERFINAL BYE

Not much to report today other than Network dominated the winless Ventura Cubs 13-3. The win, which was contributed by all the Network members, earned Network a quarterfinal bye and a trip to their third semi-final trip in three years.

All 15 Network members were in the line-up and all 15 got to play the field, pitch and hit at some point in the game. Ventura was pitching depleted by Game Five and merely wanted to go back to Cali and call it a day. Game Five enabled me to get all my pitchers some work besides semi and final starters, Bill Filippone and DJ Austin.

Going into the playoffs, we are set for success. While seeds 3 thru 6 must travel the 45 minutes to Surprise Stadium for an 8:30 AM game, Network gets a much needed good night's sleep. We plan on leaving for Surprise at 10:00 AM for our 12 noon game. Whoever we play will be tired and pitching depleted. My starting pitchers are raring to go and fresh. My starting line-up are all in a groove and the infield/outfield has settled in nicely. With a few new players to get acclimated towards, five games will help hurry that process. So many players are hot right now that no matter what my line-up is, no one in the order is a weak spot.

Tomorrow starts the real playoffs in this World Series. WE WILL SETTLE FOR NOTHING LESS THAN A REMATCH OF LAST YEAR'S CHAMPIONSHIP GAME WITH THE DANGEROUS SO. CAL TUZOS.

RICK