Jim Seip: December 2008 Archives

For those who spend time around the Atlantic League, it can be unnerving how many quality players slip through the cracks. If a pitcher loses a few miles per hour of velocity, it could be the difference between him flirting with a call up to the majors or spending his summers in the independent leagues. Many of the veteran pitchers in the league have the knowledge and work ethic to compete, but sad to say most of the guys never make it back.

So it's good to see a quality pitcher like Kevin Walker headed back to affiliated baseball, even if it is as a coach. The former Padres, Giants and White Sox left-hander attempted a comeback this season with the Camden Riversharks. It didn't work out (2-2, 5.53 ERA), but Walker has landed his first professional coaching job working for Lowell -- the Low-A ball affiliate of the Red Sox -- in the New York-Penn League.

Walker missed almost three months of action, but still showed signs of his old self this season. He pitched seven innings of shutout baseball against the Revs Aug. 23.

Here's hoping we can see a couple more players from the Atlantic League make the transition to the professional coaching ranks. If he wants to make the move, former Revs closer Dave Veres would be a natural.

Glen Rock's Fritz Allison, pictured above, could be one of the local players taking on the York Revolution in exhibition play this spring.

The York Revolution are attempting to schedule preseason games against squads comprised of local amateurs in the Central and Susquehanna leagues.

Will the locals keep the games close? Will the Revs blow them away? This topic has always been a popular argument. And now that it appears the games will actually take place, it's one small benefit from the Revolution staying home for spring training this April.

My guess: It's not going to be pretty to watch.

For the first time in league history, the Atlantic League won't feature a team coached by Wayne Krenchicki. Krenchicki has been hired to manage the Evansville Otters of the independent Frontier League.

Krenchicki has managed in the Atlantic League since 1998, posting a league mark of 704-687 with stops in Newark (2007-08), Camden (2001-06), Lehigh Valley (1999-2000) and Newburgh (1998). Only Sparky Lyle (749) has managed to win more games in league history.

Krenchicki is responsible for putting together Newark's 2007 league title team, and kept the Bears competitive despite having little payroll. He will be a big loss for the league.