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I belong to the World Top Gun Baseball League in which I own the Kent County Braves. The league features 26 teams,player contracts,free agency, and a yearly rookie draft. I am a charter member of this league. Two years ago the Braves were in the playoffs winning the wild card round but falling to division rival Avenel in the divisional round. Ivan Rodriguez was our first ever pick and he is still the star of the team.
Also a member of The United States Retro League, in which I own the Gaspee Fire. The league started with the 1959 season. I joined in 1961 inheriting an existing franchise. The Fire made the playoffs that first year, losing in seven games in the first round (of two rounds). Since then the club, led by Harmon Killebrew, Norm Cash, and Jimmy Wynn has been decidedly mediocre. They have topped the .500 mark only once (83-79 in 1964). The Fire have rebuilt nicely and can see the light at the end of the tunnel. They are off to a 22-8 start in 1968. The league features a draft lottery every year for the first and second overall picks, continous player ownership (after a cutdown to 25 players each year), an annual rookie draft, and a great group of 12 owners. Expansion by four teams to sixteen will occur before the 1969 season.
Billy Goat Baseball has completed its first season. I am looking forward to seeing how a few new ideas the league is employing will work out. The league will hold a "startup" draft every three years. Each team will be allowed only two holdovers after three years. In the free agency portion of the startup, I have inked Greg Maddux and Pedro Martinez. I have maxed out my account and assured myself of a low draft pick with the signings but I think it will be worth it. Signing those two from the list of tweny free agents was my priority. The Gulls had a good regular season, winning their division. However, they were swept in the second round of the playoffs after a first round bye.
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