Flames Dealt Dose of Reality

The Flames suffered their first defeat of the 2006 spring season, losing 8-2 to the Billabong Bombers. It was easily their worst offensive output ever, scoring only 2 runs with an OBP of 0.438.

The Flames offense is usually ignited by their clean up hitter Anthony, who had a career worst 0 for 3 day at the plate. After the game, the team announced that Anthony was sent down to their Dominican farm team for a 1 week stint. "No one's job is safe on this team" said Manager Ho after the game.

The Flames look to rebound this week vs. the Angry Huggybears in what is almost certainly a must win game.

Flames Win 2006 Opener in a Rout

The Trump Tower Flames kicked off the 2006 spring season with a convincing 28-5 win over the Bleacher Creatures. The field conditions at Downsview Park were some of the worst ever seen, as the day’s steady rain created large puddles throughout the entire diamond.

The Flames were never challenged in the game and displayed their trademark defense, holding their opponents to just 5 runs and shutting them out in 4 of the 7 innings.

On the offensive side, the team provided an early Victoria Day fireworks display with a 28 run outburst (tying the team’s record), with home runs by Anthony and Sean. Anthony’s 3 run blast in the 4th inning just cleared the outfield fence and was estimated at 230 feet.

The game also marked the TCSSC debut of Julia Peters, a free agent in the offseason who decided to sign with her hometown team for less money and a chance to play with her childhood friend Tanya Witty. Peters showed Ruthian like power in a few of her at bats and cat-like speed around the basepaths.

The Bleacher Creatures struck a controversial note after the game by accusing the Flames of steroid use (the league does not have a drug policy), which was vehemently denied by Flames management.


On the Farm: Mark Raso is continuing his extended spring training stint in Denmark where he is practicing with a semi-pro fastball team. He is expected to make his TCSSC debut this season in mid-June.

2006 Season Preview

The Trump Tower Flames are returning for a third tour of duty, fresh off consecutive championships in the C and B divisions (spring and summer) in 2005. In 2006, the Flames will be shifting to the Thursday B division.

In the offseason, the team lost the services of Ted O. and Mary Erclik to higher bidders. Mark Raso was recently sent overseas to the team's Danish farm team (which has been compared to the gulags of Russia) and is expected to return in 4-5 weeks. The Flames did announce the signing of Julia Peters this week whose passion for the game has been described as second to none. The personnel losses did nothing to faze the confidence of Kris Borg-Olivier for the team's season opener vs. the Bat Wings - "Don't worry - we'll win. I guarantee it."

As a result of higher than expected playoff revenues, the Flames were able to afford uniforms for the season - which will also be available for sale to its fans in limited quantities.

A potential clubhouse controversy was averted when one of the team's stars, Anthony, bowed to management pressure and agreed to give manager Ho a Rolex in exchange for the coveted #17 jersey. Ho said "I don't even wear a watch. I may just put it on Ebay."






The offseason brought further controversy as Manager Ho revealed his penchant for gambling in his autobiography, "Tomorrow I'll Be Perfect". He wrote - "I never bet on softball and I never bet on the Flames. I'm going to continue gambling. I like to gamble. It's really nobody's business." The commissioner's office cleared him of any wrong doing but warned him of associating with reputed mobsters from the Raso clan - who have been sighted at numerous Flames games.