One player we almost certainly won't see during Claxton 2008 is one of the truly GREAT servants of Victorian and Australian baseball, Ben Utting. The former Atlanta Braves short stop star started as a 16yo with the Waverley Reds in the 1992/93 ABL season. Utting has tasted a lot of success in 295 games with the Reds and Victoria, batting .296 for the Aces. Only Brendan Kingman and Simon Eissens have played more than Utting's 13 AMLB seasons. 'Benny' has not been playing so far this season, but we suspect that it is only a well-earned break and we could see him back in action next year?

Minnesota Twins infielder Matt Lawman and veteran utility Andrew McKenzie missed selection with the Victorian team this year after failing to hit from limited opportunities at Claxton 2007 in Perth. They will both get another opportunity with the Australian Provincials during Claxton Shield 2008. Former New York Yankees minor leaguer and Melbourne Reds ABL import player Derek Shumpert has retired after batting a lifetime .280 from 52 games with the Reds and Victoria. 

Geelong pitchers Dean Barker and Cameron Forbes both missed the protected roster after taking Championship medals with the 2007 Aces, but Barker is already on his way to Adelaide for the first series against SA and it would not surprise us to see Forbes make an appearance if he is required at any stage. Lefty Barker is 0-0, 5.40ERA after playing with the Vics at Claxtons 2005 and 2007. Forbes is a veteran of ten AMLB years, owning an unflattering lifetime 2-6, 7.25ERA while pitching with some distinction for both the Melbourne Monarchs and the Victorian Aces. 

Veteran pitchers Lee Hogan and Russell Spear were also left off the roster... we KNOW that Hogan was deliberately unprotected and we suspect that Spear might be in the same category. Former Waverley Reds youngster Lee Hogan made a tremendous return after ten years away from the AMLB scene to pitch three scoreless appearances for the Champion 2007 Aces and there is every probability that he will play most of the series at Claxton 2008... getting the picture about what a nonsense it is to make selections on this basis! Former Atlanta Braves and Detroit Tigers minor leaguer Russell Spear is a stalwart of 11 years with the Melbourne Monarchs and Victoria, becoming a backbone of recent Aces campaigns.

Australia's current No.1 major league star Peter Moylan is not rostered to play, but he might if any of the series fall into place with his preparations for the upcoming US season. Former ABL pitcher and major league reliever Micheal Nakamura has indicated that he might be available at some stage, but he has been seen less often than the Tasmanian Tiger in Australian baseball over recent years and we'll believe his presence when we see him on the mound... not before!

On paper, it would appear that the Victorian Aces may have been strengthened by the players included in the squad for Claxton 2008. It all starts with pitching ace Travis Blackley who made his debut in the majors with the Seattle Mariners before returning from injury this season to pitch in the majors again with the 2007 San Francisco Giants. Travis was recently taken by the Philadelphia Phillies in the Rule 5 Draft and his availability will hinge upon whether it suits his preparation for the 2008 US season... heard that before? Another major league player selected for the Aces is quality hitter Justin Huber who has played in the 'bigs' with the Kansas City Royals. It would be a major bonus if he was to make an impact in a Victorian shirt but, once again, it is impossible to count on these major league guys actually competing.

Young Minnesota Twins pair James Beresford and Elliot Biddle are welcome additions to the team. Short stop wizard Beresford has already shown his class by batting an impressive .304 with the Australian Provincials at Claxton 2007, having made a cameo debut with Victoria at Claxton 2006. James will have a delayed start to Claxton 2008 as he recovers from a hip flexor injury. Biddle was a hitting machine in Victorian baseball, but he has now been signed by the Twins to try his luck as a lefty pitcher... opponents should be delighted that they no longer have to pitch to him, for the time being at least!

A maturing Brendan Wilson is back with the Victorian team after pitching two outstanding winning starts for the Australian Provincials at Claxton 2007. The former Anaheim Angels professional has been growing in stature and he may well play a key role in the Aces' title defence this season. Left-handed reliever Adam Bright reached 'AA' with the Colorado Rockies during 2007 and the AROOS representative could be very important if he is able to play a significant part. Former Colorado Rockies minor league pitcher Shane Lindsay is also a much more mature player.

One guy to watch is catcher Grant Karlsen who has been starved of opportunity behind Helms Award star Mathew Kent after making his Aces debut as an 18yo at Claxton 2004. But, this young fellow has forced his way into the squad by sheer weight of performance. The former Philadelphia Phillies pro is also a far more mature player and he has earned the right to share time as a catcher / DH with Kent. If he gets enough opportunity, Karlsen will be able to showcase a menacing bat that he has added to his always impressive defence. Another "comeback kid" is seasoned pitcher Jason Blewjas who pitched with the 1997/98 Melbourne Reds in the ABL but he has rebuilt his reputation as a superb starter in Victorian Division One baseball this season.

Peter Stokes is the one really "unknown" face added to the Aces roster this year and he has had to work hard to earn his selection in a very powerful roster. He is an in-form player who will lack nothing for determination and desire.

The Conclusion:

So, there it is folks... IF Travis Blackley and Justin Huber actually play any significant role... IF Moylan or Nakamura get to pull on an Aces shirt... IF, IF and maybe!! I really don't know whether the other teams are facing exactly the same type of availability dilemmas as the Victorian Aces. As I mentioned, the Aces will be heading to Adelaide for their opening series with no less than TEN players missing from their "Protected Roster" and, although they still have plenty of talent on hand, the team lacks those few big name players that might give the team a lot more confidence.

Whether this will change throughout the remainder of the carnival is highly problematical and, like all the other teams, the future of the Aces will ride on how they are able to match-up for each series... it's just as simple as that!!

It may be a bit like a "Fantasy League" at this stage, but we don't see any reason why the slightly improved Victorian Aces "Protected Roster" would not give them every chance to defend their National Championship. However, you won't find 'Flintoff & Dunn' racing off to our local betting shop to put any of our hard earned cash on it...

As we have sworn to do, our final assessment is strictly based upon the original "Protected Roster" and, unfortunately, on this occasion we can do no better than that. We thought that the New South Wales Patriots were a little fortunate to make the 2007 Claxton Shield final, even though they were undefeated in the preliminary games, but in the wash-up they were a clear second behind the 2007 Champion Victorians after two losses in tight finals contests. In this case we don't like the NSW team (as presented) quite as much as we like the Victorian Aces. 

Pitching wise it is a bit of a "lock" between their big name absentees Craig Anderson and Richard Thompson when compared with the inclusions of Chris Oxspring and Brad Thomas. Who knows which of these will actually play but, on the face of it, you can make your own choice between the "ins and outs". Former Queensland native, San Diego Padres major leaguer and AROOS Olympic hero Chris Oxspring headlines the inclusions coupled with seasoned former Minnesota Twins major league pitcher Brad Thomas. On the downside is the loss of Craig Anderson, a former Seattle Mariners and Baltimore Orioles 'AAA' player who owns an outstanding 4-1, 1.82ERA record for NSW over the last five seasons and our most recent major leaguer Richard Thompson who pitched well in relief for the 2007 Los Angeles Angels. 

In the end we rated the Patriots just a squeak ahead of the Rams in the East Division almost entirely based upon the quality of the starting pitching available on their roster. Unlike the Provincials, the NSW and Queensland teams are also stocked with experienced players of the highest quality and this will always hold any Claxton Shield team in good stead.

The next major blow to the Patriots' squad comes with the announced exclusion of former Minnesota Twins major league infielder Glenn Williams who has been a fixture in recent NSW and Australian teams and his record in AMLB has been growing rapidly according to his talents over recent years. Of the others, powerful Anthony Krajancic has been far more dangerous than his .190 average since 2004 would suggest, while Mark Holland has batted .174 from 24 games since 2002, but he is better known for his defence. Adam Blight has batted a very respectable .279 from 20 games with NSW and 'AP' since 2002, while Josh Dean has batted just .182 over the past two Claxton series.

Other than those illustrious pitchers mentioned earlier, Andrew Cook owns an underrated 1-1, 5.59ERA record for NSW, while Aidan Francis has a 1-0. 8.53ERA record from Claxton 2007. These pitchers should be adequately covered by the inclusion of  Boston Red Sox minor leaguer Tim Cox who owns a 1-0, 6.75ERA record from Claxton 2006 along with emerging Minnesota Twins signed pitchers Jarrad Eacott and former Provincial utility Tim Atherton who pitched and hit with some respectability at Claxton Shield 2007 in Perth. 

Offensively, if Glenn Williams doesn't turn up, the New South Wales team is still somewhat balanced by the addition of powerhouse New York Mets' catcher Pat Matt who smacked three dingers at Claxton 2007, along with impressive Boston Red Sox outfielder Mitch Dening who batted a tremendous .316 for the Provincials in 2007 and another Provincial guy in Shannon Pender who had only three at bats at Thornlie. 

The Conclusion: 

Look, we're not kidding ourselves here at 'Flintoff & Dunn'... we have no bloody idea what might happen with the various rosters over the duration of this Claxton Shield. We know a fair bit more about our local Victorian team and, to be truthful, we would not have picked them to defend their Championship if we were to ignore those "Protected Rosters" and to base our predictions on what we think might happen. Yes, we would like to go into battle with the Victorian Aces team that was originally selected, but we would not be anywhere near as confident with the team that starts their Claxton 2008 campaign in Adelaide... this is the predicament that we guess faces all of the State teams!! 

In any case, as we always say at this time, if we have managed to provoke some interest and controversy from the Australian baseball community, then we have done at least part of our job... just let us know!!

Yep, Christmas Day folks... MERRY CHRISTMAS to you all! Unfortunately there is no rest for the wicked, or 'Flintoff & Dunn'... some would say that this is a case of one in the same! You might well be tired of hearing this, but it really was another roll of the dice to come up with a selection between those great rugby rivals the cane toads and the cockroaches. We will mention again here the uncertainty of the "Protected Roster" situation as we are forced to guess who might still play even though they were not protected. In this case we are guessing that the Queensland team is pretty much "face value", while we are not so sure that some of the unnamed NSW stars might not yet make a significant impact?

In the end we gave the NSW Patriots the slight edge based almost entirely on their probable starting pitching and, let's make no bones about this, it is very likely that the team who can roll out the dominant starters in these three game series will surely hold an insurmountable advantage... it is guessing who they might be that is the trick??

Let's get one VERY obvious guy out of the way quickly... after rubbing our eyes in disbelief... DAVID NILSSON!! Could it possibly be true that Australia's greatest ever baseball product has one more magical shot in his considerable arsenal as he sneaks up upon his 40th birthday? Well, we at 'Flintoff & Dunn' have learned several times how perilous it can be to write off anything that this guy might do over the years. He has such a reputation, especially in Claxton Shield competition, that he might well be capable of getting a hit while sitting in a wheelchair!

We know that 'Big Dave' has been keeping his eye in while coaching at the academy, but the last time we saw him in any type of serious action was at the inaugural 2006 World Baseball Classic when it did appear, sadly, that his best days were consigned to a very distant past... and that was nearly two years ago now! And, believe it or not, it is going to be 21 years since the 'great man' won the Helms Award from the 1987 Claxton Shield! However, just in case we've talked you out of backing him to win another award, it would do well to remember his last Claxton campaign in 2004. On that occasion he returned from a seven year hiatus to bat .455 with four home runs and 12 RBI's from just 11 at bats. This is no ordinary player we are discussing here folks and, besides, what a story it would be if he could roll back the years!?

Aside from Nilsson, it would seem that the Queensland Rams have not suffered as many changes to their squad from 2007 as most of the other teams and this may prove to be a positive thing. While the changes (on paper) may be minimal, they will be hoping that Phil Stockman is able to take his place in the team this year and that their perennial star Brett Roneberg does not get injured again, as he did so sadly when he was burning it up in Perth. 

Top of the "out" list for the Rams is former New York Mets 'AA' pitcher Wayne Ough who owns a decent 2-3, 3.32ERA record for Queensland over the past three Claxton campaigns, perhaps followed by Tristan Loetzsch who is 1-0, 4.82ERA over the same period. Former Boston Red Sox professional James Albury is 0-0, 3.38ERA from Claxton competition, but he might have been valuable here. Youngster Matthew Bates was 0-2, 14.85ERA from his two starts at Claxton 2007.

It would be exaggerating to suggest that Queensland have lost much offensively, but Brendan Kleidon has been a defensive stalwart over four campaigns since 2002 despite his modest .169 batting average. Young Philadelphia Phillies rookie pro Alan Schoenberger looked a fine prospect with his .214 average in 2007, while Jacob Rooke hit 2-10 and Matthew Coco batted 1-9 at Thornlie. We should see more of these young fellows at some time in the future.

Of the inclusions, David Bylett will be more than useful if he can repeat his .333 average from Claxton 2005. So too former San Diego Padres pitcher Riki Paewai who is 0-1, 3.09ERA after a season each with Queensland and the Provincials. Atlanta Braves signee Matt Timms was 0-0, 4.50ERA for the Provincials at Claxton 2007, while Ryan Searle is a future Chicago Cubs pitcher with his career still very much ahead of him.

The Queensland Rams just love to ambush other teams with new faces at Claxton Shield carnivals and it would not surprise us to find a pearl or two among their little-known rookies David Holland, Daniel Lamb-Hunt, Aaron Luchterhand and Simon Morriss. Unlike our South Australian friends from across the border, these new 'Banana Benders' will provide us with some challenges, surname wise... apart from David Holland who we should handle OK!!

The Conclusion: 

Let's spit it out immediately... it definitely would not surprise us in the slightest to see Queensland dominating the Eastern Division, or even winning another Claxton Shield. As we said, we have them just shaded by those NSW Patriots for starting pitching... or so it would appear on face value.

But, we have plenty of respect for the quality of players listed for both of those traditional State-of-Origin rugby league rivals and we fully expect to see that type of intense rivalry maintained by their baseball brethren. Of course it is a geographical fact in Australia that the football codes are mirrored in our Claxton shield baseball divisions, and it does add a hint of spice!

We are going with New South Wales to make the 2008 Claxton Shield final, but they might well need another "BOUNCE" or two, like the one that helped them to sneak into the final in Perth. On the other hand, they wouldn't want 'Big Dave' Nilsson to strike lightning in a bottle with an incredible return to his 1999 Major League All-Star form.

Christmas lunch is looming and, with one day tomorrow to finalise the last two previews before driving from Melbourne to Adelaide for the first Claxton Shield encounter at Woodville, there is not much time left to do anything much more than to once again say MERRY CHRISTMAS to all of 'Flintoff & Dunn's' loyal subscribers. I guess we all hope that Santa will deliver the 2008 Claxton Shield down the chimney of our favourite respective States (or Provinces!)... good luck to you all!

If ever we needed any further proof about the instant success of their revised selection policy last season, then we need look no further than the "Protected Rosters" for each of the State teams to see how many of the 2007 'YAPS' (Young Aussie Professionals) have graduated to their State teams. The decision to give priority opportunity to young and emerging Australian professionals not only saw them on the brink of a semi-final placing, but the ultimate tribute comes from the fact that the extra exposure helped many of these players as rookie professionals during 2007 and then into State players! 

Unfortunately, the pillage of these youngsters by their home states has made it more difficult for the Provincial selectors to find adequate replacements among the next batch of soon-to-be professionals. Naturally, they will be blooding a handful of fresh new faces, but there is also a fair chunk of experience among the players added to the squad this season. Naturally, but also unfortunately, the Aussie Provincials will usually make more changes to their roster from year to year.

Let's quickly cast aside those 'YAPS' who have graduated to their State rosters this season, because we will discuss these players in more detail when previewing their new teams. Tim Atherton, Mitch Dening, Pat Maat and Shannon Pender will be proudly donning the light-blue shirts of NSW this season. Young stars James Beresford and Brendan Wilson will be back in the Victorian team after playing cameo roles as much younger players with the Aces in previous seasons. Matt Timms will be hoping to make his mark with the Queensland Rams in 2008. 

We are not too sure why other young professionals Gavin Dlouhy, Tom Ellis and Shaun Tabrett will not be appearing this summer. New York Mets duo Dlouhy and Tabrett may have found the competition a little hot to make the Patriots bullpen this season, but their time will no doubt lie ahead. Ellis reached 'A' ball with the Seattle Mariners during 2007 and we can only assume that he was unavailable for the Aces this year... we certainly haven't heard the last of him! Another recent pro Victorian Matt Ryan is undergoing re-conversion from an outfielder back into a pitcher and it remains to be seen where or when we will next see him... and in what capacity?

Former New York Mets pitcher Hayden Beard may have paid the price for a couple of fairly moderate performances for the Provincials in 2006 and 2007, while former NSW infielder Jason Pospishil did his best for the Provincials in Perth for not a great deal of statistical reward. By far the biggest departure from AP's ranks is one of their greatest ever stalwarts Nick Kimpton. ACT outfielder Nick has been an absolute rock for the Provincial cause, averaging a terrific .317 over his four tours of duty with the "green team"... he will not be replaced easily, but we doubt that we have seen the last of him? We'd certainly like to see him bob up some time during this Claxton Shield, or at some time in the near future. 

The new 'YAPS' include Victorian RHP Andrew Gribben (San Diego Padres), NSW RHP Michael Lennox (Boston Red Sox) and SA outfielder Angus Roeger (Philadelphia Phillies) who are yet strut their stuff in the pro ranks or on the Claxton Shield stage. Overlooked Victorian Matt Lawman continues to play rookie league ball with the Minnesota Twins organisation and he returns to the Provincial team after playing sparingly with the shield winning Aces in 2007. 

Tristan McDonald and Andrew McKenzie (who played with the Aces in 2007) are very seasoned players, while Victorian pitcher Ross Hipke is an established league player despite his age of just 21. These guys will add some genuine backbone to the Provincial cause as tough hard-nosed players, while another young Victorian James Brookes is a great story as a converted softballer who has impressed many with his quick transition to life as a quality baseball short stop.

Former Provincial star Mark Saunderson returns to the team with his very useful .333 average from two previous 'Provo' campaigns. Sorry, we can't offer you any first-hand knowledge about Mitchell Fienemann, Ryan Griffen, David Kandalis or Luke Wilkins, but 'AP' selectors have shown in the past that they know what they are doing so we expect to see at least one of these guys make some sort of name for himself.

Oh no, we did not forget the name Phil Brassington appearing on the AP roster... how about this guy!? 37yo Brassington has already tasted a long and interesting life in AMLB that began in 1990/91 as a power pitcher with the Perth Heat, Sydney Blues, Canberra Bushrangers, Perth Heat again, Brisbane Bandits and Gold Coast Cougars in the ABL. Since then he also played with the Queensland Rams at Claxton 2000, before reappearing with the Provincials in 2004. Just when it looked like we had seen the last of him, Brassington re-invented himself as a knuckleballer who made a stunning comeback with the Australian team that played at the inaugural 2006 World Baseball Classic. If he does turn up for Claxton 2008 with that fluttering "knuckler" he may yet add another incredible chapter to his already "Ripley's-like" baseball career in Australia... PHEW what a story!!!

The Conclusion: 

What this Australian Provincial team would appear to have lost in terms of its young professional stars who played so superbly at Claxton 2007 in Perth, they may have somewhat made up for with the addition of some pretty solid older players... not to mention Phil Brassington!

We reckon that the Australian Provincials will do as they have always done by serving it right up to their opponents and maybe even pinching a game or two? The big problem this year will be the fact that they have to emerge as overall group winners ahead of more obvious powerhouse States NSW and Queensland. Over six games against each of those teams we just don't see the Australian Provincials finishing with a superior record to either the Patriots or the Rams. It will be nothing for them to be ashamed of if they are the first team to be eliminated from the grand final race, especially if they can again pinch a win or two against the toughest opposition in the nation! We wish them luck!!!

... and who knows what 'Brasso' might do if he makes four appearances over the four series?