"Change is in the....?"

[Cole]

"Change is in the...???"

9/25/2008: Kalamazoo, MI – A selective broom will be sweeping through the Badgers’ clubhouse. Reports from people close to David Ellison indicate there is a desire to jettison some of their payroll. This has culminated in trade waivers being placed on P Kenny Williams and RF Arthur Myers. This will come as a shock to the Kalamazoo faithful, as Kenny Williams has been one of the Badgers’ most consistent performers with an ERA of 3.30 over 376 innings pitched the last two seasons. There is evidence that the turnover of the roster will not stop there, as there are indications of a market forming for 1B John Collins.

Reactions from the players has been rather docile, as they assumed this was coming. With star outfielders George Crocker and Gregory Arnold both demanding over $20 million per season, the players knew management would be challenged with tough decisions to keep the team competitive. Brett Hurst says he is echoing the views from the front office when he says, "Management is trying to keep the middle of our lineup strong while keeping a potent rotation."

“My main desire is to trim our budget, and set ourselves up to be competitive in the near future,” said new GM Ellison. If Myers leaves town, the Kalamazoo Badgers will have only one outfielder under contract from this year’s major league club. So it has become apparent that the team is ready to give their two AAA studs, OF Bernard Phillips and OF Dave Bates, their chance at the big league level.

But this isn’t the news that really has the community buzzing. Ellison has made no secret of the desire to put his mark on the club, and he sees no better way then changing how the team is identified. Through further investigation, it has been discovered that the name “Starships” might have been trademarked through the league office.

Howard Roarke, Kalamazoo beat writer