February 18th, 2035: Newark, NJ

The Hitmen introduced a handful of returning veterans who are now back with the franchise this offseason. The moves should make most fans excited about the future leadership of the franchise itself.

The Hitmen’s SS-A affiliate, the Hilo Hoops, introduced an entirely new staff this offseason; Manager Ieyoshi Ishikawa, Pitching Coach Cary ‘Checkmate’ Bond, and Hitting Coach Javier Soto.

Ishikawa is in the top 5 of the Hitmen’s record books in career batting average, on-base percentage, OPS, and hit by pitch and made his biggest impact in New Jersey for his career. He is also New Jersey’s only 5-time All-Star, which is a team record as well. Ishikawa didn’t blow the cover off the ball or steal 100s of bases, he was just a consistent force out in Center Field during one of the Hitmen’s most productive runs in PEBA.

“I am so happy to be back in New Jersey, and I hope to once again be accepted by the fans as I try to bring my knowledge of the game and winning ways to our beloved Hoops.” 

Ishikawa finished his career with 1,883 hits, 163 HR, while batting .312/.372/.449 to the tune of 5x All-Star appearances, 1x All-Leather Award at CF, and a Championship ring with the Duluth Warriors in 2026 which saw him win the Championship series MVP award as well. His winning pedigree will help him greatly as he begins teaching the new generation within the Hitmen franchise. With some more experience, we could see him up in New Jersey soon enough.

Joining his staff is former closer, Cary ‘Checkmate’ Bond who is 7th all-time on the PEBA Career Saves leaderboard with 340 saves, all while with the Hitmen. Bond ended his 9-year career in NJ 44-58 with 340 saves and a career 3.11 ERA. Bond is looking forward to helping the next generation and hopes his Splitter rubs off on the next lefty star in New Jersey.

Rounding out the staff in Hilo is former outfielder Javier Soto, another New Jersey staple during their big playoff run from 2013-2018 where Soto was the starting LF from 2015-2019. Soto was a consistent big bat in the lineup with a career .298/.336/.481 line and 238 HR on 1,579 hits. Soto always had a great eye at the plate and can’t wait to impart his knowledge. Soto still holds records for the most HR, RBI, runs, games, and total bases for the franchise.

Joining the Hi-A Hoboken Crooners, is former workhorse and debut Pitching Coach, José ‘Twinkle Toes’ Cruz. Cruz still holds the franchise record for wins, games started, complete games, shutouts, innings pitched, and less excitingly; losses, hits allowed, and walks allowed. Cruz pitched all 9 years of his professional career with the Hitmen, and while he was not a lights out force on the mound, he was your everyday workhorse who could be counted on for 30+ games a season.

One final surprise return is former utility infielder, Lee Kohler who had a couple break out years in New Jersey but mostly spent his time as a utility player for the team from 2011-2018. Kohler returns as a Lead-Analyst for the squad after running a blog and sports twitter page from his hometown of Livermore, California. With the return to the big show, New Jersey has pulled out all the stops to bring in some big names from their heyday to help bring the lapsed fans back to the stadium as some fans gave up on the squad when they left for the World Independent League despite more success at that level.

The Hitmen will begin the 2035 season on April 2nd against former WIL rival and once again IL rival, the Gloucester Fisherman. The match up will be a quick return for recently traded ex-Fisherman stars, CF Mark Anderson, LF Kazunari Ito, C Lee Ray, 3B Andrew Dunkley, SP Shinkichi Hasegawa who hope to make a big impact on their new squad. New Jersey and Gloucester are on opposite paths to start the 2035 season as New Jersey hopes to make an instant impact in their former division while Gloucester has set themselves up for a long rebuild focusing on their future first. 2035 should be an exciting reintroduction for both franchises.

– The Newark Times