2006 Northern League directory
Format: Teams play 96 games -- 48 in 1st half from May 17-July 8; 48 in 2nd half from July 12-Sept. 2. Half-season winners meet in best-of-5 divisional playoffs (if same team wins both halves, there will be a wild card); divisional playoff winners meet in best-of-5 championship series.
All-star game: July 10 at Fargo-Moorhead.
(2006 stats in parentheses; W-L, ERA for pitchers; batting average, home runs, RBIs for hitters)
Calgary Vipers
Stadium: Foothills Stadium (capacity 8,000).
Manager: Mike Busch (3nd season).
2007 division: North.
2006 division, finish: West, 42-54 overall; 19-29, 4th in 1st half; 23-25, tied for 3rd in 2nd half.
Players to watch: P Evan Greusel (8-2, 3.49 with Calgary), IF Carlos Duncan (.272-12-59 with Calgary), 1B Jason Colson (.272-8-34 with Calgary).
Edmonton Cracker Cats
Stadium: Telus Field (capacity 10,000).
Manager: Frank Reberger (1st season).
2007 division: North.
2006 division, finish: West, 44-52 overall; 21-27, 3rd in 1st half; 23-25, tied for 3rd in 2nd half.
Players to watch: P Lou Pote (5-3, 4.47 with Bakersfield and Frisco), P Mike Henry (5-4, 3.77 with Brockton and Edmonton), OF Terrence McClain (.282-7-59 with Edmonton).
Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
Stadium: Newman Outdoor Field (capacity 4,513).
Manager: Doug Simunic (12th season).
2007 division: North.
2006 division, finish: West, 63-33 overall; 32-16, 1st in 1st half; 31-17, 1st in 2nd half; beat Lincoln 3-2 in divisional playoffs; beat Gary 3-2 in championship series.
Players to watch: OF Joe Mathis (.359-11-61 with Fargo-Moorhead), OF Richard Austin (.337-10-58 with Fargo-Moorhead), P Brandon Goltz (9-2, 3.47 with Fargo-Moorhead).
Gary RailCats
Stadium: The Steel Yard (capacity 6,139).
Manager: Greg Tagert (3nd season).
2007 division: South.
2006 division, finish: East, 51-46 overall; 24-24, 2nd in 1st half; 26-22, tied for 1st in 2nd half (won 1-game playoff with Joliet for 2nd-half title); beat Schaumburg 3-2 in divisional playoffs; lost to Fargo-Moorhead 3-2 in championship series.
Players to watch: P Willie Glen (11-5, 3.75 with Gary), OF Jermaine Allensworth (.297-6-46 with Gary), P Jason Shelley (12-8, 3.75), OF Steve Haake (.293-7-57 with Gary).
Joliet JackHammers
Stadium: Silver Cross Field (capacity 4,616).
Manager: Hal Lanier (2nd season).
2007 division: South.
2006 division, finish: East, 42-55 overall; 16-32, 4th in 1st half; 26-22, tied for 1st in 2nd half (lost 1-game playoff to Gary for 2nd-half title).
Players to watch: IF Chad Ehnsberger (.292-12-48 with Joliet), OF Cory Harris (,252-15-60 with St. Joe and Lincoln), OF Anthony Monegan (.294-0-15 with Sioux Falls).
Kansas City T-Bones
Stadium: Community America Ballpark (capacity 4,365).
Manager: Andy McCauley (1st season).
2007 division: South.
2006 division, finish: East, 45-51 overall; 22-26, 3nd in 1st half; 23-25, 3rd in 2nd half.
Players to watch: P Jonathan Krysa (13-5, 3.74 with Kansas City), P Dan Jackson (5-4, 3.78 with Schaumburg), P Matt Schweitzer (6-4, 3.58 with Schaumburg).
Schaumburg Flyers
Stadium: Alexian Field (capacity 7.048).
Manager: Steve Maddock (1st season).
2006 division: South.
2005 division, finish: East, 46-50 overall; 31-17, 1st in 1st half; 15-33, 4th in 2nd half; lost to Gary 3-2 in divisional playoffs.
Players to watch: 2B Demetrius Heath (.293-0-29, 71 SB with Atlantic City), IF Eric Riggs (.300-9-45 with Las Vegas), P Ryan Harris (10-6, 3.86 with Edinburg).
Winnipeg Goldeyes
Stadium: CanWest Global Park (capacity 7,481).
Manager: Rick Forney (2nd season).
2007 division: North.
2006 division, finish: West, 52-44 overall; 27-21, 1st in 1st half; 25-23, 2nd in 2nd half; lost to Fargo-Moorhead 3-2 in divisional playoffs.
Players to watch: OF Fehlandt Lentini (.325-6-49), DH Jimmy Hurst (.307-18-78), P Ben Moore (7-6, 3.30).
