Winter is Coming!
A Look Back At 2019:
The North wasn’t around until Fall Ball of 2019. The team was captained by Charley Robinson/Anwar Sadat and included a mix of players from a bunch of teams for fun in Fall Ball. It included players from Savages, Shooter McGavins, and Mighty Ducks. So it had many veteran players and sprinkled in couple of rookies.
In their first time as a team together, they finished as the number 1 seed in Fall Ball and blew thru the competition in the playoffs to win the 2019 Fall Ball Championship. Rookie Nicolas Timpone was named the Finals MVP. The team was well built and played up to their full potential which is a sign of great veteran leadership. They only had 2 losses the entire season including playoffs. Every player on the field had a specific well defined role and they executed very well.
The team was always bound to break apart when Summer 2020 season started as players went back to their normal teams, but we can look back fondly at their fall championship season. The great outfield of Joe, Nicolas, Haaris, Irfan, Nick. The clutch hitting of Saad, Rich, Jashan. The steady pitching of Anwar. The unsung heroes in Pops, Ali, Joel and Zulfikar. It was a group that had great chemistry and meshed well. But Winter Was Coming….
A Look Ahead at 2020:
Once the dust settled, only 5 players remained from their 2019 Fall Ball team (Charley, Irfan, Anwar, Nick and Pops). A big rebuild was ahead. Captains Charley and Irfan sent out a bunch of Ravens in order to construct their team. With the pedigree of the captains as well as a Fall Championship under their belt, the recruiting was fairly easy and the ravens were answered quickly. The roster they have built for 2020 will definitely compete for an interesting playoff run.
The outfield should be one of the better ones in the league in Irfan, Shawn, Nick and Saeed. 4 potential all stars. Infield will be anchored by Charley and Steve. On the mound they have a top 3 pitcher in Yasar. The question with this team will be their depth. Can Anwar and Akil Gubbi stay healthy? Adeel Ahmed formerly of Wolfpack returns after a few years away. Will Pops be a defensive liability? There are a lot of questions at the bottom of the lineup that will need to be answered.
We looked at the other 12 rosters. There are a few teams that have better overall depth, but at the top of the lineup North can hang with anyone. If the rest of the team puts in the work and gives support, they will be more than fine.
Our Prediction:
The North overall has a good roster. But like with a bunch of teams in SASL, attendance will be key. Once they have to dip into their bench, it will be interesting to see if the bench steps up. One thing we do know is that they have strong veteran leaders and a team that will be ready to play every week from pitch 1. We expect them to finish around the 4th/5th seed in a crowded SASL field. They may end their season in the First round in their rookie summer year and at best a Semifinal showing.
Best Players:
2019 SASL American League MVP Charley is one of the most decorated players in SASL history. Nicolas Timpone showed what he can do in Fall Ball with a great season and Fall Ball Finals MVP. Shawn Abraham is one of the best defensive outfielders in the game (top 5) and in this team he will make a huge difference.
Players To Watch For:
Steve Galante came in with a lot of hype last year for Mighty Ducks but didn’t perform well. His 4 rating is a huge discount and we expect him to be playing at a higher level. Akil Gubbi is also at a discount at 3. High softball IQ paired with solid hitting and strong defense/arm. We expect 2019 All-Star Saeed Anwar to take another step forward after a breakout season.
Hear It From The Captain: Irfan Musliwala
1. What do you enjoy most about your role as team captain?
—Sharing projected lineups in our group whatsapp chat and everyone disagreeing.
2. Who do you think will be your toughest competition this season?
—Ourselves. We have a number of new players on this team that we need to gel and build chemistry with.
3. What do you think are your team’s strong points? Weak points?
—Leadership (see: Me). Weak points I’d say would have to be around our pitching this season. It is something that keeps me up at night.
4. How do you see your teams season play out this season?
—I think we are solid overall and expect to compete for the championship and become back to back winners. History repeats itself, doesn’t it? Who won the Civil War?
