The following projections are provided by West Coast Commissioner Bruce Kammer. Any responsible questions or comments should be directed therein.

The Braveheart Memorial League (BraMBLe) enters its third season in a state of flux. Throughout its history, the league has never been a model of consistency. In its first year, there originally were only five teams, but with the late edition of the Crescent City Unforgiven, that number rose to six. BraMBLe expanded the next year, welcoming three more teams, only to have that number shrink by two entering the 2000 season. Apparently more of the same is in store for the 2001 season as the mysterious one known as Closet Rat has submitted an expansion bid. But one thing is for sure - the first couple years have brought their fair share of excitement, and this season promises to keep the excitement level high.

So what is different about BraMBLe 2000? As stated above, there are only seven teams now, with Godking and Jules folding their franchises and dumping a number of high caliber players into the draft pool. This season also marks the first year that the protection policy has been in effect, adding a new element of strategy in the managerial aspects of the league. Finally the Major League Soccer-type single entity system of power has been replaced by a more decentralized system spread among the individual owners. Finally an experiment has been undertaken in that an internet-based service has been tasked with stat-keeping, a move that caught some off guard as it apparently robs the East Coast Commissioner of all of his power. Okay, now that my grass has grown out some and the paint has dried, I am sure that all of you want to know what is going to happen on the field. Can anyone challenge last year's champs, Da' Ridicules? In short that answer is: absolutely.

Da'Riducules surprised many last year by its second half surge to the title, fueled in no small part by shrewd deal-making. Puff Daddy took a balanced approach to protection, keeping marquee players in the infield, outfield, and starting rotation. Joining the obvious protectees - Ken Griffey, Bernie Williams, Derek Jeter, Chip Chip, and Randy Johnson - were Kevin Millwood, who really emerged as the next great Braves starting pitcher, and Kerry Wood, who missed the entire 1999 campaign after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Puffy added quality via the draft in John Olerud, Brian Jordan (he's back?!?), Jermaine Dye, Jeff Shaw, John Rocker, and Denny Neagle. The rest of the team seems to have been together since its inception: Barry Larkin, The Crime Dog, Mark Grace, Pete Harnisch, and even Ron Gant, who sneaked onto the farm team! Overall the team is fairly solid, but the lack of depth and average starting pitching will prevent Da'Ridacules from defending their title unless these shortcomings are addressed. So who will step into their shoes?

My choice is last year's preseason favorites, Echo's Old School. Echo asked me to go easy on his starting pitching so I might just ignore it altogether since the name of the game for this team is offense. Echo neglected his pitching staff in protection, keeping BraMBLe stud Jeff Bagwell along with Edgardo Alfonzo, King Nomar, Ivan Rodriguez, Indians' RBI machine Manny Ramirez, Bobby Abreu, Sean Casey, and the lone pitcher, Houston flamethrower Billy Wagner. Continuing his theory, Echo took Vlad the Impaler and Scott Rolen with his first two picks. He later picked up Javy Lopez, Raul Mondesi, and Darrin Erstad, hoping for a rebound from a poor 1999. The offense is downright scary, and it might be enough to carry this squad to the title. What about the pitching? There are couple of front line starters in Bartolo Colon and Al Leiter, and the bullpen is solid led by Wagner and Roberto Hernandez. Closers Antonio Alfonseca, Mile Timlin and Jason Isringhausen join them. The rest of the starters are average. Seattle's Freddy Garcia had an impressive rookie campaign, but he is controlled by Lou Pienella. Ramon Martinez pitched well in his comeback and does not have the pressure of having to be the ace anymore, so look for improvement. Personal favorite Chan Ho Park has been sharpening up on his drunken boxing in the offseason, but will he pitch any better for an enigmatic Dodger$ team? Jose Rosado relies on control but unfortunately he pitches for Kansas City. What a waste! The pitching is the weak link on this team, but without a doubt the current crop of pitchers will not be intact at the end of the season. All in all, sheer dominance of the offensive categories makes this team the odds-on favorite to win it all.

Surprisingly, the Proudest Monkeys will not find their names at the bottom of this article. After enduring much hardship during the offseason for leaving this franchise for the dead last year, I have seen the light much like John Belushi in the Blues Brothers. Well, only if that light is shielded by beer goggles - speaking from personal experience of course. The Monkeys chose a unique strategy and went for pitching dominance, an approach that is180 degrees opposite of the team the Monkeys will be chasing. All in all, Lone Star used six of his eight protection slots on pitchers Greg Maddux, Curt Schilling, Tom Glavine, Shane Reynolds, A's young gun Timmy Hudson, and Snakes' closer Matt Mantei. John Smoltz was then drafted to ensure a dominant pitching staff. Well, even the greatest plans go by the wayside - Smoltz promptly injured himself and will miss the entire season. Lone Star has also lamented at various times during the preseason how injured his staff is. Well, I say it comes with the territory when almost every pitcher qualifies for Del Boca Vista in St. Petersburg. The good news for the Monkeys is that there might be some semblance of an offense this year. Love child Sammy Sosa returns to the Monkey fold this year to lead a solid offensive attack that also includes Rafael Palmeiro, fountain-of-youth candidate Jay Bell, Carl Everett, young stud Carlos Beltran (why did I not protect this guy?), Jason Giambi, and the recovering Jason Kendall. As I peer into my crystal ball, I see a team that could win it all but will fall short.

Three Times One Minus One (quick - someone find me a convenient way to shorten that name!) enters its second year of existence with a newfound positive attitude, but still possessing the same weakness: starting pitching. Only one starter from the year before, Mike Hampton, is back and if Team #2 is going to succeed, Hampton needs to prove to everyone that last year was not a fluke, and that he can take the pressure of the Big Apple. Hampton will be joined by that geezer El Duque, another senior citizen in Chuck Finley, yet another blue hair in Jamie Moyer, Dave Burba, and Alex Fernandez, whom Guru apparently has an irrational love for (but hey there is a lot of that going around). If the starting rotation rushes off for that four o'clock dinner special, it leaves the ball in the hands of a very capable bullpen. Mariano Rivera and Armando Benitez are two of the best, and Mike Jackson is not very far behind. Rick Aguilera hopes to provide a few cheap saves (and there might not be many), and Keith Foulke is an animal jack-of-all-trades guy. On offense, I introduce you to the outfield of death - Albert Belle, Barry US Bonds (sue me Berman!), Larry Walker (hey blame Canada for my poor attitude), Brian Giles, and Magglio Ordonez. Those 5 will pace the offense along with Big Mike Piazza (you want me to play first?!?). Pretty boy Jeff Kent loves to prove me wrong, but I remain stubborn and, therefore, still won't respect him. He is backed up by the capable duo of Chuck Knoblauch and Ray Durham. Fabio and Robin Ventura round off this balanced attack. If the starting pitching comes around, this team could put the Monkeys in their rearview mirror. (A laudable goal, no?).

The Westbank Bombers, last season's second place team, is going through an identity crisis. Admittedly, it is hard to see what this team is trying to accomplish. Speed? Power? Speed? Power? There were some questionable protection moves, but a solid nucleus remains in the infield: Delgado, Biggio, Tejada, and Tatis (don't screw me over La Russa!). At times everyone was rumored to be available, including Shawn Green, who should have those ears looked at now that he is in the land of plastic and silicon. Green is joined in the outfield by Andruw Jones and Jeffrey Hammonds. The Bombers hope that Jeffrey will get the anticipated Coors Field boost. Speedsters, Roger Cedeno and Luis Castillo were added to chase the Sostice (what was I thinking!) and Todd Helton and Jim Thome give this club three quality first basemen. The catchers are adequate and are unlikely to damage the team. The pitching, outside of Mike Mussina and Trevor Hoffman, is average. Starters Omar Daal and Dustin Hermanson have shown promise, and Clement and Elarton are looking to fulfill their potential. Sterling Hitchcock (don't call me Ace) will add some cheap Ks. The bullpen is the better part of the staff, with Hoffman joined by UUU (go to Atlanta), and ChiSox closer Bobby Howry. ERA and WHIP machines Donnie Wall and John Johnstone hope to wipe out any inconsistencies. All in all, year two of the three year plan will see this team as a middle of the pack finisher unless the pitching fulfills its potential.

This season the Solstice at Avalon decided to try something new: diversify. In addition to its fabulous team speed, the Solstice boasts the best rotation this side of the Monkeys. Okay, just to irritate Lone Star, I will say that this one is better. Why? Well Pedro is worth Maddux, Schilling, and Glavine combined. And then throw in Kevin Brown on top of that, and you have the entire Monkeys rotation in two guys. Don't forget about Roger Clemens, who is hoping to bounce back from a subpar 1999. Brad Radke and Jason Schmidt do not take anything away at all, but once again I encourage Avon and Shawn Estes to get a room. Just do not ask David Wells to come along. The bullpen should not be left out, boasting quality firemen Troy Percival, Robb Nen, and Billy Koch. And Karsay might get a handful of save opportunities in Cleveland. The offense is much improved this year across the board. Joining speed merchants Womack, Stewart, and Young, are several well rounded players: Alou, Lankford, Sheffield, Rusty Greer, and Tony Clark. Throw that together with some legitimate power in Mo Vaughn, Vinny Castilla, and Juan Gonzalez, and you have the makings of an offense that can propel this team into money contention and thus finishing ahead of the Monkeys.

Sadly we come to the end of the line, and by no means is this a personal slight (ahem, Lone Star are you listening?), but someone has to be picked to finish last and this year that dubious distinction belongs to the Kiwi Quackers. This team possesses some bona fide fantasy superstars in ARod and McGwire, and solid contributors like Roberto Alomar, Johnny Damon, and Kevin Young. But there are too many Damian Millers, JD Drews, and Tom Goodwins for offensive consistency. Jeff Cirillo will be a great find. But the Quackers have to hope that Luis Gonzalez and Doug Glanville have repeats of 1999. The pitching, unfortunately, does not have an ace. David Cone used to be one, Andy Ashby was one by default last year, and Jose Lima is really a co-ace with Shane Reynolds. Eric Milton is solid, but the rest of the rotation is marked by question marks. Is Bruce Chen ever going to amount to the hype? And can Octavio Dotel contribute this year? The bullpen has three solid closer candidates in Dave Veras, Scott Williamson, and Paul Shuey. KC's Orber Moreno may win the Royals' closing job by midseason (who out there agrees with me that Bottalico sucks? Come on, raise your hands!) At least Lone Star can sleep comfortably at night - he knows he can beat this team.

Some Significant Dates of the BraMBLe 2000 Season

April 11 - The Proudest Monkeys send Carl Everett to the farm team after he starts the season 2-16.

April 27 - The Old School sends Scott Rolen to the Bombers for Todd Helton.

May 2 - After going on a three-week tear, the Monkeys promote Carl Everett back to the first team, hoping to catch some of those good vibes.

May 5 - Bombers owner Harpoon pulls out his pistol and makes farm team player Erubiel Durazo dance around a sombrero in celebration of Cinco de Mayo.

May 24 - TTOMO ceases operations after a graduation trip to the local casino robs owner Guru of his allotted transaction fees.

June 4 - The Bombers send Scott Rolen to the Old School for Todd Helton.

June 15 - The Kiwi Quackers' owner decides to ignore BraMBLe and correctly decides to devote her life to medicine, Guinness, and fantasy hurling.

June 27 - Da' Ridicules ship Randy Johnson, Kevin Milwood, and Pete Harnisch to the Monkeys for Tim Hudson, a bag of chips, and some McDonalds Monopoly game pieces. The Monkeys cruise to the title from this point on.

July 4 - The Bombers sell the team to new ownership. Harpoon is last seen screaming, "La Razza!!! Long live the West Coast Playaz!"

Disclaimer: Above predictions were based solely on my opinion alone according to my views on the state of baseball. Ratings are purely subjective, and in no way should be used as a basis for high-stakes sports wagering in one of the many fine Las Vegas Sports Books. Any shots taken above were in jest and should not be taken seriously, especially those toward a certain Lone Star, who put this here writer under an enormous amount of pressure to not only finish this work, but to see that he was not picked to finish last. If any comments are taken seriously, remember I own a high-powered sniper rifle, and if I recall, there is a clocktower not too far from where most of you live. Have a nice day.