Kroona, Cubs Take First Off-Season Event

ROSEVILLE, MINN. -- Mike Kroona was on fire Friday night as he took the first off-season event of 2002-2003 without as much as blinking. Using a great performance from his ace, Drifter, Kroona took the high-powered offense of the Cubs through an undefeated run of four straight wins.

Kroona opened the tournament with a very tight 7-6 win over his fierce Rival, Adam Flaherty and the Seattle Mariners. The Cubs opened up a commanding lead but had to hold on for dear life as Seattle used a 4 for 5 perfomance from Griffey to claw back into the game.

Jake Flaherty and Judd Berthiaume's game followed the same pattern. Judd, with teh Marlins, opened up a considerable early-game lead only to see Jake and the Twins claw back to 6-6 as regulation ended. Jake went to the bullpen in the 10th, however, and the Marlins took advantage scoring three runs making the score 9-6. Jake's rally cap didn't work twice and Judd was on to the second round.

The third game of the tournament proved to be the big one in the end. After drawing a bye, Dave Berthiaume saw his first action of the tournament against none other than the eventual champion, Mike Kroona. Mike got off to an early 1-0 lead and it stuck until he brought in his closer late in the game. Dave, with the Dodgers, tied the game with a solo home run of his own, but Bambam's solo shot was the eventual game-winner for Mike and the Cubs.

Bill Madigan saw his first action of the night in the other Winners' Bracket semi-final after drawing a bye. His opponent was the other participating Berthiaume, Judd. Coming into this game with the least Griffey experience showed for Bill and the Braves as Judd won handily, but the experience was valuable in the rest of the tournament.

The first Losers' Bracket game was anticipated as soon as it appeared on the bracket board. It would be a battle of the trash-talking Flaherty brothers. The drama just wasn't present in this game as the Twins could never surmount any offense against Tingdale, and the Mariners. "It felt good," Adam later remarked. His trip through the Losers' Bracket would only last one more game, however.

Dave and Bill would face elimination in the next game and it was another great game. Bill and the Braves led for most of the game with Dave tying the game up in the ninth inning. Dave, however, would score five runs in the top of the 10th eliminating Bill from the competition after a very nice effort.

Adam's run ended in the eighth game of the tournament , which Dave and the Dodgers took easily. Tingdale just never had it on the hill, and his ineptitude was probably a blessing for FVWBL radio as it freed Adam up for its first broadcast.

Dave's run continued as he took an early 3-0 lead over Judd and the Marlins. Judd used a late pinch-hit home run to cut the lead to 3-1 but couldn't muster any further offense and found himself on the sidelines for the championship game. "I just didn't have the pitching," Judd later added. "I figured if I held anyone to three runs I was going to win that game. I was as wrong as Gardenhire was in his playoffs."

Finally, at about 2:00am Saturday morning, the finale was here. However, the championship was no contest. Mike scored early and often and Dave was out of luck. With the 6-0 victory Mike took the first ever official FVWBL off-season event.