I;ve got a fever, and the only cure is a plastic bat and ball.

It's that time of the year, where the ball begins to float and dance through the air as a man who's had between five to six beers tries to hit that ball. And am I man who finds the beauty in the summer time scene of a make shift fence including; the plastic baggy wall, Ricky Bobby alley, teen age mutant corner, the ever-green monster, Bartman limb, spray painted lines, joy of home runs, agony of miss judging a fly ball, the embarrassing feeling of a strike out, and the fullment of victory.

That's right I'm talking about the El Orchard Whiffle Ball League or EL OWL as the old timers call it, is starting up with spring training this week. The the excitement around the league as never been bigger, with last year's season going all the way to the final game of the championship series. Won in dramatic fashion by the Cedar Falls Bunnies Over the Hanover Rhinos two games to one. We will have a preview of the season to come soon complete with predictions, breakdowns, and dates to watch for but we wanted to sit down the Three year Vet John Derryberry of the Cedar Falls Bunnies and chat about the past, present and future of the bunnies, and the league.

Q: Are you ready to defend the title?
A: The first year of the league we went something like 16 and 1 and won the championship going away. We got over confident and couldn't defend our title because the over confident or cockiness but this off season we stay grounded and focused on repeating

Q: Do you have to repeat to be consider a dynasty?
A: Yes i think you have to win two in a row at some point to be consider a great team and a dynasty. And that's our goal, that's why we are all back.

Q: It's was reported that Kyle Johnson wanted to go to a new team and be the guy, what kept him a Bunny
A: Kyle's a funny bird. you never really know what's he's going to do, Take the Championship series last year, he went from home run guy to our leader in On base percentage. So a couple of weeks after the season he came over to Braden and I place and said I'm staying put, I want to repeat, and i just signed a 3 year deal.

Q: You and Braden didn't try to influence his decision?
A: No, that would have pushed him away, I'm glad he's back it means i won't lead the team in Strike outs

Q: What about the trade and year a half ago for Scottie Sabo some fans blamed him for the team not being able to defend to title, did he vindicate himself with last year championship
A:With out Scottie don't we don't win last year period.

Q:What about the move from Des Monies to Cedar Falls. teams moving put off fans and the best team int he league moved how does that affect the league?
A: It's whiffle ball teams are going to move all the time, their small four to five guys, and you can have a Field anywhere. So while the move was disappointing from the stand point that's where it all started, but it happened and we have to move on. Hopefully one day we can have one more game there

Q: The upcoming season excited?
A Very much so, i spent the off season tinkering my hitting trying to be able to bat lefty and righty again this year, it fell off at the end of the series, Kyle will tell you i need to work on my base running. AS far as the team it's different mind set being the hunted not the hunter but i like the mind set of defending what's ours

Q: Are the Rhinos your rivals?
A: Let's see how the kiddies handle coming so close and losing before we call this a rivalry. They have some nice pieces Marcus has been a all star every year, Zach is what we call a late bloomer, I fully expect him to be an all star this year, but All arms Luke needs more to his game than just a home run swing, and Jordan is going to have to work on that temper. The rivalry will start when they beats us in a series or a single elimination tournament of some sort until that we are the champs and they are the also ran.

Q: Strong words especially with so many picking them to over come that disappointment and grow into a championship team.
A: I fully expect us to grow and defend our title we have the best pitcher in the League in Braden,if Kyle's all around game stays, If Scottie's Pitching gets better, and if i can correct my hitting we woudl be miles better than last year so it would take a really great team to knock off us our perch. With that said i hope we see the Rhinos in the series again it would be great for the league and i fully expect them to be really good this year.

Q: Your in a contract year any chance you leave the Bunnies after the season?
A; Kyle's signed on for three year, Braden's got three left on his deal, Scottie's got two left on his, with out a doubt I'll be back with a three deal hopefully. Management is working out the kinks as we speak.

Q:No chance you head East Like Adam Rottinghuas did for more money ina different league.
A: First Adam was great for getting the league kick started and he did what was best for his life, but he went to league with lesser quality players. I'm trying to test my abilities against the best and if I'm going to do that i need to be in the el OWL.

Q Last question you said i hope to see the Rhinos in the series does that mean you are predicting that the bunnies will at least make it back to the series?
A: Baring Injury, or a major meltdown we have been the best or second best team every year in the league i don't see that changing this year. We have the people back to repeat that's the goal, and we aim to complete the goal.

Back Next week with a breakdown of the two, Pear, and Apple divisions and predictions

thanks

(I know doing this further proves i have no life)