Kettering Royals

Well we all knew it would happen sometime, we just all didn't want it to end so soon... This year the Royals took the field with 8 new players on the 2005 roster. The veterans were excited about the squad "The Skipper" had assembled. With hard work this years team turned some heads. Hoping to leave the previous 2 4-17 seaons behind them and make them a distant memory. The Royals showed they were new and improved when they went 5-4 in the first 2 months of the season, eclipsing the previous two seaons win totals. But then the Royals entered the unfriendly month of July... In the month of July the Royals went 2-6, scoring 46 runs, and allowing a whooping 79 (9 more than the first 2 months combined). Then the dismal month ended and the Royals got back on track as the split the month of August going 2-2, with close loses to the Astros and Woodpeckers to end the season. As the playoffs approached spirits were high as they faced off against the Dayton Rangers. In a 3hr45min slugfest the Royals came out on top 22-18, but that would turn out the be the last Royal victory of the season as the squad dismantled. The Royals made the best of their next game against the woodpeckers, but they were out gunned and the squad was defeated 23-3. As the Royals entered their last game of the season they suffered another blow as one half of the twin towers (Runyon and Griffith) was missing from the lineup. The Royals fell 6-5, but they had their chances. They squad left it all on the field as Chad Campbell suffered a broken nose on a diving out stayed in as there was no replacement on the Royals bench as Little Eric Franklin did not bring his mitt this night.

As a whole there were highs and lows, close games and not so close games, but this year was a great year overall. Many records fell in less games this season than the 2001 season that most were originally set in. Griffith, Schwab, and Runyon all tied for the lead in hits this season with 37. With the help of Phil Beach's record setting 31 RBI's, Runyon also moved into the number 1 spot for runs scored with 30. Jason Griffith and Runyon both posted .400+ averages this year. Griffith added his name to the books batting a .478 on the season, good enough for the #2 spot, and Runyon fell a few hits short of #3 posting a .435. Also this season a few of the Royals veterans reached a few milestones. Eric Jameson recorded his 100th hit, and new Royals skipper, Mark Franklin, recorded his 400th at bat. These are all records and stats to be proud about. The historical and season stats are records reflecting as far back as the 2001 season. In that 2001 season the Royals posted a 9-17 record (26 games total). This is the best team record on the books until this 2005 season as the team finished 10-14 in the MVABL and 10-15 overall. This is a great accomplishment and I as the Royals skipper cannot wait for next season to get here. I wanted to say thanks to all for participating this season and we will all meet again in the Spring!!