WHO ARE THE BLACK SOX?

This has been a topic of discussion recently in the www.lvzbl.com forums. 

        The Black Sox are a group of players that have been together on and off over the past 4-5 years. In the spring of 2005, Adam Brown (Current Manager of the Black Sox), put together a team in the MSBL league called the Black Hawks. The team consisted of mainly friends and family, most of which had little or no High School experience. The players originating from the Black Hawks and now currently on the Black Sox are: Adam Brown, Lew LaFayette, George Vaughn, and Jake Brown. 

Our first season was a test of endurance and emotions as the Black Hawks went for a league worst 0-14. Throughout the season, we picked up a few new players and learned alot. In Fall of 2005, some of the players from the Spring team couldn't play so we drafted a few new players. The Fall season was a huge success and turn around from the Spring season, as the Black Hawks went 7-6 and earned a playoff bid. I never saw us having a chance, let alone go over 500%. We played the number one seeded team in the playoffs and suffered a heartbreaking loss of 3-1. After the fall season we couldn't get a sponsor and the Black Hawks were not able to get another team off the ground.

         The Boomers were a team also in the MSBL league ran by Joe Stratton. They competed against the Black Hawks and always had a decent team. When the Black Hawks organization folded up, Adam Brown was picked up by Joe Stratton through his brother that played at Durango HS with Adam, Brandon Stratton. During the Spring '06 season, Adam pitched and played infield for the Boomers. Former players from the Boomers now on the Black Sox roster are: Joe Stratton, Brandon Stratton, and Damien Sisto. Funding also became a problem for the Boomers and the team folded up and everyone went their separate ways.

         The Titans were the champions of the Spring '07 Zone league. The team was ran by Chris Gschwinder and featured players that are currently on the Black Sox team. Some of their players included Adam Brown, Joe Stratton, Brandon Stratton, Damien Sisto, Jason Gschwinder, Mike Anderson, and Eric Simpson. Titans were a power house in the early years of Zone featuring great pitching and a powerful offense. Titans began the Spring '07 season picking up where they left off, being a good all around team, but once again- funding ended the Spring '07 season short, holding the Titans out of the Playoffs.

        Durango HS Baseball holds the root for most of the Black Sox talent. The Black Sox feature players such as '01 State Champions Adam Brown and Joe Campo, and '04 American Legion State Champs Mike Campo, and Anthony Iocconanni. Other players that played for Durango HS include Joe Stratton, Brandon Stratton, and Geoff Gaynor. 

         Which brings us to the present day Black Sox "Rookie" league. This is where and how the majority of the Black Sox players came together. Most of us have been playing with or around each other for years, and hope to continue to play for more to come.