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Few things in life are less predictable than independent league baseball.
The players, many of whom have played for Major League Baseball organizations, are giving a career in baseball one last shot - especially in small cities such as Chico. With this commitment to the game, and without MLB running the show, anything can happen.
This was echoed by Chico Outlaw first baseman Tony Torcato after the season finale Sunday, when he said, "In independent ball, anything goes."
Whether it is a game starting an hour later than scheduled, the sound of cowbells ringing in a seven-run comeback or a team that was the 2007 Golden League champion coming into the final weekend of the season 19 games below .500, the independent league is always full of surprises.
All of these came true for the Outlaws during the weekend, as they finished a long, tough season on a positive note against playoff contender St. George Roadrunners.
With a team ERA of more six heading into the series, Chico's major flaw this year has been obvious - inconsistent pitching.
And, after starting an hour late Friday, the Roadrunners exploited that weakness early, taking a 6-0 lead into the eighth inning.
Then, a team battered and tired rose against St. George starter Mac Nelson and reliever Claudio Galva for an improbable seven-run rally, electrifying the crowd of more than 3,000. The 7-6 win gave the Outlaws their biggest comeback win of the year, kicking off their final homestand.
"It really put a damper on their party," said first-year manager Jon Macalutas.
The Outlaws victory hurt the St. George's playoff hopes, but the encore Saturday officially eliminated the Roadrunners.
Outlaw starter Trevor Caughey, who was named 2008 Pitcher of the Year in a pregame ceremony Sunday, tossed a complete-game shutout for his eighth win of the season, in Saturday's 5-0 victory.
He finished the year with a 2.47 ERA.
Center fielder Steve Boggs led the offense for Chico, going 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored.
The Roadrunners became the second team the Outlaws had knocked out of playoff contention last week. The Outlaws also eliminated the Yuma Scorpions.
Although the Outlaws dropped the finale 4-2, the series of the season couldn't have gone much better. The team was ecstatic about the fan turnout.
"I felt like I was in the big leagues all over again," Torcato said.
Whether it was a line drive skipping past the glove of right fielder Todd Gossage or St. George's first baseman Ivan Reyes and second baseman Jose Serrano colliding and falling, letting a routine pop-up become an RBI single, it was another crazy day at the ballpark for the independent league.
After playing spoiler well, the Outlaws will not hang their heads after this season.
"We've got a good core group of guys," pitcher Scott Navarro said, who played in the Chico Heat's inaugural 1997.
But change is coming for the Outlaws. President Bob Linscheid is retiring, and the roster could change, losing standouts such as Caughey to minor league contracts.
Independent league baseball remains interesting, and come 2009, fans will pour into Nettleton Stadium once again.
Thomas Lawrence can be reached at tlawrence@theorion.com
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