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| Teams will be roughing each other up in more ways than these during the 2005 Titans League. |
Missed out on 2004? We've got the bases covered with the 2004 Titans League VCD. Get your video today.
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What To Watch For This Summer |
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Alignment: National (Zeus) Division and Republic (Poseidon) Division
New venue: Riverside Field in Sto Nino, Marikina
Philippine National Team players |
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 The juice is wild as the 2005 Titans League Baseball season fast approaches. Of the many questions on the horizon, here are five for the stove. The experience is up to you.
Given the current state of flux in talent and player development in today's game, competitive parity will always be an issue. Splitting the league into two divisions of different strengths hopes to address this need and bridge the gap while raising the quality of the game over time. That would eventually necessitate increasing the number of games.
Despite finishing second in the regular season last year, the Lhuillier parlayed its talented line-up with a championship banner in dominating fashion during the play-offs. Unfortunately, Cebuana might not be able to sustain that formula in 2005 on the premise that the squad even takes the field. So they may just be a one-season wonder after all.
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Joel Ramos played for an Alabang Titans team that finished near the bottom in 2004. |
A paradox in history. Entering their third year of existence in the country, both Titans squads have already blazed a new trail for baseball. Nevertheless, their talent on paper hasn't produced on the field for reasons beyond the obvious. With the new format, winning at least half their games this season should be a reasonable expectation.
Streamlining the youth into the adult game hasn't been this way since the 1970's. With several high school prospects and collegiate players on the wings, there can only be a mutually beneficial setting for the nation's grassroots programs and the league. Such a channel virtually ensures that kids can now play competitive and organized baseball for as long as their heart desires.
Ahh, perhaps the most debatable issue to surface in Philippine baseball circles. Lest we forget, achievement and excellence begin with one small step. Build it and they will come. While entering just its third season, the Titans League should only go up the ladder's rungs. Its organizational structure and capabiltiy have already taken Philippine baseball out of the ashes. The famed Manila Bay Baseball League, which had an unsuccessful revival in the early 1990's, would best be served by remaining entrenched in Philippine sporting lore, having bowed out gracefully after years of bringing glory to the country. |
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| 2004 FINAL STANDINGS |
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W |
L |
T |
PCT |
GB |
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Antipolo City
Cebuana
Marikina
Loyola Heights
Alabang Athletics
Alabang Titans
Korea
Makati
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12
11
11
8
6
3
2
2
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1
2
3
6
8
11
12
12
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1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
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.923
.846
.786
.571
.429
.214
.143
.143
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1.0
1.5
4.5
6.5
9.5
10.5
10.5
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| SCHEDULE |
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Coaches meeting and submission of official rosters.
Last day for registration.
PHP 15,000 per team or
PHP 850 per player
Opening Day. Alabang Country Club Field, Muntinlupa City.
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| VENUES |
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Alabang Country Club Field, Muntinlupa City View Map
Riverside Field in Sto Nino, Marikina
View Map
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| FORMAT |
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Ten teams will be grouped into two divisions.
The first five teams will comprise the National (Zeus) Division. The next five teams will comprise the Republic (Poseidon) Division.
Teams will play a single round within each division. After the single round, the bottom two teams in the National Division will crossover to the Republic Division while the top two teams of the Republic Division will crossover to the National Division.
Each team's win-loss records are carried over during the crossover wherein teams will then play another round within each division.
At the conclusion of the second round, the first place teams of each division automatically qualify for their respective Division Championship.
The second and third place teams of each division will have a play-off to determine which team advances to its respective Division Championship.
There will be one game for the National Division Championship and one game for the Republic Division Championship.
The 2005 Official Rules of Major League Baseball will be in effect.
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