The addition of Hopkinsville (Hoptown) to the OVL certainly made for a vastly more interesting season and corresponding playoffs. The season began rather offbeat and oddly with Fulton going 0 and 4 and Marion achieving first place for an instant. The Madisonville Tradewater Pirates, formerly the Tradewater Pirates based in Dawson Springs, moved 18 miles to Kelly Field where Steve Fowler as GM also managed the new Pirates. The new kids on the block, Hoptown, and Madisonville fought each other all season just like their high school rivalry for over 90 years. Finally, Hoptown emerged as the league champs with a strong hitting lineup and good starting pitching that didn't wear out down the stretch. Fulton made the late season very interesting, making a late surge to scare the Hoppers. But, in the end, it was all Hoppers. The Bobcats and Oilers were not able to survive player injuries while the Pirates only faded during the last week of the season.

     The interest created by the two new franchises translated into a significant increase in attendance, estimated to have grown to over 15,000 league wide. Fan loyalty increased somewhat as many strangers appeared in the visitors sections over the season.

     The 2012 fan interest has apparently been contagious, as several nearby communities have shown interest in seeking to join our league. That is a challenge that is to be worked out in the off-season.

     A special recognition goes to John Dunker and his scorekeeping team. Never before have we experienced such accuracy and promptness that game results were published on the league web site.  And unlike 2011 when over 40 rainouts and make-ups ate up the scheduled make-up days, we finished 2012 with only 16 games made up, which means all scheduled games were played for the first time since the league began as the K I T league.

     Nearby towns from three states have expressed more than a passing interest in the OVL. I am optimistic that more teams will be joining our growing league in the next two years to give the OVL a real baseball presence in Mid-America.

Gordon Guess

President OVL