Orlando, FL (AP): The 2011 season is now underway and the Orlando Orcas are looking to make it back to the CBU World Series for the 3rd consecutive season. In 2009, the Orlando Orcas were the World Champions, but fell short in 2010 when they lost to the Portland Lions. The Orcas are the team to beat in the Landis League and everyone will be gunning for them once again this season. The landscape in the LL Frazee has changed once again this season. The rival New Orleans Voodoo have folded and have become the Boston Bootleggers. The Orcas have won the division the first two seasons, but the other teams in the division are getting stronger, so the race may be a lot closer this season. Can the Orcas remain the big fish in the LL?

LF Peter Hill

Orcas LF, Peter Hill has started the season off strong. Hill has 13 hits in 23 at bats (.565), with a HR, and 3 RBI’s. Last season, Hill played very well as he hit .318, with 45 HR’s, 147 RBI’s, and had 8 stolen bases. Hill won the CBU LL Brooks Robinson Award. Hill proved that he was worth his huge contract and the Orcas will continue to rely on him to spark the team this season. The Orcas will need Hill to stay on top of his game if they want to have a shot at making it back to the CBU World Series!

P Skip Small

Orcas Starting Pitcher, Skip Small is now the Orcas Ace with the departure of Domeneco Corosi who voided the last optional year of his contract and signed as a free agent with the Honolulu Manu Niuhi. Small is the only player in the CBU to win 20+ games. Small won 21 games back in 2009. On the season, Small has 2 starts and a 1-1 record. In 14.2 innings, Small has 13 K’s, 4 BB’s, and an ERA of 1.84. Last season, Small started 33 games and had a 14-7 record. In 202 innings, Small recorded 132 K’s, 44 BB’s, and had an ERA of 3.30. Small finds ways to win games and the Orcas are hoping that he can win 20 or more games once again this season. The Orcas have faith in Small and he’s a key factor in the Orcas pursuit of another Championship!

LF José Pacheco

Orcas LF, José Pacheco was called upon to start in CF for the injured Ed Pope and filled in nicely. Pacheco recorded 11 hits in 22 at bats (.500) with 7 RBI’s. Last year, Pacheco played in 139 games. Pacheco hit .286, with 10 HR’s, 43 RBI’s, and had a stolen base. Pacheco has a strong work ethic, who has a strong desire to win, and is very much a team player. Pacheco is a solid role player who can step in and play well when called upon. His desire to win and the fact that he puts the team before himself is an inspiration to the young players out there who have dreams to play in the CBU one day!

Orcas fans are mixed-emotioned when the discussion of them making back to the CBU World Series comes up. Many fans are still upset by how the Portland Lions took it to the defending Champions in the CBU World Series last season. Other fans are still riding high from the Orcas 2009 Championship followed up by a return to the CBU World Series last season. It’s a long ride to just get to the CBU World Series, so the Orcas fans should be proud that their team has represented the LL back to back seasons and walked away with the Inaugural Championship. These guys are still serious contenders to represent the LL in the 3rd straight CBU World Series. Key departures for the Orcas were P Domeneco Corosi (Honolulu Manu Niuhi), CL Dany Robert (Honolulu Manu Niuhi), C Gonzalo Cruz (Boston Bootleggers), and P Matt Walker (Mexican Hat Wild Burros). The Orcas resigned Skip Small after he voided the last year option on his contract. The Orcas key free agent signings were P Mike Lovell (Sioux Falls Uber Giraffes), SS Eric Russell (Princeton Black Squirrels), and P Harry Ekdar (Colorado Everest). The Orcas also have the services of 2B Peter Kennelly who is returning from a torn posterior cruciate ligament, which he suffered in 2009 in AA as a member of the Las Vegas Black Jacks. Kennelly was claimed by the Orcas in the Rule V draft prior to last season and they have high hopes that he can become a solid CBU 2B. The Orcas have a good shot at winning the LL Frazee division and making it back to the LL Championship once again this season, but other teams in the division have improved, so it will be interesting to see if this Orcas team has what it takes to bring another Championship to Orlando! If anyone can make it happen, look to Orcas Skipper Al Flynn to make it happen. Flynn was named the LL Manager of the Year the past two seasons!