CAN-AM LEAGUE MAY HAVE HIT ANOTHER BUMP, AND WE DIG INTO THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION SCHEDULE

Teams in the newly-expanded American Association have been announcing their schedules for a few days now which leaves only the Can-Am and the new three-division North American League to get their lineup of teams finalized so they can let fans know what their schedules will look like.

The Can-Am, which appeared to be headed back to a more impressive eight teams with the addition of Newark, NJ from the Atlantic League and a possible expansion team in Ramapo, NY, may suddenly have taken a new hit.

The New Jersey Herald broke the story this week that Sussex, one of the two Floyd Hall-operated teams in the state (along with the New Jersey Jackals), may not return unless a last-minute buyer is found. Quoting the Sussex Skyhawks' Facebook page, The Herald reported "if the season were to start tomorrow, the Skyhawks would go inactive".

With opposition continuing to fight the building of a stadium in Ramapo and only five months remaining until the Can-Am normally opens its season, it would not be a shock to see the Northeast-based league once again play with six teams.

SOME THINGS WE SEE IN THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION SCHEDULE

The American Association definitely appears strengthened with its addition of four teams out of the Northern League plus Amarillo, TX coming in to replace Pensacola, FL and whittle down some of the travel issues, but there certainly are some quirks in the league schedule.

The positive news spills over to the expansion of the schedule from 96 to 100 games, and a straight forward playoff plan that will include the three divisional champions and the wild card with the best record.

We examined the St. Paul, schedule, and presuming it is somewhat typical in an unbalanced environment, the Saints will play everyone but El Paso, TX in at least one series and will make only one major southern trip to play 13 games in as many days while visiting four cities. St. Paul will play eight opponents at least once both at home and on the road, including the four that just departed the Northern League, and will have nine teams visit Midway Stadium overall. Lincoln, NE says it will host 12 of the 13 league opponents.

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