Only Eight Players Show Up For Stars' Loss; Ghost of Satchel Paige Sought For Help

So it's come to this - after a staggering 20-odd people signed up for the inaugural season of the Super Channel Stars, only eight players managed to turn up for the Stars' 17-12 loss to New Cap Radio on Tuesday night. (Editor's note : This reporter should talk - he won't be able to attend another game until July...)

Still, the game was eventful enough, even without the lack of attendees. Team leader Reg Hagerman (indeed, a contemporary of Satchel Paige (pictured above)) had a running battle with one of the players from New Cap that lasted the whole game. Insults and jibber jabber were thrown back and forth with great aplomb. The Stars managed to turn another double play, their second in as many games, as the defence continues to round into shape. Poor Ian Holmes displayed the Nova Scotia-bred baseball instincts displayed by his brother Ron by striking out no less than three times. Ron, you will remember, famously whiffed on at least 79 straight pitches at the team's first practice in early May.

Hope appears to be not lost, though. Superstar pitcher Jeff Cowie is rumoured to be making his first appearance of the season for the team's next game (Editor's note: Cowie's debut will now be pushed back to June 17), and stalwarts Amanda and Terry will also be back in the fold to bring the squad back to a full roster and, no doubt, a crushing victory over whichever team they'll be playing.