If I only had a ballot...

I could while away the hours
Conferrin' with the Atlantic League powers
Consultin' with the brains
And my head, I'd be scratchin'
While my thoughts were busy hatchin'
If I only had a ballot.
(Who doesn't love the Wizard of Oz?)


Anyway, the point of that little lyric was to remind everyone that media does not its own vote for postseason awards in the Atlantic League.
Each team gets one ballot and is supposed to consult its beat writers for their thoughts.
This consulting rarely happens around the league, but, IN SHOCKING NEWS, I was asked for my opinion by Somerset this season and I definitely appreciate it - even if my opinions are not the ones that ultimately get submitted.
Here is my ballot:


Player of the Year: Javier Colina, Newark Bears

The versatile infielder made a splash in his first Atlantic League season, finishing first in the league in RBIs (101), second in home runs (26) and extra-base hits (59), third in slugging percentage (.560), fourth in runs scored (92) and fifth in hits (144).
Runners-up: Batting champion and 2004 Player of the Year Victor Rodriguez, Colina's teammate with the Bears. League-leader in runs scored (104), extra-base hits (62) and doubles (42), Ray Navarrete of the Long Island Ducks.


Pitcher of the Year: Brian Adams, Somerset Patriots
The left-hander likely would have won the pitching Triple Crown if he made his final start of the regular season instead of being held back for the playoffs. Adams led the league in victories (15) and finished with the best earned-run average (3.68) of any active pitcher. The three hurlers with better ERAs are long since out of the league. His 117 strikeouts ranked second in the league.
This award would atone for Adams inexplicably not once winning Pitcher of the Month despite being 11-0 in 15 games at Commerce Bank Ballpark and 15-2 overall.
Runner-up: Bridgeport Bluefish left-hander Mike Porzio, who topped Adams in strikeouts, finished two spots below Adams in ERA and fifth in the league in wins with 11.

Executive of the Year: John Brandt/Jim Cerny, Newark Bears
Brandt, the general manager, handed off player procurement responsibilities to assistant general manager Cerny before the season and the move worked brilliantly. Brandt, one of the league's more innovative minds, improved attendance in Newark with some truly unique promotions and by being flexible with his game schedule. There were plenty of camp days, 5:05 weekday starts to lure Newark's businessmen and 3:05 Sunday starts to lure churchgoers.
Cerny built an on-field product that was as good as any in the league. The Bears are headed to the playoffs for the first time since 2002, and it is not as if they have been knocking on the door for a while. This team arguably was worse than the Road Warriors in 2006.
Runner-up: Somerset Patriots general manager Patrick McVerry will be the first to tell you he has a great staff working for him. But credit starts at the top, and Somerset recorded its second-best season in total attendance. The franchise really played up the 10th anniversary season, plastering a new logo everywhere and remodeling parts of the ballpark.

Manager of the Year: Jeff Scott, Road Warriors
I will preface this vote by saying, I would be shocked if this happens. At least one league executive campaigned for Scott last season -- when I also "voted" for him -- and he was nowhere to be found at announcement time. Still, what Scott does -- driving the equipment van, helping out with the laundry, taking players to the bank -- is stuff no other manager would touch. His players love him for it, and that is why the Road Warriors set a franchise-record with 43 overall wins and remarkably avoided the North Division basement in the second half.
Runner-up: Rookie manager Joe Ferguson guided the Camden Riversharks to their first playoff berth since 2004 with a 39-24 first-half record. He got the most out of some aging veteran players who, just last season, looked finished.



Actual winners should be announced by the league Thursday.