May 1, 2008      

The Los Angeles Amazons did not want a repeat of their 2007 performance. Finishing last in the NL West did not sit well with management or their fans. So they went shopping during the off season. And so far in the young 2008 season, it is paying off - they possess a VBL best 17-8 record.

Though 14 of the 18 players the Amazons signed were pitchers, their biggest prize is proving to be SS April Scott. Scott, moved to 3B to stabilize the left side of the infield, is hitting .375 with six homers. Scott and 2007 draft pick SS Mallika Sherawat (.340, 4 hr, 8 rbi), have given the Amazons one of the most potent SS-3B combos in the VBL.

Closer Christy Romano (8 saves) has helped stabilize the bullpen and starter Olga Kurylenko leads a staff that leads the VBL with a 4.21 era.

"Things are looking up," said Amazons' Manager, Jane Fonda. "The newcomers not only are performing on the field, but have brought some great intangibles and leadership to the team. The atmosphere in the clubhouse is a complete 180 from last year."

New York's pitcher Susan Ward is the American League winner of the Pitcher of the Month award in April. She had an ERA of just 2.57 in 35 innings of work in which she struck out 23 hitters. Her record in April is 5-0.

Madeline Zima couldn't have pitched much better than she did in April, and the National League thought so as well, naming the right-hander Pitcher of the Month. Her record of 4-1 in 5 was among the leagues best this month. In 37 innings of work, she allowed just 24 hits while striking out 29, compiling an ERA of just 2.92.

Dallas' centerfielder Shu Qi had some reason to celebrate, as the league named her the American League Batter of the Month. She had an on base percentage of .471 and hit .427, while driving in 22 runs.

The National League Batter of the Month award goes to Katherine Heigl, Atlanta's starting second baseman. Katherine was on fire, hitting .380 with 9 homeruns and 27 RBI.

Ophelie Winter wins her 2nd Player of the Week award. National League pitchers couldn't figure out how to retire this lady all week long. Winter helped her team with an average of .556 and 11 RBI in 18 at bats. She hit in every game this week and extended her hitting streak to 8 games.

The American League's best player of the week was Baltimore's Bec Cartwright, who wins the award for the first time in hers career. She hit .531 with 7 RBI and slugged .688 in 32 at bats. She had at least one hit each game this week and is on a 7 game hitting streak right now.

The National League's best player of the week was Sacramento's Marla Sokoloff, who wins the award for the first time in her career. She hit .391 with 10 RBI and slugged 1.087 in 23 at bats. She is hitting .327 this year, with 18 hits in 55 at bats. He has driven in 11 runs, slugging .691.

The American League's best player of the week was Boston's Hilary Swank, who wins the award for the 1st time in her career. In 28 at bats, she hit .429 with 4 HR and 13 RBI. Hilary managed to drive in at least one run in every game she played this week. Hilary is hitting .293 this year, with 27 hits in 92 at bats. She has driven in 25 runs, slugging .576. She's 1st in the American League in RBIs and 3rd in homeruns!

It's the 4th time that the National League Player of the Week award goes to Philadelphia's shortstop Heather Kozar. She hit .414 with 13 RBI and slugged 1.103 in 29 at bats.