BATTLE CREEK, Mich. (July 30, 2012) — Forget everything you know about the Battle of the Bulge, the Battle of the Alamo and the Battle for the Little Brown Jug; with the season winding down and the playoff picture not favoring the Battle Creek Bombers nor the Eau Claire Express, the two teams have found a new motivation to play for: The NWL Clash of the Ex-Titans.
In 2010, the Eau Claire Express were the toast of the Northwoods League as they posted a 52-24 record and defeated the Rochester Honkers in a three-game series to become the Northwoods League Champions for the first time in team history. Perfect Game Baseball named the Express the Summer League Team of the Year and Dale Varsho was named NWL Manager of the Year.
Similarly, the 2011 Battle Creek Bombers dominated the Northwoods League in route to a 47-26 overall record and became the Summer Collegiate World Series Champs. The Bombers finished the season ranked 9th nationally and completed the biggest turnaround in Northwood League History. Donnie Scott, the manager of the Bombers, won NWL Manager of the Year honors and the Bombers sent five players to the All-Star game.
With each team currently owning the same 20-36 overall record, Bombers General Manager Brian Colopy and Express General Manager Andy Neborak have negotiated a wager that includes the two former “Titans of the League”. The team’s GM that owns the worst record heading into the final game of the season on August 12 at C.O. Brown Stadium will have to wear the other teams Jersey and Hat and be the opposing team’s batboy for the game. Additionally, the team with the best record will win the Official Clash of the Titans Trophy. The Clash of the Titans competition began being tracked starting on July 30 and will finish August 11.
“I have complete confidence in our team and have no doubt that our guys will continue to fight over these next 2 weeks to put Mr. Neborak on a bus and over to the Creek for the final game of the season. We are preparing the official bat boy jersey for him as we speak.” said Bombers GM Brian Colopy.
“The talent we have on our team along with our encouraging play recently has me confident that our team will end the year on a strong note. I’m sure that Mr. Colopy will look great wearing Express orange on his own turf,” stated Express GM Andy Neborak.
The Battle Creek Bombers and Eau Claire Express are members of the prestigious Northwoods League that has more teams, plays more games, and draws more fans than any other summer collegiate baseball league in North America.
