The Southeastern League of professional baseball has made it through 15 percent of its inaugural season, and according to Noopie Cosby of the Cloverleaf management group, things are going well.

The forming of the professional baseball league in which the Cloverleafs play &045;&045; along with the Montgomery Wings, Americus Arrows, Pensacola Pelicans, Baton Rouge River Bats, and Ozark Patriots &045;&045; was hurried, but things seem to be working out. The biggest problem for the players has been getting into shape.

“The league definitely started quickly,” said Cosby. “A lot of players had tried out for minor league clubs back in February or March, and most live in the South. They didn’t really know that there was a league available, so some of the conditioning of the players is not where it needs to be right now.”

Cosby said that many of the pitchers of the league are having difficulties because of the fact that their arms haven’t gotten into shape yet for this season.

“With pitching, if you don’t work on it, it’s harder to get your arm in shape,” he observed. “League-wide, we’re seeing a lot of walks and hit batters, so everyone is really just having to let the batters hit the ball and let the defense take over.”

When the Cloverleafs return to Selma with a game on Tuesday, June 26, they will have been through over 15 percent of their season but will have played a mere 10 percent of their home games.

“There’s still a lot of baseball left,” said Cosby.

While on the road, the Selma team has had to face every one of its fellow league members, and has therefore gotten an idea of what kind of competition they have.

Pensacola is currently in first place, but Selma proved that the Pelicans can be beaten by defeating them 7-3 on Saturday night. Baton Rouge holds second place, but the places reserved for third through sixth are constantly changing hands among the remaining teams.

The Leafs will come back into town hoping that a long home stand will give them the edge to move up in the league.

“It will be great when they get back,” promised Cosby. “We really hope that the community will stand by these guys. We’re looking forward to a real effort and some quality baseball.”