Great Lakes Loons finish out of the Playoffs in 1st Half

The Great Lakes Loons fought right to the end of the 1st Half to gain a spot in the Midwest League playoffs.   The Loons who finished the with a 39-30 record will now have to earn a spot in the 2nd half of the season to compete in the playoffs at the end of the season.   The Loons lost the final game of the 1st Half to the Fort Wayne Tincaps 5-0 with a sell-out crowd on Father's Day at the Dow Diamond. 

Team President Paul Barbeau speaking with the Review Magazine stated "That this years team doesn't have one player who is carrying the team as in years past."    "I going to Quad Cities to watch the finest players in the Midwest League at the 2011 Midwest League All-Star game."  Selected from the Loons for the 2011 game are all pitchers including Ryan Christenson, Garrett Gould and Red Patterson. 

The Loons have played some exciting baseball so far this season and promise to make it more fun in the 2nd half of the season to make a run for the Midwest League playoffs.   The team has qualified each of the last two seasons.   Manager John Shoemaker has made the most with the players that he has had so far including numerous player and roster moves in 2011.  

Bowling Green won the first half and the Lansing Lugnuts finished in 2nd place just percentage points ahead of the Loons to capture the all important playoff slot.  While it doesn't look like there will be much player movement for a while the roster should stay solid and give Manager Shoemaker a chance to pick up numerous wins.  Remember the goal of the teams in the Midwest League is to make the playoffs and get hot at the right time for the Midwest League Championship.