ANOTHER MANAGERIAL JOB OPENS AS ATLANTIC LEAGUE TRIMS SCHEDULE BY ONE WEEK

We now know that at least half of the Atlantic League dugouts will have new managers in control when the 14th season opens on Friday, April 29. Virtually simultaneously with the release of the 2011 schedule Monday, Long Island revealed that Dave LaPoint, who has guided the Ducks three of the last four seasons (Gary Carter was manager in '09), will not return.

While praising LaPoint's "professionalism", the Long Island media release did not hesitate to point out that the Ducks missed the playoffs this season, and that the former major leaguer's postseason record with the team was 0-4.

Butch Hobson moved from Southern Maryland to Lancaster earlier and was replaced by veteran third baseman Pat Osborn, and the league will be appointing someone to handle managerial duties for the traveling Road Warriors, who return to the league with Newark departed for the Can-Am League.

As we pointed out some time ago, each team will play 126 games next season compared to 140 in 2010, but the seven franchises with a home field will get two added games, going from 70 to 72, because of the having the traveling team.

Players will be happy to know they will have a few additional days off since the schedule is only trimmed by one week while the number of games drops by 14. The season will run from April 29-September 18 with the All-Star Game July 13 at York.

The opening night schedule will find defending champion York hosting Camden while Long Island will be at '10 championship runnerup Bridgeport, Somerset at Southern Maryland and the Road Warriors at Lancaster.

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