AMITY (AP) - It's bad enough that the Amity White Sharks seem to forever be chasing the Honolulu Volcanos, the team owned by the commissioner of the Weaver League. Now they they are also chasing the World Champion Honolulu Volcanos. "Yeah, that new moniker definitely adds a bit to what I already think is a great rivalry," White Sharks manager Martin Brody said. The Volcanos have won the last two Polanski Division crowns, beating out the White Sharks in the process. The White Sharks edged out the Honolulu in 1998.

Despite the recent disappointments, White Sharks owner/GM Jim Schmaltz remains upbeat about his team. "We feel we are one of the top four or five teams in the league. The past two years we just didn't get the breaks and we had some injury problems. Every team could say the same thing, though, so we are not making excuses. But I feel we have really improved this ball club with our latest moves."

Towards the end of the regular season, Amity traded four pitchers to the Berlin Brewmasters for slugging outfielder Henry Aaron. This seemed to lift the White Sharks who made a late, albeit unsuccessful, charge at the Volcanos. "We were definitely a better team later in the year than we were earlier in the year," Brody said. He attributes that largely to the presence and performance of Aaron.

In the offseason Amity traded talented but underachieving outfielder Marty Cordova and pitcher Jim Barker to the Sicily Godfathers for 22 year old hurler Jeff Suppan. This move also has Brody excited: "We have a tremendously talented and young staff; only one pitcher on the club is over 30 years old. It may take some time for them to gel, but once they do they could be something really special, and for years to come." Suppan is thought to be the leading candidate for the closer role, vacated by Mark Portugal in the trade for Aaron. "Mark saved more games than anyone else in league history. He can't be immediately replaced. We hope to groom one of the young guys for that role. Whoever wants to be the bulldog and take the ball in key spots will have a shot at the closer role."

Brody, who was recently given a 3 year contract extension, likes his teams chances, even in a division with the defending world champs. "I like our club alot. We have all the right tools and now we just have to mesh as a team. And if we don't, we have an aggressive GM who has proved he has the guts to pull the trigger and make the big deal. I think Honolulu respects us. If not, it's our job to make that happen."