AMITY (AP) - "The Big Hurt" has a double meaning in Amity this season. Of course, it is the nickname given to Frank Thomas, Amity's perennial All Star 1st Baseman. It is also what Amity felt when Thomas went down with a season ending back injury a mere 12 games into the season.

"Frank has always been our leader, the heart and soul of the White Sharks," said Amity manager Martin Brody. "Losing him for the entire season is one of the worst things that could have happened to this team. But what's done is done. We have to move on. The shame of it is, he was really on a tear at the beginning of the year." After just 12 games, Thomas was batting .392 and had 8 HR's and 12 RBI's.

With Thomas gone, the offense has struggled, making Amity's feared pitching that much more important. In Thomas' place, Cliff Floyd started hot but dropped off dramatically. After 77 games, he is batting .252 with 11 HR's and 27 RBI's. Brody realizes that the White Sharks will need more than that from the 1st base position.

"Cliff has an awful lot of pressure on him, but to be honest we have always thought of him as Frank's heir apparent, and have been grooming him carefully for the majors. His performance so far is adequate at best. We'll need more from him to have any chance at the post season."

There is a precedent for success without Thomas. During the 2001 season, Amity lost Thomas just before the playoffs. Even without him they managed to beat the mighty New York Nukes in the playoffs and eventually swept a very good Rio team to win the Weaver League title. "Yeah, we showed we can win without him, against two very good teams. But this is different. He is missing the entire season, and we have a tough enough time in our own division as it is. I am pleasantly surprised by our season so far. So far we are hanging tight with an incredibly talented Honolulu team. But to come out of this thing with any hopes of the postseason, we are going to need some offensive production from unexpected sources. And of course the pitching is going to have to keep chugging along."

Brody clearly relishes the thought of another pennant race with arch-nemesis Honolulu. "It wouldn't be the same without the White Sharks and Volcanos slugging it out at the end of the year. But would feel much better about it if the Big Hurt was in the lineup." So would all of Amity.