JOHANNESBURG (AP): The Johannesburg Steelmen (3-16) wish to enter a formal protest regarding the fact that they were forced to play New York and Cozumel a total of 14 times in their first 19 games, including a string of 11 in a row (not coincidentally, all losses).

"Well, the good news is, we don't have to face the Mayans again until the middle of June, and don't see the Nukes until the end of July. That's good, I guess," said manager George Brett.

And it's not as though the Steelmen are getting blown out each time out, like the last few seasons. In their last 11-loss string, Johannesburg has forced extra innings 5 times, including an eighteen-inning marathon on the 18th of this month.

Eight of their last eleven losses have been decided by two runs or less.

"We really don't deserve to be sixteen and a half out right now," Brett said. "We're better than that."

He might be right. The Steelmen rank in the upper half of the Inferno League in batting average and have consistently lowered their ERA since allowing 45 runs in three games to the Nukes earlier this year.

They've allowed just 4 runs per game in their last 13 games.

The Steelmen have called up the entire managerial staff from their minor league affiliate, the Joliet Jackhammers, to help with the slump. Manager Kirby Puckett will coach first base, while pitching coach Jim Bouton and hitting coach Frank Thomas will fill those positions.

"Well, you know, these kids...a lot of them are young, some we coached last year. They're comfortable with us," Bouton said. "Even the old guys, well, with them we can shoot the bull."

Next up for the Steelmen are a series of games against Honolulu, Chernobyl, and Argentina - tough teams, but not the caliber of New York and Cozumel.

“Look at those guys,” Puckett said, referring to Cozumel. “A team ERA that’s so low, you need a magnifying glass to spot it. Now, that just ain’t right.”

The team has been under fire for the performance of its rookies, but all four coaches are quick to point out that it’s too soon to judge, because of the talent the Steelmen have faced.