HAVANA (AP) - At the beginning of the 2018 Weaverball season when you asked reporters, sports casters, and managers about the Roehm Division, people mentioned how the Long Beach Lobsters improved, how well the Jamaica Rastafarians did and would continue to do, or how Edmonton could repeat as divisional champions for the third time. Nobody mentioned how the Havana Cigars would be competitive.

It’s the middle of June, well past the April flukes and May comebacks, and those same Cigars are only a game and a half behind the Lobsters and above both Jamaica and Edmonton in the standings. What appeared to be a three team battle suddenly has a dark horse in its midst. Havana led the division for a while before Long Beach overtook them, but they have played tough and not let the Lobsters mount any sort of lead. Well, none of the front runners really have. Three games separate the top four teams.

At a respectable 39 and 29, Havana seems to have done it with pitching. The Blizzard League is now a pitcher’s haven and Cigar ace Vida Blue has thrived, posting a 1.45 ERA. Starters Bill Luebber, Ben Kell, and Willis Teufel have all ERAs under 3.65. Despite a shaky bull pen, Havana’s team ERA is 3.04, fifth best in the BL behind Tokyo, Long Beach, Edmonton, and another surprise team, the Stockholm Swedes.

“I am not shocked by this news,” remarked manager Fidel Castro, “I knew our pitching was good and yes, as good as some other coveted staffs. It was always a question of the offense. Could these players hit the ball. Well, now we know.”

All-Star shortstop Alfred Griffin Jr. is having his best year ever. At a .328 clip with 42 runs, 28 stolen bases, and slugging .504, he’s the core of the team. Leadoff DH Vern Remlinger, who’s natural position is shortstop, leads the team with 14 home runs and third baseman Brad Stewart has chipped in a team high 35 RBIs. Continued success, however, lies on the shoulders of rookies Milt Fisk at first base and Phil Whitcher in center field. Both have good speed and continue to excite fans with their hustle and solid defense.

If the Cigars are serious and still in the race at the All-Star break, then expect General Manager Edwin Mercado to seek some help at second base, where aged veteran Vincente Garcia still fields a slick glove but not a fast bat, and the outfield which, again, is disappointed by the lack of production from Rick Randolph, Chuck Isbell, Tim Nelson, and Joe Green. A strong closer wouldn’t hurt either, and with a plethora of young talent able to be traded, anything is possible.