The second-half of the season began with the Surf going 3-0, winning six straight, and feeling charged.

"Our confidence is growing as a team", said shortstop Anthony Granato. They finished the first-half with a 25-22 record and a team ERA 4.00 (second in the league behind the Quebec Capitales).

G-SPEED

Shortstop Anthony Granato (pictured) might be stealing a base if you happen to be breathing. The twenty-six year old leads the team in stolen bases with seventeen, and he's fourth in the league in doubles with seventeen; he's drawn a team-best forty walks. In fifty-one games, the most of anyone on the team, Granato's averaged a .400 OBP

Lucas Taylor and Josh Burrus are tied in stolen bases with fifteen. The Surf leads the Can-Am league with seventy-five.

ROLLER-COASTER COXY

When asked about his career in baseball, starting pitcher Adam Cox called it a roller-coaster. But he's coasting for the Surf right now with a 2.33 ERA and a league-leading eighty-four strikeouts. The twenty-eight year old (who's set to wed his longtime girlfriend this November) is creating huge buzz throughout baseball and not just Independent ball. Team president Chris Carminucci said that several MLB teams are interested in Cox and are just waiting to see how his health is.

He continues to try and work on his change-up, a pitch Cox knows he needs to improve if he wants to make it back to the majors.

"Changeup, changeup, changeup," was his response when asked what he needs to work on.

WLADYKA THE CLUBHOUSE CHARACTER WILL BE MISSED

Pitcher Jim Wladyka feared the worst weeks ago; it's a good guess he wasn't entirely shocked when he was released. Manager Cecil Fielder said that Jim was great about it and understood. Wladyka's ERA was 9.47 and he struggled in last few starts, giving up four runs in one inning of relief against the Sussex Skyhawks on June 27 th .

Waldyka has said that in the future he wants to take over the business him and his father run, coaching college guys and running baseball camps in the winter.

He has another talent he might use in the future: storyteller. He can tell a great one.

Wladyka is one guy that every clubhouse needs.

BACK-THAT-UP MIKE

Backup catcher Mike Santoro (pictured) is experiencing his first professional season in baseball and while he doesn't get much playing time, his positive attitude is impressive. QUOTE

He will return to his studies at York College of Pennsylvania where he's studying to get his MBA in business.

WHAT'S IN A SONG?

DH Clyde Williams didn't pick a sentimental favorite to come to the plate. Nope, his musical choice was done in humor. "It started out as a joke. Now I have to hear it when I come out." His song: Def Leppard's "Pour Some Sugar On Me."

BY THE NUMBERS:

The Surf is second in the league in pitching with a 3.98 ERA.

Clyde Williams leads the Surf with thirty-four RBI.

Walker Whitley leads the team with seven saves. He's also leads the league in innings pitched with twenty-four.

Lucas Taylor has committed 0 errors in forty-three games this season.

GETTIN' HOT IN HERE

"I'm not happy- not at all. I'm hot. You might want to turn that tape recorder off." - Manager Cecil Fielder, following a 16-14 loss to the New Jersey Jackals

AND THE POINT IS...

"I want to have fun. But I also want to win. If that means getting a hit, I'll do that. If it means getting hit, I'll do that." - Lucas Taylor