The Best 2013 NECBL Championship Matchups

There are many different scenarios that could happen for the 2013 NECBL Championship series, but there are certain matchups people are rooting for to see. Teams shooting for their first appearance, while others attempt to continue stretchs of dominance. Regardless, here are my top five matchups I would like to see battle it out for the Fay Vincent Trophy.

5. New Bedford Bay Sox vs. Danbury Westerners

The Westerners are the oldest team in the NECBL, and have made four appearances without a championship. The Bay Sox were formerly the Torrington Twisters and also made four appearances without a championship. Between these two teams, they're a combined 0-for-8 and would make the series interesting- who can pull in the first championship for there team? The Westerners, the oldest team in the league or the Bay Sox for the Twister fans out there?

4. Saratoga Brigade vs. Ocean State Waves

Expansion franchises! Imagine the two new guys on the block battling their way through the older teams and taking on each other in the championship series. Playing in the championship in their first year of play would really expand the fan bases, as well be motivational in case the NECBL ever expands again. The Waves are also really good hitters, and Saratoga is as well so it wouldn't be a pitchers duel. Runs galore!

3. Sanford Mainers vs. Danbury Westerners

The Mainers and Westerners matchup is unlikely, seeing as Danbury is in the cellar of the Western Division and Sanford sits in fifth, but one can only hope. These two teams are always the consistently good teams, the teams that make it into the playoffs but always end up getting beaten out by teams like Keene and Newport. Sanford's won twice, however to Danbury's zero. The Westerners have made four appearances, but have lost every time. This would be a pretty interesting matchup between two teams that are almost always good, with the exception of a few years. 

2. Keene Swamp Bats vs. Newport Gulls

Three of the past four championships have belonged to one of these two teams, and from 2000-2002 they were the only two teams who made it to the championship. Newport took two of the three (back-to-back) and now are trying to win two straight once again. This would be the fourth matchup between Newport and Keene, and would be a battle of the past two champions. Who wouldn't want to see this series?

1. Vermont Mountaineers vs. Newport Gulls

It's kind of like the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry, just in different divisions. Come August, you will almost always see these two teams gearing up for a championship matchup. This would be the fourth faceoff between these two in the championship, with the Gulls taking two of those. In the past 13 years, the Gulls and Mountaineers have combined to appear 13 times in the playoffs, including winning seven titles between the two of them. Why would this matchup not be good?!?