Newts legend Lindsey to retire

NEW CARLISLE- One of the giants of the game has finally called it quits. Four-time ORWBL

All-Star and Newts legend Marc Lindsey is officially retiring from the league he helped create. After missing most of the 2011 season, and all of the 2012 campaign, Newts management approached Lindsey about retiring. New Carlisle's front office cited the desire to get their star in line for the Hall of Fame, rather than keeping him on the roster despite his inactive status. Lindsey will be eligible for the Hall in 2014, along with former teammate Kevin May. His only 2012 appearance with the Newts came in the City Championship, where he helped the Newts reach the Elite Eight. As one of the pivotal figures in the development of the league, Lindsey began his career as manager of the Banana Slugs. He is credited for the catcher rule, which was first implemented in the American League in 2007 and was later adopted for the rest of the ORWBL. In the incomplete inaugural season, he led the Slugs to a 5-2 record. The Slugs played their first season at The Palace of Bourissa Hills, a name Lindsey gave to the New Prairie Little League T-ball field. The name remains on the legendary park to this day. Lindsey earned AL Manager of the Year honors for his efforts. Prior to the 2008 season, Lindsey sent shockwaves through the ORWBL, leaving the Slugs for their then-crosstown rivals Newts. Lindsey signed the richest deal in league history, a 3-year contract worth $3.24. His departure left the Slugs in shambles, and the franchise took the 2008 season off. Lindsey quickly became a star in Migleyville, as the Newts appeared in back-to-back World Series in his first two seasons. Media outlets dubbed him as "scary good." In 2008, he helped the franchise to their second consecutive City Championship. He took home National League MVP honors in the 2008 season, as the Newts went 20-4 that summer, before falling to the LaPorte Sox in the World Series. In 2009, he was named ORWBL Cy Young as the Newts edged out Emery's Army for a Central Division title, before dropping the World Series to the Pterodactyls. When the Newts began keeping offensive stats in 2010, Lindsey put up monster numbers. He led the team in batting average at .623, and also belted 57 HR while racking up 100 RBI. Like many pioneers of the league, who played multiple years before statistics were kept, the recorded statistics will never accurately reflect his career. His 2010 statistics account for most of his career numbers, as he only appeared in 6 games in 2011. Prior to the 2010 season, Lindsey had agreed to a 20-year extension with the Newts. The team will honor that contract with a front office role for the remainder of the deal. Newts management wants to guarantee Lindsey will receive a championship ring should the Newts ever capture the ORWBL title. The team has also announced that Marc Lindsey Day will be held at Migley Field during one of the Newts' home series in 2013. Prior to the game, Lindsey's iconic #2 will be retired by the team. He will be the first player in ORWBL history to receive that honor from his former team. No word yet on whether or not early arriving fans will receive replica orange-striped pants that Lindsey made famous during his first season with the club.