| Dodgeball Simulation League |
| The whistle sounded. Cries of happiness rang from the arena. The ball was in his hands. He had made the championship-clinching catch and was the Match MVP. For the Hitmen, this moment represented everything that their captain, Daniel Engel, had been for them. Will it also be the final moment for Engel in a Hitmen uniform? Engel's contract has expired with the Hitmen. The goal he had set out to achieve in their first five seasons of existence but had failed to accomplish was finally realized in the last season of his contract. Hitmen fans hope that the bonds of loyalty will negate a breach between their team and their captain, but the decision rests in Engel's hands now. He offers the following comment: "I'd like to stay with the Hitmen and do more, certainly, but when I began playing in the DSL, I also wanted to not have to regret any decision I made. I think loyalty has its place, but I also think that adventure has a place, and I want to explore other options." Hitmen management have commented on the situation, saying only that Engel is free to make any choice in the matter, and they will only hope he returns. This situation is somewhat unprecedented in league history, as no team which has become attached to the point of synonymity with a player has yet had to let that player leave. Other teams who are facing this situation are the Enforcers (with Shawn Walling) and the Assassins (with Yolanda Mann). A shakeup of this magnitude is the first of its kind in the DSL. The Hornets and Chris Trott will meet similar circumstances following this coming season. The three captains (Engel, Walling, and Mann) have brought much respect to each of their clubs. Will they destroy ties of loyalty or elongate those? It's their choice now. |
| A Troubled Champion |