The start of the fall semester means two things: a new class of clueless, wide-eyed freshmen will begin its four-year journey at Emory and, more importantly, the opening of the intramural softball season.

An eventful summer has yielded a number of storylines to keep an eye on as the league’s top teams will look to start the year off with a bang.

1. Sigma Chi

Returning eight starters from last year’s semi-final team, Sigma Chi starts the season as the odds on favorite to win the first IM title of the year.

With the return of speedy lead-off hitter Adam Greenes and sweet-swinging shortstop Seth Martineau, Sig Chi should have little resistance en route to another playoff appearance. Not all news is good news for this season’s top team, though. Allegations of performance-enhancing drug use have recently come to light, prompting the team to go on the defensive.

“The only performance-enhancing tools we’ve been using are Tom Emansky’s ‘Defensive Drills’ videos,” Martineau said.

2. Alpha Epsilon Pi

It was a long summer of celebration for Alpha Epsilon Pi after its All-Row title from a year ago. The men of 22 Eagle Row will look to stay on top this year, and to do so they must stay focused on the task at hand.

Much of the success of this team is dependent upon the performance of its star player, senior Nate “Psycho” Cooper. According to team sources, Cooper felt his play last season lacked his trademark aggressiveness. To return to his old form, he reportedly spent the off-season wrestling leopards in South America, racing cheetahs in Africa and swimming with great white sharks in the Pacific. Only time will tell if these unique training tactics will pay dividends.

3. The BWC

For the first time in several years, an unaffiliated team finds itself in the Preseason Power 5 rankings. Led by senior sluggers Trey Mullins and David Tacy, this squad composed of former B-league standouts will look to make a statement in the much more competitive A league.

Blessed with power, speed and an almost unnatural sense of softball, the BWC might be the only legitimate threat to traditional Greek powerhouses.

In an exclusive interview with the Wheel, player/Coach James “Human Web Gem” Hicks seems confident his team will have little trouble dealing with the league’s other top teams. “The way I see it, we’re the hands-down favorites to win it all,” he said. “We won’t lose a game. We can’t lose a game.”

4. The Inglorious Bears

It isn’t easy for many teams to win back-to-back titles. Factor in the loss of a team’s three best players, and it seems impossible.

However, if any team can do it, it’s “The Bears.” Rallying around senior stars Randy “Papa Bear” Hansen, Jared Wishik, and former Emory Baseball star Jake Ornstein, the Bears will need to play inspired softball if they hope to return to the championship form of a year ago.

For this year’s team, the play of senior pitcher Corey “Wild Thing” Stein could end up making the difference between a playoff exit and a championship.

Known for his pinpoint control on the mound and wild antics off the field, Stein is already in midseason form, reportedly throwing a pair of no-hitters against the Druid Hills junior varsity girl’s softball team in preseason warm-up games.

5. Phi Delta Theta

After a disappointingly early exit from last year’s playoffs, Phi Delt dedicated the offseason to searching for fresh, new talent to invest in. Rumor has it that some team members went as far as traveling to local high schools to recruit incoming freshmen.

Whatever the case may be, Phi Delt looks as strong as ever this season with the acquisition of sure-handed center fielder Eli Schwartz, dangerous slugger and social affiliate Ihwan Yoo and gold-glove worthy infielder David “the Garbage Man” Schenker.

As solid as any team defensively, Phi Delt has acknowledged its need to improve on the offensive side, going as far as instituting mandatory workouts leading up to the first game of the season.

When asked about such controversial methods, team co-captain and inspirational leader Mike Kozin defended his actions, telling the Wheel, “When it comes to intramurals, you go full speed.”

Editor’s Note: Jake Wooten is a member of Phi Delta Theta.

— Contact Jake Wooten.