The Undertaker Cometh...

but will he bury the Premier League?

Local Premier league hitters may be facing the fastest pitcher in Canada this season, providing league officials will allow Nick Underhill to pitch.

"I don't care if I pitch, I just want to play with my friends" said Nick Underhill, who was clocked at 84 mph on the Prostock radar gun last season.

Underhill has joked about playing short stop and getting to hit, but others aren't so amused as they see league champion Giants becoming a powerhouse while other teams are struggling to field a team..

Underhill, who recently moved his family to the lower mainland from Campbell River, is currently a member of the Canadian National team as well as the Sr "A" Grey Sox, who play weekends during the season culminating with an appearance at the National Championships in late August.

The South Hill Giants, who won the local Premier league last season, are made up of former and present members of the Grey Sox and Nick wants to play during the week with the guys he knows rather than be dealt to a lesser team.

"It doesn't make sense" say's league president Craig Donaldson. "Why would I allow the best team in the league to add the best pitcher in Canada when we're struggling to keep six teams in the league?"

The issue of Nick pitching has been a hot topic in the tic forum.

Many fear that Nick and the Giants will dominate to the point where it will drive teams to other leagues, where the competition isn't quite as intense.

Donaldson and the league have yet to make a final decision. Possible outcomes are allowing Nick to play but not pitch, limiting his innings, or possibly applying a "hurler tax", where the Giants would have to pay a fee per inning pitched by Underhill.

TIC would like to know what you think. Please vote in the poll on the right.