The mascot of the Schaumburg Flyers might be a bear with a pilot's license, but the team was very cat-like during the beginning of the 2006 season, as they quickly marked their territory at the top of the Northern League's South Division.

After losing their season opener, the Flyers reeled off eight straight wins, taking sole possession of first place in the division after their third game - a position they haven't relinquished to date. The fast start reasserted the Flyers as one of the league's top teams after a disappointing 2005 season where they finished 20 games under .500 and never had a winning streak greater than three games.

Lead by fourth-year manager Andy McCauley, the Flyers' resurgent 2006 season has been charged by centerfielder Eric Cole, who in his twelfth season is enjoying his best year as a pro. Cole is among lead leaders in batting average, and is the team's leader in the clubhouse.

Along with Cole, utility player Nelson Gord, right fielder Ben van Iderstine and second baseman Rob Watson are all enjoying strong offensive seasons and help make up the core of the Flyers potent lineup. On June 18, the team put together their best offensive performance of the season, blasting the Calgary Vipers for 20 runs on 24 hits, and winning the game 20-1.

Defensively, the team's pitching staff -- with an overall ERA above 4.00 -- has been steady, with relievers Nate Cotton and Dan Jackson anchoring a strong Flyers bullpen. However, the team recently lost two of their top starting pitchers, Kenny Durost and R.J. Swindle, who were both acquired by affiliated minor league teams.

As the team prepares to finish up their impressive first half of the season, they'll have to figure out a way to replace their losses in the starting pitching rotation while continuing their hot hitting. If they can do that, they might just have a chance to win their first ever Northern League championship.