PIGSKIN PROGNOSTICATORS: Homers abound on the gridiron

Blaine Bennett and Steve Griffitts hit grand slams.

So did Jeff Conroy, although instant replay shows the Facebook solicitor had dozens of other hitters in the batter’s box with him.

That trio all went 10-2-1 over the weekend, while Ryan Davis and Tim Keifer both hit for the cycle with 9-3-1 marks. That score kept Davis tied with Griffitts atop the NL Central standings.

Eve Knudtsen, Jeff Runge, Mark Koerner, Duffy Smock, John Beutler and Vic Holmes all pitched well in winning efforts. Each went 8-4-1.

Only John Gervais had a tough day at the plate, and even then he didn’t exactly strike out. Gervais posted a modest 6-6-1 mark.

Meanwhile, The League adopted baseball terms for today’s column as a sign of respect for its elder sports brother.

In a statement issued to the 2016 Coeur d’Alene Press All-Star Pigskin Prognosticators, The League conceded that as exciting and unpredictable as pro football is — take that, Minnesota! — the game itself is inferior to baseball.

“As the Cubs and Indians have so poignantly reminded us,” the statement reads, “baseball remains our national pastime for a reason. The drama that played out in this year’s World Series is unparalleled in American sports history. Here in the NFL, we only wish we had spectacular curses to banish. The Cubs and Indians are proof that cowhide trumps pigskin every time.”

Acknowledging that the rest of the NFL season, the playoffs and the Super Bowl are destined to be a letdown after this World Series, The League will still play on, as will our 12 gritty gridiron guessers. You can check out this week’s football picks on Page B5 if you feel like it. Just remember, pitchers and catchers report in only 102 days!