Oregon Trail The Game

Atwater Aviators on the Oregon trail

ATWATER - Lost amid the airmen of Atwater '2010 run wild Pacific Western Baseball League title, was the fact that the team barely made the playoffs.

Although Atwater run of 34 wins in its last 38 games has been remarkable, it was also necessary.

It may take some time to find the right person for the guys on both the ground and in the batting order, and by the time director Rollo Adams had all its pieces in place a year ago, the airmen faced a huge hole in the rankings.

Wishing to avoid a repeat performance, Adams and Aviators general manager and owner Richard Ruiz set up the 2011 schedule to allow Atwater the opportunity to work out some kinks before the start of Far West League play.

Turns out, there wasn't much to work out.

The Aviators have opened the season 6-2 and are set to embark upon their first big road trip of the season and FWL-opening series against the Southern Oregon Riverdawgs (2-4 FWL).

The three-game series begins today with a doubleheader. The first pitch is set for 5 p.m.

"I like the ball club we've assembled," Adams said. "Our pitching seems pretty solid, and I think the lineup we're going to throw out there is going to be our version of a 'Murderer's Row.'

"This road trip could be a challenge. Southern Oregon is about eight hours away, and then we have to hop off a bus and play a doubleheader the first day.

"I know from experience that it can be tough to get yourself up for a game, but these guys know we have a job to do and will be ready to get after it."

The Aviators will get an added bonus for the road trip with 2010 offensive catalyst Julian Pollard rejoining the team.

Pollard hit .467, scored 28 runs and stole 25 bases in just 75 at-bats for Atwater a season ago.

"(Pollard) was my roommate last year, so I'm excited to have him back," first baseman Ryan Laing said. "I joined the team late this year, but it was exciting to see all the talent that Richard and Rollo have managed to bring in.

"It was kind of a leap of faith when I came here for the first season, but obviously it's a well run organization. That's why I'm back for my third year.

"The team just keeps getting better and better, and Pollard is certainly going to help with that."

The Aviators are going to need all the help they can get as their first 11 FWL games will all come on the road.

After Oregon, Atwater is set to visit the Nevada Bullets, Fontanetti's Athletics and the Humboldt Crabs.

Patent Arcade: The Learning Company sues Zynga for use of "Oregon ...

The Learning Company (TLC), the creators of the popular computer game "Oregon Trail" has filed a complaint in Massachusetts federal court Tuesday to stop Zynga Game Network Inc. to use the term "Oregon Trail" to his fellow "FrontierVille" Thurs TLC has asked the court to 1) make an order directing Zynga to delete all references to "Oregon Trail" in his game FrontierVille, and 2) the mandate Zynga should not use the term "Oregon Trail" in its Thurs FrontierVille until a final solution of the question. Zynga games is designed to be played on Facebook. TLC’s game, “The Oregon Trail” is a popular educational game used in classrooms across the country that simulates the life and experiences of Pioneers heading west. According to TLC, Zynga’s new model FrontierVille game, called “FrontierVille’s Oregon Trail,” is a deliberate appropriation of the look and style of its own game. The initial trademark lawsuit filed on May 18, 2011, alleges that Zynga’s use of the “Oregon Trail” name is likely to confuse consumers into believing that TLC is affiliated with Zynga. “The Oregon Trail” was originally developed in 1971 and TLC’s suit reports that 65 million people have played the game since its release and 60% of elementary school teachers have reported using the game to teach about the pioneer period. TLC believes Zynga’s appropriation of “Oregon Trail” will cause irreparable harm to its goodwill. After the filing of the initial suit Zynga indicated in court documents and in attorney correspondence that it would voluntarily remove all references to “Oregon Trail” from FrontierVille. However, it has not yet done so, and in a declaration filed last week Zynga’s general manager for FrontierVille asserted that the newest version of the game was based on American history, not TLC’s game. The latest motion for a court order mandating that Zynga remove all references and stop any use of “Oregon Trail” follows this declaration and much back and forth between attorneys for both parties. In an exhibit filed with the court, attorneys for Zynga dispute the need for this injunction since Zynga is no longer “launching a new game, new feature, new element or new storyline bearing the name Oregon Trail or FrontierVille's Oregon Trail.

Traveling the Oregon Trail, 2nd

The Oregon Trail, yesterday and today, a brief history and pictorial journey along the wagon tracks of pioneers

Jump back in time, a living history resource

Game laws of Oregon

It Happened on the Oregon Trail