League name: New England Baseball League
League URL: html/
history
League type: Sixteen-team league set in NE with players imported randomly from MLB history
Special league rules: TBD
Number of teams: 16
OOTP version: 2007
I have started a new OOTP league and am looking for owners. This league, the NEBL, is a 16-team league featuring players drawn from throughout baseball history. In the past, I ran a league called the TSTBL, which simmed 17 seasons in 2+ years (real time). We simmed like clockwork, never missing a scheduled sim.
To stock this new league, I randomly imported about 50 players per team and did a draft. To level the playing field a bit, I have simmed three seasons to establish service time and bring the players to arbitration, and in some cases, the beginning of free agency. Every season I randomly import 150 players into a feeder league, which then stocks the amateur draft the following season.
The most recent all-star teams featured Jackie Robinson, Vladimir Guerrero, Huston Street, Kirk Gibson, Ty Cobb, Jim Palmer, Joe Medwick, Derek Jeter, Pete Alexander, Andruw Jones, Tony Gwynn, Fernando Valenzuela, Ted Williams and Tim Raines.
Available teams include:
Bangor Ducks (3-year record: 204-282) UNAVAILABLE
The Ducks have the makings of a solid pitching staff with Harry Howell (13-19, 3.39) and Jim Palmer (15-14, 2.96) at the major league level and Jim Gott at AAA Pittsfield. Hank Blalock (.271-22-85) heads the offense for the Ducks, which has the 3rd-ranked farm system. The team has the 2nd-overall pick in the amateur draft, where an abundance of talent awaits.
Bar Harbor Flyers (3-year record: 269-217) UNAVAILABLE
The Flyers made the playoffs in 2007 and 2008, before finishing second last season. The team doesn’t have the deepest farm system, but their major league roster features Cy Falkenberg (15-16, 3.74), Curry Foley (15-12, 2.79), Bump Hadley (17-8, 3.37), Rob Dibble (2-3, 1.35, 36 saves), Rick Wilkins (.228-18-54), Ron Cey (.222-24-82), Ken Singleton (.299-17-54), and Kirk Gibson (.279-23-80). Gibson is the league’s single season and career homerun leader with 43 and 100, respectively.
Bridgeport Whalers (3-year record: 250-236) UNAVAILABLE
Bridgeport finished 3rd in 2007 and second the last two seasons. The team features a well-balanced attack and figures to be on the verge of making noise in the immediate future. The team features Pete Alexander (18-13, 3.19), Gene Packard (14-13, 2.90), Jesse Orosco (7-4, 2.38), Al Holland (5-9, 4.28, 40 saves), Johnny Bench (.213-7-31), Tim Raines (.317-19-90, 72 SBs), Tony Gwynn (.346-5-76) and Harold Baines (.279-19-79).
Burlington Lake Monsters (3-year record: 268-218) UNAVAILABLE
Burlington won their division in 2007 and 2008, and won it all in ’07. The team returns Gaylord Perry (12-16, 2.95), Tom Henke (4-9, 2.47, 32 saves), Rene Rivera (.309-4-43), Zeke Bonura (.278-10-45), Troy Glaus (.233-20-62), Don Hurst (.336-18-90), Earl Averill (.310-14-66) and Jose Canseco (.230-25-90). Sophomore Roy Campenalla (.231-5-18) figures to push Rivera this season.
Dover Cannons (3-year record: 239-247) UNAVAILABLE
The Cannons slumped to a 76-86 record last season, and will need some offensive help to rebound this year. Offensively, the team is led by Vernon Wells (.280-24-80) and Vladimir Guerrero (.246-27-81). On the bright side, Mario Soto (12-12, 2.19), Stan Perzanowski (11-12, 3.35), Jack Cronin (15-12, 3.23) and Buck Freeman (6-7, 3.01) all appear to be capable of pitching well at this level.
Hartford Wolf Pack (3-year record: 237-249) UNAVAILABLE
After a 3rd place finished in ’07 and ’08, the Wolf Pack made the playoffs for the first time last season. Ed Ruelbach (17-12, 2.49), Zeke Wilson (15-12, 2.54), Robb Nen (5-2, 2.05) and Bobby Jenks (5-2, 1.62) head up a solid pitching staff, while Pedro Guerrero (.273-13-72), Derek Jeter (.253-12-74) and Kip Selbach (.290-6-67) lead the offense.
Lowell Spinners (3-year record: 228-258) UNAVAILABLE
The Spinners finished last in ’07 and ’08, but bounced back to win their division last season after strong performances by Watty Lee (24-8, 2.10), Mudcat Grant (15-6, 3.44), Tom Glavine (13-13, 2.78), Donnie Moore (6-6, 2.86, 36 saves), Ty Cobb (.349-8-88), Bing Miller (.282-12-99) and Jackie Robinson (.295-9-61). Their farm system includes Brian Giles and Moises Alou.
Manchester Fisher Cats (3-year record: 256-230)
The Cats have finished second in their division all three seasons, but appear to be poised to make a run for the post-season. Pitchers Ed Lopat (15-13, 3.71), Henry Gruber (16-15, 2.88), Harry Feldman (12-9, 2.46), Bob Stanley (8-14, 3.43), Rip Jordan (5-5, 2.69), Buddy Schultz (8-4, 1.46, 39 saves) and Kent Tekulve (5-1, 1.90) all return. Offensively, the team is thin, and was led in hitting last season by Patsy Dougherty (.282-1-25) and Moose McCormick (.282-3-60). Nineteen-year-old Heath Ricks hit .357 at AAA Nashua last season and appears to be on the fast-track to the majors.
New Haven Ravens (3-year record: 238-248) UNAVAILABLE
Randy Jones (10-11, 3.02), Clay Kirby (10-13, 2.69), Hod Eller (9-16, 2.86) and Mariano Rivera (5-6, 2.83, 36 saves) lead what should be a solid staff this season, but the team will need more production from Benito Santiago (.236-19-79), Rafael Furcal (.242-13-81) and Ginger Beaumont (.324-0-37).
Newport Seahawks (3-year record: 247-239) UNAVAILABLE
The Hawks won the NEBL championship in 2008 with a 87-75 record, but finished 3rd in their division last season with the same record. The team features one of the best staffs in the game with Fernando Valenzuela (19-10, 1.66), Johan Santana (17-10, 3.01), Chris Carpenter (17-11, 2.51), Jesse Barnes (13-11, 3.32) and Pete Vuckovich (1-8, 2.93, 45 saves). Offensively, the team needs help supporting Al Simmons (.331-17-61).
Portland Sea Dogs (3-year record: 243-243) UNAVAILABLE
After playing sub-.500 ball last season, the Sea Dogs figure to be much better in 2010. Their rotation is solid: Gary Peters (18-11, 2.81), Russ Ortiz (8-11, 3.49), Clyde Wright (10-9, 3.35), Mike Bruhert (14-9, 3.42) and Cy Barger (8-6, 3.01). Should one of these starters falter, or get injured, Sid Fernandez (6-7, 4.55) could jump back into the rotation, where he went 25-16 through 2007 and 2008. Offensively, the components are there, now it’s just a matter of production. Gary Carter (.240-8-66), Gil Hodges (.269-21-83), Bob Aspromonte (.277-9-68), Jack Wilson (.253-3-22), Les Bell (.313-13-53) and Kurt Abbott (.274-21-76) all return.
Portsmouth Sea Wolves (3-year record: 219-267) UNAVAILABLE
The Wolves lost 104 games in 2007, but turned the franchise around and won the NEBL championship last season. Pud Galvin (17-8, 2.51) was the main beneficiary of a powerful attack led by Alvin Davis (.287-28-86), Rico Petrocelli (.251-28-89), Kevin Mench (.228-29-84), Jose Hernandez (.197-17-48), Wally Post (.218-18-51) and Rondell White (.281-13-48). This all-or-nothing bunch should keep things exciting in Portsmouth.
Providence Islanders (3-year record: 261-225)
The Islanders won their second division title in 2009 behind the pitching of Blue Moon Odom (14-5, 2.65), Alejandro Pena (15-10, 2.56), Moe Drabowsky (13-12, 2.59), Rick Aguilera (13-12, 2.85) and Chad Codero (9-7, 3.11, 41 saves). Youngster Curt Simmons (8-7, 3.33), 20, looks to step into the rotation full-time this season.
Springfield Hornets (3-year-record: 225-261) UNAVAILABLE
The Hornets finished out of the cellar for the first time last season, but expect big things in 2010. Pitchers Steve Carlton (11-15, 3.05), Jim Devlin (17-15, 2.64) and Vean Gregg (12-14, 3.72) head a promising staff, while Ivan Rodriguez (.245-10-59), Craig Biggio (.236-14-60), Hugh Duffy (.294-7-64), Joe Medwick (.298-19-80) and George Selkirk (.300-24-82) form the basis of a solid, young offense.
Waterbury Defenders (3-year record: 230-256)
The Defenders won a division title in 2007, but have been in a down-hill slide ever since. Jack Killilay (7-16, 3.45) is the best of a very thin pitching staff, while Andruw Jones (.215-33-106) was the only bright spot on offense. The team will select first in a very robust draft class.
Worcester Tornadoes (3-year record: 257-229) UNAVAILABLE
The Tornadoes have had a winning record all three seasons and feature starters Sonny Siebert (17-8, 3.42), Fred Link (18-6, 3.18) and Don Aase (12-13, 2.29). Three-time MVP Ted Williams (.356-32-89) heads a powerful squad that features Dave Hostetler (.224-32-98), Jorge Posada (.244-19-78) and Aaron Rowand (.217-18-69).
The league’s date is currently at March 1, 2010, set for the amateur draft. The top players in the draft include: Bobby Abreu, Chief Bender, Barry Bonds, Carlos Delgado, Bill Dickey, Addie Joss, Willie Mays, Larry Walker and Hal Trosky. Once the draft is complete, the fourth season will begin immediately.
The league html is
here.
If you’re interested in joining, drop me an e-mail
b_kick@yahoo.com or a message here.