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pm129 · 01-27-2014, 04:57 PM

Belgian Baseball Championship

Ligue Walloon- Western Division Season 2013 Review

Following the draft, the frantic filling of rosters and Spring Training, the Western Division of the LW had stratified as predicted by the respective payrolls and budgets of the four participants. Pre Season predictions showed the following

Let’s see how the four teams performed as the season progressed!

Charleroi Steelmen

The Steelmen took their name from the coal and steel industry that defined the town in the 20th Century and who’s decline hit so hard. The hope of the club is bring the region something to cheer and the 600.000 fans who paid their money in 2013 were at least, despite the Steelmen’s 44-46 record, treated to 138 Home Runs for 1st place in the LW. This was reflected by the team’s best performer being Govaart Martens who led the league in Slugging (.601), OBPS (.997) and Home Runs (29).

That the Steelmen’s poor pitching cost them a winning record, the team ranked 7th in the LW for Starters ERA and last in Bullpen ERA, will be doubly painful as they were blessed with the league’s 4th highest payroll, largely thanks to a lucrative sponsorship deal with local transport giant Areva.

Mons Battery

The Mons side were named after the cannon works which made the town famous during the middle ages. Mons attracted 540,000 paying fans across the season, watching the Battery go 47-43 to make the playoffs via the Wildcard route.

This run was largely powered by the 2nd ranked Defence in the LW, giving up 338 runs, 62 fewer than 3rd place Seraing. Pick of the Mons pitchers was rookie Starter Frenk Stapel who ended the season with a 2.94 ERA and 36 walks across 125 Innings pitched.

The Mons pitching was, however, let down by an anaemic offence which came up with 25 runs less than the LW average on a near exact match with the league baseline for hits.

Namur Monks

The Namur Monks (named for the numerous Trappist abbeys in the surrounding area) were predicted a season record of 42-48. The team are one of the more modestly funded sides in the BBC with an overall budget of $7.1m. The Monks were one of the sides who lived up to their pre season billing, returning a 41-49 record.

The team was in the LW’s bottom 3 for both Offence and Defence, with 102 runs and 61 hits under league average and 33 hits and 41 runs allowed over LW league averages. In the midst of this gloom, however, Eric Zijm placed in the top 5 for Av (.317), OBP (.434) and runs (61).

Tournai Emporers

The Tournai Emperors (named for the brief period the Holy Roman Emperor had his seat in the city) are, as mentioned earlier, the most lavishly funded side in the BBC largely due to the wealth of owner Elwiin Koudstal and the largesse of stadium sponsor Telnet. The side were predicted to post a record of 52-38, eventually going 49-41 to win the LW West. As predicted by their budget and funding routes, the Emperors topped the BBC in all financial metrics as well as attendance being the only team to break the million mark for fans.

Amongst such a wildly successful season, it is difficult to pick standout performances,, however the offence led yet another leaderboard with the major contributors being RF Waldo Mouwen (.286/.345/.783 63 RBI) and Pascal Robert (.308/.440/.938) for a WAR of 3.9.

Below are the final standings in the LW West for 2013... Join us next time when we look back on the DV East’s season!

01-27-2014, 04:57 PM	#3
pm129 Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 24	Belgian Baseball Championship Ligue Walloon- Western Division Season 2013 Review Following the draft, the frantic filling of rosters and Spring Training, the Western Division of the LW had stratified as predicted by the respective payrolls and budgets of the four participants. Pre Season predictions showed the following Let’s see how the four teams performed as the season progressed! Charleroi Steelmen The Steelmen took their name from the coal and steel industry that defined the town in the 20th Century and who’s decline hit so hard. The hope of the club is bring the region something to cheer and the 600.000 fans who paid their money in 2013 were at least, despite the Steelmen’s 44-46 record, treated to 138 Home Runs for 1st place in the LW. This was reflected by the team’s best performer being Govaart Martens who led the league in Slugging (.601), OBPS (.997) and Home Runs (29). That the Steelmen’s poor pitching cost them a winning record, the team ranked 7th in the LW for Starters ERA and last in Bullpen ERA, will be doubly painful as they were blessed with the league’s 4th highest payroll, largely thanks to a lucrative sponsorship deal with local transport giant Areva. Mons Battery The Mons side were named after the cannon works which made the town famous during the middle ages. Mons attracted 540,000 paying fans across the season, watching the Battery go 47-43 to make the playoffs via the Wildcard route. This run was largely powered by the 2nd ranked Defence in the LW, giving up 338 runs, 62 fewer than 3rd place Seraing. Pick of the Mons pitchers was rookie Starter Frenk Stapel who ended the season with a 2.94 ERA and 36 walks across 125 Innings pitched. The Mons pitching was, however, let down by an anaemic offence which came up with 25 runs less than the LW average on a near exact match with the league baseline for hits. Namur Monks The Namur Monks (named for the numerous Trappist abbeys in the surrounding area) were predicted a season record of 42-48. The team are one of the more modestly funded sides in the BBC with an overall budget of $7.1m. The Monks were one of the sides who lived up to their pre season billing, returning a 41-49 record. The team was in the LW’s bottom 3 for both Offence and Defence, with 102 runs and 61 hits under league average and 33 hits and 41 runs allowed over LW league averages. In the midst of this gloom, however, Eric Zijm placed in the top 5 for Av (.317), OBP (.434) and runs (61). Tournai Emporers The Tournai Emperors (named for the brief period the Holy Roman Emperor had his seat in the city) are, as mentioned earlier, the most lavishly funded side in the BBC largely due to the wealth of owner Elwiin Koudstal and the largesse of stadium sponsor Telnet. The side were predicted to post a record of 52-38, eventually going 49-41 to win the LW West. As predicted by their budget and funding routes, the Emperors topped the BBC in all financial metrics as well as attendance being the only team to break the million mark for fans. Amongst such a wildly successful season, it is difficult to pick standout performances,, however the offence led yet another leaderboard with the major contributors being RF Waldo Mouwen (.286/.345/.783 63 RBI) and Pascal Robert (.308/.440/.938) for a WAR of 3.9. Below are the final standings in the LW West for 2013... Join us next time when we look back on the DV East’s season!