Today in the CBO
News and Notes - Reports from around the Commonwealth
by Nat Wright-Kowalski
16 June 2296 - CBO Fringe Player Not Happy
Dan Lowbridge, who just changed his name from his birth name of Dan McCaul, is not very happy with the CBO. Lowbridge, who was released by Nordhagen Beach today, was seen throwing, kicking, slamming, and punching various items at the Red Rocket Stadium facilities.
He was quoted as saying, among a string of expletives, "I'm done with this league. It's collusion. Total collusion."
Lowbridge, a reserve relief pitcher, may have a legitimate complaint. Despite the CBO relaxing the reserve roster rules, most teams have stayed at 40 players. At the current rate of available players for the 2296 season, teams on average could have about 45 players per team.
So, as one of about 100 current free agents in the CBO, it does not make sense to Lowbridge why he has been signed and released so often, sometimes without even reporting to the team that signed him.
Lowbridge was not drafted, but he first signed with the Finch Farm organization on Februay 11. The next day, his contract was passed to the Concord Radstags in a no-trade agreement teams currently have for making moves on their reserve roster.
On February 13, Concord released Lowbridge. He was then picked up by Starlight a day later, who no-trade passed him to The Slog on February 17. On February 18, he was then no-trade passed to Starlight. Starlight then dropped him on February 19. On February 21, Goodneighbor signed him.
Asked about the situation through the ESAU, a representative for Goodneighbor responded. "We liked McCaul [now officially Lowbridge] OK, but he was our 40th man at the time. In the end, we needed to make moves for our roster."
The Hancocks happened to be Lowbridge's longest tenure. On April 2, the lineup juggling began again. Goodneighbor released Lowbridge, and then University Point picked him up three days later. On April 6, the Deathclaws dropped him, and he returned to Goodneighbor on April 9. On April 10, the Hancocks no-trade passed him to Shaw HS.
Lowbridge stayed with the Knuckle Punchers for 19 days before they no-trade passed him to East Boston Prep. From April 29 until May 15, he was no-trade passed 19 times!
"We're looking into the rule," Nate Howard responded to us at Publick Occurrences. "I think I have a solution he will like. I will reach out to him personally."
Lowbridge enjoyed three days with the Cats before the no-trade pass carousel restarted. From May 18 until June 11, he was no-trade passed 13 more times. The Party Boys kept him for five days before releasing him today.
We appreciate the quick replies from Commissioner Howard and the Goodneighbor organization. We are still trying to get a comment from Lowbridge.
Lee's Note: I removed the reserve restriction from the leagues because of Mr. Lowbridge, among others.