[Makonnen]

One of the things that was never terribly satisfying about the first year was the divisional setup: it felt wrong to not have the Black Yankees in something called the American League, or at least able to do battle with some of their traditional rivals.

So, the WBL has been split into a National League and an American League, with teams moved into divisions that promise a little more fealty to traditional rivalries.

Here's what it looks like now:

American League

Bill James Division

Baltimore Black Sox
Cleveland Spiders
Detroit Wolverines
Memphis Red Sox
New York Black Yankees

Cum Posey Division

Chicago American Giants
Los Angeles Angels
Miami Cuban Giants
Portland Sea Dogs
San Francisco Sea Lions

National League

Effa Manley Division

Brooklyn Royal Giants
Homestead Grays
New York Gothams
Ottawa Mounties
Philadelphia Star

Marvin Miller Division

Birmingham Black Barons
Houston Colt 45's
Indianapolis ABC's
Kansas City Monarchs
Wandering House of David

If this structure was in place last year, Baltimore, Chicago, the Gothams, and Birmingham would have won their divisions, with Detroit, Cleveland, Portland, and the House of David being the wild card teams--in other words, the same teams make the playoffs, although the seeding would have changed a bit.