BNN Weekly Report
News from the CBO, Minors, College, and Youth Leagues
by Nat Wright-Kawolski
14 June 2309
CBO Analysis
We have not hit the 50-game mark of the 2309 season, so our next update will be past the halfway point. One league flip-flopped the top two teams, while another league suddenly got a lot more interesting. The Railroad League is the league with the largest league leader amount: three games. This season is delivering. Let's take a look now at the new Power Rankings.
Here are the current team power rankings for Commonwealth Baseball Organization:
Teams (Total Points, Tendency):
1) County Crossing Bloodbugs (128.7, +) - Taking over the NCA's top record and tied for a CBO-best 9-1 mark in their last 10, the Bloodbugs premier at #1 this week. The Bugs swept Sunshine Tidings and The Slog, split with Starlight, and then swept Nordhagen Beach to take over 1st place after entering the series down by a game.
2) Oberland T-51s (123.6, -) - Still in possession of the CBO's top record, the T-51s fell a spot due to a 5-5 stretch. Oberland split with University Point, won two over Vault 81, got swept at Jamaica Plain, and then won two at FHE.
3) Egret Ninjas (117.2, +) - Now in 2nd place in the RL and in a tie for the CBO's third-best record, the Ninjas move up after going an RL-best 7-3 in their last 10. Egret swept the Red Rockets, won two over the Yao Guai, split at Quincy, and then won two at the Dwellers.
4) Starlight Killers (113.2, ++) - They lead the Institute League and jump up despite a 4-6 stretch in their last 10, but the Killers have been killing it this season. In the past two weeks, Starlight was swept by the Boys, won one at Concord, split with the Bugs, and then won two over Bunker Hill.
5) Roxbury Rad Sox (109.8, ++) - The Rad Sox are the third RL team in the Top 5 after going 5-5 in their last 10 to keep on pace with Oberland. The Sox were swept by the Gunners, won two over the Swatters, split with the Claws, and then won two at Diamond City.
6) Jamaica Plain Red Rockets (109.4, ++)
7) Nordhagen Beach Party Boys (106.8, --)
8) Bunker Hill 75ers (106.3, -)
9) Quincy Gunners (105.5, o)
10) University Point Deathclaws (101.3, --)
11) Spectacle Island Reapers (100.9, -)
12) Nahant Celtics (96.5, ++)
13) Salem Witch Hats (96.5, o)
14) The Slog Ghouls (92.5, o)
15) Sunshine Tidings Chemists (87.5, --)
16) Fort Hagen Silver Shroud (81.2, +)
17) Vault 81 Dwellers (80.1, --)
18) Diamond City Swatters (64.8, o)
19) Easy Town Assaultrons (62.8, +)
20) Atom Cats (60.2, +)
21) FHE Yao Guai (59.8, ++)
22) Goodneighbor Hancocks (56.3, --)
23) Concord Radstags (55.4, -)
24) Lexington Synths (43.9, -)
Brotherhood League
As mentioned, County Crossing took control with their home sweep of Nordhagen Beach. Both teams are currently a tier ahead of the next three teams all tied for third place at 27-25. Then there is Easy Town falling further and further back in the standings each update.
For the Bloodbugs, the statistical outputs suggest they are playing above their level: 7th in runs scored (247) and t-2nd in runs allowed (200). One concern has been injuries, but a healthy team could go all the way in the playoffs. The Bugs are currently without SP College Luckyman (4-3, 2.51) who is probably out for the season and 1B Zeldolph Violet (.231/0/4) who has been out for most of the season but could return by late July or early August.
Institute League
Starlight still controls this league, though Bunker Hill has made some progress. Sunshine Tidings has been hot and cold, and now the Chemists are in a four-way tie for the 5th playoff spot with three BL teams.
The 75ers, similar to the Bugs, have statistics that do not support their record. In their case, though, Bunker Hill should have a better record than they currently do with the 2nd-best scoring offense (271 runs) and the best scoring defense (199). All four starters--Jason Tonelli (5-6, 3.91), Max Thunderdome (7-3, 2.70), Corey Ware (3-3, 3.39), and Hangman Alley (4-1, 2.86)--have ERAs below 4.00 for the team with the Best Starters ERA (3.14). If they continue that production, the 75ers will be tough to beat down the stretch.
Minutemen League
University Point has gotten cold, including getting swept by Jamaica Plain last weekend. On the other hand, all of the Red Rockets, Spectacle Island, and Quincy are suddenly hot, making the ML a four-game difference between 1st and 4th place. Atom and Goodneighbor are both out of the mix.
Spectacle Island appeared to be falling out of the race, but now they are right back in contention. The Reapers are 6th in runs scored (260) and tied for 5th in runs allowed (235) but they do have the SCA's best Bullpen ERA (3.37). RP Ghost Kyudalson (3-0, 0.00) has certainly helped that ERA with some additional help from RP Gary Stallworth (0-2, 2.86). 1B Homestay Lovetap (.289/18/35) continues to bomb home runs, trailing only University Point's Barker Cocoa (23) and Jamaica Plain's Ken Debate (20) in the SCA.
Railroad League
Only one team, Egret, had a winning record the past two weeks, allowing the Ninjas to surpass Roxbury and trail Oberland by just three games, the largest league lead in the CBO. Vault 81 seems to have mailed in their prospects for a playoff run in 2309, trailing by 12 games for first place and eight for third place.
Like Bunker Hill, Oberland is looking to return to the Sole Survivor Series and may be the favorite to win it all. The T-51s are not dominating the association, though, currently 3rd in both runs scored (285) and runs allowed (223). RF Orcin Cardinal (.300/18/40) and SP Mesquite Williams (7-3, 2.71) continue to have impressive seasons, giving their team a boost.
CBO Standings
CBO Players of the Week
June 7 - Brian DeLong of the Witch Hats relied on a sharp eye and a quick bat to outpace all other North Charles Association hitters last week and collect the Player of the Week Award.
He hit .500 with 11 hits in 22 at-bats, 3 home runs and 9 RBIs.
In 47 games this season DeLong is batting .330 with 58 hits and 14 home runs. He has scored 25 runs and driven in 33.
Baywatch Fischler stepped up to the plate in a big way last week and today he took home the South Charles Association Player of the Week honors.
The Quincy right fielder ripped opposing pitchers for 12 hits in 24 at-bats and 3 home runs. He put together a sizzling .500 batting average as he knocked in 10 runs and scored 8 times.
This year Fischler is hitting .345, produced 35 RBIs and 11 home runs, scored 38 times and gotten on base at a .436 rate.
June 14 - 19-year-old Duff Fee sent shock waves through Commonwealth Baseball Organization last week with an eye-popping performance that brought him the North Charles Association Player of the Week Award.
A newcomer to the league, Fee made the establishment sit up and take notice, punishing opposing pitchers with a .565 average, 13 hits in 23 at-bats, 3 home runs and 6 runs batted in.
Where the Concord Radstags center fielder goes from here, only the baseball gods know for sure, but Fee certainly made his mark last week.
Thus far this year Fee is hitting .284 with 11 home runs, 28 RBIs and 25 runs scored.
Roxbury sports fans can't stop singing the praises of Donn Mattingley, who has been selected the South Charles Association Player of the Week.
Mattingley was in a comfort zone all week, finishing with a .474 average (9-for-19), 7 RBIs and 5 home runs.
This season Mattingley has banged out 68 hits in 207 at-bats for a .329 average with 15 home runs. He is getting on base at a .444 pace and his totals also include 34 RBIs and 45 runs scored.
CBO Transactions
Monday, June 14th , 2309
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Signed free agent 1B Gutter Amputee to a minor league contract.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Released 1B Gutter Amputee.
Sunday, June 13th , 2309
FHE Yao Guai: Placed 2B Wookie Chewbacca on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 06/12/2309.
Saturday, June 12th , 2309
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Released 1B Tarberry Malinowski.
Thursday, June 10th , 2309
Egret Ninjas: Placed RP Taco LaVergne on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 06/09/2309.
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: Placed SP Eugene Gym on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 06/09/2309.
Goodneighbor Hancocks: Revealed the logo designs for Third Rail Stadium in Goodneighbor with an expected move in date of the beginning of August. Their current stadium in South Boston has been renamed to Telegraph Hill Stadium.
Wednesday, June 9th , 2309
FHE Yao Guai: Released RP Kyle Robel.
Fort Hagen Silver Shroud: Released RP Jonnel Johns.
Tuesday, June 8th , 2309
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Signed 1B Mercurial Swift.
Monday, June 7th , 2309
Goodneighbor Hancocks: Placed RP Pete Holster on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 06/06/2309.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Released RP Toady Oldhouse.
Easy Town Assaultrons: Signed free agent RP Mike Combbrush to a minor league contract.
Salem Witch Hats: Signed free agent 1B Gutter Amputee to a minor league contract.
Salem Witch Hats: Released 1B Gutter Amputee.
Saturday, June 5th , 2309
Atom Cats: Activated C Deacon Gookin from the injured list.
Friday, June 4th , 2309
Egret Ninjas: Placed SS Hopper Hayes on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 06/01/2309.
The Vault 81 Dwellers traded 20-year old minor league LF Alvin Treeshadow and 24-year old minor league 2B Tony Hasty to the Starlight Killers, getting 30-year old minor league LF Nate Eiland in return.
Thursday, June 3rd , 2309
Oberland T-51s: Placed RP Dave Pain on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 06/02/2309.
Tuesday, June 1st , 2309
Goodneighbor Hancocks: CF Ziggy Stardust returns from his rehab assignment.
FHE Yao Guai: Placed CL Baker Dozen on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 05/30/2309.
CYL Update
The regular season is wrapping up with a few playoff play-in games in the South Region before the playoffs officially begin with 12 teams per region. The top four seeds of each region are the divisional champions, meaning they get a bye in the first round of the playoffs. Here are the current seedings for the playoffs:
NR
1. Beantown Sprouts
2. Needham Radstorm
3. South Charles Bank Moonies
4. Beerthirty Sippers
5. Lexington Minuteboys
6. North Charles Bank Goonies
7. Boston Common Baby Bellies
8. Wellesley Brahmin
9. Worcester Crows
10. Diamond City Newsboys
11. Lynn Pier Gamers
12. Covenant Dandy Boys
SR
1. Taunton Giants
2. Thompson Heights Earthlings
3. Brown Bubblers
4. Harwich Fishheads
5. Wareham Comets
6. West Quincy Atomatoys
7. Dennis Menaces
8. Pawtucket Paw Sox
9. Jamaica Plain Treasures
10. South Beach Waves
11. Brockton Claws
12t. Andrew Station Southies, Freeplat Wicked Goods, and Weymouth Locksmiths*
Due to tiebreakers, Weymouth visits Freeplat today. The winner then faces Andrew Station on Tuesday for the final seed.
