National Baseball League

[ATLGary]

The United Republic of Breda, also known as United Breda, URB or simply Breda, is a small independent island nation located off the southeastern coast of Nova Scotia. Discovered by Danish explorer Otto von Breda in 1606, the island of Breda was first settled by European colonists in 1681 when the British established a colony in response to French colonization in North America. Following the French-Indian War, in July 1763, Breda was claimed as part of the British empire as an official part of British North America.

During the War of 1812, Americans failed in an attempt at invading Canada. However, the Isle of Breda was captured by the United States while the British Army defended mainland Canada. The decisive naval battle and turning point of the War of 1812 occured of the coast of Breda in early 1814. Americans were succesful in securing the port of Aberswyth and therefore were able to produce powerful naval frigates to battle the Royal Navy. From 1814 -1861, Breda remained an official territory of the United States.

On July 1, 1861, the Breda Senate met and voted to secede from the United States of America and declared its independence as a soveriegn nation. The United States was in the midst of civil war and allowed Breda to peacefully secede when President Lincoln decided it was foolish to battle a war on two fronts as Breda had amassed a powerful naval fleet. The Bredan Senate confirmed Jon McLaren as the first president of Breda and adopted the American model of government. By allowing and recognizing Bredan independance, President Lincoln gained Bredan support during the Civil War and the Breda naval fleet was instrumental assisting northern troops in blockading southern ports during the war.

During the early years of the 20th Century, Breda was influenced by many aspects of the American culture. Scottish, English and Irish immigrants migrated to Breda from the crowded urban cities of the northeast United States. With this migration came a fascination with game of baseball. The nation of Breda became obsessed with the game and amateur and recreational sporting clubs sprang up throughout the country. Finally, in January of 1925, Breda banker Paul Schofield organized the four largest baseball sporting clubs into the nations first professional sports league, the National Baseball League.


(The NBL, and nation of Breda are totally fictional and much credit goes out to the many amazing pieces of work I have used to help create my fictional world. The nation of Breda is an unbelievable piece of work that was found online at The Map Realm! I hope you all enjoy!)

[ATLGary]

January

• January 7 - Great fire in Aberswyth harbour.
• January 21 - Vladimir Lenin dies and Joseph Stalin begins to purge his rivals to clear way for his leadership.
• January 25 - The 1924 Winter Olympics open in Chamonix, France (in the French Alps), inaugurating the Winter Olympic Games.
• January 27 - Lenin is buried in a mausoleum (Lenin's Tomb) in Moscow's Red Square.

[ATLGary]

February

• February 1 - United Republic of Breda recognizes the Soviet Union
• February 5 - GMT: Hourly time signals from Royal Greenwich Observatory are broadcasted for the first time.
• February 14 - IBM corporation founded.
• February 16-February 26 - Dock strike in Bredan harbors.
• February 22 - Calvin Coolidge becomes the first President of the United States to deliver a radio broadcast from the White House.

[CatKnight]

Looks REALLY interesting so far! Good luck!

[ATLGary]

March - June

• March 8 - Lone Caverns mine disaster kills 55 coal miners in Cahill County, Breda
• March 25 - Greece proclaims it is a republic.
• April 1 - Adolf Hitler is sentenced to five years in jail for his participation in the Beer Hall Putsch. He will serve only nine months.
• April 1 - First flight for Breda's National Airlines.
• April 13 - A.E.K, one of the most successful football clubs in Greece, is founded.
• May 4 - The 1924 Summer Olympics opening ceremonies held in Paris, France.
• May 10 - J. Edgar Hoover is appointed head the Bureau of Investigation. (FBI)
• May 11 - Mercedes-Benz formed by the merging companies owned by Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz.
• June 2 - U.S. President Calvin Coolidge signs the Indian Citizenship Act into law, granting citizenship to all Native Americans born within the territorial limits of the United States.
• June 12 - the Onyx Cavern Heist - Six men of LeRay's Rats gang rob a mail train near the Onyx Caverns in Praetoria County. Robbery is later found to have been an inside job
• June 16 - Glasgow Military Academy is founded.

[No Pepper]

Very good so far, I'll be reading!

[ATLGary]

July - September

• July 20 - A United Republic of Breda sporting newspaper Bredan Sport is founded.
• August 18 - France begins to withdraw its troops from Germany.

[ATLGary]

October - December

• October 2 - The Geneva Protocol is adopted as a means to strengthen the League of Nations.
• November 4 - Nellie Tayloe Ross of Wyoming elected as the first woman governor in the United States.
• November 4 - Calvin Coolidge defeats John W. Davis in the U.S. presidential election
• November 27 - In New York City the first Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is held.
• December 24 - Breda's National Airlines Flight 771 air crash at London-Dover air field - 8 dead.

[ATLGary]

October - December

• October 9 - Breda banker Paul Schofield meets with businessmen and officials from St Paul, Aberdeen, London, and New Perth City and form Breda's first professional sports league, The National Baseball League.
• November 20 - BCAA Football prepares for the post season. St Paul University is ranked number 1 and will face Perth University (#4) in the first round while Oxford University (#2) will play Tyne College (#3) in the opposing bracket.
• December 18- BCAA Basketball Preview: St Paul University, Breda's oldest university again returns the nation's strongest collegiate basketball program. The eight time national champions will feature 7'0 Benjamin Devry as he returns for his senior year looking for the Saints third consecutive championship.

[ATLGary]

January - March

• January 3 - Benito Mussolini (Il Duce) announces he is taking dictatorial powers over Italy.
• February 21 - The New Yorker magazine publishes its first issue.
• March 4 - Calvin Coolidge becomes the first President of the United States to have his inauguration broadcasted on radio.
• March 31 - WSTP radio station in St Paul, Essex County begins broadcasting.

[ATLGary]

• January 2 - NBL Inaugural Draft

[ATLGary]

• NBL Commisioner Paul Schofield declares that thee NBL will integrate players of all colors and races. Many believe this move was done to increase the quality of play to compete with the American professional baseball leagues

[ATLGary]

(The following team reviews include the amazing work of Teflon, not only are his parks unreal but his write-ups for each park are simply irresistable....I had to add them!)

Over the next month we will offer an overview on each of the four teams of the National Baseball League of Breda. This week we will focus our attention on the New Perth City Browns.

New Perth City Browns
New Perth City, Kent County (181,051)

Parkway Field (15,000)
NPC's Parkway Field is gonna be an interesting place to play the outfield. With a fairly short distance (330 down the line 345 to left field) and the "Red Monstah" 40 foot brick wall, whoever plays left for the Browns is going to have his hands full.
In watching some of the players invited to New Perth City for tryouts a number of the outfielders misplayed balls lined off the wall which led to the ball caroming back and being fielded by the 3B or SS!!! Another factor is not only are bricks hard (be interesting to see how many LF's crash into it!!) but the construction is not the smoothest leading to some strange bounces and lots of triples.
The Browns CF will have an easier job as LC is a more reasonable 380 while CF is a fairly short 390 which should lessen considerably the ground he will have to cover. The CF is gonna have to help out the RF though as the deepest part of the park is RC at a whopping 420 while RF is 405. The 'Red Monstah" tapers to a mere 15 ft from LC to C but still is brick. From there the wall turns into a wooden fence a paltry 5 ft in RC and RF and then only 3 ft in RF. We saw a number of players flip over those walls while making running catches during the workouts.
Although the seating capacity is only 15,000, there are plans to add an additional 4,000 bleacher seats (on top of the brick wall in left) and an another 4,000 regular seats down the first base line and in RF.
The ballpark's groundskeeper has planted a variety of rose bushes in deep right center field and beyond the short right field fence - adding to the outfielders woes. Also he maintains an orchard of apple and cherry trees beyond the outfield fences. The stadium sits next to a world-famous brewery, Pioneer Beer.

----- Dimensions -----
LL 330
LF 345
LC 380
CF 390
RC 420
RF 405
RL 335
----- Wall Height -----
LL 40
LF 40
LC 15
CF 15
RC 5
RF 5
RL 3

Browns Personnel
GM Ryan Schurman - The 39 year old Canadian comes has lived in Breda for the last 10 years serving as the Director of Baseball for the Sporting Club of New Perth City...when the club opted to turn professional, Schurman inherited the position of general manager...becomes the first black man to hold a front office position...Known as a strong and silent leader that demands loyalty and hard work...former Negro League first baseman
Manager Ron Carrey - The 50 year old former manager of the St Paul Saints collegiate baseball team (his alma matter) comes to NPC...well balanced approach to veterans and rookies...known as a good teacher of basic skills working with pitchers and hitters while at STPU...very light hearted and laid back approach which should conflict with GM Schurman's hard-nosed presence and potentially add fireworks to the team
Pitching Coach Juan De Los Santos - Legendary Mexican hurler heads north to assist Carrey in developing his pitching staff...speaks fluent english from years of working winters in the southwest US
Hitting Coach Garrett Boulter - Young coach who was manager Carrey's assistant coach at STPU follows him to NPC where he hopes to assist the young Browns hitters...youth may aid him in developing relationships with rookies...it should be interested to see how veterans deal with the 31 year old's advice
Bench Coach Jerry Stewart - Stewart is GM Schurman's hand picked coach as he was the manager of the Sporting Club's baseball team the last 7 years...close relationship with Schurman could be problematic to manager Carrey if team does not win early...very animated and outspoken with colorful language...never seen without a large mouthful of tobacco...reporters have learned not to get to close

Notable Players
Alejandro Roman 2B - Nicknamed the "Thrillseeker" for his wild off the field activities....came to Breda with De Los Santos...many believe that Roman was the reason De Los Santos was hired....great contact hitter with the ability to avoid the strikeout...never stops talking on the field
Ramon Sanchez SP - Nicknamed the "Spider" due to his long fingers that make his hands look like spiders...young Negro League star who was released after last season...born in Puerto Rico but lived in New York (USA)...average fastball but gets by with great movement on his pitches including sinker
Ed Wilcox SS - 27 year-old Bredan shortstop...has great range and a strong arm...standard hitter but has displayed no power at any level of play...has been offered to play in Canada but decided to remain at home
Gerard Cluff LF - young Bredan outfielder with power potential...left handed batter that has short swing and could produce 10 home runs and 50 or more RBI's per season...decent arm but below average glove and range
Mauro Lucero 1B - Big and strong Cuban player...another Negro League transplant...more of a gap hitter than a pure power hitter...likes to pull the ball...very good athlete who has attracted the attention of NPC's amateur basketball sporting club

[ATLGary]

This week we turn our attention to the London Red Caps Baseball Club.

London Red Caps
London, Kent County (156,212)

Ellsworth Park (22,230)
Built at the turn of the century, Ellsworth Park reflects its era. The fences are deep and the walls are high to protect the park’s near-by neighbors. Homeruns are still a rare commodity in the 1900’s, so the hitters of that day would not find fault with the configuration. If anything, they would appreciate the spacious power alleys that enable them to leg out more doubles and triples. Accordingly, outfielders playing in roomy Ellsworth Park are well-served if fleet-of-foot.
The stadium seats 22,320. A roofed section of box seats wraps around the infield with bleacher seats extending down the lines to the foul poles. The park is constrained by its surrounding neighborhood, so the designer had to be imaginative in the placement of additional seating. An elevated center field grandstand was built to protrude slightly over the field of play so as not to interfere with the street beyond. Thus a ball hit into the grandstand, some 417 feet from home plate and 8 feet above the field, is a home run, while a ball that is hit over the center fielder’s head a somewhat shorter distance can potentially roll to a farther extent under the grandstand. It requires brave fielders to chase a fly ball at full speed to deep center as the grandstand supports provide a rude interruption to unwary fielders.
The manual scoreboard in left field sits atop a deck that extends the length of the left field wall. This enables four rows of seats to fit in beneath. Any batted ball landing in the seats or on the deck is a ground-rule double. Thus, a ball hit to left field must completely clear the 25 foot wall or 29 foot scoreboard to be considered a homerun.
The wooden wall in right field is 16 feet high topped by a 4 foot screen to shield the nearby street and houses from baseballs. Lefty sluggers still aim to pull the ball, however, in the hopes of rattling easy doubles off of it.
Ellsworth Park has seen many years of service, and there are plans to add a second deck to the infield seating in the near future.

----- Dimensions -----
LL 340
LF 358
LC 395
CF 417
RC 400
RF 361
RL 348
----- Wall Height -----
LL 25
LF 29
LC 25
CF 8
RC 20
RF 20
RL 20

Red Caps Personnel
GM Sotatsu Suzaki- The 57 year old Japanese baseball legend comes to Breda as the general manager...experience as a manager in the Japanese Baseball League...was a manager of industrial factory in Japan when company promoted him to baseball manager due to his dedicated work ethic...known to sleep in his office
Manager Bobby Pinard - The 47 year old Bredan becomes the first manager of the London Red Caps...favors dealing with young players as he is very "teacher" oriented...some believe he would make a better collegiate coach...known as a good teacher of basic skills working with pitchers and hitters...his stress on the basics may work well with GM Suzaki who detests physical and mental errors
Pitching Coach Fred Ramsey - 32 year old Bredan retires from the playing field where he was a legendary hurler...once threw back-to-back no hiters as an 18 year old...was offered a contract by the New York Yankees but declined in order to take care of ailing father
Hitting Coach Alexander Watson - Former Oxford University head baseball...fits into the teaching style of manager Pinard...met Pinard at annual baseball coaching conference held in St Paul...uses many unique devices and tools to assist hitting form...invented a "hitting tee" where players hit a ball off an oversized golf tee....veteran players often reject his gimicks
Bench Coach Waylon Drover - 59 year old Bredan...worked at Wonderland Amusement Park when he was young and was spotted by a local scout for the St Paul Baseball Club...it has been reported he could throw the ball over 100 miles an hour and when he was at Wonderland Amusement Park, once threw a ball a reported 400 feet!...very quiet and only offers input when asked

Notable Players
Juan Fernandez SP - American born player...parents were immigrants from Puerto Rico...87-89 mile an hour fastball with good movement...control issues for this lefty holding him back from an American baseball contract
Jose Quinones RF - this 25 year old from Puerto Rico may be the best hitter in the league...great defensive player with speed and a strong arm...slap hitter with great basestealing speed...has been offered a Negro League contract but chose to come to Breda for the start of his career
David Gallacher LF - Hard working Bredan outfielder...known for his power from the left side of the plate...good fielder but a logging accident to his left arm has limited his throwing arm...may be moved to first base due to injury...young and could develop into one of the leagues feared sluggers
Alco Vlasblom 2B - Aruban veteran baseball player and one of the oldest players in the league....grey moustach and hair have given him the nickname "Pops'...does not speak much but always has a smile on his face...often the but of many practical jokes...known to be injured and his durability will be questioned
Byron Shewman SP - Possibly one of the greatest Bredan pitchers of all time...has accumulated over 225 wins over the last 15 years playing with several Bredan baseball clubs...known for not staying in any one place for too long...a loner that rooms by himself on the road...despite playing all over the country, has few friends in baseball...good fastball with great tailing action

[ATLGary]

We continue to preview the National Baseball League and its clubs as we turn toward the Aberdeen Scots this week.

Aberdeen Scots
Aberdeen, Avon County (356,798)

Metropolitan Park (35,500)
The "Met" is the second largest baseball park in the nation of Breda. Located in the Aberdeen suburb known as the South Shore. The South Shore has become a location where many mill workers and businessmen have come to live due to the easy access to the Tri-Cities of Aberdeen, Portsmouth, and Oxford. The 41-foot right field wall protects the local townhomes from incoming baseballs. Local children hang out on Metropolitan Avenue beyond right field hoping to get a free souvenier. In the summer afternoons, many games of stickball are played on Metropolitan Avenue outside the stadiums enormous wall and sometimes a line drive from one of these games enters the stadium causing the local children to scatter before the local police arrive.

A second deck has been added to the left field stand increasing the seating capacity to 35,500.

----- Dimensions -----
LL 334
LF 365
LC 390
CF 447
RC 393
RF 360
RL 329
----- Wall Height -----
LL 12
LF 12
LC 12
CF 20
RC 41
RF 41
RL 41

Scots Personnel
GM Curt Matson- The 50 year old Oxford native runs a logging business in the off season on the Avon River...lost three fingers on his throwing hand in a lumber accident which ended his career at the young age of 18...very understanding but can lose his temper quickly
Manager Juan Andrade - The 45 year old Mexican manager who is known for his ability to deal with veterans...led many American and Bredan players in the Mexican winter league over the last two years...was considered the greatest fielding shortstop in Mexican baseball when he retired
Pitching Coach Masafumi Kodo - 52 year old japanese coach and former player...demands perfection from his staff and executes a rigid training program...pitchers must exercise daily and throw daily...Kodo beleieves a pitcher should finish what he starts...very spiritual and loyal to his team and players
Hitting Coach Raul Morin - Young Puerto Rican coach...first job in baseball follwoing his playing days in the Puerto Rican winter leagues...in the off season he is a spanish instructor at a local high school in Aberdeen
Bench Coach Howard Rendell - 48 year old Bredan...very gruff and to the point...believes he should be the manager fo the club...very talented and a good teacher but his own ego gets in the way...difficulty in taking criticism or learning new ideas as he believes he already knows better...has been known to walk out of dugout if he disagrees with a coaches decision..players respect his knowledge but he is not well liked around the league

Notable Players
John Lundy SP - Breda born player...89-90 MPH fastball but wins with smarts and movement...knows what pitch to throw and when...may make a great coach one day...has tutored many young Bredan pitchers in the off-season at his baseball school, Lundy Baseball Academy
Jack Strachan 1B - One of the best young hitters in the NBL...brings both power and contact to the plate each at bat...hard to strike out and will hit the ball equally to left and right field...terrible defender, once missed a throw and ball ended up breaking his nose...gets very angry if his fielding is brought up and at 220lbs, most people leave it alone
Kieth Livingstone CL - 36 year old closer who relies on an average fastball and slider to get by...in the off-season works in hometown of Kent as a cook at a local restaurant...would like to own his own business one day
Mark MacLeod 2B - Possibly one of the fastest Bredan players of all time...loves to exercise and has his own medicine ball he carries with him on the road...at only 24 years old will only get better when he learns the strike zone...sometimes thinks he is a power hitter and ends up popping ball up...if he keeps ball on ground, he is deadly...once stole 100 bases in an 84 game recreational league

[ATLGary]

In the final installment of the NBL Preview, we will go in depth on the St Paul Senators.

St Paul Senators
St Paul, Essex County (594,718)

Delta Baseball Grounds (35,500)
Delta Baseball Stadium was recently renovated when several cracks were found in the centerfield foundation. Gone is the wooden facade that crowned the stadium as it has been replaced with modern tres work. The stadium is no longer completely enclosed. The middle section was demolished and a nice little jury type grandstand has been placed in centerfield with matching tres work and old style columns. During the demolition of the outfield, the skeletal remains of John McGrath were found. McGrath was a railrood owner that had an altercation with local dock workers in 1918 and disapeared shortly after.

Currently, the St Paul Senators club offices are located under the new centerfield bleachers. Located in the northern neighborhoods of St Paul, between St Paul University and the St Paul Zoo, near the city but still in an upscale neighborhood. Delta Grounds is the nations largest baseball stadium, seating 45,000.

----- Dimensions -----
LL 340
LF 352
LC 365
CF 415
RC 370
RF 350
RL 335
----- Wall Height -----
LL 11
LF 11
LC 11
CF 15
RC 11
RF 11
RL 11

Senators Personnel
GM George Bungay- The 49 year old St Paul native was named the first general manager of the Senators...A very quiet man who is known for his business negotiation skills...was one of teh final candidates for league commisioner...former mayor of St Paul, still has political aspirations and many believe this position is for publicity
Manager Liam MacDuff - 48 year old St Paul native and childhood friend of George Bungay...very stern...follows rules by the number without exceptions and expects all those around to do the same...actually handles rookies beter than veterans (maybe due to the fact they are still afraid of MacDuff)
Pitching Coach Phil Sepkiechler - 34 year old former St Paul youth pitcher....has played for MacDuff for the last three years and understands his demands...will focus pitchers on working fast and throwing strikes
Hitting Coach Bruce Sheffield - Legendary Bredan baseball instructor...owns the oldest baseball academy in Breda, The Baseball School...has given lessons to youth, high school, collegiate and now pro's for the last 30 years
Bench Coach James MacCorkill - 44 year old Bredan...was the best man in Liam MacDuff's wedding...has coached with macDuff for the last 8 years and knows his moves before MacDuff even makes them...often seen sitting in the corner of the dugout surrounded by a cloud of smoke coming from his cigarettes only to explode off the bench to give MacDuff some information

Notable Players
Alexander Gray CF - Young Breda born player...above average speed and bat and glove...great contact hitter with ability to put the ball in play...not great in any one talent or skill but above average in all areas
Mike Swyers CL - Great movement and control....big righthander may be one of the top relievers in the league...has a great sense of humor and often is behing clubhouse pranks on his teamates and Senators staff
Will Fullerton MR - one of the tallest players in the NBL....has great movement but lacks control to take advantage of it...suited more for middle relief until his control problems are no longer.
Jim Heap SS - One of the older players in the NBL...lacks power at he plate but is a consistent gap hitter...one of the best overall defenders in the NBL and can throw out a runner from deep in the hole...makes few mental errors and is still a physical specimen...owns a local Gym in Aberdeen

[ATLGary]

First of all , No Pepper and catknight,Thanks for the response!

Is this thread worth going on?? If so let me know...I will be continuing the NBL on my own either way as I am enjoying this "fictional history".

Its a lot of work to update the boards but will continue if you guys are enjoying it.....

[elmwood44]

Really enjoying and definetly worth continuing!!!

[cochrane]

I love that you took an entirely fictional isle and wrote a history for it. Very well done.

-- ZC

[ATLGary]

Great!!

I am having a lot of fun with this fictional world set in the real world! Ill keep posting as I go along ...obviously more baseball as it develops but I will still update the world around Breda.....