Atlantis League of Professional Baseball

[jaa36]

This will be a slight re-working of the Atlantis League of Professional Baseball, a fictional league in a totally fictional world. I had started a similar league a few weeks back but wasn't happy with some elements of it and started over. (This happens a lot.)

The ALPB is set in Atlantis, which is the largest country in the Ur-World. There are fifteen other countries in the World, all of which have some amount of baseball, but no formal leagues. The APLB currently has sixteen teams, up from twelve teams at its formation 50 years ago, organized into two conferences, with the conference winners facing off in the Atlantis Series. There are five levels of minors, plus college and high school feeders.

League rules are basically like modern MLB, with a few exceptions: pitcher stamina up to "normal," reliever and closer use down to "often," league BABIP increased from .302 to .310, September rosters capped at 30, and no free agent compensation. Trades are hard difficulty, preference neutral.

As always, I (my alter ego Clyde Copeland) will take over the team with the worst record in the league and try to lead them to the top. If I succeed, I'll move on to another team; if I get fired, I'll find a new home and try to get it right there. House rules include: no waiver claims or rule 5 picks, only shopping three players per season and off-season and only completing one trade during each period by shopping (though I may accept trades offered to me), only two free agent signings per offseason, plus one at the start of spring training and one during the regular season.

[jaa36]

The 2000 season has just ended, the 50th in the history of the ALPB. Here's how the teams are configured. Map of Atlantis is attached as well.

Western Conference
Clemons Fork Capitals
Dawn Branch Bulldogs (joined 1991)
Marsh Heroes
Patrick Legends
Stephens Rattlers
Uniontown Aces
Wal Titans
Waterbank Diamonds (joined 1971)

Eastern Conference
Adamond Bruins
Freeton Crusaders
Gardenbury Stars (joined 1991)
Lenaway Storm
Sidney City Scorpions (joined 1971)
Silverley Mustangs
Sungate Falcons
Timberton Dragons

Next, I'll provide some history for each team.

[jaa36]

Overall record: 4105-3996
Conference titles: 5
Championships: 1 (1953)
Market size: Very Big
Current budget: t-7th
Ballpark: Capital Grounds, hitter's park

The Capitals, who play the actual capital city of Atlantis, have a good record overall, but it hasn't translated into much playoff success. The Capitals have been below .500 in seven of the last eight seasons. Their top position player has been catcher Ignacio Rivera, who spent most of his career with the team and hit .301 with 248 home runs. The top two pitchers in the league, Tane Keli and Christian Tinker, both spent the first seven years of their careers with Clemons Fork.

[jaa36]

Overall record: 660-960 (joined 1991)
Conference titles: 0
Championships: 0
Market size: small
Current budget: 16th
Ballpark: Dawn Branch Grounds (slight hitters' park)

The Bulldogs entered the league in 1991 and have been absolutely atrocious. They are one of only two cities in the Southern Province with teams; Wal is the other. OF Arthur Parkinson is the first player in team history to have any decent sort of career, and just turned 26. They have finished in last place in the WC in eight out of ten seasons, and lost 100 games for the fourth time in team history last season. The most games they've ever won in a season is 76. I think I've found my team.

[jaa36]

Overall record: 4393-3709
Conference titles: 17
Championships: 9 (1954, 1955, 1967, 1974, 1989, 1991-94)
Market size: Big
Current budget: 4th
Ballpark: Heroes Ballpark, extreme hitters' park

Marsh has a storied history, winning nine championships, tied with Stephens for the most in the league. The 1955 and 1974 editions tied for the most wins in league history with 108. And the incredible run of four straight championships (and five of six) is unmatched by any other team. Playing in an extreme hitters' park, the Heroes consistently score the most runs in the league, with their record being 947 in 1996. 2B Jeff Lewis has spent his whole career as a Hero, and is on track to become the league's all-time hits leader, with a .323 career average.

[jaa36]

Overall record: 4058-4043
Conference titles: 3
Championships: 2 (1978, 1998)
Market size: Above Average
Current budget: 9th
Ballpark: Legends Field, neutral

The Legends mostly have a history of finishing in second place- which they have done an impressive twelve times. They have pulled off a couple of unexpected championship seasons to provide the fans with some hope. P Tyrone Simpson had five straight 20-win seasons for the Legends in the 1970s, with SS Paul Carver providing a power threat in the middle of the lineup. Recent editions of the Legends have been among the finest in team history.

[jaa36]

Overall record: 4247-3855
Conference titles: 16
Championships: 9 (1958, 1961-63, 1966, 1970, 1982, 1984, 2000)
Market size: Astronomical
Current budget: 1st
Ballpark: Stephens Park, hitters' park

Stephens is the second-biggest city in Atlantis, and currently the largest market. They have a history and tradition only matched by the Heroes, and are the reigning ALPB champions. SP Christian Tinker spent some of his best seasons in Stephens, and SP Ron England has taken up his legacy, winning 76 games in the past four years. Outfielder Sean Smith was a perennial 30-home run hitter for the Rattlers in the 1990s.

[jaa36]

Overall record: 3771-4329
Conference titles: 2
Championships: 0
Market size: Below Average
Current budget: 13th
Ballpark: Aces Ballpark, neutral

Uniontown has had a rough go of it the ALPB. The 1990 version holds the record for most losses in a season with 109, and lost 107 in the 1989 season as well. P Tom Ervin exemplified the best the Aces had to offer- a 190-180 record and 3.45 ERA. The Aces had a minor resurgence last season, winning 93 games and finishing in second place; otherwise they would have been a good choice to take over.

[jaa36]

Overall record: 4070-4030
Conference titles: 6
Championships: 3 (1973, 1976, 1977)
Market size: Huge
Current budget: t-7th
Ballpark: Titans Ballpark, hitters' park

The Titans have had some success over the years, but mostly end up in the middle of the pack. They are the other team in the Southern Province, and the city of Wal is the military establishment in Atlantis. As a general rule the Titans have not hung onto players for large parts of their career, with 2B Ronnie Thompson and OF Jack Gasper examples of good players who did not spend their whole career with the team.

[jaa36]

Overall record: 2181-2679 (joined 1971)
Conference titles: 1
Championships: 0
Market size: Small
Current budget: 15th
Ballpark: The Diamond, neutral

Waterbank has been around for thirty years but hasn't made much of them. They have struggled to compete and most of the time have finished well below .500. Their only appearance in the Atlantis Series was in 1988, when they unexpectedly won 91 games after winning 73 games the year before and then winning only 71 the year after. C Cy Austin came up with the Diamonds and spent many good years with the team.

[jaa36]

Overall record: 4299-3802
Conference titles: 10
Championships: 5 (1951, 1965, 1968, 1987, 1997)
Market size: Astronomical
Current budget: 2nd
Ballpark: Ballpark of Adamond (neutral but heavily favors lefties)

The Bruins were the winners of the very first ALPB championship in 1951 and have been fairly successful overall in the league. They have struggled since their last championship and were 68-94 last year. Adamond is currently the largest market in the Eastern Conference. 1B Jason Ramey was the Bruins' most successful hitter, spending his whole career with the team and amassing 2168 hits.

[jaa36]

Overall record: 4075-4027
Conference titles: 9
Championships: 6 (1957, 1959, 1960, 1971, 1986, 1995)
Market size: Small
Current budget: T-11th
Ballpark: Crusaders Ballpark, favors hitters

The Crusaders play in the biggest city in Atlantis, which was originally a huge market but has atrophied away over time. (Probably the story lines at work...) However, even in recent years when the market has shrunk, the team has been pretty good. Their six championships are the most of any team in the EC, and the third-most in league history behind Marsh and Stephens. P Jim Bulger was representative of the team's early excellence.

[jaa36]

Overall record: 709-911 (joined 1991)
Conference titles: 0
Championships: 0
Market size: Below Average
Current budget: 14th
Ballpark: StarDome, neutral

The Stars joined the league in 1991, and like the Bulldogs, have not had an easy go of it. Other than one third-place finish, they have never finished better than sixth in the league. Speedy 2B Eric Thomas is the closest thing the Stars have had to a star player.

[jaa36]

Overall record: 3984-4117
Conference titles: 8
Championships: 4 (1972, 1975, 1983, 1985)
Market size: Huge
Current budget: 6th
Ballpark: Storm Ballpark, pitchers' park

The Storm are the opposite of the Crusaders- an originally small market that has increased quite a bit. The Storm have lost quite a bit over the years, but have managed to put together enough good years to capture four championships. Despite their good market, they have fallen on hard times in recent years, losing at least 90 games in five of the last seven years. C Eric Davis was a long-time member of the Storm, spending his whole career with the team and hitting 259 home runs.

[jaa36]

Overall record: 2295-2565
Conference titles: 1
Championships: 0
Market size: Small
Current budget: t-11th
Ballpark: Sidney Field, hitters' park

Like the other expansion teams, the Scorpions have not yet captured a championship, and have struggled to make their mark in the league. This past season they won 95 games and reached the Atlantis Series for the first time in their history. 1B Mark Stewart has been the team's top hitter, but is likely to leave as a free agent after the season.

[jaa36]

Overall record: 4053-4047
Conference titles: 6
Championships: 4 (1952, 1964, 1969, 1996)
Market size: Huge
Current budget: 3rd
Ballpark: Mustangs Ballpark, pitchers' park

The Mustangs have not measured up to their big-market status overall, but have had some success, winning four championships overall. They appear to be poised for continued success after winning 87 games last season. 3B Bob Humphrey, who is third in the league in all-time home runs with 418, spent most of his career with the Mustangs.

[jaa36]

Overall record: 4187-3914
Conference titles: 11
Championships: 3 (1956, 1988, 1990)
Market size: Huge
Current budget: 5th
Ballpark: Falcons Ballpark, pitchers' park

Sungate has been very good overall, reaching the championship series 11 times but winning only three of these. They have struggled in recent years. 1B Dan Melton, the league's top all-time hitter with a .289 average and 428 home runs, spent his best years with the team.

[jaa36]

Overall record: 3999-4102
Conference titles: 5
Championships: 4 (1979-81, 1999)
Market size: Below Average
Current budget: 10th
Ballpark: Dragons Ballpark, extreme pitcher's park

The Dragons have been the lovable underdogs of the league, with little expected of them. Their remarkable run of three straight championships from 1979-81 was fueled by the three best pitching and defense seasons in league history; they allowed only 478 runs 1981, with a 2.64 team ERA. P Ben Brandon was a member of that incredible team of "five aces."

[jaa36]

A quick glance at some season and all-time records. The Hall of Fame hasn't started yet, but I will induct one player per season at the end of each season from now on.

Season
Average: .378, Jeff Lewis, 1995
OBP: .464, Mark Rice, 1992
SLG: .662, Vincent Bowman, 2000
R: 138, Lucas Payne, 1994
Hits: 242, Jeff Lewis, 1995
HR: 48, Peter Holland, 1980
RBI: 151, Bob Reeson, 1972
SB: 85, Jerry Stewart, 1971
WAR: 11.9, Dan Melton, 1957
ERA: 1.60, Clement Gray, 1960
Wins: 30, Tane Keli, 1991 (five better than second place!)
Saves: 48, Enrique Ramos, 1957
IP: 299.0, Andres Fuentes, 1997
K: 335, Mike Turner, 1980
VORP: 100.2, Andres Fuentes, 1997
WAR: 15.0, Tane Keli, 1992

All-time (retired players only for rate stats)
Average: .331, Alex Bradley
OBP: .409, Brian O'Meaney
SLG: .514, Dewald Stoke
R: 1510, Dan Melton
H: 2634, Paul Walker (though Jeff Lewis is only 78 hits behind)
HR: 443, Russell Quintal (Larry Townsend and Sam Peterson are close)
RBI: 1305, Antonio Esparza (Lewis 75 behind)
SB: 534, Jerry Stewart
WAR: 93.2, Dan Melton
ERA: 2.83, Christian Tinker
Wins: 329, Tane Keli
Saves: 527, Stu Meyers
IP: 4714.0, Tane Keli
K: 4515, Tane Keli
VORP: 1071.3, Tane Keli
WAR: 182.9, Tane Keli

[jaa36]

Before jumping into the catastrophe that is Dawn Branch, here's a look at the standings at the close of the 2000 season. Stephens had the league's best record and defeated Sidney City for the Atlantis Series championship. With the prestigious Marsh and Stephens in our conference, we'll have our work cut out for us. Over in the EC, it was a nice year for the small-market teams, with Timberton also faring well.