The Keystone League Returns

[Big Six]

Once upon a time, I wrote a story about a fictional league in Pennsylvania called the Keystone League. I think I started it in 2005, and it had a nice run of a dozen seasons or so, over the course of about three years in real time. It remains my favorite fictional OOTP league of all time.

This afternoon, I was sitting with my laptop, reading some of the dynasty stories here, when my 13-year-old son came in the room. He sat down beside me and we read a couple of threads together.

"Have you ever thought about writing another story here?" he asked me. "You haven't done that in a while."

He's right. It has been a while. He was probably a year or so old when the original Keystone League began. One of his sisters was born while I was writing about it, and she's about to start the fifth grade. The other wasn't alive yet, and she's seven now.

"Would you read it if I did?" I asked him.

"Yeah, I would," he replied. "Definitely. So would [sister] and [sister]."

I smiled. "Better yet, would you help me set it up?"

"Let's do it," he said.

So, tonight the 2017 edition of the Keystone League was born.

It's an eight-team league, beginning in 1901. We're using league settings from 1985. I like the way the game was played then.

Keystone League clubs have affiliates in two lower leagues, the Commonwealth League and the Quaker State League.

I'm making use of uniforms and logos created by knuckler and TXRanger. Their work is well-known on this forum, and with good reason. The immersion value they create is off the scale.

Some of the team names were inspired by cephasjames' logo collection, and I used justafan's nifty program to create logos and ballcaps for these teams.

To give the league a more realistic feel, I installed Questdog's 1900-1950 name set. So, instead of Dylans and Tylers and Brandons, our league has a few fellows named Cy, Oscar, and Rube.

I also found a way around the annoyance that had made posting on the forum here less fun than it used to be. A certain image hosting site I used to use was driving me crazy. I'm not messing with it anymore; now, when I want to use an image, I'll simply attach it at the bottom of my post. I have a feeling that simple change will bring back a lot of the fun of writing for the forum here.

So, with no further ado, let's get started. I hope it will be a fun ride for all of us. And, this time, I have three young fans to keep me motivated!

P.S. Their mom thinks this is all pretty cool. She was a big Pat O'Farrell fan, back in the day.

[Big Six]

January 1, 1901

As the new century begins, so does the Keystone League. Today, the eight clubs filled their rosters through the Inaugural Draft.

Let's meet the eight players who were drafted in the first round of today's draft.

1. Bethlehem Steelers: C Ernie Hatfield, age 23
The Steelers surprised nobody with this pick. Hatfield is an elite batsman, with the ability to hit for both average and power. His strike zone judgement is also superb. He is also good defensively, with an especially strong throwing arm. Ernie should be the face of the Steelers for years to come.


2. Allentown Fleetwings: OF Rusty Riggs, age 23
The Fleets had hoped to somehow land Hatfield, a local boy. They were nonetheless pleased to select Riggs instead. He makes consistent, solid contact with a smooth left-handed stroke, and should be a consistent .300 hitter with decent power. Rusty's speed makes him a dangerous baserunner and enables him to cover huge amounts of ground defensively.

3. Harrisburg Senators: RHP Tom Moss, age 27
The first pitcher to come off the board, Moss features a five-pitch repertoire that includes a lively fastball and a devilish knuckle curve. His sturdy 5'9" frame and solid mechanics should enable him to avoid injury. Tom should give the Senators a bona fide ace for years to come.

4. Scranton Electrics: RHP Cal Brookhart, age 27
Brookhart, a soft-spoken farm boy from the York area, is an unassuming figure--until he steps onto the mound and releases his 101 MPH fastball. His ability to mix in a variety of crooked pitches makes him that much harder to hit. Cal is strong enough to handle a heavy workload, too.

5. Altoona Alleghenies: OF Bobby Ingram, age 28
The Alleghenies were delighted to see Ingram available when their turn came, as they rated him the best five-tool prospect in the draft. He hits with authority to all fields, runs well, and demonstrates good range and sure hands afield. Bobby also earns high marks for his intelligence and leadership ability.

6. Lancaster Red Roses: 1B Edgar Tercero, age 24
Some observers were surprised when Lancaster chose Tercero in Round One, but the Reds believe he can fill their cleanup spot for the next decade. They like his plus power from both sides of the plate and his superb strike zone judgement. Edgar should also be a fan favorite, with his no-holds-barred style of play.

7. Williamsport Loggers: RHP Terry Barker, age 24
Barker might lack the electric stuff of a Moss or a Burkhart, but he demonstrates a good feel for all three of his pitches, and his control is impeccable. His unflappable personality is perfect for a staff ace, which is exactly what the Loggers expect Terry to be.

8. York White Roses: 1B Pete Rosinsky, age 25
Big Pete stands 6'3", tips the scales at 255 pounds, and can hit a baseball a long, long way. The Punxsutawney native lacks agility around the first base bag and he can't run at all, but the Whites believe his plus-plus power more than compensates for these shortcomings.


Pictured: #1 overall pick Ernie Hatfield in his new Steelers togs.

[Big Six]

June 5, 1901

I was afraid there had been something funky going on with my Inaugural Draft; the first time I ran through it, the game crashed. It worked the second time, but I was concerned enough that I quickly simmed up to the First Year Player Draft so I could see if I could run that draft without incident. Thankfully, it worked just fine. So, my first league update is coming a little later than I originally intended.

Almost two months' worth of base ball has been played in the brand-new Keystone League, and the biggest headlines have gone to the fast-starting Allentown Fleetwings. The A-towners have opened up a quick lead on the field, paced by the league's best mound staff.

Doc Hawkins (8-2, 2.27) is the league's winningest pitcher, and reliever Alfonso Galindo (1.69 ERA, 9 saves) has been nearly unhittable--but they're getting plenty of help from the rest of the Fleetwings pitchers. The team's balanced offensive attack, featuring 1B Earl Conant (.345-3-21), SS Jud Ryan (.335-8-32) and OF Rusty Riggs (.277-8-29), has produced the third most runs in the league.

Bethlehem and Lancaster are battling for second place, five games off the Fleets' pace. The Steelers have received quality work from leadoff man 2B Henry Williams (.379-0-11), who leads the league in batting and stolen bases (31). Catcher Ernie Hatfield's production (.313-12-33) was expected, but the stellar work of veteran 1B Jack McCamy (.297-13-44) came as a pleasant surprise to Steelers rooters. McCamy, 37, is currently sidelined with a strained hamstring.

The Red Roses have smashed 66 home runs, the most in the circuit. 1B Edgar Tercero (.250-11-32), SS Gene Burgess (.295-13-38), and OF Ossie Sanchez (.244-13-34) have done the most damage. Burgess, a 35-year-old veteran, was selected Player of the Month in May. Another Red Rose, young righthander Fernando Vera (7-2, 2.95) earned the KL's May pitching honors.

On April 30, Harrisburg's Tom Moss demonstrated why the Senators made him the first pitcher chosen in the Inaugural Draft. Moss held the York White Roses to one hit over 8.1 innings, striking out 10 batters. His work has been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise dismal season for the Senators.

[Jamee999]

Anyone reading this who hasn't read the Pat O'Farrell thread should do so immediately.

[Big Six]

June 5, 1901

The first class of rookies to enter the Keystone League draft was an almost completely unremarkable one. Only one player looks like a future star, and it's difficult to envision more than a few of them as KL regulars at any point in their careers.

Here are the first round picks for each of the teams.

1. York White Roses: RHP Don Miller
There was absolutely no suspense surrounding this pick. Miller, 18, allowed exactly one earned run in 75 innings as a high school senior in Ridley Park. He struck out 160 batters and walked only 14. Don throws a sinker, a slider, a curve, and a changeup, and all four pitches project to be above average one day. He's the closest thing to a sure bet in this draft class, a true #1 starter in the making. The White Roses will send him to Uniontown (Class AA) to begin what they believe will be a stellar professional career.

2. Harrisburg Senators: SS-3B Jack White
White, 18, from Philadelphia, is generally considered the best hitting prospect in his class. He attacks the strike zone with authority, and should be capable of hitting 20 home runs a year once he fills out. Jack played short in high school, but his outstanding arm might make him a better fit at third base. He'll begin his career at Pottsville in the Quaker State League. (AA)

3. Altoona Alleghenies: SS Bob Cole
The Alleghenies made Cole, 21, the first college player taken in this year's draft. As a senior at California University (PA), Bob hit .264 with nine home runs. Most scouts don't think Cole will be a power hitter in the Keystone League, but they like his ability to make consistent contact and drive the ball to the gaps. His sure hands and above-average range should enable him to stay at shortstop. Bob has been assigned to the Alleghenies' QSL league affiliate at Carlisle.

4. Scranton Electrics: OF Dan Collum
This Penn State product is an excellent athlete, with lots of speed and a powerful throwing arm. At bat, Dan should develop into a consistent hitter with some pop, as he learns to channel the power produced by his 6'2", 190-pound frame. He is raw for a 21-year-old prospect, so the Electrics will let him develop at Class AA Chambersburg for now.

5. Williamsport Loggers: RHP Don Bures
Some observers were surprised Bures, 19, remained on the board as long as he did. He throws very hard--up to 96 MPH--and scouts believe his curveball could develop into an even deadlier pitch than his sinking fastball. There are, however, questions about the Philly native's attitude and work ethic. The Loggers hope his natural talent will allow him to thrive anyway, and they'll begin his professional training at Class AA Boalsburg.

6. Lancaster Red Roses: RHP Shag Lord
The Reds were very pleased to snag Shag with the #6 overall pick. A teammate of Dan Collum's at Penn State, the 20-year-old righthander throws hard and keeps the ball down. He went 9-4 as a Nittany Lion, striking out more than a batter per inning. Lord, an intelligent man and a superlative student, also thrives on the mental aspects of the game. He'll begin his path to the Keystone League with Kittanning (AA).

7. Bethlehem Steelers: RHP Clyde Dixon
Dixon, who just turned 19, is a soft-spoken young man, a devout Quaker who attended a small Friends school outside Philadelphia. He let his electric fastball do the talking, striking out 15 batters per nine innings as a senior. If he can develop his changeup, as a complement to his sinker and splitter, he could have a future as a front-line starter. The Steelers assigned him to Bala Cynwyd (AA).

8. Allentown Fleetwings: 3B Charlie Cleveland
There's a swagger to this 19-year-old from New Brighton that makes him charismatic or obnoxious, depending on your perspective. The Fleets think Cleveland has the potential to hit .270 or so with decent power, and he is a polished third sacker with a good arm. He'll begin his pro career in Mifflinburg (AA).


The Chosen One: #1 overall pick Don Miller

[Big Six]

July 1, 1901

As the season nears the halfway mark, the Allentown Fleetwings continue to assert themselves as a favorite for a spot in the Governor's Cup Series. None of the other seven clubs are out of the running for the other postseason berth..which should make the summer a very interesting one for most KL rooters.

Allentown sluggers Earl Conant (.358-9-40) and Jud Ryan (.349-9-37) continue to mash the ball, and are #1 and #2 in the race for the batting title. Conant, a 38-year-old first baseman, reeled off a 22-game hitting streak that was snapped by the Altoona Alleghenies on June 22. Earl stands 6'1" and tips the scales at a healthy 245 pounds, so he's not a good candidate to extend a streak by legging out an infield single.

The Fleetwings' ace, Doc Hawkins, continues to win and win and win. He's 13-2 on the year already, with a fine 2.17 ERA.

The York White Roses are currently in last place, but that can't be blamed on Roberto Cruz. The stocky righthander went 5-0 during June, including a sparkling 2-hit shutout of arch-rival Lancaster before a big crowd at York Grounds on the 22nd. Not for nothing was Cruz named the KL's Pitcher of the Month.

Williamsport OF Fred Ervin's batting average lingers in the .220s, but when he hits them, they go a long way. Ervin launched 10 homers during June and drove in 24 runs, picking up the Batter of Month award. Fred leads the league with 20 home runs, three more than a group of four players that include Bethlehem C Ernie Hatfield (.310-17-43, league-best .418 OBP) and York 1B Pete Rosinsky (.275-17-59), the league's RBI leader.

Don Miller's introduction to pro ball was a rough one. He was hit hard in his first appearance for the Uniontown Paladins (AA), walking four batters and giving up three runs in 2.1 innings. The recent #1 pick in the amateur draft is working from the Paladins bullpen for now.

[Big Six]

August 1, 1901

The Allentown Fleetwings thought they'd give themselves a bit more breathing space when they swept a three-game set from Lancaster on July 6-7-8, but Williamsport was just beginning a streak of seven straight wins that enabled them to seize control of second place and remain within striking range of the Fleets.

But the Loggers didn't get to enjoy their position for long. Bethlehem responded with an 11-game skein of their own, which brought them back into a tie with Williamsport for the second spot in the Governor's Cup Series. July Batter of the Month Jack McCamy (.303-26-84) slammed 10 homers and drove in 36 runs during the month to lead the Steelers' charge.

Now, there are only three clubs with winning records. Will one of the others mount a late-summer challenge and put themselves back in the playoff picture?

As the weather heated up across Pennsylvania, so did the Keystone Leaguers' tempers No fewer than four bench-clearing brawls erupted last month. Two of them involved Scranton's volatile 1B Chief Wilson, who charged the mound to challenge Harrisburg P Dick Hardin on the 10th and went after Altoona's Mel Calvert two weeks later. The Chief is currently serving a nine-game suspension for his actions in the latter incident, and Calvert is waiting out the same sentence. Wilson (.247-6-40) might do well to work more on hitting baseballs and less on hitting the men who pitch them.

The Electrics were much happier with the performance of righthander Cal Brookhart. The second pitcher taken in the Inaugural Draft, Cal won five of his six decisions and pitched to a 2.05 ERA during July to secure the Pitcher of the Month award. He's 13-9 for the season now, with a 3.51 ERA and 147 strikeouts in 154 innings.

[Big Six]

Here's a look at the statistical leaders as the calendar moves to August. There are a lot of pictures of Bethlehem Steelers on the batting leaderboard: shortstop Henry Williams, catcher Ernie Hatfield, and first sacker Jack McCamy are all enjoying oustanding years.

Allentown's Doc Hawkins has slumped lately, winning only one of his last six decisions. Meanwhile, Tom Moss has lived up to the lofty expectations that come from being the first pitcher chosen in the Inaugural Draft. The Senators have absolutely no reason to question the wisdom of their choice.