African Baseball Union

[as5680]

TEAM GUIDE

ADDIS ABABA HIGHLANDERS
SOUTHERN CONFERENCE
Central Division

Home and Away Jerseys


Addis Ababa take their name from the city's location in the Ethiopian highlands. Their ballpark is by far the highest in the league at over 7,500 feet above sea level, more than half as high again as Denver. Despite this, they do not play in the most hitter-friendly facility in the league as the cooler temperatures mean that the ball will not travel as far as in some lower but much hotter venues. The Highlanders play in blue jerseys with brown trim.

Country: Ethiopia Ballpark: Addis Ababa National Stadium
Latitude: 9.002899 N Longitude: 38.791134 E
Altitude: 7678 ft Capacity: 55800


Star Player


Star Pitcher


Season Prediction
Many people's favourites to win the Central Division, with a hitting line up which may be one of the highest scoring in the Southern Conference and a pitching staff which looks one of the best in the league. Will expect a play-off place at the minimum.

[as5680]

TEAM GUIDE

BRAZZAVILLE MAMBAS
SOUTHERN CONFERENCE
Central Division

Home and Away Jerseys


The Brazzaville Mambas come from the capital of the Republic of the Congo, and are based on the northern bank of the Congo river. They take their name from the Jameson's mamba, a venomous snake native to the area, and play in green uniforms reminiscent of the snake's colouring.

Country: Republic of Congo Ballpark: Stade Municipal de Kintélé
Latitude: 4.154728 S Longitude: 15.323972 E
Altitude: 1040 ft Capacity: 54000


Star Player


Star Pitcher


Season Prediction
Set to struggle this year. A mixed batting line-up with a strong infield but weak outfield will not be able to overcome a pitching staff which may be the weakest in the Southern Conference. Avoiding last place in the division would count as a successful season.

[FuzzyRussianHat]

I named my universe's Cairo team the Pharaohs too! Really impressive work with the logos and look of each of these teams.

[as5680]

TEAM GUIDE

DAR ES SALAAM WILDEBEEST
SOUTHERN CONFERENCE
Central Division

Home and Away Jerseys


The only team in the league to carry their nickname in Swahili on their home jersey, the Wildebeest hail from the largest city in Tanzania. Their home jersey is brown with beige trimmings, whie their white away jersey carries a 'DES' monogramme.

Country: Tanzania Ballpark: Benjamin Mkapa Stadium
Latitude: 6.853563 S Longitude: 39.273821 E
Altitude: 85 ft Capacity: 54000


Star Player


Star Pitcher


Season Prediction
Pitching staff looks set to be one of toughest to score again, but it looks doubtful that the offense will score enough runs to win the division. Should finish with a winning record but a wildcard may be a few games out of reach.

[as5680]

TEAM GUIDE

KAMPALA CRANES
SOUTHERN CONFERENCE
Central Division

Home and Away Jerseys


Kampala are named in honour of Uganda's national bird, the grey crowned crane. Their uniforms reflect the same bird, right down to the pale gold caps in honour of the golden feathers it has on its head. Their home field lies less than 24 miles from the equator, and because of that the average monthly temperatures vary by no more than a couple of degrees all year.

Country: Uganda Ballpark: Mandela National Stadium
Latitude: 0.347778 N Longitude: 32.659167 E
Altitude: 3875 ft Capacity: 51900


Star Player


Star Pitcher


Season Prediction
Both batting and pitching look to be below average. Should be well clear of the bottom of the division but seem to have little chance of challenging for the play-offs this year.

[as5680]

Originally Posted by FuzzyRussianHat

I named my universe's Cairo team the Pharaohs too! Really impressive work with the logos and look of each of these teams.

Thanks - yes I think Pharaohs is the obvious choice for Cairo!

[as5680]

TEAM GUIDE

KIGALI PHOENIX
SOUTHERN CONFERENCE
Central Division

Home and Away Jerseys


Rwanda's representatives are the Kigali Phoenix, named in reference to the recovery of the city and the country from the problems of the 1990s. The team play in 'fire' colours of red, orange and gold to reference the phoenix rising from the flames.

Country: Rwanda Ballpark: Amahoro Stadium
Latitude: 1.955028 S Longitude: 30.114222 E
Altitude: 5004 ft Capacity: 50400


Star Player


Star Pitcher


Season Prediction
With a mixed batting line-up and a pitching staff that looks somewhere in the middle of the field, expect around a .500 record. Possibly more likely to be slightly under rather than over.

[as5680]

TEAM GUIDE

KINSHASA LEOPARDS
SOUTHERN CONFERENCE
Central Division

Home and Away Jerseys


Based just 12 miles away from division rivals Brazzaville across the Congo River, the representatives of the Democratic Republic of the Congo are the Kinshasa Leopards. They play in jerseys in a shade of pale orange reminiscent of the coat of that particular big cat, found in many parts of the country.

Country: Democratic Republic of Congo Ballpark: Stade des Martyrs
Latitude: 4.330417 S Longitude: 15.31 E
Altitude: 932 ft Capacity: 72000


Star Player


Star Pitcher


Season Prediction
Batting line-up is average at best, but pitching staff might be one of the toughest to score against and should put them in the division race. A wild card is a possibility even if first place is out of reach.

[as5680]

TEAM GUIDE

NAIROBI GIRAFFES
SOUTHERN CONFERENCE
Central Division

Home and Away Jerseys


The Kenyan representatives in the league are the Nairobi Giraffes, one of four teams in the league who are based at an altitude of over 5,000 feet. Their beige and brown stripesd uniforms are intended to reflect the colours of the giraffe's coat.

Country: Kenya Ballpark: Kasarani Stadium
Latitude: 1.229972 S Longitude: 36.892389 E
Altitude: 5279 ft Capacity: 54000


Star Player


Star Pitcher


Season Prediction
Both hitting and pitching should be better than average, without either being spectacular. The result may be a team who are slightly short of winning the division but very much in the race for a wildcard.

[as5680]

TEAM GUIDE

YAOUNDÉ LIONS
SOUTHERN CONFERENCE
Central Division

Home and Away Jerseys


Cameroon's capital Yaoundé was chosen ahead of the country's largest city Douala to be the country's bid for a team in the league. With the bid successful, the team have taken the name of the lion and will play in a gold coloured jerseys.

Country: Cameroon Ballpark: Stade Omnisport Paul Biya
Latitude: 3.950833 N Longitude: 11.540556 E
Altitude: 2188 ft Capacity: 54000


Star Player


Star Pitcher


Season Prediction
Pitching is average, but batting line-up looks very weak and is likely to leave them at or near the bottom of the division. Best home is to avoid losing 100 games and try to stay out of last place.

[as5680]

TEAM GUIDE

ANTANANARIVO LEMURS
SOUTHERN CONFERENCE
Southern Division

Home and Away Jerseys


The only team in the league which is not on the African mainland, Madagascar's representatives take the name of one of the many animal species present in the country which is not found anywhere else in the world. The team's uniforms are in three shades of grey.

Country: Madagascar Ballpark: Kianja Barea Mahamasina
Latitude: 18.919361 S Longitude: 47.525686 E
Altitude: 4118 ft Capacity: 51300


Star Player


Star Pitcher


Season Prediction
Most people's favourites to win the Southern Conference and strong contenders to end the year as champions. Expected to score more runs than any other team and have a strong pitching rotation as well. Should win the Southern Division by a large margin, possibly 15-20 games.

[as5680]

TEAM GUIDE

CAPE TOWN SHARKS
SOUTHERN CONFERENCE
Southern Division

Home and Away Jerseys


The first of South Africa's three representatives play in the most pitcher-friendly ballpark in the league, and are the only team to play in halved jerseys, which are in two shades of blue. Their logo is a shark which appears in those same two colours.

Country: South Africa Ballpark: Cape Town Stadium
Latitude: 33.903461 S Longitude: 18.411153 E
Altitude: 30 ft Capacity: 53300


Star Player


Star Pitcher


Season Prediction
No chance of challenging for the play-offs, with a largely weak batting line-up and one of the weakest pitching staffs. Not finishing last is the limit of the ambitions for this season.

[as5680]

TEAM GUIDE

DURBAN HYENAS
SOUTHERN CONFERENCE
Southern Division

Home and Away Jerseys


Representing South Africa's third largest city, the Durban Hyenas play in beige jerseys with brown stripes. Like division rivals Cape Town, they play close to sea level and combined with cooler temperatures through the Southern Hemisphere winter, will have a ballpark friendly to pitchers.

Country: South Africa Ballpark: Moses Mabhida Stadium
Latitude: 29.829 S Longitude: 31.0303 E
Altitude: 16 ft Capacity: 53300


Star Player


Star Pitcher


Season Prediction
Batting line-up looks reasonably good but pitching staff may well be the worst in the league. Likely to leave the team at the bottom of the division, and avoiding 100 losses could be the most realistic aim for this year.

[as5680]

TEAM GUIDE

HARARE ZEBRAS
SOUTHERN CONFERENCE
Southern Division

Home and Away Jerseys


Based in Zimbabwe's capital, the team from Harare are named after the Chapman's zebra, which lives in the country. Unsurprisingly, their colours are black and white stripes.

Country: Zimbabwe Ballpark: National Sports Stadium
Latitude: 17.821358 S Longitude: 30.994736 E
Altitude: 4830 ft Capacity: 54000


Star Player


Star Pitcher


Season Prediction
Batting line-up is reasonably strong and bullpen looks good, but starting rotation will be the weakness. Likely to finish around .500 this year.

[as5680]

TEAM GUIDE

JOHANNESBURG GOLD
SOUTHERN CONFERENCE
Southern Division

Home and Away Jerseys


South Africa's final team, from the country's largest city of Johannesburg, are named in reference to the many gold mines in the area. The team's jerseys are in two shades of gold and the away jersey carries the shortened form of the city's name, 'Jo'burg'. Their stadium is the largest in the league, and also the second highest at more than 5500 feet, but the cool winter temperatures will limit the effect of the altitude.

Country: South Africa Ballpark: FNB Stadium
Latitude: 26.234856 S Longitude: 27.982686 E
Altitude: 5551 ft Capacity: 85500


Star Player


Star Pitcher


Season Prediction
Pitching staff looks better than average, but hitting line-up could be inconsistent. Won't struggle but could find it difficult to get too far over .500 this season.

[as5680]

TEAM GUIDE

LUANDA DIAMONDS
SOUTHERN CONFERENCE
Southern Division

Home and Away Jerseys


The team from Angola's capital are named the Diamonds in reference to the prevalence of diamond mining in that country. They play in blue jerseys with trim in a darker shade of that colour, and are one of only two teams in the league to carry their nickname in Portuguese on their home jerseys.

Country: Angola Ballpark: Estádio 11 de Novembro
Latitude: 8.969853 S Longitude: 13.283491 E
Altitude: 39 ft Capacity: 77400


Star Player


Star Pitcher


Season Prediction
Will be contenders in the Southern Division with a strong pitching staff, but lack of runs may cost them. Best hope may be a wildcard if they can finish in second place.

[as5680]

TEAM GUIDE

LUSAKA RHINOS
SOUTHERN CONFERENCE
Southern Division

Home and Away Jerseys


Named after the several species of rhinoceros which live in the country, the Lusaka Rhinos are Zambia's representatives in the league. Like division rivals Antananarivo, they play in jerseys in several different shades of grey.

Country: Zambia Ballpark: National Heroes Stadium
Latitude: 15.369507 S Longitude: 28.272641 E
Altitude: 4141 ft Capacity: 54000


Star Player


Star Pitcher


Season Prediction
Possibly the strongest team in the Southern Division behind overwhelming favourites Antananarivo, with a particularly strong batting line-up. Look capable of winning at least 90 games, which should be enough for a wildcard.

[as5680]

TEAM GUIDE

MAPUTO SPITTING COBRAS
SOUTHERN CONFERENCE
Southern Division

Home and Away Jerseys


The second team in the league to carry their nickname in Portuguese on their home jerseys, Maputo take their name from the Mozambique spitting cobra, found throughout the country. Their jerseys are brown and gold, with lettering in bright green to reflect the eyes of the cobra on their primary logo.

Country: Mozambique Ballpark: Estádio do Zimpeto
Latitude: 25.828 S Longitude: 32.575 E
Altitude: 121 ft Capacity: 51400


Star Player


Star Pitcher


Season Prediction
A very mixed roster, with strong bullpen and below average starting rotation. Batting line-up is good in some positions and weak in others, which should lead to a finish around .500 this season.

[as5680]

START OF SPRING TRAINING
10 February 2021

After years of planning, the thirty-two teams of the African Baseball Union finally take to the field for the first time tomorrow as the inaugural Spring Training campaign takes place. Of course, for those teams located in the southern hemisphere it is not spring at all, but all the games are taking place north of the equator as the islands of Cape Verde have been chosen as the location for pre-season. The venue was selected on the basis of its cool and dry climate at this time of the year.

With the islands divided into the northern Barlavento (windward) Islands and the southern Sotavento (leeward) Islands, the clubs have been separated by conference in terms of where they are based. The Northern Conference clubs will play in the Barlavento Islands and the Southern Conference in the Sotavento Islands, with each club facing a busy schedule of 30 games in 32 days. This was a compromise between those clubs who wished to play only division rivals and those who wished to play throughout the league, as each team will now face their 15 conference rivals twice, being designated as the 'home' team for one of those.

[as5680]

FIRST SPRING TRAINING GAMES
11 February 2021

The African Baseball Union's first pre-season campaign got underway today with sixteen matches taking place simultaneously. Marrakech were the first team to get a run on the board, with Buchizya Kazembe’s sacrifice fly putting them ahead against Abidjan, while the first home run was hit by Luanda’s Young-Chan Kang, with what turned out to be the only run of their game with Brazzaville. In the seventh inning of their game against Algiers, Dakar’s Kara Diouf became the first man to hit a grand slam. Diouf was placed second in the performance of the day award, with the first winner being Accra left fielder Seth Bentil, who went 3 for 4 and drove in four runs in a 6-1 win over Bamako.

Highest scorers and winners by the biggest margin were Kinshasa, who easily beat Addis Ababa 8-1, while Maputo put up by far the most hits as they put up 15 in a 7-2 win over Johannesburg. No other team reached double figures. At the other end of the scale, Algiers found only two hits in their 5-0 loss against Dakar while Harare recorded only one against Kigali, but still led 2-0 before a three-run home run from Shabani Kwizera in the sixth gave Kigali a 3-2 win.