Fallout: New Vegas' Mojave Baseball League

[StLee]

Standings



June Awards



News and Notes

6.7.88 – Player Trade

The Primm Outlaws traded 31-year-old catcher MC Mack Walt Williams and 16-year-old minor league second baseman Gustavo Chávez to the South Vegas Vault Boys, getting 33-year-old starting pitcher Greg Thompson in return.

6.10.88 – Player trade

The Ultra Luxe White Gloves traded 32-year-old center fielder Zander Peterson and 17-year-old minor league second baseman Jim Tolbert to the Camp McCarran Brahmin, getting 33-year-old starting pitcher David Bennett in return.

6.11.88 – Player fight

It may have been a blowout win for Boulder City at Goodsprings, but Atomic Wranglers’ backup outfielder Thomas Cantrell, who did not play in the victory, still to exception to a Lucky 38er. Cantrell exchanged punches with Goodsprings’ reliever Jimmy Ledet for what Cantrell described as “force pitching” in Ledet’s three innings of relief in the 11-5 BC win.

“Ain’t nobody gotta throw no force pitching like that,” Cantrell said. “We ain’t no contender. He ain’t gotta show up nobody like that. That ain’t a gentleman’s game. That’s Mojave. I ain’t playing that.”

Ledet allowed only one hit and gave up no runs in three innings, but he plunked three Atomic Wranglers batters.

For their transgressions, Cantrell was suspended five games and Ledet three.

6.14.88 – Sponsorship

The New California Republic and the Mojave Baseball League have announced today that there will be a sponsorship starting today. The NCR will now become the official sponsor of the MBL. Changes will be made over the coming seasons with the first change to be immediate.

“The NCR has made a hefty financial contribution to the future of the MBL, which will help in the long-term progress of the league,” Commissioner Lee said through a statement. “There will be some changes we’ll make during the offseason to make the sponsorship fully compliant with our league goals, but for now, we’ll make a few small changes that can go into effect immediately.

“For one, player salaries will increase from our current 5000 caps per season to 10,000 caps per season. In addition, playoff revenues will increase from their current rates of 250/750/2000 to double at 500/1500/4000.” To explain the playoffs’ payments, the losing team of the first round was paid 250 caps per player for the series. The losing team of the Mojave Series was paid 250 caps for the first round and 500 caps for the Mojave Series per player. The champions were paid 2000 as a flat out payment per player for winning the championship. Now, all those rates will be doubled. As an aside, the sponsorship will include a change in currency after the season from caps to the NCR dollar.

“The second immediate change is a request from the NCR,” Lee continued. We will change all division names immediately to reflect a strong region under the NCR government. The divisions will be renamed as follows: The West Division is now known as the Bear Division, after the two-headed bear of the NCR flag. The Central Division is now the star division. And the East Division is now the Aradesh Division, named after the first president of the NCR.

“We look forward to a fruitful sponsorship, and we hope our players can enjoy an improvement in their qualities of life with their increased salary.”

6.28.88 – Team achievement

The New California Bears started this season angry after not winning the Mojave Series a season ago. Most of that aggression has been taken out on their fellow Aradesh (formerly East) Division opponents.

Today, the Bears clinched the Aradesh Division with a 4-3 victory at Westside. The NCR is 61-20 on the season, a full 20 games ahead of second place Ultra Luxe at 41-40. There are only 19 games remaining on the season.

6.28.88 – Jimmy LaRue news

LaRue Sets New Single-Season Hit Mark: Jimmy LaRue treated the spectators on hand at Camp McCarran Field to a record-setting performance. During today's game, the Goodsprings star established a new record for hits in a season. Hit number 142 surpassed the mark set previously by Edward Simpson. The fans rewarded LaRue with an enthusiastic ovation.

Jimmy LaRue hit an RBI single in the 1st, tripled in the 3rd, grounded out in the 5th and singled in the 7th.

This year LaRue is hitting .440, produced 45 RBIs and 2 home runs, scored 55 times and gotten on base at a .469 rate.

[Tyke]

I'm sincerely hoping there will be no conflict of interest, with the league being sponsored by the New California Republic. The NCR Bears are hard enough to beat anyway, without any extra help!

[StLee]

Originally Posted by Tyke

I'm sincerely hoping there will be no conflict of interest, with the league being sponsored by the New California Republic. The NCR Bears are hard enough to beat anyway, without any extra help!

Well, there may have to be some more league restructuring, but that happens a lot in fledgling leagues anyway.

[StLee]

Final Standings



Batting Leaders



Pitching Leaders



News and Notes

7.8.88 – Team achievement

North Vegas is no stranger to the playoffs. The 2286 champions marked their return today by clinching the Star Division with a 6-5 win over expansion Primm. The Radscorpions are currently 60-30 with ten games left to play.

They clinched the division title over Westside, which is 49-41 at this time and trying to earn a wild card berth.

7.11.88 – Team achievement

They were already division champs. Now the New California Republic is the top seed heading into the playoffs. At 71-22, the Bears clinched the top seed after beating Tops tonight, 4-2.

North Vegas, which clinched its division three days ago, is currently the second seed. The Radscorpions (63-30) now have a magic number of 1 to clinch the second seed over current third seed Goodsprings (56-37).

7.12.88 – Team achievement

Just a day after losing a chance to be the top seed heading into the playoffs, North Vegas secured the second overall seed today. The Radscorpions (64-30) defeated Novac 5-1 to earn home-field advantage in the first round of the new four-team playoff. They will host the winner of the Bear Division, currently tied with Goodsprings and South Vegas each at 56-38 with six games left on the season.

7.14.88 – Team achievements

The 2288 playoff participants are set, though we are still waiting to see where each team will play. Both Goodsprings and South Vegas clinched playoff spots today with victories and a Westside loss.

Going into Saturday’s games, Goodsprings had a magic number of 1 to clinch a playoff spot, so they only needed to win or for the Sarsaparillas to lose. They accomplished that with a convincing 11-3 at Novac. The Lucky 38s currently lead the division at 58-38 with four games left on the schedule.

South Vegas (57-39) trails the Lucky 38s by a game. However, they beat top seed New California Republic 7-4 to help them earn a playoff berth. Coupled with Westside’s (52-44) 6-4 loss at home to Ultra Luxe, the Sarsaparillas were eliminated from playoff contention.

7.17.88 – Player leave

The 2288 season is wrapping up, and Freeside is going to be watching the playoffs yet again. What hasn’t been explained, though, is why Jim Seaman, one of the anchors of the team, is no longer with the team for the rest of the season.

Team officials refused to discuss the matter, but something was definitely up with Seaman this year. His usual spurts of production have been flaccid this season, with career or near career lows in batting average (.256), doubles (13), home runs (13), and RBI (51). None of those numbers are bad, but Seaman was more of a rigid warrior, a sort of pillar of battle for the Kings throughout his first three years. This season, he somehow blew his load early, and now his limp season is done.

7.18.88 – Player injury

He’s alive, but barely. Boulder City relief pitcher Ronnie Walker found himself in a no-win predicament today when he and a small group of people were attacked by an Alpha Male Deathclaw, basically the baddest ass monster there is anywhere.

Walker was one of the few people in the group to survive, though he lost his pitching arm in the attack. An NCR securitron was in the area to save the lives of several of the people, including Walker. However, Walker’s MBL career is done now that he’s, you know, missing an arm and all.

7.19.88 – Team achievement

It was an all-around losing day in the race for the Bear Division championship, however it is over. Goodsprings lost at home to North Vegas 10-4. However, South Vegas was shut out at home against Nellis Air Force Base. That means, with just one game to play, the Lucky 38s (60-39) have clinched the Bear Division. It also means that Goodsprings can start deciding how they want to approach their current opponent since they will be traveling to North Vegas in a few days for a rematch with the Radscorpions.

The Vault Boys (58-41) now knows they will be heading to the Hoover Dam to take on an NCR team that looks to formidable to defeat.

7.20.88 – Player injury

Cole Involved in Accident: In a press conference called today, a red-faced Bill Cole announced he will be out 9 months with a broken kneecap. The North Vegas starting shortstop suffered the injury in a motorcycle accident. It is particularly bad news considering the Radscorpions are the second seed in the playoffs and have to face defending champions Goodsprings in the first round.

Cole is hitting .338 this year with 7 home runs and 63 RBIs. He also has an OBP of .374, 24 walks and scored 58 times.

Like all conspiracy theories, there are talks Commissioner Lee may have had a hand in getting someone to rig one of his pal Jack’s Motorcycles to give his favorite team whatever advantage it can muster.

7.20.88 – Player injury

In addition to the news of losing starting shortstop Bill Cole, the North Vegas Radscorpions look like they may be minus one of their top pitchers, Rich Richmond, for the first round of the 2288 playoffs, too.

Richmond is suffering from a finger blister that will limit him for about a week. In the meantime, former Goodsprings pitcher Wilfred Buckley is expected to step up against his old team as the Radscorpions ace.

[StLee]

Series Previews

In the Mojave Baseball League’s first three seasons, only four teams have reached the Mojave Series. It just so happens, here in the fourth season, those four teams will remain the same, as the New California Republic, Goodsprings, North Vegas, and South Vegas square off for return trips to the Mojave Series.

The NCR won the first championship in 2285 over the Lucky 38s. Those two teams returned to rematch in last season’s 2287 Mojave Series, with Goodsprings winning that one. Sandwiched in between the first and third Mojave Series was the South Vegas (then known as Vault-Tec) win over North Vegas in 2286.

South Vegas vs New California Republic

In this season’s playoffs, the MBL expanded to four teams, meaning the top seed no longer gets an automatic berth in the Mojave Series. This year’s top seed, the Bears (75-25) have been a tough opponent for every team they faced. The NCR swept four of its opponents—Primm (9-0), Ultra Luxe (9-0), Boulder City (6-0), and Novac (6-0)—in its season series and had losing records to only two teams. One of those two teams was their first round opponent, South Vegas.

The Vault Boys hold a 6-3 season advantage over the NCR. The first series took place in South Vegas from April 20-22. New California Republic took the first game of that series 5-4. However, South Vegas bounced back to win the next two, 7-4 and 15-5.

The two teams faced off for the second time at the Hoover Dam. There South Vegas took the first two games, 11-6 and 9-2, before the Bears were able to avoid the sweep with a 6-1 victory.

In their final series, South Vegas was still battling Goodsprings for the division championship, while the NCR was resting some of its starters for the playoffs. In that series, which again took place in South Vegas, the Vault Boys were again able to take 2 of 3 games. New California Republic won the first game 3-1 before South Vegas won 7-4 and 10-2.

There were lots of offensive heroes for the Vault Boys in the series, as well as two pitchers who had the NCR’s number. Joseph Dillon hit three home runs in the nine-game season series along with knocking in 13 runs. Duane Antqueen had a .405 batting average against the Bears with a home run and 11 RBI.

Orlando Stephens and Lee Weathers were the top pitchers in the series, and each will get at least two starts in the series, with Robert Cooper or Ricardo Rodriguez taking up the remaining starts.

For the Bears, no one really exploded for them in the series. Stu Wilkins had a .341 batting average and knocked in nine runs, which makes him the most successful. Jim Ford is expected to get some starts in the series, since he has been the most successful postseason pitcher in the MBL. However, Ford has had some arm issues this season that has forced him into a reliever’s role.

That may mean other pitchers need to step up, like Mark White or David Martin, neither of whom are expected to start in the series. White had more success against the Vault Boys, going 1-0 with a 1.04 ERA in 8.2 innings.

Based on South Vegas’ success against the top seed this season, we’re going to go with the upset and pick South Vegas to take it in six games.

Goodsprings vs North Vegas

In the other series, defending champions Goodsprings enters as the third seed against second seed North Vegas. The Radscorpions (69-31) holds a slight 5-4 season advantage over the Lucky 38s (60-40).

The teams first met April 23-25 in Goodsprings. North Vegas won the first and third games of that series, 6-0 and 3-1. In the second game, the Lucky 38s edged out the Radscorpions for a 3-2 victory.

The rematch came June 4-6, with North Vegas winning the first game 3-2. However, Goodsprings bounced back in the next two games to win the series. The Luck 38s won 3-2 and 4-1 in a pitching-dominated three-game set.

The final matchup came at the end of the season, July 17-19. Goodsprings won the first game 13-2 to basically clinch the Bear Division, before losing the next two 10-4 and 2-1 to end the season. Those last two victories gave the Radscorpions the season series victory as they head to North Vegas.

Offensively, neither team had a whole lot of offensive success in what was mostly a pitcher’s series. North Vegas’ Arthur Glass had the best base-producing results, batting .414 in the series. George O’Kill batted .267 in the series with two home runs and seven RBI.

Potential Lead Dealer Pitcher Award winner Lee Burke had a lot of success against the Lucky 38s, just as he did against just about every opponent he faced. He finished the season series with a 2-0 record in 23.2 innings, with a 1.90 ERA and 21 strikeouts. John Mulvaney did not have any decisions, but he had a 2.40 ERA in 15 innings. Former Goodsprings pitcher Wilfred Buckley will also factor into the Radscorpions’ lineup, though he did have a 7.04 ERA against his former team.

Goodsprings’ best offensive producer was the guy who just hit wildly all over everybody, Jimmy LaRue. LaRue finished with a .450 batting average in the series. Jesus Martinez was the power king, blasting three homers and knocking in 11 runs in the season series.

Jim Jones had no decisions in the series against his former team, but he had just a 2.11 ERA in 21.1 innings with 22 strikeouts. Donald Bush, who may get at least a start in the series, was 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA in his lone start of the season series.

The interesting matchups include the value of a trade before the 2287 season when Goodsprings sent ace Buckley to North Vegas for starting pitcher Jones and, at the time, minor league first baseman Martinez. We will most certainly watch how those players perform in the playoffs against their former teams.

Based on results on the season and the general consensus of how these two teams pitch, we’re expecting a low-scoring series that goes the distance. We would not be surprised to see Burke outduel Jones in the seventh game for a 2-1 victory. Thus, we are taking the Radscorpions to win it in seven.

[Tyke]

As your reporter says, it will be interesting to see how Jones and Buckley perform in this series. Personally, I see Jones dominating on the mound and LaRue [as he has all season] at the plate. Go 38s!

[StLee]

South Vegas 1 at New California Republic 3

Jim Ford may have been relegated to the bullpen for the 2288 MBL regular season, but he got the start in Game One of the semifinals and dominated the Vault Boys in six innings of work.

Ford finished by giving up six hits and a walk and striking out seven, while allowing no runs, to earn the victory.

South Vegas had ten hits in the game but was unable to manufacture a run until the final inning.

[StLee]

Goodsprings 2 at North Vegas 5

Wilfred Buckley pitched six solid innings and Weldon Brown led the offensive charge as the Radscorpions jumped out to a 1-0 series lead on the Lucky 38s.

Buckley gave up two earned runs on eight hits with three walks and three strikeouts.

Brown was 3 for 4 with a home run, RBI, and two runs.

Goodsprings’ Bob Jackson suffered the loss despite not having a terrible game. He allowed four earned runs on seven hits with a walk and two strikeouts in seven innings.

[Tyke]

Early days!

[StLee]

Sorry that these playoff stories are so brief. I am battling time. I will feature one game per series in the semifinals to write a full news story on. But for now, the brief recap...

South Vegas 4 at New California Republic 2

Orlando Stephens pitched a gem of a game to lead the Vault Boys over the Bears in Game Two.

Stephens gave up two earned runs on five hits with two walks and six strikeouts to earn the victory.

Joel Bowles’ third-inning homer provided the only offense for the NCR.

[StLee]

Goodsprings 3 at North Vegas 0

Donald Bush pitched six shutout innings, and the Goodsprings bullpen finished the job to tie the series at one game apiece.

The Lucky 38s got all three runs in the seventh inning, including Tony Smith’s two-RBI single that proved to be the winning runs. The teams combined for 10 hits.

[Tyke]

See! The L38s are getting cranked up now. And I never thought I'd be saying this, but - Come on you Vault Boys!

[StLee]

New California Republic 8 at South Vegas 7, 11 innings

The Bears erased a three-run deficit in the ninth inning and went on to win in the eleventh.

Mike Britton powered the way for the NCR’s offense, going 3 for 6 with a three-run home run, four RBI and a run.

Joseph Dillon was the leading hitter for the Vault Boys. He was 3 for 4 with a double, two walks, two RBI, and a run.

[StLee]

North Vegas 1 at Goodsprings 3

The pitchers’ series continued with another strong pitching performance.

Jim Jones allowed one earned run on two hits with four walks and five strikeouts in seven innings to claim the victory.

Eddie Pegasus hit a two-run home run as a pinch hitter to break a seventh-inning tie.

[StLee]

New California Republic 5 at South Vegas 3

The Bears took a commanding 3-1 series lead by cruising off Gerardo Makejoo’s two-run first-inning home run.

Mike Britton added a second two-run blast for the NCR in the fourth inning on their way to a 5-0 lead.

After Vault Boys’ starter Robert Cooper was roughed up in 3.1 innings, the South Vegas bullpen shut down the Bears the rest of the way.

[StLee]

North Vegas 6 at Goodsprings 21

What was a pitcher’s duel in the first three games became a pitcher’s nightmare in Game Four.

Goodsprings, behind a Mojave Baseball League record 24 hits, overpowered the visiting Radscorpions 21-6 to take a 3-1 series lead in the 2288 semifinals.
The Lucky 38s had nine players with multiple hits, and Perry Ferguson set the MBL playoff record for runs scored with five.

Mike Duncan led off the bottom of the first inning with a double for the Lucky 38s. With one out, Jimmy LaRue got his first hit of the series, an RBI single to give Goodsprings a 1-0 lead. LaRue, who set the regular season batting average record (.446) and hits (179) records, was 0-11 coming into game three. He finished with three hits in three at bats, and left the game in the bottom of the seventh with fatigue.

North Vegas answered in the second. With one out, Nelson Kirby and Arthur Glass hit back-to-back singles. After Chris Towns struck out looking, Duncan Whaley hit an RBI single to even the game.

However, the bottom of the inning proved to be the launching point for the Lucky 38 bats. Dennis Shaft doubled to lead off, followed by a Ferguson single. Java Stirfry then reached on an error by shortstop Towns to score Shaft. After Wilfred Buckley threw a wild pitch to advance the runners to second and third, Alex Raines hit an RBI sacrifice fly for a 3-1 lead.

Goodsprings pitcher Bob Jackson singled with one out, and Duncan singled in Stirfry. With two outs and after Buckley threw his second wild pitch of the inning to advance runners, LaRue hit a two-RBI single. Former Lucky 38er Buckley was then pulled, trailing 6-1.

In the third inning, Goodsprings added another run. With one out, Ferguson singled. With two outs and Ferguson at second, Raines was intentionally walked to get to Jackson. Jackson answered by hitting an RBI single.

The Lucky 38s got more in the fourth. With one out, LaRue and Jesus Martinez hit back-to-back singles. North Vegas pitcher Lou Long then threw a wild pitch with LaRue at third to score LaRue. Shaft then singled in Martinez for a 9-1 advantage. Dan Trainyard then came on in relief and promptly walked Ferguson in four pitches. Stirfry then hit an RBI double to make it 10-1. Raines then followed with a two-RBI double for a 12-1 lead after four innings.

North Vegas was down but not yet ready to give up. Duncan Whaley did his part in the fifth with a solo home run to cut the lead to 12-2.

The Radscorpions’ effort was valiant, but, just like the first four innings, the Lucky 38s’ bats were alive again in the fifth. With one out, LaRue walked and stole second. Martinez then singled him to third. With two outs, Ferguson doubled in LaRue and Martinez for a 14-2 score.

In the sixth, North Vegas got another solo home run, this time Weldon Brown connected on Jackson for a 14-3 score.

After the Lucky 38s went scoreless for the first time in the sixth, the Radscorpions tried to open up the game on Goodsprings. Jackson surrendered a third solo home run when Arthur Glass went deep to lead off the inning. With one out, Whaley doubled. Stephen Sparks then struck out, but he reached on a passed ball. After Jeff Glover came in to relieve Jackson, Kirby Brown hit an RBI single to make the score 14-5. Sparks was thrown out trying to reach third on the play.

Goodsprings responded with some runs of its own in the bottom of the inning. Steve Mann came in as a pinch hitter for LaRue and singled to lead off. Martinez followed with a single, followed by an RBI double by Shaft. After Ferguson walked to load the bases, Stirfry hit an RBI single for a 16-5 score. With one out after a fielder’s choice at home, North Vegas reliever Armor Hammer walked in a run for a 17-5 score after seven innings. Goodsprings hit into a 7-2 double play on the final out of the inning when Duncan flied out and Stirfry was thrown out at the plate while trying to tag up.

After a 1-2-3 Radscorpions’ eighth, the Lucky 38s came out swinging once again. With one out, Mann and Martinex hit back-to-back singles. Shaft then reached on a Towns error for the second time to score Mann. After Ferguson hit into a fielder’s choice, Stirfry doubled in Martinez for a 19-5 score. Raines then hit a two-RBI single for the final 21-5 score.

Game Five will take place in Goodsprings. If the Lucky 38s sweep at home, they will move on to the Mojave Series for the second time in a row and third time in four years of the MBL. Goodsprings beat the New California Republic, which has a 3-1 series lead over South Vegas, in last year’s Mojave Series.

[Tyke]

I thought that was a typo at first, and that it must be North Vegas 6, Goodsprings 2. Oh me of little faith! I should have known better, just hope they can close it out now and get to another finals series.

[StLee]

New California Republic 4 at South Vegas 5

Both teams went back and forth with neither team leading by more than two runs. The Vault Boys scored the game’s final run in the bottom of the seventh to clinch the victory.

James Sexton led the way for South Vegas with three RBI, including an RBI double and the game-winning sacrifice fly.

Clyde Martin hit a two-run home run for the Bears.

The NCR leads the series three games to two.

[NYY #23]

I have to admit that I know next to nothing about Fallout, so judging a book by it's cover I haven't read this at all before today, but I ended up reading about 3/4 this afternoon, and I'm now all up to date this evening. I have to admit now that I should have opened this up before and followed along because this is one of the best dynasties that I've ever read. From the backstories, characters, and uniforms you've done a great job at bringing this world that I knew nothing about to life.

Not to mention this is one of the most unique dynasties as well, with death, mutant attacks, and chems. I was beginning to think I was cursed though, because I was rooting for the Lucky 38's year one, then the Dinosaurs and Radscorpions in year two, until finally the Lucky 38's pulled it off in Year 3. I'm hoping they can at least close out the semifinal series this year. Can't wait to find out what changes or surprises the NCR sponsorship will bring.

Well done, and I'll definitely be following along going forward!

[StLee]

North Vegas 4 at Goodsprings 5

Jimmy LaRue may not have had the best series offensively in the first three games, but the sweet-stroking center fielder ended the semifinal series against North Vegas with a leadoff home run in the bottom of the ninth inning, giving Goodsprings a 5-4 victory and a 4-1 series win.

LaRue was 4 for 4 with two home runs, a walk, two RBI, and three runs to earn Game MVP honors. He was also named the Series B Most Outstanding Player based on his efforts in games four and five. He did not have a single hit in the first three games, but finished with seven hits in the last two games. He was 7 for 18 (.389) with two home runs, five RBI, five runs, and three walks.

The Radscorpions scored two runs in the top of the ninth to tie the game 4-4 on an RBI double by Arthur Glass and RBI triple by Chris Towns.