King County Baseball Conference

[Honorable_Pawn]

07/10/12
Tuesday Morning
Updated Standings

[Honorable_Pawn]

07/10/12
Tuesday
Daily Match-ups

[Honorable_Pawn]

07/10/12
Tuesday
Daily Recap






Key Moment

With his team leading 2-1 in the top 3rd inning right-handed hitting George Andrews (.167 1 8) lined a 2-out 3-run home run down the line in left for a 5-2 lead.


District Thirteen--The 6,220 in attendance was a KCBL record-low on Tuesday afternoon's match-up between the Paco Wolves (6-8) and the District Thirteen Blackjacks (6-7). Those not in attendance missed a masterful pitching performance by SP Albert Harris (2-2 3.05) who allowed just 1 earned run on 5 hits and 4 walks through 8 innings while striking out a career-high 8 batters.

After getting staked to an early 2-0 lead in the top of the 1st inning on SS George Barnes' (.351 3 8) 2-run shot Harris got himself into trouble by loading the bases with no outs in the bottom of the 2nd inning. He struck out skrawny SS Toby Smith (.205 0 5) for the 1st out of the inning. The next batter, 2B Greg Franklin (.195 0 5), who is District Thirteen's 3rd-best prospect drew a walk on a very close pitch on a full count scoring the only run the Blackjacks would get on the afternoon. Harris then got a pop-out in foul territory in right field that was not deep enough to challege RF Brit Mayfield's OSA scouted arm of 10 for the 2nd out of the inning. Harris then fanned the lead-off batter in the Blackjack line-up RF Albert Hawn (.314 2 6) for the final out of the inning.

Later in the game George Andrews (3-4 HR 3 RBI R K) snapped a season-long slump by hitting his first home run of the season, a 3-run shot in the top of the 3rd inning to put the Wolves on top 5-1. 2B Jason Drake (.240 1 3) added a solo shot in the 4th inning for the final run of the game.


Player of the Game
SP Albert Harris


Honorable Pawn
1B George Andrews

[Honorable_Pawn]

07/11/12
Wednesday Morning
Updated Standings

[Honorable_Pawn]

07/11/13
End of the 1st Quarter
Brief Review



Batting Leaders



Pitching Leaders



Team Stats

[Honorable_Pawn]

07/11/12
Wednesday
Daily Match-ups

[Honorable_Pawn]

07/11/12
Wednesday
Daily Recap






Key Moment

With one out in the top of the 8th inning in a 4-4 game struggling LF Donovan Todd (.137 1 4) lifted a Brad Bass pitch (2-4 6.87) to deep right field with the bases loaded for a 5-4 lead.


Plowboys Outlast Woodcutters Remain in 1st

Adamsville--The Plowboys (9-6) edged the Woodcutters (7-8) 6-5 in a back-and-forth game that featured 4 lead changes in front of 7,878 disappointed fans.

C Junk Hunter (.244 1 9) got the scoring started when he laced a 3-2 pitch through the left side of the infield for a 2-out RBI and a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the 2nd inning. The Woodcutter lead did not last long when 1B Anthony Roberts (.255 4 15) doubled home a run with two outs to tie the game at 1 in the top of the very next frame. He was, subsequently, singled home for a 2-1 lead by CF Roy "The Terd" Logan.

That lead was erased in the bottom of the 3rd inning when LF Ryan Lilly (.254 1 4) lifted a one-out solo home run just over the wall in rightfield tying the game at 2. In the top of the 3rd Farmingdale took the lead again when LF Donovan Todd who had struck out in his previous two AB's laced a one-out double with runners at 1st and 2nd for a 3-2 lead.

Adamsville struck back quickly in the bottom of the 4th inning when 1B Don Brooks (.295 3 14) connected for his 3rd home run of the season tying the game at 3.

The game remained knotted until one out in the bottom of the 6th inning when DH "Big" John Humprey (.258 2 6) joined the home run party with his 2nd of the year for a 4-3 lead.

The wheels fell off for SP Brad Bass in the 8th inning when he allowed a one-out solo home run to C Palmer Ryan (.259 2 4) to tie the game at 4. Then a double and two walks later LF Donovan drove home the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly to rightfield. The next batter 2B Andrew Jones singled home another run in what turned out to be a key insurance run for a 6-4 lead.

Power-hitting RF Todd Shelton launched a solo home run in the bottom of the 8th inning to make it a 1-run game at 6-5.

CL Brad Jones (0-2 7 4.77) earned his league-leading 7th save of the season when he mowed down the side 1-2-3 on 9 pitches.


Player of the Game
1B Don Brooks


Honorable Pawn
LF Donovan Todd

[Honorable_Pawn]

07/11/12
Wednesday
Daily Recap






Key Moment

With two outs in the bottom of the 2nd inning and his team leading 3-0, switch-hitting 3B Hal Hancock (.302 4 18) took an 0-1 curveball the opposite way to rightfield for a big 2-run single and a 5-0 lead.


Terry Quinn Electric in Brown Town Victory

Brown Town--SP Terry Quinn (5-0 1.45) won his 5th consecutive victory of the season pitching a 1-run complete game in front of 8,294 dazzled fans at Existence Electric Colliseum. The only run he allowed was an unearned run in the 4th inning. Defensive replacement RF Marty Davidson (.000 0 1), who was getting a rare start, dropped a routine fly ball that would have ended the inning but, instead, CF Keith Bradley (.340 2 9) scored the only run of the game for the District Thirteen Blackjacks.

After that Quinn retired 19 of the next 20 batters he faced including 7 in-a-row to close out the game. Overall he allowed just 4 hits while striking out 6 batters. Quinn who leads the league with an astonishing 9 K/BB has not allowed a free-pass in 17.1 innings. He has pitched at least 8 innings in every trip to the mound that he has made this season and has not allowed more than 3 ER in any start. Considered a "junk-baller" preseason Terry Quinn has made a strong case for the Elite Pitching Prowess Award thus far this season.


Player of the Game
SP Terry Quinn

[Honorable_Pawn]

07/11/12
Wednesday
Daily Recap






Key Moment

DH Ben Dyer (.242 2 11) hit an RBI-double with a runner on 1st base with two outs in the bottom of the 9th inning.


Ben Dyer Wins Game Walk-off Style

Tidewater Beach--The Tidewater Beach Castaways (8-7) defeated the Federal District Coal Raiders (7-7) to remain tied with the Brown Town Powers for 2nd place in the KCBL. The hero of the night was DH Ben Dyer who doubled in a run from 1st base with two outs in the bottom of the 9th inning in front of 7,934 pycho-active fans chanting "Whoa...Dude, Whoa Dude" in perfect unison.

Although slightly over-shadowed by the last inning heroics of Ben Dyer SP Will Cook (3-2 3.67) won his second straight start finishing his 3rd complete game of the season by allowing just 3 ER on 6 hits and 1 walk while striking out 7 batters. His only major mistake was when he left a fastball over the heart of the plate in the top of the 4th inning to 1B Dave Davis (.340 3 12) that exited yard 427' for a 2-run bomb that gave the Coal Raiders a 3-2 lead.

Struggling phoenom SP Jayrel "Blacklung" Lewis (1-4 6.03) took the loss after pitching fairly effectively for 8.2 innings. He surrendered a two-out walk to back-up catcher Del Downs in the bottom of the 9th inning and was replaced by stud CL Ronnie "Middleman" Moore (0-0 0.00 5) who has not allowed an ER in 6 appearances. With Jayrel Lewis on the hook for the runner on 1st and opponents batting just .222 against Moore it was beginning to look like extra-innings were probable. Moore gave up the game-ending double and Lewis was charged with the loss despite an effective start.

Player of the Game
SP Will Cook

[Honorable_Pawn]

07/12/12
Thursday Morning
Updated Standings

[Honorable_Pawn]

07/12/12
Thursday
Daily Match-ups

[Honorable_Pawn]

Odds and Ends
2012 First Year Player Draft Update



Paco Wolves
07/12/12 Signed 2012 1st round pick (1st overall) Ivan Strongongovich to a RR contract with a 161,100cr signing bonus.

07/12/12 Demoted LF Ben Ward (.324 2 7) to the RR.

07/12/12 Recalled OF Ivan Strongongovich to the active roster.


24-yr OF Ben Ward who has been raking against KCBL pitching this season was the first casualty of the recent 2012 amatuer draft when 21-yr old OF Ivan Strongongovich was placed on the active roster.

Many here at the studios were left scratching their heads that Paco would burn an option for a player who has been playing as well as Ben Dyer has been. OSA in full agreement with City Sports that Ivan Strongongovich is not KCBL-ready. We believe that if this move backfires and Ivan Strongongovich is over-matched the fall-out in the front office may be severe.

City Sports Radio (WOLF 640 am) on the radio dial is already reporting that the phone lines have exploded with disgruntled fans. Is a trade for pitching or infield depth in the works? That is the big question. What is going on in Paco?

Meet the new player on the Paco Wolves OF Ivan Strongongovich:




Caller: I'll tell you the problem. Problem is that Scouting Director Anthony Powell is a moron!!!

Caller2: You know what?!! I'm so sick of this piss-poor management around here. The only thing worse than the onsite Walmart Deli is the WRO.

Caller3: You got to be kidding me! Really!? Ben Ward? Hw was the only guy on the team that could hit the ball.


You get the idea...

Well, they may be on to something:


SD Anthony Powell

[Honorable_Pawn]

07/12/12
Thursday
Daily Recap






Key Moment

DH Ivan Strongongovich, the 1st overall pick in the 2012 amatuer draft, who was batting lead-off, was nailed with a 2-0 fastball in his very first PA in the KCBL. Welcome to the league, Kid.


Blacklegs Snap Wolfies Neck

Zulu--SP Dean Chopper (2-3 5.05) was wildly effective with his knuckleball which flitted and flirted in-and-out of the strike zone on Thursday afternoon in front of just 6,897 fans at Arbordale Stadium. The Blacklegs (8-7) have now won 3 straight games to move into a 3-way tie for 2nd place--1 game behind the idle Farmingdale Plowboys (9-6). Zulu is now 2-0 in the season series against the Paco Wolves (6-9) after this week's home-and-home series which was separated by 3 off days for Zulu. The two teams will play another home-and-home series this weekend on Saturday and Sunday.

Dean Chopper pitched all 9 innings for his 3rd complete game in 5 starts this season. He allowed just 1 ER on 5 hits while striking out 6 batters on 125 pitches. Although the Wolves struggled to make solid contact they did have several key opportunities. They drew 5 walks, a HBP, and stole 5 bases on his slow delivery to the mound. Nevertheless, Chopper was able to get the big outs when they counted the most. He eliminated two rallies with double-play ground-outs and ended 3 other rallies with inning-ending strike outs.

Zulu, on the otherhand, capitalized on their opportunities by turning 9 singles, 6 walks, 1 double, and 1 solo homerun into two very big innings. Both of which they turned over the line-up against struggling SP Clint Callahan (2-2 7.81).


Player of the Game
SP Dean Chopper

[Honorable_Pawn]

07/12/12
Thursday
Daily Recap





Key Moment

With one out and runners on 1st and 2nd in a tight 1-0 pitcher's duel CF Keith Bradley (.358 3 12) turned on a 2-1 hanging curve for a 397' 3-run homer down the line in left.


Blackjacks Trump Coal Raiders 4-2

District Thirteen--SP Henry Jackson (4-1 2.58) carried the Blackjacks (7-8) for 7.2 shut-out innings in front of 7,764 fans at Pocket Rocket Stadium Thursday night. He made effective use of his fastball and slider while mixing in the occasional change-up by striking out more batters (6) than he allowed hits (5). Although he worked many deep counts he had pinpoint control when it mattered as he did not yield a walk the entire game. He has now won 4 straight starts in his role as the stopper in the Blackjack rotation.

He got all of the run support he would need off of the bat of hot-hitting CF Keith Bradley in the bottom of the 5th inning when Bradley launched a 3-run bomb to left. That got the fans into the game and put tremendous pressure on the Coal Raider line-up to strike back. Federal District picked up 2 runs against District Thirteen's top bullpen prospect, 22-yr old MR Arnold Perkins, in the top of the 9th inning. CL Bradley Miles (1-0 3 0.00) who has arguably the best fastball/slider combination in the KCBL ended the threat on 7 pitches for his 3rd save of the season.

The Blackjacks, who are desperate for a consistent offensive threat in the heart of their order have been in deep negotiations with the troubled free-agent 1B Tony Bustamonte and appear to have the upperhand in negotiations.

Player of the Game
SP Henry Jackson

[Honorable_Pawn]

07/13/12
Friday Morning
Updated Standings

[Honorable_Pawn]

07/13/12
Friday
Daily Match-ups

[Honorable_Pawn]

Hey you! Yeah...You.

You're reading this right?

You seen the gambler guy lately? I Ain't see him lately?

You?

[Honorable_Pawn]

07/13/12
Friday
Daily Recap






Key Moment

2B Jason Drake (.273 1 4) doubled home the go-ahead run with one out in the bottom of the 4th inning in a 2-2 game. He later went on to score in the inning.


Wolves Down Blackjacks 4-2

Paco--The Paco Wolves (7-9) got back-to-back home runs in the 1st inning off of the bats of CF Kelly Whitehead (.239 4 14) and LF Lou Sherman (.180 1 7) while riding the arm of SP Michael Morris (1-3 3.69) to 4-2 victory over the District Thirteen Blackjacks (7-9) at Walmart Wolves Den Stadium in front of 7,779 jubilant fans.

There were several positive indicators for the Wolves in this game. The middle of the batting order that has struggled to hit all season was able to put the ball in play with the #3 through #5 batters going a combined 4-12 with a 2B and a HR and just 1 K. Struggling superstar RF Brit Mayfield (.224 0 2) extended his hitting streak to 3 games going 2-4. Another sign of encouragement was the production at the top of the order. Recent call-up DH Ivan Strongongovich (.400 0 1) went 2-3 with a BB and an RBI-single in the 4th inning.

SP Michael Morris dominated Blackjack hitters allowing just 3 hits over 7.2 innings pitched. He struck out 4 and walked none while allowing just 2 ER. The bullpen pitched effectively allowing just a single hit over the final 1.1 innings punctuated by CL Cooper Fullerton's (0-1 2 8.10) second save of the season.

Blackjacks CF Keith Bradley had his 15-game hitting streak snapped and now holds the all-time record.


Player of the Game
SP Michael Morris

[Honorable_Pawn]

07/13/12
Friday
Daily Recap






Key Moment

CF James Waddell (.284 4 12) blasted a 3-run home run in the bottom of the 1st inning for an early 3-0 lead.


Tidewater Beach Stays Hot; Remain in 2nd Place

Tidewater Beach--The Castaways (9-7) improved their home record to 6-2 with a convincing 5-1 victory over the Adamsville Woodcutters (7-9) at Corona Coastal Stadium in front of 7,778 satisfied fans Friday night. The Castaways have now won 2 games in-a-row and 4 of their last 5 to remain tied for top wildcard position with the Brown Town Powers (9-7).

CF James Waddell started the fireworks with a 3-run bomb in the 1st inning for a quick 3-0 lead and RF Jeff "Spicoli" Hyde (.318 5 13) added his league-leading 5th home run of the season in the 5th inning. DH Ben Dyer reached base in all 5 plate appearances as the Castaways rapped out 12 hits and drew 5 walks on a day that sinkerballer SP Jake Nichols (2-2 4.46) could do no wrong.

Nichols did not surrender an ER over 7.2 innings. The 29-yr old demonstrated veteran resilience with his defense committing 3 errors behind him but he picked up two key double plays while limiting walks to just 2.

The Castaways will now head to Federal District (7-9) Saturday for the first of a home and home weekend series.


Player of the Game
SP Jake Nichols


Honorable Pawn
DH Ben Dyer

[Honorable_Pawn]

07/13/12
Friday
Daily Recap






Key Moment

With 2 outs in the top of the 7th inning 1B Terry Arrington (.185 3 5) pulled a double down down the rightfield line just past the out-stretched glove of 1B Harvey Rhodes which broke up SP Matt Thirkettle's (2-4 3.65) bid for the 1st no-hitter in league history.


Brown Town Shuts Out Zulu; Thirkettle Flirts with No-No

Brown Town--SP Matt Thirkettle dazzled 8,122 spellbound fans at Existence Electric Colliseum Friday night as he came within 7 outs of the first no-hitter in league history. He finished the night allowing just 1 hit, a double off of the bat of Terry Arrington in the 7th, while striking out a career high 10 batters through 8 dominant innings.

Thirkettle was lifted in the 9th inninng after an error by 1B Harvey Rhodes put the lead-off batter on 1st base. CL Ralph Willis (0-0 3 2.45) was the victim of a passed ball on his 2nd pitch when defensive replacement C Walt Kenney allowed his league-leading 3rd passed ball of the season. CL Ralph Willis setttled down striking out the next 3 batters he faced saving the shut-out at home.

Brown Town (9-7) heads to District Thirteen (7-9) Saturday night for the 1st of a home-and-home weekend series.

Player of the Game
SP Matt Thirkettle