The Pastime Baseball League

[EMSoccerCoach]

I hadn't even realized the Oscar Charleston injury until I started the Southern League writeup. He got hurt on August 31. But he comes back in the final week of the season, and decides to play...will he hit .400?

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League




Charleston activated, will play to chase .400

MEMPHIS -- He could have just sat out. The Memphis Strummers' season is over, and it's likely that even missing the last month, Oscar Charleston will bring home his second consecutive Southern League Outstanding Hitter award. And he could have assured himself of the lofty .400 average thought virtually unattainable, nestled right on the mark.

But Charleston would have none of that.

So tomorrow, Oscar Charleston puts .400 on the line, returning for the Strummers' final six games of a lost season after missing more than three weeks with a torn ligament in his thumb, injured playing as Charleston always does...hard.

The Clint Barmes looper on August 31 spurred a headlong dive by Charleston, who made the catch despite landing awkwardly, with his hand underneath him.

He insists he's fine, though some have speculated he simply doesn't want to get a mark of this magnitude while sitting on the bench.

Regardless, it's expected that Charleston will return tomorrow for Memphis, batting third and playing center, as he has for two marvelous seasons now. He's hit .400 for five months. Now he must do so for six more games - two against the Alabama Airmen and four against the Orlando Orcas.

The crowd, which has thinned in the past month here in Memphis, will surely flock to see potential history. Regardless, they will see certain greatness!

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League


Charleston's Chase For .400


Entering play on Sept. 25, Oscar Charleston's average stood at an even .400 (technically, .3996 at 201 for 503). What follows is a rundown of his pursuit of the remarkable achievement over the final six games:

Sept. 25 vs Alabama:
Opposing pitcher - Vic Willis (9-16, 4.60)
Result - Memphis loses 6-3
Lineup - Batting 3rd, playing center

AB #1: Groundout to first
AB #2: Fly out to center
AB #3: Walks on 8 pitches
AB #4: Lined single to right-center
AB #5: Strikes out looking

After a 1-4 performance, Charleston's average stands at .3984.

Sept. 26 vs Alabama:
Opposing pitcher - Barry Zito (10-9, 4.72)
Result - Memphis wins 4-1
Lineup - Batting 3rd, playing center

AB #1: Single through the hole into left
AB #2: After getting ahead 2-0, Charleston grounds to short
AB #3: Ahead again 3-1, Charleston strikes out swinging
AB #4: Reaches on an error by Bobby Lowe

Another 1-4, and the error by Lowe was a no doubter, Charleston's average now stands at .3973 as the Strummers prepare to host Orlando for a four-game set to close out the season.

[NYY #23]

Things aren't looking good for Mr. Charleston....at least he played the last week though, that would have been a cheap way to get .400.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Originally Posted by NYY #23

Things aren't looking good for Mr. Charleston....at least he played the last week though, that would have been a cheap way to get .400.

Yeah...I just couldn't let him not play once he came back. If he gets it, I want it to be legit...and now...

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League


Charleston's Chase For .400


Sept. 27 vs Orlando:
Opposing pitcher - Aaron Harang (1-3, 5.85)
Result - Memphis wins 6-2
Lineup - Batting 3rd, playing center

AB #1: The Memphis crowd is furious as Charleston draws a four-pitch walk
AB #2: Groundout to first
AB #3: The crowd is in a frenzy as Charleston takes three straight balls. He takes two strikes, then fouls off two before walking for the second time.
AB #4: Charleston takes a strike...then four straight balls for this third walk of the game. The boos rain down on reliever Mark Baldwin, who has issued the last two walks.
AB #5: After two straight balls again, Charleston is overaggressive and grounds to first

After an 0-2 performance, Charleston's average stands at .3957. Charleston wouldn't say what everyone was thinking, but Cap Anson had no problem calling Orlando pitchers "a pack of cowards."

Sept. 28 vs Orlando:
Opposing pitcher - Francisco Liriano (17-13, 3.38)
Result - Memphis loses 9-7
Lineup - Batting 3rd, playing center

AB #1: Groundout to first
AB #2: Charleston laces an 0-2 fastball into right for a single
AB #3: Charleston singles in the hole to right on a 2-2 pitch
AB #4: Flyout to center
AB #5: Flyout to center

After a 2-5, Charleston halts the downward slide but makes no headway, his average now standing at .3958 with two games remaining. At 205 for 518, Charleston needs to go 6 for 8 or better to get to .400.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League

Charleston's Chase For .400


Sept. 29 vs Orlando:
Opposing pitcher - Larry Cheney (13-5, 4.30)
Result - Memphis loses 10-4
Lineup - Batting 3rd, playing center

AB #1: Singles to right on the first pitch
AB #2: Charleston belts a 3-2 pitch into the bleachers for a 2-run shot, his 26th of the year
AB #3: Grounded into force
AB #4: Popup to short
AB #5: Popup to short

After hits in his first two ABs, Charleston was back up to .398. But after being retired his last three times up, he sits at .3958 going into the last game of the season. It will take a 4-for-4 to get Charleston to .400.

Sept. 30 vs Orlando:
Opposing pitcher - Bill Hoffer (11-15, 4.85)
Result - Memphis wins 3-2
Lineup - Batting 3rd, playing center

AB #1: Flyout to center
AB #2: Single to right
AB #3: Single to left

At this point, Charleston is at .3973. The score is tied at 2 as we start the bottom of the seventh. Should Charleston get two more at bats and go 2 for 2, he would end up at .3996...the magic .400.

Cupid Childs walks and moves to second on Ichiro Suzuki's groundout. Cap Anson lofts one to right that Jim O'Rourke misplays for an error. Childs scores as Anson gets to second.

Charleston comes up with Memphis leading 3-2. Everyone knows the situation.

The lefty digs into the box. Bill Hoffer toes the slab. Catcher Buck Ewing stands...holds his arm out and signals to put Charleston on with an intentional walk.

The boos get louder as the four-pitch sequence continues. Charleston is in stunned disbelief, while the Memphis bench is visibly furious. It does not seem unlikely that some fans will try to get to the field, and security quickly gets to field level just in case.

Charleston takes his walk, glaring to the mound, then the Orlando dugout, but saying nothing.

Memphis doesn't score again, Orlando gets nothing in the last two innings, and the intentional walk proves Charleston's final plate appearance of the season. The final tally, 209 hits in 526 at bats = .3973.

Imagine if you will the scenario if, in real life, this had occurred. It happened and watching the game I was stunned and upset. I wanted to see him get the chance, even if he didn't get the .400. The intentional walk makes for a great storyline, a "wow" moment of sorts, but man...I just can't imagine the crowd reaction if it happened in real life.

[NYY #23]

Originally Posted by EMSoccerCoach

Imagine if you will the scenario if, in real life, this had occurred. It happened and watching the game I was stunned and upset. I wanted to see him get the chance, even if he didn't get the .400. The intentional walk makes for a great storyline, a "wow" moment of sorts, but man...I just can't imagine the crowd reaction if it happened in real life.
[/SIZE][/SIZE]

Wow is right. That is pretty amazing, but it does make a good story. Pretty classless move by Orlando.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Originally Posted by NYY #23

Wow is right. That is pretty amazing, but it does make a good story. Pretty classless move by Orlando.

I couldn't bring myself to interfere and undo it, though. Believe me, I considered it. But I felt like at that point I'd be bastardizing the accomplishment. As it turned out, he wouldn't have gotten up again anyway. The run had scored before he was up. But it would have been hard for me to let it go had it been the at bat to make or break the .400 achievement.

[NYY #23]

Originally Posted by EMSoccerCoach

I couldn't bring myself to interfere and undo it, though. Believe me, I considered it. But I felt like at that point I'd be bastardizing the accomplishment. As it turned out, he wouldn't have gotten up again anyway. The run had scored before he was up. But it would have been hard for me to let it go had it been the at bat to make or break the .400 achievement.

Yeah, it is always best not to interfere with what was meant to be. Tough to sit by idly though. At least it is good he didn't get that one extra at-bat, it does make me feel better.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Originally Posted by NYY #23

Yeah, it is always best not to interfere with what was meant to be. Tough to sit by idly though. At least it is good he didn't get that one extra at-bat, it does make me feel better.

Exactly.

Now, onto the end of year wrapup and the postseason!

[kenyan_cheena]

That was a pretty cool storyline, EM. It was sad to see Oscar miss out but I agree that it was best you didn't interfere. It's better to let the game play it out and accept the result.

It reminds me of the Australian cricketer Don Bradman, who only needed to score four runs in his final test match inning to finish with a career average of 100. He was out for 0 and finished with an average of 99.94.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Bradman

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League
September Review
End of Regular Season

Northern League Standings
East	W	L	PCT	GB
New York Heroes	98	64	.605	-
Louisville Racers	85	77	.525	13.0
Philadelphia Ringers	81	81	.500	17.0
Charlotte Cougars	60	102	.370	38.0
West	W	L	PCT	GB
Wichita Brigade	101	61	.623	-
Chicago Hitmen	80	82	.494	21.0
Sacramento Stingers	77	85	.475	24.0
Indianapolis Engines	64	98	.395	37.0

Southern League Standings
East	W	L	PCT	GB
New Orleans Knights	95	67	.586	-
Orlando Orcas	85	77	.525	10.0
Memphis Strummers	79	83	.488	16.0
Alabama Airmen	63	99	.389	32.0
West	W	L	PCT	GB
San Antonio Sheriffs	101	61	.623	-
Los Angeles Idols	80	82	.494	21.0
Arizona Sandmen	74	88	.457	27.0
Las Vegas Bosses	73	89	.451	28.0

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League
September Review (cont.)

Northern League Final Leaders

Batting AVG
M. Moynahan	WIC	.342
G. Beaumont	SAC	.333
R. Connor	NY	.319
F. Chance	WIC	.317
A. Dalrymple	IND	.313

Home Runs
C. Jones	PHI	47
D. Brouthers	LOU	35
A. Dunn	CHI	34
F. Dunlap	CHA	32
E. Flick	IND	27

Runs Batted In
D. Brouthers	LOU	130
C. Jones	PHI	115
F. Dunlap	CHA	109
I. Meusel	NY	108
D. Wright	NY	108

Runs
S. Strang	WIC	106
F. Jones	NY	105
C. Stahl	CHI	104
E. Flick	IND	102
R. Connor	NY	101

Stolen Bases
H. Long	LOU	25
J. Anderson	PHI	23
B. Hamilton	IND	22
F. Jones	NY	22
S. Bankhead	SAC	21

ERA
S. Paige	PHI	2.93
B. Byrd	NY	3.18
C. Young	CHI	3.34
J. McCormick	NY	3.35
J. Pineiro	PHI	3.42

Wins
J. McCormick	NY	24
B. Byrd	NY	21
H. Howell	NY	20
E. Chamberlain	WIC	19
R. Oswalt	LOU	18

Strikeouts
R. Waddell	WIC	272
S. Paige	PHI	261
B. Byrd	NY	221
C. Hamels	SAC	207
R. Oswalt	LOU	205

Saves
C. Cordero	WIC	31
J. Papelbon	NY	31
F. Rodriguez	LOU	28
B. Lidge	SAC	26
B. Duggleby	PHI	23

Southern League Final Leaders

Batting AVG
O. Charleston	MEM	.397
C. McVey	LA	.347
S. Crawford	ORL	.335
R. Furcal	SA	.333
J. Fournier	NO	.326

Home Runs
S. Thompson	NO	37
L. Pike	LV	36
R. Howard	ARI	31
M. Donlin	LA	30
E. Longoria	NO	28

Runs Batted In
S. Thompson	NO	132
E. Sutton	ORL	122
L. Pike	LV	118
T. Hartsel	NO	112
M. Donlin	LA	109

Runs
S. Podsednik	SA	131
G. Wright	NO	122
T. Hartsel	NO	119
S. Thompson	NO	113
O. Charleston	MEM	107

Stolen Bases
S. Podsednik	SA	71
H. Duffy	SA	36
J. Reyes	ARI	35
J. Gathright	ARI	34
J. Rollins	ALA	34

ERA
T. Trent	SA	2.58
D. Willis	NO	3.16
M. Prior	NO	3.21
D. Rudolph	SA	3.40
F. Liriano	ORL	3.56

Wins
M. Prior	NO	23
T. Trent	SA	21
J. McGinnity	SA	20
D. Willis	NO	19
B. Sanders	ARI	18

Strikeouts
M. Prior	NO	258
T. Trent	SA	225
T. Lincecum	MEM	211
L. Baldwin	MEM	203
J. Corbett	ALA	200

Saves
C. Sweeney	LV	33
J. Valverde	ARI	33
B. Donnelly	ALA	28
H. Okajima	SA	28
M. MacDougal	MEM	26

[kenyan_cheena]

Nice finish to the season for the Hitmen, going 18-11 in September.

2011 looks like being a big year for them.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Originally Posted by kenyan_cheena

Nice finish to the season for the Hitmen, going 18-11 in September.

2011 looks like being a big year for them.

Had Ruth not gotten hurt, they would've reached .500. Will be interesting to see how they pick in the draft.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League
September Review (cont.)

Northern League Report

The playoff brackets are set, and September regrettably passed without a pennant race. The division winners, the New York Heroes and the Wichita Brigade will get their respective writeups in the series previews, so we'll use this space to cover the other six teams in the Northern League, who really didn't get much ink this season.

In the East, the Louisville Racers had an odd season, hitting for low average and power, yet somehow ranking fourth in runs scored. They also posted the second best ERA in the Northern League. Yet they lost the division by 13 games. 2B Hardy Richardson's (.213-10-62) OPS dropped more than 200 points from last year (.845 to .633) and the offense ended up being a one-trick pony. Dan Brouthers (.298-35-130) got little support: Next highest in homers and RBI? Joe Kelley with 11 and 78, respectively. Roy Oswalt won 18 games and struck out more than 200 batters for the second straight year. Edinson Volquez won 16 to back up Oswalt.

The Philadelphia Ringers were middle of the pack in runs and pitching, and predictibly finished with a .500 record. Despite having a good chance at the Outstanding Hitter (Charley Jones: .271-47-115) and the Outstanding Pitcher (Satchel Paige: 17-8, 2.93, 261 Ks), it took a 20-9 run in September to get the Ringers even. A pleasant surprise was Joel Pineiro (13-9, 3.42), who was strong after a 4-12, 5.74, year in 2009. CF John O'Rourke (.265-27-97) was solid but dropped considerably from his .320-47-112 campaign a year ago.

Down south, the Charlotte Cougars were abyssmal, losing 102 games. They locked up the first pick, though, and have plenty of holes to fill. The preseason loss of Matt Cain for the season hurt their staff tremendously, but a terrible season from Tim Keefe - who lost a whopping 24 games - and hard luck for Silver King (5-10, 3.49), were just some symbols of a lost season. One bright spot was a big step forward for young 2B Fred Dunlap (.293-32-109), who improved in all areas this season to become a potent offensive force.

Out West, it's stunning what a story the Chicago Hitmen have become. Buoyed by rookie star Babe Ruth (.280-25-87) and the growth of many powerful youngsters - Albert Pujols (.308-24-104), Josh Hamilton (.291-27-100) and Adam Dunn (.245-34-104) - the Hitmen blasted a PBL-best 190 homers. Cy Young (18-13, 3.34) stepped forward while Amos Rusie (10-16, 4.48) and Johan Santana (1-6, 6.08) stepped back on the hill. The team went 33-25 over its last two months, falling one win shy of the .500 record they set as their goal before the season. That .569 mark, if kept up for a full season, would have given them the 5th best record in the PBL.

The Sacramento Stingers dealt with the collapse of last year's Outstanding Hitter, George Hall (.276-13-59) and didn't do much well. CF Ginger Beaumont (.333-17-85) earned back the job he lost last year after injury, and RF Socks Seybold (.282-17-70) was solid. But the team lacked the spectacular in any aspect, from any player, eliminating early any hope of their chasing down the Wichita powerhouse. Biggest bright spot? P Cole Hames, who won 15 games with a 3.48 ERA despite making only 23 starts.

The Indianapolis Engines were never able to rev it up. Coming into the season, CF Billy Hamilton was rated baseball's #11 prospect. He stole 71 bases last year when he drew a .447 OBP and was expected to be the catalyst. Instead, he stole 22 bases, drew a mere 15 walks, tore his meniscus and missed three months instead of the expected one. RF Elmer Flick (.275-27-83) and LF Abner Dalrymple (.313-16-81) were solid. Jonny Gomes had a 12-homer June, driving in 35, but hit only 4 with 28 RBI the rest of the season.


AWARDS

Player of the Week
9/6 2B Fred Dunlap - Charlotte Cougars
9/13 SS Hanley Ramirez - Indianapolis Engines
9/20 SS/2B Sam Bankhead - Sacramento Stingers
9/27 LF Charley Jones (2) - Philadephia Ringers

Batter of the Month
LF Charley Jones (2) - Philadelphia Ringers

Pitcher of the Month
SP Joel Pineiro - Philadelphia Ringers

Rookie of the Month
LF Rube Bressler - Wichita Brigade

[EMSoccerCoach]

Updated the Northern League recap to include the West division.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League
September Review (cont.)

Southern League Report

The Orlando Orcas improved 13 games this season for a variety of reasons, starting with a lineup that went from hitting .249 last season to .280 this year. They went from scoring 693 runs to 879. The offense improved so much that Ryan Howard, who hit 24 homers in 86 games for the Orcas, was deemed expendable. Rookie 1B Buck Freeman (.319-24-76) will get major consideration for Rookie of the Year, while RF Sam Crawford (.335-22-90) and 3B Ezra Sutton (.312-27-122) should lead the way moving forward. Pitching regressed slightly, though rookie Larry Cheney won 14 games and Francisco Liriano improved from an 18-loss campaign a year ago to win 17 games this year.

Besides the marvelous Oscar Charleston, the Memphis Strummers saw a virtually universal regression. The top four starters all slid in ERA: Jesse Tannehill (15-6, 4.32), Tim Lincecum (13-12, 3.97), Lady Baldwin (13-717, 4.30) and Sadie McMahon (11-19, 5.17). Similar declines happened on offense, led in their floundering by 1B Cap Anson, who fell from .338-26-118 to .282-5-51; and C Deacon White, who slipped from .327-20-110 to .259-11-77. One big step forward was 3B Ryan Braun, who went from .255-17-71 to .283-25-104, despite an assorment of back and shoulder injuries throughout the year. A symbol of the Strummers' season: In game 159, Braun was hit with a pitch, breaking his hand.

The title of worst franchise in the PBL's two-year history goes to the Alabama Airmen, who fell from 72 wins to 63. Their team ERA got worse by nearly a full run, rising from 4.01 to 4.97. This despite the fact they drafted pitchers with their first four picks in last year's amateur draft. The only positives were RF Mike Tiernan (.283-20-92) and C Joe Mauer (.318-10-69).

The Los Angeles Idols went 80-82, fitting given their trend of bad month/good month: From April to Sept. - 7-15, 14-12, 12-16, 17-11, 12-17 and 18-11. C Cal McVey (.347-5-57) would have won the Southern League batting title were it not for Oscar Charleston's campaign. CF Mike Donlin (.309-30-109) became one of the league's most potent offensive forces, and Billy Rhines rebounded from a 24-loss campaign to win 15 games.

Dealing for Ryan Howard was the highlight for the Arizona Sandmen, who hope they can be set up for next season. The Southern League's next-to-worst offense picked up support for Nap Lajoie (.248-24-97), who suffered this year with no force behind him. 2B Jose Reyes (.323-10-85) improved dramatically, setting himself up as the team's catalyst of the future. The man Reyes moved over for, SS Willie Wells (.297-9-84).

The Las Vegas Bosses saw the tremendous rise of 1B Lip Pike (.314-36-118) but little else go right. The team lost Carlos Zambrano with a torn rotator cuff in spring training. Amazingly, even Pike's excellent season won't get him the Outstanding Hitter award, given Charleston's performance.

AWARDS

Player of the Week
9/6 CF Jimmy Ryan - Las Vegas Bosses
9/13 1B Buck Freeman - Orlando Orcas
9/20 LF Harry Stovey (2) - Los Angeles Idols
9/27 3B Evan Longoria - New Orleans Knights

Batter of the Month
RF Sam Thompson - New Orleans Knights

Pitcher of the Month
SP Tim Lincecum (2) - Memphis Strummers

Rookie of the Month
1B Buck Freeman (3) - Orlando Orcas

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League Friday, Oct. 1, 2010

PLAYOFF PREVIEW

NORTHERN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

New York Heroes (98-64) vs Wichita Brigade (101-61)

NEW YORK LEADERS

Team Leaders AVG R. Connor .319 D. Higham .313 J. Viox .303 J. Burkett .295 F. Jones .293	Team Leaders HR R. Connor 26 D. Wright 23 J. Burkett 17 F. Jones 15 I. Meusel 12	Team Leaders RBI 2 tied with 108 I. Meusel 108 D. Wright 108 J. Burkett 96 F. Jones 84
Team Leaders W J. McCormick 24 B. Byrd 21 H. Howell 20 B. Drake 9 2 tied with 6	Team Leaders ERA B. Byrd 3.18 J. McCormick 3.35 B. Drake 3.44 H. Howell 4.21	Team Leaders K B. Byrd 221 J. McCormick 166 H. Howell 158 B. Drake 150 B. Fuentes 71

WICHITA LEADERS

Team Leaders AVG M. Moynahan .342 F. Chance .317 F. Isbell .301 G. Davis .297 S. Strang .272	Team Leaders HR G. Davis 19 O. Burns 17 R. Cano 16 F. Chance 10 3 more tied with 10	Team Leaders RBI F. Chance 101 G. Davis 92 M. Moynahan 92 R. Cano 80 F. Isbell 72
Team Leaders W E. Chamberlain 19 A. Orth 17 J. Hughes 15 R. Waddell 13 J. Gaines 10 Season Series: Wichita won 7-6	Team Leaders ERA A. Orth 3.44 J. Hughes 3.83 R. Waddell 4.14 E. Chamberlain 4.51	Team Leaders K R. Waddell 272 E. Chamberlain 152 A. Orth 129 J. Hughes 111 J. Gaines 84

The Wichita Brigade look to defend their PBL Championship against a New York team that performed pretty much as it did last year, strong and with balance. New York lost the NLCS to Wichita in 6 games last season, and the big difference last year was Rube Waddell, who won 27 games and the league's Outstanding Pitcher award but was far less dominant this season. The emergence of Bill Byrd and development of Jim McCormick are reasons many feel New York has a better chance than last season, when they were taken out in 6 games. The growth of David Wright and a strong rookie season from Irish Meusel, who both drove in 108 runs, give New York's offense some added punch.

There's one name missing, though. New York first baseman Roger Connor broke his arm on September 20 and is out for the season. His replacement has yet to be named, but there's nobody who will match Connor's production and clutch hitting. The loss of Connor is terrible at best, devastating at worst.

Of course, Wichita has the ring. When the chips are down, many feel, Waddell will step it up again. And Wichita has its own strong rookie, 2B Mike Moynahan, who won the Northern League batting title. Add Al Orth's improvement and Wichita is still plenty formidable, as its 101 wins attest.

Prediction: Last year, Wichita did everything a little better than New York. Were both teams healthy, it would seem to be reversed this time around. But Connor's injury changes everything. The mortality of Rube Waddell is offset by the loss of Connor, meaning Wichita should manage to repeat last year's performance Wichita in 6.