Umnyuupian mission of baseball

[rferry]

May 21, 2012

The contract wars have greatly affected the club's balance sheets. Players demanded more to sign the secure contracts. Teams with excess talent stashed away in the minors had to release them to meet roster restrictions. The Koder Kesh Lynx have no room under the salary cap and desperately needs to sell out their ballpark a few times to break even this year. Rumor has it Dasht won't be able to resign at least one of their star pitchers and even the Elby Pelicans may not post a profit. Also, the contract wars has impacted the attendance of some towns that may take their toll on clubs' finances.

Perhaps the worst off are the Malko Bluewings. Malko took advantage of a rare mid-season trading window to move .300-hitting OF Jahja Vercuni's salary to the Kishperkujt Cubs in exchange for journeyman OF Antoni Kartallozi and cash. They've sold and terminated so many other contracts, they have just 20 registered players of the allowable 31.

Some clubs are even inviting exhibition clubs to play on off days, even stretching the limits of laws to play sunday nights against local semi-pro clubs. The CBL's Malko and Koder Kesh have reached out to the professional Mbijt Whitecaps for extra revenue-producing games in the next month and the Gidrm Pilots have one scheduled for July. The PL has been playing exhibitions against the Whitecaps since May and the Apluthje Swallows and Moseacaduk Bees have series planned over the summer. The Swallows series against Mbijt is the biggest event of the year as Whitecaps' owner Nedzati Xhaferi promises to bring along flood lights to allow for a night time game.

Responding to requests by Cvelfierja Governor Jebmnyk that the Dasht Padres schedule a baseball series against regional rivals Mbijt Whitecaps, Padres' owner Oltion Krasniki shot down the request. Oltion Krasniki: "I will not play them," Krasniki said directly. When pressed, he expanded his comments "that man is a thief and a hack. I don't know of a single CL owner who respects him, and I counsel our NL peers not to trust him either."

Some claim Krasniki, an influential power broker in the CL, may be fighting battles for his friend new Ghosanje Purple Sox owner Dimitrije Todorovic. Todorovic's clothing business suffered lost sales when Xhaferi's KCVX's Summer Showcase music festival chose a competing clothing manufacturer that Xhaferi had invested in and which allegedly stole Todorovic's designs.


Around the league:

Kishperkujt is still the class of the National League, at 27-11. Istamo Turtles are a week full of wins back from them. In the Coastal League, the Brekkar Orioles overtook rivals Hetre Rams for the lead. Ghosanje is right behind with great defense and heavy hitting contributing to their success.

In the past three weeks, we also saw the latest installment of inter league play. Now each club has played each at least once. Two more weeks of rigorous travel will come later, but so far the series is even. Most surprising is the Turtles' performance. The club has had several embarrassing performances in exhibitions against CL clubs in previous years. Yet they have a winning record against the CL this year. And this year, the games count as official league games.

Turtles P Bajram Topalli was duly rewarded after a 8-inning, 2-hit performance with a new contract. The pending free agent received a $5000 increase in salary for next two years with a vested option if he sticks in the rotation. He will get another $5000 if he can outseat Kishperkujt knuckleballer P Vincenzio Falchonelli for the Top Pitcher Award. Pilots P Pleurat Abrup is an early bet to claim that title for the CL.

As for the hitters, we saw our first five-hit game in the CBL. We already witnessed the Peninsula League's Ragusina Cannons' 1B Milutin Minic 5-hit, 2-homer, 2-walks performance last month. Still at the CBL level, the feat is notable. Turtles C Menderes Bushaj increased his average by 28 points with five hits visiting the capital city Urdhi Lions. The next day, Ghosanje OF Ndreu Thaqi also went five for five in a 19-0 thrashing of the Bluewings.

Elsewhere around the leagues:
The Lions' bats are struggling as expected. SS Milo Nedic is leading the league in homers (7), but has a .242 average. Their starting C and two starting outfielders are even worse. 1B/OF Borisav Solevic has batted a disappointing .182 since they signed him away from Dasht in the off season. Even batting champ OF Xhetan Rama, currently on the disabled list, only has a .270 average.

The Pelicans hope the addition of former Atlanta Braves P Kyle Davies will push them from a sub.-500 third place to competing with Kishperkujt. Their infield of team captain Vlashi Lushi, former minor leaguer Blair Springfield and rising star Ylli Galimuna have worked hard to protect a pitching staff beset by injuries and defections.

Another rising star to watch is Hetre 24yo OF Koca Nuhiji. He is tied for league lead in homers (7) and in second in OPS and stolen bases. He is a mighty replacement should star OF Jasa Brnovic leave in free agency. The Rams also called up prospect C Florent Pllana to play a reserve role. His bat is quite incredible for his age (21 years) and may force the club to find a corner position for him eventually.

In the other major league, the Valley League, OF Djordje Stojkovic has adapted well to Dhje. After a disappointing two weeks, he's 4 for 10 with 4 homers this past week. Taken with his stats with the Qelm Pirates, he is tied for the league in homers (6) among active players. A tight contest is forming at the top with the flawed Trini Steza Angels (excellent pitching with their Mala brothers and former LA Angel prospect P Tommy Mendoza trying to overcome an anemic offense) battling the flawed Ipusu Giants (Six .300 hitters in their lineup, but only one pitcher worthy a spot on the Angels' staff).

In the Peninsula League, the Tropje Eagles bounced back to take over the top spot from Qelm.
In an incredible feat, Eagles P Milovan Banovic threw a 9-inning, 1-run, 10-strikeout performance backed by only seven fielders. The club was unable to sign enough players in time for their May 8th game against the Fjuth Crusaders they had to play with just 2 outfielders. The umpires required Banovic to bat twice, allowing him to set a record for most at bats (8) in a nine-inning game. Perhaps the umpire thought having the pitcher bat twice was a penalty, but Banovic picked up 2 doubles and 2 walks in the game anyway. We're still trying to figure out how the sixth inning was addressed with Banovic apparently batted again despite being the base runner at first base. Perhaps they used a ghost runner or substitute. What a crazy game.

The PL also announced a league-wide development contract with the Coastal League. While each club is independent, the leagues are coordinating development programs at the senior and youth level, to be handled by CL staff. The leagues hope the area's baseball prospects will improve with the resources provided by the more well-supported clubs. The deal also calls for CL teams to play at least one exhibition series at a PL ballpark. The CL, and only the CL, will also have access to PL players after three playing years rather than wait for four years when the players are eligible for free agency. A limited number (6) may be selected each year through a draft, with the poorest performing CL club picking first.

[rferry]

June 4, 2012

National League: Kishperkujt is still tops in the league at 33-17. Any thoughts of them faltering without the Mala boys can be put away with their stellar play and their latest signing: former White Sox prospect P Justin Cassel, who has a 0.98 ERA in his first 3 starts. However, their three game lead over the Istamo Turtles may soon disappear because of a unsporting move involving Gidrm Pilots' C Vladislav Kandic. Lacking a backup catcher this past weekend due to injuries, the Kishperkujt Cubs rented Kandic for their series against the Malko Bluewings. As if that weren't terrible enough, they played the rising prospect and he contributed 3 hits to the team's series sweep. Both clubs were fined an undisclosed amount and Kandic is suspended 3 games. When the league meets at the all-star break, they will consider if the games will be forfeited as well.
The team that stands to benefit most from those potential forfeits are the Turtles, who would then be tied for first place. The young kids have won seven straight and just signed Umnyuupian legend 2B Vjosa Topalli, who was displaced by a rising Czech prospect by his Prague team. The $75000 salary is the second largest in the country's leagues and includes player options for the next two years when Topalli will be 38 and 39. Despite the cash outlay, this is a huge coup. To bring back a legend. And a legend who paid his way through Elby to brought back to lead Istamo to the nation's first real national championship? Turtles fans can only hope. Already, Topalli and 36-yo IF Pieroantonio Camossi (.925 OPS) give them a middle infield equal to the Pelicans. As for the Pelicans, their pitching is too inconsistent to launch them out of the middle of the table. Young Elby P Kolli Sujemani hasn't made the best of his spot-starting opportunities with such outings as his recent 7-2/3 inning, 7-walk, 9-strikeout performance. MLB veteran Kyle Davies wasn't any more consistent - striking out 14 while giving up 9 runs in a 8 inning start.
Compare that to another MLB veteran, 1B/3B Wes Helms of Koder Kesh. Somehow the Lynx were able to clear cap room for the former Brewer and he was able to suit up in time to for a series against the Cubs. He had five hits in his first game and nine over the weekend to help the Lynx take the series. Later, Helms set a league record by scoring four runs.
Towards the north and east, however, baseball has not been kind. The Nur Otters are imploding. Initially a contender, six-game and ten-game losing streaks have left the team 17 games out. Their owner KUTV has been so embarrassing the station has broadcast movies rather than show some games. It's hard to pinpoint where things went wrong. Terrible pitching, weak offense, dreadful defense, player defections, injuries, bad management. It's a mess. Umnyuupian-American P Arjan Paloka was so bad he was sent to bullpen with a 5+ ERA back in early May and his ERA has only increased since. His replacement former Florida Marlins P Adalberto Mendez has contributed a nearly identical ERA. Even Americans P Eric Finley and P Adam Horne are under performing. Also, the legendary Cuban trio finally separated after being together on one Umnyuupian club or another for the past 11 years, left. Having defected during a European baseball tournament, Umnyuupia offered them sanctuary. The ballplayers carried their talents from team to team, signing with Nur four years ago. However, the slugging 1B Salvador Rosario moved to the Spain League during the contract wars. Their replacement 1B is just dreadful and the club released the two remaining Cuban pitchers, both playing for different semi-pro clubs and arguably still more talented in their late thirties than most on the Otters' staff. To add to their offensive and defensive woes, their starting middle infield have been out with injuries. They called up a player contracted to the Ipusu Giants who decided to stay with Nur. Frankly, they should have left him in the minors. The offense is so terrible that teams are pitching around OF Jusufi Bytygi. He's now third in IBB among batters who don't bat in the eighth spot before the pitcher.
Malko may soon join displace the Otters at the bottom of the table. Their six game losing streak puts them close. The team needs bats. The front office just refuses to hire any. With just 24 players on contract, the front office refuses to hire any one at all. The outfield is just terrible. They're playing a sub-.200 hitting SS out there. They fired their manager over the weekend. They need to fire their general manager.


Coastal League: The Brekkar Orioles went three games on the bunched CL pack. Orioles P Muhamet Nallbani reached deep to overcome endurance issues to go 8 innings with 1 hit and 0 runs. The five competent starters have overcome the O's weak bats, which averaged just 3 runs per game the past 2 week stretch.
The Dasht Padres climbed out of the basement with a 9-3 week powered by their offense. In the past two weeks league wide, we saw five two-homer games. More than all of the first 1-1/2 months. Dasht OF Sandro Hysi hit two on May 26th becoming the first player with two two-homer games this year. A few days later he became the first batter to reach ten homers.
Offense wasn't enough to stop the Hetre Rams from losing six straight. Sparing them from the clear are the Urdhi Lions, who are 5-10 since May 17.


Valley League: It's a tight contest with Trini Steza slowly rising to top. P Tommy Mendoza gave up just 4 hits in 17-1/3 innings in his two most recent starts. In between the younger 'Reel Deal' Mala, Jon Leicester and Semi Minic gave up just 3 earned runs in 23 innings for the Angels. The Moseacaduk Bees are two out after a 6-2 stretch. OF Djordje Stojkovic's hot hitting continues, but his Dhje Twins are falling in standings.


Peninsula League: Tropje are still are in first. Switch-hitting C Vasa Grol's and his league-leading .405 batting average is carrying the Eagles. The 3-year veteran is likely to be drafted in next year's CL draft of PL veterans. Ragusina Cannons P Vojislav Nusic is a potential triple crown winner. He currently tops the PL in ERA and wins and is 2nd in Ks. The Putjep Yellow Sox rose out of cellar with a 6-2 streak. They hope they can continue their hot stretch in upcoming weeks against the top-table clubs.


While Mbijt Whitecaps were able to knock off the Eagles and Cannons, they could not control Fjuth and former Baltimore Orioles prospect SS Michael Mooney. Mooney was responsible for 10 of Crusaders' 12 runs in an exhibition against Mbijt.


Major League Baseball: The Rangers are best in the majors with 36 wins. The Giants hold that claim in the NL. The most interesting race is in the AL Central. The Royals are 5-1/2 up on triple crown candidate Miguel Cabrera's Tigers (.356-65-153 over 162 games). The Twins sit at the bottom of the standings with an embarrassing .259 winning percentage. That would project out to a 42-120 season, a fate worse than the 2003 Tigers. In the NL East, the Marlins sat at 13-11 record in early May when the club traded P Mark Buerhle to the Yankees. The club had recently learned they lost OF Giancarlo Stanton and SS Jose Reyes to months-long injuries and appeared to be giving up on the season. The club has persevered through the injuries to stay just 3 back of the Phillies.

[rferry]

June 18, 2012

Coastal League: Brekkar swept their rivals Hetre Rams on their way to a 4-game lead in the Coastal League. The Orioles had trouble finishing it off when P Andy Sonnanstine went through his worst start of the year (8 IP, 5 ER). The next week he came back to toss 10 scoreless innings of a 1-0 extra innings win over Koder Kesh. Arguably that wasn't even the most impressive pitching performance of the day or even game. His opponent Koder Kesh P Anthony Ortega struck out 8 and scattered 3 hits in 7-1/3 innings. Ortega even got two hits off him.
The suspension to C Vladislav Kandic didn't faze the Gidrm Pilots much. They slotted in former Minnesota Twins C Steve Holm, whom launched a 5-game hitting streak that kept the team going in spite of rough adjustments with the pitching staff. The Pilots were lucky their bats were there for the 8-4 stretch.
Luck had nothing to do with the Hetre Rams' interleague aroad trip. Their big bats were like a traveling fireworks show. You know of OF Jasa Brnovic (.290-2-34) and 3B Fortunato Memmoli (.251-6-43). You may have heard of former Rangers prospect 1B Jared Bolden (.347-6-25). However, 24yo OF Koca Nuhiji (.314-8-36 and 15 SB), 22yo 2B Ibrahim Xhaferi (.300/.370/.429), 26yo SS Kostandini Corbajram (.284/.366/.358) and 21yo C Florent Pllana (.265-3-12 in 100 AB) will be contributing at a high level for many years.
If the Rams seem to be on upward direction, the Padres on the opposite tracks. Don't get us wrong. It was a good week for Dasht. OF Sandro Hysi hit two more homers to retain the league lead (12). P Ian Snell had two great starts including one in which he stuck out 13 in 8-plus innings. A big bat was added in former Tigers C Max St. Pierre. Unfortunately all three got injured (4 weeks, 2 weeks and 5 days respectively) including Snell while he was attempting a complete game shutout.
Urdhi won both series against CL rivals Purple Sox and Orioles. The pitching is there with P Chaz Rowen and P Filpa Ceka with ERAs around 3.00 and P Brad Kilby reliable from the bullpen. However, the Lions' offense is lacking OF Xhetan Rama's bat. Last season's batting champ is hitting just .269, which might be fine if he were like SS Milo Nedic (.242-9-26), whom smacks the ball out, but Rama's a slap hitter with little power and apparently no luck at finding hits this year.
Also of note: Ghosanje's bats were able to sweep the NL's Pelicans. The domination by the upstart Purple Sox and Rams finally broke the stalemate of the interleague series. The 22-14 week pushes the CL ahead 58-50.


National League: Istamo took two of three from the league-leading Cubs in Kishperkujt. Newly appointed Turtles closer P Besnik Frasheri closed both games including the final inning of a 1-hit shutout. Frasheri is being asked to replace P Carlos Monasterios (2.20, 12 saves) who became the first and hopefully not the last CBL player to sign with a MLB club. The former Dodger (and Turtle - let's not forget that) is currently in the Baltimore Orioles' minor league system.
The first-place Cubs had an entertaining, although frustrating, week. SS Janji Tolka went down with an injury. 3B Zef Marku filled in at SS while the club rotated others through the hot corner. A young Domnican, formerly of the Chicago Cubs organization, filled in until being injured as well. The infield had 7 errors before a replacement IF was signed.
Big news in Malko. No, not the Bluewings' four game losing streak. No, not their six game losing streak either. The big news is that Jim Horner signed to four-year deal to manage the Bluewings. The former Texas Tech coach was reticent about moving his young family overseas. However, the four year contract provides the stability he demanded. The hefty wage comes with the hefty responsibility of leading the club out of 5th place. The signing of a proven foreign coach might also improve the league-low attendance. They were already able to pull in over 2000 for an exhibition against the Mbijt Whitecaps.


Valley League: What a week. The league expanded, a new team in first place, a superstar returned home, and some stellar pitching performances.
Let's start with the star power. When Cuban refugee 1B Salvador Rosario was let go after an trial with a club in the Spanish league, he returned not to the Nur Otters, but the Moseacaduk Bees. He will be paired with hot hitting 2B Gjergi Meshkalla in the middle of the order. Meshkalla is .277/.373/.411 since returning to the Bees; a marked improvement over the .297 OPS he had with the Malko Bluewings. The middle infielder has been an important run producer as witnessed with his 4 RBI in a recent series over the Dhje Twins. The Bees' pitching has much improved over the season too. P Cedomil Petrovic returned to the Bees from Malko and brought with him recent American college graduate Luis Yarrito. The two have shut down the opposition ever since. Yarrito shut out the Ipusu Giants last week and contributed 7 innings of a combined 11-2 defeat of the Twins this week. The win over Dhje came one day after his teammate Dominican and former Yankees minor leaguer P Noel Castillo struck out 11 Twins. (It was a weird two weeks for the Twins as they were also swept by the Giants, but then swept the Angels.)
The Bees were able to pull even with the once dominant Trini Steza Angels. The Angels will have to fight off the swarming Bees without P Xhemil 'Reel Deal' Mala, the younger Mala and one leading the Angels' rotation. The Angels are expected to move his brother Erion 'The Natural' into the rotation.

However, of course, the biggest news in the league is the addition of the Mbijt Whitecaps. The Whitecaps were invited to join the league at reduced franchise fee. Mbijt had been playing VBL, PL and CBL clubs around their South Coastal League and international schedules. A recent series against at Apluthje's Swallows Field drew near sellout crowds for the exhibition. While the big crowds can be attributed to the fact they were played at night thanks to a lighting system provided by the Whitecaps, the club have drawn well elsewhere. For example, their games against fellow Cvelfierja rivals Moseacaduk Bees at the end of the month have already sold 2000 of the 3550 available tickets for the games at The Hive.
The agreement also means Valley League games will be broadcast over the Whitecaps' owner's expansive radio station network. The VBL is currently contesting the CBL's contract with the public KMRU over claims of improper public benefits. The VBL's owners decided to bring the Whitecaps into the league despite the travel burden. Dhje or Ipusu may have to travel all day to get there. However, the league now has exclusive access to the 15th-largest city in the nation and strikes a claim in the lucrative Dasht-Mbijt metropolitan area which is even bigger than the Elby or Istamo-Pilg markets they lost to the National League. The league intends to expand to one more team to reach eight by next season. Many suspect the owners to lobby former Valley League clubs Istamo and Elby to return. If they don't, the nation's heartland has many towns hoping to promote their semi-pro clubs' ambitions at the professional level.
Meanwhile the Mbijt Whitecaps will play official league games as its seventh member. The games will count as of July 1st, meaning their series against the Bees will count as an exhibition. The Whitecaps have already cancelled part of their tour of central Europe and various exhibitions to meet the requirement they visit every VBL twice.

For reference, here is the Whitecaps' remaining schedule:
6/19 @ Macerata Angels (Italian Baseball League's 2nd tier); 6/21-24 @ Milan Invitational, 6/27-28 @ Moseacaduk, 6/29-30 Grykeder
7/1 @ Koder Kesh, 7/3 Shenjt Astius University, 7/4 Apluthje, 7/5 (DH) Apluthje and Moseacaduk, 7/6 @ Moseacaduk (after Bees-Swallows game), 7/8 @ Trini Steza, 7/9 @ Trini Steza (before Angels-Giants game), 7/10 @ Skanderbeg University, 7/11-7/12 @ Dhje, 7/13-14 Urdhi, 7/16 Zhulrot University, 7/18-19 @ Moseacaduk, 7/20-21 Lincoln, 7/22 @ Gidrm, 7/23 @ Umnyuupian Military Corps, 7/25 (DH) @ Apluthje, 7/27-28 I Cjyll, 7/30 @ SK Krc Praha (Czech Extraleague), 7/31 (DH) @ SKSB Arrows Ostrava (Czech Extraleague) and KS Silesia (Polish Baseball Extraleague) at Ostrava
8/2 @ Ipusu, 8/3 @ Ipusu (before Giants-Bees game), 8/5 @ Purkullu, 8/6 @ Purkullu (before Dragons-Twins game), 8/8 @ Tropje, 8/9-8-12 @ Hetre Challenge Cup (U-24 roster), 8/10-11 @ Purkullu refugee camp team (senior roster), 8/14-15 Spartakos Glyfadas (Greek Baseball A Division)
(Color key: blue - VBL, green- exhibitions and tournaments, red - SCL (SCL games are official games but Whitecaps are now ineligible for championship)


Peninsula League: Qelm dropped 6 of their last 8 games to fall out of contention with the Tropje Eagles. The Eagles now sit alone 4 games up in the PL. The other clubs are simply too inconsistent to withstand a challenge to them.
Putjep displays the point well. They could only manage 4 hits in a game against Treqyt Tigers P Naim Lushi and then put up 10 runs on the Tigers' American import P Daniel Cooper, formerly of the Mariners organization, USC Trojans and Rice Owls (not to mention Mensa). Later in the week, the Yellow Sox defense rallied behind spot-starter P Carlos Pina for a 2-hit 8-inning gem then committed 3 errors and let 8 hits fall for their own American import P Tyson Seng.
In Fjuth, fans of the last place Crusaders don't have much too cheer for. At 18-25, they sit 3 back from 5th place. Still, at least they could cheer for SS Michael Mooney. This week he had 3 homers and 8 RBI in a game, two fewer RBIs than he had in a game two weeks ago. In the weekend series against the Ragusina Cannons he added 2 more homers and became the first PL batter to reach 10 homers. He reached the accomplishment faster (29 games) than any one in the CL or NL (VL leader stuck at 8).


European leagues: Europe has a new $80K pro baseball player. Former SF Giants OF Fred Lewis left the Mets organization became Italy's highest paid player at $91K. The deal includes player options for the 2013 and 2014 seasons. Only C Ivan Rodriguez makes more - $96K deal from AVG Draci Brno. Rounding out the top five in salaries are P Jon Garland ($86K Spain), 1B Brad Hawpe ($81K Russia) and P Armando Gallaraga ($80K Czech Republic).
The only Umnyuupian able to wrestle away an European club's foreign player roster spot from the huge influx of Americans, Venezuelans and Dominicans is P Janji Naci of Fortitudo Bologna. The ace of the staff had struggled in May, even once giving up 7 runs in a start. In June he has 20 strikeouts and 5 ER in 22 innings. The stretch comes as his main competition for the Han Urbanus Award, Gertjan 'Hawk' Blanken, is 6.88 in his last 3 starts. (The Han Urbanus Award is awarded to the top pitcher developed in Europe.)
Fortunately for P Mies Kelander he will be forever ineligible for the Urbanus Award as he just signed with Atlanta Braves. The 24yo lefthanded sinkerballer becomes the first Hungarian in the U.S. professional leagues since the days of the Austrian-Hungary empire. (FWIW Austrian LHP Clemens Cichocki pitched one year in the Arizona Winter League.)


Leagues in the USA: The AL West could be mathematically decided by Labor Day. The Rangers have a 44-23 record, most of that without the services of Josh Hamilton. The rest of the division is 12 games out or worse. On the worse side are the Athletics, who saw fit to trade away OF Yoenis Cespedes for prospects. Jeff Francoeur (.324-9-47 and 9 walks) and Eric Hosmer (.346-6-35) have taken the Royals 3 games over the White Sox and Miguel Cabrera's (.337-24-56) Tigers. The most competitive division is the AL East with four of the AL's six over-.500 teams. Brett Gardner's (38 SB in 64 games) Yankees leads the Rays by 1 game for the top spot.
The Giants have the NL's best record (39-28) and best pitcher (Matt Cain 7-4 1.56 86K). The Marlins welcome back OF Giancarlo Stanton at a time they sit just a half game back of the Phillies. John Axford's (0.61 20 saves) Brewers have replaced the Reds atop the NL Central with the Cardinals surging. If the season ended today, the Dodgers leading the wild cards race although they'll have to play the rest of the season down P Chris Capuano. However, the Rockies are not far behind. The Rockies have the NL's best offense thanks to triple crown candidate Carlos Gonzalez (.325-18-55).
The league ERA has bounced back to 2009 levels after declines the past two years. Amazingly Stephen Strasburg has thrown 93 innings of dominating baseball, but not one that culminated in a no-hitter. In fact, no one has. The closest was C.J. Wilson's and Clayton Richard's one-hitters. Justin Verlander, despite leading the league in innings (113) and strikeouts (113) has only contributed a 9-inning 5-hitter to the elusive hunt. Meanwhile some pitchers have come across some bad luck. Braves pitchers Tim Hudson and Jonny Venters found that out with season-ending injuries.


MLB draft: The Astros picked up RHP Claudio Guerrero out of Damascus High School. He is the first top pick from a Maryland high school since Harold Baines 35 years ago. He is only the third Montgomery County high schooler ever to be drafted within the first ten rounds although data before 1988 is incomplete and former Orioles P Steve Barber was a pre-draft bonus baby. Many wondered if a kid from Montgomery County, which has produced more MLS players than MLB players in the past decade, could be for real. His statistics seemed almost fictional: 0.00 ERA and 246 Ks in 110-2/3 innings in his senior year and equally absurd numbers the previous three years. However, while at the USA U18 team trials at the Prospect Classic, he showed scouts his 93mph fastball and a cut fastball. His senior year, he was clocked at 97mph, proving his statistics weren't entirely due to the lack of competition.
Ten million dollar Texas prep star P John 'Woody' Curran (#3 Mariners), UCSB Gaucho Chano Soriano (#5 Cubs), Stanford Cardinals junior P Mark Appel (#8 Pirates) were the next pitchers taken until the 16th pick. The Washington Nationals took a risk on arguably the most lauded high school arm, San Antonio, TX prep star LHP Bill Olson. However, most consider Olson a lock to play quarterback for Texas A&M. Rounding out the top five were toolsy OF Pedro Hernandez (#2 Twins) and Dayton Flyers slugger IF/OF Forrest 'Truth' Dillon (#4 Orioles)
RHP Lucas Giolito, once predicted to go in the top 3 before an injury, was available when the Diamondbacks picked 25th. The team picked up his schoolmate Max Fried in the 3rd round. Two-sport star OF Byron Buxton has been drawing attention since he was 15, but scouts considered his five tool talents still too raw to use a good pick on. The Rays (#24) took a chance on the prospect whom some compare to B.J. Upton.
Along with a Mexican immigrant turned American citizen (Guerrero) going first, the draft had a lot of international flavor. 21yo Dominican Antonio Escarceja was drafted by the KC Royals with the seventh pick. Escarceja was brought to LSU by its pitching coach Alan Dunn, who failed to convince his former employer Baltimore Orioles to sign him. In two years with the Tigers Escarceja proved his pro baseball prospects that he couldn't as teenager in the Dominican Republic. Two Japanese-raised prospects were drafted in the first round from American colleges: 2B Yo****aka Saigo (Angels #19 Wichita State) and OF Hirohisa Sugano (Rangers #27 Vanderbilt). Puerto Rican and Canadian-born players playing at American schools were well represented of course, however, SS Carlos Correa (Royals 4th round) and 2B Alec Prince (Phillies 23rd round) were drafted directly from international high schools.

The draft pool was so deep, a new independent league started up this year to pick off excess talent and showcase contract holdouts. The league is a merger of the Atlantic League and American Association under the AA banner. With clubs located near many MLB clubs the league intends to market itself as a affordable option to MLB games. The league will feature AA/AAA talent on million dollar payrolls and an unbalanced schedule favoring local rivalries. The season kicks off July 3rd with the St. Paul Saints hosting the Gary SouthShore RailCats. The game will be broadcast on Versus TV, one of twelve such broadcasts planned.

[rferry]

All-Star Weekend (July 2, 2012)

Also known as weekend of Feast Day of Saints Paul and Peter. The nation celebrated across the country with parades and community events including baseball games. Many of the top Umnyuupian players were not available for the local events. Instead, they congregated in Hetre, the CL's choice to host the first ever CBL all-star game. All-star games are not uncommon - they once served the only way such standard of talent of the current CBL could compete against each other. However, this year's event is notable as it is the first official event by a nationwide league. Its promoters also prepared numerous events that lasted the entire weekend. Meanwhile in the regional professional leagues and cities unrepresented by professional leagues, the weekend provided for doubleheaders, old-timers games, inter-parish challenges and other efforts to express their joy through the national pastime.

In Hetre, the Coastal League overtook the National League all-stars with four runs late in the contest. The league's best hitter - Lynx star IF Fehmi Frasheri - put the club on top in 3rd inning with a 2-run home run. The NL kept adding to that total, but their pitching depth ran out. Former Apluthje Swallow, current Elby Pelican and 2013 free agent P William Gaufi gave up two runs and Koder Kesh P Martin Smajlaj came in to give up the final two in a 6-5 loss.

Of the NL, the Istamo Turtles and Koder Kesh Lynx had six players participate while league leader Kishperkujt Cubs sent five. The powerhouse Elby Pelicans sent four. Many suspected national team captain IF Vlashi Lushi (.287-3-35 with 15 SB) to be selected. His is perhaps of the worst of all snubs. Malko Bluewings P Rens van der Bas is pitching as well as he has in the Umnyuupian and Dutch leagues, but was passed over for pitchers with better win-loss records. The fifth-place Bluewings still were able to send five and the once star-laden but financially struggling Nur Otters had only two all-stars.
Of the CL: The Purple Sox knew their star outfielders, top starter and catcher would be selected, but the team were delighted their closer and setup man were also recognized. The Hetre Rams were the only other team to send six. Dasht saw three regulars and a reliever represent the league. The Orioles' five included some of their star pitchers while the Gidrm Pilots filled out the infield with three and a pitcher. The last place Urdhi Lions event sent three, none of them last year's batting champ OF Xhetan Rama who is batting just .264.


In the NL: There were no change in standings, and that comes as a relief to the Cubs. Kishperkujt did not face additional sanctions for the rent-a-player scheme. Owners instead voted to levy an increased fine. The ruling leaves Istamo two games back. The Nur Otters finally fired their manager. Like their rivals Malko, they sought out an international replacement. Through contacts with the Umnyuupian-American community in Cincinnati, they found Steve Roadcap, a former Phillies and Mariners minor league manager and recent Reds scout.
In the CL: Preceding the weekend's events, we saw the Orioles expand their lead in the CL to 5 games over Gidrm. The Hetre Rams also signed veteran star OF Jasa Brnovic to an extension. The $60K contract means Hetre's already-contributing youth will have him for a title push.
In the VBL, the Trini Steza Angels gave up the lead and now sit three back of Moseacaduk Bees. Erion 'The Natural' Mala slotted into his injured younger brother's spot in the rotation. The pitcher adjusted well from spending all year as a reliever. In his first three outings, he had a quality start and pitched into the 6th of an eventual win before putting it all together for 8-1/3 shutout innings.
In the PL, the Tropje Eagles remain on top with the Qelm Pirates closest (3 games) behind. A player making a name for himself and potential inclusion on a CBL squad is Ragusina Cannons 2B Zivojin Butorovic; he's batting .363/.461/.574 with steady defense at the second sack.


The nation's baseball columnists attempted to summarize the season's first half. A popular theme was to present the best nine (or IX), claiming the best at each position. Some columnists cited offensive capabilities, some others defensive talents. Many ignored the regional leagues players altogether. Below is the aggregated best IX:

P Shkelyim (6-9, 2.42, 98 K, .564 OPS against)
C Shala (.289/.369/.383, 3 HR, 33 RBI, 3.24 CERA)
1B Bolden (.327/.410/.551, 6 HR, 27 RBI in just 40 games)
2B/IF Frasheri (.342/.439/.560, 13 HR, 44 RBI, league leader in OPS and HR)
3B Camossi (315/.388/.493, 9 HR, 38 RBI, active 15-game hitting streak)
SS/IF Galimuna (.320/.361/.413, 1 HR, 30 RBI, league leader in hits)
LF Troshani (.303/.353/.532, 13 HR, 34 RBI, 40 extra base hits)
CF Thaqi (.340/.394/.509, 6 HR, 40 RBI, 10 SB, 4 outfield assists)
RF Pesa (.332/.418/.468, 6 HR, 42 RBI, 29 multi-hit games)


Qelm Pirates C Jairo Marquez (.335/.474/.553, 9 HR, 30 RBI, 33% runners thrown out) and Trini Steza Angels SS Jose Torres (.351/.428/.563, 9 HR, 29 RBI, 13 SB, stellar defense) received support among those who follow the regional leagues.



Petri Bajraktari, columnist for the Istamo-Pilg Reporter, took a slightly more negative approach by submitting Umnyuupia's Worst IX

Elby P Kolli Sulejmani. A controversial choice perhaps. The youngster is expected to be great one day. But the Pelicans should have sent the kid off to college. The prospect's ERA (6.52) has grown to nearly the behemoth's height (6'7").
Qelm C Gastone Fiorelli. The Pirates backstop is .224/.293/.276 and 3.96 CERA and 12.5 CS% with 3 clubs.
Putjep 1B Njaxi Jasari. The 41yo former star has .269/.301/.315 slash line and 7 errors with two clubs.
Dhje 2B Sojp Tare. The former Pilg school boy and Turtles reserve has struggled in a starting spot with the Twins: .216/.299/.294, 2 HR, 21 RBI, 7 errors.
Ghosanje 3B Roberto Ramos. The former Boston Red Sox minor leaguer was brought over to help the Purple Sox win the pennant. He's only hindered their effort with his .224/.286./.271, 0 HR, 7 SB, 10 errors performance.
Moseacaduk SS Gjergi Meshkalla. The player nearly ruined the 2012 Umnyuupian baseball season. That should be enough to merit a mention among the Worst IX. However, he hasn't even helped the treacherous Bees with his .219/.304/.314 and 12 errors.
Fjuth LF Dzevat Adzovic. Even the winner of previous PL top defender awards shouldn't keep a starting spot when he's batting .180/.259/.213, 0 HR, 6 RBI in 122 AB.
Malko CF Roland Ralevic. The Bluewings signed this 21yo kid from the Mbijt Whitecaps' youth squad and apparently initiated a curse. He has hit .210/.253/.277 with 3 HR and committed 5 errors since for the dreadful club.
Tropje RF Claude Fantini. The former Valley League slugger was to bring veteran experience to the Eagles. However, the team is lucky to be in first place with a .216/.328/.339 slash line in the middle of their order.
Dhje UT Momcilo Utjensenovic. Left out of a job here, the former Turtle went to Dhje to help the Twins. Possessing tantalizing physical talents, he has never had the work ethic to translate them onto on field success. Dhje learned that the hard way when they asked him to play SS. He gave up 12 errors in 11 games. Overall he's batting .245 with just 6 extra base hits in 94 AB for them.

Meanwhile Hetre News-Post columnist Jovica Elezi submitted his early favorites for the year-end awards.

				NL					CL				VBL					PL
Top Batter Award:		Frasheri (Koder Kesh)			Thaqi (Ghosanje)		Gjergji Krasniki (Apluthje)	Zivojin Buturovic (Ragusina)
Top Foreign Batter Award: 	Wes Helms (Koder Kesh)			Bolden (Hetre) 			Torres (Trini Steza)		Marquez (Qelm)
Top Pitcher Award: 		Vincenzio Falchonelli (Kishperkujt)	Pleurat Abrup (Gidrm)		Erion Mala (Trini Steza) 	Ostoja Aleksic (Putjep)
Top Foreign Pitcher Award: 	Kyle Davies (Elby)			Andy Sonnanstine (Brekkar) 	Mark McLemore (Purkullu) 	Pedro Perez (Qelm)
Top Young (U24) Batter Award:	Thanasi Manjani (Malko)			Koca Nuhiji (Hetre) 
Top Young Pitcher Award:	Pacu Lovre (Koder Kesh)			Brami Bardici (Gidrm)

In the USA, there has been little change since two weeks ago. Same division leaders, same leaders in the wild card races. The AL Central and NL West races have gotten closer.
The Athletics signed P Brandon McCarthy to a 6-year, $81M extension. They then traded $9M worth of relievers and Manny Ramirez off for prospects. Their AL West peers Angels shocked many by trading 1B Kendry Morales to the Orioles. The Pirates were also active trading away three starting pitchers. They also sent Rod Barajas (.315-12-50) to the NL's best Brewers.
Anthony Rizzo (.318-12-38) is a favorite for NL ROY. Mike Trout (.280-5-23, 24 SB) and Jesus Montero (.280-18-53 are competing for the AL honors. 2013 NL ROY favorite Bryce Harper moved up to AAA and is expected to join the last place Nationals when rosters expand in September. AL favorites Mike Olt and Jurickson Profar are struggling in the Rangers' minor leagues.
All first round draft picks signed except OF Antonio Escarceja (Royals #7), OF Jim Reinhold (White Sox #13) and P Fletcher Gunning (Tigers #26). Top HS pitcher Bill Olson was persuaded away from his Texas A&M football committal with $7.1 million, which slightly less than the $10M that went to the first and third pitcher selected but $2M more than Mark Appel got from the Pirates.

[rferry]

July 23, 2012

Valley League (VBL): Moseacaduk remains atop the league with a 7-game winning streak. Which it included a doubleheader in which they hosted Apluthje and Mbijt. 1B/OF Jovica Ostrozinska was 5 for 8 on that day. The big lefty has been quite a surprise (.357-13-54) for the Bees. Despite being out-seated by 1B Salvador Rosario (.286-12-29) he has taken up the study of The Hive's cramped, difficult RF. Add in 1B/3B Arben Sylaj (.300-6-32) and the Bees have a strong middle of the order even if its composition is a bit redundant and gives up runs on the defensive side.
This, the Trini Steza Angels were able to exploit in their recent sweep of the Bees. The Mala boys, although right handers, have incredible stuff that left the Bees' lefties in a fog. The younger Xhemil (or 'The Reel Deal' as some called him upon seeing brief clips of him within the scouting tapes of his older brother) even had a home run in a series in which the Angels outscored them 25-5. Unfortunately for the Angels their LHP reliever Stevan Subasic was injured in the series. Luckily, a series of curious roster decisions around the league has exposed many quality replacements.
Mbijt already struck first to sign two .300 hitters unexpectedly released: Former Ipusu IF Jonathan Roof and Trini Steza then Urdhi IF/OF Njaxi Lamaj. They also added Hetre Rams P Yimi Garcia. Slowly the team is reloading. Mbijt started their VBL league campaign 4-6 and nearly took down the CL's Gidrm Pilots in a exhibition that saw the teams combine for 33 hits. The Whitecaps also took home some international hardware, placing third in a baseball tournament in Milan, Italy, falling to eventual champion ICM Ponte di Piave.
The last place Dhje Twins also made some major moves. They fired manager Milutin Andric and replaced him with Pasquale Bordon, who once coached the Hetre Rams and has been a consultant for various clubs the past three years. The new boss sat down 2B Sojp Tare and OF/IF Momcilo Utjesenovic, both of whom were named among the nation's nine worst ballplayers by one publication. In their place he brought in a former player of his, 2B Tista Sapaunxiu, recently released by the Tropje Eagles despite his .279 average. Eventually the new boss will have to replace the American rotation with local talent.
The Purkullu Dragons currently sit in 5th place with a .500 record. Their pitching is right up there with the Angels', but the recent loss of former Indians prospect SS Casey Frawley, to the London Mets of England, may have been the death blow to their already fragile offense.
A team unable to make any roster moves is the Apluthje Swallows. The nearly bankrupt club is attracting just 1300 to their afternoon contests. What a shame their club's supporters have not been able to invest in the .500 club that is sorely in need of new outfielders. Even a marginal increase in performance by signing a local semi-pro slugger would be enough to get them into contention.
Last but least - actually they're in 2nd place and 2 out - are the Ipusu Giants. Lead by a strong international catching corps and first year pro 3B/IF Jasa Roganovic (.301-8-28) the team has been a constant thorn in the Bees' and Angels' side. Their moment to strike is now with 14 games at home before finishing the season on a 8-day road trip.

Coastal League (CL): Some major injury news this week. The league lost arguably its best foreign pitcher (Brekkar P Andy Sonnanstine), top reliever (Ghosanje P Dritan Kongoli) and top foreign catcher (Gidrm C Steve Holm) for the remainder of the year. Not to mention its best hitter Ghosanje OF Ndreu Thaqi for 2 weeks.
While many went on the DL Dasht OF Sandro Hysi came back. His club has sunk to last place in his absence. The former HR leader has also seen Brekkar 1B Marko Lovre hit 14 homers since. Lovre now leads the league with 20 to the Hysi's 12.
The Brekkar Orioles entered the all-star break with a 5-game winning streak and shortly after it launched a 3-game streak and 6-game streak between losses. The dominance puts them 9 up on the league. With just 4 weeks left in the season, it appears the league is all wrapped up. Even if the Orioles will have to do without P Sonnanstine. The pitching staff will have to rely on American P Chaz Roe (8-5, 3.59, 53 K), Top Pitcher Award candidate P Muhamet Nallbani (8-5, 1.91 95 K) and an impressive set of relievers they can call into the rotation. The club's pitching staff is somewhat depleted as they released P Jose Ortegano after a rough June/July but before they learned of Sonnanstine's injury. He was immediately signed by the Kishperkujt Cubs as a lefty specialist.
Meanwhile the Urdhi Lions, knowing their postseason prospects were unlikely, shed payroll by cutting P Brad Kilby. The Dasht Padres also cut rising SS Mendu Planna, who was demanding a huge raise over his youth team wage having played 65 games on the senior roster. The talent rich and salary soaked Padres could not afford to give into his demands and sent him in a rare mid-season trade to the Purple Sox for 29yo LHP Svetozar Radanovic (2.65 ERA in 17 relief innings) and cash.
The 2nd place Gidrm Pilots were more generous, resigning potential 2013 free agent P Pleurat Abrup (14-5 1.83 128 K) to an extension that raises his salary by 10K. The top candidate for the Top Pitcher Award is leading the league in the triple crown categories and just pitching back-to-back shutouts.

The NL took this week's inter league match-ups 20-16, but it wasn't enough to overcome the CL's dominance in the third week. The season series ends with Coastal League claiming bragging rights (74-70 not counting various exhibition games).

National League (NL): It finally happened. The Istamo Turtles are alone in first place. The Turtles have slowly but steadily made their way up to reach the once .700 Kishperkujt Cubs. Up until this point they have never been able to take a controlling share of first place. Their prospects looked short when the Cubs took 2 of 3 in Istamo the week after the All-Star break. A tough inter league schedule against Brekkar, Urdhi and Ghosnaje also posed a challenged the Turtles survived. It was during their recent sweep over Malko they moved into first while the Cubs were losing 2 of 3 to the Elby Pelicans.
The Pelicans may help the Istamo Turtles keep first place this year and many more with a recent trade that provided them a young infielder at the cost of a struggling young reliever. The infielder will be used to rest an aging infield of 34yo Zenon Corbajram, 37yo Vjosa Topalli and 37yo Pieroantonio Camossi. The young infielder also may soon pair with their young outfielders and pitchers for many more pennant chases in the future.
The Pelicans sit just 6 games back along with Koder Kesh, but the Pelicans learned some disappointing news. P William Gaufi (10-6, 3.15 76 K) was listed among the players eligible for free agency. The complicated formula exposes the almost 26yo due to his extensive experience pitching for the professional Apluthje Swallows as a teenager.
At the bottom of the table, Nur lost their only decent pitcher, P Marco Carrillo, whom returned to Mexico for Tommy John surgery. Malko, barely staying afloat, released six more and signed four more to the minimum for a loss of two from an already bare bones roster. Many fans are upset the shipping magnate Jasa Sainovic refuses to invest more funds in the club. Rumor is Sainovic wants to sell the club.

Peninsula League (PL): Tropje is on top despite a rough three weeks in which their pitching staff gave up an average of 6 runs over a 3-7 stretch. They were able to stay 2 games ahead of the Qelm Pirates because the Treqyt Tigers thrashed the rising Pirates with a sweep, pushing the season series 10-2 in the Tigers' favor. The Pirates now sit 2 back with the Tigers and Putjep in the mix. The Pirates promise to remain a threat as they bring back two rising PL stars: Vanjoher schoolmates OF Sabri Marishta and 2B Abas Prela. Both were largely unknown before a Putjep Yellow Sox preseason tryout. They started the PL season each batting over .400. The performance earned them a brief trial with the CL's Ghosanje Purple Sox.



In Europe, with four to five weeks left in the Euro leagues' schedules, it's a safe prediction that Italy will have a team in the Euro Club Championship. Its clubs are clobbering others in various tournaments and exhibitions. The league's Novara United star batter Rafaello Verrochio (.337-5-19 in 23 games) is a favorite for the Giorgio Castelli Award, which goes to the top European-raised batter. German OF Wilhelm Bonner (.346/.438/.606) is his top competition. However, some baseball writers claim Astros Valencia (Spanish Division de Honor) 2B Rafael Rosario (.398) and Spartakos Glyfadas (Greek Baseball A Division) C Zarek Malachias (.388) are being overlooked.



In the USA's Major League Baseball, the 83rd All-Star game was played at Oakland's Coliseum. The crosstown Giants led the NL to victory. Tim Lincecum struck out 3 in an inning and Sergio Romo and Cy Young Award favorite Matt Cain (11-6, 1.84 123 K) closed out the 6-5 win. Those who watched the game saw a rare stolen base by Prince Fielder. The recently acquired Diamondback (traded when Miguel Cabrera struggled at 3B) stole second base on the back end of a steal by Carlos Gonzalez (.328-20-70 with 15 SB).
In other surprising news, the White Sox appear ready to fire first year manager Robin Ventura. They recently convinced Bobby Cox out of retirement to serve as bench coach for the struggling White Sox.
Meanwhile the guy Ventura replaced - Ozzie Guillen - is struggling in Miami. His club is now under .500 and recently traded away Hanley Ramirez (to the Giants) and Carlos Zambrano (back to the Cubs). Hanley (.233-15-53) gives the NL West leading Giants much needed power. Right on their heels are the Rockies, who feature the MVP favorite Gonzalez, and the Dodgers. The NL Central features the league's best two clubs: the Brewers and Reds. However, triple crown candidate Ryan Braun tore a ACL and is out for the year. In the NL East, the Phillies have a slight lead among of crowd of .500 and sub-.500 clubs. The big news out of Philadelphia is that 1B Ryan Howard has yet to take back his 1B job from Jim Thome (.265-17-40).
In the AL, 3 teams of the top four clubs are in the AL East. Currently the Rays are a half game ahead, but they've lost all their power (Evan Longoria, Carlos Pena, Matt Joyce, Luke Scott) and a top pitcher (Matt Moore) to season ending injuries. They may soon be replaced atop the division by the Red Sox and potential Cy Young Award winner Josh Beckett (12-4, 3.65 110 K). The Rangers retain the league's best overall record. Their 1B/DH Michael Young is due back from the DL in a week. He's been incredible so far this year, with a .350 batting average. Only the Tigers 1B Miguel Cabrera (.351-32-80) has hit better. Cabrera faces no such competition in homers and RBIs and may yet win the triple crown as well as the MVP if his Tigers close the 3-game gap on the Royals. The Indians are just 4 games back as well, and have added outfielders Yoenis Cespedes and Jason Kubel in the past month.

The new AAIPB independent league has signed many former MLB players: Matt Stairs, Julio Lugo, Ryan Drese (formerly playing in Netherlands), Randy Flores, Scott Kazmir, Koyie Hill and Freddie Bynum.
An Umnyuupian was even signed by the Eastern Division's Bridgeport Bluefish. 26yo P Agim Hajdaraga became the first Umnyuupian-raised player to make a professional American baseball league. The former Hetre Rams left-handed reliever is now throwing his sinker out of the Bluefish bullpen. He joins two other Europeans: speedy 24yo Polish 2B Rajmund Brzakala of the St. Paul Saints and Long Island Ducks' lefty slugger 1B/OF Robert Leoni from Rome, Italy. There is also the 32yo Israeli-born C Nazih Na'il, who lived in the states at various points of his childhood and now plays for the Camden Riversharks after some years in the Italian league. Altogether the AAIPB includes 57 players who played in Umnyuupian or an European league at some point this year.

[rferry]

August 6th, 2012

National League (NL): And it just got interesting! The perennial champs are back in competition. The Pelicans put all their bats together - 15 three-hit individual performances in 12 games - behind the red hot 2B/IF Vlashi Lushi (.389 during the stretch). They took 2 of 3 at home from the Kishperkujt Cubs, knocked around the lower rung NL and then hung 27 runs on the division-leading Turtles in a sweep. The weekend ended with Istamo in second place, 1 game behind the Cubs and the perennial champions Elby 2 games away from the title lead.
The Cubs aim to hold off their foes with a new arm acquired in a deadline deal. It cost them the popular, productive OF Jon Hines (.311-5-47). But P Edi Tolka (6-12, 2.35 112 K) has been stellar this year and especially so against them (0.67 ERA in 5 starts). He gives them a power pitcher to complement one of the league's best pitchers, knuckleballer Vincenzio Falchonelli (14-5 1.91 126 K).
Istamo faces the most favorable schedule of the contenders. While the Pelicans and Cubs beat up on each other, the Turtles get the Bluewings and Otters next week. That is followed up by a trip to the 4th place Lynx in Koder Kesh and a regular season finale hosting the Cubs.
Elsewhere the Nur Otters are .433 since replacing managers and recently released C Hasan Sadiraj (.210/.267/.288 in 64 games). Mark Prior is finishing up a solid comeback year with the Lynx. In 13-2/3 innings out of the bullpen, he's given up just 11 hits and 4 earned runs while striking out 13. He recently decided to leave the club to attract attention with the American Association.

Coastal League (CL): The magic number for the Brekkar Orioles is down to 4 games. The Urdhi Lions hope to delay that. The Lions went on a 7-game winning streak, in which their defensive stalwart 3B Ahmed Albrup added 7 RBI in a big win over the Ghosanje Purple Sox. The Hetre Rams and Gidrm Pilots will have to finish the season without their starting second basemen. Perhaps the most interesting contest will be who finishes atop the league in batting. Purple Sox OF Ndreu Thaqi (.330-9-50 13 SB) and Dasht Padres OF Borisav Pesa (.328-11-63) will battle it out over the next two weeks culminating in a match-up on the final weekend to settle the matter. The winner is likely to win the CL's Top Batter Award, but some are claiming the best slugger on the best team, Orioles 1B Marko Lovre (.259-20-78), deserves to win the prize.

Valley League (VBL): What a collapse! The Moseacaduk Bees lost 6 in a row to fall out of first. They now sit 4 behind with just 8 games left. It's doubtful that even incredible runs by 1B/OF Jovica Ostrozinska (.350-13-54 4 outfield assists) and 1B Salvador Rosario (.336-20-42 in 39 VBL games) can get them the title. Bees fans will lament this late July stretch. Since they're 7-game winning streak ended on July 14, they've gone 3-13. But it's the last six that's they'll find it hard to forget. They were against the league's worst clubs. What a disaster.
The beneficiaries of their failure were the Trini Steza Angels, whom are 3-1/2 up on the Purkullu Dragons and have all but locked up the league.
The lingering questions are: which Mala (the 9-3 2.24 111K younger one or the older brother with 5-3 1.92 91K and 7 saves) will win the domestic pitcher of the year award? Which Dragons import P Mark McLemore (5-6, 2.42 95K) or P Matt Rusch (5-3, 3.39, 100K) will be named the league's best foreign pitcher? Or will it instead go to Angels P Tommy Mendoza (10-5, 2.61 94K), who has quietly complemented the Mala's?
Will the best batter award go to Angels SS Jose Torres (.341-18-54 14 SB) or Dragons 2B Jose Ramirez (.329-11-34) or one of the Bees' first basemen?
While the cellar-dwelling clubs are looking for hope, Mbijt discovered they can compete in the league. They're 9-6 in official VBL contests including a 1-hit shutout of the Apluthje Swallows. Both the Swallows and Giants still have a chance at .500.

Peninsula League (PL): The league isn't as quite settled. The Tropje Eagles and Qelm Pirates are deadlocked for first place with the Treqyt Tigers 2 back of them. The three clubs will face each other over the next week and half before ending the season on the road against the league's bottom tier.
Qelm can credit their hot hitting (82 runs in the past 12 games) for helping them rebound. Perhaps it continues long enough to take the title. They'll have to survive the league's best hitter, Fjuth SS Mike Mooney (.305-21-59 5 SB), before going on the road to face the Tigers, Eagles and Yellow Sox to finish the season.
Ragusina OF Zenon Elezi (.301-11-58) had 6 RBI in a recent game against Putjep. He is being scouted by CL clubs for the three-year players draft at the conclusion of the season. His teammate P Cameron Lamb (6-3 2.74 79K), an Australian formerly of the SF Giants system, is a contender for Top Pitcher honors.



In Europe: P Janji Naci, 27yo starter with the Fortitudo Bologna (Italian Baseall League). He got beat around in a game his team eventually won. Still he was replaced in the weekend rotation by P Steven Shell, who gave up 14 runs in the next two weekends. Naci came back with two strong 8-inning outings to lower his ERA to 3.09. 5-3, 3.09 56 K. Meanwhile P 'Hawk' Blanken spent the month of July in the bullpen for his Dutch club's weekend series. At 5-5, 4.15 66 K he remains the strongest competitor for the Han Urbanus Award. For the overall top pitcher, the competition for the Bert Blyleven Award, is in between Rich Harden (6-4 3.41 135 K in Germany), Jon Garland (6-3, 2.55 84 K in Spain) and Kevin Hart (4-5, 3.38, 60 K in Spain). The award for top overall batter may go to former MLB C Pudge Rodriguez (.357-4-15 in 26 Czech league games) or C Chris McMurray (.353/.390/.421 3.40 CERA 53.8CS%) or 1B/IF Geraldo Rodriguez (.398/.449/.546 5 HR), both teammates on Aris Thessaloniki (Greek Baseball A Division).



Major League Baseball (MLB): The Rangers expanded their lead of the AL West to 14-1/2 games. However, the Athletics have snuck over .500 and into distant contention for the wild card. If they plan to compete it will be with P Tyson Ross, not Dallas Braden, in the rotation. They traded him in a deadline deal to San Diego.
It was the most significant of the deadline. Bigger names went earlier this week and month. SS Jed Lowrie returned to the Red Sox for the pennant run. He is probably happy to be away from the Astros, who at 40-69 have joined the terrible Twins (40-68) and sinking White Sox (41-66) in the chase for the top Rule IV draft pick.
Supplementing other wild card contenders are Joel Hanrahan (Dodgers), Carlos Marmol (Rockies) and Danny Espinosa (Tigers). The Phillies have been plagued by disappointing pitching all year. Cole Hamels has a ERA over 5, Halladay a ERA a run over where you'd expect it, Lee has missed a month and Blanton so bad he's been demoted to the bullpen. So they brought in struggling P Ervin Santana into the mix. They hope it will be enough to put some separation between them and the sad cast of the NL East.
In the more talented Central, Joey Votto's (.332-19-54) Reds hold a slim lead over the Ryan Braun-less Brewers. The Cardinals have slipped 7-1/2 back and 3-1/2 back in the wild card. The West leading Giants feature five starters with ERAs under 3.5 including former Mets 15-game winner Mike Pelfrey. The Dodgers are just 2-1/2 behind with the Rockies on their heels 1-1/2 behind them for the final wild card.
In the AL East, the TB Rays are barely surviving the destruction injuries have done to their roster. They've called up both Juan Miranda and Brandon Guyer to contribute some - any - kind of power. Eventually the club will fall into the wild card and face the prospect of a 1-game playoff, but for now they sit a 1/2 game up on the Yankees and Red Sox. In the Central the Tigers are so close to taking over the division. The Royals can count only half of a game between them. Meanwhile Miguel Cabrera (.350-35-90) is so far above the rest in the triple crown categories (25 points in average, 7 homers, 14 RBIs), the league can start planning coronation ceremonies.



Umnyuupians in America: Bridgeport Bluefish P Agim Hajdaraga. Has been the unfortunate victim of the Bluefish's poor defense - 6 unearned runs. He recently had a chance to stretch out him arm with 2-2/3 innings in a win against the KC T-Bones. 8 G 3.48 ERA 10.1 IP 4:7 BB:K 1 Hold

Joining him in the AAIPB are RHP Velimir Stolic and 1B Martin Lamaj. Stolic is a 25yo right-hander from the Urdhi Lions. The pitcher with a 92mph sinker and above-average change-up was able to get a contract with the Long Island Ducks, who dismissed him after 3 bad outings. They traded him the Sugar Land Skeeters for a Dominican reliever. For the Skeeters, Stolic has been great in limited exposure. 5 G 1.29 ERA 7 IP 0:2 BB:K 3 Holds

Lamaj is a 25yo 6' right-handed gap hitter, cited as top prospect in Umnyuupia and leader of the Turtles' youth movement. He left the Istamo Turtles for the USA in June to try out for the AAIPB. He has bounced around since but has settled into a starting role with the St. Paul Saints as a teammate of former MLB player Julio Lugo. 24 G .235/.319/.333 5 2B 1 HR 9 RBI

[rferry]

August 13, 2012 (Almost end of the regular season)


Coastal League: The Brekkar Orioles wrapped up the Coastal League by end of Friday. They will face the NL champion for what is a berth to the European Championships. There is even less certainty about who that will be with 6 games left.

National League: The Elby Pelicans came into Kishperkujt and swept the Cubs to take full lead of the division. In the battle of the lower end of rotations the Pelicans simply had more depth. On the final day aces Pelicans P Kyle Davies and Cubs P Vincenzio Falchonelli matched up but the already taxed Cubs bullpen couldn't survive into extra innings. The Cubs next ran into Koder Kesh IF Fehmi Frasheri (.333-20-68) and the league's best offense. The Lynx put 31 runs on them over the weekend. All advantage they had gained depended on how their competitors fared against the league's worst.
The Cubs next went to Malko. The Bluewings were an afterthought as of last week. But that was before they swept their rivals Nur and knocked the Istamo Turtles back from title contention by taking 2 of 3. Their 72 runs in 7 games certainly justified the fear. Especially when it was led by a player (OF Jon Hines) you just traded away and has extra motivation for revenge. In the first game, he was prevented from batting with runners on until the 6th inning. Then the Bluewings held a 3-1 lead with Hines readying to face the player he was traded for (P Edi Tolka) with runners on 1st and 2nd. Unfortunately the match-up was thwarted by Cubs manager Shkumbin Tare who sent in a reliever. It turned out to be a great decision. P Chasen Shreve (a former Braves prospect from Las Vegas) got him to strike out swinging. The next inning Cubs OF Cedomil Simic led off with a double and Hines' replacement, former reserve OF Antoni Pipa drove him in. It stayed 3-2 Malko until the 9th when Simic started another rally that netted 3 runs for a 5-3 lead they would not relinquish.
And thus started a trend. The clubs threw out American starting pitchers the next night for 9 shutout innings each. Late inning theatrics were again on the side of the Cubs' in the kind of a spattering of line drives to the outfield. Then on Saturday, Hines hit a homer towards a 3-1 Bluewings lead. Simic and Pipa again awoke the slumbering bats for 3 runs. That's it. Three late inning rallies. Three wins. A sweep! And two up in the standings over Elby and Istamo! The Cubs are likely to get their bats churning full-time on Nur's astroturf cover and against Nur's atrocious chuckers. That should give them enough confidence heading into the season-ending series at Istamo. The Turtles may be coming into that final series bruised by the Lynx' bats. Meanwhile the Pelicans have the favorable draw of the Bluewings and Otters at home. Let the scoreboard watching commence!

Peninsula League (PL): The PL features the only other close contest. The Qelm Pirates swept the last place Fjuth Crusaders and third place Treqyt Tigers while Tropje split their series. The Eagles will have a chance to close the 2 game gap next week at home. After that critical series, the Pirates wrap up the season in Putjep and Tropje plays at Fjuth.

Valley League (VL): The Angels of Trini Steza will be VL champions! We were certain of that by the end of their series against the Moseacaduk Bees. 'The Natural' Erion Mala chose the next night to celebrate. His present to his club and all of baseball? The most dominant pitching performance of the year in any professional Umnyuupian league: 2 hits, 1 HB, 0 BB, 11 K in 9 IP. Just a shame it was in Dhje so only 800 people could see it.


No huge news over this short week worth noting around the rest of baseball. Detroit Tigers 1B Miguel Cabrera is still tearing it up (.356-39-94). But that, along with his Triple Crown victory, has long been known.


A quick update on Umnyuupians abroad:
Janji Naci, a 27yo LHP with Italian Baseball League's Fortitudo Bologna. 5-4, 3.15 26:63 W:K 97 IP in 15 weekend games
Agim Hajdaraga, a 26yo LHP with the AAIPB's Bridgeport Bluefish. 0-1, 2.84 5:8 W:K 12-2/3 IP in 11 games
Velimir Stolic, a 25yo RHP with the AAIPB's Sugar Land Skeeters. 1-1, 3.38 3:5 W:K 13-1/3 IP in 10 games
Martin Lamaj, a 25yo RHB 1B with the AAIPB's St. Paul Saints. .259/.333/.463 3 HR 8 RBI 0 E in 16 games

[rferry]

Sorry for the delay. I'm just as anxious to find out how the regular season concluded.

August 20, 2012 (End of the Umnyuupian regular season)


National League (NL): The championship also went down to the final day. The Kishperkujt Cubs struggled to get their offense going, despite the fast turf at Nur, and could only pick up one game against the last place Otters. That allowed Elby to close their lead to one game. The Cubs' poor hitting lasted into their next game before they let the bats loose on the Turtles in a eight-run 8th inning. Meanwhile in Elby, the Pelicans were being blanked by former Baltimore Orioles prospect P Enrico Jimenez.
With two games left the Cubs were up by two. It didn't even matter if their offense stalled throughout the rest of the weekend. Nur pitchers did the job for them, scattering four Pelicans hits across nine innings on Saturday. The loss meant the Pelicans had to concede the title to the Cubs.

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Umnyuupian Series preview
vs.

It will be the Kishperkujt Cubs vs. Brekkar Orioles in the Umnyuupian Series. The inaugural event replaces a series of tournaments and arbitrary ranking systems to determine one national champion. The winner will earn a berth to qualify for the Euro Club Championship Cup.
While the Cubs stumbling their way down the stretch, the Orioles finished the season with a five-game winning streak. A good sign the injury to star P Andy Sonnanstine hasn't hurt them too much. C Fehmi Dosti's older brother Shkumbin (9-5 2.33 89 Ks 5 saves) stepped in from the bullpen and gave the club five quality starts over the past month of Sonnanstine and Jose Ortegano's absence. He's scheduled to match up against arguably the best pitcher in the league: P Vincenzio Falchonelli. The Orioles' best chance will be to bring their bats. 1B Marko Lovre (.258-22-90) and LF Janji Cana (.284-13-56) should be counted for 3 homers between them. And that doesn't include americans 3B Abner Abreu (.271-10-51) and RF Ryan Hamme (.350-9-24).
To counteract the Orioles' sluggers, the Cubs will bring the league's best staff. Falchonelli and the recently required Edi Tolka will pitch the majority of the innings. Justin Cassel (8-6, 3.20 88K) and Niko Grlic (9-13, 3.48 96K) will move to the bullpen to support southpaws Adil Vulaj (2.62 and 12 saves in 106 IP) and Chasen Shreve (2.56 in 63 IP). The Cubs also welcome back CF/OF Cedomil Simic (.301/.369/.457) from the DL. He along with all-star 1B/OF Slobodan Chacic (.275-10-65) and NL doubles leader 2B Petrit Maxhuni (.308/.382/.452 with 37 doubles) will be the offensive weapons the Cubs turn to.
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Peninsula League (PL): The pennant contest began with the Qelm Pirates visiting Tropje with a two-game lead on the Eagles. In the first game before a packed house, Qelm had the better American pitching in the first contest and took a 2-0 lead with some aggressive base-running from SS Modest Vata. Their starter left the game amid a rally. The Pirates bullpen halted it at one run and 2B Abas Prela got it back with a RBI single in the next half-inning.
P Preki Djuretic came in to close the game. With the win the Pirates would have a three-game lead with three games left to play. A strike out swinging, walk, another strikeout. Fans on their feet cheering. Single, single, single. Oh no. The game is tied. Finally a strikeout sweeps the bases clear. What followed were two innings of overanxious plate discipline and defensive base-running from the Pirates. Meanwhile the Eagles waited patiently for their opponents to self destruct. Leading off the bottom of the 11th, OF Claude Fantini concluded the game with a home run to left-center.
The next day the teams came back to an overflowing crowd. Qelm sent out another American - former Tigers farmhand Jeff Barfield. The Eagles were patient and he had to leave in the 6th inning. The bullpen gave up five runs in the next 1-2/3 innings. But that's okay because the Pirates tacked on five in P Milovan Banovic's last inning of what was an impressive start. Then the Pirates added 5 more in the next inning. Heading into the bottom of the 9th, they led 10-6. Time to call in their closer Djuretic. Time for Preki's redemption. A single and a walk. Get the bullpen ready. A groundball followed by two walks. P Alonzo Paluzzi is finally ready and takes the ball. A groundball skips past the drawn in infield. Then a double off OF Bahri Kiuprili's bat. The inning ends with a strikeout and slow roller to third.
In Kiuprili's next at bat, he hits a leadoff triple. Fantini drives him in. The game is won. The league lead is held by both clubs. The weekend's series - Eagles @ Fjuth Crusaders, Pirates @ Putjep Yellow Sox - will determine the champion.
The Eagles took the lead Friday as Qelm was shutout by the Yellow Sox. At the conclusion of their game, the Pirates huddled into the clubhouse to watch the Eagles win in extra innings on a 3B Yorikane Sasaki home run.
On the final day of the season, the Eagles led by 1 game. They failed to capitalize on that lead losing to the Crusaders 5-2. Meanwhile in Putjep, P Alonzo Paluzzi was being called in to finish a 6-2 lead and set up a one-game playoff to determine the league's champion. A shortstop's error and walk was followed by a fly out and strike out. When the bases were loaded with a walk, P Preki Djuretic was called in. A walk. 6-3. Seriously?! A walk. 6-4. Stop this! A walk. 6-5. What the ---! Grand slam. 6-9. $^&E#@!
The Eagles take the pennant!

It was reported sometime later that Djuretic has gone missing. No one has seen him since leaving under his teammates protection Saturday night. Some claim Preki (2.11 ERA in 48-2/3 innings before this week, 4.24 in 50-2/3 after) threw the games. Some claim he's been murdered. Some claim he's under the protection of monks at a local monastery. Others contend that it was monks that killed him after losing their wagers. No one knows for sure it seems.


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Other news

Coastal League (CL): The Gidrm Pilots had a great week, sweeping Dasht and Hetre. Thursday's 13-3 victory over the Rams gave P Pleurat Abrup his 16th win of the year. Thus securing for him the CL pitching triple crown. In addition to 16 wins, his 157 strikeouts topped the Dasht Padres' twin star hurlers in strikeouts by at least 24 a piece. His 1.92 ERA was also a full tenth below any competitor.
The Urdhi Lions dropped every game this week to finish below .500 tied with the Rams for third place.


National League (NL): The Istamo Turtles resigned RF Pjetri Troshani (.311-19-67) to an extension. The pending free agent will continue with the only club he's ever known for an additional four years with the hefty compensation of $60K per year.
The Nur Otters finished 43-71 for a .377 winning percentage, up from .306 when they fired Riza Sopa and hired Steve Roadcap. Malko's new skipper Jim Horner (28-35, .444) barely outperformed Etrit Gjokal (21-29, .420).


Peninsula League (PL): The Treqyt Tigers ended on a three-game losing streak to fall below .500 and into 4th place in the PL. The Tigers will have to improve their pitching over the off-season. Their only sub-4.50 ERA starter (Naim Zhugli, 5-2 2.87 62 K in 62 IP since joining the rotation in June) is a free agent and their starting catcher is 41yo and nearing retirement.
The Fjuth Crusaders fired their manager Bertoldo Gerosa. The Crusaders spent much of the league in last place despite the league's best overall left side of the infield in SS/2B Mike Mooney (.320-24-69) and 3B Dillon Baird (.270-14-45). One wonders what that team could have been with a healthy 1B Jorge Padron (.333-6-27 in 120 AB) and a competent 2B/SS.


Valley League (VBL): The Trini Steza Angels finished on a nine-game winning steak to reach with 50 wins. They swept four out of the six major awards including the league's best domestic hitter and pitcher. It could have been five of six but P Tommy Mendoza (12-5 2.60 140K) barely missed out being named Top Foreign Pitcher.
The Top Foreign Batter Award was hard to choose for the Valley League. Angels SS Jose Torres garnered only 2 first-place votes, but took the overall lead over Bees 1B Salvador Rosario (.319-23-47) and Dragons 2B Jose Ramirez (.339-17-48).
The Dhje Twins fired their manager. Dhje was expected to contend with access to players on the Istamo Turtles' youth program and were tied for first place when the affiliation agreement was severed. The Twins signed .300 hitters OF Djordje Stojkovic and 2B Tista Sapunxiu to fill out the roster, but the two never hit above .250 in a Twins uniform. The team they fell to last place by the end of May and stayed there the rest of the year.



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European leagues: The Italian Baseball League has been recognized as the top league by writers. Expectant champion Fortitudo Bologna will be the team to beat in the Euro Final Four.
1B Brad Hawpe (.237-3-15 in 29 games) is unlikely to win any awards in the Russian league to activate his bonus, but by playing in 27 games his $81K option for next year has vested. Thus it also triggered player options for 2014 and 2015. With the player (1B/OF Ivanhoe Bairov) the St. Petersburg North Stars pushed to the outfield to make room for him having hit twice as many homers (6), the deal looks quite bad.



Major League Baseball: Very close contests in the AL Central and NL West. The KC Royals lead continues to shrink, from five games a month ago to 1 now over the Detroit Tigers. The Royals recently called up top draft pick P Mike Montgomery to join the rotation.
The Dodgers have overtaken the Giants in the West. It's been a rough month on the Giants. The Cardinals, Nationals and Padres swept them. Their starting CF Angel Pagan also went on the DL, meaning Melky Cabrera has moved to CF and leaving all of their corner spots (except 3B with Panda) lacking of any offensive contribution. The Rockies are 3-1/2 games behind and expect OF Carlos Gonzalez to start rehabbing this week.
The Red Sox, Rays and Yankees are also within a game of each other, but all three are expected to reach the postseason.
The best team in all of baseball (78-43 Texas Rangers) and the last place team in the AL East (57-65 Baltimore Orioles) share at least one thing in common. They have hit over 178 home runs, 25 more than any other club. Both teams have four players a piece among the AL's top twelve sluggers. Of course it takes more than slugging to win pennants. The Rangers have the league's best ERA and second best OBP while the Orioles rank 10th and 11th in those categories.
The Phillies can't seem to put away the injury-plagued Braves and restructuring Marlins. Neither team is in position to challenge for a wild card slot so the race will become very interesting over the next two months when intra-division games become the norm.
Finally in the NL Central the Reds have opened up a five-game lead on the Brewers. It's hard to believe that the Brewers had control of this division from April to middle of July. Now here come the Reds and they may even lose a wild card spot to the Cardinals or Rockies.



American Association: With former major leaguers Matt Stairs and Koyie Hill swinging their bats and Rich Rundles closing games, the Gary SouthShore RailCats are the class of the league. They are beating teams at over a .700 clip.
Bringing up the rear are the Dallas/Ft.Worth-area and Kansas City franchises. The KC T-Bones' owners recently fired the GM and field manager and gave unlimited powers to former MLB star Cecil Cooper. He has since signed AAAA veteran Chris Lubanski and moved Mark Prior into the rotation.
Nothing like a hometown kid done good. When 1B Tim Morris was cut this spring by the Mariners after two decent, but unremarkable, years in A ball he returned home. He planned to move on from pro ball. However, the baseball itch got him and he tried out for the nearby Camden Riversharks. He now leads the league in home runs with 11 in 40 games along with a .311 average and 40 RBIs.



Umnyuupians abroad:
Istamo youth prospect 19yo RHP Besnik Frasheri signed a minor league contract with a major league club! The sinker-slider righthander brings his raw talent to the SF Giants organization. In 52 games in Umnyuupia he had a 4.53 ERA and 9 saves. For him to succeed in America, he'll need to harness control of his pitchers.

Gidrm closer P Jovan Kordic also signed with a major league club at the season's end. The 26yo righthander is with the Gulf Coast League squad of the NY Yankees. He recently saved 15 games for the Pilots and scattered 14 hits over 34 innings for a 1.85 ERA. He has a wicked sinker that drops like a brick, but will need more than that to move up in the legendary Yankees organization.

Also:
Italy Baseball League - Fortitudo Bologna - P Janji Naci: 3.34 ERA 28:66 W:K in 102-1/3 IP
AAIPB - Bridgeport - P Agim Hajdaraga: 3.38 ERA 6:9 W:K in 16 IP
AAIPB - St. Paul - 1B Martin Lamaj: .244/.312/.423 5 HR 16 RBI
AAIPB - Sugar Land - P Velimir Stolic: 2.50 ERA 4:5 W:K in 18 IP