World Baseball League: Following the Sheffield Mountain Hares

[dinosauryoshi]

The Mangoes (Europe, Africa, Asia) won a tight game against the Papayas (The Americas and Oceania) 5-4 with Honduran centre-fielder Luis Arroyo getting the all-star MVP honours, going 2-2 with a home-run and a double, continuing on the great form he has shown for the Guatemala City Ocelots. No Mountain Hares players featured, as we know. With 68 teams (and counting) in each conference, places are hard to come by! The game was a huge success, with a packed out Independence Field in Yaoundé hosting fans with jerseys from all over the world.

[dinosauryoshi]

The Lilacs have made only two playoff appearances since the WBL began in 2040, in 2049 and 2051. They’re having a decent season at 48-42 as they head to Sheffield to face the Mountain Hares on their home turf.


Logos by @20_range

Game 1

SP: Rafael Guzman

The Hares took the first game of the series 3-2, with a good start from Guzman, giving up only three hits and two runs in six innings before the bullpen shut the Lilacs out for the rest of he game. It was 2-1 to the Lilacs at the bottom of the 9th when Sergio Rutz hit the game winning, two run single, a walk off hit that sent Kingfisher Park into a frenzy of chants featuring his name.

Player of the game: Rafael Guzman




Game 2

SP: Giobbe Marinello

Another hard fought victory for Sheffield as they took care of the Lilacs 8-7 with another exciting walk off win. The game was decided with one out in the bottom of the ninth. With Sheffield trailing 7-6, Adam Koehler hit a fastball from Pelike Keokia to left for a 2-run single as pandomonium broke out in the stands for the second game in a row. Willie Perez also hit his 30th home run of the season, the first Sheffield Mountain Hare to reach that milestone in a season. Nairobi second baseman Azmera Funga will be especially frustrated with the loss. He was 4-4 with a home run and 3 singles, while adding 3 RBI and scoring once.

Player of the game: Azmera Funga



Game 3

SP: Alois Herzog

The Lilacs took the last game of the series 8-4, preventing a sweep. Kai Scott provided some pop, going 2-for-3 with 1 home run. The Nairobi left fielder Wolde-Tsadik Ereng had a 2-run single in the top of the ninth inning to put the Lilacs on top, 7-4, and the Hares never looked like making a coming back from there.

Player of the game: Kai Scott

[dinosauryoshi]

Next up we’ve got the lovely donators of the big Swiss railway clock at Kingfisher’s Field’s left-field. I’m hoping for the usual large delivery of Swiss chocolate to come with them to be sold to fans, mainly me, at the stadium. The Mountaineers currently sit above us in the standings, but not by much.


Logos: ZM by @low, SMH by @20_range

Game 1

SP: Mototomi Motoyanagi

The Hares lost the series opener 7-5 at Kingfisher Park. American first-baseman Jake West led the way, going 2-for-4 for Zurich while Velimir Raskovic held Sheffield to 2 runs on 6 hits over 5.2 innings, racking up 7 strikeouts. Zurich used a well-timed hit by Orrel Zhidkov to capture the win. The shortstop socked a bases-clearing double in the top of the sixth inning to put the Mountaineers ahead, 4-2, a deficit the Hares never recovered from. Sheffield’s top performer was Jesus Morales, who went 3-4 with 1 RBI on the night.

Player of the game: Jake West



Game 2

SP: Yushua bin Saqr

Mountain Hares third baseman Chase Clem put his stamp on his team's 10-3 win over the Zurich Mountaineers. Clem was 4-4 with a home run and 2 doubles. He drove in 4 runs and scored once for Sheffield in a blistering performance. Algerian lefty Yushua bin Saqr went 6.1 innings, allowing 3 runs on 5 hits striking out, and walking 3. Willie Perez came through once again for Sheffield with a 3-run home run in the bottom of the third. The designated hitter went 2 for 4 for the game, including the aforementioned home run and a double. He scored two runs and collected five runs batted in. He now has 31 home runs on the season.

Player of the game: Chase Clem



Game 3

SP: Rafael Guzman

The Hares rose to 46-50 with another convincing win over the Mountaineers, 8-2. Jose Garay was 2-3 with a home run and a double, while adding 5 RBI and scoring once, to lead the charge. Trejo, Garay and Perez all hit home runs in a game where the Mountaineers offense was an unstoppable force, and the pitching largely held the Mountaineers at bay.

Player of the game: Jose Garay

[dinosauryoshi]

The Black Cats are 51- 46 as the Hares march into town to wander about the city's plethora of cafes, soaking up the delicate streetlights while drinking coffee and eating croissants, oh and to play baseball.


Logos by @20_range

Game 1

SP: Giobbe Marinello

The Hares won a tight opening game 3-1, with pitcher Giobbe Marinello a key contributor. The right-hander earned accolades for his great performance, giving up 5 hits and walking 4 over 6 innings. He allowed only 1 run. Nestor Barrios picked up his 13th save of the season. At 1-0 down, all of the Hares’ runs came in the 5th inning, including a Jose Garay home run, his eighth of the season.

Player of the game: Giobbe Marinello



Game 2

SP: Alois Herzog

The Paris Black Cats picked up a win dropping the Sheffield Mountain Hares 10-4. Antonn Sedlacek, who has a complete game under his belt this season, made the difference. He tossed 7 innings of 5-hit ball, while walking 3 and fanning 4. The win for the Black Cats lifted their record to 52-47. Some bad fielding was as miuch to blame as Herzog as the Black Cats hit 5 runs in the 2.2 innings he lasted before the Hares went to the bullpen. Perez got his team-leding 8th RBI of the season in the 8th, but Sheffield never looked like catching up.

"We take it day by day here," said Heng, "and today was a good one for us."

Player of the game: Antomn Sedlacek



Game 3

SP: Mototomi Motoyanagi

The Black Cats took the series with a hard-fought 7-6 victory in the final game. Starting pitcher Jedrick Szewczyk put on a show Paris Black. He threw 7 innings of 1-hit ball, while fanning 5 and giving up 2 walks. The Black Cats went 7-0 up on a Austin Clawson run-scoring double pounded to centre, and the Hares looked like they might, against all odds, catch up. But in the end, even a home run each for Jose Garay, Willie Perez and Rob Graham weren’t enough for the Hares.

Player of the game: Jedrick Szewczyk



As we approach our hundredth game, we’re 47-52. Slowly creeping up on that .500 target...

[dinosauryoshi]

We’re off to Warsaw to take on the Kings, who are currently second-bottom of the European Division, which isn’t very kingly of them. They’re only a few wins behind us though, so I’d best stop joking about them.



Game 1

SP: Yushua bin Saqr

Bin Saqr only made it through 3.1 innings, giving up six runs before Reynolds had seen enough. The bullpen only gave up one further run in the rest of the game, but the damage had been done as the Hares lost 7-4, and Saetgaliev’s great double in the bottom of the eighth did litle but pad his and the Hares’ stats. Aaron Snead was Warsaw’s top player, he collected 2 extra-base hits, including 1 home run and 1 double.

Player of the game: Aaron Snead



Game 2

SP: Rafael Guzman

Sergio Rutz recaptured some of his earlier season magic to help the Hares fly past the Warsaw Kings, 16-1. He went 4 for 6 with 2 home runs and 2 singles, while scoring 3 and driving in 3. Rafael Guzman got the win, pitching a complete game and giving up just 1 run on 6 hits, while striking out 3 and walking 0. With the win, the Mountain Hares improved to 48-53. Besides Rutz’ two homers, Perez, Trejo and Graham all hit balls out the park too in a superb performance from Sheffield all round.

Player of the game: Sergio Rutz



Game 3

SP: Giobbe Marinello

It was another towering performance from Sheffield’s offence as centre fielder Jason Portman helped his team beat the Warsaw Kings, 12-5. Portman went 4 for 5 for the Mountain Hares, with a home-run. Sheffield is now 49-53. Rutz and Graham made it consecutive games with a home-run with 1 each to add to Portman’s while Hares’ pitchers were unspectacular, but did keep them in the game before they ran away with the win.

Player of the game: Jason Portman



Next we'll take a look at the Hares' stats just over 100 games into the season, as well as standings across the league.

[dinosauryoshi]

Batting



Sergio Rutz has tailed off since his mid-season injury and has fallen behind Willie Perez in the WAR standings despite his much superior defence, owing to Perez’ sensational offensive form of late. He leads the team in pretty much every offensive category, and has already beaten the team’s previous single season home run record of 28 by 5 runs, with 60 games left in the season. I’m almost certain this will be the best offensive season ever from a Mountain Hares player once we hit October, and that it’s likely to stand as that for some time. He continues to be a joy to watch. Rutz’ form ahs picked up the last couple of weeks, and so there’s hope he’s returning to his earlier season self. Carlos Trejo and Rob Graham, at opposite ends of the age spectrum, have racked up some impressive stats considering the low amount of games they’ve played. But it looks to be between Perez and Rutz for the team’s ‘Position Player of the Year’ award.

Pitching



I think this illustrates that Hares pitching has been ok but not spectacular. All five starting pitchers have WARs above 2, with Guzman leading the way. They’re all around .500 in terms of wins, and it’s hard to say who will win the club’s 'Pitcher of the Year' award this year!

Fielding





Centre-fielder Jason Portman has been our best fielder by some distance over the season, it’s a shame his poor offence means he’s still posting a negative WAR. Bin Jameel has never been the strongest fielder, but he’s having a disappointing season all round by his standards, and that includes on the field. Left-fielder Kolya Saetgaliev has been among the best gloves all season, and while Rutz’ offensive form has dropped, he has remained solid on defense. Trejo and Graham are showing above average play at first and second respectively.

[dinosauryoshi]

TAO to the left, EAA to the right (criss, cross.....)

[dinosauryoshi]

TRADE ALERT

Having said Guzman was probably our best performing pitcher, the Hares have traded.... Guzman.

To quote the news: "In anticipation of the deadline in under ten days the Sheffield Mountain Hares and the Nairobi Lilacs have agreed to a deal that will have 30-year old RHP Rafael Guzman and $21,500,000 in cash heading to Nairobi in exchange for 23-year old minor league Nigerian RF Amray Nasiir and 18-year old minor league Sudanese 1B Asadel Vuai. Provided they pass a physical, the players should be with their respective teams in time for tomorrow's games.

Sheffield will retain a portion of Guzman's remaining contract.

Up to now Guzman has recorded a record of 6-8. In 21 starts he has fanned 70 batters in 113.1 innings with a 4.53 ERA."

I'm not completely sure what to make of this, obviously it's a trade for the future, but neither of the prospects we've gained project higher than becoming more than average players in the majors - with Vuai projecting somewhat below that. Maybe our scouts see something the WBL press don't. I'll miss Guzman, and am slightly concerned for our pitching core for the next 60 games without him. Let's see if we make any other moves before the deadline.

[dinosauryoshi]

Division leaders Moscow Blizzard head to Sheffield with a 66-36 record, flying high atop the European Division in what will surely be the second year in a row they make the playoffs.



Game 1

Kolya Saetgaliev led the Sheffield Mountain Hares to a great 8-3 win over the Moscow Blizzard. The Sheffield left fielder was a force of nature. He banged out 3 extra-base hits, including 2 home runs and 1 double. The 12th-place Mountain Hares now have a record of 50-53, as close to .500 as they’ve been for a long while.

Chase Clem had a big 2-run double for the Mountain Hares in the bottom of the fourth inning. With Sheffield leading 1-0 and runners on 1st and 2nd, he got a fastball from 31-year old left-handed pitcher Tariq Kafele and swatted a double to right-center. It was his 16th double of the season, and more importantly, it put the Mountain Hares ahead, 3-0, a deficit the Blizzard never recovered from. A great start to the series against one of the very top WBL teams this season.

Player of the game: Kolya Saetgaliev



Game 2

SP: Mototomi Motoyanagi

Moscow left fielder, the Austrian superstar Florian Margreiter was on form as the Blizzard took game 2 of the series 10-4. Margreiter, who is on pace to hit a massive 59 home runs this season, went 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored to lead the offensive attack for the Blizzard. Moscow starter Josh Peters got the win and is now tied for 8th in the EAA in wins with 11. Saetgaliev was Sheffield’s best player, hitting a 3-run homer in the fourth off Peters. Mototomo Motoyanagi lasted only 1.1 innings before getting pulled, having given up 5 runs.

Player of the game: Florian Margreiter



Game 3

SP: Yushua bin Saqr

Yushua bin Saqr was locked in. The left-hander led the Sheffield Mountain Hares to a 7-3 win as fans went wild following a series win against the top team in the division. The Mountain Hares got a big at-bat from left fielder Kolya Saetgaliev, who is on top form. Saetgaliev was 1-4 with a home run and 2 RBIs. There were also home runs for Willie Perez, Rob Graham - who continues to impress in his rookie season - and Mario Maldonado, his first in the WBL.

[dinosauryoshi]

Mumbai sit second bottom in the West and South-East Asia Division, and the Hares will be hoping to pick up at least a couple of wins off them in this 4-game series.

Although they've never won the EAA or World Series, the Directors are one of the East & South-West Asia Division's most successful teams, topping the division twice, and making the playoffs 6 times in their history.



Game 1

SP: Bullpen game

The Sheffield Mountain Hares trounced the Mumbai Directors with a convincing 12-3 defeat at Kingfisher Park. Rob Graham continued his recent good form, hitting 2 home runs, while adding 4 RBIs and scoring twice. The Hares improve to 52-54, the best record they’ve had since very early in the season.

Willie Perez came up big once again, hitting a huge grand slam home run for the Mountain Hares in the bottom of the second inning. With Sheffield leading 3-0 and the bases loaded, he got a slider from Tony Cruz and swatted a home run to left. It was his 35th home run of the season, putting the Hares up 7-0. Choe, Baca and Duarte handled the bullpen game for the Hares with minimal fuss.

Player of the game: Rob Graham




Game 2

SP: Giobbe Marinello

Saetgaliev continued his imperious form as Sheffield won game 2 10-4. Saetgaliev, who is on pace for 104 RBI this season, went 2 for 4 with a home run and a walk, scoring 2 runs and driving in 6. The win puts the Mountain Hares at 53-54, while the Directors drop to 43-64. Marinello put in a very solid start, giving up just 1 run in 6 innings.

Player of the game: Kolya Saegaliev



Game 3

SP: Alois Herzog

The Hares continued their winning streak as they looked to get a four-game sweep against the Mumbai Directors, with a 5-3 win in game 3. Alois Herzog made a strong, if not particularly deep, start, racking up 6 strikeouts and giving up 2 runs in 5 innings. Lekimeju, Budd and Baririos capably kept Mumbai at bay for the rest of the innings, giving up only 1 further run.

Adam Koehler hit the key go-ahead home-run in the bottom of the fourth. Sheffield were 2-0 down when he punished a fastball from Gambian Abdel-Alim Suwedi, getting his 12th home run of the season and putting the Hares up 3-2. Jesus Morales also racked up a rare home-run, his 3rd of the season.

Best of all, this means the Hares are now.500!!

Player of the game: Alois Herzog




Today was also the trade deadline, but there were no further moves from the Hares. I always like the excitement of trades, but actually I’m just relieved we’re holding onto some of the talent that has been performing so well over the last month.

Game 4

SP: Mototomo Motoyanagi

The Hares get themselves above .500 for the first time in many months, with a tight 5-4 win over the directors, who have been swept 4 games to 0. Mumbai’s South Korean third baseman Joon-ho Kim was on fine forme, going 2-2 with a home run, a double, and 2 walks, driving in 3 runs and scoring once, but it wasn’t enough. Chase Clem hit a key 2-run homer in a first inning where the Hares racked up 4 runs as the Directors failed to catch them despite their best efforts. Motoyanagi was unspectacular, but did just enough, keeping the Directors to 3 runs in his 5 innings.

Player of the game: Joon-ho Kim

[dinosauryoshi]

The Jellyfish are 56-44, hanging around mid-table in the North-America East Division. The Jellyfish were part of the 2055 expansion like the Hares, and are also looking for their first playoff appearance. It’s the Hares’ first trip to Atlantic Stadium.


Logos: SMH by @20_range, NJJ from this great project.

Game 1

SP: Yushua bin Saqr

Jellyfish catcher, the American Neal Cruz put his stamp the game as the Hares lost game 1 of the series 8-6. Cruz belted 2 home runs, while adding 4 RBI and scoring twice for New Jersey in the contest. Mexican Ricki Pequeno was taken out after giving up 5 runs in 2.2 innings, which proved to be a good move as the rest of the pitching lineup gave up only 1 further run. Chase Clem led the Hares with 3 RBI.

Player of the game: Neal Cruz



Game 2

SP: Bullpen game

The Jellyfish guaranteed a series win by taking game two 6-3. Guatemalan Baca proved to be the weak link in a bullpen game, giving up 4 runs in 2.2 innings. Willie Perez hit his 36th home run off Chris Purser in the 3rd, an inning that finished with the Hares 3-0 up. New Jersey took a 5-3 lead on Neal Cruz's 4th home run of the season. The 3-run home run, which Cruz hit in the bottom of the seventh, left Sheffield pitcher Jonathan Baca visibly frustrated.

Reynold’s answer to Guzman’s departure is clearly more bullpen games, but I’m not loving how that’s working out so far.

Player of the game: Chris Purser



Game 3

SP: Giobbe Marinello

It was an absolute thriller in New Jersey as the Hares just pipped the Jellyfish to a win in extra innings. Rob Graham continued his impressive form, as he lives up to his billing as a top 20 prospect. He went 3-4 with a double, 2 singles, and a walk, while scoring 2 times and driving in 2. The win for the Mountain Hares raised their record to 56-56.

Sheffield used the timely hitting of Mario Maldonado to seize the win. The shortstop stroked a run-scoring single in the top of the 11th inning to put the Mountain Hares on top, 9-8. It was his only hit in 5 at-bats, but it was the one that ended up winning the game for Sheffield. Giobbe Marinello struggled in his 24th start of the season, giving up 6 runs in 4.2 innings. The bullpen held the Jellyfish to only two more runs, helpinf the Hares offence scrape a win.

Player of the game: Rob Graham

[dinosauryoshi]

New Orleans are 46-66, and sit just off the bottom of the North America West Division. They’re one of two teams with two World Series’ titles to their name, winning in the WBL’s opening season in 2040, and its third in 2042. They’ve reached the playoffs an impressive 7 times, last doing so in 2052, when they’d won the North America East Division twice in a row. Essentially, they’re one of the league’s most successful franchises, even if this season won't be adding much to their resume.


Logos: Both by @20_range

Game 1

SP: Alois Herzog

The Sheffield Mountain Hares beat the New Orleans Jazz at Kingfisher Park fair and square, hitting their pitchers all over the park for an 11-3 win. Adam Koehler led the way, going 3-for-3 for the home team. Sheffield grabbed the momentum in the bottom of the fifth, when Koehler hit a 2-run double off Vasile Burcin. His 13th double of the season put the Mountain Hares out in front, 5-3.

Player of the game: Adam Koehler



Game 2

SP: Mototomo Motoyanagi

Motoyanagi, Budd and Barrios shut out the Jazz as Sheffield took the second game of the series 3-0. In a game where pitchers ruled it was a rare Jason Portman home run, only his third of the season, that proved decisive, as he chipped a homer to leftfield in the second inning.

Player of the game: Mototomo Motoyanagi



Game 3

SP: Yushua bin Saqr

Sergio Rutz was on sensational form in the 6-4 Sheffield win against the New Orleans Jazz. Rutz, who finished 5th in the TAO in extra base hits with 83 in 2052, was 4-5 with a home run, a double, and 2 singles as the Hares recorded their fourth consecutive win. Rob Graham racked up another home run, giving him 9 for the season as his impressive start continued, while Jesus Morales picked up his 4th as the Hares rose to 59-56, much to the delight of the fans at Kingfisher Stadium.

Player of the game: Sergio Rutz

[dinosauryoshi]

The Crabs are one of their division’s weakest teams historically, having only made the playoffs 3 times in their history, and coming 14th in the division in each of the last 3 years. They’re lying in 14th this year too...


Logos: SMH by @20_range, SC by @low

Game 1

SP: Bullpen game

The Sheffield Mountain Hares downed the Seoul Crabs, 10-7, at Seoul Stadium. Kolya Saetgaliev led the way, going 3-for-5 for Sheffield, while racking up 9 bases. Sheffield has run its win streak to 5 straight. Guatemalan Jonothan Baca was the weak link in the bullpen game, giving up 5 runs in 4.2 innings, but the rest of the bullpen kept the score low enough for a very good offensive day to be enough. Rob Graham also hit his tenth homer of the season, and notched up his 30th RBI.

Player of the Game: Kolya Saetgaliev




Game 2

SP: Giobbe Marinello

Despite a fine performance by left fielder Daniil Rochegov, the Seoul Crabs lost to the Sheffield Mountain Hares, 7-5. Rochegov went 3-5 with 2 doubles. He drove in 2 runs and scored once. Jason Portman had a big 2-run double for the Mountain Hares in the top of the fifth inning. With Sheffield leading 3-0 and the bases loaded, he got a sinker from Cao-Ky Kim and swatted a double to left-center. It was his 12th double of the season, and more importantly, it put the Mountain Hares ahead, 5-0. Giobbe Marinello went deep for the Hres, pitching 7.1 innings and giving up 4 runs. The Crabs looked to be making acomeback, notching up4 runs in the final two innings, but it wasn’t enough. Jesus Morales continued his recent good form, hitting his 5th home run of the season.

Player of the game: Daniil Rochegov



Game 3

The Sheffield Mountain Hares and Seoul Crabs provided some drama for the home crowd in the first game of a double-header. The Crabs turned back the Sheffield Mountain Hares, 9-8, at Seoul Stadium. Zayd Na'il had a particularly fine performance. He went 3 for 4 with a home run and 2 singles, scoring 2 times and driving in 3. Iraqi Usmah Kadin was Sheffield’s best player on the day, going 2-5 wth 3 RBI, including a home run in the first inning. Alois Herzog had a disastrous start, giving up 5 runs in 2.2 innings before being taken off.

Player of the game Zayd Na’il



Game 4

SP: Mototomo Motoyanagi

In a rainy game in Seoul, the Seoul Crabs beat the Sheffield Mountain Hares, 6-4, with major props going to second baseman Yanis Magnier, who proved unstoppable on the day. He went 3-4 with a home run and 2 singles. He scored 2 times and drove in 3 for the Crabs. The Crabs are now 51-67. Willie Perez smashed his 37th home run of the season in the 9th inning, but it wasn’t enough. Motoyanagi started things off solidly, giving up only two runs in 5 innings, but Alexandre Timofte giving up 4 runs in the following 1.1 innings made it a tough hill to climb for Sheffield.

Player of the game: Yanis Magnier

[dinosauryoshi]

The Bears have made the playoffs 6 times in their history, most recently in 2056, they’re in the hunt again this year. They’ve won the European Division once, in 2043.


Both logos by @20_range

Game 1

SP: Yushua bin Saqr

Led by Jose Garay, the Sheffield Mountain Hares defeated the Berlin Bears, 14-10, in 11 innings. Garay ,from São Paulo, went 3 for 6 with a home run and a double. He scored 3 runs and drove in 4 for the Mountain Hares. The game was all tied up in the top of the 11th, until main man Garay delivered big-time for Sheffield, stroking a dramatic run-scoring double off Nelion Mtoro. The game-changing hit put the Mountain Hares on top, 11-10.

Player of the game: Jose Garay



Game 2

SP: Bullpen game

The Sheffield Mountain Hares picked up a win at Bears Grounds, knocking off the Berlin Bears, 6-4, in 10 innings. On the mound for Sheffield was right-hander Jonathan Baca, who pitched a solid 7 innings after Timofte opened the game with 1. Sheffield has a record of 63-58, placing them 8th in the Europe Division.

The Hares used the timely hitting of Sergio Rutz to seize the win. The left fielder stroked a 2-run single in the top of the tenth inning to put the Mountain Hares on top, 6-4. It was his only hit in 3 at-bats, but it won the game.

Player of the game: Jonathan Baca



Game 3

SP: Giobbe Marinello

The Berlin Bears mauled the Sheffield Mountain Hares, 14-4 with Bears’ designated hitter Melvin Ayala a main contributor to the win. The Honduran was 2-4 with a home run and a walk, while scoring 4 times and driving in 3 for Berlin. At 68-54, the Bears are currently third in the European Division, very much vying for a playoff spot.

Marinello had another disastrous outing, giving up 6 runs before being taken out after 2.1 innings as the Hares dropped to 11th in the division to 63-58.

Player of the game: Melvin Ayala

[dinosauryoshi]

The Mallards are a couple of games ahead of the Hares in the standings. Can they go get 'em?



Game 1

SP: Alois Herzog

The French Mallards right fielder Michel Clerc made his presence felt in the 8-5 Mallards triumph over the Sheffield Mountain Hares. Clerc hit 2 home runs. He drove in 6 runs and scored twice. Bodil Didenksen closed the door for Madrid, picking up his 2nd save of the year, extending Madrid’s win streak to 3 games.

The game was won in the bottom of the seventh, when Clerc hit his 28th home run of the season. The grand slam home run off Mikala Enosa made it 8-5, Madrid. Koehler, Morales and Garay all hit homers for Sheffield, but unfortunately they were all of the one-run variety.

Player of the game: Michel Clerc




Game 2

SP: Mototomo Motoyanagi

Sheffield first baseman Willie Perez had a 5-RBI performance, including two soaring home runs which helped his team down the Madrid Mallards, 13-8. The win puts Sheffield at 64-60 this season, and puts Perez’ home run total to 40 - of course the first time that milestone has ever been met at the club. Motoyanagi was unspectacular, but certainly did enough to keep his team in it. Rob Graham went off after a collision on the bases, and Hares fans are very much hoping the team’s star rookie isn’t out for long.

Sheffield used the clutch hitting of Yun Qiu to capture the win. In only his 27th appearance of the season for the Hares, the center fielder drilled a 2-run double in the top of the tenth inning to give the Mountain Hares the lead, 10-8. For the game, Qiu had 2 singles and 1 double in 5 at-bats.

Player of the game: Willie Perez



Game 3

SP: Yushua bin Saqr

It feels like a while since Sheffield have had a standout pitcher performance, but Yushua bin Saqr certainly gave that in their 5-4 win over the Mallards, to take the series 2-1. He pitched 7.1 innings, giving up only 1 run, as Rutz and Koehler smashed homers on the offensive side to guide the Hares to a narrow win. The Hares are now 65-60 as they aim to finish above .500 for the first time in their history. They’re also only 5 games back from a playoff berth, though I think even the most optimistic Sheffield fan will say that’s a tough ask.

Player of the game: Yushua bin Saqr

[dinosauryoshi]

The Hares head off to take on the Mariners, who have won the Central and East Asia Division a record 5 times, and made the playoff 6 times. Their last division win came in 2053, and they’ve struggled since - failing to come above 12th. This year they sit in 3rd however, with a very good record of 69-55 as they look to return to the playoffs.



Game 1

SP: Jonathan Baca

The Singapore Mariners faced a tough opponent in Sheffield pitcher Jonathan Baca, but found a way to pull out the victory by a final score of 3-2 in 10 innings, in yet another close game for Sheffield fans. Baca went 7 innings and allowed 2 runs, but a spluttering offence meant that wasn’t enough to stop Singapore winning their 7th in a row.

Vietnamese Hieu Thach delivered a run-scoring ground out in the bottom of the tenth to win it for the Mariners. For the game, Thach drove in one run.

Player of the game: Jonathan Baca




Game 2

SP: Giobbe Marinello

The Sheffield Mountain Hares faced a tough opponent in Burman pitcher Hai Phang, but did just enough to pull out the victory by a final score of 5-4. Phang went 5 innings and allowed 1 run while Giobbe Marinello allowed 3 runs on 7 hits, with 3 walks and 2 strikeouts in 6 innings of work. Enosa bagged his first save of the season. Jesus Morales led the way offensively for the Hares with 4 total bases, while Perez upped his RBI total to 109, a new Sheffield single-season record.

It could have been a different outcome for Sheffield, had it not been for Jose Garay, the 31-year old third baseman . Garay contributed a run-scoring sacrifice fly in the top of the seventh inning to put Sheffield up, 4-3.

The Mountain Hares, at 66-61, sit in 8th place in the Europe, Africa & Asia Europe.

Player of the game: Hai Phang



Game 3

The Sheffield Mountain Hares had to overcome another good Mariners pitching performance, this time from Cameroonian pitcher Wanjala Bagaza, to claim a 2-1 win. Bagaza went an impressive 8.1 innings and allowed only 2 runs. Nestor Barrios earned the save for Sheffield, his 20th of the year.

Jose Garay had the most important play again, contributing a run-scoring sacrifice fly in the top of the ninth inning to put Sheffield up, 2-1.

The win gives Sheffield the series win, and ups their record to 67-61.

[dinosauryoshi]

Rome Legion

The Hares invite the Romans to town, now nearly ten games ahead of them in the division. Oh how times have changed.


Logos: SMH by @20_range, Legion by @low

Game 1

The Rome Legion could not turn a fine performance from pitcher Qi-chao Zhang into a win. Instead, the Sheffield Mountain Hares prevailed in yet another close game, winning this one 4-3, in 10 innings. Perez racked up his 41st home run of the season. It was Garay who hit the game winner in the bottom of the tenth though delivering a run-scoring single to win the game for the Mountain Hares as fans in Sheffield left the stadium cheering.

Player of the game: Qi-chao Zhang



Game 2

SP: Yushua bin Saqr

The bat of Serbian powerhouse Milos Kajosevic helped the Rome Legion top the Sheffield Mountain Hares, 8-5, in 10 innings. Kajosevic was 2-5 with a double and a walk. He drove in 3 runs and scored once for Rome as a packed Kingfisher Stadium went home disappointed.

Player of the game: Milos Kajosevic



Game 3

SP: Bullpen game

The Rome Legion picked the win, 7-4, in the final game of the series. American Rob Smith led the charge belting 2 home runs. He scored 3 times and drove in 5 for Rome. Rome grabbed the momentum in the top of the fifth, when Smith hit a 3-run home run off Jonathan Baca. His 19th home run of the season put the Legion out in front, 7-4. The Timofte-Baca combo didn’t work as well as the last couple of times for Sheffield, with Baca only lasting 3.2 innings following Timofte’s opening inning, having given up 5 runs. Jesus Morales was Sheffield’s best offensive performer, getting 7 total bases and hitting the team’s only home run, his 7th of the season.

Player of the game: Rob Smith

[dinosauryoshi]

This year’s expansion team in the European Division is exceeding expectations, sitting only one win behind us.


Logos: both by @20_range

Game 1

SP: Giobbe Marinello

The Sheffield Mountain Hares could not turn a fine performance from second baseman Kolya Saetgaliev into a win. Instead, the Athens Philosphers prevailed, 3-2. Saetgaliev went 3 for 4 with a home run and 2 doubles, while adding 2 RBI and scoring once.

American Steve Holland was the walk-off hero for Athens. With the game tied in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Philosphers catcher hit a dramatic run-scoring single to send the teams home.

Player of the game: Kolya Saetgaliev



Game 2

SP: Alois Herzog

Athens Philosphers pitcher Lebna Ogunkeye was in fine form, giving up no runs in 5 innings and leading his team past the Sheffield Mountain Hares, 7-1, as the Hares lost their 4th game on the bounce, dropping to 68-65. Herzog was unspectacular, but certainly not at fault for the loss, giving up 3 runs in 5 innings, as the offence floundered.

Player of the game: Lebna Ogunkeye




Game 3

SP: Mototomo Motoyanagi

Athens Philosphers starter Willie Gutierrez turned in a sterling performance, leading his team to a thin, 3-2 win in 10 innings, as Athens swept Sheffield and improved their record to 70-64. The decisive blow was delivered by Josh O'Connor in the bottom of the tenth when he hit a run-scoring double off 29-year old left-handed pitcher Nestor Barrios to win the game for Athens. The home crowd went nuts and the travelling Sheffield fans looked dismayed as the Hares fell to their 5th straight defeat, dropping them to 68-66. Motoyanagi will be especially disappointed after he threw 6 innings giving up no runs to start the game.

SP: Willie Gutierrez

[dinosauryoshi]

Logos: SMH by @20_range, Pelicans by @low

Game 1

SP: Yushua bin Saqr

Alarm bells are ringin in Sheffield as the Hares lose their 6th straight game. In a tight contest, South African pitcher Jafar Kayra was terrific on the mound. The St Petersburg right-hander helped his team to the 1-0 win, going 7 innings without giving up a run. Bin Saqr went 8 innings only giving up one run for Sheffield, but it was that run which proved decisive.

Said run came through the timely hitting of Dave Bellinghausen. The left fielder stroked a run-scoring single in the top of the ninth inning to put the Pelicans on top, 1-0.

Player of the game: Jafar Kayra



Game 2

SP: Jonathan Baca

Hares fans were jubilant in relief after a 7-3 win finally finished their losing streak, winning their final game of the month of August. Starting pitcher Jonathan Baca kept the Hares in the game, giving up 5 hits and walking 1 over 7 innings. as he allowed 2 runs. Josh Flores delivered a key base hit in the bottom of the eighth. With two down and runners on 2nd and 3rd, Flores stroked a run-scoring single which made the score 4-3, from where the Hares pulled away. Jason Portman also hit a rare home run, only his 4th of the season.

Player of the game: Jonathan Baca



Game 3

SP: Giobbe Marinello

The Hares started the final month of the regular season with a 4-3 loss to the Pelicans, dropping them to 69-68. Dave Bellinghausen was St Petersburg’s star on the day. He was 3 for 4 with a home run, 2 singles, and a walk, while adding 2 RBI and scoring once for the Pelicans.

The game winner was hig by Canadian David Woolfrey in the top of the ninth. With two down, Woolfrey gave his team the lead, 4-3, when he hit a run-scoring single.

Player of the game: Dave Bellinghausen

[dinosauryoshi]

Part of the same expansion as the Hares, in 2055, the Roosters sit at the bottom of the West and South-East Asia Division with one of the worst records in the WBL. The Hares will be hoping to pick up a few wins to revive their lately uninspiring form.


Logos: SMH by @20_range, PR taken from this project

Game 1

Starting Pitcher: Alois Herzog

The Patna Roosters used a stellar performance from pitcher Erik Majaev to throttle the Sheffield offense en route to an extra-inning, 2-1 win. The Sheffield offense only managed 1 run against Majaew in 9 innings, and while the Hares pitching unit led by Herzog achieved the same, they eventually came undone in extra innings when Roosters center fielder Loi Kwan delivered a run-scoring single to win the game for the Roosters in the bottom of the 11th. The game saw Hares prospect Rob Graham return from a bruised collarbone and pick up where he left off, smashing his 11th home run of the season.

Player of the game: Erik Majaev



Game 2

SP: Mototomo Motoyanagi

Hares fans were left dejected after their side dropped below .500 for the first time in months, losing heavily to Patna in game 2 of a 4 game series, 10-4. Benjamin Wiesner went 3 for 5 with a home run and 2 singles, while scoring 2 times for the home side. Rob Graham hit yet another home run, upping his total to 12, while bin Jameel also bagged a rare homer, with 6 now for the season, in what continues to be a disappointing season for him. Motoyanagi gave up 5 runs in 4.2 innings in an outing he’d rather forget. It marks another three game losing streak for the Hares as their struggles continue.

Player of the game: Wiesner



Game 3

SP: Yushua bin Saqr

There had been a period where the Hares seemed to win all the close games, now they seem to be losing them all. Falling 4-3 to the roosters in their 4th loss in a row as their record drops to 69-71. Burman Patna shortstop Vui Trinh, in particular, had a standout performance, going 2 for 4 with 2-run home run. Austrian Benjamin Wiesner contributed perhaps the most important runs, the 2nd overall pick in the 2055 draft, chipped in a 2-run home run for Patna in the bottom of the seventh. Bin Saqr pitched 6.2 innings, giving up 3 runs. The game cements a series win for the Roosters, the Hares will be hoping to avoid a 4-game clean sweep in game 4.

Player of the game: Vui Trinh



Game 4

SP: Bullpen game

Sheffield fans who had made the trip to Patna for the series were left dismayed when their team lost to the strugling sid again, this time 7-5 as their losing streak extended to 5 games. This time, Luis Olivas was the difference-maker, giving the Hares batters barely a sniff over his 6 innings. Patna went up, 6-5, on Loi Kwan's 33rd home run of the season. The solo home run, which Kwan hit in the bottom of the seventh, left Sheffield pitcher Tekle-Mariam Lekimeju shaking his head. It raised Patna to 54-86, while the Hares are now 3 under .500 at 69-72. One of the few bright spots for the Hares continues to be Rob Graham, who went 2 for 4, with 2 RBIs, bringing his total to 38 for the season, impressive given he has only played in 55 games.

Player of the game: Luis Olivas