Transcontinental Baseball League (TBA)

[progen]

I was hoping for Rapid City, which is where my mother grew up. Appears you made a good choice though. Nice read. Will continue to follow.

[luckymann]

Originally Posted by progen

I was hoping for Rapid City, which is where my mother grew up. Appears you made a good choice though. Nice read. Will continue to follow.

Thanks for following!

The Monuments did quite well without my involvement, only missed out by 4 games with a solid 52-53 - quite a turnaround!

[luckymann]

A few tiebreaks required to decide the final composition of this year’s Lincoln Cup. They were as follows:

• GAL Champion: Sandy Springs Hitmen and Savannah Sand Gnats tied at 62-43: Sandy springs won 6-5 in 17 innings! Savannah still go through as the WC.
• INL Champion: Evansville Triplets and Gary Steelers tied at 60-45: Gary won 7-4.
• MDL Champion: Frederick War Hawks and Rockville Regals tied at 71-34: Frederick won 2-0.
• SDL: Sioux Falls Canaries and Watertown Bombers tied at 56-49: Sioux Falls won 10-4 (first time Watertown hasn’t won).

And some countbacks were also needed:

• FLL Wildcard: St. Petersburg Pelicans and Cape Coral Hammerheads tied at 58-47: St. Petersburg 9-6 head-to-head.
• PAL Wildcard: Chester Bobcats and Lancaster Red Roses tied at 58-47: Chester 8-7 head-to-head.
• WAL Wildcard: Bellingham Stevedores and Kirkland Crawdads tied at 62-43: Bellingham 8-7 head-to-head.

The defending champion Ketchikan Bootleggers are not here, finishing 3 games back of Wasilla in the AKL, but runner-up New Rochelle is. And just 3 teams – Georgetown Baptists (KY); Las Cruces Golden Sombreros (NM); Cranston Rays (RI) – remain undefeated in their league’s championship in the 4 seasons to this point. My former side Honolulu won the HAL easily and are back for their third crack.

Just while I have a moment, here is how the teams I chose Butte over went this season (last season in brackets):

• MEL: Bangor Lumber Barons 46-59, 21 GB (35-70, 32 GB)
• RIL: Pawtucket Slaters 34-71, 43 GB (31-74, 51 GB)
• SDL: Rapid City Monuments 52-53 4 GB (44-61, 26 GB)
• VTL: Montpelier Green Mountain Boys 47-58, 12 GB (44-61, 16 GB)

Finally, West Virginia’s Parkersburg Marblers had the best overall record for the season, an astonishing 83-22.

Here are the first round matchups:

64-St. Petersburg Pelicans (FL) v 1-Parma Progressives (OH)
63-Chester Bobcats (PA) v 2-Parkersburg Marblers (WV)
62-Brockton Shoemakers (MA) v 3-Sterling Heights Howlers (MI)
61-Flint Wolverines (MI) v 4-Yonkers Seahawks (NY)
60-Savannah Sand Gnats (GA) v 5-Kent Comets (WA)
59-Bellingham Stevedores (WA) v 6-Newark Colonials (NJ)
58-Canton Terriers (OH) v 7-St. Charles Canucks (MO)
57-Gastonia Flyers (NC) v 8-Norwalk Humpbacks (CT)
56-Cicero Statesmen (IL) v 9-Newport News Swabbies (VA)
55-Irvine Griffins (CA) v 10-Cranston Rays (RI)
54-Irving Broncos (TX) v 11-Hattiesburg Guards (MS)
53-Woodbridge Brawlers (NJ) v 12-Chula Vista Terrapins (CA)
52-Virginia Beach Captains (VA) v 13-Dallas Navigators (TX)
51-New Rochelle Huguenots (NY) v 14-Frederick Warhawks (MD)
50-Sioux Falls Canaries (SD) v 15-Pembroke Pines Seals (FL)
49-Winooski Wild Onions (VT) v 16-Salem Lumberjacks (OR)
48-Cheyenne Coyotes (WY) v 17-Georgetown Baptists (KY)
47-Fargo Buffalo (ND) v 18-Honolulu Seahawks (HA)
46-Gary Steelers (IN) v 19-Tucson Cowboys (AZ)
45-Summerville Pines (SC) v 20-Madison Bulls (WI)
44-Bentonville Trotters (AR) v 21-Ankeny Apostles (IA)
43-Provo Aggies (UT) v 22-Las Cruces Golden Sombreros (NM)
42-Lakewood Archers (CO) v 23-New Orleans Honey Badgers (LA)
41-Butte Mountaineers (MT) v 24-Idaho Falls Spuds (ID)
40-Hastings Kool Kids (NE) v 25-Spring Valley Stardust (NV)
39-Dover Dobbins (DE) v 26-McCandless Moose (PA)
38-Sandy Springs Hitmen (GA) v 27-Moore Resolutes (OK)
37-Wasilla Wintermen (AK) v 28-Olathe Wheat Kings (KS)
36-Hoover Appalachians (AL) v 29-Wilmington Quicksteps (NC)
35-Duluth Dukes (MN) v 30-Concord Graniteers (NH)
34-Auburn Decapods (ME) v 31-Elgin Blackhawks (IL)
33-Fall River Indians (MA) v 32-Clarksville Frontiersmen (TN)

Back in a day or two with all the action.

Here's our squad for the Big Dance

[progen]

Originally Posted by luckymann

I plan to try and do a bit of research on each of the places I visit on this journey, but that I did not know - thanks for sharing.

When I was a kid growing up in the 60's, I was a huge professional wrestling fan, along with my buddies. Living outside of Philly, my father would take me to the Philly Arena to see my idol, Bruno Sammartino.

I was staying overnight at my buddies house, when his older brother called us in to watch Sammartino on TV. At that time, it was the very first time I saw him wrestle. And who was the "heel" he was wrestling. None other than Smasher Sloan, born and raised in Butte, Montana. About all you need to know about that city, lol.


Ring names
Smasher Sloan
Beast
Spoiler #2

Height
6 ft 2 in
Weight
275 lbs

Born
July 7, 1935

Birth Place
Butte, Montana

[luckymann]

Ha! He might soon be the second-most famous person in Butte after Chris Macon if we can get it done in this Lincoln Cup!

EDIT Orrrrrrrrr, maybe not....

[luckymann]

64-St. Petersburg Pelicans (FL) v 1-Parma Progressives (OH)
1-Parma Progressives (OH) win series 3-1

63-Chester Bobcats (PA) v 2-Parkersburg Marblers (WV)
2-Parkersburg Marblers (WV) win series 3-1

62-Brockton Shoemakers (MA) v 3-Sterling Heights Howlers (MI)
62-Brockton Shoemakers (MA) win series 3-2

61-Flint Wolverines (MI) v 4-Yonkers Seahawks (NY)
4-Yonkers Seahawks (NY) win series 3-2

60-Savannah Sand Gnats (GA) v 5-Kent Comets (WA)
5-Kent Comets (WA) win series 3-0

59-Bellingham Stevedores (WA) v 6-Newark Colonials (NJ)
6-Newark Colonials (NJ) win series 3-2

58-Canton Terriers (OH) v 7-St. Charles Canucks (MO)
58-Canton Terriers (OH) win series 3-2

57-Gastonia Flyers (NC) v 8-Norwalk Humpbacks (CT)
57-Gastonia Flyers (NC) win series 3-1

56-Cicero Statesmen (IL) v 9-Newport News Swabbies (VA)
9-Newport News Swabbies (VA) win series 3-1

55-Irvine Griffins (CA) v 10-Cranston Rays (RI)
55-Irvine Griffins (CA) win series 3-1

54-Irving Broncos (TX) v 11-Hattiesburg Guards (MS)
11-Hattiesburg Guards (MS) win series 3-1

53-Woodbridge Brawlers (NJ) v 12-Chula Vista Terrapins (CA)
12-Chula Vista Terrapins (CA) win series 3-0

52-Virginia Beach Captains (VA) v 13-Dallas Navigators (TX)
52-Virginia Beach Captains (VA) win series 3-1

51-New Rochelle Huguenots (NY) v 14-Frederick Warhawks (MD)
51-New Rochelle Huguenots (NY) win series 3-0

50-Sioux Falls Canaries (SD) v 15-Pembroke Pines Seals (FL)
50-Sioux Falls Canaries (SD) win series 3-0

49-Winooski Wild Onions (VT) v 16-Salem Lumberjacks (OR)
16-Salem Lumberjacks (OR) win series 3-2

48-Cheyenne Coyotes (WY) v 17-Georgetown Baptists (KY)
17-Georgetown Baptists (KY) win series 3-2

47-Fargo Buffalo (ND) v 18-Honolulu Seahawks (HA)
18-Honolulu Seahawks (HA) win series 3-0

46-Gary Steelers (IN) v 19-Tucson Cowboys (AZ)
19-Tucson Cowboys (AZ) win series 3-1

45-Summerville Pines (SC) v 20-Madison Bulls (WI)
20-Madison Bulls (WI) win series 3-0

44-Bentonville Trotters (AR) v 21-Ankeny Apostles (IA)
21-Ankeny Apostles (IA) win series 3-1

43-Provo Aggies (UT) v 22-Las Cruces Golden Sombreros (NM)
22-Las Cruces Golden Sombreros (NM) win series 3-0

42-Lakewood Archers (CO) v 23-New Orleans Honey Badgers (LA)
23-New Orleans Honey Badgers (LA) win series 3-0

41-Butte Mountaineers (MT) v 24-Idaho Falls Spuds (ID)
Game 1: Butte 6, Idaho Falls 4
We fall 3-0 behind early but slowly work our way back into the game, tying it at 4 in the 6th. We then take the lead in the 8th on a 2-run double by Johnny Hernandez and the pen holds them off for the win.
Game 2: Idaho Falls 6, Butte 4
Early trouble again and we play catch-up the next few innings before falling behind for good in the 5th. Don’t do much wrong just don’t do enough right.
Game 3: Idaho Falls 5, Butte 4
Another tight one made tighter when we lose Mike McCarthy to a HBP (he’s gone for the season). A 3-run 6th proves the difference as we struggle for any real penetration on offence. So now we head home needing to win both to avoid an early exit.
Game 4: Idaho Falls 6, Butte 2
A really disappointing series ends as we are never in this one. We remain hitless thru 5, by which time we’re down 4-0 and we just can’t get it together, ending up with just 4 hits. Not how I wanted this season to end nor thought it would. I honestly thought we’d give this a real shake. Oh, well, back to the drawing board.
24-Idaho Falls Spuds (ID) win series 3-1

40-Hastings Kool Kids (NE) v 25-Spring Valley Stardust (NV)
40-Hastings Kool Kids (NE) win series 3-1

39-Dover Dobbins (DE) v 26-McCandless Moose (PA)
39-Dover Dobbins (DE) win series 3-1

38-Sandy Springs Hitmen (GA) v 27-Moore Resolutes (OK)
27-Moore Resolutes (OK) win series 3-2

37-Wasilla Wintermen (AK) v 28-Olathe Wheat Kings (KS)
37-Wasilla Wintermen (AK) win series 3-2

36-Hoover Appalachians (AL) v 29-Wilmington Quicksteps (NC)
36-Hoover Appalachians (AL) win series 3-0

35-Duluth Dukes (MN) v 30-Concord Graniteers (NH)
30-Concord Graniteers (NH) win series 3-1

34-Auburn Decapods (ME) v 31-Elgin Blackhawks (IL)
34-Auburn Decapods (ME) win series 3-2

33-Fall River Indians (MA) v 32-Clarksville Frontiersmen (TN)
32-Clarksville Frontiersmen (TN) win series 3-2

A smattering of upsets, with the loss by 3rd seed Sterling Heights the biggest of all. Seeds 7, 8 and 10 also go out. The only previous Champion playing this year - the 6th seeded Newark Colonials - get through after they are given a real fright by Bellingham. Honolulu sweeps Fargo so I know whom I’ll be rooting for from here on in – Go Hawks!

[luckymann]

32-Clarksville Frontiersmen (TN) v 1-Parma Progressives (OH)
1-Parma Progressives (OH) win series 3-2

34-Auburn Decapods (ME) v 2-Parkersburg Marblers (WV)
2-Parkersburg Marblers (WV) win series 3-1

36-Hoover Appalachians (AL) v 4-Yonkers Seahawks (NY)
36-Hoover Appalachians (AL) win series 3-1

37-Wasilla Wintermen (AK) v 5-Kent Comets (WA)
5-Kent Comets (WA) win series 3-1

27-Moore Resolutes (OK) v 6-Newark Colonials (NJ)
6-Newark Colonials (NJ) win series 3-2

24-Idaho Falls Spuds (ID) v 9-Newport News Swabbies (VA)
24-Idaho Falls Spuds (ID) win series 3-2

22-Las Cruces Golden Sombreros (NM) v 11-Hattiesburg Guards (MS)
11-Hattiesburg Guards (MS) win series 3-2

21-Ankeny Apostles (IA) v 12-Chula Vista Terrapins (CA)
12-Chula Vista Terrapins (CA) win series 3-0

17-Georgetown Baptists (KY) v 16-Salem Lumberjacks (OR)
16-Salem Lumberjacks (OR) win series 3-0

50-Sioux Falls Canaries (SD) v 18-Honolulu Seahawks (HA)
18-Honolulu Seahawks (HA) win series 3-2

51-New Rochelle Huguenots (NY) v 19-Tucson Cowboys (AZ)
51-New Rochelle Huguenots (NY) win series 3-2

52-Virginia Beach Captains (VA) v 20-Madison Bulls (WI)
20-Madison Bulls (WI) win series 3-2

55-Irvine Griffins (CA) v 23-New Orleans Honey Badgers (LA)
55-Irvine Griffins (CA) win series 3-2

62-Brockton Shoemakers (MA) v 30-Concord Graniteers (NH)
62-Brockton Shoemakers (MA) win series 3-1

58-Canton Terriers (OH) v 39-Dover Dobbins (DE)
39-Dover Dobbins (DE) win series 3-1

57-Gastonia Flyers (NC) v 40-Hastings Kool Kids (NE)
57-Gastonia Flyers (NC) win series 3-1


Plenty of scares but only the Yonkers and Newport News losses are huge upsets. Parma needs 5 to go through, as do our conquerors Sioux Falls, while the Irvine Griffins walk off their Game 5 against the New Orleans Honey Badgers 3-2 on an error. The Colonials make it through in 5 as do the Seahawks, who win their decider 3-1 thanks mainly to a gem from my old mate Jason Edwards.

[luckymann]

16-Salem Lumberjacks (OR) v 1-Parma Progressives (OH)
16-Salem Lumberjacks (OR) win series 4-2

18-Honolulu Seahawks (HA) v 2-Parkersburg Marblers (WV)
18-Honolulu Seahawks (HA) win series 4-2

12-Chula Vista Terrapins (CA) v 5-Kent Comets (WA)
5-Kent Comets (WA) win series 4-2

11-Hattiesburg Guards (MS) v 6-Newark Colonials (NJ)
6-Newark Colonials (NJ) win series 4-3

36-Hoover Appalachians (AL) v 20-Madison Bulls (WI)
20-Madison Bulls (WI) win series 4-1

57-Gastonia Flyers (NC) v 24-Idaho Falls Spuds (ID)
57-Gastonia Flyers (NC) win series 4-0

55-Irvine Griffins (CA) v 39-Dover Dobbins (DE)
39-Dover Dobbins (DE) win series 4-2

62-Brockton Shoemakers (MA) v 51-New Rochelle Huguenots (NY)
51-New Rochelle Huguenots (NY) win series 4-3

Obviously two huge results as the Lumberjacks and Seahawks knock out the top 2 seeds in 6, leaving Kent as the highest remaining seed at 5. Just two series going the distance, with New Rochelle finally ousting the upstart Shoemakers with a 3-0 shutout win and the Colonials squeezing past Hattiesburg 5-4 in the decider.

[luckymann]

20-Madison Bulls (WI) v 5-Kent Comets (WA)
20-Madison Bulls (WI) win series 4-1

51-New Rochelle Huguenots (NY) v 6-Newark Colonials (NJ)
6-Newark Colonials (NJ) win series 4-1

57-Gastonia Flyers (NC) v 16-Salem Lumberjacks (OR)
16-Salem Lumberjacks (OR) win series 4-2

39-Dover Dobbins (DE) v 18-Honolulu Seahawks (HA)
18-Honolulu Seahawks (HA) win series 4-3

Kent comes up short against Madison, leaving Newark as the only surviving seed from the top 10. Salem sees off a dogged Gastonia while, in the only 7-gamer, Honolulu fights back from 3 games to 1 down to finally win it with a comfortable 7-3 victory to book their place in the King 4.

[luckymann]

18-Honolulu Seahawks (HA) v 6-Newark Colonials (NJ)
18-Honolulu Seahawks (HA) win series 4-0

20-Madison Bulls (WI) v 16-Salem Lumberjacks (OR)
20-Madison Bulls (WI) win series 4-3

The Seahawks turn it on to sweep the Colonials and end their hopes of a second TBA Championship, while it takes the full measure to separate Salem and Madison, with the Wisconsinites getting home in dramatic fashion, giving up a run in the top 10th before rallying to walk it off 5-4 on a 2-run home run.

[luckymann]

20-Madison Bulls (WI) v 18-Honolulu Seahawks (HA)

Game 1: Honolulu 6, Madison 2 (Honolulu leads series 1-0)
Game 2: Madison 9, Honolulu 7 (Series tied 1-1)
Game 3: Honolulu 5, Madison 3 (Honolulu leads series 2-1)
Game 4: Honolulu 6, Madison 2 (Honolulu leads series 3-1)
Game 5: Madison 10, Honolulu 5 (Honolulu leads series 3-2)
Game 6: Honolulu 10, Madison 2 (Honolulu wins Lincoln Cup 4-2)

18-Honolulu Seahawks (HA) WIN SERIES 4-2

And they’ve done it! For the second successive year a team from one of the lowest-regarded leagues has triumphed. Amazing! Feels good to know I played just a small part in their success in my three years there.

[luckymann]

1952 TBA Most Valuable Player: Chris Macon, Butte (MT) Mountaineers

1952 TBA Pitcher of the Year: Bill Warrington, Rogers (AR) Riflemen

[luckymann]

OK, so I'm off to try and sort out those issues. Hopefully I can fix them, not sure how long it will be until I either continue or give up so watch this space!