The Action Baseball League

[ZapMast]

Watch on ABL Vision



Well, there you have it—your up-close and personal deep dive into the Action Baseball League. We've dissected the strengths, weaknesses, and everything in between across all 24 teams. From peeking into the owner's suites league-wide to digging into the dugouts, and even scoping out the fans in the bleachers, what a ride it’s been. Like a well-pitched game, we’ve covered all the bases, but remember, baseball is a game of unpredictability. Just when you think you've got it figured out, it throws you a curveball. Ah, the ABL: a league brimming with drama and excitement. The Detroit Dukes are defending their hard-earned title while the Houston Mavericks, despite a slow start, are hungry to reclaim their throne after dominating the ABC for four years straight. Will this season see the Dukes carve out a dynasty, or will the Mavericks orchestrate a comeback? Or will another contender emerge from the shadows to steal the limelight?

The ABL’s tale is far from over, and the next chapter promises to be a page-turner.

Big Earl here--folks. Keep your eyes peeled for future reports as we navigate through the twists and turns of another gripping ABL season. So, whether you're a fan of a team, or just love the game, the best is yet to come. Until next time... This is the Game!





Ah... you chose the Red pill, huh? Enjoy the ride...





🚨 ⚾🔥⚾🚨| 🚨 ⚾🔥⚾🚨| 🚨 ⚾🔥⚾🚨




Welcome

To the Real. Fictional. ⚾. World...



..."Ah, welcome back, ABL fans! Big Earl here, your trusted voice of the Action Baseball League, ready to guide you through the 1981 Championship Season and Grand Tournament of Champions.

It's Monday, April 27th, the beginning of week four, and we're set for Weekday Series 4—a divisional, four-game set that promises intense division matchups through April 30th. Watch your fingers, because we're about to slice, dice, and dissect the crucial matchups of this pivotal week. Abe Commish insists that we seek to find innovative ways to immerse you into the game, so... As an added bonus, for the first time ever, each game scheduled for today will be showcased—teams will be profiled, and the entire game broadcast! Excuse me a sec... Hey, hey peanut guy...

Thanks buddy, keep the change... What was I saying? ... oh yeah, This isn't called ABL Vision for nothing... You'll witness each game just like you were at the ball park. I'll be with you for pre game and post game analysis to give you the full flavor!

Alright, ABL aficionados, as we wrap up the inaugural month of the season, remember—every swing, every pitch, and every play writes a new page in the storied history of the ABL, creating those memorable moments we both celebrate and endure.

As with a compelling novel, let's delve into the stories of these fictional characters and discover just how deep the rabbit hole goes.

Stay tuned, as every pitch holds significance and the tension is as thick as the heavy air before a thunderstorm. Watch as the season unfolds into a spectacular display of skill, will, and thrill, demonstrating the relentless pursuit of greatness. This is the Game!

If you're one of those folks who can't get enough of the nitty-gritty, the ins and outs, the ups and downs of ABL baseball, then this Championship saga is for you. It's like opening a box of Cracker Jacks—you never know what treasure you're gonna find.

Ok, ABL fanatics, let's do this... Whether it’s a showdown among the Eastern powerhouses, a grueling contest for the Central workhorses, or a tactical duel between the Western wildcards, we're covering it all! Now that we're done with the deep analysis, let's dive into the matchups that could shift the balance of power among the top contenders—without further adieu...

PLAY BALL!


Real. Fictional. ⚾.

================================================== ================================================== ==========
ABL on StatsPlus | ABL on OOTP | ABL History | ABL (prime) the old thread | ABL Stat of the day | ABL Vision | ABL Real Time Sim

[ZapMast]

|

April 27, 1981 | Kings Field | Atlanta, GA
Tampa Bay Storm vs. Atlanta Kings

Watch it on ABL Vision



Let’s meet our teams:
The Tampa Bay Storm are currently facing challenges early in the season with a 7-12 record. Under the fiery leadership of owner Jaylin Reed, the Storm are determined to turn things around. Reed's blend of demanding yet generous management trickles down to GM Angel Gonzalez and the coaching staff, who are all aligned with the objective of achieving a winning record. The team emphasizes a groundball strategy led by Pitching Coach Ryan Thedford and boasts some key players like Nate Smeltz and Walter Kimpton, who provide offensive spark. However, the Storm's pitching staff needs to step up, as their current ERA is an alarming 5.02.

The Atlanta Kings are also off to a rough start with a 5-14 record, placing them in 4th in the NBC Eastern Division. Owner Tyler Carter and GM Hector Naranjo lead a team that has struggled both on the mound and at the plate. Despite their challenges, the Kings have standout performers like first baseman Jordan Santistevan, who shows power potential, and veteran pitcher Mike Hawkins, who provides stability with a solid ERA. The team’s financial health is robust, with a significant budget set aside for trades, reflecting their potential for impactful player acquisitions. The Kings aim to achieve a winning record this season, leveraging their strategic front office and coaching alignment.


Atlanta Kings lead the series 105 – 99 | season series tied 0-0


Key players

Milestones:

TB – No player near a milestone.
ATL – No player near a milestone.


All-Star Caliber:

Blue players:
TB - 2B Nate Smeltz #28 | Age: 30 | Bats: R | Throws: R
ATL - None

Green players:
TB - 1B Jorge Bailon #74 | Age: 39 | Bats: R | Throws: R

LF Preston Strate #25 | Age: 37 | Bats: R | Throws: R

ATL - 1B Jordan Santistevan #27 | Age: 28 | Bats: S | Throws: R




The Game:
Welcome baseball fans to Atlanta, Georgia; Kings Park, home of the Atlanta Kings. Today’s featured contest pits the home team against the Tampa Bay Storm of Tampa Bay, Florida, who are striving to improve their standings in the NBC Eastern Division. According to early season predictions, both teams are hungry for wins and are determined to climb the division ranks… but alas sports fans, it's just April! The Kings are hoping to turn around their rough start, while the Storm aim to build momentum.

Today’s pitching matchup is RHP Sergio Martinez #9 [2-1 4.61] for Tampa Bay and for the Kings RHP Ivan Juarez #8 [0-2 6.08].

Hello, ABL fans, Big Earl here... coming to you live ... and in color from Atlanta GA...! Welcome to Kings Field...! It's Weekday Series 4! Today we're witnessing an NBC Eastern Division matchup between... Nate Smeltz and the Tampa Bay Storm... versus... Jordan Santistevan and the Atlanta Kings... This is Game One of a Four-Game Series

Attention! ... Attention please! ... ... Have your pencil ... and scorecards ready ... and I'll give you... the correct lineups ... for today's ball game.

First, for the visiting Tampa Bay Storm... Managed by Mike Khoury... Batting first... playing left Field... #25... Preston Strate... Batting second... playing right field... #12... Frank Jimenez... Batting third... The designated hitter... #28... Nate Smeltz... Batting clean-up... playing first base... #74... Jorge Bailon... Batting fifth... playing center field... #2... Walter Kimpton... Batting sixth... playing second base... #11... Ed Montoya... Batting seventh... playing third base... #35... Isaiah Pittman... Batting eighth... the shortstop... #24... Steve Rutherford ... Batting ninth... the catcher... #7... Xavier Rogers ... The starting pitcher ... for the Tampa Bay Storm... Right hander ... #9... Sergio Martinez...

And now here is the starting lineup for the home-standing Atlanta Kings... Managed by T.J. Cameron... Batting first... The designated hitter... #18... Gustavo Navarro... Batting second... playing left Field... #48... Salvador Stewart... Batting third... playing third base... #43... Marcos Valverde... Batting clean-up... playing first base... #27... Jordan Santistevan... Batting fifth... the shortstop... #37... Luis Rosales... Batting sixth... playing center field... #41... Jonathan Luna... Batting seventh... playing second base... #1... J.R. Engelhardt... Batting eighth... playing right field... #6... Jesus Guzman... Batting ninth... the catcher... #11... Andres Martinez ... The starting pitcher ... for the Atlanta Kings... Right hander ... #8... Ivan Juarez...

We are about to get underway here at Kings Field Today's attendance looks in excess of 22,000 fans... It's clear skies and 60 degrees at first pitch ... with the wind blowing in from left at 6 mph ...

Play Ball!!

⚾

ABL
TAMPA BAY STORM @ ATLANTA KINGS
04/27/1981 Game 1 of 4
=================================================
BOTTOM OF THE 2ND

Atlanta Kings batting - Pitching for Tampa Bay Storm : RHP Sergio Martinez

Batting: RHB Luis Rosales
0-0: Foul Ball, location: 2F
0-1: Ball
1-1: Called Strike
1-2: Ball
2-2: Ball
3-2: Foul Ball, location: 9LMF
3-2: Base on Balls

Batting: RHB Jonathan Luna
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Ball
3-0: Called Strike
3-1: Sac Bunt to 15S - play at second, runner OUT! 1-6

Batting: RHB J.R. Engelhardt
0-0: Ball
Jonathan Luna steals 2nd base
1-0: Foul Ball, location: 5SF
1-1: Foul Ball, location: 2F
1-2: SINGLE (Groundball, 6MD, EV 105.0 MPH)
Jonathan Luna to third
Runner from 3rd tries for Home, SAFE, throw by CF to home

Batting: RHB Jesus Guzman
0-0: Ball
1-0: Grounds into double play, 5-4-3 (Groundball, 56S, EV 80.6 MPH)

Bottom of the 2nd over - 1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on base; Tampa Bay 0 - Atlanta 1
=================================================
BOTTOM OF THE 3RD

Atlanta Kings batting - Pitching for Tampa Bay Storm : RHP Sergio Martinez

Batting: LHB Andres Martinez
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ball
2-1: Called Strike
2-2: Ball
3-2: Base on Balls

Batting: LHB Gustavo Navarro
0-0: Sac Bunt to P - play at second, runner OUT! 1-6

Batting: LHB Salvador Stewart
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Called Strike
0-2: Foul Ball, location: 25FF
0-2: DOUBLE (Flyball, 8RXD, EV 93.8 MPH)
Gustavo Navarro to third
Runner from 3rd tries for Home, SAFE, no throw by CF

Batting: RHB Marcos Valverde
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Fly out, F4 (Popup, 13, EV 90.0 MPH)

Batting: SHB Jordan Santistevan
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Foul Ball, location: 5FF
1-2: Ball
2-2: Ball
3-2: Foul Ball, location: 2F
3-2: Base on Balls

Batting: RHB Luis Rosales
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Foul Ball, location: 9LMF
1-2: Ball
2-2: Ball
3-2: Strikes out looking

Bottom of the 3rd over - 1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on base; Tampa Bay 0 - Atlanta 2
=================================================
TOP OF THE 4TH

Tampa Bay Storm batting - Pitching for Atlanta Kings : RHP Ivan Juarez

Batting: RHB Nate Smeltz
0-0: Foul Ball, location: 25F
0-1: SINGLE (Groundball, 3D, EV 96.3 MPH)

Batting: RHB Jorge Bailon
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Ball
3-0: Base on Balls
Nate Smeltz to second

Batting: RHB Walter Kimpton
0-0: Foul Ball, location: 2LF
0-1: Ball
1-1: SINGLE (Groundball, 34D, EV 98.1 MPH)
Nate Smeltz to third
Jorge Bailon to second

Batting: RHB Ed Montoya
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Hit by Pitch
Nate Smeltz scores
Jorge Bailon to third
Walter Kimpton to second

Batting: RHB Isaiah Pittman
0-0: Ball
1-0: SINGLE (Groundball, 23, EV 66.9 MPH) (infield hit)
Jorge Bailon scores
Walter Kimpton to third
Ed Montoya to second

Batting: RHB Steve Rutherford
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Grounds into double play, 6-4-3 (Groundball, 6M, EV 82.5 MPH)
Walter Kimpton scores
Ed Montoya to third

Batting: RHB Xavier Rogers
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: DOUBLE (Line Drive, 9LD, EV 99.4 MPH)
Ed Montoya scores

Batting: RHB Preston Strate
0-0: Ball
1-0: Foul Ball, location: 9LSF
1-1: Ball
2-1: Ball
3-1: Called Strike
3-2: Base on Balls

Batting: RHB Frank Jimenez
0-0: Swinging Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ball
2-1: Ball
3-1: Foul Ball, location: 9LSF
3-2: Base on Balls
Xavier Rogers to third
Preston Strate to second

Batting: RHB Nate Smeltz
0-0: Foul Ball, location: 2F
0-1: Fly out, F3 (Popup, 34, EV 61.9 MPH)

Top of the 4th over - 4 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on base; Tampa Bay 4 - Atlanta 2
================================================
TOP OF THE 6TH

Tampa Bay Storm batting - Pitching for Atlanta Kings : RHP Ivan Juarez

Batting: RHB Xavier Rogers
0-0: Foul Ball, location: 2F
0-1: Swinging Strike
0-2: Strikes out swinging

Batting: RHB Preston Strate
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Foul Ball, location: 2F
2-1: Ball
3-1: Called Strike
3-2: SINGLE (Groundball, 5D, EV 94.4 MPH)

Batting: RHB Frank Jimenez
0-0: Foul Ball, location: 3SF
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ball
2-1: Ball
3-1: Foul Ball, location: 9LSF
3-2: Foul Ball, location: 3FF
3-2: Foul Ball, location: 2F
3-2: Foul Ball, location: 2LF
3-2: Base on Balls
Preston Strate to second

Batting: RHB Nate Smeltz
0-0: Ball
1-0: Called Strike
1-1: Ball
2-1: SINGLE (Line Drive, 78S, EV 94.4 MPH)
Preston Strate to third
Frank Jimenez to second
Throwing error, E7
Preston Strate scores
Frank Jimenez to third
Nate Smeltz to second
Batting: RHB Jorge Bailon
0-0: Intentional Walk
Pitching: RHP Mike McQuaid

Batting: RHB Walter Kimpton
0-0: Foul Ball, location: 9LMFF
0-1: Fly out, F9 (Flyball, 9LD, EV 85.6 MPH)
Runner from 3rd tags up, SCORES, no throw by RF

Batting: RHB Ed Montoya
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Fly out, F9 (Flyball, 9LM, EV 90.6 MPH)

Top of the 6th over - 2 runs, 2 hits, 1 error, 2 left on base; Tampa Bay 6 - Atlanta 2
================================================
TOP OF THE 8TH

Tampa Bay Storm batting - Pitching for Atlanta Kings : RHP Mike McQuaid

Batting: RHB Preston Strate
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ball
2-1: SINGLE (Line Drive, 6M, EV 97.5 MPH)

Batting: RHB Frank Jimenez
0-0: Ball
Preston Strate steals 2nd base
1-0: Ball
2-0: Foul Ball, location: 2F
2-1: SINGLE (Line Drive, 89S, EV 89.4 MPH)
Preston Strate to third

Batting: RHB Nate Smeltz
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Called Strike
2-1: Foul Ball, location: 3DF
2-2: Ground out 4-3 (Groundball, 4MS, EV 61.9 MPH)
Preston Strate scores
Frank Jimenez to second

Batting: RHB Jorge Bailon
0-0: Swinging Strike
Passed Ball!
Frank Jimenez to third
0-1: Foul Ball, location: 2F
0-2: Ball
1-2: Strikes out swinging

Pitching: RHP Mason Chaisson

Batting: RHB Walter Kimpton
0-0: Foul Ball, location: 2F
0-1: Swinging Strike
0-2: Strikes out looking

Top of the 8th over - 1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on base; Tampa Bay 7 - Atlanta 2
================================================

Well, there you have it... Let's take a look at the totals for today's game. First for the victorious Tampa Bay Storm, 7 runs, on 12 hits, No errors, they left 12 men on base. for the Atlanta Kings, 2 runs, on 8 hits, 1 error, they left 5 men on base.

The Tampa Bay Storm took on the Atlanta Kings at Kings Field. Tampa Bay Storm starter Sergio Martinez hurled his team past the Atlanta Kings, 7-2. Martinez yielded 2 runs over 8 innings to notch the win. He scattered 8 hits, walked 3, and struck out 2. His record improves to 3-1. Isaiah Pittman aided the Tampa Bay cause with a run-scoring single in the top of the fourth. For the game, the third baseman went 3 for 5 with a double and 2 singles. Tampa Bay improves to a record of 8-12. "I really like what we did out there today," Martinez said after the game. Atlanta Left fielder Salvador Stewart went 4 for 4 with a double and a run batted in for the Kings in a losing cause. Atlanta starter Ivan Juarez gets pegged with the loss. He falls to 0-3. Atlanta falls to 5-15.



The player of the game is Storm starter Sergio Martinez. The paid attendance was 22,231 fans. This is Big Earl signing off from Kings field in Atlanta. Where today's final score is...

Tampa Bay Storm 7 – Atlanta Kings 2..

Until next time... This is the Game!



WIN!!


Real. Fictional. ⚾.

================================================== ================================================== ==========
ABL on StatsPlus | ABL on OOTP | ABL History | ABL (prime) the old thread | ABL Stat of the day | ABL Vision | ABL Real Time Sim

[ZapMast]

Since the seventies... then the late eighties... then the nineties... into the new millennium...

I've been playing in my baseball sandbox and some of you have taken notice.

10,000 views for The Action Baseball League.

I say thanks for noticing my labor of love for the game.

https://web.archive.org/web/20050209...ctionBaseball/

⚾

[ZapMast]

|

April 27, 1981 | Colonels Park | Charlotte, NC
Miami Hurricanes vs. Charlotte Colonels

Watch it on ABL Vision



Let’s meet our teams:
The Miami Hurricanes are navigating a season of mixed fortunes, currently holding a 10-9 record that places them three games behind the division leader. Despite a commendable 7-6 record on the road, their home performance is a modest 3-3, contributing to a run differential of -12. Injuries have been a significant challenge, sidelining key players and testing the team's depth. Offensively, the Hurricanes show potential with a .258 batting average and .332 on-base percentage, but their isolated power and slugging percentages indicate a need for more impactful hitting. Their pitching staff, with an ERA of 4.64 and FIP of 4.19, reveals vulnerabilities that must be addressed to maintain competitiveness.

Key players such as catcher Jorge Suarez, who boasts a remarkable WRC+ of 168.63, highlight the individual talent within the team. The pitching staff features veterans like Chris Stella and Gil Aguilar, who provide stability despite some inconsistencies. Defensively, the team shows flashes of competence but suffers from lapses that result in a Total Zone Rating of -1.0 and Defensive Efficiency of 0.68. Advanced metrics like Base Runs and Elo ratings suggest that the Hurricanes have been winning some games against the odds, with their actual performance slightly outpacing statistical expectations. To make a significant impact this season, the Hurricanes must enhance both their offensive output and pitching consistency while managing injuries effectively.

The Charlotte Colonels are off to a stellar start this season, leading their division with a 13-6 record and a remarkable .684 winning percentage. They have a dominant run differential of +22, underscoring their balanced performance in both scoring and defense. Their home record is nearly impeccable at 8-1, and their away record stands strong at 5-5. Key players like Manny Flores, Alex Gonzales, and Michael Dickens have been instrumental in driving the offense, contributing to the team’s solid batting average of .260 and on-base percentage of .341. The pitching staff, highlighted by Jose Hernandez, Dabir Aly, and Roberto Umana, boasts a combined ERA of 3.04, making them one of the more formidable units in the league.

Defensively, the Colonels exhibit a mixed performance with strengths in turning double plays and throwing out base runners but weaknesses in the outfield and occasional errors. Despite these challenges, their overall fielding efficiency remains solid. The team’s advanced metrics, such as Base Runs and Elo ratings, confirm that their success is no fluke but rather a result of consistent and balanced play. Injuries have been manageable, with the team showing resilience and depth in overcoming these setbacks. As they continue to build on their strong start, the Charlotte Colonels are well-positioned for a deep postseason run, combining strong pitching, disciplined hitting, and solid defensive plays.


Miami Hurricanes lead the series 117 - 81 | season series tied 0-0


Key players

Milestones:

MIA – No player near a milestone.
CHA – RF Michael Dickens #8 needs 16 stolen bases to reach 500.


All-Star Caliber:

Blue players:
MIA - 1B Manny Flores #18 | Age: 24 | Bats: L | Throws: L
CHA - None

Green players:
MIA - 1B Pat Watters #91 | Age: 33 | Bats: R | Throws: R

CHA - C David Reeder #36 | Age: 24 | Bats: R | Throws: R




The Game:
Welcome baseball fans to Charlotte, North Carolina, home of the Charlotte Colonels. Today’s featured contest pits the home team against the Miami Hurricanes of Miami, Florida, who are striving to improve their standings in the NBC Eastern Division. According to early season predictions, both teams are hungry for wins and are determined to climb the division ranks… but alas sports fans, it's just April! The Colonels are looking to build on their strong start, while the Hurricanes aim to gain momentum and rise in the standings.

Today’s pitching matchup is RHP Bill Borden #7 [3-1 4.76] for Miami and for the Colonels RHP Jose Hernandez #14 [0-1 3.86].

Hello, ABL fans, Big Earl here... coming to you live ... and in color from Charlotte NC...! Welcome to Colonels Park...! It's Weekday Series 4! Today we're witnessing an NBC Eastern Division matchup between... Jorge Suarez and the Miami Hurricanes... versus... Michael Dickens and the Charlotte Colonels... This is Game One of a Four-Game Series

Attention! ... Attention please! ... ... Have your pencil ... and scorecards ready ... and I'll give you... the correct lineups ... for today's ball game.

First, for the visiting Miami Hurricanes... Managed by Seth Coe... Batting first... playing left Field... #17... Gary McMinn... Batting second... playing right field... #11... Alex Moncayo... Batting third... playing first base... #91... Pat Watters... Batting clean-up... The designated hitter... #22... Oscar Romero... Batting fifth... the catcher... #13... Jorge Suarez... Batting sixth... playing third base... #36... Jose Barajas... Batting seventh... playing center field... #38... Pete Rick... Batting eighth... the shortstop... #30... Raul Rodriguez... Batting ninth... playing second base... #31... Dave Trujillo... The starting pitcher ... for the Miami Hurricanes... Right hander ... #7... Bill Borden...

And now here is the starting lineup for the home-standing Charlotte Colonels... Managed by Jason Wainwright... Batting first... playing first base... #8... Michael Dickens... Batting second... playing second base... #11... Jose Vicario... Batting third... playing right field... #45... Miguel Salazar... Batting clean-up... The designated hitter... #26... Nigel Hudson... Batting fifth... playing left Field... #6... Dustin Meredith... Batting sixth... playing center field... #15... Santiago Castro... Batting seventh... playing third base... #90... Donovan Lewis... Batting eighth... the catcher... #95... Cody Larkin... Batting ninth... the shortstop... #3... Julio Haro... The starting pitcher ... for the Charlotte Colonels... Right hander ... #14... Jose Hernandez...

We are about to get underway here at Colonels Park. Today's attendance looks in excess of 25,000 fans... It's clear skies and 64 degrees at first pitch ... with the wind blowing in from left at 8 mph ...


Play Ball!!

⚾

ABL
MIAMI HURRICANES @ CHARLOTTE COLONELS
04/27/1981 Game 1 of 4
=================================================
BOTTOM OF THE 1ST

Charlotte Colonels batting - Pitching for Miami Hurricanes : RHP Bill Borden

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: SHB Michael Dickens
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: SINGLE (Groundball, 4MD, EV 100.0 MPH)

No Outs, Runner on 1st
Batting: RHB Jose Vicario
0-0: Bunted foul
0-1: Bunted foul
0-2: Foul Ball, location: 2F
0-2: Grounds into double play, 6-4-3 (Groundball, 56D, EV 102.5 MPH)

2 Outs, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Miguel Salazar
0-0: Ball
1-0: Called Strike
1-1: Ball
2-1: Ball
3-1: SINGLE (Groundball, 56D, EV 96.3 MPH)

2 Outs, Runner on 1st
Batting: LHB Nigel Hudson
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Foul Ball, location: 5F
2-1: Ball
3-1: Base on Balls
Miguel Salazar to second

2 Outs, Runners on 1st & 2nd
Batting: RHB Dustin Meredith
0-0: Ball
1-0: Foul Ball, location: 2F
1-1: Called Strike
1-2: SINGLE (Line Drive, 6MD, EV 98.8 MPH)
Miguel Salazar to third
Nigel Hudson to second
Runner from 3rd tries for Home, SAFE, throw by CF to home

Hurricanes 0, Colonels 1

2 Outs, Runners on 1st & 2nd
Batting: LHB Santiago Castro
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Swinging Strike
0-2: Ball
1-2: Ball
2-2: SINGLE (Groundball, 4MD, EV 96.9 MPH)
Nigel Hudson to third
Dustin Meredith to second
Runner from 3rd tries for Home, SAFE, throw by CF to home

Hurricanes 0, Colonels 2

2 Outs, Runners on 1st & 2nd
Batting: LHB Donovan Lewis
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Called Strike
2-1: Foul Ball, location: 2F
2-2: 3-RUN HOME RUN (Flyball, 9LD, EV 94.4 MPH), Distance : 364 ft

Hurricanes 0, Colonels 5

2 Outs, Bases empty
Batting: LHB Cody Larkin
0-0: Ball
1-0: SINGLE (Line Drive, 8RS, EV 93.8 MPH)

2 Outs, Runner on 1st
Batting: RHB Julio Haro
0-0: Swinging Strike
0-1: Ground out 5-3 (Groundball, 56S, EV 92.5 MPH)

Bottom of the 1st over - 5 runs, 6 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on base; Miami 0 - Charlotte 5


=================================================
BOTTOM OF THE 3RD

Charlotte Colonels batting - Pitching for Miami Hurricanes : RHP Bill Borden

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: LHB Nigel Hudson
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ground out 4-3 (Groundball, 4M, EV 103.8 MPH)

1 Out, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Dustin Meredith 0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Swinging Strike
0-2: Ball
1-2: DOUBLE (Flyball, 8RXD, EV 90.6 MPH)

1 Out, Runner on 2nd
Batting: LHB Santiago Castro
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ball
2-1: Fly out, F4 (Popup, 4, EV 57.5 MPH)

2 Out, Runner on 2nd
Batting: LHB Donovan Lewis
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Foul Ball, location: 9LMF
2-1: Foul Ball, location: 9LMF
2-2: Ball
3-2: SINGLE (Groundball, 4MD, EV 109.4 MPH)
Dustin Meredith to third
Runner from 3rd tries for Home, SAFE, throw by CF to home
Donovan Lewis to second

Hurricanes 0, Colonels 6

Hurricanes manager Coe makes a pitching change
Pitching: RHP Mario Ayala

2 Out, Runner on 2nd
Batting: LHB Cody Larkin 0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Called Strike
2-1: Ball
3-1: Swinging Strike
3-2: Foul Ball, location: 3FF
3-2: Foul Ball, location: 7LDF
3-2: Strikes out looking

Bottom of the 3rd over - 1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on base; Miami 0 - Charlotte 6
=================================================
BOTTOM OF THE 4TH

Charlotte Colonels batting - Pitching for Miami Hurricanes : RHP Mario Ayala

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Julio Haro
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Foul Ball, location: 2LF
0-2: Foul Ball, location: 2F
0-2: Foul Ball, location: 2F
0-2: SINGLE (Line Drive, 78M, EV 100.6 MPH)

No Outs, Runner on 1st
Batting: SHB Michael Dickens
0-0: Ball
1-0: Called Strike
1-1: Ball
2-1: Called Strike
2-2: Fielders Choice at 2nd, 6-4 (Groundball, 6, EV 95.0 MPH)

1 Out, Runner on 1st
Batting: RHB Jose Vicario
0-0: Ball
Michael Dickens steals 2nd base
1-0: 2-RUN HOME RUN (Flyball, 78XD, EV 104.4 MPH), Distance : 410 ft

Hurricanes 0, Colonels 8

1 Out, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Miguel Salazar
0-0: Ball
1-0: Swinging Strike
1-1: Swinging Strike
1-2: Foul Ball, location: 9LSFF
1-2: Ball
2-2: Strikes out swinging

2 Outs, Bases empty
Batting: LHB Nigel Hudson
0-0: Ball
1-0: SOLO HOME RUN (Flyball, 78XD, EV 101.9 MPH), Distance : 400 ft

Hurricanes 0, Colonels 9

2 Outs, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Dustin Meredith 0-0: Ball
1-0: Called Strike
1-1: Ball
2-1: Fly out, F9 (Flyball, 89S, EV 86.3 MPH)

Bottom of the 4th over - 3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on base; Miami 0 - Charlotte 9

================================================
BOTTOM OF THE 7TH

Charlotte Colonels batting - Pitching for Miami Hurricanes : LHP Ricky Velez

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Dustin Meredith
0-0: Ball
1-0: Called Strike
1-1: SOLO HOME RUN (Flyball, 78XD, EV 113.8 MPH), Distance : 455 ft

Hurricanes 0, Colonels 10

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: LHB Santiago Castro
0-0: Foul Ball, location: 23F
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ball
2-1: Swinging Strike
2-2: Ball
3-2: DOUBLE (Line Drive, 9LM, EV 99.4 MPH)

No Outs, Runner on 2nd
Batting: LHB Donovan Lewis
0-0: Ball
1-0: Called Strike
1-1: Hit by Pitch

No Outs, Runners on 1st & 2nd
Batting: LHB Cody Larkin
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Swinging Strike
1-2: Strikes out swinging

1 Out, Runners on 1st & 2nd
Batting: RHB Julio Haro
0-0: Foul Ball, location: 25FF
0-1: Ball
1-1: Foul Ball, location: 2F
1-2: Strikes out swinging

2 Outs, Runners on 1st & 2nd
Pinch Hitting: LHB Orlando Valadez
0-0: Foul Ball, location: 7LDF
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ball
2-1: Called Strike
2-2: Strikes out swinging

Bottom of the 7th over - 1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on base; Miami 0 - Charlotte 10

================================================
TOP OF THE 8TH

Miami Hurricanes batting - Pitching for Charlotte Colonels : RHP Jose Hernandez

Now at 1B: Orlando Valadez

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: LHB Gary McMinn
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ground out 6-3 (Groundball, 6, EV 99.4 MPH)

1 Out, Bases empty
Batting: SHB Alex Moncayo
0-0: Ball
1-0: Swinging Strike
1-1: Foul Ball, location: 2F
1-2: DOUBLE (Line Drive, 78D, EV 100.0 MPH)

1 Out, Runner on 2nd
Batting: RHB Pat Watters
0-0: Ball
1-0: SINGLE (Groundball, 4MD, EV 101.9 MPH)
Alex Moncayo to third

1 Out, Runners on 1st & 3rd
Batting: LHB Oscar Romero
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Fly out, F9 (Flyball, 9LSF, EV 91.3 MPH)
Runner from 3rd tags up, SCORES, throw by RF

Hurricanes 1, Colonels 10

2 Outs, Runner on 1st
Batting: LHB Jorge Suarez
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Called Strike
2-1: Ball
3-1: Base on Balls
Pat Watters to second

2 Outs, Runners on 1st & 2nd
Batting: RHB Jose Barajas
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Ball
3-0: Called Strike
3-1: Fielders Choice at 2nd, 4-6 (Groundball, 4MD, EV 108.8 MPH)

Top of the 8th over - 1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on base; Miami 1 - Charlotte 10
================================================

Well, there you have it... Let's take a look at the totals for today's game. First for the victorious Charlotte Colonels, 10 runs, on 16 hits, one error, they left 7 men on base. for the Miami Hurricanes, 1 run, on 7 hits, No errors, they left 8 men on base.

The Charlotte Colonels topped the Miami Hurricanes by a score of 10-1. Leading the way was third baseman Donovan Lewis. Lewis went 3 for 3 with a home run, 2 singles, and was hit by a pitch. He drove in 4 runs and scored once for the Colonels. Jose Hernandez picked up the win, improving his season record to 1&1. He struck out 5 in 8 innings. The win puts Charlotte at 14&6. With Charlotte leading 2-0 in the bottom of the first, Lewis hit a fastball from Bill Borden for a 3-run home run. It was his 1st home run of the season and put the Colonels ahead, 5-0. All five runs were scored with two outs in the inning. 'Canes manager Seth Coe said his team was "out of sync."






The player of the game is Colonels Third baseman Donovan Lewis. The paid attendance was 25,785 fans. This is Big Earl signing off from Colonels Park in Charlotte. Where today's final score is...

Charlotte Colonels 10 – Miami Hurricanes 1..

Until next time... This is the Game!



WIN!!


Real. Fictional. ⚾.

================================================== ================================================== ==========
ABL on StatsPlus | ABL on OOTP | ABL History | ABL (prime) the old thread | ABL Stat of the day | ABL Vision | ABL Real Time Sim

[ZapMast]

|

April 27, 1981 | Patriots Fields | Boston, MA
Pittsburgh Express vs. Boston Patriots

Watch it on ABL Vision



Let’s meet our teams:
The Pittsburgh Express have had a rocky start to the 1981 season, currently holding an 8-11 record and sitting fourth in their division. With a run differential of -12, it's clear that the team is struggling both offensively and defensively. Their pitching staff, led by ace David Acuna with a 2.73 ERA, has shown potential, but inconsistencies among other pitchers have been a significant hurdle. Offensively, standout performers like Luis Sanchez and Jonathan Greene provide some hope, with Greene boasting a .370 average and a .441 OBP. However, the team's overall batting statistics reveal they are leaving runs on the table, struggling to convert opportunities into wins .

Financially, the Express face challenges with a payroll that exceeds their budget, leading to a precarious financial situation. Fan interest has been fluctuating, with stadium attendance at 74.45% capacity. The team's history in the Grand Tournament of Champions has been a mixed bag, with past glories overshadowed by recent struggles. As they navigate the 1981 season, the Express must address their pitching inconsistencies and improve their offensive execution to climb the standings and make a playoff push. The potential is there, but execution and consistency will be key to turning their season around .

The Boston Patriots are navigating a challenging 1981 season, standing with a 9-10 record and just shy of a .500 win percentage. They currently sit two games back in the ABC Eastern Division. Their performance is marked by a razor-thin run differential of -1, reflecting both their competitive edge and vulnerabilities. Key players such as Juan Perez, Danny Salas, and Maynard Bell have been instrumental in driving the offense, each bringing their unique strengths to the plate. However, the pitching staff has been inconsistent, with Jorge Galvez standing out as the reliable ace while others, like Victor Martinez and Miguel Velasquez, struggle to find their footing. Financially, the team is stable but not maximally leveraging its "Huge" market and "Good" fan loyalty, operating with an $8 million payroll against a $10 million budget​​ .

Injuries have also played a significant role in the Patriots' season, with four players landing on the disabled list, impacting both performance and depth. The team's ERA of 4.45 and a batting average of .261 highlight the areas of mediocrity that need addressing to climb the standings. Despite these challenges, the Patriots' fan base remains cautiously optimistic, with a steady fan interest level and solid attendance rates. The Patriots' mix of seasoned veterans and young prospects offers a blend of experience and potential, but they need to find consistency and capitalize on their financial resources to make a serious push for the playoffs. Their past performances and current metrics depict a team at a crossroads, capable of both soaring to new heights or languishing in mediocrity depending on how they address their subtle yet critical weaknesses​​​​.


Pittsburgh Express lead the series 102 - 96 | season series tied 0-0


Key players

Milestones:

PIT – No player near a milestone.
BOS – LF Juan Perez #26 needs 17 home runs to reach 200.
1B Joe Turner #98 needs 18 home runs to reach 200

All-Star Caliber:

Blue players:
PIT - 1B Antonio Serrano #20 | Age: 31 | Bats: R | Throws: L
BOS - None

Green players:
PIT - None

BOS - LF Juan Perez #26 | Age: 37 | Bats: R | Throws: R
3B Danny Salas #29 | Age: 28 | Bats: L | Throws: R




The Game:
Welcome baseball fans to Boston, Massachusetts, home of the Boston Patriots. Today’s featured contest pits the home team against the Pittsburgh Express of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, who are striving to improve their standings in the ABC Eastern Division. According to early season predictions, both teams are hungry for wins and are determined to climb the division ranks… but alas sports fans, it's just April! The Patriots are looking to build on their recent performances, while the Express aim to turn their season around and gain momentum in the standings.

Today’s pitching matchup is RHP David Acuna #2 [2-1 2.73] for Pittsburgh and for the Patriots RHP Miguel Velasquez #24 [1-3 6.14].

Hello, ABL fans, Big Earl here... coming to you live ... and in color from Boston MA...! Welcome to Patriots Fields...! It's Weekday Series 4! Today we're witnessing an ABC Eastern Division matchup between... Antonio Serrano and the Pittsburgh Express... versus... Danny Salas and the Boston Patriots... This is Game One of a Four-Game Series

Attention! ... Attention please! ... ... Have your pencil ... and scorecards ready ... and I'll give you... the correct lineups ... for today's ball game.

First, for the visiting Pittsburgh Express... Managed by Mark Averill... Batting first... playing third base... #38... Davon Grace... Batting second... playing first base... #25... Luis Sanchez... Batting third... playing left field... #20... Antonio Serrano... Batting clean-up... The designated hitter... #21... Rob Maldonado... Batting fifth... playing right field... #49... Tony Villalta... Batting sixth... the catcher... #35... Roberto Valderrama... Batting seventh... playing center field... #28... Luis Hard... Batting eighth... the shortstop... #3... Erick Velazquez... Batting ninth... playing second base... #32... Tristan Parker... The starting pitcher ... for the Pittsburgh Express... Right hander ... #2... David Acuna...

And now here is the starting lineup for the home-standing Boston Patriots... Managed by Bill Hurff... Batting first... playing center field... #25... Alex Fernandez... Batting second... The designated hitter... #26... Juan Perez... Batting third... playing third base... #29... Danny Salas... Batting clean-up... playing first base... #98... Joe Turner... Batting fifth... playing second base... #9... Maynard Bell... Batting sixth... playing left field... #22... Jesse Gonzales... Batting seventh... playing right field... #28... Jeremy Northway... Batting eighth... the catcher... #18... Andrew Gilbert... Batting ninth... the shortstop... #31... Noah White... The starting pitcher ... for the Boston Patriots... Right hander ... #24... Miguel Velasquez...

We are about to get underway here at Patriots Fields It looks like the clouds have kept many fans away... Today's attendance is about 20,000 fans... It's raining... and a brisk 55 degrees at first pitch ... with the wind blowing out to center at 13 mph ...


Play Ball!!

⚾

ABL
PITTSBURGH EXPRESS @ BOSTON PATRIOTS
04/27/1981 Game 1 of 4
=================================================
BOTTOM OF THE 1ST

Boston Patriots batting - Pitching for Pittsburgh Express : RHP David Acuna

Pitching: RHP David Acuna

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: SHB Alex Fernandez
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Ball
3-0: Called Strike
3-1: Called Strike
3-2: SINGLE (Line Drive, 7LS, EV 86.9 MPH)

No Outs, Runner on 1st
Batting: RHB Juan Perez
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Ball
3-0: Base on Balls
Alex Fernandez to second

No Outs, Runners on 1st & 2nd
Batting: LHB Danny Salas
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
Alex Fernandez steals 3rd base (no throw)

No Outs, Runners on 1st & 3rd
2-0: Foul Ball, location: 2F
2-1: Swinging Strike
2-2: Ball
3-2: SINGLE (Line Drive, 8LS, EV 96.3 MPH)
Alex Fernandez scores
Juan Perez to second

Express 0, Patriots 1

No Outs, Runners on 1st & 2nd
Batting: RHB Joe Turner
0-0: Ball
1-0: Foul Ball, location: 23FF
1-1: Ball
2-1: Foul Ball, location: 3F
2-2: SINGLE (Groundball, 34D, EV 100.6 MPH)
Juan Perez to third
Danny Salas to second
Runner from 3rd tries for Home, SAFE, throw by RF to home
Danny Salas to third
Joe Turner to second

Express 0, Patriots 2

No Outs, Runners on 2nd & 3rd
Batting: RHB Maynard Bell
0-0: Fly out, F3 (Popup, 23F, EV 81.9 MPH)

1 Out, Runners on 2nd & 3rd
Batting: RHB Jesse Gonzales
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: SINGLE (Line Drive, 6D, EV 96.9 MPH)
Danny Salas scores
Joe Turner to third
Throwing error, E7
Joe Turner scores
Jesse Gonzales to second

Express 0, Patriots 4

1 Out, Runner on 2nd
Batting: LHB Jeremy Northway
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Foul Ball, location: 3F
1-2: Strikes out swinging

2 Outs, Runner on 2nd
Batting: RHB Andrew Gilbert
0-0: Fly out, F4 (Line Drive, 4, EV 70.6 MPH)

Bottom of the 1st over - 4 runs, 4 hits, 1 error, 1 left on base; Pittsburgh 0 - Boston 4

=================================================
BOTTOM OF THE 2ND

Boston Patriots batting - Pitching for Pittsburgh Express : RHP David Acuna

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Noah White
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: SINGLE (Groundball, 23, EV 75.6 MPH) (infield hit)

No Outs, Runner on 1st
Batting: SHB Alex Fernandez
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Foul Ball, location: 3SF
2-1: Called Strike
2-2: Ball
3-2: Base on Balls
Noah White to second

No Outs, Runners on 1st & 2nd
Batting: RHB Juan Perez
0-0: Ball
1-0: 3-RUN HOME RUN (Flyball, 78XD, EV 112.5 MPH), Distance : 454 ft

Express 0, Patriots 7

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: LHB Danny Salas
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Called Strike
0-2: Ball
1-2: Ball
2-2: Foul Ball, location: 23FF
2-2: Fly out, F7 (Flyball, 7, EV 88.1 MPH)

1 Out, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Joe Turner
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: SINGLE (Flyball, 78S, EV 94.4 MPH)

Pittsburgh manager Mark Averill is headed to the mound...
He's asking Acuna for the ball... Pitching change

Pitching: RHP Ricky Bautista

1 Out, Runner on 1st
Batting: RHB Maynard Bell
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ball
2-1: Swinging Strike
2-2: Ball
3-2: Fly out, F7 (Flyball, 7S, EV 90.0 MPH)

2 Outs, Runner on 1st
Batting: RHB Jesse Gonzales
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Foul Ball, location: 25FF
0-2: Ball
1-2: Ball
2-2: Ball
3-2: Ground out 5-3 (Groundball, 56S, EV 63.8 MPH)

Bottom of the 2nd over - 3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on base; Pittsburgh 0 - Boston 7
=================================================
TOP OF THE 4TH

Pittsburgh Express batting - Pitching for Boston Patriots : RHP Miguel Velasquez

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: LHB Rob Maldonado
0-0: Swinging Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Swinging Strike
1-2: Strikes out swinging

1 Out, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Tony Villalta
0-0: Ball
1-0: Foul Ball, location: 2F
1-1: Fly out, F3 (Popup, 23F, EV 86.3 MPH)

2 Outs, Bases empty
Batting: LHB Roberto Valderrama
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Called Strike
0-2: SOLO HOME RUN (Flyball, 9D, EV 103.1 MPH), Distance : 424 ft

Express 1, Patriots 7

2 Outs, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Luis Hard
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ground out 1-3 (Groundball, 34S, EV 70.0 MPH)

Top of the 4th over - 1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on base; Pittsburgh 1 - Boston 7

================================================
BOTTOM OF THE 4TH

Boston Patriots batting - Pitching for Pittsburgh Express : RHP Ricky Bautista

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: LHB Danny Salas
0-0: Foul Ball, location: 2RF
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ball
2-1: Called Strike
2-2: Foul Ball, location: 5FF
2-2: Foul Ball, location: 25FF
2-2: Foul Ball, location: 7LDF
2-2: Ground out 6-3 (Groundball, 6, EV 105.6 MPH)

1 Out, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Joe Turner
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Foul Ball, location: 2RF
2-1: Foul Ball, location: 9LDF
2-2: Ball
3-2: Foul Ball, location: 2LF
3-2: SOLO HOME RUN (Flyball, 9LD, EV 97.5 MPH), Distance : 361 ft

Express 1, Patriots 8

1 Out, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Maynard Bell
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: SINGLE (Flyball, 4D, EV 85.6 MPH)

1 Out, Runner on 1st
Batting: RHB Jesse Gonzales
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: SINGLE (Line Drive, 9LS, EV 103.1 MPH)
Maynard Bell to second
Maynard Bell to third

1 Out, Runners on 1st & 3rd
Batting: LHB Jeremy Northway
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Called Strike
0-2: Ground out U3 (Groundball, 3S, EV 75.6 MPH)
Maynard Bell scores
Jesse Gonzales to second

Express 1, Patriots 9

2 Outs, Runner on 2nd
Batting: RHB Andrew Gilbert
0-0: SINGLE (Line Drive, 3D, EV 95.0 MPH)
Jesse Gonzales to third
Runner from 3rd tries for Home, SAFE, throw by RF to home

Express 1, Patriots 10

2 Outs, Runner on 1st
Batting: RHB Noah White
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Fly out, F9 (Flyball, 9D, EV 88.1 MPH)

Bottom of the 4th over - 3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on base; Pittsburgh 1 - Boston 10

================================================
BOTTOM OF THE 5TH

Boston Patriots batting - Pitching for Pittsburgh Express : RHP Ricky Bautista

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: SHB Alex Fernandez
0-0: Swinging Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: SINGLE (Line Drive, 7S, EV 103.8 MPH)

Manager Averill is headed toward the mound... He's calling for the right hander...
Pitching: RHP Bob Newman

No Outs, Runner on 1st
Batting: RHB Juan Perez
0-0: Called Strike
Alex Fernandez steals 2nd base (no throw)

No Outs, Runner on 2nd
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ball
Wild Pitch!
Alex Fernandez to third

No Outs, Runner on 3rd
2-1: SINGLE (Groundball, 6MD, EV 109.4 MPH)
Alex Fernandez scores

Express 1, Patriots 11

No Outs, Runner on 1st
Batting: LHB Danny Salas
0-0: Foul Ball, location: 3F
0-1: SINGLE (Line Drive, 7S, EV 90.0 MPH)
Juan Perez to second

No Outs, Runners on 1st & 2nd
Batting: RHB Joe Turner
0-0: SINGLE (Line Drive, 5D, EV 105.6 MPH)
Juan Perez to third
Danny Salas to second

No Outs, Bases loaded
Batting: RHB Maynard Bell
0-0: Ball
1-0: Fly out, F7 (Line Drive, 78M, EV 91.9 MPH)

1 Out, Bases loaded
Batting: RHB Jesse Gonzales
0-0: Ball
1-0: Called Strike
1-1: Ball
2-1: Grounds into double play, 3-6-3 (Groundball, 3S, EV 87.5 MPH)

Bottom of the 5th over - 1 run, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on base; Pittsburgh 1 - Boston 11
================================================
BOTTOM OF THE 7TH

Boston Patriots batting - Pitching for Pittsburgh Express : RHP Bob Newman

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Andy Ayala
0-0: Fly out, F9 (Line Drive, 89M, EV 98.1 MPH)

1 Out, Bases empty
Batting: LHB Danny Salas
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Foul Ball, location: 2F
1-2: Foul Ball, location: 3SF
1-2: Ball
2-2: Ball
3-2: Ground out 6-3 (Groundball, 6, EV 90.6 MPH)

2 Outs, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Joe Turner
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ball
2-1: Foul Ball, location: 3F
2-2: Ball
3-2: SOLO HOME RUN (Flyball, 9LD, EV 98.1 MPH), Distance : 361 ft

Express 1, Patriots 12

2 Outs, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Maynard Bell
0-0: Fly out, F9 (Line Drive, 3D, EV 69.4 MPH)

Bottom of the 7th over - 1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on base; Pittsburgh 1 - Boston 12

================================================
TOP OF THE 8TH

Pittsburgh Express batting - Pitching for Boston Patriots : RHP Miguel Velasquez

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Davon Grace
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ball
2-1: Called Strike
2-2: Ball
3-2: Strikes out swinging

Boston manager Hurff takes to slow walk to the mound...
Pitching: RHP J.P. Lenahan

1 Out, Bases empty
Batting: LHB Luis Sanchez
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Fly out, F8 (Flyball, 8LD, EV 78.8 MPH)

2 Outs, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Antonio Serrano
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Swinging Strike
1-2: SINGLE (Groundball, 34D, EV 100.0 MPH)

2 Outs, Runner on 1st
Batting: LHB Rob Maldonado
0-0: Ball
1-0: 2-RUN HOME RUN (Flyball, 7D, EV 104.4 MPH), Distance : 386 ft

Express 3, Patriots 12

2 Outs, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Tony Villalta
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ground out 6-3 (Groundball, 6, EV 85.0 MPH)

Top of the 8th over - 2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on base; Pittsburgh 3 - Boston 12

================================================

Well, there you have it... Let's take a look at the totals for today's game. First for the victorious Boston Patriots, 12 runs, on 18 hits, No errors, they left 9 men on base. for the Pittsburgh Express, 3 runs, on 10 hits, 1 error, they left 7 men on base.

The game between the Pittsburgh Express and the Boston Patriots started with an uneventful top of the first inning for Pittsburgh, who managed just one hit and left a runner stranded at third base. Boston however, capitalized early with a single by Alex Fernandez, followed by a walk and timely hitting. Danny Salas' single brought in the first run, and aggressive baserunning, coupled with a throwing error, helped Boston score fore runs in the first inning, setting the tone for the game. Boston's dominance continued as they extended their lead in the second inning with a three-run home run by Juan Perez, making it 7-0. Pittsburgh struggled to find their footing, managing only one run on a solo home run by Roberto Valderrama in the fourth inning. Boston added more runs in the fourth, fifth, and seventh innings, with notable performances including two solo home runs by Joe Turner.

In fact, no matter what the Pittsburgh Express threw at him, Joe Turner hit it. He easily handled Express pitching, going 5 for 5 and helping the Patriots triumph, 12-3, at Patriots Fields. "The way I was swinging, I think I could have closed my eyes and hit the ball," he told BNN reporters in the postgame interview. Told of Turner's quip, Express skipper Mark Averill said he "would take him up on that next time." Joe Turner hit an RBI single in the 1st, singled in the 2nd, hit a solo-shot off Ricky Bautista in the 4th, singled in the 5th and hit a solo-shot off Bob Newman in the 7th. Currently Turner has 7 home runs and a .400 batting average.

Despite a late two-run homer by Pittsburgh's Rob Maldonado in the eighth inning, Boston's lead proved insurmountable, and they secured a convincing 12-3 victory. The win improves the Patriots record to 10-10. The Express fall to 8-12.





The player of the game is Boston first baseman Joe Turner who tied the Patriots regular season game record for hits with 5. The paid attendance was 19,443 fans. This is Big Earl signing off from Patriots Fields in Boston. Where today's final score is...

Boston Patriots 12 – Pittsburgh Express 3..

Until next time... This is the Game!



WIN!!


Real. Fictional. ⚾.

================================================== ================================================== ==========
ABL on StatsPlus | ABL on OOTP | ABL History | ABL (prime) the old thread | ABL Stat of the day | ABL Vision | ABL Real Time Sim

[ZapMast]

|

April 27, 1981 | Aces Field | New York, NY
Philadelphia Fury vs. New York Aces

Watch it on ABL Vision



Let’s meet our teams:
The Philadelphia Fury have had a challenging start to the 1981 season, holding a 9-10 record with a run differential of +9. This reflects their potential but also highlights missed opportunities. Their offensive capabilities are promising, with a team batting average of .259 and an on-base percentage of .345. Key performers like Rich Pena, Chris Fritz, and Jose Cespedes drive their offense, yet the team struggles with power, evidenced by a modest slugging percentage of .373 and only 13 home runs. The pitching staff shows a mixed performance, maintaining a decent ERA of 3.9 but allowing a high opponent on-base percentage of .341. Injuries have also plagued the team, with six players on the disabled list, significantly affecting their depth and performance .

Financially, the Fury are stable but not thriving, operating with a budget of $11.6 million and a payroll close to that. Fan interest has waned, dropping from 83% to 70%, which has impacted attendance and revenue. This decline in fan engagement is a critical issue for the team, affecting both morale and financial health. The front office, led by GM Jon Ramos and supported by a pragmatic coaching staff, faces the challenge of navigating these financial and performance hurdles. The Fury's history of close but ultimately unfulfilled playoff runs looms over their current season, adding pressure to finally break through and achieve postseason success. The upcoming games and strategic decisions will be pivotal in determining whether they can rise to the occasion or continue their streak of near misses .

The New York Aces have had a solid start to the 1981 season, holding an 11-8 record with a .579 winning percentage, placing them comfortably in the hunt for the top spot in their division. Their run differential of +12 indicates a well-balanced team, though their 1-3 record in one-run games suggests some issues in clutch situations. Offensively, key performers like Jonathan Mestas, Raul Juarez, and Peter Moltke have been instrumental, each showcasing strong batting averages and on-base percentages. However, the team has shown a power deficiency, with a slugging percentage of .396 and a modest isolated power of .117. Financially, the Aces are stable with a budget of $11 million, but sliding fan interest is a concern that could impact future revenue and player acquisitions .

On the mound, the Aces rely on veterans like Pablo Magana, who boasts a stellar 1.84 ERA, and Mike Gemmill, with a respectable 2.60 ERA. The pitching staff has been generally effective, but underlying metrics suggest they might be overperforming, as indicated by their FIP of 4.39. Defensively, the team has had some issues, with a Total Zone Rating of -2.15 and 13 errors, though their defensive efficiency is decent at 0.693. The Aces are healthy, with minimal injuries affecting their roster, giving them an opportunity to capitalize on their strong start. However, to sustain their success and make a serious playoff push, they will need to address inconsistencies in both pitching and clutch performance while reigniting fan enthusiasm to support their postseason ambitions.


New York Aces lead the series 126 - 72 | season series tied 0-0


Key players

Milestones:

PHI – 2B Johnny Amaro #5 needs 139 hits to reach 1500.
NY – CF Jonathan Mestas #7 needs 103 hits to reach 1500
and 7 stolen bases to reach 400.

All-Star Caliber:

Blue players:
PHI - None
NY - None

Green players:
PHI - C Jose Cespedes #15 | Age: 29 | Bats: R | Throws: R

NY - CF Jonathan Mestas #7 | Age: 30 | Bats: L | Throws: L





The Game:
Welcome baseball fans to New York, New York, home of the New York Aces. Today’s featured contest pits the home team against the Philadelphia Fury of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who are striving to improve their standings in the ABC Eastern Division. According to early season predictions, both teams are hungry for wins and are determined to climb the division ranks… but alas sports fans, it's just April! The Aces are looking to build on their recent performances, while the Fury aim to gain momentum and rise in the standings.

Today’s pitching matchup is RHP Mike Stanley #3 [1-3 3.81] for Philadelphia and for the Aces RHP Tony Oubre #30 [3-1 3.31].


Hello, ABL fans, Big Earl here... coming to you live ... and in color from New York NY...! Welcome to Aces Field...! It's Weekday Series 4! Today we're witnessing an ABC Eastern Division matchup between... Jose Cespedas and the Philadelphia Fury... versus... Jonathan Mestas and the New York Aces... This is Game One of a Four-Game Series

Attention! ... Attention please! ... ... Have your pencil ... and scorecards ready ... and I'll give you... the correct lineups ... for today's ball game.

First, for the visiting Philadelphia Fury... Managed by Danny Sanchez... Batting first... playing center field... #13... Miguel Vasquez... Batting second... playing second base... #5... Johnny Amaro... Batting third... The designated hitter... #31... Chris Fritz... Batting clean-up... playing third base... #2... Rich Pena... Batting fifth... playing first base... #98... Ron Stout... Batting sixth... the catcher... #15... Jose Cespedes... Batting seventh... playing left field... #40... Emanuel Avila... Batting eighth... the shortstop... #11... Jesus Lopez... Batting ninth... playing right field... #28... Javier Robinson... The starting pitcher ... for the Philadelphia Fury... Right hander ... #3... Mike Stanley...

And now here is the starting lineup for the home-standing New York Aces... Managed by Dennis Salvino... Batting first... playing center field... #7... Jonathan Mestas... Batting second... the shortstop... #11... Peter Moltke... Batting third... playing first base... #27... Robby Chacon... Batting clean-up... The designated hitter... #6... Eric Burton... Batting fifth... playing right field... #18... Jerry Nunez... Batting sixth... playing left field... #4... Aaron Jackson... Batting seventh... playing third base... #20... Pedro Marquez... Batting eighth... playing second base... #57... Matsudaira Hashimoto... Batting ninth... the catcher... #33... Tim Wheeldon... The starting pitcher ... for the New York Aces... Right hander ... #30... Tony Oubre...

We are about to get underway here at Aces Field Today's attendance looks in excess of 25,000 fans... Clear skies... and a brisk 56 degrees at first pitch ... with the wind blowing in from left at 13 mph ...



Play Ball!!

⚾

ABL
PHILADELPHIA FURY @ NEW YORK ACES
04/27/1981 Game 1 of 4
=================================================
TOP OF THE 1ST

Philadelphia Fury batting - Pitching for New York Aces : RHP Tony Oubre

Pitching: RHP Tony Oubre

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: LHB Miguel Vasquez
0-0: Ball
1-0: Called Strike
1-1: Fly out, F2 (Popup, 2LF, EV 85.6 MPH)

1 Out, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Johnny Amaro
0-0: Ball
1-0: Called Strike
1-1: Called Strike
1-2: SINGLE (Line Drive, 78S, EV 86.9 MPH)

1 Out, Runner on 1st
Batting: LHB Chris Fritz
0-0: Ball
Johnny Amaro steals 2nd base

1 Out, Runner on 2nd
1-0: Fly out, F3 (Popup, 23F, EV 85.6 MPH)

2 Outs, Runner on 2nd
Batting: RHB Rich Pena
0-0: SINGLE (Groundball, 34D, EV 96.3 MPH)
Johnny Amaro to third
Throwing error, E9
Johnny Amaro scores
Rich Pena to second

Fury 1, Aces 0

2 Outs, Runner on 2nd
Batting: LHB Ron Stout
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ground out U3 (Groundball, 23, EV 81.3 MPH)

Top of the 1st over - 1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 1 left on base; Philadelphia 1 - New York 0

=================================================
TOP OF THE 3RD

Philadelphia Fury batting - Pitching for New York Aces : RHP Tony Oubre

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Javier Robinson
0-0: Ball
1-0: Foul Ball, location: 9LMF
1-1: Foul Ball, location: 3F
1-2: Foul Ball, location: 3DF
1-2: SOLO HOME RUN (Flyball, 78XD, EV 99.4 MPH), Distance : 412 ft

Fury 2, Aces 0

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: LHB Miguel Vasquez
0-0: Ball
1-0: Called Strike
1-1: Ball
2-1: Swinging Strike
2-2: Strikes out looking

1 Out, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Johnny Amaro
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Swinging Strike
1-2: Foul Ball, location: 23FF
1-2: Fly out, F4 (Popup, 34, EV 58.8 MPH)

2 Outs, Bases empty
Batting: LHB Chris Fritz
0-0: Ball
1-0: Foul Ball, location: 23F
1-1: Fly out, F8 (Flyball, 8LXD, EV 99.4 MPH)


Top of the 3rd over - 1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on base; Philadelphia 2 - New York 0

=================================================
TOP OF THE 6TH

Philadelphia Fury batting - Pitching for New York Aces : RHP Tony Oubre

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Johnny Amaro
0-0: SINGLE (Groundball, 6MD, EV 94.4 MPH)

No Outs, Runner on 1st
Batting: LHB Chris Fritz
0-0: Called Strike
Johnny Amaro steals 2nd base

No Outs, Runner on 2nd
0-1: Foul Ball, location: 2F
0-2: Reached on error, E3 (Groundball, 34, EV 78.8 MPH)
Johnny Amaro to third

No Outs, Runners on 1st & 3rd
Batting: RHB Rich Pena
0-0: Ball
Chris Fritz is caught stealing 2nd base 2-4

1 Out, Runner on 3rd
1-0: Ball
2-0: Called Strike
2-1: SINGLE (Line Drive, 34D, EV 96.3 MPH)
Johnny Amaro scores

Fury 3, Aces 0

1 Out, Runner on 1st
Batting: LHB Ron Stout
0-0: Ball
1-0: Called Strike
1-1: Foul Ball, location: 2F
1-2: DOUBLE (Flyball, 78D, EV 101.9 MPH)
Rich Pena to third

1 Out, Runners on 2nd & 3rd
Batting: RHB Jose Cespedes
0-0: Fly out, F6 (Popup, 6S, EV 65.6 MPH)

2 Outs, Runners on 2nd & 3rd
Batting: RHB Emanuel Avila
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Foul Ball, location: 5FF
0-2: Strikes out looking


Top of the 6th over - 1 run, 3 hits, 1 error, 2 left on base; Philadelphia 3 - New York 0

================================================


Well, there you have it... Let's take a look at the totals for today's game. First for the victorious Philadelphia Fury, 3 runs, on 8 hits, No errors, they left 7 men on base. They improve their record to 10-10. for the New York Aces, No runs, on 4 hits, 2 errors, they left 5 men on base. They fall to 11-9.

In a tightly contested match, the Philadelphia Fury managed to secure a victory over the New York Aces with a final score of 3 to nothing. The Fury struck first in the top of the first inning when Johnny Amaro singled and subsequently stole second base. A single by Rich Pena brought Amaro home after a throwing error by New York’s right fielder Jerry Nunez. Despite this early run, the Aces’ pitcher Tony Oubre, managed to limit further damage in the inning. Philadelphia added another run in the third inning with Javier Robinson’s solo home run. The Fury’s pitcher, Mike Stanley, held the Aces scoreless through six innings, allowing only a few scattered hits and no significant scoring threats from New York.

The Fury extended their lead in the sixth inning. Johnny Amaro singled and stole second base again, setting up Rich Pena’s RBI single. Although Chris Fritz reached base on an error, the Fury couldn’t capitalize further. Philadelphia’s bullpen maintained the shutout with solid performances from Marco Benavides and Oscar Rebeles, who closed out the game. The Aces struggled offensively, managing just a few hits and failing to bring runners home. Their best chance came in the sixth inning with two runners on base, but a crucial caught stealing stifled their rally. The Fury’s pitching and timely hitting ultimately sealed their victory, leaving the Aces unable to break through.

The winning pitcher is... Mike Stanley... his record improves to... 2-3... Marco Benavides gets the Hold... His first... Oscar Rebeles gets His fourth save... Tony Oubre gets the loss... His record falls to 3-2




The player of the game is Fury starter Mike Stanley.


The paid attendance was 25,311 faithful.


To recap... The Philadelphia Fury picked up a win at Aces Field, taking down the New York Aces, 3 to nothing. Starting pitcher Mike Stanley was a big reason why. New York falls to 11-9. Javier Robinson had a direct impact on the outcome. Robinson contributed a solo home run in the top of the third inning to put Philadelphia up, 2 to nothing. "Very pleased with the effort on our side," said Stanley. The Philadelphia Fury improve their record to 10-10.

This is Big Earl signing off from Aces Field in New York City. Where today's final score is...

Philadelphia Fury 3 – New York Aces 0..

Until next time... This is the Game!



WIN!!


Real. Fictional. ⚾.

================================================== ================================================== ==========
ABL on StatsPlus | ABL on OOTP | ABL History | ABL (prime) the old thread | ABL Stat of the day | ABL Vision | ABL Real Time Sim

[ZapMast]

|

April 27, 1981 | Cougars Park | Cincinnati, OH
St. Louis Stallions vs. Cincinnati Cougars

Watch it on ABL Vision



Let’s meet our teams:
The St. Louis Stallions have begun their 1981 season with a promising 11-8 record and a run differential of +31, indicating strong performance both offensively and defensively. Their pitching staff has significantly improved from the previous year's debacle, boasting a solid ERA of 3.46. Key players such as Victor Campos and Javier Gomez have been pivotal in driving the team's offensive resurgence, with impressive batting averages and on-base percentages. The Stallions' ability to adapt and improve, despite a tumultuous 1980 season, is evident in their more strategic player acquisitions and balanced roster, which has helped them navigate early injuries without major setbacks​​.

Financially, the Stallions have adopted a more prudent approach, reducing their payroll while still maintaining a competitive edge on the field. Their fan interest has seen a rebound, with a stable revenue stream that supports mid-season adjustments if necessary. The team's current balance of experienced veterans and emerging young talents positions them well for a potential playoff run. However, the Stallions must remain vigilant against complacency, as maintaining their form through the season will be crucial to converting their early promise into postseason success. With a history of near-misses in the Grand Tournament of Champions, the Stallions are determined to break through and achieve championship glory this year​​.

The Cincinnati Cougars have had a mixed start to their 1981 season, holding a 9-10 record, which places them just below .500. This performance is a stark contrast to their impressive 97-65 record from the previous year. Offensively, the team shows promise with a balanced lineup, boasting a .287 batting average and a strong on-base percentage of .374. Key players such as Esteban Martinez, Tony Jones, and Pablo Loureiro are pivotal to their offensive strategy, each contributing significantly to the team’s run production. However, the pitching staff has been less consistent, with an ERA of 4.54 and a FIP of 4.63, suggesting room for improvement. The Cougars' pitching is serviceable but lacks the dominance needed to secure wins in tightly contested games​​.

Defensively, the Cougars present a mixed picture. While the infield defense, particularly at second, third, and shortstop, is solid, the outfield and certain positions like first base show weaknesses. The team's fielding metrics reveal a need for improvement to avoid costly errors. Financially, the Cougars are stable, with high fan interest and strong revenue streams, but their early-season performance has not yet translated this financial health into consistent on-field success. With a near-packed stadium and enthusiastic fan support, the Cougars are under pressure to deliver results that match their potential and resources. The team’s journey through the 1981 season will hinge on their ability to enhance pitching performance and capitalize on their offensive strengths to convert close games into victories​​.


Cincinnati Cougars lead the series 108 - 90 | season series tied 0-0


Key players

Milestones:

STL – 1B Alex Lander #1 needs 168 hits to reach 1500.
RP Andrew Williamson #12 needs 38 games to reach 500.
CIN – CF Scott Reis #19 needs 27 hits to reach 1500
and 13 home runs to reach 250
and 19 runs for 1000.
LF Victor Torres #22 needs 58 hits to reach 1500
and 14 home runs to reach 200
and 79 runs to reach 1000
and 53 base on balls to reach 1000.

All-Star Caliber:

Blue players:
STL - 1B Victor Campos #30 | Age: 33 | Bats: R | Throws: R
CIN - CF Scott Reis #19 | Age: 35 | Bats: R | Throws: R

Green players:
STL - SP/LF Jose Coronado #9 | Age: 29 | Bats: R | Throws: R
1B Alex Lander #1 | Age: 31 | Bats: S | Throws: L
CIN - 1B Esteban Martinez #26 | Age: 25 | Bats: S | Throws: R
LF Victor Torres #22 | Age: 33 | Bats: L | Throws: R





The Game:
Welcome baseball fans to Cincinnati, Ohio, home of the Cincinnati Cougars. Today’s featured contest pits the home team against the St. Louis Stallions of St. Louis, Missouri, who are striving to improve their standings in the ABC Central Division. According to early season predictions, both teams are hungry for wins and are determined to climb the division ranks… but alas sports fans, it's just April! The Cougars are looking to build on their recent strong performances, while the Stallions aim to gain momentum and rise in the standings.

Today’s pitching matchup is RHP Daniel Buckley #3 [0-1 8.10] for St. Louis and for the Cougars RHP Chris Collette #2 [0-1 2.70].


Hello, ABL fans, Big Earl here... coming to you live ... and in color from Cincinnati OH...! Welcome to Cougars Park...! It's Weekday Series 4! Today we're witnessing an ABC Central Division matchup between... Alex Lander and the St. Louis Stallions... versus... Five time MVP, Scott Reis and the Cincinnati Cougars... This is Game One of a Four-Game Series

Attention! ... Attention please! ... ... Have your pencil ... and scorecards ready ... and I'll give you... the correct lineups ... for today's ball game.

First, for the visiting St. Louis Stallions... Managed by Ryan Messmer... Batting first... playing left field... #13... Javier Gomez... Batting second... the shortstop... #53... Brandon Simms... Batting third... playing first base... #1... Alex Lander... Batting clean-up... The designated hitter... #9... Jose Coronado... Batting fifth... playing right field... #39... Spencer Barrier... Batting sixth... playing third base... #19... Chris Sullivan... Batting seventh... playing center field... #15... Chris Gillum... Batting eighth... the catcher... #18... Pedro Avila... Batting ninth... playing second base... #3... Mike Castro... The starting pitcher ... for the St. Louis Stallions... Right hander ... #23... Daniel Buckley...

And now here is the starting lineup for the home-standing Cincinnati Cougars... Managed by Chris Allison... Batting first... playing left field... #22... Victor Torres... Batting second... The designated hitter... #50... Patrício Cogumbreiro... Batting third... playing first base... #26... Esteban Martinez... Batting clean-up... playing center field... #19... Scott Reis... Batting fifth... the shortstop... #36... Joe Rogers... Batting sixth... playing right field... #10... Barry Wilson... Batting seventh... playing third base... #35... Luis Mata... Batting eighth... the catcher... #11... Felipe Martin... Batting ninth... playing second base... #13... Lance Lynd... The starting pitcher ... for the Cincinnati Cougars... Right hander ... #2... Chris Collette...

We are about to get underway here at Cougars Park Today's attendance looks in excess of 20,000 fans... It's clear skies and 57 degrees at first pitch ... with the wind blowing from left to right at 8 mph ...


Play Ball!!

⚾

ABL
ST. LOUIS STALLIONS @ CINCINNATI COUGARS
04/27/1981 Game 1 of 4
=================================================
BOTTOM OF THE 3RD

Cincinnati Cougars batting - Pitching for St. Louis Stallions : RHP Daniel Buckley

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Felipe Martin
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ground out 5-3 (Groundball, 56S, EV 90.6 MPH)

1 Out, Bases empty
Batting: LHB Lance Lynd
0-0: Foul Ball, location: 2F
0-1: Fly out, F9 (Flyball, 89XD, EV 93.8 MPH)

2 Outs, Bases empty
Batting: LHB Victor Torres
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Ball
3-0: Base on Balls

2 Outs, Runner on 1st
Batting: LHB Patrício Cogumbreiro
0-0: Ball
Balk!
Victor Torres to second

2 Outs, Runner on 2nd
1-0: Ball
2-0: SINGLE (Groundball, 4MD, EV 98.1 MPH)
Victor Torres to third
Runner from 3rd tries for Home, SAFE, throw by CF to home
Patrício Cogumbreiro to second

Stallions 0, Cougars 1

2 Outs, Runner on 2nd
Batting: SHB Esteban Martinez
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Foul Ball, location: 3F
0-2: Ball
1-2: Foul Ball, location: 5F
1-2: Hit by Pitch

2 Outs, Runners on 1st & 2nd
Batting: RHB Scott Reis
0-0: Hit by Pitch
Patrício Cogumbreiro to third
Esteban Martinez to second

2 Outs, Bases loaded
Batting: RHB Joe Rogers
0-0: Ball
1-0: SINGLE (Groundball, 34D, EV 101.3 MPH)
Patrício Cogumbreiro scores
Esteban Martinez to third
Scott Reis to second
Runner from 3rd tries for Home, SAFE, throw by RF to home
Scott Reis to third
Joe Rogers to second

Stallions 0, Cougars 3

2 Outs, Runners on 2nd & 3rd
Batting: SHB Barry Wilson
0-0: Ball
1-0: Swinging Strike
1-1: SINGLE (Line Drive, 78S, EV 100.6 MPH)
Scott Reis scores
Joe Rogers to third

Stallions 0, Cougars 4

2 Outs, Runners on 1st & 3rd
Batting: RHB Luis Mata
0-0: Foul Ball, location: 3SF
0-1: Fielders Choice at 2nd, 6-4 (Groundball, 56D, EV 104.4 MPH)


Bottom of the 3rd over - 4 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on base; St. Louis 0 - Cincinnati 4

=================================================


Well, there you have it... Let's take a look at the totals for the game. First for the victorious Cincinnati Cougars, 4, runs, on 8 hits, No errors, they left 6 men on base. They improve their record to 10-10. For the St. Louis Stallions, No runs, on 7 hits, No errors, they left 11 men on base. They fall to 11-9.

In a tightly contested game between the St. Louis Stallions and the Cincinnati Cougars, solid pitching from both teams kept the score tied through the first two innings. The Stallions' Daniel Buckley and the Cougars' Chris Collette both showcased their skills on the mound, effectively shutting down opposing batters. The Stallions struggled to generate offense, with fly outs and groundouts characterizing their early at-bats. Similarly, the Cougars missed an early scoring opportunity in the first inning when they grounded into a double play with runners on base.

The game's turning point came in the bottom of the third inning. Victor Torres walked and advanced to second on a balk. Patrício Cogumbreiro then singled, moving scoring Torres successfully from second base on a close play at home following a throw from Stallion's center fielder Chris Gillum, giving the Cougars a 1-0 lead. The Cougars continued to capitalize on this momentum, with additional hits and a hit-by-pitch sequence leading to a total of four runs in the inning. This four-run surge proved decisive, as Collette and reliever Orlando Acosta combined to shut out the Stallions, leading to a 4-0 victory for the Cougars.

The winning pitcher is... Chris Collette... his record improves to... 1-1... Daniel Buckley gets the loss... His record falls to 0-2




The player of the game is Cougars starter Chris Collette.

The paid attendance was 20,885 fans.

To recap...
The Cincinnati Cougars got a stellar effort from pitcher Chris Collette, helping Cincinnati score a win over the visiting St. Louis Stallions, 4-0. The win has Cincinnati at 10-10. Cincinnati shortstop Joe Rogers contributed a timely at-bat in the bottom of the third. With two down, he hit a sinker to right field for a 2-run single. It was his 22nd hit of the season and put the Cougars ahead, 3-0. "Chris mixed and matched," said Cincinnati manager Chris Allison. The St. Louis Stallions fall to 11-9.

This is Big Earl signing off from Cougars Park in Cincinnati. Where today's final score is...

Cincinnati Cougars 4 – St. Louis Stallions 0..

Until next time... This is the Game!



WIN!!


Real. Fictional. ⚾.

================================================== ================================================== ==========
ABL on StatsPlus | ABL on OOTP | ABL History | ABL (prime) the old thread | ABL Stat of the day | ABL Vision | ABL Real Time Sim

[ZapMast]

|

April 27, 1981 | Houston Stadium | Houston, TX
Nashville Blues vs. Houston Mavericks

Watch it on ABL Vision



Let’s meet our teams:
The Nashville Blues have had a mixed start to their 1981 season, holding a 9-10 record and sitting two games back in the ABC Central Division. Offensively, they show promise with a .312 team batting average and a .371 on-base percentage, driven by standout performers like Andres Salas and Jose Orozco. Salas boasts a scorching .453 average, while Orozco leads the team with three home runs. However, their power numbers are modest with a slugging percentage of .454, and they have struggled with patience at the plate, reflected in their low walk rate of 6.75%. Defensively, the team is inconsistent, with a negative Total Zone Rating of -3.82 and 13 errors, indicating room for improvement.

On the pitching side, the Blues face challenges with a team ERA of 4.75 and a FIP of 4.59. Key pitchers like Antonio Hernandez provide stability, but others, such as Alex Alvarez with a 9.15 ERA, have struggled significantly. The pitching staff's low strikeout rate of 14.4% and relatively high walk rate of 7.84% are areas of concern. Financially, the Blues are in a stable position, with a budget allowing for potential mid-season trades to bolster their roster. Fan interest remains relatively high, and the team's balanced mix of veterans and young talents offers hope for improvement. The Blues need to address their pitching inconsistencies and defensive lapses to turn their early-season potential into a successful campaign.

The Houston Mavericks have had a rocky start to their 1981 season, holding an 8-11 record and struggling to find consistency on the field. Their pitching staff, once the cornerstone of their success, has been particularly problematic, with an ERA nearing 5.0 and an overall performance that leaves much to be desired. Offensively, the Mavericks have managed to put some runs on the board, but their power numbers are modest, and they lack the big bats needed to turn close games in their favor. The team's current standings reflect a challenging start, and with fan expectations sky-high, they need a quick turnaround to stay competitive in the ABC Central Division .

Despite their struggles, the Mavericks have a solid financial base and a loyal fan following, which keeps their stadium bustling and revenue streams robust. This financial stability allows them room to maneuver and potentially make key mid-season acquisitions. The team's history in the Grand Tournament of Champions showcases a blend of triumphs and heartbreaks, including a memorable championship win in 1979. With experienced players like Nate Higgins anchoring the pitching staff and standout hitters like Albert Chavez leading the offense, the Mavericks have the pieces needed for a comeback. However, they must address their pitching inconsistencies and fielding lapses to convert potential into performance and rekindle the fire that once made them a formidable force in the league.


Houston Mavericks lead the series 106 - 92 | season series tied 0-0


Key players

Milestones:

NAS – LF Brett Petrillo #22 needs 42 hits to reach 1500.
1B Ricardo Espinosa #78 needs 10 home runs to reach 200.
HOU – None

All-Star Caliber:

Blue players:
NAS - LF Brett Petrillo #22 | Age: 36 | Bats: L | Throws: L
HOU - None

Green players:
NAS - 3B Jose Orozco #20 | Age: 23 | Bats: S | Throws: R

HOU - CF Warren Ufena #22 | Age: 30 | Bats: L | Throws: L




The Game:
Welcome baseball fans to Houston, Texas, home of the Houston Mavericks. Today’s featured contest pits the home team against the Nashville Blues of Nashville, Tennessee, who are striving to improve their standings in the ABC Central Division. Both teams have shown flashes of brilliance early in the season and are eager to establish themselves as serious contenders.

The Mavericks, with standout performances from their pitching staff, aim to capitalize on their home-field advantage. Recently, Houston's ace delivered a complete-game shutout, demonstrating the team's potential to dominate on the mound. Meanwhile, the Blues have been equally impressive, with their offense led by key players who have racked up home runs and RBIs in crucial games.

According to early season predictions, both teams are hungry for wins and determined to climb the division ranks… but alas sports fans, it's just April! The Mavericks are looking to build on their strong start, while the Blues aim to gain momentum and rise in the standings. This matchup promises to be a thrilling contest between two teams with their eyes set on long-term success this season.

Today’s pitching matchup is RHP Alex Alvarez #13 [1-2 9.15] for Nashville and for the Mavericks RHP Scott Szell #26 [1-1 4.13].


Hello, ABL fans, Big Earl here... coming to you live ... and in color from Houston TX...! Welcome to Houston Stadium...! It's Weekday Series 4! Today we're witnessing an ABC Central Division matchup between... Jose Orozco and the Nashville Blues... versus... Warren Ufena and the Houston Mavericks... This is Game One of a Four-Game Series

Attention! ... Attention please! ... ... Have your pencil ... and scorecards ready ... and I'll give you... the correct lineups ... for today's ball game.

First, for the visiting Nashville Blues... Managed by Francisco Hernandez... Batting first... playing right field... #29... Hector Chavez... Batting second... playing first base... #9... Andres Salas... Batting third... playing third base... #20... Jose Orozco... Batting clean-up... The designated hitter... #78... Ricardo Espinosa... Batting fifth... playing left field... #32... Tyreek Morson... Batting sixth... the catcher... #25... Chang-ho Lee... Batting seventh... playing center field... #6... Juan Grant... Batting eighth... the shortstop... #17... Jordan Arteaga... Batting ninth... playing second base... #34... Joe Marriott... The starting pitcher... for the Nashville Blues... Right hander ... #13... Alex Alvarez...

And now here is the starting lineup for the home-standing Houston Mavericks... Managed by Carlos Sanchez... Batting first... the shortstop... #25... Felix Alvarez... Batting second... The designated hitter... #16... Elijah Glenn... Batting third... playing second base... #13... Brent Keyser... Batting clean-up... playing left field... #22... Warren Ufena... Batting fifth... the catcher... #15... Alex Ramirez... Batting sixth... playing center field... #2... Apostolos Georghiou... Batting seventh... playing right field... #31... Alex Monge... Batting eighth... playing first base... #3... Albert Chavez... Batting ninth... playing third base... #18... Blake Ayala... The starting pitcher ... for the Houston Mavericks... Right hander ... #26... Scott Szell...

We are about to get underway here at Houston Stadium Today's attendance looks in excess of 20,000 fans... It's partly cloudy and a pleasant 75 degrees at first pitch ... with the wind blowing out to center at 8 mph ...


Play Ball!!

⚾

ABL
NASHVILLE BLUES @ HOUSTON MAVERICKS
04/27/1981 Game 1 of 4
=================================================
BOTTOM OF THE 1ST

Houston Mavericks batting - Pitching for Nashville Blues : RHP Alex Alvarez

Pitching: RHP Alex Alvarez

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: LHB Felix Alvarez
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Called Strike
2-1: Ball
3-1: Called Strike
3-2: Foul Ball, location: 9LDF
3-2: Base on Balls

No Outs, Runner on 1st
Batting: LHB Elijah Glenn
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: SINGLE (Line Drive, 8LS, EV 103.8 MPH)
Felix Alvarez to second
Runner from 2nd tries for 3rd, SAFE, throw by CF made to third

No Outs, Runners on 1st & 3rd
Batting: RHB Brent Keyser
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ball
2-1: Foul Ball, location: 9LMF
2-2: Strikes out looking

1 Out, Runners on 1st & 3rd
Batting: LHB Warren Ufena
0-0: Ball
1-0: Called Strike
1-1: Called Strike
1-2: Ball
2-2: TRIPLE (Line Drive, 9LD, EV 98.8 MPH)
Felix Alvarez scores
Elijah Glenn scores

Blues 0, Mavericks 2

1 Out, Runner on 3rd
Batting: SHB Alex Ramirez
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Swinging Strike
0-2: Ball
1-2: Strikes out swinging

2 Outs, Runner on 3rd
Batting: RHB Apostolos Georghiou
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Swinging Strike
0-2: Ball
1-2: Ball
2-2: Ball
3-2: Foul Ball, location: 2F
3-2: SINGLE (Groundball, 56D, EV 91.3 MPH) (infield hit)
Warren Ufena scores

Blues 0, Mavericks 3

2 Outs, Runner on 1st
Batting: LHB Alex Monge
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ground out 4-3 (Groundball, 4, EV 83.8 MPH)


Bottom of the 1st over - 3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on base; Nashville 0 - Houston 3

=================================================
TOP OF THE 3RD

Nashville Blues batting - Pitching for Houston Mavericks : RHP Scott Szell

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Jordan Arteaga
0-0: Ball
1-0: Called Strike
1-1: Ground out 6-3 (Groundball, 4M, EV 87.5 MPH)

1 Out, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Joe Marriott
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Called Strike
2-1: Ball
3-1: Called Strike
3-2: Ground out 6-3 (Groundball, 6D, EV 98.1 MPH)

2 Outs, Bases empty
Batting: LHB Hector Chavez
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Foul Ball, location: 5DF
2-1: Ball
3-1: Foul Ball, location: 7LDF
3-2: Base on Balls

2 Outs, Runner on 1st
Batting: RHB Andres Salas
0-0: DOUBLE (Line Drive, 8RXD, EV 108.1 MPH)
Hector Chavez to third
Runner from 3rd tries for Home, SAFE, throw by CF to trailing runner, OUT at third! 8-3-5

Blues 1, Mavericks 3


Top of the 3rd over - 1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on base; Nashville 1 - Houston 3

=================================================
TOP OF THE 4TH

Nashville Blues batting - Pitching for Houston Mavericks : RHP Scott Szell

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: SHB Jose Orozco
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ball
2-1: Foul Ball, location: 2F
2-2: Ball
3-2: SINGLE (Line Drive, 34, EV 96.9 MPH)

No Outs, Runner on 1st
Batting: RHB Ricardo Espinosa
0-0: Ball
1-0: Foul Ball, location: 2RF
1-1: Swinging Strike
1-2: Ball
2-2: Foul Ball, location: 2F
2-2: Ball
3-2: Strikes out swinging

1 Out, Runner on 1st
Batting: LHB Tyreek Morson
0-0: Foul Ball, location: 2F
0-1: Ball
1-1: 2-RUN HOME RUN (Flyball, 9LD, EV 96.9 MPH), Distance : 377 ft

Blues 3, Mavericks 3

1 Out, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Chang-ho Lee
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Foul Ball, location: 5FF
2-1: Ball
3-1: Fly out, F3 (Popup, 3, EV 67.5 MPH)

2 Outs, Bases empty
Batting: LHB Juan Grant
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ground out 6-3 (Groundball, 6, EV 100.0 MPH)


Top of the 4th over - 2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on base; Nashville 3 - Houston 3

=================================================
BOTTOM OF THE 5TH

Houston Mavericks batting - Pitching for Nashville Blues : RHP Alex Alvarez

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Blake Ayala
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Called Strike
2-1: Ball
3-1: Base on Balls

No Outs, Runner on 1st
Batting: LHB Felix Alvarez
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Ball
3-0: Called Strike
3-1: Called Strike
3-2: Fielders Choice at 2nd, 5-4 (Groundball, 56S, EV 80.0 MPH)

1 Out, Runner on 1st
Batting: LHB Elijah Glenn
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
Wild Pitch!
Felix Alvarez to second

1 Out, Runner on 2nd
2-0: Foul Ball, location: 2F
2-1: DOUBLE (Line Drive, 8LXD, EV 105.6 MPH)
Felix Alvarez scores

Blues 3, Mavericks 4

1 Out, Runner on 2nd
Batting: RHB Brent Keyser
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ground out 6-3 (Groundball, 6, EV 92.5 MPH)

2 Outs, Runner on 2nd
Batting: LHB Warren Ufena
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Swinging Strike
2-1: SINGLE (Line Drive, 89S, EV 101.3 MPH)
Elijah Glenn to third
Runner from 3rd tries for Home, throw by RF and OUT! 9-2


Bottom of the 5th over - 1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on base; Nashville 3 - Houston 4

=================================================


Well, there you have it... Let's take a look at the totals for the game. First for the victorious Houston Mavericks, 4 runs, on 9 hits, No errors, they left 5 men on base. They improve their record to 9-11. for the Nashville Blues, 3 runs, on 6 hits, No errors, they left 8 men on base. They fall to 9-11.

In the early innings of the game between the Nashville Blues and the Houston Mavericks, Nashville struggled to gain offensive momentum. In the top of the 1st, Hector Chavez managed a walk, but subsequent batters failed to bring him home, leaving one runner stranded. Houston capitalized on their opportunity in the bottom of the 1st, with Felix Alvarez walking, Elijah Glenn singling, and Warren Ufena hitting a two-run triple, followed by an RBI single from Apostolos Georghiou, putting Houston ahead 3-0. In the top of the 2nd, Nashville went down in order, unable to make any headway against Houston's pitcher, Scott Szell. The Mavericks couldn't add to their lead in the bottom of the 2nd despite a solid start.

The middle innings saw Nashville clawing back. In the top of the 3rd, Hector Chavez walked again and eventually scored on a double by Andres Salas, making it 3-1. Nashville tied the game in the 4th inning with a two-run homer by Tyreek Morson, bringing the score to 3-3. However, Houston quickly regained the lead in the bottom of the 5th when Felix Alvarez scored on a double by Elijah Glenn. Both teams continued to battle, with Nashville managing a few hits but failing to score again. The game remained tense until the end, but Houston held on to their 4-3 lead, securing the win despite a late surge by Nashville in the top of the 9th, where they left the bases loaded.


The winning pitcher is... Scott Szell... his record improves to... 2-1... Tony Chavarria gets the save... His third. Alex Alvarez gets the loss... His record falls to 1-3




The player of the game is Mavericks starter Scott Szell.

The paid attendance was 20,980 fanatics.

To recap...
Houston beat Nashville on the strength of starting pitcher Scott Szell's fine effort. The right-hander led his team to a win, 4-3. Szell yielded 3 runs over 8 innings to notch the win. He scattered 5 hits, walked 2, and struck out 8. His record improves to 2-1. The save went to Tony Chavarria, his 3rd this season. Elijah Glenn hit a run-scoring double off Alex Alvarez in the bottom of the fifth, which put the Mavericks in front, 4-3. In addition to the double, Glenn had 1 single, while going 2 for 4. Glenn called the win the result of "everyone working in tandem." Houston goes to 9-11. Nashville falls to 9-11.

This is Big Earl signing off from Houston Stadium. Where today's final score is...

Houston Mavericks 4 – Nashville Blues 3..

Until next time... This is the Game!



WIN!!


Real. Fictional. ⚾.

================================================== ================================================== ==========
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April 27, 1981 | Rustlers Grounds | Dallas, TX
Detroit Dukes vs. Dallas Rustlers

Watch it on ABL Vision



Let’s meet our teams:
The Detroit Dukes, fresh off their championship season in 1980, have begun their 1981 campaign with a strong showing, boasting a 12-7 record and a .632 winning percentage. They are currently positioned well in their division, with a razor-thin run differential of +1, scoring 88 runs while allowing 87. This tight margin underscores their competitive edge in both offense and defense. Financially robust with a $13 million revenue and a $7 million trade budget, the Dukes are well-equipped for strategic acquisitions to bolster their roster. Key performers such as Mike Miranda, who leads the pitching staff with a stellar 1.49 ERA, and veteran batter Francisco Fernandez, hitting .319, exemplify the balanced contributions from both the mound and the plate .

However, the Dukes face challenges that require attention. Despite their solid start, the pitching staff shows inconsistencies beyond their ace, with Brett Helvie and others needing to elevate their game to support a deeper playoff run. Defensively, the team is competent but has room for improvement, particularly in reducing errors and enhancing their fielding efficiency. Their conservative baserunning approach, with minimal stolen base attempts, puts the pressure squarely on their hitters to drive in runs. As they navigate the season, the Dukes must leverage their financial flexibility and fan support to address these areas and maintain their status as championship contenders .

The Dallas Rustlers are off to a strong start in the 1981 season, boasting a 12-7 record and a promising .632 winning percentage. This performance marks a significant improvement from their lackluster 72-90 record in 1980. The team's early success is driven by a balanced combination of young talents and seasoned players. Key performers include Jose Castillo, Devon Barlow, and Cliff Barron, who are leading the charge offensively. Castillo is tearing it up with an OPS over 1.000, Barlow is excelling behind the plate and with a .910 OPS, and Barron provides power at the hot corner. The pitching staff, led by Gabriel Zayas, Anton Garay, and Warren Holster, is also showing promise, keeping the team's ERA respectable and managing to control the games effectively .

Financially, the Rustlers are in a stable position with a $4.5 million balance, which provides flexibility for mid-season acquisitions to strengthen their roster further. Despite some early-season injuries, the team has managed to maintain their performance, indicating good depth and resilience. The fanbase shows cautious optimism, with a 30-day uptick in interest and a stadium fill rate of 94%, though the overall enthusiasm is still measured. The Rustlers' combination of financial stability, a strong start, and a mix of promising young players and reliable veterans positions them well for a potential deep run in the Grand Tournament of Champions .


Detroit Dukes lead the series 110 - 88 | season series tied 0-0


Key players

Milestones:

DET – LF Francisco Fernandez #80 needs 57 hits to reach 1500
RHP Marcos Real #16 needs 22 saves to reach 200
RHP Garret Brown #11 needs 10 games to reach 500.
DAL – 1B Bill Parlier #30 needs 53 bases on balls to reach 1000.

All-Star Caliber:

Blue players:
DET - None
DAL - None

Green players:
DET - LF Francisco Fernandez #80 | Age: 37 | Bats: R | Throws: R
RF Ethan Harrison #28 | Age: 36 | Bats: L | Throws: L

DAL - None




The Game:
Welcome baseball fans to Dallas, Texas, home of the Dallas Rustlers. Today’s featured contest pits the home team against the Detroit Dukes of Detroit, Michigan, who are striving to improve their standings in the NBC Central Division. Both teams have demonstrated strong potential early in the season. The Dukes are looking to capitalize on their clutch hitting and moments of pitching brilliance, while the Rustlers aim to maintain their balanced approach and solidify their position in the division.

According to early season predictions, both teams are hungry for wins and determined to climb the division ranks… but alas sports fans, it's just April! The Rustlers are looking to build on their consistency, while the Dukes aim to gain momentum and rise in the standings. This matchup promises to be a thrilling contest between two competitive teams with their sights set on long-term success this season.

Today’s pitching matchup is RHP Brett Helvie #47 [2-1 4.85] for Detroit and for the Rustlers RHP Warren Holster #12 [1-0 4.82].


Hello, ABL fans, Big Earl here... coming to you live ... and in color from Dallas TX...! Welcome to Rustlers Grounds...! It's Weekday Series 4! Today we're witnessing an NBC Central Division matchup between... Ethan Harrison and the defending Grand Champion Detroit Dukes... versus... Bill Rambow and the Dallas Rustlers... This is Game One of a Four-Game Series

Attention! ... Attention please! ... ... Have your pencil ... and scorecards ready ... and I'll give you... the correct lineups ... for today's ball game.

First, for the visiting Detroit Dukes... Managed by Jose Perez... Batting first... playing center field... #1... Alex Diaz... Batting second... playing second base... #22... Luis Rios... Batting third... playing first base... #11... Juan Aranda... Batting clean-up... playing right field... #28... Ethan Harrison... Batting fifth... playing third base... #7... Roberto Rodriguez... Batting sixth... The designated hitter... #27... Mezian Ridha... Batting seventh... playing left field... #32... Tony King... Batting eighth... the shortstop... #9... Armando Garcia... Batting ninth... the catcher... #12... Jake Simper... The starting pitcher... for the Detroit Dukes... Right hander ... #47... Brett Helvie...

And now here is the starting lineup for the home-standing Dallas Rustlers... Managed by Brian Parsley... Batting first... playing center field... #56... Alex Moreno... Batting second... playing second base... #19... Jalen Smith... Batting third... the catcher... #13... Devon Barlow... Batting clean-up... playing right field... #84... Bill Rambow... Batting fifth... The designated hitter... #30... Bill Parlier... Batting sixth... playing first base... #1... Ray Swerdlove... Batting seventh... playing left field... #28... Yi Li... LF Batting eighth... playing third base... #4... Jose Castillo... Batting ninth... the shortstop... #24... John Thurston... The starting pitcher ... for the Dallas Rustlers... Right hander ... #12... Warren Holster...

We are about to get underway here at Rustlers Grounds Today's attendance looks in excess of 23,000 fans... It's cloudy, but a comfortable 71 degrees at first pitch ... with the wind blowing in from left at 12 mph ...


Play Ball!!

⚾

ABL
DETROIT DUKES @ DALLAS RUSTLERS
04/27/1981 Game 1 of 4
=================================================
TOP OF THE 1ST


Detroit Dukes batting - Pitching for Dallas Rustlers : RHP Warren Holster

Pitching: RHP Warren Holster

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Alex Diaz
0-0: Foul Ball, location: 2F
0-1: Fly out, F7 (Line Drive, 7, EV 86.9 MPH)

1 Out, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Luis Rios
0-0: Foul Ball, location: 7LMF
0-1: Swinging Strike
0-2: Ball
1-2: Ball
2-2: SINGLE (Line Drive, 89M, EV 101.9 MPH)

1 Out, Runner on 1st
Batting: RHB Juan Aranda
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Swinging Strike
0-2: Ball
1-2: Ball
2-2: Foul Ball, location: 5FF
2-2: DOUBLE (Flyball, 8RXD, EV 101.3 MPH)
Luis Rios to third

1 Out, Runners on 2nd & 3rd
Batting: LHB Ethan Harrison
0-0: Ball
1-0: Foul Ball, location: 3SF
1-1: Fly out, F7 (Flyball, 78M, EV 98.1 MPH)
Runner from 3rd tags up, SCORES, no throw by LF

Dukes 1, Rustlers 0

2 Outs, Runner on 2nd
Batting: SHB Roberto Rodriguez
0-0: Ball
1-0: Called Strike
1-1: Swinging Strike
1-2: Foul Ball, location: 2F
1-2: Ball
2-2: Strikes out swinging

Top of the 1st over - 1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on base; Detroit 1 - Dallas 0

=================================================


Well, there you have it... Let's take a look at the totals for the game. First for the victorious Detroit Dukes, 1 run, on 4 hits, No errors, they left 5 men on base. They improve their record to 13-7. for the Dallas Rustlers, No runs, on 5 hits, 2 errors, they left 10 men on base. They fall to 12-8.

The Detroit Dukes faced the Dallas Rustlers in a tightly contested match. Detroit took an early lead in the top of the first inning when Luis Rios singled, followed by Juan Aranda's double, allowing Ethan Harrison to drive in Rios with a fly out. Despite threatening in subsequent innings, Detroit couldn't extend their lead further. Dallas struggled to generate offense, managing only a single hit in the fourth inning by Bill Parlier. Detroit's pitcher, Brett Helvie, kept Dallas in check, scattering just a few hits and securing a crucial early run advantage for his team.

As the game progressed, Dallas had several opportunities to score but failed to capitalize. In the second inning, they left two runners on base, and in the eighth, they once again left two men stranded. Detroit's defense held strong, and their pitching staff, including a brief appearance by Jordan Allison, shut down the Rustlers' attempts to rally. The Dukes managed to maintain their slim lead throughout the game, ultimately securing a 1-0 victory. This win highlighted the importance of timely hitting and solid pitching, with Helvie's performance being a standout, successfully navigating through Dallas's lineup and ensuring Detroit's early run was enough for the win.

The winning pitcher is... Brett Helvie... his record improves to... 3-1... Jordan Allison gets the save... His sixth. Warren Holster gets the loss... His record falls to 1-1



The player of the game is Dukes starter Brett Helvie.

The paid attendance was 23,329 fans.

To recap...
Detroit pitcher Brett Helvie did his part in helping his team beat the Dallas Rustlers, 1-0. The right-hander kept opposing batters in check throughout the game. The winner was Helvie. He threw 7.2 innings of shutout ball. The loser was Warren Holster. The defeat makes Dallas 12-8. Ethan Harrison, who finished 4th in the NBC in OPS with 9 10 in 1972, had a direct impact on the outcome. Harrison contributed a run-scoring sacrifice fly in the top of the first inning to put Detroit up, 1-0. "Honestly, I'm not frustrated," said Dallas manager Brian Parsley. "The effort was great." Detroit improves to 13-7.

This is Big Earl signing off from Rustlers Grounds in Dallas. Where today's final score is...

Detroit Dukes 1 – Dallas Rustlers 0..

Until next time... This is the Game!



WIN!!


Note: The Minneapolis at Chicago game was postponed due to weather and will be replayed on April 28, 1981 as part of a doubleheader.


Real. Fictional. ⚾.

================================================== ================================================== ==========
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April 27, 1981 | Phoenix Grounds | Phoenix, AZ
San Diego Seraphs vs. Phoenix Firebirds

Watch it on ABL Vision



Let’s meet our teams:
The San Diego Seraphs have had a tumultuous start to the 1981 season, marked by a challenging 6-13 record and a -30 run differential. Their performance has been hindered by both pitching and defensive woes, with an alarming ERA of 5.66 and a total zone rating of -1.2. Offensively, they manage a .256 batting average but lack the power to convert opportunities into runs, highlighted by just seven home runs. Despite a roster that's relatively healthy, their struggles indicate deeper issues that need addressing if they hope to turn their season around. Key performers like Artur Vaulin and Robbie Kendall provide some hope, but the team needs more consistent contributions across the board .

Financially, the Seraphs are in a precarious position with a payroll nearly matching their revenue, leaving little room for significant player acquisitions. Fan interest is lukewarm, with a stadium fill rate of 74.72% and ticket prices kept low at $3.45, reflecting a cautious optimism among supporters. The coaching staff, led by seasoned professionals, faces the challenge of aligning their strategies to harness the potential within their lineup and pitching staff. As they navigate the season, the Seraphs must leverage their existing assets and address their weaknesses promptly to avoid another year of mediocrity and missed opportunities.

The Phoenix Firebirds have had a rocky start to the 1981 season, currently holding an 8-11 record and struggling to find consistency both on the mound and at the plate. Offensively, the team has been lackluster with a .249 batting average and an OPS of .666, highlighting their struggles to generate power and capitalize on scoring opportunities. Despite the individual efforts of standout players like Nick Perez, who boasts a .371 batting average and a .463 on-base percentage, the team overall has underperformed. Their pitching staff, while anchored by ace Stephen Grimes with a stellar 2.12 ERA, has been inconsistent, leading to a team ERA of 4.34. Injuries have also taken a toll, with five players on the disabled list, which has impacted their depth and performance significantly .

Defensively, the Firebirds have not fared much better, with a total Zone Rating (ZR) of -2.73 and nine errors, indicating fielding struggles that have cost them crucial games. Their fan base remains highly supportive, maintaining a high interest score and strong attendance, which keeps the financial side stable. However, this passionate support also means heightened expectations and pressure on the team to perform better. With a mix of seasoned veterans and promising young talent, the Firebirds have the potential to turn their season around, but they need to address their defensive lapses and pitching inconsistencies to improve their standings and make a serious playoff push.


Phoenix Firebirds lead the series 123 - 82 (includes post-season series 4-3 - 1974) | season series tied 0-0


Key players

Milestones:

SD – None
PHO – 1B Kevin Bell #29 needs 49 hits to reach 1500
LF Nick Perez #28 needs 18 stolen bases to reach 350.

All-Star Caliber:

Blue players:
SD - None
PHO - None

Green players:
SD - RF Leonardo Gonzalez #23 | Age: 30 | Bats: L | Throws: L


PHO - RHP Stephen Grimes #9 | Age: 29 | Bats: S | Throws: R




The Game:
Welcome baseball fans to Phoenix, Arizona, home of the Phoenix Firebirds. Today’s featured contest pits the home team against the San Diego Seraphs of San Diego, California, who are striving to improve their standings in the NBC Western Division. Both teams have had a challenging start to the season, with the Firebirds holding an 8-11 record and the Seraphs trailing at 6-13. The Firebirds are looking to capitalize on their balanced approach and improve their standings, while the Seraphs aim to turn around their season by leveraging clutch hitting and key player performances.

According to early season predictions, both teams are hungry for wins and determined to climb the division ranks, despite a slow start. The Firebirds, with a modest 4.3% playoff probability, seek to build on their recent home performances. Meanwhile, the Seraphs, facing a 2.2% chance of making the playoffs, are eager to break their losing streak and gain momentum. This matchup promises to be a thrilling contest between two teams with much to prove, and their sights set on long-term success this season.

Today’s pitching matchup is LHP Barbu Nica #3 [0-0 0.00] for San Diego and for the Firebirds RHP Stephen Grimes #9 [1-1 2.12].


Hello, ABL fans, Big Earl here... coming to you live ... and in color from Phoenix AZ...! Welcome to Phoenix Grounds...! It's Weekday Series 4! Today we're witnessing an NBC Western Division matchup between... Dante Ramos and the San Diego Seraphs... versus... Nick Perez and the Phoenix Firebirds... This is Game One of a Four-Game Series

Attention! ... Attention please! ... ... Have your pencil ... and scorecards ready ... and I'll give you... the correct lineups ... for today's ball game.

First, for the visiting San Diego Seraphs... Managed by Jesse Wade... Batting first... playing center field... #11... Brandon Barclay... Batting second... playing left field... #4... Landon Keiter... Batting third... The designated hitter... #18... Jose Torres... Batting clean-up... playing second base... #49... Dante Ramos... Batting fifth... the catcher... #6... Artur Vaulin... Batting sixth... playing first base... #25... Edwin Avalos... Batting seventh... playing right field... #16... Elijah Wheat... Batting eighth... playing third base... #15... Masakuni Shiratori... Batting ninth... the shortstop... #38... Jason Stoker... The starting pitcher... for the San Diego Seraphs... Left hander ... #3... Barbu Nica...

And now here is the starting lineup for the home-standing Phoenix Firebirds... Managed by Bill Benisch... Batting first... The designated hitter... #28... Nick Perez... Batting second... the shortstop... #8... Gary Schuckman... Batting third... playing right field... #2... Jon Laflin... Batting clean-up... playing third base... #3... Frank Greene... Batting fifth... playing first base... #36... Justin Clayton... Batting sixth... the catcher... #50... Sam Ashworth ... Batting seventh... playing center field... #27... Josh Harrison... Batting eighth... playing second base... #13... Raul de la Torre... Batting ninth... playing left field... #16... Sergio Perez... The starting pitcher ... for the Phoenix Firebirds... Right hander ... #9... Stephen Grimes...

We are about to get underway here at Phoenix Grounds... where this years All-Star Game will be played this July... Today's attendance looks in excess of 23,000 fans... It's clear skies and 74 degrees at first pitch ... with the wind blowing in from center at 6 mph ...



Play Ball!!

⚾

ABL
SAN DIEGO SERAPHS @ PHOENIX FIREBIRDS
04/27/1981 Game 1 of 4
=================================================
TOP OF THE 1ST

San Diego Seraphs batting - Pitching for Phoenix Firebirds : RHP Stephen Grimes

Pitching: RHP Stephen Grimes

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: SHB Brandon Barclay
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Swinging Strike
0-2: Ball
1-2: Ground out 3-1 (Groundball, 34S, EV 90.0 MPH)

1 Out, Bases empty
Batting: LHB Landon Keiter
0-0: SINGLE (Groundball, 34D, EV 103.1 MPH)

1 Out, Runner on 1st
Batting: LHB Jose Torres
0-0: Foul Ball, location: 2F
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ball
2-1: SINGLE (Line Drive, 9LS, EV 93.8 MPH)
Landon Keiter to second
Runner from 2nd tries for 3rd, SAFE, throw by RF made to third

1 Out, Runners on 1st & 3rd
Batting: LHB Dante Ramos
0-0: SINGLE (Groundball, 34D, EV 107.5 MPH)
Landon Keiter scores
Jose Torres to second
Runner from 2nd tries for 3rd, SAFE, throw by RF made to third

Seraphs 1, Firebirds 0

1 Out, Runners on 1st & 3rd
Batting: SHB Artur Vaulin
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Ball
Wild Pitch!
Jose Torres scores
Dante Ramos to second

Seraphs 2, Firebirds 0

1 Out, Runner on 2nd
3-0: Base on Balls

1 Out, Runners on 1st & 2nd
Batting: LHB Edwin Avalos
0-0: Ball
1-0: Swinging Strike
1-1: SINGLE (Groundball, 4MD, EV 101.3 MPH)
Dante Ramos to third
Artur Vaulin to second
Runner from 3rd tries for Home, SAFE, throw by CF to home

Seraphs 3, Firebirds 0

1 Out, Runners on 1st & 2nd
Batting: RHB Elijah Wheat
0-0: Ball
1-0: Foul Ball, location: 9LSF
1-1: Swinging Strike
1-2: Strikes out swinging

2 Outs, Runners on 1st & 2nd
Batting: RHB Masakuni Shiratori
0-0: Hit by Pitch
Artur Vaulin to third
Edwin Avalos to second

2 Outs, Bases loaded
Batting: RHB Jason Stoker
0-0: Swinging Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Fly out, F6 (Popup, 6MS, EV 76.9 MPH)


Top of the 1st over - 3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on base; San Diego 3 - Phoenix 0
=================================================
TOP OF THE 3RD

San Diego Seraphs batting - Pitching for Phoenix Firebirds : RHP Stephen Grimes

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: SHB Artur Vaulin
0-0: Ball
1-0: Swinging Strike
1-1: Ball
2-1: Ball
3-1: Base on Balls

No Outs, Runner on 1st
Batting: LHB Edwin Avalos
0-0: SINGLE (Groundball, 6MD, EV 102.5 MPH)
Artur Vaulin to second
Runner from 2nd tries for 3rd, SAFE, throw by CF made to third

No Outs, Runners on 1st & 3rd
Batting: RHB Elijah Wheat
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: SINGLE (Line Drive, 9S, EV 97.5 MPH)
Artur Vaulin scores
Edwin Avalos to second

Seraphs 4, Firebirds 0

No Outs, Runners on 1st & 2nd
Batting: RHB Masakuni Shiratori
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ball
2-1: Swinging Strike
2-2: Strikes out swinging

1 Out, Runners on 1st & 2nd
Batting: RHB Jason Stoker
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Called Strike
2-1: Foul Ball, location: 2F
2-2: Ball
3-2: Strikes out swinging

2 Outs, Runners on 1st & 2nd
Batting: SHB Brandon Barclay
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ball
2-1: Ball
3-1: Foul Ball, location: 9LMF
3-2: SINGLE (Line Drive, 9S, EV 106.9 MPH)
Edwin Avalos to third
Elijah Wheat to second
Edwin Avalos scores
Elijah Wheat to third

Seraphs 5, Firebirds 0

2 Outs, Runners on 1st & 3rd
Batting: LHB Landon Keiter
0-0: Ball
1-0: Fly out, F5 (Line Drive, 5, EV 66.3 MPH)


Top of the 3rd over - 2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on base; San Diego 5 - Phoenix 0
=================================================
BOTTOM OF THE 3RD


Phoenix Firebirds batting - Pitching for San Diego Seraphs : LHP Barbu Nica

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Nick Perez
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ball
2-1: SINGLE (Groundball, 34D, EV 109.4 MPH)

No Outs, Runner on 1st
Batting: RHB Gary Schuckman
0-0: Ball
Nick Perez steals 2nd base

No Outs, Runner on 2nd
1-0: Ball
2-0: Ground out 1-3 (Groundball, 13S, EV 63.8 MPH)
Nick Perez to third

1 Out, Runner on 3rd
Batting: RHB Jon Laflin
0-0: Foul Ball, location: 3F
0-1: SINGLE (Line Drive, 7S, EV 90.6 MPH)
Nick Perez scores

Seraphs 5, Firebirds 1

1 Out, Runner on 1st
Batting: RHB Frank Greene
0-0: Swinging Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ball
2-1: Foul Ball, location: 5F
2-2: Foul Ball, location: 7LSF
2-2: Foul Ball, location: 5FF
2-2: Ball
3-2: Foul Ball, location: 25F
3-2: Base on Balls
Jon Laflin to second

1 Out, Runners on 1st & 2nd
Batting: RHB Justin Clayton
0-0: Foul Ball, location: 5F
0-1: Ball
1-1: Fly out, F1 (Line Drive, P, EV 67.5 MPH)

2 Outs, Runners on 1st & 2nd
Batting: RHB Sam Ashworth
0-0: Foul Ball, location: 3F
0-1: Foul Ball, location: 2F
0-2: Foul Ball, location: 9LDF
0-2: Ground out 4-3 (Groundball, 4, EV 81.3 MPH)


Bottom of the 3rd over - 1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on base; San Diego 5 - Phoenix 1
=================================================
TOP OF THE 4TH

San Diego Seraphs batting - Pitching for Phoenix Firebirds : RHP Stephen Grimes

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: LHB Jose Torres
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Foul Ball, location: 3F
0-2: Ball
1-2: Ball
2-2: Ball
3-2: Base on Balls

No Outs, Runner on 1st
Batting: LHB Dante Ramos
0-0: Ball
1-0: DOUBLE (Line Drive, 8LXD, EV 110.6 MPH)
Jose Torres to third

Phoenix Firebirds skipper Bill Benisch is headed toward the mound...
He's asking Grimes for the ball... Pitching change here....
Pitching: RHP Ricardo Figueroa

No Outs, Runners on 2nd & 3rd
Batting: SHB Artur Vaulin
0-0: Swinging Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ball
2-1: Called Strike
2-2: Strikes out swinging

1 Out, Runners on 2nd & 3rd
Batting: LHB Edwin Avalos
0-0: Ball
1-0: SINGLE (Line Drive, 8RS, EV 103.8 MPH)
Jose Torres scores
Dante Ramos to third
Runner from 3rd tries for Home, SAFE, throw by CF to home

Seraphs 7, Firebirds 1

1 Out, Runner on 1st
Batting: RHB Elijah Wheat
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Called Strike
0-2: Ball
1-2: Foul Ball, location: 25FF
1-2: Foul Ball, location: 9LDF
1-2: Foul Ball, location: 25F
1-2: Ball
2-2: Ball
3-2: SINGLE (Line Drive, 34, EV 96.3 MPH)
Edwin Avalos to second

1 Out, Runners on 1st & 2nd
Batting: RHB Masakuni Shiratori
0-0: Foul Ball, location: 7LSF
0-1: Foul Ball, location: 9LMF
0-2: Grounds into double play, 3-6-3 (Groundball, 34, EV 84.4 MPH)


Top of the 4th over - 2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on base; San Diego 7 - Phoenix 1

=================================================


Well, there you have it... Let's take a look at the totals for the game. First for the victorious San Diego Seraphs, 7 runs, on 13 hits, One error, they left 9 men on base. They improve their record to 7-13. for the Phoenix Firebirds, One run, on 6 hits, No errors, they left 10 men on base. They fall to 8-12.

The San Diego Seraphs dominated the Phoenix Firebirds, with a decisive 7-1 victory. The Seraphs came out strong in the top of the first inning, scoring three runs. Landon Keiter singled, followed by Jose Torres' single, and both advanced on throws. Dante Ramos then singled, bringing in Keiter. A wild pitch allowed Torres to score, and Edwin Avalos' single drove in Ramos, setting a solid 3-nothing lead for San Diego. Despite Phoenix pitcher Stephen Grimes managing to strike out Elijah Wheat and get Masakuni Shiratori out to end the inning, the damage was done.

San Diego extended their lead with two more runs in the third inning and another two in the fourth. The Seraphs' batters consistently put pressure on Phoenix, with notable hits from Edwin Avalos and Elijah Wheat. Phoenix struggled against San Diego's pitching, with Barbu Nica keeping the Firebirds at bay. Phoenix's only run came in the bottom of the third, when Nick Perez singled, stole second, and was driven in by Jon Laflin's single. However, they failed to capitalize on further opportunities, leaving runners stranded. San Diego's bullpen maintained their lead, with Danny LaRocque closing out the game, ensuring a 7-1 win for the Seraphs.

The winning pitcher is... Barbu Nica... his record improves to... 1-0... Danny LaRocque gets the save... His first. Stephen Grimes gets the loss... His record falls to 1-2



The player of the game is Firebirds long-man Ricardo Figueroa.

The paid attendance was 23,548 faithful.

To recap...
The Phoenix Firebirds got a superb performance from pitcher Ricardo Figueroa, but the San Diego Seraphs still won the game, 7-1. Figueroa came in in relief and pitched to 19 batters. Barbu Nica, the winning pitcher, improved to 1-oh. He pitched 5 and a third innings, giving up 3 hits and 1 run, while striking out 4 and walking 5. Phoenix falls to 8-12. Who knows how it might've ended, had it not been for Dante Ramos? The San Diego second baseman had a run-scoring single in the top of the first inning to put the Seraphs on top, 1 nothing. For the game, Ramos had 1 double and 1 single in 4 at-bats. Ramos attributed the win to his team's "focus and intensity." San Diego improves to 7-13.

This is Big Earl signing off from Phoenix Grounds. Where today's final score is...

San Diego Seraphs 7 – Phoenix Firebirds 1..

Until next time... This is the Game!



WIN!!


Note: The Minneapolis at Chicago game was postponed due to weather and will be replayed on April 28, 1981 as part of a doubleheader.


Real. Fictional. ⚾.

================================================== ================================================== ==========
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|

April 27, 1981 | Rocketeers Field | Denver, CO
Seattle Comets vs. Denver Rocketeers


Watch it on ABL Vision


Let’s meet our teams:
The Seattle Comets, part of the American Baseball Conference's Western Division, have had a fluctuating start to the 1981 season with a 9-10 record, placing them in third within their division. This start mirrors their previous season's struggles, with their current ERA at 4.72, a notable increase from last year's 3.66. Key players such as Rene Oregon, who holds a 4-0 record with a 3.45 ERA, and Tony Miller, with a 3.60 ERA, have shown promise on the mound. However, other pitchers like Ricardo Sanchez and Antonio Romo have struggled significantly, contributing to the team's inconsistency. Offensively, standout performers include Alex Bautista, boasting a .367 batting average and a 1.058 OPS, and David Olguin, who not only performs well at bat but also excels in baserunning with 7 stolen bases. Despite these individual successes, the team as a whole has a middling offensive performance with a .257 batting average and a .373 slugging percentage, highlighting the need for more impactful hitting.

Defensively, the Comets have faced challenges, with a negative Zone Rating of -2.54 and a Defensive Efficiency of 0.67, indicating weaknesses that have cost them in tight games. The team has committed 13 errors, which, coupled with a conservative baserunning approach reflected in their modest 62.5% stolen base percentage, further hampers their overall performance. Financially, the team operates with a substantial payroll of $6.59 million and a budget of $12.3 million, suggesting they have the resources for potential mid-season improvements. However, declining fan interest, now at a decade-low of 81, poses a significant challenge for sustaining revenue and morale. The Comets' current trajectory suggests a need for strategic adjustments to enhance both their pitching and offensive capabilities if they hope to climb the standings and make a serious postseason push.

The Denver Rocketeers, part of the American Baseball Conference's Western Division, have had a mixed start to their 1981 season with an 11-8 record. This performance has them positioned in the middle of their division, with a strong 7-3 home record contrasted by a 4-5 away record. Their overall run differential is +2, which highlights their competitive nature but also underscores areas needing improvement. Key players like Dave DiAngelo and John Wolfe lead the pitching staff with respectable ERAs of 3.14 and 3.60, respectively. However, Damian Serano's 5.40 ERA indicates some vulnerability in their rotation. Offensively, Boboy Nierva and Xavier Little are standouts, boasting impressive on-base percentages and contributing significantly to the team's .278 batting average. Nierva's leadership at age 39, combined with the youthful energy of players like Little, provides a balanced attack.

Defensively and on the base paths, the Rocketeers have shown both strengths and weaknesses. Jesus Lago and Xavier Little are key defensive players, while base stealers like Nierva and Manuel Payan maintain perfect steal rates. Despite these individual successes, the team struggles with consistency, particularly in their pitching depth, highlighted by three key pitchers on the injured list. Financially, the Rocketeers are stable, with a payroll just over $7 million and significant fan support reflected in their 89% stadium fill rate. The front office, led by owner Ken Ellinger and GM Kevin Bradley, is known for its strategic approach, balancing financial prudence with on-field competitiveness. As the season progresses, the Rocketeers will need to address their pitching inconsistencies and leverage their offensive potential to make a serious playoff push.


Denver Rocketeers lead the series 100 - 98 | season series tied 0-0


Key players

Milestones:

SEA – None
DEN – None

All-Star Caliber:

Blue players:
SEA - None
DEN - CF Xavier Little #9 | Age: 23 | Bats: L | Throws: R


Green players:
SEA - None


DEN - LF Boboy Nierva #1 | Age: 39 | Bats: L | Throws: L
RF Jesus Lago #27 | Age: 24 | Bats: R | Throws: R




The Game:
Welcome baseball fans to Denver, Colorado, home of the Denver Rocketeers. Today’s featured contest pits the home team against the Seattle Comets of Seattle, Washington, who are striving to improve their standings in the ABC Western Division. Both teams have had a mixed start to the season, with the Rocketeers holding an 11-8 record and the Comets trailing at 9-10. The Rocketeers are looking to capitalize on their solid home performances and positive run differential, while the Comets aim to turn around their season by leveraging their pitching strength and improving their offensive output.

According to early season predictions, both teams are eager for wins and determined to climb the division ranks. The Rocketeers, with a 29.9% playoff probability, seek to maintain their momentum and capitalize on their recent successes. Meanwhile, the Comets, facing a 7.7% chance of making the playoffs, are eager to improve their consistency and gain traction in the division. This matchup promises to be a thrilling contest between two teams with much to prove, as they strive for long-term success this season.

Today’s pitching matchup is RHP Tony Miller #35 [0-2 3.60] for Seattle and for the Rocketeers RHP Dave DiAngelo #18 [1-1 3.14].


Hello, ABL fans, Big Earl here... coming to you live ... and in color from Denver CO...! Welcome to Rocketeers Field...! It's Weekday Series 4! Today we're witnessing an ABC Western Division matchup between... David Olguin and the Seattle Comets... versus... Xavier Little and the Denver Rocketeers... This is Game One of a Four-Game Series

Attention! ... Attention please! ... ... Have your pencil ... and scorecards ready ... and I'll give you... the correct lineups ... for today's ball game.

First, for the visiting Seattle Comets... Managed by William Ross... Batting first... playing right field... #66... David Olguin... Batting second... playing left field... #2... Pedro Medina... Batting third... The designated hitter... #29... Carlos Merlos... Batting clean-up... playing third base... #37... Do-hyun Hu... Batting fifth... playing first base... #34... Kevin Fink... Batting sixth... playing center field... #58... Alex Bautista... Batting seventh... the catcher... #5... Luis Otero... Batting eighth... playing second base... #17... Kevin Richardson... Batting ninth... the shortstop... #7... Luis Rodriguez... The starting pitcher... for the Seattle Comets... Right hander ... #35... Tony Miller...

And now here is the starting lineup for the home-standing Denver Rocketeers... Managed by Greg Asche... Batting first... playing center field... #9... Xavier Little... Batting second... The designated hitter... #15... Jesus Arras... Batting third... playing first base... #21... Jonathan Stevens... Batting clean-up... playing right field... #27... Jesus Lago... Batting fifth... playing left field... #2... Oliver Rosa... Batting sixth... the shortstop... #4... Jorge Cuellar... Batting seventh... the catcher... #25... Tony Bautista... Batting eighth... playing third base... #97... Bobby Scott... Batting ninth... playing second base... #11... Juan Martinez... The starting pitcher ... for the Denver Rocketeers... Right hander ... #18... Dave DiAngelo...

We are about to get underway here at Rocketeers Field... Today's attendance looks pretty close to 25,000 fans... It's partly cloudy and a crisp 52 degrees at first pitch ... with the wind blowing out to left at 10 mph ...


Play Ball!!

⚾

ABL
SEATTLE COMETS @ DENVER ROCKETEERS
04/27/1981 Game 1 of 4
=================================================
BOTTOM OF THE 1ST


Denver Rocketeers batting - Pitching for Seattle Comets : RHP Tony Miller

Pitching: RHP Tony Miller

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: LHB Xavier Little
0-0: DOUBLE (Groundball, 5L, EV 95.6 MPH)

No Outs, Runner on 2nd
Batting: RHB Jesus Arras
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
Wild Pitch!
Xavier Little to third

No Outs, Runner on 3rd
1-1: Fly out, F9 (Flyball, 9D, EV 86.9 MPH)
Runner from 3rd tags up, SCORES, no throw by RF

Comets 0, Rocketeers 1

1 Out, Bases empty
Batting: SHB Jonathan Stevens
0-0: Ball
1-0: Swinging Strike
1-1: Called Strike
1-2: Foul Ball, location: 25FF
1-2: Ball
2-2: Foul Ball, location: 7LDF
2-2: Ground out 4-3 (Groundball, 4, EV 103.1 MPH)

2 Outs, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Jesus Lago
0-0: Swinging Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ball
2-1: Called Strike
2-2: Foul Ball, location: 5F
2-2: Foul Ball, location: 2F
2-2: Ground out 5-3 (Groundball, 5, EV 90.6 MPH)


Bottom of the 1st over - 1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on base; Seattle 0 - Denver 1
=================================================
BOTTOM OF THE 2ND


Denver Rocketeers batting - Pitching for Seattle Comets : RHP Tony Miller

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Oliver Rosa
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Fly out, F8 (Flyball, 8LD, EV 103.1 MPH)

1 Out, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Jorge Cuellar
0-0: Ball
1-0: Swinging Strike
1-1: SINGLE (Line Drive, 9S, EV 95.0 MPH)

1 Out, Runner on 1st
Batting: RHB Tony Bautista
0-0: Ball
Passed Ball!
Jorge Cuellar to second

1 Out, Runner on 2nd
1-0: DOUBLE (Flyball, 78XD, EV 93.1 MPH)
Jorge Cuellar scores

Comets 0, Rocketeers 2

1 Out, Runner on 2nd
Batting: RHB Bobby Scott
0-0: Foul Ball, location: 25F
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ball
2-1: Single, Error in OF, E9, batter to second base (Line Drive, 34D, EV 98.1 MPH)
Tony Bautista scores

Comets 0, Rocketeers 3

1 Out, Runner on 2nd
Batting: LHB Juan Martinez
0-0: Ball
1-0: Foul Ball, location: 23F
1-1: Fly out, F9 (Flyball, 9S, EV 91.9 MPH)

2 Outs, Runner on 2nd
Batting: LHB Xavier Little
0-0: Ball
1-0: SINGLE (Line Drive, 78S, EV 105.0 MPH)
Bobby Scott to third
Runner from 3rd tries for Home, SAFE, throw by LF to home

Comets 0, Rocketeers 4

2 Outs, Runner on 1st
Batting: RHB Jesus Arras
0-0: Ball
1-0: Fly out, F8 (Flyball, 8RXD, EV 108.1 MPH)


Bottom of the 2nd over - 3 runs, 4 hits, 1 error, 1 left on base; Seattle 0 - Denver 4
=================================================
TOP OF THE 3RD


Seattle Comets batting - Pitching for Denver Rocketeers : RHP Dave DiAngelo

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Luis Otero
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Called Strike
2-1: DOUBLE (Flyball, 78D, EV 108.1 MPH)

No Outs, Runner on 2nd
Batting: RHB Kevin Richardson
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ground out 4-3 (Groundball, 4MD, EV 106.3 MPH)
Luis Otero to third

1 Out, Runner on 3rd
Batting: RHB Luis Rodriguez
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ground out 5-3 (Groundball, 56S, EV 64.4 MPH)
Luis Otero scores

Comets 1, Rocketeers 4

2 Outs, Bases empty
Batting: LHB David Olguin
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Foul Ball, location: 7LMF
1-2: Strikes out swinging, 2-3 out at first.


Top of the 3rd over - 1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on base; Seattle 1 - Denver 4
=================================================
TOP OF THE 4TH


Seattle Comets batting - Pitching for Denver Rocketeers : RHP Dave DiAngelo

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Pedro Medina
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: SINGLE (Line Drive, 5D, EV 95.6 MPH)

No Outs, Runner on 1st
Batting: LHB Carlos Merlos
0-0: Called Strike
Pedro Medina is caught stealing 2nd base 2-6

1 Out, Bases empty
0-1: Ball
1-1: SOLO HOME RUN (Flyball, 89XD, EV 113.1 MPH), Distance : 458 ft

Comets 2, Rocketeers 4

1 Out, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Do-hyun Hu
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ground out 4-3 (Groundball, 4S, EV 71.9 MPH)

2 Outs, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Kevin Fink
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Fly out, F8 (Flyball, 8RXD, EV 89.4 MPH)


Top of the 4th over - 1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on base; Seattle 2 - Denver 4
=================================================
BOTTOM OF THE 4TH


Denver Rocketeers batting - Pitching for Seattle Comets : RHP Tony Miller

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Bobby Scott
0-0: SINGLE (Groundball, 4MD, EV 103.1 MPH)

No Outs, Runner on 1st
Batting: LHB Juan Martinez
0-0: DOUBLE (Flyball, 78XD, EV 98.1 MPH)
Bobby Scott to third

No Outs, Runners on 2nd & 3rd
Batting: LHB Xavier Little
0-0: Fly out, F7 (Flyball, 7, EV 88.8 MPH)
Runner from 3rd tags up, SCORES, throw by LF

Comets 2, Rocketeers 5

1 Out, Runner on 2nd
Batting: RHB Jesus Arras
0-0: Ball
1-0: Called Strike
1-1: Ball
2-1: Foul Ball, location: 5FF
2-2: 2-RUN HOME RUN (Flyball, 78XD, EV 110.6 MPH), Distance : 398 ft

Comets 2, Rocketeers 7

1 Out, Bases empty
Batting: SHB Jonathan Stevens
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ground out U3 (Groundball, 34S, EV 65.6 MPH)

2 Outs, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Jesus Lago
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Ball
3-0: Called Strike
3-1: Base on Balls

Comets manager William Ross is taking the long walk to the mound... He's asking Miller for the ball... Pitching change...

Pitching: RHP Jose Trujillo

2 Outs, Runner on 1st
Batting: RHB Oliver Rosa
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Fly out, F9 (Flyball, 9D, EV 103.1 MPH)


Bottom of the 4th over - 3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on base; Seattle 2 - Denver 7
=================================================
TOP OF THE 5TH


Seattle Comets batting - Pitching for Denver Rocketeers : RHP Dave DiAngelo

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Alex Bautista
0-0: DOUBLE (Groundball, 5L, EV 103.8 MPH)

No Outs, Runner on 2nd
Batting: RHB Luis Otero
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
Alex Bautista steals 3rd base

No Outs, Runner on 3rd
1-1: Ball
2-1: SINGLE (Line Drive, 56D, EV 100.0 MPH)
Alex Bautista scores

Comets 3, Rocketeers 7

No Outs, Runner on 1st
Batting: RHB Kevin Richardson
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Called Strike
0-2: Foul Ball, location: 5FF
0-2: Ball
1-2: SINGLE (Line Drive, 7S, EV 98.8 MPH)
Luis Otero to second

No Outs, Runners on 1st & 2nd
Batting: RHB Luis Rodriguez
0-0: Foul Ball, location: 5FF
0-1: Ball
1-1: Foul Ball, location: 2F
1-2: Ball
2-2: Foul Ball, location: 9LSF
2-2: Fly out, F4 (Popup, 3D, EV 50.6 MPH)

1 Out, Runners on 1st & 2nd
Batting: LHB David Olguin 0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Fly out, F8 (Line Drive, 78M, EV 94.4 MPH)

2 Outs, Runners on 1st & 2nd
Batting: RHB Pedro Medina
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Foul Ball, location: 9LSF
0-2: Foul Ball, location: 2F
0-2: Ball
1-2: Foul Ball, location: 9LDF
1-2: Ball
2-2: Ball
3-2: Ground out U3 (Groundball, 3L, EV 101.9 MPH)


Top of the 5th over - 1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on base; Seattle 3 - Denver 7
=================================================
TOP OF THE 6TH


Seattle Comets batting - Pitching for Denver Rocketeers : RHP Dave DiAngelo

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: LHB Carlos Merlos
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ball
2-1: Fly out, F8 (Line Drive, 78M, EV 98.8 MPH)

1 Out, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Do-hyun Hu
0-0: Ball
1-0: Called Strike
1-1: SINGLE (Line Drive, 6MD, EV 99.4 MPH)

1 Out, Runner on 1st
Batting: RHB Kevin Fink
0-0: Ball
1-0: DOUBLE (Flyball, 8LXD, EV 111.3 MPH)
Do-hyun Hu to third

1 Out, Runners on 2nd & 3rd
Batting: RHB Alex Bautista
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ball
2-1: SINGLE (Line Drive, 4M, EV 103.8 MPH)
Do-hyun Hu scores
Kevin Fink to third

Comets 4, Rocketeers 7

1 Out, Runners on 1st & 3rd
Batting: RHB Luis Otero
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ball
2-1: Ball
3-1: DOUBLE (Line Drive, 7LM, EV 105.6 MPH)
Kevin Fink scores
Alex Bautista to third

Comets 5, Rocketeers 7

Here comes Denver manager Greg Asche... There's going to be a pitching change...

Pitching: RHP Miguel Lontok

1 Out, Runners on 2nd & 3rd
Batting: RHB Kevin Richardson
0-0: Ball
1-0: DOUBLE (Line Drive, 3D, EV 95.6 MPH)
Alex Bautista scores
Luis Otero scores

Comets 7, Rocketeers 7

1 Out, Runner on 2nd
Pinch Hitting: RHB Bobby Aparicio
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: SINGLE (Groundball, 4S, EV 66.3 MPH) (infield hit)
Kevin Richardson to third

1 Out, Runners on 1st & 3rd
Batting: LHB David Olguin
0-0: Ball
1-0: Called Strike
1-1: Called Strike
1-2: Fly out, F9 (Flyball, 9S, EV 76.9 MPH)

2 Outs, Runners on 1st & 3rd
Batting: RHB Pedro Medina
0-0: Ball
1-0: Swinging Strike
1-1: SINGLE (Groundball, 6D, EV 96.9 MPH)
Kevin Richardson scores
Bobby Aparicio to second
Runner from 2nd tries for 3rd, SAFE, throw by CF made to third
Pedro Medina to second

Comets 8, Rocketeers 7

2 Outs, Runners on 2nd & 3rd
Batting: LHB Carlos Merlos
0-0: Foul Ball, location: 2F
0-1: Ground out 4-3 (Groundball, 34D, EV 105.6 MPH)


Top of the 6th over - 5 runs, 7 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on base; Seattle 8 - Denver 7
=================================================
TOP OF THE 9TH

Seattle Comets batting - Pitching for Denver Rocketeers : LHP Alfonso Herrera

New pitcher for the Rocketeers...
Pitching: RHP Michael Castillo

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: LHB Carlos Merlos
0-0: Foul Ball, location: 2F
0-1: SINGLE (Flyball, 3D, EV 93.8 MPH)

No Outs, Runner on 1st
Batting: RHB Do-hyun Hu
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
Carlos Merlos steals 2nd base

No Outs, Runner on 2nd
2-0: Ball
Carlos Merlos steals 3rd base

No Outs, Runner on 3rd
3-0: Base on Balls

No Outs, Runners on 1st & 3rd
Batting: RHB Kevin Fink
0-0: Ball
1-0: Called Strike
Do-hyun Hu steals 2nd base

No Outs, Runners on 2nd & 3rd
1-1: Ball
2-1: Foul Ball, location: 2F
2-2: Ball
3-2: Foul Ball, location: 25FF
3-2: Foul Ball, location: 5DF
3-2: Base on Balls

No Outs, Bases loaded
Batting: RHB Alex Bautista
0-0: Ball
1-0: Called Strike
1-1: Ball
2-1: Ball
3-1: Grounds into fielders choice 3-2 (Groundball, 34S, EV 72.5 MPH)
Do-hyun Hu to third
Kevin Fink to second

1 Out, Bases loaded
Batting: RHB Luis Otero
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Swinging Strike
2-1: SINGLE (Groundball, 34D, EV 103.1 MPH)
Do-hyun Hu scores
Kevin Fink to third
Alex Bautista to second

Comets 9, Rocketeers 7

1 Out, Bases loaded
Batting: RHB Kevin Richardson
0-0: Ball
1-0: Fly out, F9 (Flyball, 9LM, EV 85.6 MPH)
Runner from 3rd tags up, SCORES, no throw by RF
Alex Bautista to third

Comets 10, Rocketeers 7

2 Outs, Runners on 1st & 3rd
Batting: RHB Billy Mendoza
0-0: Ball
1-0: Swinging Strike
1-1: SINGLE (Groundball, 5D, EV 107.5 MPH)
Alex Bautista scores
Luis Otero to second

Comets 11, Rocketeers 7

2 Outs, Runners on 1st & 2nd
Batting: LHB David Olguin
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Swinging Strike
0-2: Ball
1-2: Strikes out swinging


Top of the 9th over - 3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on base; Seattle 11 - Denver 7

=================================================


Well, there you have it... Let's take a look at the totals for the game. First for the victorious Seattle Comets, 11 runs, on 16 hits, One error, they left 8 men on base. They improve their record to 10-10. for the Denver Rocketeers, 7 runs, on 12 hits, No errors, they left 7 men on base. They fall to 11-9.

The Seattle Comets faced the Denver Rocketeers, in a game marked by significant scoring bursts and strong pitching performances. Denver took an early lead in the first inning when Xavier Little doubled and scored on a sacrifice fly by Jesus Arras. They extended their lead in the second inning, scoring three runs thanks to hits by Jorge Cuellar, Tony Bautista, and Bobby Scott, coupled with a fielding error by Seattle. The Rocketeers added another three runs in the fourth inning, including a two-run homer by Jesus Arras, bringing the score to 7-2 in favor of Denver by the end of the fourth inning.

Seattle responded with a comeback, starting in the third inning with Luis Otero's run, followed by Carlos Merlos' solo home run in the fourth. The Comets had a massive sixth inning, scoring five runs on seven hits, including doubles by Kevin Fink, Luis Otero, and Kevin Richardson. This put Seattle ahead 8-7. They solidified their lead in the ninth inning, adding three more runs through clutch hits by Luis Otero and Billy Mendoza. Denver failed to score after the fourth inning, with Seattle's pitchers Jose Trujillo and Jesse Street effectively shutting down the Rocketeers' offense. The game concluded with a score of 11-7 in favor of the Seattle Comets.

The winning pitcher is... Jose Trujillo... his record improves to... 1-1... Miguel Lontok gets the loss... His record falls to 0-1... He also received a Blown Save... His first of the season.



The player of the game is Comets Catcher Luis Otero.

The paid attendance was 24,545 faithful.

To recap...
Luis Otero was instrumental in his team's 11-7 triumph over the Denver Rocketeers. The catcher went 4 for 4 with 2 doubles, 2 singles, and a walk, while scoring 2 and driving in 3 for the Seattle Comets. The loss has the Rocketeers at 11-9. Seattle took control in the top of the sixth. With two out and runners on 1st and 3rd, Pedro Medina hit a run-scoring single to make it 8-7, Comets. "Getting a lot of baserunners and getting some timely hits, it's a good combination," said Otero. Seattle improves to 500 at 10-10.

This is Big Earl signing off from Rocketeers Field in Denver. Where today's final score is...

Seattle Comets 11 – Denver Rocketeers 7..

Until next time... This is the Game!



WIN!!


Note: The Minneapolis at Chicago game was postponed due to weather and will be replayed on April 28, 1981 as part of a doubleheader.


Real. Fictional. ⚾.

================================================== ================================================== ==========
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April 27, 1981 | Gamblers Park | Las Vegas, NV
Portland Lumberjacks vs. Las Vegas Gamblers


Watch it on ABL Vision


Let’s meet our teams:
The Portland Lumberjacks are currently struggling in the American Baseball Conference's Western Division, with a disappointing 6-13 record to start the 1981 season. This underperformance is reflected in their woeful -37 run differential and a team ERA of 5.88, indicating significant pitching issues. The team's offense isn't faring much better, with a batting average of .248 and an OPS of .694. Key hitters like Lance Gregg and Jeremy Campbell show potential, but the lineup overall lacks the consistency and power needed to compete effectively. Injuries have compounded these problems, with four players currently on the disabled list, further straining the team's depth and performance.

Financially, the Lumberjacks are on shaky ground. Despite a decent fan interest rise to 92% stadium fill rate, the revenue isn't translating into significant financial health, with a tight payroll reflecting the constraints faced by the management. Owner Ben Criswell's penny-pinching approach and the team’s low revenue limit their ability to make impactful player acquisitions. The front office and coaching staff, led by GM Ben Hayter and hitting coach Chris Hamilton, are doing their best with the resources available, but the lack of financial flexibility is a significant hurdle. The Lumberjacks' history in the Grand Tournament of Champions has been underwhelming, with four appearances but no significant success. This season looks to be another challenging one unless they can address their pitching woes and capitalize on their offensive opportunities​​.

The Las Vegas Gamblers have started the 1981 season on a high note with a strong 14-5 record, showcasing their dominance in the American Baseball Conference's Western Division. Their impressive .737 winning percentage is bolstered by a formidable run differential of +31, highlighting their balanced prowess in both scoring and defense. The team's pitching staff has been stellar, with an ERA of 2.90, reflecting their ability to limit opponent runs effectively. Key players like Bobby Rodriguez and Oscar Herrera are anchoring the rotation with sub-3 ERAs, making the Gamblers a formidable force on the mound. Offensively, the team boasts a .279 batting average and a .362 on-base percentage, driven by standout performances from Jon Martinez and David Avila. Martinez, with a .359 average and a .426 OBP, leads the charge, while Avila's combination of speed and hitting prowess adds depth to the lineup​​.

Financially, the Gamblers are in a solid position with a payroll of $5.4 million against a budget of $6.5 million. Fan interest is at a high, with a stadium fill rate of 94% and rising enthusiasm reflected in their fan interest score of 61. This robust support translates into a stable revenue stream, enabling potential mid-season acquisitions. Despite their relatively small market size, the Gamblers' strategic roster management and efficient front office operations have positioned them well for a deep playoff run. Their advanced metrics, including a Batter WAR of 3.61 and a Pitcher WAR of 2.97, further emphasize the team's all-around strength. As they continue their strong start, the Gamblers are poised to be serious contenders in the Grand Tournament of Champions, blending veteran experience with youthful exuberance to maintain their competitive edge​​.


Las Vegas Gamblers lead the series 100 - 98 | season series tied 0-0


Key players

Milestones:

POR – None
LV – None

All-Star Caliber:

Blue players:
POR - None
LV - None


Green players:
POR - None

LV - SP Bobby Rodriguez #5 | Age: 26 | Bats: L | Throws: R





The Game:
Welcome baseball fans to Las Vegas, Nevada, home of the Las Vegas Gamblers. Today’s featured contest pits the home team against the Portland Lumberjacks of Portland, Oregon, who are striving to improve their standings in the ABC Western Division. The Gamblers have had an impressive start to the season, holding a 14-5 record, while the Lumberjacks are struggling at 6-13. Las Vegas is looking to build on their strong performances and solid run differential, while Portland aims to turn their season around by addressing their defensive woes and capitalizing on clutch opportunities.

According to early season predictions, both teams are eager for wins and determined to climb the division ranks. The Gamblers, with an impressive 88.6% playoff probability, seek to maintain their momentum and capitalize on their recent successes. Meanwhile, the Lumberjacks, facing a 2.6% chance of making the playoffs, are eager to improve their consistency and gain traction in the division. This matchup promises to be a thrilling contest between two teams with much to prove, as they strive for long-term success this season.

Today’s pitching matchup is LHP Adam Strate #25 [1-2 5.19] for Portland and for the Gamblers RHP Oscar Herrera #33 [4-0 3.19].


Hello, ABL fans, Big Earl here... coming to you live ... and in color from Las Vegas NV...! Welcome to Gamblers Park...! It's Weekday Series 4! Today we're witnessing an ABC Western Division matchup between... Home run King, Jeremy Campbell and the Portland Lumberjacks... versus... Mike Rabel and the Las Vegas Gamblers... This is Game One of a Four-Game Series

Attention! ... Attention please! ... ... Have your pencil ... and scorecards ready ... and I'll give you... the correct lineups ... for today's ball game.

First, for the visiting Portland Lumberjacks... Managed by Tim Staheli... Batting first... The designated hitter... #22... Mike Hargett... Batting second... playing second base... #1... Jesus Gago... Batting third... playing left field... #38... Nukie Frondarina... Batting clean-up... playing center field... #16... Jeremy Campbell... Batting fifth... the shortstop... #28... Lance Gregg... Batting sixth... playing first base... #14... David de Leon... Batting seventh... playing right field... #63... Shigeo Oshima... Batting eighth... playing third base... #3... Roberto Marquez... Batting ninth... the catcher... #2... Renault Buso... The starting pitcher... for the Portland Lumberjacks... Left hander... #25... Adam Strate...

And now here is the starting lineup for the home-standing Las Vegas Gamblers... Managed by Matt Petrie... Batting first... playing right field... #29... Charles Crane... Batting second... playing center field... #4... Mario Smithson... Batting third... The designated hitter... #6... Mike Rabel... Batting clean-up... playing first base... #15... Eddie Rodriguez... Batting fifth... playing third base... #11... Jeff Smith... Batting sixth... the catcher... #19... Jon Dominguez... Batting seventh... playing left field... #34... Jose Charon... Batting eighth... playing second base... #42... David Avila... Batting ninth... the shortstop... #31... Danny Herrera... The starting pitcher ... for the Las Vegas Gamblers... Right hander ... #33... Oscar Herrera...

We are about to get underway here at Gamblers Park... Today's attendance looks like around... maybe... 19,000 fans... It's clear skies and 70 degrees at first pitch... with the wind blowing out to center at 10 mph...

Play Ball!!

⚾

ABL
PORTLAND LUMBERJACKS @ LAS VEGAS GAMBLERS
04/27/1981 Game 1 of 4
=================================================
BOTTOM OF THE 1ST

Las Vegas Gamblers batting - Pitching for Portland Lumberjacks : LHP Adam Strate

Pitching: LHP Adam Strate

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Charles Crane
0-0: Swinging Strike
0-1: Swinging Strike
0-2: Ball
1-2: Ball
2-2: SINGLE (Groundball, 6MS, EV 74.4 MPH) (infield hit)

No Outs, Runner on 1st
Batting: RHB Mario Smithson
0-0: TRIPLE (Line Drive, 89XD, EV 106.9 MPH)
Charles Crane scores

Lumberjacks 0, Gamblers 1

No Outs, Runner on 3rd
Batting: RHB Mike Rabel
0-0: Swinging Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ball
2-1: SINGLE (Line Drive, 8RS, EV 95.6 MPH)
Mario Smithson scores

Lumberjacks 0, Gamblers 2

No Outs, Runner on 1st
Batting: RHB Eddie Rodriguez
0-0: Ball
1-0: Called Strike
1-1: Foul Ball, location: 9LMF
1-2: Ball
2-2: SINGLE (Line Drive, 4D, EV 99.4 MPH)
Mike Rabel to second

No Outs, Runners on 1st & 2nd
Batting: RHB Jeff Smith
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Called Strike
2-1: Foul Ball, location: 23F
2-2: Strikes out swinging

1 Out, Runners on 1st & 2nd
Batting: LHB Jon Dominguez
0-0: Foul Ball, location: 2F
0-1: Foul Ball, location: 2F
0-2: Ball
1-2: Strikes out swinging

2 Outs, Runners on 1st & 2nd
Batting: RHB Jose Charon
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Ball
3-0: Called Strike
3-1: Fly out, F7 (Line Drive, 78M, EV 98.8 MPH)


Bottom of the 1st over - 2 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on base; Portland 0 - Las Vegas 2
=================================================
BOTTOM OF THE 2ND

Las Vegas Gamblers batting - Pitching for Portland Lumberjacks : LHP Adam Strate

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: RHB David Avila
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Foul Ball, location: 3F
0-2: Strikes out swinging, 2-3 out at first.

1 Out, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Danny Herrera
0-0: Ground out 6-3 (Groundball, 6, EV 84.4 MPH)

2 Outs, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Charles Crane
0-0: Swinging Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ball
2-1: Ball
3-1: Base on Balls

2 Outs, Runner on 1st
Batting: RHB Mario Smithson
0-0: Called Strike
Charles Crane steals 2nd base

2 Outs, Runner on 2nd
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ball
2-1: Ball
3-1: Base on Balls

2 Outs, Runners on 1st & 2nd
Batting: RHB Mike Rabel
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Ball
3-0: SINGLE (Groundball, 6D, EV 96.9 MPH)
Charles Crane to third
Mario Smithson to second
Runner from 3rd tries for Home, SAFE, throw by CF to home
Mario Smithson to third
Mike Rabel to second

Lumberjacks 0, Gamblers 3

2 Outs, Runners on 2nd & 3rd
Batting: RHB Eddie Rodriguez
0-0: Ball
1-0: Called Strike
1-1: Ball
2-1: Foul Ball, location: 2F
2-2: Strikes out swinging


Bottom of the 2nd over - 1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on base; Portland 0 - Las Vegas 3
=================================================
BOTTOM OF THE 3RD

Las Vegas Gamblers batting - Pitching for Portland Lumberjacks : LHP Adam Strate

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Jeff Smith
0-0: Ball
1-0: Foul Ball, location: 3FF
1-1: Called Strike
1-2: Ball
2-2: SINGLE (Line Drive, 78M, EV 100.0 MPH)

No Outs, Runner on 1st
Batting: LHB Jon Dominguez
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Foul Ball, location: 2F
1-2: Fly out, F7 (Line Drive, 7S, EV 92.5 MPH)

1 Out, Runner on 1st
Batting: RHB Jose Charon
0-0: Foul Ball, location: 5F
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ball
2-1: Called Strike
2-2: Ball
3-2: Base on Balls
Jeff Smith to second

1 Out, Runners on 1st & 2nd
Batting: RHB David Avila
0-0: Swinging Strike
0-1: Called Strike
0-2: Ball
1-2: Fly out, F3 (Popup, 3S, EV 72.5 MPH)

2 Outs, Runners on 1st & 2nd
Batting: RHB Danny Herrera
0-0: Ball
1-0: Foul Ball, location: 9LMF
1-1: SINGLE (Groundball, 6MD, EV 98.1 MPH)
Jeff Smith to third
Jose Charon to second
Runner from 3rd tries for Home, SAFE, throw by CF to home
Jose Charon to third
Danny Herrera to second

Lumberjacks 0, Gamblers 4

2 Outs, Runners on 2nd & 3rd
Batting: RHB Charles Crane
0-0: Foul Ball, location: 25F
0-1: Swinging Strike
0-2: SINGLE (Groundball, 56D, EV 105.0 MPH)
Jose Charon scores
Danny Herrera to third
Runner from 3rd tries for Home, SAFE, throw by LF to home
Charles Crane to second

Lumberjacks 0, Gamblers 6

'Jacks manager Tim Staheli is taking the long walk to the mound...
He's seen enough...
Pitching: RHP Adrian Walrod

2 Outs, Runner on 2nd
Batting: RHB Mario Smithson
0-0: Ball
1-0: Called Strike
1-1: Ball
2-1: Ball
3-1: Fly out, F8 (Flyball, 8RM, EV 98.1 MPH)


Bottom of the 3rd over - 3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on base; Portland 0 - Las Vegas 6
=================================================
BOTTOM OF THE 6TH

Las Vegas Gamblers batting - Pitching for Portland Lumberjacks : RHP Adrian Walrod

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Charles Crane
0-0: Ball
1-0: Swinging Strike
1-1: Foul Ball, location: 9LSF
1-2: Ball
2-2: SINGLE (Line Drive, 7S, EV 101.3 MPH)

No Outs, Runner on 1st
Batting: RHB Mario Smithson
0-0: Ball
1-0: Called Strike
1-1: Ball
2-1: Ball
3-1: Fly out, F3 (Popup, 34S, EV 73.1 MPH)

1 Out, Runner on 1st
Batting: RHB Mike Rabel
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: DOUBLE (Flyball, 89D, EV 90.6 MPH)
Charles Crane to third
Runner from 3rd tries for Home, SAFE, throw by CF to trailing runner, SAFE at third!

Lumberjacks 0, Gamblers 7

1 Out, Runner on 3rd
Batting: RHB Eddie Rodriguez
0-0: Ball
1-0: Swinging Strike
1-1: Foul Ball, location: 3F
1-2: SINGLE (Line Drive, 7S, EV 107.5 MPH)
Mike Rabel scores

Lumberjacks 0, Gamblers 8

1 Out, Runner on 1st
Batting: RHB Jeff Smith
0-0: Ball
1-0: Foul Ball, location: 9LDF
1-1: Called Strike
Eddie Rodriguez steals 2nd base

1 Out, Runner on 2nd
1-2: SINGLE (Line Drive, 34D, EV 96.9 MPH)
Eddie Rodriguez to third

1 Out, Runners on 1st & 3rd
Batting: LHB Jon Dominguez
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Fly out, F8 (Line Drive, 8RM, EV 93.8 MPH)
Runner from 3rd tags up, SCORES, no throw by CF

Lumberjacks 0, Gamblers 9

2 Outs, Runner on 1st
Batting: RHB Jose Charon
0-0: Ball
1-0: Fly out, F6 (Popup, 6M, EV 74.4 MPH)


Bottom of the 6th over - 3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on base; Portland 0 - Las Vegas 9
=================================================
BOTTOM OF THE 8TH

Las Vegas Gamblers batting - Pitching for Portland Lumberjacks : RHP Juan White

Now at 2B: Lance Gregg
Now at SS: Reomel Bernardo

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Mike Rabel
0-0: Swinging Strike
0-1: Called Strike
0-2: Ball
1-2: SOLO HOME RUN (Flyball, 78XD, EV 108.8 MPH), Distance : 436 ft

Lumberjacks 0, Gamblers 10

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Eddie Rodriguez
0-0: Ball
1-0: Hit by Pitch

No Outs, Runner on 1st
Batting: RHB Jeff Smith
0-0: Foul Ball, location: 3F
0-1: Called Strike
0-2: Grounds into double play, 6-4-3 (Groundball, 6S, EV 88.1 MPH)

2 Outs, Bases empty
Batting: LHB Jon Dominguez
0-0: Ball
1-0: Foul Ball, location: 2F
1-1: DOUBLE (Line Drive, 5D, EV 110.6 MPH)

2 Outs, Runner on 2nd
Batting: RHB Jose Charon
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Called Strike
2-1: Ball
3-1: Base on Balls

2 Outs, Runners on 1st & 2nd
Batting: RHB David Avila
0-0: Fly out, F8 (Flyball, 8RS, EV 81.9 MPH)


Bottom of the 8th over - 1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on base; Portland 0 - Las Vegas 10
=================================================
TOP OF THE 9TH

Portland Lumberjacks batting - Pitching for Las Vegas Gamblers : RHP Oscar Herrera

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Lance Gregg
0-0: Swinging Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Foul Ball, location: 2F
1-2: Ground out 6-3 (Groundball, 6, EV 87.5 MPH)

1 Out, Bases empty
Batting: RHB David de Leon
0-0: Ball
1-0: Foul Ball, location: 9LDF
1-1: SINGLE (Groundball, 6S, EV 65.6 MPH) (infield hit)

1 Out, Runner on 1st
Batting: RHB Shigeo Oshima
0-0: SINGLE (Groundball, 34D, EV 103.1 MPH)
David de Leon to second

1 Out, Runners on 1st & 2nd
Pinch Hitting: LHB Dave Namowicz
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Called Strike
1-2: Foul Ball, location: 3FF
1-2: Ball
2-2: Foul Ball, location: 2F
2-2: Ball
3-2: Strikes out swinging

2 Outs, Runners on 1st & 2nd
Batting: RHB Renault Buso
0-0: DOUBLE (Line Drive, 7LS, EV 103.8 MPH)
David de Leon scores
Shigeo Oshima to third

Lumberjacks 1, Gamblers 10

2 Outs, Runners on 2nd & 3rd
Batting: RHB Mike Hargett
0-0: Foul Ball, location: 25F
0-1: Foul Ball, location: 3FF
0-2: Ball
1-2: Ball
2-2: Ground out 4-3 (Groundball, 34D, EV 105.0 MPH)


Top of the 9th over - 1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on base; Portland 1 - Las Vegas 10
=================================================


Well, there you have it... Let's take a look at the totals for today's game. First for the victorious Las Vegas Gamblers, 10 runs, on 15 hits, No errors, they left 10 men on base. They improve their record to a league leading, 15-5. for the Portland Lumberjacks, 1 run, on 10 hits, No errors, they left 9 men on base. They fall to an American conference worst, 6-14.

The Las Vegas Gamblers secured a decisive victory over the Portland Lumberjacks with a final score of 10-1. Las Vegas started strong, scoring two runs in the first inning with hits from Charles Crane, Mario Smithson, and Mike Rabel. They continued their offensive surge in the second inning, adding another run thanks to a single from Mike Rabel that drove in Charles Crane. By the third inning, the Gamblers extended their lead to 6 nothing, highlighted by hits from Jeff Smith, Danny Herrera, and a critical two-RBI single from Charles Crane.

Despite Portland's attempts to rally, they struggled against Las Vegas pitcher Oscar Herrera, who consistently shut down their batters. The Lumberjacks managed to get runners on base but were unable to capitalize until the ninth inning, when Renault Buso's double finally brought in a run. Meanwhile, Las Vegas continued to dominate, adding three more runs in the sixth inning and a solo home run by Mike Rabel in the eighth. The Gamblers' consistent offense and strong pitching from Herrera led to their overwhelming 10-1 victory, showcasing their dominance on both sides of the game.

The winning pitcher is... Oscar Herrera... his record improves to a league best... 5-0... The losing pitcher is Adam Strate... His record drops to 1-3...



The player of the game is Gamblers DH, Mike Rabel.

The paid attendance was 19,322 fans.

To recap...
Mike Rabel helped Las Vegas beat the Portland Lumberjacks, 10-1. He stroked 5 hits in 5 at-bats to spark his club in the win. Mike Rabel hit an RBI single in the 1st, hit an RBI single in the 2nd, singled in the 4th, hit an RBI double in the 6th and hit a solo-shot off Juan White in the 8th. This year, Rabel is hitting .329 with 5 home runs. Las Vegas improves to 15-5, while Portland falls to 6-14.

This is Big Earl signing off from Gamblers Park in Las Vegas. Where today's final score is...

Las Vegas Gamblers 10 – Portland Lumberjacks 1..

Until next time... This is the Game!



WIN!!


Note: The Minneapolis at Chicago game was postponed due to weather and will be replayed on April 28, 1981 as part of a doubleheader.


Real. Fictional. ⚾.

================================================== ================================================== ==========
ABL on StatsPlus | ABL on OOTP | ABL History | ABL (prime) the old thread | ABL Stat of the day | ABL Vision | ABL Real Time Sim

[ZapMast]

|

April 27, 1981 | Cobras Ballpark | Los Angeles, CA
San Francisco Warriors vs. Los Angeles Cobras


Watch it on ABL Vision


Let’s meet our teams:
The San Francisco Warriors have made a solid start to the 1981 season with an 11-8 record, positioning them as contenders in the National Baseball Conference's Western Division. Their +26 run differential indicates a strong performance both offensively and defensively. The pitching staff has been particularly effective, boasting a commendable 3.27 ERA and a FIP of 3.81, showing they are not just relying on luck but also getting ample support from the defense. Key pitchers like Antonio Pineda, with an astonishing 0.53 ERA, and Kyle Chambers, with a steady 3.34 ERA, anchor the rotation. Offensively, the Warriors have a versatile attack, highlighted by Bobby Jackson's .368 average and Bernardo Valenzuela's .338 average, contributing to a team slugging percentage of .449​​.

Financially, the Warriors are navigating a challenging landscape with a payroll of $6.18 million against a budget of $9.5 million. Despite this, their financial prudence has left room for strategic moves. However, fan interest has dipped to a concerning 62, affecting gate revenue and merchandise sales. The team fills only 81.63% of their stadium, indicating a need to re-engage with their fanbase. The Warriors' management, led by owner Jon Teeple and GM Luis Martinez, are under pressure to convert their financial and on-field assets into a successful season. With a balanced roster and strong early-season performance, the Warriors are well-positioned to make a deep playoff run if they can maintain their momentum and re-ignite fan enthusiasm​​.

The Los Angeles Cobras have had a promising start to the 1981 season with a 12-7 record, reflecting a significant turnaround from their disappointing 1980 campaign. The Cobras currently boast a .632 winning percentage and have scored an impressive 98 runs while allowing just 76, resulting in a solid run differential of +22. Their pitching staff, led by standout performers Adam Jahn and Joel Valenty, has shown resilience with a combined ERA of 3.75. Jahn, in particular, has been exceptional, maintaining an ERA of 2.20 and showcasing his ability to control the game. Offensively, the team is firing on all cylinders, with key hitters like Orlando Greeley and Bill Haywood leading the charge. Greeley's .389 batting average and six home runs are instrumental in the team's offensive success, while Haywood complements this with a .380 average and a wRC+ of 190, indicating his high impact on the team's run production​​.

Financially, the Cobras are in a better position than last year, operating with a near-cap payroll of $5.8 million and a stable budget of $6.3 million. However, they face challenges in maintaining and increasing fan interest, which currently hovers around a mere 53, impacting revenue and overall team morale. Despite these hurdles, the Cobras' front office, led by owner Tony Cruz and GM Gary Jones, is working to leverage their current momentum and strengthen their postseason chances. The team’s advanced metrics, including a Batter WAR of 4.06 and a Pitcher WAR of 2.18, indicate a balanced and formidable roster. With a blend of youthful energy and experienced leadership, the Cobras are well-positioned for a deep playoff run, provided they can maintain their performance and reignite fan enthusiasm​​​​.


San Francisco Warriors lead the series 108 - 90 | season series tied 0-0


Key players

Milestones:

SF – 1B Bobby Jackson #24 needs 27 home runs to reach 200.
LA – None

All-Star Caliber:

Blue players:
SF - SS Miguel Collado #13 | Age: 23 | Bats: L | Throws: R
LA - None


Green players:
SF - 1B Victor Quintero #37 | Age: 30 | Bats: R | Throws: R
1B Bobby Jackson #24 | Age: 32 | Bats: S | Throws: R

LA - 3B Orlando Greeley #47 | Age: 29 | Bats: L | Throws: R




The Game:
Welcome baseball fans to Los Angeles, California, home of the Los Angeles Cobras. Today’s featured contest pits the home team against the San Francisco Warriors of San Francisco, California, who are striving to improve their standings in the NBC Western Division. Both teams have had a strong start to the season, with the Cobras holding a 12-7 record and the Warriors close behind at 11-8. The Cobras are looking to capitalize on their solid home and away performances and positive run differential, while the Warriors aim to continue their balanced approach and strong pitching to maintain their competitive edge.

According to early season predictions, both teams are eager for wins and determined to climb the division ranks. The Cobras, with a 62.1% playoff probability, seek to maintain their momentum and capitalize on their recent successes. Meanwhile, the Warriors, facing a 71.9% chance of making the playoffs, are eager to improve their consistency and strengthen their position in the division. This matchup promises to be a thrilling contest between two teams with much to prove, as they strive for long-term success this season.

Today’s pitching matchup is RHP Arturo Gonzalez #1 [1-3 3.77] for San Francisco and for the Cobras RHP Joel Valenty #14 [2-0 3.10].


Hello, ABL fans, Big Earl here... coming to you live ... and in color from Los Angeles CA...! Welcome to Cobras Ballpark...! It's Weekday Series 4! Today we're witnessing an NBC Western Division matchup between... Miguel Collado and the San Francisco Warriors... versus... Orlando Greeley and the Los Angeles Cobras... This is Game One of a Four-Game Series

Attention! ... Attention please! ... ... Have your pencil ... and scorecards ready ... and I'll give you... the correct lineups ... for today's ball game.

First, for the visiting San Francisco Warriors... Managed by Tyler Trowbridge... Batting first... playing left field... #4... Bernardo Valenzuela... Batting second... playing second base... #30... Ron Hutchinson... Batting third... the shortstop... #13... Miguel Collado... Batting clean-up... playing first base... #37... Victor Quintero... Batting fifth... The designated hitter... #24... Bobby Jackson... Batting sixth... playing center field... #12... Leo Diaz... Batting seventh... playing right field... #18... Adan Reid Jr.... Batting eighth... the catcher... #16... Robert Garcia... Batting ninth... playing third base... #10... Dave Barajas... The starting pitcher... for the San Francisco Warriors... Right hander... #1... Arturo Gonzalez...

And now here is the starting lineup for the home-standing Los Angeles Cobras... Managed by Dave Walking... Batting first... playing center field... #9... Myles Byrd... Batting second... playing second base... #18... Emmanuel Robertson... Batting third... playing right field... #16... Bill Haywood... Batting clean-up... playing third base... #47... Orlando Greeley... Batting fifth... playing left field... #37... Pedro Rivera... Batting sixth... The designated hitter... #60... Jon Travers... Batting seventh... the shortstop... #8... D.J. Rivera... Batting eighth... playing first base... #23... Ryan Cheeks... Batting ninth... the catcher... #30... Ricky Lopez... The starting pitcher... for the Los Angeles Cobras... Right hander... #14... Joel Valenty...

We are about to get underway here at Cobras Ballpark... It looks like a sparse crowd as it has been raining all day, looks like about 14,000 fans... It's 67 degrees at first pitch ... with the wind blowing in from left at 9 mph ...


Play Ball!!

⚾

ABL
SAN FRANCISCO WARRIORS @ LOS ANGELES COBRAS
04/27/1981 Game 1 of 4
=================================================
TOP OF THE 4TH

San Francisco Warriors batting - Pitching for Los Angeles Cobras : RHP Joel Valenty

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: LHB Miguel Collado
0-0: SOLO HOME RUN (Flyball, 9D, EV 100.0 MPH), Distance : 385 ft

Warriors 1, Cobras 0

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Victor Quintero
0-0: Ground out 6-3 (Groundball, 6, EV 100.0 MPH)

1 Out, Bases empty
Batting: SHB Bobby Jackson
0-0: Swinging Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Called Strike
1-2: Foul Ball, location: 7LMF
1-2: Strikes out swinging

2 Outs, Bases empty
Batting: LHB Leo Diaz
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ground out 5-3 (Groundball, 5L, EV 79.4 MPH)


Top of the 4th over - 1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on base; San Francisco 1 - Los Angeles 0
=================================================
BOTTOM OF THE 4TH

Los Angeles Cobras batting - Pitching for San Francisco Warriors : RHP Arturo Gonzalez

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Jon Travers
0-0: Hit by Pitch

No Outs, Runner on 1st
Batting: RHB D.J. Rivera
0-0: Swinging Strike
0-1: DOUBLE (Line Drive, 9LS, EV 100.0 MPH)
Jon Travers to third

No Outs, Runners on 2nd & 3rd
Batting: LHB Ryan Cheeks
0-0: Swinging Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ball
2-1: Ball
3-1: 3-RUN HOME RUN (Flyball, 9LD, EV 98.8 MPH), Distance : 401 ft

Warriors 1, Cobras 3

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Ricky Lopez
0-0: Ball
1-0: Fly out, F8 (Flyball, 78M, EV 83.8 MPH)

1 Out, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Myles Byrd
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Foul Ball, location: 9LDF
2-1: Foul Ball, location: 23F
2-2: Fly out, F7 (Line Drive, 7, EV 90.6 MPH)

2 Outs, Bases empty
Batting: LHB Emmanuel Robertson
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Foul Ball, location: 9LSF
1-2: Strikes out swinging


Bottom of the 4th over - 3 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on base; San Francisco 1 - Los Angeles 3
=================================================
BOTTOM OF THE 5TH

Los Angeles Cobras batting - Pitching for San Francisco Warriors : RHP Arturo Gonzalez

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Bill Haywood
0-0: Ball
1-0: Called Strike
1-1: Swinging Strike
1-2: Ball
2-2: Ball
3-2: Base on Balls

No Outs, Runner on 1st
Batting: LHB Orlando Greeley
0-0: Ball
1-0: Reached on error, E5 (Groundball, 56, EV 77.5 MPH)
Bill Haywood to second

No Outs, Runners on 1st & 2nd
Batting: RHB Pedro Rivera
0-0: Ball
1-0: Called Strike
1-1: Ball
2-1: Ball
3-1: Called Strike
3-2: Base on Balls
Bill Haywood to third
Orlando Greeley to second

No Outs, Bases loaded
Batting: RHB Jon Travers
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Ball
3-0: Called Strike
3-1: Foul Ball, location: 7LDF
3-2: SINGLE (Line Drive, 89M, EV 108.1 MPH)
Bill Haywood scores
Orlando Greeley to third
Pedro Rivera to second
Runner from 3rd tries for Home, SAFE, throw by CF to trailing runner, OUT at third! 8-3-5

Warriors 1, Cobras 5

1 Out, Runners on 1st & 2nd
Batting: RHB D.J. Rivera
0-0: Ball
1-0: Foul Ball, location: 2F
1-1: Grounds into double play, 5-4-3 (Groundball, 56S, EV 88.8 MPH)


Bottom of the 5th over - 2 runs, 1 hit, 1 error, 0 left on base; San Francisco 1 - Los Angeles 5
=================================================
TOP OF THE 8TH

San Francisco Warriors batting - Pitching for Los Angeles Cobras : RHP Joel Valenty

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Robert Garcia
0-0: Ball
1-0: Fly out, F8 (Flyball, 8LM, EV 82.5 MPH)

1 Out, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Dave Barajas
0-0: Ball
1-0: Foul Ball, location: 2F
1-1: Foul Ball, location: 2F
1-2: Foul Ball, location: 3FF
1-2: Foul Ball, location: 3FF
1-2: SINGLE (Line Drive, 9LM, EV 86.9 MPH)


Los Angeles manager Dave Walking is making a mound visit...
He's siginaling to the bullpen...

Pitching: RHP Tae-mok Kim

1 Out, Runner on 1st
Batting: RHB Bernardo Valenzuela
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Foul Ball, location: 9LSF
2-1: Foul Ball, location: 9LMF
2-2: Foul Ball, location: 3SF
2-2: Foul Ball, location: 5F
2-2: Foul Ball, location: 9LMF
2-2: Foul Ball, location: 23F
2-2: Foul Ball, location: 23F
2-2: Foul Ball, location: 9LSF
2-2: Fly out, F9 (Flyball, 9LM, EV 89.4 MPH)

2 Outs, Runner on 1st
Batting: RHB Ron Hutchinson
0-0: Foul Ball, location: 2RF
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ball
2-1: SINGLE (Line Drive, 3D, EV 106.3 MPH)
Dave Barajas to second

2 Outs, Runners on 1st & 2nd
Batting: LHB Miguel Collado
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: SINGLE (Line Drive, 9S, EV 106.3 MPH)
Dave Barajas to third
Ron Hutchinson to second
Runner from 3rd tries for Home, SAFE, throw by RF to home
Ron Hutchinson to third
Miguel Collado to second

Warriors 2, Cobras 5

2 Outs, Runners on 2nd & 3rd
Batting: RHB Victor Quintero
0-0: Swinging Strike
0-1: Ground out 6-3 (Groundball, 6, EV 80.6 MPH)


Top of the 8th over - 1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on base; San Francisco 2 - Los Angeles 5
=================================================


Well, there you have it... Let's take a look at the totals for the game. First for the victorious Los Angeles Cobras, 5 runs, on 10 hits, No errors, they left 6 men on base. Their record improves to 13-7. for the San Francisco Warriors, 2 runs, on 8 hits, One error, they left 7 men on base. They fall to 11-9.

The Los Angeles Cobras emerged victorious over the San Francisco Warriors with a final score of 5-2. The game began with San Francisco's Bernardo Valenzuela grounding out and Ron Hutchinson following suit, but Miguel Collado managed to get on base with a walk, only for Victor Quintero to end the inning with a flyout. Los Angeles came out strong with singles from Myles Byrd and Emmanuel Robertson, but they couldn't capitalize as Bill Haywood struck out and Orlando Greeley and Pedro Rivera both recorded outs.

The game's turning point came in the fourth inning. San Francisco's Collado hit a solo home run to put the Warriors on the board, but Los Angeles responded decisively in the bottom half. Jon Travers was hit by a pitch, D.J. Rivera doubled, and Ryan Cheeks hit a three-run homer to give the Cobras a 3-1 lead. Adding to their lead in the fifth, Los Angeles scored two more runs following errors and walks by the Warriors. Despite a late push by San Francisco, including a run in the eighth inning and getting two runners on base in the ninth, they were unable to close the gap. Los Angeles maintained their lead, with strong pitching from Joel Valenty and Tae-mok Kim, to secure the 5-2 win.

The winning pitcher is... Joel Valenty... his record improves to... 3-0... The loss goes to... Arturo Gonzalez... His record falls to 1-4...




The player of the game is Cobras Starter Joel Valenty.

The paid attendance was 13,850 die-hard fanatics.

To recap...
Joel Valenty, who leads the NBC in quality starts with 5, was locked in. The right-hander led the Los Angeles Cobras to a 5-2 win against the San Francisco Warriors at Cobras Ballpark. The loss puts San Francisco at 11-9. The Cobras got a big at-bat from first baseman Ryan Cheeks. For the game, Cheeks went 1 for 4 with a home run. He drove in 3 runs and scored once. In the bottom of the fourth, with runners on 2nd and 3rd, he stroked a 3-run home run. His 1st home run of the season gave Los Angeles a 3-1 lead. "I really like what we did out there today," Cheeks said after the game. LA improves to 13-7.

This is Big Earl signing off from Cobras Ballpark in Los Angeles. Where today's final score is...

Los Angeles Cobras 5 – San Francisco Warriors 2..

Until next time... This is the Game!



WIN!!


Note: The Minneapolis at Chicago game was postponed due to weather and will be replayed on April 28, 1981 as part of a doubleheader.


Real. Fictional. ⚾.

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|
April 28, 1981 | Chicago Grounds | Chicago, IL
Minneapolis Blizzard vs. Chicago Fire


Watch it on ABL Vision


Let’s meet our teams:
The Minneapolis Blizzard are navigating a challenging 1981 season, currently holding an 8-11 record and sitting four games back in their division. This start is an improvement over their disastrous 1980 season, where they finished with a 65-97 record. Despite a better financial situation with a balance of $4.5 million, the team still faces inconsistencies. Their ERA stands at 3.76, while their batting average has improved to .282. Key players such as Ricky Thompson, who boasts a .473 average, and David Bain, with a 4-1 record and a 3.31 ERA, underscore the team's potential. However, the rest of the rotation, particularly Fernando Diaz with a 5.32 ERA, highlights the need for greater depth and consistency .

Offensively, the Blizzard are performing well, with standout hitters like Hirotoshi Nishimoto and Enrique Amaya contributing significantly. However, their conservative baserunning, with only three stolen bases on six attempts, suggests a cautious approach that might be limiting their scoring potential. Defensively, the team has a mixed performance, with a positive infield Zone Rating but a concerning negative outfield rating. The team's history in the Grand Tournament of Champions, particularly their near-miss in 1978, adds a layer of pressure to perform. As they progress through the season, the Blizzard must address their pitching inconsistencies and enhance their offensive output to turn their early-season potential into a successful campaign .

The Chicago Fire are off to a solid start in the 1981 season with a 10-9 record, showcasing a winning percentage of 52.6%. This puts them two games behind in their division, demonstrating their ability to remain competitive. Their balanced performance is evident with a run differential of +11, indicating strength in both offense and defense. The Fire's standout performers include Sal Gamez, Miguel Morales, and Alex O'Donnell, whose batting prowess has been instrumental in their offensive success. Gamez's .420 batting average and Morales's four home runs in 18 games highlight their offensive capabilities, while Edgar Gonzalez anchors the pitching staff with a stellar 2.505 ERA​​.

Financially, the Fire are in a stable position, operating with an $8.5 million payroll and maintaining a high stadium fill rate of 97.28%. This financial health allows them to make strategic player acquisitions without overstretching their budget. The fan base remains highly supportive, and their enthusiasm provides a crucial morale boost for the team. However, the Fire must address inconsistencies in their bullpen and enhance their baserunning tactics to maximize their potential. With a mix of seasoned veterans and promising young talent, the Chicago Fire are poised to turn their early season promise into a strong postseason run if they can maintain their current form and improve on their weaknesses​​.


Chicago Fire lead the series 110 - 88 | season series tied 0-0


Key players

Milestones:

MIN – None
CHI – 3B Shane Cobb #18 needs 35 hits to reach 1500

All-Star Caliber:

Blue players:
MIN - None
CHI - CF Miguel Morales #16 | Age: 26 | Bats: S | Throws: R


Green players:
MIN - None
CHI - 1B Sal Gamez #35 | Age: 26 | Bats: L | Throws: L



The Game:
Welcome baseball fans to Chicago, Illinois, home of the Chicago Fire. Today’s featured contest pits the home team against the Minneapolis Blizzard of Minneapolis, Minnesota, who are striving to improve their standings in the NBC Central Division. The Fire have had a solid start to the season with a 10-9 record, while the Blizzard are currently at 8-11. Chicago is looking to build on their strong performances and positive run differential, while Minneapolis aims to leverage their balanced pitching and improve their road game.

According to early season predictions, both teams are eager for wins and determined to climb the division ranks. The Fire, with a 35.1% playoff probability, seek to maintain their momentum and capitalize on their recent successes. Meanwhile, the Blizzard, facing a 10.7% chance of making the playoffs, are eager to improve their consistency and gain traction in the division. This matchup promises to be a thrilling contest between two teams with much to prove, as they strive for long-term success this season.

Today’s pitching matchup is RHP Tristan Davis #20 [1-1 1.08] for Minneapolis and for the Fire RHP John Jury #82 [2-0 2.81].


Hello, ABL fans, Big Earl here... coming to you live ... and in color from Chicago IL...! Welcome to Chicago Grounds...! It's Weekday Series 4! Today we're witnessing an NBC Central Division matchup between... Ricky Thompson and the Minneapolis Blizzard... versus... Miguel Morales and the Chicago Fire... This is Game One of a Four-Game Series

Attention! ... Attention please! ... ... Have your pencil ... and scorecards ready ... and I'll give you... the correct lineups ... for today's ball game.

First, for the visiting Minneapolis Blizzard... Managed by Shawn Thompson... Batting first... playing second base... #3... Ricky Thompson... Batting second... playing first base... #5... Nate Ellerd... Batting third... playing right field... #30... Edwin Rivera... Batting clean-up... playing left field... #6... Adrian Smith... Batting fifth... The designated hitter... #12... Alberto Abad... Batting sixth... playing third base... #15... Dwayne Harrison... Batting seventh... playing center field... #23... Ricky Ortiz... Batting eighth... the catcher... #33... Fernando Blancas... Batting ninth... the shortstop... #10... Enrique Amaya.... The starting pitcher... for the Minneapolis Blizzard... Right hander ... #20... Tristan Davis...

And now here is the starting lineup for the home-standing Chicago Fire... Managed by Matt Mead... Batting first... playing center field... #51... Xavier Granville... Batting second... the shortstop... #13... Miguel Martinez... Batting third... playing left field... #16... Miguel Morales... Batting clean-up... playing first base... #35... Sal Gamez... Batting fifth... playing right field... #34... Victor Hernandez... Batting sixth... playing third base... #18... Shane Cobb... Batting seventh... The designated hitter... #11... Alvaro Espinoza... Batting eighth... playing second base... #55... David Villarreal... Batting ninth... the catcher... #20... Jose Martinez... The starting pitcher ... for the Chicago Fire... Right hander ... #82... John Jury...

We are about to get underway here at Chicago Grounds Today's attendance looks near standing room only, in excess of 18,000 fans... It's clear skies and a brisk 58 degrees at first pitch ... with the wind blowing from right to left at 10 mph ...


Play Ball!!

⚾

ABL
MINNEAPOLIS BLIZZARD @ CHICAGO FIRE
04/28/1981 Game 1 of 4
=================================================
BOTTOM OF THE 4TH

Chicago Fire batting - Pitching for Minneapolis Blizzard : RHP Tristan Davis

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: LHB Sal Gamez
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Called Strike
0-2: Ball
1-2: Ball
2-2: DOUBLE (Flyball, 89D, EV 95.0 MPH)

No Outs, Runner on 2nd
Batting: RHB Victor Hernandez
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ground out 6-3 (Groundball, 6M, EV 87.5 MPH)

1 Out, Runner on 2nd
Batting: SHB Shane Cobb
0-0: Swinging Strike
0-1: SINGLE (Groundball, 34D, EV 96.3 MPH)
Sal Gamez to third

1 Out, Runners on 1st & 3rd
Batting: LHB Alvaro Espinoza
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: SINGLE (Line Drive, 6D, EV 98.1 MPH)
Sal Gamez scores
Shane Cobb to second

Blizzard 0, Fire 1

1 Out, Runners on 1st & 2nd
Batting: RHB David Villarreal
0-0: Ball
1-0: SINGLE (Groundball, 4MD, EV 95.6 MPH)
Shane Cobb to third
Alvaro Espinoza to second

1 Out, Bases loaded
Batting: SHB Jose Martinez
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Foul Ball, location: 25FF
0-2: Foul Ball, location: 7LDF
0-2: Strikes out swinging

2 Outs, Bases loaded
Batting: LHB Xavier Granville
0-0: Foul Ball, location: 5F
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ball
2-1: Called Strike
2-2: Ball
3-2: Strikes out swinging


Bottom of the 4th over - 1 run, 4 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on base; Minneapolis 0 - Chicago 1
=================================================
BOTTOM OF THE 5TH

Chicago Fire batting - Pitching for Minneapolis Blizzard : RHP Tristan Davis

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Miguel Martinez
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: DOUBLE (Line Drive, 7LS, EV 96.9 MPH)

No Outs, Runner on 2nd
Batting: SHB Miguel Morales
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ball
2-1: Fly out, F8 (Flyball, 8RXD, EV 100.0 MPH)
Runner from 2nd tags up, SAFE at 3rd, no throw by CF

1 Out, Runner on 3rd
Batting: LHB Sal Gamez
0-0: Fly out, F8 (Flyball, 78M, EV 89.4 MPH)
Runner from 3rd tags up, SCORES, throw by CF

Blizzard 0, Fire 2

2 Outs, Bases empty
Batting: RHB Victor Hernandez
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Swinging Strike
0-2: Ball
1-2: Ball
2-2: Ball
3-2: Strikes out swinging


Bottom of the 5th over - 1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on base; Minneapolis 0 - Chicago 2
=================================================
TOP OF THE 9TH

Minneapolis Blizzard batting - Pitching for Chicago Fire : RHP John Jury

No Outs, Bases empty
Batting: LHB Enrique Amaya
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: SINGLE (Groundball, 6MD, EV 105.0 MPH)

No Outs, Runner on 1st
Batting: RHB Ricky Thompson
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ground out 6-3 (Groundball, 6, EV 87.5 MPH)
Enrique Amaya to second

1 Out, Runner on 2nd
Batting: LHB Nate Ellerd
0-0: Ball
1-0: Called Strike
1-1: Ball
2-1: Ball
3-1: Called Strike
3-2: Base on Balls

1 Out, Runners on 1st & 2nd
Batting: RHB Edwin Rivera
0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Called Strike
0-2: Reached via error on a dropped throw from 3B, E4 (Groundball, 56, EV 108.1 MPH)
Enrique Amaya to third
Nate Ellerd to second

1 Out, Bases loaded
Batting: LHB Adrian Smith
0-0: Foul Ball, location: 5SF
0-1: Swinging Strike
0-2: Ball
1-2: Ball
2-2: Strikes out swinging

2 Outs, Bases loaded
Batting: LHB Alberto Abad
0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Ball
3-0: Called Strike
3-1: Called Strike
3-2: Strikes out looking


Top of the 9th over - 0 runs, 1 hit, 1 error, 3 left on base; Minneapolis 0 - Chicago 2
=================================================

Well, there you have it... Let's take a look at the totals for today's game. First for the victorious Chicago Fire, 2 runs, on 10 hits, 2 errors, they left 9 men on base. Their record improves to 11-9. for the Minneapolis Blizzard, No runs, on 5 hits, No errors, they left 5 men on base. They fall to 8-12.

In the game one of a doubleheader between the Minneapolis Blizzard and the Chicago Fire, the Fire emerged victorious with a final score of 2-0. Both teams displayed strong pitching performances, with John Jury of the Chicago Fire and Tristan Davis of the Minneapolis Blizzard keeping the opposing batters at bay. The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the fourth inning when Sal Gamez scored the first run for Chicago, capitalizing on a sequence of hits and a groundout. Chicago extended their lead in the bottom of the fifth inning with a run from a sacrifice fly by Sal Gamez, bringing in Miguel Martinez who had previously doubled. Despite several scoring opportunities, including leaving runners in scoring positions, the Blizzard could not break through Chicago's defense, leaving three runners stranded in the top of the ninth inning.

Throughout the game, the Fire's defense played a crucial role, particularly in critical moments like the top of the second inning when a sharp throw from right fielder Victor Hernandez, resulted in Adrian Smith being tagged out at home. Additionally, Chicago's pitching staff, led by Jury, managed to keep the Blizzard's hitters off balance, resulting in multiple strikeouts and key outs during high-pressure situations. The Fire's efficient base running and timely hitting, combined with their defensive prowess, were pivotal in securing the win against the Blizzard, showcasing a well-rounded and disciplined approach to the game.

The winning pitcher is... John Jury... his record improves to... 3-0... The loss goes to... Tristan Davis... His record falls to 1-2...


]

The player of the game is Fire Starting pitcher... John Jury.

The paid attendance was 18,412 fans.


To recap...
Chicago Fire starter John Jury really did a number on the Minneapolis Blizzard, shutting them out, 2-nothing, on 5 hits in a complete game victory. He issued 1 walk and had 6 strikeouts. "We didn't have good at-bats," said Minneapolis manager Shawn Thompson. "I don't make excuses, but when we were playing the game, our energy didn't show. That comes from either extremely good pitching or extremely lousy hitting and seeing as our team has a bunch of good hitters, I have to tip my cap to Jury." Chicago improves to 11-9. Minneapolis falls to 8-12.

This is Big Earl signing off from Chicago Grounds. Where today's final score is...

Chicago Fire 2 – Minneapolis Blizzard 0..

Until next time... This is the Game!



WIN!!


Real. Fictional. ⚾.

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April 27, 1981
will be remembered as a day of monumental change and excitement in the Action Baseball League.


Here’s a comprehensive look at the events that made this day so special:


Abe L. Commish Takes Charge
We welcomed our new commissioner, Abe L. Commish, whose visionary leadership promises to bring innovation and enhance the fan experience. Watch his full speech here.



New Initiatives Unveiled
The Grand Series: Formerly known as the Grand Championship Series, this prestigious event is now "The Grand Series: A Journey of a Lifetime," reflecting its grandeur and significance.

Grand Champions Cup: Introduced to honor the Grand Champions of Baseball, adding a new layer of excitement to the league.



24 Deep Dive 25 Videos Released
To celebrate the league’s rich history and intricate details, 24 complete Deep Dive 25 videos were released.

These videos provide fans with in-depth looks at their favorite teams, grouped into three regional playlists for Eastern, Central, and Western divisions of both conferences.



12 Featured Games
Today’s action-packed schedule included 12 games, each featured in a dedicated video.

These videos are also categorized into playlists:

Eastern Powerhouses

Central Workhorses

Western Wildcards

providing comprehensive coverage of the thrilling matchups.




ABL YouTube Playlists

Abe L. Commish Speech

ABL Newsreel - All Things ABL

Play Ball - Featured Games Only

Deep Dive April 27 Games - Eastern Powerhouses

Deep Dive April 27 Games - Central Workhorses

Deep Dive April 27 Games - Western Wildcards





Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to bring you the latest from the ABL!



This is the Game!


Real. Fictional. ⚾.

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See it on ABL Vision

Tampa Bay Storm (10-13) @ Atlanta Kings (6-17)
Storm Wins Series 3-1
Storm gain series win with clutch performance in game 4.

Here's the skinny: The Tampa Bay Storm and Atlanta Kings faced off in a four-game series at Kings Field. In Game 1, Tampa Bay's Sergio Martinez pitched brilliantly, leading the Storm to a 7-2 win, supported by Isaiah Pittman's three-hit performance. Game 2 saw Atlanta narrowly edge out a 4-3 victory despite a strong showing from Tampa Bay's Jorge Bailon, thanks to a key 2-run single by Andres Martinez. Tampa Bay rebounded in Game 3 with a 7-2 win, driven by Tyler Lett's three RBIs and Nick Olesen's solid pitching. In the final game, Steve Rutherford's perfect 4-for-4 day, including a decisive double in the eighth, led the Storm to a 7-6 win. The series left Tampa Bay at 10-14, showing signs of improvement, while Atlanta's struggles continued with a 6-17 record.

GAME 1 - Storm Win at Atlanta, 7-2
The Tampa Bay Storm took on the Atlanta Kings at Kings Field.

Tampa Bay Storm starter Sergio Martinez hurled his team past the Atlanta Kings, 7-2. Martinez yielded 2 runs over 8 innings to notch the win. He scattered 8 hits, walked 3, and struck out 2. His record improves to 3-1.

Isaiah Pittman aided the Tampa Bay cause with a run-scoring single in the top of the fourth. For the game, the third baseman went 3 for 5 with a double and 2 singles.

"I really like what we did out there today," Martinez said after the game.

Atlanta falls to 5-15.


GAME 2 - Kings Deny Storm, 4-3
The Tampa Bay Storm got a superb performance from first baseman Jorge Bailon, but the Atlanta Kings still won the game, 4-3. Bailon was 2 for 4 with a home run and was hit by a pitch. He drove in 3 runs and scored once. Tony Resendiz earned the win to go to 1-2. He allowed 2 runs on 5 hits, with 4 walks and 3 strikeouts in 5 innings of work. The loss makes the Storm 8-13.

Atlanta catcher Andres Martinez contributed a timely at-bat in the bottom of the second. With two down, he hit a fastball to left field for a 2-run single. It was his 7th hit of the season and put the Kings ahead, 3-1.

"The effort we put into this one paid off," Martinez said.


GAME 3 - Lett Leads Storm to Win
At Kings Field, the Atlanta Kings and Tampa Bay Storm were greeted by an enthusiastic crowd.

Tampa Bay catcher Tyler Lett had 3 ribbies while helping his team defeat the Atlanta Kings, 7-2. The winning pitcher was two-time Roger Clemens Award winner Nick Olesen. He tossed 112 pitches over 8.2 innings, allowing 2 runs on 7 hits.

With Tampa Bay leading 1-0 in the top of the first, Lett hit a sinker from Mike Hawkins for a 2-run double. It was his 2nd double of the season and put the Storm ahead, 3-0.

"We had a nice day," said Tampa Bay skipper Mike Khoury.

The loss has the Kings at 6-16.


GAME 4 - Big Day for Rutherford as Storm Down Kings, 7-6
Storm shortstop Steve Rutherford left his mark on his team's 7-6 win over the Atlanta Kings. Rutherford was 4 for 4 with a double and 3 singles, while adding 4 RBI and scoring once for Tampa Bay in the contest. Miguel Mora, now 1-3, was credited with the win in 4 innings of relief. He allowed no runs on no hits, while striking out 2 and walking 1. The Kings, now 6-17, continue their slow start.

Rutherford had a game-changing double in the top of the eighth. On a 0-1 fastball from Mike McQuaid, he banged a run-scoring double to left-center, giving the Storm a 7-6 lead. It was the 2nd double of the year for Rutherford.

"Honestly, I'm not frustrated," said Atlanta manager T.J. Cameron. "The effort was great."



Miami Hurricanes (11-12) @ Charlotte Colonels (16-7)
Colonels Win Series 3-1
Charlotte outshines 'Canes in series win.

Here's the skinny: The Charlotte Colonels and Miami Hurricanes clashed in an intense four-game series that saw the Colonels dominate overall. In Game 1, Charlotte crushed Miami 10-1, with Donovan Lewis leading the charge by going 3 for 3 with a home run and four RBIs, supported by Jose Hernandez's strong eight innings of pitching. Game 2 saw Charlotte continuing their winning streak with a 9-6 victory, thanks to Miguel Salazar's key hits and Manny Flores' 2-run single. Miami fought back in Game 3, securing a 9-5 win led by Juan Ledezma's 2-run double, though Charlotte rebounded in Game 4 with a 5-2 win, bolstered by Flores' 3 for 4 performance. This series leaves the Colonels at a formidable 16-7, showcasing their strength, while the Hurricanes, at 11-12, showed flashes of potential but struggled to keep pace.

GAME 1 - Hurricanes Rocked By Colonels, 10-1
The Charlotte Colonels topped the Miami Hurricanes by a score of 10-1. Leading the way was third baseman Donovan Lewis. Lewis went 3 for 3 with a home run, 2 singles, and was hit by a pitch. He drove in 4 runs and scored once for the Colonels. Jose Hernandez picked up the win, improving his season record to 1-1. He struck out 5 in 8 innings. The win puts Charlotte at 14-6.

With Charlotte leading 2-0 in the bottom of the first, Lewis hit a fastball from Bill Borden for a 3-run home run. It was his 1st home run of the season and put the Colonels ahead, 5-0.

Miami manager Seth Coe said his team was "out of sync."


GAME 2 - Colonels Win 4th Straight, Take Down Hurricanes, 9-6
A good performance from right fielder Miguel Salazar helped the Charlotte Colonels defeat the Miami Hurricanes, 9-6. Salazar was 2-3 with a triple, a walk, and was hit by a pitch. He drove in 2 runs and scored once for the Colonels. Edwin Martinez was credited with the save for Charlotte, his 6th of the season. The Colonels, now 15-6, have been sizzling early on.

In the bottom of the sixth, Charlotte first baseman Manny Flores had a productive at-bat. With the bases loaded and two out, Flores stroked a 2-run single to right. It made the score 6-3, Charlotte. For the game, he went 2-4 with 2 singles and a walk. He drove in 2 runs and scored once.

In postgame comments to the Charlotte Today, Salazar said, "If the effort is there, the wins will come."


GAME 3 - Hurricanes Beat Colonels, 9-5
Miami catcher Juan Ledezma made his presence felt in the 9-5 Hurricanes triumph over the Charlotte Colonels. Ledezma was 2-4 with a double and a walk, while scoring 2 times and driving in 2. Vicente Gutierrez snagged the win in relief. He goes to 1-0 on the season. Juan Lomeli suffered the loss. Charlotte falls to 15-7.

In the top of the seventh, the Hurricanes grabbed the lead when Ledezma hit his 2nd double of the season. The 2-run double off Juan Lomeli made it 6-5, Miami.

"Every time I go up there, I try and hit a ball hard," said Ledezma.


GAME 4 - Colonels Win at Home, 5-2
Charlotte and Miami duked it out and the Colonels came out victorious.

Charlotte first baseman Manny Flores helped his team beat the Miami Hurricanes, 5-2. Flores, who is tied for 10th in the NBC in RBI with 15, went 3 for 4 for the Colonels. The win puts Charlotte at 16-7.

Miami had a runner on 1st in the top of the eighth. With one out, Pat Watters stood at the plate, hoping to find a gap. Instead, he struck out. The score remained 4-2, Charlotte. The Hurricanes never could mount a comeback.



Minneapolis Blizzard (8-15) @ Chicago Fire (14-9)
Fire Sweeps Series 4-0
Chicago pitches three shutouts over hapless Blizzard.

Here's the skinny: The Chicago Fire and Minneapolis Blizzard series was a masterclass in pitching dominance by the Fire. In Game 1, John Jury shut out the Blizzard 2-0, allowing only five hits and striking out six in a complete game gem. Game 2 saw Manny de Jesus continue the trend, delivering eight scoreless innings in a 4-0 Chicago victory. Game 3 featured an offensive highlight as Miguel Morales hit for the cycle, driving in four runs to lead the Fire to a 4-3 win. The series concluded with Oscar Roa blanking the Blizzard 5-0, allowing seven hits while striking out five. This series sweep underscores Chicago's strength, improving their record and demonstrating their pitching prowess, while Minneapolis struggled to generate offense, dropping to 8-15.

GAME 1 - Jury Fires 2-0 Shutout for Chicago
Chicago Fire starter John Jury really did a number on the Minneapolis Blizzard, shutting them out, 2-0, on 5 hits in a complete game victory. He issued 1 walk and had 6 strikeouts.

"We didn't have good at-bats," said Minneapolis manager Shawn Thompson. "I don't make excuses, but when we were playing the game, our energy didn't show. That comes from either extremely good pitching or extremely lousy hitting and seeing as our team has a bunch of good hitters, I have to tip my cap to Jury."


GAME 2 - Dominant Performance by de Jesus in Chicago Win
Chicago pitcher Manny de Jesus had a large part in his team beating the Minneapolis Blizzard, 4-0. The right-hander kept opposing batters in check throughout the game. The Blizzard drop to 8-13.

de Jesus confounded Minneapolis hitters. Over 8 innings, he allowed no runs on 5 hits.

"Feels good to get the job done," de Jesus said after the game.


GAME 3 - Morales on a Tear, Hits for Cycle
In an outing that will go down in the annals of league history, Chicago center fielder Miguel Morales hit for the cycle, as the Fire marched to victory over the Minneapolis Blizzard, 4-3.

Morales collected 4 hits in 4 at-bats, including 1 single, 1 double, 1 triple and 1 home run. He added 4 RBI and 1 run scored to help Chicago take the Chicago Grounds contest.

"It was the last thing on my mind, really," Morales said. "I'm out there trying to get a blooper or a walk or whatever might help the team. Even if I had wanted to, hitting for the cycle is probably as much about luck as about skill anyway."

Miguel Morales doubled in the 1st, walked in the 3rd, hit a solo-shot off Alexis Perez in the 5th, hit a three-run triple in the 6th and singled in the 8th.

Morales is hitting .341 so far this season with 18 RBIs and 14 runs scored. He has 29 hits including 5 home runs, 9 walks and .402 OBP.



GAME 4 - Roa Takes Charge, Blanks Minneapolis, 5-0
Oscar Roa of the Chicago Fire was in the zone, mowing down Minneapolis hitters in a sterling 5-0 shutout performance.

"I'm feeling good overall," he said. "I'm executing my pitches, I'm able to hit my spots and I'm getting outs in key situations."

Roa shut down the Minneapolis Blizzard, blanking them on 7 hits while registering 5 strikeouts and 3 walks.

To date this year, in 1 starts, Roa has crafted a 1-2 mark with a 4.50 ERA.



Detroit Dukes (14-9) @ Dallas Rustlers (14-9)
Rustlers Split Series 2-2
Intense innerdivision battle boils down to a draw.

Here's the skinny: The Detroit Dukes and Dallas Rustlers clashed in a four-game series that showcased intense pitching and dramatic finishes. In Game 1, Detroit's Brett Helvie pitched 7.2 innings of shutout ball to secure a 1-0 victory, highlighted by Ethan Harrison's decisive sacrifice fly. Game 2 saw Detroit's offense explode for a 16-6 win, with Sergio Ornelas driving in four runs and Mike Dominguez striking out eight over seven innings. Dallas rebounded in Game 3 with a 5-3 win, thanks to Jonathan Funches' strong pitching and Alex Moreno's 2-run homer. The series concluded with a thrilling 8-7 walk-off victory for Dallas in 11 innings, capped by Dong-sik Kim's game-winning double. Despite Ethan Harrison's stellar 3-for-4 performance, the Rustlers took the final two games, improving their record to 14-9, while Detroit also stands at 14-9 after a hard-fought series.

GAME 1 - Rustlers Suffer 1-0 Home Loss
Detroit pitcher Brett Helvie did his part in helping his team beat the Dallas Rustlers, 1-0. The right-hander kept opposing batters in check throughout the game. The winner was Helvie. He threw 7.2 innings of shutout ball. The loser was Warren Holster. The defeat makes Dallas 12-8.

Ethan Harrison, who finished 4th in the NBC in OPS with .910 in 1972, had a direct impact on the outcome. Harrison contributed a run-scoring sacrifice fly in the top of the first inning to put Detroit up, 1-0.

"Honestly, I'm not frustrated," said Dallas manager Brian Parsley. "The effort was great."


GAME 2 - Dukes Overwhelm Rustlers, 16-6
Detroit catcher Sergio Ornelas helped his team beat the Dallas Rustlers, 16-6. Ornelas went 4 for 5 for the Dukes. Mike Dominguez, who went 7 innings, was the winning pitcher. He was charged with 6 runs on 8 hits, while walking 2 and striking out 8. His record now stands at 1-1. The defeat makes Dallas 12-9.

Ornelas contributed in the top of the fourth. With runners on 1st and 2nd, he hit a 2-run double. It was one at-bat among others that helped Detroit get the win.

"We'll pop the top on a cold beverage and get back to work tomorrow," Ornelas said.


GAME 3 - Dukes Suffer 5-3 Road Loss
The Dallas Rustlers picked up a win at Rustlers Grounds, knocking off the Detroit Dukes, 5-3. Starting pitcher Jonathan Funches played a key role in the triumph. Funches picked up the win for Dallas, going 7 innings. He gave up 3 runs on 4 hits. He now sports a record of 3-1. Dallas goes to 13-9.

The Rustlers got a big at-bat from center fielder Alex Moreno. For the game, Moreno went 1 for 4 with a home run. He drove in 2 runs and scored once. In the bottom of the third, with a runner on 3rd, he stroked a 2-run home run. His 2nd home run of the season gave Dallas a 4-3 lead.

Dallas manager Brian Parsley commended his team for "doing what it takes to win."


GAME 4 - Kim Delivers Walk-Off Win for Rustlers
Detroit right fielder Ethan Harrison had a terrific game, but it still wasn't enough to get his team a win. Harrison was 3-4 with a double, 2 singles, and 2 walks, while scoring 2 times, even as Dallas beat the Dukes, 8-7. The win went to Mark Marmon in relief, making him now 1-0. Jordan Allison took the loss for Detroit. The win has Dallas at 14-9.

The decisive blow was delivered by Dong-sik Kim in the bottom of the 11th when he hit a run-scoring double off 1975 Roger Clemens Award winner Jordan Allison to win the game for Dallas. The home crowd went nuts.

"We can always improve and get better, but we're feeling confident after that win," said Kim.



San Diego Seraphs (8-15) @ Phoenix Firebirds (10-13)
Firebirds Split Series 2-2
Two division foes battle to a draw as San Diego shows their mettle.

Here's the skinny: The San Diego Seraphs and Phoenix Firebirds battled through a four-game series that saw a mix of dominant pitching and key hitting performances. In Game 1, San Diego triumphed 7-1 despite a strong relief effort from Phoenix's Ricardo Figueroa, with Dante Ramos leading the charge with a run-scoring single. Phoenix rebounded in Game 2 as Jose Contreras pitched a complete-game shutout, allowing just five hits in a 5-0 victory. Game 3 featured San Diego's Marco Cuenca delivering a solid start in a 3-1 win, highlighted by Brandon Barclay's solo home run. The series concluded with Phoenix eking out a 3-2 win in Game 4, thanks to Nate Lucas's strong eight-inning performance and Justin Clayton's crucial 3-run homer. The Firebirds improved to 9-13 while the Seraphs, despite showing flashes of potential, remain at a disappointing 8-15.

GAME 1 - Seraphs Win at Phoenix, 7-1
The Phoenix Firebirds got a superb performance from pitcher Ricardo Figueroa, but the San Diego Seraphs still won the game, 7-1. Figueroa came in in relief and pitched to 19 batters. Barbu Nica, the winning pitcher, improved to 1-0. He pitched 5.1 innings, giving up 3 hits and 1 run, while striking out 4 and walking 5. Phoenix falls to 8-12.

Who knows how it might've ended, had it not been for Dante Ramos? The San Diego second baseman had a run-scoring single in the top of the first inning to put the Seraphs on top, 1-0. For the game, Ramos had 1 double and 1 single in 4 at-bats.

Ramos attributed the win to his team's "focus and intensity."


GAME 2 - Contreras Tosses Shutout Against Seraphs
Jose Contreras kept the San Diego Seraphs hitters from doing much damage at Phoenix Grounds.

San Diego could only muster 5 hits and draw 3 walks against the right-handed Contreras, who controlled them throughout the game. Phoenix won the contest, 5-0. Contreras added 6 strikeouts in his complete-game effort.

"I don't know if I was on or if they were off today," Contreras told reporters after the shutout win. "But whatever it was, I hope it happens again next time."

This year, Contreras has compiled a 2-1 record with a 1.91 ERA in 3 starts.



GAME 3 - Seraphs Upend Firebirds, 3-1
San Diego turned a fine outing from starter Marco Cuenca into a victory over the Phoenix Firebirds at Phoenix Grounds. The final score was 3-1. Victor Hernandez nailed down the save. Phoenix falls to 9-13.

San Diego used the hitting of Brandon Barclay to pick up the win. The center fielder clubbed a solo home run in the top of the sixth inning to put the Seraphs on top, 2-1. For the game, Barclay had 1 home run and 1 single in 4 at-bats.

"The effort we put into this one paid off," Barclay said.


GAME 4 - Seraphs Come Up Short at Phoenix, 3-2
The Phoenix Firebirds picked up a win at Phoenix Grounds, downing the San Diego Seraphs, 3-2. On the mound for Phoenix was right-hander Nate Lucas, who played a pivotal role in the win. Lucas yielded 2 runs over 8 innings to notch the win. He scattered 10 hits, walked 0, and struck out 3. His record improves to 3-2. Omar Espinoza sewed up the save, his 2nd.

The Seraphs had been locked in a 0-0 tie with the Firebirds going into the bottom of the fourth inning. That changed quickly when the 27-year old third baseman Justin Clayton came to the plate. Clayton hit a 3-run home run on a 1-1 changeup from San Diego hurler Robbie Kendall. It was Clayton's 1st home run of the year.

San Diego manager Jesse Wade said he was "mildly disappointed" with the loss. "We had our opportunities, but we didn't take advantage of them," he said.

The Seraphs, now 8-15, continue their sluggish start.



San Francisco Warriors (14-9) @ Los Angeles Cobras (13-10)
Warriors Win Series 3-1
San Fran sweeps three straight on the road to take series over Cobras.

Here's the skinny: The Los Angeles Cobras and San Francisco Warriors faced off in a gripping four-game series at Cobras Ballpark. In Game 1, Joel Valenty's stellar pitching and Ryan Cheeks' 3-run homer led the Cobras to a 5-2 victory. Game 2 saw San Francisco bounce back with a 5-3 win, highlighted by Kyle Chambers' pitching and Luke Margalit's 2-run homer. The Warriors dominated Game 3, winning 9-1 with Victor Quintero going 3-for-4, driving in five runs. San Francisco secured the series with a 3-1 victory in Game 4, thanks to Jon Ramirez's strong outing and Robert Garcia's crucial run-scoring walk. The series left the Cobras at 13-10, while the Warriors improved to 14-9, showcasing their resilience and offensive power.

GAME 1 - Cobras Win at Home, 5-2
Joel Valenty, who leads the NBC in quality starts with 5, was locked in. The right-hander led the Los Angeles Cobras to a 5-2 win against the San Francisco Warriors at Cobras Ballpark. The loss puts San Francisco at 11-9.

The Cobras got a big at-bat from first baseman Ryan Cheeks. For the game, Cheeks went 1-4 with a home run. He drove in 3 runs and scored once. In the bottom of the fourth, with runners on 2nd and 3rd, he stroked a 3-run home run. His 1st home run of the season gave Los Angeles a 3-1 lead.

"I really like what we did out there today," Cheeks said after the game.


GAME 2 - Cobras Suffer 5-3 Home Defeat
The San Francisco Warriors topped the Los Angeles Cobras, 5-3, in National Baseball Conference action at Cobras Ballpark. The game was highlighted by the performance of San Francisco pitcher Kyle Chambers. The loss puts Los Angeles at 13-8.

San Francisco used a clutch at-bat from Luke Margalit to capture the win. The right fielder hammered a 2-run home run in the top of the first inning to put the Warriors ahead, 2-0. It was his lone hit in 4 at-bats, but it was a humdinger.

"We ground out the win," said Chambers. "That's all that matters."


GAME 3 - San Francisco Wins, Quintero goes 3-for-4
San Francisco and Los Angeles got after it at Cobras Ballpark.

The San Francisco Warriors defeated the Los Angeles Cobras, 9-1, at Cobras Ballpark. San Francisco first baseman Victor Quintero had a superb performance. He went 3-4 with a home run, 2 doubles, and a walk. He scored 2 times and drove in 5. The loss drops the Cobras to 13-9.

Early in the game, Quintero had a run-scoring double for San Francisco. It was his 4th double of the season and put the Warriors on top, 1-0.

"It was a tough day, no getting around it," said losing manager Dave Walkling.


GAME 4 - Cobras Suffer 3-1 Home Defeat
San Francisco Warriors starter Jon Ramirez hurled his team past the Los Angeles Cobras, 3-1. Ramirez got the win, improving to 3-2. He gave up 3 hits and walked 4 over 7.1 innings. He allowed 1 run. The win puts San Francisco at 14-9.

Robert Garcia had a direct impact on the outcome. Garcia contributed a run-scoring walk in the top of the third inning to put San Francisco up, 3-1.

"Winning never gets dull," said Garcia.


Real. Fictional. ⚾.

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Pittsburgh Express (8-15) @ Boston Patriots (13-10)
Patriots Sweep Series 4-0
Patriots derail Pittsburgh in every phase of the game.

Here's the skinny: The Boston Patriots dominated their series against the Pittsburgh Express, showcasing stellar performances both at the plate and on the mound. In Game 1, Joe Turner had an explosive outing, going 5 for 5 with two home runs and five RBIs, leading Boston to a 12-3 victory. Game 2 featured Mike Randolph's exceptional pitching, as he held Pittsburgh scoreless over eight innings in a tight 1-0 win. The Patriots continued their dominance in Game 3, with Jorge Galvez pitching 6.2 shutout innings and Joe Turner hitting his eighth home run of the season, sealing a 2-0 victory. The series concluded with a 4-1 win for Boston, thanks to Jeremy Northway's clutch 2-run triple in the seventh inning. The Patriots improved to 13-10, while Pittsburgh's struggles continued, dropping to 8-15.

GAME 1 - Turner Blisters Pittsburgh
No matter what the Pittsburgh Express threw at him, Joe Turner hit it. He easily handled Express pitching, going 5 for 5 and helping the Patriots triumph, 12-3, at Patriots Fields.

"The way I was swinging, I think I could have closed my eyes and hit the ball," he told BNN reporters in the postgame interview.

Told of Turner's quip, Express skipper Mark Averill said he "would take him up on that next time."

Joe Turner hit an RBI single in the 1st, singled in the 2nd, hit a solo-shot off Ricky Bautista in the 4th, singled in the 5th and hit a solo-shot off Bob Newman in the 7th.

Currently Turner has 7 home runs and a .400 batting average.



GAME 2 - Randolph Now 1-1 After Beating Express
Left-hander Mike Randolph mesmerized the Pittsburgh Express while leading the Boston Patriots to a 1-0 victory. Adam Smith earned the save, his 4th, for the Patriots. The Express fall to 8-13 and continue their sputtering start to the 1981 season.

Randolph gave Boston a solid start. The left-hander allowed no runs on 2 hits over 8 innings.

"Mike was exceptional and he pitched with a purpose," said Boston manager Bill Hurff.


GAME 3 - Patriots Earn 2-0 Home Win
Danny Davalos pitched well enough to win, but it was not to be. The Pittsburgh Express, despite Davalos's fine outing, dropped a 2-0 decision to the Boston Patriots at Patriots Fields. Jorge Galvez, the winner, goes to 3-0. He allowed no runs on 6 hits, with 4 walks and 2 strikeouts over 6.2 innings. Boston goes to 12-10.

The Patriots got a big at-bat from first baseman Joe Turner. For the game, Turner was 1 for 2 with a home run and a walk, while adding 2 RBI and scoring once. In the bottom of the fourth, with a runner on 1st, he stroked a 2-run home run. His 8th home run of the season gave Boston a 2-0 lead.

Boston manager Bill Hurff commended his team for exhibiting "no shortage of effort."


GAME 4 - Patriots Stay Hot, Beat Express, 4-1
The Pittsburgh Express got a superb performance from pitcher Omar Ramirez, but the Boston Patriots still won the game, 4-1. Ramirez threw 6.0 innings of shutout ball. Justin Bowen finished to wrap up his 1st save. The win gives Boston a record of 13-10.

Boston took a 2-1 lead on Jeremy Northway's 1st triple of the season. The 2-run triple, which Northway hit in the bottom of the seventh, left Pittsburgh pitcher Ivan Azocar visibly frustrated.

"We've been playing some good baseball," Northway told the Boston Herald. "We're aggressive and focused on what we're going to do on the field and getting it done."



Philadelphia Fury (11-12) @ New York Aces (13-10)
Aces Split Series 2-2
New York's anemic bats waste chance to win series in game 4.

Here's the skinny: The Philadelphia Fury and New York Aces split their four-game series at Aces Field, with each team showing moments of dominance. In Game 1, Philadelphia's Mike Stanley pitched a shutout, leading the Fury to a 3-0 win, supported by Javier Robinson's solo home run. Game 2 saw New York bounce back with a resounding 12-1 victory, as Mike Gemmill pitched brilliantly and Tim Wheeldon drove in four runs. New York continued their momentum in Game 3, securing a 10-8 win thanks to Jonathan Mestas' three-hit performance and Paul MacPherson's timely run-scoring walk. The series concluded with Philadelphia's 10-3 triumph in Game 4, highlighted by Jesus Gaona's 4-for-5 day and Hiroki Ono's solid pitching. The Aces' record now stands at 13-10, while the Fury sit at 11-12, each team showcasing their strengths and weaknesses in this competitive series.

GAME 1 - Fury Shut Out Aces, 3-0
The Philadelphia Fury picked up a win at Aces Field, taking down the New York Aces, 3-0. Starting pitcher Mike Stanley was a big reason why. New York falls to 11-9.

Javier Robinson had a direct impact on the outcome. Robinson contributed a solo home run in the top of the third inning to put Philadelphia up, 2-0.

"Very pleased with the effort on our side," said Stanley.


GAME 2 - Aces Toast Fury, 12-1
New York Aces pitcher Mike Gemmill was in top form, leading his team past the Philadelphia Fury, 12-1. The loss drops the Fury to 10-11.

Tim Wheeldon, who is tied for 7th in the ABC in runs scored with 14, came through for New York with a run-scoring double in the bottom of the fifth. The catcher went 2 for 4 for the game, including 1 home run and 1 double. He scored 2 runs and collected 4 runs batted in.

"I wish every win came this easy," said Wheeldon.


GAME 3 - Aces Prevail, 10-8, Over Philadelphia
Jonathan Mestas led New York to a win over Philadelphia. The final score was 10-8. Mestas collected 2 RBI, while going 3 for 4 at the plate. The center fielder also scored 2 times. The win puts New York at 13-9.

Paul MacPherson helped out the New York cause in the bottom of the sixth inning with a run-scoring walk. For the game, the first baseman went 1 for 4 with a walk.

"I'm just looking to see the ball, hit the ball," said MacPherson.


GAME 4 - Gaona Helps Philadelphia Cruise to 10-3 Win
The rain came, as predicted, but the Philadelphia Fury and New York Aces were able to complete their ballgame.

Philadelphia shortstop Jesus Gaona contributed significantly to his team's 10-3 win over the New York Aces. Gaona went 4 for 5 with 2 runs scored to lead the offensive attack for the Fury. Hiroki Ono got the win, improving to 3-2. He held the Aces to 3 runs on 3 hits over 5.2 innings, while striking out 3 and walking 5. Jose Cortez earned save number 1 this season.

A key moment came with two out in the top of the second. That's when Gaona hit a knuckle curve from Pablo Magana for a run-scoring single, putting Philadelphia up, 1-0.

"The boys were really swinging the bats today," winning manager Danny Sanchez said.

The loss puts New York at 13-10.



St. Louis Stallions (12-11) @ Cincinnati Cougars (12-11)
Cougars Win Series 3-1
Joe Rogers / Cougars seal series victory in clutch game 4 performance.

Here's the skinny: The Cincinnati Cougars and St. Louis Stallions battled in a four-game series that showcased strong pitching and key offensive moments. In Game 1, Chris Collette's stellar pitching led Cincinnati to a 4-0 victory, with Joe Rogers' 2-run single providing crucial support. St. Louis bounced back in Game 2, winning a tight 1-0 contest thanks to Jose Coronado's dominant 7.1 innings of shutout ball. Game 3 saw Cincinnati's Rick Satchell deliver a complete game, allowing just one run in a 5-1 triumph. The series concluded with a thrilling 3-2 win for Cincinnati, highlighted by Joe Rogers' two home runs, including a game-winning solo shot in the seventh inning. The Cougars improved to 12-11, while the Stallions dropped to 12-11, each team demonstrating resilience and competitive spirit throughout the series.

GAME 1 - Cougars Earn 4-0 Home Win
The Cincinnati Cougars got a stellar effort from pitcher Chris Collette, helping Cincinnati score a win over the visiting St. Louis Stallions, 4-0. The win has Cincinnati at 10-10.

Cincinnati shortstop Joe Rogers contributed a timely at-bat in the bottom of the third. With two down, he hit a sinker to right field for a 2-run single. It was his 22nd hit of the season and put the Cougars ahead, 3-0.

"Chris mixed and matched," said Cincinnati manager Chris Allison.


GAME 2 - Coronado, St. Louis Prevail in Pitchers' Duel
In a low-scoring contest between the St. Louis Stallions and the Cincinnati Cougars, Jose Coronado, who is tied for 5th in the ABC with a 2.45 ERA, proved to be the difference. The St. Louis left-hander earned props for his performance in the 1-0 Stallions win. St. Louis goes to 12-9.

Coronado allowed no runs on 1 hit over 7.1 innings for the Stallions. He walked 8 and struck out 7.

"Jose's not intimidated by who's stepping into the batter's box," said St. Louis manager Ryan Messmer.


GAME 3 - Satchell Finds Groove in 5-1 Cincinnati Triumph
The rain did not keep Cincinnati and St. Louis from finishing their game.

The Cincinnati Cougars picked up a win at Cougars Park, knocking off the St. Louis Stallions, 5-1. Starting pitcher Rick Satchell was a big reason why. The victory makes Cincinnati 11-11.

Satchell, the winner, is now 3-2. In 9 innings of work, he gave up 1 run on 4 hits, while collecting 4 Ks. He essentially shut down the St. Louis offense.

"I liked his command," said Cincinnati manager Chris Allison. "Rick was throwing strikes."


GAME 4 - Rogers Jacks Two Home Runs in 3-2 Cincinnati Win
A 3-RBI performance from Joe Rogers, who finished 5th in the ABC in doubles with 38 in 1976, helped the Cincinnati Cougars beat the St. Louis Stallions, 3-2. Cincinnati pitcher Ricardo Hernandez got the win. He's now 2-1. Dave Escobedo was tagged with the loss. Picking up his 1st save was 26-year old right-handed pitcher Gil Medina.

Rogers had a game-changing home run in the bottom of the seventh. On a first pitch sinker from Dave Escobedo, he banged a solo home run to left, giving the Cougars a 3-2 lead. It was the 4th home run of the year for Rogers.

Cincinnati manager Chris Allison called it "a good, solid win."

The loss makes St. Louis 12-11.



Nashville Blues (12-11) @ Houston Mavericks (9-14)
Blues Win Series 3-1
Blues blitz Mavs for three straight road wins to take series.

Here's the skinny: The Nashville Blues and Houston Mavericks engaged in a competitive four-game series at Houston Stadium. In Game 1, Houston's Scott Szell pitched eight strong innings, striking out eight and leading his team to a 4-3 victory, with Elijah Glenn's run-scoring double proving decisive. Nashville bounced back in Game 2 with a 4-1 win, thanks to Arthur Blin's solid pitching and Kevin Walker's 2-run single. Game 3 saw Nashville edging out Houston 5-4, with Aiden Watkins securing the win and Andres Salas' 2-run single making a crucial difference. The series concluded with a dominant 5-0 win for Nashville in Game 4, as Antonio Hernandez pitched 7.2 scoreless innings. Nashville's performance improved their record to 12-11, while Houston's struggles continued, dropping to 9-14.

GAME 1 - Blues Fall Short, 4-3, at Houston
Houston beat Nashville on the strength of starting pitcher Scott Szell's fine effort. The right-hander led his team to a win, 4-3. Szell yielded 3 runs over 8 innings to notch the win. He scattered 5 hits, walked 2, and struck out 8. His record improves to 2-1. The save went to Tony Chavarria, his 3rd this season.

Elijah Glenn hit a run-scoring double off Alex Alvarez in the bottom of the fifth, which put the Mavericks in front, 4-3. In addition to the double, Glenn had 1 single, while going 2 for 4.

Glenn called the win the result of "everyone working in tandem."

Houston goes to 9-11.


GAME 2 - Nashville Beats Houston, 4-1
Nashville Blues starter Arthur Blin pitched his team past the Houston Mavericks, 4-1. The Mavericks drop to 9-12 and continue their inconsistent start to the 1981 season.

Kevin Walker, who was drafted in the 2nd round of the 1974 draft, had a direct impact on the outcome. Walker contributed a 2-run single in the top of the sixth inning to put Nashville up, 2-1.

"I thought we played a nice game," Blin told the Nashville Gazette. "Good pitching, timely hitting, it was all there."


GAME 3 - Blues Top Mavericks to Even Record
The Nashville Blues picked up a win at Houston Stadium, topping the Houston Mavericks, 5-4. On the mound for Nashville was left-hander Aiden Watkins. He played a principal role in the triumph. Joe Berger closed the game out for Nashville, earning his 2nd save. The Mavericks drop to 9-13 and continue their inconsistent start to the 1981 season.

It could have been a different outcome for Nashville, had it not been for Andres Salas, the 27-year old right fielder . Salas contributed a 2-run single in the top of the sixth inning to put Nashville up, 4-2.

"Both teams played hard," said Nashville manager Francisco Hernandez.


GAME 4 - Blues Top Mavericks, 5-0, Behind Hernandez
Nashville left-hander Antonio Hernandez pitched his team to victory over the Houston Mavericks at Houston Stadium. The final score was 5-0. The Mavericks drop to 9-14.

Antonio Hernandez was masterful. The left-hander allowed no runs on 2 hits over 7.2 innings.

"Antonio gave us a heck of an effort," said Nashville manager Francisco Hernandez.



Seattle Comets (12-11) @ Denver Rocketeers (12-11)
Comets Win Series 3-1
Comets emerge from an epic division battle victorious with two clutch extra inning wins on the road.

Here's the skinny: The Seattle Comets and Denver Rocketeers faced off in a thrilling four-game series that saw plenty of offensive fireworks and dramatic finishes. In Game 1, Seattle's catcher Luis Otero went 4-for-4, driving in three runs to lead the Comets to an 11-7 victory. Denver bounced back in Game 2 with a 7-6 win, thanks to Bobby Scott's clutch 2-run single in the fifth inning. Game 3 was an 11-inning nail-biter where Seattle's Alex Bautista hit a game-winning double, sealing a 12-11 win for the Comets. The series concluded with another 11-inning game, where David Olguin's run-scoring single gave Seattle a 3-2 victory. The Comets improved to 12-11, while the Rocketeers' record fell to 12-11, showcasing the evenly matched nature of the series.

GAME 1 - Otero Helps Comets Defeat Rocketeers, 11-7
Luis Otero was instrumental in his team's 11-7 triumph over the Denver Rocketeers. The catcher went 4 for 4 with 2 doubles, 2 singles, and a walk, while scoring 2 and driving in 3 for the Seattle Comets. The loss has the Rocketeers at 11-9.

Seattle took control in the top of the sixth. With two out and runners on 1st and 3rd, Pedro Medina hit a run-scoring single to make it 8-7, Comets.

"Getting a lot of baserunners and getting some timely hits, it's a good combination," said Otero.


GAME 2 - Rocketeers Drop Comets, 7-6
Seattle shortstop Kevin Richardson had a good game in a losing cause. His team fell, 7-6, to Denver at Rocketeers Field. Richardson was 3-4 with a home run and 2 singles. He scored 2 times and drove in 3. Randy Calvert snagged the win in relief. The right-hander allowed 1 run on 4 hits over 3.2 innings. He's now 2-0 on the season. The loss has the Comets at 10-11.

Bobby Scott was 2-3 with 2 singles. He drove in 2 runs for Denver. The 30-year old third baseman had a key at-bat in the bottom of the fifth. With two out and runners on 2nd and 3rd, he broke a 5-5 tie with a 2-run single off Antonio Romo. It was his 18th hit of the season.

"Winning the game is always the first objective," Scott said.


GAME 3 - Comets Win Nail-Biter
Jorge Cuellar did all he could to help his team prevail. In the end, though, it wasn't enough to keep the Denver Rocketeers from losing the game, 12-11, to the Seattle Comets in 11 innings at Rocketeers Field. Cuellar was 2-2 with a home run and 2 walks. He scored 3 times and drove in 3. The defeat makes Denver 12-10.

Seattle used the clutch hitting of Alex Bautista to capture the win. The left fielder drilled a run-scoring double in the top of the 11th inning to give the Comets the lead, 12-11. For the game, Bautista had 3 singles and 2 doubles in 7 at-bats.

"Our guys refused to lose," said Bautista.


GAME 4 - Comets Deal Rocketeers 3-2 Loss
The Seattle Comets defeated the Denver Rocketeers, 3-2, in 11 innings in American Baseball Conference action at Rocketeers Field. Seattle pitcher Ricardo Sanchez had a standout performance. Seattle reliever Jesse Street picked up the win, upping his record to 2-0. Alfonso Herrera was saddled with the loss. Denver drops to 12-11.

David Olguin, who leads the ABC in stolen bases with 8, had a direct impact on the outcome. Olguin contributed a run-scoring single in the top of the 11th inning to put Seattle up, 3-2.

"At the end of the day, it's always about your starting pitcher," said Seattle skipper William Ross.



Portland Lumberjacks (6-17) @ Las Vegas Gamblers (18-5)
Gamblers Sweep Series 4-0
Gamblers run the table on the punch less 'Jacks.

Here's the skinny: The Las Vegas Gamblers dominated their series against the Portland Lumberjacks, showcasing impressive performances and extending their winning streak. In Game 1, Mike Rabel's 5-for-5 day, including a home run and three RBIs, led Las Vegas to a 10-1 victory. Game 2 saw Rogelio Cole pitch a masterful shutout, securing a 2-0 win for the Gamblers, with Derrek Sanders striking out Shigeo Oshima to end a ninth-inning rally. The Gamblers continued their momentum in Game 3, with Charles Crane's two doubles and three runs contributing to a 10-4 victory. Finally, in Game 4, despite Portland's Lance Gregg hitting two home runs, Jeff Smith's 2-run triple helped Las Vegas to a 7-4 win, extending their streak to six games. Las Vegas now boasts an 18-5 record, while Portland struggles at the bottom of the standings.

GAME 1 - 5-for-5 Day for Rabel
Mike Rabel helped Las Vegas beat the Portland Lumberjacks, 10-1. He stroked 5 hits in 5 at-bats to spark his club in the win.

Mike Rabel hit an RBI single in the 1st, hit an RBI single in the 2nd, singled in the 4th, hit an RBI double in the 6th and hit a solo-shot off Juan White in the 8th.

This year, Rabel is hitting .329 with 5 home runs.


GAME 2 - Lumberjacks Suffer 2-0 Road Loss
The Las Vegas Gamblers got a marvelous performance from pitcher Rogelio Cole. The right-hander kept the Portland offense from ever getting much traction. The result was an impressive 2-0 Las Vegas victory at Gamblers Park. The Gamblers, now 16-5, have hit the ground running this season.

The outcome was still in doubt in the top of the ninth inning. With runners on 1st and 3rd and Portland trailing 2-0, Derrek Sanders needed to get a big out. On a 2-2 cutter, Shigeo Oshima struck out, putting the kibosh on a potential rally.


GAME 3 - 5 Straight Wins for Gamblers
The 10-4 Las Vegas win over Portland was due in large part to Charles Crane. The Gamblers right fielder went 2-4 with 2 doubles and a walk, while scoring 3 times. Jaylen Taylor, who finished 4th in the ABC in ERA with 2.93 last year, was the winner. He's now 2-2. The loser was Dave Lamb. The Gamblers, now 17-5, have hit the ground running this season.

Regardless of the outcome, those who came to Gamblers Park for the American Baseball Conference contest enjoyed being there.

"It's nice to see a lot of guys make contributions," said Gamblers manager Matt Petrie.


GAME 4 - Gamblers Win Streak Reaches 6
Despite a great performance by Portland shortstop Lance Gregg, the Las Vegas Gamblers defeated the Lumberjacks by the score of 7-4 at Gamblers Park. Gregg hit 2 home runs. He drove in 3 runs and scored twice. Fernando Bennett earned the win to go to 1-0. He allowed 3 runs on 3 hits, with 3 walks and 4 strikeouts in 7 innings of work. The win gives Las Vegas a record of 18-5.

The Gamblers got a big at-bat from third baseman Jeff Smith. For the game, Smith was 1-4 with a triple, while adding 2 RBI and scoring once. In the bottom of the sixth, with runners on 1st and 3rd, he stroked a 2-run triple. His 1st triple of the season gave Las Vegas a 4-2 lead.

"I feel like we're rolling now," Smith told the Las Vegas Observer."The dugout is coming alive."


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Orlando Greeley battered National Baseball Conference pitchers all April and wound up taking home the Batter of the Month Award.

"I've been around Action Baseball League long enough to know you really have to work hard day in and day out to be able to put up this kind of consistency," the 29-year-old Greeley told reporters. "I put in a lot of work, even on the days I might not take the field, and it's always nice when everything comes together for me like it did this last month."

In 22 games, Greeley hit .370 with 6 home runs, 21 RBIs and scored 20 runs.




On the heels of a very productive April, Juan Perez received American Baseball Conference Batter of the Month recognition today.

The battle-tested left fielder hit .305 for the Boston Patriots and racked up 13 home runs, 22 RBIs and 21 runs scored.


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There was little doubt around the National Baseball Conference that Antonio Pineda would be awarded Pitcher of the Month honors for April. Today, they made it official, naming the 24-year-old San Francisco Warriors starter the latest honoree.

He thoroughly dominated the hitters who stood in against him, holding them to a .214 batting average while fashioning a 0.64 ERA in 5 starts. His record for the month was 5-0 in 42 innings of work.





It was a sensational April for Oscar Herrera as he mystified, mesmerized and terrorized opposing batters to capture the American Baseball Conference Pitcher of the Month trophy.

Herrera locked down a 5-0 mark in 5 starts last month, striking out 30 while walking 14 in 40 innings and posting a 2.70 ERA.

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Yes, Enrique Laxton is just a rookie. But he is a special rookie. Today the 24-year-old Los Angeles starter was awarded the National Baseball Conference Rookie of the Month trophy for his standout performance in April.

He dominated the rookie class, registering 3 wins and 2 losses in 5 starts with 17 strikeouts in 32.2 innings and a 4.13 ERA.

Not bad for a first-year man.




Eddie Castruita's eyes seem to light up whenever he sees the baseball. The young New York shortstop has been hitting everything in sight for the better part of a month.

In April he was voted the Rookie of the Month.

During the month he hit .388 with 4 doubles, 1 triple and 2 home runs. Castruita also scored 12 times and drove in 8 runs.


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Real. Fictional. ⚾.

================================================== ================================================== ==========
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