World Baseball League: Following the Sheffield Mountain Hares

[dinosauryoshi]

The teams returned to the Orchard in Shanghai to a roaring crowd, as the Tartans won a tightly fought contest, 2-1, to take a 3-1 lead in the series, just one win away from their second World Series. Tartans pitcher Osamu Yamaguchi gave the best pitching performance of the series so far. He looked invincible as he threw 5.1 innings of shutout ball. Conference finals MVP Victor Cadoro came up clutch for the Tartans. The first baseman ripped a solo home run in the top of the seventh inning to put the Tartans ahead, 2-0, a run that ended up being critical to the Tartans’s win. The unflappable Tartans closer, Luis Lopez, was slightly flappable, but he only gave up the one run in his two closer innings, as he ensured the win for the Tartans.

Player of the game: Osamu Yamaguchi

The teams will return to Shanghai one last time tomorrow, as the Peaches try to stop the Tartans winning it all in game 5.

[dinosauryoshi]

The Shanghai Peaches have closed some of the gap between themselves and the series-leading Calgary Tartans, winning, 8-5 in their final game at the Orchard. Decorated Peaches designated hitter Adrião Palmer was 3 for 4 with a double, 2 singles, and was hit by a pitch. He scored 2 runs and drove in 2 and played a key part in the Peaches’ win. 5-1 down, the Tartans threatened a comeback with 4 runs in the 7th thanks to a Zach Dadzie grand slam into the terraces. At 6-5 down, the travelling Tartans fans were singing, sure their side would go on to tie up the World Series, but the Peaches countered back with 2 runs in the next inning, giving them a 3 run lead that proved decisive.

Player of the game: Adriao Palmer

Calgary Tartans 3 - 2 Shanghai Peaches

[dinosauryoshi]

The Peaches fought to the bitter end to extend the series with a tight 10-8 win at Baseball Plaza to take the series to a decisive 7th game. at Shanghai right fielder Koi-sho Hsi once again came up big, and was the catalyst for his side’s win. He was 4-4 with a home run, 2 doubles, and a walk. He scored 2 runs and drove in 3 in an outing that saw him roaring at the crowd on many an occasion. Zhou, Palmer and Ponce all hit home runs too for the Peaches, while Sekla Karuma hit one for the Tartans. It was in the 8th inning that the Peaches pulled away just enough to win, with Palmer’s solo home run bringing jubilation to the travelling contingent. Kasakh starter Pavlusha Okulsky was probably the happiest with the win, as his side saved his blushes over a disastrous start, giving up 6 runs in just 3 innings. 4 relievers took the remaining innings, giving up just 4, but most importantly the Peaches offense was firing on all cylinders.

Game 7 is set to be one of the hottest tickets in the world, while many expect the final game to attract record numbers of viewers across the globe.

Player of the game: Koi-sho Hsi

[dinosauryoshi]

Logo by @20_range

And Calgary have done it again! Their 2nd World Series title in 4 years, thanks to a commanding 8-2 win over the Peaches in game 7, as Shanghai’s comeback stopped short of getting them their first title.

Victor Cadoro was named MVP, adding this to his Championship Series MVP award, racking up 7 RBIs over the 7 games. There is little doubt though that Hsi would have won the award had Shanghai managed to win the big one.

Cadoro hit a beautiful home run in this one on the 3rd inning, as the Tartans pulled away. The Peaches threatened a comeback in the 4th with 2 runs, but it wasn’t enough as the Tartans offense continued to mash. 27 year old Adam Grove’s 2-run homer in the 5th was instrumental in securing the title for his side. Grove went 3 for 4 in a great performance.

Player of the game: Adam Grove

[dinosauryoshi]

Before we review the Mountain Hares' season and dish out some team awards, let's look at the WBL's major award winners.

Reliever of the year

EAA

Ta-kai Cheng. The Ulaanbaatar Cavalry rising star has won the Europe, Africa & Asia Reliever of the Year Award for 2058. The Singaporean captured the award on the strength of his 3.12 ERA over 95.1 innings. He also had 26 saves in 41 relief appearances, 83 strikeouts and only 48 walks. He received 82 first place votes out of a possible 144. At only 25 years old, he’ll be hoping to contiue hos dominance for years to come. Christian Ceballos of the Moscow Blizzard finished second in voting with 42 first place votes, while Erhan Kurtbek of the Kuala Lumpur Tigers finished third with 20 first place votes.

TAO

Gazment Idrizi of the San Diego Stingrays wins the award for the second time in his career, to add to his 3 all-star appearances. Undoubtedly one of the league’s very best relivers the Kosovar won the award with 38 saves in 62 relief appearances, 70 strikeouts in 66.1 innings and 19 walks. He had an ERA of 2.17, even more impressive in a year where ERAs where historically high. He received 89 first place votes out of a possible 144. Greg Cummings of the San Diego Stingrays finished second in voting with 38 first place votes, while Tommy Thompson of the Salt Lake City Skiers finished third with 4 first place votes.

Rookie of the year

EAA

Singaporean Fu-quan Gambhir of the Yangon Peacocks won this year’s award batting .305 with a .413 OBP. In 156 games this year, the first baseman laced 175 hits in 574 at-bats, hit 49 home runs, drove in 152 runs and scored 122 times. He’s been touted as one of the future superstars of the league for many years now, and this season he lived up to his billing. He received 144 first place votes, as a unanimous winner. Kikpurui Chikumbu of the Dar es Salaam Giraffes finished second in voting, while Xiang-ling Ya of the Guangzhou Rams finished third.

TAO

Peruvian Ruben Martinez won the TAO rookie of the year award in slightly less spectacular, but still impressive fashion. He had 128 games played, a .286 average, 132 hits, 40 home runs, 47 walks and a .353 on-base percentage. The 25 year old Santiago Flamingo second-baseman also drove in 96 runs and scored 83 times. He received 101 first place votes out of a possible 144. Nafi Fakihi of the Porto Alegre Winemakers finished second in voting with 34 first place votes, while Liamine Cherono of the Melbourne Whales finished third.

We'll cover the Pitcher of the Year and MVP winners next.

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Pitcher of the Year

TAO

Bruce Dunn of the Santo Domingo Dolphins fired on all cylinders in 2058 and dominated The Americas & Oceania batters. During the year Dunn compiled a 22-6 record, a 3.30 ERA and 211 strikeouts while working 220.2 innings and racking up 7.0 WAR. The 33 year old Australian made his name at the Auckland Kiwis, and has put up a whole host of great seasons and with a cumulative 5.8 WAR in 11 seasons. However, 2058 saw his first all-star appearance and pitcher award, showing just how high the bar is for any of the WBL awards.

He received 78 first place votes out of a possible 144. Sateki Kikeona of the Bogota Condors finished second in voting with 46 first place votes, while Steve Lucas of the Memphis Steamers finished third with 20 first place votes.

EAA

The 33 year old Argentinian Antonio Cazares was on fire this season for the Bengaluru Bytes. He went 16-10 in 34 starts with 242 strikeouts in 219.1 innings and a 3.32 ERA, amounting to superb 7.4 WAR. The 5th round pick was drafted out of high-school in 2043, and made is MLB debut in 2047. He has netted a WAR of over 58 in his career since then, and made the all-star game this year, as well as back in 2052. He’s a power pitcher, who’s stuff gets a lot of swings and misses.

He received 120 first place votes out of a possible 144. Ari Bintang of the Hanoi Mopeds finished second in voting with 2 first place votes, while Tycho Kock of the Paris Black Cats finished third.

MVP

TAO

There was some shock at the announcement of the year’s MVP for EAA. Fans had generally believed that Antonio Cardoza’s season for the La Paz Doves was sure to land him this year’s award, given many are saying it was the most impressive season by any outfielder in the history of the WBL. Cardoza smashed a whole load of WLB single season records this year, including the batting average (.393) and OPS (1.354) records, while completing the season woth an obscene 11.1 WAR. Although his 57 home runs wasn’t close to the new WBL record of 85, it was still one of the highest tallies. All that was only enough for second though, with 44 first place votes. The unexpected winner was pitcher Steve Lucas - who was the only starter to manage an ERA under 3 this year, with 2.87, and the league’s highest ERA+ with 182. He had a 7.4 WAR and 179 Ks, as he well and truly cemented his place as the Memphis Steamer’s ace. In a season where ERAs were way higher than is normal in the WBL, Lucas’ season really does stand out.

EAA

He may only be 26, but the Japanese-Brazilian Tony Iwaki of the Pyongyang Grasshoppers’ had a season that he’ll find hard to top for the rest of his career. Iwaki had a ultra-reliable .351 batting average and a .464 on-base percentage this year. In 159 games he piled up 210 hits, 67 home runs, and 162 RBI, his WAR was 9.0, helped by also being one of the league’s best defensive first-baseman. He’s now been an all-star in all 4 of his seasons in the WBL, having also won the rookie of the year award in 2055. Iwaki is on a hall-of-fame trajectory if he can stay healthy and continue to notch up these kinds of ridiculous numbers. The Grasshoppers will be delighted to have him signed through 2066, having been their first, and the second overall, pick of the 2051 draft.

He received 144 first place votes, as a unanimous winner. Mujahid bin Basim of the Manila Snakes finished second in voting, while Florian Margreiter of the Moscow Blizzard finished third.

[dinosauryoshi]

The Sheffield Mountain Hares: A Year in Review (2058 Edition)

The Hares finished 83- 78 - 1, finishing 7th in the European Division. Their highest position, and most wins in their short history.

Of the 68 teams in the European, Africa and Asia, here’s how the the Sheffield Mountain Hares’ teams stats compare:



We can see that in general, the offense was somewhat below average, while the pitching was well above average, with most stats between 10th and 20th in the conference. Of the 4 main starters that the team finished the season with, 3 had an ERA+ of 113 or above (161 in Herzog’s case) and only one was below average with an ERA+ of 97, Giobbe Marinello. Above average doesn’t count for much in this league though, and you want to be in the top 10 of the conference to be making a realistic push for the playoffs.

As such, fans will be optimistically hoping the rotation gets plugged with a real star over the off-season. While the offense looks the most concerning on the surface, particularly with the likely departure of superstar Willie Perez through free agency, the team does have some of the league’s top prospects coming through the system which will bolster their lineup over the coming years. Top prospect Eskinder Ali is expected to get promoted next year, for which there is widespread excitement. Rob Graham was superb once he came up last season, and if that continues the Hares will be hoping to improve on this season’s subpar offensive performance.

Sheffield Mountain Hares Player Awards

Team Pitcher of the Year - Alois Herzog

This was no contest really, the 25 year-old Austrian Alois Herzog was super strong, particularly in the second half of the year. Over the season he was the only pitcher on the team to end up with an ERA below 4, and his ERA+ was a superb 161, showing just how good he was compared to the league as a whole. The whole Hares starting rotation got a WAR of 2.8 or above for the season, showing general steadiness, but Herzog managed to rack up 4.8. His ERA of 3.21, and WHIP of 1.21 both led the team. Fans will be hoping he continues the form he showed in his 3rd season next year.

Team Most Valuable Player - Willie Perez

Though Kolya Saetgaliev was a strong contender for this award as well, Willie ends up winning out due to the amount of entertaining moments he gave to Sheffield’s fans, while absolutely crushing a whole heap of the team’s single-season offensive records. To name a few, he now holds the team’s single-season batting average (.308), home runs (50, previously 28!), and OPS (.996) records. Though Saetgaliev is ranked second in all those now, having also beaten the previous records, he is some way behind Perez.

Perez’ WAR was the highest in the lineup, with 3.6 (Saetgaliev had 3), but that was quite impressive when you consider how much of a liability he is on defense nowadays, which is where Saetgaliev is the much more rounded player. It’s also worth mentioning that Rob Graham, in only 76 games, had a WAR of 2.4, and had he started the season and played in that vein from game 1, this award would undoubtedly be his. I’m excited to see what he can put together next season in his full-season debut. One has to imagine many of Perez’ records (particularly that home runs one) will stand for quite a while, the excitement, pizzaz, and personality he has brought to Kingfisher Park this season won’t be forgotten in a hurry, even if we’re unlikely to see him don the Hares teal jerseys again.

Team Golden Glove

Centre-fielder Jason Portman’s offensive numbers (lowly .209 average for example) are unlikely to impress anyone, but he was the team’s best defender this year, racking up a Zone Rating of 12.1, with his fair share of home run steals and athletic theatrics at centre-field. Second baseman Rob Graham, shortstop Mario Maldonado and catcher Adam Koehler deserve a mention too, all of which were among the conference’s better defenders at their position. The former two would have been contending for this award for sure, had they played more games, but having played at least 50 less than Portman, it’s hard to pass him over for this award. I’m not sure fans will be sad to see Portman replaced by someone more offensively proficient next season, but he very much deserves this nod, and they’ll be hoping he sticks around as a defensive specialist at the very least.

[dinosauryoshi]

WBL - Historical World Series and Conference Championship Winners

Teams ranked by amount of wins, and then most recent win. 2058 winners in bold.

World Series Titles

1. Calgary Tartans: 2 (2055, 2058)
2. Yaounde Cannons: 2 (2053, 2054)
3. New Orleans Jazz: 2 (2040, 2042)
4. Tijuana Stouts (2057)
5. Kano Camels (2056)
6. Miami Swordfish (2052)
7. Quito Cinchonas (2051)
8. Asuncion Pampas Foxes (2050)
9. Juarez Cactus (2049)
10. Vienna Music (2048)
11. Colorado Blue Spruce (2047)
12. Kansas City Meadowlarks (2046)
13. Pyongyang Grasshoppers (2045)
14. Antananarivo Lemurs (2044)
15. Sao Paolo Knights (2043)
16. San Jose Sloths (2041)

The Americas and Oceania Conference Championships (Pineapples)

1. Calgary Tartans (2053, 2055, 2058)
2. New Orleans Jazz (2040, 2042)
3. Tijuana Stouts (2057)
4. Lima Cavies (2056)
5. Bogota Condors (2054)
6. Miami Swordfish (2052)
7. Quito Cinchonas (2051)
8. Ascuncion Pampas Foxes (2050)
9. Juarez Cacti (2049)
10. Toronto Gray Jays (2048)
11. Colorado Blue Spruce (2047)
12. Kansas City Meadowlarks (2046)
13. Vancouver Green Sox (2045)
14. Sydney Koalas (2044)
15. Sao Paolo Knights (2043)
16. San Jose Sloths (2041)

Europe, Africa and Asia Conference Championship Winners (Mangoes)

1. Yaounde Cannons (2053, 2054)
2. Vienna Music (2048, 2049)
   
3. Shanghai Peaches (2058)
4. Kabul Caracals (2057)
5. Kano Camels (2056)
6. Johannesburg Springboks (2055)
7. Shenzhen Peanuts (2052)
8. Dhaka Mammoths (2051)
9. St Petersburg Pelicans (2050)
10. New Taipei City Magpies (2047)
11. Madrid Mallards (2046)
12. Pyongyang Grasshoppers (2045)
13. Antananarivo Lemurs (2044)
14. Manila Snakes (2043)
15. St Petersburg Pelicans (2042)
16. Rome Legion (2041)
17. Addis Ababa Lions (2040)

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Historical Division Titles

Ranked by number, and then most recent title. 2058 winners in bold.

The Americas and Oceania (TAO)

South America

1. Lima Cavies: 5 (2043, 2044, 2046, 2056, 2057)
2. Rio de Janeiro Redeemers: 3 (2045,2047,2048)
3. La Paz Doves: 2 (2053, 2054)
4. Quito Cinchonas: 2 (2041, 2051)
5. Asuncion Pampas Foxes: 2 (2040, 2049)
6. Sao Paolo Gold Sox: 1 (2058)
7. Porto Alegre Winemakers (est. 2055): 1 (2055)
8. Salvador Toucans: 1 (2052)
9. Cordoba Silversmiths: 1 (2050)
10. Montevideo Jaguars: 1 (2042)

No wins

• Caracas Macaws
• Medellin Woodpeckers
• Bogota Condors
• Santiago Flamingos
• Buenos Aires Apples
• Brasilia Travelers (est. 2052)
• Manaus Jaguars (est. 2058)

Central America & Oceania

1. Port Moresby Manatees: 4 (2040, 2041, 2056, 2057)
2. Havana Cafecitos: 4 (2045, 2046, 2049, 2051)
3. Sydney Koalas: 3 (2044, 2054, 2055)
4. Tegucigalpa Savannah: 2 (2047, 2048)
5. San Jose Sloths: 2 (2042, 2043)
6. Santo Domingo Dolphins (est. 2052): 1 (2058)
7. Mexico City Aztecs: 1 (2053)
8. Juarez Cacti: 1 (2052)
9. Melbourne Whales: 1 (2050)

No wins

• San Pedro Sula Fire
• San Salvador Volcanoes
• Guatemala City Ocelots
• Managua Motmots
• Panama City Poets
• Auckland Kiwis
• San Juan Garitas (est. 2055)
• Perth Fairywrens (est. 2058)

North America - West

1. Calgary Tartans: 5 (2042, 2053, 2054, 2056, 2058)
2. Honolulu Seahawks: 2 (2052, 2054)
3. Salt Lake City Skiers: 2 (2050, 2051)
4. Vancouver Green Sox: 2 (2045, 2049)
5. Albuquerque Chiefs: 2 (2043, 2044)
6. Tijuana Stouts (est. 2052): 1 (2057)
7. Alaska Moose: 1 (2055)
8. California Waveriders: 1 (2048)
9. Colorado Blue Spruce: 1 (2047)
10. Los Angeles Stars: 1 (2046)
11. Arizona Wrens: 1 (2043)
12. Las Vegas Jacks: 1 (2041)

No wins

• Portland Jackalopes (White Oaks)
• Idaho Owls
• Montana Smokey Bears
• San Diego Stingrays (est. 2055)
• Winnipeg Caribou (est. 2058)

North America - East

1. New Orleans Jazz: 3 (2042, 2053, 2054)
2. Miami Swordfish: 3 (2046, 2049, 2052)
3. Memphis Steamers: 2 (2041, 2058)
4. Toronto Gray Jays: 2 (2048, 2055)
5. Montreal Miracles: 2 (2040, 2045)
6. Philadelphia Ruffed Grouse: 1 (2057)
7. Boston Bluebirds: 1 (2056)
8. Atlanta Eagles: 1 (2051)
9. Washington Grays (Presidents): 1 (2050)
10. St Louis Flycatchers 1 (2047)
11. Nashville Rockabillys: 1 (2044)
12. New York Raccoons: 1 (2043)

No wins

• Chicago Hoppers:
• Kansas City Meadowlarks
• Houston Apollos (est. 2052)
• New Jersey Jellyfish (est (2055)
• Dallas Cosmopolitans (est. 2058)

Europe, Africa and Asia

Europe

1. St Petersburg Pelicans: 4 (2042, 2050, 2053, 2054)
2. Paris Black Cats: 3 (2044, 2045, 2057)
3. Budapest Red Squirrels: 3 (2046, 2047, 2049)
4. Rome Legion: 2 (2055, 2056)
5. Vienna Whistlers: 2 (2040, 2048)
6. Moscow Blizzard: 1 (2058)
7. Warsaw Kings: 1 (2052)
8. London Gentlemen: 1 (2051)
9. Berlin Bears: 1 (2043)
10. Bucharest Sounds: 1 (2041)

No wins

• Zurich Mountaineers
• Kyiv Terrapins
• Madrid Mallards
• Minsk Bison
• Stockholm Orcas (est. 2052)
• Sheffield Mountain Hares (est. 2055)
• Athens Philosphers (est. 2058)

Africa

1. Abidjan White Elephants: 3 (2045, 2051, 2052)
2. Kinshasha Leopards: 3 (2048, 2049, 2050)
3. Lagos Moons: 3 (2042, 2043, 2044)
4. Ouagadougou Stallions (est. 2052): 2 (2054, 2055)
5. Cairo Scarabs: 2 (2040, 2041)
6. Dar es Salaam Giraffes: 1 (2058)
7. Addis Ababa Lions: 1 (2057)
8. Kano Camels: 1 (2056)
9. Yaounde Cannons: 1 (2053)
10. Johannesburg Scholars (2047)
11. Antananarivo Lemurs (2046)

No wins

• Khartoum Rhinos
• Casablanca Gray Wolves
• Nairobi Lilacs
• Luanda Red Caps
• Nouakchott Sand Sox (est. 2055)
• Cape Town Penguins (est. 2058)

West & South-East Asia

1. Bengaluru Bytes: 4 (2043, 2045, 2050, 2053)
2. Dhaka Mammoths: 3 (2042, 2052, 2055)
3. Manila Snakes: 2 (2054, 2058)
4. Yangon Peacocks: 2 (2046, 2049)
5. Istanbul Spice: 2 (2047, 2048)
6. Mumbai Directors: 2 (2040, 2041)
7. Phnom Penh Jackhammers: 1 (2057)
8. Jakarta Dragons: 1 (2056)
9. Bangkok Eels (River Otters): 1 (2051)
10. Karachi Seafarers: 1 (2044)

No Wins

• Tehran Goats
• Baghdad Chukars
• Dubai Hyenas
• Hanoi Mopeds
• Riyadh Bedouins (est. 2052)
• Patna Roosters (est. 2055)

Central & East Asia

1. Singapore Shipwrights: 5 (2045, 2046, 2048, 2049, 2053)
2. Pyongyang Grasshoppers: 4 (2044, 2047, 2055, 2056)
3. New Taipei City Magpies: 2 (2040, 2051)
4. Hong Kong Kites: 2 (2042, 2043)
5. Shanghai Peaches: 1 (2058)
6. Tokyo Octopi: 1 (2057)
7. Almaty Blue Sox (Sunrise): 1 (2054)
8. Shenzhen Peanuts: 1 (2052)
9. Beijing Pandas: 1 (2050)
10. Seoul Crabs: 1 (2041)

No wins

• Kabul Caracals
• Hiroshima Express
• Guangzhou Rams
• Kuala Lumpur Tigers
• Busan Oysters (est. 2052)
• Ulaanbaatar Cavalry (est. 2055)

[dinosauryoshi]

Sheffield Mountain Hares Team Preview (2059 Season)


Lineup

Catcher - Adam Koehler - The 25 year old is one of the division’s best defensive catchers and can more than hold his own on offense with an OPS+ of 128 last season. He has some pop with 18 home runs last season, but he’s more of a god-eye guy.

First Base - Abdul-Karim bin Jameel - his superb 2057 season, where he was an all-star, had everyone excited. Last year was largely disappointing however as he finished the season with an OPS only slightly above average, and a low WAR of 1.1. The 35 year old Afghan has a good eye, and can hit for great contact when he’s on form, but are his best days behind him? 2048 all-star Santiago Padilla (OFF-SEASON ADDITION) fits the recent pattern of veterans signed on one-year contracts by Carson Reynolds. The first-baseman is 37s old, and nowhere near the stock of Willie Perez from last season, but he does still have plenty of pop in him, as shown by his 41 home runs last season. His fielding is marginally better than Perez’ was, but that’s not saying much, and so many predict him to be a DH in times of need.

Second Base - Rob Graham - The 22 year old Australian is one of the league’s top prospects and was superb in the second half of the season for the Hares after he was promoted, racking up 2.4 WAR in just over 75 games, where he also hit for 15 home runs. People are expecting his power to make a leap in his sophomore season, which would make him a formidable player, when combined with his good defensive skills.

Third Base - Werner Schilegger (OFF-SEASON ADDITION) - The Hares acquired Schilegger in a trade for prospects Lang-fan Wan and Sean Charles. The 30-year old Austrian is 6’4 and uses his range for very good contact, and is a plus defender. He’s unlikely to set the league alight, but will be a solid addition to the lineup. He’s coming off a down year last year where he had a poor OPS+ of 90.

Shortstop - Ilyas Muraguri (OFF-SEASON ADDITION) - No one’s expecting Muraguri to be the long-term solution, who was signed as a free-agent in the offseason as a backup. He’s a plus defender at shortstop, but unlikely to be much of a threat on offense, where he posted a very low OPS+ of 38 last year for the Blue Sox.

Left-field - Leftfield is arguably the Hares’ most packed position, with Sergio Rutz, Kolya Saetgaliev and top prospect Eskinder Ali all having it listed as their main position. Chances are Rutz will end up at right-field, as the most capable of the three at that position. Rutz had a blistering start to last season but tailed off after a mid-season injury. He’ll be hoping to show the great defensive capabilities he has as well as his pop and great eye at the plate all-season long this time. Saetgaliev was the runner up for the team’s MVP last year, and is just one of those players who is solid at everything, while having no particular thing you’d call him superb at. The Belarussian is a fan favourite for his work-ethic and clear, but quiet, love for the fans. We’ve said plenty about Ali, who is one of the league’s top prospects. A rare two-way player, he’s a stronger batter than he is a pitcher, but very proficient at both, and if he can bump up his eye and contact skills, he’ll surely end up being one of the league’s best hitters. The question is when will Carson Reynolds promote him and give him a chance in the WBL? Those close to the team suggest not quite yet, but likely this season.

Right-field - As above, we’ll likely see Rutz lining up here, but if not the Hares also have the very capable Jesus Morales at the position. Morales, like Saetgaliev is solid at everything, but is more of an athlete on the bases, the Colombian racked up an OPS+ of 128 last season, with 10 home-runs.

Centre-field - Fans are generally disappointed that more effort hasn’t been made to get a replacement for Jason Portman at the position, who despite being a very good defender, has let the side down with some very below average hitting. He’s likely to return as the starter in 2059, but there are general calls for Reynolds to give Jeff McBurrows another shot. McBurrows has been generally disappointing since his blistering start as a rookie in 2055, but his glove is only very slightly worse than Portman’s, and there’s no doubt his offensive ceiling is considerably higher, even if his hyper-aggressiveness at the plate can get him in trouble.

Rotation

Alois Herzog - the Hares starter comfortably beat out the rest of the rotation for the team’s pitcher of the year award last season, and he’ll be the team’s ace this season. The 25 year old throws a mean fastball, and is just a reliable starter, with good control and a selection of usable pitches.

Mototomi Motoyanagi - The next 4 rotation spots could be in any order really, but odds are Motoyanagi will be the number 2 pick. A 3.7 WAR season like last year’s would be just fine. If he could only sort out his command, he’d be a very good pitcher, but as long as it remains his achilles heel he’ll be a boom or bust type of player.

Yushua bin Saqr - The 29 year old Algerian is the holder of most Hares career pitching records (e.g 41 wins, 501 strikeouts) had a great 4.2 WAR season last year, his best since 2055. His stuff is unspectacular, but his control makes him ever-reliable.

Giobbe Marinello - The 35 year old Italian is likely approaching the end of his career, and was the one member of the rotation to have a below average ERA for the Hares last season. He has 6 serviceable pitches, but has been plagued by inconsistency.

Isaac Saville (OFF-SEASON ADDITION) - He had an ERA+ of 94 in his 32 games last season for the Philadelphia Ruffed Grouse, and is untested as a season-long starter. The 31 year old English lefty has got a bunch of great pitches, and generally good control, but just hasn’t got it to work too spectacularly at the WBL level. Maybe this will be the season that changes? Fans will certainly be hoping so considering his 16.8m salary.

Bullpen

The bullpen that had the 30th lowest ERA of the 64 EAA teams last year is largely unchanged. Tekle-Marian Lekimeju leads the pen, the 27 year old has great stuff, but a tendency to go wild. The 23 year old Spanish closer Rey Ochoa will be hoping to build on the decent season heh ad last year.

Pre-season predictions

The Hares went from being predicted 6th before the pre-season, to being predicted 16th (77-85) today, on the day before the start of the season. This was largely due to it being made clear that the team would not be promoting some of their top prospects (primarily Eskinder Ali) for game 1 of the season. Carson Reynolds has said although the team will “play hard, as we always do, I’m not necessarily expecting us to challenge for the playoffs this season. Our planned trajectory has us doing that once we have more of the many great prospects we have in the team established in our WBL squad, I’d say that will be in 2-3 years.”

I’m looking forward to seeing how things go, and whether we make any more trades as the season progresses. I still feel our pitching rotation is in need of some plugging, and don’t see any of the prospects moving the needle on that side.

[dinosauryoshi]

Sheffield Mountain Hares at Singapore Shipwrights (April 4th-6th, 2059)


Logos by @20_range

Team Profile: Singapore Shipwrights
Banners: Division Champions: 5 (2045, 2046, 2048, 2049, 2053)
Times made playoffs: 6
Last season: 5th

Central & East Asia’s most successful outfit in terms of divisional wins will be hoping to make the playoffs this year, having just missed out last year.

Game 1 - Friday April 4th, 2059

SP: Yushua bin Saqr

The Sheffield Mountain Hares got off to a losing start in their season opener in Singapore, as 29 year old Amduka Lecchelo went 6 innings giving up two runs for the Shipwrights. Third baseman Issam bin Dabir was the star of the game, going 4 for 4 with 2 doubles and 2 singles as the Shipwrights marched to a convincing win. Rutz and Koehler batted in the Hares’ 2 runs, but there were no standout performances from the Sheffield squad

Player of the game: Issam bin Dabir




Game 2 - Saturday April 5th, 2059

SP: Giobbe Marinello

The Hares exploded out the gates in game 2 of the season, as they smashed 4 runs past the Shipwrights in the first inning in a commanding 8-2 win. Koehler was on form, going 3-5 with a home run and 2 singles. The Hares’ first home run of the season went to the Nicaraguan veteran Padilla though, as the off-season acquisition paid of early for the Hares with a bomb in the 8th. Giobbe Marinello’s first outing was solid, giving up just 2 runs in 6 innings, before the North-Korean Su-min Kim capably kept the Mariners at bay for the final 3 innings.

Player of the game: Adam Koehler



Game 3 - Sunday April 6th, 2059

SP: Isaac Saville

Isaac Saville gave up only 2 hits and no runs in his Hares debut as Sheffield convincingly beat Singapore 5-1, to take the series. Hares fans were excited by what they saw as the left-handed Englishman perplexed Singapore’s lineup again and again. Sergio Rutz and Jesus Morales got their first homers of the season in a win that will make the flight back to Sheffield to take on St. Petersburg all the more pleasant.

Player of the game: Isaac Saville

[dinosauryoshi]

St Petersburg Pelicans at Sheffield Mountain Hares (7th-9th April, 2059)


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

Team Profile: St Petersburg Pelicans
Banners: EAA Conference Champions (2042,2050), European Division Champions (2042, 2050, 2053, 2054).
Times made playoffs: 6
Last season: 7th

The Mountain Hares first divisional game sees them inviting the St Petersburg Pelicans, Europe’s most succesful team, to Kingfisher park. The teams finished within touching distance of each other in 2058, but who will make the strongest start to the season?

Game 1

SP: Alois Herzog

Game 1 was an absolute drubbing for the Pelicans, as the Hares won 10-0 led by a vintage performance from Jeff McBurrows. The first baseman went 4 for 5 with a home run and 3 singles, as Herzog shut out the Pelicans for his 6 innings. Adam Koehler went 2 for 4 with 4 RBIs as Hares fans left elated following their first game at home.

Player of the game: Jeff McBurrows



Game 2

SP: Mototomi Motoyanagi

The Pelicans and Hares fought out a tight game that was tied at 2-2 in the 7th inning before the away side pulled away for a 5-2 lead. McBurrows hit another homer, while Rob Graham got his first of the season. In the end though Afrim Nano’s 7 innings giving up just 2 runs set the Pelicans up for the win, while the Hares piching core, led by Motoyanagi, leaked just a few too many runs to help the Hares’ ailing offense.

Player of the game: Afrim Nano



Game 3

SP: Yushua bin Saqr

Yushua bin Saqr went deep for the Hares, giving up 3 in 7 innings, but was let down by the bullpen as the Pelicans took the series with a 6-2 win. Lekimeju came on and gave up 3 while only getting 1 out, and the Hares’ struggling offense was unable to recover the deficit. American Dave Bellinghausen was the star for the Pelicans, going 3 for 4 with a home run and a double. The loss means the Hares are 3-3.

Player of the game: Dave Bellinghausen

[dinosauryoshi]

Sheffield Mountain Hares at Madrid Mallards (11th-13th April, 2059)



Team Profile: Madrid Mallards
Banners: EAA Conference Champions (2046)
Playoff appearances: 3
Last season: 10th
Current record: 2-4

Game 1

SP: Isaac Saville

The Hares trip to Spain got off to a poor start as they were dispatched 9-5 by the Mallards in the series opener. Gates Harrigan, the Canadian super slugger winner in 2051, took most of the plaudits, aiding his team in pulling away when the game was 4-4 in the 7th with 2-run triple off Octav Draghici from the Hares bullpen. It was a solid performance across the Mallards lineup with 5 batters getting 2 hits. On the Hares side Rob Graham smashed his second home run of the season, while bin Jameel went an impressive 3 for 5. Isaac Saville’s second start wasn’t as great as his first as he gave up 4 runs in 5 innings, but it was Romanian Octav Dragici who really lost it for the Hares, giving up a further 4 runs in just 1.1 innings.

Player of the game: Gates Harrigan



Game 2

SP: Giobbe Marinello

The Mallards threatened a sweep with another convincing win against the Hares, this time 6-3. Nabibukhsh Abbasi kept Sheffield at aby, giving up just 1 run in 5 innings while Jean Comte hit his second home run of the series, a 3-run bomb in the bottom of the third. Giobbe Marinello looked out of sorts as he gave up 5 runs in 5 innings, while only 3 of the Hares lineup got any hits, and two of those only managed one.

Player of the game: Nabibukhsh Abbasi



Game 3

SP: Alois Herzog

The Hares pulled out a much needed win, 10-5, to spare their blushes and avoid a sweep. Jesus Morales was on superlative form as his great start to the season continued. He went 3-5, with two of those hits being homers, leading to him driving in 5 in the game. New Caledonian Jean Comte hit his 3rd home run of the series for the Mallards, while Portman and Schilchegger also smashed it into the crowd for the Hares. Herzog gave another solid start, giving up just one run in 4.1 innings. He’s currently sitting on an ERA of 0.87 after two starts.

Player of the game: Jesus Morales

[dinosauryoshi]

Rome Legion at Sheffield Mountain Hares (14th to 16th April, 2059)



Team Profile: Rome Legion
Banners: EAA Conference Champions (2041), European Champions (2055, 2056)
Playoff appearances: 4
Last season: 15th
Current record: 6-3

The Rome Legion are undoubtedly one of Europe’s most successful teams, but they had their lowest placing in history last year (granted, there are more teams now than there used to be!) and will be hoping for improvement this year. They’ve started the season well, and head to Kingfisher Park near the top of the division at this early stage in the season.

Game 1

SP: Mototomo Motoyanagi

Ilyas Muraguri had his first standout performance for the Hares in their 8-6 defeat of the Rome Legion. He went 2 for 4 with 2 home runs, driving in 5 runs for Sheffield as the fans chanted ‘What’s the story Muraguri?’ to the tune of that Oasis song from the 1990s. Jason Portman also came up big in the bottom of the eighth, giving the Hares the 5-4 lead with a lovely single, from which point the Hares looked in control. The Hares had been 4-0 until the 7th inning, when the comeback began, thanks in no small part to Muraguri’s first home run. Motoyanagi struggled giving up 4 runs in 5 innings, but the bullpen kept things relatively under control for the rest of the game, Octav Draghichi deserves particular mention for giving up no runs, and only 1 hit in 2 innings.

Player of the gameL Ilyas Muraguri



Game 2

SP: Yushua bin Saqr

The Sheffield Mountain Hares and Rome Legion put on a pitchers' duel at Kingfisher park, as the Hares came out on top 2-1. Yushua bin Saqr’s curveball was on point and had the Legion lineup swinging like monkeys for his 6.2 innings, in which he gave up just 1 run. Rey Ochoa capably took things home, collecting his 2nd save of the season. A Mitch Cooper home run and Jason Portman sacrifice fly were enough to win the game for Sheffield, who improve to 6-5.

Player of the game: Yushua bin Saqr



Game 3

SP: Isaac Saville

Game 3 went to extra innings at Kingfisher Park as the Legion avoided a sweep thanks to a thrilling 5-3 win in 10 innings. It was American catcher Pete Danielson who broke the deadlock, which had stood at 3-3 since the 5th inning, as he stroked a 2-run single in the top of the 10th which the Hares were unable to answer. It was a game of many decent performances, rather than one outstanding one, but Isaac Saville was player of the game thanks to his solid 6 inning start, in which he gave up 3 runs while notching up 7 strikeouts.

Player of the game: Isaac Saville

[dinosauryoshi]

Sheffield Mountain Hares at Moscow Blizzard (18th - 20th April, 2059)



Team Profile: Moscow Blizzard
Banners: Europe Division Champions (2058)
Last season: 1st
Current record: 4-8

The Blizzard have a banner up in the stadium for the first time, having gained themselves one for winning the Europe Division last year, but they’re struggling this year, with a 4-8 start to begin their campaign.

Game 1

SP: Giobbe Marinello

The Hares started the series with a convincing 3-0 win in Moscow. Giobbe Marinello was giving up nothing, allowing only 1 hit and 0 runs in 8 innings in one of his finest performances for a while. Rey Ochoa took over the mantle and shut out the Blizzard in the final inning. Offensively, the Hares weren’t exactly firing on all cylinders, but they did enough, with a 1-run homer from Saetgaliev in the 4th being the highlight, his first of the season.

Player of the game: Giobbe Marinello



Game 2

SP: Alois Herzog

Moscow hit back in style in game 2, as they put on an offensive clinic in a 10-5 win at Fieldfare Park. Sergio Rutz put on a fine display, smashing two home runs as he went 2 for 4 and a walk. Alois Herzog had a bad start, giving up 5 runs in 3 innings before Reynolds turned to the bullpen, who didn’t fare much better. 5-1 down in the 4th, the Hares pulled back to 5-5 and looked to have the momentum. But Moscow managed to pull away when a Kyu-min Rho single started somewhat of a carousel for the Blizzard. The Blizzard racked up 3 home runs over the course of the game, from Curti, Hargenberg and Margreiter respectively.

Player of the game: Sergio Rutz



Game 3

SP: Mototomo Motoyanagi

Fan favourite Motoyanagi put on a great show as he led the Hares to a 4-1 win to clinch the series. He went 7.2 innings - the second pitcher to go deep this series - allowing only 1 run and 3 hits. It did look like the Blizzard might be mounting a comeback in the bottom of the ninth as they had runners on 1st and 2nd, but Torquato Trombelli (what a name!) hit into a double play in what turned out to be the Blizzard’s last chance. It means the Blizzard are now 5-10, while the Hares are positive at 8-7. Offensively it wasn’t a great outing from the Hares, who have really struggled on that side of the field to start the season, as expected. They managed just 4 hits this game, and were fortunate to get the 4 runs they did. A win’s a win, though.

Player of the game: Mototomo Motoyanagi.



Sheffield Mountain Hares Record: 8-7 (5th)

[dinosauryoshi]

Luanda Red Caps at Sheffield Mountain Hares (22nd to 24th April, 2059)


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

Team Profile: Luanda Red Caps
Banners: none
Playoff appearances: 1
Last Season: 17th
Current record: 7-8

One of the WBL’s less successful teams, they’ve only made the playoffs once since 2040, and came bottom of the Africa Division last year.

Game 1

SP: Isaac Saville

Ilyas Muraguri took the Hares on his back and took them to a 9-6 win in their opening match against the Red Caps. Muraguri was 3-4 with a home run and a double. Muraguri’s hit his 3rd home run of the season at a crucial moment in the 8th inning, with the bases loaded he glided the ball out the park off Hadji Adipo to make it 9-5, Sheffield. Isaac Saville was unspectacular, but kept the Hares in it with a 5 inning start in which he gave up 3 runs.

Player of the game: Ilyas Muraguri



Game 2

SP - Yushua bin Saqr

The Luanda Red Caps tied the series, with a 4-2 win at Kingfisher Park. Right-hander Ikuhiko Oki played a key role in the triumph. The Japanese 32 year old gave up no runs in 6.1 innings despite giving up 7 hits as he outfoxed the Hares whenever it mattered most. Justin Parker‘s 2-run triple off Rey Ochoa in the top of the tenth was the decisive hit, breaking the 2-2 deadlock and putting the Red Caps in front, 4-2. He was 3 for 5 for the game. The Hares did get 12 hits, but struggled to convert anything into runs. Jeff McBurrow’s 9th inning home run helped tie things up for extra-innings, but it wasn’t to be. Yushua bin Saqr’s start was decent, giving up only 1 run in 5.1 innings - though he did give up 4 walks.

Player of the game: Ikuhiki Oki



Game 3

SP - Giobbe Marinello

The Sheffield Mountain Hares electrified the home crowd with a walk-off win to take the series in game 3, with a scrappy 4-3 win. Glove specialist Jason Portman was the walk-off hero for Sheffield, letting his bat do the talking. With the game tied in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Mountain Hares center fielder hit a dramatic run-scoring single to bring Kolya Saetgaliev in and send the teams home. Portman was 3 for 4 in the game. Giobbe Marinello put in a great performance on the mound going 7 innings and giving up one run.

Player of the game: Giobbe Marinello



Sheffield Mountain Hares record: 10-8

[dinosauryoshi]

Seoul Crabs at Sheffield Mountain Hares (25th to 27th August, 2059)


Logos: SC by @low, SMH by @20-range

Team Profile: Seoul Crabs
Banners: Central & East Asia Champions (2041)
Playoff appearances: 3
Last season: 16th
Current record: 11-7

The Crabs had their worst divisional position since the start of the WBL last season, when they came 16th in the Central & East Asia Division. They’ve started this year on a heater however, hanging around near the top of the division.

Game 1

SP: Alois Herzog

Canadian Bill Edwards left his imprint on the 6-2 Seoul win against the Sheffield Mountain Hares. Edwards, who signed a 4-year contract worth $148m in January, went 3 for 5 with a home run and 2 singles. American Tyler Sansone worked 6 innings, giving up 2 runs on 5 hits, while striking out 3 and walking 1. The Hares struggled across the board as Herzog was taken off after 4.1 innings, having given up 3 runs, while the offense managed only 5 hits. Rob Graham did manage a walk, but continued his disappointing start to the season going 0-2 at the plate, his average now sits at .158, the Hares hope he’ll be out of this slump soon, having had high hopes for his sophomore season.

Player of the game: Bill Edwards



Game 2

SP: Mototomi Motoyanagi

The less said about the Hares’ 5-0 loss in game 2 the better from a Hares perspective. Motoyanagi can’t be completely blamed, though he did give up 4 runs in 6 innings. Essentially, you’re never going to win if your batters can’t score runs, and although the Hares did manage 9 hits, they couldn’t bring anyone home. The 6’6 American, Mike Race, took over in the second inning and proceeded to blast balls past the entire Sheffield lineup again and again, giving up no runs in 6.2 innings. Whenever he looked in trouble, he pulled some magic out the bag.

Player of the game: Mike Race



Game 3

SP: Isaac Saville

Sheffield first baseman Abdul-Karim bin Jameel had 7 RBI while helping his team defeat the Seoul Crabs, 14-5 as they took the series. Isaac Saville allowed 4 runs on 6 hits, with no walks and 7 strikeouts over 5 innings, before Draghici and Kim gave up only 1 more over 4 innings. The highlight came with Sheffield leading 7-4 in the bottom of the sixth when bin Jameel hit a fastball from Huang-fu Kung for a grand slam home run, sending the home crowd into rapturous applause and singing. It was his 1st home run of the season and put the Mountain Hares ahead, 11-4, as Sheffield pulled away. Bin Jameel now leads the team in RBI, with 12, ahead of Rutz with 11.

Player of the game: Abdul Karim bin Jameel



Sheffield Mountain Hares record: 11-10

[dinosauryoshi]

Sheffield Mountain Hares at Vienna Whistlers (28th - 30th April, 2059)


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

Team Profile: Vienna Whistlers
Banners: World Series Champions (2048), Europe Division Champions (2040, 2048)
Playoff appearances: 6
Last season: 6th
Current record: 13-8

Following a few rough years, the Whistlers seem to be in the ascendency, coming in 6th last season, and very much looking like playoff contenders at this early stage of the season.

Game 1

SP: Yushua bin Saqr

In a thriller, the Whistlers beat the Hares 8-5 in game 1 of the series. Much of the Whistlers’ win can be attributed to starter Vuk Tadic who game up just 1 run on 1 hit over 7 innings. Bin Saqr on the other side, gave up 3 runs in 5 innings. Sheffield fell apart in an error-strewn 6th inning, where they gave up 7 runs, leading to them being 7-1 down. They caught up somewhat in the 8th with 4 runs of their own, but it wasn’t enough. Saetgaliev and Rutz both hit homers for the Hares. For Rutz it was his team-leading 5th of the season. As a whole though, Sheffield could only muster 4 hits throughout the game.

Player of the game: Vuk Tadic



Game 2

SP: Giobbe Marinello

The Whistlers continued their red hot form towards the top of the European Division as they beat the Hares 7-5 at Music Park. Vincentian Conor Martin gave up just one run in 6 innings. Marinello on the other side, gave up 2 in 5 innings. But it was in the 7th inning when both offenses hit form, with the score at 4-4 at the top of the 8th, at which point the Whistlers pulled away with another 3 runs, started by Won-joon Kang's 4th double of the season. Rutz hit his 6th home run for the Hares, while Saetgaliev got his second.

Player of the game: Connor Martin



Game 3

SP: Alois Herzog

The Hares avoided a sweep with a convincing 7-2 win in their series finale in Vienna. Bin Jameel continued his recent good form, the designated hitter was 3 for 4 with a home run, 2 singles, and a walk, while scoring 2 runs and driving in 3. He now has 16 RBI for the season. Herzog did his part too, giving up 1 run on 2 hots over 6 innings. The Whistlers struggled to get anything going all game, amassing just 4 hits.

Player of the game: Abdul-Karim bin Jameel



Sheffield Mountain Hares record: 12-12 (10th)

[dinosauryoshi]

Porto Alegre Winemakers at Sheffield Mountain Hares (1st - 4th May, 2059)


Logos: SMH by @20_range

Team Profile: Porto Alegre Winemakers
Banners: South America Champions (2055)
Playoff appearances: 2
Last season: 11th
Current record: 11-13

The Winemakers are still the only team to win their division in their first year in the league, but they’ve had a couple more difficult years recently and look to be embarking on another less successful year, as they come to Sheffield for a 4 game series.

Game 1

SP: Mototomo Motoyanagi

The Porto Alegre Enólogos got a clinic of a performance from pitcher Mike Torres, but the Sheffield Mountain Hares still prevailed, 4-3, in 10 innings. Torres threw 8.0 innings of 3-hit ball. It was 2-2 going into extra innings, and the Winemakers had gone 3-2 up in the top of the tenth when the Hares got a clutch steal from Rutz, who converted it in to a run on a Padilla single before Graham had the crowd singing his name following a walk-off single. Muraguri and Morales both got their 4th homers of the season in the game, while Motoyanagi went 7 innings only giving up 1 run.

Player of the game: Mike Torres



Game 2

SP: Isaac Saville

It was another tight game in Sheffield but this time the Winemakers came out on top, 3-2, to tie the series. In another strong pitcher’s game for Porto Alegre, Jaquan Gibson went 7 innings only giving up 1 run, while Isaac Saville gave up 3 in 5 innings for the Hares. Solomon Islander Kealamauloa Kahaaheo was the hero for the Winemakers, contributing a 2-run home run in the top of the third inning to put Porto Alegre up, 3-0. The only real positive from a Hares perspective was Sergio Rutz going 3 for 4.

Player of the game: Jaquan Gibson



Game 3

SP: Yushua bin Saqr

Yet another tight game ended 3-2 with the Hares on the losing side, in a repeat of game 2. Both pitchers put in strong start, and left the game having given up 2 runs a piece in 5 innings, though Porto Alegre’s Bastian Espanca gave up less hits. It took a Maxwell Lapointe solo home run in the top of the 7th to break the deadlock, in a game that felt like it was always going to be decided by one run. Veteran first-baseman Padilla went 4 for 4 for the Hares, but failed to get any runs or RBI.

Player of the game: Bastian Espanca



Game 4

SP: Giobbe Marinello

Sheffield pulled a dominant 9-1 win out the bag to end the series as a tie. Giobbe Marinello’s went deep, giving up only 1 run in 8 innings, while Shilchegger and Marty King both impressed on offense. It was King’s first WBL appearance of the year, and he thanked Reynold’s faith in him by going 2 for 2, including 3-run home run which got the Hares offense started, putting them up 3-0 in the top of the second. Schilchegger went 3 for 5 with 3 RBI, while Su-min Kim closed the game out with an inning of unhittable pitches.

Player of the game: Giobbe Marinello

Sheffield Mountain Hares record: 14-14

[dinosauryoshi]

Bucharest Sounds (5th - 7th May, 2059)



Team Profile: Bucharest Sounds
Banners: European Division Champions (2041)
Playoff appearances: 3
Last season: 4th
Current record: 19-8

Bucharest currently sit 2nd in the European Division, as they hope to make the playoffs for the second year in a row.

Game 1

SP: Alois Herzog

Sheffield won the opening game in the series 3-2, in an extra-innings nail-biter. 2-1 down in the bottom of the 9th, the Hares got a crucial run on a bin Jameel sacrifice fly, and then won the game on a Mitch Cooper single in the bottom of the 10th, much to the jubilation of the home fans. Saetgaliev was the offensive spark for Sheffield, going 3-4, with a crucial one-run homer that started the Hares’ comeback in the bottom of the 8th. Herzog gave up 7 hits, but only 1 run in 5 innings.

Player of the game: Kolya Saetgaliev



Game 2

SP: Mototomo Motoyanagi

In another extra-inning game Sheffield came up clutch once again to take the series with a 5-4 win in game 2. Motoyanagi won player of the game, despite giving up 4 runs in 5 innings as he fanned 8, in a game that was so evenly spread offensively it was hard to give it to anyone else. It was Adam Koehler’s turn to be the hero, as he hit a songle to leftfield in the bottom of the 10th, for the Hares’ second walk-off win in as many games. Bucharest will be wondering what they have to do to win a game.

Player of the game: Mototomo Motoyanagi



Game 3

SP: Isaac Saville

The Hares battled well against the high-flying sounds’s but were denied a sweep thanks to a tight 2-1 win by Bucharest. Cecil Cook hit a 2-run homer in the 5th inning for the Sounds, and the Hares were unable to make back more than 1 of the Canadian’s runs as the Turkish starter Evrim Shushud gave up just 1 run in 7.1 innings for Bucharest. Cook’s 2-runs were the only ones Saville gave up, as he looked very reliable once again, but it wasn’t to be.

Player of the game: Evrim Shushud



Sheffield Mountain Hares record: 16-15

And with that, the Hares have completed 31 games, so it’s about time we took a look at their top performers so far.