DELMARVA Baseball League

[Griever20]

Just dropping in to say that I really dig this dynasty and enjoy reading it alot.

Regarding the Garcia extension... His stuff is really good but his stamina... He may be one minor to medium injury away from dropping down to not enough stam to go more than five innings on a good day, making him a reliever...
Risky guy for me

Keep it up!

[illeracula]

Originally Posted by Griever20

Just dropping in to say that I really dig this dynasty and enjoy reading it alot.

Regarding the Garcia extension... His stuff is really good but his stamina... He may be one minor to medium injury away from dropping down to not enough stam to go more than five innings on a good day, making him a reliever...
Risky guy for me

Keep it up!

Very good point, plus for the amount of money i would be dishing out. I wouldn't want to be stuck with a closer, or a middle reliever with a $16M contract... I think you may have just convinced me to let him walk and take the a) supplemental pick and b) the saved money.

Thanks for reading a long and glad you are enjoying it...

[illeracula]

July 2025 Award Winners

Delaware Conference Monthly Awards

July's Best DEConf Hitter is António Castaneda: When António Castaneda stepped up to the plate in July, he did it with confidence and today he was honored with the Delaware Conference Batter of the Month award. The young Wilmington catcher posted a .366 batting average with 8 home runs, 18 RBIs and scored 18 runs. Castaneda also worked pitchers for 16 walks to post a .465 on-base percentage. This year Castaneda has hit at a .392 clip with 74 hits, 17 home runs, 46 RBIs and 41 runs scored.

Schmidt Selected DEConf's Best Pitcher: Greg Schmidt took a much-deserved turn in the spotlight earlier today as he accepted the Delaware Conference Pitcher of the Month award for July. The 24-year-old Blue Hens starter is a relative newcomer to the league, but nonetheless racked up an impressive 5-1 won-lost record in 6 starts. This month he fanned 32 batters in 48.2 innings and compiled a 1.85 ERA. Looking at his season stats, Schmidt has won 11 and lost 8, collecting 101 strikeouts and 42 walks in 141.2 innings with a 4.00 ERA.

DEConf Selects Rookie Star of the Month: Edward Barnes earned July's Rookie of the Month honors in the Delaware Conference for last month's performance. The boyish Milton first baseman might be wet behind the ears, but he's proving that he has what it takes to play at this level. Barnes hit .263 with 5 home runs, 17 RBIs and 15 runs scored this past month on his way to winning the award. In 102 games this season Barnes is batting .298 with 122 hits and 15 home runs. He has scored 67 runs and driven in 54.

MarVa Conference Monthly Awards

Claude Bond is July's #1 Hitter in MVConf: Claude Bond battered MarVa Conference pitchers all July and wound up taking home the Batter of the Month Award. "I've been around DELMARVA 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 30-year-old Bond 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 24 games, Bond hit .357 with 7 home runs, 17 RBIs and scored 19 runs. So far this season Bond has put up a .343 batting average with 112 hits, 18 home runs and 56 RBIs.

Brown Picked as July's Pitcher of the Month: July's best hurler was Paul Brown of Norfolk. He overwhelmed MVConf hitters all month long and captured the Pitcher of the Month award as he collected a 5-1 record in 6 starts. The 27-year-old Brown added 58 strikeouts in 46.1 innings and 5 walks to his season record and compiled a 1.55 ERA. Other clubs hit .149 against him. This season to date Brown has a record of 12 wins and 5 losses with a 2.36 ERA, has appeared in 20 games and struck out 161 in 144.2 innings.

Premier Rookie Named by MVConf: The batter wants to "hit 'em where they ain't." And that is just what Doug Thompson did all month long to net the MarVa Conference Rookie of the Month Award. In July he slapped 16 hits in 45 at-bats for a .356 batting average. Thompson also racked up 3 home runs, 8 RBIs, and 14 runs scored. For the year Thompson is hitting .300 with 14 home runs. His stats include 33 runs batted in and 43 runs scored.

League Leaders as of August 1, 2025

Delaware Conference League Leaders





End of the Year Award Front Runners:
Silver Slugger: Woody Brown, Andy Kohl, Alfredo Bruno
Golden Arm: Ricardo Gonzalez, Brad Jones, Julio Rocha
Newcomer: Edward Barnes, Jorge Berrios

MarVa Conference League Leaders





End of the Year Award Front Runners:
Silver Slugger: Francisco Reyes, Claude Bond, Sergio Galvez
Golden Arm: German Alvarado, Miguel Contreras, Paul Brown, Roman Gonzalez
Newcomer: Manuel Pacheco, Ira Kelly, Doug Thompson

Standings as of August 1, 2025



Southern Division:
Current Leader: Milton Brewers (56-46 .549 / +2)
Projected Winner: Lewes Braves (84-78 .519 / +4)
The Brewers are still holding the division lead, and have done so by consistency. They had their best month in July (14-11) and that was partly without their top hitter Chip Hurt. Second year player Bartolo Ramirez has surprised everyone with his power and production (19 HR, 69 RBI) and Julio Rocha has proved that he is one of the best lefties in the game (11-4 2.32)... The Lewes Braves have fallen to 9 games out, and the Dover Generals and the Seaford Blue Jays are in striking distance. This division is far from being over. Injuries to the Brewers and newcomers to the Blue Jays and Generals are going to play a big role in August.

Northern Division:
Current Leader: Wilmington Iron Pigs (62-40 .608 / +9)
Projected Winner: Wilmington Iron Pigs (100-62 .617 / +16)
The Iron Pigs boast the best offense (#1 in Runs) and one of the top pitching staffs (#2 in runs against) in the DE Conference. They are arguably the best team in the DBL. With Antonio Castaneda back from injury (.392-17-46), the offensive pressures have been taken off of Arturo Martinez (.226-20-76) and Matt Fisher (.280-21-61). Ricardo Gonzalez has come into his own posting a 13-4 2.63 record to lead the pitching staff, and hall-of-famer to be Marcos Estrada has been moved to the closing role, to sure up the bullpen. This team is fierce.

Eastern Division:
Current Leader: Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs (63-39 .618 / +3)
Projected Winner: Chesapeake Blue Crabs (93-69 .574 / +7)
The Surf Dawgs have a roster full of youth. Only 3 players on the current roster are over 30 years old, and their starting lineup includes 3 players 22 or younger. They are a young team that has grown from within and this may be their year. Shunen Koyama (.304-11-45) and Wayne Weaver (.294-10-50) lead this powerful offense. There big downfall is their pitching (#5 in runs against), so they will need Carl van der Esch (11-5 4.23) and Jorge Cardenas (10-8 4.51) to step it up over the next 60 games if they want to hold on to this #1 slot.

Western Division:
Current Leader: Washington Senators (59-43 .578 / +1)
Projected Winner: Norfolk Cavaliers (108-54 .667 / +13)
The Senators have bene getting better as the season progresses (13,14,17,15 wins/month) with a little blip in July. But they are the team to beat right now in what is turning out to be the toughest division in the DBL. After 10 years of Cavaliers dominance, the Senators and the surprising Express are trying to change things up. The Senators recently got Cristobal Diaz back off the DL, but lost their #2 Chris Steele for the season. The Express traded for one of the best hitting catchers in the game Jesus Alarcon (.355-5-25 in 28 Express games) to boost their offense. And the Cavaliers pulled off a blockbuster getting 2-All Stars in return. These 3 teams are doing what they can to win the division, and it will be a fun one to watch the rest of the way.

[illeracula]

Week 17
Current Week: 6-0 (61-44 .581 / +1)
Next Week: 2 vs Georgetown Sixteens, 2 vs Dover Generals, 3 @ Annapolis Admirals
Power Ranking: 1 (+5 / 117.6)
Fan Interest: 100
Owners Mood: Happy (+)

Runs Scored: 511 (5th)
Avg: .274 (2nd)
HR: 132 (3rd)
SB: 86 (1st)
Runs Against: 391 (1st)
Starters ERA: 3.42 (1st)
Pen ERA: 3.47 (1st)
Def Eff: .694 (6th)

Game 100: Norfolk 5, Ellicott City 3
Cornell Pearson (9-6): 8.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, BB, 9 K
Luis Martinez (SV 20): 1.0 IP, H, BB, 2 K
Edgar Baez: 2-3, 2B, R
Robinson Lopez: 1-3, 3B, R, RBI
Leonard Lawson: 1-1, HR (10), R, 3 RBI (PH-9th)
H: 7, LOB: 5

Game 101: Norfolk 6, Ellicott City 3 (11 Innings)
Carlos Coronado: 8.0 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 5 K
Luis Martinez (3-6): 2.0 IP, H, 3 K
Miguel A Gonzalez (SV 1): 1.0 IP, K
Jeff Lewis: 4-6, 2 2B, R
Bob Short: 3-6, HR (25), R, RBI
Henry Hamer: 3-6, HR (26), 2 R, 2 RBI
Carlos Franco: 2-3, RBI
H: 14, LOB: 10

Game 102: Norfolk 7, Ellicott City 1
Paul Brown (12-5): 9.0 IP, 2 H, R, 9 K
Bob Short: 2-5, HR (26), 2 R, 2 RBI
Sergio Galvez: 2-4, HR (22), 3 R, RBI
Jeff Lewis: 1-5, HR (4), R, 3 RBI
Alejandro Diaz: 2-4, 2B, RBI
Francisco Gallegos: 1-4, 3B, R
H: 10, LOB: 6

Game 103: Norfolk 4, Salisbury 1
Miguel Contreras (14-2): 7.1 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 7 K
Luis Martinez (SV 21): 1.0 IP, H, K
Sergio Galvez: 3-5, HR (23), R, 2 RBI
Robinson Lopez: 2-4, R, RBI
Leonard Lawson: 0-1, R, 3 BB
H: 6, LOB: 7

Game 104: Norfolk 8, Salisbury 4
Pablo Garcia (12-5): 6.0 IP, 5 H, R, 2 BB, 4 K
Sergio Galvez: 3-5, HR (24), 2 R, RBI
Francisco Gallegos: 2-5, 2B, R, RBI
Alejandro Diaz: 1-4, HR (17), R, 4 RBI
Bob Short: 1-2, 2 R
H: 10, LOB: 4

Game 105: Norfolk 6, Salisbury 0
Cornell Pearson (10-6): 8.1 IP, 5 H, BB, 6 K
Mario Gomez: 3-4, HR (10), R, 2 RBI
Henry Hamer: 2-4, 2 HR (28), 2 R, 3 RBI
Jeff Lewis: 2-4
H: 11, LOB: 7



Injuries:
MR Eric Helton, 1 day, sore shoulder

Luis M Gonzalez will be sent down to AAA when Helton returns, and this is probably the last year for Hetlon to be wearing the Cav's Orange. He has been really disappointing in my mind and I think we are better off with what we have in the pipeline... Don't tell him that though, I need him focused for the final 2 months of the year.

Draft Picks:
CF Dennis Williamson (Round 1, Pick 2, 2nd overall pick).
San Jose (A): 19-82 (.232), HR, 7 R, 5 RBI, 34 K

CF Flint Brooks (Round 2, Pick 7, 34th overall pick).
San Jose (A): 42-261 (.257), 2 HR, 21 R, 19 RBI, 42 K

SP Bill Bryan (Round 5, Pick 20, 107th overall pick).
Jacksonville (S-A): 2-1 2.63, 4 GS 24.0 IP, 21 H, 12 BB, 18 K

Other/Roster News:
n/a

GM Notes:
Look at that a perfect week for the Cav's. We are on a hot-streak and I am enjoying every minute of it. I just hope it continues. I know we are going to have our hands full with the Senators. We just have to beat the guys we need to beat... and I think we will be alright. Looks like the big-3 are heating back up.

Pablo Garcia looks to be liking it here in Norfolk, in 3 games he is 2-0 1.50 with 17 K's in 18 IP, posting a 0.89 WHIP. You can't beat that. He is what this team needed, a little shot in the arm to get things going... Along with Bob Short, who is 17-57 (.298) with 4 HR's, 8 RBI's and 10 R's in his 14 games. They seemed to have brought new life to the Cavaliers. Hopefully, this hot-streak is something that these 2 "clubhouse leaders" can keep up.

I have decided to stop my pursuit of Garcia, primarily because of the cost, and go with what I have for next season. The biggest question mark is that #5 starter. I have Lopez and Miguel Angel and I have 2 kids in the minors. The biggest question mark is Joaquin Hernandez, who Shelton believes is ready for the show (Stuff: 14/17, Movement: 14/14, Control: 12/14), but if I look at the OSA ratings (Stuff: 9/16, Movement: 14/16, Control: 9/12) he isn't... He is 12-3 3.24 in AAA, and only 20 years old... but if he is ready...

I have not enjoyed watching the downfall of Augusto Rodriguez. I actually thought he was going to be a Glove Wizard winner for years to come when I signed him to a long term deal. He will retire with 4, which isn't bad, but I had him winning at least 8 in my head. He has struggled since return to the starting lineup. His struggle is still .260, just not the .340 he was hitting as a reserve. Next year is his last year on the team, unless he reaches 300 PA's. Injuries have just eaten him up, and I will miss him. With the trade of Brock, the retirement of Whitaker, the downfall of Candelaria and Rodriguez, the last of the "original" Cavaliers is fading away. I guess when you are around a team for over 10 seasons, these things happen. I just always thought we would have more time... Candelaria is going to be a free-agent at the end of the season and he is toiling away on our AAA club now. I may bring him up just to get him some final games. I think his career is winding down, and at 38 he will probably be retiring soon.

When things are going good there isn't as much to say. When you are hot and you are complaining it just doesn't have the same connotation as if you are slumping. Maybe its because when you are hot there just isn't anything to complain about... I do know we have a big week ahead, the Generals are the only team with a winning record we are facing, so we should be able to win a lot of games.

The biggest problem on this team right now is the #5 starter. I have Carlos Coronado holding it down now, and I think I am just going to leave him there. My 2 starters in the bullpen, Lopez and Gonzalez, and my best relievers right now. I would be afraid putting them in the rotation would only hurt my bullpen. I will have to keep an eye on Carlos and if push comes to shave maybe dump him out of the rotation in September.



Standings Leaders
DE Southern: Milton Brewers: 57-48 (+2)
DE Northern: Wilmington Iron Pigs: 64-41 (+9)
MV Eastern: VBeach Surf Dawgs: 64-41 (+3)
MV Western: Norfolk Cavaliers: 61-44 (+1)

Players of the Week:
Delaware: Antonio Castaneda, Wilmington Iron Pigs, 8-17, 4 HR's, 6 RBI's
MarVa: Ramon Valdes, Ellicott City Express, 7-20, 4 HR's, 8 RBI's, 6 R's

Power Rankings:
1) Norfolk Cavaliers (117.6)
2) Wilmington Iron Pigs (114.7)
3) Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs (110.7)
4) Chesapeake Blue Crabs (102.6)
5) Washington Senators (101.9)

News:
Christiana Blue Hens: Bernard Schnieder had his hit streak stopped at 21 games. On the season, the 25 yr-old, shortstop is hitting .306-7-46.
Baltimore Barons: Owner Arthur Briggs passed away suddenly. His son Jerry will be taking over ownership of the Barons. He is a very tolerant and charitable owner.

Trades:
In the last trade before the deadline, the Dover Generals shipped off SS Jose Rivera (.268/.332/.407, 9 HR) and $3M in chase to the Newark Millers for MR Pat Riddle (AA) and LF Luis Martinez (S-A, #149).

[illeracula]

Week 18
Current Week: 3-2 (64-46 .582 / +1)
Next Week: 2 vs Georgetown Sixteens, 2 vs Dover Generals, 3 @ Annapolis Admirals
Power Ranking: 3 (-2 / 109.7)
Fan Interest: 100
Owners Mood: Happy

Runs Scored: 526 (5th)
Avg: .273 (2nd)
HR: 134 (4th)
SB: 90 (1st)
Runs Against: 411 (1st)
Starters ERA: 3.45 (1st)
Pen ERA: 3.40 (1st)
Def Eff: .694 (6th)

Game 106: Norfolk 3, Ocean City 2
Carlos Coronado (1-3): 8.0 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 4 BB, 8 K
Luis Martinez (SV 22): 1.0 IP, H, 2 BB
Edgar Baez: 3-5
Robinson Lopez: 3-3, 2 2B, 2 R
Francisco Gallegos: 2-4, R
H: 11, LOB: 9

Game 107: Norfolk 5, Ocean City 3
Paul Brown (13-5): 7.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, BB, 14 K
Luis Martinez: 1.0 IP, BB, 2 K
Bob Short: 3-4, 2B, R
Jeff Lewis: 1-4, HR (5), R, 2 RBI
Sergio Rodriguez: 2-4, R, RBI
Mario Gomez: 2-4, 2 RBI
H: 10, LOB: 6

Game 108: Chesapeake 9, Norfolk 3
Miguel Contreras (14-3): 2.0 IP, 8 H, 8 R, 7 ER, 2 BB, K
Alberto Sanchez: 3.0 IP, 2 H, BB, 2 K
MA Gonzalez: 2.0 IP, 4 K
Alejandro Diaz: 1-4, 2 RBI
Mario Gomez: 1-3, 2B, RBI
H: 6, LOB: 5

Game 109: Chesapeake 1, Norfolk 3
Pablo Garcia: 5.1 IP, 3 H, R, 2 BB, 6 K
Alberto Lopez (3-1): 1.1 IP, 2 K
Luis Martinez (SV 24): 1.0 IP, K
Sergio Rodriguez: 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI
Carlos Franco: 2-3, R
H: 8, LOB: 6

Game 110: Chesapeake 5, Norfolk 1
Cornell Pearson (10-7): 7.1 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 8 K
Alejandro Diaz: 2-4
Francisco Gallegos: 1-3, HR (11), R, RBI
Cav's struck out 10 times, Baez 3, Gallegos, Lopez 2 each.
H: 5, LOB: 4



Injuries:
SS Augusto Rodriguez, 5 days, oblique strain (9 days DL)

ARod went down with an injury and was only going to miss a week, but I put him on the DL so I could call Claudio Flores back up. Flores will hold down the SS slot for 11 days (maybe longer). I am debating if I put ARod on a AAA rehab assignment and keep Flores on the roster through Sept 1, he would be playoff eligible. Just need to make sure it makes sense.

Draft Picks:
I figured I would start a watch on how my last 5 year #1 picks have performed, and then looking over the list our #1 pick from 5 years ago Ben Gibbs isn't worth watching, and our #1's in 2022 (Doug Phelps) and 2023 (Jimmy Lewis) have both been traded... so here are our last 2 years 1st round picks, and our 2nd round pick...

CF Black Quirke (Round 1, Pick 4, 4th overall - 2024)
San Jose (A): 93-379 (.245), 9 HR, 52 R, 53 RBI, 35 BB, 113 K

CF Dennis Williamson (Round 1, Pick 2, 2nd overall pick - 2025).
San Jose (A): 25-104 (.240), 2 HR, 11 R, 7 RBI, 5 BB, 42 K

CF Flint Brooks (Round 2, Pick 7, 34th overall pick - 2025).
San Jose (A): 49-181 (.271), 3 HR, 23 R, 20 RBI, 23 BB, 46 K

Other/Roster News:
Eric Helton came off the DL and Luis Manuel Gonzalez was sent down to AAA to make room on the roster for him. Luis Manuel had a rough time during his 3 games with the Cav's, allowing 3 runs 2 times. For his first big-league stint he was 0-0 12.60, giving up 4 hits, walking 3 and striking out 6 in 5 innings. He allowed 7 Earned. I am hoping Helton get on a hot streak after his stint o the DL and start pitching like his stats. He is a free-agent at the end of 2025 and I don't see him coming back.

Jeff Lewis reached out and said he wanted to stay in Norfolk, but that isn't going to happen. I like Lewis and honestly I wouldn't mind keeping him around, but he is looking for $18M from me over 5 seasons and that just isn't going to happen. I have bene tied down with too many bad contracts here in Norfolk, so letting Lewis and Garcia go will be the right move... bring on the youth movement.

GM Notes:
The team is playing better, since the Garcia/Short trade. I am not sure if its coincidence or just two good players leading the clubhouse. Whatever it is I will take it. Carlos Franco is starting to show that he is a solid player, after his September disaster last season. he won't be a full-timer, but he has the makings for a solid utility guy for years to come. He is now hitting .268-0-4, so he has raised his average over .060 points.

But for every high there are some lows... such as Edgar Baez whose average has dropped down to .285. He was once at .305... and Henry Hamer, who leads the team with 28 HR's and tied for the team lead with 62 RBI's, has seen his average drop down to .256. Hamer and Baez should be hitting 10-15 points higher than what they are right now.

Miguel Contreras got rocked earlier this week, and I am not sure how I feel about that. He rarely does, and the last time I remember it happening to him he ended up on the DL. I am hoping he just had a bad day and just didn't have his stuff. I need him to stay healthy for the rest of the way... Pearons is hit or miss and Garcia is only good for 6 Innings. I need Brown and Contreras to eat the innings, as they do, to keep the pen fresh.

I think we had a rough week. Yes we won 3 out of 5, but Pearson and Contreras both had off days and both have seemed to be struggling over their past few starts. I am more concerned with my pitching, because I think we live or die by the starting 5. I have built this team around the pitchers, and it might of been a mistake, but right now I need them to win...

This weeks power rankings show how tough the Western division is, with the top 3 teams ranked 3, 4 and 5. The three of us are just one game apart from each other. A very odd situation for the Cavaliers who have had the luxury of clinching in August or early September. This year however, it looks like it will be going down to the wire.



Standings Leaders
DE Southern: Milton Brewers: 57-48 (+2)
DE Northern: Wilmington Iron Pigs: 64-41 (+9)
MV Eastern: VBeach Surf Dawgs: 64-41 (+3)
MV Western: Norfolk Cavaliers: 61-44 (+1)

Players of the Week:
Delaware: Tom Dundee, Seaford Blue Jays, 10-22, 2 HR's, 6 RBI's
MarVa: Vance Burns, Ellicott City Express, 10-17, 5 RBI's, 6 R's

Power Rankings:
1) Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs (112.3)
2) Wilmington Iron Pigs (111.0)
3) Norfolk Cavaliers (109.7)
4) Ellicott City Express (109.1)
5) Washington Senators (106.1)

News:
Newark Millers: SP Tommy Rutledge has been shut down for the rest of the season (4-5 months) with a radial nerve compression. Rutledge was struggling this season with the Millers going 4-14 5.29 in 22 games.
Newark Millers: RP Rus Dillon will be on a year long rest (12 months) after rupturing his ulnar collateral ligament. Dillon, who is 25, was 1-1 6.83, with 2 saves, in 43 appearnaces this season. His first full season in the Bigs.

[illeracula]

Week 19
Current Week: 5-2 (69-48 .590 / +4)
Next Week: 2 @ Seaford Blue Jays, 2 @ Milton Brewers, 3 vs Washington Senators
Power Ranking: 3 ( -- / 109.2)
Fan Interest: 100
Owners Mood: Very Happy (+)

Runs Scored: 573 (5th)
Avg: .275 (2nd)
HR: 147 (4th)
SB: 96 (1st)
Runs Against: 427 (1st)
Starters ERA: 3.39 (1st)
Pen ERA: 3.29 (1st)
Def Eff: .697 (6th)

Game 111: Georgetown 3, Norfolk 6
Carlos Coronado (2-3): 8.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 6 K
Luis Martinez (SV 25): 0.2 IP, H
Leonard Lawson: 2-4, 2B, HR (12), R, 3 RBI
Sergio Rodriguez: 2-4, R, RBI
Alejandro Diaz: 2-5, 2B, R, RBI
H: 10, LOB: 7

Game 112: Georgetown 5, Norfolk 4
Paul Brown (13-6): 5.2 IP, 9 H, 5 R, BB, 8 K
Sergio Galvez: 2-5, HR (25), R, 3 RBI
Claudio Flores: 1-2, 2B, R, 2 BB
Jeff Lewis: 2-4, R
*The Cav's committed 3 errors
H: 8, LOB: 6

Game 113: Dover 1, Norfolk 16
Miguel Contreras (15-3): 9.0 IP, 3 H, R, 2 BB, 6 K
Bob Short: 2-6, HR (27), R, 4 RBI
Claudio Flores: 3-5, 2B, HR (1), 3 R, 6 RBI
Edgar Baez: 3-6, 2B, 3 RBI
Mario Gomez: 3-3, 2B, 3 R, RBI
Sergio Galvez: 3-5, 3 R, 3 SB
H: 20, LOB: 6

Game 114: Dover 3, Norfolk 6
Pablo Garcia: 5.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, BB, 5 K
Armando Lopez (4-1): 2.0 IP, 2 K
Luis Martinez (SV 26), 1.0 IP, 2 K
Bob Short: 2-5, HR (28), R, RBI
Alejandro Diaz: 1-4, HR (19), R, RBI
Mario Gomez: 3-5, 2B, R
H: 9, LOB: 8

Game 115: Norfolk 9, Annapolis 0
Cornell Pearson (11-7): 8.1 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 5 K
Alejandro Diaz: 2-5, HR (20), R, 3 RBI
Francisco Gallegos: 4-4, 2B, HR (12), 2 R, 2 RBI
Jeff Lewis: 2-4, 2 HR (7), 3 R, 3 RBI
Bob Short: 2-5, R, RBI
Sergio Rodriguez: 2-5, R
H: 14, LOB: 8

Game 116: Norfolk 1, Annapolis 2
Carlos Coronado (2-4): 7.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, BB, 7 K
Sergio Rodriguez: 1-2
Sergio Galvez: 1-2
Mario Gomez: 1-2, RBI
H: 7, LOB: 6

Game 117: Norfolk 5, Annapolis 2
Paul Brown (14-6): 8.1 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 8 K
Luis Martinez (SV 27): 0.2 IP, H, 2 K
Sergio Rodriguez: 1-4, HR (1), R, RBI
Francisco Galleogs: 2-5, HR (13), 2 R, RBI
Sergio Galvez: 2-5, 2B, R, RBI
Mario Gomez: 2-3, 2B, R, RBI
H: 13, LOB: 8



Injuries:
SS Augusto Rodriguez, oblique strain (2 days DL)

Draft Picks:
CF Black Quirke (Round 1, Pick 4, 4th overall - 2024)
San Jose (A): 104-399 (.261), 11 HR, 59 R, 64 RBI, 40 BB, 115 K

CF Dennis Williamson (Round 1, Pick 2, 2nd overall pick - 2025).
San Jose (A): 29-125 (.232), 2 HR, 15 R, 12 RBI, 7 BB, 46 K

CF Flint Brooks (Round 2, Pick 7, 34th overall pick - 2025).
San Jose (A): 55-201 (.274), 3 HR, 26 R, 24 RBI, 24 BB, 51 K

Other/Roster News:
none

GM Notes:
Last year Edgar Baez won the Glove Wizard award at 3B, this season he has been anything but. I traded him to solidfy my defense and now I am wondering if I need to move him out of 3B. He still has a solid ZR, but his fielding PCT is not where it should be. Last year, he committed only 10 errors posting a .975 FPct, this season, he has committed 15 errors, and holds a .945 FPct. He has gotten a little better since coming over from Richmond (.935 vs .953), but still isn't the Glove Wizard I thought I was getting... including 2 errors this week.

The owner is now "Very Happy", which means less pressure on me, at least I hope. We are in a battle with the Senators and if we come out ahead we meet his expectation, if we lose, we don't. I guess my job could still be on the line, but its nice to see Mr. Parker "Very Happy" and no longer "Good". In my 13 years here I haven't seen the owner anything but Ecstatic.

I am a little torn about what to do with my SS position. Do I want ARod playing short come the playoffs or Flores? Flores probably has a better bat, but ARod has the better glove. But he is only a .201 hitter during his playoff career, collecting 39 hits in 194 AB's... I am leaning putting ARod on a rehab assignment through the end up August...

I am enjoying the closness of the race. It makes it much more enjoyable, I just hope we can hold off the Senators. It looks like the Express are starting to faulter as us and the Sen's are picking it up. Its going to be a fun final 45 games. I called out Contreras and Pearson and how they have been struggling, and they stepped it up last week. I just have a feeling that our success is dependant on how those 2 guys pitch.

We have 7 more games, including 3 big ones against the Senators coming up this week. The Senators will be facing my 1-2-3, so I am lined up good for this series. Every game is a big game from here on out... Henry Hamer and Edgar Baez two of my big bats are cold right now and I need them to heat up if we want to win this division. The time is now...



Standings Leaders
DE Southern: Milton Brewers: 61-56 (+1)
DE Northern: Wilmington Iron Pigs: 72-45 (+10)
MV Eastern: VBeach Surf Dawgs: 69-48 (+2)
MV Western: Norfolk Cavaliers/Washington Senators: 69-48 (+4)

Players of the Week:
Delaware: Bernard Schneider, Christiana Blue Hens, 15-31, 4 HR's, 12 RBI's
MarVa: Francisco Reyes, Ocean City Tourists, 11-27, 3 HR's, 6 RBI's, 5 R's

Power Rankings:
1) Washington Senators (119.2)
2) Wilmington Iron Pigs (113.8)
3) Norfolk Cavaliers (109.2)
4) Milford Clippers (106.3)
5) Chesapeake Blue Crabs (104.1)

News:
Christiana Blue Hens: In the midst of his first full big league season, MR Steve Silver tore his flexor tendon in his elbow. After surgery and tweleve months of rehab, Silver announced he is hanging it up. Silver retires at 23 years old, with 33 games under his belt. His final line is 1-8 5.49, 1 SV.
Baltimore Barons: SS Manuel Martinez is out for 3 weeks after spraining his knee earlier this week. Martinez is hitting .300-7-39 on the season.
Seaford Blue Jays: the Jays are closing in on the Brewers, but will have to go at it over the next 5-6 weeks without their all-star catcher Andy Kohl. Kohl sprained his ankle and will miss the stretch run. On the season Kohl was the Blue Jays top offensive threat hitting .270-30-77.

[illeracula]

Week 20
Current Week: 3-4 (72-52 .551 / +4)
Next Week: 3 @ Richmond Cardinals, 3 @ Ellicott City Express
Power Ranking: 3 ( -- / 106.5)
Fan Interest: 100
Owners Mood: Very Happy (+)

Runs Scored: 609 (5th)
Avg: .274 (1st)
HR: 159 (2nd)
SB: 100 (2nd)
Runs Against: 466 (1st)
Starters ERA: 3.48 (1st)
Pen ERA: 3.36 (1st)
Def Eff: .697 (6th)

Game 118: Norfolk 7, Seaford 8
Miguel Contreras: 6.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, BB, 4 K
Eric Helton (3-4, BS 2): 1.0 IP, 2 H, R, K
Henry Hamer: 2-4, HR (29), 2 R, RBI
Edgar Baez: 2-4, HR (12), 2 R, RBI
Leonard Lawson: 2-4, 3B, R, RBI
Alejandro Diaz: 1-4, HR (21), R, RBI
H: 10, LOB: 3

Game 119: Norfolk 3, Seaford 6 (11 Innings)
Pablo Garcia: 6.0 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 5 K
Eric Helton (3-5): 0.1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, BB
Jeff Lewis: 2-5, HR (8), 2 R, RBI
Edgar Baez: 1-3, HR (13), R, RBI
H: 8, LOB: 6

Game 120: Norfolk 9, Milton 10
Cornell Pearson (11-8): 3.2 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 2 K
Alberto Sanchez/Armando Lopez: 1.1 IP, 2 R
Robinson Lopez: 3-4, 2B, R, 2 RBI
Mario Gomez: 3-5, R, RBI
Jeff Lewis: 2-3, 2B, 2 R
Alejandro Diaz: 1-4, HR (22), R, RBI
H: 15, LOB: 11

Game 121: Norfolk 4, Milton 3
Carlos Coronado (3-4): 8.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R, BB, 4 K
Luis Martinez (SV 28): 1.0 IP, H, K
Sergio Galvez: 3-5, HR (26), 2 R, 2 RBI
Leonard Lawson: 1-1, RBI
H: 8, LOB: 5

Game 122: Washington 5, Norfolk 3
Paul Brown (14-7): 4.2 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 4 ER, BB, 8 K
Sergio Galvez: 1-4, HR (27), R, 3 RBI
Carlos Franco: 1-3, R
H: 5, LOB: 4

Game 123: Washington 3, Norfolk 5
Miguel Contreras (16-3): 8.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, BB, 3 K
Luis Martinez (SV 29): 1.0 IP, K
Jeff Lewis: 1-4, HR (9), R, 2 RBI
Claudio Flores: 2-3, 2B, R
Sergio Rodriguez: 1-4, 2 R, 2 RBI
Sergio Galvez: 2-4, 2B, RBI
H: 8, LOB: 4

Game 124: Washington 4, Norfolk 5
Pablo Garcia: 4.1 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 2 K
Eric Helton (4-5): 2.0 IP, 2 H, R, 2 K
Luis Martinez (SV 30): 1.0 IP, K
Henry Hamer: 1-3, HR (30), R, 3 RBI
Alejandro Diaz: 2-2, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI
Sergio Rodriguez: 2-4
H: 8, LOB: 5



Injuries:
none

Draft Picks:
CF Black Quirke (Round 1, Pick 4, 4th overall - 2024)
San Jose (A): 108-421 (.257), 12 HR, 63 R, 69 RBI, 44 BB, 123 K

CF Dennis Williamson (Round 1, Pick 2, 2nd overall pick - 2025).
San Jose (A): 35-145 (.241), 2 HR, 19 R, 15 RBI, 10 BB, 52 K

CF Flint Brooks (Round 2, Pick 7, 34th overall pick - 2025).
San Jose (A): 61-224 (.272), 5 HR, 29 R, 34 RBI, 27 BB, 56 K

Other/Roster News:
I sent ARod to AAA for a rehab assignment, but I need to make a decision and I think its time to bring him back up. Flores or Franco? Franco seems to be hitting the ball better, but Flores is probably the better all-around player. The only thing Franco has going for him is that he plays 3 positions well... something to think about.

GM Notes:
I said we will win it or lose based on how Pearson and Contreras pitch, and Contreras has seemed to step things up... Pearson? Not so much. I signed him to a long term deal with the hopes that he will one day live up to his expectations. That might of been a big mistake on my part, especially since over the past 3 years he has drove me crazy with his inconsistency.

Losing 3 in a row to start the week was awful. I don't want to lose a 2 game series, if anything we should walk out 1-1. Our team is just to good to go into Seaford and lose two games...

Claudio Flores is hitting the ball better and is showing a decent glove at SS, whilst on the farm ARod isn't hitting and not really flashing the leather. I think I am going to keep Flores up this week and make a decision next week. I am guessing this is the passing of the torch of the Cavaliers SS slot. I thought it was going to go to Lucarelli, but he just didn't "fit" here.

I am debating what to do with Hamer. He is still hitting long-balls, but his average continues to slide. He is in the 5th hole now, with Gallegos hitting behind him. I am debating if I should flip that. Gallegos seems to be coming into his own and may fit better... Things of note with Hamer:
7-9 Innings: 17-113 (.150) 1 HR, 5 RBI
Scoring Pos: 20-99 (.202) 7 HR, 32 RBI

Those stats aren't very good for a guy who is going to hit with a lot of runners on base! Moving him down to 6th, gives me L-S-L-R in the line-up. He will then be protected by Alejandro Diaz, which could go either way... Maybe I will make that switch this week and see how it goes (Gallegos is hitting over 300 w RISP sold me on the decision).

If Jeff Lewis hits one more HR, it will give us 9 players with 10+ HR's. This lineup is a lot more powerful than I was expecting... that being said, based on the team stats it seems like we win more when we steal more... an example would be this week, we went up in the HR rankings, down in the SB rankings and we had an off week... I will keep an eye on this and see if there is any validity to it... my guess? yes.

This week is another key week, we play two divisional teams, two teams we should beat. I think if we end up 5-1 this week, the division is ours. If we end up 2-4 or worse we are done. Just my guess, these are must win games. We only play the Senators 3 more times, during the last week of the season, so we have to beat the teams we 'should' be beating!

If I am still with Norfolk in 2026, my main goal in the off-season will be bringing in a new hitting coach... I have been thinking about bringing up my single-A hitting coach to replace Don Olson, but I am not sure 'now' is the right time...



Standings Leaders
DE Southern: Seaford Blue Jays: 66-58 (+3)
DE Northern: Wilmington Iron Pigs: 78-46 (+9)
MV Eastern: VBeach Surf Dawgs: 73-51 (+4)
MV Western: Norfolk Cavaliers/Washington Senators: 72-52 (+4)

** With under 40 games to go, there are two 2017 expansion teams vying for playoff slots. None of the 4-expansion teams have made the playoffs. Is this the year?? **

Players of the Week:
Delaware: Edward Barnes, Milton Brewers, 13-29, 5 HR's, 9 RBI's
MarVa: Jesus Alarcon, Ellicott City Express, 10-26, 3 HR's, 6 R's, 13 RBI's

Power Rankings:
1) Wilmington Iron Pigs (123.2)
2) Christiana Blue Hens (116.2)
3) Norfolk Cavaliers (106.5)
4) Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs (105.0)
5) Washington Senators (104.5)

News:
New Castle Colonials: 2B Ramon Granados is going to miss about a weeks worth of games with a discomfort from a recent groin injury. On the season Ramon is hitting .265-15-50, already setting a career high in RBI's.
Newark Millers: SP Brad Jones isn't healing from a recent day-to-day injury and is going to miss another start, maybe two, with a sore shoulder. Jones in the talk for the Golden Arm is 13-6 2.34 in 24 games.
Chesapeake Blue Crabs: The Blue Crabs, lost 20-million-dollar-man, SS Claude Bond for 2-3 weeks with elbow inflammation. Bond was leading the Blue Crabs offense hitting .336-23-76. This injury may change the landscape for the MV Silver Slugger race.
Newark Millers: After a 48-73 start this season the Millers had a enough and fired Manager Steve Potts. Potts has been at the helm of the Millers since 2019, winning the Manager of the Year award, in his lone playoff appearance season of 2020. Potts has a career record of 914-891 (.506) during his 12 seasons of managing (Milton Brewers 2014-2018, Millers 2019-2020).
Lewes Braves: The Braves are warming up, and have ran off a 10 game winning streak, closing within 3 games of the division lead.

[illeracula]

Week 21
Current Week: 6-0 (78-52 .600 / +3)
Next Week: 2 @ New Castle Colonials, 2 @ Lewes Braves, 3 vs Salisbury Ports
Power Ranking: 1 (+2 / 124.0)
Fan Interest: 100
Owners Mood: Very Happy

Runs Scored: 670 (3rd)
Avg: .277 (1st)
HR: 167 (2nd)
SB: 106 (t1st)
Runs Against: 484 (1st)
Starters ERA: 3.45 (1st)
Pen ERA: 3.30 (1st)
Def Eff: .696 (6th)

Game 125: Norfolk 14, Richmond 3
Cornell Pearson (12-8): 7.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 9 K
Alejandro Diaz: 2-5, HR (24), 3 R, 3 RBI
Robinson Lopez: 3-4, 3B, 2 R, 3 RBI
Edgar Baez: 1-5, 3B, 3 RBI
Sergio Rodriguez: 2-4, 2 R
H: 17, LOB: 10

Game 126: Norfolk 11, Richmond 1
Carlos Coronado (4-4): 8.0 IP, 9 H, R, 0 ER, 9 K
Alejandro Diaz: 1-4, HR (25), R, 2 RBI
Carlos Franco: 2-5, HR(1), R, RBI
Leoanrd Lawson: 2-4, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI
Henry Hamer: 2-5, 2B, R, 2 RBI
Jeff Lewis: 1-1, 2B, 2 RBI
H: 14, LOB: 7

Game 127: Norfolk 7, Richmond 5
Paul Brown: 7.1 IP, 5 H, 3 R, BB, 10 K
Miguel A Gonzalez (6-5): 0.2 IP
David Moran (SV 2): 1.0 IP, H, K
Sergio Rodriguez: 3-4, HR (2), 2 R, 4 RBI
Claudio Flores: 2-3, 2B, RBI
Leoanrd Lawson: 1-3, 2 R
H: 8, LOB: 2

Game 128: Norfolk 9, Ellicott City 3
Miguel Contreras (17-3): 7.2 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 4 K
Sergio Galvez: 3-5, 2B, HR (28), 2 R, 3 RBI
Edgar Baez: 1-2, R, 2 RBI
Francisco Gallegos: 2-3, 2B, 2 R
H: 12, LOB: 7

Game 129: Norfolk 13, Ellicott City 6
Pablo Garcia (13-5): 7.0 IP, 9 H, 6 R, BB, 3 K
Sergio Galvez: 3-3, 2 2B, 3 R, 2 RBI
Edgar Baez: 2-5, 2B, 2 R, 3 RBI
Jeff Lewis: 2-4, 2B, R, 2 RBI
Claudio Flores: 1-3, 3 R
Henry Hamer: 2-5, R, 2 RBI
H: 15, LOB: 4

Game 130: Norfolk 7, Ellicott City 0
Cornell Pearson (13-8): 7.0 IP, 4 H, BB, 6 K
Alejandro Diaz: -3, HR (26), R, 3 RBI
Sergio Galvez: 2-5, HR (29), R, 2 RBI
Francisco Gallegos: 2-3, 2B, 2 R
Robinson Lopez: 2-3, 3B, R
H: 10, LOB: 7



Injuries:
none

Draft Picks:
CF Black Quirke (Round 1, Pick 4, 4th overall - 2024)
San Jose (A): 114-436 (.261), 13 HR, 67 R, 71 RBI, 45 BB, 127 K
*Quirke's season is over, he sustained a sprained wrist and will be out 3-4 weeks.

CF Dennis Williamson (Round 1, Pick 2, 2nd overall pick - 2025).
San Jose (A): 37-163 (.227), 2 HR, 19 R, 17 RBI, 13 BB, 57 K

CF Flint Brooks (Round 2, Pick 7, 34th overall pick - 2025).
San Jose (A): 64-236 (.271), 5 HR, 30 R, 36 RBI, 29 BB, 59 K

Other/Roster News:
none

GM Notes:
That week sure makes me smile and take a 1/2 breath of relief. Its not over by a long run, but it sure feels good beating the teams we are supposed to beat! Not to mention being on top of the division, alone... Holding a 3 game lead with 32 games left. Its going to be a pressure filled September, something we haven't had in Norfolk in a long time... and I am enjoying it.

Sergio Galvez now has 29 HR's and 30 SB's, with a month go to it looks like he will be joining Roberto Perez and Pablo Freitas in the 30/30 club. I have him signed for the next 3 seasons (3rd season is a player option) to a very favorable contract. I am glad he is on our side.

The more Carlos Coronado pitches, the better he gets. After a rocky July (0-2 3.91) he found his groove in August (4-1 1.85). He is working his way up the importance chart. It will be nice to have a solid-lefty in the rotation next season...

I really want to find some AB's for Sergio Rodriguez, he isn't a power-hitter but wow can he it. Its easy to forget he is only 21 years old. So far on the season he is hitting .328-2-44, with 17 steals. I really want to know what he could do for a full season. Maybe he is my leadoff man of the future, only issue is he has no plate patients. With Lewis going away next year there will be plenty of opportunities for him to get his AB's.

When thing are going good they are going good. The offense was hitting, the defense was ok and the pitchers were dealing. Can't go wrong when things are going that way. Hopefully we can make something of this momentum and finish things off. Next week, we have a couple of tough series, including going into the Lewes for a 2-game set. The Braves have been red-hot of late.

I needed a big week and I got it. Now we just need to continue this run for 31 more games... Its going to be a fun final month, that is for sure. We have a tough schedule ahead of us, so we have to continue playing like we have been, like a 'team' and we should end up on top of the division...



Standings Leaders
DE Southern: Seaford Blue Jays: 70-60 (+1, M# 32)
DE Northern: Wilmington Iron Pigs: 81-49 (+9, M# 24)
MV Eastern: VBeach Surf Dawgs: 76-54 (+2, M# 31)
MV Western: Norfolk Cavaliers: 78-52 (+3, M# 30)

Players of the Week:
Delaware: Jesus Nunez, Milford Clippers, 9-21, 3 HR's, 7 RBI's 5 R's
MarVa: Jason Atkins, Washington Senators, 9-21, 2 HR's, 9 RBI's

Power Rankings:
1) Norfolk Cavaliers (124.0)
2) Wilmington Iron Pigs (118.2)
3) Lewes Braves (109.5)
4) Chesapeake Blue Crabs (107.5)
5) Christiana Blue Hens (116.2)

News:
Lewes Braves: MR Jose Matos, a two time Golden Arm ace, became the third pitcher in DBL history to reach the 200 win plateau. Matos converted to a reliever this season joins Miguel Contreras and Marcos Estrada as the only members of the 200 win club. For the season Matos has pitched in 41 games, posting a 6-4 2.49 record with 2 saves.

"I've worked hard for this day," Matos said. "Sometimes I didn't think it would happen. Most of the time it seemed so far off. Now it's here. It's like a dream!"

Milford Clippers: The Clippers have lost their ace Robert Walker for the rest of the season. Walker tore his labrum and is expected to miss 4 months. On the season he was 16-10 3.86 in 27 starts.

[illeracula]

August 2025 Award Winners

Delaware Conference Monthly Awards

López Claims DEConf Batter of the Month Award: When Nelson López stepped up to the plate in August, he did it with confidence and today he was honored with the Delaware Conference Batter of the Month award. The young Christiana second baseman posted a .385 batting average with 3 home runs, 26 RBIs and scored 21 runs. López also worked pitchers for 15 walks to post a .462 on-base percentage. López is currently batting .303 with 8 home runs and 53 RBIs.

Sanford August's Best Hurler in DEConf: Ben Sanford dazzled opponents on his way to the Delaware Conference Pitcher of the Month award for August. Posting a 5-1 record and a 2.52 ERA, the Christiana Blue Hens starter held opposing hitters to a .228 batting average while striking out 42 in 39.1 innings and giving up 17 walks. In 27 starts this season Sanford has crafted a 11-7 record with a 3.61 ERA.

DEConf Selects Rookie Star of the Month: Edward Barnes is still a bit shy, but then, who could blame the newest Delaware Conference Rookie of the Month honoree? He hasn't been around the league long enough to fully know the ropes yet, despite the fact that he's putting up veteran-like numbers. In August the Milton hitter tagged opposing pitching for a .270 average with 30 hits, 8 home runs and 17 RBIs. Barnes is hitting .292 in 2025 with 71 RBIs and 23 home runs.

MarVa Conference Monthly Awards

MVConf Best Hitter Award to Washington's Roberto Pérez: When guys like Washington's Roberto Pérez win Batter of the Month awards, it just makes you feel good. In a productive August, the longtime MarVa Conference veteran toyed with opposing pitchers all month long, collecting 35 hits in 96 at-bats. The veteran third baseman hit for a .365 batting average and collected 7 home runs, 22 RBIs and 24 runs scored. Pérez is presently hitting at a .315 pace with 13 home runs, 48 RBIs and has scored 61 times.

Rivera MVConf Winner, Top Hurler in August: Veteran Pedro Rivera put together quite a successful stretch in August for the Ocean City Tourists, earning himself the MarVa Conference Pitcher of the Month award. Rivera racked up a 4-0 record in 6 starts, posting a 2.18 ERA over 41.1 innings and striking out 52. In 27 starts this year Rivera has fashioned a 12-8 record and a 4.57 ERA.

MarVa Conference Names Rookie of Month: A veritable toddler to the MarVa Conference, Preston Everhart just sewed up the Rookie of the Month trophy for August. Over the past month the 25-year-old catcher for Annapolis hit .368 with 21 hits, 1 home run and 6 RBI. He also logged 14 walks and compiled a .493 on-base percentage. Thus far this year Everhart has hit .343 with 1 home run and 7 RBIs.

League Leaders as of September 1, 2025

Delaware Conference League Leaders





End of the Year Award Front Runners:
Silver Slugger: Bernard Schneider, Alfredo Bruno, Alonso Martinez, Antonio Castaneda
Golden Arm: Ricardo Gonzalez, Brad Jones, Brad Rose
Newcomer: Edward Barnes

MarVa Conference League Leaders





End of the Year Award Front Runners:
Silver Slugger: Francisco Reyes, Claude Bond, Sergio Galvez
Golden Arm: German Alvarado, Miguel Contreras, Paul Brown, Roman Gonzalez, Orlando Ruiz
Newcomer: Doug Thompson, Manuel Pacheco, Ira Kelly

Standings as of September 1, 2025



Southern Division:
Current Leader: Seaford Blue Jays (70-60 .538 / +1)
Projected Winner: Lewes Braves (84-78 .519 / +4)
The Blue Jays ran off 17 wins in August, and thought they would have a nice lead in the division, but the Braves got read hot and ran off 22! The Braves went from questionables in August to possible favorites in September. The Braves and Blue Jays meet up only 3 more times this season, so both teams really hold their own destiny's. Win, take the division... The Braves starters are starting to find their groove, and the Blue Jays are trying to find a starter to step-it up. This could be the deciding factor in the race: The Blue Jays are rated 10th in the league in Runs Against, and will be without their starting catcher and top HR man Andy Kohl for 3-4 more weeks.

Northern Division:
Current Leader: Wilmington Iron Pigs (81-49 .623 / +9)
Projected Winner: Wilmington Iron Pigs (100-62 .617 / +16)
The Iron Pigs are probably the best team in the DBL, and have just about held the Northern division lead from beginning to end. The Blue Hens are trying to make a run, but the Iron Pigs seem too strong. Holding a 9 game lead for a few months now, the Iron Pigs look to close things off with their #1 rated offense and #1 rated pitching staff.

Eastern Division:
Current Leader: Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs (76-54 .585 / +2)
Projected Winner: Chesapeake Blue Crabs (93-69 .574 / +7)
The surprise team of the year has been the Surf Dawgs and they are now one month away from winning their first division title. The Blue Crabs are starting to warm up winning 6 of their last ten, but have continued to struggle finding a groove all year long. The Surf Dawgs had their only losing month in August and will try to bounce back in September. They are hampered by injuries, currently 6 players on the DL, which is only going to make their final month that much harder!

Western Division:
Current Leader: Norfolk Cavaliers (78-52 .600 / +3)
Projected Winner: Norfolk Cavaliers (108-54 .667 / +13)
The Cavaliers GM said they only way the Cav's could win their division is if they could pull off a 20-win month. Well they did that in August, going 20-8 and replacing the Senators and Express at the top of the standings. The Senators continued to play consistent ball, and believe that will be the key to the division title. September 26-28, the Senators host the Cav's which could end up being the series of the year.

[illeracula]

Week 22
Current Week: 5-2 (83-54 .606 / +2)
Next Week: 2 @ Chesapeake Blue Crabs, 3 vs Ocean City Maryland
Power Ranking: 1 (+2 / 124.0)
Fan Interest: 100
Owners Mood: Delighted (+)

Runs Scored: 699 (5th)
Avg: .277 (1st)
HR: 174 (t2nd)
SB: 111 (2nd)
Runs Against: 512 (1st)
Starters ERA: 3.43 (1st)
Pen ERA: 3.46 (1st)
Def Eff: .697 (6th)

Game 131: Norfolk 5, New Castle 3
Carlos Coronado (5-4): 6.1 IP, 8 H, 3 R, BB, 3 K
Luis Martinez (SV 31): 1.0 IP
Leonard Lawson: 1-4, 2B, 2 R, RBI
Augusto Rodriguez: 2-4, R
Francisco Gallegos: 1-4, 2 RBI
H: 9, LOB: 4

Game 132: Norfolk 5, New Castle 4
Paul Brown (15-7): 7.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, BB, 6 K
Luis Martinez (SV 32): 1.0 IP, H, R
Edgar Baez: 3-4, HR (15), R, RBI
Bob Short: 1-4, HR (29), R, 2 RBI
Sergio Galvez: 2-4, HR (30), 2 R, 2 RBI
H: 10, LOB: 2

** with his 30th HR, Sergio Galvez becomes the third player in DBL history to reach the 30/30 mark **

Game 133: Norfolk 3, Lewes 5
Miguel Contreras (17-4): 7.2 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 3 ER, BB, 5 K
Trever Parker: 1-4, HR (4), R, RBI
Sergio Galvz: 2-5
Edgar Baez: 2-5, 2B, 2 R
Leonard Lawson: 1-4, 2 RBI
H: 11, LOB: 9

Game 134: Norfolk 8, Lewes 12
Pablo Garcia: 4.1 IP, 7 H, 4 R, BB, 4 K
Luis Martinez (3-7, BS 5): 0.1 IP, 3 H, 6 R, 3 BB
Alberto Sanchez: 0.1 IP, H, R (allowed walk-off GS)
Bob Short: 1-5, HR (30), R, 3 RBI
Sergio Rodriguez: 4-4, 2B, 2 R, RBI
Alejandro Diaz: 1-4, HR (27), R, RBI
H: 10, LOB: 6

** Braves scored 7 runs in the bottom of the 9th!! **

Game 135: Salisbury 1, Norfolk 2
Cornell Pearson: 7.0 IP, 5 H, R, 3 BB, 5 K
Miguel A Gonzalez (7-5): 2.0 IP, H, 4 K
Alejandro Diaz: 1-4, HR (28), R, RBI
Sergio Galvez: 2-4, RBI
Edgar Baez: 1-1, 2B, R
H: 7, LOB: 8

Game 136: Salisbury 1, Norfolk 2
Carlos Coronado (6-4): 8.0 IP, 8 H, R, 9 K
Luis Martinez (SV 33): 1.0 IP
Augusto Rodriguez: 1-3, 2B, R
Henry Hamer: 1-3, RBI
Bob Short: 1-4, R, RBI
H: 7, LOB: 4

Game 137: Salisbury 2, Norfolk 4
Paul Brown (16-7): 8.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 9 K
Luis Martinez (SV 34): 1.0 IP, K
Edgar Baez: 2-4, R
Sergio Rodriguez: 1-4, 2 R
Trevor Parker: 1-4, 2 RBI
Alejandro Diaz: 2-3, RBI
H: 9, LOB: 8



Injuries:
none

Draft Picks:
CF Black Quirke (Round 1, Pick 4, 4th overall - 2024)
San Jose (A): 114-436 (.261), 13 HR, 67 R, 71 RBI, 45 BB, 127 K
*Quirke's season is over, he sustaind a sprained wrist and will be out 3-4 weeks.

CF Dennis Williamson (Round 1, Pick 2, 2nd overall pick - 2025).
San Jose (A): 43-183 (.235), 2 HR, 21 R, 19 RBI, 13 BB, 58 K

CF Flint Brooks (Round 2, Pick 7, 34th overall pick - 2025).
San Jose (A): 64-236 (.271), 5 HR, 30 R, 36 RBI, 29 BB, 59 K
New Orleans (AA): 4-16 (.250), 0 HR, 6 R, 2 RBI, 7 BB, 3 K

Other/Roster News:
Time for September call-ups... the Cavaliers AAA club is holding a 16 game lead in their division, but that isn't going to stop me from pilfering players... coming up now are the following:
SS Augusto Rodriguez
LF Trevor Parker
MR Luis Manuel Gonzalez
MR Tariel Ratishvili

When the AAA season ends I will probably bring up a couple more guys, just in time for the final week of the season...

GM Notes:
This offense is going to drive me crazy. I just think we are better than 5th in runs scored. Let alone winning two games against the Ports and only scoring 2 runs. Talking about putting the pressure on the pitchers. The starting rotation I have in place now seems to be up for the task however, with everyone but Pablo Garcia (3.09) posting an ERA under 2.90. Pretty solid bunch.

With Short hitting his 30th HR and Galvez hitting his 30th HR, we now have 3 players with 30 HR's and one player with 28. I am still waiting for Jeff Lewis to reach 10, to give up 10 players with 10+ HR's. The biggest problem with this team is the timeliness of their hits. We are #1 in AVG, #1 in OBP, but 5th in runs... whats that tell you?

RISP Batting Averages:
Henry Hamer: 24-110 (.218) 7 HR's , 37 RBI's
Edgar Baez: 23-98 (.235) 0 HR's, 37 RBI's
Bob Short: 31-125 (.248) 8 HR's, 56 RBI's
Claudio Florez: 12-55 (.218) HR, 16 RBI's
Leonard Lawson: 17-74 (.230) 3 HR, 30 RBI's

Oddly enough, Galvez, Gallegos, Diaz, Gomez and Lewis are all hitting over .298 with RISP. Galvez is hitting close to .400. Maybe its time to get him out of the lead-off slot? I think if I was to do that I would need to get Sergio Rodriguez (who is hitting .384 RISP) into the lineup to lead things off... oddly because I am at a loss to why we aren't scoring more runs!

We have 5 games this week that are going to be pretty tough. The Blue Crabs are fighting for a playoff
spot and the Tourists are a team with a lot of big bats. Its been so long, since we had September games that mattered, its an odd, yet crazy time. I am enjoying the race to the wire, I just wish the Senators would hit a cold spell.

At the end of 17 game stretch of no games off (starting this week against the Tourists) are Games 157, 158, and 159 will be against the Senators and from the looks of it, could be the biggest games of the season. Maybe its time to try to line up my rotation so we have Brown, Contreras and ?? ready to go. At this point my #3 guy may be Carlos Coronado. Now that is just crazy to think.

Time to take a deep breath, because from here on out its going to be tense...

One final note, I think this is going to be Henry Hamer's final season in Norfolk. I am going to go with Gallegos at 1B, Lawson in DH, Rodriguez in RF, Galvez in CF and Short in LF... I like this better, at least that is what I am thinking now. Plus I should be able to get something worthwhile for 30 HR guy.



Standings Leaders
DE Southern: Lewes Braves: 75-62 (+2, M# 24 - 9-1 L10)
DE Northern: Wilmington Iron Pigs: 83-54 (+9, M# 17)
MV Eastern: VBeach Surf Dawgs: 80-57 (+3, M# 23)
MV Western: Norfolk Cavaliers: 83-54 (+2, M# 24)

Players of the Week:
Delaware: John Bean, Lewes Braves, 9-16, 4 HR's, 12 RBI's
MarVa: Domingo Valencia, Ocean City Tourists, 7-18, 5 HR's, 9 RBI's

Power Rankings:
1) Norfolk Cavaliers (118.1)
2) Lewes Braves (111.5)
3) Washington Senators (111.4)
4) Wilmington Iron Pigs (105.1)
5) Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs (104.1)

News:
Ocean City Tourists: C Domingo Valencia showed off his power stroke, hitting 3 HR's in a game this week. For the game Domingo went 4-5 with 3 R's and 5 RBI's. Valencia is having a solid season hitting .303-23-74 on the season.
Dover Generals: One of the games top lead-off men, 2B Pedro Galvan, is going to miss 2 weeks with back tightness. Galvan is hitting .299-2-44 with 36 steals on the season.
Chesapeake Blue Crabs: The Blue Crabs took a hit to their playoff chances, losing their star 3B Claude Bond, for the next 3 weeks. The Silver Slugger candidate has a fractured foot. On the season Bond is hitting .336-23-76 for the Crabs.

Trades:
New Castle Colonials and Salisbury Ports pulled off a deal, with the Ports sending RF Cris Flores (A, #134) to the New Castle Colonials for SP Warner Kiel (0-3 6.75).

[illeracula]

Week 23
Current Week: 4-1 (87-55 .613 / +3)
Next Week: 2 vs Wilmington Iron Pigs, 2 vs Newark Millers, 3 vs Balitmore Barons
Power Ranking: 2 (-1 / 117.3)
Fan Interest: 100
Owners Mood: Ecstatic (+)

Runs Scored: 729 (4th)
Avg: .278 (1st)
HR: 182 (2nd)
SB: 120 (1st)
Runs Against: 526 (1st)
Starters ERA: 3.39 (1st)
Pen ERA: 3.43 (1st)
Def Eff: .698 (6th)

Game 138: Norfolk 5, Chesapeake 1
Miguel Contreras (18-4): 9.0 IP, 7 H, R, BB, 7 K
Leonard Lawson: 2-4, 2B, 3B, 2 R, 2 RBI
Sergio Rodriguez: 2-2, 2 RBI
Alejandro Diaz: 1-4, 2 R, RBI
H: 9, LOB: 9

Game 139: Norfolk 8, Chesapeake 9
Pablo Garcia (13-6): 4.2 IP, 10 H, 7 R, 3 BB, 4 K
Leonard Lawson: 1-4, HR (13), R, 2 RBI
Sergio Galvez: 2-5, HR (31), R, 3 RBI
Edgar Baez: 2-4, 2B, 3 R
H: 10, LOB: 4

Game 140: Ocean City 4, Norfolk 6 (15 Innings)
Cornell Pearson: 7.0 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 4 K
David Moran: 5.1 IP, H, BB, 3 K
Eric Helton (5-5): 0.2 IP, H
Leonard Lawson: 4-6, 3 2B, 2 R, RBI
Edgar Baez: 3-4, 2B, 2 R (entered in 8th)
Mark Bolton: 1-3, HR (3), R, 2 RBI
Trevor Parker: 2-7, R
Alejandro Diaz: 2-5, RBI
H: 17, LOB: 12

Game 141: Ocean City 0, Norfolk 3
Carlos Coronado (7-4): 7.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 9 K
Luis Martinez (SV 35): 1.0 IP, K
Sergio Galvez: 1-4, 2 RBI
Carlos Franco: 1-3, R, RBI
H: 8, LOB: 7

Game 142: Ocean City 0, Norfolk 8
Paul Brown (17-7): 9.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 9 K
Bob Short: 2-5, 2 HR (32), 2 R, 3 RBI
Henry Hamer: 3-5, 2B, HR (31), 3 R, RBI
Mario Gomez: 2-2, 2B, 2 RBI
Sergio Rodriguez: 3-4
Edgar Baez: 2-5, HR (16), R, RBI
H: 16, LOB: 10



Injuries:
none

Draft Picks:
CF Black Quirke (Round 1, Pick 4, 4th overall - 2024)
San Jose (A): 114-436 (.261), 13 HR, 67 R, 71 RBI, 45 BB, 127 K (DL)

CF Dennis Williamson (Round 1, Pick 2, 2nd overall pick - 2025).
San Jose (A): 46-194 (.237), 2 HR, 22 R, 22 RBI, 13 BB, 61 K

CF Flint Brooks (Round 2, Pick 7, 34th overall pick - 2025).
San Jose (A): 64-236 (.271), 5 HR, 30 R, 36 RBI, 29 BB, 59 K
New Orleans (AA): 6-26 (.231), 1 HR, 7 R, 6 RBI, 10 BB, 4 K

Other/Roster News:
none

GM Notes:
one of the big differences in the second half was moving Miguel Angel Gonzalez into the bullpen. Last year he was awesome as the #5 starter, winning 18 games, this year he struggled (5-5 5.28 in 17 GS). But since he was moved to the bullpen he was flourished. So far out of the pen he has a 2-0 1.35 record, including a save and his WHIP is 1/2 of what it was as a starter (0.75). Now I will have to decide if I want him in the rotation or bullpen for next season. Maybe Luis Martinez and his $5M can go away and MAG will be my new closer...

It was a good week, but we can't seem to shake the Senators. We gained only one game, after a 5-2 week. In 2 weeks, we play the Senators the last week of the season and that series is starting to look bigger and bigger... I am excited however that we are in this position, eventhough there is something about having 20 game lead in the final month.

As of right now the big-deal I made is paying off. This team seems to have gel'd since bring over Short and Garcia. Maybe their leadership ability is what we needed... maybe having King Brock in the lineup wasn't helping. Also after this trade Sergio Rodriguez and Leo Lawson have been able to get more AB's. Maybe that is helping as well. Just seems like I made 3 big in-season deals, which is something I don't usually do (most of the time its financially not possible) and they have really paid off. Getting better talent and getting rid of clubhouse cancers...

This offense is just very inconsistent when it comes to scoring runs. Just watching our ranking in runs scored bounce all over the place. Its crazy... Even though we are in the midst of pennant race I am thinking about 2026 and what this teams needs. It should be a very interesting off-season for the Cav's...

Henry Hamer is hitting only .257, but he does have 31 HR's and 73 RBI's. Last season he put together a solid season (.307-28-88) and the year before was very similar (.301-31-90). I think he big drop in average this year is bothering me. he is a solid talent and only 25 years old. I just have my concerns over his slumping average and his Fragile injury history... The other thing that bothers me about Hamer is his .165 average in innings 7-9, and his .216 RISP average. I don't have his stats from last season, so I can't compare... but I am not a fan of this drop-off. And he may become expendable come November.

Twenty games to go, and they are going to be very meaningful games. We haven't had regular season meaningful games in quite a while.. Lets go Cav's.



Standings Leaders
DE Southern: Lewes Braves: 80-62 (+5, M# 16 - 27-2 in last 29 games)
DE Northern: Wilmington Iron Pigs: 86-56 (+12, M# 9)
MV Eastern: VBeach Surf Dawgs: 83-59 (+3, M# 18)
MV Western: Norfolk Cavaliers: 87-55 (+3, M# 18)

Players of the Week:
Delaware: Will Riley, New Castle Colonials, 9-18, 3 HR's, 8 RBI's
MarVa: Jason Atkins, Washington Senators, 10-22, 3 HR's, 4 R's, 4 RBI's

Power Rankings:
1) Lewes Braves (121.4)
2) Norfolk Cavaliers (117.3)
3) Washington Senators (112.5)
4) Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs (111.2)
5) Wilmington Iron Pigs (106.0)

News:
Baltimore Barons: Will be without SP Reynaldo Doiminguez for around a week as he rehabs his torn labrum. On the season the 23-year-old Dominguez is 5-6 4.15 in 13 starts.
Seaford Blue Jays: C Andy Kohl has suffered a set-back during his rehab from a recent injury and won't be back before the end of the season. Kohl played in 105 games this year hitting .270-30-77.

Minor League Playoffs:
AAA (Best of 5, Round 1 of 2):
Round 1:
Hillsboro Hops vs St Johns Norse (St. Johns leads 1-0)
Dublin Black Sox vs Yokohama Baystars (Dublin leads 1-0)

AA (Best of 5, Round 1 of 2):
Round 1:
Brookly Kings vs New Orleans Pelicans (Brooklyn Leads 2-0)
Seattle Jets vs Minnesota North Stars (Series tied 1-1)

A (Best of 3, Round 1 of 3):
Round 1
Nashville Greys vs Boise Wrangers (Series tied 1-1)
Oklahoma City Engineers vs San Antonio Armadillos (Series tied 1-1)
San Jose Condors vs Billings Geotherms (Billings wins 2-0)
Las Vegas Scorpions vs Ottawa Stags (Las Vegas wins 2-0)

S A:
Playoffs haven't started yet

[illeracula]

Week 24
Current Week: 4-3 (91-58 .611 / +2)
Next Week: 2 @ Annapolis Admirals, 2 @ VB Surf Dawgs, 3 @ Washington Senators
Power Ranking: 5 (-3 / 111.9)
Fan Interest: 100
Owners Mood: Ecstatic

Runs Scored: 763 (5th)
Avg: .279 (1st)
HR: 189 (3rd)
SB: 126 (1st)
Runs Against: 541 (1st)
Starters ERA: 3.33 (1st)
Pen ERA: 3.35 (1st)
Def Eff: .701 (6th)

Game 143: Wilmington 1, Norfolk 4
Miguel Contreras (19-4): 8.0 IP, 4 H, R, 5 K
Luis Martinez (SV 36): 1.0 IP, H, 2 K
Claudio Flores: 1-2, HR (2), R, RBI
Edgar Baez: 3-4, HR (17), R, RBI
Mario Gomez: 1-3, 2 RBI
Sergio Rodriguez: 2-3, R
H: 9, LOB: 5

Game 144: Wilmington 0, Norfolk 10
Pablo Garcia (14-6): 7.0 IP, 3 H, BB, 6 K
Alejandro Diaz: 1-5, HR (30), R, 3 RBI
Francisco Gallegos: 2-5, HR (14), 2 R, 4 RBI
Bob Short: 3-4, 2 2B, R
Leonard Lawson: 2-4, R
H: 12, LOB: 5

Game 145: Newark 2, Norfolk 0
Cornell Pearons (13-9): 6.1 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 5 K
Francisco Gallegos: 2-4
Sergio Galvez: 2-4
H: 5, LOB: 6

Game 146: Newark 3, Norfolk 4
Carlos Coronado: 6.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 5 K
David Moran (3-3, BS 5): 2.0 IP, H, R, 2 BB, K
Luis Martinez (SV 37): 1.0 IP, 2 K
Jeff Lewis: 1-4, 2B, 2 RBI
Robinson Lopez: 1-3, 3B, R
Sergio Rodriguez: 1-1, 2B, R
H: 6, LOB: 4

Game 147: Baltimore 2, Norfolk 12
Paul Brown (18-7): 7.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 6 K
Sergio Galvez: 3-6, 2B, HR (32), R, 3 RBI
Bob Short: 4-5, 2 2B, 2 R
Mario Gomez: 3-5, 2B, HR (11), 3 R, 4 RBI
Robinson Lopez: 4-5, R, 2 RBI
Jeff Lewis: 2-5, 2 R
H: 21, LOB: 13

Game 148: Baltimore 2, Norfolk 1 (10 Innings)
Miguel Contreras: 9.0 IP, 4 H, R, 2 BB, 7 K
Luis Martinez (3-8): 0.2 IP, 2 H, R, K
Jeff Lewis: 1-2, HR (10), R, RBI
Edgar Baez: 2-4
H: 5, LOB: 3

Game 149: Baltimore 5, Norfolk 3 (10 Innings)
Pablo Garcia: 4.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 4 K
David Moran (3-4): 3.2 IP, 2 H, R, BB, K
Sergio Rodriguez: 3-5, R
Sergio Galvez: 2-3, RBI
Jeff Lewis: 3-4, RBI
Francisco Gallegos: 2-4, 2B, RBI
H: 13, LOB: 9



Injuries:
MR Miguel Angel Gonzalez, knee contusion, out 2 more days, not on DL
LF Bob Short, Sprained Thumb, out 2 more days, not on DL

Other/Roster News:
With yet another early playoff exit for the Cavaliers AAA team, I called up a few more guys. Not sure how much they will be playing, but at least they will be on the team to give us some depth. Coming Up:
LF Bryan O'Neil
SS Maximiliano Bastardo
3B Felipe Mora
2B Yoelbi Mosca
C Mike Baldwin
SP Michael Meagher
SP Fernando Gonzalez
3B Mauro Candelaria

The big news was the purchasing of Mauro Candelaria's contact. Mauro is the Cav's career leader in games played (1266) and hasn't played in the big-leagues since 2023. As his career is wrapping up I feel like I should give him at least one more AB before he soon retires. He is a free-agent at the end of the year. Similar to do what I did with the other all-time Cav favorite Don Sweetapple.

GM Notes:
My offense really ticks me off... how can my team ERA drop, SP ERA drop, Bullpen ERA drop, Defensive Eff go up and we go 4-3... why?? Cause we can't score any runs! This really bothers me, when I need the team to step up score runs, what do they do? Faulter and blow it. No excuse losing 2 of 3 to the Barons, none... at home and in extra innings none-the-less...

All that after we actually beat one of the top teams in the game, the Iron Pigs, in a 2 game series. I was riding high at the beginning of the week, then wham... you take down the Iron Pigs, you should be up for Barons.

I keep seeing Hamer's average dropping, Gallegos average dropping, Lewis isn't doing anything... I am getting very frustrated... maybe the pressure is getting to me, I don't know... In September when I need Hamer the most he is failing the most, hitting only .146 (6-41).

The other player I am starting to worry about is Luis Martinez, yes he has 37 saves, yes he has 7 saves in September, but he also has a 11.42 ERA in September! I am pretty sure that doesn't bode well for closing out games in tight situations. We don't have many games left, he better get his act straight. He had a great August posting a 1.59 ERA, but struggled in July posting a 4.50 ERA... which one is the real Luis Martinez?

These offensive numbers are just making me nuts.... #1 in Average, #1 in OBPct, #1 in On-Base + Slugging, #1 in Hits, #1 in XB Hits, 3rd in HR's, 1st in K's and 1st in SB's... so please explain how in the world are we #5 in runs scored? Our timely hitting must be really awful or we have a lot of guys getting gunned out trying to steal... We just better start scoring some runs or this season will end in heartbreak.

After a red hot August (.714, 20-8), we have cooled off in September (.684, 13-6) and with only 13 games left it is not time to cool off. Granted .684 is still pretty darn good... this week is going to be tough, and it ends with what could be the biggest series, in the regular season, that the Cav's have ever had.

This upcoming week is going to be a very stressful week...



Standings Leaders
DE Southern: Lewes Braves: 86-63 (+6, M# 8 / 17-2 in September)
DE Northern: Wilmington Iron Pigs: 91-58 (+14, *clinched*)
MV Eastern: Chesapeake Blue Crabs: 87-62 (+1, M# 13 / 9-1 last 10)
MV Western: Norfolk Cavaliers: 91-58 (+2, M# 12)

Players of the Week:
Delaware: Mike Simmons, Lewes Braves, 9-21, 2 HR's, 7 RBI's
MarVa: Manuel Pachecho, Washington Senators, 14-32, 3 HR's, 8 RBI's

Power Rankings:
1) Chesapeake Blue Crabs (120.1)
2) Wilmington Iron Pigs (118.9)
3) Lewes Braves (117.9)
4) Ellicott City Express (114.3)
5) Norfolk Cavaliers (111.9)

News:
New Castle Colonials: MR Tomas Esparza is going to miss 14 months with a torn rotator cuff. Esparza was 6-2 3.71 in 28 games this season, quite a blow to the 34 year old.
Christiana Blue Hens: MR Pedro Gonzalez will not be able to do any baseball activities for the next 4-5 months. Gonzalez has a sore shoulder and the Blue Hens don't want to take any chances with the 24 yr-old. On the season he is 1-0 4.88, with a save in 18 games.
Georgetown Sixteens: 2B Alfredo Bruno is done for the season with a fractured thumb. Bruno ends the season hitting .303-10-70.
Wilmington Iron Pigs: CF Pepe Santana is going to miss one more week of games with a sore elbow. The Iron Pigs CF is hitting .259-7-40 on the season.
VB Surf Dawgs: RF Martin Scott will miss 2-3 weeks due to a set-back from his rehab of a fractured thumb. Scott is hitting .268-19-61 on the season.
Dover Generals: Have fired MGR Jorge Gonzalez, after 3 losing seasons, which the Generals finished 3rd or worse.
Annapolis Admirals: SS Franciso Perez was hitting .199-4-19 during his rookie campaign that has ended early due to a torn laburm. Perez will miss around 9 months. He hopes to be back with the Admirals next season.
Salisbury Ports: Called up CF Arturo Casas, at 19 years and 203 days. He is the only 19 year old currently active in the DBL. During his September call-up Casas is hitting .107-0-1 in 28 AB's.

Minor League Playoffs:
AAA (Best of 7, Round 2 of 2):
Round 1:
Hillsboro Hops vs St Johns Norse (St. Johns wins 3-1)
Dublin Black Sox vs Yokohama Baystars (Dublin wins 3-2)
Dublin knocked out the Baystars last season as well.

AAA Championship:
Dublin Black Sox (Senators) vs St. Johns Norse (Iron Pigs) - (series starts soon)

AA (Best of 7, Round 2 of 2):
Round 1:
Brooklyn Kings vs New Orleans Pelicans (Brooklyn wins 3-0)
Seattle Jets vs Minnesota North Stars (Minnesota wins 3-2)

AA Championship:
Minnesota North Stars (Ports) vs Brooklyn Kings (Brewers) (Minnesota leads 1-0)

A (Best of 7, Round 2 of 3):
Round 1:
Nashville Greys vs Boise Wranglers (Boise wins 2-1)
Oklahoma City Engineers vs San Antonio Armadillos (San Antonio Wins 2-1)
San Jose Condors vs Billings Geotherms (Billings wins 2-0)
Las Vegas Scorpions vs Ottawa Stags (Las Vegas wins 2-0)

Round 2:
San Antonio Armadillos vs Boise Wranglers (Series tied 2-2)
Las Vegas Scorpions vs Billings Geotherms (Series tied 2-2)

S A (Best of 5, Round 1 of 2):
Tucson Flames vs Little Rock Diamonds (Tucson leads 2-1)
Sioux Falls Threshers vs Jacksonville Tritons (Jacksonville leads 2-1)

This was a good year for the Cavaliers minor league system, as all four of our teams made the playoffs. However the Baystars, Pelicans and the Condors all got eliminated in the 1st round. Hopefully the Tritons will have better luck...

[illeracula]

Week 24
Current Week: 5-2 (96-60 .615 / +5)
Next Week: 3 vs Richmond Cardinals, 3 vs Ellicott City Express
Power Ranking: 1 (+4 / 115.8)
Fan Interest: 100
Owners Mood: Ecstatic

Runs Scored: 799 (4th)
Avg: .279 (1st)
HR: 194 (4th)
SB: 134 (1st)
Runs Against: 566 (1st)
Starters ERA: 3.32 (1st)
Pen ERA: 3.30 (1st)
Def Eff: .701 (3rd)

Game 150: Norfolk 8, Annapolis 5
Cornell Pearson (14-9): 5.2 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 BB, 2 K
David Moran (SV 3): 0.1 IP
Sergio Rodriguez: 4-5, 2 R, RBI
Edgar Baez: 2-4, 2 RBI
Robinson Lopez: 2-5, HR (4), R, 2 RBI
H: 13, LOB: 11

Game 151: Norfolk 3, Annapolis 0
Carlos Coronado (8-4): 8.0 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, 4 K
Luis Martinez (SV 38): 1.0 IP, 2 K
Jeff Lewis: 2-4, 2B, R
Edgar Baez: 3-4, 2 RBI
Mike Baldwin: 1-3, RBI (big league debut)
H: 6, LOB: 6

Game 152: Norfolk 0, Virginia Beach 5
Jaoquin Hernandez (0-1): 5.2 IP, 8 H, 5 R, BB, 6 K (big league debut)
Sergio Rodriguez: 2-4
Bob Short: 1-3
H: 7, LOB: 10

Game 153: Norfolk 2, Virginia Beach 5
Paul Brown (18-8): 6.1 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
Edgar Baez: 2-4
Alejandro Diaz: 0-1, 2 BB, SF, RBI
Claudio Flores: 1-4, HR (3), R, RBI
H: 6, LOB: 7

** We hold a 2-game lead over the Senators heading into the Series. This series could make or break us for 2025 **

Game 154: Norfolk 7, Washington 4
** The Cav's scored 2 in the first, which was answered by the Senators. Then in the 5th the Cav's scored 1-more, but the Senators answered right back. In the 7th the Senators took the lead 4-3. In the top of the 9th the Cav's would tie it up on a single by Galvez, then take the lead on a 3-run HR by Mario Gomez **
Miguel Contreras: 6.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
David Moran (4-4): 1.1 IP
Luis Martinez (SV 39): 1.0 IP, H, K
Mario Gomez: 1-2, HR (12), R, 3 RBI
Bob Short: 2-5, 2B, R, 2 RBI
Sergio Galvez: 3-4, 2 R, RBI
Jeff Lewis: 5-5, 2B, R, RBI
H: 15, LOB: 9

Game 155: Norfolk 7, Washington 2
** The Cav's would jump out early again with 1 in the first and 2 in the second. The Senators would cut it to 3-1 with a run in the second, and then creep closer with another un in the 4th. In the 6th the Cav's would put the game out reach. Sergio Galvez would triple with the bases loaded, then he'd score on a Edgar Baez grounder. The Cav's pitching held the Senators to just 4 hits. **
Pablo Garcia (15-6): 8.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, BB, 3 K
Sergio Gavlez: 3-5, 2B, 3B, 2 R, 4 RBI
Francisco Gallegos: 4-5, 2B, RBI
Claudio Flores: 1-3, 2B, 2 R, RBI
Mark Bolton: 2-5, 2 R
H: 14, LOB: 8

Game 156: Norfolk 9, Washington 4
** The Senators took an early lead with a run in the first, but the Cav's would make some noise in the 4th. Robinson Lopez deliverd the big blow a 3-run HR, to cap off a 5-run inning. The Senators would score one in the 6th, cutting the Cav's lead to 5-2. In the 8th the Cav's would add 4 insurance run, thanks in part to 2-run blast by Henry Hamer. In the bottom of the 8th the Senators would score 4, but that is all they'd get. **
Cornell Pearons (15-9): 7.1 IP, 8 H, 3 R, BB, K
Henry Hamer: 3-5, 2B, HR (32), 2 R, 2 RBI
Robinson Lopez: 2-4, HR (5), 2 R, 3 RBI
Francisco Gallegos: 2-4, RBI
Sergio Rodriguez: 2-5, R
H: 12, LOB: 7



Injuries:
none

Other/Roster News:
Joaquin Hernandez was also brought up to join the staff. Hernandez was added to the 40-man roster and will be slotted to start this week. Trying to align the staff to match up better with the Senators later this week. Looks like I will have to make an in-week switch or just got with 2-3-4 against the Senators. I would feel a little better if Brown would get a start against them and their offense... I realize that playing the Surf Dawgs are also must win games, they are trying for the playoffs too. So I decided to keep Brown against them and go with 2-3-4 against the Sen's.

GM Notes:
Sweeping the Senators was a huge high for the Cav's, as we now hold our fate in our hands. We have 6 games and a magic number of 2... however getting swept by the Surf Dawgs was tough. Yes Joaquin seemed a little overmatched in his debut, but losing 2 times to them, a team we could end up playing in the first round doesn't give me a good feeling... Right now, however, we have to focus on winning 2 more games and then we can party and prepare for the playoffs. Hopefully we can do it quick enough so we can rest Brown and Contreras for the first round games.

That sweep really felt good... Especially beating their 1-2-3 starters...

I like to see this team growing as the year progresses. We now have a def eff over .700, which is what I have been trying for all season. Oddly enough the biggest question mark in the field has been former Glove Wizard winner Edgar Baez, not an ex-3B playing 2B. Baez has committed 17 errors this season, including 2 in a game earlier this week. 17 errors at 3B, the very position he won the Glove Wizard award last season. Just wow...

Sergio Galvez is easily the team MVP this season. He is hitting .307 right now, and should end up the only Cav (with qualified AB's) to hit over .300. Not only did he do that he ended up with over 30 HR's, 30 SB's, 100 RBI's and 100 R's. He should be under serious consideration for MVP, without him on our team there is no way we hold a lead in the division.

With 6 games to go, we are 4 away from winning 100 for the 10th straight season. We are playing 2 teams we should beat, but I am guessing we won't hit the 100 mark. What a run it was. The last time the Cav's feel short of 100 wins? 2015 with 93 and we finished 6 games behind the Senators... so hopefully even if we don't win 100 this year we will still be able to finish ahead of the Senators... I am a little lucky with a magic number of 2, and the Senators finishing off with the Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs. I really ended up with the easier schedule this last week.

Its not over, but I am feeling much better about my chances. Still hard to believe that its the final week of the season and the Cav's are playing meaningful games. It has been a long time in Norfolk for that. We are, however, oddly looking at our lowest attendance in 6 seasons... and are down 4.7% from last year.

Big trades don't always work out for the best, but the deal I made during the all-star break just might of saved my job and our season. Up till the all-star break the Cav's had a 49-40 record, what have we done since? 47-20. Pretty amazing. Bob Short (.285-10-33) and Pablo Garcia (5-1 4.28 / 13 GS) have done a lot for the Cav's this year... both guys are clubhouse leaders and it looks like this is just what the Cav's needed.

Here is one more odd stat... Francisco Gallegos lead the team with 110 walks. The next player? Robinson Lopez, who played in 131 games and walked 56 times! Sergio Galvz who lead the team in PA's was the only other player with over 50, walking 51 times... I think our offense needs to show more patience.

We are 18-8 in September, playing at .692 pace, down from August, but still our 2nd best month of the season... Hopefully we can keep this up for 1 more week and into the playoffs.



Standings Leaders
DE Southern: Lewes Braves: 90-66 (+8, *clinched*)
DE Northern: Wilmington Iron Pigs: 91-58 (+14, *clinched*)
MV Eastern: Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs: 91-65 (+1, M# 6)
MV Western: Norfolk Cavaliers: 96-60 (+5, M# 2)

Players of the Week:
Delaware: Alonso Martinez, Wilmington Iron Pigs, 14-29, 5 HR's, 9 RBI's
MarVa: Francisco Reyes, Ocean City Tourists, 11-24, 3 HR's, 10 RBI's, 10 R's

Power Rankings:
1) Norfolk Cavaliers (115.8)
2) Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs (108.0)
3) Chesapeake Blue Crabs (106.8)
4) Lewes Braves (106.8)
5) Wilmington Iron Pigs (104.3)

News:
Milford Clippers: 3B Cliff Jones seasons ended, and maybe his career, with a strained groin muscle. Jones 42, will be out of baseball activities for 6-7 weeks. On the season he hit .277-12-67.
Lewes Braves: SS Errol Williams is going to miss 3-4 weeks, which could mean all the play-offs, with a hamstring strain. Williams hit .271-17-58 for the season.
Christiana Blue Hens: LF Ricardo Hidalgo is done for the season and he is hoping to be back in time for spring (4-5 months) with a broken elbow bone. Hidalgo one of the games tops talent, when he is on the field. Hidalgo hit .301-30-84 in 114 games this season.

[illeracula]

Minor League Playoffs:
AAA (Best of 7, Round 2 of 2):
Round 1:
Hillsboro Hops vs St Johns Norse (St. Johns wins 3-1)
Dublin Black Sox vs Yokohama Baystars (Dublin wins 3-2)

AAA Championship:
Dublin Black Sox (Senators) vs St. Johns Norse (Iron Pigs) - (St. Johns leads series 3-2)

AA (Best of 7, Round 2 of 2):
Round 1:
Brooklyn Kings vs New Orleans Pelicans (Brooklyn wins 3-0)
Seattle Jets vs Minnesota North Stars (Minnestoa wins 3-2)

AA Championship:
Minnesota North Stars (Ports) vs Brooklyn Kings (Brewers) - (Series is tied 3-3)

A (Best of 7, Round 2 of 3):
Round 1:
Nashville Greys vs Boise Wrangers (Boise wins 2-1)
Oklahoma City Engineers vs San Antonio Armadillos (San Antonio Wins 2-1)
San Jose Condors vs Billings Geotherms (Billings wins 2-0)
Las Vegas Scorpions vs Ottawa Stags (Las Vegas wins 2-0)

Round 2:
San Antonio Armadillos vs Boise Wranglers (San Antonio wins 4-2)
Las Vegas Scorpions vs Billings Geotherms (Las Vegas wins 4-2)

A Championship:
Las Vegas Scorpions (Richmond Cardinals) vs. San Antonio Armadillos (Salisbury Ports) - (Las Vegas leads 2-0)

S A (Best of 5, Round 1 of 2):
Round 1:
Tucson Flames vs Little Rock Diamonds (Tucson wins 3-1)
Sioux Falls Threshers vs Jacksonville Tritons (Jacksonville wins 3-1)

S-A Championship:
Tucson Flames (Milton Brewers) vs Jacksonville Tritons (Norfolk Cavaliers) - (Jacksonville leads 3-1)

[illeracula]

Week 25
Current Week: 4-2 (100-62 .617 / +3)
Next Week: * playoffs *
Power Ranking: 1
Fan Interest: 100
Owners Mood: Ecstatic

Runs Scored: 830 (5th)
Avg: .279 (1st)
HR: 203 (t-3rd)
SB: 140 (1st)
Runs Against: 579 (1st)
Starters ERA: 3.28 (1st)
Pen ERA: 3.26 (1st)
Def Eff: .702 (4th)

Game 157: Richmond 4, Norfolk 2
Carlos Coronado (8-5): 7.0 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 9 K
Trevor Parker: 3-4, 2B, 2 RBI
H: 6, LOB: 6

Game 158: Richmond 2, Norfolk 6
Paul Brown: 6.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 7 K
David Moran (5-4): 2.2 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 2 K
Francisco Gallegos: 1-4, HR (15), R, 4 RBI (Walk-off GS)
Mario Gomez: 1-2, HR (13), R, RBI
Maruo Candelaria: 1-2
Bob Short: 2-4
H: 9, LOB: 6

Game 159: Richmond 2, Norfolk 4
Miguel Contreras (19-5): 8.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 4 K
Sergio Galvez: 1-4, 2B, R
Bob Short: 1-4, RBI
Alejandro Diaz: 1-4, RBI
H: 6, LOB: 3

Game 160: Ellicott City 0, Norfolk 7
Pablo Garcia (16-6): 6.0 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 6 K
Michael Meagher (SV 1): 3.0 IP, 3 H, 3 K (big league debut)
Alejandro Diaz: 3-4, HR (31), 2 R, 2 RBI
Bob Short: 3-4, 2 2B, R
Mauro Candelaria: 1-3, HR (1), R, 3 RBI
H: 11, LOB: 5

** And with that win the Norfolk Cavaliers will head to the 2025 Playoffs **

Manager, Arthur Ray, praised his club, saying, "We were underdogs from the beginning, but we pulled it off. I couldn't be more proud of this group of guys for getting it done. Now our goal is to bring a championship to Norfolk!"

Game 161: Ellicott City 0, Norfolk 7
Cornell Pearson (16-9): 9.0 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, 8 K
Bob Short: 2-4, 2 HR (34), 2 R, 4 RBI
Jeff Lewis: 2-5, 2 R
Sergio Galvez: 2-4, 2B, HR (33), 2 R, RBI
Mike Baldwin: 2-3, 2B, RBI
H: 10, LOB: 9

Game 162: Ellicott City 3, Norfolk 7
Carlos Coronado (9-5): 7.1 IP, 10 H, 3 R, BB, 6 K
Miguel Angel Gonzalez (SV 2): 1.2 IP, 3 K
Jeff Lewis: 3-5, HR (11), 2 R, RBI
Mark Bolton: 1-4, 2B, 3 RBI
Sergio Galvez: 1-3, HR (34), R, RBI
Carlos Franco: 2-3, RBI
H: 10, LOB: 8



Injuries:
none

Other/Roster News:
none

GM Notes:
I can not say enough about Sergio Galvez, he won the Cavaliers "triple crown" hitting .305-34-102... I am glad I signed him to a long term deal when I did... I know the real props for this team go to the pitching staff, but Galvez was the rock on this team, and our only consistent player from Week 1 to Week 25.

Another year in the playoffs, another 100 win season. After such a dreary start to the season, we pulled it out and we are back!... It was a crazy season and I never thought I'd be playing meaningful games during the final week of the season. I am glad we pulled it out, but it was very rocky for a long time there.

The worse part about playing meaningful games all the way till the end is you don't get the young guys in as much. I would of liked to have Joaqin start more than one game, but I was more concerned about winning. I am glad how it worked out, however, Brown and Contreras will be ready for games 1 and 2.

Mauro Candelaria may have seen his last playing time in the bigs, and I was impressed with what he did during his 2 game stint. He was 2-5, with a HR and 3 RBI's. I am glad I was able to give him that time at home in front of the fans that supported him during his 12 year career. I will be interested to see if he retires, and when he does we plan on retiring his number (#34). He will be the second number that the Cav's plan on to retire the first is of Dalton Whitaker (#18).

As rocky as this season felt, I am really surprised that we finished with the best record in the league and we hit that 100 win mark for the 10th straight time. Its obvious that the Senators and Express are closing the gap, so it would be nice to finish this season off strong with a title.

We are heading into the playoffs healthy and on somewhat of a hot streak. Hopefully this will carry on through the playoffs... I am ready to get the playoffs going.



Standings Leaders
DE Southern: Lewes Braves: 94-68 (+10, *clinched*)
DE Northern: Wilmington Iron Pigs: 97-65 (+14, *clinched*)
MV Eastern: Chesapeake Blue Crabs: 94-68 (+1, *clinched*)
MV Western: Norfolk Cavaliers: 100-62 (+3, *clinched*)

** Virginia Beach lost their last 4 games of the season 0-10, 0-6, 1-6 and 0-4. Just missing their first playoffs, and becoming the first expansion team to reach the post-season, what a heart breaker for the Dawgs **

Players of the Week:
Delaware:
MarVa:

Power Rankings:
1) Norfolk Cavaliers (115.8)
2) Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs (108.0)
3) Chesapeake Blue Crabs (106.8)
4) Lewes Braves (106.8)
5) Wilmington Iron Pigs (104.3)

News:
New Castle Colonials: Lost 2B Ramon Granados was unable to return from a fractured thumb as rehab set-backs kept him off the field. He finished the year with a .265-15-50, setting a career high in HR's.
Ellicott City Express: RF Vance Burns was lost during the last series of the season with a elbow sprain. The Express star hit .281-18-86 on the season.

[illeracula]

Minor League Playoffs:
AAA (Best of 7, Round 2 of 2):
Round 1:
Hillsboro Hops vs St Johns Norse (St. Johns wins 3-1)
Dublin Black Sox vs Yokohama Baystars (Dublin wins 3-2)

AAA Championship:
Dublin Black Sox (Senators) vs St. Johns Norse (Iron Pigs)

CHAMPION: St. Johns Norse win the Series 4 games to 2

AA (Best of 7, Round 2 of 2):
Round 1:
Brooklyn Kings vs New Orleans Pelicans (Brooklyn wins 3-0)
Seattle Jets vs Minnesota North Stars (Minnestoa wins 3-2)

AA Championship:
Minnesota North Stars (Ports) vs Brooklyn Kings (Brewers)

CHAMPION: Minnesota North Stars win the series 4 games to 3.
** The North Stars won game 7 10-9

A (Best of 7, Round 2 of 3):
Round 1:
Nashville Greys vs Boise Wrangers (Boise wins 2-1)
Oklahoma City Engineers vs San Antonio Armadillos (San Antonio Wins 2-1)
San Jose Condors vs Billings Geotherms (Billings wins 2-0)
Las Vegas Scorpions vs Ottawa Stags (Las Vegas wins 2-0)

Round 2:
San Antonio Armadillos vs Boise Wranglers (San Antonio wins 4-2)
Las Vegas Scorpions vs Billings Geotherms (Las Vegas wins 4-2)

A Championship:
Las Vegas Scorpions (Richmond Cardinals) vs. San Antonio Armadillos (Salisbury Ports)

CHAMPION: Las Vegas Scorpions win the series 4 games to 0.

S A (Best of 5, Round 1 of 2):
Round 1:
Tucson Flames vs Little Rock Diamonds (Tucson wins 3-1)
Sioux Falls Threshers vs Jacksonville Tritons (Jacksonville wins 3-1)

S-A Championship:
Tucson Flames (Milton Brewers) vs Jacksonville Tritons (Norfolk Cavaliers)

CHAMPION: Jacksonville Tritons win the series 4-2
** This is the first time the Tritons have won the SS-A (or A) championship, and only the 2nd time they have reached the playoffs.

[illeracula]

September 2025 Award Winners

Delaware Conference Monthly Awards

Lewes's Simmons Chosen DEConf Batter of the Month: Mike Simmons battered Delaware Conference pitchers all September and wound up taking home the Batter of the Month Award. "I've been around DELMARVA 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 28-year-old Simmons 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, Simmons hit .329 with 9 home runs, 26 RBIs and scored 18 runs. This season Simmons is batting .255 with 28 home runs.

DEConf Announces September's Best Starter: Júlio Rocha took a much-deserved turn in the spotlight earlier today as he accepted the Delaware Conference Pitcher of the Month award for September. The 25-year-old Brewers starter is a relative newcomer to the league, but nonetheless racked up an impressive 5-0 won-lost record in 6 starts. This month he fanned 44 batters in 41.1 innings and compiled a 3.70 ERA. This year Rocha has compiled a 18-7 record with a 3.13 ERA in 33 starts.

DEConf Selects Rookie Star of the Month: A veritable toddler to the Delaware Conference, Edward Barnes just sewed up the Rookie of the Month trophy for September. Over the past month the 23-year-old first baseman for Milton hit .279 with 29 hits, 5 home runs and 24 runs batted in. He also logged 10 walks and compiled a .342 on-base percentage. This season Barnes is hitting .290 with 28 home runs.

MarVa Conference Monthly Awards

Washington's Atkins Bags MVConf Top Batter for September: When Jason Atkins stepped up to the plate in September, he did it with confidence and today he was honored with the MarVa Conference Batter of the Month award. The young Washington center fielder posted a .347 batting average with 11 home runs, 30 RBIs and scored 22 runs. Atkins also worked pitchers for 16 walks to post a .441 on-base percentage. This year Atkins has batted at a .258 pace with 154 hits, 38 home runs, 123 RBIs and scored 101 times.

MarVa Conference Selects #1 Starter in September: António Cortés had an outstanding September -- so good that the MarVa Conference presented him with the Pitcher of the Month Award earlier today. "There's no way to know where the Blue Crabs would be without Cortés," one fan is quoted as saying. In September Cortés dominated the competition, running up a 4-0 record, a 1.73 ERA and 32 strikeouts in 36.1 innings. This year Cortés has compiled a 14-11 mark with a 3.67 ERA in 32 starts.

MarVa Conference Names Rookie of Month: Youngster Manuel Pacheco emerged as the latest MarVa Conference Rookie of the Month today. The young man from Washington deserved the honor, batting .316 with 4 home runs and 20 runs batted in. Is the month of September a harbinger of things to come or just a fluke? We'll find out someday, but for now, we'll just let Pacheco enjoy the limelight. In 107 games this season Pacheco has batted at a .276 pace with 129 hits and 12 home runs.

Final League Leaders - October 6, 2025
Delaware Conference League Leaders





Kyle Boutte Wins 2025 DE Conf Batting Crown: Kyle Boutte of the Milford Clippers was named Delaware Conference batting champion yesterday. The 31-year-old first baseman hit .314 with 27 home runs and 106 RBIs during the 2025 campaign, collecting 148 hits in 471 at-bats, while playing in 127 games.

End of the Year Award Front Runners:
Silver Slugger: Arturo Martinez, Woody Brown
Golden Arm: Ricardo Gonzalez, Brad Jones, Julio Rocha
Newcomer: Edward Barnes

MarVa Conference League Leaders





Bond 2025 MV Conf Batting Champ: The end of the baseball season brings with it a bevy of awards. The latest went to Claude Bond, the 2025 MarVa Conference batting champion. For the year, the Blue Crabs shortstop posted a .340 batting average. His 146 base hits included 28 doubles, 1 triple, and 28 home runs. Additionally, Bond scored 97 times and knocked in 87 runs.

End of the Year Award Front Runners:
Silver Slugger: Francisco Reyes, Claude Bond, Sergio Galvez
Golden Arm: Paul Brown, German Alvarado, Miguel Contreras
Newcomer: Manuel Pacheco, Doug Thompson

Final Standings - October 6, 2025



Southern Division:
Final Leader: Lewes Braves (94-68 .580 / +10)
Projected Winner: Lewes Braves (84-78 .519 / +4)
This was just an insane finish. It wasn't that the Blue Jays failed and fell apart, it was the Braves just exploaded. They finished the season on a 47-12 run. Not much you can do about that when you are the other guys. The Braves have always been about pitching, but this season they added a couple bats. Mike Simmons (.256-29-101) was the leader this year with John Bean (.261-23-73) right behind him.

Northern Division:
Final Leader: Wilmington Iron Pigs (97-65 .599 / + 14)
Projected Winner: Wilmington Iron Pigs (100-62 .617 / +16)
The Iron Pigs ran the division from wire to wire. They didn't have a whole lot of copmetition along the way, which might be a problem for them. Oddly enough even with 97 wins the Iron Pigs posted 2 losing months: June (13-15) and September (13-14). They are vulenrable, but they are also the top team in runs scored and runs against. Crazy season for the Pigs.

Eastern Division:
Final Leader: Chesapeake Blue Crabs (94-68 .580 / +1)
Projected Winner: Chesapeake Blue Crabs (93-69 .574 / +7)
The Blue Crabs backed their way into the playoffs this season, as the Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs produced one of the biggest collapses of all time. The Surf Dawgs looking to become the first expansion team to make the playoffs just feel apart the final week of the season winning 1 of 5 games, including their last 4. All they had to do is win one to force the playoff. The Blue Crabs did put together an 18 win September to help them keep pace with the Surf Dawgs lead by perinial MVP candidate Claude Bond (.340-28-87) and Jose Lopez (.304-40-126).

Western Division:
Final Leader: Norfolk Cavaliers (100-60 .617 / +3)
Projected Winner: Norfolk Cavaliers (108-54 .667 / +13)
The Cavaliers held off the Senators which included a huge 3 game sweep of the Senators in Washington. That was pretty much the deciding factor in the season for both teams. The Cav's come on strong the second half of the season winning 20 in August, 18 in September and 4 in October. The big mid-season trade paid off for the Cav's as it changed the club-house culture. The Cav's are lead by the top starting staff in the league which included 4 starters winning 16 or more.

[illeracula]

Delaware Conference Championship

Lewes Braves vs Wilmington Iron Pigs

Lewes Braves:
Record: 94-68 .580 / +10
Playoffs: 8 (2015, 2019-2025)
Championships: 4 (2015, 2020, 2023, 2024)

Key Players:
Offense: LF Mike Simmons and 1B John Bean
Both Simmons and Bean are new to the Braves offense this season and they will need them to continue to hit the ball to beat the Iron Pigs.

Pitching: SP Claudio Mateo and CL Luis Deleon
Mateo has returned from injury and his on fire can he continue the pace? Luis Deleon started 14 games this season before being moved to the closer role and he has now closed out 24 games.

Key Injuries: SS Errol Williams
Williams hit .271-17-58 on the season before getting hurt. He was a big part of this powerful offense.

Wilmington Iron Pigs:
Record: 97-65 .599 / +14
Playoffs: 4 (2013-2015, 2017)
Championships: 0

Key Players:
Offense: 1B Alonso Martinez and C Antonio Castaneda
Martinz and Castaneda hit 73 HR's between the two of them are are two of the most powerful hitters in the game. Castaneda is a long shot for the Silver Slugger after missing time with injury, but if he is fully recouped then the Braves will have their hands full. martinez is a 30 yr-old who burst on to the scene last season after coming over from Cuba. He has hit 40 HR's each of the past 2 seasons and could be the key to a long playoff run.

Pitching: SP Ricardo Gonzalez and CL Marcos Estrada
Ricardo Gonzalez won 18 games this season as a 22 year old and will see the playoffs for the first time this season. He has quickly developed into one of the games top starters. And a lot of that credit goes to CL Marcos Estrada who has taken Gonzalez under his wing and been a mentor this season. Estrada split time betweent starting and closing and will be listed as a closer for the playoffs. The youngest and the oldest players on the Pigs roster are the key to their success.

Key Injuries: none

[illeracula]

MarVa Conference Championship

Chesapeake Blue Crabs vs Norfolk Cavaliers

Chesapeake Blue Crabs
Record: 94-68 .580 / +1
Playoffs: 4 (2015, 2023-2025)
Championships: 0

Key Players:
Offense: RF Alberto Molinero and DH Xue-qin Xu
It would of been easy to select Claude Bond as the key offensive player, but with the huge injury to Jose Lopez they Blue Crabs will need someone else to step it up. They are hoping that Molinero (.288-23-77) and Xu (.258-33-89) are just the right players to do so. If they hit, they will have a good shot at winning.

Pitching: SP Orlando Ruiz and SP Jorge Moran
Ruiz won 19 games this season and is the leader of this staff. Moran struggled this year, but has playoff experience, reaching the playoffs 5 times (in 2015 w/ the Blue Crabs and 4 times with the Braves) and has a 4-1 3.05 record. He could be the deciding factor for the playoffs.

Key Injuries: SP Paul Randolph, MR Jonathan MacNeill, LF Jose Lopez
Lopez is the biggest loss to this team. The possible silver slugger award winner hit .304-40-126 on the season, which will be very hard to repalce. Randolph and MacNeill are role players, and will be missed, but the Crabs will have to figure out how to replace Lopez.

Norfolk Cavaliers:
Record: 100-62 .617 / +3
Playoffs: 11 (2014, 2016-2025)
Championships: 5 (2014, 2016-2019)

Key Players:
Offense: CF Sergio Galvez and SS Claudio Flores
Sergio Galvez was the Cavaliers MVP this season leading the team in almost ever offenisve category. They will need him to hit the ball to win the games. Flores is making his first post-season appearance replacing Augusto Rodriguez as the playoff SS. He only hit .242 on the season, but the Cav's will need from him to win these games.

Pitching: SP Paul Brown and SP Cornell Pearson
Paul Brown has been the Cav's top playoff pitcher the past two seasons and they will need him to do it again this season for success. Cornell Pearson will be the Cav's #4 starter, moving Coronado to the bullpen. Pearson has been very erratic this season, so they will need to right Pearson to show up.

Key Injuries: none




In the end I had to make two roster decisions. The first was who was going to be #25. I have 26 players eligible for the playoff roster, so it was a rather easy decisions. Augusto Rodriguez or Leonard Lawson, outfield or short-stop. In the end I decided that carrying Lawson made more sense, considering he has a much better bat, which may come in handy. The perk with Augusto is he comes with 194 post-season AB's and a lot more playoff experience (63 G, .201-2-17). This will be Leonard Lawsons first post-season appearance.

And the final decision who is the #5 starter. It really boiled down to Cornell Pearson who has been very inconsistent this season or Carlos Coronado who exceeded my expectations of him this season. I went with Pearson for 2 reasons, with Garcia in the rotation I have lefty already, so its not a big need. And Carlos is familiar with throwing out of the pen. Which I will need this post-season.

Overall I am feeling good about this post-season. I like the way we are playing heading into the playoffs, I like the roster we have put together. We have depth, we have speed, we have power, and we have pitching.

What is the downfall? I have a lefty heavy team, and we will be facing 3 left handed starters... going to be interesting again...

Predictions:
Lewes over Dover in 5
Norfolk over Chesapeake in 7

[illeracula]

Conference Championships (Round 1, Best of 7)

MarVa Conference

Game 1: Chesapeake Blue Crabs @ Norfolk Cavaliers

Cavs Pregame:
Paul Brown is on the hill today, and he is fully rested and ready to go. He didn't make any starts against the Blue Crabs this season, so it should be interesting to see how he does.

I am going with the default lineup, not making any changes. This lineup means Henry Hamer and Leonard Lawson will be on the bench, giving me two legit bats on the bench. Hamer hit 31 HR's on the season, and he could see time in place of Jeff Lewis depending on how Lewis hits. Lewis is a career .245 playoff hitter, including a horrendous .125 (6-48) in 2023.



Game Time:
The first inning came and went with the pitchers allowing just one hit, as Blue Crab Claude Bond singled up the middle on a broken bat blooper... but the second inning started some fire works. With one out Monte Lyon singled to right, bring up Ramiro Herrera, who made a great catch to end the first. Herrera would deliver the Paul Brown offering 364 feet down the RF line, giving the Blue Crabs a 2-0 lead.

But the Cav's would answer back. With one-out Bob Short grounded to second, a bad throw by Wiley Brown, would allow him to reach second. After a Alejandro Diaz grounder moved Short to second, Edgar Baez would double to left-center bringing him home, cutting the Blue Crabs lead to 2-1. The next two hitters however, Mario Gomez (361 ft) and Claudio Flores (382 ft) would go back-to-back. Giving the Cav's a 4-2 lead after 2.

In the bottom of the fourth the Blue Crabs were dealt a blow that will keep their fans and team holding their breath. On a ground-out by Edgar Baez, Bond made the play, threw him out, but came up in pain. He had to removed from the game, taking his 2-2 on the day with him.

The game settled down after the second, with the Cav's holding on to the 4-2 lead until the 6th, when the Blue Crabs would cut the lead to 4-3. Xue-qin Xu was sitting dead red on the 3-0 pitch and drove it 440ft over the center field wall. Xu was on the only hit of the inning. Through 6 the Cav's are holding on 4-3.

The Cav's would get an insurance run in the 7th when Mario Gomez would hit the 1-0 offereing from Antonio Cortes 433 feet over the right-center field wall. The HR was the only Cav's hit of the inning, allows the Cav's to take a small breath. With 2 innings to go the Cav's are now up 5-3.

With one out in the 8th, Paul Brown was removed from the game. David Moran would come in and retire both lefties he faces.

Luis Martinez would come in to close out the game... Monte Lyon lead off the 9th with a single to right. After a Herrera flyout and a Chavez strike out, Wiley Brown would single to left. With runners on 2nd and 3rd, Wayne Rogers would come up representing the go-ahead run... Wayne Rogers would strike otu swinging, giving hte Cav's the game 1 victory!

W: Paul Brown (1-0)
L: Antonio Cortez (0-1)
S: Luis Martinez (1)
HR: CPK: Ramiro Herrera (1), Xue-qin Xu (1), NFK: Claudio Flores (1), Mario Gomez 2 (2).

POG: Mario Gomez: 2-3, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2 R

Cavs Postgame:
I am happy about this game, we fell behind early and bounced right back. Mario Gomez and Paul Brown came up huge and hopefully we will be able to take this momentum with us into game 2. We only managed 5 hits, with our 7-8-9 hitters getting 4 of them, which I think is a good sign for the next game. I mean our "meat" of the order can't be expected to go 1-20 ever game right?

We are 1 win closer to winning our goal of 8 games.

Delaware Conference

Game 1: Lewes Braves @ Wilmington Iron Pigs

The Iron Pigs would jump on Carlos Mateo early touching him up for 2-runs in the 2nd and 3 in the third, chasing Mateo after just 4.2 innings of work. Of the 5 runs Mateo gave up only 3 were earned. The big-blow was a 2-run shot by Gordon Purkis in the 2nd, which answered the run the Braves would score in the top of the second. The Braves left 10 runners on, as the Iron Pigs got timely outs. The Braves had their chances, but in the end the pitching of the Iron Pigs would hold on.

W: Alec Haney (1-0)
L: Carlos Mateo (0-1)
S: Marcos Estrada (1)
HR: WLM: Gordon Purkis (1)

POG: Alec Haney: W, 7.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 5 K