DELMARVA Baseball League

[illeracula]

Originally Posted by STLRS95

It has been a while since I checked in. Chadds Ford in the playoffs! Congrats and good luck in the post season.

Some how we pulled it off. It was an exciting and enjoyable season I just hope we can make some noise in the playoffs.

[illeracula]

Heading into game 3, the Sixteens announced that Alex Gross, who left game 2 early, will miss the rest of the playoffs with a torn labrum. Gross went 2-2 2.60, with a save, in 41 games during the regular season.

Game 3 was a match up of rookie Juan Cuesta, who comes into the game "hot", versus ex-Cannon Jose Lopez who won 13-games this season... I am not overly confident going into this game, but I am hoping that Cuesta is... I did decide to overrule manager Patterson with the lineup choice. Tully Maxwell will get the start at SS over Bravo. Playing the match-up of righty (Maxwell) vs lefty (Lopez)... I hope Otto Carillo is ready soon, I need a defensive SS on this club.

The game
The game got started off on a high note. We would jump out to a 1-0 lead in the first with a double by Porter and a single by Douglas. Then in the bottom of the second Howard Porter made a diving play with the bases loaded and doubled up the runner on third preserving the lead. I was feeling good at this point... Then in the third back-to-back doubles by Davis and Porter gave us the 2-0 lead. I was feeling good.

But in the 3rd Cuesta would lose it. Walking the firs batter of the inning is never good, but the first two! How could that turn out ok? Well it didn't. With one-out Naoaki Okubo lined a HR over the left-field wall. The lead was gone... 3-batters later, Carlos Lopez drive a 1-1 pitch 404-feet the opposite way, and just like that the Cannons were down 3 (5-2).

We cut the lead to 5-3 in the 6th thanks to doubles by Douglas and Ohayashi, but Lopez was settling in and our bats were looking "off".

The Sixteens added an insurance run in the 7th with a Stephen Bentall 417ft smash down the left-field line. And in the bottom of the 8th they added 2-more thanks to a Leon Mendoza, who has a 7-contact and 6-power rating, 452ft blast to center. I am hoping that HR didn't take the fight out of us. We need to battle back in game 4.

In the end the Sixteens offense was just to powerful for the Cannons, crushing 4-HR's. Hopefully game 4 will bring us better luck.

Round 1: Best of 5:
Game 3 (Series tied 1-1): Chadds Ford , Georgtown
Juan Cuesta (0-1): 5.0 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 3 BB, 4 K
Bill Summers: 2.0 IP, 3 H, R, 3 K
Howard Porter: 2-4, 2 2B, R, RBI
Matt Douglas: 2-4, 2B, R, RBI
H: 7, LOB: 3

The Sixteens lead the series 2-1

Game 4 Projected Starters:
Chadds Ford: Eric Harmon (10-13 4.82)
Georgetown: Hisashi Miyakawa (12-14 4.28)

Giving up HR's to players with lower power ratings (Mendoza-6, Lopez 5, out of 20) isn't a good sign. We have to pitch better to win. We can't rely on this offense right now. The offense just can't get it going. look how our 'big' bats are doing:
Donald Hampton is hitting .167, Hank Davis .182-0-1, Naofumi Ohayashi .182-0-2 and Leon Hernandez .111-0-0.

This almost makes me want to make a move. Maxwell didn't prove much during his game, so expect Bravo back in the lineup for game 4... but don't be surprised if Juan Guzman makes a showing at second... I am tempted to start Raul Garcia behind the plate and move Hampton to DH for game 4, but I am not sure. I think it makes sense. But Hampton has struck out 7-times in 12 AB's, despite his 2-big hits in games 1 and 2, that is UGLY... This is where the loss of Todd and Casanes is catching up to me. The bench just ins't that deep to handle losing 2 of our top-10 sticks.

Eric Harmon will be on a short leash during game 4. He pitched against the Sixteens two times this season going 0-1 3.55. In 12.2 innings he allowed 17 hits and 6 walks, while only striking out 7. Game 4 is a must win all arms will be on deck...

Other Scores:
Game 3: Washington 1, Norfolk 2 (Norfolk leads 2-1)
Game 3: Richmond 2, Annapolis 9 (Annapolis leads 2-1)
Game 3: Seaford 6, Lewes 4 (Seaford leads 2-1)
Game 4: Washington 4, Norfolk 1 (Series tied at 2)
Game 4: Richmond 4, Annapolis 1 (Series tied at 2)

Both games in the MarVa Conference will come down to game-5's. This is already an exciting playoff season and we are only in the first round.

Stars:
Alfredo Mejia, Washington: 7.0 IP, 4 H, R, 3 K
Carlos Delgado, Annapolis: 8.1 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 5 K
Leo O'Conner, Annapolis: 3-4, 2 R, RBI
Allan Cameron, Annapolis: 2-4, HR, R, 3 RBI
Miguel Caravajal, Seaford: 3-4, HR R, 4 RBI
Raul Martinez, Richmond: 8.0 IP, 4 H, R, 2 BB, 5 K
Jorge Gonzalez, Washington: 8.0 IP, 6 H, R, 5 K
Carlos Lopez, Georgetown: 2-3, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI

[illeracula]

Game 4 a must win for us in Chadds Ford if we want to see another day. On the hill is Eric Harmon who has a very up and down season. He pitched a few shut-outs and got knocked out in the 2nd a few times. You know which version I am hioping shows up. Against the Sixteens this season he went 0-1 3.55. On the hill for the Sixteens is Hiashi Miyakawa, who any other day would be the guy we want to face, but against us he went 0-0 1.29... With the lefty, Miyakawa, on the hill I decided to sit Leon Hernadnez (1-9) and start Juan Guzman at second, and I moved Donald Hampton to DH, replacing Hank Davis (2-11), and catching is Raul Garcia... fingers crossed.

Well, the right version of Eric Harmon showed up for this game! Eric threw 7 shut out innings for us and held the powerful offense of the Sixteens. I am not sure how he did it, but he did exactly what I needed him to do. It helped that our offense got things going early with 1 in the first, thanks to a 1-out triple by Howard Porter. He scored on a Matt Douglas ground-out. In the second we added another one, after walks to Hampton and Guzman Raul Garcia laid down the perfect bunt moving them up. Ricardo Bravo followed that with an infield single, plating Hampton.

Holding a 2-0 lead didn't make me feel overly comfortable especially knowing that Harmon could implode at any moment. In the 4th the offense made some more noise. With two outs and 2-on, thanks to walks, Giovanni Smith lined ball down the third-base line scoring both runners, and giving us the 4-0 lead. We added insurance runs in the 6th (Phil Davis sac-fly) and in the 7th (Matt Douglas scores on PB), and thank goodness we did!

In the 8th the Sixteens bats woke up. Eric Harmon gave up a single to Okubo then walked Asther and that was a sign it was time for our bullpen! Jorge Matos gave up a single to Pacheco to load the bases, and then walked in a run losing Lopez on the 3-2 count. Mendoza would plate another with a sac-fly, Atkins grounded into a FC just beating the double play rely. With runners on 3rd and 1st the tying run was at the plate. With lefties coming up I went to Dani Rubio. Rubio allowed a single to Silva, cutting the score to 6-4. The next batter Weaver crushed a double to right, plating Atkins, but a great play by Phil Davis kept Silva at third. With runners on 2nd and 3rd Oscar Robinson was brought in to face Bentall... who crushes a ball high in the air, but CF Douglas was able to corral it on the warning track. After 8, we barely held on 6-5.

We brought in our closer Jonathan Loeffler to close the door... After a lead-off ground-out, Asther singled to right and Pacheco walked putting runners on 1st and 2nd. Bryant Frank would smash a ground to short, and our defense came up with the 6-4-3 to end the game! I was hoping Loeffler was going to slam the door, but he decided to shut it slowly... We a heading back to Chadds Ford!

Round 1: Best of 5:
Game 4 (Sixteens lead 2-1): Chadds Ford 6, Georgtown 5
Eric Harmon (1-0): 7.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, BB, 5 K
Jonathan Loeffler (SV 2): 1.0 IP, H, BB
Ricardo Bravo: 2-3, R, RBI
Giovanni Smith: 1-3, 2B, 2 RBI
Matt Douglas: 1-3, R, RBI
H: 6, LOB: 2

The Series is tied 2-2

It wasn't pretty, but we pulled it off. Harmon, Smith and Bravo will picked it up. Sitting Hank Davis and Leon Hernandez seemed to pay off as both Juan Guzman (0-2, 2 BB, R) and Raul Garcia (1-3, R) came through. It all comes down to a 1-game. We will be facing a tough pitcher, but we will have our ace going for us...How can't you be excited about that!!

Project Starters:
GEO: Chris Brock
CHF: Robert Shepherd

Other Scores:
Game 4: Seaford 2, Lewes 4 (Series tied at 2)
Game 5: Norfolk 0, Washington 7 (Washington wins 3-2!)
Game 5: Annapolis 8, Richmond 1 (Annapolis wins 3-2!)

Stars:
Eric Harmon, Chadds Ford: 7.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, BB, 5 K
Clancy Walker, Lewes: 7.1 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 5 K
Gabino Miller, Seaford: 5.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, BB, 5 K
Richard Forbes, Lewes: 2-4, HR, R, 2 RBI
Anthony Sinclair, Washington: 8.0 IP, 8 H, 2 BB, 6 K
Gabriel Castellanos, Washington: 2-3, 2B, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI
Alonso Sierra, Annapolis: 4-5, RBI, R
Ray Thompason, Annapolis: 6.0 IP, 7 H, R, 2 BB, 2 K

Washington Takes The Wild Card in Deciding Game
The Washington Senators and Norfolk Cavaliers put on a classic The Wild Card that was in question until the final game. In the end, Washington won the deciding contest by a score of 7-0, to take the series 3-2. "It doesn't get much tighter than that. To win a series in the last game is a thrill," said Gabriel Castellanos, who earned series MVP honors for Washington. "Our guys are breathing a little easier now." For the series, Castellanos hit .294 with a .316 on-base percentage. He had 2 home runs, drove in 7 RBI and scored 3 runs. The Washington Senators don't know who they will face in the next round. They will play the winner of the Annapolis Admirals - Richmond Cardinals series. That series is tied at 2 games apiece. The Conference Championship schedule will be announced after the The Wild Card finishes.

Admirals Prevail, as The Wild Card Goes to the Wire
A classic and dramatic The Wild Card has wrapped up, with the Annapolis Admirals outlasting the Richmond Cardinals to advance to the Conference Championship. Annapolis won the final game by a score of 8-1 and took the series 3-2. "We can enjoy this one tonight, but then it's back to work and thinking about the next win," said Annapolis shortstop Leo O'Connor, whose standout performance earned him the nod as series MVP. O'Connor hit .381 with a .381 on-base percentage. He had 2 home runs, drove in 6 RBI and scored 4 runs. The Annapolis Admirals will play against the Washington Senators in the next round. Washington won their series against the Norfolk Cavaliers 3 games to 2. The Conference Championship schedule will be announced after the The Wild Card finishes.

[illeracula]

It all comes down to the final game, winner moves on, loser goes home... Isn't this what the playoffs are about? This is a rematch of game 1 with Brock on the hill for the Sixteens (he waas 1-1 1.88 against us this season) and Shepherd on the hill for us. It should be a close game and I am rooting for our team to be up for the challenge. Just like last game Raul Garcia and Juan Guzman will be getting the call. I almost decided to go with Leon Hernandez and play the lefty/righty numbers, but in the end I believe Guzman deserves it... I will tell you know the key is keeping Stephen Bentall and Naoaki Okubo from doing too much damage, or really any damage!

An awful first inning for Shepherd, as Weaver doubled with one out to get thigns going, and he was knocked in by Bentall. Shepherd walked Okubo, then retired Asther, before giving up yet another single to Pacheco to lead the bases. Luckily for me, my defense would come through and Matt Douglas would make a diving catch in centerfield. If that ball drops Mendoza drives in three... luckily we are only down 1.

We however answered right back. Phil Davis singled to get things started, after Porter stuck out Douglas drove him in with a triple. The next batter Ohayashi hit a deep fly to center plating Douglas and giving us a 2-1 lead after 1. Looks like it might be one of those games, however, I am hoping Shepherd settles in.

What is that saying? Walks will kill you? Well its true... in the third Okubo drew another walk, he heads to third on a double by Asther (who is quickly becoming the most hated man on the Sixteens). Pacheco singled to center plating Okudo, then Mendoza hit into the 6-4-3 and Asther would cross the plate. After 2.5 the Sixteens re-take the lead 3-2.

In the 5th the Sixteens added an insurance run as Okubo wouldn't walk, but crush a solo-shot. After 5.5 the Sixteens hold a two run advantage 4-2.

Juan Guzman gave us a much needed run with a solo-shot in our half of the 5th, but we still trail 4-3. Shepherd has thrown 84 pitches heading into the 6th, this looks like it will be his last inning... hopefully the bullpen is up for the task.

In the 8th the Cannons had some magic. A 1-0 single by Howard Porter was followed by a 4-3 ground-out by Douglas, but Porter would be safe at second. The next pitch, and the final pitch for Chris Brock, would end up 433 feet from home plate, and Naofumi Ohayashi gave the Cannons the 5-4 lead! I have been waiting for Ohayashi to come through and he finally did, at such a key moment!

Three outs to go to move on to the next round...
Lefty Dani Rubio was brought on to face the switch hitting Jose Silva.
Jose Silva flies out to center field on a routine pop-out.
Once the announcement was made that righty Antonio Castandea was going to be pinch hit the lefty Rubio was pulled and our closer Jonathan Loeffler was given the ball.
Antonio Castaneda strikes out! Out #2.
Now up Stephen Bentall, who is followed by Okudo. Loeffler has his hands full.
Stephen Bentall battled and drew the 3-2 walk, bringing up the go-ahead run Okudo who has already gone deep today.
Strike 1! (Called)
Strike 2! (Swinging)
Strike 3!! (Swinging)

And we are heading to the Conference Championships!!!!!!

Round 1: Best of 5:
Game 5 (Series tied 2-2): Georgetown 4, Chadds Ford 5
Robert Shepherd: 7.0 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 6 K
Oscar Robinson (1-0): 0.2 IP, H, K
Jonathan Loeffler (SV 3): 0.2 IP, BB, 2 K
Matt Douglas: 2-4, 3B, R, RBI
Naofumi Ohayashi: 1-2, HR (1), R, 3 RBI
Donald Hampton: 2-4
Juan Guzman: 1-4, HR (1), R, RBI
H: 11, LOB: 6

Chadds Ford WINS the series 3-2

Wow. I didn't think we were going to be able to come back, but what a game. With Chris Brock on the hill and us down by 2 I was worried. The worst part is Brock had only thrown 79 pitches through 7 innings. But wow Ohayashi would come through big, with only his 3rd hit in 16 post-season AB's. We will need him to step-up in the next round if we expect to get some W's.

This was a true team effort. Top to bottom. The bullpen came in and locked the Sixteens offense down. I am excited, it has been 6 seasons without a playoff game, and now that feeling is back. How much further can we go??

Other Scores:
Game 5: Lewes 3, Seaford 4 (Seaford Wins 3-2)

Stars:
Naoaki Okubo, Georgetown: 2-3, HR, RBI, 2 R
John Smith, Seaford: 6.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 4 K
Naofumi Ohayashi, Chadds Ford: 1-2, HR, R, 3 RBI
Howard Gray: 3-3, 2B, R

Blue Jays Prevail, as The Wild Card Goes to the Wire:
The Seaford Blue Jays and Lewes Braves didn't hold back anything in the The Wild Card, with each team pulling out all the stops in an effort to advance to the Conference Championship. Seaford won the final game by a score of 4-3 at Blue Jays Ballpark and that concluded the series, 3-2. "Relief is the biggest thing," Seaford left fielder Howard Gray said when asked how he felt. "It's a grind both mentally and physically to have a long series like this, but our guys stuck with it and Lewes deserves credit for the hard fight." Gray paced the Seaford offence and earned MVP honors. For the series, he hit .400 with a .429 on-base percentage, 0 home runs, 1 RBI and scored 2 runs. The Seaford Blue Jays will play against the Chadds Ford Cannons in the next round. Chadds Ford won their series against the Georgetown Sixteens 3 games to 2. The Conference Championship schedule will be announced after the The Wild Card finishes.

The Wild Card Goes the Distance, Chadds Ford Prevails:
The Chadds Ford Cannons and Georgetown Sixteens held nothing back in an entertaining The Wild Card that went the distance. In the end, it will be Chadds Ford advancing to the Conference Championship, after a 5-4 triumph in the final game at The Cannons Battefield, to wrap up the series 3-2. The Cannons players celebrated jubilantly in their clubhouse after the game, while the scene was one of dismay on the opposing side for the Sixteens. Matt Douglas was named series MVP for Chadds Ford. For the series, Douglas hit .474 with a .545 on-base percentage. He had 0 home runs, drove in 6 RBI and scored 7 runs. The Chadds Ford Cannons don't know who they will face in the next round. They will play the winner of the Lewes Braves - Seaford Blue Jays series. That series is tied at 2 games apiece. The Conference Championship schedule will be announced after the The Wild Card finishes.

Up next the Conference Championship Round!
Chadds Ford (Ying-Hua Ji) at Seaford Blue Jays (Yi-Xiao Zha)
Annapolis Admirals (Lanny Reese) at Washington Senators (Jesus Cruz)

[illeracula]

We head into the best-of-7 against the Blue Jays a team we played well against this season winning 4 of 7 (can we do that again?)... We have a couple of questions heading into this round, however. Julio Casnaes, who missed 4 weeks is ready to come back, and Eugene Todd, who missed 6 is ready to return. Bo Keller didn't see any time, and Armando Lopez PR in one game, but that was it... so do I flip these guys out? Is it too risky to bring them back after such a long layoff? The big question is does Todd / Martinez flip happen. I am pretty sold on getting Casanes back on the roster. Giovanni Smith however did go 4-15 with 2 RBI's... some tough calls to make.

Our rotation doesn't lineup how I'd like with Shepherd needing to pitch game-5, but I think we will be alright. Ji needs to step it up in game 1 though... We are going to have our hands full against this pitching staff of Gabino Miller, John Smith and Jacob Young...

The key will be getting to the Blue Jays bullpen...

[STLRS95]

Nice win in the Wild Card round. Keep it up.

[illeracula]

Originally Posted by STLRS95

Nice win in the Wild Card round. Keep it up.

Thanks. I am going to try, but this Seaford pitching staff is much better than our hitters. Hopefully, someone decides to step up during the next round.

[illeracula]

I made one move before the series, putting Julio Casanes on the active roster and putting Bo Keller on the bench. Casanes will start in LF while Giovanni Smith will head to the bench. Armando Martinez is going to stay on the active roster, since he is a better defender and has speed, and Eugene Todd will be left off. I figure missing 6-weeks and coming back against one of the games best pitching staffs probably wasn't the best option so Martinez stays. Smith hit .267-0-2 in the first round, so if Casanes looks off he may get some PT here.

With Shepherd tied, Ying-Hua Ji will be on the hill. He struggled in round-1 and didn't fair overly great against the Blue Jays this season (1-1 3.60). I need him to step it up. I will be keeping an eye on Alfredo Rodriguez who went 3-6 with a HR against Ji during the regular season... This is a tough team we are up against, I hope our guys bring their A-Game.

Hank Davis is be back at DH this game with Hampton behind the plate. Davis will bat 7th, out of the 4th slot where he hit in the first round during his 3 starts. Juan Guzman is also getting the call over Leon Hernandez who was 0-fer against Jacob Young this season.

Game time:

Both teams went down quietly in the first, but during one thing of note was the easy fly ball that Enrique Lopez hit to our left-fielder Casanes... who dropped it. That doesn't bode well. Maybe I should have DH'd him, in fact I think that is what I had planned.

In the third the Cannons striked first. With 2-outs Ricardo Bravo cracked a double into the left-center field gap. Phil Davis followed with a single up the middle and the Cannons took the lead 1-0!

With two two-out singles in the 4th the Blue Jays started to threaten. Yi, however, had better plans striking out Anibal Corona to end the inning.

The score remains 1-0 into the 8th. The Blue Jays decided it was time to go to the bullpen and would give the ball to Juan Avila. Hank Davis greeted him warmly with a 450ft blast over the center field wall. The rest of the inning was quite, but the Cannons added an important insurance run and now lead 2-0.

The bottom of the 8th was the Blue Jays inning. Lead-off man, one of the lesser hitters on the Blue Jays crushed a solo-shot to start the inning. The next batter Alejando Feliciano walked and that was all for Ji. Still confident with the bullpen we have, however we are heading into the meat of the Blue Jays lineup. Dani Rubo, the left is called in to face lefty Todd MacFarland. After a 1-1 wild pitch by Rubio, MacFarland grounded out, but the tying run was now at 3B. I gave the ball to Oscar Robinson to get the righty's out... With the infield drawn in Enrique Lopez flew out to left-center and just like that the game was tied... The next batter, a lefty, and a scary hitter, Howard Gray would crush the first pitch he saw into the RF bleachers and give the Blue Jays the 3-2 lead.

We had our 4-5-6 bats coming up in the 9th, so the game wasn't over just yet. The Blue Jays brought in rookie closer Cy Head who pitched in 70 games this year as a middle reliever. His low control rating (8/20) gave me some hope. Naofumi Ohayashi battled, fouling 3 balls off before grounding weekly to short. The next batter Julio Casanes who just missed a HR in his previous at-bat, followed suit with a 6-3 ground out... and now the hope was on power-hitting catcher Donald Hampton... who looked like a foul chasing ball four and ending the game with a K!

We had our opportunities but in the end we just fell short... I blame myself for this loss. I kept Ji in for 2-batters to long. He never should have gone out in the 8th. Before the inning started I asked him how he was feeling he said great... I shouldn't have trusted that. This L belongs to me.

Conference Championship (Best of 7)
Game 1: Chadds Ford 2, Seaford 3
Ying-Hua Ji: 7.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 5 K
Dani Rubio: 0.1 IP, WP
Oscar Robinson (0-1, BS 1): 0.2 IP, H, R, BB, K
Phil Davis: 2-4, RBI
Ricardo Bravo: 1-2, 2B, R
Hank Davis: 1-3, HR (1), R, RBI
H: 7, LOB: 5

Seaford leads the series 1-0

Projected Starters for Game 2:
Chadds Ford: Eric Harmon (1-0 2.57 playoffs, didn't face Seaford regular season)
Seaford: Gabino Miller (1-0 1.42 playoffs, 2-0 2.35, 15.1 IP, 10 H, 7 BB, 16 K)

With our big bats not hitting, we can't win. Ohayashi is hitting .158-1-5, Hampton .174-1-2, and Hank Davis .200-1-2 during the playoffs. They have to hit if we expect to win... however, that being said, one of the biggest mistakes of the game came in 6th with runners on 1st and 2nd I gave Howard Porter the bunt sign. If he gets it down it puts runners on 2nd and 3rd with Matt Douglas coming to the plate. Porter botches the bunt and pops out to the pitches. Douglas then hits in the 6-4-3. That can't happen against good pitching! We hit into 3 double plays this game, we have to stop that, this team has too much speed to hit into that many double plays. Seems constant!

I am going to start relying on Jorge Matos more out of the pen than Oscar Robinson, Robinson hasn't looked good this playoff season. I need to have more faith in Matos, not sure why I don't the kid had a great season! Rubio didn't throw a wild pitch all season long in 22.2 innings (between AAA and Chadds Ford, he picked an awful time to throw his first).

Facing Miller is a scary proposition, he could be the best pitcher in the league right now... makes that tough game 1 loss that much harder to take.

MarVa Conference Championships:
Game 1: Annapolis 1, Washington 3 (Washington leads the series 1-0)
Game 2: Annapolis 12, Washington 14 (Washington leads the series 2-0)

Stars:
Jesus Cruz, Washington: 7.0 IP, 3 H, R, BB, 5 K
Lanny Reese, Annapolis: 7.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 5 K
Manuel Miranda, Washington: 1-3, HR (1), R, 2 RBI
Gabriel Garcia, Washington: 1-2, R, BB
Manuel Miranda, Washington: 2-5 2 HR (3), 2 R, 6 RBI
Allan Cameron, Annapolis: 3-5, 2 HR (2), 2 R, 3 RBI
Jimmy Moore, Annapolis: 4-6, HR (1), R, 3 RBI
Alonso Sierra, Annapolis: 2-5, 2 HR (2), 2 R, 3 RBI

[illeracula]

We have a battle in store this evening against Miller. I am not saying this is a must win, but it is about as close as you can get to one if it isn't. Hank Davis is going to play 1B and Naofumi Ohayashi will head to the bench. Ohayashi was 0-7 against Miller for his career. Giovanni Smith will take over the LF duties and Julio Casanes will move to DH. I like this lineup and I hope Harmon can stay hot...

Game Time

Through three innings both pitchers are throwing well... Miller walked Giovanni Smith to start the 3rd, but he was erased when Leon Hernandez hit into a double-play. In the bottom half of the third Albert McGuire doubled to centerfield with two outs, but was left stranded on third (after a Harmon WP)...

In the 5th the Cannons would get something going. With a 1-out double by Donald Hampton. Giovanni Smith struck out for out #2. A wild pitch moved Hampton to third. Then Leon Hernandez struck out to end the inning.

With 1-out in the 6th Phil Davis would catch up to a 3-2 fastball and find a hole in the Left/center gap. Davis would end up on third. The next batter Howard Porter grounded out to third plating Davis. The Cannons scored first.

The score remained 1-0 till the 8th, when the Cannons would put another one on the board, with Gabino Miller still on the bump. Giovanni Smith singled to left, but was gunned out trying to steal. The next batter Leon Hernandez doubled to right-center, then scored on Ricardo Bravo's single. That single and RBI would chase Miller from the game, but it was all we would get either way. After 7 1/2 we held a 2-0 lead!

I decided to let Harmon try for the CGSO, which might have been a huge mistake. I need to make better choices. Lead-off man Todd McFarland just missed a HR, and ended up with a double. Dani Rubio was was called on to replace Harmon. Rubio struck out Alfredo Rodriguez easily and with three righty's up next I went to our closer Jonahtan Loeffler. Feeling good at this game here. Loeffler got Evan Gowing to ground out, giving us two outs, but he would walk the next hitter Enrique Lopez. With runners on 1st and 2nd Bobby Hamilton battled Loeffler, and win the battle, smashing a 3-2 pitch to center for a double, plating both McFarland and Lopez. Luckily for me, Loeffler was able to get of the inning with no further damage and after 9 we had a 2-2 game.

In the 12th, we would finally get something going, again. Casanes went down swinging, bringing up Donald Hampton. Hampton drew the 3-2 walk. I decided to bring in the speedster Armando Martinez to run for Hampton. First pitch he broke for second, but was gunned down. Giovanni Smith battled and draw a 2-out walk. He moved to second on a Leon Hernandez single, and then scored on a Ricardo Bravo single to right! We got the go-ahead run, 3-2, but can we hold on to it?

Jorge Matos was on the hill for his second inning. Enrique Lopez, struck out! Bobby Hamilton grounded out 4-3! One more to go... Jim Stephens swung at the first pitch... Bravo fields throws to first, game is over! We win 3-2, tie the series, steal a game in Seaford and from Gabino Miller... This one feels good.

Conference Championship (Best of 7)
Game 2: Chadds Ford 3, Seaford 2 (11 Innings)
Eric Harmon: 8.0 IP, 5 H, R, 5 K
Jonahtan Loeffler (BS 1): 1.2 IP, H, R, BB, 2 K
Jorge Matos (1-0): 2.0 IP, K
Phil Davis: 2-6, 3B, R
Giovanni Smith: 2-3, R, 2 BB
Leon Hernandez: 2-4, 2B, R
Ricardo Bravo: 2-5, 2 RBI
H: 11, LOB: 8

Series is tied 1-1

Expected Game 3 Starters:
Seaford: Yi-Xiao Zha (Has not pitched in playoffs / 0-1 9.00 vs CF regular season)
Chadds Ford: Juan Cuesta (0-1 9.00 playoffs / Did not face Seaford in 2036)

I couldn't have asked for a better showing by Eric Harmon. What a game, he is proving to me that he does belong at this level. There were a few times this season I was ready to send him to AAA and in the playoffs I was thinking off just not putting in the rotation. He has prove me wrong.

I almost blew this game too. I kept Harmon in the start the 9th, and I probably should have gone with Rubio, but Harmon was at 98 pitches and he looked great all game. But after a lead-off double to McFarland I realized it was time for a change. I brought in Rubio to face the lefty which he struck out, and then brought in Loeffler and everything fell apart. Maybe I should have kept Rubio in? Or started with Loeffler? My pitching decisions are lacking so far this series, and two blown saves are really killing me. I will need to be more cautious with my pitching decisions.

Hank Davis went 0-5 with 4 K's, which doesn't bode well for a game 3 appearance. Casanes, Bravo and Hampton each struck out 2 times, and for the game we went 14 times, 10 of which were in the first 7.1 innings by Gabino Miller.

We can not steal a base this post-season. I keep running and we keep getting gunned down. Phil Davis is 1-1, Martinez is 0-1 and Smith is 0-3. Smith was 3-4 during the regular season and is a highly rated base stealer (19/20). Not sure what is going on during the playoffs however.

Ricardo Bravo (8-18) and Matt Douglas (12-28), and Giovanni Smith (6-18) are the only players hitting over .300 during the playoffs. Phil Davis at .261 is next and then it is down hill from there. With the middle of the line totally non-existent (Hampton .185-1-2 / 5-27), Ohayashi (.158-1-5 / 3-19), H. Davis (.150-1-2 / 3-20) and Julio Casanes (.000-0-0 / 0-9). For me to win these guys HAVE to do something. They are my power bats they have the 'thing' that can put a game out of touch. Without them we are in trouble.

Other Scores:
No Games: Washington leads the MarVa Championship series 2-0

Stars:
Eric Harmon, Chadds Ford: 8.0 IP, 5 H, R, 5 K
Gabino Miller, Seaford: 7.1 IP, 6 H, 2 R, BB, 10 K
Giovanni Smith, Chadds Ford: 2-2, R, 2 BB
Ricardo Bravo, Chadds Ford: 2-5, 2 RBI

[illeracula]

Robert Shepherd is ready to throw, which means he is getting the ball. Cuesta will be pushed back one more day. Shepherd went 1-2 3.80 against the Blue Jays this season... well unless Yi is ready, well that is neither here or there right now, right now our eyes are on our first home game this series. I am tinkering with the lineup trying to find a hot hand, so Naofumi Ohayashi will be back in at 1B and Hank Davis to the bench. I am also sitting Donald Hampton and giving Raul Garcia the start, we will see how that goes... makes me thinking I should have added Eugene Todd to the roster, but for now that is a decision that can't be redone... For the Blue Jays John Smith is on the hill. Smith went 1-0 1.29 against us this season and had two solid starts in the first round going 0-1 2.45. Smith is another great pitcher with 5-pitches over a 10/20 rating and 4 over 12. His fastball will top out a 100 and he gets a LOT of grounders. We need to get on base and get him rattled and get to the bullpen.

Game time:
A lead-off walk to Alejandro Feliciano to start the game had me worried that Shepherd wasn't ready, but he proved me wrong, getting McFarland to fly out and Lopez to hit into the 5-4-3, thanks to a great play by Howard Porter.

After a quiet 1-2-3 first inning for the Cannons Julio Casanes started the 2nd off by smashing a single up the middle. Hernandez flies out, bringing up Raul Garcia. Garcia smashes a 2-2 off-speed pitch to the left-center field gap. Casanes busted his butt around the bases and was waved home... Casanes is safe! The Cannons take an early 1-0 lead.

In the third the Cannons added another run. Lead-off man Phil Davis continued his hot hitting crushing an 0-1 fastball 426feet over the center fielders head. Not much else happened in the 3rd, and after three the Cannons had an important insurance run and a 2-0 lead.

The game remained 2-0 until the 6th. After strikes out of Jim Stephens and Albert McGuire, Shepherd would make a mistake. Thinking Alejandro Feliciano was taking the 3-0 pitch Shepherd grooved home. Feliciano wasn't taking and was ready for it and deposited it 427feet away into the left-field stands... The Blue Jays cut the score to 2-1.

Looks like this is going to be another nail biter.

The Cannons threatened in the 6th with 2 1-out singles by Matt Douglas and Naofumi Ohayashi... Bringing up Julio Casanes, who finally broke out of his slump and was 2 for 2 on the day. Sitting on the 3-1 pitch from Smith Casnaes would hit a rocket to the 3B for an easy 5-4-3.

Heading to the bottom of the 8th and holding a 2-1 lead the Cannons were in need of an insurance run. We already have 2 blown saves this series... Ricardo Bravo continued his hot streak, and singled on the first pitch he saw by James Williams. Phil Davis battled Williams to a 2-2 count before getting hit-by-the-pitch, bringing up Howard Porter. Porter, a highly rated bunter (20 Sac/19 Hit) already failed on one sac this series, but after thinking I had to do it. Foul. Foul. Now with 2-strikes it was time to take the bunt off. I decided however to have some fun with it and put on the hit-and-run. Bravo and Smith take off, Porter swings and misses. Safe! Bravo is on third and Davis on second, despite the failed bunt attempt we are where I wanted to be. Matt Doulgas swings at the first pitch he sees skying a ball to center. Bravo hustles homes, and the Cannons get a key insurance run. Ohayashi strikes out. And we head into the 9th with a 3-1 lead.

I know I said I was going to be cautions with my pitching decisions, but I figured it was the right thing to do. With a lefty and righty in the pen I was ready though. First batter, and lead-off man in the Blue Jays lineup Alejando Feliciano grounds out to third! Shepherd with still some left in his take was pulled. McFarland scares me and I wanted the lefty/lefty match-up. McFarland was fooled on the 2-0 pitch grounding it back to the pitcher. Out #2! With Matos ready in the pen, a 2-run lead, and righty's coming up, I decided to stick with the lefty Rubio. He didn't let me down. Lopez strikes out ending the game! Cannons win 3-1

Conference Championship (Best of 7)
Game 3: Seaford 1, Chadds Ford 3
Robert Shepherd (1-0): 8.1 IP, 3 H, R, BB, 7 K
Dani Rubio (SV 1): 0.2 IP, K
Phil Davis: 1-3, HR (1), R, RBI
Julio Casanes: 2-3, R
Raul Garcia: 1-3, 2B, RBI
Matt Douglas: 1-2, RBI
H: 7, LOB: 5

The Cannons lead the series 2-1

Expected Game 4 Starters:
Seaford: Yi-Xiao Zha (Has not pitched in playoffs / 0-1 9.00 vs CF regular season)
Chadds Ford: Juan Cuesta (0-1 9.00 playoffs / Did not face Seaford in 2036)

Ricardo Bravo has been great during the play-offs. I got him via rule-5 draft before the 2035 season and there were many times that season I thought about releasing him. Boy am I glad I didn't. He is earning his slot as my everyday SS. He is 9-21 during hte playoffs and it feels like he just has come through when I needed him. I can't say enough about this guy.

Our offense hasn't been great, but we are doing just enough. And the pitching has stepped it up. I am worried however, that we can't go around winning every game by scoring 3 runs. We need to score some more. I have to say I saw some glimpses during this game as Casanes hit the ball, Ohayashi hit the ball, and Garcia hit the ball. I want to win game 4, and I want to win it with more than 3-runs...

During the regular season we averaged 1.16 HR's per game, the post season? We have 6 in 8 games. The better pitching on a more consistent basis has really hurt us. Oddly we still don't have one player with more than 1-HR... And these averages are just dreadful... I am hoping we can break out of this offensive funk and find a hot streak.

This series is far from over. This pitching staff can lock us down at any moment and that is a scary thought... I would love to pull one of the next two games down, both would be great, but if we can't, it would be nice heading back into Seaford with only needing to win one of 2.

Other Scores:
Game 3: Washington 1, Annapolis 3 (Washington leads series 2-1)
Game 4: Washington 7, Annapolis 5 (Washington leads series 3-1)

Stars:
Ray Thompson, Annapolis: 7.0 IP, 3 H, R, BB, 4 K
Anthony Sinclair, Washington: 7.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 8 K
Jimmy Moore, Annapolis: 1-3 HR (2), R, 3 RBI
Alonso Sierra, Annapolis: 2-3, R
Robert Shepherd, Chadds Ford: 8.1 IP, 3 H, R, BB, 7 K
Alonso Sierra, Annaplis: 3-4, HR (4), 2 R, 2 RBI
John Smith, Seaford: 6.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, BB, 4 K
Jesus Hernandez, Washington: 2-4, HR (1), 2 R, RBI

[illeracula]

It seems like every game this series Zha was supposed to face Cuesta, well here it finally arrives game 4. Zha who has yet to pitch in the playoffs faces off against Cuesta who had one bad outing in the playoffs. Zha was roughed up against the Cannons during the regular season and Cuesta didn't face Seaford, so who knows what to expect from these guys this game.

Lineup wise I am going with the same lineup we had in game 3. It might not be our "best" lineup when everyone is hitting, but it is our best lineup (at least IMO) at this point in time. Ph. Davis, Porter, Douglas, Casanes, Ohayashi, Hernandez, Garcia, Smith, Bravo. Zha is a lefty so it was tempting to go with Guzman instead of Hernandez, but Leon was 2-2 against Zha in the regular season... Time to have some fun.

Game time:
The game couldn't have started worse... on the second pitch of the game Alejandro Feliciano deposited it 427ft to dead center. Cuesta then walked McFarland, and gave up a double to Howard Gray, which scored McFarland. The fourth batter of the game struck out (Corona), but Lopez followed that with a single, scoring McFarland. Stephens hit into the 5-4-3 and the inning was over. UGH. Cuesta's day might be over, and we are down 3-0 already.

Now remember the winner of each game 1-3 only scored 3-runs. So this is going to get crazy or the Blue Jays already won... hopefully we can fight back in our half.

1-2-3 in the first wasn't what I had planned... ugh. Now its time to get things going.

After a lead-off walk to Miguel Carvajal Cuesta was pulled in favor of Gehrig Pearl, who may be in it to close the door or pick up the trash. We will see. Pearl came in and promptly gave up a single to McGuire. But struck out Feliciano. McFarland followed with a run-scoring single. Gray struck out. Corona flied out. After 1 1/2 we were down 4-0. We need to start chipping away now.

1-2-3 for the Cannons in the second.

Pearl got Lopez to ground out to start the third. Hamilton followed with a single to right. Stephens then slapped a ball down the RF line, but a great play by Davis in RF cut Hamilton down at the plate! Stephens, however, ends up on third. Carvajal goes down swinging! Still 4-0... momentum swing?

After a Garcia ground-out, Giovanni Smith walked. Next batter Ricardo Bravo hit a rocket to 2B. The ball was bobbled and both runners are safe! Ph Davis singled to right, scoring Smith and putting runners on first and second with one out. Howard Porter grounds out 5-4, runners on 1st and 3rd for Matt Dougals. In a key AB. Douglas grounds weakly into a 5-4 FC, inning over. Some major damage was missed, but we did plate 1. 4-1 after 3.

That didn't last long though. With one-out Pearl hits Feliciano. McFarland follows with a single to left. After a Howard Gray flyout, Pearl has a chance to escape with no damage. Anibal Corona hits the first pitch he sees into RF scoring Feliciano. Lopez follows with a single to load the bases. Pearl hunkered down and got Hamilton to pop out... It could have been worse, but the Blue Jays scored a key run 4-1.

Would we answer in the 4th? Back-to-back singles by Casanes and Ohayashi get things started. Another opportunity to do some damage. Leon Hernandez flies out to center. Raul Garcia strikes out. Giovanni Smith rakes a single to right. Casanes scores. Bravo strikes out... Another wasted inning, we still trail 5-2.

The game stayed 5-2 till the 6th... A lead-off walk by McFarland was followed with a fly-out, and then an E9 when Phil Davis dropped a seemingly easy fly ball. With runners on first and third, Pearl was removed for Oscar Robinson. With the corners in, Lopez hits a grounder to 2nd. McFarland scored and Corona went to third. Bobby Hamilton followed with a 421ft blast to left-center and the damage was done. A grounder would end the inning, but we now trailed 8-2.

A 1-out double by Ohayashi would hopefully get the bats going. Juan Guzman was called on to PH for Leon Hernandez, playing the righty/lefty match-up. It doesn't go well as Guzman strikes out. Raul Garcia follows with a single, moving Ohayashi to third. Gio Smith smashes a ball into the right-center field gap, Ohayashi and Garcia score, on the Smith triple. Bravo pops out to end the inning, but we start to chip away 8-4.

In the bottom of the 8th we would need to chip away some more for some hope on winning this game... A 1-out double by Juan Guzman got the bench standing. Pinch-hitter Donald Hampton followed with a single to left, scoring Guzman. Giovanni Smith continued his hot hitting, smacking a grounder past the 3B for a double. Hampton, not the quickest of guys is held at third. Bravo strikes out! Phil Davis grounds out to third! Another missed opportunity, but we did score one. We head to the 9th down 8-5.

Bill Summers shuts down the Blue Jays in the 9th setting us up for run at the W.
Howard Porter leads this off... battles and draws the walk.
Matt Douglas follows, on a 2-2 count Douglas pokes a semi-routine fly ball to right-field, it is dropped for an error! Porter to second.
The Tying run is at the plate!
Julio Casanes swings at the first pitch he sees, grounding out weakly to third. Douglas to 2nd, Porter to third.
Naofumi who has hit the ball well this game comes up. A ten-pitch battle ensues, but it ends with Naofumi popping out to third.
With Juan Guzman at the plate I decided to bring up my power-hitting 1B Hank Davis. It just felt right.
Hank Davis gets a good look at a 1-1 fastball and crushes it... deep... warning track... caught by Felicano. Game is over, another missed opportunity. Blue Jays win 8-5

Conference Championship (Best of 7)
Game 4: Seaford 8, Chadds Ford 5
Juan Cuesta (0-1): 1.0 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 2 BB, K
Gehrig Pearl: 4.1 IP, 9 H, 3 R, BB, 4 K
Bill Summers: 1.2 IP, K
Giovanni Smith: 3-3, 2B, 3B, R, 3 RBI
Naofumi Ohayashi: 2-4, 2B, R
Donald Hampton: 1-1, RBI
Juan Guzman: 1-2, 2B
H: 11, LOB: 9

The Series is tied at 2

Expected Game 5 Starters:
Seaford: Jacob Young
Chadds Ford: Ying-Hua Ji

This was a game of missed opportunities. We left 9-men on base, but it felt like 29. We struck out 8-times, but it felt like 88. Every time we needed something big, every time we had runners knocking on the door, we couldn't come through. I am not sure if I should give props to the pitching of the Blue Jays or fault this offense. This has been our problem all-season long and it is finally coming back to bite us.

Zha isn't a good pitcher, at least not compared to Miller, Young, and Smith, the Blue Jays "big three". Maybe we were just to confident after beating Miller and Smith. Whatever it was expect some lineup changes next game. Leon Hernandez 0 fer his last 5... I am debating what do to behind the plate. Raul Garcia went 1-3 in both the last games, but Hampton's bat is more intimidating. Do I keep Hampton on teh bench like I did today for that bat if I need it?

Howard Porter has been a mess this post-season. This is his first post-season so maybe he is just nervous. He has botched bunts and hasn't hit very much. Do I start rookie Tully Maxwell at 3B next game?? I have a good feeling Maxwell will be my 3B next year and Porter will be dealt. For the playoffs Porter is 7-39 with 7 K's and 5 R's. He does have 2 2B's, a 3B and a HR. But he is my #2 hitter, and that .220 OBP looks AWFUL.

I am hoping Yi is up for this game... game of the year maybe.

Other Scores:
Game 1: Annapolis 1, Washington 3 (Washington leads the series 1-0)
Game 2: Annapolis 12, Washington 14 (Washington leads the series 2-0)
Game 3: Washington 1, Annapolis 3 (Washington leads series 2-1)
Game 4: Washington 7, Annapolis 5 (Washington leads series 3-1)
Game 5: Washington 4, Annapolis 7 (Washington leads series 3-2)

Stars:
Giovanni Smith, Chadds Ford: 3-3, 2B, 3B, R, 3 RBI
Leo O'Connor, Annapolis: 3-4, 2B, HR (1), R, 3 RBI
Bobby Hamilton, Seaford: 3-5, HR (1), R, 3 RBI
Todd McFarland, Seaford: 2-3, 2 R, RBI

[illeracula]

Despite losing game 1, Yi threw well and I hope to see the same version this game. He pitched better at home during the regular season, so I am hoping that will be a boost as well.

I am going to go with the same lineup from the previous game, with the exception of Guzman will be in for Hernandez and, a last minute choice, I am going to go with Hampton over Garcia. Garcia might get some time though.

Our last home game of the Conference Championship, lets make it a good one!

Game time:
The first pitch of the game was smashed to right-center, but Phil Davis comes out of nowhere and pulls it down. Todd McFarland follows with a single. Enrique Lopez feasts on Yi's 1-2 mistake and gives the Blue Jays an early 2-0 lead. Gray walks, and Yi regains his composure and strikes out Rodriguez and Corona.

In my mind it was important to bounce back. Once we fall behind its hard for us to catch up, our offense just isn't playing well now... but that didn't happen in the first. Phil Davis flies out to left. Howard Porter flies out to right. Matt Douglas grounds to short. One inning down, and we are in the hole again 2-0.

The game would remain 2-0, as Yi found his groove, until the 5th. The bottom of the 5th. Juan Guzman leads off hitting a line drive to 3B, and the ball pops out of his glove, safe at first! With Giovanni Smith up, who has been hitting the ball really well, a hit-and-run is called. Luckily too, as Smith grounds out to second, and Guzman ends up on second. The next pitch is wild, and Guzman hustles up to third. Ricardo Bravo grounds out to short, Guzman scores, and the Cannons cut the lead to 2-1.

Jacob Young was greeted in the 8th by a lead-off double by Giovanni Smith. Smith advances to third on a sac-bunt by Bravo. Phil Davis is intentionally walked, and that will be the last hitter Young faces. PH Tully Maxwell (hitting for Porter) smashes a 2-2 pitch into the 5-6 hole and Smith cruises home with the tying run. After 8, the game is tied 2-2.

Seaford threatens in the 9th... A lead-off single by Howard Gray gets things going. After a flyout, Jonathan loeffler comes into pitch. PH Evan Gowing singles to right, putting runners on first and second. The next two hitters are retired on flyouts.

We head into extra's tied at 2... Albert McGruie grounds-out. Feliciano stirkes out! Loeffler then walks the next three batters to load the bases, bring up Alfredo Rodriguez. Strike 1. Swing and miss strike 2. Strike 3 looking! I was ready to cut Loeffler, if he blew that...

We catch a break in the 10th, as lead-off man Giovanni Smith gets hit-by-the-pitch on a 1-2 count. After missing the first bunt attempt, I call the hit-and-run. Bravo hits a grounder to second. Smith is safe at second. Phil Davis is IBB'd again, putting runners on first and second. Tully Maxwell with a change to be a hero comes up and hits a fly ball to center. Runners do not advance. With 1-out, Matt Doulgas comes to the plate. Matt Douglas does what he does and hits a line-drive to left, Smith cruises around the bases and scores!! The Cannons take 2-of-3 in Chadds Ford and hold a 3-2 series lead.

Conference Championship (Best of 7)
Game 5: Seaford 2, Chadds Ford 3 (10 innings)
Ying-Hua Ji: 6.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 10 K
Jorge Matos: 1.1 IP, K
Dani Rubio: 1.0 IP, H
Jonathan Loeffler (1-0): 1.2 IP, H, 3 BB, 2 K
Naofumi Ohayashi: 3-4
Giovanni Smith: 1-3, 2B, 2 R
Tully Maxwell: 1-2, RBI
Matt Douglas: 1-5, GWRBI
H: 7, LOB: 5

The Cannons lead the series 3-2

Expected Game 6 Starters:
Chadds Ford: Eric Harmon (0-0 1.13)
Seaford: Gabino Miller (0-0 2.45)

I am going to have to pull Howard Porter from the lineup in game 6. I will hate doing it, but just isn't getting the job done and I need someone who "might" be able to out there. Porter is now 1-21 during the series (.048-0-1) with an awful .091 OBP. I can't have that from my #2 hitter. My choices are rookie Tully Maxwell, or drop Porter to the 7th hole... he has just been very frustrating to me.

With Porter and our #4 hitter not hitting Noafumi doesn't have anyone to drive in! He is hitting .375 (6-16) on the series, but has no RBI's! I need Casanes to warm up. I thought he had his swing back, but maybe I was wrong.

This team has to figure out how to keep Howard Gray (.294-1-2), Enrique Lopez (.300-1-4) and Todd McFarland (.250-0-1) off the bases to minimize any damage. It seems like these three guys are always coming up big when they have to.

I said I wanted to head into Seaford with needing 1 of 2, and here we are. I would have much rather won it outright, but this is what I predicted to happen. Hopefully Harmon and/or Shepherd are up for the task. I will need them to be. If we can squeak this one out it will be an awesome feeling in Chadds Ford.

So we have won three games all by scoring 3-runs. Is that the magic number? Will our offense explode one of these final two games? Talk about a pitchers series.

Other Scores:
Game 1: Annapolis 1, Washington 3 (Washington leads the series 1-0)
Game 2: Annapolis 12, Washington 14 (Washington leads the series 2-0)
Game 3: Washington 1, Annapolis 3 (Washington leads series 2-1)
Game 4: Washington 7, Annapolis 5 (Washington leads series 3-1)
Game 5: Washington 4, Annapolis 7 (Washington leads series 3-2)
(no game played as they head back to Washington)

Stars:
Jacob Young, Seaford: 7.1 IP, 4 H, R, BB, 2 K
Ying-Hua Ji, Chadds Ford: 6.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 10 K
Enrique Lopez, Seaford: 2-4, HR (1), R, 2 RBI
Naofumi Ohayashi, Chadds Ford: 3-4

[illeracula]

We are in a good spot here, we need to win 1 of 2 games and we have two of our hottest pitches on the hill: Harmon and Shepherd. The downfall? We have to face one of the games best pitchers Gabino Miller in game 6 and then turn around and face another top pitcher Jacob Young in game 7. This series is far from over, but wouldn't it be nice to get the W tonight...

Howard Porter (.167 in the playoffs and 2-14 against Miller) will get a rest this game. I am hoping if he doesn't play today he will be ready for game 7 and get out of this funk he is in. I need him hitting and just hasn't. Tully Maxwell will play 3B and bat second. Juan Guzman is back in at 2B as Hernandez just hasn't hit the ball. The downfall of taking Hernandez out is I am removing the lefty and going with another righty.

The bullpen is pretty fresh, Pearl is showing some signs of fatigue so he may only come in if I need a lefty/lefty match-up... other than that all hands on deck (sans Shepherd).

Game time:
Looking bad in the first inning is never a good thing... Davis strikes out swinging. Maxwell strikes out looking. Douglas singles on a 2-2 pitch up the middle. Casanes strikes out swinging. How do you say UGLY?

Hopefully Harmon will be on his game. Feliciano flies out to deep left-center. McFarland singles to right. Gray bloops a single to left. A double steal puts runners on second and third. Corona singles to right, two runs score. Lopez smashes a double down the left-field line. Corona scores. Harmon retires the next two... after 1 its 3-0!

We just can't seem to get out of the first without giving up any runs. This is hard... Seaford has 3-runs, every game but one saw the winner score 3 runs. So maybe this game is over? I do have a choice to make. If Harmon doesn't have it do I leave him in to take a beating? I am hoping it doesn't come to that...

The Cannons need to start chipping away... To start the second Ohayashi doubles to right. He moves up to third on a single by Juan Guzman. After a Smith K, Ricardo Bravo singles to right scoring Ohayashi. Phil Davis walks to load the bases. Rookie Tully Maxwell comes to the plate and chases a 3-1 pitch and grounds out weakly to third. We got one of them back.. and are now down 3-1.

The Cannons offense found a little groove... in the third. Matt Douglas starts things off with a single. Julio Casanes smokes a double to right, Douglas to third. Ohayashi flies out to center, Doulgas scores. A K and ground-out end the inning. Cannons are chipping and are now down 3-2

In the third Phil Davis guns out Bobby Hamilton trying to go from first to third on a single to right to end the inning.

Two ground-outs in the 4th bring up Phil Davis. Davis hangs in and drives a 2-2 pitch just over the wall in left! Game is tied at 3!

The Blue Jays answer back. Jim Stephens leads things off with a single. Carvajal switches places with him on a FC. This could hurt the Cannons as the Carvajal is one of the games best base runners. Harmon hits McGuire with the 2-2 pitch, moving Carvajal to second. Feliciano follows with a double to left, Carvajal scores! The 3B coach waves McGuire... Smith to Maxwell to Hampton, OUT at home! McFarland flies out and the Blue Jays score one and retake the lead 4-3.

In the 6th the Cannons continue to fight Miller... After Hampton strikes out looking, Juan Guzman jumps on the first pitch he sees and singles to left. Smith K's. Bravo jumps on the first pitch he sees and laces a double down the RF line, Guzman scores! P Davis K's... But the game is tied, again, this time at 4!

The bottom of the 7th, the game is still tied... and Dani Rubio is brought in with the Blue Jays having 3-lefties in a row up... McFarland grounds out. Rodriguez K's! PH Ismael Lopez walks on 4-pitches, bring up righty Enrique Lopez... who makes the most bad pitching decisions?? No righty in the pen, Rubio stays in... 3-2 pitch, doesn't fool Lopez who clears the left-field wall with a 386ft HR. Jays are up 6-4 after 7.

The Cannons threaten in the 8th... Ohayashi K's. Hampton doubles. He moves to third on Juan Guzman single. Smith strikes out! With Guzman running, on the hit-and-run, Bravo swings and misses the Cy Head FB and Guzman is gunned down at second!

Ricardo Bravo greets new pitcher Afzul Jadoon in the 9th with a lead-off double. Phil Davis grounds out, Bravo moves up. Hank Davis pinch hits for Tully Maxwell, going for that power, and hopefully a 2-run HR. Davis hits a routine grounder to short. Bravo scores. Matt Douglas walks, bringing up the go-ahead run in power hitter Julio Casanes. Casanes laces a liner right at the left-fielder, game over! Blue Jays win 6-5

Conference Championship (Best of 7)
Game 6: Chadds Ford 5, Seaford 6
Eric Harmon: 5.0 IP, 10 H, 4 R
Oscar Robinson: 1.0 IP, H, 2 K
Dani Rubio (0-1): 1.0 IP, H, 2 R, BB, 2 K
Jorge Matos: 1.0 IP
Matt Douglas: 2-4, R
Juan Guzman: 3-4, R
Ricardo Bravo: 3-4, 2 2B, R, 2 RBI
Phil Davis: 1-4, HR (2), R, RBI
H: 12, LOB: 7

The series is tied 3-3

Expected Game 7 Starters:
Chadds Ford: Robert Shepherd (1-0 1.08 series / 1-0 2.05 playoffs)
Seaford: John Smith (0-1 3.00 series / 0-2 2.61 playoffs)

Heartache in Chadds Ford! So close to winning this game, but two bad managerial calls lead to us heading to game 7... Why did I leave Rubio in? Why not walk Lopez who has been killing us... Why did I hit and run? Bravo was crushing all game... Would it have made a difference? Maybe, maybe not, we will never know, but it is a tough loss to take.

In game 7 we will see Porter back in the line-up in the #2 slot. I am hoping this day off will wake him up. I need him to hit if I want to win game 7. Maxwell did a decent job, but didn't get any hits, and missed a golden opportunity. Nerves? Out classed by Miller? Maybe. I mean he was just drafted this year.

Juan Guzman (5-13), Giovanni Smith (6-16) and Ricardo Bravo (7-21) deserve a lot of credit for keeping us in this series. They are our 7-8-9 hitters and have picked up their game... Douglas (8-25) and Ohayashi (7-19) are also starting to hit, so I am getting excited about our chances in game 7. Excited not confident.

This Blue Jays staff has done a great job not allowing us to hit the long ball. Phil Davis has 2-HR's this series, and Hank Davis has on (his only hit 1-10). Other than that our power bats have been kept quite, and against Smith there is no reason to think they will wake up.

John Smith is a top-notch pitcher with great stuff (16/17), movement (14/14) and decent control (11/13), he holds runners tight, and gets a lot of grounders. As we did earlier in the series we will need to take advantage of mistakes. Lay down bunts. Take pitches. And get to the bullpen! All this is contingent on Shepherd pitching like he knows how.

I blame myself for this L and I hope these guys can pick me up... Game 7 should be fun!

Other Scores:
Game 1: Annapolis 1, Washington 3 (Washington leads the series 1-0)
Game 2: Annapolis 12, Washington 14 (Washington leads the series 2-0)
Game 3: Washington 1, Annapolis 3 (Washington leads series 2-1)
Game 4: Washington 7, Annapolis 5 (Washington leads series 3-1)
Game 5: Washington 4, Annapolis 7 (Washington leads series 3-2)
Game 6: Annapolis 1, Washington 7 (Washington wins the series 4-2)

Stars:
Jorge Gonzalez, Washington: 6.0 IP, 7 H, R, BB, 6 K
Manuel Miranda, Washington: 3-4, R, 2 RBI
Allan Cameron, Annapolis: 3-4, HR (4), R, RBI
Salvador Espinoza, Washington: 2-4, 3 R
Anibal Corona, Seaford: 3-3, 2B, R, 2 RBI
Ricardo Bravo, Chadds Ford: 3-4, 2 2B, R, 2 RBI
Enrique Lopez, Seaford: 2-4, 2B, HR (2), R, 3 RBI
Gabino Miller, Seaford: 7.1 IP, 11 H, 4 R, BB, 9 K

** Despite losing the series Allan Cameron was named MVP: 12-24, .500-4-6

Senators Win Conference Championship:
Being named series MVP was little solace for Allan Cameron after the Washington Senators eliminated his Annapolis Admirals from the playoffs. Washington won the final game 7-1 at Senators Stadium and wrapped up the series 4-2. "I couldn't care less about an MVP award when we don't even win," Cameron said. "I would rather have played terrible but still had a chance to win the League Championship." Meanwhile, the Washington clubhouse was alive with celebration after the victory, with the team's skipper Rubén Villanueva saying his team is "confident and strong" going into the League Championship.

The Washington Senators don't know who they will face in the next round. They will play the winner of the Chadds Ford Cannons - Seaford Blue Jays series. Chadds Ford leads the series 3 games to 2. The League Championship schedule will be announced after the Conference Championship finishes.

[illeracula]

Game 7 time! You have to love game 7's....

Our goal this game is to STOP the Blue Jays from scoring in the first. We need to lock them down and stop their bats. We can't keep coming back from behind... no real lineup changes Porter is back in at 3B batting second. Guzman at 2B, Casanes at DH, Hampton at C... we need this.

Game time:
First inning went by quick. Douglas and Casanes both singled for us, but we couldn't manage to get Douglas past second... for the Blue Jays McFarland singled the middle, but Shepherd struck out the next two... 0-0 after, goal accomplished! McFarland is starting to become my most hated competitor.

In the third... Howard Porter singles to right. Hopefully this will mean his slump is over. Matt Douglas grounds into a FC. Casanes is walked, Douglas to second. Ohayashi K's. Hampton singles to left, Douglas scores. The Cannons put the first run on the board.

Shepherd is now tasked with keeping the game close... Albert McGuire reaches on an E1, as Shepherd throws the ball away. Feliciano walks. Runners on first and second, my new nemesis McFarland at the plate. Single to right. McGuire scores. Game tied. Our 1-0 lead didn't last long... 1-1 after 3.

** Phil Davis needs to be removed after the inning, he limped off the field after running to back-up the previous play **

Two outs in the bottom of 5th, the Blue Jays lineup turns over. Feliciano singles to right. McFarland doubles to deep left-center just missing a HR, Feliciano scores. Lopez K's, but the damage was done. After 5, Blue Jays 2-1

Two outs in the bottom of 7th, #9 hitter Albert Mcguire doubles to center. Feliciano hits an inning ending pop-up to rightfield, where one of the highest rated defenders, Armando Martinez is playing, but it pops right out of his glove and McGuire trots home! A killer insurance run for the Blue Jays. After 7, Blue Jays 3-1

In the bottom of the 8th Enrique Lopez crushes a 1-0 fastball for a solo-HR and a run that might just make this game impossible for the Cannons to win. Blue Jays 4-1

Down by 3, heading into the 9th, the Cannons will need to put together a rally of the ages to win... or at least tie... Juan Guzman pops-out... Smith walks. Bravo singles to right... Up now is Armando Martinez. He is 1 for 2, but doesn't have much power, he is full of speed, but I decided to pull him... Coming to the plate my power man Hank Davis. He is 1-10 during the series, a HR in the first game his only hit... Davis crushes the 1-1 pitch right to the SS 6-4-3 game over... The Cannons season is over.

The Blue Jays win...

Conference Championship (Best of 7)
Game 7: Chadds Ford 1, Seaford 4
Robert Shepherd (1-1): 8.0 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 2 ER, BB, 11 K
Donald Hampton: 2-4, RBI
Armando Martinez: 1-2, 2B
H: 7, LOB: 9

The Blue Jays win the series 4-3

I have to be proud of this team to make it this far. From where we started to where we ended this is quite impressive. I do wish we could have pulled this one out, but there is always next year right?

We were out pitched (and probably out managed) throughout the series. Yes our pitchers were great, but their pitchers shut our offense down. We looked ill almost every game... you just can't win when your big bats don't hit: Casanes: .172, P. Davis: .259, Porter: .080, Hampton: .286... and talk about missed opportunities. We left a lot of runners on base... we just didn't capitalize.

This Blue Jays team is a solid team and they will have a good shot at beating the Senators. The thing about Washington is they have a very scary lineup. Best of luck to them.

Now it is time to focus on the 2037 season, update this team, make some deals, sign some players and get back here next season. There is going to be expansion heading into 2037 and I am tinkering with the idea of adding in another Wild Card team. The two Wild Card teams would play a best of 3, to get into the best of 5 round... thinking.

Congrats on a good season and a lot of hope in the future. This is a young team and with the right moves I could see us being back here... so now I need to make the "right" moves.

Other Scores:
Game 1: Annapolis 1, Washington 3 (Washington leads the series 1-0)
Game 2: Annapolis 12, Washington 14 (Washington leads the series 2-0)
Game 3: Washington 1, Annapolis 3 (Washington leads series 2-1)
Game 4: Washington 7, Annapolis 5 (Washington leads series 3-1)
Game 5: Washington 4, Annapolis 7 (Washington leads series 3-2)
Game 6: Annapolis 1, Washington 7 (Washington wins the series 4-2)

Stars:
Robert Shepherd, Chadds Ford: 8.0 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, BB, 11 K
John Smith, Seaford: 5.0 IP, 6 H, R, BB, 4 K
Todd McFarland, Seaford: 3-4, 2B, 2 RBI
Donald Hampton, Chadds Ford: 2-4, RBI

** MVP Enrique Lopez, Seaford Blue Jays: 9-28, .321-3-8

Seaford Takes Conference Championship in Deciding Game
The fans in Seaford are delirious, while there is little joy to be found in Chadds Ford. The Seaford Blue Jays finished off the Chadds Ford Cannons 4-1 in the deciding game of the Conference Championship played at Blue Jays Ballpark. They took the series 4-3 and will now head to the League Championship. For his standout play, Seaford third baseman Enrique López was voted the series' Most Valuable Player. He batted .321, drove in 8 runs and scored 4 to lead his club to victory. "We could never really figure out how to pitch to López and that doomed us," said Cannons manager Bill Patterson. "Hats off to Seaford, though. That was a great series."

The Seaford Blue Jays will play against the Washington Senators in the next round. Washington won their series against the Annapolis Admirals 4 games to 2. The League Championship schedule will be announced after the Conference Championship finishes.

[illeracula]

Blue Jays Take Title
With a 3-2 win over the Washington Senators at Senators Stadium today, the Seaford Blue Jays wrapped up their 1st title in team history. The Blue Jays left little doubt who was the better team. Celebrating a banner year, "team" was the word of the day in the victorious clubhouse after the game. "Hitting, pitching, fielding; those are all things you need to win, but most importantly you need a team, a team that works together toward the same collective goal," said Seaford manager Matt Spencer. "Our players felt that way all year, and they played that way. When one guy had an off day, 24 others stepped up their game and filled the void." A jovial mood filled the air as Seaford celebrated into the night. The city's mayor said parade plans were underway and a "huge celebration" would be in order.

"I hope they have a big celebration," said Seaford manager Matt Spencer. "They've earned it."

Game 1: Seaford 9, Washington 5
Enrqiue Lopez, Seaford: 2-3 HR (1), R, 2 RBI
Ira Kelly, Washington: 2-4, HR (1), 2 R, RBI
John Minor, Washington: 2-2, R
Bobby Hamilton, Seaford: 1-3, HR (1), 2 R, RBI
Seaford leads 1-0

Game 2: Seaford 5, Washington 12
Denny Francis, Washington: 2-2, 3B, HR (1), 2 R, 3 RBI
John Minor, Washington: 2-3, 2B, 2 R, RBI
Jesus Cruz, Washington: 9.0 IP, 10 H, 5 ER, BB, 4 K
Albert McGuire, Seaford: 1-4, HR (1), R, 3 RBI
Series tied 1-1

Game 3: Washington 0, Seaford 3
John Smith, Seaford: 7.0 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 K
Jorge Gonzalez, Washington: 7.2 IP, 10 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 5 K
Jim Stephens, Seaford: 2-3, 2B, R
Todd McFarland, Seaford: 1-4, HR (1), R, 2 RBI
Seaford leads 2-1

Game 4: Washington 8, Seaford 9 (10 innings)
Anibal Corona, Seaford: 3-5, 2 2B, R, 3 RBI
Yi-Xiao Zha, Seaford: 7.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
Todd McFarland, Seaford: 3-5, 2 2B, 2 R, RBI
Abraham Towns, Washington: 1-2, HR (1), R, 3 RBI
Seaford leads 3-1

Game 5: Washington 8, Seaford 3
Jesus Hernanez, Washington: 3-5, 2 HR (4), 2 R, 5 RBI
Anthony Sinclair, Washington: 9.0 IP, 10 H, 3 ER, 4 K
Manuel Miranda, Washington: 3-5, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI
Jacob Young, Seaford: 5.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, BB, 4 K
Seaford leads 3-2

Game 6: Seaford 3, Washington 2 (10 innings)
Jesus Cruz, Washington: 7.0 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 5 BB, K
John Minor, Washington: 2-4, HR (1), R, RBI
Albert McGuire, Seaford: 1-3, HR (2), R, RBI
Jim Stephens, Seaford: 1-2, 2B, R, RBI
Seaford wins series 4-2

History of Series MVP's:
2013 MVP of Series: Javier Uberuaga, Washington Senators, SP. 2-0, 15 IP 13 H, 3 BB, 9 K, 2.40 ERA
2014 MVP of Series: Carlos Rodriguez, Norfolk Cavaliers, RP. 1-0, 3 G, 2 SV, 5 K
2015 MVP of Series: Bruce Walker, Lewes, .450-2-10
2016 MVP of Series: Jose Rodriguez, Norfolk Cavaliers, OF. .240-3-10, 5 R's
2017 MVP of Series: Miguel Contreras, Norfolk Cavaliers, SP. 2-0 16 IP, 8 H, R, 5 BB, 18 K
2018 MVP of Series: Derek Campbell, Norfolk Cavaliers, OF. 11 H, 3 R, 3B, 2 HR, 10 RBI's
2019 MVP of Series: Matt Hollis, Norfolk Cavaliers, SP. 1-0, 9 IP, 9 K
2020 MVP of Series: Leonard Davis, Lewes Braves, OF. .481-2-4
2021 MVP of Series: Jamie Trulilio, Milford Clippers, SP. 2-0, 15.1 IP, 7 H, 9 BB, 8 K, 0 R
2022 MVP of Series: Seth Bennett, Milford Clippers, SP. 2-0, 1.42 IP, 9 H, 3 BB, 3 K, 1 R; 1-2 2B, 2 RBI
2023 MVP of Series: Cristobal Diaz, Lewes Braves, SP. 2-0, 13.2 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, 16 K's, 0 R
2024 MVP of Series: Totoya Ogawa, Lewes Braves, 1B. 6 H (6-13), 2B, HR, 5 R, 2 RBI
2025 MVP of Series: Bob Short, Norfolk Cavaliers, OF, .533-2-4 (8-15), 2 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 6 R
2026 MVP of Series: Bob Short, Norfolk Cavaliers, OF, .333-1-5 (7-21), 4 2B, 5 RBI, 4 R
2027 MVP of Series: Bob Short, Norfolk Cavaliers, OF, .333-0-5 (5-15), 2B, 2 R, 5 RBI
2028 MVP of Series: Cornell Pearson, Norfolk Cavaliers, P, 2 GS, 2-0, 12.2 IP, 12 H, 2 BB, 13 K, 4.26 ERA
2029 MVP of Series: Blake Quirke, Georgetown Sixteens, OF, .529-1-6 (9-17), 2B, 3B, HR, 6 RBI, 4 R
2030 MVP of Series: Trevor Parker, Norfolk Cavaliers, OF, .389-2-4 (7-18), 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R
2031 MVP of Series: Tom Brown, Dover Generals, C, .400-2-8 (10-25), 2 HR, 8 RBI, 3 R, 4 multi-hit games
2032 MVP of Series: Bryant Frank, Lewes Braves, 2B, .391-1-3 (9-23), 2 2B, HR, 3 RBI, 4 R
2033 MVP of Series: Ramon Lorezno, Norfolk Cavaliers, SS, .417-1-6 (10-24), 2 2B, 3 R, hit in every game
2034 MVP of Series: Ray Crowe, Lewes Braves, RF, .333-1-6 (8-24), 2 2B, 3B, 4 R, 3-multi hit games
2035 MVP of Series: Pedro Cantu, Milford Clippers, C, .357-2-7 (5-14), 2B, 3 R's, hit in every game. 3 RBI's in G2 and G4
2036 MVP of Series: John Minor, Washington, 3B, .526-1-3 (10-19), 3 2B, HR, 5 R's, 3 RBI's, hit in every game, 2 hits in 4 of the games.
** this might be the first time a losing player took home the award.

[STLRS95]

Good run by Chadds Ford. Keep the momentum going into next year.

[illeracula]

Originally Posted by STLRS95

Good run by Chadds Ford. Keep the momentum going into next year.

It was a tough way to lose the series though. I really blame myself for that game 6 loss. I know there are a lot of other factors, but I can't help to think my decisions played a roll.

I am hoping we can make a few small adjustments and be right back in the middle of things next season.

[illeracula]

Team Owner Changes:
Tony,

Big news! You have just been informed that your team owner, Ralph Corbin, has sold the team. The new owner is Gilbert Hickman. He wishes you all the best and looks forward to a good business relationship.

Corbin Steps Aside in Chadds Ford, Gilbert Hickman New Owner:
"All my life I've dreamed of having my own baseball team, and now that dream has come true."

Those were the words of the brand-new owner of the Chadds Ford Cannons, Gilbert Hickman, who today was introduced at a media gathering at The Cannons Battefield.

Hickman is a wealthy real estate mogul who recently purchased the team from Ralph Corbin.

He promised Chadds Ford Cannons fans that he would put forth a first-class product on the field. Candidly assessing his own personal temperament and management style, Hickman told reporters, "I'm controlling with my money and I'm quite demanding in working with people. I expect success -- that's the bottom line with me."

Chadds Ford finished first this past season in the Delaware Conference Northern Division with a team record of 95-67.

Personal message from Owner Gilbert Hickman: Contract Extended!:
Congratulations!

After careful consideration, I have decided to extend your contract with the Chadds Ford Cannons. Your new contract is for 1 year and a value of $750,000 per year.

Regards,
Gilbert Hickman

Personal Message from Owner Gilbert Hickman: New Budget:
Tony,

I have just decided on your budget for the upcoming season.
You will have $72,000,000 available for the total team expenses. Given your current spending on staff and other costs, this should allow you a team payroll of around $55,000,000.

You may now set your ticket price for next year. You have until the Winter Meetings end on December 23rd, 2036, 48 days from now, to set the price. Season tickets will start selling at that point. You have until the end of the pre-season to set your Scouting Budget, Player Development Budget, Draft Budget, and Intl Amateur FA Budget.

You may review all your financials on your front office page .

Good Luck!
Gilbert Hickman

--------------

This was a crazy week... we lost in the playoffs and then out of no where we get the news that we have a new owner... I am not not sure what to expect from him, but I think he will be very similar to Ralph Crobin.

Gilbert Hickman:
Patience: Demanding
Fiscal Personality: Controlling
Involvement: Hands-off
Priority: Profit

Goals:

1. Achieve a winning record
2. Upgrade our Catcher
3. Increase attendance from 44,291 to 45,000
4. Make the Playoffs by 2040

Doesn't seem like the goals are too bad, and he has already bumped our budget up $6M. I am hoping that will make a difference heading into the off-season. I have some goals I want to hit, but I am not sure I will be able to.

So far this is going to be a busy off-season, especially with the league expanding by two teams. But I would like to try to keep Douglas, Shepherd and Loeffler for the "long-term" (3-5 years), but financially I am not sure I can.

I want to trade Leon Hernandez, Hank Davis and Howard Porter. Maybe even Julio Casanes, that is TBD, I am just not sold on fragile players. Overall, I have some decisions to make and they should be interesting ones... but for now I have to let the news of a new owner sink in! Not expected at all, and I really hope it turns out well for us... we got a taste of the playoffs and there isn't one player here that doesn't want to get back there.

[illeracula]

Expansion is here again. I first expanded in 2017 when, 4 new teams joined, and then again in 2030, when 4 more new teams joined, but this year I am doing something different. Only 2 new teams will be joining the DBL, one in each conference. Yes it will throw of the nice even numbers, which may lead to me to changing up the Divisions, but for now we will keep it 5-4-4 in both leagues.

Joining the Colonial Division in the Delaware Conference will be the Harrington Ponies, and joining the MarVa Conference in the Mountain Division will be the Harpers Ferry Raiders.

More to come on these teams as they are created and developed... The plan is for an expansion draft between the Arbitration hearings an Free-Agency filings. I feel like that is fair to them.



I might be changing up the playoffs as well, still thinking about that. This is where the 3-division winners throws things off. The proposed plan is a best-of-3 Wild Card series, and 2 Wild Card Series (if I can do this). With the division winners getting a bye, leading into the Best-of-5 Divisional/Wild Card we have now.

More details in the near future. Stay tuned.

[illeracula]

2036 Glove Wizard Award Trophies Given out by DE Conf:
What does it take to win a Glove Wizard Award? It's a combination of good hands, knowing how to play the hitters, all-out hustle and a willingness to sacrifice your body to make a play. Good speed and a good arm never hurt, either, but not always required. This year's all-defense team in the Delaware Conference consists of:

Pitcher
Craig Wilson (New Castle Colonials)

Catcher
Jim Sullivan (Cape May Beacons)

First Baseman
Richard Forbes (Lewes Braves) - 7

Second Baseman
León Hernández (Chadds Ford Cannons)

Third Baseman
Pete Jones (Milton Brewers) - 4

Shortstop
Jim Stephens (Seaford Blue Jays) - Rookie/89 G

Left Fielder
Pete Wyman (Christiana Blue Hens) - 4

Center Fielder
Salvador Villa (Christiana Blue Hens) - Rookie

Right Fielder
Ron Turney (Dover Generals)

MV Conf Announces Best Glovemen for 2036:
On the defensive side of the game pitchers always get the glory, but the best pitchers know their success hinges on the gloves behind them. The defensive dream team in the MarVa Conference for 2036 has been announced, and the Glove Wizard Award trophies will be presented to these outstanding fielders:

Pitcher
Tadasuke Uenohara (Chesapeake Blue Crabs)

Catcher
José Rodríguez (Chesapeake Blue Crabs)

First Baseman
Fred Ryan (King George Royals)

Second Baseman
Mike Thompson (Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs)

Third Baseman
John Minor (Washington Senators) - Rookie

Shortstop
Ramón Lorenzo (Norfolk Cavaliers)

Left Fielder
Mike Johnson (Ellicott City Express) - 4

Center Fielder
Salvador Espinoza (Washington Senators) - 2

Right Fielder
Rafael Estrada (Baltimore Barons) - 2

-------------

Glove Wizard Record Holders:
P: Jason Mathis / Edmond Scott / Fernando Fareles / Matt Perry - 2
C: Alejandro Diaz - 4
1B: Enzo Allard/Richard Forbes* - 6
2B: Justin Collins - 4
3B: Tom Anderson - 7
SS: Anthony Lucarelli - 7
LF: Mike Simmons - 7
CF: Kent Davis - 7
RF: Peter Peters - 7

Richard Forbes is now tied with the most Glove Wizard Awards in a career with 7. He has won for the first time LF, but has won at 1B his last 6. At 33-years-old he might be able to take the career mark... Lucarelli, Simmons and Anderson are still active, but on their way out.