United Leagues of Braeland

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Kingston Pelicans (100-54) vs. Balmoral Giants (92-62)
Season Matchup: 9-6 in favour of Kingston

Kingston: Runs scored – 716 (2nd in WL); runs allowed – 524 (1st).
Balmoral: Runs scored – 776 (1st in WL); runs allowed – 670 (5th).

For the seventh straight season, the Kingston Pelicans have qualified for the playoffs; and for the fifth time, they finished in top spot in the West. Their 100 victories represent their second best total, after wining 101 in 1938-39. That was also the last time they won the United Cup. The Pelicans are a nicely balanced team with few weaknesses. They are also hungry for another championship.

Balmoral meanwhile returns to the playoffs for the second straight season on the strength of 92 wins – a total that would have been good enough to take top spot last season. The Giants come into the playoffs with the best offense in the ULB but they will be up against the best defense in the ULB. Needless to say, something's got to give.

No major injuries affect these two clubs heading into the Series.

The Series opened at Kingston Park, with 27,143 filling the stands. Partly cloudy skies and a breeze blowing in from left to right were the conditions at game time. It's time to play some ball!

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Game 1

RHP Joey Cumberledge (21-7, 2.98 ERA, 1.31 WHIP) started for the Pelicans, while RHP Derek Cawley (17-14, 3.57 ERA, 1.35 WHIP) got the call for the Giants.

Bottom of the 1st:
3B Terry Maxwell gets Kingston on the board with a solo home run to right-centerfield with one out.
Balmoral 0 – Kingston 1

Bottom of the 2nd:
1B Fergus Chitty and LF Jayden Tennant lead off with back-to-back singles. RF Mathew Farkas loads the bases with one out. Joey Cumberledge then comes through with a single, scoring both Chitty and Tennant.
Balmoral 0 – Kingston 3

Bottom of the 5th:
The Pelicans smack four straight singles to start the inning, scoring a run. Jayden Tennant then hits a sac fly to add one more. With two out, the game is broken wide open when Mathew Farkas crushes a 428 ft. 3-run homer to right-centerfield.
Balmoral 0 – Kingston 8

Top of the 7th:
The Giants finally get on the board when 3B Otton Overbeek hits a one-out solo home run.
Balmoral 1 – Kingston 8

Top of the 8th:
LF Jason Pollack triples with one out and comes in to score when RF Carlton Broadbent reaches 1B safely on an dropped throw (E3).
Balmoral 2 – Kingston 8

Bottom of the 8th:
Mathew Farkas leads off with a single. After moving up to 2B on a Joey Cumberledge sac fly, Farkas scores on a Jamie Couch double.

In the top of the 9th, 1B Roger Tyler singles with one out. But C Brian Pittman grounds into a 1-6-3 double play to end the game.
Balmoral 2 – Kingston 9



Player of the Game: Mathew Farkas went 2-3, with 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB, 1 R.

Joey Cumberledge went 9.0 IP with 8 H with 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 HR (1-0, 1.00 ERA).

Fergus Chitty went 3-4, with 1 RBI, 2 R.

For Balmoral:

Derek Cawley took the loss, going 5.0 IP, 11 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 2 HR (0-1, 14.40 ERA).

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Game 2

For the second game, RHP Charlie Gilbert (14-14, 3.19 ERA, 1.36 WHIP) got the start for Kingston, while RHP Tristan Purss (20-11, 3.06 ERA, 1.23 WHIP) started for Balmoral.

Conditions were cool with partly cloudy skies as 26,940 fans looked to see if Kingston could take a 2-0 game lead in the series.

Bottom of the 2nd:
Fergus Chitty leads off with a four-pitch walk and Jayden Tennant follows with a single. With two out, Charlie Gilbert and Jamie Couch hit back-to-back singles to score two. But Gilbert is thrown out trying to reach 3B on Couch's single to end the inning.

On the same play that Gilbert is thrown out, Balmoral's RF Carlton Broadbent injures his arm while throwing the ball back into the infield and is forced to leave the game.
Balmoral 0 – Kingston 2

Top of the 3rd:
Tristan Purss leads off with a single. With two out, Carlton Broadbent's substitute, RF Lance Haworth, launches a two-run home run to leftfield to tie the game.
Balmoral 2 – Kingston 2

Top of the 4th:
Otton Overbeek leads off with a first-pitch single and scores the go-ahead run on Brian Pittman's one-out double.
Balmoral 3 – Kingston 2

Bottom of the 4th:
The Pelicans come storming back. With one out, 2B Mo Symes and Mathew Farkas hit back-to-back singles and move up a base on Charlie Gilbert's sac bunt.
Back-to-back singles by Jamie Couch and Terry Maxwell score Symes and Farkas to retake the lead.
C Danny Trowbridge then follows with a 3-run home run to right-centerfield to break the game wide open.
Balmoral 3 – Kingston 7

Bottom of the 8th:
Mathew Farkas leads off with a single and scores on Jamie Couch's one-out double.

The Giants go down 1-2-3 in the top of the 9th to give the Pelicans a 2-0 lead as the series heads to Balmoral for Game 3.
Balmoral 3 – Kingston 8



Player of the Game: Jamie Couch went 4-5, with 2-2B, 3 RBI, 1 R.

Charley Gilbert went 9.0 IP with 9 H with 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 1 HR (1-0, 3.00 ERA)

For Balmoral:

Tristan Purss suffered the loss, going just 5.0 IP, 10 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 1 HR (0-1, 12.60 ERA).

Lance Haworth went 2-3, with 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R in place of the injured Carlton Broadbent.

Injury Update: Carlton Broadbent suffered an oblique strain while throwing the ball and will be out of commission for 1-2 weeks.

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Game 3

The series continued at Balmoral's Foster Field as 26,180 hopeful fans braved the elements. The weather was mild, but a light rain persisted throughout the day. Despite the constant threat, no rain delays were called.

Following the conclusion of the game, fans and reporters couldn't help notice the eerie similarities to Game 3 of the 1942-43 WL Pennant Series held exactly one year ago between these same two teams (more on that later).

RHP Soren Heinke (14-9, 3.55 ERA, 1.40 WHIP) took the hill for Balmoral, while RHP Francis Slocock (23-9, 2.36 ERA, 1.18 WHIP) got the start for Kingston.

Bottom of the 4th:
CF Damon Purcell doubles with two out. Otton Overbeek immediately follows with a triple to score Purcell. 1B Roger Tyler then doubles to score Overbeek and the Giants take a two-run lead.
Kingston 0 – Balmoral 2

Bottom of the 7th:
Soren Heinke leads off with a single and reaches 2B on 2B Allen Cattanach's sac bunt.
With two out, RF Ramón Tavira singles. Heinke's beats out the throw to home plate adding to the Giants lead.
Kingston 0 – Balmoral 3

Top of the 9th:
RHP Ramón Ortíz comes in to the game in relief of Soren Heinke with Kingston down to their last three outs of the game.
Jayden Tennant and Mo Symes lead off with back-to-back singles. With Mathew Farkas at the plate, a wild pitch advances the runners. Farkas reaches 1B safely on an error (E6), allowing both Tennant and Symes to score.
PH Rovilson Valdevieso then singles to put runners on the corners. Jamie Couch's sac fly ties the game up when Farkas comes in to score.
Terry Maxwell then hits into a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning but not before Kingston evens things up.
Kingston 3 – Balmoral 3

Top of the 11th:
With one out, Mo Symes reaches safely on an error (E5). Mathew Farkas then draws a walk to put runners on 1B and 2B. After PH Chong-sik Lee strikes out, Jamie Couch singles in Symes for the go-ahead run.

In the bottom of the 11th, Brian Pittman singles off of LHP Patrick Denman with one out. But PH Lance Haworth grounds into a a U4-3 double play to end the threat and the game.
Balmoral squanders the lead and faces possible elimination in Game 4.
Kingston 4 – Balmoral 3



Player of the Game: Soren Heinke got game honours despite the loss, going 8.0 IP, 7 H with 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K (0-0, 0.00 ERA).

Ramón Ortíz took the loss, going 2.2 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 12 K, 1 blown save (0-1, 6.75 ERA).

For Kingston:

Francis Slocock did not get the win, but he did go 8.0 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 1 K (0-0, 3.38 ERA).

As mentioned earlier, Game 3 of the 1942-43 Western League Pennant Series between these same two teams bore an eerie resemblance to this year's Game 3. Among the similarities:

• Soren Heinke starts the game for Balmoral and leaves after the 8th inning with his club holding the lead.
• Kingston is held scoreless until the 9th inning.
• Kingston ties the game up in the top of the 9th inning, sending it into extra innings.
• Kingston breaks the tie in the top of the 11th inning, winning the game in the bottom of the 11th.
• Soren Heinke is given Player of the Game honours despite the loss.
• And, of course, Kingston takes a 3-0 lead in the Series.

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Game 4

26,284 fans filed into Foster Field to see if their Giants to turn things around like they did last year when they forced the series to seven games. The rainy skies were gone and warm sunshine were the order of the day.

As in Game 1, Balmoral’s RHP Derek Cawley took the ball, while RHP Joey Cumberledge started for Kingston.

Top of the 1st:
Jamie Couch leads off with a double and scores on Danny Trowbridge's one-out double.
Kingston 1 – Balmoral 0

Top of the 6th:
Jamie Couch leads off with a first-pitch single and later steals 2B. Danny Trowbridge then hits a one-out single to score Couch for Kingston’s second run.
With two out, Fergus Chitty hits a two-run home run to leftfield giving the Pelicans a four-run lead.
Kingston 4 – Balmoral 0

Bottom of the 6th:
Francisco Rodríguez drives Joey Cumberledge's first pitch for a one-out single. After stealing 2B, Rodríguez reaches 3B when Damon Purcell reaches safely on an error (E1).
Otton Overbeek then flies out, scoring Rodríguez and the Giants are on the board.
Kingston 4 – Balmoral 1

Top of the 8th:
Jamie Couch leads off with a double and comes in to score on Terry Maxwell's single.

In the bottom of the 9th, Joey Cumberledge gets the Giants to go down 1-2-3 on five pitches and three consecutive ground outs to end the game and the series.

The Pelicans move on to meet the Brunswick Legends in the United Cup Series by thoroughly outplaying the Giants in every aspect of the game. In the four game sweep, they outscored the Giants 26 to 9.
Kingston 5 – Balmoral 1



Player of the Game: Joey Cumberledge went 9.0 IP with 5 H with 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K (2-0, 0.50 ERA).

Jamie Couch went 3-4, 2-2B, 3 R.

For Balmoral:

Derek Cawley took the loss again, going 9.0 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, 1 HR (0-2, 8.36 ERA).

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Kingston Pelicans (100-54) vs. Brunswick Legends (84-70)
Season Matchup: 3-3

Kingston: Runs scored – 716 (2nd in WL); runs allowed – 524 (1st).
Brunswick: Runs scored – 616 (5th in EL); runs allowed – 564 (2nd).

The Western and Eastern Leagues are tied with three United Cup championships apiece. Kingston won the first two followed by the Cambria Cannons. The Stratford Barons broke through in season 4 to become the first Eastern League team to win the United Cup, followed by the Brunswick Legends the past two seasons.

Through seven regular seasons, Kingston leads the ULB with the best regular season record (650 – 428, .603), followed by the Embro Suns (615* – 464, .570), Stratford Barons (614 – 464, .570) and Brunswick Legends (607 – 472*, .563).
(* Embro and Brunswick played a 155th game last season after they finished the regular season tied for first place.)

For the third time in the ULB's history, the Kingston Pelicans and the Brunswick Legends will meet in the United Cup Championship. Their first meeting was back in 1938-39, with Kingston triumphing 4 games to one. Last year, Brunswick returned the favour, winning in 5 games. This year, its the rubber match.

As with the Eastern League Pennant Series, Brunswick’s 1B Stuart Bentham (.290/.386/.463, 19 HR, 60 RBI, 73 R, 80 BB, 3.3 WAR) will not be available for the United Cup, as he strained an oblique muscle in a collision at a base back on March 24. Daniel Martin (.276/.332/.388, 6 HR, 51 RBI, 50 R, 33 BB, 10 SB, 2.2 WAR) will start in his place.

Other than that, the teams are ready. Let's play ball!

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Game 1

27,223 packed Kingston Park to witness the first game of the series. Clear, warm skies greeted the fans and players, with a fresh breeze (19 mph) blowing in from left to right.

RHP Francis Slocock (23-9, 2.36 ERA, 1.18 WHIP) took the mound for Kingston, while LHP Hirotada Fukushima (15-13, 2.98 ERA, 1.37 WHIP) started for the Legends.

Top of the 4th:
After Slocock gets RF Mark Elston and LF Terry Aspden to quickly ground out on two straight pitches, C Maurice Evans doubles. CF Harry Chatwin then singles in Evans for the game's first run.
Brunswick 1 – Kingston 0

Bottom of the 6th:
SS Katsunan Chikafuji leads off with a first-pitch single. 1B Fergus Chitty then follows and launches a 415 ft. bomb to left-centerfield for a two-run home run.
LF Jayden Tennant immediately follows with a double and reaches 3B on 2B Mo Symes' single. 3B Terry Maxwell then singles, scoring Tennant for the Pelicans third run before the Legends can record their first out.
Brunswick 1 – Kingston 3

Top of the 8th:
1B Daniel Martin leads off and reaches safely on an error (E6). 3B Laroya Quindiagan then singles and Mark Elston draws a walk to load the bases with one out.
Terry Aspden then hits into a fielder's choice, scoring Martin for the Legends second run.

In the top of the 9th, Brunswick puts runners on the corners with two out, but Laroya Quindiagan flies out to end the game and Kingston takes a 1-0 lead in the Series.
Brunswick 2 – Kingston 3



Player of the Game: Francis Slocock pitched 8.0 innings, scattering 6 H with 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 3 K (1-0, 2.25 ERA).

Fergus Chitty went 2-4, 1 HR, 2-2B, 2 RBI, 1 R.

Jayden Tennant went 1-2, 1-2B, 1 R, 2 BB.

For Brunswick:

Hirotada Fukushima went 8.0 IP, 11 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 1 HR (1-1, 1.59 ERA).

Harry Chatwin went 2-3, 1 RBI.

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Game 2

27,197 came to see the second game between these two titans. The skies were again clear with just a warm, gentle breeze blowing in from left to right.

RHP Joey Cumberledge (21-7, 2.98 ERA, 1.31 WHIP) started for Kingston, while LHP Anastasio Rodríguez (20-10, 2.39 ERA, 1.18 WHIP) took the hill for Brunswick.

Bottom of the 1st:
RF Chong-sik Lee draws a 4-pitch walk with one out and reaches 2B on Katsunan Chikafuji's single. With two out, Fergus Chitty singles scoring Lee for the game's first run.
Brunswick 0 – Kingston 1

Top of the 3rd:
Harry Chatwin leads off with a single and reaches 2B when 2B Vince Bailey is HBP. After Anastasio Rodríguez moves the runners up with a sac bunt, 1B Daniel Martin, 3B Laroya Quindiagan and SS Mathew Shelley all hit consecutive singles, scoring two runs. Quindiagan attempts to score the third run, but is cut down at home plate.
Brunswick 2 – Kingston 1

Bottom of the 6th:
2B Mo Symes leads off with a first-pitch double. 3B Terry Maxwell follows with a single to put runners on the corners. With one out, CF Jamie Couch hits a sac fly, scoring Symes for the tying run.
Brunswick 2 – Kingston 2

Top of the 7th:
With two out, Mathew Shelley reaches base with a first-pitch single. Shelley then comes in to score when RF Mark Elston follows him with a triple.
Brunswick 3 – Kingston 2

Bottom of the 9th:
PH Lenny Wyatt leads off with a first-pitch single but is thrown out at 2B on RF Soshu Shimizu's failed sac bunt. C Danny Trowbridge then singles but is subsequently thrown out at 2B on a fielder's choice on a Katsunan Chikafuji at-bat. Fergus Chitty then singles to score Shimizu to tie the game up and send it into extra innings.
Brunswick 3 – Kingston 3

Bottom of the 10th:
Terry Maxwell doubles with one out and reaches 3B when PH Brandon Channing reaches base on an error (E6). The fans celebrate when CF Lenny Wyatt hits a walk-off single, scoring Maxwell from 3B.
Brunswick 3 – Kingston 4



Player of the Game: Joey Cumberledge goes 8.0 IP, with 9 H with 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 1 K (2-0, 1.38 ERA).

Fergus Chitty went 2-3, 2 RBI, 1 BB.

Chong-sik Lee went 2-2, 1-2B, 1 BB. Lee was injured while running the bases in the 5th inning, after hitting a double and was replaced by Shoshu Shimizu. It was later learned that Lee suffered a torn meniscus (knee) and will be out of commission for 6-7 weeks.

For Brunswick:

Anastasio Rodríguez suffered his second loss of the playoffs, going 9.1 IP, 13 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 6 K (1-2, 3.00 ERA).

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Game 3

Babe Ruth Park hosted Game 3 and 30,976 piled into the stands to see if their Legends could get back into the Series. The weather was cool with a slight breeze blowing in from left to right.

LHP Matthew Monroe (19-11, 3.00 ERA, 1.27 WHIP) took the hill for Brunswick, while Kingston’s RHP Charlie Gilbert (14-14, 3.19 ERA, 1.36 WHIP) started for Kingston.

Top of the 1st:
C Danny Trowbridge opens the scoring with a solo home run to left field with two out.
Kingston 1 – Brunswick 0

Top of the 3rd:
CF Jamie Couch singles with two out. 2B Mo Symes then follows with a two-run home run to right-centerfield.
Kingston 3 – Brunswick 0

Bottom of the 3rd:
CF Harry Chatwin leads off with a walk and steals 2B as 2B Vince Bailey strikes out. Mathew Monroe then singles to score Chatwin and the Legends are on the board.
Kingston 3 – Brunswick 1

Top of the 4th:
1B Fergus Chitty doubles with one out and reaches 3B when LF Jayden Tennant singles. 3B Wen-huan Liu then singles to score Chitty. With two out, Charlie Gilbert doubles to score Tennant, but Liu is thrown out at home to end the inning.
Kingston 5 – Brunswick 1

Bottom of the 4th:
RF Mark Elston leads off with a walk. LF Terry Aspden then singles. Elston reaches 3B safely on the play as Aspden himself takes 2B.
With one out, Harry Chatwin hits a sac fly to rightfield scoring Elston.
Kingston 5 – Brunswick 2

Top of the 5th:
Jamie Couch leads off with a single, but is thrown out at 2B on Mo Symes' unsuccessful sac bunt. Danny Trowbridge and Katsunan Chikafuji then hit back-to-back singles to load the bases.
Symes then comes in to score on a fielder's choice at 3B by Fergus Chitty.
Kingston 6 – Brunswick 2

Bottom of the 5th:
Matthew Monroe leads off with a single, reaches 2B on a wild pitch and 3B on a Daniel Martin ground out. Laroya Quindiagan then singles in Monroe.
Kingston 6 – Brunswick 3

Bottom of the 8th:
Matthew Shelley singles and Mark Elston draws a walk with two out. Terry Aspden then singles to score Shelley from 2B.
Kingston 6 – Brunswick 4

Top of the 9th:
With RHP Luke Woodward pitching, Mo Symes doubles with one out. After Danny Trowbridge flies out, Katsunan Chikafuji singles, scoring Symes.
Kingston 7 – Brunswick 4

Bottom of the 9th:
Harry Chatwin leads off with a walk, ending Charlie Gilbert's day. Vince Bailey then draws a walk off of RHP Luis Velásquez. With two out, Laroya Quindiagan singles to score Chatwin. Matthew Shelley then singles to load the bases. But Mark Elston flies out to rightfield to end the game, giving Kingston a commanding 3-0 lead in the Series.
Kingston 7 – Brunswick 5



Player of the Game: Mo Symes went 2-5, 1 HR, 1-2B, 2 RBI, 3 R.

Charlie Gilbert picked up the win, going 8.0 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 4 K (2-0, 4.24 ERA).

Danny Trowbridge goes 2-5, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 R.

For Brunswick:

Matthew Monroe took the loss, going 7.0 IP, 11 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 2 HR (2-1, 3.60 ERA).

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Game 4

With their backs against the wall, the Brunswick Legends go into Game 4 trying to slow down the mighty Kingston express. 30,859 fans hold their breath hoping against hope that their Legends can somehow stem the tide. It has warmed up nicely for game day, with partly cloudy skies and a gentle breeze blowing in from center.

Game 4 features the same matchup as in Game 1. LHP LHP Hirotada Fukushima gets the start for Brunswick, while RHP Francis Slocock takes the hill for Kingston.

Bottom of the 1st:
With two out, Matthew Shelley singles and advances to 2B when Mark Elston reaches safely on an error (E6). Terry Aspden and Maurice Evans then smack back-to-back doubles to push three runs across home plate.
Kingston 0 – Brunswick 3

Bottom of the 2nd:
Vince Bailey leads off with a single, advances to 2B on a Hirotada Fukushima sac bunt and to 3B on a Daniel Martin single. After Martin steals 2B, Laroya Quindiagan's sac fly to rightfield scores Bailey.
Kingston 0 – Brunswick 4

Top of the 4th:
Danny Trowbridge leads off with a first-pitch single, advances to 2B on a wild pitch and to 3B on a ground out. Fergus Chitty then doubles, scoring Trowbridge for Kingston’s first run.
Kingston 1 – Brunswick 4

Bottom of the 4th:
Brunswick breaks it wide open. Harry Chatwin leads off with a single and reaches 2B safely on an outfield error (E9). Vince Bailey follows with a single to put runners on the corners. Bailey moves up to 2B on a Hirotada Fukushima sac bunt. With two out, Laroya Quindiagan, Matthew Shelley and Mark Elston hit back-to-back-to-back doubles, scoring four runs and sending Francis Slocock to the showers.

With RHP Harley Bracher pitching in relief, Terry Aspen and Maurice Evans hit back-to-back triples followed by a Harry Chatwin single, who started the inning. That plates three more runs. But Chatwin is subsequently caught stealing 2B to end the inning.
Kingston 1 – Brunswick 11

Bottom of the 5th:
Vince Bailey leads off with a single. After reaching 3B on a sac bunt and ground out, Bailey comes in to score on Laroya Quindiagan's single.
Kingston 1 – Brunswick 12

Top of the 7th:
Web-huan Liu leads off with a single. With two out, Jamie Couch reaches safely on an error (E4). Mo Symes then follows with a double, scoring Liu for Kingston’s second run.
Kingston 2 – Brunswick 12

Bottom of the 7th:
With one out, Daniel Martin singles. With two out, Martin steals 2B and comes in to score on a Matthew Shelley single.

With LHP Rob Fields pitching in relief in the top of the 9th, Mo Symes draws a walk with two out. But Danny Trowbridge flies out to centerfield to end the game. Brunswick comes up big to stave off elimination.
Kingston 2 – Brunswick 13



Player of the Game: Hirotada Fukushima goes 8.0 IP for Brunswick’s first win of the Series, with 10 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K (2-1, 1.44 ERA).

Matthew Shelley goes 3-5, 1-2B, 2 RBI, 2 R.

Laroya Quindiagan went 2-4, 1-2B, 4 RBI, 1 R.

Terry Aspden went 2-5, 1-3B, 1-2B, 3 RBI, 2 R.

For Kingston:

Francis Slocock took the loss, going just 3.2 IP, 10 H, 9 R, 6 ER, 0 BB, 2 K (1-1, 4.58 ERA).

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Game 5

A rainy day greeted the players for Game 5, but 30,725 hardy fans braved the elements to cheer their team on. Despite the inclement weather, no delays were called as Brunswick looked to continue it new found momentum.

The starting pitching was a rematch of Game 2: LHP Anastasio Rodríguez took the hill for Brunswick; RHP Joey Cumberledge started for Kingston.

Bottom of the 3rd:
CF Harry Chatwin leads off with a double, reaches 3B on Anastasio Rodríguez's one-out single and scores the first run when 1B Daniel Martin hits a sac fly to rightfield.
Kingston 0 – Brunswick 1

Bottom of the 5th:
Anastasio Rodríguez hits his second single of the game with one out. Daniel Martin follows with a triple to score Rodríguez. Laroya Quindiagan then singles in Martin and the Legends are up by three.
Kingston 0 – Brunswick 3

Top of the 7th:
Not to be outdone, Joey Cumberledge doubles with one out and reaches 3B when CF Jamie Couch follows with a single. 2B Mo Symes then hits a sac fly to centerfield, scoring Cumberledge and the Pelicans are on the board.
Kingston 1 – Brunswick 3

Top of the 8th:
1B Fergus Chitty leads off with a first-pitch single and LF Jayden Tennant follows him with a double. With one out, 3B Terry Maxwell doubles in both Chitty and Tennant to tie the game up and ultimately send it into extra innings.
Kingston 3 – Brunswick 3

Bottom of the 12th:
RHP Luke Woodward, who relieved Anastasio Rodríguez in the top of the 11th inning, leads off with a single. Daniel Martin and Laroya Quindiagan both lay down successful sac bunts to move Woodward to 3B. Matthew Shelley then hits a walk-off single to score Woodward and give the Legends their second consecutive victory in the Series.
Kingston 3 – Brunswick 4



Player of the Game: Anastasio Rodríguez doesn't pick up the win, but he went 10.1 IP, 14 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K (1-2, 2.89 ERA).

Matthew Shelley went 3-6, 1-2B, 1 RBI.

For Kingston:

Joey Cumberledge went 7.0 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 1 K, (2-0, 1.91 ERA).

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Game 6

The Series returned to Kingston as the Pelicans looked to regain the momentum after Brunswick took Games 4 and 5. Kingston still needs just one victory to wrap up a championship and looked to their fans to provide some additional boost. 27,127 were in attendance on a pleasant day in south-western Braeland. It was partly cloudy with a soft breeze blowing in from right to left.

As in Game 3, RHP Charlie Gilbert started for Kingston, while LHP Matthew Monroe took the mound for Brunswick.

Top of the 1st:
3B Laroya Quindiagan draws a one-out walk and reaches 3B on SS Matthew Shelley's single. Quindiagan then scores on a 5-3 ground out by RF Mark Elston.
Brunswick 1 – Kingston 0

Bottom of the 1st:
CF Jamie Couch leads off with a first-pitch single and advances to 2B when C Danny Trowbridge reaches safely on an error (E6). After stealing 3B, Couch comes in to score on a Katsunana Chikafuji ground out.
Brunswick 1 – Kingston 1

Top of the 2nd:
After reaching safely on an error (E4), C Maurice Evans advances to 3B on a CF Harry Chatwin single. Evans then scores on 2B Vince Bailey's sac fly.
Brunswick 2 – Kingston 1

Top of the 3rd:
With one out, Matthew Shelley singles, followed by a Mark Elston walk. After a wild pitch advances the runners, Shelley scores on LF Terry Aspden sac fly to rightfield.
Brunswick 3 – Kingston 1

Top of the 4th:
Harry Chatwin leads off with a double and advances to 3B safely on a Vince Bailey sac fly. Chatwin scores Brunswick’s fourth run on Matthew Monroe's sac fly to leftfield.
Brunswick 4 – Kingston 1

Bottom of the 4th:
LF Jayden Tennant leads off with a walk and reaches 3B when 3B Wen-huan Liu follows him with a single. Tennant then comes in to score on a fielder's choice.
Brunswick 4 – Kingston 2

Bottom of the 7th:
Former Legend PH Rovilson Valdevieso doubles with one out. With two out, 2B Mo Symes singles to score Valdevieso.
Brunswick 4 – Kingston 3

Top of the 8th:
With RHP Luis Velásquez relieving Charlie Gilbert, 2B Vince Bailey leads off with a walk and advances to 2B on a Matthew Monroe sac bunt. After PH Woody Eaton is intentionally walked, PH Cliff Jordan loads the bases when he reaches safely on an error (E4). Bailey then comes in to score on a fielder's choice.

In the bottom of the 9th, RF Mathew Farkas leads off with a single. But 3B Terry Maxwell grounds into a 4-6-3 double play. CF Jamie Couch then grounds outs to end the game, with the Series all tied up at 3 games apiece.
Brunswick 5 – Kingston 3



Player of the Game: Matthew Monroe picked up the win, going 9.0 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 2 K (3-1, 3.18 ERA).

Matthew Shelley went 3-5, 1 RBI, 1 R.

Mark Elston went 1-3, 1-2B, 1 RBI, 2 BB.

For Kingston:

Charlie Gilbert took the loss, going 7.0 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 2 K, (2-1, 4.13 ERA).

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Game 7

After being down 3 games-to-none in the Series, the Brunswick Legends have clawed their way back and forced a winner-take-all Game 7. It's just the second time a United Cup Series has gone the maximum 7 games. The first one was in 1939-40 when the Cambria Cannons prevailed over the Braeland City Monarchs.

27,154 were on hand to watch the decisive game. The weather was cool but the skies were partly cloudy and the breeze was light. The perfect setting for the final game of the 1943-44 season!

Brunswick's LHP Hirotada Fukushima and Kingston’s RHP Francis Slocock faced each other for the third time in the Series.

Bottom of the 1st:
A one-out walk to 2B Mo Symes, a two-out single by SS Katsunan Chikafuji and a walk issued to 1B Fergus Chitty loads the bases. LF Jayden Tennant then draws a walk, forcing in Symes for Kingtson's first run. 3B Wen-huan Liu then doubles in Chikafuji and Chitty.
Brunswick 0 – Kingston 3

Bottom of the 2nd:
Mo Symes slams a two-out solo home run to leftfield.
Brunswick 0 – Kingston 4

Bottom of the 3rd:
Fergus Chitty and Jayden Tennant lead off with back-to-back doubles, adding another run to Kingston’s lead.
Brunswick 0 – Kingston 5

Bottom of the 4th:
A double by Katsunan Chikafuji and back-to-back walks issued to Fergus Chitty and Jayden Tennant load the bases with two out. That sets up Wen-huan Liu who singles in Chikafuji. But Chitty is cut down at home plate to end the inning.
Brunswick 0 – Kingston 6

Top of the 6th:
3B Laroya Quindiagan leads off with a first-pitch single. But Francis Slocock injures himself on the pitch and is forced out of the game. RHP Harley Bracher comes in to the game to relieve him.
After Quindiagan is thrown out trying to steal 2B, RF Mark Elston gets Brunswick on the board with a solo home run.
After LF Terry Aspden draws a walk, he is immediately picked off at 1B to end the inning.
Brunswick 1 – Kingston 6

Bottom of the 6th:
Kingston puts the game out of reach after sending 12 men to the plate in the inning.
Mo Symes leads off with a walk and is followed by Danny Trowbridge and Katsunan Chikafuji who load the bases with back-to-back singles. Fergus Chitty then draws a full-count walk to force in a run.
RHP Luke Woodward then relieves Fukushima but the Pelicans do not let up.
Back-to-back singles by Jayden Tennant and Wen-huan Liu score three runs.
With one out, pitcher Harley Bracher singles in Tennant.
With two out, Mo Symes who started the inning, doubles in Liu and moves Jamie Couch (who reached on a fielder's choice) to 3B.
Danny Trowbridge puts an exclamation mark on things with a 3-run home run to rightfield.
LHP Rob Fields comes in to relieve Woodward, but Kingston has all the runs they need.
Brunswick 1 – Kingston 15

Bottom of the 7th:
Three walks load the bases with one out. A single by PH Lenny Wyatt and a fielder's choice by Jamie Couch score two more.

In the top of the 9th, CF Harry Chatwin leads off with a single, but 2B Vince Bailey grounds into a 4-6-3 double play. PH Woody Eaton then grounds out (1-3) to end the game and the series. Kingston completely obliterates the Brunswick Legends in Game 7 to claim their third United Cup Championship.
Brunswick 1 – Kingston 17



Player of the Game: Wen-huan Liu went 4-5, 1-2B, 4 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB.

Jayden Tennent went 2-3, 1-2B, 4 RBI, 2 R, 3 BB.

Mo Symes went 2-4, 1 HR, 1-2B, 2 RBI, 4 R, 2 BB. Symes set the Kingston playoff game record for runs with 4.

Fergus Chitty went 1-1, 1-2B, 1 RBI, 3 R, 5 BB. Chitty set the playoff game record for BB with 5.

Francis Slocock picked up the win, going 5.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K (2-1, 3.65 ERA). Slocock suffered a sore back and is listed as day-to-day.

For Brunswick:

Hirotada Fukushima had a difficult day at the office, going 5.0 IP, 10 H, 10 R, 10 ER, 8 BB, 4 K, 1 HR (2-2, 4.20 ERA).

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[reds1]

[reds1]

[Ipp]

I've been lurking around this thread, and I'm really impressed. If those baseball cards were real, I'd buy them in an instant.

Go Cobourg!

[reds1]

1943-44 United Leagues of Braeland Awards

Eastern League



Babe Ruth Award

There were no Triple Crown winners this season, and while that was not the expectation, there was the overall feeling that offensive production was down this season compared to previous ones. That was apparent in the Eastern League, as LGAvg reached an all-time low of .264. It has been in decline since 1939-40, when it peaked at .283. Meanwhile, the Western League LgAvg reversed a similar trend as it reached .271 after three seasons of decline. At any rate, there didn't seem to be any standout performances offensively this season. Whether that is a reflection of player losses to the war effort or injuries or just being spoiled by last season's performances I'm not too sure.

This season the Babe Ruth Award went to 29-year old Dean Bishop, the first previous Rookie of the Year recipient to earn the acknowledgement. He also has won three Fielder of the Year Awards and earned his first all-star selection this past season.

The runners-up for the award were:

2nd: Stratfords's 1B Don Adkins (.298/.394/.547, 19 HR, 72 RBI, 4.0 WAR)
3rd: Embro's 1B Jim Friend (.307/.388/.453, 14 HR, 102 RBI, 5.2 WAR)

Dean Bishop led the Eastern League in SLG (.475), OPS (.878) and WAR (5.9). He tied with Don Adkins for HR (19).

Don Adkins tied Dean Bishop for HR as noted above.

Jim Friend lead the circuit in hits (187), doubles (41) and RBI (102).

Previous Winners:

1937-38: Katsunan Chikafuji, Queensland Eagles
1938-39: Paul Hooks, Embro Suns
1939-40: Terence Durney, Embro Suns
1940-41: Jim Friend, Embro Suns
1941-42: Jim Friend, Embro Suns
1942-43: Mark Elston, Brunswick Legends

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Satchel Paige Award

It all came together for Ryan Borden this past season. After going 23-8, 2.61 ERA in 1940-41 and coming in third for the Satchel Paige Award, Borden had another dynamite season and entrenched himself as Stratford's No. 1 starter. He is also the No. 1 rated pitcher in the United Leagues.

The other pitchers under consideration included Borden teammate and last season's winner:

2nd: Stratford's LHP Joel Fearn (18-10, 2.29 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 2.72 FIP)
3rd: Brunswick's LHP Anastasio Rodríguez (20-10, 2.39 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 2.84 FIP)

Borden led the League in wins (21), GS (35) and WAR (8.6).

Joel Fearn led in WHIP (1.06) and BB/9 (1.8).

Previous Winners:

1937-38: Colm Soper, Embro Suns
1938-39: Justin Hayhurst, Stratford Barons
1939-40: Lenny Freke, Braeland City Monarchs
1940-41: David Cooling, Braeland City Monarchs
1941-42: Anastasio Rodríguez, Brunswick Legends
1942-43: Anastasio Rodríguez, Brunswick Legends

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Rookie of the Year Award

There was no race to speak of for the Rookie of the Year Award this past season, as Queensland's C Elijah Sheppard stepped right in to the Eagles' lineup and never looked out of place. He finished first on his team in WAR (well ahead of CF Jon Moreau, who earned 3.8). However the Eagles fare next season, it seems safe to say that they are set a catcher.

Here were the runners-up:

2nd: Embro's 2B José Sánchez (.288/.341/.350 13-2B, 27 RBI, 1.9 WAR)
3rd: Braeland City's RF Steve Newsholme (.277/.338/.404, 2 HR, 26 RBI, 1.0 WAR)

Previous Winners:

1938-39: Adam Ashley, Braeland City Monarchs
1939-40: Soren Heinke, Wellington Athletics
1940-41: Dean Bishop, Queensland Eagles
1941-42: Harry Chatwin, Brunswick Legends
1942-43: Geoff Lemoine, Stratford Barons

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Western League



Babe Ruth Award

After finishing second for the Babe Ruth Award last season, Carlton Broadbent took the prize for the first time in his career. Although his WAR is the lowest in three seasons, his counting stats saw career peaks (26 HR, 106 RBI, 106 R, 87 BB).

Runners-ups for the award included Broadbent's teammate, Otten Overbeek:

2nd: Kingston's SS Katsunan Chikafuji (.307/.373/.452, 16 HR, 97 RBI, 7.2 WAR)
3rd: Balmoral's 3B Otton Overbeek (.338/.363/.502, 12 HR, 103 RBI, 5.6 WAR)

Broadbent led the Western League in Runs (106), HR (26), RBI (106), OBP (.404), SLG (.511) and OPS (.916).

Chikafuji led the West in WAR (7.2).

Overbeek led the entire ULB in AVG (.338).

Previous Winners:

1937-38: Fergus Chitty, Kingston Pelicans
1938-39: Fergus Chitty, Kingston Pelicans
1939-40: Jayden Tennant, Kingston Pelicans
1940-41: Steven Winstanley, Hespeler Stars
1941-42: Jayden Tennant, Kingston Pelicans
1942-43: Ron Westmacott, Cambria Cannons

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Satchel Paige Award

It's six years and counting as a Kingston Pelican pitcher has won the Western League's Satchel Paige Award once again. This season its Francis Slocock, who previously won it two season's ago. It is also the second time he has reached the 20-win mark; Slocock won 20 games in 1938-39 (20-8, 2.69 ERA), the season he was traded to Kingston from the Fort Richmond Generals.

Runners-up for the award included a newcomer to the voting, as well as last season's winner:

2nd: Hespeler's LHP Carlton Sherrell (16-11, 2.53 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 3.05 FIP)
3rd: Kingston's RHP Joey Cumberledge (21-7, 2.98 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 3.16 FIP)

Slocock led the League in wins (23), ERA (2.36) and WHIP (1.18).

Sherrell led in GS (35).

Previous Winners:

1937-38: Neil Guerin, Cambria Cannons
1938-39: Brady Murdy, Kingston Pelicans
1939-40: Brady Murdy, Kingston Pelicans
1940-41: Brady Murdy, Kingston Pelicans
1941-42: Francis Slocock, Kingston Pelicans
1942-43: Joey Cumberledge, Kingston Pelicans

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Rookie of the Year Award

Like Elijah Sheppard in the East, Wolseley's RF Rizalino Ringor had a tremendous rookie season, leaving little doubt as to who would win the Award this season. After spending just parts of two seasons in the minors after being drafted 7th overall in 1941-42, the 21-year old demonstrated that he belonged in the majors and now forms a key part of Wolseley's future.

Here were the runners-up for the Award:

2nd: Pulberry's SS Roland Binns (.295/.343/.397 4 HR, 63 RBI, 3.4 WAR)
3rd: Hespeler's RF John Tassell (.314/.404/.409, 3 HR, 38 RBI, 2.9 WAR)

Previous Winners:

1938-39: Aaron Flanagan, Wolseley Unions
1939-40: Francisco Rodríguez, Balmoral Giants
1940-41: Leon Hankey, Cambria Cannons
1941-42: Brian Pittman, Balmoral Giants
1942-43: Freddie Duran, Kingston Pelicans

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Manager of the Year Award



Two previous Manager of Year Award winners got the acknowledgement once again. Bill Quinn of the Stratford Barons and Ben Houchens of the Kingston Pelicans each won the second Award of their career. Both managers favour the small ball over the long ball, but that is where their similarities end. Quinn is known for his low key demeanour, while Houchens is one of the most fiery and temperamental managers in the business. While his temper tantrums can rub some players the wrong way, it has worked well for him so far, as he finally won his first United Cup championship, after being deprived of it last season by the very team that dumped him in favour of Babe Ruth. Defeating those same Legends this season no doubt brought some sweet satisfaction.

Quinn has spent his entire 7-year managing career in the ULB with the Barons. Their 93 victories is the third time the team has surpassed the 90-win mark. Quinn leads all managers with victories and wPct (614-464, .570 in seven seasons).

Previous Winners:

1937-38: Bradley Balmforth, Wellington Athletics; Rouke Barclay, Sherburn Tigers,
1938-39: Vic Windle, Embro Suns; John Permenter, Kingston Pelicans,
1939-40: Warren Paulino, Braeland City Monarchs; Eddie Frierson, Cambria Cannons,
1940-41: Bill Quinn, Stratford Barons; John Permenter, Kingston Pelicans,
1941-42: Babe Ruth, Brunswick Legends; Eddie Frierson, Cambria Cannons.
1942-43: Wesley Leseberg, Brunswick Legends; Ben Houchens, Kingston Pelicans.

[reds1]

Originally Posted by Ipp

I've been lurking around this thread, and I'm really impressed. If those baseball cards were real, I'd buy them in an instant.

Go Cobourg!

Thanks Ipp for following along and the kind words! I'm hoping the Cobourg can make some noise soon as well. I'm ready for some new blood to make the playoffs and challenge the 'old guard' in both leagues.

[reds1]

Notes on 1943-44 All-Braeland Team

Starting Pitcher

The selection of the ‘top’ pitcher for this past season was not an easy one, as a number of pitchers had impressive seasons. In the end, I went with one of the Satchel Paige Award winners, LHP Ryan Borden.

Borden led all the candidates I considered in FIP and WAR (8.6). But the following were also worthy of the honour in my opinion:

• Brunswick’s Anastasio Rodríguez (20-10, 2.39 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 2.84 FIP, 6.7 WAR);
• Stratford’s Joel Fearn (18-10, 2.29 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 2.72 FIP, 7.3 WAR); and
• Embro’s Oscar Burress (20-10, 2.53 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 2.74 FIP, 7.1 WAR).

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Catcher

Kingston’s Danny Trowbridge is firmly entrenched as the United Leagues top catcher and the second overall rated player, behind Balmoral’s RF Carlton Broadbent. He enjoyed a terrific season as well, making this selection rather easy.

A couple of other catchers also worth mentioning:

• Cobourg’s Neil Voigt (.300/.343/.424, 12 HR, 71 RBI, 48 R, 34 BB, 4.7 WAR); and
• Queensland’s Elijah Sheppard (.284/.335/.436, 11 HR, 71 RBI, 64 R, 39 BB, 4.6 WAR).

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First Base

Dean Bishop put it all together this past season to not only win his first Babe Ruth Award, but also his first selection to the All-Braeland Team. Bishop has always been a strong defensive first baseman, but his offensive output had been regressing the previous two seasons. He reversed that trend in a big way this year. Incidentally, Bishop is currently rated as the No. 4 first baseman in the ULB. The players listed below, rated at No. 3 and 2 respectively, were also under consideration for All-Braeland honours:

• Embro’s Jim Friend (.307/.388/.453, 14 HR, 102 RBI, 83 R, 83 BB, 5.2 WAR); and
• Stratford’s Don Adkins (.298/.394/.547, 19 HR, 72 RBI, 57 R, 67 BB, 4.0 WAR).

Brunswick’s Stuart Bentham (.290/.386/.463, 19 HR, 60 RBI, 73 R, 80 BB, 3.3 WAR) remains the No. 1 first baseman in the United Leagues, but he had to contend with a number of injuries this season that cut into his playing time. But he was very productive when healthy.

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Second Base

A definite changing of the guard occurred when considering the top performing 2B this season. I went with second-year Maurice Keyworth, who combined good offense, great defense and 26 SB to earn his first All-Braeland Team selection.

Also in the running were:

• Pulberry’s Colin Strudwick (.319/.354/.437, 1 HR, 58 RBI, 67 R, 25 BB, 3.9 WAR); and
• Balmoral’s Allen Cattanach (.294/.377/.384, 5 HR, 44 RBI, 84 R, 62 BB, 3.8 WAR).

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Third Base

Otton Overbeek has consistently improved over his ULB career, such that by his third season he finished third in the Western League Babe Ruth Award voting and earned his first selection to the All-Braeland Team. He is also the No. 1 rated 3B.

Also considered were:

• Downie’s Elliot Tugby (.271/.352/.343, 1 HR, 36 RBI, 62 R, 64 BB, 20 SB, 4.7 WAR); and
• Cobourg’s Shelby Cain (.277/.353/.410, 8 HR, 60 RBI, 72 R, 59 BB, 18 SB, 4.4 WAR).

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Shortstop

This season, it came down to two players:

• Kingston’s Katsunan Chikafuji (.307/.373/.452, 16 HR, 97 RBI, 99 R, 61 BB, 11 SB, 7.2 WAR); and
• Balmoral’s Francisco Rodríguez (.321/.362/.435, 3 HR, 85 RBI, 105 R, 44 BB, 19 SB, 7.0 WAR).

Rodríguez is the No. 1 rated shortstop; Chikafuji No. 2. Rodríguez won a Top Fielder Award this year, but Chikafuji was right behind him and finished 2nd in the Western League Babe Ruth Award voting. I went with Chikafuji, who previously earned an All-Braeland Team selection back in 1937-38 as a 2B.

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Leftfield

Another two player race:

• Pulberry’s Bruno Lapthorne (.305/.337/.471, 14 HR, 90 RBI, 80 R, 34 BB, 21 SB, 5.5 WAR); and
• Cambria’s Clint Jones (.297/.362/.430, 16 HR, 98 RBI, 81 R, 62 BB, 4.7 WAR).

Jones is an immensely versatile fielder, who saw significant playing time at LF, CF and 1B this season, in addition to playing a handful of innings at 2B, 3B, SS and RF. He is currently listed as Cambria’s 3B and is rated No. 2 at that position, just behind Otton Overbeek. But Lapthorne, the former 2nd overall pick from 1940-41, had a great season, combining all-star offense with a Top Fielder Award-winning defense.

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Centerfield

This was the most difficult choice to make, as I continually flip-flopped trying to nail down my selection. It came down to three players:

• Queensland’s Jon Moreau (.287/.304/.418, 9 HR, 70 RBI, 75 R, 16 BB, 3.8 WAR);
• Embro’s Terence Durney (.269/.360/.385, 9 HR, 70 RBI, 82 R, 85 BB, 4.2 WAR); and
• Kingston’s Jamie Couch (.275/.335/.340, 5 HR, 63 RBI, 95 R, 57 BB, 25 SB, 3.5 WAR).

Moreau earned a selection to the team last year, but did not have quite the season he did last season. Still, it’s a toss-up. I’m tempted to flip-flop again and go with Couch over Durney. Couch was terrific on defense and won a Top Fielder Award. He also stole 25 bases (but was caught 23 times). I’ll stick with the veteran Durney, but man, was this ever a tough choice.

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Rightfield

OK, Balmoral’s Carlton Broadbent (.315/.404/.511, 26 HR, 106 RBI, 106 R, 87 BB, 4.3 WAR) is the top-rated player in the ULB and won his first Babe Ruth Award, so I will not needlessly rack my brain over this selection.

But there were a couple of other worthy rightfielders worth mentioning:

• Downie’s Ricardo Castellanos (.297/.347/.425, 8 HR, 61 RBI, 65 R, 40 BB, 11 SB, 5.3 WAR); and
• Wolsley’s Rizalino Ringor (.290/.379/.424, 11 HR, 50 RBI, 99 R, 78 BB, 35 SB, 5.2 WAR).

All three were all-stars and both Casellanos and Ringor were significantly better defenders than Broadbent. But Broadbent gets the nod on the strength of his formidable bat.

[reds1]

June 9, 1944

A Friend in Need - Ballplayers Answer The Call of War
Jim Friend, Rizalino Ringor Among Those Putting Careers on Hold to Serve in Armed Forces

WOLSELEY, Oxford (BP) – As the Allies launch their invasion of Western Europe in Normandy, France and doggedly press their advance towards the Philippines and the Japanese mainland, Braelanders have answered the call to fight. They have been directly involved in both the New Britain and Bougainville campaigns designed to contain Japanese forces in New Guinea and the Solomon Islands respectively.

That call continues to ring out and has resonated with Braelanders, as the number stepping up to enlist in the Braeland Armed Forces has not abated. But among the approximately 85,000 men and women who have thus far volunteered for military service are professional ballplayers that have put their careers in the United Leagues and its affiliated minor leagues on hold. Last season saw all-stars, such as outfielder Steven Winstanley and infielder Jamie Florey, enlist. This off-season has been no different, as the Embro Suns recently announced that their star first baseman, 29-year old Jim Friend has left the team to serve in the Armed Forces. The Wolseley Unions announced this week that one of their young players, 21-year old OF Rizalino Ringor, has enlisted as well.

The quiet and reserved Friend remained true to form when asked why he was enlisting at this time. “Well”, he started, after a slight pause to ponder the question, “it was about time I did something. We’re not going to win the war just playing baseball.”

Similarly, the young Ringor, coming off a memorable rookie season, said that the gravity of the world situation was just too important to ignore.

“Make no mistake – this is a terrible assignment”, replied Ringor, as he boarded a train after enlisting to report to Braeland’s military academy in Fort Richmond. “But this is a battle for our way of life that cannot be ignored. My baseball career may only end up lasting one season, but if what we do can ensure many more baseball seasons in peace and freedom, then it will have been worth it.”

Among the more prominent ballplayers who hung up their cleats in favour of enlisting this off-season are:

• 29-year old 1B Jim Friend, Embro Suns (5-time all-star; 2 Babe Ruth Awards; 4-time All-Braeland Team member);
• 21-year old RF Rizalino Ringor, Wolseley Unions (1-time all-star; 1943-44 Rookie of the Year; 1 Top Fielder Award);
• 25-year old CF Jarod Dwyer, Pulberry Trolleys (No. 4 hitter in the lineup; 3rd overall pick in 1941-42);
• 21-year old RHP Finley Capstick, Wellington Athletics (Named #27 prospect in 1942-43).

These four players are among approximately 30 players that have left the game since the 1943-44 season ended. The total number of players and coaches that have left the United Leagues in order to serve in the Braelander Armed Forces is about 100. That does not include foreign-born ballplayers that voluntarily left or were drafted to serve in their respective country’s military.

Teams Look to Carry on for the 1944-45 Season

The continued exodus of prominent players and prospects due to the war effort has not dampened the determination of the United Leagues ball clubs to field competitive teams in the upcoming 1944-45 season.

“We’ll adjust,” responded Wolseley Unions long-time General Manager Matthew Malise. “These brave, young men are all making huge sacrifices. The matters we are dealing with in fielding a team pales in comparison. But we eagerly anticipate the day when they will turn triumphantly home and resume their normal lives. And as a League, we will be here to welcome them back when that day comes.”

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[BigRed75]

Not Finley Capstick! Greatest name in the ULB.

Hope he stays safe...

[reds1]

Originally Posted by BigRed75

Not Finley Capstick! Greatest name in the ULB.

Hope he stays safe...

OOTP can come up with some cool names, that's for sure. But my all time favorite is still this guy from my old OOTP14 solo league. Good thing we weren't putting names on players' backs yet.



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But the matter of players coming back safely after the war is something that I've been thinking about. Should I avoid the idea of having a 'few' players not returning to the ULB because of having made the ultimate sacrifice? I don't want to get too morbid with this dynasty, but at the same time, I don't want to gloss over the sad reality either, if it can be done in a respectful way.

I'd be curious on what others think of this matter as well.

[BigRed75]

Honestly, I've been thinking that, too - as in "Is Reds1 going to kill off one (or more) of his players serving in WWII?"

The reality is, two major leaguers did die in World War II. Neither were known for their exploits on the diamond (both had cups of coffee in the bigs in 1939 and had been back in the minors for a few years before they enlisted) but when it came to their service, both were well-accomplished. One (Elmer Gedeon) was a bomber pilot, and the other (Harry O'Neill) was a decorated Marine who served in the Pacific and was killed at Iwo Jima.

Ultimately, it's up to you. Maybe choose one player to make the ultimate sacrifice, then find some way in the league structure to honor him, be it an award, or a stadium named in his honor, or some sort. Or you could have a player come back injured, unable to play anymore, but still serve as a coach or general manager (a la Bill Veeck).

Just as long as it isn't Finley Capstick

[Bottom Of The Sixth]

Originally Posted by reds1

I'd be curious on what others think of this matter as well.

Your league is fun and entertaining and my suggestion is you keep it that way.

Have things set up that any players who were drafted or volunteered were keep in safe remote rear areas.

Maybe some worked as a quartermaster, maybe some delivered or sorted the mail, maybe some were mechanics, maybe some were put on military baseball teams as players, maybe some were put on military baseball teams as managers, etc.

They already lost service time in Braeland. They don't need to pay the ultimate price by giving up their lives or being wounded.


Keep things moving and fun.


That's my

[DreamTeams]

Originally Posted by Bottom Of The Sixth

Your league is fun and entertaining and my suggestion is you keep it that way.

Have things set up that any players who were drafted or volunteered were keep in safe remote rear areas.

Maybe some worked as a quartermaster, maybe some delivered or sorted the mail, maybe some were mechanics, maybe some were put on military baseball teams as players, maybe some were put on military baseball teams as managers, etc.

They already lost service time in Braeland. They don't need to pay the ultimate price by giving up their lives or being wounded.


Keep things moving and fun.


That's my

Agreed. How they returned safely is quite a story, as well.

[reds1]

August 28, 1944

1944 Offseason: War, Trades and Free Agents

For nearly five years now, the unprecedented hostilities of the Second World War have been raging, and despite Braeland’s relative isolation, it has not remained untouched by the War’s long reach. While the economy rebounded thanks to industrial mobilization geared to support the Braeland Armed Forces, the populace has had to endure the rationing of fuel, food and clothing. In response to their urgent calls, Braeland has exported both to Australia and Britain significant amounts of meat, cheese and eggs throughout the conflict.

Braeland has also sent off nearly 90,000 of its abled-bodied men to the Pacific theatre to this point. That includes nearly 200 players and coaches that have left the United Leagues since the start of hostilities.
But the months of July and August have witnessed perhaps the greatest reasons for optimism that the end of war is in sight. Operation Cartwheel, of which most of Braeland’s military personnel is involved, has successfully isolated Japanese naval installations at Rabaul and crippled much of Japan’s sea and air supremacy. On July 9, U.S. Army and Marines captured the island of Saipan in the Marinas, putting the Japanese mainland within striking distance for the first time. On July 21, they invaded Guam. Finally, the news of August 25 that U.S., British and Free France forces had liberated Paris brought further elation and hope.

Thus, in spite of the various austerity measures endured by Braelanders, moral was higher than ever. And as baseball fans looked to the new baseball season, the growing sentiment was that perhaps – just perhaps – the 1944-45 season would be the last one played under wartime restrictions.

So the business of baseball carried on throughout the offseason, with teams pulling the trigger on four major trades. But they also bided against each other on a couple of immensely talented free agents originally from Korea and Taiwan, giving further cause for hope that the War was loosening its grip, if just a little.

Here are the noteworthy trades this offseason:

April 28:

The Embro Suns acquired 26-year old OF Yoshino Ito (74/76) from the Pulberry Trolleys.

In return, the Trolleys received two minor leaguers:

18-year old 1B Zachary Willmott (21/66) and
22-year old C Ellis Bletsoe (22/30).

Knee-jerk reaction: Ito, a former 2nd round pick from 1937-38, is a dynamic player that is coming off one of his best seasons. The Kingston native is one of the top base-stealers in the United Leagues and is a dependable defender in leftfield, where he has won two Top Fielder Awards. The only concern is that his career has been up and down thus far. Last season, he earned 4.5 WAR. In 1941-42, he earned 4.3 WAR and an all-star appearance. But in 1942-43 he slumped (1.4 WAR). He is expected to lead off for the Suns.

In return, the Trolleys receive two former 2nd round picks. Willmott is an all-offense, no defense-type of player. Willmott should be a plus contact hitter with incredible power, but needs to work on his plate discipline and atrocious defense. Bletsoe is nothing to write home about, projecting to be a mediocre hitter and defender but with good speed. Neither Willmott nor Bletsoe make Pulberry’s top prospect list (whose farm system is rated 7th overall at the time of this writing).



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May 23:

The Queensland Eagles acquired 25-year old RHP Aaron Saunderson (76/79) from the Wolseley Unions.

In return, the Trolleys received five minor leaguers:

19-year old C Éric Denis (23/76 – 12th overall pick in 1943-44);
21-year old RHP Jeremy Albury (21/70 – 7th overall pick in 1942-43);
20-yearold C Ebert van Dijk (22/40);
22-year old C Harry Britton (23/45) and
23-year old 3B Clyde Porritt (22/23).

Knee-jerk reaction: The Eagles make an interesting move to acquire the 9th overall rated pitcher in the United Leagues. Queensland will have a nice one-two punch at the front of their rotation, as they have 37-year old RHP Stewart Colcott (4th overall) serving as their No. 1 starter – for now. Saunderson has decent stuff with incredible movement and excellent control.

For their part, the Unions continue their long-term rebuild and get a boat-load of young catchers. One of them, Denis, has the tools to be an offensive powerhouse with plus-plus contact, tremendous power and decent defense. But to me, the real prize is Albury. The 21-year old is projected to be a front-line starter with above-average stuff, decent movement and outstanding control. He immediately becomes Wolseley’s top prospect and will get an invite to this year’s training camp.



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May 25:

The Cambria Cannons traded for 26-year old 2B Shaun Attenborough (53/71) from the Fort Richmond Generals.

In return, the Generals received two minor leaguers:

19-year old LHP Pat Houseman (20/63) and
20-year old C Louie Marr (23/43).

Knee-jerk reaction: Attenborough is coming off his first all-star appearance which may portend to greater things, but all-in-all the former 2nd rounder from 1940-41 is not the most dynamic player around. Still, he has above-average contact and power and is well-respected by his teammates. But he has a hard time laying off pitches and is not the most defensively sound 2B, the only position he is rated for.

The Generals receive a couple of interesting young players, particularly Houseman, whose stuff has great potential, along with well above-average movement. His control is merely borderline however. But he if can improve that, even just a little, he could be a nice addition to Fort Richmond’s future rotation. Marr may not be more of a projected platoon player at this point, but if he can work on his plate discipline and defense a bit more, he could a very useful piece.



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July 9:

The Cambria Cannons acquired 25-year old 3B Shelby Cain (73/73) from the Cobourg Red Stockings.

In return, the Red Stockings received three minor leaguers:

19-year old 1B Jayden Bould (21/50);
22-year old OF Wilson León (22/39) and
21-year old LHP Rafael Hernández (21/39).

Knee-jerk reaction: Mark this down as a coup for Cambria in my opinion. The Cannons receive a player projected to be the heir apparent of 37-year old Louie Heatherington, who was a formidable player in his early years with the Braeland City Monarchs, but who is now well past his prime. Cain enjoyed his best season last year, earning his first all-star selection. However, despite being a former 1st overall pick, there are signs that he will not be a game-changer as originally projected. He is described as being a decent hitter with average power and a good eye; a reliable defender at the hot corner and a slightly above-average runner. Thus Cain is considered a very good player, but not necessarily great.

That said it’s hard to know what Cobourg was thinking in letting him go for so little. Bould, a former 5th round pick from 1943-44, could be a surprise, as he has above-average contact, plus-plus power and a good eye. As for León and Hernández, they are not projected to be impact players. All-in-all, a bit underwhelming return for a player like Cain.



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A couple of free agents that could be game-changers will join the ULB this season:

June 14:

The Cambria Cannons inked a deal with 28-year old Taiwanese 1B Hao Wang (69/69).

Scouts who had a chance to see Wang play say that he is a pull hitter who has decent plate judgment (.240 hitter). While he has big-league power, he doesn’t have the greatest eye. His strongest position is in rightfield. Still, he will be a serious threat on the base paths and is already rated as the No. 2-1B is the ULB, behind only Brunswick Legends’ Stuart Bentham.



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June 18:

The Brunswick Legends came to terms with 26-year old Korean RHP Hun Park (76/78).

Park was initially advertised as a reliever, but in reality he is a starter – and what a starter. Park immediately joins the Legends not only considered as their best pitcher, but as the No. 1 pitcher in the entire United Leagues, just ahead of fellow teammate, Anastasio Rodríguez. Scouts are drooling over his repertoire of pitchers (particularly his curveball), his late subtle movement that has confounded batters and his ability to paint the corners. A real competitor, Park could prove to be a game-changer for the Legends.



Incidentally, the signing of Wang and Park has catapulted them to the top of the richest contract list in the ULB:

• Hao Wang, Cambria - $35,000 (Braeland currency)
• Hun Park, Brunswick - $34,400
• Carlton Broadbent, Balmoral - $27,630
• Danny Trowbridge, Kingston - $26,940
• Mark Elston, Brunswick - $26,500

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Below is the War Gained chart. It is pretty straight forward, as the top teams, namely Queensland, Cambria and Embro, were the biggest movers in acquiring established talent this offseason. What is does not reflect of course, is the impact of the two recent free agent signings, namely Hao Wang and Hun Park. If it did, then both Cambria and Brunswick would show significant gains. How much of a boost those teams will see, well, the upcoming 1944-45 season can only tell.

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Opening Day 1944 has finally arrived! In preparation, here is a look a the results of the ‘Coconut Leagues’. Leading off is the Eastern League:





A common thread in both the Coconut Eastern League standings and projections are the Braeland City Monarchs. The fact that they are expected to be led by last year's Babe Ruth winner 1B Dean Bishop and perennial all-star RHP Lenne Freke is not at all surprising. However, the prediction that former 1st overall pick and enigmatic 2B Trevor Bolen will have a terrific season is. In his defense though, Bolen did earn an all-star selection last season, just his second, so perhaps he has finally figured things out.

Although, they finished last in the Coconut Leagues, the Queensland Eagles are being pegged as a serious playoff contender, edging out the Brunswick Legends and Stratford Barons, last season's playoff qualifiers. The Eastern League projections last season got the top three teams right. If that holds true this season, then the Monarchs will finish in first place for the fist time since 1939-40, when they also went 96-58.

It's also interesting to see that the Legends, despite projecting to have a nicely balanced team, may not have enough offense to return to the playoffs.

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There's no mystery this year in the Western League as to who is the head of the class. Last season, the projections teased us with the possibility of the Kingston Pelicans just missing the playoffs. Of course, they went on to win 100 games and capture their third United Cup. This season, they are projected to finish comfortably in first place again. It would appear that pitching will be their strength, as four Pelican starters occupy the top four spots in the Top 10 Pitchers category. Interestingly, only one Pelican player, namely SS Katsunan Chikafuji makes an appearance in the Top 10 Hitters list.

The Cambria Cannons are projected to be the top offensive team in the West, with four players making the Top 10 Hitters list. That includes recently signed free agent, 1B Hao Wang. Will that be enough to finish ahead of the Balmoral Giants or the surprising Pulberry Trolleys, who are both projected to challenge Cambria for the wild card? Of course, there's only one way to find out.

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To round out the snapshot of the United Leagues on Opening Day, here are the updated lists of the top players and pitchers and top prospects.

With the Second World War raging in the Pacific and European continent, its time to keep moral high and play some ball. Opening Day couldn't have come soon enough!

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December 1, 1944

Eastern League: A Legendary Start for Brunswick





The month of October saw the Brunswick Legends and the Queensland Eagles jump out to a hot start, separating themselves from the rest of the pack. But in November, the Legends continued their strong play while the Eagles cooled off. After the first two months, Brunswick finds itself enjoying a comfortable lead with the Eagles and Embro Suns battling for second spot.

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Last season, the Brunswick Legends stumbled out of the gate to fall below .500 after two months, but this year, there was no such sluggishness. The Legends began the season 15-0 and have kept up the pressure to enjoy a commanding lead in the East. If they keep it up, the Legends may finally finish a season in first place, something that has eluded them so far.

The Legends swept the monthly awards in October, while 1B Stuart Bentham (.361/.476/.574, 10 HR, 34 RBI, 38 R, 44 BB) won his second consecutive monthly award in November. He remains the top-rated 1B in the United Leagues (No. 6 overall).

Offense: .270/.343/.391 (3rd/2nd/2nd)
Pitching: 2.66/2.65/2.80 (1st/1st/3rd)
Defense: .700 (3rd)

Noteworthy Performances: CF Harry Chatwin went 5 for 5 against the Wolseley Unions in a game on November 29. Chatwin singled in the 2nd, singled in the 4th, hit an RBI single in the 5th; hit a two-run homer in the 7th and hit an RBI single in the 9th. The Legends prevailed 9-5.



Key Trade: November 7 with the Pulberry Trolleys.

To Bruwnswick – 26-year old RHP Morgan Tice (63/71)
To Pulberry – 20-year old minor league 2B Stephan Cumberbatch (23/62)

Knee-jerk reaction: Overall a minor deal, except that the Legends swap their top-ranked prospect for a relief pitcher. Tice replaces 33-year old RHP Andrei-Luiz Rosacega, who was placed on waivers after the deal was done and subsequently claimed by the Cobourg Red Stockings. Rosacega was little used by Brunswick anyway, but Tice should be a decent upgrade: he has pretty good stuff (fastball and sinker), decent movement and pretty good control.
Cumberbatch, a 3rd round pick from last season, should become a solid contact hitter with no power to speak of, but a solid eye, plus speed and an improving defense. He is rated as Pulberry’s 5th overall prospect in their farm system.



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The Queensland Eagles put up a game fight in the first couple of weeks as the Brunswick Legends started the season on a tear; staying within a couple of game of first place. But the Eagles soon fell back and find themselves just ahead of the Embro Suns for second place.
One of the early pleasant surprises for Queensland is 25-year old Filipino OF Jilenko Vergara (.277/.360/.400, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 9 R, 9 BB), who was signed to a minor league contract back in July. Jilenko stuck with the major league team out of spring training and made the most of his 35 at-bats in November, winning the Rookie of the Month honour.

Offense: .273/.341/.394 (1st/3rd/1st)
Pitching: 3.24/3.05/4.69 (2nd/2nd/8th)
Defense: .704 (2nd)

Noteworthy Performances: 24-year old SS Dermot Akers (.252/.320/.393) won Player of the Week honours on October 9, batting .387 (12 H in 31 AB) with 1 HR, 5 RBI.

23-year old LF Héctor García was a singles machine against the Cobourg Red Stockings back on October 21. García went 5 for 5, as he singled in the 1st, singled in the 3rd, signaled in the 4th, singled in the 6th and singled in the 7th. The Eagles won 10-1.

On November 20, RF Aaron Flanagan was named Player of the Week, as he batted .550 (11 H in 20 AB) with 5 RBI.



Key Injuries: 37-year old RHP Stewart Colcott (8-3, 2.52 ERA, 1.20 WHIP) suffered a rotator cuff strain while throwing on November 29 against the Hespeler Stars. He is expected to miss 4 weeks.

Key Trade: November 13 with the Hespeler Stars

To Queensland – 25-year old 1B Héctor Gutiérrez (67/77)
To Hespeler – two minor league players:
20-year old CF Donald Heijnen (22/56);
24-year old 3B Douglas Paget (23/31)

Knee-jerk reaction: It appears the Kenneth Logan era is over in Queensland as the Eagles acquired Gutiérrez to take over 1B and assigned the 39-year old Logan to AAA Elmhurst. It’s not entirely clear to me why Queensland traded for Logan last season in the first place, as he was clearly past his prime. Gutiérrez is definitely younger and has a lot of upside, but he has yet to prove that he can hit major league pitching. He is good at drawing walks, but has only average contact at best and a very poor fielder.
Hespeler gets a couple of warm bodies in return with Heijnen appearing to have the best chance of making the majors. Like Gutiérrez, he has average hitting abilities and is a nightmare defensively. Such speaks of the low estimation Hespeler had for Gutiérrez.



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Despite the loss of marquee player 1B Jim Friend, who left the team in the off-season to enlist in the Braeland Armed Forces, the Embro Suns have to be quite optimistic at their play and standing after the first two months. Both 30-year old CF Terence Durney (.297/.381/.446, 4 HR, 41 RBI, 38 R, 32 BB, 7 SB) and 27-year old 2B Britt Wing (.327/.414/.435, 3 HR, 22 RBI, 27 R, 23 BB) are off to their best start in years and the team is just a half game out of the wild card. It is a much different situation from this time last season, when they were struggling just to stay of Eastern League basement.

Offense: .271/.352/.357 (2nd/1st/5th)
Pitching: 3.91/3.92/3.86 (5th/5th/5th)
Defense: .695 (6th)

Noteworthy Performances: 37-year old SS Gary Watkinson (.308/.419/.385) won Player of the Week honours on October 23, batting .500 (13 H in 26 AB) with 7 RBI, 6 R.

CF Terence Durney enjoyed a 20-game hitting streak in October that ended on October 28, when the Cobourg Red Stockings held him hitless. The Suns prevailed however, 5-1. As the month of November draws to a close, Durney is currently on a 17-game hitting streak. So we’ll have to see how long he can maintain that streak.

2B Britt Wing was named Player of the Week back on October 30. Wing went .414 (12 H in 29 AB) with 2 HR, 5 RBI.



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In contrast with the Embro Suns, who have seen their fortunes improve over last season, the Stratford Barons have struggled in the early going and find themselves 5 games below .500 at the end of November. The offense has lost a step since last year and with the exception of November’s Pitcher of Month winner LHP Ryan Borden (7-4, 1.24 ERA, 1.05 WHIP) and RHP Larry Parrish (1-1, 4 SV, 1.66 ERA, 1.06 WHIP), the pitching has been a bit underwhelming. But the Barons, who finished in first place last season with 93 wins, is still a good team that still has lots of time to get back into the playoff race.

Offense: .261/.324/.346 (5th/4th/7th)
Pitching: 3.48/3.40/4.05 (4th/3rd/6th)
Defense: .688 (7th)

Key Trade: September 12 with the Wolseley Unions

To Stratford – 26-year old RF Dan Hunter (67/68) and 23-year old CF Stephen Dronfield (22/24)
To Wolseley – 35-year old 3B Matthew Lane (28/28)

Knee-jerk reaction: A trade consummated in the middle of the Coconut Leagues, the Barons somehow found a taker for Mathew Lane, a once fine player that is now just playing out the string (and perhaps would be out of baseball if not for the war?)
Hunter (.230/.316/.314, 1 HR, 17 RBI, 29 R, 25 BB, 16 SB) has some fine tools, with good contact, solid eye, excellent defense and speed. But with the exception of his stealing prowess, he has yet to put it all together. In Wolseley, he may have been only their fourth outfielder at best, but it’s hard to see what use Lane will be for the Unions. Even his defense is poor. Yet another head-scratcher from the Unions’ brain trust.



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Bucking expectations of another last-place performance, the Downie Chiefs actually started the season with a modest 4-game winning streak and have remained within reach of first division of the League. The Chiefs have benefited in the early going by a respectable showing from the pitching staff and a stout defense. But with the exception of LF Ricardo Castellanos (.319/.383/.492, 5 HR, 26 RBI, 32 R, 20 BB, 5 SB), the offense has hindered Downie from making a stronger push for a playoff position. If the pitching can hold steady and the offense can pick things up in support of Castellanos, then the Chiefs will have a chance to surprise.

Offense: .257/.310/.348 (6th/7th/6th)
Pitching: 3.38/3.54/2.27 (3rd/4th/1st)
Defense: .710 (1st)

Noteworthy Performances: LF Ricardo Castellanos had a memorable November. First he won Player of the Week honours on November 13, batting .520 (13 H in 25 AB) with 3 HR, 8 RBI.

Then, on November 27, he went 5 for 6 with 2 RBI, 1 R in a game against the Cambria Cannons. After striking out in the 2nd, Castellanos hit an RBI single in the 3rd, singled in the 5th, hit an RBI single in the 6th, singled in the 9th and singled in the 11th. The Chiefs prevailed 10-9.



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The prognosticators appear to have missed the mark on the Braeland City Monarchs. Predicted to challenge for a playoff spot this season, the Monarchs have floundered instead and are sinking farther to the bottom in the Eastern League. Braeland City made a couple of trades in November and demoted some former mainstays (33-year old LHP Quentin Teague was claimed off of waivers by Cobourg, for example). The offense, which was one of the best in the East last season has struggled and the pitching has only regressed. But realization of a lost season appears to be settling in, as the team shifted team focus from ‘neutral’ to ‘rebuild’ on November 27.

Offense: .254/.315/.361 (7th/5th/3rd);
Pitching: 4.21/4.22/4.12 (7th/6th/7th);
Defense: .692 (6th).

Key Trade #1: November 5 with the Hespeler Stars.

To Braeland City – 26-year old OF John Tassell (61/63)
To Hespeler – five minor league players:
21-year old RHP Dan Turner (20/53 – 12th overall pick in 1942-43);
23-year old C Anoi Hoalohanani (23/28);
24-year old SS Palmer Bunch (21/23);
22-year old 2B Mauk Kenselaar (21/23) and
19-year old CF Javier Castro (21/25).

Knee-jerk reaction: The Monarchs make two interesting trades with Hespeler in the days leading up to their decision to rebuild. Tassell is a decent contact hitter whose biggest strengths are his defense in rightfield and speed. But there’s nothing to suggest that he will jumpstart the offense, something that Braeland City sorely needs.
Hespeler gets a potentially useful pitcher in Turner, who has decent but not great pitching skills. His work ethic is second to none; but he doesn’t seem to have warranted his high draft selection.



Key Trade #2: November 20 with the Hespeler Stars.

To Braeland City – 28-year old LHP Gavin Hewat (42/52)
To Hespeler – 22-year old minor league LF Toby Dooley (25/56)

Knee-jerk reaction: Braeland City springs for a veteran starter to try and shore up the rotation. Hewat definitely has solid stuff and good command, but not very good movement. He will serve as the Monarchs’ No. 4 starter in the rotation.
Hespeler adds a little bit to its prospect depth with Dooley, a former 2nd-round pick from 1940-41. Dooley has some offensive skills and great speed, but looks out of place in the outfield.



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What the 1944-45 season has in store for the Wellington Athletics was probably summed up in their 10-game losing that started the season. Although the did recover somewhat in the latter half of October, it is abundantly clear that the Athletics will struggle just to stay out of the basement. Overall, their offense is abysmal and the pitching, while not horrible, is in no shape to take up the slack. If that weren't enough, their farm system is one of the weakest in the ULB (14th overall). In short, winter is coming for the Wellington Athletics, or something along those lines.

Offense: .245/.305/.332 (8th/8th/8th)
Pitching: 4.08/3.24/2.73 (6th/7th/2nd)
Defense: .698 (4th)

Noteworthy: LF Phillip Trew won Player of the Weeks honours on November 27. He batted .565 (13 H in 23 AB).



Key Injuries: On November 10, 33-year old 3B Ryley McLarnon (.279/.309/.314, 5-2B, 9 RBI, 17 R, 7 BB), strained his shoulder while throwing the ball. He is out a further 1-2 weeks.

Key Trade: November 25 with the Kingston Pelicans

To Wellington – 29-year old RF Rovilson Valdevieso (49/50)
To Kingston – two minor league players:
26-year old RHP Cisco Juárez (46/46);
21-year old 3B Fraser Rae (23/52)

Knee-jerk reaction: Another relatively minor deal, other than just to not that the one-time all-star Valdevieso is on the move again. In his defense, Valdevieso can still hit and field, although he has poor plate discipline and is not really a front-line starter any longer. The bigger question is why Wellington traded for him at when they need to rebuild.
As for Kingston, they get a couple of mid-level prospects that may make the majors. But the Pelicans are short on position player prospects at the moment and Rae immediately becomes their second overall batting prospect. Rae is a former 2nd-round draft pick from 1942-43 who has been trending upward in his development thus far. He has good contact with plate discipline issues, OK defense and well above-average speed.



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Last season, it appeared that the Cobourg Red Stockings were finally beginning to make some strides, as they escaped the basement of the Eastern League for the first time in six seasons. A small step to be sure, but a step just the same. But if Cobourg is ever going to take the next step, it will not be this season, as they stumbled badly out of the gate. Pitching is largely the culprit, and unfortunately the Red Stockings have not place much emphasis in the past few years to cultivate any significant pitching prospects. It may appear that they are finally starting to address that if their recent trade with the Cambria Cannons is any indication (that trade will be discusses in the upcoming Cambria section. But in the meantime, Cobourg will be held back as long as their pitching prospects remain thin.

Offense: .268/.314/.358 (4th/6th/4th);
Pitching: 4.50/4.71/3.28 (8th/8th/4th);
Defense: .679 (8th).

Noteworthy: 2B Alexander Tolmie won Player of the Weeks honours on October 16. He batted .565 (13 H in 23 AB) with 4 RBI, 4R.



On November 6, SS John Medley himself was named Player of the Week, as he batted .480 (12 H in 25 AB), 1 HR, 7 RBI.



Key Injuries: 37-year old RHP Ramón Ramírez (4-5, 4.40 ERA, 1.55 WHIP) strained his rotator cuff while pitching back on November 22. He is out a further 4-5 weeks.

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December 1, 1944

Western League: Jockeying For Positions





The top of the standings in the Western League started out as a free-for-all in October as the Wolseley Unions, Pulberry Trolleys and Cambria Cannons all took their turns at first place. Things appeared to be settling down at the end of November as the Cannons and the defending United Cup Champions, the Kingston Pelicans moved to take over the two playoff spots. The Pelicans picked things up after a slow start. But both the Trolleys and Balmoral Giants have hung around to remain within striking distance. Whether they can keep it up and give the Cannons and Pelicans a run for their money remains to be seen.

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The Cambria Cannons are off to their best start since 1939 and is a marked difference from one year ago, when they were 4 games below .500 and 11.5 games out of first place. The recent acquisition of 3B Shelby Cain (.298/.371/.424, 2 HR, 32 RBI, 24 R, 23 BB) and free agent signing of lead-off hitter RF Hao Wang (.316/.346/.498, 6 HR, 34 RBI, 36 R, 12 BB) are paying off big time. Indeed, Cain's batting average of .298 is the lowest in the lineup (against RHP). Combine that with a healthy CF Ron Westmacott (.303/.402/.474, 6 HR, 38 RBI, 38 R, 36 BB) and a steady pitching staff and its no wonder the Cannons are in first place.

Offense: .295/.358/.425 (2nd/2nd/1st)
Pitching: 3.25/3.40/1.91 (2nd/3rd/1st)
Defense: .694 (4th)

Noteworthy Performances: Clint Jones won Player of the Week honours on November 13, batting .542 (13 H in 24 AB) with 2 HR, 5 RBI.



Then on November 14, Daniel Edney went 5 for 5 with 3 RBI, 1 R in a game against the Wellington Athletics. Edney hit an RBI single in the 2nd, singled in the 4th, singled in the 5th, hit an RBI single in the 7th, and hit and RBI single in the 8th. The Cannons won 9-2.



Key Trade #1: November 5 with the Cobourg Red Stockings.

To Cambria – 28-year old RHP Denzel Vyse (70/74).
To Cobourg – four minor league players:
20-year old RHP José Fernández (20/60);
20-year old RHP António Tejada (20/40);
24-year old 3B Ron Hawes (23/28) and
20-year old 2B Edgardo Serrano (21/29).

Knee-jerk reaction: In a span of two days, the Cannons decided to try and get younger – and better. In the first transaction, Cambria acquired a relief pitcher. Vyse was originally selected 8th overall in the 1937-38 draft and was viewed as a future starter, but that has not transpired. Vyse has not been able to develop a solid pitching repertoire, but he has decent stuff and movement with acceptable control. He should help Cambria's bullpen that is already tops in the Western League.
Cobourg gets a couple of useful pitchers in RP Fernández and SP Tejada. Tejada is actually ranked higher than Fernández in the prospect list. Neither of them have terrific tools, but they aren't terrible either. A nice pick-up for Cambria.



Key Trade #2: November 6 with the Hespeler Stars.

To Cambria – 25-year old C Scott Weller (59/68).
To Hespeler – two minor league players:
26-year old 1B Lance Beamish (40/40) and
20-year old SS Tom Dicks (21/30).

Knee-jerk reaction: Cambria opts to upgrade its catcher position by acquiring Weller, who is ranked 7th overall among back-stoppers. Weller was a second round pick (18th overall) back in 1941-42 and he has really nice offensive skills: average contact, plus power potential and very good eye at the plate. Combine that with very good defensive skills and he should prove to be a nice pickup for the Cannons.
In return, Hespeler receives a very respectable 1B in Beamish, a former third rounder from 1937-38. Beamish is a prototypical slugger who can hit for contact and has decent plate discipline. Defense and speed are not a strength, however. With the acquisition of Beamish, Hespeler was able to deal their former 1B, Héctor Gutiérrez, to the Queensland Eagles (see Queensland's report in the previous post).



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The Kingston Pelicans may have unveiled new uniforms this season (the first team to do so), but they are still very much the same old force to be reckoned with. The Pelicans actually started off slow, hovering around 7-10 on October 19, but then they went 9-3 the rest of the month and continued their strong play into November. The pitching has been top notch thus far, with 34-year old RHP Joey Cumberledge (9-3, 2.21 ERA, 1.11 WHIP) leading the way (and winning a Pitcher of the Month Award in November).

Offense: .282/.342/.398 (3rd/3rd/3rd)
Pitching: 3.10/3.20/2.26 (1st/1st/2nd)
Defense: .714 (1st)

Noteworthy Performances: No. 2 starter Charlie Gilbert became just the third pitcher to throw a No-Hitter in the United Leagues, when he held the Fort Richmond Generals hit-less in a 2-0 victory back on October 28. Gilbert surrendered just one walk to go along with two strikeouts.
Prior to Gilbert's gem, Bradley Paris of the Wolseley Unions was the first to accomplish the feat back on February 7, 1938 against the Downie Chiefs. The second pitcher to achieve it was Wellington's Reece Abberley on December 21, 1941 (also against the Downie Chiefs).



Katsunan Chikafuji is off to a great start. He won his first Player of the Week honour on October 16, when he batted .478 (11 H in 23 AB) with 1 HR, 9 RBI.
His second Player of the Week honour came on November 20, after he batted .583 (14 H in 24 AB) with 7 RBI and 8 R.
Finally, he saw his 20-game hitting streak come to an end on November 22, when he went 0-4 against the Brunswick Legends in a 6-3 loss.



Key Injury: On December 2, 36-year old 1B Fergus Chitty (.250/.338/.375, 2 HR, 12 RBI, 13 R, 15 BB) was hit by a pitch. The result was a fractured finger. He is out for 6 weeks.

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The Pulberry Trolleys continue their improved play that actually began last season. This year, they toyed with first place in late October, but were unable to keep up with Cambria and Kingston. But they are building a nice core of young players, with the likes of Roland Binns, Colin Strudwick, Joe Lock and Bruno Lapthorne (.281/.341/.471, 6 HR, 42 RBI, 35 R, 19 BB) with more young talent on the way.

Offense: .273/.328/.386 (4th/5th/4th)
Pitching: 3.54/3.54/3.52 (5th/6th/5th)
Defense: .704 (2nd)

Noteworthy Performances: Roland Binns won Player of the Week honours on October 9, batting .433 (13 H in 30 AB) with 2 HR, 8 RBI.



On October 30, Colin Strudwick won Player of the Week honours, as he batted .552 (16 H in 29 AB) with 4 HR, 5 RBI.



On November 1, Joe Lock went 5 for 6 with 2 RBI, 2 R in a game against the Balmoral Giants. Lock tripled in 1st, flied out in the 3rd, singled in the 4th, hit an RBI triple in the 5th, singled in the 8th, and hit an RBI double in the 9th. The Trolleys won 11-2.



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The Balmoral Giants endured a slow October that has forced them to play catch-up, but the Giants boast one of the most balanced teams in the West that should make them very much a player for a playoff spot. They currently have the No. 1 rated position player in the United Leagues in the form of RF Carlton Broadbent (.367/.424/.500, 8 HR, 41 RBI, 43 R, 24 BB). Broadbent just happens to be off to the best start of his career (as evidence by his back-to-back Player of the Month honours). Considering he won the Babe Ruth Award last season as the top batter in the Western League, it may be pretty hard for anyone to prevent him from winning the award for a second year in a row.

Offense: .308/.363/.418 (1st/1st/2nd)
Pitching: 3.29/3.37/2.54 (3rd/2nd/4th)
Defense: .701 (3rd)

Noteworthy Performances: Damon Purcell won Player of the Week honours on October 23, batting .407 (11 H in 27 AB) with 1 HR, 4 RBI, 5 R.



On November 29, Jason Pollock went 5 for 5 with 1 RBI, 3 R against the Cobourg Red Stockings in the second game of a double-header. Pollock singled in the 1st, singled in the 2nd, hit an RBI single in the 3rd, doubled in the 5th and singled in the 8th. The Giants won 10-4 (and won the first game as well, 7-0).



Key Injuries: On October 29, 42-year old 1B Roger Tyler (.327/.378/.401, 12-2B, 22 RBI, 14 R, 13 BB) suffered a fractured hand when he was hit by a pitch. He is out of commission for another 4 weeks.

28-year old C Brian Pittman (.303/.418/.342, 4-2b, 16 RBI, 17 R, 30 BB) tore a thumb ligament in a collision at a base on December 2. He is out for 4 weeks.

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The Sherburn Tigers have had an interesting start to the season, to say the least. After a nightmarish October, the Tigers almost got back to .500 with a sensational November. Sherburn went 17-7 against Eastern League teams that month, and no doubt they would like to play the East more frequently. But their success actually hides the fact that this is a flawed team that is woeful on offense. They are last in nearly every offensive category and 7th in a couple of others. It is hard to see this team having the success they did in November during the rest of the season.

Offense: .258/.315/.330 (8th/8th/8th)
Pitching: 3.48/3.58/2.31 (4th/7th/3rd)
Defense: .691 (6th)

Key Injury: Back on October 17, 34-year old 1B Robin Harney (.310/.365/.328, 1-2B, 5 RBI, 1 R, 5 BB) suffered post-concussion syndrome when he collided at a base. He is gone for at least 6 more weeks.

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The Wolseley Unions toyed and teased with first place in the West, but were unable to keep up the act for very long. After sitting on top of the standings on October 19 with an 12-5 record, the Unions went 14-23 the rest of the way to finish November two games below .500. All indications are that a .500 finish for this season would be considered a success, as the Unions are still very much a team in limbo: not fully committed to compete for a playoff spot, nor fully committed to make a genuine rebuild.

Offense: .265/.323/.370 (5th/6th/6th)
Pitching: 3.72/3.51/5.02 (6th/5th/7th)
Defense: .686 (7th)

Noteworthy Performance: No. 5 starter Jeremy Albury put together a great stretch in late November and won Player of the Week honours on November 27. Albury went 3-0, 6 IP, 1.50 ERA with 2 K.



Key Injury: 25-year old RHP Kai Tosh (2-7, 3.36 ERA, 1.31 WHIP) suffered a severe injury while pitching back on November 24. He required immediate radial nerve decompression surgery. He is effectively gone for the season (6 months).

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The Hespeler Stars continue to be poster team for “Where did we go wrong?”, as their rebuilding efforts over the past few seasons appear to be all for naught. The Stars were pegged to be playoff contender at this point, but instead, they are struggling just to stay out of the basement. Although they have not declared a second rebuild, their four trades in November clearly signal that the team is retooling. They currently have the third deepest farm system in the ULB, so there's a chance that they can correct their fortunes sooner rather than later.

Offense: .264/.336/.378 (6th/4th/5th)
Pitching: 3.90/3.47/6.42 (7th/4th/8th)
Defense: .678 (8th)

Noteworthy Performance: On November 26, the Hespeler Stars defeated the Embro Suns 7-6 at The Fabulous Avalon. In that game, Wayne Savory went 5 for 6 with 1 RBI, 3 R. Savory singled in the 1st, hit an RBI single in the 3rd, doubled in the 5th , grounded in the 7th, singled in the 9th and tripled in the 11th. Savory came in to score the winning run in the 11th.



Key Injury: 24-year old RF Marcus Peyto (.269/.335/.398, 1 HR, 22 RBI, 22 R, 18 BB) fractured a rib on a defensive play on November 27. He will be out for 3 more weeks.

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The Fort Richmond Generals may have the worst record in the Western League and will in all probability, finish in last place, but they have remained surprisingly competitive, being only 9.5 games out of first place (as of November 2). That's in spite of having an anemic offense and an often over-matched pitching staff. Still, they have to their credit a wonderful young starting pitcher in 24-year old RHP Reece Leavers (8-2, 2.28 ERA, 1.15 WHIP), a former third round pick from 1938-39 who is off to his best start in his third season. He won his first Pitcher of the Month Award for October and appears to have no problems filling the role as Fort Richmond's ace. The Generals sure could use a few more like Leavers, as the currently injured David Nixon is the only other pitcher that is performing well. But some help may be on the way.
Fort Richmond has two very promising starters working their way through the farm system. One of them, 21-year old RHP Nicky Sherlock is currently in his second go-around in AAA (5-2, 3.12 ERA, 1.55 WHIP) and doing much better this time. The other, 20-year old RHP Shinzo Okamoto is in AA (2-3, 3.93 ERA, 1.69 WHIP) and not quite ready for a promotion to AAA. But the Generals could have an enviable rotation in the not-too-distant future.

Offense: .258/.318/.362 (7th/7th/7th)
Pitching: 3.93/3.80/4.85 (8th/8th/6th)
Defense: .692 (5th)

Noteworthy Performance: Gavin Bansfield earned Player of the Week honours on November 6, batting .476 (10 H in 21 AB) with 1 HR, 6 RBI, 4 R.



Key Injuries: 29-year old CF Gael Huxham (.239/.323/.398, 3 HR, 16 RBI, 15 R, 15 BB) fractured a rib on a defensive play on November 15. He will be out for 2-3 more weeks.

On November 20, 26-year old LF Rommel Ballena (.291/.321/.354, 1 HR, 19 RBI, 12 R, 5 BB) injured himself while throwing the back into the infield. He suffered a strained forearm and will miss a further 3 weeks.

32-year old LHP David Nixon (5-1, 3.12 ERA, 1.18 WHIP) came down with rotator cuff tendinitis while throwing a pitch in a game on November 22. He will be out 2 more weeks.

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December 6, 1944

1944-45 Amateur Draft Results

Pulberry, Oxford (BP) – The United Leagues eighth annual Amateur Draft was held at the Ashburton Hotel overlooking the picturesque Amburg Inlet in the west coast city of Pulberry today.

The consensus among team scouts and general managers was that this was one of the deeper draft pools in recent memory. General Manager Bill Byers, whose team, the Fort Richmond Generals, will select first, could barely contain his pleasure at the makeup of this year’s draft. “We agree that this year’s draft is deep. Our feeling is that there are quite a few players who would have been worthy of a first-round selection in any other year, but will not be selected until later in the second or even third round. Naturally, as we have the first overall pick, we are quite optimistic that we can acquire a good selection of potential impact players.”

The Generals are not alone in that appraisal, and it will interesting to see how the draft class of 1944-45 pans out in a few years’ time – whether it will have lived up to its advanced billing, or whether is all just hype.

Following the Fort Richmond Generals, the Downie Chiefs and Wellington Athletics made the next two picks. Here is a brief sketch of the 16 players taken in the first round:

1st Pick – Fort Richmond Generals:



OF Dylan Moyne (51/80) – 22-years old; 5’-8”, 170 lbs.; Hits LH/Throws RH.

Moyne is a sensational young player who appears ready to step into a major league lineup now. The Balmoral native projects to be a hitting phenom, with terrific contact and outstanding power potential. Combine that with solid defense and blazing speed and you have an all-star waiting in the wings.

Update: As expected, the Generals announced shortly after the draft proceedings, that Moyne will immediately join the big league club where he is expected to man centerfield and lead-off.

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2nd Pick – Downie Chiefs:



OF Alfonso León (21/78) – 19-years old; 5’-9”, 160 lbs.; Hits RH/Throws RH.

As they did last year, the Downie Chiefs selected second overall. Their pick is almost a carbon copy of Moyne, as León has outstanding batting skills who may one day challenge for a batting title. Originally from Puerto Rico, León has tremendous power potential as well. However, his speed and defense are not quite as good as Moyne. León will join the Minto Tribe, Downie’s AA farm team.

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3rd Pick – Wellington Athletics:



SS Rupert Bricknell (21/55) – 19-years old; 5’-9”, 160 lbs.; Hits RH/Throws RH.

With all the talent available in the draft, the Athletics raised some eyebrows with their first pick. Bricknell’s greatest strengths are his speed and his patience at the plate; however, he is not projected to be anything more than average with his bat or in the field. For me, the issue isn’t that Bricknell won’t be a decent player – it’s just that he, in all probability, would have been still available in a later round for Wellington to select. Bricknell will report to Wellington’s AA farm team, the Evansville Clowns.

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4th Pick – Cobourg Red Stockings:



C Jason Lymer (36/76) – 21-years old; 6’-2”, 200 lbs.; Hits LH/Throws RH.

The second consecutive player hailing from Fort Richmond, Cobourg goes with a catcher with plus-plus contact and decent defense. But he will need to work on his plate discipline. He will start his professional career with AA Cardiff Crushers.

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5th Pick – Wolseley Unions:



IF/OF Connor Reddick (23/68) – 20-years old; 5’-9”, 160 lbs.; Hits SH/Throws RH.

The Unions also selected 5th overall last season, and this time they went with a versatile fielder with solid contact, terrific eye and decent speed. Although Reddick can play both the infield and outfield, 2B is his strongest position. He will be assigned to AA Waterloo Whips.

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6th Pick – Embro Suns:



LHP Carl McBroom (27/80) – 18-years old; 6’-1”, 175 lbs.; Hits LH/Throws LH.

The first pitcher selected in the draft, McBroom possesses outstanding movement and command. However, he may not become quite the dominant pitcher unless he can bring his stuff up a notch or two. He will head down to work on it with Embro's AA farm team, the Lythmore Atoms.

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7th Pick – Hespeler Stars



2B/SS Oliver Aland (24/75) – 20-years old; 5’-10”, 170 lbs.; Hits LH/Throws RH.

With the 7th overall pick, the Stars take Aland, a kid with plus-plus contact, good speed and reliable defense. Power is not part of his game and plate discipline will be an issue. He will need to really work on hitting from the inside of the plate. He will begin his career with the AA Muir Electrics.

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8th Pick – Sherburn Tigers:



RHP Bartolo Sánchez (22/75) – 21-years old; 6’-3”, 205 lbs.; Hits RH/Throws RH.

The Sherburn Tigers, already blessed with promising pitching prospects, pick up another in Sánchez. Hailing from Cuba, Sánchez has some decent stuff, amazing movement and great control. Six pitches fill out his repertoire: fastball (35/40), curveball (25/30), changeup (20/30, splitter (40/400, screwball (25/35) and knuckle curve (25/35). He will report to Sherburn's AA club, the Hannon Greyhounds.

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Here is the rest of the first round, selections 9-16:

9th Pick – Pulberry Trolleys:

LHP William Say (22/80) – stuff (50/60), movement (55/70) and control (30/45). 22-years old; 5’-11”, 190 lbs.; groundball tendency; 90-92 Mph velocity; Hits RH/Throws LH.

The host Trolleys selected relief pitcher William Say who is expected to skip the minors and report directly to the parent club. Say has awesome stuff and movement on his pitches, but his command is average at the moment. He boasts two terrific pitches: fastball (50/55) and a slider (50/65).

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10th Pick – Cambria Cannons:

OF Howard Ockey (22/69) – contact (40/50), gap power (35/40) and eye (35/45). 21-years old; 5’-10”, 170 lbs.; normal hitter; Hits LH/Throws LH.

The Cannons selected the Hespeler native Ockey, who should be a solid contact hitter. Power and plate discipline however are not strengths of his. But he is a natural defender, especially in rightfield (75) and has decent speed.

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11th Pick – Braeland City Monarchs:

RHP Malcolm Willis (47/80) – stuff (45/65), movement (65/70) and control (35/45). 23-years old; 6’-1”, 200 lbs.; groundball tendency; 93-95 Mph velocity; Hits RH/Throws RH.

Another relief pitcher that is expected to skip the minors, Willis, a native of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin is blessed with plus-plus stuff and movement. Only his command can be considered average. He throws two great pitches: fastball (50/65) and a slider (50/70).

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12th Pick – Queensland Eagles:

IF/OF Bob Sobel (23/74) – contact (45/65), gap power (35/45) and eye (40/55). 20-years old; 6’-1”, 185 lbs.; normal hitter; Hits LH/Throws RH.

The Eagles picked 12th overall last year and with this year's pick, they went with a guy with great contact, little power and decent eye. While speed is not a strength, he is a superior defender, able to play 2B, SS and RF (all 60), as well as 3B (65). The Eagles have assigned him to the AA Innerkip Oysters.

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13th Pick – Brunswick Legends:

OF Stewart Muirhead (23/76) – contact (40/50), gap power (45/50) and eye (45/60). 22-years old; 5’-10”, 180 lbs.; pull hitter; Hits LH/Throws RH.

Brunswick selected Downie's Stewart Muirhead, who is another solid contact hitter with little power but with a very good eye. He will be a constant threat to steal and can play all three outfield positions well: leftfield (70), centerfield (60) and rightfield (60).

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14th Pick – Balmoral Giants:

OF Elton Larkin (21/69) – contact (30/50), gap power (25/45) and eye (30/55). 17-years old; 5’-11”, 170 lbs.; normal hitter; Hits RH/Throws RH.

Balmoral takes the Kingston native who has pretty decent batting skills and well above average foot speed. Defense is not his strong-suit however, as LF is his best fielding position (40). The Giants have assigned him to the AA Georgetown Goldbugs.

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15th Pick – Stratford Barons:

RHP Bill Wolf (20/76) – stuff (30/35), movement (55/75) and control (25/55). 18-years old; 6’-0”, 170 lbs.; groundball tendency; 85-87 Mph velocity; Hits SH/Throws RH.

The Barons take a future starter in the first-round, as Wolf boasts some nice stuff, great movement and solid control. He has five pitches in his arsenal: fastball (30/35), curveball (30/40), slider (30/35), changeup (25/40) and forkball (35/45). He will start his professional career with the AA Brockville Bears of the Heritage Leagues.

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16th Pick – Kingston Pelicans:

OF Benjamin Nishikawa (21/63) – contact (35/55), gap power (40/60) and eye (20/40). 18-years old; 5’-9”, 165 lbs.; normal hitter; Hits RH/Throws RH.

The final pick of the first-round, Nishikawa's best tools are his decent contact (projects to be a .270 hitter) and top of the charts power potential. He will really need to work on his plate discipline, however, as it is a severe liability at the moment. His defense is merely average (40 at LF; 35 at RF) and he is rather slow on the basepaths. He will start with the AA Elgin Angels.

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Here are the standings as of December 31:

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January 9, 1945

1945 All-Star Game: The West Make it Two in a Row



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Embro, Dunwich (BP) – The Western League won their second consecutive All-Star contest to even the overall series at 4 games apiece. This year, the eighth annual mid-season classic was held at Speaker Stadium in Embro, situated along the north shore of Lake Blyth. Partly cloudy skies with just a warm, gentle breeze blowing out to center greeted the 27,000 fans who packed the stadium to witness the proceedings.

At first, it appeared that the game would be a low scoring affair. But it suddenly turned lop-sided, as the Westerners broke open the floodgates in the top of the 9th inning. The scoring highlights are given below.

Kingston’s RHP Joey Cumberledge started for the Westerners for the second straight year, while Braeland City’s LHP David Cooling got the nod for the Eastern League.

Top of the 6th:
With rookie RHP Hun Park taking the hill to start the inning, C Danny Trowbridge draws a lead off walk. Back-to-back singles by PH Nicky Willis and PH Wenceslas Jasmin load the bases with nobody out. PH Jamie Couch then follows with a single of his own, scoring Trowbridge for the game's first run.
After inducing a pop-up (F6) from 1B Bruno Lapthorne, Park is replaced by RHP Aaron Saunderson.
PH Wen-huan Liu then comes through with a single scoring Willis before the Easterners can escape the inning.
Western All-Stars 2 – Eastern All-Stars 0

Bottom of the 7th:
RHP Francis Slocock takes the mound for the Westerners and immediately gives up a walk to PH Yoshino Ito on four straight pitches.
RF Mark Elston reaches safely on an error (E1), putting runners on 1B and 2B. Immediately after Ito steals 3B and Elston takes 2B, C Kane Broom hits a sac fly to centerfield, scoring Ito.
CF Jon Moreau then follows and flies out to centerfield. Elston tags up on the play and advances to 3B. But the throw to 3B sails off course (E8), allowing Elston to score the tying run.
Western All-Stars 2 – Eastern All-Stars 2

Top of the 9th:
With one out, LHP Hirotada Fukushima surrenders three straight walks to 2B Katsunan Chikafuji, C Scott Weller and LF Nicky Willis, loading the bases.
SS Jayden Whiteway then singles in both Chikafuji and Weller, giving the Westerners the lead once more.
After CF Jamie Couch hits into a fielder's choice to put runners on the corners, 3B Shelby Cain doubles, scoring both Willis and Couch. That ends Fukushima's day.
But his replacement, RHP Bradley Paris, promptly gives up a two-run home run to 1B Wen-huan Liu, giving the Western All-Stars a comfortable lead.

In the bottom of the 9th, PH Elijah Sheppard singles with two out. But RHP Harley Bracher gets PH Phillip Ferguson to ground out (3-1) to end the game.
Western All-Stars 8 – Eastern All-Stars 2

Kingston’s Wen-huan Liu won Player of the Game honours, going 2-3 with 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 R.

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Here are the complete All-Star rosters: