United Leagues of Braeland - Page 6

reds1 · 07-13-2015, 03:42 AM

December 1, 1938

Eastern League: The Suns Rise in the East

The Embro Suns continued their winning ways in November, racking up a record of 17-9, propelling them to the top of the standings in the Eastern League. The Suns feasted on Western League teams for most of November, winning twice as many games as they lost (16-8). The Suns have been road warriors, having played 41 games away from home. To say they have not been homesick (26-15) would be an understatement. They have only played 13 games at home (7-6) thus far. If they keep up their strong play, the schedule from here on out should play strongly to their benefit.

Key Injuries: 1B Anthony Stavely (.330/.373/.593, 6 HR, 22 RBI, 15 R, 7 BB), who was hit by a pitch and fractured his cheekbone in a game against the Barons back on October 15, is currently on a rehab assignment with AAA Birmingham Comets.

Performance Highlight: 2B Alejandro Valdés went 5-6 against the Sherburn Tigers on November 17, helping the Suns to an 11-6 victory. Valdés doubled in the 1st, tripled in 3rd, hit an RBI double in the 4th, hit an RBI double in the 5th, doubled in the 8th and grounded out in the 9th.

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Once again, the Stratford Barons continued their winnings ways, but like in October, they were eclipsed by a slightly stronger team. The Barons put up a 16-10 November, keeping them within a 0.5 game of first and 1.5 games up in second. Like the Suns, the Barons have been very successful playing on the road. They’ve had to be, as they’ve played 38 games as the visitors. Thus far they have gone 24-14 on the road, and 8-7 at home. They will have to keep that trend going; they will play 19 of their 27 games in December on the road. The Barons have become a formidable team on pitching and defense, rating first in a score of categories. They have not been too bad on offense either.

Key Injuries: RHP Finley Van tore an elbow ligament in Spring Training; he is expected to miss another 3 weeks.

Performance Highlight: SS Ken Cutler (.326/.341/.465, 3 HR, 31 RBI, 21 R, 6 BB) is having a fine season for the Barons, winning Player of the Week honours earlier in November and leading the team in batting average.

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The Braeland City Monarchs cooled off just a tiny bit in November (14-12), but it was enough to knock them out of first place and fall back 1.5 games behind the Barons. Their highlight of the month was a three-game sweep of the top team in the West, the Kingston Pelicans. However, they immediately followed that up by being swept by the lowly Pulberry Trolleys. Individual Monarchs continued to dominate the Player of the Month awards, as SP Lenny Freke (8-2, 2.63 ERA, 1.11 WHIP) took pitching honours and SS Adam Ashley (.309/.362/.396, 7-3B, 28 RBI, 29 R, 18 BB) won his second consecutive rookie award.

Key Injuries: None.

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The Queensland Eagles, who went 14-13 in October, continued that pace in November (14-12), and currently stand 4.5 games back of first. Their stats, however, suggest that this team may fade in the coming months. They currently rate 7th and 8th offensively as well as on pitching and defense. A playoff team last season, they may be hard press to repeat that feat. 1B Quentin Puddy (.311/.351/.399, 3 HR, 20 RBI, 29 R, 15 BB) won Player of the Week honours in the last week of November. He has been one of Queensland’s top players. Not bad for a player that was claimed off of waivers from the Fort Richmond Generals back in April 1937.

Key Injuries: None.

Performance Highlight: LF Terry Asden took it to the Balmoral Giants on November 23, helping the Eagles to a 10-3 victory. Aspden singled in the 1st, hit a two-run single in the 3rd, hit an RBI single in the 4th, hit an RBI single in the 6th and singled in the 8th.

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The Brunswick Legends had a bounce back month in November (15-11) after struggling in October (12-15) to move one game above .500 and 5.5 games back of first place. The Legends are pretty much in the middle of the pack on offense, but are below average on the pitching side of the equation. However, they do have a respectable starting rotation. LHP Mathew Monroe (4-2, 2.47 ERA, 1.31 WHIP) went 3-0, 2.47 in November, while RHP Song-Saeng Lee (8-3, 2.82 ERA, 1.38 WHIP) went 4-1, 3.64. But it’s RHP Roger Battle (2-8, 4.65 ERA, 1.59 WHIP) who everyone is breathing a sigh of relief over. After going 0-5, 6.26 in October, Battle rebounded in November (2-3, 2.95).

Key Injuries: None.

Performance Highlights: 2B Mathew Shelley (.333/.383/.383, 4 HR, 33 RBI, 31 R, 18 BB) is having a banner year for the Legends. En route to taking Batter of the Month honours in November, Shelley went 5 for 5 against Wolseley, helping the Legends defeat the Unions 8-1. Shelley singled in the 2nd, singled in the 4th, singled in the 6th, singled in the 8th and hit a two-run double in the 9th.
3B Vince Bailey (.312/.344/.426, 3 HR, 25 RBI, 33 R, 12 BB, 18 SB) also had a fine month. Bailey enjoyed a 22-game hitting streak that began on October 27 against the Wellington Athletics and ended on November 21, when he went 0-5 against Kingston. About a week later, he went 5-6 against the Wolseley. Bailey singled in the 1st, singled in 2nd, hit a two-run single in the 4th, flied out in the 6th, singled in the 8th and singled in the 9th. The Legends won 14-1.

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Like the Legends, the Downie Chiefs had a bounce back month (14-12) after a so-so October (13-14). They too find themselves with a 27-26 record after two months, 5.5 games back of first place. They have been pretty good thus far in the pitching and defense department, but have really struggled on offense.

Key Injuries: On the last day of the month, SS Naoaki Kawasaki (.222/.288/.258, 7-2B, 9 RBI, 15 R, 18 BB) who has really been struggling at the plate this year, injured himself in a collision at 2B with Cambria Cannons’ 2nd overall pick Ron Westmacott. It is not known yet how long will be out of commission.

Key Trade: The Chiefs made a curious trade with the Fort Richmond Generals on November 15. 30-year old LF Dennis Fawkes (.286/.355/.321, 2-3B, 8 RBI, 4 R, 8 BB) was sent to the Generals along with 23-year old minor leaguer LF Dale Murdock (22/25) for 31-year old 1B Louis Paycocke (.181/.313/.241, 3-2B, 8 RBI, 10 R, 16 BB). Fawkes has continued his established level of play with the Generals, but Paycocke has regressed even more since joining the Chiefs, if that was possible.

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The defending Eastern League champions took a tumble in November, as the Wellington Athletics went 10-16 to fall 5 games below .500 and 8.5 games out of first place. If there’s one consolation, it’s that they were pretty miserable last November (9-17) too, and were also 5 games below .500 (and 9 games back of first). They turned things around last December, so we’ll have to see what they do from here on out. While they’re not particularly great in any offensive and defensive category, they aren’t exactly terrible either.
1B Byron Tope (.333/.375/.563, 7 HR, 26 RBI, 15 R, 8 BB) has come on hot in the latter half of the month, and his efforts earned him Player of the Week honours in the 3rd week of November.

Key Injuries: None.

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The Cobourg Red Stockings were absolutely horrible in October (6-19), but had a very nice month in November (15-11). That kept them in the Eastern League cellar, but there are still lots of games left if they can find a way to turn things around. But they will need better performances from their starting rotation.
Just having a healthy SP Joel Fearn (5-7, 4.56 ERA, 1.28 WHIP) back after losing him for over a year due to a torn rotator cuff will help things immensely. While he has struggled in a few games since coming back, he did pitch a complete game shut-out against the Pulberry Trolleys on November 12, picking up the win in an 8-0 victory. Fearn allowed 5 hits, 3 BB and struck out 3.

Key Injuries: None.

Key Trades: The Red Stockings have been very busy in the trade market, making three trades in November that appear to have strengthened what is already the deepest minor league system in the United Leagues.
On November 15, Cobourg parted ways with 27-year old SP-LHP Rob Fields (2-3, 5.12 ERA, 1.78 WHIP), sending him to Brunswick. In exchange, they received 19-year old minor leaguer 3B Ramiro Urbina (23/70) and 23-year old minor leaguer SS Alastair Health (22/45). And yes, Health’s injury history is ‘durable’.
On November 20, Cobourg sent 32-year old OF Dominic Aston (40/40 - .247/.315/.333, 3-2B, 4 RBI, 10 R, 7 BB) to the Embro Suns in exchange for 24-year old minor leaguer 1B Dwayne Johannson (22/22) and 24-year old minor leaguer 2B Marcus Acret (22/22).
Finally, on November 26, the Red Stockings shipped 28-year old SP-RHP Leo Chesters (29/30 – 3-3, 4.52 ERA, 1.57 WHIP) to the Sherburn Tigers. In return, Cobourg received 20-year old minor leaguer CF Yoshino Ito (22/72) and 22-year old SS Maresuke Yasuda (21/23).

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rollsox2 · 07-13-2015, 10:20 AM

Hey Reds1,

How did you make the stadiums for this league? They are incredible. Such detail and great write-ups in this dynasty and I have enjoyed following along.

reds1 · 07-13-2015, 11:38 AM

Thank you for the kind words, rollsox2!

The stadiums were all created by others through the years: Teflon Skies, DreamTeams and blueturf. I merely went in with Photoshop and superimposed a few flags and stadium names to customized it for my universe.

A collection of blueturf's ballparks can be found at OOTPmods about halfway down the page here.

Here is a link to DreamTeams wonderful ballparks, including his fictional ones that I've always been partial to.

I can't seem to find a link to Teflon Skies ballparks that I downloaded eons ago. I still have the zipfile to them if anyone wants them: TS Ballparks

Here is another one called al CTC Stadiums. It is a collection of Teflon's, DreamTeams' and blueturf's stadiums, so some of it may be redundant.

reds1 · 07-14-2015, 04:01 AM

December 1, 1938

Western League: Pelicans Take Control

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While other teams in the West cooled off, the Kingston Pelicans continued their hot ways, finishing November with a 17-9 record, one win more than they had in October. That pushed them 6.5 games up on the second place Cambria Cannons with the best record in the United Leagues. The Pelicans are enjoying the outstanding play of a number of their players. SS Okura Ito (.367/.415/.642, 12 HR, 37 RBI, 44 R, 16 BB) won Batter of the Month honours and the Pelicans top three starting pitchers having been dominant of late; namely RHP Joey Cumberledge (6-5, 2.38 ERA, 1.14 WHIP), RHP Brady Murdy (7-3, 2.11 ERA, 1.00 WHIP) and LHP Hirotada Fukushima (9-1, 2.38 ERA, 1.29 WHIP).

Key Injuries: After setbacks in his recovery, LF Jayden Tennant (.154/.267/.385, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 5 R, 2 BB) finally took to the field against the Wellington Athletics on November 27.

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The Cambria Cannons regressed a bit in November, finishing the month 13-13, after a 15-12 October. But they find themselves in second place in the West thanks largely to other teams around them faltering even more. The Cannons are still led by Satchel Paige Award winner SP Neil Guerin (7-2, 1 SV, 2.93 ERA, 1.19 WHIP), but 24-year old SP Willem Atkins (5-4, 2.01 ERA, 1.24 WHIP) is also having a fine season thus far.
Second overall pick from last season’s amateur draft LF Ron Westmacott (.291/.383/.577, 6 HR, 32 RBI, 34 R, 26 BB), is proving his selection to have been a wise choice. He currently occupies the fourth spot in the lineup against righties, although he is still the fourth outfielder when facing lefties (He is batting .375/.429/.688 against left-handers in 35 PA). In comparison, OF Tadamasa Takano, who starts against left-handers, is batting .283/.328/.358 in 58 PA against them.

Key Injuries: SP Jason Fortenberry (2-3, 4.40 ERA, 1.50 WHIP) suffered a torn back muscle in a game against the Queensland Eagles back on November 18. He will be out for four months.

Performance Highlight: C Glen Yeend went 5-5 and score two runs against Downie on November 30, helping the Cannons defeat the Chiefs 12-11. Yeend singled in 2nd, singled in the 3rd, singled in the 5th, singled in the 7th and singled in the 9th.

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After a promising October (18-10), the Balmoral Giants were handed a dose of reality, as they could only muster a 10-16 record in November. That pushed them out of first place and into third, 7 games back of Kingston. The Giants continue to be strong in pitching ERA (2nd) and defensive efficiency (1st), but their offense continues to be lacklustre. Indicative of that is SP-LHP David Cooling (2-9, 3.94 ERA, 1.16 WHIP), who has pitched well, but has not received enough run support.

Key Injuries: RF Danny Filmer (.271/.358/.300, 2-2B, 13 RBI, 12 R, 10 BB) strained a thigh muscle in a collision at the plate in a game against the Brunswick Legends on November 9. He is expected back in two weeks.

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After a solid October (15-12), the Sherburn Tigers spiralled in November, to the tune of a 9-17 record, to fall 10.5 games out of first place. The offense has been just fine. The pitching and defense, however, has been abysmal and it took its toll on the Tigers in November.
On the positive side of things, the Tigers enjoyed the performances of CF Gwon-Beom Lee (.299/.329/.410, 7-2B, 9 RBI, 15 R, 7 BB), who won Rookie of the Month honours and the continued excellence of SS Gary Watkinson (.373/.459/.509, 3 HR, 30 HR, 50 R, 34 BB, 15 SB).

Key Injuries: RP Myung-Gu Son (1-4, 4 SV, 2.96 ERA, 1.68 WHIP) experienced elbow swelling in a game against the Embro Suns on November 17; he is out for two months.
Another relief pitcher, RHP Brent Smythe (0-0, 0.00) experienced elbow numbness on November 24 in just his second game since being called up from the AAA St. Thomas Flamingoes. He is gone for four months.
1B Robin Harney (.338/.416/.518, 11-2B, 26 RBI, 27 R, 20 BB) sprained his back in game against the Stratford Barons. He was out of action for three weeks.

Performance Highlight: Since Opening Day, SS Gary Watkinson hit safely in every game. That streak ended on November 10, when he went hitless against the Wellington Athletics. Watkinson hit safely in 35 straight games, establishing a new record in the young League.

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The Pulberry Trolleys came on strong late in November to finish the month with a 13-13 record. They remain 11.5 games back of Kingston, but just 5 games back of the wild card. While they’re pitching hasn’t been too horrendous, their offense is another story. However, a couple of players have started to step up. Both 1B William Tozer (.273/.311/.421, 7 HR, 28 RBI, 27 R, 11 BB) and LF Finlay Petty (.341/.374/.535, 3 HR, 23 RBI, 15 R, 8 BB) have been hot lately, perhaps giving the Trolleys some hope for December.

Key Injuries: RF Stewart Pruitt (.326/.431/.442, 5-2B, 7 RBI, 6 R, 8 BB) missed two and a half weeks in November due to a sprained ankle.
OF Rio Gidley (.250/.320/.342, 1 HR, 19 RBI, 24 R, 20 BB, 13 SB) experienced elbow soreness in a game against the Stratford Barons on November 25. He is expected back in three days.
OF Harold Pick (.257/.316/.286, 2-2B, 7 RBI, 4 R, 6 BB) sprained a finger on a defensive play on November 30 against the Wellington Athletics. He will miss two weeks.

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The struggles of the Wolseley Unions continued in November, as they limped to 10-16 record for the month. But change is in the air in Wolseley, and perhaps things will start to look up for the struggling club. On December 1, the Unions called up OF Zak Kidd (30/80 – AAA- .252/.286/.359, 5-2B, 10 RBI, 11 R, 5 BB), the top-rated prospect from the AAA Caledonia Jets. He will start in center field and lead off against both righties and lefties. If he and fellow rookie 1B Aaron Flanagan (33/74 – .216/.278/.401, 8 HR, 31 RBI, 22 R, 14 BB) can find their groove, it will give the Unions a much needed boost on offense. Then they will just have to worry about getting some consistency from their pitching staff, which is rated 7th in a score of categories.

Key Injuries: On November 11, 3B Derek Sakurai (.301/.376/.462, 2 HR, 26 RBI, 15 R, 18 BB) suffered a deep foot bruise after being hit by a pitch against the Embro Suns. He missed two weeks.
On November 26, CF Harold Yoder (.283/.317/.349, 1 HR, 15 RBI, 19 R, 7 BB) was injured in a collision at second base on a fielder’s choice against the Braeland City Monarchs. He is out for another 5 days.

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The Fort Richmond Generals continued to struggle in November (11-15), as would be expected for a team that is below average on both sides of the ball. They do have a bonafide ace in RHP Francis Slocock (7-3, 2.36 ERA, 1.11 WHIP) who won Pitcher of the Month honours in November. But this is a team that is in serious need of an infusion of youth and talent, as their best player is 41 years old and hurt. Speaking of….

Key Injuries: 41-year old OF Héctor Nájera (.227/.401/.360, 5 HR, 17 RBI, 22 R, 46 BB) was hit by a pitch in a game against the Embro Suns on November 29; he was diagnosed with a knee blood-bruise and will miss another 4 days.
OF Kunimichi Yamaguchi (.318/.375/.500, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB) suffered a high ankle sprain back on November 6. He is due back in a couple of more days.

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The Hespeler Stars have been a bit of an enigma this season. While there’s definite room for improvement, especially on the pitching side of things, they are not a terrible team. In fact, they are the third best team offensively in the West. Compared to their Pythagorean record, they come out at just -3. However, those three additional wins would put them just 4 games back of the wild card. I suppose that speaks more to the Western League essentially being the Kingston Pelicans and then everyone else.

Key Injuries: 40-year old C Frank Penny (34/34) sprained his ankle in a Spring Training game back on September 21 and then suffered a setback in his recovery, missing a total of 15 weeks. He is expected back, however in a few more days.

Performance Highlight: SS Ewan Zglinicki went 5-6 against the Wellington Athletics on November 20, helping the Stars to a 12-8 victory. Zglinicki singled in 1st, flied out in the 2nd, singled in the 4th, hit an RBI single in the 5th, doubled in the 6th and singled in the 8th.

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reds1 · 07-21-2015, 08:47 PM

December 6, 1938

1938 Amateur Draft Results

Wolseley, Oxford (BP) – The 1938 Amateur Draft was held in Wolseley this year, with the Pulberry Trolleys selecting first, followed by the Balmoral Giants and the Braeland City Monarchs. Here is a look at the first eight players selected in the first round:

1st Pick:

Pulberry Trolleys – SS Wenceslas Jasmim (52/77) – The 22-year old Brazilian infielder was the first selection in this year’s Amateur Draft. Jasmim’s strengths are his ability to hit for good contact, his speed on the base paths and his tremendous defense.
The right-handed Jasmim will join Pulberry’s AA club, the Hopetown Islanders.

2nd Pick:

Balmoral Giants – OF Damon Purcell (21/80) – The Giants first selection brings a wonderful blend of offensive talent at the plate and on the base paths. With the potential to hit for high average, scouts say he has a chance to one day compete for the batting title.
While he is considered an average outfielder, he brings plus-power potential and an enviable combination of speed and acceleration.
The 19-year old left-handed Purcell will join Balmoral’s AA farm team, the Georgetown Goldbugs.

3rd Pick:

Braeland City Monarchs – OF Carlton Broadbent (22/78) – The 20-year old Broadbent projects to be an offensive powerhouse; a plus contact hitter combined with elite power potential and good plate discipline. He should also acquit himself fine in the field.
It’s expected Broadbent will start with Braeland City’s AA team, the Kingsville Royals.

4th Pick:

Wolseley Unions – OF Jon Moreau (25/80) – The French Canadian’s main strengths will be his above average speed and outstanding defense in center field. He has the potential to be a .290 hitter and may hit 15 home runs a season down the road. But he will need to work on his plate discipline to capitalize on his potential.
The 22-year old Moreau will be assigned to Wolseley’s AA farm club, the Waterloo Whips.

5th Pick:

Fort Richmond Generals – IF Steven Wormleighton (36/73) – another speedy player and excellent defender, Wormleighton has a chance to become a decent contact hitter. If he can improve his plate discipline, he has a chance to be an outstanding lead-off hitter for the Generals in the near future.
22-year old Wormleighton will start off with the AA Marburg Mustangs.

Cambria Cannons – IF/OF Allen Cattanach (21/69) – The 19-year old Cattanach has the chance to be something special at the plate. He is projected to be an above average contact hitter with plus power potential and outstanding eye. He will not be fooled by close pitches. Capable of playing in both the infield and outfield, his best positions appear to be in either of the outfield corners. He projects to be an average runner on the base paths.
Cattanach will be assigned to the Vandecar Spurs, Cambria’s AA farm club.

Brunswick Legends – OF Ramón Tavira (22/73) – The seventh overall pick’s main strengths will be his defense in the outfield and his above average speed on the base paths. However, there are concerns that the 21-year old Panamanian may struggle at the plate at the big league level. At the moment, he projects to be a .250 hitter with perhaps 10 home runs a season.
Tavira will be assigned to the Jarvis Smokers, Brunswick’s AA farm club.

Cobourg Red Stockings – SS Jamie Florey (23/71) – Florey has the chance to one day become a middle-of-the-order run producer, as the 22-year old is blessed with above average contact, plus raw power and an excellent eye.
Florey will start off with the AA Cardiff Crushers.

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

Hespeler Stars – IF Henry Yarnold (32/80) – contact (50/65), gap power (35/45) and eye (30/40). 21-years old. Good contact and defense at 3B; poor plate discipline. A good influence.

Embro Suns – SP LHP Ah-Cy Yao (20/71) – stuff (30/45), movement (55/65) and control (25/50). 19-years old. Great stuff, aggressive, top-notch movement and excellent control.

Stratford Barons – OF Miguel Rodríguez (21/63) – contact (35/50), gap power (40/55) and eye (25/45). 18-years old. Decent contact with plus-plus power; good defense and tremendous speed. Plate discipline could be an issue. Good kid.

Downie Chiefs – OF Brian Ilderton (23/79) – contact (45/50), gap power (35/40) and eye (35/45). 23-years old. Above-average contact with some power; good defense and speed. Poor plate discipline. Enjoys fishing.

Sherburn Tigers – SP LHP Leif Bryant (31/78) – stuff (35/45), movement (60/70) and control (35/60). 19-years old. Above average stuff, filthy movement and great control. Team player.

Queensland Tigers – RP RHP Yin-Ti Shih (57/80) – stuff (35/35), movement (65/70) and control (40/65). 22-years old. Below average stuff but with filthy movement and great control. Good kid.

Wellington Athletics – RP RHP Ramón Ortíz (21/79) – stuff (35/40), movement (55/70) and control (30/60). 18-years old. Below average stuff but with filthy movement and great control. Good kid.

Kingston Pelicans – SP RHP Harley Bracher (21/66) – stuff (35/40), movement (60/70) and control (35/45). 23-years old. Above average stuff, top-notch movement but with only average control. A little slow to absorb instruction.

reds1 · 07-21-2015, 09:21 PM

January 1, 1939

Eastern League: The Free-For-All Continues

After picking things up in November, the Brunswick Legends broke it open in December, putting up a 19-8 record and moving into top spot in the Eastern League. While their offense has held steady (3rd-4th ranked), their pitching and defense improved across the board – especially their overall ERA (from 6th to 2nd).

The starting rotation really stepped it up, particularly LHP Mathew Monroe (7-3, 2.20 ERA, 1.22 WHIP) who went 3-1, 1.67 in December, RHP Roger Battle (4-8, 3.85 ERA, 1.48 WHIP) – 5-2, 2.13 and LHP Rob Fields (7-5, 4.32 ERA, 1.69 WHIP) – 4-3, 2.73. Fields was acquired last month from the Cobourg Red Stockings.

On offense, 2B Matthew Shelley (.315/.367/.438, 5 HR, 46 RBI, 44 R, 25 BB) and RF Rovilson Valdevieso (.325/.357/.516, 9 HR, 42 RBI, 45 R, 16 BB, 13 SB) lead the charge.

Key Injuries: None.

Performance Highlights: Contributing to the team’s success this month was two Legends:
40-year old relief pitcher RHP Tong-yeop Lee (8-4, 8 SV, 3.00ERA, 1.26 WHIP) who won Pitcher of the Month Honours and 25-year old 1B Rubén Sánchez (.305/.355/.432, 6 HR, 36 RBI, 48 R, 23 BB) who earned Batter of the Month honours.

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Like the month before, the Braeland City Monarchs went 14-12 in December. As other teams faltered behind the Legends, the Monarchs were able to keep within a game of top spot. Offensively, the Monarchs continue to rank 1st in a slew of categories, whereas their pitching and defense ranks average to slightly below average. 25-year old SS Adam Ashley (.315/.361/.452, 4 HR, 40 RBI, 49 R, 23 BB) continued his impressive play, winning his third consecutive rookie of the month award.
The Monarchs are a team led by two dynamic youngsters: Adam Ashley, who was rated as the #6 prospect in the ULB at the start of the season, and 22-year old 2B Trevor Bolen (.311/.353/.481, 8 HR, 43 RBI, 40 R, 21 BB), the first overall pick in last season’s amateur draft.
Supporting them is 31-year old 3B Louie Hetherington (.325/.416/.453, 8 HR, 41 RBI, 51 R, 50 BB).

Key Injuries: None.

Performance Highlight: Trevor Bolen became the third player in United League history to hit for the cycle. He did on December 20 against the Stratford Barons. Bolen started off with a solo-shot off Justin Hayhurst in 1st, flied out in the 3rd, hit an RBI triple in the 5th, hit an RBI double in the 7th and hit a two-run single in the 9th. Despite his effort, the Monarchs fell to the Barons, 6-5.

Key Trade: The Monarchs pulled the trigger on a major trade with the Hespeler Stars on December 20. The Monarchs received 28-year old all-star C Kane Broom (79/79 – .334/.364/.439, 3 HR, 48 RBI, 34 R, 15 BB). In return, the Stars received four minor league players: No. 17 overall prospect, 23-year old SP LHP Gavin Hewat (23/62), 19-year old C Bob Spivey (23/52), 22-year old RF Roberto Juárez (22/23), 20-year old 1B Héctor Gutiérrez (21/34) and 23-year old C Tsuneari Sato (22/23).
The Monarchs now have the 2nd highest rated catcher in the ULB, behind only Kingston’s Cereneo Tolentino.

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After two strong months, the Embro Suns ran out of steam in December, limping to an 11-14 record and falling 1.5 games out of first place. They remain a fairly strong offensive team (2nd in the EL) and are decent in pitching (3rd-4th), but they are struggling in defensive efficiency (8th). Complicating matters for them is a serious injury to one of their top offensive players, 2B Alejandro Valdés (.358/.410/.503, 21-2B, 33 RBI, 55 R, 31 BB, 10 SB).
Besides Valdés, 33-year old RF Paul Hooks (.309/.380/.559, 17 HR, 67 RBI, 56 R, 36 BB) is having a fine season as well. Hooks is rated the #1 RF in the ULB.

Key Injuries: 35-year old all-star Alejandro Valdés, who is the top-rated 2B in the leagues, suffered a torn back muscle while throwing the ball in a game against the Stratford Barons on December 23. He will miss 3-4 months. Replacing him for now in the lineup is the 16th rated 2B in the ULB, 26-year old Darren Blume (.274/.338/.355, 3-2B, 11 RBI, 8 R, 7 BB, 3 SB).
35-year old back-up OF Dominic Aston (.247/.316/.316, 3-2B, 4 RBI, 10 R, 8 BB) sprained his ankle in a game against the Queensland Eagles. He will miss 4 weeks.

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Like the Embro Suns, the Stratford Barons stumbled in December, going 12-15, after starting the season with two solid months. They still remain very much in the thick of things, just 2 games back of first, and one back of the wild card. The Barons’ pitching continued to be their strength, ranking first in the East in ERA (3.38), starters’ ERA (3.53) and bullpen ERA (2.51).
Four of their five starters are lefties. 34-year old Justin Hayhurst (9-6, 2.21 ERA, 1.21 WHIP) is the ace, while 34-year old Kazuhiko Chikafuji (9-5, 2.62 ERA, 1.28 WHIP) pitches third. 29-year old Barry Brear (1-0, 6 SV, 1.38 ERA, 1.14 WHIP) was recently promoted from the bullpen to the rotation as the fifth starter.

Key Injuries: None.

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As anticipated, the Queensland Eagles began to fade in December, finishing the month with a 11-15 record to fall one game below .500 and 6.5 games out of first place. They are simply not a very good team overall, currently rated 7th - 8th on offense as well as on pitching and defense. They have some nice pieces, but not enough depth and a few too many players are having below average seasons. It’s the little things that are taking their toll on the Eagles. 27-year old SP Max MacColl (9-5, 3.43 ERA, 1.26 WHIP) is one of the league’s top pitchers, but he had a bit of an off month in December, going 2-2, 4.12; while 28-year old Ross New (3-9, 5.00 ERA, 1.78 WHIP) imploded, going 0-4, 6.48. Missing 31-year old SP Stewart Colcott (7-7, 3.86 ERA, 1.33 WHIP) for a couple of weeks due to an injury did not help things. He has been hot since his return to the rotation.
While 23-year old SS Katsunan Chikafuji (.288/.349/.483, 11 HR, 36 RBI, 49 R, 32 BB) continues to lead the Eagles’ offense, his production is down just a bit from last season. The rest of lineup has follow suit, and it’s taking a toll on Queensland’s fortunes in the standings.

Key Injuries: SP-RHP Stewart Colcott missed two weeks in December due to a tired arm suffered in a game against the Wellington Athletics on December 15. He returned to the rotation on December 30 and pitched a 6-hit shutout against the Braeland City Monarchs.

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The Downie Chiefs appear to be living in denial. On November 30, the front office signalled that they were concentrating on a ‘win now’ approach to the season. The Chiefs are indeed separating themselves from the other teams chasing for a playoff spot, but not in a good way. The club promptly went 10-15 in December. The result is that the Chiefs are now 4 games below .500 and 8.0 games out of first. Their offensive rankings reflect perfectly their struggles, ranking 6th-8th. They are somewhat better on the pitching side of things (4th-5th), but are dead last in home runs allowed and strikeouts.
The Chiefs are blessed with a solid starting three in the rotation. RHP Frank Leadbeater (9-7, 2.73 ERA, 1.11 WHIP) pitched two shutouts in December, both against the Embro Suns. RHP Bradley Paris (6-7, 3.30 ERA, 1.25 WHIP) and LHP Robert Renton (10-5, 3.16 ERA, 1.31 WHIP) provide able support. However, there is a steep drop off after them in the rotation and bullpen.
Downie also has three fine position players taking the lead offensively. But after 2B Wayne Balmer (.319/.373/.450, 5 HR, 34 RBI, 52 R, 27 BB 9 SB), 3B Andy Johnson (.348/.379/.447, 3 HR, 49 RBI, 47 R, 15 BB) and 1B Jeaic Risbrough (.318/.402/.479, 9 HR, 37 RBI, 38 R, 28 BB), there is also a big drop off in production.

Key Injuries: CF Lenny Wyatt (.279/.315/.382, 2 HR, 25 RBI, 30 R, 13 BB) suffered shoulder swelling after throwing the ball in a blowout loss to the Brunswick Legends on December 12. He returned to the lineup on the last day of the month.
Back-up C Ala’ bin Kasim (.300/.323/.400, 3-2B, 2 RBI, 3 R, 1 BB) suffered strained neck muscles in a collision against the Wellington Athletics on December 16. He missed two weeks.

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Wellington Athletics’ lackluster season continued in December, as they went 13-12. They remain 8 games back of Brunswick for first place and 4 games below .500.
They range from 3rd to 5th in a host of offensive categories and continue to lead the ULB in stolen bases by a comfortable margin. But their pitching performance has regressed, falling to 6th in most categories.
29-year old Clyde Boney (7-9, 3.69 ERA, 1.34 WHIP), who finished 2nd in last season’s Satchel Paige Award voting (when he went 19-5, 2.42 ERA, 1.12 WHIP), is not doing as well this year. In fact, none of the Athletics pitchers are doing anything to write home about.
On the other hand, 36-year old RF Quentin Stubber (.314/.456/.508, 4 HR, 30 RBI, 49 R, 50 BB, 10 SB) is having an outstanding season. Unfortunately, he is out for several weeks.
That leaves 30-year old LF Bob Boynton (.332/.427/.500, 5 HR, 40 RBI, 40 R, 42 BB), the #1 rated LF in the ULB and 2B Ryley McLarnon (.319/.343/.426, 1 HR, 48 RBI, 45 R, 13 BB, 14 SB) to try and hold the fort offensively in Wellington.

Key Injuries: 34-year old SP Michael Hanley (5-8, 5.51 ERA, 1.70 WHIP) tore a knee joint in a game against the Downie Chiefs on December 24. He is out for 4 weeks.
Quentin Stubber badly sprained his ankle on December 26 in a game against the Braeland City Monarchs. He is expected to miss 5 weeks.

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The Cobourg Red Stockings enjoyed their second consecutive month with an above .500 record, going 14-13. But they still remain in last place, 10 games back of Brunswick.
Overall, the pitching has been abysmal. While ace SP Joel Fearn (9-8, 3.75 ERA, 1.17 WHIP) was outstanding in December (4-1, 2.25), others, like Trevor Penaligan (5-10, 5.04 ERA, 1.66 WHIP) in particular, were not (0-5, 5.79).
While he has struggled in a few games since coming back, he did pitch a complete game shut-out against the Pulberry Trolleys on November 12, picking up the win in an 8-0 victory. Fearn allowed 5 hits, 3 BB and struck out 3.
The offense has not been overly dominant either, but are some fine players, such as C Dave Wilson (.282/.340/.436, 8 HR, 38 RBI, 38 R, 25 BB), RF Brian Herdman (.333/.404/.481, 2 HR, 26 RBI, 45 R, 23 BB) and 2B Matthew Lane (.288/.364/.481, 12 HR, 40 RBI, 43 R, 35 BB).

Key Injuries: None.

Key Trades: The Red Stockings made one final trade before the deadline, picking up 37-year old RP Larry Parrish (80/80 – 5-3, 2 SV, 2.82 ERA, 1.53 WHIP) from the Pulberry Trolleys on December 14. For his services, Cobourg shipped minor leaguers 22-year old SP Patrick Tennant (20/66), 20-year old 1B Lance Beamish (21/42), 20-year old RP Morgan Tice (20/63) and 22-year old RF Rory Brear (22/22).
Tennant is considered the #2 overall prospect in the ULB, and the #1 pitching prospect. Parrish is a very good relief pitcher, but he’s still just a relief pitcher and to me it seems like the Red Stockings gave up too much. I don’t see this helping them move up the standings anytime soon. Tennant’s potential ratings did drop to 66 from 78 in the latest report, so perhaps Cobourg felt he wasn’t going to pan out.

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Dark Horse · 07-21-2015, 09:22 PM

Those are some nice baseball cards.

reds1 · 07-24-2015, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dark Horse

Those are some nice baseball cards.

Those wonderful cards were made by Hankyu Braves. They can be found in this thread, along with others he made:

Baseball card set for Japanese leagues

reds1 · 07-24-2015, 07:37 PM

Summer colds are not fun!

January 1, 1939

Western League: One Step Forward, One Step Back

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The hottest team in the ULB for the first two months of the season finally cooled off in December, as the Kingston Pelicans went a pedestrian 14-12. They still remain comfortably in first, however, as the other teams in the West failed to gain any ground. In fact, with the exception of the Pulberry Trolleys, every team in the West went either 14-12, 14-13 or 13-13 this past month.

The Pelicans batting and pitching continues to lead the West in rankings. That is not surprising when you have no less than six players rated #1 at their respective positions:

36-year old C Cereneo Tolentino (.322/.389/.536, 12 HR, 47 RBI, 48 R, 31 BB);
30-year old 1B Fergus Chitty (.316/.428/.535, 14 HR, 67 RBI, 54 R, 58 BB);
28-year old 2B Mo Symes (.282/.375/.503, 13 HR, 39 RBI, 64 R, 48 BB);
27-year old SS Okura Ito (.374/.423/.647, 18 HR, 56 RBI, 68 R, 25 BB);
28-year old SP RHP Joey Cumberledge (9-8, 2.43 ERA, 1.15 WHIP); and
34-year old RP RHP Simon Chell (6-2, 5 SV, 3.71 ERA, 1.47 WHIP).

If that weren’t enough, they have the #2 rated RF in the ULB, 30-year old Jayden Tennant (.347/.414/.661, 8 HR, 30 RBI, 21 R, 14 BB), who won Batter of the Month honours in December, after missing nearly two months due to a knee injury. If there’s a team that’s truly in a ‘win now’ situation, it’s the Pelicans.

Key Injuries: None.

Key Trade: With that ‘win now’ mindset in mind, the Pelicans consummated a trade with the Hespeler Stars, acquiring 38-year old RP RHP Keith Kearney (77/77). For his services, the Pelicans parted with five minor leaguers:

19-year old C Paul Barton (21/60 – rated as #42 prospect);
23-year old OF Dane Wainwright (22/29);
20-year old RP LHP Harold Rothwell (20/22 – rated as #76 prospect);
24-year old OF Marvello Tolentino (23/23); and
22-year old 1B Taylor Nisbet (23/23).

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On the surface, their record of 14-12 in December gives no indication as to what a tumultuous month it was for the Balmoral Giants. After dropping the last two games in November, they proceeded to also lose their first 7 games in December. By December 15, their record for the month was 2-9 with the team free-falling in the standings. But on December 17, they won both sides of a double-header and continued to win the next 6 games. By the end of the month, they had gone 12-3 in the second half.

The Giants’ strength is their pitching (2nd in the WL), although their ace, SP-LHP David Cooling (4-13, 4.64 ERA, 1.34 WHIP), has been battered around lately.
Offensively, Balmoral does have a couple of top rated prospects that could help the big club soon.
C Neil Voigt (34/78 - #28 overall prospect) is the #1 rated catcher prospect. He is still in AA, but has a slash line of .309/.386/.441.
The other top prospect is 24-year old 1B Jim Friend (64/75 - #13 overall prospect) who was the 5th overall pick in last season’s amateur draft. He joined the big club in December and has gone .340/.411/.500, 8-2B, 6 RBI, 9 R, 6 BB in 50 at-bats thus far.

Key Injuries: RP RHP Noriaki Ito (6-3, 3.43 ERA, 1.36 WHIP) suffered a slipped disc while pitching against the Fort Richmond Generals on December 17. He is expected back in a couple of more days.

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The Cambria Cannons went 14-13 in December, and they personify perfectly the malaise that has set in with most of the ball clubs in the West. Not a terrible team by any means, but just can’t get any traction going. They rank 3rd-5th in offense and 2nd-3rd in pitching, so the potential of a very good team is there, but it has not translated into an abundance of wins.
24-year old SP Willem Atkins (5-7, 3.15 ERA, 1.39 WHIP) faltered in December, going 0-3, 6.54 ERA, 23 BB, 8 K.
However, all-star SP Neil Guerin (11-4, 1 SV, 2.84 ERA, 1.17 WHIP) continues to excel, going 4-2, 2.66 ERA, 6 BB, 25 K for the month. 24-year old SP Julian Loxton (5-4, 3.40 ERA, 1.50 WHIP) is also performing well of late, going 2-0, 2.67 ERA 13 BB, 10 K in December.

Key Injuries: SP Jason Fortenberry (2-3, 4.40 ERA, 1.50 WHIP) suffered a torn back muscle in a game against the Queensland Eagles back on November 18. He will be out for three more months.
23-year old RF Al Tucker (.300/.420/.380, 1 HR, 26 RBI, 34 R, 41 BB, 11 SB) injured himself in a game against the Hespeler Stars on December 14. He will miss 4-5 weeks with torn ankle ligaments.

Key Trade: To shore up their starting rotation, the Cannons acquired 27-year old SP Owen Tautor (40/41 – 7-5, 3.63 ERA, 1.19 WHIP) from the Pulberry Trolleys on December 2. In exchange, the Cannons sent minor leaguer 20-year old IF/OF Orlando Goretti (22/34). Since the trade, Tautor has gone 4-0, 3.24 ERA, 10 BB, 32 K.

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The Sherburn Tigers rebounded somewhat from their setback in November, going 14-13 in December, which places them 4.0 games back of the wild card. As far as performance rankings, nothing has changed for the Tigers. They’re really good on offense (2nd) but stink in pitching and defense (8th).
Since acquiring him from the Cobourg Red Stockings in late November, 28-year old SP Leo Chesters (5-4, 4.23 ERA, 1.63 WHIP) has been a serviceable arm for the Tigers, having gone 2-0, 3.38 ERA, 23 BB, 12 K in December. But it has not been nearly enough to turn the pitching staff’s fortunes around.

Key Injuries: RP Myung-Gu Son (1-4, 4 SV, 2.96 ERA, 1.68 WHIP) experienced elbow swelling in a game against the Embro Suns on November 17; he is out for another six weeks.
Another relief pitcher, RHP Brent Smythe experienced elbow numbness on November 24 in just his second game since being called up from the AAA St. Thomas Flamingoes. He is out for three months.

Key Trade: For a team that is in desperate need to upgrade their pitching and is officially in rebuilding mode anyway, the Tigers made a curious trade with the Wolseley Unions, acquiring 29-year old back-up OF Harold Yoder (34/50). For his services, the Tigers parted with three minor leaguers:

20-year old OF Dan Hunter (36/79 – rated as #59 prospect);
19-year old 1B Guillermo Anglada (23/23); and
23-year old OF Pedro Amador (22/23).

Yoder was an all-star last season with Wolseley, but he has really regressed this year. Can he bounce back?

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The Fort Richmond Generals enjoyed their first winning month in December, going 14-13. The Generals now stand 9 games below .500 and 6.5 games back of the wild card. Offense continues to be their main weakness, where they average 6th – 7th in a slew of categories. They are 8th in stolen bases (6 steals!). They have picked up in the pitching department, where they average 3rd – 4th.
Ace pitcher 29-year old SP Francis Slocock (12-4, 2.14 ERA, 1.07 WHIP) won his second consecutive Pitcher of the Month honour and seems to get better and better.
But last year’s 6th overall pick, 24-year old SP Oscar Burress (7-7. 3.20 ERA, 1.30 WHIP) is looking to be a main fixture for the Generals as well, going 3-2, 2.98 ERA, 22 BB, 17 K this past month.
On offense, 29-year old 3B Finlay Ridd (.350/.422/.436, 3 HR, 31 RBI, 33 R, 32 BB) is having a fine season thus far and is the offensive leader for the Generals.
After a miserable November where he batted .181, 31-year old 1B Theo Gadd (.259/.326/.494, 12 HR, 40 RBI, 33 R, 26 BB) rebounded in December, hitting .268/.339/.515, 4 HR, 19 RBI, 9 R, 10 BB.

Key Injuries: C Tadayuki Jouda (.246/.281/.351, 4 HR, 14 RBI, 25 R, 9 BB) fractured his hand in a game against the Pulberry Trolleys on December 4. He is expected to miss 5-6 weeks.
LF Kade Limeburner (.253/.331/.414, 7 HR, 41 RBI, 36 R, 36 BB) experienced back stiffness in a game against the Hespeler Stars. He is listed as day-to-day for two weeks.

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Just like the Generals, the Hespeler Stars finished above .500 for a month, going 14-13 in December. The Stars, like many of the teams in West, are rather humdrum. Their offense continues to be best strength (3rd), while their pitching is slightly below average (5th).
On offense, their two best players have been 34-year old OF Louie Maylam (.281/.420/.518, 13 HR, 46 RBI, 33 R, 55 BB) and 26-year old OF Rhett Curnow (.321/.347/.425, 2 HR, 30 RBI, 36 R, 12 BB). However, the Stars have only been starting them against righties.
On the plus side, the Stars do have the 2nd highest rated farm system in the ULB (behind Cobourg), so if their prospects pan out, they should be a much stronger team in the near future.

Key Injuries: 41-year old RF Toby Reakes (.290/.403/.375, 2 HR, 32 RBI, 35 R, 53 BB, 20 SB) sprained his thumb in a game against Pulberry on December 22. He is out for 3 weeks.

Key Trade: In addition to their significant trade with Kingston, the Stars completed a deal with the Pulberry Trolleys on December 14.
Hespeler received 36-year old 2B Michael Batterham (57/57 - .262/.363/.332, 1 HR, 24 RBI, 27 R, 42 BB). Heading to the Trolleys:

33-year old SP LHP Nathaniel Schwer (45/45 – 6-8, 5.27 ERA, 1.66 WHIP); and
21-year old minor league OF William Wigmore (23/78 – rated as #36 prospect).

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Although the Wolseley Unions went 13-13 in December, which is an improvement for them, they remain a lot closer to last place that they do to first. On offense, they rank 5th – 6th and in pitching, 7th.
After a horrible November (.154 AVG), rookie RF Aaron Flanagan (.244/.325/.446, 12 HR, 48 RBI, 35 R, 30 BB) rebounded in December, winning his second Rookie of the Month honours this season.
The #1 rated prospect in the ULB made his debut in December for the Unions, and he showed some promise. 20-year old CF Zak Kidd got his first month under his belt, going .240/.282/.346, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 21 R, 6 BB, 4 SB.

Key Injuries: None.

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While the rest of the Western League hovered around .500 in December, the Pulberry Trolleys decidedly didn’t, crumbling to a 9-17 record. That puts them 16.5 games behind first and 9.5 games back of the wild card. On offense, they rank 7th – 8th and in pitching, 6th. There’s no mystery as to their struggles, or why they were involved in no less than four trades this month. As a result of their transactions, they’ve improved the depth of their farm system, which now ranks 6th overall.
30-year old C Gareth Cusack (.284/.361/.365, 3 HR, 25 RBI, 32 R, 32 BB) and 29-year old Rio Gidley (.266/.334/.388, 3 HR, 30 RBI, 38 R, 31 BB 17 SB) have been the main sparkplugs on the team in an otherwise forgetful season.

Key Injuries: LF Kade Mason (.259/.311/.370, 2-2B, 9 RBI, 6 R, 5 BB) missed over two weeks due to ankle soreness.

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reds1 · 07-25-2015, 01:41 PM

January 10, 1939

1939 ASG: Eastern League Outguns Western League 9-6

Stratford (BP) – Baseball fans didn’t have to wait until after the game to enjoy the fireworks, as the Eastern and Western league all-stars lit things up themselves in an offensive display that highlighted the 2nd annual All-Star Game held at Stratford’s Bosworth Field.

Top of the 1st:
The Western League got on the board first when CF Terence Durney, who was playing for the Westerners despite having just been traded to the Embro Suns on the eve of the all-star game, drew a one-out walk off of his soon-to-be new teammate, SP Colm Soper.
Durney advanced to third on a SS Gary Watkinson double and came in to score on a 1B Fergus Chitty sac fly.
Western All-Stars 1 – Eastern All-Stars 0

Bottom of the 1st:
The Easterners responded in the bottom half. 3B Louie Hetherington reached safely with a one-out single and advanced to third when SS Katsunan Chikafuji followed with a double.
RF Paul Hooks scored Hetherington on a sac fly to tie the game. LF Bob Boynton then singled to score Chikafuji and give the East a one-run lead.
Western All-Stars 1 – Eastern All-Stars 2

Top of the 5th:
The West regained the lead in the 5th. 3B Mick Lanfear led off with a double and advanced to third on a ground out. After RF Jayden Tennant walked, PH Ninfa Puzon singled in Lanfear to tie the game with two out.
PH Clint Jones then followed with a double to score Tennant with the go-ahead run. Puzon was thrown out on the same play while trying to score from second to end the inning.
Western All-Stars 3 – Eastern All-Stars 2

Bottom of the 5th:
SP Matthew Monroe batted for himself, despite having a 0.073 AVG this season and led off with a double off of SP Joey Cumberledge.
Monroe came in to score to tie the game off of back-to-back singles by PH Rovilson Valdevieso and PH Wayne Balmer.
Western All-Stars 3 – Eastern All-Stars 3

Top of the 7th:
The West retook the lead in the 7th. PH Derek Sakurai led off with a walk and advanced to second on a PH Gareth Cusack single.
Both runners advanced on a ground out and Sakurai came in to score on a Ninfa Puzon sac fly.
Western All-Stars 4 – Eastern All-Stars 3

Bottom of the 7th:
The East responded in a big way in the bottom half. Rovilson Valdevieso led off with a single, advanced to second on a ground out and then to third on a Matthew Shelley single. Valdevieso then came in to score on a RF Brian Herdman sac fly.
After a pitching change, 2B Matthew Lane immediately doubled off of SP Francis Slocock, moving Shelley to third. That set up 1B Jeaic Risbrough, who took a 2-1 offering from Slocock and slammed it into the seats in right field to give the East a three-run lead.
Western All-Stars 4 – Eastern All-Stars 7

Top of the 8th:
The Westerners got one back with two out when RF Louie Maylam took the 11th pitch in the at-bat from SP Justin Hayhurst and deposited it 434 ft. away into the right-centerfield stands.
Western All-Stars 5 – Eastern All-Stars 7

Bottom of the 8th:
The East increased their lead in the bottom half. Rovilson Valdeviesio singled with one out and came in to score when 2B Trevor Bolen doubled.
After a pitching change, Bolen stole third and came in to score when Matthew Shelley singled off of Nick Paddock.
Western All-Stars 5 – Eastern All-Stars 9

Top of the 9th:
The Westerners tried to stage a comeback in the 9th but came up short. C Glen Yeend reached base on an error to start the inning, and scored when Ninfa Puzon singled with two out.
But Clint Jones then flew out to centerfield to end the game.
Western All-Stars 6 – Eastern All-Stars 9

Jeaic Risbrough won Player of the Game honours, going 2-4 with 1-2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI and 1R.

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Here are the complete All-Star rosters:

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Here are the standings as of January 10:

Bottom Of The Sixth · 07-25-2015, 02:36 PM

Glad to see that the All-Star Game was a pitcher's dual!

reds1 · 07-28-2015, 02:34 AM

Feburary 1, 1939

Eastern League: Trade Winds Blow Strong in January

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The Embro Suns rebounded in January, going 16-10 and regaining 1st place in the East.
The Suns slipped a little in offense, averaging 3rd in most categories, but held fairly steady in pitching (2nd-4th). They have become vulnerable in hits allowed and BABIP (6th) and defense remains a glaring weakness (8th).
But the big news for the Suns, as it was for most of the clubs in the ULB, was the number of trades made leading up to the deadline on January 31. Some of those transactions involved big names and could alter the future course of a number of teams.
The Suns sent four players to the All-Star game this year: SP Colm Soper, RP John Palm, 2B Alejandro Valdéz and RF Paul Hooks.

Key Injuries: 35-year old all-star Alejandro Valdés is still out with a torn back muscle He will miss another 2 months.
27-year old 1B Anthony Stavely (.283/.347/.455, 8 HR, 32 RBI, 29 R, 25 BB) fractured a rib in a game against the Cobourg Red Stockings on January 16. He will miss another 2 weeks.

The Suns were involved in no less than four trades:

Key trade #1: The Suns acquired 25-year old IF Ewan Zglinicki (23/34 – .303/.348/.387, 4 HR, 38 RBI, 46 R, 24 BB, 10 SB) from the Hespeler Stars on January 4.
In return, the Stars received two minor leaguers:
23-year old RP-LHP Brenden Margerson (20/46); and
19-year old IN Nicholas Bolshaw (20/23).

Knee-jerk analysis: Hard to make sense of this trade for the Suns, at least on the surface. It seems that they were trying to fill a need that didn’t exist, since they already had IF Jake Walker (69/70).
Zglinicki is the better defender, but by not that much, and doesn’t have the offensive tools that Walker has. With Walker having subsequently been traded to the Barons (see Stratford entry below), the Suns have actually taken a bit of a step back.

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Key trade #2: The Suns acquired 25-year old all-star OF Terence Durney (80/80 – .321/.403/.543, 14 HR, 65 RBI, 80 R, 59 BB, 24 SB) from the Wolseley Unions on January 8 on the eve of the All-Star Game.
In return, the Unions hauled in five minor leaguers:
19-year old SP-RHP Aaron Saunderson (20/70 – rated as #5 prospect);
21-year old 1B Carson Morehouse (22/23);
24-year old SP-RHP Michael Milk (23/44 – rated as #48 prospect);
20-year old OF Andrew Miyazaki (21/22); and
23-year old RP-RHP Nobukazu Sato (21/23 – rated as #100 prospect).

Knee-jerk analysis: The Suns now have the top centerfielder and 4th best overall player in the ULB. Durney does everything well and instantly becomes the best player on the team. With nagging injuries to key players like 1B Anthony Stavely and 2B Alejandro Valdés, the Suns needed to do something to keep their push for the playoffs alive – and they did that with this trade. The Unions get a decent haul in return. Saunderson, the 13th overall pick in last season’s amateur draft, has the tools to become an outstanding ace of the future.

The other two trades will be highlighted in the Stratford Barons and Balmoral Giants sections.

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The Brunswick Legends regressed a bit in January, going 12-14 and falling 2.5 games back of Embro for first place. The offense was main culprit, falling back to 6th-7th, when it ranked 3rd-4th last month. Their pitching and defense more or less held steady (2nd-4th), although the bullpen has been struggling, ranking last in ERA (4.66).
The month can be summed up by RP Tong-yeop Lee (8-4, 9 SV, 4.02 ERA, 1.44 WHIP). After winning Pitcher of the Month honours in December, Lee faltered in January going 11.57 ERA, 1 SV, 2 K, 6 BB in 9.1 IP.
The Legends sent four players to the All-Star game this year: SP Matthew Monroe, 2B Matthew Shelley, LF Mark Elston and RF Rovilson Valdevieso.

Key Injuries: None.

Brunswick made one minor deal before the deadline, with the Downie Chiefs:

The Legends acquired 31-year old backup IF Timothy Paul (23/23 – .145/.190/.200, 1 HR, 86 RBI, 3 R, 3 BB), sending 29-year old backup IF Ellis Hoskins (33/35 – .348/.423/.551, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 12 R, 9 BB) to the Chiefs on January 24.

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The Stratford Barons treaded water in January, going 13-13. They remain 1 game back of the wild card, 3.5 games of first place. Overall ERA and SP ERA remain top-rated, but their bullpen ERA has slipped to 5th. Defense is rated as #1 in the entire ULB. Stratford’s offense rates slightly below league average (5th).

The Barons offense is led by the currently top-rated catcher in the ULB, 27-year old Gavin Hurley (.333/.367/.565, 12 HR, 64 RBI, 48 R, 16 BB), as well as 24-year old 1B Francis Pynchon (.316/.359/.510, 1 HR, 31 RBI, 35 R, 15 BB, 9 SB), who won Rookie of the Month honours in January. With regard to Hurley, he had one of the top offensive performances so far this season, when he went 3-4, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB in a game against the Downie Chiefs on January 6.
The Barons sent three players to the All-Star game this year: SP Kazuhiko Chikafuji, SP Justin Hayhurst and C Gavin Hurley.

Key Injuries: 36-year old 3B Jonathan Lauder (.297/.383/.385, 1 HR, 31 RBI, 30 R, 39 BB) had a rough month. On January 5, he strained his neck muscles in a game against the Downie Chiefs and was out for two weeks. In his second game back, he sprained his wrist. He is out for another 4 weeks.
On January 19, 34-year old 2B Pat Copeman (.264/.308/.311, 14-2B, 29 RBI, 34 R, 22 BB) strained his stomach muscles against the Braeland City Monarchs. He should be back in a couple of more days.

The Barons made three trades leading up to the deadline:

Key trade #1: The Barons acquired 28-year old RP-LHP Bradley Cowell (75/76 – 2-4, 7 SV, 5.40 ERA, 1.71 WHIP) from the Balmoral Giants on January 6.
In return, the Giants received two minor leaguers:
21-year old 3B Steve Joiner (23/63); and
20-year old OF Bob Hutchings (22/22).

Knee-jerk analysis: Cowell has some nice tools, but only throws sinkers and sliders. He has yet to have an ERA below 4.00, so the Barons must be gambling that a change of scenery be beneficial and help shore up their sagging bullpen.
Joiner, a 4th-round pick in last season’s amateur draft, is a very good defender with speed. He will not be force at the plate but could become a decent contact hitter. His work ethic is an issue.

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Key trade #2: The Barons acquired 26-year old 2B Jake Walker (69/70 – .304/.382/.406, 3 HR, 45 RBI, 70 R, 51 BB) from the Embro Suns on January 27.
In return, the Suns received:
31-year old SS Ramon Lugo (46/46 - .271/.354/.432, 3 HR, 21 RBI, 34 R, 29 BB); and
Minor leaguer 23-year old SP-LHP Daniel Pierson (23/77 – rated as #4 prospect).

Knee-jerk analysis: Walker immediately beefs up the Barons’ lineup and gives them the 4th best shortstop in the ULB. I personally question the wisdom of letting a player of Walker’s caliber go, but the Suns do get an excellent pitching prospect in return, to replace the one they gave up to the Unions in the Durney deal.

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Key trade #3: The Barons acquired 28-year old CF Román Ferreira (74/75 – .230/.307/.269, 8-2B, 27 RBI, 39 R, 39 BB, 8 SB) and 21-year minor leaguer C Fred Clark (21/36) from the Downie Chiefs on January 27.
In return, the Chiefs received 30-year old IF Ken Cutler (44/44 - .287/.327/.386, 5 HR, 56 RBI, 44 R, 24 BB).

Knee-jerk analysis: Ferreira slumped a bit this year and thus Downie deemed him expendable, especially in light of their own recent transactions. Ferreira is a tremendous OF defender with blazing speed and will lead off the Baron’s lineup. The outfield is a weakness for the Barons, so if Ferreira can pick up his offense even modestly, it will give a boost to the Barons playoff fortunes.

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The Braeland City Monarchs faltered in January, going only 11-15. That put them 4.5 games back of first place and 2.5 games back of the wild card.
Offensively, the Monarchs slipped just a bit, as they to rank 1st-3rd in most categories. Pitching and defense still trails most teams in the East, averaging 6th-8th. Despite their vulnerabilities, the Monarchs did not make any trades in January. Maybe you don’t have to, when you sent no less than eight players to the All-Star game: SP Lenny Freke, SP Nathaniel Martin, 2B Trevor Bolen, 3B Louie Hetherington, SS Adam Ashley, LF Scott Kessler, CF Jay Atwood and RF Dwayne Hollinshead.

Key Injuries: 31-year old 3B Louie Heatherington (.317/.405/.446, 9 HR, 54 RBI, 67 R, 61 BB) suffered an upper arm strain in a game against the Fort Richmond Generals on January 30. He is out for 3-4 weeks.

Performance Highlight: Trevor Bolen (.329/.371/.513, 11 HR, 59 RBI, 59 R, 29 BB, 11 SB) did it again. On January 5 against the Brunswick Legends, Bolen hit for the cycle. It’s the second of his career and his second of the season. Bolen hit a two-run home run off Song-Saeng Lee in the 1st, grounded out in the 3rd, doubled in the 5th, hit an RBI triple in the 7th and singled in the 8th. The Monarchs topped the Legends, 7-3.

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The Wellington Athletics came alive in January, going 18-9, the best record in ULB. That moved them 5.0 games back of first and 2.5 games of the wild card. They came on strong last season after a slow start to win the Pennant, so history may be repeating itself.
They improved across the board, averaging 1st to 3rd in most offensive categories and about 5th in pitching categories. Defensively, they rank 4th.
The Athletics sent four players to the All-Star game this year: SP Clyde Boney, C Dylan Watkins, LF Bob Boynton and RF Quentin Stubber.

Key Injuries: In his first game back from tearing his knee joint, 34-year old SP Michael Hanley (5-8, 5.46 ERA, 1.68 WHIP) broke a bone in his elbow while pitching against the Brunswick Legends on January 16. He will be gone for 6 months.
If that weren’t enough, Quentin Stubber (.312/.456/.505, 4 HR, 30 RBI, 49 R, 51 BB, 10 SB) injured himself in his first game back after badly spraining his ankle on December 26. He suffered a sore shoulder in a game against the Cambria Cannons on January 28. He should be back in the lineup in a few days.

The Athletics made three trades leading up to the deadline:

Key trade #1: The Athletics acquired 29-year old 2B Datu Balsalubra (40/51 – .289/.369/.373, 3 HR, 20 RBI, 23 R, 25 BB) from the Pulberry Trolleys on January 12.
In return, the Trolleys received 20-year old minor leaguer SS Chris Gernale (21/35).

Knee-jerk analysis: A minor deal; Wellington appeared to acquire Balsalubra for IF depth, behind 2B Ryley McLarnon (.342/.363/.436, 1 HR, 63 RBI, 68 R, 17 BB, 24 SB) and SS Natsume Matsumoto (.293/.330/.385, 1 HR, 36 RBI, 47 R, 17 BB, 15 SB).

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Key trade #2: The Athletics acquired 27-year old SP-RHP Derek Cawley (55/63 – 8-8, 4.09 ERA, 1.36 WHIP) from the Balmoral Giants on January 28.
In return, the Giants received four minor leaguers:
20-year old IF Phil Perrone (22/59);
19-year old IF Freddie Johnson (22/40);
19-year old OF Gael Annetts (20/23); and
24-year old 3B Billy Broughall (22/22);

Knee-jerk analysis: Cawley was an all-star last season and it appears that he will be the Athletics No. 2 pitcher. Cawley has decent stuff and movement, but is vulnerable to the long ball. None of the players given up are high-end talent, with Perrone being a second round selection in last season’s amateur draft.

The other trade will be highlighted in the For Richmond Generals section.

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The Queensland Eagles improved modestly, going 13-12 for the month. They are still a lacklustre team, rated 6th - 7th on offense and pitching; 7th in defense. They sit 7.5 games back of first, but still just 5.0 games back of the wild card.
Just when I suggested last month that SS Katsunan Chikafuji (.304/.360/.523, 19 HR, 59 RBI, 70 R, 38 BB) was having a down year, he goes and wins Batter of the Month honours in January.
The Eagles sent four players to the All-Star game this year: SP Max MacColl, RP Shaun Alford, 2B Kian Meadmore and SS Katsunan Chikafuji.

Key Injuries: 35-year old RF Jonathan Mabty (.309/.384/.402, 3 HR, 44 RBI, 33 R, 33 BB) suffered a torn ligament in his thumb in a game against the Wellington Athletics on January 20; he is out for another week.

Queensland made one relatively minor deal before the deadline, with the Sherburn Tigers:

The Eagles acquired 32-year old backup OF Doug Winslade (46/46 – .308/.345/.436, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 13 R, 4 BB), sending 25-year old RP-RHP Bae Park (0-4, 2 SV, 7.16 ERA, 1.98 WHIP) and 21-year old minor leaguer IF Jim List (22/59) to the Tigers on January 21.

Knee-jerk analysis: Queensland gives up two low-level prospects for some insurance in the outfield. Park is rated as a # 69 prospect and List, who was drafted 13th overall in last season’s amateur draft is rated #106.

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The Downie Chiefs bounced back, albeit modestly last month, finishing January with a 14-12 record. They remain 2 games below .500; 6 games back of the wild card. Given that there is still two months left in the season, it’s understandable why the Chiefs have not given up on the season.
Their batting average improved to 4th, but they still rank last nearly all other offensive rankings. Their pitching continues to impress (3rd-4th) and they are 2nd in defensive efficiency.
34-year old SP- RHP Frank Leadbeater (14-8, 2.37 ERA, 1.08 WHIP) continues to be awe-inspiring and won Pitcher of the Month honours in January.
The Chiefs sent four players to the All-Star game this year: SP Frank Leadbeater, 1B Jeaic Risbrough, 2B Wayne Balmer and 3B Andy Johnson.

Key Injuries: 43-year old SP-LHP Robert Renton (12-8, 3.47 ERA, 1.33 WHIP) tore a thumb ligament in a game against the Pulberry Trolleys on January 29. He expected back in two more weeks.
29-year old C Boyd Bedard (.279/.350/.367, 1 HR, 33 RBI, 35 R, 34 BB) strained his stomach muscles back on January 20; he’s expected back in a few more days.

The Chiefs were involved in four trades this month. Two of them were already discussed in the Brunswick and Stratford sections. Here are the other two:

Key trade #1: The Chiefs acquired 30-year old C Gareth Cusack (63/63 – .291/.361/.357, 3 HR, 30 RBI, 38 R, 38 BB) from the Pulberry Trolleys on January 9.
In return, the Trolleys received five minor leaguers:
23-year old RP-RHP Steven Kenton (33/57 – rated as #41 prospect);
20-year old SS Albert Starkie (22/36);
22-year old LF Fernando Gómez (22/27);
25-year old LF Kikaku Endo (22/22); and
24-year old 1B Richard Streeter (21/22).

Knee-jerk analysis: Cusack is an outstanding defensive catcher with fair offensive ability that came off an all-star appearance this month. He is considered the 7th best catcher in the ULB and will immediately supersede Boyd Bedard as the No. 1 catcher on the team.
In view of that, the Trolleys come away with five warm bodies and little else. Kenton may develop into a decent relief pitcher, but they should have held out for some higher end talent.

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Key trade #2: The Chiefs acquired 23-year old LF Finlay Petty (23/23 – .331/.372/.525, 8 HR, 51 RBI, 42 R, 22 BB) from the Pulberry Trolleys on January 21.
In return, the Trolleys received in three minor leaguers:
22-year old RF Markus Parkhouse (21/22);
20-year old 2B Carlos Reyna (21/23); and
20-year old C Luis Pérez (21/30);

Knee-jerk analysis: The scouts seem to be divided on Petty; he is rated 23/23 by one source, but other reports rate him as 38/48 as recent as January 1. At any rate, he appears to be defying the critics as he continues to produce. Last year, he was worth 1.6 WAR; this year, he is on pace to reach 3.9 WAR. He earned all-star honours this year and will be the Chiefs’ starting leftfielder. In fact, he is rated as the 5th best in the ULB. Go figure.
If he keeps it up, then the Trolleys got fleeced again. The problem is not that they traded Petty; it’s that they didn’t get value in return.

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After two consecutive months of above .500 baseball, the Cobourg Red Stockings regressed to finish 11-16 in January. They are now 14 games of first in the East, and 11.5 games back of the wild card. The offense and pitching are all in a sorry state, averaging 7th-8th in a host of categories. They are 5th in defensive efficiency. Of all the teams in the Eastern League, you would think that the Red Stockings would be sellers. However, their transactions this month belie that notion.
The Red Stockings sent four players to the All-Star game this year: SP Joel Fearn, C Dave Wilson, 2B Matthew Lane and RF Brian Herdman.

Key Injuries: None.

Cobourg made two trades this month:

Key trade #1: Cobourg acquired 36-year old emergency SP/RP-RHP Augusto Rocha (68/68 – 8-7, 6 SV, 4.80 ERA, 1.55 WHIP) from the Wolseley Unions on January 2.
In return, the Unions received three minor leaguers:
24-year old RF Colin Ito (23/72 – rated as #34 prospect);
22-year old RF Nobuhito Watanabe (23/49); and
20-year old SS Francis Blandford (22/34).

Knee-jerk analysis: Rocha may be the right player for some teams looking for pitching depth, but Cobourg is really not that team. It’s hard to understand why the Red Stockings made this trade, considering they should be stocking up with young talent, not old borderline talent. If Cobourg is trying to make a push for the playoffs, they will need more of an impact player than just a relief pitcher. As for Wolseley, they get a nice prospect in Ito along with two other fairly useful pieces. This only adds to their deep farm system, which is rated #1.

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Key trade #2: The Red Stockings acquired 26-year old SS Ninfa Puzon (63/64 – .298/.353/.465, 8 HR, 64 RBI, 65 R, 38 BB, 19 SB) from the Balmoral Giants on January 29.
In return, the Giants received in four minor leaguers:
20-year old SP-RHP Lenny Tennison (20/65 – rated as #39 prospect);
23-year old SS Alastair Health (22/39);
19-year old LF Cedric Horsey (22/34); and
24-year old 1B Shaun Durston (22/22)

Knee-jerk analysis: Again – right player, wrong team. Puzon earned all-star honours this season; he is a solid offensive player with excellent base stealing instincts. He is rated as the 6th best SS in the ULB and immediately becomes Cobourg’s starting shortstop. That’s fine – if you have a serious chance at making the post-season. I don’t see it with this club, and again, the Red Stockings are draining their farm system when they should be building for the future. Tennision may or may not develop into a future starting pitcher. But all his current and potential ratings are improving, not regressing. Needless to say, I would have a slightly different approach in building this team – if I was running it.

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reds1 · 07-30-2015, 09:00 PM

Feburary 1, 1939

Western League: The Strong Just Got Stronger

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The Kingston Pelicans returned to form in January, going 19-7, outclassing everyone else in the West, and increasing the gulf between them and second place by 14.5 games.
The Pelicans, naturally, are the top-rated team in offense and pitching, while they are 5th in defense. And seemingly just for kicks, they traded for a top 10 starting pitcher to strengthen an already formidable rotation.
The Pelicans sent eight players to the All-Star game this year: SP Joey Cumberledge, SP Hirotada Fukushima, SP Brady Murdy, C Cereneo Tolentino, 1B Fergus Chitty, SS Okura Ito, 2B Mo Symes and LF Jayden Tennant.

Key Injuries: None.

Key trade: The Pelicans acquired 29-year old all-star SP-RHP Francis Slocock (73/73 – 16-5, 1.98 ERA, 1.06 WHIP) from the Fort Richmond Generals on January 10, the day of the All-Star Game.
In return, the Generals received five minor leaguers:
19-year old SP-RHP Dean Stroud (33/77 – rated as #5 prospect);
18-year old C Aiden Botterell (21/57);
24-year old 1B Bobby Barrett (23/23);
20-year old LF Scott Warner (21/22); and
24-year old IF Alex Goldsmith (22/23).

Knee-jerk analysis: With the acquisition of Francis Slocock, Kingston beefs up an already strong rotation. Slocock (rated #10 pitcher in ULB), once the top starter in Fort Richmond, is now Kingston’s third starter, behind Joey Cumberledge (rated #4) and Brady Murdy (rated #6). He will take his turn in front of Hirotada Fukushima (rated #13) and Darwin Monday. For the Generals, the prime piece in return is SP Dean Stroud, a first round pick in last season’s amateur draft. Stroud looks like a promising starter of the future. He just needs to improve his changeup (20/30) to go along with a decent fastball (40/45) and very good curveball (45/55).

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The Sherburn Tigers find themselves holding down the wild card, after a 15-10 January. Their offense is firing on all cylinders (2nd) but they’re still struggling in pitching (8th) and defense (7th).
Having said that, No. 3 SP, 25-year old Steve Greenwell (9-10, 3.44 ERA, 1.49 WHIP), had an outstanding month and earned Pitcher of the Month honours.
Sherburn made one trade this month, with the Queensland Eagles (see Eastern League post above).
The Tigers sent three players to the All-Star game this year: C Joe Gault, 3B Mick Lanfear and SS Gary Watkinson.

Key Injuries: C Joe Gault (.279/.324/.473, 8 HR, 58 RBI, 42 R, 19 BB) sprained this thumb in a game against the Wolseley Unions on January 1. He is out 3 more weeks after suffering a setback.
RP Myung-Gu Son (1-4, 4 SV, 2.96 ERA, 1.68 WHIP) experienced elbow swelling in a game against the Embro Suns on November 17; he is out for another week.
Another relief pitcher, RHP Brent Smythe experienced elbow numbness on November 24. He is out for two more months.

Performance Highlight: On January 18, Mick Lanfear (.309/.343/.477, 9 HR, 66 RBI, 52 R, 20 BB) hit the fifth cycle in ULB history. Playing against the Balmoral Giants, Lanfear it a two-run triple in the 1st, flied out in the 3rd, hit a two-run single in the 5th, doubled in the 7th, and hit a 3-run homer in the 8th. Lanfear went 4 for 5 with 7 RBI, 3 R.

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The Cambria Cannons slipped a bit in January, stumbling to an 11-15 record to fall a 0.5 game back of Sherburn for the wild card. Their offense has remained consistent, averaging 3rd-5th in the WL, but their pitching fell to 3rd-4rd and their defense to 6th.
The Cannons sent six players to the All-Star game this year: SP Neil Guerin, SP Owen Tautor, C Glen Yeend, 1B Clint Jones, SS Hyun-jung Moon and LF Ron Westmacott.

Key Injuries: RP Karl Ough (5-6, 11 SV, 3.23 ERA, 1.38 WHIP) tore a finger tendon on January 16 in a game against the Wolseley Unions. He is out for 3-4 months.
SP Jason Fortenberry (2-3, 4.40 ERA, 1.50 WHIP) suffered a torn back muscle in a game against the Queensland Eagles back on November 18. He is out for two more months.

The Cannons made one significant trade before the deadline:

Key Trade: Cambria acquired 32-year old RP-LHP Quentin Teague (68/69 – 5-6, 3.80 ERA, 1.54 WHIP) from the Wolseley Unions on January 9.
The Unions received two minor leaguers:
20-year old OF Taisuke Masumoto (22/60) and
18-year old C Rodney Ernst (22/23).

Knee-jerk analysis: Teague immediately becomes Cambria’s top reliever and with RP Karl Ough gone for the season due to injury, his acquisition was timely. Masumoto, a 4th round pick in last season’s amateur draft, has some decent offensive tools and could be a productive fourth infielder in the future.

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The bottom fell out for the Balmoral Giants in January, as the Giants crumbled to an 8-18 record. The month included a nine-game losing streak after the all-star break, but this time, there was no hot streak to salvage the month. Still, although the Giants remain just 3.5 games back of the wild card, the team’s actions would indicate that they have given up on the season. They made three trades this month, with two of them involving a return of prospects. Two of the trades were highlighted in the Stratford Barons and Cobourg Red Stockings sections in the previous post. The third one is highlighted below.
The Giants’ strength continues to be their pitching and defense (2nd in the WL).
Offensively, however, Balmoral has been woeful, averaging 7th-8th.
The Giants sent five players to the All-Star game this year: SP Charlie Crocombe, SP Ethan Umbleby, RP Noriaki Ito, SS Ninfa Puzon (since traded to Cobourg) and RF Reece Liddell.

Key Injuries: Just a couple of weeks after coming off the disabled list, RP RHP Noriaki Ito (6-4, 3.39 ERA, 1.35 WHIP) strained his neck muscles in a game against the while pitching against the Sherburn Tigers on January 18. He is expected back in two weeks.

Key Trade: Balmoral acquired 26-year old RF Shannon Walker (61/63 – .251/.312/.363, 2 HR, 46 RBI, 48 R, 34 BB, 8 SB) from the Embro Suns on January 18.
The Suns received two players:
26-year old IF Mason Damerell (39/43 – .316/.358/.437, 2 HR, 22 RBI, 24 R, 11 BB); and
23-year old minor leaguer SP-RHP Maurice Adamczak (21/40 – rated as #78 prospect).

Knee-jerk analysis: An interesting trade for both sides. Walker has excellent offensive capabilities, very good defense and lots of speed. But, for whatever reason, he is reluctant to use it. Overall, he is about -0.1 WAR for his young career. Embro is the second team to give up on him and maybe, the third time will be the charm. If he does put everything together, the Giants will have secured a major upgrade in leftfield and a valuable contribution to their struggling offense.
Embro meanwhile, receives in Damerell a solid backup infielder with fine offensive skills and tremendous speed. Adamczak is a lower ranked prospect that is having a tremendous all-star season in AA (13-6, 2.82 ERA, 1.33 WHIP).

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The Fort Richmond Generals treaded water in December, going 13-13. The Generals remain 9 games below .500, 5.0 games back of the wild card. Offense rates below average (6th – 7th) where it has been all season. In fielding efficiency, they are 1st in the WL. The pitching ratings remain around 3rd – 4th in the league, but that will undoubtedly suffer in light of having traded away pitching ace Francis Slocock to Kingston. Speaking of, the Generals made three trades this month. Two of the trades were highlighted in the Wellington Athletics and Kingston Pelicans sections.
The Generals sent three players to the All-Star game this year: SP Oscar Burress, SP Francis Slocock (since traded to Kingston) and 2B Finlay Reed.

Key Injuries: None.

Key Trade: Fort Richmond acquired two players from the Pulberry Trolleys on January 29:
33-year old 3B Taisuke Adachi (23/23 – .266/.342/.353, 5 HR, 24 RBI, 29 R, 26 BB); and
22-year old minor leaguer RF Rory Brear (22/22).
The Trolleys receive:
26-year old 2B Everton Ridgley (44/45 – .310/.341/.396, 2 HR, 39 RBI, 29 R, 12 BB)

Knee-jerk analysis: Overall, a minor deal. Both Adachi and Ridgley remain depth players, with Adachi being given the chance to start against righties. Both however, rank as the top player at their position for their new team. That said both are essentially stopgaps until the teams’ prospects are ready for the show.

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After a rough December, the Pulberry Trolleys enjoyed a 14-12 January that helped move them out of the basement of the Western League and into 6th place, 7 games back of the wild card.
On offense they improved bit, averaging 6th – 7th. They made a modest improvement as well in the department (5th). They rank 4th in defensive efficiency. Considering they spent the month offloading major league players for prospects, it’s remarkable that not only did they remain competitive, they actually improved. In the process, they continued stocking their farm system with talent. Last month, their farm system ranked 6th overall, this month, it improved to 2nd.
Pulberry was involved in five significant trades this month. However, those transactions were previously discussed in the Downie Chiefs, Wellington Athletics, Cambria Cannons and Fort Richmond Generals sections.
The Trolleys sent four players to the All-Star game this year: SP Nick Paddock, C Gareth Cusack (since traded to Downie), LF Finlay Petty (since traded to Downie), and CF Rio Gidley.

Key Injuries: None.

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Like Pulberry, the Wolseley Unions have been in selling mode, making three significant deals in January in which they traded established stars for prospects. Not surprising, the exodus of major league starters was felt in the standings, as the Unions went 11-15 to fall 22 games back of first and 7.5 games back of the wild card. On offense and pitching, they rank next to last; on defense, dead last.
But they still have RF Aaron Flanagan (.261/.342/.502, 19 HR, 71 RBI, 51 R, 42 BB) who won his third Rookie of the Month honours and just gets better and better. Former #1 prospect CF Zak Kidd (.245/.299/.392, 3 HR, 16 RBI, 35 R, 15 BB, 7 SB) continues his acclimation to the major leagues, leading off the Unions’ lineup.
Thanks to the three trades they made with Cambria, Embro and Cobourg (discussed elsewhere), the Unions now have the deepest farm system in the ULB.
Wolseley sent four players to the All-Star game this year: SP Jean-Pierre Da Silva, 3B Derek Sakurai, LF Terence Durney (since traded to Embro), and RF Aaron Flanagan.

Key Injuries: None.

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The Hespeler Stars cratered in January, staggering to a 9-17 record. However, while their performance suffered, they are not the worst ranked team in the West. Their offense dipped to 4th-5th, while their pitching dipped to 6th. They are the 3rd highest rated defensive team in the WL.
Hespeler made one trade this month, with the Embro Suns. That trade is highlighted in the Embro section in the previous post.
Like Pulberry and Wolseley, Hespeler has focused on acquiring prospects and have the third best farm system, right behind those two clubs.
The Stars sent two players to the All-Star game this year: RF Louie Maylam and RF Toby Reakes.

Key Injuries: 39-year old SP-RHP Michael Wilberfoss (6-6, 4.14 ERA, 1.50 WHIP) had a rough month. After suffering two minor injuries earlier in the month that saw him miss a few days each time, he strained his upper arm in a game against the Balmoral Giants on January 23. He will be out more 2 more weeks.
All-Star RF Louis Maylam (.295/.421/.540, 16 HR, 52 RBI, 40 R, 58 BB) suffered a concussion in a game against Kingston on January 14. He is expected back in a couple of days.

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reds1 · 08-02-2015, 10:50 PM

March 27, 1939

Eastern League: Embro, Brunswick to Battle for EL Pennant

The Embro Suns captured top spot in the Eastern League after going 14-10 in February and 15-10 in March. They will host games 1 and 2 of the Eastern League Pennant. Their opponent will be the Brunswick Legends, who finished in second.
Overall, the Suns were a slightly above average team. In batting stats, they were 3rd-4th; pitching stats: 2nd-4th and 5th in defensive efficiency.

Top position player: Paul Hooks (see performance highlight below). It was not even close. However, CF Terence Durney (.318/.399/.513, 17 HR, 85 RBI, 113 R, 84 BB, 28 SB, 7.9 WAR) finished with a much higher WAR value. But most that (4.7) was earned while playing for Wolseley, prior to his trade to Embro. Hooks is rated #6 in the ULB for position players.

Top pitcher: SP-RHP Colm Soper (18-11, 3.14 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 8.5 WAR). Again, it was not close. He is currently the #1 starting pitcher in the ULB.

Key Injuries: 35-year old all-star Alejandro Valdés is still dealing with a torn back muscle he suffered back in December. He should be fully recovered in a couple of more weeks.

Performance Highlight: LF Paul Hooks (.313/.391/.563, 34 HR, 126 RBI, 100 R, 73 BB, 4.8 WAR), established a new league mark for home runs this season when he finished with 34, 6 more than was hit last season by Kingston’s C Cereneo Tolentino, RF Jayden Tennant and 1B Fergus Chitty.

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It went down to the final day of the regular season, but the Brunswick Legends held on to capture the wild card over the Wellington Athletics by one game. The Legends went 17-7 in February but faltered a bit in March, going 11-13. But a 10-0 victory over the Queensland Eagles on the final day punched their ticket to the post-season. Had they lost to the Eagles, they would have been forced to play a tie-breaker against the Athletics, who won their game over the Downie Chiefs, 7-2.
The Legends are not a great offensive team, average 6th-8th in most categories. Pitching is better, averaging 2nd-4th, although their bullpen ERA is 7th. Defensively, they rank 4th.

Top position player: Tough call, but 2B Matthew Shelley (.282/.334/.428, 13 HR, 87 RBI, 86 R, 48 BB, 10 SB, 3.7 WAR) just edges out LF Mark Elston (3.5) and RF Rovilson Valdeviseo (3.5) in WAR value.

Top pitcher: SP-LHP Matthew Monroe (13-10, 2.33 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 6.3 WAR) finished head and shoulders above his teammates. He is currently rated as the #9 starting pitcher in the ULB.

Key Injuries: None.

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The Wellington Athletics made it interesting, but in the end it was just not enough to get back into the playoffs. The Athletics scorched through February with a 19-5 record, but faltered in March, going just 11-14. No doubt injuries to key players played a role in their coming up short. They finished in 3rd place, just one back of Brunswick.
They averaged 2nd -3rd in most offensive categories and about 5th in pitching categories. Their bullpen ERA, however, ranked 1st. On defense, they finished the season ranked 2nd.

Top position player: LF Bob Boynton (.319/.411/.525, 13 HR, 96 RBI, 102 R, 86 BB, 5.3 WAR) gets the nod for his outstanding all-around season. Overall rating: #7.

Top pitcher: SP-LHP Clyde Boney (19-11, 2.88 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 6.3 WAR) was far and away his team’s best pitcher. Overall rating: #10.

Key Injuries: 34-year old SP-RHP Michael Hanley (5-8, 5.46 ERA, 1.68 WHIP) broke a bone in his elbow while pitching against the Brunswick Legends on January 16. He is out of commission for another 4 months.
The Athletics’ pitching staff took another body blow when ace SP-LHP Clyde Boney experienced shoulder stiffness in a game against the Braeland City Monarchs on March 23. He is expected to be fully recovered in 3 more weeks.

Performance Highlight: 2B Ryley McLarnon (.328/.358/.427, 1 HR, 84 RBI, 100 R, 33 BB, 35 SB, 4.4 WAR), won the Eastern League batting title.

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The Braeland City Monarchs missed the playoffs this season but it wasn’t for a lack of trying. The Monarchs went 15-9 in February and 13-11 in March. They finished 2.0 games back of the wild card.
Offensively, the Monarchs ranked 1st in a slew of categories. Pitching was their downfall, averaging 7th-8th in nearly every category. They were 6th in defensive efficiency.

Top position player: Rookie SS Adam Ashley (.320/.366/.460, 9 HR, 81 RBI, 104 R, 45 BB, 16 SB, 6.7 WAR) was his team’s best player this season.

Top pitcher: Again, no contest: SP-RHP Lenny Freke (19-10, 2.85 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 8.4 WAR) was his team’s best pitcher. Overall rating: #3.

Key Injuries: 22-year old 2B Trevor Bolen (.321/.365/.502, 11 HR, 64 RBI, 62 R, 32 BB, 11 SB, 4.3 WAR) fractured his finger in a collision at second base in a game against the Sherburn Tigers. He is expected to recover in another 3-4 weeks.

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Although the Stratford Barons played well enough to stay in the thick of things, they just could not get on a hot streak that would have helped them grab the wild card. Instead, they went 14-10 in February and 13-11 in March to finish 2.0 games back of the wild card, tied with Braeland City.
They finished with the best overall ERA and SP ERA in the Eastern League, but their bullpen ERA remained rated as 5th. Defense suffered as it fell to #3 in the EL. Stratford’s offense slipped as well, falling to 6th-7th.

Top position player: C Gavin Hurley (.346/.384/.594, 20 HR, 94 RBI, 70 R, 26 BB, 6.4 WAR) by a fair margin was Stratford’s top position player. Overall rating: #15.

Top pitcher: SP-LHP Justin Hayhurst (19-10, 2.11 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 7.0 WAR) gets the nod over SP-LHP Ryan Borden (6.7 WAR). Overall rating for Hayhurst: #7.

Key Injuries: 32-year old RP-RHP Ricardo Díaz (7-8, 4.16 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, 0.3 WAR) was diagnosed with a swollen forearm on March 17. He will be out of commission for 4 months.
On March 26, 28-year old C Gavin Hurley strained his back in a game against the Embro Suns. He should be fully healed in a couple of weeks.

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The Downie Chiefs became the sixth team to win 80+ games in the Eastern League this season, thanks to a 17-7 February and a 15-10 March. Ultimately it was not enough to reach the post-season, as they finished 3 games back of the wild card.
Their batting average was 3rd best in the EL and their on-base percentage was rated 4th, but there were too many categories where they ranked 6th-8th. Their pitching was much stronger, ranking 2nd-4th. They finished 3rd in defensive efficiency.

Top position player: A very tough call. It was a toss-up between 2B Wayne Balmer (.294/.352/.418, 11 HR, 74 RBI, 96 R, 57 BB, 16 SB, 4.7 WAR) and 3B Andy Johnson (.322/.358/.426, 8 HR, 80 RBI, 81 R, 33 BB, 4.6 WAR).

Top pitcher: Not a tough call. SP-RHP Frank Leadbeater (19-11, 2.50 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 7.9 WAR) was the easy choice. Overall rating: #6.

Key Injuries: LF Finlay Petty (.355/.398/.591, 15 HR, 70 RBI, 60 R, 29 BB, 4.6 WAR) developed back spasms in a game against the Wolseley Unions on February 21. He should be recovered in another 3 weeks.
RF John Dugan (.253/.343/.400, 11 HR, 54 RBI, 49 R, 47 BB, 10 SB, 2.3 WAR) suffered a ribcage strain for the second time this season on March 20. He is expected to be fully healed in 3 more weeks.

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The Queensland Eagles treaded water over the final two months of the season, going 11-14 in February and 14-11 in March. They finished with a 77-77 record, 9.0 games back of the wild card. Overall, they just could not get it together, ranking 6th on offense and 6th-7th in pitching. They finished an underwhelming 7th in defensive efficiency.

Top position player: SS Katsunan Chikafuji (.317/.374/.538, 29 HR, 100 RBI, 105 R, 59 BB, 7.2 WAR) was Queenland’s offensive leader this season. Overall rating: #3.

Top pitcher: SP-LHP Max MacColl (16-11, 2.90 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 6.6 WAR) was Queensland’s top pitcher, although Darren Stewart (5.2 WAR) and Stewart Colcott (4.5 WAR) had fine seasons as well. Overall rating for MacColl: #8.

Key Injuries: None.

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In February, it looked as though the Cobourg Red Stockings had sprung to life; going 19-5 and moving 1 game above .500. But then it came undone in March, as they could only put up a measly 7-18 record to round out their season. The Red Stockings finished at the bottom of the standings, 17.0 games out of first.
The offense improved modestly, averaging 6th-7th in most categories. But they were horrendous in pitching (8th, almost across the board). They finished dead last in defensive efficiency.

Top position player: A three-way tie between C Dave Wilson (.278/.346/.400, 13 HR, 70 RBI, 72 R, 56 BB, 3.6 WAR), 2B Matthew Lane (.259/.384/.516, 20 HR, 72 RBI, 65 R, 57 BB, 3.6 WAR) and 3B Kenneth Logan (.272/.344/.403, 16 HR, 96 RBI, 81 R, 59 BB, 3.6 WAR).

Top pitcher: A little more clear-cut. SP-LHP Joel Fearn (19-14, 3.52 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 5.5 WAR) remains Cobourg’s best pitcher. Overall rating: #15.

Key Injuries: 36-year old SP-RHP Augusto Rocha (8-9, 4.46 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, 0.3 WAR) tore an upper-arm muscle in a game against the Downie Chiefs on March 15. His recovery is expected to take 2-3 months.

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reds1 · 08-03-2015, 08:58 AM

March 27, 1939

Western League: Nobody Wants to Play Kingston for the Pennant?

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The Kingston Pelicans rolled right along in February and March, going 15-9 and 18-6 respectively to finish with 101 victories. When the dust settled, their nearest competitor finished 27 games behind them. Kingston was the only team to sport a winning record in the Western League, something I’ve never seen before in all my previous incarnations of the ULB. To me, it really seemed that the other seven teams were trying NOT to finish second so as to avoid facing the Pelicans for the Western League Pennant. But as we all know, the playoffs are a new season and records mean nothing (so it wouldn’t surprise me if the next United League champions sported a losing record - shudder).
When it comes all the batting/pitching/defensive stats and rankings, it’s probably just as easy to list the categories that Kingston did NOT finish first in, namely: bases on balls (2nd), strikeouts (2nd) and stolen bases (7th). Everything else: first.

Top position player: In a team laden with talent, Kingston’s top player would have to be SS Okura Ito (.333/.378/.557, 29 HR, 103 RBI, 126 R, 44 BB, 8.2 WAR), beating out 1B Fergus Chitty (7.0 WAR). Ito is rated #2 in the ULB for position players.

Top pitcher: Based on WAR value alone, SP-RHP Joey Cumberledge (20-11, 2.35 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 9.5 WAR) would get the nod over SP-RHP Brady Murdy (9.2 WAR). But Murdy was Kingston’s top pitcher. See performance highlight below.

Key Injuries: The Pelicans did get hit with the injury bug heading into the playoffs.
31-year old RF Jayden Tennant (.298/.368/.543, 15 HR, 62 RBI, 44 R, 33 BB, 2.6 WAR) separated a hip joint in a game on February 27 against the Cambria Cannons. He won’t be back for at least three more months.
24-year old SP-LHP Hirotada Fukushima (21-6, 3.50 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 5.2 WAR) is day-to-day for another week after suffering a slipped disc back in a game on the last day of the season.

Performance Highlight: SP Brady Murdy won the pitching Triple Crown, topping all Western League pitchers in wins, strikeouts and ERA.

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The Cambria Cannons finished in second, simply because they weren’t quite as awful as the other clubs trailing the Pelicans. The Cannons went 10-14 in February, 11-13 in March.
Their offense remained steady, averaging 2nd-3rd in the WL. Pitching held steady as well, averaging 2nd-4rd. Defensive efficiency improved slightly to 5th.

Top position player: 22-year old LF Ron Westmacott (.302/.389/.564, 12 HR, 94 RBI, 109 R, 78 BB, 7.0 WAR) was the Cannons best position player this season.

Top pitcher: 35-year old SP-RHP Neil Guerin (17-10, 1 SV, 3.06 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 7.4 WAR) was far and away Cambria best pitcher.

Key Injuries: 2B Charles Halse (.275/.333/.507, 4 HR, 18 RBI, 13 R, 12 BB, 0.6 WAR) suffered a sprained ankle in a game against the Braeland City Monarchs on February 4; he returned from rehab on March 27.
RP Karl Ough (5-6, 11 SV, 3.23 ERA, 1.38 WHIP) tore a finger tendon on January 16 in a game against the Wolseley Unions. He is out for another 6 weeks.

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The Balmoral Giants stunk it up in February (8-16) and then played out the string in March (12-12).
The Giants regressed on pitching (3rd-5th) and defense (4th). Offensively, they improved modestly, averaging 6th.

Top position player: 26-year old SS Chance Doerr (.285/.351/.5442, 11 HR, 62 RBI, 99 R, 54 BB, 4.6 WAR) was Balmoral’s most consistent offensive player.

Top pitcher: 30-year old SP-RHP Charlie Crocombe (17-11, 2.74 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 5.4 WAR) gets the nod.

Key Injuries: 37-year old LF Roger Tyler was out for over 3 weeks due to a slipped disc in his neck, suffered on February 22.

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The Sherburn Tigers sunk any hope they entertained of making the playoffs when they went 6-19 in February, which included a frustrating 15-game losing streak. In March, they eked out a 10-14 record.
Their offense regressed a bit, averaging around 2nd-3rd. All season, their Achilles heel was their pitching (8th) and defense (8th).

Top position player: This was one of the easier ones. 32-year old SS Gary Watkinson (.344/.446/.466, 8 HR, 71 RBI, 124 R, 102 BB, 7.8 WAR). See the performance highlight below. Watkinson is the top-rated position player in the ULB.

Top pitcher: Yuck. Although SP-RHP Yasushi Kobayashi finished with the highest WAR value among pitchers (just 1.9), my choice instead would be 25-year old SP-RHP Steve Greenwell (12-14, 3.94 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 1.7 WAR). Greenwell essentially had just one great month, in January when he won Pitcher of the Month honours. He was mediocre or worse in the other months. But Kobayashi just cratered in January (1-5, 6.85) and February (0-6, 7.54), making it hard for me to seriously give him the ‘accolade’.

Key Injuries: 40-year old RF Kensaku Miura (.283/.369/.416, 5 HR, 53 RBI, 27 R, 34 BB, 0.5 WAR) bruised his wrist in a game against the Kingston Pelicans on March 9. He is expected back in 6 more days.
3B Mick Lanfear (.300/.336/.475, 14 HR, 93 RBI, 75 R, 31 BB, 3.5 WAR) tore a knee joint in a game against the Pulberry Trolleys on March 21; he is out of commission for another 2-3 weeks.

Performance Highlight: Gary Watkinson won the Eastern League batting title, with a ULB leading .344.

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The Pulberry Trolleys rounded out their season with a 8-16 February and a 14-11 March to finish 18 games below .500.
On offense they averaged 5th – 7th, which was a modest improvement over the course of the season. In pitching categories, they remained around 5th. They actually improved in defensive efficiency as the season wore on, ranking 3rd in the West.

Top position player: CF Rio Gidley (.295/.375/.417, 5 HR, 59 RBI, 80 R, 74 BB, 26 SB) was Mr. Steady for the Trolleys.

Top pitcher: 30-year old SP-RHP Nick Paddock (10-17, 3.04 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 5.6 WAR) was Pulberry’s best pitcher overall this season. Overall rating: #18.

Key Injuries: None.

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The Western League did not like February, when they visited their Eastern League counterparts. Case in point: the Wolseley Unions, who won a grand total of 5 games (and lost 19). The month included a 14-game losing streak. But in March, the Unions rebounded, going 15-9. Wolseley finished their lost season 35 games back of Kingston and 22 games below .500.
On offense and pitching, they ended up averaging 6th-8th; on defense, 7th.

Top position player: OF Terence Durney (.312/.388/.533, 12 HR, 51 RBI, 65 R, 44 BB, 18 SB, 4.7 WAR) was the Unions’ best position player prior to his trade to the Suns. For players still on the Unions roster, 3B Derek Sakurai (.282/.362/.468, 15 HR, 87 RBI, 84 R, 70 BB, 3.9 WAR) would be my top pick.

Top pitcher: My pick would be 30-year old SP-RHP Joe Walrond (13-15, 3.77 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 1.5 WAR) as Wolseley’s top pitcher this season, although Edward Hill had a much better WAR rating.

Key Injuries: SP-LHP Edward Hill (7-18, 4.95 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, 3.2 WAR) suffered shoulder swelling in a game against the Downie Chiefs on February 22. He is out four more outs.

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The Fort Richmond Generals collapsed in February (8-16) and March (8-17) to finish 37 games back of Kingston and 26 games below .500 on the season.
Offense regressed to the bottom or near bottom (7th–8th) in the West in almost all categories. Their pitching remained strong though, averaging 2nd – 4th in most categories. Defense was a strong point as well, rated 2nd in the WL.

Top position player: Tough call, but I’ll go with SS Finlay Ridd (.296/.369/.358, 4 HR, 49 RBI, 57 R, 58 BB, 4.1 WAR) for his defensive value at three infield positions, just over LF Kade Limeburner (.262/.353/.441, 14 HR, 81 RBI, 79 R, 85 BB, 3.8 WAR). Limeburner, however, was hardly a defensive liability in the field as well.

Top pitcher: SP-RHP Francis Slocock (13-4, 2.16 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 3.7 WAR) would have been the easy choice, had he not been traded to Kingston in January. Thus I will go with 25-year old SP-RHP Oscar Burress (14-15, 3.44 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 4.0 WAR).

Key Injuries: 31-year old SP-RHP Tristan Purss (13-19, 3.72 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 2.8 WAR) was placed on the DL on March 18 for an undisclosed injury that put him out of commission for two weeks. But I can tell you that he hurt himself while arm wrestling at a local bar. I guess he was trying to settle it the usual way.

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The Hespeler Stars’ season is mercifully over, as they limped through February and March with 7-17 and 9-15 records. 34-games below .500, 41 games back of first when all was said and done. Wait ‘til next year!
Their offense ranked a respectable 4th. But their pitching fell to 7th by season’s end. Defensively they regressed as well, falling to 6th in the West.

Top position player: 35-year old LF Louie Maylam (.304/.415/.525, 22 HR, 82 RBI, 58 R, 78 BB, 4.2 WAR) was the top player for the Stars. Overall ranking: #12.

Top pitcher: Tough call to make on a pitching-challenged team, but I’ll go with RP-RHP Julius Hunt (10-11, 5 SV, 4.13 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 2.6 WAR) over 40-year old SP-RHP Michael Wilberfoss (10-9, 4.52 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, 2.7 WAR).

Key Injuries: None.

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reds1 · 08-05-2015, 12:34 AM

1939 Eastern League Pennant Series

Embro Suns (89-65) vs. Brunswick Legends (86-68)
Season Matchup: 9-6 in favour of Brunswick

Game 1
Brunswick 2 – Embro 1

Game 1 one of the Eastern League Pennant series was a pitcher’s duel between Embro’s Colm Soper (8.0 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K) and Brunswick’s Matthew Monroe (9.0 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K). Monroe got all the support he needed when the Legends pushed a couple of runs across the plate in the 3rd and 4th innings. The Suns could only manage 1 run against Monroe in the 7th and Brunswick took the first game on the road.

Player of the Game: Legends’ SP Matthew Monroe (1-0, 1.00).

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Game 2
Brunswick 6 – Embro 9

The bats showed up for Game 2, as Embro evened the series. The Suns roughed up Brunswick SP Song-saeng Lee (5.2 IP, 14 H, 9 ER, 0 BB, 2 K), tagging him for 3 runs in both the 1st and 2nd innings. Brunswick replied with a run in the top of the 2nd inning and two in the 3rd. But the Suns scored three more in the 6th to end Lee’s day.
But the Legends would not give up. With two out in the top of the 9th, RF Rolvilson Valdevieso slammed a 3-run home run into the right field bleachers. However, SP Pete Allison (9.0 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 1 HR) then got LF Mark Elston to fly out to centerfield to end the rally and the game.

Player of the Game: Rolvilson Valdevieso of the Legends, who went 2-3, with 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2 R.

Noteworthy: Suns’ 3B Ramón Lugo went 3 for 4, with 3-2B, 1 RBI, setting an EL playoff game record for doubles.

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Game 3
Embro 17 – Brunswick 4

For the first playoff game held at Babe Ruth Park in Brunswick, the Embro Suns put on a show no one would soon forget, as they pummelled the Legends with 24 hits, including 3 home runs and 6 doubles.
The Suns got straight to work in the 1st. An error, a walk, two singles and two doubles gave the Suns a 5-0 lead. The Suns added two more in the top of 2nd before Brunswick finally scored a run in the bottom half.
But Embro’s C Paul Critch fractured a finger in a collision at 3B, necessitating backup C Luis Delgado to take his place. Embro and Brunswick exchanged runs in the 4th, including one off of a home run from Suns’ 1B Anthony Stavely.
Embro continued to pile it on, thanks in part to a 2-run home run in the 6th and a 3-run home run in the 8th, both off the bat of one Luis Delgado. CF Terence Durney added a final run for Embro with a lead-off home run in the 9th.

Embro’s SP Chris Sappington (9.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 K) picked up the win, while SP Anastasio Rodríquez (4.2 IP, 13 H, 10 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 1 HR) took the loss.

Player of the Game: Although he didn’t start the game, C Luis Delgado made a memorable impression, going 3 for 4, with 2 HR, 5 RBI, 3 R.

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Game 4
Embro 2 – Brunswick 5

In a rematch of Game 1 starting pitchers, Brunswick managed to even the series up. Like Game 1, the game started out as a pitcher’s duel. Embro got on the board first in the 4th, before Brunswick tied it up in the 6th. Suns’ SP Colm Soper hit a 1-out double in the 7th and later came in to score to help Embro retake the lead.
But Soper ran into trouble in the 8th, giving up two singles and 2 walks, allowing Brunswick to tie the game. That was all for Soper. RP John Palm took over and walked in a run and then surrendered a two-run single to C Phil Flood, handing the game to Brunswick.

Brunswick’s SP Matthew Monroe (8.0 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K) picked up the win, while SP Colm Soper (7.2 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 6 K) lost his second game of the series.

Player of the Game: Legends’ SP Matthew Monroe (2-0, 1.59).

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Game 5
Embro 2 – Brunswick 8

Brunswick kept the momentum going in Game 5. The Legends got on the board in the bottom of the 1st before Embro tied it up in the top of the 2nd. It would stay that way until the 4th, when 1B Pete Good knocked a two-run homer off of SP Pete Allison to make it 3-1 Brunswick. Embro got within a run in the top of the 5th, but Brunswick’s 2-run lead was restored in the bottom half thanks to LF Mark Elston’s solo home run. Brunswick tacked on another run in the bottom of the 6th before breaking it open in the 7th. Three singles and two walks scored three runs, ending SP Pete Allison’s night and giving the Legends a 3-2 series lead.

Brunswick’s SP Song-saeng Lee (9.0 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 1 HR) got the win, while SP Pete Allison (6.1 IP, 11 H, 8 ER, 6 BB, 2 K, 2 HR) took the loss.

Player of the Game: Legends 1B Pete Good, who went 2 for 2, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB.

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Game 6
Brunswick 6 – Embro 8

Embro staved off elimination in Game 6 to even the series up at 3-games apiece.
But Brunswick jumped out first, scoring a run in the 1st and two in the 2nd. Embro got those runs right back in the bottom half of the 2nd, thanks to a 3-run home run by 3B Mason Damerell off of SP Anastasio Rodríquez. Embro added a run in both the 3rd and 5th innings to take a 2-run lead.
But the Legends rattled SP Chris Sappington in the 7th, scoring three runs off of three singles, a walk and a sac fly to take a 1-run lead.
Embro tied it up in the bottom of the 7th and then took the lead for good in the 8th, scoring 2 runs off of three singles and a walk.

Embro’s SP Chris Sappington (9.0 IP, 12 H, 6 ER, 2 BB, 5 K) earned the win, while SP Anastasio Rodríquez (8.0 IP, 11 H, 8 ER, 8 BB, 3 K, 1 HR) took the loss. Rodríquez set the EL playoff game record for walks with 8.

Player of the Game: Suns SS Ewan Zglinicki went 4 for 5, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1SB.

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Game 7
Brunswick 10 – Embro 2

The third matchup in the series between Brunswick’s Matthew Monroe and Embro’s Colm Soper did not turn into a pitcher’s duel, as Brunswick got to Soper early, scoring three runs in the top of the 1st. Embro scored two in the 2nd inning, but they proved to be the last the Suns would score this season. It was all Brunswick the rest of the way.
A double, two singles, two walks and an error in the top of the 5th scored 5 runs for Brunswick off of a beleaguered Colm Soper. Brunswick added runs in the 7th and 8th innings to seal the victory and take the series in seven games.

Brunswick’s SP Matthew Monroe (6.0 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 1 K) got the win, while SP Colm Soper (5.0 IP, 10 H, 8 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 3 K) lost his third game of the series.

Player of the Game: Legends LF Mark Elston, who went 3 for 4, 1-2B, 3 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB.

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reds1 · 08-06-2015, 01:51 AM

1939 Western League Pennant Series

Kingston Pelicans (101-53) vs. Cambria Cannons (74-80)
Season Matchup: 9-6 in favour of Kingston

Game 1
Cambria 0 – Kingston 3

Like its Eastern League counterpart, Game 1of the Western League featured a pitcher’s duel between two all-star starting pitchers: Neil Guerin of the Cannons and Joey Cumberledge of the defending champion Pelicans. In fact, both pitchers surrendered only one double throughout the game; the rest were singles.
Kingston struck first. In the bottom of the 3rd, a single and double scored the first run of the game. Kingston got two more runs in the 5th, thanks to three singles and a walk. All three runs were scored with two out.
Despite Guerin’s valiant pitching, Cumberledge was just a little bit better, keeping the Cannons off the scoreboard. Cambria’s best chance came in the bottom the 9th. A leadoff double and then back-to-back walks with two out loaded the bases and ended Cumberledge’s afternoon. But RP Keith Kearney got 3B Clint Jones to strike out to end the threat and the game.

Kingston’s SP Joey Cumberledge (8.2 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 3 K) earned the win; Cambria’s SP Neil Guerin (8.0 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 3.38 ERA) took the loss.

Player of the Game: Kingston’s SP Joey Cumberledge (1-0, 0.00 ERA).

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Game 2
Cambria 5 – Kingston 1

Fresh off their shut-out victory in Game 1, the Pelicans started SP Brady Murdy, the pitching triple-crown winner this past season, and expected perhaps more of the same. But the Cannons were not intimidated.
After getting two quick outs to start the game, Murdy walked and hit the next two batters. The next two singled and doubled and before the top of the 1st was over, Cambria led 3-0.
RF Al Tucker made it 4-0 Cambria with a solo shot into the right field bleachers in the 3rd.
Kingston finally got on the board when SS Okura Ito hit a solo home run to left field in the bottom of the 5th off of SP Owen Tautor.
The Cannons added a fifth run in the 9th off of a single and double.
RP Jason Fortenberry came in to relieve SP Owen Tautor in the bottom of the 9th. Fortenberry gave up just a harmless single to 2B Mo Symes and the Cannons tied up the series at one game apiece.

Cambria’s SP Owen Tautor (8.0 IP, 10 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 1 HR) picked up the impressive win; Kingston’s SP Brady Murdy (9.0 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 1 HR, 5.00 ERA) suffered the loss.

Player of the Game: Cambria’s SP Owen Tautor (1-0, 1.13 ERA).

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Game 3
Kingston 9 – Cambria 6

In an error-filled game, the Pelicans outscored the Cannons to take a 2-1 series lead.
LF Andrew Jensen got Kingston on the board first, with a one-out solo home run off of SP Bradley Dodson in the top of the 3rd inning. A throwing error, a wild pitch and a single made it 2-0 Kingston by the time the inning was over.
Cambria bounced back in the bottom half. A lead-off single, a fielding error and a walk set up SS Hyun-jung Moon’s bases-clearing double and Cambria took the lead.
Back-to-back doubles by Kingston in the 4th tied it up, but Cambria regained the lead in bottom half with a double and single.
Alas, the wheels fell apart for the Cannons in the 7th. Three doubles, two singles, a walk and a fielding error scored six for Kingston and ended SP Bradley Dodson’s day.
Cambria would scratch out a run in both the 7th and 8th innings, but it was not enough and Kingston took the upper hand in the series.

Kingston’s SP Francis Slocock (6.0 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 1.50 ERA) picked up the win; Cambria’s SP Bradley Dodson (6.2 IP, 14 H, 9 R, 6 ER, 3 BB, 1 K, 1 HR, 8.10 ERA) took the loss.

Player of the Game: Kingston’s LF Andrew Jensen, who went 3 for 6, with 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R.

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Game 4
Kingston 9 – Cambria 0

A match up of pitchers from Game 1 resulted in another shut-out for Kingston and a commanding lead in the series.
The Pelicans got to SP Neil Guerin early. 2B Mo Symes led the game off with a triple and came in to score on a LF Andrew Jensen ground out.
An error, a double and two singles in the 2nd inning scored three more and Kingston led 4-0 after two.
1B Fergus Chitty made it 5-0 Kingston with a lead-off home run in the 3rd inning.
Neil Guerin was relieved by RP Jason Fortenberry to start the 7th. But Kingston jumped all over him, hitting four consecutive singles (five overall) in the inning to score three and extend their lead by eight.
LF Andrew Jensen led off the top of the 9th inning with his second home run of the series to cap off Kingston’s dominating win.

Kingston’s SP Joey Cumberledge (9.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K) earned the win; Cambria’s SP Neil Guerin (6.0 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 1 HR, 3.86 ERA) suffered his second loss in the series.

Player of the Game: Kingston’s SP Joey Cumberledge (2-0, 0.00 ERA).

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Game 5
Kingston 3 – Cambria 5

The Cannons staved off elimination with a gritty victory. However, it was Kingston who looked as though they were going to take it.
The Pelicans got on the board first in the top of the 2nd. The Pelicans led off with a single and double and scored on a SP Brady Murdy ground out.
Cambria tied it up in the 4th, but a two-out, two-run homer by C Cereneo Tolentino in the 6th gave Kingston a 3-1 lead.
Cambria got to Murdy in the bottom half of the 6th. Two doubles, two singles and two sac flies plated three runs and gave the Cannons the lead for the first time.
Cambria added a fifth run in the 7th inning and held on to take game 5 to extend the series, at least for another game.

Cambria’s SP Owen Tautor (9.0 IP, 13 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, 1 HR) picked up his second win of the series, while Kingston’s SP Brady Murdy (8.0 IP, 10 H, 5 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 5.29 ERA) was handed his second loss.

Player of the Game: Cambria’s SP Owen Tautor (2-0, 2.12 ERA).

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Game 6
Cambria 1 – Kingston 2

Game 6 featured a pitching battle between SP Francis Slocock and SP Bradley Dodson that kept all 27,236 fans at Kingston Park on the edge of their seats.
Through four innings, Slocock had given up only two singles and Dodson was pitching a perfect game. But Kingston finally broke through in the bottom of the 5th. Dodson surrendered three consecutive singles that allowed Kingston to score a run.
Dodson did it again in the bottom of the 8th, giving up three singles, allowing Kingston to tack on another run.
Down to their last three outs, Cambria’s LF Ron Westmacott hit a double with one out in the top of the 9th. After CF Joe Olver flew out to left field, SS Hyun-jung Moon tripled, scoring Westmacott for Cambria’s first run. Kingston then brought in RP Keith Kearney on a double switch. Kearney then got PH Michihiro Sano to fly out to right field to end the game and hand the Western League pennant to Kingston for the second consecutive season.

Kingston’s SP Francis Slocock (8.2 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K) won his second game of the series; Cambria’s SP Bradley Dodson (8.0 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 1 K, 4.91 ERA) was handed his second loss, despite a heroic effort.

Player of the Game: Kingston’s SP Francis Slocock (2-0, 1.23 ERA).

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reds1 · 08-07-2015, 03:00 PM

1939 United Cup Championship

Kingston Pelicans (101-53) vs. Brunswick Legends (86-68)

Kingston: Runs scored – 866 (1st in WL); runs allowed – 604 (1st in WL).
Brunswick: Runs scored – 720 (5th in EL); runs allowed – 650 (2nd in EL).

Season Matchup: 5-1 in favour of Kingston

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Game 1
Brunswick 4 – Kingston 5

Game 1 of the United Cup Championship began slowly, with the first two innings producing just a single by the Pelicans. But in the top of the 3rd inning, Brunswick got to SP Joey Cumberledge. C Phil Flood led off with a double and scored when SS Rubén Sánchez hit a double of his own with two out. RF Rovilson Valdevieso immediately singled to score Sánchez and the Legends led 2-0.
But the Pelicans got to work against SP Song-saeng Lee in the bottom half of the inning. Kingston led off with four straight singles, scoring a run. A one-out walk by CF Chong-sik Lee forced in the tying run. A fielder’s choice at second base and another single scored two more and the Pelicans led 4-2 after three.
It remained that way until the bottom of the 8th, when two singles and a walk scored Kingston’s fifth run.
That run proved to be crucial, as Brunswick mounted a rally in the 9th. Phil Flood led off with a double and scored on 3B Vince Bailey’s home run into the leftfield bleachers with one out. But Joey Cumberledge was able to contain the damage, getting Rubén Sánchez to pop up to first base and RF Justin Elworthy to fly out to centerfield to close out the game.

Kingston’s SP Joey Cumberledge (9.0 IP, 11 H, 4 ER, 0 BB, 6 K, 1 HR) remained undefeated in the post-season, picking up his third win. Brunswick’s SP Song-saeng Lee (8.0 IP, 9 H, 5 ER, 3 BB, 4 K) took the loss.

Player of the Game: Kingston’s SP Joey Cumberledge (3-0, 1.35 ERA).

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Game 2
Brunswick 2 – Kingston 7

The second game of the series started off slowly as well, as Kingston’s Brady Murdy and Brunswick’s Anastasio Rodríguez surrendered only a couple of singles each through the first two innings. However, Kingston got on the board first in the bottom of the 3rd.
SP Brady Murdy led the inning off with a double. A walk to SS Mo Symes and a single by SS Okura Ito loaded the bases. A passed ball then scored Murdy to make it 1-0 Kingston.
Brunswick got that run back in the top of the 5th, when three singles by SP Anastasio Rodríguez, SS Rubén Sánchez and LF Mark Elston scored a run.
But Kingston broke it open in the 6th, when three doubles and a single plated 4 runs, making it 5-1 Pelicans.
Back-to-back doubles by RF Rovilson Valdevieso and Mark Elston to start the top of the 8th inning produced Brunswick’s second run.
Kingston responded in the bottom half, as three singles and an intentional walk scored two more for the home team and ended Anastasio Rodríguez’s day. Brunswick went down quietly in the 9th and the Pelicans took the second game of the series.

Kingston’s SP Brady Murdy (9.0 IP, 10 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 8 K) won his first game of the post-season. Brunswick’s SP Anastasio Rodríguez (7.2 IP, 12 H, 7 ER, 4 BB, 3 K) took the loss, his third of the post-season.

Player of the Game: Kingston’s SP Brady Murdy (1-2, 4.15 ERA).

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Game 3
Kingston 4 – Brunswick 5

30, 757 were in attendance for Game 3, as the United Cup Championship moved to Brunswick’s Babe Ruth Park.
Kingston appeared to pick up where they left off in Game 2, as they scored the first run of the game in top of the 1st, when 3B Bob Kight drew a one-out walk and scored on SS Okura Ito’s double.
Okura Ito made it 2-0 with a lead-off home run to start the 4th inning.
The Legends’ bats woke up in the home half of the inning. Two singles, a double, an intentional walk and an error plated three and gave Brunswick the lead.
In the bottom of the 5th, Brunswick loaded the bases with a single and two walks. A groundout by 1B Pete Good made it 4-2 Legends.
In the top of the 6th, SS Mo Symes drew a leadoff walk, moved to second on a sac bunt and scored on a 1B Fergus Chitty single, closing the gap to one.
But the Legends got that run back in the bottom half. After getting on base via a fielder’s choice, RF Rovilson Valdevieso stole second and then scored on LF Mark Elston’s single. That ended SP Francis Slocock’s day for Kingston.
But Kingston would threaten in the 9th inning. Three singles off of RP Tong-yeop Lee, who replaced SP Matthew Monroe in the 7th, brought in a run with Kingston now just trailing by one. A two-out walk to Fergus Chitty loaded the bases, but Lee was able to get RF Chong-sik Lee to fly out leftfield to end the threat and the game.

Brunswick’s SP Matthew Monroe (6.2 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 1 HR) remained undefeated in the post-season, improving to 4-0. Kingston’s SP Francis Slocock (5.2 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 5 BB, 2 K, 2.21 ERA) suffered his first loss, falling to 2-1.

Player of the Game: Kingston’s SS Okura Ito, who went 3 for 4, with 1 HR, 1-2B, 3 RBI, 1 R.

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Game 4
Kingston 10 – Brunswick 2

A record crowd of 30, 927, the largest ever to watch a United Cup game, witnessed the firepower that the Kingston Pelicans are capable of.
It came in the 2nd inning. RF Chong-sik Lee led off the inning with a solo shot to leftfield. A bunt hit, a single and a double with one out made it 2-0. After SS Mo Symes walked to load the bases, LF Andrew Jensen tagged SP Song-saeng Lee with a grand-slam to right field. And just like that, Kingston led 6-0 after two.
Brunswick got on the board in the 3rd. RF Rovilson Valdevieso reached base on a fielder’s choice and then advanced to third on a throwing error when he stole second. LF Mark Elston then brought him home on a single.
Kingston got that run back in the 6th. Mo Symes and Andrew Jensen led off with back-to-back singles, putting runners on the corners. Symes came in to score on SS Okura Ito’s sac fly. That ended SP Lee’s afternoon.
In the bottom of the 6th, the tag team of Rovilson Valdevieso and Mark Elston struck again for Brunswick, when Valdevieso led the inning off with a triple. Elston then singled to score Valdevieso. That would be all the offense Brunswick could muster.
The Pelicans would add two more in the 8th, when, with two out, Okura Ito doubled, Fergus Chitty was intentionally walked and Chong-sik Lee tripled off of RP Rob Fields.
Kingston added a final run in the 9th and the Legends went down in order in the bottom half as the Pelicans took a commanding 3-1 series lead.

Kingston’s SP Joey Cumberledge (9.0 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K) remained undefeated in the post-season, picking up his fourth win. Brunswick’s SP Song-saeng Lee (5.1IP, 11 H, 7 ER, 2 BB, 1 K) suffered his third loss.

Player of the Game: Kingston’s SP Joey Cumberledge (4-0, 1.26 ERA).

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Game 5
Kingston 7 – Brunswick 4

Legends’ fans hoped against hope that their team could hang on for another game and extend the series. Things did look hopeful at first for Brunswick as they initially held Kingston off the scoreboard and scored the game’s first run in the home half of the 3rd. 3B Vince Bailey hit a one-out triple and scored on a SS Rubén Sánchez ground out to make it 1-0 Legends.
But the Pelicans responded in the 4th.
3B Bob Kight led off with a walk and moved to second when SS Okura Ito reached first on an error. CF Chong-sik Lee brought them both home with a one-out triple. Lee himself came in to score on LF Don Adkins’ ground out.
But a double by LF Brandon Channing, an intentional walk to C Cereneo Tolentino and single by SP Brady Murdy drove in Kingston’s fourth run.
A Chong-sik Lee double in the 5th brought home Bob Kight and made it 5-1 Pelicans.
Kingston made it 6-1 in the 6th when Bob Kight again came home to score on an Okura Ito single, after hitting a two-out triple.
In the bottom of the 6th, Rubén Sánchez led off with a single and scored Brunswick’s second run when Rovilson Valdevieso doubled him home.
Brunswick scored again in the 7th off of a walk, a single and a passed ball.
Kingston got a run back in the top of the 9th, when Okura Ito led off with a solo home run.
Down to their final three outs, Brunswick’s 2B Matthew Shelley led off with a walk. One-out singles by 1B Pete Good and C Phil Flood scored Shelley to make it 7-4 Pelicans. But after PH Teuk-chin Kim hit into a fielder’s choice at second, Brady Murdy got Vince Bailey to fly out to leftfield to end the game and the series.

Kingston’s SP Brady Murdy (9.0 IP, 10 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 5 K) won his second game of the post-season. Brunswick’s SP Anastasio Rodríguez (9.0 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 4 ER, 9 BB, 2 K, 1 HR) went the distance, but took the loss, going 0-4 in the post-season.
Rodríguez also set a ULB playoff record with 9 walks in a game.

Player of the Game: Kingston’s SS Okura Ito, who went 2 for 4, with 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 R.

Goat of the series: With all the firepower Kingston has, it’s hard to pin this on a pitcher, so I’ll go with all-star 2B Matthew Shelley, who had a disappointing series, collecting just 2 hits in 19 AB, going .105/.150/.105.

During the regular season, Kingston defeated Brunswick, 5 games to 1. So it’s fitting I guess that they also defeated the Legends in the United Cup Championship, 5 games to 1. Edit: Wait - Did I really write this?

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Bottom Of The Sixth · 08-07-2015, 04:01 PM

Congrads on another exciting season of Braeland Baseball.

Love your "Goat of the Series". It's hard to beat that one!

Kingston Pelicans posted a season record of (101-53) going into the Cup Series.

Where does that fall into the Braeland's record books; is that a "best-ever" league record?

Thanks

reds1 · 08-07-2015, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bottom Of The Sixth

Congrads on another exciting season of Braeland Baseball.

Love your "Goat of the Series". It's hard to beat that one!

Kingston Pelicans posted a season record of (101-53) going into the Cup Series.

Where does that fall into the Braeland's record books; is that a "best-ever" league record?

Thanks

Thank you kind sir!

I only have records from when I played it as a solo league in OOTP14, from the 1937 to 1954 seasons.

During that time two teams went 107-47: the 1938 Wolseley Unions and 1943 Fort Richmond Generals (I controlled). Neither of them won the Championship.

The best team to actually win the Cup was the 1944 Generals: 106-48. Again, I was running the team.

07-13-2015, 03:42 AM	#101
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,864	December 1, 1938 Eastern League: The Suns Rise in the East The Embro Suns continued their winning ways in November, racking up a record of 17-9, propelling them to the top of the standings in the Eastern League. The Suns feasted on Western League teams for most of November, winning twice as many games as they lost (16-8). The Suns have been road warriors, having played 41 games away from home. To say they have not been homesick (26-15) would be an understatement. They have only played 13 games at home (7-6) thus far. If they keep up their strong play, the schedule from here on out should play strongly to their benefit. Key Injuries: 1B Anthony Stavely (.330/.373/.593, 6 HR, 22 RBI, 15 R, 7 BB), who was hit by a pitch and fractured his cheekbone in a game against the Barons back on October 15, is currently on a rehab assignment with AAA Birmingham Comets. Performance Highlight: 2B Alejandro Valdés went 5-6 against the Sherburn Tigers on November 17, helping the Suns to an 11-6 victory. Valdés doubled in the 1st, tripled in 3rd, hit an RBI double in the 4th, hit an RBI double in the 5th, doubled in the 8th and grounded out in the 9th. -------- Once again, the Stratford Barons continued their winnings ways, but like in October, they were eclipsed by a slightly stronger team. The Barons put up a 16-10 November, keeping them within a 0.5 game of first and 1.5 games up in second. Like the Suns, the Barons have been very successful playing on the road. They’ve had to be, as they’ve played 38 games as the visitors. Thus far they have gone 24-14 on the road, and 8-7 at home. They will have to keep that trend going; they will play 19 of their 27 games in December on the road. The Barons have become a formidable team on pitching and defense, rating first in a score of categories. They have not been too bad on offense either. Key Injuries: RHP Finley Van tore an elbow ligament in Spring Training; he is expected to miss another 3 weeks. Performance Highlight: SS Ken Cutler (.326/.341/.465, 3 HR, 31 RBI, 21 R, 6 BB) is having a fine season for the Barons, winning Player of the Week honours earlier in November and leading the team in batting average. -------- The Braeland City Monarchs cooled off just a tiny bit in November (14-12), but it was enough to knock them out of first place and fall back 1.5 games behind the Barons. Their highlight of the month was a three-game sweep of the top team in the West, the Kingston Pelicans. However, they immediately followed that up by being swept by the lowly Pulberry Trolleys. Individual Monarchs continued to dominate the Player of the Month awards, as SP Lenny Freke (8-2, 2.63 ERA, 1.11 WHIP) took pitching honours and SS Adam Ashley (.309/.362/.396, 7-3B, 28 RBI, 29 R, 18 BB) won his second consecutive rookie award. Key Injuries: None. -------- The Queensland Eagles, who went 14-13 in October, continued that pace in November (14-12), and currently stand 4.5 games back of first. Their stats, however, suggest that this team may fade in the coming months. They currently rate 7th and 8th offensively as well as on pitching and defense. A playoff team last season, they may be hard press to repeat that feat. 1B Quentin Puddy (.311/.351/.399, 3 HR, 20 RBI, 29 R, 15 BB) won Player of the Week honours in the last week of November. He has been one of Queensland’s top players. Not bad for a player that was claimed off of waivers from the Fort Richmond Generals back in April 1937. Key Injuries: None. Performance Highlight: LF Terry Asden took it to the Balmoral Giants on November 23, helping the Eagles to a 10-3 victory. Aspden singled in the 1st, hit a two-run single in the 3rd, hit an RBI single in the 4th, hit an RBI single in the 6th and singled in the 8th. -------- The Brunswick Legends had a bounce back month in November (15-11) after struggling in October (12-15) to move one game above .500 and 5.5 games back of first place. The Legends are pretty much in the middle of the pack on offense, but are below average on the pitching side of the equation. However, they do have a respectable starting rotation. LHP Mathew Monroe (4-2, 2.47 ERA, 1.31 WHIP) went 3-0, 2.47 in November, while RHP Song-Saeng Lee (8-3, 2.82 ERA, 1.38 WHIP) went 4-1, 3.64. But it’s RHP Roger Battle (2-8, 4.65 ERA, 1.59 WHIP) who everyone is breathing a sigh of relief over. After going 0-5, 6.26 in October, Battle rebounded in November (2-3, 2.95). Key Injuries: None. Performance Highlights: 2B Mathew Shelley (.333/.383/.383, 4 HR, 33 RBI, 31 R, 18 BB) is having a banner year for the Legends. En route to taking Batter of the Month honours in November, Shelley went 5 for 5 against Wolseley, helping the Legends defeat the Unions 8-1. Shelley singled in the 2nd, singled in the 4th, singled in the 6th, singled in the 8th and hit a two-run double in the 9th. 3B Vince Bailey (.312/.344/.426, 3 HR, 25 RBI, 33 R, 12 BB, 18 SB) also had a fine month. Bailey enjoyed a 22-game hitting streak that began on October 27 against the Wellington Athletics and ended on November 21, when he went 0-5 against Kingston. About a week later, he went 5-6 against the Wolseley. Bailey singled in the 1st, singled in 2nd, hit a two-run single in the 4th, flied out in the 6th, singled in the 8th and singled in the 9th. The Legends won 14-1. -------- Like the Legends, the Downie Chiefs had a bounce back month (14-12) after a so-so October (13-14). They too find themselves with a 27-26 record after two months, 5.5 games back of first place. They have been pretty good thus far in the pitching and defense department, but have really struggled on offense. Key Injuries: On the last day of the month, SS Naoaki Kawasaki (.222/.288/.258, 7-2B, 9 RBI, 15 R, 18 BB) who has really been struggling at the plate this year, injured himself in a collision at 2B with Cambria Cannons’ 2nd overall pick Ron Westmacott. It is not known yet how long will be out of commission. Key Trade: The Chiefs made a curious trade with the Fort Richmond Generals on November 15. 30-year old LF Dennis Fawkes (.286/.355/.321, 2-3B, 8 RBI, 4 R, 8 BB) was sent to the Generals along with 23-year old minor leaguer LF Dale Murdock (22/25) for 31-year old 1B Louis Paycocke (.181/.313/.241, 3-2B, 8 RBI, 10 R, 16 BB). Fawkes has continued his established level of play with the Generals, but Paycocke has regressed even more since joining the Chiefs, if that was possible. -------- The defending Eastern League champions took a tumble in November, as the Wellington Athletics went 10-16 to fall 5 games below .500 and 8.5 games out of first place. If there’s one consolation, it’s that they were pretty miserable last November (9-17) too, and were also 5 games below .500 (and 9 games back of first). They turned things around last December, so we’ll have to see what they do from here on out. While they’re not particularly great in any offensive and defensive category, they aren’t exactly terrible either. 1B Byron Tope (.333/.375/.563, 7 HR, 26 RBI, 15 R, 8 BB) has come on hot in the latter half of the month, and his efforts earned him Player of the Week honours in the 3rd week of November. Key Injuries: None. -------- The Cobourg Red Stockings were absolutely horrible in October (6-19), but had a very nice month in November (15-11). That kept them in the Eastern League cellar, but there are still lots of games left if they can find a way to turn things around. But they will need better performances from their starting rotation. Just having a healthy SP Joel Fearn (5-7, 4.56 ERA, 1.28 WHIP) back after losing him for over a year due to a torn rotator cuff will help things immensely. While he has struggled in a few games since coming back, he did pitch a complete game shut-out against the Pulberry Trolleys on November 12, picking up the win in an 8-0 victory. Fearn allowed 5 hits, 3 BB and struck out 3. Key Injuries: None. Key Trades: The Red Stockings have been very busy in the trade market, making three trades in November that appear to have strengthened what is already the deepest minor league system in the United Leagues. On November 15, Cobourg parted ways with 27-year old SP-LHP Rob Fields (2-3, 5.12 ERA, 1.78 WHIP), sending him to Brunswick. In exchange, they received 19-year old minor leaguer 3B Ramiro Urbina (23/70) and 23-year old minor leaguer SS Alastair Health (22/45). And yes, Health’s injury history is ‘durable’. On November 20, Cobourg sent 32-year old OF Dominic Aston (40/40 - .247/.315/.333, 3-2B, 4 RBI, 10 R, 7 BB) to the Embro Suns in exchange for 24-year old minor leaguer 1B Dwayne Johannson (22/22) and 24-year old minor leaguer 2B Marcus Acret (22/22). Finally, on November 26, the Red Stockings shipped 28-year old SP-RHP Leo Chesters (29/30 – 3-3, 4.52 ERA, 1.57 WHIP) to the Sherburn Tigers. In return, Cobourg received 20-year old minor leaguer CF Yoshino Ito (22/72) and 22-year old SS Maresuke Yasuda (21/23). -------- __________________ United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 07-01-2017 at 08:15 PM.

07-13-2015, 11:38 AM	#103
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,864	Thank you for the kind words, rollsox2! The stadiums were all created by others through the years: Teflon Skies, DreamTeams and blueturf. I merely went in with Photoshop and superimposed a few flags and stadium names to customized it for my universe. A collection of blueturf's ballparks can be found at OOTPmods about halfway down the page here. Here is a link to DreamTeams wonderful ballparks, including his fictional ones that I've always been partial to. I can't seem to find a link to Teflon Skies ballparks that I downloaded eons ago. I still have the zipfile to them if anyone wants them: TS Ballparks Here is another one called al CTC Stadiums. It is a collection of Teflon's, DreamTeams' and blueturf's stadiums, so some of it may be redundant. __________________ United Leagues of Braeland

07-14-2015, 04:01 AM	#104
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,864	December 1, 1938 Western League: Pelicans Take Control -------- While other teams in the West cooled off, the Kingston Pelicans continued their hot ways, finishing November with a 17-9 record, one win more than they had in October. That pushed them 6.5 games up on the second place Cambria Cannons with the best record in the United Leagues. The Pelicans are enjoying the outstanding play of a number of their players. SS Okura Ito (.367/.415/.642, 12 HR, 37 RBI, 44 R, 16 BB) won Batter of the Month honours and the Pelicans top three starting pitchers having been dominant of late; namely RHP Joey Cumberledge (6-5, 2.38 ERA, 1.14 WHIP), RHP Brady Murdy (7-3, 2.11 ERA, 1.00 WHIP) and LHP Hirotada Fukushima (9-1, 2.38 ERA, 1.29 WHIP). Key Injuries: After setbacks in his recovery, LF Jayden Tennant (.154/.267/.385, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 5 R, 2 BB) finally took to the field against the Wellington Athletics on November 27. -------- The Cambria Cannons regressed a bit in November, finishing the month 13-13, after a 15-12 October. But they find themselves in second place in the West thanks largely to other teams around them faltering even more. The Cannons are still led by Satchel Paige Award winner SP Neil Guerin (7-2, 1 SV, 2.93 ERA, 1.19 WHIP), but 24-year old SP Willem Atkins (5-4, 2.01 ERA, 1.24 WHIP) is also having a fine season thus far. Second overall pick from last season’s amateur draft LF Ron Westmacott (.291/.383/.577, 6 HR, 32 RBI, 34 R, 26 BB), is proving his selection to have been a wise choice. He currently occupies the fourth spot in the lineup against righties, although he is still the fourth outfielder when facing lefties (He is batting .375/.429/.688 against left-handers in 35 PA). In comparison, OF Tadamasa Takano, who starts against left-handers, is batting .283/.328/.358 in 58 PA against them. Key Injuries: SP Jason Fortenberry (2-3, 4.40 ERA, 1.50 WHIP) suffered a torn back muscle in a game against the Queensland Eagles back on November 18. He will be out for four months. Performance Highlight: C Glen Yeend went 5-5 and score two runs against Downie on November 30, helping the Cannons defeat the Chiefs 12-11. Yeend singled in 2nd, singled in the 3rd, singled in the 5th, singled in the 7th and singled in the 9th. -------- After a promising October (18-10), the Balmoral Giants were handed a dose of reality, as they could only muster a 10-16 record in November. That pushed them out of first place and into third, 7 games back of Kingston. The Giants continue to be strong in pitching ERA (2nd) and defensive efficiency (1st), but their offense continues to be lacklustre. Indicative of that is SP-LHP David Cooling (2-9, 3.94 ERA, 1.16 WHIP), who has pitched well, but has not received enough run support. Key Injuries: RF Danny Filmer (.271/.358/.300, 2-2B, 13 RBI, 12 R, 10 BB) strained a thigh muscle in a collision at the plate in a game against the Brunswick Legends on November 9. He is expected back in two weeks. -------- After a solid October (15-12), the Sherburn Tigers spiralled in November, to the tune of a 9-17 record, to fall 10.5 games out of first place. The offense has been just fine. The pitching and defense, however, has been abysmal and it took its toll on the Tigers in November. On the positive side of things, the Tigers enjoyed the performances of CF Gwon-Beom Lee (.299/.329/.410, 7-2B, 9 RBI, 15 R, 7 BB), who won Rookie of the Month honours and the continued excellence of SS Gary Watkinson (.373/.459/.509, 3 HR, 30 HR, 50 R, 34 BB, 15 SB). Key Injuries: RP Myung-Gu Son (1-4, 4 SV, 2.96 ERA, 1.68 WHIP) experienced elbow swelling in a game against the Embro Suns on November 17; he is out for two months. Another relief pitcher, RHP Brent Smythe (0-0, 0.00) experienced elbow numbness on November 24 in just his second game since being called up from the AAA St. Thomas Flamingoes. He is gone for four months. 1B Robin Harney (.338/.416/.518, 11-2B, 26 RBI, 27 R, 20 BB) sprained his back in game against the Stratford Barons. He was out of action for three weeks. Performance Highlight: Since Opening Day, SS Gary Watkinson hit safely in every game. That streak ended on November 10, when he went hitless against the Wellington Athletics. Watkinson hit safely in 35 straight games, establishing a new record in the young League. -------- The Pulberry Trolleys came on strong late in November to finish the month with a 13-13 record. They remain 11.5 games back of Kingston, but just 5 games back of the wild card. While they’re pitching hasn’t been too horrendous, their offense is another story. However, a couple of players have started to step up. Both 1B William Tozer (.273/.311/.421, 7 HR, 28 RBI, 27 R, 11 BB) and LF Finlay Petty (.341/.374/.535, 3 HR, 23 RBI, 15 R, 8 BB) have been hot lately, perhaps giving the Trolleys some hope for December. Key Injuries: RF Stewart Pruitt (.326/.431/.442, 5-2B, 7 RBI, 6 R, 8 BB) missed two and a half weeks in November due to a sprained ankle. OF Rio Gidley (.250/.320/.342, 1 HR, 19 RBI, 24 R, 20 BB, 13 SB) experienced elbow soreness in a game against the Stratford Barons on November 25. He is expected back in three days. OF Harold Pick (.257/.316/.286, 2-2B, 7 RBI, 4 R, 6 BB) sprained a finger on a defensive play on November 30 against the Wellington Athletics. He will miss two weeks. -------- The struggles of the Wolseley Unions continued in November, as they limped to 10-16 record for the month. But change is in the air in Wolseley, and perhaps things will start to look up for the struggling club. On December 1, the Unions called up OF Zak Kidd (30/80 – AAA- .252/.286/.359, 5-2B, 10 RBI, 11 R, 5 BB), the top-rated prospect from the AAA Caledonia Jets. He will start in center field and lead off against both righties and lefties. If he and fellow rookie 1B Aaron Flanagan (33/74 – .216/.278/.401, 8 HR, 31 RBI, 22 R, 14 BB) can find their groove, it will give the Unions a much needed boost on offense. Then they will just have to worry about getting some consistency from their pitching staff, which is rated 7th in a score of categories. Key Injuries: On November 11, 3B Derek Sakurai (.301/.376/.462, 2 HR, 26 RBI, 15 R, 18 BB) suffered a deep foot bruise after being hit by a pitch against the Embro Suns. He missed two weeks. On November 26, CF Harold Yoder (.283/.317/.349, 1 HR, 15 RBI, 19 R, 7 BB) was injured in a collision at second base on a fielder’s choice against the Braeland City Monarchs. He is out for another 5 days. -------- The Fort Richmond Generals continued to struggle in November (11-15), as would be expected for a team that is below average on both sides of the ball. They do have a bonafide ace in RHP Francis Slocock (7-3, 2.36 ERA, 1.11 WHIP) who won Pitcher of the Month honours in November. But this is a team that is in serious need of an infusion of youth and talent, as their best player is 41 years old and hurt. Speaking of…. Key Injuries: 41-year old OF Héctor Nájera (.227/.401/.360, 5 HR, 17 RBI, 22 R, 46 BB) was hit by a pitch in a game against the Embro Suns on November 29; he was diagnosed with a knee blood-bruise and will miss another 4 days. OF Kunimichi Yamaguchi (.318/.375/.500, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB) suffered a high ankle sprain back on November 6. He is due back in a couple of more days. -------- The Hespeler Stars have been a bit of an enigma this season. While there’s definite room for improvement, especially on the pitching side of things, they are not a terrible team. In fact, they are the third best team offensively in the West. Compared to their Pythagorean record, they come out at just -3. However, those three additional wins would put them just 4 games back of the wild card. I suppose that speaks more to the Western League essentially being the Kingston Pelicans and then everyone else. Key Injuries: 40-year old C Frank Penny (34/34) sprained his ankle in a Spring Training game back on September 21 and then suffered a setback in his recovery, missing a total of 15 weeks. He is expected back, however in a few more days. Performance Highlight: SS Ewan Zglinicki went 5-6 against the Wellington Athletics on November 20, helping the Stars to a 12-8 victory. Zglinicki singled in 1st, flied out in the 2nd, singled in the 4th, hit an RBI single in the 5th, doubled in the 6th and singled in the 8th. -------- __________________ United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 07-01-2017 at 08:22 PM.

07-21-2015, 08:47 PM	#105
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,864	December 6, 1938 1938 Amateur Draft Results Wolseley, Oxford (BP) – The 1938 Amateur Draft was held in Wolseley this year, with the Pulberry Trolleys selecting first, followed by the Balmoral Giants and the Braeland City Monarchs. Here is a look at the first eight players selected in the first round: 1st Pick: Pulberry Trolleys – SS Wenceslas Jasmim (52/77) – The 22-year old Brazilian infielder was the first selection in this year’s Amateur Draft. Jasmim’s strengths are his ability to hit for good contact, his speed on the base paths and his tremendous defense. The right-handed Jasmim will join Pulberry’s AA club, the Hopetown Islanders. 2nd Pick: Balmoral Giants – OF Damon Purcell (21/80) – The Giants first selection brings a wonderful blend of offensive talent at the plate and on the base paths. With the potential to hit for high average, scouts say he has a chance to one day compete for the batting title. While he is considered an average outfielder, he brings plus-power potential and an enviable combination of speed and acceleration. The 19-year old left-handed Purcell will join Balmoral’s AA farm team, the Georgetown Goldbugs. 3rd Pick: Braeland City Monarchs – OF Carlton Broadbent (22/78) – The 20-year old Broadbent projects to be an offensive powerhouse; a plus contact hitter combined with elite power potential and good plate discipline. He should also acquit himself fine in the field. It’s expected Broadbent will start with Braeland City’s AA team, the Kingsville Royals. 4th Pick: Wolseley Unions – OF Jon Moreau (25/80) – The French Canadian’s main strengths will be his above average speed and outstanding defense in center field. He has the potential to be a .290 hitter and may hit 15 home runs a season down the road. But he will need to work on his plate discipline to capitalize on his potential. The 22-year old Moreau will be assigned to Wolseley’s AA farm club, the Waterloo Whips. 5th Pick: Fort Richmond Generals – IF Steven Wormleighton (36/73) – another speedy player and excellent defender, Wormleighton has a chance to become a decent contact hitter. If he can improve his plate discipline, he has a chance to be an outstanding lead-off hitter for the Generals in the near future. 22-year old Wormleighton will start off with the AA Marburg Mustangs. Cambria Cannons – IF/OF Allen Cattanach (21/69) – The 19-year old Cattanach has the chance to be something special at the plate. He is projected to be an above average contact hitter with plus power potential and outstanding eye. He will not be fooled by close pitches. Capable of playing in both the infield and outfield, his best positions appear to be in either of the outfield corners. He projects to be an average runner on the base paths. Cattanach will be assigned to the Vandecar Spurs, Cambria’s AA farm club. Brunswick Legends – OF Ramón Tavira (22/73) – The seventh overall pick’s main strengths will be his defense in the outfield and his above average speed on the base paths. However, there are concerns that the 21-year old Panamanian may struggle at the plate at the big league level. At the moment, he projects to be a .250 hitter with perhaps 10 home runs a season. Tavira will be assigned to the Jarvis Smokers, Brunswick’s AA farm club. Cobourg Red Stockings – SS Jamie Florey (23/71) – Florey has the chance to one day become a middle-of-the-order run producer, as the 22-year old is blessed with above average contact, plus raw power and an excellent eye. Florey will start off with the AA Cardiff Crushers. Here is the rest of the first round, Selections 9-16: Hespeler Stars – IF Henry Yarnold (32/80) – contact (50/65), gap power (35/45) and eye (30/40). 21-years old. Good contact and defense at 3B; poor plate discipline. A good influence. Embro Suns – SP LHP Ah-Cy Yao (20/71) – stuff (30/45), movement (55/65) and control (25/50). 19-years old. Great stuff, aggressive, top-notch movement and excellent control. Stratford Barons – OF Miguel Rodríguez (21/63) – contact (35/50), gap power (40/55) and eye (25/45). 18-years old. Decent contact with plus-plus power; good defense and tremendous speed. Plate discipline could be an issue. Good kid. Downie Chiefs – OF Brian Ilderton (23/79) – contact (45/50), gap power (35/40) and eye (35/45). 23-years old. Above-average contact with some power; good defense and speed. Poor plate discipline. Enjoys fishing. Sherburn Tigers – SP LHP Leif Bryant (31/78) – stuff (35/45), movement (60/70) and control (35/60). 19-years old. Above average stuff, filthy movement and great control. Team player. Queensland Tigers – RP RHP Yin-Ti Shih (57/80) – stuff (35/35), movement (65/70) and control (40/65). 22-years old. Below average stuff but with filthy movement and great control. Good kid. Wellington Athletics – RP RHP Ramón Ortíz (21/79) – stuff (35/40), movement (55/70) and control (30/60). 18-years old. Below average stuff but with filthy movement and great control. Good kid. Kingston Pelicans – SP RHP Harley Bracher (21/66) – stuff (35/40), movement (60/70) and control (35/45). 23-years old. Above average stuff, top-notch movement but with only average control. A little slow to absorb instruction. __________________ United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 07-01-2017 at 09:11 PM.

07-21-2015, 09:22 PM	#107
Dark Horse Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Texas! Posts: 2,633 Blog Entries: 5	Those are some nice baseball cards. __________________ A Justafan Fan LBA Geo Bahn Rock Hounds fan of the ISLANDIAN PRO ALLIANCE

07-13-2015, 10:20 AM	#102
rollsox2 Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 46	Hey Reds1, How did you make the stadiums for this league? They are incredible. Such detail and great write-ups in this dynasty and I have enjoyed following along.

07-21-2015, 09:21 PM	#106
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,864	January 1, 1939 Eastern League: The Free-For-All Continues After picking things up in November, the Brunswick Legends broke it open in December, putting up a 19-8 record and moving into top spot in the Eastern League. While their offense has held steady (3rd-4th ranked), their pitching and defense improved across the board – especially their overall ERA (from 6th to 2nd). The starting rotation really stepped it up, particularly LHP Mathew Monroe (7-3, 2.20 ERA, 1.22 WHIP) who went 3-1, 1.67 in December, RHP Roger Battle (4-8, 3.85 ERA, 1.48 WHIP) – 5-2, 2.13 and LHP Rob Fields (7-5, 4.32 ERA, 1.69 WHIP) – 4-3, 2.73. Fields was acquired last month from the Cobourg Red Stockings. On offense, 2B Matthew Shelley (.315/.367/.438, 5 HR, 46 RBI, 44 R, 25 BB) and RF Rovilson Valdevieso (.325/.357/.516, 9 HR, 42 RBI, 45 R, 16 BB, 13 SB) lead the charge. Key Injuries: None. Performance Highlights: Contributing to the team’s success this month was two Legends: 40-year old relief pitcher RHP Tong-yeop Lee (8-4, 8 SV, 3.00ERA, 1.26 WHIP) who won Pitcher of the Month Honours and 25-year old 1B Rubén Sánchez (.305/.355/.432, 6 HR, 36 RBI, 48 R, 23 BB) who earned Batter of the Month honours. -------- Like the month before, the Braeland City Monarchs went 14-12 in December. As other teams faltered behind the Legends, the Monarchs were able to keep within a game of top spot. Offensively, the Monarchs continue to rank 1st in a slew of categories, whereas their pitching and defense ranks average to slightly below average. 25-year old SS Adam Ashley (.315/.361/.452, 4 HR, 40 RBI, 49 R, 23 BB) continued his impressive play, winning his third consecutive rookie of the month award. The Monarchs are a team led by two dynamic youngsters: Adam Ashley, who was rated as the #6 prospect in the ULB at the start of the season, and 22-year old 2B Trevor Bolen (.311/.353/.481, 8 HR, 43 RBI, 40 R, 21 BB), the first overall pick in last season’s amateur draft. Supporting them is 31-year old 3B Louie Hetherington (.325/.416/.453, 8 HR, 41 RBI, 51 R, 50 BB). Key Injuries: None. Performance Highlight: Trevor Bolen became the third player in United League history to hit for the cycle. He did on December 20 against the Stratford Barons. Bolen started off with a solo-shot off Justin Hayhurst in 1st, flied out in the 3rd, hit an RBI triple in the 5th, hit an RBI double in the 7th and hit a two-run single in the 9th. Despite his effort, the Monarchs fell to the Barons, 6-5. Key Trade: The Monarchs pulled the trigger on a major trade with the Hespeler Stars on December 20. The Monarchs received 28-year old all-star C Kane Broom (79/79 – .334/.364/.439, 3 HR, 48 RBI, 34 R, 15 BB). In return, the Stars received four minor league players: No. 17 overall prospect, 23-year old SP LHP Gavin Hewat (23/62), 19-year old C Bob Spivey (23/52), 22-year old RF Roberto Juárez (22/23), 20-year old 1B Héctor Gutiérrez (21/34) and 23-year old C Tsuneari Sato (22/23). The Monarchs now have the 2nd highest rated catcher in the ULB, behind only Kingston’s Cereneo Tolentino. -------- After two strong months, the Embro Suns ran out of steam in December, limping to an 11-14 record and falling 1.5 games out of first place. They remain a fairly strong offensive team (2nd in the EL) and are decent in pitching (3rd-4th), but they are struggling in defensive efficiency (8th). Complicating matters for them is a serious injury to one of their top offensive players, 2B Alejandro Valdés (.358/.410/.503, 21-2B, 33 RBI, 55 R, 31 BB, 10 SB). Besides Valdés, 33-year old RF Paul Hooks (.309/.380/.559, 17 HR, 67 RBI, 56 R, 36 BB) is having a fine season as well. Hooks is rated the #1 RF in the ULB. Key Injuries: 35-year old all-star Alejandro Valdés, who is the top-rated 2B in the leagues, suffered a torn back muscle while throwing the ball in a game against the Stratford Barons on December 23. He will miss 3-4 months. Replacing him for now in the lineup is the 16th rated 2B in the ULB, 26-year old Darren Blume (.274/.338/.355, 3-2B, 11 RBI, 8 R, 7 BB, 3 SB). 35-year old back-up OF Dominic Aston (.247/.316/.316, 3-2B, 4 RBI, 10 R, 8 BB) sprained his ankle in a game against the Queensland Eagles. He will miss 4 weeks. -------- Like the Embro Suns, the Stratford Barons stumbled in December, going 12-15, after starting the season with two solid months. They still remain very much in the thick of things, just 2 games back of first, and one back of the wild card. The Barons’ pitching continued to be their strength, ranking first in the East in ERA (3.38), starters’ ERA (3.53) and bullpen ERA (2.51). Four of their five starters are lefties. 34-year old Justin Hayhurst (9-6, 2.21 ERA, 1.21 WHIP) is the ace, while 34-year old Kazuhiko Chikafuji (9-5, 2.62 ERA, 1.28 WHIP) pitches third. 29-year old Barry Brear (1-0, 6 SV, 1.38 ERA, 1.14 WHIP) was recently promoted from the bullpen to the rotation as the fifth starter. Key Injuries: None. -------- As anticipated, the Queensland Eagles began to fade in December, finishing the month with a 11-15 record to fall one game below .500 and 6.5 games out of first place. They are simply not a very good team overall, currently rated 7th - 8th on offense as well as on pitching and defense. They have some nice pieces, but not enough depth and a few too many players are having below average seasons. It’s the little things that are taking their toll on the Eagles. 27-year old SP Max MacColl (9-5, 3.43 ERA, 1.26 WHIP) is one of the league’s top pitchers, but he had a bit of an off month in December, going 2-2, 4.12; while 28-year old Ross New (3-9, 5.00 ERA, 1.78 WHIP) imploded, going 0-4, 6.48. Missing 31-year old SP Stewart Colcott (7-7, 3.86 ERA, 1.33 WHIP) for a couple of weeks due to an injury did not help things. He has been hot since his return to the rotation. While 23-year old SS Katsunan Chikafuji (.288/.349/.483, 11 HR, 36 RBI, 49 R, 32 BB) continues to lead the Eagles’ offense, his production is down just a bit from last season. The rest of lineup has follow suit, and it’s taking a toll on Queensland’s fortunes in the standings. Key Injuries: SP-RHP Stewart Colcott missed two weeks in December due to a tired arm suffered in a game against the Wellington Athletics on December 15. He returned to the rotation on December 30 and pitched a 6-hit shutout against the Braeland City Monarchs. -------- The Downie Chiefs appear to be living in denial. On November 30, the front office signalled that they were concentrating on a ‘win now’ approach to the season. The Chiefs are indeed separating themselves from the other teams chasing for a playoff spot, but not in a good way. The club promptly went 10-15 in December. The result is that the Chiefs are now 4 games below .500 and 8.0 games out of first. Their offensive rankings reflect perfectly their struggles, ranking 6th-8th. They are somewhat better on the pitching side of things (4th-5th), but are dead last in home runs allowed and strikeouts. The Chiefs are blessed with a solid starting three in the rotation. RHP Frank Leadbeater (9-7, 2.73 ERA, 1.11 WHIP) pitched two shutouts in December, both against the Embro Suns. RHP Bradley Paris (6-7, 3.30 ERA, 1.25 WHIP) and LHP Robert Renton (10-5, 3.16 ERA, 1.31 WHIP) provide able support. However, there is a steep drop off after them in the rotation and bullpen. Downie also has three fine position players taking the lead offensively. But after 2B Wayne Balmer (.319/.373/.450, 5 HR, 34 RBI, 52 R, 27 BB 9 SB), 3B Andy Johnson (.348/.379/.447, 3 HR, 49 RBI, 47 R, 15 BB) and 1B Jeaic Risbrough (.318/.402/.479, 9 HR, 37 RBI, 38 R, 28 BB), there is also a big drop off in production. Key Injuries: CF Lenny Wyatt (.279/.315/.382, 2 HR, 25 RBI, 30 R, 13 BB) suffered shoulder swelling after throwing the ball in a blowout loss to the Brunswick Legends on December 12. He returned to the lineup on the last day of the month. Back-up C Ala’ bin Kasim (.300/.323/.400, 3-2B, 2 RBI, 3 R, 1 BB) suffered strained neck muscles in a collision against the Wellington Athletics on December 16. He missed two weeks. -------- Wellington Athletics’ lackluster season continued in December, as they went 13-12. They remain 8 games back of Brunswick for first place and 4 games below .500. They range from 3rd to 5th in a host of offensive categories and continue to lead the ULB in stolen bases by a comfortable margin. But their pitching performance has regressed, falling to 6th in most categories. 29-year old Clyde Boney (7-9, 3.69 ERA, 1.34 WHIP), who finished 2nd in last season’s Satchel Paige Award voting (when he went 19-5, 2.42 ERA, 1.12 WHIP), is not doing as well this year. In fact, none of the Athletics pitchers are doing anything to write home about. On the other hand, 36-year old RF Quentin Stubber (.314/.456/.508, 4 HR, 30 RBI, 49 R, 50 BB, 10 SB) is having an outstanding season. Unfortunately, he is out for several weeks. That leaves 30-year old LF Bob Boynton (.332/.427/.500, 5 HR, 40 RBI, 40 R, 42 BB), the #1 rated LF in the ULB and 2B Ryley McLarnon (.319/.343/.426, 1 HR, 48 RBI, 45 R, 13 BB, 14 SB) to try and hold the fort offensively in Wellington. Key Injuries: 34-year old SP Michael Hanley (5-8, 5.51 ERA, 1.70 WHIP) tore a knee joint in a game against the Downie Chiefs on December 24. He is out for 4 weeks. Quentin Stubber badly sprained his ankle on December 26 in a game against the Braeland City Monarchs. He is expected to miss 5 weeks. -------- The Cobourg Red Stockings enjoyed their second consecutive month with an above .500 record, going 14-13. But they still remain in last place, 10 games back of Brunswick. Overall, the pitching has been abysmal. While ace SP Joel Fearn (9-8, 3.75 ERA, 1.17 WHIP) was outstanding in December (4-1, 2.25), others, like Trevor Penaligan (5-10, 5.04 ERA, 1.66 WHIP) in particular, were not (0-5, 5.79). While he has struggled in a few games since coming back, he did pitch a complete game shut-out against the Pulberry Trolleys on November 12, picking up the win in an 8-0 victory. Fearn allowed 5 hits, 3 BB and struck out 3. The offense has not been overly dominant either, but are some fine players, such as C Dave Wilson (.282/.340/.436, 8 HR, 38 RBI, 38 R, 25 BB), RF Brian Herdman (.333/.404/.481, 2 HR, 26 RBI, 45 R, 23 BB) and 2B Matthew Lane (.288/.364/.481, 12 HR, 40 RBI, 43 R, 35 BB). Key Injuries: None. Key Trades: The Red Stockings made one final trade before the deadline, picking up 37-year old RP Larry Parrish (80/80 – 5-3, 2 SV, 2.82 ERA, 1.53 WHIP) from the Pulberry Trolleys on December 14. For his services, Cobourg shipped minor leaguers 22-year old SP Patrick Tennant (20/66), 20-year old 1B Lance Beamish (21/42), 20-year old RP Morgan Tice (20/63) and 22-year old RF Rory Brear (22/22). Tennant is considered the #2 overall prospect in the ULB, and the #1 pitching prospect. Parrish is a very good relief pitcher, but he’s still just a relief pitcher and to me it seems like the Red Stockings gave up too much. I don’t see this helping them move up the standings anytime soon. Tennant’s potential ratings did drop to 66 from 78 in the latest report, so perhaps Cobourg felt he wasn’t going to pan out. -------- __________________ United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 07-01-2017 at 10:09 PM.

07-24-2015, 07:37 PM	#109
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,864	Summer colds are not fun! January 1, 1939 Western League: One Step Forward, One Step Back -------- The hottest team in the ULB for the first two months of the season finally cooled off in December, as the Kingston Pelicans went a pedestrian 14-12. They still remain comfortably in first, however, as the other teams in the West failed to gain any ground. In fact, with the exception of the Pulberry Trolleys, every team in the West went either 14-12, 14-13 or 13-13 this past month. The Pelicans batting and pitching continues to lead the West in rankings. That is not surprising when you have no less than six players rated #1 at their respective positions: 36-year old C Cereneo Tolentino (.322/.389/.536, 12 HR, 47 RBI, 48 R, 31 BB); 30-year old 1B Fergus Chitty (.316/.428/.535, 14 HR, 67 RBI, 54 R, 58 BB); 28-year old 2B Mo Symes (.282/.375/.503, 13 HR, 39 RBI, 64 R, 48 BB); 27-year old SS Okura Ito (.374/.423/.647, 18 HR, 56 RBI, 68 R, 25 BB); 28-year old SP RHP Joey Cumberledge (9-8, 2.43 ERA, 1.15 WHIP); and 34-year old RP RHP Simon Chell (6-2, 5 SV, 3.71 ERA, 1.47 WHIP). If that weren’t enough, they have the #2 rated RF in the ULB, 30-year old Jayden Tennant (.347/.414/.661, 8 HR, 30 RBI, 21 R, 14 BB), who won Batter of the Month honours in December, after missing nearly two months due to a knee injury. If there’s a team that’s truly in a ‘win now’ situation, it’s the Pelicans. Key Injuries: None. Key Trade: With that ‘win now’ mindset in mind, the Pelicans consummated a trade with the Hespeler Stars, acquiring 38-year old RP RHP Keith Kearney (77/77). For his services, the Pelicans parted with five minor leaguers: 19-year old C Paul Barton (21/60 – rated as #42 prospect); 23-year old OF Dane Wainwright (22/29); 20-year old RP LHP Harold Rothwell (20/22 – rated as #76 prospect); 24-year old OF Marvello Tolentino (23/23); and 22-year old 1B Taylor Nisbet (23/23). -------- On the surface, their record of 14-12 in December gives no indication as to what a tumultuous month it was for the Balmoral Giants. After dropping the last two games in November, they proceeded to also lose their first 7 games in December. By December 15, their record for the month was 2-9 with the team free-falling in the standings. But on December 17, they won both sides of a double-header and continued to win the next 6 games. By the end of the month, they had gone 12-3 in the second half. The Giants’ strength is their pitching (2nd in the WL), although their ace, SP-LHP David Cooling (4-13, 4.64 ERA, 1.34 WHIP), has been battered around lately. Offensively, Balmoral does have a couple of top rated prospects that could help the big club soon. C Neil Voigt (34/78 - #28 overall prospect) is the #1 rated catcher prospect. He is still in AA, but has a slash line of .309/.386/.441. The other top prospect is 24-year old 1B Jim Friend (64/75 - #13 overall prospect) who was the 5th overall pick in last season’s amateur draft. He joined the big club in December and has gone .340/.411/.500, 8-2B, 6 RBI, 9 R, 6 BB in 50 at-bats thus far. Key Injuries: RP RHP Noriaki Ito (6-3, 3.43 ERA, 1.36 WHIP) suffered a slipped disc while pitching against the Fort Richmond Generals on December 17. He is expected back in a couple of more days. -------- The Cambria Cannons went 14-13 in December, and they personify perfectly the malaise that has set in with most of the ball clubs in the West. Not a terrible team by any means, but just can’t get any traction going. They rank 3rd-5th in offense and 2nd-3rd in pitching, so the potential of a very good team is there, but it has not translated into an abundance of wins. 24-year old SP Willem Atkins (5-7, 3.15 ERA, 1.39 WHIP) faltered in December, going 0-3, 6.54 ERA, 23 BB, 8 K. However, all-star SP Neil Guerin (11-4, 1 SV, 2.84 ERA, 1.17 WHIP) continues to excel, going 4-2, 2.66 ERA, 6 BB, 25 K for the month. 24-year old SP Julian Loxton (5-4, 3.40 ERA, 1.50 WHIP) is also performing well of late, going 2-0, 2.67 ERA 13 BB, 10 K in December. Key Injuries: SP Jason Fortenberry (2-3, 4.40 ERA, 1.50 WHIP) suffered a torn back muscle in a game against the Queensland Eagles back on November 18. He will be out for three more months. 23-year old RF Al Tucker (.300/.420/.380, 1 HR, 26 RBI, 34 R, 41 BB, 11 SB) injured himself in a game against the Hespeler Stars on December 14. He will miss 4-5 weeks with torn ankle ligaments. Key Trade: To shore up their starting rotation, the Cannons acquired 27-year old SP Owen Tautor (40/41 – 7-5, 3.63 ERA, 1.19 WHIP) from the Pulberry Trolleys on December 2. In exchange, the Cannons sent minor leaguer 20-year old IF/OF Orlando Goretti (22/34). Since the trade, Tautor has gone 4-0, 3.24 ERA, 10 BB, 32 K. -------- The Sherburn Tigers rebounded somewhat from their setback in November, going 14-13 in December, which places them 4.0 games back of the wild card. As far as performance rankings, nothing has changed for the Tigers. They’re really good on offense (2nd) but stink in pitching and defense (8th). Since acquiring him from the Cobourg Red Stockings in late November, 28-year old SP Leo Chesters (5-4, 4.23 ERA, 1.63 WHIP) has been a serviceable arm for the Tigers, having gone 2-0, 3.38 ERA, 23 BB, 12 K in December. But it has not been nearly enough to turn the pitching staff’s fortunes around. Key Injuries: RP Myung-Gu Son (1-4, 4 SV, 2.96 ERA, 1.68 WHIP) experienced elbow swelling in a game against the Embro Suns on November 17; he is out for another six weeks. Another relief pitcher, RHP Brent Smythe experienced elbow numbness on November 24 in just his second game since being called up from the AAA St. Thomas Flamingoes. He is out for three months. Key Trade: For a team that is in desperate need to upgrade their pitching and is officially in rebuilding mode anyway, the Tigers made a curious trade with the Wolseley Unions, acquiring 29-year old back-up OF Harold Yoder (34/50). For his services, the Tigers parted with three minor leaguers: 20-year old OF Dan Hunter (36/79 – rated as #59 prospect); 19-year old 1B Guillermo Anglada (23/23); and 23-year old OF Pedro Amador (22/23). Yoder was an all-star last season with Wolseley, but he has really regressed this year. Can he bounce back? -------- The Fort Richmond Generals enjoyed their first winning month in December, going 14-13. The Generals now stand 9 games below .500 and 6.5 games back of the wild card. Offense continues to be their main weakness, where they average 6th – 7th in a slew of categories. They are 8th in stolen bases (6 steals!). They have picked up in the pitching department, where they average 3rd – 4th. Ace pitcher 29-year old SP Francis Slocock (12-4, 2.14 ERA, 1.07 WHIP) won his second consecutive Pitcher of the Month honour and seems to get better and better. But last year’s 6th overall pick, 24-year old SP Oscar Burress (7-7. 3.20 ERA, 1.30 WHIP) is looking to be a main fixture for the Generals as well, going 3-2, 2.98 ERA, 22 BB, 17 K this past month. On offense, 29-year old 3B Finlay Ridd (.350/.422/.436, 3 HR, 31 RBI, 33 R, 32 BB) is having a fine season thus far and is the offensive leader for the Generals. After a miserable November where he batted .181, 31-year old 1B Theo Gadd (.259/.326/.494, 12 HR, 40 RBI, 33 R, 26 BB) rebounded in December, hitting .268/.339/.515, 4 HR, 19 RBI, 9 R, 10 BB. Key Injuries: C Tadayuki Jouda (.246/.281/.351, 4 HR, 14 RBI, 25 R, 9 BB) fractured his hand in a game against the Pulberry Trolleys on December 4. He is expected to miss 5-6 weeks. LF Kade Limeburner (.253/.331/.414, 7 HR, 41 RBI, 36 R, 36 BB) experienced back stiffness in a game against the Hespeler Stars. He is listed as day-to-day for two weeks. -------- Just like the Generals, the Hespeler Stars finished above .500 for a month, going 14-13 in December. The Stars, like many of the teams in West, are rather humdrum. Their offense continues to be best strength (3rd), while their pitching is slightly below average (5th). On offense, their two best players have been 34-year old OF Louie Maylam (.281/.420/.518, 13 HR, 46 RBI, 33 R, 55 BB) and 26-year old OF Rhett Curnow (.321/.347/.425, 2 HR, 30 RBI, 36 R, 12 BB). However, the Stars have only been starting them against righties. On the plus side, the Stars do have the 2nd highest rated farm system in the ULB (behind Cobourg), so if their prospects pan out, they should be a much stronger team in the near future. Key Injuries: 41-year old RF Toby Reakes (.290/.403/.375, 2 HR, 32 RBI, 35 R, 53 BB, 20 SB) sprained his thumb in a game against Pulberry on December 22. He is out for 3 weeks. Key Trade: In addition to their significant trade with Kingston, the Stars completed a deal with the Pulberry Trolleys on December 14. Hespeler received 36-year old 2B Michael Batterham (57/57 - .262/.363/.332, 1 HR, 24 RBI, 27 R, 42 BB). Heading to the Trolleys: 33-year old SP LHP Nathaniel Schwer (45/45 – 6-8, 5.27 ERA, 1.66 WHIP); and 21-year old minor league OF William Wigmore (23/78 – rated as #36 prospect). -------- Although the Wolseley Unions went 13-13 in December, which is an improvement for them, they remain a lot closer to last place that they do to first. On offense, they rank 5th – 6th and in pitching, 7th. After a horrible November (.154 AVG), rookie RF Aaron Flanagan (.244/.325/.446, 12 HR, 48 RBI, 35 R, 30 BB) rebounded in December, winning his second Rookie of the Month honours this season. The #1 rated prospect in the ULB made his debut in December for the Unions, and he showed some promise. 20-year old CF Zak Kidd got his first month under his belt, going .240/.282/.346, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 21 R, 6 BB, 4 SB. Key Injuries: None. -------- While the rest of the Western League hovered around .500 in December, the Pulberry Trolleys decidedly didn’t, crumbling to a 9-17 record. That puts them 16.5 games behind first and 9.5 games back of the wild card. On offense, they rank 7th – 8th and in pitching, 6th. There’s no mystery as to their struggles, or why they were involved in no less than four trades this month. As a result of their transactions, they’ve improved the depth of their farm system, which now ranks 6th overall. 30-year old C Gareth Cusack (.284/.361/.365, 3 HR, 25 RBI, 32 R, 32 BB) and 29-year old Rio Gidley (.266/.334/.388, 3 HR, 30 RBI, 38 R, 31 BB 17 SB) have been the main sparkplugs on the team in an otherwise forgetful season. Key Injuries: LF Kade Mason (.259/.311/.370, 2-2B, 9 RBI, 6 R, 5 BB) missed over two weeks due to ankle soreness. -------- __________________ United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 07-01-2017 at 10:16 PM.

07-25-2015, 01:41 PM	#110
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,864	January 10, 1939 1939 ASG: Eastern League Outguns Western League 9-6 Stratford (BP) – Baseball fans didn’t have to wait until after the game to enjoy the fireworks, as the Eastern and Western league all-stars lit things up themselves in an offensive display that highlighted the 2nd annual All-Star Game held at Stratford’s Bosworth Field. Top of the 1st: The Western League got on the board first when CF Terence Durney, who was playing for the Westerners despite having just been traded to the Embro Suns on the eve of the all-star game, drew a one-out walk off of his soon-to-be new teammate, SP Colm Soper. Durney advanced to third on a SS Gary Watkinson double and came in to score on a 1B Fergus Chitty sac fly. Western All-Stars 1 – Eastern All-Stars 0 Bottom of the 1st: The Easterners responded in the bottom half. 3B Louie Hetherington reached safely with a one-out single and advanced to third when SS Katsunan Chikafuji followed with a double. RF Paul Hooks scored Hetherington on a sac fly to tie the game. LF Bob Boynton then singled to score Chikafuji and give the East a one-run lead. Western All-Stars 1 – Eastern All-Stars 2 Top of the 5th: The West regained the lead in the 5th. 3B Mick Lanfear led off with a double and advanced to third on a ground out. After RF Jayden Tennant walked, PH Ninfa Puzon singled in Lanfear to tie the game with two out. PH Clint Jones then followed with a double to score Tennant with the go-ahead run. Puzon was thrown out on the same play while trying to score from second to end the inning. Western All-Stars 3 – Eastern All-Stars 2 Bottom of the 5th: SP Matthew Monroe batted for himself, despite having a 0.073 AVG this season and led off with a double off of SP Joey Cumberledge. Monroe came in to score to tie the game off of back-to-back singles by PH Rovilson Valdevieso and PH Wayne Balmer. Western All-Stars 3 – Eastern All-Stars 3 Top of the 7th: The West retook the lead in the 7th. PH Derek Sakurai led off with a walk and advanced to second on a PH Gareth Cusack single. Both runners advanced on a ground out and Sakurai came in to score on a Ninfa Puzon sac fly. Western All-Stars 4 – Eastern All-Stars 3 Bottom of the 7th: The East responded in a big way in the bottom half. Rovilson Valdevieso led off with a single, advanced to second on a ground out and then to third on a Matthew Shelley single. Valdevieso then came in to score on a RF Brian Herdman sac fly. After a pitching change, 2B Matthew Lane immediately doubled off of SP Francis Slocock, moving Shelley to third. That set up 1B Jeaic Risbrough, who took a 2-1 offering from Slocock and slammed it into the seats in right field to give the East a three-run lead. Western All-Stars 4 – Eastern All-Stars 7 Top of the 8th: The Westerners got one back with two out when RF Louie Maylam took the 11th pitch in the at-bat from SP Justin Hayhurst and deposited it 434 ft. away into the right-centerfield stands. Western All-Stars 5 – Eastern All-Stars 7 Bottom of the 8th: The East increased their lead in the bottom half. Rovilson Valdeviesio singled with one out and came in to score when 2B Trevor Bolen doubled. After a pitching change, Bolen stole third and came in to score when Matthew Shelley singled off of Nick Paddock. Western All-Stars 5 – Eastern All-Stars 9 Top of the 9th: The Westerners tried to stage a comeback in the 9th but came up short. C Glen Yeend reached base on an error to start the inning, and scored when Ninfa Puzon singled with two out. But Clint Jones then flew out to centerfield to end the game. Western All-Stars 6 – Eastern All-Stars 9 Jeaic Risbrough won Player of the Game honours, going 2-4 with 1-2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI and 1R. -------- Here are the complete All-Star rosters: -------- Here are the standings as of January 10: __________________ United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 07-01-2017 at 10:18 PM.

07-25-2015, 02:36 PM	#111
Bottom Of The Sixth All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 1,239	Glad to see that the All-Star Game was a pitcher's dual!

07-28-2015, 02:34 AM	#112
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,864	Feburary 1, 1939 Eastern League: Trade Winds Blow Strong in January -------- The Embro Suns rebounded in January, going 16-10 and regaining 1st place in the East. The Suns slipped a little in offense, averaging 3rd in most categories, but held fairly steady in pitching (2nd-4th). They have become vulnerable in hits allowed and BABIP (6th) and defense remains a glaring weakness (8th). But the big news for the Suns, as it was for most of the clubs in the ULB, was the number of trades made leading up to the deadline on January 31. Some of those transactions involved big names and could alter the future course of a number of teams. The Suns sent four players to the All-Star game this year: SP Colm Soper, RP John Palm, 2B Alejandro Valdéz and RF Paul Hooks. Key Injuries: 35-year old all-star Alejandro Valdés is still out with a torn back muscle He will miss another 2 months. 27-year old 1B Anthony Stavely (.283/.347/.455, 8 HR, 32 RBI, 29 R, 25 BB) fractured a rib in a game against the Cobourg Red Stockings on January 16. He will miss another 2 weeks. The Suns were involved in no less than four trades: Key trade #1: The Suns acquired 25-year old IF Ewan Zglinicki (23/34 – .303/.348/.387, 4 HR, 38 RBI, 46 R, 24 BB, 10 SB) from the Hespeler Stars on January 4. In return, the Stars received two minor leaguers: 23-year old RP-LHP Brenden Margerson (20/46); and 19-year old IN Nicholas Bolshaw (20/23). Knee-jerk analysis: Hard to make sense of this trade for the Suns, at least on the surface. It seems that they were trying to fill a need that didn’t exist, since they already had IF Jake Walker (69/70). Zglinicki is the better defender, but by not that much, and doesn’t have the offensive tools that Walker has. With Walker having subsequently been traded to the Barons (see Stratford entry below), the Suns have actually taken a bit of a step back. -------- Key trade #2: The Suns acquired 25-year old all-star OF Terence Durney (80/80 – .321/.403/.543, 14 HR, 65 RBI, 80 R, 59 BB, 24 SB) from the Wolseley Unions on January 8 on the eve of the All-Star Game. In return, the Unions hauled in five minor leaguers: 19-year old SP-RHP Aaron Saunderson (20/70 – rated as #5 prospect); 21-year old 1B Carson Morehouse (22/23); 24-year old SP-RHP Michael Milk (23/44 – rated as #48 prospect); 20-year old OF Andrew Miyazaki (21/22); and 23-year old RP-RHP Nobukazu Sato (21/23 – rated as #100 prospect). Knee-jerk analysis: The Suns now have the top centerfielder and 4th best overall player in the ULB. Durney does everything well and instantly becomes the best player on the team. With nagging injuries to key players like 1B Anthony Stavely and 2B Alejandro Valdés, the Suns needed to do something to keep their push for the playoffs alive – and they did that with this trade. The Unions get a decent haul in return. Saunderson, the 13th overall pick in last season’s amateur draft, has the tools to become an outstanding ace of the future. The other two trades will be highlighted in the Stratford Barons and Balmoral Giants sections. -------- The Brunswick Legends regressed a bit in January, going 12-14 and falling 2.5 games back of Embro for first place. The offense was main culprit, falling back to 6th-7th, when it ranked 3rd-4th last month. Their pitching and defense more or less held steady (2nd-4th), although the bullpen has been struggling, ranking last in ERA (4.66). The month can be summed up by RP Tong-yeop Lee (8-4, 9 SV, 4.02 ERA, 1.44 WHIP). After winning Pitcher of the Month honours in December, Lee faltered in January going 11.57 ERA, 1 SV, 2 K, 6 BB in 9.1 IP. The Legends sent four players to the All-Star game this year: SP Matthew Monroe, 2B Matthew Shelley, LF Mark Elston and RF Rovilson Valdevieso. Key Injuries: None. Brunswick made one minor deal before the deadline, with the Downie Chiefs: The Legends acquired 31-year old backup IF Timothy Paul (23/23 – .145/.190/.200, 1 HR, 86 RBI, 3 R, 3 BB), sending 29-year old backup IF Ellis Hoskins (33/35 – .348/.423/.551, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 12 R, 9 BB) to the Chiefs on January 24. -------- The Stratford Barons treaded water in January, going 13-13. They remain 1 game back of the wild card, 3.5 games of first place. Overall ERA and SP ERA remain top-rated, but their bullpen ERA has slipped to 5th. Defense is rated as #1 in the entire ULB. Stratford’s offense rates slightly below league average (5th). The Barons offense is led by the currently top-rated catcher in the ULB, 27-year old Gavin Hurley (.333/.367/.565, 12 HR, 64 RBI, 48 R, 16 BB), as well as 24-year old 1B Francis Pynchon (.316/.359/.510, 1 HR, 31 RBI, 35 R, 15 BB, 9 SB), who won Rookie of the Month honours in January. With regard to Hurley, he had one of the top offensive performances so far this season, when he went 3-4, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB in a game against the Downie Chiefs on January 6. The Barons sent three players to the All-Star game this year: SP Kazuhiko Chikafuji, SP Justin Hayhurst and C Gavin Hurley. Key Injuries: 36-year old 3B Jonathan Lauder (.297/.383/.385, 1 HR, 31 RBI, 30 R, 39 BB) had a rough month. On January 5, he strained his neck muscles in a game against the Downie Chiefs and was out for two weeks. In his second game back, he sprained his wrist. He is out for another 4 weeks. On January 19, 34-year old 2B Pat Copeman (.264/.308/.311, 14-2B, 29 RBI, 34 R, 22 BB) strained his stomach muscles against the Braeland City Monarchs. He should be back in a couple of more days. The Barons made three trades leading up to the deadline: Key trade #1: The Barons acquired 28-year old RP-LHP Bradley Cowell (75/76 – 2-4, 7 SV, 5.40 ERA, 1.71 WHIP) from the Balmoral Giants on January 6. In return, the Giants received two minor leaguers: 21-year old 3B Steve Joiner (23/63); and 20-year old OF Bob Hutchings (22/22). Knee-jerk analysis: Cowell has some nice tools, but only throws sinkers and sliders. He has yet to have an ERA below 4.00, so the Barons must be gambling that a change of scenery be beneficial and help shore up their sagging bullpen. Joiner, a 4th-round pick in last season’s amateur draft, is a very good defender with speed. He will not be force at the plate but could become a decent contact hitter. His work ethic is an issue. -------- Key trade #2: The Barons acquired 26-year old 2B Jake Walker (69/70 – .304/.382/.406, 3 HR, 45 RBI, 70 R, 51 BB) from the Embro Suns on January 27. In return, the Suns received: 31-year old SS Ramon Lugo (46/46 - .271/.354/.432, 3 HR, 21 RBI, 34 R, 29 BB); and Minor leaguer 23-year old SP-LHP Daniel Pierson (23/77 – rated as #4 prospect). Knee-jerk analysis: Walker immediately beefs up the Barons’ lineup and gives them the 4th best shortstop in the ULB. I personally question the wisdom of letting a player of Walker’s caliber go, but the Suns do get an excellent pitching prospect in return, to replace the one they gave up to the Unions in the Durney deal. -------- Key trade #3: The Barons acquired 28-year old CF Román Ferreira (74/75 – .230/.307/.269, 8-2B, 27 RBI, 39 R, 39 BB, 8 SB) and 21-year minor leaguer C Fred Clark (21/36) from the Downie Chiefs on January 27. In return, the Chiefs received 30-year old IF Ken Cutler (44/44 - .287/.327/.386, 5 HR, 56 RBI, 44 R, 24 BB). Knee-jerk analysis: Ferreira slumped a bit this year and thus Downie deemed him expendable, especially in light of their own recent transactions. Ferreira is a tremendous OF defender with blazing speed and will lead off the Baron’s lineup. The outfield is a weakness for the Barons, so if Ferreira can pick up his offense even modestly, it will give a boost to the Barons playoff fortunes. -------- The Braeland City Monarchs faltered in January, going only 11-15. That put them 4.5 games back of first place and 2.5 games back of the wild card. Offensively, the Monarchs slipped just a bit, as they to rank 1st-3rd in most categories. Pitching and defense still trails most teams in the East, averaging 6th-8th. Despite their vulnerabilities, the Monarchs did not make any trades in January. Maybe you don’t have to, when you sent no less than eight players to the All-Star game: SP Lenny Freke, SP Nathaniel Martin, 2B Trevor Bolen, 3B Louie Hetherington, SS Adam Ashley, LF Scott Kessler, CF Jay Atwood and RF Dwayne Hollinshead. Key Injuries: 31-year old 3B Louie Heatherington (.317/.405/.446, 9 HR, 54 RBI, 67 R, 61 BB) suffered an upper arm strain in a game against the Fort Richmond Generals on January 30. He is out for 3-4 weeks. Performance Highlight: Trevor Bolen (.329/.371/.513, 11 HR, 59 RBI, 59 R, 29 BB, 11 SB) did it again. On January 5 against the Brunswick Legends, Bolen hit for the cycle. It’s the second of his career and his second of the season. Bolen hit a two-run home run off Song-Saeng Lee in the 1st, grounded out in the 3rd, doubled in the 5th, hit an RBI triple in the 7th and singled in the 8th. The Monarchs topped the Legends, 7-3. -------- The Wellington Athletics came alive in January, going 18-9, the best record in ULB. That moved them 5.0 games back of first and 2.5 games of the wild card. They came on strong last season after a slow start to win the Pennant, so history may be repeating itself. They improved across the board, averaging 1st to 3rd in most offensive categories and about 5th in pitching categories. Defensively, they rank 4th. The Athletics sent four players to the All-Star game this year: SP Clyde Boney, C Dylan Watkins, LF Bob Boynton and RF Quentin Stubber. Key Injuries: In his first game back from tearing his knee joint, 34-year old SP Michael Hanley (5-8, 5.46 ERA, 1.68 WHIP) broke a bone in his elbow while pitching against the Brunswick Legends on January 16. He will be gone for 6 months. If that weren’t enough, Quentin Stubber (.312/.456/.505, 4 HR, 30 RBI, 49 R, 51 BB, 10 SB) injured himself in his first game back after badly spraining his ankle on December 26. He suffered a sore shoulder in a game against the Cambria Cannons on January 28. He should be back in the lineup in a few days. The Athletics made three trades leading up to the deadline: Key trade #1: The Athletics acquired 29-year old 2B Datu Balsalubra (40/51 – .289/.369/.373, 3 HR, 20 RBI, 23 R, 25 BB) from the Pulberry Trolleys on January 12. In return, the Trolleys received 20-year old minor leaguer SS Chris Gernale (21/35). Knee-jerk analysis: A minor deal; Wellington appeared to acquire Balsalubra for IF depth, behind 2B Ryley McLarnon (.342/.363/.436, 1 HR, 63 RBI, 68 R, 17 BB, 24 SB) and SS Natsume Matsumoto (.293/.330/.385, 1 HR, 36 RBI, 47 R, 17 BB, 15 SB). -------- Key trade #2: The Athletics acquired 27-year old SP-RHP Derek Cawley (55/63 – 8-8, 4.09 ERA, 1.36 WHIP) from the Balmoral Giants on January 28. In return, the Giants received four minor leaguers: 20-year old IF Phil Perrone (22/59); 19-year old IF Freddie Johnson (22/40); 19-year old OF Gael Annetts (20/23); and 24-year old 3B Billy Broughall (22/22); Knee-jerk analysis: Cawley was an all-star last season and it appears that he will be the Athletics No. 2 pitcher. Cawley has decent stuff and movement, but is vulnerable to the long ball. None of the players given up are high-end talent, with Perrone being a second round selection in last season’s amateur draft. The other trade will be highlighted in the For Richmond Generals section. -------- The Queensland Eagles improved modestly, going 13-12 for the month. They are still a lacklustre team, rated 6th - 7th on offense and pitching; 7th in defense. They sit 7.5 games back of first, but still just 5.0 games back of the wild card. Just when I suggested last month that SS Katsunan Chikafuji (.304/.360/.523, 19 HR, 59 RBI, 70 R, 38 BB) was having a down year, he goes and wins Batter of the Month honours in January. The Eagles sent four players to the All-Star game this year: SP Max MacColl, RP Shaun Alford, 2B Kian Meadmore and SS Katsunan Chikafuji. Key Injuries: 35-year old RF Jonathan Mabty (.309/.384/.402, 3 HR, 44 RBI, 33 R, 33 BB) suffered a torn ligament in his thumb in a game against the Wellington Athletics on January 20; he is out for another week. Queensland made one relatively minor deal before the deadline, with the Sherburn Tigers: The Eagles acquired 32-year old backup OF Doug Winslade (46/46 – .308/.345/.436, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 13 R, 4 BB), sending 25-year old RP-RHP Bae Park (0-4, 2 SV, 7.16 ERA, 1.98 WHIP) and 21-year old minor leaguer IF Jim List (22/59) to the Tigers on January 21. Knee-jerk analysis: Queensland gives up two low-level prospects for some insurance in the outfield. Park is rated as a # 69 prospect and List, who was drafted 13th overall in last season’s amateur draft is rated #106. -------- The Downie Chiefs bounced back, albeit modestly last month, finishing January with a 14-12 record. They remain 2 games below .500; 6 games back of the wild card. Given that there is still two months left in the season, it’s understandable why the Chiefs have not given up on the season. Their batting average improved to 4th, but they still rank last nearly all other offensive rankings. Their pitching continues to impress (3rd-4th) and they are 2nd in defensive efficiency. 34-year old SP- RHP Frank Leadbeater (14-8, 2.37 ERA, 1.08 WHIP) continues to be awe-inspiring and won Pitcher of the Month honours in January. The Chiefs sent four players to the All-Star game this year: SP Frank Leadbeater, 1B Jeaic Risbrough, 2B Wayne Balmer and 3B Andy Johnson. Key Injuries: 43-year old SP-LHP Robert Renton (12-8, 3.47 ERA, 1.33 WHIP) tore a thumb ligament in a game against the Pulberry Trolleys on January 29. He expected back in two more weeks. 29-year old C Boyd Bedard (.279/.350/.367, 1 HR, 33 RBI, 35 R, 34 BB) strained his stomach muscles back on January 20; he’s expected back in a few more days. The Chiefs were involved in four trades this month. Two of them were already discussed in the Brunswick and Stratford sections. Here are the other two: Key trade #1: The Chiefs acquired 30-year old C Gareth Cusack (63/63 – .291/.361/.357, 3 HR, 30 RBI, 38 R, 38 BB) from the Pulberry Trolleys on January 9. In return, the Trolleys received five minor leaguers: 23-year old RP-RHP Steven Kenton (33/57 – rated as #41 prospect); 20-year old SS Albert Starkie (22/36); 22-year old LF Fernando Gómez (22/27); 25-year old LF Kikaku Endo (22/22); and 24-year old 1B Richard Streeter (21/22). Knee-jerk analysis: Cusack is an outstanding defensive catcher with fair offensive ability that came off an all-star appearance this month. He is considered the 7th best catcher in the ULB and will immediately supersede Boyd Bedard as the No. 1 catcher on the team. In view of that, the Trolleys come away with five warm bodies and little else. Kenton may develop into a decent relief pitcher, but they should have held out for some higher end talent. -------- Key trade #2: The Chiefs acquired 23-year old LF Finlay Petty (23/23 – .331/.372/.525, 8 HR, 51 RBI, 42 R, 22 BB) from the Pulberry Trolleys on January 21. In return, the Trolleys received in three minor leaguers: 22-year old RF Markus Parkhouse (21/22); 20-year old 2B Carlos Reyna (21/23); and 20-year old C Luis Pérez (21/30); Knee-jerk analysis: The scouts seem to be divided on Petty; he is rated 23/23 by one source, but other reports rate him as 38/48 as recent as January 1. At any rate, he appears to be defying the critics as he continues to produce. Last year, he was worth 1.6 WAR; this year, he is on pace to reach 3.9 WAR. He earned all-star honours this year and will be the Chiefs’ starting leftfielder. In fact, he is rated as the 5th best in the ULB. Go figure. If he keeps it up, then the Trolleys got fleeced again. The problem is not that they traded Petty; it’s that they didn’t get value in return. -------- After two consecutive months of above .500 baseball, the Cobourg Red Stockings regressed to finish 11-16 in January. They are now 14 games of first in the East, and 11.5 games back of the wild card. The offense and pitching are all in a sorry state, averaging 7th-8th in a host of categories. They are 5th in defensive efficiency. Of all the teams in the Eastern League, you would think that the Red Stockings would be sellers. However, their transactions this month belie that notion. The Red Stockings sent four players to the All-Star game this year: SP Joel Fearn, C Dave Wilson, 2B Matthew Lane and RF Brian Herdman. Key Injuries: None. Cobourg made two trades this month: Key trade #1: Cobourg acquired 36-year old emergency SP/RP-RHP Augusto Rocha (68/68 – 8-7, 6 SV, 4.80 ERA, 1.55 WHIP) from the Wolseley Unions on January 2. In return, the Unions received three minor leaguers: 24-year old RF Colin Ito (23/72 – rated as #34 prospect); 22-year old RF Nobuhito Watanabe (23/49); and 20-year old SS Francis Blandford (22/34). Knee-jerk analysis: Rocha may be the right player for some teams looking for pitching depth, but Cobourg is really not that team. It’s hard to understand why the Red Stockings made this trade, considering they should be stocking up with young talent, not old borderline talent. If Cobourg is trying to make a push for the playoffs, they will need more of an impact player than just a relief pitcher. As for Wolseley, they get a nice prospect in Ito along with two other fairly useful pieces. This only adds to their deep farm system, which is rated #1. -------- Key trade #2: The Red Stockings acquired 26-year old SS Ninfa Puzon (63/64 – .298/.353/.465, 8 HR, 64 RBI, 65 R, 38 BB, 19 SB) from the Balmoral Giants on January 29. In return, the Giants received in four minor leaguers: 20-year old SP-RHP Lenny Tennison (20/65 – rated as #39 prospect); 23-year old SS Alastair Health (22/39); 19-year old LF Cedric Horsey (22/34); and 24-year old 1B Shaun Durston (22/22) Knee-jerk analysis: Again – right player, wrong team. Puzon earned all-star honours this season; he is a solid offensive player with excellent base stealing instincts. He is rated as the 6th best SS in the ULB and immediately becomes Cobourg’s starting shortstop. That’s fine – if you have a serious chance at making the post-season. I don’t see it with this club, and again, the Red Stockings are draining their farm system when they should be building for the future. Tennision may or may not develop into a future starting pitcher. But all his current and potential ratings are improving, not regressing. Needless to say, I would have a slightly different approach in building this team – if I was running it. -------- __________________ United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 07-01-2017 at 10:30 PM.

07-30-2015, 09:00 PM	#113
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,864	Feburary 1, 1939 Western League: The Strong Just Got Stronger -------- The Kingston Pelicans returned to form in January, going 19-7, outclassing everyone else in the West, and increasing the gulf between them and second place by 14.5 games. The Pelicans, naturally, are the top-rated team in offense and pitching, while they are 5th in defense. And seemingly just for kicks, they traded for a top 10 starting pitcher to strengthen an already formidable rotation. The Pelicans sent eight players to the All-Star game this year: SP Joey Cumberledge, SP Hirotada Fukushima, SP Brady Murdy, C Cereneo Tolentino, 1B Fergus Chitty, SS Okura Ito, 2B Mo Symes and LF Jayden Tennant. Key Injuries: None. Key trade: The Pelicans acquired 29-year old all-star SP-RHP Francis Slocock (73/73 – 16-5, 1.98 ERA, 1.06 WHIP) from the Fort Richmond Generals on January 10, the day of the All-Star Game. In return, the Generals received five minor leaguers: 19-year old SP-RHP Dean Stroud (33/77 – rated as #5 prospect); 18-year old C Aiden Botterell (21/57); 24-year old 1B Bobby Barrett (23/23); 20-year old LF Scott Warner (21/22); and 24-year old IF Alex Goldsmith (22/23). Knee-jerk analysis: With the acquisition of Francis Slocock, Kingston beefs up an already strong rotation. Slocock (rated #10 pitcher in ULB), once the top starter in Fort Richmond, is now Kingston’s third starter, behind Joey Cumberledge (rated #4) and Brady Murdy (rated #6). He will take his turn in front of Hirotada Fukushima (rated #13) and Darwin Monday. For the Generals, the prime piece in return is SP Dean Stroud, a first round pick in last season’s amateur draft. Stroud looks like a promising starter of the future. He just needs to improve his changeup (20/30) to go along with a decent fastball (40/45) and very good curveball (45/55). -------- The Sherburn Tigers find themselves holding down the wild card, after a 15-10 January. Their offense is firing on all cylinders (2nd) but they’re still struggling in pitching (8th) and defense (7th). Having said that, No. 3 SP, 25-year old Steve Greenwell (9-10, 3.44 ERA, 1.49 WHIP), had an outstanding month and earned Pitcher of the Month honours. Sherburn made one trade this month, with the Queensland Eagles (see Eastern League post above). The Tigers sent three players to the All-Star game this year: C Joe Gault, 3B Mick Lanfear and SS Gary Watkinson. Key Injuries: C Joe Gault (.279/.324/.473, 8 HR, 58 RBI, 42 R, 19 BB) sprained this thumb in a game against the Wolseley Unions on January 1. He is out 3 more weeks after suffering a setback. RP Myung-Gu Son (1-4, 4 SV, 2.96 ERA, 1.68 WHIP) experienced elbow swelling in a game against the Embro Suns on November 17; he is out for another week. Another relief pitcher, RHP Brent Smythe experienced elbow numbness on November 24. He is out for two more months. Performance Highlight: On January 18, Mick Lanfear (.309/.343/.477, 9 HR, 66 RBI, 52 R, 20 BB) hit the fifth cycle in ULB history. Playing against the Balmoral Giants, Lanfear it a two-run triple in the 1st, flied out in the 3rd, hit a two-run single in the 5th, doubled in the 7th, and hit a 3-run homer in the 8th. Lanfear went 4 for 5 with 7 RBI, 3 R. -------- The Cambria Cannons slipped a bit in January, stumbling to an 11-15 record to fall a 0.5 game back of Sherburn for the wild card. Their offense has remained consistent, averaging 3rd-5th in the WL, but their pitching fell to 3rd-4rd and their defense to 6th. The Cannons sent six players to the All-Star game this year: SP Neil Guerin, SP Owen Tautor, C Glen Yeend, 1B Clint Jones, SS Hyun-jung Moon and LF Ron Westmacott. Key Injuries: RP Karl Ough (5-6, 11 SV, 3.23 ERA, 1.38 WHIP) tore a finger tendon on January 16 in a game against the Wolseley Unions. He is out for 3-4 months. SP Jason Fortenberry (2-3, 4.40 ERA, 1.50 WHIP) suffered a torn back muscle in a game against the Queensland Eagles back on November 18. He is out for two more months. The Cannons made one significant trade before the deadline: Key Trade: Cambria acquired 32-year old RP-LHP Quentin Teague (68/69 – 5-6, 3.80 ERA, 1.54 WHIP) from the Wolseley Unions on January 9. The Unions received two minor leaguers: 20-year old OF Taisuke Masumoto (22/60) and 18-year old C Rodney Ernst (22/23). Knee-jerk analysis: Teague immediately becomes Cambria’s top reliever and with RP Karl Ough gone for the season due to injury, his acquisition was timely. Masumoto, a 4th round pick in last season’s amateur draft, has some decent offensive tools and could be a productive fourth infielder in the future. -------- The bottom fell out for the Balmoral Giants in January, as the Giants crumbled to an 8-18 record. The month included a nine-game losing streak after the all-star break, but this time, there was no hot streak to salvage the month. Still, although the Giants remain just 3.5 games back of the wild card, the team’s actions would indicate that they have given up on the season. They made three trades this month, with two of them involving a return of prospects. Two of the trades were highlighted in the Stratford Barons and Cobourg Red Stockings sections in the previous post. The third one is highlighted below. The Giants’ strength continues to be their pitching and defense (2nd in the WL). Offensively, however, Balmoral has been woeful, averaging 7th-8th. The Giants sent five players to the All-Star game this year: SP Charlie Crocombe, SP Ethan Umbleby, RP Noriaki Ito, SS Ninfa Puzon (since traded to Cobourg) and RF Reece Liddell. Key Injuries: Just a couple of weeks after coming off the disabled list, RP RHP Noriaki Ito (6-4, 3.39 ERA, 1.35 WHIP) strained his neck muscles in a game against the while pitching against the Sherburn Tigers on January 18. He is expected back in two weeks. Key Trade: Balmoral acquired 26-year old RF Shannon Walker (61/63 – .251/.312/.363, 2 HR, 46 RBI, 48 R, 34 BB, 8 SB) from the Embro Suns on January 18. The Suns received two players: 26-year old IF Mason Damerell (39/43 – .316/.358/.437, 2 HR, 22 RBI, 24 R, 11 BB); and 23-year old minor leaguer SP-RHP Maurice Adamczak (21/40 – rated as #78 prospect). Knee-jerk analysis: An interesting trade for both sides. Walker has excellent offensive capabilities, very good defense and lots of speed. But, for whatever reason, he is reluctant to use it. Overall, he is about -0.1 WAR for his young career. Embro is the second team to give up on him and maybe, the third time will be the charm. If he does put everything together, the Giants will have secured a major upgrade in leftfield and a valuable contribution to their struggling offense. Embro meanwhile, receives in Damerell a solid backup infielder with fine offensive skills and tremendous speed. Adamczak is a lower ranked prospect that is having a tremendous all-star season in AA (13-6, 2.82 ERA, 1.33 WHIP). -------- The Fort Richmond Generals treaded water in December, going 13-13. The Generals remain 9 games below .500, 5.0 games back of the wild card. Offense rates below average (6th – 7th) where it has been all season. In fielding efficiency, they are 1st in the WL. The pitching ratings remain around 3rd – 4th in the league, but that will undoubtedly suffer in light of having traded away pitching ace Francis Slocock to Kingston. Speaking of, the Generals made three trades this month. Two of the trades were highlighted in the Wellington Athletics and Kingston Pelicans sections. The Generals sent three players to the All-Star game this year: SP Oscar Burress, SP Francis Slocock (since traded to Kingston) and 2B Finlay Reed. Key Injuries: None. Key Trade: Fort Richmond acquired two players from the Pulberry Trolleys on January 29: 33-year old 3B Taisuke Adachi (23/23 – .266/.342/.353, 5 HR, 24 RBI, 29 R, 26 BB); and 22-year old minor leaguer RF Rory Brear (22/22). The Trolleys receive: 26-year old 2B Everton Ridgley (44/45 – .310/.341/.396, 2 HR, 39 RBI, 29 R, 12 BB) Knee-jerk analysis: Overall, a minor deal. Both Adachi and Ridgley remain depth players, with Adachi being given the chance to start against righties. Both however, rank as the top player at their position for their new team. That said both are essentially stopgaps until the teams’ prospects are ready for the show. -------- After a rough December, the Pulberry Trolleys enjoyed a 14-12 January that helped move them out of the basement of the Western League and into 6th place, 7 games back of the wild card. On offense they improved bit, averaging 6th – 7th. They made a modest improvement as well in the department (5th). They rank 4th in defensive efficiency. Considering they spent the month offloading major league players for prospects, it’s remarkable that not only did they remain competitive, they actually improved. In the process, they continued stocking their farm system with talent. Last month, their farm system ranked 6th overall, this month, it improved to 2nd. Pulberry was involved in five significant trades this month. However, those transactions were previously discussed in the Downie Chiefs, Wellington Athletics, Cambria Cannons and Fort Richmond Generals sections. The Trolleys sent four players to the All-Star game this year: SP Nick Paddock, C Gareth Cusack (since traded to Downie), LF Finlay Petty (since traded to Downie), and CF Rio Gidley. Key Injuries: None. -------- Like Pulberry, the Wolseley Unions have been in selling mode, making three significant deals in January in which they traded established stars for prospects. Not surprising, the exodus of major league starters was felt in the standings, as the Unions went 11-15 to fall 22 games back of first and 7.5 games back of the wild card. On offense and pitching, they rank next to last; on defense, dead last. But they still have RF Aaron Flanagan (.261/.342/.502, 19 HR, 71 RBI, 51 R, 42 BB) who won his third Rookie of the Month honours and just gets better and better. Former #1 prospect CF Zak Kidd (.245/.299/.392, 3 HR, 16 RBI, 35 R, 15 BB, 7 SB) continues his acclimation to the major leagues, leading off the Unions’ lineup. Thanks to the three trades they made with Cambria, Embro and Cobourg (discussed elsewhere), the Unions now have the deepest farm system in the ULB. Wolseley sent four players to the All-Star game this year: SP Jean-Pierre Da Silva, 3B Derek Sakurai, LF Terence Durney (since traded to Embro), and RF Aaron Flanagan. Key Injuries: None. -------- The Hespeler Stars cratered in January, staggering to a 9-17 record. However, while their performance suffered, they are not the worst ranked team in the West. Their offense dipped to 4th-5th, while their pitching dipped to 6th. They are the 3rd highest rated defensive team in the WL. Hespeler made one trade this month, with the Embro Suns. That trade is highlighted in the Embro section in the previous post. Like Pulberry and Wolseley, Hespeler has focused on acquiring prospects and have the third best farm system, right behind those two clubs. The Stars sent two players to the All-Star game this year: RF Louie Maylam and RF Toby Reakes. Key Injuries: 39-year old SP-RHP Michael Wilberfoss (6-6, 4.14 ERA, 1.50 WHIP) had a rough month. After suffering two minor injuries earlier in the month that saw him miss a few days each time, he strained his upper arm in a game against the Balmoral Giants on January 23. He will be out more 2 more weeks. All-Star RF Louis Maylam (.295/.421/.540, 16 HR, 52 RBI, 40 R, 58 BB) suffered a concussion in a game against Kingston on January 14. He is expected back in a couple of days. -------- __________________ United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 07-02-2017 at 12:43 PM.

08-02-2015, 10:50 PM	#114
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,864	March 27, 1939 Eastern League: Embro, Brunswick to Battle for EL Pennant The Embro Suns captured top spot in the Eastern League after going 14-10 in February and 15-10 in March. They will host games 1 and 2 of the Eastern League Pennant. Their opponent will be the Brunswick Legends, who finished in second. Overall, the Suns were a slightly above average team. In batting stats, they were 3rd-4th; pitching stats: 2nd-4th and 5th in defensive efficiency. Top position player: Paul Hooks (see performance highlight below). It was not even close. However, CF Terence Durney (.318/.399/.513, 17 HR, 85 RBI, 113 R, 84 BB, 28 SB, 7.9 WAR) finished with a much higher WAR value. But most that (4.7) was earned while playing for Wolseley, prior to his trade to Embro. Hooks is rated #6 in the ULB for position players. Top pitcher: SP-RHP Colm Soper (18-11, 3.14 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 8.5 WAR). Again, it was not close. He is currently the #1 starting pitcher in the ULB. Key Injuries: 35-year old all-star Alejandro Valdés is still dealing with a torn back muscle he suffered back in December. He should be fully recovered in a couple of more weeks. Performance Highlight: LF Paul Hooks (.313/.391/.563, 34 HR, 126 RBI, 100 R, 73 BB, 4.8 WAR), established a new league mark for home runs this season when he finished with 34, 6 more than was hit last season by Kingston’s C Cereneo Tolentino, RF Jayden Tennant and 1B Fergus Chitty. -------- It went down to the final day of the regular season, but the Brunswick Legends held on to capture the wild card over the Wellington Athletics by one game. The Legends went 17-7 in February but faltered a bit in March, going 11-13. But a 10-0 victory over the Queensland Eagles on the final day punched their ticket to the post-season. Had they lost to the Eagles, they would have been forced to play a tie-breaker against the Athletics, who won their game over the Downie Chiefs, 7-2. The Legends are not a great offensive team, average 6th-8th in most categories. Pitching is better, averaging 2nd-4th, although their bullpen ERA is 7th. Defensively, they rank 4th. Top position player: Tough call, but 2B Matthew Shelley (.282/.334/.428, 13 HR, 87 RBI, 86 R, 48 BB, 10 SB, 3.7 WAR) just edges out LF Mark Elston (3.5) and RF Rovilson Valdeviseo (3.5) in WAR value. Top pitcher: SP-LHP Matthew Monroe (13-10, 2.33 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 6.3 WAR) finished head and shoulders above his teammates. He is currently rated as the #9 starting pitcher in the ULB. Key Injuries: None. -------- The Wellington Athletics made it interesting, but in the end it was just not enough to get back into the playoffs. The Athletics scorched through February with a 19-5 record, but faltered in March, going just 11-14. No doubt injuries to key players played a role in their coming up short. They finished in 3rd place, just one back of Brunswick. They averaged 2nd -3rd in most offensive categories and about 5th in pitching categories. Their bullpen ERA, however, ranked 1st. On defense, they finished the season ranked 2nd. Top position player: LF Bob Boynton (.319/.411/.525, 13 HR, 96 RBI, 102 R, 86 BB, 5.3 WAR) gets the nod for his outstanding all-around season. Overall rating: #7. Top pitcher: SP-LHP Clyde Boney (19-11, 2.88 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 6.3 WAR) was far and away his team’s best pitcher. Overall rating: #10. Key Injuries: 34-year old SP-RHP Michael Hanley (5-8, 5.46 ERA, 1.68 WHIP) broke a bone in his elbow while pitching against the Brunswick Legends on January 16. He is out of commission for another 4 months. The Athletics’ pitching staff took another body blow when ace SP-LHP Clyde Boney experienced shoulder stiffness in a game against the Braeland City Monarchs on March 23. He is expected to be fully recovered in 3 more weeks. Performance Highlight: 2B Ryley McLarnon (.328/.358/.427, 1 HR, 84 RBI, 100 R, 33 BB, 35 SB, 4.4 WAR), won the Eastern League batting title. -------- The Braeland City Monarchs missed the playoffs this season but it wasn’t for a lack of trying. The Monarchs went 15-9 in February and 13-11 in March. They finished 2.0 games back of the wild card. Offensively, the Monarchs ranked 1st in a slew of categories. Pitching was their downfall, averaging 7th-8th in nearly every category. They were 6th in defensive efficiency. Top position player: Rookie SS Adam Ashley (.320/.366/.460, 9 HR, 81 RBI, 104 R, 45 BB, 16 SB, 6.7 WAR) was his team’s best player this season. Top pitcher: Again, no contest: SP-RHP Lenny Freke (19-10, 2.85 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 8.4 WAR) was his team’s best pitcher. Overall rating: #3. Key Injuries: 22-year old 2B Trevor Bolen (.321/.365/.502, 11 HR, 64 RBI, 62 R, 32 BB, 11 SB, 4.3 WAR) fractured his finger in a collision at second base in a game against the Sherburn Tigers. He is expected to recover in another 3-4 weeks. -------- Although the Stratford Barons played well enough to stay in the thick of things, they just could not get on a hot streak that would have helped them grab the wild card. Instead, they went 14-10 in February and 13-11 in March to finish 2.0 games back of the wild card, tied with Braeland City. They finished with the best overall ERA and SP ERA in the Eastern League, but their bullpen ERA remained rated as 5th. Defense suffered as it fell to #3 in the EL. Stratford’s offense slipped as well, falling to 6th-7th. Top position player: C Gavin Hurley (.346/.384/.594, 20 HR, 94 RBI, 70 R, 26 BB, 6.4 WAR) by a fair margin was Stratford’s top position player. Overall rating: #15. Top pitcher: SP-LHP Justin Hayhurst (19-10, 2.11 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 7.0 WAR) gets the nod over SP-LHP Ryan Borden (6.7 WAR). Overall rating for Hayhurst: #7. Key Injuries: 32-year old RP-RHP Ricardo Díaz (7-8, 4.16 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, 0.3 WAR) was diagnosed with a swollen forearm on March 17. He will be out of commission for 4 months. On March 26, 28-year old C Gavin Hurley strained his back in a game against the Embro Suns. He should be fully healed in a couple of weeks. -------- The Downie Chiefs became the sixth team to win 80+ games in the Eastern League this season, thanks to a 17-7 February and a 15-10 March. Ultimately it was not enough to reach the post-season, as they finished 3 games back of the wild card. Their batting average was 3rd best in the EL and their on-base percentage was rated 4th, but there were too many categories where they ranked 6th-8th. Their pitching was much stronger, ranking 2nd-4th. They finished 3rd in defensive efficiency. Top position player: A very tough call. It was a toss-up between 2B Wayne Balmer (.294/.352/.418, 11 HR, 74 RBI, 96 R, 57 BB, 16 SB, 4.7 WAR) and 3B Andy Johnson (.322/.358/.426, 8 HR, 80 RBI, 81 R, 33 BB, 4.6 WAR). Top pitcher: Not a tough call. SP-RHP Frank Leadbeater (19-11, 2.50 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 7.9 WAR) was the easy choice. Overall rating: #6. Key Injuries: LF Finlay Petty (.355/.398/.591, 15 HR, 70 RBI, 60 R, 29 BB, 4.6 WAR) developed back spasms in a game against the Wolseley Unions on February 21. He should be recovered in another 3 weeks. RF John Dugan (.253/.343/.400, 11 HR, 54 RBI, 49 R, 47 BB, 10 SB, 2.3 WAR) suffered a ribcage strain for the second time this season on March 20. He is expected to be fully healed in 3 more weeks. -------- The Queensland Eagles treaded water over the final two months of the season, going 11-14 in February and 14-11 in March. They finished with a 77-77 record, 9.0 games back of the wild card. Overall, they just could not get it together, ranking 6th on offense and 6th-7th in pitching. They finished an underwhelming 7th in defensive efficiency. Top position player: SS Katsunan Chikafuji (.317/.374/.538, 29 HR, 100 RBI, 105 R, 59 BB, 7.2 WAR) was Queenland’s offensive leader this season. Overall rating: #3. Top pitcher: SP-LHP Max MacColl (16-11, 2.90 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 6.6 WAR) was Queensland’s top pitcher, although Darren Stewart (5.2 WAR) and Stewart Colcott (4.5 WAR) had fine seasons as well. Overall rating for MacColl: #8. Key Injuries: None. -------- In February, it looked as though the Cobourg Red Stockings had sprung to life; going 19-5 and moving 1 game above .500. But then it came undone in March, as they could only put up a measly 7-18 record to round out their season. The Red Stockings finished at the bottom of the standings, 17.0 games out of first. The offense improved modestly, averaging 6th-7th in most categories. But they were horrendous in pitching (8th, almost across the board). They finished dead last in defensive efficiency. Top position player: A three-way tie between C Dave Wilson (.278/.346/.400, 13 HR, 70 RBI, 72 R, 56 BB, 3.6 WAR), 2B Matthew Lane (.259/.384/.516, 20 HR, 72 RBI, 65 R, 57 BB, 3.6 WAR) and 3B Kenneth Logan (.272/.344/.403, 16 HR, 96 RBI, 81 R, 59 BB, 3.6 WAR). Top pitcher: A little more clear-cut. SP-LHP Joel Fearn (19-14, 3.52 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 5.5 WAR) remains Cobourg’s best pitcher. Overall rating: #15. Key Injuries: 36-year old SP-RHP Augusto Rocha (8-9, 4.46 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, 0.3 WAR) tore an upper-arm muscle in a game against the Downie Chiefs on March 15. His recovery is expected to take 2-3 months. -------- __________________ United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 07-02-2017 at 12:51 PM. Reason: fixing screenshot screwups

08-03-2015, 08:58 AM	#115
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,864	March 27, 1939 Western League: Nobody Wants to Play Kingston for the Pennant? [ -------- The Kingston Pelicans rolled right along in February and March, going 15-9 and 18-6 respectively to finish with 101 victories. When the dust settled, their nearest competitor finished 27 games behind them. Kingston was the only team to sport a winning record in the Western League, something I’ve never seen before in all my previous incarnations of the ULB. To me, it really seemed that the other seven teams were trying NOT to finish second so as to avoid facing the Pelicans for the Western League Pennant. But as we all know, the playoffs are a new season and records mean nothing (so it wouldn’t surprise me if the next United League champions sported a losing record - shudder). When it comes all the batting/pitching/defensive stats and rankings, it’s probably just as easy to list the categories that Kingston did NOT finish first in, namely: bases on balls (2nd), strikeouts (2nd) and stolen bases (7th). Everything else: first. Top position player: In a team laden with talent, Kingston’s top player would have to be SS Okura Ito (.333/.378/.557, 29 HR, 103 RBI, 126 R, 44 BB, 8.2 WAR), beating out 1B Fergus Chitty (7.0 WAR). Ito is rated #2 in the ULB for position players. Top pitcher: Based on WAR value alone, SP-RHP Joey Cumberledge (20-11, 2.35 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 9.5 WAR) would get the nod over SP-RHP Brady Murdy (9.2 WAR). But Murdy was Kingston’s top pitcher. See performance highlight below. Key Injuries: The Pelicans did get hit with the injury bug heading into the playoffs. 31-year old RF Jayden Tennant (.298/.368/.543, 15 HR, 62 RBI, 44 R, 33 BB, 2.6 WAR) separated a hip joint in a game on February 27 against the Cambria Cannons. He won’t be back for at least three more months. 24-year old SP-LHP Hirotada Fukushima (21-6, 3.50 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 5.2 WAR) is day-to-day for another week after suffering a slipped disc back in a game on the last day of the season. Performance Highlight: SP Brady Murdy won the pitching Triple Crown, topping all Western League pitchers in wins, strikeouts and ERA. -------- The Cambria Cannons finished in second, simply because they weren’t quite as awful as the other clubs trailing the Pelicans. The Cannons went 10-14 in February, 11-13 in March. Their offense remained steady, averaging 2nd-3rd in the WL. Pitching held steady as well, averaging 2nd-4rd. Defensive efficiency improved slightly to 5th. Top position player: 22-year old LF Ron Westmacott (.302/.389/.564, 12 HR, 94 RBI, 109 R, 78 BB, 7.0 WAR) was the Cannons best position player this season. Top pitcher: 35-year old SP-RHP Neil Guerin (17-10, 1 SV, 3.06 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 7.4 WAR) was far and away Cambria best pitcher. Key Injuries: 2B Charles Halse (.275/.333/.507, 4 HR, 18 RBI, 13 R, 12 BB, 0.6 WAR) suffered a sprained ankle in a game against the Braeland City Monarchs on February 4; he returned from rehab on March 27. RP Karl Ough (5-6, 11 SV, 3.23 ERA, 1.38 WHIP) tore a finger tendon on January 16 in a game against the Wolseley Unions. He is out for another 6 weeks. -------- The Balmoral Giants stunk it up in February (8-16) and then played out the string in March (12-12). The Giants regressed on pitching (3rd-5th) and defense (4th). Offensively, they improved modestly, averaging 6th. Top position player: 26-year old SS Chance Doerr (.285/.351/.5442, 11 HR, 62 RBI, 99 R, 54 BB, 4.6 WAR) was Balmoral’s most consistent offensive player. Top pitcher: 30-year old SP-RHP Charlie Crocombe (17-11, 2.74 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 5.4 WAR) gets the nod. Key Injuries: 37-year old LF Roger Tyler was out for over 3 weeks due to a slipped disc in his neck, suffered on February 22. -------- The Sherburn Tigers sunk any hope they entertained of making the playoffs when they went 6-19 in February, which included a frustrating 15-game losing streak. In March, they eked out a 10-14 record. Their offense regressed a bit, averaging around 2nd-3rd. All season, their Achilles heel was their pitching (8th) and defense (8th). Top position player: This was one of the easier ones. 32-year old SS Gary Watkinson (.344/.446/.466, 8 HR, 71 RBI, 124 R, 102 BB, 7.8 WAR). See the performance highlight below. Watkinson is the top-rated position player in the ULB. Top pitcher: Yuck. Although SP-RHP Yasushi Kobayashi finished with the highest WAR value among pitchers (just 1.9), my choice instead would be 25-year old SP-RHP Steve Greenwell (12-14, 3.94 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 1.7 WAR). Greenwell essentially had just one great month, in January when he won Pitcher of the Month honours. He was mediocre or worse in the other months. But Kobayashi just cratered in January (1-5, 6.85) and February (0-6, 7.54), making it hard for me to seriously give him the ‘accolade’. Key Injuries: 40-year old RF Kensaku Miura (.283/.369/.416, 5 HR, 53 RBI, 27 R, 34 BB, 0.5 WAR) bruised his wrist in a game against the Kingston Pelicans on March 9. He is expected back in 6 more days. 3B Mick Lanfear (.300/.336/.475, 14 HR, 93 RBI, 75 R, 31 BB, 3.5 WAR) tore a knee joint in a game against the Pulberry Trolleys on March 21; he is out of commission for another 2-3 weeks. Performance Highlight: Gary Watkinson won the Eastern League batting title, with a ULB leading .344. -------- The Pulberry Trolleys rounded out their season with a 8-16 February and a 14-11 March to finish 18 games below .500. On offense they averaged 5th – 7th, which was a modest improvement over the course of the season. In pitching categories, they remained around 5th. They actually improved in defensive efficiency as the season wore on, ranking 3rd in the West. Top position player: CF Rio Gidley (.295/.375/.417, 5 HR, 59 RBI, 80 R, 74 BB, 26 SB) was Mr. Steady for the Trolleys. Top pitcher: 30-year old SP-RHP Nick Paddock (10-17, 3.04 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 5.6 WAR) was Pulberry’s best pitcher overall this season. Overall rating: #18. Key Injuries: None. -------- The Western League did not like February, when they visited their Eastern League counterparts. Case in point: the Wolseley Unions, who won a grand total of 5 games (and lost 19). The month included a 14-game losing streak. But in March, the Unions rebounded, going 15-9. Wolseley finished their lost season 35 games back of Kingston and 22 games below .500. On offense and pitching, they ended up averaging 6th-8th; on defense, 7th. Top position player: OF Terence Durney (.312/.388/.533, 12 HR, 51 RBI, 65 R, 44 BB, 18 SB, 4.7 WAR) was the Unions’ best position player prior to his trade to the Suns. For players still on the Unions roster, 3B Derek Sakurai (.282/.362/.468, 15 HR, 87 RBI, 84 R, 70 BB, 3.9 WAR) would be my top pick. Top pitcher: My pick would be 30-year old SP-RHP Joe Walrond (13-15, 3.77 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 1.5 WAR) as Wolseley’s top pitcher this season, although Edward Hill had a much better WAR rating. Key Injuries: SP-LHP Edward Hill (7-18, 4.95 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, 3.2 WAR) suffered shoulder swelling in a game against the Downie Chiefs on February 22. He is out four more outs. -------- The Fort Richmond Generals collapsed in February (8-16) and March (8-17) to finish 37 games back of Kingston and 26 games below .500 on the season. Offense regressed to the bottom or near bottom (7th–8th) in the West in almost all categories. Their pitching remained strong though, averaging 2nd – 4th in most categories. Defense was a strong point as well, rated 2nd in the WL. Top position player: Tough call, but I’ll go with SS Finlay Ridd (.296/.369/.358, 4 HR, 49 RBI, 57 R, 58 BB, 4.1 WAR) for his defensive value at three infield positions, just over LF Kade Limeburner (.262/.353/.441, 14 HR, 81 RBI, 79 R, 85 BB, 3.8 WAR). Limeburner, however, was hardly a defensive liability in the field as well. Top pitcher: SP-RHP Francis Slocock (13-4, 2.16 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 3.7 WAR) would have been the easy choice, had he not been traded to Kingston in January. Thus I will go with 25-year old SP-RHP Oscar Burress (14-15, 3.44 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 4.0 WAR). Key Injuries: 31-year old SP-RHP Tristan Purss (13-19, 3.72 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 2.8 WAR) was placed on the DL on March 18 for an undisclosed injury that put him out of commission for two weeks. But I can tell you that he hurt himself while arm wrestling at a local bar. I guess he was trying to settle it the usual way. -------- The Hespeler Stars’ season is mercifully over, as they limped through February and March with 7-17 and 9-15 records. 34-games below .500, 41 games back of first when all was said and done. Wait ‘til next year! Their offense ranked a respectable 4th. But their pitching fell to 7th by season’s end. Defensively they regressed as well, falling to 6th in the West. Top position player: 35-year old LF Louie Maylam (.304/.415/.525, 22 HR, 82 RBI, 58 R, 78 BB, 4.2 WAR) was the top player for the Stars. Overall ranking: #12. Top pitcher: Tough call to make on a pitching-challenged team, but I’ll go with RP-RHP Julius Hunt (10-11, 5 SV, 4.13 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 2.6 WAR) over 40-year old SP-RHP Michael Wilberfoss (10-9, 4.52 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, 2.7 WAR). Key Injuries: None. -------- __________________ United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 07-02-2017 at 12:56 PM.

08-05-2015, 12:34 AM	#116
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,864	1939 Eastern League Pennant Series Embro Suns (89-65) vs. Brunswick Legends (86-68) Season Matchup: 9-6 in favour of Brunswick Game 1 Brunswick 2 – Embro 1 Game 1 one of the Eastern League Pennant series was a pitcher’s duel between Embro’s Colm Soper (8.0 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K) and Brunswick’s Matthew Monroe (9.0 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K). Monroe got all the support he needed when the Legends pushed a couple of runs across the plate in the 3rd and 4th innings. The Suns could only manage 1 run against Monroe in the 7th and Brunswick took the first game on the road. Player of the Game: Legends’ SP Matthew Monroe (1-0, 1.00). -------- Game 2 Brunswick 6 – Embro 9 The bats showed up for Game 2, as Embro evened the series. The Suns roughed up Brunswick SP Song-saeng Lee (5.2 IP, 14 H, 9 ER, 0 BB, 2 K), tagging him for 3 runs in both the 1st and 2nd innings. Brunswick replied with a run in the top of the 2nd inning and two in the 3rd. But the Suns scored three more in the 6th to end Lee’s day. But the Legends would not give up. With two out in the top of the 9th, RF Rolvilson Valdevieso slammed a 3-run home run into the right field bleachers. However, SP Pete Allison (9.0 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 1 HR) then got LF Mark Elston to fly out to centerfield to end the rally and the game. Player of the Game: Rolvilson Valdevieso of the Legends, who went 2-3, with 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2 R. Noteworthy: Suns’ 3B Ramón Lugo went 3 for 4, with 3-2B, 1 RBI, setting an EL playoff game record for doubles. -------- Game 3 Embro 17 – Brunswick 4 For the first playoff game held at Babe Ruth Park in Brunswick, the Embro Suns put on a show no one would soon forget, as they pummelled the Legends with 24 hits, including 3 home runs and 6 doubles. The Suns got straight to work in the 1st. An error, a walk, two singles and two doubles gave the Suns a 5-0 lead. The Suns added two more in the top of 2nd before Brunswick finally scored a run in the bottom half. But Embro’s C Paul Critch fractured a finger in a collision at 3B, necessitating backup C Luis Delgado to take his place. Embro and Brunswick exchanged runs in the 4th, including one off of a home run from Suns’ 1B Anthony Stavely. Embro continued to pile it on, thanks in part to a 2-run home run in the 6th and a 3-run home run in the 8th, both off the bat of one Luis Delgado. CF Terence Durney added a final run for Embro with a lead-off home run in the 9th. Embro’s SP Chris Sappington (9.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 K) picked up the win, while SP Anastasio Rodríquez (4.2 IP, 13 H, 10 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 1 HR) took the loss. Player of the Game: Although he didn’t start the game, C Luis Delgado made a memorable impression, going 3 for 4, with 2 HR, 5 RBI, 3 R. -------- Game 4 Embro 2 – Brunswick 5 In a rematch of Game 1 starting pitchers, Brunswick managed to even the series up. Like Game 1, the game started out as a pitcher’s duel. Embro got on the board first in the 4th, before Brunswick tied it up in the 6th. Suns’ SP Colm Soper hit a 1-out double in the 7th and later came in to score to help Embro retake the lead. But Soper ran into trouble in the 8th, giving up two singles and 2 walks, allowing Brunswick to tie the game. That was all for Soper. RP John Palm took over and walked in a run and then surrendered a two-run single to C Phil Flood, handing the game to Brunswick. Brunswick’s SP Matthew Monroe (8.0 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K) picked up the win, while SP Colm Soper (7.2 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 6 K) lost his second game of the series. Player of the Game: Legends’ SP Matthew Monroe (2-0, 1.59). -------- Game 5 Embro 2 – Brunswick 8 Brunswick kept the momentum going in Game 5. The Legends got on the board in the bottom of the 1st before Embro tied it up in the top of the 2nd. It would stay that way until the 4th, when 1B Pete Good knocked a two-run homer off of SP Pete Allison to make it 3-1 Brunswick. Embro got within a run in the top of the 5th, but Brunswick’s 2-run lead was restored in the bottom half thanks to LF Mark Elston’s solo home run. Brunswick tacked on another run in the bottom of the 6th before breaking it open in the 7th. Three singles and two walks scored three runs, ending SP Pete Allison’s night and giving the Legends a 3-2 series lead. Brunswick’s SP Song-saeng Lee (9.0 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 1 HR) got the win, while SP Pete Allison (6.1 IP, 11 H, 8 ER, 6 BB, 2 K, 2 HR) took the loss. Player of the Game: Legends 1B Pete Good, who went 2 for 2, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB. -------- Game 6 Brunswick 6 – Embro 8 Embro staved off elimination in Game 6 to even the series up at 3-games apiece. But Brunswick jumped out first, scoring a run in the 1st and two in the 2nd. Embro got those runs right back in the bottom half of the 2nd, thanks to a 3-run home run by 3B Mason Damerell off of SP Anastasio Rodríquez. Embro added a run in both the 3rd and 5th innings to take a 2-run lead. But the Legends rattled SP Chris Sappington in the 7th, scoring three runs off of three singles, a walk and a sac fly to take a 1-run lead. Embro tied it up in the bottom of the 7th and then took the lead for good in the 8th, scoring 2 runs off of three singles and a walk. Embro’s SP Chris Sappington (9.0 IP, 12 H, 6 ER, 2 BB, 5 K) earned the win, while SP Anastasio Rodríquez (8.0 IP, 11 H, 8 ER, 8 BB, 3 K, 1 HR) took the loss. Rodríquez set the EL playoff game record for walks with 8. Player of the Game: Suns SS Ewan Zglinicki went 4 for 5, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1SB. -------- Game 7 Brunswick 10 – Embro 2 The third matchup in the series between Brunswick’s Matthew Monroe and Embro’s Colm Soper did not turn into a pitcher’s duel, as Brunswick got to Soper early, scoring three runs in the top of the 1st. Embro scored two in the 2nd inning, but they proved to be the last the Suns would score this season. It was all Brunswick the rest of the way. A double, two singles, two walks and an error in the top of the 5th scored 5 runs for Brunswick off of a beleaguered Colm Soper. Brunswick added runs in the 7th and 8th innings to seal the victory and take the series in seven games. Brunswick’s SP Matthew Monroe (6.0 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 1 K) got the win, while SP Colm Soper (5.0 IP, 10 H, 8 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 3 K) lost his third game of the series. Player of the Game: Legends LF Mark Elston, who went 3 for 4, 1-2B, 3 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB. -------- __________________ United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 07-02-2017 at 01:01 PM.

08-06-2015, 01:51 AM	#117
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,864	1939 Western League Pennant Series Kingston Pelicans (101-53) vs. Cambria Cannons (74-80) Season Matchup: 9-6 in favour of Kingston Game 1 Cambria 0 – Kingston 3 Like its Eastern League counterpart, Game 1of the Western League featured a pitcher’s duel between two all-star starting pitchers: Neil Guerin of the Cannons and Joey Cumberledge of the defending champion Pelicans. In fact, both pitchers surrendered only one double throughout the game; the rest were singles. Kingston struck first. In the bottom of the 3rd, a single and double scored the first run of the game. Kingston got two more runs in the 5th, thanks to three singles and a walk. All three runs were scored with two out. Despite Guerin’s valiant pitching, Cumberledge was just a little bit better, keeping the Cannons off the scoreboard. Cambria’s best chance came in the bottom the 9th. A leadoff double and then back-to-back walks with two out loaded the bases and ended Cumberledge’s afternoon. But RP Keith Kearney got 3B Clint Jones to strike out to end the threat and the game. Kingston’s SP Joey Cumberledge (8.2 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 3 K) earned the win; Cambria’s SP Neil Guerin (8.0 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 3.38 ERA) took the loss. Player of the Game: Kingston’s SP Joey Cumberledge (1-0, 0.00 ERA). -------- Game 2 Cambria 5 – Kingston 1 Fresh off their shut-out victory in Game 1, the Pelicans started SP Brady Murdy, the pitching triple-crown winner this past season, and expected perhaps more of the same. But the Cannons were not intimidated. After getting two quick outs to start the game, Murdy walked and hit the next two batters. The next two singled and doubled and before the top of the 1st was over, Cambria led 3-0. RF Al Tucker made it 4-0 Cambria with a solo shot into the right field bleachers in the 3rd. Kingston finally got on the board when SS Okura Ito hit a solo home run to left field in the bottom of the 5th off of SP Owen Tautor. The Cannons added a fifth run in the 9th off of a single and double. RP Jason Fortenberry came in to relieve SP Owen Tautor in the bottom of the 9th. Fortenberry gave up just a harmless single to 2B Mo Symes and the Cannons tied up the series at one game apiece. Cambria’s SP Owen Tautor (8.0 IP, 10 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 1 HR) picked up the impressive win; Kingston’s SP Brady Murdy (9.0 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 1 HR, 5.00 ERA) suffered the loss. Player of the Game: Cambria’s SP Owen Tautor (1-0, 1.13 ERA). -------- Game 3 Kingston 9 – Cambria 6 In an error-filled game, the Pelicans outscored the Cannons to take a 2-1 series lead. LF Andrew Jensen got Kingston on the board first, with a one-out solo home run off of SP Bradley Dodson in the top of the 3rd inning. A throwing error, a wild pitch and a single made it 2-0 Kingston by the time the inning was over. Cambria bounced back in the bottom half. A lead-off single, a fielding error and a walk set up SS Hyun-jung Moon’s bases-clearing double and Cambria took the lead. Back-to-back doubles by Kingston in the 4th tied it up, but Cambria regained the lead in bottom half with a double and single. Alas, the wheels fell apart for the Cannons in the 7th. Three doubles, two singles, a walk and a fielding error scored six for Kingston and ended SP Bradley Dodson’s day. Cambria would scratch out a run in both the 7th and 8th innings, but it was not enough and Kingston took the upper hand in the series. Kingston’s SP Francis Slocock (6.0 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 1.50 ERA) picked up the win; Cambria’s SP Bradley Dodson (6.2 IP, 14 H, 9 R, 6 ER, 3 BB, 1 K, 1 HR, 8.10 ERA) took the loss. Player of the Game: Kingston’s LF Andrew Jensen, who went 3 for 6, with 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R. -------- Game 4 Kingston 9 – Cambria 0 A match up of pitchers from Game 1 resulted in another shut-out for Kingston and a commanding lead in the series. The Pelicans got to SP Neil Guerin early. 2B Mo Symes led the game off with a triple and came in to score on a LF Andrew Jensen ground out. An error, a double and two singles in the 2nd inning scored three more and Kingston led 4-0 after two. 1B Fergus Chitty made it 5-0 Kingston with a lead-off home run in the 3rd inning. Neil Guerin was relieved by RP Jason Fortenberry to start the 7th. But Kingston jumped all over him, hitting four consecutive singles (five overall) in the inning to score three and extend their lead by eight. LF Andrew Jensen led off the top of the 9th inning with his second home run of the series to cap off Kingston’s dominating win. Kingston’s SP Joey Cumberledge (9.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K) earned the win; Cambria’s SP Neil Guerin (6.0 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 1 HR, 3.86 ERA) suffered his second loss in the series. Player of the Game: Kingston’s SP Joey Cumberledge (2-0, 0.00 ERA). -------- Game 5 Kingston 3 – Cambria 5 The Cannons staved off elimination with a gritty victory. However, it was Kingston who looked as though they were going to take it. The Pelicans got on the board first in the top of the 2nd. The Pelicans led off with a single and double and scored on a SP Brady Murdy ground out. Cambria tied it up in the 4th, but a two-out, two-run homer by C Cereneo Tolentino in the 6th gave Kingston a 3-1 lead. Cambria got to Murdy in the bottom half of the 6th. Two doubles, two singles and two sac flies plated three runs and gave the Cannons the lead for the first time. Cambria added a fifth run in the 7th inning and held on to take game 5 to extend the series, at least for another game. Cambria’s SP Owen Tautor (9.0 IP, 13 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, 1 HR) picked up his second win of the series, while Kingston’s SP Brady Murdy (8.0 IP, 10 H, 5 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 5.29 ERA) was handed his second loss. Player of the Game: Cambria’s SP Owen Tautor (2-0, 2.12 ERA). -------- Game 6 Cambria 1 – Kingston 2 Game 6 featured a pitching battle between SP Francis Slocock and SP Bradley Dodson that kept all 27,236 fans at Kingston Park on the edge of their seats. Through four innings, Slocock had given up only two singles and Dodson was pitching a perfect game. But Kingston finally broke through in the bottom of the 5th. Dodson surrendered three consecutive singles that allowed Kingston to score a run. Dodson did it again in the bottom of the 8th, giving up three singles, allowing Kingston to tack on another run. Down to their last three outs, Cambria’s LF Ron Westmacott hit a double with one out in the top of the 9th. After CF Joe Olver flew out to left field, SS Hyun-jung Moon tripled, scoring Westmacott for Cambria’s first run. Kingston then brought in RP Keith Kearney on a double switch. Kearney then got PH Michihiro Sano to fly out to right field to end the game and hand the Western League pennant to Kingston for the second consecutive season. Kingston’s SP Francis Slocock (8.2 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K) won his second game of the series; Cambria’s SP Bradley Dodson (8.0 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 1 K, 4.91 ERA) was handed his second loss, despite a heroic effort. Player of the Game: Kingston’s SP Francis Slocock (2-0, 1.23 ERA). -------- __________________ United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 07-02-2017 at 01:05 PM.

08-07-2015, 03:00 PM	#118
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,864	1939 United Cup Championship Kingston Pelicans (101-53) vs. Brunswick Legends (86-68) Kingston: Runs scored – 866 (1st in WL); runs allowed – 604 (1st in WL). Brunswick: Runs scored – 720 (5th in EL); runs allowed – 650 (2nd in EL). Season Matchup: 5-1 in favour of Kingston -------- Game 1 Brunswick 4 – Kingston 5 Game 1 of the United Cup Championship began slowly, with the first two innings producing just a single by the Pelicans. But in the top of the 3rd inning, Brunswick got to SP Joey Cumberledge. C Phil Flood led off with a double and scored when SS Rubén Sánchez hit a double of his own with two out. RF Rovilson Valdevieso immediately singled to score Sánchez and the Legends led 2-0. But the Pelicans got to work against SP Song-saeng Lee in the bottom half of the inning. Kingston led off with four straight singles, scoring a run. A one-out walk by CF Chong-sik Lee forced in the tying run. A fielder’s choice at second base and another single scored two more and the Pelicans led 4-2 after three. It remained that way until the bottom of the 8th, when two singles and a walk scored Kingston’s fifth run. That run proved to be crucial, as Brunswick mounted a rally in the 9th. Phil Flood led off with a double and scored on 3B Vince Bailey’s home run into the leftfield bleachers with one out. But Joey Cumberledge was able to contain the damage, getting Rubén Sánchez to pop up to first base and RF Justin Elworthy to fly out to centerfield to close out the game. Kingston’s SP Joey Cumberledge (9.0 IP, 11 H, 4 ER, 0 BB, 6 K, 1 HR) remained undefeated in the post-season, picking up his third win. Brunswick’s SP Song-saeng Lee (8.0 IP, 9 H, 5 ER, 3 BB, 4 K) took the loss. Player of the Game: Kingston’s SP Joey Cumberledge (3-0, 1.35 ERA). -------- Game 2 Brunswick 2 – Kingston 7 The second game of the series started off slowly as well, as Kingston’s Brady Murdy and Brunswick’s Anastasio Rodríguez surrendered only a couple of singles each through the first two innings. However, Kingston got on the board first in the bottom of the 3rd. SP Brady Murdy led the inning off with a double. A walk to SS Mo Symes and a single by SS Okura Ito loaded the bases. A passed ball then scored Murdy to make it 1-0 Kingston. Brunswick got that run back in the top of the 5th, when three singles by SP Anastasio Rodríguez, SS Rubén Sánchez and LF Mark Elston scored a run. But Kingston broke it open in the 6th, when three doubles and a single plated 4 runs, making it 5-1 Pelicans. Back-to-back doubles by RF Rovilson Valdevieso and Mark Elston to start the top of the 8th inning produced Brunswick’s second run. Kingston responded in the bottom half, as three singles and an intentional walk scored two more for the home team and ended Anastasio Rodríguez’s day. Brunswick went down quietly in the 9th and the Pelicans took the second game of the series. Kingston’s SP Brady Murdy (9.0 IP, 10 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 8 K) won his first game of the post-season. Brunswick’s SP Anastasio Rodríguez (7.2 IP, 12 H, 7 ER, 4 BB, 3 K) took the loss, his third of the post-season. Player of the Game: Kingston’s SP Brady Murdy (1-2, 4.15 ERA). -------- Game 3 Kingston 4 – Brunswick 5 30, 757 were in attendance for Game 3, as the United Cup Championship moved to Brunswick’s Babe Ruth Park. Kingston appeared to pick up where they left off in Game 2, as they scored the first run of the game in top of the 1st, when 3B Bob Kight drew a one-out walk and scored on SS Okura Ito’s double. Okura Ito made it 2-0 with a lead-off home run to start the 4th inning. The Legends’ bats woke up in the home half of the inning. Two singles, a double, an intentional walk and an error plated three and gave Brunswick the lead. In the bottom of the 5th, Brunswick loaded the bases with a single and two walks. A groundout by 1B Pete Good made it 4-2 Legends. In the top of the 6th, SS Mo Symes drew a leadoff walk, moved to second on a sac bunt and scored on a 1B Fergus Chitty single, closing the gap to one. But the Legends got that run back in the bottom half. After getting on base via a fielder’s choice, RF Rovilson Valdevieso stole second and then scored on LF Mark Elston’s single. That ended SP Francis Slocock’s day for Kingston. But Kingston would threaten in the 9th inning. Three singles off of RP Tong-yeop Lee, who replaced SP Matthew Monroe in the 7th, brought in a run with Kingston now just trailing by one. A two-out walk to Fergus Chitty loaded the bases, but Lee was able to get RF Chong-sik Lee to fly out leftfield to end the threat and the game. Brunswick’s SP Matthew Monroe (6.2 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 1 HR) remained undefeated in the post-season, improving to 4-0. Kingston’s SP Francis Slocock (5.2 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 5 BB, 2 K, 2.21 ERA) suffered his first loss, falling to 2-1. Player of the Game: Kingston’s SS Okura Ito, who went 3 for 4, with 1 HR, 1-2B, 3 RBI, 1 R. -------- Game 4 Kingston 10 – Brunswick 2 A record crowd of 30, 927, the largest ever to watch a United Cup game, witnessed the firepower that the Kingston Pelicans are capable of. It came in the 2nd inning. RF Chong-sik Lee led off the inning with a solo shot to leftfield. A bunt hit, a single and a double with one out made it 2-0. After SS Mo Symes walked to load the bases, LF Andrew Jensen tagged SP Song-saeng Lee with a grand-slam to right field. And just like that, Kingston led 6-0 after two. Brunswick got on the board in the 3rd. RF Rovilson Valdevieso reached base on a fielder’s choice and then advanced to third on a throwing error when he stole second. LF Mark Elston then brought him home on a single. Kingston got that run back in the 6th. Mo Symes and Andrew Jensen led off with back-to-back singles, putting runners on the corners. Symes came in to score on SS Okura Ito’s sac fly. That ended SP Lee’s afternoon. In the bottom of the 6th, the tag team of Rovilson Valdevieso and Mark Elston struck again for Brunswick, when Valdevieso led the inning off with a triple. Elston then singled to score Valdevieso. That would be all the offense Brunswick could muster. The Pelicans would add two more in the 8th, when, with two out, Okura Ito doubled, Fergus Chitty was intentionally walked and Chong-sik Lee tripled off of RP Rob Fields. Kingston added a final run in the 9th and the Legends went down in order in the bottom half as the Pelicans took a commanding 3-1 series lead. Kingston’s SP Joey Cumberledge (9.0 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K) remained undefeated in the post-season, picking up his fourth win. Brunswick’s SP Song-saeng Lee (5.1IP, 11 H, 7 ER, 2 BB, 1 K) suffered his third loss. Player of the Game: Kingston’s SP Joey Cumberledge (4-0, 1.26 ERA). -------- Game 5 Kingston 7 – Brunswick 4 Legends’ fans hoped against hope that their team could hang on for another game and extend the series. Things did look hopeful at first for Brunswick as they initially held Kingston off the scoreboard and scored the game’s first run in the home half of the 3rd. 3B Vince Bailey hit a one-out triple and scored on a SS Rubén Sánchez ground out to make it 1-0 Legends. But the Pelicans responded in the 4th. 3B Bob Kight led off with a walk and moved to second when SS Okura Ito reached first on an error. CF Chong-sik Lee brought them both home with a one-out triple. Lee himself came in to score on LF Don Adkins’ ground out. But a double by LF Brandon Channing, an intentional walk to C Cereneo Tolentino and single by SP Brady Murdy drove in Kingston’s fourth run. A Chong-sik Lee double in the 5th brought home Bob Kight and made it 5-1 Pelicans. Kingston made it 6-1 in the 6th when Bob Kight again came home to score on an Okura Ito single, after hitting a two-out triple. In the bottom of the 6th, Rubén Sánchez led off with a single and scored Brunswick’s second run when Rovilson Valdevieso doubled him home. Brunswick scored again in the 7th off of a walk, a single and a passed ball. Kingston got a run back in the top of the 9th, when Okura Ito led off with a solo home run. Down to their final three outs, Brunswick’s 2B Matthew Shelley led off with a walk. One-out singles by 1B Pete Good and C Phil Flood scored Shelley to make it 7-4 Pelicans. But after PH Teuk-chin Kim hit into a fielder’s choice at second, Brady Murdy got Vince Bailey to fly out to leftfield to end the game and the series. Kingston’s SP Brady Murdy (9.0 IP, 10 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 5 K) won his second game of the post-season. Brunswick’s SP Anastasio Rodríguez (9.0 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 4 ER, 9 BB, 2 K, 1 HR) went the distance, but took the loss, going 0-4 in the post-season. Rodríguez also set a ULB playoff record with 9 walks in a game. Player of the Game: Kingston’s SS Okura Ito, who went 2 for 4, with 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 R. Goat of the series: With all the firepower Kingston has, it’s hard to pin this on a pitcher, so I’ll go with all-star 2B Matthew Shelley, who had a disappointing series, collecting just 2 hits in 19 AB, going .105/.150/.105. During the regular season, Kingston defeated Brunswick, 5 games to 1. So it’s fitting I guess that they also defeated the Legends in the United Cup Championship, 5 games to 1. Edit: Wait - Did I really write this? -------- __________________ United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 07-02-2017 at 01:09 PM.

08-07-2015, 04:01 PM	#119
Bottom Of The Sixth All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 1,239	Congrads on another exciting season of Braeland Baseball. Love your "Goat of the Series". It's hard to beat that one! Kingston Pelicans posted a season record of (101-53) going into the Cup Series. Where does that fall into the Braeland's record books; is that a "best-ever" league record? Thanks