San Antonio Calzones of Laredo (PEBA)

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Well we've time travelled from Halifax, Nova Scotia in 2010 to San Antonio, Texas in 2034. Yes we are now GM of the San Antonio Calzones of Laredo within the PEBA universe, the San Antonio Calzones of Laredo is a bit of a mouth full so I'll be sticking with San Antonio or Calzones, save me getting a blister on my typing finger.

So the Calzones, how good are they? Average that would sum them up to be honest, a .449 win % total from 2007 to 2033, the last 2 seasons they've finished 80-82. So like I say average, however average gets you 2nd place in the Dixie Division of the Imperial League within the PEBA. Only thing is that 2nd place is a mind boggling 40 games behind the juggernaut that is the Florida Farstriders.

Although we aren't that far away from a wild card, well to be honest we are but we have to give some encouragement to the fans. We actually finished 23 games behind the San Juan Coqui in the Transatlantic Division and 13 behind the Amsterdam Lions who also play in the Transatlantic Division.

So as Lowell "Voice of the Calzones" Peterson would say.

"Its time to put the onions and mustard on the dog, take a seat with a cold one it's time for Calzones Baseball!"

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With bulbs a flashing and nervous smiles abound the Calzones announced there 5th GM in there history to lead the San Antonio organisation into another promised charge for the glory land, this time it was an Irishman named Neil Thomas.

GM Thomas comes into the Calzones job with a wealth of experience under his belt dating back to 2004 in his ISBL days until most recently his BBA days, whilst his experience is vast the rings on his fingers are amiss just 2 in fact and those were many moons ago so long ago the names and dates are worn away.

He may not be bringing a trophy laden cabinet with him but the Calzones can only brag about 2 play off appearances themselves in there history, so those 2 rings would look mighty impressive under the Calzones logo.

After the formalities were over I managed to catch a few minutes with the new GM.

GM Thomas seemed to have a level head on his shoulders, he admitted that if the Calzone fans wanted a quick fix then they maybe disappointed. He usually studied what needed to be done rather than rush in and make mistakes, he also stated that every player in the organisation would be given a chance to prove themselves.

He also compared San Antonio to a car that had got near the top of an hill but had run out of gas, all they needed was a bit of a top up and they'd be of and running down the other side of the hill.

All in all not only may San Antonio have found the right fit but GM Thomas may have found the right fit also.

Don Stein
Sports Writer, San Antonio Gazette.

When joining the PEBA they ask for a bit of an article just to see what you have to offer, this is what I had to offer.

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I forgot some of the links, I apologise. They should all be working now.

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GM. Neil Thomas



Assistant GM. Roberto Merán

I'm not really a big assistant GM fan, I don't see the point. However from the story point of view I'll keep him, plus with it being an online league I see it as unfair holding money back.

He's been an assistant GM for 2 years and as 1 year remaining, with the organisation having a Japanese feel to it I may let his contract run out and hopefully replace him with a Japanese GM.

The weird thing is I feel sorry for him, in fictional leagues I have a connection with personnel and players. In real life leagues I don't have that connection, reason I feel sorry for him he's worked his way up from hitting coach, manager then assistant GM.



Manager. Kijuro Yoshida

This is were the Japanese feel starts, this is Yoshida's second season in San Antonio finishing with a 80-82 record in his first season.

Managed most of his career in Japan be it in the LRS-JPN league or in the PEBA with Okinawa, then joined Duluth were he didn't do that well only 1 winning season in 5. Like I say didn't do to bad in his first season, plus he fits the story I have in mind so he'll at least see out his 2 year contact.



Bench Coach. Sojuro Kamihara

Another in his second season with the Calzones and another Japanese coach on the bench, must seem like Little Tokyo on the bench during a game.

Not sure if he's been promoted or demoted, he was a manager in the minors but as moved to the majors as a bench coach.

Another with one year left so a decision to keep him or not, as with Yoshida he fits the story so probably keep him.



Pitching Coach. Tadakuni Hayashi

Our 3rd Japanese coach, a wealth of experience within various leagues and one of the most experienced in San Antonio this being his 4th season with the Calzones.

I should start copying and pasting this part, Japanese, 1 year left, fits story he does. So yes you got it probably be staying.



Hitting Coach. Victor Evans

Victor's a bit of a rarity he isn't Japanese, he's actually American, Plaquemine, Louisiana to be exact.

5 years experience with 2 of those with the Calzones, on the winning side more times with San Antonio both years than in his previous 3 years combined. So either he's got better or the team is better that he's with.



Scouting Director. Sojuro Fujii

Blah, blah, blah same as my manager, bench coach and pitching coach all Japanese, all 1 year contracts etc.

I like Sojuro though, he's got good experience and he's a good scout. Longest tenure among Calzones personnel, this will be Sojuro's 5th season in Laredo but hopefully not his last.



Team Trainer. Juan Santos

Juan is another of the few non Japanese personnel in the majors, he's probably one who I don't mind that he only as 1 year left on his contract.

The main problem with Juan is, he doesn't deal well with anything to do with arms be that prevent them or heal them so doubtful if he'll be calling Laredo his home next year.

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@ Amsterdam Lions
Monday 6th March 2034
10:05 AM PT
W 8-2 Derrick Dwyer

First game under the tenure of the new GM may have only been a Spring Training game but it ended up with an impressive 8-2 win against the Amsterdam Lions.

Derrick Dwyer was the standout player not only for the Calzones but also gaining him Player of the Game honours, he reached base safely in each of his 3 at bats gaining 2 doubles and a single and also crossing the plate 3 times with an rbi to boot.



vs Scottish Claymores
Tuesday 7th March 2034
10:05 AM PT
W 3-2 (13) Jeff van der Eijk

Jeff van der Eijk didn't even start the game but still managed to come away with the Player of the Game award in another Calzones win, it did however take 13 innings to overcome the fighting spirit of the Claymores.

van der Eijk replaced Luis Cedeño at 3B in the 7th inning, surprisingly as the Colombian native had got on base with 2 singles in his 2 plate appearances. 3B seemed to be the charm though as van der Eijk on his first visit to the plate had an rbi single.

He managed to cement his Player of the Game votes when in the bottom of the 13th, he got on base with a single, stole 2nd and reached 3rd on an error.

"2-2 count for Aguilera, van der Eijk on 3rd. Riddle sends in a fastball, Aguilera sends it way, way back into the afternoon sun. Dempster snags it at the wall in centerfield, van der Eijk tags up. Dempster throws to home but van der Eijk as too much speed today, Calzones win, Calzones win".

Lowell "Voice of the Calzones" Peterson

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@ West Virginia Alleghenies
Wednesday 8th March 2034
12:05 PM PT
W 5-3 Mason 'The Wizard' Gallagher

Another game another win, Calzones are 3-0 just a pity at the top of the standings it says Spring Training. 1 streak however was broken, despite the win it wasn't a Calzones player who was the player of the game it was an Alleghenies player.

Don't get me wrong Gallagher had a good game, 2 runs, 2 hits and a walk. Although I liked Gilberto Fernández and his stats line of 1 hit, 1 run and 2 rbi more but I'm blinkered as far as San Antonio players are concerned.



vs Arlington Bureaucrats
Thursday 9th March 2034
12:05 PM PT
W 3-2 Gilberto Fernández

Gilberto Fernández finished of a whirlwind few days with a player of the game award, an award that was deserved seeing he was the result of the 3 runs that won the game for the Calzones. The whirlwind had been the trade enquiries that the Calzones had received.

"We had a few enquires about Gilberto, a couple of little value, a couple that did interest me. However I think the fans would have turned on me if I'd accepted, although it was Gilberto visiting my office and stating he didn't want to move. That was the turning point in discussions with the interested parties the look on his face when he said the San Antonio Calzones were his home, that was enough for me".

GM Neil Thomas

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@ Kentucky Thoroughbreds
Friday 10th March 2034
1:05 PM PT
L 3-4 Rocky Kowalski

The streak finally ended at 4 but it was stopped by a close fought 1 run defeat to the Thoroughbreds, the Calzones actually took the lead in the top of the 3rd. Kentucky levelled the game in the 4th but San Antonio again went in front in the top of the 6th but there lead would only last till the bottom of the 6th, Kentucky going ahead 4-3 in what would be the final score.



@ San Juan Coqui
Saturday 11th March 2034
12:05 PM PT
L 2-3 (11) Ju-chan Park

It was important to see how the Calzones would bounce back against San Juan after there first defeat against Kentucky, despite there second defeat in a row San Antonio could be proud of a 3-2 defeat in extra innings.

What maybe worrying though going forward is the fact they let 2 leads slip in the 3rd and 10th, add those to the 2 in the previous game and they may want to put there foot down on opponents rather than let them back in the game.

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vs Manchester Maulers
Sunday 12th March 2034
12:05 PM PT
W 3-2 Gonzalo González

The media and opposition fans remain solid in there belief that this is only ST, the Calzones view on this we can only keep winning games no matter if there ST or regular season games.

They chalked up yet another win there 5th in 7 games, it may have been close it may have been ugly but as the placard in the Calzones locker room states "A Wins A Win".



@ Havana Leones
Monday 13th March 2034
10:05 AM PT
W 4-2 Yasunari Fujihara

After being picked up in FA on a 1 year contract paying $1,300,000, Fujihara made his debut and didn't disappoint. He lead the pitching staff like a veteran he is, his stats line read 1 run, 1 hit, 3 rbi and a walk on 3 at bats with his rbi coming of a 2 out home run in the top of the 9th to break a 1-1 tie.

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vs Hartford Harpoon
Tuesday 14th March 2034
2:05 PM PT
W 8-6 Clyde Stinton

Roberto Rodríguez is a dark horse for a spot on the starting day roster, he may well be a front runner for a minor league spot after this outing.

He threw 37 pitches in 1.2 innings and gave up only 3 hits but 2 of those hits went deep and had 4 runs tagged onto them, however 2 walks didn't help in a game the Calzones won but one that Roberto will want to forget on a personal level.



@ Florida Farstriders
Wednesday 15th March 2034
1:05 PM PT
L 2-3 Gilberto Fernández

A rare loss came on the back of another
Gilberto Fernández player of the game performance in which he couldn't stop Florida from taking the game 3-2, Fernández only had 1 hit but it accounted for all the Calzones runs when he hit a 2 run dinger in the 3rd that gave San Antonio a 2-0 lead.

A rare lapse by Juan Alfaro a usually trusted arm gave the game to the team from Florida, Alfaro gave up 2 runs of 4 hits with the Calzones leading 2-1 in the bottom of the 8th after the Farstriders pulled the game back to 2-1 in the bottom of the 7th of a Gordon "Sturm" Knopp single which scored José 'Thrillseeker' Reyes.



vs Charleston Statesmen
Thursday 16th March 2034
11:05 AM PT
W 11-0 Jorge Flores

A disappointing loss the day before against the Florida Farstriders turned into the Calzones biggest win of Spring Training, 11-0 the scoreline in what was a slugfest for the Calzones.

9 of the runs came within the bottom of the 1st, Jorge Flores could have actually gained the Player of the Game in the 1st inning alone. In his first at bat he got on with a single, crossing the plate on a Cedeño single. Later in the inning he came to the plate with the bases loaded, facing Chris Miller in a 2-1 count were he advanced not only the runners but himself around the narrow the with a fly ball deep into the outfield seats.

Flores ended the game with another couple of hits and crossed the plate a couple more times to be involved in more than half of the 11 runs, for a deserved player of the game.

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vs New Orleans Trendsetters
Friday 17th March 2034
2:05 PM PT
W 7-4 Gilberto Fernández

If the bullpen can play it safe this season then the Calzones may have a chance of surprising the PEBA, during ST San Antonio have taken the lead in most of there games so far and lost it seldom. This game was no different, the Calzones took the lead in the 1st and extended it in the 5th, despite a dodgy 6th and 7th they held in for another win there 9th out of 13th in ST.

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@ London Underground
Sunday 19th March 2034
6:05 AM PT
W 3-0 Derrick Dwyer

The Calzones second shut out in 3 games must give the pitchers confidence as they approach the regular season, however it was Derrick Dwyer who gained his second player of the game of spring training.

Although many would disagree with the Dwyer choice, specially when the pitching staff gave up only 3 hits. Miguel Torres giving up just 1 hit in 4 innings, Roberto Rodríguez giving up 2 but striking out 3 in his 3 innings of work and Pedro Torres going hitless in his 2 innings for the save.



Amsterdam Lions
Monday 20th March 2034
5:05PM PT
L 5-6 (14) Bum-kyoo 'Box Elder' Kim

A loss was chalked up on the Calzones board as the Lions gained revenge on the San Antonio ball club, the Calzones had best Amsterdam in the first game of ST by a score of 8-2.

The Calzones can take some comfort that the score was closer and it took 14 innings for the Lions to win, Ash Thompson will gain little comfort in that fact as he gave up the winning run.

Thompson had come into the game having pitched 4.2 innings of scoreless innings throw in the fact he'd pitched 3 more innings in this game, you were getting close to a full game of scoreless innings for the relief pitcher.

"If he can transfer the way he's pitched in ST into the regular season I'll be more than happy".

Tadakuni Hayashi, Calzones Pitching Coach.

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Scottish Claymores
Tuesday 21st March 2034
11:05AM PT
W 4-1 Andy 'Numbers' Edwards

The Calzones got back to winning ways with a 4-1 win over the Scottish Claymores, a win that made it a double over the Claymores in ST.

Andy 'Numbers' Edwards was the player of the game but it was a true team effort with 7 players getting on base with the bar and 2 more by out witting the Claymores pitchers by walking.

Combine that with 4 pitchers giving up just 1 run of 5 hits and the actual player of the game were the Calzones roster.



West Virginia Alleghenies
Wednesday 22nd March 2034
2:05PM PT
L 3-4 (12) Connor 'Click' Clavell

The Calzones couldn't do the double over the Alleghenies like they had done in the previous game against the Claymores, however it was a close fought game that went to 12 innings.

Everything was going smoothly until Juan Garanzuay had a blip on his solid ST performance giving up 3 runs from 4 hits but also walking 2, a truly unJuan performance although it's unlikely to deny his chances of starting on Opening Day.

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Arlington Bureaucrats
Thursday 23rd March 2034
12:05PM PT
L 1-5 Adrián Fuentes

In 5 previous defeats the Calzones had lost by a combined 5 runs, they nearly lost by more than that in one game against Arlington so easily becoming there heaviest defeat since the new GM took over.

It may have been there heaviest defeat but the Calzones are riding a wave of confidence not only because there winning more than there losing, what this defeat does to there confidence only time will tell.



Kentucky Thoroughbreds
Friday 24th March 2034
11:05AM PT
L 2-3 Dale 'Hamburger' Spencer

A bitter pill to swallow, it wasn't so much the fact it was the second defeat to the Thoroughbreds it was the fact both games were by 1 run.

Not only that but the Calzones had led 2-1 going into the 9th, if only the Calzones could find a lights out bullpen they could be on a magical journey in 2034.

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San Juan Coqui
Saturday 25th March 2034
L 1-4 Freddy Brooks

Masaru Kouki and José Gómez shared the workload for San Juan to stifle the Calzones bats, 4 innings each giving up only 1 run that going to the arm of Gómez.

One bright spot for the Calzones was the performance of Freddy Brooks who scored the Calzones only run of the game, Brooks now as a batting average of .314 with an home run and 7 rbi in ST.



Manchester Maulers
Sunday 26th March 2034
W 3-1 Shigekazu Shimizu

The Calzones stopped a 4 game losing streak with a 3-1 win over the Maulers, the team from Manchester led to there own downfall giving up 4 walks. Derek 'Spaceman' Valera have up 2 but it was Hsui-chuan Bi who not only have up the other 2 walks but 3 runs and 3 hits in just 2/3 of an inning.

San Antonio didn't care how they came by the win, at least it stopped the losing streak.

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With just 4 Spring Training games remaining the Calzones have cut there roster to 28 which means going into the last ST games a couple are looking over their shoulders.

1 SP. Juan Garanzuay
11 RP. Juan Alfaro
13 RP. Roberto Rodríguez
16 RP. Pedro Torres
17 RP. Vicente 'Cheese' Díaz
22 SP. Miguel Torres
24 SP. Anthony Lee
27 SP. Dan Stockstill
28 RP. Ash Thompson
30 RP. Zhu-lan Fong
36 RP. Damien Neighbour
40 RP. Tsurayuki Harada
56 RP. Johnathan 'Crazy Legs' Hurlburt

3 1B*, 2B, SS. Juan Bonilla
6 CF*, RF. Peter Monnington
7 1B*, 3B, SS*. Freddy Brooks
9 1B* Gilberto Fernández
10 2B*, 3B*, SS. Tadasuke Suzuki
14 C*. Randy Howell
18 1B, 2B, LF*, CF, RF. Jorge Flores
19 2B*, SS. Derrick Dwyer
23 2B*. Leland Young
25 2B, 3B*, SS, RF. Luis Cedeño
41 LF*, CF, RF. Andy 'Numbers' Edwards
46 2B, 3B*, SS. Chris 'Jitters' Long
47 C*. Yasunari Fujihara
60 LF*, CF, RF. Luis Antonio Aguilera
81 2B*, SS. Shigekazu Shimizu

* Best Position.

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Havana Leones
Monday 26th March 2034
W 3-1 Luis Antonio Aguilera

Luis Antonio Aguilera finally showed up for a game in spring training a game that may have saved his spot on the roster, a decent glove a less than decent bat a lack of better players had given Aguilera a shot at a spot but his ceiling was falling in with the lack of movement within his stats.

Maybe he's turned his spring training around as he got a hit and rbi in the game previous to this game after going hitless in 7 games previously, tag on 2 hits in this game and who knows a spot on the bench maybe waiting.



Hartford Harpoon
Tuesday 27th March 2034
L 4-13 Carlos Costa

The Calzones couldn't comeback from what was a disastrous start in the 1st, it all fell apart for Anthony Lee as well more so for Lee as he didn't even record an out. 23 pitches, 5 hits, 7 earned runs, Lee can take solace that he wasn't the only pitcher to have an howler. Johnathan 'Crazy Legs' Hurlburt also went an outing without gaining an out, he threw 11 pitches giving up 4 hits 2 of those that reached the outfield bleachers. A truly forgettable outing by the pitchers if the regular season wasn't on the horizon.

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Florida Farstriders
Wednesday 28th March 2034
L 2-6 Gordon 'Sturm' Knopp

It could be a long hard season, made lengthier by being in the same division as the Farstriders from Florida also made lengthier by going up against Gordon Knopp.

Knopps statline in 2 games, 6 at bats, 3 hits, 3 rbi, 5 total bases a triple and throw in a stolen base for good measure. Don't wish him to get injured but I hope they rest him when they play the Calzones.



Charleston Statesmen
Thursday 29th March 2034
L 2-3 Takejiro Kawashima

The Charleston defeat wasn't to much to swallow, it was the last game of spring training and a few players needed resting a few needed a workout. We also wanted to try different players in different sports in the line up, so all in all a 3-2 defeat on the road to the Statesmen wasn't a big loss to be honest.

The worry and it's what most GMs deal with is, injuries. The Calzones have a decent line up, not great but decent however we have a poor bench. A couple of injuries, lengthy injuries could destroy a play off push specially as our team trainer isn't the best.

[ukhotstove]

Spring Training could have been worse, I suppose it could have been better. We only had a couple of minor injuries although Jorge Esparza is out with a torn hamstring, more than likely he wouldn't have made the Opening Day roster. A big loss is Tsurayuki Harada he's out with an hamstring strain, pitching out of the bullpen Harada had only given up 2 runs in his last 10 games which added up to 14 innings and an impressive 16 Ks, he's tagged at 1-2 weeks out but I'll put him on the 10 day list and hope there aren't any set backs.

Anyway we finished ST with a 13-11 record, I'd have taken that at the start yes I know it's only ST. However the greedy part of me wanted more after the start the Calzones made, we will be making a motion that the Calzones only play on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays as we were 9-2 on those days. We could be persuaded to play Thursday's as we were 2-2 but no way do we want to play Wednesday's, Friday's and Saturday's as our record was 2-7.

At this moment in time the roster is 28 so we still need to find 2 players to send down to Triple A.

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San Juan Coqui.

3 Game Series.

If the Calzones could have picked there own opponent's to start the season it's highly doubtful they'd have picked San Juan, the Coqui were one of only four teams in the Imperial League who won over 100 games (103), also throw in the fact San Juan have been playing well over .500 ball the past 5 seasons and you have one of the toughest opponents to start the season.

5:05 PM PT Monday 3rd April 2034.



Juan Garanzuay (San Antonio)

Garanzuay comes into his second season with big expectations on his shoulder, the Puerto Rican native had a 4-3 record in his rookie season and it's hoped he'll finish his second season into double figures within the win column.

vs



Jorge Pagán (San Juan)

The Havana, Cuban born Pagán will be looking at cementing his place at the top of the rotation, the 26 year old lefty with 4 seasons under his belt will be looking to add more wins than defeats to his 15-14 record

5:05 PM PT Tuesday 4th April 2034.



Dan Stockstill (San Antonio) Calzones

From Green Valley, Maryland with 2 years under his belt with the Calzones and a 18-20 record, may not on paper project as a top pitcher in the rotation but some in the corridors of San Antonio see him as a dark horse to be a surprise in the rotation.

vs



Fernando Castro (San Juan)

One of the more experienced pitchers on the San Juan roster, Castro comes into his 7th season with a 73-55 record. Another of the Cuban pipeline Castro will be hopeful of 100 wins in the next year or two.

5:05 PM PT Wednesday 5th April 2034.



Miguel Torres (San Antonio)

Racking up a fraction above 10 wins per season in his 3 seasons many state that Torres is the number 1 pitcher on the Calzones roster, it's thought that being placed 3rd in the rotation will take the pressure of the Maryland born lefty.

vs



Jesús 'Moonball' Luna (San Juan)

It's hoped by the San Juan ball club that this will be Lunas breakout season, the 26 year old lefty comes into his 3rd season with a 12-12 record.

[ukhotstove]

Signed 1/2 dozen players to minor league contracts pretty much minor league fillers, starting pitcher Katsumoto Ikeda who will more than likely fill a bullpen role, thirdbase Takamasa Sakamoto, relief pitcher Iwao Ueno, outfielder Yoshihide Inagaki, another outfielder in Kenzaburo Mori, and catcher Yoriie Oka.

Signed Brian Coleman to a 1-year contract worth a total of $4,560,000, we have a solid line up, bit hit and miss but we need some depth and so the reason on signing Coleman.

Well we needed a big signing and McNeil is that Dean McNeil cost a bit more than I expected in fact a lot more than I wanted a 3-year contract worth a total of $88,530,000 to be exact.