1979--A 3rd (and 4th) League is born

seth70liz76 · 08-03-2004, 09:00 PM

August 3, 2004

A second try at a dynasty.

Previously, I had tried a dynasty (a non-historical historical league was the thread title) that was, given my micro-manager nature, a little too large. 24 teams, over 2400 players. Just overwhelmed me. So after consideration and thought I decided on the premises of the formation of a third (and fourth) major league. But the stickler in me, after reading some threads, found myself a little, how shall we say, incredulous about how successful these 3rd leagues are in the forum. I know, everyone has their own idea on how these dynasties are to be run; but a 3rd league would probably be not very successful—a struggle in the best of times. To that end, I’m basing the franchise models and league structure on the life cycles of the indoor soccer leagues in the United States (MISL/CISL/PSA/WISL and NASL/AISA/NPSL/MISL). It provides a great range of cities (from New York/Los Angeles sized to Wichita/Tulsa sized), franchise shifts, ill-advised expansions and resulting collapses, and an overall instability that a new league would have. It will survive, it just won’t be all that healthy.

Now I will not be following the “franchise history” of these leagues exactly—I don’t think OOTP will allow an event like the MISL/NASL one season merger—but as a guideline it should do fine.

I also want to keep the talent level at what a 3rd league would be, no MLB superstars tarnishing reps by slumming in my league. I used the following guidelines for importing my players from Lahman:

All players: Active since 1947, but inactive in 1998 (Haven’t updated since TB 4), using the season with the most AB/IP under the following guidelines.

Position players: One season of at least 100 AB, but no more than one season with 162 AB.

Pitchers: One season of at least 33.1 IP, but no more than one season with 54 IP.

This brought in what I call “significant fringe” players, the kind of guys who would be in the Northern or Atlantic Leagues these days. Some of the names are familiar: Joe Charboneau, Bob “Hurricane” Hazle, Brad “The Animal” Lesley and Sparky Anderson for example. But most are the Cot Deal/Ray Noble/Larry Lintz type. For the next 10 or so seasons my “rookies” will be players meeting the above criteria from the 1871-1946 era to keep the talent level lower. Should be fun—pitchers with little control throwing to guys with little strike zone judgment hitting to guy with bad gloves.

It is assumed that salaries are relative to league and era—not “actual dollar value”. $6 million dollars is, in this universe, 20X the league minimum at that time.

Teams will play in abandoned major and minor league stadiums (if in MLB towns). Atlanta plays in Ponce De Leon Park, for example, while Houston plays at Colt Stadium. For towns like Tulsa, I’ll use current or historic minor league parks (depending on what I can get info on). In 1982, the Minnesota team would move from historic Midway Stadium to newly abandoned Metropolitan Stadium.

Using version 5. All financials/coaches/minors are on. The minors are, for purposes of this universe, Indy leagues that my leagues have “stocked,” which explains why some levels are not “fully staffed.” No salary cap. DH is used.

All teams are set as “human” owned. I play out all the games of one team (in this case the New York Arrows—lowest payroll in the league) and use my GM schedule (based on the DC Heroes role playing game) for all teams. Strategies for the other teams are set by 10d rolls and become my manager personalities (people do get fired you know). And there is other stuff—98% of which most of you could care less about I’m sure.

If you read this and have comments—great. If you read this and are bored silly—well that’s great too. I’m posting for my enjoyment, not yours. The wife and cats could give a rat’s ass about my OOTP leagues, and at least you have the game (you do have the game, don’t you?).

dsvitak · 08-03-2004, 09:26 PM

Well, we don't give a rats ass about YOUR leagues either!

...but we do enjoy an entertaining story. I personally would enjoy learning all about how you set up your league. The idea of managers tendencies using a 10 sided dice is a very cool idea. I wish I had thought of that...and I may just steal your idea.

Good luck in your league.

seth70liz76 · 08-04-2004, 12:29 PM

Well, I don't know if there really is anything special/different abt the way I set up my league. I don't even roll the dice, I use Irony Games Dice Server. If you could narrow down (economics, players, etc) I could answer your question better.

Fool Inc. · 08-04-2004, 01:00 PM

If I was making a league I would use the MLS financial system. They run the league as one big club (team) so when a player is ready to leave the league gets the cash and can stay open.

seth70liz76 · 08-04-2004, 01:34 PM

Buried in the "Notes" section of a few newspapers, late 1978:

"For the second time in a month a group of investors have announced a plan to take on Major League Baseball. The new North American League will primarly be centered in the southern United States and feature some of the same financial backers as the defunct World Football League and World Hockey Association. "We believe our league will provide affordable entertainment and world class baseball to areas with only minor league ball," a league spokesman said. This group has no affilation with the announce 6 team Contential League also slated to start play in the summer of 1979."

elmwood44 · 08-04-2004, 02:41 PM

Seth

This sounds great!!! Can't wait to hear more!

Mike Ivie · 08-04-2004, 08:04 PM

I like it so far!

seth70liz76 · 08-05-2004, 01:31 PM

League Structure. I used the actual MISL/NASL nicknames (unless, like the MIN Kicks it was too obviously soccer related)

Contential League

Cincinnati Kids—Crosley Field
Cleveland Force—League Park
Houston Summit—Colt Stadium
New York Arrows—Polo Grounds
Philadelphia Fever—Shibe Park
Pittsburgh Spirit—Forbes Field

North American League

Atlanta Chiefs—Ponce De Leon Park
California Surf—Wrigley Field
Detroit Express—Bennett Park
Fort Lauderdale Strikers—Roger Dean Stadium
Los Angeles Aztecs—LA Memorial Coliseum
Memphis Rouges—AutoZone Park
Minnesota Hits—Midway Stadium
New England Tea Men—Huntington Avenue Grounds
Tampa Bay Rowdies—Legends Field
Tulsa Roughnecks—Driller Stadium

seth70liz76 · 08-05-2004, 01:51 PM

NOTE: ACTUAL PEOPLE/INSTITUTIONS ARE FICTIONALIZED FOR MY PURPOSES (hey, I work for a lawyer—don’t want to get sued)

Media coverage of the league was spotty at best. Unsurprisingly, coverage in the major league cities was limited to notes in transaction section—if that. The Miami (Fort Lauderdale), Tampa, Tulsa and Memphis press was somewhat nicer, although affiliated minor league teams in the area received more coverage. Inside Sports magazine had a one page write up on the two competing “new” leagues—but it lumped these new leagues with the WFL, WHA and ABA. Not the type of press the league needed.

But the leagues plodded on. Some owners (New England and Detroit’s specifically) made boast about signing establish major leaguers—but instead career AA players and fringe AAA players made the bulk of the signees. Unsigned college, high school makes up the future. Even then, a little reported statement from MLB Commissioner Bowie Kuhn (“Any player signing with organizations outside the auspices of the National Agreement which violates Major League Baseball territorial rights, may be declared permanently ineligible for Major League service”) frightens many into staying in their dead-end minor league careers. But still, some decided it was better to be a big fish in a little pond and not nameless roster filler at the minor league level.

seth70liz76 · 08-05-2004, 06:46 PM

Dumb things owners in fledgling leagues do:

Despite the fact 12 of the 16 teams are in MLB markets (and the MLB schedule was available for months), the CL and NAL devise a schedule placing their teams in direct competition with MLB on 67-75% of the time.

New England spends their marketing budget not on reaching out to new fans, but contacting Red Sox season ticket holders and trying to get them to switch.

Fort Lauderdale’s owner encourages people to fill the stadium because “it helps our chance to get a Major League Team.”

Cincinnati has a press conference announcing the coaching staff . . .in front of Riverfront Stadium.

Smart things owners in fledgling leagues do:

Tulsa approaches currently banned from baseball Mickey Mantle to throw out the first pitch opening day, and hints at a front office job if he wants. Mickey agrees to the former, but the money isn’t there for the latter.

Tampa Bay announces youth baseball games (little league through legion ball), will precede every home game. “We have a family atmosphere, and what a better way to get baseball loving families to the park.”

Opening day draws near—will it all be worth it?

seth70liz76 · 08-06-2004, 01:58 PM

Officials in both leagues are secretly pleased to see Las Vegas sports books are taking bets on who will win the two leagues. Pittsburgh is 5 to 3 to win the CL, Atlanta 7 to 5 to win the NAL.

Opening Day is here!

Crowd sizes surpass the leagues best hopes and the games are thankfully competitive. Defenses are a little shaky, but the pitching and hitting are (superficially) decent enough.

CLE 3-6-0
CIN 6-11-0

NY 4-12-0
HOU 1-8-0
Overall I was pleased with my team’s effort. My 2-3-4 hitters (Noble-Johnson-Thomas) combine for 9-13 with 3 RBI. Could have (should have) had more runs, but Ray Barker’s 0-5 stopped several rallies. Every ball hit to Ike Brown and Buddy Biancalana scares me.

PIT 1-4-0 10 inn
PHI 2-9-1
Herb Moford shuts down what was thought to be the best offense in either league for 9 strong innings, and Fran Mullins singles home the winner off Bert Roberge.

MIN 5-8-2
NE 2-7-0
Randy Kramer throws 8 shut out innings, then (along with Cy Acosta) gives up 5 in the top of the 9th to lose.

LA 2-14-1
MEM 5-9-0
LA can’t bring anyone home as Karl Rhodes drives in 3 to key the Rouges victory.

CAL 3-8-0 10 inn
ATL 2-8-1
The only real disappointment—attendance wise. Only 18,000 of the 31,000 seats were sold. Jeff McKnight’s Sac Fly is the game winner.

DET 7-12-0
FL 3-9-2
Two outfield errors open the door to a 5 run 7th for Detroit.

TB 5-12-3
TUL 7-8-1

From the Tulsa Word:
ROUGHNECKS TAKE OPENER
You could count the empty seats on one hand. Many were there to see native son Mickey Mantle throw out the first pitch, but they got a good ballgame too . . . Starter Hank Webb was impressive, until tiring in the 7th . . . After Garrett’s 5th inning lead off home run; a walk to Kress, a double by Zambrano and Benny Ayala’s 3 run shot sealed the Rowdies fate . . .Mickey said the rumors were true, the Roughnecks had spoken to him about a front office job, but “just didn’t have the money in the budget—yet.” Mickey also said while the quality of play and talent was not major league level, they remind him of the players of his era. “These guys aren’t making a ton of money and hustle on every play. You don’t see that nowadays with even mediocre guys make $500,000 or more.”

seth70liz76 · 08-07-2004, 01:03 AM

04/02/1979
From the Cincinnati Inquirer:

Prior to his first start, 43-year-old Diomedes Olivo, told the Cincinnati Kids he will not pitch beyond this season. A veteran of the Mexican and various Latin America leagues, Olivo never reached his goal of pitching in the majors. “I’ve enjoyed my brief time with Cincinnati,” he said through a translator, “but at my age, I would much rather be closer to home.” Olivo intends to honor his contract, reportedly the largest he has ever signed, but would “not fight his release if given.”

PIT 8-11-0
PHI 5-8-2
Though the expected big guns (Bob Hazle, Joe Charboneau and Phil Clark) didn’t do much, the Spirit batter PHI. Tim Van Egmond is just good enough with Bert Roberge closing it out for his first save.

CLE 4-6-1
CIN 12-15-0
Hours after announcing he will leave CIN at the end of the season, Diomedes Olivo keeps the Kids in the game with a well pitched outing. A 9 run 8th, featuring 9 hits and 2 walks crushes the Force.

NY 1-5-1
HOU 6-12-0
Alan Koch gives up a grand slam to Johnny Ostrowski, while the Arrows offense does little outside of Randy G Johnson’s two extra base hits.

MIN 12-15-2
NE 9-16-1
Bad day to pitch in Boston. Hector Villanueva hits 2 HR and drives in 5. NE makes it interesting by loading the bases in the 9th, but Tom Gorman gets the last out for save number 2.

TB 6-16-2
TUL 8-14-1
TUL uses a 6 run 6th to nip the Rowdies. Adrian Garrett hits his 2nd and 3rd HR of the year—maybe he shouldn’t lead off. Starter Eric Hillman gives up 6 in 5.1 IP, but the pen shuts down TB the rest of the way.

LA 3-7-0
MEM 1-5-2
Sloppy play by the Rouges (2 errors, 6 walks) are just enough for the Aztecs.

CAL 3-12-1
ATL 4-11-1 13 inn
Don Taussig singles home the game winner. Attendance drops 7,000 from opening day. Everyone else stayed at the same level.

DET 1-5-0
FL 3-7-0
Mark Ryal’s 2 solo HR give DET the margin of victory over the Strikers. FL’s Jim Eppard is the first player in NAL history to be ejected.

seth70liz76 · 08-07-2004, 11:42 AM

4/3/1979

California Surf 1B/DH Tom Alston strains his back on his first hit of the year. He will stay active, as no team really is ready to dip into their minor’s roster yet.

Cleveland Force’s Bill Bean bruised his heel and will see limited duty over the next week.

NY 6-12-2
HOU 5-10-2
Even with the win, a very frustrating game. Umps kept blowing calls (strike 3’s, caught stealings), but starter Bob Trice mostly wiggled out of it. All the runs came in the 6th, 7th and 8th for both teams. Lots of movement, but their D was weakest when it counted. Worried about Kite Thomas, our highest paid player. Went 4-4 the first game and absolutely nothing since.

CLE 4-11-0
CIN 5-12-3 11 inn
CLE’s pen gives up 3 runs over their last 2 IP. A few key hits (and wild pitches and balks) give Bill Dailey his first win of the year.

PIT 10-17-1
PHI 8-13-0
Phil Clark and Larry Owen both hit 2 HR for the Spirit.

TB 2-9-0
TUL 4-8-0
Benny Ayala and Rick Renick both drive in 2. Josias Manzanillo records his 3rd save in as many games as the Roughnecks sweep the Rowdies.

CAL 11-11-2
ATL 8-13-1
ATL’s four pitchers each give up at least 1 run, while the Surf’s pen throws 3.2 IP scoreless. Both teams combine for 16 walks.

DET 6-8-3
FL 2-7-2
Gene Harris blows the save, giving up 5 9th inning runs. George Cappuzzello pitches 2.2 for the win.

MIN 5-13-1
NE 7-10-0

LA 6-19-0
MEM 7-10-2
Ramon Aviles ties it in the 9th with a 2 run HR, but Sherman Obando wins it for DeWayne Buice in the 10th with a solo shot. LA gets 40 hits in three games, and loses 2 of 3.

seth70liz76 · 08-07-2004, 04:05 PM

4/3/1979—Off day in both leagues

MANAGER’S JOURNAL
Heading to Pittsburgh for 3 games—their home opener. Not looking forward to that because the word is, those guys can hit. Glad to leave Houston, wish we didn’t have to come back in July/August—might be unbearable. Still no idea what kind of team I’ve got, but that is the same with all of the managers/GM’s. Nat [Nathanael Ducayne, Houston’s manager] said the Summit is the team he has known the least. Rumors are swirling that our commissioner and the NAL’s commish are meeting to work out an “understanding” between the leagues. I think the GM’s are the ones pushing for this—hard to trade with only 5 other teams in the league. League sent out a directive that all players are to be paid with certified funds—don’t want a “missed payroll” scandal right now. Of course, front office and my staff might have to wait for our cash.

seth70liz76 · 08-07-2004, 05:36 PM

04/5/1979

Detroit, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Tampa Bay and California all have their home opener.

HOU 11-20-3 10 inn
PHI 5-9-1
HOU scores all 11 runs after the 5th, including a wild 6 run 10th. First club to get 20 hits in a game.

CIN 5-14-2
CLE 8-13-1
15,000 brave 38° temperatures to watch the Force win despite giving up 7 walks. CLE now trails in “the battle for Ohio” 1-3.

NY 10-10-0
PIT 4-13-4
This is how things are going to go for PIT all year: Bob Hazle goes 3-5, but makes his 2nd error of the year (in 4 games). We bat around in the first, helped by Spirit starter Angel Moreno’s wildness (6 walks in 5 IP). Only 19,000 show up on a rainy Saturday night, but even the MLB’s Pirates aren’t drawing well with a very good team. Johnny Lindell, who has been an outfielder most of his career throws a decent game, despite the 12 hits, but our D was able to make the plays to keep runs off the board.

ATL 5-12-3
DET 10-10-2
Mickey Klutts 2 errors lead the way to 4 unearned runs and a home opener victory for DET. DET starter Bob Mabe was hit in the jaw with a line drive. He left after only 2 IP, but should make his next start.

LA 3-11-0
CAL 2-6-1
The first “Freeway series” game. Darren Reed and Greg Goossen hit a solo home run, but a run scoring double by Lou Klimchock give the Aztecs the win. Sell out at Wrigley Field. Some NAL investors question competing with themselves with 2 Los Angeles area teams (plus the Dodgers and Angels of MLB) makes this probably the most important rivalry in the two leagues. They are not just playing for first, but economic survival. An opening day sellout is a big start.

MIN 10-14-1
TB 4-12-2
Bad press from the TUL series haunts the Rowdies in their home opener. They draw 20,000—10,000 short of a sellout. Granted, their park is a bit larger than most in the league, but empty seats don’t look good on TV (every team has at least a deal with a UHF station). The game doesn’t help their press either. Brian Givens pitches 6 strong, then blows up in the 7th, giving up 5. Joe Frazier makes up for an error with a 9th inning grand slam. This is, early on, a market in trouble. Back-up outfielder Horace Speed was hit in the wrist with a pitch but should be fine in a week.

NE 1-6-1
TUL 8-12-1
Roughnecks win their 4 straight. Joe Margoneri is wild (5 walks in 6.2), but other than Carlos Rodriguez (3 hits), no one else really makes contact. Great job by the ‘Necks pen. The NAL is starting to breathe easier about the Tulsa situation. The smallest market in the two leagues started the season $5 million (remember—dollar amounts are assumed to be adjusted for era) in the hole; but is second in attendance so far. If the winning keeps going, that debt could be mostly erased.

FL 11-16-1
MEM 10-12-1
A game of big innings is won by fundamentals: Mark Ryal singles, Ron Samford bunts him over, and Carlos Bernier singles him home. Memphis gets the long ball from Tim Blackwell and Jim Baxes, but just fall short.

Next day is big—first set of men to make their second start of the year.

elmwood44 · 08-07-2004, 06:10 PM

This is a fabulous idea and great read Seth!!!!

seth70liz76 · 08-07-2004, 06:40 PM

4/6/1979

CIN 2-5-1
CLE 5-9-1
Force is playing much better at home. CLE is threatening to become the CL’s ATL. Attendance dropped 5,000 since opening day—even with better weather (cold again, but sunny). Jim Willis gets the CG loss.

HOU 7-13-0
PHI 4-9-0
I’m feeling better about my pitching after watching the Fever get battered around. Joe Ostrowski hits his 3rd HR of the year. Marvin Lane hits 2 in a losing cause.

NY 0-7-0
PIT 6-10-0
The Spirits get 6 in the first 2 innings and cruse to victory. Mike Birkbeck needs only 96 pitches to shut us down. Randy Scarbery, our starter, strikes out his first batter after allowing 8 walks over two starts.

FL 18-29-0
MEM 12-12-1
A game for the ages! Every Striker starter had at least 2 hits (except C Tim Hosley—whose one hit was the only HR for FL). The Rouges hit 3 homers in losing. Of the 9 pitchers used, only one (MEM’s Phil Paine) get thru without surrendering a run. The 4 ½ hour game thrilled the 21,000 in attendance. Jim C Wright has a game score of –1. The score and hit total for the Strikers gets mentioned on TV outside NAL/CL markets. Some free publicity—even if leaves the quality of pitching up for ridicule.

ATL 9-10-0
DET 3-8-3

NE 9-13-1
TUL 8-10-0
TUL loses it’s first of the year. Benny Ayala has a great game, but the ‘Necks fall just short. Neither starter (TUL Hank Webb and NE Randy Kramer) can make it out of the 3rd. Cy Acosta has his best outing so far in getting the save.

MIN 11-17-0
TB 5-9-1
Rowdies are pummeled again. MIN Starter Paul Edmondson (pulled elbow ligament—will probably miss one start) is removed after .1 because of injury, but the pen is solid.

LA 1-6-1
CAL 2-12-0 11 inn
Ron Jackson leads off the game with a HR—and then the Aztecs can’t do anything else. The Surf was almost as offensively pathetic, as Scipio Spinks strikes out 12 over 9, and leaving men on base every time.

seth70liz76 · 08-07-2004, 10:18 PM

04/07/1979

Birkbeck (PIT) and Ayala (TUL) win P.O.W. award
Mike Birkbeck of Pittsburgh wins his 1st Player of the Week award for dominating Contential's hitters the entire week. Mike went 1-0 with an ERA of 0.52, while fanning 3 in 17.1 innings of work. He hurled a shutout as well. The Player of the Week award in the North American goes to Tulsa's Benny Ayala this time, as the leftfielder displayed the best offensive performance in his league. Ayala helped his team with an average of .529 and 10 RBI in 17 at bats.

Code:

RANK 	Team	        Points	Record	PCT	AVG	ERA	Pyt	Diff	 
1st     Minnesota	148 	4-1	.800	.351	4.91	4-1	0	 
2nd     Tulsa	        147 	4-1	.800	.313	4.23	3-2	1	 
3rd     Fort Lauderdale	110 	3-2	.600	.358	5.40	3-2	0	 
4th     Houston	        110 	3-2	.600	.335	3.13	3-2	0	 
5th     Detroit	        109 	3-2	.600	.247	3.68	3-2	0	 
6th     Pittsburgh	109 	3-2	.600	.304	3.77	3-2	0	 
7th     New York	109 	3-2	.600	.267	4.60	2-3	1	 
8th     California	109 	3-2	.600	.263	2.45	3-2	0	 
9th     Cincinnati	108 	3-2	.600	.326	4.03	3-2	0	 
10th    Cleveland	 72 	2-3	.400	.262	5.93	2-3	0	 
11th    Atlanta	         71 	2-3	.400	.278	4.41	2-3	0	 
12th    Los Angeles	 71 	2-3	.400	.298	3.35	2-3	0	 
13th    New England	 71 	2-3	.400	.291	7.63	2-3	0	 
14th    Memphis	         70 	2-3	.400	.277	7.29	2-3	0	 
15th    Philadelphia	 31 	1-4	.200	.261	5.36	1-4	0	 
16th    Tampa Bay	 -7 	0-5	.000	.310	7.29	1-4    -1

HOU 7-14-0
PHI 6-7-0
Why does Bobby Mitchell ever sit? 4 for 4 with 4 RBI, the guy can hit. Fever gets homes from Fran Mullins, Benny Distefano and Mark Davidson. Summit bullpen throws 2.2 scoreless.

CIN 10-13-2
CLE 4-8-2
Difference in this game is seven runs in the 7th and 8th innings for the Kids. Diomedes Olivo gets the win, whether he wants it or not.

NY 7-11-0
PIT 1-9-0
PIT’s offense can’t get the man home. We can. PIT’s 2-6 hitters (Torey Lovullo-Bob Hazle-Joe Charboneau-Phil Clark-Steve Huntz) go 8 for 21, with only 1 run scored and 1 RBI. Opportunities were there, but they couldn’t cash in. Alan Koch gives us 7.2 needed innings, even if he walked too many (5). Ozzie Osborn bails out Dan Morogiello after the latter walks two.

NE 6-10-2
TUL 7-10-3
LOVE THOSE ‘NECKS screams the headline. A horrific defensive inning (3 errors) leads to 5 unearned runs and 6 total. C Joe Price hits a solo shot in the 8th to make it 6-4. Mickey Scott shuts down the Tea Men’s bats in the 9th. NE brings in Cy Acosta, 1-1, 1 SV in 3 appearances and an ERA over 9.00. Charlie Kress singles, Eduardo Zambrano walks, and after Player of the Week Benny Ayala flies out, Ron Renick hits a walk off 3 run home run. The ‘Necks draw 8 walks as well—this is an offense that turns it over and already has guys at 3 HR. Eric Hillman throws well for Tulsa before the defense let him down.

MIN 3-9-1
TB 4-12-0 11 inn
Rowdies break through finally. CF Howie Goss has a four hit day, but it’s Guy Sularz sac fly that brings home the winner. Forrest Thompson walked Gus Gil to lead off the 11th. A strike out and infield hit later, Sularz was ready to end it. Ed Olwine gets the win in relief.

FL 10-15-1
MEM 6-9-1
Maybe MEM is just a bad-pitching team. While Jocko Thompson had been good enough to win over the first 7 innings, manager Milan Bovio left him in just a little too long. Not that the manager had much choice after the clubbing his team had taken the day before. When the dust had settled, Rich Rowland’s second HR of the day was not the tying shot it could have been, but just settled the final score. Steve Brown is just good enough for his 2nd win and Matt Turner gets the save. 2B Al Federoff hyper extends his elbow, should 100% in a week.

ATL 2-6-1
DET 5-5-0
Chiefs pitching walks 7 in the loss.

LA 1-7-0
CAL 3-5-3
Just as Jeff Gray’s error loaded the bases, it looked like the Aztecs were going to come back and win it. C Brad Gulden hit a line drive to CF Rusty Kuntz, not deep enough to score a run, but still giving another chance to get the sac fly. But no, Bob Burda had already left for 3rd thinking it would drop in. Kuntz tosses the ball to Jeff Merson for the double play. So Winston Llenas’s long fly doesn’t bring home a run, it ends the game. Joe McClain goes 8 for the second straight start; Jim Archer goes the route in a loss.

We head to New York for our home opener!

seth70liz76 · 08-07-2004, 11:49 PM

04/08/1979

Minnesota, Los Angeles and New York all have their home opener.

NE 3B Bobby Etheridge is suffering from migraines, his status is questionable the next couple days.

HOU 3-8-2
PIT 21-20-2
This is what happens when that Spirit offense is rolling! Bob Hazle hits 2 HR, 6 RBI. PIT gets 9 walks too. John Ericks’ good start for PIT is lost in all the runs. Every one HOU put into the game was just raked over the coals. Again, the 21 runs get a mention in the news in non-CL markets.

PHI 6-7-1
CLE 2-9-0

CIN 3-6-3 10 inn
NY 2-9-4
Disappointed with the 34,000 empty seats, more disappointed with the sloppy play of my team. Jeff Schwarz’s walk and error set up the winning rally in the 10th. Chances to score, but couldn’t get the big hit. Kite Thomas has his second 3 strike out game in the last week. Kids’ Dave Pope hits two HR; Erv Dusak throws a great game (7 IP, 0 ER, 5 K)

MEM 2-5-1
TB 1-8-0
At least they kept it close. MEM’s pitching looks a lot better against a weak TB club.

TUL 5-10-0
MIN 2-10-0
TUL shows they can win on the road too. Adrian Garrett goes 4 for 4 with 2 RBI from the lead off position. Walt Lanfranconi goes 6 solid for TUL; the bullpen shuts the door, with three relievers going 3 scoreless. 14,000 show up, 6,000 short of a sellout.

DET 3-6-1
CAL 2-8-0
Joe Lis hits two at cozy Wrigley Field giving Bob Greenwood his first win of the year. Huck Flener throws well in a loss.

FL 10-13-3 12 inn
ATL 7-10-1
In what the NAL hopes will become part of a “Southern Rivalry”, a wild wild game. ATL ties it at 4 in the bottom of the 9th, retie it by scoring 2 in the 11th, before surrendering 4 to lose. Howie Koplitz walks 7 for the Chiefs, but it’s John Kiely getting the loss in relief. Chris Howard blows the save, but gets the win. Matt Turner the save.

NE 2-12-3
LA 3-7-1
LA draws a decent crowd of 25,000 but that means 68,000 empty seats at the LA Memorial Coliseum. They don’t disappoint, though Johnny Rutherford and Dwight Bernard take a bend-don’t-break attitude today.

seth70liz76 · 08-08-2004, 02:14 AM

04/09/1979

The fifth starters are getting their first shot today.

HOU 8-14-3
PIT 7-12-0
HOU scores all 8 after the 3rd. Mel Hoderlein hits his first 2 HR of the year. Neither starter lasted too long (HOU Don Rowe 4.2, PIT Johnny Gray 5.1) but the Summit pen, even after the 20 run debacle, did a much better job of slowing down the offense.

PHI 4-12-1
CLE 8-13-0
CLE is the only team using a four-man rotation; and Bob Wiesler goes 2.2 IP longer than PHI’s rested Ramon Romero. CLE’s Cot Deal ends the game with 2.2 shut out in his first appearance. Jim Bronstad hurls a scoreless 3, but the offense can’t push anyone across.

CIN 8-16-0
NY 6-10-2
Frank Carpin has one of the worst outings of the year for us, giving up 4 runs in .1 IP. Greg Gohr struggled thru 5.2, but still had a lead. Giovanni Carrara was going good for CIN until we laced 5 straight hits to knock him out. Pat Gomez and Bill Dailey shut us down. Kite strikes out twice in key situations and is caught off base in a bases loaded scenario. Attendance drops 3,000 from the opener.

FL 10-16-3
ATL 5-10-1
ATL’s bullpen turns a close game into a blow out by surrendering 7 runs over the last two innings. The Strikers overcome Mel Roach’s two errors at second as Steve Nagy gets the win.

MEM 2-4-2
TB 5-10-2
Strong outing for the Rowdies pen, after starter Mo Sanford leaves after 4.1 (strained back—will miss at least one start). Ray Hayward pitches very well in defeat.

DET 5-11-0
CAL 4-10-2
DET’s Jim Golden leaves after .2 IP with a strained back. George Cappuzzello, Kevin Hickey and Steve Frey keep the Surf from breaking through. Odd ending as Rusty Kuntz is called out after Jimmy Sexton is ruled to interfere with an attempted double play. Lenn Sakata hits his 3rd triple of the year.

TUL 11-14-1
MIN 1-7-0
They make it looks so easy. Adrian Garrett and Ron Renick both hit their 4th HR. Renick has driven in at least 1 run in every game. Another set of starters who can’t make it out to the 5th. Tom Johnson give MIN 4 shut out innings after it was too late. Cause for concern: Dutch McCall’s elbow forced his removal after 4.2 IP, could miss up to two starts.

NE 2-8-2
LA 8-10-2
Joe Muir is impressive in his debut, walking none and giving up only 2 unearned runs in 7.2 IP. Danny Schell lifts 2 HR over the left field screen and Ron Jackson pokes his 4th solo shot. Brian Dayett’s 2 run 2B is all NE can muster.

08-03-2004, 09:00 PM	#1
seth70liz76 All Star Starter Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 1,634	1979--A 3rd (and 4th) League is born August 3, 2004 A second try at a dynasty. Previously, I had tried a dynasty (a non-historical historical league was the thread title) that was, given my micro-manager nature, a little too large. 24 teams, over 2400 players. Just overwhelmed me. So after consideration and thought I decided on the premises of the formation of a third (and fourth) major league. But the stickler in me, after reading some threads, found myself a little, how shall we say, incredulous about how successful these 3rd leagues are in the forum. I know, everyone has their own idea on how these dynasties are to be run; but a 3rd league would probably be not very successful—a struggle in the best of times. To that end, I’m basing the franchise models and league structure on the life cycles of the indoor soccer leagues in the United States (MISL/CISL/PSA/WISL and NASL/AISA/NPSL/MISL). It provides a great range of cities (from New York/Los Angeles sized to Wichita/Tulsa sized), franchise shifts, ill-advised expansions and resulting collapses, and an overall instability that a new league would have. It will survive, it just won’t be all that healthy. Now I will not be following the “franchise history” of these leagues exactly—I don’t think OOTP will allow an event like the MISL/NASL one season merger—but as a guideline it should do fine. I also want to keep the talent level at what a 3rd league would be, no MLB superstars tarnishing reps by slumming in my league. I used the following guidelines for importing my players from Lahman: All players: Active since 1947, but inactive in 1998 (Haven’t updated since TB 4), using the season with the most AB/IP under the following guidelines. Position players: One season of at least 100 AB, but no more than one season with 162 AB. Pitchers: One season of at least 33.1 IP, but no more than one season with 54 IP. This brought in what I call “significant fringe” players, the kind of guys who would be in the Northern or Atlantic Leagues these days. Some of the names are familiar: Joe Charboneau, Bob “Hurricane” Hazle, Brad “The Animal” Lesley and Sparky Anderson for example. But most are the Cot Deal/Ray Noble/Larry Lintz type. For the next 10 or so seasons my “rookies” will be players meeting the above criteria from the 1871-1946 era to keep the talent level lower. Should be fun—pitchers with little control throwing to guys with little strike zone judgment hitting to guy with bad gloves. It is assumed that salaries are relative to league and era—not “actual dollar value”. $6 million dollars is, in this universe, 20X the league minimum at that time. Teams will play in abandoned major and minor league stadiums (if in MLB towns). Atlanta plays in Ponce De Leon Park, for example, while Houston plays at Colt Stadium. For towns like Tulsa, I’ll use current or historic minor league parks (depending on what I can get info on). In 1982, the Minnesota team would move from historic Midway Stadium to newly abandoned Metropolitan Stadium. Using version 5. All financials/coaches/minors are on. The minors are, for purposes of this universe, Indy leagues that my leagues have “stocked,” which explains why some levels are not “fully staffed.” No salary cap. DH is used. All teams are set as “human” owned. I play out all the games of one team (in this case the New York Arrows—lowest payroll in the league) and use my GM schedule (based on the DC Heroes role playing game) for all teams. Strategies for the other teams are set by 10d rolls and become my manager personalities (people do get fired you know). And there is other stuff—98% of which most of you could care less about I’m sure. If you read this and have comments—great. If you read this and are bored silly—well that’s great too. I’m posting for my enjoyment, not yours. The wife and cats could give a rat’s ass about my OOTP leagues, and at least you have the game (you do have the game, don’t you?).

08-07-2004, 11:42 AM	#13
seth70liz76 All Star Starter Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 1,634	4/3/1979 California Surf 1B/DH Tom Alston strains his back on his first hit of the year. He will stay active, as no team really is ready to dip into their minor’s roster yet. Cleveland Force’s Bill Bean bruised his heel and will see limited duty over the next week. NY 6-12-2 HOU 5-10-2 Even with the win, a very frustrating game. Umps kept blowing calls (strike 3’s, caught stealings), but starter Bob Trice mostly wiggled out of it. All the runs came in the 6th, 7th and 8th for both teams. Lots of movement, but their D was weakest when it counted. Worried about Kite Thomas, our highest paid player. Went 4-4 the first game and absolutely nothing since. CLE 4-11-0 CIN 5-12-3 11 inn CLE’s pen gives up 3 runs over their last 2 IP. A few key hits (and wild pitches and balks) give Bill Dailey his first win of the year. PIT 10-17-1 PHI 8-13-0 Phil Clark and Larry Owen both hit 2 HR for the Spirit. TB 2-9-0 TUL 4-8-0 Benny Ayala and Rick Renick both drive in 2. Josias Manzanillo records his 3rd save in as many games as the Roughnecks sweep the Rowdies. CAL 11-11-2 ATL 8-13-1 ATL’s four pitchers each give up at least 1 run, while the Surf’s pen throws 3.2 IP scoreless. Both teams combine for 16 walks. DET 6-8-3 FL 2-7-2 Gene Harris blows the save, giving up 5 9th inning runs. George Cappuzzello pitches 2.2 for the win. MIN 5-13-1 NE 7-10-0 LA 6-19-0 MEM 7-10-2 Ramon Aviles ties it in the 9th with a 2 run HR, but Sherman Obando wins it for DeWayne Buice in the 10th with a solo shot. LA gets 40 hits in three games, and loses 2 of 3. Last edited by seth70liz76; 08-17-2004 at 12:11 PM.

08-07-2004, 10:18 PM	#18
seth70liz76 All Star Starter Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 1,634	04/07/1979 Birkbeck (PIT) and Ayala (TUL) win P.O.W. award Mike Birkbeck of Pittsburgh wins his 1st Player of the Week award for dominating Contential's hitters the entire week. Mike went 1-0 with an ERA of 0.52, while fanning 3 in 17.1 innings of work. He hurled a shutout as well. The Player of the Week award in the North American goes to Tulsa's Benny Ayala this time, as the leftfielder displayed the best offensive performance in his league. Ayala helped his team with an average of .529 and 10 RBI in 17 at bats. Code: RANK Team Points Record PCT AVG ERA Pyt Diff 1st Minnesota 148 4-1 .800 .351 4.91 4-1 0 2nd Tulsa 147 4-1 .800 .313 4.23 3-2 1 3rd Fort Lauderdale 110 3-2 .600 .358 5.40 3-2 0 4th Houston 110 3-2 .600 .335 3.13 3-2 0 5th Detroit 109 3-2 .600 .247 3.68 3-2 0 6th Pittsburgh 109 3-2 .600 .304 3.77 3-2 0 7th New York 109 3-2 .600 .267 4.60 2-3 1 8th California 109 3-2 .600 .263 2.45 3-2 0 9th Cincinnati 108 3-2 .600 .326 4.03 3-2 0 10th Cleveland 72 2-3 .400 .262 5.93 2-3 0 11th Atlanta 71 2-3 .400 .278 4.41 2-3 0 12th Los Angeles 71 2-3 .400 .298 3.35 2-3 0 13th New England 71 2-3 .400 .291 7.63 2-3 0 14th Memphis 70 2-3 .400 .277 7.29 2-3 0 15th Philadelphia 31 1-4 .200 .261 5.36 1-4 0 16th Tampa Bay -7 0-5 .000 .310 7.29 1-4 -1 HOU 7-14-0 PHI 6-7-0 Why does Bobby Mitchell ever sit? 4 for 4 with 4 RBI, the guy can hit. Fever gets homes from Fran Mullins, Benny Distefano and Mark Davidson. Summit bullpen throws 2.2 scoreless. CIN 10-13-2 CLE 4-8-2 Difference in this game is seven runs in the 7th and 8th innings for the Kids. Diomedes Olivo gets the win, whether he wants it or not. NY 7-11-0 PIT 1-9-0 PIT’s offense can’t get the man home. We can. PIT’s 2-6 hitters (Torey Lovullo-Bob Hazle-Joe Charboneau-Phil Clark-Steve Huntz) go 8 for 21, with only 1 run scored and 1 RBI. Opportunities were there, but they couldn’t cash in. Alan Koch gives us 7.2 needed innings, even if he walked too many (5). Ozzie Osborn bails out Dan Morogiello after the latter walks two. NE 6-10-2 TUL 7-10-3 LOVE THOSE ‘NECKS screams the headline. A horrific defensive inning (3 errors) leads to 5 unearned runs and 6 total. C Joe Price hits a solo shot in the 8th to make it 6-4. Mickey Scott shuts down the Tea Men’s bats in the 9th. NE brings in Cy Acosta, 1-1, 1 SV in 3 appearances and an ERA over 9.00. Charlie Kress singles, Eduardo Zambrano walks, and after Player of the Week Benny Ayala flies out, Ron Renick hits a walk off 3 run home run. The ‘Necks draw 8 walks as well—this is an offense that turns it over and already has guys at 3 HR. Eric Hillman throws well for Tulsa before the defense let him down. MIN 3-9-1 TB 4-12-0 11 inn Rowdies break through finally. CF Howie Goss has a four hit day, but it’s Guy Sularz sac fly that brings home the winner. Forrest Thompson walked Gus Gil to lead off the 11th. A strike out and infield hit later, Sularz was ready to end it. Ed Olwine gets the win in relief. FL 10-15-1 MEM 6-9-1 Maybe MEM is just a bad-pitching team. While Jocko Thompson had been good enough to win over the first 7 innings, manager Milan Bovio left him in just a little too long. Not that the manager had much choice after the clubbing his team had taken the day before. When the dust had settled, Rich Rowland’s second HR of the day was not the tying shot it could have been, but just settled the final score. Steve Brown is just good enough for his 2nd win and Matt Turner gets the save. 2B Al Federoff hyper extends his elbow, should 100% in a week. ATL 2-6-1 DET 5-5-0 Chiefs pitching walks 7 in the loss. LA 1-7-0 CAL 3-5-3 Just as Jeff Gray’s error loaded the bases, it looked like the Aztecs were going to come back and win it. C Brad Gulden hit a line drive to CF Rusty Kuntz, not deep enough to score a run, but still giving another chance to get the sac fly. But no, Bob Burda had already left for 3rd thinking it would drop in. Kuntz tosses the ball to Jeff Merson for the double play. So Winston Llenas’s long fly doesn’t bring home a run, it ends the game. Joe McClain goes 8 for the second straight start; Jim Archer goes the route in a loss. We head to New York for our home opener! Last edited by seth70liz76; 08-28-2004 at 05:09 PM.

08-03-2004, 09:26 PM	#2
dsvitak Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 5,415	Well, we don't give a rats ass about YOUR leagues either! ...but we do enjoy an entertaining story. I personally would enjoy learning all about how you set up your league. The idea of managers tendencies using a 10 sided dice is a very cool idea. I wish I had thought of that...and I may just steal your idea. Good luck in your league.

08-04-2004, 12:29 PM	#3
seth70liz76 All Star Starter Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 1,634	Well, I don't know if there really is anything special/different abt the way I set up my league. I don't even roll the dice, I use Irony Games Dice Server. If you could narrow down (economics, players, etc) I could answer your question better.

08-04-2004, 01:00 PM	#4
Fool Inc. Major Leagues Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Dearborn Heights, MI Posts: 342	If I was making a league I would use the MLS financial system. They run the league as one big club (team) so when a player is ready to leave the league gets the cash and can stay open.

08-04-2004, 01:34 PM	#5
seth70liz76 All Star Starter Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 1,634	Buried in the "Notes" section of a few newspapers, late 1978: "For the second time in a month a group of investors have announced a plan to take on Major League Baseball. The new North American League will primarly be centered in the southern United States and feature some of the same financial backers as the defunct World Football League and World Hockey Association. "We believe our league will provide affordable entertainment and world class baseball to areas with only minor league ball," a league spokesman said. This group has no affilation with the announce 6 team Contential League also slated to start play in the summer of 1979."

08-04-2004, 02:41 PM	#6
elmwood44 Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Peoria, Illinois Posts: 257	Seth This sounds great!!! Can't wait to hear more!

08-04-2004, 08:04 PM	#7
Mike Ivie Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 203	I like it so far!

08-05-2004, 01:31 PM	#8
seth70liz76 All Star Starter Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 1,634	League Structure. I used the actual MISL/NASL nicknames (unless, like the MIN Kicks it was too obviously soccer related) Contential League Cincinnati Kids—Crosley Field Cleveland Force—League Park Houston Summit—Colt Stadium New York Arrows—Polo Grounds Philadelphia Fever—Shibe Park Pittsburgh Spirit—Forbes Field North American League Atlanta Chiefs—Ponce De Leon Park California Surf—Wrigley Field Detroit Express—Bennett Park Fort Lauderdale Strikers—Roger Dean Stadium Los Angeles Aztecs—LA Memorial Coliseum Memphis Rouges—AutoZone Park Minnesota Hits—Midway Stadium New England Tea Men—Huntington Avenue Grounds Tampa Bay Rowdies—Legends Field Tulsa Roughnecks—Driller Stadium

08-05-2004, 01:51 PM	#9
seth70liz76 All Star Starter Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 1,634	NOTE: ACTUAL PEOPLE/INSTITUTIONS ARE FICTIONALIZED FOR MY PURPOSES (hey, I work for a lawyer—don’t want to get sued) Media coverage of the league was spotty at best. Unsurprisingly, coverage in the major league cities was limited to notes in transaction section—if that. The Miami (Fort Lauderdale), Tampa, Tulsa and Memphis press was somewhat nicer, although affiliated minor league teams in the area received more coverage. Inside Sports magazine had a one page write up on the two competing “new” leagues—but it lumped these new leagues with the WFL, WHA and ABA. Not the type of press the league needed. But the leagues plodded on. Some owners (New England and Detroit’s specifically) made boast about signing establish major leaguers—but instead career AA players and fringe AAA players made the bulk of the signees. Unsigned college, high school makes up the future. Even then, a little reported statement from MLB Commissioner Bowie Kuhn (“Any player signing with organizations outside the auspices of the National Agreement which violates Major League Baseball territorial rights, may be declared permanently ineligible for Major League service”) frightens many into staying in their dead-end minor league careers. But still, some decided it was better to be a big fish in a little pond and not nameless roster filler at the minor league level.

08-05-2004, 06:46 PM	#10
seth70liz76 All Star Starter Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 1,634	Dumb things owners in fledgling leagues do: Despite the fact 12 of the 16 teams are in MLB markets (and the MLB schedule was available for months), the CL and NAL devise a schedule placing their teams in direct competition with MLB on 67-75% of the time. New England spends their marketing budget not on reaching out to new fans, but contacting Red Sox season ticket holders and trying to get them to switch. Fort Lauderdale’s owner encourages people to fill the stadium because “it helps our chance to get a Major League Team.” Cincinnati has a press conference announcing the coaching staff . . .in front of Riverfront Stadium. Smart things owners in fledgling leagues do: Tulsa approaches currently banned from baseball Mickey Mantle to throw out the first pitch opening day, and hints at a front office job if he wants. Mickey agrees to the former, but the money isn’t there for the latter. Tampa Bay announces youth baseball games (little league through legion ball), will precede every home game. “We have a family atmosphere, and what a better way to get baseball loving families to the park.” Opening day draws near—will it all be worth it?

08-06-2004, 01:58 PM	#11
seth70liz76 All Star Starter Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 1,634	Officials in both leagues are secretly pleased to see Las Vegas sports books are taking bets on who will win the two leagues. Pittsburgh is 5 to 3 to win the CL, Atlanta 7 to 5 to win the NAL. Opening Day is here! Crowd sizes surpass the leagues best hopes and the games are thankfully competitive. Defenses are a little shaky, but the pitching and hitting are (superficially) decent enough. CLE 3-6-0 CIN 6-11-0 NY 4-12-0 HOU 1-8-0 Overall I was pleased with my team’s effort. My 2-3-4 hitters (Noble-Johnson-Thomas) combine for 9-13 with 3 RBI. Could have (should have) had more runs, but Ray Barker’s 0-5 stopped several rallies. Every ball hit to Ike Brown and Buddy Biancalana scares me. PIT 1-4-0 10 inn PHI 2-9-1 Herb Moford shuts down what was thought to be the best offense in either league for 9 strong innings, and Fran Mullins singles home the winner off Bert Roberge. MIN 5-8-2 NE 2-7-0 Randy Kramer throws 8 shut out innings, then (along with Cy Acosta) gives up 5 in the top of the 9th to lose. LA 2-14-1 MEM 5-9-0 LA can’t bring anyone home as Karl Rhodes drives in 3 to key the Rouges victory. CAL 3-8-0 10 inn ATL 2-8-1 The only real disappointment—attendance wise. Only 18,000 of the 31,000 seats were sold. Jeff McKnight’s Sac Fly is the game winner. DET 7-12-0 FL 3-9-2 Two outfield errors open the door to a 5 run 7th for Detroit. TB 5-12-3 TUL 7-8-1 From the Tulsa Word: ROUGHNECKS TAKE OPENER You could count the empty seats on one hand. Many were there to see native son Mickey Mantle throw out the first pitch, but they got a good ballgame too . . . Starter Hank Webb was impressive, until tiring in the 7th . . . After Garrett’s 5th inning lead off home run; a walk to Kress, a double by Zambrano and Benny Ayala’s 3 run shot sealed the Rowdies fate . . .Mickey said the rumors were true, the Roughnecks had spoken to him about a front office job, but “just didn’t have the money in the budget—yet.” Mickey also said while the quality of play and talent was not major league level, they remind him of the players of his era. “These guys aren’t making a ton of money and hustle on every play. You don’t see that nowadays with even mediocre guys make $500,000 or more.”

08-07-2004, 01:03 AM	#12
seth70liz76 All Star Starter Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 1,634	04/02/1979 From the Cincinnati Inquirer: Prior to his first start, 43-year-old Diomedes Olivo, told the Cincinnati Kids he will not pitch beyond this season. A veteran of the Mexican and various Latin America leagues, Olivo never reached his goal of pitching in the majors. “I’ve enjoyed my brief time with Cincinnati,” he said through a translator, “but at my age, I would much rather be closer to home.” Olivo intends to honor his contract, reportedly the largest he has ever signed, but would “not fight his release if given.” PIT 8-11-0 PHI 5-8-2 Though the expected big guns (Bob Hazle, Joe Charboneau and Phil Clark) didn’t do much, the Spirit batter PHI. Tim Van Egmond is just good enough with Bert Roberge closing it out for his first save. CLE 4-6-1 CIN 12-15-0 Hours after announcing he will leave CIN at the end of the season, Diomedes Olivo keeps the Kids in the game with a well pitched outing. A 9 run 8th, featuring 9 hits and 2 walks crushes the Force. NY 1-5-1 HOU 6-12-0 Alan Koch gives up a grand slam to Johnny Ostrowski, while the Arrows offense does little outside of Randy G Johnson’s two extra base hits. MIN 12-15-2 NE 9-16-1 Bad day to pitch in Boston. Hector Villanueva hits 2 HR and drives in 5. NE makes it interesting by loading the bases in the 9th, but Tom Gorman gets the last out for save number 2. TB 6-16-2 TUL 8-14-1 TUL uses a 6 run 6th to nip the Rowdies. Adrian Garrett hits his 2nd and 3rd HR of the year—maybe he shouldn’t lead off. Starter Eric Hillman gives up 6 in 5.1 IP, but the pen shuts down TB the rest of the way. LA 3-7-0 MEM 1-5-2 Sloppy play by the Rouges (2 errors, 6 walks) are just enough for the Aztecs. CAL 3-12-1 ATL 4-11-1 13 inn Don Taussig singles home the game winner. Attendance drops 7,000 from opening day. Everyone else stayed at the same level. DET 1-5-0 FL 3-7-0 Mark Ryal’s 2 solo HR give DET the margin of victory over the Strikers. FL’s Jim Eppard is the first player in NAL history to be ejected.

08-07-2004, 04:05 PM	#14
seth70liz76 All Star Starter Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 1,634	4/3/1979—Off day in both leagues MANAGER’S JOURNAL Heading to Pittsburgh for 3 games—their home opener. Not looking forward to that because the word is, those guys can hit. Glad to leave Houston, wish we didn’t have to come back in July/August—might be unbearable. Still no idea what kind of team I’ve got, but that is the same with all of the managers/GM’s. Nat [Nathanael Ducayne, Houston’s manager] said the Summit is the team he has known the least. Rumors are swirling that our commissioner and the NAL’s commish are meeting to work out an “understanding” between the leagues. I think the GM’s are the ones pushing for this—hard to trade with only 5 other teams in the league. League sent out a directive that all players are to be paid with certified funds—don’t want a “missed payroll” scandal right now. Of course, front office and my staff might have to wait for our cash.

08-07-2004, 05:36 PM	#15
seth70liz76 All Star Starter Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 1,634	04/5/1979 Detroit, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Tampa Bay and California all have their home opener. HOU 11-20-3 10 inn PHI 5-9-1 HOU scores all 11 runs after the 5th, including a wild 6 run 10th. First club to get 20 hits in a game. CIN 5-14-2 CLE 8-13-1 15,000 brave 38° temperatures to watch the Force win despite giving up 7 walks. CLE now trails in “the battle for Ohio” 1-3. NY 10-10-0 PIT 4-13-4 This is how things are going to go for PIT all year: Bob Hazle goes 3-5, but makes his 2nd error of the year (in 4 games). We bat around in the first, helped by Spirit starter Angel Moreno’s wildness (6 walks in 5 IP). Only 19,000 show up on a rainy Saturday night, but even the MLB’s Pirates aren’t drawing well with a very good team. Johnny Lindell, who has been an outfielder most of his career throws a decent game, despite the 12 hits, but our D was able to make the plays to keep runs off the board. ATL 5-12-3 DET 10-10-2 Mickey Klutts 2 errors lead the way to 4 unearned runs and a home opener victory for DET. DET starter Bob Mabe was hit in the jaw with a line drive. He left after only 2 IP, but should make his next start. LA 3-11-0 CAL 2-6-1 The first “Freeway series” game. Darren Reed and Greg Goossen hit a solo home run, but a run scoring double by Lou Klimchock give the Aztecs the win. Sell out at Wrigley Field. Some NAL investors question competing with themselves with 2 Los Angeles area teams (plus the Dodgers and Angels of MLB) makes this probably the most important rivalry in the two leagues. They are not just playing for first, but economic survival. An opening day sellout is a big start. MIN 10-14-1 TB 4-12-2 Bad press from the TUL series haunts the Rowdies in their home opener. They draw 20,000—10,000 short of a sellout. Granted, their park is a bit larger than most in the league, but empty seats don’t look good on TV (every team has at least a deal with a UHF station). The game doesn’t help their press either. Brian Givens pitches 6 strong, then blows up in the 7th, giving up 5. Joe Frazier makes up for an error with a 9th inning grand slam. This is, early on, a market in trouble. Back-up outfielder Horace Speed was hit in the wrist with a pitch but should be fine in a week. NE 1-6-1 TUL 8-12-1 Roughnecks win their 4 straight. Joe Margoneri is wild (5 walks in 6.2), but other than Carlos Rodriguez (3 hits), no one else really makes contact. Great job by the ‘Necks pen. The NAL is starting to breathe easier about the Tulsa situation. The smallest market in the two leagues started the season $5 million (remember—dollar amounts are assumed to be adjusted for era) in the hole; but is second in attendance so far. If the winning keeps going, that debt could be mostly erased. FL 11-16-1 MEM 10-12-1 A game of big innings is won by fundamentals: Mark Ryal singles, Ron Samford bunts him over, and Carlos Bernier singles him home. Memphis gets the long ball from Tim Blackwell and Jim Baxes, but just fall short. Next day is big—first set of men to make their second start of the year.

08-07-2004, 06:10 PM	#16
elmwood44 Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Peoria, Illinois Posts: 257	This is a fabulous idea and great read Seth!!!!

08-07-2004, 06:40 PM	#17
seth70liz76 All Star Starter Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 1,634	4/6/1979 CIN 2-5-1 CLE 5-9-1 Force is playing much better at home. CLE is threatening to become the CL’s ATL. Attendance dropped 5,000 since opening day—even with better weather (cold again, but sunny). Jim Willis gets the CG loss. HOU 7-13-0 PHI 4-9-0 I’m feeling better about my pitching after watching the Fever get battered around. Joe Ostrowski hits his 3rd HR of the year. Marvin Lane hits 2 in a losing cause. NY 0-7-0 PIT 6-10-0 The Spirits get 6 in the first 2 innings and cruse to victory. Mike Birkbeck needs only 96 pitches to shut us down. Randy Scarbery, our starter, strikes out his first batter after allowing 8 walks over two starts. FL 18-29-0 MEM 12-12-1 A game for the ages! Every Striker starter had at least 2 hits (except C Tim Hosley—whose one hit was the only HR for FL). The Rouges hit 3 homers in losing. Of the 9 pitchers used, only one (MEM’s Phil Paine) get thru without surrendering a run. The 4 ½ hour game thrilled the 21,000 in attendance. Jim C Wright has a game score of –1. The score and hit total for the Strikers gets mentioned on TV outside NAL/CL markets. Some free publicity—even if leaves the quality of pitching up for ridicule. ATL 9-10-0 DET 3-8-3 NE 9-13-1 TUL 8-10-0 TUL loses it’s first of the year. Benny Ayala has a great game, but the ‘Necks fall just short. Neither starter (TUL Hank Webb and NE Randy Kramer) can make it out of the 3rd. Cy Acosta has his best outing so far in getting the save. MIN 11-17-0 TB 5-9-1 Rowdies are pummeled again. MIN Starter Paul Edmondson (pulled elbow ligament—will probably miss one start) is removed after .1 because of injury, but the pen is solid. LA 1-6-1 CAL 2-12-0 11 inn Ron Jackson leads off the game with a HR—and then the Aztecs can’t do anything else. The Surf was almost as offensively pathetic, as Scipio Spinks strikes out 12 over 9, and leaving men on base every time.

08-07-2004, 11:49 PM	#19
seth70liz76 All Star Starter Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 1,634	04/08/1979 Minnesota, Los Angeles and New York all have their home opener. NE 3B Bobby Etheridge is suffering from migraines, his status is questionable the next couple days. HOU 3-8-2 PIT 21-20-2 This is what happens when that Spirit offense is rolling! Bob Hazle hits 2 HR, 6 RBI. PIT gets 9 walks too. John Ericks’ good start for PIT is lost in all the runs. Every one HOU put into the game was just raked over the coals. Again, the 21 runs get a mention in the news in non-CL markets. PHI 6-7-1 CLE 2-9-0 CIN 3-6-3 10 inn NY 2-9-4 Disappointed with the 34,000 empty seats, more disappointed with the sloppy play of my team. Jeff Schwarz’s walk and error set up the winning rally in the 10th. Chances to score, but couldn’t get the big hit. Kite Thomas has his second 3 strike out game in the last week. Kids’ Dave Pope hits two HR; Erv Dusak throws a great game (7 IP, 0 ER, 5 K) MEM 2-5-1 TB 1-8-0 At least they kept it close. MEM’s pitching looks a lot better against a weak TB club. TUL 5-10-0 MIN 2-10-0 TUL shows they can win on the road too. Adrian Garrett goes 4 for 4 with 2 RBI from the lead off position. Walt Lanfranconi goes 6 solid for TUL; the bullpen shuts the door, with three relievers going 3 scoreless. 14,000 show up, 6,000 short of a sellout. DET 3-6-1 CAL 2-8-0 Joe Lis hits two at cozy Wrigley Field giving Bob Greenwood his first win of the year. Huck Flener throws well in a loss. FL 10-13-3 12 inn ATL 7-10-1 In what the NAL hopes will become part of a “Southern Rivalry”, a wild wild game. ATL ties it at 4 in the bottom of the 9th, retie it by scoring 2 in the 11th, before surrendering 4 to lose. Howie Koplitz walks 7 for the Chiefs, but it’s John Kiely getting the loss in relief. Chris Howard blows the save, but gets the win. Matt Turner the save. NE 2-12-3 LA 3-7-1 LA draws a decent crowd of 25,000 but that means 68,000 empty seats at the LA Memorial Coliseum. They don’t disappoint, though Johnny Rutherford and Dwight Bernard take a bend-don’t-break attitude today.

08-08-2004, 02:14 AM	#20
seth70liz76 All Star Starter Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 1,634	04/09/1979 The fifth starters are getting their first shot today. HOU 8-14-3 PIT 7-12-0 HOU scores all 8 after the 3rd. Mel Hoderlein hits his first 2 HR of the year. Neither starter lasted too long (HOU Don Rowe 4.2, PIT Johnny Gray 5.1) but the Summit pen, even after the 20 run debacle, did a much better job of slowing down the offense. PHI 4-12-1 CLE 8-13-0 CLE is the only team using a four-man rotation; and Bob Wiesler goes 2.2 IP longer than PHI’s rested Ramon Romero. CLE’s Cot Deal ends the game with 2.2 shut out in his first appearance. Jim Bronstad hurls a scoreless 3, but the offense can’t push anyone across. CIN 8-16-0 NY 6-10-2 Frank Carpin has one of the worst outings of the year for us, giving up 4 runs in .1 IP. Greg Gohr struggled thru 5.2, but still had a lead. Giovanni Carrara was going good for CIN until we laced 5 straight hits to knock him out. Pat Gomez and Bill Dailey shut us down. Kite strikes out twice in key situations and is caught off base in a bases loaded scenario. Attendance drops 3,000 from the opener. FL 10-16-3 ATL 5-10-1 ATL’s bullpen turns a close game into a blow out by surrendering 7 runs over the last two innings. The Strikers overcome Mel Roach’s two errors at second as Steve Nagy gets the win. MEM 2-4-2 TB 5-10-2 Strong outing for the Rowdies pen, after starter Mo Sanford leaves after 4.1 (strained back—will miss at least one start). Ray Hayward pitches very well in defeat. DET 5-11-0 CAL 4-10-2 DET’s Jim Golden leaves after .2 IP with a strained back. George Cappuzzello, Kevin Hickey and Steve Frey keep the Surf from breaking through. Odd ending as Rusty Kuntz is called out after Jimmy Sexton is ruled to interfere with an attempted double play. Lenn Sakata hits his 3rd triple of the year. TUL 11-14-1 MIN 1-7-0 They make it looks so easy. Adrian Garrett and Ron Renick both hit their 4th HR. Renick has driven in at least 1 run in every game. Another set of starters who can’t make it out to the 5th. Tom Johnson give MIN 4 shut out innings after it was too late. Cause for concern: Dutch McCall’s elbow forced his removal after 4.2 IP, could miss up to two starts. NE 2-8-2 LA 8-10-2 Joe Muir is impressive in his debut, walking none and giving up only 2 unearned runs in 7.2 IP. Danny Schell lifts 2 HR over the left field screen and Ron Jackson pokes his 4th solo shot. Brian Dayett’s 2 run 2B is all NE can muster.