StLee

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  1. Posted

    Year 5: Playoffs - #4 Freeside vs #2 Goodsprings

     

    First Round Preview

     
    Goodsprings returns to the playoffs to defend its title. Freeside returns to the playoffs for the first time since the debut season of the Mojave Baseball League. Both teams met in the first-ever MBL playoffs series, where the two teams were then known as Lucky 38 and King’s School of Impersonation. Lucky 38 swept the series 3-0. 
     
    This season, Freeside enters the playoffs as a major underdog, mostly because the Lucky 38s are seasoned veterans in the post season, having been to the Mojave Series three of the previous four seasons. 
     
    Offensively, Goodsprings has a major advantage with a runs per game average of 5.5 (1st in MBL) to the Kings’ 3.6 (9th in MBL). The Lucky 38s led the league in hits (1004), as well. Though they did not lead the league in any of the extra base hits categories, Goodsprings still was among the leaders in all. 
     
    For Goodsprings, offense begins with Jimmy LaRue. The outstanding hitter batted a league high .427 to go with six home runs and 61 RBI. First baseman Jesus Martinez cleaned up well, batting .314 with 26 homers (4th in MBL) and 99 RBI (tops in the MBL). Java Stirfry proved to be a good hitter late in the lineup, knocking 16 dingers with 67 RBI. 
     
    Jim Seaman was by far the best offensive player for the Kings, winning the club triple crown with a .328 batting average, 17 home runs, and 64 RBI. Catcher Ronald Draper was the next best offensive player with a .291 average, 7 home runs, and 43 RBI. 
     
    Freeside has the advantage in pitching, especially with the help of club ace MacTause. The Kings finished second in runs per game (3.3), third in team ERA (3.12), second in hits allowed (759), and second in team WHIP (1.14). 
     
    Goodsprings was not far behind in many categories, finishing fifth in runs per game (3.9), fifth in team ERA (3.57), and fourth in team WHIP (1.23).
      
    When talking about Freeside’s pitching, Jeff MacTause is the man. The potential Lead Dealer Pitcher Award candidate finished with a MBL best 1.72 ERA and 151 strikeouts. Despite his superior performances, though, low run support resulted in MacTause only having an 8-5 record on the season. The second pitcher on the team also racked up a great season. Marshall Shaw finished 12-6 with a 2.41 ERA. Doug King led the MBL in saves with 33 and had an impressive 1.93 ERA. Reliever Ron Frazier was money off the bench with a 1.19 ERA. 
     
    The Lucky 38s’ ace, Jim Jones, continued to be a leader on the mound. He finished with a 12-5 record and team-leading 2.32 ERA. David Martin, Bob Jackson, and Miguel Santos each added 11 more wins, and Donald Bush was 9-4 with a 3.32 ERA as the #3 pitcher. Willie Miller was not impenetrable as the closer, but he did finish with 31 saves (2nd in MBL) and a 3.61 ERA. 
     
    Overall, the key to this series probably comes down to the huge differences in offensive production. Despite Freeside’s MacTause being perhaps the best pitcher in the league, he does not have much going on around him. Should he give up three or more runs, the Kings probably lose. With that said, our prediction is for another sweep between the two teams and an easy 4-0 series win for the Lucky 38s.

  2. Posted

    Year 5: Playoffs - #3 South Vegas vs #1 North Vegas

     

    First Round Preview

     
    The 2289 North Vegas Radscorpions featured one of the most dominant pitching staffs in MBL history. The top four starters—Rich Richmond, Nate Camp, Wilfred Buckley, and Lee Burke—combined to go 52-14 with below a 3.00 ERA. In fact, the Radscorpions’ team ERA of 2.47 was better than any other team by 58 points (South Vegas finished second with a 3.05 team ERA). North Vegas led in pitching in almost all team categories. 
     
    On top of the outstanding pitching performances, North Vegas finished second in team batting average (.269), second in home runs (101), second in runs scored (498), third in hits (931), third in OBP (.343), second in slugging percentage (.416), and first in steals (159). Goodsprings led most of the offensive categories. 
     
    Weldon Brown looks to have displaced George O’Kill as the offensive leader, though O’Kill has been no punkganger. Brown had a .285 average with a league-leading 34 home runs. He also finished second in the league with 75 RBI. O’Kill batted .266 with 24 home runs (6th in the league) and 72 RBI (3rd in the league).
     
    South Vegas may not have been as good, but the Vault Boys are still a very good team. Like North Vegas, South Vegas has a good combination of hitting and pitching results. The Vault Boys were right in the mix as league leaders in many team categories. 
     
    Offensively, you can’t talk about the Vault Boys’ performance without mentioning rising star James Sexton. The South Vegas left fielder finished second in batting average (.378), first in on-base percentage (.500), second in hits (139), sixth in doubles (26), and tied for second in runs (76). Third baseman Duane Antqueen also added great pop to the lineup. He batted .323 with a team-leading 18 home runs and 69 RBI despite not being very good against right-handed pitchers. Shortstop Joseph Dillon added a .289 average with 18 homers and 52 RBI. 
     
    Orlando Stephens and Tom Nelson led the way for the South Vegas pitching staff. Stephens had a 14-3 record (2nd most wins) with a 2.84 ERA. Nelson went 12-3 with a 2.03 ERA (2nd in league). Robert Cooper also added an impressive record of 11-2 with a 2.74 ERA. On the not-so-bright side, Donnell Dugood finished 5-8 with a 4.79 ERA. He may not see action in the postseason unless it is as a reliever or spot starter. 
     
    In the season series, South Vegas gave North Vegas more trouble than most teams. The Radscorpions held a 5-3 advantage in the season series, but that included the Vault Boys winning three of the last four games in North Vegas.
     
    In the first series from May 23 until May 26, North Vegas went into South Vegas and swept the series 4-0. South Vegas later returned the favor, in a way, winning the July 4-7 series three games to one, including a dramatic 14-inning victory on an Angel Serrano home run. 
     
    Because South Vegas is pretty good, North Vegas cannot expect to run away with an easy series win. Our prediction is for the Radscorpions to get revenge from the 2286 Mojave Series and take this one in six games.

  3. Posted

    Year 5: July/August 2289

     

    Final Standings

     
    2289StandingsDFinal_zps5c4b0667.jpg
     
    July Awards
     
    2289LeadersDAug1Awards_zpsb01f2a2d.jpg
     
    League Leaders
     
    Batting Leaders
     
    2289LeadersDBattingLeaders_zpsee90f10c.j
     
    Pitching Leaders
     
    2289LeadersDPitchingLeaders_zps322315e6.
     
    News and Notes
     
    7.4.89 – Player injury
     
    Jeff Glover may want to stay away from irradiated zones. Despite rumors that Glover may be having a somewhat disgusting affair with a ghoul, it won’t help his pecker if he gets it chomped off. 
     
    The Tops reliever was attacked by an evolved centaur and is recovering for the remainder of the season in a clinic in Jacobstown. 
     
    Evolved centaurs have not been seen much in the Mojave recently thanks to the efforts of Radiation King to clean up irradiated zones. However, there are still plenty of pockets of wastes in the wilderness. 
     
    Glover has a reputation of being accustomed to the ghoul life. Speculation was he was on the hunt for some lovin’ and that got him into a tight spot when he did not find ghouls but a pocket of centaurs. Thankfully, Glover’s efforts did help to wipe out that group of centaurs, so there is a positive ending. In the meantime, Glover finishes with a 5.11 ERA in nine appearances for the Mutants. 
     
    It is also ironic that a Mutants’ player was attacked by known pets of Mutants. 
     
    7.6.89 – Player fight
     
    Nellis Air Force Base’s Brad Moore and Boulder City’s Harry Adams each pitched a hell of a game yesterday. The two players combined to pitch 14 innings and give up a combined two runs in the Atomic Wranglers’ 2-0 victory. 
     
    Unfortunately, Moore’s frustration in the loss carried over to the post-game handshake, leading to an altercation between the two pitchers. 
     
    Due to their transgressions, Moore will sit the next five games, while Adams will get a two-game boot. Overall, neither suspension will really matter since both players are starting pitchers. Still, the fight goes on their permanent record. For Moore, it’s his second career suspension for fighting with the first coming in 2287 when he pitched for Tops. He may be subject to more severe penalties if he is cited for a third offense. 
     
    7.12.89 – Jeff MacTause news
     
    MacTause Stops Westside Cold: Jeff MacTause of the Freeside Kings really did a job on the Sarsaparillas today at Westside Ballpark, shutting them out 12-0. MacTause frustrated Westside hitters throughout the game, surrendering 3 hits. He struck out 5 and walked 0 in picking up the victory.
     
    This season MacTause has a 5-5 record with a 2.00 ERA.
     
    7.16.89 – Player fight
     
    Due to some work being done at Primm Community Field, Primm and Westside had to share a bullpen for the game. That sharing happened to cause more than one problem, including pre-game fisticuffs between the two teams’ bullpen catchers. 
     
    The Outlaws’ Evan Pryor and the Sarsaparillas’ Thomas Hastings will now be suspended four games and one game, respectively, for their transgressions. 
    For Pryor, it’s his second suspension in a month for fighting. 
     
    7.16.89 – Player suspension (Chem use)
     
    On the same day that Primm lost catcher Evan Pryor due to fighting, the Outlaws also lost reliever Matt Wiley one game for using coyote tobacco chew. 
     
    7.17.89 – Team achievement
     
    Bob Jackson pitched seven scoreless innings and the Goodsprings Lucky 38s won their division for the third straight season, defeating South Vegas 3-0. The Vault Boys were the only other team to win the division when both teams were in the same division. 
     
    The Lucky 38s (55-30) clinched the Bear Division crown over Tops (39-46). Currently, Goodsprings trails North Vegas (62-23) and South Vegas (56-29) for the best record in the Mojave Baseball League. 
     
    7.18.89 – Team achievement
     
    North Vegas could not get it done on the field, losing their division-clinching opportunity against Ultra Luxe, 3-2. However, Primm’s two-out, ninth-inning rally helped the Outlaws defeat Freeside, 2-1, and clinch the Star Division for the Radscorpions. 
     
    Currently, North Vegas is 62-24 and has a five game lead over South Vegas for the best record in the Mojave Baseball League. 
     
    7.21.9 – Player suspension (chem use)
     
    Goodsprings ace Jim Jones must have been having a particular craving. Today Jones was caught with ant nectar and a positive test confirmed he will be out for the next three games, delaying his next start. 
     
    Jones is 10-5 with a 2.61 ERA for the Bear Division champs. He was the Mojave Series MVP and Mojave Hardcore Mode Postseason Award winner in 2288. 
     
    7.23.89 – Player fight
     
    A pre-game argument turned into a fight between two players for North Vegas and Tops. Tops’ Alex Elliott took the first swing at the Radscorpions’ Squirrel And, leading to the two players wrestling on the ground near the first base dugout. 
     
    After being separated, the two players were immediately sent to their lockers. And was dismissed for the game, and Elliott was given an additional five games for six total for starting the fight. 
     
    7.23.89 – Jimmy LaRue news
     
    Number 156 by LaRue Puts Name Atop Hit List: He did it! Jimmy LaRue smacked hit number 156 in a game at Red Rock Canyon Auxiliary Field today to break the record for the most hits in a season, held previously by Mike Duncan. The Goodsprings Lucky 38s star got a tremendous standing ovation from the fans. Speaking after the game Jimmy LaRue told reporters, "It was a great moment in my life. Times like that don't come around that much. I shall always remember it."
     
    Jimmy LaRue grounded out in the 1st, singled in the 4th and singled in the 6th.
     
    In the 2289 season LaRue is hitting .417 with 4 home runs.
     
    7.24.89 – Team achievement
     
    South Vegas was the last team to do it, but the Vault Boys’ 9-6 victory at Westside earned them the Aradesh Division crown. 
     
    South Vegas (60-31) had a ten-game lead with ten to go before the victory made the division crown over Ultra Luxe (49-42) official. The White Gloves are now battling for the wild card spot, currently held by Freeside (51-40). 
     
    7.29.89 – Jimmy LaRue news
     
    LaRue Wins MBL Player of the Week: Jimmy LaRue has the tools to stick in this league for many years. The 23-year-old center fielder of the Goodsprings Lucky 38s had a pretty hot bat in the Mojave Baseball League over the past seven days and won the Player of the Week honors.
     
    LaRue batted .545 with 12 hits in 22 at-bats, 1 home run and 4 RBIs. 
     
    In 2289 LaRue has hit at a .422 clip with 166 hits, 5 home runs, 56 RBIs and has scored 69 times.
     
    7.29.89 – Jeff MacTause news
     
    MacTause Shuts out Sarsaparillas: In an outstanding outing, Jeff MacTause tamed Westside on a 2-hit shutout. The Freeside hurler went the distance, finishing with 8 strikeouts and 1 walk in the 10-0 win.
     
    "He had a lot of first pitch strikes and kept us off balance with a lot of off-speed stuff," according to the Westside manager. "We just didn't get too many balls squared up today."
     
    To date this year MacTause has compiled a 7-5 mark with a 1.74 ERA in 21 starts.
     
    7.31.89 – Player news
     
    Primm minor leaguer John Collier has been solid in his two seasons with the Mojave Express. He came to the Mojave from New Mexican territory to try his hand at baseball. At first, teams were not very interested in him, but Primm gave him a tryout and eventually signed him. 
     
    Collier surprised a lot of people by being a solid reliever and sometimes starter. In 31 games pitched, he started 10 games, compiling a 7-5 record and a 4.31 ERA. It is still unknown how far he could progress, but the young pitcher seemed to have a shot at making it to the major league team. 
     
    However, like all stories in the Mojave, this one turns strange. Last week, the mysterious computer hacker poet, Le Penseur, was revealed to be Collier. For the last two years, network computers on the RNC have been having poems suddenly popping up when people were visiting RNC screens, including the Mojave Baseball League’s screen. 
     
    Instead of being angry, though, people began to consider Le Penseur to be a cult icon of the Mojave. He was the people’s poet. Now that Collier is revealed to be the formerly anonymous penman, he has felt overwhelmed. Thus Collier has decided to leave baseball for now and focus on writing. It is unknown when he will return, if ever. 
     
    7.31.89 – Team achievement
     
    It took ten innings to do it, but North Vegas clinched the top seed in the 2289 Mojave Baseball League playoffs by defeating Nellis Air Force Base 8-7. 
     
    The Radscorpions (70-26) have been dominant all season and beat out Goodsprings (64-32) and South Vegas (64-32) for the top spot. The Lucky 38s and Vault Boys are now battling for the second seed in the playoffs. 
     
    8.2.89 – Tom Nelson news
     
    Nelson Dominates, Whitewashes Dinosaurs: "He was kind of teasing them with his off-speed stuff, and his fastball was moving everywhere," the South Vegas skipper said after Tom Nelson shut out the Novac Dinosaurs 9-0 on a 4-hit masterpiece.
     
    Nelson registered 7 strikeouts and issued 1 walk in a gem of a performance.
     
    "We just didn't swing the bats very well...or he just pitched good, whichever way you want to look at it," said the Novac manager after the defeat.
     
    This year Nelson has compiled a 12-3 record with a 2.03 ERA in 21 starts.
     
    8.3.89 – Team achievements
     
    Freeside locked up the final playoff spot with its 3-1 victory over Nellis Air Force Base. 
     
    Jeff MacTause pitched another gem of a game, allowing just one earned run in seven innings to clinch the wild card spot for the Kings (55-44) with just a game to play in the regular season.
     
    Freeside edged out Ultra Luxe (53-46) for the wild card spot. 
     
    In other news, Goodsprings (67-32) clinched the second seed in the playoffs, thanks to their 7-0 shutout of Tops coupled with South Vegas’ 4-2 loss to Novac. 
     
    With the playoffs seeds set, the Vault Boys (65-34) will play at Goodsprings and Freeside will play at North Vegas to begin the playoffs.

  4. Posted

    Year 5: Prospects League

     

    Final Standings

     
    2289PLStandings_zps01afd16a.jpg
     
    Playoffs
     
    Play-in game
     
    Sloan Quarriers 5 at New Vegas Steel Steelers 6
    Player of the Game: Vincent Harvey, C, NVS, 3 for 3, HR, 3 R, RBI, 2 BB
     
    First Round
     
    Game One: 188 Traders 2 at New Vegas Steel Steelers 4
    Game MVP: Manuel Salazar, SP, New Vegas Steel, 8 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, BB, 8 K
     
    Game One: Nipton Phoenix 8 at Mojave Express Couriers 3
    Game MVP: Brant Carney, SP, Nipton, 8 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 0 ER, BB, 4 K
     
    Game Two: New Vegas Steel Steelers 3 at 188 Traders 13
    Game MVP: Dave Green, RF, 188, 2 for 4, HR, 2 R, 4 RBI, BB
     
    Game Two: Mojave Express Couriers 1 at Nipton Phoenix 5
    Game MVP: Jorge Alonzo, SP, Nipton, 8 IP, 4 H, ER, 2 BB, 5 K
     
    Game Three: New Vegas Steel Steelers 3 at 188 Traders 6
    Game MVP: Keith Oven Light, SP, 188, 7.1 IP, 8 H, ER, 6 K
     
    Prospects League Championship
     
    Game One: Nipton Phoenix 5 at 188 Traders 8
    Game MVP: Ed Moyer, C, 188, 1 for 4, GS, R, 4 RBI
     
    Game Two: Nipton Phoenix 0 at 188 Traders 3
    Game MVP: Winston Walker, SP, 188, 8 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K
     
    Game Three: 188 Traders 2 at Nipton Phoenix 4
    Game MVP: Keith Heard, SP, Nipton, 7 IP, 9 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
     
    Game Four: 188 Traders 1 at Nipton Phoenix 3
    Game MVP: Brant Carney, SP, Nipton, 8 IP, 7 H, ER, 7 K
     
    Game Five: Nipton Phoenix 2 at 188 Traders 4
    Game MVP: Winston Walker, SP, 188, 8 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
     
    Statistical Leaders
     
    Batting Leaders
     
    2289PLBattingLeaders_zpse5239321.jpg
     
    Pitching Leaders
     
    2289PLPitchingLeaders_zps6bd21961.jpg
     
    Season Awards
     
    2289PLBattingandPitchingAwards_zpsa3cb702289PLBestRookie_zpsf301c729.jpg
     
    Other Awards
     
    Postseason Award: Winston Walker, P, 188 Traders 
     
    Defense Awards: 
    P - David Small, Mojave Express
    C - Lane Milton, Hidden Valley
    1B - David Schoolskipper, Cottonwood Cove
    2B - Joe Mitchell, Hidden Valley
    3B - Jack Bollansted, 188 Traders
    SS - Fred Hodge, Hidden Valley
    LF - Matt Franklin, Nipton
    CF - Bob Conant, Mojave Express
    RF - Gunner Knife, Nipton
     
    Affiliations
     
    Just in case you forgot: 
    188 Traders - Gomorrah
    Aerotech  - Tops
    Bittersprings - Westside
    Bonnie Springs - South Vegas
    Cottonwood Cove - Boulder City
    H&H Tool Company - North Vegas
    Hidden Valley - Ultra Luxe
    Mojave Express - Primm
    New Vegas Steel - Nellis AFB
    Nipton - Freeside
    Red Rock - Novac
    Sloan - Goodsprings

  5. Posted

    Year 5: June 2289

     

    Standings

     
    2289StandingsCJuly1_zps5ee39d74.jpg
     
    North Vegas, Goodsprings, and South Vegas have extended the gap between themselves and their division mates. All three teams are in great shape to win their divisions in the final 28 games. 
     
    The wildcard race is the only excitement left. Three teams are all vying for that one spot, with Ultra Luxe currently holding on to the spot. However, watch out for Westside, which was considered the favorite to win the wildcard spot before the season began. 
     
    June Awards
     
    2289LeadersCJuly1Awards1_zpsd21cc0ac.jpg2289LeadersCJuly1Awards2_zpsf82247ba.jpg
     
    League Leaders
     
    2289LeadersCJuly1LeagueLeaders_zps405b94
     
    News and Notes
     
    6.3.89 – Player trade
     
    The Gomorrah Devils traded 31-year-old right fielder Bob Woodward and 19-year-old minor league starting pitcher Josh Horn to the Primm Outlaws, getting 34-year-old starting pitcher Greg Thompson in return.
     
    6.4.89 – Team news
     
    Gomorrah is looking to shake up its roster in a very significant way, hoping to build on the future to become a competitive team in the Mojave Baseball League. Just one day after trading away struggling outfielder Bob Woodward and former third overall pick Josh Horn to Primm for pitcher Greg Thompson, the Devils have made major changes to their Prospects League roster.
     
    Though the 188 Traders currently are at 38-15 and have the best record in the Prospects League, Gomorrah management decided to release all struggling and underperforming players. As a cost-saving move, the Devils cut 17 players, but re-signed a few at lower contracts. 
     
    Released and re-signed players include: relievers Zak Perry and Pedro Morales and Donovan Wolf, starting pitcher Arturo Reyes, first basemen Eric Baker and Allan Carter, third baseman Greg Billings, and shortstop Armando Ramos. 
     
    The most notable cut was Aviator Jones, who was demoted only a day ago.  Nicholas Schneider who had a 2.76 ERA in relief for South Vegas last season, 2288 Return to Sender award-winning first baseman Rob Carlson (Primm in 2288), and former Primm outfielder Tim Patterson were the most notable signings. 
     
    6.8.89 – Player trade
     
    The Westside Sarsaparillas traded 29-year-old third baseman Mike White and 20-year-old minor league catcher William Irwin to the Novac Dinosaurs, getting 31-year-old closer Bob Newsome in return.
     
    6.9.89 – Jimmy LaRue news
     
    Radscorpions Halt LaRue's Hit Streak: Jimmy LaRue's sizzling streak was snapped at 27 today as the Goodsprings Lucky 38s dropped a game to the North Vegas Radscorpions 7-1 at North Vegas Square Field. LaRue failed to get a hit and went 0-for-4.
     
    After the game LaRue spoke with BNN and said, "This was quite a streak. I just ran into some good pitching today."
     
    For the season, LaRue is hitting at a .429 clip with 3 home runs, 43 RBIs and has scored 42 runs. He has 102 hits, 13 walks and a .458 on-base percentage.
     
    6.9.89 – Player achievement
     
    Devils Parks Gets No-Hitter: "This is one of the best moments of my life," John Parks said. "You never think that's going to happen -- a no-hitter."
     
    He made those comments after he held the Boomers hitless in the Gomorrah 9-0 victory at Nellis AFB Field.
     
    "We simply couldn't get any wood on the ball," said the Nellis AFB manager, when asked about his epic performance. "Parks was brilliant out there. He certainly had our number."
     
    Parks was more humble about his historic feat and told BNN reporters that he was "just happy to get the win for the club."
     
    He faced only 29 batters in the no-hit gem, struck out 2 and walked 0.
     
    Parks has fashioned a 2-3 mark for the season, 5.34 ERA and thrown 57.1 innings in 11 starts. Opposing clubs are batting .321 against him.
     
    6.10.89 – Player trade
     
    The Freeside Kings traded 25-year-old catcher Evan Pryor and 18-year-old minor league starting pitcher Lou Crosby to the Primm Outlaws, getting 32-year-old starting pitcher Matt Palmer in return.
     
    6.16.89 – Player fight
     
    For the first time in the Mojave Baseball League’s short history, a multi-player brawl has resulted in unprecedented suspensions. 
     
    Following Goodsprings’ 5-4 victory over Primm last night, eight players were involved in a fight, resulting in all eight players being suspended for some time.
     
    The three instigators of the brawl were all suspended for a variety of games. Primm’s starting pitcher Steve MacIntyre received the harshest penalty of 22 games suspended, followed by the Outlaws’ Vicente Palacios receiving 17 games and the Lucky 38s’ catcher Dennis Shaft receiving 15 games. 
     
    Others to be suspended include league star Jimmy LaRue (3 games), Stu Vanstone (4 games), and Mike Duncan (2 games) for Goodsprings and Rich Hall (2 games) and Evan Pryor (2 games) for the Outlaws. 
     
    All suspensions begin immediately, meaning that both teams will be short-handed for today’s series finale. 
     
    6.16.89 – Update on Primm vs Goodsprings
     
    With both teams short-handed due to last night’s brawl, Goodsprings spanked Primm 9-2 behind the brutal hitting of Jesus Martinez. Martinez hit his 14th and 15th home runs of the season, including a two-run home run in the first inning to give the Lucky 38s a quick 2-0 lead. Java Stirfry added a three-run shot with nobody out in the second inning to chase the Outlaws’ starter Jarred Jones and put the game away early. 
     
    6.21.89 – Player suspension (Major chem use)
     
    Curt Petty saw his role reduced this season after the North Vegas Radscorpions picked up closer Basket Zapp in the redistribution draft. Now the former closer who finished third in 2288 in saves with 28 will be sitting for the remainder of 2289 and part of 2290 after testing positive for Jet. 
     
    Petty only pitched in two games for North Vegas this season, spending most of his time with the Prospects League team, H&H Tool Company. He will likely be one of the biggest negative results earners from last season to this season. 
     
    6.28.89 – Player suspension (Chem use)
     
    Boulder City is in the midst of a playoff race. Now they will have to go without one of their best players when starting pitcher Sixto Deleon was caught with Buffout in his system. 
     
    The aging pitcher may have needed Buffout to boost his pitching speed or to win a fight against his girlfriend, who knows. What we do know is that Deleon will have to sit the next ten games while a poor pitching staff has to try to keep the Atomic Wranglers in the playoff hunt.

  7. Posted

    2010 Alpha League

     

    Standings
     
    2010standingsalpha_zpsf8fdacf7.jpg
     
    Pennant Winner
     
    houston_bulls_banner_pennant_2010_zps870
     
    Tie Breakers
     
    Cincinnati had the best overall record among the three teams for #6 seed. 
    Montreal won the season series over Toronto for the #7 seed. 
    Detroit won the season series over Seattle for the #9 seed. 
     
    Honors Cup
     
    First Round
    Honolulu 2, Detroit 0
    San Diego 2, Seattle 1
     
    Semifinals
    Montreal 2, Honolulu 0
    Toronto 2, San Diego 1
     
    Honors Cup Final
    Montreal 2, Toronto 0
     
    Montreal_Saints_Banner_Honors_Cup_2010_z
     
    Alpha Cup (5-game series)
     
    Portland 3, Cincinnati 0
     
    Portland_Pioneers_Banner_Alpha_Cup_2010_
     
    Diamond Trophy
     
    First Round
    New Mexico 3, Houston 2
    Nashville 3, Brooklyn 0
     
    Diamond Trophy Final
    New Mexico 4, Nashville 0
     
    New_Mexico_Suns_Banner_Diamond_Trophy_20
     
    Relegation
     
    Honors Cup First Round and Semifinals Losers:
    Detroit Wolverines
    Seattle Ports
    San Diego Slammers
    Honolulu Tropics

  8. Posted

    2010 Beta League

     

    Standings
     
    2010standingsbeta_zps7094fd85.jpg
     
    Pennant Winner
     
    Los_Angeles_Actors_Banner_Pennant_2010_z
     
    Tie Breaker
     
    Los Angeles won the season series over Miami for #1 seed. 
    Utah won the season series over Denver for #10 seed. 
     
    Beta Survivors Cup
     
    First Round
    Denver 2, Minneapolis 1
     
    Semifinals
    Boston 2, Denver 1
    San Antonio 2, Utah 0
     
    Beta Survivors Cup Final
    San Antonio 2, Boston 0
     
    San_Antonio_Buzzards_Banner_Beta_Survivo
     
    Beta Cup
     
    First Round
    Kansas City 2, San Francisco 0
    New Orleans 2, Virginia Beach 1
     
    Beta Cup Final
    New Orleans 2, Kansas City 1
     
    New_Orleans_Gators_Banner_Beta_Cup_2010_
     
    Gold Trophy
     
    First Round
    Miami 3, Oakland 0
     
    Championship
    Los Angeles 4, Miami 1
     
    Los_Angeles_Actors_Banner_Gold_Trophy_20
     
    Promotion
     
    Los Angeles - Regular season champs and Gold Trophy winner
    Miami - Top 3 seed
    Oakland - Top 3 seed
    New Orleans - Beta Cup winner
     
    Relegation
     
    Beta Survivors Cup Losers: 
    Boston Night Hawks
    Utah Mustangs
    Denver Peaks
    Minneapolis Blizzard

  9. Posted

    2010 Gamma League

     

    Standings
     
    2010standingsgamma_zps289cc24d.jpg
     
    Pennant Winner
     
    St_Louis_Lions_Banner_pennant_2010_zpsda
     
    Tie Breaker
     
    Dallas beat Orlando 6-2 in one-game tie-breaker for #8. (I made a mistake and scheduled it as a playoff game. Will probably make these games regular season in future.)
     
    Gamma Survivors Cup
     
    First Round
    Orlando 2, Pittsburgh 1
    Chicago 2, Cleveland 0
     
    Semifinals
    Dallas 2, Orlando 1
    Chicago 2, Tampa 1
     
    Gamma Survivors Cup Final
    Dallas 2, Chicago 1
     
    Dallas_Tycoons_Banner_Gamma_Survivors_20
     
    Gamma Cup
     
    First Round
    Phoenix 2, Atlanta 0
    Austin 2, Washington 0
     
    Gamma Cup Final
    Austin 2, Phoenix 0
     
    Austin_Savage_Banner_Gamma_Cup_2010_zps2
     
    Silver Trophy
     
    Charlotte 4, St. Louis 3
     
    Charlotte_Flyers_Banner_Silver_Trophy_20
     
    Promotion
     
    St. Louis Lions - Regular season champions
    Charlotte Flyers - Silver Trophy winners
    Austin Savage - Gamma Cup winners
    Phoenix Firebirds - Gamma cup runners-up
     
    Relegation
     
    Gamma Survivors Cup Losers: 
    Tampa Sharks
    Orlando Rockets
    Cleveland Sluggers
    Chicago Brats
    Pittsburgh Energy

  10. Posted

    2010 Omega League

     

    Standings
     
    2010standingsomega_zps84767536.jpg
     
    Tiebreakers
    Memphis had a winning record against both Baltimore and Vancouver, so #9. 
    Vancouver had a winning record against Baltimore, so #10. 
     
    Pennant Winner 
     
    Bronx_Bombers_Banner_Pennant_2010_zps05a
     
    Omega Cup Results (numbers represent wins, not scores)
     
    First Round
    #10 Vancouver 2, #3 Indianapolis 1
    #9 Memphis 2, #4 Buffalo 0
    #5 Milwaukee 2, #8 Louisville 0
    #6 Oklahoma City 2, #7 Edmonton 1
     
    Semifinals
    Oklahoma City 2, Memphis 0
    Milwaukee 2, Vancouver 0
     
    Promotion Series
    Vancouver 2, Memphis 0
     
    Omega Cup
    Oklahoma City 2, Milwaukee 0
     
    Oklahoma_City_Banner_Omega_Cup_2010_zpsc
     
    Bronze Trophy (series results)
    Las Vegas 4, Bronx 1
     
    Las_Vegas_Dealers_Banner_Bronze_2010_zps
     
    Promoted: 
    Bronx Bombers - Regular season champs
    Las Vegas Dealers - Bronze Trophy
    Oklahoma City Bandits - Omega Cup
    Milwaukee Beers - Omega Cup runners-up
    Vancouver Mounties - Omega Cup Promotion Series winner

  11. Posted

    2010 Spring Bowl

     

    Though the rules for teams in subsequent years would be different, only a team that had won its two series for the rights to play in the Alpha League could participate in the first-ever Spring Bowl. 
     
    Teams were randomly selected for seeding in the double elimination tournament. 
     
    The results: 
     
    2010SpringBowl_zps3685aa20.jpg
     
    The Cincinnati Cyclones were the first-ever winners in the newly formed CPBA. 
     
    Cincinnati_Cyclones_Banner_Spring_Bowl_2

  12. Posted

    2010 Placement Series

     

    First Round Results (numbers represent games won, not scores): 
    Los Angeles 3, Memphis 0
    Detroit 3, Louisville 1
    New Orleans 3, Orlando 2
    Denver 3, Oklahoma City 1
    Toronto 3, Tampa 1
    New Mexico 3, Washington 1
    Houston 3, St. Louis 2
    Miami 3, Indianapolis 1
    Honolulu 3, Phoenix 2
    Montreal 3, Chicago 2
    Seattle 3, Austin 2
    Brooklyn 3, Cleveland 1
    San Francisco 3, Philadelphia 1
    Kansas City 3, Buffalo 1
    Oakland 3, Baltimore 1
    Virginia Beach 3, Las Vegas 0
    Cincinnati 3, Atlanta 1
    Boston 3, Vancouver 2
    Minneapolis 3, Bronx 2
    San Antonio 3, Edmonton 0
    San Diego 3, Dallas 0
    Portland 3, Milwaukee 2
    Utah 3, Pittsburgh 1
    Nashville 3, Charlotte 1
     
    Gamma-Omega Series
    Washington 3, Bronx 1
    Phoenix 3, Las Vegas 1
    Chicago 3, Baltimore 2
    St. Louis 3, Vancouver 1
    Dallas 3, Oklahoma City 2
    Charlotte 3, Memphis 1
    Pittsburgh 3, Louisville 2
    Orlando 3, Milwaukee 1
    Tampa 3, Edmonton 1
    Atlanta 3, Indianapolis 1
    Austin 3, Buffalo 2
    Cleveland 3, Philadelphia 2
     
    Alpha-Beta Series
    Nashville 3, Los Angeles 2
    Detroit 3, Utah 1
    Portland 3, New Orleans 0
    San Diego 3, Denver 2
    Toronto 3, San Antonio 2
    New Mexico 3, Minneapolis 1
    Houston 3, Boston 0
    Cincinnati 3, Miami 1
    Honolulu 3, Virginia Beach 1
    Montreal 3, Oakland 2
    Seattle 3, Kansas City 1
    Brooklyn 3, San Francisco 0
     
    The 12 winners of the Alpha-Beta Series moved on to the inaugural Spring Bowl.

  13. Posted

    For the dynasty, I plan to focus a lot on the New Mexico Suns while my main character is the GM there. However, for anyone following a particular squad, I will be sure to give them some time, too starting in 2014. 

     

    For every tournament, pennant race, and playoff, I plan to give that some attention, too. The 2014 season may run a little slowly, but I am not planning to manage the games. So, most of the progress there will be from a GM's perspective with a wider view at the entire CPBA. 

     

    So let me know which teams you are pulling for, and I will be sure to keep you keyed in on their progress! 

  15. Posted

    It Was Greek to Me

     

    From 2010 until I took the job in October 2013, the Champions Baseball Association was comprised of four leagues of 12 teams. These 48 teams competed for a number of cups, bowls, and trophies throughout the season, with the ultimate prize being the winner of the Tournament of Champions where 10 teams would participate for the title. 
     
    Here is the basic breakdown of how the league was formed. By 2008, the 48 teams had been established and were building staffs, as well as recruiting international talent. All 48 teams at that time were considered equal, depending on how much money they were willing to spend on players. 
     
    At the beginning of the 2010 season, the teams competed in the Placement Series. Through random pairings, 24 five-game series were scheduled. The winners of those series moved on to the winners bracket. The losers went into the losers bracket. In the next round, the 12 winners of the five-game series went on to the Spring Bowl Tournament and were placed in the top level of the CPBA, the Alpha League. The losers of that round were placed in the Beta League. In the losers bracket, the winners of the next series were placed in the Gamma League. The losers were placed in the lowest league, the Omega League. These comprised the four Greek leagues. 
     
    The 48 franchises are as follows: 
    al1_zps97bbf51c.jpgal2_zps7163061b.jpgal3_zps2ef6f416.jpgbl1_zps7a22239c.jpg

  16. Posted

    From MLB to Korea to the CPBA

     

    In January 2007, the Korean Baseball Organization came calling. They heard of my work in the States, and they wanted me as an important liaison between the States and Korea. 

     
    Considering my options in the States with the MLB now defunct and a new league modeling the English Premier (Soccer) League hoping to start up, it was a tough decision. 
    From August 1999 until November 2006, I worked in the Majors. At first I was an area scout, finding guys around the Southeast for the Indians from 1999-2001. After two years, I got offered a job as an assistant scouting director of the Cubs. That was a nice promotion, but we struggled a lot in that time, so I was dismissed in just under 18 months along with a few other guys. Seven months later, in September of 2003,  I got my last job in the Majors as assistant GM of  the Mariners, which put me on the KBO radar since there was a huge contingency of Korean fans in Seattle. 
     
    The Majors were dying. After the Steroids Era, people just became apathetic. While the NFL and NBA were flourishing, the MLB was making terrible decision after terrible decision, leading to decreasing attendance and TV viewers. By early spring of 2006, the MLB announced that it would be closing its doors. Losses of people doesn’t matter as much as losses of sponsorships. And those sponsorships went elsewhere. Owning a MLB team became a losing proposition. 
     
    That’s when entrepreneur Chet Needham’s dream of a competitive, no-holds-barred style of baseball took hold. That kind of league could recapture the American interest, he said. He said he would love a gladiator’s arena of baseball where every decision, every game, could make a huge difference. However, instead of going full Roman, he also went Greek. 
     
    I met Chet Needham, and his ideas sounded grand, but I needed a little grounding. In short, I wanted a paycheck. Waiting until 2010 to receive my next (un)guaranteed check was way too long for my lifestyle; therefore, I gave the old cliché “Thanks but no thanks” to the new league. I had options because the KBO offered me a job as Western Hemisphere Lead Foreign Scout in their league office in Seoul. My job would be to recruit Americans, Canadians, and Latin Americans to Korea, basically trying to lure former Major Leaguers to Korea during the “International Wars.”
     
    The interview in Korea was much different than anything I had ever experienced. I sat in front of a room of about 25 men, all dressed in shiny suits. One man was the interviewer, the man asking all of the questions, probably because he was the best English speaker of the group. 
     
    The interview was short. “Do you know Pak Chan Ho?” Mr. Kim asked. All of the men were a Mr. Kim or Mr. Lee or Mr. Kwan or some other Mr. name. 
     
    “Yes, he’s a great pitcher,” I said. 
     
    “Very very good pitcher,” he said.
     
    “Yes,” I said. 
     
    They all nodded in approval. 
     
    “Do you know Cha Seung Baek?” he asked. 
     
    “Yes,” I said. “He was with us in Seattle.” They were all happy. 
     
    “You want to live Korea?” he asked. 
     
    “I would love to live in Korea.” 
     
    “Korea is very good place. Many many great food. Many many beautiful women.” 
     
    “Sounds great,” I said. I was hired on the spot. 
     
    I didn’t make a lot of big signings, and we had a lot of ridiculous restrictions on who we could go after, even after the MLB had folded. In short, I knew after fewer than two years that I had made the wrong decision not to take a job in the head office of the newly formed Champions Baseball Association. 
     
    On September 19, 2013, I resigned from my job in Korea. Several organizations of the Champions Professional Baseball Association had contacted me about moving into a general manager position in their organization. There were lots of good places to choose from, but it came down to two choices. 
     
    One was my hometown team, the New Orleans Gators. The other was a job in a place where I knew little about, the New Mexico Suns organization in Albuquerque. In the end, I decided to turn down the New Orleans Gators because they had just been promoted to the Alpha League. To me, there was nowhere to go but down. On the other hand, New Mexico had just survived in the Beta League. They had a few cogs that gave me hope they could be really good now and for years to come. So, I took the New Mexico job.

  17. Posted

    I was debating how to approach this league. I don't usually play as GM/Manager, but I thought it could be something to help me care more about some teams/players. So, this is what my basic timeline is: 

     

    First, the league starts in 2010. My first person narrator is going to tell a few things about the time leading up to...

     

    2014 when he is hired as a GM of one of the franchises. That is where the action of this dynasty begins. 

     

    Some time later, he may move on to another GM spot, but he will eventually be offered the job as commissioner where (I) he will reemerge in God mode. 

     

    SO... let's get started with some narrative I wrote:

  18. Posted

    Hi, everyone. I have left a dynasty of epic proportions on the back burner because my computer cannot handle it or OOTP cannot handle it. Maybe a combination of both. Unfortunately for me, I spent dozens of hours making uniforms, creating histories, and all kinds of things for that world only to have it blow up OOTP 15 for me multiple times. It was a sad day, but I finally decided I would retry once I buy a brand new, state-of-the-art gamer's laptop. That probably won't happen before the summer of '16, so in the meantime, here is a doable dynasty I have created with some of the franchises from my epic world, basically concentrated on North America, with the U.S. and Canada getting first dibs. 

     

    The set up is this: 

     

    ALPHA_LEAGUE_zpsba74ab4d.pngBETA_LEAGUE_zps8063395f.pngGAMMA_LEAGUE_zps8447c208.pngOMEGA_LEAGUE_zps004dbd02.png

     

    48 teams divided into four leagues of 12 teams apiece. 

    The Alpha League represents the top league with more money available in the budget and a higher league reputation (10). 

    The Beta League as the second best league and a league reputation of 7. 

    The Gamma League with the third best money and league reputation (4). 

    The Omega League where only the teams struggling the most play. The league reputation there is 1, and teams who dwell in the OL for FIVE consecutive years without being promoted to the Gamma League are forced to fold their franchise for a city waiting in the wings. Cities awaiting franchises will be revealed later when there are teams in danger of folding. 

     

    There are a number of tournaments each year, which helps to make the leagues interesting, and hopefully takes care of the OOTP problem of teams not trying to win. Here are the tournaments: 

     

    Tournament of Champions: This is the post-season tournament that is considered to be the true championship tournament. There are ten teams involved: the top four teams of the Alpha League, the top three teams of the Beta League, the top two teams of the Gamma League, and the regular season champion of the Omega League. The first round consists of a three-game series. The quarterfinals, semifinals, and championship are five-game series. 

     

    Spring Bowl: This is the first tournament of the season and takes place in February. As of 2014, the tournament is a 24-team tournament allowing the top six teams of each league (basically allowing teams with winning records in) in a double elimination tournament.

     

    In-Season Tournaments: 

     

    Battle for the Diamond Trophy: The top four teams of the Alpha League take on each other in a championship playoff. The winner proves to be the best of the Alpha League for that season. 

     

    Alpha Cup: This is a one-round series between the fifth and sixth place teams of the regular season in the Alpha League. 

     

    Honors Cup: This is the battle for survival in the Alpha League as each of the final six teams are on the chopping block to be demoted to the Beta League. The last two teams survive into the next season as well as battle it out in a three-game series and the Honors Cup. 

     

    Battle for the Gold Trophy: The top three teams face off in the Beta League championship tournament. The second and third place teams meet in the first round for the right to meet the first place team in the championship series. All three teams are automatically promoted to the Alpha League. 

     

    Beta Cup: The fourth through seventh teams meet in a two-round tournament for the right to be the fourth team to be promoted from the Beta League. Winner moves on to the Alpha League; losers remain in the Beta League. 

     

    Beta Survivors Cup: The bottom five teams face off in a race for survival. Four teams drop to the Gamma League. One team wins the Beta Survivors Cup to remain in the Beta League for at least another season. 

     

    Battle for the Silver Trophy: The top two teams of the Gamma League meet in a seven-game, winner-take-all championship series. Both teams get automatically promoted to the Beta League. 

     

    Gamma Cup: The third through sixth place teams meet for the right to claim the Gamma Cup. The two teams that meet in the Gamma Cup Series are promoted to the Beta League. 

     

    Gamma Survivors Cup: The final six teams meet in a survival to remain in the Gamma League. Only the winner of the Gamma Survivors Cup remains. All other teams drop to the Omega League where they have no choice but to battle from the basement. 

     

    Battle for the Bronze Trophy: Just like the Gamma League, only the top two teams meet up in this seven-game series for the right to claim the Omega League title. Both teams are automatically promoted to the Gamma League. 

     

    Omega Cup: The third through tenth seeds meet for the right to move up. The two teams that meet in the final are automatically promoted to the Gamma League, with the winner of that three-game series taking home the Omega Cup. There is also a series for the other two semifinalist teams with the winner of that series being the fifth team promoted to the Gamma League. 

     

    Other Rules: 

    The regular season is 132 games long with each team facing the other teams in their league 12 times (six home and six away games in four total series). 

     

    There is no DH allowed in any of the leagues. 

     

    Teams have a 25-man active roster with a 15-man reserve roster.

     

    There is a mixture of real and fictional players.

    Chris reacted to this

  19. Posted

    Year 5: May 2289

     

    Standings

     
    2289StandingsBJune1_zpsed02161a.jpg
     
    The Aradesh Division suddenly became interesting with a resurgent Ultra Luxe making a push for the division. Maybe it does pay to find dead bodies in a refrigerator. Also, thankfully I am an anonymous writer, so President Kimball won't have me shot in the face. 
     
    Both Goodsprings and North Vegas look like they will run away with their divisions. Some things in the Mojave never change, do they? 
     
    In the midway point wild card chase, Freeside still looks to be King in the run, though the Aradesh runner up could very well be there at the end, too. 
     
    May Awards
     
    2289LeadersBJune1Awards_zps45bcf5fa.jpg
     
    League Leaders
     
    2289LeadersBJune1LeagueLeaders_zps2d17fb
     
    News and Notes
     
    5.9.89 – Team news
     
    Novac ended a 16-game slide with a 4-2 win over Primm. Staff ace Bob Ward (1-5) earned his first victory of the season, pitching eight innings and only allowing two earned runs. 
     
    The Dinosaurs (6-24) are on the verge of earning the worst season in Mojave Baseball League history if they can’t right their caravan. 
     
    Primm set the MBL record for worst record last season at 28-72. At this point Novac is on pace to win about 20 games. 
     
    5.11.89 – Player fight
     
    Tops’ pitcher Derek Parkinson had a bad day in his team’s 6-3 loss to Westside. That loss became even worse when Parkinson was ejected for throwing at Westside’s Robert Glass’ head causing a brief scuffle. 
     
    Glass was angry at being thrown at, so he approached the mound, earning himself an automatic one-game suspension per league rules. 
     
    Parkinson will get a six-game ban for intentionally trying to hit a player with a pitch and causing a fight. 
     
    Suspensions were lower because neither team threw a punch. 
     
    5.12.89 – Player suspension (Chem use)
     
    Boulder City reliever Eric Gregory has been banged up all season. Because of his nicks and bruises, Gregory has appeared in only eight games, earning am 8.00 ERA in nine innings pitched. So what did Gregory do? He tried a mysterious powder that turned out to be a banned chem and earned himself a five-game rest. Maybe he should have just sat down in the first place. 
     
    5.15.89 – Player injury
     
    What is in a bathroom, golden, and burns like hell? No, it's not a trip to the Champagne Room at Gomorrah. But if you guessed a Golden Gecko finding its way into a player’s bathroom and attacking him, you would be right. 
     
    That’s what happened to South Vegas outfielder Tony Donnellson, who will now miss the remainder of the season. Donnellson was batting .268 with two home runs and 12 RBI in 29 games this season. 
     
    5.18.89 – Player trade
     
    The Novac Dinosaurs traded 38-year-old first baseman Clyde Waller and 19-year-old minor league third baseman G10 Khan to the Tops Mutants, getting 34-year-old reliever Lake Water in return.
     
    5.18.89 – Player suspension (Major chem use)
     
    Floyd Bryant is not a household name throughout the circuit of Mojave Baseball League fans, but he is a dumbass. 
     
    Bryant was suspended 50 games for using Fixer. Who knows what he was trying to mask, but his season results were not indicative of a person using a performance enhancer. On the year, the Nellis Air Force Base outfielder was batting .221 with three home runs and 13 RBI. 
     
    He will have to sit until about the last two weeks of the season now. 
     
    5.21.89 – Player news
     
    MBL Player of the Week Chosen: Mike Britton might not have started the way he wanted to with his new team, but he may be reversing his slow start. The Nellis AFB third baseman put up some exceptional numbers the past seven days with a .458 batting average. For his efforts Britton collected the Mojave Baseball League Player of the Week Award.
     
    He racked up 11 hits in 24 at-bats, 3 home runs and 9 RBIs last week in 6 games.
     
    Thus far this season in 44 games Britton is batting .270 with 6 home runs, 19 RBIs and 25 runs scored. He has 47 hits in 174 at-bats.
     
    5.31.89 – Jimmy LaRue news
     
    LaRue Hits in 20 Consecutive Games: Jimmy LaRue, center fielder for the Goodsprings Lucky 38s, ran his consecutive-game hitting streak to 20 games with 2 hits in his club's 18-3 victory today over the Gomorrah Devils at Goodsprings Park.
     
    Jimmy LaRue flied out in the 1st, walked in the 2nd, hit an RBI triple in the 3rd, grounded out in the 4th, grounded out in the 6th and singled in the 8th.
     
    This season LaRue is swinging the bat at a .417 pace. He has hit 2 home runs and scored 39 times, while driving in 35. His on-base percentage is .445 and he has played in 48 games.

  20. Posted

    Year 5: April 2289

     

    Standings

     
    2289StandingsAMay1_zps37b573d4.jpg
     
    North Vegas has been red hot all month. Their 19-4 record is indicative of a loaded roster-especially pitching staff--that is performing beyond expectations. The Radscorpions were the preseason favorites to take the MBL, but they may be the new New California Republic Bears. 
     
    Goodsprings and South Vegas are also performing to expectations. Both teams lead their divisions and should stay that way as long as injuries do not derail them. 
     
    Freeside finished April as the hottest team with 10 straight wins, mostly against weaker opponents. In games versus the Radscorpions and Vault Boys, the Kings are 1-5. 
     
    Ultra Luxe looked to be in good shape in the Aradesh Division before dropping their last six games of the month, with four of those losses coming at Freeside. The White Gloves seem to have a pretty good team, though, and should have the best shot as an other team challenging for a division title. 
     
    April Awards
     
    2289LeadersAMay1Awards_zps55dd5b09.jpg
     
    It was a clean sweep for North Vegas in the April Awards. 
     
    The Radscorpions' catcher Weldon Brown turned in a spectacular month to emerge as a new force in the Mojave. Brown started to emerge last season when he batted .255 with 14 home runs and 43 RBI. 
     
    In just 22 games this season, he already has 13 homers and 23 RBI, and he is batting at a .375 clip. He looks to be the early favorite for the New Vegas Samurai Hitter Award. 
     
    News and Transactions
     
    {Lee's note: It was a slow month overall for news. Not that nothing happened, but long ago I reduced news stories for chems and Mojave injuries to major league players only. Unfortunately, only one major event happened to a major league player, and nothing really noteworthy happened otherwise. Therefore, I am going to start featuring a few more players (2 per team) who have standout performances in a month. These are the players I have selected because of past stardom or someone I think is an interesting story. Of course, league hero Jimmy LaRue is one of those 24 players. I got this idea late, so I will just summarize the month for everyone but LaRue.}
     
    4.2.89 - Opening Day
     
    As noted above, North Vegas has been THE story of April. Well, they started things off right when Radscorpions ace Rich Richmond pitched eight scoreless innings, allowing just three hits, walking two, and striking out seven in a 3-0 victory at Boulder City. Weldon Brown started off his spectacular first month with two solo shots. 
     
    In other games, Freeside and Primm both earned extra-inning victories. The Kings defeated Gomorrah at home, 3-2, in 12 innings. The Outlaws won at Ultra Luxe, 3-1, in 10 innings. Manuel Gallegos hit a two-run homer for the game winner. 
     
    4.20.89 – Player news
     
    Not that it will shorten his career or make any damn difference overall, but Ultra Luxe reliever Wilford NCR revealed that he is not 21 years old, but 22. Oh my laser beam! 
     
    NCR stated that he lied about his age because he was itching to play. However, based on his results—a career 5.90 ERA—he maybe should have worked on developing his game more. 
     
    4.23.89 – Jimmy LaRue news
     
    Lucky 38s LaRue Smacks 6 Hits: It's not something you read about in the sports pages every day -- a 6-for-6 day. It might come around only once in a career -- a lot of players never have one -- but Jimmy LaRue got one today. He scattered hits all over Nellis AFB Field to pace Goodsprings to a 12-3 victory over Nellis AFB.
     
    The Nellis AFB skipper told reporters in the press room, "Tip your hat to him. He hit some good pitches. According to the scouting report, LaRue hit several that he is not supposed to hit."
     
    Jimmy LaRue singled in the 1st, singled in the 3rd, singled in the 4th, singled in the 6th, doubled in the 7th and hit an RBI double in the 9th.
     
    For the year LaRue is batting .451 with 1 home run, 16 RBIs and 16 runs scored.
     
    4.25.89 – Jimmy LaRue news
     
    5-5 Day for LaRue: Today Jimmy LaRue led Goodsprings to a 4-2 victory over the North Vegas Radscorpions. He stoked 5 hits in 5 at-bats to spark his club in the win.
     
    Jimmy LaRue singled in the 1st, hit an RBI double in the 3rd, singled in the 5th, singled in the 6th and doubled in the 8th.
     
    This season LaRue is hitting at a .483 pace with 1 home run, 17 RBIs and has scored 18 times.
     
    Outstanding performances of other players
     
    Boulder City's ace Sixto Deleon finished the month with a 4-1 record and a 1.59 ERA in five starts.
     
    Gomorrah's catcher Frederick Sharpe is off to a slow start. After hitting 20 homers last season, he only had one in April. 
     
    Former NCR standout third baseman Mike Britton has not adapted well so far to his new team, Nellis AFB. While he was able to jump out to big starts with the Bears, Britton is batting just .263 with three home runs and nine RBI with the Boomers. 
     
    North Vegas ace Rich Richmond did not win the Pitcher of the Month Award--that went to his teammate Lee Burke--but he did compile a 3-1 record with a 2.04 ERA in the month. The 22-year-old has been getting stronger each season, paced by his 13-3 record with a 2.16 ERA last season. 
     
    {For Tyke} Primm shortstop Tom Effing Jones is off to a poor start. He is batting just .203 with only one extra base hit in 22 games. On defense he has fared better to keep himself in the lineup. In 18 games at shortstop, he has yet to commit an error. His only error on the season came in one of his three games at second base. 
     
    South Vegas' Tom Nelson is just as dominant as ever this season. In five starts, he has compiled a 4-0 record with a 2.04 ERA. 
     
    The MBL's postseason legend Jim Ford is now with Tops. Just like last season, he is a closer for the Mutants. In 11 appearances this season, he has five saves and an uncharacteristic 4.63 ERA. However, if the Mutants somehow slip into the postseason, expect Ford to start and probably mow down every batter he faces. 
     
    Ultra Luxe's center fielder Ken Turner had emerged as one of the MBL's top power hitters. So far in 2289, he isn't living up to that designation. In 23 games, Turner has only three homers after hitting 28 and 27 the last two seasons. 
     
    Westside's Bob Franklin keeps on keeping on. The two-time home run champ has eight this season, on pace to exceed his career average of 30 homers per season.

  21. Posted

    Year 5: Preseason Predictions

     

    As opposed the previous regular season dominance of the New California Republic Bears, the league is considered to have more parity than ever before. Though Primm and Nellis are still trying to find their balance, established teams like Goodsprings, South Vegas, and North Vegas are all expected to battle it out for a 60-win season and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. 

     
    Westside and Ultra Luxe are considered to be fringe teams that could find their way into the postseason. Both teams have a lot of power, but both could use a lot of help from their below average pitching staffs. 
     
    The predictions are posted below:
     
    2289preseasonpredictions_zps30bbb850.jpg

  22. Posted

    Year 5: Offseason News and Transactions

     

    News and Transactions

     
    2.18.89 – Player arrest
     
    Freeside was already behind in the league at first base. Now that position is even less secure since starting first baseman Jimmy Robinson was arrested for unpaid debts. 
     
    Under New California Republic law, people who refuse to pay taxes are subject to a prison sentence. Robinson supposedly has not paid any taxes on his Mojave Baseball League earnings, earning him a one-year sentence at the NCR Correctional Facility. 
     
    Robinson must report to the facility from his Freeside home within a week where his sentencing will begin. He must also sacrifice back taxes plus interest on future earnings. 
     
    Mojave Baseball League players now are paid in NCR dollars as opposed to the previous payment in caps. Because of the change in payment style, Robinson may have to sacrifice up to a year’s salary since the NCR may not accept any payment in caps. 
     
    Robinson said he would willingly report to prison after making arrangements with his family and other last-minute details. He also apologized to fans of the Kings for leaving the team short-handed this close to the season. 
     
    3.13.89 – Player fight
     
    South Vegas has not been practicing long, but already a personal conflict has turned into a team problem. Reliever Jason Weaver has been suspended five games and staff ace Tom Nelson was given a three-game break following a fight between the two. 
     
    Nelson was treated for minor wounds, while Weaver sported a black eye following their fracas. 
     
    The two players are expected to be separated for the remainder of practices leading up to April 2, opening day, where they will not be allowed on the field. 
     
    3.14.89 – Player news
     
    Just one day after suspending reliever Jason Weaver, South Vegas has decided to give him his outright release. 
     
    Weaver played for the New California Republic’s Prospects League affiliate, the NCR Cubs, in his first three seasons. He was signed by South Vegas and expected to make the Mojave Baseball League squad. However, the fight was the last straw for a franchise not impressed by his commitment to the team. 
     
    The Vault Boys also signed Thatcher Perry to replace Weaver. Perry pitched 25 innings in relief for Camp McCarran last season, posting a 5.40 ERA in his appearances. Perry was drafted in the fifth round of the reallocation draft by Goodsprings, but was released shortly after. 
     
    3.25.89 – Player injury
     
    Boulder City catcher Barry Wilson is expected to miss about two months after suffering severe burns in a fire ant attack. 
     
    Wilson was traveling from Nellis Air Force Base to Boulder City when he was separated from his caravan. He then found himself cornered after upsetting a fire ant mound. Though snipers with the caravan were able to fend off the creatures, Wilson still suffered injuries from their initial attack.

  23. Posted

    The Historian: Segue 4

     

    Year 5: 2289

     
    Because of the circumstances surrounding the NCR's actions, as well as Marty Kimball's murder, Lee canceled the Winter Meetings. Instead of having a panel of people to vote on league rules, Lee met privately with the remaining 12 owners of the revamped league. I was not invited. 
     
    As far as I could ascertain from the meeting, very few things would change about the league. Despite going back to 12 teams, Lee elected to keep a four-team playoff. I learned that because I asked him directly. I could see he was distracted when it came to baseball, and for good reason. I also noticed that he had freshly polished one of his sniper rifles, Ratslayer. Unlike baseball, I could not directly ask him about that. 
     
    Times were most certainly changing. There's a saying in the Wastes: "War never changes." It felt so good to live in a time of relative peace, but it was becoming more obvious each day that Lee was the type of character who could never escape drama or war. 
     
    The Mojave, well, it was changing still. The NCR was stamping its name all over the place, and that was making some people angry again. Still, the number of creature attacks, especially in populated areas, was becoming almost non-existent. Also, gangs were pushed almost to the fringe of civilization. Though "peaceful" gangs, like the Khans, were able to live well because of their "tribal" status, gun-toting and uncooperative gangs were mowed down when they were seen by either man or robot. It most certainly did not pay to join a gang. 
     
    Despite all of the problems of power grubbing going on, the NCR was very effective in keeping its citizens fed. Lots of resources were devoted to the ever-expanding gardens, and Radiation King was effective in making more and more land farm ready. 
     
    For Lee, 2289 was not the end. He had made up his mind to work again towards making things better. It did not help, though, that the people of the wastes were dividing: some in support of the Kimball Killer and others who wanted cold-blooded justice dealt to any and every person involved, including Lee.

  24. Posted

    Year 4 Offseason: What Marjorie Didn't Know

     

     President Aaron Kimball’s brother, Marty, former official owner of the New California Republic Bears, was missing. He did not show up to the scheduled meeting with Lee and the president. In fact, he did not show up anywhere.

     
     His last known whereabouts was at the Ultra Luxe. He was an avid gambler and spent most of his time giving his business to the tuxedo and evening gown posh of the Luxe. Because he was such a well-known person throughout both California and the Mojave, Marty going missing would be noticed. People would also know where he was last seen. And that place was in the VIP room of the Ultra Luxe.
     
     According to eye witness reports, Kimball was gambling in the VIP room, playing seven-card stud. Seated at the table were a few more posh residents of the Mojave, as well as some strangers. One of the people sitting at the table was a small woman who spoke very little, and when she did she had a twang. Otherwise, she wore a smirk on her face.
     
     As the game progressed, Kimball was winning big, and so was the young lady. They sat near each other and she continued to smirk, mostly at Marty. By the end of the night, they were speaking to each other in hushed whispers. Marty was quite drunk, and the woman kept smirking.
     
     “Why don’t we quit taking the casino’s money and start doing something a little more interesting,” she said.
     
     Marty agreed. They cashed out their winnings and left the VIP suite together. No one spotted them leaving the casino, but neither was reported to be seen again in or around the casino. They left the VIP room via an employee’s elevator, and that was the last any of the staff paid attention to them.
     
     …………..
     
     Sometime around 2281, Lee met Marjorie Hand, owner of the Ultra Luxe. At the time, Lee was in the middle of his quest to free the Mojave of its dictatorial rulers, and he made the Ultra Luxe one of his stopping points.
     
     While in the Luxe, Lee met Mortimer, one of the top dogs of the casino. Mortimer had a grand plan of returning the Ultra Luxe to its primordial ways. Namely, he wanted the Luxe to serve human flesh as its special entrée.
     
     Lee foiled Mortimer’s plans and gained Marjorie’s trust. She was shocked that her casino could reach such atrocities since the White Glove Society had moved beyond its tribal past. Man, though, is a beast. And beasts seldom forget how to be feral, long after domestication.
     
     Marjorie knew about Mortimer after Lee exposed the plan. Through Lee’s actions, he saved Ted Gunderson who became a thankful young man. Ted Gunderson convinced his own father, Heck, to continue providing Brahmin to the Ultra Luxe, which allowed everyone, except Mortimer, to live happily ever after, or so it would seem.
     
     In the kitchen area of the Ultra Luxe, there was a main freezer where most of the Gundersons’ meat supply could be easily stored. Beyond that main freezer was another that had a scribbled “Out of Order” note attached to it. Lee noticed at one point that the note read “Out of Order,” but since he was able to find Ted locked away in the main freezer, he ignored that the broken freezer had a running motor.
     
     It wasn’t until Lee heard word of the president’s missing brother that he paid a visit to Marjorie Hand at the Luxe. “I heard Marty was last seen here.”
     
     “That’s what I heard, too, but nobody seems to know what happened,” Marjorie said. “We don’t have actual working security cameras in the place, you know.”
     
     “Yeah, I know. We’ll have to get RobCo on that at some 
    point, huh?”
     
     “If things turn out the way I’m afraid they might, then I might not have a need for anything. I’ll either be in the NCR box or dead.”
     
     “I don’t think we have to go that far, Marge. I don’t think you had anything to do with anything. Then again, I’m so far up Kimball’s **** list, I’ll probably get the blame.”
     
     “Well, you and me were nowhere near here when he went missing, so neither of us can get the blame, right?”
     
     “We’ll see. By the way, I’m here because, well, I just remembered something about your place, you know, from the Mortimer incident.”
     
     Marjorie shifted from her right foot to left when Lee mentioned Mortimer’s name. “Um, can we be alone?” She looked at me. “I know you two are always in close company, but this is my business we’re talking about.”
     
     “Sorry. This has to be said in front of the three of us.”
     
     Marjorie frowned. “Go on then.”
     
     “Well, I was looking for Ted, but I never really considered the full ramifications of the situation. Mortimer was the leader, but he had a silent following, too. I mean, when I was checking out the situation, one of your employee’s was shot by an assassin and a small group of White Gloves attacked me when I found that dead P.I.
     
     “All of this adds up to Mortimer not only being NOT alone, but possibly being just a part of a large group of people all in conspiracy.”
     
     “But, after Mortimer was gone, the disappearances stopped,” Marjorie said.
     
     “Yes, they stopped because the people most closely involved knew they might get exposed. They had to hide their secret and let everyone think it was Mortimer in charge and everyone else was innocent.”
     
     “Why the president’s brother? That seems a lot more dangerous than a rancher’s son.”
     
     Lee smiled. “No, they didn’t do it to the president’s brother. But someone else knows something. This mystery goes beyond Mortimer and Philippe. There was and probably is something sinister here, and someone has a grudge. That person knows more than you and I know about your own casino.”
     
     Marjorie’s ham radio started buzzing. “Ma’am. Detective Brenner is back. Should I make him wait?”
     
     Marjorie hesitated, and Lee answered. “Yes. We need this resolved.”
     
     “Ma’am?”
     
     “Yes, Manuel. Send him in.” Marjorie blinked in a slow, tired way. “Do you have to share your theory with him?”
     
     “What you don’t know will kill you, Marge.”
     
     Detective Brenner walked in first wearing a brown brimmed hat and a beige trench coat to cover his pressed black suit. His partner was a young woman in her mid-20s. While Brenner looked hardened and used to the rigors of NCR murder investigations, the woman possessed a pleasant, fresh attitude. There was no doubt that she was on her first major assignment.
     
     “Name’s Brenner.” Brenner stuck out his hand to Lee and then me. We all shook. “This is Sue Ellen Freeside. She’s in training.” I nailed that one, didn’t I?
     
     “What brings you here, detective?” Marjorie had a cold, monotonic way of asking the question.
     
     “Well, we have our people on the lookout all the time. I can’t help but get excited when I get one of my people hopping around my office telling me that big, bad Lee and …” He turned to me. “Sorry, what’s your name, shorty?”
     
     “The Historian,” I said. I didn’t like his nickname for me.
     
     “Yes. Dee Storian.” He smirked. “When he’s all excited that Lee is holding a secret meeting with you, Ms. Hand, then that means my investigation is probably winding down to its climax. Am I right, Sue Ellen?”
     
     “Yes, sir,” Sue Ellen responded, her voice shrill. “According to the Detective Dan serial in our office, criminals always return to the scene of the crime to try to rid themselves of loose ends. And those conspiring to hide murder have to work out their plans together.”
     
     “That’s right, Sue Ellen. Conspiracy. That’s what I’m seeing here with Ms. Hand and The Lee and Dee Shorty, too. So, spill some beans, Jack Bean…”
     
     “Stalk,” Sue Ellen chipped in.
     
     Lee stepped forward like he often did when he was ready to strike. Detective Brenner didn’t move. “There’s no conspiracy here. And if you would use your meathead of a noggin, you would know that it would be idiotic of me to want to do any harm to either Kimball. I don’t know who it is, but someone is trying to set up me and maybe Marge, too. I’m here to figure out who and why.”
     
     Brenner took out a small notepad. “According to the NCR regulations, I need to keep accurate notes on our discussion. It’s the law. You know what LAW is, right Mr. Lee?” Brenner smirked. “Now, it is also my duty to inform you that citizens of the great republic of New California are by no means allowed at any time to perform their own investigations. So by my book, you three are breaking the law. You understand me?”
     
     “Fair enough,” Lee said. “So, I’m willing to cooperate. But you have to listen. You, too, Ms. Freeside.” Lee gave a subtle wink to Sue Ellen, causing her to catch her breath and then let out a brief sigh.
     
     Lee then told Detective Brenner what he told Marjorie, about the Mortimer incident and what he discovered in the kitchen but never had the time to investigate further through the rescuing of Ted Gunderson. After Detective Brenner suggested that the five of us take a tour of the members area.
     
     When we got there, the back room was empty. Marjorie explained that the Members Only dining area was reserved for special occasions because of the need to push profits in other directions. She did not go into many details, but I got the hint that the Ultra Luxe’s baseball failures were hurting the overall profits of the Ultra Luxe corporation. Then again, the new heavy sin taxes imposed by the NCR didn’t help anyone on the Strip.
     
     We walked the length of the hallway leading to the freezers. The “Out of Order” sign remained, but there had definitely been activity in that area. Marjorie pulled the sign off the door, and there carved in blood were the words “Mort Lives.” Marjorie frowned and pulled open the freezer. It was unlocked and in order.
     
     Inside the freezer, he was there and on display. A taunting display. He was laid out like a Legion’s sacrifice. His arms were spread wide and his legs spread, too. He was naked with stab wounds through his heart. Whatever blood had leaked was wiped away. Covering his genitalia was a sign: “Here hangs Marty Kimball. May he freeze in peace. And may he be delicious.”
     
     Detective Brenner was the most shocked of us all. He stepped back, turned, and then vomited on the floor. Sue Ellen’s bright complex turned greenish. Marjorie covered her mouth with her hands. She did not move.
     
     Lee walked in and looked around, discovering more bodies. “Well, Marge. I told you what you don’t know will kill you. Damn.” Lee tried to pull Marty Kimball off his ‘X’ tomb, but Marty would have to be thawed first.
     
     “N-none of y-y-you move,” Brenner stammered. “Y-y-you’re all under arrest.”
     
     “Dammit, Brenner," Lee shouted from the freezer. "Didn’t you hear anything I said? None of us did this, you fool. It’s all a big set up.”
     
     Brenner drew his pistol and pointed it at us. He then sent Sue Ellen to retrieve some NCR troopers to help him. “Don’t move. Let me think.” Brenner then dry heaved. Lee could have disarmed him at that time but chose to stand still.
     
     After the NCR troops arrived, we were cuffed and marched to the NCR Embassy. There we were pulled into Ambassador Frederick Mineshaft’s office.
     
     “What the sam hell is this, Brenner?” Mineshaft roared. “Are you ****ing nuts?”
     
     Brenner seemed to have a stammering problem. “S-s-sir? Y-you s-said we n-n-needed to f-f-find out who harmed K-K-Kimball.”
     
     “I said find out who harmed Kimball, not to arrest Lee, you goddamn idiot. Lee didn’t do it, you goddamn idiot, when everybody knows he was with the president. Holy dee to the am.”
     
     We were taken out of our handcuffs and Lee was given charge to update the ambassador on the events leading up to where we were. After, we were released and a thorough investigation was launched on the Ultra Luxe. Marjorie was told she was not a suspect in the number of people, four, found in the freezer, but she would be financially responsible. That was a significant event. The 200-year history of the Ultra Luxe looked like it might come to an end.
     
     In the meantime, Lee was under more scrutiny, though he was cleared of being directly involved in Marty Kimball’s death. However, the Smirking Woman, as she was nicknamed, had now committed two murders of two prominent people in two casinos. Both murder victims had been MBL owners. Anyone reported to have seen anyone smirking was asked to report it. Lots of women around the Mojave started frowning that day. Some started smirking. Fear and loathing had returned to New Vegas.