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reds1 · 11-28-2021, 09:00 PM

Baseball takes center stage once again as Opening Day in Braeland has finally arrived. But its not as though the off-season did not produce its own drama.

First, the Wesley Bryans government waited until the very end of their mandate to drop the writ for the dissolution of Parliament and call an election. The Conservatives held out for as long as they legally could to allow their popularity to recover from the Nation’s unwanted entanglement in the Korean War as well as a recession that hit the country in early 1954 and didn’t recover from until later that fall.

The gamble appeared to have paid off, as the electorate gave the Bryans administration a new mandate on April 26, albeit with a reduced majority. The Conservatives returned to Parliament with 91 seats, down from the previous total of 101. The Liberals were the clear benefactor, as the rejuvenated party under new leader Noah Caldwell won 66 seats, an increase of 12 from 1950. Perhaps hardest hit was the United Labour Party, who lost two seats, reducing their total to 11. That means that they have lost official party status, as 12 seats is the minimum. However, it appears that Edgar Runyan’s leadership of the party is safe for the time being.

But the United Leagues received a scare on the eve of spring training when Sir David Westfall was rushed to the emergency after complaining of chest pains and nearly fainting at the United Leagues head office in Braeland City. Medical personnel confirmed that the 72-year old Commissioner suffered a myocardial infarction, but uncertainty surrounded as to its severity. Doctors initially announced that the Commissioner could slowly return to his duties after a couple of weeks of rest and observation. But later it was revealed that Sir Westfall suffered at least two further heart attacks while in hospital, pushing back his release indefinitely. Thus, it appears that the Commissioner will not be able to attend Opening Day festivities in person for the first time since the 1937-38 inaugural season.

Despite the Commissioner’s health becoming a daily concern, the 16 clubs nevertheless undertook spring training and have set their Opening Day rosters for the United Leagues’ 19th season. Below are the results of the annual Coconut Leagues, pre-season predictions for both Leagues and some career leaderboards.

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New Uniforms

The Kingston Pelicans second-year owner, Dalton Bartels, made a move this season to put his satorial stamp on the ballclub. The Pelican unveiled new a new logo and uniforms for the 1955-56 season, their first update in 11 years. Their colours, however, remain the same.

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Eastern League Results

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The Embro Suns started Spring Training 8-0 and remained hot, finishing in top spot. But the Braeland City Monarchs were never far behind and finished just one game back. The predicted standings show at least 5 teams finishing above .500, with the Stratford Barons favoured win top spot once again.

One surprise this season may be the Wellington Athletics, who are projected to compete for top spot in the East. Two unheralded pitchers may lead the way. 27-year old RHP Vinnie Snell (49/49), who picked up his first all-star selection last year and led all pitchers in GB% (0.52), is projected to have a big year, his fourth full season in the ULB. He will be the Athletics Opening Day starter this season.

Close behind him is 30-year old RHP Troy Conlin (47/47), Wellington’s No. 3 starter. Conlin has been a serviceable, if unremarkable, pitcher for the Athletics since he came over in a trade from the Hespeler Stars back in January 1950, a trade that saw SS Zhao-hui Qian (64/64) emerge as one of the best players in the United Leagues. But if the projections plan out, Conlin may earn his first all-star nod this season.

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Western League Results

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The Hespeler Stars did the Embro Suns one better, starting Spring Training by winning their first 9 games. But then they soon crashed, losing 11 straight games at one point to ultimately finish at .500. The projected standings are no kinder, as the Stars are forecasted as finishing at the bottom, an only too-familiar place for star-crossed club.

Four teams are bunched up at the top in the projected standings, but one thing that jumps out at me is: will this be the Sherburn Tigers’ year? Last season they finished with a 77-77 record, their first non-losing season in 9 years. They are young with up-and-coming players at almost all positions. 25-year old RF Albert Sulley (60/64) is ranked as their best player, but the acquisition of 25-year old Adrian Flynn (58/58) from the Embro Suns last December is shaping up to be a major coup, if the projections are correct. He is rated as the 5th-best third baseman as he embarks on just his second full season in the ULB.

The Pulberry Trolleys may also benefit from a further injection of young talent this season. 23-year old rookie SS Sean Abercrombie (45/62; No. 7th-rated prospect) will be getting the start on Opening Day over 30-year old veteran Francis Jones (48/48). But 20-year old LHP Bart Ohara (30/57; No. 2 prospect), who has only pitched 17.2 innings in the ULB so far, is forecasted as having a big rookie campaign. He enters the season as Pulberry’s No. 2 starter, behind 27-year old RHP Taylor Folkard (55/55), who also makes an appearance in this year’s projections.

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Here are the top players and pitchers and top 20 prospects as updated on Opening Day. Also included are the latest leaderboards for a slew of offensive and pitching categories.

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Leaderboards

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11-28-2021, 09:00 PM	#720
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,929	Baseball takes center stage once again as Opening Day in Braeland has finally arrived. But its not as though the off-season did not produce its own drama. First, the Wesley Bryans government waited until the very end of their mandate to drop the writ for the dissolution of Parliament and call an election. The Conservatives held out for as long as they legally could to allow their popularity to recover from the Nation’s unwanted entanglement in the Korean War as well as a recession that hit the country in early 1954 and didn’t recover from until later that fall. The gamble appeared to have paid off, as the electorate gave the Bryans administration a new mandate on April 26, albeit with a reduced majority. The Conservatives returned to Parliament with 91 seats, down from the previous total of 101. The Liberals were the clear benefactor, as the rejuvenated party under new leader Noah Caldwell won 66 seats, an increase of 12 from 1950. Perhaps hardest hit was the United Labour Party, who lost two seats, reducing their total to 11. That means that they have lost official party status, as 12 seats is the minimum. However, it appears that Edgar Runyan’s leadership of the party is safe for the time being. But the United Leagues received a scare on the eve of spring training when Sir David Westfall was rushed to the emergency after complaining of chest pains and nearly fainting at the United Leagues head office in Braeland City. Medical personnel confirmed that the 72-year old Commissioner suffered a myocardial infarction, but uncertainty surrounded as to its severity. Doctors initially announced that the Commissioner could slowly return to his duties after a couple of weeks of rest and observation. But later it was revealed that Sir Westfall suffered at least two further heart attacks while in hospital, pushing back his release indefinitely. Thus, it appears that the Commissioner will not be able to attend Opening Day festivities in person for the first time since the 1937-38 inaugural season. Despite the Commissioner’s health becoming a daily concern, the 16 clubs nevertheless undertook spring training and have set their Opening Day rosters for the United Leagues’ 19th season. Below are the results of the annual Coconut Leagues, pre-season predictions for both Leagues and some career leaderboards. ----------- New Uniforms The Kingston Pelicans second-year owner, Dalton Bartels, made a move this season to put his satorial stamp on the ballclub. The Pelican unveiled new a new logo and uniforms for the 1955-56 season, their first update in 11 years. Their colours, however, remain the same. ----------- Eastern League Results --------- The Embro Suns started Spring Training 8-0 and remained hot, finishing in top spot. But the Braeland City Monarchs were never far behind and finished just one game back. The predicted standings show at least 5 teams finishing above .500, with the Stratford Barons favoured win top spot once again. One surprise this season may be the Wellington Athletics, who are projected to compete for top spot in the East. Two unheralded pitchers may lead the way. 27-year old RHP Vinnie Snell (49/49), who picked up his first all-star selection last year and led all pitchers in GB% (0.52), is projected to have a big year, his fourth full season in the ULB. He will be the Athletics Opening Day starter this season. Close behind him is 30-year old RHP Troy Conlin (47/47), Wellington’s No. 3 starter. Conlin has been a serviceable, if unremarkable, pitcher for the Athletics since he came over in a trade from the Hespeler Stars back in January 1950, a trade that saw SS Zhao-hui Qian (64/64) emerge as one of the best players in the United Leagues. But if the projections plan out, Conlin may earn his first all-star nod this season. --------- Western League Results --------- The Hespeler Stars did the Embro Suns one better, starting Spring Training by winning their first 9 games. But then they soon crashed, losing 11 straight games at one point to ultimately finish at .500. The projected standings are no kinder, as the Stars are forecasted as finishing at the bottom, an only too-familiar place for star-crossed club. Four teams are bunched up at the top in the projected standings, but one thing that jumps out at me is: will this be the Sherburn Tigers’ year? Last season they finished with a 77-77 record, their first non-losing season in 9 years. They are young with up-and-coming players at almost all positions. 25-year old RF Albert Sulley (60/64) is ranked as their best player, but the acquisition of 25-year old Adrian Flynn (58/58) from the Embro Suns last December is shaping up to be a major coup, if the projections are correct. He is rated as the 5th-best third baseman as he embarks on just his second full season in the ULB. The Pulberry Trolleys may also benefit from a further injection of young talent this season. 23-year old rookie SS Sean Abercrombie (45/62; No. 7th-rated prospect) will be getting the start on Opening Day over 30-year old veteran Francis Jones (48/48). But 20-year old LHP Bart Ohara (30/57; No. 2 prospect), who has only pitched 17.2 innings in the ULB so far, is forecasted as having a big rookie campaign. He enters the season as Pulberry’s No. 2 starter, behind 27-year old RHP Taylor Folkard (55/55), who also makes an appearance in this year’s projections. --------- Here are the top players and pitchers and top 20 prospects as updated on Opening Day. Also included are the latest leaderboards for a slew of offensive and pitching categories. --------- Leaderboards --------- --------- __________________ United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 11-29-2021 at 02:32 PM.