Herve and Waveriders Opening Game
 

Herve Delage's Waveriders (AAA) lost a close one to the Anse d'Arlet's affiliate, 6-4. The Entre Deux Ranchers have come in first place both years of the league, something Anse d'Arlet can feel real good about. It means that some of these players will bring their winning ways to the next level in the not too distant future. .
At the top level, both Anse d'Arlet and Le Mourne Rouge lead the Martinique Division with 6-4 records. Nice game for my buddy, Herve, even though they lost.

My First Big League Start as a Pitcher
 

The picture tells it all

The box score and write up (by me)
 

Here are the details of the game.

From the Hospital
 

I'm writing from the University Hospital in Fort de France, Martinique. I have a shoulder injury, and it appears to be a bad one. I felt a bit of a twinge in my shoulder while warming up before our game last night against the Cossacks of Moncton. But, after BP and some light tossing it felt a little better.

Well, the Cossacks had a man on first with 1 out when Vidal ripped a single up the middle. I fielded it on the run and threw a one hopper to Francois Gonzalez who slapped the tag on him. OUT!
Suddenly, my arm was killing me. Pain radiated up and down the arm up to my shoulder. I had to be driven to the hospital in Fort de France.
I'll be resting for a long time, maybe as much as 6 weeks. Possibly, some exercises after the swelling subsides (they think it will).

What this does to my career? I have no idea.

And, we lost the dang game, 7-3. So, we are 0-3, I'm on the DL in the hospital, and that about sums it up. Probably bad luck from shaving my beard and mustache off.

Uh-oh! That is not good.

The Next Few Weeks
 

The Ball Club is pulling me out of Basse-Pointe for the time being and I'm actually traveling with the parent club, Le Diamant Diamonds, or will be soon. I'll be working with our Team Trainer and an assistant who specializes in arm injuries. We have a wonderful trainer in Michel Pillet, from St. Pierre, Martinique, but arm injuries are not his specialty.

Luka Legrande, from Fort de France, is currently unemployed and has been hired as a special assistant to Michel. I will work with them and their medical team to get my arm restored. Fortunately, if something happens that I can't pitch I still can fall back on my CF skills and focus just on playing a position. But, way too early for that talk.

The team wants me to watch the games and take notes on the pitchers. Number of pitches, how often each pitch is called, location, stuff like that. Sort of cutting edge, but they think it can serve two purposes....information for their pitching management and good first hand experience for me observing baseball at the highest level in the Francais Baseball League.

I am really flattered by the care and attention they have shown me over the past week since the injury. Crazy as it sounds, I am looking forward to coming to the park with the Diamonds.

This raises an interesting question for me, one which I do not have enough experience with OOTP yet to know the answer to. I was thinking earlier that this might indeed mean the issue of whether Julien will be a pitcher or an outfielder will be settled. But what I don't know is this: would an arm injury suffered by him in his role as a pitcher affect his OF arm ratings after he recovers? Even if it does, his other skills should still make him a valuable outfielder. But this is what I find myself wondering.

An interesting question. And, an interesting wrinkle to his career.

Newspaper Announcement
 

The Newspaper that posts my game accounts asked me today if I would mind if Herve makes a few contributions to the paper. They are still very interested in my account of Le Diamant's season while I am observing, but they would prefer to not lose the 'feel' of the day to day player for 6-7 weeks at a time.
I thought it was a pretty good idea. Herve is a great friend of mine and I could use a break from the day to day stuff. So, I hope everyone enjoys the accounts of our AAA Waverider ball club.

Unicorns at Waveriders
 

Herve here....I'll be playing third base. Here is the rest of the line up. I'll do a write up at the end.

We win
 

No contest, really. Cyril Martin entered the game with 9.90 ERA but left with a 5.40 average. If it wasn't for Berthelot giving up the dinger in the 9th we would have had a skunk on them. I'll settle for 10-2.

We banged out 18 hits. I went 3 for 5 with a double. Victorien Robert, our C, gets player of the game award. He killed it. 3 for 5 with a homer and double.

We play Sainte-Phillipe tomorrow night. We're 5-0 at home so don't be surprised if we're 6-0 when I do the next write up. Barney Newcombe will be pitching for us. He's 2-0. Going against a senior. They are pitching a guy who is 31 years old. He was 12-8 and 11-9 the last two years but I guess they are just keeping him in case someone gets injured on the Le Mourne Rouge team.

This week in Le Diamant
 

I spent the last 8 days in the Le Diamant dugout, or the broadcast booth. It certainly looks different when you are upstairs looking down on the game. I've enjoyed watching our stars perform and have been very impressed with George Lawrence OF and SP 23 yr old Sebastian Vautier. That kid has a future.
Here are the standings and results for the 7 games. We are in 2nd place.

George Lawrence and Sebastian Vautier
 

These guys are leaders in more ways than just stats. Lawrence just crushing it. Sebastian, except for one bad outing at the end of April, has been very effective. Control, being the struggling point for him.

Basse-Pointe Bandits
 

The Bandits are holding their own. I've got the reports which I'll share with you. Our team has really had to contend with injuries coming out of the gate. So, 9-10, is respectable all things considered.

Herve will be reporting on the Waveriders tomorrow.

Diamonds General Info
 

Here are some reports I was able to gather thanks to our Scouting department. As you can see George Lawrence is the all time Diamonds home run leader with 36. OSA also ranks him as the best RF in the game today. Herve is the #1 prospect.

April ends on a high note
 

From Juliene...Awesome game as we beat the Francais Baseball League reigning champs in their house.

I like our pitching. Regis Tardieu is such a pro. First one to the park, last one to leave.

Back where I belong
 

Herve here....The Diamonds recalled Joly. This is my kind of line-up. Best of luck to Ewen Joly with the big boys.

Ugh
 

Herve here....Waveriders have dropped 6 in a row. I think we miss Joly in the lineup. Medicine Hat beat us 3 in a row including this fiasco which I will post below just to get it out of my system. The part that kills me? I mean really gets under my skin? Their pitcher had 6 runs batted in.
Turn the page, that's all you can do, turn the dang page.

May 8 1962
 

The physio team thinks I should be ready to start rehabbing in 2-3 weeks. This is my first major injury. I've never been on the D.L. I can't say that I like the rest. Everyday I read the local papers to see how the Bandits are doing. I can't help but check out our CF (Ron Mailing).

Le Diamant has reached .500. A lot of excitement in our small town. Even the tourists (mostly from France) seem to root for the Diamonds, at least while they are on the island. Whenever a french team plays in a Martinique town the games sell out.

I'm amazed at George Lawrence. Such a pro. Great leader, too. He just seems to carry the team on his back. When he is swinging the bat well, the rest of the team follows suit. Great guy, too.

George Lawrence Baseball Card
 

Here is this years George Lawrence baseball card. Often, I listen to the coaches in the locker room after the game when many of the ball players have cleared out. I'm always hoping to learn something. I heard PC Donovan Riviere say to HC Ken Fleming tonight, "Yeah, Kenny, George is like a fine french beaujolais.....getting better with time."

Basse Pointe Bandits
 

Looking through the papers this evening I noticed that the Bandits have a losing record. The good news is, we are in first place. Weird.

I'm in Fountain Bleu, France getting ready to leave for Marseille. Fountain Bleu swept the Diamonds all 3 games taking Le Diamant to a 18-22 record, and second place.

Herve here
 

Hey Sports fans, the Le Marin Waveriders have won 3 in a row and are now knocking on the first place door of the Le Lorraine Pirates.

I've been on a mini hot streak as my average is now up to .333. Here is my batting log. My defense has not been that good this year and I'm hearing about it from the staff. Four errors at 2b and three at 3b.

Vial
 

Herve here....one of the reasons the Waveriders have been so hot is because of this kid Habib Vial. Back in 1960 he came to Le Diamant from Quebec and this kid can hit. He's leading the league in batting and, get this.....has a 34 game active hit streak going.

Habib hits in the 4 spot, right after me. No complaints on the batting order from me.

May 25 and it's back to Basse-Pointe
 

My time as an observer with the Diamonds came to a conclusion this evening with the end of the Anse d'Arlet series. Geographically, out biggest rivalry by far, the Diamonds dropped 2 of 3. It's been a rough month as you can see by the graphic.

I'm starting to feel better so I will be joining up with the Bandits tomorrow. I'm hoping I can get back in the line up in about a week or so. Alize' was at the game tonight so we got to spend some time together in the tiny press box just to the left of home plate. Great vantage point to watch a game.

Herve will post a report tonight on the Waveriders so you won't want to miss that. Well, so long from Le Diamant!

Note: To be clear the pic is of Anse d'Arlet. The park is out of the photo, but this is one of my favorite views looking down at their famous beach. Alize' saw a barracuda when she went for a swim, yesterday.

Can you say first place?
 

Herve here....Waveriders have taken over the top spot in the AAA Central (all Martinique teams). How are we doing it? With our bats. We lead the league in batting average and runs scored (that's all of AAA, not just the Martinique conference).

Vial's hitting streak was brought to a halt by the Purple Aces, at 42 games. No surprise that Habib was batter of the month for April.

My batting average has dipped below .300 (.299). But, no errors since I last wrote. Even my ZR is now in + territory. Zone Rating is one of those new statistics that we've been employing in the Le Diamant system this year. In a nutshell, it compares you against the performance of an 'average player'. Whatever that is.

Here are the batting leaders for the Waveriders. Habib is right there.

I'm not sure if Julien will want any more reports from me but I told him I can do it, as time allows. But, I told him, once we get to the playoffs (we will) I won't have time. Au Revoir!

Basse Pointe update and my return
 

While Le Diamant struggles continue (1-9) and in last place, our Bandits are just reverse. To the surprise of many, but not our manager, we are in first place.
This evening I will be the starting pitcher. The plan is to keep me between 80-90 pitches. I'm nervous. Wish me luck!

18th Birthday Celebration
 

Alize' and her parents took me out for dinner for my 18th birthday last week. I celebrated with my first (legal) drink in a tavern on the beach in Le Diamant. Alize snagged a pic of my brew, a Lorraine beer brewed on the island. For dinner I had the conch and my dessert is pictured below...a wonderful chocolate mousse with a cappucino.

Herve's quest for .300 Batting Year
 

Herve had a hot week last week elevating his average back over .300.

Julien Henri first game back from injury
 

All I can say is, we won! It's one of the greatest feelings I've ever had in a Bandit uniform. To be part of this game tonight. It makes me really appreciate that I get the opportunity to play professional baseball. Pinch me.

Note for you stat lovers:
Faure got his first save,
LeRoux his first hold, and
I got my first W of the season.

The Box Score
 

Here it is:

Local Coverage
 

Alize' snagged the local paper for me as sort of memento of my first start and win as a starting pitcher (I earned a W in relief last season). I thought I'd share with everyone.

June 2 Game
 

Another good game for the Bandits against a very good Lynx squad. Very close all the way. 'Sanchy' gave us 7 very solid innings and Lund went 2 innings to earn the save. A pair of doubles plated our runs.

Standings & Batting Leaders for Single A
 

Basse-Pointe is really rolling with our new Manager, Benoit Mahe. Here are the two batting leaders (.367) from Le Mans and Meysac in the French system.

Taking one for the Team
 

I guess that's the phrase we use around here when the skipper leaves you in the game way past your normal pitch count. I don't get the logic of throwing 135 pitches coming off an injury but the trainer feels confident that I am sufficiently healed. Not a good day at the park, no matter how you spin it. The Bandits 6 game win streak comes to a brutal end as I give up 7 runs in 7 innings. One for one at the plate with a walk was the one silver lining.
Here are the ugly details:

Draft Day 1962
 

Here are the teams that pick first:

Our Scout shares the Report on the Front Runners-Pitchers
 

Here are Pitchers who might go very early

Scout Report for Position Players for the Draft
 

Here is the clear leading contender for a position player. He's got a good last name, but, that's looking way too far ahead.

Newest Bandit? The Legend
 

We have a new catcher and he looks like a great pick. Ambares-et-LaGrave, a small town in Western France close to the sea, is his place of birth. He joins the Bandits in Basse-Pointe as we prepare to take on the St.Anne's Clippers. With the new draftees coming to the club roster moves will be made. Tension and excitement is high throughout the organization as we wait for the domino's to fall.

Hello and....Good-bye
 

What the fans don't see because it often doesn't make the headlines. Sure, the draftees receive the press and all of the excitement that goes with the new additions. If you are a player cut from your team, it is devastating. Dreams you've had as a kid? This is the reminder that they don't all come true. Some will try and pick up with another club (doubtful), while others will go to school or get a job back home. Even the players that survived the cut, feel the impact of the empty locker next to ours, soon to be filled with a fresh face who can't imagine ever being one that is cut from the team. Even Olivier, they are paying him to not play as he had a contract.

But, we all move on. We know it's a business and we are expected to act accordingly. We'll get the promotions within the next 12 hours I'm told. Pro Ball.....it's a roller coaster.

New Basse Pointe Rotation & Line Up
 

With the cuts, and promotions, here are the new line ups. Our staff ace, Luis Sanchez, got promoted all the way to AAA. He skipped AA completely. It looks like they have slotted me into the number 1 spot in the Bandit rotation. You can bet I am feeling great about that vote of confidence. I'll be out to prove our coaches and manager right.

Some New Looks on the way
 

It was announced by commissioner Jacques LaChance that many of the Francais Baseball League clubs will be unveiling some new uniforms and logo's in the upcoming future. Many of us think the current ones are just fine, but Mr. LaChance is a very savvy financial expert and hugely responsible for the high points the FBL has reached in such a short history.

The first 3 prototype league logo's
 

The League Headquarters issued their first 3 drafts of an updated league logo.

Le Diamant
 

The Le Diamant franchise is looking at a new logo

Bandits New Logo draft
 

Here is the one I hope we use.

A few new looks before play resumes
 

Here are a few of the new Martinique Division (one for Canadian) visuals being put in play by the FBL.

A few more all at the FBL level
 

All new looks...

And a few more
 

All FBL level. Most of the players are very excited about the new looks.

The Bandits have been slumping, but not our #1 pick
 

We're going through what a lot of young teams go through. A slump. We couldn't lose in April and the beginning of May but the losses have piled up of late. Our new catcher and #1 pick, Frederic Legendre, has been doing his best to get us in the win column. He's off to a great start.

St. Anne 2 way player, Blanchard
 

The way Blanchard has been playing in his 2nd year for the Clippers makes me doubt that we will see him again this season. He's been on a tear. He hasn't pitched much but he has the kind of arm that might allow him to be a two way player for Saint Michel, some day.
St. Anne started out real slowly this season but players like Romaric have given them a legit shot at first.

Another Big L
 

This game was a tough one for us as Imbert just sailed through our line-up. He's a two way player for the Vultures with hitting supposed to be his strong suit, but you could have fooled us.

However, we got some revenge the next night as our guys ended some recent frustration as we bashed everything they threw at us. Maybe this gets us back on track.