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reds1 · 11-27-2016, 09:07 PM

For the first time since 1938, the United Leagues will be embarking on a new season where the world will not be at war. The euphoria over the end of world conflict and the return of its soldiers is compounded by the surge in manufacturing and industry. The Braeland economy has thoroughly shed off its Great Depression doldrums and the various austerity measures imposed by the Avery Government during the height of the war.

But with the rebounding economy comes high expectations and new challenges that the government will need to wrestle with. The mandate for the Liberal Government lead by Sir Douglas Avery is set to expire at the end of the year and a national election has been called for Wednesday, October 31 (the one day no ULB games are scheduled, natch). The Avery Government is the only one Braelanders have known since the restoration of the Monarchy and the Parliamentary system back in 1935. The Government currently enjoys high popularity thanks to the successful conclusion of the war and the general approval of its handling of military affairs. But winning a third majority is no easy feat, and the Tories, led by Wesley Bryans, will no doubt look to portray the Liberals as being past their expiration date.

So with the campaigning and political rhetoric ramping up, Braelanders will be turning to baseball to try and tune it out as much as possible, as Opening Day has finally arrived.

But first, lets take a look at how the Eastern League fared during the 'Coconut Leagues', as well as the projections for the up-coming season.

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Despite a lacklustre pre-season, the Embro Suns are projected to have another strong campaign, with 1B Jim Friend picking up where he left off before his military service. Friend was just one of a handful of returning players who were able to join their club part-way through training camp. Also projected to have a great year are the Braeland City Monarchs, thanks in part to a couple of starting pitchers. David Cooling and Max MacColl are projected to win 29 and 27 games respectively. Seeing the Monarchs make the playoffs would be nice, but last year saw them projected to win 96 games; they actually won only 77. So we'll have to see on that one. The defending champions, the Brunswick Legends, were also mediocre during the Coconut Leagues and are not projected to be a lock for first place. But they remain within shooting distance.

Incidentally, a late trade was consummated between the Embro Suns and Cambria Cannons that could have an impact of the forthcoming season:

September 18:

The Embro Suns acquired 26-year old C Scott Weller (63/71) from the Cambria Cannons.

In return, the Cannons get 34-year old SP Pete Allison (51/51).

Knee-jerk reaction: When the Cannons traded for C Heung-su Park back on July 5, I wondered what that would mean for former starter Weller. Well, this trade answers that question. I like this trade for Embro, as it gives them a decent young catcher that stabilizes a position that was a weak point for them. Weller earned a berth to the All-Star game and won a Top Fielder Award in his first full season. He was originally drafted in the second round by the Hespeler Stars in back in 1941-42. The Suns are banking on last year not being a fluke.

Cambria does not have a great pitching staff, so while Allison may help as a No. 3 starter, I don't think it will improve matters very much. But the Cannons do have a very strong bullpen, so if the starters can keep the games close and let the bullpen take over in the late innings, it might be enough – maybe.

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Its no surprise that the Kingston Pelicans will once again be the team to beat in the West; however, if the projections are anywhere near correct, it will not be a runaway. What is interesting (or disappointing) is that there appears to be no one except the Wolseley Unions to seriously challenge the Pelicans. The teams in the West are shaping up to be a rather mediocre bunch if the projections hold true.

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To round out the snapshot of the United Leagues, here are the top players and pitchers and top 20 prospects as updated on Opening Day.

11-27-2016, 09:07 PM	#301
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,985	For the first time since 1938, the United Leagues will be embarking on a new season where the world will not be at war. The euphoria over the end of world conflict and the return of its soldiers is compounded by the surge in manufacturing and industry. The Braeland economy has thoroughly shed off its Great Depression doldrums and the various austerity measures imposed by the Avery Government during the height of the war. But with the rebounding economy comes high expectations and new challenges that the government will need to wrestle with. The mandate for the Liberal Government lead by Sir Douglas Avery is set to expire at the end of the year and a national election has been called for Wednesday, October 31 (the one day no ULB games are scheduled, natch). The Avery Government is the only one Braelanders have known since the restoration of the Monarchy and the Parliamentary system back in 1935. The Government currently enjoys high popularity thanks to the successful conclusion of the war and the general approval of its handling of military affairs. But winning a third majority is no easy feat, and the Tories, led by Wesley Bryans, will no doubt look to portray the Liberals as being past their expiration date. So with the campaigning and political rhetoric ramping up, Braelanders will be turning to baseball to try and tune it out as much as possible, as Opening Day has finally arrived. But first, lets take a look at how the Eastern League fared during the 'Coconut Leagues', as well as the projections for the up-coming season. --------- Despite a lacklustre pre-season, the Embro Suns are projected to have another strong campaign, with 1B Jim Friend picking up where he left off before his military service. Friend was just one of a handful of returning players who were able to join their club part-way through training camp. Also projected to have a great year are the Braeland City Monarchs, thanks in part to a couple of starting pitchers. David Cooling and Max MacColl are projected to win 29 and 27 games respectively. Seeing the Monarchs make the playoffs would be nice, but last year saw them projected to win 96 games; they actually won only 77. So we'll have to see on that one. The defending champions, the Brunswick Legends, were also mediocre during the Coconut Leagues and are not projected to be a lock for first place. But they remain within shooting distance. Incidentally, a late trade was consummated between the Embro Suns and Cambria Cannons that could have an impact of the forthcoming season: September 18: The Embro Suns acquired 26-year old C Scott Weller (63/71) from the Cambria Cannons. In return, the Cannons get 34-year old SP Pete Allison (51/51). *Knee-jerk reaction:* When the Cannons traded for C Heung-su Park back on July 5, I wondered what that would mean for former starter Weller. Well, this trade answers that question. I like this trade for Embro, as it gives them a decent young catcher that stabilizes a position that was a weak point for them. Weller earned a berth to the All-Star game and won a Top Fielder Award in his first full season. He was originally drafted in the second round by the Hespeler Stars in back in 1941-42. The Suns are banking on last year not being a fluke. Cambria does not have a great pitching staff, so while Allison may help as a No. 3 starter, I don't think it will improve matters very much. But the Cannons do have a very strong bullpen, so if the starters can keep the games close and let the bullpen take over in the late innings, it might be enough – maybe. --------- --------- Its no surprise that the Kingston Pelicans will once again be the team to beat in the West; however, if the projections are anywhere near correct, it will not be a runaway. What is interesting (or disappointing) is that there appears to be no one except the Wolseley Unions to seriously challenge the Pelicans. The teams in the West are shaping up to be a rather mediocre bunch if the projections hold true. --------- To round out the snapshot of the United Leagues, here are the top players and pitchers and top 20 prospects as updated on Opening Day. __________________ United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 07-15-2017 at 02:31 PM.