l-league (AAA) :
To follow the structure of the LBL, the Wayt County Lynx change division to now play in the l-DL Marine (corresponds the ColVal division).
Since the Freros and the Black&Yellows have lost their AAA teams, they were granted both a new team :
- the Springles Navy Falcons for the Freros
- the Rising Samuraïs for the B&Y
Here are their logo :
Division winners :
- l-LL Azure : Springles Navy Falcons (1st)
- l-LL Cyan : Chefecia Purple Bats (2nd)
- l-DL Sapphir: Misty Lake Bones (10th)
- l-DL Marine: Wayt County Lynx (3rd)
For theirs debuts in the league, the Navy Falcons won their division and they even went straight to the LFS after defeating the Canons and their regional rival, Maykrafth.
Their opponent was the the Thunderbolts, which also defeated their regional rival in the SFS, the Lynx. Unfortunately, Springles could not get a historic victory as they lost the LFS 2-4.
The Thunderbolts is now the team with the most championships, with seven (including their titles as the original Thunders).
Playoffs :
r-league (AA) :
Division winners :
- r-RL Square : Oshu'gun Lumberjacks (15th)
- r-RL Heart : Huangjia Wizards (4th)
- r-BL Spade: Pampa Bay Fishermen (5th)
- r-BL Club: Kuronga Fire (1st)
The Fire started their history with a division crown. The Ninjas also clinched a first playoff berth in their first season ever. Unfortunately, they were both stopped at the first stage.
17 years after their first appearance, the Wizards returned in the Onion Series, still they also lost this one. Their opponent were the Fishermen who won their third championship in 11 years.
Playoffs :
16 years later after their last WS, Detroit won their four championship by defeating the reigning champions, Pittsburgh. The Angels and the Braves were the other franchises to play the playoffs.
- International Championship Series:
Ok I had a bug this season were the MLB season only played one game in 1997 and the rest of the other games were played in 98. As a result I didn't know the winner of the WS when the ICS was about to be played.
So I keep the Pirates from last season by default, Detroit will play the following one next year. I only resolve the issue a few seasons later (by playing a very short season to reajust the season misalignment with the calendar year) so expect a lot of this case to happen in the following seasons.
In Rising, Lingalie North, the Pirates finally got their hands on the ICS trophy after fourth unsuccessful attempts. It was the first participation of the Diamonds in the tournament.
Two new members in the 1996 class :
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Matt Hessling (55.0% - 5th ballot) was drafted in round 1 by the Sea Stars but started his career with the Jade Tigers (72-75) before reaching the top of the league with the Expendables (76-85). He won two championships with the latter franchise, as well as the two postseason MVP in 1977. In addition to this, Hessling had also 3 Ruby Awards (75-77) at 1B. Overall, he has a batting line of
.270/.352/.457, 1554 H, 261 HR, 938 RBI and
39.9 WAR in
1538 G.
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Roberto Irias (53.6% - 1st ballot) is a new inductee for the Sea Stars (77-83), the relief pitcher also played for the B&Y (84-87), the Bears (88-89) and the Maple Leaves (90). Irias won two Silver Ball consecutively in 79 and 80. He also helped his team won a championship in 79. His lifetime stats are
2.97 ERA, 146 SV, 1202 K, 341 BB, 1.10 WHIP, 11.1 K/9, 22,4 WAR in
611G and
975.1 IP.