Let's put 2298 to rest. I'm ready to see how the new additions are going to work out.
Today in the CBO
News and Notes - Reports from around the Commonwealth
by Nat Wright-Kawolski
18 December 2298 - Howard in Talks with Bradberton
CBO Commissioner Nate Howard left for Bradberton to speak with Nuka World League owner John-Caleb Bradberton in preparation for the league's premier. Howard is expected to assist in the setup and proctor coaches' trainings.
On the agenda for Bradberton was the possibility of a potential pipeline of players coming from the Nuka World League to the Commonwealth Baseball Organization.
Howard mentioned that several would-be stars in the Nuka World League from the Bradberton area are struggling in the minors. Howard has considered allowing all of those players to have free reign to join the NWL if they choose.
One source from the CBO office has stated that Bradberton and Small Bertha of the potential league in Far Harbor both agreed that their salaries offered would be smaller than that of the CBO as part of their sponsorship agreements. Top players in the NWL will receive nearly 1/2 of the amount paid to the lowest tier of CBO-level players.
Currently, CBO players in each of the tire levels make the following salaries:
Tier 1 - 10400 caps per year
Tier 2 - 7800 caps per year
Tier 3 - 5800 caps per year
Tier 4 (BMU) - 4300 caps per year
The NWL has divided its tiers into two levels of active players and one level of reserve players:
Tier 1 - 3000 caps per year
Tier 2 - 2500 caps per year
Tier 3 (Reserves) - 2000 caps per year
21 December 2298 - UP Catcher Gets More Serious
University Point backup catcher Paul Tracy already has a reputation of taking everything seriously. Now he wants to get seriously serious in preparation for the 2299 season.
According to team bench coach Crick Dubya, "Paul is a hard worker and wants to get better. He has worked a lot on his hitting and defense. He could be a player in the league, but he's got to beat out Chad [Morris] first. We know we could use good production from that position."
Tracy split time in 2298 with the Deathclaws and Boston Common Lead Bellies. In 22 games with the Deathclaws with 10 starts, he was 9 for 43 (.209) with three runs and three RBI. He started 22 games with Boston Common where he was 20 for 78 (.256) with two home runs, five runs, and 13 RBI. He was the 2297 Downtown Boston League winner of the Platinum Stick Award at catcher, awarded to the position's best hitter.
Tracy was initially an undrafted player following the 2296 Inaugural Draft. He signed a deal with the Warwick Mirelurks but was traded to the Deathclaws in 2297 for Straight QuaLiTy who emerged as the Mirelurks' starting first baseman.
"He has the pressure on him," Dubya said. "He knows Straight QuaLiTy has emerged for Warwick, so he knows he needs to give us more innings and become a productive part of the team. I'm pulling for him."
23 December 2298 - Benton Gets Christmas Wish Granted
We reported on the situation of Jamaica Plain left fielder Bryan Benton wanting to be traded for Christmas. Today he got his wish.
It is being reported in Quincy that the Gunners and the Red Rockets have agreed on a trade. According to anonymous sources 27-year-old LF Kevin Covert, 30-year-old 2B Alec Bullets, 21-year-old minor league SS Barry Midday and a 2nd round draft pick will be dealt to the Red Rockets in return for 21-year-old LF Bryan Benton, 20-year-old minor league 2B Jason Ringer and a 4th round draft pick.
During his career Bullets is hitting .289 with a total of 7 home runs. Asked about the trade, Bullets said he did it to himself.
"I knew that my chili dogs were going to come back to bite me," Bullets said. "Sure, I put on a few pounds, but I still think I'm a good player. You know what, no more chili dogs as of today. I'm going to be the best second baseman Jamaica Plain can get. Quincy will be sorry."
Covert was an expendable part of the deal for the Gunners since they were improving the position by acquiring Benton. Now Benton gets to start on a good team that has made the playoffs two of three years instead of the Minutemen League rivals who have never finished above 5th place in three years.
"Ho! Ho! Ho!" Benton said as he was packing his bags at his Jamaica Plain apartment.
25 December 2298 - Handsome Frank Levels Up
Sunshine Tidings close Handsome Frank most certainly did not have a 2298 to remember. Dealt to the Chemists from Fort Hagen in the 2298 season for catcher Paul Grog, Frank became the closer for Sunshine Tidings but did not have the numbers to justify the position.
In a total of 39 appearances between the Silver Shroud and Sunshine Tidings, Frank allowed 32 earned runs on 52 hits with 26 walks and 44 strikeouts over 40.2 innings. He finished the season 1-3 with 12 saves.
The 26-year-old is a Brotherhood of Steel reserve, and he announced yesterday that he had leveled up.
"I chose the strength perk," Frank said. "I figure if I can start blowing ball past hitters, then it will help me pitch better. I definitely need to cut down the number of runs I give up."
Despite the elevated ERA, Frank did convert 12 of 14 save attempts, decent numbers in the hit-heavy CBO. He thinks those numbers will get much better in 2299.
"My goal is to get 30 saves next year," he said.
28 December 2298 - Dusky Yao Guai Leaves Taffington SP in Critical Condition
In sad news in the dangerous wasteland, Taffington Boathouse SP Pro Generator was mauled by a dusky yao guai yesterday, leaving him in a battle for his life.
In an area south of Warwick Homestead near Generator's hometown of Weymouth, Generator and two others encountered a mother yao guai and her two cubs. Before the group could leave the area, the mother attacked all three, killing one of Generator's companions and mauling Generator. The other companion was able to kill the mother yao guai but needed to retrieve help to move Generator from below the slayed beast.
A Brotherhood of Steel patrol was in Weymouth at the time, allowing Generator to hitch a ride in a vertibird to Quincy. Generator was in no condition to be moved further away to a full hospital at Milton General.
Easy Town GM Ryan Herner released a statement this morning: "We heard yesterday about our player Pro Generator. We have no further information on his condition at a clinic in Quincy, but we do have team representatives that will make their way there to check on him. At this time, we ask that you send out good thoughts his way."
An employee of the clinic was asked about Generator's condition. Speaking anonymously, the employee said that they are working to save his life. Asked if he healed would he be able to play baseball again, the employee said, "Nah, no way. He'll be lucky to be able to walk and talk and eat. There's no more baseball for him. There's no more much of anything for him."
Generator was selected by the Assaultrons in the 2nd round of the 2296 Rookie Draft, #35 overall. In two seasons with Taffington Boathouse, he has struggled on the mound, racking up a career record of 4-17 with a 7.37 ERA in 26 starts.
29 December 2298 - Slog Gets Younger in Ace Trade
There were plenty of hugs and handshakes all around as 34-year-old LHP David Kiwi and a 4th round draft pick left the The Slog Ghouls today en route to joining the FHE Yao Guai organization. 21-year-old minor league RHP Randy Kaplan, 20-year-old minor league SS Tom Haulinstuff, 18-year-old minor league LF Kenry Batray and 21-year-old LHP Danny Owens will be traveling to The Slog Ghouls to complete the swap.
On his 2298 ledger sheet, the 34-year-old Kiwi has won 14 and lost 9 with a 3.49 ERA. He was the Ghouls' top pitcher.
Owens' record was 8 victories and 17 defeats to lead the CBO in losses. Owens also has struck out 113 batters and compiled a 6.26 ERA.
Questions are circulating if the Ghouls are rebuilding after parting ways with their championship manager from the 2296 season, Mack O'Shea. None of the BMU players acquired from FHE are expected to contribute within the next couple of years, but they have good potential in the long run.
Neither team was available for comment.