Today in the CBO
News and Notes - Reports from around the Commonwealth
by Nat Wright-Kawolski
15 August 2299
Trashcan Carla-Jason Saum Detail Offseason Plans
There is one thing obvious in the BMU: The Lexington Synths' BMU team, the Union Hope Lifegivers, are not competitive. One of the biggest reasons is the lack of talent. That became even more evident when the Synths traded away three highly-talented players two weeks ago to obtain the services of 2B Bubb Islander from Vault 81.
Commissioner Nate Howard has already expressed that moves must be made with a purpose for winning, and he is not happy with the lack of competition that the Lifegivers offer in the Cambridge League. According to a statement from the CBO headquarters, Howard described Lexington GM Jason Saum's front office style as "unacceptable."
Union Hope has won only two games since the All-Star Break, gaining one 11-inning victory and one victory last week at College Square to break a 14-game losing streak. Before their last victory on July 12, the Lifegivers were on an eight-game winning streak. They have also had nine-game and 10-game losing streaks.
Owner Trashcan Carla and Saum are now detailing a plan to redistribute talent and work to make the 2300 Union Hope team one that can win better than their .159 winning percentage.
"Small goals," Saum was quoted as saying. "We have four draft picks in the first two rounds, so we are going to go with sure picks over gambles. We'll see how the Synths finish up, too. If we make the playoffs, we'll evaluate our core and then see about making some moves for regulars to prospects to build up Union Hope. We have some goals."
According to Saum, Trashcan Carla has agreed to step back more and let the scouts and GM do their jobs. Carla has a reputation of managing the team much like she manages the Super Duper Mart franchises, valuing profit through quantity rather than quality. The Synths have being built to win at the CBO level with no regard for the BMU level.
The problem there is that lack of long-term growth may lead the Synths to be non-competitive in the CBO, which would go against the agreements Howard made when selecting team owners. Howard built the league on a central core that can take control of non-competitive teams. While there are teams that have not had success--for example the Brotherhood League's County Crossing Bloodbugs, which finished in 6th place all three years--Howard still considered them to be competitive in the sense of developing players and winning enough games. Howard does not consider a winning percentage below .300 to be acceptable for competition.
The actions the Synths would have to take are laid out in their plans, but Howard may be involved in those offseason moves, too. That could indicate the Lexington team is not as likely to make a potential playoff run in 2300 until it can find enough youngsters to develop at the CBO level.
Even with some talent, there is just not enough, and players are tired of the losing. Some who have expressed that frustration include 2298 2nd-round and 3rd-round picks CL Van Funky (2-8, 9,41, 5 SV) and SP Jaa Thirtysix. According to Thirtsix, "Our best hitter is batting [.212]. Our defense averages two errors a game. Our pitching gives up 8 a game. We cannot win a game unless the other team has a bad day." Thirtysix is 0-10 with a team-worst 10.58 ERA.
Salem Losing Patience with Prynne?
The Salem Witch Hats seem to be growing increasingly impatient with the progress of prospect Heston Prynne, a part-time outfielder with the Witch Hats' club after being called up earlier in the season. When he was called up, the expectation was that he would claim an OF spot to help the team in their playoff goals.
Instead, in 23 games as a pinch hitter, Prynne (.294/0/3) is still stuck behind the trio of Tyler Spronk (.292/18/68), Chris Treestump (.272/20/63), and Mike Castillo (.284/7/36). Prynne was most likely to unseat Castillo, which would have opened up Castillo to be traded to improve the infield. Now that the Witch Hats are struggling to fend off the The Slog Ghouls, that infield position seems to be a crucial lacking part of their playoff pursuits.
Hall goes 4-for-5 in Bloodbugs Win
Behind a solid performance from right fielder Long Hall, the County Crossing Bloodbugs defeated the Starlight Lady Killers, 10-8. Hall was 4 for 5 with a home run, a double, and 2 singles, while scoring 3 runs and driving in 4 for the Bloodbugs. County Crossing pitcher Chopsticks McWilliams got the win. He's now 7-1. John Walden was tagged with the loss. William Whitehurst earned his 13th save in 15 chances.
Had Mushy Levy not delivered a key base hit in the bottom of the eighth, the outcome might have been different. Instead, with two down and runners on 1st and 3rd, Levy hit a run-scoring single. That made the score 9-8, in favor of the Bloodbugs.
"We try to keep the mood light around here," said Hall. "Winning helps."
The win has County Crossing at 33-61.
Ramos Shines in 6-4 Sunshine Tidings Win
Getting offensive support from Brightsun Ramos, the Sunshine Tidings Chemists topped the Easy Town Assaultrons, 6-4. Ramos was 4 for 4 with a home run, a double, and 2 singles. He scored 2 times and drove in 2 for the Chemists. The winning pitcher was Jamie Collins. His record is now 3-9. The left-hander went 8 innings, allowing 4 runs on 5 hits for the Chemists. Handsome Frank got the save, his 13th in 17 chances.
The Chemists had to work out of trouble in the top of the ninth. The score was 6-4, Sunshine Tidings, with one out. Easy Town, with a runner on 2nd, was mounting a threat. Joe Ransom dug in at the plate, but on a 3-1 slider, he flied out.
Sunshine Tidings is now 42-52.
Church Now 5-3 After Subduing Synths
The Salem Witch Hats beat the Lexington Synths, 6-1. Salem pitcher and Haverhill, Massachusetts, native Ugio Church led the way. With the win, Salem pushed its record to 50-44.
Church's performance can only be described as masterful. He notched 9 strikeouts in 9 innings while allowing 7 hits. Church, the 12th overall pick in the 2297 draft, goes to 5-3 on the year with 46 strikeouts.
"We can always improve and get better, but we're feeling confident after that win," said Church.
Adamantium Lose By a Run at Nordhagen Beach, 3-2
Nordhagen Beach starter Chet Arthur had a strong outing against the Abernathy Adamantium at Slocum's Joe Seaside Stadium. The right-hander was a big part of his team's 3-2 win. In 8 innings, Arthur surrendered 4 hits, while striking out 4 and walking 0. He allowed 1 run. The Party Boys have an impressive 63-31 record.
With one out in the bottom of the fourth, Dustin Mart barreled up a fastball from Bad Company Grognak. The result was a 2-run home run, putting the Party Boys in front, 3-0.
"Every loss stings," said Abernathy manager Chase Stingwing. "This one is no exception."
Ghouls Subdue Silver Shroud, 10-7
The The Slog Ghouls bested the Fort Hagen Silver Shroud by a score of 10-7, with second baseman C.T. Woodard getting the main credit. On the day, Woodard was 2 for 5 with a home run, while scoring 3 times and driving in 2 for the Ghouls. Bobby DeLaune picked up the win with 5.2 innings of work. He allowed 5 runs on 7 hits, while walking 4 and striking out 6. On the season, he is now 13-8. The triumph puts The Slog at 50-44 for the season.
In the top of the ninth, David Driftwood stood in the box, looking for a pitch to hammer. The Silver Shroud were trailing 10-7, but had the bases loaded. That's when Matt Suds made a terrific pitch and Driftwood struck out. Gone was the dream of a Fort Hagen comeback.
Hancocks Drop Dwellers, 6-4
Starting pitcher Quincy Eloquent pitched well enough to help the Goodneighbor Hancocks beat the Vault 81 Dwellers, 6-4. The Hancocks lead the South Charles Association Minutemen League by 4½ games.
In the top of the second, John Rose hit a solo home run. The 13th home run of the season for the Goodneighbor center fielder put the Hancocks on top, 1-0.
"We've got guys willing to do what it takes to win," Eloquent told the Goodneighbor Bulletin.
Gunners Sneak Past Swatters, 2-1
The Quincy Gunners grabbed a win, 2-1, over the Diamond City Swatters at The Stone House. Quincy center fielder Steve Gunkill was 4 for 5 with a home run, a double, and 2 singles. He drove in 2 runs and scored once. The winning continues for Quincy, with the latest making it 9 straight.
The game was still up for grabs in the bottom of the ninth. With two out, Gunkill hit a slider from Mike Pond for a solo home run. The Gunners, in dramatic fashion, had a walk-off win.
"We were in it," said Diamond City manager Bucky Bachelor. "We just didn't score enough runs."