Today in the CBO
News and Notes - Reports from around the Commonwealth
by Nat Wright-Kawolski
2 September 2299
CBO Playoff Changes in 2299, Possibly in 2300
The Commonwealth Baseball Organization has announced one change to the 2299 playoffs and is also considering a second change for the 2300 playoffs.
In an official press conference held by Commissioner Nate Howard on all Baseball News Network affiliates, Howard announced the big change for this season's playoffs.
"We have decided to expand the Association Championship Series from five games to seven games," Howard said. "Our CBO playoffs have been exciting, so we want the chance for each team to have the potential for one more home game apiece. We are sure CBO fans will also love the extra games should a series reach six or seven games."
Howard additionally confirmed a second change the CBO is considering, but that change would be a part of the 2300 season. "We're also considering an even bigger change to the structure of the playoffs where we would add an extra team to each association."
Based on Howard's explanation, the playoffs would continue to have the top two teams from each league reach the playoffs and then would add a true wildcard team that could come from either league in each association. That wildcard team could also potentially be considered the 4th seed in the playoffs if it is better than the other league's 2nd place team.
For example, if the playoffs began today using that rule, the North Charles Association's seeds would be #1 Nordhagen Beach, #2 Fort Hagen, #3 Starlight, #4 Abernathy, and #5 The Slog. In the "Wildcard Round," The Slog would visit the Adamantium. The winner of that series would travel to Nordhagen Beach in the Association Semifinals with Starlight traveling to Fort Hagen in that same round.
"Having to sit a team just because it finished third in its league has bothered me," Howard stated. "I like having at least two playoff teams per region, so I feel this is the better solution. Still, we need approval from a majority of our owners, and we will vote on that during the offseason."
Raider Blasts Starlight to WC Berth
Despite a fine performance by first baseman Steve Settler, the Abernathy Adamantium lost to the Starlight Lady Killers, 6-5. Settler went 3 for 4 with a home run, a double, and was hit by a pitch, while scoring 3 runs and driving in 2. Larry Undertaker got the save, his 31st in 36 chances. The win gives Starlight a season record of 61-46.
The hero of the game, though, was a Raider. Ryan Raider. Pinch hitting in the top of the 9th with one out and the game tied, Raider took a Jason Worry deep over the left field wall for a game-winning home run. Thanks to Undertaker's efforts in the bottom of the 9th, the Lady Killers are going to the playoffs for the first time since the 2296 season.
"I would say that is the biggest hit of my career," Raider said. Originally drafted in the 12th round of the 2296 CBO Inaugural Draft by the Concord Radstags, Raider had the first clutch hit of his career. "If we win the championship this year, I hope they let me drink from the cup!"
Ashfire Powers Cats to 14-7 Win
Atom first baseman Will Ashfire helped his team beat the University Point Deathclaws, 14-7. Ashfire, who is tied for 6th in the SCA with a .976 OPS, went 3 for 3 for the Cats. The winner was Boss Gentleman, who threw 108 pitches over 6.1 innings. The right-hander was charged with 7 runs on 9 hits. Atom has now won 3 in a row.
With Atom leading 5-4 in the bottom of the second, Ashfire came up to bat against University Point pitcher Quentin Malone. Ashfire hit a fastball to center for a 3-run home run. His 23rd home run of the season put the Cats on top, 8-4.
"We put a lot of pressure on ourselves," Ashfire told a Atom Citizen reporter. "Sometimes we just need to relax."
Four Leafs Rocked By Ghouls, 17-2
The The Slog Ghouls thrashed the Finch Farm Four Leafs, 17-2, at Tarberry Field Forever. Chris Van Benschoten was one of the batting leaders. He went 2 for 4 with 2 home runs and a walk, while scoring 3 times and driving in 5 for The Slog. With the win, The Slog raised its record to 59-48.
The Ghouls got an important contribution from second baseman C.T. Woodard, who in the bottom of the second hit a slider into left for a bases-clearing double. It was his 37th double of the season and put the Ghouls ahead, 7-0.
"We'll keep playing hard and let the chips fall where they may," said The Slog manager Dick Tricky.
Toeclaw, Witch Hats Clobber Bloodbugs, 10-1
The Salem Witch Hats topped the County Crossing Bloodbugs by a score of 10-1. Leading the way was first baseman Antonio Toeclaw. Toeclaw hit 2 home runs, while adding 4 RBI and scoring twice for the Witch Hats. Tony Bertha was the winning pitcher. Over 8.2 innings, he allowed 1 run on 8 hits, with 2 walks and 7 strikeouts. With the victory, the Witch Hats upped their record to 56-51.
Toeclaw contributed a big hit, a 3-run home run, for Salem in the top of the second. With his team trailing 1-0, Toeclaw took a slider from Zach DiGrande and stroked the home run to right. His 18th home run of the season allowed the Witch Hats to leap in front, 3-1.
"We'll pop the top on a cold beverage and get back to work tomorrow," Toeclaw said.
With 6-3 Win, Party Boys Go to 69-38
The Nordhagen Beach Party Boys beat the Easy Town Assaultrons, 6-3, at Slocum's Joe Seaside Stadium. Jonathan Angelou, in particular, was impressive. He went 1 for 2 with a home run and 2 walks, while scoring 2 runs. Tom Mannequin was credited with the save. He has now successfully converted 18 of 19 save opportunities. With the win, Nordhagen Beach pushed its record to 69-38. A 70th victory clinches the #1 seed for the Boys in the NCA.
Early in the game, first baseman Dustin Mart had a 2-run double for Nordhagen Beach. It was his 23rd double of the season and put the Party Boys on top, 2-1.
"I just tried to make good contact," said Angelou.
Silver Shroud Deal Chemists 1-0 Defeat
Starting pitcher Derek Green was a major factor in the 1-0 Fort Hagen Silver Shroud triumph over the Sunshine Tidings Chemists. Green, the winner, moves to 15-5. He threw 6.2 innings of 4-hit ball, while fanning 6 and giving up 2 walks. Fort Hagen leads the North Charles Association Institute League by 7 games.
In the top of the first, Jim Tiller ambushed a 0-1 fastball from Bill Sarnacki and hit a solo home run. It gave Fort Hagen a quick 1-0 lead.
"I just tried to attack the bottom of the zone," Green said.
Hancocks Drop Gunners, 7-2
The Goodneighbor Hancocks picked up a win at The Stone House, taking down the Quincy Gunners, 7-2. Starting pitcher John Oldsink was a big reason why. Oldsink, now 15-8, was the winner. In 8 innings, he gave up 6 hits, while striking out 1, walking 1, and allowing 2 runs. Goodneighbor is now 73-34, 9 games up in the South Charles Association Minutemen League.
Burtie Cuttooth, the 19-year old shortstop , had a direct impact on the outcome. Cuttooth contributed a run-scoring single in the top of the third inning to put Goodneighbor up, 3-2.
"For the most part, I made good pitches when I needed to," said Oldsink.
Knuckle Punchers Win, 7-4, at Diamond City
The Roxbury Knuckle Punchers beat the Diamond City Swatters by a score of 7-4. left fielder Chris Hirshfield deserved the lion's share of the credit. Hirshfield slugged 2 home runs, while scoring 3 times and driving in 2 for the Knuckle Punchers. Beachboy Nut earned the win for Roxbury. He lasted 8 innings, allowing 3 runs on 4 hits, while striking out 6. With the win, he raised his record to 13-12. The Knuckle Punchers sport a record of 39-68.
Young Goodman had a critical at-bat with two out in the top of the sixth for Roxbury. He came through with a 2-run single to put Roxbury in front, 4-0.
Goodman told a Roxbury Gazette reporter that he was "satisfied" with the win.
With the loss, the Swatters now trail Goodneighbor by a game heading into the final day of the season for the #1 seed in the SCA. Should the teams finish tied, the Swatters would get the #1 seed due to the season tiebreaker.