Awards Issue
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Nuka News Update
Reporting on the NWL, NWLB, and APYL Leagues
by Evan Guy
Nuka League Awards
Great Year Gets Sanderson NWL Nuka King Award: Today Wild's Melon Sanderson was named the Nuka World League Nuka King Award winner for 2301. He pounded NWL hurlers hard all season long, collecting 113 hits in 242 at-bats.
With a .467 batting average, 13 doubles, 1 triple, 31 home runs, 79 RBIs and 72 runs scored, he was the top vote-getter.
He received 8 first place votes, as a unanimous winner. Justin Salvage of the Dark Bloodworms finished second in voting, while Brennan Barratt of the Orange Tourists finished third.
Player - Team - First Place - Total Points
Melon Sanderson - Wild Gatorclaws - 8 - 112
Justin Salvage - Dark Bloodworms - 0 - 67
Brennan Barratt - Orange Tourists - 0 - 66
Willy Mazehaze - Grape Painted Ghouls - 0 - 46
Thinker Brown - Quartz Star Force - 0 - 43
Ham Porter - Grape Painted Ghouls - 0 - 34
Spratt Turnpike - Victory Cave Crickets - 0 - 26
Nick Homebody - Grape Painted Ghouls - 0 - 21
Matt Wells - Cherry Ghoulrillas - 0 - 17
Elliott Orejel - Grape Painted Ghouls - 0 - 15
Eric Streetwalker - Quantum Nukalurks - 0 - 14
Phil Roachrider - Victory Cave Crickets - 0 - 10
Coast Vieira - Quantum Nukalurks - 0 - 1
Nuka Cannon Award Goes to Victory Hurler: A sparkling 9-7 mark for the year just about says it all -- that's what John Diner of the Victory Cave Crickets put up this season. That's why the Nuka World League rated him the #1 hurler in the league and named him the 2301 Nuka Cannon Award winner.
He held opposing clubs to a .258 batting average and compiled a 2.97 ERA. Diner stood out with 123 strikeouts while giving up 152 hits and 40 walks in 148.2 innings.
He received 5 first place votes out of a possible 8. Bull Johnson of the Orange Tourists finished second in voting with 3 first place votes, while Tyler Parks of the Grape Painted Ghouls finished third.
Player - Team - First Place - Total Points
John Diner - Victory Cave Crickets - 5 - 47
Bull Johnson - Orange Tourists - 3 - 40
Tyler Parks - Grape Painted Ghouls - 0 - 25
Loweland Waterdrop - Quantum Nukalurks - 0 - 12
Jesse Emacipated - Victory Cave Crickets - 0 - 11
Sooner Coen - Orange Tourists - 0 - 1
Dev Wins NWL Manager of the Year Trophy: Nick Dev stepped before the microphone today and accepted his Nuka World League Manager of the Year award, thanking the whole Orange Tourists organization for making the 2301 season such a success.
Dev struggled to find the right words. "My father was a drill instructor in the military. He taught me that you have to work hard, set goals and accept responsibility for your actions. That's what the entire Orange organization did this year. My dedicated owner, coaching staff, hard-working and talented players and loyal front office all made this award possible. I thank them for it."
And what a year it was. Dev sparked the Tourists to a 52-32 record and a first in the Nuka World League standings.
Barratt Receives NWL Nuka Baby Bottle Award: The debut season of Orange's first baseman Brennan Barratt was capped off today with the announcement that he has been crowned the 2301 Nuka World League Nuka Baby Bottle Award winner.
Here are his season stats: 82 games played, a .434 average, 142 hits, 10 home runs, 31 walks and a .479 on-base percentage. Barratt also drove in 64 runs and scored 74 times.
He received 8 first place votes, as a unanimous winner. Thinker Brown of the Quartz Star Force finished second in voting, while Bull Johnson of the Orange Tourists finished third.
Player - Team - First Place - Total Points
Brennan Barratt - Orange Tourists - 8 - 40
Thinker Brown - Quartz Star Force - 0 - 24
Bull Johnson - Orange Tourists - 0 - 5
T.J. McMath - Quantum Nukalurks - 0 - 3
NWL Stars Named Nuka Power Bat Award Winners: Pitchers around the Nuka World League had difficulty pitching to this group of hitters all season long, and for their strong seasons, they have been honored with the Nuka Power Bat Award for 2301.
The winners are:
Pitcher
Dennis Hacker (Cherry Ghoulrillas)
.396/.477/.536, 222 AB, 3 HR, 1 SB, 162 wRC+, 2.8 WAR
Catcher
Matt Wells (Cherry Ghoulrillas)
.385/.454/.563, 247 AB, 7 HR, 1 SB, 162 wRC+, 3.0 WAR
First Baseman
Brennan Barratt (Orange Tourists)
.434/.479/.636, 327 AB, 10 HR, 8 SB, 186 wRC+, 4.7 WAR
Second Baseman
Allen Burmaster (Dark Bloodworms)
.331/.396/.446, 305 AB, 3 HR, 17 SB, 119 wRC+, 2.2 WAR
Third Baseman
Spratt Turnpike (Victory Cave Crickets)
.365/.409/.520, 348 AB, 12 HR, 134 wRC+, 3.3 WAR
Shortstop
Elliott Orejel (Grape Painted Ghouls)
.226/.272/.549, 319 AB, 29 HR, 3 SB, 97 wRC+, 1.7 WAR
Left Fielder
Ham Porter (Grape Painted Ghouls)
.335/.396/.587, 322 AB, 19 HR, 12 SB, 147 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
Center Fielder
Willy Mazehaze (Grape Painted Ghouls)
.316/.380/.514, 329 AB, 12 HR, 45 SB, 129 wRC+, 3.5 WAR
Right Fielder
Melon Sanderson (Wild Gatorclaws)
.467/.539/.913, 242 AB, 31 HR, 7 SB, 260 wRC+, 5.8 WAR
Top NWL Reliever Honored: Tony Salas said he thinks hitters often underestimate him, as he's only 22 years old.
But he'll certainly be getting a lot more respect now, as the Orange Tourists rising star has won the Nuka World League Nuka Thirst Zapper Award for 2301.
He captured the award on the strength of his 2.07 ERA over 61 innings. He also had no saves in 45 relief appearances, 63 strikeouts and only 18 walks.
He received 8 first place votes, as a unanimous winner. Logan Greaves of the Wild Gatorclaws finished second in voting, while Serious Joe Tully of the Orange Tourists finished third.
Player - Team - First Place - Total Points
Tony Salas - Orange Tourists - 8 - 40
Logan Greaves - Wild Gatorclaws - 0 - 24
Serious Joe Tully - Orange Tourists - 0 - 6
Bryan Joltstain - Grape Painted Ghouls - 0 - 2
Year's Best Gloves Selected by Nuka World League: The Nuka World League has today announced the winners of the 2301 Nuka Power Glove Award. The following players have been honored for defensive excellence:
Pitcher
Scrambled Legs (Grape Painted Ghouls)
Catcher
Kyle Hodges (Quartz Star Force)
First Baseman
Coast Vieira (Quantum Nukalurks)
Second Baseman
Stade Whack (Orange Tourists)
Third Baseman
Jackel Liutt (Dark Bloodworms)
Shortstop
Mike Blackheart (Cherry Ghoulrillas)
Left Fielder
Moonlight Graham (Cherry Ghoulrillas)
Center Fielder
Willy Mazehaze (Grape Painted Ghouls)
Right Fielder
Rich Troike (Grape Painted Ghouls)
NWLB Awards
2301 Best Player Selected In NWLB: Godzilla Oddball took NWL B League by storm this year, and he did it all at the age of 24.
For his spectacular campaign, the Quantum B Nukalurks star has been named the 2301 NWL B League Most Valuable Player Award recipient.
"To be considered amongst the best in the league is overwhelming," said the right fielder.
On the season he compiled a .254 batting average to go with a .324 on-base percentage. The native of Watertown, Massachusetts also added 14 doubles, 4 triples, 4 home runs, 27 RBIs and 30 runs scored.
He received 2 first place votes out of a possible 8. Keychain Colvin of the Quantum B Nukalurks finished second in voting with 3 first place votes, while David Valle of the Cherry B Ghoulrillas finished third with 2 first place votes.
Player - Team - First Place - Total Points
Godzilla Oddball - Quantum B Nukalurks - 2 - 81
Keychain Colvin - Quantum B Nukalurks - 3 - 77
David Valle - Cherry B Ghoulrillas - 2 - 75
Cuss Rankin - Grape B Painted Ghouls - 0 - 56
Kell Leek - Quantum B Nukalurks - 1 - 55
Yes Jeanrip - Orange B Tourists - 0 - 43
Beachy Masters - Grape B Painted Ghouls - 0 - 34
Greg Phillips - Cherry B Ghoulrillas - 0 - 27
Blue Gralinski - Wild B Gatorclaws - 0 - 16
Jaime Reynolds - Quartz B Star Force - 0 - 3
Roberto Cuevas - Cherry B Ghoulrillas - 0 - 2
Anvil Harrison - Quantum B Nukalurks - 0 - 1
Justin Kowaleski - Quartz B Star Force - 0 - 1
Smarmy Quill - Wild B Gatorclaws - 0 - 1
Ghoulrillas Madrid, Pitcher of the Year Award Winner: Manny Madrid had a sensational 2301 season in the NWL B League. The Cherry B pitching machine has been proclaimed this year's Pitcher of the Year Award recipient.
This season Madrid starred with a 14-2 record. In 20 starts he gave up 69 base hits and struck out 183 in 143.1 innings with a 1.19 ERA.
He received 5 first place votes out of a possible 8. Dougy Beerholder of the Grape B Painted Ghouls finished second in voting with 3 first place votes, while Jaden Chavis of the Quantum B Nukalurks finished third.
Player - Team - First Place - Total Points
Manny Madrid - Cherry B Ghoulrillas - 5 - 47
Dougy Beerholder - Grape B Painted Ghouls - 3 - 41
Jaden Chavis - Quantum B Nukalurks - 0 - 23
Bob Tipton - Quantum B Nukalurks - 0 - 15
Noah Ark - Victory B Cave Crickets - 0 - 7
Ivan Castle - Orange B Tourists - 0 - 2
Jaime Reynolds - Quartz B Star Force - 0 - 1
NWL B League Selects Manager of the Year: A baseball manager's success usually depends on the talent of his club, but in the case of Cop Diaz, he seems to have taken the Quantum B Nukalurks to a higher level and gotten his just due. He was named this season's Manager of the Year in the NWL B League for leading the team to a very rewarding season.
"Everyone on the team put in a lot of hard work this season," he told reporters. "It's always nice when it's acknowledged in some way."
Diaz led Quantum B to a first place finish in the Division 1. The Nukalurks ended up with a 54-30 record.
Big Hitters Get Named NWLB Platinum Stick Award Winners: The winners of the NWL B League Platinum Stick Award demonstrated "consistent and outstanding offensive excellence," according to a statement made from the office of the NWL B League commissioner.
The winners for 2301 are:
Pitcher
Kell Leek (Quantum B Nukalurks)
.193/.258/.319, 254 AB, 8 HR, 5 SB, 118 wRC+, 1.7 WAR
Catcher
David Valle (Cherry B Ghoulrillas)
.268/.384/.478, 157 AB, 9 HR, 226 wRC+, 3.8 WAR
First Baseman
Keychain Colvin (Quantum B Nukalurks)
.273/.392/.376, 282 AB, 3 HR, 186 wRC+, 3.8 WAR
Second Baseman
Goff Parlor (Cherry B Ghoulrillas)
.196/.323/.272, 235 AB, 1 HR, 2 SB, 121 wRC+, 1.9 WAR
Third Baseman
Roberto Cuevas (Cherry B Ghoulrillas)
.190/.303/.355, 200 AB, 9 HR, 1 SB, 151 wRC+, 2.1 WAR
Shortstop
Bam Schumacher (Wild B Gatorclaws)
.185/.250/.284, 271 AB, 5 HR, 6 SB, 104 wRC+, 0.6 WAR
Left Fielder
Beachy Masters (Grape B Painted Ghouls)
.212/.313/.353, 306 AB, 8 HR, 10 SB, 150 wRC+, 3.0 WAR
Center Fielder
Kell Leek (Quantum B Nukalurks)
.193/.258/.319, 254 AB, 8 HR, 5 SB, 118 wRC+, 1.7 WAR
Right Fielder
Godzilla Oddball (Quantum B Nukalurks)
.254/.324/.375, 280 AB, 4 HR, 10 SB, 163 wRC+, 4.4 WAR
NWLB Reliever of the Year Award Winner Named: At the age of 20, Dylan December says he still has a lot to learn about life in NWL B League.
But he certainly seems to be a quick study, as the Quartz B Star Force reliever was better than all others this year and has captured the 2301 NWL B League Reliever of the Year Award.
"I hope to win this a few more times before all is said and done in my career," the Marion, Virginia native said.
For the season, December had 10 saves in 29 relief appearances, which totaled 34.2. He fanned 36 betters, while walking 15 and put up a record of 1-0 to go with his 1.04 ERA.
He received 8 first place votes, as a unanimous winner. Robbie League of the Dark B Bloodworms finished second in voting, while Brian Diles of the Quantum B Nukalurks finished third.
Player - Team - First Place - Total Points
Dylan December - Quartz B Star Force - 8 - 40
Robbie League - Dark B Bloodworms - 0 - 18
Brian Diles - Quantum B Nukalurks - 0 - 6
Maine Marty Drennon - Grape B Painted Ghouls - 0 - 4
Nick Holt - Quantum B Nukalurks - 0 - 4
NWLB Honors 2301 Great Glove Award Winners: On the defensive side of the game pitchers always get the glory, but the best pitchers know their success hinges on the gloves behind them. The defensive dream team in the NWL B League for 2301 has been announced, and the Great Glove Award trophies will be presented to these outstanding fielders:
Pitcher
Dougy Beerholder (Grape B Painted Ghouls)
Catcher
Dobbie Bloodworm (Quantum B Nukalurks)
First Baseman
Savoy Slurp (Victory B Cave Crickets)
Second Baseman
Poop Strohbehn (Quantum B Nukalurks)
Third Baseman
Brad D'Amato (Quantum B Nukalurks)
Shortstop
Chris Cappy (Cherry B Ghoulrillas)
Left Fielder
Beg Goodson (Quartz B Star Force)
Center Fielder
Tubby Cricket (Cherry B Ghoulrillas)
Right Fielder
Danny Caller (Cherry B Ghoulrillas)
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Vim! View
Veracious, Vivacious, Vainglorious Vision of the Vim! Leagues
by Vikky Vail
Vim! League Awards
Jared Herdman Chosen VIML's #1 Player: Jared Herdman of the Rayburn Point Patcheyes had a fine season this year and today he accepted the Vim! MVP Award for 2301.
The 35-year-old second baseman put up a .329 average and a .407 on-base percentage, piling up 103 hits, 16 doubles, 2 triples, 18 home runs, 60 RBIs and 57 runs scored.
He ended up tied with Chris Huffsettler with 112 total votes and 112 first place votes.
Player - Team - First Place - Total Points
Jared Herdman - Rayburn Point Patcheyes - 5 - 112
Chris Huffsettler - Dalton Farm Fog Crawlers - 5 - 112
Alex Hopp - Acadia Acadians - 0 - 79
Brendan Seafarer - National Park Gulpers - 0 - 76
Cujo Jones - Rayburn Point Patcheyes - 0 - 53
Howie McGregor - Far Harbor Ghoul Whales - 0 - 43
Jason Harpooner - Brooke's Head Behemoths - 0 - 42
Eric Forman - Brooke's Head Behemoths - 0 - 23
C.J. Hodgdon - Far Harbor Ghoul Whales - 0 - 19
Bobby Castillo - Echo Lake Harbormen - 0 - 18
Drew Buntrock - Far Harbor Ghoul Whales - 0 - 10
Davey Cumpton - Rayburn Point Patcheyes - 0 - 2
Steve Wallace - Acadia Acadians - 0 - 1
VIML Presents Outstanding Pitcher Award: The Vim! Top Arm Award for 2301 has been announced and the Vim! League winner is Jesse Prentiss of the Echo Lake Harbormen.
With a record of 10-7, Prentiss was certainly a worthy winner. He made 21 starts and rang up 161 innings, 95 strikeouts and a 2.57 ERA.
He received 7 first place votes out of a possible 10. Scott Cournoyer of the Cranberry Island Hermit Crabs finished second in voting with 3 first place votes, while Tony Hose of the Cranberry Island Hermit Crabs finished third.
Player - Team - First Place - Total Points
Jesse Prentiss - Echo Lake Harbormen - 7 - 61
Scott Cournoyer - Cranberry Island Hermit Crabs - 3 - 49
Tony Hose - Cranberry Island Hermit Crabs - 0 - 26
Dusty Gallogly - Dalton Farm Fog Crawlers - 0 - 17
Tanner Kern - Far Harbor Ghoul Whales - 0 - 14
Brennan Collins - Far Harbor Ghoul Whales - 0 - 2
Late Night McIlvaine - Acadia Acadians - 0 - 1
Vim! League Selects Manager of the Year: Jason Bassfish celebrated a successful season with the Far Harbor Ghoul Whales by hosting team officials and select media at a Far Harbor area first-class eatery. But when he first came to town, the 2301 Vim! League Manager of the Year was met with a good measure of skepticism.
"Very few people believed in our ballclub when I got here. It just goes to show you that a bunch of talented ballplayers playing together can make any old manager a genius," a modest Bassfish joked, not fully recognizing his own stature in the baseball community.
However, baseball journalists duly noted his managerial skill as he skippered the Ghoul Whales to a 46-38 record this year and a first place finish in the Vim! League Harbor Division.
VIML's Top Rookie Acclaimed: Alex Hopp turned a lot of heads in Vim! League circles this season, putting together a solid rookie campaign. Today he claimed the VIML Vim! Fresh Face Award.
The 23-year-old Acadia right fielder played in 84 games, hitting .304 with 20 home runs, 68 RBIs and scoring 64 runs.
He received 6 first place votes out of a possible 10. Brendan Seafarer of the National Park Gulpers finished second in voting with 4 first place votes, while Cujo Jones of the Rayburn Point Patcheyes finished third.
Player - Team - First Place - Total Points
Alex Hopp - Acadia Acadians - 6 - 42
Brendan Seafarer - National Park Gulpers - 4 - 38
Cujo Jones - Rayburn Point Patcheyes - 0 - 10
Big Hitters Get Named VIML Vim! Best Batters Award Winners: The Vim! Best Batters Award goes to the player at each position around the diamond who shows the best offensive skills. This group of players gave Vim! League pitchers trouble all year and have been honored for 2301:
Pitcher
Carlos Manchild (Echo Lake Harbormen)
.324/.359/.324, 37 AB, 86 wRC+, 0.1 WAR
Catcher
Bill O'Connor (Brooke's Head Behemoths)
.282/.385/.460, 213 AB, 8 HR, 134 wRC+, 2.3 WAR
First Baseman
Bobby Castillo (Echo Lake Harbormen)
.315/.360/.614, 241 AB, 20 HR, 162 wRC+, 2.4 WAR
Second Baseman
Jared Herdman (Rayburn Point Patcheyes)
.329/.407/.565, 313 AB, 18 HR, 13 SB, 168 wRC+, 3.9 WAR
Third Baseman
Cujo Jones (Rayburn Point Patcheyes)
.302/.376/.578, 308 AB, 18 HR, 4 SB, 152 wRC+, 3.9 WAR
Shortstop
Chris Huffsettler (Dalton Farm Fog Crawlers)
.295/.373/.539, 336 AB, 17 HR, 3 SB, 149 wRC+, 5.4 WAR
Left Fielder
Davey Cumpton (Rayburn Point Patcheyes)
.325/.383/.612, 209 AB, 16 HR, 170 wRC+, 1.9 WAR
Center Fielder
Jason Harpooner (Brooke's Head Behemoths)
.301/.374/.477, 342 AB, 11 HR, 21 SB, 137 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
Right Fielder
Alex Hopp (Acadia Acadians)
.304/.388/.617, 316 AB, 20 HR, 7 SB, 165 wRC+, 4.1 WAR
Kuljanin Grabs VIML Vim! Refresh Reliever Award: At the age of 20, Money Kuljanin says he still has a lot to learn about life in Vim! League.
But he certainly seems to be a quick study, as the Brooke's Head Behemoths reliever was better than all others this year and has captured the 2301 Vim! League Vim! Refresh Reliever Award.
"I hope to win this a few more times before all is said and done in my career," the New York native said.
For the season, Kuljanin had 5 saves in 25 relief appearances, which totaled 30. He fanned 19 betters, while walking 14 and put up a record of 2-1 to go with his 2.70 ERA.
He received 9 first place votes out of a possible 10. James Schwerdtfeger of the Grand Hotel Atoms finished second in voting, while David Strobeck of the Eden Meadows Anglers finished third.
Player - Team - First Place - Total Points
Money Kuljanin - Brooke's Head Behemoths - 9 - 45
James Schwerdtfeger - Grand Hotel Atoms - 0 - 21
David Strobeck - Eden Meadows Anglers - 0 - 11
Sheep Sanchez - Echo Lake Harbormen - 1 - 8
Chris Waters - Far Harbor Ghoul Whales - 0 - 4
Chris Blackmire - Far Harbor Ghoul Whales - 0 - 1
VIML Vim! Best Gloves Award Winners Announced: Great glovemen can range far and wide to make a backhand stop or an over-the-shoulder catch -- and the best usually make it look easy. Today the winners of the Vim! League Vim! Best Gloves Award for 2301 were announced. These awards for defensive excellence go to:
Pitcher
Scott Cournoyer (Cranberry Island Hermit Crabs)
Catcher
Bobby Stanberry (Rayburn Point Patcheyes)
First Baseman
Adrian Baldwin (Far Harbor Ghoul Whales)
Second Baseman
No Go Thompson (Cranberry Island Hermit Crabs)
Third Baseman
Barzy Barzola (Dalton Farm Fog Crawlers)
Shortstop
Chris Huffsettler (Dalton Farm Fog Crawlers)
Left Fielder
Slick Nick Henderson (Acadia Acadians)
Center Fielder
Drew Buntrock (Far Harbor Ghoul Whales)
Right Fielder
Jeff Cramer (National Park Gulpers)