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reds1 · 12-24-2022, 04:15 PM

After a seemingly never-ending off-season, the familiar sounds of spring returned in September as the Coconut Leagues got under way in preparation for Opening Day. It marks the 20th season for the United Leagues, and it plans to be an historic one as the Leagues hope to name a new Commissioner before the season is out to replace the retiring Sir David Westfall.

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New Uniforms

The Downie Chiefs return to a look they last wore in 1950, abut this time with zipper-front jerseys. They join the Wolseley Unions as the only two zipped-up teams in the Leagues.

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Eastern League Results

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Just like last season, the Embro Suns jumped out to great start and never looked back, finishing with the best record in all the Coconut Leagues. Behind them was last season’s playoff teams, the Stratford Barons and Wellington Athletics. The projections point to the Barons having another strong year, pacing the East with 92 victories. But the wild card race could be wide open, with four teams projected to finish above .500.

One of those teams is the Cobourg Redlegs, who finished in last place last season. But the club could be the beneficiary of the projected emergence of their 24-year old shortstop, Douglas Jones (68/80). Jones, rated the No. 1 prospect back in October 1952, has battled significant injuries (torn labrum, fractured hand) that has curtailed his playing time over the previous two seasons. But he did pick up his first Ball Hawk Award last year and he has few weaknesses when healthy. He is an outstanding defender with great speed and the ability to hit the ball out of the park every time he comes to the plate (65/65). If he can stay off the DL, the Redlegs may have someone special in the young, power-hitting shortstop for years to come.

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Western League Results

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The West standings were exceptionally tight throughout Spring Training, with only 5 games separating first from last place for nearly the entire stretch of exhibition games. The Balmoral Giants started slow, going 3-7 to start the campaign but went 11-4 over the final half to take top spot.

One noteworthy game was the 22-inning, 6.5 hour marathon between the Kingston Pelicans and Pulberry Trolleys on September 14. The hometown Pelicans took a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the 1st thanks to a 3-run home run by 1B Ira Bannatyne off of LHP Bart Ohara. But the Trolleys pushed two runs across in the 3rd to knot things up. No runs were scored until the 10th inning when both teams added two runs each to keep things tied. It remained 5-5 for 11 more innings until Pulberry finally broke the tie in the top of the 22nd, scoring two runs thanks to a double, two singles and a throwing error. Kingston was unable to score any runs in the bottom half, giving the Trolleys a 7-5 win.

Nevertheless, the projections point to this season being a two-team race in the West, with the Sherburn Tigers and the defending United Cup Champions Pulberry Trolleys locking up the two playoff spots for the second straight year.

A couple of promising 24-year-olds have been installed as their team’s No. 3 hitter and are projected to have big seasons. 1B Ira Bannatyne (44/50), a second-round pick from 1950-51, is now installed as the Pelicans’ everyday first baseman, now that they parted ways with 28-year old Harry Herold (44/44). Herold now starts for the Stratford Barons. Kingston is not projected to be in the playoff picture this season, but Bannatyne may provide some highlights for an otherwise middling team.

On the other hand, LF Leon Albrecht (48/80) could have a significant impact on his team’s fortunes this season. The former 1st overall pick was rated the No. 1 prospect back in October 1955 and is already rated as the 5th best leftfielder in the United Leagues. With a strong cast surrounding him, the sophomore may lead the Tigers to top spot in the West as the projections indicate. The Tigers have never finished in first place.

Finally, the Hespeler Stars may realize a decent 1-2 punch in the rotation if the projections for 27-year old LHP Amoka Kalea (52/53) pan out. Acquired in a trade from the Queensland Eagles back in May 1955, scouts feel the former 3rd-rond pick is a solid investment with good movement (55/55), control (55/60) and average stuff (50/50). He will pitch right behind 28-year old RHP Battista Corotta (53/53), who also is projected to have another fine season.

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Here are the top players and pitchers and top 20 prospects as updated on Opening Day. Also included are the latest leaderboards for a slew of offensive and pitching categories.

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Leaderboards

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12-24-2022, 04:15 PM	#766
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,919	After a seemingly never-ending off-season, the familiar sounds of spring returned in September as the Coconut Leagues got under way in preparation for Opening Day. It marks the 20th season for the United Leagues, and it plans to be an historic one as the Leagues hope to name a new Commissioner before the season is out to replace the retiring Sir David Westfall. ----------- New Uniforms The Downie Chiefs return to a look they last wore in 1950, abut this time with zipper-front jerseys. They join the Wolseley Unions as the only two zipped-up teams in the Leagues. ----------- Eastern League Results --------- Just like last season, the Embro Suns jumped out to great start and never looked back, finishing with the best record in all the Coconut Leagues. Behind them was last season’s playoff teams, the Stratford Barons and Wellington Athletics. The projections point to the Barons having another strong year, pacing the East with 92 victories. But the wild card race could be wide open, with four teams projected to finish above .500. One of those teams is the Cobourg Redlegs, who finished in last place last season. But the club could be the beneficiary of the projected emergence of their 24-year old shortstop, Douglas Jones (68/80). Jones, rated the No. 1 prospect back in October 1952, has battled significant injuries (torn labrum, fractured hand) that has curtailed his playing time over the previous two seasons. But he did pick up his first Ball Hawk Award last year and he has few weaknesses when healthy. He is an outstanding defender with great speed and the ability to hit the ball out of the park every time he comes to the plate (65/65). If he can stay off the DL, the Redlegs may have someone special in the young, power-hitting shortstop for years to come. --------- Western League Results --------- The West standings were exceptionally tight throughout Spring Training, with only 5 games separating first from last place for nearly the entire stretch of exhibition games. The Balmoral Giants started slow, going 3-7 to start the campaign but went 11-4 over the final half to take top spot. One noteworthy game was the 22-inning, 6.5 hour marathon between the Kingston Pelicans and Pulberry Trolleys on September 14. The hometown Pelicans took a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the 1st thanks to a 3-run home run by 1B Ira Bannatyne off of LHP Bart Ohara. But the Trolleys pushed two runs across in the 3rd to knot things up. No runs were scored until the 10th inning when both teams added two runs each to keep things tied. It remained 5-5 for 11 more innings until Pulberry finally broke the tie in the top of the 22nd, scoring two runs thanks to a double, two singles and a throwing error. Kingston was unable to score any runs in the bottom half, giving the Trolleys a 7-5 win. Nevertheless, the projections point to this season being a two-team race in the West, with the Sherburn Tigers and the defending United Cup Champions Pulberry Trolleys locking up the two playoff spots for the second straight year. A couple of promising 24-year-olds have been installed as their team’s No. 3 hitter and are projected to have big seasons. 1B Ira Bannatyne (44/50), a second-round pick from 1950-51, is now installed as the Pelicans’ everyday first baseman, now that they parted ways with 28-year old Harry Herold (44/44). Herold now starts for the Stratford Barons. Kingston is not projected to be in the playoff picture this season, but Bannatyne may provide some highlights for an otherwise middling team. On the other hand, LF Leon Albrecht (48/80) could have a significant impact on his team’s fortunes this season. The former 1st overall pick was rated the No. 1 prospect back in October 1955 and is already rated as the 5th best leftfielder in the United Leagues. With a strong cast surrounding him, the sophomore may lead the Tigers to top spot in the West as the projections indicate. The Tigers have never finished in first place. Finally, the Hespeler Stars may realize a decent 1-2 punch in the rotation if the projections for 27-year old LHP Amoka Kalea (52/53) pan out. Acquired in a trade from the Queensland Eagles back in May 1955, scouts feel the former 3rd-rond pick is a solid investment with good movement (55/55), control (55/60) and average stuff (50/50). He will pitch right behind 28-year old RHP Battista Corotta (53/53), who also is projected to have another fine season. --------- Here are the top players and pitchers and top 20 prospects as updated on Opening Day. Also included are the latest leaderboards for a slew of offensive and pitching categories. --------- Leaderboards --------- --------- __________________ United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 12-25-2022 at 12:58 AM.