Oops! I just realized there was no 1 July update on the Season Pass Association and now they are almost finished. I guess these leagues are irrelevant though their talent pools keep rising.
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Nuka News Update
Reporting on the NWL, APL, NWLR, and BBL Leagues
by Evan Guy
1 August 2304
Final Month Outlook
With one month (15 games) left to go in the season, the Victory Cave Crickets of the North Bradberton Division and the Quartz Star Force of the South Bradberton Division look to be fully in control to claim their divisions and move on to the Nuka Series.
The Cave Crickets possess a seven-game lead with their magic number at 9. Victory is first in the NWL in runs scored (433) and third in runs allowed (360). They are outscoring opponents per game 5.77 to 4.8, almost a full run per game.
On offense, a trio of CBO castoffs have been leading the charged offense. Though he is not eligible for awards, the trade for LF Jarrett Metalbox (.487/3/18 in 19 games) has helped the Victory offense become more potent. 1B Settler Colon (.372/5/38) and RF Sam Noob (.333/14/54) are also heave contributors.
Runs have come a lot, so the 4.01 Starters ERA is tops in the NWL. The Crickets are led by a trio of starters in Jesse Emancipated (8-7, 4.11), John Diner (7-6, 3.85), and Laurence Crash (10-6, 4.20). The bullpen is not as good with the 7th-best or 2nd-to-last ERA (5.67). One successful pitcher has been closer Daron Hendrix (1 SV, 3.66) who recently took over the role from Ryan Bugg (19 SV, 4.54) who moved into a starting role after the season-ending injury to SP Chad Hartwig (6-7, 3.93).
Quartz has a balance atop the statistics in both runs scored (2nd with 397) and runs allowed (2nd with 340). However, they are not as successful at blowing away their opponents and lead Cherry by only four games in the South Bradberton Division.
The Star Force success on offense has partially come from being the NWL leaders in home runs (86). The two biggest contributors to that power are 2B Brad Krol (.311/18/62) and 1B Thinker Brown (.301/15/50), Other contributors include RF Step Chaver (.374/9/38) and 3B Daniel Rousseaux (.359/5/48) but this is a good lineup throughout their starting eight.
The Force's starters are 3rd in ERA (4.53) and their bullpen is 1st (4.00). None of their current starters, though look outstanding in their numbers, though the Force can be considered a force: SP Craig Widmar (5-6, 4.00), Chris Yao (8-4, 4.13), and Tyrese Dyers (8-6, 4.64). CL Salacious Thames (17 SV, 3.18) and RP David Gusman (2-0, 2.41) lead the bullpen.
Standings
Top Players in May
NWL Hitter - Bumper Robinson made his presence known as one of the best young stars in the Nuka World League this past month.
The Grape Painted Ghouls center fielder shined through the month of July and has won the Batter of the Month award.
The 25-year-old hit .423 with 7 home runs, 33 RBIs and 18 runs scored.
This year Robinson is batting .360 with 103 hits, 16 home runs, 61 RBIs, 27 walks, .421 OBP and has scored 54 runs.
NWL Pitcher - July's #1 hurler was Joe Penaltybox of Cherry. He gunned down Nuka World League hitters the whole month and claimed the Pitcher of the Month award. The Ghoulrillas star piled up 5 wins and 1 loss to take the honor.
The 37-year-old Penaltybox added 27 strikeouts in 46.2 innings and 8 walks to his season record and compiled a 3.09 ERA. Other clubs hit .298 against him.
So far this season Penaltybox has 9 wins and 6 losses and a 3.76 ERA.
NWL Rookie - In July, budding star Jarrett Metalbox had quite a month as he smashed up the Nuka World League and stashed away the Rookie of the Month award in his trophy case.
During the month he hit .487 with 9 doubles, 1 triple and 3 home runs. Metalbox also scored 17 times and drove in 18 runs.
So far this year Metalbox has hit .487 with 3 home runs, 18 RBIs and 17 runs scored.
APL Hitter - For a rookie just breaking in, Hunter Wilde certainly put together a successful month. It was good enough to win the APL Batter of the Month award for July.
The 25-year-old second baseman for the Dry Rock Gulch Convicts hit .320 with 9 home runs, 21 RBIs and 20 runs scored.
In 2304 Wilde has hit at a .333 clip with 55 hits, 14 home runs, 35 RBIs and has scored 34 times.
APL Pitcher - Deuce Slappe of the Galactic Zone G-Force was on top of his game the entire month of July, capping it off with the Amusement Park League Pitcher of the Month honors.
He was outstanding in 7 starts with 5 wins and 1 loss, 41.1 IP, 23 strikeouts and a fine 2.83 ERA.
To date this year, Slappe shows a 12-3 record, 19 starts, 108 innings, 77 strikeouts and a 3.75 ERA.
NWLRL Hitter - When Name Olarti stepped up to the plate in July he did it with confidence, and today he was honored with the NWL Rookie League Batter of the Month award.
The young Quartz B third baseman posted a .407 batting average with 11 home runs, 31 RBIs and scored 31 runs. Olarti also worked pitchers for 18 walks to post a .518 on-base percentage.
Olarti is hitting .386 this year with 11 home runs, 32 RBIs and 34 runs scored. He has 39 hits in 101 at-bats, 22 walks and a .516 on-base percentage. Olarti has played in 35 games.
NWLRL Pitcher - What Mike Grubb of the Orange B Tourists did to NWL Rookie League hitters in July was criminal. He assaulted them, broke them and walked off leaving them lifeless and lost as he stole away with the Pitcher of the Month award for his barbaric behavior.
"Grubb was truly dominant out there," an opposing hitter said to reporters. "He really made hitters miserable."
The 22-year-old reliever threw 30.2 innings in 11 relief appearances as he registered 6 saves, 12 strikeouts, and notched a 5-1 record and 3.52 ERA for the month.
This season, Grubb has 6 saves in 11 relief appearances with a 5-2 mark and 3.43 ERA.
BBL MVP - Os Cazadore of the Fizztop Mountain Conquerors had a fine season this year and today he accepted the Most Valuable Player Award for 2304.
The 16-year-old first baseman put up a .382 average and a .472 on-base percentage, piling up 52 hits, 8 doubles, no triples, 26 home runs, 42 RBIs and 45 runs scored.
He received 5 first place votes out of a possible 8. Rush Clovis of the Ol Sugartop Buckaroos finished second in voting with 3 first place votes, while Isaiah Haircutter of the King Cola Youths finished third.
Player - Team - First Place - Total Points
Os Cazadore - Fizztop Mountain Conquerors - 5 - 97
Rush Clovis - Ol Sugartop Buckaroos - 3 - 87
Isaiah Haircutter - King Cola Youths - 0 - 58
Robber Jannah - South Bradberton Tycoons - 0 - 58
Shi Tyuknot - Fizztop Mountain Conquerors - 0 - 49
Gil Nukalurk - Ol Sugartop Buckaroos - 0 - 38
Maia Bonteri - Ol Sugartop Buckaroos - 0 - 31
Vanden Willard - Mad Mulligan Travelers - 0 - 22
Wedge Anthill - Starport Nuka Hubologists - 0 - 11
Karyn Faro - Starport Nuka Hubologists - 0 - 8
Delian Mors - Fizztop Mountain Conquerors - 0 - 6
Albie Splashdown - South Bradberton Tycoons - 0 - 4
Gideon Hask - Wixon Shovels - 0 - 3
BBL Top Pitcher - Bradberton Boys League hitters didn't have much of a chance in the 2304 season when the Starport Nuka manager wrote "Bug Manigault" on the lineup card. Outing after outing, he held teams in check and usually got a win.
He excelled with a 3-2 mark and 2.40 ERA in 11 starts, tossed 56.1 innings, fanned 66 and held opposing teams to a .191 average.
For his superb season Manigault was today named the BBL Pitcher of the Year Award winner.
He received 7 first place votes out of a possible 8. Dave Weathersby of the Wixon Shovels finished second in voting with 1 first place vote, while Luke Galaxy of the Mad Mulligan Travelers finished third.
Player - Team - First Place - Total Points
Bug Manigault - Starport Nuka Hubologists - 7 - 53
Dave Weathersby - Wixon Shovels - 1 - 33
Luke Galaxy - Mad Mulligan Travelers - 0 - 26
Ziggy Sobotka - Ol Sugartop Buckaroos - 0 - 11
Bubbles Cousins - King Cola Youths - 0 - 8
Antho Seesaw - King Cola Youths - 0 - 2
Wes Janson - Wixon Shovels - 0 - 1
Nelson Safari - Starport Nuka Hubologists - 0 - 1
Cheese Wagstaff - Starport Nuka Hubologists - 0 - 1
BBL Top Reliever - He may only be 14, but Alex G-force of the King Cola Youths has already established himself as one of the elite relievers in the Bradberton Boys League.
The reliever was today named the BBL Reliever of the Year Award winner for 2304.
He won the award with a strong year that saw him put up 8 saves in 14 relief appearances and 19 strikeouts in 15 innings. He had a record of 0-0 to go with his 0.60 ERA.
He received 5 first place votes out of a possible 8. Tony Crews of the Mad Mulligan Travelers finished second in voting with 3 first place votes, while Dick Tracy of the King Cola Youths finished third.
Player - Team - First Place - Total Points
Alex G-force - King Cola Youths - 5 - 32
Tony Crews - Mad Mulligan Travelers - 3 - 30
Dick Tracy - King Cola Youths - 0 - 10
Vim! View
Veracious, Vivacious, Vainglorious Vision of the Vim! Leagues
by Vikky Vail
Crawlers, Atoms Vault into Division Leads
The Dalton Farm Fog Crawlers (43-32) and Grand Hotel Atoms (45-30) each validate their vanguard positions, leading their divisions by four games with 15 to venture. Other teams vaulting into contention in August include Eden Meadows (39-36), Echo Lake (38-37), and Far Harbor (41-34), while the other three teams are on the verge of elimination.
Visually inspecting the Fog Crawlers of the Fog Division, they vault to 2nd in runs scored (421) and victoriously sit 1st in runs allowed (308). Offensive virtuosos include LF James Darling (.336/16/46), C Bill O'Connor (.304/11/38), and SS Chris Huffsettler (.322/8/51). Venturing into recent trades, acquired 3B Ryan Morris (.429/8/25) has been voraciously vibrant in his 25 games since voyaging from the CBO's University Point Deathclaws.
For pitchers, the Crawlers vaunt the best Starters ERA (3.53) and are the 2nd-best in Bullpen ERA (4.48). Valiantly keeping that Starters ERA low are SP Phil Cecil (8-6, 3.36), Justin Wentworth (11-6, 3.53), and Cry Baby Uribe (5-1, 2.83). However, Ace Kyle Hooch (7-8, 4.25) hasn't validated the same valor. In the bullpen, RP Bryan Sines (2-2, 4.15) could be viewed as the most viable over the full season, while CL Jumbo Cleveland (11 SV, 6.00) has vacillated.
Grand Hotel voices the best offense in the Vim! League with 438 runs scored, while they vacate the 3rd position in runs allowed (389). They are vigorously led by two veteran players who've been volcanically dominant: 1B Clean Mullis (.343/23/81) and 3B Danny Pineda (.357/17/70). A vibrant volunteer acquired from the Wild Gatorclaws of the NWL, 2B Rick Herbst (.422/0/8), has vividly boosted the team batting average of .300.
The Atoms starters volley to 3rd in ERA (4.58), and their Bullpen ERA vaults to 4th (4.96). The venerable trio of starters--Nick Glawe (9-3, 3.73), Pat Greer (10-7, 4.51), and Tim Aren't (7-4, 4.15)--could be the vital difference-makers in Grand Hotel's voyage for their first Vim! Series title. Venerable Closer Little Rat Swickard (9 SV, 1.59) has been, by a vast margin, the Atoms best bullpen pitcher.
Standings
Outstanding Players in May (from BNN reports)
VL Hitter - Jarrod Sebiess may be much younger than other hitters in the Vim! League, but he performed like a seasoned veteran in July to win the Batter of the Month award.
The 25-year-old Far Harbor second baseman hit .402 with 12 home runs, 24 RBIs and 26 runs scored.
This season Sebiess is batting .388 with 116 hits, 20 home runs, 64 RBIs, 26 walks, .433 OBP and has scored 58 runs. He has played in 75 games.
VL Pitcher - When the Fog Crawlers skipper wrote Uribe on the lineup card, it was a bad omen for the opposition. Outing after outing in July he took command and usually got the win.
He dominated with a 5-1 mark and 2.87 ERA in 7 starts. The gifted Fog Crawlers star pitched 47 innings, fanned 28 and held opposing teams to a .260 average.
For his excellent mound work Uribe was named the VIML Pitcher of the Month by the baseball writers.
This season Uribe has compiled a 5-1 mark with a 2.83 ERA.
VL Rookie - Jarrod Sebiess earned July's Rookie of the Month honors in the Vim! League for last month's performance. The boyish Far Harbor second baseman might be wet behind the ears, but he's proving that he has what it takes to play at this level.
Sebiess hit .402 with 12 home runs, 24 RBIs and 26 runs scored this past month on his way to winning the award.
On the year Sebiess is hitting .388 with 116 hits, 20 home runs, 64 RBIs, .433 OBP and has scored 58 runs.
MDIL Hitter - Whear Flynn is not used to being associated with Batter of the Month-caliber players, but today the Eagle's Cove second baseman joined that select company when the Mount Desert Island League announced the results of July's voting.
Flynn totaled 34 hits, 17 walks, 6 home runs, 22 RBIs and 28 runs scored last month to put together a .386 batting average and .477 on-base percentage.
To date, Flynn has collected 99 hits for a .357 average. He has posted 16 home runs, scored 62 runs and driven in 58 runs.
MDIL Pitcher - The July Pitcher of the Month has been chosen and the Mount Desert Island League award went to Eagle's Cove hurler, Covington Ti.
During the month, Ti was impressive with a 2.20 ERA and 4 wins and no losses. In 16.1 innings he struck out 14 and gave up 8 hits and 6 walks.
Up to now Ti has recorded a record of 6-2. In 0 starts he has fanned 32 batters in 33 innings with a 3.55 ERA.
VRL Hitter - At only 22 years of age, Do-Good Wilkerson could very well have many more months like this last one during his career.
That would be great news for fans of the Huntress Island Ug-Qualtoths, as July was one to remember for the third baseman and he has captured the VIM! Rookie League Batter of the Month award.
On the month he hit .477 with 17 home runs, 40 RBIs and 41 runs scored.
This season Wilkerson is swinging the bat at a .466 pace. He has hit 23 home runs and scored 50 times, while driving in 53. His on-base percentage is .560 and he has played in 38 games.
VRL Pitcher - The Pitcher of the Month Award has been picked and the VIM! Rookie League victor is Vim Factory relief ace, Biscuit Catalano. For his solid outings in July he has been named the league's premier pitcher.
During the month, the Pops star had 11 saves in 13 save opportunities, a 4.66 ERA and 3 wins and 1 loss. In 19.1 innings Catalano struck out 30 and gave up 16 hits and 5 walks.
So far this season Catalano has chalked up a 4.43 ERA with 13 saves. In 19 relief appearances he has registered a 3-2 won-lost record and struck out 34 batters in 22.1 innings, while walking 6. He has allowed teams to hit .241 against him.
MYL MDIF MVP - The manager of the National Park Rangers said he thinks Kaydel Ko-Connix is only going to get better as he gets older.
He may only be 16, but it will be hard to top the left fielder's 2304 campaign, as he has been named the winner of the Mount Desert Island Four Most Valuable Player Award.
His winning campaign featured a .258 batting average and a .343 on-base percentage this year. In 38 games he piled up 32 hits, 4 doubles, no triples, 9 home runs, 19 RBIs and 24 runs scored.
He received 6 first place votes out of a possible 8. John Glowing of the National Park Rangers finished second in voting with 2 first place votes, while Slowen Lo of the Cliff's Edge Wolves finished third.
Player - Team - First Place - Total Points
Kaydel Ko-Connix - National Park Rangers - 6 - 100
John Glowing - National Park Rangers - 2 - 74
Slowen Lo - Cliff's Edge Wolves - 0 - 71
Moon Maid - National Park Rangers - 0 - 59
Alrich Wren - Cliff's Edge Wolves - 0 - 46
Hugo Arig - Beaver Creek Bowlers - 0 - 35
David Tru - Far Harbor Dockdwellers - 0 - 30
Tallie Lintra - Cliff's Edge Wolves - 0 - 27
Tasu Leech - National Park Rangers - 0 - 17
Diet Smith - Far Harbor Dockdwellers - 0 - 9
Marty Gnome - Beaver Creek Bowlers - 0 - 4
MYL GDIL MVP - Mercurial Swift took Maine Youth Leagues by storm this year, and he did it all at the age of 16.
For his spectacular campaign, the Pleasant Cove Raiders star has been named the 2304 Great Diamond Island League Most Valuable Player Award recipient.
"To be considered amongst the best in the league is overwhelming," said the first baseman.
On the season he compiled a .306 batting average to go with a .370 on-base percentage. The native of Stamford, Connecticut also added 8 doubles, no triples, 11 home runs, 16 RBIs and 23 runs scored.
He received 8 first place votes, as a unanimous winner. Harter Kalonia of the Diamond Cove Fort Knights finished second in voting, while Trent Chuppta of the Echo Point Glowers finished third.
Player - Team - First Place - Total Points
Mercurial Swift - Pleasant Cove Raiders - 8 - 112
Harter Kalonia - Diamond Cove Fort Knights - 0 - 72
Trent Chuppta - Echo Point Glowers - 0 - 57
Pan Sea - Echo Point Glowers - 0 - 50
Victor Numb - Sunset Park Anglers - 0 - 49
Ushos Statura - Diamond Cove Fort Knights - 0 - 46
Clutch Cash - Echo Point Glowers - 0 - 32
Oma Tres - Pleasant Cove Raiders - 0 - 21
Laze Loneozner - Pleasant Cove Raiders - 0 - 15
Lorsan Tekka - Echo Point Glowers - 0 - 15
Cobb Vanth - Diamond Cove Fort Knights - 0 - 2
Purr Dee - Diamond Cove Fort Knights - 0 - 1
MYL MDIF Pitcher - This year there was no one better on the mound than Greer Sonnel. Posting 4 wins and a 1.74 ERA was only part of the story for the National Park superstar. For his outstanding performance in 2304 he was chosen as the Mount Desert Island Four Pitcher of the Year Award winner.
From start to finish Sonnel never let up. In 10 starts he recorded 4 wins and 1 loss, 67.1 innings, 69 strikeouts, 11 walks, yielded 51 hits, and permitted opposing batters to hit .205 against him.
He received 4 first place votes out of a possible 8. Steve Cranberry of the Far Harbor Dockdwellers finished second in voting with 4 first place votes, while Truss Tee of the National Park Rangers finished third.
Player - Team - First Place - Total Points
Greer Sonnel - National Park Rangers - 4 - 44
Steve Cranberry - Far Harbor Dockdwellers - 4 - 43
Truss Tee - National Park Rangers - 0 - 24
Flat Top - Beaver Creek Bowlers - 0 - 17
Right Out Straight - Far Harbor Dockdwellers - 0 - 4
Ric Olie - National Park Rangers - 0 - 3
Camie Marstrap - Cliff's Edge Wolves - 0 - 1
MYL GDIL Pitcher - The Pitcher of the Year Award for 2304 has been announced and the Great Diamond Island League winner is Jerus Jannick of the Pleasant Cove Raiders.
With a record of 4-1, Jannick was certainly a worthy winner. He made 5 starts and rang up 45 innings, 43 strikeouts and a 1.40 ERA.
He received 8 first place votes, as a unanimous winner. Temiri Blagg of the Pleasant Cove Raiders finished second in voting, while Mumbles Hoffman of the Sunset Park Anglers finished third.
Player - Team - First Place - Total Points
Jerus Jannick - Pleasant Cove Raiders - 8 - 56
Temiri Blagg - Pleasant Cove Raiders - 0 - 32
Mumbles Hoffman - Sunset Park Anglers - 0 - 19
Mandy Downcellar - Sunset Park Anglers - 0 - 18
Beaumont Kin - Diamond Cove Fort Knights - 0 - 11
MYL MDIF Reliever - At the young age of only 14, David HQ has been named the Mount Desert Island Four Reliever of the Year Award winner for 2304.
The future appears bright for the National Park Rangers relief ace, who captured the award with no saves in 13 relief appearances, 9 strikeouts in 15.1 innings and a record of 0-0 to go with his 1.17 ERA.
He received 7 first place votes out of a possible 8. Ant Reddeath of the Cliff's Edge Wolves finished second in voting, while Victor Aster of the National Park Rangers finished third with 1 first place vote.
Player - Team - First Place - Total Points
David HQ - National Park Rangers - 7 - 38
Ant Reddeath - Cliff's Edge Wolves - 0 - 18
Victor Aster - National Park Rangers - 1 - 8
Flatlander Flanagan - Beaver Creek Bowlers - 0 - 5
Pop Sea - Cliff's Edge Wolves - 0 - 3
MYL GDIL Reliever - Kazuda Xiono said he thinks hitters often underestimate him, as he's only 16 years old.
But he'll certainly be getting a lot more respect now, as the Echo Point Glowers rising star has won the Great Diamond Island League Reliever of the Year Award for 2304.
He captured the award on the strength of his 2.40 ERA over 30 innings. He also had 13 saves in 21 relief appearances, 29 strikeouts and only 7 walks.
He received 8 first place votes, as a unanimous winner. Tommy Petty of the Diamond Cove Fort Knights finished second in voting, while Vim Vimson of the Sunset Park Anglers finished third.
Player - Team - First Place - Total Points
Kazuda Xiono - Echo Point Glowers - 8 - 40
Tommy Petty - Diamond Cove Fort Knights - 0 - 24
Vim Vimson - Sunset Park Anglers - 0 - 5
Big Cat Vollmer - Diamond Cove Fort Knights - 0 - 3