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BASE BALL’S MARQUEE NAMES

NEW YORK, May 5 (1857) – The National Base Ball Organization’s first season of competition begins tomorrow, and before the action on the field begins it would behoove fans and readers alike to familiarize themselves with players whom various writers and members of the press throughout the Northeastern United States are declaring to the best in the N.B.B.O.

Below are the favorites for the 1857 Team of the Year in each league, with the New York League listed first and the Northeastern League second. (All ratings and notes below are on a 20-80 scale based on input from regional writers)

NEW YORK LEAGUE

PITCHER: Art Maxwell – Bedford – 33 y/o, 6’0”, 200 lbs. from Wayne PA
• PITCHING: Stuff 65, Movement 70, Control 65
• DEFENSE (P): Range 35, Error 35, Arm 45, Overall 55
• OTHER: Stamina 50, Hold Runners 75
• SUMMARY: Maxwell is one of the rare pitchers that knows enough about the ball that he can make it dance around even though he’s essentially lobbing it to the batsman. He’s also good at keeping pitches within bat range to keep the defense active and engaged.

CATCHER: Walter Goss – Kings County – 28 y/o, 5’5”, 150 lbs. from New York City
• BATTING: Contact 55, Gap 45, Eye 55, Avoid Ks 70
• DEFENSE (C): Ability 60, Arm 60, Overall 60
• OTHER: Speed 40, Stealing 35, Baserunning 45, Sac. Bunt 65, Bunt for Hit 45
• SUMMARY: Catchers are mostly known for their defensive ability, and Goss is fine behind the plate. However, he’s also a good technical hitter and that sets him apart from many other backstops in the N.Y. metro area.

FIRST BASEMAN: Walt Driscoll – Mutual – 25 y/o, 5’5”, 155 lbs. from Hermitage PA
• BATTING: Contact 80, Gap 65, Eye 80, Avoid Ks 75
• DEFENSE (1B): Range 45, Error 50, Arm 55, DP 35, Overall 45
• OTHER: Speed 40, Stealing 80, Baserunning 80, Sac. Bunt 55, Bunt for Hit 45
• SUMMARY: Driscoll is among the favorites to be the first N.Y.L. Batting Champion because of his patience at the plate and ability to make solid contact. He takes both advice and criticism very well, leading to continuous improvement.

SECOND BASEMAN: Joe Bentley – Niagara – 29 y/o, 5’7”, 165 lbs. from Brookfield MA
• BATTING: Contact 75, Gap 55, Eye 80, Avoid Ks 75
• DEFENSE (2B): Range 55, Error 55, Arm 55, DP 60, Overall 60
• OTHER: Speed 50, Stealing 55, Baserunning 45, Sac. Bunt 70, Bunt for Hit 35
• SUMMARY: Bentley isn’t the best overall second baseman in the N.Y.L. – H. Ciccone of Metropolitan the likely #1. However, Bentley’s technical ability with the bat makes him the most impactful 2B, and his dogged work ethic ensures he’ll never fall behind the competition.

THIRD BASEMAN: Leroy Weld – Metropolitan – 25 y/o, 5’8”, 170 lbs. from New York City
• BATTING: Contact 75, Gap 65, Eye 80, Avoid Ks 75
• DEFENSE (3B): Range 55, Error 50, Arm 65, DP 30, Overall 50
• OTHER: Speed 35, Stealing 60, Baserunning 70, Sac. Bunt 45, Bunt for Hit 40
• SUMMARY: Weld isn’t great defensively, but the “hot corner” is hard to defend effectively. Where he shines is with the bat, and he’s a plus on the basepaths as well. He’s known to be humble, working tirelessly to improve both himself and his teammates.

SHORTSTOP: Carl Keener – Minuteman – 28 y/o, 5’10”, 170 lbs. from Lakewood NJ
• BATTING: Contact 65, Gap 55, Eye 35, Avoid Ks 70
• DEFENSE (SS): Range 75, Error 60, Arm 70, DP 65, Overall 70
• OTHER: Speed 60, Stealing 65, Baserunning 80, Sac. Bunt 45, Bunt for Hit 45
• SUMMARY: Talented enough for the big N.Y.C. & Brooklyn clubs, but steadfastly loyal to the city of Albany. Good hitter with a slight tendency to swing freely. Excellent defender who can cover nearly everything b/w 2nd & 3rd. Considered the most talented SS in the sport.

CORNER OUTFIELD: Andrew “Dandy Andy” Bidwell – Gotham – 28 y/o, 5’7”, 175 lbs. from Salem MA
• BATTING: Contact 70, Gap 80, Eye 70, Avoid Ks 75
• DEFENSE (LF): Range 55, Error 70, Arm 45, Overall 60
• OTHER: Speed 70, Stealing 75, Baserunning 70, Sac. Bunt 50, Bunt for Hit 50
• SUMMARY: Bidwell ticks all the boxes for great batsmanship – makes great contact, finds the gaps, waits for the pitch he wants, & rarely misses. He’s quick, smart, rarely makes mistakes between the bases, and has good hands on defense. Considered another of the favorites to be first N.Y.L. Batting Champion.

CENTER FIELD: Albert Jones – Knickerbocker – 25 y/o, 5’10”, 185 lbs. from Paramus NJ
• BATTING: Contact 65, Gap 75, Eye 45, Avoid Ks 70
• DEFENSE (CF): Range 65, Error 65, Arm 70, Overall 55
• OTHER: Speed 65, Stealing 75, Baserunning 70, Sac. Bunt 60, Bunt for Hit 65
• SUMMARY: A solid presence in CF for one of base ball’s original clubs. Jones can do everything with proficiency ranging from good (contact) to excellent (stealing) the only question is if he can cover enough distance in the massive center of the Elysian Fields outfield.

CORNER OUTFIELD: Chester Ellis – Atlantic – 32 y/o, 5’9”, 165 lbs. from Waterbury CT
• BATTING: Contact 70, Gap 55, Eye 80, Avoid Ks 75
• DEFENSE (LF): Range 60, Error 50, Arm 55, Overall 60
• OTHER: Speed 55, Stealing 80+, Baserunning 80+, Sac. Bunt 75, Bunt for Hit 55
• SUMMARY: Ellis does a great job waiting for his pitch and getting on base, and on top of that he’s an utter terror between the bases. His baserunning smarts don’t translate over to defense, but he’s good enough in the corner of the outfield.

NORTHEASTERN LEAGUE

PITCHER: Henry Enfield – Scranton – 36 y/o, 5’8”, 175 lbs. from Potomac MD
• PITCHING: Stuff 70, Movement 75, Control 65
• DEFENSE (P): Range 40, Error 45, Arm 55, Overall 70
• OTHER: Stamina 55, Hold Runners 60
• SUMMARY: Those outside of N.Y. will tell you that Enfield was the first pitcher who could take a base ball and make it move around on its way to the plate. That’s possibly apocryphal, but there certainly isn’t a smarter pitcher in existence. Those who’ve watched him say they’ve seen him use as many as six different grips on the ball over the course of a game.

CATCHER: “Skipper” Joe Feuerstein – Portland – 27 y/o, 5’11”, 170 lbs. from Tewksbury MA
• BATTING: Contact 45, Gap 55, Eye 60, Avoid Ks 75
• DEFENSE (C): Ability 75, Arm 65, Overall 75
• OTHER: Speed 35, Stealing 60, Baserunning 55, Sac. Bunt 70, Bunt for Hit 40
• SUMMARY: Feuerstein is the most highly regarded catcher in the game. His mental sharpness allows him to affect games from behind the plate, and he is a well-liked leader off the field who serves as a coach for Portland as much as a player.

FIRST BASEMAN: Arthur Holton – Mass. Bay – 34 y/o, 6’0”, 180 lbs. from Howell NJ
• BATTING: Contact 75, Gap 60, Eye 75, Avoid Ks 65
• DEFENSE (1B): Range 45, Error 35, Arm 45, DP 25, Overall 55
• OTHER: Speed 25, Stealing 20, Baserunning 30, Sac. Bunt 50, Bunt for Hit 30
• SUMMARY: Holton can get on base as well as anybody, and he should be in the mix to be the first N.E.L. Batting Champion. His height lets him man first base effectively. His only issue is that he’s so slow afoot that he’s an easy target on the basepaths.

SECOND BASEMAN: Daragh Adams – Shamrock – 28 y/o, 5’9”, 165 lbs. from Belturbet (Cavan) Ireland
• BATTING: Contact 75, Gap 60, Eye 55, Avoid Ks 75
• DEFENSE (2B): Range 55, Error 75, Arm 40, DP 70, Overall 70
• OTHER: Speed 50, Stealing 55, Baserunning 55, Sac. Bunt 55, Bunt for Hit 40
• SUMMARY: Regarded by those who’ve seen him as the best second baseman in the sport. Adams immigrated to the U.S. a decade ago and took to base ball like a fish to water. He’s excellent with the bat and has some of the best hands of anyone who plies his trade defensively as a middle infielder.

THIRD BASEMAN: Joe Dalton – Newark – 26 y/o, 5’5”, 155 lbs. from Boston MA
• BATTING: Contact 70, Gap 65, Eye 30, Avoid Ks 75
• DEFENSE (3B): Range 60, Error 55, Arm 70, DP 45, Overall 60
• OTHER: Speed 50, Stealing 55, Baserunning 55, Sac. Bunt 65, Bunt for Hit 55
• SUMMARY: Dalton is a hard-working corner infielder for the prominent New Jersey club. He comes to the plate wanting to hit the ball A.S.A.P. but makes great contact anyway. Has a good range and a great arm at third.

SHORTSTOP: Albert Gore – Granite– 23 y/o, 5’6”, 165 lbs. from Natick MA
• BATTING: Contact 65, Gap 55, Eye 40, Avoid Ks 75
• DEFENSE (SS): Range 70, Error 55, Arm 45, DP 60, Overall 60
• OTHER: Speed 65, Stealing 80, Baserunning 80+, Sac. Bunt 65, Bunt for Hit 55
• SUMMARY: Only 23, but Gore has been deemed the most talented SS in New England because his running ability means that when he gets on base he’s almost guaranteed to take an extra bag, either by steal or by taking extra bases on a hit. Has plenty of range for SS, and as he gets older his hands and arm should improve. Very personable - would make a good Vice President some day.

CORNER OUTFIELD: William “the Sparrow” Johnson – St. John’s – 23 y/o, 5’6”, 165 lbs. from Wilbraham MA
• BATTING: Contact 75, Gap 75, Eye 80, Avoid Ks 75
• DEFENSE (LF): Range 65, Error 60, Arm 55, Overall 75
• OTHER: Speed 70, Stealing 65, Baserunning 65, Sac. Bunt 70, Bunt for Hit 60
• SUMMARY: Only 23, but Johnson might already be the best technical hitter in the sport. Everything in the batter’s box he does at the highest level. Considered to be THE favorite to become the N.E.L.’s first Batsman of the Year. Does everything else well, and it means he’s proficient on the bases and a fine corner outfielder. Part of what is unquestionably the best outfield in the sport.

CENTER FIELD: Richard Kenton – St. John’s – 26 y/o, 5’10, 180 lbs. from Lynn MA
• BATTING: Contact 60, Gap 75, Eye 55, Avoid Ks 75
• DEFENSE (CF): Range 70, Error 55, Arm 60, Overall 65
• OTHER: Speed 65, Stealing 75, Baserunning 65, Sac. Bunt 55, Bunt for Hit 50
• SUMMARY: The best CF outside of New York. Kenton can find the gap regularly, and after hitting a single he regularly steals second. His speed also allows him to cover CF in Olneyville Field with relative ease.

CORNER OUTFIELD: Clive Wise – St. John’s – 25 y/o, 5’5”, 165 lbs. from Branford CT
• BATTING: Contact 75, Gap 65, Eye 20, Avoid Ks 75
• DEFENSE (RF): Range 55, Error 70, Arm 65, Overall 60
• OTHER: Speed 55, Stealing 70, Baserunning 65, Sac. Bunt 70, Bunt for Hit 65
• SUMMARY: The third member of St. John’s terrifying outfield. Swings at EVERYTHING, but still reaches base so often that he’s considered one of the favorites to be first N.E.L. Batting Champion along with teammate W. Johnson. A safe bet to take extra bases, and safe hands in the outfield.

There are also some fascinating younger players to watch for in the first season of competition in the N.B.B.O. as there are a number of young men in their teens and early twenties said to possess the ability to have a major impact on the field. Below are seven such players. (Ratings same as above, but in CURRENT/POTENTIAL format)

(Actually, most of these are legendary players from the previous 1850s – and on – universe I made that I imported in, with their ages as they were when the other game started in 1857. Their current/potential ratio started right about where they were when the other game started, and attributes now appear with the inaugural Spring Training behind them. In addition is one fascinating 18-year-old the game engine created)

EDWARD HUNTLEY – 3B, Orange – 21 y/o, 5’7”, 160 lbs. from Florham Park NJ
• BATTING: Contact 70/80, Gap 60/70, Eye 60/65, Avoid Ks 50/75
• DEFENSE (INF): Range 70, Error 80, Arm 65, DP 75, 3B 70/75, SS 60/75, 2B 60/85
• OTHER: Speed 55, Stealing 80, Baserunning 80, Sac. Bunt 50, Bunt for Hit 40
• SUMMARY: Huntley is only 21 but already looks like the best defensive third baseman anybody’s ever seen. His range and hands are impeccable for the position, but supposedly he can comfortably play shortstop as well. Huntley already runs the bases with the mental acuity of a much older player. He has all the ability to be an elite batsman, but still occasionally whiffs at balls from more experienced pitchers. (Made 13 All-Star Games and won multiple MVPs in the other game.)

THOMAS MALONEY – OF, Shamrock – 21 y/o, 5’7”, 160 lbs. from Boston MA
• BATTING: Contact 70/80, Gap 60/65, Eye 55/70, Avoid Ks 50/75
• DEFENSE (LF): Range 60, Error 65, Arm 60, Overall 65/70
• OTHER: Speed 60, Stealing 70, Baserunning 60, Sac. Bunt 75, Bunt for Hit 55
• SUMMARY: Part of the Irish & Irish American contingent for Shamrock, Maloney’s been put at the #4 spot in their lineup at just 21 y/o. Outstanding technical ability with the bat while also excelling both on the basepaths and in defense. Not spectacular, but could be very good for a very long time. (Won three of the first six N.B.B.O. Batsman of the Year awards in the other game.)

SAMUEL KESSLER – 3B, Sons of the Ocean – 21 y/o, 5’7”, 160 lbs. from Merrimack NH
• BATTING: Contact 60/80, Gap 65/75, Eye 55/65, Avoid Ks 50/70
• DEFENSE (INF): Range 55, Error 65, Arm 80, DP 25, 3B 60/65, 1B 40/55
• OTHER: Speed 60, Stealing 70, Baserunning 55, Sac. Bunt 60, Bunt for Hit 45
• SUMMARY: Kessler has the potential to be best batsman in the N.E.L. but he’s not there yet – “merely” very good. He can play 1B and 3B comfortably, but only a fool would stick him at first because he has a cannon for an arm. Works very hard, so there’s little doubt that he’ll reach his potential. (14-time All-Star & 3-time N.E.L. Batsman of the Year who then went on to manage the Brooklyn Kings to multiple A.P.B.L. titles over 19 years in the other game.)


CARL BANCROFT – P, Utica – 22 y/o, 6’1”. 200 lbs. from Utica NY
• PITCHING: Stuff 75/75, Movement 65/75, Control 60/70
• DEFENSE (P): Range 20, Error 40, Arm 75, Overall 50
• OTHER: Stamina 80, Hold Runners 65
• SUMMARY: If Enfield was the first pitcher who could make the ball flutter around on its way to the plate, then Bancroft might become the first to actively make batters miss the ball. Uses a number of different grips to fool opponents, and once he works a little more on his ability to control the ball he could single-handedly bring the Upstate New York championship to his hometown. (Was a four-time Pitcher of the Year and the first pitcher ever to make it to 300 wins in the other game. Retired with roughly 85 more wins than any other N.B.B.O. pitcher.)

ANTHONY MASCHERINO – SS, Green Mountain – 18 y/o, 5’5”, 140 lbs. from Concord NH
• BATTING: Contact 40/75, Gap 40/70, Eye 35/65, Avoid Ks 35/65
• DEFENSE (INF): Range 75, Error 80, Arm 60, DP 80, SS 65/80, 2B 40/80+, 3B 30/75
• OTHER: Speed 50, Stealing 70, Baserunning 80, Sac. Bunt 65, Bunt for Hit 65
• SUMMARY: Only 18, but already so advanced defensively that he’s been named the Vermont club’s starting shortstop. Range: unbeatable. Hands: immaculate. Arm: good. Turnaround time w/ the ball: instant. His batsmanship needs a lot of work, but that should come with time. (Won 14 Golden Gloves in the other game.)

KONRAD JENSEN – OF, St. John’s – 17 y/o, 5’9”, 145 lbs. from Providence RI
• BATTING: Contact 45/80+, Gap 60/80+, Eye 60/80+, Avoid Ks 40/80
• DEFENSE (OF): Range 55, Error 75, Arm 60, LF 50/70, CF 25/50, RF 35/65
• OTHER: Speed 60, Stealing 75, Baserunning 70, Sac. Bunt 70, Bunt for Hit 55
• SUMMARY: “The Kid” is only 17, but apparently all he does is think about the art of hitting a baseball. Once his body matures for a year or two and he’s had a good amount of experience playing intrasquad games with the reserves he’s going to be terrifying. St. John’s already has the best outfield trio in the sport, so the question is: who does the hometown kid eventually unseat? (Over a 25-year career, won 12 Batsman of the Year awards, earned 110+ WPA, retired as the 1st player with 3,000+ hits in the other game)

JAMES GOODWIN – P, Minuteman – 19 y/o, 5’4”, 155 lbs. from Huntingdon PA
• PITCHING: Stuff 80+/80+, Movement 35/75, Control 30/80+
• DEFENSE (P): Range 40, Error 40, Arm 50, Overall 70
• OTHER: Stamina 85, Hold Runners 65
• SUMMARY: “The Little Professor” is nicknamed such because he is extremely intelligent and can make a ball do things that nobody’s ever seen before. However, he has yet to figure out how to consistently control where the ball goes and make the ball do what he wants it to do. If he’s able to move past tinkering with game equipment and can master the finer points of pitching, Goodwin will gift the sport a new type of pitcher that will present batters with never-before-seen challenges.