BNN Weekly Report
This Week in the CBO, BMU, and GBRL
by Nat Wright-Kawolski
17 April 2305
Analysis
Interassociation play is now complete for the 2305 season, and there are some huge surprises across the league in the first 12 games of the season. That means we are more than 10% through the 2305 season. There is a lot of time for things to get back in order. For now, the South Charles Association won the interassociation championship going 81- 63. First, let's look at the Top 5 of the Power Rankings and then dive into the league races heading into association play for the final 22 weeks.
The biggest surprise of the 2305 season has been the two-week dominance of the Railroad League's Egret Ninjas, our #1 team in the first Power Rankings. The Ninjas went a staggering 11-1 in the first two weeks, sweeping through the Institute League and losing only to Easy Town (#6) in the Brotherhood League matchups. Egret has won thanks to dominant pitching in the first two weeks, allowing just 28 runs in 12 games, best in the CBO. Their Starting Pitching (2.60) and Bullpen (1.12) are best, with the best FIP of 3.42. While the offense has a lot of work to do, the pitching has been amazing for a team looking to make its first appearance in the CBO playoffs. Their one time to be in the playoffs came in the 2296 season when the leagues were separated. The Ninjas lost that one series to the then Abernathy Adamantium (now Bunker Hill 75ers).
At #2 is the Atom Cats, who also showed dominance in their 10-2 start. The Cats of the Minutemen League swept the Brotherhood League and then went 4-2 against the IL, dropping two games to Sunshine Tidings (#8) and Fort Hagen (#14).
Two-time defending champions, the Roxbury Rad Sox, are #3 after going 9-3. The Rad Sox struggled in the first week, going 3-3 against the IL with losses to the Silver Shroud to open the season and then Lexington (#22) and the Chemists. The Sox then swept the BL, including a big 10-0 win over Finch Farm (#10).
University Point is #4 at 9-3. The Deathclaws went 4-2 against the BL with losses to the Assaultrons and Four Leafs, and then they went 5-1 against the IL with their only loss being an 11-inning affair against Starlight (#12). As expected, the Claws are the top offensive team, scoring 101 runs in their first 12 and leading in four other offensive categories.
FHE rounds out the Top 5 with a complete sweep by the SCA. The Yao Guai went 4-2 against the IL with losses to the Lady Killers and Sunshine Tidings. They then went 5-1 against the BL to go 9-3 in their first 12. The one loss came at the hands of The Slog (#21) in 10 innings.
Brotherhood League
We already knew that Easy Town was supposed to contend for the playoffs. What we did not expect was that they would be 10% through the 2305 season with a 5-game edge on both County Crossing (#19) and Nordhagen Beach (#20), each at 4-8.
Really, we do not expect the Bloodbugs and Party Boys to stay down once NCA games start tomorrow, but we could see the Assaultrons turning that early edge into their first BL crown.
County Crossing is suffering partially from the early slump by RF Babs Rooth (.174/2/4). The team is batting .245 (11th in NCA) and 12th in Bullpen ERA (7.29), made in part by the late-inning struggles of RP Terry Stebbins (0-3, 25.20) and CL Jesse Bibeault (2 SV, 4.91). While the Starters ERA (3.93) is 4th, ace SP Gavin Eviritts (0-1, 6.17) has not helped.
Nordhagen Beach is also struggling on offense with only one player currently batting over .300 in 2B Jumper Hayes (.327/2/4). The Party Boys have generated most of their 50 runs on home runs (2nd) with 20. The starters on the mound have not been their usual selves, currently 5th in Starters ERA (4.02), including an 0-2, 4.29 start by ace Beachboy Nut.
Institute League
This was considered the least-talented league in the CBO in 2304, and that continues in 2305 with their only team over .500 being 7-5 Sunshine Tidings. The Chemists won the league in 2304, and they have what appears to be the best talent in a league where the 2nd place team may not be deserving of a playoff spot.
Fort Hagen (5-7) was not picked to make the playoffs, but them missing would still be a surprise. The Silver Shroud seem to be in the middle of the pack, currently tied for 7th in runs scored (52) and tied for 6th in runs allowed (61). Ace Derek Green (2-0, 0.47) has been his usually dominant self, but the rest of the starting pitchers (7th with a 4.75 ERA) have struggled.
Concord (5-7) was the pick to finish 2nd in 2305 by PAM, but they have not yet shown they can separate themselves from any of the other teams. The Radstags have not shown they can get their offense started outside of their stars in LF Dan Erb (.298/3/6) and 1B Dusty Brownell (.319/2/7).
Minutemen League
This is a league with the most obvious differences in talent with the big three of Atom-Jamaica Plain-University Point usually dominating the bottom three of Goodneighbor-Quincy-Spectacle Island. There is not reason to believe that will not also happen in 2305, with the standings indicating as such in the first two weeks.
The Rad Rockets have not been the dominant team they usually are, but that is because their offense has been the absolute worst all around in the SCA, including being currently 12th in runs scored with 34. No player is currently hitting over .300 and three players--LF Carney Cornseed (.189/0/4), RF Damani Beebe (.167/4/8), and C Ayag Mour (.158/0/0)--batting below .200. SP Digger Vadim (2-0, 1.80) has been the star player, helping the Rockets to win almost every fourth game.
Atom and University Point are both in the Top 5 for a reason, and they should stay in the playoff hunt throughout the season. Despite Goodneighbor's 5-7 start, it is safe to assume the Hancocks will be out of the running by midseason.
Railroad League
This league was the most dominant with four teams above .500 and one team at .500. Only Vault 81, dealing with injuries and suspensions, had a tough two-week stretch at 3-9. Unfortunately, that is probably already putting them too far behind to catch up.
The Rad Sox are by far the most talented team in the RL, and there is little to indicate they will not be at the top when the final ball is pitched. Surprisingly, though, the only person generating power so far is 3B Donn Mattingley (.362/5/18). SS Purple Gupta (.279/3/10) was doing well before going out with an injury. Together, Mattingley and Gupta have hit 8 of Roxbury's 9 home runs.
Standings
Team vs Team
This will be shown infrequently this season since the picture is so large.
Power Rankings
Players of the Week
NCA
4/10 - Today the North Charles Association announced the Player of the Week Award. This week's honoree is County Crossing's talented right fielder Baywatch Fischler. When he steps into the batter's box, it's usually a bad omen for pitchers.
For the week Fischler batted .520 (13-for-25) with 3 home runs and 10 RBIs.
4/17 - All week long Wally Warwick was the toughest out in the North Charles Association and that is the prime reason he was voted the Player of the Week.
The Fort Hagen shortstop rapped out 14 hits in 25 at-bats for a .560 batting average, drove in 6 runs and scored 3 times.
SCA
4/10 - A battle-tested Melon Sanderson declared war on opposing pitchers last week, attacking the ball like the well-schooled veteran he is. Today the 34-year-old Atom right fielder collected the South Charles Association Player of the Week Award.
He wrapped up the week with a .500 average, 12 hits in 24 at-bats, 4 home runs, 13 RBIs and 8 runs scored.
4/17 - When it came to hitting the baseball, Tomas Jones had few peers in the South Charles Association this past week.
The talented right fielder for University Point tagged opposing pitchers for a .542 average and was voted the Player of the Week Award. Included in his stats were 13 hits in 24 at-bats, 4 homers, 10 runs scored and 12 RBIs.
Transactions
Monday, April 17th , 2305
Roxbury Rad Sox: Placed SS Purple Gupta on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 04/16/2305.
The Slog Ghouls: Activated CL Bill Satterfield from the injured list.
Sunday, April 16th , 2305
FHE Yao Guai: Placed SS Hose Wallcrawler on the 60-day injured list.
Egret Ninjas: Placed CF Jace Nightwatch on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 04/15/2305.
Spectacle Island Reapers: Placed C Hope Scrapper on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 04/15/2305.
Saturday, April 15th , 2305
Spectacle Island Reapers: Placed SP Quest Dawg on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 04/13/2305.
Friday, April 14th , 2305
Atom Cats: Signed C Culligan Rutkowski.
Atom Cats: Signed SP Ham Stevenson.
Atom Cats: Signed RP Complete Bacon.
Atom Cats: Signed SP Nelson Barron.
Atom Cats: Signed SS Justin Roadwarrior.
Atom Cats: Signed LF Red Quintana.
Concord Radstags: Signed C Mike Lovecaps.
Concord Radstags: Signed C Terry Deprusk.
Concord Radstags: Signed 1B Tim Steincup.
Concord Radstags: Signed SS Bubba Necklace.
Concord Radstags: Signed LF Ryan Parkwatch.
Concord Radstags: Signed 2B Hotstick Reynolds.
Concord Radstags: Signed RF Frank Packman.
County Crossing Bloodbugs: Signed CF Joe Longbeach.
County Crossing Bloodbugs: Signed SP Aolani Suaniu.
County Crossing Bloodbugs: Signed SP Shane Setliff.
County Crossing Bloodbugs: Signed SP James McCorkle.
County Crossing Bloodbugs: Signed SP Steve Funhouse.
Starlight Lady Killers: Signed C Packrat Sabalza.
Starlight Lady Killers: Signed CF Aaron Paddleball.
Vault 81 Dwellers: Signed RF Alec Whitehead.
Vault 81 Dwellers: Released RF Alec Whitehead.
Thursday, April 13th , 2305
Oberland T-51s: Activated SP Odd Thomas Koontz from the restricted list.
Bunker Hill 75ers: Signed free agent RP Jim Jarpen to a minor league contract.
Bunker Hill 75ers: Released RP Jesse Radgale.
Fort Hagen Silver Shroud: Signed free agent RF Tom Lurker to a minor league contract.
Fort Hagen Silver Shroud: Released RF Jeremy Raider.
Nordhagen Beach Party Boys: Signed free agent RP Bill Jones to a minor league contract.
Nordhagen Beach Party Boys: Released RP Gabe Student.
Salem Witch Hats: Signed free agent C Jorge Alvarado to a minor league contract.
Salem Witch Hats: Released C Danny Kokocinski.
Wednesday, April 12th , 2305
Roxbury Rad Sox: Activated SP Nuke Laloosh from the injured list.
Vault 81 Dwellers: Signed RF Justin Harrison.
Tuesday, April 11th , 2305
Spectacle Island Reapers: Released 3B Bob Harder.
Vault 81 Dwellers: Signed free agent 3B Loony Erickson to a minor league contract.
Monday, April 10th , 2305
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: Activated RF Baktu DaWell from the restricted list.
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: Sent RF Baktu DaWell to Triple A Breakheart Banks for injury rehab.
Roxbury Rad Sox: Released RF Tony Raindayz.
Egret Ninjas: Activated RP Tombstone Costner from the injured list.
Spectacle Island Reapers: Released RP Jim Jarpen.
Roxbury Rad Sox: Signed RF Cup Goodman.
Sunday, April 9th , 2305
Easy Town Assaultrons: Activated 2B Luis Steady Lopez from the injured list.
Spectacle Island Reapers: Activated RP Nate Sandalli from the injured list.
Saturday, April 8th , 2305
Salem Witch Hats: Activated RP Pete Stahl from the injured list.
Oberland T-51s: Activated SP Ronnie Messenger from the restricted list.
Roxbury Rad Sox: Signed RF Wagon bin Tawfiq.
The Eden Meadows Anglers traded 22-year old RHP Jason Brown and 17-year old minor league C Dead Ted Castaneda to the Finch Farm Four Leafs, getting 27-year old minor league LHP Batface Landry in return.
Friday, April 7th , 2305
Vault 81 Dwellers: Placed SP Vince McCort on the 60-day injured list.
Vault 81 Dwellers: Activated 1B Harry Byrd from the restricted list.
Vault 81 Dwellers: Sent 1B Harry Byrd to Triple A Everett for injury rehab.
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: Placed RF Baktu DaWell on the restricted list.
Nordhagen Beach Party Boys: Activated SP Ugio Church from the injured list.
Nordhagen Beach Party Boys: Walden Pond Poets announced the Walden of Fame, a dedicated museum attached to the Poet's Nook baseball park that will feature displays of famous Boston-area writers from the last 600 years.
Oberland T-51s: Placed SP Odd Thomas Koontz on the restricted list.
Thursday, April 6th , 2305
Quincy Gunners: Placed 1B Ajani Peacock on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 04/04/2305.
Wednesday, April 5th , 2305
University Point Deathclaws: Placed 3B Neil Huggerman on the 60-day injured list.
Quincy Gunners: Activated RP Greg Hudgens from the restricted list.
Roxbury Rad Sox: Placed SP Nuke Laloosh on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 04/04/2305.
Tuesday, April 4th , 2305
Spectacle Island Reapers: Placed RP Nate Sandalli on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 04/02/2305.
Spectacle Island Reapers: Released 3B A.J. Leiby.
Spectacle Island Reapers: Released 3B Jake Weber.
Spectacle Island Reapers: Released 3B Bootleg Heredia.
Spectacle Island Reapers: Released 3B Gooseneck Shortfellow.
Spectacle Island Reapers: Released 3B Week Katula.
Spectacle Island Reapers: Released 3B Pop Polansky.
Spectacle Island Reapers: Released 3B Twin Fratelli.
University Point Deathclaws: Released 3B Mike Hatfield-McCoy.
University Point Deathclaws: Released 3B Sergio Watero.
University Point Deathclaws: Released 3B Nick Bushmonster.
University Point Deathclaws: Released 3B Dennis Moonface.
University Point Deathclaws: Released 3B Brad Ragon.
Roxbury Rad Sox: Released RF Justin Harrison.
Roxbury Rad Sox: Released RF Ideas Miranda.
Quincy Gunners: Placed RP Greg Hudgens on the restricted list.
Oberland T-51s: Placed SP Ronnie Messenger on the restricted list.
Vault 81 Dwellers: Placed 1B Harry Byrd on the restricted list.
Easy Town Assaultrons: Placed 2B Luis Steady Lopez on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 04/02/2305.
Vault 81 Dwellers: Released RF Flounder Polk.
Salem Witch Hats: Placed RP Pete Stahl on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 04/01/2305.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Released LF Red Quintana.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Released C John Russo.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Released CF Tyler Gruen.
Roxbury Rad Sox: Released 3B Loony Erickson.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Released 1B Elijah Samuelson.
Roxbury Rad Sox: Released SS Mitch Beard.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Released LF Ryan Parkwatch.
Roxbury Rad Sox: Released CF Tom Lurker.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Released RF Aeternus Oak.
Roxbury Rad Sox: Released RF Perry Grosswater.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Released RP Brian Orlando.
Spectacle Island Reapers: Released 3B Snap Axmurder.
Vault 81 Dwellers: Released RF Cup Goodman.
Spectacle Island Reapers: Released 3B Joe Lurkhunter.
Vault 81 Dwellers: Released C Neon Saunders.
Spectacle Island Reapers: Released 3B Q'ira Hook.
Vault 81 Dwellers: Released C Bobby Comelately.
Spectacle Island Reapers: Released 3B Dave Emmet.
Vault 81 Dwellers: Released LF Justin Starcore.
Vault 81 Dwellers: Released LF Church Bicklestern.
Vault 81 Dwellers: Released CF Joe Longbeach.
Vault 81 Dwellers: Released RP Complete Bacon.
University Point Deathclaws: Released 3B Lane Learner.
Vault 81 Dwellers: Released RF Nick Tofu.
University Point Deathclaws: Released 3B Nick Seawater.
Vault 81 Dwellers: Released RF Pree Mireman.
University Point Deathclaws: Released 3B Tony Killplenty.
Vault 81 Dwellers: Released RF Jim Teacups.
Vault 81 Dwellers: Released CF Frank Packman.
Quincy Gunners: Released RP Paulwine Giannetti.
Quincy Gunners: Released RP Michael Townwalker.
Quincy Gunners: Released RP Carlos McKeever.
Quincy Gunners: Released RP Bill Jones.
Quincy Gunners: Released RF Ache Leblanc.
The Concord Radstags traded 28-year old C Deacon Gookin to the Finch Farm Four Leafs, getting 25-year old 3B Mike Van Noord in return.
Monday, April 3rd , 2305
Egret Ninjas: Placed RP Tombstone Costner on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 04/02/2305.
The Slog Ghouls: Placed CL Bill Satterfield on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 04/02/2305.
Bunker Hill 75ers: Signed free agent C Ben Powertool to a minor league contract.
Sunday, April 2nd , 2305
Finch Farm Four Leafs: Placed SS Pipe Wallcrawler on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 04/01/2305.
Spectacle Island Reapers: Signed 3B Gooseneck Shortfellow.
Saturday, April 1st , 2305
Concord Radstags: Released C Jorge Alvarado.
Spectacle Island Reapers: Released RF Bobby God.
County Crossing Bloodbugs: Released SP Teewatt Kaa.
Lexington Synths: Released 1B Nick Bookcase.