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FuzzyRussianHat · 01-02-2024, 12:38 PM

Prior to the 14^th season of West Africa Baseball, rule changes were made to increase offensive numbers. These changes caused the league ERA to jump from around 3.45 in 1987 to 3.81 in 1988, while the batting average went from around .237 to .252. WAB’s offense numbers would be considered above average in the grand historical context into the 1990s, although it would be among the highest scoring leagues to close the 20^th Century. Later bumps in the 2010s would turn WAB into a very high offensive environment.

The Western League saw some new faces in the playoff field. Dakar had won only 65 games in 1987 and 54 in 1986, but they stunning many by finishing first in the Western League at 98-64. This was their second playoff berth ever, as they were a wild card back in the inaugural 1975 season Cape Verde was one back in 97-65 for their first-ever playoff berth. The Vulcans hadn’t posting a winning season until their 88 wins the prior season. Defefnding WL champ Kumasi did remain a constant by earning a record 11^th straight playoff berth. The Monkeys finished 90-72, taking the third place spot by four games over Conakry and five over Bamako.

Taking Western League MVP was Cape Verde LF Courtnall Mgcobo. The 24-year old South African lefty led in runs (121), hits (207), triples (30), total bases (355), stolen bases (98), batting average (.339), and OPS (.972). He added 37 doubles, 17 home runs, and 7.0 WAR. Mgcobo also had a 32-game hit streak, which would be the WAB record until 1998. Kumasi’s Bijou Kalumbu was Pitcher of the Year. The 27-year old Congolese righty had the most innings pitched at 258 and most quality starts at 28. Kalumbu added a 17-6 record, 2.51 ERA, 346 strikeouts, and 8.9 WAR.

Cape Verde ousted Kumasi 2-0 in the wild card round, pushing the Monkeys out of the Western League Championship Series for the first time since 1984. The Vulcans and Dakar were both making their first WLCS appearance and the series went all five games. The home field advantage helped the Dukes claim the pennant 3-2.

After a fourth place finish in 1987, Lagos returned to the Eastern League’s perch at 106-56. This was the fifth time finishing first for the Lizards and their 11^th playoff appearance over WAB’s first 14 seasons. Kano also returned to the postseason after missing the prior season by taking second at 98-64. The Condors now have ten playoff appearances to their name. Defending WAB champ Niamey was able to take third at 96-66 to extend their postseason streak to five seasons. Lome was in contention, but fell three games short of the final wild card.

Despite the Lasers missing the postseason, 1B Nyaya Issah claimed the Eastern League’s MVP. The 26-year old Ghanaian led the EL in hits (197), RBI (114), total bases (352), triple slash (.336/.407/.601), OPS (1.008), wRC+ (184), and WAR (8.3). He added 110 runs and 36 home runs. Lagos righty Dalanda Soumah became a two-time Pitcher of the Year, having also won in 1985. The 28-year old Guinean led in wins at 21-9, plus strikeouts (398), K/BB (13.3), and quality starts (30). He added 8.6 WAR over 260.2 innings with a 2.21 ERA. He’d pitch one more season with the Lizards before leaving for MLB’s Dallas Dalmatians.

Niamey upset Kano 2-1 in the wild card round to send the Atomics to the Eastern League Championship Series for the fourth time in five years. It was the second time they were to have faced Lagos in the ELCS, who was making a tenth appearance. The Lizards swept the defending champs 3-0, making Lagos seven-time EL pennant winners.

Lagos added a sixth West African Baseball Championship trophy to the shelf, joining their 1978, 79, 81, 83, and 85 titles. The Lizards defeated first-time finalist Dakar 4-2 with finals MVP going to veteran LF Roldanillo Chacon. The 35-year old Guatemalan had played 12 years between CABA and MLB before joining Lagos in 1988. In nine playoff games, the journeyman had 13 hits, 6 home runs, 6 runs scored, and 9 RBI.

Other notes; Addise Assefa and Albert Kamara became the third and fourth pitchers to 3000 career strikeouts.

01-02-2024, 12:38 PM	#843
FuzzyRussianHat Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 2,925	1988 in WAB Prior to the 14^th season of West Africa Baseball, rule changes were made to increase offensive numbers. These changes caused the league ERA to jump from around 3.45 in 1987 to 3.81 in 1988, while the batting average went from around .237 to .252. WAB’s offense numbers would be considered above average in the grand historical context into the 1990s, although it would be among the highest scoring leagues to close the 20^th Century. Later bumps in the 2010s would turn WAB into a very high offensive environment. The Western League saw some new faces in the playoff field. Dakar had won only 65 games in 1987 and 54 in 1986, but they stunning many by finishing first in the Western League at 98-64. This was their second playoff berth ever, as they were a wild card back in the inaugural 1975 season Cape Verde was one back in 97-65 for their first-ever playoff berth. The Vulcans hadn’t posting a winning season until their 88 wins the prior season. Defefnding WL champ Kumasi did remain a constant by earning a record 11^th straight playoff berth. The Monkeys finished 90-72, taking the third place spot by four games over Conakry and five over Bamako. Taking Western League MVP was Cape Verde LF Courtnall Mgcobo. The 24-year old South African lefty led in runs (121), hits (207), triples (30), total bases (355), stolen bases (98), batting average (.339), and OPS (.972). He added 37 doubles, 17 home runs, and 7.0 WAR. Mgcobo also had a 32-game hit streak, which would be the WAB record until 1998. Kumasi’s Bijou Kalumbu was Pitcher of the Year. The 27-year old Congolese righty had the most innings pitched at 258 and most quality starts at 28. Kalumbu added a 17-6 record, 2.51 ERA, 346 strikeouts, and 8.9 WAR. Cape Verde ousted Kumasi 2-0 in the wild card round, pushing the Monkeys out of the Western League Championship Series for the first time since 1984. The Vulcans and Dakar were both making their first WLCS appearance and the series went all five games. The home field advantage helped the Dukes claim the pennant 3-2. After a fourth place finish in 1987, Lagos returned to the Eastern League’s perch at 106-56. This was the fifth time finishing first for the Lizards and their 11^th playoff appearance over WAB’s first 14 seasons. Kano also returned to the postseason after missing the prior season by taking second at 98-64. The Condors now have ten playoff appearances to their name. Defending WAB champ Niamey was able to take third at 96-66 to extend their postseason streak to five seasons. Lome was in contention, but fell three games short of the final wild card. Despite the Lasers missing the postseason, 1B Nyaya Issah claimed the Eastern League’s MVP. The 26-year old Ghanaian led the EL in hits (197), RBI (114), total bases (352), triple slash (.336/.407/.601), OPS (1.008), wRC+ (184), and WAR (8.3). He added 110 runs and 36 home runs. Lagos righty Dalanda Soumah became a two-time Pitcher of the Year, having also won in 1985. The 28-year old Guinean led in wins at 21-9, plus strikeouts (398), K/BB (13.3), and quality starts (30). He added 8.6 WAR over 260.2 innings with a 2.21 ERA. He’d pitch one more season with the Lizards before leaving for MLB’s Dallas Dalmatians. Niamey upset Kano 2-1 in the wild card round to send the Atomics to the Eastern League Championship Series for the fourth time in five years. It was the second time they were to have faced Lagos in the ELCS, who was making a tenth appearance. The Lizards swept the defending champs 3-0, making Lagos seven-time EL pennant winners. Lagos added a sixth West African Baseball Championship trophy to the shelf, joining their 1978, 79, 81, 83, and 85 titles. The Lizards defeated first-time finalist Dakar 4-2 with finals MVP going to veteran LF Roldanillo Chacon. The 35-year old Guatemalan had played 12 years between CABA and MLB before joining Lagos in 1988. In nine playoff games, the journeyman had 13 hits, 6 home runs, 6 runs scored, and 9 RBI. Other notes; Addise Assefa and Albert Kamara became the third and fourth pitchers to 3000 career strikeouts. __________________ Baseball: The World's Game fictional world reports Continental Baseball Federation world reports (8-tier promotion/relegation sim and college feeder)