BNN Weekly Report
This Week in the CBO, BMU, GBRL, and Youth Leagues
by Nat Wright-Kawolski
22 July 2307
CBO Analysis
The All-Star break has come and gone, and now the 2307 CBO seasons 2/3 of the way done. At this point in the season, now, teams are just jostling for spots in the playoffs. Only 10 teams can get there, though, so teams will have to decide if they want to sell out for the chance to win the Sole Survivor Season (and generate extra home revenue) or try to build for the future.
The current playoff seedings look like this:
NCA
1. Easy Town
2. Sunshine Tidings
3. Nordhagen Beach
4. Starlight
T-5. Bunker Hill and Nahant
The only change here is that Salem has been in a freefall and three teams are tied for the 5th spot. Because Nahant leads the season series over County Crossing, they hold the tiebreaker. However, the Celtics and Bunker Hill have each won three games against each other this season, tying them for the wildcard spot.
SCA
1. Roxbury
2. University Point
3. Spectacle Island
4. Oberland
5. Vault 81
This association has four teams all tied at 42-38: Atom, Jamaica Plain, Oberland, and Vault 81. Because the T-51s have clinched the season series over the Dwellers, they get the 4th spot. Out of Atom and the Red Rockets, the Rockets hold the tiebreaker, but Vault 81 holds the tie breaker over Jamaica Plain, thus currently the 5th spot.
Roxbury is again #1 with a six-game lead for the CBO's top record. In their last eight, the Rad Sox went 5-3, splitting with Spectacle Island (#9), winning one versus Diamond City (#16), and then sweeping Egret (#20).
Sunshine Tidings is the #2 team despite being a game behind for the top record in the NCA. In the past eight games, the Chemists were 7-1, continuing a hot streak, including being 10-3 in July so far. Sunshine Tidings swept Nahant (#10), swept Fort Hagen (#19), and then won two at Lexington (#21).
Easy Town is #3 with the NCA's best record after going in their last eight. The Assaultrons were 5-3 in the past two weeks. The Trons split with Starlight (#6), won two over Nordhagen Beach (#5), and then won two at Salem (#17).
University Point is #4 with a five-game lead in the Minutemen League. In the past eight, the Deathclaws went 5-3 in their last eight, all series with sweeps. The Claws swept the Swatters, got swept at home by Jamaica Plain (#7), and then swept the Reapers on the road.
Nordhagen Beach rounds out the Top 5 as the best of the 2nd-place teams in the CBO after a 5-3 stretch. The Party Boys swept the 75ers, won one at the Trons, and then took two over The Slog (#22).
Brotherhood League
Easy Town and Nordhagen Beach have distanced themselves enough that they are just battling to be the 1, 2, or 3 seed in the playoffs, with an off chance of falling to 4. Three teams--Nahant, County Crossing, and Salem--are now vying for the right to be the wildcard team to go along with Bunker Hill from the Institute League.
The Assaultrons are starting to look like a beast of a team despite some struggles getting runs (6th at 398) across. They are very good at getting runners on base, currently 2nd in the NCA with a .278 team batting average. Of course, the middle of the lineup is strong with 1B Lannie Tykeson (.337/28/71) trying to repeat as the Nuka Hitter Award winner, along with 3B Dog Prairie (.328/24/64) and RF Dan Squirrel (.260/12/45). SS Rick Rolled (.255/2/31) is the only player in the lineup seeming to struggle. If the Trons figure out ways to increase their home run output and to be more efficient on the base paths, they will start to dominate much like Roxbury.
Institute League
Sunshine Tidings and Starlight are the only two teams above .500, and Bunker Hill is the only team near .500. The bottom half of the IL is in rebuild mode. Not much more can be said for this race other than we think what you see is what you get. The Chemists still have a chance to be the top seed in the NCA and the Killers could work their way up to the third seed.
For Bunker Hill, they are close but may not be close enough despite being tied for the 5th spot in the NCA. The 75ers have just been destroyed on the mound, currently at the bottom in runs allowed (439), as well as 11th in both Starters ERA (5.05) and Bullpen ERA (5.47). Every move they make will have to be to lower those last two numbers. At the top of the rotation, SP Jason Tonelli (10-5, 3.46) is efficient enough, but their 4th starter, SP Jerry Weisman (8-10, 6.15) needs to move to the bullpen. The 75ers recently acquired the services of SP Mike Cartrette (7-6. 4.05) from The Slog, and he won his first start for Bunker Hill. He should help to stabilize the rotation, assuming he stays healthy, but they will need one more pitcher in the next week.
Minutemen League
University Point has seemed to have taken control of this league, so now the race for 2nd place and a potential 3rd playoff team is in full effect. Jamaica Plain has now begun to overpower teams, while Spectacle Island hangs on to 2nd place. With their last two losses, Atom has now fallen into a tie for 3rd place, which means they have to decide if now is the time to make a move.
For the Cats, 2307 looked promising, but they now pretty much see themselves in the bottom half of statistical categories. Atom is 6th in runs scored (379) and 12th in runs allowed (449). When they lose, they tend to get blown out, something that makes us think they should work on finding the parts they need for future seasons. With a Starters ERA of 5.42, the Cats are last in the SCA and only better than Concord (5.67) in the CBO. Ace Tristan Marble (6-8, 4.76) and SP Kelvin Blueprint (9-3, 3.75) can have decent games from time to time, but otherwise the pitching needs talent. Atom has two pitchers in the system--Sp Baker Hubbard and SP Squirrel Bitz--who may develop into starters. At the MML level, though, all four pitchers are aging and considered at their maximum development.
There are players Atom could and should move, including C Deacon Gookin (30), 2B Wally Warwick (30), and 3B Shane Stabb (30). Stabb may be a hard sell, though, as a fan favorite they dealt away in 2302 and then ended up dealing for to reacquire in 2304.
Railroad League
Oberland and Vault 81 are now battling for the probably 4th seed and perhaps the 5th seed. Roxbury has a magic # of 26, meaning they should have this league wrapped up in mid-August, assuming they do not have any more team-wide slumps.
For the Rad Sox, the question is, "What can they not do well?" Well, they are tied for 9th in the SCA in stolen bases (20) and only tied for 6th in home runs (103). However, when you hit and pitch as well as they do--1st in runs scored (450) and runs allowed (323)--a win 7 out of 10 times is almost guaranteed.
The crazy thing about how well the Sox have done is that they may not even have either the Nuka Hitter Award (come on, this one is pretty much in the bag for the Claws' Barker Cocoa who currently leads the CBO in 14 statistical categories) nor the Vim! Pitcher Award. Nuke Laloosh (7-1, 3.47) missed some time, but he could be a contender if he continues to win at an .875 clip the rest of the season. He would also need to drop a full point off his ERA, but if anyone could do it, Laloosh could.
CBO All-Star Game
Glenn Higinbotham shined brightly tonight against the best talent that the CBO has to offer.
The all-star was named MVP for the annual mid-season showcase held at Fallon Field at Egret Tours Marina, as his North Charles Association All-Stars downed the South Charles Association All-Stars by a count of 17-10.
"It's humbling to even play in a game like this with legends of the sport all around you," he said.
Higinbotham went 2 for 3 to capture the honor.
Lifetime Higinbotham is hitting .293 with 1297 hits, 173 doubles, 59 triples and 191 home runs. He has scored 778 runs and driven in 638.
Beantown Brewery Stadium was rocking as some premier hitters competed in the 2307 Home Run Challenge. When the dust settled,
Babs Rooth emerged as the champion. The County Crossing Bloodbugs right fielder prevailed over Jonathan Angelou in the final round by a score of 8-7.
"I don't think I've ever been so tired in my life," Rooth said after it was all over. "I'm exhausted."
In his 819-game career Rooth is batting .328 with 1027 hits, 248 home runs, 660 runs scored and 686 RBIs.
It's time once again for the Commonwealth Baseball Organization All-Star game!
The game features the top players from the North Charles Association and the South Charles Association slugging it out in a baseball extravaganza.
This year's North Charles Association standouts are:
SP Terrence Artman (ST) - 7-1, 2.47 ERA, 73.0 IP, 1.11 WHIP, 7.2 K/9, 2.0 WAR
SP Major Tom Brennan (ET) - 10-4, 3.22 ERA, 148.0 IP, 1.22 WHIP, 6.5 K/9, 3.9 WAR
SP Eugene Gym (ST) - 13-5, 3.34 ERA, 142.2 IP, 1.02 WHIP, 7.8 K/9, 3.2 WAR
SP College Luckyman (CC) - 9-9, 3.51 ERA, 141.0 IP, 1.13 WHIP, 6.1 K/9, 4.2 WAR
SP Jalep Temper (NAH) - 9-6, 2.85 ERA, 148.2 IP, 1.29 WHIP, 6.0 K/9, 3.6 WAR
SP Jason Tonelli (BH)* - 10-4, 3.19 ERA, 138.1 IP, 1.28 WHIP, 10.7 K/9, 3.6 WAR
SP Digger Vadim (STAR) - 8-5, 3.27 ERA, 143.0 IP, 1.18 WHIP, 7.4 K/9, 2.5 WAR
RP Bobby Carvajal (CC) - 2-3, 14 SV, 1.61 ERA, 28.0 IP, 1.32 WHIP, 4.5 K/9, 0.5 WAR
RP Hollywood Joe Horn (ET) - 8-4, 3.30 ERA, 111.2 IP, 1.16 WHIP, 6.6 K/9, 2.7 WAR
CL Crisco Caristo (LEX) - 5-3, 2.49 ERA, 43.1 IP, 1.32 WHIP, 8.7 K/9, 1.2 WAR
CL Wick Prater (CC)* - 4-4, 9 SV, 2.60 ERA, 34.2 IP, 1.41 WHIP, 10.1 K/9, 1.7 WAR
C Sleve McDichael (FtH) - .304/.384/.482, 280 AB, 10 HR, 130 wRC+, 2.4 WAR
C Red Sone (ST)* - .397/.463/.636, 272 AB, 18 HR, 192 wRC+, 5.4 WAR
C Biter Trout (NB) - .388/.489/.489, 268 AB, 3 HR, 171 wRC+, 4.3 WAR
1B Dusty Brownell (CON) - .272/.360/.661, 257 AB, 30 HR, 164 wRC+, 2.4 WAR
1B Oren Gep (STAR) - .278/.387/.604, 270 AB, 25 HR, 158 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
1B Lannie Tykeson (ET)* - .347/.447/.670, 288 AB, 27 HR, 1 SB, 195 wRC+, 4.5 WAR
1B Zeldolph Violet (CC) - .288/.405/.606, 274 AB, 24 HR, 164 wRC+, 3.4 WAR
2B Emerald Sapphire (BH)* - .322/.381/.463, 283 AB, 8 HR, 5 SB, 121 wRC+, 2.4 WAR
3B Tutton Gatekeeper (FtH) - .269/.349/.413, 271 AB, 8 HR, 99 wRC+, 0.7 WAR
3B Booth Larson (SAL) - .274/.369/.562, 288 AB, 21 HR, 1 SB, 141 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
3B Ross Merchantman (ST) - .313/.371/.581, 310 AB, 23 HR, 152 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
3B Plain Morris (SLOG) - .278/.357/.522, 299 AB, 17 HR, 130 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
3B Dog Prairie (ET)* - .335/.433/.665, 284 AB, 23 HR, 188 wRC+, 5.0 WAR
SS Aaron Squire (BH) - .291/.362/.528, 282 AB, 15 HR, 135 wRC+, 2.3 WAR
SS Cy Thompson (CC)* - .316/.395/.605, 256 AB, 19 HR, 2 SB, 162 wRC+, 3.1 WAR (Injured)
LF Donny Kowalski (BH)* - .305/.362/.574, 256 AB, 19 HR, 2 SB, 146 wRC+, 2.2 WAR
LF Melon Sanderson (CON) - .319/.390/.560, 273 AB, 19 HR, 2 SB, 151 wRC+, 2.3 WAR
CF Glenn Higinbotham (STAR)* - .292/.381/.505, 291 AB, 14 HR, 8 SB, 137 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
CF Jig McGhee (BH) - .305/.371/.550, 311 AB, 18 HR, 5 SB, 143 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
CF Maxx Murtagh (NB) - .291/.382/.578, 306 AB, 24 HR, 5 SB, 155 wRC+, 3.9 WAR
RF Jonathan Angelou (NB) - .286/.364/.621, 280 AB, 29 HR, 5 SB, 157 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
RF Baktu DaWell (ST)* - .343/.434/.734, 289 AB, 31 HR, 207 wRC+, 4.9 WAR
RF Babs Rooth (CC) - .316/.425/.673, 294 AB, 30 HR, 184 wRC+, 4.7 WAR
The South Charles Association stars will be represented by:
SP Alex Alexson (UP) - 12-2, 2.64 ERA, 140.0 IP, 1.11 WHIP, 6.9 K/9, 3.6 WAR
SP Aaron Demps (FHE) - 10-4, 3.89 ERA, 134.1 IP, 1.41 WHIP, 6.8 K/9, 2.4 WAR
SP Derek Green (JP)* - 12-5, 3.41 ERA, 140.0 IP, 1.10 WHIP, 9.3 K/9, 3.3 WAR
SP Tup Mallory (EGR) - 4-9, 3.83 ERA, 129.1 IP, 1.18 WHIP, 10.1 K/9, 4.8 WAR
SP Glenn Patnode (QUIN) - 8-6, 3.36 ERA, 139.1 IP, 1.39 WHIP, 5.9 K/9, 2.9 WAR
SP Exxie Summerset (V81) - 9-7, 3.25 ERA, 138.2 IP, 1.13 WHIP, 6.4 K/9, 3.9 WAR
RP Randy Kaplan (V81) - 8-7, 4.23 ERA, 121.1 IP, 1.49 WHIP, 4.5 K/9, 1.6 WAR
RP Chris Radsco (JP) - 3-2, 3.56 ERA, 55.2 IP, 1.56 WHIP, 7.8 K/9, 0.8 WAR
CL Andy Helium (ROX) - 3-3, 26 SV, 1.01 ERA, 44.2 IP, 1.03 WHIP, 8.1 K/9, 2.1 WAR
CL Chopsticks McWilliams (ATOM) - 2-3, 27 SV, 3.48 ERA, 33.2 IP, 1.28 WHIP, 5.3 K/9, 0.6 WAR
CL Josh Samm (DC)* - 2-1, 20 SV, 2.27 ERA, 31.2 IP, 0.95 WHIP, 7.7 K/9, 0.8 WAR
C Shawn Cherry (UP) - .266/.332/.390, 267 AB, 5 HR, 85 wRC+, 1.1 WAR
C Dopey Meanie (JP) - .296/.373/.383, 206 AB, 3 HR, 100 wRC+, 1.5 WAR
C Racky Westheim (OBE)* - .331/.405/.504, 272 AB, 10 HR, 144 wRC+, 4.3 WAR
1B Barker Cocoa (UP)* - .401/.533/.880, 267 AB, 39 HR, 109 RBI, 7.3 WAR
2B Harry Byrd (V81)* - .351/.454/.630, 154 AB, 9 HR, 3 SB, 190 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
2B Bulleye Shooterson (JP) - .291/.434/.494, 265 AB, 13 HR, 150 wRC+, 3.0 WAR
2B Justin Tootles (EGR) - .324/.435/.436, 225 AB, 5 HR, 22 SB, 140 wRC+, 2.4 WAR
3B Diamond Ball (SI)* - .352/.440/.621, 301 AB, 22 HR, 2 SB, 179 wRC+, 4.6 WAR
3B Donn Mattingley (ROX) - .304/.374/.531, 309 AB, 17 HR, 135 wRC+, 3.0 WAR
3B Ben Pettinato (QUIN) - .316/.395/.507, 304 AB, 11 HR, 136 wRC+, 2.4 WAR
3B Shane Stabb (ATOM) - .340/.413/.508, 297 AB, 11 HR, 148 wRC+, 3.3 WAR
SS Purple Gupta (ROX) - .304/.377/.492, 299 AB, 11 HR, 1 SB, 123 wRC+, 3.7 WAR
SS Hose Wallcrawler (FHE) - .289/.361/.529, 308 AB, 15 HR, 10 SB, 130 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
SS End Yamada (V81)* - .302/.399/.487, 275 AB, 12 HR, 1 SB, 137 wRC+, 3.9 WAR
LF Ken Debate (JP) - .311/.418/.519, 283 AB, 16 HR, 152 wRC+, 2.8 WAR
LF Young Goodman (ROX)* - .334/.422/.592, 299 AB, 18 HR, 3 SB, 168 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
CF Missile Crews (GOOD) - .370/.457/.697, 284 AB, 24 HR, 9 SB, 200 wRC+, 5.8 WAR
CF Stu Gains (V81)* - .343/.462/.591, 286 AB, 17 HR, 181 wRC+, 4.6 WAR
CF Aesed Hayjen (UP) - .325/.387/.554, 314 AB, 18 HR, 12 SB, 149 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
RF Orcin Cardinal (OBE)* - .344/.417/.656, 299 AB, 27 HR, 178 wRC+, 4.3 WAR
RF Magnum Peaeye (DC) - .339/.375/.581, 310 AB, 21 HR, 1 SB, 154 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
RF Joe Rathmann (V81) - .282/.392/.525, 301 AB, 18 HR, 11 SB, 144 wRC+, 4.3 WAR
CBO Standings
CBO Power Rankings
CBO Players of the Week
July 15 - This week's top performer in the North Charles Association was right fielder Babs Rooth of the County Crossing Bloodbugs.
He lashed out a .500 average and was voted the Player of the Week. Over the last week Rooth tagged 10 hits in 20 at-bats and 3 home runs, drove in 9 runs and scored 7 times.
So far this season, Rooth has recorded a .320 batting average with 95 hits, 31 home runs, 63 RBIs, 59 runs scored and a .429 OBP.
Missile Crews has the tools to stick in this league for many years. The 18-year-old center fielder of the Goodneighbor Hancocks had a hot bat in the South Charles Association over the past seven days and won the Player of the Week honors.
Crews batted .562 with 9 hits in 16 at-bats, 3 home runs and 5 RBIs.
This season Crews is hitting .372 with 107 hits, 24 home runs, 68 RBIs, scored 48 runs and played in 77 games.
July 22 - Baktu DaWell demonstrated his potential to be a star in the game last week and today he took home the North Charles Association Player of the Week Award.
The Sunshine Tidings right fielder wreaked havoc on opposing pitchers last week, pounding them for a .600 average (6-for-10) with 2 home runs and 5 RBIs on his way to claiming the honor.
This year DaWell is hitting .351 with 32 home runs and 70 RBIs in 80 games played. He also boasts an OBP of .445 with 51 walks and 66 runs scored.
It's always a thrill for fans of the team and students of the game alike when a superstar in the making shows what he's got. Orcin Cardinal, the Oberland T-51s 25-year-old right fielder, put himself in the spotlight last week making him the clear-cut choice for South Charles Association Player of the Week honors.
He ripped 9 hits in 16 at-bats, compiling a .562 average with 3 home runs and 4 RBIs.
Cardinal is presently batting .348 with 30 home runs, 68 runs scored and 75 RBIs. His OBP is .420.
CBO Transactions
Monday, July 22nd , 2307
Starlight Killers: Placed RF Hurr Lee Reyes on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 07/21/2307.
The Salem Witch Hats traded 27-year old C Knicker Trout to the Vault 81 Dwellers, getting 19-year old C Kinsella Birdwatcher in return.
The Vault 81 Dwellers traded 22-year old minor league CF Xavier Brown and a 4th round draft pick to the Goodneighbor Hancocks, getting 36-year old RHP Matt Udder and 19-year old minor league LF Devin Ghoul in return.
Sunday, July 21st , 2307
Atom Cats: Placed 3B Shane Stabb on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 07/20/2307.
Saturday, July 20th , 2307
County Crossing Bloodbugs: Activated SS Cy Thompson from the injured list.
Roxbury Rad Sox: Placed RF Deerlord Fugivmee on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 07/19/2307.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Released 1B Crab Kroh.
Thursday, July 18th , 2307
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Signed 1B Elijah Samuelson.
The Slog Ghouls: Signed RP Big James Greenhouse.
The Salem Witch Hats traded 18-year old minor league 1B Winslow Beaver to the Quincy Gunners, getting 24-year old LHP Glenn Patnode in return.
The Bunker Hill 75ers traded 19-year old minor league 1B Syd Thriftstore to the FHE Yao Guai, getting 28-year old RHP Max Thunderdome and 20-year old minor league CF Adrian Worthmuch in return.
Wednesday, July 17th , 2307
Lexington Synths: Activated CF Millioncap Go from the injured list.
The Vault 81 Dwellers traded 19-year old minor league RHP Waxer Lucatero to the Salem Witch Hats, getting 24-year old RHP Ryan Goodpryce in return.
The Bunker Hill 75ers traded 20-year old minor league 1B Scott Back to the The Slog Ghouls, getting 28-year old LHP Mike Cartrette, 20-year old minor league 2B Jeremy MacDonald, 19-year old minor league CF Atai Molec, and 19-year old minor league RHP Marvin Monroe in return.
Tuesday, July 16th , 2307
Nahant Celtics: Activated CF Grandson Quarles from the injured list.
Nahant Celtics: Sent CF Grandson Quarles to Triple A Finch Farm for injury rehab.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Signed 1B Adrian Savoie.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Released 1B Adrian Savoie.
Monday, July 15th , 2307
Oberland T-51s: Activated SS Stormin Normin MacDonald from the injured list.
Oberland T-51s: Sent SS Stormin Normin MacDonald to Triple A Lynn for injury rehab.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Released 1B Yulie Diamondcove.
The Concord Radstags traded 37-year old LF Melon Sanderson to the County Crossing Bloodbugs, getting 23-year old LF Forrest Library, 18-year old minor league 2B Hack E. Sack, and 18-year old minor league C Orlando Magicman in return.
Sunday, July 14th , 2307
Easy Town Assaultrons: Activated CF Sharkey Lurkfodder from the injured list.
Nordhagen Beach Party Boys: Placed 1B Bryan Assman on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 07/13/2307.
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: Activated SS Lernz Tentsleep from the injured list.
Roxbury Rad Sox: Signed RF Ello Asty.
University Point Deathclaws: Signed RF Flounder Polk.
University Point Deathclaws: Released RF Flounder Polk.
Saturday, July 13th , 2307
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Released 1B Koral Steel.
Friday, July 12th , 2307
Concord Radstags: Placed SS Sean Koester on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 07/09/2307.
Thursday, July 11th , 2307
University Point Deathclaws: Activated RF Jarrett Metalbox from the injured list.
Diamond City Swatters: Activated RP Brent Brewer from the injured list.
Roxbury Rad Sox: Activated RF Deerlord Fugivmee from the injured list.
The Oberland T-51s traded 24-year old minor league RF Beckett Quantum to the Nahant Celtics, getting 29-year old RHP Jesse Fraud and 29-year old minor league RHP Jason Niederer in return.
Wednesday, July 10th , 2307
Nordhagen Beach Party Boys: Placed LF Michael Fogcrawler on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 07/09/2307.
Tuesday, July 9th , 2307
The Goodneighbor Hancocks traded 29-year old 1B Matt Ratican to the Roxbury Rad Sox, getting 18-year old minor league 3B Island Boy Dimas and 24-year old minor league RHP Jimmy Harp in return.