BNN Report
News from the CBO, Minors, CCBL, and CYL
by Nat Wright-Kawolski
20 May 2312
CBO Analysis
We are at about 30% of the way through the 2312 season. There is still a lot of jostling waiting to happen in the league, but some teams are starting to fit into the "contenders" category officially. There are also 15 teams hovering around five games over or below .500. That means there are many teams who could go through positive or negative streaks to put them in great contention. The two hottest teams, Salem (8 straight wins) and FHE (15 straight wins!), are at the top of the Power Rankings this week. Here are the current team power rankings for Commonwealth Baseball Organization:
Teams (Total Points, Tendency):
1) Salem Witch Hats (148.7, o)
2) FHE Yao Guai (133.9, +)
3) Jamaica Plain Red Rockets (121.8, +)
4) Goodneighbor Hancocks (109.9, -)
5) Roxbury Rad Sox (107.5, ++)
6) Fort Hagen Silver Shroud (105.9, o)
7) Vault 81 Dwellers (102.9, --)
8) County Crossing Bloodbugs (102.5, ++)
9) Oberland T-51s (98.7, ++)
10) Diamond City Swatters (97.5, -)
11) Starlight Killers (95.7, ++)
12) Bunker Hill 75ers (92.0, ++)
13) Nahant Celtics (91.0, ++)
14) Nordhagen Beach Party Boys (89.7, --)
15) Egret Ninjas (88.0, --)
16) Glowing Sea Radscorpions (85.5, ++)
17) University Point Deathclaws (84.3, --)
18) Cambridge Coursers (80.3, --)
19) The Slog Ghouls (79.5, ++)
20) Atom Cats (77.8, ++)
21) Concord Radstags (76.8, ++)
22) Easy Town Assaultrons (76.3, --)
23) Sunshine Tidings Chemists (72.8, -)
24) Southie Brews (70.5, --)
25) Spectacle Island Reapers (69.1, -)
26) Quincy Gunners (68.1, --)
27) Malden Grognaks (63.2, -)
28) Lexington Synths (44.0, o)
Brotherhood League
Currently on an eight-game winning streak, the Salem Witch Hats are now four games better than anyone for the CBO's top record. The Hats also have a seven-game lead over County Crossing and an eight-game lead over the spiraling Party Boys. Thos three teams named are the only three above .500 in an association with just five teams currently over. 500.
The Bloodbugs represent a tale of two teams. Like usual, the Bugs are awesome on offense, currently second in the NCA in runs scored (218) and 2nd in most offensive categories except WAR (5th at 5.3) and stolen bases (9th at 23). Like usual, RF Babs Rooth (.388/12/42) is the unquestioned team leader and in the Nuka Hitter Award race. 1B Zeldolph Violet (.315/7/17), CF Bumpy Redfern (.293/8/34), and LF Any Why (.348/5/18) also have contributed. On the mound, County Crosing is 10th in runs allowed (201), including having the 11th-best Starters ERA (5.05). Ace SP Gavin Eviritts (4-3, 3.86) is holding the rotation together. RP Jupiter Jones (2-1, 1.31) is the only pitcher in the bullpen with a great ERA.
Institute League
Fort Hagen has struggled as of late, but so has the rest of the Institute League with the Shroud tied with Starlight, Bunker Hill, and Sunshine Tidings with the best 10-game stretch in the league of 5-5. Right now, we are not sure what to think of the IL, so we will play the waiting game.
One key team not currently in the playoff race is Sunshine Tidings. The Chemists are considered to be a solid veteran-packed team on a nine-year playoff streak with grizzled leaders in SP Sheng Kawolski (1-5, 6.40), RF David Seaweed (.262/3/8), and 1B Dusty Brownell (.222/2/10). As you can see, though, those veterans are struggling in the first third of the season, though it is worth noting that Seaweed is this week's top player. Sunshine Tidings is 7th in runs scored (173) and 9th in runs allowed (194), so a turnaround is not out of the question. The need more than LF Family Sam Partridge (.338/9/32) and SP Doug Creep (2-3, 3.20) to perform to be able to find that success, though.
Minutemen League
Jamaica Plain and Goodneighbor have been battling at the top of the Minutemen League, while 3rd-7th place are three games within of one another. University Point at 18-20 is the top, whole Quincy and Spectacle Island, both considered preseason playoff contenders, are at the bottom at 15-23.
The Hancocks seem as though they are a beast waiting to pounce. As one of the youngest teams in the CBO, Goodneighbor is packed with young top talent. Still, there have been some offensive struggles, including currently being tied for 10th in the SCA in runs scored (172), though that stat is a statistical anomaly since the Hancocks are better than that in every other offensive category. Top hitters have been 3B Luke Skyy (.391/1/22) and CF Missile Crews (.343/7/20). On the mound, the four starters have been great, including ace SP Heaven Fontenot (5-1, 3.24), the 2311 Vim! Pitcher Award winner, having the worst ERA of the rotation. Other starters are Mister Burns (5-2, 2.48), Clubhouse Treelover (4-1. 2.70), and Pollox Troye (3-1, 1.69).
Railroad League
Vault 81 thought they had a tight grip on the Railroad League, but their current four-game losing streak with FHE's current 15-game winning streak ties the two teams atop the league at 23-15. Three other teams in Diamond City, Roxbury, and Oberland are above .500, while Egret has risen to .500 after a putrid start.
The Yao Guai's 15-game winning streak is beyond just impressive. After dropping their first game of May, a 7-2 loss to Roxbury, FHE has swept Diamond City, The Slog, Concord, Glowing Sea, and Fort Hagen. The Rad Sox series was their first series win after losing five straight series before this impressive streak began, or the Yao Guai would be running away with the best record in the CBO. Looking at the team, FHE is now 3rd in runs scored (202) and 5th in runs allowed (166). Offensively, LF Innis Sark (.297/10/21) is the best all-around hitter. Fourth starter, Kennett Kentucky (3-2, 2.59) leads the team in ERA.
CBO Standings
CBO Players of the Week
May 13 - It was announced today by the North Charles Association that County Crossing right fielder Babs Rooth had received the Player of the Week Trophy for his superlative play last week.
During his week-long batting binge he reeled off a .500 batting average, 11 hits and 3 home runs. Rooth also racked up 9 RBIs and scored 7 runs.
In his season totals Rooth has 10 home runs and a .398 batting average.
Zod Gaycey has the tools to stick in this league for many years. The 24-year-old first baseman of the Spectacle Island Reapers had a hot bat in the South Charles Association over the past seven days and won the Player of the Week honors.
Gaycey batted .458 with 11 hits in 24 at-bats, 5 home runs and 13 RBIs.
This season, Gaycey is batting .291 with 10 home runs. His totals include 29 RBIs and 18 runs scored.
May 20 - David Seaweed of the Sunshine Tidings Chemists had a spectacular week and today was voted the Player of the Week by the North Charles Association.
For the week Seaweed batted .562 (9-for-16) with 2 home runs and 6 RBIs.
Thus far this year, Seaweed is hitting .262 with 3 home runs, 8 RBIs and 10 runs scored.
Roxbury's Purple Gupta nabbed the latest South Charles Association Player of the Week Award for his batting prowess this past week.
Posting a hefty .435 average with 2 home runs, 7 RBIs and 6 runs scored, the 31-year-old is the toast of Roxbury right now.
Gupta has collected 34 hits for the Rad Sox this year, 6 of them home runs. He has also netted 18 RBIs and scored 21 runs while batting .258.
CBO Noteworthy News
May 1-20 - Milestones: 1000-run club = Zeldoph Violet, Lannie Tykeson, and Allen Bishop; 1500-run club = Barker Cocoa.
May 19 - The T-51s received bad news this morning. Stormin Normin MacDonald will miss 5 weeks due to a strained oblique. He sustained the injury in the Oberland-Diamond City game while throwing the ball. "I'm disappointed more than anything," he told reporters later in the day. "You can't help your team on the bench," MacDonald sighed. "I'll do the rehab work and hope for a quick recovery."
Looking at his present stats, MacDonald has compiled a .325 batting average in 37 games with a .458 on-base percentage, while hitting 4 home runs and driving in 18 runs.
May 20 - Goodneighbor's Handel Alone had his 38-game hitting streak snapped last month. What we have discovered was that he tied Amari Nukes' 2298 record when Nukes hit in 38 straight for the Chemists.
CBO Transactions
Monday, May 20th , 2312
Quincy Gunners: Placed CL Ma'Khail Redstick on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 05/19/2312.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Activated SS Brandon Larsonist from the injured list.
Oberland T-51s: Placed SS Stormin Normin MacDonald on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 05/19/2312.
Glowing Sea Radscorpions: Released SP Alex Solar.
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: Signed RF Curtain Mora.
Spectacle Island Reapers: Signed SP Alex Solar.
Oberland T-51s: Signed 2B Kevin Hill.
Goodneighbor Hancocks: Signed LF Heston Prynne.
Sunday, May 19th , 2312
Malden Grognaks: Activated SS Noctyss Eternus from the injured list.
Malden Grognaks: Sent SS Noctyss Eternus to Triple A Plymouth for injury rehab.
Saturday, May 18th , 2312
University Point Deathclaws: Placed LF Chris Hirshfield on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 05/17/2312.
FHE Yao Guai: Released RP Daniel Sandman.
Lexington Synths: Released SS Julian Roughneck.
Oberland T-51s: Released RP Pritch Diller.
Concord Radstags: Signed RF Marty Fischer.
Nahant Celtics: Signed LF Dana Torres.
Nahant Celtics: Released CF Dustin Dean Moriarty.
Concord Radstags: Released CF Mike Carrasco.
Friday, May 17th , 2312
Roxbury Rad Sox: Placed RP Charred Lee Widemore on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 05/14/2312.
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Placed SS Tenpenny Luna on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 05/16/2312.
Nahant Celtics: Signed LF Ed Tarberry.
Glowing Sea Radscorpions: Signed SP Kristian Frederiksen.
Glowing Sea Radscorpions: Released SP Kristian Frederiksen.
Nahant Celtics: Released CF Heston Prynne.
Thursday, May 16th , 2312
County Crossing Bloodbugs: Placed RP Relay Meacham on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 05/15/2312.
Roxbury Rad Sox: Released RP Ivan Castle.
Glowing Sea Radscorpions: Signed SP Kristian Frederiksen.
Lexington Synths: Signed SS Lumber Kingman.
Concord Radstags: Signed RF Brenden Titleman.
Glowing Sea Radscorpions: Released SP Kristian Frederiksen.
Lexington Synths: Released SS Lumber Kingman.
Wednesday, May 15th , 2312
FHE Yao Guai: Placed CF McCrew Gillens on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 05/13/2312.
Nahant Celtics: Signed LF Dustin Dean Moriarty.
Lexington Synths: Signed SS Julian Roughneck.
Nahant Celtics: Released RF Curtain Mora.
Tuesday, May 14th , 2312
Nahant Celtics: Signed LF Mighty Dward.
Nahant Celtics: Released RF Vince Bamburg.
Monday, May 13th , 2312
Jamaica Plain Red Rockets: Placed RP Quest Dawg on the 60-day injured list.
Oberland T-51s: Signed RP Aaron Reddeath.
Oberland T-51s: Signed RP Art Armstrong.
Oberland T-51s: Signed RP Sterling Neeley.
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: Signed RF Ryan Stephenson.
Glowing Sea Radscorpions: Signed SP Kristian Frederiksen.
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: Released RF Cheap Diehl.
Glowing Sea Radscorpions: Released SP Kristian Frederiksen.
Oberland T-51s: Released RP Alex Fonseca.
Oberland T-51s: Released SP Ben McEntire.
Sunday, May 12th , 2312
FHE Yao Guai: Released RP Ted Bagley.
Goodneighbor Hancocks: Signed LF Trev Valentine.
Glowing Sea Radscorpions: Signed SP Kristian Frederiksen.
Glowing Sea Radscorpions: Released SP Kristian Frederiksen.
Saturday, May 11th , 2312
Malden Grognaks: Placed SP Nick Hardy on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 05/09/2312.
Nahant Celtics: Signed LF Three Richardson-Bethson.
Glowing Sea Radscorpions: Signed SP Kristian Frederiksen.
Nahant Celtics: Released CF Bottlecap Go.
Glowing Sea Radscorpions: Released SP Kristian Frederiksen.
Friday, May 10th , 2312
Oberland T-51s: Signed RP Art Noyes.
Oberland T-51s: Signed RP Tell Ghoulspawn.
Oberland T-51s: Signed RP Nuttin Honey.
Concord Radstags: Signed RF Crops Gerdenheimer.
Lexington Synths: Signed SS Agmaer Nord.
Concord Radstags: Released RF Crops Gerdenheimer.
Oberland T-51s: Released RP Jason Brown.
Oberland T-51s: Released RP Ruben Gonzalez.
Thursday, May 9th , 2312
Nahant Celtics: Activated CF Grandson Quarles from the injured list.
Starlight Killers: Placed RP Gjak Ironbreaker on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 05/08/2312.
Bunker Hill 75ers: Activated 3B Cave Dweller Bourgeois from the injured list.
Wednesday, May 8th , 2312
Nahant Celtics: Released 1B Corey Perryman.
Fort Hagen Silver Shroud: Activated RF Foo Fieterz from the injured list.
Oberland T-51s: Released RP Cooz Deathbrand.
Goodneighbor Hancocks: Signed LF Xavier Brown.
Tuesday, May 7th , 2312
Southie Brews: Activated SP Klement Thodberg from the injured list.
Glowing Sea Radscorpions: Released RP Marcus Gilmore.
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: Signed RF John Millertime.
Concord Radstags: Signed RF Ghost Hildebrand.
Glowing Sea Radscorpions: Signed SP Kristian Frederiksen.
Glowing Sea Radscorpions: Released SP Kristian Frederiksen.
Concord Radstags: Released RF Ghost Hildebrand.
Sunshine Tidings Chemists: Released RF Lips Lightfoot.
CCBL Playoffs
The 2312 season is now completed with a reduced playoff field of just four teams. Next season, the CCBL will add at least one more conference, though they have not yet made a decision, along with an expanded playoff field.
Another Commonwealth Collegiate Baseball League campaign is in the books. The regular season has ended and the playoffs are about to begin. It is a time of skill, talent -- and luck. And when all the games have been played, one team will survive and be crowned the 2312 College Series champion.
The teams who survived the hard battles of the regular season now begin their new campaign -- the postseason. The playoffs begin today in Commonwealth Collegiate Baseball League as the First Round commences with these matchups of clubs hoping to win the title:
Northeastern Huskies vs Greenfield College Greenies and Assumption Greyhounds vs Winthrop College Guardians.
In the playoffs, there is a double-elimination mode before the two remaining teams will play in a three-game College Series for the right to claim the 2312 championship.
