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Nuka News Update
Reporting on the NWL, APL, NWLR, and BBL Leagues
by Evan Guy
1 June 2312
Quantum Great, Cherry Good Enough in Early NWL
The Quantum Nukalurks have had an amazing start to the 2312, bursting out to a 17-5 record and a five-game lead just 22 games into the season. The Lurks have established themselves as the top pitching team so far, currently 1st in the NWL in runs allowed (70), Starters ERA (2.83), and Bullpen ERA (2.96). Starters Cameron Biehler (5-0, 1.55), Klick Cline (3-0, 1.87), and Echo Thompson (2-0, 2.77) have been great. RP Christiansen Mandelbrot (1-0, 0.87) has been the best reliever so far. Tummy Urchin (13 SV, 2.51) leads the league in saves, having as many saves as the second-best team has wins.
In the South Bradberton Division, the Cherry Ghoulrillas have a one-game lead over the Orange Tourists. The Ghoulrillas are the top offensive team, leading seven offensive categories, including runs scored (125) and home runs (28). Hitting readers include 1B Swamp Dantin (.424/4/18), LF Everlast Barron (.418/4/9), RF Genius Jerry Kordic (.378/5/17), and 2B Tick Garrett (.369/6/26).
For a rookie just breaking in, Swamp Dantin certainly put together a successful month. It was good enough to win the NWL Batter of the Month award and Rookie of the Month award for May.
The 26-year-old first baseman for the Cherry Ghoulrillas hit .424 with 4 home runs, 18 RBIs and 20 runs scored.
The Pitcher of the Month has been chosen and the Nuka World League trophy went to Quantum hurler, Cameron Biehler.
During the month, Biehler was impressive with a 1.55 ERA and 5 wins and no losses. In 40.2 innings he struck out 20 and gave up 36 hits and 5 walks.
In the APL, division leaders are the Safari Adventure Gazelles and Nuka Town Operators. The Gazelles are the APL's top scoring team (87 runs). The Kiddie Kingdom Cappies have allowed the fewest runs (49).
Pizza Boy Tumbleweed put together a good May to earn the Amusement Park League Batter of the Month prize. A virtual unknown, he made the most of his chance to prove to Safari Adventure officials that he belongs on the big league roster.
The Gazelles right fielder posted a .400 batting average with 11 home runs, 25 RBIs and 15 runs scored.
When Bazine Netal takes the mound, a Nuka Town victory is usually the result. At least that's the way it was in May.
He excelled with a 3-0 mark and a 1.72 ERA in 4 starts, tossed 31.1 innings, fanned 14 and held opposing batters to a .279 average.
That's why the Operators starter was honored today as the Pitcher of the Month by the Amusement Park League.
In the NWLRL, division leaders are the Northpoint Reservoir Gulchers and the Hubologist Camp Barkers. The Dunmore Ferris Wheels lead the NWLRL in runs scored (100). As a strange occurrence so far, the Nuka Plant Electrics at 4-9 have allowed the fewest runs (66) and have only been outscored by seven runs.
Mox Burtolemey is not used to being associated with Batter of the Month-caliber players, but today the Dunmore left fielder joined that select company when the NWL Rookie League announced the results of May's voting.
Burtolemey totaled 16 hits, 13 walks, 11 home runs, 27 RBIs and 20 runs scored last month to put together a .340 batting average and .492 on-base percentage.
Fred Johnson of Red Rocket had an award-winning May as he took home the NWL Rookie League Pitcher of the Month award.
"He told me once people used to make fun of the way he pitches," Johnson's pitching coach told reporters. "There wasn't anybody laughing in May except for Fred."
Johnson was all business when he took the mound though, collecting a 3-0 record in 4 starts. He struck out 26 batters in 20 innings and kept opponents to a .181 batting average.
The Bradberton Boys League is in its final two weeks with the Wixon Shovels and Forest Park Brahmiluffs each leading their division by a game. All other teams are currently in contention with the Hilltop Farm Melonheads having the hardest road ahead at six games back with 13 to play.
Even though he is a newcomer to Bradberton Boys League, Gage Novatron put up some good numbers in May and earned the BBL Batter of the Month award.
He was one of Wixon's offensive leaders with a .437 average in 28 games. He also racked up 15 home runs, 35 RBIs, and 38 runs scored.
An outstanding 3-0 record in May earned Nay Fukuoka the Pitcher of the Month Award in the Bradberton Boys League. When his name was penciled in to start on the Sherwood Manor lineup card, it meant trouble for opposing teams.
In 39.1 innings of work, Fukuoka limited opposing batters to 24 base hits and a .175 batting average. He notched 56 strikeouts, issued 16 walks and had a 0.46 ERA.
Vim! View
Veracious, Vivacious, Vainglorious Vision of the Vim! Leagues
by Vikky Vail
1 June 2312
Dalton Farm, Far Harbor Have Comfortable Leads
Both the Dalton Farm Fog Crawlers (four games) and the Far Harbor Ghoul Whales (five games) have comfortable leads in their divisions in the early part of the 2312 season. The last time either of those two teams won a championship was in 2306 when the Crawlers won their fourth-straight championship.
Not known for his offensive prowess, Toppie Gunn set the league afire in May and took home the Vim! League Batter of the Month award.
The Dalton Farm center fielder posted a steady .351 batting average, 6 home runs, 21 RBIs and 23 runs.
Last month's cream of the crop on the mound was Phil Cecil of the Dalton Farm Fog Crawlers. He captured the Vim! League Pitcher of the Month award for his outstanding performance in May.
Cecil started 6 games, threw 52 innings, yielded 49 hits and logged a 5-1 record. He put down 30 batters on strikes, walked 7 and compiled a 2.25 ERA. Opposing teams batted .247 against him.
Teig O'Kane's eyes seem to light up whenever he sees the baseball. The young Far Harbor center fielder has been hitting everything in sight for the better part of a month.
In May he was voted the Rookie of the Month.
During the month he hit .371 with 7 doubles, 1 triple and 8 home runs. O'Kane also scored 18 times and drove in 25 runs.
In the MDIL, division leaders are the Cliff's Edge Actors and Eagle's Cove Harpooners. The Actors are tops in runs allowed (38) at fewer than three allowed per game. The Oceanarium Oceanics have been the top offensive team with 89 runs scored.
Stopdrop Pilkington battered Mount Desert Island League pitchers all May and wound up taking home the Batter of the Month Award.
"I've been around Mount Desert Island League long enough to know you really have to work hard day in and day out to be able to put up this kind of consistency," the 27-year-old Pilkington told reporters. "I put in a lot of work, even on the days I might not take the field, and it's always nice when everything comes together for me like it did this last month."
In 11 games, Pilkington hit .348 with 6 home runs, 14 RBIs and scored 13 runs.
The Mount Desert Island League scribes have selected May's Pitcher of the Month and have awarded the honor to Joel Johnson of Cliff's Edge. He was outstanding on the hill last month and has the numbers to prove it -- a 2-0 record.
The Actors star performer made 2 starts with a 1.12 ERA and surrendered 7 hits in 16 innings. He struck out 6 and walked 4.
In the Vim! Rookie League, leaders are the Glowing Grove Braniacs and Fringe Cove Champions. The Champions are the top offensive team, including the most runs scored (120) at over nine runs per game. The Braniacs are the top pitching team, leading the league in runs allowed (70).
Snap, crackle and pop! In May, Swampy Butterscotch snapped up the VIM! Rookie League Batter of the Month trophy by cracking 21 hits and popping 6 home runs.
For the month he hit a solid .429 with 14 RBIs and 16 runs scored. The Rock Point left fielder also picked up 12 walks to compile a .556 on-base percentage.
With his 0-0 record and 0.00 ERA in May, Red Steamer's selection as the VIM! Rookie League Pitcher of the Month was well deserved.
He made 8 relief appearances, racking up 6 saves, 11 strikeouts and 1 walk in 8.1 innings.
In the Maine Youth Leagues, the Far Harbor Dockdwellers and Echo Point Glowers are the division leaders in the last two weeks. Far Harbor has a three-game lead, while the Glowers have just a one-game lead over Diamond Cove.
At only 14 years of age, Vimmy Vim could very well have many more months like this last one during his career.
That would be great news for fans of the Beaver Creek Bowlers, as May was one to remember for the right fielder and he has captured the Mount Desert Island Four Batter of the Month award.
On the month he hit .309 with 17 home runs, 43 RBIs and 37 runs scored.
Porky Ashley has a lot going for him. The Pleasant Cove left fielder just broke into the majors this year and now the Great Diamond Island League has just picked him as its top hitter for May.
In 27 games last month this outstanding rookie batted .433 with 10 home runs, 28 RBIs and 25 runs scored.
The Mount Desert Island Four hitters didn't have a chance in May when the National Park Rangers manager wrote "Bennett" on the lineup card. Outing after outing, Reardon Bennett held teams in check and usually got a win.
He excelled with a 3-0 mark and 1.06 ERA in 5 starts. The talented Rangers star pitched 34 innings, fanned 40 and held opposing teams to a .129 average.
For his superb mound work Bennett was named the MDIF Pitcher of the Month by the baseball writers.
The Pitcher of the Month Award has been announced and the Great Diamond Island League winner is Diamond Cove hurler, Cookie Jones. For his fine efforts in May he has been named the league's #1 pitcher.
During the month, Jones excelled with a 2.48 ERA and 4 wins and 1 loss. In 40 innings he struck out 43 and gave up 37 hits and 0 walks.