BNN Report
News from the CBO, Minors, CCBL, and CYL
by Nat Wright-Kawolski
19 May 2313
CBO Analysis
With teams reaching the 38-game mark, marking the 30% point of the season, very few teams have emerged as "dominant." In fact, the CBO hs just two teams--Vault 81 (28) and FHE (26)--with more than 25 wins. The same goes for 25 losses in Malden (26) and Easy Town (27). The rest of the CBO can be considered jumbled for now with 17 of the CBO's 28 teams in the .400-.599 winning percentage range.
Here are the current team power rankings for Commonwealth Baseball Organization:
Teams (Total Points, Tendency):
1) Vault 81 Dwellers (142.7, +)
2) FHE Yao Guai (120.1, -)
3) Atom Cats (119.8, +)
4) County Crossing Bloodbugs (116.8, -)
5) Starlight Killers (111.2, ++)
6) Bunker Hill 75ers (107.9, +)
7) Salem Witch Hats (105.2, -)
8) The Slog Ghouls (104.2, -)
9) Goodneighbor Hancocks (100.7, ++)
10) Glowing Sea Radscorpions (100.5, -)
11) Fort Hagen Silver Shroud (95.7, +)
12) University Point Deathclaws (94.5, -)
13) Oberland T-51s (94.0, +)
14) Jamaica Plain Red Rockets (93.0, +)
15) Lexington Synths (90.7, --)
16) Spectacle Island Reapers (90.0, --)
17) Southie Brews (89.3, +)
18) Egret Ninjas (74.8, ++)
19) Nahant Celtics (74.8, +)
20) Diamond City Swatters (74.5, --)
21) Concord Radstags (73.5, o)
22) Sunshine Tidings Chemists (73.1, +)
23) Nordhagen Beach Party Boys (72.5, --)
24) Quincy Gunners (67.1, -)
25) Roxbury Rad Sox (65.2, -)
26) Cambridge Coursers (62.2, o)
27) Malden Grognaks (60.9, +)
28) Easy Town Assaultrons (47.0, -)
Brotherhood League
County Crossing has current control of the league, though both Salem and The Slog sit at just two games back. The rest of the league is below .500, led by Nordhagen Beach in 4th place on a four-game losing streak and a 3-7 mark in their last 10. Nahant, Malden, and Easy Town round out the league with both the Grognaks and Assaultrons currently battling for the CBO's worst record.
The Bloodbugs are back near the top after their thrilling run to win the BL in 2312. This year, the Bugs are currently in control of the NCA's top record with the 4th-best scoring offense (202) and 3rd-best scoring defense (158). On offense, four-time Nuka Hitter Award winner, Babs Rooth (.336/9/28) is the unquestioned leader. Others assisting in success include 1B Plain Morris (.303/7/21), SS Cy Thompson (.295/8/25), and 2B Yoink Yukon (.318/4/18). On the mound, the top two starters have been dominant in runs allowed, with College Luckyman (6-2, 3.09) getting run support but not Gavin Eviritts (2-5, 2.76). In the bullpen, former closer Jessie Bibeault (1-0, 2.70) and former UP closer Willie Lule (1-0, 1.59) have had the most success.
Institute League
Bunker Hill had control of both the IL and NCA just two weeks ago, but a 4-6 string now makes them one back of County Crossing for the NCA's top record and just one game up on Starlight for the IL lead. Fort Hagen and Lexington are both 20-18, putting them in the heat of the league race. Concord, Sunshine Tidings, and Cambridge round out the rest of the IL.
For the Chemists, they were on a nine-game playoff streak from 2303-2311, including five consecutive IL crowns from 2304-2308. In 2312, they missed the playoffs, and now they sit just one game up from Cambridge for last place despite having some talent. Currently, Sunshine Tidings is 7th in runs scored (179) and 14th in runs allowed (239). On offense, they have the two-headed monster in LF Family Sam Partridge (.326/10/23) and 1B Lone Wolf Leo Gamma-Ray (.322/10/23). C Red Jay Jones (.260/10/14) and 3B Ross Merchantman (.280/9/22) have also contributed. Pitching has been pretty bad, thus the terrible record. Ace Eugene Gym (2-4, 6.75) is really struggling, but so is Tiger Fanne (3-4, 5.40), Sheng Kawolski (0-4, 7.13), and Matt Gatekeeper (0-2, 6.97).
Minutemen League
Atom has jumped out to a three-game lead, the CBO's largest, thanks to a 7-3 mark in their last 10, while University Point went 3-7 in the same stretch. Goodneighbor is the only other team above .500 with Jamaica Plain and Spectacle Island tied for 4th at 19-19. Southie is just one game back of them, while Quincy sits alone at the bottom of the ML.
The Brews thought they were on to something this preseason. Getting all the way to the Nuka Cup Preseason Tournament semifinals before succumbing to Vault 81, Southie thought the 2313 season could be something different. At 18-20, they are not terrible, but they still would need to get hot to get into the heart of the ML race. Currently, the Brews are tied for 10th in runs scored (175) and 5th in runs allowed (173). The top half of the lineup has seen the most success in hits, but Southie is 13th in home runs (29). 1B Fairlane Ford (.322/7/31) is the all-around leader, including tops in homers and RBI. 3B Sonny Pacino (.357/2/14) is the best hitter, while 2B Grill Atomson (.300/2/13) and RF Mork Mendee (.300/6/19) have contributed. The pitching has been decently good, especially starters Air McNair (4-4, 3.36) and Cohort Williams (4-2, 3.88). Second-year pitcher Buzzcut McDonald (2-3, 4.33) is adjusting to starting in the CBO after pitching out of the bullpen in 2312. In the bullpen, Frumdeep Fathoms (2-0, 1.29) has been the best pitcher there.
Railroad League
With a 9-1 stretch, the Vault 81 Dwellers have catapulted themselves into the top spot in the CBO, surpassing the CBO's second-best team in FHE for a two-game lead. Glowing Sea has faded some but still sits four games above .500 and tied for 4th in the SCA with the Deathclaws. Oberland, Diamond City, Egret, and Roxbury take up the rear. The Rad Sox currently have the SCA's worst record and have begun to offload players, including trading away Ayag Mour.
Vault 81 was not content with losing in the Sole Survivor Series, coming out on fire to win the Nuka Cup Preseason Tournament and now owning the CBO's top record by two games. That success is mostly due to a great offense, currently 1st in runs scored (257) along with 1st in every other offensive category but stolen bases (tied for 4th at 30) and base running (12th at -6.3). With 68 home runs, nine players have hit five or more home runs with the leader, 1B Chris Connexx (.292/10/22), only having 10. 2B Harry Byrd (.358/7/32) has been the best all-around hitter, with additional contributions from RF Joe Rathmann (.312/8/24) and SS End Yamada (.291/6/26). Pitching has not been outstanding, but ace SP Exxie Summerset (8-0, 3.38) has been doing what needs to be done to help his team win. SP Scruffy Taguchi (6-1, 4.15) and RP Dynamite Delaney (1-0, 3.86) have been additional contributors.
CBO Standings
CBO Players of the Week
May 12 - Mike Fountaineau 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 Concord third baseman wreaked havoc on opposing pitchers last week, pounding them for a .682 average (15-for-22) with 7 home runs and 15 RBIs on his way to claiming the honor.
This season, Fountaineau has hit at a .363 clip and produced 23 runs batted in, 10 home runs and 17 runs.
One of the league's most exciting young players, Dathomirian Zabrak of the FHE Yao Guai earned himself South Charles Association Player of the Week honors with a standout performance in last week's games.
For the week the 25-year-old shortstop had a lofty .577 average (15-for-26), collecting no home runs, 6 RBIs and 4 runs scored.
Zabrak is hitting .405 in 2313 with 17 RBIs and 3 home runs.
May 19 - 20-year-old Justin Lower sent shock waves through Commonwealth Baseball Organization last week with an eye-popping performance that brought him the North Charles Association Player of the Week Award.
A newcomer to the league, Lower made the establishment sit up and take notice, punishing opposing pitchers with a .632 average, 12 hits in 19 at-bats, 3 home runs and 10 RBI.
Where the Starlight Killers catcher goes from here, only the baseball gods know for sure, but Lower certainly made his mark last week.
Currently Lower is batting .322 with 9 home runs and 27 RBIs.
His face might be sunbaked after all the years he's invested in this game, but 35-year-old Austin Engill of the Egret Ninjas is still playing a kid's game -- and getting paid for it. The veteran shortstop had a tremendous week and was named the South Charles Association Player of the Week.
Engill drilled 8 hits in 21 at-bats and 4 home runs on his way to posting a .381 average. He also knocked in 10 runs and scored 8 times.
In 2313 Engill has hit at a .224 clip with 26 hits, 9 home runs, 22 RBIs and has scored 29 times.
CBO Noteworthy News
May 10 - Ben Pawlak reached the 2000-hit milestone this afternoon at Atomatoys Stadium at Roxbury. The 36-year-old Rad Sox left fielder went 2-for-3 in a losing effort in the Roxbury 11-7 defeat at the hands of the Sunshine Tidings Chemists.
For his career, Pawlak has batted .308 and hit 325 home runs.
May 10 - The no-hitter is one of baseball's truly egalitarian achievements. It's done by the great and the not-so-great alike, and for nearly all of them it represents the pinnacle of a career. Cambridge Coursers pitcher Mosie Corncob had his moment at Glowing Sea Dome, holding the Glowing Sea Radscorpions hitless and beating them, 3-0.
"Everything was working for him," Radscorpions manager Woody Lumpkin said. "He had a lot of late movement that seemed to cause the guys trouble, especially from the fifth inning on. He was in command."
Corncob rung up 4 strikeouts, issued 7 walks and faced only 33 hitters in his historic outing. After the game, he spoke to BNN reporters in the Cambridge locker room.
"I really got nervous in the last inning," Corncob recalled. "I knew I had a chance at a no-hitter but it was hard to stay calm and concentrate. Thank goodness for my catcher. He told me he would do all the thinking and I could just concentrate on hitting his glove."
In 7 starts this season, Corncob has rung up a 3-3 record and a 4.58 ERA.
May 11 - Biter Trout reached the 2000-hit mark today. Starlight's 36-year-old catcher received a standing ovation from Starlight Killers and Egret Ninjas fans alike. On the day, Trout went 1-for-3 in the Killers 4-3 victory.
During his career, Trout is batting .343 and has totaled 69 home runs.
May 19 - Which active pitchers are leading the Commonwealth Baseball Organization in career losses?
Aldo Sanch, DC, 150
Chris Deathclaw, JP, 148
Jerry Weisman, STAR, 148
Gavin Eviritts, CC, 147
Tristan Marble, JP, 145
CBO Transactions
Monday, May 19th , 2313
Nordhagen Beach Party Boys: Placed SS Pipe Wallcrawler on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 05/16/2313.
Nordhagen Beach Party Boys: Released CF Marcus Fairhair.
Fort Hagen Silver Shroud: Placed CL Nien Nunb on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 05/17/2313.
Goodneighbor Hancocks: Signed LF Brave Nick Johnson.
FHE Yao Guai: Signed CF Ren Stimpy.
FHE Yao Guai: Signed RF Flowertop Zo.
Nordhagen Beach Party Boys: Signed SS Nab Amidala.
FHE Yao Guai: Released RF Mad Davison.
Sunday, May 18th , 2313
Vault 81 Dwellers: Activated SP Ryan Downing from the restricted list.
Goodneighbor Hancocks: Activated RP Michel Jouan from the injured list.
The Slog Ghouls: Placed CF Bill Lazarus on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 05/17/2313.
The Slog Ghouls: Placed RF Cypher Raige on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 05/17/2313.
Concord Radstags: Signed LF Cornelius Humperdink IV.
Nahant Celtics: Signed LF Cocky Cochran.
Malden Grognaks: Signed RF Willie Graham.
FHE Yao Guai: Signed CF Deft Weddums.
FHE Yao Guai: Signed RF Vlad Harkonnen.
Concord Radstags: Released LF Mat Sutor.
Saturday, May 17th , 2313
Salem Witch Hats: Placed RP Gary Harvard on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 05/16/2313.
Egret Ninjas: Released RF Machineman Gomez.
Cambridge Coursers: Activated CF Miky Mytook from the injured list.
Nahant Celtics: Signed LF Dave Infante.
Spectacle Island Reapers: Signed C Mighty Joe Packmer.
Spectacle Island Reapers: Signed C Gruesome Tato.
Spectacle Island Reapers: Signed CF Ded Grie.
The Slog Ghouls: Signed 3B Peter Tatoeater.
Friday, May 16th , 2313
Roxbury Rad Sox: Released 2B Pete Thweatt.
Glowing Sea Radscorpions: Placed 1B Casey Roux on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 05/14/2313.
Concord Radstags: Signed LF Mat Sutor.
Malden Grognaks: Signed RF Aidan Underwood.
Concord Radstags: Released LF Lips Lightfoot.
The Spectacle Island Reapers traded 25-year old minor league RHP Crime Spree Ruiz to the Bunker Hill 75ers, getting 19-year old minor league 2B Aidan Jacobi in return.
Thursday, May 15th , 2313
Concord Radstags: Activated RF Gargoyle Falcone from the restricted list.
Concord Radstags: Activated SS Poncho Picasso from the injured list.
Concord Radstags: Released RF Colorado Saion.
FHE Yao Guai: Activated LF Makin Jobear from the injured list.
Lexington Synths: Placed SP Aaron Somer on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 05/14/2313.
Oberland T-51s: Placed 1B Lannie Tykeson on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 05/14/2313.
Spectacle Island Reapers: Activated RP Sam Guevenne from the injured list.
Spectacle Island Reapers: Sent RP Sam Guevenne to Triple A Clifton for injury rehab.
Nordhagen Beach Party Boys: Activated RP Tommy Beach from the injured list.
Nordhagen Beach Party Boys: Sent RP Tommy Beach to Triple A Braintree for injury rehab.
Nahant Celtics: Signed LF Formal Martinez.
FHE Yao Guai: Signed RF Oak Sparta.
The Easy Town Assaultrons traded 21-year old RHP Jimmy Nap to the Concord Radstags, getting 29-year old minor league SS Z.X. Holloway in return.
Wednesday, May 14th , 2313
Atom Cats: Activated SS Root Beer from the injured list.
The Bunker Hill 75ers traded 25-year old minor league RHP Mercury Hayes and a 12th round draft pick to the Easy Town Assaultrons, getting 38-year old RHP Pete Pembroke in return.
Tuesday, May 13th , 2313
Diamond City Swatters: Activated RP Nucky Ostiguin from the injured list.
Diamond City Swatters: Sent RP Nucky Ostiguin to Triple A Natick for injury rehab.
Egret Ninjas: Released 2B Gen Tullius.
Roxbury Rad Sox: Activated CL Professor Harriel from the injured list.
Roxbury Rad Sox: Sent CL Professor Harriel to Triple A Sandwich for injury rehab.
Fort Hagen Silver Shroud: Released 2B Charlie Siloet.
Fort Hagen Silver Shroud: Released LF Brave Nick Johnson.
Concord Radstags: Signed LF Mighty Dward.
Egret Ninjas: Signed 3B Axe Tightly.
Malden Grognaks: Signed RF Marty Fischer.
Goodneighbor Hancocks: Signed RP Zeke Zapper.
Goodneighbor Hancocks: Signed SP Silencer Simmons.
Goodneighbor Hancocks: Signed SP Terrell McCall.
Goodneighbor Hancocks: Signed LF Nathan Hellelf.
Concord Radstags: Released CF Andy Hutcheson.
Goodneighbor Hancocks: Released CF Onson Sweemey.
Malden Grognaks: Released RF Hat Weaver.
Monday, May 12th , 2313
University Point Deathclaws: SP Gilchrist Moore returns from his rehab assignment.
Concord Radstags: Placed RF Gargoyle Falcone on the restricted list.
Vault 81 Dwellers: Placed SP Ryan Downing on the restricted list.
Goodneighbor Hancocks: Placed RP Michel Jouan on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 05/10/2313.
Cambridge Coursers: Activated 3B Artist Moody from the injured list.
Southie Brews: Activated 3B Sonny Pacino from the injured list.
Lexington Synths: Signed LF Steele Dan.
Goodneighbor Hancocks: Signed LF Eric Doll.
University Point Deathclaws: Signed C Magicman Orlando.
University Point Deathclaws: Signed SP Frank M'Kenna.
University Point Deathclaws: Signed LF Flipper Powell.
Sunday, May 11th , 2313
Malden Grognaks: Released RP Matt Stockham.
Starlight Killers: Signed C Kawka Kawa.
Starlight Killers: Signed C Finn Nutman.
The Malden Grognaks traded 19-year old minor league LF Matt Batts to the Jamaica Plain Red Rockets, getting 22-year old minor league LF Franz Kniprode and 22-year old minor league RHP Chandra Lucas in return.
Saturday, May 10th , 2313
Goodneighbor Hancocks: Activated LF Ziggy Stardust from the injured list.
Salem Witch Hats: Activated RP Taki Undertaker from the injured list.
Nahant Celtics: Signed LF Newsboy Grigg.
Malden Grognaks: Signed RF Hat Weaver.
Malden Grognaks: Released RF Marty Fischer.
Friday, May 9th , 2313
FHE Yao Guai: Placed LF Makin Jobear on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 05/08/2313.
FHE Yao Guai: Activated RF Innis Sark from the injured list.
Malden Grognaks: Activated RP Gracie Geiger from the injured list.
Malden Grognaks: Sent RP Gracie Geiger to Triple A Plymouth for injury rehab.
The Slog Ghouls: Signed 3B Jonathan Sanders.
The Slog Ghouls: Released 3B Jonathan Sanders.
The Roxbury Rad Sox traded 35-year old C Ayag Mour to the Nahant Celtics, getting 28-year old LHP Astro Puptent and 34-year old C Stuart Costantino in return.
Thursday, May 8th , 2313
Concord Radstags: Placed SS Poncho Picasso on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 05/07/2313.
Starlight Killers: Placed RF Hurr Lee Reyes on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 05/07/2313.
Diamond City Swatters: Activated LF Todd Smithfield from the injured list.
Lexington Synths: Released LF Kyle Quickfingers.
Egret Ninjas: Signed 3B Brian Fulmer.
Egret Ninjas: Released 3B Casey Sturman.
Wednesday, May 7th , 2313
Atom Cats: Placed SS Root Beer on the 7-day injured list, retroactive to 05/06/2313.
FHE Yao Guai: Signed free agent RP Rally Tubbs to a minor league contract.
Malden Grognaks: Signed RF Revyn Sadri.
Tuesday, May 6th , 2313
Spectacle Island Reapers: Activated CF Hondo Ohnaka from the injured list.
Nahant Celtics: Signed LF Bottlecap Go.
Malden Grognaks: Signed RF Ralph DeYoe.
CYL Playoffs Update
The CYL playoffs are now down to the regional semifinals, so eight teams remain tin the pursuit to win the Commonwealth Youth Series.
In the NR, the semifinals are the #16 Woburn Diners vs #3 Lynn Pier Gamers and #7 Covenant Dandy Boys vs #4 Newburyport Cubs
In the SR, the semifinals are the #14 Braintree Schoolboys vs #4 Andrew Station Southies and the #12 Truro Hatchlings vs #11 Swansea Nuka Sox.