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FuzzyRussianHat · 01-29-2025, 09:30 AM

The African Association of Baseball had already been one of the higher offense leagues in the world, but officials were dead set on pumping up those numbers even more. After experimentation in the African Second League, AAB announced some adjustments for the 2024 season.

It had an immediate effect as the league ERA went from around 4.08 in 2023 to around 4.55 for 2024. The league batting average grew from the .243 range in 2023 up to .259 in 2024. This put AAB just behind West African Baseball as the highest-scoring league in the world. The ERAs would be very high on the historical scale, although the batting averages were still merely average. AAB’s tighter strike zones led to more walks and home runs compared to most leagues.

Defending Africa Series champ Antananarivo took advantage of the new rules and dominated the Southern Conference at 111-51. The Eagles took first for the third straight year and got a fourth consecutive playoff spot. Antananarivo led all of AAB in both runs scored (937) and fewest allowed (616). The Eagles also set new conference team records for batting average (.289), hits (1637), and fewest strikeouts (1039).

It was a tight battle for the second playoff spot with Lilongwe (93-69) edging out Lusaka (90-72), Maputo (89-73), and Harare (88-74). The Lightning got their second playoff spot in four years. The Hustlers had their bid for a third wild card in a row thwarted despite allowing only 395 walks with a 2.46 BB/9; both the third-lowest in conference history.

In a stunning collapse, Johannesburg finished 54-108 to suffer relegation. The Jackalopes had been historically the best team in the Southern Conference and had won four pennants from 2015-20. Johannesburg had finished 74-88, which was their first losing season even since 2012. Luanda was awful at 60-102, but still finished six games better than the Jackalopes to avoid demotion.

Antananarivo had the very rare major awards sweep by getting MVP, Pitcher, Rookie, and Reliever of the Year for the Southern Conference. Leading the way was MVP Helmi Yousif in his ninth year with the Eagles. The 29-year old Ethiopian DH led in runs (140), hits (212), doubles (57), RBI (171), total bases (471), OBP (.429), slugging (.766), OPS (1.195), wRC+ (186), and WAR (8.8). Yousif was the third in AAB history to record 170+ RBI in a season.

Yousif also was in Triple Crown contention with 64 home runs and a .345 batting average, taking third in both stats. Teammate Matolo Langa had the best average (.353) while Harare’s Marinho Magaia led in homers (69). This would be Yousif’s last season in AAB, as his efforts earned worldwide offers in free agency. He would head to MLB’s Baltimore Orioles in the winter for $156,800,000 over seven years.

Pitcher of the Year was Labama Nkurunziza in his tenth year for the Eagles. Nicknamed “Catfish,” the 29-year old Rwandan righty led in wins (21-10), quality starts (21), complete games (10), and shutouts (2). Nkurunziza had a 3.38 ERA over 234.1 innings, 250 strikeouts, 136 ERA+, and 5.5 WAR. He had committed long-term to Antananarivo with a six-year, $80,500,000 extension after the 2022 campaign.

After a near decade of struggles, Addis Ababa returned to the Central Conference throne for the first time since their epic dynasty run. The Brahmas at 103-59 ended their nine-year playoff drought, leading the conference in both runs scored (870) and fewest allowed (691). AA had epic power, setting a new AAB team home run record with 351 dingers. They also won a lot of close games, tying the AAB record for saves with 58.

It was a steep drop to second place Lubumbashi at 94-68, earning their second wild card in four years. It was another big drop to Kampala and Bujumbura tied for third at 84-78. This seemed to mark the end of the Peacocks dynasty, as they had won the conference title in five of the last six years. Ndjamena, who had been back-to-back wild cards, was fifth at 81-81.

Mogadishu at 66-96 took last to suffer relegation. Kigali (70-92) and Brazzaville (71-91) were the closest opposition. The Mighty Mice won the Africa Series as recently as 2017 and although they had dropped to the lower half of the standings, they hadn’t fallen that far until now.

Central Conference MVP went to Addis Ababa left fielder Sayyid Pius. The 26-year old Tanzanian led in runs (122), total bases (396), slugging (.735), OPS (1.155), wRC+ (197), and WAR (8.3). Pius added 59 homers, 112 RBI, and a .323 average. He had been picked to start the second round of the 2019 AAB Draft by the Brahmas.

Pitcher of the Year was Nairobi righty Fasika Mulatu in his sixth season. The 27-year old Ethiopian set the new AAB single-season strikeout record with 369, beating Ali Amour Osman’s record 366 from 2011. Mulatu had fanned 359 the prior season and his 2024 effort ranks fifth best as of 2037. He only held the top spot for two years.

Mulatu also became the first AAB pitcher to have multiple 19 strikeout games, doing it twice in 2024. The mark had only been hit four times prior. Mulatu also led in WHIP (0.89), K/BB (8.8), FIP- (66), and WAR (7.0). He posted a 14-10 record over 221 innings, 3.14 ERA, and 143 ERA+. The Night Hawks eventually gave him a four-year, $38,200,000 extension after the 2025 season.

Antananarivo won their third consecutive Southern Conference Championship, defeating Lilongwe 4-2. The Eagles became seven-time pennant winners, having also gotten four in the 2000s. Lubumbashi upset Addis Ababa 4-3 in a Central Conference Championship classic to earn their second-ever pennant (2001).

The 30^th Africa Series was the first to need all nine games since 2015. Many thought Antananarivo was primed to repeat, but Lubumbashi outlasted the Eagles 5-4 to become two-time league champs, joining their 2001 title. Finals MVP was 1B Panya Hailemariam, as the 24-year old Ethiopian in 15 playoff starts had 22 hits, 15 runs, 5 doubles, 6 home runs, 15 RBI, and 1.207 OPS.

Other notes: Matheus Mabanza had the fifth-ever six hit game in AAB on April 21. Adrian Schneider became the 11^th member of the 500 home run club. Patrick Babila became the 8^th to earn 1500 RBI. Herve Otepa was the 7^th to reach 2500 hits. C Destin Kette and 2B Sphamandla Madinane both won their 8^th Gold Gloves and SP Julian Ndaya won his 7^th.

Promotion/Relegation: Suffering demotion were Johannesburg and Mogadishu. Gaborone would replace the Jackalopes in the Southern Conference and Bangui took the Mighty Mice’s slot in the Central Conference.

01-29-2025, 09:30 AM	#2020
FuzzyRussianHat Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 3,533	2024 in AAB The African Association of Baseball had already been one of the higher offense leagues in the world, but officials were dead set on pumping up those numbers even more. After experimentation in the African Second League, AAB announced some adjustments for the 2024 season. It had an immediate effect as the league ERA went from around 4.08 in 2023 to around 4.55 for 2024. The league batting average grew from the .243 range in 2023 up to .259 in 2024. This put AAB just behind West African Baseball as the highest-scoring league in the world. The ERAs would be very high on the historical scale, although the batting averages were still merely average. AAB’s tighter strike zones led to more walks and home runs compared to most leagues. Defending Africa Series champ Antananarivo took advantage of the new rules and dominated the Southern Conference at 111-51. The Eagles took first for the third straight year and got a fourth consecutive playoff spot. Antananarivo led all of AAB in both runs scored (937) and fewest allowed (616). The Eagles also set new conference team records for batting average (.289), hits (1637), and fewest strikeouts (1039). It was a tight battle for the second playoff spot with Lilongwe (93-69) edging out Lusaka (90-72), Maputo (89-73), and Harare (88-74). The Lightning got their second playoff spot in four years. The Hustlers had their bid for a third wild card in a row thwarted despite allowing only 395 walks with a 2.46 BB/9; both the third-lowest in conference history. In a stunning collapse, Johannesburg finished 54-108 to suffer relegation. The Jackalopes had been historically the best team in the Southern Conference and had won four pennants from 2015-20. Johannesburg had finished 74-88, which was their first losing season even since 2012. Luanda was awful at 60-102, but still finished six games better than the Jackalopes to avoid demotion. Antananarivo had the very rare major awards sweep by getting MVP, Pitcher, Rookie, and Reliever of the Year for the Southern Conference. Leading the way was MVP Helmi Yousif in his ninth year with the Eagles. The 29-year old Ethiopian DH led in runs (140), hits (212), doubles (57), RBI (171), total bases (471), OBP (.429), slugging (.766), OPS (1.195), wRC+ (186), and WAR (8.8). Yousif was the third in AAB history to record 170+ RBI in a season. Yousif also was in Triple Crown contention with 64 home runs and a .345 batting average, taking third in both stats. Teammate Matolo Langa had the best average (.353) while Harare’s Marinho Magaia led in homers (69). This would be Yousif’s last season in AAB, as his efforts earned worldwide offers in free agency. He would head to MLB’s Baltimore Orioles in the winter for $156,800,000 over seven years. Pitcher of the Year was Labama Nkurunziza in his tenth year for the Eagles. Nicknamed “Catfish,” the 29-year old Rwandan righty led in wins (21-10), quality starts (21), complete games (10), and shutouts (2). Nkurunziza had a 3.38 ERA over 234.1 innings, 250 strikeouts, 136 ERA+, and 5.5 WAR. He had committed long-term to Antananarivo with a six-year, $80,500,000 extension after the 2022 campaign. After a near decade of struggles, Addis Ababa returned to the Central Conference throne for the first time since their epic dynasty run. The Brahmas at 103-59 ended their nine-year playoff drought, leading the conference in both runs scored (870) and fewest allowed (691). AA had epic power, setting a new AAB team home run record with 351 dingers. They also won a lot of close games, tying the AAB record for saves with 58. It was a steep drop to second place Lubumbashi at 94-68, earning their second wild card in four years. It was another big drop to Kampala and Bujumbura tied for third at 84-78. This seemed to mark the end of the Peacocks dynasty, as they had won the conference title in five of the last six years. Ndjamena, who had been back-to-back wild cards, was fifth at 81-81. Mogadishu at 66-96 took last to suffer relegation. Kigali (70-92) and Brazzaville (71-91) were the closest opposition. The Mighty Mice won the Africa Series as recently as 2017 and although they had dropped to the lower half of the standings, they hadn’t fallen that far until now. Central Conference MVP went to Addis Ababa left fielder Sayyid Pius. The 26-year old Tanzanian led in runs (122), total bases (396), slugging (.735), OPS (1.155), wRC+ (197), and WAR (8.3). Pius added 59 homers, 112 RBI, and a .323 average. He had been picked to start the second round of the 2019 AAB Draft by the Brahmas. Pitcher of the Year was Nairobi righty Fasika Mulatu in his sixth season. The 27-year old Ethiopian set the new AAB single-season strikeout record with 369, beating Ali Amour Osman’s record 366 from 2011. Mulatu had fanned 359 the prior season and his 2024 effort ranks fifth best as of 2037. He only held the top spot for two years. Mulatu also became the first AAB pitcher to have multiple 19 strikeout games, doing it twice in 2024. The mark had only been hit four times prior. Mulatu also led in WHIP (0.89), K/BB (8.8), FIP- (66), and WAR (7.0). He posted a 14-10 record over 221 innings, 3.14 ERA, and 143 ERA+. The Night Hawks eventually gave him a four-year, $38,200,000 extension after the 2025 season. Antananarivo won their third consecutive Southern Conference Championship, defeating Lilongwe 4-2. The Eagles became seven-time pennant winners, having also gotten four in the 2000s. Lubumbashi upset Addis Ababa 4-3 in a Central Conference Championship classic to earn their second-ever pennant (2001). The 30^th Africa Series was the first to need all nine games since 2015. Many thought Antananarivo was primed to repeat, but Lubumbashi outlasted the Eagles 5-4 to become two-time league champs, joining their 2001 title. Finals MVP was 1B Panya Hailemariam, as the 24-year old Ethiopian in 15 playoff starts had 22 hits, 15 runs, 5 doubles, 6 home runs, 15 RBI, and 1.207 OPS. Other notes: Matheus Mabanza had the fifth-ever six hit game in AAB on April 21. Adrian Schneider became the 11^th member of the 500 home run club. Patrick Babila became the 8^th to earn 1500 RBI. Herve Otepa was the 7^th to reach 2500 hits. C Destin Kette and 2B Sphamandla Madinane both won their 8^th Gold Gloves and SP Julian Ndaya won his 7^th. Promotion/Relegation: Suffering demotion were Johannesburg and Mogadishu. Gaborone would replace the Jackalopes in the Southern Conference and Bangui took the Mighty Mice’s slot in the Central Conference. __________________ Baseball: The World's Game fictional world reports The Level Playing Field: Alternate MLB History From 1884-Onward Continental Baseball Federation world reports (8-tier promotion/relegation sim and college feeder)