BNN Report
News from the CBO, Minors, CCBL, CYL, and CBA
by Nat Wright-Kawolski
27 July 2314
CBO Analysis
Most of the teams have now played 100 games, and we have reached the All-Star Break in the CBO. Vault 81 is currently the kings of the diamond, holding a 71-29 record and a 4.5-game advantage over The Slog for the CBO's top record. FHE is the only other team with 60+ wins. Nahant, Egret, and Roxbury all know they will not win their leagues in 2314, though they are not yet eliminated from playoff contention. Here are the current team power rankings for Commonwealth Baseball Organization:
Teams (Total Points, Tendency):
1) Vault 81 Dwellers (134.8, o)
2) The Slog Ghouls (127.1, o)
3) Diamond City Swatters (112.4, +)
4) Atom Cats (110.4, ++)
5) Oberland T-51s (109.8, ++)
6) FHE Yao Guai (106.8, -)
7) Lexington Synths (105.4, -)
8) Concord Radstags (102.2, ++)
9) Bunker Hill 75ers (102.0, ++)
10) Fort Hagen Silver Shroud (99.8, +)
11) Glowing Sea Radscorpions (99.4, --)
12) Salem Witch Hats (94.8, +)
13) Southie Brews (94.8, +)
14) Quincy Gunners (92.0, --)
15) University Point Deathclaws (90.4, --)
16) Cambridge Coursers (89.4, --)
17) Nordhagen Beach Party Boys (88.6, o)
18) Easy Town Assaultrons (82.0, +)
19) Starlight Killers (81.2, o)
20) Egret Ninjas (70.8, ++)
21) Malden Grognaks (70.8, ++)
22) Spectacle Island Reapers (70.0, -)
23) Jamaica Plain Red Rockets (69.2, -)
24) Goodneighbor Hancocks (67.8, ++)
25) County Crossing Bloodbugs (67.5, --)
26) Sunshine Tidings Chemists (66.2, -)
27) Nahant Celtics (56.8, -)
28) Roxbury Rad Sox (55.8, -)
If the playoffs were to start today, two leagues would have fine teams apiece, while the other two leagues would only have the league winners. In the SCA, there is still a lot of doubt who the final 6 will be, while there is only one extra team, Salem, in serious contention in the NCA. These would be the seeds:
NCA
1. The Slog
2. Lexington
3. Fort Hagen
4. Bunker Hill
5. Concord
6, Cambridge
SCA
1. Vault 81
2. University Point
3. FHE
4. Diamond City (5-3 vs Glowing Sea)
5. Glowing Sea (3-5 vs Diamond City)
6. Oberland
Brotherhood League
The Slog keeps distancing itself more and more with their games lead (15.5) almost matching their Magic # (16). That likely means the Ghouls will be the first team to clinch a league title. Salem is two games above .500 and just two back of Cambridge for the last playoff seed. Nordhagen Beach and Easy Town are technically still in contention, but would need to be well over 10 games over .500 in their last 30 (at least 20-10) to have a chance in the end. We do not foresee that. You can pretty much count out all of County Crossing, Malden, and Nahant. The Celtics have gone from NCA champions in 2313 to possibly drafting 1st overall in 2314. They are tied with Goodneighbor and Roxbury for the CBO's worst record.
The Ghouls have played the part of the best in the North all season, currently 2nd in runs scored (542) and 1st in runs allowed (380). Everything has seemed to come together for what appeard to be their best shot to win the championship. The most outstanding offensive player has been SS Gavin Deux-Gas (.343/15/67/34 SB) who leads the team in average and RBI and is second in home runs and stolen bases. Other contributors include C Silvam Fourteen (.262/17/53), CF Bill Lazarus (.281/8/39/41 SB), and LF President Washington (.265/15/39). On the mound, SP Klement Thodberg (12-4, 2.86) has been great, while the rest of the starters are all below 4.00 ERA: Flirt Perez (8-7, 3.92), Scott Fuhr (11-5, 3.10), and Isaiah Swindler (11-5, 2.95). Orlando Bransford (9 SV, 1.31) has taken over closer duties from Austen Austin (13 SV, 3.81).
Institute League
All five of the teams have hovered around .500 the last couple of weeks. Lexington has emerged as the current leader after getting a series sweep of Fort Hagen nearly two weeks ago. With the Shroud two games back, the rest each trail each other by a game: Bunker Hill, Concord, and Cambridge. Starlight and Sunshine Tidings are out of the race.
Bunker Hill has the making of a potential championship run with the Synths and Silver Shroud in its way. The 75ers are 1st in runs scored (545) and 6th in runs allowed (488), showing the pitching needs to step up to be championship caliber. LF Kasumi Goto (.324/29/84) and rookie 3B Miko Miko (.412/15/59) have been dominating opposing pitching. Miko was the 52nd-overall pick in the 2314 Rookie Draft but has been playing way above his talent scouting. On the mound, the first two starters, Hangman Alley (7-8, 3.67) and Jason Tonelli (10-7, 3.17), have been doing well, while Pokey Chatman (8-6, 4.31) and Cleveland Heep (9-6, 4.49) need run support to win. The bullpen has not been great with CL/SU Jim Livermore (13 SV, 3.38) holding the best bullpen ERA.
Minutemen League
With both Quincy (three-game losing streak) and University Point (five-game losing streak) struggling, Atom is the only ML team that would make the playoffs if they started today. Southie has worked its way to two games above .500, just five back of Oberland for the 6th spot. All of Spectacle Island, Jamaica Plain, and Goodneighbor have reached the 60-loss wall, meaning that they are unofficially eliminated from playoff contention assuming there is no 30-0 run to finish they year.
The Cats are "outta sight" in the second half of the season, going 15-7 in July. The defending champions still need to make up some ground statistically before they take on the powerful Railroad League in the playoffs. Atom is 5th in runs scored (537) and 8th in runs allowed (501), which will not cut it to repeat. Seven players in the lineup have between 10-19 home runs, with the first two hitters, 2B Lee Mayhew (.289/19/61) and 3B Hulk Seepley (.307/19/71) leading in homers. LF Gremlin T. Squearfish (.337/11/75) is the best overall hitter. The Cat's top two starters, Doug Creep (13-4, 3.40) and Josh Brown (8-6, 3.46) have been the atom bomb, baby. RP Lippy Lyonne (11-0, 1.55) has ben something to watch from the pen.
Railroad League
FHE struggled a bit as of late, going 4-6 in their last 10, while Vault 81 went 7-3 to stretch its RL lead to 10 games and drop the Magic # to 21. Diamond City, Glowing Sea, and Oberland are all crowded in the 4, 5, and 6 seeds race. Egret and Roxbury could count their contention done.
For the Yao Guai, they are statistically the only team that can challenge the Dwellers for being the top SCA team in 2314. FHE is 2nd in runs scored (568) and 3rd in runs allowed (457). Leadoff 2B Slip Knotty (.268/29/56/13 SB) has been explosive with his bat, currently leading the SCA in homers. RF Cameron Triggs (.305/14/66) and CF Missile Crews (.293/16/60) have also contributed on offense. On the mound, starters Nien Nunb (15-2, 3.97) and Kennett Kentucky (10-5, 3.67) have led the team. Closer Ryan Roberson (29 SV, 4.80) gets a lot of saves, but allows too many games to be exciting in the 9th.
CBO Standings
CBO Players of the Week
July 20 - 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. Thatch Heard, the Salem Witch Hats 21-year-old right fielder, put himself in the spotlight last week making him the clear-cut choice for North Charles Association Player of the Week honors.
He ripped 11 hits in 28 at-bats, compiling a .393 average with 3 home runs and 10 RBIs.
This year, Heard is hitting .350, produced 98 RBIs and 29 home runs, scored 77 times and gotten on base at a .362 rate.
21-year-old Sheedy Smith sent shock waves through Commonwealth Baseball Organization last week with an eye-popping performance that brought him the South Charles Association Player of the Week Award.
A newcomer to the league, Smith made the establishment sit up and take notice, punishing opposing pitchers with a .524 average, 11 hits in 21 at-bats, 2 home runs and 7 RBI.
Where the Jamaica Plain Red Rockets first baseman goes from here, only the baseball gods know for sure, but Smith certainly made his mark last week.
Thus far this season in 91 games, Smith is batting .334 with 21 home runs, 66 RBIs and 55 runs scored. He has 104 hits in 311 at-bats.
July 27 - Miko Miko of the Bunker Hill 75ers had an enormous week at the plate and today was voted the Player of the Week by the North Charles Association.
For the week Miko batted .560 (14-for-25) with 1 home run and 3 RBIs.
In his season totals Miko has 15 home runs and a .412 batting average.
Egret fans had a lot to cheer about this week as first baseman Dynamo Bynes brought home the South Charles Association Player of the Week trophy.
During his week-long batting binge he reeled off a .474 batting average, 9 hits and 4 home runs. Bynes also racked up 5 RBIs and scored 6 runs.
This season, Bynes is batting .326 with 109 hits, 16 home runs, 51 RBIs, .401 OBP and has scored 51 runs.
CBO Noteworthy News
July 19 - College Luckyman of the Quincy Gunners pitched his way into the exclusive 150-win club today at The Stone House by stopping the Jamaica Plain Red Rockets 8-3. In his historic outing, he surrendered 8 hits and 3 runs in 7 innings with 5 strikeouts and 1 walk.
With a huge grin on his face, the 33-year-old Luckyman told reporters after the game, "Now I got to get real busy -- and start working on my next 150 wins."
Luckyman has rolled up a 150-99 career record and he boasts a lifetime ERA of 3.71.
July 20 - Zeldolph Violet said he's made enough money in professional baseball, so it's time to move on.
"I did pretty well for myself, my bank account isn't hurting, maybe I'll become a manager or a team owner or something so I can make even more," he said, announcing this season would be his last. "I'm 37 years old, so I've still got some time to make something of the rest of my life."
To date Violet has a .311 career batting average and has totaled 415 home runs.
July 24 - Chemists ace Mike Rubric reeled in his 150th career victory by beating the Starlight Killers 8-5 at ArcJet Systems Stadium. In his historic win, he notched 2 strikeouts in 1 innings, yielded 2 runs and 1 hit, while surrendering 1 walk.
"I tried to focus on each batter," said Rubric after the game, "but as the game goes by, I couldn't help but think about the possibility. 150 is a big number. It's an exclusive club and I'm honored to be a member."
The 36-year-old Rubric has made 488 appearances, crafted a 150-143 record, pitched 2505 innings and fanned 1635. He has 7 saves and a lifetime 4.20 ERA.
July 25 - The Killers Jerry Weisman wrote his name in the league history books by picking up career victory number 150 today against the County Crossing Bloodbugs. In the Starlight 3-1 triumph at Valentine Detective Agency Field, the 36-year-old hurler went 8 innings, allowed 5 hits and had 1 strikeout and 2 walks.
"I won't forget this day," an emotional Weisman told reporters. "It's hard to stay at the top for so long and to win 150 games is quite a feat."
Over the course of his career, Weisman has a won-lost record of 150 wins and 165 losses with 1656 strikeouts in 2793.2 innings pitched with a lifetime 4.59 ERA.
CBO All-Star Rosters
Once again it is time to honor the elite players in the Commonwealth Baseball Organization. The league office today announced the names of the players selected to play in the annual league All-Star classic.
Representing the North Charles Association:
SP Leyden Aigg (CON)* - 8-7, 3.27 ERA, 145.2 IP, 1.22 WHIP, 6.8 K/9, 2.5 WAR
SP Hry Caje (CAM) - 9-8, 3.66 ERA, 152.1 IP, 1.17 WHIP, 6.9 K/9, 3.4 WAR
SP Beachboy Nut (NB) - 10-4, 3.28 ERA, 156.1 IP, 1.33 WHIP, 5.1 K/9, 3.9 WAR
SP Lyle Pine (LEX) - 10-7, 2.96 ERA, 152.0 IP, 1.07 WHIP, 5.8 K/9, 3.6 WAR
SP Isaiah Swindler (SLOG) - 11-5, 2.95 ERA, 152.1 IP, 1.09 WHIP, 5.4 K/9, 4.4 WAR
SP Klement Thodberg (SLOG) - 12-4, 2.86 ERA, 141.2 IP, 1.07 WHIP, 6.2 K/9, 4.9 WAR
RP Justin Horton (MAL) - 4-3, 3.19 ERA, 62.0 IP, 1.00 WHIP, 6.2 K/9, 0.3 WAR
RP Ruben Pane (LEX) - 1-2, 3.02 ERA, 50.2 IP, 1.20 WHIP, 6.4 K/9, 1.2 WAR
RP Josh Woods (FtH) - 5-3, 3.12 ERA, 43.1 IP, 1.45 WHIP, 6.0 K/9, 1.0 WAR
CL Crazylegs Jones (FtH) - 4-4, 30 SV, 2.82 ERA, 51.0 IP, 1.53 WHIP, 5.6 K/9, 1.2 WAR
CL Hunter Kim (LEX)* - 3-1, 31 SV, 2.58 ERA, 45.1 IP, 1.21 WHIP, 8.5 K/9, 0.9 WAR
C Red Jay Jones (ST)* - .348/.372/.682, 336 AB, 31 HR, 171 wRC+, 5.0 WAR
C Hax Kim (CON) - .307/.456/.672, 290 AB, 32 HR, 3 SB, 188 wRC+, 4.1 WAR
C Justin Lower (STAR) - .296/.371/.582, 311 AB, 27 HR, 1 SB, 146 wRC+, 4.1 WAR
C Sleve McDichael (FtH) - .321/.389/.557, 296 AB, 16 HR, 142 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
1B Brian DeLong (SAL)* - .331/.423/.680, 356 AB, 33 HR, 180 wRC+, 4.5 WAR
2B King Hippo (STAR) - .326/.351/.514, 393 AB, 16 HR, 14 SB, 125 wRC+, 2.3 WAR
2B Nauseous Revere (FtH)* - .309/.417/.497, 346 AB, 14 HR, 16 SB, 139 wRC+, 4.3 WAR
2B Bulleye Shooterson (NAH) - .322/.435/.586, 326 AB, 24 HR, 168 wRC+, 3.9 WAR
3B McMack Bingham (CAM) - .318/.362/.598, 346 AB, 25 HR, 146 wRC+, 3.0 WAR
3B Mike Fountaineau (CON) - .294/.384/.550, 333 AB, 22 HR, 2 SB, 143 wRC+, 2.9 WAR
3B Slammin' Sammy Holloway (NB) - .344/.406/.577, 378 AB, 21 HR, 152 wRC+, 3.3 WAR
3B Miko Miko (BH) - .413/.493/.625, 317 AB, 15 HR, 194 wRC+, 5.8 WAR
3B Tommy Whitetiger (LEX) - .316/.389/.548, 367 AB, 20 HR, 145 wRC+, 3.8 WAR
SS Gavin Deux-Gas (SLOG)* - .342/.408/.534, 363 AB, 15 HR, 34 SB, 147 wRC+, 5.5 WAR
SS G.B. Means (MAL) - .293/.426/.462, 290 AB, 11 HR, 142 wRC+, 4.4 WAR
SS Aaron Squire (BH) - .290/.371/.549, 359 AB, 25 HR, 4 SB, 136 wRC+, 4.5 WAR
LF Kasumi Goto (BH)* - .325/.442/.645, 335 AB, 29 HR, 182 wRC+, 4.7 WAR
CF Eden Babz (ET)* - .347/.396/.545, 363 AB, 15 HR, 39 SB, 146 wRC+, 6.0 WAR
CF Packs Ton Kling (LEX) - .275/.313/.537, 382 AB, 26 HR, 27 SB, 115 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
RF Jim Geiger (CAM)* - .325/.447/.516, 335 AB, 10 HR, 18 SB, 158 wRC+, 4.4 WAR
RF Thatch Heard (SAL) - .344/.357/.617, 410 AB, 29 HR, 151 wRC+, 4.0 WAR
RF Babs Rooth (CC) - .301/.415/.575, 299 AB, 21 HR, 1 SB, 153 wRC+, 2.4 WAR
Participating for the South Charles Association:
SP Emperry Alizm (OBE)* - 10-6, 4.31 ERA, 140.0 IP, 1.28 WHIP, 6.0 K/9, 2.1 WAR
SP Heaven Fontenot (DC) - 11-8, 3.09 ERA, 160.0 IP, 1.14 WHIP, 6.0 K/9, 3.9 WAR
SP Hot Lips Houlihan (GS) - 9-5, 3.02 ERA, 161.0 IP, 1.13 WHIP, 4.8 K/9, 1.1 WAR
SP Macho Lopez (DC) - 11-5, 2.04 ERA, 136.2 IP, 1.08 WHIP, 6.1 K/9, 5.5 WAR
SP Buzzcut McDonald (SOU) - 7-11, 4.04 ERA, 136.0 IP, 1.35 WHIP, 6.4 K/9, 2.9 WAR
SP Zack Million (V81) - 12-4, 3.79 ERA, 144.2 IP, 1.28 WHIP, 6.9 K/9, 4.3 WAR
RP Lippy Lyonne (ATOM) - 11-0, 1.55 ERA, 52.1 IP, 0.92 WHIP, 5.5 K/9, 1.3 WAR
RP Mike Pond (EGR) - 3-3, 3.13 ERA, 60.1 IP, 1.39 WHIP, 7.2 K/9, 1.4 WAR
CL Burt Bloodhound (DC) - 2-4, 25 SV, 3.16 ERA, 37.0 IP, 1.43 WHIP, 10.5 K/9, 1.1 WAR
CL William Butcherman (OBE) - 4-3, 25 SV, 3.18 ERA, 45.1 IP, 1.26 WHIP, 6.9 K/9, 0.5 WAR
CL Professor Harriel (QUI)* - 6-6, 18 SV, 5.33 ERA, 52.1 IP, 1.51 WHIP, 6.9 K/9, 1.3 WAR
C Yvuh Jet (GS) - .292/.384/.519, 295 AB, 18 HR, 138 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
C Malificent Shaw (EGR)* - .334/.390/.526, 287 AB, 12 HR, 1 SB, 140 wRC+, 2.3 WAR
C Phantom Vargas (V81) - .253/.358/.466, 292 AB, 17 HR, 6 SB, 114 wRC+, 3.0 WAR
1B Barker Cocoa (UP)* - .322/.425/.621, 314 AB, 26 HR, 3 SB, 169 wRC+, 3.9 WAR (Injured)
1B Foo Fieterz (OBE) - .307/.412/.606, 345 AB, 24 HR, 11 SB, 162 wRC+, 3.5 WAR
2B Harry Byrd (V81) - .331/.430/.545, 308 AB, 14 HR, 5 SB, 159 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
2B Will Hell (QUI)* - .285/.380/.528, 358 AB, 22 HR, 132 wRC+, 3.5 WAR
2B Slip Knotty (FHE)* - .272/.374/.532, 357 AB, 29 HR, 13 SB, 135 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
2B Lee Mayhew (ATOM) - .287/.383/.508, 376 AB, 19 HR, 8 SB, 133 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
2B Odd Todd Walker (OBE) - .305/.345/.531, 377 AB, 16 HR, 24 SB, 123 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
3B Donovan Mackey (SI) - .358/.455/.610, 254 AB, 14 HR, 170 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
SS Alex Bragman (DC) - .306/.378/.520, 346 AB, 15 HR, 4 SB, 130 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
SS Purple Gupta (ROX) - .250/.353/.348, 328 AB, 7 HR, 87 wRC+, 0.1 WAR
SS Rock Rampage (UP) - .304/.346/.512, 369 AB, 14 HR, 14 SB, 123 wRC+, 4.3 WAR
SS End Yamada (V81)* - .332/.425/.571, 343 AB, 16 HR, 3 SB, 161 wRC+, 5.6 WAR
LF Ken Debate (JP)* - .284/.389/.611, 285 AB, 23 HR, 7 SB, 154 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
LF Alloy Jordan (GS) - .343/.427/.500, 362 AB, 8 HR, 2 SB, 148 wRC+, 3.5 WAR
CF Missile Crews (FHE) - .291/.368/.495, 368 AB, 15 HR, 42 SB, 122 wRC+, 4.6 WAR
CF Jay Gabby (GOOD) - .280/.312/.534, 386 AB, 21 HR, 11 SB, 112 wRC+, 2.8 WAR
CF Enigma Montgomery (GS)* - .377/.442/.636, 363 AB, 19 HR, 22 SB, 178 wRC+, 6.7 WAR
RF Baywatch Fischler (QUI) - .340/.483/.543, 324 AB, 13 HR, 4 SB, 168 wRC+, 3.7 WAR
RF Joe Rathmann (V81)* - .310/.452/.497, 326 AB, 12 HR, 34 SB, 156 wRC+, 4.7 WAR
RF Wee Willy Warrington (UP) - .288/.375/.541, 351 AB, 23 HR, 138 wRC+, 3.3 WAR