Now, the 20 teams that will comprise the 2021 edition of the Elite League! I'll go in reverse order of their finish in the 2020 season.
AROKETSIL CANARIES
Aroketsil, KX
2020: 127-63, 3rd (Second League)
Seasons in EL: 3
Best finish: 18th (2016, 2019)
The weakest of the three EL clubs from Aroketsil, the Canaries will try to survive relegation from the EL for the first time this season, on their third attempt. Their whole pitching staff looks pretty weak, but maybe they'll score enough to get it done. As far as beating their two rivals in the city of Aroketsil... well, maybe they can play spoiler.
It's interesting enough that there are three EL teams from Aroketsil, which is only the 8th-largest city in the nation (pop. 812,000).
Top players: C Asasu Finyotsi, 1B/RF Hoi Sekao, 2B Meyomi Wulowai. All three are in their second year with the Canaries, having been pickups after their previous relegation. They're bringing back most of last year's team, with the exception of RF Kiposo Posheni, who opted to stay in the 2L by going to Otahel City.
2021 prediction: 67-123 (20th)
SEMYOF BC
Ransu, RA
2020: 128-62, 2nd (Second League)
Seasons in EL: 30
Best finish: 1st (1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2003, 2006)
Historically the strongest team in the nation, Semyof won the first 5 EL titles after the league was organized, and two more in the 2000s - only one team has more titles than that. It was a big shock when they were relegated in 2019 for the very first time. They never even finished in the bottom half of the EL until 2014, and even though they had not won a championship in a while they were typically good to finish 4th-8th.
Top players: C Takymake Efiyalem, LF Mpimo Shoshau, SP Tosolefi Loap. Despite their pedigree, Semyof didn't add a lot in the offseason. All of last season's regulars are seemingly still here, save for a few bench bats and bullpen arms. Semyof is clearly betting that the team that got them promoted is enough to keep them up... well, they'd better be right.
2021 prediction: 75-115 (17th)
PASATAKI GALAXY
Pasataki, ZA
2020: 132-58, 1st (Second League)
Seasons in EL: 21
Best finish: 4th (2015)
Of the three returners, Pasataki are almost definitely the best-equipped to succeed in the EL in 2021. They have a game-changing middle of the lineup, and no real weaknesses aside from shortstop. They are actually running a top-half payroll among EL teams this season, which I feel is pretty rare for a newly promoted club.
Top players: 2B Apia Lela, LF Tsata Mote, 1B Wia Merefife. Lela is the league's best 2B, and under contract through 2027. Despite being just 27, this is the fourth team that he will take EL-level at bats for. Merefife will be returning to the EL for the first time since he was a sub-replacement-level teenager with the 2013-15 Alilia Captains, and Mote, the youngster at 21, is making his first jump to this level.
2021 prediction: 91-99 (15th)
NATIONAL BC
Shunna, XU
2020: 79-111 (17th)
Seasons in EL: 29
Best finish: 2nd (2012)
The name National refers to this club's origins as a barnstorming all-Lokasi team in the origin days of the sport. As such, they wear the national colors of red and purple, with a purple sash stripe on their uniforms to mimic the national flag.
National were never relegated from the EL until 2016, and yo-yoed up and down from the 2L until just barely surviving last season on the run differential tiebreaker. They should have a much easier time of it this year, having made a few very flashy signings.
Top players: SS Anesa Mikesash, RF Pumona Kakosuta, SP Lohy Awia. Mikesash is a glove-first shortstop, though he did win a Silver Slugger in 2011 while playing for Sitache. He was signed away from Otahel City this offseason. A 5-year deal could be risky when he's 32, but they'll be better now for it. Awia is the headliner - last year's Cy Young equivalent, formerly of the great Mighty Oaks, and just 21 years old to start the season. In addition to being named the Pitcher of the Year, he won the pitching Triple Crown and also led the league in innings.
2021 prediction: 108-82 (5th)
SHUNNA MUNICIPAL BC
Shunna, XU
2020: 82-108 (16th)
Seasons in EL: 19
Best finish: 6th (1995)
In contrast to National, Shunna Municipal (typically just "Muni") are administered by the city of Shunna's government. Imagine, if you will, that Muriel Bowser got a say in what the Nationals do in free agency, and that's pretty much what we're replicating here. Muni never became much of anything in the original iteration, dropping to the bottom of the pyramid, but this version is in the EL more often than not, beginning their 19th season in the top flight. 2020 was their 3rd season in a row finishing in exactly 16th place.
Top players: CF Solo Sipet, LF Kiosho Shipeyo, 1B Nerutsok Uchotsela. Sipet is a total stud - he is basically Aaron Judge, but a normal-sized person. At age 18, he has already hit 100 EL home runs (Lokasi players can turn pro at age 16, and many do). The rest of the outfield will be OK, but Muni will probably struggle this year when those guys aren't at the dish.
2021 prediction: 72-118 (19th)