United Leagues of Braeland - Page 16

reds1 · 11-27-2016, 09:07 PM

For the first time since 1938, the United Leagues will be embarking on a new season where the world will not be at war. The euphoria over the end of world conflict and the return of its soldiers is compounded by the surge in manufacturing and industry. The Braeland economy has thoroughly shed off its Great Depression doldrums and the various austerity measures imposed by the Avery Government during the height of the war.

But with the rebounding economy comes high expectations and new challenges that the government will need to wrestle with. The mandate for the Liberal Government lead by Sir Douglas Avery is set to expire at the end of the year and a national election has been called for Wednesday, October 31 (the one day no ULB games are scheduled, natch). The Avery Government is the only one Braelanders have known since the restoration of the Monarchy and the Parliamentary system back in 1935. The Government currently enjoys high popularity thanks to the successful conclusion of the war and the general approval of its handling of military affairs. But winning a third majority is no easy feat, and the Tories, led by Wesley Bryans, will no doubt look to portray the Liberals as being past their expiration date.

So with the campaigning and political rhetoric ramping up, Braelanders will be turning to baseball to try and tune it out as much as possible, as Opening Day has finally arrived.

But first, lets take a look at how the Eastern League fared during the 'Coconut Leagues', as well as the projections for the up-coming season.

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Despite a lacklustre pre-season, the Embro Suns are projected to have another strong campaign, with 1B Jim Friend picking up where he left off before his military service. Friend was just one of a handful of returning players who were able to join their club part-way through training camp. Also projected to have a great year are the Braeland City Monarchs, thanks in part to a couple of starting pitchers. David Cooling and Max MacColl are projected to win 29 and 27 games respectively. Seeing the Monarchs make the playoffs would be nice, but last year saw them projected to win 96 games; they actually won only 77. So we'll have to see on that one. The defending champions, the Brunswick Legends, were also mediocre during the Coconut Leagues and are not projected to be a lock for first place. But they remain within shooting distance.

Incidentally, a late trade was consummated between the Embro Suns and Cambria Cannons that could have an impact of the forthcoming season:

September 18:

The Embro Suns acquired 26-year old C Scott Weller (63/71) from the Cambria Cannons.

In return, the Cannons get 34-year old SP Pete Allison (51/51).

Knee-jerk reaction: When the Cannons traded for C Heung-su Park back on July 5, I wondered what that would mean for former starter Weller. Well, this trade answers that question. I like this trade for Embro, as it gives them a decent young catcher that stabilizes a position that was a weak point for them. Weller earned a berth to the All-Star game and won a Top Fielder Award in his first full season. He was originally drafted in the second round by the Hespeler Stars in back in 1941-42. The Suns are banking on last year not being a fluke.

Cambria does not have a great pitching staff, so while Allison may help as a No. 3 starter, I don't think it will improve matters very much. But the Cannons do have a very strong bullpen, so if the starters can keep the games close and let the bullpen take over in the late innings, it might be enough – maybe.

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Its no surprise that the Kingston Pelicans will once again be the team to beat in the West; however, if the projections are anywhere near correct, it will not be a runaway. What is interesting (or disappointing) is that there appears to be no one except the Wolseley Unions to seriously challenge the Pelicans. The teams in the West are shaping up to be a rather mediocre bunch if the projections hold true.

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To round out the snapshot of the United Leagues, here are the top players and pitchers and top 20 prospects as updated on Opening Day.

reds1 · 11-29-2016, 07:45 PM

December 1, 1945

Eastern League: Suns Lead in Tight Battle for First

At first, it appeared that the Stratford Barons would be the class of the East, as they started the season off with a 9-game winning streak. But the Embro Suns were right on their heels, and by the time the Barons lost their first game, the Suns were winning their 7th in a row and just one game back.

Since then, the Barons have faltered, going 19-28 and falling to 5th spot. This is not what Stratford was expecting after making a couple of major trades to beef up their lineup. While C Aaron Skidmore (.287/.449/.450, 5 HR, 25 RBI, 1.8 WAR) and returning war veteran RF Steven Winstanley (.299/.382/.468, 8 HR, 22 RBI, 1.8 WAR) have been rock solid, the rest of the lineup has not kept up. Two that have, SS Jake Walker (.311/.414/.530, 6 HR, 36 RBI, 2.0 WAR) and CF Ricardo Castellanos (.294/.407/.500, 1 HR, 11 RBI, 0.6 WAR), have been out with extended injuries. But if the Barons can tread water until they return, they could very easily get back into the thick of it.

That’s because no team is truly dominating the League in the first two months of the season. Even the Brunswick Legends, the defending champions are not that far behind, despite a ho-hum campaign thus far. Most alarming for them is that 37-year old RF Mark Elston (.162/.286/.305, 3 HR, 18 RBI, -0.8 WAR) has declined dramatically. Elston finished 2nd in the Eastern League Babe Ruth Award voting only last season, after going .279/.395/.456, 20 HR, 99 RBI, 5.1 WAR in 1944-45.

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Offense: .262/.343/.397 (7th/5th/3rd)
Pitching: 4.14/4.03/4.69 (6th/4th/6th)
Defense: .676 (6th)

Player of the Week Awards:

October 22 –1B Jim Friend (.480, 12 H, 1 HR, 8 RBI)
October 29 – 1B Jim Friend (.407, 11 H, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 10 R)
November 26 – SS Gary Watkinson (.500, 11 H, 1 RBI, 8 R)

Noteworthy:

October 21 – RHP Oscar Burress (6-3, 2.39 ERA, 1.19 WHIP) went 10.2 IP, 8 HA, 0 ER, 1 BB, 11 K against the Brunswick Legends, but did not get the win. RHP Colm Soper picks up the win throwing a single pitch (a strike), as the Suns score a run in the bottom of the 11th, to win 1-0. But Burress’ performance did earn him the Eastern League’s highest score for a pitcher thus far this season with 88.

November 5 – C Scott Weller (.242/.319/.366, 5 HR, 23 RBI, 0.7 WAR) drove in 6 runs against the Queensland Eagles, going 3-6, 1HR.

Key Injuries: None

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Offense: .278/.346/.408 (3rd/3rd/2nd)
Pitching: 3.74/3.61/4.57 (2nd/2nd/5th)
Defense: .708 (3rd)

Noteworthy:

October 4 – CF Daniel Martin (.271/.361/.438, 7 HR, 26 RBI, 0.5 WAR) was responsible for all 7 runs in a 7-6 victory over the Brunswick Legends. Martin singled in 2 runs in the 1st inning, slammed a 3-run home run in the 3rd and hit a walk-off, come-from-behind 2-out, 2-run home run in the bottom of the 9th. All told, Martin went 3-5, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 2 R.

Key Injuries: None

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Offense: .291/.364/.428 (1st/1st/1st)
Pitching: 4.06/4.38/2.59 (5th/6th/1st)
Defense: .678 (5th)

Player of the Week Awards:

October 8 – RF Jilenko Vergara (.516, 16H, 2 HR, 7 RBI)
November 5 –RF Jilenko Vergara (.464, 13 H, 2 HR, 10 RBI)

Noteworthy:

October 1 – RF Jilenko Vergara (.342/.388/.550, 10 HR, 38 RBI, 2.4 WAR) went 5-5 on Opening Day against the Cobourg Red Stockings, with 1 RBI, 1R.

October 13- Héctor Gutiérrez (.335/.436/.458, 2 HR, 27 RBI, 1.8 WAR) goes 5-7 against the Embro Suns, with 2 RBI.

Injury:

38-year old RHP Stewart Colcott – torn meniscus (knee) – 5 weeks

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Offense: .284/.349/.393 (2nd/2nd/4th)
Pitching: 4.03/4.15/3.42 (4th/5th/2nd)
Defense: .714 (2nd)

Player of the Week Award:

October 15 – SS Mac Medley (.650, 13 H, 6 RBI, 4 R)

Noteworthy:

October 12 – SS Mac Medley (.327/.406/.505, 3 HR, 34 RBI, 2.4 WAR) goes 6-6 against the Cobourg Red Stockings, with 1-2B, 4 RBI, 2R. Medley’s performance is rated the highest in the Eastern League thus far, with a score of 90.

October 23 – 3B Ryley McLarnon (.297/.325/.393, 8-3B, 32 RBI, 1.7 WAR) goes 0-4 as his 22-game hitting streak come to an end against the Cambria Cannons.

Injuries:

25-year old RHP Gavin Meadows – torn meniscus (knee) – 2 months
26-year old LF Baden Morrall – strained rib cage muscle – 1 week

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Offense: .260/.344/.389 (8th/4th/5th)
Pitching: 3.40/3.30/4.26 (1st/1st/4th)
Defense: .692 (4th)

Injuries:

32-year old SS Jake Walker – torn ankle ligaments – 3 weeks
25-year old CF Ricardo Castellanos – fractured thumb – 3 days

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Offense: .263/.340/.377 (6th/7th/7th)
Pitching: 3.95/3.66/5.12 (3rd/3rd/7th)
Defense: .660 (8th)

Injury:

28-year old LF Cliff Jordan– foot contusion – 4 days

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Offense: .276/.340/.385 (4th/6th/6th)
Pitching: 4.46/4.65/3.50 (7th/7th/3rd)
Defense: .675 (7th)

Injury:

28-year old RHP Pedro Gómez – ruptured ulnar collateral ligament – 5 months

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Offense: .265/.326/.371 (5th/8th/8th)
Pitching: 5.05/4.88/5.80 (8th/8th/8th)
Defense: .716(1st)

Player of the Week Award:

November 12 – RF Nathan Ashman (.467, 14 H, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 4 R)

Noteworthy:

November 19 – LF Sean Murchie (.302/.333/.441, 3 HR, 24 RBI, 1.3 WAR) goes 0-4 against the Wolseley Unions, ending his hitting streak at 23 games.

Injuries:

31-year old LHP Don Marable – elbow ligament reconstruction surgery – 3 weeks
34-year old RHP Freddie Ventriss – strained rib cage muscle – 1 week
21-year old 3B Max Westgate – strained rib cage muscle – 2-3 weeks

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reds1 · 12-01-2016, 01:11 AM

December 1, 1945

Western League: A ‘Currall’ For What Ails You

Oh, hey! Looks who’s in first place in the West! And dominating! Over the past couple of seasons, the Kingston Pelicans seemed to start off slowly, allowing other teams to vie for a playoff spot, only to surge ahead in the second half and capture either first or second place in the standings. Well it appears Kingston has given up all pretense of that cat-and-mouse game this season and gone straight for the jugular. Their offense and pitching are firing on all cylinders. They have reached double digits in runs scored in a game 11 times and their run differential is a whopping +150. The next best run differential in the West is +3, held by the Sherburn Tigers – the only other team in the positive. In the Eastern League, the Queensland Eagles lead with a +39. So yeah, Kingston is pretty good this year. That wasn’t entirely unexpected. They are strong at every position and are deep.

But what was unexpected was the sheer dominance of one of their rookie starters, 25-year old RHP Ben Currall (10-1, 1.56 ERA, 1.05 WHIP). The 11th overall pick from 1942-43 first reached the majors late in the 1943-44 season, but pitched only 12.2 innings total prior to this season. The No. 3 starter has simply dominated the United Leagues and is already rated Kingston’s top pitcher. While I have seen a position player simultaneously capture both Batter of the Month and Rookie of the Month, I have never witnessed a player completely dominate two months in a row. Score another one for the Pelicans’ scouting staff.

The acquisition of 27-year old C Neil Voigt by Sherburn from the Cobourg Red Stockings back in June is paying HUGE dividends for the Tigers. Of the ten noteworthy news items recorded by OOTP for Sherburn, Voigt is responsible seven of them. Only Kingston’s Danny Trowbridge eclipses him in performance thus far by catchers in the ULB, based on WAR (3.7 vs. 2.7).

There is concern in Cambria as the Cannons are struggling, as is their top player. 28-year old RF Ron Westmacott, who won the Babe Ruth Award just two seasons ago and is a 5-time all-star is struggling big time. He should be entering his prime; however, he is batting only .202/.340/.379, 4 HR, 13 RBI, -0.2 WAR and is reduced to being the 4th outfielder. Although ostensibly rated as Cambria's top player, he is not listed as the Cannons' top outfielder in the position overview. Strange.

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Offense: .305/.386/.456 (1st/1st/1st)
Pitching: 3.20/3.03/4.19 (1st/1st/4th) (ERA/Starter’s ERA/Bullpen ERA)
Defense: .698 (2nd – tied with Sherburn)

Top Player:

Yikes – how do you pick between 25-year old RHP Ben Currall, who is on pace to win 28 games, or 27-year old C Danny Trowbridge (.386/.456/.652, 14 HR, 42 RBI, 3.7 WAR) who is on pace for 10.2 WAR, or 30-year old Katsunan Chikafuji (.381/.429/.597, 10 HR, 53 RBI, 3.8 WAR) who is on pace for 10.4 WAR? You can't. They belong in a higher league.

Player of the Week Awards:

October 8 – SS Katsunan Chikafuji (.469, 15 H, 2 HR, 14 RBI)
October 15 – C Danny Trowbridge (.652, 15 H, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 7 R)
November 5– SS Katsunan Chikafuji (.462, 12 H, 2 HR, 7 RBI)
November 26 – C Danny Trowbridge (.409, 9 H, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 7 R)

Noteworthy:

SP Ben Currall pitched three shutouts:

October 20 – 114 PI, 4 hits, 0 K, 1 BB against the Cambria Cannons (5-0 W)
November 4 – 134 PI, 6 hits, 6 K, 5 BB against the Sherburn Tigers (4-0 W)
November 9 – 112 PI, 7 hits, 5 K, 1 BB against the Wolseley Unions (11-0 W)

Key Injuries: None

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Offense: .260/.338/.373 (6th/6th/7th)
Pitching: 3.63/3.58/4.03 (2nd/2nd/2nd)
Defense: .698 (2nd – tied with Kingston)

Top Player:

Easy choice here. 27-year old C Neil Voigt (.358/.391/.584, 7 HR, 47 RBI, 2.7 WAR) has been just outstanding in his first year with Sherburn. I shudder to think what their offense would be like without him (shudder).

Player of the Week Awards:

October 29 – C Neil Voigt (.520, 13 H, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 5 R)
November 12 – 2B Jim List (.448, 13 H, 2 HR, 4 RBI)

Noteworthy:

November 7 – C Neil Voigt goes 0-4 against the Wolseley Unions, ending his hitting streak at 20.

Injuries:

27-year old SS Jim List – oblique strain – 2 more weeks
25-year old RHP Cris Herrera – herniated disc (back) – 5 more days
20-year old RHP Alfonso Roberto – partially torn labrum – 3 more months

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Offense: .255/.325/.362 (8th/8th/8th)
Pitching: 4.02/3.82/5.29 (3rd/3rd/8th)
Defense: .709 (1st)

Top Player:

No obvious choice here, but I've been impressed with 32-year old RHP Noah Marfell (5-3, 2.90 ERA, 1.27 WHIP). He is on pace for 15 victories, which would be his best mark by far. The only season he finished with a winning mark was last year, when he went 5-3, 4.04 ERA in 9 starts. He's already reached that record in 9 starts in the first two months.

Noteworthy:

October 30 – 35-year old RF Román Ferreira (.304/.375/.383, 5-2B, 6 RBI, 5 SB, 0.8 WAR) went 5-5 against the Sherburn Tigers – all singles, with 1 R. Fort Richmond prevailed 3-0. They also won the first game of the double-header, 3-2.

Key Injuries: None

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Offense: .272/.348/.402 (5th/3rd/5th)
Pitching: 4.49/4.45/4.71 (5th/5th/6th)
Defense: .684 (6th)

Top Player:

They traded for him in July and the Cannons are feeling no buyer's remorse, as 28-year old C Heung-su Park (.319/.393/.535, 7 HR, 33 RBI, 2.3 WAR) leads the team offensively. He has yet to make an all-star team, which I find sorta puzzling. He should make it this season.

Injuries:

26-year old LF Leif Bryant – torn meniscus (knee) – 6 more weeks

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Offense: .276/.327/.409 (3rd/7th/3rd)
Pitching: 4.77/4.97/4.07 (8th/8th/3rd)
Defense: .666 (8th)

Top Player:

For Hespeler, I'm going with 27-year old LHP Carlton Sherrell (7-3, 2.80 ERA, 1.30 WHIP). He is off to his best start in his career and is on pace for 20 victories. He has won 16 games in a season twice.

Injuries: None

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Offense: .277/.348/.417 (2nd/2nd/2nd)
Pitching: 4.45/4.41/4.68 (4th/4th/5th)
Defense: .691 (4th)

Top Player:

No real standouts, but 33-year old 3B Terry Maxwell (.333/.416/.508, 2 HR, 29 RBI, 2.6 WAR) is enjoying his best season in years. He's on pace for 7.2 WAR. His previous best was 5.3 back in 1941-42.

Noteworthy:

October 24 – 25-year old LF Bruno Lapthorne (.304/.375/.383, 5-2B, 6 RBI, 5 SB, 0.8 WAR) went 5-5 against the Hespeler Stars – 4 singles, 1HR, 3 RBI, 3 R. Pulberry won 11-7.

Injury:

29-year old SS Jamie Florey – torn labrum (shoulder) – out for 4 months.

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Offense: .275/.342/.405 (4th/5th/4th)
Pitching: 4.63/4.50/5.24 (6th/6th/7th)
Defense: .689 (5th)

Player of the Week Awards:

October 22 – RF Carlton Broadbent (.417, 10 H, 3 HR, 8 RBI)
November 19 – RF Carlton Broadbent (.435, 10 H, 3 HR, 10 RBI, 6 R)

Top Player:

As good as he's been, 27-year old RF Carlton Broadbent (.370/.447/.668, 15 HR, 46 RBI, 2.9 WAR) is even better this year, as he is on pace for 8.4 WAR. Last season when he won his second consecutive Babe Ruth Award, he finished with 6.9.

Injury:

26-year old CF Damon Purcell – torn meniscus (knee) – 5-6 more weeks

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Offense: .256/.343/.380 (7th/4th/6th)
Pitching: 4.71/4.87/4.03 (7th/7th/1st)
Defense: .683 (7th)

Top Player:

27-year old CF Zak Kidd (.280/.349/.517, 16 HR, 41 RBI, 11 SB, 2.3 WAR) is off to his best start ever in the ULB. In 1940-41, he finished with 5.7 WAR; he is on pace for 6.3.

Injuries:

35-year old RHP Douggie Taylor – torn rotator cuff – 2-3 more months
30-year old 2B Oscar Agnolutto – hip strain – 2 more weeks

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reds1 · 12-06-2016, 06:32 PM

November 1, 1945

Quote:

AVERY'S LIBERALS CAPTURE THIRD STRAIGHT MAJORITY
Tories Gain 12 Seats, ULP Sending Members to Parliament for First Time

COBOURG, Nov. 1 (BP) – They battled, pushed and prodded, but in the end, the Conservative Party just could not topple the Liberals from power. With nearly all polls reporting in from the Western Provinces, the Liberals under the leadership of Sir Douglas Avery have all but guaranteed for themselves an unprecedented third term and will form another majority government. However, that majority is reduced, as the Conservatives, led by the Right Honourable Wesley Bryans made significant gains throughout the country. Even the upstart United Labour Party, campaigning in only their second national election, will be sending representatives to Braeland City, as Party Leader Edgar Runyan, along with Jude Cummins won in Wolseley's Centerville and Pulberry's Ridgeway ridings respectively.

The Liberals will be sending 86 members to Parliament, down from 96 that were elected five years ago. The Tories gained 12 additional members, thanks to a softening in Liberal support and an increase in the total number of seats. The Third Braelander Parliament since the restoration of the Monarchy will sit a total of 163 members, up from 159 in 1940.

The Liberals, campaigning on the theme of stable government, urged voters to “Return the Douglas Avery Government”, maintaining that only the Liberal Party had the experience to deal with the new realities of the post-war world. The Conservative Party, realizing that they could make little headway in attacking the Government's handling of the war effort, hammered away instead on the claim that the Avery government had grown complacent, unable or unwilling to tackle the nation's sluggish economy until outside forces came to the rescue.

Initially, the Conservatives' message gained little traction, but as the campaign wore on the Tories' fortunes began to turn, thanks in part to the tireless stumping by Wesley Bryans and the Liberals’ risk-averse strategy. In the final week of the campaign, the Liberals' lead slipped into single digits, but it was not enough to prevent them from capturing their third majority.

“A Victory for All Braeland”

Sir Avery, appearing late last night at the Viscount Hotel in Cobourg, his home town, spoke to a throng of supporters and acknowledged the evenings' election results. With his wife Joanne at his side, Avery declared that it was “a victory for all Braeland” and vowed to work hard to maintain the confidence of all Braelanders.

“I can assure all Braelanders that we will not rest on our laurels, because we have none to rest upon. They belong to Braelanders themselves who sacrificed and worked harder than ever before to preserve our liberties. The post-war world now brings with it new challenges, but also new opportunities. Make no mistake; this government is committed to tackling those challenges, as well as seizing the opportunities that lay before us.”

Then, straining to make a baseball analogy as he was prone to do throughout the campaign, Sir Avery declared, “Braelanders have once again entrusted us with the ball. We take to the mound ready to lead the country to success!”

Tories Jubilant Despite Falling Short

Although the Conservative Party will once again sit in the opposition benches in the House of Commons, Party Headquarters in Bryans’ home base in Wellington were upbeat, even jubilant at the strong showing the Party made in the elections.

Following his phone call to Prime Minister Avery congratulating him on his win, Wesley Bryans appeared before his supporters in the main room of the Ellice Hotel, ensuring them that their hard work was nearing its completion.

“Braelanders have voted to put the Avery Government on a short leash. They have entrusted us to rein the Liberals in and challenge them when they renege on their promises. And we will be ready to serve whenever Braelanders elect to pass the mantle to us.”

The Prime Minister is expected to visit Kemsley Palace tomorrow morning, where King William will invite Sir Avery to form a government.

BigRed75 · 12-07-2016, 07:00 PM

As if this dynasty couldn't get any better...now it has election results...

I'll be honest with you, though, I thought that the government wouldn't be returned following World War II, just as was the case in most countries of the world. The Libs may have won, but I don't think Sir Douglas should get too comfortable...

reds1 · 12-09-2016, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRed75

As if this dynasty couldn't get any better...now it has election results...

I'll be honest with you, though, I thought that the government wouldn't be returned following World War II, just as was the case in most countries of the world. The Libs may have won, but I don't think Sir Douglas should get too comfortable...

There's definitely a fatigue factor in play with the incumbent Liberal government, but the rationing and other war-related deprivations were not as severe as in other countries, such as in Great Britain. The Liberals also took a hit with their seemingly tardy response to their Allies' calls for Braeland's participation in the war effort. The slow economy did not help them either.

But I pictured the Tory leader as being rather colorless and uninspiring until he 'rolled up his sleeves' and found his groove late in the campaign. If the election had been held a week or two later, the outcome may have been different.

reds1 · 12-09-2016, 11:40 PM

December 6, 1945

1945-46 Amateur Draft Results

Cobourg, Dec. 6 (BP) – Converging at the Royal Longley Hotel in Cobourg for the ninth annual Amateur Draft, one thing was clear to the general managers and scouts: this year's draft would be deep, if perhaps one dimensional. One could not help notice that the top position players available in the draft seemed to have all the same characteristics: good contact, patience, speed and defense but with limited power. It will be interesting to see in the coming seasons how many of the position players selected will find a home in either the No. 1 or 2 spots in their team's lineup.

This year, the Cobourg Red Stockings had the first overall pick, followed by the Wellington Athletics and Downie Chiefs.

Here is a brief sketch of the 16 players taken in the first round:

1st Pick – Cobourg Red Stockings

OF Raymond Williams (21/80) – 19-years old; 5’-9”, 150 lbs.; Hits LH/Throws LH.

The home team selected Raymond Williams of Braeland City first overall. Williams has the makings of a rock-solid player in the United Leagues, as his greatest strength is perhaps that he has few weaknesses. He should hit for good contact with a bit of power, to go along with strong defense and above-average speed.

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2nd Pick – Wellington Athletics:

SS Zhao-hui Qian (34/80) – 22-years old; 6’-0”, 180 lbs.; Hits RH/Throws RH.

Qian hails from Taiwan, and has the tools to be a stalwart at shortstop for years. He is sure-handed in the field and blessed with outstanding speed. Like Williams who was selected before him, Qian should hit for high average. He will not be a home run threat however.

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3rd Pick – Downie Chiefs:

IF Dominic Dudding (22/80) – 19-years old; 5’-10”, 170 lbs.; Hits RH/Throws RH.

The second Braeland City native selected, the Chiefs also went with a player with similar skills as the first two picks: plus contact potential, some pop and speed. The hot corner is considered his strongest position in the field.

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4th Pick – Hespeler Stars:

OF Kominiko Hokulani (50/80) – 23-years old; 6’-0”, 190 lbs.; Hits RH/Throws RH.

The Samoan Hokulani has the makings of being the first selection to reach the majors, as his development appears to be more advanced than the other players selected. He too should hit for good average with some power and great eye. He is blessed with fantastic speed and solid defensive skills.

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5th Pick – Fort Ricmond Generals:

OF Brandon Robinson (29/80) – 21-years old; 5’-10”, 175 lbs.; Hits RH/Throws RH.

Hey, another guy projected to have good contact and hum-drum power. Robinson should also be a menace on the basepaths, although his fielding isn't as strong as the other prospects selected.

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6th Pick – Stratford Barons:

RHP Magtanggol Jaojoco (21/80) – 19-years old; 6’-3”, 195 lbs.; Hits RH/Throws RH.

The Baron select the first pitcher in the draft. Jaojoco, from the Philippines, has the makings of carving out a pretty good career in the ULB, with respectable stuff, incredible movement and decent command. His velocity is certainly not off the charts, but he has a nice arsenal of pitches.

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7th Pick – Pulberry Trolleys:

SS Francis Jones (21/69) – 20-years old; 5’-11”, 175 lbs.; Hits RH/Throws RH.

Hmm...the Trolleys select a player who has no rated position in OOTP. In reality Jones is a pretty decent starting pitcher (20/76) in the making who somehow is assigned to be a shortstop. In the editor, he has ratings at both positions (Pitcher: 150 experience, 175 resulting rating; Shortstop: 200 experience, 41 resulting rating).

As it is, Jones does have a decent bat who should hit for above-average contact and show great patience at the plate. It will interesting to see how the Trolleys end up developing him – either as a shortstop or as a pitcher.

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8th Pick – Braeland City Monarchs:

RHP Freddie Trerise (21/80) – 19-years old; 5’-10”, 170 lbs.; Hits RH/Throws RH.

The Monarchs select a Pulberry kid who has the potential to be a terrific pitcher in the ULB. Trerise has nice stuff, top-notch movement and above-average control with three good pitches. Scouts considered him the best pitcher available in the draft.

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Here is the rest of the first round, selections 9-16:

9th Pick – Wolseley Unions:

LHP Shane Gledhill (21/77) – stuff (35/40), movement (60/75) and control (35/55). 22-years old; 5’-10”, 180 lbs.; groundball tendency; 90-92 Mph velocity; Hits LH/Throws LH.

A curious choice by the Unions, as Gledhill is projected to be no more than a reliever, even though they are grooming him as a starter. The Queensland native has two pitches: fastball (45/50) and slider (35/50). If he can somehow develop his change-up (20/20) a little more, then a starting role is not out of the question. While his stuff is OK and his control average, he displays top-notch movement on his pitches.

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10th Pick – Sherburn Tigers:

RF Louie Pate (22/74) – contact (45/65), gap power (50/60) and eye (40/55). 22-years old; 5’-10”, 190 lbs.; normal, flyball hitter; Hits LH/Throws LH.

Considered the top prospect available in the draft, Pate remained on the board until the 10th pick, made by the Tigers. While the young outfielder from Delamere should hold his own at the plate, I expect his so-so defense and mediocre speed caused him to drop down the board.

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11th Pick – Queensland Eagles:

3B Alexander Crutcher (23/80) – contact (45/65), gap power (45/55) and eye (30/40). 20-years old; 5’-10”, 180 lbs.; normal, flyball hitter; Hits RH/Throws RH

The first Australian selected in this season's draft, Crutcher displays impressive contact and gap power, but is not expected to draw many walks. He has above-average speed however, and should hold his own defensively at the hot corner (60), his best position (he is rated 40 at 1B).

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12th Pick – Balmoral Giants:

SS Corey Markham (24/74) – contact (45/60), gap power (45/55) and eye (35/50). 22-years old; 5’-9”, 170 lbs.; normal, flyball hitter; Hits RH/Throws RH.

The second player from the town of Delamere to be picked is once again a player who has the potential to hit for high average and decent patience. Markham however, has no power whatsoever and is a below average base runner. But his defense at shortstop (80) is off the charts. It would be no surprise if he becomes a perennial Top Fielder Award winner should he reach the majors.

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13th Pick – Kingston Pelicans:

OF Mo Spenceley (22/76) – contact (40/55), gap power (50/60) and eye (35/55). 21-years old; 6’-2”, 195 lbs.; normal, flyball hitter; Hits LH/Throws LH.

The Pelicans select a young player that is solid right across the board: good contact, decent power and eye. He has very good speed and top-notch defense, especially in rightfield (70).

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14th Pick – Embro Suns:

RHP Juan Rivas (20/77) – stuff (35/45), movement (55/70) and control (30/50). 20-years old; 6’-0”, 190 lbs.; groundball tendency; 88-90 Mph velocity; Hits RH/Throws RH.

The Suns select a young starter from the Dominican Republic. Rivas will need to improve his stuff if he wants to make an impact in the majors, but he does have top-notch movement and respectable control. He has three solid pitches in his repertoire: cutter (40/50), curveball (35/50) and slider (30/50).

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15th Pick – Cambria Cannons:

OF Mark Cassidy (22/77) – contact (35/45), gap power (45/55) and eye (45/60). 21-years old; 6’-0”, 180 lbs.; pull, flyball hitter; Hits RH/Throws RH.

Hailing from the town of Glencoe (14,000), Cassidy should prove to be a slightly above-average hitter with good defense in the outfield (60-55-55) and terrific speed (75-60-70). Bunting will be no problem for him either (sac-75, bunt-hit-65).

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16th Pick – Brunswick Legends

OF Lance Oakley (23/79) – contact (45/60), gap power (35/45) and eye (35/50). 20-years old; 5’-10”, 175 lbs.; normal, line drive hitter; Hits LH/Throws LH.

The first-round ended with the Legends selecting Lance Oakley, from Wagga Wagga, Australia. Oakley projects to be another prototype lead off hitter, with above-average contact, little power and plus-plus speed. But perhaps Oakley's greatest strength will be his defense, as he can play anywhere in the outfield and play it well (80-70-75).

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Here are the standings as of December 31:

reds1 · 12-12-2016, 11:40 PM

December 31, 1945

Looking Back: The 1939-40 Amateur Draft

Ah, the 1939-40 Amateur Draft. If ever there was a draft that was close to being an absolute bust, at least in terms of the first round, this is it. Perhaps that's being a tad harsh, but there's no denying the fact that the first round produced only one unqualified star. In fact, the second round saw more players go on to productive careers in the United Leagues than the first. Outright busts were much more plentiful than in previous drafts and there really weren't any 'Diamonds in the Rough' to speak of, but there were a couple of players in the later rounds that are at least having more sustained success than most picked way ahead of them.

So let's get right to the superstar, shall we?

C Danny Trowbridge – 2nd overall pick originally by the Fort Richmond Generals.

Career: .316/.385/.479, 1045 H, 198-2B, 28-3B, 94 HR, 467 RBI, 534 R, 365 BB, 236 K, 23 SB, 143 OPS+, 142 wRC+, 38.4 WAR.

Achievements:

Four All-Star Game selections
Finished 2nd in the 1944-45 Western League Babe Ruth Award voting
Four selections to the All-Braeland Team

What the original scouting report said:

“The switch-hitting Danny Trowbridge is projected to be an outstanding contact hitter with plus-plus power and decent fielding abilities.”

Comments: “Outstanding” seems to be an understatement now, as Trowbridge has entrenched himself as the top player in the United Leagues. What's scary is that as good as he has played so far, he has not reached his peak. This season for example, he is on pace for 10.7 WAR, which would surpass the record of 9.1 WAR set by Ron Westmacott in 1942-43. He is only 27 years of age, and its not hard to imagine him setting a slew of career records at this pace.

In 1943, he was traded by the Generals to the Kingston Pelicans for 3 mediocre pitchers and 1 minor league shortstop. One pitcher, Mo Goldstraw, missed a year serving in the Armed Forces, and has not been terrible in his first season back. But still, this is going down as one of the most lop-sided trades in the young history of the ULB ( 18.8 WAR for Trowbridge vs. 4.2 for the others combined since the trade).

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After Mr. Trowbridge, there is a steep drop in performance; and really only two other players selected in the first round are worth mentioning:

CF Vic Weetman – 1st overall pick by the Hespeler Stars.

Career: .275/.320/.388, 1046 H, 167-2B, 56-3B, 51 HR, 448 RBI, 529 R, 274 BB, 209 K, 102 SB, 96 OPS+, 101 wRC+, 20.9 WAR

Achievements:

Two All-Star Game selections
One Top Fielder Award

What the original scouting report said:

“The 21-year old lad from Willow Grove, Norwich, is an extremely versatile player....Blessed with amazing vision and discipline, he projects to a high batting average with plus raw power. He has excellent range, especially in the outfield, and has well above average speed”

Comments: The revised thinking on Weetman is that he has been a good, but not the upper-echelon player that he was originally projected to be when drafted first overall. The 'high batting average with plus raw power' never developed. He has enjoyed only one great season, in 1942-43, where he batted .296/341/.436 with 16 HR, 82 RBI and 6.0 WAR – all peaks. He has never approached that performance before or since. In fact, this season he is on pace for only 1.3 WAR. To add insult to injury, a player that was selected by the Stars in the third round of that same draft is currently considered the top player for Hespeler – ahead of Weetman (more on that player a little farther down).

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SS Roland Binns – 4th overall pick by the Pulberry Trolleys

Career: .289/.344/.413, 421 H, 73-2B, 15-3B, 26 HR, 193 RBI, 214 R, 115 BB, 98 K, 43 SB, 114 OPS+, 113 wRC+, 11.2 WAR

Achievements:

One All-Star Game selection

What the original scouting report said:

“Binns’ strength is offense….as he brings well above-average contact potential with plus-plus power potential. He also has above average speed but will need to work on this defense, as he is not the most slick-fielding shortstop”

Comments: If there's any player from the first round that has a real chance of joining Trowbridge as a bona-fide star in the ULB, its Roland Binns. Offensively, Binns may not develop the plus-plus power or well above-average contact originally projected, but his defense and speed have greatly improved over the past few seasons. For example, his rating at SS has improved from 35 to 60. He is just in his third full season in the United Leagues, and his WAR stat has progressed from 3.5 to 4.4 last year to a projected 6.0 this season. He is the only other player from this draft, besides Trowbridge, to appear on the Top 20 Position Player list (at #15).

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Biggest Draft Disappointments

There were at least four that I singled out as being out-and-out busts, but below are the top two:

RHP Gary Therien – 3rd overall pick by the Wolseley Unions

Career: .202/.314/.307, 75 H, 21-2B, 2-3B, 4 HR, 37 RBI, 50 R, 62 BB, 50 K, 1 SB, 72 OPS+, 73 wRC+, -0.9 WAR

What the original scouting report said:

“The 18-year old is an offense-rich, defense-poor prospect. Therien has all the tools to be a fantastic contact hitter with wonderful power potential. He has an outstanding eye and patience at the plate. He is not necessarily a speedster on the base paths. However, the greatest concern is his very poor defensive skills. While a potential phenom at the plate, he could be a daily adventure in left field.”

Comments: Therien is a bit of an enigma, as he has not declined in skills over the past 6 years; indeed his overall/potential is still 69/74. There's no question that his poor defense has impeded his career (he's bumped up his rating at LF to a meager 35). But if this is an usage issue, then why did Wolseley essentially draft a pinch hitter so high in the first place? With his offense, wouldn't it have made sense for Wolseley to get a solid defensive outfielder that could come in for Therien in the late innings? It doesn't appear that the Unions have ever done that. As it is, Therien is Wolseley's top pinch hitter this season and he is on course to finish with 0.7 WAR – which would mark the first time he would finish above zero. In short – a bust, but Wolseley must share some of the blame for their questionable handling.

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RHP Gavin Womersley – 5th overall pick by the Sherburn Tigers

Career: 4-3, 7 SV, 3.31 ERA, 89.2 IP, 0 CG, 0 SHO, 1.62 WHIP, .296 BABIP, 3.97 FIP, 0.0 WAR, 113 ERA+

What the original scouting report said:

“The 18-year old RHP from Queensland is blessed with above average stuff, incredible movement and tremendous control. Womersley has a great selection of pitches, with a top-notch sinker.”

Comments: Womersley was a top prospect until sometime in 1943 when he suddenly became just another minor league pitcher, unable to to get a foothold in the majors. That may be due to his inability to develop his control. Originally scouted with a 35/65 rating, his control has never progressed, and doesn't appear it ever will. His stuff has weakened as well. Kinda sad to see a kid who once had so much promise to be essentially washed up at 24-years of age.

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Round Two

As mentioned earlier, there were a number of players picked in the second round that have out-shown most of their first-round counterparts. Here are a few brief sketches of the more notable ones:

CF Jamie Couch – 20th overall pick (Round 2, Pick 4) originally by the Pulberry Trolleys.

Career: .300/.352/.384, 879 H, 106-2B, 40-3B, 20 HR, 330 RBI, 449 R, 240 BB, 73 K, 118 SB, 107 OPS+, 112 wRC+, 24.6 WAR. Currently lead-off hitter for the Kingston Pelicans.

Achievements:

Two All-Star Game selections
Four Top Fielder Awards
Western League Pennant Series MVP: 1943-44
Finished 2nd in the 1939-40 Western League Rookie of the Year Award voting

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3B Elliot Tugby – 24th overall pick (Round 2, Pick 8) originally by the Cambria Cannons.

Career: .259/.336/.335, 473 H, 65-2B, 26-3B, 7 HR, 146 RBI, 249 R, 212 BB, 173 K, 59 SB, 96 OPS+, 98 wRC+, 14.0 WAR. Currently No. 2 hitter for the Embro Suns.

Achievements:

One All-Star Game selection
Three Top Fielder Awards

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C Elijah Sheppard – 25th overall pick (Round 2, Pick 9) by the Queensland Eagles.

Career: .269/.339/.419, 381 H, 79-2B, 13-3B, 36 HR, 202 RBI, 187 R, 144 BB, 146 K, 0 SB, 119 OPS+, 127 wRC+, 12.6 WAR. Currently No. 4 hitter for the Queensland Eagles.

Achievements:

Two All-Star Game selections
Won the 1943-44 Eastern League Rookie of the Year Award

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CF Ricardo Castellanos – 26th overall pick (Round 2, Pick 10) originally by the Downie Chiefs.

Career: .286/.398/.486, 544 H, 114-2B, 33-3B, 37 HR, 251 RBI, 261 R, 169 BB, 198 K, 35 SB, 124 OPS+, 127 wRC+, 16.8 WAR.

Achievements:

Three All-Star Game selections
Two Top Fielder Awards

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Diamond in the Rough

3B Wayne Savory – 33th overall pick (Round 3, Pick 1) by the Hespeler Stars

Career: .283/.352/.406, 740 H, 124-2B, 48-3B, 34 HR, 316 RBI, 382 R, 275 BB, 213 K, 84 SB, 111 OPS+, 115 wRC+, 11.2 WAR. Currently No. 5 hitter for the Hespeler Stars.

There were a couple of other players selected later in the draft (Pulberry's RHP Lee Dowdeswell – Round 5; Cobourg's OF Dwaine Whit – Round 6) that I was considering. But while they have both showed staying power in the major leagues, they haven't exactly distinguished themselves (No. 5 starter and fourth outfielder respectively). Although in Whit's defense, he did miss last season serving in the military.

So I'll go with Savory. With the exception of being an outstanding base-runner, Savory doesn't have any jaw-dropping abilities. But he is a textbook case of someone making the most of what he has and willing to play anywhere for the sake of team. Currently, he is playing third base, even though he is not rated for that position. Nonetheless, he is considered the fourth best third baseman in the ULB. He is also considered Hespeler's top player, ahead of No. 1 overall pick, Vic Weetman, who bats just ahead of him in the lineup. He is durable, reliable and consistent. Perhaps one day soon, he will earn that trip to the All-Star game I feel he richly deserves.

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And Finally, Knowing When to Shine

RF Laroya Quindiagan – 30th overall pick (Round 2, Pick 14) by the Brunswick Legends

Career: .254/.292/.321, 133 H, 17-2B, 3-3B, 4 HR, 55 RBI, 59 R, 27 BB, 25 K, 14 SB, 77 OPS+, 74 wRC+, -1.1 WAR.

Mr. Quindiagan will never be mistaken for an All-Star. Indeed, he is currently toiling for Brunswick's AAA farm team, the Vanessa Pointers. However, he did stay around long enough to be with the club when they went to their last three United Cup appearances. And this is what he picked up along the way:

Two United Cup Championships
1943-44 Eastern League Pennant Series MVP

In that 1943-44 Pennant Series against the Stratford Barons, Quindiagan batted .579/.619/.737 with 11 H, 1-2B, 1-3B, 3 RBI and 6 R. Overall, he batted .417/.442/.500 in 48 AB in the playoffs. The previous season, he batted .333/.333/.333 in 3 AB (1 H, 1R) in the playoffs. All told, his playoff batting average is .412, and that's good enough to hold the career record for batting average in the playoffs, beating out the likes of Okura Ito (.399) and Brian Main (.389). He may never make it back to the ULB, but Quindiagan will always able to tell his kids and grand-kids that he was an MVP – and a Champion.

reds1 · 12-21-2016, 06:59 PM

February 1, 1946

Eastern League: Fantastic Four Frantically Fighting for First

Strained alliteration aside, there’s no denying the excitement over seeing four teams fighting over the two Eastern League playoff spots as the United Leagues head into the final two months of the season. With Brunswick’s playoff window appearing all but over, at least for this season, there is no truly dominant team in the East. Unless one of the top teams suddenly goes on a tear, 88 games will look to be sufficient to grab top spot. The four contenders: Embro Suns, Queensland Eagles, Braeland City Monarchs and Stratford Barons all have their strengths, but also some weaknesses that they will need to shore up if they are to prevail and reach the post-season.

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The Embro Suns hang on to first place in the East – just barely mind you – thanks to a bounce-back effort in January. The Suns were playing just above .500 baseball in November and December that allowed the likes of Queensland and Braeland City to take turns at the top of the standings. Embro has regressed a bit, particularly in pitching and defense, and reaching the playoffs is far from a sure thing with so many other teams nipping at their heels. They have no shortage of all-stars though, so now is the time for them to step up their game and seal the deal.

A whopping nine Suns headed to the All-Star game: RHP Oscar Burress (8th appearance), RHP Myung-gu Son (4th), RHP John Palm (7th), RHP Colm Soper (8th), 1B Jim Friend (6th), SS Gary Watkinson (7th) LF Yoshino Ito (3rd), CF Terence Durney (9th) and RF Yoshifumi Tamura (3rd).

Offense: .272/.359/.397 (4th/1st/3rd)
Pitching: 3.93/3.79/4.70 (5th/4th/6th)
Defense: .677 (8th)

Player of the Week Awards:

December 10 – CF Terence Durney (.519, 14 H, 1 HR, 4 RBI)
January 14 – SS Gary Watkinson (.600, 9 H, 4 RBI, 4 R)

Top Position Player:

He may have missed a year to the war, and most of 'spring' training, but 31-year old 1B Jim Friend (.339/.433/.557, 18 HR, 88 RBI, 69 BB, 4.2 WAR) has not missed a beat, leading the Suns in a slew of offensive categories. He won Batter of the Month honours in January, the 6th of his career.

Top Pitcher:

Also 31-years old, RHP Oscar Burress (14-7, 2.81 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, .234 Opp AVG) has been unquestionably Embro’s top starter, as he has been since he arrived from Fort Richmond in a trade back in 1943. He is on pace for 19 wins this season.

Trade Follow-ups:

26-year old RHP Jim Hogue (12-8, 3.41 ERA, 1.43 WHIP) arrived in a trade from the Kingston Pelicans back on July 31, 1945, in exchange for 28-year old 3B Britt Wing (.400/.440/.510, 2 HR, 20 RBI, 0.9 WAR).
Hogue is enjoying one of his finest seasons and has moved up to the No. 2 spot in the rotation, just behind Oscar Burress and ahead of a faltering Myung-gu Son. He might have even made his first All-Star game, if not for a rough October (2-2, 6.05 ERA). Since then, he has gone 10-6, 2.59 ERA. That included two 5-hit complete game shut-outs in December. He has been everything the Suns hoped he would be.
Wing meanwhile, has also played well in a limited role, and it is intriguing to think how he would fare this year in a full-time role. As it is, he is providing Kingston with yet another solid depth player that will keep them in good stead come playoff time.

26-year old C Scott Weller (.270/.348/.412, 9 HR, 47 RBI, 2.3 WAR) was acquired from the Cambria Cannons for 34-year old RHP Pete Allison (9-8, 4.51 ERA, 1.51 WHIP) back on September 18, 1945.
Weller was installed as Embro's every day starter this season, after 35-year old 6-time all-star Dylan Watkins regressed last year and was claimed off of waivers. Weller has fitted in quite nicely, as he is off to his best start offensively. His defense is down from last season, but still respectable. Meanwhile, Allison started off fine for Cambria with a combined 3.37 ERA in October and November. However, his ERA ballooned to 5.71 for December and January. The Western League average is 4.33.

Key Injury: 31-year old LHP Edward Hill (3-5, 5.70 ERA, 1.84 WHIP) suffered a fractured hand in a game back on December 18. He is gone for the season (3 more months).

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The Queensland Eagles are the steady 'eddies' as they win 15 games for the third consecutive month. That sees them move into second place, just a half game back of the Suns. Their success is quite remarkable considering the loss of one of their top offensive players, RF Jilenko Vergara (.342/.390/.540, 11 HR, 41 RBI, 2.9 WAR). The offense has softened a little, but others, including his back-up, 24-year old RF Héctor García (.323/.403/.418, 3 HR, 37 RBI, 0.7 WAR) are helping to fill the breech.

Five Eagles were selected to the All-Star game: RHP Pi-ao Quian (2nd), C Elijah Sheppard (3rd), SS Dermott Akers (1st), CF Jon Moreau (4th) and RF Jilenko Vergara (1st).

Offense: .275/.346/.406 (2nd/4th/1st)
Pitching: 3.67/3.82/2.87 (3rd/5th/1st)
Defense: .684 (5th)

Top Position Player:

27-year old C Elijah Sheppard (.284/.385/.477, 15 HR, 66 RBI, 53 BB, 4.0 WAR) is enjoying the best season of his career thus far. After a bit of a down year in 1944-45, where he earned 3.7 WAR, he is on pace for 5.7 with 21 HR, 94 RBI.

Top Pitcher:

The Queensland pitching has picked up over the past few months, and 28-year old RHP Pi-ao Quian (14-6, 2.79 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, .243 Opp AVG) is a large reason why. He won back-to-back Pitcher of the Month honours and his 2.79 ERA is second overall in the East (behind Stratford's Joel Fearn's 2.77). On January 2, he threw a complete game one-hitter against the Braeland City Monarchs, defeating them 3-0. He whiffed 5 and walked 3.

Key Trade: January 17 with the Cobourg Red Stockings

To Queensland – 26-year old 2B Noah Wellings (57/59)
To Cobourg – 29-year old 1B Merlin Teeters (27/46)

Knee-jerk reaction: The Eagles decided to go in another direction at 2B and so acquired Wellings, the former 1938-39 2nd-round pick (.264/.307/.364, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 0.1 WAR). Wellings replaces Jung-choon Pak (.244/.314/.295, 6-2B, 9 RBI, 0.0 WAR), who was given his outright release 6 days later. Riding the bench in Cobourg, Wellings was promptly installed as Queensland's lead-off hitter. Rated as the #28 prospect in 1942-43, Wellings now has a real chance to improve his plate discipline and shorten his swing. His speed and defense are top-notch.
As for Teeters (.326/.385/.522, 3 HR, 29 RBI, 0.8 WAR) who missed two seasons serving in the military, he will continue to serve as a utility infielder at 1B. He will be back-up to Cobourg's top offensive player Dennis Borton, who moves from 2B to 1B. Cobourg's primary motivation appears to be to get 25-year old 2B George Simpson, Cobourg's second overall-rated player, into the everyday lineup. Simpson also missed two seasons serving in the Braeland Armed Forces.

Key Injuries: 25-year old LHP Roman Davis (3-4, 14 SV, 1.88 ERA, 1.59 WHIP) suffered a torn elbow tendon back on January 14. He is of commission for another 5 months.

26-year old RF Jilenko Vergara broke his hand in a game on December 9. He will miss a further 4-5 weeks.

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The Braeland City Monarchs enjoyed first place and a two-game lead over their nearest competitor as the calendar turned to 1946, but an 11-15 January was enough for them to fall back into third place, 2.5 games back. Still, the Monarchs are in great shape for a playoff run, with a surging offense and solid pitching to back it up.

Three Monarchs were selected to the All-Star game: LHP David Cooling (6th), 1B Kyle Pryor (1st) and 3B Adam Ashley (7th).

Offense: .279/.350/.401 (1st/2nd/2nd)
Pitching: 3.84/3.76/4.28 (4th/3rd/4th)
Defense: .701 (3rd)

Player of the Week Awards:

December 31 – 3B Adam Ashley (.583, 14 H, 11 RBI, 5 R)

Top Position Player:

32-year old 3B Adam Ashley (.361/.432/.468, 2 HR, 51 RBI, 53 BB, 18 SB, 4.7 WAR) is having a whale of a season, which must bring the Monarchs much relief. The first Eastern League Rookie of the Year winner back in 1938-39, Ashley's first four seasons were unqualified successes. In 1942 though, it appeared injuries were starting to sap his strength. But he rebounded big time last season and his pre-eminence continues.

Top Pitcher:

36-year old LHP David Cooling (10-10, 3.07 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, .243 Opp AVG) remains Braeland City's top starter, but it appears the Monarchs have a sensational young pitcher in 25-year old rookie LHP Nicholas Grimes (12-3, 3.37 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, .280 Opp AVG) as well. If he can develop his stuff a bit (35/45), he could become a top-tier pitcher. Interestingly, the Monarchs top three starters are all lefties, with 34-year old LHP Max MacColl (9-8, 3.78 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, .246 Opp AVG) serving as the No. 2 pitcher.

Noteworthy:

January 3 – 3B Adam Ashley enjoyed a 5-for-5 day against the Embro Suns, with 4 singles and a triple. Ashley also collected a walk with 3 RBI and 3 R. However, Embro still won the game, 15-12.

Key Injuries: 36-year old RHP Lenny Freke (6-4, 4.73 ERA, 1.39 WHIP) suffered a fractured finger back on December 17. He is will out of action for 6-7 weeks.

24-year old RF Jesús Ortega (.329/.401/.407, 2 HR, 22 RBI, 0.9 WAR) strained a thigh muscle in a game on January 16. He will be out another 2 weeks.

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The Stratford Barons bounced back nicely from a rough November, to pull within 3.5 games of first place. Despite a rash of injuries to key players, they are still very much in the thick of things, thanks to a resilient offense and the No. 1 ranked pitching staff in the East. That pitching staff also includes the new all-time wins king in the ULB.

Five Barons were selected to the All-Star game: RHP Bill Blair (1st), LHP Ryan Borden (5th), LHP Joel Fearn (6th), C Aaron Skidmore (5th) and SS Jake Walker (7th).

Offense: .264/.349/.389 (5th/3rd/5th)
Pitching: 3.49/3.43/3.94 (1st/1st/2nd)
Defense: .700 (4th)

Player of the Week Awards:

December 24 – LHP Joel Fearn (2-0, 0.00 ERA, 18.0 IP, 8 K, .203 Opponents AVG)
January 21 – CF Ricardo Castellanos (.536, 15 H, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 9 R)

Top Position Player:

A couple of quality players to choose from, but I'll go with 26-year old C Aaron Skidmore (.294/.436/.436, 9 HR, 49 RBI, 75 BB, 3.9 WAR) who has not missed a beat since he was acquired from the Hespeler Stars in the off-season. The Stars, who acquired a decent relief pitcher as well as a scrub starter (who was subsequently released in December) in return, got fleeced in that deal in my opinion.

Top Pitcher:

Hands down, it’s 35-year old LHP Joel Fearn (16-6, 2.77 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, .256 Opp AVG). Not only does he currently lead the Eastern League in wins and ERA, but back on January 18, Fearn became the all-time wins leader when he surpassed Wellington's 36-year old Clyde Boney with his 150th win. Fearn picked up the milestone with a 12-2 victory over the Athletics in Wellington.

Key Injuries: 26-year old 2B Maurice Keyworth (.300/.348/.421, 4 HR, 46 RBI, 2.3 WAR) strained his groin back on on January 18. He should be back within a week.

29-year old RF Steven Winstanley (.304/.388/.471, 8 HR, 22 RBI, 1.9 WAR) broke an elbow bone back on December 1. He is gone for the season (3-4 months).

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The Brunswick Legends are showing no signs of shaking off the doldrums, at least for this season. Their pitching staff remains a formidable unit, but a number of the offensive players they have relied on in the past are starting to sputter. Particularly 37-year old RF Mark Elston (.202/.363/.332, 6 HR, 29 RBI, -0.5 WAR), who is on the disabled list, as well as 27-year old CF Harry Chatwin (.275/.323/.382, 5 HR, 53 RBI, 0.6 WAR) whose performance has dropped alarmingly. From this vantage point, the Legends don't have to blow everything apart, as their pitching is still of championship calibre. But with one of the weakest minor league systems (15th overall), it will not be easy to reload as their tradable assets continue to get older – and decline.

The Legends sent three representatives to the All-Star game: LHP Mathew Monroe (7th), LHP Anastasio Rodríguez (6th) and 1B Stuart Bentham (5th).

Offense: .260/.338/.381 (8th/6th/6th)
Pitching: 3.55/3.44/4.06 (2nd/2nd/3rd)
Defense: .682 (Tied for 6th)

Top Position Player:

29-year old 1B Stuart Bentham (.299/.413/.533, 22 HR, 60 RBI, 80 BB, 3.6 WAR) continues his stellar play, winning Batter of the Month honours in December as well as leading the League in homeruns.

Top Pitcher:

29-year old LHP Anastasio Rodríguez (11-8, 3.12 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, .262 Opp AVG) is the top-rated pitcher in the United Leagues, but the Legends are blessed with an extremely strong rotation. If the offense was able to hold it together, the Legends could easily be on top of the standings once again.

Key Injury: 37-year old RF Mark Elston is suffering from recurring back spasms that have plagued him since mid-January. He is out for at least another 3 weeks.

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At the end of December, it appeared that the Wellington Athletics were toying with the idea of crashing the top division, but they have since faltered and fallen 6 games below .500. It’s readily apparent though that any success this season would have been short-lived: they just do not have the horses to seriously compete. They have a few nice pieces on offense but little else. Their farm system is largely depleted as well, something the Athletics will need to address pronto if they want to get relevant anytime soon.

Two Athletics headed to the All-Star game: C Mick Gunnis (1st) and SS Mac Medley (1st).

Offense: .264/.326/.367 (7th/7th/8th)
Pitching: 4.39/4.30/4.78 (6th/6th/7th)
Defense: .711 (1st)

Player of the Week Awards:

December 17 – 3B Ryley McLarnon (.545, 12 H, 4 RBI, 5 R)
January 7 – C Mick Gunnis (.538, 7 H, 2 HR, 6 RBI)

Top Position Player:

I’m calling it a tie, with Wellington’s two all-stars. 23-year old SS Mac Medley (.324/.397/.485, 6 HR, 59 RBI, 52 BB, 4.5 WAR) showed promise last year in his second full season, but has really stepped it up this season. The former 13th overall pick from 1941-42 is rated as the No. 5 shortstop in the ULB and is close to joining the League’s elite players if he continues his progress.
25-year old C Mick Gunnis (.332/.392/.482, 11 HR, 64 RBI, 38 BB, 4.2 WAR) has seemingly come out of nowhere to entrench himself as Wellington’s everyday starting catcher. He is rated 5th among catchers and 18th overall among position players.
But with the exception of 21-year old RF Edgardo Barrón (.298/.337/.462, 2 HR, 34 RBI, 16 BB, 1.6WAR), who won his second consecutive Rookie of the Month honour in December, the Athletics players are all rated 14th to 16th overall at their respective positions – with most of them on the wrong side of 30. Ouch.

Top Pitcher:

This is not pretty, but I’ll go with 35-year old LHP Max Littler (10-11, 3.78 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, .271 Opp AVG) who pitched a 4-hit shutout against the Downie Chiefs on December 26. So there’s that.

Key Injuries: 34-year old 3B Ryley McLarnon (.304/.339/.421, 2 HR, 50 RBI, 2.9 WAR) suffered a torn knee joint back on January 22. He is out for 3-4 weeks.

32-year old RHP Darren Whiteley (12-9, 4.25 ERA, 1.40 WHIP) also tore his knee joint, back on January 26. He is expected to miss 3 months.

43-year old CF Quentin Stubber (.262/.446/.476, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 0.6 WAR) suffered a torn knee ligament back on December 15. He is out for 5 months.

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With 8 first-round draft picks and another 4 second-round draft picks currently on the 25-man roster, you would think the Cobourg Red Stockings would be a force to be reckoned with in the East simply by the sheer force of their top-tier talent. And that still may happen, as the Red Stockings are steadily improving on offense, where the majority of their first-rounders are found. They currently have the top-ranked prospect in their lineup, 22-year old C Jason Lymer (.282/.322/.409, 3 HR, 35 RBI, 14 BB, 1.1 WAR) who won Rookie of the Month honours in January. Their farm system is still one of the strongest as well, so if they can parlay some of that talent onto the pitching staff, it may finally all come together for Cobourg. But we’ll have to wait and see, as we’re always doing with this unit.

Five Red Stockings appeared in the All-Star Game: RHP Brent Nix (2nd), 3B Alexander Tolmie (2nd), SS Dennis Borton (1st), SS Simon Flatt (1st) and RF Salvador Hernández (1st).

Offense: .274/.339/.397 (3rd/5th/4th)
Pitching: 4.57/4.62/4.34 (7th/7th/5th)
Defense: .682 (Tied for 6th)

Player of the Week Awards:

January 28 – C Jason Lymer (.500, 10 H, 1 HR, 6 RBI)

Top Position Player:

A difficult choice, as two players are leading the way for Cobourg with strong campaigns. 27-year old 1B Dennis Borton (.358/.388/.513, 4 HR, 59 RBI, 16 BB, 2.7 WAR) is perhaps off to the best start of his 6-year career, while 24-year old 3B Alexander Tolmie (.314/.375/.463, 8 HR, 54 RBI, 43 BB, 2.9 WAR) continues to build on his rookie season.

Top Pitcher:

Not as attractive selections to choose from but 29-year old RHP Luke Mason (6-9, 3.73 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, .247 Opp AVG) is enjoying his best season of his 4-year career.

Noteworthy:

January 26 – 22-year old LF Steve Barnes (.215/.307/.306, 1 HR, 8 RBI, -0.1 WAR) is yet another promising young prospect (#35th overall) who was selected 17th overall (1st pick in Round 2) in 1942-43. He is currently playing with Cobourg’s AAA farm team, the Oakville Oaks. But while he was up with the big club on January 26, Barnes set the Eastern League extra-inning game record for triples with 3 against the Balmoral Giants. He tripled in the 4th, 6th and 10th innings, where he scored the winning run on a Júlio Gonzáles single. He scored 3 runs in total in a 10-9 Red Stockings victory.

Key Injury: 28-year old RHP Pedro Gómez (2-5, 5.35 ERA, 1.71 WHIP) tore an elbow ligament in a game against the Sherburn Tigers back on November 21. He will be out of commission for another 3 months.

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Like the Cobourg Red Stockings, the Downie Chiefs have a bevy of first-round draft picks on the 25-man roster (7 to be exact) and 3 more second-round picks, but have yet to see that talent improve the team’s fortunes in the standings. Perhaps that’s a good thing. The Chiefs are still in rebuild mode and will be guaranteed of another high draft pick next season, if not the first overall selection. Downie has one of the stronger farm systems (6th overall) and three of their prospects are rated #1 at their respective positions in the organization rankings, but it wouldn’t hurt to have some further injection of talent to give their seemingly endless rebuilding some traction.

The Chiefs' sent two players to the All-Star Game: CF Robin Duerden (1st) and RF Nathan Ashman (1st).

Offense: .264/.321/.375 (6th/8th/7th)
Pitching: 4.71/4.63/5.05 (8th/8th/8th)
Defense: .703 (2nd)

Top Position Player:

He may not have made the All-Star game this year, but 22-year old 3B Max Westgate (.308/.355/.429, 2 HR, 27 RBI, 21 BB, 2.3 WAR) has been Downie’s most consistent player at the plate to go along with outstanding defense at the hot corner. The former 2nd round pick from 1941-42 is in his second season in the ULB.

Top Pitcher:

The pickings are quite slim on the pitching side of things, so I’ll give a nod RHP Kelii Pelanekelina (10-14, 4.14 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, .274 Opp AVG). The 23-year old Fijian is in his third season in ULB and is currently Downie’s No. 1 starter, but he has actually been regressing in each successive season. Here’s hoping he settles in with more maturity and seasoning.

Noteworthy:

December 18 – RF Nathan Ashman (.266/.312/.391, 8 HR, 47 RBI, 1.7 WAR) went 5-for-6, helping the Chiefs knock off the Queensland Eagles 8-6. Ashman hit four singles (including a 2-run single) and a triple.

Key Injuries: 22-year old LHP Jeff Routh (2-0, 4.30 ERA, 1.73 WHIP) tore a finger tendon back on January 21. He is expected to miss 4 months.

21-year old LF Connor Buswell (.295/.377/.403, 2 HR, 17 RBI, 0.7 WAR) strained his ribcage back on January 26. He is out for 3 more weeks.

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reds1 · 12-23-2016, 07:15 PM

January 8, 1946

1946 ASG: East Hangs On to Win Mid-Season Classic

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Kingston, Oxford (BP) – Both the long ball and small ball made appearances in a low-scoring affair that marked the ninth annual all-star game, and Downie Chiefs’ OF Robin Duerden was front and center of it all. Duerden helped the Eastern League snap a two-game losing streak and take a 5 games to 4 lead in the annual classic with his knack for the big hit as well as for scratching out runs.

Held at Kingston Park, the most southerly located ballpark in Braeland hosting a United Leagues team, the East wasted no time in opening the scoring. Robin Duerden took a 1-2 offering from Kingston’s own RHP Ben Currall with one out in the top of the first inning and sent it sailing 428 feet into the left-centerfield bleachers, as a full house of 27,300 barely had time to dig into their peanuts and Cracker Jack.

The score remained 1-0 until the top of the sixth inning, when Duerden drew a full-count walk off of Kingston’s RHP Francis Slocock, who was appearing in his 7th all-star game. Duerden promptly stole second before Brunswick’s Stuart Bentham singled him to third. Stratford’s Aaron Skidmore followed with a single of his own, scoring Duerden, and giving the Easterners a 2-0 lead.

The Western League All-Stars finally got on the board when Pulberry’s Terry Maxwell slammed a one-out solo home run 446 feet deep into the centerfield stands, off of Brunswick’s Matthew Monroe. But the West was unable to get the equalizer and went down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the ninth.

Braeland City’s LHP David Cooling took the hill for the Eastern League for the second straight season, while Kingston’s RHP Ben Currall, appearing in his first All-Star game, started for the West.

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Here are the complete All-Star rosters:

reds1 · 12-26-2016, 01:32 PM

February 1, 1946

Western League: Are the Tigers for Real?

The Kingston Pelicans continue to dominate the Western League with a phenomenally balanced roster, but a funny thing happened in December and January: they actually lost ground. After winning an incredible 42 games in Oct/Nov, the Pelicans 'cooled off' a bit in Dec/Jan, winning 30. The Tigers, by comparison, won 35. But what's really telling is their head-to-head match-ups. In November, Kingston took 3 of 4 from the Tigers in their first meeting. But in December and January, Sherburn turned the tables, taking 5 of 7.
There have been other teams in previous seasons who appeared ready to challenge the Pelicans, but with the exception of the Cambria Cannons, all others have proven to be pretenders. Sherburn doesn't appear to be a pretender. They are a talented bunch that are getting stronger as the season wears on. I can hardly wait to see what February and March will bring as the regular season moves into the final stretch.

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It was inevitable that the Kingston Pelicans would regress just a tad, as the .750 winning percentage they maintained over the first two months was simply unsustainable, even for a team as good as Kingston. But the Pelicans are still the class of the United Leagues, let alone the Western League. The Pyt. Record matches their actual won-loss record and they've increased their run differential to a jaw-dropping +233 (Stratford is next at +77). The club ranks first in 7 of 11 batting stats and second in two others. In the pitching stats category, they rank first in 7 of 10 and second in two others. A big, feathery red machine indeed.

Eight Pelicans were selected to the All-Star game: RHP Joey Cumberledge (9th appearance), RHP Ben Currall (1st), LHP Patrick Denman (1st), RHP Francis Slocock (7th), RHP Luis Velásquez (3rd), C Danny Trowbridge (5th), 1B Dean Bishop (2nd) and SS Katsunan Chikafuji (9th).

Offense: .300/.378/.449 (1st/1st/1st)
Pitching: 3.46/3.30/4.38 (1st/1st/5th)
Defense: .698 (2nd)

Player of the Week Awards:

December 17 – SS Katsunan Chikafuji (.565, 13 H, 3 HR, 10 RBI, 8 R)
January 21 – 1B Dean Bishop (.400, 12 H, 2 HR, 5 RBI)

Top Player:

27-year old C Danny Trowbridge (.378/.448/.622, 23 HR, 70 RBI, 6.7 WAR) and 30-year old Katsunan Chikafuji (.358/.405/.574, 20 HR, 102 RBI, 6.5WAR) continue to lead the way for Kingston’s offense, but 31-year old 1B Dean Bishop (.322/.435/.550, 19 HR, 82 RBI, 4.7 WAR) is not far behind. He is enjoying one of best seasons yet and won Hitter of the Month honours in January, following Trowbridge's win in December.

Top Pitcher:

26-year old rookie RHP Ben Currall (14-6, 2.15 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, .220 Opps AVG) continues to roll right along as Kingston's No. Starter, but 25-year old LHP Patrick Denman (18-4, 2.36 ERA, 1.21WHIP, .226 Opps AVG) has been very consistent month to month. Going 5-1, 2.30 ERA in October; 5-0, 2.84 ERA in November; 4-2, 2.77 ERA in December and 4-1, 1.40 ERA in January, Denman has been a strong contender for Pitcher of the Month honours all season long.

Key Injuries:

36-year old 2B Mo Symes – flu – 4 days

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After winning 87 games back in 1937-38 and losing to the Pelicans in 6 games in the Western League Pennant Series, the Sherburn Tigers have failed to put up a winning record for six straight seasons. That changed last season when they won 81 games. This season, they are on pace for 93 victories and the prospect of reaching the playoffs for just the second time in their existence. Their strength is unquestionably pitching. Four of five of their starting pitchers made the all-star team. The top three prospects in their system are all future starters as well. They have surrendered the second fewest runs in the ULB (451), behind only Stratford's 443. But while their pitching leads the way, the offense has steadily improved allowing the Tigers to gain some ground on the first place Pelicans. Does this signal that another team in the West is ready to challenge Kingston for supremacy? One thing's for sure though, winning the Western League pennant won't be an automatic – by anybody.

Seven Tigers were selected to the All-Star game: LHP Arthur Bence (1st), RHP Jesús Chapa (2nd), LHP Daniel Pierson (3rd), RHP Roberto Taváras (3rd), RHP Ian Peter (1st), C Neil Voigt (2nd) and 1B Robin Harney (2nd).

Offense: .276/.351/.391 (4th/3rd/6th)
Pitching: 3.58/3.49/4.22 (2nd/2nd/3rd)
Defense: .696 (3rd)

Player of the Week Awards:

December 3 – RF Bert Helmer (.435, 10 H, 2 HR, 7 RBI)
December 10 – CF José Hernández (.538, 14 H, 1 HR, 4 RBI)
January 14 – 2B Jim List (.833, 10 H in 12 AB, 1 HR, 4 RBI)

Top Player:

27-year old C Neil Voigt (.336/.370/.545, 14 HR, 87 RBI, 4.4 WAR) continues to the lead the offense, but Sherburn is not a one-trick pony. Players like 28-year old 3B Jim List (.331/.388/.456, 6 HR, 47 RBI, 2.3 WAR) and 27-year old RF Bert Helmer (.278/.337/.451, 10 HR, 47 RBI, 2.7 WAR) are offering able support. It's also really nice to see 35-year old 1B Robin Harney (.336/.438/.392, 19-2B, 43 RBI, 2.4 WAR) doing well. Harney earned his second trip to the All-Star game this January. His first selection was in 1937-38, eight seasons ago.

Top Pitcher:

While 26-year old RHP Roberto Taváres (12-5, 3.45 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, .266 Opps AVG) was selected to the All-Braeland Team last season, and deservedly so, this season, Sherburn's top pitcher has actually been Jesús Chapa (13-8, 2.34 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, .233 Opps AVG). He leads the team in a number of pitching categories. He was selected 4th overall by the Tigers in the 1942-43 draft.

Injuries:

20-year old RHP Alfonso Roberto – separated hip joint – 4-5 weeks

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The Cambria Cannons are an enigma. Their overall play and performance has improved over the past two months, yet they lost ground to the Pelicans and Tigers. No doubt that speaks to the latter two teams being the class of the League, but it also speaks a bit to the crisis gripping this team. There is a talent to spare, but the team is apparently rife with strife. “Outspoken players are dragging the team down” is the chorus ringing out from the clubhouse. Manager Eddie Frierson, who has managed the club since the beginning, appears to have lost control of the team, as at least nine players do not get along with him. Certainly the handling of the team's most high profile player has been lamentable. 28-year old RF Ron Westmacott (.202/.366/.362, 5 HR, 22 RBI, 0.1 WAR) is rated as Cambria No. 1 player, right ahead of RF Nicky Willis (.294/.432/.440, 7 HR, 44 RBI, 2.8 WAR). However Willis is getting the starts while Westmacott rides the bench. While that is understandable from a performance point of view, it is appearing to be the cause of the team's strife (at least that's my guess). The other outfielders, LF Clint Jones (.325/.397/.492, 11 HR, 54 RBI, 2.7 WAR) and CF Nicky Willis (.315/.351/.438, 9 HR, 46 RBI, 3.3 WAR) are earning their keep as well, leaving little room for Westmacott to start elsewhere.

So why did GM Dylan Taylor sit on his hands when the trade deadline came and went? Clearly, something's got to give to remove the friction that plaguing the team. With the Cannons owning the worst ranked farm system in the ULB, moving an unhappy (albeit popular) player for prospects could have addressed both urgent needs. Instead, he did nothing and the season could be lost because of it. But, hey, the Owner is still happy. Maybe being 'hands-off' is not always such a good thing.

The Cannons sent six representatives to the All-Star game: LHP Carl Luscombe (4th), C Heung-su Park (1st), SS Wenceslas Jasmin (3rd), LF Clint Jones (7th), CF Brian Cosey (1st) and RF Nicky Willis (6th).

Offense: .276/.356/.405 (3rd/2nd/3rd)
Pitching: 4.45/4.55/3.94 (4th/4th/2nd)
Defense: .683 (7th)

Top Player:

29-year old SS Wenceslas Jasmin (.314/.374/.426, 3 HR, 53 RBI, 4.4 WAR) got hot in November and has been both an offensive and defensive leader for this team this year.

Top Pitcher:

Not exactly a stellar year for Cambria's pitchers. That said, 32-year old RHP Jin-man Kim (11-10, 3.68 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, .250 Opps AVG) has not been terrible and 30-year old RHP Leon Hankey (7-10, 3.56 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, .284 Opps AVG) had a great month in December, winning Pitcher of the Month honours.

Noteworthy:

December 30 – 28-year old 3B Thomas Murphy (.317/.382/.414, 1 HR, 39 RBI, 1.7 WAR) went 5 for 6 with a walk against the Hespeler Stars. All five hits were singles, including three RBI singles. The Cannons eked out an 8-7 win.

Injuries:

27-year old 1B Jérémy Lecocq – back strain – 3 weeks
28-year old RHP Carl Luscombe – shoulder swelling – 5 weeks

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The Fort Richmond Generals are all about constancy. In some cases, that could be a good thing. But in the case of the Generals, I'm not so sure. The team has had the same GM, field manager, pitching coach and hitting coach from Day 1, for nine straight seasons now. But all they have to show for it is nine losing seasons, with 74 wins and a third place finish their best marks. This season, they're on pace for 76 wins and a fourth place finish. Still, there does not appear to be anyone on the hot seat or a cry for change. Manager Eugene Rogge has a reputation for making friends in the dugout but not for providing a good environment for a player's development. That certainly is evident, as he enjoys a good relationship with a number of players with little if any rancour. As for the player development side of things, we shall soon see. The Generals boast the deepest farm system with a few of them starting to make the 25-man roster. Fort Richmond has shown a knack for drafting great players (ie. Danny Trowbridge, Oscar Burress) and then trading them away for younger prospects. Its time for them to get serious about building a contender.

Three Generals headed to the All-Star game: RHP Jorge Martínez (2nd), RHP Nicky Sherlock (1st) and 2B Matthew Welson (1st).

Offense: .260/.331/.368 (8th/6th/8th)
Pitching: 3.94/3.94/3.94 (3rd/3rd/1st)
Defense: .706 (1st)

Top Player:

Fort Richmond is struggling right now on offense, but 23-year old CF Dylan Moyne (.273/.331/.396, 7 HR, 45 RBI, 22 SB, 3.4 WAR) looks as though he will live up to his high draft selection. Moyne was selected first overall last season and skipped the minors completely.

Top Pitcher:

The pitching staff has been quite respectable this year and 25-year old RHP Reece Leavers (13-8, 3.16 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, .243 Opps AVG) is a big reason why. One highlight was his 4-0 shutout victory over the Kingston Pelicans back on December 20. He allowed 8 hits with 1 BB and 3 K.

Key Injuries: None

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The Wolseley Unions are another team that is still searching for their first winning record. They came close last season when they went 77-77. This year, they stumbled mightily out of the gate and were dead last in the West as late as January 3. But then the darnedest thing happened: they started to win. The Unions went on a 13-game winning streak beginning on January 4 and finished the rest of the month 18-4. That hot stretch vaulted them into fifth spot in the standings. No doubt some good fortune is involved, as they are 19-9 in one-run games, but the Unions do have a bevy of talent on the roster and its only going to get deeper, as they boast the second strongest farm system in the ULB. Their two all-star players, Carlton Hawking and Zak Kidd, are considered the top leftfielder and centerfielder respectively in the United Leagues. And a 21-year old infielder from the Virgin Islands, Westin Woollams (78/80) is already rated as their top player, even though he has yet to start regularly.

Undoubtedly, there will continue to be growing pains for this outfit, but the talent being assembled on both sides of the ball makes the near future for the Wolseley exciting to contemplate. But like so many other teams in the West, caution is needed. There's no guarantee that all that talent will pan out, or even if the Unions will hang onto to said talent for any length of time.

Two Union players earned All-Star selections: LF Carlton Hawking (1st) and CF Zak Kidd (6th).

Offense: .262/.350/.386 (6th/4th/7th)
Pitching: 4.64/4.74/4.28 (6th/6th/4th)
Defense: .692 (5th)

Top Player:

There's a reason they're all-stars, as 24-year old LF Carlton Hawking (.338/.454/.539, 11 HR, 58 RBI, 4.6 WAR) and 27-year old CF Zak Kidd (.281/.360/.507, 26 HR, 72 RBI, 22 SB, 4.5 WAR) are tearing up the League. The good news is that they may soon joined by a bevy of other young stars, such as 24-year old SS Jorge Arredondo (.319/.391/.445, 6 HR, 59 RBI, 4.0 WAR), who is a former first-rounder from 1940-41.

Top Pitcher:

The pitching talent is lagging a little behind the offense, but 22-year old RHP Jeremy Albury (12-8, 3.42 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, .247 Opps AVG) needs to make no excuses. The former first-rounder from 1942-43, who was acquired from the Queensland Eagles in 1944, is already entrenched as Wolseley's No. 1 starter, in just his second year in the big leagues.

Noteworthy:

January 13 – SS Jorge Arredondo went 5 for 8 in a 17-inning epic against the Balmoral Giants. Arredondo collected four singles including an RBI single in the 7th inning. In the top of the 16th, he hit a solo home run before the Giants tied it up again in the bottom half. Wolseley finally pulled out the victory in the next inning, winning 11-10.

Injuries:

35-year old RHP Douggie Taylor – torn shoulder muscle – 3 weeks
27-year old LHP Bruce Whitten – high ankle sprain – 2-3 weeks

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The promise of a competitive team that seemed to appear a few seasons ago has all but disappeared. The Hespeler Stars reached .500 and third place back in 1942-43, but since then its been all downhill. They should be bottoming out soon, as there's sufficient talent on the roster and in the farm system to be competitive fairly quickly. But for some reason, the collected talent isn't as impressive as what others organizations seem to have. Of course, things could change if player developments favour the Stars and not the other teams. But as it stands, Hespeler is shaping up to be more of a respectable team one day, rather than a powerhouse.

Three Stars qualified for the All-Star game: 1B Wayne Savory (1st), SS Kobbe Asamse (1st) and RF Marcus Peyto (2nd).

Offense: .270/.331/.398 (5th/7th/4th)
Pitching: 5.19/5.33/4.78 (8th/8th/8th)
Defense: .666 (8th)

Player of the Week Awards:

December 31 – 2B Quinlevan Goldfinch (.455, 15 H, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 10 R)
January 7 – SS Kobbe Adamse (.560, 14 H, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 8 R)

Top Player:

He may not have made the all-star team, but 26-year old C Gareth Kody (.330/.339/.459, 9 HR, 47 RBI, 2.8 WAR) is enjoying his first solid season in the ULB. Acquired from the Braeland City Monarchs last September in a trade, Kody played largely backup to C Kane Broom. Given a chance to start regularly, he is making the most of it.

Top Pitcher:

The pitching has cratered, so reluctantly I'll go again with 27-year old LHP Carlton Sherrell (11-10, 3.89 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, .246 Opps AVG). His performance has suffered just as the rest of the pitching staff, but he is still the best they've got. However, he did throw a 2-hitter against the Brunswick Legends just back on January 30. Fanning 6 and walking 3, Sherrell earned the 'W' in the 3-0 victory.

Noteworthy:

January 3 – C Gareth Kody went 5 for 6 against the Wolseley Unions, helping the Stars to a 10-9 triumph. Kody hit a two-run single in the 2nd, hit a solo-home run in the 4th, singled in the 5th, flied out in the 6th, singled in the 9th and hit an RBI double in the 11th, which proved to be the game winner.

Injuries:

36-year old LF Harold Yoder – strained stomach muscles – 4 weeks

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After four straight winning seasons and two post-season appearances, the Balmoral Giants have tumbled mightily and its not hard to see why. The pitching staff has been abysmal top-to-bottom this season, letting down the offense which has been quite good. The Giants have some young prospects joining the pitching staff but with the exception of 25-year old LHP Wally Lee (29/68) in AAA, all other pitchers are shaping up to the relievers. Balmoral is in real need of some starters and fast, as the current ones are tanking. Long time GM Victor Lynch did not make any moves to address their need before the trade deadline, so perhaps he's looking to the off-season instead. They have talent coming up from the farm that could be used to acquire something pitching instead. With an offense this good, its a shame to see it go to waste.

Three Giants were selected to the All-Star game: 3B Allan Cattanach (2nd), SS Francisco Rodríguez (6th) and RF Carlton Broadbent (5th).

Offense: .282/.345/.422 (2nd/5th/2nd)
Pitching: 4.77/4.80/4.63 (7th/7th/7th)
Defense: .689 (6th)

Player of the Week Awards:

January 28 – RF Carlton Broadbent (.455, 15 H, 6 HR, 10 RBI, 9 R)

Top Player:

This is an automatic pick for the Giants, as 27-year old RF Carlton Broadbent (.359/.441/.627, 26 HR, 84 RBI, 4.9 WAR) is one of the best in the ULB. Encouraging too are the youngsters, such as 23-year old 2B Sean Brearton (.297/.328/.399, 2 HR, 38 RBI, 1.2 WAR), who won Hitter of the Month honours for December. Brearton was selected 4th overall in 1941-42.

Top Pitcher:

The pitching has really tanked over the past two months, so I'll highlight one of the young prospects that is easing his way onto the staff this season. 25-year old RHP Gerard Leese (6-6, 1 SV, 3.61 ERA, 1.62 WHIP) is pitching in a set-up role right now. If he could develop his changeup (25/25) somehow, he might be able to move into the rotation. But that doesn't seem likely.

Noteworthy:

December 12 – RF Carlton Broadbent enjoyed a 5 for 6 day against the Cambria Cannons. He singled in the 4th, singled in the 6th, hit an RBI single also in the 6th, singled in the 8th and hit a two-run double in the 9th. The Giants crushed the Cannons 17-4.

Injuries:

28-year old CF Ellis Rothwell – torn upper arm muscle – 3 weeks
25-year old LHP Dan Moon – torn upper arm muscle – 3 months

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The Pulberry Trolleys are in rough shape. While their pitching is holding steady, the offense has crumbled, thus the tumble to last place in the West. But the Trolleys also have one of the weakest farms systems with little prospects to get excited about. That's not a good combination. The Trolleys have yet to enjoy a winning season, let alone a playoff appearance, so the years they've had to accumulate a cache of talent have largely gone to waste. Another case of a GM sitting on his hands when he could have at least begun a rebuild in earnest instead of dragging it out endlessly. Maybe I should start checking these guys for a pulse.

The Trolleys sent three representatives to the All-Star game: RHP Lenny Tennison (1st), 3B Terry Maxwell (3rd) and SS Roland Binns (2nd).

Offense: .261/.327/.397 (7th/8th/5th)
Pitching: 4.60/4.64/4.41 (5th/5th/6th)
Defense: .695 (4th)

Player of the Week Awards:

December 24 – SS Roland Binns (.406, 13 H, 4 HR, 14 RBI)

Top Player:

The offense really cooled off in January, so I'll stick with 33-year old 3B Terry Maxwell (.290/.368/.464, 9 HR, 50 RBI, 3.8 WAR). His defense continues to be great though (+9.9 ZR).

Top Pitcher:

27-year old RHP Lenny Tennison (7-9, 3.71 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, .259 Opps AVG) has been kicking around the minor leagues since 1937 with five different organizations. He was selected in the Rule 5 draft back in 1941 by the Queenlsand Eagles, only to be returned to the Balmoral Giants a few months later. But he won the Rube Foster Award for best pitcher in the Heritage Leagues last season while player with the Elgin Angels, a Kingston Pelicans farm team. He was signed as a minor league free agent by the Pulberry Trolleys during the off-season and finally got a chance to pitch in the majors. All he did was earn a trip to the all-star game. He is currently Pulberry's No. 2 starter.

Injuries:

44-year old RHP Larry Parrish – elbow swelling – 1 week
29-year old SS Jamie Florey – torn shoulder joint – out for 5-6 weeks.

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reds1 · 12-28-2016, 12:17 AM

March 25, 1946

Western League Playoff Picture is Set; Eastern League – Not So Much

The Kingston Pelicans and Sherburn Tigers punched their tickets to the post-season rather easily and will face each other for the Western League Pennant. However, things are on hold until the Eastern League can sort out the bottleneck at the top of standings, as three teams ended the regular season tied for top spot.

On March 21, the Stratford Barons defeated the Braeland City Monarchs 5-2 in Braeland City to stay in a first place tie with the Embro Suns, who had defeated the Cobourg Red Stockings 6-3, in Cobourg. The Monarchs were down 3 games with just 3 games left in the regular season. But Braeland City ran the table against Stratford by scores of 2-0, 3-2 (in 12 innings) and 3-2 on the final day to pull even with the Barons.

The Red Stockings, for their part, also won their final 3 games, defeating Embro by scores of 7-5, 5-1 and 9-5.

As a result, the Eastern League has three teams tied for first place at the end of the regular season, forcing a series of tie-breakers. The first game will see the Embro Suns hosting the Braeland City Monarchs. The winner of that game lives to play another day and will head to Stratford to face the Barons at Bosworth Field to determine who will finish in first and second place.

Pitching for Embro will be RHP Myung-gu Son (18-12, 3.23 ERA), while RHP Lenny Freke (7-4, 4.33 ERA) will take the hill for Braeland City.

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Two New Milestones Set in 1945-46 Season

On January 25, Stratford Barons' SS Jake Walker went 3 for 4 with 2 RBI, 1 BB against the Queensland Eagles. He would not fail to get a hit in a game until March 14, 39 games later, when he went 0-4 against the Embro Suns. In the process, he set the new all-time hitting streak record in the United Leagues, surpassing Gary Watkinson's 35-game streak, set back in 1938.

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On March 18, Kingston Pelicans' Patrick Denman defeated the Pulberry Trolleys, 5-2, for his 26th win of the season. That broke the old mark of 25, originally set by Kingston's Brady Murdy in 1940-41 and matched a year later by Stratford's Joel Fearn.
Denman would go on to win 27 games for the season, finishing 27-6, 2.29 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 182 ERA+ in 34 starts, 298.1 IP.

reds1 · 12-29-2016, 01:05 AM

Tie-Breaker Game No.1

Son, Tugby Lead Suns Over Monarchs in 'Grand' Style

Embro got a stellar performance from SP Myung-gu Son and a key hit from 3B Elliot Tugby to power the Suns over the Braeland City Monarchs at Embro's Speaker Stadium. A sell-out crowd of 26,800 celebrated as the Suns earned the right to advance to the second tie-breaker game against the Stratford Barons.

RHP Myung-gu Son and Braeland City's RHP Lenny Freke exchanged zeros for the first three innings, but in the bottom of the 4th, Freke ran into trouble.

A single and back-to-back fielding errors put runners on the corners with one out. RF Yoshifumi Tamura then singled to drive in the game's first run. SP Son followed with a sac bunt, advancing the runners to second and third. With first base open and two out, Braeland City elected to intentionally walk LF Yoshino Ito to load the bases. That set up Elliot Tugby, who hammered Freke's first offering into the rightfield bleachers for a grand slam. That was all the scoring Embro would need.

SP Myung-gu Son would run into some troubles of his own in the top of the 5th. A fielding error, a single and a walk (with a balk thrown in for good measure) loaded the bases with nobody out. PH Steve Newsholme then drew another walk to force in Braeland City's first run of the game. RF Jesús Ortega then hit into a 5-4 fielder's choice, scoring Braeland City's second run, but that was all the Monarch's could muster.

The loss means the end of Braeland City's season. With the victory, Embro will meet the Stratford Barons in the second tie-breaker which will determine who will take top spot in the East as well as home field advantage in the Eastern League Pennant Series.

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Tie-Breaker Game No. 2

Stratford's Walker Proves Too Much for Embro

The Stratford Barons' offense proved too much for the Embro Suns to handle, with SS Jake Walker inflicting the greatest damage. His heroics propelled the Barons to an 8-4 victory over the Suns, earning Stratford first place in the Eastern League as well as home field advantage in the Pennant Series.

SP Matt Miller (2-9, 4.78 ERA, 1.58 WHIP) started for Embro in place of SP Oscar Burress, who suffered elbow stiffness in mid-March and was unavailable for the rest of the regular season. The Barons wasted no time in getting to Miller.

In the bottom of the 1st, the Barons led off with a triple, a double, a walk and a single to drive in a run and load the bases with nobody out. A sac fly by 2B Maurice Keyworth drove in Stratford's second run, but Miller was able to limit the damage after that.

The Suns responded in the 4th. With one out, 3B Elliot Tugby, 1B Jim Friend and CF Terence Durney hit back-to-back-to-back singles off of SP Joel Fearn, scoring a run. With two out, SS Darren Blume singled in Friend. C César Morales immediately followed with a single of his own and a fielding error (E7) on the play allowed Durney to score, giving Embro a 3-2 lead.

But it did not last long. In the bottom of the 4th, SP Miller would get two quick outs. But a single to SP Fearn, a walk to CF Roberto Rios and a single by RF Dan Hunter scored a run to tie the game up. That set up SS Jake Walker, who quickly untied it with a 3-run home run over the wall in rightfield.

Stratford would add to its lead in the 5th inning with a solo shot by Maurice Keyworth and an RBI double by Jake Walker in the 6th.

Embro would try to make something happen in the 9th, but after Darren Blume led off with a double and scored on a single and error, the Suns ran out of chances and fell short.

Stratford's victory finally settles the playoff picture in the East. Stratford finishes in first place with an 87-68 record and will host the 87-69 Suns once again at Bosworth Field for Games 1 and 2.

reds1 · 01-01-2017, 11:25 PM

March 27, 1946

Eastern League: Barons, Suns to Duke it Out for Pennant

As previously noted, the Eastern League finished in a jumbled mess, with three teams finishing atop of the standings, requiring two tie-breakers to settle the issue. Now that its settled, its time for playoff baseball. But first, a quick review of how the teams finished the 1945-46 season.

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The Stratford Barons just hung in there all season long and ultimately prevailed while other teams started to fade. What made the difference was the rock-solid pitching backed by a steadily improving offense. This is even more impressive in the face of the loss of RF Steven Winstanley back in December. Winstanley is considered the 2nd best right fielder in the ULB (behind Balmoral's Carlton Broadbent) and has already missed two seasons to the war. But the Barons got key performances from other players that helped fill the gap. If they can continue that effort in the playoffs, the Barons should be a formidable team to reckon with.

Offense: .268/.357/.397 (5th/1st/3rd)
Pitching: 3.44/3.36/4.14 (1st/1st/5th)
Defense: .703 (3rd)

Player of the Week Awards:

February 11 – SS Jake Walker (.480, 12 H, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 5 R)

Top Position Players:

This will go to two players actually: 33-year old SS Jake Walker (.349/.430/.530, 13 HR, 112 RBI, 70 BB, 6.3 WAR) and 26-year old C Aaron Skidmore (.291/.446/.422, 11 HR, 70 RBI, 124 BB, 6.0 WAR). Walker had one of his best offensive seasons, winning his second Batter of the Month Award in February and establishing a new hitting streak record of 39. Skidmore established personal bests in AVG, OBP, OPS and led the League in walks, in addition to his solid defensive work behind the plate.

Top Pitcher:

No question, 35-year old LHP Joel Fearn (23-10, 2.60 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 159 ERA+) is the best pitcher on the best pitching staff in the Eastern League. Fearn seemed to get better as the season wore on, winning 20+ games for the second time of his career. He also became the all time wins leader in the ULB and currently has 158 at season's end.

Noteworthy:

March 12 – March call-up RF Luca Bewick slammed 5 hits in 5 tries against the Cobourg Red Stockings. Bewick hit an RBI triple in the 1st, singles in the 3rd and 4th, hit an RBI double in the 5th, walked in the 8th and hit a two-run single in the 9th. His efforts helped the Barons win 15-4. However, he will not be on Stratford's playoff roster.

Key Injury:

30-year old RF Steven Winstanley – broken elbow bone – 7-8 weeks

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The Embro Suns enjoyed back-to-back months of 15-9 in January and February that looked to solidify their hold on first place, but a 11-14 March undid it all. With the loss to Stratford in the second tie-breaker game, they had to settle for the wild card. Still, they remain a formidable team that looks to get back its top pitcher in time for the playoffs. SP Oscar Burress missed almost two months due to elbow stiffness and that not doubt hurt the Suns in March. His return greatly improves their rotation. He is expected to start Game 2 of the Pennant Series.

Offense: .272/.357/.393 (3rd/2nd/4th)
Pitching: 3.91/3.87/4.13 (5th/5th/4th)
Defense: .679 (7th)

Player of the Week Awards:

February 4 – 1B Jim Friend (.632, 12 H, 2 HR, 5 RBI)
February 25 – 3B Elliot Tugby (.469, 15 H, 2 HR, 8 RBI)

Top Position Player:

The return of 31-year old 1B Jim Friend (.344/.436/.569, 26 HR, 126 RBI, 98 BB, 6.6 WAR) from the war was an absolute godsend for the Suns. Friend led the League in at least 8 categories, including SLG (.569), OPS (1.005), WAR (6.6), doubles (43), RBI (126) and total bases (331).

Top Pitcher:

Despite his lengthy layoff due to injury, 31-year old RHP Oscar Burress (16-8, 2.80 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 148 ERA+) was easily Embro's top pitcher. If he returns to form quickly for the playoffs, the Suns should be in great shape to face the Barons.

Key Injury:

31-year old LHP Edward Hill – fractured hand – 4 weeks

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The Braeland City Monarchs put up a game fight and nearly pulled it off, but in the end, they came up short. Despite strong performances on both sides of the ball all season, the Monarchs were curiously erratic from month-to-month: In October and November they went 18-11 as well as 15-8 in February. But in November, January and March, they went only 12-12, 11-15 and 12-12 respectively.

Offense: .273/.344/.391 (2nd/3rd/5th)
Pitching: 3.84/3.80/4.06 (4th/4th/3rd)
Defense: .700 (4th)

Top Position Player:

32-year old 3B Adam Ashley (.355/.422/.462, 3 HR, 71 RBI, 69 BB, 23 SB, 6.2 WAR) enjoyed a dynamite season and led the way for the Monarchs. He was also steady on defense at the hot corner (+5.4 ZR). 23-year old 1B Kyle Pryor (.269/.359/.462, 28 HR, 80 RBI, 83 BB, 4.0 WAR) built upon his rookie season and was excellent on defense as well (+5.8 ZR).

Top Pitcher:

36-year old LHP David Cooling (18-13, 2.90 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 144 ERA+) was Braeland City's top starter once again. 25-year old LHP Nicholas Grimes (16-8, 3.86 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 109 ERA+) showed promise in his first full season, starting 31 games.

Noteworthy:

January 3 – Before Stratford's Jake Walker hit his way into the record books with a 39-game hitting streak, 3B Adam Ashley hit safely in 27 straight games. The streak came to an end on February 11 against the Sherburn Tigers, going 0-5. The Monarchs lost 6-5.

Key Injury:

29-year old 2B Trevor Bolen – strained knee – 7 weeks.

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The Brunswick Legends turned the jets on in February, but it wasn't enough to seriously challenge for a playoff spot and defend their United Cup Championship. This is the first season they have missed the playoffs since 1940-41 and ends a 4-year playoff streak where they won the United Cup 3 times. The offense was their Achilles heel, although it picked up in the final two months. There are a few players that should really call it a career, but they have a number of younger players that seemed poised to step in. If they do, then the Legends could be back in a big way next season.

Offense: .267/.343/.391 (6th/4th/6th)
Pitching: 3.66/3.62/3.80 (2nd/2nd/2nd)
Defense: .683 (5th)

Player of the Week Awards:

March 11 – LF Harry Chatwin (.458, 11 H, 3 HR, 9 RBI)

Top Position Player:

He missed the final 5 games of the season to injury, but 29-year old 1B Stuart Bentham (.320/.426/.548, 29 HR, 88 RBI, 105 BB, 5.6 WAR) was easily Brunswick’s top offensive player. He led the Eastern League in home runs and isolated power (.227).

Top Pitcher:

The Legends had a very strong rotation, but there's a reason 29-year old LHP Anastasio Rodríguez (18-10, 2.93 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 142 ERA+) is the No. 1 starter. He led the League in HR/9 (0.26), K/BB (2.25), FIP (2.81) and WAR (9.2).

Noteworthy:

March 17 – CF Harry Chatwin went 5 for 6 as the Legends hammered the Queensland Eagles 16-0 in Queenland. Chatwin grounded in the 1st, hit an RBI single in the 2nd, singled in the 3rd and 4th, hit a two-run single in the 5th and singled in the 7th.

Key Injuries:

29-year old 1B Stuart Bentham – ribcage strain – 2 weeks
31-year old LHP Wilson Villas – fractured finger – 4 weeks
28-year old LF Cliff Jordan – strained neck muscles – 3-4 weeks

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The Queensland Eagles appeared poised to reach the post-season for just the second time in their history, but a disastrous February and March dashed all hope, seeing them free fall 8 games out of the wild card. At the end of January, they were just a half game back of first place. February was spent competing against Western League teams and the Eagles were simply manhandled, getting swept by the Balmoral Giants, Fort Richmond Generals and Sherburn Tigers, and coming out on the short end on the other series to the Kingston Pelicans, Hespeler Stars and Wolseley Unions.

Offense: .269/.339/.400 (4th/6th/2nd)
Pitching: 3.70/3.72/3.57 (3rd/3rd/1st)
Defense: .681 (6th)

Player of the Week Awards:

February 18 – C Elijah Sheppard (.550, 11 H, 1 HR, 5 RBI)

Top Position Player:

27-year old C Elijah Sheppard (.296/.386/.485, 19 HR, 91 RBI, 70 BB, 5.9 WAR) stepped up his play in the final two months, but it wasn't enough to halt the team's slide. The Eagles are left to wonder how things would have played out if 26-year old LF Jilenko Vergara (.332/.388/.530, 14 HR, 51 RBI, 31 BB, 3.4 WAR) hadn't missed almost three months due to injury. He is currently rated Queensland's top player.

Top Pitcher:

Queensland has assembled a pretty impressive pitching staff and 29-year old RHP Pi-ao Quian (17-12, 2.92 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 140 ERA+) led the way in 1945-46.

Noteworthy:

March 17 – 1B Héctor Gutiérrez hit the only Cycle of the season and 13th overall in the United Leagues. Gutiérrez doubled in the 1st, tripled in the 3rd, singled in the 5th and hit a solo-home run in the 7th. His efforts helped the Eagles win 6-3 over the Pulberry Trolleys.

Gutiérrez is the first Eastern League player to hit for the cycle since Braeland City's Adam Ashley did it back on December 12, 1939. In fact, Gutiérrez is the first Eastern League player not to play for the Monarchs to hit for the cycle and just the 3rd Eastern League player to accomplish it overall. Besides Adam Ashley, Braeland City's Trevor Bolen accomplished it twice, both in the 1938-39 season.

Key Injury:

25-year old LHP Roman Davis – torn elbow tendon – 3 months

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The Cobourg Red Stockings aren't quite there, but they finished with their best record since 1938-39 when they won 72 games. The most they've won in a season is 76, so a winning campaign is still proving elusive. But there are enough encouraging signs, at least on offense, to believe that the Red Stockings will become more competitive and escape the second division. But they are going to need upgrades in their pitching if they are really going to take the next step. They are definitely lacking ace material in their system.

Offense: .283/.343/.403 (1st/5th/1st)
Pitching: 4.80/4.91/4.34 (8th/8th/7th)
Defense: .673 (8th)

Player of the Week Awards:

March 18 – Salvador Hernández (.536, 15 H, 3 HR, 7 RBI)

Top Position Player:

27-year old 1B Dennis Borton (.365/.395/.497, 5 HR, 82 RBI, 10 SB, 4.2 WAR) won the Eastern League batting crown. He had 177 hits, 39 doubles and 5 triples in 127 games. His average was the highest in the Eastern League since Rovilson Valdevieso batted .398 in 1939-40. He was also good defensively (+3.1 ZR at 1B; +2.7 ZR at 2B), which cannot be said of most of his teammates.

Top Pitcher:

24-year old LHP Trent Beaton (15-13, 4.37 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 95 ERA+) was the top pitcher on the staff this season, which isn't saying much, no offense to him. He is not going to overpower anyone, but if the second-year Beaton can improve his control, he could become a serviceable No. 3 or 4 starter on a solid rotation.

Key Injury:

28-year old RHP Pedro Gómez – torn elbow ligament – 3 months

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The Wellington Athletics actually improved over the past couple of seasons, but that is faint praise at best, as the Athletics need a major talent infusion before they can become relevant again. It's been 7 seasons since they last made the playoffs, and the way things are going, it may take another 7 seasons to get back.

Offense: .263/.326/.365 (7th/7th/8th)
Pitching: 4.22/4.15/4.54 (6th/6th/8th)
Defense: .711 (1st)

Top Position Player:

I'll go with 26-year old C Mick Gunnis (.307/.366/.423, 11 HR, 75 RBI, 50 BB, 4.4 WAR) who took a big step forward in his third full season in the ULB and was an asset behind the plate (+3.3 ZR). 23-year old SS Mac Medley (.303/.378/.450, 7 HR, 77 RBI, 73 BB, 20 SB, 4.8 WAR) took a big jump offensively in his third season in ULB as well, but he has yet to find consistency on defense (-3.4 ZR). He is rated for much better than that.

Top Pitcher:

He didn't get much support, but 36-year old LHP Max Littler (12-19, 4.04 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 101 ERA+) was about as good as the pitching got this season for the Athletics.

Key Injuries:

32-year old RHP Darren Whiteley – torn knee joint – 5-6 weeks
43-year old CF Quentin Stubber – torn knee ligament – 3 months

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The Downie Chiefs are lagging behind the Red Stockings in their rebuilding program, but are facing a similar challenge: they need to seriously upgrade their pitching staff if they want to have a chance at becoming relevant one day. They should be in decent shape if their offensive prospects develop, but there is a dearth of quality pitching in the farm system. Once again, they completely ignored drafting a quality pitcher in this season's amateur draft. Perhaps next season they'll make it a priority?

Offense: .260/.319/.371 (8th/8th/7th)
Pitching: 4.56/4.61/4.32 (7th/7th/6th)
Defense: .704 (2nd)

Player of the Week Awards:

March 4 – Robin Duerden (.357, 10 H, 3 HR, 5 RBI)

Top Position Player:

I'm still puzzled at how he got overlooked for the selection to the All-star game, as 22-year old 3B Max Westgate (.280/.325/.411, 6 HR, 48 RBI, 30 BB, 3.0 WAR) was Downie's best position player, although his offense did slide in the last two months. His defense though was outstanding: +13.2 ZR.

Top Pitcher:

23-year old RHP Kelii Pelanekelina (14-18, 3.75 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 108 ERA+) was just outstanding in the final two months of the season (0-3, 3.27 ERA in February; 4-1, 2.51 ERA in March). The former third-round pick from 1941-42 did an admirable job this season, despite the indifferent offense he got on many nights.

Key Injuries:

23-year old LHP Jeff Routh – torn finger tendon – 8-9 weeks
21-year old LF Connor Buswell – strained ribcage – 1 week

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reds1 · 01-03-2017, 07:52 PM

March 27, 1946

Western League: Pelicans, Tigers to Battle Again for Pennant

The match-up for the Western League Pennant was settled well before the regular season was officially completed, but the Pelicans and Tigers had to wait a little longer than normal until the Eastern League untangled itself with a couple of tie-breakers. Now that it’s settled, the two teams can finally get down to business with well-rested pitching staffs. But first, a brief end-of-season review of the Western League teams.

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The Kingston Pelicans were simply not interested in allowing things to get close in the final two months and so simply bull-dozed their way through the rest of the field to take a stranglehold of first place, 13 games ahead of anyone else. While that eliminated all potential drama of a tight race, it was not as though they had everyone’s number. In their final 4-game set against the Sherburn Tigers in March, they were beaten 3 games to 1, dropping their season match-up to the second place team with 6 wins vs. 9 losses. The Pelicans are far and away the class of the United Leagues, but that doesn’t seem to impress everyone (i.e. Sherburn).

Offense: .298/.376/.447 (1st/1st/1st)
Pitching: 3.37/3.26/3.95 (1st/1st/3rd)
Defense: .701 (2nd)

Player of the Week Awards:

February 11 – C Danny Trowbridge (.519, 14 H, 2 HR, 6 RBI)
March 4 – C Danny Trowbridge (.467, 7 H, 2 HR, 6 RBI)
March 11 – C/1B Jamie Wilday (.480, 12 H, 1 HR, 7 RBI)

Top Player:

30-year old Katsunan Chikafuji (.359/.414/.575, 30 HR, 139 RBI, 9.3WAR) had a season for the ages, but was still upstaged – by his teammate no less. 27-year old C Danny Trowbridge (.371/.442/.629, 34 HR, 106 RBI, 9.6 WAR) was just amazing, winning Player of the Week and Batter of the Month Awards left and right. He also won the Western League Batting Title with a .371 average, the highest in the West since Gary Watkinson hit .387 for the Sherburn Tigers back in 1937-38. Trowbridge totaled 211 hits, 38 doubles and 129 runs. Only his defense (-1.3 ZR) showed some weakness. By comparison, Chikafuji rated a +10.0 at shortstop.

Top Pitcher:

Got to go with 26-year old LHP Patrick Denman (27-6, 2.29 ERA, 1.17WHIP, 138 ERA+) who set a new ULB record for most wins in a season. He led the Western League in no less than 12 pitching categories, including H/9 IP (7.5), Opp AVG (.221), Opp OPS (.594) and BABIP (.237)
But 26-year old RHP Ben Currall (20-7, 2.97 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 141 ERA+) did all right for a rookie; he led the League in shutouts (5).

Key Injuries: None

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The Sherburn Tigers largely flailed against Eastern League teams in February, eliminating any real chance of closing in on the mighty Pelicans. But to their credit, they bounced back in March to finish the season strong. That should serve them well, as they gear up for their first playoff run since the inaugural season of 1937-38.

Offense: .282/.356/.392 (2nd/2nd/4th)
Pitching: 3.70/3.61/4.34 (2nd/2nd/6th)
Defense: .696 (3rd)

Top Player:

This belongs to 27-year old C Neil Voigt (.310/.347/.507, 20 HR, 120 RBI, 5.3 WAR) who led the team offensively all season after being acquired from the Cobourg Red Stockings last June. His able handling of the pitching cannot be overlooked as well.

Top Pitcher:

A slight edge is given to 22-year old RHP Jesús Chapa (19-13, 2.50 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 168 ERA+). He led the Western League in 4 categories: strikeouts (141), K/9 IP (4.6 – tied with teammate Arthur Bence), K/BB (1.57) and WAR (7.1).
But 27-year old RHP Roberto Taváres (18-8, 3.49 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 120 ERA+) was no slouch either, surrendering only 4 HR all-season.

Injuries:

27-year old RF Bert Helmer – broken elbow bone – 3-4 months

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The Wolseley Unions were a tale of two teams this season. In the first three months, they went 31-52 and were dead last in the West. But from January to March, they put up the best record in the entire United Leagues (48-23); better than even Kingston (46-25) or the Stratford Barons (44-28). That propelled them to third place in the West and their first winning season. That can largely be attributed to their pitching which got stronger as the season wore on. The Unions are poised for a breakout pretty soon: they have 3 of the top 10 prospects in the ULB and that does not include Westin Woollams (78/80) who is already easing into the lineup. If they all pan out and if the pitching continues to improve, then something special could be brewing in Wolseley.

Offense: .262/.351/.390 (6th/3rd/7th)
Pitching: 4.45/4.51/4.20 (4th/4th/5th)
Defense: .695 (4th)

Player of the Week Awards:

February 4 – LF Carlton Hawking (.500, 11 H, 9 RBI)
March 18 – RHP Kai Tosh (2-0, 0.00 ERA, 18.0 IP, 14 K, .148 Opp AVG)

Top Player:

The Unions have some fine offensive players, including 24-year old SS Jorge Arredondo (.319/.382/.465, 13 HR, 91 RBI, 22 SB, 6.3 WAR). His defense was top-notch as well (+10.9 ZR).
24-year old LF Carlton Hawking (.326/.441/.521, 17 HR, 89 RBI, 5.1 WAR) led the team in a number of offensive categories, but his defense was suspect (-7.5 ZR).

Top Pitcher:

22-year old RHP Jeremy Albury (19-11, 3.58 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 117 ERA+) was Wolseley’s most consistent pitcher all season long. But if 26-year old RHP Kai Tosh (15-11, 4.54 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 92 ERA+) can pitch like he did in March more consistently, the Unions would have a nice 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation. Tosh won a Player of the Week Award and a Pitcher of the Month Award in March. However, he had ERAs well over 5.00 in October, November, January and February.

Injuries:

24-year old LF Carlton Hawking – thigh stiffness – 6 days
24-year old RHP Les Gandy – separated hip joint – 3 months

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The Fort Richmond Generals continued their slow rebuild after bottoming out two seasons ago with a 56-98 record, easily the worst record in the ULB in 1943-44. This season they finish with 75 wins, the highest win total for the franchise. They have assembled the deepest farm system in the United Leagues and are blessed with an abundance of young pitching talent. One of them is 23-year old RHP Nicky Sherlock (6-9, 11 SV, 3.05 ERA, 1.36 WHIP), who is rated the top pitching prospect in the ULB. If the second rounder from 1942-43 can join the rotation and thrive next season, then perhaps the Generals finally will as well.

Offense: .260/.333/.369 (7th/6th/8th)
Pitching: 3.91/4.01/3.32 (3rd/3rd/1st)
Defense: .708 (1st)

Top Player:

A no doubter. 23-year old CF Dylan Moyne (.292/.351/.434, 10 HR, 82 RBI, 29 SB, 6.0 WAR) got stronger as the season wore on and was sensational in centerfield (+18.5 ZR). He was easily Fort Richmond’s top offensive player. But it was also nice to see 29-year old 3B Steven Wormleighton (.304/.348/.392, 3 HR, 52 RBI, 9 SB, 2.5 WAR) have a nice season after being away for two seasons serving in the military.

Top Pitcher:

Oh, this is a toughie, as Fort Richmond enjoyed some fine performances. But I’ll go with 32-year old RHP Noah Marfell (16-10, 3.66 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 111 ERA+) who enjoyed his first winning season in the ULB (after 8 seasons), won Pitcher of the Month honours in February and led his team in a number of pitching categories. 25-year old RHP Reece Leevers (15-14, 3.21 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 126 ERA+) wasn’t bad either.

Noteworthy:

March 13 – 23-year old SS Clive Lanham (.305/.368/.464, 7 HR, 46 RBI, 2.7 WAR) went 5 for 5 with four singles (including an RBI single) as well as double. It wasn’t enough however, as the Generals fell to the Sherburn Tigers, 15-6.

March 15 – 3B Steven Wormleighton went 6 for 6 against the Balmoral Giants, helping his team pull out a 6-5 victory in extra innings. Wormleighton doubled in the 2nd, singled in the 4th, hit a two-run double in the 5th and singled each in the 7th, 9th and 11th innings.

Key Injuries: None

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The strife engulfing the Cambria Cannons finally boiled over as the team collapsed in the final two months the season. This is a talented team that has begun to squander its window of opportunity fighting for a playoff spot. Since I’ve commented on this in previous posts, I won’t belabor the point. But the Cannons are in a precarious situation. They have no farm system to speak of, so their time is now. With a couple of smart trades, they could alleviate the grievances, plug up a couple of weak spots (such as on the rotation and at 2B) and be back with a vengeance. The team is at a cross-roads and the upcoming off-season will reveal which way they are going.

Offense: .272/.349/.391 (4th/4th/6th)
Pitching: 4.65/4.85/3.78 (6th/6th/2nd)
Defense: .686 (7th)

Top Player:

28-year old C Heung-su Pak (.289/.354/.446, 16 HR, 84 RBI, 4.6 WAR) led the team in a slew of offensive categories, but 30-year old SS Wenceslas Jasmin (.302/.363/.407, 4 HR, 75 RBI, 12 SB, 5.4 WAR) combined fine offense with outstanding defense (+14.6 ZR). He was Cambria’s top player this year.

Top Pitcher:

In a down year pitching-wise, 32-year old RHP Jin-man Kim (14-15, 3.73 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 110 ERA+) was Cambria’s top hurler, leading the team in 15 pitching categories.

Injuries:

34-year old RHP Pete Allison – shoulder swelling – 2-3 months

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The Hespeler Stars finished with their worst record since the 1940-41 season. But as mentioned in a previous post, the Stars appear to have sufficient talent to reverse the trend. I was pessimistic earlier about the quality of their assembled prospects, but looking at their organizational rankings it’s more impressive than I thought. Three prospects are rated No. 1 at their position while three more are rated No. 2. At any rate, it will be interesting to see how this all plays out as other teams, such as Wolseley and Fort Richmond, appear ready to compete very soon as well.

Offense: .270/.332/.399 (5th/7th/3rd)
Pitching: 5.06/5.27/4.40 (8th/8th/7th)
Defense: .675 (8th)

Player of the Week Awards:

February 25 – C Gareth Kody (.481, 13 H, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 4 R)

Top Player:

26-year old C Gareth Kody (.340/.353/.498, 16 HR, 78 RBI, 5.1 WAR) broke out in a big way in his third full season in the United Leagues after being traded from the Braeland City Monarchs back in September. He is rated No. 5 among catchers in the ULB.

Top Pitcher:

Not a great year for Hespeler pitchers. Thus I’ll stick with 27-year old LHP Carlton Sherrell (16-14, 3.64 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 115 ERA+) who really only had one rough month this season (1-4, 6.69 ERA in December). Take that out of the equation, and his ERA dropped to 3.11.

Injuries: None

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With other teams appearing poised to move up in the standings, the Balmoral Giants look more like they are ready to settle in near the bottom. They have talent on offense, no doubt about that, but it seems as though the team is about to go to seed. They simply do not have an abundance of young talent to keep up in the increasingly competitive West, 2B Sean Brearton (.305/.343/.417, 5 HR, 56 RBI, 2.5 WAR) notwithstanding. For the Giants, it may be time to blow things up and get some juicy prospects for their top players. At least, that’s what I would do.

Offense: .280/.344/.412 (3rd/5th/2nd)
Pitching: 4.75/4.90/4.15 (7th/7th/4th)
Defense: .690 (6th)

Player of the Week Awards:

January 28 – RF Carlton Broadbent (.455, 15 H, 6 HR, 10 RBI, 9 R)

Top Player:

From a purely offensive perspective, 28-year old RF Carlton Broadbent (.363/.442/.622, 32 HR, 108 RBI, 6.1 WAR) continues to be one of the elite players in the ULB. But his defense was so atrocious this season (-16.5 ZR), I just can’t let it slide.
So I’m going with 28-year old SS Francisco Rodríguez (.316/.361/.486, 7 HR, 85 RBI, 13 SB, 6.0 WAR) who held his own at the plate and was once again outstanding in the field (+13.2 ZR).

Top Pitcher:

There wasn’t much to inspire confidence in this group, but 34-year old RHP Derek Cawley (10-12, 3.84 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 108 ERA+) was as good as it got over the course of the season.

Injuries:

25-year old LHP Dan Moon – torn upper arm muscle – 4 weeks

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In Pulberry, the only thing really to get excited about is next season’s amateur draft. The Pulberry Trolleys have only a handful of impact players on the roster with little in the pipeline to get optimistic about. Perhaps it’s time to for the Trolleys to blow up what little they so have and finally get going on that 3-5 year rebuild that’s taken only 9 seasons so far.

Offense: .259/.327/.391 (8th/8th/5th)
Pitching: 4.56/4.54/4.67 (5th/5th/8th)
Defense: .693 (5th)

Player of the Week Awards:

February 18 – CF Tadamichi Masumoto (.474, 9 H, 2 HR, 2 RBI)

Top Player:

24-year old SS Roland Binns (.290/.336/.498, 23 HR, 121 RBI, 12 SB, 5.6 WAR) enjoyed his finest season yet in the United Leagues. In addition to his bat, he was terrific on defense (+11.5 ZR).

Top Pitcher:

27-year old RHP Lenny Tennison (10-16, 3.25 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 125 ERA+) is perhaps the top feel-good story of the year. After spending nine seasons toiling in the minors, he finally got his big break with the Trolleys this season. The rookie earned a trip to the all-star game and simply got better as the season progressed. He finished in style in February and March, going 3-7, 2.39 ERA for one the ULB’s most anemic offenses.

Injuries: None

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reds1 · 01-06-2017, 10:46 PM

Embro Suns (87-69) vs. Stratford Barons (87-68)
Season Matchup: 8-8

Embro: Runs scored – 818 (1st); runs allowed – 732 (5th)
Stratford: Runs scored – 802 (2nd); runs allowed – 633 (2nd)

The Embro Suns reach the post-season for the fifth time in their existence but are still looking for their first Pennant. In their previous four Pennant Series, they lost to the Brunswick Legends each time, by a combined 4-16 record. This year they face the Stratford Barons, who return to the playoffs after a two-year absence. The Barons won it all in their first appearance in 1940-41, but fell to the Brunswick Legends in the Pennant Series in 1943-44.

Now with those pesky Legends out of the equation, will this be the year the Suns finally shine? Or will the Barons power their way to their second pennant? The two teams finished remarkably close, with the Barons winning the tie-breaker and capturing first place by the slimmest of margins.

The only key injury to affect the series is to Stratford’s 30-year old RF Steven Winstanley (.304/.388/.471, 8 HR, 22 RBI, 1.9 WAR), who suffered a broken elbow bone back on December 1. He is unavailable for the playoffs. 27-year old Dan Hunter (.244/.330/.322, 2 HR, 27 RBI, 0.7 WAR) has taken his place in the lineup.

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Game 1

The Series opens up at Stratford’s Bosworth Field, with 26,154 fired up to lead on their Barons. The weather is perfect for baseball; it is warm with partly cloudy skies.
LHP Ryan Borden (22-12, 3.67 ERA, 1.31 WHIP) starts for Stratford, while RHP Jim Hogue (14-13, 4.32 ERA, 1.55 WHIP) takes the hill for Embro.

Top of the 1st:
The Suns don’t waste any time getting on the board, as Yoshino Ito leads off with a single. He is followed by Charles Usherwood, who takes Borden’s 0-1 pitch and deposits it 436 ft. beyond left-centerfield for the game’s first two runs.
With two out, Scott Weller doubles and comes in to score on an error.
Embro 3 – Stratford 0

Bottom of the 2nd:
Stratford gets on the board thanks to back-to-back doubles by Maurice Keyworth and Bart Wallwin with two out.
Embro 3 – Stratford 1

Top of the 4th:
Charles Usherwood does some damage again when he doubles home Jim Hogue with two out.
Embro 4 – Stratford 1

Top of the 6th:
José Sánchez leads off with a single and reaches 3B on a sac bunt and a groundout. He adds to Embro’s lead when he scores on a passed ball.
Embro 5 – Stratford 1

Top of the 8th:
Embro loads the bases with two out. Gary Watkinson comes through with a single, scoring two more runs, ending Ryan Borden’s day.
Embro 7 – Stratford 1

Top of the 9th:
Terence Durney singles with one out and reaches 3B on a steal of 2B and a U3 groundout. José Sánchez follows with a single scoring Durney.
Embro 8 – Stratford 1

Bottom of the 9th:
Aaron Skidmore and Ricardo Castellanos lead off with back-to-back singles. After Skidmore reaches 3B on a 5-4-3 double-play, Bart Wallwin triples in Stratford’s second run. But Brad Mitchinson flies out to left-centerfield to end the game, as Embro draws first blood.
FINAL: Embro 8 – Stratford 2

Player of the Game: Charles Usherwood went 3-3, 1 HR, 1-2B, 3 RBI, 1 R, 2 BB

José Sánchez went 3-5, 1 RBI, 2 R

Jim Hogue went 9.0 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K (1-0, 2.00 ERA)

For Stratford:

Ryan Borden went 7.2 IP, 10 H, 7 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 1 K, 1 HR (0-1, 5.87 ERA)

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Game 2

After the Barons’ setback in Game 1, 25,853 return to see if their team can bounce back. The weather is a carbon copy of the day before: partly cloudy and warm.
Game 2 will see a matchup of Stratford’s No. 3 starter RHP Bill Blair (15-12, 3.45 ERA, 1.16 WHIP) and Embro’s ace RHP Oscar Burress (16-8, 2.80 ERA, 1.26 WHIP) who is making his first start after nearly a two and half month layoff due to elbow stiffness.

Bottom of the 1st:
The Barons give Burress a rude welcoming. Roberto Ríos leads off with a walk, steals second and then scores on an error. Stratford then hits three consecutive singles that score another run as well as loading the bases. Finally, Brad Mitchinson draws a walk that forces in the third run before Burress gets out of the inning.
Embro 0 – Stratford 3

Top of the 2nd:
Embro responds by putting two runners on base with two out. Yoshifumi Tamura doubles in the first run. Oscar Burress then follows with a single scoring two more tying up the game.
Embro 3 – Stratford 3

Bottom of the 3rd:
Ricardo Castellanos leads off with a first pitch triple and scores on a 5-3 ground out by Maurice Keyworth.
Embro 3 – Stratford 4

Bottom of the 5th:
Stratford breaks it open in the 5th. A single, a walk and a double scores a run with nobody out. After Brad Mitchinson is intentionally walked with two out, Bill Blair singles in two runs. That ends Oscar Burress’ day. He is relieved by Matt Miller, who walks the next two batters forcing in another run before the inning is over.
Embro 3 – Stratford 8

Bottom of the 6th:
Matt Miller picks up where he left off by walking the first two batters. After a fielder’s choice at 3B, Bart Wallwin singles in a run, adding to the Barons’ lead.
Embro 3 – Stratford 9

Bottom of the 7th:
Stratford loads the bases with one out. Ricardo Castellanos hits into a 4-6 fielder’s choice at 2B, driving in the game’s final run.
FINAL: Embro 3 – Stratford 10

Player of the Game: Ricardo Castellanos goes 3-4 with 1-2B, 1-3B, 2 RBI, 3 R, 1 BB

Aaron Skidmore went 1-2 with 1 RBI, 2 R, 3 BB

Bill Blair picks up his first career win, going 9.0 IP, 9 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 2 K (1-0, 3.00 ERA)

For Embro:

Oscar Burress had a rough outing, going just 4.2 IP, 7 H, 8 R 6 ER, 5 BB, 0 K (0-1, 11.57 ERA)

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Game 3

The Series switches to Embro’s Speaker Stadium with 26,604 in attendance. Embro lives up to its reputation for warmth and sunshine as clear skies greet the teams. LHP Ryan Borden gets his second start of the series, after starting Game 1. Embro responds with RHP Myung-gu Son (19-12, 3.18 ERA, 1.38 WHIP).

Top of the 1st:
Stratford picks up where they left off in Game 2. A single, a walk and a ground out puts runners on the 2B and 3B with two out. That sets up Ricardo Castellanos, who singles in both runs.
Stratford 2 – Embro 0

Bottom of the 1st:
Yoshino Ito leads off with a walk. He is followed by Charles Underwood, who smashes a two-run homer 375 ft. down the right field line to tie the game.
Stratford 2 – Embro 2

Top of the 4th:
The Barons draw two walks with two out. Dan Hunter then singles in a run as the Barons retake the lead.
Stratford 3 – Embro 2

Top of the 6th:
Stratford pulls away in the 6th. The Barons put two men on base with a lead-off double and a walk. Ryan Borden lays down a sac bunt, but the player at 3B is safe, loading the bases with nobody out. Although Roberto Ríos grounds into a double play, a Dan Hunter single and a Jake Walker triple score three runs. That ends Myung-gu Son’s day.
Stratford 6 – Embro 2

Bottom of the 6th:
Elliot Tugby leads off with a first-pitch triple and scores on a wild pitch.
Stratford 6 – Embro 3

Top of the 8th:
Stratford pours it on with walks and singles. Jamie Boatwright leads off with a 4-pitch walk, reaches 2B on a groundout and scores on Dan Hunter’s single. A walk to Jake Walker and a single by Aaron Skidmore scores another run. After Ricardo Castellanos draws a walk to load the bases, RHP Matt Miller comes in to relieve RHP Norberto Ortíz.
But the Barons score four more runs on two singles and a sac fly. Finally, Jamie Boatwright, who led off the inning, grounds into a fielder’s choice at 2B to end the inning.
Stratford 12 – Embro 3

Top of the 9th:
A leadoff single by Roberto Ríos is followed by three walks, adding another run to the Barons’ lead.

In the bottom of the 9th, Yoshino Ito singles on the first pitch. But Embro goes down 1-2-3 after that, putting Stratford up 2 games to 1.
FINAL: Stratford 13 – Embro 3

Player of the Game: Dan Hunter went 4-5 with 3 RBI, 3 R, 1 BB

Ricardo Castellanos goes 1-3 with 3 RBI, 1 R, 3 BB

Ryan Borden picks up his first win of the playoffs, going 7.0 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 K 1 HR (1-1, 4.91 ERA)

For Embro:

Myung-gu Son only goes 5.2 IP, 9 H, 6 ER, 4 BB, 3 K (0-1, 9.53 ERA)

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Game 4

Beautiful, clear skies set the stage for Game 4, as do 26,797 Embro fans desperate for the Suns get back in the Series. But they will be facing Barons’ ace LHP Joel Fearn (23-10, 2.60 ERA, 1.15 WHIP) who gets his first start of the series, after winning the Tie-breaker game between these same two teams a few days earlier. RHP Oscar Burress gets his second start for Embro.

Top of the 1st:
Roberto Ríos leads off with a single and reached 2B on a ground out. Jake Walker singles in Ríos as the Barons strike first.
Stratford 1 – Embro 0

Top of the 2nd:
Ricardo Castellanos and Maurice Keyworth lead off with back-to-back singles. Castellanos reaches 3B on a double play and then scores on a passed ball.
Stratford 2 – Embro 0

Top of the 6th:
A walk and back-to-back singles score a run with one out. Maurice Keyworth follows with a sac fly, scoring another run to double Stratford’s lead.
Stratford 4 – Embro 0

Bottom of the 6th:
Oscar Burress singles and Yoshino Ito doubles to put runners on 2B and 3B with one out. After Charles Usherwood flies out, Gary Watkinson comes through with a single, scoring two runs putting Embro on the board.
Stratford 4 – Embro 2

Top of the 7th:
Oscar Burress gets two quick outs, but a walk, a single and a double score two more Stratford runs before the inning is over.
Stratford 6 – Embro 2

Bottom of the 8th:
PH Lyndon Duggleby slams a first-pitch home run to left field with one out.

In the bottom of the 9th, Jim Friend doubles with one out. But a Scott Weller pop fly and a Terence Durney strike out ends the game, putting Stratford up 3 games to 1.
FINAL: Stratford 6 – Embro 3

Player of the Game: Joel Fearn pitches a solid game, going 9.0 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 K (1-0, 3.00 ERA)

Jake Walker goes 2-2 with 1-2B, 2 RBI, 1 R, 2 BB

For Embro:

Oscar Burress gets roughed again in this second outing, going 8.0 IP, 10 H, 6 ER, 3 BB, 0 K (0-2, 8.53 ERA)

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Game 5

The heat descends onto Speaker Stadium, as temperatures soar above 80F under a cloudless sky. The Embro Suns were feeling the heat in more ways than one, as the Barons were one win away from advancing to the United Cup. 26,588 fans attended, seeing whether the Suns could hold off elimination or completely wilt under the pressure.

RHP Bill Blair gets his second start in the Series for Stratford, while RHP Jim Hogue looks to get his second win for Embro.

Top of the 1st:
Jim Hogue gets two quick outs, but has trouble getting the third. In between, he gives up a walk, a wild pitch, a single, a walk, a single and a single before the third out. All told, the Barons score 3 runs in the inning.
Stratford 3 – Embro 0

Bottom of the 1st:
Elliot Tugby singles with one out, and advances to 3B when Jim Friend reaches safely on an error. On the eighth pitch of his at-bat, Terence Durney hits an inside-the-park home run to deep centerfield, tying the game up.
Stratford 3 – Embro 3

Top of the 2nd:
Stratford retakes the lead when Roberto Ríos doubles with one out and scores on a 5-3 ground-out.
Stratford 4 – Embro 3

Bottom of the 2nd:
Embro evens things up again quickly when Scott Weller leads off with a 438 ft. solo home run to left-centerfield.
Stratford 4 – Embro 4

Top of the 3rd:
But the Barons are unrelenting. With one out, a Ricardo Castellanos single, a Maurice Keyworth triple and a Bart Wallwin single drives in two runs. With two out, Roberto Ríos hits this second double of the game, scoring Wallwin. That puts Stratford up by three once more.
Stratford 7 – Embro 4

Bottom of the 3rd:
José Sánchez slams a 424 ft. solo shot to right-centerfield with two out.
Stratford 7 – Embro 5

Top of the 6th:
Bill Blair and Roberto Ríos lead off with a single and double respectively. With one out, Jake Walker comes to the plate and smashes a double to score two runs. Aaron Skidmore follows with a single to score Walker, adding to the Barons' lead.
Stratford 10 – Embro 5

Top of the 8th:
Bart Wallwin reaches on an error with one out. With two out, PH Jamie Boatwright doubles in Wallwin.
Stratford 11 – Embro 5

Bottom of the 9th:
Down to their final three outs, the Suns try to make something happen. José Sánchez triples with one out and scores on a Scott Weller ground-out.
With two out, Embro loads the bases when Yoshifumi Tamura singles and both PH Charles Usherwood and Yoshino Ito draw walks. Elliot Tugby draws another walk to score Tamura. But Gary Watkinson hits a line drive straight to 2B Maurice Keyworth, ending the game and the Series.
FINAL: Stratford 11 – Embro 7

Player of the Game: Jake Walker went 2-4 with 2-2B, 2 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB

Roberto Ríos goes 3-5 with 3-2B, 1 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB. Ríos ties the Eastern League playoff game record for doubles.

Aaron Skidmore went 3-5 with 1-2B, 2 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB

Bill Blair goes undefeated in the series, going 7.0 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 3 HR (2-0, 2.81 ERA)

For Embro:

Jim Hogue only goes 3.0 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 2 BB, 2 K (1-1, 6.00 ERA)

Once again, Embro flames out in the playoffs. Their three big offensive players, namely Jim Friend, Gary Watkinson and Terence Durney, go .091, .091 and .190 respectively in the 5-game Series. Add the rough outings by Oscar Burress et al, and the Suns just did not have a chance.

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reds1 · 01-09-2017, 08:51 PM

Sherburn Tigers (91-63) vs. Kingston Pelicans (104-50)
Season Matchup: 9-6 in favour of Sherburn

Sherburn: Runs scored – 759 (4th); runs allowed – 672 (2nd)
Kingston: Runs scored – 954 (1st); runs allowed – 666 (1st)

If there’s one constant in the United Leagues, it’s the Kingston Pelicans and the playoffs. The Pelicans have never failed to reach the post-season, finishing in first place six times and in second place three times. This year they finished with 104 victories, tying the 1942-43 Embro Suns for most wins in a season.

They face an up-and-coming Sherburn Tigers team that is returning to the playoffs after a seven year absence. In the ULB’s inaugural season, Kingston prevailed over the Tigers 4 games to 2 for the Western League Pennant as the Pelicans marched on to win their first United Cup.

The Western League Pennant is being considered a clash of the titans, as the Pelicans and Tigers finished with the two best records in the United Leagues.

Interestingly, despite the presence of heavy hitters like Kingston’s Danny Trowbridge (34 HR), Katsunan Chikafuji (30), Dean Bishop (21) and Sherburn’s Neil Voigt (20), not a single home run was hit in the series.

The lone injury to report on is to Sherburn’s 27-year old RF Bert Helmer (.268/.329/.426, 11 HR, 50 RBI, 2.8 WAR). He suffered a broken elbow bone back on February 15 and is unavailable for the duration of the playoffs. 26-year old Tzu-yu Song (.265/.376/.387, 5 HR, 27 RBI, 0.6 WAR) has stepped in to the lineup to take his place.

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Game 1

After what seemed like an interminably long delay, the series finally opened up at Kingston Park. Clear skies and warm sunshine were the order of the day. 27,162 packed the grandstands ready to cheer on their Pelicans to victory.
It was the battle of aces, as Sherburn’s No. 1 starter RHP Jesús Chapa (19-13, 2.50 ERA, 1.22 WHIP) got the start, while Kingston responded with their No. 1 ace, LHP Patrick Denman (27-6, 2.29 ERA, 1.17 WHIP).

Bottom of the 2nd:
Brian Main leads off with a double and reaches 3B on a sac fly. Patrick Denman then helps his own cause by doubling in Main. With two out, Lance Haworth and Danny Trowbridge hit back-to-back singles scoring another run. With runners on the corners, Katsunan Chikafuji reaches base safely on an error (E6). That scores Haworth, putting the Pelicans up by three.
Sherburn 0 – Kingston 3

Bottom of the 7th:
Katsunan Chikafuji leads off with double. As Wen-huan Liu strikes out for the second out, Chikafuji steals 2B. But a throwing error (E2) on the play advances him to 3B. Brian Main then follows and reaches safely on an error (E5), allowing Chikafuji to score.

In the top of the 9th inning, Denman gets both Robin Harney and Neil Voigt to fly out and then induces a 4-3 groundout from Jim List to end the game and preserve the shutout.
FINAL: Sherburn 0 – Kingston 4

Player of the Game: Patrick Denman wins the first battle of the aces, going 9.0 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K (1-0, 0.00 ERA)

For Sherburn:

Jesús Chapa went 7.0 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 1 K (0-1, 2.57 ERA)

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Game 2

Slightly cooler weather and partly cloudy skies greeted the teams for the second game. 27,131 fans were back to see if Kingston could take a 2-0 lead before the series shifted to Sherburn.
Tigers’ No. 4 starter RHP Cris Herrera (11-7, 4.21 ERA, 1.42 WHIP) was given the task of squaring off with Kingston’s venerable RHP Joey Cumberledge (16-5, 3.43 ERA, 1.33 WHIP).

Bottom of the 3rd:
Chong-sik Lee leads off with a single. Thanks to a sac bunt, a 4-3 ground out and a passed ball, Lee is able to open the scoring for Kingston.
Sherburn 0 – Kingston 1

Top of the 5th:
Sherburn loads the bases with one out, thanks to a single, a walk and sac bunt where the runner at 3B is ruled safe.
José Hernández then singles in a run and Sherburn is on the board for the first time in the Series.
Sherburn 1 – Kingston 1

Top of the 8th:
Neil Voigt leads off the inning and reaches safely on an error (E7), after RHP Charlie Gilbert comes into the game in relief of Joey Cumberledge.
Back-to-back singles by Gavin Bansfield and PH Al Tucker load the bases. After Robin Harney grounds into a 4-2 fielder’s choice, Steve Joiner gives the Tigers the lead when he draws a walk.
Sherburn scores their third run when Mack Tennison hits a deep sac fly to rightfield.

In the bottom of the 9th, Brian Main leads off with a single. With one out, Jayden Tennant reaches safely on an error (E5), advancing Main to 3B.
But back-to-back fly outs by Jamie Couch and Lance Haworth snuff out the threat, allowing the Tigers to tie up the Series at one game apiece.
FINAL: Sherburn 3 – Kingston 1

Player of the Game: Cris Herrera pitches an impressive game, going 9.0 IP, 10 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 0 K (1-0, 0.00 ERA)

For Kingston:

Joey Cumberledge went 7.0 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K (0-0, 1.29 ERA)

RHP Charlie Gilbert took the loss in relief, going 2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K (0-1, 4.50 ERA)

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Game 3

The Paramount hosts its first playoff game since the 1937-38 season, with 25,158 excited fans hoping the Tigers can take advantage of the next three home games. The weather is certainly co-operating: clear blues skies and a balmy 77F.

Kingston goes with 36-year old RHP Francis Slocock (10-12, 4.24 ERA, 1.49 WHIP), while Sherburn brings back their ace RHP Jesús Chapa, who started Game 1.

Top of the 4th:
Katsunan Chikafuji leads off with a first-pitch double and scores the game’s first run when Wen-huan Liu doubles him home with one out.
After Chong-sik Lee is intentionally walked, a Francis Slocock double and Jamie Couch single score two more.
Kingston 3 – Sherburn 0

Top of the 7th:
After Jesús Chapa gets two quick outs, Kingston loads the bases thanks to a Danny Trowbridge single, a walk to Katsunan Chickafuji and a single to Dean Bishop.
Wen-huan Liu then drives in all three runs, but is thrown out at 3B trying to stretch his double into a triple, ending the inning.

In the bottom of the 9th, Robin Harney singles with one out, ending Francis Slocock’s day. RHP Luis Veláquez replaces him in relief and gives up a Steve Joiner single, putting runners on the corners. But Mack Tennison grounds into a 6-4-3 double play, snuffing out the rally and ending the game. Sherburn is shut out for the second time in the series.
FINAL: Kingston 6 – Sherburn 0

Player of the Game: Wen-huan Liu goes 3-4 with 2-2B, 4 RBI, 1 R

Francis Slocock wins it, going 8.1 IP, 9 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K (1-0, 0.00 ERA)

For Sherburn:

Jesús Chapa suffers another tough loss, going 8.0 IP, 12 H, 4 R, 6 ER, 2 BB, 4 K (0-2, 4.80 ERA)

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Game 4

After being shut-out twice in three games, the Tigers look to Game 4 to even the series. 25,311 take in the proceedings that are once again played under clear, warm skies. A pair of aces takes the hill for their teams: Kingston’s LHP Patrick Denman, the winner of Game 1, and Sherburn’s Roberto Taváres (18-8, 3.49 ERA, 1.30 WHIP), who is making his first post-season appearance.

Bottom of the 1st:
Tzu-yu Song singles with one out and then steals 2B with two out. After Neil Voigt draws a walk, Jim List singles in Song putting Sherburn on the board.
Kingston 0 – Sherburn 1

Top of the 2nd:
Kingston gets aggressive on the basepaths when Wen-huan Liu doubles with one out. Brian Main follows with a single and reaches 2B when Liu races home with the tying run.
Chong-sik Lee singles putting runners on the corners, then reaches 2B on a Patrick Denman sac bunt. Kingston then adds two runs thanks to a passed ball and a Jamie Couch single.
Kingston 3 – Sherburn 1

Top of the 5th:
After Lance Haworth leads off with a single, Danny Trowbridge then battles SP Roberto Taváves for 10 pitches, including five consecutive foul balls (2F). On the 11th pitch, Trowbridge doubles in Haworth.
After Trowbridge reaches 3B on a ground out, Taváves throws a wild pitch, allowing Trowbridge to score.
Kingston 5 – Sherburn 1

Bottom of the 9th:
Sherburn loads the bases thanks to three consecutive singles by Tzu-yu Song, Robin Harney and Neil Voigt with one out. Jim List then hits a single of his own, scoring Song.
But the game ends when PH Tony Blakeney strikes out and Steve Joiner hits into a fielder’s choice at 2B, giving Kingston a commanding 3 games to 1 lead in the series.
FINAL: Kingston 5 – Sherburn 2

Player of the Game: Patrick Denman wins another battle of the aces, going 9.0 IP, 11 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 3 K (2-0, 1.00 ERA)

For Sherburn:

Roberto Taváves goes 8.0 IP, 11 H, 5 ER, 1 BB, 2 K (0-1, 5.63 ERA)

Tzu-yu Song goes 3-5, 2 R.

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Game 5

Sherburn’s home stand has not gone well after dropping the first two games at The Paramount. 25,213 brace themselves to see if the Tigers can force a game 6 and send the series back to Kingston. But first they need to win today to stay alive. It has cooled off just a little, with partly cloudy skies.

Kingston’s RHP Joey Cumberledge gets his second start of the series, while Sherburn counters with LHP Daniel Pierson (12-10, 4.06 ERA, 1.44 WHIP), who is also making his first career post-season appearance.

Top of the 1st:
Jamie Couch leads off with a first pitch triple and scores on a Lance Haworth groundout.
Kingston 1 – Sherburn 0

Top of the 2nd:
Kingston puts runners on the corners when Brian Main leads off with a walk and Chong-sik Lee follows him with a single.
After Joey Cumberledge’s sac bunt advances Lee to second, Brian Main comes into score on a 4-3 ground out by Jamie Couch.
Kingston 2 – Sherburn 0

Bottom of the 4th:
Neil Voigt singles with one out, but is thrown out at 2B when Gavin Bansfield hits into a fielder’s choice. Jim List and Robin Harney then come through with back-to-back singles, scoring Bansfield.
Kingston 2 – Sherburn 1

Top of the 7th:
Jamie Couch and Lance Haworth hit back-to-back singles, putting runners on the corners with one out. Danny Trowbridge then hits a sac fly to leftfield, scoring Couch.
Kingston 3 – Sherburn 1

Top of the 9th:
Daniel Pierson induces pop flies from Jamie Couch and Lance Haworth to get two quick outs. But three consecutive singles by Danny Trowbridge, Katsunan Chickafuji and Dean Bishop adds another run to Kingston’s lead and ends Pierson’s day.

In the bottom of the 9th, Gavin Bansfield leads off with a walk and moves up to 2B on a Jim List single. The runners advance a base on a Robin Harney groundout. But pinch hitters Rio Gidley and Al Tucker each strike out swinging, ending the game and the series.
FINAL: Kingston 4 – Sherburn 1

Player of the Game: Joey Cumberledge wins it for Kingston, going 7.0 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K (1-0, 1.29 ERA)

Charlie Gilbert gets the save, going 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K (0-0, 2.25 ERA)

For Sherburn:

Daniel Pierson pitches valiantly, but the Pelicans prove just too much. He goes 8.2 IP, 11 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 3 K (0-1, 4.15 ERA)

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reds1 · 01-11-2017, 06:21 PM

Stratford Barons (87-68) vs. Kingston Pelicans (104-50)
Season Matchup: 3-3

Stratford: Runs scored – 802 (2nd in EL); runs allowed – 633 (2nd)
Kingston: Runs scored – 954 (1st in WL); runs allowed – 666 (1st)

The 1945-46 United Cup sees a rematch of the 1940-41 Series, where Stratford prevailed over Kingston in six games for the Eastern League’s first championship. The Barons are returning after a 5-year absence, while the Pelicans are making their fourth consecutive appearance.

While Kingston cruised to a first place finish in the West and dispatched the Sherburn Tigers in 5 games to capture their 7th pennant, Stratford did not capture first place in the East until winning the second tie-breaker game against the Embro Suns. But the Barons defeated the Suns in 5 games as well to win the Eastern League pennant and thus meet the Pelicans on equal footing.

The 17-win difference between Kingston and Stratford is the largest for two teams meeting in the United Cup. But large gaps are not unusual; the previous three United Cups played between Kingston and the Brunswick Legends for example, saw differences of 16, 16 and 14 wins respectivley. But in all the previous eight United Cups, only one team with a worse regular season record has prevailed to win the Championship. That was the 1941-42 Brunswick Legends, who went 93-61 that season. They ‘upset’ the 94-60 Cambria Cannons. Thus the Barons have a formidable challenge ahead of them, if history holds any significance.

As in the Eastern Pennant Series, Stratford will be without the services of RF Steven Winstanley (.304/.388/.471, 8 HR, 22 RBI, 1.9 WAR), who suffered a broken elbow bone back on December 1. Dan Hunter (.244/.330/.322, 2 HR, 27 RBI, 0.7 WAR) will continue to play in his stead.

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Game 1

Kingston Park witnesses the start of yet another United Cup championship, as it has done so many times before. 27,281 are on hand to see how the Pelicans will handle their Eastern foes. Partly cloudy skies and a pleasant breeze blowing in from left to right set the scene for the Opening Game.

A pair of lefties square off for the game. Stratford’s ace, LHP Joel Fearn, gets the start, while Kingston responds with their ace, LHP Patrick Denman. Both enter the series undefeated in the playoffs.

Top of the 1st:
Jake Walker reaches 1B safely on a fielder’s choice. Aaron Skidmore follows and battles Patrick Denman for nine pitches, finally smashing a full-count double deep to right-centerfield to score Walker.
Stratford 1 – Kingston 0

Bottom of the 1st:
Jamie Couch leads off and reaches 1B safely on an error (E7). He advances to 2B when Lance Hayworth is hit by a pitch. Danny Trowbridge follows with a single, scoring Couch.
After Katsunan Chikafuji draws a walk to load the bases, Kingston takes the lead on a Dean Bishop sac fly to centerfield.
Stratford 1 – Kingston 2

Top of the 2nd:
Maurice Keyworth leads off with a single and reaches 2B on a ground out.
Brad Mitchinson then singles Keyworth home to tie up the game.
Stratford 2 – Kingston 2

Top of the 3rd:
Dan Hunter leads off the inning with a solo home run to left field, returning the lead to Stratford. The Barons then take advantage of back-to-back fielding miscues, putting runners on the corners. Ricardo Castellanos then hits into a fielder’s choice at 2B, allowing another run to score.
Stratford 4 – Kingston 2

Bottom of the 3rd:
Danny Trowbridge hits a one-out solo home run, getting Kingston back to within one.
Stratford 4 – Kingston 3

Bottom of the 5th:
Patrick Denman leads off with a single, reaches 2B on a ground out and then 3B on a sac fly.
Danny Trowbridge then slams his second home run of the game, 366 ft. to left field, giving the Pelicans a one-run lead.
Stratford 4 – Kingston 5

Top of the 9th:
Dan Hunter leads off with a triple and Aaron Skidmore draws a walk with one out.
But Patrick Denman gets Don Adkins to strike out swinging and then induces a pop-up to 1B from Maurice Keyworth to snuff out the rally and preserve the win. Kingston draws first blood.
FINAL: Stratford 4 – Kingston 5

Player of the Game: Danny Trowbridge goes 4-4, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R.

Patrick Denman picks up his third win of the playoffs, going 9.0 IP, 11 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K (3-0, 1.67 ERA).

For Stratford:

Joel Fearn suffers his first loss, pitching 7.0 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 2 HR (1-1, 3.94 ERA).

Dan Hunter went 3-5, 1 HR, 1-3B, 1 RBI, 1 R.

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Game 2

The second game of the series is blessed with beautiful, clear skies and warm sunshine. The winds picked up a bit and were blowing out to right. 27,095 return to enjoy a pitching battle between two outstanding veterans: Stratford’s 37-year old LHP Ryan Borden (22-12, 3.67 ERA, 1.31 WHIP) and Kingston’s 36-year old Francis Slocock (10-12, 4.24 ERA, 1.49 WHIP).

Bottom of the 2nd:
Katsunan Chikafuji leads off with a first pitch triple. He is immediately followed by Wen-huan Liu, who singles him home for Kingston’s first run.
Stratford 0 – Kingston 1

Bottom of the 6th:
Kingston loads the bases with one out, thanks to a Danny Trowbridge double, an intentional walk to Katsunan Chikafuji and an unintentional walk to Dean Bishop. Wen-huan Liu then singles home both Trowbridge and Chikafuji. After Brian Main flies out to rightfield, Chong-sik Lee singles to score Bishop.
Stratford 0 – Kingston 4

Top of the 9th:
Stratford loads the bases with two out on a lead-off walk to Aaron Skidmore and singles by Maurice Keyworth and Brad Mitchinson.
But PH Jamie Boatwright grounds out to 1B Dean Bishop to end the threat. Kingston blanks the Barons to take Game 2.
FINAL: Stratford 0 – Kingston 4

Player of the Game: Francis Slocock earns the win and pitches in his second shut-out of the post-season, going 7.2 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K (2-0, 0.00 ERA).

Charlie Gilbert picks up his second save of the playoffs, going 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, (1.69 ERA).

Katsunan Chikafuji goes 2-3, 1-3B, 1-2B, 2 R, 1 BB.

Wen-huan Liu goes 2-4, 2 RBI.

For Stratford:

Ryan Borden pitches 7.0 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 1 K (1-2, 4.89 ERA).

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Game 3

The Series shifts to Bosworth Field in Stratford with the Barons down two games to none. 26,051 fans fill the stadium to cheer on their team to victory over a powerful Pelicans team in any way they can. The weather is cool but still pleasant under partly cloudy skies.

It is a rematch of Game 1, with Kingston's LHP Patrick Denman looking for his fourth win, while Stratford's LHP Joel Fearn is looking to rebound from his first loss of the playoffs.

Top of the 1st:
After starting the game with two quick outs, Joel Fearn gives up a single to Danny Trowbridge. Katsunan Chikafuji follows with a two-run home run, 384 ft. to leftfield, as the Pelicans strike quickly.
Kingston 2 – Stratford 0

Top of the 4th:
Kingston adds to its lead when Wen-huan Liu leads off with a solo home run, 389 ft. to leftfield.
Kingston 3 – Stratford 0

Bottom of the 4th:
After cruising through the first three innings, Patrick Denman runs into some trouble in the fourth. Stratford loads the bases with one out thanks to three walks (and a passed ball thrown in for good measure).
A Maurice Keyworth single and a Bart Wallwin sac fly score two runs.
Denman's struggles continue when he commits a balk during Brad Mitchinson's at bat, advancing the runners. But after giving Mitchinson an intentional walk to load the bases, Denman gets Joel Fearn to fly out to rightfield to end the inning.
Kingston 3 – Stratford 2

Bottom of the 7th:
The Barons put runners on 1B and 2B with nobody out when Brad Mitchinson reaches 1B on an error (E6) and Joel Fearn lays down a sac bunt and reaches 1B safely.
After Mitchinson is replaced at 2B by PR Stewart Cuthbertson, Roberto Ríos singles in Cuthbertson, tying up the game.
Dan Hunter quickly follows with a sac bunt to advance the runners. That sets up Jake Walker, who doubles in both Fearn and Ríos, giving Stratford the lead.
After Aaron Skidmore is intentionally walked, PH Don Adkins singles in Walker, giving the Barons a three-run lead.
Kingston 3 – Stratford 6

Top of the 9th:
PH Jayden Tennant singles with one out. But a ground-out by Jamie Couch and a fly out by Lance Haworth to rightfield ends the game and gives the Barons their first win of the series.
FINAL: Kingston 3 – Stratford 6

Player of the Game: Joel Fearn gets back in the win column, going 9.0 IP, 9 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 K (2-1, 3.60 ERA).

For Kingston:

Patrick Denman suffers his first setback in the playoffs, going 8.0 IP, 6 H, 6 ER, 6 BB, 2 K (3-1, 2.83 ERA).

Katsunan Chikafuji goes 3-4, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R.

Danny Trowbridge went 2-3, 1 R, 1 BB.

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Game 4

26,007 jubilant fans return to watch Game 4 as the Barons look to even up the series. The weather has warmed up nicely, with clear, sunny skies. It’s a perfect day for baseball.

35-year old RHP Joey Cumberledge (16-5, 3.43 ERA, 1.33 WHIP) gets his first start of the series, while Stratford counters with LHP Ryan Borden, who took the loss in Game 2.

Top of the 2nd:
Kingston puts runners on the corners to start the inning, thanks to a leadoff walk to Wen-huan Liu and a single by Brian Main. Chong-sik Lee follows with a single, scoring Liu.
Two more singles by Jamie Couch and Danny Trowbridge scores two more runs before Borden can get out of the inning.
Kingston 3 – Stratford 0

Bottom of the 2nd:
Maurice Keyworth singles with one out. Keyworth quickly steals 2B, but a throwing error on the play allows him to reach 3B.
After Brad Mitchinson draws a walk with two out, Ryan Borden comes through with a single to score Keyworth. Mitchinson attempts to reach 3B on the play but is thrown out to end the inning.
Kingston 3 – Stratford 1

Bottom of the 3rd:
The Barons put runners on 1B and 2B with one out when Dan Hunter draws a 4-pitch walk and Jake Walker is hit by a pitch.
Aaron Skidmore then steps up and hits a line drive single to centerfield, scoring Hunter.
Kingston 3 – Stratford 2

Bottom of the 4th:
Brad Mitchinson crushes a solo home run, 447 ft. into the centerfield bleachers with one out, knotting the game up at three.
Kingston 3 – Stratford 3

Top of the 7th:
Kingston retakes the lead when Danny Trowbridge leads off with a solo home run, travelling 405 ft. into the leftfield bleachers.
Three singles by Dean Bishop, Wen-huan Liu and Chong-sik Lee push across another run, giving the Pelicans a two-run lead.
Kingston 5 – Stratford 3

Bottom of the 9th:
Ricardo Castellanos leads off with a first-pitch single and advances to 3B when Maurice Keyworth reaches safely on an error (E5). Derek Sakurai follows with a single, scoring Castellanos. RHP Charlie Gilbert then enters the game in a double switch to relieve RHP Luis Velásquez (who relieved Joey Cumberledge in the 7th).
But Brad Mitchinson singles in Keyworth tying the game up at 5-5.
The next batter is PH Don Adkins, who slams Gilbert's first offering for a walk-off three run home run, landing 429 ft. into the raucous left-centerfield stands.
FINAL: Kingston 5 – Stratford 8

Player of the Game: Brad Mitchinson goes 2-4, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB

Ryan Borden doesn't figure in the decision, but he goes 7.0 IP, 13 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 2 K (1-2, 5.34 ERA)

RHP Tom Mayor picks up the win, going 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K (1-0, 0.00 ERA)

Don Adkins goes 1-1, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 R.

For Kingston:

Joey Cumberledge also doesn't figure into the decision. He went 6.0 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 2 K, 1 HR (1-0, 1.80 ERA)

Luis Velásquez is hung with the loss: 2.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 0 K (0-1, 6.75 ERA)

Charlie Gilbert is charged with a blown save: 0.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 1 HR (0-1, 5.06 ERA)

Danny Trowbridge went 3-5, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 R

Chong-sik Lee goes 2-3, 2 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB

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Game 5

Stratford’s dramatic win in Game 4 has tied the series up at two-games apiece and handed Kingston their first back-to-back losses in the playoffs. 26,195 crowd the grandstands to see if the Barons can keep the momentum going and take the upper hand in the series. The weather has cooled off again, but it’s still pleasant with partly cloudy skies and a light breeze blowing out to left.

RHP Francis Slocock, who earned the win back in Game 2 gets the start again for Kingston. RHP Bill Blair (15-12, 3.45 ERA, 1.16 WHIP) takes the hill for Stratford for the first time in the series.

Bottom of the 1st:
Dan Hunter reaches base on a fielder’s choice with one out. He is followed by Jake Walker, who smacks a triple deep into centerfield, scoring Stratford’s first run.
After Aaron Skidmore draws a walk, Ricardo Castellanos scores Walker on a 4-6 fielder’s choice.
Kingston 0 – Stratford 2

Bottom of the 3rd:
Back-to-back doubles by Dan Hunter and Jake Walker and a single by Aaron Skidmore score two runs with nobody out. Ricardo Castellanos singles putting runners on 1B and 2B.
After Maurice Keyworth grounds into a 5-4-3 double play, Bart Wallwin singles home Skidmore, giving the Barons a 5-run lead.
Kingston 0 – Stratford 5

Top of the 6th:
Danny Trowbridge leads off with a first pitch double and scores on a Dean Bishop single with one out.
Kingston 1 – Stratford 5

Top of the 9th:
The Pelicans load the bases with nobody out, thanks to two walks and an error.
A second fielding error (E3) allows Jamie Couch to reach 1B safely and for Brian Main to score.
But after Lance Haworth grounds into a 1-2-3 double play, Bill Blair get Danny Trowbridge to ground out (1-3), ending the game and giving Stratford the upper hand in the series.
FINAL: Kingston 2 – Stratford 5

Player of the Game: Bill Blair goes the distance: 9.0 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 4 K (3-0, 2.16 ERA)

Jake Walker goes 3-4, 1-2B, 1-3B, 2 RBI, 2 R

Aaron Skidmore goes 1-2, 1 RBI, 1 R, 2 BB

For Kingston:

Francis Slocock suffers his first loss of the post-season: 6.0 IP, 9 H, 5 ER, 3 BB, 0 K, (2-1, 2.05 ERA)

Jamie Couch went 3-5, 1-2B, 1 RBI

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Game 6

The Kingston Pelicans find themselves in unfamiliar territory: with their backs against the wall and needing a win just to stay alive. Thus far, the home team has won each game, so the Pelicans are hoping that trend continues as the Series returns to Kingston. 27,191 fans at Kingston Park are hoping that continues as well. The heat has returned (78F) along with beautiful, clear skies. A gentle South Pacific breeze is blowing out to leftfield.

It will be a rematch of Game 1: Stratford’s LHP Joel Fearn looks for his third win in the playoffs to wrap things up for the Barons, while Kingston is going with LHP Patrick Denman, who is looking to bounce back from his first playoff loss suffered in Game 3.

Bottom of the 1st:
Kingston strikes first when Lance Haworth hits a triple down the leftfield line with one out and scores on a Danny Trowbridge ground out.
Stratford 0 – Kingston 1

Top of the 2nd:
Aaron Skidmore draws a walk to lead things off, then advances to 2B on a Ricardo Castellanso ground out. After Maurice Keyworth singles to put runners on the corners, Bart Wallwin hits a sac fly to leftfield scoring Skidmore.
Stratford 1 – Kingston 1

Top of the 5th:
Maurice Keyworth leads off with a first-pitch single and then reaches 2B on a sac bunt by Bart Wallwin. With two out, Joel Fearn comes through with a single scoring Keyworth, giving Stratford the lead.
Stratford 2 – Kingston 1

Top of the 8th:
Joel Fearn leads off with a single; reaches 2B on a Roberto Ríos sac bunt and then advances to 3B on a Dan Hunter single. Jake Walker then draws a walk to load the bases.
Aaron Skidmore follows, drawing another walk off of Denman, forcing in Stratford’s third run of the game.
With the bases still loaded PH Don Adkins steps up to the plate. On a 2-1 pitch, Adkins smacks a GRAND SLAM home run 364 ft. into the leftfield bleachers, sending a dispiriting hush amongst the crowd. The Barons’ bench meanwhile, erupts in jubilation. Patrick Denman, bearing a stunned look on his face, finally lowers his head and makes the long, lonely walk back to the dugout as his day comes to an end.
Stratford 7 – Kingston 1

Bottom of the 9th:
Joel Fearn looks to finish what he started with the Pelicans down to their last three outs.
Jamie Couch leads off but flies out to centerfield. Lance Hayworth singles, but is immediately picked off at 1B.
Down to their final out, Danny Trowbridge swings meekly at Fearn’s first offering. But catcher Aaron Skidmore is able to get to the ball and throw Trowbridge out at 1B. That ends the game, the series and the season. The Barons win in impressive fashion, taking four straight from the mighty Pelicans, including the last one on the road, after dropping the first two games of the series.
FINAL: Stratford 7 – Kingston 1

Player of the Game: Joel Fearn goes the distance and avenges his Game 1 loss to Denman with an outstanding performance: 9.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K (3-1, 2.91 ERA)

Don Adkins hits is second dramatic home run of the series while coming off the bench. In Game 6, he went 1-1, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 1 R.

Aaron Skidmore goes 2-2, 1-2B, 1 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB

Maurice Keyworth went 3-3, 1 R, 1 BB

For Kingston:

It appears Patrick Denman simply ran out of steam, as he lost his last two starts of the series. On this day, he went 7.1 IP, 8 H, 7 ER, 4 BB, 3 K, 1 HR (3-2, 3.83 ERA).

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For the second season in a row, the Most Valuable Player Award goes to a member of the losing team (and to a Kingston Pelican):

Bottom Of The Sixth · 01-11-2017, 07:51 PM

Impressive Cup Series by Stratford.

I "bet" the Las Vegas bookies loved this series!

reds1 · 01-12-2017, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bottom Of The Sixth

Impressive Cup Series by Stratford.

I "bet" the Las Vegas bookies loved this series!

Yeah, it was really hard to read how good the Barons were this season. Whether their apparently pedestrian record was simply due to mediocrity or whether it was because there was so many other good teams in the East that created the parity. I was expecting the Pelicans to steamroller them, but Stratford proved to be much stiffer competition.

11-27-2016, 09:07 PM	#301
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,919	For the first time since 1938, the United Leagues will be embarking on a new season where the world will not be at war. The euphoria over the end of world conflict and the return of its soldiers is compounded by the surge in manufacturing and industry. The Braeland economy has thoroughly shed off its Great Depression doldrums and the various austerity measures imposed by the Avery Government during the height of the war. But with the rebounding economy comes high expectations and new challenges that the government will need to wrestle with. The mandate for the Liberal Government lead by Sir Douglas Avery is set to expire at the end of the year and a national election has been called for Wednesday, October 31 (the one day no ULB games are scheduled, natch). The Avery Government is the only one Braelanders have known since the restoration of the Monarchy and the Parliamentary system back in 1935. The Government currently enjoys high popularity thanks to the successful conclusion of the war and the general approval of its handling of military affairs. But winning a third majority is no easy feat, and the Tories, led by Wesley Bryans, will no doubt look to portray the Liberals as being past their expiration date. So with the campaigning and political rhetoric ramping up, Braelanders will be turning to baseball to try and tune it out as much as possible, as Opening Day has finally arrived. But first, lets take a look at how the Eastern League fared during the 'Coconut Leagues', as well as the projections for the up-coming season. --------- Despite a lacklustre pre-season, the Embro Suns are projected to have another strong campaign, with 1B Jim Friend picking up where he left off before his military service. Friend was just one of a handful of returning players who were able to join their club part-way through training camp. Also projected to have a great year are the Braeland City Monarchs, thanks in part to a couple of starting pitchers. David Cooling and Max MacColl are projected to win 29 and 27 games respectively. Seeing the Monarchs make the playoffs would be nice, but last year saw them projected to win 96 games; they actually won only 77. So we'll have to see on that one. The defending champions, the Brunswick Legends, were also mediocre during the Coconut Leagues and are not projected to be a lock for first place. But they remain within shooting distance. Incidentally, a late trade was consummated between the Embro Suns and Cambria Cannons that could have an impact of the forthcoming season: September 18: The Embro Suns acquired 26-year old C Scott Weller (63/71) from the Cambria Cannons. In return, the Cannons get 34-year old SP Pete Allison (51/51). *Knee-jerk reaction:* When the Cannons traded for C Heung-su Park back on July 5, I wondered what that would mean for former starter Weller. Well, this trade answers that question. I like this trade for Embro, as it gives them a decent young catcher that stabilizes a position that was a weak point for them. Weller earned a berth to the All-Star game and won a Top Fielder Award in his first full season. He was originally drafted in the second round by the Hespeler Stars in back in 1941-42. The Suns are banking on last year not being a fluke. Cambria does not have a great pitching staff, so while Allison may help as a No. 3 starter, I don't think it will improve matters very much. But the Cannons do have a very strong bullpen, so if the starters can keep the games close and let the bullpen take over in the late innings, it might be enough – maybe. --------- --------- Its no surprise that the Kingston Pelicans will once again be the team to beat in the West; however, if the projections are anywhere near correct, it will not be a runaway. What is interesting (or disappointing) is that there appears to be no one except the Wolseley Unions to seriously challenge the Pelicans. The teams in the West are shaping up to be a rather mediocre bunch if the projections hold true. --------- To round out the snapshot of the United Leagues, here are the top players and pitchers and top 20 prospects as updated on Opening Day. __________________ United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 07-15-2017 at 02:31 PM.

11-29-2016, 07:45 PM	#302
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,919	December 1, 1945 Eastern League: Suns Lead in Tight Battle for First At first, it appeared that the Stratford Barons would be the class of the East, as they started the season off with a 9-game winning streak. But the Embro Suns were right on their heels, and by the time the Barons lost their first game, the Suns were winning their 7th in a row and just one game back. Since then, the Barons have faltered, going 19-28 and falling to 5th spot. This is not what Stratford was expecting after making a couple of major trades to beef up their lineup. While C Aaron Skidmore (.287/.449/.450, 5 HR, 25 RBI, 1.8 WAR) and returning war veteran RF Steven Winstanley (.299/.382/.468, 8 HR, 22 RBI, 1.8 WAR) have been rock solid, the rest of the lineup has not kept up. Two that have, SS Jake Walker (.311/.414/.530, 6 HR, 36 RBI, 2.0 WAR) and CF Ricardo Castellanos (.294/.407/.500, 1 HR, 11 RBI, 0.6 WAR), have been out with extended injuries. But if the Barons can tread water until they return, they could very easily get back into the thick of it. That’s because no team is truly dominating the League in the first two months of the season. Even the Brunswick Legends, the defending champions are not that far behind, despite a ho-hum campaign thus far. Most alarming for them is that 37-year old RF Mark Elston (.162/.286/.305, 3 HR, 18 RBI, -0.8 WAR) has declined dramatically. Elston finished 2nd in the Eastern League Babe Ruth Award voting only last season, after going .279/.395/.456, 20 HR, 99 RBI, 5.1 WAR in 1944-45. -------- Offense: .262/.343/.397 (7th/5th/3rd) Pitching: 4.14/4.03/4.69 (6th/4th/6th) Defense: .676 (6th) *Player of the Week Awards:* October 22 –1B Jim Friend (.480, 12 H, 1 HR, 8 RBI) October 29 – 1B Jim Friend (.407, 11 H, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 10 R) November 26 – SS Gary Watkinson (.500, 11 H, 1 RBI, 8 R) *Noteworthy:* October 21 – RHP Oscar Burress (6-3, 2.39 ERA, 1.19 WHIP) went 10.2 IP, 8 HA, 0 ER, 1 BB, 11 K against the Brunswick Legends, but did not get the win. RHP Colm Soper picks up the win throwing a single pitch (a strike), as the Suns score a run in the bottom of the 11th, to win 1-0. But Burress’ performance did earn him the Eastern League’s highest score for a pitcher thus far this season with 88. November 5 – C Scott Weller (.242/.319/.366, 5 HR, 23 RBI, 0.7 WAR) drove in 6 runs against the Queensland Eagles, going 3-6, 1HR. *Key Injuries:* None -------- Offense: .278/.346/.408 (3rd/3rd/2nd) Pitching: 3.74/3.61/4.57 (2nd/2nd/5th) Defense: .708 (3rd) *Noteworthy:* October 4 – CF Daniel Martin (.271/.361/.438, 7 HR, 26 RBI, 0.5 WAR) was responsible for all 7 runs in a 7-6 victory over the Brunswick Legends. Martin singled in 2 runs in the 1st inning, slammed a 3-run home run in the 3rd and hit a walk-off, come-from-behind 2-out, 2-run home run in the bottom of the 9th. All told, Martin went 3-5, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 2 R. *Key Injuries:* None -------- Offense: .291/.364/.428 (1st/1st/1st) Pitching: 4.06/4.38/2.59 (5th/6th/1st) Defense: .678 (5th) *Player of the Week Awards:* October 8 – RF Jilenko Vergara (.516, 16H, 2 HR, 7 RBI) November 5 –RF Jilenko Vergara (.464, 13 H, 2 HR, 10 RBI) *Noteworthy:* October 1 – RF Jilenko Vergara (.342/.388/.550, 10 HR, 38 RBI, 2.4 WAR) went 5-5 on Opening Day against the Cobourg Red Stockings, with 1 RBI, 1R. October 13- Héctor Gutiérrez (.335/.436/.458, 2 HR, 27 RBI, 1.8 WAR) goes 5-7 against the Embro Suns, with 2 RBI. *Injury:* 38-year old RHP Stewart Colcott – torn meniscus (knee) – 5 weeks -------- Offense: .284/.349/.393 (2nd/2nd/4th) Pitching: 4.03/4.15/3.42 (4th/5th/2nd) Defense: .714 (2nd) *Player of the Week Award:* October 15 – SS Mac Medley (.650, 13 H, 6 RBI, 4 R) *Noteworthy:* October 12 – SS Mac Medley (.327/.406/.505, 3 HR, 34 RBI, 2.4 WAR) goes 6-6 against the Cobourg Red Stockings, with 1-2B, 4 RBI, 2R. Medley’s performance is rated the highest in the Eastern League thus far, with a score of 90. October 23 – 3B Ryley McLarnon (.297/.325/.393, 8-3B, 32 RBI, 1.7 WAR) goes 0-4 as his 22-game hitting streak come to an end against the Cambria Cannons. *Injuries:* 25-year old RHP Gavin Meadows – torn meniscus (knee) – 2 months 26-year old LF Baden Morrall – strained rib cage muscle – 1 week -------- Offense: .260/.344/.389 (8th/4th/5th) Pitching: 3.40/3.30/4.26 (1st/1st/4th) Defense: .692 (4th) *Injuries:* 32-year old SS Jake Walker – torn ankle ligaments – 3 weeks 25-year old CF Ricardo Castellanos – fractured thumb – 3 days -------- Offense: .263/.340/.377 (6th/7th/7th) Pitching: 3.95/3.66/5.12 (3rd/3rd/7th) Defense: .660 (8th) *Injury:* 28-year old LF Cliff Jordan– foot contusion – 4 days -------- Offense: .276/.340/.385 (4th/6th/6th) Pitching: 4.46/4.65/3.50 (7th/7th/3rd) Defense: .675 (7th) *Injury:* 28-year old RHP Pedro Gómez – ruptured ulnar collateral ligament – 5 months -------- Offense: .265/.326/.371 (5th/8th/8th) Pitching: 5.05/4.88/5.80 (8th/8th/8th) Defense: .716(1st) *Player of the Week Award:* November 12 – RF Nathan Ashman (.467, 14 H, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 4 R) *Noteworthy:* November 19 – LF Sean Murchie (.302/.333/.441, 3 HR, 24 RBI, 1.3 WAR) goes 0-4 against the Wolseley Unions, ending his hitting streak at 23 games. *Injuries:* 31-year old LHP Don Marable – elbow ligament reconstruction surgery – 3 weeks 34-year old RHP Freddie Ventriss – strained rib cage muscle – 1 week 21-year old 3B Max Westgate – strained rib cage muscle – 2-3 weeks -------- __________________ United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 07-15-2017 at 02:36 PM.

12-01-2016, 01:11 AM	#303
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,919	December 1, 1945 Western League: A ‘Currall’ For What Ails You Oh, hey! Looks who’s in first place in the West! And dominating! Over the past couple of seasons, the Kingston Pelicans seemed to start off slowly, allowing other teams to vie for a playoff spot, only to surge ahead in the second half and capture either first or second place in the standings. Well it appears Kingston has given up all pretense of that cat-and-mouse game this season and gone straight for the jugular. Their offense and pitching are firing on all cylinders. They have reached double digits in runs scored in a game 11 times and their run differential is a whopping +150. The next best run differential in the West is +3, held by the Sherburn Tigers – the only other team in the positive. In the Eastern League, the Queensland Eagles lead with a +39. So yeah, Kingston is pretty good this year. That wasn’t entirely unexpected. They are strong at every position and are deep. But what was unexpected was the sheer dominance of one of their rookie starters, 25-year old RHP Ben Currall (10-1, 1.56 ERA, 1.05 WHIP). The 11th overall pick from 1942-43 first reached the majors late in the 1943-44 season, but pitched only 12.2 innings total prior to this season. The No. 3 starter has simply dominated the United Leagues and is already rated Kingston’s top pitcher. While I have seen a position player simultaneously capture both Batter of the Month and Rookie of the Month, I have never witnessed a player completely dominate two months in a row. Score another one for the Pelicans’ scouting staff. The acquisition of 27-year old C Neil Voigt by Sherburn from the Cobourg Red Stockings back in June is paying HUGE dividends for the Tigers. Of the ten noteworthy news items recorded by OOTP for Sherburn, Voigt is responsible seven of them. Only Kingston’s Danny Trowbridge eclipses him in performance thus far by catchers in the ULB, based on WAR (3.7 vs. 2.7). There is concern in Cambria as the Cannons are struggling, as is their top player. 28-year old RF Ron Westmacott, who won the Babe Ruth Award just two seasons ago and is a 5-time all-star is struggling big time. He should be entering his prime; however, he is batting only .202/.340/.379, 4 HR, 13 RBI, -0.2 WAR and is reduced to being the 4th outfielder. Although ostensibly rated as Cambria's top player, he is not listed as the Cannons' top outfielder in the position overview. Strange. -------- Offense: .305/.386/.456 (1st/1st/1st) Pitching: 3.20/3.03/4.19 (1st/1st/4th) (ERA/Starter’s ERA/Bullpen ERA) Defense: .698 (2nd – tied with Sherburn) *Top Player:* Yikes – how do you pick between 25-year old RHP Ben Currall, who is on pace to win 28 games, or 27-year old C Danny Trowbridge (.386/.456/.652, 14 HR, 42 RBI, 3.7 WAR) who is on pace for 10.2 WAR, or 30-year old Katsunan Chikafuji (.381/.429/.597, 10 HR, 53 RBI, 3.8 WAR) who is on pace for 10.4 WAR? You can't. They belong in a higher league. *Player of the Week Awards:* October 8 – SS Katsunan Chikafuji (.469, 15 H, 2 HR, 14 RBI) October 15 – C Danny Trowbridge (.652, 15 H, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 7 R) November 5– SS Katsunan Chikafuji (.462, 12 H, 2 HR, 7 RBI) November 26 – C Danny Trowbridge (.409, 9 H, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 7 R) *Noteworthy:* SP Ben Currall pitched three shutouts: October 20 – 114 PI, 4 hits, 0 K, 1 BB against the Cambria Cannons (5-0 W) November 4 – 134 PI, 6 hits, 6 K, 5 BB against the Sherburn Tigers (4-0 W) November 9 – 112 PI, 7 hits, 5 K, 1 BB against the Wolseley Unions (11-0 W) *Key Injuries:* None -------- Offense: .260/.338/.373 (6th/6th/7th) Pitching: 3.63/3.58/4.03 (2nd/2nd/2nd) Defense: .698 (2nd – tied with Kingston) *Top Player:* Easy choice here. 27-year old C Neil Voigt (.358/.391/.584, 7 HR, 47 RBI, 2.7 WAR) has been just outstanding in his first year with Sherburn. I shudder to think what their offense would be like without him (shudder). *Player of the Week Awards:* October 29 – C Neil Voigt (.520, 13 H, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 5 R) November 12 – 2B Jim List (.448, 13 H, 2 HR, 4 RBI) *Noteworthy:* November 7 – C Neil Voigt goes 0-4 against the Wolseley Unions, ending his hitting streak at 20. *Injuries:* 27-year old SS Jim List – oblique strain – 2 more weeks 25-year old RHP Cris Herrera – herniated disc (back) – 5 more days 20-year old RHP Alfonso Roberto – partially torn labrum – 3 more months -------- Offense: .255/.325/.362 (8th/8th/8th) Pitching: 4.02/3.82/5.29 (3rd/3rd/8th) Defense: .709 (1st) *Top Player:* No obvious choice here, but I've been impressed with 32-year old RHP Noah Marfell (5-3, 2.90 ERA, 1.27 WHIP). He is on pace for 15 victories, which would be his best mark by far. The only season he finished with a winning mark was last year, when he went 5-3, 4.04 ERA in 9 starts. He's already reached that record in 9 starts in the first two months. *Noteworthy:* October 30 – 35-year old RF Román Ferreira (.304/.375/.383, 5-2B, 6 RBI, 5 SB, 0.8 WAR) went 5-5 against the Sherburn Tigers – all singles, with 1 R. Fort Richmond prevailed 3-0. They also won the first game of the double-header, 3-2. *Key Injuries:* None -------- Offense: .272/.348/.402 (5th/3rd/5th) Pitching: 4.49/4.45/4.71 (5th/5th/6th) Defense: .684 (6th) *Top Player:* They traded for him in July and the Cannons are feeling no buyer's remorse, as 28-year old C Heung-su Park (.319/.393/.535, 7 HR, 33 RBI, 2.3 WAR) leads the team offensively. He has yet to make an all-star team, which I find sorta puzzling. He should make it this season. *Injuries:* 26-year old LF Leif Bryant – torn meniscus (knee) – 6 more weeks -------- Offense: .276/.327/.409 (3rd/7th/3rd) Pitching: 4.77/4.97/4.07 (8th/8th/3rd) Defense: .666 (8th) *Top Player:* For Hespeler, I'm going with 27-year old LHP Carlton Sherrell (7-3, 2.80 ERA, 1.30 WHIP). He is off to his best start in his career and is on pace for 20 victories. He has won 16 games in a season twice. *Injuries:* None -------- Offense: .277/.348/.417 (2nd/2nd/2nd) Pitching: 4.45/4.41/4.68 (4th/4th/5th) Defense: .691 (4th) *Top Player:* No real standouts, but 33-year old 3B Terry Maxwell (.333/.416/.508, 2 HR, 29 RBI, 2.6 WAR) is enjoying his best season in years. He's on pace for 7.2 WAR. His previous best was 5.3 back in 1941-42. *Noteworthy:* October 24 – 25-year old LF Bruno Lapthorne (.304/.375/.383, 5-2B, 6 RBI, 5 SB, 0.8 WAR) went 5-5 against the Hespeler Stars – 4 singles, 1HR, 3 RBI, 3 R. Pulberry won 11-7. *Injury:* 29-year old SS Jamie Florey – torn labrum (shoulder) – out for 4 months. -------- Offense: .275/.342/.405 (4th/5th/4th) Pitching: 4.63/4.50/5.24 (6th/6th/7th) Defense: .689 (5th) *Player of the Week Awards:* October 22 – RF Carlton Broadbent (.417, 10 H, 3 HR, 8 RBI) November 19 – RF Carlton Broadbent (.435, 10 H, 3 HR, 10 RBI, 6 R) *Top Player:* As good as he's been, 27-year old RF Carlton Broadbent (.370/.447/.668, 15 HR, 46 RBI, 2.9 WAR) is even better this year, as he is on pace for 8.4 WAR. Last season when he won his second consecutive Babe Ruth Award, he finished with 6.9. *Injury:* 26-year old CF Damon Purcell – torn meniscus (knee) – 5-6 more weeks -------- Offense: .256/.343/.380 (7th/4th/6th) Pitching: 4.71/4.87/4.03 (7th/7th/1st) Defense: .683 (7th) *Top Player:* 27-year old CF Zak Kidd (.280/.349/.517, 16 HR, 41 RBI, 11 SB, 2.3 WAR) is off to his best start ever in the ULB. In 1940-41, he finished with 5.7 WAR; he is on pace for 6.3. *Injuries:* 35-year old RHP Douggie Taylor – torn rotator cuff – 2-3 more months 30-year old 2B Oscar Agnolutto – hip strain – 2 more weeks -------- __________________ United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 07-15-2017 at 02:40 PM.

12-07-2016, 07:00 PM	#305
BigRed75 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 2,430	As if this dynasty couldn't get any better...now it has election results... I'll be honest with you, though, I thought that the government wouldn't be returned following World War II, just as was the case in most countries of the world. The Libs may have won, but I don't think Sir Douglas should get too comfortable... __________________ Mainline team SPTT team Was not a Snag fan...until I saw the fallout once he was gone and realized what a good job he was actually doing. - Ty Cobb

12-09-2016, 11:40 PM	#307
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,919	December 6, 1945 1945-46 Amateur Draft Results Cobourg, Dec. 6 (BP) – Converging at the Royal Longley Hotel in Cobourg for the ninth annual Amateur Draft, one thing was clear to the general managers and scouts: this year's draft would be deep, if perhaps one dimensional. One could not help notice that the top position players available in the draft seemed to have all the same characteristics: good contact, patience, speed and defense but with limited power. It will be interesting to see in the coming seasons how many of the position players selected will find a home in either the No. 1 or 2 spots in their team's lineup. This year, the Cobourg Red Stockings had the first overall pick, followed by the Wellington Athletics and Downie Chiefs. Here is a brief sketch of the 16 players taken in the first round: 1st Pick – Cobourg Red Stockings OF Raymond Williams (21/80) – 19-years old; 5’-9”, 150 lbs.; Hits LH/Throws LH. The home team selected Raymond Williams of Braeland City first overall. Williams has the makings of a rock-solid player in the United Leagues, as his greatest strength is perhaps that he has few weaknesses. He should hit for good contact with a bit of power, to go along with strong defense and above-average speed. -------- 2nd Pick – Wellington Athletics: SS Zhao-hui Qian (34/80) – 22-years old; 6’-0”, 180 lbs.; Hits RH/Throws RH. Qian hails from Taiwan, and has the tools to be a stalwart at shortstop for years. He is sure-handed in the field and blessed with outstanding speed. Like Williams who was selected before him, Qian should hit for high average. He will not be a home run threat however. -------- 3rd Pick – Downie Chiefs: IF Dominic Dudding (22/80) – 19-years old; 5’-10”, 170 lbs.; Hits RH/Throws RH. The second Braeland City native selected, the Chiefs also went with a player with similar skills as the first two picks: plus contact potential, some pop and speed. The hot corner is considered his strongest position in the field. -------- 4th Pick – Hespeler Stars: OF Kominiko Hokulani (50/80) – 23-years old; 6’-0”, 190 lbs.; Hits RH/Throws RH. The Samoan Hokulani has the makings of being the first selection to reach the majors, as his development appears to be more advanced than the other players selected. He too should hit for good average with some power and great eye. He is blessed with fantastic speed and solid defensive skills. -------- 5th Pick – Fort Ricmond Generals: OF Brandon Robinson (29/80) – 21-years old; 5’-10”, 175 lbs.; Hits RH/Throws RH. Hey, another guy projected to have good contact and hum-drum power. Robinson should also be a menace on the basepaths, although his fielding isn't as strong as the other prospects selected. -------- 6th Pick – Stratford Barons: RHP Magtanggol Jaojoco (21/80) – 19-years old; 6’-3”, 195 lbs.; Hits RH/Throws RH. The Baron select the first pitcher in the draft. Jaojoco, from the Philippines, has the makings of carving out a pretty good career in the ULB, with respectable stuff, incredible movement and decent command. His velocity is certainly not off the charts, but he has a nice arsenal of pitches. -------- 7th Pick – Pulberry Trolleys: SS Francis Jones (21/69) – 20-years old; 5’-11”, 175 lbs.; Hits RH/Throws RH. Hmm...the Trolleys select a player who has no rated position in OOTP. In reality Jones is a pretty decent starting pitcher (20/76) in the making who somehow is assigned to be a shortstop. In the editor, he has ratings at both positions (Pitcher: 150 experience, 175 resulting rating; Shortstop: 200 experience, 41 resulting rating). As it is, Jones does have a decent bat who should hit for above-average contact and show great patience at the plate. It will interesting to see how the Trolleys end up developing him – either as a shortstop or as a pitcher. -------- 8th Pick – Braeland City Monarchs: RHP Freddie Trerise (21/80) – 19-years old; 5’-10”, 170 lbs.; Hits RH/Throws RH. The Monarchs select a Pulberry kid who has the potential to be a terrific pitcher in the ULB. Trerise has nice stuff, top-notch movement and above-average control with three good pitches. Scouts considered him the best pitcher available in the draft. -------- Here is the rest of the first round, selections 9-16: 9th Pick – Wolseley Unions: LHP Shane Gledhill (21/77) – stuff (35/40), movement (60/75) and control (35/55). 22-years old; 5’-10”, 180 lbs.; groundball tendency; 90-92 Mph velocity; Hits LH/Throws LH. A curious choice by the Unions, as Gledhill is projected to be no more than a reliever, even though they are grooming him as a starter. The Queensland native has two pitches: fastball (45/50) and slider (35/50). If he can somehow develop his change-up (20/20) a little more, then a starting role is not out of the question. While his stuff is OK and his control average, he displays top-notch movement on his pitches. -------- 10th Pick – Sherburn Tigers: RF Louie Pate (22/74) – contact (45/65), gap power (50/60) and eye (40/55). 22-years old; 5’-10”, 190 lbs.; normal, flyball hitter; Hits LH/Throws LH. Considered the top prospect available in the draft, Pate remained on the board until the 10th pick, made by the Tigers. While the young outfielder from Delamere should hold his own at the plate, I expect his so-so defense and mediocre speed caused him to drop down the board. -------- 11th Pick – Queensland Eagles: 3B Alexander Crutcher (23/80) – contact (45/65), gap power (45/55) and eye (30/40). 20-years old; 5’-10”, 180 lbs.; normal, flyball hitter; Hits RH/Throws RH The first Australian selected in this season's draft, Crutcher displays impressive contact and gap power, but is not expected to draw many walks. He has above-average speed however, and should hold his own defensively at the hot corner (60), his best position (he is rated 40 at 1B). -------- 12th Pick – Balmoral Giants: SS Corey Markham (24/74) – contact (45/60), gap power (45/55) and eye (35/50). 22-years old; 5’-9”, 170 lbs.; normal, flyball hitter; Hits RH/Throws RH. The second player from the town of Delamere to be picked is once again a player who has the potential to hit for high average and decent patience. Markham however, has no power whatsoever and is a below average base runner. But his defense at shortstop (80) is off the charts. It would be no surprise if he becomes a perennial Top Fielder Award winner should he reach the majors. -------- 13th Pick – Kingston Pelicans: OF Mo Spenceley (22/76) – contact (40/55), gap power (50/60) and eye (35/55). 21-years old; 6’-2”, 195 lbs.; normal, flyball hitter; Hits LH/Throws LH. The Pelicans select a young player that is solid right across the board: good contact, decent power and eye. He has very good speed and top-notch defense, especially in rightfield (70). -------- 14th Pick – Embro Suns: RHP Juan Rivas (20/77) – stuff (35/45), movement (55/70) and control (30/50). 20-years old; 6’-0”, 190 lbs.; groundball tendency; 88-90 Mph velocity; Hits RH/Throws RH. The Suns select a young starter from the Dominican Republic. Rivas will need to improve his stuff if he wants to make an impact in the majors, but he does have top-notch movement and respectable control. He has three solid pitches in his repertoire: cutter (40/50), curveball (35/50) and slider (30/50). -------- 15th Pick – Cambria Cannons: OF Mark Cassidy (22/77) – contact (35/45), gap power (45/55) and eye (45/60). 21-years old; 6’-0”, 180 lbs.; pull, flyball hitter; Hits RH/Throws RH. Hailing from the town of Glencoe (14,000), Cassidy should prove to be a slightly above-average hitter with good defense in the outfield (60-55-55) and terrific speed (75-60-70). Bunting will be no problem for him either (sac-75, bunt-hit-65). -------- 16th Pick – Brunswick Legends OF Lance Oakley (23/79) – contact (45/60), gap power (35/45) and eye (35/50). 20-years old; 5’-10”, 175 lbs.; normal, line drive hitter; Hits LH/Throws LH. The first-round ended with the Legends selecting Lance Oakley, from Wagga Wagga, Australia. Oakley projects to be another prototype lead off hitter, with above-average contact, little power and plus-plus speed. But perhaps Oakley's greatest strength will be his defense, as he can play anywhere in the outfield and play it well (80-70-75). -------- Here are the standings as of December 31: __________________ United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 07-15-2017 at 04:08 PM.

12-12-2016, 11:40 PM	#308
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,919	December 31, 1945 Looking Back: The 1939-40 Amateur Draft Ah, the 1939-40 Amateur Draft. If ever there was a draft that was close to being an absolute bust, at least in terms of the first round, this is it. Perhaps that's being a tad harsh, but there's no denying the fact that the first round produced only one unqualified star. In fact, the second round saw more players go on to productive careers in the United Leagues than the first. Outright busts were much more plentiful than in previous drafts and there really weren't any 'Diamonds in the Rough' to speak of, but there were a couple of players in the later rounds that are at least having more sustained success than most picked way ahead of them. So let's get right to the superstar, shall we? C Danny Trowbridge – 2nd overall pick originally by the Fort Richmond Generals. Career: .316/.385/.479, 1045 H, 198-2B, 28-3B, 94 HR, 467 RBI, 534 R, 365 BB, 236 K, 23 SB, 143 OPS+, 142 wRC+, 38.4 WAR. Achievements: Four All-Star Game selections Finished 2nd in the 1944-45 Western League Babe Ruth Award voting Four selections to the All-Braeland Team What the original scouting report said: “The switch-hitting Danny Trowbridge is projected to be an outstanding contact hitter with plus-plus power and decent fielding abilities.” Comments: “Outstanding” seems to be an understatement now, as Trowbridge has entrenched himself as the top player in the United Leagues. What's scary is that as good as he has played so far, he has not reached his peak. This season for example, he is on pace for 10.7 WAR, which would surpass the record of 9.1 WAR set by Ron Westmacott in 1942-43. He is only 27 years of age, and its not hard to imagine him setting a slew of career records at this pace. In 1943, he was traded by the Generals to the Kingston Pelicans for 3 mediocre pitchers and 1 minor league shortstop. One pitcher, Mo Goldstraw, missed a year serving in the Armed Forces, and has not been terrible in his first season back. But still, this is going down as one of the most lop-sided trades in the young history of the ULB ( 18.8 WAR for Trowbridge vs. 4.2 for the others combined since the trade). -------- After Mr. Trowbridge, there is a steep drop in performance; and really only two other players selected in the first round are worth mentioning: CF Vic Weetman – 1st overall pick by the Hespeler Stars. Career: .275/.320/.388, 1046 H, 167-2B, 56-3B, 51 HR, 448 RBI, 529 R, 274 BB, 209 K, 102 SB, 96 OPS+, 101 wRC+, 20.9 WAR Achievements: Two All-Star Game selections One Top Fielder Award What the original scouting report said: “The 21-year old lad from Willow Grove, Norwich, is an extremely versatile player....Blessed with amazing vision and discipline, he projects to a high batting average with plus raw power. He has excellent range, especially in the outfield, and has well above average speed” Comments: The revised thinking on Weetman is that he has been a good, but not the upper-echelon player that he was originally projected to be when drafted first overall. The 'high batting average with plus raw power' never developed. He has enjoyed only one great season, in 1942-43, where he batted .296/341/.436 with 16 HR, 82 RBI and 6.0 WAR – all peaks. He has never approached that performance before or since. In fact, this season he is on pace for only 1.3 WAR. To add insult to injury, a player that was selected by the Stars in the third round of that same draft is currently considered the top player for Hespeler – ahead of Weetman (more on that player a little farther down). -------- SS Roland Binns – 4th overall pick by the Pulberry Trolleys Career: .289/.344/.413, 421 H, 73-2B, 15-3B, 26 HR, 193 RBI, 214 R, 115 BB, 98 K, 43 SB, 114 OPS+, 113 wRC+, 11.2 WAR Achievements: One All-Star Game selection What the original scouting report said: “Binns’ strength is offense….as he brings well above-average contact potential with plus-plus power potential. He also has above average speed but will need to work on this defense, as he is not the most slick-fielding shortstop” Comments: If there's any player from the first round that has a real chance of joining Trowbridge as a bona-fide star in the ULB, its Roland Binns. Offensively, Binns may not develop the plus-plus power or well above-average contact originally projected, but his defense and speed have greatly improved over the past few seasons. For example, his rating at SS has improved from 35 to 60. He is just in his third full season in the United Leagues, and his WAR stat has progressed from 3.5 to 4.4 last year to a projected 6.0 this season. He is the only other player from this draft, besides Trowbridge, to appear on the Top 20 Position Player list (at #15). -------- Biggest Draft Disappointments There were at least four that I singled out as being out-and-out busts, but below are the top two: RHP Gary Therien – 3rd overall pick by the Wolseley Unions Career: .202/.314/.307, 75 H, 21-2B, 2-3B, 4 HR, 37 RBI, 50 R, 62 BB, 50 K, 1 SB, 72 OPS+, 73 wRC+, -0.9 WAR What the original scouting report said: “The 18-year old is an offense-rich, defense-poor prospect. Therien has all the tools to be a fantastic contact hitter with wonderful power potential. He has an outstanding eye and patience at the plate. He is not necessarily a speedster on the base paths. However, the greatest concern is his very poor defensive skills. While a potential phenom at the plate, he could be a daily adventure in left field.” *Comments:* Therien is a bit of an enigma, as he has not declined in skills over the past 6 years; indeed his overall/potential is still 69/74. There's no question that his poor defense has impeded his career (he's bumped up his rating at LF to a meager 35). But if this is an usage issue, then why did Wolseley essentially draft a pinch hitter so high in the first place? With his offense, wouldn't it have made sense for Wolseley to get a solid defensive outfielder that could come in for Therien in the late innings? It doesn't appear that the Unions have ever done that. As it is, Therien is Wolseley's top pinch hitter this season and he is on course to finish with 0.7 WAR – which would mark the first time he would finish above zero. In short – a bust, but Wolseley must share some of the blame for their questionable handling. -------- RHP *Gavin Womersley* – 5th overall pick by the Sherburn Tigers Career: 4-3, 7 SV, 3.31 ERA, 89.2 IP, 0 CG, 0 SHO, 1.62 WHIP, .296 BABIP, 3.97 FIP, 0.0 WAR, 113 ERA+ What the original scouting report said: “The 18-year old RHP from Queensland is blessed with above average stuff, incredible movement and tremendous control. Womersley has a great selection of pitches, with a top-notch sinker.” *Comments:* Womersley was a top prospect until sometime in 1943 when he suddenly became just another minor league pitcher, unable to to get a foothold in the majors. That may be due to his inability to develop his control. Originally scouted with a 35/65 rating, his control has never progressed, and doesn't appear it ever will. His stuff has weakened as well. Kinda sad to see a kid who once had so much promise to be essentially washed up at 24-years of age. -------- *Round Two* As mentioned earlier, there were a number of players picked in the second round that have out-shown most of their first-round counterparts. Here are a few brief sketches of the more notable ones: CF Jamie Couch – 20th overall pick (Round 2, Pick 4) originally by the Pulberry Trolleys. Career: .300/.352/.384, 879 H, 106-2B, 40-3B, 20 HR, 330 RBI, 449 R, 240 BB, 73 K, 118 SB, 107 OPS+, 112 wRC+, 24.6 WAR. Currently lead-off hitter for the Kingston Pelicans. *Achievements:* Two All-Star Game selections Four Top Fielder Awards Western League Pennant Series MVP: 1943-44 Finished 2nd in the 1939-40 Western League Rookie of the Year Award voting -------- 3B Elliot Tugby – 24th overall pick (Round 2, Pick 8) originally by the Cambria Cannons. Career: .259/.336/.335, 473 H, 65-2B, 26-3B, 7 HR, 146 RBI, 249 R, 212 BB, 173 K, 59 SB, 96 OPS+, 98 wRC+, 14.0 WAR. Currently No. 2 hitter for the Embro Suns. *Achievements:* One All-Star Game selection Three Top Fielder Awards -------- C *Elijah Sheppard* – 25th overall pick (Round 2, Pick 9) by the Queensland Eagles. Career: .269/.339/.419, 381 H, 79-2B, 13-3B, 36 HR, 202 RBI, 187 R, 144 BB, 146 K, 0 SB, 119 OPS+, 127 wRC+, 12.6 WAR. Currently No. 4 hitter for the Queensland Eagles. *Achievements:* Two All-Star Game selections Won the 1943-44 Eastern League Rookie of the Year Award -------- CF Ricardo Castellanos – 26th overall pick (Round 2, Pick 10) originally by the Downie Chiefs. Career: .286/.398/.486, 544 H, 114-2B, 33-3B, 37 HR, 251 RBI, 261 R, 169 BB, 198 K, 35 SB, 124 OPS+, 127 wRC+, 16.8 WAR. *Achievements:* Three All-Star Game selections Two Top Fielder Awards -------- *Diamond in the Rough* 3B Wayne Savory – 33th overall pick (Round 3, Pick 1) by the Hespeler Stars Career: .283/.352/.406, 740 H, 124-2B, 48-3B, 34 HR, 316 RBI, 382 R, 275 BB, 213 K, 84 SB, 111 OPS+, 115 wRC+, 11.2 WAR. Currently No. 5 hitter for the Hespeler Stars. There were a couple of other players selected later in the draft (Pulberry's RHP Lee Dowdeswell – Round 5; Cobourg's OF Dwaine Whit – Round 6) that I was considering. But while they have both showed staying power in the major leagues, they haven't exactly distinguished themselves (No. 5 starter and fourth outfielder respectively). Although in Whit's defense, he did miss last season serving in the military. So I'll go with Savory. With the exception of being an outstanding base-runner, Savory doesn't have any jaw-dropping abilities. But he is a textbook case of someone making the most of what he has and willing to play anywhere for the sake of team. Currently, he is playing third base, even though he is not rated for that position. Nonetheless, he is considered the fourth best third baseman in the ULB. He is also considered Hespeler's top player, ahead of No. 1 overall pick, Vic Weetman, who bats just ahead of him in the lineup. He is durable, reliable and consistent. Perhaps one day soon, he will earn that trip to the All-Star game I feel he richly deserves. -------- *And Finally, Knowing When to Shine* RF Laroya Quindiagan – 30th overall pick (Round 2, Pick 14) by the Brunswick Legends Career: .254/.292/.321, 133 H, 17-2B, 3-3B, 4 HR, 55 RBI, 59 R, 27 BB, 25 K, 14 SB, 77 OPS+, 74 wRC+, -1.1 WAR. Mr. Quindiagan will never be mistaken for an All-Star. Indeed, he is currently toiling for Brunswick's AAA farm team, the Vanessa Pointers. However, he did stay around long enough to be with the club when they went to their last three United Cup appearances. And this is what he picked up along the way: Two United Cup Championships 1943-44 Eastern League Pennant Series MVP In that 1943-44 Pennant Series against the Stratford Barons, Quindiagan batted .579/.619/.737 with 11 H, 1-2B, 1-3B, 3 RBI and 6 R. Overall, he batted .417/.442/.500 in 48 AB in the playoffs. The previous season, he batted .333/.333/.333 in 3 AB (1 H, 1R) in the playoffs. All told, his playoff batting average is .412, and that's good enough to hold the career record for batting average in the playoffs, beating out the likes of Okura Ito (.399) and Brian Main (.389). He may never make it back to the ULB, but Quindiagan will always able to tell his kids and grand-kids that he was an MVP – and a Champion. __________________ United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 07-15-2017 at 04:13 PM.

12-23-2016, 07:15 PM	#310
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,919	January 8, 1946 1946 ASG: East Hangs On to Win Mid-Season Classic -------- Kingston, Oxford (BP) – Both the long ball and small ball made appearances in a low-scoring affair that marked the ninth annual all-star game, and Downie Chiefs’ OF Robin Duerden was front and center of it all. Duerden helped the Eastern League snap a two-game losing streak and take a 5 games to 4 lead in the annual classic with his knack for the big hit as well as for scratching out runs. Held at Kingston Park, the most southerly located ballpark in Braeland hosting a United Leagues team, the East wasted no time in opening the scoring. Robin Duerden took a 1-2 offering from Kingston’s own RHP Ben Currall with one out in the top of the first inning and sent it sailing 428 feet into the left-centerfield bleachers, as a full house of 27,300 barely had time to dig into their peanuts and Cracker Jack. The score remained 1-0 until the top of the sixth inning, when Duerden drew a full-count walk off of Kingston’s RHP Francis Slocock, who was appearing in his 7th all-star game. Duerden promptly stole second before Brunswick’s Stuart Bentham singled him to third. Stratford’s Aaron Skidmore followed with a single of his own, scoring Duerden, and giving the Easterners a 2-0 lead. The Western League All-Stars finally got on the board when Pulberry’s Terry Maxwell slammed a one-out solo home run 446 feet deep into the centerfield stands, off of Brunswick’s Matthew Monroe. But the West was unable to get the equalizer and went down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the ninth. Braeland City’s LHP David Cooling took the hill for the Eastern League for the second straight season, while Kingston’s RHP Ben Currall, appearing in his first All-Star game, started for the West. -------- Here are the complete All-Star rosters: __________________ United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 07-15-2017 at 04:22 PM.

12-28-2016, 12:17 AM	#312
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,919	March 25, 1946 Western League Playoff Picture is Set; Eastern League – Not So Much The Kingston Pelicans and Sherburn Tigers punched their tickets to the post-season rather easily and will face each other for the Western League Pennant. However, things are on hold until the Eastern League can sort out the bottleneck at the top of standings, as three teams ended the regular season tied for top spot. On March 21, the Stratford Barons defeated the Braeland City Monarchs 5-2 in Braeland City to stay in a first place tie with the Embro Suns, who had defeated the Cobourg Red Stockings 6-3, in Cobourg. The Monarchs were down 3 games with just 3 games left in the regular season. But Braeland City ran the table against Stratford by scores of 2-0, 3-2 (in 12 innings) and 3-2 on the final day to pull even with the Barons. The Red Stockings, for their part, also won their final 3 games, defeating Embro by scores of 7-5, 5-1 and 9-5. As a result, the Eastern League has three teams tied for first place at the end of the regular season, forcing a series of tie-breakers. The first game will see the Embro Suns hosting the Braeland City Monarchs. The winner of that game lives to play another day and will head to Stratford to face the Barons at Bosworth Field to determine who will finish in first and second place. Pitching for Embro will be RHP Myung-gu Son (18-12, 3.23 ERA), while RHP Lenny Freke (7-4, 4.33 ERA) will take the hill for Braeland City. -------- Two New Milestones Set in 1945-46 Season On January 25, Stratford Barons' SS Jake Walker went 3 for 4 with 2 RBI, 1 BB against the Queensland Eagles. He would not fail to get a hit in a game until March 14, 39 games later, when he went 0-4 against the Embro Suns. In the process, he set the new all-time hitting streak record in the United Leagues, surpassing Gary Watkinson's 35-game streak, set back in 1938. -------- On March 18, Kingston Pelicans' Patrick Denman defeated the Pulberry Trolleys, 5-2, for his 26th win of the season. That broke the old mark of 25, originally set by Kingston's Brady Murdy in 1940-41 and matched a year later by Stratford's Joel Fearn. Denman would go on to win 27 games for the season, finishing 27-6, 2.29 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 182 ERA+ in 34 starts, 298.1 IP. __________________ United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 07-15-2017 at 10:40 PM.

12-29-2016, 01:05 AM	#313
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,919	Tie-Breaker Game No.1 Son, Tugby Lead Suns Over Monarchs in 'Grand' Style Embro got a stellar performance from SP Myung-gu Son and a key hit from 3B Elliot Tugby to power the Suns over the Braeland City Monarchs at Embro's Speaker Stadium. A sell-out crowd of 26,800 celebrated as the Suns earned the right to advance to the second tie-breaker game against the Stratford Barons. RHP Myung-gu Son and Braeland City's RHP Lenny Freke exchanged zeros for the first three innings, but in the bottom of the 4th, Freke ran into trouble. A single and back-to-back fielding errors put runners on the corners with one out. RF Yoshifumi Tamura then singled to drive in the game's first run. SP Son followed with a sac bunt, advancing the runners to second and third. With first base open and two out, Braeland City elected to intentionally walk LF Yoshino Ito to load the bases. That set up Elliot Tugby, who hammered Freke's first offering into the rightfield bleachers for a grand slam. That was all the scoring Embro would need. SP Myung-gu Son would run into some troubles of his own in the top of the 5th. A fielding error, a single and a walk (with a balk thrown in for good measure) loaded the bases with nobody out. PH Steve Newsholme then drew another walk to force in Braeland City's first run of the game. RF Jesús Ortega then hit into a 5-4 fielder's choice, scoring Braeland City's second run, but that was all the Monarch's could muster. The loss means the end of Braeland City's season. With the victory, Embro will meet the Stratford Barons in the second tie-breaker which will determine who will take top spot in the East as well as home field advantage in the Eastern League Pennant Series. -------- Tie-Breaker Game No. 2 Stratford's Walker Proves Too Much for Embro The Stratford Barons' offense proved too much for the Embro Suns to handle, with SS Jake Walker inflicting the greatest damage. His heroics propelled the Barons to an 8-4 victory over the Suns, earning Stratford first place in the Eastern League as well as home field advantage in the Pennant Series. SP Matt Miller (2-9, 4.78 ERA, 1.58 WHIP) started for Embro in place of SP Oscar Burress, who suffered elbow stiffness in mid-March and was unavailable for the rest of the regular season. The Barons wasted no time in getting to Miller. In the bottom of the 1st, the Barons led off with a triple, a double, a walk and a single to drive in a run and load the bases with nobody out. A sac fly by 2B Maurice Keyworth drove in Stratford's second run, but Miller was able to limit the damage after that. The Suns responded in the 4th. With one out, 3B Elliot Tugby, 1B Jim Friend and CF Terence Durney hit back-to-back-to-back singles off of SP Joel Fearn, scoring a run. With two out, SS Darren Blume singled in Friend. C César Morales immediately followed with a single of his own and a fielding error (E7) on the play allowed Durney to score, giving Embro a 3-2 lead. But it did not last long. In the bottom of the 4th, SP Miller would get two quick outs. But a single to SP Fearn, a walk to CF Roberto Rios and a single by RF Dan Hunter scored a run to tie the game up. That set up SS Jake Walker, who quickly untied it with a 3-run home run over the wall in rightfield. Stratford would add to its lead in the 5th inning with a solo shot by Maurice Keyworth and an RBI double by Jake Walker in the 6th. Embro would try to make something happen in the 9th, but after Darren Blume led off with a double and scored on a single and error, the Suns ran out of chances and fell short. Stratford's victory finally settles the playoff picture in the East. Stratford finishes in first place with an 87-68 record and will host the 87-69 Suns once again at Bosworth Field for Games 1 and 2. __________________ United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 07-15-2017 at 10:41 PM.

01-01-2017, 11:25 PM	#314
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,919	March 27, 1946 Eastern League: Barons, Suns to Duke it Out for Pennant As previously noted, the Eastern League finished in a jumbled mess, with three teams finishing atop of the standings, requiring two tie-breakers to settle the issue. Now that its settled, its time for playoff baseball. But first, a quick review of how the teams finished the 1945-46 season. -------- The Stratford Barons just hung in there all season long and ultimately prevailed while other teams started to fade. What made the difference was the rock-solid pitching backed by a steadily improving offense. This is even more impressive in the face of the loss of RF Steven Winstanley back in December. Winstanley is considered the 2nd best right fielder in the ULB (behind Balmoral's Carlton Broadbent) and has already missed two seasons to the war. But the Barons got key performances from other players that helped fill the gap. If they can continue that effort in the playoffs, the Barons should be a formidable team to reckon with. Offense: .268/.357/.397 (5th/1st/3rd) Pitching: 3.44/3.36/4.14 (1st/1st/5th) Defense: .703 (3rd) *Player of the Week Awards:* February 11 – SS Jake Walker (.480, 12 H, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 5 R) *Top Position Players:* This will go to two players actually: 33-year old SS Jake Walker (.349/.430/.530, 13 HR, 112 RBI, 70 BB, 6.3 WAR) and 26-year old C Aaron Skidmore (.291/.446/.422, 11 HR, 70 RBI, 124 BB, 6.0 WAR). Walker had one of his best offensive seasons, winning his second Batter of the Month Award in February and establishing a new hitting streak record of 39. Skidmore established personal bests in AVG, OBP, OPS and led the League in walks, in addition to his solid defensive work behind the plate. *Top Pitcher:* No question, 35-year old LHP Joel Fearn (23-10, 2.60 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 159 ERA+) is the best pitcher on the best pitching staff in the Eastern League. Fearn seemed to get better as the season wore on, winning 20+ games for the second time of his career. He also became the all time wins leader in the ULB and currently has 158 at season's end. *Noteworthy:* March 12 – March call-up RF Luca Bewick slammed 5 hits in 5 tries against the Cobourg Red Stockings. Bewick hit an RBI triple in the 1st, singles in the 3rd and 4th, hit an RBI double in the 5th, walked in the 8th and hit a two-run single in the 9th. His efforts helped the Barons win 15-4. However, he will not be on Stratford's playoff roster. *Key Injury:* 30-year old RF Steven Winstanley – broken elbow bone – 7-8 weeks -------- The Embro Suns enjoyed back-to-back months of 15-9 in January and February that looked to solidify their hold on first place, but a 11-14 March undid it all. With the loss to Stratford in the second tie-breaker game, they had to settle for the wild card. Still, they remain a formidable team that looks to get back its top pitcher in time for the playoffs. SP Oscar Burress missed almost two months due to elbow stiffness and that not doubt hurt the Suns in March. His return greatly improves their rotation. He is expected to start Game 2 of the Pennant Series. Offense: .272/.357/.393 (3rd/2nd/4th) Pitching: 3.91/3.87/4.13 (5th/5th/4th) Defense: .679 (7th) *Player of the Week Awards:* February 4 – 1B Jim Friend (.632, 12 H, 2 HR, 5 RBI) February 25 – 3B Elliot Tugby (.469, 15 H, 2 HR, 8 RBI) *Top Position Player:* The return of 31-year old 1B Jim Friend (.344/.436/.569, 26 HR, 126 RBI, 98 BB, 6.6 WAR) from the war was an absolute godsend for the Suns. Friend led the League in at least 8 categories, including SLG (.569), OPS (1.005), WAR (6.6), doubles (43), RBI (126) and total bases (331). *Top Pitcher:* Despite his lengthy layoff due to injury, 31-year old RHP Oscar Burress (16-8, 2.80 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 148 ERA+) was easily Embro's top pitcher. If he returns to form quickly for the playoffs, the Suns should be in great shape to face the Barons. *Key Injury:* 31-year old LHP Edward Hill – fractured hand – 4 weeks -------- The Braeland City Monarchs put up a game fight and nearly pulled it off, but in the end, they came up short. Despite strong performances on both sides of the ball all season, the Monarchs were curiously erratic from month-to-month: In October and November they went 18-11 as well as 15-8 in February. But in November, January and March, they went only 12-12, 11-15 and 12-12 respectively. Offense: .273/.344/.391 (2nd/3rd/5th) Pitching: 3.84/3.80/4.06 (4th/4th/3rd) Defense: .700 (4th) *Top Position Player:* 32-year old 3B Adam Ashley (.355/.422/.462, 3 HR, 71 RBI, 69 BB, 23 SB, 6.2 WAR) enjoyed a dynamite season and led the way for the Monarchs. He was also steady on defense at the hot corner (+5.4 ZR). 23-year old 1B Kyle Pryor (.269/.359/.462, 28 HR, 80 RBI, 83 BB, 4.0 WAR) built upon his rookie season and was excellent on defense as well (+5.8 ZR). *Top Pitcher:* 36-year old LHP David Cooling (18-13, 2.90 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 144 ERA+) was Braeland City's top starter once again. 25-year old LHP Nicholas Grimes (16-8, 3.86 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 109 ERA+) showed promise in his first full season, starting 31 games. *Noteworthy:* January 3 – Before Stratford's Jake Walker hit his way into the record books with a 39-game hitting streak, 3B Adam Ashley hit safely in 27 straight games. The streak came to an end on February 11 against the Sherburn Tigers, going 0-5. The Monarchs lost 6-5. *Key Injury:* 29-year old 2B Trevor Bolen – strained knee – 7 weeks. -------- The Brunswick Legends turned the jets on in February, but it wasn't enough to seriously challenge for a playoff spot and defend their United Cup Championship. This is the first season they have missed the playoffs since 1940-41 and ends a 4-year playoff streak where they won the United Cup 3 times. The offense was their Achilles heel, although it picked up in the final two months. There are a few players that should really call it a career, but they have a number of younger players that seemed poised to step in. If they do, then the Legends could be back in a big way next season. Offense: .267/.343/.391 (6th/4th/6th) Pitching: 3.66/3.62/3.80 (2nd/2nd/2nd) Defense: .683 (5th) *Player of the Week Awards:* March 11 – LF Harry Chatwin (.458, 11 H, 3 HR, 9 RBI) *Top Position Player:* He missed the final 5 games of the season to injury, but 29-year old 1B Stuart Bentham (.320/.426/.548, 29 HR, 88 RBI, 105 BB, 5.6 WAR) was easily Brunswick’s top offensive player. He led the Eastern League in home runs and isolated power (.227). *Top Pitcher:* The Legends had a very strong rotation, but there's a reason 29-year old LHP Anastasio Rodríguez (18-10, 2.93 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 142 ERA+) is the No. 1 starter. He led the League in HR/9 (0.26), K/BB (2.25), FIP (2.81) and WAR (9.2). *Noteworthy:* March 17 – CF Harry Chatwin went 5 for 6 as the Legends hammered the Queensland Eagles 16-0 in Queenland. Chatwin grounded in the 1st, hit an RBI single in the 2nd, singled in the 3rd and 4th, hit a two-run single in the 5th and singled in the 7th. *Key Injuries:* 29-year old 1B Stuart Bentham – ribcage strain – 2 weeks 31-year old LHP Wilson Villas – fractured finger – 4 weeks 28-year old LF Cliff Jordan – strained neck muscles – 3-4 weeks -------- The Queensland Eagles appeared poised to reach the post-season for just the second time in their history, but a disastrous February and March dashed all hope, seeing them free fall 8 games out of the wild card. At the end of January, they were just a half game back of first place. February was spent competing against Western League teams and the Eagles were simply manhandled, getting swept by the Balmoral Giants, Fort Richmond Generals and Sherburn Tigers, and coming out on the short end on the other series to the Kingston Pelicans, Hespeler Stars and Wolseley Unions. Offense: .269/.339/.400 (4th/6th/2nd) Pitching: 3.70/3.72/3.57 (3rd/3rd/1st) Defense: .681 (6th) *Player of the Week Awards:* February 18 – C Elijah Sheppard (.550, 11 H, 1 HR, 5 RBI) *Top Position Player:* 27-year old C Elijah Sheppard (.296/.386/.485, 19 HR, 91 RBI, 70 BB, 5.9 WAR) stepped up his play in the final two months, but it wasn't enough to halt the team's slide. The Eagles are left to wonder how things would have played out if 26-year old LF Jilenko Vergara (.332/.388/.530, 14 HR, 51 RBI, 31 BB, 3.4 WAR) hadn't missed almost three months due to injury. He is currently rated Queensland's top player. *Top Pitcher:* Queensland has assembled a pretty impressive pitching staff and 29-year old RHP Pi-ao Quian (17-12, 2.92 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 140 ERA+) led the way in 1945-46. *Noteworthy:* March 17 – 1B Héctor Gutiérrez hit the only Cycle of the season and 13th overall in the United Leagues. Gutiérrez doubled in the 1st, tripled in the 3rd, singled in the 5th and hit a solo-home run in the 7th. His efforts helped the Eagles win 6-3 over the Pulberry Trolleys. Gutiérrez is the first Eastern League player to hit for the cycle since Braeland City's Adam Ashley did it back on December 12, 1939. In fact, Gutiérrez is the first Eastern League player not to play for the Monarchs to hit for the cycle and just the 3rd Eastern League player to accomplish it overall. Besides Adam Ashley, Braeland City's Trevor Bolen accomplished it twice, both in the 1938-39 season. *Key Injury:* 25-year old LHP Roman Davis – torn elbow tendon – 3 months -------- The Cobourg Red Stockings aren't quite there, but they finished with their best record since 1938-39 when they won 72 games. The most they've won in a season is 76, so a winning campaign is still proving elusive. But there are enough encouraging signs, at least on offense, to believe that the Red Stockings will become more competitive and escape the second division. But they are going to need upgrades in their pitching if they are really going to take the next step. They are definitely lacking ace material in their system. Offense: .283/.343/.403 (1st/5th/1st) Pitching: 4.80/4.91/4.34 (8th/8th/7th) Defense: .673 (8th) *Player of the Week Awards:* March 18 – Salvador Hernández (.536, 15 H, 3 HR, 7 RBI) *Top Position Player:* 27-year old 1B Dennis Borton (.365/.395/.497, 5 HR, 82 RBI, 10 SB, 4.2 WAR) won the Eastern League batting crown. He had 177 hits, 39 doubles and 5 triples in 127 games. His average was the highest in the Eastern League since Rovilson Valdevieso batted .398 in 1939-40. He was also good defensively (+3.1 ZR at 1B; +2.7 ZR at 2B), which cannot be said of most of his teammates. *Top Pitcher:* 24-year old LHP Trent Beaton (15-13, 4.37 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 95 ERA+) was the top pitcher on the staff this season, which isn't saying much, no offense to him. He is not going to overpower anyone, but if the second-year Beaton can improve his control, he could become a serviceable No. 3 or 4 starter on a solid rotation. *Key Injury:* 28-year old RHP Pedro Gómez – torn elbow ligament – 3 months -------- The Wellington Athletics actually improved over the past couple of seasons, but that is faint praise at best, as the Athletics need a major talent infusion before they can become relevant again. It's been 7 seasons since they last made the playoffs, and the way things are going, it may take another 7 seasons to get back. Offense: .263/.326/.365 (7th/7th/8th) Pitching: 4.22/4.15/4.54 (6th/6th/8th) Defense: .711 (1st) *Top Position Player:* I'll go with 26-year old C Mick Gunnis (.307/.366/.423, 11 HR, 75 RBI, 50 BB, 4.4 WAR) who took a big step forward in his third full season in the ULB and was an asset behind the plate (+3.3 ZR). 23-year old SS Mac Medley (.303/.378/.450, 7 HR, 77 RBI, 73 BB, 20 SB, 4.8 WAR) took a big jump offensively in his third season in ULB as well, but he has yet to find consistency on defense (-3.4 ZR). He is rated for much better than that. *Top Pitcher:* He didn't get much support, but 36-year old LHP Max Littler (12-19, 4.04 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 101 ERA+) was about as good as the pitching got this season for the Athletics. *Key Injuries:* 32-year old RHP Darren Whiteley – torn knee joint – 5-6 weeks 43-year old CF Quentin Stubber – torn knee ligament – 3 months -------- The Downie Chiefs are lagging behind the Red Stockings in their rebuilding program, but are facing a similar challenge: they need to seriously upgrade their pitching staff if they want to have a chance at becoming relevant one day. They should be in decent shape if their offensive prospects develop, but there is a dearth of quality pitching in the farm system. Once again, they completely ignored drafting a quality pitcher in this season's amateur draft. Perhaps next season they'll make it a priority? Offense: .260/.319/.371 (8th/8th/7th) Pitching: 4.56/4.61/4.32 (7th/7th/6th) Defense: .704 (2nd) *Player of the Week Awards:* March 4 – Robin Duerden (.357, 10 H, 3 HR, 5 RBI) *Top Position Player:* I'm still puzzled at how he got overlooked for the selection to the All-star game, as 22-year old 3B Max Westgate (.280/.325/.411, 6 HR, 48 RBI, 30 BB, 3.0 WAR) was Downie's best position player, although his offense did slide in the last two months. His defense though was outstanding: +13.2 ZR. *Top Pitcher:* 23-year old RHP Kelii Pelanekelina (14-18, 3.75 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 108 ERA+) was just outstanding in the final two months of the season (0-3, 3.27 ERA in February; 4-1, 2.51 ERA in March). The former third-round pick from 1941-42 did an admirable job this season, despite the indifferent offense he got on many nights. *Key Injuries:* 23-year old LHP Jeff Routh – torn finger tendon – 8-9 weeks 21-year old LF Connor Buswell – strained ribcage – 1 week -------- __________________ United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 07-16-2017 at 03:33 PM.

01-03-2017, 07:52 PM	#315
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,919	March 27, 1946 Western League: Pelicans, Tigers to Battle Again for Pennant The match-up for the Western League Pennant was settled well before the regular season was officially completed, but the Pelicans and Tigers had to wait a little longer than normal until the Eastern League untangled itself with a couple of tie-breakers. Now that it’s settled, the two teams can finally get down to business with well-rested pitching staffs. But first, a brief end-of-season review of the Western League teams. -------- The Kingston Pelicans were simply not interested in allowing things to get close in the final two months and so simply bull-dozed their way through the rest of the field to take a stranglehold of first place, 13 games ahead of anyone else. While that eliminated all potential drama of a tight race, it was not as though they had everyone’s number. In their final 4-game set against the Sherburn Tigers in March, they were beaten 3 games to 1, dropping their season match-up to the second place team with 6 wins vs. 9 losses. The Pelicans are far and away the class of the United Leagues, but that doesn’t seem to impress everyone (i.e. Sherburn). Offense: .298/.376/.447 (1st/1st/1st) Pitching: 3.37/3.26/3.95 (1st/1st/3rd) Defense: .701 (2nd) *Player of the Week Awards:* February 11 – C Danny Trowbridge (.519, 14 H, 2 HR, 6 RBI) March 4 – C Danny Trowbridge (.467, 7 H, 2 HR, 6 RBI) March 11 – C/1B Jamie Wilday (.480, 12 H, 1 HR, 7 RBI) *Top Player:* 30-year old Katsunan Chikafuji (.359/.414/.575, 30 HR, 139 RBI, 9.3WAR) had a season for the ages, but was still upstaged – by his teammate no less. 27-year old C Danny Trowbridge (.371/.442/.629, 34 HR, 106 RBI, 9.6 WAR) was just amazing, winning Player of the Week and Batter of the Month Awards left and right. He also won the Western League Batting Title with a .371 average, the highest in the West since Gary Watkinson hit .387 for the Sherburn Tigers back in 1937-38. Trowbridge totaled 211 hits, 38 doubles and 129 runs. Only his defense (-1.3 ZR) showed some weakness. By comparison, Chikafuji rated a +10.0 at shortstop. *Top Pitcher:* Got to go with 26-year old LHP Patrick Denman (27-6, 2.29 ERA, 1.17WHIP, 138 ERA+) who set a new ULB record for most wins in a season. He led the Western League in no less than 12 pitching categories, including H/9 IP (7.5), Opp AVG (.221), Opp OPS (.594) and BABIP (.237) But 26-year old RHP Ben Currall (20-7, 2.97 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 141 ERA+) did all right for a rookie; he led the League in shutouts (5). *Key Injuries:* None -------- The Sherburn Tigers largely flailed against Eastern League teams in February, eliminating any real chance of closing in on the mighty Pelicans. But to their credit, they bounced back in March to finish the season strong. That should serve them well, as they gear up for their first playoff run since the inaugural season of 1937-38. Offense: .282/.356/.392 (2nd/2nd/4th) Pitching: 3.70/3.61/4.34 (2nd/2nd/6th) Defense: .696 (3rd) *Top Player:* This belongs to 27-year old C Neil Voigt (.310/.347/.507, 20 HR, 120 RBI, 5.3 WAR) who led the team offensively all season after being acquired from the Cobourg Red Stockings last June. His able handling of the pitching cannot be overlooked as well. *Top Pitcher:* A slight edge is given to 22-year old RHP Jesús Chapa (19-13, 2.50 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 168 ERA+). He led the Western League in 4 categories: strikeouts (141), K/9 IP (4.6 – tied with teammate Arthur Bence), K/BB (1.57) and WAR (7.1). But 27-year old RHP Roberto Taváres (18-8, 3.49 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 120 ERA+) was no slouch either, surrendering only 4 HR all-season. *Injuries:* 27-year old RF Bert Helmer – broken elbow bone – 3-4 months -------- The Wolseley Unions were a tale of two teams this season. In the first three months, they went 31-52 and were dead last in the West. But from January to March, they put up the best record in the entire United Leagues (48-23); better than even Kingston (46-25) or the Stratford Barons (44-28). That propelled them to third place in the West and their first winning season. That can largely be attributed to their pitching which got stronger as the season wore on. The Unions are poised for a breakout pretty soon: they have 3 of the top 10 prospects in the ULB and that does not include Westin Woollams (78/80) who is already easing into the lineup. If they all pan out and if the pitching continues to improve, then something special could be brewing in Wolseley. Offense: .262/.351/.390 (6th/3rd/7th) Pitching: 4.45/4.51/4.20 (4th/4th/5th) Defense: .695 (4th) *Player of the Week Awards:* February 4 – LF Carlton Hawking (.500, 11 H, 9 RBI) March 18 – RHP Kai Tosh (2-0, 0.00 ERA, 18.0 IP, 14 K, .148 Opp AVG) *Top Player:* The Unions have some fine offensive players, including 24-year old SS Jorge Arredondo (.319/.382/.465, 13 HR, 91 RBI, 22 SB, 6.3 WAR). His defense was top-notch as well (+10.9 ZR). 24-year old LF Carlton Hawking (.326/.441/.521, 17 HR, 89 RBI, 5.1 WAR) led the team in a number of offensive categories, but his defense was suspect (-7.5 ZR). *Top Pitcher:* 22-year old RHP Jeremy Albury (19-11, 3.58 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 117 ERA+) was Wolseley’s most consistent pitcher all season long. But if 26-year old RHP Kai Tosh (15-11, 4.54 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 92 ERA+) can pitch like he did in March more consistently, the Unions would have a nice 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation. Tosh won a Player of the Week Award and a Pitcher of the Month Award in March. However, he had ERAs well over 5.00 in October, November, January and February. *Injuries:* 24-year old LF Carlton Hawking – thigh stiffness – 6 days 24-year old RHP Les Gandy – separated hip joint – 3 months -------- The Fort Richmond Generals continued their slow rebuild after bottoming out two seasons ago with a 56-98 record, easily the worst record in the ULB in 1943-44. This season they finish with 75 wins, the highest win total for the franchise. They have assembled the deepest farm system in the United Leagues and are blessed with an abundance of young pitching talent. One of them is 23-year old RHP Nicky Sherlock (6-9, 11 SV, 3.05 ERA, 1.36 WHIP), who is rated the top pitching prospect in the ULB. If the second rounder from 1942-43 can join the rotation and thrive next season, then perhaps the Generals finally will as well. Offense: .260/.333/.369 (7th/6th/8th) Pitching: 3.91/4.01/3.32 (3rd/3rd/1st) Defense: .708 (1st) *Top Player:* A no doubter. 23-year old CF Dylan Moyne (.292/.351/.434, 10 HR, 82 RBI, 29 SB, 6.0 WAR) got stronger as the season wore on and was sensational in centerfield (+18.5 ZR). He was easily Fort Richmond’s top offensive player. But it was also nice to see 29-year old 3B Steven Wormleighton (.304/.348/.392, 3 HR, 52 RBI, 9 SB, 2.5 WAR) have a nice season after being away for two seasons serving in the military. *Top Pitcher:* Oh, this is a toughie, as Fort Richmond enjoyed some fine performances. But I’ll go with 32-year old RHP Noah Marfell (16-10, 3.66 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 111 ERA+) who enjoyed his first winning season in the ULB (after 8 seasons), won Pitcher of the Month honours in February and led his team in a number of pitching categories. 25-year old RHP Reece Leevers (15-14, 3.21 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 126 ERA+) wasn’t bad either. *Noteworthy:* March 13 – 23-year old SS Clive Lanham (.305/.368/.464, 7 HR, 46 RBI, 2.7 WAR) went 5 for 5 with four singles (including an RBI single) as well as double. It wasn’t enough however, as the Generals fell to the Sherburn Tigers, 15-6. March 15 – 3B Steven Wormleighton went 6 for 6 against the Balmoral Giants, helping his team pull out a 6-5 victory in extra innings. Wormleighton doubled in the 2nd, singled in the 4th, hit a two-run double in the 5th and singled each in the 7th, 9th and 11th innings. *Key Injuries:* None -------- The strife engulfing the Cambria Cannons finally boiled over as the team collapsed in the final two months the season. This is a talented team that has begun to squander its window of opportunity fighting for a playoff spot. Since I’ve commented on this in previous posts, I won’t belabor the point. But the Cannons are in a precarious situation. They have no farm system to speak of, so their time is now. With a couple of smart trades, they could alleviate the grievances, plug up a couple of weak spots (such as on the rotation and at 2B) and be back with a vengeance. The team is at a cross-roads and the upcoming off-season will reveal which way they are going. Offense: .272/.349/.391 (4th/4th/6th) Pitching: 4.65/4.85/3.78 (6th/6th/2nd) Defense: .686 (7th) *Top Player:* 28-year old C Heung-su Pak (.289/.354/.446, 16 HR, 84 RBI, 4.6 WAR) led the team in a slew of offensive categories, but 30-year old SS Wenceslas Jasmin (.302/.363/.407, 4 HR, 75 RBI, 12 SB, 5.4 WAR) combined fine offense with outstanding defense (+14.6 ZR). He was Cambria’s top player this year. *Top Pitcher:* In a down year pitching-wise, 32-year old RHP Jin-man Kim (14-15, 3.73 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 110 ERA+) was Cambria’s top hurler, leading the team in 15 pitching categories. *Injuries:* 34-year old RHP Pete Allison – shoulder swelling – 2-3 months -------- The Hespeler Stars finished with their worst record since the 1940-41 season. But as mentioned in a previous post, the Stars appear to have sufficient talent to reverse the trend. I was pessimistic earlier about the quality of their assembled prospects, but looking at their organizational rankings it’s more impressive than I thought. Three prospects are rated No. 1 at their position while three more are rated No. 2. At any rate, it will be interesting to see how this all plays out as other teams, such as Wolseley and Fort Richmond, appear ready to compete very soon as well. Offense: .270/.332/.399 (5th/7th/3rd) Pitching: 5.06/5.27/4.40 (8th/8th/7th) Defense: .675 (8th) *Player of the Week Awards:* February 25 – C Gareth Kody (.481, 13 H, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 4 R) *Top Player:* 26-year old C Gareth Kody (.340/.353/.498, 16 HR, 78 RBI, 5.1 WAR) broke out in a big way in his third full season in the United Leagues after being traded from the Braeland City Monarchs back in September. He is rated No. 5 among catchers in the ULB. *Top Pitcher:* Not a great year for Hespeler pitchers. Thus I’ll stick with 27-year old LHP Carlton Sherrell (16-14, 3.64 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 115 ERA+) who really only had one rough month this season (1-4, 6.69 ERA in December). Take that out of the equation, and his ERA dropped to 3.11. *Injuries:* None -------- With other teams appearing poised to move up in the standings, the Balmoral Giants look more like they are ready to settle in near the bottom. They have talent on offense, no doubt about that, but it seems as though the team is about to go to seed. They simply do not have an abundance of young talent to keep up in the increasingly competitive West, 2B Sean Brearton (.305/.343/.417, 5 HR, 56 RBI, 2.5 WAR) notwithstanding. For the Giants, it may be time to blow things up and get some juicy prospects for their top players. At least, that’s what I would do. Offense: .280/.344/.412 (3rd/5th/2nd) Pitching: 4.75/4.90/4.15 (7th/7th/4th) Defense: .690 (6th) *Player of the Week Awards:* January 28 – RF Carlton Broadbent (.455, 15 H, 6 HR, 10 RBI, 9 R) *Top Player:* From a purely offensive perspective, 28-year old RF Carlton Broadbent (.363/.442/.622, 32 HR, 108 RBI, 6.1 WAR) continues to be one of the elite players in the ULB. But his defense was so atrocious this season (-16.5 ZR), I just can’t let it slide. So I’m going with 28-year old SS Francisco Rodríguez (.316/.361/.486, 7 HR, 85 RBI, 13 SB, 6.0 WAR) who held his own at the plate and was once again outstanding in the field (+13.2 ZR). *Top Pitcher:* There wasn’t much to inspire confidence in this group, but 34-year old RHP Derek Cawley (10-12, 3.84 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 108 ERA+) was as good as it got over the course of the season. *Injuries:* 25-year old LHP Dan Moon – torn upper arm muscle – 4 weeks -------- In Pulberry, the only thing really to get excited about is next season’s amateur draft. The Pulberry Trolleys have only a handful of impact players on the roster with little in the pipeline to get optimistic about. Perhaps it’s time to for the Trolleys to blow up what little they so have and finally get going on that 3-5 year rebuild that’s taken only 9 seasons so far. Offense: .259/.327/.391 (8th/8th/5th) Pitching: 4.56/4.54/4.67 (5th/5th/8th) Defense: .693 (5th) *Player of the Week Awards:* February 18 – CF Tadamichi Masumoto (.474, 9 H, 2 HR, 2 RBI) *Top Player:* 24-year old SS Roland Binns (.290/.336/.498, 23 HR, 121 RBI, 12 SB, 5.6 WAR) enjoyed his finest season yet in the United Leagues. In addition to his bat, he was terrific on defense (+11.5 ZR). *Top Pitcher:* 27-year old RHP Lenny Tennison (10-16, 3.25 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 125 ERA+) is perhaps the top feel-good story of the year. After spending nine seasons toiling in the minors, he finally got his big break with the Trolleys this season. The rookie earned a trip to the all-star game and simply got better as the season progressed. He finished in style in February and March, going 3-7, 2.39 ERA for one the ULB’s most anemic offenses. *Injuries:* None -------- __________________ United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 07-17-2017 at 12:22 PM.

01-06-2017, 10:46 PM	#316
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,919	Embro Suns (87-69) vs. Stratford Barons (87-68) Season Matchup: 8-8 Embro: Runs scored – 818 (1st); runs allowed – 732 (5th) Stratford: Runs scored – 802 (2nd); runs allowed – 633 (2nd) The Embro Suns reach the post-season for the fifth time in their existence but are still looking for their first Pennant. In their previous four Pennant Series, they lost to the Brunswick Legends each time, by a combined 4-16 record. This year they face the Stratford Barons, who return to the playoffs after a two-year absence. The Barons won it all in their first appearance in 1940-41, but fell to the Brunswick Legends in the Pennant Series in 1943-44. Now with those pesky Legends out of the equation, will this be the year the Suns finally shine? Or will the Barons power their way to their second pennant? The two teams finished remarkably close, with the Barons winning the tie-breaker and capturing first place by the slimmest of margins. The only key injury to affect the series is to Stratford’s 30-year old RF Steven Winstanley (.304/.388/.471, 8 HR, 22 RBI, 1.9 WAR), who suffered a broken elbow bone back on December 1. He is unavailable for the playoffs. 27-year old Dan Hunter (.244/.330/.322, 2 HR, 27 RBI, 0.7 WAR) has taken his place in the lineup. -------- Game 1 The Series opens up at Stratford’s Bosworth Field, with 26,154 fired up to lead on their Barons. The weather is perfect for baseball; it is warm with partly cloudy skies. LHP Ryan Borden (22-12, 3.67 ERA, 1.31 WHIP) starts for Stratford, while RHP Jim Hogue (14-13, 4.32 ERA, 1.55 WHIP) takes the hill for Embro. Top of the 1st: The Suns don’t waste any time getting on the board, as Yoshino Ito leads off with a single. He is followed by Charles Usherwood, who takes Borden’s 0-1 pitch and deposits it 436 ft. beyond left-centerfield for the game’s first two runs. With two out, Scott Weller doubles and comes in to score on an error. Embro 3 – Stratford 0 Bottom of the 2nd: Stratford gets on the board thanks to back-to-back doubles by Maurice Keyworth and Bart Wallwin with two out. Embro 3 – Stratford 1 Top of the 4th: Charles Usherwood does some damage again when he doubles home Jim Hogue with two out. Embro 4 – Stratford 1 Top of the 6th: José Sánchez leads off with a single and reaches 3B on a sac bunt and a groundout. He adds to Embro’s lead when he scores on a passed ball. Embro 5 – Stratford 1 Top of the 8th: Embro loads the bases with two out. Gary Watkinson comes through with a single, scoring two more runs, ending Ryan Borden’s day. Embro 7 – Stratford 1 Top of the 9th: Terence Durney singles with one out and reaches 3B on a steal of 2B and a U3 groundout. José Sánchez follows with a single scoring Durney. Embro 8 – Stratford 1 Bottom of the 9th: Aaron Skidmore and Ricardo Castellanos lead off with back-to-back singles. After Skidmore reaches 3B on a 5-4-3 double-play, Bart Wallwin triples in Stratford’s second run. But Brad Mitchinson flies out to left-centerfield to end the game, as Embro draws first blood. FINAL: Embro 8 – Stratford 2 *Player of the Game:* Charles Usherwood went 3-3, 1 HR, 1-2B, 3 RBI, 1 R, 2 BB José Sánchez went 3-5, 1 RBI, 2 R Jim Hogue went 9.0 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K (1-0, 2.00 ERA) For Stratford: Ryan Borden went 7.2 IP, 10 H, 7 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 1 K, 1 HR (0-1, 5.87 ERA) -------- Game 2 After the Barons’ setback in Game 1, 25,853 return to see if their team can bounce back. The weather is a carbon copy of the day before: partly cloudy and warm. Game 2 will see a matchup of Stratford’s No. 3 starter RHP Bill Blair (15-12, 3.45 ERA, 1.16 WHIP) and Embro’s ace RHP Oscar Burress (16-8, 2.80 ERA, 1.26 WHIP) who is making his first start after nearly a two and half month layoff due to elbow stiffness. Bottom of the 1st: The Barons give Burress a rude welcoming. Roberto Ríos leads off with a walk, steals second and then scores on an error. Stratford then hits three consecutive singles that score another run as well as loading the bases. Finally, Brad Mitchinson draws a walk that forces in the third run before Burress gets out of the inning. Embro 0 – Stratford 3 Top of the 2nd: Embro responds by putting two runners on base with two out. Yoshifumi Tamura doubles in the first run. Oscar Burress then follows with a single scoring two more tying up the game. Embro 3 – Stratford 3 Bottom of the 3rd: Ricardo Castellanos leads off with a first pitch triple and scores on a 5-3 ground out by Maurice Keyworth. Embro 3 – Stratford 4 Bottom of the 5th: Stratford breaks it open in the 5th. A single, a walk and a double scores a run with nobody out. After Brad Mitchinson is intentionally walked with two out, Bill Blair singles in two runs. That ends Oscar Burress’ day. He is relieved by Matt Miller, who walks the next two batters forcing in another run before the inning is over. Embro 3 – Stratford 8 Bottom of the 6th: Matt Miller picks up where he left off by walking the first two batters. After a fielder’s choice at 3B, Bart Wallwin singles in a run, adding to the Barons’ lead. Embro 3 – Stratford 9 Bottom of the 7th: Stratford loads the bases with one out. Ricardo Castellanos hits into a 4-6 fielder’s choice at 2B, driving in the game’s final run. FINAL: Embro 3 – Stratford 10 *Player of the Game:* Ricardo Castellanos goes 3-4 with 1-2B, 1-3B, 2 RBI, 3 R, 1 BB Aaron Skidmore went 1-2 with 1 RBI, 2 R, 3 BB Bill Blair picks up his first career win, going 9.0 IP, 9 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 2 K (1-0, 3.00 ERA) For Embro: Oscar Burress had a rough outing, going just 4.2 IP, 7 H, 8 R 6 ER, 5 BB, 0 K (0-1, 11.57 ERA) -------- Game 3 The Series switches to Embro’s Speaker Stadium with 26,604 in attendance. Embro lives up to its reputation for warmth and sunshine as clear skies greet the teams. LHP Ryan Borden gets his second start of the series, after starting Game 1. Embro responds with RHP Myung-gu Son (19-12, 3.18 ERA, 1.38 WHIP). Top of the 1st: Stratford picks up where they left off in Game 2. A single, a walk and a ground out puts runners on the 2B and 3B with two out. That sets up Ricardo Castellanos, who singles in both runs. Stratford 2 – Embro 0 Bottom of the 1st: Yoshino Ito leads off with a walk. He is followed by Charles Underwood, who smashes a two-run homer 375 ft. down the right field line to tie the game. Stratford 2 – Embro 2 Top of the 4th: The Barons draw two walks with two out. Dan Hunter then singles in a run as the Barons retake the lead. Stratford 3 – Embro 2 Top of the 6th: Stratford pulls away in the 6th. The Barons put two men on base with a lead-off double and a walk. Ryan Borden lays down a sac bunt, but the player at 3B is safe, loading the bases with nobody out. Although Roberto Ríos grounds into a double play, a Dan Hunter single and a Jake Walker triple score three runs. That ends Myung-gu Son’s day. Stratford 6 – Embro 2 Bottom of the 6th: Elliot Tugby leads off with a first-pitch triple and scores on a wild pitch. Stratford 6 – Embro 3 Top of the 8th: Stratford pours it on with walks and singles. Jamie Boatwright leads off with a 4-pitch walk, reaches 2B on a groundout and scores on Dan Hunter’s single. A walk to Jake Walker and a single by Aaron Skidmore scores another run. After Ricardo Castellanos draws a walk to load the bases, RHP Matt Miller comes in to relieve RHP Norberto Ortíz. But the Barons score four more runs on two singles and a sac fly. Finally, Jamie Boatwright, who led off the inning, grounds into a fielder’s choice at 2B to end the inning. Stratford 12 – Embro 3 Top of the 9th: A leadoff single by Roberto Ríos is followed by three walks, adding another run to the Barons’ lead. In the bottom of the 9th, Yoshino Ito singles on the first pitch. But Embro goes down 1-2-3 after that, putting Stratford up 2 games to 1. FINAL: Stratford 13 – Embro 3 *Player of the Game:* Dan Hunter went 4-5 with 3 RBI, 3 R, 1 BB Ricardo Castellanos goes 1-3 with 3 RBI, 1 R, 3 BB Ryan Borden picks up his first win of the playoffs, going 7.0 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 K 1 HR (1-1, 4.91 ERA) For Embro: Myung-gu Son only goes 5.2 IP, 9 H, 6 ER, 4 BB, 3 K (0-1, 9.53 ERA) -------- Game 4 Beautiful, clear skies set the stage for Game 4, as do 26,797 Embro fans desperate for the Suns get back in the Series. But they will be facing Barons’ ace LHP Joel Fearn (23-10, 2.60 ERA, 1.15 WHIP) who gets his first start of the series, after winning the Tie-breaker game between these same two teams a few days earlier. RHP Oscar Burress gets his second start for Embro. Top of the 1st: Roberto Ríos leads off with a single and reached 2B on a ground out. Jake Walker singles in Ríos as the Barons strike first. Stratford 1 – Embro 0 Top of the 2nd: Ricardo Castellanos and Maurice Keyworth lead off with back-to-back singles. Castellanos reaches 3B on a double play and then scores on a passed ball. Stratford 2 – Embro 0 Top of the 6th: A walk and back-to-back singles score a run with one out. Maurice Keyworth follows with a sac fly, scoring another run to double Stratford’s lead. Stratford 4 – Embro 0 Bottom of the 6th: Oscar Burress singles and Yoshino Ito doubles to put runners on 2B and 3B with one out. After Charles Usherwood flies out, Gary Watkinson comes through with a single, scoring two runs putting Embro on the board. Stratford 4 – Embro 2 Top of the 7th: Oscar Burress gets two quick outs, but a walk, a single and a double score two more Stratford runs before the inning is over. Stratford 6 – Embro 2 Bottom of the 8th: PH Lyndon Duggleby slams a first-pitch home run to left field with one out. In the bottom of the 9th, Jim Friend doubles with one out. But a Scott Weller pop fly and a Terence Durney strike out ends the game, putting Stratford up 3 games to 1. FINAL: Stratford 6 – Embro 3 *Player of the Game:* Joel Fearn pitches a solid game, going 9.0 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 K (1-0, 3.00 ERA) Jake Walker goes 2-2 with 1-2B, 2 RBI, 1 R, 2 BB For Embro: Oscar Burress gets roughed again in this second outing, going 8.0 IP, 10 H, 6 ER, 3 BB, 0 K (0-2, 8.53 ERA) -------- Game 5 The heat descends onto Speaker Stadium, as temperatures soar above 80F under a cloudless sky. The Embro Suns were feeling the heat in more ways than one, as the Barons were one win away from advancing to the United Cup. 26,588 fans attended, seeing whether the Suns could hold off elimination or completely wilt under the pressure. RHP Bill Blair gets his second start in the Series for Stratford, while RHP Jim Hogue looks to get his second win for Embro. Top of the 1st: Jim Hogue gets two quick outs, but has trouble getting the third. In between, he gives up a walk, a wild pitch, a single, a walk, a single and a single before the third out. All told, the Barons score 3 runs in the inning. Stratford 3 – Embro 0 Bottom of the 1st: Elliot Tugby singles with one out, and advances to 3B when Jim Friend reaches safely on an error. On the eighth pitch of his at-bat, Terence Durney hits an inside-the-park home run to deep centerfield, tying the game up. Stratford 3 – Embro 3 Top of the 2nd: Stratford retakes the lead when Roberto Ríos doubles with one out and scores on a 5-3 ground-out. Stratford 4 – Embro 3 Bottom of the 2nd: Embro evens things up again quickly when Scott Weller leads off with a 438 ft. solo home run to left-centerfield. Stratford 4 – Embro 4 Top of the 3rd: But the Barons are unrelenting. With one out, a Ricardo Castellanos single, a Maurice Keyworth triple and a Bart Wallwin single drives in two runs. With two out, Roberto Ríos hits this second double of the game, scoring Wallwin. That puts Stratford up by three once more. Stratford 7 – Embro 4 Bottom of the 3rd: José Sánchez slams a 424 ft. solo shot to right-centerfield with two out. Stratford 7 – Embro 5 Top of the 6th: Bill Blair and Roberto Ríos lead off with a single and double respectively. With one out, Jake Walker comes to the plate and smashes a double to score two runs. Aaron Skidmore follows with a single to score Walker, adding to the Barons' lead. Stratford 10 – Embro 5 Top of the 8th: Bart Wallwin reaches on an error with one out. With two out, PH Jamie Boatwright doubles in Wallwin. Stratford 11 – Embro 5 Bottom of the 9th: Down to their final three outs, the Suns try to make something happen. José Sánchez triples with one out and scores on a Scott Weller ground-out. With two out, Embro loads the bases when Yoshifumi Tamura singles and both PH Charles Usherwood and Yoshino Ito draw walks. Elliot Tugby draws another walk to score Tamura. But Gary Watkinson hits a line drive straight to 2B Maurice Keyworth, ending the game and the Series. FINAL: Stratford 11 – Embro 7 *Player of the Game:* Jake Walker went 2-4 with 2-2B, 2 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB Roberto Ríos goes 3-5 with 3-2B, 1 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB. Ríos ties the Eastern League playoff game record for doubles. Aaron Skidmore went 3-5 with 1-2B, 2 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB Bill Blair goes undefeated in the series, going 7.0 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 3 HR (2-0, 2.81 ERA) For Embro: Jim Hogue only goes 3.0 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 2 BB, 2 K (1-1, 6.00 ERA) Once again, Embro flames out in the playoffs. Their three big offensive players, namely Jim Friend, Gary Watkinson and Terence Durney, go .091, .091 and .190 respectively in the 5-game Series. Add the rough outings by Oscar Burress et al, and the Suns just did not have a chance. -------- __________________ United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 07-17-2017 at 04:09 PM.

01-09-2017, 08:51 PM	#317
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,919	Sherburn Tigers (91-63) vs. Kingston Pelicans (104-50) Season Matchup: 9-6 in favour of Sherburn Sherburn: Runs scored – 759 (4th); runs allowed – 672 (2nd) Kingston: Runs scored – 954 (1st); runs allowed – 666 (1st) If there’s one constant in the United Leagues, it’s the Kingston Pelicans and the playoffs. The Pelicans have never failed to reach the post-season, finishing in first place six times and in second place three times. This year they finished with 104 victories, tying the 1942-43 Embro Suns for most wins in a season. They face an up-and-coming Sherburn Tigers team that is returning to the playoffs after a seven year absence. In the ULB’s inaugural season, Kingston prevailed over the Tigers 4 games to 2 for the Western League Pennant as the Pelicans marched on to win their first United Cup. The Western League Pennant is being considered a clash of the titans, as the Pelicans and Tigers finished with the two best records in the United Leagues. Interestingly, despite the presence of heavy hitters like Kingston’s Danny Trowbridge (34 HR), Katsunan Chikafuji (30), Dean Bishop (21) and Sherburn’s Neil Voigt (20), not a single home run was hit in the series. The lone injury to report on is to Sherburn’s 27-year old RF Bert Helmer (.268/.329/.426, 11 HR, 50 RBI, 2.8 WAR). He suffered a broken elbow bone back on February 15 and is unavailable for the duration of the playoffs. 26-year old Tzu-yu Song (.265/.376/.387, 5 HR, 27 RBI, 0.6 WAR) has stepped in to the lineup to take his place. -------- Game 1 After what seemed like an interminably long delay, the series finally opened up at Kingston Park. Clear skies and warm sunshine were the order of the day. 27,162 packed the grandstands ready to cheer on their Pelicans to victory. It was the battle of aces, as Sherburn’s No. 1 starter RHP Jesús Chapa (19-13, 2.50 ERA, 1.22 WHIP) got the start, while Kingston responded with their No. 1 ace, LHP Patrick Denman (27-6, 2.29 ERA, 1.17 WHIP). Bottom of the 2nd: Brian Main leads off with a double and reaches 3B on a sac fly. Patrick Denman then helps his own cause by doubling in Main. With two out, Lance Haworth and Danny Trowbridge hit back-to-back singles scoring another run. With runners on the corners, Katsunan Chikafuji reaches base safely on an error (E6). That scores Haworth, putting the Pelicans up by three. Sherburn 0 – Kingston 3 Bottom of the 7th: Katsunan Chikafuji leads off with double. As Wen-huan Liu strikes out for the second out, Chikafuji steals 2B. But a throwing error (E2) on the play advances him to 3B. Brian Main then follows and reaches safely on an error (E5), allowing Chikafuji to score. In the top of the 9th inning, Denman gets both Robin Harney and Neil Voigt to fly out and then induces a 4-3 groundout from Jim List to end the game and preserve the shutout. FINAL: Sherburn 0 – Kingston 4 *Player of the Game:* Patrick Denman wins the first battle of the aces, going 9.0 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K (1-0, 0.00 ERA) For Sherburn: Jesús Chapa went 7.0 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 1 K (0-1, 2.57 ERA) -------- Game 2 Slightly cooler weather and partly cloudy skies greeted the teams for the second game. 27,131 fans were back to see if Kingston could take a 2-0 lead before the series shifted to Sherburn. Tigers’ No. 4 starter RHP Cris Herrera (11-7, 4.21 ERA, 1.42 WHIP) was given the task of squaring off with Kingston’s venerable RHP Joey Cumberledge (16-5, 3.43 ERA, 1.33 WHIP). Bottom of the 3rd: Chong-sik Lee leads off with a single. Thanks to a sac bunt, a 4-3 ground out and a passed ball, Lee is able to open the scoring for Kingston. Sherburn 0 – Kingston 1 Top of the 5th: Sherburn loads the bases with one out, thanks to a single, a walk and sac bunt where the runner at 3B is ruled safe. José Hernández then singles in a run and Sherburn is on the board for the first time in the Series. Sherburn 1 – Kingston 1 Top of the 8th: Neil Voigt leads off the inning and reaches safely on an error (E7), after RHP Charlie Gilbert comes into the game in relief of Joey Cumberledge. Back-to-back singles by Gavin Bansfield and PH Al Tucker load the bases. After Robin Harney grounds into a 4-2 fielder’s choice, Steve Joiner gives the Tigers the lead when he draws a walk. Sherburn scores their third run when Mack Tennison hits a deep sac fly to rightfield. In the bottom of the 9th, Brian Main leads off with a single. With one out, Jayden Tennant reaches safely on an error (E5), advancing Main to 3B. But back-to-back fly outs by Jamie Couch and Lance Haworth snuff out the threat, allowing the Tigers to tie up the Series at one game apiece. FINAL: Sherburn 3 – Kingston 1 *Player of the Game:* Cris Herrera pitches an impressive game, going 9.0 IP, 10 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 0 K (1-0, 0.00 ERA) For Kingston: Joey Cumberledge went 7.0 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K (0-0, 1.29 ERA) RHP Charlie Gilbert took the loss in relief, going 2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K (0-1, 4.50 ERA) -------- Game 3 The Paramount hosts its first playoff game since the 1937-38 season, with 25,158 excited fans hoping the Tigers can take advantage of the next three home games. The weather is certainly co-operating: clear blues skies and a balmy 77F. Kingston goes with 36-year old RHP Francis Slocock (10-12, 4.24 ERA, 1.49 WHIP), while Sherburn brings back their ace RHP Jesús Chapa, who started Game 1. Top of the 4th: Katsunan Chikafuji leads off with a first-pitch double and scores the game’s first run when Wen-huan Liu doubles him home with one out. After Chong-sik Lee is intentionally walked, a Francis Slocock double and Jamie Couch single score two more. Kingston 3 – Sherburn 0 Top of the 7th: After Jesús Chapa gets two quick outs, Kingston loads the bases thanks to a Danny Trowbridge single, a walk to Katsunan Chickafuji and a single to Dean Bishop. Wen-huan Liu then drives in all three runs, but is thrown out at 3B trying to stretch his double into a triple, ending the inning. In the bottom of the 9th, Robin Harney singles with one out, ending Francis Slocock’s day. RHP Luis Veláquez replaces him in relief and gives up a Steve Joiner single, putting runners on the corners. But Mack Tennison grounds into a 6-4-3 double play, snuffing out the rally and ending the game. Sherburn is shut out for the second time in the series. FINAL: Kingston 6 – Sherburn 0 *Player of the Game:* Wen-huan Liu goes 3-4 with 2-2B, 4 RBI, 1 R Francis Slocock wins it, going 8.1 IP, 9 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K (1-0, 0.00 ERA) For Sherburn: Jesús Chapa suffers another tough loss, going 8.0 IP, 12 H, 4 R, 6 ER, 2 BB, 4 K (0-2, 4.80 ERA) -------- Game 4 After being shut-out twice in three games, the Tigers look to Game 4 to even the series. 25,311 take in the proceedings that are once again played under clear, warm skies. A pair of aces takes the hill for their teams: Kingston’s LHP Patrick Denman, the winner of Game 1, and Sherburn’s Roberto Taváres (18-8, 3.49 ERA, 1.30 WHIP), who is making his first post-season appearance. Bottom of the 1st: Tzu-yu Song singles with one out and then steals 2B with two out. After Neil Voigt draws a walk, Jim List singles in Song putting Sherburn on the board. Kingston 0 – Sherburn 1 Top of the 2nd: Kingston gets aggressive on the basepaths when Wen-huan Liu doubles with one out. Brian Main follows with a single and reaches 2B when Liu races home with the tying run. Chong-sik Lee singles putting runners on the corners, then reaches 2B on a Patrick Denman sac bunt. Kingston then adds two runs thanks to a passed ball and a Jamie Couch single. Kingston 3 – Sherburn 1 Top of the 5th: After Lance Haworth leads off with a single, Danny Trowbridge then battles SP Roberto Taváves for 10 pitches, including five consecutive foul balls (2F). On the 11th pitch, Trowbridge doubles in Haworth. After Trowbridge reaches 3B on a ground out, Taváves throws a wild pitch, allowing Trowbridge to score. Kingston 5 – Sherburn 1 Bottom of the 9th: Sherburn loads the bases thanks to three consecutive singles by Tzu-yu Song, Robin Harney and Neil Voigt with one out. Jim List then hits a single of his own, scoring Song. But the game ends when PH Tony Blakeney strikes out and Steve Joiner hits into a fielder’s choice at 2B, giving Kingston a commanding 3 games to 1 lead in the series. FINAL: Kingston 5 – Sherburn 2 *Player of the Game:* Patrick Denman wins another battle of the aces, going 9.0 IP, 11 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 3 K (2-0, 1.00 ERA) For Sherburn: Roberto Taváves goes 8.0 IP, 11 H, 5 ER, 1 BB, 2 K (0-1, 5.63 ERA) Tzu-yu Song goes 3-5, 2 R. -------- Game 5 Sherburn’s home stand has not gone well after dropping the first two games at The Paramount. 25,213 brace themselves to see if the Tigers can force a game 6 and send the series back to Kingston. But first they need to win today to stay alive. It has cooled off just a little, with partly cloudy skies. Kingston’s RHP Joey Cumberledge gets his second start of the series, while Sherburn counters with LHP Daniel Pierson (12-10, 4.06 ERA, 1.44 WHIP), who is also making his first career post-season appearance. Top of the 1st: Jamie Couch leads off with a first pitch triple and scores on a Lance Haworth groundout. Kingston 1 – Sherburn 0 Top of the 2nd: Kingston puts runners on the corners when Brian Main leads off with a walk and Chong-sik Lee follows him with a single. After Joey Cumberledge’s sac bunt advances Lee to second, Brian Main comes into score on a 4-3 ground out by Jamie Couch. Kingston 2 – Sherburn 0 Bottom of the 4th: Neil Voigt singles with one out, but is thrown out at 2B when Gavin Bansfield hits into a fielder’s choice. Jim List and Robin Harney then come through with back-to-back singles, scoring Bansfield. Kingston 2 – Sherburn 1 Top of the 7th: Jamie Couch and Lance Haworth hit back-to-back singles, putting runners on the corners with one out. Danny Trowbridge then hits a sac fly to leftfield, scoring Couch. Kingston 3 – Sherburn 1 Top of the 9th: Daniel Pierson induces pop flies from Jamie Couch and Lance Haworth to get two quick outs. But three consecutive singles by Danny Trowbridge, Katsunan Chickafuji and Dean Bishop adds another run to Kingston’s lead and ends Pierson’s day. In the bottom of the 9th, Gavin Bansfield leads off with a walk and moves up to 2B on a Jim List single. The runners advance a base on a Robin Harney groundout. But pinch hitters Rio Gidley and Al Tucker each strike out swinging, ending the game and the series. FINAL: Kingston 4 – Sherburn 1 *Player of the Game:* Joey Cumberledge wins it for Kingston, going 7.0 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K (1-0, 1.29 ERA) Charlie Gilbert gets the save, going 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K (0-0, 2.25 ERA) For Sherburn: Daniel Pierson pitches valiantly, but the Pelicans prove just too much. He goes 8.2 IP, 11 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 3 K (0-1, 4.15 ERA) -------- __________________ United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 07-17-2017 at 04:13 PM.

01-11-2017, 06:21 PM	#318
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,919	Stratford Barons (87-68) vs. Kingston Pelicans (104-50) Season Matchup: 3-3 Stratford: Runs scored – 802 (2nd in EL); runs allowed – 633 (2nd) Kingston: Runs scored – 954 (1st in WL); runs allowed – 666 (1st) The 1945-46 United Cup sees a rematch of the 1940-41 Series, where Stratford prevailed over Kingston in six games for the Eastern League’s first championship. The Barons are returning after a 5-year absence, while the Pelicans are making their fourth consecutive appearance. While Kingston cruised to a first place finish in the West and dispatched the Sherburn Tigers in 5 games to capture their 7th pennant, Stratford did not capture first place in the East until winning the second tie-breaker game against the Embro Suns. But the Barons defeated the Suns in 5 games as well to win the Eastern League pennant and thus meet the Pelicans on equal footing. The 17-win difference between Kingston and Stratford is the largest for two teams meeting in the United Cup. But large gaps are not unusual; the previous three United Cups played between Kingston and the Brunswick Legends for example, saw differences of 16, 16 and 14 wins respectivley. But in all the previous eight United Cups, only one team with a worse regular season record has prevailed to win the Championship. That was the 1941-42 Brunswick Legends, who went 93-61 that season. They ‘upset’ the 94-60 Cambria Cannons. Thus the Barons have a formidable challenge ahead of them, if history holds any significance. As in the Eastern Pennant Series, Stratford will be without the services of RF Steven Winstanley (.304/.388/.471, 8 HR, 22 RBI, 1.9 WAR), who suffered a broken elbow bone back on December 1. Dan Hunter (.244/.330/.322, 2 HR, 27 RBI, 0.7 WAR) will continue to play in his stead. -------- Game 1 Kingston Park witnesses the start of yet another United Cup championship, as it has done so many times before. 27,281 are on hand to see how the Pelicans will handle their Eastern foes. Partly cloudy skies and a pleasant breeze blowing in from left to right set the scene for the Opening Game. A pair of lefties square off for the game. Stratford’s ace, LHP Joel Fearn, gets the start, while Kingston responds with their ace, LHP Patrick Denman. Both enter the series undefeated in the playoffs. Top of the 1st: Jake Walker reaches 1B safely on a fielder’s choice. Aaron Skidmore follows and battles Patrick Denman for nine pitches, finally smashing a full-count double deep to right-centerfield to score Walker. Stratford 1 – Kingston 0 Bottom of the 1st: Jamie Couch leads off and reaches 1B safely on an error (E7). He advances to 2B when Lance Hayworth is hit by a pitch. Danny Trowbridge follows with a single, scoring Couch. After Katsunan Chikafuji draws a walk to load the bases, Kingston takes the lead on a Dean Bishop sac fly to centerfield. Stratford 1 – Kingston 2 Top of the 2nd: Maurice Keyworth leads off with a single and reaches 2B on a ground out. Brad Mitchinson then singles Keyworth home to tie up the game. Stratford 2 – Kingston 2 Top of the 3rd: Dan Hunter leads off the inning with a solo home run to left field, returning the lead to Stratford. The Barons then take advantage of back-to-back fielding miscues, putting runners on the corners. Ricardo Castellanos then hits into a fielder’s choice at 2B, allowing another run to score. Stratford 4 – Kingston 2 Bottom of the 3rd: Danny Trowbridge hits a one-out solo home run, getting Kingston back to within one. Stratford 4 – Kingston 3 Bottom of the 5th: Patrick Denman leads off with a single, reaches 2B on a ground out and then 3B on a sac fly. Danny Trowbridge then slams his second home run of the game, 366 ft. to left field, giving the Pelicans a one-run lead. Stratford 4 – Kingston 5 Top of the 9th: Dan Hunter leads off with a triple and Aaron Skidmore draws a walk with one out. But Patrick Denman gets Don Adkins to strike out swinging and then induces a pop-up to 1B from Maurice Keyworth to snuff out the rally and preserve the win. Kingston draws first blood. FINAL: Stratford 4 – Kingston 5 *Player of the Game:* Danny Trowbridge goes 4-4, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R. Patrick Denman picks up his third win of the playoffs, going 9.0 IP, 11 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K (3-0, 1.67 ERA). *For Stratford:* Joel Fearn suffers his first loss, pitching 7.0 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 2 HR (1-1, 3.94 ERA). Dan Hunter went 3-5, 1 HR, 1-3B, 1 RBI, 1 R. -------- Game 2 The second game of the series is blessed with beautiful, clear skies and warm sunshine. The winds picked up a bit and were blowing out to right. 27,095 return to enjoy a pitching battle between two outstanding veterans: Stratford’s 37-year old LHP Ryan Borden (22-12, 3.67 ERA, 1.31 WHIP) and Kingston’s 36-year old Francis Slocock (10-12, 4.24 ERA, 1.49 WHIP). Bottom of the 2nd: Katsunan Chikafuji leads off with a first pitch triple. He is immediately followed by Wen-huan Liu, who singles him home for Kingston’s first run. Stratford 0 – Kingston 1 Bottom of the 6th: Kingston loads the bases with one out, thanks to a Danny Trowbridge double, an intentional walk to Katsunan Chikafuji and an unintentional walk to Dean Bishop. Wen-huan Liu then singles home both Trowbridge and Chikafuji. After Brian Main flies out to rightfield, Chong-sik Lee singles to score Bishop. Stratford 0 – Kingston 4 Top of the 9th: Stratford loads the bases with two out on a lead-off walk to Aaron Skidmore and singles by Maurice Keyworth and Brad Mitchinson. But PH Jamie Boatwright grounds out to 1B Dean Bishop to end the threat. Kingston blanks the Barons to take Game 2. FINAL: Stratford 0 – Kingston 4 *Player of the Game:* Francis Slocock earns the win and pitches in his second shut-out of the post-season, going 7.2 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K (2-0, 0.00 ERA). Charlie Gilbert picks up his second save of the playoffs, going 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, (1.69 ERA). Katsunan Chikafuji goes 2-3, 1-3B, 1-2B, 2 R, 1 BB. Wen-huan Liu goes 2-4, 2 RBI. *For Stratford:* Ryan Borden pitches 7.0 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 1 K (1-2, 4.89 ERA). -------- Game 3 The Series shifts to Bosworth Field in Stratford with the Barons down two games to none. 26,051 fans fill the stadium to cheer on their team to victory over a powerful Pelicans team in any way they can. The weather is cool but still pleasant under partly cloudy skies. It is a rematch of Game 1, with Kingston's LHP Patrick Denman looking for his fourth win, while Stratford's LHP Joel Fearn is looking to rebound from his first loss of the playoffs. Top of the 1st: After starting the game with two quick outs, Joel Fearn gives up a single to Danny Trowbridge. Katsunan Chikafuji follows with a two-run home run, 384 ft. to leftfield, as the Pelicans strike quickly. Kingston 2 – Stratford 0 Top of the 4th: Kingston adds to its lead when Wen-huan Liu leads off with a solo home run, 389 ft. to leftfield. Kingston 3 – Stratford 0 Bottom of the 4th: After cruising through the first three innings, Patrick Denman runs into some trouble in the fourth. Stratford loads the bases with one out thanks to three walks (and a passed ball thrown in for good measure). A Maurice Keyworth single and a Bart Wallwin sac fly score two runs. Denman's struggles continue when he commits a balk during Brad Mitchinson's at bat, advancing the runners. But after giving Mitchinson an intentional walk to load the bases, Denman gets Joel Fearn to fly out to rightfield to end the inning. Kingston 3 – Stratford 2 Bottom of the 7th: The Barons put runners on 1B and 2B with nobody out when Brad Mitchinson reaches 1B on an error (E6) and Joel Fearn lays down a sac bunt and reaches 1B safely. After Mitchinson is replaced at 2B by PR Stewart Cuthbertson, Roberto Ríos singles in Cuthbertson, tying up the game. Dan Hunter quickly follows with a sac bunt to advance the runners. That sets up Jake Walker, who doubles in both Fearn and Ríos, giving Stratford the lead. After Aaron Skidmore is intentionally walked, PH Don Adkins singles in Walker, giving the Barons a three-run lead. Kingston 3 – Stratford 6 Top of the 9th: PH Jayden Tennant singles with one out. But a ground-out by Jamie Couch and a fly out by Lance Haworth to rightfield ends the game and gives the Barons their first win of the series. FINAL: Kingston 3 – Stratford 6 *Player of the Game:* Joel Fearn gets back in the win column, going 9.0 IP, 9 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 K (2-1, 3.60 ERA). For Kingston: Patrick Denman suffers his first setback in the playoffs, going 8.0 IP, 6 H, 6 ER, 6 BB, 2 K (3-1, 2.83 ERA). Katsunan Chikafuji goes 3-4, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R. Danny Trowbridge went 2-3, 1 R, 1 BB. -------- Game 4 26,007 jubilant fans return to watch Game 4 as the Barons look to even up the series. The weather has warmed up nicely, with clear, sunny skies. It’s a perfect day for baseball. 35-year old RHP Joey Cumberledge (16-5, 3.43 ERA, 1.33 WHIP) gets his first start of the series, while Stratford counters with LHP Ryan Borden, who took the loss in Game 2. Top of the 2nd: Kingston puts runners on the corners to start the inning, thanks to a leadoff walk to Wen-huan Liu and a single by Brian Main. Chong-sik Lee follows with a single, scoring Liu. Two more singles by Jamie Couch and Danny Trowbridge scores two more runs before Borden can get out of the inning. Kingston 3 – Stratford 0 Bottom of the 2nd: Maurice Keyworth singles with one out. Keyworth quickly steals 2B, but a throwing error on the play allows him to reach 3B. After Brad Mitchinson draws a walk with two out, Ryan Borden comes through with a single to score Keyworth. Mitchinson attempts to reach 3B on the play but is thrown out to end the inning. Kingston 3 – Stratford 1 Bottom of the 3rd: The Barons put runners on 1B and 2B with one out when Dan Hunter draws a 4-pitch walk and Jake Walker is hit by a pitch. Aaron Skidmore then steps up and hits a line drive single to centerfield, scoring Hunter. Kingston 3 – Stratford 2 Bottom of the 4th: Brad Mitchinson crushes a solo home run, 447 ft. into the centerfield bleachers with one out, knotting the game up at three. Kingston 3 – Stratford 3 Top of the 7th: Kingston retakes the lead when Danny Trowbridge leads off with a solo home run, travelling 405 ft. into the leftfield bleachers. Three singles by Dean Bishop, Wen-huan Liu and Chong-sik Lee push across another run, giving the Pelicans a two-run lead. Kingston 5 – Stratford 3 Bottom of the 9th: Ricardo Castellanos leads off with a first-pitch single and advances to 3B when Maurice Keyworth reaches safely on an error (E5). Derek Sakurai follows with a single, scoring Castellanos. RHP Charlie Gilbert then enters the game in a double switch to relieve RHP Luis Velásquez (who relieved Joey Cumberledge in the 7th). But Brad Mitchinson singles in Keyworth tying the game up at 5-5. The next batter is PH Don Adkins, who slams Gilbert's first offering for a walk-off three run home run, landing 429 ft. into the raucous left-centerfield stands. FINAL: Kingston 5 – Stratford 8 *Player of the Game:* Brad Mitchinson goes 2-4, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB Ryan Borden doesn't figure in the decision, but he goes 7.0 IP, 13 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 2 K (1-2, 5.34 ERA) RHP Tom Mayor picks up the win, going 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K (1-0, 0.00 ERA) Don Adkins goes 1-1, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 R. For Kingston: Joey Cumberledge also doesn't figure into the decision. He went 6.0 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 2 K, 1 HR (1-0, 1.80 ERA) Luis Velásquez is hung with the loss: 2.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 0 K (0-1, 6.75 ERA) Charlie Gilbert is charged with a blown save: 0.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 1 HR (0-1, 5.06 ERA) Danny Trowbridge went 3-5, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 R Chong-sik Lee goes 2-3, 2 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB -------- Game 5 Stratford’s dramatic win in Game 4 has tied the series up at two-games apiece and handed Kingston their first back-to-back losses in the playoffs. 26,195 crowd the grandstands to see if the Barons can keep the momentum going and take the upper hand in the series. The weather has cooled off again, but it’s still pleasant with partly cloudy skies and a light breeze blowing out to left. RHP Francis Slocock, who earned the win back in Game 2 gets the start again for Kingston. RHP Bill Blair (15-12, 3.45 ERA, 1.16 WHIP) takes the hill for Stratford for the first time in the series. Bottom of the 1st: Dan Hunter reaches base on a fielder’s choice with one out. He is followed by Jake Walker, who smacks a triple deep into centerfield, scoring Stratford’s first run. After Aaron Skidmore draws a walk, Ricardo Castellanos scores Walker on a 4-6 fielder’s choice. Kingston 0 – Stratford 2 Bottom of the 3rd: Back-to-back doubles by Dan Hunter and Jake Walker and a single by Aaron Skidmore score two runs with nobody out. Ricardo Castellanos singles putting runners on 1B and 2B. After Maurice Keyworth grounds into a 5-4-3 double play, Bart Wallwin singles home Skidmore, giving the Barons a 5-run lead. Kingston 0 – Stratford 5 Top of the 6th: Danny Trowbridge leads off with a first pitch double and scores on a Dean Bishop single with one out. Kingston 1 – Stratford 5 Top of the 9th: The Pelicans load the bases with nobody out, thanks to two walks and an error. A second fielding error (E3) allows Jamie Couch to reach 1B safely and for Brian Main to score. But after Lance Haworth grounds into a 1-2-3 double play, Bill Blair get Danny Trowbridge to ground out (1-3), ending the game and giving Stratford the upper hand in the series. FINAL: Kingston 2 – Stratford 5 *Player of the Game:* Bill Blair goes the distance: 9.0 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 4 K (3-0, 2.16 ERA) Jake Walker goes 3-4, 1-2B, 1-3B, 2 RBI, 2 R Aaron Skidmore goes 1-2, 1 RBI, 1 R, 2 BB For Kingston: Francis Slocock suffers his first loss of the post-season: 6.0 IP, 9 H, 5 ER, 3 BB, 0 K, (2-1, 2.05 ERA) Jamie Couch went 3-5, 1-2B, 1 RBI -------- Game 6 The Kingston Pelicans find themselves in unfamiliar territory: with their backs against the wall and needing a win just to stay alive. Thus far, the home team has won each game, so the Pelicans are hoping that trend continues as the Series returns to Kingston. 27,191 fans at Kingston Park are hoping that continues as well. The heat has returned (78F) along with beautiful, clear skies. A gentle South Pacific breeze is blowing out to leftfield. It will be a rematch of Game 1: Stratford’s LHP Joel Fearn looks for his third win in the playoffs to wrap things up for the Barons, while Kingston is going with LHP Patrick Denman, who is looking to bounce back from his first playoff loss suffered in Game 3. Bottom of the 1st: Kingston strikes first when Lance Haworth hits a triple down the leftfield line with one out and scores on a Danny Trowbridge ground out. Stratford 0 – Kingston 1 Top of the 2nd: Aaron Skidmore draws a walk to lead things off, then advances to 2B on a Ricardo Castellanso ground out. After Maurice Keyworth singles to put runners on the corners, Bart Wallwin hits a sac fly to leftfield scoring Skidmore. Stratford 1 – Kingston 1 Top of the 5th: Maurice Keyworth leads off with a first-pitch single and then reaches 2B on a sac bunt by Bart Wallwin. With two out, Joel Fearn comes through with a single scoring Keyworth, giving Stratford the lead. Stratford 2 – Kingston 1 Top of the 8th: Joel Fearn leads off with a single; reaches 2B on a Roberto Ríos sac bunt and then advances to 3B on a Dan Hunter single. Jake Walker then draws a walk to load the bases. Aaron Skidmore follows, drawing another walk off of Denman, forcing in Stratford’s third run of the game. With the bases still loaded PH Don Adkins steps up to the plate. On a 2-1 pitch, Adkins smacks a GRAND SLAM home run 364 ft. into the leftfield bleachers, sending a dispiriting hush amongst the crowd. The Barons’ bench meanwhile, erupts in jubilation. Patrick Denman, bearing a stunned look on his face, finally lowers his head and makes the long, lonely walk back to the dugout as his day comes to an end. Stratford 7 – Kingston 1 Bottom of the 9th: Joel Fearn looks to finish what he started with the Pelicans down to their last three outs. Jamie Couch leads off but flies out to centerfield. Lance Hayworth singles, but is immediately picked off at 1B. Down to their final out, Danny Trowbridge swings meekly at Fearn’s first offering. But catcher Aaron Skidmore is able to get to the ball and throw Trowbridge out at 1B. That ends the game, the series and the season. The Barons win in impressive fashion, taking four straight from the mighty Pelicans, including the last one on the road, after dropping the first two games of the series. FINAL: Stratford 7 – Kingston 1 *Player of the Game:* Joel Fearn goes the distance and avenges his Game 1 loss to Denman with an outstanding performance: 9.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K (3-1, 2.91 ERA) Don Adkins hits is second dramatic home run of the series while coming off the bench. In Game 6, he went 1-1, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 1 R. Aaron Skidmore goes 2-2, 1-2B, 1 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB Maurice Keyworth went 3-3, 1 R, 1 BB For Kingston: It appears Patrick Denman simply ran out of steam, as he lost his last two starts of the series. On this day, he went 7.1 IP, 8 H, 7 ER, 4 BB, 3 K, 1 HR (3-2, 3.83 ERA). -------- For the second season in a row, the Most Valuable Player Award goes to a member of the losing team (and to a Kingston Pelican): __________________ United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 07-17-2017 at 04:17 PM.

01-11-2017, 07:51 PM	#319
Bottom Of The Sixth All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 1,255	Impressive Cup Series by Stratford. I "bet" the Las Vegas bookies loved this series! Last edited by Bottom Of The Sixth; 01-11-2017 at 07:58 PM.