 |
 Home | Webstore
|
|
Latest News:
OOTP 26 Available
- FHM 11 Available
- OOTP Go! Available
Out of the Park Baseball 26 Buy Now! |
|
|
||||
| ||||
02-20-2024, 07:41 AM
|
#821 |
|
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,896
|
 Queensland, Dunwich, Dec. 6 – General Managers and scouts from all 16 clubs took time out of their busy schedules to gather in downtown Queensland where the Waterfront Auditorium hosted the annual Amateur Draft. This is the second time Queensland has hosted the event and first since the 1941-42 season, 16 years ago. The teams converged to make their selections from among 160 prospects that hailed from 20 different countries. After weeks of scouting the young players, the teams arrived hopeful that their eventual selections would make a positive impact on their future fortunes. That impact, perhaps, could not be better illustrated than by the Downie Chiefs, who arrived in Queensland holding the first overall selection for the second time in their history. The Chiefs have a rather underwhelming record in their draft selections, which accounts for their poor showing, especially in recent seasons. But they ‘hit it out of the park’ in two consecutive drafts when they selected OF Alfonso León, 2nd overall in 1944-45 and IF Dominic Dudding, 3rd overall in 1945-46. Those two players anchored a team that made three straight playoff appearances and won the 1949-50 United Cup. 65-year-old GM Gareth Danior, who is in his first season as general manager of the Downie Chiefs, knows what’s at stake. “A successful draft is the foundation of any future success a club will have,” asserted Danior, who also helmed the Sherburn Tigers for 10 seasons, from 1941 to 1950. “There’s no getting around it. Drafting smartly not only applies to identifying and securing that franchise-transforming prospect but also adding that crucial depth that all teams need to sustain long-term success and the ability to weather injuries and other adversities that could derail a deep run in the playoffs. So, it’s critical that we do our homework and get it right. And for Downie, it starts now.” For Downie, it did indeed ‘start now’, as they were the first club on the clock, prepared to select that young, promising player as the first building block for a revitalized club, much as Alfonso León and Dominic Dudding were once upon a time. Following the Chiefs on the draft board will be the Fort Richmond Generals and the Kingston Pelicans. Amateur scouts throughout the United Leagues ranked the following players as the Top 10 picks for this year’s draft:  -------- Here is a brief overview of the 16 players taken in the first round: 1st Pick – Downie Chiefs:   OF Jon Berose (49/80) – 23-years old; 6’-0”, 185 lbs.; Bats LH/Throws LH. Status: CO Senior GM Gareth Danior made his way to the podium and announced that the Downie Chiefs selected the nearly major league-ready Jon Berose from Kingston. Berose was ranked 3rd overall by scouts heading into the draft. Berose projects to challenge for batting titles with his speed putting the infield into panic mode. His speed allows him to stretch his hits. He does a great job at the plate working the count and frustrating opposing pitchers. Berose has a high ceiling and low floor and can play as a center fielder in the league, with the potential to be one of the best. -------- 2nd Pick – Fort Richmond Generals:   OF Sami Michel (43/80) – 21-years old; 5’-9”, 160 lbs.; Bats LH/Throws LH. Status: CO Junior The Generals also went with an outfielder for their first pick, the Canadian-born Michel from Brandon, Manitoba. Michel, who was ranked 2nd overall heading into the draft, has shown the ability to utilize his tremendous speed to hit for an elite average. His blazing speed can help turn an out into a hit. He can put on a show in batting practice and as he develops, he has the power potential to impact the game. Michel has all the tools to develop into an elite center fielder. -------- 3rd Pick – Kingston Pelicans:   IF Ivar Nuyten (47/76) – 22-years old; 5’-9”, 160 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH. Status: Co Senior The Pelicans went with the top-ranked prospect who hails from the tiny Caribbean territory of Sint Maarten that is part of the Netherlands Antilles. Ivar Nuyten is a natural defender with very few nights off. He as above-average contact potential. He has a fluid swing and shows above average power potential. Nuyten has the potential to be one of the best shortstops in the league. -------- 4th Pick – Cambria Cannons:   P Derek Willday (54/80) – 22-years old; 6’-0”, 190 lbs.; Bats LH/Throws LH. Status: Co Junior The Cannons pick the highest-rated pitcher in the draft, Derek WIllday, who hails from the host city, Queensland. Willday’s three-pitch arsenal includes a lively cutter, a great changeup and a below-average fastball. His strike throwing ability and movement of his pitches will limit the long ball and he has the stuff to generate swings and misses. Willday has the making of a future ace. -------- 5th Pick – Wolseley Unions:   OF Carlton Monroe (31/68) – 22-years old; 5’-8”, 165 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH. Status: Co Junior The Unions go with a hometown outfielder, the Wolseley-born Carlton Monroe, who was rated 7th overall. Monroe has a great feel for the strike zone and knows when to lay off a bad pitch. He has improving pitch recognition and projects to have a .290 batting average. His raw strength and quick wrists should give him above average power. Monroe could develop into a productive regular on a contending team. -------- 6th Pick – Braeland City Monarchs:   IF Phillip White (27/48) – 21-years old; 6’-0”, 185 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH. Status: CO Junior Braeland City reaches out to Melbourne, for the Australian-born Phillip White. White will be a threat to swipe a base. He may not be an elite defensive second baseman, but he’s solidly above average. He should be solid at judging balls and strikes and is projected to draw 40 walks each year. White needs more seasoning against quality pitching before getting a shot in the majors. -------- 7th Pick – Hespeler Stars:   IF/OF Arthur Clack (20/67) – 19-years old; 6’-2”, 175 lbs.; Bats SH/Throws RH. Status: HS Senior The Stars also stick close to home, as they pick Arthur Clack from Hespeler. Clack shows plus contact ability which should translate into a solid batting average. Repetition and learning which pitches he can drive are essential to his development into an above average power hitter. He has good recognition of balls and strikes. Clack has good potential a very promising future. -------- 8th Pick – Embro Suns:   OF Craig Radford (39/67) – 22-years old; 5’-10”, 175 lbs.; Bats LH/Throws RH. Status: CO Senior The Embro Suns also nab a player from Hespeler in outfielder Craig Radford. Radford has plus-plus speed with advances instincts on the basepaths. He has a good swing. He won’t likely set records but could become a solid contact hitter. As he develops, he should be able to play the centerfield position at the next level. Radford is a centerfielder with plenty of tools and a lot of upside. He has the potential to be a first division starter. -------- 9th Pick – Balmoral Giants:   IF Sam Sato (34/54) – 22-years old; 5’-10”, 170 lbs.; Bats LH/Throws RH. Status: CO Senior The Giants go with the young Sam Sato from Brunswick. Sato is an above average runner. As a shortstop he should be able to provide above average defense. At maturity he should be a league average hitter with a .270 batting average. Sato is a worthwhile development project for a future role as a shortstop. -------- 10th Pick – Queensland Eagles:   IF/OF Edgar Rivera (29/61) – 21-years old; 6’-0”, 175 lbs.; Bats SH/Throws RH. Status: CO Junior Queensland selects the versatile Edgar Rivera from the Dominican Republic. Rivera projects to be able to consistently put the barrel of the bat on the ball. He should be able to provide above average defense as a shortstop. He projects to be a solid hitter with some pop. Rivera is an above average, everyday big-league player. -------- 11th Pick – Sherburn Tigers:   OF Garrick Walcott (44/63) – 22-years old; 5’-10”, 165 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH. Status: Co Junior The Tigers become the third team to pick a hometown player in Garrick Walcott. The Sherburn-born Walcott projects to be an elite hitter. His speed could allow him to be on the top base stealers in the league. He has good hands and makes difficult plays look easy. Walcott has the dynamic tools needed to make an impact in the majors. -------- 12th Pick – Stratford Barons:   OF Hal Wilson (32/67) – 21-years old; 5’-9”, 160 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH. Status: CO Junior Stratford nabs Hal Wilson from Renforth, Braeland. Wilson is projected to be a defensive marvel after he matures. He should eventually be an above average contact hitter in the big leagues. The power is more a projection right now, but he has above average power potential. Wilson looks like a potential regular in a key role at the big-league level. -------- 13th Pick – Wellington Athletics:   IF Kahua Aremana (24/50) – 21-years old; 5’-11”, 180 lbs.; Bats LH/Throws RH. Status: CO Junior Wellington selects Kahua Aremana from American Samoa. Aremana should be able to provide above average defense as a shortstop. Speed is a huge part of his game. He exercises very good patience at the plate. Aremana should be an average big leaguer. -------- 14th Pick – Pulberry Trolleys:   2B Lester Margerison (30/52) – 23-years old; 5’-10”, 170 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH. Status: CO Junior The trend of selecting home-grown talent continues as the Trolleys snag Lester Margerison from Pulberry. Margerison doesn’t get perfect reads, but his sheer speed lets him make up for it. He has the flexibility and conditioning to play above average defense. He should have a patient approach at the plate and will take a walk if he doesn’t get a pitch he likes. Margerison should be an average big leaguer. -------- 15th Pick – Cobourg Redlegs:   P/OF Akinori Umaba (20/70) – 19-years old; 6’-0”, 165 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH. Status: HS Senior Cobourg picks the Japanese-born Akinori and is the second pitcher taken in the first round. Umaba is a right-hander who can top out at 85-87 mph on the radar gun. He projects to throw a four-pitch mix that includes an above average sinker, an average forkball, an average slider and a changeup that he doesn’t use much. His pitches have plenty of movement that should help to keep the ball in the park. If everything comes together, Umaba has the talent to pitch at the top of the rotation. -------- 16th Pick – Brunswick Legends:   P/3B Martin López (20/54) – 18-years old; 5’-10”, 170 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH. Status: HS Senior The final selection in the first round is pitcher Martin López from Coral Gables, Florida. López should end up with an above average sinker as the best of his five pitches. His pitches have plenty of movement that should help to keep the ball in the park. López is projected to fit comfortably in the middle of a big-league rotation.
__________________
United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 02-20-2024 at 08:35 PM. |
|
|
|
02-20-2024, 12:05 PM
|
#822 | |
|
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,896
|
Quote:
__________________
United Leagues of Braeland |
|
|
|
|
|
02-21-2024, 05:49 PM
|
#823 |
|
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,896
|
December 31, 1957 - Snapshot
Here are the standings and leaderboards for both Leagues at the end of games on December 31: -----------    -----------    ----------- Here are the latest results of the All-Star voting for both Leagues (from January 5, 1958):  
__________________
United Leagues of Braeland |
|
|
|
|
02-24-2024, 12:26 AM
|
#824 |
|
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,521
|
Ten and a half up for the boys. Wow! Well, it's still very early, but I'll take it.
__________________
|
|
|
|
|
02-27-2024, 01:06 AM
|
#825 |
|
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,896
|
January 14, 1958
Eastern All-Stars Clobber the West in 10-1 Laugher  -------- Wolseley, Oxford (BP) – At first glance, the 1957-58 all-star game should have been an interesting one, with firepower and power pitching to spare on both squads. But when it was all over, the Eastern League All-Stars ran roughshod over an overmatched Western squad. Although both clubs went ‘3-up, 3-down’ four separate times, the Eastern All-Stars managed to cash in their chances much more effectively than the Western All-Stars, who ended up leaving 15 base runners stranded. For the first 2-1/2 innings, it looked as though the sellout crowd at Wolseley’s Satchel Paige Park would be treated to a low scoring affair with the pitchers limiting the offense to one hit – a one-out double by Sherburn’s 3B Adrian Flynn off Stratford’s LHP Robin Wadsworth. The West, in fact, got on the board first in the bottom of the 3rd. Sherburn’s SS Dwayne Vick singled off Embro’s close Rob Gladstone with one out. Cambria’s 2B Doug Martin then lined a double into rightfield, bringing home Vick for the West’s only run. After that, the East took over. In the top of the 4th, Pulberry’s manager Ryo Ichikawa made a curious move by bringing in Sherburn’s reliever RHP Callum Benstead, despite his 0-1, 6.03 ERA, 1.54 WHIP record on the season and plenty of better options in the bullpen. As expected, it did not go well. After walking Queensland’s 3B Apia Yarrah to lead off, Braeland City’s RF Aidan Trembath roped a liner into deep right-center for a double, scoring Yarrah to tie things up. Next up was Cobourg’s CF Raymond Williams, who slammed a Benstead’s 92 mph fastball 386 ft. into the rightfield bleachers for a 2-run homer. But the East was not done. After Embro’s 1B Damien Whetter singled with one out, Brunswick’s C Robert Kersey scorched Benstead’s 75 mph change-up for a 2-out, 2-run home run of his own that landed 448 ft. deep in the centerfield stands, pushing the score to 5-1. In the top of the 5th, the East added two more runs, thanks again to Raymond Williams’ bat. With Stratford’s CF Alfonso León on first and facing Pulberry’s RHP Robin Medellin with two out, Williams smashed Medellin’s 86 mph forkball 408 ft. into the rightfield bleachers. The East would round out the scoring with two more runs in the top 8th thanks to Embro’s C Gareth Mawle’s two-run, two out double and a final run in the top of the 9th when Downie’s 2B Dominic Dudding singled home Cobourg’s LF Nihopalaoa Neho from second. For his heroics, Raymond Williams won his second All-Star game MVP award after first winning it back in 1950-51. He becomes the second player to win two MVP awards, after Brunswick’s Stuart Bentham (1942-43, 1947-48). With the victory the Eastern All-Stars have triumphed in back-to-back All-Star games and have won 7 of the last 9 All-Star games. They now lead the head-to-head matchup, 13-8. -------- Here is the game summary as well as the complete All-Star rosters:    
__________________
United Leagues of Braeland |
|
|
|
|
03-01-2024, 12:15 PM
|
#826 |
|
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,896
|
January 15, 1958 - Snapshot
Here is a snapshot of the Leagues at the All-Star break with an updated Top Farm Systems Ranking: -----------    -----------    ----------- 
__________________
United Leagues of Braeland |
|
|
|
|
03-01-2024, 01:02 PM
|
#827 |
|
All Star Starter
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Land of Lincoln
Posts: 1,253
|
Long live the United Leagues of Braeland
 |
|
|
|
|
05-05-2024, 10:58 PM
|
#828 |
|
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,896
|
February 1, 1958
Eastern League: Eagles Surge to Take Top Spot in Tight East    --------   The Queensland Eagles proved that their strong start in October & November was no fluke as they kept up the pace in December and then really turned it on in late January, going on a 9-game winning streak and finishing the month 12-4 after the All-Star break to take over top spot in the East. But the playoff race remains tight as the top four teams are all within four games of first place. Overall, both the offense and pitching are nicely balanced, giving the Eagles a solid hope of making the playoffs for the first time in 11 seasons. The offense is led by the players batting out of the Nos. 1 through 4 spots in the lineup: leadoff hitter 24-year old RF Hal Dhu (.272/.347/.426, 13 HR, 41 RBI, 45 BB, 12 SB, 1.4 WAR), 28-year old 3B Apia Yarrah (.305/.361/.458, 15 HR, 51 RBI, 34 BB, 6 SB, 3.6 WAR), 25-year old 2B Dennis Purcell (.324/.415/.500, 15 HR, 55 RBI, 51 BB, 6 SB, 4.8 WAR) and 31-year old LF Rod Dennis (.349/.422/.637, 26 HR, 74 HR, 46 BB, 4.1 WAR). Dennis and Purcell in particular are enjoying outstanding seasons. While Dennis won his second Batter of the Month honour this season in December (and his fourth overall), Purcell won his first in January. Their power game has really come alive, with Dennis belting 16 homers in December/January while Purcell hit 8 homers in January, one more than he hit in the first three months combined. Queensland’s rotation is still anchored by their top two starters: 32-year old RHP Logan Belsey (12-7, 2.67 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 2.11 FIP, 140 ERA+) and 30-year old RHP Stiofan Micklethwait (15-5, 1.78 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 2.44 FIP, 210 ERA+). Micklethwait has been arguably the United Leagues’ best pitcher over the past two months, going 9-2, 0.85 ERA, 0.87 WHIP over that stretch. He surrendered just one earned run in 50.2 IP in December. The rest of the pitching staff has been rather lackluster, creating some concern on how long the Eagles can keep up their torrid pace. However, their No. 5 starter, 31-year old RHP Danilo Narvaez (10-3, 3.19 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 3.74 FIP, 118 ERA+), is quietly putting together a fine season, his first with the Eagles after seven seasons with the Braeland City Monarchs. All-Star Selections: SP Logan Belsey (7th) SP Stiofan Micklethwait (4th) 2B Dennis Purcell (2nd) 3B Apia Yarrah (2nd) LF Rod Dennis (7th) Player of the Week Awards: December 9 – LF Rod Dennis (.435, 10 H, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 3 R) December 30 – LF Rod Dennis (.400, 10 H, 5 HR, 11 RBI) January 27 – 2B Dennis Purcell (.577, 15 H, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 5 R) Noteworthy: December 31 – The Queensland Eagles took 2 of 3 from the Brunswick Legends, with two of the games going into extras. But Game 2 saw a dominant pitching performance from RHP Stiofan Micklethwait who blanked the Legends, 6-0 on 2 hits. After LF Carl Patton reached based on a throwing error by 3B Apia Yarrah to lead off the game, Micklethwait kept the Legends off the bases until the 6th inning, when RHP Dave Ball singled with two out. In all, Micklethwait went 9.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 110 PI, GS: 87. January 8 – Not to be outdone, RHP Logan Belsey threw a 2-hitter of his own, this time against the Braeland City Monarchs. After dropping the first two games of the series, Queensland salvaged a win thanks to their ace. Ironically, the Eagles allowed a baserunner in the first inning due to another throwing error by 3B Apia Yarrah. The Monarchs’ first hit came courtesy of their starter as well, a one-out single by LHP Charlie Honeysett in the 3rd inning. Belsey’s final line was 9.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 5 BB, 5 K, 132 PI, GS: 83. The lone run of the game came in the bottom of the 8th, when 31-year old 1B Ryan Conisford (.240/.317/.381, 12 HR, 46 RBI, 44 BB, 1.0 WAR) launched a one-out solo home run 376 ft. down the left field line off Honeysett. --------   The Stratford Barons kept rolling along over the past two months, particularly in December when sat on top in the East to end the calendar year. Like Queensland, the Barons are benefiting from strong performances at the plate and on the mound. One thing that could derail them is injuries, as they lost one of their top players, 32-year old CF Alfonso León (.304/.370/.466, 11 HR, 49 RBI, 38 BB, 3.8 WAR), to injury for several weeks. The Barons are relying on a few key players to carry the offense as well, so they remain vulnerable to a late-season swoon if their top players begin to falter. The offense is led by 29-year old 2B Matthew Channing (.303/.358/.515, 14 HR, 69 RBI, 31 BB, 11 SB, 5.3 WAR), who has gotten stronger as the season has worn on. Besides Channing and León, the offense is supported by 26-year old SS Callum Spalton (.304/.351/.543, 11 HR, 43 RBI, 16 BB, 3.7 WAR). But there is a bit of a drop off after them. The rotation is very solid, especially starters 1 through 4. Led by 29-year old LHP Robin Wadsworth (12-3, 2.80 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 3.02 FIP, 135 ERA+), the rotation also includes 30-year old RHP Ted Smith (12-7, 3.13 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 3.68 FIP, 113 ERA+), 30-year old RHP Joseph Sellwood (12-7, 3.39 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 3.22 FIP, 112 ERA+) and 31-year old RHP Bill Wolf (10-9, 3.53 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 3.39 FIP, 107 ERA+). Another positive sign is that the bullpen saw more consistency over the past two months, led by 33-year old RHP stopper José Rodríguez (8-3, 12 SV, 2.08 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 1.41 FIP, 182 ERA+) and an improving 34-year old RHP reliever Bill Lafontaine (1-2, 2.91 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 5.00 FIP, 130 ERA+). All-Star Selections: SP Joseph Sellwood (2nd) SP Robin Wadsworth (4th) ST José Rodríguez (7th) C Aaron Skidmore (16th) 2B Matthew Channing (5th) SS Callum Spalton (3rd) CF Alfonso León (11th) Player of the Week Awards: December 16 – CF Alfonso León (.500, 12 H, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 5 R) January 6 – 2B Matthew Channing (.471, 8 H, 4 RBI, 1 R) Noteworthy: December 6 – While the Barons swept their 3-game series against the Wolseley Unions, the highlight came in the first game when CF Alfonso León became the 16th player in United Leagues history to reach 2000 career hits. He accomplished it on his 5th at-bat when he doubled off RHP Callum Hyde with one out in the bottom of the 8th. It was one of 6 doubles that the Barons cranked out in the game. In all, he went 1 for 5 with 1 R in Stratford’s 8-1 victory. December 21 – Although Stratford took both games from the visiting Downie Chiefs, it was not easy. In the second game, the Barons were down 3-0 early before rallying in the 8th for a 4-3 win. But the first game saw a tremendous pitching performance by Robin Wadsworth who went the distance in the Barons’ 10-inning, 1-0 victory, pitching a 2-hitter. Wadsworth was perfect until the 4th inning when RF Ewan Komaki singled with one out. In all, Wadsworth went 10.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 K, 115 PI, GS: 94. It represents the top pitching performance in the United Leagues this season thus far. The winning run came in the bottom of the 10th, when 1B Sherwin Carasig hit a first pitch double off RHP Frank Greggs, driving home C Aaron Skidmore all the way from first. --------   Just a few seasons back, the Cobourg Redlegs were an offensive juggernaut in search of a steady pitching staff. Today, they are a team with a strong rotation with major holes on offense. Until they can get both firing on all cylinders at the same time, they will continue to struggle with consistency. They are still very much in the mix for a playoff spot, but their once dominant lineup is now holding them back from dominating the East. The lion’s share of the offense is provided by just two players: 31-year old CF Raymond Williams (.333/.405/.604, 22 HR, 69 RBI, 44 BB, 5 SB, 5.0 WAR), their 3-time Babe Ruth Award winner, and 26-year old SS Douglas Jones (.289/.371/.480, 15 HR, 41 RBI, 38 BB, 3.9 WAR). Both have gotten stronger as the season has worn on. 25-year old lead-off hitter LF Nihopalaoa Neho (.253/.358/.441, 13 HR, 43 RBI, 47 BB, 9 SB, 2.2 WAR) and 32-year old 1B Harry Doxey (.287/.343/.440, 10 HR, 49 RBI, 26 BB, 1.1 WAR) have also contributed, although Neho slumped badly in January (.180/.260/.270). The rest of the lineup has been sluggish. On the other hand, the rotation has been perhaps the strongest a Cobourg team has ever seen. Led by 29-year old LHP Bill Budd (11-9, 3.11 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 2.85 FIP, 123 ERA+), the rotation also has the outstanding 24-year old RHP Albert Johnson (14-6, 2.25 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 2.99 FIP, 169 ERA) as well as 21-year old RHP Lester Bell (1-2, 1 SV, 3.52 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 5.11 FIP, 108 ERA+), 23-year old LHP Lachlan Lloyd (10-3, 3.51 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 3.48 FIP, 109 ERA+) and 25-year old RHP Maurice Foley (9-6, 3.40 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 3.72 FIP, 112 ERA+). All-Star Selections: SP Bill Budd (5th) SP Albert Johnson (1st) SS Douglas Jones (2nd) LF Nihopalaoa Neho (1st) CF Raymond Williams (11th) Key Trade No. 1: January 26 with the Balmoral Giants: To Cobourg – 32-year old RHP Rodrigo González (49/49) To Balmoral – 22-year old minor league C Stuart Haydock (28/42) Knee-jerk reaction: The Redlegs make a move to try and strengthen their bullpen, which is rated 5th in the East by acquiring the long-time Giant, Rodrigo González. Originally a starter who was drafted in the 7th round back in 1944-45, González’s best season was in 1950-51 when he won 21 games and came in 4th in the Western League Satchel Paige Award voting. The 4-time all-star is now a reliever with still elite control who served as Balmoral’s stopper this season. In fact, he is second overall in the ULB in saves (14), one fewer than Cobourg’s current stopper, 28-year old RHP Brian McDaniel (5-4, 15 SV, 3.58 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 3.68 FIP, 107 ERA+). The Giants receive a young catcher in Haydock, an 8th-round pick from 1956-57. Haydock has some power and hitting ability and catching ability but a poor throwing arm. He will be little more than an injury replacement in the majors. But after trading González, Balmoral has moved their pitching prospect, 21-year old RHP Ashley Tazewell (3-5, 1 SV, 5.09 ERA, 1.65 WHIP, 3.87 FIP, 74 ERA+ - 47/72) into the stopper role from the rotation.   Key Trade No. 2: January 29 with the Kingston Pelicans: To Cobourg – 30-year old 3B Mark Johnson (54/54) To Kingston – 23-year old minor league RF Malcom Wise (48/48) and 23-year old minor league RHP Gael Tuck (21/24) Knee-jerk reaction: Cobourg makes a move to shore up another weak spot, this time at the hot corner. 8-time all star, 36-year old Alexander Tolmie (.270/.288/.349, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 2 BB, -0.1 WAR) is no longer the player he once was and his initial replacement, 25-year old Harold Prudom (.202/.288/.333, 11 HR, 37 RBI, 35 BB, 0.7 WAR), was regressing severely from last season. Enter Johnson, who is considered an above-average third baseman in the United Leagues. He is a strong defender with a good eye and power. But his work ethic is a question mark. He immediately takes over 3B and will bat out the No. 7 spot. The Pelicans receive Wise, a former 1st-round pick from 1952-53. Wise has considerable offensive skills, averaging close to 60/60 across the board. He is viewed as capable of hitting over .300 with considerable power and excellent strike-zone judgment. Only his defense is below average. For now, he is buried in the depth chart, but he could find a home at either corner outfield spot. But it appears that Johnson was viewed as expendable by Kingston since they already have a promising third baseman in 25-year old Andy Wearne (.356/.414/.475, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 10 BB, 1.3 WAR – 54/58) who is ready to start. Wearne, a 3rd-round pick from 1950-51, is an outstanding defensive infielder with steady contact and good strike-zone judgement. He will bat out of the No. 7 spot as well for Kingston.   --------   The Wellington Athletics are a middle-of-the-road team that continues to remain within striking distance of a playoff spot. A strong January helped them to remain just 4 games back of first place. But they continue to mismanage one of their best starting pitchers in my estimation: RHP Baskin Arncaple (11-7, 3.33 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 3.79 FIP, 112 ERA+ - 50/58). The 24-year old sophomore was demoted to Triple-A in late January when Wellington acquired another starting pitcher (see below). While there are questions about his work ethic and potential struggles against LH hitters, he has done nothing deserving of a demotion that I can see. Until he struggles getting the job done, he deserves his spot in the rotation (which was the No. 1 spot before the trade). Although his performance is not approaching the stratospheric heights of last season, 30-year old LF Matthew Floyd (.326/.401/.518, 17 HR, 54 RBI, 46 BB, 8 SB, 4.2 WAR) is still one of the best players in the United Leagues. He is supported by 25-year old CF Greg Yates (.293/.364/.448, 8 HR, 48 RBI, 43 BB, 3.3 WAR) and 30-year old 1B Wayne Emmert (.318/.394/.434, 7 HR, 43 RBI, 36 RBI, 2.5 WAR). Interestingly, 30-year old C Declan Bugbie (.346/.378/.463, 5 HR, 19 RBI, 9 BB, 2.0 WAR) has taken over starting duties from an apparently struggling 31-year old Carlos Camasura (.214/.356/.273, 1 HR, 24 RBI, 52 BB, 1.1 WAR), who Wellington acquired from Kingston nearly two years ago. But with the exception of 22-year old sophomore RF Wan-hua Gu (.286/.315/.452, 13 HR, 37 RBI, 12 BB, 6 SB, 1.7 WAR - 59/68), who they acquired from the Fort Richmond Generals in May 1956, the lineup is rather weak. The pitching has its concerns as well, but as previously discussed, the Athletics are shooting themselves in the foot by not putting their best starters on the mound. Besides the recently demoted Arncaple, only 32-year old RHP Kazunori Fujimoto (7-3, 2.64 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 3.62 FIP, 141 ERA+) has been pitching effectively. In the bullpen, only two pitchers are pitching consistently as well: 24-year old stopper RHP Christian Wiley (10-2, 14 SV, 2.12 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 2.54 FIP, 176 ERA+) and 35-year old RHP Finlay Capstick (0-0, 3.06 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 3.87 FIP, 122 ERA+). All-Star Selections: ST Christian Wiley (1st) LF Matthew Floyd (7th) CF Greg Yates (2nd) Noteworthy: January 16 – Fresh from the All-Star break, the Athletics opened their four-game set against the Braeland City Monarchs with an 8-0 victory. The player of the game was Baskin Arncaple who pitched a 2-hitter. Both hits he surrendered were singles. For his part, Arncaple went 2 for 4 at the plate with two singles and two runs. On the mound, he went 9.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, 113 PI, GS: 85. The game was broken wide open in the 3rd inning, when 25-year old CF Greg Yates (.293/.364/.448, 8 HR, 48 RBI, 43 BB, 3.3 WAR) belted a two-out, three-run home run, making the score 4-0 at that point. Key Trade: January 25 with the Brunswick Legends: To Wellington – 30-year old RHP Mhelter Pilapil (52/52) To Brunswick – 20-year old minor league RF Luke Langworthy (20/39) Knee-jerk reaction: A head-scratcher for a couple of reasons, but not with Mhelter Pilapil himself. The 10-year veteran is a serviceable pitcher whose greatest strength is above average movement (60/60) and keeping the ball in the park. He is a one-time all-star who is viewed by scouts as a back end of the rotation starter. But with Wellington he has moved into the No. 1 spot, replacing RHP Baskin Arncaple (50/58) who has inexplicably been demoted to Triple-A despite being the Athletics’ top pitcher. In return, the Legends receive the young Langworthy, a former 7th-round pick from 1955-56. The 6’-3” outfielder has some skill at the plate and in the field, but nothing that would project him to one day be a starter in the ULB. With the departure of Pilapil, Brunswick is obviously committing itself to its three young starters: 25-year old RHP Dave Ball (50/55), 23-year old RHP Rio Hanscombe (49/64) and 21-year old LHP Randy Goodwin (47/54).  --------   The Braeland City Monarchs continue to meander along as a just below .500 team – not awful, but neither a playoff contender as well. Although they have some young talent going through some growing pains, it appears the Monarchs will need further reinforcements if they want to return to the playoffs, which appears they’ll miss for the fifth straight season. Those reinforcements will mostly likely come from future amateur drafts. That will be a shame because once those future prospects start making an impact at the major league level, 32-year old 2B Patrick Lidgate (.282/.378/.497, 14 HR, 50 RBI, 50 BB, 4 SB, 4.8 WAR), one of the top players in the league, will be long past his prime. Besides Lidgate, 1B Dean Witherden (.306/.355/.532, 20 HR, 67 RBI, 26 BB, 2.6 WAR) has been producing at a high level. But at age 34, one wonders how much longer he can maintain it. Besides Witherden, 27-year old RF Aidan Trembath (.305/.344/.453, 14 HR, 50 RBI, 25 BB, 2.2 WAR) and 28-year old LF Hayden Goodale (.252/.324/.466, 20 HR, 63 RBI, 42 BB, 2.4 WAR) have also provided offensive support. 22-year CF Bernard Burkitt (.261/.298/.384, 5 HR, 45 RBI, 16 BB, 6 SB, 3.3 WAR) is still growing at the plate. While he is tied for the lead for triples in East (9), he is also tied for the lead in strikeouts among active players in the East (70). His defense remains jaw-dropping (.990 PCT, 4.16 RNG, +19.8 ZR, 1.078 EFF). The pitching staff is really struggling right now. Having said that, 31-year old LHP Larry Kovnats (12-7, 3.20 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 3.49 FIP, 120 ERA+) is enjoying the best season of his 10-year career, earning his first all-star selection. 21-year old sophomore LHP Charlie Honeysett (5-2, 3.52 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 3.61 FIP, 109 ERA+) meanwhile, is in the process of getting acclimated to the majors. The two standouts in the bullpen have been 24-year old sophomore RHP Jonathan Brookins (7-4, 8 SV, 2.91 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 3.37FIP, 132 ERA+) and 27-year old RHP Clive Howard (1-1, 2 SV, 2.76 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 3.18 FIP, 139 ERA+). All-Star Selections: SP Larry Kovnats (1st) 1B Dean Witherden (8th) 2B Patrick Lidgate (9th) LF Hayden Goodale (4th) RF Aidan Trembeth (6th) Player of the Week Awards: January 13 – RF Aidan Trembath (.379, 11 H, 2 HR, 6 RBI) Noteworthy: January 10 – RF Aidan Trembath completed the 35th Cycle in United Leagues history in the Monarchs 13-1 trouncing over the visiting Embro Suns. Trembath doubled in the 1st, hit an RBI single in the 2nd, hit an RBI triple in the 4th and hit a solo-shot off RHP Phil McKelvey in the 5th. In all, he went 4 for 4 with 3 R and 3 RBI. Trembath is the 4th Monarch to hit for the cycle and the first since Adam Ashley accomplished it way back in December 1939, over 18 years ago.  --------   Its official – the Brunswick Legends have thrown in the towel. After winning 97 games and reaching the United Cup finals last season, the Legends have deemed that accomplishment a fluke and are now in full-blown rebuild mode. That became evident when they traded their franchise player, 29-year old C Robert Kersey (.275/.350/.441, 14 HR, 45 RBI, 40 BB, 3.1 WAR) on January 21 to the Sherburn Tigers (more on that move in the Western League report). Four days later, they traded their No. 2 starter, 30-year old RHP Mhelter Pilapil to Wellington. What remains is not pretty. 36-year old 3B Jorge Arrendondo (.264/.350/423, 11 HR, 46 RBI, 52 BB, 3.0 WAR) and 27-year old RF Jay Mitchell (.282/.354/.455, 11 HR, 39 RBI, 31 BB, 1.6 WAR) are the only two productive players in the lineup. As a result of the recent trades, the rotation currently in flux as well. Only No. 4 starter, 21-year old rookie LHP Randy Goodwin (5-2, 2.51 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 3.53 FIP, 153 ERA+) is enjoying some success. In the bullpen, 36-year old stopper RHP Lao Chen (4-2, 11 SV, 2.01 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 2.10 FIP, 191 ERA+) and 28-year old LHP Ron Killingworth (2-0, 2 SV, 1.93 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 2.69 FIP, 198 ERA+) have been outstanding. All-Star Selections: C Robert Kersey (7th) 3B Jorge Arredondo (4th) --------   If wins and losses were solely determined by offense, the Embro Suns would be near the top of the standings in the East. Alas, teams still need a reliable pitching staff to contend, and the Suns don’t have it. Their farm system is devoid of pitching prospects as well. Embro’s neglect of their pitching needs has been a trend for the past several seasons and until they address it, they will continue to be a second-division squad. That neglect and lack of urgency is a shame because Embro actually has an impressive lineup, one of the most productive in the United Leagues. 24-year old 1B Damien Whetter (.304/.389/.534, 18 HR, 52 RBI, 46 BB, 3.6 WAR) and 28-year old LF Jesús Abreu (.289/.389/.504, 22 HR, 59 RBI, 60 BB, 3.5 WAR) comprise a powerful 1-2 punch in the heart of the lineup. They are ably supported by 27-year old SS Kieron Bradridge (.301/.336/.443, 10 HR, 35 RBI, 20 BB, 3.7 WAR) and 29-year old C Gareth Mawle (.313/.369/.486, 6 HR, 42 RBI, 22 BB, 2.6 WAR). On the other hand, 29-year old 3B Moromao Nakagawa (.253/.319/.403, 14 HR, 66 RBI, 37 BB, 1.8 WAR) has been struggling since he batted .344/.404/.544 in October. He is rated at 70/70, so he should still have plenty left in the tank. As mentioned, the pitching staff is an unmitigated disaster. Only No. 4 starter, 28-year old RHP Alastair Hahn (3-5, 3.20 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 3.33 FIP, 119 ERA+) and 27-year old stopper RHP Rob Gladstone (4-4, 13 SV, 1.88 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 3.04 FIP, 202 ERA+) have been competent. Losing No. 1 starter, 30-year old RHP Bradley Strawson (9-5, 3.72 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 3.24 FIP, 102 ERA+) to injury has not helped matters either. All-Star Selections: ST Rob Gladstone (3rd) C Gareth Mawle (3rd) 1B Damien Whetter (1st) SS Kieron Bradridge (3rd) LF Jesús Abreu (3rd) Player of the Week Awards: December 2 – LF Jesús Abreu (.440, 11 H, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 9 R) December 23 – C Gareth Mawle (.474, 9 H, 1 HR, 6 RBI) Noteworthy: December 17 – The visiting Suns took two of three from the Sherburn Tigers, winning the first game 8-4, then throttling them 16-5 on 19 hits in the second. SS Kieron Bradridge went 5 for 6 on the afternoon, collecting three singles, two doubles and 3 runs. Embro erupted in the top of the first, scoring 5 runs. That inning included a 3-run home run from C Gareth Mawle off LHP Brendan Wombwell. January 22 – Embro swept the visiting Braeland City Monarchs, outscoring them 30-15 over the 3-game series. In the third game, the Suns blasted the Monarchs 17-9 on 19 hits. Sparking the Suns to victory was C Gareth Mawle who went 5 for 6. Mawle doubled in the 3rd, hit a 3-run home off RHP Clive Howard in the 4th, singled in the 6th, hit a 2-run double in the 7th and finally hit an RBI double in the 8th. He collected 3 R and 6 RBI. His performance is currently ranked as the top offensive effort this season with a score of 104. --------   The Downie Chiefs ‘earned’ this season’s top draft pick and have a good chance at making the top pick next season. But a stronger than expected January has actually put them into a tie with the Fort Richmond Generals for the worst record in the ULB. Either way, they will be picking high in the draft for the foreseeable future. Their farm system is now ranked 2nd overall, but that talent is still mostly in Double-A. On the other hand, their first overall pick from this season, the No. 1 ranked prospect 23-year old CF Jon Berose (.394/.473/.596, 4 HR, 32 RBI, 29 BB, 28 SB, 189 wRC+, 3.2 WAR – 49/80), is tearing up Double-A and expects to be playing in the majors right now. He is making a strong case, that’s for sure. He has an incredible work ethic and can play anywhere in the outfield and will probably win awards doing so. But at the major league level, fans only have their 11-time all-star, 32-year old 2B Dominic Dudding (.304/.374/.484, 11 HR, 44 RBI, 30 BB, 3.0 WAR) and 29-year old 1B Louie Revill (.287/.339/.466, 14 HR, 46 RBI, 30 BB, 2.4 WAR) giving them something to cheer for when at the plate. 31-year old Connor Bing (.319/.387/.638, 8 HR, 20 RBI, 11 BB, 1.7 WAR) has actually been productive this year when he gets in the lineup, but the Chiefs have elected to give 26-year old Ewan Komaki (.188/.246/.348, 11 HR, 32 RBI, 25 BB, 3 SB, -0.5 WAR) the bulk of the starts in rightfield instead. On the pitching side of the equation, Downie has made a curious move. The Chiefs demoted 26-year old LHP José Hernández (5-6, 2.47 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 4.22 FIP, 151 ERA+) at the end of December, despite being one of their few competent pitchers. For now, 26-year old RHP Stefan Rankin (7-10, 3.29 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 3.52 FIP, 107 ERA+), 23-year old stopper RHP Frank Greggs (3-6, 2.96 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 3.56 FIP, 126 ERA+) and a surprising 25-year old rookie RHP Colm Loveybond (2-2, 2.82 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 3.58 FIP, 132 ERA+ - 32/32) are pitching with any degree of effectiveness. All-Star Selections: 1B Louie Revill (2nd) 2B Dominic Dudding (11th) Player of the Week Awards: January 20 – 2B Dominic Dudding (.533, 8 H, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 3 R) --------    
__________________
United Leagues of Braeland |
|
|
|
|
05-30-2024, 03:43 PM
|
#829 | |
|
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,896
|
Quote:
__________________
United Leagues of Braeland |
|
|
|
|
|
05-30-2024, 04:01 PM
|
#830 |
|
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,896
|
February 1, 1958
Western League: Tigers, Cannons Playing Catch-Up    --------   Although the Pulberry Trolleys cooled off just a little bit in January after their torrid start, they remain comfortably in the driver’s seat for first place in the East. That despite an injury to their starting centerfielder, 30-year old Cooper Tyson (.287/.355/.434, 5 HR, 23 RBI, 27 BB, 10 SB, 120 OPS+, 2.9 WAR), who suffered a bone spur in his elbow in late December that has put him on the sidelines for six weeks. His is currently on rehab assignment in Triple-A and is expected back in another week. But a couple of the youngsters have filled in quite nicely. 22-year old CF Joe Riding (.246/.319/.442, 12 HR, 49 RBI, 33 BB, 4 SB, 111 OPS+, 2.1 WAR – 49/64) is showing his promise, especially with his power game and defense – although he needs to cut down on his strikeouts (2nd in the West with 86). Meanwhile, 29-year old 2B Yoshimi Sekozawa (.283/.362/.398, 4 HR, 27 RBI, 25 BB, 113 OPS+, 1.9 WAR – 63/63) is growing into his role as an everyday starter as well. But the face of the franchise remains 29-year old LF Aidan Thirkettle (.313/.425/.652, 30 HR, 76 RBI, 58 BB, 7 SB, 197 OPS+, 6.8 WAR). While he may not lead the West in any offensive categories this season, he is still phenomenal and is on target for 10.0 WAR. He racked up 11.2 WAR last season. In addition to the players already mentioned, the potent lineup is augmented by 27-year old C Paul England (.286/.342/.502, 16 HR, 54 RBI, 25 BB, 133 OPS+, 3.2 WAR) and 33-year old 1B Ellis Dibble (.318/.361/.524, 17 HR, 53 RBI, 27 BB, 145 OPS+, 3.0 WAR). Dibble is enjoying his best season in four years and was particularly hot in January (.398/.436/.641). But incredibly, the hottest offense in the West does not reside in Pulberry this season; but rather, in Cambria. But there’s no denying the pitching staff. The rotation is anchored by 22-year old ace LHP Bart Ohara (17-3, 2.06 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, 2.29 FIP, 181 ERA+), who is on pace for 25 wins. Meanwhile, 36-year old RHP Robin Medellin (14-6, 2.46 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 3.46 FIP, 152 ERA+) has been enjoying a late-career renaissance. The 13-year veteran has been elected to five All-Star games, with four of those selections coming within the last four years. All-Star Selections: SP Robin Medellin (5th) SP Bart Ohara(3rd) C Paul England (3rd) 1B Ellis Dibble (5th) LF Aidan Thirkettle (6th) Player of the Week Awards: December 30 – LF Aidan Thirkettle (.364, 8 H, 3 HR, 6 RBI) January 13 – LF Aidan Thirkettle (.409, 9 H, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 9 R) January 27 – LF Ángelo Ríos (.643, 9 H, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 4 R) Noteworthy: December 11 – The Trolleys dropped two of three to the lowly Suns in Embro, but they triumphed in Game 2, winning 7-2 on 19 hits. Cranking out 5 of them was lead-off hitter, 32-year old 3B Francis Jones (.244/.325/.382, 10 HR, 47 RBI, 46 BB, 5 SB, 97 OPS+, 1.3 WAR), who not only went 5 for 5 on the afternoon, but also completed the 34th Cycle in United Leagues history. Jones doubled in the 1st, singled in the 2nd, hit an RBI triple in the 4th, doubled in the 6th and hit a solo homer off RHP Nelson Wigley in the 9th. He becomes the 4th Trolley to hit for the cycle and the first since CF Cooper Tyson accomplished it back in October 1956.  --------   Sitting in 4th place at the end of November, the Sherburn Tigers caught fire in December to propel them back into the wildcard. Over the past two seasons, the Tigers wrapped up the wildcard with relative ease. But this season it’s been a dog fight, as the Cambria Cannons continue to nip at their heals. Sherburn still enjoys a productive offense that may have gotten stronger just before the trade deadline to go along with a greatly improved rotation compared to the first two months. But the bullpen remains a concern. 26-year old CF Leon Albrecht (.306/.409/.550, 18 HR, 71 RBI, 68 BB, 5 SB, 158 OPS+, 5.2 WAR), Sherburn’s first overall pick from 1954-55, came alive in December and has been the Tigers’ best player on offense this season. 27-year old LF Ross Shewman (.262/.373/.484, 16 HR, 65 RBI, 61 BB, 131 OPS+, 3.5 WAR) and 28-year old 3B Adrian Flynn (.389/.336/.501, 16 HR, 70 RBI, 21 BB, 124 OPS+, 3.0 WAR) have been the main contributors backing up Albrecht. His slow start to the season now far in the rearview mirror, 34-year old RHP Jesús Chapa (14-8, 2.66 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 2.95 FIP, 144 ERA+) has been sensational over the past two months, going 9-2, 1.55 ERA, 0.91 WHIP during that stretch and winning Pitching of the Month honours in December. Sherburn absolutely needs their ace to be at his best if they are to continue to compete. 31-year old RHP Ben Buschlen (15-5, 3.01 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 2.94 FIP, 126 ERA+) and 32-year old RHP Kieran Bunce (9-8, 3.63 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 3.46 FIP, 106 ERA+) have both ably supported him. But there are question marks after them. All-Star Selections: SP Ben Buschlen (3rd) SP Jesús Chapa (9th) RP Callum Benstead (1st) 3B Adrian Flynn (2nd) SS Dwayne Vick (5th) LF Ross Shewman (3rd) CF Leon Albrecht (2nd) Player of the Week Awards: December 9 – RF Leon Albrecht (.522, 12 H, 4 HR, 6 RBI) Key Trade: January 21 with the Brunswick Legends: To Sherburn – 29-year old C Robert Kersey (72/72) To Brunswick – 22-year old minor league CF Christie Eldred (41/57) Knee-jerk reaction: Sherburn swoops in and scores a coup by acquiring Kersey (.275/.350/.441, 14 HR, 45 RBI, 40 BB, 128 OPS+, 3.1 WAR), the No. 2-rated catcher in the United Leagues and a 7-time all-star. By almost any definition therefore, this counts as an automatic upgrade. He possesses quick wrists and can turn on inside pitches, immediately sending them out of the stadium. He has an above average eye and hits for average. His one drawback is that he can be a disruptive influence in the clubhouse. If the Tigers can manage that, then they will have given themselves a tremendous boost in trying to catch the Trolleys or at least hold off the Cannons. For the Legends, there’s no possible way of replacing a player like Kersey, but their return is still light. Eldred should develop into an above average hitter with some pop and speed with smarts to spare. But whether he’ll develop into an all around elite player is a question mark.   --------   The Cambria Cannons found more consistency in December and January and even occupied the wildcard spot for a time. It’s been three years since they last made the playoffs and five years since they last won the United Cup. Their offense has emerged as the best in the ULB, but the pitching staff has been another matter. Its one of the weakest in the West and there are precious few reinforcements available. The Cannons have recently promoted their most recent draft selection, 23-year old LHP Derek Willday (0-1, 5.00 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 2.95 FIP, 75 ERA+ - 54/80). The 4th overall pick is pitching out of the No. 2 spot. But their only other pitching prospect of note, 22-year old Leo Lukies (48/66, 2nd-round), also selected from the most recent amateur draft, remains in Double-A. There’s nothing ‘iffy’ about 28-year old RF Sam Tite (.331/.434/.751, 45 HR, 109 RBI, 63 BB, 223 OPS+, 234 wRC+, 7.5 WAR). The Canadian-born Tite leads the entire United Leagues in 12 offensive categories and is on pace to set new records in HR (67), RBI (161), WAR (11.4) and Total Bases (394). He is just four shy of tying the home run record from last season – a record he shares with Wellington’s Matthew Floyd and 39 RBIs shy of the mark set by Embro’s Jim Friend back in 1940-41 (148). If Tite can remain healthy, the Western League Babe Ruth Award winner should be a forgone conclusion. But the lineup is not one dimensional. 26-year old 1B Calvin Hanbridge (.313/.399/.528, 17 HR, 56 RBI, 52 BB, 8 SB, 156 OPS+, 4.0 WAR) has been sensational batting right behind Tite in the No. 4 spot. Lead-off hitter 26-year old SS Doug Martin (.284/.355/.416, 5 HR, 30 RBI, 36 BB, 18 SB, 114 OPS+, 1.5 WAR) and No. 5 hitter, 33-year old 3B Louis Torres (.262/.328/.462, 19 HR, 63 RBI, 33 BB, 117 OPS+, 2.5 WAR), have also been productive, propelling the offense to the top in the West. The pitching, as previously mentioned, is another matter. Only 28-year old ace LHP Bill Southon (12-8, 3.09 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 3.28 FIP, 121 ERA+) has been a reliable arm out of the rotation. All-Star Selections: SP Bill Southon (2nd) 2B Doug Martin (1st) 3B Louis Torres (4th) LF Calvin Hanbridge (5th) RF Sam Tite (3rd) Player of the Week Awards: December 16 – RF Sam Tite (.370, 10 H, 5 HR, 7 RBI, 5 R) December 23 – 1B Calvin Hanbridge (.455, 10 H, 4 HR, 7 RBI, 6 R) Noteworthy: December 23 – The Cannons split a four-game series against the Wolseley Unions, taking the first two. Game 1 saw a tremendous pitching performance by 30-year old RHP Fergus Hirst (7-7, 4.10 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 4.09 FIP, 91 ERA+) as the 9-year veteran pitched a 1-hitter in Cambria’s 5-0 victory. Wolseley’s lone hit came in the top of the 2nd, when RF Steven Burkill lined a two-out, first-pitch double into leftfield. Hirst’s final line was 9.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 8 K, 136 PI, GS: 89. At the plate, he outhit the Unions by going 3 for 4 with a double and 1 R. RF Sam Tite led the offense, going 2 for 4 with 2 R, 2 RBI, 1-2B, 1 HR. His lead-off home run in the bottom of the 4th opened the scoring and proved to be the winning run. Key Trade: January 26 with the Fort Richmond Generals: To Cambria – 25-year old LHP John Witheycombe (53/55) and 23-year old minor league RHP Mick Ayres (49/56) To Fort Richmond – 23-year old minor league CF Danilo Barretto (35/52) and 23-year old minor league RHP Roberto Rodríguez (34/42) Knee-jerk reaction: With the Cannons competing for a playoff spot while riding a suspect pitching staff, Cambria went out and landed two young pitchers before the trade deadline. While they may not be the impact arms fans were hoping for, they should contribute now and in the future. Witheycombe, a former 2nd-round pick from 1951-52, is a future starter that has seen most of his playing time in the bullpen. That will continue in Cambria as he becomes their new stopper. He has below average stuff (45/45), but wonderful movement (65/70) and control (55/60). His best pitch is his sinker (55/55) but needs to work on his curveball (40/45) and circle change (30/40) if he wants to move into the rotation, which is where the Cannons really need help. The also acquired Ayres, a 4th-round pick from 1952-53. He too is a future starter with below average stuff (40/40) but with terrific movement (70/70) and good control (50/50) that needs to develop his three pitches more before moving into the rotation. For now, he becomes the Cannons’ middle reliever. The Generals’ haul is rather underwhelming. The Manila-born Barretto was a 12th overall pick from 1955-56 whose greatest assets are his speed and defense. If he fully develops his average to slightly above average batting skills, he could become a starting outfielder one day. Rodríguez, a 4th-round pick from 1956-57, has developed no less than six pitches with his changeup (55/55) being his best. He as decent stuff (50/55) and control (50/55) but will be prone to giving up the long ball (30/35). Scouts feel that he may have a chance to make the occasional start in the majors one day.  --------   The Balmoral Giants went into a swoon in late December and early January, going on an 8-game losing streak leading up to the All-Star break and falling as much as 9 games below .500. But a 12-4 stretch to the end the month has salvaged some hope for a Giants team that is perhaps a year or so away from contending. The batters from Nos. 3 to 6 form the heart of Balmoral’s emerging offense. 24-year old CF Quido De Jesús (.308/.378/.434, 5 HR, 36 RBI, 42 BB, 7 SB, 124 OPS+, 3.8 WAR) and 29-year old 1B/LF Juan González (.274/.352/.534, 21 HR, 54 RBI, 33 BB, 3 SB, 141 OPS+, 2.1 WAR) have taken the lead. González was sensational in January and won Batter of the Month honors for his efforts. 32-year old C Alexander Pyatt (.306/.366/.451, 4 HR, 18 RBI, 14 BB, 125 OPS+, 1.4 WAR) and 28-year old 2B Morgan Tyreman (.272/.348/.426, 5 HR, 17 RBI, 17 BB, 113 OPS+, 1.3 WAR) have also contributed when they have gotten into the lineup. The pitching is not quite where it needs to be to contend, with only 32-year old RHP Wayne Nesling (12-8, 3.37 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 3.45 FIP, 112 ERA+) and an improved 30-year old RHP Harry Dinsmore (7-10, 3.50 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 3.73 FIP, 108 ERA+) providing dependable outings. 21-year old RHP Ashley Tazewell (3-5, 1 SV, 5.09 ERA, 1.65 WHIP, 3.87 FIP, 74 ERA+ - 47/72), Balmoral’s 6th-overall pick from last season, is currently serving as the Giants’ stopper. He is a future ace and team leader. All-Star Selections: 1B Juan González (1st) LF Danny Jevons (1st) CF Quido De Jesús (1st) Player of the Week Awards: January 6 – 1B/LF Juan González (.667, 10 H, 5 HR, 13 RBI, 5 R) Noteworthy: January 2 – After struggling a bit in December (.167/.245/.405), 1B/LF Juan González came alive in January, winning both his first Player of the Week Award and Player of the Month Award. The beginning of his hot streak can be pinpointed to the third of four games against the visiting Fort Richmond Generals. González went 3 for 4 with 2 HR, 1-2B, 2 R and 7 RBI. He blasted a 3-run homer in the 1st inning with one out and another 3-run home run in the 5th inning with two out, both off RHP Bob Williams. He added an RBI double in the 7th to help the Giants to a 10-1 victory. Balmoral ended up sweeping the four-game series. January 4 – Two days later, Juan González was at it again, this time against the Kingston Pelicans. In their 16-4 drubbing of the Pelicans, the Dominican-born González hit 3 home runs in the game. His first came in a 7-run 3rd inning – a one-out, two-run homer off a beleaguered RHP Leon Palfrey. His second home run was a lead-off solo shot in the 4th against RHP Ernesto Luna. The Giants added another 6 runs in the 7th, including González’s third home run, a 3-run homer also off Luna. He also added a single in the 5th. In all, he went 4 for 6 with 3 R and 6 RBI, helping Balmoral to their 6th straight win. González becomes the 22nd player in ULB history to hit 3 home runs in a game and the first Giant to accomplish it since Carlton Broadbent back in October 1943. He is the 3rd Giant overall as, in addition to Broadbent, Domenic Carmody accomplished the feat back in October 1938 – the first player to do so in United Leagues’ history. --------   The Hespeler Stars remain in neutral, spinning their wheels for the 21st consecutive season. They are on pace to win nearly 73 games, which would be the most in 11 seasons. So, there is no high hopes in the air in Hespeler once again. But there is an unusual sight on the field – a high draft pick is actually living up to his potential. 25-year old C Aidan Bennie (.348/.396/.566, 15 HR, 54 RBI, 23 BB, 157 OPS+, 4.3 WAR) is having a sensational sophomore season, such that the 2nd-overall pick from 1954-55 is rated as the No. 1 catcher and No. 10 player overall in the United Leagues. He has no weaknesses at the plate and has already won a Ball Hawk Award for his defense. Speed is his only deficiency. Unfortunately, he failed to qualify for his first all-star selection due to an injury a week before the game, even though he was second in voting at the position at the end of December. But Bennie needs help. 34-year old 2B Zhao-hui Qian (.308/.357/.453, 7 HR, 37 RBI, 24 BB, 118 OPS+, 2.3 WAR) is the only other regular producing consistently – and he his batting out of the No. 7 spot for some reason. The pitching staff offers more immediate hope. 24-year old sophomore RHP Eduardo Rodríguez (11-12, 3.84 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 3.15 FIP, 100 ERA+ - 51/60) has gone from being the team’s stopper to their ace. Also pitching effectively this season have been from 29-year old RHP Battista Carotta (10-10, 3.13, 1.41 WHIP, 3.49 FIP, 123 ERA+) and 37-year old LHP Patrick Denman (7-12, 3.85 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 4.41 FIP, 100 ERA+). Joining the rotation in recent weeks has been 21-year old rookie LHP Nico van de Ham (4-5, 6 SV, 34.95 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 3.43 FIP, 97 ERA+ - 46/72). He was a 3rd-round pick from 1954-55 and is viewed as a future ace. Two other future starters are working out of the bullpen: 26-year old stopper RHP Pedro Peña (3-3, 6 SV, 2.95 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 3.90 FIP, 131 ERA+ - 53/56) and 23-year old RHP Zachariah Horton (4-2, 3.23 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, 4.27 FIP, 119 OPS+ – 55/59). All-Star Selections: SP Battista Carotta (2nd) CL Nico van der Ham (1st) 2B Zhao-hui Qian (6th) RF John Anthony (2nd) Player of the Week Awards: January 20 – LF Gaberiela Keikikalani (.600, 3 H, 2 HR, 4 RBI) Noteworthy: January 5 – The Stars managed to split their four game series against the Cannons in Cambria, thanks to a 12-6 win in the final match. Leading the charge for Hespeler was 25-year old 1B Kai Faulkner (.260/310/.444, 10 HR, 34 RBI, 16 BB, 4 SB, 102 OPS+, 0.7 WAR) who went 5 for 6 in the game. Faulkner hit two doubles as well as a 1st-inning 2-run home run off RHP Ray Lambright. He collected 3 R and 5 RBI in all. January 27 – Hespeler took two of three from the visiting Cobourg Redlegs. The final game saw a solid effort from RHP Battista Carotta. Despite surrendering 7 walks, Carotta gave up just two hits – both singles – on route to a 4-0 complete game win. His final line was 9.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 7 BB, 3 K, GS: 79. The winning run came in the 4th, when C Aidan Bennie slammed a two-out, solo home run to left field. --------   If the Kingston Pelicans played all their games at home, they would a playoff team. Based on percentage, Kingston has the third-best home record (.640) behind just the Pulberry Trolleys and Stratford Barons (tied with .673). Unfortunately for the Pelicans, they are mandated to play half their games in other teams’ ballparks, where they have been miserable thus far, going just .301 (16-37), worst in the majors. That leaves them just behind the Fort Richmond Generals (.302, 13-30). The offense remains the most glaring weakness. Only 27-year old RF Chris Ramsbottom (.290/.348/.427, 10 HR, 35 RBI, 32 BB, 11 SB, 110 OPS+, 3.6 WAR), 24-year old CF Dan Hesketh (.269/.334/.467, 15 HR, 44 RBI, 33 BB, 116 OPS+, 3.0 WAR) and 27-year old C Ronald Armstrong (.260/.318/.500, 17 HR, 49 RBI, 28 BB, 119 OPS+, 2.7 WAR) are providing any kind of spark on offense. But it appears 25-year old Andy Wearne (.356/.414/.475, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 10 BB, 142 OPS+, 1.3 WAR – 54/58) is finally getting regular starts at third, which should only help what has been an inconsistent lineup. The rotation remains unimpressive, but the top three starters have been reasonably steady, namely 31-year old RHP Brian Marsland (10-11, 3.40 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 3.82 FIP, 113 ERA+), 23-year old rookie LHP Logan Hoadley (2-3, 3.16 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 3.62 FIP, 121 ERA+ - 39/46) and 31-year old RHP Connor Naysmith (9-9, 3.68 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 4.47 FIP, 104 ERA+). The bullpen remains the top unit in the West, led by 28-year old stopper RHP Lester Beddoes (3-2, 12 SV, 3.09 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 3.06 FIP, 124 ERA+) and especially 24-year old sophomore RHP Jacob Jones (3-1, 1.24 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 2.81 FIP, 309 ERA+). All-Star Selections: C Ronald Armstrong (2nd) CF Dan Hesketh (1st) RF Chris Ramsbottom (3rd) Noteworthy: December 31 – On the final day of 1957, the Pelicans salvaged a win in their three-game series against the Sherburn Tigers. 25-year old 1B Ira Bannatyne (.247/.298/.445, 19 HR, 74 RBI, 27 BB, 100 OPS+, 0.9 WAR) led the way in the Pelicans’ 7-2 win, going 5 for 5. Bannatyne hit a two-out solo shot off RHP Ben Buschlen in the 1st, then added three singles and an RBI double. He collected 3 R and 2 RBI. --------   Although the Wolseley Unions bounced back in December and January – relatively speaking – its comfortable to say that the Unions will be missing the playoffs for the 6th straight season, after seven straight playoff appearances and three United Cup championships. For Wolseley, its all about rebuilding, but the rebuild has not been a smooth one. A number of prospects have yet to find their game on the major league roster and are still going through some rough patches. If they can all work things out, the Unions’ fortunes could take a sudden turn north. 28-year old 1B Carlos Ortíz (.279/.340/.493, 19 HR, 57 RBI, 33 BB, 124 OPS+, 2.7 WAR) currently stands as Wolseley’s best all-around player, while 36-year old RF Carlton Hawking (.277/.384/.422, 9 HR, 43 RBI, 57 BB, 120 OPS+, 1.4 WAR) remains productive at the plate. But the club is still waiting for 23-year old sophomore CF Jonathan Higgins (.255/.324/.349, 3 HR, 32 RBI, 38 BB, 12 SB, 83 OPS+, 1.3 WAR – 58/64), last season’s 2nd overall pick, to bounce back from a ruptured Achilles tendon he suffered a year ago. He has been dealing with mild shoulder inflammation this past week. Batting out of the No. 5 spot, the Unions are hoping that 23-year old 2B Jack Jarrom (.221/.286/.315, 4 HR, 27 RBI, 25 BB, 64 OPS+, 0.4 WAR – 43/79) can soon find his groove as well. Jarrom was the 1st overall pick at last season’s amateur draft. It’s a similar situation with the pitching staff. 32-year old ace RHP Roberto Garza (13-7, 2.84 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 3.17 FIP, 135 ERA+) has been far and away the Unions’ best pitcher. He is currently ranked 8th overall among pitchers in the United Leagues and won his first Pitcher of the Month honour in January. But there is a steep drop-off after him. Wolseley desperately needs both 22-year old RHP Theo Morse (6-15, 3.95 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 3.27 FIP, 97 ERA+ - 54/80) and 24-year old sophomore RHP Yasuo Yamauchi (9-7, 4.44 REA, 1.42 WHIP, 4.19 FIP, 86 ERA+ - 46/58) to settle in before the Unions can entertain any thoughts of becoming relevant again. Both are former second-round picks. After struggling in the first half of the season, Morse saw a noticeable improvement in January (2-4, 2.20 ERA, 1.35 WHIP). All-Star Selections: SP Roberto Garza (5th) C Mike Hutchison (1st) 1B Carlos Ortíz (4th) Noteworthy: January 11 – The Unions defeated the Hespeler Stars 4-2 for their third win in a row, but the biggest celebration was reserved for their 36-year old leftfielder Carlton Hawking who became the fourth player in ULB history to reach 2500 career hits. The milestone hit came in the 6th inning, when the 3-time Babe Ruth Award winner doubled with two out against RHP Eduardo Rodríguez. Hawking added another double in the bottom of the 8th to go 2 for 4 with one RBI on the day.   January 22 – The Stars were the victims once again, as the Unions swept a 3-game series in Hespeler. In game three, 38-year old RHP Aaron Saunderson (5-13, 4.35 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 3.54 FIP, 88 ERA+) led Wolseley to an 8-4 victory and the 250th win of his career. He went the distance in his milestone game, going 9.0 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 128 PI, GS: 54. He becomes just the third pitcher to reach the 250-win milestone and is just two wins away from setting the all-time record in the ULB.   --------   Its as bad as it can get right now for the Fort Richmond Generals. The last place team has selected 2nd overall in the annual amateur draft the past two seasons and they will be selecting high once again next year – either a second or first-round pick. They will need it. Although the Generals’ farm system is ranked third overall, there is a paucity of talent on the major league roster. It will be a while before this squad becomes relevant again. On offense, 26-year old C Scott Sheelah (.252/.366/.443, 14 HR, 42 RBI, 49 BB, 127 OPS+, 4.3 WAR) is the only player of note. He is currently ranked 3rd overall among catchers and a bona fide all-star. 25-year old sophomore 1B Takuji Kanno (.263/.313/.403, 9 HR, 39 RBI, 27 BB, 100 OPS+, 1.0 WAR – 49/50) is still developing but his overall projection is little more than an average starter in the ULB. The pitching staff comprises just two quality pitchers as of now: 24-year old RHP Kenete Yuri (5-11, 2.92 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 2.92 FIP, 127 ERA+ - 44/72) and 22-year old stopper RHP Shotaro Tsuji (6-6, 11 SV, 4.06 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 3.89 FIP, 92 ERA+ - 55/66). While Yuri has gotten stronger as the season has worn on (2-4, 1.99 ERA, 1.29 WHP in January), Tsuji has been going in the opposite direction (5-6, 6 SV, 6.85 ERA, 1.82 WHIP in December/January). All-Star Selections: SP Kenete Yuri (1st) RF John Witheycombe (2nd) C Scott Sheelah (2nd) Player of the Week Awards: December 2 – LF José Ibarra (.583, 7 H, 4 HR, 6 RBI) --------    
__________________
United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 06-03-2024 at 11:09 PM. |
|
|
|
|
06-03-2024, 11:08 PM
|
#831 |
|
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,896
|
March 1, 1958 - Snapshot
Here is a snapshot of the Leagues, with a couple of highlights thus far:
     -----------      ----------- 
__________________
United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 06-04-2024 at 12:03 AM. |
|
|
|
|
09-03-2024, 09:52 AM
|
#832 |
|
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,896
|
March 31, 1958
Eastern League: Queensland, Stratford to Meet in Playoffs for First Time    --------   After 11 long seasons, the Queensland Eagles are returning to the playoffs. The Eagles’ 11 seasons without a post-season berth was the third longest in the United Leagues, after the Balmoral Giants’ 14 seasons (and counting) and the Hespeler Stars, who have yet to qualify for the playoffs (21 seasons and counting). After being three games out of first place on March 1st, the Eagles quickly poured it on, finishing the final two weeks of the season 11-2 and clinching top spot on the final day. Queensland finishes in 1st place for only the second time in their history. The last time was in 1946-47 when they won their first and only United Cup. The club enters the playoffs with a strong rotation and lineup. Only the bullpen remains suspect. For the playoffs, 55-year old rookie manager Daryl Rowde has set his 4-man rotation:
Bullpen standout:
Position Player standouts:
 Player of the Week Awards: March 24 – RHP Stiofan Micklethwait (2-0, 14 H, 20 K, 4 BB, 0.50 ERA, 18 IP) New Season Records Set: ERA: 1.839, Stiofan Micklethwait (Previous: 1.929, Arthur Bence, 1946-47) Strikeouts: 266, Logan Belsey (Previous: 231, Logan Belsey, 1956-57) Strikeouts/9 IP: 8.36, Logan Belsey (Previous: 7.66, Larry Kovnats, 1955-56) Wins Above Replacement: 11.29, Logan Belsey (Previous: 10.09, Neil Guerin, 1937-38) Noteworthy: March 10 – Queensland took 2 of 3 from the Braeland City Monarchs, including a 6-5 win in game 1. Both teams collected 11 hits apiece, but for the Eagles, lead off hitter 3B Apia Yarrah went 5 for 5 with 1 R and 1 RBI on 5 singles. Also contributing were 24-year old RF Hal Dhu (.257/.331/.403, 18 HR, 60 RBI, 63 BB, 14 SB, 1.6 WAR) with a 3-run, 2-out home run in the 3rd inning and 27-year old CF Matsuo Oyama (.225/.320/.393, 15 HR, 46 RBI, 55 BB, 0.6 WAR) who connected for a 2-run, 2-out home run in the 4th. First Round Draft Pick Update: 10th overall – IF/OF Edgar Rivera (36/57). The 21-year old Dominican was fantastic at the plate in Double-A, hitting .272/.329/.470, 11 HR, 54 RBI, 22 BB, 76 SO, 2 SB, 1.6 WAR in 77 games and 283 AB. He played mostly shortstop fielding .975 PCT, 4.64 RNG, -3.7 ZR, .972 EFF in 384.1 INN. --------   The Stratford Barons return to the playoffs after a one-year absence. They won over 90 games for the first time since 1954-55 when they won 94 and won the United Cup. In contrast to the Eagles, the Barons were hot in February, only to cool off in March. In the final two weeks, they went only 7-7, including a four-game sweep at the hands of the Braeland City Monarchs to end the season, forcing them to settle for the wild card. But the Barons enter the playoffs healthy and remain strong in all facets: offense, pitching and defense. 64-year old manager Xavier Ahernfeld has set his 4-man playoff rotation:
Bullpen standouts:
Position Player standouts:
Noteworthy: February 25 – The Barons went into Sherburn and took 2 of 3 from the Tigers with Game 2 highlighted with 38-year old C Aaron Skidmore (.232/.361/.345, 10 HR, 48 RBI, 80 BB, 95 OPS+, 110 wRC+, 2.9 WAR) collecting his 2000th career hit. The 18-year veteran becomes the 17th hitter in ULB history to reach that milestone. The historic hit came in the top of the 2nd when he singled of RHP Orlando Quiñonez with one out. The Tigers still led 3-0 heading into the 4th when Callum Spalton and Skidmore led off with back-to-back home runs off Quiñonez to get the Barons on the board. Stratford would go on to win, 6-3, with Skidmore going 2-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB. First Round Draft Pick Update: 12th overall – OF Hal Wilson (34/59). The 21-year old Wilson enjoyed a fine first professional season in Double-A. In 94 G and 327 AB, he hit .266/.322/.379, 3 HR, 30 RBI, 24 BB, 84 SO, 3 SB, 2.0 WAR. He played almost entirely in centerfield and was solid there as well (.996 PCT, 2.85 RNG, +3.0 ZR, 1.031 EFF). --------   On February 3rd, the Cobourg Redlegs were tied for the wild card and just 1 game back of first place. Alas, they were unable to keep up with either Queensland or Stratford, scuffling to a 26-26 record in the final two months of the season. They finish with 86 wins, 10 less than last season. Cobourg is at a crossroads. They have the horses on the pitching staff to compete with the best in the ULB, but they are quickly turning into a one-trick pony on offense. They are relying too heavily on just two players right now. And with their 11-time all-star, 3-time Babe Ruth Award winner, Raymond Williams, about to turn 32 in early April, time may be running out for them to take advantage of his special talent. They need to beef up their lineup – and fast. Rotation standouts:
Bullpen standouts:
Position Player standouts:
Player of the Week Awards: February 24 – CF Raymond Williams (.500, 10 H, 3 HR, 6 RBI) First Round Draft Pick Update: 15th overall – RHP Akinori Umaba (29/65). The Japanese-born Umaba is enjoying an impressive first season in the minors. In 19 starts in Double-A, the 20-year old went 9-6, 3.74 ERA, 144.1 IP, 1.48 WHIP, 3.45 FIP, 117 ERA+ before being promoted to Triple-A. With the Oakville Oaks, he went 4-0, 1.82 ERA, 34.2 IP, 1.33 WHIP, 3.20 FIP, 204 ERA+ in 5 regular season starts. Thus far, he has gone 1-0, 4.05 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 2.74 FIP in the playoffs as the Oaks swept the Quinlan Maroons 3-0 to win the East Cape League Pennant. They are set to meet the West Cape League Pennant winners, the Elmhurst Black Cats, for the Triple-A Kings Cup. --------   Since winning 90 games and finishing in first place two seasons ago, the Wellington Athletics have embarked on a gradual decline. Last year they won 88 games, but only 84 this season. And like Cobourg, they scuffled to a .500 finish (25-25) over the last two months of the season and were eliminated with 5 games left to play. The Athletics are not terrible, but with the exception of a couple of outstanding players, like LF Matthew Floyd and stopper RHP Christian Wiley, they are bereft of truly impact players to help them rise above the crowd. Their only truly outstanding prospect in their farm system is 20-year old OF Jorge López, their 4th overall pick from 1955-56 who is still trying to figure out Double-A in his second season in the minors. Rotation standouts:
Bullpen standouts:
Position Player standouts:
Player of the Week Awards: February 3 – LF Matthew Floyd (.536, 15 H, 3 HR, 11 RBI) February 17 – RF Wan-hua Gu (.500, 13 H, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 3 R) March 17 – LF Matthew Floyd (.536, 15 H, 6 HR, 13 RBI, 9 R) First Round Draft Pick Update: 13th overall – IF Kahua Aremana (33/49). The 21-year old American Samoan enjoyed a promising first season in the minors, hitting .289/.352/.399, 6 HR, 23 RBI, 27 BB, 76 K, 13 SB, 95 OPS+, 104 wRC+, 1.5 WAR in 343 AB. He played primarily at shortstop, where he struggled (.969 PCT, 4.25 RNG, -5.0 ZR, .949 EFF). --------   A strong finish in the final two months of the season, where they went 30-21, allowed the Braeland City Monarchs to reach .500 and avoid a losing record for the third consecutive season. While the Monarchs were mediocre across the board, they really need an infusion of talent in the rotation, their biggest weakness right now. They do have 22-year old sophomore LHP Charlie Honeysett (8-5, 4.50 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 4.60 FIP, 86 ERA+ - 54/68) who worked out of the bullpen this season. He is considered a future No. 2 starter, but the Monarchs will need a lot more of him if they really want to make some noise in the East. But with a 13th-ranked farm system that boasts few, if any, impact players, that may be a tall order for now. Rotation standout:
Bullpen standouts:
Position Player standouts:
First Round Draft Pick Update: 6th overall – IF Phillip White (39/49). The 22-year old Australian enjoyed an outstanding first year in Double-A, going .333/.384/.554, 8 HR, 49 RBI, 16 BB, 25 K, 11 SB, 140 OPS+, 154 wRC+, 2.4 WAR at the plate while making 55 starts at 2B. By season’s end, he was promoted to the Clifton Whales, Braeland City’s Triple-A farm club. --------   The Embro Suns finished the season with one more victory than they did last season, but that is of small comfort. Embro enjoyed its first above .500 month this season in March. But it was a tale of two halves. While they started the month off 11-2, they then cratered in the second half, going 3-11, including a 7-game losing streak. It made little difference, as the Suns were eliminated with 15 games left to go, just before they went into their tailspin. Despite a very respectable lineup, they Suns are being held back by a weak pitching staff. And it appears that won’t change anytime soon. While Embro has some promising prospects working their way up through the farm system, all of them are position players. Rotation standouts:
Bullpen standout:
Position Player standouts:
First Round Draft Pick Update: 8th overall – OF Craig Radford (40/60). 23-year old Radford was impressive in Double-A, hitting .271/.333/.409, 5 HR, 26 RBI, 25 BB, 72 K, 34 SB, 94 OPS+, 96 wRC+, 2.5 WAR in 72 games and 291 AB before getting called up to Triple-A. After being promoted to the Birmingham Comets, he went .357/.400/.512, 1 HR, 11 RBI, 6 BB, 25 K, 5 SB, 148 OPS+, 159 wRC+, 1.1 WAR while playing solid defense in centerfield. --------   What a difference a year makes. And not in a good way. After winning 97 games last year and finishing in top spot for the 1st time in 12 years, the Brunswick Legends threw in the towel this season after getting off to a so-so start. Although they were 39-39 at the end of December, they collapsed in January when they went only 8-18, a month that included a 10-game losing streak. They waved the white flag by trading their best player, 29-year old C Robert Kersey (69/69) to the Sherburn Tigers and one of their best starters, 30-year old RHP Mhelter Pilapil (52/52) to the Wellington Athletics. The final two months weren’t pretty as a result and the Legends ultimately lost 31 more games than they did the year before. A quick turn-around does not seem likely. Underwhelming returns from their recent high profile trades haven’t boosted a farm system that is ranked only 9th overall. Rotation standout:
Bullpen standouts:
Position Player standouts:
Noteworthy: March 4 – 41-year old RHP Pi-ao Quian (13-18, 3.86 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 4.08 FIP, 100 ERA+) pitched like he was a 26-year old version of himself, leading the Legends to a 5-1 victory over the Braeland City Monarchs, surrendering just 3 singles. The 5-time all-star went the distance for his 322nd complete game of his 19-year career. His final line was 9.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 K, 98 PI, GS: 81. It also represented the 250th win of his career, the fourth pitcher to reach that milestone in the ULB. He finished the season with 251, putting him in a three-way tie with Hall of Famer Anastasio Rodríguez and Wolseley’s 38-year old RHP Aaron Saunderson for top spot in career wins.   First Round Draft Pick Update: 16th overall – RHP Martín López (20/53). The 19-year old from Coral Gables, Florida got his feet wet in Double-A, making 21 starts. He finished the season 4-9, 4.94 ERA, 1.73 WHIP, 4.37 FIP, 87 ERA+. He is currently rated 9th overall among prospects in the ULB. --------   The Downie Chiefs picked up their play in the second half of the season, with double digits in wins for each of the last three months. This represented a definite improvement from the first three months, where they averaged less than 8 wins a month. But it was not enough to prevent them from finishing in last place in the East or be officially eliminated from the playoffs with 28 games left in the season. On the other hand, their improved play resulted in them picking second overall next season’s amateur draft instead of first overall like they did this year. While they have a farm system ranked 2nd overall, cultivating more high-end prospects certainly won’t hurt as the Chiefs appear to be still years away from returning to contention. Rotation standouts:
Bullpen standouts:
Position Player standouts:
Player of the Week Awards: February 10 – 2B Dominic Dudding (.500, 7 H, 4 HR, 7 RBI, 6 R) March 3 – 1B Louie Revill (.478, 11 H, 5 HR, 8 RBI) March 10 – RF Ewan Komaki (.480, 12 H, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 10 R) First Round Draft Pick Update: 1st overall – OF Jon Berose (62/80). The 1st overall pick from this season’s amateur draft and the No. 1 rated prospect in the United Leagues showed why he is so highly regarded. In 48 games in Double-A, he batted .394/.473/.596, 4 HR, 32 RBI, 29 BB, 29 K, 28 SB, 176 OPS+, 191 wRC+, 3.3 WAR. He didn’t miss beat after being promoted to Triple-A, hitting .361/.414/.669, 10 HR, 31 RBI, 15 BB, 45 K, 193 OPS+, 205 wRC+, 3.6 WAR in 46 games, all the while playing solid defense in centerfield. Look for the 23-year old Berose to get the call-up to the big leagues next season. --------     
__________________
United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 09-03-2024 at 04:10 PM. Reason: General corrections |
|
|
|
|
01-01-2025, 07:19 PM
|
#833 |
|
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,896
|
March 31, 1958
Western League: Trolleys, Tigers to Tangle for Third Straight Year    --------   In contrast with the East, first place was never in doubt in the Western League, as the Pulberry Trolleys staked out to a commanding lead and became the first team to lock up a playoff spot on March 6th, with 22 games left to play. Five days later they clinched first place for the 5th-straight season, boasting a 19-game lead over the second-place Sherburn Tigers. To make matters worse for the rest of the League, a number of Trolley players enjoyed bounce-back seasons from last year (where Pulberry won 94 games and their second-straight United Cup). In addition to Bart Ohara’s historic season, two rookies eventually entrenched themselves into the everyday lineup: 22-year old RF Joe Riding (.225/.317/.394, 16 HR, 64 RBI, 62 BB, 8 SB, 98 OPS+, 107 wRC+, 2.1 WAR – 54/59) and 29-year old 2B Yoshimi Sekozawa (.263/.355/.391, 8 HR, 46 RBI, 45 BB, 109 OPS+, 119 wRC+, 2.8 WAR – 63/63). Pulberry’s playoff rotation was revealed by 52-year old manager Ryo Ichikawa:
 Bullpen standout:
Position Player standouts:
Player of the Week Awards: February 3 – LF Aidan Thirkettle (.526, 10 H, 5 HR, 7 RBI, 7 R) March 3 – LF Aidan Thirkettle (.474, 9 H, 4 HR, 13 RBI, 6 R) First Round Draft Pick Update: 14th overall – 2B Lester Margerison (37/48). The 23-year old Pulberry native enjoyed a respectable season in Double-A. In 60 games and 226 AB, he batted .252/.308/.442, 8 HR, 31 RBI, 17 BB, 49 SO, 10 SB, 0.8 WAR, helping the Hopetown Islanders clinch the wild card and a berth in the Heritage Leagues’ Governors Cup finals against the Balmoral Giants’ Georgetown Goldbugs. --------   The Sherburn Tigers clinched the wild card in the West with six games remaining the season, just as they did last year. Although they led the Cambria Cannons by just a single game in early February, the gap quickly widened and by March 24th, they had punched their ticket to the playoffs for the third straight season. They remain an impressively balanced team that finished the season strong, going 17-10 in March. They will need every last ounce of that momentum as they face the daunting task of taking on the juggernaut that is the Pulberry Trolleys in the Pennant Series. The acquisition of Robert Kersey back on January 21st paid immediate dividends. The No. 2-ranked catcher solidified a position that had been a weak spot in the lineup since the 1954-55 season when Christopher Dianty enjoyed his last great season (.327/.429/.526, 18 HR, 83 RBI, 82 BB, 149 OPS+, 176 wRC+, 7.1 WAR). In 53 games, Kersey went .322/.393/.525, 9 HR, 27 RBI, 21 BB, 147 OPS+, 147 wRC+, 2.5 WAR while hitting out of the No. 5 spot. 44-year old manager Jamie Blair announced the following rotation for the playoffs:
Bullpen standout:
Position Player standouts:
Player of the Week Awards: March 17 – C Robert Kersey (.600, 12 H, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 4 R) First Round Draft Pick Update: 11th overall – OF Garrick Walcott (44/53). The Sherburn-native enjoyed a strong first season in the minors and could be ready for the major leagues next season. In 42 G, 146 AB in Double-A, the 23-year old batted .370/.460/.568, 6 HR, 31 RBI, 24 BB, 16 K, 13 SB, 167 OPS+, 181 wRC+, 2.3 WAR before being promoted to Triple-A. With the St. Thomas Flamingos, he hit .276/.382/.487, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 11 BB, 16 K, 5 SB, 139 OPS+, 150 wRC+, 1.3 WAR in 21 G, 76 AB before the season was over. --------   The season started so promising for the Cambria Cannons, who jumped out to a 19-6 start in October, only to squander it and fall out of a playoff spot for good the following month. It was a story of one of the best offenses in the ULB undone by one of the worst pitching performances. Still, the Cannons won 10 more games than they did last season, a testament to their lineup. It was led by the incredible season of 28-year old RF Sam Tite, who set a new home run record this past season and finished 1st in the United Leagues in an impressive 11 offensive categories. It’s a pretty safe bet that Tite will end Pulberry’s Aiden Thirkettle’s three-year reign as the Western Leagues’ top offensive player, at least for one season. But the positives cannot outweigh the bad entirely. If the Cannons had even a serviceable pitching staff, they might have caught the Tigers and be playing in their first playoffs since the 1954-55 season where they captured their 4th Western League Pennant. Rotation standouts:
Bullpen standouts:
Position Player standouts:
New Season Records Set: SLG Pct: .7045, Sam Tite (Previous: .6860, Aidan Thirkettle, 1956-57) Home Runs: 59, Sam Tite (Previous: 49, Sam Tite and Matthew Floyd, 1956-57) Noteworthy: February 24 – It was a rough four-game series against the Fort Richmond Generals, as the Cannons dropped 3 games of 4. The lone win came in game one where Cambria held on to win, 10-7. The game was highlighted by five home runs, including three by the Cannons. Calvin Hanbridge and Louis Torres both hit their 20th home runs of the season in the 1st and 4th innings respectively. But the highlight was in the 5th inning, when Sam Tite smashed a solo shot down the leftfield line that just cleared the wall off RHP Ch’ang-chieh Li with one out to make the score 5-1 in favor of the Cannons. The home run represented his 50th of the season and broke the record of 49 he set last year along with Wellington Athletics’ Matthew Floyd. The Canadian-born Tite would continue his hot streak, cranking out 9 more home runs over the next 21-games, including his 59th of the season, a 2-run shot off Pulberry’s LHP Dermot Rathbone in the top of the 1st inning for a 4-1 Cambria win on March 21st. But Tite promptly went cold, going homerless over the final nine games of the season to finish at 59.  First Round Draft Pick Update: 4th overall – LHP Derek Willday (53/76). The 23-year old southpaw did not stay long in the minors after he was drafted. After going 4-4, 2.00 ERA, 76.1 IP, 0.98 WHIP, 1.60 FIP, 189 ERA+ in 11 starts in Triple-A, the No. 2-rated prospect was promoted to the major league roster in early February. With the Cannons he went 6-6, 4.04 ERA, 93.2 IP, 1.27 WHIP, 3.41 FIP, 94 ERA+ in 12 starts. He finished the season as their No. 2 starter, but it shouldn’t be long before he settles in as the Cannons’ ace. --------   The Kingston Pelicans enjoyed their best season in four years, but it was nowhere near enough to end their 6-year playoff drought, being eliminated from contention with nine games left in the season. For a team that was an absolute juggernaut in their first 10 seasons, the last 11 have been one of a slow, seemingly directionless decline. But the Pelicans have patiently built their farm system, which is now ranked 4th overall. Some of that talent has recently joined the major league roster with more on the way. But most of that promising talent is on offense. Kingston will need to shore up its thin pitching depth if it wants to avoid the fate of the likes of the Cambria Cannons and squander a potentially playoff-caliber lineup over the next few seasons. Rotation standouts:
Bullpen standouts:
Position Player standouts:
First Round Draft Pick Update: 3rd overall – IF Ivar Nuyten (52/73). The 22-year old from Sint Maarten was simply sensational in his first year in the minors. The No. 4-ranked prospect batted .310/.388/.482, 10 HR, 35 RBI, 31 BB, 40 K, 131 OPS+, 138 wRC+, 3.9 WAR in 74 G in Double-A. He was then promoted to the AAA Douro Redbirds, where he batted .370/.407/.667, 5 HR, 17 RBI, 3 BB, 18 K, 191 OPS+, 209 wRC+, 1.7 WAR in 21 G. All the while playing terrific defense, primarily at shortstop. Scouts feel that he is on the cusp of making the major league roster. --------   It’s now 21 seasons and counting for the Hespeler Stars who have yet to get a whiff of the playoffs and 20 seasons since their lone winning season (79-75 in 1937-38) in their inaugural season. They won 71 games for the second straight season under sophomore GM Steward Pruitt, who still has his work cut out for him despite inheriting a team that should be overflowing with young talent from all the high draft picks from previous years. Alas, Hespeler’s picks have produced more misses than hits. But hope may be on the horizon. The Stars have a genuine franchise position player to build around in 25-year old C Aidan Bennie, who is rated as the top catcher in the United Leagues and won Hespeler’s first Western League batting title in 17 years (since OF Steven Winstanley batted .347 in 1940-41). They also have the makings of an enviable young rotation. 21-year old LHP Nico van der Ham enjoyed a promising rookie season and is projected as a future ace. They also have 24-year old sophomore RHP Eduardo Rodríguez (13-17, 4.24 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 3.52 FIP, 92 ERA+ - 51/60) who fronted the rotation by season’s end. Currently in the bullpen are a couple of future starters: 26-year old RHP Pedro Pena (4-7, 11 SV, 4.03 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 4.55 FIP, 96 ERA+ - 53/56) and 23-year old RHP Zachariah Horton (4-2, 2.58 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, 3.89 FIP, 150 ERA+ - 55/59). Now it’s just a question if any or all will deliver on their promise. That seemingly has been the eternal conundrum for this middling franchise. Rotation standouts:
Bullpen standout:
Position Player standouts:
 Player of the Week Awards: February 17 – SS Logan Rowntree (.611, 11 H, 6 RBI) February 24 – RF John Anthony (.471, 8 H, 2 HR, 4 RBI) March 24 – C Aidan Bennie (.632, 12 H, 2 RBI, 4 R) First Round Draft Pick Update: 7th overall – IF/OF Arthur Clack (20/57). The 19-year old Hespeler-native got off to a slow start in Double-A, batting .230/.292/.349, 4 HR, 19 RBI, 18 BB, 69 K, 67 OPS+, 71 wRC+, -0.5 WAR in 73 G, 235 AB almost exclusively at third base. --------   The Balmoral Giants were on course for their second consecutive .500 finish, but a disastrous February (6-17) derailed even that modest goal. The Giants are not necessarily an awful team, but they have no real standouts on the major league roster nor in the minor leagues, contributing to their missing the playoffs for the 14th-straight season (and counting). That surely falls on the shoulders on long-time GM Victor Lynch who has been at the helm of the club since their inaugural season, with just two playoff appearances to show for it. They do have a promising prospect in 22-year old IF Dave Sherwood (43/66), who moved up to AAA this season (.303/.366/.525, 6 HR, 19 RBI, 11 BB in 33 games). He was an 8th overall pick back in 1954-55. But the Giants need a lot more of him to get out of their doldrums. Rotation standouts:
Bullpen standouts:
Position Player standouts:
Player of the Week Awards: March 10 – 1B Juan Gonzáles (.455, 10 H, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 4 R) First Round Draft Pick Update: 9th overall – IF Sam Sato (37/48). The 22-year old shortstop enjoyed a promising start to his professional career in Double-A this season. In 63 G, 189 AB, he went .280/.357/.397, 4 HR, 26 RBI, 20 BB, 48 K, 11 SB, 102 OPS+, 110 wRC+, 1.5 WAR. --------   The Wolseley Unions were eliminated from playoff contention with 15 games remaining and won fewer than 69 games for the fourth straight season. The rebuilding process is proceeding in fits and starts. While the Unions have long had a bona fide ace in 32-year old RHP Roberto Garza (61/61), they are hoping both 22-year old RHP Theo Morse (12-19, 3.92 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 3.90 FIP, 98 ERA+ - 56/80) and 25-year old RHP Yasuo Yamauchi (11-12, 4.12 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 4.34 FIP, 94 ERA+ - 47/55) can develop their full potential and become stalwarts in the rotation. Wolseley’s top two prospects in the lineup have been plagued with injuries. Last year, 23-year old CF and lead-off hitter Jonathan Higgins (.268/.344/.357, 4 HR, 44 RBI, 66 BB, 18 SB, 91 OPS+, 103 wRC+, 2.7 WAR – 58/64) saw his season cut short due to a ruptured Achilles tendon and was still feeling the affects this season, especially on defense. The Unions hope their 2nd overall pick from 1955-56 will continue to get back on track next year. Meanwhile, 23-year old 2B Jack Jarrom (.219/.282/.320, 6 HR, 35 RBI, 33 BB, 64 OPS+, 72 wRC+, 0.5 WAR – 47/72) got his first taste of the majors this season before suffering shoulder tendinitis with 11 games left to play. Wolseley obviously hopes their 1st overall pick from 1956-57 will be ready for the start of next season. Rotation standout:
Bullpen standout:
Position Player standouts:
First Round Draft Pick Update: 5th overall – OF Carlton Monroe (35/63). The Wolseley-native made a fine first impression in the minor leagues, reaching Triple-A before the season was over. In Double-A, he batted .244/.350/.422, 6 HR, 26 RBI, 34 BB, 46 K, 4 SB, 106 OPS+, 114 wRC+, 0.9 WAR in 63 G, 225 AB before getting the call-up. After joining the AAA Caledonia Jets, the 23-year old went .273/.341/.494, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 9 BB, 33 K, 116 OPS+, 129 wRC+, 0.7 WAR in 21 G, 77 AB. --------   The Fort Richmond Generals narrowly avoided losing 100 games for the second year in a row as they managed to go 5-2 in the final week, after going 4-17 to start the month of March. Oddly, 3 of those 4 wins game against the Pulberry Trolleys (who went 11-5 overall this season against the lowly Generals). But Fort Richmond’s 55 wins represent the fewest in team history and they set a new mark of finishing the most games behind first place with 48. That beats out the 1949-50 Pulberry Trolleys and the Cobourg Red Stockings of 1940-41 & 1941-42 by one. The reason for their ineptitude is simple: their offense is historically bad, and the pitching is not much better. The only glimmer of hope is the improving farm system. It is currently ranked 3rd overall. After selecting 2nd overall in 1956-57 as well as this past season, the Generals ‘earned’ the first overall pick for next season. It appears they picked wisely in 1956-57, as 24-year old RHP Kenete Yuri (54/73) enjoyed a promising rookie campaign and is considered a ‘sparkplug’. On offense, the only impact player is 26-year old C Scott Sheelah (66/66). A two-time all-star, Sheelah is currently ranked No. 3 among all catchers in the ULB. Rotation standouts:
Bullpen standouts:
Position Player standouts:
Player of the Week Awards: February 10 – C Scott Sheelah (.500, 10 H, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R) First Round Draft Pick Update: 2nd overall – OF Sami Michel (39/80). The 21-year old Canadian had a respectable first year in Double-A, playing in 90 G and getting 357 AB while playing impressive defense, mostly in centerfield. He hit .235/.285/.387, 10 HR, 37 RBI, 24 BB, 86 K, 77 OPS+, 83 wRC+, 1.1 WAR. --------     
__________________
United Leagues of Braeland |
|
|
|
|
01-03-2025, 03:52 PM
|
#834 |
|
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,896
|
  For the second year in a row, two teams who have never met in the playoffs will face each other for the Eastern League Pennant. The Queensland Eagles are making their first playoff appearance in 11 years, after they won the United Cup back in 1945-46. Its their third playoff appearance overall and their 96 wins easily surpasses their previous high water mark of 88 victories back in their inaugural 1937-38 season. The Stratford Barons meanwhile return to the playoffs after a one year absence. It’s their 10th playoff appearance overall. They are in pursuit of their 6th EL Pennant and 4th United Cup. No team has won more than three Cups. Both teams enter the Pennant Series healthy. And both clubs have managers at the helm who have previously won United Cups. 64-year old manager Xavier Ahernfeld (683-549, .554) has managed the Stratford Barons since the 1950-51 season, winning two Pennants and the 1954-55 United Cup. Queensland’s 55-year old manager Daryl Rowde (1362-1410, .491) has spent his 18 seasons managing five clubs, including the Balmoral Giants twice. His greatest success came in his third and final season at the helm of the Fort Richmond Generals, leading them to a United Cup championship in 1947-48. The following season, he led the Stratford Barons to an EL Pennant before falling to the Wolseley Unions in the United Cup in 7 games. He returns to the playoffs for the first time in 7 years, his first year with the Eagles. While Queensland won their regular season matchup with the Barons, five of their nine wins came in the final six games they played each other. Overall, the Eagles outscored Stratford, 63-61. Without question, the highlight was their epic 18-inning, 5-1/2 hour marathon back on January 17 that Stratford ultimately won, 9-7. With two evenly match clubs who will not give an inch facing each other for the Pennant, the consensus is that this series will not be a short one. The playoffs have arrived. Play ball! -------- April 1 – Game 1 Wagner Stadium hosts the playoffs for the first time in 11 years to a packed house. Queensland gives the game ball to their two-time Satchel Paige Award winner, 32-year old RHP Logan Belsey, who is making his playoff debut after toiling 10 seasons, all with the Eagles. Stratford counters with 31-year old RHP Joseph Sellwood (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 3.0 IP in 2 playoff games with the Wolseley Unions). This will be his first major league start in the playoffs. Bottom of the 2nd: Ryan Conisford makes his first career playoff at-bat a memorable one, slamming a 1-0 offering from Sellwood 357 ft. into the leftfield bleachers for a one-out solo home run. Stratford 0 – Queensland 1 Top of the 5th: After giving up a first-pitch lead-off single to Roberto Ríos back in the first inning, Logan Belsey mows through the rest of the Barons’ lineup, racking up 7 strikeouts in the process. In the 5th inning however, Stratford finally breaks through. Callum Spalton and Kosaku Fukushima lead off with back-to-back, full-count doubles, tying up the game. Then the Eagles get sloppy defensively. With one out and Fukushima at second, Walter Beauvais reaches safely when CF Matsuo Oyama misplays a lazy fly ball, putting runners on the corners. Joseph Sellwood then hits a dribbler out to second. Dennis Purcell scoops it up but his throw to first sails wide and into the 1st-base dugout, allowing Fukushima to score. Stratford 2 – Queensland 1 Bottom of the 5th: Hal Dhu draws a 4-pitch wall with two out, then promptly steals second. Apia Yarrah then lines a 0-1 single to rightfield. Dhu tears around third and beats out the throw from RF Kosaku Fukushima to tie up the game. Stratford 2 – Queensland 2 Top of the 6th: Stratford retakes the lead when Sherwin Carasig leads off with a line drive single into rightfield and Alfonzo León immediately triples him home. Matthew Channing follows with a deep sac fly to rightfield. León easily beats out the throw from RF Hal Dhu to increase the Barons’ lead. Stratford 4 – Queensland 2 Bottom of the 6th: Rod Dennis gets a run back, launching a 2-1 pitch 368 ft. into the leftfield stands for a lead-off home run. Stratford 4 – Queensland 3 Top of the 7th: Stratford responds thanks to more defensive miscues from the Eagles. After Walter Beauvais leads off with an infield single, Joseph Sellwood lays down a bunt back to the pitcher. Logan Belsey attempts to cut down Beauvais at second, but his throw sails into the outfield, allowing both runners to reach safely. With two out and runners on the corners, Alfonzo León sends a ground ball out toward short. SS Simon Flatt picks it up and tosses it to 2B Dennis Purcell, but his throw sails wide, allowing Beauvais to score. Stratford 5 – Queensland 3 Bottom of the 8th: Robbie Leivers connects for Queensland’s third home run of the game, a two-out solo shot that lands 376 ft. into the leftfield bleachers. Matsuo Oyama follows with a walk and then reaches second on a wild pitch. Simon Flatt singles down the leftfield line over the head of 3B Walter Beauvais. Oyama gets the greenlight at third but is cut down at home by a tremendous throw from LF Roberto Ríos to end the inning. Stratford 5 – Queensland 4 Top of the 9th: A close game is broken wide open, this time by poor in-game management. Logan Belsey manages to get two outs but is clearly running on fumes. He surrenders four walks, including three in a row, forcing in a run. After 177 pitches, manager Daryl Rowde finally relieves him, but his replacement, RHP Kaula Mafileo, gives up a single to Callum Spalton that finds the hole into left-centerfield. That scores both Sherwin Carasig and Matthew Channing, increasing the Barons’ lead to four. After giving up a walk to Kosaku Fukushima, Mafileo finally induces a ground out from Aaron Skidmore to end the inning. Stratford 8 – Queensland 4 Bottom of the 9th: RHP Glen Limon comes in to relieve Sellwood but gives up back-to-back singles to PH Zhao-dao Lui and Hal Dhu. With two out, Rod Dennis and Ryan Conisford also bang out back-to-back singles, driving in a run. But Robbie Leivers hits into a 5-4 fielder’s choice to end the inning and the game. FINAL: Stratford 8 – Queensland 5     -------- April 2 – Game 2 The Eagles will look to try and get on track after shooting themselves in the foot multiple times in Game 1. They turn to their No. 2 starter, 30-year old RHP Stiofan Micklethwait, who is also making his first career playoff appearance. On the other hand, 29-year old LHP Robin Wadsworth (3-4, 1 SV, 4.18 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, 118 ERA+) will make his 7th start in the playoffs, all with the Barons. Top of the 1st: Roberto Ríos lofts one out to short right for a lead-off single. After Sherwin Carasig grounds into a fielder’s choice at second, Alfonso León smacks one down the rightfield line and into the corner. RF Hal Dhu throws it back to 2B Dennis Purcell for the relay as Carasig is sent home. Carasig dives and beats out the relay to open the scoring as León pulls up into second. Matthew Channing then lines the very next pitch into shall centerfield for a base hit. León chugs around third and heads for home as CF Matsuo Oyama whips the ball in. León goes in hard and just beats out the throw, adding to the Barons’ lead. Stratford 2 – Queensland 0 Bottom of the 2nd: Robbie Leivers drives a 1-0 pitch down the line toward deep rightfield. Kosaku Fukushima races back to the warning track but it’s over his head and into foul territory. Leivers careens around second and beats out the relay for a lead-off triple. Matsuo Oyama then lofts a 2-2 changeup to deep right center. Fukushima backs up and hauls it in. Leivers tags up and slides safely into home to get the Eagles on the board. Stratford 2 – Queensland 1 Top of the 3rd: Roberto Ríos draws a four-pitch walk to lead off but is cut down one pitch later by C Robbie Leivers as Ríos attempts to steal second. Sherwin Carasig then slams 0-2 slider to deep right centerfield. Matsuo Oyama chases after it as it skips to the wall. Carasig scampers past second and slides in safely for a triple. Alfonzo León then slices a 90 mph fastball into rightfield, scoring Carasig. Stratford 3 – Queensland 1 Bottom of the 5th: After Rod Dennis chops one into leftfield for a one-out single, Ryan Conisford squeaks one past third base as Dennis takes second. Robbie Leivers hits a bouncer out to short, but Callum Spalton drops it, loading the bases. Four pitches later, Wadsworth walks Matsuo Oyama, forcing home Dennis. Stratford 3 – Queensland 2 Top of the 6th: Matthew Channing lofts Micklethwait’s first pitch into short centerfield for a lead-off base hit. Callum Spalton then crushes 1-0 fastball into deep leftfield. Rod Dennis sprints after it but can’t reach it as it bangs off the wall for a double. Channing is given the greenlight and heads for home, just beating out the tag by a pivoting C Robbie Leivers. After Spalton moves up to third on a ground out, Aaron Skidmore lines one out to left center. Spalton comes home for Stratford’s second run of the inning. Stratford 5 – Queensland 2 Bottom of the 9th: With two out, Ryan Conisford slaps RHP José Rodríguez’s 2-0 pitch out toward short. But Callum Spalton commits his second error of the game as hit boots it, allowing Conisford to reach safely. But Rodríguez gets Robbie Leivers to whiff on a 2-2, 89 mph fastball to end the game. The Barons beat two of the best pitchers in the United Leagues to take the first two games on the road as the Series now heads to Stratford’s Bosworth Field. FINAL: Stratford 5 – Queensland 2     -------- April 4 – Game 3 Over 27,000 fans brave the elements as continual rain makes the field at Bosworth Field a bit soggy. The Barons hand the game ball to their No. 3 starter, 30-year old RHP Ted Smith (2-1, 4.03 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, 99.1 ERA+) for his 10th career playoff start. Queensland turns to their No. 3 starter as well, 33-year old RHP Tyler Gissing, who is making his first career appearance in the playoffs. Top of the 1st: Hal Dhu jumps on a Smith cutter and lines one into right center for a lead off base hit, then advances to second when Apia Yarrah grounds one out to 1B Sherwin Carasig. Dennis Purcell then hits a hard grounder between third and short and into leftfield. Dhu races around third and heads for home. Roberto Ríos fires it back in but Dhu slides safely under the tag to get the Eagles on the board. Queensland 1 – Stratford 0 Bottom of the 3rd: Walter Beauvais bashes a 0-1 fastball toward the gap in left center. CF Matsuo Oyama lunges for it but comes up short as Beauvais digs for third and slides in safely for a lead-off triple. With one out, Roberto Ríos hits a hard grounder toward the hole in leftfield. 3B Apia Yarrah snares it and makes the play at first as Beauvais heads home to get Stratford on the board. Queensland 1 – Stratford 1 Top of the 6th: Queensland loads the bases with nobody out as Rod Dennis leads off with a walk while Ryan Conisford and Robbie Leivers bang out back-to-back singles. After a called strike to PH John Rose, a balk is called on Ted Smith, scoring Dennis from third. With the infielders moved in, Rose floats the next pitch to short right center for a base hit. Conisford scores easily. Leivers is hot on his heels and avoids the tag as the Eagles increase their lead to three. Queensland 4 – Stratford 1 Bottom of the 6th: But Stratford quickly get those runs back. Gissing runs into trouble as he surrenders three straight singles to Alfonso León, Matthew Channing and Callum Spalton, which scores a run. Gissing then walks Kosaku Fukushima on four-straight pitches to load the bases. With one out, PH Don North lofts one out to deep left center. Channing tags up and scores, beating out LF Rod Dennis’ throw home. PH Alan Tennant taps one out toward the pitcher. Gissing picks it up, but Tennant beats out the throw to reload the bases. Gissing then walks Roberto Ríos on four straight pitches, forcing in the tying run. Queensland 4 – Stratford 4 Top of the 7th: RHP José Rodríguez takes the hill to start the 7th. Apia Yarrah lines a 1-0 fastball sharply toward short rightfield for a lead-off single. But back-to-back groundouts to second puts Rod Dennis at first with two out. Ryan Conisford then pounds one toward the left side and into leftfield as Dennis takes second. Dennis is then taken out of the game for PR John Oldknow. Robbie Leivers works the count full before slicing one over the head of 2B Matthew Channing and into shallow rightfield. Oldknow races around third and scores without a throw. Queensland 5 – Stratford 4 Bottom of the 7th: Alfonso León leads off and lines a 2-2 slider into short left field and pulls up into second before LF John Oldknow can get the ball back to the infield. Matthew Channing and Callum Spalton follow with back-to-back singles, scoring León and ending Tyler Gissing’s afternoon. RHP Kaula Mafileo comes on in relief. With one out, Aaron Skidmore works the count full before drawing a walk and loading the bases. PH Andy Faulkner launches one out to the warning track in deep centerfield. CF Zhao-dao Liu makes a tremendous leaping catch, but Channing tags up and scores without a throw, giving the Barons the lead for the first time in the game. In the top of the 9th, Apia Yarrah sends a ground ball out toward the hole in rightfield. 2B Matthew Channing pounces on it but it slips out of his glove, allowing Yarrah to reach safely on the error. Dennis Purcell then draws a walk and John Oldknow grounds into a fielder’s choice at second that puts runners on the corners with one out. But Ryan Conisford strikes out swinging and Robbie Leivers grounds out to SS Callum Spalton to end the threat and the game. The Barons take a commanding three games to none lead in the Series. FINAL: Queensland 5 – Stratford 6    -------- April 5 – Game 4 The dreary conditions of yesterday have moved on and the Queensland Eagles are hoping their fortunes will improve as well as they now face an uphill battle in staying in the Series. Stratford hands the ball to their No. 4 starter, 31-year old RHP Bill Wolf (6-4, 4.89 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 81.8 ERA+), who has no shortage of playoff experience. He makes his 9th career playoff start. Queensland counters with their No. 4 starter, 31-year RHP Danilo Narvaez (0-0, 6.75 ERA, 2.00 WHIP, 63.7 ERA+) who last appeared in the playoffs with the Braeland City Monarchs back in 1953-54. He has pitched all of 4.0 innings and will make his first postseason start today. Bottom of the 1st: With one out, Sherwin Carasig blisters a 1-1 slider out to leftfield that drops right in front of LF Rod Dennis for a base hit. With two out, Matthew Channing drills one to shallow center for another base hit. Carasig wheels toward third and beats out the throw, putting runners on the corners. Callum Spalton then crushes a 2-2 cutter down the line deep into leftfield. As Dennis chases it down, Carasig crosses the plate. Channing is waved home and just beats out the relay as he slides under the tag for the Barons’ second run. Queensland 0 – Stratford 2 Bottom of the 3rd: Roberto Ríos, Sherwin Carasig and Alfonso León lead off with three consecutive base hits, adding to the Barons’ lead. Queensland 0 – Stratford 3 Top of the 5th: The Eagles finally get to Bill Wolf, as Robbie Leivers lines a 3-1 fastball out toward short right center for a lead-off base hit. Matsuo Oyama belts a hard line drive into deep right center that bounces all the way to the wall. Oyama pulls up into second as Leivers is held up at third. With one out, Danilo Narvaez lifts one out to deep rightfield. Leivers tags up and scores as Oyama moves up to third. Hal Dhu then pounces on the first offering from Wolf and lines it into center. Oyama scores easily on the base hit. Queensland 2 – Stratford 3 Top of the 8th: Hal Dhu and Apia Yarrah lead off with back-to-back singles, putting runners on the corners. With one out, Rod Dennis sends a fly ball sailing out to deep rightfield. Dhu tags up and beats out the throw from RF Kosaku Fukushima to tie up the game. Queensland 3 – Stratford 3 Top of the 9th: Robbie Leivers jumps all over a 1-1 forkball, sending it deep into right centerfield. RF Kosaku Fukushima sprints after it but the ball bounces to the wall. Leivers rounds second and slides in safely with a lead-off triple. PH Joshua Challen is then intentionally walked putting runners on the corners. But Wolf’s first pitch to PH Bob Sobel is wild, allowing Leivers to race home for the go ahead run. In the bottom of the 9th, RHP Logan Belsey takes over from RHP Jeremy Albury to get the final three outs. Belsey gets both Matthew Channing and PH Don North to pop out to the infield before surrendering a walk to PH Andy Faulkner. But PH Eiichi Nakashima strikes out swinging to end the threat. The Eagles finally get in the win column and stay alive for at least another day. FINAL: Queensland 4 – Stratford 3   
__________________
United Leagues of Braeland |
|
|
|
|
01-03-2025, 04:14 PM
|
#835 |
|
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,896
|
April 6 – Game 5 Queensland hung on to finally win their first game of the Series and look to build on that momentum. RHP Logan Belsey (0-1, 1 SV, 5.59 ERA), who threw 15 pitches in the bottom of the 9th to seal the win in Game 4, gets the start today for Queensland. He once again faces Stratford’s RHP Joseph Sellwood (1-0, 4.50 ERA), who picked up the win in Game 1. Bottom of the 2nd: Matthew Channing drives a 0-1 slider down the line toward deep rightfield. Hal Dhu races back and leaps at the wall but it sails over his head, landing 339 ft. into the stands for a lead-off solo home run. Queensland 0 – Stratford 1 Top of the 3rd: Matsua Oyama and Noel Eissens lead off with back-to-back singles. Logan Belsey successfully lays down a sac bunt down the first base line to advance the runners. Hal Dhu then grounds out to short. Oyama comes into score on the play, tying up the game. Queensland 1 – Stratford 1 Top of the 5th: Matsua Oyama punches one into centerfield for a lead-off single. As Noel Eissens strikes out swinging, Oyama breaks for second base. C Aaron Skidmore rifles it to second, but it sails wide into the outfield. Oyama scampers to third on the error. Logan Belsey then sends a towering fly ball to rightfield. RF Kosaku Fukushima hauls it in, but Oyama tags up and scores without a throw. Queensland 2 – Stratford 1 Bottom of the 6th: Joseph Sellwood lines a fastball into shallow right centerfield for a lead-off base hit. Roberto Ríos bunts one down the third base line and is thrown out as Sellwood takes second. But C Robbie Leivers can’t hang onto Logan Belsey’s first pitch to Sherwin Carasig and is charged with a passed ball as Sellwood moves over to third. Sherwin Carasig then drives one straight up the middle past the drawn-in infield for a base hit as Sellwood comes home to tie up the game. Queensland 2 – Stratford 2 Top of the 9th: RHP José Rodríguez comes on in relief of Joseph Sellwood to start the 9th. After getting Rod Dennis to fly out to rightfield, Rodríguez hits PH John Rose on a 1-0 pitch, putting him on base. Two pitches later, Rose breaks for second and beats out the throw from C Aaron Skidmore. Robbie Leivers then grounds out to 2B Matthew Channing, moving Rose to third. PH Joshua Challen then jumps all over Rodríguez’s first pitch, sending it soaring into deep centerfield. As it bounces off the wall for a double, Rose crosses the plate to put the Eagles back on top. Queensland 3 – Stratford 2 Bottom of the 9th: Logan Belsey gets two quick outs before surrendering a 4-pitch walk to Eiichi Nakashima. Walter Beauvais and Aaron Skidmore then follow with back-to-back singles, driving home Nakashima to tie up the game once more and sending it into extras. Queensland 3 – Stratford 3 Top of the 11th: Zhao-dao Liu pounds a hard grounder through the hole into rightfield off RHP William Say for a lead-off single. After John Rose strikes out swinging, Robbie Leivers bangs out a slow bouncer toward left. SS Jeff Houston throws out Leivers at first as Liu takes second. John Oldknow then connects on a 1-1 slider, sending a towering fly ball to deep leftfield. LF Roberto Ríos races back for it but runs out of room as it sails 361 ft. into the stands for a 2-run home run. Still with two out, Noel Eissens raps a hard grounder toward short. SS Jeff Houston picks it up and hurries his throw to first. It bounces in the dirt and into the first base dugout. Eissens advances to second on the error. Logan Belsey then smashes the next pitch to deep centerfield. CF Alfonso León races back but it’s off the wall for a double. Eissens hustles home, increasing the Eagles’ lead to three. Logan Belsey stays in to try and close out the game in the bottom of the 11th. But Eiichi Nakashima connects on the first pitch for a lazy fly ball that drops in for hit in shallow leftfield. After Walter Beauvais flies out to leftfield, Aaron Skidmore drives a 1-1 fastball through the infield and into centerfield as Nakashima takes second. PH Roberto Pérez then slaps a ground ball out toward leftfield. 3B Bob Sobel snares it, throws to second for one and 2B Dennis Purcell in turn fires it to first to complete the game ending double play. The Eagles win it in extras to send the Series back to Queensland for Game 6. FINAL: Queensland 6 – Stratford 3     -------- April 8 – Game 6 Despite the rainy skies, renewed optimism has returned to Wagner Stadium in Queensland. The Eagles have fought tenaciously to stay alive in the Series and have their second ace ready to take the mound. RHP Stiofan Micklethwait (0-1, 5.62 ERA) did not have the playoff debut he was hoping for back in Game 2 and is looking for redemption. Meanwhile, LHP Robin Wadsworth (1-0, 1.23 ERA) is focused on leading the Barons to one more victory and put the Series to bed. Bottom of the 2nd: Wadsworth get two quick outs before Matsuo Oyama works the count full and draws a walk. Noel Eissens then smashes a 2-2 slider down the third base line and into the left field corner. Oyama moves up to third, then breaks for home. SS Callum Spalton whips the relay home, but Oyama slides under the tag to get Queensland on the board. Stratford 0 – Queensland 1 Top of the 3rd: Robin Wadsworth comes to the plate sporting a .198 AVG on the season. But he connects on an 87 mph fastball, sending it high in the air to deep centerfield. Matsuo Oyama reaches for it, but it sails past him and bounces to the wall as Wadsworth slides in safely for a lead-off double. Roberto Ríos then punches a 2-0 fastball through the box and into centerfield, putting runners on the corners. Sherwin Carasig follows and sends a chopper out to 2B Dennis Purcell. Purcell throws to second for one while SS Noel Eissens guns it to first to complete the double play as Wadsworth comes home to tie the game. Stratford 1 – Queensland 1 Bottom of the 8th: The game remains deadlocked until the bottom of the 8th as RHP José Rodríguez takes over from Robin Wadsworth. With one out, Dennis Purcell jumps all over a 2-2 fastball, sending it soaring 430 ft. into the right centerfield bleaches for a solo home run giving the lead back to Queensland. In the top of the 9th, Micklethwait looks to finish what he started. Alfonso León leads off and lifts one out to deep centerfield, but Matsuo Oyama backs up and reels it in. Matthew Channing follows and strikes out looking. PH Don North then lines the first pitch out toward short. But Noel Eissens leaps and spears it for the final out. The Queensland Eagles fight their way back to even the Series and force a winner-take-all Game 7. FINAL: Stratford 1 – Queensland 2     -------- April 9 – Game 7 The Queensland Eagles have seemingly pulled off the improbable by fighting their way back to even the Series. Now they look to complete the impossible, win four straight games after losing the first three in a best of seven matchup. And they have a chance to do that right in their own backyard under warm, sunny skies. The Game 3 pitchers square off once again in this final showdown. RHP Tyler Gissing (0-1, 9.00 ERA) is another Queensland starter looking to redeem himself after a disappointing previous outing, while RHP Ted Smith (0-0, 6.00 ERA) also looks for a stronger outing to help avert a potential historic collapse by the Barons. Bottom of the 1st: Smith and the Barons struggle right from the start. After surrendering a lead-off walk to Hal Dhu, Smith induces a towering pop-up toward short right center from Apia Yarrah. But either through miscommunication or misjudgement, it falls in for a base hit in front of 2B Matthew Channing. Dhu moves up to second on the play. Dennis Purcell then slices a liner to leftfield for a base hit. Dhu takes third then heads for home, beating out the tag for the game’s first run. Rod Dennis steps into the box and on a 2-1 count, crushes Smith’s 91 mph fastball down the line to deep leftfield. Roberto Ríos chases after it but it sails 388 ft. over the wall for a 3-run home run. After Ryan Conisford strikes out, Robbie Leivers adds to the Eagles’ lead by smashing 1-0 fastball toward the alley in left centerfield. Ríos again is in pursuit and tries to time his leap but it’s out of his reach for a 418 ft. solo home run. Although Smith gets the next two outs to end the inning, his afternoon is over, as RHP Stephan Tindall takes over. Stratford 0 – Queensland 5 Top of the 2nd: But Tyler Gissing’s day doesn’t go any better. Matthew Channing leads off and sends a hard grounder toward the left side. 3B Apia Yarrah is there but bobbles it, allowing Channing to reach safely on the error. Callum Spalton hits a slow dribbler out toward the mound but beats out the throw from Gissing for an infield base hit. Kosaku Fukushima then draws a 4-pitch walk to load the bases with nobody out. Walter Beauvais laces a hard grounder toward the left side hole. SS Noel Eissens fields it and throws it to second for the first out, but Fukushima’s hard slide prevents the double play. Channing scores on the play as Spalton takes third. Aaron Skidmore lofts one out to leftfield. Rod Dennis comes in quickly to snag it and whips it home, but Spalton successfully tags up and scores. PH Don North follows and rips a 2-2 changeup out to deep right centerfield. CF Matsuo Oyama races back as it caroms off the wall. North slides hard into third and beats out the throw for a 1-run triple. Roberto Ríos steps to the plate and gets all of Gissing’s 2-2 changeup, sending it soaring over the head of RF Hal Dhu 357 ft. into the rightfield bleachers for a two-run home run to knot the game up at five. Gissing heads to the showers as manager Daryl Rowde has seen enough and calls upon RHP Kaula Mafileo in relief to escape the inning. Stratford 5 – Queensland 5 Bottom of the 6th: Ryan Conisford jumps on the first pitch he sees from Tindall, slamming an 84 mph slider out to deep right center. CF Alfonso León has to play it off the wall as Conisford slides safely into second for a lead-off base hit. Robbie Leivers then punches a hard grounder past the reach of SS Callum Spalton to put runners on the corners. After Tindall induces two shallow fly balls for the first two outs, Zhao-dao Liu works the count to draw a walk and load the bases. But Tindall’s first pitch to Hal Dhu is misplayed by C Aaron Skidmore. Conisford races in from third to score on the passed ball as the other baserunners advance. Hal Dhu then lines a 2-1 slider to deep centerfield. Leivers comes in to score on the base hit adding to the Eagles’ lead. LHP William Say comes on in relief to end the inning. Stratford 5 – Queensland 7 Top of the 7th: With Queensland holding the lead, manager Daryl Rowde brings in his ace, RHP Logan Belsey, for this third relief appearance in the Series. But after Alfonso León flies out to deep centerfield on the first pitch, Matthew Channing drills Belsey’s 95 mph fastball into deep right center. CF Matsuo Oyama reaches for it but comes up short as it caroms off the wall. Channing tears around second and slides in safely for a one-out triple. Callum Spalton then lofts Belsey’s first pitch to deep leftfield. Channing tags up and slides in awkwardly to beat out the throw before Belsey strikes out Kosaku Fukushima to end the inning. In the top of the 9th with the Eagles clinging to a one run lead, manager Rowde sticks with his ace. Belsey strikes out Roberto Ríos for the first out. Sherwin Carasig then lofts a 2-2 slider over the infield and into short center for a base hit. PH Andy Faulkner crushes a high fly ball out to deep centerfield. Matsuo Oyama races back to the warning track and finally hauls it in for the second out. After two failed pick-off attempts at first, Matthew Channing, who hit a triple in his last at-bat, jumps on a 1-2 changeup, sending it to deep rightfield. But Hal Dhu hustles over and makes the grab to end the game and complete the miracle comeback. The Queensland Eagles win their second Eastern League Pennant in historic fashion and are heading to the United Cup! FINAL: Stratford 6 – Queensland 7     --------   
__________________
United Leagues of Braeland |
|
|
|
|
01-19-2025, 04:31 PM
|
#836 |
|
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,896
|
  For the third consecutive year, the Pulberry Trolleys and Sherburn Tigers square off for the Western League Pennant. The Trolleys finished in top spot for the 5th consecutive season and have won back-to-back United Cups. They won over 90 games the previous three seasons as well but have out-down themselves this year, winning 103 games and finishing 16 games ahead of the second-place Tigers. It is the 12th time a team has reached 100 victories in the ULB and Pulberry is now the 8th team to accomplish it. It’s the first time in five years that a team has reached the 100-win plateau; the Cobourg Red Stockings won 100 back in 1952-53. The Trolleys’ 103 wins is just one off the high-water mark of 104, reached by three teams: the 1942-43 Embro Suns, the 1945-46 Kingston Pelicans and the 1948-49 Braeland City Monarchs. All of which is to say that the Sherburn Tigers have their hands full even more if they hope to win their first Pennant in team history this year. Although they have been a model of consistency, winning 89, 86 and 87 games over each of the past three seasons, they have finished second to the Trolleys each time and have been unable to get past them to advance to the United Cup. Their performance against Pulberry this season offers little signs of hope either, to be honest. While Sherburn went 7-8 against the Trolleys in each of the previous two regular seasons, they could only muster 4 wins in 15 matchups this season. The Trolleys won the first 7 games between them and outscored the Tigers 72-49 overall. There is only one injury to speak of affecting this Series. Sherburn’s 25-year old LHP Kosue Saito (Career: 28-32, 4.30 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 4.27 FIP, 94 ERA+) was a non-factor this year, having his season come to an end in just his third start due to bone chips discovered in his throwing elbow. The four-year veteran has suffered multiple setbacks, and it is unclear when he will be ready to pitch again. Nevertheless, 44-year old manager Jaime Blair (400-370, .519) has managed to shepherd this club to the playoffs once again and his easy going style is still very popular with his players. On the other side, 52-year old Ryo Ichikawa (1198-962, .554) has established himself as the best manager in the United Leagues, with his adept handling of egos in the clubhouse and his attention to detail. With the Tigers looking to finally break through while their playoff window is still open and the Trolleys looking to cement their place in history as perhaps the greatest team in ULB history, the battle for the Western League Pennant should be an eventful one. Play ball! -------- April 1 – Game 1 For the 5th straight year, Trolleys Stadium hosts Game 1 under partly cloudy skies. Pulberry’s ace, 22-year LHP Bart Ohara (4-2, 1.41 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 7 career playoff starts) takes the mound, while Sherburn goes with their No. 3 starter, 33-year old RHP Kieran Bunce (0-3, 4.15 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 3 career playoff starts with Kingston and Sherburn). Bottom of the 1st: Pulberry takes advantage of an error to put runs on the board early. Francis Jones leads off and slaps a hard grounder toward the right-side hole. 1B Marcus Timberlake dives and snags it. Bouncing to his feet, Timberlake throws it to Bunce covering first, but Bunce juggles the relay. Jones reaches safely on the error. Ellis Dibble then taps one out to the mound and uses his speed to beat out the throw from Bunce. Jones moves up to second. After Cooper Tyson strikes out looking, Aiden Thirkettle smacks a 1-1 fastball down the leftfield line, sending it 372 ft. into the bleachers for a 3-run home run. Sherburn 0 - Pulberry 3 Top of the 3rd: Kieran Bunce leads off and gets clipped by a 2-2 slider, sending him to first. Albert Sulley then walks on four-straight pitches, moving Bunce up to second. After Dwayne Vick flies out to RF Joe Riding, Leon Albrecht jumps on a 1-2 cutter, driving it to deep left centerfield. LF Aiden Thirkettle races back for it but its out of his reach as it hits the wall on a hop. Bunce and Sulley cross the plate as Albrecht hook slides into third for a two-run triple. Sherburn 2 - Pulberry 3 Bottom of the 6th: After getting two quick outs, Bunce sees Joe Riding jump all over his first offering, an 89 mph fastball. Riding hits it deep toward the gap in right center. The ball skips to the wall as CF Leon Albrecht chases it down. Riding careens around second and slides headfirst safely into third. Yoshimi Sekozawa then slaps a 1-2 grounder out past the mound. SS Dwayne Vick swipes at it but loses the handle and doesn’t risk a throw. Sekozawa reaches safely on an infield single as Riding comes into score. Sherburn 2 - Pulberry 4 Bottom of the 8th: With one out, Joe Riding lines the first pitch into leftfield for a single. Yoshimi Sekozawa then slices a full-count slider into rightfield for a base hit. Riding tears around second and beats out RF Albert Sulley’s throw to put runners on the corners. Sean Abercrombie then slashes a 1-1 fastball into rightfield for a base hit, scoring Riding. Sherburn 2 - Pulberry 5 Top of the 9th: Marcus Timberlake leads off and absolutely crushes a 1-0 cutter out to dead centerfield, for a 450 ft. solo home run. But Bonie Bandong, who relieved Ohara to start the 8th inning, gets Vic Lewis to fly out to CF Cooper Tyson, then strikes out PH Quincey Woolescroft. Albert Sulley follows and draws a walk to bring the tying run to the plate. Bandong induces a high fly ball to rightfield from Dwayne Vick. RF Joe Riding gets under it and pulls it down to end the threat. The Trolleys take Game 1. FINAL: Sherburn 3 - Pulberry 5     -------- April 2 – Game 2 The Tigers played tough in Game 1, but it wasn’t quite enough to overcome some early missteps. For Game 2, they call upon their No. 4 starter, 33-year old RHP Paul Woodruff (0-0, 1 SV, 0.00 ERA, 2.2 IP in 3 career playoff games.), who will be making his first career playoff start. Meanwhile, No. 2 starter 30-year old RHP Taylor Folkard (6-1, 2.33 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 10 career playoff starts) counters for Pulberry. Top of the 3rd: Albert Sulley draws a walk on 4-straight pitches to lead off. Dwayne Vick then slices a weak sinking flyball down the line to short rightfield for a base hit as Sulley moves up to second. Leon Albrecht hits one back to the mound. Folkard grabs it and whips it to 2B Yoshimi Sekozawa to cut down Vick. But a good, hard slide from Vick prevents the relay throw to first as Sulley hustles into third. Adrian Flynn then drives a 1-1 fastball into centerfield. Tyson runs in to field it on a hop as Sulley comes into score. Albrecht tears around second and beats out Tyson’s throw to put runners on the corners again. Folkard then surrenders a four-pitch walk to Robert Kersey to load the bases before striking out Ross Shewman. Marcus Timberlake battles Folkard to a full count then drives a fastball deep into the leftfield corner where Aidan Thirkettle rushes in to corral it. Timerberlake pulls up into second without a throw as all three base runners come into score. Sherburn 4 - Pulberry 0 Bottom of the 5th: Pulberry finally makes some noise as Joe Riding leads off and drives a full-count fastball down the leftfield line and into the corner. Ross Shewman tracks it down, but not before Riding pulls up into second. After Yoshimi Sekozawa and Sean Abercrombie both strike out swinging, Taylor Folkard hits a roller out to third. Albert Flynn fields it and throws it to 1B Marcus Timberlake, but his throw sails wide and bounces out of play. Riding comes into score as Folkard ends up at second on the error. Sherburn 4 - Pulberry 1 Top of the 7th: Dwayne Vick leads off and draws a full-count walk. After Leon Albrecht pops out to second, Adrian Flynn and Robert Kersey bang out back-to-back singles to score Vick. In the bottom of the 9th, Woodruff gives up a 4-pitch walk Yoshimi Sekozawa to lead off. Sean Abercrombie hits a hard grounder toward first. Marcus Timberlake throws to second for one, but 2B Dwayne Vick get clobbered by Sekozawa with a hard-nosed slide, breaking up the double play. PH Gerard Koerner then loops one out to shallow leftfield, forcing Ross Shewman to play it on the hop as Abercrombie takes second. But Francis Jones hits a 0-2 changeup back to second. 2B Dwayne Vick steps on second to for one then fires it to 1B Marcus Timberlake for the twin killing to end the game. The Tigers even things up as the Series heads to Sherburn for the next three games. FINAL: Sherburn 5 - Pulberry 1     -------- April 4 – Game 3 A searing hot day greets the players and fans as the teams get set for Game 3 at The Paramount. Pulberry goes with their No. 3 starter, 37-year old RHP Robin Medellin (6-3, 3.09 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 13 career playoff starts with the Braeland City Monarchs and Pulberry). Sherburn taps their 3-time Satchel Paige Award winner, 34-year old RHP Jesús Chapa (2-3, 1 SV, 3.83 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 5 career playoff starts). Top of the 3rd: Jesús Chapa gets burned by some control issues. Chapa walks Francis Jones with one out. On the first pitch to Ellis Dibble, Jones gets a great jump and easily steals second. On the next offering, Dibble slices a liner down the line into short rightfield. Albert Sulley races in but can’t get to it in time. Jones hustles to third, then breaks for home. Jones slides in safely, beating out the tag from C Robert Kersey as Dibble takes second. After Cooper Tyson strikes out on a failed check swing, Aiden Thirkettle draws a walk. Paul England then hits a hard grounder out toward the right side. 1B Marcus Timberlake dives and snares it, but England just beats out the throw for an infield single, loading the bases. Joe Riding battles Chapa to a full count, then takes ball four, forcing in Dibble for the second run. Pulberry 2 – Sherburn 0 Bottom of the 7th: Robin Medellin holds the Tigers off the board, limiting them to four singles and a walk until the 7th inning. After two quick outs, Vic Lewis pounds Medellin’s 2-1 splitter out between third and short. SS Sean Abercrombie lunges and knocks it down. But his throw to first sails wide, allowing Lewis to take second on the error. PH Carlos Cuevas taps one out toward second. 2B Yoshimi Sekozawa moves in and grabs it but Cuevas just beats out the throw for an infield single, moving Lewis up to third. Albert Sulley then flares a 1-1 fastball out to short rightfield that’s just over the head of 2B Yoshimi Sekozawa. Lewis comes into score as Cuevas beats out RF Joe Riding’s throw to take third. After two failed pick-off attempts at first, Dwayne Vick lines a 3-2 fastball out toward short right center for a base hit. Cuevas scores easily, tying up the game. After 9 innings, the game remains tied, forcing extras. Pulberry 2 – Sherburn 2 Top of the 12th: To start the 12th, manager Jamie Blair calls to the bullpen for RHP Callum Hyde. Francis Jones hits a hard grounder past first base and into rightfield for a lead-off double. Ellis Dibble is intentional walked to set up a potential double play. But Wade Billyard lines a 2-2 cutter into the gap in deep rightfield. Albert Sulley lunges for it, but it’s just past his glove as it bounces to the wall. Jones comes into score as Dibble moves up to third on Billyard’s stand-up double. Aidan Thirkettle is then intentionally walked to load the bases with nobody out. With the infield drawn in, Paul England sends a hot grounder toward first. 1B Marcus Timberlake plays it on the hop then whips it home to cut down Dibble. C Robert Kersey then fires it back to Timberlake to complete the double play. Ángelo Ríos then draws a walk to reload the bases. Yoshimi Sekozawa raps a grounder straight up the middle. 2B Vic Lewis lunges but can’t find the handle and doesn’t risk the throw. Billyard scores on Sekozawa’s infield hit. Sean Abercrombie then draws the fourth walk of the inning, forcing in Thirkettle before PH Hokuaonani Kaili strikes out swinging to end the inning. In the bottom of the 12th, RHP Alexander Ellacott takes over. After getting Dwayne Vick to fly out to deep right field on the first pitch, Leon Albrecht lofts a 1-2 cutter out to shallow centerfield for a base hit. Adrian Flynn then strikes out looking. Robert Kersey follows and draws a walk, moving Albrecht to second. With Ross Shewman in the box, Ellacott’s 1-1 change-up is way outside and sails past Paul England as the runners move up. Shewman then takes ball four, loading the bases and bringing the winning run to the plate. But Marcus Timberlake pulls a 0-1 cutter out to leftfield. Aiden Thirkettle ranges over to make the catch and end the threat. Pulberry retakes the Series lead. FINAL: Pulberry 5 – Sherburn 2     -------- April 5 – Game 4 The Tigers lost a tough one in extra innings that day before and look to try to even things up on home turf. Once again, its clear and hot in the open plains of Braeland. No. 4 starter Dermott Rathbone (3-1, 9 SV, 2.51 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 28.2 IP) gets the call for Pulberry. It will be the 28-year old southpaw’s first career playoff start. Sherburn hands the game ball to their No. 2 starter, 31-year old RHP Ben Buschlen (0-1, 4.80 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 15.0 IP). It will be his third career start in the playoffs, all against the Trolleys. Bottom of the 1st: The Tigers pounce early. Albert Sulley leads off with a four-pitch walk. After Dwayne Vick flies out to RF Joe Riding, Leon Albrecht lines the first pitch sharply to leftfield. Sulley moves up to second as LF Aidan Thirkettle plays it on the hop. Rathbone then gets Adrian Flynn to swing at a 79 mph changeup for strike three. Robert Kersey steps up and battles Rathbone to a full count. Kersey then jumps on a cutter, sending it high toward the gap in right centerfield. RF Joe Riding give chase, but it lands 396 ft. into the stands for a 3-run homerun, Kersey’s first of the post-season. Pulberry 0 – Sherburn 3 Top of the 2nd With one out, Paul England shoots one down the leftfield line and into the corner. As Ross Shewman races over to corral it, England swings around first and pulls up into second for a stand-up double. Joe Riding and Yoshimi Sekozawa then follow with back-to-back walks to load the bases. But Buschlen strikes out both Sean Abercrombie and Dermott Rathbone to escape the inning. Pulberry 0 – Sherburn 3 Bottom of the 3rd: In the bottom of the 3rd, fireworks ensue. After Albert Sulley lines out to 1B Ellis Dibble, Dwayne Vick works the count full then gets a called ball four. Leon Albrecht then jumps all over 0-1 fastball, sending it soaring to deep rightfield. Joe Riding races back to the warning track but it lands 369 ft. into the stands for a two-run home run. That ends Rathbone’s day, as manager Ryo Ichikawa calls upon RHP Harley Rodman in relief. Rodman’s second pitch, a 93 mph fastball, plunks LH Adrian Flynn. Flynn and Rodman exchange heated words before Flynn charges the mound as C Paul England unsuccessfully tries to hold him back. Flynn and Rodman exchange blows that miss their mark while both benches clear. Flynn and Rodman are ejected from the game as the umpires slowly bring things under control. PR Tyler MacGugan takes Flynn’s place at first base while RHP Eddie Roach comes on in relief of Rodman. Although Roach surrenders a two-out single to Ross Shewman to put runners on the corners, he gets Marcus Timberlake to hit into a fielder’s choice as 2B Yoshimi Sekozawa steps on second to force out Shewman to end the eventful inning. Pulberry 0 – Sherburn 5 Top of the 5th: Sean Abercrombie sends a bouncer toward the left side hole and into leftfield for a lead-off base hit. Eddie Roach then bunts the first pitch back to the mound. Ben Buschlen snares it and throws to first. But his throw is in the dirt and Marcus Timberlake is unable to come up with it. Roach takes second on the error as Abercrombie moves up to third. Francis Jones then lines a 2-2 splitter out to deep left center. CF Leon Albrecht races back but he comes up short and it hops off the wall. Both Abercrombie and Roach come in to score as Jones pulls up into second for a two-run double. With one out, Cooper Tyson belts a 2-1 fastball that finds a crease into rightfield. Tyson quickly decides to hold up at first, but the speedy Jones races around third and beats out the throw to home from RF Albert Sulley as the Trolleys add another run. Pulberry 3 – Sherburn 5 Top of the 6th: Joe Riding sends a bouncer out to SS Dwayne Vick. Vick throws to first, but it bounces in the dirt and past 1B Marcus Timberlake. Riding takes second on the error. Yoshimi Sekozawa then draws a walk on four-straight pitches. Sean Abercrombie jumps on Buschlen’s 1-1 splitter, sending a sharp line drive down the leftfield line that gets past Ross Shewman’s outreached glove. Riding scores and Sekozawa takes third as Abercrombie pulls up into second with an RBI double. With one out, Francis Jones lines one out to centerfield. Leon Albrecht chases it down, but Sekozawa tags up and slides in hard to score the tying run. Pulberry 5 – Sherburn 5 Top of the 9th: RHP Roy Hay takes over from Buschlen to start the 9th. After getting Francis Jones to line out to 1B Will Thomas, Hay surrenders three consecutive full-count walks to Ellis Dibble, Cooper Tyson and Aidan Thirkettle, loading the bases. Paul England then cranks out a broken-bat flare to rightfield that just gets over the drawn-in infield. Dibble scores on the play as Pulberry takes the lead for the first time. In the bottom of the 9th, RHP Bonie Bandong, who came on in the 8th, gets Quincy Woolescroft, Albert Sulley and Dwayne Vick to go down in order to end the game. Pulberry squeaks by Sherburn to move to within one game from advancing to the United Cup. FINAL: Pulberry 6 – Sherburn 5 Note: Sherburn’s 2B Vic Lewis suffered back stiffness while fielding an Aiden Thirkettle grounder in the 7th inning. Although he is listed as day-to-day, IF Will Thomas will be taking his place for the remainder of the Series.    
__________________
United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 01-19-2025 at 11:16 PM. |
|
|
|
|
01-19-2025, 04:38 PM
|
#837 |
|
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,896
|
 April 6 – Game 5 The two teams’ mutual dislike for each other boiled over yesterday as the Trolleys were able to use a bench clearing brawl to swing the momentum and overcome a five-run deficit to take a 3 to 1 games lead in the Series. Sherburn now needs to shake that setback off and focus on getting back into the Series. Game 5 features the same matchup as in Game 1. Pulberry turns to their ace in LHP Bart Ohara (1-0, 2.57 ERA, 7.0 IP, 121 PI) looking to wrap up the Series. The Tigers counter with RHP Kieran Bunce (0-1, 4.50 ERA, 8.0 IP, 123 PI), who is still looking for his first career playoff win. Bottom of the 2nd: Adrian Flynn, who was ejected from yesterday’s game, gets the first hit of this matchup as he pounds a 1-1 splitter from Ohara to deep left center. CF Cooper Tyson gets on his horse, but the ball reaches the wall on a hop. Flynn rounds second as Tyson finally snags the ball. Flynn slides in under the tag for a lead-off triple. Robert Kersey grounds one out to the right side hole. 2B Yoshimi Sekozawa throws him out at first as Flynn comes into score. Pulberry 0 – Sherburn 1 Bottom of the 3rd: Will Thomas slams the first pitch into shallow centerfield for a lead-off base hit. But two pitches later, Thomas is thrown out trying to steal second. After Kieran Bunce grounds out to 1B Ellis Dibble, Albert Sulley battles Ohara to a full count before slicing a liner to leftfield for a clean single. Dwayne Vick lines one sharply to left field as well before Leon Albrecht battles Ohara for a full count walk to load the bases. Adrian Flynn is next up and smashes a 2-2 changeup down the leftfield line and into the corner. Sulley and Vick both score on the play. Albrecht reaches third and breaks for home as well. LF Aidan Thirkettle throws it back in to SS Sean Abercrombie who whips the relay home. Albrecht slides in hard but is tagged out to end the inning. Pulberry 0 – Sherburn 3 Top of the 4th: Cooper Tyson raps one hard down the first base line and into the corner. Cooper takes a wide turn around first and slides in ahead of RF Albert Sulley’s throw for a one-out double. Aidan Thirkettle then gets drilled by a 1-2 curveball. Despite the heightened tension, Thirkettle calmly takes first base. Paul England then lines a 0-1 fastball into short right center for a base hit. Tyson races to third, then breaks for home. CF Leon Albrecht fires it back in but Tyson slides in under the tag to get the Trolleys on the board. Pulberry 1 – Sherburn 3 Bottom of the 7th: Ross Shewman lines a 0-1 fastball out to shallow centerfield for a lead-off base hit, then advances to second on a Marcus Timberlake sac bunt. Will Thomas in turn lines a 1-2 slider out to short rightfield for a base hit. Shewman advances to third then sprints for home. RF Gustavo Hernández sends it home but Shewman slides under the tag to regain Sherburn’s three-run lead. Pulberry 1 – Sherburn 4 Bottom of the 8th: Leon Albrecht skies the first pitch out to deep centerfield. Cooper Tyson reaches up, but it bangs off the wall as Leon sails past first and slides in safely for a one-out double. With first base open, Adrian Flynn is given an intentional walk. Robert Kersey then muscles a 1-2 splitter out to center where it falls in for a base hit in front of Tyson. Albrecht rounds third and charges for home. The throw is made but Albrecht slides in safely, adding to the Tigers lead. In the top of the 9th, Kieran Bunce gets Cooper Tyson, Aidan Thirkettle and Paul England to go down in order. Bunce gets his first career playoff win, helping Sherburn stave off elimination as the Series heads back to Pulberry. FINAL: Pulberry 1 – Sherburn 5     -------- April 8 – Game 6 The Series shifts back to the south-west coast with the Tigers looking to even matters up with the Trolleys focused on ending matters and moving on to the United Cup for the third straight year. The Game 2 starters square off again. Pulberry’s RHP Taylor Folkard (0-1, 6.43 ERA, 7.0 IP) looks to bounce back from a rough outing while Sherburn hopes RHP Paul Woodruff (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 9.0 IP) turns in another brilliant performance as he did in Game 2. Top of the 1st: Albert Sulley leads off the game with a four-pitch walk. Dwayne Vick drills one down the middle past a diving SS Sean Abercrombie and into centerfield as Sulley takes second. Leon Albrecht sends a grounder toward second. 2B Yoshimi Sekozawa picks it up and tosses it to second for the out but a hard slide by Vick breaks up the double play as Sulley moves up to third. Adrian Flynn hits one down to first. Ellis Dibble throws to second to cut down Albrecht but Albrecht’s hard slide prevents SS Sean Abercrombie from completing the double play. Sulley comes into score. Sherburn 1 - Pulberry 0 Bottom of the 1st: Things do not go well for Woodruff. Francis Jones sends a hard shot down the rightfield line. Albert Sulley lunges for it but it’s out of his reach as it gets down into the corner. Jones pulls up into second for a lead-off double. After Ellis Dibble strikes out swinging, Cooper Tyson lines a 3-1 fastball down the leftfield line. Ross Shewman races over but it bounces to the corner. Jones comes into score as Tyson slides into second safely, tying up the game. Woodruff then walks Aidan Thirkettle on four straight pitches. Paul England is then drilled with 0-2 changeup, loading the bases. Joe Riding then draws a walk, forcing in a run. Yoshimi Sekozawa then cranks a 1-0 fastball out to deep rightfield past Albert Sulley’s outreached glove and to the wall. Sekozawa kicks past second and slides safely into third for a three-run triple. That ends Woodruff’s afternoon as RHP Jesús Chapa comes on in relief. But Sean Abercrombie sends a 0-2 fastball soaring into deep rightfield. Albert Sulley tracks it down, but his throw home is not in time as Sekozawa tags up and scores the inning’s sixth run. Sherburn 1 - Pulberry 6 Top of the 4th: With two out, Robert Kersey lines a 1-0 slider to short left center for a base hit. Ross Sherman works the count and draws a walk, moving Kersey up to second. Marcus Timberlake slices a fastball out to short rightfield. Joe Riding races in hard but can’t get to it in time. Kersey takes third then heads for home. C Paul England spears the relay and spins, but Kersey beats out the tag and scores. Sherburn 2 - Pulberry 6 Bottom of the 6th: Joe Riding sends a 1-1 slider out to the gap in deep left center. LF Ross Shewman is hot on its trail, but it sails just over his head and to rolls to the wall. Riding pulls up into second with a one-out stand-up double. After Yoshimi Sekozawa flies out to short centerfield, Sean Abercrombie rips a grounder between first and second past a diving 1B Will Thomas for a base hit. Riding races around third and beats out the tag, adding to the Trolley’s lead. RHP Alexander Ellacott, who came into the game to start the 7th, returns in the top of the 9th to try and close things out. PH Carlos Cuevas pops out on the first pitch to 1B Ellis Dibble in foul territory. Albert Sulley and Dwayne Vick follow with back-to-back walks. But Leon Albrecht goes down on strikes on three straight pitches. Adrian Flynn then slaps a grounder out toward second. SS Sean Abercrombie snaps it up and touches second himself to retire Vick and end the game. The Pulberry Trolleys win their third consecutive Western League Pennant and are off to the United Cup to face the Queensland Eagles! FINAL: Sherburn 2 - Pulberry 7     --------   
__________________
United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 01-19-2025 at 11:17 PM. |
|
|
|
|
03-29-2025, 06:24 AM
|
#838 |
|
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,896
|
  The Pulberry Trolleys make their third consecutive appearance in the United Cup Series and look to win their third consecutive United Cup, something no other team has accomplished. The Queensland Eagles meanwhile are making just their third appearance in the United Cup, their first since winning it all back in 1946-47. The 199 combined wins between the Queensland Eagles (96) and the Pulberry Trolleys (103) is the highest total for two teams squaring off for the United Cup. That surpasses the 197 combined wins mark set back in 1949-50 between the Downie Chiefs (96) and Wolseley Unions (101). But despite the excellent season Queensland enjoyed, there is a distinct feeling that they may be overmatched facing the Trolleys. Not only were the Eagles forced to battle back from a 0-3 deficit to the Stratford Barons in the Eastern League Pennant Series and win the final four games to reach the United Cup, but Queensland fared poorly in their six regular season matchups with the Trolleys, losing 5 of 6 and being outscored 28-15 in those games. Their lone win was an impressive 7-0 victory back in December, led by their Satchell Paige Award candidate, 30-year old RHP Stiofan Michkelthwait (25-6, 1.84 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 2.37 FIP, 205 ERA+). Meanwhile, the Trolleys made relatively quick work of the Sherburn Tigers in the Western Pennant Series, winning 4 games to 2. So, all eyes will be on the Series as it opens up in Pulberry to see if the Eagles can rise to the occasion and bring the United Cup back to the Eastern League for just the second time in eight years or whether the Trolleys can power their way to an unprecedented third straight Cup. ‘Play Ball!’ -------- April 11 – Game 1 Trolleys Stadium hosts Game 1 of the United Cup for the second consecutive year with a packed house and ideal weather conditions. Pulberry’s ace 22-year old LHP Bart Ohara (1-1, 15.0 IP, 4.20 ERA in WL Pennant Series) gets the start for the Trolleys. Queensland counters with the No. 4 starter, 31-year old RHP Danilo Narvaez (0-0, 6.0 IP, 4.50 ERA in EL Pennant Series). Bottom of the 4th: Through 3-1/2 innings, Ohara and Narvaez surrender just three hits combined. Ellis Dibble leads off and slaps an 0-2 grounder toward left field. SS Noel Eissens bobbles the ball while trying to grab it, allowing Dibble to reach base safely. Cooper Tyson then smashes Narvaez’s first offering down the third base line and all the way to the wall. Dibble hits third base and races for home as Tyson pulls up into second to open the scoring. Queensland 0 – Pulberry 1 Top of the 5th: The Eagles quickly respond. Matsuo Oyama laces an 0-1 slider from Ohara past the mound and into centerfield for a lead-off single. Noel Eissens then jumps on Ohara’s next pitch, a 91-mph fastball, sending it toward deep left center. CF Tyson lunges for it but it caroms off the wall as Eissens tears around second. Tyson corrals the ball and whips it to third, but Eissens slides in safely for an RBI triple to tie up the game. Still with nobody out, Danilo Narvaez turns on an 0-1 fastball and sends it soaring out to deep leftfield. Aidan Thirkettle tracks it down, but Eissens tags up at third and scores easily as Queensland takes the lead. Queensland 2 – Pulberry 1 Bottom of the 5th: Yoshimi Sekozawa flares a 1-2 changeup into short leftfield for a lead-off base hit. Sean Abercrombie then works the count full before drawing a walk, moving up Sekozawa. Bart Ohara lays down a bunt down the first base line. 1B Ryan Conisford picks it up and throws to 2B Dennis Purcell at first for the out as the baserunners advance. Francis Jones hits a 1-1 changeup out toward the left side. SS Noel Eissens fields it cleanly and throws out Jones at first as Sekozawa comes in to tie the game. Queensland 2 – Pulberry 2 Top of the 8th: Rod Dennis slams a 1-2 fastball out toward deep leftfield. Aidan Thirkettle races back and leaps at the wall but its beyond his reach as the ball sails 393 ft. into the bleachers for a one-out solo home run, giving the lead back to Queensland. Queensland 3 – Pulberry 2 Bottom of the 9th: Paul England steps in against Kaula Mafileo, who relieved Narvaez with two out in the bottom of the 7th and drills the first pitch past the pitcher and into centerfield for a lead-off single. Joe Riding jumps on the first pitch he sees as well and pounds it into leftfield. LF Rod Dennis scoops it up but appears to be caught off guard when England sails past second and wheels toward third. Dennis fires it to third, but England slides in safely as Riding moves up to second on the play. Yoshimi Sekozawa lifts a 1-0 cutter out to rightfield. Hal Dhu hauls it in and throws home as England tags up at third. C Robbie Leivers is waiting for him with ball in hand but England slams into Leivers, knocking the ball loose. England ties up the game as Riding takes third. Dwayne Stace then jumps on the first pitch he sees, a 72-mph cutter, and sends a hot grounder past the infield. Riding comes in to score on Stace’s walk-off single for the win. The Trolleys take Game 1. FINAL: Queensland 3 – Pulberry 4     -------- April 12 – Game 2 Queensland looks to even the Series after losing their lead in heart-breaking fashion in Game 1 in the bottom of the 9th. Pulberry’s No. 3 starter, 37-year old LHP Robin Medellin (0-0, 7.2 IP, 0.00 ERA in WL Pennant Series) takes the hill. Queensland counters with their ace, 32-year old RHP Logan Belsey (1-1, 23.2 IP, 3.80 ERA in EL Pennant Series). Bottom of the 1st: Cooper Tyson lines a 1-1 slider out to right centerfield. CF Matsuo Oyama lunges for it but it gets past him, and it rolls all the way to the wall. Tyson races around first and slides in safely for a two-out double. Aidan Thirkettle steps up and absolutely crushes an 0-1 cutter, 458 ft. to the centerfield bleachers for a two-run homer. Paul England follows and slices a 0-1 change-up down the rightfield line. RF Hal Dhu corrals it and throws it back in as England slides into second safely. But England immediately writhes in pain holding his ankle and is forced to leave the game. Hokuaonani Kaili comes into the game to pitch run before Joe Riding strikes out to end the inning. Queensland 0 – Pulberry 2 Top of the 3rd: With one out, Noel Eissens hits a hot grounder toward the left side hole. 3B Francis Jones dives but can’t find the grip. He hangs onto the ball as Eissens reaches safely with an infield single. Logan Belsey lays down the first pitch he sees for a bunt. 3B Francis Jones charges in and throws him out at first as Eissens takes second. Medellin’s first pitch to Hal Dhu is a 73-mph circle changeup. It falls right into Dhu’s wheelhouse, as he launches it down the leftfield line. LF Aidan Thirkettle chases after it, but it lands 370 ft. into the stands as the Eagles tie up the game on a two-out, two-run home run. Queensland 2 – Pulberry 2 Top of the 6th: Apia Yarrah hits a grounder to the right side with one out. 2B Yoshimi Sekozawa snaps it up and whips it to 1B Ellis Dibble, but it sails over his head and into the seats. Yarrah moves up to second on the error. Medellin then walks Dennis Purcell on five pitches. Rod Dennis then hits one softly to rightfield that falls in for a base hit. Yarrah wheels around third and heads for home. He beats out the throw as the Eagles take the lead. Medellin then walks Ryan Conisford on five pitches to load the bases. Medellin then walks Robbie Leivers on four straight pitches forcing in a run as the Eagles open up a two-run lead. Matsuo Oyama then raps a grounder up the middle. SS Sean Abercrombie scoops it up and sends it home on a hop to cut down Rod Dennis at the plate. Noel Eissens then grounds out to the pitcher to end the inning. Queensland 4 – Pulberry 2 Top of the 7th: Logan Belsey hits a grounder into centerfield off Medellin’s first offering for a lead-off base hit, then advances to second on Hal Dhu’s sac bunt. Apia Yarrah then lofts an 0-1 splitter into shallow centerfield for a base hit. Belsey takes third then heads for home. Belsey slides in headfirst beating out the throw from CF Cooper Tyson. That ends Medellin’s day as RHP Quintiliano Galeo comes on in relief. But Dennis Purcell connects on Galeo’s first pitch, sending a high hopper over the head of SS Yoshimi Sekozawa and into right center, putting runners on the corners. Rod Dennis then jumps on Galeo’s first offering, sending a hard liner into short centerfield for a base hit. Yarrah comes in to score, increasing Queensland’s lead to four. Queensland 6 – Pulberry 2 Bottom of the 7th: With two out, Yoshimi Sekozawa hits a weak grounder down the first base line. Belsey tracks it down and throws to 1B Ryan Conisford, but Sekozawa just beats the tag for an infield hit. Sean Abercrombie battles Belsey to a full count then cranks one out to deep centerfield. Matsuo Oyama backtracks but can’t make the play as it drops in for extra bases. Sekozawa hits third then heads for home as Abercrombie pulls up into second for an RBI double. Queensland 6 – Pulberry 3 Bottom of the 9th: Hokuaonani Kaili rips the first pitch he sees out to centerfield for a one-out base hit. Joe Riding then pounds the first pitch down the leftfield line. LF Rod Dennis chases it down in the corner as Kaili pulls up into third and Riding coasts into second on the double. Logan Belsey then loads the bases, giving up a full count walk to Yoshimi Sekozawa. Down to their final out, the Trolleys send PH Ángelo Ríos to the plate. Ríos drives Belsey’s 2-2 changeup to left center. LF Rod Dennis is in hot pursuit but can’t reach it in time. It falls in and rolls to the base of the wall. Kaili, Riding and Sekozawa all head for home as Dennis hurls it back in. All three score, but 1B Ryan Conisford runs over and cuts off the throw, firing it to third. Ríos slides into third but is called out to end the inning, but not before tying the game and sending it into extras. Queensland 6 – Pulberry 6 Top of the 10th: Robbie Leivers smashes RHP Bonie Bandong’s 2-1 cutter to left center. LF Aidan Thirkettle reaches back for it, but it ricochets off the wall. Leivers sprints around second and slides in safely for a lead-off triple. PH John Rose steps in and is given a free pass to set up a potential double-play. But PH Joshua Challen drives a 1-0 cutter out to centerfield. CF Cooper Tyson gets under it, but Leivers tags up at third and scores without a throw. Queensland 7 – Pulberry 6 Bottom of the 10th: Francis Jones connects on RHP Kaula Mafileo’s 0-1 changeup, sending a shallow fly ball down the line into leftfield that falls in for a lead-off base hit. Gustavo Hernández taps a grounder to the right side. Mafileo fields it and throws to first, but its not in time as Hernández reaches safely and Jones moves up to second. Cooper Tyson then smashes a 3-1 changeup out to rightfield. RF Hal Dhu rushes in but can’t get to in time. Jones wheels around third and heads for home. The throw comes in but 1B Ryan Conisford cuts it off and throws to third. Hernández slides into third headfirst and is ruled safe as Jones ties up the game on Tyson’s base hit. With one out, Tyson steals second as Leivers can’t get a handle on it and doesn’t risk the throw. Hokuaonani Kaili steps in and sends a 2-2 changeup softly into rightfield. RF Hal Dhu is unable to get there in time as Hernández comes home to score on Kaili’s walk-off base hit. The Trolleys win it in come-from-behind fashion once again and take a 2-0 lead as the Series heads to Queensland for Game 3. FINAL: Queensland 7 – Pulberry 8 Note: C Paul England suffered torn ankle ligaments while sliding into second base in the first inning. His season is over and is expected to be out for 3-4 months.     -------- April 14 – Game 3 The Series heads east to Queensland with the Eagles attempting to regroup after two consecutive heartbreaking losses. No. 2 starter, 30-year old RHP Stiofan Micklethwait (1-1, 17.0 IP, 3.18 ERA in EL Pennant Series) looks to get Queensland back into the Series in front of the home crowd. Meanwhile, 30-year old RHP Taylor Folkard (1-1, 13.0 IP, 4.85 ERA in WL Pennant Series) will make his third start for Pulberry this postseason. Top of the 1st: Francis Jones pounces on the first pitch of the game, pounding a hard grounder into rightfield past a diving 2B Dennis Purcell for a lead-off base hit. One pitch later, Jones takes off for second and beats out the throw from C Robbie Leivers. Ellis Dibble lifts a 1-1 cutter to deep leftfield. LF Rod Dennis races over to track it down, but Jones tags up and slides hard into third, beating out the throw. Cooper Tyson then lofts a 1-2 fastball to left centerfield. Rod Dennis calls for it and whips it back in. But the speedy Jones tags up at third and beats the throw to open the scoring. Aidan Thirkettle follows with a triple that bounces off the top of the wall in deep right center, but Yoshimi Sekozawa flies out to RF Hal Dhu to end the threat. Pulberry 1 – Queensland 0 Top of the 2nd: Joe Riding jumps on the first pitch and hits a slow roller out toward short. SS Noel Eissens charges in to scoop it up but juggles it slightly. He hangs on rather than risk the throw as Riding reaches base on an infield single. Facing Sean Abercrombie, Micklethwait’s 0-2 slider is off the mark, forcing C Robbie Leivers to track it down as Riding moves up to second. Abercrombie then sends a grounder past a diving Noel Eissens and into leftfield for a base hit. Riding takes third then heads home. Despite a strong throw from LF Rod Dennis, Riding beats the tag with a hook slide, increasing the Trolleys’ lead. Pulberry 2 – Queensland 0 Bottom of the 2nd: Rod Dennis jumps on an 84-mph fastball, sending a little flare out to short leftfield for a lead-off base hit. With one out, Robbie Leivers lines a 1-1 fastball out toward shallow centerfield for a base hit as Dennis moves up to second. Matsuo Oyama follows and sends a 2-1 slider sailing into right centerfield that falls in just before RF Joe Riding can reach it. Dennis rounds third and heads for home. Dennis slides in under the tag to get the Eagles on the board. Pulberry 2 – Queensland 1 Bottom of the 3rd: The Trolleys suffer some adversity in the third. Hal Dhu leads off with a four-pitch walk then steals second two pitches later. Apia Yarrah and Dennis Purcell both draw walks as well, loading up the bases with nobody out. Rod Dennis belts a 0-2 fastball out toward center. CF Cooper Tyson hustles to track it down then makes a tremendous throw home. Hal Dhu tags up and slides in headfirst, but he is cut down at the plate. Tyson immediately grabs his left shoulder in pain and is forced out of the game. OF Wade Billyard comes in to take his place. But Ryan Conisford comes through at the plate, sending a deep fly ball to left centerfield. CF Wade Billyard runs back to the warning track but its way over his head and both him and the ball careen into the wall. Yarrah and Purcell come home to score while Conisford slides in safely for a double. Pulberry 2 – Queensland 3 Bottom of the 6th: Matsuo Oyama draws a full count walk with one out. Noel Eissens lines a 1-0 slider to centerfield. CF Wade Billyard is in hot pursuit but its beyond his reach and it rolls to the wall. Oyama takes third and sprints for home. Billyard quickly gets it back in, but Oyama slides in safely on Eissens RBI double. Stiofan Micklethwait hits a grounder toward short. Abercrombie reaches for it but flubs the pickup, putting runners on the corners. Hal Dhu hits a high bounder toward second. 2B Yoshimi Sekozawa gathers it and throws to second. Micklethwait is thrown out, but his hard slide prevents the double play as Eissens comes home to increase the Eagles’ lead. In the bottom of the 9th, Micklethwait gets Yoshimi Sekozawa, Joe Riding and Sean Abercrombie to all fly out, ending the game and getting the Eagles back into the Series. FINAL: Pulberry 2 – Queensland 5 Note: CF Cooper Tyson suffered a rotator cuff strain while throwing the ball in the third inning. He is gone for the rest of the Series and is expected to be out of commission for the next 5 weeks.     -------- April 15 – Game 4 Queensland finally solved the Trolleys in Game 3 and look to continue their newfound momentum. The Eagles go with their No. 3 starter, 33-year old RHP Tyler Gissing (0-1, 7.2 IP, 7.04 ERA in the EL Pennant Series). Pulberry counters with their No. 4 starter, 28-year old LHP Dermott Rathbone (0-0, 2.1 IP, 19.29 ERA in the WL Pennant Series), who is looking to bounce back from a rough outing against the Sherburn Tigers in Game 4 of the WL Pennant Series. Top of the 4th: Gissing is perfect through three innings but runs into trouble in the fourth. Francis Jones pounds a 1-2 fastball past the pitcher and into centerfield for a lead-off base hit. With one out, Aidan Thirkettle jumps on a 2-0 slider, sending it soaring toward the gap in left centerfield. LF Rod Dennis gives chase, but it sails 419 ft. over the wall for a 2-run home run. Pulberry 2 – Queensland 0 Bottom of the 4th: Ryan Conisford gets one back when he connects on a 2-2 cutter, launching a high fly ball down the leftfield line. LF Aidan Thirkettle charges to the wall, but it lands 367 ft. into the stands for a one-out solo home run. Pulberry 2 – Queensland 1 Top of the 6th: With one out, Francis Jones lays down a bunt in front of the plate. C Robbie Leivers gets to it and whips it to first, but the speedy Jones beats out the throw for an infield single. Yoshimi Sekozawa pounds a hard grounder through the left side hole for a single. LF Rod Dennis hustles for it while Jones digs for third. Jones arrives safely at third without a throw to put runners on the corners. Aidan Thirkettle belts one to deep centerfield. Oyama back peddles and hauls it in. Jones tags up and slides headfirst into home to add to the Trolleys’ lead. Pulberry 3 – Queensland 1 Bottom of the 6th: Rod Dennis hits a shot to center for a lead-off single. Ryan Conisford battles Folkard for nine pitches before drawing a walk, moving Dennis up to second. Robbie Leivers hits a line drive into leftfield. Thirkettle races over but can’t get to it in time as it gets down for a base hit. Dennis moves up to third, then is given the windmill for home. But Thirkettle’s throw is on the money as he just cuts down Dennis as he slides in. On a full count to Matsuo Oyama, Rathbone twitches while on the rubber and is called for a balk. Conisford and Leivers move up to third and second respectively. But Oyama flies out to RF Ellis Dibble and after Noel Eissens is given a free pass to load the bases, Tyler Gissing flies out to Dibble to end the threat. Pulberry 3 – Queensland 1 Bottom of the 7th: Dennis Purcell swings at the first pitch and sends one into rightfield for a two-out single. Rod Dennis jumps on a 3-1 changeup and launches one to deep right centerfield. RF Ellis Dibble races back for it but it’s just out of his reach as it drops in and bounces off the wall. Purcell moves up to third as Dennis cruises into second with a double. That ends Dermott Rathbone’s day as Bonie Bandong come on in relief on a double switch. But Ryan Conisford lines a 1-2 slider down the leftfield line for a base hit. Purcell comes home easily while Dennis tears around third and slides headfirst into home, beating out the throw from LF Aidan Thirkettle to tie up the game. Pulberry 3 – Queensland 3 Top of the 8th: Tyler Gissing surrenders his first walk of the game to PH Gustavo Hernández, who reaches base with one out. With two out, Yoshimi Sekozawa drives a base hit into leftfield. Hernández races around second and slides in safely at third, putting runners on the corners. With the runners going on a full count, Aidan Thirkettle rips a 64-mph cutter out to deep rightfield. RF Hal Dhu races back to the track but the gopher ball lands 376 ft. into the stands for a three-run homer, giving the Trolleys a three-run lead. It’s Thirkettle’s second home run of the game and fourth of the playoffs. Pulberry 6 – Queensland 3 Bottom of the 9th: Things fall apart quickly for Bonie Bandong and the Trolleys in the 9th. Dennis Purcell shoots a hard grounder down the first base line and all the way to the rightfield wall. Purcell zooms into second for a lead-off double. Rod Dennis then walks on five pitches. Ryan Conisford sends a slow roller toward third. 3B Francis Jones reaches for it but drops the ball for an error, loading the bases with nobody out. Robbie Leivers and Matsuo Oyama then hit back-to-back line-drive singles into centerfield, each scoring a run to pull the Eagles to within one, still with the bases loaded and nobody out. PH Joshua Challen then works the count full before drawing a walk, forcing in the tying run. PH Harley Aynsley is then sent to the plate. Bandong’s second pitch is an 86-mph cutter. But C Hokuaonani Kaili misplays the pitch, and it gets past him. Leivers races home from third and scores the winning run. Queensland turns the tables with a walk-off win of their own to tie up the Series. FINAL: Pulberry 6 – Queensland 7    
__________________
United Leagues of Braeland |
|
|
|
|
03-29-2025, 06:33 AM
|
#839 |
|
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,896
|
-------- April 16 – Game 5 The Series is now a best of three thanks to the Eagles battling back to even things up. Both teams return to their Game 1 starters. RHP Danilo Narvaez (0-0, 12.2 IP, 2.84 ERA) takes the hill for Queensland, while Pulberry counters with LHP Bart Ohara (2-1, 24.0 IP, 3.75 ERA). Top of the 2nd: Yoshimi Sekozawa lines a 1-0 bullet to short centerfield that falls in for a one-out base hit. Joe Riding lines a 2-2 changeup to left centerfield. CF Matsuo Oyama dives for it but the ball pops out of his glove. Riding moves up to second while Sekozawa takes third on the error. Sean Abercrombie then sends a line drive toward short left centerfield for a base hit. Sekozawa crosses the plate while Riding sails around third and heads for home. Riding beats out the throw with a rough slide, putting the Trolleys up by two. Pulberry 2 – Queensland 0 Bottom of the 8th: Through seven innings, Bart Ohara has surrendered 6 hits, 3 walks and hit two batsmen, but otherwise has kept the Eagles off the board. That changes in the 8th. After getting two quick outs, Ohara surrenders a 4-pitch walk to Ryan Conisford. Next up is Robbie Leivers, who crushes Ohara’s first offering for a two-run home run that lands 428 ft. into the left centerfield stands. That knots things up at two and ultimately sends the game into extra innings for the second time in the Series. Pulberry 2 – Queensland 2 Top of the 10th: RHP Kaula Mafileo comes in to start the 10th for Queensland. After Yoshimi Sekozwa flies out to rightfield, Joe Riding drives a 2-2 changeup to the gap in deep right center. CF Matsuo Oyama races over but it hits the top of the wall and bounces back in. Riding races around first and slides in safely at second for a one-out double. With two out, Hokuaonani Kaili cracks an 0-1 changeup to short centerfield for a base hit. Riding takes third then heads for home. CF Matsuo Oyama whips it back in but Riding slides in headfirst and beats out the throw to put the Trolleys back on top. Pulberry 3 – Queensland 2 Bottom of the 10th: In the 10th, RHP Bonie Bandong takes the mound in relief of LHP Bart Ohara. Dennis Purcell is up first and hits a 2-2 grounder out toward first base. Gerard Koerner gathers it but then boots the ball, allowing Purcell to reach safely on the error. Rod Dennis then slices one down the rightfield line and into the corner as RF Ellis Dibble tracks it down. Purcell moves up to third then heads home to tie up the game once again. Dennis rounds second and heads for third. 1B Gerard Koerner cuts off the throw and fires it to third, but Dennis slides in safely under the tag. Ryan Conisford jumps on the first pitch and sends a high fly ball down the rightfield line. RF Ellis Dibble hauls it in. Dennis tags up at third with the throw coming home. Dennis slides and beats out the throw to end the game. The Eagles sneak past the Trolleys for their third straight win and now take the lead in the United Cup as the Series heads back to Pulberry. FINAL: Pulberry 3 – Queensland 4     -------- April 18 – Game 6 The United Cup returns to Pulberry with the Trolleys in a very different situation compared to when they last played at Trolleys Stadium back in Game 2. Instead of being up two games, they are now down 3 games to 2 and needing to win the next two games to defend their title. Meanwhile, Queensland is just one win away from claiming their second championship. With so much on the line, Pulberry looks to their No. 3 starter, LHP Robin Medellin (0-0, 14.0 IP, 3.21 ERA), to right the ship. Queensland counters with their ace, RHP Logan Belsey (1-1, 32.2 IP, 4.41 ERA), hoping to seal the deal. Bottom of the 1st: The Trolleys get on the board first when Francis Jones crushes Belsey’s 91-mph fastball to deep centerfield. CF Matsuo Oyama just turns and watches it sail over his head 453 ft. into the bleachers for a lead-off solo home run. Queensland 0 – Pulberry 1 Top of the 3rd: Logan Belsey helps his cause when he belts a 1-2 circle changeup into deep centerfield. CF Joe Riding races back for it but it’s just beyond his outstretched glove. Belsey races around first and slides safely into second for a one-out double. Hal Dhu drives the very next pitch into shallow centerfield for a base hit as Belsey moves up to third. With the corners playing in, Apia Yarrah skies the first pitch he sees toward deep rightfield. RF Ellis Dibble tracks it down at the warning track and hurries the throw in. But Belsey tags up at third and beats the tag, tying up the game. Queensland 1 – Pulberry 1 Bottom of the 3rd: Robin Medellin, in turn, helps his cause when he smacks the very first pitch hard into shallow rightfield for a lead-off base hit, then moves up to second when Francis Jones grounds out to 3B Apia Yarrah. With two out, Aidan Thirkettle punches a 90-mph slider up the middle in left centerfield for a base hit. Medellin takes third then charges for home. CF Matsuo Oyama fires it home but Medellin slides in safely for the go-ahead run. Queensland 1 – Pulberry 2 Top of the 7th: Robin Medellin induces two quick infield pop-ups before Hal Dhu sends a soft fly ball into short left center for a base hit. One pitch later, Dhu gets a great jump and steals second. Apia Yarrah then draws a free pass, Medellin’s fourth of the game. Dennis Purcell then jumps on a 2-2 fastball, slicing it down the line into leftfield. LF Aidan Thirkettle runs it down but not before it bounces into the corner. Dhu scores easily to tie the game. Yarrah reaches third then breaks for home as well. 3B Gerard Koerner relays it home but Yarrah beats out the tag as the Eagles pull out in front. Queensland 3 – Pulberry 2 Bottom of the 8th: Aidan Thirkettle leads off and drives the first pitch he sees into shallow centerfield for a base hit. Ellis Dibble then smacks a 92-mph fastball up the middle into right centerfield as Thirkettle rounds second and slides safely into third, putting runners on the corners. After Yoshimi Sekozawa strikes out, Joe Riding lofts an 0-1 changeup out to deep rightfield. RF Hal Dhu lunges for it but it’s just out his reach as the ball skips to the wall. Thirkettle and Dibble come home as Riding slides safely into third for a two-run triple. Sean Abercrombie then comes through with a little fly ball that falls in safely in short left center, scoring Riding. Hokuaonani Kaili then drives a 2-2 fastball out to deep leftfield. LF Rod Dennis chases after it but it sails 413 ft. into the stands for a two-run home run, giving the Trolleys a commanding lead. Queensland 3 – Pulberry 7 Top of the 9th: PH John Rose leads off for the Eagles and he pummels a 1-1 fastball from RHP Quintiliano Galeo down the rightfield line. RF Ellis Dibble makes the long run back, but it lands 372 ft. into the bleachers for a solo home run. But Galeo settles down, getting Hal Dhu to fly out to short left center, Apia Yarrah to ground out to 3B Francis Jones and Dennis Purcell to fly out to CF Joe Riding in deep centerfield to end the game. The Trolleys even up the Series, forcing a winner-take-all Game 7. FINAL: Queensland 4 – Pulberry 7     -------- April 19 – Game 7 For the eighth time in ULB history, the United Cup needs a Game 7 to determine a champion. Thus far in the Series, the home team has won every game. Pulberry is determined to continue that trend just one more time, while Queensland is looking to buck it. The starters of Game 3 square off once again in this final matchup. Queensland goes with their other ace, RHP Stiofan Micklethwait (2-1, 26.0 IP, 2.77 ERA), while Pulberry counters with their No. 2 starter, RHP Taylor Folkard (1-2, 19.0 IP, 5.21 ERA). Bottom of the 2nd: The Trolleys strike first when Yoshimi Sekozawa slices one out to deep right center. RF Hal Dhu reaches up for it but can’t snare it as it caroms off the wall. Sekozawa rounds first and slides into second safely for a lead-off double. Micklethwait then walks Joe Riding. Sean Abercrombie then lofts a 1-1 fastball down the line toward deep rightfield. Hal Dhu races back and brings it down, but Sekozawa tags up and advances to third without a throw. Hokuaonani Kaili sends a 1-2 fly ball out toward deep centerfield. CF Matsuo Oyama runs back and hauls it in. Sekozawa tags up at third and despite a strong throw from Oyama, slides in safely to open the scoring. Queensland 0 – Pulberry 1 Top of the 8th: Taylor Folkard keeps the Eagles off the board through seven innings, giving up just 5 hits, 2 walks and one hit batsmen. But Queensland finally breaks through in the 8th. Dennis Purcell hits a 2-1 slider crisply into centerfield for a lead-off base hit. Rod Dennis follows and lofts one into shallow leftfield for a base hit as Purcell takes second. After PH John Rose strikes out, manager Ryo Ichikawa elects to bring in ace LHP Bart Ohara on three day’s rest, as he has a knack for inducing ground balls. But Robbie Leivers lofts one out toward deep rightfield. RF Ellis Dibble makes a nice running catch for the second out as Purcell moves up to third without a throw. Matsuo Oyama then sends a hard shot toward short left center for a base hit. Purcell comes in to tie up the game. Queensland 1 – Pulberry 1 Top of the 9th: RHP Quintiliano Galeo comes in to start the 9th but gives up back-back-singles to Stiofan Micklethwait and Hal Dhu. After Apia Yarrah grounds out to 1B Gerard Koerner to advance the runners, Dennis Purcell is issued a free pass to load the bases with one out. But Rod Dennis flares one out to short centerfield. Joe Riding rushes in and gloves it to hold the runners. John Rose then grounds out to 1B Gerard Koerner to retire the side and snuff out the threat. Queensland 1 – Pulberry 1 Bottom of the 9th: Gerard Koerner pounds a 1-1 slider back up the middle and into centerfield for a lead-off base hit. Aidan Thirkettle hits a grounder to the right side. 1B John Rose dives and knocks it down. The ball rolls away but he recovers it and throws to Micklethwait covering first. But the relay is low and Micklethwait can’t handle it. Koerner and Thirkettle advance to third and second respectively on the error. With first base open, Ellis Dibble is given a free pass to load the bases with nobody out. Yoshimi Sekozawa then swings at a 2-1 fastball, sending a line drive to leftfield. LF Rod Dennis reaches up and makes the catch. Koerner tags up at third and races for home. Dennis fires it home, but it’s not in time, as Koerner slides in safely for the winning run. The Pulberry Trolleys win it all in walk-off fashion for the third time in the Series and become to the first team in United Leagues’ history to win three consecutive United Cups! FINAL: Queensland 1 – Pulberry 2     --------   
__________________
United Leagues of Braeland |
|
|
|
|
03-29-2025, 04:39 PM
|
#840 |
|
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,896
|
__________________
United Leagues of Braeland |
|
|
|
 |
| Bookmarks |
| Tags |
| baseball, braeland, dynasty, fictional |
|
|
