The Lokasi Elite League

[Ruwisc]

The realignment process was a bear this season, with difficult rearrangements to be done in a few tiers. I never base anything on sporting merit - realignment is done by pure geography. All realignments for the 2024-25 offseason:

Tier 4 to Tier 3:
Air Force BC - Southern Super League to Northern Premier League

A weird one because they were promoted, but then split from who would have been their local rivals to make up the numbers. There was really no other option unfortunately.

Tier 5:
BKK Kol - Southern League One to Mideast League One

Tier 6:
Tekulroyana City - Southern League Two to Mideast League Two

Tier 7:
Awoshu United - North to Northwest
- Fori United - Prairie to Central
- Foso City - North to Prairie
- Jesters ABC - Northeast to Mideast
- Olchashe BC - Mideast to North
- Shahichika BC - Mideast to North

Tier 8:
- Ronakolo BC - Mideast to North


2024 Elite League Awards

Gold Gloves
.P Ekana Muchlap
.C Metsifu Olufapo
1B Ilye Nofetso
2B Potsomowe Shulitso
3B Meteshu Tsefufayalo
SS Chorusho Paweshono
LF Faruo Ayekrea
CF Solo Sipet
RF Laela Pysam


Silver Sluggers
.P Tusehu Wamia
.C Lakiru Shufaho
1B Fomo Tirma
2B Peche Iyikio
3B Kala Koshynae
SS Sashe Liposeli
LF Saruruso Rishisite
CF Solo Sipet
RF Rosana Pishot


Manager of the Year
Teshepo Riparchua

Every year I've covered this, it has gone to the manager of the championship team. Is there actually a voting process for this award?

Reliever of the Year
Ferufi Shonoro (18)
Teyumpu Riali (2)
Shiu Sherisupallu
Cheshore Matsef
Risei Shirae

Shonoro won the Second League version of the award last season, and now he can add this to the mantelpiece. I don't think I've even seen Sherisupallu's name before - he had a sub-2 ERA this year and won the Kepmem closer's job in September.

Pitcher of the Year
Tula Mitonone (10)
Tosolefi Loap (4)
Chasolo Latemohi (4)
Notsimi Feshasu (2)
Fekiu Wefo
Kafaki Kohopa
Pecho Tsytemoi
Sefti Merefife

Last year's vote was unanimous for Mitonone, but this was quite rightly much more close. Any of the top 5 could be argued as a winner pretty reasonably.

Most Valuable Player
Solo Sipet (16)
Fomo Tirma (4)
Rosana Pishot
Saruruso Rishisite
Peche Iyikio
Sashe Liposeli
Ilye Nofetso
Topeshe Tsaruo
Pumona Kakosuta
Oma Feputso
Lakiru Shufaho
Nukacholo Riseki


Tough to pick a winner as well, though I think I would also have voted for Sipet.

[Ruwisc]

October Transactions

October 17: Manager & GM firing day, as the offseason officially begins. Last year, five teams fired their managers, to varying degrees of improvement/nonimprovement. This year, there are three more:

• Unsurprisingly, Keleri fired manager Tsalku Katsesho. With 7 years under his belt, he has a record of 819-511, but the last few years have seen fairly steady decline down to a near-franchise-worst 9th place finish this year.

• Lamaki Fetiloa was fired by the Shunna Eagles after their 16th-place finish. Fetiloa is one of the few higher-level managers that was also a higher-level player, pitching for two teams in the EL in the late 90s.

• And after two straight relegation close scrapes, Akashemo United has let manager Sosytse Aoko go.

None of the relegated teams fired their managers, which is probably fairly rare.

Notable retiring players include Semyof OF Ilye Lilo, Tsapna 3B Arurke Timaere, and Galaxy OF Mamose Paerisuso. Many older players will try to hold on in the lower leagues, so I don't always catch their retirements unfortunately. These are the guys that are going out from the top level.

Notable contract options/opt-out decisions:

These players will remain with their current teams:

• Keleri SS Atsi Keana - 3 years, $34.6 million

• National SS/3B Anesa Mikesash - 1 year, $8.9 million

• Pasataki Galaxy SP Aro Ipo - 3 years, $22.5 million

These players will become free agents:

• National LF Chulakoyo Sapolepu - $1.3 million buyout, would have made $4.24 million in 2025

• Akashemo LF Tseiriki Tushifo - opted out, would have made $13.8 million over two years

• Amnanache SP Laotso Tirionu - declined player option. He made $10 million even in 2024.

And of course, the best players from the three relegated teams have opted out to pursue Elite League opportunities. The star prize is Sitache 1B/3B Fomo Tirma, though Sitache will also lose SS Wasi Tsewayo, CF Rolupi Shekesu, and three other hitters. Mithazni's Oma Feputso and Ofame Tsoara will get plenty of looks, and Hokrof will miss CF Myna Kylchi and most of their infield.

October 20:

An interesting trade involving a pair of EL teams. Meka trades SP Tsifanamo Misha to Cheshek, acquiring swingman Kypo Tsatupoke and all-time EL saves leader Chysho Sofiulo. Meka's #1 priority was improving the bullpen, and this only costs them about $3 million in offsetting salary. They're not gonna be able to do that much more, but I think this is a good move? Any other moves would probably have to be cost-cutting trades. For Cheshek, they do save a little money and get a nice complementary piece. Misha could go into the rotation or eat innings in the bullpen.

Managerial hirings happened through the remainder of October. All three teams in question hired first-time managers:

October 20: Keleri hires Tsiri Asi, a former low-level outfielder. Seems to be a decent managerial prospect, a little old-school but that probably works at Keleri.

October 26: Akashemo hires "Money" Chani Iyonto. Not sure what to think about him.

October 28: And finally, the Eagles hire former Air Force BC shortstop Losaka Pichake. I could talk myself into him being a relative of Eagles 3B Sawita Pichake, maybe an uncle?


The new crop of rookies was also generated at the official start of the offseason. The most promising new players in the class would be:

• As it usually seems to be, the players most ready to contribute in 2025 are starting pitchers. Sarlo Narupu is the most ready to contribute - he is a really old-school pitcher, with not much velocity but a pretty sharp curve/change combo. Ferenasi Penuere is fairly similar, just not as immediate a threat to win a PoY.

• The top position players are mostly listed at 2B for now. Yureta Tsuefo is an immediate power threat, while Tarki Noraha probably has a better long-term outlook and is more likely to stick in the middle infield rather than 1B.

• In total, 37 new players have 5-star potential. A handful have signed already in the roughly 2 weeks simmed so far, but none of those mentioned by name have done so yet.

[Ruwisc]

November 2024 Transactions

Free agency opened on November 6. Let's sift through the transaction logs and see what's going on!

• November 10: Probably the biggest free agent domino is the first one to fall - 1B Fomo Tirma has signed with Amnanache, for 8 years and $108.8 million. Tirma is still just 22 years old and is one of the nation's most steady and reliable hitters. I'm really happy that he went to Amnanache, I was worried that he would end up at Mighty Oaks or Semyof.

• November 12: RP Ketsu Sasewiraka, who had 38 saves for Mithazni in a relegated effort this season, has signed with Mighty Oaks for 4 years, $34.4 million, the last year of which is a player option. That's a lot of money for someone who isn't expected to be the closer, at least right away.

• November 13: Muni execute a swap of catchers, sending incumbent backstop Rina Kifusitu to Maputsa BC (Maputsa, KX, near Hefem) for new catcher Ati Roramomo. Despite playing last season at tier 6, Roramomo is no stranger to EL play, holding backup jobs at Amnanache (2016-19) and Westline (2022-23). Now he'll be the main guy.

• November 15: One of the first big amateur signings is 3B Emi Fifire signing with National for 5 years and $30.2 million. Fifire is a classic slugger who will only get stronger as he finishes growing up. To start, he will serve a pinch-hitting role for the two-time defending champs, it seems.

• Killitash Bayside is an EL team for the first time ever, and their first real move is to acquire CF Toyeseshi Shocheye from 2L rivals Tishmin. They had to give up one of their starting pitchers and a solid bench bat to do so, but Shocheye brings EL experience from his time with Otahel City.

• November 17: Meka traded a starting pitcher away in October, so it makes sense that they would bring one in in November. They acquire 28-year-old Kihase Myrokete from the Eagles for reliever Takipuse Tushifo.

• November 21: 3B Netomue Kilutsa, who spent the past ten seasons at Mighty Oaks, has signed with rival Keleri for 2 years, $12.8 million. Kilutsa notably will miss the first two months of the regular season, still recovering from his torn ACL at the end of June.

• November 23: One of the best free agents from outside the EL, former Wichku RF Mapisiu Pake, signs with Nokir. Pake is a pretty good athlete that would have made a great 3B if he weren't left-handed. He hit 34 homers in the 2L last season and is just 18 - he's only available to sign because Wichku was relegated.

• November 24: in a coup that puts the rest of the league on notice, Semyof signs both of the top two amateur starting pitchers on the same day. Sarlo Narupu gets 5 years, $52 million, while Ferenasi Penuere gets 4 years, $40 million. Semyof now has a rotation that rivals Keleri's in both youth and promise, with Chasolo Latemohi the elder statesman at 22 years old. They also have Ferenasi Salpe, who just finished a promising rookie season and who likewise promises that I will get him mixed up with Penuere for as long as they're teammates.

• November 25: Not to be outdone, Keleri pulls in another promising amateur SP, Sleta Tsolea, for 6 years, $30.8 million. Not a prospect on the tier of Narupu, Penuere, or Keleri's two young aces, but it looks like he will at least start the season in the rotation, as of now.

[Ruwisc]

December 2024 Transactions

Traditionally December is the month where the most signings occur. Feels right again this year!

• December 2: Rosana Pishot, fresh off finishing 3rd in the MVP race, signs with Semyof for 8 years, $99.5 million, with an opt-out after 5 years (2029). Even if his 2024 turns out to be an aberration, that's probably a fair enough price for the guy he was before that.

• December 3: Amnanache signs SS Wasi Tsewayo for 8 years, $89.2 million. Tsewayo has been relegated from the EL two years in a row, first with Aroketsil Spirits and just recently with Sitache. Looks safer this time.

• December 3: Semyof also pulls in one of the most promising young hitters, Yureta Tsuefo. Tsuefo is expected to play first base for what is shaping up to be a real contender.

• December 4: Tarki Noraha, the other most highly-rated hitting prospect I mentioned earlier, has signed with Cheshek. They have penciled him in at third base. This is a great fit for the switch-hitting infielder, who can be mentored by a group of like-minded speed demons.

• December 6: They let him get to free agency, but ultimately 1B Wia Merefife opts to return to the Galaxy on an 8-year contract worth $59.6 million. Merefife is a nice well-rounded masher who has thrived in the cleanup spot, racking up bucketfuls of RBIs for the Galaxy.

• December 11: Former Keleri closer Toe Teshelo swaps green for green, signing with Semyof for 2 years, $10.4 million. Teshelo was the 2023 Reliever of the Year winner. This is the second time his free agency has been covered, after he went from Amnanache to Keleri in the 22-23 offseason.

• December 18: CF Ofame Tsoara, formerly of Mithazni, signs with Tsapna for 8 years, $44.7 million. Tsoara was a clear second banana to Oma Feputso with Mithazni, but this is such a bargain contract that any team would be thrilled to sign it. Great deal for Tsapna, less so for Tsoara.

• December 18: collecting elite relievers like infinity stones, Semyof signs Shiu Sherisupallu from BK Kepmem for 3 years, $13.7 million. Great timing for Sherisupallu, becoming the Kepmem closer one month before reaching free agency, then signing for millions in a place where he only has to pitch the middle innings.

• December 22: Another reliable Kepmem pitcher departs for Ransu - Teshepo Tefasa has signed with Tsapna for 5 years, $45.5 million. Tefasa led the league in wins in 2023 and suffered from injuries that cost him the months of March and July in 2024. As a kid who would have grown up likely rooting for Kepmem, I was hoping Tefasa would have stayed home, but the ones and zeroes don't always think so sentimentally.

• December 22: an interesting one-for-one trade - Kepmem acquires catcher Shykim Riali from Nokir for outfielder Hekopa Ketunri. Both teams deal from a position of strength to address a position of weakness, good deal for both sides.

• December 24: CF Myna Kylchi, who played 2020-22 with Mighty Oaks and won three championships before leaving for Hokrof, will return to Mighty Oaks on a deal for 5 years, $56.3 million. Always like seeing a guy go back, especially when they would have so many options.

• December 24: National agrees to terms with catcher Nukacholo Tsoara for 5 years, $59.9 million. Tsoara is 22, and has been terrorizing the lower tiers of the pyramid for the last five years. I think he likely overtakes Chafosu Seshate and Wupu Sichi in the catching pecking order for the champs - if you're spending that kind of money, he'd better.

• December 26: Another big deal for a player whose name I haven't seen before, Amnanache signs 2B Setsinak Patshafero for 8 years and $71.2 million. Patshafero is a table-setter, bringing well-rounded offense to all fields and speed on the bases.

• The other big Mithazni free agent was 2B Oma Feputso, who has signed with Cheshek for 8 years and $123 million. Feputso is a former Gold Glover at the Second League level, and though he led the EL in strikeouts this year, he's good at everything else.

• December 29: still collecting top-tier relievers, Semyof has signed former Kupore closer Sosuo Lotechosa for 3 years and $11.6 million. Semyof will be spending about $40 million just on their bullpen this year, which feels like a lot.

[Ruwisc]

January & February 2025 Transactions

Once the new year hits, things tend to slow down a little bit - most of the top players have signed already. We are now squarely into the second half of the offseason, with Opening Day falling on March 1st as it always does. Let's run down the rest of the offseason:

• January 1: Santa Ketitu, the 2nd place Pitcher of the Year finisher in 2022 and fresh off two titles with National, has signed with Akashemo United for two years, $6.4 million. Ketitu is just 27, a strong leader, and relatively cheap, so that's a good get for Akashemo.

• January 6: This is starting to get ridiculous - Semyof signs former National closer Sefape Utuewe for 1 year, $1.98 million. They have signed so many top relievers that their 2024 closer, Teyumpu Riali, is now set to perform mop-up duty in long relief.

• January 18: OF Tseiriki Tushifo, formerly of Akashemo United, signs with the Aroketsil Spirits for 4 years, $43 million. Tushifo led the EL with 71 home runs in the 2023 season, and opted out of his Akashemo contract that would have paid him $13 million over the next two years. Good call there.

• February 10: 3B Meteshu Tsefufayalo, formerly of Keleri, has signed with Mighty Oaks for one year, $3.48 million. The 28-year-old has won two consecutive Gold Gloves and is expected to bat leadoff for the 7-time champs.

That's about it as far as most notable Elite League additions. There are a few name-brand players who are headed outside the EL - Cheshek SS Ketso Kofmi and Kupore SP Rattio Ayawetsi both signed with Sitache, for example. The most notable, in my opinion, are a pair of former Amnanache stars who will now be rivals on the west coast. 2B Peche Iyikio signed with Hokrof, and SP Laotso Tirionu signed with Hokrof's other 2L team, Fachi BC.

Now it's time to start the 2025 season! Previews first - I'm looking forward to seeing a deeper dive into how these teams have changed too, since I don't notice everything live.

[Ruwisc]

2025 Season Preview, Part 1
(rankings are based on projected runs scored & runs allowed, and the positional rankings)




AKASHEMO UNITED
Akashemo, RP
2024: 79-111 (17th)
Seasons in EL: 22
Best finish: 7th (2014)
Payroll: $77.8 million (17th)
Manager: Chani Iyonto (1st year)

Akashemo has been scraping the barrel to get by the last couple of years - two years in a row now, they have finished just 1 game above the relegation zone. It feels like their luck is starting to run out - I hope not, because I like seeing the smaller island teams at this level instead of more teams from the big cities.

Lineup (20th):
RF Putta Faseltsa - LF Shati Ushineye - SS Ramrasha Liposeli
1B Hitsu Wotsaha - C Siso Fatsi - 3B Chosyshire Pochayi
2B Lelo Yelishike - CF Siuno Foechiwo

The Islanders will really miss Tseiriki Tushifo, who had been playing CF and mashing bombs, but he'll be doing that for the Spirits instead this year. Liposeli was one of 2024's big breakout hitters, but now it's basically his show alone. Akashemo has the problem that I see a couple of teams have each year - two decent catchers without the ability to play both. Kawachu Tan is the odd man out - he could play 1B, and did the last two years, but that displaces the incoming Wotsaha to an outfield corner, and that displaces one of those guys, neither of whom can play center.

Pitching staff (17th):
Rotation (12th):
Nawin Posheni - Sashe Eronlu - Uriyoko Tselsiko - Santa Ketitu - Liko Mowakei

The team's best unit is clearly the rotation, in my opinion. Low ceiling but high floor, with Tselsiko and Ketitu brought in from Amnanache and National, respectively.

Closer: Rase Koachali (13th)
Not bad either, Akashemo has a surprising number of capable relievers, particularly Yatil Awia. Somewhat strangely, their three best relievers (arguably 4) are all left-handed.

2024 prediction: 66-124 (20th)

Akashemo has a number of good pitchers, but doesn't have the hitting or defense to make good on those good pitches. It does look like they'll struggle to stay up this year.



KUPORE BC
Somno, KL
2024: 88-102 (14th)
Seasons in EL: 20
Best finish: 4th (2002)
Payroll: $84.9 million (15th)
Manager: Anesa Kasati (4th year)

2024 was a tale of two seasons at Kupore. The first half they were a top-5 team, and in the second half they were relegation-caliber. Seemingly, the prediction algorithm sees much more of the latter than the former. Kupore has been in the EL uninterrupted since 2015, now 11 years running - but possibly the last?

Lineup (19th):
SS Hekewi Ruicho - LF Neare Felorasa - 2B Koraralu Fatsi
1B Yielna Sekao - RF Leno Kenora - C Losaka Mokepie
3B Teshese Enkasu - CF Owimero Fefen

Even at a 19th-place ranking, clearly more capable than the Akashemo offense. Fatsi is the key player here, with Kupore's downturn last season beginning precisely when he went down with his elbow injury. He only missed a month or so but that sapped all the momentum. 3B Misote Teshelo is the biggest departure, but he was also injured so much recently that Kupore is used to playing without him.

Pitching staff (19th):
Rotation (20th):
Rir Nosasha - Mure Katekeke - Pikiul Omonora - Riroi Imatsa - Syshawe Pukiremo

This is Kupore's real problem. Nosasha comes in as the top guy, but he was an average pitcher in the Second League last season with the Ransu Shockers and is considered an "unmotivated" player. I'm not sure how they're going to stop anyone from scoring.

Closer: Lera Rerawe (2nd)
Rerawe probably qualifies as Kupore's best player, a free agent acquisition from Keleri, where he's been quite good for the past three years. I'm not sure about "second best closer in the league" given his total of 6 EL saves, but he won't be the problem. Rest of the bullpen is pretty lackluster, only a couple of real usable pieces.

2024 prediction: 68-122 (19th)

The pitching staff is too much of a problem for Kupore to do anything but sweat this season. They may do enough to survive, but someone unexpected will need to emerge.



OTAHEL CITY
Otahel, FH
2024: 119-71, Second League (3rd)
Seasons in EL: 4
Best finish: 16th (2022)
Payroll: $66.7 million (20th)
Manager: Tidzeli Aoko (2nd year)

Otahel has definitely reached "tweener" status, too good for the 2L but not good enough to establish at the EL level - the two times they have been relegated from the EL, they have immediately come straight back up the next year. For a team that, like Akashemo, is the only representative from their state in the top levels of the pyramid, it's a big point of pride to be perceived as a "real" Elite League team.

Lineup (17th):
LF Chitipa Petosa - RF Shore Posheni - 3B Asoko Sitsukuo
CF Selo Lafaketu - 1B Riroi Toyerno - C Haha Sachan
SS Hekewi Faseltsa - 2B Ilanesu Tahiewy

As is so often the case with newly-promoted teams, a few new names for me to learn here. Two of the newcomers, Sitsukuo and Lafaketu, are expected to be the team leaders, although they're pretty different on that front. Lafaketu is the golden boy, flashy, speedy and a team leader, while Sitsukuo is happy to blend in to the background (though he's doing the team a real solid by playing out of position from 2B where he belongs).

Pitching staff (20th):
Rotation (18th):
Hiatoa Neyopet - Tsafufe Nosasha - Yatil Mesha - Matpo Rochuchichi - Raretihe Lolif

All five of these guys were with Otahel in the 2L last year, and Neyopet + Lolif were rotation regulars in the EL for them in 2023. There's not a huge amount of upside here - if these five guys are healthy, then they might be closer to average, but if they aren't, this could be a problem area.

Closer: Tsepusa Felomea (19th)

Overall, the late innings will be tricky for City. They have a couple of veteran starters hanging around here, with Roshana Chileros and longtime Eagle Zhitao Imatsa, but overall their bullpen ranks at the league's bottom. Feels like teams have overcome that sort of thing before, though.

2024 prediction: 70-120 (18th)

Otahel's complete lack of star power means their ceiling is low, but can they keep the floor high enough to survive? Hard to say.



SHUNNA MUNICIPAL
Shunna, XU
2024: 91-99 (13th)
Seasons in EL: 22
Best finish: 6th (1995)
Payroll: $80.4 million (16th)
Manager: Pomi Felitsu (6th year)

Muni was predicted to be a relegated team last season, and then it turned out they were never in any danger of that. I was watching for a while to see if they would finish over .500, but it didn't quite work out that way.

Lineup (16th):
RF Pilima Ayawetsi - 1B Hekewi Lymon - LF Fasha Lotsikape
2B Poem Meste - 3B Shakipe Lilo - CF Teyi Likoka
C Ati Roramomo - SS Tusehu Lolra

Two new acquisitions in the everyday nine. Lotsikape is Muni's best amateur recruit since Solo Sipet, I'd guess. He is definitely not a finished product, but he is probably already an above-average hitter and has the potential to be an all-time home run hitter. Roramomo is the other new face, who I mentioned in one of the offseason posts. I think a little more highly of him than the positional rankings, which call him the league's second-worst starting catcher. This will be his first time as an EL starter at age 29, having mostly played either as a backup or in the lower regional tiers.

Pitching staff (18th):
Rotation (15th):
Ihuna Cheyeo - Tanotomo Matoha - Latsal Chatsol - Tofe Rei - Teao Monosho

Shaho Reopo and Toitu Sofiulo are both out injured, with Reopo expected back in May but Sofiulo not until near the end of the season. Otherwise, the group is similar to Otahel's, without a ton of upside but with some veteran presence. Cheyeo would be a name known to most hardcore baseball fans, having previously pitched for Semyof, Aroketsil Spirits, Keleri, and Kepmem. Last year's top pitcher was Iraite Nisushi, but he's been placed on the reserve roster for who knows what reason.

Closer: Tokala Uosi (18th)
The Muni bullpen is solid in depth terms - most of their pitchers would be able to pitch in most of the EL's bullpens. Uosi might be a bit over his head as the closer, but he had a perfectly reasonable season in 2024. Last year's closer, Leset Kakosuta, has departed for the big time at Westline.

2024 prediction: 75-115 (17th)

Having won 85 and 91 games the last two seasons, this would be a decent step back. If I'm placing the bets, I'm placing them on Muni to survive relegation, but you never really know.



SHUNNA EAGLES
Shunna, XU
2024: 80-110 (16th)
Seasons in EL: 24
Best finish: 2nd (2010)
Payroll: $89.0 million (12th)
Manager: Losaka Pichake (1st year)

In contrast to Muni, the Eagles had a disappointing season in 2024, not being assured of survival until a few days were left in the season. It was only a few years ago that they were the top-ranked team in the city (ahead of National) but in 2025, they were third.

Lineup (15th):
3B Sawita Pichake - LF Santa Setatoe - CF Topeshe Tsaruo
1B Hotu Imatsa - 2B Utsu Kumoyo - SS Nekafe Natso
RF Takipuse Porafi - C Ruwe Rokachi

The story of 2024 from the Eagles' perspective was the incredible debut season from first-time pro Topeshe Tsaruo, who led the team in nearly everything as a 17-year-old. He's not an amazing CF defender, but he's good enough to build around. Imatsa is the big newcomer, just a few months older than Tsaruo (he'll turn 19 this spring). He was part of an Aksa Hornets team that was relegated from the tier-3 SPL this past season. Imatsa is a power-first 1B who is reasonably athletic but still needs to grow into his true power potential. Nekafe Natso is a guy I'll be paying attention to, as he tries to regain the rhythm that saw him finish 3rd in the MVP race in 2022 with Kepmem.

Pitching staff (15th):
Rotation (19th):
Toe Kachefe - Akosho Nysho - Soitu Nokolo - Mefichani Mertsomu - Mano Tsela

Aside from Kachefe, this feels like a whole rotation full of warm bodies. I'm particularly worried about Mertsomu, who should probably be a middle reliever.

Closer: Atsaki Sesotu (20th)
Sesotu comes in from the Ransu Ports of the NPL. He doesn't rate that highly as a closer, but the Eagles are likely to do closer-by-committee - they have a pretty high number of capable relievers even if the back end isn't particularly amazing.

2024 prediction: 78-112

If the Eagles get reasonable health from their starting pitchers, they might be OK. If not, this could go sideways for them. I personally would predict Muni to finish higher. We'll get a good look soon, as the two rivals open the season against one another.

[Ruwisc]

2025 Season Preview, Part 2


MEKA BC
Meka, TA
2024: 105-85 (6th)
Seasons in EL: 3
Best finish: 6th (2024)
Payroll: $87.3 million (14th)
Manager: Witsata Ralfa (6th year)

Finishing 6th in their second year at the top level was a dreamland sort of outcome for Meka, whose stadium size now exceeds the population of their home city (Meka has only around 14,000 residents). Now the story becomes: how long can they keep it going? I can't imagine Meka as an EL team for the next hundred consecutive years, so how do they consolidate from here?

Lineup (14th):
RF Kiowu Rorale - LF Kiosho Shipeyo - 2B Lesafe Tsewayo
3B Soralone Popa - 1B Lesin Foki - SS Tisiri Fefae
CF Teyumpu Hifla - C Kakape Ykiteno

The Meka lineup has lost a little bit of its oomph. Shortstop Chorusho Paweshono is still a free agent, so maybe a reunion is in order. Fefae got most of the playing time at 1B last season, but is capable (not good, but capable) at short. 3B Onako Otsu left for Kepmem, leading another former Meka starting 1B to fill that position in Popa. They didn't fortify much either, with Foki the most notable import (and he's not all that much to write home about). If they manage to bring Paweshono back, then I'll change my tune.

Pitching staff (16th):
Rotation (8th):
Fekiu Wefo - Fum Pese - Rymetu Yelishike - Kihase Myrokete - Fasha Horoko

Wefo and Pese are the Wonder Twins, age 17 and 18 respectively and probably both in the league's top 10 starters. Beyond that leaves a lot to be desired, but Meka will have a pretty high win rate in the first two games of series. Veteran leader Katelo Measi will miss nearly the entire season after having Tommy John last September. I've peeked into the editor and seen that as of now, he'll only be able to return the final week of this coming September.

Closer: Chysho Sofiulo (6th)

Acquired in an offseason trade from Cheshek, Sofiulo is the EL's career saves leader with 461. He was limited to 26 games (14 saves) last season due to injury, but is back and ready to go with Meka. Setup man Tsifanamo Misha was also part of the trade, bolstering two innings' worth of bullpen in what was easily Meka's weakest unit last year. Still probably is, but should be better.

2024 prediction: 83-107 (15th)

I definitely see Meka taking a step back this season, but 15th seems pretty harsh.


BK KEPMEM
Kiwa Punem, ME
2024: 107-83 (5th)
Seasons in EL: 15
Best finish: 5th (2024)
Payroll: $75.4 million (18th)
Manager: Lomitsa Liposeli (6th year)

Similar story here. Kepmem's 5th-place finish in 2024 was their highest league placement in team history, and they will be disappointed to see a prediction this low. I don't doubt that Kepmem is less good than last season, but will it be this steep a drop?

Lineup (18th):
1B Onako Otsu - RF Lanoy Ykiteno - LF Faruo Ayekrea
3B Kala Koshynae - C Shykim Riali - 2B Oere Roshoshe
SS Kypo Futatse - CF Chatiri Kohopa

Kepmem's two perennial MVP candidates, Ayekrea and Koshynae, are still here, but their best hitter in 2024 was RF Rosana Pishot, who has gone to Semyof, and they also lost dependable 1B Lesayo Kino. Otsu is not a bad replacement, and brings some defensive versatility as he played primarily 3B at Meka and can play the outfield, but he's also not the level of those two guys, and Ykiteno is well below that. Shykim Riali is a good pickup from Nokir, but he's more of a defensive asset. I don't think there's any doubt that this team will score fewer runs than Kepmem fans are used to.

Pitching staff (12th):
Rotation (17th):
Nimape Turetsotsa - Tonna Tsetanipacho - Tsifanamo Tsasiuki - Kyfa Shatnanetsi - Chitipa Chamloha

As mentioned during the offseason post, Kepmem will sorely miss homegrown ace Teshepo Tefasa, who has gone to Tsapna. Turetsotsa, in his second year with the club, is now definitively "the guy". Tsetanipacho is the oldest player in the Elite League this season at 38, though he can probably still get it done to a reasonable degree. The two time Pitcher of the Year (2004, 2009) has been doing this at a high level since before some of his teammates were born (including the 21-year-old Shatnanetsi).

Closer: Rika Hyketo (5th):
Hyketo had 33 saves in his first EL season, though he struggled at the end of the year and briefly lost the closer's job. Kepmem should be just fine in the bullpen department.

2024 prediction: 85-105 (14th)

Kepmem will almost certainly take a dip in 2025. Don't know if I'd bet on one this big, but I believe in this prediction a little bit more than in Meka's.


CHESHEK BC
Ransu, RA
2024: 84-106 (15th)
Seasons in EL: 28
Best finish: 6th (2016, 2023)
Payroll: $118.6 million (7th)
Manager: Tsiye Shiyetsorisu (8th year)

After four straight seasons in the top 8, Cheshek took a step back in 2024, with the supporting cast around Syshawe Arachihe basically disappearing. The offense should be improved this year, but what about the team as a whole?

Lineup (10th):
LF Tukefa Atswue - 3B Tarki Noraha - 1B Syshawe Arachihe
2B Oma Feputso - RF Rasherana Wahio - C Epencho Posheni
SS Setsinak Rusipfa - CF Wochifo Merefife

Cheshek made a couple of pretty shrewd signings in free agency. They continue to impress me with their recruiting pitches to amateur signings, in this case pulling in Noraha, who I had rated as the best available 16-year-old hitter, as well as Wahio, who won't be as immediately good but has just as high a potential. Wahio might be a more important signing just given how poor their outfield production has been recently. Oma Feputso deserves better than being relegated to the fourth sentence of this intro as well, given the stellar year he just had at Mithazni (55 HR, 11.1 WAR).

Pitching staff (14th):
Rotation (6th):
Tosolefi Loap - Saryesi Shiyetsorisu - Ratsat Chatsema - Tsifanamo Misha - Sharasa Tsuwalu

With Kimyu Nele and Risei Late both set to miss at least about half the season, Cheshek made the deal to send the two aforementioned relievers who went to Meka, bringing Misha back in return. I think it'll be a good deal for both sides. Loap fully broke out last season, finishing 2nd in PoY voting and coming good on the promise he showed as a Semyof youngster.

Closer: Tasia Kishafasa (16th)

With two top relievers gone, Kishafasa (3 career saves) will get the nod. There are a decent number of capable relievers here, but no game-breakers.

2024 prediction: 91-99 (13th)

Seems about right, though Cheshek's ceiling is higher than that of either Kepmem or Meka given their top-end young talent.


KILLITASH BAYSIDE BC
Killitash, ZA
2024: 121-69, Second League (2nd)
Seasons in EL: 1st ever
Best finish: 2nd place, 2L (2024)
Payroll: $67.3 million (19th)
Manager: Kuye Shesinua (2nd year)

This is the first ever EL representation for Bayside, or for the city of Killitash as a whole. You can think of Killitash as being the Orange County to Tenshemaho's Los Angeles, or thus Bayside as being the Angels if Nokir is the Dodgers. Bayside are so called because their ballparks have always been on the Mereni Bay waterfront (which is not really a bay, but it seems to be called that anyway).

Lineup (12th):
3B Showila Oechikesho - RF Shutsichei Lela - 2B Chatiri Ketsekiriti
SS Rolana Rekesu - C Nawin Mowakei - CF Toyeseshi Shocheye
1B Shutsichei Farneli - LF Shytsute Solari

Rolana Rekesu is a well-known name for Lokasi baseball fans, having led the EL in home runs twice before during his time playing 3B for the Aroketsil Spirits, but the real stars of the Bayside lineup will be surrounding him. Ketsekiriti was known only to the diehards or Tsapna fans for many years, as one of their fringe bench players, but blossomed in his first starting role after coming down to Bayside last year. He's a five-tool player. Mowakei has been a Baysider his whole career, continuing to improve as the team was promoted from the SPL to the 2L and now to the EL, a good all-around player but one known most for his power.

Pitching staff (10th):
Rotation (13th):
Tsai Reyolafa - Shola Ranahi - Tsol Putepareu - Selaole Chira - Teshepo Pichake

Reyolafa and Ranahi are both club legends... at Amnanache, where they both pitched brilliantly despite never being teammates there. Despite the team's lack of pedigree generally, this is one of the league's older rotations, with only the 4th-year Chira being too inexperienced.

Closer: Latsal Wahiewa (14th)

Wahiewa has a bit of closing experience at this level, recording 18 saves for BK Kepmem in 2019, and led the EL in games pitched the following year with 98. Bayside's bullpen overall will just be OK, not much depth but the top-level guys will do fine.

2024 prediction: 92-98 (12th)

I think Bayside would be ecstatic to finish 12th in their first EL season. I'm looking forward to getting to know this team a little better - not sure I have a vibe yet on whether this prediction is a good one.


LUTRUL BC
Ransu, RA
2024: 104-86 (7th)
Seasons in EL: 20
Best finish: 1st (2011)
Payroll: $92.1 million (11th)
Manager: Yiyif Shuma (2nd year)

After 5 straight bottom-half finishes, Lutrul took a jump to 7th in 2024. Only three teams have been in the EL continuously for longer than Lutrul has, with all twenty of their Elite League campaigns coming in one stretch.

Lineup (11th):
SS Tilutsu Hofohe - 2B Hypuse Toyerno - LF Fayafo Sheotel
1B Ilye Nofetso - CF Rair Felitsu - RF Tarenu Chyfatsa
C Otsiku Kiwarshi - 3B Ynyche Elemi

Ilye Nofetso's team for sure. He had the best season of his young career in 2024, leading the EL in home runs and RBI and, to me, being underrated by his 7th-place MVP finish. Much of the talk around Lutrul this preseason has been around Rair Felitsu's move to the outfield, where he has never played before & will be learning on the fly. He looks like he might be steady enough, but he literally has no CF ratings in the game. It'll be nice to have him back in the lineup though - he didn't play all that much last year after the signing of Hofohe displaced him from his shortstop position. Elemi is an import, having played for Fampalo in the 2L last season (and in the EL before that).

Pitching staff (11th):
Rotation (14th):
Tsatso Rapimwio - Faseha Porina - Shina Kemo - Pakaka Mutsetsi - Rynile Horoko

Ace Otsi Roshoshe is out until May after having his elbow broken in a game last September. I would like to have seen Lutrul bring in one more starter, with Porina the only import (from the Aroketsil Canaries of the 2L), but they didn't have enough to spend in the offseason.

Closer: Tsaewe Faseltsa (15th)

Lutrul has the best bullpen depth of any team previewed so far. Faseltsa will start with the top job, but if he were to falter (zero career saves, so who knows), a number of guys could pick up the slack.

2024 prediction: 93-97 (11th)

This feels about right. 11th best lineup, 11th best pitching/defense, 11th highest payroll. Sounds like 11th to me.

[Ruwisc]

2025 Season Preview, Part 3


AROKETSIL SPIRITS
Aroketsil, KX
2024: 127-63, 1st (Second League)
Seasons in EL: 16
Best finish: 3rd (2021)
Payroll: $87.4 million (13th)
Manager: Sitae Popa (2nd year)

The Spirits return to the EL after dominating the 2L in their first year down in a while. They have to be licking their chops with the relative decline of Mighty Oaks as well - this is their first real chance to try to take over the city of Aroketsil. Their previous stint in the Elite League lasted for fourteen seasons, and a top-half prediction seems to suggest that this stay will be more than just a blip - let's have a look.

Lineup (8th):
RF Oaku Amapuwi - LF Lomitsa Lesats - 3B Peyaka Atselala
CF Tseiriki Tushifo - 2B Okitso Efa - 1B Silakara Tselsiko
SS Kotsimare Wamia - C Leche Nokolo

Not many household names here, but pulling Tushifo from Akashemo in free agency helps both on that front and in the "improving the team" front. The only other name I recognize is Wamia - he played at Tsapna in 2023 before dropping down to help the Spirits bust out of the 2L in '24. They will certainly be fine on the team chemistry front - they have four players listed as captains, which I don't think I've ever seen on a CPU team before, and four more listed as "leaders" - Atselala, Efa, and Tselsiko are all among that group.

Pitching staff (13th):
Rotation (16th):
Sleta Chulosaleta - Kelurfo Shachai - Olf Fochaeki - Siut Rusipfa - Tachekase Cheferi

More high-profile than the lineup, though probably less skilled overall. Chulosaleta, Fochaeki, and Rusipfa all have EL starting experience. Shachai has the makings of an elite closer, but the Spirits probably do need him in the rotation. Two would-be regulars are currently injured - Tsysi Fatsi will be available soon, and Somashe Renlese will be available in July.

Closer: Ireapi Shypu (10th)

The stronger end of their pitching staff for sure.

2024 prediction: 98-92 (10th)

The Spirits will wait patiently for their rotation pieces to get back; then they'll have a chance to get somewhere.


MIGHTY OAKS
Aroketsil, KX
2024: 102-88 (8th)
Seasons in EL: all 35
Best finish: 1st (2008, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2020, 2021, 2022)
Payroll: $175.9 million (3rd)
Manager: Tishe Loap (3rd year)

Speak of the devil, here's Mighty Oaks, coming off their lowest league finish in over 20 years and first time outside the top 4 since 2011. Unlike at Keleri, that didn't even cost management their jobs - Loap and GM Roiri Wechalulere are both sticking around. If I were a Mighty Oaks fan, I would be very worried about mid-table being the new normal.

Lineup (13th):
3B Meteshu Tsefufayalo - 1B Yalofe Uepepa - RF Peyaka Sefenera
LF Tula Misha - C Metsifu Olufapo - CF Myna Kylchi
2B Niresilo Fetiloa - SS Fofi Rytsopo

The Oaks made a couple of savvy moves here, bringing back Kylchi after he had left the Oaks to join Hokrof for two years, and getting a cheap one-year deal for Tsefufayalo to come over from rival Keleri. That upgrade was their biggest hole, as they had gotten basically no production from the 3B position the past few years. The real issue, and why they're not expected to be good offensively, is that they're getting a little older. Lokasi teams, due to the immediacy that a pro/rel system requires, don't invest much in development, so even players as young as 25-26 are often considered "over the hill". Only two Oaks regulars, Kylchi and Sefenera, are younger than that.

Pitching staff (5th):
Rotation (7th):
Notsimi Feshasu - Chashe Mimolifa - Rilonro Shapoke - Ekana Muchlap - Lewu Pochayi

A reasonable supporting cast to surround the super-ace Feshasu. I'm looking out for possible improvements from Muchlap - he had an okay rookie season, and won the Gold Glove, but the Oaks will count on him to make that next step.

Closer: Tsarase Tsofonisi (9th)

Not the league's best bullpen by any means, but probably the strongest one previewed so far. Tsofonisi hasn't been a full-time closer since he was in the Southern Super League with Chilka through 2019, but in 5 years in the EL he has shown himself to be pretty capable, and he's got great personality traits.

2024 prediction: 101-89 (9th)

If the lineup hits like their pedigree says they could, Mighty Oaks could make this prediction look laughably low. But given how last year went for them, are we betting on that?


AMNANACHE BC
Ransu, RA
2024: 95-95 (10th)
Seasons in EL: 29
Best finish: 2nd (1999, 2000)
Payroll: $117.5 million (8th)
Manager: Petsfu Chorao (12th year)

Whether good, bad, or medium (let's face it, usually medium), Amnanache is always doing something interesting. The free agent signings that this team has made make them a must-watch at least for a little while.

Lineup (4th):
1B Fomo Tirma - SS Wasi Tsewayo - 2B Setsinak Patshafero
3B Ripke Kaitsomine - RF Tuwafo None - LF Posheni Tseto
C Kelurfo Shewepe - CF Oma Shosotsoke

Amnanache's best offensive player the past couple of seasons, undoubtedly, was Peche Iyikio. When he surprisingly chose to drop down to the Second League with Hokrof, they really needed to build a completely new offense. This is not much of an exaggeration - of these eight players, only Kaitsomine was with the team last season. This is reminiscent of the Aroketsil Spirits' top-tier infield from a few years ago, with the four infielders being arguably the team's four best players (both of those quartets included Wasi Tsewayo). Tirma is undoubtedly the biggest star, but there are concerns about a downtick at the end of last season - his September scouting report saw his contact rating plummet from 75 to 60. He is still the defending batting champ though, until proven otherwise.

Pitching staff (8th):
Rotation (5th):
Kafaki Kohopa - Epencho Latsychano - Tila Hire - Shulohi Rerawe - Soralone Merefife

Once Amnanache's calling card, the rotation is still pretty good overall. Laotso Tirionu, who I ill-fatedly predicted to win Pitcher of the Year a few years ago, has left for Fachi in the 2L, but the new signings Hire and Merefife will be dependable enough. Hire had an ERA of 2.02 in the Northern Super League last season with Tsapich, while Merefife is a rookie who doesn't throw hard but should have pretty dependable secondary stuff. Merefife also has Venezuelan citizenship, which is pretty weird; I thought I had managed to stamp out all non-Lokasi nationalities.

Closer: Yatil Tufsu (7th)

Tufsu is a first-time EL player but as close to a sure thing as you can find outside the EL ranks. Nasty 97 MPH cutter. The remainder of the bullpen will be quite good. I think Amnanache's pitching staff as a whole might rate lower than their pitchers just because they've historically been a poor defensive team.

2024 prediction: 106-84 (8th)

This team is going to be fun, even if it isn't a title contender.


KELERI BC
Hefem, EM
2024: 101-89 (9th)
Seasons in EL: all 35
Best finish: 1st (1997, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2016, 2018)
Payroll: $135.3 million (6th)
Manager: Tsiri Asi (1st year)

9th place would be an achievement for many teams in this league, but for Keleri, that is an unmitigated disaster. The green and silver finished 10th in the Elite League's first year (1991), then never finished out of the top 6 for 32 consecutive seasons. The achievement cost a few people their jobs, including 2018 title-winning manager Tsalku Katsesho. (To be fair, it's been a steady period of step-backs.)

Lineup (7th):
CF Rarehimi Pohyfe - LF Lesayo Sofiulo - 2B Mapisiu Kohopa
SS Atsi Keana - 1B Ouler Tuemole - C Tumi Sichi
3B Shatso Raseke - RF Kufeme Tsimpese

Keana is starting to test fans' patience - in two years with the club, he's played about two-thirds of a season in game terms. Those two thirds of a season have been very good! But he has to stay healthy. Tuemole has been disappointing for other reasons, even taking a bench role at times last season. Pohyfe has been the most dependable player, despite his ancient age in Lokasi baseball terms (33). They could definitely use another outfielder, but the budget looks to be maxed out at this point. 3B Netomue Kilutsa will be out until May, still recovering from his torn ACL last year - thet'll help.

Pitching staff (7th):
Rotation (3rd):
Kes Nokolo - Samayo Itsatuse - Shaltseri Kalorotiha - Sleta Tsolea - Lamaki Tenotifek

No doubt, the most exciting part of the Keleri team. All five of these pitchers are still teenagers, with Kalorotiha the old man given that he turns 20 in April of this year. Nokolo and Itsatuse are probably both top-5 arms in the league.

Closer: Wokyo Tapia (3rd)

Rates very highly, but hasn't been a closer before - 2.39 ERA in 79 appearances a year ago, but just 6 career saves. He's just barely not a teenager, having turned 20 in the offseason.

2024 prediction: 107-83 (7th)

If the hitters stay healthy, Keleri could easily vault back to their usual title challenger status. If not, then this feels about right, weird as it is to say.


TSAPNA BC
Ransu, RA
2024: 94-96 (11th)
Seasons in EL: 33
Best finish: 1st (2012, 2019)
Payroll: $137.1 million (5th)
Manager: Tuwafo Rekute - 2nd year

Tsapna has been in limbo the last few years. Not that far removed from their last title year, they've now won 102 and 94 games the last few seasons (on a 162-game pace, that would be 87 and 80 wins). They don't usually make big sweeping changes - there is a bit of stereotype of "Tsapna guys". But there were two interesting signings last year that they are counting on to help them break out of that funk!

Lineup (5th):
RF Iti Tashete - 2B Lawori El - LF Uoro Toyerno
CF Ofame Tsoara - C Pusituli Fomochi - 1B Safishi Ifata
SS Kysatse Nysotof - 3B Uke Hasitso

Tsoara is the new name here - he was Oma Feputso's right-hand man at Mithazni the last two seasons. He still doesn't have to be "the guy" here, which is good, because he's more good than great. Still a big upgrade over the production they got from Chiati Rolei last year. I would love to see prospect Ron Typie get some run at 3B, but he hasn't developed as a hitter - right now, he is the only position player in the Tsapna organization who is not on the active roster.

Pitching staff (4th):
Rotation (4th):
Teshepo Tefasa - Feli Ykiteno - Lomunu Awia - Tupae Epofemi - Mua Wyranu

Tefasa is the biggest get, moreso than Tsoara. They were able to lure him away from his hometown team of Kepmem without having to pay $10 million a year, which is decent business. Money matters in this case because Lomunu Awia continues to be the nation's highest paid player ($19 million through '26). Yet again, the team is trying to convert Ykiteno into a starter - he made 11 starts last year, but also converted 28 of 33 save opportunities.

Closer: Tsokom Wamia (12th)

A new signing from Otahel City, where he wasn't the closer - but they also signed Otahel's former closer, Rozhitso Fomochi, as well as Nokir's closer, Cheshore Matsef. So if Wamia fails, they won't be doomed. The bullpen overall should rank a few spots higher than 12th.

2024 prediction: 108-82 (6th)

Is Tsapna on their way back? They've been such a mystery the last two seasons, I'm not sure.

[Ruwisc]

2025 Season Preview, Part 4


NOKIR BC
Tenshemaho, ZA
2024: 94-96 (12th)
Seasons in EL: 27
Best finish: 1st (1996)
Payroll: $96.0 million (10th)
Manager: Seko Measi (6th year)

Any time a newly promoted team comfortably survives relegation, that's something worth celebrating, although Nokir was not your average newly-promoted team. Given their prominence within the city of Tenshemaho and no such dominant club within the city of Ransu, Nokir has the largest registered fanbase in the entire country. Now, in their minds, the team belongs back in the upper echelon. This would be a long-awaited return, as Nokir hasn't finished in the top 5 of the EL table since 2014. For the first time in a long while, they will have a local rival, with nearby Bayside making their EL debuts. There have not been multiple teams in the EL from the Tenshemaho area since 2018!

Lineup (3rd):
1B Chiap Porafi - 3B Feshori Laliusha - LF Saruruso Rishisite
RF Mapisiu Pake - C Merisiri Punisha - 2B Fimshi Piso
SS Fomuhela Taeka - CF Hekopa Ketunri

Rishisite and Piso were two of the bigger breakout hitters last season, particularly among non-rookies, but there's reasonable quality up and down the lineup. Nokir was among the biggest shoppers at the relative bargain bin of players whose teams were relegated from the Second League - Porafi comes from the Killitash Stars, while Pake joins from Wichku. Good local scouting.

Pitching staff (9th):
Rotation (11th):
Shesho Shyfoneyi - Ketsafumo Tsuefo - Pokoni Kofitsa - Penu Mametsiu - Wokyo Iwa

Shyfoneyi is the headline addition, a rookie who might not quite be ready for EL stardom, but they're gonna use him at the top of the rotation anyway. Tsuefo will be the best pitcher on the team if he can stay healthy. Kofitsa is a solid depth addition, having made 27 starts for Westline last season.

Closer: Filashe Tynipea (17th)

More bargain bin shopping - Tynipea was relegated from the Southern Super League with the Aksa Hornets. The bullpen is the thing most likely to keep Nokir from being great - it's not fully as bad as 17th but that does belie their relative lack of high-end talent.

2024 prediction: 109-81 (5th)

This seems a bit optimistic to me, but I think Nokir has enough top-end talent to be a top-half team for sure.


PASATAKI GALAXY
Pasataki, ZA
2024: 113-77 (3rd)
Seasons in EL: 25
Best finish: 2nd (2023)
Payroll: $110.9 million (9th)
Manager: Iwata Tufsu (2nd year)

Of all the teams that have been elite the last few years, the Galaxy are the one and only club that have never actually won the Lokasi championship. It must sting just a little bit. Consecutive finishes of 3rd-2nd-3rd have Galaxy fans at their highest point ever emotionally, but at the same time you have to wonder if that title is coming.

Lineup (1st):
CF Jaropatso Kesia - RF Timleni Chanesha - 1B Charoluki Awia
LF Wia Merefife - 2B Apia Lela - C Memomo Shiheshasi
SS Wyku Tofpalts - 3B Fosusha Hakoheso

Definitely the EL's deepest lineup, even if none of these guys are that likely to win the MVP. There aren't any new faces here, and all were pretty healthy last season - my advice? Do that again. They also have the league's best backup catcher in Repimi Cholomu. The one thing to definitely keep an eye on is the position swap between Awia and Merefife - Awia isn't a very good defender in the outfield, but he has very little experience at first. Good idea in the long-term, but might be weird in the short-term.

Pitching staff (6th):
Rotation (9th):
Pecho Tsytemoi - Aro Ipo - Rani Kireo - Arurke Tayur - Cheteko Epofemi

Tayur is the most prominent new player on the roster, probably - a rookie with a pretty standard repertoire. Guessing he will be roughly league-average, which is pretty valuable. After two injury-plagued seasons, Ipo decided not to opt out of his contract (wisely). The Galaxy are desperate to get something out of him.

Closer: Lisou Nikera (11th)

Nikera is now entering his seventh season as the Galaxy closer (including one year in the 2L), gaining the job after being a deadline acquisition from Amnanache in 2019. You don't see closers stick in that job this long all that often.

2024 prediction: 113-77 (4th)

For a team with almost no turnover, it shouldn't be too surprising that they're predicted to have exactly the same record as last season. Seems right to me.


SEMYOF BC
Ransu, RA
2024: 109-81 (4th)
Seasons in EL: 33
Best finish: 1st (1991-1995, 2003, 2006)
Payroll: $179.7 million (1st)
Manager: Hamafme Rochuchichi (6th year)

I spent all last season wondering if Semyof was legit, and I guess they were? Semyof was one of the teams I spent the least amount of time talking about in 2024, and much of that was because of how steady they were - the highs high, but not too high, and the lows very rare. Well, from the least-talked team in the regular season, Semyof made the most headlines in the offseason for their relentless pursuit of collecting every other team's high-leverage relievers. Unlike most teams, they also still have money available in case things go wrong.

Lineup (9th):
2B Potsomowe Shulitso - LF Kysha Temyl - RF Rosana Pishot
1B Yureta Tsuefo - SS Sashe Liposeli - CF Ipitashi Rerawe
3B Fatna Mypetu - C Takmake Efiyalem

Oh yeah, they also signed Rosana Pishot. Pishot was already a great player, but 2024 was the year he went to a completely new level. On a team with a few superstars already, Pishot was Kepmem's best player, and ultimately led the EL in slugging, OPS, and runs scored while finishing 3rd in MVP voting. Yureta Tsuefo wins "most likely to blow up as a rookie" in this class, with power potential even at 16 that could see him hit dozens and dozens of home runs.

Pitching staff (1st):
Rotation (1st):
Sarlo Narupu - Ferenasi Penuere - Chasolo Latemohi - Ferenasi Salpe - Tusehu Wamia

Semyof signed the top two amateur starting pitchers on the same day, committing $92 million to Narupu and Penuere. Having also signed the #2 available pitcher last year in Salpe, the green and white have a rotation that will be the envy of every other team in the country. Latemohi was a huge performer last season as well, which earned him an extension.

Closer: Toe Teshelo (4th)

The pitchers in Semyof's season-opening bullpen combined to notch 164 saves in the EL last season, plus 24 in the Second League and 42 in the SPL. A ridiculous amount of firepower back there. Last year's EL saves leader is consigned to long relief, and one of last year's top 3 Reliever of the Year candidates has to settle for "Use more often".

2024 prediction: 116-74 (3rd)

The new pieces need to gel, but assuming they do, this could be a conservative projection.


NATIONAL BC
Shunna, XU
2024: 119-71 (1st)
Seasons in EL: 33
Best finish: 1st (2023, 2024)
Payroll: $154.5 million (4th)
Manager: Teshepo Riparchua (7th year)

The two-time defending champs are coming in at 2nd on this year's preview. Of course, last year they were predicted 7th and that didn't matter a lick. National chased down Westline over the final two months of the season, and when facing them in the season's last series, beat them 4 of 5 to win the league.

Lineup (6th):
1B Chorep Toyerno - C Nukacholo Tsoara - CF Solo Sipet
RF Pumona Kakosuta - LF Nalk Ranahi - SS Pelik Yelishike
3B Anesa Mikesash - 2B Hamafme Nokolo

Two spots in the lineup have changed hands, and both appear to be upgrades. The catcher Tsoara had a home run every 10 plate appearances in the 7th tier of the pyramid two years ago, then signed with Heshatesh City in the tier 4 NSL and was still elite there. Ranahi is also a new face, having lit up the NPL (tier 3) with Kine over the past five seasons. National got negative value from the left field position in 2024, so anything that's not that is good news.

Pitching staff (2nd):
Rotation (10th):
Kiro Ponarf - Latsal Awia - Wucha Tekake - Nene Asi - Saryesi Petsytapa

Always National's weak point. This is the first time in a while that they have no starting pitchers out injured, and there are even two new names on the list. Asi is a bullpen convert who threw in 64 games with a 3.07 ERA last year. Not much stamina but there must be a good reason why they're doing this. Petsytapa is a casualty of Semyof's youth movement, and will be a solid pickup if all National needs is someone to cover innings at the end of the rotation.

Closer: Risei Shirae (1st)

One of the league's very best relievers, Shirae took over the closer's job last year and had an ERA of 1.39 in his 57 appearances. I don't think this is the league's best bullpen overall, but not too far off - I'd place it third, behind Semyof and Westline's.

2024 prediction: 121-69 (2nd)

Notable, I guess, that the actual title winning team from last year won fewer games than this, setting a record in the process (119-71 is the lowest ever record for an EL champion).


WESTLINE BC
Ransu, RA
2024: 117-73 (2nd)
Seasons in EL: 28
Best finish: 1st (1999)
Payroll: $178.7 million (2nd)
Manager: Mafuke Yelishike (8th year)

In 2024, it seemed like Westline was going to do it, and get back to the mountaintop exactly 25 years after their one and only EL championship. They led almost the entire second half of the season, only faltering in the season's final two weeks and allowing themselves to be surpassed by National. In last year's preview, Westline was projected to win the league by 16 games. The margin is much slimmer this year, so if Westline underperforms again, that drought is definitely getting extended another year.

Lineup (2nd):
LF Chatiri Shosotsoke - CF Silakara Riali - 1B Peku Karwo
2B Nukacholo Riseki - RF Wyshuo Aliso - SS Atel Chirao
C Tupae Pufosa - 3B Chop Riwihy

One new face here - Silakara Riali was brought in after posting 7.8 WAR in the tier-3 NPL last season. Westline has long needed upgrades at both the CF and 3B positions, but at least they're aware of it. Riali is not going to be a star, but he's a better hitter and defender than previous CF Saryesi Sifoku (who is still here, just on the bench) and is also a great clubhouse presence. Peku Karwo took a step back from his back-to-back MVP campaigns in his first year at Westline, but it would be very hard not to.

Pitching staff (3rd):
Rotation (2nd):
Tula Mitonone - Sefti Merefife - Wom Tolenote - Misote Tsumeratsi - Kakha Awia

Westline's biggest strength, in my opinion, is the rotation. Tula Mitonone is now the two-time reigning Pitcher of the Year, and Merefife is not that far removed from having won it in 2021 (with Tsapna). Tolenote and Awia are both first-time EL pitchers, but both have quite strong records at the lower levels. I think they'll be fine at the very least.

Closer: Tsiteyne Yelishike (8th)

Yelishike was the setup man for Ferufi Shonoro, and now he seems to have supplanted him. I'd be surprised if there were actually 7 better closers than this in the EL this season. Shonoro and former Muni closer Leset Kakosuta will assist him. Very good bullpen overall, despite the closer ranking.

2024 prediction: 125-65 (1st)

At some point, Westline has to make good on one of these predictions so they don't get labeled as chokers, but for now, their roster-wide strength does appear to make them the favorites again.

[Ruwisc]

Maps here for the top three tiers of Lokasi baseball in 2025. You can see why I had to split the two teams from the capital in tier 3 - no other good way to do it.








Predictions - I didn't do this last season but I want to try to beat the preseason prediction algorithm again this time. Last time I did this, I didn't do so great, but here's how I see it playing out:

1st: Semyof
2nd: Westline
3rd: Pasataki Galaxy
4th: National
5th: Amnanache
6th: Keleri
7th: Tsapna
8th: Nokir
9th: Mighty Oaks
10th: Aroketsil Spirits
11th: Meka
12th: Lutrul
13th: Cheshek
14th: Killitash Bayside
15th: Muni
16th: Kepmem
17th: Shunna Eagles
18th: Otahel City
19th: Kupore
20th: Akashemo United

Now, the games begin! Starting with week 1 of the 2025 season, which will have the following matchups:

Round 1:
Akashemo United vs. Killitash Bayside
Cheshek vs. Lutrul
Keleri vs. Pasataki Galaxy
Otahel City vs. National
BK Kepmem vs. Meka
Amnanache vs. Nokir
Westline vs. Aroketsil Spirits
Mighty Oaks vs. Tsapna
Semyof vs. Kupore
Shunna Municipal vs. Shunna Eagles

Round 2:
Meka vs. Mighty Oaks
Killitash Bayside vs. Shunna Municipal
Shunna Eagles vs. Cheshek
Tsapna vs. Semyof
Pasataki Galaxy vs. Westline
Kupore vs. Otahel City
Nokir vs. Keleri
Lutrul vs. Akashemo United
National vs. BK Kepmem
Aroketsil Spirits vs. Amnanache


The season's opening game will feature Semyof rookie Sarlo Narupu's professional debut, as they've traveled to Somno to take on Kupore.

[Ruwisc]

Week 1: March 1-12, 2025

Let's do it! Time to start the 2025 season - we're close to being caught up to the present day, finally.

Semyof BC (0-0) @ Kupore BC (0-0), March 1
Sarlo Narupu vs. Rir Nosasha
Semyof: 2B Shulitso, LF Temyl, RF Pishot, 1B Tsuefo, SS Liposeli, CF Rerawe, 3B Mypetu, C Efiyalem, P Narupu
Kupore: SS Ruicho, LF Felorasa, 2B Fatsi, 1B Sekao, RF Kenora, C Mokepie, 3B Enkasu, CF Fefen, P Nosasha

030 400 000 . 7 14 1
000 001 000 . 1 .5 1
W: Sarlo Narupu (1-0) L: Rir Nosasha (0-1)

The opening night matchup is of course completely random, so it's natural that sometimes you get a bit of a dud. Semyof is going to be a title challenger, and Kupore is probably in danger of relegation, and the first game pretty much went that way.

The damage started with a walk to Tsuefo to start the 2nd, followed by a pair of hits that gave Rerawe the season's first RBI. Still, it looked like Nosasha would escape with just the one run allowed until the rookie pitcher Narupu came up for his first professional at bat, and ripped a two-run single past Ruicho. Nosasha was also responsible for 3 of the 4 runs scored in the 4th inning. Two of those came on the season's first homer, off the bat of Takmake Efiyalem, and his final act was giving Narupu a free pass.

On the mound, Narupu was quite good, limiting damage and only allowing a single run, a homer by Teshese Enkasu leading off the 6th. The only downside for Semyof on the night was the horrible showing from Potsomowe Shulitso, who was 0-6 with 4 Ks from the leadoff spot. But he'll have his days eventually.

PotG: Semyof SP Sarlo Narupu - 8 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 7 K, 0 BB; 1-2, 2 RBI, 2 BB

Round 1

...Akashemo 0-5 K.Bayside - 0-10, 2-3(11), 0-3, 1-6, 6-9
....Cheshek 2-3 Lutrul - 3-15, 3-6, 9-10(11), 10-7, 6-3
.....Keleri 3-2 Pasataki - 5-6, 5-2, 3-2, 3-4(10), 3-1
Otahel City 1-4 National - 5-7, 3-8, 1-8, 1-6, 3-1
..BK Kepmem 3-2 Meka - 2-5, 1-8, 6-5(10), 6-2, 6-3
..Amnanache 1-4 Nokir - 5-11, 2-4, 5-10, 2-3, 7-2
...Westline 4-1 A.Spirits - 9-0, 1-0, 3-1, 10-11, 6-4
Mighty Oaks 3-2 Tsapna - 5-3, 7-5, 2-4, 8-4, 2-5
.....Semyof 4-1 Kupore - 7-1, 6-3, 6-4, 5-6, 8-2
.......Muni 3-2 Sh.Eagles - 8-5, 2-1(10), 1-3, 6-1, 7-8


Lots of compelling matchups here, including the first ever EL games in the city of Killitash resulting in a Bayside sweep, a clash of blue-bloods in Keleri/Pasataki, two teams projected to rise toward the top of the standings this year with Amnanache/Nokir, as well as the Shunna derby of Muni/Eagles.

Bayside 3, Akashemo United 2 (11 innings): Already on day 3 of the season, we have a career-ending injury, for veteran 34-year-old Bayside SP Shola Ranahi. In the preview I mentioned his pedigree from his time at Amnanache, where he won a Second League PoY award in 2010 and won the EL's ERA title in 2013. In the end, his time with Bayside lasts a total of 19 pitches.

Westline 1, Aroketsil Spirits 0: Spirits 1B Silakara Tselsiko will miss around 4 months with a torn meniscus in his knee. For a Spirits team that is already off to a terrible start, this is worrying.

Bayside 9, Akashemo United 6 and Semyof 8, Kupore 2: the first two three-homer games of the season were recorded simultaneously, by Bayside's Toyeseshi Shocheye and Semyof's Kysha Temyl. Neither outfielder is particularly renowned for their power.

Tsapna 5, Mighty Oaks 2: Tsapna SP Mua Wyranu is done for the season and having Tommy John surgery. After missing almost all of 2023 with a torn labrum, then having a setback that cost him the whole 2024 season, this is the stuff of nightmares.

Round 2

.......Meka 4-1 Mighty Oaks - 4-2, 4-5, 6-2, 6-4, 5-3
..K.Bayside 2-3 Muni - 8-2, 0-9, 4-5(10), 10-5, 2-6
..Sh.Eagles 1-4 Cheshek - 1-2, 5-0, 4-5(10), 3-8, 0-1
.....Tsapna 0-5 Semyof - 3-5, 2-3(10), 3-7, 1-3, 1-11
...Pasataki 4-1 Westline - 6-7, 10-6, 3-2, 6-5(10), 2-1
.....Kupore 2-3 Otahel City - 2-1, 3-2, 3-4, 2-5, 6-7
......Nokir 2-3 Keleri - 1-6, 7-2, 6-7, 3-8, 13-6
.....Lutrul 2-3 Akashemo - 0-1, 0-7, 10-2, 3-5, 11-3
...National 4-1 BK Kepmem - 2-5, 8-2, 3-2, 6-4(11), 5-4
..A.Spirits 0-5 Amnanache - 0-6, 1-5, 1-6, 1-2, 0-3


Not a ton of interesting games per se, but interesting results - Meka winning 4 of 5 at Mighty Oaks, the Galaxy taking 4 of 5 at Westline to cap a tough first week, and Semyof blasting a hole in their traditionally biggest rival Tsapna. I would also take note of the abysmal start that the Spirits are off to - in their nine losses, they have scored a total of eight runs, and in the one game they won this week, they blew a 7-run lead before walking it off in the 9th. Bayside also ran their season-opening win streak to 6 games and were the last remaining unbeaten team, before dropping 3 of the other 4 at Muni. Still, a start to be happy about.

National 8, BK Kepmem 2: Kepmem's star LF Faruo Ayekrea will miss the remainder of the 2025 season having torn his ACL. This is a franchise-altering injury for Kepmem, potentially - they might be in real relegation danger now.

Standings......W..L
.......Semyof.. 9 1
.....National.. 8 2
Killi.Bayside.. 7 3
.........Meka.. 6 4
........Nokir.. 6 4
....Amnanache.. 6 4
.........Muni.. 6 4
.......Keleri.. 6 4
.....P.Galaxy.. 6 4
......Cheshek.. 6 4
.......Lutrul.. 5 5
.....Westline.. 5 5
..Mighty Oaks.. 4 6
.......Kepmem.. 4 6
..Otahel City.. 4 6
....Sh.Eagles.. 3 7
.......Kupore.. 3 7
-----------------------------
.Akashemo Utd.. 3 7
.......Tsapna.. 2 8
....A.Spirits.. 1 9


Generally, it's hard for me to award a Player of the Week like I'd like to, since my weeks don't line up with calendar weeks, but undoubtedly the player of the week is National CF Solo Sipet, who currently leads in all of the Triple Crown categories. He was 19-40 (.475) with 9 home runs, 15 RBI, and an OPS of 1.723. He has already accrued 1.8 WAR in ten games!

In week 2, the opening week's two biggest strugglers get a chance to right the ship against one another when Tsapna goes to Aroketsil. I'll also be watching National/Galaxy on the weekend, as well as Akashemo/Kupore, two teams who will want to bank wins for the relegation fight they probably have coming.

Round 3:
Westline vs. Shunna Eagles
Otahel City vs. Meka
Kupore vs. National
Pasataki Galaxy vs. Killitash Bayside
Nokir vs. Cheshek
Mighty Oaks vs. BK Kepmem
Keleri vs. Lutrul
Semyof vs. Shunna Municipal
Amnanache vs. Akashemo United
Tsapna vs. Aroketsil Spirits

Round 4:
Akashemo United vs. Kupore
Shunna Eagles vs. Nokir
BK Kepmem vs. Otahel City
Lutrul vs. Tsapna
Aroketsil Spirits vs. Semyof
Cheshek vs. Keleri
Killitash Bayside vs. Mighty Oaks
National vs. Pasataki Galaxy
Meka vs. Westline
Shunna Municipal vs. Amnanache

[Ruwisc]

Week 2: March 13-24, 2025



I took this screenshot before any games were played in week 1. I like doing this at the start of the season - since the teams are by default sorted by team ID number, it gives me some perspective about where they started in the Lokasi pyramid. (You're also seeing some more directly transliterated spellings - I respell a lot of names to be more English-friendly around here.)

• The first nine teams on the list played in the inaugural Elite League, from Westline to National. Only Keleri and Mighty Oaks have never been relegated, but there's a good bit of pedigree in the teams that are here now. I believe their ID numbers are random within the range of 1-20 - when the league was set up, I had a list of which teams were supposed to be more prestigious than others, and I assigned team identities based on the first year's preseason predictions. That's why Semyof, the team said to have been the most prestigious in the pre-EL era, won the EL's first five championships as well. The top five on that initial list are all current EL clubs, so it more or less worked out.

• The next three teams - Eagles, Galaxy, and Lutrul - all started in the Second League. The Eagles won promotion in the inaugural season and played in the EL from 1992-2002 continuously, and have never finished below 9th in the 2L.

• Five teams began in the 3rd-tier NPL and SPL, including this year's EL debutants at Bayside. There are more of them in this group primarily because there are twice as many teams at that level in general.

• Akashemo United and Otahel City both started the EL era in the 4th tier NSL. Akashemo were much quicker risers, reaching the EL in 2001 and never having been relegated for more than a single season since then. Otahel City also haven't been relegated from the EL for more than a single season, but that's a sample size of 2 since they didn't reach the top of the pyramid since 2020.

• And finally, Meka began the simulation in the 8th-tier Northwest Regional League, a league that only plays 104 games per season. In their club's history, they have been promoted 10 times and relegated just 3 times.

Westline BC (5-5) @ Shunna Eagles (3-7), March 13
Tula Mitonone (1-0, 0.73) vs. Toe Kachefe (0-1, 1.80)
Westline: 2B Finyotsi, CF Narupu, 1B Karwo, C Pufosa, LF Sifoku, SS Chirao, 3B Riwihy, RF Mukuapi, P Mitonone
Eagles: 3B Pichake, LF Setatoe, CF Tsaruo, 1B Imatsa, 2B Kumoyo, SS Natso, RF Porafi, C Irasoshi, P Kachefe

000 102 000 . 3 6 0
100 001 000 . 2 7 1
W: Tula Mitonone (2-0) L: Toe Kachefe (0-2) S: Tsiteyne Yelishike (4)

It is still early enough in the season that the aces are matching up in the first game of each series, with Mitonone the two-time defending Pitcher of the Year, and Kachefe a reliable EL starter for over a decade, dating back to his time at Amnanache (2013-18).

With Westline playing a severely diminished lineup (only 4 of these 8 hitters are everyday starters), this game was defined by the homer - there were five runs scored in the game, and five solo home runs. Santa Setatoe got things started in the first; he was answered by Tupae Pufosa in the 4th, and then the much-maligned duo of Saryesi Sifoku and Chop Riwihy each homered in the fateful sixth inning. Eagles star Topeshe Tsaruo got one back, but nobody ever managed to do anything with runners on base. Westline left runners in scoring position 4 different times, and the Eagles twice.

PotG: Westline SP Tula Mitonone - 6 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 6 K/0 BB

Round 3

...Westline 3-2 Sh.Eagles - 3-2, 3-7, 8-2, 3-2, 10-11
Otahel City 0-5 Meka - 5-8, 5-7, 4-6, 7-9, 3-5(10)
.....Kupore 1-4 National - 0-6, 6-4, 3-8, 5-11, 3-6
...Pasataki 3-2 K.Bayside - 7-2, 4-2, 0-5, 8-6(11), 3-4(10)
......Nokir 2-3 Cheshek - 4-1, 0-1, 3-11, 4-6, 5-2
Mighty Oaks 4-1 BK Kepmem - 5-3, 2-1, 9-3, 4-5, 8-4
.....Keleri 3-2 Lutrul - 6-4, 0-4, 4-2, 6-4, 5-8
.....Semyof 3-2 Muni - 8-0, 2-4, 2-0, 13-0, 10-11
..Amnanache 4-1 Akashemo - 7-3, 1-4, 7-0, 2-1(10), 7-4
.....Tsapna 1-4 A.Spirits - 2-3, 1-6, 2-5, 3-1, 1-3


Amnanache 7, Akashemo United 0: The season's first shutout was recorded tonight by Amnanache's Tila Hire. This was a one-hitter with just a base hit by Ramrasha Liposeli leading off the 7th inning, along with one walk and a hit batter. Hire was an award-winner as the best pitcher in tier 5 a couple of years ago, but now he's performing pretty well on the big stage too.

March 18: Otahel City catcher Haha Sachan signs a 4-year extension worth $37.5 million. The deal has an opt-out after two years, $18.5 million. Sachan can also, as is usual, opt out if the team is relegated - but he has already chosen not to do so once, in 2023. Maybe he just loves living in Otahel.

Amnanache 7, Akashemo United 4: Another first in this series, as the season's first cycle was recorded by Amnanache LF Posheni Tsoto. He got the triple and homer in his first two at bats, so they were on cycle watch for a while. Hilariously, he came up with two outs in the 9th inning, and was thrown out trying to stretch his double into another triple. He made Amnanache's last out of the night, but completed his cycle in the process by reverting it to a double.

Shunna Eagles 11, Westline 10: Just a wild game - Westline led 6-2, and 10-6 in the 8th, but could not hold off the Eagles offense on this occasion. RF Takipuse Porafi had the walk-off hit, a two-run double.

Round 4

...Akashemo 1-4 Kupore - 2-4, 2-4, 1-2, 9-8(10), 1-3
..Sh.Eagles 3-2 Nokir - 4-3(10), 3-2, 9-4(11), 4-8, 1-4
..BK Kepmem 3-2 Otahel City - 3-1, 9-5, 8-6, 2-3, 2-4
.....Lutrul 3-2 Tsapna - 4-2, 5-3, 0-2, 1-5, 1-0
..A.Spirits 3-2 Semyof - 2-4, 5-4, 5-1, 6-1, 1-3
....Cheshek 3-2 Keleri - 7-2, 3-1, 10-5, 2-5, 5-6
..K.Bayside 0-5 Mighty Oaks - 1-4, 1-4, 5-9, 2-3, 4-5(10)
...National 4-1 Pasataki - 3-2, 5-3, 1-0, 6-5, 1-6
.......Meka 1-4 Westline - 1-5, 5-7, 4-9, 5-4, 3-9
.......Muni 4-1 Amnanache - 5-1, 2-12, 4-3, 5-4(10), 5-4


An interesting weekend, with 7 of 10 series won by the visiting team, including a few relative upsets that you wouldn't normally expect.

Shunna Eagles 4, Nokir 3: Well, just as I go out to praise Eagles SP Toe Kachefe on his reliability, he goes and tears his rotator cuff at Nokir. Kachefe left in line for a win, but had to settle for a team win and a no-decision as it ended up going to extras. It's not a season-ending injury, but the Eagles will be without him until right around the end of July.

Tsapna 2, Lutrul 0: Lutrul star Ilye Nofetso will also miss some time, around a month with a sprained ankle. Nofetso was off to an interesting start (not in a good or bad way), with only two HR, but more than twice as many walks as strikeouts, which is not normal for him or anyone.

BK Kepmem 9, Otahel City 5: One more injury to close the week, as Otahel SP Raretihe Lolif is done for the season with a torn flexor tendon. Lolif was Otahel's #5 starter, but their depth is basically nonexistent so any loss is a big deal.

Standings..........W..L
+1 .....National.. 16 4
-1 .......Semyof.. 14 6
10 ..Mighty Oaks.. 13 7
+8 .....Westline.. 12 8
-1 .........Meka.. 12 8
+4 ......Cheshek.. 12 8
-- .........Muni.. 12 8
-2 ....Amnanache.. 11 9
-1 .......Keleri.. 11 9
+1 .......Lutrul.. 10 10
-6 ........Nokir.. 10 10
-3 .....P.Galaxy.. 10 10
10 Killi.Bayside... 9 11
+2 ....Sh.Eagles... 8 12
-1 .......Kepmem... 8 12
+4 ....A.Spirits... 8 12
-- .......Kupore... 8 12
-----------------------------
-3 ..Otahel City... 6 14
-- .......Tsapna... 5 15
-2 .Akashemo Utd... 5 15


National has now started the year with four straight 4-1 series wins, a great way to kick-start the threepeat bid. I wonder how long Tsapna can stay in the relegation zone without people getting fired. At least they've already played Semyof and the Oaks.

Next week, let's pay attention to Mighty Oaks; they're off to a pretty good start, but start week 3 at National before coming home to host their Aroketsil rivals.

Round 5:
Kupore vs. Meka
Keleri vs. Aroketsil Spirits
Westline vs. Shunna Municipal
Nokir vs. Killitash Bayside
Otahel City vs. Akashemo United
Semyof vs. BK Kepmem
Amnanache vs. Shunna Eagles
Pasataki Galaxy vs. Lutrul
Mighty Oaks vs. National
Tsapna vs. Cheshek

Round 6:
Shunna Eagles vs. Pasataki Galaxy
Cheshek vs. Otahel City
Killitash Bayside vs. Keleri
Shunna Municipal vs. Nokir
National vs. Amnanache
Aroketsil Spirits vs. Mighty Oaks
BK Kepmem vs. Tsapna
Lutrul vs. Kupore
Akashemo United vs. Westline
Meka vs. Semyof

[Ruwisc]

Week 3: March 25-April 5, 2025

March 26: Tsapna SP Tupae Epofemi is out for the season with a torn labrum, suffered in the final game of last week's series vs. Lutrul. Epofemi was off to a rough start, which will now be fossilized on his baseball card.

Nokir BC (10-10) @ Killitash Bayside (9-11), March 26
Shesho Shyfoneyi (1-1, 3.66) vs. Tsai Reyolafa (2-2, 2.60)
Nokir: 1B Porafi, 3B Laliusha, RF Pake, LF Rishisite, C Punisha, 2B Piso, SS Taeka, CF Ketunri, P Shyfoneyi
Bayside: SS Rekesu, 3B Oechikesho, 2B Ketsekiriti, C Mowakei, RF Lela, CF Shocheye, 1B Farneli, LF Solari, P Reyolafa

000 001 041 . 6 8 1
100 001 002 . 4 7 0
W: Nimfai Lalo (1-0) L: Tytsasha Rima (0-2) S: Filashe Tynipea (6)

While this game did not draw the opening-night-of-the-week feature (that went to Keleri/Spirits), it is the series that caught my eye the most in round 5, with this being the first EL matchup between these two nearby clubs. The vibe between these two is like that between the Dodgers and the Angels, but with the colors reversed. They've only played each other a handful of times in history, pretty much only in the 2023 season, when both were in the Second League. I imagine there are quite a few Nokir fans who are living in Killitash (not as many vice versa, but certainly some) and get an easier commute to this game.

The game was a strong pitcher's duel most of the way, with Killitash also ahead most of the way thanks to an early RBI single from Shutsichei Lela. Nokir's Feshori Laliusha tied it with a 6th-inning single but the lead was taken right back by a homer from Showila Oechikesho.

Reyolafa struck out one batter to open the 8th inning, then departed... but the game immediately went south for Bayside after that. Tytsasha Rima only retired one of the six batters he faced, being charged with all four runs in the Nokir 8th. Hekopa Ketunri and Toyeseshi Shocheye traded homers in the 9th to provide for the final score.

PotG: Bayside SP Tsai Reyolafa - 7.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 4 K/3 BB

Round 5

.....Kupore 2-3 Meka - 12-7, 1-4, 2-5, 6-5, 2-10
.....Keleri 2-3 A.Spirits - 7-3, 2-4, 8-5, 3-4, 1-10
...Westline 3-2 Muni - 3-1, 9-1, 3-8, 5-3, 5-8
......Nokir 4-1 K.Bayside - 6-4, 8-3, 11-8, 3-4(10), 11-6
Otahel City 1-4 Akashemo - 1-10, 2-1, 2-4, 3-4, 0-1
.....Semyof 3-2 BK Kepmem - 2-0, 1-2, 3-2, 2-3, 8-3
..Amnanache 4-1 Sh.Eagles - 2-5, 3-2(10), 6-4, 7-4, 12-0
...Pasataki 4-1 Lutrul - 5-0, 4-2, 4-3, 6-8, 5-0
Mighty Oaks 2-3 National - 7-10, 2-6, 8-3, 2-4, 2-1
.....Tsapna 4-1 Cheshek - 7-4, 8-7, 10-9, 2-6, 5-1


Tsapna 8, Cheshek 7: A very exciting game that saw Tsapna score 4 runs in the top of the 9th to come from behind and win. This series might be looked back upon as the moment they got their season under control, as a loss would have dropped them to 6-16. Cheshek's star catcher Epencho Posheni left the game with a hammy strain, which will sideline him for a month or so.

The end of this round of games coincided nicely with the end of March. Here are the monthly awards:

Batter of the Month: National CF Solo Sipet - .388, 11 HR, 25 RBI, 21 R. The guy can do it all - he currently ranks in the top 3 of all 3 Triple Crown categories, hitting even better than his MVP 2024 season thus far.

Pitcher of the Month: Amnanache SP Soralone Merefife - 4-0, 1.47 ERA, 30.2 IP in 5 starts, 25 K/5 BB. A very unlikely winner, but can't say he doesn't deserve it. Amnanache's #5 starter and a 16-year-old rookie, Merefife has very valuable secondary stuff despite his lackluster velocity.

Rookie of the Month: Amnanache SP Soralone Merefife. Shouldn't be a surprise based on the above line, though Semyof's Ferenasi Penuere and Sarlo Narupu were right there with him in both races. Cheshek 3B Tarki Noraha also merited consideration - this rookie crop feels pretty strong.


Round 6

..Sh.Eagles 1-4 Pasataki - 2-5, 1-3, 1-9, 5-6, 3-2
....Cheshek 1-4 Otahel City - 2-3, 10-5, 0-4, 1-5, 0-4
..K.Bayside 2-3 Keleri - 3-9, 3-6, 3-6, 8-1, 7-6
.......Muni 0-5 Nokir - 1-11, 3-4, 5-19, 4-8, 4-13
...National 4-1 Amnanache - 7-4(12), 2-5, 4-3, 8-3, 3-1
..A.Spirits 4-1 Mighty Oaks - 0-9, 7-5, 2-1, 11-1, 10-5
..BK Kepmem 1-4 Tsapna - 4-9, 10-6, 6-9, 2-5, 0-5
.....Lutrul 2-3 Kupore - 5-1, 5-10, 5-6, 2-7, 6-4(10)
...Akashemo 0-5 Westline - 5-9, 1-12, 2-4, 1-8, 2-8
.......Meka 1-4 Semyof - 1-2(10), 0-1, 1-6, 2-15, 5-3(10)


Cheshek 10, Otahel City 5: A three-homer night for Cheshek SS Setsinak Rusipfa. One of the more unlikely 3-home-run-hitters, Rusipfa only hit 5 HR all of last year (though in fairly limited playing time) and had just one entering this game.

Standings..........W..L
-- .....National.. 23 7
-- .......Semyof.. 21 9
+1 .....Westline.. 20 10
+7 ........Nokir.. 19 11
+7 .....P.Galaxy.. 18 12
+2 ....Amnanache.. 16 14
-4 ..Mighty Oaks.. 16 14
-3 .........Meka.. 16 14
-- .......Keleri.. 16 14
+6 ....A.Spirits.. 15 15
-5 ......Cheshek.. 14 16
-5 .........Muni.. 14 16
-3 .......Lutrul.. 13 17
+5 .......Tsapna.. 13 17
+2 .......Kupore.. 13 17
-3 Killi.Bayside.. 12 18
-2 .......Kepmem.. 11 19
-----------------------------
-- ..Otahel City.. 11 19
-5 ....Sh.Eagles.. 10 20
-- .Akashemo Utd... 9 21


National continues to roll, having not yet lost a series, but 4 teams had even better weeks than they did in going 8-2 or better - Westline, Nokir, Pasataki, and suddenly surging Tsapna.

Week 4's schedule is below - I'm looking out for a couple of classic competitive rivalries (not derbies), with Nokir going to Pasataki and Semyof facing the Oaks. Round 8 has a potential title clash in these early stages with Westline vs. Semyof matching the two teams in Ransu with title aspirations.

Round 7:
Lutrul vs. Shunna Eagles
Shunna Municipal vs. Aroketsil Spirits
Otahel City vs. Westline
Killitash Bayside vs. Cheshek
Meka vs. National
Nokir vs. Pasataki Galaxy
Amnanache vs. Keleri
Semyof vs. Mighty Oaks
Akashemo United vs. BK Kepmem
Kupore vs. Tsapna

Round 8:
Pasataki Galaxy vs. Amnanache
Tsapna vs. Otahel City
BK Kepmem vs. Nokir
Mighty Oaks vs. Kupore
National vs. Akashemo United
Cheshek vs. Shunna Municipal
Aroketsil Spirits vs. Lutrul
Keleri vs. Meka
Westline vs. Semyof
Shunna Eagles vs. Killitash Bayside