Fallout 4's Commonwealth Baseball Organization

[StLee]

BNN Report

News from the CBO, Minors, CCBL, and CYL

by Nat Wright-Kawolski

9 May 2321

Stains to Jamaica Plain Helps Red Rockets to Top Record

The first impact trade of the 2321 season occurred on May 1 when the Salem Witch Hats sent SP Paul Stains to Jamaica Plain for four prospects. Now, the Red Rockets have a key piece in their pursuit for their first championship. At 23-11, the Rockets have the CBO's top record along with Starlight. Each of those two teams are also atop their associations.

In other CBO standings, Nahant and FHE lead their leagues. The Yao Guai are among the hottest teams in the SCA, including a four-game winning streak that boosted them past Diamond City. Providence, which had the SCA's top record two weeks ago, has gone 3-7 in their last 10 to drop to 3rd place. Lexington now owns the CBO's worst record at 10-24.

Here are the current team power rankings for Commonwealth Baseball Organization:

Teams (Total Points, Tendency):
1) Starlight Killers (127.7, +)
2) Jamaica Plain Red Rockets (126.7, -)
3) FHE Yao Guai (124.5, +)
4) Nahant Celtics (119.3, -)
5) Diamond City Swatters (110.2, +)
6) Easy Town Assaultrons (109.6, ++)
7) Goodneighbor Hancocks (106.8, --)
8) Sunshine Tidings Chemists (106.6, ++)
9) Nordhagen Beach Party Boys (106.1, ++)
10) Bunker Hill 75ers (101.1, o)
11) Atom Cats (100.7, o)
12) Glowing Sea Radscorpions (100.7, ++)
13) Roxbury Rad Sox (100.7, --)
14) Cambridge Coursers (98.2, -)
15) Southie Brews (97.0, ++)
16) Malden Grognaks (96.7, --)
17) Providence Super Mutants (96.7, --)
18) Vault 81 Dwellers (96.0, +)
19) Fort Hagen Silver Shroud (90.2, --)
20) Oberland T-51s (86.5, -)
21) Far Harbor Fog (83.4, --)
22) Spectacle Island Reapers (76.3, ++)
23) County Crossing Bloodbugs (71.8, ++)
24) Egret Ninjas (70.2, +)
25) University Point Deathclaws (69.3, -)
26) The Slog Ghouls (67.3, --)
27) Nuka World Thrills (66.5, +)
28) Salem Witch Hats (62.8, --)
29) Quincy Granites (55.7, -)
30) Concord Radstags (55.5, --)
31) Cape Cod Mirelurks (55.3, +)
32) Lexington Synths (43.9, -)

Brotherhood League

The Celtics have done alright, winning six of their last 10 to maintain the NCA's second-best record. Easy Town, which was once in 8th place, has won 8 of 10 to move up to 3.5 back. Nordhagen Beach has won six straight, moving them into 3rd, followed by Malden in 4th at four back. For the under .500 teams, in order, they are Far Harbor, The Slog, Salem, and County Crossing.

The Party Boys have quietly put together a young team with tons of talent. With only one player over 30 (C Knees Arrowhead, 30), the Boys could be in position to make their move for the first time since 2312 when they were completing their 15th-straight playoff appearance. That number has been zero since the team started aging out. Right now, the Nordhagen Beach team screams wildcard contender. They are 6th in runs scored (188) and allowed (171), putting them in a solid statistical position. RF Just Jeff Efferson (.328/4/22) leads the team in average. The Boys are low in home runs (12th at 37), but they are evenly distributed from 2 to 5 in the lineup. The middle of the order will need to ramp up that number. On the mound, Nordhagen Beach has not had any standouts, but all of Home Plate Day (2-4, 4.83), Petie Pembroke (4-1, 3.97), and Nervous Patron (5-1, 4.04) are below the NCA ERA average of 4.97.

The Bloodbugs are in 8th place, but they have gone 7-3 in their last 10 to get back in the pack with the bottom half of the BL. The Bugs, though, are not high in talent and will probably need to make some key moves sometime in June or July to prepare for improving their team in future seasons. On offense, they are not too bad, currently 8th in runs scored (178) and 6th in average (.287). RF Puny Muljana could be considered as an early Nuka Hitter Award candidate. He is tied with The Slog's injured Zap Mast for the second-best WAR in the NCA behind Starlight's Axe Dillworth. Pitching is not good, though, with the Bloodbugs allowing the 2nd-most runs (211). Ace SP Scooter Harcourt's 2.28 ERA has been good, and SP Fang Storm is better than the league ERA average, but the rest of the starters need to be better. CL Rude Boy Binns is struggling compared to his 2320 performance (7.12 ERA vs 2.90 in 2320).




Institute League

The Killers have been OK, going 6-4 in their last 10. Sunshine Tidings has been the NCA's second-hottest team along with the Bugs and Cambridge, pushing them into 2nd place at four back of the Killers. Bunker Hill is also four back but have a lower winning percentage than the Chemists. Fort Hagen and the Coursers are tied for 4th. For the teams under .500, they are, in order, Nuka World, Concord, and the Synths.

Sunshine Tidings is a team for sale but bound to the co-op for at least two more seasons. Despite their limbo status, the Chemists may be legitimate playoff contenders in 2321. Sunshine Tidings is 7th in runs scored (187) but tied for 3rd in runs allowed (157), putting them in the upper half statistically. 2B Johnboy Zikmund, who was picked to be the Nuka Hitter Award winner, is living up to expectations. CF Honey Badger Matthews is having his best season since premiering with Goodneighbor in 2317. This is his first season as a full-time starter, and the former 8th-pverall pick in 2316 is starting to look to form by leading the team in average and steals and tied with Zikmund for the team lead in RBI. The pitching has been even better, with the Chemists starters tops in the NCA in ERA (3.98). Ace SP Boozy Bankman and Eta Candy both have ERAs below 4.00. The bullpen needs some TLC (12th with a 5.74) if Sunshine Tidings wants to have championship discussions. We don't know if they will be buyers in their limbo state, though.



Minutemen League

The Rockets are three up on Goodneighbor, the two teams picked in preseason to be atop the ML. Atom and Southie, in places 3rd and 4th, have been tied with Jamaica Plain, FHE, and Vault 81 for the hottest teams in the SCA with a 7-3 mark in their last 10. Spectacle Island and University Point are tied for 5th at five games under .500. Quincy and Cape Cod round out the league standings.

The Cats are back in the playoff race. However, statistically speaking, they have a long way to go before they are considered contenders in 2321. Atom is 11th in runs scored (179) and 10th in runs allowed (190), showing an anomaly in their record. Part of being over .500 has been being good (5-2) in one-run games. In official stats, only Peter Pan Calvillo has hit over .300, and he also leads the teams in homers from the leadoff spot. Pitching is struggling immensely, currently 10th in Starters ERA (5.68). Ace Josh Brown is below that average, but barely. Only 5th starter, Ripper Kawolski, son of Sheng Kawolski and yours truly, has an ERA below 5.00. He is in his first season as a full-time starter after starting three games in 25 appearances in 2320.



Railroad League

As mentioned, the Yao Guai have been hot, placing them one game over Diamond City in the RL standings. Providence and Roxbury have each lost three straight, leaving them tied for 3rd. Glowing Sea has won three straight to claim 5th place and the last team above .500. The hot Dwellers are now at .500, followed by Oberland and Egret.

FHE has made the playoffs four-straight seasons, including winning the RL for the first time in team history in 2320. Despite that recent success, the Yao Guai have not been able to even reach the SCA Championship Series. This may be the top-talented team overall in the CBO, so it is only a matter of time, just like when Vault 81 hovered around the top from 2310-2315 before finally winning their first championship. Now that FHE is past the suspensions for chem usage, other than Chad Kahan who is still suspended as the distributor of said chems, the team is looking to be complete and scary.

The Yao Guai are tied for 4th in runs scored (205) and the best team in runs allowed (129). While not an official stat because of missing three weeks early in the season, veteran Missile Crews (.444/3/14/9 SB) has been on a tear, earning him SCA Player of the Week honors. SS Brass Well (.392/5/22) is also one of the top hitters in the SCA. 1B Bowen Marsh (.347/8/33) leads the team in home runs and RBI. The FHE starters have the best ERA (3.08), far below the SCA average of 5.10. Ace Lane Phrasemaker (5-0, 1.32) looks to be well on his way to winning his second-straight Vim! Pitcher Award. Baker Dozen (4-2, 3.16) and Sluggo Pyne (4-1, 2.43) are also pitching great.

Just two seasons ago, the Ninjas were raising the Sole Survivor Cup, having shocked their way from 6th seed to champions. After three-straight playoff trips, Egret needs to fight its way up to have a chance for four straight. At six games below .500 and eight games back of the Yao Guai, Egret needs to turn the tables, but statistically speaking, they are right where they belong. The Ninjas are 15th in runs scored (166) and 11th in runs allowed (197). 2B Brick Haley is the only hitter with official statistics hitting over .300. He is also tied for the team lead in home runs (6) with leadoff man A-Train Gilmore. On the mound, only ace Mike Searocker has an ERA (4.53) below 5.00. If things do not turn around fast, Egret may be sellers in 2321.



CBO Standings



CBO Players of the Week

May 2 - When it came to hitting the baseball, Axe Dillworth was in a class by himself in the North Charles Association this past week. Nobody did it better.

The outstanding shortstop for Starlight tagged opposing pitchers for a .600 average and was voted the Player of the Week Award. Included in his stats were 15 hits in 25 at-bats, 0 homers, 2 runs scored and 6 RBIs.

This season, Dillworth has delivered 46 hits in 105 at-bats for a .438 average with 4 home runs. He is getting on base at a .512 clip and his totals also include 19 RBIs and 25 runs scored. This year Dillworth has played in 28 games.

Jamaica Plain sports fans can't stop singing the praises of Homeless Hank Mimmy, who has been selected the South Charles Association Player of the Week.

Mimmy was in a comfort zone all week, finishing with a .526 average (10-for-19), 7 RBIs and 4 home runs.

So far this season, Mimmy is batting .394 with 13 home runs.

May 9 - Over the past week, Pop Dylan has feasted on North Charles Association pitching. Today the Nahant Celtics left fielder gobbled up the league's latest Player of the Week Award.

Dylan swung the bat with purpose all week as he collected a .462 average, 12 hits in 26 at-bats, 4 home runs, 8 RBIs and 7 runs scored.

So far this season, Dylan has hit .346 with 6 home runs, 16 RBIs and scored 21 times.

His hard work and hustle paid off this week. The hard-working and hard-playing Missile Crews was rewarded with the South Charles Association Player of the Week honors.

The scrappy FHE Yao Guai center fielder hit .458 while collecting 11 hits in 24 at-bats, 2 home runs and 7 RBIs.

Crews currently has a .444 batting average with 28 hits, 3 homers, 14 RBIs, 17 runs scored and a .493 OBP.

CBO Noteworthy News

April 26 - Glowing Sea fans had a lot to cheer about as Zacky O'Dowd hit for the cycle during his team's 11-7 victory over the Malden Grognaks. The 24-year-old left fielder led the way with 6 runs batted in and 5 hits.

Zacky O'Dowd hit an RBI triple in the 1st, hit a two-run home run off Beasty Boyd Hollen in the 3rd, singled in the 5th, hit a two-run triple in the 7th and hit an RBI double in the 8th.

A look at his season totals shows O'Dowd with 8 home runs, .371 BA, .411 OBP, 24 RBIs and 20 runs scored.

April 28 - Aaron Squire is hurting again, just a few days into his treatment for a strained hamstring. Apparently the injury worsened, so the Brews sent the 34-year-old shortstop back to the doctors for reexamination. Squire told them that the pain had gotten much worse in recent days. It was confirmed that the injury was indeed much more severe that first thought. He was sent to a specialist, who felt that treatment would be longer than first diagnosed. Squire will now miss a minimum of one week.

In 22 games Squire is hitting .254 this season with 18 hits, 3 home runs, 10 RBIs, 9 walks, .329 OBP and has scored 8 runs.

April 29 - Chalk up another one for Oberland T-51s shortstop Grayson Caps. He now has hit in 20 straight games. Caps went 1-for-3 in today's game at CURIE Inc. Field but saw his club defeated, 7-3, by the host Vault 81 Dwellers.

"Playing on the road always makes it harder to get hits and to get wins," T-51s manager Squirt Becker said after the game. "We got one of the two, but unfortunately it was the wrong one."
Grayson Caps flied out in the 1st, struck out in the 3rd and singled in the 5th.

In this current campaign Caps is hitting at a .383 clip with 9 home runs and 28 RBIs.

May 1 - The Salem Witch Hats and Jamaica Plain Red Rockets have put the finishing touches on a deal that was weeks in the making. Salem will part with 32-year old RHP Paul Stains, while the Red Rockets have dealt 18-year old minor league 2B Omari Nightcap, 23-year old minor league RHP Klaas Amandou, 19-year old minor league CF Sprinter Hayes, and 21-year old minor league RHP Snag Favre.

"This one took a while to figure out," said Salem general manager Sincere Eiland. "We must have gone back to the drawing board five or six times over the past few weeks. I'm glad we finally got the deal done. I think it is a good one for both clubs."

So far this season, Stains has compiled a 5-1 record with a 1.56 ERA.

May 1 - The 20-game hitting streak of Grayson Caps has come to an end. The Oberland T-51s shortstop went 0-for-5 in his team's 8-6 loss to the Vault 81 Dwellers at CURIE Inc. Field.

"It's not just Grayson who came up short," T-51s manager Squirt Becker said in his postgame press conference. "This was a team loss."

So far this season, Caps is hitting .366 with 9 home runs, 28 RBIs and 22 runs scored. He has 41 hits in 112 at-bats and a .383 OBP.

May 2 - The The Slog Ghouls have informed Zap Mast that he is likely heading to the injured list. The 29-year-old shortstop has been sidelined since 04/30/2321 with a torn groin muscle. Recent tests have confirmed the extent of the injury. It will be at least 6 weeks before Mast returns to the field.

To date this season, Mast is hitting .400 with 7 home runs.

May 5 - FHE and Jamaica Plain made a trade today. In this move, the Yao Guai shipped 25-year old 3B Spud Sewell to the Red Rockets for 27-year old LF Campy Madrid. The FHE GM told reporters, "I think this trade is beneficial to everyone involved, including the players."

Sewell is currently hitting at a .269 pace with no home runs and 3 RBIs.

This season, Madrid has 1 home run and a .323 batting average.

May 7 - The number just keeps getting higher.

Diamond City shortstop Alex Bragman has now extended his hitting string to 20 games. He did it today with 2 hits in 5 at-bats as the Diamond City won the game, 10-2, over the Oberland T-51s at Oberland Stadium.

"Who knows how long it will go on?" Oberland manager Squirt Becker said. "He's certainly tough to pitch to right now."
Alex Bragman struck out in the 1st, hit a solo-shot off Fog Slater in the 3rd, struck out in the 4th, flied out in the 6th and singled in the 9th.

Thus far this season in 32 games, Bragman is batting .380 with 11 home runs, 42 RBIs and 27 runs scored. He has 49 hits in 129 at-bats.

[StLee]

BNN Report

News from the CBO, Minors, CCBL, and CYL

by Nat Wright-Kawolski

11 May 2321

CYL Regular Season Ends, Sudbury and Truro Top Seeds

Commonwealth Youth League has put the wraps on another season. In a few days the playoffs will launch in grand style with the league's elite clubs going up against one another for the ultimate payoff -- the Youth Series crown. For the baseball fan it doesn't get any better than this -- a time of tense duels, where the outcome of the season hinges on one pitch, one play, one hit -- or one break. There is nothing quite like the playoffs.



The Commonwealth Youth League playoffs begin today with the Regional Play-in Round. For one lucky team, destiny is not far away. Soon one of the playoff teams will win the Youth Series and be honored as the best of the best. In due time, they can have their parade, hoist up that championship banner, and celebrate. It will be the crowning glory of the 2321 season. Here are the clubs that will be in action today:
Sudbury Celebs (BYE), Nashua Zoologists vs Old Orchard Sandstalkers, Ipswich Quarriers vs Boxford Packers, Boston College Prep Professors (BYE), Bangor Wolves (BYE), Beerthirty Sippers vs Fitchburg Flames, Brattleboro Banshees vs Augusta Moose, Malden Megabeasts (BYE), Hampton Tailors (BYE), Newburyport Cubs vs Acton Ups, Derry Farmers vs Needham Radstorm, Plum Island Candymen (BYE), Andover Radhaunts (BYE), Great Diamond Anglers vs Rockport Seafarers, Marblehead Mess vs Saugus Launchers, Wilmington Snowmounts (BYE), Truro Hatchlings (BYE), Forest Park Brahmiluffs vs Plymouth Hunters, Lakeville Noobs vs Hadley Falls Reactors, Coventry Quads (BYE), Hartford Battlecats (BYE), Nantucket Marsh Hawks vs New Haven Sailors, Bridgewater Baristas vs Barrington Chess Knights, Attleboro Deejays (BYE), Thompson Heights Earthlings (BYE), Putnam Swordsmen vs Meriden Tinkers, Enfield Sasquatch vs Scituate Racers, Johnston Sluggers (BYE), New Bedford Whales (BYE), GSP Venom vs Eastham Rads, Northampton Top Hats vs Sandwich Screamers and Holyoke Mech Dragons (BYE).

[StLee]

BNN Report

News from the CBO, Minors, CCBL, and CYL

by Nat Wright-Kawolski

15 May 2321

CCBL Regular Season Ends, Maine-Fort Kent Top Seed at 51-9

The 2321 season has come to a close and the playoffs will commence in a few days. The qualifying teams are gearing up for the so-called "second season" that determines the Commonwealth Collegiate Baseball League title. Soon there will be only two clubs left in the running, and they will be matched up in the College Series. Then there will be only one -- the new league champions.

With a 51-9 (.850) finish, the University of Maine-Fort Kent Bengals are one game shy of the all-time best regular season record by the UMass Minutemen in 2317 when they finished 52-8 (.867). That Minutemen team was upset by #16 Fairfield in the Sweet Sixteen, which ended up advancing to the Final Four that season.



The regular season set the stage and pruned down the number of title contenders. Now the clubs that made the cut will go at it on the diamond in the 2321 Commonwealth Collegiate Baseball League playoffs. It's the first step in the race to win the College Series trophy. This season, the CCBL has expanded to 32 teams with each of the conference winners in ranked order hosting a regional series, the Regional Quarterfinals. The defending champions, Maine-Presque Isle is the #4 seed. Anna Maria College, which was the top Independents team, would have been the #3 overall seed had they been in a conference but instead will be the #9 seed and favorites in their regional. They will join the Massachusetts Conference next season.

The regional hosts in order of rank are:

1. Maine-Fort Kent of the NoComm (host #16 Westerly Education Academy, #17 Mass Bay, and #32 Nichols College)
2. Simmons of the BCAC (host #15 Quinsigamond, #18 Clark, #31 Landmark College)
3. Bristol College of the MCC (host #14 Central Maine, #19 Greenfield College, #30 New Haven)
4. Maine-Presque Isle of the NEAC (host #13 Colby College, #20 Saint Joseph, #29 Norwich)
5. Saint Michael's of the AppCon (host (#12 Middlebury, #21 Northeastern, #28 Colby-Sawyer)
6. Yale of the SoComm (host #11 Emmanuel College, #22 Olin COE, #27 Winthrop College)
7. Naval War College of the ASC (host #10 Fisher, #23 NHSU, #26 Mitchell College)
8. UMass of the MassCon (host #9 Anna-Maria College, #24 Johnson & Wales, #25 Rivier)

In the complete brackets, the Elite Eight matchups would be the winners of the Maine-Fort Kent Regional (#1) versus the UMass Regional (#8), the Maine-Presque Isle Regional (#4) vs the Saint Michael's Regional (#5), the Simmons Regional (#2) vs the Naval War College Regional (#7), and the Bristol College Regional (#3) vs the Yale Regional (#6).

The Final Four will feature the Elite Eight winners of #1 vs #8 and #4 vs #5, while the other Final Four matchups will be the #2 vs #7 winner versus the #3 vs #6 winner. The winners of those games play in the five-game College Series.

[StLee]

BNN Report

News from the CBO, Minors, CCBL, and CYL

by Nat Wright-Kawolski

16 May 2321

CYL Playoffs Update

The first two rounds of the regional playoffs are complete, so we are down to the Regional Quarterfinals with eight teams per region remaining.

In the Regional Quarterfinals, here are the matchups with the higher seed as the home team:

North Region
#1 Sudbury Celebs vs #8 Boston College Prep Professors
#4 Malden Megabeasts vs #12 Fitchburg Flames
#14 Needham Radstorm vs #22 Newburyport Cubs
#2 Wilmington Snowmounts vs #23 Great Diamond Anglers

South Region
#1 Truro Hatchlings vs #8 Coventry Quads
#5 Hartford Battlecats vs #13 Barrington Chess Knights
#6 Johnston Sluggers vs #14 Meriden Tinkers
#2 Holyoke Mech Dragons vs #10 Eastham Rads

[StLee]

I see the dynasty hit 1,000,000 views today. Thanks to all of you named and unnamed who have checked it out in these past 6 years, 4 months, and 4 days!

[ayaghmour2]

Originally Posted by StLee

I see the dynasty hit 1,000,000 views today. Thanks to all of you named and unnamed who have checked it out in these past 6 years, 4 months, and 4 days!

And here I thought the biggest thing I'd see was the blockbuster trade! Congrats!!! It's a major and well deserved milestone! To the next million!

Red Rockets got to be the favorite now. Mimmy is outstanding and now they have an ace. It'll be interesting to see if they have a few moves left in them. They haven't had many chances like this

[StLee]

Originally Posted by ayaghmour2

And here I thought the biggest thing I'd see was the blockbuster trade! Congrats!!! It's a major and well deserved milestone! To the next million!

Red Rockets got to be the favorite now. Mimmy is outstanding and now they have an ace. It'll be interesting to see if they have a few moves left in them. They haven't had many chances like this

They are looking like a team right now. I know they were picked to win the ML, so it is a possibility. At the same time, they are the forgotten among traditionally good teams. They are tied with University Point for the 5th-most playoff appearances--Nordhagen Beach and Diamond City = 15 and Fort Hagen and Vault 81 = 14. With those 13 appearances, they have zero Sole Survivor Series appearances. That is crazy! Starlight is next with 12 appearances and no SSS appearances. The Red Rockets need this! Well, guess what I will work into tonight's May 23 update.

[StLee]

BNN Report

News from the CBO, Minors, CCBL, and CYL

by Nat Wright-Kawolski

23 May 2321

Jamaica Plain Remains Hot, Tops CBO Standings

The Jamaica Plain Red Rockets have won seven-straight and 9 of their last 10, putting them with a CBO-best 33-13 record. Starlight has maintained their top spot in the Institute League and the NCA, while Nahant has been the CBO's coldest team, dropping them from 1st to 4th in the Brotherhood League. The other team 9-1 in their last 10, Malden, is now on top of the BL. At 8-2 in their last 10, FHE is atop the Railroad League. Cape Cod is currently the team holding the #1 overall pick.

Here are the current team power rankings for Commonwealth Baseball Organization:

Teams (Total Points, Tendency):
1) Jamaica Plain Red Rockets (144.1, +)
2) FHE Yao Guai (125.8, o)
3) Starlight Killers (122.4, -)
4) Malden Grognaks (121.1, +)
5) Easy Town Assaultrons (114.7, ++)
6) Bunker Hill 75ers (111.7, o)
7) Diamond City Swatters (110.6, o)
8) Goodneighbor Hancocks (110.3, +)
9) Nordhagen Beach Party Boys (106.0, --)
10) Atom Cats (104.3, -)
11) Roxbury Rad Sox (103.1, +)
12) Sunshine Tidings Chemists (101.7, ++)
13) Oberland T-51s (100.6, +)
14) Fort Hagen Silver Shroud (96.9, ++)
15) Cambridge Coursers (92.0, -)
16) Nahant Celtics (88.5, --)
17) University Point Deathclaws (87.1, ++)
18) Spectacle Island Reapers (87.0, -)
19) Glowing Sea Radscorpions (83.0, --)
20) Vault 81 Dwellers (81.3, +)
21) Providence Super Mutants (79.0, --)
22) Southie Brews (75.5, --)
23) Egret Ninjas (73.3, o)
24) The Slog Ghouls (72.0, ++)
25) Salem Witch Hats (71.4, +)
26) Far Harbor Fog (68.6, -)
27) Quincy Granites (66.5, +)
28) Concord Radstags (64.4, --)
29) Lexington Synths (63.6, ++)
30) County Crossing Bloodbugs (56.6, o)
31) Nuka World Thrills (46.9, --)
32) Cape Cod Mirelurks (43.7, -)

Brotherhood League

The BL has shown some movement at the top, but this league is divided by the teams above .500 and those below, with a 6.5-game gap between 4th and 5th place. As mentioned in the introduction, the Grognaks are in 1st place, 1.5 ahead of Easy Town, which has won five-straight. Nordhagen Beach was in 2nd two days ago but lost two straight and now sit 0.5 back of the Assaultrons. Nahant is in 4th. For teams below .500, Far Harbor, The Slog, Salem, and County Crossing round out the BL standings. The Witch Hats have already begun the rebuild with the early trade of Paul Stains to the Rockets.

For the Grognaks, repeating as champions is not far-fetched. Malden leads the NCA in runs scored (307) and 2nd in runs allowed (210), an amazing 97-run differential in just 47 games. Veteran 3B Jacob Tarberry is having an outstanding season, including winning this week's Player of the Week honors. Second-year player and 2319 1st-round pick, Zeleny Nemec, leads the team with 10 home runs. The Grognaks are 1st in homers with 77. On the mound, no one is standing out, but the top three starters all have ERAs below 4.00. The NCA ERA average is currently 4.90. Fifth starter, 38-year-old veteran Ahsoka Tano, has indicated that he 2321 may be his last season. If the Grognaks call up Iwo Matula (1-7 with a 4.43 ERA with Glowing Sea last season in 13 starts), Tano could move to the bullpen.



Institute League

The Killers have a two-game lead over Bunker Hill, which has been an IL-best 7-3 in their last 10. Sunshine Tidings, Fort Hagen, and Cambridge are all a game within each other for the teams above .500. Concord, Lexington, and Nuka World make up the end of the IL standings. The Thrills have lost seven-straight.

The Silver Shroud are in the playoff race but look nowhere near the last three playoff seasons, including winning the IL title in 2320. Fort Hagen is 9th in runs scored (233) and 6th in runs allowed (227), placing them statistically about where their 24-21 record has them. C Red Jay Jones (.320/8/29) is second in average and leads in both homers and RBI, leading the Shroud offensive charge. The return of Innis Sark (.269/7/22) sometime this week should help boost the offense. His replacement in LF, Rock Mobley (.083/0/1), has struggled. After being the starter in 2319, Mobley has played the majority of last season and this one with the NEBL's Worcester Cannons. On the mound, the only pitcher standing out has been CL Billy Burian (10 SV, 0.55). He has now surpassed 100 career saves (102). Forty-year-old pitching legend Nuka Laloosh (1-5, 7.65) has struggled and announced this will be his last season on the field.

Nuka World feels to be behind the rest of the expansion teams in overall team talent, but they had been competitive before their current losing streak. Offense is not great, 13th in runs scored (206), but it has been markedly better than the pitching staff, 16th in runs allowed (310) and Starters ERA (6.16) and 15th in Bullpen ERA (7.77). SP Gussy Ridel's 5.26 ERA is the lowest on the team. 1B Lennart Auken leads the team in average, while RF Javen the Raven Coleman leads in homers, RBI, and steals.



Minutemen League

As mentioned, the Rockets are #1. They also have the largest league lead at 5.5 up over Goodneighbor. The Cats are just a game back of the Hancocks for the last team over .500 in the ML. Spectacle Island and University Point have each gone 6-4 in their last 10 to move closer to .500. Southie has been cold, going 2-8 in their last 10, to drop five games below .500. Quincy and Cape Cod round out the ML standings.

For the Reapers to make a playoff run, their offense has to find a way to be a lot more productive. Spectacle Island is 9th in runs scored which is their best offensive ranks except for being tied for 5th in home runs. The best overall hitters have been 3B Steve Milelamb (.321/6/24) and SS Nippy Ben Nippolt (.364/5/25), with help from usual LF Angel Needham (.295/8/26). On the mound, the Reapers are 6th in runs allowed. Ace Meribrand Docybuck (7-1, 3.00) has been excellent, along with second starter, Aqua Purified (6-2, 3.17). CL Eagle Eye Sherry (6 SV) leads the team with a 1.31 ERA.

Last season, the Mirelurks were the only expansion team not to finish in 8th place. This season, they may be picking #1 overall in the draft. Offensive output is the primary reason, with Cape Cod 16th in almost every category, including runs scored (173). LF Tink Crenshaw has been the best all-around hitter. On the mound, the Lurks are tied for 10th in runs allowed (259) with the 13th-best Starters ERA (5.65). Only Adam Bonner (3.65) has an ERA below 5.00 in the rotation.



Railroad League

FHE at 8-2 in their last 10 trails only Jamaica Plain for the SCA's hottest record. Diamond City is now 2.5 back despite going 6-4 in their last 10. Roxbury and Oberland have been good of late, leaving them as the last of teams over .500 in the RL. At 3-7 in their last 10, Glowing Sea has now dropped to a game below .500. Likewise, Providence has gone 2-8 in their last 10, dropping them to a game below .500. Vault 81 and Egret round out the RL standings.

The Swatters have been the SCA champions two of the past three seasons, including winning the title in 2318. This season, the squad has shown some of its age, but statistically, they are verifiable contenders. Diamond City is tied for 5th in runs scored (268) and 3rd in runs allowed (216). 2B Early Duvet is batting over .400 at .404, and SS Alex Bragman has hit 14 home runs and driven in 53. Along with Goodneighbor's Wind Dale Davis, Bragman is on pace to surpass Barker Cocoa's 2307 record for RBI (155). Bragman and Davis are on pace to finish with 165 RBI.

Of course, the Swatters' pitching is even better than the offense. Diamond City is 3rd in runs allowed (216) and Starters ERA (4.70) and 2nd in Bullpen ERA (3.07). While Macho Lopez has a good record at 7-3, his ERA is a bit elevated at 4.46. Dropper Millieu (6-2, 3.69) has been the starters leader. CL Abe Lincoln Marbury has pitched well, though he is far from being on pace to match the 38 saves he had a season ago.



CBO Standings



CBO Players of the Week

May 16 - It's always a thrill for fans of the team and students of the game alike when a superstar in the making shows what he's got. Johnboy Zikmund, the Sunshine Tidings Chemists 25-year-old second baseman, put himself in the spotlight last week making him the clear-cut choice for North Charles Association Player of the Week honors.

He ripped 13 hits in 24 at-bats, compiling a .542 average with 3 home runs and 9 RBIs.

For the year, Zikmund is batting .368 with 12 home runs.

It was announced today that Goodneighbor right fielder Wind Dale Davis has been acclaimed by the South Charles Association as the Player of the Week for his outstanding play last week.

Davis posted a .588 batting average as he collected 10 hits in 17 at-bats, 3 home runs and 10 RBIs.

This year, Davis is batting .376 with 10 home runs.

May 23 - Jacob Tarberry went on a hitting rampage last week against North Charles Association pitchers and collected the Player of the Week Award.

The Malden third baseman connected for 9 hits in 18 at-bats and 3 home runs. For the week he hit .500 with 6 RBIs and scored 7 runs.

This season, Tarberry is hitting .395 with 64 hits, 7 home runs, 33 RBIs, scored 36 runs and played in 44 games.

Today the South Charles Association announced the Player of the Week Award. This week's honoree is Roxbury's talented third baseman Mike Fountaineau. When he steps into the batter's box, it's usually a bad omen for pitchers.

For the week Fountaineau batted .500 (11-for-22) with 3 home runs and 12 RBIs.

Looking at his season stats, Fountaineau has compiled a .305 batting average and a .385 on-base percentage, while hitting 10 home runs and driving in 44 runs.

CBO Noteworthy News

May 9 - The hitting streak that Diamond City shortstop Alex Bragman had kept going for 21 games was ended by the Southie Brews. Bragman was stymied over 5 at-bats, but the rest of his team picked him up, getting the 4-3 victory at Gwinnett Brewery Park.

"Hitting streaks come and go," Bragman said. "It did put a little pressure on me. It's hard to be natural at the plate with something like that always in the back of your mind. If it had to end, I'm glad it was in a win."

Thus far in 2321, Bragman is hitting .374 with 12 home runs, 45 RBIs, 28 runs scored and has compiled a .435 OBP.

May 13 - The Far Harbor Fog addressed a concern today, coming to terms with the Goodneighbor Hancocks on a trade that will send 25-year old RHP Jakie Zhou from the Fog to the Hancocks in exchange for 24-year old LF Earl McGraw.

This season, Zhou has compiled a 0-5 record with a 8.78 ERA in 8 starts.

McGraw is hitting .308 in 2321 with 11 RBIs and 4 home runs.

May 15 - Ending weeks of speculation, Nuke Laloosh announced his retirement today. The Silver Shroud starting pitcher has been reportedly weighing the decision since last year, sources close to Laloosh say.

"I'm not going to deny it's been a difficult decision," Laloosh said, speaking to the rumors, "but it's time. It took me a while to realize that, but it's time to leave the game."

Laloosh has gone 241-158 with an ERA of 3.62 in his career, piling up 2929 strikeouts in 3812.1 innings pitched.

May 15 - Nahant left fielder Pop Dylan has extended his hitting streak to 20 straight games with a 1-for-3 day. However, the Malden Grognaks seized the 1-0 victory over the Celtics at Lucky Charms Bowl.

"Disappointing," Dylan said of the outcome.
Pop Dylan grounded out in the 1st, singled in the 3rd and grounded out in the 5th.

This year, Dylan is batting .354 with 7 home runs and 18 RBIs.

May 15 - Waterbug Grant's bat has been smoking lately, and it continued today as he went 3-for-5 in his team's 6-3 triumph over the Sunshine Tidings Chemists at ArcJet Systems Stadium. The 28-year-old first baseman has now hit safely in 20 consecutive games for the Killers.
Waterbug Grant singled in the 1st, singled in the 4th, hit an RBI single in the 5th, flied out in the 7th and struck out in the 9th.

Hitting .373 to date, Grant has 6 home runs and 21 RBIs. He has played in 31 games.

May 16 - Nahant left fielder Pop Dylan came into today's game against the Goodneighbor Hancocks on a hot streak. He left on a cold one.

The Hancocks did their jobs well, beating the Nahant Celtics, 7-3, and holding Dylan hitless to snap his 20-game hitting streak. The 27-year-old left fielder had a few words to say after finishing 0-for-5, telling reporters only that he "came up short."

"What Pop did was exciting and quite an achievement," said Celtics manager Brian Andrewson. "It's tough enough to get one hit in this league, much less go 20 games in a row. I'm even more proud of the way he handled the press coverage. He never let the frenzy get to him or affect his play."

In his 2321 season totals, Dylan has 7 home runs, .341 BA, .381 OBP, 18 RBIs and 29 runs scored.

May 18 - "Vote Early and Vote Often!"

While that may not be true for elections, that's the message coming out of the Commonwealth Baseball Organization offices for the upcoming All-Star game, scheduled for Tuesday, July 5th , 2321. The ballots have been released, and everyone can cast your ballot up until a few days before the game, when the final rosters will be released.

[StLee]

BNN Report

News from the CBO, Minors, CCBL, and CYL

by Nat Wright-Kawolski

1 June 2321

The June 1 Super Post, Part 1

CBO Top Performances

Hitting - Just one week ago, Easy Town's Donnie Gray had the hitting performance of the month and the 2321 season so far. In a 20-7 thrashing of the 75ers in Bunker Hill, Gray did most of the heavy lifting. He was 4 for 5 on the day, with three home runs (two three-run homers and a grand slam), four runs, and 10 RBI. His three home runs tied the team record (Halep Gutteridge in 2316), and his 10 RBI set the Assaultrons' record. His game score was 141, 20 points higher than Homeless Hank Mimmy's top performance in April.

Pitching - Lane Phrasemaker is the reigning Vim! Pitcher Award winner, and he may be on his way to a second. His May 1 performance against Glowing Sea in a no-decision may be a reason for that. In the Yao Guai's 2-1 win in 11 innings where the game was 0-0 heading into the final frame, Phrasemaker pitched 10 innings of shutout ball, allowing four hits, walking two, and striking out 12. His game score was 94, five short of the season high set by Jaden Newt in April.

Amazingly, it was the best strikeout performance by a pitcher in an extra-innings game. Equally amazing is that it beat the record of 8 set this season by Roxbury's closer, Sparkler Guenot, who struck out 8 batters in 3.0 innings of work just three days earlier. Also, the Radscorpions' starting pitcher, Alex Language, pitched 9.0 innings of shutout ball for his team, earning him a tie for the 12th-best performance on the season with 87 game points.

CBO Players of the Month

NCA Hitter - Johnboy Zikmund made his presence known as one of the best young stars in the North Charles Association this past month.

The Sunshine Tidings Chemists second baseman shined through the month of May and has won the Batter of the Month award.

The 25-year-old hit .464 with 12 home runs, 35 RBIs and 23 runs scored.

Thus far this season, Zikmund has hit .400 with 18 home runs, 51 RBIs and scored 45 times.

SCA Hitter - Mike Fountaineau, the Roxbury third baseman, certainly made a name for himself this past month. He banged out a .392 batting average with 38 hits, 8 home runs, 28 RBIs and scored 20 times.

That kind of hitting earned him the South Charles Association Batter of the Month honors for May.

So far this year, Fountaineau is batting .328 with 11 home runs and 47 RBIs.

NCA Pitcher - Bubs Tentsleep of Fort Hagen had a tremendous May with a 6-0 mark and was chosen the Pitcher of the Month in the North Charles Association.

Tentsleep restricted opposing hitters to 46 base hits and a .249 batting average. He rang up 66 strikeouts in 48.2 innings of work, surrendered 12 walks, and crafted a 2.22 ERA.

Up to now Tentsleep has recorded a record of 8-3. In 12 starts he has fanned 109 batters in 85.2 innings with a 3.78 ERA.

SCA Pitcher - Aqua Purified of Spectacle Island had an outstanding May with a 6-0 mark and was chosen the Pitcher of the Month in the South Charles Association.

He topped off the month with a 2.28 ERA in 6 starts, tossed 43.1 innings, fanned 57 and held opposing teams to a .230 average.

This year, Purified has registered 8 wins and 2 losses in 12 starts with a 2.92 ERA while registering 105 strikeouts and 26 walks in 86.1 innings.

NCA Rookie - When it came to hitting the baseball, Glen Pitts had few peers in the North Charles Association last month. The gifted left fielder for Starlight tagged opposing pitchers for a .278 average and was voted the Rookie of the Month for May.

Included in his stats were 25 hits, 3 homers, 15 runs scored and 16 RBIs.

So far this year, Pitts has hit .298 with 6 home runs, 33 RBIs and 33 runs scored.

SCA Rookie - Youngster Donegan Downs emerged as the latest South Charles Association Rookie of the Month today. The young man from Roxbury deserved the honor, batting .384 with 6 home runs and 20 RBI. Is the month of May a harbinger of things to come or just a fluke? We'll find out someday, but for now, we'll just let Downs enjoy the limelight.

Downs is currently hitting at a .299 pace with 7 home runs and 29 RBIs.

NEBL Standings



NEBL Players of the Month

PL Hitter - Marek Cerny may be much younger than other hitters in the Patriot League, but he performed like a seasoned veteran in May to win the Batter of the Month award.

The 25-year-old Pawtucket center fielder hit .358 with 2 home runs, 18 RBIs and 23 runs scored.

Cerny is hitting .303 this season with 2 home runs, 23 RBIs and 29 runs scored. He has 47 hits in 155 at-bats.

YL Hitter - Even though he is a newcomer to New England Baseball League, Rory Rigwell put up some good numbers in May and earned the YL Batter of the Month award.

He was one of Fall River's offensive leaders with a .385 average in 29 games. He also racked up 6 home runs, 16 RBIs, and 18 runs scored.

This season, Rigwell is swinging the bat at a .329 rate with 52 hits in 158 at-bats. To date he has hit 6 home runs, scored 24 runs and driven in 19.

PL Pitcher - The Patriot League named the winner of the Pitcher of the Month Award.
It went to Garth Fitzgerald V of Norwalk Pickpockets, who impressed the voters with a glittering 5-0 record in May.

The Norwalk star hurler made 6 starts, allowed 30 hits in 49 innings, struck out 33 and had a 1.29 ERA.

On the season, Fitzgerald V has a 6-1 record with a 1.79 ERA.

YL Pitcher - Alt Errigo will be bringing May's Yankee League Pitcher of the Month trophy home to New Bedford. He excelled all month long as he kept opposing hitters guessing, reaching and hoping.

Errigo started 6 games, going 5-1 with 35 strikeouts in 45.1 innings as he compiled his 2.38 ERA.

This year, Errigo has compiled a 5-5 record with a 3.28 ERA in 10 starts.

MML Standings



MML Players of the Month

LL Hitter - Corvega Cartwright has a lot going for him. The Beverly shortstop just broke into the majors this year and now the Legends League has just picked him as its top hitter for May.

In 28 games last month this outstanding rookie batted .287 with 9 home runs, 19 RBIs and 17 runs scored.

This season, Cartwright has posted a batting average of .274 with 48 hits in 175 at-bats, 11 home runs and 28 RBIs. He has also scored 23 runs, walked 8 times and compiled a .306 OBP.

SL Hitter - For a rookie just breaking in, Mutty Foster certainly put together a successful month. It was good enough to win the SL Batter of the Month award for May.

The 26-year-old center fielder for the East Providence Townies hit .333 with 3 home runs, 16 RBIs and 22 runs scored.

So far this season, Foster has put up a .279 batting average with 46 hits, 4 home runs and 22 RBIs.

LL Pitcher - Stop Sign Welsh certainly found a groove in May. The Beverly starter posted 5 wins last month to easily claim the Legends League Pitcher of the Month.

During the month Welsh was 5-0 with a 0.88 ERA. He made 6 starts, tossed 51 innings and had 48 strikeouts.

Currently Welsh has a 5-0 won-lost record in 6 starts with a 0.88 ERA. He also has 48 strikeouts in 51 innings.

SL Pitcher - The Stars League Pitcher of the Month honor has been given to Damien Ballerini of East Hartford for a superlative month.

"I actually never wanted to be a pitcher," Ballerini told reporters when asked who he credits for his pitching ability. "I was an outfielder until high school and on the third day of tryouts my coach came up and said, 'Son you couldn't hit a lick even if we put it on a tee for ya.' Well, that ticked me off, so I decided if I couldn't hit I wanted to make sure no one else could either and so here I am."

It all turned out for the best as the East Hartford starter notched a 4-1 record with a 1.32 ERA last month. He made 5 starts and struck out 33 in 41 innings.

For the season, Ballerini has a record of 4 wins and 1 loss in 5 appearances. He has an ERA of 1.32 and has fanned 33 batters in 41 innings.

BMU Standings



BMU Players of the Month

CA Hitter - Bangor Fort Knights fans may just have witnessed a star player blossoming before their eyes in May.

Deuce Biggerblow put up a remarkable month at the age of 22 and has been named the Commonwealth Association Batter of the Month.

For the month, Biggerblow hit .306 with 6 home runs, 15 RBIs and 17 runs scored.

This season, Biggerblow has 10 home runs and a .322 batting average.

MA Hitter - Not known for his offensive prowess, Shiwan Khan set the league afire in May and took home the Massachusetts Association Batter of the Month award.

The Enfield left fielder posted a steady .372 batting average, 6 home runs, 22 RBIs and 17 runs.

Khan is currently hitting at a .357 pace with 6 home runs and 22 RBIs. He has played in 26 games and scored 17 times.

CA Pitcher - The Diamond Island Glowers felt very secure when they sent Alex Michell out to the hill last month. The 23-year-old starter went after Commonwealth Association hitters with a vengeance and earned May's Pitcher of the Month award.

He went 5-0 with a 1.36 ERA as he struck out 39 in 46.1 innings over 6 starts.

This season, Michell has registered 5 wins and no losses in 7 starts with a 1.46 ERA.

MA Pitcher - This month the Massachusetts Association spotlight fell on pitcher Mongo Lueger of the Southington Handies.

What a May he had!

A fine 5-0 won-lost record, 1.70 ERA, 6 starts, 53 innings pitched and 43 strikeouts -- good enough to get him the MA Pitcher of the Month.

Checking out his stats for the season, Lueger has registered 6 wins and 2 losses in 9 starts, posted a 1.73 ERA, and struck out 60 batters in 78 innings.

GBRL Standings



GBRL Players of the Month

HL Hitter - It's perhaps an award he'll win many more times through his career, as at age 21 Daly Upcott has a lot of baseball ahead of him.

But for now the young Rayburn Point Patcheyes star can enjoy the numbers he put up in May, which have garnered him the nod as the Heroes League Batter of the Month.

His breakout month featured a .351 average with 9 home runs, 28 RBIs and 18 runs scored.

This season, Upcott is hitting at a .318 pace with 10 home runs, 37 RBIs and has scored 23 times.

SL Hitter - Trent Carryaway put together a good May to earn the Saviors League Batter of the Month prize. A virtual unknown, he made the most of his chance to prove to Quartz officials that he belongs on the big league roster.

The Star Force first baseman posted a .404 batting average with 9 home runs, 29 RBIs and 24 runs scored.

To date this year, Carryaway is batting .342 with 11 home runs.

HL Pitcher - In May Rayburn Point starter Mel Cordero confused hitters all month long. Last month's Heroes League Pitcher of the Month took home the trophy as he collected a 5-0 record in 6 starts.

The 20-year-old Cordero added 43 strikeouts in 46.2 innings and 23 walks to his season record and compiled a 2.89 ERA. Other clubs hit .230 against him.

In 9 starts this season, Cordero has recorded a 6-2 record and a 3.86 ERA.

SL Pitcher - The spotlight today is on Box Car Staten of the Kingsport Moon Monkeys. The relief ace was chosen as the #1 pitcher in the Saviors League for May.

He compiled a 3-0 record and an ERA of 1.02 in 17.2 innings with 14 strikeouts. Staten nailed down 5 saves in 6 save opportunities.

This year, his stats show Staten has 8 saves in 18 relief appearances with a 3-2 mark and 2.86 ERA. He has struck out 20 batters and issued 12 walks in 22 innings. Opposing clubs have a .179 against him.

VHRL Standings



VHRL Players of the Month

Hitter - When Vimmy Vim stepped up to the plate in May he did it with confidence, and today he was honored with the VerHamp Rookie League Batter of the Month award.

The young Conway first baseman posted a .346 batting average with 8 home runs, 16 RBIs and scored 13 runs. Vim also worked pitchers for 16 walks to post a .469 on-base percentage.

Pitcher - Last month was a very successful month for Oliver East of Conway. So successful that he has been honored as the Pitcher of the Month in the VerHamp Rookie League.

East shut down league hitters in fine fashion, rounding out May with an impressive 4-0 mark and 2.15 ERA in 5 starts with 17 strikeouts in 29.1 innings.

[StLee]

BNN Report

News from the CBO, Minors, CCBL, and CYL

by Nat Wright-Kawolski

1 June 2321

The June 1 Super Post, Part 2

CCBL Playoffs

The CCBL Playoffs are officially in the Elite Eight, though we know three of the Final Four teams with just one matchup to go.

So far, here are the regional winners:

1. Maine-Fort Kent of the NoComm (host #16 Westerly Education Academy, #17 Mass Bay, and #32 Nichols College) - Winner: #1 Maine Fort-Kent

2. Simmons of the BCAC (host #15 Quinsigamond, #18 Clark, #31 Landmark College) - Winner: #2 Simmons

3. Bristol College of the MCC (host #14 Central Maine, #19 Greenfield College, #30 New Haven) - Winner: #19 Greenfield College

4. Maine-Presque Isle of the NEAC (host #13 Colby College, #20 Saint Joseph, #29 Norwich) - Winner: #13 Colby College

5. Saint Michael's of the AppCon (host (#12 Middlebury, #21 Northeastern, #28 Colby-Sawyer) - Winner: #5 Saint Michael's

6. Yale of the SoComm (host #11 Emmanuel College, #22 Olin COE, #27 Winthrop College) - Winner: #11 Emmanuel College

7. Naval War College of the ASC (host #10 Fisher, #23 NHSU, #26 Mitchell College) - Winner: #7 Naval War College

8. UMass of the MassCon (host #9 Anna-Maria College, #24 Johnson & Wales, #25 Rivier) - Winner: #8 UMass

Elite Eight Matchups:

#8 UMass vs #1 Maine-Fort Kent - Winner: #1 Maine-Fort Kent, 2-0

#13 Colby College vs #5 Saint Michael's - Winner: #5 Saint Michael's, 2-0

#19 Greenfield College vs #11 Emmanuel College - Winner: #19 Greenfield College, 2-0

#7 Naval War College vs #2 Simmons - Tied, 1-1




CYL Playoffs

The Johnston faithful were cheering in the streets, and Newburyport fans wiping away the tears, after the Sluggers won the Youth Series at Snake Den State Park today.

The SR #6 Sluggers clinched it by knocking off the NR #22 Cubs 5-0 to take their 1st Commonwealth Youth League crown. Johnston took the series 2-1.

"This club never gave up all year long," Johnston manager Milkjug Leverenz told the press. "They believed they could win the title and they did."

On the way to the Youth Series title, Johnston compiled a 30-19 won-loss record and finished first in the South Region Samuel Adams Division. They beat Newburyport in the Youth Series, 2 games to 1. The Sluggers won Game 1 11-2, and the Cubs won Game 2 5-3.

"We just didn't play well enough to win," Cubs manager Mel Hovivian said. "We just didn't make the big plays like they did."

Johnston reached the Finals by defeating in order:
#11 Scituate Racers
#14 Meriden Tinkers
#10 Eastham Rads
#13 Barrington Chess Knights

[StLee]

BNN Report

News from the CBO, Minors, CCBL, and CYL

by Nat Wright-Kawolski

6 June 2321

Hot Streaks by Vault 81 and The Slog Put Them in Playoff Race

Vault 81 is the hottest team, going 9-1 in their last 10, and The Slog is right behind them at 8-2 in their last 10. Now, two teams that were expected to be sellers in July suddenly are in the playoff hunt.

Jamaica Plain continues as the CBO's best team and its only 40-game winner (42). Starlight is on top in the NCA, while the Brotherhood League continues to be interesting. On the flip side, Cape Cod currently owns the top pick and joins Nuka World as the only teams yet to win 20. Here are the current team power rankings for Commonwealth Baseball Organization:

Teams (Total Points, Tendency):
1) Jamaica Plain Red Rockets (135.2, o)
2) Starlight Killers (120.9, +)
3) Goodneighbor Hancocks (115.8, ++)
4) Atom Cats (111.0, ++)
5) Vault 81 Dwellers (110.5, ++)
6) Sunshine Tidings Chemists (109.9, +)
7) Bunker Hill 75ers (108.5, -)
8) Diamond City Swatters (107.5, ++)
9) FHE Yao Guai (106.8, --)
10) Cambridge Coursers (103.6, ++)
11) Easy Town Assaultrons (99.6, --)
12) Malden Grognaks (97.3, +)
13) Nahant Celtics (96.4, -)
14) The Slog Ghouls (93.6, ++)
15) Spectacle Island Reapers (92.1, +)
16) Southie Brews (90.5, ++)
17) Fort Hagen Silver Shroud (90.1, --)
18) Glowing Sea Radscorpions (89.0, +)
19) Nordhagen Beach Party Boys (88.7, --)
20) Roxbury Rad Sox (88.6, --)
21) Oberland T-51s (83.1, --)
22) Lexington Synths (80.0, ++)
23) Quincy Granites (75.7, -)
24) Providence Super Mutants (71.0, +)
25) Egret Ninjas (70.5, +)
26) Salem Witch Hats (68.2, o)
27) County Crossing Bloodbugs (68.1, ++)
28) University Point Deathclaws (67.8, --)
29) Far Harbor Fog (67.2, -)
30) Concord Radstags (66.3, --)
31) Nuka World Thrills (53.0, -)
32) Cape Cod Mirelurks (48.8, o)

Brotherhood League

The BL is the only league with a tie in the standings, though Easy Town (.559) currently has the percentage lead over Malden (.557). Nahant is one game back, Nordhagen Beach is two games back, and The Slog is now four games back. Far Harbor and Salem are tied for 6th place while County Crossing sits half a game back of them.

The Fog have a long way to go to become contenders in the NCA. For now, they are working on building a base of prospects, though they have made a large number of moves wheeling and dealing players since joining the CBO in 2320. Talent-wise, they have some players but not many to get excited about. For results, Far Harbor is last in the NCA in runs scored (241) and 12th in runs allowed (335). 2B Alvie Alvintzi (.326/8/32) has been the team's best overall hitter. 1B JaRussell Marcus, the third overall pick in 2319, is hitting .283/7/30. For pitchers, the Fog received Aaron Noluh (5-4, 4.44) in an early-April trade with Lexington. Noluh has the best ERA among starters.

Salem is already sellers in 2321, having dealt superstar pitcher Paul Stains to Jamaica Plain. Still, pitching is not the problem. The Hats are 15th in runs scored (253) and 8th in runs allowed (299). Only two hitters are hitting over .300, but 1B Auno Sulkunen is standing out by leading the team in all three Triple Crown categories (tied with Thatch Heard for the RBI lead). Sulkunen is in his first full year with the Witch Hats. SP Casan Evans is the new leader of the pitching staff, and his 3.50 ERA is respectable. Most of the team's pitching success, though, was because of Stains.



Institute League

The Killers remain on top with Bunker Hill 2.5 back of them for the SCA's best record. Sunshine Tidings comes in at 3rd in both the IL and SCA, with Cambridge 1.5 back of them. Fort Hagen, on a four-game losing streak, is in 5th but still four games above .500. Concord and Lexington are tight for 6th and 7th places, while the Thrills are 4.5 back of the Synths in last place.

Cambridge seemed to be doomed when they lost ace Scooter Yaghmour for most of the season. However, even without Yaghmour (whom they hope returns in early July), the Coursers are 2nd in runs allowed (254) including the 2nd-best Starters ERA (3.56). That leads to a lot of promise in the chance for Cambridge to return to the playoffs for the the fourth-straight season. SP Toon Alljet (5-4, 2.41) has been the best all-around pitcher, with help from sub 4.00 ERAs from Malik Watts (5-5, 3.31) and Chad Nailgun (2-3, 3.93). Hitting needs improvement with the Coursers 11th in runs scored (276), though their offensive statistics show they have a bit of bad luck in scoring since their runs scored mark is their lowest offensive statistic. 32-year-old SS Gavin Deux-Gas (.340/7/29/17 SB) is the team leader. CF Pro Jabonete (.303/12/28) is the power leader.

The Radstags have fallen again with their current .407 winning percentage the lowest its been since they finished 42-78 (.350) in 2309. Statistically, Concord looks predestined to miss the playoffs for the third-straight season. They are 10th in runs scored (283) and 11th in runs allowed (324) indicating they are winning at their best possible clip. CF Jannar Arbor (.388/18/43) is by far their best hitter. The former #1 overall pick (2312 by Glowing Sea) may gain them a lot of prospects to start the rebuild. Another player potentially on the trading block is ace Kevin Gauzeman (8-2, 2.86). He is the only pitcher below their Starters ERA average of 4.61.



Minutemen League

The Red Rockets remain consistent, tying for third in the CBO for the best record in their last 10 at 7-3. Jamaica Plain holds a 6-game lead over Goodneighbor and 6.5 over Atom. Spectacle Island had been hot but lost their last three to drop them to just two games over .500. Southie has also been hot, moving last season's regular season champs up to three games under .500. Quincy and University Point are each 17 games out of 1st, while the Mirelurks own the CBO's worst record and stand 25 back.

The Brews thought 2320 was the start of something, but it may have been ghoul's gold. Southie is currently 7th in runs scored (322) and 8th in runs allowed (343). While 2320's 93-51 mark was quite impressive and unexpected, there may not have been a solid enough base. 1B Jen Zabek (.330) is the only Brew hitting above .300. No player has hit 10 home runs. SP Arcade Anderson (5-3, 3.75) has done his jobs since the trade in 2320m but the rest of the starting staff has ERAs north of 6.00. With their team at full health, it looks as though the Brews will return to the upper half of the CBO draft again.



Railroad League

FHE remains in 1st place, but they have gone 4-6 in their last 10, allowing some of the league to catch up. Diamond City has been 5-5, sitting 1.5 back. The Dwellers, as mentioned in the opener, are 9-1 with an eight-game winning streak, pushing them into 3rd. Oberland, on a six-game losing streak, is half a game behind Vault 81 and half a game up on Roxbury. Glowing Sea is right behind the Sox, putting 3rd-6th just 1.5 games apart in the wildcard race. Providence is one of the coldest teams, going 2-8 in their last 10, but still 2.5 up on 8th-place Egret.

The T-51s looked to be a contender for the RL title, but their recent losing streak has forced them to hold off on those hopes. Oberland is 4th in runs scored (329) and 10th in runs allowed (328), mostly due to poor starting pitching (14th in ERA at 5.73). Guy Tarr (4.45) is the only starter with an ERA below 6.00. The offense is fully carrying this team, including outstanding play from SS Grayson Caps (.351/21/62), 1B Fab Ringo (.349/15/53), and RF Biddy Juhan (.369/12/62). Juhan does not even have enough bats to be a qualifier, but he would have the 4th-highest average in the SCA if he were.



CBO Standings



CBO Players of the Week

May 30 - Johnboy Zikmund of the Sunshine Tidings Chemists had an outstanding week and today was voted the Player of the Week by the North Charles Association.

For the week the 25-year-old second baseman batted .481 (13-for-27) with 4 home runs and 10 RBIs.

This season, Zikmund is batting .392 with 49 RBIs, 43 runs scored and 17 home runs.

Over the past week, Grayson Caps has feasted on South Charles Association pitching. Today the Oberland T-51s shortstop gobbled up the league's latest Player of the Week Award.

Caps swung the bat with purpose all week as he collected a .440 average, 11 hits in 25 at-bats, 4 home runs, 12 RBIs and 6 runs scored.

Currently Caps is batting .363 with 21 home runs and 60 RBIs.

June 6 - He did it again. This week's recipient of the North Charles Association Player of the Week Award is second baseman Johnboy Zikmund of Sunshine Tidings.

Zikmund showed great patience at the plate, collecting 10 hits in 19 at-bats as he compiled a .526 average, 4 home runs, 9 RBIs and 6 runs scored.

This year, Zikmund is hitting .405 with 21 home runs.

25-year-old Homeless Hank Mimmy sent shock waves through Commonwealth Baseball Organization last week with an eye-popping performance that brought him the South Charles Association Player of the Week Award.

A newcomer to the league, Mimmy made the establishment sit up and take notice, punishing opposing pitchers with a .552 average, 16 hits in 29 at-bats, 3 home runs and 14 runs batted in.

Where the Jamaica Plain Red Rockets first baseman goes from here, only the baseball gods know for sure, but Mimmy certainly made his mark last week.

Mimmy is currently batting .413 with 20 home runs, 45 runs scored and 67 RBIs. His OBP is .476.

CBO Noteworthy News

May 23 - The Starlight Killers lost to the Malden Grognaks, 6-4, at Valentine Detective Agency Field, but perhaps the bigger news was the end of Waterbug Grant's 24-game hitting streak. The first baseman went 0-for-3 on the day.

"We felt if we could slow down Grant, we would win the game," Grognaks manager Chris Blizard explained. "They really seemed to feed off his streak, so we tried to put more emphasis on shutting him down."

For the year, Grant has hit .367 with 6 home runs, 25 RBIs and scored 22 runs.

May 25 - Led by an outstanding performance from starter Aqua Purified, the Spectacle Island Reapers topped the Egret Ninjas by a score of 5-3 at Drumlin Diner Park. The 30-year-old Purified brought his top game to the mound, striking out an SCA-record 17 batters while allowing 5 hits and giving up 1 walk.

"He made a lot of good pitches out there," Ninjas manager Matt Ballhawk Getman said. "He made some of our guys look bad. We didn't help matters, but we really have to give him credit -- he didn't make many mistakes."

This year, Purified has recorded a 7-2 mark. In 11 starts he has fanned 98 batters in 79 innings with a 3.08 ERA.

The previous SCA record for strikeouts in a game was 15, accomplished six times. Purified's teammate, Meribrand Docybuck, did it twice last season.

May 27 - The The Slog Ghouls trainer was the bearer of bad news today, as it was learned Zap Mast's injury will keep him out of the lineup for longer than expected. The Ghouls shortstop is being treated for a torn groin muscle. During a routine exam, Mast's condition was found to be worse than originally diagnosed and he is now expected to rehab at least another 3 months.

Zap Mast is expected to undergo surgery in The Slog(Massachusetts) tomorrow.

At present, Mast is batting .400 with 38 hits and 7 home runs. He has knocked in 22 runs and scored 20 times.

May 30 - Concord's 42-year-old pitcher, Bobby Carvajal, announced his retirement, effective today. Concord team trainer Brett Sherrill called it an "irreversible dead arm."

"He's going to need a synthetic arm," Sherrill said. "He cannot pitch anymore, but at least he can lead a life outside of baseball."

In his career, Carvajal, who started his career as an undrafted free agent with Egret in 2296, pitched in 751 games with 151 starts. He is 97-73 with 19 saves in 1697.0 innings pitched. His career ERA is 4.33.

He finishes 16th all-time in games pitched. He officially pitched in 750 games. The one game with the then Egret Scrappers in 2296 does not count in official standings.

As a regular CBO pitcher, Carvajal has been pitching since 2300. He was with Egret in 2296, pitched in the minors from 2297-2299, Oberland from 2300-2302, Concord from 2303-2307, County Crossing from 2307-2312, and then back to the Radstags from 2313-2321.

May 30 - The Salem Witch Hats may have proven to be mere mortals as they lost, 6-2, to the Sunshine Tidings Chemists, but Natick Inhousing continued to hit like a god.

The center fielder collected 2 hits in 4 at-bats in the loss and extended his hitting streak to 20 games.

"Inhousing is playing great and is on fire right now," Witch Hats manager Nick Radio said. "Hopefully his play can spark the rest of our team and help us pick up some wins."

Inhousing was apparently not happy with the game and when pressed by reporters in the locker room only said "nothing else matters but the loss."
Natick Inhousing singled in the 1st, singled in the 4th, grounded out in the 6th and flied out in the 8th.

This season, Inhousing is batting .337 with 65 hits, 7 home runs, 36 RBIs, 11 walks, .371 OBP and has scored 25 runs. He has played in 52 games.

May 31 - It was the best of both worlds for the Sunshine Tidings Chemists at The Cauldron at Gallows Hill, as they defeated the Salem Witch Hats, 2-1, and also snapped Natick Inhousing's 20-game hitting streak. The 28-year-old Salem center fielder failed to get a hit in 4 at-bats.

"Nothing personal against Inhousing, we just wanted to win the game," said Chemists skipper Kyle Hodges. "We did a great job keeping him off-balance and guessing."

When asked by reporters about his streak coming to an end, Inhousing frowned and said, "I won't lie and say that I'm not disappointed about it, but I'd feel much better if we had won."

This year, Inhousing is batting .330 with 7 home runs and 36 RBIs. In 53 games he has scored 25 times.

June 1 - The Super Mutants and Radscorpions pulled the trigger on a deal that will see 32-year old RF Gorgeous DiGiacomo head to Glowing Sea in exchange for 20-year old minor league RHP Bunker Hill Moment and 20-year old minor league LHP Silla Jegal. A source close to Providence officials said, "The teams spent long hours coming to the agreement and in the end, both agreed the deal should help both clubs."

In the 2321 season DiGiacomo is hitting .270 with no home runs.

June 2 - Trade winds have been blowing through Concord. This time, a deal has materialized between the Radstags and Reapers. According to sources inside the organization, Concord will ship 25-year old RHP Hyde Park to Spectacle Island for 17-year old minor league LF Enok Jepsen and 24-year old minor league 1B Summer Archer.

To date this year, Park shows a 4-3 record, 11 starts, 64.1 innings, 67 strikeouts and a 4.76 ERA.

June 2 - In a move that surprised few, the Salem Witch Hats have dismissed general manager Sincere Eiland.

Eiland's job security has been in doubt for some time, as the Witch Hats have lost games, whiffed on key draft picks and not been able to engineer a turnaround through free agency.

Eiland seemed ready to move on, and even before today's announcement few observers expected him to stick around into next season.

"I will cherish my time in Salem," Eiland said. "I'm sorry it had to end this way but it is clear the relationship was not working."

June 2 - The Salem Witch Hats fired manager Nick Radio today.

"Letting somebody go is never a happy experience, but in this business you have to do it when you see your club is not headed in the right direction," Salem Witch Hats general manager said at a press conference. "If hard work and dedication were all it took to build a winning team, Radio would have done it. I think the world of him personally, but it was time for a change."

Club sources were not sure who the new skipper might be and would not speculate as to the successor.

June 4 - Gavin Deux-Gas, welcome to the club -- the 2000-hit club.

The Cambridge shortstop gained membership in that elite group in a 7-6 victory over the Nuka World Thrills at Cambridge Polymer Field.

1 hit in 1 at-bat today enabled the Coursers star to reach the milestone.

Deux-Gas has played in 1657 games and is hitting .308 lifetime with 918 RBIs, 2000 hits, 322 doubles, 68 triples, and 289 home runs. He has scored 1248 times and stolen 418 bases.

June 5 - The Salem Witch Hats have hired their replacement GM and manager.

Blackeye Rieb will take over as the GM. Rieb was the GM of the Vim! League's most successful franchise, the Dalton Farm Fog Crawlers, from 2301-2319. During that time, the Crawlers won six titles. After the Vim! League folded following the 2319 season, Rieb served as a consultant with the Far Harbor Fog franchise. It was reported that the 57-year-old declined to become the Fog's GM. Instead, they hired Rieb's assistant GM, 60-year-old David Nicholls.

Slosh Nicklepenny is the new manager. The 55-year-old has not managed a team since the now-defunct Amusement Park League's Bradberton Disciples from 2302-2304. The APL was the minor league of the Nuka World League before folding following the 2319 season.

Since 2304, Nicklepenny has been the bench coach of the Victory Cave Crickets of the NWL (2305-2308), pitching coach of the BMU's Fiddler's Green T-60s (2309-2310), hitting coach of the BMU's CGP Demolitionists (2312-2314), and hitting coach of the Cranston Boomers of the MML (2316-2319).

He is 139-113 as a manager, including winning the APL in 2303 and 2304.