Fallout 4's Commonwealth Baseball Organization

[StLee]

Today in the CBO

Settlements Today

by Nat Wright-Kowalski

13 April 2297 - Nordhagen Beach, Part 2

On certain Tuesdays for the 2297 season, we will feature one of the settlements, teams, and owners of the Commonwealth Baseball Organization. This is meant to tell you more about life in the Commonwealth, as well as give you more information about the teams and their owners. These will be done at Nat Wright-Kowalski's availability.

Owner - Emogene Cabot

According to a terminal, Emogene is a lot more complicated than the public facade she portrays. It states, "The youngest and most flirtatious member of the Cabot family. Like her mother and brother, she uses a special serum to defy aging and has been since she was 32 years old.

"Her terminal entries reveal her to be a skilled hacker, as she played around with RobCo's database server.

"During the Great War, while Jack and Edward Deegan were away at Parsons State Insane Asylum, Emogene was also responsible for thwarting a takeover of Cabot House by Anders, one of their employees, who tried to forced the family out of the house at gunpoint.

"While appearing to be the most frivolous and irresponsible of the Cabots, In reality she is actually quite emphatic and self aware. An argument can be heard where she chastises her mother for being picky about what food the they eat when the rest of the the Commonwealth barely have enough to survive. This indicates that Emogene is well aware of how good her family have it in life."

Nate Howard first met Emogene when he rescued her from an agressive conversion cult called the Pillars of the Community at the Charles View Ampitheater at the request of her brother Jack. Emogene was romanced by the leader of the cult who pretended to care about her but intended instead to convert her as one of his "wives." When she refused, the cult leader locked her away with aggressive psychological conversion attempts. Nate put down the entire Pillars of the Community when they refused to give her up and instead tried to convert Nate.

Getting to know the Cabots better, Nate learned several things about the Cabots. For one, like him, they were a pre-War family. Unlike Nate being locked in a cryopod, the Cabots had something else keeping them alive, an alien serum.

We do not have the time to delve into the entire story, but their father, Lorenzo Cabot, had made some discoveries of an ancient alien ruin in the 1890s where he found a mysterious crown that gave him superhuman abilities but also made him insane. From the crown, Lorenzo developed the mysterious serum that the Cabots still use until this day. Lorenzo remains a captive of the Parsons State Insane Asylum, but he has made a "lifetime's supply" of the mysterious serum. As far as we know, only the Cabots have this serum.


Emogene 2296 - Before she took her 10-year dosage

There are definite changes in the age appearance of the 400-year old Emogene once she takes the serum. Not only does she change in appearance, but she also appears to renew her vigor for life. These days, Emogene is often seen hitting up the Nordhagen Beach clubs and inviting a few of her "boytoys" to her mansion, including most of the Party Boys players.


Emogene 2297 - After she took her 10-year dosage

New Sponsors, Same Old Joe

Another of the pre-War companies resurrected in Nate Howard's Boston, Slocum's Joe is now the sponsor for the Party Boys, taking over after Kasumi Nakano bought the Jamaica Plain Red Rockets franchise.

According to a terminal entry, "A staple of pre-War Bostonian and Appalachian fast foods, Slocum's focused on two things: Joe and doughnuts. Slocum's always tried to stay one step ahead of the competition, such as by trying to solve the problem of keeping coffee hot and doughnuts fresh.

"Their answer was Slocum's Buzzbites, a delicious doughnut filled with hot coffee and chemically preserved to stay hot, which had a 90% chance of inflicting 3rd-degree burns on consumers. This lead[sic] to it being deemed too dangerous for distribution by authorities. The actual coffee was noted to be 'stale, acidic rubbish,' priced at 28 dollars" (https://fallout.fandom.com/wiki/Slocum%27s_Joe_(company)). Mmmm. Just the way we like coffee.


Slocum's Joe logo

Joe Savoldi, who used to run the small bar in Bunker Hill along with his son Tony, was handpicked by Nate to take over the company. According to Nate, "I couldn't think of a better choice to start making terribly delicious coffee and piping-hot doughnuts. Besides, the name fits."


Joe Savoldi showing off his massive muscles

Joe and Tony run the Slocum's Joe franchise just as Nate imagined it. The grandson of a Minutemen soldier, Joe takes special care to train all of his employees personally. Tony runs the numbers of each business, and now you can find Slocum's Joe shops throughout the Commonwealth. One deal that the Savoldis made was to have a Slocum's Joe in a prime location along the Nordhagen Beach boardwalk, which makes that location the highest-yielding location, doing even better than the Slocum's Joe in Diamond City.


Tony Savoldi - Runs the business portion of the Slocum's Joe franchise

[OrangeP47]

Also just wanted to say, more than the graphics, the Settlement Today segments have been some of my favorite (even though I already know all the 'canon' information, more or less). It's just a shame that by their very nature there's a fixed number of them.

Also one of the reasons I like the Party Boys is because I liked the Cabot family quest. I actually didn't do that quest on my first playthrough of the game, but only on more recent takes, so maybe that's why it's fresher in my memory as "new" content, but the questline also struck me as something unique and interesting for the setting rather than your standard Fallout flavor that permeates everything.

[StLee]

Today in the CBO

News and Notes - Reports from around the Commonwealth

by Nat Wright-Kowalski

15 April 2297 - BL: Party Boys Take Down Ghouls, 10-9

The Nordhagen Beach Party Boys topped the The Slog Ghouls, 10-9 in 10 innings, the lion's share of the credit going to left fielder Michael Fogcrawler. On the day, Fogcrawler was 3 for 5 with a home run and a double, while scoring 2 runs and driving in 3 for the Party Boys. Reliever Sia Abber picked up the win. His record improves to 1-0. Flotsam DiPasquale took the loss. With the loss, The Slog falls to 2-2, while Nordhagen Beach can celebrate its first victory.

The clutch at-bat came in the bottom of the tenth inning, when Nordhagen Beach center fielder Tomas Jones, facing Flotsam DiPasquale, had a run-scoring single. It gave the Party Boys the 10-9 win.

"It's great to see the crowd jacked up," Fogcrawler said.



Other Scores:

Easy Town 3 at Finch Farm 5
Leadoff batter Ginger Rogers was 2 for 4 with two home runs, two runs, and four RBI in the victory. Matt Pageturner pitched the complete-game victory, allowing two earned runs on nine hits with a walk and eight strikeouts.

County Crossing 9 at Salem 5
Josh Noggin was 2 for 3 with a double, a walk, two runs, and two RBI. Bad Company Grognal pitched the complete-game, allowing five earned runs on 11 hits on 119 pitches.

15 April 2297 - IL: Silver Shroud Roll Over Chemists, 10-3

The umbrellas came out during the Fort Hagen-Sunshine Tidings contest at Hubris Comics Park.

The Fort Hagen Silver Shroud defeated the Sunshine Tidings Chemists, 10-3, at Hubris Comics Park. Tiger King was a standout performer for Fort Hagen. His 2 hits included 1 single and 1 double, in addition to the 2 runs he scored and 1 he knocked in. Brent Hooker earned the win for Fort Hagen. He lasted 6 innings, allowing 3 runs on 7 hits, while striking out 3. With the win, he raised his record to 1-1.

Safety Langer, the Fort Hagen left fielder, contributed a run-scoring single in the bottom of the sixth inning to make the score 4-3, Silver Shroud. For the game, Langer went 1 for 3, while scoring 2 times.

In postgame comments to the Fort Hagen Bulletin, King said, "If the effort is there, the wins will come."

The win has Fort Hagen at 3-1.

Other Scores:

Concord 2 at Starlight 9
Jesus Church ascended to the game's MVP, going 4 for 4 with a home run, two runs, and an RBI. City Moore pitched 7.1 innings, allowing two earned runs on eight hits with a walk and seven strikeouts.

Abernathy 1 at Lexington 2
Pete Pembroke and Jason Woods had an ace's pitcher's duel, with Pembroke coming out on top. In 8.0 innings, Pembroke allowed one earned run on eight hits with two walks and five strikeouts. Pembroke also scored his team's only RBI with a sacrifice fly RBI.

15 April 2297 - ML: Atom Wins, Lopez 3 for 4

Atom took on University Point in front of a lively crowd.

Luis Lopez was a major contributor to the 13-4 Atom win over University Point. The Cats shortstop was 3 for 4 with a home run, a double, and was hit by a pitch. He scored 3 runs and drove in 3. The win gives Atom a record of 1-3.

Lopez had a big at-bat with no one out in the top of the second inning. With his team down, 2-1, the shortstop hit a 3-run home run to put Atom ahead.

"We'll build on this win," said Lopez.

Other Scores:

Goodneighbor 3 at Warwick 11
The Hancocks were riding high, but now see themselves at 0-4 and in a low point. Shane Noteman abused Goodneighbor pitching, going 3 for 3 with two home runs, two walks, three runs, and six RBI.

Quincy 4 at Jamaica Plain 9
David Seaweed was 3 for 5 with two home runs, two runs, and three RBI. Chris Teddybear pitched his team to victory, Quincy's first defeat.

15 April 2297 - RL: Kawolski Delivers Clutch At-Bat for Oberland in Walk-Off Win

Oberland starter Sheng Kawolski pitched well against the Fairline Hill Estates Yao Guai at Graygarden Park. The right-hander led his team to a win, 2-1. Oberland reliever Aaron Still picked up the win, upping his record to 1-1. Bow Rome was saddled with the loss. Oberland, with the win, is 3-1.

With runners on 2nd and 3rd in the bottom of the ninth, Paul Trader delivered the knockout blow when he hit a sacrifice fly to win it for Oberland. In the contest, Trader drove in one run.

"This place sure got loud," said Dirk Steadyhand, the Oberland manager.

Other Scores:

Egret 6 at Vault 81 3
Phil Wallace pitched 8 innings, allowing only one earned run on four hits with two walks and seven strikeouts. The Dwellers scored two runs on Troy Phillabum in the ninth before Andy Helium came in to shut Vault 81 down.

Diamond City 1 at Shaw 8
Brad Westing did something he could not do much of in 2996, dominate. In the complete-game victory, Westing allowed just one earned run on four hits with a walk and 10 strikeouts. Travis Phillips went deep for the third time this season to tie with Finch Farm's Ginger Rogers and Egret's Paladin Dance for the CBO lead.

[StLee]

Today in the CBO

News and Notes - Reports from around the Commonwealth

by Nat Wright-Kowalski

16 April 2297 - BL: Yellowhair Slugs Ghouls to 9-7 Win

The 9-7 The Slog win over Nordhagen Beach was due largely to Boots Yellowhair. The Ghouls right fielder was 4 for 5 with 2 home runs and 2 doubles. He scored 4 runs and drove in 5. The Slog pitcher Matt Suds got the win. He's now 1-0. Chet Arthur was tagged with the loss. Wonder Boy Fultz earned save number 3 this season.

The critical at-bat for The Slog came in the top of the ninth inning. With no one out, Yellowhair hit a run-scoring double, putting The Slog up, 8-7.

"We'll kick back tonight with a few Gwinnetts, and then get set for the next one," Yellowhair said.

The win puts The Slog at 3-2.

Nordhagen Beach is now 1-4. Arthur lost his second game in relief, allowing three earned runs in 1.2 innings. He also blew his first save.

Other Scores:

Easy Town 5 at Finch Farm 7
Peter Tatoeater led the Four Leafs, going 4 for 4 with two doubles, a run, and two RBI. Four Finch Farm fellows forged four-baggers.

County Crossing 5 at Salem 2
Blaine Phrasemaker has his second straight solid start, allowing one earned run on eight hits with three walks and seven strikeouts in 8.0 innings. Manley Nebeker had three hits and drove in two runs. He now has more hits (9) in 2297 than he had in 35 games as a backup (7) in 2296.

16 April 2297 - Bloodbugs End Schmidt's Streak

It was the best of both worlds for the County Crossing Bloodbugs today at Vim! Park of Salem, as they defeated the Salem Witch Hats 5-2 and also snapped Pistol Schmidt's 22-game hitting streak. The 25-year-old Salem third baseman failed to get a hit in 3 at-bats.

"Nothing personal against Schmidt, we just wanted to win the game," said Bloodbugs skipper Biff Future. "We did a great job keeping him off-balance and guessing."

When asked by reporters about his streak coming to an end, Schmidt 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."

Schmidt is currently hitting at a .294 pace with 1 home run and 1 RBIs.

16 April 2297 - IL: Silver Shroud Win 4th Straight, Take Down Chemists, 5-2

The home crowd had a good time watching the Sunshine Tidings Chemists and Fort Hagen Silver Shroud get after it.

The Fort Hagen Silver Shroud trumped the Sunshine Tidings Chemists, 5-2, at Hubris Comics Park. Fort Hagen first baseman Jim Tiller was terrific. He was 4 for 5 with 2 doubles and 2 singles. He drove in 3 runs. All Day Acosta, the winning pitcher, is now 1-0. He went 7 innings, allowing 2 runs on 8 hits, while fanning 9 and walking 2.

A key moment came with one out in the bottom of the seventh. That's when Tiller hit a fastball from Tim Fusion for a 2-run single, putting Fort Hagen up, 4-2.

Despite the victory, Tiller was prickly with assembled media after the game. He said only that he was "happy with the win."

The loss makes Sunshine Tidings 2-3, while the Shroud remain hot at 4-1, guaranteeing their second straight series victory to begin the 2297 campaign.

Other Scores:

Concord 1 at Starlight 8
The Radstags still have yet to find a victory in 2297. Chris Schneier pitched 8.0 innings, allowing one earned runs on seven hits with five strikeouts. Glenn Higinbotham was 4 for 5 with a triple, a home run, a run, and three RBI.

Abernathy 3 at Lexington 5
The Synths remain undefeated to start 2297. Lawdog Whipple pitched the team to victory, allowing two earned runs in 8.0 innings on 98 pitches. Whipple also drove in two runs on a two-RBI double. Adam Bias picked up his fourth save on the young season, despite giving up his first earned run of the season.

16 April 2297 - ML: Gonzalez Delivers Walk-Off Win for Deathclaws

The University Point Deathclaws racked up a win at Gwinnett Brewery Park, bumping off the Atom Cats, 4-3. William Radwater, who started for University Point, pitched effectively for his team. Marc Pondsip, credited with the win, is now 1-0. He allowed no runs on 1 hit. The victory makes University Point 3-2.

The clutch hit was provided by Bernie Gonzalez. He delivered a walk-off run-scoring single off Jesse Emacipated in the bottom of the ninth.

"We did a lot of things right," said Radwater.



Other Scores:

Quincy 5 at Jamaica Plain 0
Manny McDuff could not complete the complete-game shutout, but he was still victorious to get the Gunners back on track. In 8.1 innings, McDuff allowed eight hits, walked one, and struck out nine Red Rockets. Andrew Nuka's three-run home run in the 7th gave the game some distance.

Goodneighbor 11 at Warwick 4
The Hancocks are winless no more, while the Mirelurks are lossless no more. Zachary Utsinger had a game, going for 3 for 4 with a home run, a walk, two runs, and two RBI. Quincy Eloquent earned the victory on the mound.

16 April 2297 - Kimbrough Boosts Hit Streak to 20 Games

James Kimbrough has been ripping hits every day for a while now, and nobody seems able to stop him. The Goodneighbor third baseman picked up 1 more today against the Warwick Mirelurks and now has a 20-game hitting streak. The Hancocks won the game 11-4.

"Definitely somebody's going to stop me at some point," he said later, chuckling. "I'll enjoy it for the time being."

James Kimbrough struck out in the 1st, walked in the 2nd, flied out in the 4th, flied out in the 6th, hit a two-run home run off Tom Rose in the 8th and grounded out in the 9th.

For the season Kimbrough has hit .261 with 1 home run and 4 RBIs. He has played in 5 games and scored 3 times.

16 April 2297 - RL: Big Day by Castillo Sparks 9-6 Oberland Win

Oberland left fielder Prof Castillo contributed to his team's 9-6 win over the Fairline Hill Estates Yao Guai. Castillo, who finished 3rd in the RL in runs with 65 last year, went 3 for 3 with 2 runs scored to lead the offensive attack for the T-51s. Oberland, now 4-1, is setting the league on fire so far.

In the bottom of the sixth, Oberland third baseman Jeremy Bugs put his team on top. With one out and the bases loaded, he hit his 2nd double of the year. Fairline Hill Estates pitcher Tommie Lightbulb served it up. Just like that, the T-51s were ahead, 8-6.

"I just tried to see the ball and put a good swing on it," said Castillo.

Other Scores:

Diamond City 10 at Shaw 8
Jeffrey Curatolo's two-RBI double in the top of the ninth put the Swatters ahead for good, 10-8 in their three-run inning. Shaw closer Tom Mannequin was credited with the blown save and loss. Wayne Lacy was the game MVP, going 3 for 4 with two home runs, a walk, three runs, and three RBI.

Egret 10 at Vault 81 1
Crops Gerdenheimer went deep twice, leading the Scrappers with a 2 for 3 effort. He added a walk, two runs, and three RBI. Nick Poppa pitched a complete game for his first victory. He allowed six hits and one earned run on 129 pitches.

[Tyke]

Good to see the Boys get their first win and, also, great to get a close look at Nordhagen Beach. I must say that Emogene Cabot looks very good for her age [must get hold of some of that serum!] but I hope the reason for our slow start is not because she is wearing out the players who she is reported to be inviting to the mansion!

[StLee]

Today in the CBO

News and Notes - Reports from around the Commonwealth

by Nat Wright-Kowalski

17 April 2297 - BL: Homebody Leads Ghouls to Win

Nick Homebody led The Slog to a win over Nordhagen Beach. The final score was 13-7. The first baseman collected 3 extra-base hits, including 1 home run and 2 doubles. The Slog pitcher Dan Dozier got the win, upping his record to 2-0. Casey Diehl got the loss. Nordhagen Beach drops to 1-5.

Stoop Bugwing had a key at-bat with one out in the top of the third for The Slog. With the bases loaded and the Ghouls leading 3-2, he hit a run-scoring single.

"It was a nice win for our side today," said Ghouls manager Mack O'Shea. "Not perfect, but we'll take it."

Other Scores:

Easy Town 2 at Finch Farm 5
Peter Tatoeater continued his hot start, going 2 for 3 with two home runs, two runs, and three RBI. Josh Dude pitched 8.0 innings to earn the victory.

County Crossing 7 at Salem 2
Josh Noggin was hot in the game, going 3 for 5 with a double, two home runs, two runs, and five RBI. Zach DiGrande pitched the complete-game victory, allowing just two earned runs and striking out 10.

17 April 2297 - IL: Red-Hot Corsica Scorches Silver Shroud

Frank Corsica had an answer for everything the Fort Hagen Silver Shroud threw at him today at Hubris Comics Park. The Sunshine Tidings center fielder went 5-for-5 in the game to put his name in the record book and put the Chemists on top, 10-2.

Summing up his batting philosophy to BNN writers after the game, Corsica said, "I just see the ball and I hit it."

Frank Corsica singled in the 1st, doubled in the 3rd, singled in the 5th, hit a two-run triple in the 7th and doubled in the 9th.

So far this season Corsica has gotten 11 hits in 27 at-bats for a .407 batting average with 1 home run. His stats include 6 RBIs and 4 runs scored. He has played in 6 games.

Other Scores:

Concord 5 at Starlight 13
The Radstags are still seeking a victory after two frustrating weekends. They ended up with almost as many errors (5) as runs (8) in the series at Starlight Drive-in. Willie Qesadena got the game MVP nod, going 2 for 4 with two home runs, two runs, and three RBI.

Abernathy 0 at Lexington 2
The Synths complete their second straight sweep in another low-scoring contest. Chris Morgen pitched 8.0 innings of shutout ball, allowing five hits, walking three, and striking out eight. Adam Bias got save number five.

17 April 2297 - ML: Nukacola Powers Deathclaws Offense

Aaron Nukacola, not to be confused with Quincy star Andrew Nuka, left his imprint on the 9-6 University Point win against the Atom Cats. Nukacola went 3-3 with a home run, 2 singles, a walk, and was hit by a pitch, while adding 4 RBI and scoring once. Atom falls to 1-5.

University Point took a 8-6 lead on Jason Harris's 3rd double of the season. The 2-run double, which Harris hit in the bottom of the eighth, left Atom pitcher Bob Parkman visibly frustrated.

"We got the victory," said Nukacola. "That's all that matters at the end of the day."

Other Scores:

Goodneighbor 6 at Warwick 5
The Hancocks won their second straight over defending ML champs, the Mirelurks. Good Don Duck led the way, going 2 for 4 with a home run, a walk, two runs, and two RBI. Warwick's Brad Krol was 2 for 3 with two home runs, two walks, two runs, and two RBI.

Quincy 6 at Jamaica Plain 4
The Gunners scored three runs in the top of the 9th to steal their fifth victory. Jessie Jerky doubled in the tying run and then scored the go-ahead run on a David Driftwood single. Jerky was 2 for 4 with two doubles, a walk, a run, and three RBI from the leadoff position.

17 April 2297 - RL: T-51s Sweep Yao Guai, 11-3

Oberland picked up a win at Graygarden Park, bumping off the Fairline Hill Estates Yao Guai, 11-3. Pitcher Gerald Jerry was a major reason the T-51s emerged victorious. The loss has the Yao Guai at 2-4.

Jim Pickman was a prime factor in the win for the T-51s. In the bottom of the fourth with two out, the 18-year old catcher hit a 2-run single. He went 2 for 4 with 2 singles, while adding 4 RBI and scoring once.

"Win or lose, we always try to grind it out and stay even-keeled," Pickman said in reaction to the win.



Other Scores:

Diamond City 2 at Shaw 6
Scaredy Cat Talbott pitched only 6.0 innings, but he pitched well enough to earn the victory, his first and the Knuckle Punchers' third. Talbott allowed just two earned runs on six hits with five walks and two strikeouts. Grognak Inman hit his fourth home run of the young season.

Egret 10 at Vault 81 2
Crops Gerdenheimer was 4 for 4 with a double, a home run, a walk, two runs, and two RBI. Ronnie Gipper, acquired from Oberland in a December trade, got his first win with the Scrappers, allowing two earned runs on seven hits with a walk and two strikeouts in 8.0 innings.

[StLee]

Originally Posted by Tyke

Good to see the Boys get their first win and, also, great to get a close look at Nordhagen Beach. I must say that Emogene Cabot looks very good for her age [must get hold of some of that serum!] but I hope the reason for our slow start is not because she is wearing out the players who she is reported to be inviting to the mansion!

If that's what the local fans need to do to blame their losses, then so be it. Then again, almost all of them have jobs and a nice place to live because of Emogene.

Whatever the case, the fans there will remain loyal to the team and hold out hope things will turn around. As it stands, though, 10% of the season down and two series losses so far. If they want to hold out any hope for a playoff run, they may want to get ahead instead of lurking in or around last place.

[OrangeP47]

Granted, the actual screenshot of the standings hasn't been posted, and I'm a very visual learner, but if I may make a bold prediction: I'd put my money on Starlight to win this season (and this is Fallout, you know people are putting their money where their mouth is). I know PAM had them in 5th in the IL, but I'm saying PAM is wrong, I just have a feeling.

Also this doesn't mean I don't want Fort Hagan to win the IL, just that what I want and what I think will happen are different things.

[StLee]

Originally Posted by OrangeP47

Granted, the actual screenshot of the standings hasn't been posted, and I'm a very visual learner, but if I may make a bold prediction: I'd put my money on Starlight to win this season (and this is Fallout, you know people are putting their money where their mouth is). I know PAM had them in 5th in the IL, but I'm saying PAM is wrong, I just have a feeling.

Also this doesn't mean I don't want Fort Hagan to win the IL, just that what I want and what I think will happen are different things.

Both Fort Hagen and Starlight has to contend with Lexington's hot start. If I remember last season, the Synths started off terribly but then ended up nearly making the playoffs. They are doing the exact opposite this season, so maybe they will end up almost missing the playoffs?

Part of the Lady Killers' problems is that their starting pitching is OK, but their relief pitching is bad. They also have an outfield with just slightly better rankings than the Shroud.

In the end, only one stat counts, though, and the last three predicted by PAM, Lexington, Starlight, and Fort Hagen, are currently first and tied for second.

[StLee]

Analysis

Four teams have started out on fire, one in each league, and three of the four are surprises. The one that is not a surprise is Oberland in the Railroad League. The T-51s finished 2296 tied for the best record in the CBO, which should lead them towards being the current favorites to win it all this season.

The other three leagues have teams that may not be expected to keep up their quick start. The most impressive so far is of course the lone undefeated team, the Lexington Synths. In six games, the Synths have only allowed a total of 14 runs. Third starter Chris Morgen has been the most impressive, pitching 17 innings of shutout ball so far.

County Crossing is atop the Brotherhood League with its pitching, also, though not as impressive as Lexington's performances. The Bloodbugs are tops in the BL in runs allowed with 22. Every pitcher who has stepped on the mound has been effective so far, with the starters and bullpen currently leading the league in ERA. If they keep up their efforts, they can be a worst-to-first story.

Quincy has been winning in the Minutemen League with both offense and defense, making them the best of the bunch. In addition to leading the league in runs (47), the Gunners also lead in runs allowed (24). Minus the one loss in the series opener against Jamaica Plain, the Gunners have won by an average of almost six runs in their five victories.

Just as it contains the only undefeated team, the Institute League also has the lone winless team. Concord has been inept at scoring and keeping teams off the board, being outscored 58-18 in their six games. After a fifth place finish in 2296, the Radstags seem to be trending down instead of up.

The surprise team struggling in the IL is 2296 league winner Abernathy. The Adamantium are 1-5 so far, mostly because the offense cannot do anything. Although they have allowed only 24 runs, the Adamantium are worst in runs scored (16). Seven of those 16 runs came in their lone victory, meaning they are only scoring fewer than two runs a game in their losses.

The Atom Cats were a playoff team in 2296, but they are starting out could in the Minutemen League. The middle of the lineup back has been the biggest bummer for the team so far, with Jeremy Schoolboy, Will Ashfire, Ray McMillen, and Garrett Machine all hitting below .300. While the pitching is doing a decent job keeping opponents runs down, a lack of offense has been a killer.

The Brotherhood League has a pair of teams sitting at 1-5, but those two teams have not known success yet in the CBO. The one caveat is that both Easy Town and Nordhagen Beach were predicted to be very much in the playoff race, with the Assaultrons being PAM's pick as the league champion for 2297. Each team is having the opposite problem: Easy Town's offense is last in the BL in production, and Nordhagen Beach's pitching is last. For these teams to crawl out of the sewer, they will need to find production in those areas.

It is still a long season. We are 6 of 60 in, but teams are already telling stories. Let's see if things remain the same in Week 3 or start changing.

[StLee]

I just now had to update service time because the automated stories were treating everyone as a rookle. Milfuntartan. I hope that does not wreck the awards for the rest of the season. I guess I will see how stories report at the end of Week 3.



Today in the CBO

News and Notes - Reports from around the Commonwealth

by Nat Wright-Kowalski

19 April 2297 - Warwick Mirelurks Ship Badbreath to Jamaica Plain

The Baseball News Network is reporting that the Mirelurks and Red Rockets have consummated a trade. Jamaica Plain will receive 26-year-old 1B Matt Badbreath in a swap for 39-year-old minor league LHP Johnny Sarco and 17-year-old minor league RHP Thorn McCormick. A league analyst called the trade a "fairly even transaction."

19 April 2297 - Star of the Week Awarded in BL

19-year-old Michael Fogcrawler sent shock waves through Brotherhood League last week with an eye-popping performance that brought him the Brotherhood League Player of the Week Award.

Fogcrawler made the establishment sit up and take notice, punishing opposing pitchers with a .571 average, 8 hits in 14 at-bats, 3 home runs and 8 runs batted in.

Where the Nordhagen Beach Party Boys left fielder goes from here, only the baseball gods know for sure, but Fogcrawler certainly made his mark last week.

19 April 2297 - Higinbotham Honored by Institute League

19-year-old Glenn Higinbotham made a few Starlight headlines during this past week as the center fielder proved he could compete at the plate. He captured the attention of fans, journalists and Institute League officials last week and today took home Player of the Week honors for his effort.

He cracked 9 hits in 16 at-bats to put up a .563 average. Higinbotham collected 1 home run, 5 RBIs and scored 3 runs.

19 April 2297 - ML's #1 Player, Noteman of Warwick

So far in his young career, Shane Noteman has kept a low profile, but after his performance at the plate last week, he attracted the notice of the rest of the Minutemen League in a big way as he was named the Player of the Week today for his efforts.

The 23-year-old Warwick Mirelurks catcher hit at a torrid .667 clip as he collected 4 hits in 6 at-bats, 2 home runs, 6 RBIs and 3 runs scored.

19 April 2297 - Egret's Gerdenheimer Snaps Up Player of the Week

Crops Gerdenheimer burst onto the Railroad League stage in a big way last week. This promising rookie right fielder for Egret garnered everyone's respect by putting up some remarkable numbers and picking up the Player of the Week trophy.

The 17-year-old haunted opposing pitchers hitting .727 (8-for-11) with 4 home runs and 7 RBIs last week.

[StLee]

Today in the CBO

Settlements Today

by Nat Wright-Kowalski

20 April 2297 - Sunshine Tidings Co-op

On certain Tuesdays for the 2297 season, we will feature one of the settlements, teams, and owners of the Commonwealth Baseball Organization. This is meant to tell you more about life in the Commonwealth, as well as give you more information about the teams and their owners. These will be done at Nat Wright-Kowalski's availability

In our eighteenth installment of "Settlements Today," I visited the old hippy compound, Sunshine Tidings Co-op. In the days before the bombs dropped, this settlement was a place where Commonwealth citizens were looking to "Free the Robots." It seems, the Railroad was predated.

When Nate Howard first appeared on scene, the area was mostly abandoned other than a few ghouls and Professor Goodfeels, the "far out" Mister Handy. Nate cleared out the ghouls and planted his symbolic flag.


Sunshine Tidings Co-op - 2287

Today, the settlement has started to boom with modernity and a good self-contained crops field that also delivers to other areas along the West Bank.

This is one of the few settlements around without a true "native" population, meaning the adult settlers all came here from someplace else, several at the urging of Nate.

One of those imports is the operating pacifist mayor Talia McGovern. We'll write more about her below, but she is the leader of one of the more easygoing settlements in all of the Commonwealth.


Sunshine Tidings Co-op - 2297. Find this build at: https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/mods/41814

Owner - Talia McGovern

Talia first met Nate when she lived in Covenant as the settlement's maintenance expert and tools craftsman. According to a terminal entry about Talia, "Talia acts kind and compassionate towards others, but she shows a deep fear of synths. It is implied that she lost her family to the synths, like other members of Covenant."


Talia McGovern

So why did she agree to leave Covenant and take up residence in a former robot hippy commune that would have been sympathetic to the Railroad cause, something she does not seem to favor.

According to Nate, heavy therapy. And perhaps a push towards chem addiction. Now, Talia is still nervous around conflict, but she is a lot more chill.

When things do get stressful for her, you can find Tali tinkering in the central tool shop of STC.

The Brotherhood's Mother Ship - ArcJet Systems

According to a terminal entry, "In 2075, ArcJet began working on a nuclear-powered rocket, the XMB booster engine, in hopes of convincing the United States Space Administration to award them the lucrative contract for their Mars Shot Project[3]. Despite the risk of starting work before the contract, it paid off when the USSA gave them both the contract for the booster engine and the contract for a deep range transmitter. Both projects were completed before 2077. However, ArcJet only received payment for the deep range transmitter project, as the rocket was delayed before the Great War due to problems on the western front. CEO Thomas Reinhardt promised the USSA to finish both projects by July 2077, a year before the expected launch date."


ArcJet Systems logo

While the complications of the bombs falling in 2077 may have delayed the launch to Mars, the Brotherhood of Steel has now begun exploring that project more.

On top of that, the pre-War ArcJet's technology is going to help in providing full speed boosts to the Commonwealth's plans to have moving nuclear-powered videos. With the excess in power cells, with the ability to recharge them, there can be hundreds of motor vehicles, like the Corvega, spanning the Commonwealth landscape.

Investors have poured quite a lot of money into ArcJet Systems, so the BoS-run company in running in jet black.

[StLee]

Today in the CBO

News and Notes - Reports from around the Commonwealth

by Nat Wright-Kowalski

22 April 2297 - Starlight-Egret Trade

It likely won't turn either team into an instant contender or provide a huge franchise shakeup, but the Starlight Lady Killers and Egret Scrappers finalized a trade today. Starlight will send 18-year-old minor league C Brent Flannel and 29-year-old minor league 3B Rack Toetip to the Scrappers, while the Lady Killers will receive 27-year-old minor league 1B Travis Brothers, 27-year-old minor league RHP Calvin Kuhl and 18-year-old minor league RHP Dave Harden.

"We think this is a deal that will help out both teams and we're glad to get it done," Lady Killers general manager Bobby Childress said.

The trade is expected to be officially completed later today with the players joining their new ballclubs by the end of the day.

22 April 2297 - BL: Bullets Stars in 11-4 Four Leafs Win

Behind a fine performance from Alec Bullets, the Finch Farm Four Leafs knocked off the County Crossing Bloodbugs, 11-4. Bullets went 2-5 with a home run and a double. He scored 2 runs and drove in 6 for the Four Leafs. The Four Leafs raised their record to 5-2.

In the top of the fifth, with runners on 1st and 2nd, Bullets came to the plate. He hit a 3-run home run off Bad Company Grognak to put the Four Leafs in the lead, 4-1.

"Enjoyed this one," Bullets told the Finch Farm Today. "But it's back to work tomorrow."

Other Scores:

The Slog 7 at Salem 3
Edwin Mass moved to 1-0 on the season, winning the complete game on 115 pitches. He allowed three runs, two earned, on eight hits with a walk and four strikeouts. Stoop Bugwing was 3 for 5 with a triple, a run, and two RBI.

Nordhagen Beach 8 at Easy Town 7
The Party Boys won the first game in the battle for last place in the BL. Leadoff hitter Brian Masterson was 3 for 4 with a double, a home run, a walk, three runs, and two RBI. Julian Shed won his first game of the season, improving to 1-1. Sia Abber also picked up his first save despite giving up two runs in the bottom of the 9th.

22 April 2297 - IL: Lexington Comes up Empty Against Bertha

Sunshine Tidings's Tony Bertha brought his best stuff to ArcJet Systems Stadium today, shutting down and shutting out the Lexington Synths 2-0. He racked up 5 strikeouts, surrendered 4 hits and issued no walks on his way to the victory.

"We barely made him work at all," Lexington manager Sprole Races said later. "Sunshine Tidings could probably pitch him again tomorrow if they wanted."

Other Scores:

Concord 6 at Fort Hagen 7
Giving Tree was feeling charitable, throwing a wild pitch with a runner on third in the bottom of the 9th, allowing Shroud second baseman Mike Montano to score. Micah Morals was 2 for 4 with a double and three RBI. Seth Dungan hit a 4th-inning solo home run for Fort Hagen.

Starlight 5 at Abernathy 3
The defending IL champions lost yet again behind the Lady Killers' City Moore's efforts. In 8.0 innings, Moore allowed three earned runs on nine hits with a walk and two strikeouts.

22 April 2297 - ML: Gunners Best Mirelurks in Pitching Duel

Fans watched the Quincy Gunners and the Warwick Mirelurks fight to the finish.

The Quincy Gunners picked up a win at The Stone House, courtesy of Matt Ranger. The right-hander helped his team stop the Warwick Mirelurks, 2-1. The Gunners, now 6-1, have stormed out of the gates.

The Gunners got an important contribution from shortstop Robbie Adams, who in the bottom of the fourth hit a 0-1 slider into center for a run-scoring double. It was his 2nd double of the season and put the Gunners ahead, 2-0.

"We made a couple of mistakes," said Warwick skipper Old Man Langford, "and it cost us."

Other Scores:

Atom 9 at Jamaica Plain 7
The Cats held off a 9th-inning surge to earn their second win of the 2297 season. Ray McMillen went 3 for 5 with a double, a triple, three runs, and two RBI. Matt "Ace in the Hole" Hope moved to 2-1.

University Point 1 at Goodneighbor 3
Bruce Iddings pitched 8.1 innings, allowing one earned run on six hits with a walk and eight strikeouts to move to 1-2 on the season. Quentin Malone pitched well in the loss for the Deathclaws, allowing three runs, but only one earned, in 6.0 innings. The Claws committed three errors.

22 April 2297 - Kimbrough Hitless, Streak Ends at 21

James Kimbrough's 21-game hitting streak was snapped today at Third Rail Stadium at S. Boston HS. The 17-year-old Goodneighbor Hancocks third baseman failed to get a hit in 3 at-bats in the game against the University Point Deathclaws, but Goodneighbor came out the winner, 3-1.

"I don't think the streak was ever a big deal to James," Hancocks manager Jeremy Whiteplate said after the game. "He ain't that type of guy. He just wants to help the team win ballgames."

Kimbrough is hitting .233 this year with 1 home run and 4 RBIs. He also has an OBP of .281, 2 walks and scored 5 times.

22 April 2297 - RL: Knuckle Punchers Top Scrappers, 10-8

The Egret Scrappers got a superb performance from left fielder Paladin Danse. Still, it wasn't enough to beat Shaw HS. The Knuckle Punchers won the game, 10-8. Danse went 2 for 4 with a home run, a double, and a walk. He scored 2 runs and drove in 3. Shaw HS reliever Tom Mannequin picked up the win, upping his record to 1-1. Andy Helium shouldered the loss. The loss makes Egret 4-3.

The result might have been different, had it not been for Mike Thunderdome, the Shaw HS center fielder. Thunderdome had a 2-run double in the top of the tenth inning to put the Knuckle Punchers ahead, 10-8. For the game, Thunderdome had 1 double and 1 single in 5 at-bats.

"It wasn't a pretty victory," said Thunderdome, "but we got it done."



Other Scores:
Diamond City 1 at Oberland 8
Sheng Kawolski pitched the T-51s to a 6-1 start with his second win. In 8.1 innings, he allowed just one earned run on six hits with two walks and seven strikeouts. Prof Castillo went deep twice, driving in six runs.

Vault 81 10 at Fairline Hill Estates 5
Adam Crook stole the victory from Vault 81, going 3 for 4 with two doubles, a walk, three runs, and two RBI. Curt Recoats moved to 1-2 on the season in the victory, while Yao Guai ace Bow Rome dropped to 1-2.

[StLee]

Today in the CBO

News and Notes - Reports from around the Commonwealth

by Nat Wright-Kowalski

23 April 2297 - BL: Four Leafs Stay Hot, Beat Bloodbugs, 6-4

The Finch Farm Four Leafs downed the County Crossing Bloodbugs, 6-4, at Beantown Brewery Stadium. The Four Leafs were led by Tommy Junkman. He was 2 for 2 with a home run and a walk. He scored 2 runs and drove in 2. The win puts Finch Farm at 6-2.

A key moment came with one out in the top of the third. That's when Junkman hit a fastball from Blaine Phrasemaker for a 2-run home run, putting Finch Farm up, 6-3.

"We'll relax tonight and get back after it tomorrow," Junkman said after the game.

Other Scores:

The Slog 6 at Salem 7, 10 inn.
Mike Castillo's bases loaded single (wrongly marked as a double in the box score won it for the Witch Hats. Mike Laughingman was 3 for 5 with a double, a home run, a run, and two RBI to earn the player of the game honors. Brent Yellowhair and Nick Homebody had thre hits apiece for the Ghouls.

Nordhagen Beach 6 at Easy Town 7, 10 inn.
Adam Henderson's RBI double in the bottom of the 10th knocked in game MVP Matt Stoops to win the game. Stoops was 4 for 5 with a run and three RBI. The Assaultrons came back from a 6-4 deficit late to tie the game off starter Tommy Beach and then win in an extra inning off Party Boys closer Sia Abber.

23 April 2297 - IL: Fusion Now 1-1 After Subduing Synths

The Sunshine Tidings Chemists defeated the Lexington Synths, 5-2, in Institute League action at ArcJet Systems Stadium. Sunshine Tidings pitcher Tim Fusion had a standout performance. Picking up the save was Tiny Greene, his 2nd. The defeat makes Lexington 6-2.

The Synths had trouble solving Fusion, who surrendered 2 runs on 3 hits over 8.2 innings.

Fusion called the triumph "a good team win."



Other Scores:

Concord 10 at Fort Hagen 4
The Radstags found their offense and their first win in their eight game. Shawn Cherry led the charge, going 3 for 3 with a double, a home run, two runs, and two RBI. Gwinnett Southi improved to 1-2 with the win.

Starlight 8 at Abernathy 5
Starlight shortstop Justin People was 2 for 4 with a home run and a walk, while scoring two times and driving in two. Wild Cannon had four hits and Skinny Danner drive in three. Chris Schneier moved to 2-1 on the season. Abernathy third baseman Joel Mutfruit had a day to forget, muffing three defensive tries, which helped the Lady Killers score four unearned runs in the game. There were a total of six errors combined in the game.

23 April 2297 - ML: Gunners Curb Mirelurks, 14-7

The Quincy Gunners beat the Warwick Mirelurks, 14-7, at The Stone House. The win was due in part to center fielder Jessie Jerky, who went 4-6 with a double and 3 singles, while scoring 2 times and driving in 2. Rapid Roberts notched the win in relief. The right-hander allowed 1 run on 7 hits in 6.1 innings. His record now sits at 1-0. Quincy goes to 7-1.

Stuart Costantino was a prime factor in the win for the Gunners. In the bottom of the second with two out, the top prospect hit a 2-run single. He went 3 for 5 with a double and 2 singles, while adding 3 RBI and scoring once.

"I'm just looking for a good pitch that I can hit well," said Jerky. "And not try to do too much."

Other Scores:

Atom 8 at Jamaica Plain 7, 10 inn.
The Cats overcame a late comeback from the Red Rockets to take the game in 10 innings. Luis Lopez earned player of the game honors, going 2 for 4 with a home run, two runs, and three RBI. Carney Cornseed's two-run home run in the 9th inning tied the game 7-7.

University Point 7 at Goodneighbor 10
The Hancocks look to be back on track, taking the first two games in the battle for 3rd place in the early season. Kory Richardson earned the game MVP in a losing effort. He was 4 for 5 with a double, a triple, two home runs, two runs, and three RBI. Good Don Duck was 3 for 5 with a home run, two runs, and two RBI. Jumper Hayes went 3 for 5 with two doubles, a run, and two RBI.

23 April 2297 - RL: Knuckle Punchers Spill Scrappers, 10-7

Shaw HS and Egret duked it out and the Knuckle Punchers came out victorious.

The Shaw HS Knuckle Punchers stopped the Egret Scrappers, 10-7, at Fallon Field at Egret Tours Marina. The Knuckle Punchers got a big game from Rocky Gourd, who went 3-5 with a triple and 2 singles, while scoring 2 times and driving in 3. Tom Mannequin earned the save for Shaw HS, his 2nd of the year.

Gourd had a key at-bat in the top of the first to put Shaw HS in front, 3-0. With runners on 1st and 3rd, he hit a 2-run triple.

"We maximized our offense today," said Shaw HS skipper Squatty O'Sullivan. "That makes everyone's life easier."

The loss has the Scrappers at 4-4.

Other Scores:

Diamond City 1 at Oberland 6
Gerald Jerry pitched the complete game to move to 2-0 on the season. He allowed six hits, walked one, and struck out four. Toad "Swamp ***" Harris, Prof Castillo, and Curtis Slingshot all went deep for the T-51s. Castillo now has five in just eight games.

Vault 81 4 at Fairline Hill Estates 5, 12 inn.

The final game on Friday night was the longest game. The Yao Guai finally took it in the 12th when Noah Arch swiped second and then scored on an Adam Crook single. Despite the no decision, Sage Monticello pitched well, allowing two runs, one earned, on seven hits with a walk and five strikeouts in 8.0 innings.

[StLee]

Today in the CBO

News and Notes - Reports from around the Commonwealth

by Nat Wright-Kowalski

24 April 2297 - BL: Bloodbugs Top Four Leafs, 2-1, Behind DiGrande

Zach DiGrande was locked and loaded, helping the County Crossing Bloodbugs beat the Finch Farm Four Leafs, 2-1. William Whitehurst closed the door for County Crossing, picking up his 3rd save of the year. The win gives County Crossing a record of 6-3.

The standout performance belonged to 18-year-old DiGrande. With his baby face, he looked more like someone starting for a high school team than for the Bloodbugs. His performance, however, was nothing short of top-notch. The youngster dominated the Four Leafs, striking out 8 and scattering 2 hits over 8 innings. DiGrande is now 2-1 on the season.

"We'll kick back tonight, then get set for the next one," DiGrande said.

Other Scores:

The Slog 8 at Salem 6
The Ghouls' three-run eighth inning made the difference in this contest, helping the Ghouls take the series. C.T. Woodard was 4 for 5 with a double, a home run, three runs, and three RBI, his three-run home run being the game winner.

Nordhagen Beach 5 at Easy Town 10
The Assaultrons took the series and jumped into 5th place over the Party Boys with the victory. Sean Samuels led the charge, going 3 for 4 with a home run, a walk, two runs, and three RBI. Smoker Caliman pitched 8.0 innings, allowing three earned runs on seven hits with two walks and 11 strikeouts to move to 1-1 on the season.

24 April 2297 - IL: Sarnacki Now 3-0 After Subduing Synths

Sunshine Tidings Chemists starter Bill Sarnacki was in a groove as he led his team to a win over the Lexington Synths, 2-1. The Chemists raised their record to 6-3. The Synths were swept for all three of their losses on the season, dropping to 6-3.

Sarnacki, now 3-0, scattered 4 hits over 8 innings for the Chemists.

"Every loss hurts," said Lexington manager Sprole Races. "But this was a tough one. Now we have to battle to get back ahead."

Chris Morgen (2-1) pitched well in the loss, allowing only two earned runs on seven hits with four walks and four strikeouts in 5.2 innings.

Other Scores:

Concord 6 at Fort Hagen 5, 11 inn.
The Radstags took their second straight and won the series over the Silver Shroud thanks to Jason Robinson's RBI single in the top of the 11th following Josh McIntyre's second triple of the ballgame. Robinson finished the game 4 of 6 with a double and three RBI. McIntyre was 4 for 6 with two doubles, two triples, three runs, and two RBI.

Starlight 6 at Abernathy 4
The Lady Killers completed the road sweep against the defending IL champion Adamantium. Starlight scored two runs in the top of the 8th to take the lead for good. Hope Scrapper's sacrifice fly provided the first of the two runs to put Starlight up 5-4. Skinny Danner led the Killers with a 2 for 4 effort with a home run, a walk, three runs, and two RBI. Jim Waples was Abernathy's best hitter, going 3 for 3 with a triple, a walk, a run, and three RBI.

24 April 2297 - ML: Gunners Stay Hot, Sweep Mirelurks

Good production from second baseman Dan Derp helped the Quincy Gunners topple the Warwick Mirelurks, 9-7. Derp was 2 for 3 with a home run and a walk, while scoring 2 runs and driving in 2 for the Gunners. Getting the save was Wick Prater, his 2nd. Quincy goes to 8-1 with the win.

Chipping in for Quincy was first baseman Brian Drinkwater. He stroked a run-scoring triple in the bottom of the fourth. For the game, Drinkwater went 2-4 with a triple.

"We'll enjoy this win," said Drinkwater. "But there's more we hope to accomplish."



Other Scores:

Atom 5 at Jamaica Plain 3
Luis Lopez helped the Cats to slip by the Rockets, going 3 for 4 with a triple, two runs, and two RBI. Wyatt Wallace pitched 141 pitches in 6.0 innings to move to 1-1 on the season. He allowed two earned runs on five hits with eight walks and eight strikeouts. The eight walks is the most by one pitcher in a CBO game, but Wallace still found victory.

University Point 3 at Goodneighbor 5
The Hancocks completed the sweep to get back into the thick of the ML race. Quincy Eloquent (2-1) allowed two earned runs on six hits with four walks and 10 strikeouts in 8.1 innings. Matt Rodrigue came in for the final 2/3 inning to earn his third save. No one was outstanding, but Bryan Assman and Jumper Hayes each hit solo homers for the Hancocks.

24 April 2297 - RL: Danse 3 for 5 as Scrappers Squeeze Past Shaw

The Egret Scrappers topped the Shaw HS Knuckle Punchers by the score of 6-5, with the largest share of the credit going to left fielder Paladin Danse. Danse was 3 for 5 with a home run and a double. He scored 3 times and drove in 3 for the Scrappers. The win puts Egret at 5-4.

Egret grabbed the momentum in the bottom of the fifth, when Danse, who finished 3rd in the RL in hits with 102 last year, hit a 2-run double. His 5th double of the season put the Scrappers out in front, 4-2.

"It was a solid team effort," Danse said. "That's usually what it takes to win."

Other Scores:

Diamond City 4 at Oberland 5
The T-51s completed the sweep against the Swatters to take a firm grip of 1st place in the RL. Matt Udder (2-0) pitched 8.1 innings, allowing four earned runs on 11 hits with a walk and six strikeouts. Prof Castillo had Oberland's only extra-base hit, a two-RBI double in the bottom of the 1st. He finished 2 for 4 with a run and two RBI.

Vault 81 3 at Fairline Hill Estates 8
The Yao Guai were steady in taking the series win. Hose Wallcrawler was outstanding, going 3 for 4 with a double, two home runs, a walk, two runs scored, and four RBI. Tyler Powers pitched 7.0 innings, allowing three earned runs, nine hits, four walks, and nine strikeouts to move to 1-1 on the season.

[StLee]

Analysis

Three weeks are in the books, and we cannot call three series surprises anymore. They are now trends.

In the Brotherhood League, there is currently a split league with three teams tied for first place and three teams chasing. The CBO defending champions
The Slog looks to be gearing to defend their title until the end, while defending BL champions Finch Farm are right there. The Bloodbugs have moved up to the top, but we will see if that remains.

Where there is positivity, there is also a balance of negativity. Easy Town and Nordhagen Beach have to feel that right now where they battled for last place over the weekend when both teams were considered to be playoff contenders. In time, they may come back to the mean, but in the meantime, the Assaultrons and Party Boys do not look like 2297 contenders.

The International League has four teams near the top with one surprising team at the bottom in defending league champion Abernathy. The Adamantium have done almost nothing right all season, with a CBO-worst 1-8 record. In fact, the one win they have had was a 13-inning affair in the second game of the season. Now, they are on a seven-game losing streak but get fifth place Concord on the draw next weekend.

Lexington and Fort Hagen were dominating the league in the first two weekends but saw their first failure this past weekend. We'll see how the Synths and Silver Shroud rebound against each other next weekend.

That leaves the battle for first place in the IL being between Starlight and Sunshine Tidings as they will square off at ArcJet Systems Stadium next weekend. The Lady Killers have been murdering the ball with their bats, leading the IL in runs scored, as well as just about every offensive category. The pitching has done well, too, but not as well as the Chemists, who have the second-best runs allowed ratio and the best starting staff in the league, including Tony Bertha who is killing it at 2-1 with a 0.76 ERA.

In the Minutemen League, there is only one team to talk about: the Quincy Gunners. Riding a tie for the best record in the entire CBO, the Gunners did what no team could do against Warwick in 2296: sweep. With a five-game winning streak matched currently by the Goodneighbor Hancocks, the Gunners go into Week 4 knowing they can start pulling away from some teams.

Speaking of the Hancocks, they have been the Jekyll and Hyde team of the CBO this season. The Hancocks started off 0-4 but have now won five straight to pull into sole possession of 2nd place in the ML. Still, three other teams are right behind them, so the Hancocks will need to continue to win to reach those lofty preseason goals of winning the CBO.

In the Railroad League, Oberland is even more dominant than it was in 2296. After finishing the 2296 season tied with the Mirelurks for the best record in the CBO, it looked like there was nowhere to go but down. However, the T-51s have been slaughtering opponents at an average of 7.22-3.67 per game. The 33 runs allowed through 9 games is 23 better than second-best Fairline Hill Estates.

Shaw has looked like a much better team in 2297 than it was in 2296. Right now, they are tied for 2nd with last year's wildcard team, the Egret Scrappers. On the opposite end, Vault 81 and Diamond City have not been competitive so far, sitting in 5th and 6th place, respectively.

[StLee]

Today in the CBO

News and Notes - Reports from around the Commonwealth

by Nat Wright-Kowalski

25 April 2297 - Gentilcore Stung

Corvega Assembly Plant Flamers reliever Trent Gentilcore is recovering after a glowing stingwing attack just outside Lexington. The reliever was on his exercise routine when he encountered the beast.

Though he was able to defend himself, Gentilcore did receive a piercing of his throwing arm and will need some time to heal before he can pitch again.

He has appeared in one game in 2297, throwing two innings of shutout ball with one hit allowed, one walk, and one strikeout.

26 April 2297 - Strongbacks Reliever Takes Leave

Outpost Zimonja Strongbacks reliever Dan Keuhn has expressed some frustration with his lack of playing time and has asked for leave from the Ghouls affiliate.

He left the team with strange words, but team trainer Mike Buckmeier did pay him a visit before his leave. Buckmeier concluded that a small break from baseball could do Keuhn good.

According to Keuhn when asked about his reason for leaving the team, he said, "From hell's heart I stab at thee. For hate's sake, I spit my last breath at thee."

Buckmeier was convinced those were not the words of a suicidal man. "More like revengeful," Buckmeier said.

26 April 2297 - Red-Hot Rampage Reaps BL Reward

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. Brian Masterson, the Nordhagen Beach Party Boys 18-year-old second baseman, put himself in the spotlight last week making him the clear-cut choice for Brotherhood League Player of the Week honors.

He ripped 8 hits in 10 at-bats, compiling a .800 average with 1 home run and 3 RBIs.

According to Masterson, "The personal award is great, but I would feel a lot better about it if we could win a ******* *********** game."

26 April 2297 - Morals Selected IL Player of the Week

Micah Morals has the tools to stick in this league for many years. The 20-year-old third baseman of the Fort Hagen Silver Shroud had a hot bat in the Institute League over the past seven days and won the Player of the Week honors.

Morals batted .583 with 7 hits in 12 at-bats, 1 home run and 6 RBIs.

26 April 2297 - Week's #1 Player Honored by ML

So far in his young career, Luis Lopez has kept a low profile, but after his performance at the plate last week, he attracted the notice of the rest of the Minutemen League in a big way as he was named the Player of the Week today for his efforts.

The 18-year-old Atom Cats shortstop hit at a torrid .583 clip as he collected 7 hits in 12 at-bats, 1 home run, 6 RBIs and 4 runs scored.

26 April 2297 - Castillo Nabs RL Weekly Award

One of the league's most exciting young players, Prof Castillo of the Oberland T-51s earned himself Railroad League Player of the Week honors with a standout performance in last week's games.

For the week the 19-year-old left fielder had a lofty .545 average (6-for-11), collecting 3 home runs, 10 RBIs and 5 runs scored.

[StLee]

Today in the CBO

Settlements Today

by Nat Wright-Kowalski

27 April 2297 - Vault 81

On certain Tuesdays for the 2297 season, we will feature one of the settlements, teams, and owners of the Commonwealth Baseball Organization. This is meant to tell you more about life in the Commonwealth, as well as give you more information about the teams and their owners. These will be done at Nat Wright-Kowalski's availability

In our nineteenth installment of "Settlements Today," I visited the underground living facility, Vault 81. Though due to size the settlement has expanded outside, including the lovely CURIE, Inc. Field on the East Bank of the Charles River, it was originally only a vault where those living tended to stay.


Vault 81 Entrance

When Nate Howard first visited, he made a grand discovery the people living there never knew. Well, actually a certain baseball player we know as Austin Engill, the number one overall pick in the 2296 CBO Inaugural Draft. Well, technically, another person made that discovery before Austin. OK, long story, short: there was a secret extra area to Vault 81.

Nate was the one who discovered that area and after killing off the venomous mole rats (who almost killed Austin Engill), Nate discovered a living, not-breathing resident in the extended vault. She goes by Marie Curie, and she owns the biotech company CURIE, Inc., which is the main sponsor of the Dwellers franchise.

Austin gave Nate a grand tour of the vault when he first arrived, including introducing him to the familiar atrium as seen below. Vault 81 was the type of vault Nate thought he, hs wife Nora, and his son Shaun would live in when they were ushered there the day the bombs fell, October 23, 2077. Instead, Nate ended up in a cryopod vault. He's alive now because of that vault, and there are rumors he also possesses some of the Cabots' mysterious serum, though he does not look younger than he did ten years ago. But, I digress. Like mentioned, Vault 81's atrium.



According to the Vault-Tec terminals, "Vault 81 is unique in that it is an active, functioning vault. The former overseer's terminal (stored in the generator room) reveals this success is not due to a more benign experiment (like with Vault 101), or simply being a control vault with no experiment (like with Vault 3), but rather because the original overseer actively sabotaged Vault-Tec's original mandate by refusing to conduct the experiments to fruition."

Vault 81 actually had one of the most advanced plans in all of the Vault-Tec world, at least as far as we know. You see, this Vault had "the purpose of developing a single, universal cure for every sickness that humanity could possibly suffer from, using the residents as human test subjects. The vault was divided into two separate areas; the main vault, where up to 96 residents would make their home for the foreseeable future, and the secret vault, where Vault-Tec scientists would conduct their research and observe the residents as they were unknowingly exposed to different diseases and cures. The diseases were released via propellant nozzles hidden within the resident's rooms. In the case of an evacuation of the vault, all main vault residents were to be incinerated with the same propellant nozzles."


Vault 81 - Apartment-style living without the radstorms

Well, not humane, per se, but the technology available here could mean the end to all known diseases. That is how the work of Marie Curie and clinic operator and owner of the Dwellers, Dr. Jacob Forysthe come in. They are a big deal in our medical advances, even beyond what the Institute has been able to discover about FEV.

Owner - Dr. Jacob Forsythe


Dr. Forsythe

Forsythe got acquainted with Nate Howard after Howard saved young Austin from a near-fatal encounter from some lab-created mole rats. Later Forsythe became acquainted with Nate's companion Marie Curie, whom he did not know lived merely feet away from him for many years. After Nate tamed the Commonwealth, Forsythe and Curie worked together researching deadly diseases and formulating treatments and cures, hoping to extend the lives of human wastelanders. Their research brought in a lot of caps for Vault 81, and Forsythe reinvested those caps in the Dweller baseball franchise.

One Cure for All

Curie is both a nod to famous scientist Marie Curie who helped to create this nuclear world we know in the 20th Century and an acronym for her original form as a researching nanny bot. The acronym is actually C.V.R.I.E., which stands for "Contagions Vulnerability Robotic Infirmary Engineer."

For Curie, she had bigger dreams to study the world, and Nate helped her, including transporting her into an organic brain-damaged synth at the Memory Den, made up of all the humanity she sought.

Before becoming a "human," "in 2204, Curie finished the broad-spectrum cure that would be capable of curing every pathogen developed and analyzed in the captive mole rats. She spent the remaining time scanning the same four walls over and over again, until [Nate arrived], allowing her to exploit a loophole in her programming and escape from the bondage of the vault."


Curie as a "human"

Curie continues her research, and every new medication she creates puts money into the Vault 81 coffers. Vault 81 is definitely a wealthy area, and it is a place thriving and continuing to expand, even if there is no more room for residents in the vault.

[OrangeP47]

Vault 81 is also one of my favorite places in the game (I feel like I say that about pretty much all locations though ) I like that it was an experimental vault, that, despite its original mandate, actually managed to come out of things as a somewhat normal community and an overall pleasant place to live, a rare bright spot on the otherwise dimness of the Wasteland.

Also surprised you didn't show both "before" and "after" with Curie, seeing as Bradberton seems to be heading on that trajectory of machine to man.

[StLee]

Originally Posted by OrangeP47

Vault 81 is also one of my favorite places in the game (I feel like I say that about pretty much all locations though ) I like that it was an experimental vault, that, despite its original mandate, actually managed to come out of things as a somewhat normal community and an overall pleasant place to live, a rare bright spot on the otherwise dimness of the Wasteland.

Also surprised you didn't show both "before" and "after" with Curie, seeing as Bradberton seems to be heading on that trajectory of machine to man.

The major reason I delayed featuring this settlement until 2297 is I could not find something I wanted: a mod that built up the abandoned vault section. I still could not find anything, nor a clean Vault 81. Anyway, this one was easier to do than some of the other "settlements" I want to write about, so I went with it.

For Curie, since she is currently in the synth state of being, I figured there is no official picture of her, though I do have pictures of how settlements looked before. If anyone who does not play the game wants to see more about Curie, they can go here: https://fallout.fandom.com/wiki/Curie