Fallout 4's Commonwealth Baseball Organization

[Tyke]

Looks good.

[PocketsAintFull]

I’m finally all caught up - love the style of this reporting & the endless Fallout 4 references

Let’s go Party Boys & Dwellers!

[StLee]

Originally Posted by PocketsAintFull

I’m finally all caught up - love the style of this reporting & the endless Fallout 4 references

Let’s go Party Boys & Dwellers!

Welcome to the Wasteland!

Unfortunately for me, I cannot yet choose my favorites. I want to see how the dice roll to see which storylines will come to mind and lead me on to favorite players and squads.

I am already finding myself especially attracted to the dynamics of Small Bertha vs Talia McGovern in Sunshine Tidings, as well as the jazzy lingo of the Atom Cats. Of course, the Diamond City Swatters play at my real-life favorite ballpark, so there's that to go along with future tournament plans.

Other teams that I will pull for early on include one of my favorite settlements, Starlight Drive-In, along with the Irish Cait and Nick Valentine duo there. Also, I think the Witch Hats and Knuckle Punchers are hilarious team nicknames.

[StLee]

Now that Spring Training is complete, teams can turn their attention to the regular season, a 60-game affair among individual leagues over 20 weekends from April through mid-August.

For the 2296 season, Nate Howard revealed to the Commonwealth and the CBO the dynamic assaultron that played a central role in helping the Railroad escape annihilation in its early days. That assaultron is P.A.M., or the Predictive Analytic Machine.



P.A.M. is a master of predictive analysis. Running the numbers, here is what P.A.M. had to say about the 2296 season.

"I was, am, and will most likely be P.A.M. Predictive Analytic Machine. All systems fully functional. Baseball token recognized. I provide first order approximations of the behaviors of all residents of the region designated Commonwealth. Rephrasing. I predict the future.

Rephrasing. I also provide first order approximations of the results of baseball of the league designated CBO. Commonwealth Baseball Organization. Nate Howard has reprogrammed this unit's new primary goal. He calls it the B.P.M. Baseball Prediction Model.

Processes reaching maximum capacity. Output only. User must fill in own conclusions. Data sustained. Accuracy is expected to reach better than 80%. Results printed. Recharge in progress. End transmission."

P.A.M.'s predictions in pictures. Diamond City Radio's analysis of those predictions in text below.

BROTHERHOOD LEAGUE



They both approached team building like they wanted to be champions, and in this inaugural season of the Commonwealth Baseball Organization, a two-way battle for the Brotherhood League is expected to be the highlight of their division. Among all divisions in the CBO, the BL is expected to be the second best division race behind the Minutemen League.

Finch Farm and The Slog are predicted to tie for the division title, with East Boston Prep on their heels. County Crossing, Salem, and Nordhagen Beach are not expected to be in the running for the division. Should the Four Leafs and Ghouls tie for the division lead, the winner of the tiebreaker would be expected to get the fourth seed in the Commonwealth Series tournament. The loser of the tiebreaker game would then be predicted as the sixth seed.

Offense is expected to rule throughout the Commonwealth, with Finch Farm left fielder Danny Honeycutt expected to get the nod as the league MVP. Along with the batting title, the Four Leafs’ Matt Pageturner is predicted to the top pitcher.

INSTITUTE LEAGUE



The Institute League is not expected to be much of a contest in the CBO. The real story is who will be second for the league.

Sunshine Tidings, which is run by the determined timidity of Talia McGovern and the brute strength of team sponsor Small Bertha, looks to have built the best top to bottom line up in the entire CBO. Running away with the division would earn the Chemists the number one overall seed in the Commonwealth Series tournament.

The second place team, which is also a playoff team in the end, will be the real question. Abernathy is slightly favored over Concord and Lexington in what should be a tight race. Based on expectations, the second place team would get the seventh seed in the Commonwealth Series tournament.

Despite the Chemists’ expectations to take the division, it’s the Radstags who are expected to walk away with the top awards in the IL. Left fielder Dan Erb is expected to take the batting crown, while reliever Burt Oldshoe is expected to be the league’s most dominant pitcher. Sunshine Tidings’ Tony Bertha, whom the team traded for in February to join his sister’s team, is expected to be the top starting pitcher.

MINUTEMEN LEAGUE



Like the Brotherhood League, the Minutemen League is expected to be a tight race, in fact, the tightest. This race happens to be a three-team show, while the other three teams can wait until next year.

Goodneighbor and Warwick are expected to tie for the division crown, with Quincy falling just a game behind. In other words, who knows what will happen? If the ML does fall the way it is predicted, the tiebreaker would make the winner the third overall seed in the Commonwealth Series tournament, while the runner-up would be the fifth seed.

The Atom Cats, Jamaica Plain, and University Point are all expected to tie for last place, all acting as nothing more than spoilers for the other three teams.

The Hancocks’ first baseman Bryan Assman is expected to beat out the Treasures’ first baseman Cody Flatt for the Most Valuable Player. On the mound, Mike Grille of Warwick is expected to be the most dominant pitcher, while Manny McDuff of the Gunners is predicted as the best starter.

RAILROAD LEAGUE



The Railroad League is another league expected to have a runaway winner, with Oberland expected to take the well-preserved pie. Like Sunshine Tidings, the T-51s are well put together, having few obvious weaknesses throughout their lineup. By far, they are expected to be the top offense, expecting to average about a run an inning.

Behind the T-51s, the other five teams are expected to be in a tight race for second place and the expected eighth seed in the Commonwealth Series tournament. Shaw HS and Vault 81 are currently predicted to finish tied for second, with Diamond City and Fairline Hill Estates predicted to be tied for fourth. Egret is predicted to take up the rear.

Knuckle Punchers’ right fielder Damani Beebe is predicted to be the top player in the league. The Swatters’ Ricky Six Pack is expected to win the pitcher award, while the Yao Guai’s Bow Rome is expected to be the top starter.

[StLee]

This Month in the CBO

News and Notes - Reports from around the Commonwealth

by Nat Wright-Kowalski

1 April 2296 – Quincy Trades Wegott, Pol for Oberland's Drinkwater

Quincy and Oberland reported that the Gunners have reached a deal sending 25-year-old LF Ryan Wegott and 24-year-old LF Pol Graham to the T-51s for 27-year-old 1B Brian Drinkwater.

1 April 2296 – Brawl Affects Opening Weekend

For the first weekend of the first season of the Commonwealth Baseball Organization, an incident between two players in the Railroad League may affect their teams to start the organization.

In a mixer at Fairline Hills Estate between the Yao Guai and Diamond City Swatters, a day before the two teams face off on the diamond, an incident cut the celebration short.

Fairline Hills Estate reliever Hercules Moss took exception to the young #2 starter for the Swatters, Mark Stuhlsatz, bragging about how he would “mow down the skinny bears like a bunch of bowling pins.” Moss approached Stuhlsatz and told him to “shut the [stuff] up.” Stuhlsatz responded by pushing Moss into a liquor table. Moss then punched Stuhlsatz and the melee was on.

Other players and personnel on each team kept their cool, breaking up the two.

There is no word yet on what will happen, but managers for each team expressed expectations of a short suspension, possibly for opening weekend. That would affect Diamond City more since Stuhlsatz is crayoned in as the #2 starter.

[StLee]

DCR – SALEM WITCH HATS (0-0) AT THE SLOG GHOULS (0-0)

WHAT TO KNOW

Salem is not expected to have a successful first season, with P.A.M. predicting the Hats at 28-32 in the Brotherhood League. They are expected to finish 5th in the league for runs scored (390) but lead the league in runs allowed (372). If they are scoring more runs than expected, the Witch Hats could be a contender for the division crown.

The Slog is predicted to finish 34-26 on the season in the BL, expected to match Finch Farm for the division win. There is something that seems to lift them ahead of any other team in the CBO: leadership. In order to find success, they will need to overcome the expectation that they are last in the BL in pitching. The Ghouls are expected to score 432 runs on the season, with 416 runs against them.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM SALEM

Expect the Witch Hats to rely on strong pitching to stay in the game. Outside of pitching, they will probably rely on the bats of 3B Pistol Schmidt and 1B Antonio Toeclaw.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE SLOG

Hits, hits, and more hits. Other than at the catcher position, every other starter has better than average expectations. The Slog is expected to average a league-best 7.2 runs per game. They will have to start off hot against the Witch Hats’ first two starters, but few of their games are expected to be low-scoring affairs.

KEY PLAYERS IN THE SERIES

SAL: Starting Pitching—Josh Hugs beat out first-round pick Terrance Artman for the ace position in the lineup, which bodes well for the one-two punch. The CBO is expected to be all about the bats, but the Witch Hats’ pitching staff may have what it takes to keep them in more games than predictions indicate.

SLOG: Killer Infield – With the combination of Millioncap Go at 1B, C.T. Woodard at 2B, Lernz Tentsleep at SS, and Stoop Bugwing at 3B, the Ghouls should have the best infield in the CBO. Go and Tentsleep are both young but natural-born leaders that should help keep the team balanced when things do not go their way.

PREDICTION: Despite the season predictions, we at DCR think the Witch Hats will start off faster than the Ghouls. Maybe they'll find a little magic, or maybe some frog guts, in their hats. Anyway, for the weekend...

Witch Hats Win 2 of 3

[StLee]

WRVR – CONCORD RADSTAGS (0-0) AT SUNSHINE TIDINGS CHEMISTS (0-0)

KNOW THE STARS

CON: LF Dan Erb – As the first-round pick, Erb seems to possess all the qualities needed in a top hitter. He has good bat control and can hit for power, which makes him a valuable hitter in the middle of the lineup. Concord has him batting second to help produce runs and drive in runs.

ST: SP Tony Bertha – The lefty ace has all around good tools that are expected to keep batters guessing. He has a fast windup and stretch, which gives batters little rest between pitches and keeps runners from getting a large start on the bases.

PLAYER VS PLAYER – GAME ONE LINEUPS AND STARTING PITCHERS



TEAM ANALYSIS

Concord is a young team expected to struggle at times. Reserve outfielder Thinker Brown is the oldest position player at 22. All three starting pitchers are 18 or younger, but the bullpen features six players over 30.

The Radstags’ long-term goal is to build a team that can stay together and gain a lot of wins. We will see how the chemistry holds up. Catcher Jim Carr and 2B Mike Armstrong have seemed to take on the leadership role, showing some compassion for other players’ needs.

Sunshine Tidings is expected to be the team of now, at least in the Institute League. Top-to-bottom, the Chemists seems to have the chemistry concocted they need to win it all. They are currently expected to win a league-best 39 games, which will put them at winning about two games every weekend.

There is little doubt that offense wins games in the CBO. While the Chemists are going to be in the run for top-scoring offense, there is little doubt that they will give up the fewest runs in the league. They are exprected to give up only 360 runs, while the second best through predictions is Lexington with 415, a difference of about one run per game.

PREDICTIONS

Game One: Radstags 8, Chemists 6

Game Two: Chemists 5, Radstags 2

Game Three: Chemists 11, Radstags 6

Full CBO Schedule

[PocketsAintFull]

Surely all 'Caps' could be sponsored by Nuka Cola?

[StLee]

Originally Posted by PocketsAintFull

Surely all 'Caps' could be sponsored by Nuka Cola?

I have contemplated throwing some logos on to the teams since many of them are sponsored. However, that would mean editing all uniforms!

Hmmm.... just brainstorming here. There will probably be a minor league in the future because I hate having edited 1000 names but only 600 play. When I make those uniforms, the parent team's sponsor may be the team name.

I didn't make Nuka-Cola a current sponsor although I was thinking of incorporating Nuka World in some way into this dynasty. I also have places like Atomatoys, Vim!, Slocum's Joe, Drumlin Diner, Red Rocket, and a few others I can't think of offhand that have life in this dynasty.

[Sizeman21]

Originally Posted by StLee

I have contemplated throwing some logos on to the teams since many of them are sponsored. However, that would mean editing all uniforms!

Hmmm.... just brainstorming here. There will probably be a minor league in the future because I hate having edited 1000 names but only 600 play. When I make those uniforms, the parent team's sponsor may be the team name.

I didn't make Nuka-Cola a current sponsor although I was thinking of incorporating Nuka World in some way into this dynasty. I also have places like Atomatoys, Vim!, Slocum's Joe, Drumlin Diner, Red Rocket, and a few others I can't think of offhand that have life in this dynasty.

I'm liking the sponsorship idea. Let us know what unfolds. Good work on this dynasty!

[StLee]

Originally Posted by Sizeman21

I'm liking the sponsorship idea. Let us know what unfolds. Good work on this dynasty!

Thanks! I am jotting down ideas, while still considering how I am going to present information in this league. I want neither the hot nor cold iguana soup; I want it just right. In other words, I am looking for a balance for me where I don't move too slowly nor too fast.

[StLee]

I think I have made some strides for organizing the future and keeping my story straight for the changes/additions. I also realized that I was confusing place names after I had a random event, so I went back and edited the proper name for the race track to Easy City Downs, not Easy Town Downs. However, I still like the nickname of Easy Town, so it will stay as you see in the story at the bottom of this post.

I also have figured out more how to incorporate the Far Harbor and Nuka-World stories a bit more, so I started writing storylines for those locations and factors.

There was one random event during opening weekend, so I rolled my dice and have that to report. I will just slip it into the end of this post so that I can recap the opening weekend's featured games and give some basic information for the rest.

It's time to get this 2296 season moving. I am curious to see how things will work out and how well P.A.M. did predicting the season from nothing to something! Posts coming this week!



Today in the CBO

News and Notes - Reports from around the Commonwealth

by Nat Wright-Kowalski

3 April 2296 – Terror in the Dark Terrorizes Pterror

Easy Town – Finch Farm reserve 1B Jared Pterror cannot remember the details, but a late-night attack has left him in an Easy Town clinic while his team visits East Boston Prep.

Rumors have swirled that Pterror, the Egret Scrappers’ 17th-round draft pick, was disappointed to hear he was not going to be on the active roster for the Four Leafs after being non-trade acquired. That decision came on Wednesday, just one day before the opening to the season. During the opening game, Pterror could be seen sitting on the end of the bench, not taking much interest in his team’s 4-3 win thanks to an RBI walk in the top of the ninth.

Although he joined the Four Leafs five days ago, he was only officially on the Four Leafs' roster yesterday, which could have been part of the influence in not playing him. Still, he openly showed his disappointment throughout the game.

After the game, while the Finch Farm team headed off to celebrate at a local bar, Pterror took a walk on his own near the shore. On that walk, a rogue feral ghoul reaver found Pterror. People nearby heard the screams as Pterror scuffled with the ghoul. Eventually, help arrived to put down the ghoul and help Pterror to a clinic.

Pterror refused to comment, but a clinic employee who refused to be identified said that he seemed depressed. That same employee said that there were multiple wounds over Pterror’s body that will require treatment for an infection. His return to the team will probably take some time.

[StLee]

The Confidence Man Minute with Travis Miles



This is a transcript from Travis Miles’ post-game sign off of Game Three of the DCR Series of the Week.

In my years, I have had few occasions to travel outside Diamond City. But, let me tell you, folks, I have had the most excitement in my life since I helped Nate Howard rescue Vadim Bobrov from a group of raiders almost ten years ago. There was also that encounter with Magnolia at the Third Rail, but, uh, well, uhm, we don’t need to talk about that right now.

What we do need to talk about is baseball, real live, just like Nate described it, baseball in the Commonwealth. This opening series between the Salem Witch Hats and The Slog Ghouls was more entertaining than Mayor MacCready on an eight-day whisky and glowing mushrooms bender. In the end, the home team wins two out of three to take the weekend series.

Millioncap Go of the Ghouls looks all the part that got the 17-year-old drafted 8th overall. He had 5 hits on the weekend, and two of them left the park at impressive Tarberry Fields Forever.

Salem may not have the same firepower as the Ghouls, but its first baseman Antonio Toeclaw was equally impressive. The 16-year-old, who was not picked until the 8th round, number 189 overall, had five hits of his own, with one homer and four runs batted in.

Back to Tarberry Fields Forever and the wonderful ghoul hosts here, I want to say thank you. I realize that some of the ghouls out this way used to live in or around Diamond City but were forced out by our former unfortunate mayor. To that, I want to say I am sorry. However, the hospitality in The Slog is out of this world. For whoever comes to visit the ball field, be sure to try out Sally Struthers’ Tarberry Tart Surprise Pie near the left-field bleachers. It is better than any other meathead pie out there!

Well, our first weekend is now in the proverbial burnt textbook. Here’s to next weekend when we at the DCR head to Shaw High School to watch the Knuckle Punchers take on the Egret Scrappers. For now, this has been “The Confidence Man Minute,” and this is the Confidence Man, Travis Miles, signing off.

[StLee]

It's a long, slow play, but I freakin' love that there was a brawl in the first-ever game of the league. It was not something I made up--it was right there in the box score. I probably won't post box scores other than maybe postseason games because it takes more time than I want to in stringing different screenshots together. If ever there were a way to move the box scores directly into posts, I would do it. For now, I will just edit the recaps and post those.

[StLee]

The Golden Shower with George, Anne, and Rex

G: Welcome to WRVR's "The Golden Shower." I'm your host George Cooper giving you a recap of the series we just saw between the Institute League's Concord Radstags and the host Sunshine Tidings Chemists. The Radstags take game three to avoid the series sweep, winning 6-2 today. Rex and Anne, what did you think?

A: I think the games this weekend were mesmerizing, George. I never knew I could have so much fun watching drama instead of writing and acting it. Am I right?

R: Indubitably, Anne. The ballclub of Concord and the ballclub of Sunshine Tidings Co-op were formidable battalions of warriors and the like. However, their form suggests that of a ballet, the swift jerks and diving leaps of legend.

A: And handsomeness. Don't forget handsomeness.

R: Indubitably.

G: We want to take a moment to give you a break down of the weekend's awards of top players and thank the people of Sunshine Tidings, including Mayor McGovern, for hosting us. We also want to thank the staff of Vim! Park for all of the delicious product.

A: Highly underrated! This was my first time having Vim! We need to get more of that stuff here. It was perfect with vodka.

R: Right you are, Anne. Right you are!

G: I'll let you start us off with your player of the series, Rex.

R: Yes, let's see here. The award I am handing out is for gamesmanship. Let's call it something simple like the Gamesmanship Award for the Young Man Who Most Exemplifies the Spirit and Integrity of the Game. And that award goes to . . .

G: Drum roll, please.

R: I'm, sorry but I haven't any drumsticks.

G: Well, you know, the drama. So, who is the winner, Rex?

R: Yes, right. The winner of the Gamesman, ah, the Young, the Spirit Award, is none other than John Parsons for the Sunshine Tidings Chemists. Although the young man did not see a minute of on-field action, he still leapt for joy as his team won and showed grandest of integrity by leading the post-game handshake line all three days, including today's losing effort. Therefore, he is the sportiest of sportsmen.

G: Thank you, Rex. Now your turn, Anne.

A: George, I'm going to call my award the Stud of the Week. This award goes out to a handsome man who shows his manliness of dominating the other team. Without a doubt, there was only one. He was Tony Bertha, the pitcher of Sunshine Tidings, who threw a shutout in his first start of the league. I would catch his pitches any day of the week.

G: Thank you for that, um, insight, Anne. And now I will hand out my award to the player that gave the most effort in all three games, the player I will just call the Outstanding Player of the Week. And that award goes to Jason Robinson, first baseman for Concord. Robinson had four hits on the weekend, including two home runs, so he is my choice for the award.

Well, Boston and the Commonwealth. You have been listening to the greatest broadcast west of the Charles River. Tune in on weeknights to hear Rex, Anne and I perform our very own radio dramas. We have also added a news show and we will give weekly breakdowns of the week in the CBO. Next week, we are traveling to Third Rail Stadium at South Boston High School to watch the Goodneighbor Hancocks take on the visiting Jamaica Plain Treasures.

Again, this has been "The Golden Shower" for WRVR's broadcast of the Commonwealth Baseball Organzation. This has been George Cooper, and for Anne Hargraves and Rex Goodman, we say good night.

Take us away, Roy Brown. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CURNBsE8TZQ

[PocketsAintFull]

Enjoyed the “play” there from WRVR! What’s the ‘Golden Shower’ reference?

[StLee]

Originally Posted by PocketsAintFull

Enjoyed the “play” there from WRVR! What’s the ‘Golden Shower’ reference?

I was thinking of some play on their role and golden radio and a Fallout-esque twist with a reference to golden showers which George, Anne, and Rex would not know anything about. Eh, I'm second-guessing the show name now!

I'm also second-guessing my game headline play on words with slay/sleigh radstags. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but then I didn't mention anything again in the story to not make me look like I just can't spell.

[StLee]

2296 Week 1 - The Week in Review

[Sizeman21]

I like the WRVR recaps. Good stuff there! League is off to a flyer! Keep it up StLee

[StLee]

Originally Posted by Sizeman21

I like the WRVR recaps. Good stuff there! League is off to a flyer! Keep it up StLee

Thank you so much for the kind words. I also saw your dynasty at the top of the list, so I looked through. I will definitely keep up and give my input. I love the inclusion of picture files and maps on yours and hope to gather some inspiration in your dynasty.

Right now I am multitasking with reading through dynasties and listening to my students' business presentations For the record, they did a great job, my best group of college sophomores, juniors, and seniors yet!