The Lokasi Elite League

[Ruwisc]

2023 Season Preview - Part 2

Interestingly, we did not see any of the newly promoted teams in the first batch, so they should all be at least respectable... right? Let's get to the first two right now:



SHUNNA MUNICIPAL
Shunna, XU
2022: 127-63 (1st place, Second League)
Seasons in EL: 20
Best finish: 6th (1995)
Payroll: $71.2 million (18th)

Shunna Municipal, usually just Muni, are owned and administered by the city of Shunna's government - imagine, if you will, that the District of Columbia owned the Nationals. Muni were relegated in 2021, but popped back up with relative ease. The long-term impact will be felt most acutely every time they play against city rivals National BC, because now-National star CF Solo Sipet left Muni following that relegation. As you would expect, the rest of the lineup has also changed a bit since we last saw them:

Lineup (16th):
CF Teyi Likoka - 3B Shakipe Lilo - SS Tilutsu Hofohe
RF Pilima Ayawetsi - LF Tae Hefie - 1B Hekewi Lymon
C Rina Kifusitu - 2B Tusehu Lolra

There are a few players here with long-term EL experience - I remembered Ayawetsi from his time with Fampalo, which I wouldn't do with a lot of Second League players. Hofohe was also a key EL contributor in his time with Akashemo (2017-21). The rest of the group resembles a sort of Second League All-Star team, with some good pieces and some not so good. 16th feels low-ish - I'd feel better trotting out this lineup than Sitache or Akashemo's position player groups, for example, and those were ranked higher.

Rotation (14th):
Shaho Reopo - Latsal Chatsol - Emi Kohopa - Okishira Ekulumapi - Nawin Posheni

Yeah, alright, this looks OK. By contrast, all of these guys were with Muni in their previous EL stint. Posheni will get a chance to prove himself until Toitu Sofiulo returns from injury - Posheni, despite being a 5-year pro, has only made 11 career starts, mostly being stashed on the reserve roster. Even still, he's better than most of the 5th starters we have seen so far.

Closer: Iraite Nisushi (7th)

Similar story here - Nisushi had a number of chances to elect free agency, but chose to ride it out on the Muni reserve roster from 2017-2021. He actually has just 3 career saves, but he looks great to me.

2023 prediction: 83-107 (15th)

I like Muni's chances of survival in their first season back - they seem to have actual reasons for optimism, unlike some of the teams in the previous post.



SEMYOF BC
Ransu, RA
2022: 118-72 (3rd place, Second League)
Seasons in EL: 31
Best finish: 1st (7 times)
Payroll: $97.1 million (10th)

I always equate Semyof to the Yankees, but with this period of struggle they might be more like Manchester United. Semyof were relegated kind of out of nowhere in 2019, having never finished below 13th in their entire history. A relegation has a pretty steep impact on the entire franchise, and now that they've yo-yoed back and forth from the 2L twice, does the name Semyof still mean anything? Hard to say.

Lineup (11th):
SS Potsomowe Shulitso - 1B Tosoro Merefife - RF Maho Tsimpese
2B Hoi Sekao - C Takmake Efiyalem - LF Rawa Tsaoyi
3B Lilo Pesekiya - CF Ekufa Yakom

Unusually for a promoted Second League team, most of the gang is back. Only Tsimpese was not with Semyof last year, enjoying a career-best campaign with Akashemo United in his contract year, and Semyof still got him for just $2 million for this year. The 5-8 hitters are all on their second promotion campaign with Semyof, having been here at least three years. This lineup doesn't have any game-changing talent, but the weak spots are not too weak, so they'll keep the line moving at least.

Rotation (8th):
Chasolo Latemohi - Tusehu Wamia - Saryesi Petsytapa - Tumi Malafa - Mafuke Yshetsea

Kind of a similar story here, no gamebreakers but everyone should be effective. Latemohi is the only one who was here with Semyof the last time around, and he's coming off a long-term injury suffered last June. Wamia and Malafa are second-year players who will be making their EL debuts, but probably have the juice. Yshetsea would have probably been the Opening Day starter for the Spirits before his trade here, which says something about both teams. Finally, Petsytapa makes his homecoming, returning to the club where he initially signed after 5 years with Lutrul. He was traded there for Ilye Lilo, who is still around Semyof at age 41, as the fourth outfielder.

Closer: Letsanie Shizechao (19th)

The bullpen will be a weakness for Semyof, and is why they're ranked as low as 14th while having pretty capable players elsewhere. Shizechao will make his EL debut, having recorded 159 saves over the previous 4 years in tier 3.

2023 prediction: 89-101 (14th)

Semyof could easily surprise and finish over .500, or they could crash and burn and be relegated again. Neither outcome is surprising.



SHUNNA EAGLES
Shunna, XU
2022: 78-112 (15th)
Seasons in EL: 22
Best finish: 2nd (2010)
Payroll: $100.0 million (9th)

There was a brief period where it looked like the Eagles could become the capital's premier team. Since being promoted in 2018, they had finished ahead of both National and Muni three years in a row, until National's big investment last offseason vaulted them all the way to 2nd place in 2022. At the same time, the Eagles' three straight mid-table finishes (11th, 9th, 10th) became 15th, and only three games ahead of the relegation zone. Will they rebound in 2023?

Lineup (14th):
2B Sawita Pichake - LF Takipuse Porafi - C Lakiru Shufaho
RF Okekola Narupu - 3B Silike Ruea - 1B Teriwoma Etoso
CF Pomi Peshti - SS Nynen Lila

The signing of Shufaho, 21, took a lineup that was supposed to be quite bad and made it respectable. All of these other guys have been with the Eagles a few years, so I bet team chemistry is quite good at least. If they can squeeze out some budget room, it would be worth looking at upgrades on the corner infield.

Rotation (5th):
Nimape Turetsotsa - Zhitao Imatsa - Okishira Shiyetsorisu - Pokoni Kofitsa - Kihase Myrokete

High floor - all five guys would pitch in almost any EL rotation. Toe Kachefe, probably the #3 starter when healthy, will miss almost the whole season with an elbow injury.

Closer: Relewe Skaki (20th)

Skaki is a "wild thing" sort of reliever, the type to be unfairly categorized as a head case when he really just can't control his fastball.

2023 prediction: 90-100 (13th)

13th is exactly where they belong, like, idealistically.



LUTRUL BC
Ransu, RA
2022: 88-102 (14th)
Seasons in EL: 18
Best finish: 1st (2011)
Payroll: $88.9 million (11th)

Lutrul has always been a forgettable team for me, which is interesting because they do have some of the EL's most intriguing players. Consistent middle-of-the-pack finishes will do that, though (between 13th-15th in each of the last 4 seasons), with so much focus usually placed on the top and bottom ends of the standings. And here they are near the middle again!

Lineup (9th):
3B Tyzhit Shosotsoke - SS Rair Felitsu - 1B Ilye Nofetso
2B Poem Meste - CF Ipitashi Rerawe - RF Tsosotal Mpetu
C Otsiku Kiwarshi - LF Sil Nokolo

This is the first lineup we're previewing that I would call "actually good". I have compared Ipitashi Rerawe to Mike Trout in the past, and he seems to be following that comparison up by trying to recreate Mike Trout's injury history, but when healthy this is still one of the league's elite hitters. He might be passing on the mantle of team leader to Ilye Nofetso, though. If I needed a similar comp for Nofetso, I might compare him to Elly de la Cruz - a physical marvel who does everything loud and, though he might not be a long-term shortstop, isn't it a wonder that he ever played there at all?

Rotation (17th):
Shykim Felitsu - Uriyoko Tselsiko - Rani Natochaku - Lasoshela Tymuwe - Tuwafo Tui

None of these five pitchers really stand out all that much. Felitsu would be considered one of the worst Opening Day starters, though Tymuwe would be among the better 4th starters. Natochaku is a 16-year-old rookie about to debut - he throws three different fastballs and that's it, which is an interesting repertoire.

Closer: Sosytse Yileina (16th)

Last year's closer, Mocheu Mishe, has transferred down to the 4th tier Southern Super League, and Yileina is the best of what remained. A perfectly capable reliever who was formerly a starter at Amnanache.

2023 prediction: 93-97 (12th)

Seems about right - Lutrul's offensive star power will keep them from taking too many Ls.



KUPORE BC
Somno, KL
2022: 96-94 (9th)
Seasons in EL: 18
Best finish: 4th (2002)
Payroll: $78.8 million (16th)

Another beacon of consistency - finished between 7th and 10th place for five straight seasons. Kupore is closing in on a full decade of uninterrupted EL play (this being year 9), something the club has never done before. At the same time, I think this year's Kupore team is a bit weaker than in years past, and you can already see they're being forecast to drop to 11th.

Lineup (13th):
SS Hekewi Ruicho - RF Neare Felorasa - 3B Koraralu Fatsi
LF Takipuse Shihoe - C Losaka Mokepie - 2B Eka Mote
1B Pifipyku Metseto - CF Tseteche Yalai

Weakened by the losses of 1B Fomo Tirma (signed with Sitache) and RF Selo Sisilu (traded to Aroketsil Spirits). 2-3 years ago, Kupore was a team with a poor pitching staff carried by its elite lineup - now, the pitching is not as bad, but the lineup looks quite a bit worse.

Rotation (15th):
Rattio Ayawetsi - Sleta Chulosaleta - Like Seafofis - Lekami Riatsu - Syshawe Pukiremo

Chulosaleta is now at his 4th club in 4 years, and is only on a 1-year contract here as well after moving on from Amnanache and Keleri quite quickly - he seems to be disliked in the clubhouse. Personally, I would rate this rotation as worse than Lutrul's, but it's not the league's worst by a long shot.

Closer: Sosuo Lotechosa (13th)

Part of an ongoing strategy to balance out their roster, Lotechosa was acquired from Motech BC, where he had 59 saves in 2022 in an effort that saw them win promotion from tier 5 to 4's Northern Super League. The rest of the bullpen looks to be quite bad - this could be a frustrating team to watch.

2023 prediction: 94-96 (11th)

OOTP predicts Kupore will remain right around at their previous level, which I'm not so sure about. Is their place in the EL at risk? Maybe not, but I think a dip is to be expected.

[Ruwisc]

2023 Season Preview - Part 3

We're starting to get up near the cream of the crop, but there's a big surprise in this group - a promoted team, making their EL debut, all the way up here?



AMNANACHE BC
Ransu, RA
2022: 94-96 (10th)
Seasons in EL: 27
Best finish: 2nd (1999, 2000)
Payroll: $121.1 million (7th)

The Elite League's most stylistically distinct team, you know what you're getting with Amnanache - one of the best pitching staffs in the world, and a lineup that looks like it belongs to a completely different caliber of team. The team is certainly tailored to its ballpark - one that isn't really a pitchers' park overall, but suppresses home runs substantially with its cavernous outfield (that still allows a lot of doubles and triples). If you're a Royals fan, then it's an awful lot like Kauffman is (was?).

Lineup (19th):
CF Kikae Rueara - LF Toliwe Hokuta - 2B Peche Iyikio
1B Tsepetsi Rolei - RF Wupu Kafotse - SS Emi Sesotu
3B Mare Sikiura - C Yatil Rima

Iyikio looks to be a homegrown star in the making, a bat-first 2B who uses his speed to leg out tons of doubles (54 of them last year). Rolei is pretty reasonable protection, and that's about all that's nice to say. They're trying, at least - Hokuta and Kafotse were offseason trade acquisitions in which Amnanache gave up decent pitchers - it's just not there right now.

Rotation (2nd):
Laotso Tirionu - Epencho Latsychano - Tsai Reyolafa - Kafaki Kohopa - Chatiri Mer

There's the good stuff. The top three are all bona fide studs. Latsychano is the fireballer and Reyolafa is the workhorse, while Tirionu combines both skillsets and is also the youngest of the 3 by four years. Kafaki Kohopa is a name worth looking out for, having spent the last few years as a blocked prospect he has yet to make his debut at age 19.

Closer: Teyumpu Riali (7th)
Most teams would like to have any one of Amnanache's top 6 relievers at the back end of their bullpen, absolutely stacked.

2023 prediction: 94-96 (10th)

Same predicted record as Kupore, but with a better projected run differential. What a weird team these guys always are!



MEKA BC
Meka, TA
2022: 122-68 (2nd, Second League)
Seasons in EL: Debut
Best finish: n/a
Payroll: $60.5 million (20th)

Meka are blazing a trail no one has blazed before in this country. Meka, the town, is in east-central Talor, near the border with Holo, and it is now the smallest municipality ever to house an Elite League team, by quite a wide margin. The previous smallest, another current EL locale in Akashemo, is Lokasi's 56th-largest city with just over 100,000 inhabitants. Meka is Lokasi's 345th-largest city, with only 14,000 residents!

They're likely to be the "Team of the West" this year with Hokrof relegated, pulling in fans from close-by smaller cities like Tsatsaye and Lishiketi, as well as plenty of visits from the bigger western cities like Kepits and Rohikro.

Lineup (8th):
2B Lesafe Tsewayo - 3B Onako Otsu - LF Kiosho Shipeyo
1B Soralone Popa - SS Chorusho Paweshono - RF Tiu Apylsho
CF Teyumpu Hifla - C Lilo Kotsypoti

A few players with EL experience, but overall solid even for those that don't. Otsu is a veteran glue guy who played 3 years for Fampalo from 2012-14, leading the EL in hits in 2014. Shipeyo was supposed to be a lineup fixture for Muni in 2021, but tore his MCL in April and opted out after they were relegated. The top hitter might be Tsewayo, who led the Second League in RBI, doubles, and triples last season and also went 40/40 to boot. He has also played in the EL, but a long time ago - a not-very-good stint with the Yoho Bears as a teenager from 2013-15.

Rotation (12th):
Fum Pese - Katelo Measi - Fofi Killo - Niwefe Kafotse - Ouler Resino

Pese was a big get for a promoted team, the 2nd-highest-rated amateur signee pitcher in his class. He is a weird guy to face, a sidearmer who can also touch 95 on the gun. It's a good thing they got him, because this would be one of the league's weakest rotation otherwise. There will be a lot of eggs in the Fum Pese basket. Rymetu Yelishike will miss most of the season with a torn rotator cuff - he'd otherwise fight with Measi for the #2 spot.

Closer: Shekirir Merefife (18th)

The bullpen as a whole will be a weak spot for Meka - the back end of the bullpen is not where you'd want it to be. OK depth, with a lot of serviceable arms and no game-changers.

2023 prediction: 95-95 (9th)

For a team in Meka's position, finishing .500 would be a great achievement. They can do it, but big things are needed from Pese and the top half of the lineup.



BK KEPMEM
Kiwa Punem, ME
2022: 104-86 (7th)
Seasons in EL: 13
Best finish: 7th (2022)
Payroll: $78.6 million (17th)

Kepmem have become fixtures of the league, achieving their highest ever placement in 2022 and securing a full dozen's worth of years in the top flight. (Previously they'd spent just one season in the EL, a last-place finish in 1996.) They had finished between 14th and 17th in 7 of the previous 8 years, so it wasn't all smooth sailing. It's good that they're here, I like for Menmako to have some representation in the elites of the baseball world.

Lineup (5th):
RF Roshana Pishot - 1B Lesayo Kino - LF Faruo Ayekrea
3B Kala Koshynae - SS Nekafe Natso - 2B Oshor Ramukosho
C Towi Pylashe - CF Takmake Kynkan

You might have noticed that in the Top 5 by position, 3 Kepmem players rank #1 at their positions - Pishot, Ayekrea, and Koshynae - and Natso is a top-5 shortstop. So how is this not the league's best lineup? Well, the bottom of the lineup is just as noticeable. Kepmem got a combined -8.8 WAR from the catcher and CF positions last year (yes, that is a negative number). Neither Pylashe nor Kynkan were here last year, but neither still are they improvements. Kynkan in particular was signed about 3 weeks ago, and was a below-average hitter in tier 4 last season. The team's lower payroll has a lot to do with those deficiencies.

The Kepmem lineup depends very heavily on where in the lineup you're leading off, I guess to say. They very well might be the league's 5th best offense in spite of all that.

Rotation (19th):
Teshepo Tefasa - Ihuna Cheyeo - Rani Chamloha - Isishe Reto - Suwet Shosotsoke

The top 3 are all OK, and the 18-year-old Tefasa has room to grow, so I was about to question why they were ranked 19th. Reto and Shosotsoke are both bullpen converts from last season, and neither is going to inspire much confidence in Kepmem fans, having also both been sub-replacement level.

Cheyeo comes over from Keleri, and Chamloha from Lutrul, so at least they understand the problem.

Closer: Tatso Teshihoche (14th)

Pretty standard-looking bullpen. Teshihoche moves into the closer's role after impressing across 90 appearances in the setup role. He definitely has closer stuff.

2023 prediction: 96-94 (8th)

Kepmem have too many stars to actually be bad (barring injury), but too many black holes to actually be good.



PASATAKI GALAXY
Pasataki, ZA
2022: 116-74 (3rd)
Seasons in EL: 23
Best finish: 3rd (2022)
Payroll: $113.0 million (8th)

Tsawemoko is the nation's 2nd-most-populous state, and Tenshemaho its 2nd-largest city; yet Tenshemaho is unrepresented in the Elite League, and the Galaxy represent the entire state. Pasataki is still quite a large city in a built-up area, with about 1.1 million people in just the city proper, but this is as if MLB had only one team from California, and it was the Giants.

The Galaxy also achieved a new franchise-best finish in 2022, and must be disappointed to find themselves predicted outside the top 5.

Lineup (4th):
RF Timleni Chanesha - CF Yaropatso Kesia - 2B Apia Lela
1B Wia Merefife - C Repimi Cholomu - SS Wyku Tofpalts
3B Fosusha Hakoheso - LF Tsata Mote

Not the league's very best lineup (I'll agree with the predictor's choice of Keleri) but maybe the next-best after that. No holes in this group at all, with even #8 hitter Mote being pretty solid. Tofpalts was a big get from Fampalo to replace the departed Atsi Keana, and Hakoheso was signed from the Aroketsil Canaries so that Nofuelo Kisami could return to the bench role that better suits him.

Hard to say where the Galaxy would be without Apia Lela at this point - this time last year, he was still a free agent, joining the team on March 5, but still managed to be worth 10 wins.

Rotation (10th):
Aro Ipo - Chiap Pake - Siut Rusipyfa - Cheteko Epofemi - Ilanesu Koksa

Another big signing from up north, with Aro Ipo maybe being the best available free agent pitcher. Pasataki badly needs him to avoid the long-term injury that ended his time with Sitache last June, the depth is not great.

Last year's Opening Day starter, Shotse Chyliwo, has moved to the bullpen & doesn't seem to be thrilled about it.

Closer: Lisou Nikera (11th)

The bullpen overall should rank better than 11th, this is Nikera's ranking. He has racked up 172 saves over the past 3 1/2 years since being acquired, though (1 of those years in the Second League).

2023 prediction: 103-87 (7th)

Feels low, in terms of a win total at least - this has the feel of a 110-win club at least.



CHESHEK BC
Ransu, RA
2022: 101-89 (8th)
Seasons in EL: 26
Best finish: 6th (2016)
Payroll: $129.2 million (6th)

Cheshek is pretty much a guarantee to appear in this section of the preview in this era, having now finished 8th three years in a row. One surprising stat from a crowded field of teams representing Ransu: 2022 was the first season in the EL era in which Cheshek ranked as high as 2nd in their home city! Having outpaced Amnanache for the first time in a while, they were only behind Tsapna among Ransu teams.

Lineup (10th):
SS Ketso Kofmi - RF Manna Tyheshina - 1B Syshawe Arachihe
CF Tukefa Atswue - 2B Memerri Kiresho - C Pusituli Fomochi
LF Poem Solicha - 3B Memomo Fakuwi

An older lineup. Aside from the wunderkind Arachihe (17), all these guys are at least 26, which is a rarity in Lokasi terms as players tend to peak younger than we're used to. That seems to reinforce that this will be Arachihe's team going forward, as last year's amateur free agent prize put up a 6-win season and still shows signs of further heights.

Rotation (4th):
Tosolefi Loap - Kimyu Nele - Risei Late - Pilau Rima - Sharasa Tsuwalu

Almost a totally new rotation in one offseason. Loap comes over from Semyof, while Nele and Tsuwalu come up from 2L clubs. Late made a big jump from the Mokayoron Raiders of the Central Championship (tier 7), where he averaged a 0.84 ERA across the last six seasons. Tsysi Fatsi, a 4th-year starter, will miss most of the season with an elbow injury, but slides into the 4 or 5 spot when healthy.

Closer: Chysho Sofiulo (8th)

Sofiulo and setup man Etateshe Kekok, brought in from Keleri and National respectively, will anchor this bullpen. The backing cast is not that strong, but not a disaster waiting to happen either.

2023 prediction: 107-83 (6th)

If I had to put money on a particular placement, another year in 8th for Cheshek sounds pretty good to me.

[Ruwisc]

2023 Season Preview - Part 4

The final 5 teams to preview - it's time for the big guns, as well as one team that's expected to be a big surprise.



TSAPNA BC
Ransu, RA
2022: 113-77 (4th)
Seasons in EL: 31
Best finish: 2nd (1999, 2000)
Payroll: $149.6 million (3rd)

Tsapna's streak of 5 straight top-3 finishes came to an end, or maybe it just became a streak of 6 straight top-4 finishes. There's not all that much to talk about with this team, because nearly everyone is back, with only one major amateur signing and a couple of minor trades affecting the team at all.

Lineup (6th):
RF Ri Tashete - CF Chiati Rolei - 2B Lawori El
LF Uoro Toyerno - 1B Safishi Ifata - 3B Pomi Mawotsi
SS Kysatse Nysotof - C Nak Fatohatse

Uoro Toyerno is the amateur in question, having just turned 17 a couple of weeks before opening day. Still a good amount of developing to do, but Tsapna seem content to have that development happen in the Elite League. The team did acquire SS Kotsimare Wamia and C Sute Ninichu in trades, and both looked like upgrades over Nysotof and Fatohatse, respectively, but Tsapna is sticking with the veterans for the time being.

Rotation (3rd):
Mua Wyranu - Lomunu Awia - Setsinak Perano - Soitu Chesashomo - Tupae Epofemi

Previous ace Sefti Merefife has left for Westline, but this was in the running for the league's best rotation a year ago and they're still not far off. Perano missed most of last season to injury, leading Chesashomo to step in as a rookie and perform reasonably well. Popi Toyerno is also expected back in June, though whether he goes into the rotation or the bullpen will depend on how these five are doing.

Wyranu and Awia are basically a buddy cop movie at the top of the line. Wyranu is the young fireballer, 22 years old, who will contend to lead the league in strikeouts, while Lomunu Awia is the crafty lefty, 32, with 4 Pitcher of the Year awards already on his shelf.

Closer: Maho Narupu (5th)

Really great bullpen - might actually be the team's best unit. One great weapon is lefty sidearm-throwing 17 year old Fumiecho Hakoheso, who should be able to come in and dominate a left-handed batter in a key spot (this league system does not utilize the 3-batter minimum).

2023 prediction: 110-80 (5th)

Tsapna have an interesting mix of grizzled old vets and young guns. I don't really expect a championship, but the top 5 streak seems highly likely to continue.



NATIONAL BC
Shunna, XU
2022: 127-63 (2nd)
Seasons in EL: 31
Best finish: 2nd (2012, 2022)
Payroll: $141.5 million (4th)

Every year, it seems like one team spends big and really goes for a championship throughout the offseason despite not really being "ready" for it. Last offseason, that team was National. Looking back at last season's previews, you'd see that they were predicted to jump all the way from 13th in the EL to 1st, and while that didn't actually happen, they exceeded the win total that OOTP had predicted for them. It was just that Mighty Oaks went much further above their prediction.

Lineup (3rd):
LF Kiowu Rorale - SS Anesa Mikesash - CF Solo Sipet
RF Pumona Kakosuta - 3B Pelik Yelishike - 1B Kashuma Rehefeo
2B Keaye Apylsho - C Chafosu Seshate

A more playable version of the "stars-and-scrubs" model that I talked about in BK Kepmem's preview. The top 5 are elite, among the best in the world at their positions. Sipet in particular has all the talent in the world, and just needs to stay on the field. (2022 was a good start, managing to play in 170 games of 190.) Rehefeo and Seshate are average hitters, at least: not what you expect to see at a team of this caliber, but OK, with Rehefeo also being the 2-time defending Gold Glove winner at 1B. The only real weak spot is at 2nd, where Apylsho and Note Tipako will split time.

Rotation (6th):
Lohy Awia - Santa Ketitu - Tacha Rinuka - Latsal Awia - Chashe Shoshau

A low-floor high-ceiling rotation. Lohy Awia is a former Pitcher of the Year (2020) while Ketitu finished 2nd last year. Rinuka is solid, and cheap due to being a late bloomer, and still on his rookie contract at age 24. Shoshau and Latsal Awia are the wild cards - both yet to make a professional start, but with the skills to pay the bills... theoretically.

Closer: Fapasile Opopa (1st)

Opopa stepped up from a lower league into the closer's role last season and performed quite well, logging 40 saves and a sub-2 ERA. One of the league's few 100-MPH throwers, he can still pinpoint those fireballs reasonably well. The bullpen is not elite as a unit, but it's good. They'll miss setup man Etateshe Kekok, who went to Cheshek.

2023 prediction: 112-78 (4th)

If National want to win it all this year, they'll need the pitching staff to be more than it's supposed to be. That's not impossible, but it's unlikely.



MIGHTY OAKS BC
Aroketsil, KX
2022: 132-58 (1st)
Seasons in EL: all 33
Best finish: 1st (7 times)
Payroll: $182.8 million (1st)

The Oaks have become the first team to win three straight titles since the Semyof five-year streak in the first five years of EL play (1991-95). There was talk of a three-peat "curse" going around, given that Keleri had won two consecutive championships 4 times in that period, and the Oaks had done it once, without ever capturing a third.

Lineup (7th):
3B Netomue Kilutsa - LF Tula Misha - RF Peyaka Sefenera
1B Somp Awia - C Metsifu Olufapo - CF Nasi Salama
2B Mashual Rikokira - SS Tsorope Mametsiu

7th doesn't feel right, despite the clear deficiencies at CF and SS. Sefenera did take a step back in 2022 from his MVP season of 2021, but that's pretty common for MVP winners I suppose. A lot of really great defenders in this bunch, which might explain the gap - they're expected to score the 7th most runs, but probably will be better than the 7th-best position player group.

Rotation (7th):
Notsimi Feshasu - Kiosho Epofemi - Palfa Ninelhepi - Siteno Aefep - Talese Yelishike

This group has lost a step compared to last year. Epofemi and Aefep are coming off of long-term injuries, and Epofemi, Ninelhepi and Yelishike are all getting a little bit on the older side. Luckily, they have Notsimi Feshasu, the unanimous Pitcher of the Year winner in 2022. Tytsi Sofiulo, who made 101 starts for the Oaks over the past four seasons, was forced into retirement by injury, which could prove to be a big loss; or they could be fine, as they were in the last two months of last season.

Pecho Tsytemoi, acquired in a trade from Fampalo in December, is available to move out of the bullpen should anyone falter.

Closer: Autsu Sikiura (3rd)

Three different relievers were signed away from Keleri in free agency - Tsisa Onetatsa, Ifula Lolepechi, and Tsarase Tsofonisi, who should become an important late-inning option. Should be a top-class bullpen.

2023 prediction: 120-70 (3rd)

The Oaks were better last year than they were supposed to be, winning it all again. I don't think I can pick against them until somebody shows it can be done.



KELERI BC
Hefem, EM
2022: 112-78 (5th)
Seasons in EL: all 33
Best finish: 1st (12 times)
Payroll: $150.0 million (2nd)

5th place is almost uncharted territory for Keleri - it had been since 2013 that they had finished that low in the standings. In fact, the last five years have been 1st-2nd-3rd-4th-5th. Keleri still have not finished lower than 6th since the EL's inaugural season in 1991, though, so if you're expecting the bottom to drop out you're in the wrong place. More changes in the offseason than a Keleri team typically has, though this team will be elite as usual, and in fact, looks to have improved.

Lineup (1st):
2B Mapisiu Kohopa - CF Rarehimi Pohyfe - SS Atsi Keana
1B Ouler Tuemole - RF Shatso Reseke - 3B Meteshu Tsefufayalo
LF Lesayo Sofiulo - C Asasu Finyotsi

The infield/top of the lineup has been completely remade, with Kohopa making his Elite League debut coming up from 4th-tier Pitste and Tuemole coming over from relegated Hokrof BC. The big get, though, is Atsi Keana, formerly of Pasataki Galaxy, on a 5-year deal. Catcher is the one position that has definitely downgraded; Tupae Pufosa is a big loss, having gone to Fampalo, and Finyotsi comes over having been the backup to Metsifu Olufapo with the Oaks last year.

All eight players in the lineup are at least average EL hitters for their position, and Keleri is the only team that can say that.

Rotation (9th):
Kes Nokolo - Shaltseri Kalorotiha - Akosho Youti - Machechohy Yoshesi - Yirowe Wulowai

This is much shakier than the lineup, mainly relying on a youth movement. Nokolo, as mentioned previously, is the most highly-anticipated rookie in the league this season, and Kalorotiha is just in his 2nd year, with a good rookie year in his rearview mirror. Shykim Rekute will miss the first half of the season due to injury, so the elder statesman, 38-year-old Yirowe Wulowai, who quite literally was pitching at a high level before Nokolo was born, was brought in.

Closer: Toe Teshelo (2nd)

This is the league's best bullpen, and I think by a lot. There are 7 relievers back there who would probably be the closer for more than half of the Elite League. Teshelo coming over from Amnanache is probably overkill, I would've tried to spend that money on a starter (for all I know, they did do that).

2023 prediction: 126-64 (2nd)

If the young rotation pieces live up to the hype, they will win the title. I think it's as simple as that.



WESTLINE BC
Ransu, RA
2022: 88-102 (13th)
Seasons in EL: 26
Best finish: 1st (1999)
Payroll: $139.2 million (5th)

Oh, we haven't done Westline yet? That's weird. Having been promoted in 2021, and finishing a respectable 13th last year, the Westliners opened up the checkbooks this offseason, signing everyone they possibly could. It's been a while since they were elite, but they do have that history, winning the 1999 championship on a tiebreaker with Amnanache and finishing in the top 4 each year from 2003-2008.

Lineup (2nd):
LF Chatiri Shosotsoke - RF Nina Mukuapi - 2B Nukacholo Riseki
1B Wyshuo Aliso - C Epencho Posheni - SS Atel Chirao
CF Saryesi Sifoku - 3B Chop Riwihy

Mukuapi and Chirao have been here since the Second League days, and Aliso/Posheni were here last year, but it's quite a face-lift. Chatiri Shosotsoke is a highly-touted rookie, with afterburner speed and who looks like he could honestly hit .400 someday; Riseki was probably the best player in the Second League last year; Sifoku has never played in the EL, but has nearly 400 pro home runs despite being 24 years old; and Riwihy is a great complementary lineup piece, not the best #8 hitter in the league but close.

Rotation (1st):
Tula Mitonone - Sefti Merefife - Kwukasho Awia - Tune Chuotsa - Hoi Rerawe

Similarly, only two of these pitchers were at Westline last year. Mitonone is one of them, and is expected to take the leap forward into PoY contention, while Sefti Merefife actually won the PoY two years ago while with Tsapna. Kwukasho Awia is another highly-regarded rookie, although he looks to be less developed than Shosotsoke is in left. Chuotsa and Rerawe are not as strong, although the rotation will be further bolstered when Misote Tsumeratsi returns from injury in early May.

I don't think this is actually the league's best rotation, but it will be a pretty good unit. The top 2 rival any other team's top 2.

Closer: Chiamo Wirilen (15th)

Wirilen had a pretty bad season with Hokrof last year, but I chalk it up to a .340 BABIP. I don't think he's a bottom-half closer at all. The rest of the bullpen will be pretty good, with another intriguing rookie in Tsiteyne Yelishike lined up for the 7th-inning role.

2023 prediction: 129-61 (1st)

Overall, OOTP predicts Westline to be this year's title team, and I'm surprised to find myself saying that it could happen. Am I going to pick Westline myself... no. But they are definitely the team that made the biggest offseason improvement, by miles and miles.

[Ruwisc]

2023 Season Preview - Final Prep

Enough of what the game predicts will happen, I want to put my cards on the table and guess the standings of the 2023 EL - not in terms of W-L record, just in order. Hopefully at the end of the year, I remember to revisit this and see how well I did. I'll also predict the big awards.

My Predicted Standings
1. Keleri BC
2. Mighty Oaks BC
3. Tsapna BC
4. National BC
5. Westline BC
6. Pasataki Galaxy
7. BK Kepmem
8. Amnanache BC
9. Cheshek BC
10. Semyof BC
11. Lutrul BC
12. Shunna Eagles
13. Kupore BC
14. Meka BC
15. Aroketsil Spirits
16. Shunna Municipal
17. Otahel City
18. Akashemo United
19. Fampalo BC
20. Sitache BC

Really hard to decide on the relegation zone. Well, not the bottom two, but really hard to decide on an 18th-place team. I don't really want any of them to go down!

For MVP, Pitcher of the Year, and Reliever of the Year, I'm going to constrain myself to try to pick someone who's never won the award before. That could make me wrong automatically, but it'll be fun.

MVP: Atsi Keana, SS, Keleri - I'm going to bet on him staying healthy all year.

Pitcher of the Year: Laotso Tirionu, Amnanache - one of these years he has to win it.

Reliever of the Year: Fapasile Opopa, National - mostly lived up to the hype last year despite not placing in the top 3 of this award.

-------------------------------------------------

That'll do it for the 2022-23 offseason, next post will have the first set of games. And we're starting off with some great matchups: National vs. Galaxy in round 1, and the two Ransu favorites (Tsapna/Westline) in round 2, plus a legacy matchup in Oaks/Semyof and an intriguing Amnanache/Keleri faceoff as well.

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

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

[Ruwisc]

Week 1: March 1-12, 2023

I've never expanded on this too much, but in the fiction of the Lokasi republic, the people observe a 12-day week. That was done in part because I knew I wanted a season full of 5-game series & wanted it to make sense, but it was also just an idea that I thought was fun. In a given week, the baseball schedule is divided up in such a way that the first 7 days are allotted to the first series, and the second series is played through the final 5 days of the week.

There is just one EL game on the first night of each week, which becomes one of the country's marquee TV events - the Monday Night Football of this country. Those teams have day 2 off while the rest of the league opens their series. There is another off day scheduled for each team in the first part of the week, split between days 4, 6, and 7 of the week. Everyone plays on day 5 because the cultural standard is for that to be a midweek day off of work. These obviously don't align with the standard days of the week that we all use here, so the calendar always looks a little uglier than I want it to!

Opening Night
Meka 3 - 4 Otahel City

Meka: 2B Tsewayo, 3B Otsu, LF Shipeyo, 1B Popa, SS Paweshono, RF Apylsho, CF Hifla, C Kotsypoti, P Pese
Otahel City: SS Pipasu, RF Posheni, 3B Otukatsa, 1B Toyerno, C Salama, CF Shocheye, LF Petosa, 2B Faseltsa, P Neyopet
W: Shewahyso Tsasale (1-0) L: Tewi Imatsa (0-1) S: Turoa Roshirmi (1)

Meka were welcomed into the Elite League for the first time. The opening game is chosen totally at random, as OOTP is wont to do, but this was an excellent choice, in theory. In practice, it was a strange, back-and-forth game. Both starting pitchers left the game due to injury in the second inning, so each team ended up using five pitchers to get through the night.

Kiosho Shipeyo hit the first Elite League HR in Meka's history with two out in the top of the first, then after a two-out rally tied the game for Otahel in the 2nd, relief pitcher Mekoto Neruse hit a long home run to dead center, tying the game leading off the 3rd. It was actually his 11th career home run in just his 5th professional season - formerly a lower-league starter, he's evidently a pretty strong hitter by pitcher standards.

An RBI double from Meka's Chorusho Paweshono tied it back up in the 4th, and they retook the lead 3-2 on a homer from Lilo Kotsypoti, but Otahel would grab the lead for good in the 6th inning. When Meka's Tewi Imatsa was injured pitching, leaving with two on, nobody out, Enle Temyl could not stop the inherited runners from scoring on a Toyerno sac fly and Salama RBI single. Meka went 9-up, 9-down against the strong Otahel bullpen from there.


Round 1:
...National 2-3 Pasataki - 9-10, 5-2(11), 3-4, 8-11, 6-0
.....Semyof 3-2 Akashemo - 2-4, 5-3, 0-5, 7-2, 6-5
....Sitache 2-3 Tsapna - 8-3, 7-4, 0-4, 2-6, 1-16
....Fampalo 0-5 Amnanache - 3-10, 1-3, 3-5, 6-11, 1-2
.....Keleri 1-4 Muni - 1-2, 0-3, 8-1, 5-7(11), 1-9
..Sh.Eagles 3-2 A.Spirits - 11-4, 10-1, 1-11, 6-7(10), 2-1
...Westline 2-3 Kupore - 3-5, 4-2, 4-5(10), 5-4, 8-9
....Cheshek 4-1 Lutrul - 3-1, 7-4, 8-6(11), 7-0, 4-5
.......Meka 2-3 Otahel City - 3-4, 2-5, 1-0, 10-11, 5-2
..BK Kepmem 2-3 Mighty Oaks - 1-6, 6-1, 1-10, 6-4, 4-7


Shunna Municipal 3, Keleri 0: well, that didn't take long. In game 2 of the season, Keleri SS Atsi Keana had to leave the game with back spasms. He's expected to miss a month.

This was part of the most surprising series result of round 1, Muni taking 4 of 5 from the team I picked to win it all. They also staged a 9th-inning comeback in the 4th game to tie it at 5, leading to SS Tilutsu Hofohe's walkoff home run.

Pasataki Galaxy 4, National 3: Keana isn't the only star shortstop with injury woes, as National SS Anesa Mikesash broke his foot in this game & will be out a few weeks at least.

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


Westline 8, Tsapna 4: Tsapna SP Mua Wyranu was knocked around by Sitache in his first start, and in this one his season comes to an end quite early with a torn labrum. In the preview, I described Wyranu as the young hotshot in a buddy cop movie. I'm not sure what this event would be in that analogy but it isn't good. He finishes his season with 8 runs allowed in 5 innings, a 14.40 ERA.

This was the prelude to Westline passing their first big test of the new season by taking 4 of 5 from a reeling Tsapna team, scoring 41 runs in the process (8 teams scored fewer than that all week). Lomunu Awia was the only starter they didn't really get to - he had a quality start in Game 2 before the bullpen almost blew it.

March 9: Mighty Oaks SP Notsimi Feshasu, in the last year on his rookie contract, has signed a 6-year extension that will pay him $83.6 million. Feshasu, as a late bloomer who didn't even have a consistent uniform number until he was 23, suddenly became a Pitcher of the Year winner at 24. He is now going to be quite rich, though this will only make him the 4th-highest-paid player on the Oaks roster.

Otahel City 8, Fampalo 0: The season's first shutout belongs to Otahel's Elpim Merefife, 3 hits/1 walk. Unfortunately for Otahel, this was their lone win in the series. On the other side, Otahel City had 17 hits, with 16 of them being singles. That's pretty weird, I think - that many hits with only one XBH hasn't been done in MLB since 2016.

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


What an incredible start for Muni, two 4-1 series wins over teams that should be much better than them. Let's ignore that they won four games in extra innings this week and just try to feel good about it, non?

Next week, the challenges continue for Westline with a visit to Aroketsil to play the Oaks, with the eyes of the national broadcast for the first game. There's also a Shunna derby at the National Stadium, & Tsapna/Pasataki is another series to watch. Round 4 also has a big rivalry series, with the Spirits hosting the all-Aroketsil games.

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

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

[Ruwisc]

Week 2: March 13-24, 2023

One other aspect of Lokasi baseball that I don't mention often are the expanded roster sizes - teams carry 30 players on their active roster. Given no minor leagues, and an extremely early trade deadline of May 15, it gives about the same amount of roster flexibility to have some extra guys in the dugout.

There doesn't seem to be a consensus number of pitchers to carry - Amnanache have 17 and Westline have 13, just among the few teams I clicked on.

Injury news from the end of last week, Oaks SP Talese Yelishike had surgery on the 14th to remove bone chips in his elbow. He was forced out during the Oaks' 4-0 series-closing win over Semyof on the 12th. Yelishike, the 5th starter in theory, will have Cheshore Asi slide over from a long relief role to fill in.

Featured Game - March 13
Westline 10 - 1 Mighty Oaks

Westline: SS Chirao, 2B Shosisi, RF Aliso, 1B Rei, LF Pishot, C Roramomo, 3B Futatse, CF Imatsa, P Mitonone
Mighty Oaks: 3B Kilutsa, LF Misha, RF Sefenera, 1B Awia, C Olufapo, CF Salama, 2B Rikokira, SS Mametsiu, P Natso
W: Tula Mitonone (2-1) L: Chorusho Natso (0-1)

Dominant win for Westline in this nationally televised series opener, despite sitting most of their regulars. Teyumpu Rei had 2 home runs and drove in the first 5 runs of the game with them, and Wyshuo Aliso and Kypo Futatse homered later on in the game as well. Would this game be the moment that springboards Westline into being title favorites?

Round 3:
...Westline 1-4 Mighty Oaks - 10-1, 0-1, 2-3, 0-2, 7-10
....Fampalo 1-4 Muni - 0-2, 4-6, 7-1, 0-1, 0-3
Otahel City 3-2 Amnanache - 4-0, 3-0, 7-3, 2-6, 3-4
.....Tsapna 2-3 Pasataki - 4-9, 2-0, 4-0, 4-3, 3-10
..A.Spirits 2-3 Semyof - 4-3(10), 4-10, 11-12, 9-2, 1-2
....Cheshek 2-3 Keleri - 7-3, 3-7, 0-3, 2-5, 8-3
....Sitache 2-3 Akashemo - 7-3, 3-6, 0-3, 4-7, 9-6
.......Meka 2-3 BK Kepmem - 3-8, 14-5, 5-9, 9-1, 0-11
..Sh.Eagles 2-3 National - 5-0, 2-1, 3-8, 2-8, 4-8
.....Lutrul 2-3 Kupore - 9-5, 9-2, 7-0, 3-7, 2-3


The answer to my previous question is, "well, I guess not", the Oaks stormed back and swept the remainder of the series, despite the game 1 blowout meaning they were actually outscored 19-17 across the 5 games.

Shunna Eagles 5, National 0: In the first meeting between capital city clubs on the year, Eagles SP Nimape Turetsotsa fires a shutout, scattering six hits. All three Shunna teams are off to pretty good starts, all sitting over .500 at the end of the week, as you'll see.

Semyof 12, Aroketsil Spirits 11: Semyof led this game 11-2 in the 7th inning, with a furious comeback falling just short. Some might have bristled when Semyof OF Rawa Tsaoyi stole second base while up 11-5 in the 8th inning, but that, along with him scoring on a single, ended up winning Semyof the game when the Spirits scored 6 runs in the 9th.

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


Otahel City 6, National 2: Otahel City 3B Taoma Otukatsa goes 4-4 with three home runs, driving in 5 of his team's 6 runs on the night. CIF Topeshe Chilushie, filling in for Riroi Toyerno at 1B, added his first homer of the season to account for the sixth run.

Mighty Oaks 7, Aroketsil Spirits 6: dampened by the third of what would be five straight losses to their rival, Spirits SS Wasi Tsewayo hit for a natural cycle in this game, the first player to cycle in the EL since last July. I'm not sure how I would find data on natural cycles, but he did hit them in ascending order, with the homer giving the Spirits a 5-3 lead in the 7th that unfortunately didn't last. At series' end, the two Aroketsil teams sit at opposite ends of the standings.

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


Just like that, the Oaks have a 3-game lead in the table. Hopefully the title race isn't already over

Not that much to watch for in round 5, though Cheshek/Amnanache has been a good rivalry lately. Two spectacular matchups in round 6, though, Mighty Oaks visiting Tsapna and National going to Westline.

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

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

[Ruwisc]

Week 3: March 25-April 5, 2023

The finances of Lokasi baseball are quite a bit smaller than they are in MLB, and the distribution of salaries also feels a little different. The highest individual salary in the league is the $19 million being earned by Tsapna's ace, Lomunu Awia - that's less than half of what the peak MLB salary was in 2023.

Part of the discrepancy is that overall spending is lower - Mighty Oaks' dynasty has a payroll of under $200 million, and they're still the highest in the nation by some distance - but from my eyeballing, it seems as though salaries are spread out more, with the back end of the roster making more, relative to their peers, than MLB bench players. The Oaks, for example, have 30 players making at least $1 million this year! I don't believe there is a single player in the entire league who makes more than around 17% of his team's payroll, and many teams didn't have anyone above 10% - that's definitely not true in the real world.

Featured Game: Shunna Eagles (11-9) @ Mighty Oaks (16-4), March 26
6 - 7

Shunna Eagles: 2B Pichake, LF Porafi, C Shufaho, RF Narupu, 3B Ruea, 1B Etoso, CF Peshti, SS Lila, P Turetsotsa
Mighty Oaks: SS Rikokira, 2B Fetiloa, RF Sefenera, 1B Awia, LF Misha, C Olufapo, CF Salama, 3B Mametsiu, P Natso
W: Tsisa Onetatsa (3-0) L: Relewe Skaki (0-1)

Not the national broadcast this time, but a series-opening game from the following night. This is a game that, in Mighty Oaks' position, very few teams win. 6 straight Eagles reached with 2 out in the first inning, scoring 5 runs, and it took the Oaks the whole game to chip away at that lead.

I referred to Skaki as "Wild Thing" in the preview, and that manifested here in his save opportunity, up 6-4 entering the bottom of the 9th. Somp Awia led off with a solo homer, then Misha and Olufapo walked on a total of 9 pitches. Nasi Salama went down 0-2, but eventually worked a walk to load the bases. Tsorope Mametsiu tied the game with a sac fly and an out later, Rikokira walked it off.

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


March 28: Pasataki Galaxy announce a 3-year contract extension for RP Shotse Chyliwo at just over $2 million per year. Chyliwo was converted from being a starter into a reliever this season, and has taken over temporarily as the closer while Lisou Nikera is out injured. Results have been mixed (4-6 in save opps, 7+ ERA), but this is pretty cheap.

Pasataki Galaxy 10, Aroketsil Spirits 5: an injury for Spirits 3B Rolana Rekesu clouds this game. He'll miss about 4 weeks with an oblique strain. With the Spirits already struggling mightily, this is definitely not great. Rekesu has led the league in RBIs and homers each of the last two seasons, but was off to quite a tough start.

Lutrul 7, Semyof 3: a 3-homer game for Lutrul 3B Tyzhit Shosotsoke, his first time accomplishing that in a game since his rookie season 11 years ago, while playing in the 3rd tier. He also drove in 5 of his team's 7 runs on the night.

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


Meka 3, Muni 1: Muni star SS Tilutsu Hofohe is out about a month with back spasms. The offense has been a two-man show between Hofohe and LF Tae Hefie, and the Municipals sputtered through to the end of the week in getting swept by Meka.

Westline 5, National 1: Westline C Epencho Posheni suffered three separate injuries this week, the third of which is an oblique strain which will keep him out for about a month.

March awards:

Batter of the Month: Aroketsil Spirits 1B/OF Peku Karwo - .351, 12 HR, 28 RBI, 19 runs. Typically the everyday 1B, Karwo is getting a short run in right field with Fapasile Lumafi on the IL and the replacement bat, Tsarase Chufaryo, unable to play the outfield. With mashing 3B Rolana Rekesu now on the IL as well, as mentioned, they need every bit of hitting they can find.

Pitcher of the Month: National SP Santa Ketitu - 3-0, 0.29 ERA (1 ER in 31 innings!), 26 K, 9 BB. 4 straight scoreless starts from March 10 through 31 for last year's PoY runner-up. Ketitu's public scouting report has taken a real hit this year, but you'd never know it from seeing the results.

Rookie of the Month: Westline SP Kwukasho Awia - 3-1, 2.20, 32.2 IP, 22 K, 12 BB. I don't give out Rookie of the Year awards, but you can't turn this off so I might as well report on it. Time will tell if I end up saying the same things each month - there aren't really that many rookies, all considered. I missed this in the preview because I didn't look closely enough at him, but Awia is an honest-to-god knuckleballer! It's working for him so far, outperforming his more touted teammates Mitonone and Merefife in the early going.

Standings.......W..L
-- .Mighty Oaks.. 22 8
+1 ......Kupore.. 19 11
+2 ....National.. 18 12
+6 ....P.Galaxy.. 17 13
+7 ........Meka.. 17 13
-- ....Westline.. 16 14
-- ......Keleri.. 16 14
+3 .....Cheshek.. 16 14
-7 ........Muni.. 16 14
+4 ......Tsapna.. 15 15
-3 ...Sh.Eagles.. 15 15
-3 ...Amnanache.. 15 15
-- .Otahel City.. 15 15
+3 ......Kepmem.. 14 16
11 .....Sitache.. 14 16
+2 ......Lutrul.. 13 17
-2 ......Semyof.. 13 17
-----------------------------
-2 Akashemo Utd.. 11 19
+1 ...A.Spirits... 9 21
-1 .....Fampalo... 9 21


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

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

[Ruwisc]

Week 4: April 6-17, 2023

As you might guess, I have many notes spread around for this game and this world, both on paper and in quite a few different spreadsheets and other files on my computer. One of the things that I track for the baseball side of things is an overall "prestige" rating for each team, measuring their overall all-time success, and I thought it might be interesting to rank where each EL team rates in that metric. It's pretty simply calculated by total number of franchise wins, weighted by how many of them came in each tier of the pyramid.

Elite League teams comprised 14 of the top 20 spots entering the season, so not a perfect match to current standing - that's why it's interesting, though. Here are some stats:

Prestige rankings for Elite League teams:
Keleri (1st), Semyof (2nd), Mighty Oaks (3rd), Tsapna (4th), National (5th), Westline (6th), Amnanache (7th), Shunna Eagles (9th), Lutrul (10th), Pasataki Galaxy (13th), Kupore (14th), Aroketsil Spirits (16th), Shunna Municipal (17th), Sitache (19th), BK Kepmem (21st), Cheshek (22nd), Akashemo United (26th), Fampalo (27th), Otahel City (32nd), Meka (90th). Hard to overstate how little people know about Meka around the country!

Most prestigious team not in the EL: Nokir BC (8th). Nokir has an EL championship to their name, and have played in 25 of the 33 Elite League seasons, just not the last few. They were relegated in 2018, and have always finished in the top half of the Second League since. They currently sit 9th in that league, 3 games behind the promotion pack, which I'll talk about in more detail soon.

Most prestigious team that has never played in the EL: Shepero BC (31st). 50 different clubs have played in the Elite League at some point, but not these guys. Shepero have been a mostly successful team, with a franchise win% of .553, but the promotion math has rarely worked out for them and they've spent most of their history in the 3rd-tier Southern Premier League.

Least prestigious team that has played in the EL: Pasataki Explorers (312th). These guys were supposed to be Pasataki's Elite League club, but they were relegated from the EL in 1993, and over the next few years their finances fell apart. By 2008, they had been relegated all the way to the Tsawemoko state leagues, and they now play at the bottom tier of those, in the 11th level of the system overall.

Least prestigious team overall: Eroha BC (1024th). Hailing from the same city as 3rd-tier Moonside BC, that being Eroha, Eroha BC have never played outside the Rupakare state league, which would be one of the least-watched leagues given Rupakare is the nation's 2nd-smallest state. That's not even accounted for in these rankings, but Eroha BC have an all-time win% of .408, finishing above .500 only six times in 32 completed seasons. They finished 2nd once but have never been eligible for promotion at any point.

Featured Game: Shunna Municipal (16-16) @ Amnanache, April 10
0 - 1 (11 innings)

Muni: CF Likoka, 1B Lymon, LF Hefie, RF Ayawetsi, 3B Lilo, C Kifusitu, SS Posheni, 2B Lolra, P E. Kohopa
Amnanache: CF Rueara, 1B Himoli, 2B Iyikio, SS Rolei, LF Ranmilo, 3B Sikiura, RF Kafotse, C Rima, P K. Kohopa
W: Losaka Yelishike (2-0) L: Efasa Sesotu (2-2)

I know OOTP doesn't do this sort of thing, but it'd be easy to contextualize these two starting pitchers, Muni's Emi Kohopa and Amnanache's Kafaki Kohopa, as brothers. Both were born in the state of Holo, which is geographically the largest though only the 3rd-largest state by population, and their birthplaces are about 100 miles apart. Totally reasonable that after Emi was born, the family might have moved west from Osheyan to Nelpeyo, where Kafaki was born four years later. The less talented older brother chose to stay closer to home by signing with Muni, while the flamethrowing younger brother moved to the big city with Amnanache... I think it kinda works. Kohopa is a common name, but not one of the most common; similar to if there were two pitchers named "Clark" randomly going up against each other.

Anyway, both brothers were dealing tonight, though it was Kafaki that drew the headlines by allowing just 1 hit over his 6 innings, while Emi scattered 5 hits and 3 walks across his scoreless outing of the same length. Kafaki Kohopa had a no-hitter going until the 5th inning, though he never would have finished it due to a high pitch count.

The game went all the way into extras scoreless, and though Muni loaded the bases in both the 10th and the 11th innings with a palletful of walks, they never did get another hit, settling for Rykitopa Posheni's 5th-inning single. Somp Ranmilo delivered the walk-off double in the bottom of the 11th for the orange crew. This was the third win in what would eventually become a sweep for Amnanache, and part of a 13-game losing skid for Muni.

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


Kupore 6, Kepmem 5: devastating season-ending knee injury for BK Kepmem SS Nekafe Natso, a torn PCL. Natso finished 3rd in last season's MVP voting, though was off to a pretty slow start for the 2023 season.

April 11: A first in a while; the series finale between the Spirits and Tsapna was suspended due to rain, with the Spirits leading 3-0 in the 5th inning. They will resume when the teams play again, on July 30 (round 26), though the game will finish in Aroketsil. The main impact is that these two teams will be misaligned from the number of games their competitors have played for a while.

Shunna Eagles 8, Sitache 5: Eagles LF Takipuse Porafi is the first player to reach a 20-game hit streak for the season. He's hitting quite well overall, also leading the team with 10 HR and 36 RBI. The streak doesn't survive the week, though - it was later snapped in the Eagles 3-2 loss to Tsapna, ending after 23 consecutive games.

Round 8:
.....Tsapna 3-2 Sh.Eagles - 4-3, 3-10, 15-2, 3-2, 2-4(10)
.....Lutrul 3-2 Fampalo - 0-3, 5-1, 3-1, 1-7, 6-0
.....Keleri 3-2 A.Spirits - 1-3, 4-5, 10-2, 12-9(12), 13-7
....Cheshek 3-2 Otahel City - 4-2, 5-3(10), 0-10, 3-1, 1-2
..Amnanache 1-4 National - 6-7(11), 1-2, 0-11, 1-2, 2-1
.....Semyof 0-5 BK Kepmem - 2-10, 3-11, 4-6, 2-8, 0-8
.....Kupore 1-4 Akashemo - 2-4, 6-5, 1-5, 4-6, 5-7
....Sitache 2-3 Muni - 5-4, 11-2, 1-2, 5-6, 6-7
...Westline 4-1 Meka - 1-6, 3-1, 14-4, 8-7, 7-3
Mighty Oaks 3-2 Pasataki - 3-9, 7-3, 6-9, 7-4, 8-4


Cheshek 4, Otahel City 2: the 400th career save by Cheshek's Chysho Sofiulo. Just 25, Sofiulo began closing for his hometown team of Keleri at just the age of 17 in 2015. He was their full-time closer for eight seasons, it appears, then signed with Cheshek this offseason. He has twice led the league in saves, and won the EL Reliever of the Year award in his first season.

Sitache 5, Muni 4: Sitache 1B Fomo Tirma finished a single short of the cycle in this game, weirdly. He had all 3 extra-base hits by the 4th inning, including a 2-run homer, and scored all three times, but because the rest of his team combined for four hits, he only got one at bat in the final 5 innings, in which he struck out.

Keleri 10, Aroketsil Spirits 2: Keleri OF Apia Rarasahiu recorded his 2,500th career hit in this win. Not originally expected to be a full-time player this year, Rarasahiu, 28, has started almost every game for Keleri due to injuries, and has mainly been leading off in doing so. This is his 13th season of EL play, and his 11th in green and gray.

National 2, Amnanache 1 (game 4): National CF Solo Sipet also runs his hit streak to 20 games, although this one was immediately broken in the next game when they had him pinch-hit.

Standings.......W..L
-- .Mighty Oaks.. 29 11
+1 ....National.. 26 14
+3 ....Westline.. 23 17
-- ....P.Galaxy.. 23 17
+9 ......Kepmem.. 22 18
-4 ......Kupore.. 22 18
+3 ......Tsapna.. 21 18
-- .....Cheshek.. 21 19
-4 ........Meka.. 21 19
+2 ...Amnanache.. 21 19
-4 ......Keleri.. 20 20
-1 ...Sh.Eagles.. 20 20
-- .Otahel City.. 20 20
-5 ........Muni.. 19 21
+1 ......Lutrul.. 18 22
-1 .....Sitache.. 18 22
+1 Akashemo Utd.. 16 24
-----------------------------
-1 ......Semyof.. 14 26
+1 .....Fampalo.. 13 27
-1 ...A.Spirits.. 12 27


Next week's games now. Not a lot to look for in round 9, but in round 10, National/Oaks and Keleri/Tsapna are always great matchups.

Round 9:
BK Kepmem vs. Amnanache
Pasataki Galaxy vs. Lutrul
Semyof vs. National
Kupore vs. Shunna Municipal
Akashemo United vs. Keleri
Sitache vs. Westline
Tsapna vs. Meka
Shunna Eagles vs. Otahel City
Aroketsil Spirits vs. Fampalo
Mighty Oaks vs. Cheshek

Round 10:
Otahel City vs. Semyof
Shunna Municipal vs. Akashemo United
Meka vs. Shunna Eagles
Westline vs. Aroketsil Spirits
Amnanache vs. Pasataki Galaxy
National vs. Mighty Oaks
Fampalo vs. Kupore
Keleri vs. Tsapna
Lutrul vs. BK Kepmem
Cheshek vs. Sitache

[Ruwisc]

Week 5: April 18-29, 2023

Featured Game: Westline (31-18) @ Aroketsil Spirits (14-34), April 29
7 - 8 (11 innings)

Westline: RF Mukuapi, 3B Riwihy, 2B Riseki, 1B Aliso, SS Chirao, CF Sifoku, LF Hatsalicho, C Kurili, P Tsuyepu
Aroketsil Spirits: RF Sisilu, 2B Shosotsoke, CF Karwo, SS Tsewayo, 1B Chufaryo, 3B Tsolea, LF Pochayi, C Kuishuchutso, P Hefie
W: Yosha Faseltsa (1-0) L: Rupeuo Sipata (1-2)

This time, an end of week game gets the profile, because it was a pretty interesting ending. This game was actually scoreless into the 7th inning, courtesy of starters Hetsochu Tsuyepu and Fumiecho Hefie, neither of whom started the year in their team's rotation. Both teams have had a starter lose their roster spot to poor performance, and these guys have been their respective fillins. If this game is what to go by, the teams have made the right choices.

The scoreless deadlock was broken after two one-out singles in the top of the 7th. After Tsuyepu sac bunted successfully, Nina Mukuapi negated the need for a sac bunt with a long 3-run homer to right center. Westline went into the bottom of the 8th with that 3-0 lead. A sac fly from Spirits 2B Okitso Womoipo, pinch-hitting, got them on the board, and the league's current home run leader, Peku Karwo, tied the game in the 9th. Both teams put together four-run rallies in the 10th inning! The Westliners had their first 5 hitters reach, on top of the zombie runner, without a big hit; Aroketsil then had only the man on second with two out but had their 2-3-4 hitters go single, single, dramatic 3-run game tying home run from Tsewayo. The Liners went quickly in the 11th, and Rito Tsolea led off the bottom half with a game-winning base hit.

Round 9:
..BK Kepmem 2-3 Amnanache - 1-5, 7-9, 6-8(13), 6-4, 6-3
...Pasataki 4-1 Lutrul - 3-4, 14-7, 12-6, 4-1, 8-2
.....Semyof 1-4 National - 5-7, 1-4, 5-3, 7-8, 2-6
.....Kupore 2-3 Muni - 7-5(10), 5-7(10), 1-4, 2-5, 3-1
...Akashemo 0-5 Keleri - 1-2(11), 0-5, 2-9, 5-8, 1-11
....Sitache 0-5 Westline - 3-12, 3-12, 0-10, 4-7, 3-8
.....Tsapna 4-1 Meka - 10-4, 2-1, 1-8, 5-3, 9-1
..Sh.Eagles 2-3 Otahel City - 2-4, 3-1, 5-8, 7-6(12), 9-10
..A.Spirits 1-4 Fampalo - 1-5, 2-5, 9-3, 0-1, 2-9
Mighty Oaks 3-2 Cheshek - 2-0, 0-3, 9-2, 0-4, 8-7


Pasataki Galaxy 4, Lutrul 1: Lutrul starter Rani Natochaku left this game early, then later in the week had surgery to remove bone chips in his elbow. He is expected to be out until early September or so.

Cheshek 4, Mighty Oaks 0: Not a shutout, but nearly one for Cheshek's Pilau Rima. The only Cheshek starting pitcher to carry over from last season, Rima had struggled to begin the year but has really turned it on of late. He finishes 8 1/3 innings in this game before being pulled on an even 100 pitches. 10 Ks to go against just 3 hits and 2 walks.

Round 10:
Otahel City 1-4 Semyof - 4-6, 14-2, 2-6, 5-8, 4-6
.......Muni 2-3 Akashemo - 2-6, 5-3, 5-2, 5-10, 1-7
.......Meka 3-2 Sh.Eagles - 6-3, 5-4(10), 3-5, 3-6, 7-0
...Westline 3-2 A.Spirits - 2-7, 14-1, 4-3, 9-6, 7-8(11)
..Amnanache 1-4 Pasataki - 0-11, 4-6, 4-5, 2-1, 0-8
...National 2-3 Mighty Oaks - 1-3, 8-4, 1-4, 2-8, 4-1
....Fampalo 1-4 Kupore - 0-1, 4-5, 2-3, 6-5, 0-2
.....Keleri 3-2 Tsapna - 5-1, 6-4, 3-4, 5-15, 3-1
.....Lutrul 3-2 BK Kepmem - 5-1, 1-6, 11-8, 2-9, 4-0
....Cheshek 4-1 Sitache - 5-6(11), 8-5, 4-3, 8-6, 5-2


April 25: Spirits 1B/RF Peku Karwo, a pending free agent no longer. The defending MVP signs an 8-year extension that will pay him a total of $116.5 million. The way things are going for the Spirits, he may be exercising a relegation-based opt out at the end of this campaign, though if they do manage to stick around in the EL he's clearly happy to stay. Even though the team is playing terribly, morale is good.

Otahel City 14, Semyof 2: A rare instance where, on a day when 10 games were being played, all three of the "three stars of the day" came from the same team. C Kiowu Salama was 4-5 with a double, homer and 4 RBI and also walked; CF Toyeseshi Shocheye was 3-4 with a homer and walked twice, and LF Riroi Toyerno was 4-6 with a homer. Three other Otahel players had multiple hits, including pitcher Lasha Chuotsa, who also drove in 3 runs.

Pasataki Galaxy 6, Amnanache 4: Galaxy SP Siut Rusipyfa blew out his UCL in this game and will miss the remainder of the season. For a team that was already slanted in favor of offense, this is a tough blow. #2 starter Chiap Pake is also out long-term, which I missed when it happened a few weeks ago. Tashi Kowyla, who came in to replace Rusipyfa in the game, will also replace him in the rotation.

Amnanache 2, Pasataki Galaxy 1: Two days later, another big Galaxy injury - less long-term, but SS Wyku Tofpalts will be out for around a month with an elbow sprain. Tofpalts had been off to a tough start in his first season with Pasataki, but is still a big upgrade over backup Isha Wao.

Pasataki Galaxy 8, Amnanache 0: All the news is coming from this series, but this is good at least. Their other big free agent splash, SP Aro Ipo, notches a shutout in this game, allowing only 4 hits and walking nobody.

Standings.......W..L
-- .Mighty Oaks.. 35 15
-- ....National.. 32 18
-- ....Westline.. 31 19
-- ....P.Galaxy.. 31 19
+6 ......Keleri.. 28 22
-- ......Kupore.. 28 22
-- ......Tsapna.. 27 22
-- .....Cheshek.. 27 23
-4 ......Kepmem.. 26 24
-1 ........Meka.. 25 25
-1 ...Amnanache.. 25 25
+1 .Otahel City.. 24 26
-1 ...Sh.Eagles.. 24 26
-- ........Muni.. 24 26
-- ......Lutrul.. 22 28
+1 Akashemo Utd.. 19 31
+1 ......Semyof.. 19 31
-----------------------------
-2 .....Sitache.. 19 31
-- .....Fampalo.. 18 32
-- ...A.Spirits.. 15 34


Things starting to settle in to pretty much how we thought they might be, though there are a few teams that stand out. Mainly, the in-game preseason predictions have been more accurate than my own guesses so far, with every team that I disagreed on seemingly diverging in the opposite direction.

Next time, it'll be a quarter-pole recap with a stats update, and a look at how some of the lower leagues are doing. But after that, here are the matchups for week 6:

Round 11:
Sitache vs. Otahel City
Akashemo United vs. Meka
Pasataki Galaxy vs. Fampalo
Shunna Eagles vs. Westline
BK Kepmem vs. Shunna Municipal
Semyof vs. Keleri
Kupore vs. National
Aroketsil Spirits vs. Cheshek
Mighty Oaks vs. Amnanache
Tsapna vs. Lutrul

Round 12:
Westline vs. Akashemo United
National vs. Sitache
Meka vs. Pasataki Galaxy
Amnanache vs. Kupore
Keleri vs. Mighty Oaks
Shunna Municipal vs. Semyof
Fampalo vs. Shunna Eagles
Cheshek vs. BK Kepmem
Otahel City vs. Tsapna
Lutrul vs. Aroketsil Spirits

[Ruwisc]

2023 Quarter Pole – Stats Update

With over a quarter of the season now gone, here's an update on how the statistical races shape up in the early going.

Batting race:
Faruo Ayekrea (LF, BK Kepmem): .417
Syshawe Arachihe (1B/OF, Cheshek): .375
Wia Merefife (1B, Pasataki): .370

Ayekrea is one of the league's most underrated players, a Gold Glover last year and a former Silver Slugger during his time with the Oaks. He is not likely to be so underrated if he hits .400 the whole year! That has only happened twice in EL history, with Semyof's Otini Pochayi hitting .402 in 1995, and Felpa Tyle of the Nokelto Scouts in 2013 hit .409 to set the current best ever mark.

Home runs:
Peku Karwo (1B/OF, Aroketsil Spirits): 18
Kala Koshynae (3B, BK Kepmem): 16
Taoma Otukatsa (3B, Otahel City): 16

Karwo won the batting title and the MVP last year, and seems to have reconfigured some of his build going into his 4th pro season. While he's never been a light hitter, he is looking like he might be ready to blow past his previous career high of 42 HR, while his average has dropped from .377 to a still-respectable-but-not-world-beating .317.

Koshynae is probably the guy in the league with the biggest raw power - Otukatsa is much more of a surprise, playing in the EL for the first time since being relegated with the Ransu Shockers in 2017.

RBI:
Wia Merefife (1B, Pasataki): 64
Kala Koshynae (3B, BK Kepmem): 50
Apia Lela (2B, Pasataki): 50
Takipuse Porafi (LF, Shunna Eagles): 50

64 is a pretty ridiculous RBI total for only being 50 games into the season - he has more games with multiple RBI than games with none. The Galaxy have, again and by far, the league's best overall offense, even without Atsi Keana, and Merefife is the cleaner.

Position player WAR:
Apia Lela (2B, Pasataki): 4.6
Syshawe Arachihe (1B/OF, Cheshek): 3.7
Lawori El (2B, Tsapna) : 3.6
Kala Koshynae (3B, BK Kepmem): 3.6

Seems like one guy always stands out from the pack in these early leaderboards, and this time it's Lela. At age 30, he is suddenly putting together what would be the best season of his career... if it continues. The only thing he isn't really doing a ton of is homering, with just 8 so far.

The MVP at this point might be the 17-year-old Arachihe, who has seemingly taken the leap to superstardom in his second year. His rookie year was quite good, and yet his average, on-base, and slugging percentages are all up over a hundred points!

Stolen bases:
Ketso Kofmi (SS, Cheshek): 28
Lawori El (2B, Tsapna): 24
Rykitopa Tufsu (1B, Fampalo): 21

Kofmi was last season's runner-up in steals with 83 along with El, and has continued that blazing pace. He's getting on base more this season, which has helped quite a bit.

ERA:
Santa Ketitu (National): 1.41
Kwukasho Awia (Westline): 1.69
Setsinak Perano (Tsapna): 1.92

Santa Ketitu has continued his blistering pace, though not as strongly - he only allowed 1 run in March, and April couldn't possibly continue that well. Awia, the 16-year-old knuckleballer, has taken the league by storm.

Wins:
Kiro Ponarf (National): 8-1
Santa Ketitu (National): 7-1
Kwukasho Awia (Westline): 6-1
Lomunu Awia (Tsapna): 6-2
Tosolefi Loap (Cheshek): 6-2
Teshepo Tefasa (BK Kepmem): 6-2
Tacha Rinuka (National): 6-3

The two starters in the National rotation preview who had never made pro starts before... still haven't. Instead, Ponarf stepped in from the bullpen and, despite a low stamina rating, has averaged 6 innings through his 9 starts and picked up Ws in most of them. (He also has a win as a reliever).

Saves:
Sosuo Lotechosa (Kupore): 16
Autsu Sikiura (Mighty Oaks): 15
Iraite Nisushi (Muni): 14
Letsanie Shizechao (Semyof): 14

Lotechosa is 16-18 in save opportunities - while his other numbers aren't so great his conversion rate on those is a big reason why Kupore is playing better than I thought they would.

Strikeouts:
Teshepo Tefasa (BK Kepmem): 75
Tsarase Roshoshe (Akashemo United): 69
Shaho Reopo (Muni): 67
Laotso Tirionu (Amnanache): 67

Tefasa, a 3rd-year pitcher, is playing in his home state of Menmako (and to them, that means a lot). Two years ago, he was thrown to the dogs a little bit as a rookie, and he led the EL in losses with an 8-21 mark. Now, I wouldn't say he's looking at a PoY season, but things have changed now that he's had time to develop.

Pitcher WAR:
Epencho Latsychano (Amnanache): 2.2
Shaho Reopo (Muni): 2.0
Teshepo Tefasa (BK Kepmem): 2.0
Santa Ketitu (National): 2.0

Of Amnanache's big 3 starters, Latsychano is the one that most often flies under the radar (to me at least), but he's been the best of the 3 this year so far.

----------

Lower Leagues Update

Second League
Standings.....W..L
...Swans Menmapa.. 36 14
..........Hokrof.. 32 18
........Mithazni.. 31 19
-----------------------------
...........Nokir.. 30 20
.........Takanse.. 29 21
..Nokelto Scouts.. 29 21
......Nipte City.. 28 22
.........Tishmin.. 27 23
..Ransu Shockers.. 27 23
..........Yasral.. 26 24
......A.Canaries.. 24 26
............Fese.. 24 26
Pelpitimochu Utd.. 23 27
.....Nokelto Utd.. 22 28
...Tenshe.Rubies.. 21 29
..........Onesti.. 19 31
-----------------------------
......Yoho Bears.. 19 31
.........Penhara.. 18 32
...Sunoki Hearts.. 18 32
...Killi.Bayside.. 17 33


Two of last year's three relegated teams from the EL find themselves right back in promotion position, but everyone's chasing the Swans, who represent Menmako's capital, about 75 miles southwest from where Kepmem play. They have not played in the Elite League since 2004, and they have never been in the EL at the same time as Kepmem - that would be quite a fun rivalry.

Northern Premier League
Standings.....W..L
.........Shalish.. 32 18
...........Fachi.. 31 19
-----------------------------
.......Atafe Utd.. 29 21
.Alilia Captains.. 29 21
Enihaka Cyclones.. 28 22
......Hiolye Utd.. 28 22
............Kine.. 27 23
...Sowichark Utd.. 27 23
.....Ransu Ports.. 26 24
........Moonside.. 26 24
.........Loshtsi.. 26 24
..........Oyefit.. 25 25
....Tsutonsu Utd.. 24 26
...........Linir.. 24 26
............Pale.. 24 26
....Lempisho Utd.. 22 28
-----------------------------
...........Sakse.. 19 31
............Fure.. 18 32
........Lisa Utd.. 18 32
..Hokrof Beavers.. 17 33


Shalish was below .500 last year, and would reach the Second League for the first time ever with a promotion here.

Southern Premier League
Standings.....W..L
.........Himespo.. 34 16
..........Wichku.. 32 18
-----------------------------
.Killitash Stars.. 30 20
.........Shepero.. 29 21
......Feshuyalya.. 28 22
...........Hilas.. 28 22
...Mamtul Wolves.. 28 22
.........Wikyats.. 27 23
..........Sheshu.. 26 24
.........Rasenok.. 25 25
.........Amkutan.. 25 25
........Sachlihe.. 24 26
.........Mewofes.. 24 26
.........Sokroch.. 24 26
Killitash Giants.. 24 26
....Tinshenikosh.. 22 28
-----------------------------
South Shore Aksa.. 21 29
........Sapphire.. 21 29
...Hefem Rangers.. 15 35
.......Takelehun.. 13 37


Himespo, on the other hand, would be the first ever team from the state of Rutepiyo to reach the top two tiers of the pyramid. Rutepiyo is the small island in the southeast corner of the map, and the smallest state of Lokasi by population.

Lower League Leaders

Tier 4:

Northern Super League - Moshelosi BC (Penhara, HO): 31-13
Southern Super League - Neshori BC (Seshal, KX): 32-12

Tier 5:

Mideast League One - Hertulsho BC (Hertulsho, HO): 21-9
Northeast League One - Mimo United (Mimo, CA): 20-10
Southern League One - BK Tepche (Kiwa Punem, ME): 23-7
Western League One - Tsapich BC (Iner, FH): 20-10

Tier 6:

Mideast League Two - Shunna Volunteer (Shunna, XU): 19-11
Northeast League Two - Rama United (Rama, LS): 21-9
Southern League Two - Mereni Bay Athletic (Tenshemaho, ZA): 20-10
Western League Two - Tenemul BC (Tenemul, PE): 20-10

The tier 7 leagues only just started play this week, although props in order to Koneteka BC (Mokayoron, KX) for being the only team of 128 to remain undefeated after 8 games. Tier 8 leagues begin on May 16, and the state leagues will start on June 21.

[Ruwisc]

Here's a version of the map on the last page with this year's 2L teams, if you were wondering how they are situated geographically. I'd love to make one of these for every league but it starts to get a bit cluttered when the leagues are geographically subdivided.

[Ruwisc]

Week 6: April 30-May 11, 2023

The start of this week is quite close to the end of April, so I'll put the April league awards here:

Batter of the Month: Pasataki Galaxy 2B Apia Lela - .400, 5 HR, 35 RBI, 27 R. Lela would be one of the top MVP candidates if the season ended here. The Galaxy offense is lapping the field once again, averaging over 6 runs per game when the median is about 4 and a half.

Pitcher of the Month: National SP Kiro Ponarf - 4-0, 2.64 ERA, 30.2 IP, 24 K in 5 starts. As mentioned last time, Ponarf is the EL's wins leader despite starting the year in the bullpen.

Rookie of the Month: Westline SP Kwukasho Awia - 3-0, 20.2 IP, 16 K, .171 BAA in 3 starts. The 17-year-old knuckleballer was given a couple of weeks to rest across mid-April, and came back stronger. He will pick up another two wins this week, pushing his streak to 7 straight starts in which he's recorded the win.


Featured Game: Fampalo BC (19-38) @ Shunna Eagles (26-31), May 9
16 - 10

Fampalo: 1B Tufsu, 2B Tisoki, C Pufosa, LF Sofiulo, SS Elemi, CF Yutepe, 3B Tyzhite, RF Shatnanetsi, P Nuchipasora
Shunna Eagles: 2B Pichake, 1B Etoso, C Shufaho, RF Porafi, 3B Ruea, CF Peshti, SS Lila, LF Nysho, P Kofitsa
W: Latsor Sofiulo (2-4) L: Akosho Nysho (0-3)

A game with this scoreline needed to be squeezed in somewhere, and there's a lot of weird stuff going on this week. In this middle game of a 5-game set, with the first two split, Fampalo came out and scored more runs in the first inning (4) than they had in the first two games (3), then increased the lead to 5-0 in the 2nd. The Eagles chipped away with 2 in their own 2nd and one in the 3rd, before four consecutive walks with 2 out in the fourth inning ended Wokyo Nuchipasora's night early, and set up a four-run rally that flipped the game to 7-5 Eagles.

Lilo Shatnanetsi homered to make it 7-6 in the sixth inning, and a sac fly from Chasaro Yutepe tied it next time around. Then things really got off the rails - Shunna Eagles took the lead back on an infield hit by Nynen Lila, but they'd never have it that good again. Fampalo sent 9 men to the plate in both the 8th and 9th innings, in fact making it so that third baseman Feli Tyzhite made the final out in three straight innings, and piled on sufficiently.

Lost in all the stats, including 31 total hits, was Fampalo's Poem Pipapose getting through an inning with 3 total pitches: fly out, single by Lila, erased on a 5-4-3 double play.

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


Firstly, Amnanache gets a lot of credit for being the first team to actually take a series off of the Oaks this season, and 4 of 5 to boot - Mighty Oaks had not lost 4 of 5 games in a series since last July! Combined with big week-opening series wins for Pasataki, National, and Westline, this series loss actually drops the three-time defending champs to 4th place.

Westline 8, Shunna Eagles 0: a shutout for Westline's Sefti Merefife, with the Eagles only managing four singles and a walk.

Aroketsil Spirits 2, Cheshek 1: what was already the Elite League's weakest rotation has gotten weaker: Loroche Awia now done for the season (torn labrum). His first EL season concludes without a win in 11 starts.

Round 12:
...Westline 5-0 Akashemo - 3-2, 2-0, 7-2, 13-2, 8-4
...National 2-3 Sitache - 4-3, 9-3, 3-4, 0-3, 5-6
.......Meka 0-5 Pasataki - 3-8, 0-10, 2-7, 3-4, 2-11
..Amnanache 4-1 Kupore - 6-2, 2-1, 5-6, 8-7, 3-2
.....Keleri 4-1 Mighty Oaks - 9-7, 4-3, 5-4, 2-3, 5-3
.......Muni 1-4 Semyof - 2-3(10), 0-4, 6-8(10), 7-4, 6-10
....Fampalo 3-2 Sh.Eagles - 2-1, 1-4, 16-10, 3-0, 2-3
....Cheshek 2-3 BK Kepmem - 5-8, 4-3, 1-3(10), 0-4, 3-0(10)
Otahel City 0-5 Tsapna - 4-5(14), 4-5, 4-11, 1-8, 6-7(10)
.....Lutrul 0-5 A.Spirits - 3-6, 0-3, 2-3, 0-12, 4-15


...my goodness, what a weekend. So much to dissect:

• not one, not two, but FOUR sweeps, which is quite rare. Pasataki and Westline continue to be red-hot, and the two of them used the week to go from 4 games back of first to being the league's leading duo.

• I'm also looking at the Aroketsil Spirits, who have needed to start showing signs of life, and this qualifies. Huge 5-game span for them, and an 8-2 week on the whole to nearly pull out of the relegation zone altogether, after being dead last by three full games entering the week. Star 3B Rolana Rekesu also returned from injury in the series finale.

• A second straight series loss for Mighty Oaks, this time in the their eternal back-and-forth rivalry with Keleri. Stings especially coming at home. Both the 2nd and 3rd games were won with a tie-breaking run in the top of the ninth inning by the green and gray.

• Don't forget about Tsapna either! Off to quite a slow start by their standards, maybe this sweep of Otahel City is enough to get them back to their typical form.

Not much in terms of individual performances, but the team-based storylines were wild enough this week. Last week I said that the standings were starting to look settled, and that was definitely premature. Take a look at where we are now:

Standings.............W..L
+3 ....P.Galaxy.. 41 19
+1 ....Westline.. 40 20
-1 ....National.. 38 22
-3 .Mighty Oaks.. 37 23
-- ......Keleri.. 36 24
+1 ......Tsapna.. 34 25
+4 ...Amnanache.. 33 27
+1 ......Kepmem.. 32 28
-1 .....Cheshek.. 31 29
-4 ......Kupore.. 30 30
-1 ........Meka.. 29 31
-- .Otahel City.. 27 33
+1 ........Muni.. 27 33
-1 ...Sh.Eagles.. 27 33
-- ......Lutrul.. 25 35
+1 ......Semyof.. 24 36
+1 .....Sitache.. 24 36
-----------------------------
+2 ...A.Spirits.. 23 36
-- .....Fampalo.. 21 39
-4 Akashemo Utd.. 20 40


Day 4 of the next week is May 15, which marks the trade deadline across the Lokasi baseball world. Trades are relatively uncommon, especially given just how many teams this world has to work with, so I should be able to take care of the whole deadline in the next post. There were a couple of trades completed this week, but I'll throw them all together.

Round 13:
Kupore vs. Keleri
Mighty Oaks vs. Lutrul
Akashemo United vs. Amnanache
Semyof vs. Westline
Aroketsil Spirits vs. Meka
Sitache vs. Fampalo
Pasataki Galaxy vs. Otahel City
BK Kepmem vs. National
Shunna Eagles vs. Shunna Municipal
Tsapna vs. Cheshek

Round 14:
Lutrul vs. National
Akashemo United vs. Pasataki Galaxy
Cheshek vs. Fampalo
Shunna Municipal vs. Aroketsil Spirits
Meka vs. Sitache
Otahel City vs. Westline
Keleri vs. Shunna Eagles
Amnanache vs. Semyof
Tsapna vs. BK Kepmem
Kupore vs. Mighty Oaks

[Ruwisc]

2023 Trade Deadline

The deadline is rarely much of an event in Lokasi, being so early in the season. I chose to do it this way for a couple of reasons: there is already a good amount of player movement due to relegations and the opportunity to reach free agency as young as age 19; increased roster sizes give GMs more flexibility, just in a different way; and I thought it would be kinda interesting to lock players in to their teams for the final 2/3 of the season instead of the final 1/3.

Still, you would think more teams would take advantage. The deadline period produced just 10 trades involving EL teams, about half of which will be completely inconsequential. But, there were two trades between EL clubs, which is fairly rare. Let's see what's up:

• May 12: Sitache acquires OF Micha Pishot and cash from Westline, in exchange for SP Chapeo Mematsa and RP Epekeshi Otipe. Sitache has been quite imbalanced, with a good amount of available pitchers and sometimes barely having enough position players to field a team. They're healthier now, and even have star CF Rolupi Shekesu back from the injury that delayed his season start, but any move that traded a pitcher for a hitter would probably be a good choice. Mematsa, for his part, is probably the best player in this deal, and will go into the Westline rotation whereas Pishot was mainly the fourth outfielder, so it's an upgrade from a Westline point of view as well. Otipe isn't likely to be much of anything.

• May 12: Meka acquires OF Kiposo Posheni from Otahel City for RP Nawin Aroka and SP Feko Osatsas. Posheni, an impending free agent, will have his whole contract covered by Otahel, so they were just in it for the prospects. Posheni had a terrible first third of his season in Otahel, so I suppose a change of scenery could be in order. Aroka is a usable piece out of the bullpen, and (since we've simmed a few more days) has already put up two scoreless outings for OC, including a save. He's not really a closer, though. Osatsas would be a good prospect at a lower league level, but he's a lottery ticket for an EL team.

• May 13: Mighty Oaks acquire IF Tylu Tsefufalayo from tier-3 Sapphire BC (Pasataki) for two depth pieces, IF Ono Tufsu and SP Matepaso Wamia. The middle infield is the weakest part of the Oaks' roster. Tsefufalayo doesn't fundamentally change that, but he is a good depth piece and a good clubhouse guy. Neither Tufsu nor Wamia had played for the Oaks this year but will play for Sapphire. Still, I don't agree with this choice from Sapphire's perspective - giving up their best hitter for not all that much in comparison.

• May 15: Lutrul trades SP Shykim Felitsu to tier-3 Sokroch BC (Pasataki) for two prospects, P Tsaewe Faseltsa and CF Memo Yelishike. I don't see a need for Lutrul to have done this, unless they badly needed to clear a rotation spot - they are also paying Felitsu's contract.

• May 15: Sitache also acquires OF Nukacholo Tsawa and RP Putta Fotluyi from 3rd-tier Loshtsi BC (Reyal, KL) for OF Tsusenu Shiyetsorisu and cash. This allows their other trade acquisition, Micha Pishot, to play every day. The money is mostly a wash, with cash + retention overwriting Shiyetsorisu's $3.5 million salary.

That about does it. I am intrigued by Kiposo Posheni going to Meka, that's the most interesting deal from my perspective.

[Ruwisc]

Week 7: May 12-23, 2023

Featured Game: Mighty Oaks BC (37-23) @ Lutrul BC (25-35), May 12
4 - 8

Mighty Oaks: 3B Kilutsa, 1B Awia, LF Misha, RF Nikertu, SS Rikokira, CF Salama, C Safa, 2B Mametsiu, P Aefep
Lutrul: 2B Shosotsoke, SS Felitsu, 1B Nofetso, 2B Meste, CF Rerawe, RF Mpetu, C Kiwarshi, LF Nokolo, P Tselsiko

The Oaks do not have stars Peyaka Sefenera or Metsifu Olufapo in the lineup tonight, but neither is injured - both will pinch-hit later in the game, in fact. Their current struggles turn out to continue - Lutrul jumped on Siteno Aefep early, with 5 runs in the first inning capped by a grand slam from Tsosotal Mpetu. Aefep didn't come out for the third inning, with his club still down 5-0. Back to back RBI hits for Netomue Kilutsa and Somp Awia in the 5th gave some hope, and the champs would get as close as 5-3 in the 7th on a Mametsiu RBI double. In the bottom of the 7th, Lutrul managed a run, two hits, and to strand two runners in an inning where Tsarase Tsofonisi threw only 10 pitches, which is kinda cool. Some further tacking on by both teams in the 8th led to the final score, and another loss for the Oaks.

This is 10 losses in 12 for Mighty Oaks, the biggest freefall they've probably had since they became a superpower in the late 2000s. And it would get worse...

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


Westline 5, Semyof 0: Westline's ace Tula Mitonone took a no-hitter into the 9th inning in their series opener, finally foiled by a single from Semyof SS Potsomowe Shulitso leading off. There still has not been a no-hitter in Elite League play since Latsal Chatsol (now of Muni) fired one for Sitache vs. Amnanache in May 2020. Mitonone had 14 K in the game, also the most recorded by a pitcher this season.

Akashemo United 13, Amnanache 2: Akashemo catcher Kawachu Tan reached base six times in this romp, as the Islanders completely obliterated Laotso Tirionu. Unfortunately the momentum didn't carry through to the rest of the series...

BK Kepmem 5, National 3: a season ending injury for National closer Fapasile Opopa, who I picked as my choice for Reliever of the Year. (Now that I think about it, I picked Laotso Tirionu for Pitcher of the Year. Tough week for my ego.) A torn rotator cuff for Opopa, who finishes the year with 11 saves in just 12 opportunities, and a 1.74 ERA.

Shunna Eagles 5, Shunna Municipal 1: In the finale of this rivalry series, while going for the sweep, Muni ace Shaho Reopo blew out his elbow in the first inning and will miss an entire year of action. The 22-year-old will still be under team control for 2 more seasons. Still a big series win for the Municipal club, who find themselves overachieving a bit.

Round 14:
.....Lutrul 3-2 National - 2-1, 4-3, 5-2, 7-9, 0-2
...Akashemo 1-4 Pasataki - 2-7, 6-4, 1-6, 5-6- 4-7
....Cheshek 2-3 Fampalo - 3-8, 2-3, 4-3, 1-5, 8-1
.......Muni 3-2 A.Spirits - 5-2, 3-5, 4-2, 2-4, 5-3
.......Meka 2-3 Sitache - 6-3, 1-6, 15-12, 5-9, 8-10
Otahel City 2-3 Westline - 3-2, 3-4(11), 1-9, 2-0, 2-4
.....Keleri 3-2 Sh.Eagles - 1-4, 7-4, 4-7, 7-1, 8-3
..Amnanache 2-3 Semyof - 6-8, 6-4, 2-1, 2-5, 4-5
.....Tsapna 3-2 BK Kepmem - 6-2, 7-3, 4-6, 5-2, 1-2
.....Kupore 0-5 Mighty Oaks - 3-8, 3-4, 0-5, 4-5, 3-5


Everyone mostly treading water in this round, except for the now-suddenly-back-to-normal Mighty Oaks club.

May 21: Amnanache star SP Epencho Latsychano has signed a 6-year contract extension to remain in north Ransu, for a total of $87.3 million. The 26-year-old has been the team's best pitcher this season, for a team that sits slightly above expectations so far. His high strikeout rate has been needed - injuries to both shortstops on their roster have necessitated a really subpar defensive alignment, with starting 3B Mare Sikiura sliding over to short, where he's not so great.

Westline 4, Otahel City 3 (11 innings): A brilliant outing by Westline's Sefti Merefife was nearly wasted when closer Chiamo Wirilen blew a 3-0 9th inning lead, including a dramatic two-out, two-strike, two-run homer from Otahel City catcher Kiowu Salama. Merefife struck out 11, walked none and allowed just 4 hits in his 8 innings. Rupeuo Sipata held the line, despite loading the bases in both the 10th and 11th innings, and Westline's Atel Chirao walked it off with a knock.

Standings.......W..L
-- ....P.Galaxy.. 48 22
-- ....Westline.. 47 23
+1 .Mighty Oaks.. 43 27
-1 ....National.. 42 28
-- ......Keleri.. 42 28
+1 ...Amnanache.. 39 31
-1 ......Tsapna.. 38 31
-- ......Kepmem.. 37 33
-- .....Cheshek.. 37 33
+3 ........Muni.. 34 36
-- ........Meka.. 33 37
-2 ......Kupore.. 32 38
+2 ......Lutrul.. 32 38
-2 .Otahel City.. 31 39
-1 ...Sh.Eagles.. 30 40
+2 ...A.Spirits.. 28 41
+2 .....Fampalo.. 28 42
-----------------------------
-2 ......Semyof.. 28 42
-2 .....Sitache.. 28 42
-- Akashemo Utd.. 22 48


Not quite the chaos of week 6, but we still see two teams new to the relegation zone.

Next week, the Galaxy visit Keleri in round 15's marquee series. Plenty of eyes would have been on the National/Muni matchup, a cross-town derby that would see National CF Solo Sipet return to the Municipal Stadium for the first time as a visitor... but Sipet is injured currently, and it doesn't appear he will play in the series. Round 16 sees a classic rivalry in Tsapna/Semyof, albeit one that has lost its luster with Semyof's struggles over the past few years.

Round 15:
Westline vs. Amnanache
Shunna Eagles vs. Cheshek
Fampalo vs. Tsapna
Sitache vs. Lutrul
Pasataki Galaxy vs. Keleri
Semyof vs. Kupore
National vs. Shunna Municipal
Aroketsil Spirits vs. Otahel City
BK Kepmem vs. Akashemo United
Mighty Oaks vs. Meka

Round 16:
Otahel City vs. Mighty Oaks
Keleri vs. BK Kepmem
Kupore vs. Aroketsil Spirits
Tsapna vs. Semyof
Meka vs. Fampalo
Lutrul vs. Westline
Akashemo United vs. Shunna Eagles
Shunna Municipal vs. Pasataki Galaxy
Cheshek vs. National
Amnanache vs. Sitache

[Ruwisc]

Week 8: May 24-June 4, 2023

From the end of last week: National SP Santa Ketitu suffered a long-term injury in their week-ending win over Lutrul on the 23rd. He'll miss around 4 months with "ulnar nerve entrapment", which I can only assume means his left arm was coerced into committing a serious crime.

Featured Game: Tsapna BC (42-36) @ Semyof BC (33-46), June 4
10 - 16

Tsapna: 3B El, 2B Ketsekiriti, RF Toyerno, 1B Ifata, SS Wamia, CF Rolei, LF Apasarue, C Fatohatse, P Nylur
Semyof: 2B Sekao, RF Lilo, C Efiyalem, CF Temyl, 1B Merefife, SS Shulitso, LF Riporeto, 3B Chelempe, P Yshetsea
W: Uke Rafeku (1-1) L: Chomapu Tofepo (0-2)

The final game of the latest chapter in a rivalry series that dates back decades, this turned out to be a weird game. These two teams were the class of the Elite League's beginning stages, and in-fiction have been rivals for going on a hundred years (though that history does not exist in OOTP). Semyof are in the thick of some struggles right now, having yoyoed back and forth between leagues the last four years, but they can look to their rivals for inspiration - the same happened to Tsapna from 1996-2000, but since returning to the EL at the turn of the millennium they've never gone back down and have two championships.

Semyof definitely imitated Tsapna in this game, erasing an early 6-0 deficit in the second inning to tie it 6-6 in the 4th. Tsapna went up 9-7 by the 6th inning but wouldn't lead again after that. There were a total of 9 home runs in the game, including 2 from Semyof's Tosoro Merefife, and 15 extra base hits altogether. Both teams used 6 pitchers in the game, which is too bad for Semyof, who have to go straight out on the road after this game and play the week-opening clash in Meka.

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


Cheshek 3, Shunna Eagles 0: Another Eagles pitcher bites the dust, this time SP Zhitao Imatsa blowing out his elbow in the fourth inning. He will go into free agency this offseason, with his new team knowing that they won't have him for the first few months of the 2024 season. He also missed half of last season with a torn muscle in his throwing hand, which will have to affect his valuation.

Westline 2, Amnanache 1: Westline 2B Nukacholo Riseki will miss a month due to an ankle injury suffered in this game. Riseki, 20, is performing incredibly well in his first season in the EL - he won the Second League MVP in 2020 while playing with Linir BC.

BK Kepmem 11, Akashemo United 7: Despite the loss, Akashemo LF Tseiriki Tushifo garnered attention for hitting three homers in this rubber game. Tushifo has surged all the way to the top of the home run leaderboard, currently in a tie with Peku Karwo of the Spirits at week's end (29).

Pasataki Galaxy 7, Keleri 5: Keleri SS Atsi Keana, facing his former team, broke his elbow in a home plate collision in this loss, and is expected to miss the remainder of the year. As it turns out, I should not have picked him to win the MVP this year.

Round 16:
Otahel City 0-5 Mighty Oaks - 3-9, 7-8(10), 0-5, 3-7, 1-7
.....Keleri 0-5 BK Kepmem - 1-9, 1-8, 4-7, 0-4, 2-6
.....Kupore 1-4 A.Spirits - 4-5, 6-5, 2-3, 4-5, 1-4
.....Tsapna 2-3 Semyof - 5-4, 4-2, 3-4, 1-4, 10-16
.......Meka 4-1 Fampalo - 8-1, 12-0, 6-3, 4-3, 4-6
.....Lutrul 3-2 Westline - 4-5, 3-1(10), 6-4, 10-6(11), 4-6
...Akashemo 2-3 Sh.Eagles - 0-8, 3-2, 2-5, 7-2, 1-6
.......Muni 1-4 Pasataki - 2-3(10), 6-1, 4-6, 5-6(10), 3-4(10)
....Cheshek 2-3 National - 1-5, 3-12, 3-2(10), 3-4, 8-5
..Amnanache 3-2 Sitache - 7-2, 3-7, 3-11, 5-4, 7-1


Mighty Oaks 8, Otahel City 7: Another devastating injury, as Mighty Oaks 3B Netomue Kilutsa tore his ACL while going first-to-third during what turned out to be a game-tying 4 run rally for the Oaks, definitely soured somewhat.

Standings.......W..L
+1 ....Westline.. 54 26
-1 ....P.Galaxy.. 54 26
-- .Mighty Oaks.. 52 28
-- ....National.. 48 32
+3 ......Kepmem.. 45 35
-1 ......Keleri.. 45 35
+2 .....Cheshek.. 43 37
-1 ......Tsapna.. 42 37
-3 ...Amnanache.. 42 38
+3 ......Lutrul.. 38 42
-- ........Meka.. 38 42
-2 ........Muni.. 37 43
-1 ......Kupore.. 35 45
+2 ...A.Spirits.. 34 45
+3 ......Semyof.. 34 46
-2 .Otahel City.. 34 46
-2 ...Sh.Eagles.. 34 46
-----------------------------
-1 .....Fampalo.. 32 48
-- .....Sitache.. 32 48
-- Akashemo Utd.. 26 54


Westline had moved into first place by as many as 2 games during the week, but finish it ahead only on the run differential tiebreaker. The Galaxy are the league's best offensive team, but the 'Liners have allowed the fewest runs in the league so far, at under 3.5 per game, and their offense has been better than Galaxy pitching, marginally. Mighty Oaks are lurking too - you can't keep them down for too long.

May awards:

Batter of the Month: Pasataki Galaxy RF Timleni Chanesha - .441, 4 HR, 22 RBI, 34 R. The Galaxy leadoff hitter was hitting .303/.410/.527 at the end of April, and raised that all the way to .350/.455/.584 during May. The second straight Pasataki player to win this award, after Apia Lela won in April.

Pitcher of the Month: Mighty Oaks SP Notsimi Feshasu - 4-0, 2.34 ERA, 42.1 IP, 38 K, 13 BB in 6 starts. Last year's Pitcher of the Year keeps on rolling.

Rookie of the Month: Tsapna LF Uoro Toyerno - .398, 39 hits, 8 HR, 25 RBI. It's been a disappointing year for Tsapna so far, but their new slugger is definitely a bright spot.

Next week I'll stretch out to three series, and we'll hit the halfway point of the 2023 season. After these games, each pair of teams will have played once:

Round 17:
Westline vs. Cheshek
Fampalo vs. Akashemo United
Shunna Eagles vs. Lutrul
National vs. Tsapna
Sitache vs. Keleri
Pasataki Galaxy vs. Kupore
Aroketsil Spirits vs. Amnanache
BK Kepmem vs. Otahel City
Mighty Oaks vs. Shunna Municipal
Semyof vs. Meka

Round 18:
Semyof vs. Shunna Eagles
Mighty Oaks vs. Sitache
Pasataki Galaxy vs. Westline
Akashemo United vs. Cheshek
Keleri vs. Otahel City
Kupore vs. Tsapna
National vs. Aroketsil Spirits
Amnanache vs. Meka
BK Kepmem vs. Fampalo
Shunna Municipal vs. Lutrul

Round 19:
Meka vs. National
Sitache vs. BK Kepmem
Shunna Eagles vs. Pasataki Galaxy
Westline vs. Keleri
Fampalo vs. Mighty Oaks
Tsapna vs. Shunna Municipal
Lutrul vs. Amnanache
Cheshek vs. Semyof
Otahel City vs. Kupore
Aroketsil Spirits vs. Akashemo United

[Ruwisc]

Week 9-9.5: June 5-23, 2023

We're rocketing ahead to the halfway point of the season. Entering the week, it was starting to look like a three-horse race, but a fourth horse is about to enter the arena.

Featured Game: Meka BC (42-51) @ National BC (61-32), June 21
5 - 3 (11 innings)

Meka: 2B Tsewayo, 3B Otsu, LF Shipeyo, 1B Popa, RF Posheni, SS Paweshono, C Kotsypoti, CF Hifla, P Shininufu
National: LF Rorale, SS Mikesash, CF Sipet, RF Kakosuta, 3B Yelishike, 1B Rehefeo, 2B Apylsho, C Seshate, P Rinuka

A dramatic finish - Tacha Rinuka and two relievers had combined to stymie the Meka offense through 8 innings, and led 3-0 going to the ninth. In that frame, Soralone Popa led off with a hit, and advanced on a wild pitch ahead of Chorusho Paweshono's walk. With two out, OF Tiu Apylsho pinch-hit with a single to load the bases, and backup catcher Autsu Rehefeo came off the bench to tie the game with a bases-clearing double.

National had two men reach in the bottom of the ninth, but to extras they went, where Paweshono's two-run single gave Meka a 5-3 lead and the middle of the National order went... in order.

Why am I spotlighting this game in particular? Well, you'll see. This is what it took to actually beat National in this stretch of games!

Round 17:
...Westline 4-1 Cheshek - 3-0, 7-6(11), 3-2, 3-2, 1-3
....Fampalo 3-2 Akashemo - 3-2, 2-0, 0-2, 4-5(11), 9-4
..Sh.Eagles 2-3 Lutrul - 3-4, 6-5, 0-5, 21-8, 7-8(10)
...National 5-0 Tsapna - 5-4(11), 7-6, 3-1, 15-1, 8-3
....Sitache 2-3 Keleri - 3-4, 4-2, 2-7, 4-5, 6-4
...Pasataki 2-3 Kupore - 2-4, 8-9(10), 6-3(10), 6-2, 6-8
..A.Spirits 3-2 Amnanache - 6-2, 1-2, 6-7, 6-1, 11-5(10)
..BK Kepmem 2-3 Otahel City - 6-1, 6-1, 0-1, 5-8, 2-4
Mighty Oaks 3-2 Muni - 4-2, 6-3, 5-7, 5-7, 5-2
.....Semyof 4-1 Meka - 10-4, 3-4(11), 4-2, 1-0, 4-2


Keleri 7, Sitache 2: Keleri's Shatso Raseke had 3 home runs in this win, on just 4 at bats. Raseke has been the regular shortstop since Atsi Keana's injury, and has pretty evenly split time between short, second and right this season overall.

National 3, Tsapna 1: Despite the win, National ace Lohy Awia was lost for the season to a torn UCL. 50/50 shot that he's ready for the start of the 2024 season.

Round 18:
.....Semyof 1-4 Sh.Eagles - 6-7, 1-5, 2-5, 5-6(10), 1-0
Mighty Oaks 3-2 Sitache - 8-2, 9-5, 9-8, 0-3, 5-9
...Pasataki 2-3 Westline - 5-2, 1-8, 9-4, 4-5, 4-7
...Akashemo 1-4 Cheshek - 3-8, 4-5, 6-13, 2-8, 17-7
.....Keleri 3-2 Otahel City - 5-4(10), 3-1, 0-4, 5-4, 2-5
.....Kupore 1-4 Tsapna - 2-4, 1-7, 7-6(10), 2-9, 4-6
...National 5-0 A.Spirits - 5-4, 11-1, 9-6, 12-2, 8-3
..Amnanache 2-3 Meka - 1-3, 6-5, 3-1(10), 0-7, 4-7
..BK Kepmem 3-2 Fampalo - 3-2(11), 3-1(10), 6-5, 3-4(10), 6-7(10)
.......Muni 2-3 Lutrul - 9-0, 3-6, 0-2, 3-5, 10-8


Shunna Municipal 9, Lutrul 0: A shutout for Muni's Toitu Sofiulo, with 5 hits allowed and 1 walk. Sofiulo has had much better outcomes than when Muni were last here - in 2021, he went 4-19. He also threw a no-hitter last year in the Second League, right around this time of year.

Shunna Eagles 7, Semyof 6: The week after losing another starting pitcher to injury (Imatsa), the Eagles lose SP Okishira Shiyetsorisu to a shoulder injury. Down two of their top 3 starters and struggling to stay comfortably above the relegation line, the Eagles desperately await the return of Toe Kachefe, who is ahead of schedule and will be back in a couple weeks.

National 9, Aroketsil Spirits 6: A 3-homer game for National's Kashuma Rehefeo, the last of which broke a 6-6 tie in the ninth inning, one pitch after Pelik Yelishike had tied it with a homer of his own.

Sitache 9, Mighty Oaks 5: Oaks RF Peyaka Sefenera was hit on the foot by an errant pitch in this game, breaking that foot and putting him out for 3-4 weeks. The Mighty Oaks had been pretty healthy up until recently, but the injury bug is starting to bite here at the season's midpoint.

Tsapna 6, Kupore 4: Another game with 3 home runs, this time for Tsapna 3B Pomi Mawotsi. Coincidentally, all three homers broke a tie and gave Tsapna the lead, including in the bottom of the 9th for a two-run walkoff. Kupore's Koraralu Fatsi had tied the game in the top of the 9th with a 2-out double.

Round 19:
.......Meka 1-4 National - 6-11, 4-6, 3-4(10), 5-3(10), 6-8
....Sitache 0-5 BK Kepmem - 4-7, 4-5, 1-6, 2-3, 5-6
..Sh.Eagles 2-3 Pasataki - 4-9, 1-6, 7-5(10), 0-6, 5-2
...Westline 1-4 Keleri - 0-8, 2-11, 3-8, 3-5, 10-1
....Fampalo 3-2 Mighty Oaks - 9-6, 4-9, 6-4(10), 7-2, 2-10
.....Tsapna 3-2 Muni - 2-1, 6-3, 4-0(10), 1-4, 1-4
.....Lutrul 3-2 Amnanache - 9-2, 0-8, 6-2, 13-3, 1-3
....Cheshek 2-3 Semyof - 7-8, 2-1, 5-6, 5-6(10), 11-5
Otahel City 1-4 Kupore - 4-3(10), 1-4, 3-4, 2-8, 1-3
..A.Spirits 1-4 Akashemo - 14-11, 9-12, 3-6, 2-6, 2-5


National 11, Meka 6: Yet another three-home-run game, the fourth in this period. This time it was accomplished by National LF Kiowu Rorale. Not as dramatic as Mawotsi's feat from a few days earlier, or his teammate Rehefeo's from a few days before that. National led big and early, with late spurts by Meka making the score look closer.

Standings.............W..L
+3 ....National.. 62 33
-1 ....Westline.. 62 33
-1 ....P.Galaxy.. 61 34
-1 .Mighty Oaks.. 60 35
-- ......Kepmem.. 55 40
-- ......Keleri.. 55 40
-- .....Cheshek.. 50 45
-- ......Tsapna.. 49 45
-- ...Amnanache.. 48 47
-- ......Lutrul.. 47 48
-- ........Meka.. 43 52
+1 ......Kupore.. 43 52
-1 ........Muni.. 43 52
+1 ......Semyof.. 42 53
+2 ...Sh.Eagles.. 42 53
-- .Otahel City.. 40 55
+1 .....Fampalo.. 40 55
-----------------------------
-4 ...A.Spirits.. 38 56
-- .....Sitache.. 36 59
-- Akashemo Utd.. 33 62


A 14-1 stretch, while the top 3 were all 8-7 or 7-8, gives National what feels like an improbable lead at the halfway point.

Next post will be a halfway point update for the stats races and the lower leagues, then we'll begin the second half of the EL season with these matchups:

Round 20:
Westline vs. Shunna Municipal
Shunna Eagles vs. BK Kepmem
Tsapna vs. Amnanache
Lutrul vs. Akashemo United
Cheshek vs. Pasataki Galaxy
Otahel City vs. National
Meka vs. Kupore
Aroketsil Spirits vs. Mighty Oaks
Sitache vs. Semyof
Fampalo vs. Keleri

Round 21:
BK Kepmem vs. Meka
Amnanache vs. Otahel City
National vs. Shunna Eagles
Mighty Oaks vs. Westline
Kupore vs. Lutrul
Semyof vs. Aroketsil Spirits
Akashemo United vs. Sitache
Pasataki Galaxy vs. Tsapna
Keleri vs. Cheshek
Shunna Municipal vs. Fampalo

Round 22:
National vs. Fampalo
Mighty Oaks vs. Shunna Eagles
Shunna Municipal vs. Otahel City
BK Kepmem vs. Westline
Amnanache vs. Cheshek
Akashemo United vs. Tsapna
Pasataki Galaxy vs. Aroketsil Spirits
Kupore vs. Sitache
Keleri vs. Meka
Semyof vs. Lutrul

[Ruwisc]

2023 Halfway Point

With 95 of the schedule's 190 games having been played (barring one postponement), and each pair of teams matching up once, it's a good time to reflect on the EL season thus far. I want to try to give a mini-update on how things look for all 20 teams individually. Starting at the bottom of the current standings and moving up:

Akashemo United
33-62 (20th)
Biggest surprise: LF Tseiriki Tushifo, 19, was unproven going into this season, having previously played in the 3rd tier of the pyramid. He has been the team's best hitter by far, nearly doubling up all of his teammates in homers in the process.
Biggest disappointment: The pitching staff as a whole was supposed to keep the team afloat, with roughly league-average talent and projections. Instead, the team is 17th in runs allowed, and the only major pitching stat in which Akashemo is in the top half of the league is in strikeouts. The bullpen in particular deserves the majority of the blame for this.

Sitache BC
36-59 (19th)
Biggest surprise: It's hard to categorize him as a surprise, since he is quite well-known, but 1B Fomo Tirma is keeping this team afloat (6 WAR). If he hadn't been signed away from Kupore in the offseason, Sitache would be doomed. If I have to pick someone else, trade acquisition RF Micha Pishot, who came over from Westline in May, has been awesome in 35 games, after not playing too much with his former team.
Biggest disappointment: The rotation. #1 pitcher Eshan Kohopa is out for the year, #2 pitcher Chapeo Mematsa was traded in the aforementioned deal with Westline, and the other three pitchers who started the year in the rotation have been completely awful. The only starter worth praising is Tumi Pufosa, who came in following the trade of Mematsa and has been decent. Sitache has allowed more runs than any other team & if they don't fix that, they're probably going down.

Aroketsil Spirits
38-56 (18th)
Biggest surprise: 1B Peku Karwo was already the reigning MVP, but the way that he has transformed his game this season qualifies as a surprise for sure. Karwo has become an elite power hitter, sacrificing some of the contact that won him two of the last three batting titles. His overall results are about as valuable to the team, but it is funny to see that a player of his caliber is already only 2 HR away from matching his career high.
Biggest disappointment: 3B Rolana Rekesu is still hitting below .200 at the halfway point. This is supposed to be one of the league's most feared sluggers, and he's just not himself right now. He'll never be a high average guy, but he should be hitting .260 or so at least. Aroketsil is supposed to be an offensively-oriented team but they're in the bottom half in runs scored.

Fampalo BC
40-55 (17th)
Biggest surprise: Health has been a plus for Fampalo, with only one major injury to speak of (closer Nene Asi is out for the year). Swingman pitcher Wyshuo Rainai has been great in both the rotation and the bullpen, and though the offense has been awful as predicted, the play of CF Tofe Uyeshu has been a real bright spot, particularly on defense.
Biggest disappointment: Even though this was already seen as a weakness, the team's hitting has been abysmal - they are last in the EL in runs scored by a long shot. Catcher Tupae Pufosa has been the team's only above-average hitter.

Otahel City
40-55 (16th)
Biggest surprise: I wouldn't say it's been amazing overall, but the rotation was supposed to hold this team back and it's actually been their best unit. Top pitcher Hiatoa Neyopet is leading the way, and all five of the rotation pitchers from the season preview are still in there and firing away.
Biggest disappointment: I thought the Otahel City lineup would be improved from 2022, and that has not been the case. It's hard to find a specific guy to pin it on, everyone has just been pretty underwhelming as a group.

Shunna Eagles
42-53 (15th)
Biggest surprise: It was hard to predict what catcher Lakiru Shufaho would be this year, as a full-time EL starter for the first time, but he's been quite good. He's on pace for a career-best season even without accounting for weaker competition in prior years.
Biggest disappointment: The Eagles have been hit quite hard by injuries, in particular losing their top two starters for the year. The rotation was supposed to be a strength, but that's definitely not the case here in late June. As mentioned previously, Toe Kachefe will be back from injury soon to actually begin his season, but he's not really a savior, just a solid mid-rotation piece.

Semyof BC
42-53 (14th)
Biggest surprise: I thought the bullpen would be Semyof's undoing this season, but it has actually been reasonably good. Closer Letsanie Shizechao has performed quite well in his first Elite League season in particular.
Biggest disappointment: By contrast, the rotation has been a real weakness. Semyof is allowing about the same number of runs as you would predict, just at a different time in the game. In particular, Mafuke Yshetsea, acquired from the Spirits in the offseason, has been pretty bad.

Shunna Municipal
43-52 (13th)
Biggest surprise: The Muni rotation has been excellent as a whole - the team has the #3 best starters' ERA at this point, when they were thought to be a below-average unit. Ace Shaho Reopo is responsible for the biggest part of that, though he is now done for the year to injury.
Biggest disappointment: CF Teyi Likoka has had an awful return to the EL (he played for the Spirits from 2014-17). He was supposed to be the table-setter at the top of the lineup, but has been dropped down to the bottom of the order due to ineffectiveness.

Kupore BC
43-52 (12th)
Biggest surprise: 3B Koraralu Fatsi has taken "the leap" this season. At 26, he has reached heights beyond what any of his previous scouting reports indicate & become arguably one of the league's top 10 position players.
Biggest disappointment: It looks especially bad with the context of trying to replace Fomo Tirma, but 1B Pifipyku Metseto has been awful. A sub-.600 OPS from the first base position, while also not being a good defender, is hard to... defend.

Meka BC
43-52 (11th)
Biggest surprise: I touted 2B Lesafe Tsewayo in the preview, saying he "might" be Meka's best hitter from the leadoff spot. Well, that turns out to have been true by a wide margin, and for a team that has scored a pretty good number of runs to this point. As the leadoff man, he is winning the Meka Triple Crown at the moment, especially weird in the case of having the most RBI.
Biggest disappointment: The rotation has been a weak point, other than budding ace Fum Pese who has lived up to the hype so far.

Lutrul BC
47-48 (10th)
Biggest surprise: Health among position players was a concern, especially for CF Ipitashi Rerawe, but the team has remained relatively healthy this season. Only 2B Poem Meste has missed significant time & he's now healthy again. Lutrul's lineup depth is one of their strengths & that has come in handy.
Biggest disappointment: 1B/SS Ilye Nofetso, 18, has taken a huge step back, after two years of looking like a potential all-time great. He's dropped about 150 points of OPS from last year, mostly from a big drop in power (52 HR last year, 12 so far this year). The health of their hitters has also not extended to the pitching staff - eleven pitchers are currently dealing with injuries of some kind, with at least three of them out for the season.

Amnanache BC
48-47 (9th)
Biggest surprise: Amnanache has massively overperformed their Pythagorean record, which is actually worse than Otahel City's Pythag down in 16th place. Part of that does point to a good Orange bullpen, but in truth there haven't really been that many positives for Amnanache. 2B Peche Iyikio has continued to develop nicely, and is now clearly the team's top hitter - he has now matched his 20 HR from last year.
Biggest disappointment: For a team that prides itself on its pitching, the staff has been suspiciously average. One hurler who should be singled out is SP Tsai Reyolafa, whose ERA is up more than 2 runs from his great season last year.

Tsapna BC
49-45 (8th)
Biggest surprise: Rookie OF Uoro Toyerno, 17, has been really excellent, and looks to be a great complement to Lawori El in the Tsapna lineup.
Biggest disappointment: Tsapna hasn't really gotten going yet, and injuries are a big part of that. They're missing their ace, Mua Wyranu, for the rest of the season, OF Iti Tashete has only played 29 games, and their other starting OF, CF Chiati Rolei, is out until mid August at least.

Cheshek BC
50-45 (7th)
Biggest surprise: "Surprise" might not be the right word, but it's been a joy to watch Syshawe Arachihe take the leap to superstardom this year. He has primarily played 1B this year, after being the everyday RF last year, and has also made 14 starts at third this season. He's got a little bit of early Albert Pujols versatility in him, but with an OBP above .500 to boot. Cheshek also lead the EL in stolen bases by far, with around 50% more than 2nd-place Tsapna.
Biggest disappointment: Two of Siso Narupu, Tihyla Pohape, and Manna Tyheshina are starting in the outfield every day, and they've all been dreadfully bad.

Keleri BC
55-40 (6th)
Biggest surprise: Not a surprise to what OOTP was predicting, but I'm personally surprised by just how quickly Kes Nokolo has become one of the nation's best pitchers. He just turned 17 in May, yet is rocking a 3.13 ERA, has the league's best FIP at 2.55, and also has the EL's lowest walk rate among qualified pitchers.
Biggest disappointment: 6th would be Keleri's lowest finish in a decade, so this placement causes freakouts in Hefem. The deficit seems to be in a lack of offensive production - this was supposed to be the league's best offense but currently places, well, sixth. No player in the lineup has been outright bad, but there is a lack of top-end production caused in large part by SS Atsi Keana's injury.

BK Kepmem
55-40 (5th)
Biggest surprise: Kepmem's rise this season is primarily down to a good season from what was supposed to be a very weak rotation. Teshepo Tefasa deserves a lot of credit - the 19-year-old took a big step forward last year and has followed it up by being even better in 2023 so far.
Biggest disappointment: For a team with such a good lineup, it remains confounding that they can't find an EL-caliber center fielder. Takmake Kynkan was quite bad, and the acquisition of Peko Misha (who was one of the minor deals at the deadline that wasn't worth covering) hasn't really helped.

Mighty Oaks BC
60-35 (4th)
Biggest surprise: LF Tula Misha has, after a couple of disappointing years, returned to the form that found him success in his early career with the Pasataki Galaxy. Health has also been a plus for the team, with only 3B Netomue Kilutsa and SP Talese Yelishike missing extended time (Yelishike will be back next week).
Biggest disappointment: 1B Somp Awia has taken a big step back in his second year with the Oaks, dropping nearly 200 points of OPS. I'm also befuddled by what happened in May, where they were a .500 team (13-13). This team is usually such a beacon of consistent quality that it was jarring!

Pasataki Galaxy
61-34 (3rd)
Biggest surprise: The Galaxy are yet again the league's best offensive team, with 27 more runs scored than any other team in the Elite League. 2B Apia Lela has been the keystone of that, unlocking a new level of offensive production at age 30 while also being Gold Glove caliber.
Biggest disappointment: Their big offseason signing, SS Wyku Tofpalts, has fallen a bit flat, although he did miss the entire month of May with an elbow injury too.

Westline BC
62-33 (2nd)
Biggest surprise: The hype was real, I guess. After all the money Westline committed over the winter, they have indeed moved into the EL's upper echelon. For an individual, 20-year-old ace pitcher Tula Mitonone has converted on his individual promise and has looked great, if not PoY-winning. Team defense has also been a huge plus.
Biggest disappointment: Despite having arguably the worst pitching stats on the roster, Chiamo Wirilen is still installed as the closer, although I say "worst pitching stats" as if he isn't 21-23 in save opportunities. I'm nitpicking here, things are going quite well at Westline.

National BC
62-33 (1st)
Biggest surprise: SP Kiro Ponarf is the biggest individual surprise in the league, bar none. He's gone from not starting the year in the rotation, to being the guy that National would call on if they needed one game to win the championship. He had never made a start before this year, and in fact still does not have a logged scouting report that lists him as a starter! 1B Kashuma Rehefeo also deserves mention - in the preview I mentioned him as a potential offensive liability, and he's outperformed that expectation by a huge margin.
Biggest disappointment: Pitching health might dampen their championship aspirations in the second half, with top starters Lohy Awia and Santa Ketitu out alongside closer Fapasile Opopa.

[Ruwisc]

Elite League Stats Update

Batting race:
Fomo Tirma (1B, Sitache): .375
Faruo Ayekrea (LF, BK Kepmem): .373
Peku Karwo (1B, Aroketsil Spirits): .343
Wia Merefife (1B, Pasataki): .343

Tirma was the batting title winner two years ago, and leads the pack here yet again - last time, he was just out of the top 3 at .367. Ayekrea was hitting well over .400 at the last update, and that stat has slipped but he still carries an OBP above .500 at the halfway point. Karwo and Merefife are statistical marvels - Karwo may have a legitimate Triple Crown opportunity if the top two guys slip up a bit.

Home runs:
Peku Karwo (1B, Aroketsil Spirits): 40
Tseiriki Tushifo (LF, Akashemo United): 33
Kala Koshynae (3B, BK Kepmem): 32

Karwo's career high in HR is 42, and he's almost there already - and need I remind the reader, he already won the MVP last year. It's a shame the rest of his team has been so poor, I would love to see him play out his entire 8-year extension with Aroketsil but that won't happen if they get relegated.

RBI:
Wia Merefife (1B, Pasataki): 98
Peku Karwo (1B, Aroketsil Spirits): 93
Kala Koshynae (3B, BK Kepmem): 89

Merefife, of course, benefits from batting cleanup for the best offensive team in the nation, but he does lead Pasataki in all three Triple Crown categories right now, so it's certainly his doing in a large portion.

Position player WAR:
Apia Lela (2B, Pasataki): 7.4
Faruo Ayekrea (LF, BK Kepmem): 7.3
Kala Koshynae (3B, BK Kepmem): 6.8

But it's Merefife's teammate, hitting right before him in the order, that carries the WAR leaderboard. Lela has found a new gear at age 30, and remains a Gold Glove caliber 2B, which gives him that edge over his infield neighbor.

Stolen bases:
Ketso Kofmi (SS, Cheshek): 51
Lawori El (2B, Tsapna): 45
Manna Tyheshina (CF, Cheshek): 38

Cheshek is running absolutely wild as a team, with a big margin over everyone else. Kofmi on his own has stolen more bases than 7 entire EL teams, and Tyheshina is racking up this number despite being a sub-.200 hitter with a sub-.500 OPS.

ERA:
Setsinak Perano (Tsapna): 2.27
Notsimi Feshasu (Mighty Oaks): 2.36
Kiro Ponarf (National): 2.41

Perano, a longtime closer with Akashemo United and the Spirits, became a starter in his last season with Aroketsil and parlayed that into a more lucrative career path. After missing most of last season with a torn labrum, this return performance has been much needed now that teammate Mua Wyranu is dealing with the same injury.

Wins:
Kiro Ponarf (National): 11-1
Kwukasho Awia (Westline): 11-3
Lomunu Awia (Tsapna): 11-3
Notsimi Feshasu (Mighty Oaks): 11-4
Teshepo Tefasa (BK Kepmem): 11-4

It's a 5-way tie at the moment. We've got all sorts here, from established stars (L. Awia, Feshasu), breakout stars who have never been this good before (Ponarf, Tefasa), and a 17-year-old rookie knuckleballer who might just do this for the next twenty years (K. Awia).

Saves:
Chysho Sofiulo (Cheshek): 28
Autsu Sikiura (Mighty Oaks): 26
Iraite Nisushi (Muni): 25

Sofiulo has led the EL in saves twice before (2018-19) in his time with Keleri. He is likely to break the all-time saves record either at the end of this season or early in 2024, 24 saves behind the record held by another Keleri great, Sura Tymeniwa. I'll try to remember to check on his save total at the end of this season - 53 for the season would get him that record.

Strikeouts:
Tula Mitonone (Westline): 142
Laotso Tirionu (Amnanache): 135
Teshepo Tefasa (BK Kepmem): 127

Mitonone is somehow only 7-6 on the season, despite his great stats and playing for a team that is currently tied for first in the league.

Pitcher WAR:
Kes Nokolo (Keleri): 4.0
Epencho Latsychano (Amnanache): 3.9
Tula Mitonone (Westline): 3.7

Nokolo is completely living up to the hype, leading the league in FIP in large part because his control has been so good (also a league-leading BB/9). Seems like he'll be a difference-maker for a while.

----------

Lower Leagues Update

Second League
Standings..............W..L
+1 ..........Hokrof.. 66 29
-1 ...Swans Menmapa.. 61 34
-- ........Mithazni.. 56 39
-----------------------------
+5 ..Ransu Shockers.. 55 40
-- .........Takanse.. 53 42
+2 .........Tishmin.. 52 43
-1 ..Nokelto Scouts.. 52 43
-4 ...........Nokir.. 51 44
+5 .....Nokelto Utd.. 48 47
-3 ......Nipte City.. 47 48
-- ......A.Canaries.. 46 49
+1 Pelpitimochu Utd.. 45 50
+5 .........Penhara.. 44 51
-2 ............Fese.. 43 52
+2 ......Yoho Bears.. 43 52
+4 ...Killi.Bayside.. 40 55
-----------------------------
-7 ..........Yasral.. 39 56
-3 ...Tenshe.Rubies.. 38 57
-- ...Sunoki Hearts.. 36 59
-4 ..........Onesti.. 35 60


A few weeks ago, Menmapa was 4 games clear of the rest of the 2L, but Hokrof has gone 34-11 since then to surge into first in a bid to regain their Elite League placement. Mithazni is also in position to get promoted to the EL for the third consecutive odd year. The third relegated team from last season, Nokelto Scouts, aren't in a bad position per se, but work to do. Killitash Bayside, in their first season in the 2L, were in last place at the quarter pole but have been above .500 since then to jump out of the relegation zone.

Northern Premier League
Standings..............W..L
+1 ...........Fachi.. 60 35
+4 ......Hiolye Utd.. 59 36
-----------------------------
+1 .Alilia Captains.. 59 36
+4 ...Sowichark Utd.. 58 37
+5 ........Moonside.. 54 41
-5 .........Shalish.. 52 43
-4 .......Atafe Utd.. 51 44
+1 .....Ransu Ports.. 49 46
+5 ...........Linir.. 49 46
+2 ..........Oyefit.. 49 46
+4 ............Pale.. 48 47
-5 ............Kine.. 46 49
-- ....Tsutonsu Utd.. 45 50
+2 ....Lempisho Utd.. 43 52
+4 ........Lisa Utd.. 41 54
-5 .........Loshtsi.. 40 55
-----------------------------
12 Enihaka Cyclones.. 40 55
-- ............Fure.. 36 59
-2 ...........Sakse.. 36 59
-- ..Hokrof Beavers.. 35 60


Fachi also represent Hokrof, so it's been a great year on the rivermouth (well, not if you love the Beavers). They are also the team that was transferred from the SPL to the NPL this season for geography's sake, which is a tough beat for the other potential promotion candidates.

Southern Premier League
Standings..............W..L
+1 ..........Wichku.. 65 30
+1 .Killitash Stars.. 62 33
-----------------------------
-2 .........Himespo.. 61 34
+3 ...Mamtul Wolves.. 59 36
+3 .........Wikyats.. 55 40
-1 ......Feshuyalya.. 54 41
-1 ...........Hilas.. 52 43
+6 .........Sokroch.. 49 46
+2 .........Amkutan.. 48 47
-6 .........Shepero.. 48 47
-2 ..........Sheshu.. 47 48
-2 .........Rasenok.. 46 49
-- .........Mewofes.. 43 52
+2 ....Tinshenikosh.. 43 52
-- Killitash Giants.. 42 53
-4 ........Sachlihe.. 41 54
-----------------------------
-- South Shore Aksa.. 41 54
-- ........Sapphire.. 38 57
-- ...Hefem Rangers.. 32 63
-- .......Takelehun.. 24 71


Himespo was in the lead last time, but Wichku (Aksa) have jumped in front at the halfway mark. My favorite team, South Shore Aksa, looks to be in a tough relegation fight.

Lower League Leaders

Tier 4:

Northern Super League - Moshelosi BC (Penhara, HO): 60-29
Southern Super League - Hechemi United (Hechemi, PI): 61-28

Tier 5:

Mideast League One - Hertulsho BC (Hertulsho, HO): 49-26
Northeast League One - Mimo United (Mimo, CA): 53-22
Southern League One - BK Tepche (Kiwa Punem, ME): 48-27
Western League One - Kepits City (Kepits, SE): 45-30

Tier 6:

Mideast League Two - Shunna Volunteer (Shunna, XU): 48-27
Northeast League Two - Rama United (Rama, LS): 50-25
Southern League Two - Motsuf BC (Efiro, EE): 49-26
Western League Two - Shiwemin Gulls (Shiwemin, SE): 47-28

Tier 7:

Central Championship: Payentak BC (Hefem, EM): 34-9
Mideast Championship: Sirshofyesh BC (Jukos, LS): 30-13
Northeast Championship: Lupe Devils (Ransu, RA): 31-12
North Championship: Kantsul United (Kantsul, FH): 32-11
Northwest Championship: Reha BC (Yahofel, PE): 29-14
Prairie Championship: Nofeya Aeros (Nofeya, SE): 29-14
Southern Championship: Peshi United (Peshi, ZA): 34-9
South Sea Championship: BKK Siyostuli (Kiwa Siyostuli, ME): 33-10

Tier 8:

Central League: Tomkif BC (Mokayoron, KX): 19-8
Mideast League: Tuki BC (Horimo, HO): 20-7
Northeast League: Oshotater BC (Oshotater, LS): 21-6
North League: Ominu City (Ominu, HO): 22-5
Northwest League: Shotsi United (Shotsi, PE): 20-7
Prairie League: Shunna Foxes (Shunna, XU): 22-5
Southern League: Womasi BC (Sheshu, EE): 20-7
South Sea League: Kipi BC (Tenshemaho, ZA): 18-9

Kipi are a team most people in Lokasi who follow baseball will have heard of; they've played 13 seasons in the EL, as recently as 2009, and have a high-water-mark of 11th place in 1994. Now in their third season in the SSRL, might they finally be pulling out of their slide? Maybe, although the season is only about a quarter of the way over at this level (27 of 104 games). Let's hope so, it must be depressing to see their stadium only about 10% full on average.

Tiers 9-11 (the state-level leagues) are just underway, having played one 3-game series per team.

[Ruwisc]

Week 10-11: June 24-July 10, 2023

Early week injury news - Otahel City SP Hiatoa Neyopet will miss about four weeks while dealing with elbow tendinitis. For an Otahel team that has gotten more from its rotation than expected, losing their #1 might be a tricky spot.

Featured Game: BK Kepmem (61-46) @ Westline BC (72-35)
5 - 0

BK Kepmem: LF Ayekrea, 1B Kino, RF Pishot, 3B Koshynae, 2B Ramukosho, SS Tinashatale, C Pylashe, CF Misha, P Tefasa
Westline: LF Shosotsoke, CF Sifoku, 2B Riseki, 1B Aliso, C Posheni, SS Chirao, RF Mukuapi, 3B Riwihy, P Tsumeratsi

BK Kepmem 200 030 000 5 6 1
.Westline 000 000 000 0 0 0
W: Teshepo Tefasa (14-4) L: Misote Tsumeratsi (6-5)

There it is! The first no-hitter in the Elite League since 2020, and hence the first one since this thread has begun. Tefasa's emergence was already one of the stories of this season, and a big reason why Kepmem have ascended in 2023. A homegrown pitcher, who grew up close enough to be rooting for Kepmem as a kid, is making good, and that is something we can all appreciate.

This was his first career complete game, so you can imagine he was quite efficient, needing just 103 pitches. Tefasa surrendered just two walks (one in the 2nd inning, so no perfect game anxiety), and also worked around an error by Kala Koshynae at third.

Hilariously, Kepmem's scoring in this game consisted of five solo home runs, including a pair of back-to-backs: Pishot and Koshynae in the 1st, Ayekrea and Kino in the 5th (with Pylashe also homering earlier in the frame). This is also the only win BK Kepmem would capture in the series, as Westline otherwise had quite a good section of their schedule here.

Round 20:
...Westline 4-1 Muni - 3-2, 8-2, 4-3, 5-6, 3-0
..Sh.Eagles 2-3 BK Kepmem - 0-5, 2-9, 0-2, 8-4, 8-0
.....Tsapna 4-1 Amnanache - 3-8, 5-1, 4-3, 6-2, 2-1(11)
.....Lutrul 2-3 Akashemo - 1-3, 3-2, 2-5, 5-2, 4-6
....Cheshek 3-2 Pasataki - 7-0, 3-8, 2-0, 2-0, 2-12
Otahel City 0-5 National - 4-7, 1-6, 2-8, 0-7, 1-13
.......Meka 2-3 Kupore - 7-3, 0-1, 2-4, 10-13, 3-2(10)
..A.Spirits 1-4 Mighty Oaks - 2-3, 4-2, 6-7, 6-9, 5-6
....Sitache 2-3 Semyof - 5-6, 2-3, 0-3, 7-3, 6-1
....Fampalo 2-3 Keleri - 2-0, 1-3, 2-3(10), 1-9, 9-3


Amnanache 8, Tsapna 3: Really tough injury news - Tsapna SP Setsinak Perano will miss the rest of the season now with radial nerve compression. For a team that has had some injury difficulty, losing the league's ERA leader is another tough blow.

Aroketsil Spirits 4, Mighty Oaks 2: This contentious rivalry boiled over when Spirits OF Selo Sisilu charged the mound after being hit by Oaks SP Kiosho Epofemi, with both players subsequently serving suspensions.

National 7, Otahel City 0: National's Tacha Rinuka shuts out Otahel City, scattering 7 singles.

Shunna Eagles 8, BK Kepmem 0: Eagles 1B Teriwoma Etoso broke his kneecap in an awkward home plate collision and is done for the year. The Eagles' rotten injury luck continues.

June Awards:

Batter of the Month: Aroketsil Spirits 1B Peku Karwo - .427, 13 HR, 34 RBI, 18 R. His second monthly award of the season after also winning this award in March.

Pitcher of the Month: National SP Tacha Rinuka - 3-0, 1.01 ERA, 35.2 IP, 28 K/3 BB. He allowed a total of 4 runs in his 5 starts, including the aforementioned shutout of Otahel City. He had had a tough first half of the season until June rolled around, lowering his season ERA from 6.33 all the way to 4.68, and (looking ahead) his first two starts in July will lower it another third of a run.

Rookie of the Month: Tsapna LF Uoro Toyerno - .318, 27 H, 6 HR, 22 RBI. As I mentioned earlier this season, there aren't a lot of rookies available to give this award to, but Toyerno is definitely a bright spot.

Round 21:
..BK Kepmem 3-2 Meka - 3-2, 14-4, 6-4, 7-12, 6-9
..Amnanache 3-2 Otahel City - 4-1, 7-1, 5-7, 3-4(10), 8-4
...National 5-0 Sh.Eagles - 6-3, 5-4, 10-8, 4-1, 3-1
Mighty Oaks 1-4 Westline - 1-3, 4-0, 3-4, 0-6, 1-3
.....Kupore 3-2 Lutrul - 8-6, 1-9, 1-0, 5-3, 3-5
.....Semyof 1-4 A.Spirits - 7-9, 7-2, 1-4, 8-9, 4-7
...Akashemo 4-1 Sitache - 7-2, 8-4, 10-7, 4-3, 0-15
...Pasataki 2-3 Tsapna - 0-2, 5-3, 2-10, 4-2, 2-5
.....Keleri 3-2 Cheshek - 2-0, 5-6, 6-5, 4-5(10), 7-3
.......Muni 1-4 Fampalo - 2-4, 1-8, 6-7, 3-2(12), 0-5


July 3: Mighty Oaks announce a 2-year contract extension for closer Autsu Sikiura for a total of $12.6 million. The league's 2nd-leading saves getter, and his club, would consider his original 2-year, $11.6 million deal to be a success, and why not sign up for more of that I suppose?

Round 22:
...National 2-3 Fampalo - 1-2, 5-6, 5-3, 1-5, 10-3
Mighty Oaks 2-3 Sh.Eagles - 5-7, 1-4, 4-1, 3-6, 5-2
.......Muni 3-2 Otahel City - 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, 1-2(12), 4-3
..BK Kepmem 1-4 Westline - 1-4, 4-5(11), 5-0, 2-5, 0-10
..Amnanache 2-3 Cheshek - 0-5, 3-2, 0-4, 9-0, 3-6(10)
...Akashemo 2-3 Tsapna - 3-8, 6-2, 0-9, 1-13, 5-3
...Pasataki 5-0 A.Spirits - 7-6, 9-3, 7-3, 5-4, 8-5
.....Kupore 3-2 Sitache - 3-4, 14-0, 2-1, 2-3, 9-7
.....Keleri 1-4 Meka - 0-4, 2-7, 4-6, 4-12, 7-6
.....Semyof 3-2 Lutrul - 7-3, 6-4, 2-4, 4-6, 5-2


Kupore 14, Sitache 0: The Kupore offense was so potent today that it generated two automatically-written game recaps in the news feed, one for RF Neare Felorasa's 5-hit game including a homer, and one for Takipuse Shihoe's 6-hit outburst, the first 6-hit 9-inning game in the Elite League since Pumona Kakosuta did so for National in July 2021.

Standings.......W..L
-- ....National.. 74 36
-- ....Westline.. 74 36
-- ....P.Galaxy.. 70 40
-- .Mighty Oaks.. 67 43
-- ......Kepmem.. 62 48
-- ......Keleri.. 62 48
+1 ......Tsapna.. 59 50
-1 .....Cheshek.. 58 52
-- ...Amnanache.. 54 56
-- ......Lutrul.. 53 57
+1 ......Kupore.. 52 58
-1 ........Meka.. 51 59
+1 ......Semyof.. 49 61
+3 .....Fampalo.. 49 61
-2 ........Muni.. 48 62
-1 ...Sh.Eagles.. 47 63
-1 .Otahel City.. 44 66
-----------------------------
-- ...A.Spirits.. 43 66
+1 Akashemo Utd.. 42 68
-1 .....Sitache.. 41 69


Big weeks for the two leaders (12-3 each), Tsapna (10-5), Fampalo (9-6), but particularly Akashemo United (9-6), who were 7 games from the safe zone at the last update and are now just 2 away.

Next week, the two streaking teams at the top of the table face off for the final time this year, and the fun doesn't end there for Westline - they'll also travel to Pasataki to play the Galaxy.

Round 23:
Cheshek vs. Kupore
Aroketsil Spirits vs. BK Kepmem
Sitache vs. Pasataki Galaxy
Lutrul vs. Keleri
Otahel City vs. Akashemo United
Meka vs. Shunna Municipal
Shunna Eagles vs. Amnanache
Tsapna vs. Mighty Oaks
Westline vs. National
Fampalo vs. Semyof

Round 24:
Meka vs. Amnanache
Cheshek vs. Akashemo United
Fampalo vs. BK Kepmem
Shunna Eagles vs. Semyof
Aroketsil Spirits vs. National
Tsapna vs. Kupore
Otahel City vs. Keleri
Lutrul vs. Shunna Municipal
Sitache vs. Mighty Oaks
Westline vs. Pasataki Galaxy

[Ruwisc]

Week 12: July 11-22, 2023

Round 23:
....Cheshek 2-3 Kupore - 3-0, 3-5, 8-5, 2-10, 2-4(10)
..A.Spirits 1-4 BK Kepmem - 1-9, 0-2, 8-10, 5-8, 8-5
....Sitache 2-3 Pasataki - 5-3, 0-9, 8-6, 5-8, 6-13
.....Lutrul 1-4 Keleri - 3-11, 0-1, 4-8, 4-7, 6-4
Otahel City 0-5 Akashemo - 3-8, 3-4, 6-7, 4-5, 4-6
.......Meka 1-4 Muni - 5-9, 2-8, 0-4, 2-5, 7-3
..Sh.Eagles 2-3 Amnanache - 3-4, 5-2, 3-0, 2-8, 2-8
.....Tsapna 0-5 Mighty Oaks - 5-6, 0-4, 2-3, 2-6, 2-5
...Westline 2-3 National - 0-5, 1-2, 9-5, 2-3, 5-3
....Fampalo 0-5 Semyof - 4-5(10), 2-4, 1-2(10), 1-10, 0-4


Akashemo United 5, Otahel City 4: Otahel City C Kiowu Salama is lost for the season with a torn MCL. Oddly, this is not that devastating for Otahel from a team perspective - backup catcher Haha Sachan is quite capable and had been stuck in a bench role.

Round 24:
.......Meka 2-3 Amnanache - 6-4, 6-3, 0-1, 4-9, 2-5
....Cheshek 1-4 Akashemo - 5-8, 2-4(10), 2-5, 3-5, 10-0
....Fampalo 1-4 BK Kepmem - 3-0, 0-3, 1-10, 2-3, 4-8
..Sh.Eagles 5-0 Semyof - 5-2, 3-2, 9-6, 5-2, 3-1
..A.Spirits 0-5 National - 2-7, 1-8, 2-9, 1-18, 7-12
.....Tsapna 2-3 Kupore - 4-18, 3-5, 8-1, 4-5, 13-0
Otahel City 3-2 Keleri - 6-2, 2-4, 9-8(13), 5-6, 11-4
.....Lutrul 1-4 Muni - 2-4, 7-8(10), 13-6, 3-8, 1-3
....Sitache 2-3 Mighty Oaks - 0-9, 0-5, 10-6, 2-7, 2-0
...Westline 1-4 Pasataki - 2-10, 3-8, 6-7, 2-4, 5-3


Lutrul 13, Shunna Municipal 6: Batting out of the #8 spot, Lutrul OF Sil Nokolo had probably the game of his young career, going 5-5 with three home runs and 5 RBI. 2B Poem Meste also drove in 5 with a pair of early dingers, and this one was never close, despite being Lutrul's only win of the series.

Tsapna 13, Kupore 0: a 6-6 day for star Tsapna 2B Lawori El, missing only the home run to give him a cycle.

Standings............W..L
-- ....National.. 82 38
+1 ....P.Galaxy.. 77 43
-1 ....Westline.. 77 43
-- .Mighty Oaks.. 75 45
-- ......Kepmem.. 70 50
-- ......Keleri.. 68 52
-- ......Tsapna.. 61 58
-- .....Cheshek.. 61 59
-- ...Amnanache.. 60 60
+1 ......Kupore.. 58 62
+4 ........Muni.. 56 64
-2 ......Lutrul.. 55 65
-1 ........Meka.. 54 66
-1 ......Semyof.. 54 66
+1 ...Sh.Eagles.. 54 66
+3 Akashemo Utd.. 51 69
-3 .....Fampalo.. 50 70
-----------------------------
-1 .Otahel City.. 47 73
+1 .....Sitache.. 45 75
-2 ...A.Spirits.. 44 75


This was likely to be the toughest week of Westline's season, visiting both National and the Galaxy, and it showed with a 3-7 outing. As such, National now has a five-game lead atop the standings. The bottom of the table results were pretty move-and-shakey; Akashemo was 9-1 to complete their dig out of the relegation zone; just 25 games ago, at the season's halfway mark, they were in dead last and 7 games behind 17th place. It should be a pretty exciting relegation battle.

Next week, the team in the crosshairs is Keleri, as they make visits to Westline and National. The hottest team at the bottom of the table is about to play the coldest as well, with Akashemo United visiting Aroketsil.

Round 25:
BK Kepmem vs. Sitache
National vs. Meka
Semyof vs. Cheshek
Pasataki Galaxy vs. Shunna Eagles
Kupore vs. Otahel City
Keleri vs. Westline
Mighty Oaks vs. Fampalo
Amnanache vs. Lutrul
Shunna Municipal vs. Tsapna
Akashemo United vs. Aroketsil Spirits

Round 26:
Westline vs. Fampalo
Kupore vs. BK Kepmem
Keleri vs. National
Cheshek vs. Meka
Lutrul vs. Otahel City
Amnanache vs. Shunna Municipal
Mighty Oaks vs. Akashemo United
Sitache vs. Shunna Eagles
Tsapna vs. Aroketsil Spirits
Semyof vs. Pasataki Galaxy