The Lokasi Elite League

[Ruwisc]

Somewhere far away from here, in the island country of Lokasi, baseball fever grips the population. The Lokasi have their own culture, language, and baseball traditions that I'll do my best to chronicle here.

This is a recreation of a league system that I originally conceived of nearly a decade ago, and first posted in this forum in 2017. I recently got a new computer, and it occurred to me that I could revisit this project, but fix all the little things that I thought I should have done differently. So, the graphics look a little better, the names are a little easier to pronounce, there are more teams, and the financial balance is a bit better.

I have spent the last month or so re-running the simulation under these new conditions, and just reached the start of the 2021 season. I had planned on getting to 2025 before posting here, but with 30 years of history recorded I'm ready to get after it. Many of the teams that will be featured here are different from those who were a big deal in version 1 - there is one team that was a juggernaut in the original version who now play in the 11th tier of the pyramid!

Here's a map of the islands. Lokasi is about the size of Spain or the Philippines, and is home to around 44 million people. Its precise location is undefined - who's to say that it's even on Earth?


(a larger version of the map is available here. Contains all cities with a population of at least 100,000, as well as the smaller state capitals)

Lokasi is divided into 18 states, including the capital district of Shunna (as if DC were a state). The largest city, Ransu, is home to around 7.5 million people (over 1/6 of the population) and is culturally similar to New York. That is enough to make the state of Ransu the largest by population, closely followed by the southern state of Tsawemoko (in broad strokes, Tsawemoko is similar to California).

The league system is structured as follows:



If you do the math, you will find that there are over a thousand teams at play, and over 50,000 games per year - a lot of baseball! The top two leagues are nationwide, and the further down you go the more fragmented it becomes. The State Leagues encompass up to 3 additional tiers depending on the state, so there are teams playing at the 11th tier of pro baseball (semi-pro in this case). The 9th, 10th, and 11th tiers are administered by the states themselves, so promotion from the state leagues has a quirk: you can only be promoted from tier 9 to tier 8 if a team from your state is relegated from tier 8, allowing you to take their spot.

Geographically, the 2021 Elite League and Second League will stack up like this. Each team has a logo corresponding to the first character of their name in the Lokasi syllabary (a writing system similar to Japanese kana, and specifically inspired by the Cherokee language). Many characters look similar to our letters, but only because they're nice shapes. For example, the four EL teams that use an L-shaped symbol are actually those whose names start with a plain 'A'.



There are a few other weird things that will come up - the 30-man rosters, the fact that the Lokasi observe a 12-day week, and more - but all in due time.

In the next post, I think I'll get straight into a preview of the 2021 EL season - who are these teams, their key players, their history, and what should we expect in this upcoming season?

[Ruwisc]

First, a hearty goodbye to these three teams, who were just relegated from the Elite League in 2020:



MITHAZNI BC
Hefem, EM
2020: 66-124 (20th in EL)
Best finish: 20th

2020 was Mithazni's first ever season in the EL, and it unfortunately showed. They never were able to put together a threatening offense by EL standards, averaging just 3.3 runs per game (last in the league). Only three position players contributed even a single WAR, and given their relegation to the Second League, two of them have since moved on. Their run prevention was acceptable - not great, but good enough to survive relegation with a comparable offense. In 2021, Mithazni has coaxed in LF Lope Shosotsoke, who should be one of the 2L's top hitters.

2021 prediction: 108-82, 5th place (Second League)



OTAHEL CITY
Otahel, FH
2020: 67-123 (19th in EL)
Best finish: 19th

Otahel City's 2020 season was the first time a club from the state of Fyhot had competed in the EL. (There are still four states that never have: Efiro, Lon Sifn, Perlota, and Rutepijo.) They had the opposite problem from Mithazni in 2020, only even more extreme: a league-average offense, but they allowed the most runs in the EL by a wide margin, over 120 more than any other team. Relegation always seems to gut a team, though, and their top 5 hitters from a year ago have moved on. A big contract handed out to catcher Haha Sachan, just 18 years old, might be the ticket to help recoup that offense and rebuild a foundation.

2021 prediction: 112-78, 3rd place (Second League)



WIKYATS ATHLETIC
Tenshemaho, ZA
2020: 79-111 (18th in EL)
Best finish: 6th (2019)

Wikyats were the lone representatives in the 2020 EL from Lokasi's second-largest city, Tenshemaho. Now, there are none, even though seven teams from the city have played in the EL at some point! For Wikyats, the fine margins hurt them, only finishing in the relegation zone thanks to having a worse run differential than the team in 17th. The OOTP preseason predictions like Wikyats to get relegated again this season, and while I don't think I'm that harsh on them they do have a worse outlook than the other two relegatees. Top hitter Nenats Shosotsoke (no relation to the Mithazni player, it's a common name here) will miss the first two months of the 2021 season, still recovering from a torn PCL in his knee.

2021 prediction: 68-122, 20th place (Second League)

[Ruwisc]

Now, the 20 teams that will comprise the 2021 edition of the Elite League! I'll go in reverse order of their finish in the 2020 season.



AROKETSIL CANARIES
Aroketsil, KX
2020: 127-63, 3rd (Second League)
Seasons in EL: 3
Best finish: 18th (2016, 2019)

The weakest of the three EL clubs from Aroketsil, the Canaries will try to survive relegation from the EL for the first time this season, on their third attempt. Their whole pitching staff looks pretty weak, but maybe they'll score enough to get it done. As far as beating their two rivals in the city of Aroketsil... well, maybe they can play spoiler.

It's interesting enough that there are three EL teams from Aroketsil, which is only the 8th-largest city in the nation (pop. 812,000).

Top players: C Asasu Finyotsi, 1B/RF Hoi Sekao, 2B Meyomi Wulowai. All three are in their second year with the Canaries, having been pickups after their previous relegation. They're bringing back most of last year's team, with the exception of RF Kiposo Posheni, who opted to stay in the 2L by going to Otahel City.

2021 prediction: 67-123 (20th)



SEMYOF BC
Ransu, RA
2020: 128-62, 2nd (Second League)
Seasons in EL: 30
Best finish: 1st (1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2003, 2006)

Historically the strongest team in the nation, Semyof won the first 5 EL titles after the league was organized, and two more in the 2000s - only one team has more titles than that. It was a big shock when they were relegated in 2019 for the very first time. They never even finished in the bottom half of the EL until 2014, and even though they had not won a championship in a while they were typically good to finish 4th-8th.

Top players: C Takymake Efiyalem, LF Mpimo Shoshau, SP Tosolefi Loap. Despite their pedigree, Semyof didn't add a lot in the offseason. All of last season's regulars are seemingly still here, save for a few bench bats and bullpen arms. Semyof is clearly betting that the team that got them promoted is enough to keep them up... well, they'd better be right.

2021 prediction: 75-115 (17th)



PASATAKI GALAXY
Pasataki, ZA
2020: 132-58, 1st (Second League)
Seasons in EL: 21
Best finish: 4th (2015)

Of the three returners, Pasataki are almost definitely the best-equipped to succeed in the EL in 2021. They have a game-changing middle of the lineup, and no real weaknesses aside from shortstop. They are actually running a top-half payroll among EL teams this season, which I feel is pretty rare for a newly promoted club.

Top players: 2B Apia Lela, LF Tsata Mote, 1B Wia Merefife. Lela is the league's best 2B, and under contract through 2027. Despite being just 27, this is the fourth team that he will take EL-level at bats for. Merefife will be returning to the EL for the first time since he was a sub-replacement-level teenager with the 2013-15 Alilia Captains, and Mote, the youngster at 21, is making his first jump to this level.

2021 prediction: 91-99 (15th)



NATIONAL BC
Shunna, XU
2020: 79-111 (17th)
Seasons in EL: 29
Best finish: 2nd (2012)

The name National refers to this club's origins as a barnstorming all-Lokasi team in the origin days of the sport. As such, they wear the national colors of red and purple, with a purple sash stripe on their uniforms to mimic the national flag.

National were never relegated from the EL until 2016, and yo-yoed up and down from the 2L until just barely surviving last season on the run differential tiebreaker. They should have a much easier time of it this year, having made a few very flashy signings.

Top players: SS Anesa Mikesash, RF Pumona Kakosuta, SP Lohy Awia. Mikesash is a glove-first shortstop, though he did win a Silver Slugger in 2011 while playing for Sitache. He was signed away from Otahel City this offseason. A 5-year deal could be risky when he's 32, but they'll be better now for it. Awia is the headliner - last year's Cy Young equivalent, formerly of the great Mighty Oaks, and just 21 years old to start the season. In addition to being named the Pitcher of the Year, he won the pitching Triple Crown and also led the league in innings.

2021 prediction: 108-82 (5th)



SHUNNA MUNICIPAL BC
Shunna, XU
2020: 82-108 (16th)
Seasons in EL: 19
Best finish: 6th (1995)

In contrast to National, Shunna Municipal (typically just "Muni") are administered by the city of Shunna's government. Imagine, if you will, that Muriel Bowser got a say in what the Nationals do in free agency, and that's pretty much what we're replicating here. Muni never became much of anything in the original iteration, dropping to the bottom of the pyramid, but this version is in the EL more often than not, beginning their 19th season in the top flight. 2020 was their 3rd season in a row finishing in exactly 16th place.

Top players: CF Solo Sipet, LF Kiosho Shipeyo, 1B Nerutsok Uchotsela. Sipet is a total stud - he is basically Aaron Judge, but a normal-sized person. At age 18, he has already hit 100 EL home runs (Lokasi players can turn pro at age 16, and many do). The rest of the outfield will be OK, but Muni will probably struggle this year when those guys aren't at the dish.

2021 prediction: 72-118 (19th)

[StLee]

Great to see you on here, Ruwisc. I will be sure to check out the happenings in Lokasi!

[Ruwisc]

Originally Posted by StLee

Great to see you on here, Ruwisc. I will be sure to check out the happenings in Lokasi!

It is nice to be back - I had not realized that I hadn't posted at all here in almost two years!

Teams 11-15 contain the two teams from off the mainland, as well as a couple of teams hoping to regain their former glory.



BK KEPMEM
Kiwa Punem, ME
2020: 84-106 (15th)
Seasons in EL: 11
Best finish: 9th (2012)

Kepmem are the EL's only current representative from the state of Menmako, which names things a little differently. Cities in Menmako all begin with the word Kiwa ("city") and typically have their names in reverse of what would be the usual order. So not "Kepmem BC", BK Kepmem. I liken Menmako to a larger version of Hawaii - some pretty substantial cultural differences.

Top players: 3B Kala Koshynae, SS Nekafe Natso, 1B Lesayo Kino. Kala Koshynae is the league's best power hitter, having led the EL in homers three seasons running. It's not unreasonable to think he could one day break the single season record of 81 (these are 190-game seasons). Last season, he led the EL in HR, walks, OBP, slug% and OPS, and also won his first Gold Glove. Natso and Kino are no slouches either, and all are 21 years old or younger. It's the bottom of the lineup, and the rotation, that will likely stop Kepmem from being great.

2021 prediction: 92-98 (13th)



NOKELTO SCOUTS
Nokelto, CA
2020: 84-106 (14th)
Seasons in EL: 24
Best finish: 7th (1995, 1996, 2000)

The Scouts have quietly become EL fixtures - in years where they're not here, it feels a little off. Nokelto is the first team we're visiting from the state of Chastara, which is a historically significant area in Lokasi akin to New England in the US. In that analogy, the city of Nokelto is... Hartford? Anyway, it surprised me a little to see that the Scouts have never finished higher than 7th.

Top players: CF Lara Tsimelefo, C Taliha Popa, SS Otsiku Nyru. Not a lot of star power in the Nokelto squad, in contrast to Kepmem. Tsimelefo is a stringy CF who's an elite defender, but swings out of his shoes at every chance. Popa is a legend past his prime, a 33-year-old with a similar profile to Tsimelefo, but behind the plate. Overall, Nokelto profiles to have the second-worst offense in the EL ahead of only the Canaries, but their pitching staff might save them.

2021 prediction: 76-114 (16th)



LUTRUL BC
Ransu, RA
2020: 85-105 (13th)
Seasons in EL: 16
Best finish: 1st (2011)

One of just eight clubs to have won the title, Lutrul captured a surprise title in 2011, sandwiched between 9th and 7th-place finishes. Lutrul did not make their EL debut until 2006, but they've been here ever since. Lutrul itself is a prominent borough of Ransu; saying you live in Lutrul is a lot like saying you live in Brooklyn.

Top players: CF Ipitashi Rerawe, C Otsiku Kiwarshi, 1B Ilye Nofetso. Rerawe is a legend in the making, already a 5-time MVP at age 25. He does have a pretty similar profile to a young Mike Trout, not as flashy as other guys but is good at literally everything. After winning three rings with Mighty Oaks, he took a leap to try to bring Lutrul back to prominence. Lutrul probably would not still be in the EL if he hadn't.

2021 prediction: 91-99 (14th)



HOKROF BC
Hokrof, TA
2020: 85-105 (12th)
Seasons in EL: 4
Best finish: 9th (2019)

Hokrof were also EL regulars in the 2017 iteration of this universe, which I think makes them the only team appearing in both who did not start out as an EL team (unless Ransu Shockers get promoted from the 2L soon). Hokrof is the most prominent city on the west coast of the mainland, on the border between the two "prairie states", Talor and Separun.

Top players: SS Fekiu Imatsa, 1B Ouler Tuemole, LF Keinu Wapatsite. These might be Hokrof's only 3 good players, aside from Kiucha Lopelo, who looks to be relegated to bench duty because he can only play 1B and LF. I'm not surprised to see them predicted in the relegation zone.

2021 prediction: 72-118 (18th)



AKASHEMO UNITED
Akashemo, RP
2020: 91-99 (11th)
Seasons in EL: 18
Best finish: 7th (2014)

Akashemo are a success story no matter how their future goes - Akashemo is the smallest city ever to house an EL team, with just over 100,000 residents, the 56th-largest city in the nation (for context, the 56th-largest metro area in the US is Omaha). Rupakare is the island state in the northwest corner of the map, and when I started simming in 1991, there was not a team from the state in the top 3 tiers. Now there are 3, and Akashemo United have been in the EL most of the last two decades.

Top players: C Kiposo Hatsalicho, LF Putta Faseltsa, SS Tilutsu Hofohe. Hatsalicho is a bona fide superstar in his 4th season with Akashemo, the best catcher in the nation, and Faseltsa was signed away from Sitache for some lineup protection. The rest of the team is fairly mediocre, but that still leads me to believe Akashemo will be back in the top half this season.

2021 prediction: 98-92 (9th)

[Ruwisc]

You would expect teams 6-10 to be title contenders, but this is where a lot of our weirdos hang out.



KUPORE BC
Somno, KL
2020: 92-98 (10th)
Seasons in EL: 16
Best finish: 4th (2002)

Kupore is the flagship team for the state of Ketsis Ler, which is the smallest state by population on the mainland, but also identify with the whole "Ketsis" region, which includes the big teams from Aroketsil. ("Ler" just means "east".)

Top players: 1B Fomo Tirma, C Repimi Cholomu, SS Hekewi Ruicho. It'd be tough for me to choose 3 Kupore hitters to feature, their whole lineup is elite or close outside of CF. Tirma won the batting title in his debut season of 2019, and followed it up by hitting 75 doubles in 2020 to lead the league. Ruicho was a pickup from the relegated Mithazni and will really fill a hole.

It'd also be tough for me to pick three pitchers to feature because they're all so bad. Kupore is the only team projected to both score and allow a thousand runs this season. They'll be one of the more volatile teams - I wouldn't be that surprised if they cracked the top 5, but I also wouldn't be surprised if they fell flat and got relegated.

2021 prediction: 93-97 (11th)



SHUNNA EAGLES
Shunna, XU
2020: 92-98 (9th)
Seasons in EL: 20
Best finish: 2nd (2010)

The final feature for a team from the capital, the Eagles are not usually Shunna's best team (that's usually National). But they've done a decent job jumping into the power vacuum with National's recent struggles, and are seen as more prestigious than Muni are.

Eagles manager Lamaki Fetiloa is, unusually, the only EL manager who played in the EL himself (most were only lower-league players). He was also a relief pitcher, pitching for the Ransu Shockers and (scandalously) two stints with rival Muni. He wore 12 different jerseys in his career, though, so it's probably not that big a deal.

Top players: 2B Sawita Pichake, RF Okekola Narupu, LF Takipuse Porafi. These are the Eagles' only above-average position players, they'll really make their bread on the pitching side but the "Meet the Team" page chose all hitters. SP Toe Kachefe, 30, leads the line, with a trio of talented youngsters behind him.

2021 prediction: 93-97 (12th)



CHESHEK BC
Ransu, RA
2020: 94-96 (8th)
Seasons in EL: 24
Best finish: 6th (2016)

In the original iteration, this team's name was spelled "Tcecek" - I'm quite glad that I switched to spelling things phonetically. In-game, it's now spelled "Cexek" but I'll transliterate for y'all. The name of this big-city team never changed, just the spelling.

In 2017, I developed an animus toward Cheshek that I can't really explain, but it stuck and I still don't really like them. I should come up with an in-universe reason for that but I just haven't

Otherwise, this is a perfectly average-to-above-average EL team. Not likely to do anything too extreme.

Top players: SS Ketso Kofmi, C Pusituli Fomochi, LF Tukefa Atswue. Kofmi is a new arrival from relegated Wikyats Athletic, and was a 2-time MVP of the Second League from his time with Sachlihe BC. This is a pretty old team by Lokasi standards, with only a couple of regulars under the age of 25.

2021 prediction: 100-90 (8th)



AROKETSIL SPIRITS
Aroketsil, KX
2020: 98-92 (7th)
Seasons in EL: 13
Best finish: 4th (2017)

It is impressive how quickly the Spirits have stamped themselves as EL regulars, given the presence of the Mighty Oaks in their city. Aroketsil is spoiled with great baseball these days. In their current run in the EL (since 2011), they have not finished below 13th.

Top players: 1B Peku Karwo, SS Wasi Tsewajo, 3B Rolana Rekesu. The Spirits might have the world's best infield, with these three and 2B Okitso Womoipo all among the top 5 in the EL at their positions - if only the rest of the team were up to that standard. Karwo is a standout in part because he's only 17! One season down, and he already has a batting title under his belt.

2021 prediction: 107-83 (6th)



AMNANACHE BC
Ransu, RA
2020: 103-87 (6th)
Seasons in EL: 25
Best finish: 2nd (1999, 2000)

The only two times there has been a tie in record for the EL title, Amnanache was on the losing end. In 1999, their run differential was worse than Westline's, giving the Westliners their only title (they're now in the 2L). And in 2013, they finished on an identical 122-68 record with Mighty Oaks and Tsapna, but finished 3rd behind them.

Top players: CL Fakaki Orukusa, SP Epencho Latsychano, RP Koshashu Taowa. A truly elite pitching staff, and not much in the way of hitting - how else do you get two relief pitchers in your top 3 players? The offense isn't bad, necessarily, but it is low-upside. Amnanache won't be a contender until some hitters come in

2021 prediction: 100-90 (7th)

[Ruwisc]

Finally, let's wrap up the preview with two underdogs from the northeast, plus the current "Big 3".



SITACHE BC
Sitache, CA
2020: 105-85 (5th)
Seasons in EL: 13
Best finish: 4th (2018)

Sitache is, just barely, the largest of the 5 major cities in Chastara, 3 of which currently have EL teams. Sitache BC were in the Second League as recently as 2016, but have put together a pretty sterling record the past few years.

Top players: CF Rolupi Shekesu, 3B Fumiecho Sahiu, SP Aro Ipo. Ipo is the big star for me, a tall righthander who nevertheless throws out of the sidearm. He kinda has a closer's profile, but is too valuable to be a closer, if that makes sense. Shekesu is also a unicorn, with 80-grade Gap Power. In 2019, he tied the single-season record with 100 doubles (!!). He's also led the league in triples three times in his five seasons.

2021 prediction: 96-94 (10th)



FAMPALO BC
Fampalo, CA
2020: 109-81 (4th)
Seasons in EL: 18
Best finish: 3rd (2015)

Fampalo is the second-smallest of the 5 major cities in Chastara, but due to its centrality it is the state capital. Fampalo BC is one of three current EL teams that have played as low as the fourth tier (Akashemo, Hokrof), but Fampalo is the best of those, at least according to the preseason predictions.

Top players: SS Wyku Tofpalts, RF Santa Chewefa, CF Pilima Ayawetsi. Similar to Shunna Eagles, this team is better on the pitching side but they do have these three good position players. Tofpalts was lured away from Semyof a couple of years ago, and then Semyof were immediately relegated... coincidence? Their big signing in the offseason was snapping up SP Kimyu Mekuri from Mamtul Wolves, ready to pitch in the EL for the first time... on opening day.

2021 prediction: 108-82 (4th)



KELERI BC
Hefem, EM
2020: 123-67 (3rd)
Seasons in EL: all 31
Best finish: 1st (1997, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2016, 2018)

The #1 standard-bearer for Lokasi baseball, Keleri finished 10th in the inaugural 1991 season and have not finished below 6th since then. 12 titles represent a full 40% of all those available! I counted this manually, so I might not be exactly right, but I only counted 10 clubs that have ever finished ahead of Keleri in the season standings (1991 excluded). They are the yardstick by which everyone else is measured, and the fact that they sit 3rd means really good things for two teams.

Top players: C Epencho Posheni, LF Lesayo Sofiulo, CL Chysho Sofiulo. Chysho Sofiulo is interesting to me - as a local kid, born in the year after Keleri's first championship, closing for Keleri is the dream. With 6 years in the bank, he has already passed the 300-save milestone. Keleri really only have one weak point... unfortunately for them, it's the rotation. Shykim Relute's return in mid-March should be a big help.

2021 prediction: 109-81 (3rd)



TSAPNA BC
Ransu, RA
2020: 131-59 (2nd)
Seasons in EL: 29
Best finish: 1st (2012, 2019)

The way that I set things up, Tsapna begin the EL era as the 2nd-highest-rated team (behind Semyof). It didn't matter in the 2017 iteration, where they were lower-league hustlers, and when Tsapna were relegated twice in the late 90s I thought we were headed that way again. But nah, they re-established themselves and have now only finished in the bottom half once in the past 20 years.

Top players: SS Lawori El, 1B Safishi Ifata, 2B Kurano Shosotsoke. El is the reigning MVP, a 2-time winner after winning with Muni earlier in his career. He is rightly labeled as the league's #1 player. Ifata is great lineup protection - batting behind El, he just led the league with 172 RBI in 2020. Shosotsoke, just signed from the Eagles, will be the table-setter. They reeeeaaaallllly need a catcher though.

2021 prediction: 125-65 (2nd)



MIGHTY OAKS BC
Aroketsil, KX
2020: 151-39 (1st)
Seasons in EL: all 31
Best finish: 1st (2008, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2020)

For my money, the 2020 Mighty Oaks team is the greatest team in the 30 years of the EL. It's close based on record, but the only teams to surpass 151 wins were Semyof teams in the early years, when things were still a little more unbalanced. The 2021 team brings back mostly everyone, but Pitcher of the Year Lohy Awia will be missed, as will CF Mirotiko Apenu. Everyone else is back, though... everyone. These guys have to be considered the odds-on favorites - I'd bet on them over the field.

Top players: RF Peyaka Sefenera, C Metsifu Olufapo, 3B Netomue Kilutsa. This doesn't even include LF Faruo Ayekrea, who is classed as the league's #1 LF.

2021 prediction: 134-56 (1st)

----------


Alright, that's the preview! Now you know what's up in the Elite League for 2021. I'll talk about the first set of games tomorrow or Sunday, going one week at a time. As I mentioned earlier, Lokasi weeks are 12 days, and teams will play two 5-game series per week. The first week's matchups see two cool matchups to open the season, featuring a Big 3 battle and an Aroketsil derby:

Round 1:
Kupore @ Nokelto Scouts
Pasataki Galaxy @ Lutrul
Shunna Eagles @ Semyof
Sitache @ Muni
Fampalo @ Hokrof
National @ Kepmem
Amnanache @ Akashemo
Keleri @ Tsapna
Cheshek @ Aroketsil Spirits
Mighty Oaks @ Aroketsil Canaries

Round 2:
Kepmem @ Amnanache
Muni @ Cheshek
Aroketsil Canaries @ Kupore
Tsapna @ National
Semyof @ Pasataki Galaxy
Aroketsil Spirits @ Fampalo
Akashemo @ Keleri
Nokelto Scouts @ Shunna Eagles
Hokrof @ Sitache
Lutrul @ Mighty Oaks

[Archelirion]

That league setup is the kind that exists in my dreams - extremely nice work. Go Akashemo!

Will you solely be focusing on the Elite League or will you sometimes bring in details from other leagues? I understand what a huge task that would be.

How long does it take to sim a season?

[Ruwisc]

Originally Posted by Archelirion

That league setup is the kind that exists in my dreams - extremely nice work. Go Akashemo!

Will you solely be focusing on the Elite League or will you sometimes bring in details from other leagues? I understand what a huge task that would be.

How long does it take to sim a season?

Much thanks! And I definitely endorse people picking a favorite team to follow - I personally have a favorite team, South Shore Aksa, but they're down in the third tier right now.

It'd be a lot for me to provide moment-by-moment coverage for everybody, but I do plan to give updates from the Second League at the quarter-poles, and interesting moments from below that if I notice them. Maybe at the end of the season I could do a quick blurb on every single league from tiers 2-8.

As far as sim time, the season itself is smooth sailing - probably under an hour to do the season in full? It's the offseason that slows down, with free agents having so many options. Getting from October to March takes a few hours.

-----

Week 1: March 1-12

Featured game:

Kupore BC (0-0) vs. Nokelto Scouts (0-0), March 1
Merra Lifina vs. Karpu Kohopa

........Kupore 000 100 000 0 - 1 4 0
Nokelto Scouts 010 000 000 1 - 2 5 0

The first day of the week always just has one game, randomly chosen (I think every team gets about the same number), but the March 1 opener is understandably special. (For simplicity's sake, the season always runs March 1-October 14.) This one was especially special for Nokelto SP Karpu Kohopa... this was his professional debut! At the age of 16, he went out there with the nation watching and turned in a good performance.

Notably in this game, Nokelto catcher Taliha Popa was injured sliding into a base in the bottom of the 7th inning, breaking his hand. C/OF Sofina Irasoshi, typically the third catcher, entered and eventually delivered the game-winning hit in the 10th inning.

Full scores for round one:

Kupore 1-4 Nokelto Scouts - 1-2, 5-6, 2-4, 1-2, 9-4
Pasataki Galaxy 3-2 Lutrul - 11-2, 1-13, 6-17, 9-0, 9-2
Shunna Eagles 1-4 Semyof - 2-3, 1-7, 0-1, 1-9, 4-3
Sitache 2-3 Muni - 1-2, 7-4, 0-3, 8-1, 2-10
Fampalo 2-3 Hokrof - 9-3, 11-5, 3-5, 0-5, 3-6
National 3-2 Kepmem - 6-7, 3-2, 11-2, 9-7, 3-9
Amnanache 3-2 Akashemo - 8-0, 2-3, 7-5, 3-4, 5-3
Keleri 3-2 Tsapna - 6-0, 3-1, 6-4, 5-6, 1-4
Cheshek 1-4 Aroketsil Spirits - 1-6, 3-5, 7-10, 8-9, 7-3
Mighty Oaks 4-1 Aroketsil Canaries - 11-6, 4-5, 8-1, 3-2, 7-2

Nice to not have any sweeps in round 1, to get everybody at least one W. In the big series, Keleri vs. Tsapna, I thought Keleri might be making a huge statement. They won the first three games, then went up 4-0 in game 4 before a 5-run rally gave Tsapna the lead, and eventually their first win. Linhoka Nylur shut down the Keleri offense in game 5.

Semyof OF Ilye Lilo, 39, had his 2500th career EL hit in their game 4 win over Shunna Eagles. He has over 3600 career hits if games from outside the EL level are counted.

Muni SP Okishira Ekulumapi, their 3rd starter, will miss 5 months with a torn back muscle. Replacement starter Teshepo Pichake left his first start in the next series with a minor injury as well, so next man up.

Round 2:

Aroketsil Canaries 2-3 Kupore - 4-6, 2-4, 7-4, 4-6, 7-6
Akashemo 1-4 Keleri - 3-8, 2-10, 5-3, 4-8, 1-4
Tsapna 4-1 National - 4-0, 5-6, 2-1, 7-0, 3-2
Hokrof 2-3 Sitache - 2-4, 4-1, 2-4, 6-3, 3-4
Semyof 2-3 Pasataki Galaxy - 10-11, 3-1, 6-8, 1-7, 8-1
Lutrul 0-5 Mighty Oaks - 2-3, 1-2, 3-4, 2-5, 3-6
Muni 2-3 Cheshek - 6-5, 2-7, 1-0, 8-13, 3-5
Aroketsil Spirits 3-2 Fampalo - 0-1, 4-0, 11-3, 1-4, 7-3
Nokelto Scouts 2-3 Shunna Eagles - 4-13, 2-6, 9-6, 1-11, 4-3
Kepmem 1-4 Amnanache - 2-10, 4-11, 2-3, 13-3, 0-4

The Oaks pick up the season's first sweep, already opening up a two-game lead atop the EL table.

Tsapna's Sefti Merefife threw the season's first shutout in their series opener vs. National. There were only eight tossed all of last season, and none for Tsapna since July 2019.

Eagles 2B Sawita Pichake hit the first 3-homer game of the young season in their 11-1 win over the Scouts.

.....Standings.W-L
.1 Mighty Oaks 9-1
.2 .....Keleri 7-3
.3 ..Amnanache 7-3
.4 .A. Spirits 7-3
.5 .....Semyof 6-4
.6 .....Tsapna 6-4
.7 ..P. Galaxy 6-4
.8 ....Nokelto 6 4
.9 .....Hokrof 5-5
10 ....Sitache 5 5
11 .......Muni 5-5
12 .....Eagles 4-6
13 ....Cheshek 4-6
14 .....Kupore 4-6
15 ...National 4-6
16 ....Fampalo 4-6
17 .....Kepmem 3-7
18 A. Canaries 3-7
19 ...Akashemo 3-7
20 .....Lutrul 2-8

Next week: big series coming up in round 4, as Tsapna will have already faced the two teams most likely to rival them for the title.

Round 3:
Sitache vs. Kepmem
Aroketsil Spirits vs. Amnanache
Aroketsil Canaries vs. Muni
Hokrof vs. Tsapna
Fampalo vs. Akashemo
Mighty Oaks vs. Pasataki Galaxy
Nokelto Scouts vs. Semyof
Kupore vs, National
Shunna Eagles vs. Lutrul
Cheshek vs. Keleri

Round 4:
Muni vs. Kupore
Keleri vs. Nokelto
Lutrul vs. Sitache
Kepmem vs. Aroketsil Spirits
Pasataki Galaxy vs. Shunna Eagles
Tsapna vs. Mighty Oaks
Semyof vs. Hokrof
National vs. Cheshek
Akashemo vs. Aroketsil Canaries
Amnanache vs. Fampalo

[Ruwisc]

Week 2: March 13-24

Featured game:

Shunna Municipal BC (6-10) vs. Kupore BC (7-9), March 21
Toitu Sofiulo (0-2, 7.90) vs. Kiye Omere (1-1, 2.41)

..Muni 761 613 120 27 25 2
Kupore 031 000 011 .6 12 0

You can guess why I picked this game to spotlight. This was game two of the Round 4 series, and Kupore had shut out Muni the previous afternoon. Kupore are going to play some wild shootouts this year, though, and Muni took their revenge with the highest-scoring game of the year so far. 3 Muni players had multi-homer games, and they hit nine total in the game, including two grand slams. Only a 1-2-3 ninth inning prevented them from scoring in each frame.

For the rest of the week, I'm gonna try something. We'll see if this ends up being too much work for me to put together each week:



The shock of the week has got to be Cheshek capturing four straight games at Keleri, part of a 7-3 week that launched them from 13th up to 8th. For Keleri's part, they responded by crushing Nokelto, who had a week they'd like to forget at 1-9.



Next week:

Round 5:
Fampalo vs. Muni
Shunna Eagles vs. Keleri
Nokelto vs. Lutrul
Aroketsil Canaries vs. Amnanache
Hokrof vs. Akashemo
Sitache vs. National
Cheshek vs. Kepmem
Aroketsil Spirits vs. Tsapna
Mighty Oaks vs. Semyof
Kupore vs. Pasataki Galaxy

Round 6:
Kepmem vs. Hokrof
Muni vs. Mighty Oaks
Tsapna vs. Fampalo
National vs. Aroketsil Spirits
Pasataki Galaxy vs. Aroketsil Canaries
Semyof vs. Cheshek
Amnanache vs. Shunna Eagles
Keleri vs. Sitache
Lutrul vs. Kupore
Akashemo vs. Nokelto

[Ruwisc]

Week 2 miscellania, a couple of things I meant to put into the previous post:

- For a peek behind the curtain, when creating these teams I didn't painstakingly craft a visual identity for each one; instead, I decided how common I wanted certain colors and color combinations to be, then assigned them mostly randomly. For teams with nicknames, the nicknames came after that, so they could take team colors into account. I started with a list of 25 possible colors teams could use, and an estimate of how common they would be and the combinations that would be more or less common. So...
- One of the colors available was a pale yellow, but it's a rare one; only eight clubs in the entire pyramid (of 1,024) chose light yellow as their primary color. How odd is it that three of those teams are now in the Elite League?! Mighty Oaks, Kepmem, and the Aroketsil Canaries are all primarily using this color, rare by sports standards.

On the sporting side, there were a few achievements reached in week 2 that I missed:

- Sefti Merefife of Tsapna threw his second shutout of the season in their series finale vs. Mighty Oaks. He now has most of the season left to accomplish something that has not been done in a while - no EL pitcher has tossed three shutouts in a season since 2013, when Keleri's Tesu Shoutsepote did so.
- Two players hit for the cycle during round 4 as well:
- In the series opener between Kepmem and Aroketsil Spirits, Spirits LF Lia Tsesahem hit a reverse natural cycle, starting his evening with a home run, then the triple, double, and finally the single in the 9th. Unfortunately for him, Kepmem teed off on the Spirits bullpen that night, scoring seven in the final two innings to win 10-6.
- In Keleri's mid-series 18-9 beatdown of Nokelto, CF Lesayo Sofiulo accomplished something interesting, a cycle with an extra home run. He hit his second home run in the 8th inning, still needing the double, but Keleri just managed to get around to his position in the order again, and he got the double with two outs in the 9th.

[Ruwisc]

Week 3: March 25-April 5



Miscellania:

Galaxy 13, Kupore 11 – a back-and-forth slugfest, as Kupore are susceptible to. The host Galaxy led most of the game 5-0, but after neither bullpen could accomplish much, Kupore took a 9-7 lead in the top of the 8th. A two-run shot for Galaxy LF Mamose Paerisuso tied the game in the 8th; CF Takipuse Shihoe's two-out double regained the lead for Kupore, but when the Galaxy loaded the bases without a hit in the bottom of the 9th, 1B Wia Merefife made Kupore closer Leroa Shyletsa pay with a walk-off grand slam.

Lutrul 10, Nokelto 3 – Lutrul CF Ipitashi Rerawe smashed his 400th career home run in the sixth inning of their win over Nokelto. Rerawe is only 25 years old, so that number could get big. He has played his whole career in the EL to this point, unlike many players, so that helps.

Mighty Oaks 19, Semyof 14 (11) – any game that ends 19-14 is pretty wild. There were 17 extra-base hits in this game, including nine home runs - just 3 for the Oaks, but 6 for Semyof. Semyof never led in the game, but erased deficits of 5-0 and 10-6 (the latter in the 8th inning). They went to extras tied 10-10 before each team scored three runs in the 10th. Mighty Oaks exploded for six more in the 11th to seal the win.

Amnanache 4, Aroketsil Canaries 3 (11) – in the series finale from Amnanache, Canaries 3B Fosusha Hakoheso injured his back while awkwardly sliding into second base, in an attempt to break up a double play. Avoiding the double play led to a two-run rally for the Canaries, but Hakoheso will miss two months and Amnanache rallied to tie the game and walk off in 11 innings.



In round 6, the home teams dominated, winning 38 games and losing just 12, including five sweeps when the first five rounds had seen a total of three. Pasataki were the only road team to even win their series.

Two of those sweeps come off as big statements: Cheshek continue their hot streak by sweeping Semyof, and Fampalo get a much needed statement weekend over Tsapna.

Miscellania:

Cheshek 8, Semyof 5 – Semyof ace SP Tosolefi Loap will miss 3 months with a torn tricep. Not the news they want, especially in the midst of a 2-8 week.

Kupore 6, Lutrul 0 – Kupore SP Kiye Omere throws the third shutout of the young season. It's the duality of man - two starts ago, he didn't get out of the first inning and Muni scored 27 runs (see last week). This game was a two-hitter! He only faced three batters over the minimum, from those two hits and an error.

Sitache 8, Keleri 6 – while pitching in the top of the 5th, young Sitache SP Rari Asi suffered a torn flexor tendon in his elbow. He'll miss an entire year, having started the year as Sitache's third starter.

Standings:


Next week:

Round 7 features two intra-Ransu series, a Shunna derby, as well as the first matchup of the two teams outside the mainland:
Aroketsil Spirits vs. Hokrof
Akashemo vs. Kepmem
Tsapna vs. Amnanache
National vs. Muni
Kupore vs. Mighty Oaks
Cheshek vs. Fampalo
Nokelto Scouts vs. Aroketsil Canaries
Keleri vs. Pasataki Galaxy
Lutrul vs. Semyof
Shunna Eagles vs. Sitache

Round 8:
Fampalo vs. Lutrul
Aroketsil Canaries vs. Shunna Eagles
Mighty Oaks vs. Nokelto
Hokrof vs. Cheshek
Sitache vs. Kupore
Pasataki Galaxy vs. Aroketsil Spirits
Amnanache vs. National
Muni vs. Akashemo
Kepmem vs. Tsapna
Semyof vs. Keleri

[Ruwisc]

Week 4: April 6-17

The graphics are going to prove to be a bit too much, I'm gonna go back to plain text. (They are fun to make, they just take a little bit too long. I wanna go a bit faster through this sim)

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


With how hot both teams have been, I was most looking at the Cheshek vs. Fampalo series. For Fampalo to squeeze out all three of those last three games while only scoring six runs is pretty impressive.

Lutrul 3, Semyof 1: in a season that is turning into one of milestones, Semyof CF Ilye Lilo hit his 400th EL home run in this loss. At age 39, Semyof are only playing him at CF out of necessity - he does not actually have a CF rating, but he'll play there until Ekufa Yakom returns in mid-May.

National 4, Muni 3: Muni LF Kiosho Shipeyo, in just his third game back after a broken foot, tears his MCL while running out a double in the third inning. He's probably done for the year, a crucial piece of lineup protection gone for star CF Solo Sipet.

April 11: on the morning of the fourth game of their series in Pasataki, Keleri announced they had signed RF Shatso Raseke to a four-year contract extension. Raseke, 19, was in the final year of his original pro contract and is set to receive a big raise, with an AAV of $9.75MM through 2025.

Keleri 15, Pasataki Galaxy 0: Keleri CF Rarehimi Pohyfe doubled his home run total for the season with three in this thrashing. He homered and doubled as part of a nine-run first inning.

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


Not much in the way of individual performances, but take a look at Nokelto! Three straight series wins, but none better than stifling the champs in four consecutive games.

What a terrible couple of weeks for Semyof. After having been 13-7 after two weeks, they were 4-16 over the next two. They did play Mighty Oaks, Keleri, and a white-hot Cheshek in that time, but Semyof is used to being one of those teams people are scared of.

Week 4 standings - team name spellings differ between this thread (more English-speaker friendly) and in-game.

Note, especially for the five 17-23 teams: the first tiebreaker is run differential, so the team actually in 18th place at the moment is National, not Semyof.

Next week, a couple of big local rivalries. First, the first Chastara derby of the year in round 9, with Fampalo vs. Sitache. In round 10, the big Shunna derby with Eagles vs. Muni.

Round 9:
National vs. Semyof
Akashemo vs. Pasataki Galaxy
Muni vs. Lutrul
Tsapna vs. Aroketsil Canaries
Hokrof vs. Kupore
Aroketsil Spirits vs. Shunna Eagles
Fampalo vs. Sitache
Amnanache vs. Keleri
Cheshek vs. Nokelto Scouts
Kepmem vs. Mighty Oaks

Round 10:
Shunna Eagles vs. Muni
Mighty Oaks vs. Fampalo
Kupore vs. Cheshek
Keleri vs. Kepmem
Aroketsil Canaries vs. National
Pasataki Galaxy vs. Hokrof
Semyof vs. Tsapna
Nokelto Scouts vs. Amnanache
Lutrul vs. Akashemo
Sitache vs. Aroketsil Spirits

[Ruwisc]

Week 5: April 18-29

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

April 19: The Spirits announce that CL Ruetsosa Riporeto has signed a 3-year, $18.9MM extension. Riporeto assumed the closer's role last season and racked up 41 saves. He's now among the league leaders with 12, as you would expect for a good team like the Spirits.

Muni 4, Lutrul 0: Devastating news for all fans of Lokasi baseball, but especially for Lutrul, as CF Ipitashi Rerawe will be out until September with a torn rotator cuff. The 5-time MVP suffered the injury while attempting to throw out Muni's Lafom Metokeni at the plate in the top of the 8th inning.

Hokrof 16, Kupore 3: Hokrof 2B Mashu Chyralo bashes three home runs as part of a seven-homer attack for his club, driving in 8 and also adding a double.

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


Featured Game
April 26: Shunna Eagles (24-22) vs. Shunna Municipal (15-31)

Nimape Turetsotsa vs. Shaho Reopo
Eagles 301 300 000 003 20...12 17 0
..Muni 210 000 031 003 21...13 20 0

Muni have been using an opener whenever Reopo is scheduled to pitch, but that backfired terribly in this game as Kufeme Sahylu did not record an out. Muni managed to stabilize against Turetsotsa, tying the game in the second, but Reopo looked to be on the hook after allowing another four runs to score. That is, until a late rally tied the game. Star CF Solo Sipet homered leading off the 8th, then scored the tying run in the 9th after his double, a wild pitch, and a single by 1B Nerutsok Uchotsela. The teams traded duds in the 10th and 11th – I do play with extra-inning "zombie runners" – until the Eagles strung together a walk and three hits to score three times in the 12th, only to be met with a response in the form of Muni backup catcher Yatuna Toatsi's first EL home run, and first HR in any league in three years, tying the game 10-10. Two more hits and a wild pitch gave the Eagles a 12-10 lead in the 13th inning, but Sipet led off the bottom half by smashing another home run, tying the game once again. The winning run scored without a hit when Eagles reliever Relewe Skaki handed out three walks while getting only one out in the 14th.

This was all part of a big Muni series win, much needed. After being two games behind the field last week, and 5 games deep in the relegation zone, they're now out of last place on run differential and only two games behind the safety spots.

Aroketsil Spirits 4, Sitache 3: Star Spirits 1B Peku Karwo was hit in the head by a pitch from Sitache ace SP Aro Ipo. He was diagnosed with a concussion, which is expected to put him out for about two weeks. Anything longer-term would be pretty bad for a Spirits team in the title discussion, but 1B/OF Lopache Misha is a capable replacement, homering in the 6-1 win later in the series among other positive impacts. As is, Karwo will miss the two rivalry series with Mighty Oaks and the Canaries next week, so I'm curious to see if and how the Spirits respond.


Standings:...W..L
Mighty Oaks 36 14
..A.Spirits 34 16
.....Keleri 29 21
....Cheshek 29 21
.....Tsapna 28 22
..Amnanache 27 23
...Pasataki 27 23
....Fampalo 27 23
....Sitache 26 24
..Sh.Eagles 25 25
.....Lutrul 24 26
...National 23 27
.....Hokrof 23 27
.....Kupore 22 28
...Akashemo 22 28
....Nokelto 22 28
.....Semyof 20 30
-----------------
.....Kepmem 20 30
.......Muni 18 32
.A.Canaries 18 32


Before next week's post, we're just over a quarter of the way through the season, so I'll do a statistical look and give you a glance at how some lower leagues are going. But next week's schedule is a doozy; we have the first matchup between our top two teams, who have opened up a 5-game gap over the field. The most meaningful Aroketsil derby to date will take place at Oaks Park, with a battle of aces set to lead things off: Ihuna Cheyeo for the Spirits, and Siteno Aefep for the Oaks. After one emotional rivalry series, the Spirits will turn right around and do it again, facing the Canaries at home. Meanwhile, there is also a Chastara derby early in the week with Fampalo vs. Nokelto, and the league's two southernmost teams face off in round 12 – Pasataki vs. Kepmem in Kiwa Punem.

Round 11:
Amnanache vs. Pasataki Galaxy
Muni vs. Keleri
Fampalo vs. Nokelto Scouts
Hokrof vs. Aroketsil Canaries
Cheshek vs. Sitache
Aroketsil Spirits vs. Mighty Oaks
Kepmem vs. Semyof
National vs. Lutrul
Tsapna vs. Shunna Eagles
Akashemo vs. Kupore

Round 12:
Kupore vs. Tsapna
Keleri vs. Fampalo
Lutrul vs. Amnanache
Mighty Oaks vs. National
Pasataki Galaxy vs. Kepmem
Semyof vs. Muni
Shunna Eagles vs. Cheshek
Sitache vs. Akashemo
Nokelto Scouts vs. Hokrof
Aroketsil Canaries vs. Aroketsil Spirits

[Ruwisc]

Quarter Pole – Stats Update

Some EL leaderboards as each team now has 50 games in the bank:

Batting race:
Peyaka Sefenera (OAKS): .369
Fomo Tirma (KUP): .368
Pumona Kakosuta (NAT): .356

Sefenera has been an under-the-radar superstar the past few years - a batting title would be a good thing to get him the recognition he deserves.

Home runs:
Wia Merefife (PGAL): 18
Apia Lela (PGAL): 17
Peyaka Sefenera (OAKS): 17

The Galaxy are the EL's top home run-hitting team and these two are the main reason for that. After these three, it's a drop to 14 for the next group of players.

RBI:
Peyaka Sefenera (OAKS): 48
Wia Merefife (PGAL): 46
Okekola Narupu (EAG): 45

Position player WAR:
Apia Lela (PGAL): 5.0
Peyaka Sefenera (OAKS): 3.8
Metsifu Olufapo (OAKS): 3.3

Lela is the clear MVP frontrunner, even with his team currently in 7th. The 28-year-old 2B, who is playing for his fifth organization, has really blossomed this year. He has played well in the EL before, previously with Wikyats in 2017, and Ransu Shockers in 2014-15, and he has an EL ring for taking 5 at-bats for Lutrul in 2011 as an 18-year-old, but he has definitely found a new level.

Stolen bases:
Manna Tyheshina (CEX): 21
Anesa Mikesash (NAT): 19
Lawori El (ZAP): 18
Chasaro Yutepe (FAM): 18

Not a crazy running year in the EL so far. Tyheshina finished 2nd with 64 steals last year behind Fampalo's Wyku Tofpalts.

ERA:
Tytsi Sofiulo (OAKS): 1.35
Ihuna Cheyeo (ASPI): 1.64
Filashe Sikepo (FAM): 1.70

Sofiulo is doing his best to wrestle the label of "Mighty Oaks ace" away from Siteno Aefep. He has yet to allow more than two runs in any start, and the Oaks are 8-2 when he pitches. He has been named the Player of the Game in six of his 10 starts.

Wins:
Sefti Merefife (ZAP): 7
Tytsi Sofiulo (OAKS): 7
Notsimi Feshasu (OAKS): 6
Tsai Reyolafa (AMN): 6

Merefife has thrown two shutouts that have garnered mentions thus far, but he's been pretty great in his other appearances as well. He also leads the league in innings pitched with 80 from 11 starts.

Saves:
Monon Watafo (AKAU): 15
Mocheu Mishe (SIT): 13
Lisou Nikera (PGAL): 13
Shepare Tirionu (ACAN): 13
Femo Shosotsoke (NOK): 13

Compared to MLB, the EL saves leaders are somewhat more likely to come from lesser teams. Watafo and Tirionu have both saved more than two-thirds of their teams' victories! By comparison, Mighty Oaks outscore their opponents by almost 2.5 runs per game on average, so they actually have about as many save opportunities as the poor teams do.

Strikeouts:
Aro Ipo (SIT): 74
Epencho Latsychano (AMN): 72
Ihuna Cheyeo (ASPI): 70

Pitcher WAR:
Epencho Latsychano (AMN): 2.9
Aro Ipo (SIT): 2.9
Toe Kachefe (EAG): 2.3

Ipo is 4th on the ERA list, with a slightly higher 1.70 than Sikepo. Latsychano has been snakebitten a little bit so far, with five starts in which the Amnanache lineup has given him 0 or 1 run of support, but both have been stellar for teams with less-than-stellar offenses.

----------

Lower Leagues Update

Second League
The race to join the 2022 Elite League looks like this:


Standings:...W..L
......Westline 32 18
.Swans Menmapa 32 18
....Yoho Bears 31 19
--------------------------------
.........Nokir 31 19
......Mithazni 28 22
.......Tishmin 28 22
Ransu Shockers 28 22
.......Rasenok 28 22
...Otahel City 27 23
........Onesti 27 23
Tenshe. Rubies 26 24
.........Linir 23 27
.......Takanse 23 27
...Ransu Ports 23 27
....Nipte City 22 28
...Nokelto Utd 20 30
--------------------------------
...Wikyats Ath 19 31
..........Meka 18 32
......Sachlihe 18 32
....Feshuyalya 16 34


Westline (Ransu), Tishmin, and Otahel City were picked as the favorites. So far, EL pedigree is winning out - the four teams at the top of the list have all spent at least a decade in the EL over the years, with Westline and Nokir (Tenshemaho) being among the eight total clubs who have won EL championships (1999 and 1996 respectively). Meanwhile, of the eight teams who have never played in the EL, the highest-ranked is 10th-place Onesti (Oyefit, CA).

Unlike in the EL, two batters have already surpassed 20 HR - Taoma Otukatsa of the Shockers and Lope Shosotsoke of Mithazni.

Here are league maps for tier 3, the Northern and Southern Premier Leagues. These are done purely by geography and realigned each season as needed. Occasionally, odd swaps can happen; Loshtsi BC (Reyal, KL), the southernmost team in the NPL, has played 15 seasons in the SPL, including last season. But it was deemed more important to keep rivals together, so the two teams from Hokrof (Fachi and Hokrof Beavers) are united in the SPL despite Hokrof being further north than Reyal.



Northern Premier League


Standings:...W..L
Pelpitimochu Utd 37 13
.Alilia Captains 34 16
--------------------------------
.........Penhara 30 20
.........Loshtsi 28 21
..........Yasral 27 23
...Sowichark Utd 26 24
.........Shalish 26 24
Sapoyo Tortoises 26 24
...Sunoki Hearts 25 25
.....Lisa United 25 25
............Kine 24 26
Enihaka Cyclones 23 27
........Moonside 23 27
....Fampalo City 23 27
...........Lacho 22 28
............Pale 22 28
--------------------------------
.Tsutonsu United 20 30
...........Losap 20 30
.Lempisho United 19 30
............Fure 19 31


Southern Premier League


Standings:...W..L
...........Wichku 32 18
..........Shepero 31 19
--------------------------------
..........Amkutan 31 19
........Takelehun 29 20
..Killitash Stars 28 22
.............Fese 28 22
.South Shore Aksa 27 23
Killitash Bayside 26 23
....Mamtul Wolves 26 24
.....Tinshenikosh 26 24
...........Sheshu 26 24
...Hechemi United 25 25
....Hefem Rangers 24 26
..........Himespo 23 27
.Killitash Giants 21 29
............Fachi 21 29
--------------------------------
.........NK Royan 20 30
.......Tokos City 20 30
...Hokrof Beavers 19 31
...Hefem Monarchs 16 34


Lower League Leaders

Tier 4:

Northern Super League - Reli BC (Shisukap, FX) and Moshelosi BC (Penhara, HO): 29-15
Southern Super League - Noyelits BC (Aksa, ZA): 33-11

Tier 5:

Mideast League One - Hefem Lions (Hefem, EM): 22-8
Northeast League One - Tesoshi BC (Tesoshi, FX): 23-7
Southern League One - Sipliyak BC (Tenshemaho, ZA) and Tishmin Chargers (Tishmin, ZA): 21-9
Western League One - Fitsafin United (Fitzafin, FX): 21-9

Sipliyak are a team of note - they played in the EL for most of the 90s but have had a hard time since. They are actually on their way back up, having dropped down to tier 7 in 2015.

Tier 6:

Mideast League Two - Tsanmet BC (Rofon, KL): 23-7
Northeast League Two - Ransu Center (Ransu, RA): 22-8
Southern League Two - Tatya (Tenshemaho, ZA) and Yusut United (Yusut, KL): 20-10
Western League Two - Sametulshem United (Sametulshem, RP): 21-9

Yusut United are also a former EL team, having played in the top flight from 1996-99.

The tier 7 teams just got under way this week, the tier 8 teams do not begin until May 16, and the state leagues open on June 21.

[Ruwisc]

Week 6: April 30-May 11

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


Featured series:
May 1-6 - Aroketsil Spirits vs. Mighty Oaks

The story of this series is "when you come for the king, you best not miss". The Spirits were flying high, having overturned an early 2-0 deficit in game 1, taking the lead on a double by CF Roshuere Nesatapame in the 4th, and holding through the Oaks' 9th inning rally to win 4-3.

Their Spirits were even higher when, with a man on first and two out in the second inning of Game 2, seven straight Spirits hitters reached, leading to a 5-0 lead that the Oaks could not overcome, pulling them level with mighty Mighty Oaks in the standings.

And higher still when, in the 10th inning of a scoreless game 3, 2B Okitso Womoipo scurried home with the go-ahead run on a wild pitch, giving the Spirits the lead.

But the Oaks aren't dead until you see the report. SS Tsorope Mametsiu stroked an RBI double to tie the game in the bottom of the 10th, and unheralded bench IF Niresilo Fetiloa delivered the winning hit in the 11th.

After Mighty Oaks ground out a pretty standard 6-3 win in game 4, the Spirits at least looked like they would salvage a series win and head back downriver with a series victory when they went up 7-0 in the fourth inning. But a grand slam by Peyaka Sefenera brought the Oaks back to 7-5, and a home run by SS Ukise Sekao tied things the next inning, in a game the Oaks would win 8-7. After all that intrigue, the Oaks had won the series and increased their lead by a game!

Elsewhere:

Nokelto Scouts 2, Fampalo 1: Fampalo's marquee free agent signing in the offseason, SP Kimyu Mekuri, is done for the year after suffering a serious shoulder injury in this game, in this case a torn labrum.

Round 12:
.....Kupore 1-4 Tsapna - 0-12, 5-9, 4-2, 5-7, 2-3
.....Keleri 1-4 Fampalo - 7-10, 3-5, 4-3, 6-9, 2-9
.....Lutrul 0-5 Amnanache - 1-8, 1-8, 3-8, 1-5, 1-5
Mighty Oaks 4-1 National - 2-1, 6-4, 5-0, 1-2, 8-7
...Pasataki 4-1 Kepmem - 11-7, 11-1, 3-4, 6-4, 8-6
.....Semyof 2-3 Muni - 9-4, 5-2, 4-7, 3-7, 2-8
..Sh.Eagles 1-4 Cheshek - 1-2, 7-6, 0-4, 1-5, 4-5
....Sitache 0-5 Akashemo - 9-10, 1-5, 3-5, 3-4, 2-12
....Nokelto 4-1 Hokrof - 9-4, 7-5, 3-4, 9-4, 10-1
.A.Canaries 2-3 A.Spirits - 2-10, 3-5, 3-12, 7-2, 5-3


Tsapna 12, Kupore 0: not only an embarrassing loss for Kupore, but they also lose star 3B Misote Teshelo to a torn quad, about a 4-week injury (those are 12-day Lokasi weeks). Koraralu Fatsi is able to slide over from 2nd to 3rd and fill in, but then there's not really a capable 2B. Tough beat for a team that's just 3 games clear of the relegation zone.

Mighty Oaks 6, National 4: Oaks SP Tytsi Sofiulo, who had been the EL's ERA leader prior to a bad start in the Spirits series, has his week go from bad to worse when his elbow flares up during the first inning of this win over National. They've shut him down until August.

Mighty Oaks 5, National 0: Oaks SP Notsimi Feshasu throws a 2-hitter at the National Ground, walking just 1. Props to Oaks management for not pulling him upon allowing his second hit in the 9th inning. In fairness, they'd just needed 8.1 innings from their bullpen the night before due to Sofiulo's injury.


Standings:...W..L
Mighty Oaks 43 17
..A.Spirits 39 21
....Cheshek 35 25
..Amnanache 34 26
.....Tsapna 34 26
....Fampalo 34 26
...Pasataki 34 26
.....Keleri 33 27
..Sh.Eagles 29 31
....Sitache 29 31
...Akashemo 29 31
.....Hokrof 28 32
....Nokelto 28 32
.....Lutrul 27 33
.....Kupore 26 34
...National 26 34
.....Semyof 25 35
-----------------
.......Muni 23 37
.....Kepmem 23 37
.A.Canaries 21 39


Overall, a little jockeying, but every team finished the week somewhere between 3-7 and 7-3.

Next week, not quite as much to look out for. The last Chastara derby of the first half will take place in round 14.

Round 13:
Kepmem vs. Aroketsil Canaries
Fampalo vs. Shunna Eagles
Muni vs. Pasataki Galaxy
Tsapna vs. Nokelto Scouts
Hokrof vs. Mighty Oaks
National vs. Keleri
Cheshek vs. Lutrul
Amnanache vs. Sitache
Aroketsil Spirits vs. Kupore
Akashemo vs. Semyof

Round 14:
Lutrul vs. Aroketsil Spirits
Kupore vs. Fampalo
Semyof vs. Amnanache
Nokelto Scouts vs. Sitache
Aroketsil Canaries vs. Keleri
Mighty Oaks vs. Shunna Eagles
Hokrof vs. National
Muni vs. Kepmem
Pasataki Galaxy vs. Cheshek
Akashemo vs. Tsapna

[Ruwisc]

Week 7: May 12-23

Firstly, the trade deadline in Lokasi is quite early - it arrives here at the 1/3 mark of the season, on May 15. Trading is usually not that big a deal here, so these are the more important of the deals made by EL teams. You'll see that it's not a lot:

May 13: Lutrul trades starting LF Sosoni Wamia to 6th-tier Nukimi United, along with enough cash and retention to basically give him away, in exchange for a potential future bench bat. Lutrul is already without superstar CF Ipitashi Rerawe, and now they're really low on star power of any kind. Don't know why they would do this unless there was a roster crunch.
May 15: Sitache acquires CF Yemahi Choap from 4th-tier Puchetoshaya (Ransu) in exchange for RP Santa Tsawitseno. This makes sense - Choap stepped right into the Sitache lineup, and Tsawitseno immediately became the closer for his new club. Choap's upside is low, but for a team that is still without regular CF Rolupi Shekesu (broken foot) for another month or so the trade is worth the asset.
May 15: Keleri acquires IF Kwukasho Kumoyo and a fringe pitcher from Second League Wikyats Athletic, in exchange for 1B prospect Soralone Eshohoi. Keleri is desperate for bodies that can contribute at the plate - due to some injuries, they're only carrying 10 position players right now, and both their starting middle infielders are out. Kumoyo steps right in as the starting 2B despite being below replacement level.

That's all that I could find reason to talk about - there were 3-4 other trades that were less influential.

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


Akashemo 7, Semyof 5: Semyof SP Tumi Ayawetsi is done for the season with a torn labrum. The 17-year-old had left his previous two starts each with more minor injuries - on a deeper Semyof team, he'd have had a chance to sit for a while, but no dice.

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


Fampalo 9, Kupore 1: In this rout, Fampalo 1B Rykitopa Tufsu was injured while sliding into second base on an RBI double in the 6th inning. His hamstring strain will keep him out for the next ~4 weeks.

Tsapna 4, Akashemo 0: Tsapna SP Lomunu Awia took a no-hitter into the 8th inning before Akashemo catcher Kanoye Wushe singled to break it up. We are approaching one full year since the last EL no-hitter. There were two last year -*Fampalo's Pika Sopota (now of 2L Otahel City) against Wikyats, and Sitache's Latsal Chatsol (now of Muni) vs. Amnanache - but, there were none in 2019.

The majority of the EL's no-hitters are from the imbalance days - 22 of them from the EL's first 6 years (1991-96), 19 in the 24 years since.

Fampalo 1, Kupore 0: The season's fifth shutout is recorded by Fampalo's Karpu Tyle. The Fampalo rotation has been a good unit, despite Kimyu Mekuri's season-ending injury, and Tyle has been a surprise leader in that department.


Standings:...W..L
Mighty Oaks 51 19
..A.Spirits 46 24
.....Keleri 42 28
.....Tsapna 42 28
....Cheshek 42 28
....Fampalo 41 29
..Amnanache 38 32
...Pasataki 38 32
....Sitache 36 34
...Akashemo 33 37
..Sh.Eagles 32 38
....Nokelto 32 38
.....Hokrof 31 39
.....Lutrul 30 40
...National 30 40
.....Kepmem 30 40
.....Kupore 29 41
.....Semyof 28 42
.......Muni 27 43
.A.Canaries 22 48


Next week, Cheshek and Keleri have their chance to stake their claim in the title race as each play the Oaks for the first time. All three of the teams at 42-28 have underperformed their Pythag records so far - is it too soon to suggest that a series win is necessary to keep them alive in the race? 10+ games near the halfway point might be too much to overcome.

Round 15:
National vs. Akashemo
Shunna Eagles vs. Hokrof
Sitache vs. Semyof
Cheshek vs. Mighty Oaks
Amnanache vs. Muni
Aroketsil Spirits vs. Nokelto Scouts
Tsapna vs. Pasataki Galaxy
Kepmem vs. Kupore
Fampalo vs. Aroketsil Canaries
Keleri vs. Lutrul

Round 16:
Lutrul vs. Tsapna
Muni vs. Aroketsil Spirits
Semyof vs. Fampalo
Akashemo vs. Cheshek
Mighty Oaks vs. Keleri
Hokrof vs. Amnanache
Kupore vs. Shunna Eagles
Pasataki Galaxy vs. National
Aroketsil Canaries vs. Sitache
Nokelto vs. Kepmem

[Ruwisc]

Week 8: May 24-June 4

A perfect week for one team through a soft part of its schedule threatens to disrupt the two-team title race. We're nearing the halfway point in the 2021 Lokasi Elite League!

Injury news that technically belongs with last week's update: in the Eagles' 7-6 win over Mighty Oaks, Oaks star LF Faruo Ayekrea broke his thumb. He'll probably miss around 35 games - we'll have to see how that affects the champs. As mentioned in last week's post, they have a tough slate of games this week, home to Cheshek and @ Keleri.

Veteran OF Yalofe Uepepa will slot in, playing for his sixth different club in the EL. He came up with Amnanache in the early 2010s, ascending with them to the EL in 2012 before being traded to Westline at the deadline that season. He has since signed short-term deals with Nokelto Scouts, Muni, and Kepmem before cashing in with the Oaks on a 6-year deal. All this still at just the age of 28!

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


Semyof vs. Sitache has got to be one of the most one-sided series in EL history. Semyof outscored their northern visitors 37-2 in the series, and Sitache did not log more than 6 hits in any game. Given Semyof started the week in the relegation zone, pretty unexpected.

Also a big sweep for Akashemo over National - I'm comfortable adding them to my mental list of teams safe from relegation, which is 9 deep. Cheshek also pick up a big away series win vs. the Oaks, which was what I thought they needed to feel as though they were still in the title race. Step one... check.

Round 16:
.....Lutrul 3-2 Tsapna - 5-2(10), 6-3, 1-3, 10-1, 7-13
.......Muni 1-4 A.Spirits - 11-9(11), 7-17, 3-4, 2-4, 0-5
.....Semyof 0-5 Fampalo - 7-8, 5-6, 0-5, 1-8, 0-5
...Akashemo 4-1 Cheshek - 3-2, 7-4, 7-1, 6-3, 1-10
Mighty Oaks 3-2 Keleri - 4-0, 7-5, 4-5, 6-4(10), 4-15
.....Hokrof 2-3 Amnanache - 9-3, 2-7, 6-4, 6-9, 7-9
.....Kupore 2-3 Sh.Eagles - 0-10, 12-3, 0-2, 4-2, 4-13
...Pasataki 2-3 National - 7-4(10), 7-3, 6-7, 0-6, 1-6
.A.Canaries 2-3 Sitache - 2-3(12), 2-6, 12-1, 1-0, 3-2
....Nokelto 2-3 Kepmem - 5-1, 11-12, 1-7, 3-2, 2-5


Kepmem 12, Nokelto Scouts 11: an instant classic. Nokelto SS Otsiku Nyru, just 16 years old, hit three home runs in the loss. Up 8-3 at the stretch, the Nokelto bullpen allowed Kepmem to string up seven runs in the seventh to take a 10-8 lead; then Nyru's third home run was a 3-run shot that gave Nokelto the lead right back at 11-10. In the bottom of the 9th, with a man on and two out, still 11-10, a costly misplaced throw back into the infield allowed Kepmem SS Oshor Ramukosho to advance to second base on his own single, which would eventually allow him to score the winning run on a hit by RF Yar Rolei.

June 3: It is worth reminding ourselves that in this universe, where a team's wealth and heritage are a little less malleable, that the Aroketsil Spirits are running the EL's third-smallest payroll, less than half of Mighty Oaks (or Keleri, or Tsapna). Only Kepmem and the crosstown Canaries are paying less for their roster. That's why it's especially nice to see them shell out for one of their guys now that they're having such great success on the field. 2B Okitso Womoipo extends his contract for 4 years/$44.4 million. The 25-year-old, who joined from Nokir in 2017 when they were relegated, will be in Spirits gray until 2025.


Standings:...W..L
-- Mighty Oaks 56 24
-- ..A.Spirits 54 26
+3 ....Fampalo 51 29
-1 .....Keleri 47 33
-1 .....Tsapna 47 33
-1 ....Cheshek 46 34
-- ..Amnanache 45 35
-- ...Pasataki 42 38
+1 ...Akashemo 42 38
+1 ..Sh.Eagles 39 41
-2 ....Sitache 38 42
+2 .....Lutrul 35 45
+4 .....Kupore 35 45
-2 ....Nokelto 35 45
+1 .....Kepmem 34 46
-3 .....Hokrof 34 46
-2 ...National 33 47
--------------------
-- .....Semyof 33 47
-- .......Muni 29 51
-- .A.Canaries 25 55


So, a perfect week for Fampalo sees them go from 6th and ten games back of the Oaks to 3rd and five games back. They have won 11 straight and 24 of their last 29 games, dating back to their series with Nokelto in round 11, and won six consecutive series.

Next time, I'm gonna go through to the halfway point, so an extra half-week with three series per team. Everyone will face the three opponents they have not yet seen:

Round 17:
Amnanache vs. Kupore
Shunna Eagles vs. Akashemo
National vs. Nokelto Scouts
Sitache vs. Mighty Oaks
Cheshek vs. Aroketsil Canaries
Aroketsil Spirits vs. Semyof
Keleri vs. Hokrof
Kepmem vs. Lutrul
Fampalo vs. Pasataki Galaxy
Tsapna vs. Muni

Round 18:
Akashemo vs. Mighty Oaks
Keleri vs. Aroketsil Spirits
Lutrul vs. Aroketsil Canaries
Kepmem vs. Fampalo
Tsapna vs. Sitache
National vs. Shunna Eagles
Pasataki Galaxy vs. Nokelto Scouts
Muni vs. Hokrof
Semyof vs. Kupore
Amnanache vs. Cheshek

Round 19:
Cheshek vs. Tsapna
Shunna Eagles vs. Kepmem
Mighty Oaks vs. Amnanache
Fampalo vs. National
Aroketsil Canaries vs. Semyof
Kupore vs. Keleri
Sitache vs. Pasataki Galaxy
Aroketsil Spirits vs. Akashemo
Hokrof vs. Lutrul
Nokelto Scouts vs. Muni

[Ruwisc]

Week 9-9.5: June 5-23

Going up to the halfway point in this update – every team will have played 5 games against every other, and we'll run the schedule back around with flipped hosting duties until October!

Round 17:
..Amnanache 1-4 Kupore - 0-2, 6-8(10), 4-5, 8-5, 1-3
..Sh.Eagles 2-3 Akashemo - 2-5(10), 1-16, 5-3, 8-9, 5-3
...National 4-1 Nokelto - 12-6, 3-0, 3-0, 4-5, 8-0
....Sitache 0-5 Mighty Oaks - 0-1, 0-2, 2-8, 1-5, 4-17
....Cheshek 4-1 A.Canaries - 8-9(10), 4-2, 3-1, 2-0, 5-2(10)
..A.Spirits 3-2 Semyof - 9-5, 0-2, 5-7, 3-1, 13-4
.....Keleri 4-1 Hokrof - 3-7, 10-7, 11-7, 11-5, 7-4(10)
.....Kepmem 3-2 Lutrul - 6-4, 4-2, 4-10, 4-2, 11-13
....Fampalo 2-3 Pasataki - 1-9, 2-9, 9-4, 5-2, 3-6
.....Tsapna 5-0 Muni - 5-1, 5-4, 10-8, 8-2, 10-3


We've developed a separation, in my mind, between the top 9 and the bottom 11, and in round 17 there was only one top-9 matchup, between Fampalo and the Galaxy. Fampalo had come in winners of 11 straight games, but were soundly beaten by Pasataki in the first two games by a combined 18-3. Fampalo would recover to win two of the remaining three games, but the first two Ls set the tone for what would be a middling period of baseball.

Otherwise, a big road series win for National, and a mild upset for Kupore by winning four of five with Amnanache.

Mighty Oaks 8, Sitache 2: Oaks SS Ukise Sekao left this win with a strained hamstring - the Gold Glover will miss about a month.

Tsapna 8, Muni 2: By outlasting Muni's Toitu Sofiulo, Tsapna SP Lomunu Awia earned his 200th Elite League victory. Awia has spent his entire career with Tsapna in the EL, and has four Pitcher of the Year awards to his name, most recently in 2019. More impressive, I think, is that he has never been injured, not even once. He missed one start in 2019 when he had the flu, and that's all.

Pasataki Galaxy 6, Fampalo 3: Galaxy CF Yaropatso Kesia was hit on the hand by Fampalo SP Karpu Tyle, breaking his thumb and causing him to miss a couple of weeks. This is Kesia's first season in the EL and he has been a pleasant surprise, ranking as probably a top-half CF in the EL despite a couple of injury absences causing him to not qualify for the batting title.

Round 18:
...Akashemo 2-3 Mighty Oaks - 5-1, 0-5, 2-5, 3-1, 0-6
.....Keleri 1-4 A.Spirits - 3-5, 0-5, 4-5, 7-0, 6-9
.....Lutrul 2-3 A.Canaries - 5-7(10), 3-4, 1-2, 3-2, 7-2
.....Kepmem 2-3 Fampalo - 11-10, 6-11, 1-2(10), 2-6, 4-3
.....Tsapna 3-2 Sitache - 13-4, 5-7, 2-3, 5-4(11), 10-2
...National 4-1 Sh.Eagles - 10-0, 4-3, 3-7, 4-0, 2-1
...Pasataki 3-2 Nokelto - 8-0, 1-3, 3-2, 19-7, 7-9
.......Muni 2-3 Hokrof - 5-0, 3-4, 8-6, 3-4, 8-9(10)
.....Semyof 0-5 Kupore - 6-14, 2-6, 2-19, 0-3, 3-7
..Amnanache 1-4 Cheshek - 2-7, 5-3, 2-7, 2-4, 2-6


A big-time series win for the Spirits, who gain on Mighty Oaks by a game despite their stronger opposition. Amnanache squander an opportunity to gain on one of their rivals in the chasing pack in an all-Ransu derby.

Muni 5, Hokrof 0: Disaster for Muni, as star CF Solo Sipet pulled up lame with a hamstring strain while going 1st-to-3rd in the fifth inning. He's going to miss nearly two months. Sipet is by far Muni's best player, and things were already looking bad for Muni with him around. This injury might spell the end of their current six-year spell in the top flight.

Tsapna 13, Sitache 4: Little-used Tsapna OF Shesho Apasarue went 5-for-5 in the game, raising his average to .354. He has had very little playing time in favor of the very similar Putta Komape, so maybe that'll help him crack the lineup.

Kupore 19, Semyof 2: Every Kupore player could be spotlighted here probably, as they blew up Semyof with 26 hits, every starting position player having at least two. 2B Mirotiko Nysho has the best case, having gone 5-for-5 with two singles, two doubles, and a triple while driving in 3 runs and scoring 3 more. Oddly for a game with so many runs, Kupore batters only homered twice.

Keleri 7, Aroketsil Spirits 0: Keleri SP Pusituli Yutepe threw a gem, making it through 8 innings with just two hits and a walk allowed. In the 9th, he unfortunately allowed another two hits and a walk, but his replacement Nawin Nysho preserved the shutout.

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


Amnanache are too far back now to have a shot at the championship, but they still have the pitching power to have an impact by taking a series off of the champs and allowing the Spirits to pull level (briefly, before falling back down to 2 GB).

Kepmem 9, Eagles 8 and Kepmem 10, Eagles 5: Kepmem 3B Kala Koshynae had consecutive multi-homer games to close out the first half, pulling himself right back into the HR crown conversation. Kepmem had a solid close as a team, going 9-6 across these three series to pull five games clear of the drop zone.


Standings:...W..L
-- Mighty Oaks 66 29
-- ..A.Spirits 64 31
+3 ....Cheshek 59 36
-1 ....Fampalo 58 37
-1 .....Keleri 55 40
-1 .....Tsapna 55 40
-- ..Amnanache 50 45
-- ...Pasataki 50 45
-- ...Akashemo 49 46
+3 .....Kupore 46 49
+6 ...National 44 51
-2 ..Sh.Eagles 43 52
+2 .....Kepmem 43 52
-3 ....Sitache 43 52
-3 .....Lutrul 42 53
-2 ....Nokelto 41 54
-1 .....Hokrof 40 55
-- .....Semyof 38 57
-- .......Muni 33 62
-- .A.Canaries 31 64


The murky middle continue to shuffle, but outside of places 10-17 the standings are beginning to calcify.

To get back on track, we'll do three more series next time, finishing weeks 10 and 11. Before that, we'll get a mid-season report on how leagues other than the EL are going – all 1,024 Lokasi teams have now at least begun their seasons.

The second half is not an exact mirror of the first in terms of opponent order - rounds 20-22 will be the reverse of rounds 4, 3 and 5 in that order:

Round 20:
Sitache vs. Lutrul
Cheshek vs. National
Hokrof vs. Semyof
Aroketsil Canaries vs. Akashemo
Mighty Oaks vs. Tsapna
Nokelto Scouts vs. Keleri
Kupore vs. Muni
Aroketsil Spirits vs. Kepmem
Fampalo vs. Amnanache
Shunna Eagles vs. Pasataki Galaxy

Round 21:
National vs. Kupore
Semyof vs. Nokelto Scouts
Keleri vs. Cheshek
Kepmem vs. Sitache
Muni vs. Aroketsil Canaries
Amnanache vs. Aroketsil Spirits
Akashemo vs. Fampalo
Tsapna vs. Hokrof
Pasataki Galaxy vs. Mighty Oaks
Lutrul vs. Shunna Eagles

Round 22:
Keleri vs. Shunna Eagles
Kepmem vs. Cheshek
Lutrul vs. Nokelto Scouts
National vs. Sitache
Semyof vs. Mighty Oaks
Akashemo vs. Hokrof
Tsapna vs. Aroketsil Spirits
Muni vs. Fampalo
Pasataki Galaxy vs. Kupore
Amnanache vs. Aroketsil Canaries

[Ruwisc]

Halfway Point – Stats Update

EL leaderboards to mark the halfway point of the season. All teams have played 95 of their 190-game schedule:

Batting race:
Fomo Tirma (KUP, 1B): .373
Peyaka Sefenera (OAKS, RF): .359
Takipuse Shihoe (KUP, CF): .350

Young bucks lead the way here - all three are 21 or younger. Tirma in particular is just 18, and already a former batting champ.

Home runs:
Rolana Rekesu (ASPI, 3B): 30
Kala Koshynae (KEP, 3B): 29
Peyaka Sefenera (OAKS, RF): 29

At the quarter pole, this list was dominated by Galaxy players, but they have really cooled off as a team offensively. The Spirits are now the EL's leading power team. Rekesu of course leads the way, but four other Spirits have at least 17 HR.

RBI:
Lesayo Sofiulo (KEL, LF): 89
Peyaka Sefenera (OAKS, RF): 85
Rolana Rekesu (ASPI, 3B): 83

Position player WAR:
Apia Lela (PGAL, 2B): 7.6
Peyaka Sefenera (OAKS, RF): 6.5
Wasi Tsewayo (ASPI, SS): 6.2

Lela is still the leader by a full win, though he has slowed down immensely after a torrid start. He's not in the top 3 of any of the triple crown stats, but he does have 25 HR, leads the league in OBP, and has been the league's best defender at the keystone.

Stolen bases:
Anesa Mikesash (NAT, SS): 41
Lawori El (ZAP, SS): 39
Aroshop Lapa (ACAN, SS): 37

Steals became more prevalent in the second quarter, with all three of these guys, plus a couple more, on pace to top last year's leading tally of 70.

ERA:
Epencho Latsychano (AMN): 1.92
Notsimi Feshasu (OAKS): 2.34
Hohau Mileku (CEX): 2.60

A completely different trio than led the league at the quarter mark. Latsychano is making a very strong case to win his first PoY award at the top level.

Wins:
Notsimi Feshasu (OAKS): 12
Sefti Merefife (ZAP): 12
Hohau Mileku (CEX): 11
Otsiloma Puto (ASPI): 11
Tsai Reyolafa (AMN): 11

Mileku is worth spotlighting too, he's really come on as Cheshek have kept pace with the top two throughout the second quarter, alongside fellow SP Tsysi Fatsi

Saves:
Monon Watafo (AKAU): 29
Lisou Nikera (PGAL): 27
Ruetsosa Riporeto (ASPI): 26

Watafo is a big reason why Akashemo are among the top half of the table rather than the bottom half. As a team they've outplayed their Pythagorean record by six games, tied for most in the EL, and that usually means a good bullpen.

Strikeouts:
Laotso Tirionu (AMN): 128
Epencho Latsychano (AMN): 126
Lohy Awia (NAT): 125

Tirionu has gone completely unmentioned this far. I'd liken him to Blake Snell, a power pitcher who puts up good-looking stats but doesn't go deep into games (less than 5 innings per start). Latsychano and Awia are definitely more well-rounded.

Pitcher WAR:
Epencho Latsychano (AMN): 4.9
Aro Ipo (SIT): 4.4
Mesa Tselsiko (SIT): 3.6

Pretty impressive that Sitache have two guys on this list despite their league placement (currently 14th). But then again, their whole lineup has combined to be below replacement level, so

----------

Lower Leagues Update

Second League
The race to join the 2022 Elite League currently looks like this:


Standings:...W..L
-- ......Westline 61 34
+3 .......Tishmin 58 37
+3 ......Mithazni 58 37
--------------------------------
-2 .Swans Menmapa 57 38
+4 ...Otahel City 57 38
-3 ....Yoho Bears 57 38
-3 .........Nokir 56 39
-1 Ransu Shockers 52 43
-1 .......Rasenok 50 45
-- ........Onesti 49 46
+7 ..........Meka 46 49
-1 Tenshe. Rubies 45 50
+2 ....Nipte City 44 51
-1 .......Takanse 43 52
-3 .........Linir 41 54
-- ...Nokelto Utd 37 58
--------------------------------
+2 ......Sachlihe 37 58
-4 ...Ransu Ports 37 58
+1 ....Feshuyalya 35 60
-3 ...Wikyats Ath 30 65


The promotion race is likely to be pretty wild, with 7 teams definitely in contention for three spots. I'm looking out for Meka (Meka, TA) as well. Meka is a town of just 14,000 people, significantly smaller than any EL market by a gargantuan margin, but after sitting in the relegation zone at the previous update, Meka went 26-19 through their next nine series and are approaching the top half of the table. Promotion candidates? No, but for a team looking just to survive relegation from the 2L for the first time, there's a lot to be proud of. Both Meka and Nipte City are competing to be the first teams to rise from tier 8 to the EL... no team has even done it from tier 6 yet.

Wikyats Athletic, who were relegated from the EL last year, are likely to drop down to the Southern Premier League next year now.

Northern Premier League


Standings:...W..L
-- Pelpitimochu Utd 69 26
-- .Alilia Captains 59 36
--------------------------------
-- .........Penhara 57 38
+5 ...Sunoki Hearts 53 42
+3 Sapoyo Tortoises 52 43
-2 .........Loshtsi 49 45
+3 .....Lisa United 49 46
+7 ...........Lacho 48 47
+3 Enihaka Cyclones 47 48
-5 ..........Yasral 47 48
-4 .........Shalish 46 49
+7 .Lempisho United 45 49
-2 ............Kine 45 50
-8 ...Sowichark Utd 44 51
+2 .Tsutonsu United 41 54
+2 ...........Losap 41 54
--------------------------------
-1 ............Pale 41 54
-4 ....Fampalo City 41 54
-6 ........Moonside 38 57
-- ............Fure 37 58


Southern Premier League


Standings:...W..L
-- ...........Wichku 64 31
+1 ..........Amkutan 61 34
--------------------------------
+6 ....Mamtul Wolves 57 38
-2 ..........Shepero 55 40
+3 Killitash Bayside 54 40
-2 ........Takelehun 54 40
+6 ....Hefem Rangers 53 42
-2 .............Fese 53 42
-4 ..Killitash Stars 48 47
-3 .South Shore Aksa 47 48
-1 .....Tinshenikosh 46 49
+4 ............Fachi 45 50
+1 ..........Himespo 44 51
-3 ...........Sheshu 43 52
-- .Killitash Giants 42 53
-4 ...Hechemi United 41 54
--------------------------------
+2 ...Hokrof Beavers 41 54
-- .......Tokos City 38 57
+1 ...Hefem Monarchs 33 62
-3 .........NK Royan 30 65


Lower League Leaders

Tier 4:

Northern Super League - Moshelosi BC (Penhara, HO): 59-30
Southern Super League - Hilas BC (Hilas, PI): 58-31

Tier 5:

Mideast League One - Hefem Lions (Hefem, EM): 50-25
Northeast League One - Tesoshi BC (Tesoshi, FX): 50-25
Southern League One - Sipliyak BC (Tenshemaho, ZA): 48-27
Western League One - Motech BC (Kepits, SE) and Lulo BC (Tsatsaye, TA): 48-27

Tier 6:

Mideast League Two - Tsanmet BC (Rofon, KL): 55-20
Northeast League Two - Nuchre BC (Ransu, RA): 49-26
Southern League Two - Yusut United (Yusut, KL): 48-27
Western League Two - Sametulshem United (Sametulshem, RP): 53-22

Tier 7:

Central Championship: Raponimos BC (Shuhan, PI): 31-12
Mideast Championship: Surai Scorpions (Surai, LS): 30-13
Northeast Championship: Ransu Fire (Ransu, RA): 26-17
North Championship: Nitanlako BC (Nitanlako, FH): 31-12
Northwest Championship: Chochitinkeshu BC (Chochitinkeshu, PE): 30-13
Prairie Championship: Nofeya Strikers (Nofeya, SE): 27-16
Southern Championship: Motsuf BC (Efiro, EE): 29-14
South Sea Championship: Mowe United (Mowe, RT): 27-16

Tier 8:

Central League: Mokayoron Greens (Mokayoron, KX): 19-8
Mideast League: Wese BC (Heshatesh, RA): 21-6
Northeast League: Mishofra Town (Mishofra, RA): 20-7
North League: Shese BC (Shese, PE): 18-9
Northwest League: Tsoshyo BC (Penso, PE): 19-8
Prairie League: Kepits Icemen (Kepits, SE): 19-8
Southern League: Kaparo BC (Ehosh, EM): 20-7
South Sea League: Killitash Tigers (Killitash, ZA): 19-8

Tier 9: the 47 state leagues are just underway, with three games played per team. These teams play six games per week, fewer than the full pros, and only 60 for a full season.