World Baseball Classic XXV - Everything Thread

[Saintland]

Central North America            0 1 0 0 2 0 0 1 0  4
Saintland                        0 1 1 0 2 0 4 0 X  8

Bottom of the Second

Andreas Fundanus had just conceded a run in the top of the 2nd.

Iosue Galenus - The Sanctii are down a run yet again as Lucius Maccius steps into the batter's box.

Thomas Crispus - I talked with Maccius earlier today. He is sick of losing and says he is determined to make an impact today.

Iosue Galenus - The first pitch is a called strike low and away.

Thomas Crispus - This is the same pitcher that held the Sanctii to 2 runs in our first meeting against this team.

Iosue Galenus - This one is close. The umpire calls ball 1. 1-1 count.

Thomas Crispus - This pitcher is on top of his game.

Iosue Galenus - Fastball right down the middle and Maccius looks like he just got all of it.

Thomas Crispus - The ball has been hit hard to deep center field. It has a chance. Its at the warning track. Gone. Home run Lucius Maccius! The ball is somewhere on the streets of St. Petrus.

Iosue Galenus - A remarkable hit and the Sanctii have tied up this ballgame.

Bottom of the 3rd

1-1 game. Petrus Tragus at the plate to open the 3rd inning.

Iosue Galenus - The captain steps up to the plate for the Sanctii.

Thomas Crispus - He has to be motivated to try and make something happen.

Iosue Galenus - Petrus Tragus swings at the first pitch and he's hit it in the gap.

Thomas Crispus - That ball has gone into the gap.

Iosue Galenus - The left fielder has tracked down the ball and Tragus will have to hold up at 3rd for a triple to lead off the 3rd inning.

Thomas Crispus - I think its time to consider a squeeze play.

Iosue Galenus - Ioannes Sentius is up to bat next. Petrus Tragus is on 3rd base.

Thomas Crispus - Sentius appears to be swinging.

Iosue Galenus - The first pitch is a ball.

Thomas Crispus - That pitch was so high that even a WBC umpire could tell it was a ball.

Iosue Galenus - My broadcast colleague is clearly still disgusted with the numerous bad strike calls during that no hitter the other day. The pitcher releases and Sentius connects.

Thomas Crispus - He hit that one right to the center fielder.

Iosue Galenus - Tragus tags up at 3rd and he will score. The Kingdom leads by a score of 2 to 1.

Top of the 5th

Andreas Fundanus walked a batter to start the inning, but he struck out 2 straight to bring up Central North America's cleanup hitter.

Iosue Galenus - The 1st baseman for Central North America steps up to the plate again.

Thomas Crispus - Just one more out and Saintland is out of the inning.

Iosue Galenus - Fundanus throws a splitter and the batter connected.

Thomas Crispus - This ball might be gone if it stays fair.

Iosue Galenus - Its over the fence in right field and it was barely foul.

Thomas Crispus - I can't believe what I'm seeing. These incompetent umpires are calling that a home run.

Iosue Galenus - Here we go away. Central North America leads by a score of 3 to 2.

Bottom of the 5th

Marcus Tragus has singled to lead off the bottom of the 5th. Petrus Tragus is at the plate, following a failed bunt attempt by pitcher Andreas Fundanus.

Iosue Galenus - The first pitch is a strike. Tragus missed that one.

Thomas Crispus - Marcus Tragus is off and he's heading for 2nd base.

Iosue Galenus - Stolen base.

Thomas Crispus - A great decision by the captain's brother and the Kingdom now has the tying run in scoring position.

Iosue Galenus - The 0-1 pitch got away from the Central North America hurler and it hit Petrus Tragus in the elbow.

Thomas Crispus - That was intentional. Do your job umpire and eject this man.

Iosue Galenus - No ejections appear to be forthcoming.

Thomas Crispus - At least Petrus was wearing an elbow pad.

Iosue Galenus - That always helps. Ioannes Sentius steps up to the plate next.

Thomas Crispus - How is this team going to blow this opportunity to score some runs?

Iosue Galenus - The first pitch is a ball and the Tragus brothers are off.

Thomas Crispus - They saw the double steal coming.

Iosue Galenus - And the throw is to 3rd. It is close. The Umpire signals safe.

Thomas Crispus - Finally they get a call right.

Iosue Galenus - The Tragus brothers have stolen their way to 2nd and 3rd.

Thomas Crispus - The Central North America bench is in disbelief right now. They saw it coming and they still couldn't stop the Tragus brothers. They're just too fast.

Iosue Galenus - The pitcher sets up and releases. Sentius swings and connects.

Thomas Crispus - This one might be gone. Its back to deep center field.

Iosue Galenus - And the Center Fielder makes the play at the warning track. Marcus Tragus will score easily and Petrus Tragus is rounding 3rd.

Thomas Crispus - Its going to be close.

Iosue Galenus - Tragus slides and the ball arrives right as he touches home plate.

Thomas Crispus - The umpire signals safe.

Iosue Galenus - Saintland leads 5 to 4 on a 2-RBI sac fly.

Bottom of the 7th

Josephus Oppius took the mound to get the last out of the 7th. Saintland still leads 5-4 as the "Wild One" tries to redeem himself with a 7-out save. The bases are loaded for Matthaeus Bebius with 2 out.

Iosue Galenus - Matthaeus Bebius steps up to the plate with the bases loaded. 2 out.

Thomas Crispus - Our Kingdom needs at least 1 more run here. The "Wild One" can't be trusted on the mound.

Iosue Galenus - Bebius takes the first pitch for a ball.

Thomas Crispus - This reliever has a reputation for being wild, much like Josephus Oppius.

Iosue Galenus - Ball 2 in the dirt.

Thomas Crispus - He's lucky that the catcher blocked that ball. In Royal Park, it probably would have rolled 80 feet to the backstop.

Iosue Galenus - This pitch is high and inside.

Thomas Crispus - The umpire called it ball 3.

Iosue Galenus - The pitcher throws a fastball down the middle and Bebius swings and connects.

Thomas Crispus - He got all of that one. Its headed for left field. It has a chance. Gone. The umpire rules fair.

Iosue Galenus - Grand slam home run Matthaeus Bebius! That one was barely over the left-field fence and barely fair. The Sanctii lead 9 to 4.

Thomas Crispus - Now, its time to watch them blow this lead.

Iosue Galenus - I hope you're wrong Thomas.

Top of the 9th

2 out. Central North America scored a run in the top of the 8th. A pinch hitter has come in for their pitcher.

Iosue Galenus - Central North America's pinch hitter has stepped into the batting box.

Thomas Crispus - A good move to call for a pinch hitter. That pitcher wasn't going to get a hit off the "Wild One," who has been anything but tonight.

Iosue Galenus - The Wild One throws a pitch high and outside for ball 1.

Thomas Crispus - Not a good pitch there.

Iosue Galenus - That one was low and inside.

Thomas Crispus - The umpire signals for a ball. That was a strike!

Iosue Galenus - 2-0 count. The Wild One throws a fastball and he's on tonight.

Thomas Crispus - That was probably close to 100 miles per hour. There was no way the hitter was hitting that pitch.

Iosue Galenus - The 2-1 pitch is a slider in the dirt.

Thomas Crispus - Its now a 3-1 count. C'mon "Wild One." Throw some strikes out there.

Iosue Galenus - 3-1 count. The hitter makes contact and it is deep. That one is gone. Home run Central North America.

Thomas Crispus - Wait a second. The umpire signals foul. Strike 2.

Iosue Galenus - 3-2 count. Josephus Oppius winds up and he threw his best fastball this time. The batter swings and misses.

Thomas Crispus - Saintland wins!!! Saintland wins!!! Saintland wins!!!

Iosue Galenus - Josephus Oppius has struck out 5 batters in a 7-out save. Saintland has won a World Baseball Classic game for the first time ever. The Nightly News is next. See you tomorrow from Byfugland.

OOC: Tomorrow, my DH will be Paulus Juventius, who will bat 2nd. Sentius will bat 3rd. Petrus Iulus will substitute for Paulus Sittius and bat 8th. All other batters will bat in their normal spot except Marcus Tragus, who will bat 9th.

[The Serbian Empire]

A 7-1 win over Aardenland was the exact thing the Serbian Empire needed before facing off against a series of ranked foes. It was a pair of home runs that generated all the scoring, both by Jure Klemanic. One was a grand slam which was 345 feet near the foul pole in left field and the other a three run home run which sailed an estimated 502 feet before reaching the ground that went to deep center field.

[Aardenland]

Aardenland Can't Beat Serbia

Home run pair keeps Aardenland from pulling ahead

Aardenland just can't seem to come out on top of Serbia, as they beat the national team 7-1. The Serbia team was powered solely by their cleanup hitter, Jure Klemenic, who drove in all seven runs on two home runs. "I'd rather be facing him than de Waal or Wouda," said starter Iddo Dietrich. "Other than them, though, I can't think of anyone else." Alojzij Albinik got the win, pitching seven innings while only giving up one run. "I'd attribute our lack of productivity to overconfidence after four straight wins," said assistant manager Melvin Stokkers. "Albinik pitched well, but we still need to remember that leading the group half way through means nothing if we don't lead it all the way." Aardenland now leads the division tied with Serbia and Lycrabon. While Serbia is, like Aardenland, an unranked team, Lycrabon is eighth in the world, meaning that Aardenland could have a tough time if they fell behind them. Aardenland's next game will be against Komodo. Ernie Porter, who pitched a masterpiece against New Montreal earlier this week, will be given the ball. Aardenland's supporters and citizens feel the tension beginning to mount as the Classic drags on. Will Aardenland get back on top? Only time will tell.

Fourth Inning

Serbia: With Iddo Dietrich pitching, Ivan Jovanoski singled to center. Momcilo Dusanovic doubled into the left-center field gap, moving Jovanoski to third. Josip Petrovic walked. Jure Klemenic hit a grand slam to left field. Serbia leads, 4-0

Seventh Inning

Aardenland: With Alojzij Albinik pitching, and one out, Odessa Kroon homered to right field. Serbia leads, 4-1

Eighth Inning

Serbia: With Aaron Spielman pitching and with two outs, Dusanovic walked. Petrovic singled, moving Dusanovic to third. Klemenic hit a three-run home run to center field. Serbia leads, 7-1

SERBIA WINS 7-1

Player of the Game:

JURE KLEMENIC -
Made ALL of the difference, driving in every one of Serbia's runs with two home runs.

[Qazox]

Qazox loses 3rd straight, drop to 4th in group.

Qazox    0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 3
Milchama 0 0 0 0 2 0 3 0 X 5

With 4 games left, Qazox needs to breakout of this losibg streak and fast. It was close until a 3-run HR by Milchama's Karl Flork off of Kevin Milan broke the game open. A 2-run shot in the 9th by Sean Orton made it 5-3; but unlike the opener, Milchama's bullpen held to preserve the Warriors 4th straight win. Qazox next hosts Pretty Awesome Persons.

WIN: Darius McKilney
LOSS: Kevin Milan (1-1)
SAVE: Simon Shem Tov
MVP of Game: Karl Flork (MIL) 3-5, HR, 3 RBI, 2 runs.

[Super-Llamaland]

Super-Llamaland 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 2
Yesopalitha 0 0 2 0 0 0 3 1 X 6

Welcome to the StoryForum! This topic is: Llamas v. Yesopalitha

TomMartin: A summary of the Yeso game...

Third: Yesopaltihan slugger Gerard Wilson gets a high (mistake?) fastball from Chris Lee and slams it 443 feet into the stands. 1-0.
Next up is Caroline Lauren, who turns on an inside knuckler to make it 2-0 as her shot goes 394 feet.

Seventh: The game remains close as Chris Lee begins to start throwing well. Lee leaves after six for Robby Irving, who walks the bases full. Alex Carson is brought in as Tom Yaft turns to the bullpen, but Carson gives up a three-run triple to speedy Valentin Sorin. 5-0.

Eighth: Alex Cameron singles and Danny Mills doubles him in for a consolation run: now it's 5-1.
However, Gerard Wilson ruins any hope for the Llamas by hitting a 366-foot homer in the eighth for a 6-1 score.

Ninth: The Llamas' Jim Baines, facing an 0-2 count with 2 out, puts up a rally by hacking off 8 pitches in a 10-pitch at bat. Baines flies to left field, but Edith Park drops the routine fly ball and Baines hustles to second. The Llamas make Park pay as Brett Rochester drops a bunt to put runners on the corners and Jake Addams hits a line drive single to drive in Baines. However, Rochester keeps running and is thrown out at home to end the game.

Llama Killers of the Day: Gerard Wilson, with 2 solo shots. Also, Valentin Sorin, 2-4 with two extra-base hits and 3 RBIS.

Llama Hero of the Day: Brett Rochester is 3-3, all bunt singles. Brett also stole a base!

[Maklohi Vai]

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
OOC: Cleared with Darmen beforehand; we're trying to do a bit of a Margaret praying collaboration.

Why had we lost? Why did we have to lose on this day? On this day, of all days, why? Kumalo asked himself these questions again and again. OAM was rising and ready to hit its prime, but then this had to happen. Losing to an unranked team that had only practiced twice the entire classic: now that was disappointment. The loss to Western cuba, at least, was not entirely unexpected. This was another matter in itself.

What was also a matter was the government. After trying to delay it for a while, Kumalo finally got a call from a low-level person in the Department of Culture who was interested in OAM's activities. After going through the basics of the group, she recommended that he talk to a religion classification specialist who would help him go through the steps of registering the group. An appointment was made for the day after qualifying.

This left Kumalo on edge about making sure OAM was successful in as many ways as possible. A failure of a group would not shine well on the religion-registering committee, he knew that much at least. He needed some sort of inspiration or revelation to help him move forward. To be honest, what he needed was outside help. But first, he called Lokumo for advice.

"Hello?"
"Cousin, it's Kumalo."
"Ah, Kumalo, hello. What do you wish to talk about?"
"I am having difficulty with OAM. I'm in need of inspiration to get the group going forward, and I'm just not able to think of anything."
"You need an outside source of inspiration?"
"Yes, I believe so."
"I know of a group that might be able to help."
"Really?"
"In the country of Darmen, there is a Church of Margaret. They are relatively small, and would be willing to help."
"That sounds great! Could we talk to them?"
"We would have to visit them in order to truly be inspired, don't you think?"
"I guess so. But I don't have any time to visit."
"Neither do I. Could we recruit someone at the meeting?"
"That sounds like a good idea. I will see you tonight."
"Good bye, cousin."
"Good bye."

And so it would have to be done: a recruitment. Kumalo was not the type of man to ask many favors, but with OAM at stake he was willing to do anything. Grovel at their feet? Sure. Give them a bribe? Sure. Whatever could be done to get someone to go, he would do it. What would be best, however, would be to have a volunteer.

The meeting came, and the numbers once again were astounding. 1093 people showed up, bearing a collective 2385 chickens. The sacrifices would take quite a while indeed. But first, the matter of the recruitment.

"Thank you for coming tonight. I begin tonight's meeting with a request. Recently, the leaders of OAM have been looking into sending someone to the Darmeni Church of Margaret to learn about their practices when praying to the all powerful. We would like to ask for volunteers for this journey. Travel expenses will be paid by myself and a few other members."

It was silent for a second, with a small amount of uncomfortable rustling. A pang of fear was about to rush through Kumalo, when---
"I'll go."
It was Nilani Porunakalanapai, the seventh member of the group who had been unexpected and unknown. She was a diminutive woman, standing just barely 5 feet tall and as thin as a stick. She got out of her front row seat and walked tentatively up to the stage. Kumalo greeted her with a happy handshake and a smile. "Welcome aboard."

With the recruitment out of the way, Kumalo was ready to begin.

"Margaret, nuku'alai lo kanoa alakioi lao. Pora'ul'a lio aunaoa ulai lo rapao. Lukal'ama'ano alali lo ulakamai Maklohi Vai."

Kumalo paused, and the room paused with him. He had just said the lines demanding the service of a person to Maklohi Vai. This was used to induct people into the military or into public office, but almost nowhere else. It carried much gravitas, and it could not be undone. It had slipped out of him, but the duty was done. Margaret would be able to understand it, and she would act accordingly. It was a risk indeed.

---

Game Recap

The Priory of St. Luc            0 3 1 0 0 0 0 1 0  5
Maklohi Vai                      0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 2  4

Scoring Summary
4th: Mae'ao hit a solo shot to right.
7th: Arnao hit a double to drive in Mae'ao, who had earlier singled.
9th: Mae'ao hit a two run shot to left, scoring Ri'ino Uilnai.

Stat update:
HR: Mae'ao 13, Arnao 2, Wolo Rakinalmanai 1
RBI: Mae'ao 25, Arnao 6, Iao Laina 1, Moalna’akai Lai 1, Wolo Rakinalmanai 1, Koilani Ruputuo 1

[Kinzar]

President Captures Baseball Fever

President Spencer looked over the issues that were presented to him by his Senate. First, there was this thing on their being too much free speech allowed in the country. He shrugged it off and couldn’t believe that just because some people felt that other members of the Kinzar Baseball League should have been included to the national team, that the nation should silence those critics. He stared down the people that presented him with these plans like Marion Phillips did to Thierry Lefevbre in Madrid in the first game of qualifying, expecting the same thing tonight. Spencer stood up and proclaimed that “Free speech is a sacred freedom in Kinzar and one that I will never allow to be compromised. I realize that just because we are in World Baseball Classic now, there have been a lot of viewpoints raised about who manager Rogers selected to the team, or how the players are used during games. It is an excitement that is building throughout the country, but as we look to become more of an international nation, we must be willing to accept what other sports fans believe. In fact, arguments about sports can be some of the most insightful discussions you can have with your friends.”

With that, Spencer disregarded this issue and took the next bill presented to him. “Dying with Dignity” it was called. Evidently, there is an elderly lady who wishes to end her struggle with death, and she is unable to move. True enough, there are thousands of Kinzites who might be in a similar situation, and you can understand their desire for euthanasia to be legalized. In the particular case that got a lot of publicity in Kinzar, it appears as though the granddaughter is the one taking the initiative to get this legislation passed. What wasn’t immediately told to Spencer though is that Dorothy’s husband is a giant Lexington Hilltoppers fan. Because of that, he is particularly excited to see players like Francisco Velazquez and Radeek Williams in the World Baseball Classic and wants to be with his wife when the Classic ends. This issue never mentioned the impact of the World Baseball Classic on this family, and thus Spencer was obliged to mention when declaring his refusal to sign a bill allowing euthanasia, “There is not a better time to live and to be a Kinzite, then right now. We are exploring new frontiers, and the World Baseball Classic is just one of them. I was stopped by a man who’s granddaughter seems to really want her grandmother to be put to rest. But that is this man’s husband, and the man is a giant Lexington Hilltoppers fan. He speaks of the days when they were younger and he attended their games with his wife. Unfortunately, his wife may lose her fight with cancer. It is a sad story that happens all across the world, but this man, who has been ignored by the media in favor of the granddaughter, has told us how badly he wants his wife to still be here. For me, that is enough. When God decides its time, its time. If He hasn’t decided that, then there is a reason for that and we are not one to question that. The reason in this case may just be so she can be here with her husband during the World Baseball Classic.”

After addressing those issues, it was time for him to take a stand on a much-publicized standstill in regards to a Cheese Exports Workers Strike. Some have suggested that the workers are upset with their wages, but realize they are asking way too much right now. Why? So, they don’t have to work right now and can sit on their ass at home and watch the World Baseball Classic. Then, he looked at the stance of the employer, which seems to be a very hardline approach of not even wanting the workers to be permitted to strike. It seems that they too, are taking a ridiculously hardline stance so that they can really use the strike as a copout to sit at home, and watch the World Baseball Classic. Spencer refused to take a position, “I suggest the union leaders and the business leaders attend a home game during the World Baseball Classic. Watch how our players, who play for different teams within our league, can come together for a single purpose. I suggest you do the same.”

There were a couple other issues that were presented to him that he didn’t really want to deal with right now. One of them being that corporations should have political say. That would be way too risky, since local corporations that fail to take an initiative to expand overseas will not be happy with his open-door policy to allow global corporations to do business in Kinzar. A stance on that could hurt his 81% approval rating a tad, so he just tossed that one aside. He also didn’t understand why he was being asked to appoint a spiritual advisor, as that is up to the Church, itself.

After all this hard work, Spencer excused all media and colleagues from his office to watch the Wildcats take on Pretty Awesome Persons from his office. This time, the game was in Kinzar, and the Wildcats did not disappoint him on the field, winning the game, 5-1. Marion Phillips continues to have Thierry Lefebvre’s number, getting three hits off the pitcher, including his second home run of the tournament, which came in the 3rd inning. With the win, Kinzar is 5-1 and control their own destiny, as amazing as that might sound. Since Milchama defeated Qazox, the Wildcats have a two-game lead on Qazox, and have a win over them already in the tournament, which would help in the tiebreaker scenarios.

[Sicoutimont]

(OOC: This takes place before the Rodard game)

Pedro Santana walked down the street. He was mad at his teammates,even though he shouldn't have been. It was just good-natured fun, he thought. But he'd show them. He was going around town, meeting new people, all that stuff. He first went to a quiet tavern near the stadium, and began to play darts. First shot.....hit just away from the middle. As he prepared for his next shot, an older gentleman walked in front of him. The dart hit his hat, and caused him to drop his glass of wine.

"Young man, that cost me 20 Sicos! What do you have to say for yourself!"

"Well, uh...you stepped in my way!"

At this point, the shop owner stepped in.

"Young man, could you please aplogize to this gentleman?"

"Fine....sorry sir"

"Accepted. Now pay my tab"

"Why should I pay your tab, you cash-grabbing jerk!"

"What was that you said? I'll have you know I am trained in the art of ka ra te!"

"ka ra te? It's pronounced karate, man. And anyways, I will not pay your tab!"

"Oh really? You broke my glass, and-

The owner intervened again.

"Young man, could you please leave this tavern? And sir, we'll give you a complementary drink, if you please."

"Jeez, fine!"

Pedro Santana left that place quickly. He kept walking down the street. He came upon a sports card shop, Carte du Sporte. He stepped in. The only other people inside were the shopkeeper and a young boy. The shopkeeper was taking stock of the cards, while the young boy was studying the baseball and hockey cards. Suddenly, he turned around.

"Are you....."

"Him? No, but I get that a lot"

"Oh..are you sure? You look a lot like him?"

"Sorry, but I'm not. You see, the hair style's a bit different."

"Ah, yeah. You couldn't be him"

Santana smirked, and walked over to the shopkeeper.

"How're ya doin' today, sir?"

"Aren't you...."

"Nah, but it sure would be nice!"

The young boy jumped in:

"Yeah, he can't be him! The hair's a bit off, you see?"

"Oh yeah. You look nothing like him, nothing at all."

The boy and shopkeeper negotiated a purchase, and Santana walked out of the shop.

"He looks more like him than I do..." he muttered.

He kept going down the street, waving to random people. Eventually, he looped back to the stadium. Meanwhile....

"We've got to find Pedro!"

"Yeah!"

"Let's go, then!"

"Yeah!"

So the rest of Les Royales left the stadium to begin the search for Pedro.

"You guys go that way, we'll go this way"

All the players headed in one direction.

"We appear to have become a very limited enterprise...."

They split up again, and searched with a picture of Pedro. Eventually, they came to a sports shop-the same one Pedro Santana had just left.

"Seen anyone looks like this around here?" Fidel Sanchez flashed the picture.

"Someone looked like that a few minutes ago, actually. A bit different, though. Hair style's a bit different, we decided."

"Didn't Pedro get his hair cut last week?"

"Yeah, he was making a big deal about it,"

"Thanks, Mr. Shopkeeper!"

They ran out of the store, and in the same direction Pedro Santana had walked but 5 minutes before.

"Hey there he is!"

"Pedro! Pedro! Pedro!"

Santana turned around, and joined his teammates.

"C'mon man, don't do that again! Practice is in 30 minutes! What were ya doin'?"

"I was out paradin'"

"Paradin'? Have you been watching too many movies recently?"

"Nah, but I think the trainer has! He suggested this...."

"Ah. Well anyways, let's go practice."

Royales Extend Streak to 6 Games, Beat Rodard

It was a Tuesday evening at Field PowerEternite a Les Royales defeated Rodard 3-1 to extend their winning streak to 6 straight WBC games. The scoring began in the second inning, with Loic St-Ignace hitting a home run to bring Victor Santana home to make the score 2-0. Fidel Sanchez gave up the first home run of the game for Rodard in the next inning, as Teron Scotts put the ball out of the field and into the upper deck to make the score 2-1. That would be the last scoring until the 6th inning, where Boullion Carvier brought Alfonso Soriano home on a RBI single. Claude Perrault began to pitch for Les Royales in the 7th inning, and in the 9th, threw the final pitch to save the game for Les Royales, when Rodard had a chance to win the game with a home run. Here's the call from Oscar de la Rovere, in the ninth inning, with 2 outs on the board and runners on 2nd and 3rd:

Now batting for Rodard, #43 Tyrone Owen. Owen is 1-4 so far, with a single in the 6th inning. Claude Perrault in his 3rd inning of work, after giving up a double to Remil Oats, which brought Tray Barnes to 3rd base. This means that with a home run, Rodard can take a 4-3 lead over Les Royales. Here's the first pitch. Swung at, contact made, but it's fouled in left field. Strike 1. Second pitch now, fastball, swing and a miss, strike 2. Here comes the final pitch. It's a knuckleball, contact made. It's going deep! Could this be a home run? Deep, and Victor Santana is sprinting back! The ball looks to be going over...Santana jumps....caught! It's caught! It would have been a home run, but Victor Santana jumped into the crowd and caught the ball, ending the game! What a grab by Victor Santana! Oh my, that'll be on the highlight reels for weeks! Les Royales storm the field, as they have won again! Catch us back here on Radio-Baseball 750 for Sicoutimont-Karditan, at National Park in Karditan. Can Les Royales win again? Find out with me, Oscar de la Rovere! This is Oscar, signing off for Les Royales Baseball!

What a grab by Victor Santana it was. This was only the text. Oscar was hysterical for a few minutes after that grab! And remember, Sicoutimont-Karditan should be a good match, as the last game between these two ended from an Alfonso Soriano 10th inning home run, if you can remember! Can Les Royales extend the streak to 7? Find out on TVSportSicoutimont, sicoutiansportsnow.scm, or with Oscar on Radio-Baseball 750!

[Zwangzug]

The Kerlagrad Courier
Zoned out

A strange sort of pitchers' duel in Spenson saw the Zebras defeat the visitors from Backyard Sports 2-0. Very few balls were hit into play, from either team, with hitters either taking pitches and drawing walks, or flailing helplessly when they thought they saw a good one, only to strike out. Tikva Penmadder pitched a complete-game shutout for the Zebras; Angela Delvecchio took the loss for Backyard Sports.

Zwangzug's first run came in the fourth inning, when Delvecchio walked Jeremy Maugher and Sebastian Yania before Heather Nibey-Bute's single pushed Maugher in. They would score again in the seventh, when Charlie Skriand singled to score Jen Kostomel, who had also walked. "It was just a question of waiting for my pitch," said Nibey-Bute, "you had to really wait it out for her to get the ball over the plate. Once she was on top of her game, she was tough to beat--but we got impatient, took some swings when we shouldn't have. Glad it worked out, though."

Meanwhile, Penmadder was struggling to find the strike zone herself. "I mean, these are--not tall batters," she'd say after the game. "I try to pitch inside, make sure I can use every part of the plate, and then the umpire says I'd hit Kawaguchi--how was I supposed to know that counted as a hit by pitch? So I sort of tell the umpire what I think of that, he gives me a warning...whatever. Then I aim outside, but then, you know, the zone is too small to really aim at. The number of runners we stranded--man. If Egenman hadn't been able to turn those double plays, we'd really have been in trouble."

For her part, Eileen Janvier seemed satisfied. "Obviously this is a deep group with lots of talent to spring upsets, so we just need to stay calm and play our own game. Luckily Tikva was able to calm herself down after the warning--I won't say the umpiring for this game was what we're used to but the rules were evenly applied, for both teams, so we can't ask for more. Our players are getting hot at the right time, as far as the Backyard Sports teams goes--they might be feeling a little more tired now, halfway through the group stage, so we just have to take advantage of how we're playing today."

The Zebras rise to 4-2, and take on group leaders Vaugania next. "Sure, they're an unranked team, but on this form they might be a bigger test," Janvier admitted. "Literally and figuratively."

[Vaugania]

Marty Bzibziak looked out the window of his apartment on the west end of Sporting Park in Vaugania with a cup of coffee. He could see Landvik Memorial Ballpark off in the distance, near the base of Executive Hill. The Yzerberg Ica Hall was next to his home ballpark. He took a sip o coffee as he turned to pick his mail off of his table. Many of them were addressed to "Obliteratron 5300".

"Darn those sports reporters and their nicknames," he chuckled, not really meaning it. He though it was kind of funny. A guy hits a few homers and suddenly every camera in the world is trained on him. He opened up one of the letters. It was from a Guy Burton in Lindsborough, a nice baseball town. He absolutely gushed over the two homers Bzibziak hit in their most recent 8-7 win against TSE.

Bzibziak laughed as he put down the letter. He kicked up his feet onto the table and said to himself, "It's good to be king."

(OOC: Would make a better RP, but I'm pressed for time.)

[Estope]

Estope                           0 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 0  4
New Montreal States              0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0  2

In Nicolas Carr's first game as interim head coach of the Estope national baseball team, they pull off a shocker against New Montreal States to achieve their first win of the tournament. Estope came into this tournament with high expectations and, with their high ranking, expected to qualify no problem. However, five straight losses to begin the tournament derailed all hopes and led to Manager Felipe Sweigart being fired mid-tournament. Pitching coach Nicolas Carr has taken over on a temporary basis but with the strong performance today he is making his case to be the permanent replacement. This team finally played a complete game and looked strong at all aspects of the game: pitching, hitting, and fielding. The bats finally came alive and Estope was able to get double digit hits for the first time of the tournament. The pitching staff was also solid and allowed on four hits, three of which were in New Montreal States' two run sixth inning. The most impressive part of this victory was that Estope went into a tough environment with a total lack of confidence but was still able to do the unlikely and upset a very good club. This team has done well handling the adversity of losing their head coach and has rallied around Coach Carr to try and turn this around. While it will be nearly impossible to qualify for the playoffs, they are still playing for their pride. Tomorrow will be their toughest game against Lycrabon. If they can win that game they will have gone a full 360. However it is unlikely that they will be able to win considering how overmatched they are.

[Ko-oren]

Ko-oren                          1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0  3
Free South Califas               0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 2  4

--reader submitted column---
Well, that's the rivalry for you

A lot has been said and done about the form of the players at the WBC. People relate this to the age, chemistry etcetera of the group and the players. There are a few things that have been repeatedly whined about (repeatedly and repeatedly):
- Players are too old.
Part of this discussion is that the team, as it is now, blocks new talent from breaking through because the coach and the association keep calling the same players. Leaving that aside, this average age of the squad is 30.7. This is a bit old, but not more than 1,5 years above the tournament average. And that aside, the most players that are on the pitch, and the pitchers that are used often have an average age of 29.6. This is still slightly over-average, but hardly anything to worry about. The players are simply not too old.

- Players have no concentration/stamina.
This is based on the number of runs conceded near the end of the game and the fact that the Greenblues have won one game that continued into the 10th and 11th inning (which happened three times: once to 10th, twice to 11th). Here is a little statistic on Ko-oren v. Rest of the World per inning:

Ko-oren          1 0 2 - 0 2 4 - 3 4 3 - 0 1 = 20
Rest o/t World   0 0 1 - 7 2 0 - 2 1 6 - 2 3 = 24

Well, of course you lose a match the moment it is over. That doesn't mean Ko-oren gives away more runs near the end of the match... or does it. The fourth inning is the worst, conceding 7. Then the ninth is worst, conceding 6. And this is bad. Because after the ninth inning, you don't get another chance to get back into it. And then there is the 1-5 record in 10th/11th innings, which are like the ninth: you don't get another chance to get back into it once they're over. So this one is pretty much true.

Turns out I didn't say that much about the match itself. But it was pretty typical: going into the last inning 3-2 ahead, losing it 3-4. I think we can say goodbye to the next round.

---

Do you want your column to appear in the KSN too? Submit a column of not more than 300 words (longer will be ignored/redacted) and hope it will be published! Your columns could also appear in your local edition: Northeast, East, Northwest/Center/West or South.

[The Sova Empire]

A massive snowstorm forced people inside in TSE's largest city and capital city of New Bethlehem. The only thing on TV other than boring infomercials was a relatively small sport called baseball, and so millions of viewers tuned in to watch the most exciting game in the group match so far. This is what they saw.

"Welcome to TSE's broadcast of The Sova Empire @ Vaugainia. These are the only 2 unranked teams in Group 9, and this game is expected to change the course of the tournament for either team. Vauigainia is 4-1, TSE, 3-2. The last time these 2 went at it, Vauigainia won 6-3 in extra innings. I talked with TSE's coach, and they are gonna make Vaugainia work for a win if TSE loses. Folks, this is going to be a huge game, and I hope you enjoy it. Vaugainia pitcher Lars Erstad takes the mound, and warms up. We'll go to a commercial, and we'll get underway as soon as Lars is ready." TSE announcer Luigi Empemba introduces the game, and will be calling it the rest of the way.

TOP INNING 1

"Welcome back, folks. Lars Erstad is on the mound for Vaugainia, and he is a righty that boasts 100+ mph fastballs, sweeping sliders, and a wicked curve. As pretty as that sounds, TSE has seen him before, and they are ready for him. Chong Huu steps into the batter's box for TSE. He doesn't boast much power, but always finds a seam. He also draws walks better than anyone on the team. Let's see what he can do."

"Erstad winds up, and the pitch....Huu hits it! It's a very hard hit line drive that's gaining altitude, can it clear the RF wall? IT DOES!!! Huu has hit his first homerun in competition on the first pitch in the ballgame. I bet he's lucky the RF wall is only 320 ft. out there. This is going to be an exciting game if even Huu can hit a home run."

1-0 TSE

TOP INNING 3

"Alrighty, we are back from commercials, and Lars Erstad has seemed to have found his groove , as no batter has gotten to first base from pitch 2 to right now. A number of batters have been fooled by his breaking ball, and it should be interesting to see if anyone can figure out how to hit them."

"Gary Roffeld is up to bat now. He has missed the last 2 games because of soreness in several joints after a bunch of good plays in the first half. He is back now, and ready to go. The pitch...is low for ball one. The next one is away, is a slider that just missed outside. 2-0 on Roffeld. The pitch...Roffeld bunts! A perfect bunt on the 3rd base side! Lars picks it up and hauls it....SAFE!!! Roffeld has an infield hit to his name now. What can't he do?"
(a little later)
"OK, with 1 out, Roffeld is on 3rd after Tammarah singled and was caught stealing. Huu is up and his first at bat saw a meatball go over the RF fence. Will Huu go after the first pitch again? Erstad throws, and Huu goes after it! It's also hit pretty hard to straightaway center, but Vaugainia centerfielder Mathais Hummel is under it for a flyout. Roffeld comes home and the score is now 2-0, Sova Empire in the lead."

BOTTOM INNING 3

"Tammarah has done a fine job so far tonight with 2 hits, no runs so far. However, there are baserunners on first and second as slugger Marty Bzibziak steps up. This guy is a battleship, as he has his a ton of homers this tournament so far. He faces a 2-2 count, and Tammarah winds up...and there's the all familiar crack of Marty's bat. That one's outta here. 3 runs, 1 swing."

2-3 Vaugainia

TOP INNING 4

"After 2 walks, it seems like Lars might not be as daring with his fastball as his manager would like. Kenneth Y is up to plate, and he hasn't done much this tourney, only batting .175 so far, with no extra base hits. Can he be a hero and grab the lead back for TSE? Lars has worked him to a 3-0 count, and "Y" is gonna capitalize! This ball is going back, back, back, and gone! That's gonna make a handy souvenir to the lucky fan in left-center field!"

5-3 Vaugainia

TOP INNING 8

"Welcome back from commercials guys. Luigi Empemba here, commentating the TSE @ Vaugainia ballgame, for those just turning in, the score is tied at 6-6 after both offenses have forced the starting pitchers off the mound. It is certainly nice to see TSE's offense scoring runs after the shutout at the hands of Lymantatia."

"There is a pitching change for Vaugainia, the 3rd tonight. Here's Whit Kedzierski, a righty who has done a great job in setting up for Vauaginia so far, and looks to be pitching well tonight too. With a runner on first, and a 2-1 count on Ida Kno, he pitches a curveball that Ida has hit! This is a line drive down the right field line! Is it fair? IT IS! It has rolled to a stop in the RF corner, and the run scores! Ida Kno comes standing at 3rd! An RBI triple has put TSE in the lead! WOW, this game is exciting! Now, we'll take a little break for a weather bulletin."

"Thanks Luigi. The TSEWS has issued a weather bulletin. It says simply this: DO NOT TRAVEL. Reportedly 14 inches of snow has fallen in New Bethlehem, and locally as much as 2 feet in other places. There are whiteout conditions for anywhere for a little while, so sit tight and watch the ball game, it's gonna be a long night. Back to you, Luigi." reported Jared Frost, the best weatherman in TSE.

BOTTOM INNING 8

"For the millions now watching at home, I personally welcome you to watch the conclusion of the ball game. The score is 7-6 in TSE's favor. I am having so much fun watching the back and forth action of this game, and I hope you are too. The game hangs in the balance, as this has been noted as the crucial game for TSE if they are to make the playoffs. Fil Pepsi has been pitching for a while now. He is approaching 100 pitches now, which is highly unusual for a relief pitcher. His worst nigthmare is coming true. With 2 outs, and the tieing run on 3rd, Marty Bzibsiak is up, who has already homered this game. The home crowd is electric right now. Fil's pitch is away, and WOW! Marty has hit it high into centerfield, can Igor Bcuz get back? He climbs the wall and reaches....NO! Bcuz did NOT get it, and the score is now 7-8 in favor of Vaugainia. This is clearly dissapointing, as the usually-cool Coach Greg has grabbed a bat and started to beat up the Gatorade container."

TOP INNING 9

"The home crowd is roaring. One more pitch can end this ballgame and put Vaugainia at 5-1 and TSE at 3-3. The pitch is away, and a swing and a miss will do it. TSE has lost a heartbreaker, as Vaugainia takes victory 8-7. The MVP is clearly Marty Bzibsiak, with 2 crucial HR's. I am Luigi Ememba, and we'll see you next time."

[Equestrian States]

The Pony Republic of Equestrian States
The 25th World Baseball Classic Visitors’ Guide

HOST CITY: CLOUDSDALE

THE CITY

Cloudsdale’s name is no accident. Located literally in the clouds, over a million pegasi call the city their home. But, without a doubt, Cloudsdale’s most defining feature is what it is made from: clouds. Although most non-Equestrians would find this to be beyond bizarre, for the Equestrian States, the ability to control and manipulate clouds is something that pegasi have been doing for thousands of years using their own unique form of magic to sculpt cities such as Cloudsdale. Due to its nature, Cloudsdale can float from one location to another, but rarely is ever more than 35 kilometers from the outskirts of Ponyville, meaning that visitors whose teams are playing in Coudsdale can easily stay in Ponyville, which is less disorienting. Transportation to Cloudsdale is provided by the Equestrian Air Transport Authority via high-capacity, zeppelin-like balloons.

The cloud city was first founded by a group of pegasi colonists when the initial settlers landed on the Equestrian States’ main island over a millennium ago. For hundreds of years, the pegasi were the only creatures to inhabit the city as they were the only ones capable of using the clouds as solid material. Eventually, unicorn magicians were able to devise a spell that would enable other creatures to trot among the clouds with the pegasi in cities such as Cloudsdale. Such spells didn’t last any longer than a day, but the magic was slowly improved, allowing for a week to pass before the magic had to be recast. Visitors to Cloudsdale will require such spells to visit the city, but to those wishing to view games without having magic cast on them, there will be a couple balloons that will carry fans to watch the games from a slight distance.

Aside from its strange architecture, Cloudsdale offers numerous attractions to tourists interested in exploring the differing cultures of the three sapient equine species. One such site is the Cloudsdale Weather Factory, located near the edge of the city. There, pegasi employed by the Equestrian government manufacture the weather clouds that then bring rain to the surrounding farmlands. For tourists who are intrigued by the magical elements of the Equestrian States and the Pony Lands, this is a must-see. Also attracting tourists are the numerous look-out points spread along the edges of the city’s main cloud layer. From there, the lands surrounding Cloudsdale are clearly visible on most days, except when rain is scheduled.

THE VENUE

SKY-HIGH COLISEUM



Location: Cloudsdale
Capacity: 45,000
Tennants: Cloudsdale Flyers and Cloudsdale Colts (Hoofball)
Will host: Semifinal and 3rd Place Series games
Normally used by the Equestrian Premier League (Hoofball) teams, the Cloudsdale Flyers and Cloudsdale Colts, Sky-High Coliseum is made almost entirely from clouds. For the World Baseball Classic, the stadium is being temporarily re-formed to accommodate the baseball teams that are expected to compete there. As was mentioned earlier in the guide, seating on balloons will be provided to a limited number of fans not comfortable with having magical spells cast on them.

RP Cutoff for Match Day 7

[Equestrian States]

Group 1

Ko-oren                          0 0 1 1 0 4 0 0 2  8
Raxillion                        0 3 0 0 1 0 0 0 0  4

Free South Califas               0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0  1
Central North America            2 3 0 0 0 2 5 1 X 13

Saintland                        0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0  2
Byfugland                        0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1  3

  Group 1                Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 Byfugland                7    5   2    27   19   +8    0.714
2 Central North America    7    4   3    47   23  +24    0.571
3 Raxillion                7    4   3    24   25   −1    0.571
4 Free South Califas       7    4   3    28   47  −19    0.571
5 Ko-oren                  7    3   4    28   28    0    0.429
6 Saintland                7    1   6    25   37  −12    0.143


Group 2

Elykyellek                       0 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 1  5
Birolika                         0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0

Darmen                           1 0 1 0 5 0 1 0 1  9
Songhia                          0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0  3

West Guiana                      0 0 2 0 4 0 0 0 0  6
Shadowbourne                     2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  2

  Group 2               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 West Guiana             7    5   2    23   14   +9    0.714
2 Elykyellek              7    4   3    27   21   +6    0.571
3 Birolika                7    4   3    23   28   −5    0.571
4 Darmen                  7    3   4    34   28   +6    0.429
5 Songhia                 7    3   4    28   30   −2    0.429
6 Shadowbourne            7    2   5    19   33  −14    0.286


Group 3

Quebecois Acadiana               0 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 4  7
Bloodbath Generation             0 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 0  4

Cyborg Holland                   0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  3
Super-Llamaland                  0 0 6 0 1 0 0 2 X  9

Yesopalitha                      4 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 2 10
Skeckoa                          0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0

  Group 3               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 Yesopalitha             7    6   1    44   17  +27    0.857
2 Cyborg Holland          7    4   3    33   36   −3    0.571
3 Quebecois Acadiana      7    4   3    38   37   +1    0.571
4 Skeckoa                 7    3   4    31   47  −16    0.429
5 Bloodbath Generation    7    2   5    32   34   −2    0.286
6 Super-Llamaland         7    2   5    24   31   −7    0.286


Group 4

Powersith                        0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  1
Taeshan                          0 0 1 3 0 0 0 0 X  4

Parsee Mizuhashi                 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0  4
Rodard                           1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0  3

Sicoutimont                      0 0 3 2 0 0 0 0 2  7
Karditan                         0 3 6 0 0 0 0 0 X  9

  Group 4               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 Sicoutimont             7    6   1    41   27  +14    0.857
2 Taeshan                 7    4   3    32   17  +15    0.571
3 Karditan                7    4   3    39   34   +5    0.571
4 Parsee Mizuhashi        7    4   3    29   35   −6    0.571
5 Powersith               7    3   4    32   39   −7    0.429
6 Rodard                  7    0   7    18   39  −21    0.000


Group 5

Komodo Dragon                    2 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 2  7
Aardenland                       0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 3  6

Lycrabon                         0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0  2
Estope                           4 0 1 1 0 0 2 0 X  8

New Montreal States              0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0  1
The Serbian Empire               1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 X  2

  Group 5               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 The Serbian Empire      7    5   2    29   20   +9    0.714
2 Aardenland              7    4   3    38   32   +6    0.571
3 Komodo Dragon           7    4   3    33   35   −2    0.571
4 Lycrabon                7    4   3    23   30   −7    0.571
5 Estope                  7    2   5    21   24   −3    0.286
6 New Montreal States     7    2   5    18   21   −3    0.286


Group 6

The Alphabet Letters             1 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 3  7
Grandterre                       1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0  3

Thatius                          0 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 2  5
Michael VII                      0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  1

Slembana                         0 0 4 0 0 3 0 1 0  8
Saugeais                         0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2  2

  Group 6               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 Thatius                 7    6   1    41   22  +19    0.857
2 Slembana                7    5   2    32   17  +15    0.714
3 The Alphabet Letters    7    4   3    28   27   +1    0.571
4 Saugeais                7    3   4    17   28  −11    0.429
5 Grandterre              7    2   5    19   27   −8    0.286
6 Michael VII             7    1   6     9   25  −16    0.143


Group 7

Equestrian States                2 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 3  9
Tyneala                          0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0  2

Schmiegelland                    0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0  2
New Matawan                      0 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 X  4

Kintratar                        0 0 2 4 0 3 0 0 0  9
Strawbee                         0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  1

  Group 7               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 Equestrian States       7    6   1    56   24  +32    0.857
2 Strawbee                7    4   3    33   46  −13    0.571
3 Tyneala                 7    4   3    30   26   +4    0.571
4 Kintratar               7    3   4    34   43   −9    0.429
5 New Matawan             7    3   4    33   23  +10    0.429
6 Schmiegelland           7    1   6    25   49  −24    0.143


Group 8

Pretty Awesome Persons           0 0 3 0 0 0 0 2 0  5
Qazox                            0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  2

Kinzar                           0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 0  3
The Royal Kingdom of Quebec      1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0  2

Mapletish                        1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0  2
Milchama                         0 0 1 2 3 0 0 4 X 10

  Group 8                      Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 Kinzar                         7    6   1    32   17  +15    0.857
2 Milchama                       7    5   2    39   27  +12    0.714
3 Qazox                          7    3   4    24   29   −5    0.429
4 Mapletish                      7    3   4    27   29   −2    0.429
5 The Royal Kingdom of Quebec    7    2   5    20   27   −7    0.286
6 Pretty Awesome Persons         7    2   5    22   35  −13    0.286


Group 9

Thrilledge                       0 0 1 0 0 1 1 2 2  7
The Sova Empire                  0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0  2

Lymantatia                       0 2 0 0 0 0 2 1 2  7
Backyard Sports                  0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0  3

Zwangzug                         0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 2  5
Vaugania                         0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0  2

  Group 9               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 Zwangzug                7    5   2    31   22   +9    0.714
2 Vaugania                7    5   2    40   34   +6    0.714
3 Lymantatia              7    4   3    27   20   +7    0.571
4 The Sova Empire         7    3   4    24   31   −7    0.429
5 Backyard Sports         7    2   5    23   31   −8    0.286
6 Thrilledge              7    2   5    32   39   −7    0.286


Group 10

Western Cuba                     0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0  2
The Priory of St. Luc            0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 X  4

ViZion                           1 5 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 1 10
Kerblaekistan                    5 0 0 0 0 1 0 3 0 2 11

Allinlia                         2 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0  5
Maklohi Vai                      0 0 0 0 2 2 0 2 X  6

  Group 10               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 Maklohi Vai              7    5   2    41   23  +18    0.714
2 Kerblaekistan            7    5   2    38   30   +8    0.714
3 Western Cuba             7    4   3    26   20   +6    0.571
4 The Priory of St. Luc    7    3   4    20   41  −21    0.429
5 ViZion                   7    2   5    26   35   −9    0.286
6 Allinlia                 7    2   5    28   30   −2    0.286

Clinched Group
Clinched Playoffs
Cannot Win Group
Eliminated from Playoffs

[Milchama]

"Wait so what you're saying is that instead of RPing today in a typical fashion, you're just going to copy and paste song lyrics for the fun of it?"

"Yes"

"You're not even going to bother to change them"

"Nope"

"Why?"

"Because they can tell a story"

"Huh?"

"You know the event in speech OI?"

"Yeah"

"We're going to do an OI RP"

"Ok then"

"What's it going to be about?"

"I haven't figured that part out yet. Clearly I'm making this up as I go along, look I just came up with that justification 20 seconds ago"

"Oh ok"

"Yeah"

"No worries"

"Cool man"

''From whence shall we expect the approach of danger? Shall some transatlantic giant step the earth and crush us at a blow? Never! All the armies of Europe and Asia could not, by force, take a drink from the Ohio River or set a track on the Blue Ridge in the trial of a thousand years. If destruction be our lot, we ourselves must be its author and finisher."
-Abraham Lincoln, address to the Young Men's Lyceum of Springfield, IL, January, 1838

So bend your knees and bow your heads
Save your babies, here's your future
Yeah, here's your future
-The Thermals, Here's Your Future

Give up
Come to
No
We're through
No future, no past
No future, no past
No future, no past
No future, no past
- No Future/No Past, Cloud Nothings


One thing you can say about time is that it always passes
One thing you can say about the game is that it's not getting any faster
You can get tangled up in a ball of rubber bands and twine
The cowhide and pine tar, snuff, spit, and chalk dust lines
So long ago, so long, pastime, are you past your prime?
- The Baseball Project, Past Time

I fell on the playing field
The work of an errant heel
- The Decemberists, Sporting Life

"Sometimes in life, things don't work out the way you planned them. Sometimes, you lose, sometimes you get a 6. It happens. This is the story of one human's choice to struggle or Milchama's World Baseball Classic journey so far. Depends on your perspective."

When you were young
You were the king of carrot flowers
And how you built a tower tumbling through the trees
In holy rattlesnakes that fell all around your feet
- Neutral Milk Hotel, King of Carrot Flowers Part I

Alexander, our older brother
Set out for a great adventure
He tore our images out of his pictures
He scratched our names out of all his letters

Come on Alex, you can do it
Come on Alex, there's nothing to it
If you want something, don't ask for nothing
If you want nothing, don't ask for something
-Arcade Fire, Neighborhood #2 (Laika)

Find him, Bind him
Tie him to a pole and break
His fingers to splinters
Drag him to a hole until he
Wakes up naked
Clawing at the ceiling
Of his grave
- The Decemberists, Mariner's Revenge Song

Life outside the diamond is a wrench
- Belle and Sebastien, Piazza New York Catcher

What was that scar situated from afar
What was that light integrated in your mind
What have you done it's too early for everyone
Wait for that sign spilling over and passed in time

Come join in the last hurrah with open sores and open jaw
Find one last flaw and keep it safe and free from harm
What have you done it's too early for everyone
So smile go inside come to see there is no sign
- Silversun Pickups, Well Thought Out Twinkles

רעמים וברקים בליל חורף קר
לא נשמעים תמיד אותו הדבר
ברקים ורעמים, רעמים וברקים
לפעמים קרובים ולפעמים רחוקים
- כבס ה16 Keves Ha'shisha'asar, Re'amim U'Brakim. OR The Sixteenth Sheep, Lightning and Thunder


One minute I held the key
Next the walls were closed on me
And I discovered that my castles stand
Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand

I hear Jerusalem bells a ringing
Roman Calvary choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
Never rule this world
But that was when I ruled the world
-Coldplay, Viva La Vida

Can I see what’s going wrong with me
I used to have it all, now I’m alone
I never said, I’m better off this way
I need something to do, somewhere to go

I need time to stop moving
I need time to stay useless
I need time to stop moving
I need time to stay useless
I need time to stop moving
I need time to stay useless
- Cloud Nothings, Stay Useless

Oh I know
My life's not gonna change
And I live
Through all these wasted days
Never thought
That I'd end up this way
And I know
It's gonna stay the same

I thought I would be more than this
I thought I would be more than this
I thought I would be more than this
I thought I would be more than this
- Cloud Nothings, Wasted Days

Georgia
What's a girl to do?
Georgia
Still in love with you
- Yuck, Georgia

"So what the hell are you talking about?"

"I think it's clear"

"It's not clear in the slightest"

"A hope spot, followed by a long line towards despair"

"Meh still unclear"

"Whatever, as long as Milchama wins their next game. That's what really matters"

"Fair"

"Come on You Warriors!"

"Let's Go Milchama!"

[Aardenland]

Komodo Edges Aardenland

Despite Ninth Inning Rally, Aardenland drops to second

In a close contest, Aardenland was narrowly bested by the Komodo national team 7-6. The Komodo Team is among the few participating in the classic that through an odd technicality, is allowed to keep their players anonymous. Silver Wouda and Desmond de Waal both hit home runs, but Ernie Porter was unable to duplicate his performance from last week. "Between you and me, I have to wonder why Komodese players need their anonymity," said Porter. Still, I can't scapegoat the blame, and I was not 'on' today." Though Porter let across five runs in three innings, he was relieved by "Wolf" Schensema, who pitched five scoreless innings. This gave at least one thing for Aardenlanders to cheer about. Schensema is scheduled to pitch the final game against Lycrabon on Wednesday. Schensema beaned two of Komodo's players, giving one of them a concussion. (Translated from Dutch) "What, he couldn't stand a CURVEBALL?" said Schensema after the game. "The other guy didn't faint when he got my heat in his noggin! What a f****** p****. What? The Wednesday game? Nah, Lycrabon's got its word cut out for it." Aardenland is now second, tied with Komodo and Lycrabon, behind Serbia. Silas van Hoven takes the mound in New Montreal tomorrow, hopefully to put Aardenland back on top.

Second Inning

Aardenland: Desmond de Waal hit a home run to center. Odessa Kroon flied out to right field. Ricky Bruijn doubled to left field. Crijn Legierse singled to center field, scoring Bruijn. Tied, 2-2

Fifth Inning

Aardenland: With two outs, Sjoerdtje Schensema singled to right. Zef Veek singled to center, moving Schensema to second. Sally Karlsson singled to center, scoring Schensema and moving Veek to third. Komodo leads, 5-3

Ninth Inning

Aardenland: With one out, Karlsson doubled into the left-center field gap. Silver Wouda hit a two-run home run to right field. De Waal doubled to left field. Kroon grounded out to second. Bruijn singled to right field, scoring de Waal. Komodo leads, 7-6

KOMODO WINS, 7-6

[Super-Llamaland]

Group 3

Quebecois Acadiana 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 4 7
Bloodbath Generation 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 0 4

Cyborg Holland 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3
Super-Llamaland 0 0 6 0 1 0 0 2 X 9

Yesopalitha 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 2 10
Skeckoa 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Group 3 Pld W L RF RA RD Win %
1 Yesopalitha 7 6 1 44 17 +27 0.857
2 Cyborg Holland 7 4 3 33 36 −3 0.571
3 Quebecois Acadiana 7 4 3 38 37 +1 0.571
4 Skeckoa 7 3 4 31 47 −16 0.429
5 Bloodbath Generation 7 2 5 32 34 −2 0.286
6 Super-Llamaland 7 2 5 24 31 −7 0.286

IN THE FAN HANGOUT

"Remember, we need losses by Cyborg and Quebecois...we gotta beat Cyborg."
"That means Bloodbath Generation has to win."

7:02 PM

"We're starting! At least we're at home."
"Has Quebecois-Bloodbath started?"
"Yes. Scoreless."

7:13 PM

"We're starting the bottom of the second."
"I sure hope Masorka can do this."
THWACK! Single. Walk. E-1.
"Masorka's losing control."
"Yeah, Evan is. I hope he can get out."
"Maas Buule is up. The guy's good."
"He's 0-for-1 though."
"Yes, he is. Grounded to short to start the game. It's 3-2."
THWACK!
"Oh god. That's way too far back."
"Addams is at the wall."
"Is he going to try to catch a home run?"
THOCK!
"Yes! Ohmygod, he did it!"
Replay.
"Look at that catch!"
"The guy tagged up though. Rochester's throwing it."
bounce. bounce.
"Dang, that's way off. One run's in. E-8. Two in."
"No..."

7:30 PM: Third inning

Addams grounds out to short. 5 pitches.
Thomas lines out to center. 11 pitches.
Dawson triples to left. 2 pitches.
Bradley walks. 4 pitches.
Danks walks. 9 pitches.
(Change of pitcher)
Cameron homers. 1 pitch.

"Inside fastball..." THWACK!
"Yes! Yes! Get out of here, ball!"
"440 FEET! YES!"


Mills homers. 3 pitches.
Harder doubles. 2 pitches.
Rochester singles to short. Harder advances to third on throwing error. Rochester advances to third on throwing error. Harder scores. Rochester scores on catching error.

"Wow. What a fail."
"Rochester just scored a homer on a 64-feet ball. Dang."

9:32 PM

"Bloodbath lost. It's over."
"Well, it was a good run."
"Actually, it wasn't, but yeah."

MVP: Alex Cameron: 3-6, 2 HR, 6 RBI, Grand Slam!
MVP 2: Evan Masorka: 9 IP, 3 R, 1 ER, 14 K, 0 BB!

[Vaugania]

Leif Solberg stood in front of the team as the groupo standings were updated in the bullpen. 2nd place. The room grew deathly quiet. A mouse would have seemed as loud as a freight train. Zwangzug had them on run differential after defeating the Golden Eagles 5-2. Lymantatia was only 1 game back. Their next opponent? Lymantatia. Where? Lymantatia.

Solberg cleared his throat and began speaking to the team, "This is bad, guys. Real bad. We can't wait for someone else to slip up and let us scoot ito the playoffs. It's happened to the hockey team more than once. We need to control our own destiny. The best way for us to do that is to take out Lymantatia. Pull out all of the stops. Now is not the time to stall out."

Later that day...

Marty Bzibziak sat in the film room watching their last game against Lymantatia. They had a pretty good pitcher up against the Golden Eagles. Vaugania needed runs to help out their own pitching staff. He looked for every tendency and weakness. The pressure slowly set in and sat on his chest like a boulder.

Felix Brauer came intot he film room with a tub of popcorn. Tension relieved. "Watching the game, Obliteratron?"

Bzibziak laughed at the nickname the sports reporters gave him. "Yep. That's what I'm doing."

"I suppose I should, too. Scout their hitters or something."

"Probably. Have a seat, my friend."

Marty and Felix sat thier through the game taking notes on a pad of paper. When the game ended, the screen went black and the room lighted up. Marty looked through the pages of notes they had taken. "Ready?" he asked the next day's starter.

"As ready as I'll ever be."

Even later that day...

All of the players boarded their flight to Lymantatia with a rather somber attitude. They knew what this next game meant for them. "Cheer up, Cliff," Francois BuBois said as he pat the DH on the back, "We have this one."

Bzibziak and Brauer combed through the notes the entire flight only stopping to sleep. Other players came and went. It was crowded at times, lonely at others, but everyone learned. They felt like they knew Lymantatia's players better than they knew themselves. When they all finally rested, they did so with the confidence that they would vanquish their opponents in Lymantatia and eventually be victorious in the end.

[Qazox]

Qazox loses 4th straight, somehow move up to 3rd in group

P.A.P 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 2 0 5
Qazox 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 2

Once again, Qazox' bats fell asleep when it counted most, only scoring 2 runs despite having the bases loaded and no-one out in the 3rd and 9th innings. A pair of double plays scored the only runs for Qazox. PAP scored 3 in the 3rd off of 5 straight singles, and 2 in the 8th after an Aaron Valt throwing error allowed the visitors to extend the inning. Qazox now faces a must win situation as they travel to Mapletish.

WIN: Cibor Heiman
LOSS:Brian Rhodes (1-1)
SAVE:Max De Haven
MVP of Game: Cibor Heiman (PAP): 8.1 IP; 6 Hits; 2 Runs; 1 ER; 8 K; 0 BB

[Saugeais]

"Well, this is bad. Very bad."

"Catastrophically bad."

"So bad, it would be historic if it happens. You know, we pride ourselves with our baseball. We're good, not great, and we like it that way. We've never, in our entire history of competing, we've never once failed to get out of the group stages. That's 9 consecutive World Baseball Classics."

"We started out fine. That two hitter by Adrichem really gave us hope. Now? Losses to Grandterre and Slembana? Really? This is what our national baseball team, our best of the best, has to offer?"

"We are still mathematically in, though. But with three games left to play, we need to win out and have some funky happenings with the top of the group, or we won't even take second place."

"If that happens, I might just stop watching baseball for a while, because clearly the quality of our players and league has gone down. Thatius and Michael VII would undoubtedly give us a hard time. I don't know, man. I certainly don't want to think about this, but it's unavoidable. I think we're going to get knocked out."

"It'll be a sad day for us baseball fans. I can only hope it gets better after this, in this Classic or the next."

[The Serbian Empire]

The Serbian Empire stands alone in the lead of Group 5 in the standings with a 2-1 win over New Montreal States. The first hit was a leadoff home run off of the very first pitch that Ivan Jovanoski saw in the game making this his first home run of the tournament for the light hitting center fielder. Max Fortex countered with a double driving in Antoine Ledoux in the third inning to tie the game. Tomaz Kopitar hit a triple with pinch hitting for Marijo Darkovic and was driven in by a Jovanoski sacrifice hit to the second baseman. Danilo Tudjman closed the game out with three strikeouts using nine pitches to end the game. Darkovic threw 8 innings with 5 strikeouts and 3 walks.

Three Stars of The Game for the Serbian Empire brought to you by Serbco Power and Light Inc.
1. Ivan Jovanoski 2-3, HR, SH, 2 RBI
2. Marijo Darkovic 8 IP, 1 ER, 5K. 3 BB
3. Tomaz Kopitar 1-1, 3B

[Taeshan]

"Well at least we won."

"Yeah, and we are back in second."

"Somehow."

"We also have 2 easy games in three, granted that won't do much."

"Sicoutimont finally lost to Karditan, so if they lose one of the final games not against us as well as to us we could win the group."

"That would be great, but what we need is to win, or finish in the top two 2nd place teams to avoid the play in games."

"Yeah those could send us home to fast and we need to get hot and stay hot and we might do something."

"Long as we don't lose to Sicoutimont and the two unranked teams..."

"Yeah we can not afford to lose to Parsee Misawhatever again that was complete bullshit."

"Word."

"Rodard is 0-7 so hopefully we can beat them, if we beat the other side we will at least advance, if we also beat Sicoutimont it is assured."

"Hopefully we can, i do not want to face the nation if we cannot figure this out."

"Yeah they will skin us alive"

"Most def."

[Estope]

Lycrabon                         0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0  2
Estope                           4 0 1 1 0 0 2 0 X  8

After starting off losing three in a row and having their head coach fired, this team has rallied around interim coach Nicolas Carr to win two in a row. This shocking win against Lycrabon moves Estope out of last place and gives them hope of qualification. This team is now starting to look like we had expected them to from the beginning. Offensive Estope struck early with four first inning runs and continued to come up with key runs when needed. The eight runs scored in this single game is over a third of all of Estope's runs this entire tournament. The pitching staff was also solid once again. This team is really starting to play as a team. They have the talent but it is amazing how much a good coach can do for a team. Sweigart was bale to coast with this team in his first two seasons but never really developed any talent or managed a game very well. Carr on the other hand is a complete coach. He is now the odds on favorite to be Estope's coach and if he keeps winning like this he can lock it up. The next three games will define this tournament for this team. They are against the top three teams in the group, all unranked. If Estope can successfully navigate through them and finish with a .500 record, it is probable that they will qualify for the playoffs. This seemed nearly impossible before todays game but with their performance under Carr it has now become a reality. It won't be easy and they will need a few things to fall their way, but boy would it be great if it happened. Up next is on the road against Komodo Dragon.

[Saintland]

Saintland                        0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0  2
Byfugland                        0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1  3

Saintland loses to Byfugland in Extra Innings

(SP) The Kingdom of Saintland's 7th game in the World Baseball Classic was yet another defeat. This time, the team representing our Kingdom tied the game in the top of the 9th facing their last out and went on to lose in the bottom of the 11th. The Sanctii are now 1-6 in the tournament and basically eliminated. "Ramirez was on top of his game today. It was a real pitcher's duel. I never imagined that the game would be scoreless through 6 innings. Although we could hardly hit the ball out there today, we still found a way to make it a close game. If we could hit the ball better, I think we might actually be at 4-3 or 5-2 right now and actually have a shot at advancing in this tournament." - Petrus Tragus

The game started off with King Ramirez throwing 6 perfect innings. Paulus Famulus allowed 8 baserunners over the course of 6 innings, with 4 walks and 4 hits, but he somehow did not concede a run. In the top of the 7th, Petrus Tragus drew a walk to lead off the inning and promptly stole 2nd base. Paulus Juventius hit a line drive right to the left fielder, but he dropped the ball and Tragus came around to score. However, the Sanctii would prove unable to drive in Juventius and would have to settle for just 1 run. In the bottom of the 7th, the Sanctii gave the run right back when Famulus conceded a home run to Scooter McKee. In the 8th inning, Ivey Easterly would hit a 2nd home run and Byfugland would go up 2-1.

In the top of the 9th, King Ramirez was replaced, despite only conceding a walk and an unearned run (off an error) in 8 innings of work, by Chase "Rocket" Ramsey. After both Tragus brothers made outs on routine ground balls, Petrus Tragus decided to do something daring. He decided to bring in Matthaeus Novius as a pinch hitter and move Petrus Iulus into right field in place of Juventius. Novius worked his way to a full count and then he connected with the ball. He hit the ball over the center field fence and deep into the stands at The Airfield. Saintland had tied the game at 2 on their first hit of the ballgame. Sentius would strike out to retire the side.

Going into the bottom of the 11th, the game was still tied and Famulus was tired after pitching 10 innings. Petrus Tragus decided to bring in Petrus Nonius, the normal setup man, to try to force a 12th inning. Rodrigo Watsononez got ahold of the first pitch from Nonius and hit it barely over the shallow right field fence to give Byfugland a 3-2 victory.

The Sanctii face Raxillion next at Royal Park. The game will once again be covered by Royal Five as the March Mania tournament continues on the other networks.