World Baseball Classic 38- Everything Thread

[Maklohi Vai]

A short preview of WBC 38 from the newly formed Maklohi Vai News Network

[Ethane]

Roster

Pitchers:

NO.  POS.  Age    BAT.  THW.  NAME.
#38  SP    30     R     R   Daniel Gomez    
#24  SP    24     R     L   Ryan Alexander       
#67  SP    31     R     R   Ellis Stevens              
#45  SP    26     L     L   Sean Allen     
#07  SP    32     L     R   Aldrine Edwins          
#29  RP    22     R     R   Donald Bailey             
#12  RP    25     L     L   Patrick Bell           
#32  RP    30     R     L   Chito Dominador       
#93  RP    27     L     R   Frank Phillips                
#82  RP    21     L     R   Eric Mitchell     
#56  RP    25     R     L   Mark Jones

Catchers:

NO.    POS. Age     BAT.   THW.  NAME.
#04    C    26      L      R     Joe Richardson
#33    C    32      R      R     Dwight Price

Infielders:

NO.    POS.  Age    BAT.  THW.   NAME.
#63    1B    24     R      L     Randy Perry
#42    2B    28     L      L     Tony Diaz
#77    2B    23     R      R     Philip Lewis
#72    2B    31     L      R     Chad Brock
#47    3B    30     R      R     Alejandro Phelps
#03    3B    22     L      L     David Washington
#06    SS    24     R      L     Jeremy Williams
#21    SS    28     L      R     Samuel Wood

Outfielders:

NO.    POS. Age    BAT.  THW.   NAME.
#97   LF    30      L      R     Kevin Martinez
#84   LF    28      R      R     Leland Dixon
#79   CF    30      L      L     Rene Cortez
#67   CF    28      R      L     Darin Drake
#52   CF    25      R      R     Jason Moore
#37   RF    27      L      R     Alan Carter
#15   RF    27      R      L     Abel Gibson
#12   RF    26      L      L     Samuel Biggins

Designated Hitter:

NO.   POS.  Age     BAT.  THW.   NAME.
#01   DH    30      R      R     Steve Mcrawling

Batting Order:

NO.    POS.  Age    BAT.  THW.   NAME.
#04    C    26      L      R     Joe Richardson
#63    1B    24     R      L     Randy Perry
#72    2B    31     L      R     Chad Brock
#47    3B    30     R      R     Alejandro Phelps
#21    SS    28     L      R     Samuel Wood
#84   LF    28      R      R     Leland Dixon
#79   CF    30      L      L     Rene Cortez
#15   RF    27      R      L     Abel Gibson
#01   DH    30      R      R     Steve Mcrawling

IF DH IS NOT ALLOWED
#07  SP    32     L     R   Aldrine Edwins

Staff:

Manager: Angus Lockie (DRK)
Assistant Manager: Barrie Herbertson
First Base Coach: Darrel Summer
Third Base Coach: Clyde Hatheway
Batting Coach: Morgan Paul
Pitching Coach: Bradley Donaldson

RP Permissions:
Choose My Run Scorers: Y
Choose My Lineup: Y
Follow My Pitching Rotation: Y
Godmod Scoring Events: Y
RP Injuries to My Players: Y (I determine length of injury)
Godmod Injuries to My Players: N
Eject My Players: Y
Godmod Other Events: Y
Use DH at Home: If I can use it at your stadium, you can use it at mine.

FYI DRAWKLAND WILL LOSE

[Kinzenland]

Convicts face tough start

The government’s plan to humiliate some of the nation’s most hardcore criminals should get off to a great start on opening day when they take on defending champion, Schiltzberg, on the road. Protected by the highest level of security, the team boarded a plane to New Schiltzberg, still in handcuffs, where they will be prepared to be destroyed by the no nickname Schiltzberg squad.

Why is the government and the KBA (Kinzenland Baseball Association) doing this? Why are we not sending out best baseball players? Leanne Morris, spokeswoman for the KBA answered, on behalf of Commissioner Fred Manson, “We want our fans to be able to enjoy some of the greatest baseball nations in the world before we seriously try to compete in this. Everyone knows that new nations always lose in this unless you are lucky like some nations have been some times. So, instead of watching our best players lose, why not just enjoy the best players in the world right now as they humiliate people that our nation despises.” It is expected that the Convicts will be heartily booed when they play their first home game against another new nation known as Hicanans In Exile. Taylorville native Joshua Bryce told us that, “It’s a strange concept but there’s no way I can root for our team. I will go there and watch the other nations with pride!”

The team is motivated by a promise that for every win they may manage, one of them will be freed and be completely exonerated of their criminal record. With a quote provided by a prison guard, outfielder Kyle Henderson is reported to have said, “We will win games. Maybe we will a lot, and the government will just need to feel the burn!”

[Frenline Delpha]

Behind the Scenes of Slide Home, a national baseball program that covers the WBC

"So tell me about this Newmanistan team."

"Well, they're something else. Back in the older editions of this tournament, they won it four times, a feat our rival Schiltzberg just achieved last year. Now, obviously, it took them a lot longer to do so. They won their first tournament in the decade edition, and then won the twelfth, fourteenth, fifteenth, and seventeenth editions. After that, they were never in the top four again until this year. Ans suddenly, they decide to put up a host bid out of nowhere. Our own council representative, Charles Gotner, voted for it. So, here we are."

"I can't wait for the round of sixteen this year. Maybe we'll see Newmanistan and Schiltzberg on the road to a championship?"

"Maybe. We have to get through 24 games. However, our hardest competition is The Serbian Empire, which is honestly going to be an easy match-up (OOC: hubris can kill, folks). I am not scared of any team currently present in our group, but it's after that that worries me. We don't know who we'll see in the round of sixteen, but Newmanistan is a direct possibility. Drawkland or Ethane are also in out line of sight when it comes to the round of sixteen."

"What about other groups besides ours? What is looking the most likely around the tournament?"

"Well, Super-Llamaland is looking good with their geoup, but expect Jeckland and Newmanistan to give them a nice run. Schiltzberg only has to contend with a heavy-hitting Cosumar to get out of their group, but, knowing them, they will have no problem doing so. Then Devonta and Nova Anglicana will both fall to Abanhfleft in their group with a solid pitchi roster that should drive them through the group. Ethane will turn out champions of their group, and Nassau-Hessen will overtake Drawkland for their group. South Yerfilag is a no brainer for their group this year, as Southern Democratic States just doesn't have the muster to outlast the Eagles. Finally, West Saintland and Maklohi Vai will both make great showing, and the match will be very close, but the Lumai—what the fuck is that, anyways—will pull out the group championship. At least, that's how I feel about the tournament groups."

"Interesting picks, but I don't trust Abanhfleft's inconsistency. They have had the consistency of air in recent tournaments, and I don't think that'll stop now. I don't even think theyMll make it out of group play again, with their recent showings. With all that, I think we'll see a Schiltzberg vs Maklohi Vai battle in the finals. Hopefully, Schiltzberg doesn't win, or else we'll never catch up with them in championships. That and only one other team has won it all in five tournaments is Gregoryisgodistan during the thirt-fourth addition. Also, what is your take on how the team will react after hosting last edition and falling early?"

"It's going to be a long road to redemption, that's for sure. Two WBCs ago, we made it all the way to the semi-finals. Then, we get the opportunity to play at home, and we just collapsed. We barely made it out of the group stage, then we fall to Zyaurus in four gamea. It sucked, but our guys have worked their butts off for this tournament. Plus, I've heard Newmanistan is a pretty country to visit. We'll be at home for half of our group stage, and then we'll head to Newmanistan for the round of 16 and beyond. I believe we can pull this off for once, and we have a shot at the championship, no doubt. If only Schiltzberg didn't stand in our way like always."

"Time for action, guys. We roll in five!"

"Anyways, let's get this thing on. Time to hype up the Anacondas' supporters."

[Super-Llamaland]

Kennedy, Rasmussen team up to launch independent bid for the Presidency

This week, In a stunning turn of events, radical Congressman Linus Kennedy (I - KYR) and Minister of Education Michael Rasmussen (LDP - DR) have decided to launch an independent bid for the Presidency. The two are expected to cut into liberal factions in beleaguered incumbent Ryan Lindberg’s coalition and Morgan and Lockhart voters in the North.

Kennedy, an outspoken 46-year-old from Kyrinson City, made waves when he ran for Congress at the age of twenty-nine: although the minimum age requirement to run for Congress was thirty, Kennedy argued that he would turn thirty before officially joining Congress, and therefore met the age requirement. He toppled incumbent Adrian Gonsalves in a close race before successfully pushing through a bill to abolish age requirements on Congressmen. After serving for eight years, he was appointed to the position of Minister of Healthcare in the Michael Wladecki administration before returning to Congress. Despite his young age, he has achieved a cult-hero status amongst younger voters due to his highly liberal stances on drug legalization, healthcare, and the environment.

Michael Rasmussen, a highly liberal member of the Liberal Democratic Party, made waves by announcing that he would defect from the party to run with Kennedy just two months after reaffirming his allegiance to the LDP. Rasmussen has served as Minister of Education, Ambassador to Arondesheim, and Congressman from the Derrierton First District, which contains Derrierton City. While not as outspoken as Kennedy, he remained an integral part of the Liberal Democrats’ pitch to younger and Northern voters until his defection from the party.

Early reports show that the two have already begun making significant progress after Kennedy announced his candidacy. Online polls in Derrierton revealed that the Kennedy/Rasmussen ticket has climbed to third place with 21% of the vote, behind Lockhart (36%) and Morgan (24%) but ahead of Lindberg’s 19%. In Derrierton’s First District, Kennedy/Rasmussen has climbed to second place with 25%, behind Lockhart (27%), tied with Lindberg (25%), and ahead of Morgan (23%). However, Rasmussen’s popularity amongst Derrierton City residents means that the First District may be their most favorable district.

Establishment LibDems are furious with Kennedy and Rasmussen, who have generally been allies of the party (although Kennedy’s service under the Wladecki administration make him less preferred than other independents). They have good reason to be upset: even before Kennedy’s announcement, only 65% of voters that supported Lindberg in the 2016 election are supporting him again this election, with Golding supporters generally moving to Lockhart in large numbers. With the liberal faction of his coalition taken away, Lindberg will struggle to win this election.

Preliminary Polls-Based Forecasts:
Eden MORGAN / Jeffrey Cain (Conservatives): 32.9%, 76 DVs
Miranda LOCKHART / Christopher Burke (Populists): 30.2%, 59 DVs
Ryan LINDBERG / Maria Cardinale (LibDems): 23.5%, 52 DVs
Linus KENNEDY / Michael Rasmussen (Independent): 13.4%, 13 DVs

[Saintland]

Feministvs Sanctvsterra presents:

The National Baseball Team of the Kingdom of Saintland

Captain: Felicia Cassianus
Colors: Pink and White
Stadium: Royal Park
Stadium Location: St. Petrus
Stadium Capacity: 51,773
Distance to Walls: 325 feet to left and right, 405 to center
Stadium Surface: SaintTurf

Roster

Rotation

1: Clara Equitius (R/R)
2: Sabrina Cornificius (R/R)
3: Victorina Modius (R/R)

Bullpen

CL: Tiberia Octavius (R/R)
MR: Regina Equitius (R/R)
LR: Porcella Ammianus (R/R)

Batting Order

SS: Felicia Cassianus (R/R)
2B: Innocentia Numerius (R/R)
3B: Januaria Blandius (R/R)
CF: Cristina Inventius (R/R)
1B: Amanda Senecianus (R/R)
C: Mariana Baebius (R/R)
LF: Maria Pontius (R/R)
RF: Maria Didius (R/R)
(Pitcher)

Bench

C: Elizabetha Flaccus (R/R)
IF: Natalia Flaccus (R/R)
OF: Agrippina Jovina (R/R)

Notes

The players on this team previously competed, in other sports (volleyball, field hockey, basketball and weightlifting), at the Games of the VIII Olympiad and at the (abandoned) third West Guiana Softball tournament. These are, however, their real names as the group now openly identifies themselves following their legalization as a political party within the West Sanctii electoral system.

Feminisvs Sanctvsterra has competed in international sports events before, winning several medals at the Games of the VIII Olympiad and competing in the 11th Handball World Cup. However, they have had their greatest success in the World Korfball Classic, where they have won 2 out of 4 WKCs, with a third place in their only other attempt. In World Cup 67, they almost qualified for the World Cup, despite having little to no experience in competitive soccer before they entered that World Cup, after the official Saintland National Team boycotted qualifying over the results of a host vote. Due to the circumstances under which members of the organization have lived, the Feministvs Sanctvsterra Baseball Team has remarkably high levels of team chemistry. They lived their lives on the run from the authorities for several years, so members of Feministvs Sanctvsterra are deeply loyal to one another and to their organization. This loyalty translates into team-oriented play, with an emphasis on pitching, defense and small ball. They previously participated in WBCs 29 and 30, with middling records in both tournaments. In WBC 34, they returned after a long absence and reached the Round of 16 where they were eliminated by the Bat Slaves of Gregoryisgodistan. In WBC 35, they would manage a third place finish, the best to that point for any Sanctii team in the WBC.

Feministvs Sanctvsterra is now part of the ruling coalition in West Saintland along with the pro-reform moderates of Futurum. Due to the political turmoil in Saintland, Feministvs Sanctvsterra has elected to leave this team unchanged, delaying the introduction of a mixed gender team for at least one more cycle.

Although the Feministvs Sanctsterra Baseball Team does not include any male players, the idea that Feministvs Sanctvsterra is all female is a common misconception. Around 10 percent of the group's membership is male, mostly comprised of brothers of the group's members.

RP Permissions

I give my opponent permission to:
My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose my runscorers: Yes (but don't do anything that would be impossible under the rules of the sport)
Choose my lineup: No (Agrippina Jovina should be DH and #9 hitter if DH is used)
Follow my pitching rotation: Yes
Godmod scoring events: Yes
RP injuries to my players: No
Godmod injuries to my players: No
Eject my players: No
Godmod other events: Yes (The Feministvs Sanctvsterra team should be portrayed in a manner consistent with their established characters and their high level of team chemistry. Feel free to portray them as anti-gay as this is consistent with their established characters.)
Use DH at home: No

[Anglatia]

OOC: I wanted to have a more expansive roster this time around, but I literally just got home this evening and I don't think I have time to update it and revise the roster. I just copy and pasted this one and I'll be sticking with it for this time around, it seems.

ANGLATIAN NATIONAL TEAM
The Redcaps

STARTING LINEUP

C - Shamus Duffy - 27 - Underfell Storm
1B - Owen Malley - 31 - Bathgate Leopards
2B - Illias Michaelis - 26 - Bathgate Leopards
3B - Manuel Fotis - 27 - Ross Monarchs(Good arm from third base, and agile also.)
SS - Eric Bystrom - 22 - Underfell Storm(Best contact hitter on the team, and a fielder with top reflexes.)
LF - Sofia Alexandersson - 23 - Ross Monarchs(Her arm isn't as good as Narang's, but her speed and leaping ability make up for this.)
CF - Stefan Waltersson - 33 - Calovice Nordiques
RF - Rohan Narang - 28 - Sungri Foxes(Don't even think about testing his arm. He can make any throw from the outfield. He's also a flashy hitter who focuses more on power than contact.)

PITCHING ROTATION:

RHP - Devon Paitl - 26 - Sungri Foxes(Throws hard and accurate, and lasts long in most games. The best Anglatian pitcher last season that isn't a Storm player.)
RHP - Domotor Marian - 24 - Underfell Storm(Beware his circle change and his cutting fastballs. Seriously.)
LHP - Rosza Keller - 29 - Ferraria Waves(Traded to the Waves for Leif Erlunder last season. She's a balanced pitcher with a killer slider.) 
LHP - Arianne Venczel - 26 - Sungri Foxes - (The team's stopper. She throws a hard fastball and tricks hitters with a knuckleball. Everyone knows what's coming, but they still can't stop her.)
RHP - Leif Erlunder - 22 - Underfell Storm (Erlunder sometimes comes out of the bullpen and throws HARD. He's the fastest throwing Anglatian pitcher currently playing, and his fastball topped out at 104mph last season.)

BULLPEN:

LHP - Frazier Blackwood - 31 - Ross Monarchs(Relief)
LHP - Emery McDaniel - 33 - Piranha Lumberjacks(Setup)
RHP - Silverster Olberg - 28 - Piranha Lumberjacks(The fastest in the pen, and the closer. Throws a 100mph fastball and a decent breaking ball)

RP Permissions:
Choose My Run Scorers: Y
Choose My Lineup: Y
Follow My Pitching Rotation: Y
Godmod Scoring Events: Y
RP Injuries to My Players: Y
Godmod Injuries to My Players: Y
Eject My Players: Y
Godmod Other Events: Y
Use DH at Home: N

[South Yerfilag]

From The Desk Of An Unknown Writer
Part 1

I don't know what's convinced me to write this. That we've finally emerged as a victor after a bloody two-year civil war against an impostor régime, or readily restored the peace after that much time fighting, is one thing. But to actually be South Yerfilag again, a nation living harmoniously and culturally diverse, that's another ballgame. No pun intended.

You'll probably be receiving this sometime during the thirty-eighth edition of the World Baseball Classic. It's always a festive time in South Yerfilag (or Zyarus, as we were previously known) when the WBC is going on. I mean, sure, it's not a multiversal league showcase in any form of the word; it's simply a World Cup for baseball. Heck, we don't even have a domestic league. The Unified Sunrisian Baseball Association were supposed to help us out with what was going to be known as Major League South Yerfilag. It was going to have ten teams; it was going to be coached by national team staff members. It would feed into the South Yerfilag national team. The national team stars, myself included, were going to each take the captaincy of one of the ten teams.

Then the war broke out. An unknown political party, led by Jessica Mobutu, led a coup d'état against the legitimate government. What a ballsy move. Everything the Scantor III-Two Cincys unification movement was erased in the course in twenty-four hours. Thousands of people - not just former political leaders, but ordinary people, from priests to paupers, from the mortician to the milkman - were arrested and jailed without trail. The Rushmore regional Red Cross members are still trying to put together a total number for the death toll - most of these in prison, from starvation and overworking, if not flat-out execution.

Thankfully, I was safe from most of the action. The day before the rebellion, I was on the third day of a week-long holiday someplace in Atlantian Oceania. Some feudal state with a weird name I can't pronounce well because of my Scantorian accent. I was in my hotel room - if you could call it that, hotels are more of the bed-and-breakfast variant, owned by a lord and waited on by his appointed staff, typical of feudal states these days - when I received a call from a porter saying that I needed to go down to the front desk immediately. I wasted no time. The hotel custodian and the lord of the area manor were both there. They asked me to sit down. I did. They switched on a nearby television and tuned it to QTV News English. The reporter was saying something about a rebellion in South Yerfilag, where our president had been deposed and replaced with a dictator. The lord immediately offered to plead my case before the Gran Consell, the national government there, for an extended-stay order. I agreed.

I will write more soon. Currently, the Gran Consell wants to hear about why I came to their nation.

Watts starts the first game, Ayomide the second game, and (S) Gordon the third game.

[Ethane]

Explosive News: Sports
World Baseball Classic 38

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World Baseball Classic Preview
Sam Heath - Sports Commentator

As the 38th edition of the World Baseball Classic gets underway in Newmanistan, Ethane is in with a good opportunity to progress far into the playoffs.

Harking back to World Baseball Classic 36, back before the days when Drawkland beat the Red Kites to the playoffs in the group stage by 1 game, Ethane had a good run to the Round of 8, challenging the likes of Maklohi Vai in the playoffs. The team was at its strongest, having learnt from the mistakes of the edition before and the play-in loss against Jeckland, and had the skillset and fitness to push for the best. And the team did that. After a strong group stage, the team went on to progress to the Round of 8.

However, due to the underfunding of baseball in Ethane, which unfortunately remains the case to this day and has been highly criticised by sporting bodies and public organisations up and down the country, the team went downhill as the manager was unable to find anyone to replace the current team, due to the lack of a decent professional structure. Therefore, the now aged team attempted to repeat the feat of the previous edition of the World Baseball Classic, yet they failed because of the unfit state of the team, and the lack of youth in the team which took an edge off the team which they had in the previous edition. The team ended up third in the group in what was a very tight group, sat only 1 game behind Drawkland. However, most disappointingly, the team achieved the worst record of the whole group against group leaders and world number 1 Schiltzberg, who won 5 out of 6 games against the Red Kites, which is something that us being eliminated in the groups by Drawkland is partly attributed to.

While the case in terms of funding certainly hasn't improved yet, there has been an upsurge in popularity and awareness of baseball, which we can only hope will continue and be recognised by the sporting bodies and the government, leading to a fairer distribution of sporting funds by the governing bodies. This upsurge has led to the creation of some community teams, which has led to some players becoming available to replace the very old and ageing players, meaning that the Red Kites are in a much fitter, and more youthful state for this cycle, hopefully giving them a chance to repeat the feat of the World Baseball Classic 36, rather than have a repeat of last edition.

Who's New?

Pitchers

Ryan Alexander is new to the Red Kites for the 38th edition of the World Baseball Classic. He is coming in at a young 24 years of age, so is part of the new youth crop coming in to give the team some new legs and hopefully energise the team back to the 36th edition levels. He bats with the right hand, but throws with the left, so is expected to be interesting to face on the field. He is energetic, and wants to push forward Ethane for the win, but he is inexperienced, so will need to be guided by more experienced players. Ryan is replacing Samuel Allington, who would have been 37 this edition, and will be taking his number of #24.

Sean Allen is also new to the team this edition, coming in at a slightly older 26 years of age, bringing with him a little more experience than others while still maintaining a sense of freshness about him. He bats and throws with his left hand. He'll be replacing Benjamin Jardling , who has decided to retire, having reached 33 years of age, and will be taking his number of #45.

Donald Bailey is one of the youngest members of the Red Kites now as a new player to the team, coming in at the ripe age of 22 to the squad, so will definitely have the youthful, energetic and enthusiastic approach to his gameplay, which is what this team needs to rekindle. However, he may be a little sloppy compared to other players, and may not be the most reliable. He's coming in as a relief pitcher for the team, and bats and throws with his right hand. He is replacing Abian Elliots, who is 38 this edition, and will be taking his number of #29.

Patrick Bell comes in as another relatively youthful player compared to the previous squad at 25 years of age. He bats and throws with his left hand, and will be providing the team with some fresh legs to get out there in his relief pitcher role. He is replacing Dioscoro Diwa, who has decided to move on from baseball, even though he would have only been 28 this edition, being one of the much younger players when the team was first formed. He will be taking the number #12.

Frank Phillips is one of the older new arrivals to the team, coming in at the age of 27. Phillips bats with his left hand but throws with his right, so shall be interesting to meet on the pitch. He's replacing Drigo Alcis, who would have been 33 this edition and had the chance to participate but declinced, and taking his number of #93 with him.

Eric Mitchell is possibly the youngest new player in the Red Kites at a young age of 21. Inexperienced, he will be one of the later and less relied-on relief pitchers, but he will be guided by the more experienced relief and starter pitchers in the team. He bats with his left hand and throws with his right. Mitchell will be replacing Dominique Froilan, who is 30 this edition, taking over because of the decision to bring a new era in for Ethanese baseball. He will be taking the number #82.

Mark Jones comes in at the promising age of 25, with a balance of youth and experience making him an ideal candidate for the team as relief pitcher. He beats with his right hand and throws with his left, and will be replacing Jairence Isagani, who is 37 and had decided to retire. He will be taking forward the number #56.

Catchers

Joe Richardson is coming in at the ripe age of 26 to replace the 34 year old Henry Lyons, who has been one of the team legends for the three Classics he has participated in. Richardson bats with his left hand and throws with his right, and is the ideal candidate to replace Lyons as a middle-aged, experienced player who has the star quality needed for a world class team. He will be continuing with Lyon's number of #04.

Infielders

Randy Perry comes in at the age of 24 to join the Red Kites. He bats with his left hand and throws with his right. He will be replacing Steven Summers, who has decided to walk away from baseball, despite being only 30 years old. Perry will be continuing with Summer's number of #63.

Philip Lewis is coming into the Red Kites at the age of 23 from a newly formed community team. He throws and bats with his right hand. He is replacing Raymond French, who has reportedly decided that the amount he was being payed was not enough for him to compete, and the team was not offering him the money required for him to compete. French would have been only 28 this classic.

David Washington is replacing the 35 year old Walter Frank, who has long gone past his best. Washington is coming into the Red Kites at the age 22, and he throws and bats with his left hand. He will be continuing with Frank's number of #03.

Jeremy Williams, at the age of 24, is also a new participant in the Red Kites Team this World Baseball Classic. He bats with his right hand and throws with his left, and will be great for the team. He is replacing, Ray Robinson, who would have been 38 this classic.

Samuel Wood - 28 years of age - is also new to the Red Kites this Classic. He bats with his left hand and throws with his right. He is replacing Noel Wilkins, who would have been 30 this edition, had he not tragically died in a car accident seven months ago.

Outfielders

Kevin Martinez comes in as one of the oldest new members of the team, joining the Red Kites at the age of 30. He bats with his left hand and throws with his right hand. He will be replacing Greg Fuller, who has reached 35 this Classic.

Jason Moore is also new to the Red Kites this Classic at the age of 25. Moore bats and throws with his right hand, and has experience behind him from one of the new community teams formed recently. He is replacing Glen Patton, who is 37 this Classic.

Alan Carter, at the age of 27, is also new to the Red Kites this World Baseball Classic. He bats with his left hand and throws with his right hand. He is replacing Earnest Barnett, who is 35 this edition and too old to be playing, after 3 Classics of great performances.

Group Predictions

Sanders Group
Frenline Delpha is definitely the favourite to win this group, but The Serbian Empire could give them a run for their money, although they'd be lucky. The only other ranked team is Korizland at 34th, who doesn't look to be too much of a threat. This group seems relatively uncompetitive at the top, and it should go as expected.

1. Frenline Delpha
2. The Serbian Empire
3. Korizland
4. Oconeee
5. Candelli

Keisler Group
This group is a much more interesting, and very competitive group to be in, and certainly an unlucky group for any hopeful newcomers to be in. Super-Llamaland, ranked 3rd, is going to prove a formidable opponent for everyone, and will likely be pushing for the group win, but you cannot ignore Jeckland, ranked 15th, and West Phoencia, ranked 22nd. To top that all off, you have hosts, and previous record-holder 4 time WBC winner Newmanistan looking to make their comeback in the group. This all leaves you feeling just a little sorry for Outworld.

1. Super-Llamaland
2. Jeckland
3. Newmanistan
4. West Phoencia
5. Outworld

Brasfield Group
This will prove an interesting group to see who gets second place and also progresses to the playoffs, but number 1 int he group already seems to be wrapped up with record-holder 4 time WBC winner and number 1 ranked team Schiltzberg. However, Cosumar and Sandberg won't want to let the world number 1 off as easily as Ethane did last Classic, plus the unranked teams are unquantified forces.

1. Schiltzberg
2. Cosumar
3. Sandberg
4. Kinzenland
5. Hicanas In Exile

Ratigan Group
The group is going to prove to be one of the more exciting groups of the Classic, with 3 relatively decent teams vying for the playoff spots. Nova Anglicana is certain favourites, ranked 4th, but you cannot deny the skill of United States of Devonta and Abanhfleft, and their potential to stop Nova Anglicana.

1. United States of Devonta
2. Nova Anglicana
3. Abanhfleft
4. Titovija
5. -United States of America

Monroe Group
Our team will be hoping for a good run in this group, which is seen as a relatively easy group to enter the playoffs from and one which the team can fight for the number 1 spot. Gregoryisgodistan will not relinquish the spot easily though, and will make for a competitive battle for first place in the group.

1. Ethane
2. Gregoryisgodistan
3. -Anthor-
4. Nagore
5. Turkmenbasyn

Wright Group
Nassau-Hessen are favourites in this group, but Drawkland is a formidable force, after they knocked out Ethane last cycle, even though Ethane was clearly the better side. However, Hrvatska i Prekodunvlje throws another spanner into the works, and could completely upset the battle for first. And who knows what the unranked sides will do.

1. Drawkland
2. Nassau-Hessen
3. Equatorial Zeldean
4. Hrvatska i Prekodunvlje
5. Republic Of Rawn

Butler Group
The group winner seems a pretty clear affair in this group, but number two is where it gets interesting. Anglatia and Southern Democratic States will prove an interesting battle, but then the unranked team of Free Republics and even Juvencus, who has appeared to be a threat in other sports such as Handball, knocking Ethane out in the group stage, could bring an upset and beat one of the ranked teams.

1. South Yerfilag
2. Anglatia
3. Juvencus
4. Southern Democratic States
5. Free Republics

Weinman Group
In this group there are 2 very clear front-runners. However, who comes first out of these two remains to be seen, and is expected to be a close battle. Furthermore, The DDR Of Herp has a strong roster, and could come out and upset some results.

1. Maklohi Vai
2. West Saintland
3. The DDR Of Herp
4. Islana Lunigo
5. Dimetrija

[Newmanistan]

It's time to play ball!

Matchday 1:

Sanders Group
Korizland               0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 3  6
Candelli                1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1  4

Frenline Delpha         0 1 0 2 2 0 0 1 0  6
The Serbian Empire      0 0 0 2 1 0 1 0 0  4

  Sanders Group          Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Frenline Delpha          1    1   0     6    4   +2     3
  Korizland                1    1   0     6    4   +2     3
3 Candelli                 1    0   1     4    6   −2     0
  The Serbian Empire       1    0   1     4    6   −2     0

Keisler Group
Newmanistan            0 6 1 0 3 0 0 1 1 12
West Phoencia          0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0  2

Outworld               0 1 1 1 0 0 0 3 0  6
Super-Llamaland        0 0 0 2 0 0 1 2 2  7


  Keisler Group         Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Newmanistan             1    1   0    12    2  +10     3
2 Super-Llamaland         1    1   0     7    6   +1     3
3 Outworld                1    0   1     6    7   −1     0
4 West Phoencia           1    0   1     2   12  −10     0

Brasfield Group
Cosumar                0 0 1 0 2 0 1 0 0 0  4
Hicanans In Exile      1 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 2  6

Kinzenland             0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0  1
Schiltzberg            1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 X  3


  Brasfield Group       Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Hicanans In Exile       1    1   0     6    4   +2     3
2 Schiltzberg             1    1   0     3    1   +2     3
3 Cosumar                 1    0   1     4    6   −2     0
4 Kinzenland              1    0   1     1    3   −2     0

Ratigan Group
Nova Anglicana                 0 0 2 0 0 1 3 0 1  7
United States Of Devonta       0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0  1

Abanhfleft                     0 1 3 1 3 0 0 0 1  9
Titovija                       0 3 1 0 0 0 0 2 1  7


  Ratigan Group                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Nova Anglicana                  1    1   0     7    1   +6     3
2 Abanhfleft                      1    1   0     9    7   +2     3
3 Titovija                        1    0   1     7    9   −2     0
4 United States Of Devonta        1    0   1     1    7   −6     0

Monroe Group
Nagore                 1 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 0  5
Turkmenbasyn           0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0  2

Gregoryisgodistan      1 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 0  5
-Anthor-               0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 2  6


  Monroe Group          Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Nagore                  1    1   0     5    2   +3     3
2 -Anthor-                1    1   0     6    5   +1     3
3 Gregoryisgodistan       1    0   1     5    6   −1     0
4 Turkmenbasyn            1    0   1     2    5   −3     0

Wright Group
Nassau-Hessen                4 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 0  8
Hrvatska i Prekodunvlje      0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0  1

Republic Of Rawn             0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0  1
Equatorial Zeldean           0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 X  2


  Wright Group                Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Nassau-Hessen                 1    1   0     8    1   +7     3
2 Equatorial Zeldean            1    1   0     2    1   +1     3
3 Republic Of Rawn              1    0   1     1    2   −1     0
4 Hrvatska i Prekodunvlje       1    0   1     1    8   −7     0

Butler Group
South Yerfilag                  0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1 1  7
Free Republics                  0 0 0 1 0 0 0 4 0  5

Juvencus                        0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  2
Southern Democratic States      0 0 6 3 0 0 0 0 X  9


  Butler Group                   Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Southern Democratic States       1    1   0     9    2   +7     3
2 South Yerfilag                   1    1   0     7    5   +2     3
3 Free Republics                   1    0   1     5    7   −2     0
4 Juvencus                         1    0   1     2    9   −7     0

Weinman Group
Maklohi Vai            1 0 1 0 2 0 0 2 1  7
Dimetrija              2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0  3

West Saintland         0 0 1 0 0 0 1 4 0  6
The DDR of Herp        0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0


  Weinman Group         Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 West Saintland          1    1   0     6    0   +6     3
2 Maklohi Vai             1    1   0     7    3   +4     3
3 Dimetrija               1    0   1     3    7   −4     0
4 The DDR of Herp         1    0   1     0    6   −6     0

Matchday 2:

Sanders Group
Candelli                0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 3  6
Frenline Delpha         2 0 3 1 1 0 1 1 X  9

Oconeee                 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0  1
Korizland               0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 X  3


  Sanders Group          Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Frenline Delpha          2    2   0    15   10   +5     6
2 Korizland                2    2   0     9    5   +4     6
3 The Serbian Empire       1    0   1     4    6   −2     0
4 Oconeee                  1    0   1     1    3   −2     0
5 Candelli                 2    0   2    10   15   −5     0

Keisler Group
West Phoencia          1 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 1  5
Outworld               0 0 2 0 0 3 0 2 X  7

Jeckland               0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0  3
Newmanistan            0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  1


  Keisler Group         Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Newmanistan             2    1   1    13    5   +8     3
2 Jeckland                1    1   0     3    1   +2     3
3 Outworld                2    1   1    13   12   +1     3
4 Super-Llamaland         1    1   0     7    6   +1     3
5 West Phoencia           2    0   2     7   19  −12     0

Brasfield Group
Hicanans In Exile      0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0
Kinzenland             2 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 X  5

Sandberg               0 0 0 1 2 1 0 0 0  4
Cosumar                0 0 1 0 7 0 0 2 X 10


  Brasfield Group       Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Cosumar                 2    1   1    14   10   +4     3
2 Kinzenland              2    1   1     6    3   +3     3
3 Schiltzberg             1    1   0     3    1   +2     3
4 Hicanans In Exile       2    1   1     6    9   −3     3
5 Sandberg                1    0   1     4   10   −6     0

Ratigan Group
United States Of Devonta       0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2  3
Abanhfleft                     0 1 1 0 0 3 0 0 X  5

-United States Of America      0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0  1
Nova Anglicana                 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 X  5


  Ratigan Group                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Nova Anglicana                  2    2   0    12    2  +10     6
2 Abanhfleft                      2    2   0    14   10   +4     6
3 Titovija                        1    0   1     7    9   −2     0
4 -United States Of America       1    0   1     1    5   −4     0
5 United States Of Devonta        2    0   2     4   12   −8     0

Monroe Group
Turkmenbasyn           1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  1
Gregoryisgodistan      1 0 2 1 0 1 2 0 X  7

Ethane                 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 0 0  4
Nagore                 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0  2


  Monroe Group          Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Gregoryisgodistan       2    1   1    12    7   +5     3
2 Ethane                  1    1   0     4    2   +2     3
3 Nagore                  2    1   1     7    6   +1     3
4 -Anthor-                1    1   0     6    5   +1     3
5 Turkmenbasyn            2    0   2     3   12   −9     0

Wright Group
Hrvatska i Prekodunvlje      0 0 1 0 0 0 1 2 0  4
Republic Of Rawn             1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  1

Drawkland                    0 1 2 0 1 3 0 0 0  7
Nassau-Hessen                0 0 2 1 1 0 0 0 0  4


  Wright Group                Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Nassau-Hessen                 2    1   1    12    8   +4     3
2 Drawkland                     1    1   0     7    4   +3     3
3 Equatorial Zeldean            1    1   0     2    1   +1     3
4 Hrvatska i Prekodunvlje       2    1   1     5    9   −4     3
5 Republic Of Rawn              2    0   2     2    6   −4     0

Butler Group
Free Republics                  0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0  3
Juvencus                        1 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 X  5

Anglatia                        0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  2
South Yerfilag                  2 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 X  5


  Butler Group                   Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 South Yerfilag                   2    2   0    12    7   +5     6
2 Southern Democratic States       1    1   0     9    2   +7     3
3 Juvencus                         2    1   1     7   12   −5     3
4 Anglatia                         1    0   1     2    5   −3     0
5 Free Republics                   2    0   2     8   12   −4     0

Weinman Group
Dimetrija              0 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0  3
West Saintland         1 1 1 0 0 3 1 0 X  7

Islana Lunigo          0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0  1
Maklohi Vai            0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3  3


  Weinman Group         Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 West Saintland          2    2   0    13    3  +10     6
2 Maklohi Vai             2    2   0    10    4   +6     6
3 Islana Lunigo           1    0   1     1    3   −2     0
4 The DDR of Herp         1    0   1     0    6   −6     0
5 Dimetrija               2    0   2     6   14   −8     0

Matchday 3:

Sanders Group
Frenline Delpha         7 1 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 11
Oconeee                 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0  2

The Serbian Empire      0 0 0 1 1 0 0 2 0  4
Candelli                0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0


  Sanders Group          Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Frenline Delpha          3    3   0    26   12  +14     9
2 Korizland                2    2   0     9    5   +4     6
3 The Serbian Empire       2    1   1     8    6   +2     3
4 Candelli                 3    0   3    10   19   −9     0
5 Oconeee                  2    0   2     3   14  −11     0

Keisler Group
Outworld               0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0  3
Jeckland               0 0 0 0 2 0 5 0 X  7

Super-Llamaland        3 0 1 0 0 4 0 1 0  9
West Phoencia          0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1  3


  Keisler Group         Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Super-Llamaland         2    2   0    16    9   +7     6
2 Jeckland                2    2   0    10    4   +6     6
3 Newmanistan             2    1   1    13    5   +8     3
4 Outworld                3    1   2    16   19   −3     3
5 West Phoencia           3    0   3    10   28  −18     0

Brasfield Group
Kinzenland             0 0 0 1 3 1 0 0 0  5
Sandberg               1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  4

Schiltzberg            0 8 0 0 0 1 0 0 0  9
Hicanans In Exile      0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  1


  Brasfield Group       Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Schiltzberg             2    2   0    12    2  +10     6
2 Kinzenland              3    2   1    11    7   +4     6
3 Cosumar                 2    1   1    14   10   +4     3
4 Hicanans In Exile       3    1   2     7   18  −11     3
5 Sandberg                2    0   2     8   15   −7     0

Ratigan Group
Abanhfleft                     1 0 2 1 0 2 2 0 1  9
-United States Of America      0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0  1

Titovija                       1 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  5
United States Of Devonta       1 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0  4


  Ratigan Group                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Abanhfleft                      3    3   0    23   11  +12     9
2 Nova Anglicana                  2    2   0    12    2  +10     6
3 Titovija                        2    1   1    12   13   −1     3
4 United States Of Devonta        3    0   3     8   17   −9     0
5 -United States Of America       2    0   2     2   14  −12     0

Monroe Group
Gregoryisgodistan      0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0
Ethane                 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X  2

-Anthor-               0 0 2 0 5 0 2 1 0 10
Turkmenbasyn           0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 2  4


  Monroe Group          Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 -Anthor-                2    2   0    16    9   +7     6
2 Ethane                  2    2   0     6    2   +4     6
3 Gregoryisgodistan       3    1   2    12    9   +3     3
4 Nagore                  2    1   1     7    6   +1     3
5 Turkmenbasyn            3    0   3     7   22  −15     0

Wright Group
Republic Of Rawn             1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 2  5
Drawkland                    0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 4  7

Equatorial Zeldean           0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0  1
Hrvatska i Prekodunvlje      0 2 2 0 0 0 3 0 X  7


  Wright Group                Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Drawkland                     2    2   0    14    9   +5     6
2 Hrvatska i Prekodunvlje       3    2   1    12   10   +2     6
3 Nassau-Hessen                 2    1   1    12    8   +4     3
4 Equatorial Zeldean            2    1   1     3    8   −5     3
5 Republic Of Rawn              3    0   3     7   13   −6     0

Butler Group
Juvencus                        0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0
Anglatia                        0 0 0 0 3 0 2 0 X  5

Southern Democratic States      0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 3  6
Free Republics                  2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0  4


  Butler Group                   Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Southern Democratic States       2    2   0    15    6   +9     6
2 South Yerfilag                   2    2   0    12    7   +5     6
3 Anglatia                         2    1   1     7    5   +2     3
4 Juvencus                         3    1   2     7   17  −10     3
5 Free Republics                   3    0   3    12   18   −6     0

Weinman Group
West Saintland         0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1  3
Islana Lunigo          0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0  2

The DDR of Herp        0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 4  7
Dimetrija              1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0  3


  Weinman Group         Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 West Saintland          3    3   0    16    5  +11     9
2 Maklohi Vai             2    2   0    10    4   +6     6
3 The DDR of Herp         2    1   1     7    9   −2     3
4 Islana Lunigo           2    0   2     3    6   −3     0
5 Dimetrija               3    0   3     9   21  −12     0

[Schiltzberg]

To My Former Favorite Person in the Whole Wide World

You looked at me and frowned.
You don't want me around,
Because there's not one reason you've found
To make you make me want to stay.

Your picture has been lined
With reasons you won't find,
Or maybe that's just in my mind,
Because I just can't go away.

You and I were latched.
For a while, my heart was patched.
Maybe I was too attached;
That's what you told me when you left.

I was too pure for you.
There was nothing I could do
To make our love be true,
And we were splintered like a cleft.

The hour when you went,
I knew our love was spent,
And though I tried hard to repent,
All our love became so vile.

In many years fulfilled,
I believe it that you will
Remember me and our love still,
And you'll think back on it and smile.

---

My ex-girlfriend told me to stop writing about her, and I said no.

[The Derpy Democratic Republic Of Herp]

TDDROH Sports chat



The first win of the Scootalove City Unicorns on Matchday 3 has provoked massive cheering for the new team as fans watched there first win ever,,

[The Serbian Empire]

"What a snore fest!" some mobster exclaimed.

"What cha me?" said Predrag Draganov, another mobster.

"Look at this 4-0 score over Candelli! How are we going to get any bets on them to win a game in group play?" the despondent mobster asked.

"Hey, maybe we should place a bet on over or under for runs scored instead," Predrag suggested.

Another mobster walks into the shadowy bar while Predrag and the anonymous mobster discuss matters.

"Hejduk, what cha doin' with the Keisler Group bookmaking operation? Got any bets on who advances out of group play?" the anonymous one asked.

"Yeah, we've got a 4:3 odds for Super-Llamaland, 5:2 for Jeckland, and 10:1 for Newmanistan. As for the runs scored gambit for game 4, we're putting the over under for West Phoencia runs allowed at 36 at the end of the 4th game," Hejduk responded.

"Good, very good my highwayman!" Predrag responded

Note: Hejduk means highwayman, brigand, or mercenary in many Slavic languages

[Kinzenland]

Nation Shocked As Convicts Win Twice

This was not supposed to happen. The Convicts are supposed to be embarrassed and humiliated in the World Baseball Classic and not be successful! Even defending champion Schiltzberg really failed to deliver such a promised blow to the team. While the Convicts lost 3-1 against them, they were surprisingly and unexpectedly competitive in the game. Schiltzberg seemingly was headed for such a romp, scoring a run in each of the first three innings but would then be shut down, highlighted by the bullpen not even allowing a hit over the final four innings. A 7th inning RBI double by Steve Ankira accounted for the Convicts only run. Manager Chris Bryant stated, “They played with a sense of purpose. They got out of some jams in those first three innings to where even though we gave up a run in each, they started to feel good about themselves that they were able to get someone of the greatest players ever out in clutch situations and limiting the damage.” Bryant also stated that after the tough loss, he treated the team to some locally popular Schiltz Burgers. “They thought they were amazing, but remember, they are used to prison food,” Bryant said.

Then the unthinkable happened at home for the second game. With a sold out crowd ready to watch the Convicts be defeated by Hicanans In Exile. However not only did the Convicts win, they played a damn good game, shutting out the opponents by the score of 5-0. Eric Lawrence tossed the complete game shut out, allowing only four hits and striking out nine in the win. A two-run home run in the first by Garrett Nicholls put the Convicts up and immediately started to ruin the day of the home fans who wanted to see the team get spanked. We tried to get comments from Lawrence and Nicholls about the game, but the team is still kept off limits from the media, so we are only able to get comments from the manager. Chris Bryant said of the win, “They were very eager to play this game at home, they knew people would be rooting against them but I have to say they were pretty good. You know with the Schiltzberg game, they have now gone 12 innings without giving up a run.”

Anyone who may have thought that win was a fluke was stunned in the third game as the Convicts were again victorious, defeating a team that had some rank associated with it. The nation of Sandberg quickly ended the Convicts scoreless innings streak in the first, and would lead 3-0 after two. Somehow, the momentum would shift and a three run fifth inning, thanks to a bases clearing two-out, three-run double by Steve Ankira meant that Kinzenland had a 4-3 lead. They would tag on another in the sixth, and hang on late for a 5-4 victory. About this win, Chris Bryant told us, “As their manager, I should not sit here and be surprised, but they really did act like a baseball team there. When they fell behind, they kept talking about what happened against Schiltzberg and how they contained them eventually and they felt that could make a comeback. They are very excited, two of them are now going to be free and maybe that is making people quite nervous, but there is a feeling now with the team that more and more of them could become freed as well if they keep playing like this.”

[Nova Anglicana]

Sports Columnist Allen Talos, 91, Passes Away

Heard on Morning Update

Michael Jennings

Jonathan Gregson, Host:

91 year-old sports columnist Allen Talos has passed away after a year-long battle with cancer. Talos was a longtime writer for the Londinium Courier, where he followed the Lions baseball team over many years. NAPR's Michael Jennings has more.

Michael Jennings, Reporter:

Allen Talos was the elder statesman of Nova Anglican sports, writing a baseball column for over twenty-five years, many times about the Nova Anglican national baseball team. His columns had an air of gravitas about them, and even his critics acknowledged that his writing was valuable.
His Sunday baseball column was a fixture in the Londinium Courier and many other newspapers, and his write-ups of individual games were widely shared as well.

It wasn't just business, though. Talos had a personal relationship with the national team. He accompanied the team to many games in far-off nations and spent almost as much time in the locker room as he did in the press box, as former national team manager Graig Lowman says.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

Graig Lowman, former national baseball team manager:

Allen was a guy that everybody liked. I liked him 'cause he was a crusty old guy like myself, but he just got along with the players so well, no matter who it was. Chatterboxes like Jarrod Novak, strong silent types like Kareem Al-Aniz, young bucks like Nate Freeman, and old guys like Eddy Cavazos. I'm sad to see him go.


Michael Jennings, Reporter:

Talos was present for both the highs and lows of the national baseball team. The deep playoff runs and the embarrassing flameouts, he wrote about all of them, and the nation was there with him. Talos developed pancreatic cancer last year, but he never complained about it, saying he'd lived a rich and full life and refusing all treatment except palliative care. Talos is survived by his wife, Linda, his three children Christopher, Eugenia, and John, and his eleven grandchildren. The Londinium Courier has given no indication of who, if anyone, will take over Talos' baseball column. For NAPR, I'm Michael Jennings in Londinium.

Jonathan Gregson, Host:

You're listening to Nova Anglicana Public Radio. This is Morning Update.

[Newmanistan]

THE ROCKET REPORT

ROCKETS RETURN TO THE CLASSIC

When the news hit several months ago that the Empire was making a planned return trip to the World Baseball Classic, it seemed to good to be true for many. That became especially true when the Empire bid to host the tournament, and was ultimately awarded the competition by the Council. There was still a sense of needing to see the team out there on the field to actually believe this was happening. There were many that made the trip to West Phoencia for the opener as there was no reason to wait for the first official home qualifying game. Michael McMullin, a professional Lamp Maker from Eastport was one of those who made the trip to the NeoConfederate States Of America to play the nation that has utilized the secret roster technique thus far. “It is an interesting country,” said McMullin, “and that’s what makes these tournaments fun because some of these countries we would never go to or even think about if it was not for interregional sports. I would never want to live here, though.” We were indeed shocked when a source (don’t know if true or not) says that the country has a tax rate eight times higher then ours, and even taxes the wealthy even more then that. Ouch! There is so much disparity out there between the nations that we will travel too, some that have very unique, and perhaps strange cultures, and it is exciting to be able to compete against them. In the case of West Phoencia, we can’t deny this is the type of nation that we like to be successful against.

It did not take long for Newmanistan to be successful in the game either, after putting up a six-spot in the second. Mallory Harris led off the inning with a solo HR to left, earning her the distinction of being the first batter to get a hit, score a run, and hit a home run since our return, all with one swing of the bat. “It looked to be a hanging slider,” Harris said, “That’s what happens when you give me a hanging slider.” A series of singles and doubles followed during the inning that saw Newmanistan jump out to the 6-0 lead. In the 4th, Harris again led things off, and this time doubled down the left field line, and would later score on a sac fly to extend the lead to a touchdown. More fireworks took place in the fifth, when Brittany Morgan connected for a three run blast after the leadoff antics of Hannah Bates and Lexi Alcorn seemed to mess with the opposing reliever. From there, it was 10-1, and Newmanistan was on its way to the 12-2 destruction of the home nation. Starting pitcher Courtney Duvall went the distance, allowing just one earned run (two total), and striking out twelve. Following the win, Duvall told the media, “They looked at me and went down, strike threes all around. Just one earned run they had found, against me I have to say, they just hate to play.” In the end, it is a scoreline very much reminiscent of our glory days, so maybe we were just going to pick up right where we left off.

The scene at Tundra Falls Proving Grounds was amazing. The football team had already been here and can claim that they had the first game here since the return, which proved to be a win against the nation of Qasden. Now, it was time to play baseball, and a critical opponent lay in the wake for the Rockets. Jeckland. Who are these guys? Well, we don’t really know who they are as they are also utilizing the secret roster technique, but they are the second seed in the group, ranked 15th in the World. They have been to the finals of the Classic twice, getting beaten by Super-Llamaland both times. In order to continue playing in Newmanistan after qualifying, the Rockets are going to have to finish in the top two somehow, and they have to deal with both Super-Llamaland and Jeckland. Not to worry, though, right? West Phoencia is the group’s third seed, and they just got rocke(te)d. The Spirits would look over the Rockets and make sure there was no way they would lose to Jeckland. So, they went on to lose to Jeckland, falling 3-1 and being held off the scoreboard until the ninth. Is this where we use the old cliche of “the game is a wake up call?” Seems appropriate.

Fortunately, qualifying is a lot different now, and there are five (yes, five) more games against Jeckland. In total, qualifying is a 24-game affair, making the occasional loss something that the team should overcome, and it is not as if losing to Jeckland just freed some nation’s most demented criminal. In time, and perhaps when the unexplained phenomenon of media coverage seeming to directly correlate with a teams success. Upcoming, the Rockets will be on the road against Outworld then have back to back home games against Super-Llamaland and West Phoencia. Starting pitchers are Kaitlyn Carroll, Lauren Visconti, and Tara McIntyre, respectively. It’s a stretch where winning two out of three would be acceptable, but the team wants to make it clear that they do not fear Super-Llamaland. Outfielder Hannah Bates said of the Tigers, “Yeah, they’re good. That’s nothing that anyone is confused about. But they’re coming to the Proving Grounds, and we’re not about to lose our first two home games. We will do whatever it takes to win!”

We close this article up on a sad note. Legendary sports writer Allen Talos of Nova Anglicana passed away following a year-long battle with cancer. He was a regular fixture covering his nations’ baseball team as well as many other national baseball events at home. All of us at the Rocket Report express our deepest condolences to his family and his many friends. He was 91.

[Southern Democratic States]

The Southern Bears starts the WBC with two wins!

The Southerners demolished Juvencus 9-2 at a sold out Houser Stadium in Waddington, Wabash. Tyler Floyd was the starting pitcher for the Southerners and Starting Pitcher #1 started for Juvencus. Both teams were scoreless in the first inning and in the top 2nd inning, Right Fielder got a walk and then 1st baseman hitted a two runs homerun. Juvencus were leading 2-0. Jared Hanson started at bat in the bottom 3rd inning and hitted a single. Then, Randall Worth was safe at the first base on fielder's choice. They tried a double play but Worth was just too fast. While Mary Jane Castro was at bat, Randall Worth stole the 2nd base. Mary Jane Castro hitted a double and Randall Worth scored. Nate O'Flaherty flied out. Travis Layne walked. Tyson Lindsey hitted a double, Castro and Layne both scored. Nick Riefenhauser hitted a 2 runs homerun. Juvencus pulled Starting Pitcher #1 and Long Relieve Pitcher came in to pitch. On his first throw, Wilton Jimenez hits a double. Then, Noah Murphy hits a single and Jimenez scores from the 2nd base. Jared Hanson follows with a fly out. The Southerners scored 6 points in the 3rd inning and took a 6-2 lead. Juvencus didn't score in the top 4th inning and in the bottom 4th inning, Randall Worth came in at bat and was grounded out. Mary Jane Castro hits a single. Nate O'Flaherty hits a double, Castro advances to the 3rd base. Travis Layne hits a double, both Castro and O'Flaherty scored. Tyson Lindsey walked. Nick Riefenhauser hits a single, Layne scored and Lindsey advances to the 3rd base. Long Relieve Pitcher was pulled and The Other Long Relieve Pitcher came in to throw. Wilton Jimenez hitted in a double play to end the inning and it was now 9-2 for the Southerners and it was the final score. Tyler Floyd threw 8 innings and allowed 3 hits and 2 runs. He striked out 11 batters. Starting Pitcher #1 threw 2 and 2/3 innnings, he allowed 6 hits and 5 runs. He striked out 2 batters. Nick Riefenhauser was 2/5 with one run, three RBIs and one homerun.

The Bears had a bye on the 2nd day and they travelled to the Free Republics on the next day. Free Republics didn't release the guide for the media which would include their roster, neither online, in a paper version or in morse code. Alejandro Gonzalez and Starting Pitcher #3 were the starting pitchers. Free Republics scored 2 runs in the 1st inning to take a 2-0 lead. In the top 3 inning, Jared Hanson hits a single. Alejandro Gonzalez strikes out. Randall Worth hits a double, Hanson advances to the 3rd base. Mary Jane Castro hits a sacrifice fly, Hanson scores and Worth advances to the 3rd base. Nate O'Flaherty hits a single and Worth scores. Travis Layne flied out. The score was tied at 2-2 after the top 3rd inning. In the top 6th inning, Travis Layne hitted a solo homerun and the Southerners took the lead 3-2. In the bottom 7th inning, Free Republics scored two more points and took a 4-3 lead. Alejandro Gonzalez was pulled out after the 7th inning. Closer came in to throw for Free Republic at the top 9th inning with a 4-3 lead. Travis Layne starts at bat and hits a double. Nick Riefenhauser walks. Wilton Jimenez is safe at 1st base on fielder's choice, Layne advances to the 3rd base and Riefenhauser is out at 2nd base. Noah Murphy hits a single, Layne scores and the game is tied, Jimenez advances at the 2nd base. Jared Hanson strikes out. Pinch hitter Pedro Castillo comes at bat in place of relief pitcher Sam Bourgeois. Pedro Castillo hits a double, Jimenez and Murphy both scores. Closer is pulled out and Some Relief Pitcher comes in for Free Republics. Randall Worth is flied out to finish the inning. The Southern Democratic States are leading 6-4. Closer Jarrod Finnegan came in to throw for the Southerners and striked out 2 batters to get the save. Alejandro Gonzalez threw 7 and 2/3 innings, allowed 7 hits and 4 runs and striked out 6 batters. He didn't got the win, Sam Bourgeois was the winning pitcher and Jarrod Finnegan gets a save. Starting Pitcher #3 threw 7 innings, allowed 5 hits and 3 runs. He striked out 7 batters. Closer allowed 3 runs in 2/3 inning and was the losing pitcher with a blown save.

Game 3 (on matchday 4) will be played at World Life Park in Los Osos against Anglatia. Amber Thomas will be the starting pitcher. Game 4 on matchday 5 is on the road against South Yerfilag, Justin Loup will throw. And finally, game 5 against Juvencus will be on the road too. Rusty Castillo, 22 years old, will be the starting pitcher. The Southerners are currently 1st in Butler group, tied with South Yerfilag.

[Anglatia]

Maree Rouge

Chapter One

Chapter Two: Easier Said Than Done

“So let me get this straight,” said the middle aged man that was sitting across from Marcie Chapin, at Alery University. He was a professor there, but they weren’t there to talk school; they were talking to each other because Marcie knew that her professor had been one of the organizers in the Democratic Forces of Patierre before they folded, and she also knew he was very active in the socialist community in the school. “You want me to help you rebuild an organization that’s now known by Imperial Intelligence as a terror group, so you can start a rebellion using whatever equipment we can find against a professional military with planes, tanks, the latest weapons, and an actual navy? You know I don’t mind taking risks… But this is hard to accept, even for me.”

Marcie didn’t know how to reply, and she nervously put a hand in her hair and began smoothing it out. After a few moments, she found her words. “I’m not asking for you to rebuild the DFP, I’m asking for something new. The fault of the DFP was that it wasn’t big and diverse enough. It was basically a group of socialists and ex military men who wanted to fight back against Anglatia. If we gather from other groups, we can get enough people together to get the ball rolling on a popular uprising. It worked for the right wing in Nordskania, why can’t it work for the left wing over here in Patierre?”

Professor Claudio chuckled, folding his arms and sitting back in the leather chair behind his desk. “Well, what groups are you planning on bringing in? And that still doesn’t answer the question of how we can go toe to toe with a real army. The DFP couldn’t, and they had real military equipment and a lot of their men had army training. You’d be pulling together a collection of amateurs and equipment would be scarce.”

“I want to draw in everyone who doesn’t have a place in the Empire of Anglatia. The Muslims. The labor union workers. Anyone on the far left, from socialists like myself to flat out communists,” Marcie explained. “There’s also fringe religious groups that don’t feel welcome in a crown colony, atheists that might join us because they don’t like the influence of the church, left wing nationalists who would rather not see us lose control of our own laws, and people with military ties who lost friends and families to the invading army. I haven’t sorted the equipment part, but I thought you could help with that if we decide that I’ll manage the people side of the operation.”

Silence filled the room. “Yeah. You’re right. We can get people to join, but winning against the Imperial military is going to be a far harder task. You know what you’re getting into, right? I used to be high up in the DFP and I know what’s involved. The supply side of things is much harder than it sounds on paper. The Imperials devastated our supply lines and our units ended up having to scavenge to find what they needed. That was when we had military equipment. Now, everything has been seized by the Imperial Security Forces. They have the tanks and planes locked down, they sunk most of the ships, and even the highest ranking officials from the old military are locked away just like their equipment is. If you want any chance of victory, you have to free some of that equipment early on. It’s easier said than done.”

“I know that. But I’m planning on not making this into a traditional military. We have to win through subversion, not through battles. And then we can spark the uprising we’ve all been waiting for. I just need your help organizing things better while I take on recruiting and convince others to join us.”

“We’ll see, Marcie. I’ll have to talk to some friends. Organizing a movement like what you propose isn’t a one man job, and if we want to get it beyond the city borders, we’re going to need regional leaders in Saint Rainier and Syhaux and any other place that you want to set up in. We’ve got a slight advantage in that Alery is less fortified by our enemies than the capital or the other large cities, but that only makes it harder for us to expand there,” said Professor Claudio. “Do you already have anyone else working with you, or is this a solo project of yours?”

“Evan Aubin. You know him, he’s a student around here, too. We also got Clovis Decuir on board. I don’t know if you know him, but he fought with the DFP. I’m not sure, but I might be able to use my sister, Alexa, to get information out of the country and to some places that might be more sympathetic. She’s in Anglatia, so if she agrees to help me, she can act as my messenger across the sea,” said Marcie, and then she stopped to think of more names. The truth was, it was a short list of people who were willing to help. “There’s also Jerome Desforges. He’s a friend I know, and he’s going to college in Saint Rainier. He can help us set up there. Uh… That’s it. We were going to make Clovis the head of tactics and me and Evan were going to work in personnel. Jerome could manage the group in Saint Rainier and recruit his own people to run the branch down there.”

“Stop right there. I have a group of people you may want to align yourselves with. They’re from here, actually. Their leader isn’t in your classes, but comes to me to talk sometimes. They’re far from the DFP, and they have an image that you’ll either love or you’ll hate. Are you familiar with the Gold Hand and their members?”

Marcie shook her head. “Can’t say that I am. I’ve heard the name, but I don’t really know what they do. What’s their ideology and how can they help us?”

“Extreme left wing. Most of them are revolutionary socialists, which is why I’m surprised you haven’t heard of them. They’ve also got a lot of feminism mixed into their ideology, and sometimes they work with anarcho-syndicalists. Before the invasion, they were a group of thieves that stole from those who weren’t leftist enough, and they also vandalized buildings and intimidated political rivals in a pretty unique brand of activism,” said Claudio. “They wear black everywhere, mask their faces, and right now, they use intimidation tactics against anyone who might not mind the Imperial colonizers. They’ve been trying to subvert the occupation since it arrived, and I hear they’re planning something big in Saint Rainier.”

Marcie smiled, even if the smile was small and slight. “Sounds like my kind of people. Where can me and Evan go to talk with them? Do they have a phone number, or are they the old school types that prefer talking face to face?”

“Face to face is a big thing for them,” Claudio said, and then he tore off a sheet of paper from a notebook and started writing down a location and some other stuff. “Here’s the place just outside campus where some of them stay and where they make their plans. They used to have somewhere on campus, but the Imperial occupation closed down too much on this place. Now, they work ten minutes away. The place is a former office that shut down when the Imperials landed. If you decide to head down there, they’re going to make you give them a codeword, which right now, is Firebrand. And make sure to knock on the back door, the front one isn’t used by anyone.”

“Got it. Who will we be looking for?”

“Eshe Al-Hatem and James Vodenicharov. Eshe is the organizer and the stronger personality of the two, James is the one that leads the actual ops when they do something big… Just be careful, Marcie. You’re my best student, and I would hate if something happened to you. When you roll with the Gold Hand, you’re choosing to put yourself in danger at every moment.”

“So why did you recommend that I find them?”

“Because I know Eshe and James, and I know that if anyone is going to help you turn your tinpot rebellion into a real uprising, it will be them. Risk or no risk.”

[Super-Llamaland]

note: this takes place prior to WBC38

TIGERS OUTLAST SCHILTZBERG IN 15-INNING CLASSIC

WBC37 proved an excellent classic for Colin Nittledeen, as the manager went 12-3 in the regular season after Alex Cameron's firing and romped all the way to the finals. But it was still missing something - although the team managed to take two of the first four games against Schiltzberg, they went down in six games.

Nittledeen wanted revenge. Just as importantly, however, he wanted to fine-tune his lineup with a few games against high-quality opposition. Four friendly best-of-3 series against some of the world's best - Maklohi Vai, Nova Anglicana, Ko-oren, and, yes, Schiltzberg - were arranged by the LFA. The first match was held in Tyler Rocke Memorial Stadium in downtown New Llama. Two of the world's best sides facing off in the nation's biggest stadium promised to be a classic. It never came close to disappointing.

Game one saw Nandaozhou flamethrower Justin Zheng face off against Schiltzberg's William McKey. McKey, touted as a workhorse contact pitcher, excelled against the Tigers in the playoffs, and everyone knew he would prove a tough challenge. Sure enough, none of the first six batters managed to get the ball out of the infield. Zheng was dominant, however, striking out five in the first two innings, and Schiltzberg's fans surely knew McKey would have little margin for error.

Against the bottom of the order, though, McKey would be able to breathe a little. At least, that was what they thought. Gudjon Frandsen stepped up first. McKey tried to sneak an inside fastball by the Svenssonfjord outfielder, but Frandsen turned on the pitch and lined a single up the middle. Almost everyone in the park knew that Frandsen would try to steal second next, and the center-fielder delievered. McKey's first pitch to Rinaldi was a high fastball, and Wayne Knox's throw to second was almost perfect. But Frandsen was simply too fast, and slid into second an instant before the tag.

Up next came Hector Rinaldi. McKey's first pitch bounced away from Knox, and Frandsen managed to take third with nobody out. Now a little rattled, McKey attempted to hit the outside corner with a fastball, but the pitch snuck back across the plate and Rinaldi hammered a double into the right-center gap, scoring Frandsen. Zheng bunted foul for strike three and Markus Wright flew out to left, sending Sofia Rasmussen up with Rinaldi on second and two outs.

Rasmussen has worked a two-one count, McKey comes back with the next pitch - lined down the right-field line, will it stay fair? It will! Rinaldi easily sprints home, Rasmussen heading for second. Villegaus tries to stop it, the ball bounces away from him and Rasmussen will turn and go for third! The throw comes in, Daly cuts it off, there won't be a play at third, and catcher Sofia Rasmussen has just tripled in the Tigers' second run!

The next two innings went smoothly - Zheng continued to shut Schiltzberg down, and Nicholas Rousseau's solo shot into right extended his team's lead to three. But the sixth inning proved a more difficult task. Zheng made the mistake of walking the leadoff man Villegaus. Saiz, up next, managed to make contact with a difficult breaking ball and send it up the middle to put runners on first and second. Rutledge struck out on three fastballs, but Wayne Knox proved a tougher test for the ace in multiple ways.

Wayne Knox fouls the shuuto off again, that was the eighth pitch of the at-bat. The ninth pitch is a fastball, high, Knox just able to lay off and it's a full count. Here's the tenth pitch. Zheng leans in, delivers the pitch - Knox lines it - it's off Zheng's glove and bounces towards third base! Danilo barehands it to first - not in time! Wayne Knox loads the bases with an infield single!

Sensing an opportunity, Schiltzberg manager Robert Evans opted to pinch-hit for McKey with outfielder Joe Conway. Zheng's first pitch was lined up the middle, scoring two runs and narrowing the gap to three-two. However, Rasmussen's one-out RBI double and Danilo's run-scoring single once again widened the gap to five-two, and although Schiltzberg tacked another run on Zheng in the seventh, the Tigers found themselves up two runs and needing just six outs to seal the game. It would be Jason Van Dijk to close out the game.

But things didn't exactly go according to plan. Manuel Villegaus, who was quickly becoming a nuisance to the Llamaneans, led off by turning on a hanging slider and sending it 394 feet into left-field to halve the gap. Saiz, another strong power hitter, hit a ground-rule double at nearly an identical angle before Van Dijk walked Rutledge. Knox grounded into a 4-6-3 double play that featured excellent defense from both middle infielders, but a runner on third remained with two outs. Up stepped Conway again. He'd be facing Troy Vasquez, one of the world's best relievers. If Vasquez could get the out, the Tigers would take a one-run lead into the ninth. As it turned out, Conway wouldn't even have to do anything.

Saiz on third with two outs. This is a turning point of the game. Vasquez winds up and delievers - Conway rolls over, rolls a ground ball down the first-base line. Rasmussen comes out, Rousseau in - there's a little bit of a miscommunication, Rousseau snags the ball and flips to first - but Vasquez isn't there yet! The pitcher scoops it up and stomps on the bag, so does Conway - the umpire leans over - Conway is...safe! It's a tie game!

Both teams went down quietly in the ninth, and the Tigers, despite holding multiple three-run leads, went into the tenth inning tied 5-5. They immediately found themselves in another crisis, with a pair of singles and a sacrifice fly putting runners on second and third with one out. Felix Gonzalez came in for fireman Troy Vasquez, but it would be somebody else's turn to save the day:

The outfield playing shallow now with two runners in scoring position. Gonzalez has run a two-and-oh count on Conway here. Saiz on third, Rutledge on second. Things aren't looking good for Super-Llamaland. Here's his third pitch - it's over the plate and Conway launches that ball into right-center field! It's going all the way to the wall! Nobody could possibly get to this - or could Frandsen??? Gudjon Frandsen sprinting back to the wall. He looks up, the ball's headed for over the wall - he leaps and MAKES THE CATCH PRESSED UP AGAINST THE WALL! Saiz makes it back to third, but Rutledge caught out of position - Frandsen throws to second, Wright cuts it off, flips to Rinaldi, it's a double play! The Llamaneans weather a crisis thanks to excellent defending by Gudjon Frandsen!

Still, the Llamanean offense had gone silent, with the team amassing a mere two hits (a Rasmussen double and Rinaldi single) between the eighth and fourteenth innings. It fell to long reliever Felix Gonzalez to keep the team in it, and he performed excellent, tossing three-plus innings and allowing a single hit while striking out five. Martin Sorenson and Henrik Long each added a scoreless inning going into the bottom of the fifteen, and most expected that the game would continue onwards. A combination of Mercado, Barras, and Wilson had shut down the Tigers, with Richard Wilson heading out for a second inning, there was little reason to expect a change.

"Sofia Rasmussen" would've been as good a reason as anything, though. The catcher, in her five at-bats, had amassed two singles, a double, and a triple. A walk-off home run would've completed the second cycle of any Llamanean playing an international, but Rasmussen's fly ball to left bounced off the wall for a leadoff double instead. Still, it seemed to rattle Wilson, who walked Stefan Danilo to put two runners on with nobody out.

Evans thought quickly and brought in closer Doug Miller to shut the threat down. It seemed, at first, an effective move - Miller struck out Tanya Ericsson and Lucien Russo, flaunting his excellent fastball. Up next would be the newcomer, Nicholas Rousseau, with two on, two out, and forty thousand holding their breath.

Miller ran a 0-2 count and came in with a deadly fastball on the outside black. Rousseau turned and smashed it four hundred feet over the right-field fence, putting the cherry on easily the best friendly the team has played.

The two teams will meet next in Schiltzberg to continue the three-game series. It's anyone's guess as to who will win, but taking a one-game advantage certainly never hurt anyone.

Schiltzberg 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 5
Super-Llamaland 0 0 2 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 8
F/15, SLL leads 1-0

Zheng: 7 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 10 K/2 BB, 110 Pitches
Van Dijk: 0.2 IP, 2 ER, 2 H, 0 K/1 BB, 17 Pitches
Vasquez: 1.2 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 2 K/0 BB, 29 Pitches
Gonzalez: 3.2 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 5 K/1 BB, 60 Pitches
Sorenson: 1 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 K/0 BB, 13 Pitches
Long (W, 1-0): 1 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 2 K/0 BB, 17 Pitches

[Frenline Delpha]

Frenlinian Factation

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Article A

12/16/16

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Seven Run First Rockets Anacondas into First
-Parker Tinwit

It's that time of the year. The Anacondas are back in the saddle of another World Baseball Classic, ready to take on all competitors (yes, even Schiltzberg) for a chance at that trophy for their first time ever. And that quest is off to a greta start, as the Anacondas are now 3-0 in their first three games, including a victory over biggest threat The Serbian Empire. They were two andoh when they headed into Oconee, but it seems that momentum carried them over their opposition, as they handily dispatched the Oconee Warriors (OOC: it fits, but I will change it if Oconee posts a roster or tells me to) through a first inning that could charitably be desribed as a blowout.

Before the game, the entire team conversed in the locker room about the previous tournament. Some expressed disappointment about losing so early, others talked of excitement of getting to host and how that may have gotten to their heads. After about thirty minutes of coming to grips with what they wanted from this tournament, the team took the field with gusto. Their energy could be felt up in the stands, which were filled with more Anacondas' fans than Warriors'. After pre-game ceremonies were over, the Anacondas stepped up to the plate, looking to preserve a two and oh record against a team nobody expected to be great. The did that and more on the first hit.

Lain was used to being the lead-off batter: "It jsut feels like who I am now. The team relies on me to get the board started, and I can't let them down. I know its a lot of pressure, but you get used to it after four tournaments." He certainly was ready this time, taking two balls from the Warriors' pitcher before a fastball that stayed over the middle of the plate for far too long was lobbed his was. His eyes focused on the speeding pitch, he took a massive swing, launching the ball deep into right field. As the ball traveled back and back, the crowd leaped to its feet, waiting for the moment the ball would travel beyond the home run fences. After a few seconds,the ball shot into the third row, causing the stadium to erupt in cheer. The Anacondas had only sent upone batter and already had the lead. And they weren't stopping there.

Dredge did indeed hit a measly little pop foul that the catcher easily got under, but his next-up didn't make such a mistake. Sitting on the first pitch he saw, Haman stared down the pitcher, glaring into the enemy's soul. Then, the ball was delivered, as if on a silver platter, to the bottom outside corner, Haman's favorite spot. Getting solid maple on the ball, Haman ran towards first, his coach waving him all the way into second. The throw was nowhere close when he arrived at third, so he remained standing, giving the Anacondas a runner on second. He wouldn't wait very long to find his way home, however. Manteis stepped up to the plate, the aggressive stance that he helped popularize was still as evident as always. After taking a 2-1 count, he would foul off three straight pitches before any action happened. On the very next pitch, Manteis saw something he liked and pounded it through a hole in between the center and right fielders. Haman reached home easily, but Manteis decided to run all the way into third, sliding under the tag, giving the Anacondas a runner on third and a two to nothing lead.

Trifort and Jehosez both singled, giving the Anacondas runners on the corners with a three to nothing safety cushion when Defelt stepped up to take his licks at bat. Two pitches later, the pitcher was staring in disbelief at his glove as Defelt slowly rounded the bases, taunting the pitcher all the way around. The shot had landed 456 feet away in straight-away center field, an impressive feat. After touching home, Defelt rung up the Anacondas' score to an even more crushing 6-0. And the inning wasn't even over. Hector would ground out, leaving the Anaconda's with two outs and a pitcher batting. However, Wilfskin decided that even a pitcher needs to support his own efforts, and he squeazed a single through the infield, placing him on first. Lain would also follow up with his second hit of the inning, a single, and Wilskin would be driven home by another single, this time to right field, hit by Dredge. After scoring seven runs in the first inning of the contest, the Anacondas' inning ended with a strike-out by Haman. Wilfskin would dominate the first inning he pitched, bringing the game into the second, where the Anacondas would score their eigth run on a Defelt double that would drive in Trifort with two outs. Then, the Anacondas would strike again in the fifth inning.

After the past two innings passing uneventfuly, the fifth would see quite interesting action. It all started when Jehosez was walked and Defelt reached first on the throwing error by the third baseman, whose throw went over the second baseman's glove. The next play is one that few who saw it will forget. With no outs, and runners on first and second, Hector hit a ball that traveled very slowly towards the third baseman, who overplayed it, launching the ball over the first baseman's head this time. As soon as this happened, all three runners turned on the jets. However, the right fielder managed to get the ball back and threw it home. However, Jehosez was already sliding into home as the throw arrived. Unfortunately, Defelt overan the third base bag and had to slam on the brakes to get back before the throw arrived. However, the catcher didn't even notice the antics going on at third, as his view was already at second where he had moments ago delivered the ball towards the fielder in wait, who effortlessly tagged out Hector, who was trying to get to second but gambled too much. Seeing all of this, Defelt took off again towards home, but the second baseman noticed him as he placed the tag down on Hector. The catcher got into position, ready to recieve the throw. As he recieved it, he turned his glove to the runner, who he discovered had already passed him and was now heading towards the bench, seemingly giving the Anacondas another run. However, the Warriors' coach noticed that Defelt had never actually touched home and yelled at his cathcer to tag the runner.The umpire signaled that Defelt was indeed out, giving the Anacondas only one run in one of the craziest plays in Anacondas' history.

In the top of the sixth, the Anacondas scored two more runs to inflate their lead even more, making them very comfortable in their bench. Meanwhile, Oconeee seemed to get a little fire in their belly in the bottom of the sixth, but they only managed to get two runs, cutting the Anacondas' lead down to a measly 11-2, and they would never score again. The Anacondas' will play again today, ready to take on another opponent in their quesat for baseball supremacy.

Frenline Delpha         7 1 0  0 1 2  0 0 0    11  17  0
Oconeee                 0 0 0  0 0 2  0 0 0    2   5   3

W: Wilfskin (1-0)   L: Bartneck (0-1)

[Free Republics]

Free Republics National Baseball Team

Manager - Daniel Kroupa
Assistant Manager - Tobias Beich
Bench Coach - Kaleb Golovanov
Batting Coach - Rohan Bruce
Pitching Coach - Iven Rousseau
1st Base Coach - Jaxon Raff
3rd Base Coach - Kis Ormos
Bullpen Coach - Tero Leppaluoto
Coach - Demetrio Mancini
Coach - Vidoslav Vidovic
Coach - Grgur Marinovic
Coach - Niklas Sievinen
Coach - Anton Sidorov
Coach - Adam Faulkner
Coach - Alex Gwendolen
Colors: Blue and White
Demonym: Republican
Trigram: FFR

Roster

Rotation

1 - #17 Jack Fosbery
2 - #79 David Eliasson
3 - #24 Sidney Fluet
4 - #37 Aimone Cremonesi
5 - #19 Zac Gatehouse

Bullpen

CL - #22 Iskander Shcherbakov
SU - #53 James Gonzalez
SU - #58 Gracian Prieto
MR - #52 Petheo Csenger
MR - #92 Ian Voronkov
MR - #97 Raino Kuismanen
MR - #66 Eren Man
MR - #95 Joshua Alexander
MR - #84 Adelmio Greco
MR - #72 Vuk Karlovcec
MR - #11 Dean O'Sullivan
LR - #75 Jayden Farmer
LR - #6 Bricio Badillo
LR - #20 Smiljan Kos
LR - #54 Sebeok Orkeny
LR - #30 Liam Seager
LR - #85 Romualdo Sedillo
MOP - #99 Hans Kjelsrud
MOP - #4 Sammy Hansson
MOP - #5 Anders Lind
MOP - #32 Desire Vallee
MOP - #74 Lucas Schou

Starting Lineup (listed in order)

CF - #89 Ferrau Bergeron
2B - #43 Ethan Joyner
RF - #63 Jakob Elstad
1B - #33 Oskar Bjorgum
DH - #64 Mikey Wood
3B - #7 Peter Maclean
LF - #27 Owen Humphreys
C - #23 Agron Zakrajscek
SS - #78 Hudson MacKillop

Bench

C - #51 Sami Sandstrom
C - #34 Leander Kristiansen
1B - #35 Carl Gregersen
1B - #16 Jouko Valo
2B - #68 Curtis Desroches
2B - #49 Olav Aune
SS - #40 James Fisher
SS - #96 Silvio Piccio
3B - #26 Ivan Smith
3B - #46 Stanislav Andrejew
IF - #9 Fileas Fierro
IF - #82 Darcy Brophy
OF - #10 Bartosz McDonald
OF - #70 Jakob Brandt
OF - #94 Ilkka Julin
OF - #88 Lasse Merikanto
OF - #13 Farouk van Opijnen
OF - #65 Dylan Eliasson
DH - #61 Anthony O'Halloran
UTIL - #90 Dionizij Trajkovska
UTIL - #80 Jonas Adler

Stadiums

MD1, MD13, MD27

Stadium: Nicholls Enterprises Stadium
Stadium Location: Baseton, Amolotopia
Stadium Capacity: 66,487
Distance to Walls: 277 feet to left and right, 366 to center
Stadium Surface: grass

MD3, MD17, MD30

Stadium: RepublicSoft Stadium
Stadium Location: New City, Orlandiana
Stadium Capacity: 42,282
Distance to Walls: 288 feet to left, 292 to right, 384 to center
Stadium Surface: grass

MD7, MD20

Stadium: Kountry Bank Stadium
Stadium Location: Albertope, Roxawa
Stadium Capacity: 83,802
Distance to Walls: 303 feet to left and right, 407 to center
Stadium Surface: RepublicTurf

MD10, MD21

Stadium: BearOil Park
Stadium Location: Petrograd, Plymouth
Stadium Capacity: 48,505
Distance to Walls: 299 feet to left and right, 399 to center
Stadium Surface: BearGrass

MD11, MD23

Stadium: Family Farmers Field
Stadium Location: Mortonsville, Exastrium
Stadium Capacity: 37,809
Distance to Walls: 313 feet to left, 289 to right, 413 to center
Stadium Surface: grass

RP Permissions

My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose my runscorers: Yes (but don't do anything that would be impossible under the rules of the sport)
Choose my lineup: Yes
Follow my pitching rotation: Yes
Godmod scoring events: Yes
RP injuries to my players: Yes
Godmod injuries to my players: Yes
Eject my players: Yes (unlimited)
Godmod other events: Yes
Use DH at home: Yes

[Ethane]

The Turnbull City, Part Six

Part One | Part Two | Part Three | Part Four | Part Five

'The ambulance is on its way.' Edward heard over the phone. 'Stay calm, and stay with me on the phone.' Edward was sat against the wall, taking deep breaths to stay calm, almost entering a panic attack, which is something the operator wanted to avoid. Within 5 minutes, the ambulance was pulling up outside, and the paramedics were rushing in, lifting Edward's dad up onto a stretcher and carrying him outside.

'Son, it's gonna be okay.' the taller paramedic, who appeared to be the driver, said to Edward. 'Do you want to come to the hospital with your dad? We can take you in the ambulance if you wish.' The paramedic paused on the stairs for a few seconds while holding the stretcher, waiting for an answer.

'No. I don't want to go. I want to stay here.' Edward replied, sobbing into his arms. He had thought his Dad was going to focus on him during his birthday, but no. And he hated his Dad for it, and didn't want to see him for the rest of the day.'

'You sure son?' the paramedic said, looking at the boy, sat on the floor, with a confused expression. No one has ever not wanted to go with their Dad to the hospital before, instead preferring to be left behind.

'100%' Edward sobbed. Maybe a few minutes ago, he might have, when the shock had hit him of his Dad's condition, but now, all he felt was hatred towards his father. It was his fault after all. It was his fault that he invited that woman in. It was his fault that he took the drugs. It was his fault that he is in the state he is now, having to be rushed to hospital. The paramedic nodded, rushing down the stairs with Edward's dad on the stretcher, throwing him in the back with his colleague before jumping into the drivers seat, putting on the flashing blue lights and the siren, and racing off down the road to the hospital, where staff would be waiting to treat his father.

Meanwhile, Edward's curiousness got the better of him. He walked down the stairs and grabbed the woman's bag, which she had dropped while running out, and opened it. Inside, he found a few bags and pots of weird substances, things which he had never seen before, and a gun. He stowed the bag away in his room, curious to find out more about what the substances were. Considering the woman's phone contact details were also in the handbag, he assumed it would be relatively easy to find out what they were by speaking to the woman who his Dad talked to. He then went into his fathers room to look at what his father had been doing. As his father had been rushed out by a paramedic, and the strange woman had rushed out, the thing which his father was smoking remained on the floor, where he had dropped it. He noticed it on the floor, and picked it up between his fingers, unsure of what it was. He analysed it, and assumed it was one of his father's cigarettes. He had always been interested as to what the cigarettes were like which his father used, because they were different from the normal cigarettes that he saw, but he had never been allowed near them, as they were always stowed away, locked in cabinet's in his father's room. He had smoked cigarettes before with his friends, but they had never got close to drugs.

He put the cigarette-like thing to his mouth and smoked it, assuming it was a cigarette-like thing. Yet it wasn't. But he enjoyed it. So Edward sat down on the bed and smoked it, relaxing. However, he had not expected the side-effects of it, as he had no idea what he was ssmoking. A quickened heart rate and a sense of depression overcame him, with a sinking feeling and total sadness, almost feeling like he was going to die. He gripped harder on the bed, scared for his life, almost as if something would come from the shadows and kill him. He crawled to the phone, and dialed his friend. 'I'm scared. I'm dying.' and then hung up.

[Newmanistan]

That RP cutoff was so much fun yesterday, I want to do it again! So I am.

Matchday 4:

Sanders Group
Oconeee                 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0  1
The Serbian Empire      0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 X  2

Korizland               0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0  1
Frenline Delpha         0 0 0 4 0 2 0 0 X  6


  Sanders Group          Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Frenline Delpha          4    4   0    32   13  +19    12
2 The Serbian Empire       3    2   1    10    7   +3     6
3 Korizland                3    2   1    10   11   −1     6
4 Candelli                 3    0   3    10   19   −9     0
5 Oconeee                  3    0   3     4   16  −12     0

Keisler Group
Jeckland               0 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 0  4
Super-Llamaland        1 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 X  5

Newmanistan            0 0 0 3 1 0 1 0 0  5
Outworld               0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0  3


  Keisler Group         Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Super-Llamaland         3    3   0    21   13   +8     9
2 Newmanistan             3    2   1    18    8  +10     6
3 Jeckland                3    2   1    14    9   +5     6
4 Outworld                4    1   3    19   24   −5     3
5 West Phoencia           3    0   3    10   28  −18     0

Brasfield Group
Sandberg               0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  1
Schiltzberg            0 0 1 0 1 2 0 0 X  4

Cosumar                2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0  3
Kinzenland             0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0  1


  Brasfield Group       Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Schiltzberg             3    3   0    16    3  +13     9
2 Cosumar                 3    2   1    17   11   +6     6
3 Kinzenland              4    2   2    12   10   +2     6
4 Hicanans In Exile       3    1   2     7   18  −11     3
5 Sandberg                3    0   3     9   19  −10     0

Ratigan Group
-United States Of America      1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0  3
Titovija                       3 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 X  5

Nova Anglicana                 2 0 3 1 0 1 0 0 0  7
Abanhfleft                     0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 1  5


  Ratigan Group                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Nova Anglicana                  3    3   0    19    7  +12     9
2 Abanhfleft                      4    3   1    28   18  +10     9
3 Titovija                        3    2   1    17   16   +1     6
4 United States Of Devonta        3    0   3     8   17   −9     0
5 -United States Of America       3    0   3     5   19  −14     0

Monroe Group
Ethane                 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0
-Anthor-               2 0 0 2 0 0 0 3 X  7

Nagore                 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0  2
Gregoryisgodistan      0 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 X  4


  Monroe Group          Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 -Anthor-                3    3   0    23    9  +14     9
2 Gregoryisgodistan       4    2   2    16   11   +5     6
3 Ethane                  3    2   1     6    9   −3     6
4 Nagore                  3    1   2     9   10   −1     3
5 Turkmenbasyn            3    0   3     7   22  −15     0

Wright Group
Drawkland                       1 0 0 3 1 0 0 2 0  7
Equatorial Zeldean              0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0

Nassau-Hessen                   1 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0  5
Republic Of Rawn                0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  1

  Wright Group                Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Drawkland                     3    3   0    21    9   +12     9
2 Nassau-Hessen                 3    2   1    17    9    +8     6
3 Hrvatska i Prekodunvlje       3    2   1    12   10    +2     6
4 Equatorial Zeldean            3    1   2     3   15   −12     3
5 Republic Of Rawn              4    0   4     8   18   −10     0


Butler Group
Anglatia                        0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3  4
Southern Democratic States      1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0  3

South Yerfilag                  1 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  6
Juvencus                        0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0  1


  Butler Group                   Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 South Yerfilag                   3    3   0    18    8  +10     9
2 Southern Democratic States       3    2   1    18   10   +8     6
3 Anglatia                         3    2   1    11    8   +3     6
4 Juvencus                         4    1   3     8   23  −15     3
5 Free Republics                   3    0   3    12   18   −6     0

Weinman Group
Islana Lunigo          2 0 0 2 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0  7
The DDR of Herp        0 0 0 1 5 0 0 1 0 0 0 1  8

Maklohi Vai            0 0 3 0 1 2 1 0 2  9
West Saintland         0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1  2


  Weinman Group         Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Maklohi Vai             3    3   0    19    6  +13     9
2 West Saintland          4    3   1    18   14   +4     9
3 The DDR of Herp         3    2   1    15   16   −1     6
4 Islana Lunigo           3    0   3    10   14   −4     0
5 Dimetrija               3    0   3     9   21  −12     0

Matchday 5:

Sanders Group
The Serbian Empire      0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1  2
Korizland               1 0 3 1 0 0 1 0 X  6

Candelli                0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  1
Oconeee                 0 1 0 0 0 0 6 0 X  7


  Sanders Group          Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Frenline Delpha          4    4   0    32   13  +19    12
2 Korizland                4    3   1    16   13   +3     9
3 The Serbian Empire       4    2   2    12   13   −1     6
4 Oconeee                  4    1   3    11   17   −6     3
5 Candelli                 4    0   4    11   26  −15     0

Keisler Group
Super-Llamaland        0 0 1 2 1 0 1 0 1  6
Newmanistan            0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0  1

West Phoencia          0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0  1
Jeckland               1 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 X  5


  Keisler Group         Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Super-Llamaland         4    4   0    27   14  +13    12
2 Jeckland                4    3   1    19   10   +9     9
3 Newmanistan             4    2   2    19   14   +5     6
4 Outworld                4    1   3    19   24   −5     3
5 West Phoencia           4    0   4    11   33  −22     0

Brasfield Group
Schiltzberg            0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2  2
Cosumar                1 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 X  5

Hicanans In Exile      1 1 0 4 1 0 1 0 3 11
Sandberg               0 0 0 2 0 1 0 2 0  5


  Brasfield Group       Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Schiltzberg             4    3   1    18    8  +10     9
2 Cosumar                 4    3   1    22   13   +9     9
3 Kinzenland              4    2   2    12   10   +2     6
4 Hicanans In Exile       4    2   2    18   23   −5     6
5 Sandberg                4    0   4    14   30  −16     0

Ratigan Group
Titovija                       0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  2
Nova Anglicana                 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2  3

United States Of Devonta       0 1 4 0 2 0 0 1 0  8
-United States Of America      0 0 2 0 0 2 0 1 0  5


  Ratigan Group                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Nova Anglicana                  4    4   0    22    9  +13    12
2 Abanhfleft                      4    3   1    28   18  +10     9
3 Titovija                        4    2   2    19   19    0     6
4 United States Of Devonta        4    1   3    16   22   −6     3
5 -United States Of America       4    0   4    10   27  −17     0

Monroe Group
-Anthor-               1 0 0 0 4 2 1 0 0  8
Nagore                 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  2

Turkmenbasyn           0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0
Ethane                 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 X  2


  Monroe Group          Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 -Anthor-                4    4   0    31   11  +20    12
2 Ethane                  4    3   1     8    9   −1     9
3 Gregoryisgodistan       4    2   2    16   11   +5     6
4 Nagore                  4    1   3    11   18   −7     3
5 Turkmenbasyn            4    0   4     7   24  −17     0

Wright Group
Equatorial Zeldean              0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0
Nassau-Hessen                   0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 X  1

Hrvatska i Prekodunvlje         0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0
Drawkland                       0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  1

 Wright Group                Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Drawkland                     4    4   0    22    9   +13    12
2 Nassau-Hessen                 4    3   1    18    9    +9     9
3 Hrvatska i Prekodunvlje       4    2   2    12   11    +1     6
4 Equatorial Zeldean            4    1   3     3   16   −13     3
5 Republic Of Rawn              4    0   4     8   18   −10     0

Butler Group
Southern Democratic States      0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0  1
South Yerfilag                  1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 X  3

Free Republics                  0 0 2 0 0 3 1 1 0  7
Anglatia                        0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0  2


  Butler Group                   Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 South Yerfilag                   4    4   0    21    9  +12    12
2 Southern Democratic States       4    2   2    19   13   +6     6
3 Anglatia                         4    2   2    13   15   −2     6
4 Free Republics                   4    1   3    19   20   −1     3
5 Juvencus                         4    1   3     8   23  −15     3

Weinman Group
The DDR of Herp        0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  2
Maklohi Vai            3 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 X  5

Dimetrija              0 1 0 0 0 2 0 1 0  4
Islana Lunigo          0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 2  6


  Weinman Group         Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Maklohi Vai             4    4   0    24    8  +16    12
2 West Saintland          4    3   1    18   14   +4     9
3 The DDR of Herp         4    2   2    17   21   −4     6
4 Islana Lunigo           4    1   3    16   18   −2     3
5 Dimetrija               4    0   4    13   27  −14     0

Matchday 6:

Sanders Group
Candelli                0 1 0 0 0 0 4 0 0  5
Korizland               0 0 5 1 0 0 0 0 X  6

The Serbian Empire      7 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0  8
Frenline Delpha         0 0 0 2 3 0 0 0 0  5


  Sanders Group          Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Frenline Delpha          5    4   1    37   21  +16    12
2 Korizland                5    4   1    22   18   +4    12
3 The Serbian Empire       5    3   2    20   18   +2     9
4 Oconeee                  4    1   3    11   17   −6     3
5 Candelli                 5    0   5    16   32  −16     0

Keisler Group
West Phoencia          0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0  3
Newmanistan            0 0 0 0 0 3 0 4 X  7

Super-Llamaland        2 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 0  6
Outworld               0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1  2


  Keisler Group         Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Super-Llamaland         5    5   0    33   16  +17    15
2 Newmanistan             5    3   2    26   17   +9     9
3 Jeckland                4    3   1    19   10   +9     9
4 Outworld                5    1   4    21   30   −9     3
5 West Phoencia           5    0   5    14   40  −26     0

Brasfield Group
Hicanans In Exile      0 1 0 0 0 0 3 2 3  9
Cosumar                0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 3  6

Schiltzberg            5 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0  7
Kinzenland             0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0  1


  Brasfield Group       Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Schiltzberg             5    4   1    25    9  +16    12
2 Cosumar                 5    3   2    28   22   +6     9
3 Hicanans In Exile       5    3   2    27   29   −2     9
4 Kinzenland              5    2   3    13   17   −4     6
5 Sandberg                4    0   4    14   30  −16     0

Ratigan Group
United States Of Devonta       0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0  1
Nova Anglicana                 0 0 1 2 0 1 1 0 X  5

Titovija                       0 0  0 0 0 0 0 0 1  1
Abanhfleft                     0 0 11 0 0 0 0 2 X 13


  Ratigan Group                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Nova Anglicana                  5    5   0    27   10  +17    15
2 Abanhfleft                      5    4   1    41   19  +22    12
3 Titovija                        5    2   3    20   32  −12     6
4 United States Of Devonta        5    1   4    17   27  −10     3
5 -United States Of America       4    0   4    10   27  −17     0

Monroe Group
Turkmenbasyn           2 0 3 0 0 0 1 0 0  6
Nagore                 1 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 0  4

-Anthor-               0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0  2
Gregoryisgodistan      2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 X  4


  Monroe Group          Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 -Anthor-                5    4   1    33   15  +18    12
2 Gregoryisgodistan       5    3   2    20   13   +7     9
3 Ethane                  4    3   1     8    9   −1     9
4 Nagore                  5    1   4    15   24   −9     3
5 Turkmenbasyn            5    1   4    13   28  −15     3

Wright Group
Hrvatska i Prekodunvlje         0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0  4
Nassau-Hessen                   0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 4  6

Equatorial Zeldean              0 0 0 2 5 0 0 2 0  9
Republic Of Rawn                0 0 0 2 0 0 1 8 X 11

Wright Group                Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Drawkland                     4    4   0    22    9   +13    12
2 Nassau-Hessen                 5    4   1    24   13   +11    12
3 Hrvatska i Prekodunvlje       5    2   3    16   17    -1     6
4 Republic Of Rawn              5    1   4    19   27    −8     3
5 Equatorial Zeldean            5    1   4    12   27   −15     3

Butler Group
Free Republics                  0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  2
South Yerfilag                  2 2 0 1 0 0 2 0 X  7

Southern Democratic States      0 1 3 1 0 5 0 0 1 11
Juvencus                        0 2 0 5 0 0 0 0 0  7


  Butler Group                   Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 South Yerfilag                   5    5   0    28   11  +17    15
2 Southern Democratic States       5    3   2    30   20  +10     9
3 Anglatia                         4    2   2    13   15   −2     6
4 Free Republics                   5    1   4    21   27   −6     3
5 Juvencus                         5    1   4    15   34  −19     3

Weinman Group
Dimetrija              0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0  3
Maklohi Vai            0 0 0 0 1 1 2 0 X  4

The DDR of Herp        0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0
West Saintland         0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 X  3


  Weinman Group         Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Maklohi Vai             5    5   0    28   11  +17    15
2 West Saintland          5    4   1    21   14   +7    12
3 The DDR of Herp         5    2   3    17   24   −7     6
4 Islana Lunigo           4    1   3    16   18   −2     3
5 Dimetrija               5    0   5    16   31  −15     0

[Nova Anglicana]

The players of the Nova Anglican national baseball team are seated in their locker room before their game against Abanhfleft. The door pushes open and Orlando Murray, accompanied by Graig Lowman, walks in. They look at Murray and Lowman, but most are barely able to do so for very long. Their eyes range over the players for a full moment of silence. Then Murray says:

"Well, boys, I suppose you've heard by now. Allen Talos lost his battle with cancer last night."

He looks down. "I didn't know him as well as some of you did, taking over when I did, but he was always a joy to read on Sundays, even if he did annoy the shit out of me sometimes." He pauses. "But anyway, Graig was with him at the end and he's got something to say to you boys."

Graig Lowman clears his throat. "Now, you know I'm not a sentimental man. Those of you who I managed especially. But I was with Allen there in that hospital room, and let me tell you, it was a special moment. We were just chatting about baseball, and all of a sudden, he says to me,"
Lowman stopped for a moment, and his eyes clouded over.

"The last thing he said to me -- 'Graig,' he said - 'I wish I could be with the team one more time. Just one more go-round, one more Classic, just to see if they can win it all. I covered that team for over twenty-five years, and that's the one thing I wish had happened.''

"'Me too', I said, 'me too.'"

"I really do wish we would have won one once. But I suppose that's my fault. I never made quite the right decisions. So Allen says to me,"

'Could you tell the team something? I know I don't have much time left, but could you tell the boys, this Classic, this Classic is the one I want. Tell them to go out there with all they got and win just one for me...'"

Lowman paused for a moment and sniffed. "I told him you boys were doin' your best, getting off to a great start. He said, 'I don't know if I'm going to make it to the end of this one, but if they win it, if they win it, I'll know about it - and I'll be happy.'"

Lowman sniffs once more and appears to wipe a tear from his eye. "All right, that's all I wanted to say. Good luck out there against Abanhfleft today." Lowman walks slowly out of the locker room.

Murray spoke up. "That's why we'll be wearing patches on our uniforms the rest of this Classic. AT, for Allen. That's a mighty heavy charge he's laid on you boys. You sure you're up to it?"

Darrin Werner, the All-Star shortstop, stood up. "You bet your ass we are. Let me tell all of you something. The guy who had the shortstop job before me, Jarrod Novak, some of you remember him, he never won a championship. And he hated it. Every time we were eliminated, he took it hard. This is probably my second-to-last Classic. I don't want to leave my career without a championship either. We are never going to get a better chance to win this thing. We have the best talent in a long time, a great manager, and now we've got the motivation." He claps his hands together. "Now let's get our fucking jerseys on, let's go out there and kick the shit out of Abanhfleft, and let's win this tournament for Allen!"

The players stand up as one, and with renewed energy, begin to get ready for their game.

[The Derpy Democratic Republic Of Herp]

TDDROH Sports chat



The performance of Amalthea Beagle Relief pitcher of the Scootalove City Unicorns on Matchday 4, has earn her the Nicknames 'The Last Unicorn' and 'Princess Leia'.

She has become somewhat of a star for the team with a sizeable fan base being formed.

However, 'The Last Unicorn' seems partly shy and party proud of this fan base.