World Baseball Classic 16: Everything Thread (FINALS)

[Tarrentum]

KrozileBaseballUnderground.ast

Tarrentum has made it to the playoffs with an improvement over last year's ranking - in which they had to win the 15v18 Play-In Series. The Falcons are set to face off against Sarzonia in the Round of 16. If that all sounds familiar, it's becuase the baseball gods have a wicked sense of humour. Just as Quintessence of Dust and Tarrentum were once again in the same group, Tarrentum has to once again face off against the Sarzonian Stars in the Round of 16.

While it's definately a challenge, the Falcons have been playing good ball lately. Especially Dessea Vallena-Favella. I really think she should just be named Ceasarina Dessea - much easier to say. Also, the addition of Norian Ionian as the substitute for Woodrio Tucia was Tiberius Wavi's best move of this whole tournament. While 1 for 4 in three games, Ionian brings the leadership and fielding ability that makes him a great back-up to any of the outfield positions - well, maybe not center field.

So what are we looking at today in the wonderful world of numbers? Run Expectancy!

Run Expectancy (RE) shows the average number of runs scored when in a particular "base/out state." This statistic was developed by Tango, Lichtman and Dolphin in: The Book. So what is a base/out state? The first state would be no runners on and no outs; second state would be no runners on and one out; then no runners on and two outs. The fourth state is then a baserunner of 1B with no outs and so on and so forth. Each of these base/out states has a RE associated with it. For reference, the RE for the first state (described above) is .555. This is also (not coincidentally) the league average for Runs per Inning (amazing isn't it?). The 24th state: bases loaded, 2 outs - has a RE of .815. Which means that the average number of runs scored with the bases loaded and 2 outs is .815. This isn't the percentage of a run scoring but the number - huge difference.

So why does this matter? We're able to see, on average, how many runs we can expect from each hitting situation.

So how does the Falcons' last game against New High Charity 24 pan out? Here is each base/out state where Tarrentum scored a run:

1st Inning: Zappataro on 2B, 1 out RE = .725 (1 run scored)
2nd Inning: Thomas on 1B, 1 out RE = .573 (2 runs scored)
4th Inning: Gradoni on 2B, 2 outs RE = .344 (1 run scored)
5th Inning: Favella on 1B, 1 out RE = .573 (2 runs scored)
7th Inning: Washini on 1B, 2 outs RE = .251 (1 run scored)

So really, when the Falcons scored their runs against NHC, they did so at an above average rate. Now, if we were to take a look at the last QoD v Tarrentum game, we would see below average numbers. Why? Well Tarrentum didn't perform up to the average - they lost so they would have not beat out their majority of run scoring base/out state Run Expectancy numbers. Totally confused? Don't be, it's a fun stat!

The Falcons have a long time off before their game against Sarzonia, so expect a lot of good practices to get underway. I believe that you might be able to sneak past a couple security guards at KSB - not that I condone such an activity. Only if it gets results!
-Judge-n-Jurri

[Sarzonia]

When we last left the Sarzonian baseball team, they were struggling near the middle of the table and were looking like a team on the verge of a breakdown.

They'd just lost their second best pitcher after he got ejected from the team's second match of qualifying. John Morgan only got one batter out before he hit Secristan centrefielder Brian Schuster in retaliation for comments he made about the Stars. Manager Khalil Dennis kicked Morgan off the team in a move that divided the team.

However, Sarzonia began to win and actually won Group 6 with an 11-3 record. Their reward? A rematch with Tarrentum, which this time is one of the two hosts of the current World Baseball Classic. Not only did the Stars begin winning, they did so by solidifying their starting pitching. It has helped the team keep the bullpen rested, and, Dennis said, more effective.

"When we've had to call on our bullpen," Dennis said, "they haven't been overworked. That's made them better and it's let us do the things we've wanted to do all along."

Third baseman Kate Schmidt finished the 14-match group stage with a .327 batting average, adding in four home runs and 11 RBIs. Meanwhile, first baseman Skip Hale continued his hot hand from the Cyanea Series against the Quinniville Conquistadors by hitting .283 with six homers and 18 RBIs. The new starting pitchers, Josh Campbell and lefty Chris Carlton, have also acquitted themselves admirably as they've replaced new pitching coach Ken Sutcliffe and Morgan, respectively.

Now that the Stars will have at least five days to set their rotation for the knockout rounds, Dennis said he would set up his rotation to alternate his two lefty starters with two righthanders.

"Josh will probably go into the bullpen as our long reliever," Dennis said. "We feel confident that he can start if we need him to, but if we're in a situation where we only need four starters, he's going to be the odd man out. It's going to be a big help having two lefthanders in the rotation."

Brad Baxter will start Game 1 against Tarrentum at Dodger Stadium in New Cleethorpes, Quintessence of Dust. Shortstop Chris Spontanelli said the fact they were facing Tarrentum in a Quodite stadium was not necessarily a benefit.

"Quodites are about as obsessed with minutiae of baseball as anyone who isn't from Yafor 2," he said. "We're not like that. I'm sure that's gonna drive them nuts."

[Zwangzug]

Perspective.

Everyone has one. Mason Blitch, his lead jittery off third has one. Aleplow, staring from behind, has one. Pratt, not really needing that big a lead under the circumstances, has one. The umpire has one. You can change the one on your computer, that weird display of the game, move the "camera" angle around however you want, although you're watching on TV now.

Byron Wabble has one. He is the second-tallest member of the Churchma bullpen and also the second-youngest. Long arms, strong arms, nervous eyes tonight. It is the top of the thirteenth.

Work has been hard. You forgot to give one guy his ID card back after he swiped it, and you panicked when you saw he'd left. You gave it to your boss. You feel guilty about that, still--but it's a simple thing, a real thing, something you actually did wrong and in some twisted way, it comforts you. You have enough mistakes of your own to make.

Zwangzug had blown the lead...twice. It was Tiffany Smalls on the mound when Jimmy Odom had smacked that double, Jim Karney driving him in. But they got it right back! Pratt lashed a single, Mercer walked on four pitches, and Ada Throop's single gave the Zebras the lead.

When Gordon Chane came in, it was half save situation, half let's get Smalls out of here. He got two outs, separated by Massa's single (it had seemed like just something else to groan about), but then came Taplin. A misnomer; it wasn't a tap but a blast to center field that tied the game again.

Benjamin Mercer has a perspective. He'd drawn a walk in the top of the ninth, he has a good eye. He is not going to swing if it's not in the strike zone.

It's the Zebras' first extra-inning game this Classic. Eleven innings last time around, of course, and...thirteen when they beat Keisler in the final, tourney 12. Fifteen innings over Liverpool England once. Do they ever play ten-inning games?! Zwangzug: we save the drama for when it's really dramatic. Maybe there's a blog post in there. You decide to write one, and begin thinking back, thinking ahead.

The pitch comes in. You watch the replay later to look at Wabble's face. You're not very good at understanding faces, but you can guess what he might be thinking; it's the top of the thirteenth and I've bleeping loaded the bases, I've got to get out of this somehow because we're running out of players! Nothing malicious. He couldn't afford to be malicious.

Mercer sees it's going to be high and takes. By the time he realizes it's going to be inside, also, it's too late--no malice, no subterfuge on his part either, it's nothing, it's an accident (except you fear it isn't, not for you). He tries to get out of the way but the ball strikes his helmet, bounces down. He crumbles.

It is late, you are transfixed, and time crawls. Mason Blitch is running in, head down, crosses the plate still at a run, and something feels familiar and right deep down. This is who you are. There's a game to be won, after all. Aleplow moving slowly to third, dazed, Pratt speedwalking as if, once she gets there, things will move along. They don't; she stands firmly on the bag as if expecting some hidden ball trick.

Brad Street comes in to pinch run. Meg Hietala takes the field for the bottom half. David Nelson walks the leadoff batter. Part of you feels like you can go on and lose, now, it doesn't matter. You've already clinched, after all. Churchma are still in the fight.

He gets out of it.

Looking back, later, you can't remember why you go outside that night. To talk to people, to talk about the game, to not talk about the game. It is a pleasant night, pretty lights outside, lots of people hanging out, a helicopter flying overhead, a restaurant across the street doing business.

Someone says Avilez was nonresponsive.

Avil--

Marshall Avilez, the voice of the Senators. He lives in the apartment building behind you (right please?), you didn't see him around or anything but you could have, could have gone over, could have at least paid some attention, appreciated, something, there was a bleeping helicopter! A helicopter and you had no idea, didn't notice, worried about your stupid blog or something, now Avilez is going to the hospital and Mercer and

Perspective. You don't get any, that night. Don't, in some thunderbolt moment, realize that it was just one stupid game in one stupid tournament. You don't. You realize who you are, what matters to you, that you will never care, never appreciate, cannot live in the moment.

Sleep is a long time coming.

As now noted in roster, for the Round of 16 series against Lycrabon, Craga bats third in place of Mercer, Turner bats sixth, Blitch bats seventh, and Meg Hietala plays third and bats eighth. Further updates will probably follow if necessary.

[Quintessence of Dust]

RP cutoff for the first game of the play-in series.

[Quintessence of Dust]

Quodite Bracket Play-in Game 1 – Michael VIII v Mossulia @ Raptor Park

Michael VIII          110 000 010 - 3
Mossulia              400 012 00X - 7

Tarrentum Bracket Play-in Game 1 – The Babbage Islands v Grantanata @ Krozile State Ballpark

The Babbage Islands   100 101 000 - 3
Grantanata            202 011 00X - 6

OOC: As a reminder, the DH preference of the team designated as home is used during the playoffs. Tonight and in Game 3 of the play-in series, the higher seeds are designated as home.

With apologies, expect tomorrow's scorination to be delayed be a few hours - but back on track for Sunday.

And I'm sorry to hear about your girlfriend's loss, Lycrabon.

[Tocrowkia]

NordicNation.net

World Baseball Classic 16 coverage

Code: Select all

TEAMS        1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9   R H E
TOC         1 0 1 0 5 1 0 0 0   8 10 0
PER         0 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 0   4 6 0


WIN:
Tommy Thunder (2-1)
HRs:
Dmitry Rykov 1 (4)

Tommy Thunder got his second win of the classic, even though his performance wasn't exactly as stellar as Nordics fans are used to. On the other side of the ball though, Dmitry Rykov had a tremendous game as he became the second player in team history to bat for the cycle. After a Johnny Stryker walk in the first, he drove one into the gap and hustled around to third for an RBI triple. In the third, he added an RBI double to the list. And in the 4th? A grand slam homerun. He added a single very let in the game, and the Nordics chalked up another win.

Code: Select all

TEAMS        1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9   R H E
EVA         0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2   3 5 0
TOC         2 0 1 0 2 0 1 0 0   6 9 0


WIN:
Alexandria Dassow (3-0)
HRs:
Michael Hammer 1 (5)

Man, the first inning run stuff is great huh? Well this time they came off a Johnny Stryker two run double after Kitten Dyfuse and Adam Marksworth singles! Alexandria Dassow had another solid performance as well, going the distance again for a complete game victory! Kevin Monrie had an RBI double in the third, and Michael Hammer had a two run shot to left field. Dassow finished the night with three earned runs, eight strikeouts and a walk.

Code: Select all

TEAMS        1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9   R H E
TOC         0 0 1 1 0 3 0 0 1   6 0 3
EVA         1 3 0 1 0 1 1 2 0   9 11 0


LOSS:
Sofie Behm (1-2)

Another pour outing from Sofie Behm and errors by Michael Hammer, Kitten Dyfuse, and Jill Haviland sunk the Noridcs in YET ANOTHER HIGH SCORING GAME!!! Having already secured a play-off berth however, the loss only hurts Nordic Pride. Still, there have been rumors Behm may be pulled from the rotation before the play-offs. Either way, the first round is against a familiar opponent in Qazox!

[Quintessence of Dust]

As noted, a slightly delayed cutoff for the second game of the play-in series.

[Quintessence of Dust]

Quodite Bracket Play-in Game 1 – Mossulia v Michael VIII @ Dodger (Not That One) Stadium

Mossulia              100 100 013 - 6
Michael VIII          000 100 000 - 1

Mossulia wins the series 2-0 and progresses to the Round of 16, where they will play Cassadaigua.

Tarrentum Bracket Play-in Game 2 - Grantanata v The Babbage Islands @ Apolln City Field

Grantanata            000 001 000 - 1
The Babbage Islands   103 114 00X - 10

With the series tied at 1-1, Game 3 will be played tomorrow, but expect scorination to be significantly delayed and drunk, unless I have a rotten night in which case just expect scorination to be grumpy and drunk. As the day after is an off day, I do not expect this to be an issue.

[Tocrowkia]

NordicNation.net

World Baseball Classic 16 coverage

The Nordics in WBC 16 are a team that is making it's eighth straight play-off appearance, a team that has won a world title not too long ago, and a team that has been one of the elite and respected in the entire baseball world. And yet they are also a team with alot of question marks in the future, as several retirements loom. Perhaps most notably, former team captain Jill Haviland announced it would be her last year. "It's been great. The highlight of my baseball career, and really my life. But it's time to hang em' up and move on with my life. I'm slowing down, and really I'm helping the team out too."

Haviland's retirement is but one as several, as mentioned before. Tommy Thunder said he won't be returning for the next Classic, and that the next MLBF season will be his last. As as Amber Tavern, and Jamie Von Tipker to name a few. Matthew Shaporio, whoms career has been rapidly declining in the domestic league, may not return either. No matter what happen, the Nordics will look very different in the next WBC. But for now? Three things need to happen for the Nordics to make a return to the finals:

1)The starting pitching needs to return to form
2)The team needs to be able to put series away when in commanding positions. For several WBCs in a row, the Nordics have gained leads in series and lost critical games.
3)And they need to shake off the massive amount of pressure they must be feeling from the afore mentioned past debacles.

Here's hoping.

[Mossulia]

Mossulia Echo

Play-ins start

So it has begun for Mossulia. We have managed to over come a gruelling group stage and made it through only on the last day with a crucial win over Mantwenic. The game was tight and both teams were very, very nervous. In the end we pulled off a 6-2 win to take not just the victory, but the third place position.

Now we have Michael VIII in the play-ins. We have already played one game in the play-ins and in it we managed to get a victory 7-3. It was a clean win for Mossulia and they are hoping to repeat this for as long as possible. The manager is still confident that we will make it to the round of 16, "The hope is that we will win this and then pull a shock off in the next round!" he said.

The game started well for us with us taking a 4-1 lead over Michael VIII. Then next two innings saw little happen and Mossulia were being caught up a little bit leaving it 4-2. The fifth innings saw nothing happen which pleased the pitchers. The sixth and seventh innings saw Mossulia make three run and take their lead to 7-2. The final 3 innings saw Mossulia score no runs, but only play 2 innings. The other side scored one run, but it wasn't enough.

[Quintessence of Dust]

rp cutoff.

[Quintessence of Dust]

The Babbage Islands   000 010 100 - 2
Grantanata            000 000 201 - 3

[Qazox]

QOXSports.com/WBC 16 Coverage

Pheonix to take on a very familar foe in playoffs.

Tocrowkia and Qazox aren't the biggest rivalry in baseball. But it's beginning to become one. WHy? Almost every game between the two teams have been meaningful. The first time the two teams met was way back at WBC 8 in the group stages, when Qazox swept the 2 meetings there, and once again in the playoffs, as Qazox stormed their way to their 2nd WBC title.

4 years later, Qazox edged out the Nordics in the group stage to advance to the final, winning thier 3rd, and as of yet final title. At WBC 10, Qazox was upset in the quarters, while Tocrowkia took home 3rd place for the 2nd consecutive tourney but they did not face each other. The Nordics took home the WBC11 title, but once again the two teams would not meet. In wasn't until WBC 13 that the 2 teams met again, when the Nordics finally broke through vs. the Pheonix by sweeping the Round of 16 matchup between the two in SaxerVilla.

At WBC 14, Tocrowkia swept the 2 group stage meetings, bringing the all time series to 5-4 Qazox. But once again at WBC 15, the Nordics swept Qazox in the playoffs, earning their 6th straight victory in the series and now putting the pressure on Qazox to reverse the Nordic Curse.

Meeting for the 3rd consecutive WBC, Qazox seeks to at least beat the Nordics for the first time in almost 36 years. (ooc: I use a 4-yr WBC schedule) But once again, Qazox is an underdog, and underdogs don't fare great in the WBC Tocrowkia takes the series in 3, but Qazox fights them to the death in game 3 in an extra-inning thriller.

OUR PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS winners in bold
#1 Newmanistan v #16 Grantanata 2-0
#8 Western cuba v #9 Yafor 2 2-1
#5 Sarzonia v #12 Tarrentum 2-1
#4 Tocrowkia v #13 Qazox 2-1
#2 Cassadaigua v #15 Mossulia 2-0
#7 Secristan v #10 Milchama 2-1
#6 Zwangzug v #11 Lycrabon 2-1
#3 Quintessence of Dust v #14 Peace Republic 2-0

#1 Newmanistan v. #8 Western cuba 2-1
#4 Tocrowkia v. #12 Tarrentum 2-1
#2 Cassadaigua v. #10 Milchama 2-0
#3 Quintessence of Dust v. #6 Zwangzug 2-1

#1 Newmanistan v. #12 Tarrentum 2-1
#2 Cassadaigua v. #6 Zwangzug 2-1

3rd place: #12 Tarrentum v. #2 Cassadaigua 2-1

Championship: #1 Newmanistan v. #6 Zwangzug 3-1

That's right, the Zebras take home another title. They've been under everyone's radar and they've been there before. And we don't want Newmansitan to take a 4th title...not before we do.

[Cassadaigua]

Jennifer’s Space

It’s funny. In my last blog, my first sentence was if you miss a few days, it can seem as though you have missed a lot, and now it is almost anything but. As you know, we are awaiting the results of the play-in round to determine our next opponent, something that recently became decided as Mossulia knocked Michael VII out in two games. Now, we know who to scout, and believe me, our staff here is working on that as we speak. We are enjoying our time in Quintessence of Dust, even though it seemed as there were a lot of hotel parties in different rooms here as we wait it out. The stench of alcohol certainly reaked in all of the hallways, but we all did the best we could to stay away from it and were not part of the problem. Hopefully, they had a good time, or else they might be grumpy, and no one wants that. We are treated pretty well here, based on the success of our hockey team, and I know that some people are asking where Meghan Stafford is. Sorry guys, wrong sport.

We are now a well-rested and healthy bunch, and prepared for Mossulia. We will go back to the top of our rotation for the series, which means Samantha Thatcher gets the opener. She’s been pitching well for us ever since we began this Classic, and she was excited about the start, saying she can’t remember the last time she had so much rest between starts for the national team. It will be like that for all of our pitchers, Brianna Bates in Game 2, and if we need it, Marissa Leahey in the third game. The bullpen is nice and fresh as well, and all our starting lineup hitters are feeling good. If you have been reading Shannon Myers World Cup blog, she’s recently brought up the fact that Cassadaigua needs a new nickname, to the tune of Princesses or Mystical Unicorns. Something that shows we are more of a feminine nation. I was going to suggest Angels, and I think that does work for our baseball team. Though the soccer, hockey, and football teams would probably say no. Shannon liked the suggestion of the Vixens, of which I kind of like, but I still like Angels better; for us anyway.

[Quintessence of Dust]

RP cutoff for the Round of 16.

[Quintessence of Dust]

Here are the scores; sorry for the delay, there was a slight confusion as to was scorinating tonight.

Grantanata            001 200 000 - 3
Newmanistan           101 410 00X - 7

Yafor 2               000 000 210 - 3
Western cuba          000 000 000 - 0

Tarrentum             010 010 200 - 4
Sarzonia              112 000 10X - 5

Qazox                 010 002 100 - 4
Tocrowkia             100 112 00X - 5

Mossulia              000 000 200 - 2
Cassadaigua           100 311 00X - 6

Milchama              000 000 000 - 0
Secristan             000 330 02X - 8

Lycrabon              030 000 002 - 5
Zwangzug              121 000 20X - 6

Peace Republic        000 000 000 - 0
Quintessence of Dust  128 010 02X - 14

[Zwangzug]

Marshall Avilez' wife goes to visit him in the hospital and contracts pneumonia. She is already recovering by the time the round of 16 begins, though. You don't go on FanGaffes during the play-in series, and hardly touch your computer at all. Turns out Avilez had some like tiny stroke thing, the same thing one of your pastors had a few years ago. He'd gotten better, Avilez is on the mend too.

Bruce Keigenbey just punches this double to right field in Dodger Stadium. The TV announcers remind you once in a while that it is not that one. You don't know what one that one is. Anyway Pratt scores and the Zebras take the lead. The next half-inning, though, the Blue Jays get to Vaughan. Kramer, Maynard, Mayo--each batting from the right against him, each notching a hit. Tom Benson is up next, mercifully, and he grounds to Blitch, who has to turn two, but Maynard comes in. But then it's Thompson who sends Pratt to the wall. It falls beyond her reach, and Benson scores.

That one of your pastors had. You're a person of faith, like n% of your compatriots, where n is retconned through the years, speculated about (but not in public). You've been doing a lot of praying these last few days; for the Avilezes, for Mercer, for the people who are really hurting. And you've been giving thanks for the blessings you do have.

Turner draws a walk to lead off the second. Blitch singles, though Hietala weakly grounds into a force out. Vaughan strikes out, but Janet Aleplow sends this high ball deep into the outfield. It takes a long time to come down; Turner streaks in and Blitch beats a strong cutoff from Chad Price.

Lewis Cadden played for the Panthers, though not particularly well, and was not renowned for his abilities. If he was renowned, it was for being a bit...fundamentalist. Being outspoken about one's beliefs, all well and good, but claiming that God helped him win games? Come on, God doesn't play sides. And you, for one, would never pray about the result of a game. If a player--on either team--was injured, that's one thing, but the result? Your fandom is no more important than the guy's rooting for the other team, not to God.

The Zebras add one more in the bottom of the fourth, and get a couple more in the bottom of the seventh. Jonathan Craga (why don't you know more about this guy?) gets this beautiful double, and Keigenbey hits a two-run homer.

What's maybe going on, it's not about religion. It's about something else.

Top of the ninth. They're up by three, not a particularly tough save necessarily, but in comes Gordon Chane. He gets Maynard, but Mayo (now, of course, batting left-handed also. Why do they do that? You've got to look that up, maybe you should know) gets a hit. And Andrew Garrett, pinch-hitting (man, they've got a big bench, what kind of a bullpen--) gets another. Thompson, bleep him, gets a sacrifice fly; two away but now it's second and third. Short, who isn't particularly in either sense, lines another single and two runs come in. Who've they got up in the bullpen? You keep expecting them to cut to...um, well, really there isn't anyone you particularly want them to cut to. (The starters have had extra rest. Couldn't they come in? Anything but this bullpen.)

But Tyson flies out. Zebras take game one.

[Qazox]

QOXSports.com/WBC 16 Coverage

Qazox     010 002 100 - 4
Tocrowkia 100 112 00X - 5

Qazox should have won Game 1 vs. the Nordics. They would have if they could have kept from grounding into 6 double-plays. In the 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 8th and 9th innings, Qazox had the lead-off batter reach base, and 5 of those times the Nordics turned a 6-4-3 double play, and the other time was a 4-6-3. Tocrowkia wasn't much better, grounding into 3 double plays themselves.

In the 1st inning, Tocrowkia took a 1-0 lead on a Johnny Stryker HR, after Adam Marksworth grounded into a 4-6-3 DP after a lead off single by Kitten Dyfuse. Qazox tied the game at 1-1 in the 2nd, after a lead-off double by Chad Savoy and a run scoring single by George Rabbinski.

In the 4th, the Nordics took back the lead on a double by Kevin Monroe that scored Dmitri Rykov. The lead got bumped up to 3-1 in the 5th on a single to center by Stryker that scored Dyfuse. Qazox re-tied up the game in the 6th when Sven Grewe gave up a 2-run HR to Jason Tyson, that scored Adele Grahame.

But Jeanne Atkins couldn't hold serve in the bottom of the inning as the Nordics strung 3 straight hits, a Jill Haviland double, then a Michael Hammer single and finally a Kathrin Jordan double; bumping the lead up to 5-3, chasing Atkins.

Qazox got a run back in the 7th as pinch-hitter Juanita Sanchez doubled home Diane Riggles with 2 outs to make it 5-4, but once again the Double plays cost Qazox as they had 3 hits in the 9th off of Jamie Von Tipker, but no runs scored due to Dyana Garski grounding into her 3rd DP of the day.

In Game 2 it is a battle of the aces as Qazox sends Eric Shoppach to the mound while the Nordics counter with Tommy Thunder.

[Sarzonia]

It's fashionable to say that the Sarzonian national baseball team faced a crossroads after a shock 11th inning defeat away to Silver Beach. The team dropped to 2-2 and were looking up at a Freelasio team that was silently surprising prognosticators by getting off to a 4-0 start.

However, the Stars did just that. Their bullpen collapsed during the first match of qualifying for the 16th World Baseball Classic, allowing seven runs in the bottom of the seventh to lose to unheralded Michael VII. They'd won an ugly affair against Secristan in Amherst that began when John Morgan beaned Secristani centrefielder Brian Schuster for disparaging comments he made about the Stars.

Morgan was booted off the team after admitting he'd deliberately hit Schuster. That forced manager Khalil Dennis to add another pitcher to replace Morgan in the rotation. In came lefty Chris Carlton, a hard throwing starter to complement the soft-tossing Charlie Palmer as the other lefty in the rotation.

Sarzonia were getting set to face first place Freelasio with their fifth starter Josh Campbell, who was making his World Baseball Classic debut, in front of a restless crowd at Fleetwood Park in Woodstock. However, the Stars faithful saw the team play with the sort of purpose they'd seemed to lack through three lackadaisical matches and their shock loss to Silver Beach. Campbell was sharp and the Stars routed Freelasio 7-2.

Little did anyone know that match would light a fire under the team's collective arses. Sarzonia finished the group stage winning nine of their last 10, with only a loss in the return leg against Secristan -- in which the Stars blew a one-run lead in the ninth -- marring their run. During the stretch, they reduced what had been a 5.68 earned run average to a far more reasonable 3.72 ERA. In the 10 matches, their ERA was 2.84.

"It means our starters were able to stay out there longer, thus giving the bullpen more rest," said manager Khalil Dennis. "When I bring a guy in from the pen now, I don't have to worry about his being too tired to get anybody out."

That benefited the Stars in Game 1 of their best of three series against Tarrentum. Brad Baxter pitched six strong innings, turning matters over to Roger Tolliver. However, the Stars reliever gave up a bloop single to rightfielder Joe Thomas to right centre field, just past the outstretched glove of second baseman Dewey Griffin. Third baseman Xavier Gradoni then worked a 14-pitch walk that led Dennis to call the bullpen.

Pitching coach and former Tolliver teammate Ken Sutcliffe came out to talk to his reliever.

"Stop nibbling on the outside corner," Sutcliffe said. "Start challenging their hitters on the inner half."

"Blue's squeezing me," Tolliver said, trying not to be heard by the Delaclav home plate umpire, who surely would have tossed him.

"Maybe," Sutcliffe said, "but you need to start challenging these hitters. They're not better than you." With that, he saw the home plate umpire approaching the mound, so he turned around, patted Tolliver on the rump and said, "go get 'em."

Unfortunately, leftfielder Rich Rasmussen lashed the first pitch Tolliver threw after he got the talk from Sutcliffe down the right field line to clear the two runners, drawing the score level. After getting the ball back from catcher Marco Salvidotti with what looked like an angered snatching motion, Tolliver looked into the dugout and saw Dennis clap four times and say, "go get 'em kid!"

He smiled slightly. He knew that signal meant Dennis was sticking with him. He then got pinch hitter Trego Saronna to fly out to centrefielder Drew Bradley. Next up was shortstop Ferdini Zappataro, who grounded out to his opposite number, Sarzonia's Chris Spontanelli. The Stars shortstop looked Rasmussen back before firing to first. That brought up Gina Torretta, who drove the ball deep to left. Unfortunately for Torretta, leftfielder Tyrell Gordon made a spectacular leaping catch at the wall to rob her of extra bases.

With the threat now averted, Dennis made the call to get lefty Calen George up and throwing in the pen. He wanted him to be ready for the eighth. With the pitcher's spot due to lead off, Dennis sent up Russ Fraley to pinch hit for Tolliver. Fraley made the most of his rare opportunity and blasted a tape-measure shot into the second deck in left field. That would prove to be the match-winner.

"I guess Tolliver vultured that one," Salvidotti said, laughing. "Come in, blow the lead so he can get the win."

He could laugh now, and so could the Stars. With Game 2 of their best-of-three series coming up, they'd managed to put the pressure squarely on the co-hosts Tarrentum. Again.

Carlton will start the match against Tarrentum. If there is a Game 3, Brian Edwards will pitch.

[Tarrentum]

Scenes from a Tarrentian Locker Room

Manager's Office
"Look it's nothing we're going to fix overnight. I've been saying this the whole time. Our pitching staff is our weakpoint." Tiberius Wavi looked at his coaching staff. "We need something to inspire these players."

"Inspiration? Weren't you bitching at them earlier when we brought Ionian up that you aren't going to give them that inspirational bullshit?" Galahad Asanti, the third base coach leaned back in his chair. He looked straight at his manager.

"So what if I did? We need something to light a fire under their asses! We've got to win out next two games. Hell, we've got to win our next game." Wavi replied.

"So Ti, what are we looking at?" Dario Nurallia, the Bench Coach, asked.

"Totally revamped lineup." Wavi answered with a smile.

Main Locker Room
"I just can't believe we couldn't support Burtoni when he needed us. Hell, the whole team needed a better offense then what we showed out there!" Rich Rasmussen was talking with two of the older players - Xavier Gradoni and Norian Ionian.

Ionian kept re-taping his bat handle while he spoke. "It's not like we didn't support Johnny, Rich. Bad breaks - that's all. We just need to be on our game tonight. Xave and I lost to Sarzonia last year in the first round and I don't want to have to go through that again."

"Well, we do have Marrada back on the mound." Gradoni offered.

"I think she was on the losing end of a game." Ionian replied.

"She's been amazing so far." Rasmussen said.

"It's all about right now though. We can't just a couple games cloud our vision about what to expect. Marrada needs to do good, that's for sure. But she's only played several games against international competition - and then part of that was as a reliever." Ionian got finished with his bat and began to give the tape a look over.

"Well Jesus Norian, you're just full of happiness and sunshine."

"Just being realistic Xave."

Women's Shower Room
"...I'm just saying we can't always rely on you Dessea." Gina Torretta replied as she combed her hair.

"And who's going to step up, you?" Vallena-Favella answered, contempt in her eyes.

Torretta stopped combing her hair and turned to face the second basewoman. "Listen, just because you've been the darling lately in these world tournaments doesn't mean shit. We've," she swept her arm out to encompass Liona Marrada and Juliana Italiana - who were also in the shower room, "all worked hard to get here. I mean, Jesus, Juliana broke the damn gender barrier!"

"Ahh don't get your panties in a bunch Gina...I know we've all worked hard. Maybe some of us are just better than oth-"

"You fucking bitch!"

...

Tour Path B - 1:45 Tour Group
"Now off to the left here you'll see the hallway leading to the team's locker rooms - both male and female. This is also where the team's showers are. Now if you-" the tour guide was broken off by two towel-clad women bursting through a door in the middle of the hall.

"Who's the MVP now Dessea?" Torretta screamed as she pulled on Vallena-Favella's hair.

The door behind them burst open and out poured Ferdini Zappataro, Norian Ionian and Antoni Favella. They all laughed but when Torretta raised a first they intervened. Zappataro and Ionian pulled Torretta off of Vallena-Favella while Favella attended to his wife.

Dessea pushed her husband away and went after the constrained Torretta with a swift left-hook across her nose. The right fielder slumped in the two player's arms.

That's when they realized that they were being watched - and filmed...

[Tarrentum]

Playoff Schedule
Host-Post No RP Bonus

Game Schedule – Playoff Stage
The Playoff Stage will commence two days after the Group Stage has been completed. After the completion of the Group Stage, the top 18 teams (top three in each group) will be determined. Two 3-game Play-in Series will be played by the 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th ranked teams to determine who will play in the World Baseball Classic Playoffs. In these series 15 plays 18 and 16 plays 17 at neutral sites.
After the Play-in Series’ are completed the Playoffs will commence. The winner of the 15v18 Series will play the Number 1 Ranked team and the winner of the 16v17 Series will play the Number 2 Ranked team.

All Playoff Series Held at Neutral Venues in Tarrentum and Quintessence of Dust

Friday, September 3: Play-in Series Game 1 (18v15 and 17v16)
Saturday, September 4: Play-in Series Game 2 (15v18 and 16v17)
Sunday, September 5: Play-in Game 3 – 17v16

Monday, September 6: Round of 16 Game 1
Tuesday, September 7: Round of 16 Game 2
Wednesday, September 8: Round of 16 Game 3 (for needed games)

Thursday, September 9: Round of 8 Game 1
Friday, September 10: Round of 8 Game 2
Saturday, September 11: Round of 8 Game 3 (for needed games)

Sunday, September 12: Tarrentum and Quodite Championship Series' Game 1
Monday, September 13: Tarrentum and Quodite Championship Series' Game 2
Tuesday, September 14: Tarrentum and Quodite Championship Series' Game 3 (for needed games)

Wednesday, September 15: World Baseball Classic Championship Game 1
Wednesday, September 15: Third-Place Series Game 1
Thursday, September 16: WBC Championship Game 2
Thursday, September 16: Third-Place Series Game 2
Friday, September 17: WBC Championship Game 3
Friday, September 17: Third-Place Series Game 3 (IF NEEDED)
Saturday, September 18: WBC Championship Game 4 (IF NEEDED)
Sunday, September 19: WBC Championship Game 5 (IF NEEDED)

[Mossulia]

Mossulia Echo
A mountain to climb

After a hard play-in series what Mossulia needed was a nice relaxing few games against a beatable team to put them through to the round of eight. Instead they have drawn one time winners and runners-up Cassadaigua. The team is a scary one to face and is providing a real challenge for Mossulia. The games will not be easy and Mossulia could struggle to make it out of this round.

We played against them for the first time last night ,and it proved predictable. The game saw Cassadaigua win 6-2 and control the game right the way through. At no point did Mossulia look like winning and they really need to improve if they have any chance of making it through to the next round. The manager said "That we need to work on every basic skill if we are to come away from this series winners."

Even if they do win the next round won't be easy. They will have to face either Milchama or Secristan who are both giants in the baseball world and Mossulia can't pull off shocks forever. The going could get hard and Mossulia might struggle, but what ever happens we're behind them every step of the way.

[Tarrentum]

Tarrentum Falcons Sporting News
New Lineup Announced Prior to Game 2 vs. Sarzonia

Krozuy, Krozile, Tarrentum - The Tarrentum Falcons have released their lineup card early for tonight's game against Sarzonia. While this pretty much negates and shock value the Stars were likely to experience, I'm sure it will help clear up some thing's for the visitor's and the rest of the world. I was surprised at the persistency of foreign journalists to continually think that Rasmussen was Tucia - yet these things happen.

While the Falcons dropped Game 1 to the Stars, we should all be reminded of last year's Round of 16 against the Stars where the team was down 1-0 in games. That's right, they roared back to win Game 2. Let's hope the Falcons can repeat history and then change history to move on to the Round of 8 and shock Sarzonia. The 5-12 is always a tough matchup and let's hope the Falcons can prove just that.

The Qazian press has released it's predictions and put our beloved Falcons in the Third-Place Game against the Dagans. While we all smiled at the TFSN mothership, we don't really think the Continuum had their thinking caps on. Still, stranger things have happened. And, if Qazox were to some how overcome the 'Crows, I'm sure they would revise their predictions about Tarrentum advancing.

---

Looking at the Falcons lineup we see a total change of strategy:

Pos 2B 1B LF RF SS 3B CF C

Name (Handedness) Dessea Vallena-Favella (R) Erni Washini (R) Rich Rasmussen (R) Joe Thomas (L) Ferdini Zappataro (R) Xavier Gradoni (S) Gina Torretta (R) Antoni Favella (L)

AVG .565 .379 .444 .333 .479 .271 .279 .275

wOBA .783 .397 .603 .378 .536 .325 .312 .303

RBI 28 8 9 9 8 2 1 9

While some may question the strategy of having Vallena-Favella, the Falcons most dangerous hitter, batting lead-off Tiberius Wavi made it clear in the accompanying statement that the Falcons are "in no way giving up." Rather, "[The Falcons] are looking for the best optimization of each of our player's hitting and on-base abilities to bring home a win."

We hope Wavi is correct.
-Michealan Gardini

[Tocrowkia]

NordicNation.net

World Baseball Classic 16 coverage

Code: Select all

TEAMS        1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9   R H E
QAZ          0 1 0 0 0 2 1 0 0   4 8 0
TOC          1 0 0 1 1 2 0 0 0   5 9 0


WIN:
Sven Grewe (3-0)
Save
Jamie Von Tipker (2)
HRs:
Johnny Stryker 1 (6)

Both teams had trouble keeping the ball out of the gloves of middle infielders, as the Phoenix and the Nordics combined for 9 double plays on the night. The impact of these double plays was felt immediately, because even though Johnny Stryker teed off in the first for a solo homerun, it would have been a three-run shot if not for, you guessed it, a double play. "I have every belief that this is nothing but a fluke." Paul Rudolf said after the game. "Never have we, in the teams history, grounded into three [double plays] in a game." The Nordics were lucky that their foes were even worse at it than they were. "It was crazy." second baseman Michael Hammer also said in the post-game interview; "Me and Jill got got more action than fielding practice out there tonight, almost anyway."

The Nordics survived yet another "passable" performance from their starter, too. Despite giving up four runs, including a two-run homer to Jason Tyson that tied the game, the bats behind her performed well in the clutch. In particular, it was Jill Haviland, Michael Hammer and Kathrin Jordan. And despite some more scariness in the 9th, Jamie Von Tipker notched a save and a win. The Nordics will look to put their old foes away behind the arm of Tommy Thunder, whom undoubtedly has something to prove, seeing as this is his last WBC.

[Quintessence of Dust]

RP cutoff for MD2 of the Round of 16.