World Baseball Classic 44- Everything Thread (IC)

[Free Republics]

Sporting World

WBC 44: National Baseball Team Members Endorse Scarlett Nicholls in Pre-Game Ceremonies, Titaniumland Spoils Occasion
by: Clarice Cormier

Baseball fans in Ostorak, Esparioka were treated to an only somewhat surprising political endorsement prior to today's World Baseball Classic game at the HawkDome. The Free Republics National Baseball Team hosted basement dwellers Titaniumland. The Republicans were riding high coming in at 6 games clear of Maklohi Vai and 3 clear of Liventia after the previous day's events. Surprisingly, Liberty Party candidate for Consul Scarlett Nicholls came out to sing the National Anthem and throw the ceremonial first pitch. She was met with dueling chants of "Scarlett" and "Harlot" and a sizable minority of fans walking out during the anthem.

Star shortstop Honomi Kamei told Sporting World, "We chose to endorse Scarlett Nicholls today, in advance of the second round, because this election is simply too important to allow Sebastian Trudeau to insult his way to the Consul's Mansion. We've already suffered through Kulseth and O'Reilly because people did not speak up until it was too late. Now, we have a similar man running for Consul and Scarlett Nicholls, in my opinion, is the only candidate that can beat that sexist piece of shit! I don't have anything against Norberg or Fukuhara. Both are great candidates who would make a much better Consul than Trudeau but I don't know if they can beat him. If you feel they are worth voting for though, by all means vote for them. Just don't vote for Trudeau if you care about our country! He's literally running to be the next tyrant and you can't trust the Assembly or the Senate or Consul Kyle Bolton to stand up to him. I'd prefer if I could stick to sports but I'm a woman who plays baseball for a living and I stand to lose my job that I love if Trudeau gets his way." A truly powerful statement from arguably the best baseball player in the multiverse today. Kamei was one of 16 players, including every single woman on the National Baseball Team, who endorsed Nicholls and urged voters to vote for "Anybody But Trudeau" in the impending 2nd round elections for Consul of the Free Republics.

The game itself started in ugly fashion for the Free Republics. Taryn Russell's personal catcher Jayden Riley was not available for the game as he had to take the day off to attend his sister's wedding. This left Russell throwing to Teresa Mrazova. Unfortunately, they appeared to be uncomfortable working with each other without any prior experience doing so. After singles by Sidney Troy and Justin Sheffield started the game, Russell would walk George Scott to load the bases. After beaning Bjorn Leon and giving up a 2-RBI single to Alexander O'Shea that put the visitors up 3 to 0, Kyle Thomas decided to take Thomas out of the game and bring Sheamus O'Connor into the game. O'Connor promptly struck out Dwayne O'Shea and conceded an RBI single to Blake O'Shea before intentionally walking Michael Kravitz to force pitcher Rudolph Sims to come up with the bases loaded in a double play situation. Sims would hit the first pitch directly to Honomi Kamei's glove and the Republican shortstop would step on 2nd for an unassisted double play to end the top of the 1st.

J.L. Longoria led off for the Republicans, filling in for Ferrau Bergeron, who had the day off. Longoria led the game off by drawing a walk then stealing second base. He would advance to third on a sac fly off the bat of Ethan Joyner. Honomi Kamei was up next and she was extremely aggressive with the bat, hitting a ground ball which Alexander Capon was not able to field at third base. Julie Brodeur, who was playing left field, grabbed the ball and actually managed to throw Kamei out at second but the run had scored. Oskar Bjorgum would strike out to send the game to the second inning.

Sheamus O'Connor pitched extremely well, managing to survive into the 7th inning. Ethan Joyner would pick up a solo home run in the bottom of the 3rd and Capon would get one of his own in the 4th. However, Titaniumland would finally get to O'Connor in the 10th inning. Bjorn Leon's home run off of O'Connor with 2 outs in the 7th would break the game wide open and doom the hopes of the Free Republics. While Bjorgum would add a home run in the bottom of the 7th and Philipp Schmitz would add the last one by tripling and being driven home on a suicide squeeze by Bergeron that left the Free Republics down just 6 to 5. That would be the final score as the Republicans would leave the bases loaded in the 9th...

Clarice Cormier is Sporting World's international baseball correspondent and our lead beat writer for the Republica Vipers of the X Baseball League. She is a graduate of the Barteaux University School of Journalism and an alumnus of the Barjavel Academy at Republica. Clarice is a former cheerleader who has always been a huge baseball fan. After graduating college, she decided that she would rather do sportswriting instead of political reporting and, luckily for her, Sporting World has always been happy to hire young journalists straight out of college. She has also appeared in our annual lingerie issue 5 years in a row![/quote]

[The Sherpa Empire]

‭

----o-֎-o----

‭In a room above a busy street in Jaipur, a group of women's rights activists were preparing for a protest outside Sawai Mansingh Stadium on the day of the national baseball team's game against Tenburg. Signs, poster-board, markers, and gaudy costumes were scattered about on the floor or propped up against chairs. Lakshmi Songtsen looked up from the sign she was making, startled. "Do you feel that?" she asked.

‭"What?" asked her friend Alkama Baroudi.

‭"Someone is using demonic magic."

‭Alkama looked uncertain. "I don't feel anything."

‭

----o-֎-o----

‭Rita and Rinzi Ihawa were sitting on the living room floor, chewing chhurpi and watching TV. Their mother was asleep on the couch. The Sherpa Imperial Army was nearing Kabul, and the Imperial Air Force was bombing the city. Rita and Rinzi were fascinated with INN's war coverage because it was the first time that the Empire had gone to war in their lifetime. They watched the red fireballs and dark smoke clouds billowing over the city as headlines scrolled across the bottom of the screen in a random mashup of Tibetan script and devanagari. Now and then the blue light of a shaman's spell crackled across the scene like a bolt of lightning.

‭There was an ear-piercing sound that startled their mother out of her nap. Rinzi and Rita both looked around to see where it had come from, thinking it was something in their house or the street outside, but then they realized it was coming from the TV. The air split open over Kabul and darkness came pouring out, blacker than the smoke from the bombs and fringed with strange flickers of purple and other unnatural colors.

‭Rinzi stared at the screen, fascinated. "What is that?"
‭
‭"Turn it off!" Rita cried out, his face white with terror. He reached for the remote, but his brother snatched it away. "Turn it off!" Rita demanded frantically.

‭Their older sister came running in from the back yard, also terrified. "Turn off the TV!"

‭Blue light flickered around the power button before she could reach for the remote, and the TV turned off.

‭"I was watching that!" Rinzi protested. "Mom!"

‭"Changjun, what on earth..." their mother began.

‭"Someone was using demonic magic, and it was leaking out of the TV," Changjun explained. "But I didn't turn it off."

‭Their mother looked questioningly at Rita.

‭"It wasn't me," he said. He still looked scared. "But it was leaking demonic magic! You have to call uncle Tandi to bless the living room."

‭"Jamling!" their mother yelled. "Did you turn off the TV?"

‭"Yes, and I'm calling Tandi!"

‭

----o-֎-o----

‭Chaos reigned in Jaipur as the Tenburg Mets arrived for their game, but the police and stadium security were able to clear the way for them to enter the stadium safely. Feminists were protesting outside the stadium, carrying signs and shouting, saying that if SIBA was going to be gender-segregated, then the national team should include the best players from both divisions instead of being all male.

‭Meanwhile, priests from every temple and monastery in the vicinity were going door to door performing exorcisms to purge the demonic magic that had leaked from many people's TVs the previous day. There was wild speculation about the incident. The government was blaming the Taliban, saying they had used demonic magic in their defense of Kabul, but there were whispers that the Sherpa Imperial Army had used black magic too. It wasn't clear yet if these were coming from credible sources or just conspiracy theorists.

‭Inside the Stadium, there was relative calm. There were the usual cheer and jeers and drunken blue-haired fans making asses of themselves, but nothing unusually contentious. It was a tight game, tied 1-1 after 9 innings. Phinjo Modi hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the 10th to give the Sherpas a win.

‭

----o-֎-o----

[Beepee]

The secret diary of Homer Unn, aged 50 and three quarters

7th October 2018.

Match Day 19
Beepee d. Alpine Union 9 -2

Match Day 20
Royal Kingdom of Quebec l. Beepee 2 - 7

Match Day 21
Beepee d. Nova Anglicana 6 -2

My cold pneumonia is much better today, thanks to some Gatorade. It made me feel very much better almost instantly. So I decided to make all the team drink some. It seemed to pay off as we won all three games today. I am a tactical genius!

Unfortunately, the team were so hyper from all the sugar they played another game right after and are now totally exhausted.

Mother and Father left for their cruise and tour of the multiverse and are heading to Newmanistan. I think it's a great idea as I can wax lyrical about how wonderful the WBC hosts are.

[West Phoenicia]

Television ratings for the World Baseball Classic 44 and Game Day attendance has soared across the Confederate Empire of West Phoenicia as The West Phoenician Confederates soar to a powerful lead. With 21 games played the team sits on a very healthy 17 wins and 4 losss. The task now is for the team to keep that momentum moving forward as they progress to the round of 16 and hopefully beyond.

A number of factors have been citied for the reason why they are just so fabulous this season.

1. The retiring of Confederate Team Manager Trevor Rushworth, who has been the strong leader for the coaching staff and players. He has managed the team since their first international game and his loyalty to them in good times and bad was not missed on the team. He led them to a gold win at the Aeropag Summer Olympic Games and his own dream was to see them win a grand final. The added attention to detail this season and a hunger to win for their manager is certainly pushing this team this season.

2. West Phoenicia has been a monarchy ever since it separated from the Greater Phoenicia Empire in a bloody civil war in the 1400's. But with the transformation from a Monarchy into a new Empire has given not only the team but the whole nation a passion to win and succeed and make the Empire Proud.

3. The arrival of baseball loving third wife of Emperor Glenton Gryphon-Bush II has set the nation aflame with tidings and goodwill. Unlike his two other wives who are not so sports focused Empress Cleopatra-Olympias has shown to be the Confederates number one fan. Attending all the games and galas and showing the nation she has a deep love for all West Phoenician sports. Many feel her presence at these games is bring them good luck and good fortune.

Thousands of Confederate Baseball fans as well as players and other sporting teams have petitioned The Prime Minister and the Emperor calling for additional royal epithets for the Empress.
The Emperor has confirmed via a television broadcast that he has heard the voice of the people and will bestow these titles.
Cleopatra-Olympias will be adorned with the epithets Nèo Theà (New Goddess) and Philadèmos (Adored by the people)

[Ethane]

ENTV

---

Explosive Sports News
Baseball - World Baseball Classic 44

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Police Announce Investigation Into Allegations
by Andrew Davis

The police have announced they are opening an investigation into fresh allegations made against Graham Steadhall.

A few months ago, there was a large amount of controversy around the appointment of Graham Steadhall to the position of manager of the Ethani national baseball team due to rumours of his abusive personality and sexual assault claims at his previous club. However, there had been no concrete allegations made to the police, and no evidence had been presented to suggest this was the case, so the EBA went ahead with appointing him and even defended his record.

However, an anonymous member of his former club has now come forward to the police with allegations against Graham Steadhall. The allegations he has made include sexual assault, abusive behaviour, intimidation, and harassment. The claims this member of Steadhall's former club is making date back about 4 1/2 years, to a point about 2 years into Steadhall's tenure as manager.

The Green Party have released a press report on the announcement, stating that 'the EBA were wrong to employ Steadhall in the first place. This reinforces... the argument that we've been making all along... Steadhall is not suitable and should not have this job due to these allegations, especially considering the close proximity with men of a younger age than him [which is who the accuser is]''.

The EBA has replied to this press report, arguing that ''an investigation into allegations does not mean that Graham is guilty of anything. It just means the police are looking into claims made against him, and we are sure that they will find nothing to damage our manager. As far as we are aware, he is innocent and The Green Party have done nothing to help themselves by jumping to conclusions before an investigation even takes place.'

Graham Steadhall denies the allegations made against him.

He will continue in his job as manager of the national team while the investigations are ongoing, and will only be suspended if something does materialise in the investigations that has the potential to indict him in criminal wrongdoing, according to the EBA.

The players have heard of the allegations made against their manager, but remain firmly at his side. Samuel Mann has been particularly vocal in his support for Steadhall within the media, attacking The Green Party and the person making the accusations, as well as defending Graham as 'an honourable and genuine individual who truly wants the best for everyone'. Most of the other players in the squad have also voiced their support although in a less vocal and obvious manner.

The investigations are set to last a couple of months, with the report on the accusations expected sometime around the start of the WBC playoffs - either just before or just after.

[Cassadaigua]

Top 10 Reasons to Watch The World Baseball Classic Over The World Cup,
by Chelsea Dufresne, Concord Heights Times

1) We’re better at it.
2) There are more then three games in the group stage.
3) No one argues that baseball should be called something else.
4) Less nations to talk about elections.
5) You can use you’re hands.
6) Games will not likely end 0-0 or 1-0, or similar.
7) There is no clock.
8) There is no injury time.
9) Easier to follow the game action.
10) All the cool kids play baseball, too.

[Tierra de Castro]

Top of the group. The shutout victory over Alpine Union put Tierra de Castro into a very strong position. El Zorro Hector Chicote had pitched beautifully, only allowing Wilton Jimenez and Zlatan Belec to get on base and intentionally walking Tyson Lindsey. He had used his full repertoire of pitches and consistently created problems for whoever was at the plate. His pitching had been the basis for the team’s excellent performance, he didn’t give them an inch and the hitters did their job too, allowing the team to run out 5-0 winners on the day. It was a pleasing result and Hector was particularly pleased he could utilise his experience to lead the team to such a performance and victory.

He had spent a little more time thinking about going into coaching after baseball and the more he thought about it the more certain he became that he would tell El Profesor that that was what he wanted to do. Maybe not straight away following this World Baseball Classic – there was still life in the old dog yet – but eventually. That could be the end goal. He could show pitchers his own techniques and passing his knowledge down to them could really benefit future national teams.

Mind you, he thought, they might not need my pitching advice – we’re doing pretty well in this Classic without me as a member of the coaching staff. Maybe El Profesor would say he wasn’t needed? And what then? Hector shook the thought out of his head. There was always a need for experience and guidance, particularly in a sport that could be as fickle as baseball.

They were 13-8 and heading into the final stretch of the group stage. Nine games were left to be played and at the end of it they would know exactly which two would be heading to the play-offs. Realistically it could be any two of five and Tierra de Castro sweeping their last three games had put them in a really strong position. They even sat top of the group! It was a dangerous position to be in, though, as it meant that instead of being the hunter – the one chasing down teams above them – for the first time they were the team that were going to be hunted. It could mean minor changes to their game plans, although Hector wasn’t too sure Coach would be easily swayed purely by their position in the group.

He would be more bothered about Alpine Union, Beepee and the Royal Kingdom of Quebec all massed on 11-10 records and ready to pounce on any slip-ups that the Castrollano team (or Nova Anglicana), may experience. Being two games ahead was a nice little cushion to have and meant the pressure was off a little bit.

Hector had thought that the government would try to cover up any poor performances to protect their image of socialism producing successful athletes and therefore being the best political system yada yada yada, but they had been surprisingly open about the whole thing. However, Hector had a sneaking suspicion that that was because of the relative success they were enjoying. Well, it was an enormous suspicion really. If they had a negative record the Party 100% would not allow the media to cover the team’s games.

Hector half wished he was a little younger so that he could experience some of what the younger lads would do following the Classic, the adulation and the potential for making money overseas. He didn’t like to dwell on the thought as he felt like it was a little too close to jealousy for his liking. It would have been fun though.

The final nine games would be interesting. The teams all kind of knew what to expect from one another at this point, they knew who each team’s star players were and some knew how to play certain pitchers or hitters. They had gotten to know which baserunners were likely to steal and the little quirks of each individual that they came up against out on the baseball diamond. When Hector thought about it it was interesting really, it was no wonder El Profesor had done a psychology degree. Hector wanted to know exactly what causes players to do certain things when they’re playing baseball.

Maybe he’d ask Coach about it. Or perhaps that was another avenue to go down? Hector quite liked the idea of having a prefix before his name. Dr. Hector Chicote. It had a ring to it. Doctor of Baseball, expert on all things pitching. He chuckled to himself.

At least he’d be sticking to what he knew best.

[Newmanistan]

Matchday 22:

Group 1
Knessniet                0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3  3
The Greater Nordics      0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0

Hicaña                   0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0  2
Scootalove City          0 0 1 0 2 2 0 2 X  7

Drawkland                0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0  2
Notoria                  0 0 0 1 0 0 2 1 X  4


  Group 1                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Scootalove City          22   16   6   119   66  +53    48
2 Drawkland                22   12  10    98   90   +8    36
3 Knessniet                22   11  11   100   83  +17    33
4 Hicaña                   22   11  11    84  100  −16    33
5 The Greater Nordics      22    9  13    68   96  −28    27
6 Notoria                  22    7  15    71  105  −34    21

Group 2
Melbergia                0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0
Suryak                   0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 X  3

Cassadaigua              0 0 0 4 0 0 0 1 0  5
Equestrian States        0 2 0 0 2 0 4 1 X  9

Gor Kebab                0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 3  4
Vangaziland              0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0  2


  Group 2                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Cassadaigua              22   19   3   130   60  +70    57
2 Vangaziland              22   14   8    93   76  +17    42
3 Equestrian States        22   13   9   108  102   +6    39
4 Suryak                   22    8  14    79  101  −22    24
5 Gor Kebab                22    8  14    75  105  −30    24
6 Melbergia                22    4  18    77  118  −41    12

Group 3
South Covello            1 0 1 1 2 4 0 0 0  9
Tenburg                  0 2 0 0 0 2 1 0 0  5

Shayla                   0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0  2
West Phoenicia           0 1 4 1 0 0 0 1 X  7

The Sherpa Empire        5 0 3 3 0 0 3 0 0 14
Eraman                   0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0


  Group 3                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 West Phoenicia           22   18   4   152   82  +70    54
2 The Sherpa Empire        22   14   8   101   95   +6    42
3 South Covello            22   12  10   112  104   +8    36
4 Eraman                   22   10  12   100  114  −14    30
5 Tenburg                  22    7  15   114  124  −10    21
6 Shayla                   22    5  17    70  130  −60    15

Group 4
Tjorl                        0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 2  5
Dharoka                      1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0  3

Lisander                     0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0
Newmanistan                  0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 X  2

Ethane                       3 1 0 1 2 0 0 0 0  7
Northwest Kalactin           0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 3  4


  Group 4                     Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Newmanistan                  22   18   4   130   70  +60    54
2 Ethane                       22   18   4   122   68  +54    54
3 Tjorl                        22    9  13    76   99  −23    27
4 Dharoka                      22    8  14    90  123  −33    24
5 Lisander                     22    7  15    73   92  −19    21
6 Northwest Kalactin           22    6  16    76  115  −39    18

Group 5
Royal Kingdom of Quebec      0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0  2
Nova Anglicana               0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 1  3

Tierra de Castro             0 0 2 0 4 0 0 0 1  7
Beepee                       0 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 0  4

Loshos                       0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0  3
Alpine Union                 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 2  5


  Group 5                     Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Tierra de Castro             22   14   8   117   73  +44    42
2 Nova Anglicana               22   14   8   103   79  +24    42
3 Alpine Union                 22   12  10   112  102  +10    36
4 Beepee                       22   11  11    94  100   −6    33
5 Royal Kingdom of Quebec      22   11  11    87  108  −21    33
6 Loshos                       22    4  18    54  105  −51    12

Group 6
Titaniumland                 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0  3
Liventia                     0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0  2

Saint Agnesia                0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0  2
Free Republics               0 1 0 0 3 2 0 0 X  6

Maklohi Vai                  1 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 0  6
Fungsland                    0 0 2 4 0 0 1 0 X  7


  Group 6                     Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Free Republics               22   16   6   126   72  +54    48
2 Liventia                     22   13   9    96   88   +8    39
3 Maklohi Vai                  22   10  12   101  104   −3    30
4 Fungsland                    22   10  12   101  112  −11    30
5 Titaniumland                 22    9  13   104  123  −19    27
6 Saint Agnesia                22    8  14    84  113  −29    24

Group 7
Wuriya                      0 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  3
Super-Llamaland             0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1  4

Lycrabon                    0 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 1  5
Oscioru                     0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0  3

New Sportland               0 0 0 3 0 1 0 0 0  4
Hampton Island              1 0 4 2 0 0 3 0 X 10


  Group 7                    Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Hampton Island              22   14   8   101   79  +22    42
2 Super-Llamaland             22   14   8   101   82  +19    42
3 Lycrabon                    22   12  10   100   86  +14    36
4 Wuriya                      22   11  11   107   99   +8    33
5 Oscioru                     22    9  13    86  107  −21    27
6 New Sportland               22    6  16    76  118  −42    18

Group 8
People Who Have Issues      1 0 2 4 1 0 2 0 0 10
Schiltzberg                 0 2 0 1 1 0 1 2 0  7

St Saratoga                 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  4
Ranoria                     1 1 1 5 0 1 0 2 X 11

Ko-oren                     1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  1
Anthor                      0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 X  2


  Group 8                    Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Schiltzberg                 22   14   8   108   83  +25    42
2 Ko-oren                     22   14   8    84   90   −6    42
3 St Saratoga                 22   11  11   107   98   +9    33
4 Anthor                      22   10  12   106   98   +8    30
5 People Who Have Issues      22   10  12   107  111   −4    30
6 Ranoria                     22    7  15    96  128  −32    21

Group 9
Cosumar                     2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  2
Aureumterra                 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 X  4

Saintland                   0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1  3
Filindostan                 1 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 X  4

Banija                      0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0  1
Abanhfleft                  2 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 X  3


  Group 9                    Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Banija                      22   16   6   108   67  +41    48
2 Abanhfleft                  22   14   8    97   65  +32    42
3 Cosumar                     22   13   9   116   86  +30    39
4 Saintland                   22    8  14    76  102  −26    24
5 Filindostan                 22    8  14    70  106  −36    24
6 Aureumterra                 22    7  15    73  114  −41    21

Matchday 23:

Group 1
Notoria                  0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 1  4
Knessniet                0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0  3

Scootalove City          0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 0  3
Drawkland                3 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 X  5

The Greater Nordics      0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0  3
Hicaña                   0 1 0 3 1 1 5 0 X 11


  Group 1                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Scootalove City          23   16   7   122   71  +51    48
2 Drawkland                23   13  10   103   93  +10    39
3 Hicaña                   23   12  11    95  103   −8    36
4 Knessniet                23   11  12   103   87  +16    33
5 The Greater Nordics      23    9  14    71  107  −36    27
6 Notoria                  23    8  15    75  108  −33    24

Group 2
Vangaziland              0 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 0  3
Melbergia                2 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 X  6

Equestrian States        1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  2
Gor Kebab                0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  3

Suryak                   0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0  2
Cassadaigua              0 1 0 0 2 0 2 2 X  7


  Group 2                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Cassadaigua              23   20   3   137   62  +75    60
2 Vangaziland              23   14   9    96   82  +14    42
3 Equestrian States        23   13  10   110  105   +5    39
4 Gor Kebab                23    9  14    78  107  −29    27
5 Suryak                   23    8  15    81  108  −27    24
6 Melbergia                23    5  18    83  121  −38    15

Group 3
Eraman                   1 0 0 1 2 2 1 0 0  7
South Covello            0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0  1

West Phoenicia           0 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0  3
The Sherpa Empire        0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0  1

Tenburg                  0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0  2
Shayla                   0 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 X  3


  Group 3                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 West Phoenicia           23   19   4   155   83  +72    57
2 The Sherpa Empire        23   14   9   102   98   +4    42
3 South Covello            23   12  11   113  111   +2    36
4 Eraman                   23   11  12   107  115   −8    33
5 Tenburg                  23    7  16   116  127  −11    21
6 Shayla                   23    6  17    73  132  −59    18

Group 4
Northwest Kalactin           0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0  2
Tjorl                        0 0 1 1 0 1 0 3 X  6

Newmanistan                  3 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0  4
Ethane                       0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  1

Dharoka                      0 1 0 0 1 0 3 0 0  5
Lisander                     0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0  2


  Group 4                     Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Newmanistan                  23   19   4   134   71  +63    57
2 Ethane                       23   18   5   123   72  +51    54
3 Tjorl                        23   10  13    82  101  −19    30
4 Dharoka                      23    9  14    95  125  −30    27
5 Lisander                     23    7  16    75   97  −22    21
6 Northwest Kalactin           23    6  17    78  121  −43    18

Group 5
Alpine Union                 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 0  5
Royal Kingdom of Quebec      0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1  3

Beepee                       2 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  7
Loshos                       1 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  6

Nova Anglicana               0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0  3
Tierra de Castro             0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0  2


  Group 5                     Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Nova Anglicana               23   15   8   106   81  +25    45
2 Tierra de Castro             23   14   9   119   76  +43    42
3 Alpine Union                 23   13  10   117  105  +12    39
4 Beepee                       23   12  11   101  106   −5    36
5 Royal Kingdom of Quebec      23   11  12    90  113  −23    33
6 Loshos                       23    4  19    60  112  −52    12

Group 6
Fungsland                    0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0  1
Titaniumland                 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 X  2

Free Republics               1 1 0 0 2 0 2 2 0  8
Maklohi Vai                  1 1 0 3 3 0 1 0 X  9

Liventia                     4 0 3 5 5 2 0 0 0 19
Saint Agnesia                0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0  3


  Group 6                     Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Free Republics               23   16   7   134   81  +53    48
2 Liventia                     23   14   9   115   91  +24    42
3 Maklohi Vai                  23   11  12   110  112   −2    33
4 Fungsland                    23   10  13   102  114  −12    30
5 Titaniumland                 23   10  13   106  124  −18    30
6 Saint Agnesia                23    8  15    87  132  −45    24

Group 7
Hampton Island              0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0  3
Wuriya                      0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0  1

Oscioru                     1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  1
New Sportland               0 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 X  3

Super-Llamaland             1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0  2
Lycrabon                    2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 X  4


  Group 7                    Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Hampton Island              23   15   8   104   80  +24    45
2 Super-Llamaland             23   14   9   103   86  +17    42
3 Lycrabon                    23   13  10   104   88  +16    39
4 Wuriya                      23   11  12   108  102   +6    33
5 Oscioru                     23    9  14    87  110  −23    27
6 New Sportland               23    7  16    79  119  −40    21

Group 8
Anthor                      0 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0  3
People Who Have Issues      0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0  1

Ranoria                     0 0 0 1 1 0 0 5 0  7
Ko-oren                     0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  5

Schiltzberg                 0 0 1 1 2 0 5 0 0  9
St Saratoga                 0 1 0 0 1 0 3 0 0  5


  Group 8                    Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Schiltzberg                 23   15   8   117   88  +29    45
2 Ko-oren                     23   14   9    89   97   −8    42
3 Anthor                      23   11  12   109   99  +10    33
4 St Saratoga                 23   11  12   112  107   +5    33
5 People Who Have Issues      23   10  13   108  114   −6    30
6 Ranoria                     23    8  15   103  133  −30    24

Group 9
Abanhfleft                  1 0 1 0 3 0 0 0 0  5
Cosumar                     0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0  2

Filindostan                 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0  1
Banija                      2 2 3 0 1 0 1 0 X  9

Aureumterra                 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1  2
Saintland                   0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2  4


  Group 9                    Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Banija                      23   17   6   117   68  +49    51
2 Abanhfleft                  23   15   8   102   67  +35    45
3 Cosumar                     23   13  10   118   91  +27    39
4 Saintland                   23    9  14    80  104  −24    27
5 Filindostan                 23    8  15    71  115  −44    24
6 Aureumterra                 23    7  16    75  118  −43    21

Matchday 24:

Group 1
Knessniet                2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2  5
Hicaña                   0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0

Drawkland                0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0
The Greater Nordics      0 1 1 0 2 1 0 0 X  5

Notoria                  0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0  1
Scootalove City          0 0 1 2 1 0 1 0 X  5


  Group 1                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Scootalove City          24   17   7   127   72  +55    51  
2 Drawkland                24   13  11   103   98   +5    39
3 Knessniet                24   12  12   108   87  +21    36
4 Hicaña                   24   12  12    95  108  −13    36
5 The Greater Nordics      24   10  14    76  107  −31    30
6 Notoria                  24    8  16    76  113  −37    24

Group 2
Melbergia                0 1 0 2 1 0 0 0 0  4
Cassadaigua              0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1  2

Gor Kebab                1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0  2
Suryak                   1 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 X  4

Vangaziland              0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0
Equestrian States        1 3 1 0 0 0 4 0 X  9


  Group 2                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Cassadaigua              24   20   4   139   66  +73    60  Q
2 Equestrian States        24   14  10   119  105  +14    42
3 Vangaziland              24   14  10    96   91   +5    42
4 Suryak                   24    9  15    85  110  −25    27
5 Gor Kebab                24    9  15    80  111  −31    27
6 Melbergia                24    6  18    87  123  −36    18

Group 3
South Covello            2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  4
Shayla                   1 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 X  5

The Sherpa Empire        2 0 6 1 1 3 0 0 3 16
Tenburg                  3 2 2 1 1 0 0 0 0  9

Eraman                   0 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 0  4
West Phoenicia           0 0 0 2 0 3 2 1 X  8


  Group 3                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 West Phoenicia           24   20   4   163   87  +76    60  Q
2 The Sherpa Empire        24   15   9   118  107  +11    45
3 South Covello            24   12  12   117  116   +1    36
4 Eraman                   24   11  13   111  123  −12    33
5 Tenburg                  24    7  17   125  143  −18    21
6 Shayla                   24    7  17    78  136  −58    21

Group 4
Tjorl                        0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  1
Lisander                     0 0 1 3 0 0 0 0 X  4

Ethane                       0 1 0 0 1 7 0 0 1 10
Dharoka                      1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0  2

Northwest Kalactin           0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0  3
Newmanistan                  2 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 X  4


  Group 4                     Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Newmanistan                  24   20   4   138   74  +64    60  Q
2 Ethane                       24   19   5   133   74  +59    57  Q
3 Tjorl                        24   10  14    83  105  −22    30
4 Dharoka                      24    9  15    97  135  −38    27
5 Lisander                     24    8  16    79   98  −19    24
6 Northwest Kalactin           24    6  18    81  125  −44    18

Group 5
Royal Kingdom of Quebec      0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1  3
Tierra de Castro             3 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 X  6

Loshos                       2 2 0 2 1 0 0 0 3 10
Nova Anglicana               0 0 0 0 6 3 0 2 X 11

Alpine Union                 2 0 0 1 2 1 0 0 1  7
Beepee                       4 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0  5


  Group 5                     Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Nova Anglicana               24   16   8   117   91  +26    48
2 Tierra de Castro             24   15   9   125   79  +46    45
3 Alpine Union                 24   14  10   124  110  +14    42
4 Beepee                       24   12  12   106  113   −7    36
5 Royal Kingdom of Quebec      24   11  13    93  119  −26    33
6 Loshos                       24    4  20    70  123  −53    12

Group 6
Titaniumland                 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 0  4
Saint Agnesia                2 2 0 0 1 0 0 1 X  6

Maklohi Vai                  0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 1  5
Liventia                     0 2 0 0 0 0 0 3 3  8

Fungsland                    0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 0  3
Free Republics               0 1 1 2 0 0 1 0 X  5


  Group 6                     Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Free Republics               24   17   7   139   84  +55    51
2 Liventia                     24   15   9   123   96  +27    45
3 Maklohi Vai                  24   11  13   115  120   −5    33
4 Fungsland                    24   10  14   105  119  −14    30
5 Titaniumland                 24   10  14   110  130  −20    30
6 Saint Agnesia                24    9  15    93  136  −43    27

Group 7
Wuriya                      0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1  2
Lycrabon                    0 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 X  3

New Sportland               0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0  2
Super-Llamaland             1 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 X  6

Hampton Island              0 1 0 3 0 1 0 1 0  6
Oscioru                     0 1 0 0 3 0 0 0 0  4


  Group 7                    Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Hampton Island              24   16   8   110   84  +26    48
2 Super-Llamaland             24   15   9   109   88  +21    45
3 Lycrabon                    24   14  10   107   90  +17    42
4 Wuriya                      24   11  13   110  105   +5    33
5 Oscioru                     24    9  15    91  116  −25    27
6 New Sportland               24    7  17    81  125  −44    21

Group 8
People Who Have Issues      0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0  1
St Saratoga                 0 0 1 0 3 0 0 0 X  4

Ko-oren                     0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1  2
Schiltzberg                 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 3  5

Anthor                      1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0  2
Ranoria                     0 0 2 0 1 0 0 1 X  4


  Group 8                    Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Schiltzberg                 24   16   8   122   90  +32    48
2 Ko-oren                     24   14  10    91  102  −11    42
3 St Saratoga                 24   12  12   116  108   +8    36
4 Anthor                      24   11  13   111  103   +8    33
5 People Who Have Issues      24   10  14   109  118   −9    30
6 Ranoria                     24    9  15   107  135  −28    27

Group 9
Cosumar                     0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0  1
Saintland                   1 1 0 1 0 2 0 1 X  6

Banija                      1 2 0 4 0 2 0 0 1 10
Aureumterra                 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 1 0  4

Abanhfleft                  1 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0  4
Filindostan                 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 1 X  5


  Group 9                    Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Banija                      24   18   6   127   72  +55    54
2 Abanhfleft                  24   15   9   106   72  +34    45
3 Cosumar                     24   13  11   119   97  +22    39
4 Saintland                   24   10  14    86  105  −19    30
5 Filindostan                 24    9  15    76  119  −43    27
6 Aureumterra                 24    7  17    79  128  −49    21

*- Cassadaigua has clinched, because Equestrian States and Vangaziland have one head to head against one another, and therefore cannot both tie Cassadaigua.

[Suryak]

Imperiumcivitas Journal:BREAKING NEWS:Suryak out of WBC

MAIN NEWS

Today is a different story. As expected by the critics of Suryak, Suryak's team is out of the WBC and did not make it to the playoffs. However, the games are still fun to look at.
In Matchday 22, a simple game with no real highlights was played. Suryak's defense did hold strong in that game. Final Score:3-0, Win. The next game was a high-pitched battle. Suryak gave a easy homerun early on, however, After scoring 2 home runs(both by Gdan), the sheer skill of the opponent led to a expected failure. Final Score: 7-2, Loss. Even with that loss, Gdan and Saint carried the Suryakese to victory on the baseball field with Gor Kebab. Final Score:4-2, Victory.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
QUOTES

"Well, that gave us experience of what the WBC national team looks like. With a bit of luck, Next time we'll at least get to the playoffs." -Larry Gdan
"He's right. With that experience, we'll make sure not to let our fans down."-Borg Saint
"We are sure to use this experience for a better time in the next WBC"-Team Manager, John Sturnberg

[West Phoenicia]

Cheers across West Phoenicia as Confederates cinch spot to progress to the round of 16 where they look to be positioned in a good place to progress all the way to the end.

West Phoenicia continues to have a stellar baseball season, picking up 3 additional wins in a row and with fingers crossed will be in the top 5 when it comes to seeding before the round of 16.

There was never a shadow of a doubt that the Confederate's would progress. Gone are the days of sloppy plays and bad pitching. Its a tight group of experienced players that will continue to soar to new heights.
With six games remaining The Confederates will not change their play style or tactics but will be looking at damage control to avoid losing the top spot in their grouping.

If the fun of baseball is not enough to wet the appetite of sports fans The West Phoenician Archery Qualifications Tournament begins this Friday and will run for three days.
Archery is first among many sports that will kick off qualifiers to fill the rosters for the Summer Olympic Games.
As everyone in West Phoenicia is aware the top three male archers and three female archers who place at this Qualif tournament are named members of the Archery team that will head to the next Summer Olympics.

Two Spots have already been filled as Lady Ameila Defence won gold and Pete Long winning silver at the Kelssek and Vekaiyu Summer Games . As part of the West Phoenician Archery Charter, any member who wins at the last Olympics is automatically awarded a spot in the next.
Pete Long has reported he will still be taking part in the tournament. While Lady Ameila has hinted she may not be back for the next games wanting to focus on her new duties married to a Lord and that her spot on the team can be up for grabs.

Marion Hood another strong female archer who is currently on deployment as an officer in the West Phoenician Air Force has also stated she is unlikely to be back in time for the tournament thus would make her ineligible for the West Phoenician Olympic Archery Team.

Competing at Pure Green Oval this coming Friday are 60 hopeful, all wanting a spot on the team. The West Phoenician Archery Federation has called on citizens to come down and enjoy the event, push their support for archery and enjoy a free sausage sizzle.

[Beepee]

The secret diary of Homer Unn, aged 50 and three quarters

8th October 2018.

Match Day 22
Tierra de Castro d. Beepee 7 - 4

Match Day 23
Beepee d. Loshos 7 - 6

Match Day 24
Alpine Union d. Beepee 7 - 5

Just my luck, the sugar high created by the Gatorade, lead to a sugar crash and we didn't play nearly as well today. Luckily my cold is almost gone which means I can focus back on getting the team ready. There's not long to go now until the end of the group stage, and although we're all but out it's been great fun.

Mother called me from the high seas today to remind me to water her plants when she's away. I'll do it later but it gives me an excuse to eat the food out of her fridge whilst she's away. I can't believe she still treats me like a 13 and three quarter year old.

[The Sherpa Empire]

‭

----o-֎-o----

‭Princess Yahia was ditzy and had not inherited much in the way of magical talent, even though it ran in the family, but she wasn't actually braindead. There was something about the war on the Empire's western border that didn't sit right with her. A Ministry of Defense spokesman named Fangsu Kang had told everyone, including the imperial family, that the Taliban were responsible for all the demonic magic that had been used in the fighting -- but Yahia didn't trust him. It wasn't normal for Muslims to use magic, and even though the Sherpa Empire condemned the use of demonic magic on the battlefield as a war crime, they still had magicians that knew how. War had a way of bringing out the worst in people, and Yahia thought it was entirely possible that somebody somewhere in Sherpa Empire's vast military or the bureaucracy-choked morass of a government had thought they could get away with bending the rules. She needed to talk to someone at the Ministry of Defense that she could trust...

‭Or she needed to find someone that could pry the truth out of them, someone they wouldn't expect to bring word back to the Imperial Palace.

‭She was munching on calamari and watching the national baseball team beat the crap out of Eraman, mulling over the problem during the ad breaks. It was the 7th inning stretch and the Sherpa Empire was leading 14 to nothing. With such a large lead, Mohn had put in several bench players to let them get some playing time, and Khalil Tsui got to pitch the last couple of innings. The last couple of innings went by quickly without any change to the score. When it was over, a reporter interviewed Tsheri Pham, who had pitched 7 scoreless innings, and Pei Tan, who had batted in 5 of the 14 runs. And then Princess Yahia had an idea...

‭

----o-֎-o----

[Titaniumland]

R&B Sensational Duo Hail the Sisters Attract The Titans Into Baseball


Hail the Sisters performing at the Rowland Oval during the Titaniumland v. Saint Agnesia match halftime (10/8)

ROWLAND - The Titans baseball team are competing in the World Baseball Classic 44 for the first time. Baseball, which we know, is not as popular as badminton or basketball, are struggling to fill out the Oval. But the Titaniumland Baseball Federation has its own way to solve the problem.

The federation put the halftime break into a stadium tour for Hail the Sisters, a R&B sibling duo. They announced the performance on their social media on October 1. There were many positive reactions to the announcement. Here's what we already collect:

@RayAmin tweeted:
Have no idea how this baseball be like but I'm definitely going! #HailTheSistersOnWBC44

@KatCastro tweeted:
Researching about baseball before seeing my QUEENS live #HailTheSistersOnWBC44

About choosing Hail the Sisters, the Marketing and Promotion President of TBF, Julia Rowan commented, "The reason why we chose Hail the Sisters is that their music is a good representation of the energy of our athletes, especially our female athletes. They can bring out energy. Everyone loves music in Titans and why don't we bring it to baseball?"

Their effort did not go to waste. That was the first time the Oval sold out. 40 thousands of people were seen at the stadium, either them really into baseball or into the sisters. The audience began cheering and chanting the anthem, something that had not been seen during the previous matches held in Titan. When it came to half-time, the audience went crazy. Hail the Sisters came out on stage and greeted the audience berfore performing eight tracks in a dynamic and powerful set, including their biggest hits "Hands" and "Jealous".

Although the Titans lost, people left satisfied and happy.

[Banija]

Our Baseball Story- Part II


Banijan players celebrate a victory

ISTRIA, MORAVICA- Banijan baseball has a very interesting history, after the Olympic Committee of Banija reinvested in the sport to bring it forward for the World Baseball Classic. Banija has a history and tradition in the sport, but it is not very rich. After their entry into World Baseball Classic 35, they missed 5 consecutive editions of the sport's largest tournament before returning in World Baseball Classic 41, with their staff from Ethane. In that interim, of course, there was a third place finish at the IX Summer Olympiad in baseball, though they did not get a medal because it was a demonstration sport at the tournament. We'll be covering the modern history of Banijan baseball in this article- since the return to regular participation in the World Baseball Classic, in WBC 41. We'll talk about how far we've come, and how far we've got to go.

Why, of course, won't we be covering the pinnacle of Banijan baseball, our third place finish, or our sole baseball classic appearance? That's because those happened so many years ago, it's almost forgettable. That has no effect on the modern game today. But everything since we returned to the 41st World Baseball Classic, of course, does. Part I covered our modern history in the World Baseball Classic, part II will cover the game's development in the country, part III will be an overview of the key people- the manager and some key players, while part IV will be where we go from here. It took a lot of investigative journalism, of course, which is a specialty of this magazine.

Of course, an update on the ongoing World Baseball Classic- for the second straight tournament, Banija is in a prime position to win its group, and they have the inside track to clinch a berth in the knockout stages for the third straight tournament. Up 3 games on second place Abanhfleft and 5 on third place Cosumar with just 6 remaining, a spot in the knockouts is all but certain while they hold the pole position for the group's top spot. While their offense is no slouch, being 6th in runs scored for the whole tournament, they are in a 3 way tie for the best pitching staff, having only allowed 72 runs across the Classic's duration- only Cassadaigua has allowed fewer runs, with 66 across 24 games.

But, of course, back to the article. This is, of course, extremely important when you consider the history of baseball in this country. There isn't much of a domestic baseball scene here, but there is some- the players don't just pop out of thin air to compete with the multiverse's best in the World Baseball Classic, you know? But where do they come from? How do they develop? We're focusing on the game's development in Banija, at the upper levels. There are three topics that we'll cover in this article. First, we'll cover the general popularity of the sport in the country- number of fans, people watching, and so on. Secondly, we'll cover how player development works in the country, with college baseball and the lack of a sustainable professional league. And, lastly, we'll talk about kids- how they are getting Banija's youngest to play baseball, instead of bigger sports like football or soccer, or even basketball.

And without further ado.... Part II.

General Popularity
Baseball is not a sport native to Banija, obviously. It was introduced, as so many sports were, by the Quebecois during colonization. Unlike many sports introduced, like gridiron football and soccer, though, baseball was never really something that caught fire among Banijans. A few college teams with big foreign student populations having varsity squads, some other teams having club sports, but many not having anything, and professional baseball unheard of. No major baseball stadiums, etc...

How has the sport grown in popularity here since WBC 41? Well, first of all, regular participation in the Classic has given the Banijans something that they desperately needed- a platform. World Baseball Classic 41, of course, was pretty much a dud for the Banijans, and with a 1-8 start to that tournament, the team really never got off the ground, and never got the kickstart needed to really grow the game here. It was World Baseball Classic 42 when the team's fortunes really started to rise.

World Baseball Classic 42 was a captivating run by the Banijans. The group stages in this tournament, of course, are incredibly long- generally 30 games. That's baseball for you, of course, but Banija started to be competitive. Like the World Cup of Hockey, Banijans always respond to success well, and when it was clear that they were seriously competing to get to the knockout stages, Banijans started flocking to the sport. It was with 5 games left when they finally had a home sell out for the first time ever, and the nation was captivated. There were a number of Banijans who even travelled for their playoff series with Ethane, and saw an incredible walkoff victory in the decisive Game 5 against Ethane.

Banija, of course, captivated by that, rallied around the team, but fan interest stalled in WBC 43. Not because of the team, of course. But with the Banijan-Equestrian War ongoing, they were forced to play their home games in Demot. Not a deep run, of course, but winning another playoff series. Of course, in the short Best of 3, they got it handed to them two games in a row, and crashed out. Not to be deterred, Banijan fans have really rallied around the team in this tournament, especially since it's their first games on home soil since WBC 42. It helps that we're in a group with big name nations, like Cosumar, Saintland, and Abanhfleft, but 5 sellouts in the first 11 home games is a great number.

Now, of course, with the tournament coinciding with the World Cup Finals, we don't expect to see many tickets bought to fly out to Newmanistan, not until at least the Kadongo Kamu are eliminated from that tournament on home soil. However, even with the World Cup happening all around them, the team is drawing fans. Banijans, visiting fans, etc... Are all attending national team ball games. And with four of the final six at home, big crowds are expected to watch the Banijans clinch the group, and punch their ticket to the knockout stages. The sport is growing, and is becoming a competitive secondary sport, after the big two of soccer & gridiron.

Player Development
Here's the question- how do we develop players without a viable, national baseball league? The interest in the national team has not spread throughout watching professional baseball, with leagues generally dying out quickly due to financial problems. Some have criticized the Olympic Committee of Banija for not keeping leagues afloat, but if they cannot stand on their own two feet, the OCB has never guaranteed the financial stability of a league before, besides the very first season of the Banijan Soccer League, in conjunction with the Royal Banijan Soccer Association.

Well, where the sport has seen its biggest growth these past couple of years, is baseball. While baseball was a varsity sport only on 9 campuses entering WBC 41, now it is a varsity sport at 24 of the Banijan Collegiate Sports Group's 60 member institutions. The growth has exploded, mostly because more players have become interested. In Banija, kids start playing baseball pretty late- football and soccer are the undisputed sports for children until, generally, age 12, when sports like baseball are introduced into the mix.

Kids who started at age 12 in WBC 42 are coming of age now, and a couple of them are on the team. Sarjo Touré, one of the team's middle relievers, started playing baseball at age 14 after he attended a Banijan baseball game, and 'fell in love' with the sport. Banta Jawara, a starter and the brother of superstar quarterback Isaka Jawara of Loyola-Istria, switched from gridiron to baseball at age 14 as well, and look at where he is now. But where we must focus, of course, is college baseball.

College baseball is the cream of the crop for baseball in the country. It's where the best play, and due to Banija's sports gender segregation laws, it is strictly the men who play. The 24 teams play in an officially sanctioned competition on an annual basis, of course, as it goes on in late Spring and throughout the summer. Teams are talented, of course, but only play domestically- they don't play abroad. ANd without professiona leagues, many players try to ply their trade abroad, or are simply done playing competively.

Of course, the OCB has rigorous training programs to keep national team prospects in shape. They cover 35 athletes to work wtih the team for 6 months a year, to ensure players stay in shape. These players will play against Banija's college teams, in exhibitions, to make up for no professional baseball, but you can only get so much competition from that. Eventually, if Banija wants to be a global player in baseball, they will need a professional league.

Youth Baseball
We've mentioned it briefly, but we'll delve into it here. Generally, there are baseball leagues for 12 and 13 year olds, and probably around 35% of Banija's high schools, covering around 20-25% of Banijan high school students, have at least a varsity baseball program. And, of course, while Banija has one of the highest homeschooling rates in Atlantian Oceania, with 11% of kids being homeschooled(only 3% of males are homeschooled, however, compared to 20% of females), those kids generally don't have access to those varsity teams.

It is more popular to have baseball teams at the smaller schools, where they don't have enough kids to put together a gridiron football team, as Banija's Basic Law on Youth Sports states that you need to have at least 40 boys to start a youth football team, which can certainly be a high bar to meet. That means, once you account for high schoolers, probably around 1/5th of Banijans have the ability to play high school baseball. That, of course, is a huge barrier- ensuring that more of Banija's secondary schools have baseball is paramount to getting more people in the game.

The schools that have baseball teams fall into two categories. The first is the rural schools that are simply too small to have a gridiron football team, while the second is the very large schools that have sports teams in a number of odd categories. High schools in major cities, like Istria, Herzegovina City, and Busukuma, for example, fall into the latter category, while there are many baseball teams in the Bunyoro and Hangaza Regions. The Kitara Region, the region that stretches up the Western shoreline between Busukuma in the South and Moravica in the North, is the only region that does not have a single varsity high school baseball team. Rural schools in Kitara generally carry aquatic sports, due to its massive coastline, rather than a sport like baseball.

Getting more kids the ability to play baseball has to be a priority of the OCB. There is no plan there, yet. However, the identification of what is going on in terms of Banijan baseball is key, because if you don't know what the problem is, how can you fix it?

We'll be back for Part III, next time.

[Free Republics]

Sporting World

WBC 44: Magic Number 1 for National Baseball Team after 5-3 victory against Fungsland
by: Clarice Cormier

With 1 more win or 1 more Maklohi Vai loss, the Federation of Free Republics National Baseball Team will be headed to Newmanistan! As the WBC group stage reaches the final 6 games, the Free Republics now sit at 17-7, 2 games up on 15-9 Liventia and 6 games up on 11-13 Maklohi Vai. The victory over Fungsland has placed Kyle Thomas's team on the verge of clinching a playoff spot as they head to Titaniumland for the last time in this edition of the WBC.

The Free Republics started off their most recent victory with a Nicholas Fisher solo home run in the bottom of the second. They followed this up with an Ethan Joyner RBI double in the third that scored Philipp Schmitz and a 2-run Teresa Mrazova home run in the 4th that put them up 4. After Fungsland answered with 3 runs to make it a 1-run game, Hollie Rogers would close out the scoring in the bottom of the 7th with a solo home run. Zac Gatehouse would give up 3 earned runs in 6 and a third innings of work. Ecio Saucedo, Luana Cremonesi, Kiyosumi Takeuchi and Mario Rothschild would combine to shut down the Fungsland attack over the remaining 2 and two thirds innings with Rothschild securing the save.

While the eyes of the Free Republics were on our National Soccer Team's victory over Saltstead that sent us through to the World Cup finals for the first time in a decade, the National Baseball Team took care of business at Horn Field on the campus of the University of Nejax. While the National Baseball Team's games are usually sellouts, this game took place in what looked to be a half-empty Horn Field, a ballpark that seats 84,201. This raises the question of why a game against an opponent like Fungsland that lacks name value would be scheduled for such a large ballpark. I asked this question to Kyle Thomas and to various officials from the University of Nejax but received no comment in response. They also refused to comment or officially report attendance figures for this ballgame...

Clarice Cormier is Sporting World's international baseball correspondent and our lead beat writer for the Republica Vipers of the X Baseball League. She is a graduate of the Barteaux University School of Journalism and an alumnus of the Barjavel Academy at Republica. Clarice is a former cheerleader who has always been a huge baseball fan. After graduating college, she decided that she would rather do sportswriting instead of political reporting and, luckily for her, Sporting World has always been happy to hire young journalists straight out of college. She has also appeared in our annual lingerie issue 5 years in a row!

---

Sarah Fuerst and Elio Lucchese had watched the game in New City with their new friend Lioba Pelayo. On this night, the two Malifornian kids were supposed to be going door to door campaigning for Sebastian Trudeau. Therefore, Sarah had special permission to dress like a normal Republican girl in order to blend in and not be an obvious member of the Salvation Circle. As this night was the eve of the second round of the election, the Salvation Circle was out across the Federation campaigning for Trudeau. Instead of doing that, as they were supposed to, Sarah and Elio headed to Lioba's house to watch the World Baseball Classic. However, as the game went on, all 3 of them lost interest and started talking about things other than the game...

Lioba Pelaya - I believe the Salvation Circle may be secretly connected to the Church of Saintland.

Sarah Fuerst - That's preposterous! Delmar Lavallee would never follow somebody else's lead.

Elio Lucchese - Sarah, I know more about the Inner Circle than you do and we've certainly had guests at our home over the years who spoke with my parents in Latin.

Sarah Fuerst - Your parents know Latin?

Elio Lucchese - Yes. They've tried to keep this a secret from me because kids are allowed into the Inner Circle but I've overheard them speaking in Latin before.

Sarah Fuerst - Officially, the Circle teaches the importance of the vernacular.

Lioba Pelaya - And the Church of Saintland permits services in the vernacular. There's nothing in the scriptures that says that Christian services have to be in Latin and the Church of Saintland, contrary to popular belief, doesn't teach that. They just prefer to use Latin because it helps to "sanctify" members of the Church by separating them from non-members.

Sarah Fuerst - But couldn't non-members just learn Latin?

Lioba Pelaya - Why would you learn Latin unless you're doing so for religious reasons? There aren't that many nations that speak it and Saintland really isn't a place you'd visit unless you specifically believe in the Church of Saintland.

Sarah Fuerst - Then why has the Free Republics long maintained a "Special Relationship" with them?

Lioba Pelaya - Since most nations don't want to deal with Saintland, it is economically beneficial for us to do so. Its a small market where companies can test out new and potentially defective products and the government is fairly rich. Plus its easy to get them to subsidize foreign-made goods since most of their people couldn't afford them otherwise. Most stuff is cheaper in Saintland but you pay heavy export tariffs if you attempt to take goods purchased in Saintland out of the country while not a permanent resident of the Kingdom so companies don't have to worry about people going to Saintland to purchase stuff cheaper. Besides, all electronics sold in Saintland contain backdoors that allow the Sanctii government to spy upon you and censorware to censor stuff the Sanctii government dislikes.

Sarah Fuerst - Its the same in Malifornia! Computers running RepublicSoft Doors have a heavily censored version and RepublicSoft pushes this onto anybody in Malifornia who has the non-Malifornia version of Doors. That's why I run Perestroika on all of my computers and make new install discs every time an update is released.

Elio Lucchese - The Salvation Circle has its own distribution of Perestroika.

Sarah Fuerst - I've heard about that. Its filled with a number of "additions" that contradict what open source is about and they haven't released their changes publicly.

Lioba Pelaya - Charter Societies are exempt from Federation law so Malifornia isn't required to honor the Copyright Act. Besides, Perestroika and most other open source software were not originally created in the Free Republics or first distributed in the Free Republics by a corporate entity that registered a copyright on them so they're generally considered public domain software. That means it isn't illegal for the Salvation Circle to violate the terms of the license.

Elio Lucchese - So there's nothing that can be done to find out what the Salvation Circle put in their versions of open source software?

Lioba Pelaya - Sadly, no. Reverse engineering software is extremely complicated and usually produces code that is unreadable for a human.

Elio Lucchese - Why would it do that? Shouldn't it be simple to translate it back to computer code?

Lioba Pelaya - Unfortunately, no. When a programmer calls her friend the compiler, the compiler optimizes her code so that it runs faster. These optimizations produce code that is extremely difficult to translate back into something readable by a human. That's even setting aside the fact that comments and even human-readable variable names are deleted during the compilation process!

Elio Lucchese - Why don't they change the compilation process to retain that information?

Lioba Pelaya - That would be an extremely bad idea because executable files are already extremely large. If they encode unnecessary information into the executable, these files get even larger.

Sarah Fuerst - How do you know all of this?

Lioba Pelaya - Let's just say that the Legion of Lucifer higher ups pushed this stuff upon the entire membership because we needed to be able to hack in order to stay a step ahead of Kulseth and his goons. We needed to stay a step ahead at all times because Reino had a massive institutional advantage and we would have been crushed if we tried to take him on directly.

Sarah Fuerst - So you picked your battles?

Lioba Pelaya - Yes. Its very important to learn to do that. You aren't going to get anywhere in terms of opposing the Salvation Circle unless you're smart about how you oppose them. Go at them head on and they have an infinite number of ways to put you back "in your place" and "break your will". This especially applies in your case since the two of you are legally minors and therefore aren't even free to refuse to go back to Malifornia.

Elio Lucchese - Of course. If we tried to run away, my parents would eventually report us missing and we'd be returned to them as soon as the police found us.

Lioba Pelaya - There are procedures you can utilize to get yourselves emancipated from your parents but these have to be done in your home Republic and there's no way Malifornia is go emancipate the two of you and then let you leave.

Sarah Fuerst - Obviously not. They aren't going to just let us leave the Circle.

Lioba Pelaya - You know, I just thought of something... Have either of you ever heard of Sister Maria Polus?

Sarah Fuerst - No. Who is she?

Elio Lucchese - I remember a woman who stayed at our home one night a few months ago. Nun who said she taught at some boarding school in Republica.

Lioba Pelaya - Yes, Sister Maria Polus is a nun in the Church of Saintland who teaches at Barjavel Academy in Republica. She is from Saintland and has a video series called "Sister Polus's Thoughts" in which she talks about the news of the day. Believe it or not, I met her once. Seemed like a nice lady who genuinely believes all the crazy shit she says. She's one of the leading voices of the Church of Saintland.

Sarah Fuerst - Elio, why would somebody like that be staying with your family?

Elio Lucchese - I don't know. I heard her speaking with my dad in Latin quite a bit. I also heard quite a bit in English about bringing Sebastian Trudeau to Malifornia.

Lioba Pelaya - You mean to tell me that Sebastian Trudeau has directly talked with theocrats?

Elio Lucchese - I believe so. Dad came home one night and started talking with Mom about how they'd talked to Mr. Trudeau.

Lioba Pelaya - Thank you for the information. I hope my allies can corroborate it and leak hard evidence of Trudeau's collusion with the Salvation Circle and the Salvation Circle's collusion with the so-called "True Church of Iesus Christus" to the press. If this is true, then Trudeau poses an existential threat to our Federation and must be stopped at all costs! Oh look at the time, it is getting late. I will have to ask the two of you to leave but I hope to see you again soon. Make sure to vote tomorrow because the pollsters are saying that Trudeau might hit 50% after the endorsement from Rule Theriault who will hopefully withdraw his endorsement after we break this collusion scandal!

Sarah Fuerst - Thank you, Lioba. We'll be back for tomorrow's game against Titaniumland...

[Hampton Island]

Hampton Island Sports Brief

Despite Strikeouts, Midnight Filling A Role Well

Midnight continues to strike out frequently while he is at the plate, but he also has had a knack for hitting that occasional clutch home run. The bigger difficulty is getting to understand appropriate baserunning when he gets a hit, but not a home run. This has been rare, as he has 11 hits total in 98 at bats, and nine of the hits have been a home run. He has struck out 71 times, by the way. The first time our beloved baseball playing black bear had a hit that was not a home run, he thought it was and preceded to round all the bases. This left the Wuriya third baseman in a tough situation, since he had the ball in plenty of time with Midnight charging hard at him. Since it was not a force play, where should he actually apply the tag on the bear? The defender went for the tag on the shoulder and properly applied it for the out. This did not make Midnight happy to be impeded with and he turned around and let out loud growl. The third baseman ran for his life into the dugout, but Golden Bear management was able to calm Midnight down, and there was no further incident. The second time, came against New Sportland, where again he did not know to stop at first. This time, when running for second, he completely barreled over the shortstop, who had to eventually be taken off on a stretch. The defender did somehow manage a tag, so Midnight was out.

Despite this, the Golden Bears are 16-8 and are on top of the group. Many have speculated that Midnight’s presence has made rival Super-Llamaland afraid to name their players for this Classic.

[Cassadaigua]

A Cassadagan Election Drama,
by Chelsea Dufresne, Concord Heights Times

There has been a lot of election talk going on with nations that feel a democracy is the best form of government. I wrote an article for World Cup readership that pointed out why a democracy is not the best way to go. It just asks for corruption, and the people never get a choice of the best two candidates to vote for, they instead must settle for the two richest candidates who have earned the most money from special interest groups to be the chosen representative of their party. Blah, blah, blah. Having a Queen simply makes matters easier.

Election drama can be had in Cassadaigua, though, as my daughter’s bff, Kelsie Flanagan was the chosen representative of the Cheerleader Party at Concord Heights Northern High School. Her primary opposition would be Brianna Nugent, of the Skater Party, and Lindsey Hancock of the Gamer Party. This was for the most highly coveted position of Senior Class President, and it provided quite a bit of drama.

Hancock was the smartest of the three, a high honor roll student with the possibility of becoming the valedictorian at the end of the year. She loved history, and had a true passion for Rushmori Studies, but could even tell you about Esportivan history better then a lot of native Esportivans. Lindsey was passionate about the most critical issues facing the school, such as teacher quality, and overall class size. While the school was well funded, Hancock still felt as though it could be better, and pushed for better speeds of the school’s wifi, as well as textbooks to be completely up to date. Unfortunately for Lindsay, she did not have the largest circle of friends, but was confident that through an outstanding campaign of strategically located posterboard signs throughout the school, that she would be able to defeat her two rivals. If the election were based on true qualifications, there was no better for the position.

Nugent didn’t have the high grades, but she did alright. She was smart enough to realize, though, that she was not going to win the votes of her classmates by talking about issues like class size and textbooks. Who the heck wants to hear about that? Nugent focused on things she felt would matter more, like increasing the size of the senior class parking lot, and allowing privileges to be based on academic criteria rather then an automatic lottery. She also campaigned that students should have the right to skateboard on the walks surrounding the school when school was not in session, or during the lunch period. Brianna hoped that her signs would be the most appealing. She had a good circle of friends.

Kelsie Flanagan was the three-sport star. In addition to cheerleading, she also played softball and lacrosse. Her grades were actually excellent, but no one would ever give her the benefit of the doubt on that. No one really knew why she was running for Senior Class President. She didn’t need too, her parents had plenty of money and were able to get her whatever she wanted. Trust me, I know, because she’s my daughter’s best friend. Kelsie didn’t have much of a campaign, as given her popularity in the school, she figured that people would either vote for, or choose between Nugent and Hancock. That’s why so many of those political elections have two parties, because when you have three, it can be strategic to just sit back and let the other two go out at, while you sit back and hang with your friends. Kelsie didn’t really challenge Lindsey Hancock, because she knew there was going to be no winning a debate with her, and she knew that most students didn’t care. Kelsie agreed with Brianna Nugent on some things, which was by design, as it made it tough for Brianna to separate herself from Kelsie. Flanagan put up a posterboard here and there, but all of her posterboards were “party based”. Her name on the top, and then the names of her friends who were running for the other positions, like vice president, secretary, and treasurer.

Brianna Nugent was having trouble distinguishing herself from Kelsie Flanagan, so now she had to do what national polticians need to do. Stop talking about yourself and turning on the hate. Nugent posted a sign right outside the main cafeteria calling Kelsie Flanagan nothing but a bully, and claimed that friends of her had been bullied by Kelsie. This was not the case, Flanagan was not that type of person. Her friends knew that. Brianna knew that too, but she had to get some people to go her way.

A couple days later, all of Brianna Nugent’s signs were taken down. And this did not sit well with her. She claimed that it was Kelsie Flanagan and her friends that did it, but had no proof of it. Kelsie was smart, and used this to point out that none of Lindsey Hancock signs were taken down, so how did she know it wasn’t Lindsey? Lindsey Hancock stayed out of it, but had a eureka moment here: use it to her advantage! While not getting involved in the Nugent-Flanagan argument, she put up new signs that called herself “too cool for Kelsie to worry about”, and similar things. Kelsie Flanagan still tried not to worry about Hancock, she was still confident that enough people would vote for her.

The drama continued. Badmouthing, name calling, and no real discussion of the issues. All of this drama in an election for Senior Class President at Concord Heights Northern High School.

Real life national elections? Not much different. Just older people, with more money at stake.

All Hail The Queen!

PS: Kelsie won.

[Tierra de Castro]

Emilio Noboa sat in his spacious office in the Centro Nacional de Béisbol and admired the view outside. He was on the fourth floor, the highest of this particular building and he could see all the training areas for each age-group team – right up to the senior national team – spread out in front of him. The stadium was located to the right, separated from the training areas by a large fence and the building that housed the locker rooms and physiotherapy suites. He would often be in there, but today he was going through paperwork, logging any minor injuries in the system so that he could build up a profile for each player.

He had been the Doctor for the national side from when it had been announced that they would be competing in the World Baseball Classic for the very first time. As soon as that had been announced, the Minister for Sport announced El Profesor Edgar Abasto as Head Coach and when that news was broken Emilio felt like he knew that he would have a good chance of gaining a role somewhere in the national team set-up.

Emilio had played baseball with Edgar Abasto up until the age of 23, even making his debut with the Marineros alongside him. Emilio had been a shortstop, whilst Edgar had of course been a second baseman and the two had a very good relationship – friends on and off the diamond. However, Emilio didn’t quite have the stellar career his friend had had with the Marineros. Sadly, he was involved in a car crash at the age of 23. His left arm was badly damaged during the accident and the lasting nerve damage meant that – whilst he could still do the majority of things – playing baseball was a little beyond him.

He had been so frustrated and angry at the time. Baseball had been his life, he had loved every minute playing and it had been taken from him. It was an accident, nobody particularly at fault, just some oil on the road and a giant skid and that was it. He couldn’t play at the highest level anymore. He was looking for new things to do soon after, once the anger and frustration had subsided a little bit. His parents advised him to go to university, he had always been intelligent and had only ended his studies upon concluding high school because he thought he’d be playing baseball.

So he went to university and studied Medicine, graduated with flying colours and became a general physician. He worked locally, with normal people coming to visit him to find out what was wrong with their aching bones, or whether they should be worried about a cough they hadn’t been able to shift for a while. It wasn’t quite playing baseball, but he enjoyed the job – new things every single day, it was challenging and sometimes he had to become a real problem solver to work out exactly what was wrong with people. Emilio was glad that he had decided to do it, anything else and he may have become extremely bitter about the baseball injury.

Ever since he had stopped playing, he’d kept in contact with Edgar. Throughout his studies at university, throughout Edgar’s baseball career. Right up until that day that El Profesor – as he was now known – was named Head Coach of the national baseball team. They had remained good friends throughout that time and that was why Emilio had had a hunch that he would somehow end up on the coaching staff in one way or another. He hadn’t quite expected to get the job as the Lead Physician for the entire FCB, though. He was in charge of the medical policy for every single team from the senior national team, down all the age-levels, right down to little-league. He was also consulted on injuries, receiving reports on every player’s health, fitness and wellbeing weekly. It was another job that challenged him on a daily basis and he now felt like he had the perfect balance: the medical job, but involved in baseball at the same time. It was perfect! Everything had come full circle in its own way.

He’d get all sorts of injuries, but it was mainly related to overuse and the like: injured rotator cuffs, UCLs, ACL and MCLs, muscle sprains and strains, spondylolysis. Pitchers usually had it toughest and it was especially difficult for the younger age groups, where a particularly bad injury had the potential to severely curtail their careers or even end them for good.

He had had to have an especially difficult chat with the parents of a 14 year old who was in the FCB’s development program. He’d been pitching constantly, always training to try and improve his motion and the overuse had caused particularly bad damage to the muscles and joints of the shoulder. The kid had simply over-trained and the FCB couldn’t risk continuing with him in case he continued to damage his body. He hadn’t listened to the coaches who referenced the pitching limit at that age and had told him to give his body a break and he had paid for it, with damage to his shoulder and losing his spot with the FCB’s prestigious development program.

Generally, it was fun, though. A lot of the time he could just stroll down by the fields and watch the various age-group teams train. The hitters in the batting cages were often good value for money, some of them were excellent, with power that belied their years. Emilio enjoyed watching fielding practice the most, Castrollano domestic teams were known for clockwork fielding, repeatedly training potential double and even triple play situations so that in a game the situation wouldn’t come as a surprise and they knew exactly what to do. The coaching staff were trying to translate this through to national team level, to gain an extra edge and cut-out errors. It was working. Even at little-league level the kids were having it drilled into them and the standard of fielding was often spectacular.

The results in the World Baseball Classic were also spectacular. In their debut, the team were now 15-9 following a 6-3 defeat of the Royal Kingdom of Quebec. That score made the game look closer than it was but the linescore told you everything you needed to know. Tierra de Castro had raced into a 6-0 lead through the first three innings and were comfortable until the 8th and 9th, when the Quebecois team had pulled three runs back against closer Jorge Santangel – who nearly allowed a fightback instead of doing his job and seeing out the victory.

Edgar had voice concerns about Santangel to Emilio, but that wasn’t his area, he wasn’t employed to make coaching decisions. So he merely relayed the medical data he had on file and Santangel didn’t have a lot wrong with him. He’d had a couple of sprains in his time, but that was to be expected. He’d had a ten year domestic career. But Edgar wanted to know his opinion.

“Emilio, I asked for you to be on the medical staff so I could ask you about stuff like this too!” He had laughed.

“Well, if you really want my opinion, I think that using Benji Arboleda would be a better option. Santangel is better known for his closing abilities, but Benji has had better form recently – particularly with Tocororos. If we have a situation where you need a closer, I’d go with him from here on out.”

“See! I knew I’d value your opinions if I got you on-board and you say exactly what I have been thinking!”

“Hey, Edgar, all you wanted me to do was confirm what you already knew. Jorge’s off-form at the minute and Benji is a kid with something to prove.”

“Exactly.”

[Vangaziland]

Vangaziland Plays Classic Game

The last 6 game stretch has brought ups and downs for the Vangaziland Royals. It would start on a high, beating Equestrian States 4-3 on Day 19. Nate Henli picked up his second win against the Ponies. Henli gave up 2 runs early before taking back control of the mound.

"We needed the win", Henli said postgame. "I knew if I stayed on top of things and listened to what Okogan saw at catcher, we could take the victory."

Henli was pulled in the 7th after giving up a late inning run. Cortez and Manny Mathissen closed out the game. Pat Evenson hit a 1 run home run. Hernandez hit an RBI single. Braden Okogan brought two runs home with an RBI double. The Vannish runners looked speedy on base all night. Chuck Endo made the sprint from second to beat the throw home.

For all the promise of the start, the six game stretch would end with three losses. These would set Vangaziland back, as the Royals fell to Gor Kebab, Melbergia and Equestrian States. This time the Ponies beat Vangaziland 9-0. Henli looked fatigued early and gave up 4 runs by the end of the 3rd inning.

"The losses against Melbergia and Gor Kebab really got us down", Henli said after he was pulled in the 6th. "But we're still optimistic."

Despite a terrible stretch, Vangaziland had reason to be optimistic. That would be the game which occured on Matchday 21. Del Bjornberg ran into trouble pitching in the 3rd and 6th innings. He gave up 3 in the 3rd and another in the 6th. He showed why he is one of Vangaziland's best pitchers of the modern era. Del took the team into the middle of the 8th. At that point, Manny Mathissen came in. The closer had to leave early after a pitch came back the wrong way and struck him on the thigh. He has a bruise and is listed as questionable. He missed the three games following the incident.

The lack of a closer is part of the reason why Vangaziland gave up 3 9th inning runs against Gor Kebab. "Every time we lose to those guys, it hurts worse than the injury", said closer Manny Mathissen.

Vangaziland took the momentum with a long top of the first which saw the Royals pull 4 runs. Kelderssen stepped up to the plate and started the game with a 1 run homer literally 'right off the bat'. Second pitch. It seemed to get in the pitcher's head as she watched him trot from the mound. Sren, Endo and Hernandez would score RBI singles in the inning.

The game would reach the conclusion of the 9th tied at 4-4. Pitching and defense stepped up on both sides. Endo and Kelderssen both pulled acrobatic double plays in the course of regulation. Tom Davison drove home 2 runs with an RBI triple in the 12th inning. The ball looked as if it was going to be a home run, but ended up bouncing off the corner of the wall. The leftfielder was thrown off just enough to stall for the ball to lag reaching home.

Concord Heights Stadium in Cassadaigua was stunned. They had to have been sure the locals would pull away eventually, as the extra innings had worn on.

Davison could have held at 2nd, but took the extra base since the ball was heading home. It was an all for nothing play which brought an exciting end to the game. The Vangaziland Royals had finally beat one of the top teams in the tournament. If any game could begin to stir Vannish interest in baseball, it would be this one.

Of course, the Royals followed this with a 3 game losing streak.... At least.

[Newmanistan]

Matchday 25:

Group 1
Scootalove City          4 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0  5
Knessniet                0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1  2

The Greater Nordics      0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0  2
Notoria                  0 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 X  3

Hicaña                   0 1 0 0 0 0 2 2 0  5
Drawkland                1 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 X  7


  Group 1                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Scootalove City          25   18   7   132   74  +58    54
2 Drawkland                25   14  11   110  103   +7    42
3 Knessniet                25   12  13   110   92  +18    36
4 Hicaña                   25   12  13   100  115  −15    36
5 The Greater Nordics      25   10  15    78  110  −32    30
6 Notoria                  25    9  16    79  115  −36    27

Group 2
Equestrian States        1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1  4
Melbergia                0 0 0 1 1 1 2 0 X  5

Suryak                   2 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0  4
Vangaziland              1 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 X  5

Cassadaigua              0 4 2 0 0 0 0 0 0  6
Gor Kebab                0 1 2 0 0 0 1 0 0  4


  Group 2                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Cassadaigua              25   21   4   145   70  +75    63
2 Vangaziland              25   15  10   101   95   +6    45
3 Equestrian States        25   14  11   123  110  +13    42
4 Suryak                   25    9  16    89  115  −26    27
5 Gor Kebab                25    9  16    84  117  −33    27
6 Melbergia                25    7  18    92  127  −35    21

Group 3
West Phoenicia           0 3 0 1 0 0 7 0 0 0 11
South Covello            0 1 3 1 0 4 0 1 1 1 12

Tenburg                  0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 2  4
Eraman                   1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0  2

Shayla                   0 0 1 0 1 0 2 0 0  4
The Sherpa Empire        1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  1


  Group 3                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 West Phoenicia           25   20   5   174   99  +75    60
2 The Sherpa Empire        25   15  10   119  111   +8    45
3 South Covello            25   13  12   129  127   +2    39
4 Eraman                   25   11  14   113  127  −14    33
5 Tenburg                  25    8  17   129  145  −16    24
6 Shayla                   25    8  17    82  137  −55    24

Group 4
Newmanistan                  3 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0  6
Tjorl                        0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0  3

Dharoka                      0 1 0 2 0 2 0 0 1  6
Northwest Kalactin           0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0

Lisander                     0 2 1 0 1 1 0 0 0  5
Ethane                       1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  2


  Group 4                     Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Newmanistan                  25   21   4   144   77  +67    63
2 Ethane                       25   19   6   135   79  +56    57
3 Tjorl                        25   10  15    86  111  −25    30
4 Dharoka                      25   10  15   103  135  −32    30
5 Lisander                     25    9  16    84  100  −16    27
6 Northwest Kalactin           25    6  19    81  131  −50    18

Group 5
Beepee                       0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 0  3
Royal Kingdom of Quebec      0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0  2

Nova Anglicana               0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  4
Alpine Union                 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0  3

Tierra de Castro             0 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 0  4
Loshos                       0 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 0  3


  Group 5                     Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Nova Anglicana               25   17   8   121   94  +27    51
2 Tierra de Castro             25   16   9   129   82  +47    48
3 Alpine Union                 25   14  11   127  114  +13    42
4 Beepee                       25   13  12   109  115   −6    39
5 Royal Kingdom of Quebec      25   11  14    95  122  −27    33
6 Loshos                       25    4  21    73  127  −54    12

Group 6
Free Republics               0 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 0  4
Titaniumland                 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0

Liventia                     0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8  8
Fungsland                    1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  1

Saint Agnesia                0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0  3
Maklohi Vai                  2 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 X  6


  Group 6                     Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Free Republics               25   18   7   143   84  +59    54
2 Liventia                     25   16   9   131   97  +34    48
3 Maklohi Vai                  25   12  13   121  123   −2    36
4 Fungsland                    25   10  15   106  127  −21    30
5 Titaniumland                 25   10  15   110  134  −24    30
6 Saint Agnesia                25    9  16    96  142  −46    27

Group 7
Oscioru                     0 0 0 3 0 0 0 1 0  4
Wuriya                      0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1  2

Super-Llamaland             3 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  4
Hampton Island              2 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2  6

Lycrabon                    0 0 5 4 0 0 0 1 0 10
New Sportland               0 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0  3


  Group 7                    Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Hampton Island              25   17   8   116   88  +28    51
2 Lycrabon                    25   15  10   117   93  +24    45
3 Super-Llamaland             25   15  10   113   94  +19    45
4 Wuriya                      25   11  14   112  109   +3    33
5 Oscioru                     25   10  15    95  118  −23    30
6 New Sportland               25    7  18    84  135  −51    21

Group 8
Ranoria                     1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1  4
People Who Have Issues      0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0  3

Schiltzberg                 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0  5
Anthor                      0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1  3

St Saratoga                 5 2 0 1 0 1 0 2 0 11
Ko-oren                     0 0 0 1 1 1 1 3 0  7


  Group 8                    Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Schiltzberg                 25   17   8   127   93  +34    51
2 Ko-oren                     25   14  11    98  113  −15    42
3 St Saratoga                 25   13  12   127  115  +12    39
4 Anthor                      25   11  14   114  108   +6    33
5 People Who Have Issues      25   10  15   112  122  −10    30
6 Ranoria                     25   10  15   111  138  −27    30

Group 9
Filindostan                 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0  3
Cosumar                     0 0 0 0 3 2 1 1 X  7

Aureumterra                 0 0 1 2 0 0 1 0 1 0 1  6
Abanhfleft                  0 0 1 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 0  5

Saintland                   0 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 2  5
Banija                      0 0 0 1 2 0 1 0 0  4


  Group 9                    Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Banija                      25   18   7   131   77  +54    54
2 Abanhfleft                  25   15  10   111   78  +33    45
3 Cosumar                     25   14  11   126  100  +26    42
4 Saintland                   25   11  14    91  109  −18    33
5 Filindostan                 25    9  16    79  126  −47    27
6 Aureumterra                 25    8  17    85  133  −48    24

Matchday 26:

Group 1
Knessniet                0 0 0 0 0 1 0 4 0  5
Drawkland                0 2 2 0 0 0 0 2 X  6

Hicaña                   0 0 0 2 0 1 2 1 0  6
Notoria                  0 1 3 0 1 0 0 0 2  7

The Greater Nordics      3 1 0 2 0 0 0 2 1  9
Scootalove City          1 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 2  6


  Group 1                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Scootalove City          26   18   8   138   83  +55    54
2 Drawkland                26   15  11   116  108   +8    45
3 Knessniet                26   12  14   115   98  +17    36
4 Hicaña                   26   12  14   106  122  −16    36
5 The Greater Nordics      26   11  15    87  116  −29    33
6 Notoria                  26   10  16    86  121  −35    30

Group 2
Melbergia                1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0  2
Gor Kebab                1 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 X  4

Cassadaigua              0 0 2 1 1 2 0 0 0  6
Vangaziland              0 1 0 1 2 0 1 0 0  5

Suryak                   0 0 0 0 4 0 1 1 0 0 0 0  6
Equestrian States        0 3 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2  8


  Group 2                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Cassadaigua              26   22   4   151   75  +76    66
2 Equestrian States        26   15  11   131  116  +15    45
3 Vangaziland              26   15  11   106  101   +5    45
4 Gor Kebab                26   10  16    88  119  −31    30
5 Suryak                   26    9  17    95  123  −28    27
6 Melbergia                26    7  19    94  131  −37    21

Group 3
South Covello            1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1  4
The Sherpa Empire        0 1 1 0 1 0 2 0 X  5

Shayla                   1 0 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  6
Eraman                   3 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  7

Tenburg                  2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0  3
West Phoenicia           0 0 2 2 1 0 0 0 X  5


  Group 3                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 West Phoenicia           26   21   5   179  102  +77    63
2 The Sherpa Empire        26   16  10   124  115   +9    48
3 South Covello            26   13  13   133  132   +1    39
4 Eraman                   26   12  14   120  133  −13    36
5 Tenburg                  26    8  18   132  150  −18    24
6 Shayla                   26    8  18    88  144  −56    24

Group 4
Tjorl                        0 0 0 0 1 2 1 0 0  4
Ethane                       0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 4  6

Lisander                     0 0 0 0 2 0 2 1 0  5
Northwest Kalactin           2 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0  4

Dharoka                      0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0  2
Newmanistan                  0 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 X  4


  Group 4                     Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Newmanistan                  26   22   4   148   79  +69    66
2 Ethane                       26   20   6   141   83  +58    60
3 Lisander                     26   10  16    89  104  −15    30
4 Tjorl                        26   10  16    90  117  −27    30
5 Dharoka                      26   10  16   105  139  −34    30
6 Northwest Kalactin           26    6  20    85  136  −51    18

Group 5
Royal Kingdom of Quebec      2 0 1 0 0 4 0 0 0  7
Loshos                       0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0

Tierra de Castro             0 1 0 0 4 0 0 1 0  6
Alpine Union                 2 0 0 1 1 3 0 0 X  7

Nova Anglicana               0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 1  4
Beepee                       0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0  1


  Group 5                     Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Nova Anglicana               26   18   8   125   95  +30    54
2 Tierra de Castro             26   16  10   135   89  +46    48
3 Alpine Union                 26   15  11   134  120  +14    45
4 Beepee                       26   13  13   110  119   −9    39
5 Royal Kingdom of Quebec      26   12  14   102  122  −20    36
6 Loshos                       26    4  22    73  134  −61    12

Group 6
Titaniumland                 0 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0  4
Maklohi Vai                  2 0 0 3 0 0 0 1 X  6

Saint Agnesia                0 0 0 1 0 1 0 3 0  5
Fungsland                    3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  3

Liventia                     0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0  1
Free Republics               0 0 3 0 0 0 1 0 X  4


  Group 6                     Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Free Republics               26   19   7   147   85  +62    57
2 Liventia                     26   16  10   132  101  +31    48
3 Maklohi Vai                  26   13  13   127  127    0    39
4 Fungsland                    26   10  16   109  132  −23    30
5 Titaniumland                 26   10  16   114  140  −26    30
6 Saint Agnesia                26   10  16   101  145  −44    30

Group 7
Wuriya                      0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  1
New Sportland               0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 X  3

Lycrabon                    0 0 6 0 1 0 0 0 2  9
Hampton Island              2 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0  5

Super-Llamaland             2 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0  5
Oscioru                     0 0 0 0 1 0 3 0 0  4


  Group 7                    Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Hampton Island              26   17   9   121   97  +24    51
2 Lycrabon                    26   16  10   126   98  +28    48
3 Super-Llamaland             26   16  10   118   98  +20    48
4 Wuriya                      26   11  15   113  112   +1    33
5 Oscioru                     26   10  16    99  123  −24    30
6 New Sportland               26    8  18    87  136  −49    24

Group 8
People Who Have Issues      0 0 0 2 2 0 0 1 0  5
Ko-oren                     0 2 4 0 2 0 0 0 X  8

St Saratoga                 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0  3
Anthor                      1 0 1 1 0 2 0 1 X  6

Schiltzberg                 0 6 0 0 1 0 0 2 3 12
Ranoria                     0 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 4  7


  Group 8                    Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Schiltzberg                 26   18   8   139  100  +39    54
2 Ko-oren                     26   15  11   106  118  −12    45
3 St Saratoga                 26   13  13   130  121   +9    39
4 Anthor                      26   12  14   120  111   +9    36
5 People Who Have Issues      26   10  16   117  130  −13    30
6 Ranoria                     26   10  16   118  150  −32    30

Group 9
Cosumar                     0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0  3
Banija                      0 0 1 3 1 0 0 0 X  5

Saintland                   0 1 0 2 0 0 0 3 0  6
Abanhfleft                  0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0  2

Aureumterra                 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  2
Filindostan                 2 0 0 2 3 2 2 1 X 12


  Group 9                    Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Banija                      26   19   7   136   80  +56    57
2 Abanhfleft                  26   15  11   113   84  +29    45
3 Cosumar                     26   14  12   129  105  +24    42
4 Saintland                   26   12  14    97  111  −14    36
5 Filindostan                 26   10  16    91  128  −37    30
6 Aureumterra                 26    8  18    87  145  −58    24

Matchday 27:

Group 1
The Greater Nordics      0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0  3
Knessniet                0 0 2 1 0 0 2 0 X  5

Scootalove City          0 0 0 1 0 1 4 1 4 11
Hicaña                   0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0

Notoria                  1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0  2
Drawkland                0 2 3 0 1 1 0 1 X  8


  Group 1                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Scootalove City          27   19   8   149   83  +66    57  Q
2 Drawkland                27   16  11   124  110  +14    48
3 Knessniet                27   13  14   120  101  +19    39
4 Hicaña                   27   12  15   106  133  −27    36
5 The Greater Nordics      27   11  16    90  121  −31    33
6 Notoria                  27   10  17    88  129  −41    30

Group 2
Suryak                   1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2  4
Melbergia                0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0  2

Equestrian States        2 0 2 1 2 0 3 0 0 10
Cassadaigua              0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 1  6

Vangaziland              0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0  3
Gor Kebab                0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0  1


  Group 2                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Cassadaigua              27   22   5   157   85  +72    66  Q1
2 Equestrian States        27   16  11   141  122  +19    48
3 Vangaziland              27   16  11   109  102   +7    48
4 Suryak                   27   10  17    99  125  −26    30
5 Gor Kebab                27   10  17    89  122  −33    30
6 Melbergia                27    7  20    96  135  −39    21

Group 3
Tenburg                  0 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 0  4
South Covello            2 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 X  7

West Phoenicia           4 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 0  7
Shayla                   0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1  3

Eraman                   0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0  1
The Sherpa Empire        0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 X  5


  Group 3                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 West Phoenicia           27   22   5   186  105  +81    66  Q1
2 The Sherpa Empire        27   17  10   129  116  +13    51
3 South Covello            27   14  13   140  136   +4    42
4 Eraman                   27   12  15   121  138  −17    36
5 Tenburg                  27    8  19   136  157  −21    24
6 Shayla                   27    8  19    91  151  −60    24

Group 4
Dharoka                      0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2  2
Tjorl                        0 0 4 0 0 3 0 0 X  7

Newmanistan                  0 0 0 0 0 1 3 0 0  4
Lisander                     0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0  1

Northwest Kalactin           2 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 0  6
Ethane                       3 0 0 0 1 0 0 6 X 10


  Group 4                     Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Newmanistan                  27   23   4   152   80  +72    69  Q
2 Ethane                       27   21   6   151   89  +62    63  Q
3 Tjorl                        27   11  16    97  119  −22    33
4 Lisander                     27   10  17    90  108  −18    30
5 Dharoka                      27   10  17   107  146  −39    30
6 Northwest Kalactin           27    6  21    91  146  −55    18

Group 5
Nova Anglicana               1 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0  5
Royal Kingdom of Quebec      1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1  3

Beepee                       0 0 2 0 0 1 2 5 0 10
Tierra de Castro             2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0  3

Alpine Union                 0 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 1  6
Loshos                       1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2  5


  Group 5                     Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Nova Anglicana               27   19   8   130   98  +32    57
2 Tierra de Castro             27   16  11   138   99  +39    48
3 Alpine Union                 27   16  11   140  125  +15    48
4 Beepee                       27   14  13   120  122   −2    42
5 Royal Kingdom of Quebec      27   12  15   105  127  −22    36
6 Loshos                       27    4  23    78  140  −62    12

Group 6
Liventia                     0 0 0 0 0 7 0 1 0  8
Titaniumland                 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 0  5

Free Republics               1 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 1  5
Saint Agnesia                0 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0  3

Fungsland                    0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0
Maklohi Vai                  0 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 X  4


  Group 6                     Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Free Republics               27   20   7   152   88  +64    60  Q
2 Liventia                     27   17  10   140  106  +34    51
3 Maklohi Vai                  27   14  13   131  127   +4    42
4 Fungsland                    27   10  17   109  136  −27    30
5 Titaniumland                 27   10  17   119  148  −29    30
6 Saint Agnesia                27   10  17   104  150  −46    30

Group 7
Super-Llamaland             2 0 3 0 0 1 0 0 0  6
Wuriya                      0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0  2

Oscioru                     0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  1
Lycrabon                    1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  2

Hampton Island              0 2 2 0 2 0 0 0 0  6
New Sportland               0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0


  Group 7                    Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Hampton Island              27   18   9   127   97  +30    54
2 Lycrabon                    27   17  10   128   99  +29    51
3 Super-Llamaland             27   17  10   124  100  +24    51
4 Wuriya                      27   11  16   115  118   −3    33
5 Oscioru                     27   10  17   100  125  −25    30
6 New Sportland               27    8  19    87  142  −55    24

Group 8
Schiltzberg                 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 1 1  5
People Who Have Issues      0 1 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0  4

Ranoria                     0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0  1
St Saratoga                 0 3 1 3 0 0 1 0 X  8

Anthor                      0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0  2
Ko-oren                     0 1 2 0 1 0 0 0 X  4


  Group 8                    Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Schiltzberg                 27   19   8   144  104  +40    57  Q
2 Ko-oren                     27   16  11   110  120  −10    48
3 St Saratoga                 27   14  13   138  122  +16    42
4 Anthor                      27   12  15   122  115   +7    36
5 People Who Have Issues      27   10  17   121  135  −14    30
6 Ranoria                     27   10  17   119  158  −39    30

Group 9
Aureumterra                 0 2 0 1 0 0 1 1 0  5
Cosumar                     0 0 0 3 1 0 0 0 0  4

Filindostan                 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0  3
Saintland                   0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 X  4

Abanhfleft                  1 0 0 3 4 1 1 0 0 10
Banija                      0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0  3


  Group 9                    Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Banija                      27   19   8   139   90  +49    57  Q
2 Abanhfleft                  27   16  11   123   87  +36    48
3 Cosumar                     27   14  13   133  110  +23    42
4 Saintland                   27   13  14   101  114  −13    39
5 Filindostan                 27   10  17    94  132  −38    30
6 Aureumterra                 27    9  18    92  149  −57    27

[Lycrabon]

Another Barnett caused WBC controversy, group stage title in sight

ST. CATHERINE - The Blue Jays have been up and down in this Classic, but they're hitting their stride at the perfect time, following a 2-1, 11 inning victory over Oscirou (OOC: Apologies for the spelling.)

The Barnett genes came back finally in this game, however. Garry Barnett IV, who pinch-hit in the 9th, pitched in the 10th, getting two outs before being ejected for a head-hunting HBP. Post-game, it was announced that he will be suspended for the final three group stage games, as well as a potential first-round series. With 3 to play, the Jays are tied with Super-Llamaland and a game behind The Hampton Islands.

[West Phoenicia]

Health Groups and Parent Lobbying groups have slammed the West Phoenician Baseball Federation for signing a $100 million deal to take Phoenician Gold on as a major sponsor.

Phoenician Gold is the second biggest tobacco company in The Confederate Empire of West Phoenicia.

West Phoenicia's tobacco industry is a billion dollar export industry with numerous tobacco plantations around the Empire.

Health officials and parents groups have slammed it as a stupid move. Branding alone and the current popularity of Baseball will encourage more people including younger people to take up smoking.

Parenting groups have said they will call for a boycott of the sport if the Federation goes ahead with the deal.

The Socialist Party has also slammed the West Phoenician Baseball Federation for not only promoting smoking but giving the thumbs up to slavery as well.

The Socialist Party cites that the Tobacco Plantations have many many employees who are signed up under the Volunteer Labor Program, a program that takes on prisoners serving time behind bars to work out in the fields as a sort of payback to society. The Socialists label it as slavery in pretty gift wrapping citing these prisoners are treated lime slaves and can be whipped if they attempt escape.

Other major parties have dismissed the accusations that the Volunteer Labor Program is slavery. People are not forced onto the program it is optional.

Phoenician Gold has hit back saying people have a choice if they choose to smoke or not and none or their advertisement is targeted at children. The President of Phoenician Gold slammed the Socialist Party as hypocrites saying many Socialist party members elected to parliament have taken donations from the company during election time to assist with campaigns.

The same parenting groups also swung out at the Socialist Party for their hypocrisy in wanting the decriminalization of all drugs citing that would also lure the youth to want to try it.

[The Sherpa Empire]

‭

----o-֎-o----

‭The bombing of Kabul was winding down and the Sherpa forces camped around the city were making their final preparations to move in. Most of them were ordinary military personnel armed with ordinary weapons -- or relatively ordinary at any rate. Some vehicles had subtle magical features like fuel tanks that were larger inside than out, allowing them to run longer without stopping for fuel. Similar tricks were used to carry extra ammunition. However, this sort of magical manufacturing was expensive, and only the most sophisticated top-of-the-line equipment had such features. Only the most elite troops got to use such weapons.

‭There were a variety of magicians who served at the front, alongside the soldiers. Most military magic relied on either Tao or talismans that harnessed blood magic. Divine intervention could not be summoned reliably enough, and even when it arrived, it was often limited to healing the wounded. Demonic magic had too many nasty side effects. It had a few legitimate uses in reconnaissance, but using it in combat was considered a war crime. Using blood magic directly, without using talismans to manage it, was exhausting and dangerous for the one casting the spells. So the military mostly used Tao and talismans.

‭The magical support staff were a mix of military personnel and civilians. Among the civilians was a government shaman named Sarki Ihawa, who specialized in magical reconnaissance and forensics, and had spent the last several months using her skills to track down Taliban leaders and find the locations of their secret hiding places where terror cells met or where hostages were held.

‭When Sarki's niece Changjun called and asked when she could get some time off so they could see each other, it never crossed Sarki's mind that her niece might be looking to pump her for information on behalf of Princess Yahia. Sarki knew that Yahia had visited the family's house in Namche, but since Changjun's father was one of Yahia's favorite ballplayers and Yahia was notorious for chasing after ballplayers, she took for granted that Yahia had just been looking for a chance to flirt with him, or at least an excuse to schmooze. Changjun's parents had said that Yahia was acting different than usual, classy like actual royalty rather than her usual groupie-like self, but Sarki dismissed this as simply evidence that Yahia was starting to grow up and learn some subtlety.

‭"You haven't seen Changyi since she got out of rehab," Changjun said. "I think she'd really like it if you came to visit."

‭"I'll come over when I have the time," Sarki told her. "But it will probably have to wait until after we capture Kabul. Things are busy right now. Obviously."

‭"Yeah, I know you're busy," said Changjun. "We just haven't seen you for a while, you know?"

‭

----o-֎-o----

‭The national baseball team won 2 games out of 3 during their homestand in Kolkata. The changes to the pitching rotation seemed to have paid off. The Sherpas were no longer getting shellacked every time they played South Covello, and Tsheri Pham was having much more success against Eraman than he had against the South Covellans. He had only given up 1 run in his last two starts.

‭Unfortunately, Kima Jabralla had not gotten over his outrage at the Islamophobia in West Phoenicia and was still saying he did not want to pitch there. Some people sympathized with him, but national team manager Dinesh Mohn, Sports Department director Xue Gong, and Rajas general manager Ilyas Bishwakarma were not among them. Fans were upset and the internet was awash with articles and forum posts criticizing his attitude. The sports pundits on SISN argued both sides of the issue because it made for more interesting discussion that way, but they mostly seemed to think that Jabralla was in the wrong. A few influential imams spoke up in his defense, as did Tshering of Fuzhou and Lakpa Fang, but it was obvious that the tide of public opinion was against them. Jabralla's teammates other than Fang thought he was out of line. Jabralla and Siedler got into a shouting match so vicious that it nearly turned into a fist fight. Finjhok Chang and Mingma Al Ali had to pull them apart and stop them from fighting.

‭In the end, Jabralla was removed from the national team roster, and the Rajas announced that they would consider trading him or possibly selling out his contract to an overseas franchise. "Not in West Phoenicia, obviously," Bishwakarma said when he made the announcement.

When the dust settled, José Sherpa was pretty much the only person that came out ahead. He would take Jabralla's place at the game in West Phoenicia, and if the team made it to the playoffs, he would be included in the starting rotation for the playoffs.
‭

----o-֎-o----

[Beepee]

The secret diary of Homer Unn, aged 50 and three quarters

9th October 2018.
World Post Day

Match Day 25
Beepee d. Royal Kingdom of Quebec 3 - 2

Match Day 26
Nova Anglicana d. Beepee 4 -1

Match Day 27
Beepee d. Tierra de Castro 10 - 3

Just my luck, I went to post a letter to mother in Newmanistan, but the post office was shut. Ridiculous! on world post day as well.

The team played well today especially against Tierra de Castro... but our goose is all but cooked and we're going out at the group stage. Nevermind. Its been so much fun.

It's, pretty much, a two horse race for second place in our group. Maybe we an cause an upset and beat someone to make a difference to the outcome. As my great mentor and friend, Bobson Dugnutt used to say "keep playing til the very last".

[Free Republics]

Sporting World

Free Republics on Verge of Clinching First as 3 Games Remain in WBC 44 Group Stage
by: Clarice Cormier

With 1 more win or 1 more Liventia loss, the Federation of Free Republics National Baseball Team will win Group 6! The recent 4 to 1 victory over Liventia at BearOil Park, highlighted by a 3 run home run by Oskar Bjorgum, has likely secured first place for Kyle Thomas's squad. Liventia still has a chance of winning the group due to their 4 head to head victories over the Free Republics in this WBC but that is dependent upon the Republicans dropping 3 games in a row to close out the group stage, including games against Fungsland and Titaniumland. The Republicans will have a chance to clinch the group against Maklohi Vai at Memorial Park in Republica. A win in this match would also clinch an outright second place finish and playoff berth for Liventia.

Most of the groups in this WBC appear settled going into the final 3 days but there are several big stories playing out in the WBC. In Group 2, the Equestrian States and Vangaziland are tied and they will play one more game on the penultimate day that will likely decide which of them advances to the playoffs. Most Republican fans will likely be pulling for Vangaziland as the rivalry with the Equestrian States is now even more heated than ever after one of their players literally flew with a soccer ball at the end of a World Cup match to score a cheap goal. Soccer General Rule Theriault has cried foul but the World Cup Committee has refused to overturn the result. In baseball, the Equestrian States have won 3 out of 5 head to head meetings so far so they will be able to clinch with a win over Vangaziland unless they come into that game behind them in the standings. In Group 3, the story of the WBC is South Covello, a former WBC champion during the days when it was known as Gregoryisgodistan, on the verge of elimination to a team from The Sherpa Empire that may be a dark horse in the playoffs.

Possibly the most intriguing story of the WBC this year is Tierra de Castro, a rookie side in this WBC, which is currently in a battle with the 10th ranked Alpine Union for a playoff spot in Group 5. This one could go down to the wire with Beepee also in the mix. Tierra de Castro holds the head to head tiebreaker over the Alpine Union having won 4 of their 6 head to head meetings. Group 7 features a dogfight between 3 teams for 2 spots but the big story is that one of those teams is Super-Llamaland. Any list of the best teams in the history of the WBC includes Newmanistan, Super-Llamaland and Schiltzberg as these 3 nations have dominated the WBC throughout its history and have also dominated in recent years so it would be a major surprise for Super-Llamaland to miss the playoffs but they could potentially be on the outside looking in when all is said and done. They have plenty of opportunity to change this with games remaining against Lycrabon and Hampton Island. Hypothetical tiebreakers in this group can get complicated in a hurry if all 3 teams finish tied because Hampton Island has had Super-Llamaland's number in this WBC but Lycrabon has repeatedly defeated Hampton Island. Super-Llamaland has the edge over Lycrabon in head to head so far (OOC: I'm going by the bid for tiebreakers so the current table placing Lycrabon ahead of Super-Llamaland appears to be wrong.) but they will be tied on head to head if Lycrabon wins their head to head game, which is next for both teams. Groups 8 and 9 do not have much intrigue remaining but are not yet over either. Ko-oren is 2 games up on Schiltzberg and Abanhfleft is 2 games up on Cosumar (and 3 games up on longshot Saintland) and both groups are more or less foregone conclusions at this point.

If the WBC Group Stage ended right now, the Free Republics would be looking at the 4th seed. Newmanistan currently sits at 23-4 and poised to win the top seed. West Phoenicia and Cassadaigua are both sitting at 22-5 and West Phoenicia has a 9 run edge in run differential. Ethane would be the 4th seed but they are a second place team in the same group as Newmanistan. Group 4 outside of Newmanistan and Ethane has been really bad at this WBC driven by 25th ranked Northwest Kalactin's disastrous 6-21 campaign that is likely to send them crashing way down in the rankings. Teams that were in the playoffs not that long ago don't usually get that bad all of a sudden but this has certainly happened before. I'll be back in a few days with everything you need to know about the WBC playoffs but until then remember that you can catch the stretch run of the WBC group stage on FBC. I know you're probably going to be watching soccer over the next few days, especially with Soccer General Rule Theriualt's young team preparing to take on Barunia at the IslandDome in our first World Cup knockout round match in a decade but don't forget about baseball!

Clarice Cormier is Sporting World's international baseball correspondent and our lead beat writer for the Republica Vipers of the X Baseball League. She is a graduate of the Barteaux University School of Journalism and an alumnus of the Barjavel Academy at Republica. Clarice is a former cheerleader who has always been a huge baseball fan. After graduating college, she decided that she would rather do sportswriting instead of political reporting and, luckily for her, Sporting World has always been happy to hire young journalists straight out of college. She has also appeared in our annual lingerie issue 5 years in a row!