World Baseball Classic 45- Everything (Final G7 Posted)

[Cassadaigua]

Matchday 25:

Group 1
Vangaziland            1 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 3  9
Bauscland              0 0 0 0 0 4 2 0 0  6

Xanneria               0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  1
Ethane                 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 X  2


  Group 1               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Ethane                 20   15   5   108   68  +40    45
2 Vangaziland            20   13   7    95   78  +17    39
3 Xanneria               20    8  12    95   88   +7    24
4 Bauscland              20    8  12    89  103  −14    24
5 Holy Marsh             20    6  14    55  105  −50    18

Group 2
South Covello          3 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1  6
Calponia               0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 3  5

Beepee                 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0
Cassadaigua            0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 X  2


  Group 2               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Cassadaigua            20   16   4   124   67  +57    48
2 Beepee                 20   13   7   117   76  +41    39
3 South Covello          20   11   9    82   97  −15    33
4 Geektopia              20    6  14    73   92  −19    18
5 Calponia               20    4  16    61  125  −64    12

Group 3
Derring-Do             0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0  2
Lisander               0 0 2 1 0 1 0 3 X  7

The Sherpa Empire      0 2 0 4 0 0 0 0 1  7
West Phoenicia         1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1  3


  Group 3               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 The Sherpa Empire      20   15   5   113   69  +44    45
2 West Phoenicia         20   15   5    90   58  +32    45
3 Lisander               20   10  10    78   79   −1    30
4 Derring-Do             20    7  13    90  115  −25    21
5 Vaeruio                20    3  17    53  103  −50     9

Group 4
Schiltzberg            0 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 0  5
Kita-Hinode            0 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 0  3

Jaguar515              0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 0  5
Banija                 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 1 1 2  7


  Group 4               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Schiltzberg            20   16   4   106   61  +45    48
2 North Prarie           20   10  10    98  106   −8    30
3 Banija                 20    9  11    71   82  −11    27
4 Kita-Hinode            20    8  12    84   87   −3    24
5 Jaguar515              20    7  13    84  107  −23    21

Group 5
Abanhfleft               0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0  2
Northwest Kalactin       0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 2  4

Far Easter Republic      1 0 4 0 0 2 0 0 1  8
Felsigberg               1 0 0 1 0 1 1 6 X 10


  Group 5                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Abanhfleft               20   13   7   115   97  +18    39
2 Alpine Union             20   12   8   109   80  +29    36
3 Far Easter Republic      20   10  10    88   89   −1    30
4 Felsigberg               20    9  11    96  115  −19    27
5 Northwest Kalactin       20    6  14    75  102  −27    18

Group 6
Carpia                   0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2  3
Hampton Island           1 1 1 0 0 4 0 2 X  9

Oscioru                  1 1 0 0 2 3 0 0 0  7
Bulgar Rouge             0 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0  3


  Group 6                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Ko-oren                  20   13   7    79   66  +13    39
2 Oscioru                  20   12   8   100   78  +22    36
3 Hampton Island           20   12   8    80   62  +18    36
4 Bulgar Rouge             20    7  13    70   87  −17    21
5 Carpia                   20    6  14    71  107  −36    18

Group 7
Cheergirls               0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0  3
Newmanistan              0 0 0 2 1 0 1 4 X  8

Drawkland                0 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 1  4
The Greater Nordics      0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0  1


  Group 7                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Newmanistan              20   16   4   142   73  +69    48
2 Drawkland                20   13   7    96   84  +12    39
3 The Greater Nordics      20    8  12    90  103  −13    24
4 Evaropi                  20    8  12    86  104  −18    24
5 Cheergirls               20    5  15    64  114  −50    15

Group 8
Equestrian States                2 3 3 0 0 0 1 0 2 11
Tierra de Castro                 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0  2

The Federation of Spokane        0 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1  5
Scootalove City                  0 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 0 0  4


  Group 8                         Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Tierra de Castro                 20   13   7    99   86  +13    39
2 Equestrian States                20   12   8   109   92  +17    36
3 Scootalove City                  20    9  11    88  100  −12    27
4 Trive 38                         20    8  12    89   89    0    24
5 The Federation of Spokane        20    8  12    76   94  −18    24

Group 9
Camelone                         0 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 1  5
Free Republics                   0 0 0 2 0 0 2 3 X  7

Lycrabon                         0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0  1
Cosumar                          0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0


  Group 9                         Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Free Republics                   20   15   5   101   70  +31    45
2 Lycrabon                         20   11   9    96   84  +12    33
3 Cosumar                          20    9  11    72   69   +3    27
4 Camelone                         20    8  12    67  100  −33    24
5 Libonesia                        20    7  13    80   93  −13    21

Group 10
Tiiwark                          0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  1
Vakolicci Haven and Celeria      0 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 X  3

New Jarwel                       0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0  2
Liventia                         0 3 2 0 0 0 2 0 X  7


  Group 10                        Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Nova Anglicana                   20   15   5   119   82  +37    45
2 Liventia                         20   14   6   118   81  +37    42
3 Vakolicci Haven and Celeria      20   13   7   111  103   +8    39
4 Tiiwark                          20    4  16    84  125  −41    12
5 New Jarwel                       20    4  16    75  116  −41    12

Matchday 26:

Group 1
Xanneria               0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0  2
Bauscland              3 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 X  7

Vangaziland            1 1 0 2 0 0 0 2 0  6
Holy Marsh             1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2  4


  Group 1               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Ethane                 20   15   5   108   68  +40    45
2 Vangaziland            21   14   7   101   82  +19    42
3 Bauscland              21    9  12    96  105   −9    27
4 Xanneria               21    8  13    97   95   +2    24
5 Holy Marsh             21    6  15    59  111  −52    18

Group 2
Beepee                 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0  2
Calponia               0 0 1 1 1 0 2 0 X  5

South Covello          1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1  3
Geektopia              0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0


  Group 2               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Cassadaigua            20   16   4   124   67  +57    48
2 Beepee                 21   13   8   119   81  +38    39
3 South Covello          21   12   9    85   97  −12    36
4 Geektopia              21    6  15    73   95  −22    18
5 Calponia               21    5  16    66  127  −61    15

Group 3
The Sherpa Empire      0 1 0 0 3 2 0 0 0  6
Lisander               0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0  1

Derring-Do             4 0 4 4 0 0 2 0 0 14
Vaeruio                0 2 0 1 2 0 1 1 0  7


  Group 3               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 The Sherpa Empire      21   16   5   119   70  +49    48
2 West Phoenicia         20   15   5    90   58  +32    45
3 Lisander               21   10  11    79   85   −6    30
4 Derring-Do             21    8  13   104  122  −18    24
5 Vaeruio                21    3  18    60  117  −57     9

Group 4
Jaguar515              1 0 1 0 3 0 0 1 1  7
Kita-Hinode            0 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 2  6

Schiltzberg            0 0 1 1 2 0 1 0 0  5
North Prarie           0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0


  Group 4               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Schiltzberg            21   17   4   111   61  +50    51
2 North Prarie           21   10  11    98  111  −13    30
3 Banija                 20    9  11    71   82  −11    27
4 Kita-Hinode            21    8  13    90   94   −4    24
5 Jaguar515              21    8  13    91  113  −22    24

Group 5
Far Easter Republic      0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0  2
Northwest Kalactin       0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1  3

Abanhfleft               0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0  2
Alpine Union             0 3 0 1 2 0 0 0 X  6


  Group 5                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Alpine Union             21   13   8   115   82  +33    39
2 Abanhfleft               21   13   8   117  103  +14    39
3 Far Easter Republic      21   10  11    90   92   −2    30
4 Felsigberg               20    9  11    96  115  −19    27
5 Northwest Kalactin       21    7  14    78  104  −26    21

Group 6
Oscioru                  0 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 0  3
Hampton Island           0 1 2 0 5 0 0 0 X  8

Carpia                   0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  3
Ko-oren                  0 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 1  4


  Group 6                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Ko-oren                  21   14   7    83   69  +14    42
2 Hampton Island           21   13   8    88   65  +23    39
3 Oscioru                  21   12   9   103   86  +17    36
4 Bulgar Rouge             20    7  13    70   87  −17    21
5 Carpia                   21    6  15    74  111  −37    18

Group 7
Drawkland                1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0  3
Newmanistan              1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2  5

Cheergirls               0 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 0  5
Evaropi                  0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0


  Group 7                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Newmanistan              21   17   4   147   76  +71    51
2 Drawkland                21   13   8    99   89  +10    39
3 The Greater Nordics      20    8  12    90  103  −13    24
4 Evaropi                  21    8  13    86  109  −23    24
5 Cheergirls               21    6  15    69  114  −45    18

Group 8
The Federation of Spokane        0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0  1
Tierra de Castro                 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X  2

Equestrian States                0 2 0 1 0 0 0 2 0  5
Trive 38                         0 0 2 0 2 0 3 0 X  7


  Group 8                         Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Tierra de Castro                 21   14   7   101   87  +14    42
2 Equestrian States                21   12   9   114   99  +15    36
3 Trive 38                         21    9  12    96   94   +2    27
4 Scootalove City                  20    9  11    88  100  −12    27
5 The Federation of Spokane        21    8  13    77   96  −19    24

Group 9
Lycrabon                         0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0
Free Republics                   0 0 0 0 3 3 0 0 X  6

Camelone                         0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 0  3
Libonesia                        1 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 X  4


  Group 9                         Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Free Republics                   21   16   5   107   70  +37    48
2 Lycrabon                         21   11  10    96   90   +6    33
3 Cosumar                          20    9  11    72   69   +3    27
4 Libonesia                        21    8  13    84   96  −12    24
5 Camelone                         21    8  13    70  104  −34    24

Group 10
New Jarwel                       0 0 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0  5
Vakolicci Haven and Celeria      3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2  7

Tiiwark                          0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0  2
Nova Anglicana                   0 2 1 0 1 2 0 0 X  6


  Group 10                        Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Nova Anglicana                   21   16   5   125   84  +41    48
2 Liventia                         20   14   6   118   81  +37    42
3 Vakolicci Haven and Celeria      21   14   7   118  108  +10    42
4 New Jarwel                       21    4  17    80  123  −43    12
5 Tiiwark                          21    4  17    86  131  −45    12

Matchday 27:

Group 1
Holy Marsh             0 2 1 0 3 0 0 0 0  6
Xanneria               0 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 0  3

Bauscland              0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0  3
Ethane                 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 X  5


  Group 1               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Ethane                 21   16   5   113   71  +42    48  Q
2 Vangaziland            21   14   7   101   82  +19    42  Q
3 Bauscland              22    9  13    99  110  −11    27
4 Xanneria               22    8  14   100  101   −1    24
5 Holy Marsh             22    7  15    65  114  −49    21

Group 2
Geektopia              0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0  2
Beepee                 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0

Calponia               1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0  3
Cassadaigua            0 2 0 6 0 0 2 0 X 10


  Group 2               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Cassadaigua            21   17   4   134   70  +64    51  Q1
2 Beepee                 22   13   9   119   83  +36    39
3 South Covello          21   12   9    85   97  −12    36
4 Geektopia              22    7  15    75   95  −20    21
5 Calponia               22    5  17    69  137  −68    15

Group 3
Vaeruio                0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0
The Sherpa Empire      0 0 0 4 0 1 1 0 X  6

Lisander               2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  3
West Phoenicia         2 1 0 0 3 0 0 1 X  7


  Group 3               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 The Sherpa Empire      22   17   5   125   70  +55    51  Q
2 West Phoenicia         21   16   5    97   61  +36    48  Q
3 Lisander               22   10  12    82   92  −10    30
4 Derring-Do             21    8  13   104  122  −18    24
5 Vaeruio                22    3  19    60  123  −63     9

Group 4
North Prarie           4 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2  8
Jaguar515              0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 4  6

Kita-Hinode            0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0  2
Banija                 0 1 0 2 2 1 1 0 X  7


  Group 4               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Schiltzberg            21   17   4   111   61  +50    51  Q1
2 North Prarie           22   11  11   106  117  −11    33
3 Banija                 21   10  11    78   84   −6    30
4 Kita-Hinode            22    8  14    92  101   −9    24
5 Jaguar515              22    8  14    97  121  −24    24

Group 5
Alpine Union             0 0 0 3 0 0 0 7 0 10
Far Easter Republic      0 1 0 0 2 2 0 1 0  6

Northwest Kalactin       1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0  3
Felsigberg               1 0 0 3 2 0 0 5 X 11


  Group 5                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Alpine Union             22   14   8   125   88  +37    42  Q
2 Abanhfleft               21   13   8   117  103  +14    39 
3 Far Easter Republic      22   10  12    96  102   −6    30
4 Felsigberg               21   10  11   107  118  −11    30
5 Northwest Kalactin       22    7  15    81  115  −34    21

Group 6
Ko-oren                  0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  1
Oscioru                  0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3  3

Hampton Island           1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1  3
Bulgar Rouge             1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0  2


  Group 6                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Hampton Island           22   14   8    91   67  +24    42
2 Ko-oren                  22   14   8    84   72  +12    42
3 Oscioru                  22   13   9   106   87  +19    39
4 Bulgar Rouge             21    7  14    72   90  −18    21
5 Carpia                   21    6  15    74  111  −37    18

Group 7
Evaropi                  0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0  3
Drawkland                0 0 0 0 3 2 1 2 X  8

Newmanistan              0 1 1 1 1 0 4 1 1 10
The Greater Nordics      0 0 1 1 0 1 0 2 1  6


  Group 7                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Newmanistan              22   18   4   157   82  +75    54  Q1
2 Drawkland                22   14   8   107   92  +15    42  Q
3 The Greater Nordics      21    8  13    96  113  −17    24
4 Evaropi                  22    8  14    89  117  −28    24
5 Cheergirls               21    6  15    69  114  −45    18

Group 8
Trive 38                         0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0  1
The Federation of Spokane        0 0 0 0 3 0 1 0 X  4

Tierra de Castro                 1 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 1  7
Scootalove City                  0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0  1


  Group 8                         Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Tierra de Castro                 22   15   7   108   88  +20    45  Q
2 Equestrian States                21   12   9   114   99  +15    36  Q
3 Trive 38                         22    9  13    97   98   −1    27
4 The Federation of Spokane        22    9  13    81   97  −16    27
5 Scootalove City                  21    9  12    89  107  −18    27

Group 9
Libonesia                        0 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 0  4
Lycrabon                         1 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 X  5

Free Republics                   1 0 1 0 0 0 4 0 1  7
Cosumar                          0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0


  Group 9                         Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Free Republics                   22   17   5   114   70  +44    51  Q1
2 Lycrabon                         22   12  10   101   94   +7    36
3 Cosumar                          21    9  12    72   76   −4    27
4 Libonesia                        22    8  14    88  101  −13    24
5 Camelone                         21    8  13    70  104  −34    24

Group 10
Nova Anglicana                   0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0  4
New Jarwel                       0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0  2

Vakolicci Haven and Celeria      0 0 2 1 0 0 0 1 0  4
Liventia                         0 0 0 1 1 2 0 1 X  5


  Group 10                        Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Nova Anglicana                   22   17   5   129   86  +43    51  Q
2 Liventia                         21   15   6   123   85  +38    45
3 Vakolicci Haven and Celeria      22   14   8   122  113   +9    42
4 Tiiwark                          21    4  17    86  131  −45    12
5 New Jarwel                       22    4  18    82  127  −45    12

[Lycrabon]

Magic number of 1, Barnett throws gem


ST. CATHERINE - Against Cosumar, Garry Barnett, Jr. was simply, perfect.

In a tightly contested 1-0 victory, Barnett pitched a perfect game, with 20 strikeouts. Even though the Blue Jays only had six hits, it was enough to prompt a chant in the ninth of "You still got it!" and a random chant of "Better than three." The latter was a reference to Garry Barnett III's issues last Classic and subsequent ban from the national team and the NBL.

"Un. Believeable," was the pitcher's response. "If they pull me from the final game to pitch game 1 in the playoffs, so be it. That's a hell of a way to make a statement though." He had no comment on the better than three chant, however. With 2 or three games (depending on team) remaining, Lycrabon holds a two game lead. Seemingly, all the blue and black attack need is one victory to clinch a playoff spot. He did make one remark regarding the hosts:

"Hopefully I test my arm against the ladies. That - if it happens - will be a challenge I welcome. Being it's there, they're obviously a favorite to take the title."


PLAYOFF RACES:
IN:
Group 1 - Ethane (16-5, magic number 1), Vangaziland (14-7)
Group 2 - Cassadaigua (17-4, clinched top 10)
Group 3 - The Sherpa Empire (17-5, magic number 3), West Phonecia (16-5)
Group 4 - Schlitzberg (17-4, clinched top 10)
Group 5 - Alpine Union (14-8, magic number 3)
Group 7 - Newmanistan (18-4, clinched top 10); Drawkland (14-8)
Group 8 - Tierra de Castro (15-7, magic number 1), Equestrian States (12-9)
Group 9 - Free Republics (17-5, clinched top 10)
Group 10 - Nova Anglicana (17-5, magic number 2)


RACES:
Group 2:
Beepee (13-9, magic number 3)
South Covello (12-9)

Group 4:
North Prairie (11-11, magic number 3)
Banija (10-11)

Group 5:
Abanhfleft (13-8, magic number 1)
Felsigberg (10-11)

Group 6:
Hampton Island (14-8, magic number 3)
Ko-oren (14-8, magic number 3)
Oscioru (13-9, tragic number 2)

Group 9:
LYCRABON (12-10, magic number 1)
Cosumar (9-12)

Group 10:
Liventia (15-6, magic number 2)
Vakolici Haven and Celeria (14-8)


CURRENT STANDINGS (unofficial):
20-LYCRABON/North Prairie vs. 13- Vangaziland
19-Equestrian States vs. 14-Hampton Island/Ko-oren/Alpine Union/Drawkland
18-Beepee vs. 15-Hampton Island/Ko-oren/Alpine Union/Drawkland
17-Abanhfleft vs. 16-Hampton Island/Ko-oren/Alpine Union/Drawkland

11-West Phonecia vs. 6-The Sherpa Empire/Free Republics/Nova Anglicana
19/14 winner vs. 3- Cassadaigua/Schlitzberg
10-Alpine Union/Hampton Island/Ko-oren vs. 7-Tierra de Castro
18/15 winner vs. 2- Cassadaigua/Schlitzberg
12-Liventia vs. 5-The Sherpa Empire/Free Republics/Nova Anglicana
20/13 winner vs. 4- The Sherpa Empire/Free Republics/Nova Anglicana
9-Alpine Union/Hampton Island/Ko-oren vs. 8-Ethane
17/16 winner vs. 1- Newmanistan

[The Sherpa Empire]

--‭֎‬-- Seven Star Stadium, Guilin --‭֎‬--

Even though Princess Yahia and the Duke of Guilin said they were just friends, no one seemed to believe it. The upside of this was that Yahia had no trouble getting permission to spend time with the duke. They arrived at the stadium early so they could meet the players from both teams. They had cute little gift boxes with baijiu, shot glasses, and snack cakes for the visitors from Vaeruio. The Duke introduced Yahia to Blingma, the R&B singer who was there to sing the national anthem before the game, and Kai Qiang, the NSSCRA driver who was there to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. The Duke had invited Qiang rather than doing it himself because he was in a populist mood. "You're here to see Morrison, aren't you?" Qiang asked with a sly smile.

Even though it was true, the question still caught Yahia by surprise and she blushed bright red. "What? W-why do you think that?" she stammered.

"Qiang! That's no way to talk to a princess!" the duke scolded him. "Get your mind out of the gutter!"

The court shaman who was serving as Yahia's personal bodyguard just scowled.

"I might forget to breathe if I stop using any part of my brain that has dirty thoughts in it," Qiang answered.

Yahia giggled. The duke rolled his eyes and gently steered her away from Qiang. "He's probably the reason your parents wouldn't let you come to the Guangxi Telecom 400."

"Yeah, I'm only allowed to talk to people like that if they're disaster victims, or cancer patients, or something," Yahia said. "Sometimes I wish I could have been born a baroness instead of a princess so I could talk to whoever I want, still nobility, but a low enough rank that it wouldn't be weird to go out and mingle with ordinary people."

"I understand," said the duke. "I live a privileged life, but sometimes I still wish I could have been born to something different." He seemed sad.

"Are the rumors true about you and Yinsheng Xia?" Yahia asked.

The duke laughed. "Has that rumor spread all the way to Lukla now? No, it's not true. Come now, your highness, the world is not all forbidden love and intrigue."

"You were the one who told me you couldn't be with the one you loved," said Yahia.

"It was not because of my rank."

"Then why?"

"Come on, let's go down to the field. I said I was going to say a few words welcoming everyone to Guilin before Blingma sings the anthem."

The duke said a few words. Blingma came out in a big poofy hairdo and a metallic gold dress and belted out the national anthem. Kai Qiang threw a surprisingly good fastball -- not good enough to pitch professionally, but good enough to land in Hodivala's glove without him having to chase after it. And then the game got underway.

Tsheri Pham was having a good day. He started 2nd in the rotation because he struggled with nerves more than Al Ali did, but on days like this when he got in a groove, he was absolutely brilliant. He pitched a complete game shut out -- but not a perfect game; Vaeruio stranded a couple of runners.

The bats on both sides were quiet until a 4 run rally that started with a double by Nawang Gurung. The later innings saw a sprinkling of hits and a couple of insurance runs that the Sherpas wound up not needing -- but the 4 inning rally and Pham's pitching would be the things all the fans talked about the next day.

Sarang Oli made Yahia's life difficult by putting Morrison in the lineup, so he had less time to chat with her. Yahia couldn't figure out if Oli was doing it on purpose or if he was just spreading the work around so none of the players got too exhausted. She wouldn't be surprised if he was doing it on purpose. She could see the dirty looks he shot her when she tried to flirt with Morrison.

[Ko-oren]

Let's go with something more creative today. Poorly executed, but creative.

[Cassadaigua]

This is the final cutoff of the group stage!
Matchday 28:

Group 1
Ethane                 1 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 1  5
Holy Marsh             0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0  1

Xanneria               0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1  2
Vangaziland            0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 X  3


  Group 1               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Ethane                 22   17   5   118   72  +46    51
2 Vangaziland            22   15   7   104   84  +20    45
3 Bauscland              22    9  13    99  110  −11    27
4 Xanneria               23    8  15   102  104   −2    24
5 Holy Marsh             23    7  16    66  119  −53    21

Group 2
Cassadaigua            0 0 1 1 1 0 0 3 0  6
Geektopia              1 1 0 2 0 0 0 1 0  5

Beepee                 0 0 4 0 2 2 0 1 2 11
South Covello          0 0 3 0 0 2 0 0 0  5


  Group 2               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Cassadaigua            22   18   4   140   75  +65    54
2 Beepee                 23   14   9   130   88  +42    42
3 South Covello          22   12  10    90  108  −18    36
4 Geektopia              23    7  16    80  101  −21    21
5 Calponia               22    5  17    69  137  −68    15

Group 3
West Phoenicia         0 1 2 1 1 0 0 0 1  6
Vaeruio                1 0 2 0 0 1 0 1 0  5

The Sherpa Empire      0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2  3
Derring-Do             1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  1


  Group 3               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 The Sherpa Empire      23   18   5   128   71  +57    54
2 West Phoenicia         22   17   5   103   66  +37    51
3 Lisander               22   10  12    82   92  −10    30
4 Derring-Do             22    8  14   105  125  −20    24
5 Vaeruio                23    3  20    65  129  −64     9

Group 4
Banija                 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0
North Prarie           0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3  3

Jaguar515              1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0  2
Schiltzberg            0 0 0 0 1 0 1 6 X  8


  Group 4               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Schiltzberg            22   18   4   119   63  +56    54
2 North Prarie           23   12  11   109  117   −8    36
3 Banija                 22   10  12    78   87   −9    30
4 Kita-Hinode            22    8  14    92  101   −9    24
5 Jaguar515              23    8  15    99  129  −30    24

Group 5
Felsigberg               1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0  2
Alpine Union             3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X  3

Far Easter Republic      2 0 5 0 0 1 0 0 0  8
Abanhfleft               2 0 0 1 4 3 0 0 X 10


  Group 5                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Alpine Union             23   15   8   128   90  +38    45
2 Abanhfleft               22   14   8   127  111  +16    42
3 Far Easter Republic      23   10  13   104  112   −8    30
4 Felsigberg               22   10  12   109  121  −12    30
5 Northwest Kalactin       22    7  15    81  115  −34    21

Group 6
Bulgar Rouge             0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0  3
Ko-oren                  1 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 X  4

Oscioru                  0 0 1 0 1 2 1 0 3  8
Carpia                   0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0  3


  Group 6                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Ko-oren                  23   15   8    88   75  +13    45
2 Oscioru                  23   14   9   114   90  +24    42
3 Hampton Island           22   14   8    91   67  +24    42
4 Bulgar Rouge             22    7  15    75   94  −19    21
5 Carpia                   22    6  16    77  119  −42    18

Group 7
The Greater Nordics      4 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0  5
Evaropi                  0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 4  6

Drawkland                1 1 0 0 1 3 0 0 0  6
Cheergirls               0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 1  3


  Group 7                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Newmanistan              22   18   4   157   82  +75    54
2 Drawkland                23   15   8   113   95  +18    45
3 Evaropi                  23    9  14    95  122  −27    27
4 The Greater Nordics      22    8  14   101  119  −18    24
5 Cheergirls               22    6  16    72  120  −48    18

Group 8
Scootalove City                  0 0 0 3 0 0 2 0 2  7
Trive 38                         0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 0  3

The Federation of Spokane        0 1 0 0 0 2 0 2 0  5
Equestrian States                5 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 X  7


  Group 8                         Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Tierra de Castro                 22   15   7   108   88  +20    45
2 Equestrian States                22   13   9   121  104  +17    39
3 Scootalove City                  22   10  12    96  110  −14    30
4 Trive 38                         23    9  14   100  105   −5    27
5 The Federation of Spokane        23    9  14    86  104  −18    27

Group 9
Cosumar                          1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  2
Libonesia                        0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 4  6

Lycrabon                         0 1 3 0 1 0 1 0 0  6
Camelone                         2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0  4


  Group 9                         Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Free Republics                   22   17   5   114   70  +44    51
2 Lycrabon                         23   13  10   107   98   +9    39
3 Cosumar                          22    9  13    74   82   −8    27
4 Libonesia                        23    9  14    94  103   −9    27
5 Camelone                         22    8  14    74  110  −36    24

Group 10
Liventia                         1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 6  9
Nova Anglicana                   0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 3  6

New Jarwel                       0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0
Tiiwark                          0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 X  3


  Group 10                        Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Nova Anglicana                   23   17   6   135   95  +40    51
2 Liventia                         22   16   6   132   91  +41    48
3 Vakolicci Haven and Celeria      22   14   8   122  113   +9    42
4 Tiiwark                          22    5  17    89  131  −42    15
5 New Jarwel                       23    4  19    82  130  −48    12

Matchday 29:

Group 1
Vangaziland            1 0 1 0 3 0 2 0 1  8
Ethane                 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2  4

Holy Marsh             2 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0  4
Bauscland              0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 1 1  5


  Group 1               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Ethane                 23   17   6   122   80  +42    51
2 Vangaziland            23   16   7   112   88  +24    48
3 Bauscland              23   10  13   104  114  −10    30
4 Xanneria               23    8  15   102  104   −2    24
5 Holy Marsh             24    7  17    70  124  −54    21

Group 2
South Covello          0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  1
Cassadaigua            0 0 3 0 2 0 0 0 X  5

Geektopia              1 0 4 0 0 0 4 1 1 11
Calponia               0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0


  Group 2               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Cassadaigua            23   19   4   145   76  +69    57
2 Beepee                 23   14   9   130   88  +42    42
3 South Covello          23   12  11    91  113  −22    36
4 Geektopia              24    8  16    91  101  −10    24
5 Calponia               23    5  18    69  148  −79    15

Group 3
Derring-Do             1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0  3
West Phoenicia         0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2  4

Vaeruio                0 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 0  3
Lisander               0 0 0 1 0 1 3 0 X  5


  Group 3               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 The Sherpa Empire      23   18   5   128   71  +57    54
2 West Phoenicia         23   18   5   107   69  +38    54
3 Lisander               23   11  12    87   95   −8    33
4 Derring-Do             23    8  15   108  129  −21    24
5 Vaeruio                24    3  21    68  134  −66     9

Group 4
Schiltzberg            1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0  3
Banija                 0 0 0 0 6 0 2 0 X  8

North Prarie           0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0  1
Kita-Hinode            2 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 X  5


  Group 4               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Schiltzberg            23   18   5   122   71  +51    54
2 North Prarie           24   12  12   110  122  −12    36
3 Banija                 23   11  12    86   90   −4    33
4 Kita-Hinode            23    9  14    97  102   −5    27
5 Jaguar515              23    8  15    99  129  −30    24

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

Alpine Union             1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  3
Northwest Kalactin       0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0  1


  Group 5                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Alpine Union             24   16   8   131   91  +40    48
2 Abanhfleft               23   15   8   136  114  +22    45
3 Far Easter Republic      23   10  13   104  112   −8    30
4 Felsigberg               23   10  13   112  130  −18    30
5 Northwest Kalactin       23    7  16    82  118  −36    21

Group 6
Carpia                   0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0  2
Bulgar Rouge             0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0

Ko-oren                  1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0  5
Hampton Island           0 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 0  4


  Group 6                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Ko-oren                  24   16   8    93   79  +14    48
2 Oscioru                  23   14   9   114   90  +24    42
3 Hampton Island           23   14   9    95   72  +23    42
4 Bulgar Rouge             23    7  16    75   96  −21    21
5 Carpia                   23    7  16    79  119  −40    21

Group 7
Cheergirls               0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  1
The Greater Nordics      0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 X  3

Evaropi                  0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0  2
Newmanistan              1 0 1 0 4 0 0 0 X  6


  Group 7                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Newmanistan              23   19   4   163   84  +79    57
2 Drawkland                23   15   8   113   95  +18    45
3 The Greater Nordics      23    9  14   104  120  −16    27
4 Evaropi                  24    9  15    97  128  −31    27
5 Cheergirls               23    6  17    73  123  −50    18

Group 8
Equestrian States                0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0  2
Scootalove City                  1 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 X  4

Trive 38                         0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0  2
Tierra de Castro                 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 X  3


  Group 8                         Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Tierra de Castro                 23   16   7   111   90  +21    48
2 Equestrian States                23   13  10   123  108  +15    39
3 Scootalove City                  23   11  12   100  112  −12    33
4 Trive 38                         24    9  15   102  108   −6    27
5 The Federation of Spokane        23    9  14    86  104  −18    27

Group 9
Camelone                         0 0 0 0 0 2 5 1 0  8
Cosumar                          1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  1

Libonesia                        0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0
Free Republics                   1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 X  3


  Group 9                         Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Free Republics                   23   18   5   117   70  +47    54
2 Lycrabon                         23   13  10   107   98   +9    39
3 Libonesia                        24    9  15    94  106  −12    27
4 Cosumar                          23    9  14    75   90  −15    27
5 Camelone                         23    9  14    82  111  −29    27

Group 10
Tiiwark                          0 0 0 0 0 3 1 0 1  5
Liventia                         1 2 0 2 0 3 0 0 X  8

Nova Anglicana                   2 0 2 0 2 0 0 2 0  8
Vakolicci Haven and Celeria      0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 2  4


  Group 10                        Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Nova Anglicana                   24   18   6   143   99  +44    54
2 Liventia                         23   17   6   140   96  +44    51
3 Vakolicci Haven and Celeria      23   14   9   126  121   +5    42
4 Tiiwark                          23    5  18    94  139  −45    15
5 New Jarwel                       23    4  19    82  130  −48    12

Matchday 30:

Group 1
Bauscland              0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0  2
Vangaziland            0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 2  4

Ethane                 0 0 1 1 0 1 2 0 1  6
Xanneria               0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  3


  Group 1               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Ethane                 24   18   6   128   83  +45    54  Q
2 Vangaziland            24   17   7   116   90  +26    51  Q
3 Bauscland              24   10  14   106  118  −12    30
4 Xanneria               24    8  16   105  110   −5    24
5 Holy Marsh             24    7  17    70  124  −54    21

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

Cassadaigua            7 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0  9
Beepee                 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 1 0  4


  Group 2               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Cassadaigua            24   20   4   154   80  +74    60  Q
2 Beepee                 24   14  10   134   97  +37    42  Q
3 South Covello          24   13  11    96  117  −21    39
4 Geektopia              24    8  16    91  101  −10    24
5 Calponia               24    5  19    73  153  −80    15

Group 3
Lisander               0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0  3
Derring-Do             0 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 X  4

West Phoenicia         1 2 2 4 0 0 0 0 0  9
The Sherpa Empire      1 0 1 1 1 0 1 0 0  5


  Group 3               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 West Phoenicia         24   19   5   116   74  +42    57  Q
2 The Sherpa Empire      24   18   6   133   80  +53    54  Q
3 Lisander               24   11  13    90   99   −9    33
4 Derring-Do             24    9  15   112  132  −20    27
5 Vaeruio                24    3  21    68  134  −66     9

Group 4
Kita-Hinode            2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  2
Schiltzberg            1 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 X  5

Banija                 0 1 2 1 0 0 1 0 0  5
Jaguar515              2 1 0 0 0 0 4 2 X  9


  Group 4               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Schiltzberg            24   19   5   127   73  +54    57  Q
2 North Prarie           24   12  12   110  122  −12    36  Q
3 Banija                 24   11  13    91   99   −8    33
4 Kita-Hinode            24    9  15    99  107   −8    27
5 Jaguar515              24    9  15   108  134  −26    27

Group 5
Northwest Kalactin       0 1 0 0 1 0 0 3 0  5
Abanhfleft               0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0

Felsigberg               0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0  3
Far Easter Republic      2 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 X  4


  Group 5                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Alpine Union             24   16   8   131   91  +40    48  Q
2 Abanhfleft               24   15   9   136  119  +17    45  Q
3 Far Easter Republic      24   11  13   108  115   −7    33
4 Felsigberg               24   10  14   115  134  −19    30
5 Northwest Kalactin       24    8  16    87  118  −31    24

Group 6
Hampton Island           0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1  4
Carpia                   0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0  3

Bulgar Rouge             0 1 0 0 0 1 3 0 2  7
Oscioru                  0 0 0 0 0 1 1 3 1  6


  Group 6                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Ko-oren                  24   16   8    93   79  +14    48  Q
2 Hampton Island           24   15   9    99   75  +24    45  Q
3 Oscioru                  24   14  10   120   97  +23    42
4 Bulgar Rouge             24    8  16    82  102  −20    24
5 Carpia                   24    7  17    82  123  −41    21

Group 7
Newmanistan              0 0 0 0 0 1 0 4 2  7
Cheergirls               0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0

The Greater Nordics      0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 2  5
Drawkland                3 0 0 0 5 0 0 4 X 12


  Group 7                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Newmanistan              24   20   4   170   84  +86    60  Q
2 Drawkland                24   16   8   125  100  +25    48  Q
3 The Greater Nordics      24    9  15   109  132  −23    27
4 Evaropi                  24    9  15    97  128  −31    27
5 Cheergirls               24    6  18    73  130  −57    18

Group 8
Tierra de Castro                 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0  3
Equestrian States                1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  1

Scootalove City                  0 0 1 0 1 2 1 0 0  5
The Federation of Spokane        0 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 0  4


  Group 8                         Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Tierra de Castro                 24   17   7   114   91  +23    51  Q
2 Equestrian States                24   13  11   124  111  +13    39  Q
3 Scootalove City                  24   12  12   105  116  −11    36
4 Trive 38                         24    9  15   102  108   −6    27
5 The Federation of Spokane        24    9  15    90  109  −19    27

Group 9
Free Republics                   3 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0  5
Camelone                         0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0

Cosumar                          0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 1  5
Lycrabon                         0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2  4


  Group 9                         Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Free Republics                   24   19   5   122   70  +52    57  Q
2 Lycrabon                         24   13  11   111  103   +8    39  Q
3 Cosumar                          24   10  14    80   94  −14    30
4 Libonesia                        24    9  15    94  106  −12    27
5 Camelone                         24    9  15    82  116  −34    27

Group 10
Vakolicci Haven and Celeria      0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0
Tiiwark                          0 2 0 2 0 0 2 0 X  6

Liventia                         0 0 0 2 0 0 1 1 1  5
New Jarwel                       0 2 0 1 1 0 1 0 1  6


  Group 10                        Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Nova Anglicana                   24   18   6   143   99  +44    54  Q
2 Liventia                         24   17   7   145  102  +43    51  Q
3 Vakolicci Haven and Celeria      24   14  10   126  127   −1    42
4 Tiiwark                          24    6  18   100  139  −39    18
5 New Jarwel                       24    5  19    88  135  −47    15

PLAYOFFS: (1st Round, Best of 3)
(13) Vangaziland vs (20) North Prarie @ Starksville Stadium, Starksville
(14) Drawkland vs (19) Lycrabon @ Rutland Stadium, Rutland
(15) Hampton Island vs (18) Equestrian States @ Victoriaville Stadium, Victoriaville
(16) Abanhfleft vs (17) Beepee @ Winchester Stadium, Winchester

(2nd Round, Best of 5)
(1) Newmanistan vs 16/17 winner @ Brattleboro Stadium, Brattleboro
(8) Tierra de Castro vs (9) Alpine Union @ Winchester Stadium, Winchester
(5) West Phoenicia vs (12) Liventia @ Rutland Stadium, Rutland
(4) Free Republics vs 13/20 winner @ Grande Mountain Stadium, Grande Mountain
(6) Ethane vs (11) The Sherpa Empire @ Starksville Stadium, Starksville
(3) Schiltzberg vs 14/19 winner @ New Lakeland Stadium, New Lakeland
(7) Nova Anglicana vs (10) Ko-oren @ Victoriaville Stadium, Victoriaville
(2) Cassadaigua vs 15/18 winner @ Concord Heights Stadium, Concord Heights

Reminder: Sunday is an off day. Playoffs begin Monday.

[Lycrabon]

Blue Jays clinch second, face Drawkland in playoff round

RUTLAND -- After taking their win in their first opportunity, it wasannounced that Garry Barnett, Jr. would indeed be pulled from his start in the fina game. The only mystery would be who he'd start against in the playoffs. We now know it's Drawkland, a squad he admitted he's not familiar with. The rotation for the first two rounds (assuming they make the final sixteen):

vs. Drawkland in Rutland
Game 1: Garry Barnett, Jr.
Game 2: Brant Powers
Game 3 (if necessary): Fred Dickerson

vs. Schlitzberg in Starksville
Game 1: Dickerson OR Ralph Hill
Game 2: Willie Curtis
Game 3: Garry Barnett, Jr.
Game 4 * : Brant Powers OR Ralph Hill
Game 5 *:Powers OR Fred Dickerson

If the quarterfinals are in their future -- which would be against either Ethane or The Sherpa Empire -- the rotation will be reset.

[Newmanistan]

THE ROCKET REPORT

ROCKETS EARN TOP SEED

by Brianne Henry,

The new look Rockets quietly got the job done over 24 qualifying games for the 45th World Baseball Classic, putting together a record of 20-4, beating Drawkland by four games in the group, and earning the top seed for the playoffs on run differential over the hosts, Cassadaigua. Now the Classic is heading to the scene of our last championship, and Newmanistan will await the winner of the three-games series between Abanhfleft and Beepee. That’s a pretty good head to head pairing, since the Fleftics reached the semifinals in WBC 43, and the team from Beepee is one of those pesky sides that you know is capable of going on a run.

Should Newmanistan win that series, they would then meet the winner of the 8-9 series, which features Tierra de Castro, one of the best newer nations that we have seen in a little while, against almost annual playoff fodder for the Rockets, Alpine Union. West Phoenicia and Free Republics also loom in our half of the bracket. We said from the beginning that we would not know how well this team could be until the playoffs. Drawkland was the main threat in the group and provided a good challenge, but that was about it. The Greater Nordics seemed to have some potential coming into the tournament, but would disappoint.

[Ko-oren]

The moments of truth are here. Three different moments, divided across five different locations. We end matchday 27 as the only group where no team has clinched even a top 20 spot yet, let alone a top 16 seed. Three teams are in the running, and all three have a bye day on the last three days, to make calculations nearly impossible. After a 9-game winning streak, Ko-oren is second on run differential coming out of a tough loss to Oscioru. Oscioru, then, revive their chances with that win. They get the head-to-head over Ko-oren, and are back in the race after leading the group for a very long time. They were first from the start, well past the halfway point. Hampton Island have only been first on one single day: this one. It doesn't matter who ranks first the longest, it only matters who ranks first after the very last out.

1 Hampton Island           22   14   8    91   67  +24    42
2 Ko-oren                  22   14   8    84   72  +12    42
3 Oscioru                  22   13   9   106   87  +19    39

Hampton sits out on day one. Sports clubs and gathering halls throughout Ko-oren have set up dual screens, one for the home game against Bulgar Rouge, played in Aminey's Apollo Diamond, the other for Carpia's hosting for Oscioru. The latter game finishes first, and it's not what we hoped for. Oscioru wins, 8-3, taking the Carpian relivers to town and embarrassing the closer to boot. Our rivals score three in the ninth to make Carpia chase not a 5-3, but an 8-3 and they fail miserably. Bulgar Rouge, meanwhile, take things past the three-hour mark in Aminey. Vahamonde started, but was taken off in the fourth inning - already having given up three runs at that point. Ko-orenite batting started full of hope, getting a run in the first, but the scoreboard shows a 1-3 deficit for a little too long. The home team doubles their score, but are still behind 2-3 all the way in the eighth inning - and then things finally get going. The limited arsenal of the Bulgar pitchers is finally exposed and the hits start coming. First, a base hit and first base is occupied. Then, a double to crowd the bases a bit more. Then, a walk - the bases are loaded. Up comes the cleanup crew (or, rather, the cleanup person). This is it. The pitcher winds up, the ball comes out, that's high. Too high. The umpire announces 1-0. The second pitch starts out normal, but pulls towards the batter - too hard to hit, but definitely possible. 1-1. The third: foul. 1-2. Things get a little more difficult here. But there it is: a double! Ko-oren are up 4-3, just in time as the next batter gets the third out. A closer is substituted in. 12 pitches, three strikeouts - Ko-oren win too.

Group 6                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Ko-oren                  23   15   8    88   75  +13    45
2 Oscioru                  23   14   9   114   90  +24    42
3 Hampton Island           22   14   8    91   67  +24    42

The Greenblues travel to Hampton for our final showdown. This is all we can do - win this one, and you've got a two game cushion with one round to go. Lose it, and everything can still go south: you've lost your last to Hampton and Oscioru so you don't have the H2H over either of the opponents. It doesn't get more crucial. Oscioru sits out this one: the various clubs and centres in Ko-oren stow away their second screen because, and I'm sorry to say this, people aren't going to watch Carpia at Bulgar Rouge. The game starts, and scoring is through the roof. The first five innings all yield runs - one per inning. If we lose this one, there's a lot of runs left on the table in all of the first five innings. Hampton score 4 in the first 5, and through some sort of statistical anomaly, that's it for the scoring. Ko-oren had multiple base hits in each of the first five innings, and so did Hampton Island - and that's where it ends. The relievers come on, and they keep the bases clean for the rest of the game. And that means that Ko-oren went into the lion's den, kept it together and won a crucial game. And look at that: there's a 2-game cushion.

Group 6                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Ko-oren                  24   16   8    93   79  +14    48
2 Oscioru                  23   14   9   114   90  +24    42
3 Hampton Island           23   14   9    95   72  +23    42

Oscioru and Hampton Island now play only for the second spot. Who could've seen this coming?

Group 6                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Ko-oren                  24   16   8    93   79  +14    48  Q
2 Hampton Island           24   15   9    99   75  +24    45  Q
3 Oscioru                  24   14  10   120   97  +23    42

Oscioru loses to Bulgar Rouge at home, while Hampton gets another win versus Carpia in the 11th inning.

Ko-oren qualify as the 10th seed, which means we're the worst group winners (by 26 runs, after Alpine Union's 16-8 and +40 RD). Hampton claims the 15th seed, which isn't so bad. Oscioru gets nothing but a participation trophy, a winning tournament at 14-10 and the status of 'best 3rd placed team'.

[West Phoenicia]

The West Phoenicians Confederate cinch 1st place in their pool after some sloppy games in the later part of the first round that allowed The Sherpa Empire to gain a strong foothold. It was the 9-5 win on the last match against their rivals that had West Phoenician fans relieved they finished on top and would be progressing to the round of 16.


"Things were always going to be shaky going into this World Baseball Classic series, strong veterans had moved on and new players and a new coach were introduced.

Manager Jacob Prosper hopes going into the round of 16 against Liventia that all the bugs have been worked out that fielding will be tighter and pitchers on the ball to avoid unnecessary balls and walks. The Confederates are a strong team, but do suffer from being overwhelmed if they have to play catch up. The team is hoping for a 3-0 start to the round of 16 to boost their self confidence moving forward.

[Beepee]

Part 10

Homer spent a restless night. Tossing and turning in his bed. At 3am he decided enough was enough and got up. He decided to head out for a walk. He found himself aimlessly walking the streets of Catenham. Looking up he recognised where he was.

---

Bruce remained in Catenham State Jail. He also could not sleep, but did not have luxury of a midnight stroll.

He started at the ceiling, holding back tears. Doralee was dead, and his situation seemed dire, even to him. Despite knowing his innocence, he had seen enough bad Beepeean Broadcasting Corporation cop movies to know how this would play out.

He signed at the thought of missing the WBC. He had been training so well and hoped this time in jail would not put an end to his career.

'I must be strong' He whispered to himself.

His lawyer was arriving tomorrow there would be good news, he was sure of it.

---

Homer stood looking at Bruce's apartment for a short while. A sense of guilt flooded over him.

He knew that Bruce was not capable of murdering Doralee.

He continued on his walk.
After a short while, Homer found himself outside a Local police station. He knew what he had to do.

Homer strode into the police station.

[The Sherpa Empire]

--‭֎‬-- Guangxi Territory --‭֎‬--

Princess Yahia and the Duke of Guilin sat on the deck of a boat floating peacefully down the Li River. Sun sparkled off the water and cliffs towered above them on either side, so tall and steep they looked like something out of a fantasy. Even though it was winter, the little spaces that were not water or sheer vertical rock were still filled with green.

"Did you tell Kai Qiang how you help me talk to Debashish, or did he just figure it out?" Yahia asked.

"He figured it out on his own," said the duke. "He's very good at picking up on things like that, and he already knows I'm not interested in women."

"Just because you've never been interested in women before doesn't mean you can't fall in love now," said Yahia.

"I've been in love before," said the duke. "I'm just not interested in women. Yahia, I've kept your secrets for you. Can I trust you to keep some of mine?"

"Of course," said Yahia.

"I am gay. I've wanted to tell you for a long time, but it's hard to say it out loud. We live in a country where it's hard to talk about that sort of thing. The reason Lakpa Fang talks to me about that LGBT rights group he is in is because he knows. We had an affair once. He does love his wife, though. He's a switch hitter, if you know what I mean."

"He bats left-handed," said Yahia.

"Not that kind of switch hitter," said the duke. He wondered why Yahia even knew such an obscure bit of trivia, considering how rarely Fang had to bat. "But you can't blame me for wanting him; you have to admit he's gorgeous."

Yahia giggled. "Yeah, he is good-looking."

"The love of my life was the Baroness of Zhaotong's personal chef," the duke went on. "I thought of bringing him to Guilin to cook for me, so we could be together, but I was afraid we would not be able to keep our love a secret if we saw each other all the time."

"Ohh... So that's why you used to visit the Baroness so often?" said Yahia.

"Yes."

"So why did you want to get close to me?" said Yahia. "I don't bring any sexy men for you to oggle. Unless... You wanted an excuse to talk to Debashish!"

"Oh, no, it's not like that!" said the duke. "If I wanted to talk to Debashish Morrison, I could just talk to him. I understand what you see in him, but he is straight, and I know better than to go chasing after him. No, I wanted to get close to you. In fact, I want to marry you, just not for the same reasons that other men want you. And I don't want to force anything. I want us to be honest with each other. I don't want to hide the way I feel about other men, and you would not have to hide your love for Debashish Morrison. We could invite him to visit us when the Green Sox come to town. If he wanted to play for the Pangolins, you could have even more time together."

"But I don't want to marry you," said Yahia. "I thought we could just be friends... It's not honest for us to get married if we're not in love!"

"What do you lose by marrying me?" said the duke. "It will put people's minds at ease and your parents will stop worrying so much about who you talk to. It wouldn't even stop you from marrying Morrison later. I know foreign influences are creeping in, and people think polygamy is backward, but you are still a Sherpa princess and there is no law that says you can only have one husband. The first kid you have, you can say it's mine and then nobody will worry about the succession even if you and Debashish Morrison shout your love from the rooftops. You can have your fun with him; I get some political clout and people will stop asking questions about why I never married. And what do we lose?"

"Marriages shouldn't be a tool for collecting political clout!" said Yahia. She was annoyed, but not as furious as she got when men started with political considerations right out of the gate. He had at least thought about her feelings and tried to come up with something that would make both of them happy. She looked up at cliffs that jutted up out of the brush on the shore and soared into the sky. The gold light of the sun and cooler colors of the shadows made delicate patterns across the rock. It was hard to stay mad when they were surrounded by such breath-taking beauty. The duke always tried to show her a good time when they were together, not just show off how much money he was willing to spend. The thought of marrying him still felt wrong, though, especially since he'd just admitted he was gay.

[Cassadaigua]

Series: (13) Vangaziland vs (20) North Prarie @ Starksville Stadium, Starksville
Game 1:

North Prarie           0 0 4 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 0  8
Vangaziland            1 0 4 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 1  9

Game 2:

Vangaziland            0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0  3
North Prarie           2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  2

Vangaziland wins series, 2G-0

Series: (14) Drawkland vs (19) Lycrabon @ Rutland Stadium, Rutland
Game 1:

Lycrabon               0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0
Drawkland              0 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 X  3

Game 2:

Drawkland              2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0  4
Lycrabon               2 3 1 2 0 0 0 0 X  8

series tied, 1-1

Series: (15) Hampton Island vs (18) Equestrian States @ Victoriaville Stadium, Victoriaville
Game 1:

Equestrian States      1 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 1  5
Hampton Island         3 3 0 1 0 1 1 0 X  9

Game 2:

Hampton Island         0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 0  3
Equestrian States      0 0 0 2 0 1 0 3 X  6

series tied, 1-1


Series: (16) Abanhfleft vs (17) Beepee @ Winchester Stadium, Winchester
Game 1:

Beepee                 0 1 0 3 1 0 0 2 0  7
Abanhfleft             0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0  2

Game 2:

Abanhfleft             0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0  2
Beepee                 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 X  4

Beepee wins series, 2G-0

[Beepee]

Part 11

Homer sat alone, quietly, in the interview room.

Detective Sanchez entered a bundle of papers under her arms.

'Mr Unn, I'm Detective Sanchez' she said authoritatively.

'Hi'

'You told the officer on the front desk you had information in relation to the death of Doralee Rhodes?'

'Yes...'

'You do know we've got the killer and he's awaiting trial, Mr Unn'.

'Bruce didn't do it', Homer protested.

'And how do you know that Mr Unn?'

'Well, I'm being blackmailed you see.'

''You're being blackmailed? '

'Yes a woman came to my office a few days ago and said that I had to drop Bruce for the WBC, if I didn't I'd face the consequences.'

'That woman was Doralee?'

'No, I didn't know who she was'

'And what did you do Mr Unn?'

''Nothing'

'Nothing?'

'Nothing. Then a couple of weeks later I got broken into and I got a threat in the mail.'

'Did you report any of this?'

'No. I didn't know what to do'

'You didn't report the woman trying to blackmail you, you didn't report a break and enter, you didn't report any threat to your life.'

'When you put it like that it does seem odd.... but it seemed sensible at the time'

'Mr Unn, I don't see what this had to do with Doralee Rhodes, she wasn't the woman blackmailing you

'No, but I think whoever is blackmailing mailing me thinks I killed Doralee'

'Why do you say that?'

'I received an envelope stuffed with cash yesterday'

Detective Sanchez eyes opened wide.

'And why did you receive an envelope stuffed with cash?'

'I think the blackmailer thinks I killed Doralee and framed Bruce. Bruce is out of the picture'.

' And did you kill Doralee?'

'No'

'Let me ask you this, where were you on the night of the 9th?'

'I was at home, alone with my dogs'.

'Can anybody verify that?'

'No.'

'Mr Unn, I'm going to end this conversation here. You need to get yourself a lawyer. You have no alibi, you've explained your motive and you knew the victim'.

---

[Evaropi]

[size=150]The Shorogyt Evaropian National Team; The New Leckshire Lightning

Their mascot is the Red Panda (representing Evaropi) and his name is Ricky the Red Panda. Oh, we are using this for team info? Oh ok then. The Shorogyt Evaropian National Team has had about 3 league titles, but no international experience. It will be interesting to see what happens when the face other teams, but they are excited about it anyways.

Manager: Ryan Auchretiz (9 years)

Lineup:
1) Sebastian Hayes, 24- CF
2) Harry Griffin, 27- SS
3) Rick Rivera, 30- 1B
4) Byrch Snyder, 21- RF
5) Robert Brown, 40- 3B
6) Jamie Martin, 22- C
7) Moshe Wells, 26- 2B
8 Kye Evans, 23- DH


There is no bench. None of our players get tired or hurt. It is because our technology is so advanced that we have come up with a pill that eliminates the need for a bench

Rotation:
1) Dai Jostenpens, 30 (RHP)
2) Marx Rutsens, 32 (RHP)
3) Bulkei Sanocichivic, 27 (LHP
4) TIger Russel, 21 (LHP)
5) Curry Titius, 29 (RHP)

Bullpen:
1) Mickey Gurli, 34 (RHP)
2) Belkout Johnston, 33 (LHP)
3) Baker Frienlienhied, 21 (LHP)
4) Dustt Yourjestudad, 26 (RHP)
5) Mayten Morganson 29 (LHP)
6) Andrew Likkten, 28 (LHP)
7) Uo'pol Bonswhali, 30 (RHP)

Stadium- The Presidential Field, Thalian Lake, Skaxis
Capacity:78,391

Choose my runscorers: No
Choose my lineup: No
Follow my pitching rotation: No
Godmod scoring events: No
RP injuries to my players: Yes
Godmod injuries to my players: No
Eject my players: Yes
Godmod other events: No
Use DH at home: Yes

[Hampton Island]

Hampton Island Sports Brief

Midnight Loses Cool

Midnight, our professional baseball playing black bear, lost his cool prior to game one of the playoffs. Unlike other non-human life forms that play sports, Midnight is not sentient. He is simply a bear that has enough ability to baseball that he has a roster spot. The team was able to get him under control during World Baseball Classic 44, and so far, he has behaved very well during World Baseball Classic 45. This was not the case before a troubling scene prior to Game 1 in Victoriaville, Cassadaigua. The opponent, the Equestrian States, fields ponies on their team, and has for quite some time. The ponies have exceptional baseball ability, but unlike Midnight, are sentient.

Unfortunately, Midnight has only become used to play with and against humans. Upon seeing the likes of Earth Pony’s, Pegasus, Dragons, Unicorns and the like, Midnight lost his cool and his ursine instincts took over. He immediately let out a large series of growls and furiously lunged at Apple Daisy, for whom was being made his first target. He took a swipe at Apple Daisy, but thankfully for all of us, she was able to duck, and immediately had all of her teammates out to assist her. Those teammates were soon joined by all of the Hampton Island players who all sought to contain Midnight as well. Coach John Morton then whipped out his stun gun, which he was provided if Midnight ever got out of control, and tranquilized the bear. None of the Equestrian States players were hurt as Midnight did not actually make contact with Apple Daisy or any of the other ones. Midnight has been suspended indefinitely by the team, and may not return to the team, at all. He will not appear in this series, for sure.

[Lycrabon]

Series tied

RUTLAND -- Pre-game of game 1, Garry Barnett, Jr. went to the PA announcer at Rutland Stadium, to request a clarification for in-game that this Barnett was NOT the one that disparaged the host nation, attempting to avoid the negative reaction in the bottom of the first. He even sought out one of the local radio stations for a short interview regarding it. Post game, he commented, "the reporters here would have offers in every single outlet in Lycrabon. They are THAT good at their jobs."

Unfortunately for the Blue Jays, the game didn't go as well, dropping game one 3-0. Barnett went the distance, allowing a dozen hits through eight innings. Lycrabon only managed a weak single by the left fielder.

Game two was won by the Jays, 8-4, though the score was actually closer than that. Being an off day for him, Barnett went up in the booth for an inning in the Drawkland booth, and an inning with the Cassadaiguan broadcasters (after discussing in both cases, though Cassadaigua was merely a local broadcast). He was with the LSPN Radio crew for most of the game talking about the calm atmosphere compared to last Classic, and his opinion on the Blue Jays' chances. Only time will tell how well the elder Barnett experiment plays out.

[Free Republics]

News Magazine

Why the Free Republics Doesn't Do Travel Bans
By: Robert Nicholls

Many nations have been issuing travel bans to Amuaplye of late and I understand why. Amuaplye is the home of the so-called Olympiad Bomber, a terrorist who has been mailing bombs to Olympic athletes in Amuaplye. All athletes in the Free Republics are safe because the Federation Investigation Bureau and the Republican Intelligence Agenca have done an incredible job of keeping us safe. Everybody in the Free Republics and around the multiverse can rest assured that those who carry out or attempt to carry out acts of senseless violence against the Olympics will be brought to justice by the best law enforcement agencies in the multiverse and will likely face the death penalty. We are not playing games with athlete safety even though certain delegations whose leaders seem to have no regard for their own lives have asked us to do so.

However, the Free Republics will not be issuing a travel ban to Amuaplye because we do not ban travel to any nation. In fact, under the 43rd Amendment which was just ratified 3 years ago, the Federation Government is constitutionally forbidden from restricting the freedom to travel in any way. As many of my readers will remember, Consul O'Reilly, a nice if somewhat eccentric man with a tendency toward hyperbole and shameless self-promotion, fell under the spell of an evil artificial intelligence which installed him as Consul in a rigged election so that it could carry out its evil schemes. One such scheme was to prohibit travel outside of the Free Republics or into the Free Republics. This total ban on travel, which lasted for the duration of the AI dictatorship figure-headed by O'Reilly, was a truly awful experience that forever soured our people on permitting the government to restrict freedom of movement.

It is true that our government retains the right to deport foreign nationals who commit crimes within our borders, as we deported the former president of South Covello, a man named John Green, not that long ago. Mr. Green entered our nation for the sole purpose of fraudulently voting multiple times in our election in order to elect my daughter Scarlett as consul rather than her opponent Mr. Sebastian Trudeau. His actions were unacceptable so he was arrested and, upon taking office, my daughter wisely deported him back to South Covello even though they didn't particularly want him back. You see, he had been impeached for warmongering, including a threat to declare war against our Federation because of things that Mr. Trudeau, a candidate for consul who has never held any political power, was saying. However, we do not deport people who come to our Federation and follow our laws and we do not restrict the fundamental human right of our people to travel wherever we wish nor will we assist any nation in enforcing a travel ban law.

As an aside, many people have asked me why the Federation Government has not taken action to deport Sister Maria Polus, a Sanctii national who teaches at a high school in Republica. Sister Polus is what they would have called a "common scold" in a previous century: a rather obnoxious woman who routinely complains about everybody else and frequently says derogatory things about our nation's laws and way of life. However, being a "common scold" is not a violation of our laws and she has not, to my knowledge, broken any laws. It is not against the law to complain about other people's behavior to private property owners nor is it against the law to be ignorant of the law and attempt to report people to the police for things that are not crimes. Unfortunately, Sister Polus seems to be extremely ignorant regarding our nation's laws, as she has been filing several hundred reports per day in recent days, all but 3 of which have been dismissed by the Republica Police Department on various grounds, the most common grounds being that the offense being reported is not a crime under our laws. One would expect an immigrant who has lived her for over a decade to be more aware of our laws but ignorance of the law is not a crime anymore than it is an excuse for having committed a crime.

Robert Nicholls is a Senator Emeritus from Amolotopia and the head of the Republican Olympic Organizing Committee. A respected businessman, Senator Emeritus Nicholls led the Free Republics out of the darkness of the Kulseth and O'Reilly regimes.

[The Sherpa Empire]

--‭֎‬-- Lukla --‭֎‬--

Princess Yahia was chatting with some noble ladies telling them about her recent visit to Guilin. She omitted the part where the duke admitted he was gay and asked her to marry him anyway. She was still rather conflicted about that. It would have been nice to be able to talk it over and get advice from her friends, but she knew it wouldn't be right to spread the duke's secrets around like that. They were interrupted by Sarki Ihawa, who Yahia knew as both a high-ranking government shaman and the older sister of one of her favorite pitchers. Sarki bowed. "Your highness, may I have a word with you in private?"

Yahia had no idea why Sarki wanted to talk to her, but it was probably a good reason. Sarki wasn't in the habit of wasting the imperial family's time. "Sure, we can go out in the garden," said Yahia.

"No, I said in private," said Sarki. "Come here." She motioned for Yahia to follow her. Yahia was not used to being ordered around by any commoner, even a powerful magician with a security clearance. She resented it, but she still followed Sarki because there were some people it was not wise to ignore. Whatever Sarki wanted to talk about, it might turn out to be important.

They went to Yahia's bedroom, where Sarki ordered her to remove several pieces of jewelry, one by one. As she took them and set them aside, she pointed out where there were talismans hidden in them. "This sapphire was enchanted by Lhamu Salaka, allowing her to use it as a listening device. This ruby has a tracking spell that allows Bawu Sherpa, the head of the Palace Guard, to know if you're wearing it our not, and your location if you are wearing it. And this bracelet was enchanted by me... You are going to be talking to me anyway, but please take it off so that another magician can't extract information from it if they get their hands on the bracelet."

Yahia's eyes went wide with terror as she realized that with all these tracking spells she had forgotten or never known about, there was almost no way she had succeeded in keeping her ongoing romance with Debashish Morrison a secret. She looked down at the bracelet that Sarki had enchanted. "You didn't say what it does."

"That was intentional," said Sarki. She took the bracelet and put it down on a nearby dresser. "Leave your phone here too."

"I left my phone in the other room," said Yahia.

"Oh, that's fine, then," said Sarki. "Leave it there." But it was soon clear that this was just for the benefit of Lhamu Salaka, who might be listening in. Sarki reached for the other phone that was tucked into Yahia's dress, the one that the Duke of Guilin had given her for her secret phone calls. She tucked the phone in a dresser drawer, hiding it under some scarves. Yahia opened her mouth to protest, but Sarki motioned for her to be quiet and pointed to Lhamu Salaka's sapphire pendant.

"Now come with me," Sarki said. She took Yahia's hand, and in a flash of blue they were transported out of the palace. The next thing Yahia knew, they were standing in a pine forest on the rim of a vast canyon. The walls of the canyon were striped with different colors of orange and yellow. It did not look like any landscape that Yahia had ever seen before, and she wondered if it was even in the Sherpa Empire.

"There, now we can talk privately," Sarki said. "Did you really think that Kai Qiang could guess what you were up to and the professionals whose job it is to keep tabs on you would not?"

(to be continued...)

[Tierra de Castro]

El Profesor sat across from El Zorro in perfect silence. The pair were looking out at the rest of the team as they practiced. Both were contemplative, deep in thought, but neither said a word. They didn’t need to. They both knew that despite the team’s solid 17-7 record, qualification from the group stage by finishing top meant nothing if they couldn’t do something in the play-offs. This was where the real tournament began for Tierra de Castro. They had reached the play-offs last time, but were beaten by Ko-oren in a play-in game to the ‘play-offs proper’, they didn’t have to go through that this time but they still wanted to taste victory in a play-off game for the very first time.

The team were 8th seeds, facing off against an Alpine Union team that had finished top of Group 5 with a 16-8 record not too dissimilar to the Castrollano’s 17-7. Abanhfleft had challenged them a little more for that position than anyone in Tierra de Castro’s group had challenged them. This was something that worried El Profesor. Hector Chicote didn’t really see the problem as much as his Coach did, but then, he had always been slightly more relaxed about that sort of thing.

“It’s out of our control boss, we didn’t decide who we played during the groups, did we?” Hector asked rhetorically. “We shouldn’t worry about it too much – you can only beat whoever they put in front of you and we did that more often than not.”

“I hear you, but I can’t help but feel a bigger challenge from someone would have given us that bit of nastiness a winning team needs. We didn’t really put anyone away in the group, we were simply the team that fucked up the least. The Alpine Union are a good team and if anyone is lax or laidback against them then they won’t hesitate to put us away, I don’t know if some of our lads have that in them.”

Hector heard his point and he also knew that El Profesor had the stats to back it up. Tierra de Castro had topped their group without ever being spectacular, their 91 runs conceded wasn’t all that great and was a product of some pitchers doing very well and then the others having poor games. Hector didn’t know who could be called from the bullpen and be relied upon and El Profesor didn’t seem any wiser either. It was difficult, the team was winning games but not performing consistently and it was often difficult to see why.

“And then scoring has been an issue for us too, Adan’s been good as always, but it’s often difficult to see where runs are going to come from.” Abasto said. Again, Hector knew he was entirely correct. Adan Carita was the real stand-out hitter on the Castrollano team and although much had been made of Juan Esteban Capmany’s promotion into the hitting line-up from his position as a designated hitter at the last Classic, he hadn’t been as productive as many had thought he would be. “We scored 114 runs in the groups, that’s second worst out of the teams that finished top of their group. We just aren’t producing numbers we can be happy with at the minute.”

Hector hadn’t really ever seen Coach like this. It was unexpected. Maybe it was the fact that it was the World Baseball Classic, rather than the domestic series that he had been so used to for so long. But he seemed entirely stumped about what to do from the position they were in. Nothing bad had actually happened – indeed, the team had performed better in the groups than they had in their debut Classic and they had a solid chance of progressing further in the play-offs this time with all the experience on their roster. But something seemed to be missing for El Profesor.

“You know boss,” Hector chuckled as a sense of realisation dawned upon him, he understood it now. “I’m beginning to think you’re a bit of a perfectionist.” He said, a smile broke on Abasto’s face too.

“Hector, I’m surprised it’s taken you this long.”

“No, I understand it now, your problem is that you don’t just want to win – you want to win in the best way possible.”

“Exactly.” El Profesor smiled. “There’s no sense in winning every game, conceding lots of runs and being barely productive hitting. I want to win by shutting out the opposition and by batting-in plenty of runs, because what’s more beautiful than a team that is producing great numbers on both sides of our beautiful sport?”

“I hear you.” Hector said. “Idealism is all well and good boss, but winning games by hook or by crook can get the same end result, can it not?”

“It can Hector,” Abasto sighed, taking his glasses off and rubbing his eyes. “It can. But we should all dream to try and win the best way possible. Plus, it’s my job to worry about these things, these statistics, these… numbers, they can indicate trends that can help us succeed or may make us fail and it’s my job to notice them. If we lose narrowly to the Alpine Union and don’t score enough runs it’d make me look stupid if I claimed not to know the numbers. I need to try and fix it so that we can win, whether it be in the best fashion possible or – how did you put it?”

“By hook or by crook, Prof.”

“By hook or by crook.” Abasto said, smiling again. “Hector, you’re going to be sitting in my position and you’ll have this exact same chat with someone one day. You’ll be a perfectionist then too, every coach has to be.”

“I bet you didn’t think you’d be saying that fifteen years ago, boss.” Hector said, laughing.
“Which bit?”

“That I’d be sitting in your position.”

“No, maybe not.” Abasto chuckled. “Anyway, who do you have in these play-in games? Drawkland or Lycrabon? Hampton Island or Equestrian States?”

“I’m just thankful we don’t have to do that again.” Hector said ruefully. “Drawkland and Equestrian States though.”

“I thought you’d say as much.” El Profesor nodded. “Now, go give those youngsters some tips about pitching. God knows they need some help, Quesada hasn’t been right all Classic and Tenorio keeps letting the pressure get to him.”

[Cassadaigua]

Series: (14) Drawkland vs (19) Lycrabon @ Rutland Stadium, Rutland
Game 3:

Lycrabon               0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 3  6
Drawkland              0 0 0 1 2 1 0 0 0  4

Lycrabon wins series, 2-1

Series: (15) Hampton Island vs (18) Equestrian States @ Victoriaville Stadium, Victoriaville
Game 3:

Equestrian States      0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 0  3
Hampton Island         0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4  4

Hampton Island wins series, 2-1

(2nd Round, Best of 5)
(1) Newmanistan vs (17) Beepee @ Brattleboro Stadium, Brattleboro
(8) Tierra de Castro vs (9) Alpine Union @ Winchester Stadium, Winchester
(5) West Phoenicia vs (12) Liventia @ Rutland Stadium, Rutland
(4) Free Republics vs (13) Vangaziland @ Grande Mountain Stadium, Grande Mountain
(6) Ethane vs (11) The Sherpa Empire @ Starksville Stadium, Starksville
(3) Schiltzberg vs (19) Lycrabon @ New Lakeland Stadium, New Lakeland
(7) Nova Anglicana vs (10) Ko-oren @ Victoriaville Stadium, Victoriaville
(2) Cassadaigua vs (15) Hampton Island @ Concord Heights Stadium, Concord Heights

[West Phoenicia]

Excited West Phoenician Confederate fans are gearing up to what looks to be an impressive round of 16 line up for the World Baseball Classic.

West Phoenicia is set to take on Liventia, one of their biggest cycling rivals in international circuits at Rutland Stadium, Rutland. Fans have been busy scooping up tickets to watch the round of 16, with the Confederates hoping now that all players are off the injury lost can do some magic to progress them to the quarter finals.

Their good luck charm Empress Cleopatra-Olympias will not be on hand as she is heavily pregnant but has confirmed she will be watching at home in the palace, where she has given staff the days off to enjoy one of her favourite sports.

“Liventia won't be an easy team to beat, but I am confident we will get the job done,” cited Team Manager Jacob Prosper in an interview with Sports Magazine WP Sports Weekly.

Baseball fans are also looking at a number of other clashes. Ethane looking to taking on Sherpa Empire, who placed second in their pool and for a time were concerned their rivals would take the first spot.
While Confederate fans would love nothing more than be the ones to take out one of their rivals, they are happy for Ethane to do it in three easy games.

Another team West Phoenicia is looking at is Vangaziland who are playing against The Free Republics. All signs shine on the Free Republics taking them out, something that the Confederates wished they had the opportunity to do for the bragging rights. But expect Vangaziland to make some attempt to fight back the strength from The Free Republics.

Ratings are expected to soar across sports channels as baseball has moved onto the round of 16 where the game becomes more fierce and competitive. Where every pitch will be scruntised and every hit judged.

[The Sherpa Empire]

...continued from here.

Princess Yahia felt like she was going to be sick. "Do my parents know?" she asked.

"I don't think so," said Sarki. "I haven't told them. But I will tell them if you don't settle this. If you want to marry the Duke of Guilin and keep your secrets, I will stay out of it. If you cheat on him, that is his problem, not mine. I don't answer to the Duke of Guilin.

"If you want to openly defy your parents and marry Debashish Morrison, I will stay out of it. It's your life and I can't tell you who to love. I can tell you what is the proper thing to do, or the responsible thing, but I can't tell you what is right. I was convinced that my brother would regret playing baseball instead of going into the clergy or becoming a professional magician, but he doesn't. Sometimes people just have to make their own decisions, no matter how stupid it looks to everyone else.

"But if you continue to sneak around the palace trying to hide from all of us, I will tell your parents what is going on. It's not fair to Morrison that you keep telling him you're going to be together, but you don't follow through. It's not fair to your parents that Kai Qiang knows more about your love life than they do. And it's not fair to the people that have been keeping our mouths shut because we sympathize with you that we have to keep listening to this drama, and not say anything."

"I still don't know how Kai Qiang knew..." Yahia said.

Sarki rolled her eyes. "It's impossible to hide anything from him. It's bad enough that he got his name on a couple of government watchlists. I'd hire him to work for me if he could pass a background check, but uhhh... Well, there are some things you don't want to know."

"No, there are things that nobody wants to tell me," said Yahia. "That doesn't mean I don't want to know! I hate being sheltered!" She kicked a rock into the canyon and it bounced down the cliff until it fell out of sight.

"If you get married, you won't be so sheltered," Sarki pointed out.

"But I don't want to get married yet," said Yahia. "I want to be able to date Debashish like a normal person, you know, meet each other's parents and figure out how it's all going to work before we get married. But I can't do that because my parents think it's beneath me."

"Tell them they're wrong," said Sarki.

"My dad is the Emperor; I can't just tell him he's wrong!" said Yahia.

"Oh, really?" said Sarki. "I can tell the Emperor whatever I want, and I'm pretty sure you outrank me."

"Sarki, you can't tell the Emperor anything you want," Yahia argued. "That's not how it works."

"I can so," said Sarki. "Let's go back to the Palace and I'll show you."

"No," said Yahia. "I don't want to do this. Let me talk to Debashish and we'll decide what to do. I still haven't even told him what happened with the duke because I haven't had any privacy since I came back from Guilin."

"All right, but get on with it," said Sarki. "Or I'll haul you off to Starksville if I have to."

"Oh, I wish I could go to Starksville to watch the games!" Yahia said wistfully.

Sarki looked annoyed. "What did I just tell you?"

At first Yahia was confused, but then she caught what Sarki was getting at. Her face lit up. "Will you really take me there?"

"Yes," said Sarki. "It's obvious that trying to discourage you hasn't worked, so it's time to settle this another way."

[Cassadaigua]

(1) Newmanistan vs (17) Beepee @ Brattleboro Stadium, Brattleboro
Game 1:

Beepee                 0 2 0 3 0 0 1 0 0  6
Newmanistan            1 0 0 0 1 0 5 0 X  7

Game 2:

Beepee                 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 1  5
Newmanistan            0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0  1

Series tied, 1-1

(8) Tierra de Castro vs (9) Alpine Union @ Winchester Stadium, Winchester
Game 1:

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

Game 2:

Alpine Union           0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0  1
Tierra de Castro       0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 X  3

Series tied, 1-1

(5) West Phoenicia vs (12) Liventia @ Rutland Stadium, Rutland
Game 1:

Liventia               2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  3
West Phoenicia         3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  4

Game 2:

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

West Phoenicia leads series, 2-0

(4) Free Republics vs (13) Vangaziland @ Grande Mountain Stadium, Grande Mountain
Game 1:

Vangaziland            0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2  2
Free Republics         0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 X  3

Game 2:

Vangaziland            0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2  3
Free Republics         0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 X  4

Free Republics leads series, 2-0

(6) Ethane vs (11) The Sherpa Empire @ Starksville Stadium, Starksville
Game 1:

The Sherpa Empire      0 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 1  4
Ethane                 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0  2

Game 2:

The Sherpa Empire      0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  2
Ethane                 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  1

The Sherpa Empire leads series, 2-0

(3) Schiltzberg vs (19) Lycrabon @ New Lakeland Stadium, New Lakeland
Game 1:

Lycrabon               0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1  3
Schiltzberg            0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0  2

Game 2:

Lycrabon               0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0  1
Schiltzberg            0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 X  2

series tied, 1-1

(7) Nova Anglicana vs (10) Ko-oren @ Victoriaville Stadium, Victoriaville
Game 1:

Ko-oren                4 4 0 0 2 1 5 0 0 16
Nova Anglicana         0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0  3

Game 2:

Ko-oren                0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1  3
Nova Anglicana         0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0  2

Ko-oren leads series, 2-0

(2) Cassadaigua vs (15) Hampton Island @ Concord Heights Stadium, Concord Heights
Game 1:

Hampton Island         3 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1  8
Cassadaigua            0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 2  5

Game 2:

Hampton Island         0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0  2
Cassadaigua            0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2  3

series tied, 1-1

[West Phoenicia]

The West Phoenicians Confederates have started a terrific run in the round of 16 against Liventia.

Game 1 saw the majority of the action during the first and second innings. The Confederates scored 3 runs at the bottom of the 1st. While Liventia scored two runs at the top of the 1st and one at the top of the 2nd. For the duration of the game it was pretty slow and average. Both teams locked in a battle neither seemed to get the upper hand in. It took Glen Melbourne at the bottom of the 11th to break the drought by smacking a home run, allowing the Confederates to win the match.

"It was a draining day that was dragged into the 11th inning, Liventia are not push overs and they showed that today," Team Coach Julian Pancretè said.

Game two at Rutland Stadium had the Confederates playing a more aggressive game. Pitchers led by Cliff Samuels were determined not to let anything go wrong. A frenzy of fastballs helped dispatch many the Liventia batters allowing only 1 run to get through at the top of the 7th. West Phoenicia built up 5 runs, thanks to the batting of Glen Melbourne, Jack Navy and Kevin Dances at the bottom of the 4th and Jack Navy and Wayne Sorbent at the bottom of the 8th.

At the end of post game 2 Kevin Dances had a special request for a special lady in the audience. While his team mates stood in the shape of a love heart, he kneels in the middle of the heart with a red rose in his mouth and a ring box in his hand. On the large promoter screen it was written "Will you marry me."

His girl friend was seen nodding vigorously as she rushed down to embrace him.

Audience members gushed at the gesture especially with it being on Valentine's Day. As an added gesture the West Phoenician Baseball Federation handed out red roses and chocolates to all fe.ale fans.

[Lycrabon]

Jays earn split

CASSADAIGUA -- Ralph Hill pitched a beautiful game in the first of the round of sixteen, but it was Garry Barnett, Jr. that picked up the 3-2, ten inning victory. Though the Jays lost Game 2, they still have a decent chance to advance to their eighth all-time quarterfinal series. Garry Barnett, Jr., who pitched one inning in that victory, will start game three. Brant Powers will start a potential clinching game four, and Nickerson would start a potential winner-take-all game five. As for Barnett closing out game one, he simply said, "we wanted to end it quick and save our arms for later in the series. Schlitzberg is a very good squad and will be a tough out for anyone remaining. I'm just glad our defense has been up to the challenge, and our hitting just timely enough to win."

The LBA's statement - which, strangely enough, wasn't made when he first joined the squad -- was short and to the point:

"The postseason is why the elder Barnett is here. We need that guiding force to get us deep in this tournament. To some on the board, it's an audition of sorts for him to be the manager."