World Baseball Classic 50- Everything (IC)

[The Fortem]

Howard Hunt (P) after Roland Shelton (OF) threw out a runner trying to get to 2nd on a double. (G2)

After a day where the Fortem Falcons kind of didn't try, we saw them at 3-3 and 3rd in the 3rd group. However, the Falcons seem to have come back to their previous form as we'll take you into a deep dive to the three games played yesterday.

Game One
Harry Francis wasn't expecting to get taken out of the ballgame after being in for less than a third of the inning. However, the Hapilopper Thrashers (led by inspirational speaker Mo Beverly), jumped out with the early lead. The only out Francis got was a pop-out by Campbell Braxton. Afterwards saw Levi Berry doubling, and then scoring off of a Dayton Ellis single, before being scored himself by a two-run home run by none other than Alvin Bannerman.The Fortem was no-hit until the 7th, when Seth Owens hit a home-run to give the Falcons their first (and only) point of the game. Mo Beverly would (himself) hit a home-run to ice the game for Hapilopper.


The Fortem 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1
Hapilopper 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 X 4

WP: V. Foster; LP: H. Francis; SV: D. Pocock

Game Two
After a disappointing loss to Hapilopper, the Fortem decided to pull a little irony and scored three runs in the bottom of the first, too. Only this time, it was a Cecil Cole three-run home run to give them a 3-0 lead. HUEvalia would put a point on the board in the 3rd, though with a Beatriz Porras solo shot to left-center field. They would score again in the 6th, with an R.B.I. single. It would've been turned into a double, but Roland Shelton's cannon arm threw out Koji Abika to end the inning. Jon Forbes gave insurance in the 7th with a solo-shot and that would do it for HUEvalia as Fortem iced the game.

HUElavia 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 2
The Fortem 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 X 4

WP: H. Hunt; LP: L. Correia; SV: A. Wolf

Game Three
The Fortem would start quick in the 2nd, with Cecil Cole hitting a home-run, quickly putting the Birds up 1-0 over Sicoutimont. Then, back to back home-runs by Alan Vang and Darryl Gill put them up 3-0. Dave Hopkins would pull a no-hitter into the 6th, which would be ended by a triple by Michel Morel (later scored on a pop-fly). However, the Birds scored with clutch hits by Jon Forbes and Rick Caldwell, putting the Falcons up 5-1. A late home-run by Patrick Robinet would not be enough, as the Fortem would pull through.

The Fortem 0 1 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 5
Sicoutimont 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 2

WP: D. Hopkins; LP: F. Bruyere; SV: A. Wolf

All in all, the boys played amazing those three games, and are hoping to gain momentum to push themselves into the finals as a Cinderella team. Hopefully, that will be the case. I'm Rob Bor, signing off for now.

[Quintessence of Dust]

(Provisional) box scores as posted on the TalkBaseball.qd website.

                      AB   R   H  RBI BB   K  LOB  AVG  HR  RBI
K. Andreeva CF         7   2   3   3   0   1   2  .300   3   7
N. Hisakawa SS         6   1   1   0   1   2   2  .400   3  12 
B. Wilson LF, RF       6   1   2   1   0   0   1  .300   0   3 
J. Steinnsson RF       6   0   2   0   0   0   3  .353   0   1
  a–L. Phelps PH       1   0   1   1   0   0   0  .455   1   4
  K. Symonds PR, LF    0   0   0   0   0   0   0  .059   0   0
R. Tanaka DH           4   1   1   0   2   0   4  .300   2   3 
H. Matsuoka 1B         5   1   1   0   0   1   3  .167   0   0 
K. Ljung 3B            6   2   3   1   0   1   1  .250   1   6 
J. Jiang C             6   1   2   2   0   1   4  .250   1   4 
K. Tamura 2B           5   1   2   2   0   1   0  .276   0   3

a–L. Phelps pinch-hit for K. Andreeva in the 10th

Doubles: K. Tamura (2, 4th inning, 1 on, 2 outs), K. Ljung (2, 5th inning, 1 on, 1 out), N. Hisakawa (1, 10th inning, 0 on, 2 outs), B. Wilson (1, 10th inning, 1 on, 2 outs)
Home runs: K. Andreeva 2 (3, 1st inning, 0 on, 0 outs; 4th inning, 1 on, 2 outs), J. Jiang (1, 2nd inning, 0 on, 2 outs), K. Ljung (1, 7th inning, 0 on, 2 outs)
Total bases: K. Andreeva 9, K. Ljung 7, J. Jiang 5, K. Tamura 3, B. Wilson 3, N. Hisakawa 2, J. Steinnsson 2, R. Tanaka, H. Matsuoka, L. Phelps
2-out RBI: K. Andreeva 2, J. Jiang, K. Tamura, K. Ljung, B. Wilson, L. Phelps
Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: R. Tanaka, J. Steinnsson, H. Matsuoka
GIDP: R. Tanaka, J. Jiang
Sac fly: K. Tamura
Hit by pitch: H. Matsuoka, B. Wilson
Team LOB: 14

BASERUNNING
SB: R. Hisakawa (2)

FIELDING
Errors: N. Hisakawa (1)
Double plays: 2 (Ljung – Tamura – Matsuoka, Wilson – Jiang)

                        IP  H   R  ER  BB   K  HR  PI  PS  ERA
J. Martin              4.0  2   1   1   1   5   0  84  58  4.50
R. Kubo                0.1  2   1   1   1   0   1  15   8 27.00
J. Béranger            2.1  3   4   4   4   1   2  58  32 15.43
J. Reenberg H (1)      1.1  2   0   0   0   2   0  18   9  0.00
M. Nakamura BS (1)     1.0  5   2   2   1   1   1  29  16 18.00
H. Yeung BS (1)        1.0  6   2   2   0   2   0  23  15 18.00
Z. Tang L (0 – 1)      1.2  2   1   1   0   0   1  12   7  5.40

Game score: J. Martin 58
Batters faced: J. Martin 15, R. Kubo 4, J. Béranger 13, J. Reenberg 6, M. Nakamura 8, Z. Tang 6
Ground outs – fly outs: J. Martin 2 – 5, R. Kubo 0 – 1, J. Béranger 3 – 1, J. Reenberg 0 – 1, M. Nakamura 0 – 1, H. Yeung 0 – 0, Z. Tang 2 – 2
Inherited runners – scored: R. Kubo 1 – 1, J. Béranger 2 – 0, J. Reenberg 1 – 0
Hit batspersons: J. Martin
WP: J. Martin, H. Yeung
Balk: H. Yeung

                     AB   R   H  RBI BB   K  LOB  AVG  HR  RBI
K. Andreeva CF        4   0   1   2   0   2   1  .294   3   9
N. Hisakawa SS        4   0   0   0   0   1   1  .353   3  12
B. Wilson LF          4   0   0   0   0   1   0  .250   0   3
  H. Yeung P          0   0   0   0   0   0   0  .000   0   0
R. Tanaka RF          4   1   1   0   0   1   0  .292   2   3
T. Kaufer 1B          4   0   1   0   0   0   1  .313   0   0
J. Jiang C            1   0   0   0   1   0   1  .238   1   4
  J. Isaacson P       0   0   0   0   0   0   0  .000   0   0
  b–H. Matsuoka PH    0   0   0   0   1   0   0  .167   0   0
  M. Nakamura P       0   0   0   0   0   0   0  .000   0   0 
  J. Reenberg P       0   0   0   0   0   0   0  .000   0   0
  Z. Tang P           0   0   0   0   0   0   0  .000   0   0
  c–K. Symonds LF     0   0   0   0   1   0   0  .059   0   0
K. Ljung 3B           4   1   1   0   0   1   4  .250   0   0
S. Jökullsson P       1   1   1   1   0   0   0 1.000   0   1
  a–J. Steinnsson PH  1   0   1   1   0   0   0  .389   0   2
  L. Phelps C         1   0   0   0   0   0   2  .417   0   0
K. Tamura 2B          3   1   1   1   0   0   3  .281   0   4

a–J. Steinnsson pinch-hit for S. Jökullsson in the 4th
b–H. Matsuoka pinch-hit for J. Isaacson in the 6th
c–K. Symonds substituted for B. Wilson in the 8th

Doubles: S. Jökullsson (1, 2nd inning, 2 on, 2 outs), K. Andreeva (2, 2nd inning, 2 on, 2 outs)
Triples: J. Steinnsson (1, 4th inning, 1 on, 1 out)
Total bases: J. Steinnsson 3, S. Jökullsson 2, K. Andreeva 2, R. Tanaka, T. Kaufer, K. Ljung, K. Tamura
2-out RBI: K. Andreeva 2, K. Tamura 2, S. Jökullsson
Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: N. Hisakawa, K. Andreeva, K. Tamura
Team LOB: 6

FIELDING
Errors: K. Tamura (2), S. Jökullsson (1)
Double plays: 1 (Hisakawa – Tamura – Kaufer)

                          IP  H   R  ER  BB   K  HR  PI  PS  ERA
S. Jökullsson            4.0  6   4   4   1   5   3  70  45  9.00
J. Isaacson W (1 – 0)    2.0  0   0   0   1   2   0  29  30  0.00
M. Nakamura H (2)        0.1  1   0   0   0   0   0  12   9  0.00
J. Reenberg H (2)        0.2  1   0   0   0   0   0   7   3  0.00
Z. Tang H (1)            1.0  1   0   0   0   2   0  15  11  0.00
H. Yeung SV (1)          1.0  0   0   0   0   1   0  11   8  0.00

Game score: S. Jökullsson 38
Batters faced: S. Jökullsson 20, J. Isaacson 8, M. Nakamura 2, J. Reenberg 2, Z. Tang 4, H. Yeung 3
Ground outs – fly outs: S. Jökullsson 3 – 3, J. Isaacson 2 – 2, M. Nakamura 1 – 0, J. Reenberg 0 – 1, Z. Tang 0 – 1, H. Yeung 1 – 1
Inherited runners – scored: J. Reenberg 1 – 0
Hit batspersons: S. Jökullsson
WP: S. Jökullsson

                      AB   R   H  RBI BB   K  LOB  AVG  HR  RBI
K. Andreeva CF         4   1   2   0   0   1   1  .316   3   9
N. Hisakawa SS         2   0   0   0   1   1   1  .333   3  12
J. Jiang C             4   0   2   1   0   0   1  .280   1   5
R. Tanaka RF           3   0   0   0   0   1   3  .259   2   3
  a–L. Phelps PH       1   0   0   0   0   1   2  .385   1   4
  J. Steinnsson RF     0   0   0   0   0   0   0  .389   0   2
B. Wilson LF           4   0   1   0   0   2   0  .250   0   3
T. Kaufer 1B           4   0   0   0   0   0   1  .250   0   0
K. Ljung 3B            4   1   1   1   0   1   0  .250   2   7
K. Symonds DH          3   1   1   0   0   1   0  .100   0   0
K. Tamura 2B           3   0   1   0   0   1   1  .286   0   4

a–L. Phelps pinch-hit for R. Tanaka in the 8th

Doubles: K. Andreeva 2 (3, 1st inning, 0 on, 0 outs; 6th inning, 1 on, 1 out)
Home runs: K. Ljung (2, 7th inning, 0 on, 2 outs)
Total bases: K. Ljung 4, K. Andreeva 4, J. Jiang 2, B. Wilson, K. Symonds, K. Tamura
2-out RBI: K. Ljung
Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: R. Tanaka 2, L. Phelps
GIDP: T. Kaufer, R. Tanaka, K. Andreeva
Hit by pitch: N. Hisakawa
Team LOB: 4

FIELDING
Errors: B. Wilson (1)
Double plays: 1 (Tamura – Hisakawa – Kaufer)

                             IP  H   R  ER  BB   K  HR  PI  PS  ERA
H. Fujimori                 5.2  5   3   3   3   3   1  94  54  5.06
J. Béranger L (0 – 1)       1.1  2   1   1   0   0   0  23  13  0.00
Z. Tang                     1.0  0   0   0   0   2   0   8   7  0.00
M. Nakamura                 0.1  3   3   2   0   0   0   8   6 54.00
H. Yeung                    0.2  0   0   0   0   0   0   7   4  0.00

Game score: H. Fujimori 47
Batters faced: H. Fujimori 26, J. Béranger 6, Z. Tang 3, M. Nakamura 4, H. Yeung 2
Ground outs – fly outs: H. Fujimori 7 – 6, J. Béranger 1 – 3, Z. Tang 0 – 1, M. Nakamura 1 – 0, H. Yeung 1 – 1
Inherited runners – scored: H. Yeung 2 – 2
Hit batspersons: H. Fujimori 2

Article posted on the TalkBaseball.qd website.

Why Do We Suck? A Fan Inquiry

We asked three people for their perspective on the Things’ struggles since returning to international baseball. hana293 is a teenage holo-blogger currently in high school, who enjoys debating SYBRmetrics on the holo-net in her free time. Jonah Triggs is a traditionalist baseball journalist who believes the Quodite game has evolved too far from its roots. Yumiko Kobayashi, who’s a fan of the New Cleethorpes Grey Sox and Coral Coast Silver Sox, is a worker on Deep Space 9 ¾ who watches games in her free time on the holo-screens.

MD7: Why did we lose to Chromatika?

hana293: The problem is Jack Martin’s raw stats have been decent enough but he hasn’t been throwing enough strikes. His pitch count was past 50 inside just 2 innings in this game. That means he gets pulled early and there’s a lot for the gender-non-specific-bovine-pen to do. In extra innings that’s doubly so. We can criticise Tang for putting a meatball over the plate but ordinarily he wouldn’t have had to throw so much. If our starters are going to be on tight pitch counts, then they have to start getting through their work more efficiently.

Jonah Triggs: Zhong Tang got the loss, it says right there on the box score! For once our closer actually pitched the final inning, and he wasn’t good enough, giving up a walk-off jack to Yera Amonde. Another thing is that we got a lot of hits but left a lot of men (and women, yeah, yeah) on base. Instead of pointlessly grounding into double plays, why aren’t we trying to advance runners with sacrifice bunts? One stolen base!? Time to start manufacturing some runs.

Yumiko Kobayashi: I don’t know how you can blame the hitters in a game where we scored 10 runs or say that throwing 12 pitches is too much work. I don’t totally blame Zhong because we had plenty of chances to win the game earlier. Scoring 10 runs and losing is a tough one to take. I think the problems came earlier. They shouldn’t have pulled Jonathan for Masahiko. And then having Huan, supposedly our ice cool closer, balking in a run? I’d like to see more patience with guys like Jonathan who are a bit temperamental but can clearly throw K’s, which is what we need from our relievers.

MD8: Why did we (almost) lose to Silvedania?

hana293: Not enough run support. Where are our hitters? Rokuro’s bat has dried up and Thorsten’s has never really got going in the first place. Johannes hit a triple, but he’s yet to homer in 9 games. Who thought coming in he’d have more triples than homers after 9 games!? These aren’t premium defensive positions and we just don’t seem to have the slugging power of some of the other teams, which isn’t giving our pitchers enough to work with. Thankfully the relievers did a good job, but without much of a cushion.

Jonah Triggs: We didn’t! If we had, though, I’d blame pulling Jökullsson off the mound. Crazy decision. They pinch-hit for the guy whose RBI double sparked our one big rally. This obsession with tight pitch-counts and constant pulling for splits is just madness. Our pitchers have no rhythm. Is it any surprise our best pitching performance came in the one game where the starter was allowed to just pitch? And don’t get me started on ‘openers’. OK, well now you’ve got me started. Back in my day…

Yumiko Kobayashi: We won, so let’s not overanalyse this too much. I don’t think the fielding’s been as sharp as it could have been, though. They’re stealing against Jiang pretty freely. Now not many of those have turned into runs, but in the crunch, can he nail the key throw? Ben seems a little raw in left, I’m not convinced by the routes he’s taking even if he has a good arm. And Kristoffer and Naoko don’t seem to be clicking. Obviously Kristoffer has made some good throws but they’re very hesitant about their calling. Sharper D and a little more pop in the bats will protect our pitchers better.

MD9: Why did we lose to Georgia Tech?

hana293: Our lineup isn’t well suited to the number of left handed pitchers we’re going to be seeing. Because of their small rotations we’ll be seeing a lot of the Silvedania and Chromatik lefties, and Georgia Tech are sensibly putting us up against Montoya every time. Almost all the power in this lineup comes from the left. They’ve given Ben a chance for that reason but he hasn’t shown much pop. This isn’t a well thought out roster given the splits disadvantage we’re at. We should call up some right handed power as soon as possible.

Jonah Triggs: Béranger got the L so obviously he is to blame. But there’s plenty to go around. Our batters are striking out too much, instead of working some singles. At least they’re not clogging up the basepaths with too many walks. Not even an attempt to steal in this game. I liked Hachirou’s effort to maintain discipline, though, handing out a couple of beanings after they hit Naoko. Good for team morale.

Yumiko Kobayashi: I know I said before I liked Ben’s arm, but his throw at the end was way too aggressive. I don’t like the strikeout numbers from our pitchers. If we’re carrying all these pitchers and switching often, they should be racking up the K’s. Otherwise might as well let the starter stay in. And when the ball’s in play, that leads to the kind of throwing error we saw there in the 9th. I want our relievers to start punching them out.

[The Fortem]

Georgia Tech's biggest weakness.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moGgvhncROc

[Georgia Tech]

God damn.

[TJUN-ia]

Game 7 - TJUN-ia (22) 9-1 Rwekazaland (UR) (Unknown Location)
Davis Johnson and the rest of the group-leading Jaguars didn't know exactly where they were for the first road game in Rewkazaland, but that didn't matter: revenge was on the horizon after the bowl out loss in New Washington on MD2. As this was the first game TJUN-ia played with the Designated Hitter in effect, Johnson knew that Killian O'Mally would be batting in his place so he could just focus on pitching the best game he could. He certainly did that in this strange land, conceding only 1 run on the night, but the big stars would be with the bats. O'Mally used his time wisely, scoring a grand slam to end a 5-run start to TJUN-ia's scoring in the 3rd. After that Rwekazaland run, great team play from Steven Fulmer allowed another 2 runs to score to make it 7-1 after 4 and a half. The pace slowed down after that but Rewkazaland couldn't get more runs on the board. The night was sealed in the 7th with a 2-run bomb by O'Mally, his 2nd of the night. Another win for the Battin' Jags and it was the DH that shined in his first game of the campaign.

Game 8 - Ranoria (31) 6-13 TJUN-ia (22) (The Diamond in The Gardens, New Washington)
Gene Almac would start the 2nd game in The Gardens as The Diamond hosted the Ranoria Krauts, led by Henderson Mausse and looking for revenge after the Jags won in Nashville on MD3. Phillip Hellas-Verona knew that too and told his men to "start like they meant to play for the rest of the game" - which apparently meant 5 runs in the 2nd via 2 homers, a 3-run one from Rafael Llorente and a 2-run one from Joe Gregory that required Parker Majors to be brought out of the game in favour of Sylvester Wayne.

One Wayne got onto the mound, the game changed. He was dynamite for the next few innings and TJUN-ia's batting ground to halt. The Krauts came back into the game at the same time, including a Grand Slam in the 4th via Abraham Leinhardt to tie the game at 5-5. Another homer from Nicholas Lux saw the Krauts take the lead and Hellas-Verona had seen enough. Off came Almac and on came F.G. Greenwood for the first time this campaign. He would shut out the Krauts for the rest of the inning and the game while TJUN-ia went wild once again with the bat. All you need to know was that we scored 7 runs in the bottom of the 6th. SEVEN! Add one more for good measure in the 8th and that was the end of the craziest game of baseball to ever be played on TJUN-ian soil. 5-0 turned into 5-6 after a pitching change, which then turned into 13-6 after another. Incredible for the neutrals, stressing for everyone else.

Game 9 - TJUN-ia (22) 2-4 The Greater Nordics (14) (F/11) (King Lauritz I Stadium, Copenhagen)
Then came the trip to Denmark to take on The Greater Nordics. Jose Almas and Samuel Håkansson both saw this game as very important for the shape of the group and produced great performances on the mound at the King Lauritz I Stadium. Nothing could penetrate the absolute will of both men to play a great game and the scoreline kept at 0-0 for a long time. The Nordics finally broke through in the 6th with a 2-run bomb via Aleksi Hansen but 2 innings later the Jags tied the game with a bomb of their own, Angel Enrique with the magic shot. On came the closers for the 9th, Carlos Buena for the Jags and Amanda Engberg for the Nordics, who both produced great innings to send this game to extras.

The 10th produced no luck for either side, the closers still producing their best, and TJUN-ia struggled again in the 11th. Then came Laila Albinsson with one run on base, who struck the ball past the wall to walk off the game by herself. The Nordics had taken revenge and now the Jaguars were 6-3, sharing the group lead with Tha Great Pond. Yes, the TJUN-ia Jaguars and those Ducks from Tha Great Pond are now the joint leaders in this group. Who'd thought you'd say that after 9 games?

---

Current Record: 4-2 (1st)
Next 3: vs Sangti (UR) (@Portside), vs Tha Great Pond (UR) (@New Washington), @Rewkazaland (UR) (@Portside)
Starting Pitchers: Kyle McNash (Game 10), Chris Harris (Game 11), Davis Johnson (Game 12)

[Newmanistan]

THE ROCKET REPORT

MEMORY LANE: WBC 9

By Taylor Larson,

In Newmanistan’s third Classic attempt, expectations were high now. After finishing as the runner up in the Classic 7, and third place in Classic 8, fans wanted to see a title. No one was thinking now that “we are new”. The players were fine with this, as Christina Sanders and company brought a similar roster to the competition. Once again, with the Newmanistan timeline having just one year between Classics, there was no reason to change things up all that much. Tara Stewart was still in the ace role, but Stacey Keisler was moved up for the first time from #4 to #2. She was now entering her prime as a 26-year old, and her success in the Classic was impossible for the manager to ignore.

The ninth World Baseball Classic was hosted by Liventia, and a total of 22 nations signed up for the tournament. How in the world do you get 22 to work as a number, other than two groups of eleven? Well, you do what the organizers did here. Nations would randomly be paired into 11-matchups, and they would be a home and away game against one another. The eleven winners, and the best loser would advance to the eventual group stage, held in Liventia. This format can work on paper, but it was not particularly friendly for nations making their first ever appearance in the Classic. As fate would have it, there was a well known debutant in this Classic, and the hosts would know exactly who were talking about as three-time World Baseball Classic champion Cassadaigua would make their debut. For the Rockets, they would be drawn against Colbourne, another debutante, and a nation they were expected to steamroll. With Stewart and Keisler getting the two starts, there was not a lot of concern for the Rockets here, although the coaching staff and the players were sure to say the right things in the media. Newmanistan took care of business, with 7-3 and 6-1 wins, convincingly showing the world that they were ready to make an impact in this classic. Other expected favorites, like the undeclared Qazox trinity, and Taeshan advanced, but there were surprises. Milchama was sent home by Bluth Corporation, and Zwangzug was nearly eliminated by Secristan. The Millionaires took the series on aggregate in an interesting extra inning situation, but the Zebras got the lucky loser spot. (OOC: Amusing Zwangzug RP on this situation) Cassadaigua saw their first Classic be done in two games, even though they split the series with Prux and tied Zwangzug on run differential for the lucky loser spot. The Zebras edged the Dagans on runs for. Historian Nicole Mitchell said of this format, “It may have worked in that World Baseball Classic, but I would hate to see any competition use that method now.”

All was well for Newmanistan, however, and it was on to the finals. In their group of six, they would meet Prux, Green Wombat, Taeshan, gridiron extraordinaire Rennidan, and our neighbor at the time, Secristan. The Rockets went back to the top of the rotation for this group stage, and Stewart and Keisler led the sky blue to wins over Rennidan and Prux by a combined 12-3 margin. They prevailed next over Secristan before a 1-0 hiccup to Green Wombat. This set up a must win situation for the Rockets against Taeshan, as the two group winners were going to play for the WBC 9 title, and the two second place nations would play for third. Newmanistan was a game behind Taeshan, who was 4-0. Could the Rockets once again, beat Taeshan? You bet! Winning 9-5! See, why we began to create that chant? This game represented the beginning of the “You can’t beat us!” chant towards the Knights, officially. Tocrowkia, who also debuted in WBC 7 but did not dominate as quickly as we did, had their biggest Classic to date, finishing second in their group, and would battle Taeshan for third. For the Rockets, that finals opponent would be the defending champions from Qazox.

In a best of five, Newmanistan would again be second best, losing the deciding fifth game. They really could not get the pitching lined up here in the best way possible, and it would show. This runner up would not be as rewarding as the last one. There was no feeling that we had overachieved, and it only lit the fire for a championship even more. Perhaps, that was coming soon.

[Nova Anglicana]

Archbishop Stadium, Londinium, Nova Anglicana

Republic of Dixie                     0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0
Nova Anglicana                        0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  1

"Swing and a miss, and Erik Russell strikes out his second batter of the inning as Republic of Dixie goes down 1-2-3! A good start for Russell."

"And here's a lazy fly ball lofted to center. The center fielder will make the catch and the Lions will strand one, end of the first, still nothing-nothing.

"The 3-2 pitch. Swing and a ground ball to short. Mills has it, flips to Hill at second, on to Austin at first, double play! A walk for Republic of Dixie, but nothing else here in the second inning."

"Two outs and Dufors strides to the plate. The first pitch, and it's a HIGH DRIVE, deep to right-center, this baby is...caught at the warning track on a nice play by the Dixie center fielder. Marine layer must have knocked that one down. So three up, three down for the Lions in the bottom of the second."

"And Russell blows the fastball by the Republic of Dixie hurler to end the inning. 4 K's now for Erik Russell as we head to the bottom of the third, scoreless here in Londinium."

"A hit scores two here, with Austin and Mills on third and second. Kelvin Hill, awaits the 2-2 pitch. And here it is. Swing and a miss! Swung right through a pretty good slider, and the Lions waste a two-out rally, still nothing-nothing."

"Swing and a shot up the middle! OH, BUT RUSSELL SNARES IT! That was right at him, could have taken his head off if he wasn't careful. But he kind of gets his glove up there almost in self-defense and makes a brilliant catch. What a way to end the inning as the Republic goes down 1-2-3."

"Here's a chopper to third. Third baseman handles the high hop well, throw over to first, and he gets Duplantier by a couple of steps. Erik Russell's doing his best to keep his team in the game, but he's not getting any help from his offense as we head to the top of the fifth."

"Here's the 1-2 pitch. GOT 'EM! Whipped out that circle change that just caught the outside corner and the Dixie hitter was absolutely frozen. Make that seven strikeouts now across five innings for Russell; he is dealing."

"Russell to the plate with two outs. Lions still only have three hits so far as the Dixie hurler's been pitching pretty well...the 2-2 pitch is a swing and a sharp liner, but right at the second baseman! He didn't even have to move to catch that one, but it nearly took his head off. Still nothing-nothing as we go to the top of the sixth."

"We got the numbers back. The exit velocity of that ball Russell smoked last inning was 101 MPH. That's a really hard hit ball...little jam shot up the middle, AND MILLS LAYS OUT TO MAKE A DIVING CATCH! Russell ran the cutter in on the hands of the batter, but he nearly turned it into a broken-bat single. What a play by Luke Mills to save his pitcher. It's the bottom of the sixth, and Erik Russell is working on something special here."

"Keller swings and hits a ball in the hole. The Dixie shortstop ranging to his right, now a leaping throw back over to second, and he'll force Hill there! Boy, that looked like a hit off the bat, but give a lot of credit to the Dixie shortstop for having great range and excellent arm strength and baseball IQ to make that play at second."

"The 0-2 pitch, and he freezes the batter with a backdoor slider! How do you like that? Erik Russell almost never uses his slider and then he pulls this nifty little number out of his back pocket. Watch it start out off the plate to a right-handed hitter and then curl juuuust back around the outside corner for strike three. 9 Ks for Russell and he has dominated this Republic of Dixie team so far. We're getting just a little excited about this pitching performance as we head to the bottom of the seventh."

"Dufors on second after the two-out double, and Goodwin coming to the plate...Here's the 2-2 pitch, and Goodwin hits a little flare out to center, this has a chance...but the center fielder lays out to make a spectacular catch and take away a hit! If that had fallen in, it would have scored a run for sure, but as it is, it's still nothing-nothing as we go into the eighth inning."

"The cleanup hitter to lead off the eighth...got him swinging and that's 10 Ks for Russell...Austin moves over to snag the grounder, flips to Russell at first, and that's the third out of the inning. A veeery interesting decision for Mark Singleton as we head to the bottom of the eighth, pitcher's spot to lead off in a 0-0 game where Russell is pitching the game of his life."

"And it looks like Singleton is letting Russell bat to lead off the eighth. Singleton a manager known to be in touch with analytics, likes to play the percentages, but it appears he's succumbing to the lure of history here, keeping Russell in...Russell strikes out, no surprise there, he's conserving his strength for the ninth...and Hill's fly ball settles into the left fielder's glove. One runner on, but nothing doing for the Lions as go to the top of the ninth here in Londinium.

"Swing and a miss, he got 'em! And that's an immaculate inning for Russell! 9 pitches, nine strikes, three strikeouts, to end the ninth inning with no hits and just one walk allowed! Wow! What a way to cap off regulation! A run for the Lions in the bottom of the ninth will win it and send Russell home with an amazing accomplishment, so let's see if they can pull it off."

"Republic of Dixie closer in to try to preserve the tie at the moment, Joey Keller leading off...and now Trevor Goodwin steps to the plate. Keller on second, Duplantier on first, two down in the inning. Duplantier's run doesn't matter here, all he's got to do is get to second base to avoid the force out...Goodwin swings and hits a line drive! But the Dixie center fielder makes a nice running catch to end the inning, and we are headed for extras. Free baseball, folks, and boy, has this been a nail-biter so far."

"One down here in the tenth, Russell stares down the #2 hitter...and the ball falls in, despite a diving try by Matthew Gilbert! Well, that's the end of the no-hitter after nine and a third innings, Russell finally gets touched up...oh and he's protesting hard to Singleton, but he's at 128 pitches after that walk, and so with two down in the top of the ninth, Jon Klein is coming in to try to keep the game tied...and a grounder to Hill at second, flip to second, and that'll end the inning. No no-hitter for Erik Russell, but the game is still 0-0 here in the 10th."

"You want to know Russell's line through two starts so far? Seventeen and two-thirds innings pitched, five hits, one run, 4 walks, and 21 strikeouts. Oh-fifty-one (0.51) ERA, Oh-fifty-one (0.51) WHIP, ten-point-seven (10.7) K's per nine, two walks per nine, and just two-point-five (2.5) hits per nine. That's some elite-level stuff. Reminds me of his WBC 48 campaign, where the Lions won it all. Anyway, here's Nolan Dunning to pinch-hit for Klein to lead off the 10th...and Mills goes down swinging. Nothing doing for the Lions here in the 10th."

"Eric Norton will take the hill for the Lions in the top of the 11th, a good, hard fastball of both the four-seam and two-seam variety, plus a hard slider and he'll whip out the change to lefties...called strike three! That two-seamer came back over the outside corner for strike three, and the Republic of Dixie will head back to the dugout scoreless once more. Hill-Keller-Gilbert coming up for the Lions in the bottom half."

"Matthew Gilbert sends this one high in the air to center, Dixie center fielder going back, at the wall, but he makes the catch just in front of the wall as the ball died on Gilbert at the last second. Three up and three down for the Lions, as the score remains Republic of Dixie 0, Nova Anglicana 0 here in Londinium."

"Norton being sent back out by Singleton for his second inning of work...and so with runners on first and second, two outs, and the lefty bat coming to the plate, Singleton steps out of the dugout and calls for Grant Graham, the lefty specialist...strike three as he swings through the curveball for the third time in this at-bat. Boy, when you've got a pitch like Graham's curveball, you just throw it until they can hit, to mangle a metaphor from our gridiron friends. Graham gets the Lions out of a jam and we're headed to the bottom of the 12th."

"Goodwin swings and lofts a fly ball to right, but this is no problem for the Dixie right fielder, and that's the third out of the inning. Lions haven't managed a baserunner since the ninth inning, as the Dixie pitchers are keeping them in check. Let's head to the lucky number 13th inning."

"You know this is the second game against Republic of Dixie that has gone 13 innings? Last time, the Lions got a three-run homer from Marc Dufors in the 13th to win it. Let's see what happens in the 13th this time around. Cody Brock, the flamethrower, will take the mound...that one juuust missed outside and what a pitch from Brock, clocked at 103.1 MPH, he was really trying to end it there...swing and a miss on the changeup! I tell you, going from 103.1 to 87 is a big difference and that's a huge weapon for Brock as the top of the 13th comes to a close."

"This time it's Curtis Hughes coming up to pinch-hit for Brock. Singleton looking for a walk-off homer maybe, as Hughes has power to spare...that's strike three to Hughes...and Hill waves at that one and misses for strike three and the third out of the inning. Still nothing-nothing as we head to the 14th."

"And in a sign that Singleton expects this game to go a little longer, Aaron Spencer is trotting out from the bullpen. Spencer's the Lions' designated long reliever, so he can pitch three or four innings if need be...and a check-swing roller down the line, Dufors charges, barehands, and makes the throw to get the Dixie runner by a step and a half. Let's go to the bottom of the 14th, still tied at zip."

"Well, it's the bottom of the 14th, 14 is double 7, so our Drawkian friends would say this inning is double lucky, but will the Lions pull something out of the hat here? Joey Keller will lead it off for them...and Duplantier pops this one up. The second baseman is settling under it, and he makes the catch to end the inning. Into the 15th we go, still nothing-nothing."

"Grounder to Mills at short, throws on to first and gets the runner easily. So, nothing doing for the Republic in the top of the 15th, let's head to the bottom of the inning to see if the Lions can finally get a run across."

"And with two outs in the bottom of the 15th, what is Singleton going to do? He's got four bench players yet, three if you don't count the third catcher, Derek Ross, who will likely only come in in case of emergency, so plenty of people to pinch-hit. But this isn't exactly a high run-probability situation and he may still want to squeeze another inning out of Spencer if he can. No, he's pulling Spencer back from the on-deck circle and sending up Cliff Garner to pinch-hit here. A solid play with two outs, send up a guy who can end the game with one swing...and Garner's at-bat will end with a fly ball, caught by the Dixie left fielder. Still zero-zero, as we head to the 16th inning."

"And it's Rocky Gantt that will step to the mound here in the 16th as Singleton trots out another guy who can pitch two, three, or four innings if he's needed. Gantt typically a starter, but unleashing his stuff as a reliever in this Classic...strike three! Gantt's slurve just had the Dixie hitter flailing up there to end the inning. Let's go to the bottom of the 16th inning, goose eggs on the scoreboard."

"Hill swings and misses, his third strikeout of the night, and that will end the Lions' half of the 16th. We have now played almost two full games of baseball and nobody has managed to score a run. Let's go to the 17th inning."

"You know, in a lot of extra-inning games, the stadium clears out once things get past the 11th or 12th inning, but from the looks of it, we're still at seventy percent capacity right now. Hats off to all the dedicated Lions fans who are still at the ballpark as we pass the five hour mark here in the top of the 17th...and Dufors fields this one, throws to first, and gets the runner to end the inning. Gantt has tossed two shutout innings and we go to the bottom of the 17th, still tied at zero."

"One down and Matthew Gilbert striding to the plate...Gilbert hits one high and deep to right, Dixie right fielder back, it is..offthebottomofthewall, and it kicks away from everybody! GILBERT IS BEING WAVED IN! Here's the throw to the plate! It is...not in time and THAT IS THE BALL GAME! Matthew Gilbert with a walk-off inside-the-park home run to win in the bottom of the 17th, can you believe it? Just another ha-ha-ha-ha-laugher here at Archbishop Stadium, as the Lions walk it off in the bottom of the 17th for a 1-0 win."

Erik Russell 9.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 14 K
Jon Klein    0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
Eric Norton  1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
Grant Graham 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Cody Brock   1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Aaron Spencer 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
Rocky Gantt (W) 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K

[Squidroidia]

www.thebaseballreport.sqr

---

The Baseball Report

NOTE: The Baseball Report is supposed to be a satirical work and is not affiliated with Team Squidroidia Baseball, the Squidroidian government, SBN, any baseball team and their players past, present or future.

So what do you mean we won 4 straight games after going 21 or so innings without a run? I was surprised we could even win once after that terrible run to start off the campaign. Next thing you know we shaft Quebec, wallop Drawkland off a walkoff Grand Slam, and then go and beat Hicaña and Norrhem! It's almost like the team was slacking off until they realized that this wasn't a bunch of high schoolers. This was, and still is, the World Baseball Classic. A fire had been lit underneath this team.

And then we got back to choking! The Pripets went ahead and bang out an 8-2 win against Team Squidroidia at Newton. They went and trashed the place. Don't get us wrong, they aren't no Drawkland, but you'd THINK that they'd take it easy on the team, but not at all, Soda Kaii was getting caught red handed in fraud out there, he couldn't stop getting caught with flyballs falling into the Pripet gloves. Sure, a 4 game win streak was bound to be broken, but it couldn't be that bad, right?

Right?

Oh right, Quebec dished us out too. Well at least it can't get any worse with the team going to Drawkland, right?

Right guys?

I just know we're going to be shafted again. Let's just hope we don't lose so much heading forward.

---

PITCHING ROTATIONS

Matchday 10 (@ Drawkland) - Onaga Shuncho, then Miya Taisho, then Akazawa Kenji, then Maki Bokkai
Matchday 11 (@ Hicaña) - Yagami Keishi, then Seo Eien, then Yokoyama Makoto, then Maki Bokkai
Matchday 12 (Vs. Norrhem) - Hano Kosami, then Hata Eikichi, then Akazawa Kenji, then Maki Bokkai

INTERESTING FACT

Before assuming control of Squidroidia, Higa Takanori was known as Agent 3, working for the Inkhallan Civil Agency Corps, or ICAC. As an ICAC agent alongside numerous others, he helped with dealing with crime within the capital of Inkopolis and even busted some crime rings in Inkhalla. His last mission before the Apocalypse, in which he spent 4 months dealing with the collapse of a nation, was trying to figure out a cybersecurity flaw within the ICAC database.

[Kriegiersien]

Stranger things

Firat Hawes was taking some more food from the buffet, filling his plate. He suddenly felt uncomfortable and looked around, seeing Phillip Weeks sitting at a table next to the buffet, starring at him.
“What? Can’t I take at least some more chicken? And French fries? And I even have tomatoes. It is not that I am getting too fat”, Firat spluttered.
“I didn’t say anything because of that”, said Phillip.
“Ok. I can still sprint faster than most.”
“Sure.”
Firat put some more cheese on his plate. He hesitated and then turned around again.
“What is it then?”
“What?”
“You are starring at me. Do I have a stain on my clothes?”
“No.”
“Good.”
He tried to look for some bread. But then sighed.
“What do you want?”
“Nothing. Nothing at all.”
“You are monitoring me since I came into the cafeteria. Why?”
“You know.”
“No I don’t. Tell me.”

Phillip Weeks looked away.
“As if you could hold the secrets from me”, he scoffed, looking around.
“What do you mean?”
“You are watching me, did you really think I wouldn’t find out?”
“Watching you? For whom?”
“You know that.”

Firat blinked and then turned around to the food again.
“Ok.”

After some minutes he had finished his raid and put his food on the next table. He just wanted to take the first bite when Phillip suddenly emerged next to him.

“You think I am stupid, heh? But I have seen it. The wormholes, sanitary ware playing, the ducks, I know of the moon canons..”
“Everyone knows of them. They were in the newspapers.”
“Ah, the media wants us to believe they are just there to kill Zombies and our enemies from the neighbouring nations..”
“Yes?”
“But they are there to kill the true god, Alhaymana…”
“Gesundheit?”
“The one true god. I have seen it when we were in Cransia…”
“Where you missed every single strike?”
“I have seen the truth now. That they are trying to destroy him, but they have no idea about his power…”
“Who is ...they?”
“The wizards. They are behind everything. They call us muggles and want to destroy Alhaymana. I know it. And you are helping them.”
“What? Why do you believe that?”
“Because I saw you talking into this device. The crystal ball.”

Firat hesitated for a while.
“You mean my snow globe? From my home town, the tourist trap in the mountains? Where this stuff is sold for a few shiny things?”
He took a small snow globe out of his pockets.
“Then you surely have nothing against me looking at it?”

“I like this thing. It relaxes me.”
“Aha!”
“Ok, ok, if you leave me alone and give me the 5 shiny things I paid for it, you can have it.”
“You can have 10!”, Phillip smashed some money on the table and took the snow globe, running off holding it at his chest.

“Damned.”
Firat looked after him, while beginning to enjoy his meal. After he had finished the dessert he got out his smartphone and drew some signs on it.

“Some idiot stumbled by accident about us. How shall I proceed?”

[Zwangzug]

"Get back!" Sunny yelled, yanking Alfred out of the street. Before he could ask what there was to worry about--there wasn't anything driving on the street, was there?--something brisk and savory-smelling whizzed past him.

"Uh," said Alfred. "Thanks."

They'd been in the FTC for a couple of days. There was a lot to see. West of the river, the locals were somewhat more comprehensive and mostly proud to lapse into tour-guide mode. Buck had wanted to stay there--the star was always appearing in the west, wasn't it? From Spenson and Guariday, they'd come the wrong way already. But Alfred had argued that it would be silly to come all that way and not take in the east side.

He was beginning to question the wisdom of that decision. Ostensibly, they were going to walk around the outside of the stadium and learn about the history of the franchise that Wenjie Liu had gotten her start coaching. The obscure dialect, however, was made more impenetrable by the fact that the team now known as the Secret Squirrels changed their name every few seasons. When Felix Wainwright broke the curse during WBC39 and 40, they had been the FTC Roosters. Before that, perhaps due to one of those z-day events gone awry, they were the FTC Zombies. Before that, the FTC Monkeys. When the Zebras made the final of WBC25, they were the FTC Elefants. And the history went farther back.

"What was that?" Buck asked.

"This is Alexander Hamweigh's glove," Alfred noted. "He played first base for the team that won WBC21. Though, they were the Werwolfs then...I guess you guys have been into social-deduction paranoia for a while?"

"No, I mean, the guy that almost killed you on his bike."

"Is that what that was?"

"Pizza delivery is a serious business here," said Sunny.

"I...see," said Alfred. "Well, I appreciate it."

"So," said Buck. "Have you seen any stars lately?"

"Stars?" Sunny said.

"Like, up in the sky."

"Well," she said, "there's the sun, that's a star."

"I know that."

"If you're asking about astronomy or something--we have a lot of light pollution around here. These cities are big. You could take the train up into the mountains, maybe, there are some good parks and reserves that would be pretty clear."

"Thanks," said Buck, shooting Alfred a look that said don't get ideas. "But like, no miraculous signs? Choirs of angels?"

"No choirs," said Sunny. "Unless you count--"

"Not the DHA," said Alfred. "We've already met them."

Sunny gave a disdainful oh, those guys flick. "The closest thing we have to a choir of angels on this block would be Evan."

Buck and Alfred exchanged looks of this might be terrible, but we can't really back out now. "We'd love to meet him," said Alfred. Sunny, like many Zwangzugians, was too literal-minded to appreciate the sarcasm.

Evan turned out to be an older man playing a slew of percussion instruments--a small drum held between his knees, a xylophone of sorts with only a few pitches, and a cymbal he controlled with his feet. "I used to live on the third floor," Sunny said. "When Crystal came, we moved to the thirtieth. She gets some sleep that way."

"You don't have a bucket," Alfred noticed.

"A bucket?"

"To hold his coins. Or for him to play the bottom of if he's too poor to afford a real instrument. But it doesn't look like..."

"I teach at a middle school in my day job," said Evan, without looking up. "This is for fun."

"Fun?" said Buck. "Keeping babies up all day? Giving a shallow and one-dimensional view of your society to passing tourists?"

"I don't know about one-dimensional," said Alfred. "I mean, this is our third big city so far--fourth, I guess, we've seen a lot of different things."

"Still."

"It keeps the graffiti kids away, at least," said Sunny, as if that was an improvement.

"Is there anything we can get your baby?" Alfred volunteered.

"She's fine," said Sunny. "Though some earmuffs wouldn't go amiss."

"Get one with a Secret Squirrels logo," said Buck. "It'll only need a couple months to become a collector's item."

[Tikariot]

Yelena Kapovshchik: Good evening and welcome to Tikariot Sports TV's coverage of the prestigious World Baseball Classic 50 in Cassadaigua. Nine match days are in the books and Tikariot is sitting in second position, even with Cassadaigua, with three wins out of the last three matches. Standing by in Cassadaigua is Walter Bismuth, Walter, how is the atmosphere in the Tikariot camp?

The picture cuts to Walter, dressed in a beige shirt, beige tie, beige overcoat and beige hat, his bushy white moustache obscuring most of his mouth. He is however not talking or moving, instead staring deadpan into the camera.

Yelena Kapovshchik: Walter? Can you hear me?

No chance in look or anything else.

Yelena Kapovshchik: I guess not. So let's have a look at the latest results. First off our team travelled to Osciuro in an attempt to duplicate the impressive 11-4 win from the first game. They did not quite do as well offensively, but insteadand put in a flawless performance defensively, shutting out the hosts with two home runs courtesy of Yosvani Fernandez in the third and eighth inning being the highlights. Pitcher --

Walter Bismuth: It is good!

Yelena Kapovshchik: --uh, what? What is good?

Walter Bismuth: Yes, I can hear you, Yulia.

Yelena Kapovshchik: Oh, hello Walter, looks like we had a few technical issues here, so can you tell us a bit more about how the team is doing? And it's Yelena.

Silence and an immovable Walter Bismuth.

Yelena Kapovshchik: OK, looks like our technical issues are not over yet. Where was I? Ah yes. Pitcher Patrick Lundgren only allowed three hits in the first six innings before Flint Carmona and Rory McElhinney took over and brought the game home safely. Next up it was time for the re-match of Tikariot's 8-6 win over Thea Liters, this time in Port Rhovanyon and this --

Walter Bismuth: The atmosphere is good.

Yelena Kapovshchik: Oh, Walter, you again! Oh that's good, how is Cassadaigua treating you so far?

Walter staring into the camera.

Yelena Kapovshchik: (sighs and takes a deep breath) So-- Yes, Tikariot, Thea Liters, Port Rhovanyon. Led by Graham Pettersson on the mound the Snowy Owls again delivered great defensive play, with one run in the fifth the only conceded point, while they put the game to rest in the second inning already when back to back to back homeruns by Michael Romanov, Bronson Ghirardello and Yosvani Fernandez batted in five runs, which was all of Tikariot's offense in this game, but it was enough to bring home the sixth win in eight games. And then--

Walter Bismuth: The team is doing fantastic, they are very confident, even though I am not sure why they banned me from their hotel, Yospitha.

Yelena Kapovshchik: Is he doing this on purpose? Walter, can you hear me? And it's Yelena!

More silence from Walter.

Yelena Kapovshchik: (through clenched teeth) I guess not. So then our team travelled to Cassadaigua for the big game against the hosts, hoping for a redemption from the lost in the first and our guys did not disappoint. Technically Walter was now supposed to take over, but at this point I--

Walter Bismuth: It is treating me great, Yormunda! People are really nice, other than at the team hotel, where they keep saying I don't have a room, so I have to leave, even though I do. I think.

Yelena Kapovshchik: (looking increasingly aggravated) My name is Yelena! That is a little odd, Walter, but can you give us your view of the game against Cassadaigua, please?

No response whatsoever.

Yelena Kapovshchik: I'm going to scream, seriously! I guess I'll do this myself. Things went off to a great start with the Snowy Owls going up 5-0 by the fourth inning, but then they hit a snag, allowing five runs of Cassadaigua in the fifth--

Walter Bismuth: Of course I can hear you, Yamanda, why do you keep asking?

Yelena Kapovshchik: (on the border of exploding) Because there seems to be a huge delay in the transmission. And IT'S YELENA!

Walter taps on his headphones, looking at the microphone.

Yelena Kapovshchik: (in a low voice) Calm down, Yelena, you can do this. (in normal voice) During this inning we went through three pitchers, but it was a sign of our team's resilience that they bounced back and scored three more unanswered runs, giving Tikariot an 8-5 win over--

Walter Bismuth: Oh definitely, Yimina. Everything went off to a good start with the Snowy Owls--

At this point Yelena throws her notes into the air, gets up and walks off the set.

[Daskel]

| BASEBALL | ICE HOCKEY | BLOCKBALL | OTHER SPORTS

---

WBC 50: Team Daskel wins two more, Shibaike behind the plate
By Nakamura Go (@GomuraOfficial)

-- After another 3 games, team Daskel scored two wins, finally finding their rhythm over the games. Let's make a quick recap of the action here, in C8 Sportwire.

Daskel                         0 1 1 0 2 0 2 2 0  8
Thea Liters                    0 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 1  5

Game 7 was started by Kanao, the 19 year old pitcher known for his stellar participation in the last IBS. This game was no easy feat for the young pitcher, who gave up 4 runs in his half of the game. Now, even if the scoreboard does not reflect it, the Kuji native had a good game overall, escaping from really dire situations, especially on the second inning with one man on third. The game was after led by Rokukawa and Izo, securing Team Daskel a much awaited win.

This game was the first international performance for Shibaike Takahiro, starter catcher of Kozan Diggers. Shibaike was the right man for the job, giving the team the needed security. "I'll watch closely Shibaike's performance for the next games. If he keeps going strong, he will start again"

Cassadaigua                    1 0 0 2 0 0 0 3 3  9
Daskel                         1 1 0 0 0 0 3 0 0  5

Game 8 was one of the painful games to watch. Daskel had an early lead by Reizei and Ben, but the Cassadagan team took it away in the fourth inning. Seventh inning was an explosion for Daskelian batters, as Gō scored a solid 3-run homerun, bringing Reizei, Kishimoto and himself back. The Daskelian curse came back into the eighth inning, were Tama was not able to keep the score. An decided to keep Izo on the dugout, as the daskies could not score after the 3 cassadaiguan runs. Tama gave up 3 more runs, 6 total in two innings. Changes apparently are coming inside the bullpen, but there's no official report about it. "We do not want to talk about the Tama issue, gentlemen" An didn't say anything about the status of the pitcher, nor psychological or physical.

Daskel                         1 1 2 1 0 0 2 0 2  9
Carung                         0 0 1 0 0 1 0 2 0  4

Game 9 was pretty much experimental. Ten started for team Daskel, giving up only 2 runs against the rival batters. Batters were way better this game. In the seventh inning, Shibaike scored his first homerun for team Daskel. An and Sakamoto decided to put Ryū as a setup for this game. Is not known if Ryū will keep the position for the next three games.

Team Daskel sits on the edge of the 3rd position, and desperately needs to secure a better placing in the standings. On the positive side after nine games they reduced the runs for-against differential from double digits to just -3. The Daskies will play their next games against Oscioru, Tikariot and Thea Liters. Daskel has the home advantage for the next three, with two games at the Daito Kyujo. Fight and win! Keep cheering for your Daskies!

Group 4                       Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Cassadaigua                     9    7   2    46   28  +18    21
2 Tikariot                        9    7   2    60   38  +22    21
3 Daskel                          9    4   5    46   49   −3    12
4 Oscioru                         9    3   6    27   43  −16     9
5 Carung                          9    3   6    27   36   −9     9
6 Thea Liters                     9    3   6    30   42  −12     9

---

"Hey, Kanao! Look, the news are better this time"
"Oh good lord..." Tooru exhaled. At last, the country had some hope
"Now, I wanted to ask you something" Nakamura smiled as he took his phone, searching for something on the internet "I wanted to ask you something really stupid"
"what do you have h-" He eyed the screen, showing a well known format of meme. Then he snorted
"What in the freaking world!? Where did you find this????"
"Well, you played for both, so In which would you classify yourself?"

[Sicoutimont]

The sky was still dark on Sunday morning as Ignace Tremaux arrived at the Lac-Drouin Central Train Station. City busses passed the front of the train station, picking up their various passengers - but on Sundays, Sicoutians usually preferred to rest at home. Ignace waited on the platform, ticket in hand.

Perfectly on time, at 6:04am, his train arrived at the station. Train travel was the only option for the majority of Sicoutians to see their country. The national highways were, of course, mostly deserted, and in many places had actually been widened to allow for the fast movement of military equipment. Bikes and busses were good within a city - but trains could take you anywhere. Advancements meant that one could now travel from Lac-Drouin to St-Simeon within 4 hours, an achievement eagerly claimed under the banner of the Workers’ Front.

Ignace boarded his train, and bowed to the picture of Pomeroy at the front of the carriage. He then took his seat before checking his ticket one more time. Lac-Drouin to Orleans, disembarking at the stop in Baie-Nord. Orleans was the capital of northwestern Sicoutimont, on the Riviere-Nord and the border with Valladares. This made it a common destination for those seeking to escape the country, and those trying to make a little extra money outside the system. He assumed that at least a few of the people on the train today were in fact undercover from the military, trying to identify these defectors or smugglers. Luckily for Ignace, he was going nowhere near the border - Baie-Nord was only about 45 minutes north of Lac-Drouin, on the lake the city took its name from.

He passed the typical scenes of Sicoutian winter. Children playing ice hockey on the ponds, men and women heading to their jobs in the factories, and, as the train passed through the forest, a group of men far in the distance cutting down trees. Given the presence of what looked like soldiers with them, however, he quickly decided that these men likely weren’t typical workers. On the Lac Drouin itself, there were camps of ice fishers, and more young hockey players. A snowstorm slowed the train a bit, but by 7:00, he’d reached the Baie-Nord Central Station, and disembarked.

Stepping off the train, Ignace glanced at the broadsheet newspaper on the platform. Baie-Nord Station was full of workers commuting in to Lac-Drouin for the day, and they were gathered around it, but Ignace got a glance at the headline: “Sicoutimont will return to World Baseball Classic.” All around, there were whispers of excitement. He wondered if Uncle Jacques had already heard the news, then.

Exiting the station, Ignace walked down the Rue Principale of Baie-Nord. It was a sleepy little town, at the northernmost point of the Lac Drouin. On a clear day, you could see all the way across to the national capital. Today was no clear day, however, and the snow continued to fall.

In the old days, Baie-Nord was a popular cottage destination for the capital’s elites. In the summer, its beaches attracted visitors every weekend. It was known as a winter sports site, too, with skiing and hiking trails in the area. The local football team, Huskies Baie-Nord, had once even challenged for the Sicoutian title. Nowadays, it was becoming a typical northern Sicoutian town - a mining town with various factories, and the good old days slowly fading away. Some, however, were determined to keep it alive - and as Ignace reached Uncle Jacques’s house, a small cottage facing the lake, he felt as if he was temporarily in another country altogether.

Ignace knocked on the door. Almost instantly, the door opened, and there stood 74 year old Jacques Tremaux, his uncle who in the old Sicoutimont had been quite a famous man. A baseball expert, he’d had a career of his own in the old minor leagues before becoming a radio host alongside his friend Fidel. He shot to fame during World Baseball Classic 26, and had become something of a legend within the Sicoutian baseball scene, even as it embarked on a new era.

“Good morning, Ignace.” There was that voice that had made Jacques Tremaux a star.

“Good morning, Uncle Jacques. Have you heard the news?”

“I just turned the television on - but Marie tells me she heard on the radio this morning that we’ll be going to World Baseball Classic 50.”

At that, Jacques’s wife and Igance’s aunt, Marie, spoke up: “I have to tell him everything now, Ignace, he’s not what he used to be.”

Jacques just laughed. Marie spoke up again: “Come in, come in. I made cookies and coffee.”

The three sat around the kitchen table, with the television on in the background, eating the breakfast prepared by Aunt Marie. There was, of course, a discussion about the news of the day.

“I must say, I knew we’d go back someday. But I didn’t think I’d live to see it,” said Jacques.

“It must be emotional for you.”

“Yes… it’s a strange feeling. On one hand, I’m overjoyed. We made a lot of ourselves, you know, in sports back in the day. World Cup 66, hosted a World Cup of Hockey, and of course our baseball success. And it all just disappeared overnight, never to be mentioned again, it seemed. But now, here we are. On the other hand, I know it’s not like it used to be, and it never really can be again. But on Opening Day, when we hear the crack of the bat again… it’ll be just like the old days.”

Ignace nodded. He was too young to remember much of the old Sicoutimont. He was 9 when the Revolution began, and 11 when the new Republic was declared. He grew up in the new era, but of course, heard the stories from his family members. Anyone over 50 could remember where they were the night of Game 6 of the WBC 26 Finals, or the night Sicoutimont won the Copa Rushmori de Beisbol. In fact, on the wall of Jacques’s house was a picture of that team.

“Do you think most of the old generation will feel that way?”

“I talked with Fidel about this many times. For many people, the real national team died in the Revolution. No Sicoutian will ever go up to bat again wearing the purple and blue. Whatever you think of the new regime, there is a great loss in that fact. So for us - Fidel was one of those, he always said it would never be the same - we might still be mourning. But for your generation, there’s a chance to build something new, in red, white and green.”

“What do you think Fidel would be saying today?”

Jacques laughed. “He’d be asking what my projected starting rotation would be! He loved baseball too much.” Jacques glanced over at the picture of the two on the wall - back in younger days, in Cassadaigua at World Baseball Classic 26. “I wish he’d made it to this day, at least.”

There was a sadness in the room that lingered for a few moments. Ignace, however, had the perfect way to liven things up. “Uncle Jacques, there was something I was wondering if you could help me with.”

“Certainly, my dear nephew. What is it?”

“Well, to celebrate the return, SCTV plans on re-airing all of the playoff games from WBC 26 and the Copa Rushmori de Beisbol with updated commentary and appearances from the players who played in those games. I was wondering if you might be interested in helping out with the project.”

Jacques’ eyes lit up. Sure, he was still active in baseball - an analyst for radio coverage of games, sometimes writing in the Journal du Travailleurs - but this was a chance to relive his glory days. He couldn’t possibly say no. “Of course! What do you need?”

“Your voice, of course, and your contacts. We need to track down a few players who played on that team, and get them to talk for the broadcasts.”

Jacques smiled. “Well, Ignace. I hope you booked the late train. We’ve got a long day ahead. Let’s go down to my study.”

[Hapilopper]

World Baseball Classic 50 Games 7, 8, 9
Dale Moss was still in a pissed-off mood as he sat at home and watched the Hapilopper Television Network coverage of the seventh game of the World Baseball Classic, as the Hap Thrashers took on the team from the Fortem. Dale had been suspended for five games by the National League of Hapilopper, and had a sixth game attached to it when Dale mouthed off to a reporter from the Hapilopper City Herald about the suspension being “horseshit.” The suspension came following Jerome Hayden’s beaning at the hands of Bardney pitcher Kermit “The Dartford Flash” Connelly, who had instantly become public enemy number one in the eyes of Hapiloppian fans.

At least Dale could watch the match. Jerome was resting in an apartment in Hapilopper City, the lights out, the television off, and a fan spinning from a corner of the room. Jerome had suffered a concussion from the beaning, and was medically unable to attend the game at Capital Stadium, even to support his teammates. But his apartment was so close to Capital Stadium that he could hear the cheering of the fans as the team took the field. It was a noise that made Jerome feel physically sick. He wanted so desperately to be out on the field with his teammates. Instead, it was Alvin Bannerman, the backup shortstop, taking the field in his place.

Many questioned how the Haps would do with Jerome missing and Alvin, a player known to slack off at times, in his place. Fortunately for them, though, it seemed like Alvin picked up exactly where Jerome was forced to leave off, blasting a two-run home run to the opposite field in the bottom of the first inning as part of the Haps’ 4-1 victory over the Fortem.

In game eight, it became evident that the Haps were changing their strategy with the absence of Jerome’s huge bat. Gone was the big inning. In its place was quintessential Hapiloppian baseball. Baserunners running like hell to get extra bases. Batters distracting pitchers and catchers to allow a runner on first to steal first, and hell, maybe second at the same time. Batters forgoing the longball in favor of chopping the ball lazily over the pitcher’s head, then blitzing for first base. That strategy paid off in game eight, as the Haps knocked off West Phoenicia, 5-3.

Perhaps the turning point came in the top of the 9th when Tyson Crumpler, brought in to pinch run for Levi Berry, stole third. As Alvin Bannerman took to the plate for his next at-bat, Tyson’s eyes got really wide. He looked intensely towards West Phoenicia catcher Ryan Lunger, then towards pitcher Mateo Vargas. He didn’t have the balls to try to steal home, did he? He was looking more and more like he was about to. As Vargas looked to get into his stretch, Tyson broke for home.

Holy shit, he was doing it! Alvin thought.

Alvin looked back, saw Tyson running like hell, and backed away from home plate. He didn’t want to get in the way of his teammate scoring a go-ahead run. Vargas tried throwing home, but Tyson trucked Lunger along the way and reached home safely, pumping his fists like mad along the way.

“You got some stones, man,” Alvin said in wonderment. “I couldn’t do that.”

“Maybe you should try,” Tyson said with a smile.

In the ninth game, the Haps faced off against Bardney for the first time since the beanball incident, and they learned pretty quickly that their style of play, that wild, hair-on-fire style, didn’t necessarily click with the old-school nature of the park in Bardney. There was, however, some concern over potential retaliation from Hapiloppian pitchers for the beanball incident, and an umpire stopped by the visitors’ clubhouse to inform them they would be watching the Hap Thrashers very closely to spot for any intent of retaliation.

No such retaliation came, and Bardney was able to defeat the Haps, 4-1. Either way, the Haps were still all alone in first place in the group, three points clear of HUElavia and the Fortem, who was proving themselves to be a much better ball team than people had originally predicted.

There was some good news after the Bardney game. Jerome was recovering to schedule, and according to a team doctor, he would be able to come back in just two more games. When asked what he’d do against Bardney the next time he plays them, his answer was very simple.

“I’m going to call my shot,” Jerome said. “Then I’m going to blast that SOB out to left field and I’m not leaving the batter’s box until that ball hits the stands. Then I’m gonna walk around the basepaths and take my sweet ever-loving time. I’m not going to stop being me. Period.”

[Norrhem]

World Baseball Classic surprisingly not a massacre

-- Brattholt, Kaisa Salmberg reporting --

Norrhem's participation in the World Baseball Classic 50 had been foreseen to be a devastating first step into international sports, however the team has thoroughly surprised both Norrhemians and international observers by winning three more games as expected at this point in time.

With their wins over Squidroidia, The Royal Kingdom of Quebec and the Pripet Socialist Republic the Arctic Foxes have made our country proud by not being the international punching bag, but actually showing remarkable resilience and skill, as shown in their narrow 2-3 loss against group favourites Drawkland.

The next three games will be against Hicaña, who we lost the first game to, and then the third games against the Pripet Socialist Republic and Squidroidia, who we have one win and one loss against so far. At this point we are still only two games behind second place, which would guarantee a spot in the knockout stages, so we shall pray to the gods for their strength in the pitchers' arms and batters' bats.

Til Valhall!

[Cassadaigua]

Matchday 10:

Group 1
Terre Septentrionale           0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0  1
Inner AngianaUsordia           0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 X  3

Velarland                      0 0 1 0 0 1 0 4 1  7
Philamer Isle                  0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  1

Ko-oren                        0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 2  5
Kohnhead                       0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0  2


  Group 1                       Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Ko-oren                        10    7   3    46   29  +17    21
2 Terre Septentrionale           10    6   4    50   33  +17    18
3 Inner AngianaUsordia           10    5   5    34   38   −4    15
4 Philamer Isle                  10    5   5    39   42   −3    15
5 Kohnhead                       10    4   6    36   47  −11    12
6 Velarland                      10    3   7    33   49  −16     9

Group 2
Sarzonia                       1 0 0 2 0 3 0 0 1  7
Valanora                       1 0 2 2 0 1 0 0 0  6

Darmen                         0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1  2
Northwest Kalactin             0 0 1 1 2 0 0 0 X  4

Megistos                       0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0
Sevendia                       0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 X  1


  Group 2                       Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Sarzonia                       10    8   2    52   30  +22    24
2 Sevendia                       10    5   5    29   54  −25    15
3 Valanora                       10    5   5    47   42   +5    15
4 Northwest Kalactin             10    5   5    47   36  +11    15
5 Megistos                       10    4   6    36   32   +4    12
6 Darmen                         10    3   7    35   52  −17     9

Group 3
Bardney                        0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0  2
The Fortem                     0 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 X  5

Sicoutimont                    0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0
West Phoenicia                 1 0 0 0 0 5 1 1 X  8

HUElavia                       0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0
Hapilopper                     1 0 0 0 0 1 0 5 X  7


  Group 3                       Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Hapilopper                     10    7   3    45   31  +14    21
2 The Fortem                     10    6   4    42   35   +7    18
3 HUElavia                       10    5   5    49   42   +7    15
4 West Phoenicia                 10    5   5    49   50   −1    15
5 Bardney                        10    4   6    40   49   −9    12
6 Sicoutimont                    10    3   7    31   49  −18     9

Group 4
Oscioru                        1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0  3
Daskel                         3 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 X  4

Carung                         0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0
Tikariot                       0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 X  2

Cassadaigua                    0 0 2 4 0 1 0 0 0  7
Thea Liters                    0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0  1


  Group 4                       Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Cassadaigua                    10    8   2    53   29  +24    24
2 Tikariot                       10    8   2    62   38  +24    24
3 Daskel                         10    5   5    50   52   −2    15
4 Oscioru                        10    3   7    30   47  −17     9
5 Carung                         10    3   7    27   38  −11     9
6 Thea Liters                    10    3   7    31   49  −18     9

Group 5
Pripet Socialist Republic      0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0  2
Royal Kingdom of Quebec        0 1 0 4 1 1 0 2 X  9

Squidroidia                    2 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0  6
Drawkland                      1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0  3

Norrhem                        0 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 0  5
Hicaña                         0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0  2


  Group 5                       Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Drawkland                      10    6   4    47   45   +2    18
2 Royal Kingdom of Quebec        10    6   4    38   35   +3    18
3 Hicaña                         10    5   5    37   41   −4    15
4 Squidroidia                    10    5   5    35   38   −3    15
5 Pripet Socialist Republic      10    4   6    46   41   +5    12
6 Norrhem                        10    4   6    35   38   −3    12

Group 6
Republic of Dixie                     1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0  3
Schiltzberg                           0 0 0 0 1 2 0 2 X  5

Nova Anglicana                        0 0 0 0 1 4 0 0 0  5
Devonta                               0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0  2

United Hemand Insia                   0 0 0 2 0 0 3 1 0  6
The Sarian                            0 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0  3


  Group 6                              Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Nova Anglicana                        10    8   2    46   29  +17    24
2 Republic of Dixie                     10    6   4    39   32   +7    18
3 United Hemand Insia                   10    5   5    42   38   +4    15
4 Schiltzberg                           10    5   5    48   35  +13    15
5 The Sarian                            10    4   6    36   42   −6    12
6 Devonta                               10    2   8    23   58  −35     6

Group 7
Rwekazaland                           0 2 0 0 0 0 3 0 0  5
Tha Great Pond                        0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0  1

Sangti                                0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  1
TJUN-ia                               1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2  3

The Greater Nordics                   0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0
Ranoria                               0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 X  1


  Group 7                              Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 TJUN-ia                               10    7   3    66   42  +24    21
2 Tha Great Pond                        10    6   4    51   48   +3    18
3 Ranoria                               10    5   5    40   44   −4    15
4 The Greater Nordics                   10    5   5    45   41   +4    15
5 Rwekazaland                           10    5   5    38   49  −11    15
6 Sangti                                10    2   8    32   48  −16     6

Group 8
South Newlandia                       0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0  2
Pleau                                 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0  1

Reçueçn                               4 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0  5
Zwangzug                              0 0 2 0 1 0 1 0 0  4

South Covello                         0 0 1 1 4 0 0 1 1  8
Maklohi Vai                           1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0  2


  Group 8                              Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Zwangzug                              10    7   3    50   38  +12    21
2 South Covello                         10    7   3    44   45   −1    21
3 South Newlandia                       10    5   5    41   37   +4    15
4 Reçueçn                               10    5   5    45   44   +1    15
5 Maklohi Vai                           10    3   7    42   41   +1     9
6 Pleau                                 10    3   7    33   50  −17     9

Group 9
New Waldensia                         0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0
United Pink States                    0 1 1 3 0 1 0 0 X  6

Karditan                              0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1  3
Super-Llamaland                       0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 2  4

Anthor                                0 0 0 3 1 0 1 0 0  5
Banija                                1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1  3


  Group 9                              Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Banija                                10    7   3    46   31  +15    21
2 Super-Llamaland                       10    6   4    55   43  +12    18
3 Karditan                              10    5   5    51   53   −2    15
4 United Pink States                    10    5   5    45   49   −4    15
5 Anthor                                10    4   6    47   61  −14    12
6 New Waldensia                         10    3   7    42   49   −7     9

Group 10
Sylestone                             1 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0  4
Hampton Island                        0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1  3

Drunk People at the Local Tavern      3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3  6
Ethane                                0 2 0 1 0 0 3 1 X  7

Mathuvan Union                        0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0  1
The 189                               0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 X  3


  Group 10                             Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 The 189                               10    7   3    40   34   +6    21
2 Hampton Island                        10    6   4    53   31  +22    18
3 Ethane                                10    6   4    47   44   +3    18
4 Mathuvan Union                        10    6   4    36   37   −1    18
5 Sylestone                             10    3   7    33   48  −15     9
6 Drunk People at the Local Tavern      10    2   8    31   46  −15     6

Group 11
Newmanistan               0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 3  6
Equestria                 0 0 0 0 3 2 0 0 0  5

Indusse                   1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  1
Silver Beach              0 1 0 0 2 0 1 1 X  5

Marigred                  0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  1
Falisiand                 2 1 0 2 0 0 1 0 X  6


  Group 11                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Newmanistan               10   10   0    56   23  +33    30
2 Falisiand                 10    5   5    36   39   −3    15
3 Marigred                  10    5   5    52   45   +7    15
4 Indusse                   10    4   6    36   54  −18    12
5 Equestria                 10    4   6    45   48   −3    12
6 Silver Beach              10    2   8    32   48  −16     6

Group 12
Silvedania                0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0  1
Georgia Tech              0 1 2 0 0 3 1 0 X  7

Quintessence of Dust      1 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0  6
The Sherpa Empire         0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0

Chromatika                0 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 0  4
Xanneria                  2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  2


  Group 12                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 The Sherpa Empire         10    6   4    36   25  +11    18
2 Georgia Tech              10    6   4    38   36   +2    18
3 Chromatika                10    6   4    44   39   +5    18
4 Quintessence of Dust      10    5   5    60   49  +11    15
5 Silvedania                10    5   5    35   49  −14    15
6 Xanneria                  10    2   8    34   49  −15     6

Group 13
Lisander                  0 0 1 5 0 0 2 0 0  8
Npc West Florida          1 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0  5

Liventia                  1 0 1 0 3 0 2 0 0  7
Kriegiersien              0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  1

Abanhfleft                0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1  3
Cransia                   0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0


  Group 13                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Liventia                  10    8   2    58   31  +27    24
2 Abanhfleft                10    6   4    37   36   +1    18
3 Lisander                  10    5   5    53   52   +1    15
4 Kriegiersien              10    5   5    46   54   −8    15
5 Npc West Florida          10    4   6    38   43   −5    12
6 Cransia                   10    2   8    28   44  −16     6

---

Matchday 11:

Group 1
Ko-oren                        0 0 4 0 1 1 0 2 0  8
Terre Septentrionale           0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  2

Velarland                      0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  1
Kohnhead                       2 1 3 0 0 0 2 0 X  8

Inner AngianaUsordia           0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2  4
Philamer Isle                  0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  2


  Group 1                       Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Ko-oren                        11    8   3    54   31  +23    24
2 Terre Septentrionale           11    6   5    52   41  +11    18
3 Inner AngianaUsordia           11    6   5    38   40   −2    18
4 Philamer Isle                  11    5   6    41   46   −5    15
5 Kohnhead                       11    5   6    44   48   −4    15
6 Velarland                      11    3   8    34   57  −23     9

Group 2
Megistos                       1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0  2
Sarzonia                       0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0  1

Darmen                         5 0 0 3 0 1 0 0 0  9
Sevendia                       0 0 2 0 3 0 0 0 0  5

Valanora                       1 0 2 0 0 3 0 1 0  7
Northwest Kalactin             0 0 1 0 1 0 3 0 0  5


  Group 2                       Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Sarzonia                       11    8   3    53   32  +21    24
2 Valanora                       11    6   5    54   47   +7    18
3 Northwest Kalactin             11    5   6    52   43   +9    15
4 Sevendia                       11    5   6    34   63  −29    15
5 Megistos                       11    5   6    38   33   +5    15
6 Darmen                         11    4   7    44   57  −13    12

Group 3
HUElavia                       6 0 0 0 0 0 2 3 0 11
Bardney                        0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  1

Sicoutimont                    0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0  3
Hapilopper                     4 0 2 0 0 2 0 1 X  9

The Fortem                     1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0  3
West Phoenicia                 0 0 0 1 1 2 0 0 X  4


  Group 3                       Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Hapilopper                     11    8   3    54   34  +20    24
2 West Phoenicia                 11    6   5    53   53    0    18
3 HUElavia                       11    6   5    60   43  +17    18
4 The Fortem                     11    6   5    45   39   +6    18
5 Bardney                        11    4   7    41   60  −19    12
6 Sicoutimont                    11    3   8    34   58  −24     9

Group 4
Cassadaigua                    1 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  4
Oscioru                        1 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2  6

Carung                         0 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 0  3
Thea Liters                    1 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 X  4

Daskel                         0 0 3 1 0 1 0 2 0  7
Tikariot                       0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0  1


  Group 4                       Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Cassadaigua                    11    8   3    57   35  +22    24
2 Tikariot                       11    8   3    63   45  +18    24
3 Daskel                         11    6   5    57   53   +4    18
4 Oscioru                        11    4   7    36   51  −15    12
5 Thea Liters                    11    4   7    35   52  −17    12
6 Carung                         11    3   8    30   42  −12     9

Group 5
Norrhem                        0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0  2
Pripet Socialist Republic      0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0

Squidroidia                    0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0  2
Hicaña                         0 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 X  8

Royal Kingdom of Quebec        0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0  1
Drawkland                      0 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 X  3


  Group 5                       Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Drawkland                      11    7   4    50   46   +4    21
2 Hicaña                         11    6   5    45   43   +2    18
3 Royal Kingdom of Quebec        11    6   5    39   38   +1    18
4 Squidroidia                    11    5   6    37   46   −9    15
5 Norrhem                        11    5   6    37   38   −1    15
6 Pripet Socialist Republic      11    4   7    46   43   +3    12

Group 6
United Hemand Insia                   0 0 4 0 1 1 0 0 0  6
Republic of Dixie                     0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0  3

Nova Anglicana                        0 0 0 0 2 0 5 1 0  8
The Sarian                            0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0  3

Schiltzberg                           0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 0  3
Devonta                               1 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 X  4


  Group 6                              Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Nova Anglicana                        11    9   2    54   32  +22    27
2 Republic of Dixie                     11    6   5    42   38   +4    18
3 United Hemand Insia                   11    6   5    48   41   +7    18
4 Schiltzberg                           11    5   6    51   39  +12    15
5 The Sarian                            11    4   7    39   50  −11    12
6 Devonta                               11    3   8    27   61  −34     9

Group 7
The Greater Nordics                   0 1 1 0 0 0 0 3 0  5
Rwekazaland                           0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0  3

Sangti                                0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  1
Ranoria                               0 0 2 0 1 0 3 0 X  6

Tha Great Pond                        1 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0  4
TJUN-ia                               0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2  3


  Group 7                              Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Tha Great Pond                        11    7   4    55   51   +4    21
2 TJUN-ia                               11    7   4    69   46  +23    21
3 The Greater Nordics                   11    6   5    50   44   +6    18
4 Ranoria                               11    6   5    46   45   +1    18
5 Rwekazaland                           11    5   6    41   54  −13    15
6 Sangti                                11    2   9    33   54  −21     6

Group 8
South Covello                         0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0  3
South Newlandia                       1 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 X  4

Reçueçn                               0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0  1
Maklohi Vai                           0 1 0 1 6 0 0 2 X 10

Pleau                                 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0
Zwangzug                              0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 X  3


  Group 8                              Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Zwangzug                              11    8   3    53   38  +15    24
2 South Covello                         11    7   4    47   49   −2    21
3 South Newlandia                       11    6   5    45   40   +5    18
4 Reçueçn                               11    5   6    46   54   −8    15
5 Maklohi Vai                           11    4   7    52   42  +10    12
6 Pleau                                 11    3   8    33   53  −20     9

Group 9
Anthor                                0 2 2 1 1 0 1 3 0 10
New Waldensia                         0 0 2 2 0 1 0 0 0  5

Karditan                              0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0  2
Banija                                2 0 4 0 0 0 0 1 X  7

United Pink States                    1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  1
Super-Llamaland                       2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 X  4


  Group 9                              Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Banija                                11    8   3    53   33  +20    24
2 Super-Llamaland                       11    7   4    59   44  +15    21
3 Karditan                              11    5   6    53   60   −7    15
4 United Pink States                    11    5   6    46   53   −7    15
5 Anthor                                11    5   6    57   66   −9    15
6 New Waldensia                         11    3   8    47   59  −12     9

Group 10
Mathuvan Union                        1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  3
Sylestone                             0 2 2 2 0 1 1 0 X  8

Drunk People at the Local Tavern      0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 2  4
The 189                               0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0

Hampton Island                        0 1 1 2 0 4 0 1 0  9
Ethane                                0 0 4 0 0 0 0 1 0  5


  Group 10                             Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Hampton Island                        11    7   4    62   36  +26    21
2 The 189                               11    7   4    40   38   +2    21
3 Mathuvan Union                        11    6   5    39   45   −6    18
4 Ethane                                11    6   5    52   53   −1    18
5 Sylestone                             11    4   7    41   51  −10    12
6 Drunk People at the Local Tavern      11    3   8    35   46  −11     9

Group 11
Marigred                  1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0  2
Newmanistan               0 0 0 0 1 0 2 1 X  4

Indusse                   1 1 1 0 2 0 0 0 0  5
Falisiand                 2 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 1  6

Equestria                 1 0 2 0 0 2 0 1 0  6
Silver Beach              0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0  1


  Group 11                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Newmanistan               11   11   0    60   25  +35    33
2 Falisiand                 11    6   5    42   44   −2    18
3 Marigred                  11    5   6    54   49   +5    15
4 Equestria                 11    5   6    51   49   +2    15
5 Indusse                   11    4   7    41   60  −19    12
6 Silver Beach              11    2   9    33   54  −21     6

Group 12
Chromatika                0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0  3
Silvedania                3 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 X  4

Quintessence of Dust      0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1  2
Xanneria                  0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0  1

Georgia Tech              0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0  1
The Sherpa Empire         0 1 0 0 1 2 0 1 X  5


  Group 12                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 The Sherpa Empire         11    7   4    41   26  +15    21
2 Georgia Tech              11    6   5    39   41   −2    18
3 Chromatika                11    6   5    47   43   +4    18
4 Quintessence of Dust      11    6   5    62   50  +12    18
5 Silvedania                11    6   5    39   52  −13    18
6 Xanneria                  11    2   9    35   51  −16     6

Group 13
Abanhfleft                1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 3  5
Lisander                  0 0 2 5 1 0 0 0 X  8

Liventia                  0 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 1  5
Cransia                   2 0 0 0 0 4 1 0 X  7

Npc West Florida          0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0  1
Kriegiersien              0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0


  Group 13                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Liventia                  11    8   3    63   38  +25    24
2 Lisander                  11    6   5    61   57   +4    18
3 Abanhfleft                11    6   5    42   44   −2    18
4 Npc West Florida          11    5   6    39   43   −4    15
5 Kriegiersien              11    5   6    46   55   −9    15
6 Cransia                   11    3   8    35   49  −14     9

---

Matchday 12:

Group 1
Terre Septentrionale           0 0 1 0 3 0 0 1 5 10
Philamer Isle                  0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 2  4

Kohnhead                       0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0  3
Inner AngianaUsordia           0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0  1

Ko-oren                        0 0 1 0 0 0 2 3 2  8
Velarland                      0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0  3


  Group 1                       Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Ko-oren                        12    9   3    62   34  +28    27
2 Terre Septentrionale           12    7   5    62   45  +17    21
3 Kohnhead                       12    6   6    47   49   −2    18
4 Inner AngianaUsordia           12    6   6    39   43   −4    18
5 Philamer Isle                  12    5   7    45   56  −11    15
6 Velarland                      12    3   9    37   65  −28     9

Group 2
Sarzonia                       2 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0  3
Northwest Kalactin             0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0  1

Sevendia                       0 0 0 0 3 0 1 0 0  4
Valanora                       1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 2  5

Megistos                       0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0  1
Darmen                         0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2  3


  Group 2                       Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Sarzonia                       12    9   3    56   33  +23    27
2 Valanora                       12    7   5    59   51   +8    21
3 Darmen                         12    5   7    47   58  −11    15
4 Northwest Kalactin             12    5   7    53   46   +7    15
5 Megistos                       12    5   7    39   36   +3    15
6 Sevendia                       12    5   7    38   68  −30    15

Group 3
Bardney                        1 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0  4
West Phoenicia                 0 1 0 0 2 1 1 0 X  5

Hapilopper                     0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1  3
The Fortem                     0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 2  5

HUElavia                       0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 1  4
Sicoutimont                    2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0  3


  Group 3                       Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Hapilopper                     12    8   4    57   39  +18    24
2 West Phoenicia                 12    7   5    58   57   +1    21
3 HUElavia                       12    7   5    64   46  +18    21
4 The Fortem                     12    7   5    50   42   +8    21
5 Bardney                        12    4   8    45   65  −20    12
6 Sicoutimont                    12    3   9    37   62  −25     9

Group 4
Oscioru                        1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0  3
Tikariot                       0 2 1 0 0 1 0 1 X  5

Thea Liters                    1 0 1 0 0 1 1 2 0  6
Daskel                         0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2  2

Cassadaigua                    2 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0  5
Carung                         0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1  2


  Group 4                       Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Cassadaigua                    12    9   3    62   37  +25    27
2 Tikariot                       12    9   3    68   48  +20    27
3 Daskel                         12    6   6    59   59    0    18
4 Thea Liters                    12    5   7    41   54  −13    15
5 Oscioru                        12    4   8    39   56  −17    12
6 Carung                         12    3   9    32   47  −15     9

Group 5
Pripet Socialist Republic      2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1  4
Drawkland                      0 0 0 0 3 0 0 3 X  6

Hicaña                         0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0  1
Royal Kingdom of Quebec        0 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 X  5

Norrhem                        0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 2  4
Squidroidia                    0 2 0 1 2 0 0 0 X  5


  Group 5                       Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Drawkland                      12    8   4    56   50   +6    24
2 Royal Kingdom of Quebec        12    7   5    44   39   +5    21
3 Hicaña                         12    6   6    46   48   −2    18
4 Squidroidia                    12    6   6    42   50   −8    18
5 Norrhem                        12    5   7    41   43   −2    15
6 Pripet Socialist Republic      12    4   8    50   49   +1    12

Group 6
Republic of Dixie                     0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  2
Devonta                               0 1 0 0 0 1 2 0 X  4

The Sarian                            0 0 1 1 0 2 0 1 0  5
Schiltzberg                           0 0 0 0 2 0 1 1 0  4

United Hemand Insia                   0 1 0 0 0 1 3 0 0 0 0  5
Nova Anglicana                        0 1 0 0 3 0 1 0 0 0 1  6


  Group 6                              Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Nova Anglicana                        12   10   2    60   37  +23    30
2 Republic of Dixie                     12    6   6    44   42   +2    18
3 United Hemand Insia                   12    6   6    53   47   +6    18
4 The Sarian                            12    5   7    44   54  −10    15
5 Schiltzberg                           12    5   7    55   44  +11    15
6 Devonta                               12    4   8    31   63  −32    12

Group 7
Rwekazaland                           2 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0  4
TJUN-ia                               0 0 0 0 0 1 2 1 2  6

Ranoria                               0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2  3
Tha Great Pond                        0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0  2

The Greater Nordics                   1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0  2
Sangti                                0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0  1


  Group 7                              Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 TJUN-ia                               12    8   4    75   50  +25    24
2 Ranoria                               12    7   5    49   47   +2    21
3 Tha Great Pond                        12    7   5    57   54   +3    21
4 The Greater Nordics                   12    7   5    52   45   +7    21
5 Rwekazaland                           12    5   7    45   60  −15    15
6 Sangti                                12    2  10    34   56  −22     6

Group 8
South Newlandia                       1 2 0 0 3 2 0 1 0  9
Zwangzug                              1 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0  4

Maklohi Vai                           0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0  1
Pleau                                 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 X  2

South Covello                         0 1 2 0 0 0 1 2 0  6
Reçueçn                               0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 2  4


  Group 8                              Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Zwangzug                              12    8   4    57   47  +10    24
2 South Covello                         12    8   4    53   53    0    24
3 South Newlandia                       12    7   5    54   44  +10    21
4 Reçueçn                               12    5   7    50   60  −10    15
5 Maklohi Vai                           12    4   8    53   44   +9    12
6 Pleau                                 12    4   8    35   54  −19    12

Group 9
New Waldensia                         0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 0  3
Super-Llamaland                       0 0 0 3 0 3 0 0 X  6

Banija                                0 1 0 3 0 2 1 0 1  8
United Pink States                    0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0  1

Anthor                                1 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 0  4
Karditan                              0 0 1 0 0 0 2 1 0 2  6


  Group 9                              Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Banija                                12    9   3    61   34  +27    27
2 Super-Llamaland                       12    8   4    65   47  +18    24
3 Karditan                              12    6   6    59   64   −5    18
4 United Pink States                    12    5   7    47   61  −14    15
5 Anthor                                12    5   7    61   72  −11    15
6 New Waldensia                         12    3   9    50   65  −15     9

Group 10
Sylestone                             0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  2
Ethane                                0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 X  3

The 189                               1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0  5
Hampton Island                        1 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 1  6

Mathuvan Union                        0 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0  6
Drunk People at the Local Tavern      0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1  2


  Group 10                             Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Hampton Island                        12    8   4    68   41  +27    24
2 The 189                               12    7   5    45   44   +1    21
3 Ethane                                12    7   5    55   55    0    21
4 Mathuvan Union                        12    7   5    45   47   −2    21
5 Sylestone                             12    4   8    43   54  −11    12
6 Drunk People at the Local Tavern      12    3   9    37   52  −15     9

Group 11
Newmanistan               0 0 2 0 0 0 1 1 0  4
Silver Beach              0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  1

Falisiand                 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  3
Equestria                 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0

Marigred                  0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0
Indusse                   0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 X  2


  Group 11                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Newmanistan               12   12   0    64   26  +38    36
2 Falisiand                 12    7   5    45   44   +1    21
3 Marigred                  12    5   7    54   51   +3    15
4 Indusse                   12    5   7    43   60  −17    15
5 Equestria                 12    5   7    51   52   −1    15
6 Silver Beach              12    2  10    34   58  −24     6

Group 12
Silvedania                1 0 0 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  6
The Sherpa Empire         0 2 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 0 0 1  7

Xanneria                  1 0 0 5 2 0 0 1 0  9
Georgia Tech              0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 0  3

Chromatika                0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0  2
Quintessence of Dust      0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 X  3


  Group 12                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 The Sherpa Empire         12    8   4    48   32  +16    24
2 Quintessence of Dust      12    7   5    65   52  +13    21
3 Georgia Tech              12    6   6    42   50   −8    18
4 Silvedania                12    6   6    45   59  −14    18
5 Chromatika                12    6   6    49   46   +3    18
6 Xanneria                  12    3   9    44   54  −10     9

Group 13
Lisander                  0 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 0  4
Kriegiersien              2 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 X  6

Cransia                   0 0 0 2 0 3 0 4 0  9
Npc West Florida          0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0  3

Abanhfleft                0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 0  4
Liventia                  0 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  5


  Group 13                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Liventia                  12    9   3    68   42  +26    27
2 Kriegiersien              12    6   6    52   59   −7    18
3 Lisander                  12    6   6    65   63   +2    18
4 Abanhfleft                12    6   6    46   49   −3    18
5 Npc West Florida          12    5   7    42   52  −10    15
6 Cransia                   12    4   8    44   52   −8    12

HOST NOTE: Tomorrow is a scheduled off day.

[Ranoria]

MD10 against the Greater Nordics

Jesse Griffith, an unanticipated prodigy, stepped up to the plate. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, took a deep breath, and then glanced around the field. The reality of having to show he was ready to bat was weighing down on him, however, and he raised his bat before nodding to the pitcher.

One more chance.

An abysmal game. 0-3 already, and he’d allowed a couple errors fielding. He had to at least get on base here.

However, nervous as he was, his focus wasn’t on the ball, it was on his plight. The pitch went right down the middle, and he never even swung.

“Sttttriike three! You’re out!” the umpire’s voice shook him, and Griffith ducked his head, gritting his teeth as he hobbled back towards the dugout. He heard his teammates offering encouraging words, but that didn’t mean he could listen to them.

Griffith sat himself down in the corner, as far away as he could get from everyone else, and buried his head in his hands, cursing quietly. Shortly, Tristen Feng sat down next to him, patting him on the back a couple times. “Hey there kid, chill out. We’ve got this one in the bag. It’s a team sport, you can’t beat yourself up like this.”

Jesse nodded, but he didn’t move, still electing to hide from the world rather than acknowledge his personal failure.

---

Jesse tried to make himself small on the plane back home, pressing his head back into the private seat, covering himself up to his chin in the blanket that was far too luxurious to be on an airplane in the first place, and generally avoiding eye contact. After that performance, he would have been happy to go off the grid, thoughts of being let go from the team, of his dream of a lengthy career being crushed, flashing through his head.

But for some reason, these guys just would not let him wallow in his misery. It was somewhere between comforting and dreadful. Someone haphazardly flopped into the seat next to him, and Jesse looked up to see Philip Lux.

“Congrats, buddy, we won.” Lux, the most scene face in Ranorian baseball, held out shiny, foil bag of airline peanuts, “Hungry?”

Jesse reached out tentatively, and nodded his thanks. “You guys won,” he mumbled as he pulled the bag open, “I was too blundering around like a lost puppy.”

“We’ve all got our days, kid,” Lux shoveled an entire bag of nuts into his mouth, talking while he chewed, “Dude, you’re fifteen. Give yourself a break.”

“Age doesn’t matter, I’m a professional baseball player,” Jesse’s voice was quiet, shaky, “I have to be held to that standard.”

Lux, in response, flicked the side of the youngest pro baseballer in Ranorian history’s head. “Nah, that’s the mentality you take when you’re training. Or back home. Look kid, the competition we’re facing, it’s nothing like what we went against in Ranoria, you’ve already picked up on that though, I figure. Even Leo and I, both veterans, had a tough time adjusting. Last year, we started like, 3-6, and the two of us certainly weren’t putting up heroic performances in the beginning there.” He swallowed his snack and laughed, “Look dude, my point is, you’re right, you are a pro, but you’re also young. You’re gonna have ups and downs as long as you play, but right now you’re a rookie. You’re supposed to be uneven, we’d call you weird if you weren’t.”

Jesse absorbed that for a second, eating a singular peanut, taking his time to chew it, and then finally replying. “Yeah.”

“Kiiid,” Lux reprimanded, “You listening?”

“Yeah,” Jesse nodded, “I guess you’re right.”

“No, you don’t.” Lux shook his head with an exasperated exhale, “You’re probably thinking you’ll never outlive this humiliation, that your career is over, or at least going to be permanently marred, by this performance, that kind of thing, right?” He offered to take Jesse’s bag of peanuts, handing them off to the attendant and nodding his thanks. Jesse offered a blank stare, and Lux laughed.

“Hey, tell ya what kid. You’re gonna do fine, but why don’t you come work with me a little bit tomorrow? We’ll tighten up your batting a bit. Whoever’s coaching you hasn’t really gotten you past that high school swing, if you ask me. Not that it hasn’t been working for you, but we can have you hitting better in no time at all.”

The teenager nodded, with a bit more enthusiasm than he had shown up until this point, “Yeah, that’d be great.”

“Cool, meet me tomorrow, one hour before we’re supposed to show up at the facility. We’ll start easy, don’t wanna tire you out before the third matchup, after all.”

[Chromatika]

How Umbar Won the 2nd CBL
Part 1: Regular Season Review

Chromatik Baseball League      Pld     W    L     RF    RA    RD 
 1 Urrheddiao Knights          150    93   57    806   638  +168 Playoffs
 2 Felswyr Fire                150    92   58    703   604   +99 Playoffs
 3 Umbar Corsairs              150    83   67    696   633   +63 Playoffs
 4 Depri Lanar Rangers         150    81   69    682   638   +44 Playoffs
 5 Chromia Diamonds            150    78   72    649   663   −14 Playoffs
 6 Depri Sanar Vipers          150    77   73    697   670   +27 Playoffs
 7 Shantarr Scorpions          150    77   73    601   620   −19 Playoffs
 8 Chromia Comets              150    75   75    653   635   +18 Playoffs
 9 Alnio Reds                  150    73   77    612   646   −34
10 Knetyohai Knights           150    70   80    634   672   −38
11 Z'ai'ai Loggers             150    70   80    617   664   −47
12 Rhoni Rhonin                150    69   81    645   614   +31
13 Hanai Heroes                150    67   83    627   711   −84
14 Myana Merfolk               150    65   85    618   691   −73
15 Larhai Legends              150    65   85    577   642   −65
16 Eyrods Pilots               150    65   85    564   640   −76

The Urrheddiao Knights won the pennant, winning the final game of the season to secure their top spot. Left Fielder Isabella Mont Blanc led the way with 31 home runs. RHP Rachel Knox was one of the best relievers in the league, posting a 12-2 record. They posted the best run differential in the league as well.

Felswyr Fire placed second due to one game, and were led by SS Alisen Moyamoto, one of the best fielders in the league. She specialized in clean play while also adding plenty of RBIs and runs.

The Umbar Corsairs placed third, but have some of the best names. 1B Mattieu Gammond, DH Polly Potts, RHP Hillary Angelou, LHP Vette Beux, and RHP Hine Salle are some of the best players on the team. Hillary Angelou was the ace of the rotation, while Vetter Beux and Hine Salle are a great reliever and closer. The Corsairs were beset by injuries in the middle of the season, or they would've finished much higher up the standings.

Deprí Lanar Rangers placed fourth, led by 3B Yera Amonde and LHP Jason Higgsby, the best southpaw pitcher.

It was a down year for Chromia squads, with the Diamonds finishing fifth and the Comets scoring eighth. 2B Otto Vali led the way for the Diamonds and C Laure Valle for the Comets.

The Deprí Sanar Vipers finished sixth behind the leadership of CF Kendra Annovar, while the Shantarr Scorpions had RF Nevin Ingalls.

Both teams that were in the CBL series the first time around - the Rhonin and the Heroes - finished well below .500, due to some inconsistent play. The Rhonin finished with a positive run differential but with a 65-85 record as they were horrible in close games.

[Quintessence of Dust]

(Provisional) box scores as posted on TalkBaseball.qd website.

                      AB   R   H  RBI BB   K  LOB  AVG  HR  RBI
K. Andreeva CF         4   1   1   0   0   1   3  .310   3   9
N. Hisakawa SS         4   2   1   0   1   1   1  .325   3  12
  M. Nakamura P        0   0   0   0   0   0   0  .000   0   0
B. Wilson LF           5   1   2   1   0   0   0  .273   0   4
J. Steinnsson RF       5   0   1   0   0   1   4  .348   0   2
L. Phelps C            4   1   2   1   1   1   1  .412   1   5
K. Ljung 3B            4   1   0   1   1   2   3  .225   2   8
H. Matsuoka 1B         3   0   1   1   1   0   1  .190   0   1
  J. Reenberg P        0   0   0   0   0   0   0  .000   0   0
  b–J. Hoggard SS      1   0   0   0   0   1   0  .000   0   0
M. Kawakami P          3   0   1   0   0   1   2  .333   0   0
  a–T. Kaufer PH, 1B   2   0   1   1   0   1   0  .273   0   1
K. Tamura 2B           3   0   2   1   1   1   0  .316   0   5

a–T. Kaufer pinch-hit for M. Kawakami in the 7th
b–J. Hoggard substituted for N. Hisakawa in the 8th

Doubles: L. Phelps (2, 1st inning, 2 on, 2 outs), M. Kawakami (1, 2nd inning, 0 on, 1 out), H. Matsuoka (1, 4th inning, 0 on, 1 out), J. Steinnsson (2, 8th inning, 0 on, 2 outs)
Total bases: L. Phelps 3, H. Matsuoka 2, M. Kawakami 2, K. Tamura 2, B. Wilson 2, J. Steinnsson 2, K. Andreeva, N. Hisakawa
2-out RBI: L. Phelps, K. Ljung, H. Matsuoka, T. Kaufer, K. Tamura
Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: K. Ljung 2, M. Kawakami 2, K. Andreeva 2, N. Hisakawa, L. Phelps
Hit by pitch: K. Andreeva
Team LOB: 8

BASERUNNING
CS: K. Andreeva (1)

FIELDING
Double plays: 1 (Hoggard – Tamura – Kaufer)

                        IP  H   R  ER  BB   K  HR  PI  PS  ERA
M. Kawakami W (2 – 0)  6.0  3   0   0   0   3   0  64  36  0.00
J. Reenberg H (3)      1.0  0   0   0   0   0   0   9   6  0.00
M. Nakamura            2.0  1   0   0   0   2   0  23  15  0.00

Game score: M. Kawakami 69
Batters faced: M. Kawakami 20, J. Reenberg 3, M. Nakamura 6
Ground outs – fly outs: M. Kawakami 6 – 8, J. Reenberg 0 – 3, M. Nakamura 1 – 2

                      AB   R   H  RBI BB   K  LOB  AVG  HR  RBI
K. Andreeva CF         3   0   0   0   1   2   1  .289   3   9
N. Hisakawa SS         3   0   1   1   1   1   0  .326   3  13
B. Wilson LF           4   0   0   0   0   2   4  .243   0   0
J. Steinnsson RF       3   1   1   0   1   1   1  .346   0   2
R. Tanaka DH           3   0   0   0   1   3   2  .233   2   3
K. Ljung 3B            4   0   1   1   0   1   3  .227   2   9
H. Matsuoka 1B         4   0   0   0   0   1   1  .160   0   1
J. Jiang C             3   1   1   0   1   0   0  .286   1   5
K. Tamura 2B           4   0   0   0   0   2   3  .286   0   5

Doubles: K. Ljung (3, 9th inning, 1 on, 1 out)
Total bases: K. Ljung 2, N. Hisakawa, J. Steinnsson, J. Jiang
2-out RBI: N. Hisakawa
Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: B. Wilson 2, K. Ljung, K. Tamura
GIDP: K. Ljung, B. Wilson
Team LOB: 7

FIELDING
Errors: K. Ljung (1)

                          IP  H   R  ER  BB   K  HR  PI  PS  ERA
K. Nakajima W (1 – 1)    8.2  5   1   1   1   8   1  99  60  1.04
H. Yeung SV (2)          0.1  0   0   0   0   1   0   5   3  0.00

Game score: K. Nakajima 77
Batters faced: K. Nakajima 33, H. Yeung 1
Ground outs – fly outs: K. Nakajima 9 – 10

                      AB   R   H  RBI BB   K  LOB  AVG  HR  RBI
K. Andreeva CF         4   1   2   0   0   1   0  .306   3   9
N. Hisakawa SS         4   0   0   0   0   1   3  .298   3  13
L. Phelps C            4   1   1   1   0   1   2  .381   2   6
J. Steinnsson RF       3   0   1   1   0   0   1  .345   0   3
  a–K. Symonds RF      0   0   0   0   0   0   0  .100   0   0
B. Wilson LF           4   0   1   0   0   1   2  .244   0   4
T. Kaufer DH           3   0   0   0   0   2   0  .240   0   1
H. Matsuoka 1B         3   0   1   0   0   0   0  .179   0   1
J. Hoggard 3B          2   0   0   0   1   0   1  .000   0   0
K. Tamura 2B           3   1   1   1   0   0   1  .289   1   6

a–K. Symonds substituted for J. Steinnsson in the 9th

Doubles: B. Wilson (2, 2nd inning, 0 on, 1 out)
Home runs: K. Tamura (1, 8th inning, 0 on, 0 outs), L. Phelps (2, 8th inning, 0 on, 2 outs)
Total bases: K. Tamura 4, L. Phelps 4, B. Wilson 2, K. Andreeva 2, J. Steinnsson, H. Matsuoka
2-out RBI: J. Steinnsson, L. Phelps
Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: B. Wilson, J. Steinnsson
GIDP: N. Hisakawa
Hit by pitch: J. Steinnsson
Team LOB: 5

BASERUNNING
SB: J. Steinnsson (1)

                             IP  H   R  ER  BB   K  HR  PI  PS  ERA
A. Lacroix                  2.0  1   0   0   0   2   0  32  24  0.00
J. Isaacson                 3.1  2   2   2   0   2   1  43  26  5.40
J. Béranger                 0.2  1   0   0   1   0   0  12   6  0.00
J. Reenberg                 1.2  1   0   0   0   2   0  25  15  0.00
H. Yeung W (2 – 0)          1.1  0   0   0   0   2   0  12   9  0.00

Game score: A. Lacroix 56
Batters faced: A. Lacroix 8, J. Isaacson 14, J. Béranger 4, J. Reenberg 6, H. Yeung 4
Ground outs – fly outs: A. Lacroix 2 – 2, J. Isaacson 3 – 6, J. Béranger 0 – 2, J. Reenberg 2 – 1, H. Yeung 1 – 1
Inherited runners – scored: H. Yeung 1 – 0
Hit batspersons: A. Lacroix

[Quintessence of Dust]

Article posted on TalkBaseball.qd website.

Wally the Win Expectancy Worm Returns
Or, It Turns Out Hitting Home Runs Is Good

We decided to roll back the years with our old friend Wally the Win Expectancy Worm, and checked him out of his retirement village for a trip to Raptor Park to watch the Things host the Chromatik Amateurs. Here were Wally's big five plays of the game.

1. Bottom of the 4th, runner on 1st, 2 outs, 2 – 2 count: 55.5% to 69.84% (+14.34%)

Katenka Andreeva pops a flyball into short left to leadoff the fourth. Naoko Hisakawa strikes out swinging, and Luke Phelps grounds out to first, but Andreeva moves to second. Johannes Steinnsson hits a sinking liner down the left field line, and Andreeva is able to leg out the single to score from second. That causes Wally to dive 13 points down, throwing a game that was leaning in the Things’ favour to one firmly in their command. Were they right to wave Andreeva home? Absolutely. Had she stayed on third, the win expectancy would have moved to just 58.11, an increase reflecting the limited value of a runner on third with two outs.

2. Top of the 6th, runner on 1st, 1 out, 2 – 0 count: 69.2% to 37.12% (-32.08%)

Justin Isaacson has pitched well after coming in as long relief for the opener, Alexis Lacroix. Matthieu Gamond’s deep flyball is easily snagged down by Johannes Steinnsson, and although Yera Amonde draws a walk, the Things are still strongly favored to win. But then – disaster. Behind in the count, Isaacson throws a strike that Alisen Moyamoto hits clean to deep right field. The line drive clears the wall at Raptor Park. Chromatik suddenly jump way ahead as Wally, previously so safely burrowing down, rears his head up from the ground like some foul eldrich abomination gasping for air.

3. Top of the 8th, bases empty, 0 outs, 2 – 1 count: 24.92% to 15.47% (-9.45%)

Wally gets seriously into the doldrums when Jonathan Reenberg, who blew through the seventh inning, surrenders a leadoff double, again the shortstop Moyamoto in action with a flyball to left. Showing good opposite power, though not enough to clear the wall, she’s into second standing up. Chromatika are 6 out 7 favourites at this point. Fortunately he puts two outs on the board, and even though Moyamoto moves to third, when Huang is brought in he immediately strikes out Annovar to contain the damage.

4. Bottom of the 8th, bases empty, 0 outs, 0 – 1 count: 28.21% to 63.05% (+34.84%)

Kosuke Tamura finds a nice time to hit his first home run of the Classic. He leads off the 8th with a solo shot to left field off the tiring Miles Savey. Wally nearly snaps his neck in half diving back down. The Things haven’t even taken the lead, but the win expectancy chart now strongly favours them. Naoko Hisakawa’s double play ball kills off some of the momentum, but even with 2 outs and scores level the win expectancy remains comfortably over 50%.

5. Bottom of the 8th, bases empty, 2 outs, 2 – 2 count: 58.98% to 88.11% (+29.13%)

Raptor Park is a good place for left handed sluggers, with its short right wall, but Luke Phelps's 456 ft. bomb to left field works just as well. Even the narrow 1 run lead is pretty decisive at this point. Wally, skulking around the midpoint, crashes all the way down to the Things’ side. From there, Yeung cleans up the ninth and the game is in the bag!

[TJUN-ia]

Game 10 - Sangti (UR) 1-3 TJUN-ia (22) (Rounders Field, Portside)
Kyle McNash was back on the mound to begin a 3-game homestand in the International Community - 2 in Portside, 1 in New Washington. The first game at Rounders Field would see the Battin' Jags host Sangti for the first time and it would be logged as a very tight game indeed. TJUN-ia struck first in the 1st, Pedro Moires walking in to score, but the Indios struck right back in the 2nd, a simple Home Run for top-of-the-order Liezel Maurice Armonia. After that, the pitching took over as both McNash and Joenard Karlos Abao took over the game with no remorse shown by either. But on had to break and it happened at the bottom of the 9th, McNash up to plate. He sent a ball way out of the park to walk-off the Jags 3-1. Epic scenes ensured as the Jags came out on top!

Game 11 - Tha Great Pond (UR) 4-3 TJUN-ia (22) (The Diamond in The Gardens, New Washington)
Chris Harris then faced his old foe from Tha Great Pond on The Diamond. The Ducks have been a great team thus far, winning the last meeting on Clear Pond Field, and they certainly have taken the tournament by storm thus far. This game would be no different, with all 7 runs in this game happening via homers. Harris would let up 3 of them (1 each from Thomas, Noah and Becky Duck) before he was taken out in favour of Shin Suzuki. TJUN-ia had one themselves before this point, courtesy of Matoko Kagawa, but the batting would stay cold as Petra Duck scored the Ducks' 4th. The 9th saw a case of deja vu as Suzuki hit a ball out of the park for a 2-run bomb, but even that could overturn the tide. 7 runs, 6 homers, 3 points to the Ducks and the group lead at that on Head to Head.

Game 12 - Rwelazaland (UR) 4-6 TJUN-ia (22) (Rounders Field, Portside)
May hoped that Davis Johnson would restore TJUN-ia's pride at Rounders Field against Rwekazaland. Unfortunately for him, this game would be one of 2 halves. The first half (i.e innings 1-top of 6) saw Rewkazaland dominate the batting and the pitching, with 3 runs in the first 2 innings and Brandon-Lee Rowland bomb in the 6th meaning Johnson's day was done. The second half (i.e bottom of 6-9) would be lead by both TJUN-ian bats and the relentless pitching of Harrison Kyle, taking names in his first appearance of the competition. The runs would be swift and powerful: 1 run in the 6th, a Steven Fulmer 2-run bomb in the 7th and another run in the 8th tied this game at 4-4 with one inning left. Kyle did his job on the mind, allowing Bryce Calhoun to do his. For the 3rd game in a row, the Battin' Jags scored a 2-run home run in the bottom of the 9th but for the 2nd time in those 3 games, this one was a walk-off. Baseball is beautiful!

---

Current Record: 8-4 (1st)
Next 3: @Ranoria (31), vs The Greater Nordics (14) (@New Washington), @Sangti (UR)
Starting Pitchers: Gene Almac (Game 13), Jose Almas (Game 14), Kyle McNash (Game 15)

[Ko-oren]

The fight fought across Ko-oren's political theatres is the same as the one that has plagued the national baseball team for years now. People from the 'regions' claim that the government (and, by extension, anyone with a Gehrennan, Dutch, French, or Dutch name) is too centrally organised. Despite Ko-oren's good track record when it comes to the linguistic and cultural rights of everyone living on its islands, the economic rights and needs have been ignored too long, critics say. Several political parties been at the forefront of this, as well.

Something that culminated in a split through the middle of the baseball team across Classics 47, 48, and 49. That said, unity seems to be at an all-time high across the teammates, still not happy with the moniker 'Dragonflies' that was dumped for 'Islanders' or 'Greenblues' halfway through the 49th edition, and also not happy with the jerseys, which were replaced by a simple orange t-shirt for a few games.

The search for a nickname that represents all teammates, as well as a search for a jersey that sits well with the Yoshimans, continues.

Amidst the harmony and friendship, the team (by lack of a better nickname) are 9-3 atop group 1. Apart from a pretty bad run in the middle, the Yoshimans and Finisterrans have picked up the pace and went back to beating their opponents regularly. The last three games were all wins, over Kohnhead (who started an upswing after this game and went from 5th after the loss to 3rd two games and two wins later), Terre Sepentrionale (an absolutely vital victory to secure first place in the group for at least one more day), and Velarland (a team you need to beat to stay on track, as 6th placed opponent).

Something that is exemplary of the Ko-orenites' style is how whenever they score three or four runs in an inning, it's rarely because of a home run cleaning up the bases. No, usually it's a death by four-to-five cuts, with three or four consecutive at-bats reaching first base and better. Makkinga, Peredo, Deguchi, and Girard, responsible for the big hits, have been solid in batting in runs, but have failed to send the ball into the stands. As long as Paterson, Himura, and Ogasawara keep reaching first base, that won't be a problem. As the group runs on, and as Terre Sepentrionale especially keep bringing the heat, that won't be enough. In order to secure a victory, these kinds of runs need to be scored more easily.

Defensively, we have no problems. Sano, the catcher over both Berganza and Kagulazaka (one of a few surprising moves by the managers), is playing without mistakes and the infield, led by first baseman Fouquet, are going without big errors. A slight problem with Girard's throw accuracy from third base all the way to first, and some communication issues in the outfield aside, the team is on a roll and hopefully about to continue the winning streak.

Ranked 6th, Ko-oren is in a position to make a deep run - the quarterfinal should be the lowest of our expectations. Reaching the semifinals is on the table yet extremely difficult in a deep field of contenders, but possible. Making the final for the third time in our history is unlikely given the form of the team right now, but a few improvements here and there as the tournament rolls on could even make that reality.

Among the teams at .750 and over we find ourselves, Sarzonia, Cassadaigua and Tikariot from the same group, Nova Anglicana, Banija, Liventia... and 12-0 Newmanistan, easily the team on form and the team to beat now we're almost halfway through the qualification groups. Are they peaking too early, or is this just a taste of things to come? Liventia's inclusion in the list comes at a slight surprise, with Abanhfleft not performing as they probably envisioned. Hampton Island and Hapilopper are the only top 10 teams not to win 9 games yet.

Looking through the field, there are a handful of fun teams in this competition: Darmen and Valanora in group 2, the former we want to beat on the basis of being Darmen, the second on the basis of being untouchable in football in both the World Cup and the AOCAF, most of the time. Schiltzberg are back from an absence, as is Maklohi Vai. Especially the latter are hopefully a future fixture for us.

[Bardney]

National Base Ball team deals Hapilopper well-deserved defeat

Rudolph Colburn, Bristol Herald

"Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord," or so we all know. The eminent theological minds of our time as well as the humble country pastors counsel us not to sit and brood on past wrongs and plot revenge, even against those who have harmed us the most. In the fullness of time, Almighty God shall bring judgment on evildoers. In the meantime, we are to forgive those who have trespassed against us. But, as any good Bardneyian Christian knows, we are put here to do God's work in the world. And sometimes, that means taking vengeance when the good Lord appears to have forgotten about it.

In our national base ball team's first game against the team from the nation of Hapilopper, apparently a quite well-regarded team for their level of play, our men took a 7-4 defeat. However, one thing that Hapilopper is not well-regarded for is their on-field conduct. Base ball is a gentlemanly game that ought to be free from "showboating" and ostentatious behavior. The success of the team and the regard from one's teammates should be all one requires in terms of on-field remuneration. It is apparent that Hapilopper does not share this regard for the game. Hapilopper scored six times in their first turn at bat, including a grand slam home run by Jerome Hayden, but the true pain of the inning came as Mr. Hayden simply stood and admired his well-struck ball, then glared at Kermit Connelly, the "Dartford Flash", and proceeded to amble around the bases rather than progressing expeditiously, as is proper. This egregious display of arrogance and self-aggrandizement would not go unnoticed. The next time Mr. Hayden came to bat, Mr. Connelly's toss struck him flush in the head, knocking him down. Though perhaps a pitch close to the head, and not on the head, would have served Mr. Connelly's purposes just as well, the message was clear: cease this ungentlemanly behavior. Sometimes, one ungentlemanly act deserves another. Despite protests from the Hapilopper fans and the manager, Mr. Connelly was not ejected from the game. However, in another ungentlemanly display, the Hapilopper manager, upon his ejection for harassment of the umpire (which, I should remind our readers, is strictly against the laws of our game of base ball), screamed all manner of obscenities which are not fit to print in this or any paper. Mr. Hayden had to leave the game as a precaution. Still, Mr. Connelly remained in the game and Hapilopper emerged victorious.

When the next time for Hapilopper to play our men came, the game was in Ludlow, home of the Redcaps, and their hometown hurler, Thaddeus "Too-tall Tad" O'Neill took the slab to pitch. The crowd roared throughout the game as their hero tossed a marvelous outing, hurling ball after ball that either eluded the bats of the Hapilopper team or were struck, only to be caught by valiant members of our own Bardneyian team. Although the pitching area was moved back to sixty feet, in accordance with the laws of the international game, the Bardney team was clearly more comfortable with the field than the Hapilopper team, who often stumbled, or found that the grass was too long for their liking in some areas, and rather too short in others. I shall certainly not give any credence to the rumors that O'Neill had an emery board in his pocket, or that a generous application of Ludlow mud may have helped his ball sail past the Hapilopper batters. What I give credence to is the wildness of Mr. Nolan Jefferson, whose liberal distribution of bases on balls aided our men in defeating him and the Hapilopper team. I will also give credence to the excellent batting of "Gentleman" Eddie Whitcomb, whose quick swing was responsible for two runs on the day. I will say that the Hapilopper team comported themselves much better than they did at home, especially since a deliberate retaliation by Mr. Jefferson could have killed a Bardney player, given the incredible speeds he throws at due to his overhand delivery. It renders the application of discipline by pitchers useless if one must be afraid that one shall kill the batsman, given the speed one throws at.

So, justice was served, as our Bardney men defeated Hapilopper by four runs to one. In a few games' time, "Honest" Horace Geiger will have his try at defeating Hapilopper. The arrogant words of Mr. Hayden, namely that he will “call [his] shot,” and not leave “the batter’s box until that ball hits the stands," followed by walking "around the basepaths and tak[ing] [his] sweet ever-loving time." Mr. Hayden also used foul language which we shall not reprint here. Mr. Hayden confuses ungentlemanly conduct with freedom of expression. Certainly we defend the right of any man to say what he pleases without the government telling him he cannot, but that is also conditioned by an expectation of decency on the part of all men. Should Mr. Hayden do what he says he will, which I doubt, for Mr. Geiger's drop-ball, out-shoot, and riser are a fine match for any hitter, then even "Honest" Horace will not fail to give him cause to avoid such behavior. You understand that I mean after the fashion of a pitcher and a man, and not a "tete-a-tete", as our friends in Qatre-Rivieres say, and I shall leave you with that.

[Kriegiersien]

Player in the focus: Firat Hawes

Firat Hawes is one of the older players of the team and the shape of his body showing the love for (good?) cuisine.
Even though liked by most of his teammates, some criticize that he shouldn’t play for the national team, only being a reserve player for the Schoenwetter Giants.
That he has ties to the family of the president, being the nephew of a brother-in-law makes some suspicious about his role in the squad.
Nevertheless nobody would insist to throw him out of the team. He makes his points from time to time, being a flawless teammate and patriot.



***


Firat Hawes was standing in front of the cooling shelf in the supermarket, looking for the right cream.
“Can I have autograph?”, asked a woman alongside him.
He scribbled some letters on the paper handed to him, not really looking.
“So what’s the problem?”, she asked.
“I can’t find the right cream. What is best for a cheesecake Lisander?”
“I don’t know. But could we discuss the problem at a warmer place?”
He looked at her and only now realized who was talking to him.
“Oh, hi Wanda. Of course.”
They migrated to the fruits.

“Phillip Weeks, one my baseball teammates seems to become some kind of conspiracy nutcase”, he reported.
“That happens.”
“Somehow he found out about wizards. He knew the term muggles.”
“Probably just some hearsay.”
“And about the moon canon…
“Hm..”
“And that ‘we’ want to take out Alhaymana..”
“Who?”
“He’s a god…from Cransia. Pretty new.”
“Oh.”
“So? What now?”
“That interferes a bit with the campaign of the wizard community. I will give them the report and they will see to it.”
“But we still need him for the team. Phillip is pretty good, his stats are better than mine.”

“That is not that impre… hum...nice apples here...”, Wanda said, suddenly taking an apple into her hand. “Don't worry. I guess the wizards will just let him forget what happened. Better not to think too much about it. How are the matches in the classics?”
“Ah, we lost two of our home games. Really crappy was the match against Florida. Only one time one of these bastards slipped through and that was it. Against Liventia the loss was expected, but at least against Lisander I decided…”
“Very interesting, you can tell me the next time more, I have an important appointment”, mumbled Wanda while looking at her phone.
“Good luck with your cheesecake”, she said and threw the apple to him, vanishing in the direction of the checkout.
He twirled the apple on his fingers and thought what to do.
Cheesecake with apples it was, he decided.

[Ethane]

"Mum, I heard the cricket is on. Can we go watch it?"

"Luke, no. I promise you we'll go to a sports game soon. But this is not the day. Look, we'll go watch the sports game in a couple of weeks - trust me, it's exciting."

"Mum, but the cricket tournament ends soon."

"I know Luke, but you'll enjoy this match a lot more. Plus, we'll be playing against Sylestone, and I expect we'll win."

"Ooooh. I've always wanted to see a game against Sylestone. They're like, a good team, but they'll never beat the mighty Red Kites."

"Honestly, it's astounding we were drawn in the same group as them in yet another sport."

"It is pretty astonishing, apparently our two nations are just inseparable in the sporting world."

"I know Luke. See, now you want to watch it. Trust me, you'll enjoy the game."

At the baseball game against Sylestone

"Mum, what is this? How does it work?"

"Well they hit the ball and then run around, and the aim is to get to the home plate without getting out at a base. Team with the most home runs wins."

"So it's basically not like cricket. Look, it's so boring. Nothing is happening."

"Luke... nothing happens in cricket either."

"Mum, I can't believe you! Cricket is a great sport, and a lot happens in it. It's exciting. And I literally play on the school team. And we're quite good. And I wanna be a cricket star one day. Why are you saying my favourite sport is boring?"

"Luke... cricket is great. Just a slip of the tongue. I love the fact you're so passionate about it. "

"Thanks mum. I still don't understand why you like this sport though... it is kinda dull."

"I don't like this sport. But I didn't want to let you down, and I couldn't afford a ticket for the cricket tournament. So I went for this - we get to play Sylestone, who are fielding their cricket team anyway."

"Oh yeah! That's kinda cool. And thank's for caring mum. I know that life isn't always easy, but thanks for doing this for me. I appreciate that you've done the closest thing to watching Sylestone and Ethane play cricket together that you could. Thanks."