Tarrentum Falcons
The Tarrentum Sports Committee, alongside the International Baseball League and IBL Players Corporation, announce their roster, starting lineups and pertinent information for the World Baseball Classic 17. The Supreme President Cesare Italiana once again personally announced all members of the national team earlier this week as he does for most international tournaments.
Major changes were announced as teams and players drastically improved or drastically fell off the face of the earth in last year’s IBL season. Tiberius Wavi, who helmed the two playoff-appearing Falcons teams of the past two WBC’s has been replaced by Ferdinand Cossomo, the manager of the Bolonza Atomics. With a change at the head, many coaching moves were also made as well as the regular round of new faces on the roster.
The newly renovated MegOil Imperium Stadium, home to the Napoliroma Legion, was the crown jewel of this year’s Keisler Cup 3 tournament. The stadium, located on Cosairi Island in the River Salai, features a bevy of luxury amenities. The stadium holds a maximum of 53,325 with 25 luxury suites ringing the foul area.
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Position:
First and Last Name, Age, B/T (Uni #)
CoachesManager:
Ferdinand Cossomo, 41 (97) – Cossomo has made a name for himself these past three years in the IBL as the manager of the Bolonza Atomics. The Atomics, who have appeared in three straight Championship Series, winning two, are currently rated as both the top team in the IBL and as the highest revenue-producing team.
Bench Coach:
Fr. Rogerro DeSalvi, 70 (01) – Fr. DeSalvi, who coincidentally manages current IBL Champions Apollonian Monks, was brought on by Cossomo for his ability to bring a mid-level club to the Championship Series and win. DeSalvi is widely respected throughout the IBL for his cool head and calculating on-field tactics.
First Base Coach:
Ruboni Kilia, 51 (10) – Kilia has been in the First Base Coaches Box for 20 years holding the position with a variety of IBL and IBML (International Baseball Minor League) teams. He has coached for Napoliroma for the past five years. Kilia also serves as the outfield instructor for the Legion.
Third Base Coach:
Joe Greene, 54 (11) – “Clean” Joe Greene, as he was known during his own ball-playing heyday, is the Pitching Coach for the Riori Cannons and widely recognized as an outstanding teacher of the game. Greene was selected by Cossomo to be his Third Base Coach for his teaching ability and for his ability to knit together a true “team mentality.”
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Position:
First and Last Name, Age, B/T (Uni #)
PitchersSP 1:
Liona Marrada, 27, L/L (17) – Marrada’s continued dominance of the Confederation League led her to win another Illio Marcuzzio Award for the CL’s best pitcher. Most of Tarrentum are pinning their hopes of another great WBC run on Marrada’s pitching.
2.71 ERA, 17 – 4, 7 home runs allowed, 19 BB, 131 K, 1.05 WHIP, .244 OAVG, .289 BAbip, 6.89 K/BB, 9.69 K/9, 19 QS, 95.9 VORPSP 2:
Natalie Pessotto, 30, L/L (23) – Pessotto had a breakout year with the Vladgrad City Stars (Western cuba). After spending a lot of time in the minors, Pessotto was given a chance with the lowly Stars and shocked the IBL community. Her first continuous year in the big leagues netted her the AL’s Illio Marcuzzio Award.
2.65 ERA, 17 – 5, 21 home runs allowed, 33 BB, 238 K, 0.91 WHIP, .204 OAVG, .268 BAbip, 7.21 K/BB, 10.33 K/9, 23 QS, 105.4 VORP (First WBC)
SP 3:
Christian Buonconte, 31, L/L (10) – Buonconte had a terrific year last year and only built on that success this year with the VC Stars. Buonconte’s 14 wins helped anchor the Stars varied success and, with Pessotto, give the Western cuban club a great One-Two punch in the next couple of years.
4.48 ERA, 14 – 8, 13 home runs allowed, 54 BB, 165 K, 1.20 WHIP, .237 OAVG, .292 BAbip, 3.06 K/BB, 8.03 K/9, 13 QS, 56.7 VORP (First WBC)
SP 4:
Fironte ‘The Kid’ Sareb, 19, R/L (77) – Sareb’s career took a queer turn this past year when the Lower Marentian Rams put Sareb into their Closer role. Sareb’s performance didn’t warrant the move nor did his numbers as the Closer prove very helpful, expect a return of Sareb to the Number 1 spot next year.
4.36 ERA, 2 – 9, 19; 2 home runs allowed, 15 BB, 1 K, 1.74 WHIP, .358 OAVG, .355 BAbip, 19.0 VORPSP 5:
Bertrando Sabre, 29, R/R (18) – Sabre had a breakout year with the Napole Professors. He was named to the CL All-Star team this year as well as netting a CL Pitcher of the Month Award. Sabre’s most dominant pitch is his slider but his forkball is nearly as devastating.
3.32 ERA, 13 – 5, 17 home runs allowed, 84 BB, 119 K, 1.35 WHIP, .243 OAVG, .268 BAbip, 1.42 K/BB, 5.34 K/9, 17 QS, 84.5 VORP (First WBC)
Mid Reliever:
Juliana Italiana, 25, S/R (36) – The beloved niece of Supreme President Cesare Italiana. Juliana broke the gender barrier in IBL five years ago not through political force but through sheer skill and determination. She easily handles batters with her curveball, changeup and slider. Italiana is coming off a lack-luster year with Allied League Champions Bolonza Atomics but is now a free-agent heading into the off-season.
4.20 ERA, 5 – 7, 1; 2 home runs allowed, 22 BB, 0 K, 1.41 WHIP, .291 OAVG, .287 BAbip, 24.2 VORPMid Reliever:
Romeo Vasparian, 24, R/R (74) – Vasparian is a breaking ball specialist with the Garatia Warhounds. He was moved to the bullpen for reasons never disclosed and frequently voiced his unhappiness to the media. Vasparian is definitely testing the free agent market this offseason after his 1-year $5.6 million arbitration deal last season.
5.67 ERA, 3 – 5, 1; 5 home runs allowed, 35 BB, 1 K, 1.86 WHIP, .313 OAVG, .300 BAbip, 13 SVO, 2 BS, 12.1 VORPMid Reliever:
Guignard Aricó, 35, L/R (7) – Aricó had one of the highest Value Over Replacement Player ratings among relievers this season and was in the Top Ten of lowest ERA for relievers. The Riverton Otters of Charlestown liked Aricó so much they extended his one-year contract for another year. They’re hoping there’s something still left in the tank.
3.28 ERA, 5 – 2, 1; 10 home runs allowed, 16 BB, 2 K, 1.20 WHIP, .270 OAVG, .252 BAbip, 24 SVO, 1 BS, 44.6 VORP (First WBC)
Mid Reliever:
Ederi Sallamo, 32, R/R (40) – Sallamo changed his game in an attempt to help out the new Cotdelapoms franchise in Outremont. Sallamo moved from the Closer role to a Mid-Reliever. Most analysts scratched their heads at the move but the Cotdelapomais finished only 5.5 games out of a CL Wild Card spot.
3.09 ERA, 7 – 4, 10; 4 home runs allowed, 10 BB, 3 K, 1.37 WHIP, .310 OAVG, .305 BAbip, 24 SVO, 46.3 VORP Setup:
Sergio Árias, 23, S/R (12) – Árias made a splash with the Riori Cannons striking out 74 in his first season and saving 28 games. His closing ability helped the Cannons reach the playoffs and gave Bolonza a scare in the AL Championship Series.
6.00 ERA, 28 S, 12 home runs allowed, 41 BB, 74 K, 1.79 WHIP, .305 OAVG, .364 BAbip, 1.80 K/BB, 8.54 K/9, 37 SVO, 14.4 VORP (First WBC)
Closer:
Will ‘Griz’ Franklin, 27, L/L (44) – Griz took over the Closer role from the Abnormal Mata with the Florentine Diamond Kings and managed to hurl his way to 38 Saves, tops among Closers – all without ever recording a strikeout.
4.35 ERA, 38 S, 2 home runs allowed, 27 BB, 0 K, 1.47 WHIP, .301 OAVG, .297 BAbip, 44 SVO, 27.4 VORP (First WBC)
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First and Last Name, Age, B/T (Uni #)
CatchersValerio Utteroni, 34, S/R (52) – Utteroni has been behind the plate for the Napoliroma Legion for eight years. A bench warmer on the national team since WBC 15, Cossomo has put Utteroni back behind the plate – with the caveat that if Vasparian ever starts a game, Favella will catch. Utteroni showed everyone in the league that he wasn’t washed up yet taking first in a number of statistical categories of IBL catchers including: SLG, wOBA, VORP, HR, RBI, BB, ISO, XBH and Total Bases.
BA .337, .OPS 1.131, 37 HR, 135 RBI, 120 R, 71.2 VORPAntoni Favella, 26, L/L (87) – Favella has been recognized as
the rising star (next to his wife of course) in the IBL. The young catcher is still widely coveted as a prospect and may jump from Garatia when his contract soon expires. This year was a down year for the young catcher as he finished first among catchers in AVG, OBP and OPS a not so special feat as Favella was hampered by injuries, playing in only 98 games.
BA .379, OPS 1.138, 23 HR, 76 RBI, 112 R, 65.2 VORP*
First and Last Name, Age, B/T (Uni #)
InfieldersRaefele Magaglio, 23, L/R (8) – Magaglio was the subject of a lot of praise, and much more controversy, this year. Magaglio came up to Casslaha and had a terrific award-winning rookie season with the Highlanders. The only problem was that he wasn’t awarded the Unbelievable Breakthrough Award for the IBL’s top rookies (one in each league). The 23 year old led the league among rookies in AVG, OBP, SLG, OPS, wOBA, VORP and ISO but was passed over for dough-faced Orlando Zilli of the Ventili Boars. Most suspect foul play and the Brandini Security is looking into allegations of fraud and corruption. With both Zappa and Magaglio on the roster expect a drastically reduced role for the young gun.
BA .368, OPS 1.102, 21 HR, 94 RBI, 94 R, 0 SB (4 CS), 69.0 VORP (First WBC)
Erni Washini, 28, R/R (14) – Washini is the force of the Trumboi Archers and has made quite the name for himself in the IBL. His uniform is the top-selling baseball uniform outside of Tarrentum due to his quick wit, good looks and self-aggrandizing style of interviews which the people of Tarrentum can’t get enough of.
BA .368, OPS 1.067, 25 HR, 132 RBI, 131 R, 0 SB (2 CS), 78.9 VORPFerdini ‘Zappa’ Zappataro, 27, R/R (32) – Zappa changed locales again after a very successful season with the York Rangers and moved to Casslaha to play with the Highlanders. Zappataro finished an amazing second in Stolen Bases to Brenaccio Macca but is still the quickest Tarrentian on the diamond.
BA .347, OPS .986, 10 HR, 85 RBI, 118 R, 57 SB (26 CS), 63.8 VORPXavier Gradoni, 31, S/R (18) – Gradoni plays third and first base for the Riori Cannons. He was rated as the number 1 batter in the IBL this season and is coming into the prime of his career. Gradoni was recognized as one of the top players in baseball appearing in his third-straight All-Star Game and winning the Confederation League’s Adamantium Slugger, Platinum Glove (1B) and MVP awards.
BA .363, OPS 1.188, 34 HR, 98 RBI, 107 R, 68.8 VORPDessea ‘The Dream’ Vallena-Favella, 23, R/R (15) – Vallena-Favella once again anchored the Vladgrad City franchise at Shortstop. She played the most games in her career this year for the Stars but was on the DL more and more towards the end of the year.
BA .303, OPS .991, 27 HR, 86 RBI, 103 R, 26 SB (5 CS), 45.3 VORP*
First and Last Name, Age, B/T (Uni #)
OutfieldersGina Torretta, 28, R/R (12) – Torretta, who plays for the Riverton Otters of Charlestown, had a great year. She finished as the top player in 8 batting categories among Center Fielders (AVG, SLG, OPS, wOBA, VORP, HR, XBH and Total Bases). Torretta had a good WBC 16, marred by the fight with Dessea Vallena-Favella in the Falcons locker room in front of a group of tourists.
BA .365, OPS 1.130, 43 HR, 126 RBI, 136 R, 7 SB (7 CS), 72.3 VORPNax Gatto, 31, L/L (26) – Gatto has been on the outside, looking in at a spot on the national roster for two years and Cossomo finally has given him a chance. The veteran of the Yui Grizzlies had a great year and his performance netted him the AL’s MVP award.
BA .381, OPS 1.148, 44 HR, 124 RBI, 108 R, 78.3 VORP (First WBC)
Brenaccio Macca, 28, R/R (3) – Macca was the only man to outrun Zappataro on his way to the Golden Base Crown. The speedy CF stole an amazing 75 bases last year and led all outfielders with 148 runs. Cossomo went with speed over power with the selection of Macca.
BA .351, OPS .962, 7 HR, 88 RBI, 148 R, 75 SB (19 CS), 47.2 VORP (First WBC)
Joe Thomas, 23, L/L (17) – Thomas, the top rookie last year, continued his award-winning ways for the Riverton Otters of Charlestown by hitting his way to the AL’s Adamantium Slugger award. Thomas’ announcement to the roster was not without controversy as Gherardo Orlandi and Armando Tover were passed over by Cossomo for the RF spot. The manager said it was more to do with Thomas’ experience and temperament than anything else.
BA .394, OPS 1.077, 32 HR, 149 RBI, 124 R, 8 SB (4 CS), 65.2 VORPJason Skipper, 27, S/R (20) – Skipper was among the league leaders in many different categories but was not able to secure an end-of-the year award. Cossomo has stated that Skipper will be used as both a defensive substitute and as the designate hitter, when required by home rules.
BA .380, OPS 1.162, 23 HR, 95 RBI, 118 R, 1 SB (4 CS), 69.2 VORP (First WBC)
Starting Lineup and Batting Order No DH
2B – Ferdini Zappataro
CF – Gina Torretta
1B – Xavier Gradoni
C – Valerio Utteroni
SS – Dessea Vallena-Favella
RF – Joe Thomas
3B – Erni Washini
LF – Nax Gatto
P – Starting Pitcher for Game (obviously)
Starting Lineup and Batting Order with DH
2B – Ferdini Zappataro
LF – Brenaccio Macca
SS – Dessea Vallena-Favella
3B – Erni Washini
CF – Gina Torretta
RF – Joe Thomas
1B – Xavier Gradoni
C – Valerio Utteroni
DH – Jason Skipper
Choose my runscorers: Yes
Choose my lineup: No, Lineups are posted
Follow my Pitching Rotation: Yes
Godmod scoring events: Yes, within reason
RP injuries to my players: Yes, but only to the extent of saying what player was injured. Severity will be at my discretion
Godmod injuries to my players: No
Eject my players: Yes, one per game – No bench clearing brawls with mass ejections
Godmod other events: No, except for weather.
Other factoids: The International Baseball League does not have a DH for any team. All games played at MegOil Imperium Stadium will not have a DH in the lineup. If a game is decided by one or two runs either way then
my starting pitcher was taken out and a reliever was put in. This means that for a 3-2 Tarrentum victory, either my Setup or Closer got the Save.
Home Uniform top and bottom:
Away Uniform top and bottom:
Practice Uniform top: