World Baseball Classic 23 Everything thread

[Qazox]

Group 1
Timmy City (TCTY)           0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0  3
Cotdelapoms (COTD)          0 4 0 0 1 1 0 0 X  6

Yesopalitha (YESO)          0 0 0 1 0 2 0 2 0  5
Fenbar (DSOF)               0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0  1

Gibberan (GIBB)             0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0  3
Lycrabon (LYCR)             0 2 0 3 1 3 0 0 X  9


  Group 1                    Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 Yesopalitha                  7    6   1    32   13  +19    0.857
2 Cotdelapoms                  7    6   1    42   29  +13    0.857
3 Lycrabon                     7    5   2    43   32  +11    0.714
4 Gibberan                     7    2   5    26   36  −10    0.286 ELIMINATED
5 Fenbar                       7    1   6    18   41  −23    0.143 ELIMINATED
6 Timmy City                   7    1   6    19   29  −10    0.143 ELIMINATED

Group 2
Cavalo Nacio (CVNC)         1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  1
Super-Llamaland (SLLL)      1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 X  3

Cyborg Holland (CYBH)        2 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0  6
The Kytler Peninsulae (TKYP) 0 0 1 0 0 2 1 0 0  4

Maklohi Vai (MAKV)          0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2  2
Taeshan (TAES)              1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 X  3


  Group 2                    Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 Super-Llamaland              7    5   2    26   14  +12    0.714
2 Taeshan                      7    5   2    26   18   +8    0.714
3 Maklohi Vai                  7    4   3    25   29   −4    0.571
4 Cyborg Holland               7    4   3    34   30   +4    0.571
5 The Kytler Peninsulae        7    2   5    22   22    0    0.286
6 Cavalo Nacio                 7    1   6    26   46  −20    0.143 ELIMINATED

Group 3
Ambibia (AMBA)              4 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0  5
Ko-oren (KORN)              0 3 0 0 1 0 0 0 4  8

Kintratar (KINT)            0 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 0  3
Thrilledge (THRL)           0 0 3 0 0 1 0 0 X  4

Sicoutimont (SICT)          0 1 1 1 0 0 0 6 0  9
Darmen (DARM)               3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0  4


  Group 3                    Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 Darmen                       7    5   2    46   29  +17    0.714
2 Thrilledge                   7    5   2    29   25   +4    0.714
3 Ko-oren                      7    4   3    36   32   +4    0.571
4 Sicoutimont                  7    3   4    38   40   −2    0.429
5 Ambibia                      7    2   5    30   46  −16    0.286
6 Kintratar                    7    2   5    20   27   −7    0.286

Group 4
Bergnovinaia (BERG)         0 0 0 0 1 1 3 0 0  5
Deandean98 (DD98)           1 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0  4

Vamprican-Krumbian Conf. (VKCN) 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0  3
Zwangzug (ZWZG)                 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 2  4

Civil Citizenry (CVCZ)      0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0  3
Free South Califas (FSCL)   1 0 2 2 3 1 0 0 X  9


  Group 4                    Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 Bergnovinaia                 7    5   2    37   21  +16    0.714
2 Civil Citizenry              7    5   2    33   23  +10    0.714
3 Zwangzug                     7    4   3    24   29   −5    0.571
4 Free South Califas           7    4   3    28   26   +2    0.571
5 Vamprican-Krumbian Conf.     7    3   4    21   23   -2    0.429
6 Deandean98                   7    0   7    17   38  −21    0.000 ELIMINATED

Group 5
Homelands our (HOUR)        0 2 0 0 0 1 3 0 0  6
Torisakia (TRSK)            0 1 0 0 0 2 1 0 0  4

Sakurakoku (SAKU)           0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 5 10
Mark50 (MK50)               0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0  1

The Babbage Islands (TBBI)  0 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0  3
Eastern Quebec (ESTQ)       0 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 1  4


  Group 5                    Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 Sakurakoku                   7    6   1    50   22  +28    0.857
2 Torisakia                    7    5   2    41   29  +12    0.714
3 Homelands our                7    4   3    30   34   −4    0.571
4 Mark50                       7    2   5    13   35  −22    0.286
5 The Babbage Islands          7    2   5    31   41  −10    0.286
6 Eastern Quebec               7    2   5    31   35   −4    0.286

Group 6
The Jahistic Unified Rep. (TJUR) 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 1 0  4
Milchama (MILC)                  1 0 1 0 0 0 0 6 X  8

Michael VII (MVII)          0 0 0 4 0 0 2 0 0  6
Tyneala (TYNE)              0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0  1

New Matawan (NMAT)          1 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0  4
Luziyca (LUZY)              0 1 0 0 0 0 6 0 X  7


  Group 6                    Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 Michael VII                  7    6   1    40   21  +19    0.857
2 Tyneala                      7    5   2    28   21   +7    0.714
3 Milchama                     7    5   2    35   26   +9    0.714
4 The Jahistic Unified Rep.    7    2   5    25   45  −20    0.286
5 Luziyca                      7    2   5    28   29   −1    0.286
6 New Matawan                  7    1   6    18   32  −14    0.143 ELIMINATED

Group 7
Westros (WEST)              0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1  3
Kerblaekistan (KERB)        1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0  2

West Guiana (WGUI)          0 2 1 0 0 1 0 0 0  4
Byfugland (BYFG)            0 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 1  5

Cassadaigua (CASS)          1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0  2
Lymantatia (LYMN)           2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 X  3


  Group 7                    Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 Byfugland                    7    6   1    38   27  +11    0.857
2 West Guiana                  7    5   2    34   26   +8    0.714
3 Westros                      7    3   4    22   21   +1    0.429
4 Kerblaekistan                7    3   4    23   24   −1    0.429
5 Cassadaigua                  7    2   5    31   32   −1    0.286
6 Lymantatia                   7    2   5    20   38  −18    0.286

Group 8
Equestrian States (EQUS)    3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  3
Camwood (CAMW)              3 0 0 1 1 0 0 2 x  7

The Better Fire Nation (TBFN) 0 2 0 1 1 1 3 1 0 0 0 0  9
Western Cuba (WCBA)           0 0 3 1 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 1 10

Melatia (MELA)              0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1  2
Branta Island (BISL)        0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  1


  Group 8                    Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 Western Cuba                 7    6   1    42   26  +16    0.857
2 Equestrian States            7    4   3    40   25  +15    0.571
3 Melatia                      7    4   3    29   31   -2    0.571
4 Branta Island                7    3   4    25   33   −8    0.429
5 The Better Fire Nation       7    2   5    43   49   −6    0.286
6 Camwood                      7    2   5    33   48  −15    0.286

Group 9
Prostitutlia (PROS)         0 0 2 0 1 4 0 1 0  8
JonathanAtopia (JONA)       0 1 1 0 0 2 0 0 0  4

Karditan (KARD)             0 3 0 0 0 2 0 0 1  6
Beldonia (BELD)             0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  1

Saugeais (SAUG)             0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0  1
Cosumar (COSM)              0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 X  2


  Group 9                    Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 Cosumar                      7    4   3    30   31   −1    0.571
2 JonathanAtopia               7    4   3    33   31   +2    0.571
3 Beldonia                     7    4   3    33   39   -6    0.571
4 Saugeais                     7    4   3    35   25  +10    0.571
5 Prostitutlia                 7    3   4    39   42   −3    0.429
6 Karditan                     7    2   5    32   34   −2    0.286

Group 10
Licentiapacisterra (LICP)   2 1 0 0 0 0 4 0 0  7
New Montreal States (NMTS)  0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  2

Rustika (RUST)              1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2  4
Qazox (QAZX)                0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  2

Thatius (THAT)              3 1 0 3 1 0 0 0 0  8
Falconfar (FALC)            3 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 1  7


  Group 10                   Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 Qazox                        7    5   2    24   17   +7    0.714
2 Rustika                      7    5   2    26   19   +7    0.714
3 Thatius                      7    4   3    28   23   +5    0.571
4 Licentiapacisterra           7    3   4    31   31    0    0.429
5 Falconfar                    7    2   5    23   32   −9    0.286
6 New Montreal States          7    2   5    23   33  −10    0.286

If asked, I'll explain group 9 in the disscussion thread.

[Milchama]

Milchama National News- Tribune- Sun- Times- Post- Gazette- Chronicle- Journal- Dispatch- Telegram- Star- Monitor- Enquirer

Sports Section

Now That's Slump Busting!

You know how bust a slump and put yourself in position to win? Well if your the Milchama Warriors it's simple, you just score 6 runs in the bottom of the 8th inning and beat The Jahistic Unified Republic 8-4 for your 5th win of the World Baseball Classic.

The game looked promising for the Warriors in the beginning as a lead off walk by Lillit, a single by Clyde then a two out single by James Mentchos gave the Warriors the lead. While the Jahistis would knock one across in the third, Milchama responded by scoring another run this time Marcus Krasher being the provider with a RBI to plate Aryan Clyde.

Derek Havort looked to be cruising, but then the wheels sorta fell off in the 5th for him. Havort walked the first two men he faced before giving up an infield single to M to load up the bases. Then he got Y swinging and Q hit a rocket that was lucky to be right at Stevenson. It was even too fast for the runners to move so there was no double play. Finally, the Jahistis cashed in with something substantial. CYJ hit a Texas Leaguer over Stevenson's head and one run easily scored while X ran his/her head off to get home. However, with a great throw Torrent gunned him down at the plate to keep the lead to only 1 run.

After the game Torrent said, "The ball came quickly and figured he was going with two outs. So I just wanted to make a good throw, thank god it was in time."

Havort stayed in the game after the 5th inning for one more inning before being replaced by Eres Tipikowski who pitched two solid frames. Meanwhile, KH was on as he mowed down the Milchama lineup, allowing just 3 baserunners after the third inning.

Despite the setback of not actually hitting the Warriors were still in the game down only 1 run, until the 8th inning that is. The 8th inning got off to a horrendous start when Y hit a looooooooooooong fly ball that went 438 feet over the left center field fence for a home run and gave The Jahistic Unified Republic a 4-2 lead. Though Tipikowski retired the rest of the side in order, considering Milchama's miserable offense the game seemed over.

It wasnt. KH started the inning by hitting pinch hitter Walt Chancey in the back. To prove that wasn't a fluke he walked Lillit on 4 pitches, none even coming near the strike zone. That led to the hook for KH. He had a fantastic of 7+ innings, he just looked gassed. So RT came in and he was, to put one word on it, awful. Walk, single, single, double, hook. All that and 5 runs were on the books with no outs and a runner on second base. Then they put in EL to try to contain the already out of control situation. He got Florientoas to ground out to third but Ellen Stevenson singled to score Mentchos and stole second to put the pressure back on the Jahistis. Ellington walked but Chancey grounded into a double play to end the inning.

At the end it was a 6 run inning and gave the Warriors exactly what they were looking for. Rory Jorgensen would put Jahistis down in order in the ninth and like that it was a 8-4 victory.

Manager James Merter said, "This is the type of baseball we are capable of playing. When the bats produce runs can score, and score quickly. People tend to overreact to one game or one event but over the long hall this team is built to win and will do just that."

[Ko-oren]

Victory!

Ko-oren beat Ambibia 8-5, though the effort needed to put Ambibia aside was larger than just the scoring makes you think. Ambibia led the match 5-4 at the moment the 9th inning started, and Ko-oren had a home run and one run and took the win home shortly afterwards. Jinmu was absolutely in form today, batting in the majority of his opportunities. Though he did not score major points for the team: Nobunaga and Minamoto had much bigger benefits from their hits. Jinmu was the one who brought the win home eventually with the final homerun and three runs. Godaigo earned the other HR for Ko-oren this match. The pitchers all did well this match, although they could have done more (statistically) to prevent Ambibia from getting to five runs in the first place.

HITTING
Pos.	Name		AB H K BB RBI	BAA  OBP
3B	Minamoto	8  4 2  0   2 .500 .500
CF	Godaigo 	6  2 1  1   1 .333 .333
1B	Fujiwara	7  4 0  1   2 .571 .714
LF	Jinmu   	4  3 0  0   0 .750 .250
RF	Shotoku 	2  1 0  0   1 .500 .500
C	Hidetada	4  2 1  2   1 .500 .250 	
SS	Nobunaga	7  4 0  1   1 .571 .714
2B	Ashikaga	2  1 1  1   0 .500 .500
P	Yoritomo	4  0 2  0   0 .000 .000
P	Yoshimitsu	1  0 1  0   0 .000 .000
---
2B - Minamoto (1: 1st), Fujiwara (3: 5th, 6th, 8th), Nobunaga (3rd)
3B - Minamoto (2: 3rd, 4th), Nobunaga (2: 2nd, 7th)
HR - Godaigo (1, 2nd), Jinmu (1, 9th)  


PITCHING
Name			IP  K  BB H  ER ERA
Yoritomo		5   4  5  10 4  7.20
Yoshimitsu		3   4  1  6  1  3.00
Yoritsune       	1   1  2  1  0  0.00

*OOC: this is the first time I've experimented with the box score. If anything is right or wrong, please let me now...

[Super-Llamaland]

Cavalo Nacio (CVNC) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Super-Llamaland (SLLL) 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 X 3

1 Super-Llamaland 7 5 2 26 14 +12 0.714
2 Taeshan 7 5 2 26 18 +8 0.714
3 Maklohi Vai 7 4 3 25 29 −4 0.571
4 Cyborg Holland 7 4 3 34 30 +4 0.571
5 The Kytler Peninsulae 7 2 5 22 22 0 0.286
6 Cavalo Nacio 7 1 6 26 46 −20 0.143 ELIMINATED

The Llamas eliminated Cavalo Nacio with a 3-1 victory last night. #2 Pitcher Ryan Lucas was amazing over nearly eight innings and 3 runs was just enough for the squad to stay in a tie with #18-ranked Taeshan.

Lucas threw 7 2/3 innings and allowed just five hits, whiffing six and walking one. He gave up back-to-back-to-back singles in the first but no runs the rest of the time. He threw 109 pitches.

In the first inning, Brett Rochester drew a bases-loaded, two-out walk to score a run.
In the third inning, Chris Harder hit an RBI single to score Max Danks.
And finally, in the seventh inning, Darren Bradley hit a solo home run.

Nick Bowden threw a perfect 1 1/3 innings, striking out 2 for the save.

PITCHING

PITCHER INN K BB H ER R PITCHES
R. Lucas 7.2 6 1 5 1 1 109
N. Bowden 1.1 2 0 0 0 0 14

[Qazox]

Rustika (RUST)              1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2  4
Qazox (QAZX)                0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  2

Rustika outlasts Qazox 4-2 in 5 hour game.

It was the longest game ever played at National Stadium and the longest in Qazoxian history. 17 innings pitched with only 8 hits allowed, 12 consecutive (5th-16th) scoreless innings pitched by Qazox. Eagles pitchers retired at one point 25 straight batters between the 6th and 14th innings, and Harold Hodgeman had 6 hits on the day. All of that, and Qazox still lost 4-2 to Rustika, as they ran out of pitchers. Mark Hummel went 9 innings, allowing just 5 hits, none after the 4th and all 6 relievers pitched.

But with Sean Reyes (started last game) and David Christian (tommorrow's starter) unavailible to pitch, and Ramon McDonald ejected for a 4th inning arguement, Humberto Noesi had no choice but to send out his last postition player Martin Santos. Santos took over at 3rd for Ryan Dodge, who became Qazox' record-setting 8th pitcher of the day. Rustika took full advantage of Dodge's inexperience, lacing 3 straight pitches for hits, scoring two runs. And that would be enough, after 5 hours and 18 minutes of play, as Dodge struck out, (his 5th of the day) to end the game. Qazox, now having lost 2 straight, head to Licentiapacisterra first and then New Montreal States. David Christian will start, and hopefully the bullpen will not be needed.

SCORING SUMMARY

Rustika 1st: Suorano doubled to left. Fiorani grounded out to first, Suroano to third. Cuci singled to left, Suorano scored. Bounty struck out. Massimi grounded into fielder's choice (4-6), Cuci out at second. 1 run on 2 hits, 1 LOB. 1-0 Rustika

Rustika 4th: Cuci singled to center. <DURING AT BAT: McDonald ejected by umpire for arguing balls and strikes from dugout> Bounty singled to left, Cuci to second. Massimi sacrificed to first, Cuci to third, Bounty to second. O'Shaunery flied out to right-center. Cuci scored. Tigernach singled to center, Bounty out at home advancing (8-2). 1 run on 3 hits, 1 LOB. 2-0 Rustika

Qazox 5th: Dodge struck out looking. Zimmerman doubled to left-center. Espinoza singled to left, Zimmermann to third. Espinoza to second on Tigernach's wild pitch. Lee flied out to center. Zimmerman scored. Bryant grounded out to third. 1 run on 2 hits, 1 LOB. 2-1 Rustika

Qazox 8th: Lee singled to center. Bryant walked, Lee to second. Hummel grounded into fielder's choice (5-4), Lee out at third, Bryant to second, Hummel to first. Hodgman singled to right, Bryant scored, Hummel to second. Jimenez popped out to catcher. Hamilton flied out to deep center. 1 run on 2 hits, 2 LOB. 2-2.

Rustika 17th: <FIELDING CHANGE: 3B Santos in for P Adams; PITCHING CHANGE: P Dodge for 3B Santos, Santos will bat in Adams' spot> Cuci singled to left. Bounty doubled to left-center, Cuci scored. Massimi singled to right-center, Bounty scored. O'Shaunery popped out to short. di Falegniami grounded out to pitcher, Massimi to second. Rodgers flied out to center. 2 runs on 3 hits, 1 LOB. 4-2 Rustika

[Zwangzug]

The Kerlagrad Courier
Bullpen implosions remain metaphorical

SPENSON--A nervous-looking scoreboard operator for the Worm Hole confirmed that despite the poor relief pitching performances on display, no one would literally get to implode the bullpen. "Yes, there were a couple meltdowns," said Hannah Leidmonds, "in a sense that refers to unusually deteriorating levels of aim and not to the seepage of nuclear waste. However, despite how common this is, I would prefer if it remain common it not do so on a literal level."

With the Zebras leading in the sixth, Rhonda de Gaart walked two batters and gave up a runscoring single. Undaunted, they tied it in the bottom half, on a solo home run from Kelsey Yarowicz. But the Vamprican-Krumbian Confederacy chased de Gaart in the seventh; she left a runner on second that a single off Sawyer Abbiani allowed to score. Abbiani would get his own chance to put runners on in the eighth, with a triple and a sacrifice fly putting the visitors ahead.

The reliever in the bottom of the eighth was at least effective; despite a single and a stolen base, Zwangzug didn't score. "Yeah, they put up a goose egg," said Leidmonds, "except actually there were no waterfowl involved. We couldn't even muster up ducks on the pond. This is also definitely not permission for anyone to come in here and literally steal our bases, okay, we need those for Free South Califas at the end."

In the bottom of the ninth, however, things improved. After Sebastian Yania singled, Edgar Altobaum-Maroy doubled to score him and tie the game. Another reliever got Davi Roshdan-Hone to fly out, but on Benoni Karschel's hit, a long throw from the outfield was too late to catch even the relatively slow Altobaum-Maroy. "It was a walkoff," said Leidmonds. "And by walkoff, I mean everyone walked onto the field and was jumping up and down and celebrating."

"In conclusion," she said looking over her shoulder, "please do not destroy our bullpen, or even introduce unwanted animals into it."

[Free South Califas]

The massive Califas Games of Summer are holding their inaugural edition all over the Ten Counties, with individual events at various Olympic-standard venues and team events held in group and knockout stages mostly at the respective teams' home stadia. Baseball began today [OOC: this is a time warp to before or after WBC23 as you prefer] in Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, San Diego and San Bernardino counties. Animals remain welcome in Califan dugouts, though federal law limits them to one non-human animal apiece. The Wild Goose Chase event in Califan bullpens remains a popular post-game diversion, much to the chagrin of groundskeepers.

Imperial (IM)           1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  1
Ventura (VE)            0 0 1 1 1 0 1 0 X  4
at Ventura College, 4667 Telegraph Road, Ventura, VE 3003

What had the early appearances of a pitcher's duel appeared less so after Ventura upgraded their insurance package in the eighth inning with a solo shot by their leadoff hitter.

Kern (KE)               0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2  3
Santa Barbara (SBA)     0 1 2 0 0 0 1 0 X  4
Caesar Uyesaka Stadium, 1 Stadium Road, Santa Barbara, SBA 3106

Santa Barbara County broke the ice at home in the second and third innings, with their dedicated starter pitching out of a jam in the 4th with only a run's worth of damage taken. Their closer nearly gave the manager a heart attack, but was able to seal the deal after giving up two runs, allowing the Kern County Farmers to get uncomfortably close.

Los Angeles (LA)        0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0  1
San Luis Obispo (SLO)   0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 X  2
at Sinsheimer Stadium, 900 Southwood Drive, San Luis Obispo, SLO 3401

San Luis Obispo's 1-0 lead on a suicide squeeze in the fourth inning didn't last long, and the Angels responded with a sacrifice fly in the top of the fifth. The tie wouldn't last long, either, but the San Luis Obispo County bullpen made sure their 2-1 lead did.

Orange (OR)             3 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0  6
San Diego (SD)          0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0  3
at Gaslamp Quarter Stadium, 19 Tony Gwynn Drive, San Diego, SD 101

Orange County cleanup hitter Gwen Matias, who also starts in right field for the county's club team and rides the pine for the Harvest Mice national team, connected for a three-run homer in the first off Mission Valley, San Diego County and national team fireballing starter and former WA delegate Aram Derderian. "El Fino", as the San Diego County team is nicknamed at home, would never fully recover.

Riverside (RS)          0 0 1 0 1 1 0 5 0  8
San Bernardino (SBO)    1 0 1 0 4 1 0 0 0  7
At Municipal Baseball Stadium, 280 South E Street, San Bernardino, SBO 410

The home Rancherxs set the tone with early scoring in the first and third innings, followed by a grand slam in the fifth to lead it 6-2. After matching the Citronerxs with a run apiece, the guests returned the favor with their own slam in the eighth and another run to boot. San Bernardino County could not overcome the Riverside closer.

[Yesopalitha]

Victor Van Cruz with Melody Johanson after the Assassins' 5-1 win over Fenbar

Victor: Great game, Melody. Only one run given up on three hits? Our pitching has really picked up, and you're one of the best in the game, I swear. So glad you're on the mound for us.

Melody: Who here has two wins so far? You! You've been better than me this cycle, Victor. I hope you get out there and pick up the game against Lycrabon... That would help a lot, but I will be in the dugout, nervously watching you out there.

Victor: Yeah... it should be an interesting game, wouldn't it? If I lose, you're gonna have to be ready for the Cotdelapoms game to close out the Group Stage...

Melody: Make sure we don't need it. Get it done out there.

Victor: What do you think about Valentin? Gained your respect yet?

Melody: Oh yes. He keeps getting quite a few important hits, and some awesome catches from his third base position. He's here to stay.

Victor: I agree with you there. The relievers have also turned around to do better now that the games go on. We have only given up thirteen runs... Not bad I suppose.

Melody: I want to reach the Quarterfinals again... And maybe go further? Who knows, you know.

Victor: Exactly. Who knows, eh?

Melody: Katherine, you, and I are members of the old guard; Valentin and Mohammed are part of the new generation. I have a feeling that Yesopalitha baseball will remain strong, though.

Victor: I sure hope so.

[Falconfar]

As the man in the white suit landed on Ytriba, he noticed that the Imperials had fallen to 2-5 following a narrow loss to Thatius. Of course, he hadn't expected them to qualify for playoffs, but it would've been nice to at least flirt with the idea of a 5-5 record. Reminding himself to focus more on the task at hand - the task appointed to him by the Queen - the man in the white suit carried on to the stadium of the Ytriba Shock.

Here was a festival being held in honor of all the young sportspeople of the moon. Volleyball, basketball, football, gridiron... Every sport was being represented. The kids looked like they were having a lot of fun, with many games going on. He turned on his lapel camera again and milled through the crowd, just observing the proceedings. It made him happy to see the people so happy, and he was glad to be doing his job at that moment.

Where to next? He looked at his schedule. Falcon. Of course...

This could get interesting.

[Karditan]

_-=Neighpon Post=-_

Oh boy... as you can all tell, we here at the Post had another bout with bankruptcy. And unfortunately, as happened in the last World Baseball Classic, the Wild Kards have struggled in parallel to us. Arguably worse than the 0-3 tragedy of the last classic, a powerful opening day win quickly turned into a harsh slide where the Kards dropped 5 straight games--one of the closest losses being to expected group leaders Saugeais, making the other losses to lesser teams even more embarrassing. However, after that horrid 1-5 start, the Kards have finally taken the first step to getting back on the right track just in time for our finances to stable. Now that we're back in print, let's get onto the latest game!

Hopefully a positive omen, the Kards have ended their losing streak against the team it started against: Beldonia. The normally-underachieving Beldonian team has shown surprisingly good form thusfar in the tournament, part of the 4-way tie for first that is Group Nine (which is what means the Kards still have a chance to get through). The win was spearheaded by a strong performance by Fillydelphia Filly ace Cliff Leaper, who provided some of the first solid starting pitching the Kards have gotten in this Classic. 8 solid innings of shut-out, 3-hit ball easily set the Kards up for a win, even when Brad Chadford let the Beldonian third baseman--Justin Wooper--hit a solo shot in the bottom of the ninth. Wooper is classified as a low-ball hitter, and Chadford is a submarine pitcher, so that's not exactly a shocker.

Another thing the Kards had been missing was run support to match the pitching; recently, the Karditani lineup had that irritating tendency to score a lot and give up a lot in one game then give up few but score even less the next time out. This was the first time in a while the pitching and the hitting hit their strides simultaneously. A three-run jack courtesy of Jesse Portier in the second (scoring Snider and Stop) put the Kards on the board first, which would be plenty for Leaper. However, insurance runs never hurt. Wind nearly hit a bases-clearing double in the sixth, the 'nearly' being a beautiful Ray Monte throw nailing Skard at the plate. Regardless, Hormuz and Smith would score easily on the play. The final nail in the coffin was a solo shot by Chris Carmel in the 9th, pinch-hitting for Geoff Jones after he took a bad hit from a curve that took a bad bounce in the bottom of the 8th. Jones had been able to finish the inning, and reports say it's merely some discomfort that Ledeé didn't want to exacerbate (especially with a large lead), so there's nothing to worry about. Carmel had been quite the slugger in his prime; though he is five years removed from his last 25-homer season, it was a blast from the past for many Karditanis watching him ride a Gary Colesey changeup into the left-field bleachers.

Karditan (KARD)             0 3 0 0 0 2 0 0 1  6  10  1
Beldonia (BELD)             0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  1  4  0

[Maklohi Vai]

Maklohi Vai (MAKV) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2
Taeshan (TAES) 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 X 3

Maklohi Vai had a setback from their good performance at the WBC despite an decent outing by Arwai. He went 7 innings, allowing 5 hits, 1 walk, and striking out 6 while giving up 3 earned runs. Rimai Lomukiwo threw a perfect eighth.

Maklohi Vai Scoring Summary:
9th: Ri’ino Uilnai and Mae'ao hit back-to-back home runs, each to right field.

Stat update:
HR: Mae'ao 6, Arnao 2, Ri'ino Ulnai 2, Koilani Ruputuo 1, Aputo Roma'ai 1, Luimao Makai 1
RBI: Mae'ao 9, Ri'ino Ulnai 5, Aputo Roma'ai 4, Arnao 3, Koilani Ruputuo 2, Luimao Makai 1, Moalna'akai Lai 1

For the first time, critics are questioning the offense. "Arwai's performance wasn't extraordinary by any measure, but it should have been enough to garner a win," said commentator Wolmoto Likani.

[Rustika]

Extract from the Bellograd Courier
Sports Section

So far, so good.

So far the Puma's have managed to astound people watching the progress in this tournament and against all odds are now ranked in second place in the group stage. As an unranked team it was highly unexpected for the Puma's to fight their way past all the other highly ranked teams, though miraculously only Qazox has managed to rank higher than the Rustik team.

For the past couple match days the Puma's have yielded four consecutive victories including their latest unexpected victory over Qazox's Eagles. It seemed to have come out of nowhere considering before their winning streak happened after the Puma's were facing two consecutive losses. Though this victory can be explained by the fact that Qazox was limited by their lack of pitchers.

The latest match was very tense with both the Eagles and the Pumas neck and neck with two runs each throughout eight more innings, it turned into a bout in which each team tried to wear down the other team's pitchers. And by the seventeenth inning the Puma's scored two runs, having worn down the Eagle's team enough for two easy runs by Bounty and Cuci. Cuci had scored a run earlier in the match in the fourth inning and for Bounty it was his first run in the match despite having had some good shots at scoring earlier on.

The crowd at National Stadium waited anxiously throughout the ninth inning cheering desperately to edge their team on to prevent the puma's from winning the match. It's a pity that Praestantia field was not fortunate enough to have this match played on it'sfield, as the Rustik fans would have erupted in a cacophony of frenzied cheering in the last inning.

With only three matches left in the group stage the Puma's have a good chance of advancing past group ten. If the puma's can keep the great performance they have shown in the past four match's theres no doubt that they can win their upcoming matches.

[Qazox]

Group 1
Cotdelapoms (COTD)     0 0 0 1 2 2 0 0 0  5
Gibberan (GIBB)        1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0  2

Lycrabon (LYCR)        0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 2  5
Yesopalitha (YESO)     0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 1  4

Fenbar (DSOF)          0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0  1
Timmy City (TCTY)      0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0


  Group 1                    Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 Cotdelapoms                  8    7   1    47   31  +16    0.875
2 Lycrabon                     8    6   2    48   36  +12    0.750
3 Yesopalitha                  8    6   2    36   18  +18    0.750
4 Gibberan                     8    2   6    28   41  −13    0.250 ELIMINATED
5 Fenbar                       8    2   6    19   41  −22    0.250 ELIMINATED
6 Timmy City                   8    1   7    19   30  −11    0.125 ELIMINATED

Group 2
Super-Llamaland (SLLL)         0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0  1
Maklohi Vai (MAKV)             0 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 X  3

Taeshan (TAES)                 0 2 3 2 0 0 0 0 0  7
Cyborg Holland (CYBH)          0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0  1

The Kytler Peninsulae (TKYP)   2 4 0 1 1 0 5 0 1 14
Cavalo Nacio (CVNC)            0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0

  Group 2                    Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 Taeshan                      8    6   2    33   19  +14    0.750
2 Super-Llamaland              8    5   3    27   17  +10    0.625
3 Maklohi Vai                  8    5   3    28   30   −2    0.625
4 Cyborg Holland               8    4   4    35   37   -2    0.500
5 The Kytler Peninsulae        8    3   5    36   22  +14    0.375
6 Cavalo Nacio                 8    1   7    26   60  −34    0.125 ELIMINATED

Group 3
Ko-oren (KORN)         0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 2  4
Sicoutmont (SCMT)      0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 3  5

Darmen (DARM)          0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 0  4
Kintratar (KINT)       0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0  3

Thrilledge (THRL)      0 1 0 3 0 1 4 0 0  9
Ambibia (AMBI)         2 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0  5


  Group 3                    Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 Darmen                       8    6   2    50   32  +18    0.750
2 Thrilledge                   8    6   2    38   30   +8    0.750
3 Sicoutimont                  8    4   4    43   44   −1    0.500
4 Ko-oren                      8    4   4    40   37   +3    0.500
5 Ambibia                      8    2   6    30   46  −16    0.250 ELIMINATED
6 Kintratar                    8    2   6    20   27   −7    0.250 ELIMINATED

Group 4
DeanDean98 (DD98)                 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  3
Civil Citizenry (CVCZ)            0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  4

Free South Califas (FSCF)         2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0  3
Vamprican-Krumbian Conf. (VKCF)   0 0 4 0 0 1 0 1 X  6

Zwangzug (ZWZG)                   2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0  4
Bergnovinaia (BERG)               0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0  3

  Group 4                    Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 Civil Citizenry              8    6   2    37   26  +11    0.750
2 Bergnovinaia                 8    5   3    40   25  +15    0.625
3 Zwangzug                     8    5   3    28   32   −4    0.625
4 Vamprican-Krumbian Conf.     8    4   4    27   26   +1    0.500
5 Free South Califas           8    4   4    31   32   -1    0.500
6 Deandean98                   8    0   8    20   42  −22    0.000 ELIMINATED

Group 5
Torisakia (TORS)             0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0  1
The Babbage Islands (TBIS)   1 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 X  4

Eastern Quebec (ESTQ)        0 0 0 5 0 0 1 0 3  9
Sakurakoku (SAKU)            0 0 0 3 0 0 1 1 0  5

Mark50 (MK50)                0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  1
Homelands our (HMLO)         0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 X  4

  Group 5                    Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 Sakurakoku                   8    6   2    55   31  +24    0.750
2 Torisakia                    8    5   3    42   33   +9    0.625
3 Homelands our                8    5   3    34   35   −1    0.625
4 The Babbage Islands          8    3   5    35   42   −7    0.375
5 Eastern Quebec               8    3   5    40   40    0    0.375
6 Mark50                       8    2   6    14   39  −25    0.250 ELIMINATED

Group 6
Milchama (MLCH)                0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 1  4
New Matawan (NMAT)             0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0  3

Luziyca (LUZI)                 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 1  4
Michael VII (MIK7)             0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0  2

Tyneala (TYNE)                 0 0 0 3 1 0 1 0 0  5
Jahistic Unified Rep. (JUNR)   0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0  1

  Group 6                    Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 Michael VII                  8    6   2    42   25  +17    0.750
2 Milchama                     8    6   2    39   29  +10    0.750
3 Tyneala                      8    6   2    33   22  +11    0.750
4 Luziyca                      8    3   5    32   31   +1    0.375 ELIMINATED
5 The Jahistic Unified Rep.    8    2   6    26   50  −24    0.250 ELIMINATED
6 New Matawan                  8    1   7    21   36  −15    0.125 ELIMINATED

Group 7
Kerblaekistan (KERB)   0 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 0  3
Cassadaigua (CASS)     0 0 1 2 0 2 2 5 X 12

Lymantatia (LYMN)      1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  1
West Guiana (WGUI)     0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 X  3

Byfugland (BYFG)       1 0 3 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2  8
Westros (WEST)         0 0 2 0 2 1 1 0 0 0 0  6

  Group 7                    Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 Byfugland                    8    7   1    46   33  +13    0.875 Clinched Playoff Berth
2 West Guiana                  8    6   2    37   27  +10    0.750 Clinched Playoff Berth
3 Cassadaigua                  8    3   5    43   35   +8    0.375
4 Westros                      8    3   5    28   29   -1    0.375
5 Kerblaekistan                8    3   5    26   36  −10    0.375
6 Lymantatia                   8    2   6    21   41  −20    0.250

Group 8
Camwood (CAMW)              0 0 0 6 0 0 0 1 0  7
Melatia (MELA)              0 0 0 0 1 0 3 0 0  4

Branta Island (BRIS)        0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0  1
Better Fire Nation (BFNT)   1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 X  3

Western Cuba (WCBA)         0 0 3 0 0 0 0 1 0  4
Equestrian States (EQST)    2 0 0 0 0 3 1 0 X  6

  Group 8                    Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 Western Cuba                 8    6   2    46   32  +14    0.750
2 Equestrian States            8    5   3    46   29  +17    0.635
3 Melatia                      8    4   4    33   38   -5    0.500
4 The Better Fire Nation       8    3   5    46   50   −4    0.375
5 Branta Island                8    3   5    26   36  −10    0.375
6 Camwood                      8    3   5    40   52  −12    0.375

Group 9
JonathonAtopia (JONA)   4 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0  5
Saugeais (SAUG)         3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 X  6

Cosumar (COSM)          0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  1
Karditan (KARD)         1 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 X  4

Beldonia (BELD)         0 2 0 0 0 1 2 1 0  6
Prostitutlia (PROS)     0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0  2

  Group 9                    Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 Saugeais                     8    5   3    41   30  +11    0.625
2 Beldonia                     8    5   3    39   41   -2    0.625
3 Cosumar                      8    4   4    31   35   −4    0.500
4 JonathanAtopia               8    4   4    38   37   +1    0.500
5 Karditan                     8    3   5    36   35   +1    0.375
6 Prostitutlia                 8    3   5    41   48   −7    0.375

Group 10
New Montreal States (NMST)   0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 2  4
Thatius (THAT)               0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0  2

Falconfar (FLCF)             0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 2  4
Rustika (RUST)               0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  1

Qazox (QAZX)                 5 2 0 1 2 0 1 0 0 11
Licentiapaciterra (LICP)     1 0 1 0 0 0 5 0 0  7

  Group 10                   Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 Qazox                        8    6   2    35   24  +11    0.750
2 Rustika                      8    5   3    27   23   +4    0.625
3 Thatius                      8    4   4    30   27   +3    0.500
4 Licentiapacisterra           8    3   5    38   42   -4    0.375
6 New Montreal States          8    3   5    27   35   −8    0.375
5 Falconfar                    8    3   5    27   33   −6    0.375

CONGRATS to: Byfugland and West Guiana for becoming the 1st two teams to earn a trip to the Playoffs.
If there are any errors in the standings, (or questions) let me know in the WBCDT please. thanks.

[Maklohi Vai]

Super-Llamaland (SLLL) 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1
Maklohi Vai (MAKV) 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 X 3

Maklohi Vai had a crucial win to keep alive their good performance at the WBC, due to a great outing by Aonmai Rutulotoa. Earning the win, he went 7 innings, allowing 3 hits, 1 walk, and striking out 9 while giving up 1 earned run. Rimai Lomukiwo threw a perfect eighth, and Maruamo Riwara closed out the ninth for his fourth save.

Maklohi Vai Scoring Summary:
3rd: Iao Laina hit a double to lead off the inning. Ri'ino Uilnai hit another double to drive Laina in, and Mae'ao followed up with a single to drive Uilnai in.
7th: Mae'ao hit his seventh home run of tournament, this time just over the left field wall.

Stat update:
HR: Mae'ao 7, Arnao 2, Ri'ino Ulnai 2, Koilani Ruputuo 1, Aputo Roma'ai 1, Luimao Makai 1
RBI: Mae'ao 10, Ri'ino Uilnai 6, Aputo Roma'ai 4, Arnao 3, Koilani Ruputuo 2, Luimao Makai 1, Moalna'akai Lai 1

"For the rest of the tournament, we really need to win out in order to get a berth," said commentator Wolmoto Likani. "We also need either Taeshan or Super-Llamaland to lose a game, preferably both. And scoring more runs to increase the run differential wouldn't hurt either."

[Qazox]

Qazox (QAZX)                 5 2 0 1 2 0 1 0 0 11
Licentiapaciterra (LICP)     1 0 1 0 0 0 5 0 0  7

Qazox rebounds with a win despite weird 9th inning.

To start with, the game at Licentiapaciterra was delayed 36 hours due to a series of severe thunderstorms in the Liceentiapaciterran area. And for the first 6 1/2 innings it looked like Qazox would win in a laugher. But thanks to instant replay, an ill-timed timeout and a chipmunk, the 9th inning will go down in WBC as one of the strangest ever. Licentiapaciterra loaded the bases in the bottom of the 9th against Terry Olney and with 1 out, it looked like they could tie the game, with their two best hitters coming to bat.

On a 3-1 pitch, Olney let loose with a hanging curve, and the ball promptly landed in the seats, seemingly tying the game at 11. But a split second before Olney threw, the 3rd base coach had called for time as a chipmunk had run onto the field. As such, the pitch didn't count, and the players went back to their bases, while the Licentiapaciterran manager came out and was run for arguing with the umpire. He got his worth, staying out for almost 3 minutes before leaving the field. On the next pitch, the player popped out to short, making it 2 outs.

On a 2-2 pitch to the next batter, a laced line-drive to right field seemingly scored 2 runs for Licentiapaciterra, cutting the lead to 11-9, and leaving men on 2nd and 3rd. But Humberto Noesi came out and challenged the play. After a 3 minute review, the umpire signaled that David Bryant had made the cacth for the 3rd and final out. Qazox concludes it's road schedule with a trip to New Montreal States. A Qazox win would not only clinch the Eagles a trip home for the playoffs, but eliminate NMS as well.

SCORING SUMMARY

Qazox 1st: (SP #3 pitching) Hodgman doubled to left-center. Jimenez singled to left, Hodgman to third. Hamilton 410ft HR to right, Hodgman, Jimenez and Hamilton scored. Dodge flied out to right. Zimmerman singled to center. Espinoza singled to left, Zimmerman to second. Santos struck out looking. Lee doubled to right, Zimmerman and Espinoza scored. Bryant flied out to right. 5 runs on 6 hits, 1 LOB. 5-0 Qazox.

Licentiapaciterra 1st: (McDonald Pitching) DH struck out. CF tripled to right-center. 3B grounded out to 2nd, CF scored. RF grounded out to first. 1 run on 1 hit, 0 LOB. 5-1 Qazox

Qazox 2nd: Hodgman flied out to left. Jimenez singled to center. Hamilton doubled to right-center, Jimenez scored. Dodge grounded out to 2nd, Hamilton to third. Hamilton scored on SP#3 balk. <Pitching change: RP#2 in for SP#3>. Zimmerman hit-by-pitch <Zimmerman ejected for charging mound; RP#2 ejected for throwing glove...Pitching change: RP#3 in for RP#2...Pinch-runner:Jason Jones running for Zimmerman> Espinoza struck out looking. 2 runs on 2 hits, 1 LOB. 7-1 Qazox

Licentiapaciterra 3rd: LF singled to center. SS infield single to third. LF to 2nd. DH sacrificed to catcher, LF to 3rd, SS to 2nd. CF singled to right, LF scored, SS to 3rd. 3B grounded into double play (6-4-3), CF out at 2nd. 1 run on 3 hits, 1 LOB. 7-2 Qazox

Qazox 4th: Jimenez doubled to right. Hamilton struck out. Dodge doubled to left-center, Jimenez scored. Jones flied out to right. Espinoza struck out. 1 run on 2 hits, 1 LOB. 8-2 Qazox

Qazox 5th: Santos 421ft HR to center, Santos scored. Lee walked. Bryant singled to center, Lee to second. Hodgman singled to right, Lee scored, Bryant out at third advancing (9-5-4-6-5-2), Hodgman advanced to second on throw. Jimenez struck out. Hamilton flied out to right. 2 runs on 2 hits, 1 LOB. 10-2 Qazox

Qazox 7th: (RP#4 pitching) Santos singled to left. Lee flied out. Bryant doubled to left, Santos to third. Hodgman flied out to center. Jimenez singled to left, Santos scored, Bryant to third. Hamilton walked intentionally. Dodge popped out to third. 1 run on 3 hits, 2 LOB. 11-2 Qazox

Licentiapaciterra 7th: 1B singled to right. 2B singled to center, 1B to 2nd. C 359ft HR off left foul pole, 1B, 2B and C scored. LF struck out. SS singled to center. <Pitching change: Sean Leva in for McDonald>. DH doubled to right, SS to third. CF flied out to center, SS scored. 3B singled to center, DH scored. RF walked. <Pitching change: David Scott in for Leva>. 1B grounded into fielder's choice (5 unassisted). 5 runs on 6 hits, 2 LOB. 11-7 Qazox

[Yesopalitha]

Melody Johanson and Victor Cruz after the loss to Lycrabon:

Victor: Damn it, I thought I had that one in the bag. We had the lead, and then Lycrabon just had to hit the three-run homer and tie the game, and then we had the meltdown in the tenth inning. That just sucked.

Melody: You looked sharp out there, for sure... I kind of wish that Coach would've let you pitch the tenth inning, but what is done is done.

Victor: Sorry about putting all the pressure on you when we face Cotdelapoms. We may have the better run difference now, but it seems to be a three-horse race, and we will need to defeat Cotdelapoms with you on the mound if we wish to qualify to the knockout rounds in Qazox.

Melody: Let's just hope that Mohammed can keep the run count down and that our teammates can score more runs so that if it is a three-way tie, with us sweeping Cotdelapoms, Cotdelpaoms sweeping Lycrabon, and Lycrbaon sweeping us, then we can be ahead in Run difference enough to squeak in.

Victor: He did look very sharp in his last outing, so I think that we have a chance. We will have to see, though.

Melody: Two games left, and they will be very important ones for certain...

Victor: Isn't that what we want, though?

Melody: For the fans, aye... but for the team, not so much.

Victor: Damn it. Just damn it that we can't win all the close games......

Melody: It ain't over yet!

[Falconfar]

Falcon. The place where the Queen is, the financial and political hubbub of the Unified Republic, and also where the Imperials play their home games. It was good, the man in the white suit decided, that Falconfar had won their last game; but a 5-5 record seemed impossible because they would have to win their finale against Qazox to achieve this.

The Capital was ripe with the news of Imara Newson's stabbing. For all the things that that manager wasn't, what she became was a focal point of the state of the country at the moment.

The man in the white suit decided that perhaps, just perhaps, he was starting to run out of time. The people needed his videos put together now, not anytime later.

So, he started to run to his office. There needed to be something to bring together a nation in need...

And he just might, slightly, have that something.

[Super-Llamaland]

[pre]
Group 2
Super-Llamaland (SLLL) 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1
Maklohi Vai (MAKV) 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 X 3



Group 2 Pld W L RF RA RD Win %
1 Taeshan 8 6 2 33 19 +14 0.750
2 Super-Llamaland 8 5 3 27 17 +10 0.625
3 Maklohi Vai 8 5 3 28 30 −2 0.625
4 Cyborg Holland 8 4 4 35 37 -2 0.500
5 The Kytler Peninsulae 8 3 5 36 22 +14 0.375
6 Cavalo Nacio 8 1 7 26 60 −34 0.125 ELIMINATED

Super-Llamaland lost to Maklohi Vai 3-1 yesterday, despite a GREAT pitching effort by Leo Davis, the number three starter. The offense never got anything going but a seventh-inning run.

Davis struck out 13 in 6 1/3 innings and would've gotten 20 if pitch count- then at 109- hadn't gotten in the way.

He allowed three runs, while Jackson pitched a shaky 1 2/3 innings, luckily not giving up a single run despite three hits and a walk.

Davis allowed 2 runs in the third via a Laina double, an Uilnal double, and a Mae'ao single. He gave up a solo-shot to Mae'ao later on.

The offense had a nice inning. Jake Addams tripled and Pinch Hitter Keith Duncan, in the place of the normal catcher, lined an RBI single to make it 2-1.

However, the loss left them wondering about their hopes.

"It sucks" Said Davis, continuing: "Anytime you lose a tough game, it sucks, it's like when we lost 4-3 (In 10 innings) against Sparatoni (In the Llama Baseball Championships, 2010). It makes you think at night."

PITCHING

PITCHER INN H K BB ER R PITCHES
L Davis 6.1 4 13 0 3 3 109
R Jackson 1.2 3 1 1 0 0 25

[Western cuba]

Béisbol en La Mañana

Con Diego y Miguel

Announcer:
Diego:
Miguel:

Welcome to another edition of Béisbol en La Mañana, con Diego y Miguel on WCSN Radio brought to you by Ubaldo & Manny Disaster Relief, there when you need it.

"Well this has been unfortunate, a tropical storm hit Havana, screwing up the field, preventing us from watching the Equestrian game, and then Alejandro Torres leaves in the first inning with a groin injury. What the heck happened?"

"Well on the positive side, your wife made some pretty good pastelitos last night, those never get old. And Alejandro Torres will be able to return in the next few days".

"That sure was a relief, I was worried Torres would be out when it mattered most in the knockout rounds. I wouldn't be surprised if Kasper lowered him in the rotation though, or will possibly limit his innings in his next start".

"I just hope he will pitch when he is scheduled next, I don't want the relievers taking over for him any time soon".

"All of us in Havana weren't able to watch that game, thank you Senor Tormenta, however watching those relievers pitch in those clips that we saw after the game. I'm almost speechless".

"What the heck was Ricardo Rodriquez thinking yesterday? In only three pitches, he found himself with the bases loaded. I still don't know how we only managed to allow two runs that inning. It was either smart play on the field by Western Cuba, or a blown opportunity by the States".

"Well at least the next two innings we pitched, Rodriquez didn't allow anymore runs".

"And I don't know how he didn't. By the time Rodriquez was benched he had already allowed ten hits, and the third inning just ended! That's thirty hits in the game if he played the whole dang thing! Like come on!"

"I have to give credit to Julian Santos though, he did play decent in the three innings he pitched. After all he didn't allow any runs, but in a way I guess he was suspected to do that".[color=#FF0000]

"I suppose, but I'm not even going to talk about Aaron Nunez, I didn't know if him or Rodriquez was the worst reliever last night".

[color=#FF0000]"Let me ask you a question, what was more ugly last night? The stadium after that tropical storm, or Rodriquez and Nunez".

"Good question, the stadium can be fixed though. And pretty much already is. New dirt has already been laid out on the field and the lines re-painted. The out-field walls have been re-padded, and the dug outs have been cleared out, along with the rest of the stadium. It looks like Nunez and Rodriquez can't be fixed after that game. They better come into tonight's game with a whole new attitude. I doubt they'll see any time on the mound though. If any reliever steps up, it will be Santos".

"I don't think that will happen, Ramon Rivero is on the mound tonight. We shouldn't have a problem against Camwood, there 3-5 this classic".

"But we also lost to an un-ranked team and #45 Equestrian States. Things are going to be much tougher in the knock-out rounds".

"We have what it takes to win it all once more. We just can't afford any injuries like the team and the rest of the world realized last night. I have to give some credit to Nunez and Rodriquez last night, they stepped into some big heat. How would you feel relieving one of the best pitches in the world after he is walking off the field with an injury. All the pressure is on you".

"And that same pressure will be in the knockout-rounds".

"Which is why I'm sort of glad that we lost last night. In my opinion it was our last shot in the gut. Things will go up from here on out. Anything else will be regarded as a failure".

"I hope your right. At least we can actually watch the game on television tonight".

"I know I'm right, and look at the time. Well Cuba, were done for the day. We'll see you all tomorrow. Make srue to root for your team and to watch the game!"

[Zwangzug]

"Okay, well, just gonna take some questions by e-mail now. Tammy in Zwischen writes "what's been the biggest surprise for Zwangzug so far?" Hi Tammy. The biggest surprise has been the snow! I mean it's just cold all of a sudden and windy and your noses are running or whatever, all of a sudden the snow starts piling up. That one day they had to cancel the schools here and everything because they couldn't get the tracks clear--I mean, all I can say is thank goodness they've gotten the tracks every other day. That there was only one storm bad enough to get you to cancel everything? Ridiculous.

Okay, moving on! Kurt in Sestview District says "hello, it's close so far, do the Zebras have what it takes to make the playoffs still?" Yes. Sure. Why not? They're tied for second already. Of course if you're wondering "do they also have what it takes to blow it completely?" Sure, you've seen our bullpen. Actually you probably haven't seen it because you're listening to the radio, aren't you. And I thought you were advanced at things.

Shuxin, I hope I'm pronouncing that right, from Glune, wants to know why Lievre only pitched two-thirds of an inning against Bergnovinaia, how did his mechanics looked, is he just dried up? Well, no, Wittnebey wanted to play the percentages and get Sipos-Nemes the left-hander some playing time against different batters in that lineup. Lievre's fine. You know what is dried up, though? The snow. Thank goodness.

Okay. Henry, also in Zwischen; "there was an even longer extra-inning game in our group already, what's going on this tournament?" I dunno. Though, we have Deandean98 next so that's good, hopefully they're more exhausted than us.

Rachel in Danhy is wondering about Ciesla after she got hit by a pitch and was pinch-run for, is she going to be okay? Sure she is, she survived that insane snow, didn't she? She probably even thought it was sane. Just Wittnebey trying to mix things up again."

[Qazox]

RP cutoff for MD 9 Scores up as soon as possible.

After the scores have been posted I will, in a separate post, post playoff scenarios.

[Saugeais]

"Excuse me, sir, but I believe you wanted to peruse the review of the ball game from last night?"

"Ah yes, Winston."

"Then might I suggest turning on the television to SNN Sports 3. The national talk show of sport has begun to air the rebroadcast."

"I have time, sure, I'll watch that."

"You actually don't, you are due at the squash courts in 20 minutes."

"Fine, I'll flip to SNN Sports 1 for the SportsReview take on it."

"The Rangers couldn't have played it any closer to the chest, could they Tom?"

"Indeed they couldn't, Rick. It was a rousing offensive battle for the first 3 innings down at Stade de Saugeais. Grier Adrichem gave up 2 runs in the first inning without even recording an ou, much to many in the stands' dismay. He gave up 4 runs in total, putting the Rangers down big early. But they rallied in the bottom half of the inning, scoring all three runs thanks to a Radcliff Snyder blast to center field, driving in Aaron Dairon and Garret Garner and making the score 4-3 JonathonAtopia."

"The next inning, with the bases loaded, Dairon comes up big for Saugeais, as a line drive to right field drives in 2 more runs to put Saugeais up on top now, 5-4. In the third inning, the Rangers picked up an insurance run, as Nikolas Siekert doubled in Wolfe Wilkinson from third base to put them up 6-4. And that was all the run support Grier Adrichem was going to get. The JonathonAtopia pitchers stifled the Saugeain bats for the rest of the game."

"Apart from the first inning, Adrichem pitched decent, as he notched 6 K's and 3 walks in his 6 inning of work. The bullpen has been shaky for the majority of the Classic, and this time was no different. Weston Wheelock has already been a victim of control issues, and yesterday was no different. Two walks and a hit batsman drove in a run in the seventh for the opposition before he was taken out."

"Can't expect him to stay on the team for much longer."

"No, I can't either. But after Dipaka Arends came in to calm the situation down, it was lights out for JonathonAtopa. Terry Kazmierczak came on in the ninth and recorded his first save this Classic, the latest he's ever gone to record his first save. That kind of tells you how the Knights have been this time around. They are a far cry from the Finals team from 2 years ago."

"We gotta stop playing these close game, Winston. I'm gonna have a heart attack if this keeps up."

"Oh please. Your myocardial infarction will be the result of all those danishes you eat for breakfast, sir. Now come along, you have an appointment at the squash court with the other members of Board of Trustees."

"*pfft* Fine. *mumbles*I hate squash. Both the game and the gourd...."

[Qazox]

Group 1
Fenbar (DSOF)          0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0  2
Cotdelapoms (COTD)     0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 X  3

Timmy City (TCTY)      0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  1
Lycrabon (LYCR)        0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3  4

Yesopalitha (YESO)     0 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 0  4
Gibberan (GIBB)        1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0  3

  Group 1                    Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 Cotdelapoms                  9    8   1    50   33  +17    0.889
2 Lycrabon                     9    7   2    52   37  +15    0.778
3 Yesopalitha                  9    7   2    40   21  +19    0.778
4 Gibberan                     9    2   7    31   45  −14    0.222 ELIMINATED
5 Fenbar                       9    2   7    21   44  −23    0.222 ELIMINATED
6 Timmy City                   9    1   8    20   34  −14    0.111 ELIMINATED

Group 2
The Kytler Peninsulae (TKYP)   0 0 1 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3  7
Super-Llamaland (SLLL)         0 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0  4

Cavalo Nacio (CVNC)            0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0
Taeshan (TAES)                 0 3 5 0 0 0 1 1 X 10

Cyborg Holland (CYBH)          0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0  1
Maklohi Vai (MAKV)             0 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 X  3

  Group 2                    Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 Taeshan                      9    7   2    43   19  +24    0.778 Clinched playoff berth
2 Maklohi Vai                  9    6   3    31   31    0    0.667
3 Super-Llamaland              9    5   4    31   24   +7    0.556
4 Cyborg Holland               9    4   5    36   40   -4    0.444 ELIMINATED
5 The Kytler Peninsulae        9    4   5    43   26  +17    0.444 ELIMINATED
6 Cavalo Nacio                 9    1   8    26   70  −44    0.111 ELIMINATED

Group 3
Thrilledge (THRL)      0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2  4
Ko-oren (KORN)         1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0  2

Ambibia (AMBI)         1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  2
Darmen (DARM)          0 0 0 2 1 0 0 1 X  4

Kintratar (KINT)       0 0 3 1 0 1 0 0 0  5
Sicoutmont (SCMT)      0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0  4

  Group 3                    Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 Darmen                       9    7   2    54   34  +20    0.778 Clinched playoff berth
2 Thrilledge                   9    7   2    42   32  +10    0.778 Clinched playoff berth
3 Sicoutimont                  9    4   5    47   49   −2    0.444
4 Ko-oren                      9    4   5    42   41   +1    0.444
5 Kintratar                    9    3   6    25   31   −6    0.333 
6 Ambibia                      9    2   7    34   48  −18    0.222

Group 4
Zwangzug (ZWZG)                   0 0 4 0 9 0 0 2 0 15
DeanDean98 (DD98)                 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 2  4

Bergnovinaia (BERG)               0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0
Free South Califas (FSCF)         4 0 2 0 1 0 1 2 X 10

Vamprican-Krumbian Conf. (VKCF)   0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  2
Civil Citizenry (CVCZ)            2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 X  5

  Group 4                    Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 Civil Citizenry              9    7   2    42   28  +14    0.778 Clinched Playoff berth
2 Zwangzug                     9    6   3    43   36   +7    0.667
3 Free South Califas           9    5   4    41   32   +9    0.556
4 Bergnovinaia                 9    5   4    40   35   +5    0.556
5 Vamprican-Krumbian Conf.     9    4   5    29   31   -2    0.444 ELIMINATED
6 Deandean98                   9    0   9    24   57  −33    0.000 ELIMINATED

Group 5
Mark50 (MK50)                0 0 0 0 4 0 1 0 1  6
Torisakia (TORS)             0 1 1 2 0 0 1 0 0  5

Homelands our (HMLO)         0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 1  4
Eastern Quebec (ESTQ)        0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0  1

Sakurakoku (SAKU)            2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2  5
The Babbage Islands (TBIS)   0 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  4

  Group 5                    Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 Sakurakoku                   9    6   2    55   31  +24    0.750 Clinched Playoff Berth
2 Homelands our                9    6   3    38   36   +2    0.667
3 Torisakia                    9    5   4    47   39   +8    0.556
4 Mark50                       9    3   6    20   44  −24    0.333 ELIMINATED
5 The Babbage Islands          9    3   6    39   47   −8    0.333 ELIMINATED
6 Eastern Quebec               9    3   6    41   44   -3    0.333 ELIMINATED

Group 6
Tyneala (TYNE)                 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0  1
Milchama (MLCH)                0 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 X  4

Jahistic Unified Rep. (JUNR)   0 1 0 1 0 0 0 6 1  9
Luziyca (LUZI)                 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1  3

Michael VII (MIK7)             0 6 1 1 0 2 1 0 0 11
New Matawan (NMAT)             2 1 0 4 0 1 0 0 0  8

  Group 6                    Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 Michael VII                  9    7   2    53   33  +20    0.778 Clinched Playoff Berth
2 Milchama                     9    7   2    43   30  +13    0.778 Clinched Playoff Berth
3 Tyneala                      9    6   3    34   26   +8    0.667
4 The Jahistic Unified Rep.    9    3   6    35   53  −18    0.333
5 Luziyca                      9    3   6    35   40   -5    0.333
6 New Matawan                  9    1   8    29   47  −18    0.111

Group 7
Byfugland (BYFG)       2 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 2  6
Kerblaekistan (KERB)   2 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0  4

Westros (WEST)         0 0 0 1 0 2 0 2 0 1  6
Lymantatia (LYMN)      0 0 1 2 0 1 0 0 1 2  7

West Guiana (WGUI)     0 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0  3
Cassadaigua (CASS)     5 7 1 0 0 1 0 0 X 14

  Group 7                    Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 Byfugland                    9    8   1    52   37  +15    0.889 Clinched GROUP TITLE
2 West Guiana                  9    6   3    40   41   -1    0.667 Clinched Playoff Berth
3 Cassadaigua                  9    4   5    57   38  +19    0.444
4 Westros                      9    3   6    34   36   -2    0.333
5 Kerblaekistan                9    3   6    30   42  −12    0.333
6 Lymantatia                   9    3   6    28   47  −19    0.333

Group 8
Western Cuba (WCBA)         1 0 0 0 5 0 0 2 0  8
Camwood (CAMW)              0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0  3

Equestrian States (EQST)    0 0 3 0 0 0 1 0 0  4
Branta Island (BRIS)        0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1  2

Better Fire Nation (BFNT)   0 1 0 0 1 0 2 0 0  4
Melatia (MELA)              0 2 0 1 1 0 1 1 X  6

  Group 8                    Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 Western Cuba                 9    7   2    54   35  +19    0.778 Clinched Playoff Berth
2 Equestrian States            9    6   3    50   31  +19    0.667
3 Melatia                      9    5   4    39   42   -3    0.556
4 The Better Fire Nation       9    3   6    50   56   −6    0.333 ELIMINATED
5 Branta Island                9    3   6    28   40  −12    0.333 ELIMINATED
6 Camwood                      9    3   6    43   60  −17    0.333 ELIMINATED

Group 9
Beldonia (BELD)         3 0 0 2 1 1 2 0 0  9
JonathonAtopia (JONA)   0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0  2

Prostitutlia (PROS)     0 0 1 0 1 2 1 2 1  8
Cosumar (COSM)          1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2  4

Karditan (KARD)         0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0
Saugeais (SAUG)         0 0 1 0 0 0 3 0 X  4

  Group 9                    Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 Saugeais                     9    6   3    45   30  +15    0.667 Clinched Playoff Berth
2 Beldonia                     9    6   3    48   43   +5    0.667 Clinched Playoff Berth
3 Prostitutlia                 9    4   5    49   52   −3    0.444
4 JonathanAtopia               9    4   5    40   46   -6    0.444
5 Cosumar                      9    4   5    35   43   −8    0.444
6 Karditan                     9    3   6    36   39   -3    0.333 

Group 10
Qazox (QAZX)                 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1  2
New Montreal States (NMST)   1 1 0 0 2 0 2 0 X  6

Licentiapaciterra (LICP)     2 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0  5
Falconfar (FLCF)             0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0  2

Rustika (RUST)               0 0 0 0 1 3 0 0 0  4
Thatius (THAT)               2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 X  5

  Group 10                   Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 Qazox                        9    6   3    37   30   +7    0.667
2 Thatius                      9    5   4    30   27   +4    0.556
3 Rustika                      9    5   4    31   28   +3    0.556
4 Licentiapacisterra           9    4   5    43   44   -1    0.444
5 New Montreal States          9    4   5    33   37   −4    0.444
6 Falconfar                    9    3   5    29   38   −9    0.333 ELIMINATED

[Maklohi Vai]

Cyborg Holland (CYBH) 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
Maklohi Vai (MAKV) 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 X 3

Maklohi Vai had an absolutely crucial win to keep alive their outstanding performance at the WBC, due to a great outing by Rom Lunomai. Earning the win, he went 8 innings, allowing 6 hits, 2 walks, and striking out 4 while giving up 1 earned run. Maruamo Riwara closed out the ninth for his fifth save.

Maklohi Vai Scoring Summary:
2nd: Moalna’akai Lai hit a solo shot to left.
4th: Mae'ao led off the inning with his eighth home run of tournament, this time a monster shot over the center field wall. Two batters later, Arnao hit his 4th home run to left field.

Stat update:
HR: Mae'ao 8, Arnao 3, Ri'ino Ulnai 2, Koilani Ruputuo 1, Aputo Roma'ai 1, Luimao Makai 1, Moalna’akai Lai 1
RBI: Mae'ao 11, Ri'ino Uilnai 6, Aputo Roma'ai 4, Arnao 4, Koilani Ruputuo 2, Luimao Makai 1, Moalna'akai Lai 2

Commentator Wolmoto Likani had some thoughts after the game. "We are currently in position to grab a playoff berth, as we are in second place, a game ahead of Super-Llamaland. If either we both win or we both lose, then Maklohi Vai advances. If we win and they lose, we move on. If we lose and they win, they move ahead. Therefore, we will move ahead if we win. So let's win. If we don't, it is out of our control, and that is not a situation we want to be in."

[Lycrabon]

From LSPN.com's WBC coverage:

Unofficial playoff scenarios for WBC 23:

Group 1                    Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 Cotdelapoms                  9    8   1    50   33  +17    0.889
2 Lycrabon                     9    7   2    52   37  +15    0.778
3 Yesopalitha                  9    7   2    40   21  +19    0.778

SCENARIOS:
COTDELAPOMS: Win and in.
LYCRABON: Win OR Yesopalitha loss clinches.
YESOPALITHA: Win AND Lycrabon loss clinches.

Group 2                    Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
x-Taeshan                      9    7   2    43   19  +24    0.778
2 Maklohi Vai                  9    6   3    31   31    0    0.667
3 Super-Llamaland              9    5   4    31   24   +7    0.556

SCENARIOS:
TAESHAN: Has already clinched.
MAKLOHI VAI: Win OR Super-Llamaland loss clinches.
SUPER-LLAMALAND: Win AND Maklohi Vai loss clinches.

Group 3
DARMEN and THRILLEDGE have both clinched spots.

Group 4                    Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
x-Civil Citizenry              9    7   2    42   28  +14    0.778
2 Zwangzug                     9    6   3    43   36   +7    0.667
3 Free South Califas           9    5   4    41   32   +9    0.556

SCENARIOS:
CIVIL CITIZENRY: Has already clinched.
ZWANGZUG: Win clinches.
FREE SOUTH CALIFAS: Win clinches.

Group 5                    Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
x-Sakurakoku                   9    6   2    55   31  +24    0.750
2 Homelands our                9    6   3    38   36   +2    0.667
3 Torisakia                    9    5   4    47   39   +8    0.556

SCENARIOS:
SAKURAKOKU: Has already clinched.
HOMELANDS OUR: Win OR Torisakia loss.
TORISAKIA: Win AND Homelands our loss.

Group 6
MICHAEL VII and MILCHAMA have already clinched.

Group 7
BYFUGLAND and WEST GUIANA have already clinched.

Group 8                    Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
x-Western Cuba                 9    7   2    54   35  +19    0.778
2 Equestrian States            9    6   3    50   31  +19    0.667
3 Melatia                      9    5   4    39   42   -3    0.556

SCENARIOS:
WESTERN CUBA: Has already clinched.
EQUESTRIAN STATES: Win clinches.
MELATIA: Win by more than 6 runs.

Group 9
SAUGEAIS and BELDONIA have already clinched spots.

Group 10                   Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win % 
1 Qazox                        9    6   3    37   30   +7    0.667
2 Thatius                      9    5   4    30   27   +4    0.556
3 Rustika                      9    5   4    31   28   +3    0.556

SCENARIOS:
QAZOX: Win clinches. Loss AND Rustika win AND Thatius win also clinches.
THATIUS: Win OR Rustika loss clinches.
RUSTIKA: Win OR Thatius loss clinches.