World Baseball Classic 40- IC Thread (Finals G6 Posted)

[Tenburg]

Tenburg Drops Crucial Game vs Ethane, but Wins Next Two

With less than ten games left, at a point in the WBC preliminary round where absolutely every game counts, Tenburg drops yet another loss to No.3 Ethane. However, they won both the next two games against the Land of Land and South Yerfilag; the latter helps assure their position in second place in the group, now only being contested by Hicana.

The game against Ethane was defined by a starting pitcher which suffocated the Tennish offense for six innings until he was relieved, at which point the reliever was scored on twice in the 6th and 8th innings. It wasn't enough, however, as Ethane had scored 4 runs prior to make the final score 4-2

The next two games saw fire from right fielder Jack Lynch on the defensive side of the ball, as he twice went up the outer wall to rob a sure home run in each game. Offensively, Michael Maguire hit the deciding two-run homer in the bottom of the first against the Land of Land, and against South Yerfilag, Dermot Canavan soloed in the top of the first, followed by left fielder Shane Brannigan in the top of the sixth, as Tenburg took a 2-1 win.

At the moment, the race for the second qualifying spot has gotten much less complex, as Tenburg remains tied in wins only with Hicana, who, despite some trouble, have remained resilient, and it will be interesting to see who comes out on top between the two, or if the two can rally to catch and dethrone Ethane, making two surprise entrants to the playoffs.

[Zwangzug]

"And with that we look set for another nailbiter between the Rockets and Zebras. Sounds like it's time to fill the break between innings with some more e-mail! Greetings to Annelise from Southport, who wants to know how exactly Zwangzug and the Zebras returned to the political scene, and was it attributed to any supernatural phenomena. Well, Annelise, I'm sorry to disappoint you--or maybe it's not a disappointment--but the grayness faded, and then there we were. Now, the strange changes that came upon the various cities in the meantime, you'll hear all kinds of explanations for those, but I don't know anything more than the hypothesized median voter about that. (By the way, Nathan from Arlington, please stop e-mailing me about my political compass scores and how they compare to the hypothesized median voter. I can only answer so much in any broadcast, and unless this goes fourteen innings--which given the way the Zebras bullpen has been imploding might be an achievement--I don't really wish to discuss how my tendencies to prefer law and order contrast with the rest of my party.) So as I was saying, the missing months may have given me an excuse to delay my departure from office, but beyond that, perfectly ordinary. It's not the done thing to dwell on one's return, I suppose, as it can't be accomplished without acknowledging the cessation and passage of time and no use putting new generations in the spotlight. As for the Zebras, there was not much funding, and baseball was mostly an amateurish proposition, until one very confused "national team" was cobbled together to play an exhibition match with the almost-as-perplexed Stvoto Latoli national football team. Finally, some funding was thrown together last tournament, bolstered no doubt by the Hall of Fame and their nostalgia trips, so here we are.

Anyway, much of our culture had ossified, so we were still the same patient pitch-takers and finesse-throwing team we always were, or at least I am reliably informed. I see that your heritage appears to have been, while still as autocratic as ever, subject to Taeshite influences. Not only do many neutral fans compare your "one-dimensional and self-obsessed slugger" to the renowned Socki Lewis of old, a recent e-mail I received from the less historically curious Bea of South Tier says "lol mr cm dude when are you gimg to apprecaitesa malyharis???! turly aproachang tocrweaking levels of exanelicncw. hpoefaely wilnot need to rsetrt to nordiac levels of protestgng but u never know1!!!! ps i love snow. " I almost prefer the sizbermetrics...

...Karum-Ito winds and delivers, and Carey aboard with a leadoff double here in the tenth."

[West Phoencia]

The West Phoenician Confederates were introduced into the World Baseball Classic #36 edition. Baseball was one of the first international sports that West Phoenicia participated in, in its pursuit in reaching the wider international community after years of civil wars involving various siblings vying for control of the West Phoenician throne.

Unranked they were placed in group 4 where they went up against teams such as;
Abanhfleft who were ranked 16th, South Yerfilag who were ranked 9th, San Llera who were ranked 24th and Nova Anglicana who were ranked 5th. They were also places with fellow unranked team Western Cuba. With so many powerhouses in the groupings one was not seeing too much progression in their debut entry the odds were against them.

Halfway through the initial 30 games West Phoenicia was in last position with only 2 wins under there belt.However officals had made an error and it should have actually been 3 wins. While it was not enough to put them in front, a win was a win and it should have been counted.
By the end of the initial rounds West Phoenicia sat on 12 wins. Which left them in 4th place for their grouping which was better than last and better results than media outlets predicted considering the bulk of their grouping was ranked teams.

Fast forward to World Baseball Classic #40 and at the end of the 20 games. The Confederates sit on 13 wins. Management has Mary Zomdonia to thank for improving the standard of the team in such a short time.

Mary Zomdonia has been given an extra incentive of $2 million dollar pay increase if she can lead the Confederate to a finals win.

[Mount Pleasant]

Interview with a random Pleasantrian baseball fan, part 4
Matchday Nineteen; versus Tainese, Stallion Stadium

Alright, my boss told me to rest up after that night at Helena Street, damn Brittani shouldn't have offered me the Vodka and Sprite. Lets see if today's interviewee is any good...Hi, what's your name?

Sanne Patrickson.

Alright then. Now, before I ask, I sure hope you answer right on this...are you a baseball fan?

Oh definitely! In fact, I'm an adjudicator on the Mount Pleasant Baseball Association's Statistics Department.

Phew. Just when I thought I had no hope left in baseball fanatics in Mount Pleasant...

Oh, not to worry there. Attendances have been rising year by year, with an increase in 3.47% in average attendances each year, with the Onraet Riot posting the largest increase, up to an average attendance of 30,282 last season compared to 26,957 last year.

So you're basically saying baseball is getting more popular.

Yes.

Alllright, Sanne. Speaking of the city of Onraet Riot, how would you rate Shun Van Altena's first substitue outing on the mound today in the WBC?

Well, one could consider Van Altena as a surprise inclusion, given he posted the highest ERA count of all pitchers in this Mount Pleasant Fire roster, but today's performance proved his doubters wrong. 68.3% strike rate is particularly impressive from a pitcher of his calibre, and to be better than Fabio Dirks, the pitcher with the second fastest fastball on the team at 100.5 mph, in your first outing is a sign of things to come.

So you're saying Shun Van Altena outperformed himself in his first national appearance?

Indeed.

Well, at this point, Mount Pleasant Fire are a game down on the there leaders in Group 6, statistically the tightest group in this WBC, outperforming heavy favourites Gregoryisgodistan, with a third of their games left to go. Despite their disappointing run differential of -6, a good way behind Darmen and Maklohi Vai at +10 and +21 respectively, what would be the percentage chance that Mount Pleasant would need to obtain to progress to the round of 16?

Anything can happen.

Really? Just that? No odds? How low ranking teams in the WBC have had statistical improbabilities? No R-value for any hypothesis theory shit?

We'll have to wait and see.

Well, some help you are, statistician.

[Schiltzberg]

SCHILTZBERG DOMINATING GROUP BUT STRUGGLING AGAINST UNRANKED TEAMS

As expected, Schiltzberg has been on fire to begin the season in WBC 40, going 17-4 through the first 21 games. The surprising thing is that three of the four losses Schiltzberg has taken this season have been against unranked teams. Group four features a slew of experienced teams, all of which Schiltzberg has dominated. Twenty-second ranked Free Republics has been shut down by Schiltzberg, as the four-time champs have put them down in every matchup so far. Seventy-eighth place rank Cheongji has also been swept by Schiltzberg in the season series this far. The only other ranked team in the division besides Schiltzberg is fourteenth place Drawkland, and though Schiltzberg did drop one game to Drawkland, they have won every other game against the team.

The struggles come with the unranked teams though. On the very first match day, Schiltzberg lost a game to New Danican in a game that was that team's WBC debut, a true embarrassment for the four-time champions. One can't help but remember Schiltzberg's own debut, in which they defeated the defending champions at the time, Patistan, in an 8-6 victory back in WBC 33, which Schiltzberg went on to win. Schiltzberg played in New Danican once again on match day 11, and surprisingly, they experienced the same result, losing to the team in its inaugural season once again. Now, rather than redeeming itself, Schiltzberg had just embarrassed itself even more, losing to the team again, seeming unable to win in that team's home stadium. Despite these struggles, Schiltzberg excelled across the board, and New Danican seemed to be their only struggling point, with the exception of the one slip up against Drawkland in match day 12. Then to make things worse, Schiltzberg blew a game to the other unranked team, Ovskovyk, blowing a one-run lead in the ninth and losing the game on match day 19. Who would have thought that Schiltzberg of all teams would have its biggest struggles against these unranked teams? Schiltzberg seems to have an interesting relationship with unranked teams, as they are the only team to ever win the tournament as an unranked team, and they also were the only team able to eliminate The Great Pond, which was also an unranked team. Those were both positive things, but the struggles here are a bit troubling. Maybe their karma against unranked teams is starting to even out? Regardless, it is still a bit fussy to start getting worked up over losses like this when Schiltzberg is currently tied for the best record in the WBC with Super-Llamaland and Newmanistan and currently holds an enormous six-game lead over its division, which is so enormous that it will be hard for anyone to overtake them with just nine games left. Here are the line scores for Schiltzberg's four losses so far:

MD 1
Schiltzberg            0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0  4
New Danican            0 2 1 1 0 1 0 0 X  5

MD 11
Schiltzberg            0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  1
New Danican            0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 X  2

MD 12
Drawkland              0 1 0 0 1 0 4 0 1  7
Schiltzberg            1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0  2

MD 19
Ovskovyk               0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 2  5
Schiltzberg            2 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0  4

What adds another level of frustration to these losses is the pure nature of them. With the exception of the loss to Drawkland, which is easily the most excusable loss for the Schiltzbergers, all of these losses have been by a single run. This combined with the fact that these are teams that Schiltzberg should win makes it understandable that Schiltzberg's players would be frustrated. The key is that they do not let these losses get to their heads, because that is when it would become a real problem.

Things are looking up for the Schiltzbergers though, as this stretch of bad luck against unranked teams this season seems impossible to keep up for much longer. In its most recent game, Schiltzberg was able to beat New Danican in its home stadium for the first time all year, and it was by a healthy 11-3 lead where Schiltzberg apparently overcame its futility in that ballpark, scoring six runs in one inning at a certain point. Statistics this season show that Schiltzberg is still the best there is, as they are tied in the lead for the most wins with Super-Llamaland and Newmanistan at 17; they also lead in runs for at 123, one run ahead of second place Newmanistan, which has 122, and they also have the lowest amount of runs against at just 51, five runs lower than second place Super-Llamaland, which has 56, and this gives Schiltzberg a phenomenal +72 run differential, which leads all of the WBC by eight points, trailed by Newmanistan, which has a +64. It seems crazy to already be talking about E numbers with nearly a third of the preliminary round left, but Schiltzberg's magic number is three right now, and they should easily clinch a playoff spot, and they will be one of the first ones to do so if not the very first. To say the least, Schiltzberg has done well this season. Many predicted that WBC 40 would be the fall of Schiltzberg from being a dominant threat, but they were wrong, and Schiltzberg just hopes to continue to prove that as the season progresses.

This Is Your New Schiltzbierg Times Sports News!

[Abanhfleft]

How Not to Make a TV Series, Part Three

"Well, he's finally gone and done it," Ivan Mariano said to Matt Cave as the former got off his phone to talk to the latter. "Germain's finally signed off on letting his name be included in the show."

"Well, that's a great relief, that is," Cave said in reply. "Not that we absolutely needed his name to go ahead with this series but it's just reassuring knowing that a great guy and producer such as Germain Orfan has allowed his name to be included in our project. I just feel that it will lend it that extra credibility factor. Anyway, let's all go on with shooting this pilot."

Ivan Mariano and Matthew Cave had just very recently started up their own production company, which they decided to name Juan Cueva Productions as a play on their names and they were now on their way to filming the first ever scene in their new series. They didn't even have a title ready for their series; all they knew was that they wanted this pilot made so they could pitch it to the big networks or perhaps one of those online streaming sites. They paid top dollar for new series as quickly as their creators could churn them out. For this pilot episode they would be shooting the scene in which the president of the United Nations of Humanity would be briefed by his galactic intelligence chief on the situation in the planet of Gaard. They already had the actors who would play the parts, Tim Anders for the intelligence chief and Paul Harkness as the President of Humanity, ready and waiting for their cue.

"All right, guys, I've got good news for you," Mariano told the film crew. "Germain Orfan's just signed off on letting us use his name on the production so our pilot is now sure to get a definite big boost. Paul, Tim, you've both got your lines, so now let's get this show on the road! Take one!"

It took them over fifteen takes before both Mariano and Cave were finally satisfied with the results of the taping sessions. Mariano and Cave sat with the rest of the crew to watch the finished product.

"Chief, how goes Operation Proteus?" Harkness' character, the President of the United Nations of Humanity, asked Anders' character, the head of the Galactic Intelligence Agency.

"It is going as well as we have been expecting, Mr. President," Anders' character replied. "That is to say that Operation Proteus is still operational."

"Why do you say that, Chief? What do you mean by that?"

"As you know, Mr. President, anti-human hysteria has gripped the northern continent of Odegaard over in Gaard and has already resulted in the deaths of over 300 Gaardians suspected of having pro-human sentiments. Many more Gaardians with pro-human and pro-Federation sentiments or those suspected of having sympathies with humanity and the Gaard Federation have fled to the hills in the hope of finding a way off of Gaard or even just wanting to live just one day more. It is hard for our operatives to work in these tense and dangerous conditions, Mr. President, but they are managing to do their jobs nonetheless. The hysteria is mostly confined to the Odegaard Commune's territory, as well as those under the control of the Odegaard Oligarchy and the United States of Odegaard. Our operatives have told the Gaardians to flee to the territory of the Vestergaard Republic, which we believe to be the weakest and least supported of all the factions on Gaard. The GIA is already coordinating with the Human Armed Forces in preparation for launching an operation to recover all these Federation sympathizers and take them off-world to become part of the Federation's forces. The other component of Operation Proteus, the operation we have code-named Operation Soda Water, appears to be proceeding very smoothly. We already have a large majority of the government of the Vestergaard Republic made open to the possibility of negotiating peace and surrender terms with the Federation, and a deal with the Odegaarder Oligarchy might be forthcoming. The destabilization process against the rebel factions on Gaard is proceeding smoothly and swimmingly, Mr. President. Soon there will be so much confusion and chaos going on in Gaard that the Ingeln will have to think twice about the factions they choose to support. While they are distracted, the Gaard Federation will move in and remove all these rebel factions and secure their rightful rule over Gaard once again. We will help them remove all traces of Ingeln influence in the people. And should the Ingeln Empire attempt something to stop us then we will have no choice but to unleash our new long-range weapons on their key planets. If they wish to send us all to hell then we will make sure that we will bring the Ingeln with us into hell."

"God, that performance was so creepy, I'm still feeling chills down my spine," Mariano said. "Magnificent work, Mr. Anders."

"All in a day's work, as always," Tim Anders replied, shaking the hands of the production.

"And you, Paul, you make a very good silent commander in chief," Cave said to Paul Harkness.

"Hey, it's my stock in trade," Harkness said with a smile and a laugh.

"Now that that's settled, time to get our other actors and actresses to finish this thing off," Mariano announced.

[Maklohi Vai]

Ian Turner reviews the WBC so far

[Newmanistan]

THE ROCKET REPORT

TOP TEN: POWER RANKINGS

by Brianne Henry,

As we move forward in World Baseball Classic, just nine games remain, and the urgency of task at hand gets greater by the game. Some teams, such as the Rockets, may be safe to qualify, but there is still the matter of finishing first in the group. In this top 10 list, I am going to focus on who I feel are the top 10 teams right now. These nations seem to be the most poised to have further success beyond the group stage. The list is not sorted by win loss record and does not represent where teams would be seeded. It represents how I feel they are playing now, and their current form.

1) Schiltzberg (17-4, +72 RD)

What I really like about Schiltzberg’s campaign so far is something that I touched upon in my last article. They are simply beating the better teams in the group. I know there are some who will think their recent 5-4 loss to Ovskovyk is a concern, but you know, it’s tough to beat people six times in six games, even lowly teams. The Schiltzburgers have taken care of business against Free Republics and Drawkland, and while they have not been perfect against the Elite Eleven, they win when it counts. They’re playing like a four-time champion, essentially.

2) Newmanistan (17-4, +64 RD)

You can’t help but let your imagination travel a little bit and think about two “Drive For Five’s” crashing together on the same Cassadagan road in the final based on how each nation is playing right now. If qualifying were to end right now, these would indeed be the top two seeds. As fans, we can think big, but fortunately the players seem to be laser focused. It’s very impressive now that the Rockets are 5-0 against the USAR. Even though the Bison got three against Courtney Duvall, she still got the win again, thanks to the offense.

3) Super-Llamaland (17-4, +58 RD)

The three big boys with most championships are flashing around their skill sets right now, and all look to impress the ladies in Cassadaigua. The Tigers are on the cusp of that fourth championship, and they have put aside the competition in the group pretty easily. It would be a great story for them to get that fourth by beating Newmanistan in the semifinals, and then Schiltzberg in the final. And doing that in a nation that has also won three adds some extra flavor that would make the possible fourth well worth the wait!

4) Ethane (15-6, +30 RD)

There are a couple others with a little better record, but I want to give the shot out to these guys, because the Red Kites have really stepped up in the last few games. There may have been some concern about a championship hangover for a little while, but they are on a good looking streak right now, putting aside the group’s top challengers. Surely, they are passing their exams right now.

5) Nova Anglicana (17-4, +35)

I was reading a book about a hockey team in some other made up world that was known as the Capitals. They would always have an outstanding regular season, but never could win that title. So much so, that people just started to say “ho hum, another good Capitals season but we all know they can’t win the championship.” That’s how I feel about the Lions. They’re good, but we’ve seen it before.

6) Union of Socialist Alpine Republics (13-8, +5 RD)

These guys are soldering on, and I think that is being lost in the shadows. Against Courtney Duvall, they are 0-5, and that’s a problem. But take note, they are 13-3 against everyone else, and if they get in, which they should, they may sneak up on people who fall asleep on their second place finish, barring a Rockets collapse. Watch the game tapes of our wins against them all you want, but only Courtney Duvall can execute so brilliantly.

7) Frenline Delpha (14-7, +24 RD)

The Anacondas have been a little better in recent qualifying efforts, but as qualifying has gone on, they have asserted themselves just fine in the group. West Saintland is playing them tough, but Frenline Delpha is in better form right now. Once the playoffs begin, they are as big of a threat as the top teams.

8) West Phoenica (14-7, +21 RD)

The Confederates are in a tough group with both -Anthor- and Scootalove City making things very difficult for them. However, they have persevered, and remember that even though they want far in the last Classic, they saved their best for last, in the playoffs. I like a team that rises to the occasion, and they show signs of that in qualifying games as they win the games that matter most.

9) Tenburg (13-8, +28 RD)

An impressive first time nation has impressed me, and a lot more with their effort. With promising rookies on an individual playing level, you will see their true talent at times in the way they dazzle, though sometimes they will also show that they still have a way to go. That’s what I see with Tenburg as a team. There’s a lot there, and trust me, you do not want to play these guys in the first round! They have to get there first though, but I do like their form.

10) Cassadaigua (14-7, +21 RD)

Having a solid second place season in their group, which is good for the fans to know they will have a chance to root for the home team at home. I’m not sure if their record is more of a product of being in a pretty weak group.

And that’s my top 10, based on form, and not necessarily record. You’ll note that I didn’t include anyone from Group 6. Just want to say that I didn’t forget that group, there is just no way to predict how it will all unfold right now, and using the criteria for the power rankings, there is no team there that you can say, “they’re on a roll right now!”

[Tenburg]

Jack found the most irritating part of the WBC to be the same as the most irritating part of literally any sport: getting crowded against one's locker by the press.

There had to be about eight people surrounding him, and while he wasn't the only one in the locker room experiencing this right now, he might well have been the only one about to pull his helmet from his locker and beat the lot of them with it.

"So how many more of those up-the-wall robberies do you think you have in you?"

Admittedly, he chuckled at this question from the Tennish beat reporter, which got the rest of the group chuckling too. "Well, honestly, I didn't know I had any in me to begin with, but, y'know, when you're this deep in, every game counts, every pitch and out counts... I was just doing my part."

"So," a Cassadaigan reporter asked, "You're nine games out from the end, you have Hicana biting at your heels... what do you think your odds are of hanging one and making the playoffs?"

What a dumb question.

"Well, it's hard to say. Shi--stuff happens that ye can't predict, y'know? Hicana is a good team, tough team, always give us a good game... If they make a run and we don't, that's just as likely as us hanging on."

Please gods let it end.

Another Tennish reporter spoke up. "Let's say you make the playoffs. You'd be playing a lot of past champions and really tough teams--what makes you think you can go anywhere beyond the round of 16, assuming that you make it?"

For fuck's sake.

"Do you watch a lot of baseball?"

The other reporters looked at the one who asked the question, some of the internationals smirking a bit. "Well, I... yea, of course."

Bullshit, buddy.

"Well then, wouldn't you know that playoff baseball is a whole different animal than regular season?"

"I--I suppose..."

"There ye go. I'd like to think I'm not a dumb guy... don't ask me dumb questions, please."

[The Derpy Democratic Republic Of Herp]

TDDROH Sports chat

Gains and losses

Equestrian States      1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  1
Scootalove City        0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 3  4

Scootalove City        1 1 0 0 0 2 1 0 0  5
West Phoencia          1 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0  4

Bongo Johnson          2 0 0 1 0 1 2 1 0  7
Scootalove City        0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1  2


  Group 1               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 West Phoencia          21   14   7    94   73  +21    42
2 -Anthor-               21   13   8   115   91  +24    39
3 Scootalove City        21   12   9    84   91   −7    36
4 Bongo Johnson          21   11  10    77   71   +6    33
5 Somersville            21    8  13    84   94  −10    24
6 Equestrian States      21    5  16    68  102  −34    15

This latest set of games saw two big wins against Equestrian States and West Phoencia with another clean 4 innings thanks to Amalthea Beagle in the last innings with there game with West Phoencia. Of course, Paul Mins helped in the two innings before that.

However, -Anthor- keeps up pace and is actively defending the second place spot.

But still, the two wins we have picked up here are not to be overlooked, if this keeps up, -Anthor- will slip up and we will have the second spot again.

[Darmen]

2036 Batter-Up! Baseball League of Darmen: Weeks 19 & 20

Hallie Eagles 2–1 Brady City Braves
Hallie Eagles 4–5 Brady City Braves
Hallie Eagles 9–0 Brady City Braves
Hallie Eagles 2–1 Brady City Braves

Darmen City White Sox 4–3 Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks
Darmen City White Sox 0–9 Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks
Darmen City White Sox 2–4 Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks
Darmen City White Sox 6–8 Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks

Jim Falls Sturgeons 1–9 Eau Claire Barons
Jim Falls Sturgeons 2–6 Eau Claire Barons
Jim Falls Sturgeons 2–5 Eau Claire Barons
Jim Falls Sturgeons 1–13 Eau Claire Barons

Liverpool Mustangs 1–5 Tilden Islanders
Liverpool Mustangs 3–7 Tilden Islanders
Liverpool Mustangs 0–5 Tilden Islanders
Liverpool Mustangs 0–4 Tilden Islanders

Scott City Blue Jays 8–6 Stanley Loggers
Scott City Blue Jays 7–3 Stanley Loggers
Scott City Blue Jays 8–3 Stanley Loggers
Scott City Blue Jays 5–3 Stanley Loggers

Bloomer Woodticks 3–5 Royal BC
Bloomer Woodticks 1–6 Royal BC
Bloomer Woodticks 5–6 Royal BC
Bloomer Woodticks 0–2 Royal BC

Cadott Red Sox 2–6 Augusta Athletics
Cadott Red Sox 2–6 Augusta Athletics
Cadott Red Sox 5–1 Augusta Athletics
Cadott Red Sox 5–3 Augusta Athletics

Tim City Athletics 0–8 Menomonie Eagles
Tim City Athletics 5–6 Menomonie Eagles
Tim City Athletics 4–5 Menomonie Eagles
Tim City Athletics 2–1 Menomonie Eagles

Brady City Braves 10–6 Tilden Islanders
Brady City Braves 0–2 Tilden Islanders
Brady City Braves 0–4 Tilden Islanders
Brady City Braves 1–5 Tilden Islanders

Eau Claire Barons 10–0 Liverpool Mustangs
Eau Claire Barons 19–0 Liverpool Mustangs
Eau Claire Barons 8–5 Liverpool Mustangs
Eau Claire Barons 14–1 Liverpool Mustangs

Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks 2–3 Jim Falls Sturgeons
Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks 4–0 Jim Falls Sturgeons
Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks 11–2 Jim Falls Sturgeons
Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks 5–2 Jim Falls Sturgeons

Hallie Eagles 4–2 Darmen City White Sox
Hallie Eagles 4–1 Darmen City White Sox
Hallie Eagles 5–4 Darmen City White Sox
Hallie Eagles 8–3 Darmen City White Sox

Stanley Loggers 3–4 Menomonie Eagles
Stanley Loggers 2–4 Menomonie Eagles
Stanley Loggers 6–7 Menomonie Eagles
Stanley Loggers 0–1 Menomonie Eagles

Augusta Athletics 5–3 Tim City Athletics
Augusta Athletics 4–5 Tim City Athletics
Augusta Athletics 7–5 Tim City Athletics
Augusta Athletics 6–3 Tim City Athletics

Royal BC 5–1 Cadott Red Sox
Royal BC 2–0 Cadott Red Sox
Royal BC 5–0 Cadott Red Sox
Royal BC 3–0 Cadott Red Sox

Scott City Blue Jays 7–1 Bloomer Woodticks
Scott City Blue Jays 21–1 Bloomer Woodticks
Scott City Blue Jays 6–1 Bloomer Woodticks
Scott City Blue Jays 5–2 Bloomer Woodticks

Darmen City White Sox 3–1 Brady City Braves
Darmen City White Sox 4–5 Brady City Braves
Darmen City White Sox 6–0 Brady City Braves
Darmen City White Sox 0–8 Brady City Braves

Jim Falls Sturgeons 0–8 Hallie Eagles
Jim Falls Sturgeons 3–7 Hallie Eagles
Jim Falls Sturgeons 2–7 Hallie Eagles
Jim Falls Sturgeons 7–6 Hallie Eagles

Liverpool Mustangs 4–0 Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks
Liverpool Mustangs 3–7 Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks
Liverpool Mustangs 1–4 Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks
Liverpool Mustangs 1–8 Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks

Tilden Islanders 0–3 Eau Claire Barons
Tilden Islanders 4–10 Eau Claire Barons
Tilden Islanders 1–7 Eau Claire Barons
Tilden Islanders 2–10 Eau Claire Barons

Bloomer Woodticks 5–2 Stanley Loggers
Bloomer Woodticks 5–4 Stanley Loggers
Bloomer Woodticks 5–6 Stanley Loggers
Bloomer Woodticks 5–2 Stanley Loggers

Cadott Red Sox 0–9 Scott City Blue Jays
Cadott Red Sox 2–8 Scott City Blue Jays
Cadott Red Sox 4–8 Scott City Blue Jays
Cadott Red Sox 0–7 Scott City Blue Jays

Tim City Athletics 3–4 Royal BC
Tim City Athletics 5–6 Royal BC
Tim City Athletics 4–10 Royal BC
Tim City Athletics 6–10 Royal BC

Menomonie Eagles 2–8 Augusta Athletics
Menomonie Eagles 3–4 Augusta Athletics
Menomonie Eagles 3–6 Augusta Athletics
Menomonie Eagles 2–4 Augusta Athletics

Northern League            Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win %
1 Eau Claire Barons           118  112   6   936  183 +753    0.949
2 Tilden Islanders            118   79  39   542  341 +201    0.669
3 Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks  118   68  50   493  427  +66    0.576
4 Hallie Eagles               118   52  66   429  539 −110    0.441
5 Brady City Braves           118   51  67   366  531 −165    0.432
6 Darmen City White Sox       118   37  81   327  580 −253    0.314
7 Liverpool Mustangs          118   34  84   350  640 −290    0.288
8 Jim Falls Sturgeons         118   32  86   362  606 −244    0.271

Southern League            Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win %
1 Scott City Blue Jays        118  111   7   826  201 +625    0.941
2 Royal BC                    118   91  27   561  345 +216    0.771
3 Augusta Athletics           118   74  44   556  393 +163    0.627
4 Menomonie Eagles            118   71  47   503  443  +60    0.602
5 Tim City Athletics          118   42  76   409  518 −109    0.356
6 Stanley Loggers             118   32  86   294  569 −275    0.271
7 Bloomer Woodticks           118   32  86   295  612 −317    0.271
8 Cadott Red Sox              118   26  92   300  621 −321    0.220

Eau Claire Barons confirmed as Northern League Champions!
Scott City clubs continue battle over Southern League crown

With a four game sweep of their closest rivals in both the standings and geographical proximity, the Eau Claire Barons have clinched the Northern League pennant and eliminated the Tilden Islanders from postseason contention. Over the course of the four game series, the Barons' bats continued to produce at an extraordinary level, as Tilden was outscored by 30 runs to 7. Barons' Manager Maddox Lesauvage was elated with his players performance, commenting after the series that "all departments of the team were working perfectly in sync". The Barons can now rest their players over the remaining 28 games of the season, giving the bench plenty of experience for not only the BU!BL League Championship Series but also the 2037 season as well.

Meanwhile in the Southern League, Royal BC has the odds stacked against them in their quest to claim the Southern League Championship ahead of their cross town rivals, the Blue Jays. 20 games behind first place, the Royals will play what will hopefully be an all important series against the Blue Jays from September 8th through 11th, just two weeks prior to the conclusion of the regular season.

[Hicanans in Exile]

Alea iacta est - Part V

Alex Cameron was optimistic. They'd slipped a little since the six-game winning streak, but they were still 8-2 in their last ten games. Due to Hansel Ordoñez's departure and the total absence of HBA authority, he'd managed to consolidate control over the Phoenixes. In fact, after some intense negotiations with Jose Velasquez and Jorge Villareña, Alex Cameron was essentially Manager of the Phoenixes, GM of the Phoenixes, and Vice President of the HBA. All he'd had to do was come out in support of Arturo Salvatore's government during his press conferences. If it would get him total control of Hicaña's baseball team - and a chance to make it one of the best in the world - it seemed a small price to pay.

They had to keep up the pace against Elgenstad and Land of Land, the two worst teams in the group. Two wins would maintain their status as the undisputed second seeds of Group 8 with just nine games to play. They'd managed to get a game ahead of Tenburg and South Yerfilag, but it was only a one-game advantage. Every game was crucial. He needed the best out of his players to even make the playoffs again.

It was then quite the shock when nine of them didn't show up. Jens Marroquín, Christopher Meija, Jason Garcia, Yannick Alonso, Guillermo Sanchez, Emanuel Rincon, Chad Díaz, Martín Zúñiga. And most disturbingly, the night's starting pitcher, James Alvarado. There literally weren't enough players to cover all the positions unless the backup catcher and a reliever played outfield. And with three hours until the game started, the odds of replacements arriving was staggeringly low. He knew the players were starting to turn against him, but he didn't think it'd be this quick.

Maybe it was finally time to follow Ordoñez's suggestion and look into Arturo Salvatore. He couldn't afford to ignore it any longer.

[Cassadaigua]

Matchday 22:

Group 1
Scootalove City        0 0 0 2 4 0 1 0 0  7
Somersville            1 0 0 1 2 0 0 2 0  6

Equestrian States      0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0  2
West Phoencia          0 0 1 0 4 1 1 2 X  9

Bongo Johnson          0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2  3
-Anthor-               0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 2  4


  Group 1               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 West Phoencia          22   15   7   103   75  +28    45
2 -Anthor-               22   14   8   119   94  +25    42
3 Scootalove City        22   13   9    91   97   −6    39
4 Bongo Johnson          22   11  11    80   75   +5    33
5 Somersville            22    8  14    90  101  −11    24
6 Equestrian States      22    5  17    70  111  −41    15


Group 2
Mampris                       0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0  2
United States of Devonta      1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 X  3

Cassadaigua                   0 2 0 0 1 0 3 8 1 15
Fauxia                        0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0  4

Vermont Of America            5 0 0 1 2 0 2 0 1 11
Nova Anglicana                0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  2


  Group 2                      Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Nova Anglicana                22   17   5   114   88  +26    51
2 Cassadaigua                   22   15   7   125   93  +32    45
3 Vermont Of America            22   11  11   121   91  +30    33
4 United States of Devonta      22   10  12    86   88   −2    30
5 Mampris                       22    7  15    82  107  −25    21
6 Fauxia                        22    6  16    71  132  −61    18


Group 3
Nagore                   0 1 3 0 0 2 0 0 0  6
Ko-oren                  0 0 5 2 0 0 1 1 X  9

Frenline Delpha          0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0  3
Siroy                    0 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 X  4

The Lone Star Union      0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0
West Saintland           5 2 0 4 1 0 0 0 X 12


  Group 3                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 West Saintland           22   14   8   101   73  +28    42
2 Frenline Delpha          22   14   8    99   76  +23    42
3 Ko-oren                  22   10  12    97  111  −14    30
4 Siroy                    22   10  12    80   98  −18    30
5 Nagore                   22    9  13   100  108   −8    27
6 The Lone Star Union      22    9  13    92  103  −11    27


Group 4
Cheongji               0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0  2
Free Republics         3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X  3

New Danican            0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0
Ovskovyk               3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 X  6

Drawkland              0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0  2
Schiltzberg            1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1  3


  Group 4               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Schiltzberg            22   18   4   126   53  +73    54
2 Ovskovyk               22   12  10   106  103   +3    36
3 Free Republics         22   11  11    82  101  −19    33
4 Drawkland              22   10  12    92   91   +1    30
5 New Danican            22    9  13    90  105  −15    27
6 Cheongji               22    6  16    68  111  −43    18


Group 5
Union of Socialist Alpine Republics      0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0
Gim                                      0 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 X  3

Zwangzug                                 1 0 1 0 0 0 3 0 0  5
Sandberg                                 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0  2

Newmanistan                              0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1  2
Karamiko                                 0 0 0 2 0 5 0 0 X  7


  Group 5                                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Newmanistan                              22   17   5   124   65  +59    51
2 Union of Socialist Alpine Republics      22   13   9    86   84   +2    39
3 Zwangzug                                 22   11  11    90   81   +9    33
4 Karamiko                                 22   11  11    88   93   −5    33
5 Sandberg                                 22    9  13   101  104   −3    27
6 Gim                                      22    5  17    62  124  −62    15


Group 6
Maklohi Vai            0 1 2 0 1 1 0 0 0  5
Novostela              0 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 1  4

Gregoryisgodistan      1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0  2
Tainese                0 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 X  4

Darmen                 1 0 0 2 5 0 0 2 0 10
Mount Pleasant         1 1 0 0 1 2 0 0 0  5


  Group 6               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Tainese                22   14   8    92   86   +6    42
2 Maklohi Vai            22   13   9    96   73  +23    39
3 Darmen                 22   13   9   101   83  +18    39
4 Mount Pleasant         22   12  10    87   96   −9    36
5 Gregoryisgodistan      22    8  14    84   98  −14    24
6 Novostela              22    6  16    79  103  −24    18


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

Abanhfleft             1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0  2
Hothnia                0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  1

Cosumar                0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 3  4
Empire of Cats         0 2 0 0 0 0 0 6 X  8


  Group 7               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Super-Llamaland        22   17   5   116   60  +56    51
2 Abanhfleft             22   12  10    90   82   +8    36
3 Empire of Cats         22   11  11    93   90   +3    33
4 Lisander               22   10  12    64   82  −18    30
5 Cosumar                22    9  13    80  115  −35    27
6 Hothnia                22    7  15    86  100  −14    21


Group 8
The land of Land       0 2 0 1 0 2 1 0 0  6
South Yerfilag         4 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 X  8

Elgenstad              0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 1  3
Tenburg                0 2 0 1 0 2 1 0 X  6

Hicanans In Exile      0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0  1
Ethane                 2 0 0 1 1 0 2 0 X  6


  Group 8               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Ethane                 22   16   6   107   72  +35    48
2 Tenburg                22   14   8    95   64  +31    42
3 Hicanans In Exile      22   13   9    87   73  +14    39
4 South Yerfilag         22   12  10   103  118  −15    36
5 The land of Land       22    6  16    82  113  −31    18
6 Elgenstad              22    5  17    68  102  −34    15

Matchday 23:

Group 1
-Anthor-               0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 4 2  8
Scootalove City        0 0 2 2 2 0 0 0 0 1  7

West Phoencia          3 0 2 2 3 0 0 2 0 12
Bongo Johnson          0 0 0 0 0 4 1 0 0  5

Somersville            1 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 0  5
Equestrian States      0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0  2


  Group 1               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 West Phoencia          23   16   7   115   80  +35    48
2 -Anthor-               23   15   8   127  101  +26    45
3 Scootalove City        23   13  10    98  105   −7    39
4 Bongo Johnson          23   11  12    85   87   −2    33
5 Somersville            23    9  14    95  103   −8    27
6 Equestrian States      23    5  18    72  116  −44    15



Group 2
Nova Anglicana                0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 3  5
Mampris                       0 2 2 1 0 1 0 0 X  6

Fauxia                        0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  1
Vermont Of America            2 0 4 0 3 1 0 0 X 10

United States of Devonta      0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0  3
Cassadaigua                   0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 3  5


  Group 2                      Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Nova Anglicana                23   17   6   119   94  +25    51
2 Cassadaigua                   23   16   7   130   96  +34    48
3 Vermont Of America            23   12  11   131   92  +39    36
4 United States of Devonta      23   10  13    89   93   −4    30
5 Mampris                       23    8  15    88  112  −24    24
6 Fauxia                        23    6  17    72  142  −70    18


Group 3
West Saintland           0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0
Nagore                   1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 X  2

Siroy                    0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0  3
The Lone Star Union      0 0 1 1 0 0 0 4 X  6

Ko-oren                  0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0  2
Frenline Delpha          0 0 2 0 1 0 2 1 X  6


  Group 3                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Frenline Delpha          23   15   8   105   78  +27    45
2 West Saintland           23   14   9   101   75  +26    42
3 Nagore                   23   10  13   102  108   −6    30
4 The Lone Star Union      23   10  13    98  106   −8    30
5 Ko-oren                  23   10  13    99  117  −18    30
6 Siroy                    23   10  13    83  104  −21    30


Group 4
Schiltzberg            0 1 1 2 0 1 2 0 0  7
Cheongji               0 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0  3

Ovskovyk               0 0 1 0 0 1 4 0 1 0 0  7
Drawkland              0 0 3 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  8

Free Republics         2 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0  5
New Danican            0 0 0 0 1 2 1 0 0  4


  Group 4               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Schiltzberg            23   19   4   133   56  +77    57
2 Ovskovyk               23   12  11   113  111   +2    36
3 Free Republics         23   12  11    87  105  −18    36
4 Drawkland              23   11  12   100   98   +2    33
5 New Danican            23    9  14    94  110  −16    27
6 Cheongji               23    6  17    71  118  −47    18


Group 5
Karamiko                                 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0  2
Union of Socialist Alpine Republics      2 1 2 0 0 0 3 2 X 10

Sandberg                                 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0  1
Newmanistan                              1 0 0 1 0 0 6 0 X  8

Gim                                      0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4  4
Zwangzug                                 1 0 1 0 0 3 0 3 X  8


  Group 5                                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Newmanistan                              23   18   5   132   66  +66    54
2 Union of Socialist Alpine Republics      23   14   9    96   86  +10    42
3 Zwangzug                                 23   12  11    98   85  +13    36
4 Karamiko                                 23   11  12    90  103  −13    33
5 Sandberg                                 23    9  14   102  112  −10    27
6 Gim                                      23    5  18    66  132  −66    15


Group 6
Mount Pleasant         0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0  3
Maklohi Vai            0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1  2

Tainese                0 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 0  4
Darmen                 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 X  6

Novostela              0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0  3
Gregoryisgodistan      1 0 0 0 2 5 0 1 X  9


  Group 6               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Darmen                 23   14   9   107   87  +20    42
2 Tainese                23   14   9    96   92   +4    42
3 Maklohi Vai            23   13  10    98   76  +22    39
4 Mount Pleasant         23   13  10    90   98   −8    39
5 Gregoryisgodistan      23    9  14    93  101   −8    27
6 Novostela              23    6  17    82  112  −30    18


Group 7
Empire of Cats         4 0 2 1 0 2 1 1 0 11
Lisander               1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0  2

Hothnia                1 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1  5
Cosumar                0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0  3

Super-Llamaland        0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0  2
Abanhfleft             1 1 0 1 0 2 1 0 X  6


  Group 7               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Super-Llamaland        23   17   6   118   66  +52    51
2 Abanhfleft             23   13  10    96   84  +12    39
3 Empire of Cats         23   12  11   104   92  +12    36
4 Lisander               23   10  13    66   93  −27    30
5 Cosumar                23    9  14    83  120  −37    27
6 Hothnia                23    8  15    91  103  −12    24


Group 8
Ethane                 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 2 0 0  5
The land of Land       1 0 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1  6

Tenburg                0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  1
Hicanans In Exile      0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 X  2

South Yerfilag         3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  4
Elgenstad              0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0  2


  Group 8               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Ethane                 23   16   7   112   78  +34    48
2 Tenburg                23   14   9    96   66  +30    42
3 Hicanans In Exile      23   14   9    89   74  +15    42
4 South Yerfilag         23   13  10   107  120  −13    39
5 The land of Land       23    7  16    88  118  −30    21
6 Elgenstad              23    5  18    70  106  −36    15

Matchday 24:

Group 1
Scootalove City        0 0 1 5 2 1 0 0 0  9
Equestrian States      0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0  1

Bongo Johnson          0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0  3
Somersville            0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  1

-Anthor-               2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  2
West Phoencia          0 0 0 0 1 0 1 3 X  5


  Group 1               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 West Phoencia          24   17   7   120   82  +38    51
2 -Anthor-               24   15   9   129  106  +23    45
3 Scootalove City        24   14  10   107  106   +1    42
4 Bongo Johnson          24   12  12    88   88    0    36
5 Somersville            24    9  15    96  106  −10    27
6 Equestrian States      24    5  19    73  125  −52    15


Group 2
Mampris                       0 0 1 0 0 0 5 3 3 12
Cassadaigua                   0 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 2  5

Vermont Of America            0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0
United States of Devonta      1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 X  2

Nova Anglicana                0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0  1
Fauxia                        1 0 0 2 0 2 2 0 X  7


  Group 2                      Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Nova Anglicana                24   17   7   120  101  +19    51
2 Cassadaigua                   24   16   8   135  108  +27    48
3 Vermont Of America            24   12  12   131   94  +37    36
4 United States of Devonta      24   11  13    91   93   −2    33
5 Mampris                       24    9  15   100  117  −17    27
6 Fauxia                        24    7  17    79  143  −64    21


Group 3
Nagore                   0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1  2
Frenline Delpha          0 1 0 0 2 0 0 2 X  5

The Lone Star Union      0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0  2
Ko-oren                  0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0

West Saintland           0 0 0 1 1 6 4 0 2 14
Siroy                    0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  1


  Group 3                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Frenline Delpha          24   16   8   110   80  +30    48
2 West Saintland           24   15   9   115   76  +39    45
3 The Lone Star Union      24   11  13   100  106   −6    33
4 Nagore                   24   10  14   104  113   −9    30
5 Ko-oren                  24   10  14    99  119  −20    30
6 Siroy                    24   10  14    84  118  −34    30


Group 4
Cheongji               0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0
New Danican            0 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 X  4

Drawkland              0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0  2
Free Republics         1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2  4

Schiltzberg            0 4 0 0 0 3 0 0 0  7
Ovskovyk               0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0  3


  Group 4               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Schiltzberg            24   20   4   140   59  +81    60  Q
2 Free Republics         24   13  11    91  107  −16    39
3 Ovskovyk               24   12  12   116  118   −2    36
4 Drawkland              24   11  13   102  102    0    33
5 New Danican            24   10  14    98  110  −12    30
6 Cheongji               24    6  18    71  122  −51    18


Group 5
Union of Socialist Alpine Republics      0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0  1
Zwangzug                                 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 X  2

Newmanistan                              1 0 0 0 1 0 3 1 1  7
Gim                                      0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 1  4

Karamiko                                 1 1 0 3 0 0 0 1 0  6
Sandberg                                 0 1 0 0 0 3 0 6 X 10


  Group 5                                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Newmanistan                              24   19   5   139   70  +69    57
2 Union of Socialist Alpine Republics      24   14  10    97   88   +9    42
3 Zwangzug                                 24   13  11   100   86  +14    39
4 Karamiko                                 24   11  13    96  113  −17    33
5 Sandberg                                 24   10  14   112  118   −6    30
6 Gim                                      24    5  19    70  139  −69    15


Group 6
Maklohi Vai            0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1  3
Gregoryisgodistan      0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1  2

Darmen                 0 0 3 0 0 1 0 0 0  4
Novostela              3 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 X  5

Mount Pleasant         0 7 2 0 0 1 0 7 0 17
Tainese                0 0 0 1 1 0 0 2 0  4


  Group 6               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Maklohi Vai            24   14  10   101   78  +23    42
2 Darmen                 24   14  10   111   92  +19    42
3 Mount Pleasant         24   14  10   107  102   +5    42
4 Tainese                24   14  10   100  109   −9    42
5 Gregoryisgodistan      24    9  15    95  104   −9    27
6 Novostela              24    7  17    87  116  −29    21


Group 7
Lisander               0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2  2
Abanhfleft             0 0 0 0 1 4 1 0 X  6

Cosumar                0 0 0 0 0 2 3 0 0  5
Super-Llamaland        0 0 1 0 6 0 0 0 X  7

Empire of Cats         1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  1
Hothnia                0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 X  2


  Group 7               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Super-Llamaland        24   18   6   125   71  +54    54
2 Abanhfleft             24   14  10   102   86  +16    42
3 Empire of Cats         24   12  12   105   94  +11    36
4 Lisander               24   10  14    68   99  −31    30
5 Hothnia                24    9  15    93  104  −11    27
6 Cosumar                24    9  15    88  127  −39    27


Group 8
The land of Land       0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0  3
Elgenstad              2 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 X  4

Hicanans In Exile      0 0 2 0 0 0 1 4 2  9
South Yerfilag         5 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  7

Ethane                 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0  3
Tenburg                1 4 0 0 0 0 1 1 X  7


  Group 8               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Ethane                 24   16   8   115   85  +30    48
2 Tenburg                24   15   9   103   69  +34    45
3 Hicanans In Exile      24   15   9    98   81  +17    45
4 South Yerfilag         24   13  11   114  129  −15    39
5 The land of Land       24    7  17    91  122  −31    21
6 Elgenstad              24    6  18    74  109  −35    18

[Tainese]

0 0 1 0 2 0 0 2 1 6 Tainese
2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 Mount Pleasant

4 2 0 0 2 1 2 0 0 11 Tainese
0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 4 Novostela

0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 Maklohi Vai
0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 Tainese

Many Tainese reports focused on pitching. It was the pitching that carried the Tainese to the top of their Group. The Tainese clawed their way to the top of a Group that includes the seventh and thirteenth highest ranked teams in the tournament.

The coach made sure to mention that there was "still a long time left in the season." He added that "The Sharks cannot take anything for granted."

The toughest game in this stretch would have been against Maklohi Vai. MKV is one of the top 15 teams in the competition. The Tainese are still unranked and are hoping to make a playoff run to build a ranking quickly.

It is a tall order.

One player has stepped up on offense in this late season stretch. Ukiyo Nies is the team's first baseman.



Nies has been on a hot streak. He leads the team in batting percentage, hitting .294 and slugging .450. The most recent game against Novostela helped his percentage as he scored a 2-run home run, an RBI double and a single.

This first baseman is a natural lefty and has learned how to switch hit, batting from the left or right. He favors the left though. He also throws with his left, giving a slight advantage at catching attempts to throw out a stolen base on first, compared to a righty. He can also backhand balls hit along the foul line easier than a right hander. Nies is a classic left-handed first baseman.

He is the team's power hitter. Some say it may be from his lineage. Nies comes from the ancient feudal clan of African explorers who landed on the Tai Isles in the 1470s. They took over the peaceful nation and ruled in a secretive fashion. Four percent of the Tainese people carry the blood of these feudal lords. That's 960,000 people out of 24 million.

They are often found in business, medicine or working with art and theatre. They also do well in the pro leagues. Nies, several pitchers, the center fielder and the catcher carry this bloodline.

Several players can hit homeruns. Nies hits the long balls. Nies drives home runs deep into the stands, sometimes hitting signs or screens between levels.

He's not the team's fastest runner, but he's quick enough to grab a double.

While much of the Tainese sports world talked about the pitching, Ukiyo Nies earned a spot in nightly sports conversations.

The Tainese were surprised their team had done this well so far. There were still nine games left until the end of the group stage. But this was a good spot for an unranked team to be. Now they had to close things out. Over the three game stretch leading through Match Day 21, the Gold Sharks moved from fourth place to first in their Group.

Only the most bold Tainese who were basically propagandists would have predicted the Gold Sharks would have ever ranked first in a Group.

"Now we have to clamp down and earn a spot in the post season", said the First Baseman.

By the end of Match Day 24 however, the Tainese had fallen to the bottom of a four way tie for first. They would need to have a better stretch in these last 6 games than these other teams, as each had an identical record.

Again, it was a tall order. The Tainese looked to fill it.

1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 Gregoryisgodistan
0 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 X 4 Tainese

0 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 4 Tainese
4 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 X 6 Darmen

0 7 2 0 0 1 0 7 0 17 Mount Pleasant
0 0 0 1 1 0 0 2 0 4 Tainese

The pitching collapse against Mount Pleasant threw the Tainese into worry. Many wondered how the Gold Sharks would handle the next three game stretch. Was the late season getting to them? They lost their lead. But they didn't fall away from the tie for the top record. The fact that this unranked team has stuck with the pack for this long draws attention.

[Cassadaigua]

Violence in Grande Mountain, MEN want Queen to take WBC away from city

It has often been said that Queen Cassie II’s biggest concern about returning the nation to international play was that it would get MEN (Male Equality Now) all riled up again after their protests to bring equal rights for men began to subside. When the nation actively participated in these competitions, Cassadagan men saw how the rosters of most other teams were mainly men and got them to wonder why they were being oppressed. They are not being oppressed, of course, they have plenty of good opportunities out there, too, but they want to be equal, and maybe even superior. Obviously, that cannot be allowed to happen. Once Cassadaigua won the International Basketball Championships crown to complete their five-sport sweep which has still never been duplicated, the nation gradually pulled away from the spotlight, citing that they had nothing more to accomplish. With that, eventually MEN was contained as well. They were never stopped, but they were under control.

The fear in returning is that there would be an uprising, and today we saw that happen in Grande Mountain, when a men’s rights protest turned violent. In Grande Mountain, the name of Seth Johnson, the college student who was raped and ridiculed by four Cassadagan female athletes which led to him committing suicide, became their adopted hero. But in the long run, Seth got his justice, it just took a while. Meghan Kinson received the death penalty. Ashley Stokes was killed by Kinson because Meghan was afraid she was going to turn them in. The other two eventually passed away in jail over the years. Still, the name Seth Johnson is a symbol of oppression. Therefore when a group of drunk sorority girls walked by the protest and made a series of derogatory comments about Johnson, and claiming that the protestors should kill themselves as well, things got pretty ugly.

A fight broke out between the girls and a few protestors, which led to more people getting involved on both sides. Eventually, someone pulled out a gun, and the shots rang out. A total of 8 men were hit by the bullets, six of which were killed while two more are in serious condition. Not too long after, three cars belonging to protestors were set ablaze. Police are still searching for the shooter as well as the drunk sorority girls that instigated the event. However, MEN President, Patrick I. Gavin in an interview in Concord Heights as he was not at the event, states that, “There is no excuse for them getting away. The police were there in plenty of time. This is a travesty that they have no arrests. I wonder how serious they are going to look for them. Grande Mountain is a disgusting city and nothing that happens there surprises me.”

In addition, Gavin said, “We implore the Queen that unless arrests are made immediately, that the city of Grande Mountain, the ugly scar of our nation, is stripped of its rights to host World Baseball Classic games.”

Queen Cassie has not yet responded.

[Free Republics]

NewsWars

I want to visit Grande Mountain
By: Anastasio Loggia

Recently, the heroic members of Male Equality Now (MEN), an organization that seeks equal rights for men in Cassadaigua, a nation whose men are even more oppressed than ours are, held a peaceful protest in the city of Grande Mountain where a college man named Seth Johnson was once raped by some big name Cassadagan athletes. While Meghan Kinson was eventually brought to justice, thanks to the efforts of MEN, NOM and the traditionalist vlogger "Sister" Maria Polus, Cassadagan society remains almost fanatically sexist and this sexism became worse during their absence from the international sports scene.

In the FFR, men's rights groups focus on issues like male disposability and the spending gap because we have already achieved equal rights for men in other areas. Men already have the right in virtually all Republics to choose not to support a child who is biologically theirs and we already have Federation-level legislation protecting due process in sex crime cases. We already have legislation protecting men from being fired for looking at or flirting with a female co-worker. We already have legislation protecting men who tell jokes in the workplace as well. We even have laws prohibiting any Republic from passing so-called "equal pay" laws that pay women more money for less work. Thanks to the Universal School Vouchers Act, it is also easy for boys to escape sexist school environments but even if it wasn't we have laws against drugging kids as well. Unfortunately, men in most other countries, including Cassadaigua, do not have even these basic rights that every decent society should provide.

The recent protest in Grande Mountain that I mentioned earlier was peaceful until a few sexist cows decided to show up and start telling the members of MEN to commit suicide. Soon, some evil bitches murdered 6 men and put 2 more in the hospital in serious condition. In an act reminiscent of the "anti-fascist" terrorism carried out by the Progressive loons in our nation in recent months, they also lit three automobiles on fire! These atrocities make plain the need for Cassadagan society to reform itself and begin recognizing that men are people too. I urge the Cassadagan authorities to arrest the shooter ASAP and to ensure that she gets the death penalty, as she deserves.

In light of all of this, I have decided to visit the city of Grande Mountain at the earliest possible opportunity. In fact, I want to hold a speech at Grande Mountain University or whatever they call the local college and I expect them to pay all of the security costs to ensure my safety and the safety of every men, woman and child in attendance. I intend to speak at length about the evils of feminism and traditionalism and why everybody should be a men's rights activist. In the event that they refuse to let me speak at Grande Mountain, I will be traveling to the upcoming World Baseball Classic along with several hundred NOM activists and we will be outside of the various stadiums picketing in support of equality for Cassadagan men and the human rights organization MEN. The National Organization for Men does not tolerate sexism in the FFR and we will no longer tolerate sexism abroad either!

By the way, I want to thank Walter Snyder and NewsWars for publishing this article, which was refused publication in News Magazine, where I used to be a contributor, because that magazine has now gone full-blown SJW in an attempt to pander to the criminal element of society for some retarded reason.

Anastasio Loggia is the President of the National Organization for Men. A lifelong advocate of equality for men, Anastasio has long been a staunch critic of the way men are treated in Republican society.

[Tenburg]

Tenburg Steps up BIG vs. Ethane, Closing In on No.1 Spot Despite Dropping Game to Hicana

The Metros made a big stride in both closing in on the top spot in their Group, as well as defending the second spot, in overcoming Ethane with a 7-3 win. This puts them only one game back from the top spot, and while Hicana has matched them step for step, it seems more likely that the two of them will both surpass Ethane, before Hicana knocks Tenburg from the second spot, barring a catastrophic breakdown on the part of the Metros. Every game becomes more crucial as time winds down however, and the determined, riotous Mets will be expected to keep this pace going if they wish to make the coveted WBC playoffs, and in the process become the first Tennish national team to ever do so.

The next game sees them being hosted by The Land of Land. Liam Mahone will start on the mound.

[Zwangzug]

"...I have an e-mail here from Kathryn in Nuel who wishes for me to pass along her congratulations and best wishes to her cousin James, married this past weekend, and his husband Aaron. All the best to the both of you! And Kathryn adds 'maybe James will stop going on about how attractive he found unremarkable Tigers northpaw Tyler McOwski from back in the day.' I'd wish you luck, Kathryn, but family in-jokes never really die.

Kathryn also asks if, other than Lek Yee, I've been able to pry any political opinions out of the contemporary Zebras. Speaking for the players, anyway, not even I dare ask Dunburk to fill out one of beyond60.zz's precisely-calibrated opinion polls. Well, Kathryn, I have to say it hasn't exactly been at the top of my agenda, most of the players are more interested in praising their teammates or opponents with increasingly false modesty or giving me glibly meaningless soundbytes when I try to pin them down for any semblance of a group prediction, so politics has had to take a back seat to sports for the time being. The benchwarmers, not just Yee, are a bit more talkative though. Perhaps they think that getting their personalities known a bit more will result in some increased playing time? Hard to say.

It won't come as an incredible surprise that both Clark Diazona and Hubert Belquist, of Bassabook and Nuel respectively, lean towards the Progressive Traditionalists. What I did find curious is that Belquist used to consider himself an Isolationist! 'If we don't have a budget to engage with the rest of the world, why hang around and pretend like we do,' was the point he made, and I suppose there's a case to be made for commitment. But with the previous Classic opening up an opportunity for Zwangzug to compete as part of the international community, he drifted a little more towards the southeastern consensus and away from leaving economic policy to whatever coalition had formed to do other things.

Imogene Nuren-Vons seems to mostly go for the Mental Asylum Party. 'Mostly I think the local level is where we can have the biggest influence, though,' she says. 'Mayors, independents, that kind of thing. I'm all for devolution so each district can support health in their own way.'

As for Fiona Subel-Burvin, she felt on prickly terms with me. If I had to venture a guess, I'd say a newfound Pragmatic Radical, though whether that's in reaction to local Zwischen politics or even, shall we say, a backlash against more recent statewide revelations was unclear. Or maybe she's just cynical enough to have disengaged entirely? That would be a shame.

She certainly can block the plate though, as seen filling in for Marc Fleuggemann against Gim! Tremendous if daring performance, Dunburk will have to be thinking about how and where to deploy her..."

[Tainese]

Mala Kyou is known nationally as 'The Glorious Queen' of the Tainese Islands. She is known for ruling the tropical Asian Tainese Nation with an iron fist. Her authoritarian style is mostly benevolent. Her country is very traditional and her government does care for its people. The economy and pay scale is pretty good. There is always something to do. The Tainese have taken care of the environment and even began the move towards green energy.

Still, they kept their hands off their industries. Regulations were limited mainly to the environment. There were a lot of 'gray areas' where companies could turn a profit. There was also some privatization of some social services.

Queen Kyou knew she would have to give certain rights to both the far left and far right, while not alienating the centrists. It was a tightrope and protests have been increasing.

When The Glorious Queen's international broadcast of the World Baseball Classic talked of another populace protesting another Queen, she was outraged. She didn't have all the facts. That wouldn't stop her from making an international statement.

She went right to her press room and told the manager to turn the cameras on.

Kyou moved into spin mode, blaming the protestors. "There was such violence near Grande Mountain, in Cassadaigua. The protestors got out of control and somebody got shot. This is why we have strict controls on our protests here in the Tainese Islands."

There have been several major protests in the Tainese Islands recently, many of which are ignored.

The sexes were treated fairly equally in the Tai Islands, but there are a few peculiarities. Only women could inherit the role she currently held as Head of State and Government. The official reasoning was that men lacked the sensibility and mental fitness to run a nation. This is the same reason the nation's most elite tier one military force is all female.

Queen Kyou even mentioned them in her statement. "We should send the Ninety Sixth Longbow to that mountain and help secure those violent protestors." Instead of mentioning the brutality against the protestors, she twisted the event for her own statement.

The '96° သရ်တ်' was that all female unit, which makes the statement even less politically correct.

Of course it was all spin and most internationals would be able to see that. But the Tainese would accept it. It was easier than asking questions. Besides, things weren't that bad for that Tainese. It was definitely insensitive though, and out of touch. It was really as simple as one ruler offering diplomatic support of another during a political hiccup. A 'pat on the back' to take away the said hiccup.

Besides, Queen Kyou could use the airtime to promote herself and legitimize her rule internationally.

Most Gold Sharks would not comment on the Queen's statement, refusing in an almost panicked and definitely embarrassed tone, one by one. "No comment, no comment."

Closer Jou Sadamune walked away from the cameras when he was asked. The cameramen followed. Sadamune took off in a sprint. He didn't want to be seen on camera being associated with the event. He made it worse as he disappeared around a corner.

The team's First Baseman Ukiyo Nies is the only one who talked to the reporters. "I think I can speak for the Tainese people and say we all believe in equality for all."

He took his nation on his back and differentiated the views of the people from "The Mad Queen", as Mala Kyou was called behind closed doors. Some say the only reason Nies could speak out is because he was from an elite group of Blackinese. That group responded by telling critics to stop stirring up trouble.

"The Queen has the right to speak", said Blackinese pundit Yuk Sung-Hiyama. "She isn't pushing for any official action, just speaking."

His critics quickly accused him of being in the Queen's pocket.

[West Phoencia]

Deadly shooting in Cassadaigua may cause West Phoenicia's boycott.

The West Phoenician Baseball Association has called on the nation of Cassadaigua to deal with a rise in violence that has occurred at a protest for male equality which left 6 dead and property destruction and has left West Phoenicia concerned for the welfare of their baseball team.

With the West Phoenician Confederates primed to progress in their grouping after another 3 matches that saw them dominate there is grave concern for the players welfare if they were to travel to Cassadaigua.

It has called for an increase in security and arrests from the violent parties before West Phoenicia will travel and endanger the lives of their players who are all male and seen as inferior. West Phoenician males will not be treated as second class. Confederate coach Mary Zomdonia an avid feminist and member of the West Phoenician Womens Assembly has denounced the nation as living in the past and an embarrassment to foreign females.

With the goal being to win the finals the violence that has erupted has serious concerns, with West Phoenicia choosing to boycott if the problems are not settled in the short time before the finals. No one should play a sport of goodwill with threats of being shot or mauled by rabid protesters.

We may be winning but not at the cost of life or dignity.

[Mount Pleasant]

Interview with a random Pleasantrian baseball fan, part 5
Matchday Twenty Four; versus Tainese, Tai Hut

Well, this is the one game where my boss pays for my overseas travel fare, and my goodness me was this game worth it. And with me, I have a fellow traveling fan to actually interview! What's your name, if I may ask?

Steeevvveuruuugghhhh.......

I presume Steven?

You're damn right, you sexy thaang.

Okay, so I had to presume you've had a few drinks?

Welll, ya see... I had...my HOMBRES FOR LIFE THAT..I LOVE VEEEeeeeery much...they staid--saidded--said to me that if...the mount pleaSANT TEAM score more than tenn runs that game...I...I take however many shouuuuurrggghh....shots that they scorrreee...

Just your lucky day for them to score seventeen?

yeah, yeah...yeSHCREW YOU SHOUHEE SATO! Yooouuu you had sixxx....seven...six...six point five RBIs man! Youuu made be..me....MOI AND MYSELF....take sevvven shots in the seven....secondth inning....WHYYYYY????

There there, I'll get you a cab to your hotel soon. What do you think of Tainese's pitching meltdown today?

They pitch liiiiike ME. AND IIIIIIIII'm perfectly alRIGHT! My HOMBRE HERE can say that for me, right comPADRE??

I only asked you for an interview five minutes ago...

Ohhhhhhhh....ahhh. Are yo-youuuu look like...a GIRRRL. Do you want anything's...that I haveeee???

Not quite. Though I bet, with Mount Pleasant in a four way tie for first in Group 6, you'd be rooting for the Mount Pleasant Fire to bid for the knockout stages?

Listen here, I'll fiiind....A WAY...tooooooo four way tie YOU into a beddddd...*collapses*

About time...

[Schiltzberg]

WBC 40, TRULY A COLOSSAL FOLLOW-UP

In what was meant to be the follow-up to the Colossal Champions Cup, which was WBC 40, it is questionable whether or not this is actually more so a colossal champions cup itself. While the official Colossal Champions Cup, which was held in Frenline Delpha for WBC 39, featured the comeback of a lot of old teams, such as Cassadaigua, Zwangzug, and Darmen, as well as Newmanistan who returned in WBC 38, it actually did not see very many of these teams go very far, because three of them were unranked, and only one of them made it to the final four, allowing (ironically) for a first-time champion to win the Colossal Champions Cup, no hate intended toward Ethane. This time around though, all of last year's champions have returned, plus defending champions Ethane, so that makes this season the one with the most former champions playing in it at nine former champions. The thing that makes it even better is that for the most part, these champions are doing well, as one has already clinched, five of them are currently leading their respective divisions, seven of them are in a position to advance, and all of them but Gregoryisgodistan still have a legitimate shot at winning their respective group and advancing to the playoffs. If the season ended today, seven former champions would advance into the round of sixteen, which would be truly extraordinary, bringing to mind the question of which Classic is truly the Colossal Champions Cup, WBC 39 or WBC 40...

The first champion we will discuss is the host, three-time champions Cassadaigua. The host team has a great history of success and truly had a high expectation for success this season, but with this just being the second season size the team's return and at only the 23rd place rank, it seemed questionable about whether or not the Cassadaigan team would be able to advance to the playoffs this season. They have done extraordinarily well though. They have stayed competitive in their group, which features number two ranked Nova Anglicana, and they have put up a 16-8 record through match day 24, putting them in a position to advance into the playoffs at second place in the division, and they hold a comfortable four-game lead over third place Vermont of America with only six games left. They have stayed surprisingly close with Nova Anglicana, who was expected to run away with this group, just one game behind them for first place. A first place finish would put Cassadaigua in one of the better seeds going into the playoffs and would give them a better chance to advance deeper into the tournament. With a magic number at 3, it seems likely that Cassadaigua will advance to the playoffs. Last season, they were knocked out in the quarterfinals, but could this season be the one where they return to the final four?

While this year's hosts are experiencing unexpected success, last year's hosts, Frenline Delpha, continue to dominate the competition as expected. They have put up a similar record at 16-8, but lacking a serious threat in the group that is at the level of Nova Anglicana, this is good enough for first place. The Anacondas hold only a one game lead one first place, one game ahead of West Saintland, but they hold a comfortable five-game lead over third place The Lone Star Union, which puts them close to clinching a playoff spot with just six games left. Finishing as the champions just two seasons ago, they fell short last season, but they have great motivation do so well this season and start a dynasty of their own for the coming seasons. With their magic number down to just two, their odds of advancing to the playoffs are pretty good at this point. Expect Frenline Delpha to improve on their performance from last season this time around.

Group four features the almighty Schiltzberg, which has dominated throughout this Classic thus far. At a 20-4 record, they hold a seven game lead on their division, which is enough to clinch them the number one place in their division, let alone a spot in the playoffs. Schiltzberg has put up the best numbers across the board this WBC, leading the league in record, runs for, runs against, and runs differential, making them the favorite at this point to win this Classic. It is worthy of note though that Schiltzberg also led in all of these categories at this time last season, and they still did not win the tournament, having to settle for third place. As the first team to clinch a playoff spot, there is no doubt that the Schiltzbergers are the best team out there right now. They will make it their goal to defend their first place rank, to maintain their dynasty, and to bring the championship back home to Schiltzberg in what would be a record-breaking fifth championship for the team. There are still a lot of rounds left to be played, but if the title was awarded to the team that did best in the preliminary round, it would go to Schiltzberg at this point.

When Newmanistan chose to enter competition in WBC 38, most people expected a simply symbolic return. Nobody expected the team to return to the level of play that they had been at so many years before. Now, three seasons into their return, they are not quite at that level yet, but they are close to it. With a 19-5 record, they are in a position to win the second place seed into the tournament, just one game behind first place overall. They are also in second place for runs for and third place for runs against, putting them at the second best team so far this season. With a five-game lead on their division and a six-game lead on third place Zwangzug, their magic number is at one, and their advancement to the playoffs is all but clinched. Last year, Newmanistan put up a solid preliminary round, but then they exited in the round of sixteen, which ended a streak that went back all the way to their beginnings as a team for never being eliminated before the quarterfinals. After this disappointing, Newmanistan hopes to make up for it by going deep in this tournament. It seems like a fifth title could be a possibility for this team after all.

Also in that same group is two-time champion Zwangzug. Compared to a lot of the other former champions, Zwangzug's results have been a bit more modest, putting up a 13-11 record and holding a third place spot in the group. This is not bad though, considering that they are in the second year of their return and do have a winning record at least. They are only one game behind second place Union of Socialist Alpine Republics, and with six games left, there is still plenty of time for Zwangzug to come back and make a playoff spot. Last year, Zwangzug did not do very well, so it is an improvement on last year to simply be a contender in their group. With a ways to go in this season, Zwangzug still has a chance at the playoffs, and they can't be counted out yet.

A lot of eyes have been on group six this season, which still maintains a four-way tie for first twenty-four games into the season. One of the teams that is a part of that four-way tie for first is one-time champion Darmen. Along with over half of their division, Darmen holds a 14-10 record, which puts them tied for first. With the four-way tie, the upcoming games will be crucial in determining Darmen's fate. It is too early to tell whether or not they will advance at this point because it is simply too close to call, but Darmen definitely has a legitimate chance if they stay on their game and play hard for the next six games. Last year, they had a disappointing preliminary round exit, and they do not want to fall into this fate again. Fortunately, they have improved as a team to still be a contender this late in the season, and hopefully they will be able to secure a playoff berth.

Also in group six is fellow one-time champion Gregoryisgodistan. Unfortunately for them, with a 9-15 record, they are not a part of the four-way tie for first. This is surprising, because Gregoryisgodistan has been making the playoffs every season for a long time, and this time it seems like they will definitely not be making it. It has been known for several seasons now that the Bat Slaves have been on a decline, but probably nobody predicted for them to do this poorly in this season. It is ironic that with all of these champions making new returns and starting as unranked, one of the teams that is on its current run as a champion would be the least successful in this colossal follow-up. That just goes to show how the returning champions have outdone themselves and surpassed a lot of the "current champions" on a lot of different levels.

The great Super-Llamaland team holds an 18-6 record, which puts them in a position for the third place seed going into the tournament. The Super-Llamaland team has been good every year, but for the past couple of seasons, they have continually fallen short, and they have not made the final four since their second place finish in WBC 37. The three-time champions have been fighting for their fourth title for some time now, and they are still a really good team, but they just haven't had the luck to finish it off and get their fourth title. With a six-game lead over third place Empire of Cats, they are just one game away from clinching yet another playoff berth. This time around, they hope to finish the job and join the club as the third team in history to become four-time champions.

Last but not least is Ethane, the defending champions. They are a part of a tight group with four teams that are within three games of the first place spot in the group. Luckily, Ethane is currently in first, holding a one-game lead on the division with a 16-8 record. If Ethane wants to advance though, and they certainly do, they must not let up here. They are in a group with a lot of qualified teams that have the potential to knock them out of that playoff spot. Chances are, Ethane will advance, but their magic number is still up at six with as many games left, so it could be tricky. Should they advance, Ethane will no doubt fight to defend their title and try to establish a dynasty for themselves. Only time will tell if they will be able to do it.

This Is Your New Schiltzbierg Times Sports News!

[-Anthor-]

Match Report: Woodward & Clarke Has Solid Outing, Flynn and Offense Continues to Struggle
Solid starts from the #3 and #1 pitcher help the Thunderheads get a streak of two wins, but bullpen issues and cold bats persist

^{SHARE THIS:}

Clifton Pierce (@CliffsPier)(TH)
^{Uriel 50, 601AE 1:00 PM | Vaumort, Anthor}

---

---

Vaumort, Anthor(Herald) — With just six games left in the group stages, the Thunderheads have been performing on a much more successful level, but need to keep playing hard if they want to win a playoff spot for the first time in their WBC history. Our last three games series featured match ups against Bongo Johnson, Scootalove City and West Phoenicia, and would prove a very critical series as the first two teams are apart of the gang of middleweights chasing us for our second place seat, and West Phoenicia is who were are chasing to try and win the group, but at this rate it appears that individual goal may just be out of reach.

The first game against Bongo Johnson, Sean Woodward takes to the mound looking to avenge some more sluggish starts in this Classic, and ends up having a very solid outing, eventually turning out a solid eight innings pitched before he was relieved by the closer Logan Grange, allowing only 4 hits, and three of those in that inning, and a solid 9 punchouts and 2 walks. He also had some run support thanks to a combination of strung along hits in the fifth, when Bradley Green slapped a line drive down the third base foul line and managed to pull it into second on his third double of the Classic, and then he was immediately followed by Tony Russell who hit it deep into the gap, driving Green home and putting himself on third thanks to the classic Tony Russell leaping dive that managed to beat out the throw from the outfield to the third baseman. Following Russell was Albert Hough who managed to repeat his team mates efforts by also hitting for a double, driving Russell in to give the Thunderheads a solid 2-0 lead; unfortunately, Hough would get thrown out trying to steal third for the third out, ending the very nice inning for Anthor. Woodward would get replaced in the 8th after loading the bases on 2 outs, and Grange would come in and slam the door shut on that inning by striking out the next batter, however the 9th nearly resulted in him earning himself a blown save when he gave up a single hit and then a deep bomb to center field in the next at-bat; Sean McPherson had to rescue him in the bottom of the 9th when he himself went deep with Greer on second to edge Anthor over just enough to win the game.

The second game, definitely was not the outing that Nathan Flynn was looking for, especially after performing so well in recent starts; he gets pulled in the 5th after giving up 6 earned runs, 11 hits, while only collecting 5 punchouts, 3 walks, and 98 pitches thrown. Elliot Dougherty comes in for him, and with a scoreline of 6-2 not in their favor, he's just looking to help staunch the bleeding and praying that the bats can come alive before it's all too late; he manages to go for three innings pitched and nine K's, before Matthew Chalmers comes on to close the door in the 9th; he manages to give up three hits and a run before doing so, but was thankfully supported by a grand slam from McPherson in the 8th and then base clearing two run scoring triple from center fielder Daniel Aitken in the 9th, to help the Thunderheads earn a back to back win, and secure their spot in 2nd place.

The third game, Noah Clarke looking to reap some good buzz after very shaky starts here in the 40th World Baseball Classic, he really starts to look like himself two seasons ago again, turning in a performance of seven innings pitched (for a total of 118 pitches), eleven strikeouts, and only 2 earned runs, the game tied when Frazer Donaldson takes over for him on the mound. However, the bullpen severely dropped the ball again, as Donaldson ends up giving up 4 earned runs, including a three run home run in the 8th, and the Anthoran bats were completely chilled, only getting three more hits and not a single run as they drop the game to the group leader 5-2.

Cliff Pierce contributed to this article.

---

---

MORE IN WORLD

• Ducks qualify for first WCOH QF; how fare can they go? [ 567891 ]
• Pemberton announces coalition of 65 other MPs and introduces a comprehensive industry climate reforms [ 345671 ]
• Qasdeni bid to revive AOHC [ 846183 ]

MORE FROM TH

• Arnhelm announces plans to add 1,000 more stores by the end of Q3 2018 [ 54136 ]
• Q2 RITS construction causes major delays around city connections and highways; Detours and more inside [ 1987451 ]
• Health Minister Cox states that a top-down restructure of Internal Citizen's Care System is required "immediately" [ 2387972 ]

Comments [ 456312 ]
E-mail
© Tharsius Herald Ltd 2014

---

456312 comments

^{FAVORITE THIS DISCUSSION}

---

[Darmen]

2036 Batter-Up! Baseball League of Darmen: Weeks 21 & 22

Brady City Braves 0–8 Eau Claire Barons
Brady City Braves 3–17 Eau Claire Barons
Brady City Braves 2–5 Eau Claire Barons
Brady City Braves 1–10 Eau Claire Barons

Tilden Islanders 6–3 Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks
Tilden Islanders 3–2 Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks
Tilden Islanders 6–1 Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks
Tilden Islanders 7–2 Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks

Liverpool Mustangs 6–5 Hallie Eagles
Liverpool Mustangs 4–5 Hallie Eagles
Liverpool Mustangs 1–3 Hallie Eagles
Liverpool Mustangs 7–6 Hallie Eagles

Jim Falls Sturgeons 3–0 Darmen City White Sox
Jim Falls Sturgeons 1–10 Darmen City White Sox
Jim Falls Sturgeons 8–7 Darmen City White Sox
Jim Falls Sturgeons 1–0 Darmen City White Sox

Stanley Loggers 4–5 Augusta Athletics
Stanley Loggers 2–6 Augusta Athletics
Stanley Loggers 3–5 Augusta Athletics
Stanley Loggers 2–4 Augusta Athletics

Menomonie Eagles 0–1 Royal BC
Menomonie Eagles 8–9 Royal BC
Menomonie Eagles 4–6 Royal BC
Menomonie Eagles 3–6 Royal BC

Tim City Athletics 0–4 Scott City Blue Jays
Tim City Athletics 0–6 Scott City Blue Jays
Tim City Athletics 0–8 Scott City Blue Jays
Tim City Athletics 0–10 Scott City Blue Jays

Cadott Red Sox 10–2 Bloomer Woodticks
Cadott Red Sox 6–3 Bloomer Woodticks
Cadott Red Sox 0–3 Bloomer Woodticks
Cadott Red Sox 6–5 Bloomer Woodticks

Jim Falls Sturgeons 5–8 Brady City Braves
Jim Falls Sturgeons 6–10 Brady City Braves
Jim Falls Sturgeons 7–5 Brady City Braves
Jim Falls Sturgeons 4–0 Brady City Braves

Darmen City White Sox 4–6 Liverpool Mustangs
Darmen City White Sox 3–2 Liverpool Mustangs
Darmen City White Sox 6–3 Liverpool Mustangs
Darmen City White Sox 1–6 Liverpool Mustangs

Hallie Eagles 1–6 Tilden Islanders
Hallie Eagles 3–1 Tilden Islanders
Hallie Eagles 1–5 Tilden Islanders
Hallie Eagles 8–4 Tilden Islanders

Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks 0–8 Eau Claire Barons
Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks 0–5 Eau Claire Barons
Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks 3–7 Eau Claire Barons
Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks 0–10 Eau Claire Barons

Cadott Red Sox 2–4 Stanley Loggers
Cadott Red Sox 4–0 Stanley Loggers
Cadott Red Sox 1–10 Stanley Loggers
Cadott Red Sox 1–9 Stanley Loggers

Bloomer Woodticks 2–3 Tim City Athletics
Bloomer Woodticks 4–6 Tim City Athletics
Bloomer Woodticks 5–2 Tim City Athletics
Bloomer Woodticks 2–6 Tim City Athletics

Scott City Blue Jays 5–3 Menomonie Eagles
Scott City Blue Jays 3–1 Menomonie Eagles
Scott City Blue Jays 8–3 Menomonie Eagles
Scott City Blue Jays 3–9 Menomonie Eagles

Royal BC 3–2 Augusta Athletics
Royal BC 3–2 Augusta Athletics
Royal BC 3–5 Augusta Athletics
Royal BC 6–3 Augusta Athletics

Brady City Braves 3–0 Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks
Brady City Braves 5–0 Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks
Brady City Braves 0–3 Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks
Brady City Braves 5–0 Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks

Eau Claire Barons 4–1 Hallie Eagles
Eau Claire Barons 19–0 Hallie Eagles
Eau Claire Barons 1–4 Hallie Eagles
Eau Claire Barons 7–1 Hallie Eagles

Tilden Islanders 8–3 Darmen City White Sox
Tilden Islanders 3–2 Darmen City White Sox
Tilden Islanders 5–1 Darmen City White Sox
Tilden Islanders 4–0 Darmen City White Sox

Liverpool Mustangs 2–5 Jim Falls Sturgeons
Liverpool Mustangs 2–3 Jim Falls Sturgeons
Liverpool Mustangs 3–5 Jim Falls Sturgeons
Liverpool Mustangs 6–0 Jim Falls Sturgeons

Stanley Loggers 0–7 Royal BC
Stanley Loggers 0–20 Royal BC
Stanley Loggers 0–7 Royal BC
Stanley Loggers 3–6 Royal BC

Augusta Athletics 2–9 Scott City Blue Jays
Augusta Athletics 1–9 Scott City Blue Jays
Augusta Athletics 1–7 Scott City Blue Jays
Augusta Athletics 1–8 Scott City Blue Jays

Menomonie Eagles 1–4 Bloomer Woodticks
Menomonie Eagles 4–8 Bloomer Woodticks
Menomonie Eagles 6–5 Bloomer Woodticks
Menomonie Eagles 10–1 Bloomer Woodticks

Tim City Athletics 6–4 Cadott Red Sox
Tim City Athletics 5–4 Cadott Red Sox
Tim City Athletics 6–1 Cadott Red Sox
Tim City Athletics 5–2 Cadott Red Sox

Northern League            Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win %
1 Eau Claire Barons           130  123   7  1037  198 +839    0.946
2 Tilden Islanders            130   89  41   600  368 +232    0.685
3 Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks  130   69  61   507  492  +15    0.531
4 Hallie Eagles               130   57  73   467  604 −137    0.438
5 Brady City Braves           130   56  74   408  596 −188    0.431
6 Jim Falls Sturgeons         130   40  90   410  659 −249    0.308
7 Darmen City White Sox       130   40  90   364  630 −266    0.308
8 Liverpool Mustangs          130   39  91   398  686 −288    0.300

Southern League            Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD    Win %
1 Scott City Blue Jays        130  122   8   906  222 +684    0.938
2 Royal BC                    130  102  28   638  375 +263    0.785
3 Augusta Athletics           130   79  51   593  452 +141    0.608
4 Menomonie Eagles            130   74  56   555  502  +53    0.569
5 Tim City Athletics          130   49  81   448  570 −122    0.377
6 Bloomer Woodticks           130   36  94   339  672 −333    0.277
7 Stanley Loggers             130   35  95   331  637 −306    0.269
8 Cadott Red Sox              130   30 100   341  679 −338    0.231

Blue Jays claim Southern League Title
Barons vs. Blue Jays for League Championship

Despite their 11-1 record over the past twelve games, the Royal BC has been eliminated from contention for the Southern League pennant. Their rivals in the standings, the Scott City Blue Jays, were able to match their 11-1 record in the standings, and in doing so have clinched the title of Southern League champions with two and a half weeks remaining in the schedule.

The Blue Jays will now face the Eau Claire Barons for the Batter-Up! Baseball League of Darmen Championship Series. The seven game series will see the Blue Jays have home field advantage, although many suspect the series may end after only the first four matchups. The Barons took the regular season series 4-2, claiming three of their four victories at home. However, their complete dominance of their opponents on both offense and defense makes them the favorites heading into the Series.

---

Foreign Affairs Secretary urges Cassadaigua to improve Men's rights

Following an unfortunate outbreak of violence between the sexes in the Cassadiaguan city of Grande Mountain, Darmeni Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Joshua Rademacher urged Queen Cassie the IInd and other Cassadagan government officials to continue to improve the rights of men in that nation.

"We implore our southern Rushmori neighbors in Cassadaigua to continue in their efforts to bring about equality between males and females in that nation. It is true that progress on the issue has been made, but the government of Cassadaigua must not become complacent with the status quo."

The statement comes following a violent protest between MEN, or Male Equality Now) and a group of reportedly drunk sorority girls. The violence resulted in six deaths and two injuries, plus the destruction of several cars. It is reported however that law enforcement authorities in the area are not taking the situation as seriously as one would expect for a well developed and modern nation.

Rademacher has stated that a trip to Cassadaigua to meet with government officials there and possibly even the Queen herself may occur, and could happen alongside a possible trip there by the Darmeni National Baseball team for the knockout rounds. The Foreign Affairs Secretary is well known to be an exponent of Pan-Rushmorism and may also use the trip to encourage the nation to join the Common Rushmori Community, despite Darmen's own lack of membership.

The National Baseball Team, led by Manager Sawyer Pratt, currently sits in second place in Group Six of qualifying, a position that would see them advance to the knockout stages. However, four other teams have an identical record (14 wins and 10 loses), and the remaining six games of qualifying will prove extremely important. Neither Mr. Pratt, nor BU!BL Commissioner Frank Richardson could be reached for comment on either the situation in Cassadaigua or the possibility of being accompanied on their potential visit to the nation by members of the Executive Cabinet.

Meanwhile, when asked by a member of the press if Rademacher felt like a hypocrite for calling out Cassadaigua on men's rights when Darmen's record on women's rights could also be questioned, Rademacher refused to respond. When asked to confirm or deny reports that Darmen's delegation to the Summer Olympics in Kelssek and Vekaiyu was heavily made up of a large amount of men with only a handful of female athletes, Rademacher answered by referring the journalists to Secretary of State for Culture and Sports, Jost MacKenna.

[The Derpy Democratic Republic Of Herp]

TDDROH Sports chat

Is this the part where you make a headline?

Scootalove City        0 0 0 2 4 0 1 0 0  7
Somersville            1 0 0 1 2 0 0 2 0  6

-Anthor-               0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 4 2  8
Scootalove City        0 0 2 2 2 0 0 0 0 1  7

Scootalove City        0 0 1 5 2 1 0 0 0  9
Equestrian States      0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0  1

  Group 1               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 West Phoencia          24   17   7   120   82  +38    51
2 -Anthor-               24   15   9   129  106  +23    45
3 Scootalove City        24   14  10   107  106   +1    42
4 Bongo Johnson          24   12  12    88   88    0    36
5 Somersville            24    9  15    96  106  −10    27
6 Equestrian States      24    5  19    73  125  −52    15

Hey, first time writing an article I guess. The guy who normally comes in and writes this took a vacation today, so I'm just trying to take over for him today.

So, we won twice again and the time we lost was a really close game. That two run homer by John Kirby looked good, I must admit.

But hey, the clean last two innings by Paul Mins in that Somersville was rather good pitching i'd say, and the fourth inning in the Equestrian States game was just beautiful.

So yeah, not much else to say other than keep up the good work Scootalove City.

This is Jane Jackson, reporting for TDDROH Sports chat.