World Baseball Classic 45- Everything (Final G7 Posted)

[Beepee]

Part 5

Over the days following the interview, life returned to normal for Bruce Labare, and he threw himself into his training. The team had kept Bruce busy, with inviting him to their homes, to events and so on. Keeping busy kept the dark thoughts away, that urge to retreat to into himself.

Whilst Bruce kept well with his teammates, he became aware that Homer was pulling away.

----

Homer sat in his office. He had withdrawn from the team over the past few days.

His secretary, Doralee Rhodes, came in with today's mail. Homer smiled at Doralee as she placed the mail on his desk, before heading back out.

Homer flicked through the mail. He stopped at a large manila envelope. It felt like there was something hard. He opened the envelope and topped the contents onto his desk. Something hard clanked onto the desk.

It was two bullets, to get with a note, written in newspaper type.

"The time is now."

Homer, crumpled the note up and threw it in the wastepaper basket. He swept the bullets into a drawer, before closing and locking it

He sat, alone in his office and fretted to himself.

[The Sherpa Empire]

--‭֎‬-- Imperial Palace, Lukla --‭֎‬--

The Emperor had found out that Kipa Sherpa, Duke of Guilin, was in the capital, and he decided that he wanted to talk to the duke. A servant escorted the duke into a lavishly furnished room where the Emperor, the Empress, a servant girl, a shaman, and one of the Emperor's advisers were sitting around with snacks and tea. The duke didn't have much talent for magic, even though it ran in many of the Sherpa Empire's noble families, but he could still feel the magic in the room from the presence of the court shaman and his talismans. The duke exchanged formal greetings with the Emperor and Empress, though not as formal as they would have done if they met in the main audience hall. The servant girl poured a cup of tea for the duke and he thanked her. There was some small talk, and then the Emperor got to the real reason why he had asked the duke to come see him: "You have been spending a lot of time with Princess Yahia lately."

"Yes, she's a delightful young woman and a dear friend to me," said the duke.

"What are your intentions, though? Do you intend to be more than friends?"

"If she wanted to be more than friends, I would be delighted, but it would be presumptuous for me to assume that her heart belongs to me."

"But she always seems so eager to see you!"

"We do enjoy our time together, but we are not lovers if that's what you are asking."

"It just seems strange to me that a man your age has never married, and you are still reluctant to ask for Yahia's hand after all the time you spend with her."

"Her heart does not belong to me," said the duke.

"Is she in love with someone else?" the Emperor asked suspiciously.

"I couldn't tell you," said the duke.

"You don't know or you don't want to tell me?" the Emperor demanded impatiently.

"I don't know," the duke lied.

--‭֎‬-- Kolkata, Bengal Province --‭֎‬--

Princess Yahia thought she had found some way to call and text Debashish Morrison without her parents or the security people that watched over the imperial family finding out about it. He had mixed feelings about this. On one hand, it was nice to be able to talk to her. On the other hand, he didn't have much spare time to chat with her right now. West Phoenicia and Lisander were coming to play in Kolkata, and Nawang Gurung's mom was badgering everyone to come over and let her cook for them. In addition to the games themselves, there were warm-ups, scouting reports to go over, etc. With Sarang Oli's stricter management style and Hanyi Yang gone from the pitching rotation, there was less partying than previous World Baseball Classics, but there was still some. Dorjee Sherpa and Usha Chawa still loved food and drink, and they made sure there was plenty of chang to go around even if Hanyi Yang was not there to dance around the clubhouse like an idiot.

Mrs. Gurung's cooking was surprisingly spicy for someone that was so unadventurous by nature. She was paranoid about Nawang's safety and still treated him like a schoolboy going on his first camping trip, even though Nawang was now in his mid-20s and had spent a couple of years living on his own in North Prarie.

After losing both the games to Lisander and West Phoenicia, Oli was really pushing the players to stay focused on baseball and not get sidetracked with booze, food, skirt-chasing, and Luochong Zhuang's recent fascination with groundwater contamination.

So it wasn't the most convenient time for Yahia to suddenly start texting regularly and expecting Debashish to respond. And even if she had picked a better time, he still didn't see how their relationship could go anywhere unless they brought it out in the open. They couldn't keep it secret forever. He liked Yahia a lot, but he didn't like sneaking around behind the backs of powerful people. If they were going to have a future together, it would probably mean renouncing her place in the succession, letting Prince Wangdi have the throne instead of whoever married Yahia. They had talked about doing exactly that, but she hadn't actually done it yet, and he didn't want to push her. It would be a big scandal if she did, and that wasn't something to rush into.

Having the Duke of Guilin involved only add another layer of complication. The imperial court seemed to want to pair Yahia off with him, and as much as Morrison wanted her for himself, he couldn't shake the feeling that the Duke of Guilin would be a better emperor than either himself or Wangdi. The Duke of Guilin was mildly reclusive and eccentric, but he was level-headed and not too reactionary or bigoted.

As they prepared to leave for Vaeruio, Mrs. Gurung was nagging Nawang to be careful and urging him to take some of her samosas in case the food in the unfamiliar country was not to his liking.

Rajinder Singh was complaining that the bats had been asleep the last two games and he needed to wake them up. "Not this again..." said Oli.

"Have you tried accupuncture?" Morrison asked.

"Please don't encourage him," said Oli.

"How do you find where to put the needles?" Singh asked.

"I'm not an accupuncturist," said Morrison. "It was just an idea."

Singh furrowed his brow in thought. "Hmm..."

[Derring-Do]

"Welcome to Gritty Hustlers Live!, the statistically predominant news source for Derring-Do's national Weak-Sauce Baseball club! I'm Gungwalla McAdoo."

"And I'm Cecilia Worth. Mixed results so far as Derring-Do's finest test baseball players have struggled to adopt to the 9-inning Weak-Sauce Baseball format, which most of them haven't played since the age of 8."

"Absolutely, Cecilia, I don't think anyone here disputes that 90-inning Test Baseball is far superior to the Weak-Sauce format, but it seems that the rest of the infinite multiverse is neither physically gifted nor mentally tough enough to play grown-up baseball."

"And if any of them are out there, I just want to let you know that we both think much worse of you for it."

"You little chickenshits."

"You probably still won't cross the street without holding Mommy's hand."

"Weak."

"So weak."

"A disgrace to the multiverse."

"How can you even look yourselves in the mirror each morning, walking away after only 9 innings? My kids throw tantrums when their little league games end after 9 innings. They want to play the full 90 over five days like their heroes."

"I spit on you."

"Give 'em the business, Gungwalla!"

"I spit on you! And your miserable ancestors! Like this!" He gets up from the broadcast desk and charges towards the camera. "Ptooey! Ptooey! PTOOEY!" A massive loogey hits the camera lens and the shot drops towards the floor as the cameraman reels backwards in confusion. Someone offscreen starts yelling "Cut! Cut the damn feed before...

Gungwalla's face comes back onto the camera, plunging upward as he's clearly picked the camera up from the ground. He opens his mouth to speak again but the feed is cut before he can say anything.

[Union of Socialist Alpine Republics]

The Alpine Union is on a 4 games winning streak!

Clarkston, Republic of Okanogan - (NAP) After winning against Felsigberg and Northwest Kalactin on matchdays 8 and 9, the Alpine union had a bye day, then on matchday 11, the Bisons travelled to Abanhfleft and crushed them 9-3 before beating Far Easter Republic 6-5 at home. It's now a 4 games winning streak for the Reprezentacja Alpejski! Zvonimir Hajrovic (1-0) and Yakub Petrenko were the starting pitchers. The game was still 0-0 at the top 3rd inning when first baseman Krunoslav Bogdanovic (who was in the line up because we have to use a designated hitter in Abanhfleft) hits a double. Madison O'Keefe is flied out in far right field and Bogdanovic advanced to 3rd base. Wilton Jimenez walked. Stijn Bolsenbroek is the next batter and he's safe on fielder's choice (Jimenez is out at the 2nd base), Bogdanovic scores and the score is 1-0 Alpine Union! Then in the bottom 5th inning, Ulrika Zimmermann was the first at bat and she hitted a double (by the way Abanhfleft is using a strange batting order with two short stops and no 3rd baseman). James Hester is grounded out, Zimmermann stays at 2nd base. Marshall Householder walked, Zimmermann stays at 2nd base. Then the designated hitter comes at bat and, wait... it's the pitcher? Normally teams who use a designated hitter designs a hitter to hit in place of the pitcher... I'm confused. So Yakub Petrenko comes at bat and he hits a double, Zimmermann scores and Householder advances to the 3rd base. Peter Offutt follows with a single in left field, both Householder and Petrenko scores. Abanhfleft is leading 3-1.

In the top 6th inning, Stijn Bolsenbroek was the first at bat and he hitted a single. Kevin McNeill struck out. Gustavo Mendoza hitted a two runs homerun. Tyson Lindsey was flied out. Esmeralda Sanchez follows with a solo homerun and the score was 4-3 Alpine Union. In the top 7th inning, Krunoslav Bogdanovic was the first at bat and he struck out. Madison O'Keefe hitted a single. Wilton Jimenez followed with a single. Stijn Bolsenbroek at at bat with O'Keefe at 2nd base and Jimenez at first base. It's a double steal! With O'Keefe at 3rd and Jimenez at 2nd, Bolsenbroek hits a double, O'Keefe scores, Jimenez is out at the plate. The Bisons are now leading 5-3. Zlatan Belec is the first batter in the top 9 inning and he hits a solo homerun. Krunoslav Bogdanovic follows with a single. Madison O'Keefe is safe on fielder's choice. Wilton Jimenez follows with a sacrifice bunt. Stijn Bolsenbroek is flied out, O'Keefe stays at 2nd base. Kevin McNeill walked. Gustavo Mendoza hits a 3 runs homerun and the score is 9-3 Bisons! Gustavo Mendoza was 3 in 5 with 2 homeruns and 5 runs batted in. Zvonimir Hajrovic (2-0) was the winning pitcher for the Bisons.

The Alpine Union had to go back home from Abanhfleft in 24 hours because on the next day the Bisons recieved Far Easter Republic at Ripley Field in Clarkston and it wasn't easy because Abanhfleft is located in Antarctica. It was an 18 hours flight. Starting pitchers were Shane Kowalczyk (0-0) and Starting Pitcher #5. In the top 2nd inning, Far Easter Republic scores 2 runs. Gustavo Mendoza was the first to bat in the bottom 2nd inning and he hitted a double. Tyson Lindsey also hitted a double, Mendoza scored. Esmeralda Sanchez hitted a single, Lindsey advanced to 3rd base. Zlatan Belec flied out, Lindsey scored. Sanchez advanced to 2nd base while the outfielder was pitching to the plate. Madison O'Keefe hitted a single, Sanchez scored from the 2nd base. Starting pitcher Shane Kowalczyk struck out to end the inning and the score was 3-2 Reprezentacja Alpejski after two innings. In the bottom 3rd inning, Wilton Jimenez was the first at bat and he walked. Stijn Bolsenbroek is grounded out, Jimenez advanced to 2nd base. Kevin McNeill is at bat, Jimenez steals the 3rd base. McNeill hits a sacrifice fly, Jimenez scored and the Alpine Union leads 4-2!

Zlatan Belec is the first to bat in the bottom 7th inning and he hits a single. Madison O'Keefe follows with a double, Belec advances to 3rd base. Shane Kowalczyk is flied out. Both Belec and O'Keefe didn't advance. Wilton Jimenez is out on a fly ball. Stijn Bolsenbroek hits a single, Belec scores and the Bisons are leading 5-2. Far Easter Republic scored a run in the top 8 inning and added two more runs in the top 9 inning when 1st baseman hitted a two runs homerun and the game is tied at 5-5. Then in the bottom 9th inning, pinch hitter Luca Dzsudzsak comes at bat and she hits a single (in Hungary Luca is a female name). Wilton Jimenez is at bat and Dzsudzsak steals the 2nd base. Jimenez walked. Stijn Bolsenbroek hitted a double, Dzsudzsak scores and this is the end of the game the Alpine Union won 6-5. The winning pitcher is Genevieve McGowan (2-1-1), who also has a blown save to her record.

The Alpine Union is now sitting in first place with 7 wins and 3 losses. The closest teams are Abanhfleft and Far Easter Republic with 6 wins. The next two games for the Bisons are on the road at Felsigberg, then at home against Northwest Kalactin at Jones Field. The Reprezentacja Alpejski has a bye day on matchday 15.

[Tierra de Castro]

Continued from here.

Marcos’ old and battered truck did nothing to soften the blow of driving through one of the numerous potholes on the road to La Habana, Elisa was sat next to him and she hadn’t said anything, but she wasn’t entirely sure his driving was helping. He kept at the same speed even if there was a trench-like hole in the road and he wouldn’t stop for anything, Elisa had always thought that old people drove slower than everybody else but old Marcos seemed determined to destroy that stereotype.

Sat in between Marcos and Elisa was Diego and Marcos’ grandson Pablo. They were chatting animatedly about various things, the conversation topics had ranged from baseball, to what they imagined La Habana to be like, to the homework they were doing at school and back to baseball. Somehow, it would always end up back at baseball.

Marcos would chirp in with a comment from time to time, usually providing some knowing insight that the two hadn’t thought about. Elisa listened in on it all, pretending to read the book she had brought along with her. It was a book about a mythical socialist folk hero and whilst it was relatively interesting, the heat combined with the movement of the vehicle made it extremely difficult to concentrate.

Diego and Pablo had been sat in the truck’s cargo bed for the first part of the journey, but as soon as they ended up on the quicker roads Elisa immediately insisted that they move inside. She didn’t want either of the kids to fly out of the vehicle when the truck bounced into and out of a pothole. It had taken her long enough to convince Javier that taking Diego to the trial with old Marcos was a good idea, an unfortunate injury was the last thing she needed. Javier would immediately throw it up to her in the argument that would ensue afterwards and insist that he had known that it was a bad idea.

She tried to put thoughts of that out of her mind. This was about Diego having a serious opportunity and she hoped that he would be able to take it. Elisa hadn’t put any pressure on her son, but she knew that it was an opportunity for him to create a more comfortable life for himself. He wouldn’t be able to comprehend such a thing, but compared to the life that Elisa and Javier had, if Diego was able to play baseball even for one of the teams in the Castrollano league he’d have things set. Baseball allowed you to live easily, you were a hero for your hometown and people knew who you were wherever you went.

The Party were prepared to turn a blind eye to the favouritism sportspeople received from their fellow citizens and the most successful sportspeople were actively rewarded by The Party. It was rumoured that the players on the national team had all been rewarded with increased allowances, apartments in La Habana and all new electrical goods specially bought from Acardola. The Party were prepared to buy and use Acardolan electrical goods to reward the baseball stars, but they weren’t prepared to let those same baseball stars actually make money from their talent.

Still, playing baseball for a living was a lot better than having to slave away in the steelworks, like Javier had to and that was likely all that Diego would have ahead of him if he wasn’t allowed to pursue this opportunity. That’s why Elisa had been so adamant about it, Javier hadn’t understood it at first. He’d been worried about getting Diego’s hopes up, that saying he could go down to the capital and have his confidence raised and then dashed entirely. He was worried that he might not be the same kid after it, but Elisa had focused on the potential positives. At the end of the day there was nothing else going for many ordinary people in Tierra de Castro.

Tierra de Castro was meant to be a socialist state, with equality for all and nobody being above anybody else. That was of course a complete fallacy in reality, the system of patronage within The Party ensured that. People relied on those above them to get anywhere in Castrollano society, all jobs worth having relied on getting a recommendation from somebody who was in a position that their word would count for something. It was no better than the chummy nepotism that The Party derided in capitalist states. Sport by its very nature was something in which nepotism couldn’t work, people rose to the top on merit, their ability in a respective sport being the reason why they got onto a team.

Elisa had to catch herself from time to time, to not get ahead of herself. Maybe Javi did have a point. After all, Diego was only 12, but the fact that his Coach had even organised it said a lot. Elisa had asked Marcos and he hadn’t heard of anybody from their little league team ever being recommended for a trial at the Centro Nacional. It was hard not to be hopeful.

Elisa had once hoped to do a bit more with her life, when she was younger. But there hadn’t been the same number of opportunities back then and she hadn’t been the best at athletics or gymnastics, the sports Castrollano women usually specialised in. She taught at a local elementary school and she enjoyed her job, it was one that was well respected within Castrollano society, even if The Party tried to influence absolutely every lesson she ever taught. Elisa wasn’t entirely sure they needed to understand the virtues of the collectivization of farming and the solidarity between steelworkers, stevedores and sailors. The Party ensured that she told her kids about it, though.

“Look!” Marcos’ grandson Pablo shouted, pointing at a sign by the road. “The signs for La Habana have started popping up, we’re getting close!”

“We’ll soon be there kid,” Marcos said, smiling. “Your first time in our beautiful country’s capital boys!”

Elisa hoped Diego would grab the chance that the capital would present to him with both hands.

[Cassadaigua]

Matchday 13:

Group 1
Holy Marsh             0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0  2
Ethane                 2 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 X  6

Vangaziland            0 0 0 0 0 1 2 3 1  7
Xanneria               0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0  1


  Group 1               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Ethane                 10    7   3    57   38  +19    21
2 Vangaziland            10    6   4    46   42   +4    18
3 Bauscland              10    6   4    46   45   +1    18
4 Holy Marsh             11    5   6    33   43  −10    15
5 Xanneria               11    2   9    44   58  −14     6

Group 2
Geektopia              0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0  1
Cassadaigua            0 1 5 0 0 0 0 1 X  7

South Covello          0 0 0 0 1 0 4 2 0  7
Beepee                 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 1 1  6


  Group 2               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Cassadaigua            10    8   2    60   28  +32    24
2 Beepee                 11    7   4    69   42  +27    21
3 South Covello          10    5   5    43   46   −3    15
4 Geektopia              11    5   6    58   63   −5    15
5 Calponia               10    1   9    27   78  −51     3

Group 3
Vaeruio                0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0
West Phoenicia         0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 X  1

Derring-Do             0 3 0 0 1 0 1 0 0  5
The Sherpa Empire      0 0 8 0 0 1 2 0 X 11


  Group 3               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 West Phoenicia         10    9   1    58   27  +31    27
2 The Sherpa Empire      11    6   5    54   46   +8    18
3 Derring-Do             10    4   6    56   59   −3    12
4 Lisander               10    4   6    34   52  −18    12
5 Vaeruio                11    3   8    33   51  −18     9

Group 4
North Prarie           0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0
Banija                 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 X  5

Schiltzberg            0 0 1 0 0 4 0 0 0  5
Jaguar515              1 0 0 2 0 3 0 0 X  6


  Group 4               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Schiltzberg            10    7   3    51   35  +16    21
2 Kita-Hinode            10    5   5    46   31  +15    15
3 Banija                 10    5   5    38   44   −6    15
4 North Prarie           11    5   6    50   61  −11    15
5 Jaguar515              11    4   7    40   54  −14    12

Group 5
Alpine Union             0 1 0 1 2 2 0 2 0  8
Felsigberg               0 1 0 1 0 0 3 0 1  6

Abanhfleft               0 0 4 0 1 0 0 2 2  9
Far Easter Republic      0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0  3


  Group 5                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Alpine Union             11    8   3    69   44  +25    24
2 Abanhfleft               10    7   3    61   52   +9    21
3 Far Easter Republic      11    6   5    52   48   +4    18
4 Felsigberg               10    4   6    46   57  −11    12
5 Northwest Kalactin       10    1   9    34   61  −27     3

Group 6
Ko-oren                  2 0 0 1 0 2 2 0 3 10
Bulgar Rouge             0 0 0 0 0 3 0 2 0  5

Carpia                   0 0 1 0 2 0 1 0 0  4
Oscioru                  4 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 X  7


  Group 6                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Oscioru                  11    8   3    64   43  +21    24
2 Ko-oren                  11    6   5    41   40   +1    18
3 Hampton Island           10    5   5    45   38   +7    15
4 Carpia                   10    4   6    36   54  −18    12
5 Bulgar Rouge             10    3   7    38   49  −11     9

Group 7
Evaropi                  0 0 0 0 0 2 3 0 0  5
The Greater Nordics      1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0  4

Cheergirls               0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0  1
Drawkland                0 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 X  3


  Group 7                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Newmanistan              10    8   2    72   45  +27    24
2 Drawkland                11    7   4    54   47   +7    21
3 Evaropi                  11    5   6    45   59  −14    15
4 The Greater Nordics      10    3   7    40   38   +2     9
5 Cheergirls               10    3   7    41   63  −22     9

Group 8
Trive 38                         0 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 1 1 1  6
Scootalove City                  0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 0  5

Equestrian States                0 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0  3
The Federation of Spokane        3 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 X  4


  Group 8                         Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Tierra de Castro                 10    8   2    51   37  +14    24
2 Scootalove City                  10    5   5    43   40   +3    15
3 The Federation of Spokane        11    5   6    51   58   −7    15
4 Trive 38                         11    4   7    52   52    0    12
5 Equestrian States                10    4   6    42   52  −10    12

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

Camelone                         0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0  2
Lycrabon                         1 0 1 0 1 0 0 3 X  6


  Group 9                         Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Free Republics                   10    9   1    50   30  +20    27
2 Libonesia                        11    5   6    48   51   −3    15
3 Lycrabon                         11    5   6    43   46   −3    15
4 Camelone                         10    5   5    36   41   −5    15
5 Cosumar                          10    2   8    29   38   −9     6

Group 10
Nova Anglicana                   1 1 3 0 0 1 0 0 0 2  8
Liventia                         0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 0  6

Tiiwark                          0 0 1 2 0 0 0 1 2  6
New Jarwel                       0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0  2


  Group 10                        Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Vakolicci Haven and Celeria      10    8   2    67   42  +25    24
2 Nova Anglicana                   11    8   3    66   48  +18    24
3 Liventia                         10    6   4    59   51   +8    18
4 Tiiwark                          10    3   7    52   75  −23     9
5 New Jarwel                       11    1  10    45   73  −28     3

Matchday 14:

Group 1
Ethane                 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0  1
Vangaziland            2 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 X  5

Bauscland              0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1  3
Holy Marsh             0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  2


  Group 1               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Ethane                 11    7   4    58   43  +15    21
2 Vangaziland            11    7   4    51   43   +8    21
3 Bauscland              11    7   4    49   47   +2    21
4 Holy Marsh             12    5   7    35   46  −11    15
5 Xanneria               11    2   9    44   58  −14     6

Group 2
Cassadaigua            5 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1  7
South Covello          3 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0  4

Calponia               0 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 0  4
Geektopia              0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0  2


  Group 2               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Cassadaigua            11    9   2    67   32  +35    27
2 Beepee                 11    7   4    69   42  +27    21
3 South Covello          11    5   6    47   53   −6    15
4 Geektopia              12    5   7    60   67   −7    15
5 Calponia               11    2   9    31   80  −49     6

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

Lisander               1 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 0  4
Vaeruio                0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  1


  Group 3               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 West Phoenicia         11   10   1    60   28  +32    30
2 The Sherpa Empire      11    6   5    54   46   +8    18
3 Lisander               11    5   6    38   53  −15    15
4 Derring-Do             11    4   7    57   61   −4    12
5 Vaeruio                12    3   9    34   55  −21     9

Group 4
Banija                 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0  1
Schiltzberg            0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 X  2

Kita-Hinode            0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  2
North Prarie           0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0  1


  Group 4               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Schiltzberg            11    8   3    53   36  +17    24
2 Kita-Hinode            11    6   5    48   32  +16    18
3 Banija                 11    5   6    39   46   −7    15
4 North Prarie           12    5   7    51   63  −12    15
5 Jaguar515              11    4   7    40   54  −14    12

Group 5
Felsigberg               0 0 1 0 1 1 0 3 0  6
Abanhfleft               0 0 1 0 1 0 2 1 0  5

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


  Group 5                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Alpine Union             12    9   3    72   46  +26    27
2 Abanhfleft               11    7   4    66   58   +8    21
3 Far Easter Republic      11    6   5    52   48   +4    18
4 Felsigberg               11    5   6    52   62  −10    15
5 Northwest Kalactin       11    1  10    36   64  −28     3

Group 6
Bulgar Rouge             1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0  5
Carpia                   0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 1  6

Hampton Island           0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0  1
Ko-oren                  2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X  2


  Group 6                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Oscioru                  11    8   3    64   43  +21    24
2 Ko-oren                  12    7   5    43   41   +2    21
3 Hampton Island           11    5   6    46   40   +6    15
4 Carpia                   11    5   6    42   59  −17    15
5 Bulgar Rouge             11    3   8    43   55  −12     9

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

Newmanistan              1 1 0 0 0 1 2 0 0  5
Evaropi                  0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0  3


  Group 7                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Newmanistan              11    9   2    77   48  +29    27
2 Drawkland                11    7   4    54   47   +7    21
3 Evaropi                  12    5   7    48   64  −16    15
4 The Greater Nordics      11    4   7    45   39   +6    12
5 Cheergirls               11    3   8    42   68  −26     9

Group 8
Scootalove City                  1 0 0 0 0 0 3 2 0  6
Equestrian States                1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0  2

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


  Group 8                         Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Tierra de Castro                 11    9   2    53   38  +15    27
2 Scootalove City                  11    6   5    49   42   +7    18
3 The Federation of Spokane        11    5   6    51   58   −7    15
4 Trive 38                         12    4   8    53   54   −1    12
5 Equestrian States                11    4   7    44   58  −14    12

Group 9
Cosumar                          0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0  2
Camelone                         0 1 0 0 0 0 2 1 X  4

Free Republics                   0 0 1 2 3 0 3 0 0  9
Libonesia                        0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0  2


  Group 9                         Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Free Republics                   11   10   1    59   32  +27    30
2 Camelone                         11    6   5    40   43   −3    18
3 Lycrabon                         11    5   6    43   46   −3    15
4 Libonesia                        12    5   7    50   60  −10    15
5 Cosumar                          11    2   9    31   42  −11     6

Group 10
Liventia                         0 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 1  5
Tiiwark                          0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 0 0  4

Vakolicci Haven and Celeria      0 1 0 1 2 1 0 0 0  5
Nova Anglicana                   1 0 2 3 0 0 1 1 X  8


  Group 10                        Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Nova Anglicana                   12    9   3    74   53  +21    27
2 Vakolicci Haven and Celeria      11    8   3    72   50  +22    24
3 Liventia                         11    7   4    64   55   +9    21
4 Tiiwark                          11    3   8    56   80  −24     9
5 New Jarwel                       11    1  10    45   73  −28     3

Matchday 15:

Group 1
Vangaziland            0 1 0 0 0 5 3 0 1 10
Bauscland              0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 3  6

Xanneria               0 1 0 0 3 0 0 1 2  7
Ethane                 0 0 1 3 0 0 1 0 1  6


  Group 1               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Vangaziland            12    8   4    61   49  +12    24
2 Ethane                 12    7   5    64   50  +14    21
3 Bauscland              12    7   5    55   57   −2    21
4 Holy Marsh             12    5   7    35   46  −11    15
5 Xanneria               12    3   9    51   64  −13     9

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

Beepee                 0 0 2 0 2 3 2 0 2 11
Cassadaigua            0 2 0 0 4 0 0 0 0  6


  Group 2               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Cassadaigua            12    9   3    73   43  +30    27
2 Beepee                 12    8   4    80   48  +32    24
3 Geektopia              12    5   7    60   67   −7    15
4 South Covello          12    5   7    47   57  −10    15
5 Calponia               12    3   9    35   80  −45     9

Group 3
Derring-Do             5 0 2 0 0 1 0 1 0  9
Lisander               0 0 1 0 0 3 0 0 0  4

The Sherpa Empire      1 0 0 0 1 1 1 2 0  6
West Phoenicia         0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0  3


  Group 3               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 West Phoenicia         12   10   2    63   34  +29    30
2 The Sherpa Empire      12    7   5    60   49  +11    21
3 Derring-Do             12    5   7    66   65   +1    15
4 Lisander               12    5   7    42   62  −20    15
5 Vaeruio                12    3   9    34   55  −21     9

Group 4
Schiltzberg            0 1 1 2 1 0 0 3 0  8
Kita-Hinode            0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  1

Jaguar515              0 1 0 0 0 2 0 1 2  6
Banija                 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0  2


  Group 4               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Schiltzberg            12    9   3    61   37  +24    27
2 Kita-Hinode            12    6   6    49   40   +9    18
3 Jaguar515              12    5   7    46   56  −10    15
4 Banija                 12    5   7    41   52  −11    15
5 North Prarie           12    5   7    51   63  −12    15

Group 5
Abanhfleft               3 1 1 0 0 0 2 2 0  9
Northwest Kalactin       0 0 0 5 3 0 0 0 0  8

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


  Group 5                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Alpine Union             12    9   3    72   46  +26    27
2 Abanhfleft               12    8   4    75   66   +9    24
3 Far Easter Republic      12    7   5    56   51   +5    21
4 Felsigberg               12    5   7    55   66  −11    15
5 Northwest Kalactin       12    1  11    44   73  −29     3

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

Oscioru                  0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0  3
Bulgar Rouge             0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0  1


  Group 6                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Oscioru                  12    9   3    67   44  +23    27
2 Ko-oren                  12    7   5    43   41   +2    21
3 Hampton Island           12    6   6    52   43   +9    18
4 Carpia                   12    5   7    45   65  −20    15
5 Bulgar Rouge             12    3   9    44   58  −14     9

Group 7
Cheergirls               0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  1
Newmanistan              1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 X  2

Drawkland                5 0 0 2 1 3 1 0 1 13
The Greater Nordics      0 3 0 0 1 0 4 1 0  9


  Group 7                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Newmanistan              12   10   2    79   49  +30    30
2 Drawkland                12    8   4    67   56  +11    24
3 Evaropi                  12    5   7    48   64  −16    15
4 The Greater Nordics      12    4   8    54   52   +2    12
5 Cheergirls               12    3   9    43   70  −27     9

Group 8
Equestrian States                0 1 0 3 0 1 0 3 2 10
Tierra de Castro                 0 0 2 0 2 0 0 1 0  5

The Federation of Spokane        0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 0  3
Scootalove City                  0 0 0 0 1 0 2 3 X  6


  Group 8                         Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Tierra de Castro                 12    9   3    58   48  +10    27
2 Scootalove City                  12    7   5    55   45  +10    21
3 Equestrian States                12    5   7    54   63   −9    15
4 The Federation of Spokane        12    5   7    54   64  −10    15
5 Trive 38                         12    4   8    53   54   −1    12

Group 9
Camelone                         1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0  3
Free Republics                   0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2  4

Lycrabon                         2 0 0 0 1 0 3 0 1 0 1  8
Cosumar                          0 1 1 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 0  7


  Group 9                         Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Free Republics                   12   11   1    63   35  +28    33
2 Lycrabon                         12    6   6    51   53   −2    18
3 Camelone                         12    6   6    43   47   −4    18
4 Libonesia                        12    5   7    50   60  −10    15
5 Cosumar                          12    2  10    38   50  −12     6

Group 10
Tiiwark                          0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0  1
Vakolicci Haven and Celeria      0 0 0 2 0 1 1 2 X  6

New Jarwel                       2 0 0 2 1 0 0 2 0  7
Liventia                         0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 X  8


  Group 10                        Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Vakolicci Haven and Celeria      12    9   3    78   51  +27    27
2 Nova Anglicana                   12    9   3    74   53  +21    27
3 Liventia                         12    8   4    72   62  +10    24
4 Tiiwark                          12    3   9    57   86  −29     9
5 New Jarwel                       12    1  11    52   81  −29     3

[West Phoenicia]

While thousands of West Phoenicians tuned into WP Sports 2 to watch the Confederates play ball and while others sat in the stands eating hotdogs and popcorn while cheering on the team whose success took a small hiccup in Game 15 when their baseball rivals from Sherpa Empire defeated them 6-3, another race was brewing.

Channel 0 was the government run t.v station. Keeping citizens updated to all that is happening within the Confederate Empire of West Phoenicia. It would also hold the national Prime Minister elections.

The Prime Minister chairs the House of Representatives and the Deputy Prime Minister chairs the Senate.
Both positions are for 3 year terms with the general election occuring every 5 years. They have the ability to be re-elected. Only members of the ruling party can nominate themselves as a candidate. They would then progress to the National Prime Minister elections where the nation would decide.

Currently the Coalition controls the government. In the lower house the Coalition has
1123 members giving them control, they are made up of;

The Conservative Party (304)
The Antebellum Party (241)
The Segregation Party (184)
The Aristocracy Party (213)
The Christian Democratic Alliance (90)
The Catholic People's Party (89

While in the Senate they control 145 out of 310 seats. The United bloc is not always united on all issues, but they tend to support each other and vote along party lines most of the time.

The following contenders have put up their hand to take part in the election race.

Hon. Jimmy Bain: Has been the Prime Minister of West Phoenicia for the last six years. Leads the Conservative Party. Jimmy has been instrumental in keeping the Empire secure and stable and has promotes policies that have increased economic growth and greater empire unity between member nations. Has supported and help push funding for infrastructure, public schools, building of additional hospitals and building up rural communities. He is seen as a more moderate conservative party member.

Hon Countess Tia High: Has been Deputy Prime Minister for six years, where she has successfully led the Senate. Before that she was interim PM for 12 months when former PM Anton Moore was assassinated. She leans more right and has called for an increase in military action against enemies. She is a staunch hawk and monarchist.Supports building of additional schools and hospitals and hospitals for the rich. Tax cuts for the middle class and lower classes. As well as tax cuts for big business who hire above the staff that is required. A fierce pro-life member in areas of abortion and euthanasia. She also supports the rights of parents not to vaccinate. Harsher sentences for drug abuses and death penalty for all drug dealers. As well as wanting additional childcare facilities as well as an increase and overhaul of all emergency services and energy sources.

Hon Jack Portland: Is leader of the Antebellum Party. Wants to establish a national guard across the Empire as well as an increase in military spending.Increase from 4 to 6 weeks for paid annual leave.
Increase in Wildlife Reserves, zoos and public gardens. Tax break incentives for small business while punishing big business who do not pay their fair share. Decriminalize dueling and closing all abortion clinics. Use of alternative energy schemes, adopt a more West Phoenicia First policy, while improving infrastructure and roads and increasing the number of people enrolled in the Volunteer Labor Program and decriminalize the whipping of offenders who go awol.
Increase in funding for Sports, Arts, Science, Technology and Religion. A tougher stance on illegal immigration.

Hon Martina Rose: Is a far right member of the West Phoenician Segregation Party. She supports;
Tax Cuts for the Rich and members of the nobility, an increase in segregated zones based off economic criteria, Increase to the Prison Labor Act to help agricultural industry. Increase taxes of the middle and lower classes. Supporter of gay marriage, slashing inheritance tax, increased funding for international and national sports, increase of luxury imports, cuts to immigration quotas, focus on an increase in tourism, removing life tenure for Supreme Court Justices, keep abortion legal in areas of rape and where the mother's life is in danger, restructure of the justice department and harsher sentences for repeat criminals, increased funding for the arts and cut wasteful military and welfare spending.

All four candidates will begin touring West Phoenicia and other nations of the Empire.

[Drawkland]

Groundball Day

beepbeep ... beepbeep ... beepbeep ... beepbeep ... beepbeep ... beepbeep ... beepbee-

"What the hell?" Travis muttered as he slapped around for his phone, disoriented. Tori stirred in the bed next to him, also muttering various curses and angry noises.

"Didn't you say you didn't have the alarm on?" she whined as Travis blinked at his phone screen.

"Yeah ... yeah I didn't even open the app yesterday, remember?" he said, confused. He knew he didn't set the alarm for this morning. He made a point not to. But it still went off, and at the same time as yesterday, too. And the same alarm notification popped up ... "It's Gameday! On Corps!" it read, in an obliviously chipper tone.

"It must've been some glitch, or maybe I set it for Saturday and Sunday too, or something ..." he mumbled at Tori sat up in the bed and stretched. But when he checked the alarm itself, it only showed Saturday. Or, as his phone said it, "today."

"Uh, actually I think my phone is messed up. Says today is Saturday, even though yesterday was Saturday. That's weird," he started scrolling around the other apps he had. He went on the news app and saw the article listed at the top on the "Your Interests" section. "Drawkland's Base Corps set to play Scootalove City in Round of 16 elimination game" it read. He tried refreshing the page, but nothing changed.

"My whole phone is borked, my news app is still showing the stuff from yesterday," he said again. By now, Tori had moved to pick her phone off of the other bedside table and look through it.

"Don't freak out, but mine is saying the same thing. Says it's still Saturday for some reason," Tori replied, closely regarding her screen.

"Did we just like ... dream last night? Really vividly or something? At the .. same time?" Travis said, not clearly not believing his own words as they came out of his mouth. His tongue felt dry and he had a funny feeling in his stomach. This was REALLY weird.

"Hey, where's my quarterfinals shirt? Didn't we put it on that chair after last night?" she asked suddenly, pointing to the corner of the room where the now-bare lounge chair was situated. Travis stumbled out of bed to investigate. He looked behind the chair, under it, all around it, before shaking his head. It was nowhere to be seen.

"Okay, this is officially really weird. Really, really weird," Tori stepped out of bed herself to look at her luggage bag. No trace of the shirt was found. Travis was busy looking though his own bag.

"Look," he said, pulling his Base Corps replica jersey and casual jeans out of his bag, "These haven't been worn. They were packed in there neatly like they were when I packed the bag before the trip. They weren't in my hamper bag. What the hell?!"

"Okay ... let's just get some breakfast and figure out what the deal is."

Minutes later, the two were dressed in the clothes they had supposedly worn yesterday, and were in the lobby for their complimentary breakfast. The scene was eerily familiar. The TV on the sports channel was repeating the same phrases they had said yesterday. The same people sitting at the same tables with the same plates. The same waffle maker was clearly burning its contents as a young pony hurried over to retrieve his waffle.

As Travis walked past the bowls of fruit, he went to grab an apple and hesitated.

"Remember when I complained about the apples being gross and sandy yesterday?" he asked Tori. She nodded and he continued, "I wonder if they're the same."

Sure enough, when they sat down to eat, at the same table with the same coffee spill blotch on the corner, he bit into his apple and grimaced.

"Yup. Same dumb texture."

---

They decided to go sightseeing again, despite the fact that they'd already been everywhere they meant to go. It was more to ascertain the weirdness of the repeated day they'd been experience than to see the sights. Sure enough, the first place they went to (foothills of Mt. Harmony) had the same tour group with the same people asking the same questions to the same guide with the same answers. After the first place they went they decided to return to the hotel. Besides, the main attraction of the day was of course, the game.

"I still can't wrap my head around it. Yesterday seemed so real. Like I vividly remember everything being the same as it was, and you do too! But nobody else seems to be acting like anything is off," Travis said as they made their way to the metro to head to the stadium.

"I agree," Tori said, "Would there be anyway to confirm it without people looking at us crazy?"

"I dunno ..." Travis rubbed his chin, "Well yesterday they had a break day before the final game, right? So maybe we ask somebody how the game was yesterday, and if they correct us saying it was two days ago, then we know something is just up with us, right?"

"That could work. Let's ask a fan when we get to the stadium."

Sure enough, when the couple got to their seats, they asked the man sitting next to Travis (who interrupted their conversation the 'previous' day) what he thought of the game.

"Well, I'm sure you mean two days ago, but yes, I think Drawkland played really well under pressure, and that Serena Hearns bat flip walkoff home run was incredible. This whole series has had some amazing late-game moments."

"Yeah, haha, those late game moments certainly are wild," Travis mumbled, and gave Tori a meaningful look. Whatever was up, it was just them.

The game progressed, again, in an eerily familiar way. The same pitches, the same runs, the same Drawkian dominance. The end of the game approached, and they both knew what was coming. When Rachel Atlink came up to bat in the top of the ninth, Travis proclaimed loudly, "Oh yeah, watch her take this first pitch for a popup to first base to end the inning." Sure enough, that exact play happened right in front of them.

"Nice call," the man sitting next to Travis said, and Travis nodded with a little smirk, "Let's just say I have a gift."

The ninth inning also progressed the same way, the tension rising and the Unicorns scoring nearly at will. Eventually the fateful situation was there once again. Runners on first and second, no outs, 10-8. John Avidan up to bat. Travis and Tori had not been as conversation this time. They sat in eerie anticipation for the moment the game would end. Would it be the same? Despite their weird day, overshadowing the game itself, this moment still was thick with anxiety.

"Ready for this triple play?" Travis nervously chuckled. Tori nodded, "It better be!" she responded. A few people around them who heard scoffed and shook their heads.

Then it happened. Avidan catches the edge of the pitch, it bounces to shortstop, and Hearns barely catches the edge of it. Tag out, force out, force out at first. The game is over. The crowd is deafening, but Travis and Tori could hardly hear it. They were both in awe. Everything had been identical. The day, however it did, repeated itself. They quietly looked at each other, grabbed their things, and left the stadium. There would be no rushing the field for them tonight.

"Let's grab a quarterfinals shirt on the way out though," Tori said, "Just to make sure." That they did, and when they got back to the hotel, there was no celebrating or love-making. They took showers, and got ready for bed.

Drawkland              0 2 0 3 1 3 1 0 0  10
Scootalove City        0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 5  8
Drawkland wins 3-2

"I'm putting the shirt over the TV here," Tori proclaimed, graciously draping the white shirt over the TV across from the bed, "Just in case."

"I'm turning all my alarms off too," Travis said, making a point to go to his alarm app and turn off all the alarms, even the ones he usually has for work when he's at home. "Hopefully we'll blissfully accidentally wake up at noon tomorrow," he said with a slight grin. Tori nodded and snuggled up next to him, and they drifted off to a fitful sleep. Their wakeup call the following morning wasn't very welcoming.

beepbeep ... beepbeep ... beepbeep ... beepbeep ... beepbeep ... beepbeep ...

[The Sherpa Empire]

--‭֎‬-- Imperial Palace, Lukla --‭֎‬--

Lady Meheruba and Princess Yahia were sitting in an elegantly furnished room, all decked out in vibrantly colored silk, eating pâté, cookies, and spring rolls off silver platters on finely carved tables. On one wall, was a large TV that showed the national baseball teams of Derring-Do and the Sherpa Empire playing a game in Chengdu. The Sherpas had a comfy lead after batting around in the 3rd inning and driving in 8 runs.

The announcers were clearly having fun with it. They aired a snippet of a broadcast from Derring-Do called Gritty Hustlers Live! in which a pair of rowdy sportscasters ranted and raved, calling everyone not from Derring-Do weak and spitting at the camera. The SISN commentators laughed in their broadcast booth, and so did Princess Yahia in her lounge at the Imperial Palace. "Hey, talk is cheap," one of the SISN guys said with a chuckle.

"Yeah, it sounds pretty dumb when you say stuff like that and you can't back it up."

The 4th inning was uneventful, and the 5th inning was more of the same except for a solo homer by Vinicius Torchmonger. Yahia and Meheruba's attention drifted back to their own conversation.

Meheruba was sharing some palace gossip and chattering about the election campaigns that were just starting to launch. She paused, expecting Yahia to respond, but Yahia didn't seem to notice. She glanced at the TV to see if something had happened in the game to draw Yahia's attention away. It was the top of the 6th now, nothing special was happening, and the commentators were filling airtime by debating whether the Sherpa Empire should continue fielding an all-male national team or if they should recruit some of the top players from the women's division of SIBA to play in future World Baseball Classics. Meheruba didn't see any reason why that should be especially distracting. "Is something troubling you, princess?" she asked.

Yahia snapped out of her daydream. "What? Oh, sorry, what were you saying?"

"Were you thinking about the Duke of Guilin?" Meheruba asked with a playful grin.

"Actually, I was," said Yahia, but she didn't look as cheerful. "He said something about knowing how it feels when you can't be with the one you love. I think it has something to do with why he isn't already married, and I was just wondering who he was in love with."

"Ooh, that's interesting!" said Meheruba. It sounded like there was juicy gossip to be had, and she loved gossip. She thought for a moment, going over everything that she'd heard about the Duke of Guilin, trying to figure out if she could shed any light on the situation. His father had tried to pair him off with the daughter of the Duke of Chongqing, but they never really hit it off. After the elder Duke of Guilin died and Kipa inherited the title, they drifted apart. He'd been close with the Baroness of Zhaotong for a while, and with an unimportant noblewoman from somewhere in Assam.

Meheruba's hand flew to her mouth as something came back to her. "Oh, I might know who it was! I heard a rumor that he was taken with a beautiful peasant woman named Yinsheng Xia. She died young, but the Duke knows her son somehow and everyone that's ever seen what she looked like agrees that she was a jaw-dropping beauty."

"It sounds like something out of one of those old Chinese tradegies," said Yahia. "That's really sad if it's true. I wonder..."

The sound of cheering drew Yahia's attention back to the TV. Sedhai had just hit a double into right field and brought Banerjee in to score.

A couple more runs scored in the 7th bringing the final score to 11-5. There was a shouting match because Phinjo Modi thought the opposing pitcher had tried to bean him, but the umpire for some reason called it a strike instead of inside. Sarang Oli had to intervene to make sure Modi didn't punch anybody. Then Oli told the umpire the pitch was too far inside, but the umpire still insisted it was a strike. He had been calling a wide strike zone all afternoon and apparently thought that was just how baseball was meant to be played.

On her couch at the Imperial Palace, Princess Yahia was rolling her eyes. "That wasn't a strike."

In the end it didn't matter. The Sherpas were already ahead regardless. After the last out was recorded, the Sichuan opera performers who had danced on the dugouts during the 7th inning stretch came back out to celebrate the win by parading around with a gong and making a joyful noise.

[Beepee]

Part 6

Homer arrived home after days work. He had sat in his office for most the day. On approaching his front door, he noticed it was off the latch.

'Hello' he called as he tentatively opened the door. 'Anyone here?'.

The stood quietly in the doorway. There was no reply. He pushed the door further open to see his apartment turned upside down.

Spray painted onto the wall of the lounge the words "Do It!" A cold shot raced through his veins.

He looked around his apartment. Or didn't look like anything was missing. It was just a warning. He sat on his sofa, numb and in disbelief. He knew he couldn't call the cops. He was getting in over his head and he knew it.

He started straightening up his flat, picking up the broken picture frames and putting back the furnishing. After several hours, his home was back to normal, except for the 'graffiti' on the wall.

Homer checked his watch. 3am.

He decided to go to bed and sleep and despite his exhaustion after the stressful day, he spent the next 5 hours staring at the ceiling above his bed.

[Cassadaigua]

Matchday 16:

Group 1
Xanneria               0 0 0 2 0 0 0 5 1  8
Bauscland              0 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 1  5

Vangaziland            0 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 0  3
Holy Marsh             1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0  2


  Group 1               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Vangaziland            13    9   4    64   51  +13    27
2 Ethane                 12    7   5    64   50  +14    21
3 Bauscland              13    7   6    60   65   −5    21
4 Holy Marsh             13    5   8    37   49  −12    15
5 Xanneria               13    4   9    59   69  −10    12

Group 2
Beepee                 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 1 0  4
Calponia               0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  1

South Covello          1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0  2
Geektopia              0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0


  Group 2               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Beepee                 13    9   4    84   49  +35    27
2 Cassadaigua            12    9   3    73   43  +30    27
3 South Covello          13    6   7    49   57   −8    18
4 Geektopia              13    5   8    60   69   −9    15
5 Calponia               13    3  10    36   84  −48     9

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

Derring-Do             0 1 0 0 0 1 4 0 3  9
Vaeruio                0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0  3


  Group 3               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 West Phoenicia         12   10   2    63   34  +29    30
2 The Sherpa Empire      13    8   5    62   50  +12    24
3 Derring-Do             13    6   7    75   68   +7    18
4 Lisander               13    5   8    43   64  −21    15
5 Vaeruio                13    3  10    37   64  −27     9

Group 4
Jaguar515              4 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0  5
Kita-Hinode            0 0 1 3 0 0 0 0 1 1  6

Schiltzberg            0 0 0 0 1 4 0 0 1  6
North Prarie           0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0  2


  Group 4               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Schiltzberg            13   10   3    67   39  +28    30
2 Kita-Hinode            13    7   6    55   45  +10    21
3 Jaguar515              13    5   8    51   62  −11    15
4 Banija                 12    5   7    41   52  −11    15
5 North Prarie           13    5   8    53   69  −16    15

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

Abanhfleft               0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  2
Alpine Union             0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 X  5


  Group 5                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Alpine Union             13   10   3    77   48  +29    30
2 Far Easter Republic      13    8   5    61   54   +7    24
3 Abanhfleft               13    8   5    77   71   +6    24
4 Felsigberg               12    5   7    55   66  −11    15
5 Northwest Kalactin       13    1  12    47   78  −31     3

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

Carpia                   0 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0  3
Ko-oren                  0 1 0 1 0 3 1 0 X  6


  Group 6                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Oscioru                  13    9   4    69   47  +22    27
2 Ko-oren                  13    8   5    49   44   +5    24
3 Hampton Island           13    7   6    55   45  +10    21
4 Carpia                   13    5   8    48   71  −23    15
5 Bulgar Rouge             12    3   9    44   58  −14     9

Group 7
Drawkland                0 0 0 0 1 1 1 2 0  5
Newmanistan              0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 2  4

Cheergirls               0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0  2
Evaropi                  0 0 0 0 1 0 0 6 X  7


  Group 7                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Newmanistan              13   10   3    83   54  +29    30
2 Drawkland                13    9   4    72   60  +12    27
3 Evaropi                  13    6   7    55   66  −11    18
4 The Greater Nordics      12    4   8    54   52   +2    12
5 Cheergirls               13    3  10    45   77  −32     9

Group 8
The Federation of Spokane        0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0  3
Tierra de Castro                 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 1  4

Equestrian States                1 0 0 0 0 3 4 0 0  8
Trive 38                         1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 3  6


  Group 8                         Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Tierra de Castro                 13   10   3    62   51  +11    30
2 Scootalove City                  12    7   5    55   45  +10    21
3 Equestrian States                13    6   7    62   69   −7    18
4 The Federation of Spokane        13    5   8    57   68  −11    15
5 Trive 38                         13    4   9    59   62   −3    12

Group 9
Lycrabon                         0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0  3
Free Republics                   1 0 1 1 3 0 0 2 X  8

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


  Group 9                         Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Free Republics                   13   12   1    71   38  +33    36
2 Camelone                         13    7   6    47   50   −3    21
3 Lycrabon                         13    6   7    54   61   −7    18
4 Libonesia                        13    5   8    53   64  −11    15
5 Cosumar                          12    2  10    38   50  −12     6

Group 10
New Jarwel                       0 1 0 0 1 0 0 2 0  4
Vakolicci Haven and Celeria      0 0 2 1 0 0 2 0 X  5

Tiiwark                          0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0  3
Nova Anglicana                   0 2 0 1 0 4 0 0 X  7


  Group 10                        Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Vakolicci Haven and Celeria      13   10   3    83   55  +28    30
2 Nova Anglicana                   13   10   3    81   56  +25    30
3 Liventia                         12    8   4    72   62  +10    24
4 Tiiwark                          13    3  10    60   93  −33     9
5 New Jarwel                       13    1  12    56   86  −30     3

Matchday 17:

Group 1
Holy Marsh             0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  1
Xanneria               1 0 0 2 0 3 2 0 X  8

Bauscland              0 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0  3
Ethane                 0 1 0 3 3 2 2 1 X 12


  Group 1               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Vangaziland            13    9   4    64   51  +13    27
2 Ethane                 13    8   5    76   53  +23    24
3 Bauscland              14    7   7    63   77  −14    21
4 Xanneria               14    5   9    67   70   −3    15
5 Holy Marsh             14    5   9    38   57  −19    15

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

Calponia               0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2  3
Cassadaigua            0 0 1 2 1 0 1 0 X  5


  Group 2               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Beepee                 14   10   4    85   49  +36    30
2 Cassadaigua            13   10   3    78   46  +32    30
3 South Covello          13    6   7    49   57   −8    18
4 Geektopia              14    5   9    60   70  −10    15
5 Calponia               14    3  11    39   89  −50     9

Group 3
Vaeruio                0 0 1 2 0 0 4 0 0  7
The Sherpa Empire      0 0 8 3 0 0 0 0 X 11

Lisander               0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0  2
West Phoenicia         0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  3


  Group 3               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 West Phoenicia         13   11   2    66   36  +30    33
2 The Sherpa Empire      14    9   5    73   57  +16    27
3 Derring-Do             13    6   7    75   68   +7    18
4 Lisander               14    5   9    45   67  −22    15
5 Vaeruio                14    3  11    44   75  −31     9

Group 4
North Prarie           0 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 4  7
Jaguar515              0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0  3

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


  Group 4               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Schiltzberg            13   10   3    67   39  +28    30
2 Kita-Hinode            14    7   7    57   52   +5    21
3 Banija                 13    6   7    48   54   −6    18
4 North Prarie           14    6   8    60   72  −12    18
5 Jaguar515              14    5   9    54   69  −15    15

Group 5
Alpine Union             0 2 0 0 0 2 0 1 0  5
Far Easter Republic      0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1  2

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


  Group 5                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Alpine Union             14   11   3    82   50  +32    33
2 Abanhfleft               13    8   5    77   71   +6    24
3 Far Easter Republic      14    8   6    63   59   +4    24
4 Felsigberg               13    5   8    58   71  −13    15
5 Northwest Kalactin       14    2  12    52   81  −29     6

Group 6
Ko-oren                  0 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 3  7
Oscioru                  0 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 0  4

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


  Group 6                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Oscioru                  14    9   5    73   54  +19    27
2 Ko-oren                  14    9   5    56   48   +8    27
3 Hampton Island           14    8   6    58   46  +12    24
4 Carpia                   13    5   8    48   71  −23    15
5 Bulgar Rouge             13    3  10    45   61  −16     9

Group 7
Evaropi                  1 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0  4
Drawkland                1 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 1  5

Newmanistan              4 0 0 1 0 0 0 6 1 12
The Greater Nordics      0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0  2


  Group 7                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Newmanistan              14   11   3    95   56  +39    33
2 Drawkland                14   10   4    77   64  +13    30
3 Evaropi                  14    6   8    59   71  −12    18
4 The Greater Nordics      13    4   9    56   64   −8    12
5 Cheergirls               13    3  10    45   77  −32     9

Group 8
Trive 38                         0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0  2
The Federation of Spokane        0 1 0 0 1 1 1 0 X  4

Tierra de Castro                 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 0 0  4
Scootalove City                  0 2 0 0 1 0 0 3 X  6


  Group 8                         Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Tierra de Castro                 14   10   4    66   57   +9    30
2 Scootalove City                  13    8   5    61   49  +12    24
3 Equestrian States                13    6   7    62   69   −7    18
4 The Federation of Spokane        14    6   8    61   70   −9    18
5 Trive 38                         14    4  10    61   66   −5    12

Group 9
Libonesia                        1 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0  5
Lycrabon                         0 1 0 0 0 1 4 2 X  8

Free Republics                   0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1  2
Cosumar                          0 0 1 2 0 1 0 2 X  6


  Group 9                         Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Free Republics                   14   12   2    73   44  +29    36
2 Camelone                         13    7   6    47   50   −3    21
3 Lycrabon                         14    7   7    62   66   −4    21
4 Libonesia                        14    5   9    58   72  −14    15
5 Cosumar                          13    3  10    44   52   −8     9

Group 10
Nova Anglicana                   0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  1
New Jarwel                       0 0 0 0 2 3 0 0 X  5

Vakolicci Haven and Celeria      0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  5
Liventia                         0 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0  3


  Group 10                        Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Vakolicci Haven and Celeria      14   11   3    88   58  +30    33
2 Nova Anglicana                   14   10   4    82   61  +21    30
3 Liventia                         13    8   5    75   67   +8    24
4 Tiiwark                          13    3  10    60   93  −33     9
5 New Jarwel                       14    2  12    61   87  −26     6

Matchday 18:

Group 1
Ethane                 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 1 0  5
Holy Marsh             0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1  3

Xanneria               1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0  2
Vangaziland            1 0 0 0 0 2 1 1 X  5


  Group 1               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Vangaziland            14   10   4    69   53  +16    30
2 Ethane                 14    9   5    81   56  +25    27
3 Bauscland              14    7   7    63   77  −14    21
4 Xanneria               15    5  10    69   75   −6    15
5 Holy Marsh             15    5  10    41   62  −21    15

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

Beepee                 0 2 0 5 0 0 3 0 0 10
South Covello          0 0 0 0 0 1 3 1 0  5


  Group 2               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Beepee                 15   11   4    95   54  +41    33
2 Cassadaigua            14   11   3    83   46  +37    33
3 South Covello          14    6   8    54   67  −13    18
4 Geektopia              15    5  10    60   75  −15    15
5 Calponia               14    3  11    39   89  −50     9

Group 3
West Phoenicia         0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 4  5
Vaeruio                1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  2

The Sherpa Empire      0 0 3 0 0 3 0 1 0  7
Derring-Do             0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0  1


  Group 3               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 West Phoenicia         14   12   2    71   38  +33    36
2 The Sherpa Empire      15   10   5    80   58  +22    30
3 Derring-Do             14    6   8    76   75   +1    18
4 Lisander               14    5   9    45   67  −22    15
5 Vaeruio                15    3  12    46   80  −34     9

Group 4
Banija                 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0  2
North Prarie           0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1  3

Jaguar515              2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0  3
Schiltzberg            0 2 0 1 0 0 2 2 X  7


  Group 4               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Schiltzberg            14   11   3    74   42  +32    33
2 Kita-Hinode            14    7   7    57   52   +5    21
3 North Prarie           15    7   8    63   74  −11    21
4 Banija                 14    6   8    50   57   −7    18
5 Jaguar515              15    5  10    57   76  −19    15

Group 5
Felsigberg               0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1  2
Alpine Union             3 1 1 0 0 0 0 2 X  7

Far Easter Republic      0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0  1
Abanhfleft               0 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 X  3


  Group 5                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Alpine Union             15   12   3    89   52  +37    36
2 Abanhfleft               14    9   5    80   72   +8    27
3 Far Easter Republic      15    8   7    64   62   +2    24
4 Felsigberg               14    5   9    60   78  −18    15
5 Northwest Kalactin       14    2  12    52   81  −29     6

Group 6
Bulgar Rouge             0 0 1 0 2 0 1 0 0  4
Ko-oren                  0 0 2 1 0 2 0 0 X  5

Oscioru                  0 0 0 0 0 4 2 0 0  6
Carpia                   1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0  2


  Group 6                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Oscioru                  15   10   5    79   56  +23    30
2 Ko-oren                  15   10   5    61   52   +9    30
3 Hampton Island           14    8   6    58   46  +12    24
4 Carpia                   14    5   9    50   77  −27    15
5 Bulgar Rouge             14    3  11    49   66  −17     9

Group 7
The Greater Nordics      1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 6  8
Evaropi                  0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0  2

Drawkland                0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0  2
Cheergirls               0 0 3 1 0 0 0 0 X  4


  Group 7                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Newmanistan              14   11   3    95   56  +39    33
2 Drawkland                15   10   5    79   68  +11    30
3 Evaropi                  15    6   9    61   79  −18    18
4 The Greater Nordics      14    5   9    64   66   −2    15
5 Cheergirls               14    4  10    49   79  −30    12

Group 8
Scootalove City                  0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0  2
Trive 38                         3 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 X  4

The Federation of Spokane        0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0  1
Equestrian States                0 0 2 0 1 0 0 1 X  4


  Group 8                         Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Tierra de Castro                 14   10   4    66   57   +9    30
2 Scootalove City                  14    8   6    63   53  +10    24
3 Equestrian States                14    7   7    66   70   −4    21
4 The Federation of Spokane        15    6   9    62   74  −12    18
5 Trive 38                         15    5  10    65   68   −3    15

Group 9
Cosumar                          1 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 0  4
Libonesia                        0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0  3

Lycrabon                         3 0 2 0 10 0 0 0 0 15
Camelone                         0 0 0 0  0 1 0 0 0  1


  Group 9                         Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Free Republics                   14   12   2    73   44  +29    36
2 Lycrabon                         15    8   7    77   67  +10    24
3 Camelone                         14    7   7    48   65  −17    21
4 Libonesia                        15    5  10    61   76  −15    15
5 Cosumar                          14    4  10    48   55   −7    12

Group 10
Liventia                         0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0
Nova Anglicana                   0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 X  1

New Jarwel                       1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0  3
Tiiwark                          0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  1


  Group 10                        Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Vakolicci Haven and Celeria      14   11   3    88   58  +30    33
2 Nova Anglicana                   15   11   4    83   61  +22    33
3 Liventia                         14    8   6    75   68   +7    24
4 New Jarwel                       15    3  12    64   88  −24     9
5 Tiiwark                          14    3  11    61   96  −35     9

[West Phoenicia]

Team Physician Mark English has confirmed that Left fielder LukasTowers will be out for at least 3 games, may be more.

What started out as a quiet game 18 of the World Baseball Classic series 45 transformed into a. Injury at the top of the 9th. West Phoenicia was playing
Vaeruio, up until the 9th innings both teams were on a sluggish 1-1.
Glen Melbourne fired up the team with a power hit, hitting the ball out of the park and scoring the first homerun of the game for West Phoenicia.

Emanuel Army, Jack Navy and Kevin Dances each took their turn, no fancy batting just doing enough to reach each base. Lukas Towers took to bat with all bases loaded.

The first swing ended in a strike, his second attempt had his bat snack hard against the ball, it went out wide in outfield. Army, Navy and Dances each rounded home to the sound of the fans in the stands cheering.
The cheers appeared to have got Towers blood flowing as he attempted third base. Unfortunately his timing for sliding was off, he dropped and hit the ground knee first.
A yelp of pain screamed out, as he missed the base and was touched out.
Unable to hobble back to the dug out, he was helped back by players and the team physician who confirmed he had injured his knee.

While Vaeruio managed to score one run at the bottom of the 9th it was not enough to beat the Confederates runs.


Marcus Wu has been confirmed to replace Lukas Towers until he is fit enough to return to the Confederate lineup.

[Beepee]

Part 7

Homer's alarm went off at 8am. He stretched his arm across and thwunk'd the clock heavily to shut the alarm off. He lay there a few moments more. Dreading the rise.

'No.' He thought. 'I'm gonna get on with it. Mentally arguing with himself, even as he heavily heaved himself out of bed.

He showered, shaved and busied himself getting ready. When he felt comfortable he headed to the hardware store.

He walked through the aisles. Paint, brushes, masking tape, duct tape, paint sheets, rollers... .

'I'm getting rid of that graffiti', he raged.

---

Homer spent the rest of the day painting over the "Do It!", finally returning his apartment to normal.

---

Bruce Labare also had a day off from training and finally found himself alone, in his apartment, for the first time since the interview.

He sat quietly on the sofa, before picking up the phone and calling the one woman he knew would make everything better.

---

She arrived at his door.

'Hi' she drawlled.

'Hi', Bruce replied.

'You gonna invite me in or do I have to stand out here all night?'

"Come in", he kissed her gently as she came in.

"I wondered how long it was gonna take you to call me"

"Oh Doralee. I've missed you!"

"And I've missed you too, honey", Doralee replied as she led him to his bed.

[Nova Anglicana]

Archbishop Stadium, Londinium, Nova Anglicana

Damian Ryan toed the rubber for his start against Liventia, his third start in the competition. In his first start so far, he'd thrown seven shutout innings against a bunch of overmatched Tiiwark nobodies, scattering five hits and two walks. The only reason he hadn't been allowed to finish was that the offense had put up three runs in the seventh, making the score 7-0, so the skip had pulled him to get other guys some work in. His second start was against New Jarwel, the other bottom feeder in the group. But this hadn't been so easy. He'd tried to get too cute with a couple of guys, and a couple of walks and a cement mixer slider had yielded three runs in four innings. But he bore down and struck out five guys through his last two innings and was rewarded with a win when the offense knocked in a run in the bottom of the sixth. But this was Liventia. Sure, they had needed eight runs late to beat New Jarwel, and sure Vakolicci Haven and Celeria had topped them in their last game, but they were 19th-ranked in the world and in third place.

First batter, David Stelfox. Speedster, good batting average, feasts on the first pitch fastball, but if you can get him down in the count, he'll swing and miss. Do not want him on base. First pitch slider, 84 middle-away. Steal a strike with a not great pitch. Second pitch, 94 in on the hands. Got around on it, but well foul. Hands successfully sped up. Change the eye level, fastball up and out of the zone, 94 again. Ball one. No chase. Oh well, good try. Pitch four, changeup low and out of the zone at 82, swing and a miss. Bingo!

Grainger up next. Good eye, good bat. Almost insanely good eye and bat. Hard to believe. First pitch fastball, first pitch single to left. Shit.

Farquharson, veteran, batting third. Fastball outside corner for strike one. Throw over to make sure Grainger isn't going anywhere. Miss low and away with the fastball. Miss inside with the fastball. Fastball middle away fouled off, strike two. 2-2 changeup rolled over on, right to the kid Mills. Flip to the other kid Moran, on to Jake at first, double play!

Bottom of the inning, not batting yet, so not paying much attention.

Cleanup hitter, Eddie Denve. Defense you expect from a second baseman, but power? This guy's a 35-40 homer guy. And a lefty to boot. Got to be careful. First pitch fastball below the zone, and the guy golfs it into right. Screaming liner, but Ryan grabs it! He's getting up there, but he's still got the magic on D.

Fifth batter, Dermot Rowntree. Big hitter, but young, so maybe he'll chase. Start him off with a slider low and away. Waved at and missed. He'll chase. Changeup, just below the bottom of the zone, pulled well foul. Changeup low and away, no chase. He's learning. Fastball up, bat not quite up enough. Strike three and see ya later.

Sixth batter, Edward Mull. Another young gun, but too aggressive. Guess you don't walk off wherever he's from. Four pitches, all out of the zone, last one a changeup rolled over on and right to Moran at second. Three down.

Bottom of the second, still not batting. Leading off the third, though.

7th spot, Andrew McGeechan. Another good hitter, but he can take the walk. Less risk/reward than some of these guys. Play it a bit more careful. First pitch fastball in, doesn't chase. Fastball-fastball next two pitches, both fouled away. Fastball up for ball two, then unleash the curve. Swings right over the top of it, strike three.

8th hitter, Kian Sergeant. Funny for a slap hitter that he bats right-handed. But plenty of singles in that bat. How about a nice clean inning without a sac bunt from the pitcher? Gotta get this guy. First pitch fastball, fouled off. 0-1 slider, ripped(!), but right at Mills. Whew.

And the pitcher's spot. Jonathan Twain, young buck with plenty of strength, but the Liventians don't ask their pitchers to hit. Just don't ease up and throw a meatball. He looks like he can run into one. First pitch changeup, topped off the end of the bat. Oh shit, that's like a swinging bunt, better get to it. Grab it, turn, plant, throw, got 'em, inning over.

Bottom of the third, Twain warming up. Ryan says he's got a great fastball, and at basically triple digits, that's all he'll throw me. Better choke up. First pitch fastball, inside. Oh, but called a strike! Ump's being a bit generous. Second pitch, sizzles in there for strike two. Guess he's not messing around or wasting any pitches. Pitch number three, swing right as it's coming out of his hand, slashed down the third base line, run, dummy, run! Oh, but thrown out. Dale says it was a great play by Stelfox. Oh well, more rest for me.

Stelfox again. Strikeout on the low changeup last time. Stole a strike with the slider, and he knows that I know he likes the fastball. Let's go with the fastball. Ripped into left for a single. Typical. Some hitters you shouldn't bother to try to out-think. They're not thinking at all.

Grainger, first pitch fastball was a single last time. Changeup-slider-fastball sequence makes it 1-2. Time for the curve. Skied to center, but Moses has that all day.

Farquharson, rolled over for the double play. Try to get ahead early with the surprise curve. Stelfox takes off, no no no, forgot to throw over. No chance for Max, he's just too fast. But it's strike one, so that's good. Stelfox dancing around at second, just a distraction. He won't try to steal third. Fastball fouled off for strike two. Time for the kill pitch. Curve, and what's this? Swing and a miss, but Max is scrambling to get a throw off to third. Damn it! Stelfox stole third. Who knows, he might try to steal home.

Great, Denve is up, hit a screamer last time and there's a dancing runner at third. Forget him, get Denve. Two fastballs, two changeups, a slider, and a curve later, it's 3-2. He's already seen it all. Good hitter. Fastball, fastball, fastball, fouled off. Slider tapped foul too. Whew. Ten pitches on this one guy. Maybe the change. Smashed back up the middle, couldn't get a glove on it. But Mills lays out and robs him of a hit and an RBI! Need to buy that kid a beer after the game.

Bottom of the fourth, Ryan leads off with a single, and Jake smashes one too hot for Denve to get the double play on. Runner on second, one down. Mills smashes it to right-center, but it dies out there and Rowntree grabs it. Too far away to stop Ryan from tagging up. Another young guy in Dufors up now. Pulls it just fair over the first base bag, a double and a run scored!

Always make you feel better pitching with a lead. Rowntree, Mull, and McGeechan out on seven pitches, with Rowntree and Mull swinging at the first ones and McGeechan flying out to left.

Bottom of the fifth, batting third. Two quick outs and then up again. Fastball-fastball to go ahead 0-2, just like last time. Choke up and hope Stelfox can't make another play like last time. Swing as it's coming out of his hand, and whiff. Embarrassingly early. Somebody mentioned he had a bit of a change.

Sergeant, then Twain and Stelfox. Sergeant slashes one to the right side, but Moran is right there. A dive and then a throw from his knees! Looks like there's more than one guy who deserves a drink after this.

Twain was in the on-deck circle, but they're pulling him here. Five innings, one run, ain't bad, but in a 1-0 game, you need offense. It's the veteran Savory. Lefty bat with pop and knows how to take a walk. Still, they're not burning anybody terribly useful. First pitch fastball misses. Second pitch fastball driven to right-center. Thank god for the 421 sign and the speed of Moses Deng. Hauled down for an out, but another hard-hit ball.

Stelfox. He's grinning, the little bastard. Okay, Smiley McGee, try a first-pitch curve. Strike one. Changeup outside, fastball in, but he chases one, so 1-2. Curve again, no dice. Try this! Swing and a miss! Humped up a little to hit 96 on the fastball. Bit of an arm twinge, but it's worth it to get that guy.

Bottom of the sixth, nothing to report.

Grainger, Farquharson, and Denve. Three guys you don't want to face, especially clinging to a 1-0 lead.

Grainger hits a grasscutter to Mills, but he's a vacuum out there, so one down.

Farquharson fouls off about half a dozen pitches and takes ten overall, so fine, take the walk, you win.

Denve. Gotta be careful with this guy, he's hit two screamers. First pitch fastball, he rips it down the line, Glover cuts it off, but Farquharson goes first to third, rat bastard.

Rowntree, sixth pitch of the at-bat, hump it back up to 96 for strike three. There's that twinge again, but strike three.

Only Mull to go. Fastball-changeup-fastball-curve, but no strike three. Still one and two. Arm's not feeling great, but there's a couple more pitches. Curve'll finish him off. Ugh! Feeling the twinge in the middle of the curve, and the curve's up there. Shit. But he got under it, thank God. Arm still hurts like mad.

Bottom of the seventh, trying to convince skip for one more inning, but it's no good. He saw the winces, had the trainer check it. It's up to the bullpen now.

Damien hit the showers for the 8th and 9th. He just couldn't watch in such a close game. But they closed it out. Looks like he was buying his middle infielders a drink after all. 11-4 feels pretty good, even if his arm doesn't.

[Ko-oren]

Greenblues on a Crazy Streak - Now Jinxed

Baseball players are a superstitious bunch - at least, many of our foreign friends are. Baseball, over here, is believed to be a purely statistical game. 'Luck' is just exploiting the odds, or at least gunning for a 51% likelihood over a 49% one. In recent years, finding the exact odds of any pitch, swing or hit has become easier than ever, with twelve out of twelve teams employing a full-time statistics department by now. The Intermare Admirals were the first ones. At the time it was nothing more than an experiment in a famous bet with the Suvira Quarry, and they lost that bet by winning one fewer game than Suvira. As time went on, it did turn out that the Admirals were right, and their empirical endeavours paved the way for a more scientific future. That future completely fits in with the idea that sports are (apart from great fun) an amazing experiment in sociology, psychology, economics and physics.

If this were any team other than Ko-oren, that team would not appreciate the next paragraph.

Holy hell, what a streak. Our chances were slim when we were 4-5, losing to Oscioru regularly and giving them a massive lead over the rest of the group. Carpia and Hampton Island were on our level, and we did get some good points out of Bulgar Rouge. However, since then, the Greenblues have won 6 straight (!!) to tie Oscioru for first place at 10-5. There are 9 games left, so we're not safe by any means, but this is the largest winning streak for Ko-orenite National Team baseball, ever. And we're tied for first in the group, so we've got a great position going forward.

The streak started after a 3-4 loss to Carpia, sending Ko-oren into a three-way tie for second in the group, with Hampton Island, Carpia, and us all at 4-5. Right now, seven rounds later, Ko-oren are on 10-5, Hampton Island also won far more than they lost and are at 8-6, and Carpia have gone down a lot, to 5-9. Oscioru went from 7-2 back then (and seemingly unbeatable) to 10-5 now.

Oscioru                  0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0  3
Ko-oren                  0 2 0 0 0 1 0 2 X  5

Fittingly, the winning started against Oscioru. At home, in fact. In Ferrovente, a flat place where wind can (and did) play a big role.

Ko-oren                  2 0 0 1 0 2 2 0 3 10
Bulgar Rouge             0 0 0 0 0 3 0 2 0  5

The stream continued against Bulgar Rouge, with the biggest scoring performance for the Greenblues across the last 3 World Baseball Classics we've been in.

Hampton Island           0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0  1
Ko-oren                  2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X  2

Then the biggest opponent (on paper) was beaten, once again. For some reason, we've got their number. The folks in the Katashi Dome have been treated to a massive result!

Carpia                   0 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0  3
Ko-oren                  0 1 0 1 0 3 1 0 X  6

A massive sixth innings lands us at 6 runs, the hitting looks all recovered now, for a 6-3 win over Carpia. Teragaseki's only game turns out to be a great one, with runs aplenty.

Ko-oren                  0 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 3  7
Oscioru                  0 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 0  4

Our new status as 'spooky' is now confirmed with a second straight win over Oscioru, landing us both at 9-5.

Bulgar Rouge             0 0 1 0 2 0 1 0 0  4
Ko-oren                  0 0 2 1 0 2 0 0 X  5

The closest game of the streak, at home versus Bulgar Rouge who are desperately trying to escape last place. Greencaster's only game also turned out to be a good one, not a huge margin but definitely one to keep you at the edge of your seat through all 3,5 hours of this one.

The immediate schedule going forward: an away game at Hampton Island which has a massive impact on the standings. The highest ranked team of the group is also doing pretty well and it would be a tragedy if they couldn't land a spot in the next round given their status. If we come away with a win here, we land another psychological blow on Hampton, and we continue hunting for first. Then, it's a bye day, followed by an away game at Carpia. Carpia hasn't given us huge trouble, though it's always been close. We've not shut out them at all, so baserunning must be on point by this game. After that, we have a home fixture against Oscioru, then away at Bulgar Rouge, and then our last home game against Hampton. In total, we've played about two thirds of the group games now with 15 played out of 24 total.

The goal remains simple: avoid the First Round, which gives us 3 additional games and an additional round for us to mess up in. Before we 'jinx' it, avoiding the First Round means going into the Round of 16 - not avoiding the First Round by not going to the knockouts at all.

The best performers during the spell:
Starting pitchers: Brands. He's always saved up for the Hampton games, and he did deliver on the largest stage possible at this point in the competition. At home, facing the massive pressure and expectations of the Katashi fans, he kept Hampton scoreless, surrendering one single hit in the 5 2/3rds of an inning that he pitched.

Relieving pitchers: Varunobu Ozawa. He's not been very impressive in the first third of the tournament, not attracting any attention in a good or bad way. He closed two games during the stretch, and in both he took Oscioru (first game) and Bulgar Rouge (sixth game) to the end of the game without giving up a tying (or worse) run.

Infielders: Vianol Sivurila. He's on the team because of his defensive efforts, and he's been a gatekeeper at first base in that regard. Extremely reliable. On top of that, he's even found his swing a little, getting on base before the speedy duo of Durand and Ritsushima and before the power hitting of Ogasawara, Shiro and Umemura. That gives us a trump card right before the actual scorers are at bat, and it's turned innings from a single run into 2-3-run innings.

Outfielders: Mototsune Umemura. Despite his age, his strength has zero problems and he cleaned up a few times. The increase in runs is on him, instead of striking out, he's now batting people in. And it shows. We scored 23 runs in the first eight games (2.875 runs per game), and now we're on 4.067. It might not seem like much, but given that we pushed down our opponents to 3.4 runs per game, you're going to win some games.

And that's what happened here - we took those 51% opportunities over 49% opportunities, kept going at it, and now they're paying off. There's no such thing as luck.

[Cassadaigua]

Matchday 19:

Group 1
Vangaziland            0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0  1
Ethane                 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 X  3

Holy Marsh             1 0 1 0 0 1 0 2 2  7
Bauscland              0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 4  5


  Group 1               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Ethane                 15   10   5    84   57  +27    30
2 Vangaziland            15   10   5    70   56  +14    30
3 Bauscland              15    7   8    68   84  −16    21
4 Holy Marsh             16    6  10    48   67  −19    18
5 Xanneria               15    5  10    69   75   −6    15

Group 2
South Covello          0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 1  4
Cassadaigua            3 0 1 0 0 7 0 0 X 11

Geektopia              0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1  2
Calponia               0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 X  3


  Group 2               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Cassadaigua            15   12   3    94   50  +44    36
2 Beepee                 15   11   4    95   54  +41    33
3 South Covello          15    6   9    58   78  −20    18
4 Geektopia              16    5  11    62   78  −16    15
5 Calponia               15    4  11    42   91  −49    12

Group 3
Derring-Do             0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0  2
West Phoenicia         3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X  3

Vaeruio                0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0  1
Lisander               0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 X  2


  Group 3               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 West Phoenicia         15   13   2    74   40  +34    39
2 The Sherpa Empire      15   10   5    80   58  +22    30
3 Derring-Do             15    6   9    78   78    0    18
4 Lisander               15    6   9    47   68  −21    18
5 Vaeruio                16    3  13    47   82  −35     9

Group 4
Schiltzberg            0 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 2  6
Banija                 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0  1

North Prarie           1 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 0  5
Kita-Hinode            1 1 1 0 3 0 4 0 X 10


  Group 4               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Schiltzberg            15   12   3    80   43  +37    36
2 Kita-Hinode            15    8   7    67   57  +10    24
3 North Prarie           16    7   9    68   84  −16    21
4 Banija                 15    6   9    51   63  −12    18
5 Jaguar515              15    5  10    57   76  −19    15

Group 5
Abanhfleft               1 0 1 0 2 0 2 3 1 10
Felsigberg               1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0  3

Alpine Union             0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0  3
Northwest Kalactin       1 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 X  5


  Group 5                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Alpine Union             16   12   4    92   57  +35    36
2 Abanhfleft               15   10   5    90   75  +15    30
3 Far Easter Republic      15    8   7    64   62   +2    24
4 Felsigberg               15    5  10    63   88  −25    15
5 Northwest Kalactin       15    3  12    57   84  −27     9

Group 6
Carpia                   3 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 2  8
Bulgar Rouge             0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0  3

Ko-oren                  1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5  6
Hampton Island           0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0  1


  Group 6                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Ko-oren                  16   11   5    67   53  +14    33
2 Oscioru                  15   10   5    79   56  +23    30
3 Hampton Island           15    8   7    59   52   +7    24
4 Carpia                   15    6   9    58   80  −22    18
5 Bulgar Rouge             15    3  12    52   74  −22     9

Group 7
Cheergirls               0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0  3
The Greater Nordics      1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2  5

Evaropi                  0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 0  3
Newmanistan              1 1 0 4 1 0 1 1 X  9


  Group 7                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Newmanistan              15   12   3   104   59  +45    36
2 Drawkland                15   10   5    79   68  +11    30
3 The Greater Nordics      15    6   9    69   69    0    18
4 Evaropi                  16    6  10    64   88  −24    18
5 Cheergirls               15    4  11    52   84  −32    12

Group 8
Equestrian States                3 2 0 2 4 1 0 0 0 12
Scootalove City                  0 4 0 0 2 1 0 0 0  7

Trive 38                         0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0  2
Tierra de Castro                 1 0 4 0 1 2 1 0 X  9


  Group 8                         Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Tierra de Castro                 15   11   4    75   59  +16    33
2 Scootalove City                  15    8   7    70   65   +5    24
3 Equestrian States                15    8   7    78   77   +1    24
4 The Federation of Spokane        15    6   9    62   74  −12    18
5 Trive 38                         16    5  11    67   77  −10    15

Group 9
Camelone                         0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  1
Cosumar                          0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4  5

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


  Group 9                         Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Free Republics                   15   13   2    77   47  +30    39
2 Lycrabon                         15    8   7    77   67  +10    24
3 Camelone                         15    7   8    49   70  −21    21
4 Cosumar                          15    5  10    53   56   −3    15
5 Libonesia                        16    5  11    64   80  −16    15

Group 10
Tiiwark                          0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0  2
Liventia                         1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1  3

Nova Anglicana                   0 0 0 2 3 2 0 0 3 10
Vakolicci Haven and Celeria      1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0  3


  Group 10                        Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Nova Anglicana                   16   12   4    93   64  +29    36
2 Vakolicci Haven and Celeria      15   11   4    91   68  +23    33
3 Liventia                         15    9   6    78   70   +8    27
4 New Jarwel                       15    3  12    64   88  −24     9
5 Tiiwark                          15    3  12    63   99  −36     9

Matchday 20:

Group 1
Bauscland              0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0
Vangaziland            0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 X  2

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


  Group 1               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Ethane                 16   11   5    90   59  +31    33
2 Vangaziland            16   11   5    72   56  +16    33
3 Bauscland              16    7   9    68   86  −18    21
4 Holy Marsh             16    6  10    48   67  −19    18
5 Xanneria               16    5  11    71   81  −10    15

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

Cassadaigua            1 0 2 1 2 0 0 1 1  8
Beepee                 0 2 0 0 1 0 2 0 0  5


  Group 2               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Cassadaigua            16   13   3   102   55  +47    39
2 Beepee                 16   11   5   100   62  +38    33
3 South Covello          16    7   9    63   82  −19    21
4 Geektopia              16    5  11    62   78  −16    15
5 Calponia               16    4  12    46   96  −50    12

Group 3
Lisander               2 2 0 1 1 0 2 2 0 10
Derring-Do             0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0

West Phoenicia         0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0  1
The Sherpa Empire      0 0 0 1 0 1 3 0 X  5


  Group 3               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 West Phoenicia         16   13   3    75   45  +30    39
2 The Sherpa Empire      16   11   5    85   59  +26    33
3 Lisander               16    7   9    57   68  −11    21
4 Derring-Do             16    6  10    78   88  −10    18
5 Vaeruio                16    3  13    47   82  −35     9

Group 4
Kita-Hinode            0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0
Schiltzberg            0 0 0 0 0 0 6 1 X  7

Banija                 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1  3
Jaguar515              0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 X  4


  Group 4               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Schiltzberg            16   13   3    87   43  +44    39
2 Kita-Hinode            16    8   8    67   64   +3    24
3 North Prarie           16    7   9    68   84  −16    21
4 Banija                 16    6  10    54   67  −13    18
5 Jaguar515              16    6  10    61   79  −18    18

Group 5
Northwest Kalactin       1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0  3
Abanhfleft               1 0 1 2 0 0 1 0 X  5

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


  Group 5                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Alpine Union             16   12   4    92   57  +35    36
2 Abanhfleft               16   11   5    95   78  +17    33
3 Far Easter Republic      16    8   8    67   66   +1    24
4 Felsigberg               16    6  10    67   91  −24    18
5 Northwest Kalactin       16    3  13    60   89  −29     9

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

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


  Group 6                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Ko-oren                  16   11   5    67   53  +14    33
2 Oscioru                  16   10   6    82   62  +20    30
3 Hampton Island           16    9   7    62   53   +9    27
4 Carpia                   16    6  10    59   83  −24    18
5 Bulgar Rouge             16    4  12    58   77  −19    12

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

The Greater Nordics      2 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0  3
Drawkland                0 0 0 0 0 1 0 4 X  5


  Group 7                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Newmanistan              16   12   4   106   62  +44    36
2 Drawkland                16   11   5    84   71  +13    33
3 The Greater Nordics      16    6  10    72   74   −2    18
4 Evaropi                  16    6  10    64   88  −24    18
5 Cheergirls               16    5  11    55   86  −31    15

Group 8
Tierra de Castro                 1 2 0 0 0 2 1 0 2  8
Equestrian States                1 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0  4

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


  Group 8                         Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Tierra de Castro                 16   12   4    83   63  +20    36
2 Scootalove City                  16    8   8    72   69   +3    24
3 Equestrian States                16    8   8    82   85   −3    24
4 The Federation of Spokane        16    7   9    66   76  −10    21
5 Trive 38                         16    5  11    67   77  −10    15

Group 9
Free Republics                   0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0  3
Camelone                         0 0 2 0 0 0 2 0 X  4

Cosumar                          0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0  4
Lycrabon                         1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2  3


  Group 9                         Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Free Republics                   16   13   3    80   51  +29    39
2 Lycrabon                         16    8   8    80   71   +9    24
3 Camelone                         16    8   8    53   73  −20    24
4 Cosumar                          16    6  10    57   59   −2    18
5 Libonesia                        16    5  11    64   80  −16    15

Group 10
Vakolicci Haven and Celeria      0 0 0 0 7 1 0 0 0  8
Tiiwark                          0 5 2 4 0 1 0 1 X 13

Liventia                         4 1 0 0 0 7 0 0 0 12
New Jarwel                       0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0  1


  Group 10                        Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Nova Anglicana                   16   12   4    93   64  +29    36
2 Vakolicci Haven and Celeria      16   11   5    99   81  +18    33
3 Liventia                         16   10   6    90   71  +19    30
4 Tiiwark                          16    4  12    76  107  −31    12
5 New Jarwel                       16    3  13    65  100  −35     9

Matchday 21:

Group 1
Bauscland              0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  1
Xanneria               0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 X  2

Holy Marsh             2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  2
Vangaziland            0 0 1 1 0 5 0 0 X  7


  Group 1               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Vangaziland            17   12   5    79   58  +21    36
2 Ethane                 16   11   5    90   59  +31    33
3 Bauscland              17    7  10    69   88  −19    21
4 Xanneria               17    6  11    73   82   −9    18
5 Holy Marsh             17    6  11    50   74  −24    18

Group 2
Calponia               2 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0  5
Beepee                 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 4  9

Geektopia              0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2  3
South Covello          0 0 3 0 1 0 0 0 X  4


  Group 2               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Cassadaigua            16   13   3   102   55  +47    39
2 Beepee                 17   12   5   109   67  +42    36
3 South Covello          17    8   9    67   85  −18    24
4 Geektopia              17    5  12    65   82  −17    15
5 Calponia               17    4  13    51  105  −54    12

Group 3
Lisander               0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0
The Sherpa Empire      0 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 X  4

Vaeruio                1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0  3
Derring-Do             0 0 3 2 0 0 0 0 X  5


  Group 3               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 West Phoenicia         16   13   3    75   45  +30    39
2 The Sherpa Empire      17   12   5    89   59  +30    36
3 Derring-Do             17    7  10    83   91   −8    21
4 Lisander               17    7  10    57   72  −15    21
5 Vaeruio                17    3  14    50   87  −37     9

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

North Prarie           3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5  9
Schiltzberg            0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0  4


  Group 4               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Schiltzberg            17   13   4    91   52  +39    39
2 Kita-Hinode            17    8   9    73   71   +2    24
3 North Prarie           17    8   9    77   88  −11    24
4 Jaguar515              17    7  10    68   85  −17    21
5 Banija                 16    6  10    54   67  −13    18

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

Alpine Union             0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0  2
Abanhfleft               3 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 X  4


  Group 5                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Alpine Union             17   12   5    94   61  +33    36
2 Abanhfleft               17   12   5    99   80  +19    36
3 Far Easter Republic      17    9   8    70   67   +3    27
4 Felsigberg               16    6  10    67   91  −24    18
5 Northwest Kalactin       17    3  14    61   92  −31     9

Group 6
Hampton Island           0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  2
Oscioru                  0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  1

Ko-oren                  0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0  3
Carpia                   0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0  1


  Group 6                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Ko-oren                  17   12   5    70   54  +16    36
2 Oscioru                  17   10   7    83   64  +19    30
3 Hampton Island           17   10   7    64   54  +10    30
4 Carpia                   17    6  11    60   86  −26    18
5 Bulgar Rouge             16    4  12    58   77  −19    12

Group 7
Newmanistan              0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1  2
Drawkland                0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0

Evaropi                  0 1 0 3 0 0 4 1 0  9
Cheergirls               1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0  2


  Group 7                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Newmanistan              17   13   4   108   62  +46    39
2 Drawkland                17   11   6    84   73  +11    33
3 Evaropi                  17    7  10    73   90  −17    21
4 The Greater Nordics      16    6  10    72   74   −2    18
5 Cheergirls               17    5  12    57   95  −38    15

Group 8
Tierra de Castro                 0 0 1 2 2 0 0 0 0  5
The Federation of Spokane        0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0  1

Trive 38                         0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0  3
Equestrian States                0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  4


  Group 8                         Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Tierra de Castro                 17   13   4    88   64  +24    39
2 Equestrian States                17    9   8    86   88   −2    27
3 Scootalove City                  16    8   8    72   69   +3    24
4 The Federation of Spokane        17    7  10    67   81  −14    21
5 Trive 38                         17    5  12    70   81  −11    15

Group 9
Free Republics                   0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 3  8
Lycrabon                         0 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0  5

Libonesia                        0 0 2 1 1 5 0 1 0 10
Camelone                         1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0  3


  Group 9                         Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Free Republics                   17   14   3    88   56  +32    42
2 Lycrabon                         17    8   9    85   79   +6    24
3 Camelone                         17    8   9    56   83  −27    24
4 Cosumar                          16    6  10    57   59   −2    18
5 Libonesia                        17    6  11    74   83   −9    18

Group 10
Vakolicci Haven and Celeria      0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0  2
New Jarwel                       0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0  1

Nova Anglicana                   0 4 0 0 0 0 4 0 1  9
Tiiwark                          0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0  3


  Group 10                        Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Nova Anglicana                   17   13   4   102   67  +35    39
2 Vakolicci Haven and Celeria      17   12   5   101   82  +19    36
3 Liventia                         16   10   6    90   71  +19    30
4 Tiiwark                          17    4  13    79  116  −37    12
5 New Jarwel                       17    3  14    66  102  −36     9

[Lycrabon]

He's back

ST. CATHERINE - The questions were finally answered.

Unfortunately, it didn't result in a win.

Garry Barnett, Jr., who last pitched....many Classics ago, made a surprise return by starting against group-leadi g Free Republics. In a shocker, he showed no major rust, pitching 10-plus innings and earning a no-decision. The Jays lost in 17 innings, 8-5, effectively sealing the group for the visitors. Camelone and Lycrabon are fighting for the other spot in the group.

[West Phoenicia]

The West Phoenician Confederates cling to top spot in pool as Sherpa Empire slithers there was within one match of taking the spot.

Match Day 20 was disastrous for the Confederates as once again they came upon the Sherpa Empire. It had been an average game, one of many for the Confederates this season, a lot of the pomp, glamour and theatrics are non existent. The team still reeling from the defeat at the Olympics in Republica that saw them dead in the water during the pool qualifiers.

With egos still deflated there performance during this series of the World Baseball Classic has been lackluster. So it was no surprise that during their match against The Sherpa Empire a sloppy pitch was made from right hand pitcher Hieu Khan gave Sherpa Empire the in they needed to take the game. With two bases loaded, the next Sherpa Empire batter had no problem smacking a home run sending all three home, while Confederate fielders played a cat and mouse game with the ball.
Gaining 3 runs at the bottom of the 7th, a lead the Confederates could not come back from.

The sound of coach Julian Pancretèvoice could be heard from the dressing room, telling the whole team to stick a firecracker under their butts and get some life into their game.

While there is little doubt they will progress to the round of 16, a chance of a back to back title is looking at becoming less attainable with the current attitudes. Coach Julian Pancretè has demanded more spark going forward. Fans not only came for a great game of baseball they came for a show that West Phoenicia is renowned for. More pomp, more drama more craziness to whip up the spirit of the fans and the players.

[The Greater Nordics]

GNTV World Baseball Classic Report
With 16 Games having been played the Nordic baseball team sits in 4th place in the group with a 6-10 record. We knew that this would be a challenging/transition year for the team as they have a new manager and several new players. The team has won some games that could be considered upsets but they have also lost some very disappointing games. The good news is that this will give manager Lief Holt and his young team some experience for next WBC,if the Nordics field a team. We will see how they finish up this Classic as it is looking like they will not advance to the next round unless they pull off a miracle.

[Ko-oren]

So, how is the Western experiment going?

The Intermare Admirals are the most recent mover among all professional teams in Ko-oren, not just baseball. The Intermare experiment has been going on for two years now, but there is not much to see in terms of development. They were the first team to use a statistics department, but the other teams have caught up to them. They simply do things better - and the Admirals have finished 12th.

The Admirals moved away from the heartland of baseball, the southern peninsula and the four eastern islands. The heartland used to have all 12 teams on it, but it's now down to 10. Not just the Admirals, but also the original Western experiment, the Wanderers, have moved from the southeast to the Franco-, Anglo- and Batavophone mainland. The Wanderers have finished 11th.

Then again, the Wanderers have one of the bigger trophy cases of the Ko-orenite Baseball League. They amassed quite a couple championships when they weren't in the West, though, so you can imagine the shock as one of the largest teams suddenly moved to an area where baseball was not in the spotlights at all. As in, the Wanderers are a merger between several Western semiprofessional teams (Steam, Buccaneers) and one professional Eastern team (Cowboys). The Wanderers, nowadays, are a part of the cities they play in, and generally well accepted by the baseball community.

The Admirals are a whole different can of worms. At least the Wanderers went on to be competitive. The Admirals moved for the money, and now they're losing players because good and bad players simply want to be in a place where their skills are valued - ie. the southeast. There are two Admirals on the national team, and it's no surprise that the duo are among the most wanted free agents in the KBL.

Vianol Sivurila, starting first baseman, has been linked to several teams trying to make the jump from good to great. Middle relief Tacaro Cevocalu has been linked to the Whales and the Stars, the teams of his native Finisterre. Both are just 26, starting to get great, and due for a new contract. They can get paid in Intermare if they want. But no, both are looking for employment elsewhere. Especially Sivurila will take a pay cut just to be on a competitive team. And it's not like the talent base is depleted, there are more rookies on the 12 professional teams every single year. We have the talent to supply 12 teams, no problem.

The Admirals have no local heroes, and the only way to attract players is by outbidding all of the other teams.

On the other hand, the Wanderers have been up there in recent years, they only had a down year in the 20th season. And even then, they're only six wins (on 132 total games) removed from the top 6. Yes, there is parity in the League. So much parity. So even with the equality, how come that the Admirals are dead last by five games?

The Western experiment... is still ongoing. The Admirals are a crafty team, as shown by their innovations and new departments. The Wanderers are a well-known team. But, without results, without local heroes, it'll be hard to attract players from the heartland, and without any of those... you're stuck at the bottom of the League. Still, the move has been very lucrative to both teams. The salary cap is simple in that, and the Intermare Admirals are still alone in their area - no competition for local funds. On the pitch, though, it's a terrible situation.

With money looming, it's no surprise that a third team is trying to make the leap from the East to the West.

[The Sherpa Empire]

--‭֎‬-- Lukla --‭֎‬--

Princess Yahia's mother, Yangji of Himachal Pradesh, was asking her about her relationship with the Duke of Guilin. "You two get along so well and you see each other so often, but when I asked if he was courting you, he seemed to think there was no point in trying because he was sure you would turn him down," Yangji said. "I'm starting to wonder if the reason he never married is because he's too insecure to realize when a woman likes him!"

"No, mother, he's right," said Yahia. "He's been very nice to me and we are good friends, but we are only friends. I'm not in love with him and I don't know why everyone keeps assuming that. He's too old and... I don't know how to explain it, but he just doesn't excite me that way."

"Sometimes you need to make a compromise between what excites you and what is proper," Yangji said. "I wouldn't ask you to marry a man you can't stand because it was politically convenient, but when you've found someone whose company you obviously enjoy, that is different, and it is a little odd that you and Lord Kipa wouldn't consider marriage after all the time you spend together."

Yahia blushed. "Well, maybe we're a little odd, then. Maybe that is why we get along so well, because we are both a little odd." She smiled. "He is a little odd, to be honest."

Yangji smiled too. "Yes, he is. I can't argue with that."

--‭֎‬-- Guilin --‭֎‬--

The Duke of Guilin had returned home from his trip to the imperial capital and was taking care of a few things around his palace, as well as stopping by Seven Star Stadium to make sure everything was on track for the upcoming game there.

He got a call from Lakpa Fang trying to persuade him to come to the LGBT Alliance of Guilin's annual charity drag show, which would take place shortly after the World Baseball Classic. Fang hadn't been very busy the last few days. The Sherpa national baseball team had had a day off, followed by two games where his help was not needed because the Sherpas won by a wide margin.

"Lakpa, we have this conversation every year," the duke said. "I would love to see it, but I have my reputation to think of and I can't be seen going to sleazy clubs and watching drag shows. It doesn't matter how much fun you all have or what you are going to do with the money. There are just some things that a man in my position can't do."

"What if we came to visit you after the show, so you wouldn't have to come to the club?"

"No, that would be even worse," said the duke. "I'm sorry, but you have to keep Alliance business separate from our friendship."

[Beepee]

Part 8

It was early, rhe sun only just peakinh over the horizon. Doralee lay beside Bruce, who slept soundly, with her eyes open thinking about the day ahead. She quietly slipped out of the bed, dressed, and left Bruce sleeping unawares.

She left his apartment, and headed across the street to her car. It was still and quiet within the street.

She went open her car.

---

By mid-morning, Homer was back at work. He took the training session at 'the Sub' and the team continued to show improvements. He was pleased, that despite the tough draw for the WBC group stages, the team were well prepared and could perform to the best of their abilities.

He declared the team ready to challenge it's best ever showing.

After training he returned to his office. Judy Bernly was sitting at his secretary's desk.

'Where's Doralee?' He enquired.

'Oh, I'm not sure, but I thought I'd better help out, Judy replied.

'Well, thank you.' Homer acknowledged walking into his office.

---

Bruce returned home after training, parking in his underground car park to the rear of his apartment block. He headed upstairs.

Today was the first day he felt a spring in his step since the interview. He had enjoyed his time with Doralee last night and training had gone well. The team were well prepared for the WBC and he was sure they could perform well.

He practically skipped into the elevevator and pressed the floor for his apartment.

As the elevator doors opened he could see a policeman standing at his apartment door.

'Mr Labare?' The policeman asked.

'Eh, yes

'Mr Labare, you are under arrest for the murder of Mrs Doralee Rhodes".

[Cassadaigua]

Matchday 22:

Group 1
Xanneria               0 1 1 5 0 2 0 0 5 14
Holy Marsh             1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  2

Ethane                 0 0 1 1 2 0 0 1 0  5
Bauscland              0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0  1


  Group 1               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Ethane                 17   12   5    95   60  +35    36
2 Vangaziland            17   12   5    79   58  +21    36
3 Xanneria               18    7  11    87   84   +3    21
4 Bauscland              18    7  11    70   93  −23    21
5 Holy Marsh             18    6  12    52   88  −36    18

Group 2
Beepee                 1 0 0 0 3 1 1 0 0  6
Geektopia              0 0 0 0 1 2 0 1 0  4

Cassadaigua            4 0 0 0 0 3 0 5 0 12
Calponia               0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  4


  Group 2               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Cassadaigua            17   14   3   114   59  +55    42
2 Beepee                 18   13   5   115   71  +44    39
3 South Covello          17    8   9    67   85  −18    24
4 Geektopia              18    5  13    69   88  −19    15
5 Calponia               18    4  14    55  117  −62    12

Group 3
The Sherpa Empire      0 3 0 0 0 2 0 0 0  5
Vaeruio                2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  2

West Phoenicia         0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 1  4
Lisander               1 0 0 0 2 1 2 0 X  6


  Group 3               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 The Sherpa Empire      18   13   5    94   61  +33    39
2 West Phoenicia         17   13   4    79   51  +28    39
3 Lisander               18    8  10    63   76  −13    24
4 Derring-Do             17    7  10    83   91   −8    21
5 Vaeruio                18    3  15    52   92  −40     9

Group 4
Jaguar515              0 0 0 8 0 0 1 0 0  9
North Prarie           0 0 4 1 0 3 1 2 X 11

Banija                 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0  3
Kita-Hinode            0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0  2


  Group 4               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Schiltzberg            17   13   4    91   52  +39    39
2 North Prarie           18    9   9    88   97   −9    27
3 Kita-Hinode            18    8  10    75   74   +1    24
4 Banija                 17    7  10    57   69  −12    21
5 Jaguar515              18    7  11    77   96  −19    21

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

Felsigberg               0 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 0  3
Northwest Kalactin       0 2 1 0 0 0 0 1 X  4


  Group 5                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Alpine Union             18   12   6    99   68  +31    36
2 Abanhfleft               17   12   5    99   80  +19    36
3 Far Easter Republic      18   10   8    77   72   +5    30
4 Felsigberg               17    6  11    70   95  −25    18
5 Northwest Kalactin       18    4  14    65   95  −30    12

Group 6
Oscioru                  0 0 0 0 0 2 1 1 0  4
Ko-oren                  0 1 0 1 0 3 0 1 X  6

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


  Group 6                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Ko-oren                  18   13   5    76   58  +18    39
2 Oscioru                  18   10   8    87   70  +17    30
3 Hampton Island           18   10   8    64   56   +8    30
4 Carpia                   17    6  11    60   86  −26    18
5 Bulgar Rouge             17    5  12    60   77  −17    15

Group 7
Drawkland                0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 0  3
Evaropi                  0 2 4 0 1 0 0 0 X  7

The Greater Nordics      0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0  5
Newmanistan              0 8 2 3 1 6 0 1 X 21


  Group 7                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Newmanistan              18   14   4   129   67  +62    42
2 Drawkland                18   11   7    87   80   +7    33
3 Evaropi                  18    8  10    80   93  −13    24
4 The Greater Nordics      17    6  11    77   95  −18    18
5 Cheergirls               17    5  12    57   95  −38    15

Group 8
The Federation of Spokane        0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0  3
Trive 38                         0 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 3  6

Scootalove City                  7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  8
Tierra de Castro                 0 3 1 0 0 0 0 2 1  7


  Group 8                         Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Tierra de Castro                 18   13   5    95   72  +23    39
2 Scootalove City                  17    9   8    80   76   +4    27
3 Equestrian States                17    9   8    86   88   −2    27
4 The Federation of Spokane        18    7  11    70   87  −17    21
5 Trive 38                         18    6  12    76   84   −8    18

Group 9
Lycrabon                         1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1  3
Libonesia                        0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0  1

Cosumar                          0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 2  6
Free Republics                   0 0 0 0 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 1  5


  Group 9                         Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Free Republics                   18   14   4    93   62  +31    42
2 Lycrabon                         18    9   9    88   80   +8    27
3 Camelone                         17    8   9    56   83  −27    24
4 Cosumar                          17    7  10    63   64   −1    21
5 Libonesia                        18    6  12    75   86  −11    18

Group 10
New Jarwel                       0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1  3
Nova Anglicana                   0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1  4

Liventia                         0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 6 10
Vakolicci Haven and Celeria      0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0  4


  Group 10                        Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Nova Anglicana                   18   14   4   106   70  +36    42
2 Vakolicci Haven and Celeria      18   12   6   105   92  +13    36
3 Liventia                         17   11   6   100   75  +25    33
4 Tiiwark                          17    4  13    79  116  −37    12
5 New Jarwel                       18    3  15    69  106  −37     9

Matchday 23:

Group 1
Holy Marsh             0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0  2
Ethane                 0 1 0 1 2 0 0 0 X  4

Vangaziland            0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0  2
Xanneria               0 2 0 0 0 0 0 5 X  7


  Group 1               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Ethane                 18   13   5    99   62  +37    39
2 Vangaziland            18   12   6    81   65  +16    36
3 Xanneria               19    8  11    94   86   +8    24
4 Bauscland              18    7  11    70   93  −23    21
5 Holy Marsh             19    6  13    54   92  −38    18

Group 2
Geektopia              0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0  2
Cassadaigua            0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 X  3

South Covello          0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 0  3
Beepee                 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0  2


  Group 2               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Cassadaigua            18   15   3   117   61  +56    45
2 Beepee                 19   13   6   117   74  +43    39
3 South Covello          18    9   9    70   87  −17    27
4 Geektopia              19    5  14    71   91  −20    15
5 Calponia               18    4  14    55  117  −62    12

Group 3
Vaeruio                0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0
West Phoenicia         0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 X  3

Derring-Do             1  0 0 0 3 0 0 1 0  5
The Sherpa Empire      0 10 1 0 0 0 0 1 X 12


  Group 3               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 The Sherpa Empire      19   14   5   106   66  +40    42
2 West Phoenicia         18   14   4    82   51  +31    42
3 Lisander               18    8  10    63   76  −13    24
4 Derring-Do             18    7  11    88  103  −15    21
5 Vaeruio                19    3  16    52   95  −43     9

Group 4
North Prarie           0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0  2
Banija                 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 X  3

Schiltzberg            0 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 0  4
Jaguar515              0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0  2


  Group 4               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Schiltzberg            18   14   4    95   54  +41    42
2 North Prarie           19    9  10    90  100  −10    27
3 Kita-Hinode            18    8  10    75   74   +1    24
4 Banija                 18    8  10    60   71  −11    24
5 Jaguar515              19    7  12    79  100  −21    21

Group 5
Alpine Union             2 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0  5
Felsigberg               3 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1  6

Abanhfleft               2 0 1 0 0 0 4 0 0  7
Far Easter Republic      1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0  3


  Group 5                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Abanhfleft               18   13   5   106   83  +23    39
2 Alpine Union             19   12   7   104   74  +30    36
3 Far Easter Republic      19   10   9    80   79   +1    30
4 Felsigberg               18    7  11    76  100  −24    21
5 Northwest Kalactin       18    4  14    65   95  −30    12

Group 6
Ko-oren                  0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0
Bulgar Rouge             0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 X  1

Carpia                   2 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  5
Oscioru                  1 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 1  6


  Group 6                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Ko-oren                  19   13   6    76   59  +17    39
2 Oscioru                  19   11   8    93   75  +18    33
3 Hampton Island           18   10   8    64   56   +8    30
4 Bulgar Rouge             18    6  12    61   77  −16    18
5 Carpia                   18    6  12    65   92  −27    18

Group 7
Evaropi                  0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0  3
The Greater Nordics      0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3  6

Cheergirls               0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1  3
Drawkland                1 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 X  5


  Group 7                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Newmanistan              18   14   4   129   67  +62    42
2 Drawkland                19   12   7    92   83   +9    36
3 Evaropi                  19    8  11    83   99  −16    24
4 The Greater Nordics      18    7  11    83   98  −15    21
5 Cheergirls               18    5  13    60  100  −40    15

Group 8
Trive 38                         0 1 3 0 0 0 0 6 0 10
Scootalove City                  0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0  3

Equestrian States                0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0  3
The Federation of Spokane        0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0  1


  Group 8                         Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Tierra de Castro                 18   13   5    95   72  +23    39
2 Equestrian States                18   10   8    89   89    0    30
3 Scootalove City                  18    9   9    83   86   −3    27
4 Trive 38                         19    7  12    86   87   −1    21
5 The Federation of Spokane        19    7  12    71   90  −19    21

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

Camelone                         0 0 1 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0  4
Lycrabon                         0 0 1 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3  7


  Group 9                         Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Free Republics                   18   14   4    93   62  +31    42
2 Lycrabon                         19   10   9    95   84  +11    30
3 Cosumar                          18    8  10    69   66   +3    24
4 Camelone                         18    8  10    60   90  −30    24
5 Libonesia                        19    6  13    77   92  −15    18

Group 10
Nova Anglicana                   0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0  3
Liventia                         1 1 0 4 0 3 0 0 X  9

Tiiwark                          0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0  3
New Jarwel                       0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 2  4


  Group 10                        Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Nova Anglicana                   19   14   5   109   79  +30    42
2 Liventia                         18   12   6   109   78  +31    36
3 Vakolicci Haven and Celeria      18   12   6   105   92  +13    36
4 New Jarwel                       19    4  15    73  109  −36    12
5 Tiiwark                          18    4  14    82  120  −38    12

Matchday 24:

Group 1
Ethane                 0 0 5 0 2 0 0 0 0  7
Vangaziland            0 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0  5

Bauscland              0 1 5 1 1 3 0 0 2 13
Holy Marsh             1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  1


  Group 1               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Ethane                 19   14   5   106   67  +39    42  Q
2 Vangaziland            19   12   7    86   72  +14    36
3 Xanneria               19    8  11    94   86   +8    24
4 Bauscland              19    8  11    83   94  −11    24
5 Holy Marsh             20    6  14    55  105  −50    18

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

Calponia               0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0  1
Geektopia              0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 X  2


  Group 2               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Cassadaigua            19   15   4   122   67  +55    45  Q
2 Beepee                 19   13   6   117   74  +43    39
3 South Covello          19   10   9    76   92  −16    30
4 Geektopia              20    6  14    73   92  −19    18
5 Calponia               19    4  15    56  119  −63    12

Group 3
West Phoenicia         1 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 1  5
Derring-Do             0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0

Lisander               1 0 1 0 2 0 0 3 1  8
Vaeruio                0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  1


  Group 3               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 West Phoenicia         19   15   4    87   51  +36    45  Q
2 The Sherpa Empire      19   14   5   106   66  +40    42
3 Lisander               19    9  10    71   77   −6    27
4 Derring-Do             19    7  12    88  108  −20    21
5 Vaeruio                20    3  17    53  103  −50     9

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

Kita-Hinode            0 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 1  6
North Prarie           1 1 1 2 1 1 1 0 X  8


  Group 4               Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Schiltzberg            19   15   4   101   58  +43    45  Q1
2 North Prarie           20   10  10    98  106   −8    30
3 Kita-Hinode            19    8  11    81   82   −1    24
4 Banija                 19    8  11    64   77  −13    24
5 Jaguar515              19    7  12    79  100  −21    21

Group 5
Felsigberg               1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 3 10
Abanhfleft               2 0 0 0 2 2 1 0 0 0 0  7

Northwest Kalactin       0 0 0 0 4 1 0 1 0  6
Alpine Union             0 0 1 0 0 1 2 1 0  5


  Group 5                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Abanhfleft               19   13   6   113   93  +20    39
2 Alpine Union             20   12   8   109   80  +29    36
3 Far Easter Republic      19   10   9    80   79   +1    30
4 Felsigberg               19    8  11    86  107  −21    24
5 Northwest Kalactin       19    5  14    71  100  −29    15

Group 6
Bulgar Rouge             0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0  6
Carpia                   0 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0  3

Hampton Island           3 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2  7
Ko-oren                  0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0  3


  Group 6                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Ko-oren                  20   13   7    79   66  +13    39
2 Oscioru                  19   11   8    93   75  +18    33
3 Hampton Island           19   11   8    71   59  +12    33
4 Bulgar Rouge             19    7  12    67   80  −13    21
5 Carpia                   19    6  13    68   98  −30    18

Group 7
The Greater Nordics      0 1 0 0 2 0 1 0 2  6
Cheergirls               0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0  1

Newmanistan              0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 1  5
Evaropi                  0 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0  3


  Group 7                 Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Newmanistan              19   15   4   134   70  +64    45  Q
2 Drawkland                19   12   7    92   83   +9    36
3 The Greater Nordics      19    8  11    89   99  −10    24
4 Evaropi                  20    8  12    86  104  −18    24
5 Cheergirls               19    5  14    61  106  −45    15

Group 8
Scootalove City                  0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0  1
Equestrian States                0 1 0 1 5 0 2 0 X  9

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


  Group 8                         Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Tierra de Castro                 19   13   6    97   75  +22    39
2 Equestrian States                19   11   8    98   90   +8    33
3 Scootalove City                  19    9  10    84   95  −11    27
4 Trive 38                         20    8  12    89   89    0    24
5 The Federation of Spokane        19    7  12    71   90  −19    21

Group 9
Cosumar                          0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0  3
Camelone                         1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  2

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


  Group 9                         Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Free Republics                   19   14   5    94   65  +29    42  Q
2 Lycrabon                         19   10   9    95   84  +11    30
3 Cosumar                          19    9  10    72   68   +4    27
4 Camelone                         19    8  11    62   93  −31    24
5 Libonesia                        20    7  13    80   93  −13    21

Group 10
Liventia                         0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  2
Tiiwark                          0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0  1

Vakolicci Haven and Celeria      3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  3
Nova Anglicana                   0 6 1 0 1 1 0 1 X 10


  Group 10                        Pld    W   L    RF   RA   RD   Pts 
1 Nova Anglicana                   20   15   5   119   82  +37    45
2 Liventia                         19   13   6   111   79  +32    39
3 Vakolicci Haven and Celeria      19   12   7   108  102   +6    36
4 New Jarwel                       19    4  15    73  109  −36    12
5 Tiiwark                          19    4  15    83  122  −39    12

[Beepee]

Part 9

The press swarmed around Homer as he headed into the Catenham State Jail. He Pushed his way through the throng and made his way inside.

He signed in and was lead to a small room with a chair, a telephone receiver and a plate glass window.

He sat and waited.

A few moments later through the glass window, he saw a door open. Bruce walked in wearing an orange jumpsuit, his hands shackled in front of him. Bruce looked down at the ground, never making eye contact with Homer.

Homer could see Bruce's black eye and the cut on his cheek, as Bruce sat down and picked up the receiver.

Homer picked up his receiver, 'Hi'.

Bruce began to sob.

'Bruce, Bruce, it's ok. calm down' Homer pleaded to no avail.

After a few seconds Homer asked, 'Why'd you do it?'

Bruce continued whimpering, 'I didn't'

Homer became enraged, 'you did. I know you did!', slamming the phone down. Homer rose, spat at the glass and walked away. Bruce continued sobbing as he was lead away.

Homer headed out of the jail through the press, screaming "no comment" repetitively. He jumped in his car and sped away.

---

Arriving home, Bruce dodged the press waiting for him there. Opening the door to his apartment, there was a large manila envelope on his coffee table.

Homer hesitated picking it up, remember the last time. But curiosity got the better of him and he opened it.

Inside was a large wad of cash.

[Ko-oren]

Probabilities

Alas, all good things come to an end sometime. We have gathered here today to honour the Greenblues' winning streak. It seemed to never end, but end it must.

Here lies

The Greenblues's winning streak

WBC 45, Game 10 - WBC 45, Game 19

Nine straight games, dayum. That'll be a nominee for Sports Moment of the Year.

The team immediately celebrated by losing to the last placed (at the time) team in the group, Bulgar Rouge, by 1-0. The team followed that up with a 7-3 loss to a close rival, Hampton Island. We'd love to say that the streak lives on in everyone's memories and experiences, but losing 1-0 to a bottom team and then 7-3 to a team you absolutely may not lose to given the context of the group kind of negates that.

Still, we're number one in the group, with Oscioru and Hampton Island two games behind, one game in hand. We've come close enough to the end to talk probabilities.

Every team plays 24 games, which means that every team has one more bye. Except us, because we have two byes - so we have to keep our two-game distance until the very end. Both of our rivals have an opportunity to turn a one-game behind situation around, and they have a better run differential at this moment. Lucky us: the primary tiebreaker is Head to Head. Or not so lucky? Let's look at our scores so far:

H2H Hampton: 3-2 +1
H2H Oscioru: 3-2 -7

In both cases, the 9-win streak did us a lot of good, we beat both contenders three times in total which means we either tie or win the series. On the other hand, the very next tiebreaker is head to head run differential, which is painful. A loss to Hampton means at the very least that H2HRD is tied, so we go to overall run differential - which is also in Hampton's favour by a big, big distance. In Oscioru's case, tieing the H2H record automatically means forfeiting the H2HRD, because we're already on -7 and a loss will only see that number go down further. Basically, even though we're up 3-2 in both series, we absolutely must win our final games against both of these opponents.

Or, even simpler:
- Ko-oren has more wins than Oscioru and Hampton -> 1st in the group
- Ko-oren ties Oscioru and/or Hampton on wins -> Keep reading*
- Ko-oren lets Oscioru and Hampton overtake us on wins -> 3rd in the group

*In case of a three-way tie, the following applies:
- Ko-oren goes 4-2 against Hampton and Oscioru -> 1st in the group
- Ko-oren goes 3-3 against Hampton or Oscioru, but 4-2 against the other -> 2nd in the group
- Ko-oren goes 3-3 against both Hampton and Oscioru -> 3rd in the group

*In case of a simple two-way tie, and assuming we're one of the tieing teams, the following applies:
- Ko-oren ties Hampton/Oscioru and the series is split 3-3 -> Ko-oren finishes beneath Hampton/Oscioru
- Ko-oren ties Hampton/Oscioru and the series ends 4-2 -> Ko-oren finishes over Hampton/Oscioru

To stay ahead of Oscioru and Hampton, we have to look at their records right now. They're both 11-8 with 19 played. Five left for them, which gets them a maximum of 16-8. We are at 13-7, which means we have to win four games to stay ahead of them at 17-7... and look at that, we have four games left. Time to revive that streak, guys.

In very simple terms, we MUST WIN against Oscioru and Hampton to win the group, and we MUST WIN at least one of those two games to go to the next round.

A Ko-orenite national team, two wins up, and still being in a perfect position to choke it all away.

It might even be worth it to look at other groups. After all, if we finish first, we're compared to all other group winners. If we finish second, we're compared to all runner-ups. At the moment, we're 13-7, which makes us the very worst group leader. There are 13-6 teams, but they have a game in hand and that counts for something. We're also very noticeably behind on run differential compared to the other group leaders.

As a 13-7 team, we would be the 4th best runner-up, and that gives us an extra preliminary knockout round against the 19th seed.

If you said we'd be two games up after 20 out of 24 played, at the start of the tournament, I'd say you were insane. Now we have that, and it still feels more fragile than anything.