International Baseball Slam XI (Everything)

[Jeckland]

JECKLAND INTERNATIONAL BASEBALL SLAM 11 ROSTER

THE STARTERS - BATTING LINEUP

3B: Collin Allison (29)
1B: London Jeffery (24)
SS: Lorne Bernard (27)
C: Gabe Jewell (22)
2B: Braxton Hilliam (20)
RF: Beau Nigel (24)
LF: Quinton Oliverson (22)
CF: Sylvan Corwin (28)
Pitcher

THE RESERVES

1B: Mathew Dorsey (25)
2B: Des Nicholson (26)
3B: Egbert Penn (23)
SS: Morris Eccleston (31)
C: Lucius Ewart (30)
RF: Stace Hayward (33)
CF: Geoffrey Fuller (25)
LF: Kaleb Jennings (22)

THE PITCHERS

Each of these will be used in rotation. It is unclear at this stage what their roles will be.

Trueman John (29)
Ernie Hammond (32)
Cal Bonner (25)
Selwyn Wheelock (19)
Carrol Irvin (31)
Julyan Gabriels (27)
Earnest Keen (20)

THE BALLPARK

Rack City Ballpark has seen its fair share of memorable matches in the past, including numerous games in World Baseball Classic 32. Located to the south of Jeckish capital Rack City, there is sure to be a party atmosphere and raucous home support. The field is big, but conditions mean the ball flies off the bat.

Park Factor: 125

RP PERMISSIONS

Style Modifier: 0

My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose my runscorers: Yes
Choose my lineup: Yes
Follow my pitching rotation: Yes
Godmod scoring events: TG if you're planning anything really crazy
RP injuries to my players: Yes, if they are not severe
Godmod injuries to my players: TG if you're planning anything really crazy
Eject my players: Yes
Godmod other events: TG if you're... you get it
Use DH at home: No

[Jeckland]

OH NO, NOT AGAIN

"Fucking hell"

"Why can't we just avoid them?"

"Shove your Tigers up your arse"

All these and the title of this article are comments made on Jeckish social media following the draw for the International Baseball Slam. The highlight of the group sees the Spuds of Jeckland drawn against the Tigers of Super-Llamaland, a matchup which has some history which is not favourable to the Jeckish.

World Baseball Classic 30 was where Jeckland made their name, with a shock run to the final. In a tournament dubbed one of the most unpredictable WBCs ever, it was the Spuds who provided the biggest surprise package of all, only to fall at the final hurdle to their top ranked opposition. They went into World Baseball Classic 31 as a favourite and a known quantity, and breezed through to the final once more. This side appeared unstoppable, but were stopped again by the Tigers. Jeckish baseball never hit the same heights again. An early exit from a home tournament in edition 32 saw the end of an era, and despite a semi final run in Classic 35, the chances of the Spuds winning the title had gone.

The International Baseball Slam is a chance for Jeckland to come out of isolation and back into the new baseball world, with the tournament containing many reserve, youth and domestic teams as opposed to the more international affair it used to be. And yet the group draw throws Jeckland right back into the past with the Tigers one of three other full international teams in the group. Before the home series against the Tigers Jeckland will host the Kohnhead Pandas, before travelling to Mitary to face the Pelicans. The three match series will then be played again in the opposite venues, with the top two teams in the group advancing to the knockout stage. This will be held in Super-Llamaland, which may prove advantageous to the Spuds should they get there, as they will have already played in the country in the group phase.

Whilst Jeckland have always excelled at the bigger World Baseball Classic, with the Slam previously a side tournament with little success for the team, now is the chance for the multiverse's secondary tournament to take centre stage. Whilst some may view this as a tune up tournament for the Spuds upcoming Classic return, others will realise this is a significant tournament in its own right - and one where Jeckland could surprise a few people.

[Super-Llamaland]

MD1-3
For the 24 nations competing for a ticket to Super-Llamaland, the journey is about to begin!

Group A:
Team Name                    1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Tikariot Thunderforge        2  0  2  1  1  0  1  0  0   7
United Civil Republic Bears  0  0  0  2  0  1  2  1  0   6

Team Name                    1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Tikariot Thunderforge        0  1  1  1  2  1  0  0  2   8
United Civil Republic Bears  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  1  2   3

Team Name                    1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 Total
Tikariot Thunderforge        0  2  0  1  0  0  1  0  0  2   6
United Civil Republic Bears  1  0  0  0  0  0  2  1  0  0   4

Team Name              1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Kalactin U21s          0  0  1  0  0  0  1  2  0   4
The Jovannic Emperors  0  0  1  0  0  0  0  2  0   3

Team Name              1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Kalactin U21s          0  2  0  0  1  2  0  0  1   6
The Jovannic Emperors  0  2  0  0  0  0  0  0  0   2

Team Name              1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Kalactin U21s          1  0  1  1  0  0  0  2  1   6
The Jovannic Emperors  0  0  0  1  1  0  0  0  1   3

                              G W L RF RA RD Win Pct.
1       Tikariot Thunderforge 3 3 0 21 13  +8 1.000
2               Kalactin U21s 3 3 0 16  8  +8 1.000
3       The Jovannic Emperors 3 0 3  8 16  -8 0.000
4 United Civil Republic Bears 3 0 3 13 21  -8 0.000

Group B:
Team Name              1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 Total
Ethane Red Kites       0  1  0  1  0  1  0  2  0  0   5
Sarzonia Junior Stars  1  0  1  0  2  0  0  1  0  1   6

Team Name              1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Ethane Red Kites       0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0   0
Sarzonia Junior Stars  1  0  0  0  0  0  1  0  X   2

Team Name              1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Ethane Red Kites       0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0   0
Sarzonia Junior Stars  0  0  0  0  2  1  1  1  X   5

Team Name                       1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Terre Septentrionale Nordiques  0  1  0  0  0  0  0  0  0   1
Nova Anglicana Lions            0  0  1  0  1  0  0  0  X   2

Team Name                       1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Terre Septentrionale Nordiques  0  2  1  2  0  1  1  1  0   8
Nova Anglicana Lions            0  0  0  0  0  1  0  2  0   3

Team Name                       1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Terre Septentrionale Nordiques  0  1  2  0  0  1  2  0  0   6
Nova Anglicana Lions            0  0  0  0  0  0  1  0  0   1

                                 G W L RF RA RD Win Pct.
1          Sarzonia Junior Stars 3 3 0 13  5  +8 1.000
2 Terre Septentrionale Nordiques 3 2 1 15  6  +9 0.667
3           Nova Anglicana Lions 3 1 2  6 15  -9 0.333
4               Ethane Red Kites 3 0 3  5 13  -8 0.000

Group C:
Team Name              1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Mathuvian Union Moose  0  0  1  1  0  0  1  0  0   3
South Newlandia U22s   0  0  0  0  0  2  0  0  0   2

Team Name              1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Mathuvian Union Moose  0  1  1  0  1  0  0  1  0   4
South Newlandia U22s   2  1  0  0  4  0  0  0  X   7

Team Name              1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Mathuvian Union Moose  0  1  0  0  0  0  0  1  0   2
South Newlandia U22s   0  0  0  0  2  1  1  1  X   5

Team Name            1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Falisiand U22s       1  1  3  1  0  0  0  0  0   6
Maniladrid Mariners  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0   0

Team Name            1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 11 12 Total
Falisiand U22s       1  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  1  0  0  0   2
Maniladrid Mariners  0  0  0  0  0  0  2  0  0  0  0  1   3

Team Name            1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Falisiand U22s       0  0  0  0  1  2  0  0  0   3
Maniladrid Mariners  1  1  1  0  0  0  0  1  X   4

                        G W L RF RA RD Win Pct.
1  South Newlandia U22s 3 2 1 14  9  +5 0.667
2   Maniladrid Mariners 3 2 1  7 11  -4 0.667
3        Falisiand U22s 3 1 2 11  7  +4 0.333
4 Mathuvian Union Moose 3 1 2  9 14  -5 0.333

Group D:
Team Name                             1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 11 12 Total
Cassadaigua U18s                      0  0  1  1  3  0  0  0  1  0  0  2   8
Royal Kingdom of Quebec Grim Reapers  0  0  0  0  1  1  0  4  0  0  0  1   7

Team Name                             1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Cassadaigua U18s                      0  1  2  3  1  2  4  3  0   16
Royal Kingdom of Quebec Grim Reapers  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0   0

Team Name                             1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Cassadaigua U18s                      0  2  2  0  1  0  1  0  3   9
Royal Kingdom of Quebec Grim Reapers  0  2  2  1  3  0  1  1  X   10

Team Name                             1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Random Place Fools                    0  1  1  1  0  4  0  1  0   8
Northern Moravica University Cougars  0  1  0  1  0  2  1  0  1   6

Team Name                             1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Random Place Fools                    2  2  1  1  1  0  1  0  0   8
Northern Moravica University Cougars  0  3  1  0  0  1  0  0  2   7

Team Name                             1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Random Place Fools                    1  1  0  0  1  0  0  1  0   4
Northern Moravica University Cougars  0  0  1  2  0  0  2  0  X   5

                                       G W L RF RA  RD Win Pct.
1                     Cassadaigua U18s 3 2 1 33 17 +16 0.667
2                   Random Place Fools 3 2 1 20 18  +2 0.667
3 Northern Moravica University Cougars 3 1 2 18 20  -2 0.333
4 Royal Kingdom of Quebec Grim Reapers 3 1 2 17 33 -16 0.333

Group E:
Team Name        1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Kohnhead Pandas  0  0  0  2  0  1  0  0  0   3
Jeckland Spuds   0  0  0  1  0  0  2  1  X   4

Team Name        1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Kohnhead Pandas  2  0  0  0  0  0  0  1  0   3
Jeckland Spuds   0  0  0  1  0  3  0  0  X   4

Team Name        1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Kohnhead Pandas  1  0  1  0  1  0  1  0  0   4
Jeckland Spuds   0  1  1  1  0  3  0  0  X   6

Team Name               1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Mitarian Pelicans       0  0  1  0  0  0  0  0  0   1
Super-Llamaland Tigers  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  1  1   2

Team Name               1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 Total
Mitarian Pelicans       0  0  0  0  0  0  0  1  1  2   4
Super-Llamaland Tigers  0  0  0  1  0  0  0  1  0  1   3

Team Name               1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Mitarian Pelicans       3  1  2  1  1  0  0  0  3   11
Super-Llamaland Tigers  0  0  2  0  3  1  0  2  0   8

                         G W L RF RA RD Win Pct.
1         Jeckland Spuds 3 3 0 14 10  +4 1.000
2      Mitarian Pelicans 3 2 1 16 13  +3 0.667
3 Super-Llamaland Tigers 3 1 2 13 16  -3 0.333
4        Kohnhead Pandas 3 0 3 10 14  -4 0.000

Group F:
Team Name                        1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Starcom Starboys                 0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0   0
Abanhfleft Revolution All-Stars  2  1  1  0  1  4  0  0  X   9

Team Name                        1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Starcom Starboys                 1  0  3  2  0  0  2  0  1   9
Abanhfleft Revolution All-Stars  2  0  1  1  0  1  1  1  1   8

Team Name                        1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Starcom Starboys                 0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0   0
Abanhfleft Revolution All-Stars  0  3  0  0  4  0  0  0  X   7

Team Name                       1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Newmanistan U16s                2  1  0  2  0  1  1  0  1   8
Pripet Socialist Republic U21s  3  1  1  1  0  0  2  4  X   12

Team Name                       1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Newmanistan U16s                1  0  0  1  1  2  1  1  3   10
Pripet Socialist Republic U21s  3  0  1  2  1  0  0  1  1   9

Team Name                       1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Newmanistan U16s                1  0  1  2  0  1  1  1  1   8
Pripet Socialist Republic U21s  0  2  1  0  2  1  6  0  X   12

                                  G W L RF RA  RD Win Pct.
1 Abanhfleft Revolution All-Stars 3 2 1 24  9 +15 0.667
2  Pripet Socialist Republic U21s 3 2 1 33 26  +7 0.667
3                Newmanistan U16s 3 1 2 26 33  -7 0.333
4                Starcom Starboys 3 1 2  9 24 -15 0.333

[Super-Llamaland]

GOVERNMENT TAMPERING IN FLAG REFERENDUM ROCKS THE NATION
Destiny Wu, LBC Politics

NEW LLAMA CITY -- The Hansen administration was plunged into turmoil this morning after investigations revealed that the Llamanean government had created lobbying groups to advocate against Eden Jimenez's "Llamanean Diamond" flag design in the recent flag referendum. While it is unclear which members of Hansen's government knew about the plan to interfere in the flag referendum, the revelations have cast a shadow over the new flag, as well as the entire referendum process.

At 9:05 AM this morning, Llamanean watchdog Llamaneans for Governmental Accountability (LGA) published a report linking the Llamanean Elections Commission to multi-million dollar donations given to groups such as Citizens Against The Diamond, Coalition For a Llamanean Flag, and Melissa's Choice. Equally concerning was the connection of Melissa's Choice to Joyce Jimenez, a minor official in the Llamanean Elections Commission, who is believed to have played a major role in its founding. Together, these pieces of evidence point to undeniable government meddling in the flag referendum to ensure that their preferred design won, a major blow to the integrity of the referendum process.

President Nicholas Hansen, one of the referendum's fiercest advocates, condemned Jimenez and the Llamanean Election Committee in an impromptu speech immediately after the LGA's report was published. However, he was hesitant to declare the referendum itself as null and void, suggesting that "While I strongly condemn the decisions made by individual LEC employees to interfere with the flag referendum, Llamaneans still overwhelmingly supported the flag. Before we rush to invalidate our own electoral processes, we must consider the effect that this interference had on the referendum." Not all Llamaneans agree with President Hansen; Eden Jimenez himself, the designer of the "Llamanean Diamond" flag that governmental employees had campaigned against, publicly demanded an immediate revote. In an interview with LBC, the University of Vargas student suggested that the LGA report could be "just the tip of the iceberg" and claimed that "The LEC's meddling in their own flag referendum goes against the will of the Llamanean people, who voted for my flag in Round 1 of the referendum, and demonstrates their inability to get with the times."

Whether this truly is the tip of the iceberg, or whether the whole iceberg has already been laid bare, is unclear. We can certainly hope for the latter, but the LGA itself has announced that further investigations will be needed. Only afterward will the Llamanean people know how far up this interference truly goes.

[Sarzonia]

Construction crews were just finishing the final touches to the glistening new Khalil Dennis Park in the arts district of Portland right up to 22 hours before the scheduled first pitch of the International Baseball Slam.

Normally, such tasks are completed well in advance, but Portland Mayor Alvin Weatherford told assembled media that his "hands were tied" by the SARS 2 novel Coronavirus outbreak that cost 28,000 Sarzonians their lives. 

"We had to divert construction crews to work on projects that were directly related to managing the pandemic," Weatherford said. "Building hospitals, renovating roads and all the other essential tasks are higher priority than building a baseball stadium."

Weatherford said he wasn't sure what would have happened if the ballpark weren't completed before the first pitch. Treseguet Field, home of the Portland Purple Sox in the Incorporated League, was unavailable for the IBS due to a nine-game homestead. The old Crane Park was demolished in late February before the pandemic. 

For Junior Stars manager Edwin Crawford, his first task was to find the restroom. 

"I really needed to pee," he said, drawing a laugh from the media. He said the team would be at a disadvantage because they hadn't even set foot in the new park, let alone play a match there.

"We're going to learn this yard along with everyone else, " he said, adding that Fleetwood Park in Woodstock was unavailable because the Woodstock Mountaineers were playing a series against Nicksia when the Junior Stars were supposed to host a series. 

The stadium looks to be somewhat favourable to pitchers, especially when the opponent is a lefty pull hitter with the right field wall that stadium officials are calling Khalil's Corner. If that wall hadn't been constructed, it would have left a short porch in right field. As it stands, the right field power alley is very reachable. 

None of that matters to Junior Stars players, all of whom are confident they will enjoy the new ballpark. 

"It's really cool," said rightfielder Martaye Adams. It has all the modern conveniences including awesome Wifi and state of the art everything else, but it also has a rustic look. I can't wait to play there.

First pitch for tonight's game is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Sarzonian Standard Time (AOTC+1).

************************

Rightfielder Martaye Adams called time, and it was granted by Cassadagan home plate umpire Lori Barrett. He was facing a 1-2 count against an Ethane Red Hawks pitcher who showed a plus fastball and a nasty breaking ball. There was one out in the bottom of the 10th inning with only Junior Stars closer Ned Creighton available in the bullpen.

He looked down the third base line and saw pinch runner Paula Spann standing on the third base bag after reliever William Gates sacrificed her to third. She was running for first baseman Cristobal Vargas after he lined a double off Khalil's Corner in right field. Gates was batting in the fifth spot after a double switch took Xavier Felton out in the top of the 10th.

He's going to throw me that curve again, he thought. Gonna try to buckle my knees like he did to Vargas on the first pitch. He took a deep breath, took a couple of practice cuts, then stepped back into the batter's box.

How he got here was also directly courtesy of Vargas. With the Junior Stars trailing 5-4 in the bottom of the eighth after the Red Hawks scored two runs in the top of the frame, the Red Hawks had their set up reliever in the game with an eye toward slamming the door to set up their closer for the ninth.

However, Vargas worked the count to 3-2 after spoiling some tough pitches, including mid-90s fastballs and wicked sliders, until the reliever left a fastball out over the plate.

We'll let Eric Russett, play-by-play announcer for the Class 1 Corcorran Sky Sox, handle the call.

"Vargas swings and drives it deep to left field WAY BACK and WAY OUTTA HERE! THIS GAME IS LEVEL AT FIVE! Cristobal Vargas with a tape measure home run and it's now Ethane 5, Junior Stars 5!"

Now, Adams knew his job was to drive Spann home, and he hoped he could get a hold of the curveball he expected.

"Play!" Barrett intoned, pointing out to the Red Hawks reliever. He came set, checked Spann at third, then threw a curve. Unfortunately for him, the pitch hung and Adam's connected.

"Swing and a drive to left field and deep! This one's going to be caught at the wall! Spann tags and she scores! The Junior Stars have won it! Six to five in 10!"

The team rushed out of the first base dugout and mobbed both Spann and Adams. They made their debut in the International Baseball Slam count, and how.

For the second game, pitcher Cal Zane decided he wanted to pitch a complete game, but after he logged 106 pitches through eight innings, manager Edwin Crawford had other ideas, turning matters over to Creighton. He struck out two of the three batters he faced and Sarzonia had a 2-0 victory in Game 2.

As for the third game, Darryl Shaw befuddled Red Hawks batters to the tune of 22 ground ball outs. Only six hitters managed to get the ball into the air, and only three of them were hits. His other two outs were by strikeout.

Sarzonia's Under 21 national baseball team made their debut in international baseball and it couldn't have gone much better. The Junior Stars were 3-0 and their pitching staff had a 20-inning shutout streak in the works. The last of the paint had only dried four hours before the first pitch, but the new ballpark's debut was a smashing success.

[Abanhfleft]

MUSINGS OF AN ARMORED DINNER JACKET
Official blog of Ibrahim Ahmadinejad, former Right Fielder of the Verbergerkinnh Cubs and the Abanhfleft Revolution

IT LIVES, IT LIVES!


A new team made up of old players: this is the composition of the Abanhfleft Revolution All-Stars for the resurrected International Baseball Slam. (Courtesy of Crescent News Network Sports Channel/Umkhonto Thabowane)

WRITING FROM PAULSEN, DORFDIFVING - Yes, my friends, your eyes do not deceive you. The International Baseball Slam is indeed back, and along with it your friendly neighborhood Armored Dinner Jacket has been called out of retirement and put back into a blue and orange uniform. Hello everybody and welcome back to the Musings of an Armored Dinner Jacket, And yes, we truly do live in a strange timeline. We all gave the International Baseball Slam a well-deserved farewell after ten editions, none of which Abanhfleft won. We did win third place a couple of times though, to be honest, and I think that is where our reputation of settling for third started.

Well, here we are. The International Baseball Slam is back, and for reasons which I can only describe as the SBA's attempt at a throwback Thursday, they have decided in their infinite wisdom to bring a bunch of players out of our well-deserved and well-earned retirements and suit them up for the return of the IBS. I believe that you know what I've been doing with my spare time after baseball, and yes, you could say I've been enjoying my time with the folks in Top Speed. Much of the shit they can come up with there is just hilarious, and I just find myself getting carried away.

But back to the IBS. Apparently this was a project of the new government of Super-Llamaland, which if you all remember kind of dropped off the radar for a little bit before suddenly popping up again just now. Yeah, I can't explain it either. But we're sending a team to the IBS anyway. They're still called the Abanhfleft Revolution, but they're also called the All-Stars. The selection criteria, as far as I know, is that the player must both be currently retired and must have been chosen for an FMLB All-Star team at least once in their career. And, given that I've been in the All-Star Game for nine seasons (eight of them straight! I know, just wanted to toot my own horn a little bit there), it appears that I was a shoo-in for this squad. I dare not speak ill of the achievements of my fellow teammates this time though. It's simply not my place.

I'll tell you what, though. There are two guys in this team that you might actually recognize if you've only started becoming a fan of Fleftic baseball during the early IBS and WBC days. Two pitchers, to be exact. We have in the team Olivier Savanier (which you absolutely must have to pronounce in a pretentious French accent, like Oliv-yay Savan-yay) and the closer, the one and only Peter Langford. Langford's such a good closer that he made the national team even as a Triple-A player, and even when the SBA is sending out a meme team Langford is just too invaluable a player to drop from the bullpen, even for the memes. Now that, I have to say, is true GOAT-tier quality.

And I'm not sure if there's much else there is left to say at the moment. The IBS is back, the SBA is sending out a bunch of retirees to compete in it, and so far there isn't much to complain about either. Some people might find it a little irritating that the SBA is keeping all games in a Double-A park in Paulsen, but there's talk that the games against Newmanistan could be held at the National Baseball Stadium in Effelenendro. Imagine that; a bunch of kids playing ball against a bunch of old-timers in the Cathedral of Baseball. What a sight that would be. This is the Armored Dinner Jacket saying ciao, peace. Catch you in my next post.

[Mitary]

Pelican Daily
Run by eSPAE News

'We should all be surprised from that last match." says Martin the Martian "We plucked out a 2-1 win in our international debut, and it was against the host! That last one was a clutch home run there, most clutch I've ever hit."

"I'm just in shock right now, how'd we do that? I had high hopes for the team, but now we might even do better than the Jeckland WBC 30!" - Bryon Purdy

"I heard what Bryon said, he says things like that all the time, we haven't been jinxed before, so all's well" - Barney "Big" Davis

Last night the Pelicans won their first ever international baseball game in the IBS XI, it's just astonishing how well the did that last game.

[Jeckland]

JECKLAND SWEEP KOHNHEAD TO TOP GROUP EARLY ON

Baseball returned to Jeckland with the beginning of the International Baseball Slam, and it was a rousing success as Jeckland won their first three games of the tournament.

Kohnhead's Pandas caused a sterner test than the results would suggest, with the Spuds coming from behind in all three games to secure victory. Whilst only scoring a net of four runs more than their opponents means that a potential advantage in run differential did not occur, the Spuds will be happier to have the three wins on the board, particularly given the other result in the group where Super-Llamaland lost their series with newcomers Mitary 2-1.

The first game saw a cagey start, with neither team registering a run in the first three innings. The fourth saw a lot more action, with Kohnhead taking two from the top of the fourth before the Spuds halved the deficit in the same innings. A further run for the visitors in the sixth ramped up the pressure on the Spuds, but they levelled the scores at the bottom of the seventh at 3-3. Some superb pitching meant no more runs were let up, with a fourth scampered home in the eighth to ensure a winning start.

The second game started woefully for the Spuds, with some big hitting from the Pandas putting them 2-0 up before anyone in yellow came up to bat. Jeckland soon regained control in the field, with their catching and throwing notably sharp on this occasion. They were struggling with the bat, registering a sole run in the fourth, until the sixth inning, where a home run capped off a three run innings that would eventually secure them another victory by the same scoreline, with Kohnhead's eighth innings run unable to salvage anything.

The third game saw a smattering of one run innings throughout, but the Spuds had far greater control over it overall. Despite conceding at the top of the first again, some consistent scoring ensured they were ahead from the fourth innings onwards, with a three run sixth again securing the win, this time by a margin of 6-4.

The team's improvements as the series progressed and ability to come from behind will have buoyed the fans before the visit of Super-Llamaland, a nation with which Jeckland have an unfortunate history in the sport. Rack City Ballpark was full for the matches against Kohnhead but will be even louder for this coming series, with results in the first set of series making the Spuds believe they may have the upper hand over an old enemy who are also returning to the baseball scene.

[Tikariot]

The picture switches from the TSG TV logo to our news anchors Sarah Ladle and Angelo Mori, both of whom seem to be in an extraordinarily good mood.

Sarah Ladle: Good evening ladies and gentlemen, welcome to our covers of this year's edition of the International Baseball Slam.

Angelo Mori: In case you missed it, we are just coming off the Tikariot Thunderforge's first ever appearance in an international event and what a debut it was!

Ladle: A clean sweep of the United Civil Republic Bears has sent Tikariot into a baseball frenzy as it has never experienced before. 7-6, 8-3 and finally 6-4 were the result of the games and they had quite a few memorable moments.

The picture cuts to a summary of the games. At first we see a clearly nervous team ahead of the first pitch. Then Foster Fleming is at bat, with two out, Bronson Ghirardello on second base. The pitch comes in hard and Fleming connects hard. Both men begin to run and the noise of the crowd rises as the camera follows the ball down the foul line. Finally it drops just beyond the far wall for a homerun by the 17-year old of the Avanaroch Nightwatch with the bench cleared awaiting his arrival at home base for the first ever international points scored.

Mori: It was an outstanding start for our team and the youngest player on the roster scored a beautiful homer, driving in two runs for an early lead in the game, a lead that they would not give up until the end of the game. Game two was an even clearer affair, with Michael Romanov scoring two single homers in a clear 8-3 win, but it was the third game that provided us with a few truly stunning plays.

Ladle: The two names that really stood out were catcher William Carruthers and Michael Romanov. The game was in the ninth inning, with the Bears having one man on first base and two hitters out.

The picture switches to the scene from the game as Ladle continues her commentary.

Ladle: Jayson Carfield is going for a sharp fastball, which is off target, enabling the player on first base to go for the steal, but Carruthers manages to catch the ball, roll and throw straight for second base. Carfield just barely manages to jump into the air to avoid the hard ball coming straight for his groin area and Vinnie Pelmore at full reach makes the catch and tag the runner in a truly spectacular move, sending the game into the tenth inning.

Mori: And here we see Michael Romanov at bat with Carfield on first base. The Tikariotian has expected the sinker and moves forward just enough to connect with the ball and off it went, driving in two runs for the 6-4 win. Sean Callahan had head coach Graham McCrory on the microphone right after the game.

The picture shows how the head coach manages to extract himself from the players that are celebrating on the field.

Sean Callahan: Coach, what a series and what an ending, how does it feel?

Both men have to pretty much yell at each other to get over the noise of the chanting and singing players in the background.

Graham McCrory: It's crazy! Literally nobody expected anything from these boys and look at them!

He points at the team.

Callahan: Did the Bears underestimate the team?

McCrory (shrugging): I don't know and honestly I don't care! We won and that's all that matters! The boys really came together as a team and I am so proud of them!

Callahan: What do you see as the biggest challenge ahead of the game against the Kalactin U21s?

McCrory (laughs): To get them to go to bed tonight! But seriously, I will have to really try to get them to keep their celebrations in check, since we have to be in Kalactin tomorrow and I can't have a hungover team show up on the field.

Callahan: Good point. I received word that the U21s also swept the Emperors, so this might very well be the series deciding the group winner.

McCrory: They were the favourites to win this group at least anyways, so it didn't come that surprising, but it also shows that we cannot underestimate them.

Callahan: Well, I'm sure we'll talk again tomorrow when--

He looks at the cameraman backing away with a surprised look, but cannot finish his sentence as the players dump a big cooler of Crocorade over Coach McCrory and Callahan, efficiently ending the interview and the picture cuts back to the studio, where the two anchors cannot hold back their laughs.

Ladle: I'd say that these two will need a shower stat. As Sean said, the Kalactin U21s won all three games against The Jovannic Emperors, marking them as probably the fiercest opponent in the group stage.

Mori: Indeed. The only reason they are in second place is the fact that they scored less runs, but other than that are dead even with our team, which seems to be trying to drop the official Thunderforge name, as I've already seen shirts pop up online with a brand new logo.

Ladle: Looks kinda scary.

Mori: Well, it fits the name as the Tikariot Devil's Rejects. I know that some of the more conservative groups are in an outrage over the word 'devil' in the name, but I really don't think that the team cares at this point. So with a brief outlook on tomorrow's game, the U21s have a very young, but highly promising team to send out.

Ladle: Yes, absolutely. Star pitcher Roy Young already looks in excellent form and the outfielders also look like they're going to give our folks some headaches, with the combined homerun power of Martin Bennett and Johnny Ross and also Ross and David Simmons being very proficient base stealers, we better see a Bill Carruthers in top form to keep them from going for the Great Base Robbery.

Mori: I see what you did there, Sarah, nice one. Either way make sure to tune in tomorrow for our live coverage and see for yourselves, if the Devil's Rejects manage to continue to defy the odds or if reality will come crashing down on them. Until then, I'm Angelo Mori and this is Sarah Ladle.

[Newmanistan]

Former Newmanistan World Baseball Classic player Kayla Carey, who also played professionally in Super-Llamaland, now serves as a scout for the Centralia Firebirds. These were some of her thoughts about the opening games of the International Baseball Slam, in which she is looking over for the team.

Game 1:
– Allyson Pierce roughed up in Game 1. She was supposed to be our top pitching prospect in this. Courtney Duvall, she is not.

– Courtney Greenleaf is a great defensive player at the hardest position in the infield, shortstop. Ok, I am just being biased about the shortstop part, but her range is to be commended.

– Katie Allen is 3-for-3 with two outs and runners in scoring position in this game. That’s a very good thing, now if only they weren’t just singles.

– The bullpen sucks. We’re used to it.

Game 2:
– Sarah Monahan roughed up in Game 2. She was supposed to be our second best pitching prospect in this. Courtney Duvall, she is not.

– I said that already. Well, mainly because the bottom of the first looked identical in both of these games.

– Offense does a good job with small ball, but maybe we can play for more then one or two runs in an inning once in a while.

– Three run jack by Katie Allen! Now 6-for-7 in two games with runners in scoring position. Finally, not a single this time too!

– Bullpen still sucks. But at least time, we survived.

Game 3:
– Tori Slattery not necessarily roughed up in Game 3, but did not pitch well either. Courtney Duvall, she is not either.

– Really digging Courtney Greenleaf’s glove. That chick can play the position!

– One one one one one one. More ones. One one. At least they aren’t zeroes. Crooked numbers would be nice, though.

– Sure, the one half inning in all of these games where more then four is scored, and it goes against us. I hate bullpens.

[South Newlandia]

ELEPHANT VALLEY MAIL
Sports -> Youth Baseball
South Newlandian U22 take two wins on first matchday

The Ratzupalfu Arena is a very special baseball arena. In the centre of South Newlandia is a considerably large and dense forest, some people go as far as calling it a jungle. Ratzupalfu is the only city located inside this forest, which brings obvious logistical challenges with it. Despite this, the city managed to thrive, and is also known for their sports team, the Rhinos, participating in the highest South Newlandian league in Baseball and Soccer. The Arena, recently expanded to accommodate 10000 people, would be the place for the match series against Mathuvan Union Moose.

Team Name              1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Mathuvian Union Moose  0  0  1  1  0  0  1  0  0   3
South Newlandia U22s   0  0  0  0  0  2  0  0  0   2

Roberto Goodman took the mount for the first game, and despite the arena being barely half-full, the atmosphere was exciting. Goodman pitched solidly, but he gave up a run in the 3rd and 4th inning, and after 5 innings played, the South Newlandian batters had only managed a few hits with no runs. Goodman retired three batters in the 6th, and Mike Larsen was at bat. After he scored a single, Adam King managed to get a double in to load 2nd and 3rd base with no one out. Daryl Dunlop hit a single, getting a run for Larsen, and King was still on 3rd base. David Drum and Shawn Zimmerman were retired, and it was Sophia Smiths at bat. She hit a nice double, getting a run for King. The game was now tied at two. Fred Burn’s fly ball was caught, and South Newlandia got no more runs out of the inning. Now, Ian Capan came in as closer. He gave up a run in the 7th, pitching otherwise without mistake, retiring six straight batters. Unfortunately, the batters left him hanging, and the game was lost 2-3. Clearly, Matteo Maxbar hadn’t planned to start the series of with a defeat.

Team Name              1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Mathuvian Union Moose  0  1  1  0  1  0  0  1  0   4
South Newlandia U22s   2  1  0  0  4  0  0  0  X   7

The second game was pitched by Jay Kramer. The youngster is one of South Newlandias big hopes for future WBCs, along with Ryan Hunter. South Newlandia was determent to do better this time, and they started the game off well. Adam King got retired, but Daryl Dunlop managed to get an early double. David Drum managed to get a first run already, getting a double as well. He proceeded to steal the base as well, and was now ready on 3rd base. Shawn Zimmerman and Sophia Smiths got struck out, and Fred Burn made a sacrifice fly to get the run for David Drum. With that, South Newlandia was in the lead by two early. In the top of the 2nd, Kramer gave up a run, but in the bottom of the second, Jack Mine managed to get a run in after a triple by Mike Larsen. The top of the third saw the Moose narrowing the difference down to one again, and in the top of the 5th, they tied the game at 3. It was the bottom of the 5th, and South Newlandia had seen their lead melt to nothing. Mitch Sneider was at bat first, and he started the team off, getting a walk. Jack Mine got a single in, and Mike Larsen was at bat with the first and second base loaded and no one out. A weak pitch by the opposition was perfectly hit by Mike Larsen, and the stadium saw the first home run of the day. South Newlandia was now up by three, and there were still no outs. King got retired, and so did Dunlop. David Drum got a double in again, and like last time, managed to steal 3rd base. A sacrifice fly by Zimmerman managed to get him a run as well to make the lead 7-3. After that, the game calmed down. Barnaby Butt entered the match in the 7th inning, and he would give up one more run, but the game was still clearly won by 7-4.

Team Name              1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Mathuvian Union Moose  0  1  0  0  0  0  0  1  0   2
South Newlandia U22s   0  0  0  0  2  1  1  1  X   5

Ryan Hunter was on the mount for game three. He is the only pitcher on this selection who was in the squad of the Elephants for the 48th World Baseball Classic, and he might be one of the strongest South Newlandian pitchers of any age. He didn’t start well, giving up a run in the 2nd inning, and South Newlandia was behind again. It took them until the 5th inning to get some runs in. After Dunlop and Drum got retired, Shawn Zimmerman started them out with a single; and Sophia Smiths was at bat now. She hit the ball perfectly, and the arena saw the second home run of the day. Suddenly, South Newlandia was ahead by one. After that, they kept the pressure on and got runs in the 6th, 7th and 8th inning, with Drum scoring one of them and Sneider the other two. In the 8th inning, Ian Capan came in to close the game, and he only gave up a single run in the eighth. With that, South Newlandia had won game three by 5-2.

Current standings

P  Team                 G W L RF RA  RD Win Pct.
1  South Newlandia U22s 3 2 1 14  9  +5 0.667
2   Maniladrid Mariners 3 2 1  7 11  -4 0.667
3        Falisiand U22s 3 1 2 11  7  +4 0.333
4 Mathuvian Union Moose 3 1 2  9 14  -5 0.333

South Newlandia takes the top of the table with the two wins, and they will face the Malinadrid Mariners next. The series will be played in the Dolphin Stadium of Newport, which means that the South Newlandian players will make a trip to the East Coast. They will face a team that lost two matches to the Falisiand U22s despite outscoring them on total runs.

[Nova Anglicana]

Last Chance All-Stars stumble against Terre Septentrionale

Nova Anglicana's entry to the 11th International Baseball Slam consists of players who haven't gotten a true chance at major league play and are somewhat beyond true prospect status at this point. The Nova Anglican Baseball Committee has pitched this as a chance for "overlooked" players to get international exposure, toughen up against good competition, and potentially earn spots on NABL rosters. They've dubbed themselves the "Last Chance All-Stars", as guys fighting for their last chance at a major league career. Who knows? If they don't earn an NABL spot through their performance, maybe some other domestic league will give them a chance. Their first test was against what seemed to be a U24 or Olympic-type squad, the Terre Septentrionale Nordiques.

In game one, other than a Logan O'Rourke RBI single in the second inning, number one starter John Yates limited the damage. He scattered six hits and one walk across seven innings while striking out six batters. Yates pitches for the Mancunium Pilots, who currently have a surfeit of major-league pitching, so his performance here is especially important to stand out from the rest of the roster. He mixed his pitches effectively, utilizing his fastball and curveball mostly, but judiciously making use of his changeup to lefties and slider to right-handers. In the third, Yates even led off with a single off of Travis O'Rear and would come around to score after a single by Bobby Faust and a two-out double by Scott Neumann. In the fifth, Quentin Glazier hit a solo home run to give the Lions a 2-1 lead and Yates and relievers Trevor Campbell and Ben Morton made it stand up. Morton, who has struggled with social anxiety disorder, handled himself well in the pressure-filled ninth, allowing no baserunners and striking out one for the 2-1 victory.

In game two, Will Webster of the Sept-Iles Bleus organization took the hill. Webster is a hard-throwing pitcher with control issues, and they surfaced in this game. He walked four and hit a batter in four innings, in addition to giving up five hits, which staked the Nordiques to a 5-0 lead after three and a half innings. Long reliever Jacob Cox came on and allowed three hits and one run in two innings before being lifted for a pinch-hitter in the sixth. Trey Dugger hit a solo shot in the bottom of the sixth and Mason Garvey hit a pinch-hit two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth, but three other Lions relievers allowed two runs in the last three innings and the final score ended 8-3.

In game three, southpaws Marie-Ann Gallagher for the Nordiques and Paul Strickland for the Lions squared off. Of the two, Gallagher clearly pitched better. The 21 year-old flummoxed the Lions for seven innings, striking out five and inducing a lot of weak contact on her way to allowing just one run. Dugger and Garvey started this game, specifically for their success against lefties, but went a combined 0-6 against the young Nordiques hurler. In the seventh, Kelly Drayton singled up the middle, stole second, and scored on Hal Middleton's RBI single to put the Lions on the board, far too late to make a difference in the game. Strickland doesn't throw hard, but he has good control and tries to keep hitters off-balance. Unfortunately for him, he was a little off with his location and he got hit pretty hard. He surrendered four runs on eight hits in six innings with four strikeouts. Reliever Mike Vaughn gave up a two-run homer in the seventh, which ended the scoring for the night. Final score, 6-1 to the Nordiques.

The Lions sit at 1-2, not what they were expecting facing a mostly younger group. But all three of these nations (Terre Septentrionale, Ethane, and Sarzonia) are regarded as competent or strong baseball nations. One might call group B a "group of death", or a group where more than two teams should advance, but only two will be lucky enough to make the 12-team playoffs. Next up are the Sarzonia Junior Stars, the U21 team from Sarzonia. Despite their age, they swept the Ethane Red Kites. The first two games were close, but the last two were shutouts, showing the defensive prowess of this team. The Lions only scored six runs the whole series, so they'll have to lean on their experience to take down these young hotshots. A 2-4 or 1-5 result could be disastrous for an 18-game group stage, so two wins at least are imperative for the Lions to get on track.

[Cassadaigua]

Player Profiles:

Kelsey & Megan Thomassen (RHP)
The sisters were born Grass Lake, a town that is about 75 miles north of Concord Heights to Rachel and Jason Thomassen. Mother Rachel was a three-sport athlete high school, playing baseball, soccer, and tennis. Despite being a talented pitcher, she accepted a scholarship offer at the University of Northbury to play tennis, and played all four years there. Presently, she works in the accounts payable department of a construction firm. Father Jason played on the boys softball team in high school, and attended Grande Mountain University.

Kelsey has been playing baseball and soccer since the age of seven in some capacity, and has played on both squads in high school. While playing for Grass Lake High, Thomassen has become recognized as being the top amateur pitcher in the nation and is expected to be one of the first people selected in the upcoming Baseball entry draft. In her freshman year at high school, she developed a wicked curveball to go along with her fastball, which had always been effective. By the time she was a junior, she had developed a slider to go along with it. Kelsey has already made it known that she will not be attending college, and will be going directly to the pros once drafted.

Megan is two years younger then her and has followed the lead of her sister, playing both baseball and soccer. Kelsey played a big role in teaching Megan how to pitch, and immediately taught Megan how to throw a curveball as soon as she mastered it. So, by the time Megan was 13, she was already baffling youth players with her 12-6 break. She has also learned the slider, but it is still a work in progress. At the moment, she is not draft eligible, so is not ranked by the national scouting services but once she gets there, it can be expected that she will also be a top pick. Not surprisingly, Megan has also declared that she will not attend a college and will go professional once she is drafted. Usually, at her age, players have not made this announcement.

[Kohnhead]

Kohnhead play better than 0-3 suggests

Taking on the Spuds from Jeckland, Kohnhead were the underdogs in this one. While on the surface The Panda's lost all three games, if you dig a little deeper it was actually quite competitive and we played well. The point of this is not just to win at all costs, it's to evaluate talent for bigger tournaments like the WBC. Traveling to Rack City Ballpark in Jeckland we actually had the lead in all three games, we just allowed them to come back.

In game 1, it took until the bottom of the fourth for us to score any runs but Jessie Cherry led off the inning with a double into the cap in center. Ratliff would ground to the second baseman and then Cecilia Dickerson walked up to the plate. With a 1-2 count she belted a shot to left field that the Jeckland outfielders had no chance of robbing. Kohnhead was up 2-0. Bloggs had pitched well up until then but by the bottom of the fourth he was starting to tire, as he had a tendency to pitch eight or nine pitches to one batter before walking them or getting them out. Jeckland would get a run back to give us a 2-1 lead heading into the fifth inning.

In the sixth Hahn would score on an rbi single from Ratliff lifting the score to 3-1. Bloggs was pulled in the bottom of the frame, and in the seventh Austin Sutton allowed two runners to cross the plate. With the game tied at 3, the Pandas turned to Nela Fowler to get us through the inning. After quickly getting two outs, she walked three consecutive batters, then allowed a blooper single to lose us the game, as we couldn't score in the top of the ninth.

The top or the order in the second game came up big with Chiara Thompson, and Prince Santana both getting home safely, and we could have had more if it weren't for a boneheaded base running decision by Helena Mata. The Spuds would get one back in the fourth, and then knock Crouch out of the game in the sixth by scoring three runs to make it 4-2. A consolation run in the eighth for Hahn wouldn't change anything, and we slumped to another one run defeat.

The third game featured a lot more hitting as Sharon Mclellan was knocked around a lot and had to leave the game in the fourth inning after surrendering three runs. The bullpen did as badly as Sutton and Scarlett Arroyo allowed another three runs to score in the 6th. Down 6-3, Wagstaff would score a run in the top of the 7th to give us hope but we couldn't score again.

Unfortunately, we lost but hopefully our next series on the road against another newcomer in Mitary will go better.

The starting pitchers for the series will be Sienna Redmond, Murray Marshal, and Gene Fowler who are the back of our rotation. Hopefully the results will be better as Coach Glass has said this will be the lineup for the first game:

1. CF Lucca Hahn
2. 3B Cecelia Dickerson
3. LF Stuart Dorsey
4. DH Vlad Burch
5. SS Chiara Thompson
6. RF Helena Mata
7. C Prince Santana
8. 2B Artur Wagstaff
9. RF Esme Mohamed

[Super-Llamaland]

MD4-6

The Thrill of the IBS has yet to wear off - but will the results live up to the hype?

Group A:

Team Name              1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Tikariot Thunderforge  1  2  3  2  1  0  1  0  0   10
Kalactin U21s          0  2  0  2  2  0  0  2  0   8

Team Name              1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Tikariot Thunderforge  0  0  0  0  0  2  0  0  0   2
Kalactin U21s          2  0  0  0  0  1  0  0  X   3

Team Name              1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Tikariot Thunderforge  6  2  0  0  0  1  1  2  1   13
Kalactin U21s          1  0  1  2  3  1  0  0  0   8

Team Name                    1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
The Jovannic Emperors        3  1  6  1  3  0  2  6  0   22
United Civil Republic Bears  0  0  0  0  1  0  0  0  0   1

Team Name                    1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
The Jovannic Emperors        3  0  0  0  0  0  1  0  1   5
United Civil Republic Bears  0  0  0  0  0  1  0  0  1   2

Team Name                    1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
The Jovannic Emperors        0  0  0  0  2  7  1  2  2   14
United Civil Republic Bears  0  1  0  2  1  0  1  0  0   5

                              G W L RF RA  RD Win Pct.
1       Tikariot Thunderforge 6 5 1 46 32 +14 0.833
2               Kalactin U21s 6 4 2 35 33  +2 0.667
3       The Jovannic Emperors 6 3 3 49 24 +25 0.500
4 United Civil Republic Bears 6 0 6 21 62 -41 0.000

Group B:

Team Name                       1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Ethane Red Kites                0  1  0  0  2  0  0  0  2   5
Terre Septentrionale Nordiques  0  0  2  1  1  1  6  0  X   11

Team Name                       1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Ethane Red Kites                0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0   0
Terre Septentrionale Nordiques  0  1  2  0  1  1  0  0  X   5

Team Name                       1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Ethane Red Kites                0  0  0  1  0  0  0  2  3   6
Terre Septentrionale Nordiques  0  0  1  0  1  0  0  0  2   4

Team Name              1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Nova Anglicana Lions   0  0  0  0  1  0  0  1  1   3
Sarzonia Junior Stars  3  0  2  0  1  2  1  0  X   9

Team Name              1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Nova Anglicana Lions   0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0   0
Sarzonia Junior Stars  0  1  0  0  0  0  0  0  X   1

Team Name              1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Nova Anglicana Lions   0  1  0  0  0  0  0  0  1   2
Sarzonia Junior Stars  0  1  0  0  1  1  0  0  X   3

                                 G W L RF RA  RD Win Pct.
1          Sarzonia Junior Stars 6 6 0 26 10 +16 1.000
2 Terre Septentrionale Nordiques 6 4 2 35 17 +18 0.667
3           Nova Anglicana Lions 6 1 5 11 28 -17 0.167
4               Ethane Red Kites 6 1 5 16 33 -17 0.167

Group C:

Team Name             1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Mathuvan Union Moose  0  0  0  1  0  1  0  0  0   2
Falisiand U22s        0  0  0  0  1  0  0  4  X   5

Team Name             1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 Total
Mathuvan Union Moose  1  0  1  0  2  0  0  0  0  1   5
Falisiand U22s        0  0  1  0  0  0  1  1  1  0   4

Team Name             1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Mathuvan Union Moose  1  0  0  0  0  0  0  1  0   2
Falisiand U22s        0  1  1  0  2  1  0  0  X   5

Team Name             1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Maniladrid Mariners   0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0   0
South Newlandia U22s  1  3  0  1  0  0  1  2  X   8

Team Name             1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Maniladrid Mariners   0  0  3  0  0  1  0  0  1   5
South Newlandia U22s  1  0  1  0  0  0  0  0  1   3

Team Name             1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Maniladrid Mariners   0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  1   1
South Newlandia U22s  1  0  0  0  3  0  0  3  X   7

                        G W L RF RA  RD Win Pct.
1  South Newlandia U22s 6 4 2 32 15 +17 0.667
2        Falisiand U22s 6 3 3 25 16  +9 0.500
3   Maniladrid Mariners 6 3 3 13 29 -16 0.500
4  Mathuvan Union Moose 6 2 4 18 28 -10 0.333

Group D:

Team Name           1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Cassadaigua U18s    1  0  0  2  2  2  0  2  1   10
Random Place Fools  1  2  0  1  0  0  0  0  0   4

Team Name           1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Cassadaigua U18s    0  0  1  0  1  1  0  0  1   4
Random Place Fools  3  0  0  3  1  0  0  0  X   7

Team Name           1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Cassadaigua U18s    0  4  0  0  1  0  3  0  1   9
Random Place Fools  0  1  0  0  1  0  0  0  0   2

Team Name                             1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Northern Moravica University Cougars  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0   0
Royal Kingdom of Quebec Grim Reapers  0  4  0  1  1  0  1  0  X   7

Team Name                             1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Northern Moravica University Cougars  4  0  0  2  0  0  0  2  0   8
Royal Kingdom of Quebec Grim Reapers  0  0  2  0  0  1  4  2  X   9

Team Name                             1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Northern Moravica University Cougars  0  0  1  0  0  2  0  0  0   3
Royal Kingdom of Quebec Grim Reapers  2  0  1  0  0  0  0  3  X   6

                                       G W L RF RA  RD Win Pct.
1                     Cassadaigua U18s 6 4 2 56 30 +26 0.667
2 Royal Kingdom of Quebec Grim Reapers 6 4 2 39 44  -5 0.667
3                   Random Place Fools 6 3 3 33 41  -8 0.500
4 Northern Moravica University Cougars 6 1 5 29 42 -13 0.167

Group E:

Team Name          1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Kohnhead Pandas    0  1  0  3  0  0  0  0  0   4
Mitarian Pelicans  0  2  0  0  0  0  0  0  1   3

Team Name          1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Kohnhead Pandas    2  1  2  0  0  1  1  2  1   10
Mitarian Pelicans  4  1  0  2  0  2  1  1  X   11

Team Name          1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Kohnhead Pandas    0  2  0  0  0  1  0  0  0   3
Mitarian Pelicans  0  0  1  0  1  0  0  0  3   5

Team Name               1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Super-Llamaland Tigers  1  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0   1
Jeckland Spuds          0  1  0  2  0  0  0  0  X   3

Team Name               1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Super-Llamaland Tigers  0  0  1  0  1  0  1  0  0   3
Jeckland Spuds          0  0  0  0  1  0  0  0  0   1

Team Name               1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Super-Llamaland Tigers  4  0  2  0  0  1  2  1  0   10
Jeckland Spuds          1  0  5  1  0  0  0  1  1   9

                         G W L RF RA RD Win Pct.
1      Mitarian Pelicans 6 4 2 35 30  +5 0.667
2         Jeckland Spuds 6 4 2 27 24  +3 0.667
3 Super-Llamaland Tigers 6 3 3 27 29  -2 0.500
4        Kohnhead Pandas 6 1 5 27 33  -6 0.167

Group F:

Team Name         1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Starcom Starboys  0  0  2  0  0  0  0  0  0   2
Newmanistan U16s  4  0  0  0  1  0  1  1  X   7

Team Name         1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Starcom Starboys  0  0  0  0  0  1  0  0  1   2
Newmanistan U16s  0  1  1  0  0  0  1  0  X   3

Team Name         1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Starcom Starboys  0  0  0  0  1  0  1  1  0   3
Newmanistan U16s  0  0  0  2  0  1  0  0  2   5

Team Name                        1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Pripet Socialist Republic U21s   0  1  1  0  1  1  1  0  0   5
Abanhfleft Revolution All-Stars  0  1  2  1  1  0  0  0  1   6

Team Name                        1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Pripet Socialist Republic U21s   0  0  0  0  1  0  0  0  2   3
Abanhfleft Revolution All-Stars  0  1  0  1  0  0  1  1  X   4

Team Name                        1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Pripet Socialist Republic U21s   0  0  0  1  1  0  1  1  1   5
Abanhfleft Revolution All-Stars  1  2  0  0  0  0  0  1  0   4

                                  G W L RF RA  RD Win Pct.
1 Abanhfleft Revolution All-Stars 6 4 2 38 22 +16 0.667
2                Newmanistan U16s 6 4 2 41 40  +1 0.667
3  Pripet Socialist Republic U21s 6 3 3 46 40  +6 0.500
4                Starcom Starboys 6 1 5 16 39 -23 0.167

[Falisiand]

The Falisiand U22's had and interesting series against the Mathuvan Union Moose. In the first game, it was James Alcott starting for 6.1 innings with 7 K's and 2 BBs in a 5-2 win, but by the score you can tell the offense went wild, they were down 1-2, Rashaan Sebert, Eugene Jacob and Ryan Grantham all on base in the 8th inning, and then Kodey Kenton hits a grand slam to give Falisiand the lead and win. The second game was also wild with Falisiand once again coming back from the brink with 1 from being down 1-4 to tying it 4-4 in the last inning, but Mathuvan's lineup got a run in the 10th inning and Falisiand not responding back, having them lose 5-4, this was an unusual day forthe switch pitcher Logan Vinson as his usual unpredictable self was read well and allowed 4 runs before being relieved. In the third game, Xerxes Anscom was starting, and in the first inning, he allowed a run to happen making it a 1-0 lead for Mathuvan, but he stayed calm and had shut them down for the next 6 innings, the offense rallied around this having all 5 runs in that frame, Mathuvan had 1 more run in the 8th, but all was futile as the Falisiand U22's won 5-2 and take 2nd place in Group C, them being the only other team with a positive run differential besides South Newlandia, their next opponent. This makes this next series interesting all around. Falisiand looks like major underdogs in the next series, and the odds that their own citizens are giving them, show South Newlandia having a -5 odds of winning the series. Can Falisiand pull off the upset?

[Sarzonia]

Going into the three-game series against Nova Anglicana, Sarzonia national Under 21 baseball team manager Edwin Crawford was expecting a stern test.

The Junior Stars were facing a team of veteran players, some of whom were over a decade older than Sarzonia's youngest players. This wasn't going to be the same as the great unknown they faced as they battled Ethane. They had a roster. They had scouting reports. And, Crawford knew, they were playing against a team that felt a sense of urgency after losing two out of three games to Terre Septentrionale.

It may have been less than ideal for Crawford to go into such an important series with fourth starter Kiki Felton toeing the rubber, but the Lions were sending out Andy Sutton, a pitcher who was a full 10 years older than Felton, although she decided she wanted to seek him out after the game since they had similar approaches to pitching.

She wouldn't get the chance. Sarzonia chased Sutton after 3 2/3 innings and five runs scored. The bases were loaded with one out when Lions skipper Rick McDonald went out to call for Jacob Cox. Cox induced Felton into a ground ball double play as she hit the ball to shortstop Jean-Luc Desjardins to end the fourth with Sarzonia ahead by five. Sutton left the game after the final out and was not made available to Sarzonian media.

Felton tossed seven innings before giving up an inconsequential home run to first baseman Mason Garvey, but with the Junior Stars already well ahead, she finished the game after tossing 102 pitches in Sarzonia's 9-3 victory that was as much about making a statement to the Lions as it was anything else.

"We saw their media reports dismissing us as 'hotshots'," Felton said. "We wanted them to see we were for real."

Consider that message firmly sent. In the battle of fifth starters, Junior Stars hurler Will Morgan turned in a dominant performance, striking out 13 Lions in seven innings of work. He left after seven after tossing 114 pitches, turning matters over to setup man William Gates for the eighth inning and closer Ned Creighton in the ninth to nail down a 1-0 victory punctuated by a tape measure home run from shortstop Cristobal Vargas leading off the bottom of the second.

The finale of the series would pit both aces against each other: John Yates for the Lions, Nate Kingston for the Junior Stars. Kingston got in trouble in the top of the second by hanging a 1-2 slider out over the plate to first baseman Mitch Webber. He tagged the pitch and hammered it into the second deck in left centre to give the Lions their first, and what would prove to be their only lead of the series.

Rattled, Kingston walked centrefielder Kelly Drayton on four pitches and nailed catcher Jared McLaurin with a wayward fastball. Sensing Kingston's loss of composure, pitching coach Noah Satterley called time and jogged out to settle him down.

"You're our top starter for a reason, Nate," Satterley told Kingston. "You can get these guys. Just trust your stuff." Kingston then got rightfielder Hal Middleton to fly out to shallow right, then struck out Yates with a vicious curve and got a pop up from second baseman Bobby Faust to end the frame.

That Lions lead would only last four more pitches as centrefielder Anderson Bradley tagged a 3-1 fastball over Khalil's Corner for a home run that would keep the score level at one until Martaye Adams doubled home Bradley in the bottom of the fifth. Kingston would help himself in the bottom of the sixth as he doubled home catcher Rick Zaun, giving Sarzonia a 3-1 lead.

Kingston tossed eight innings before Crawford turned matters over to Creighton, hoping for a quick top of the ninth. However, pinch hitter Trey Dugger had other ideas, tagging a 2-1 curveball over the left field wall to tighten the score to 3-2. However, Creighton struck out the side the rest of the way and the Junior Stars completed a second consecutive sweep.

When Crawford got a chance to examine the group tables, he saw that Sarzonia's next opponents Terre Septentrionale took two of three from Ethane, leaving both the Red Kites and the Lions at 1-5. The Nordiques stood at 4-2, good for a spot in the knockout rounds if qualifying ended right now.

"It's going to be another strong test for us," Crawford said. "This will be our first away series and it will be against a tough opponent. They're not a team we can afford to slip up against."

Perhaps, but if Terre Septentrionale players or head coach Jean-Charles Delasablonnière were available by press time, they might caution the same about Sarzonia. For all the talk about how young and inexperienced this team is, the Junior Stars are the only remaining undefeated team in the International Baseball Slam. However, Adams isn't too excited about that.

"It's still too early," Adams said. "We're only a third of the way through qualifying. There's still a lot of baseball left to be played."

[Newmanistan]

Kayla Carey’s Thoughts: Day 2

Today, we will focus a little more on the people that are making up the team rather then the statlines.

Most Likely to Make The Senior Team: The boring category that is impossible to predict right now. However, I am obligated to make a pick right here. Pitchers are the most difficult to predict, because more then anything else, they have to adapt their skill sets. Dominating with a 89 MPH fastball can work when you are 14, but if you are not adding velocity to that, the hitters will catch up to you. Here, then, I look at instincts, so my love affair (not really) with shortstop Courtney Greenleaf and her defense could continue. But shortstop is a tough position to crack, so I am going to focus on the outfield and pick Katie Allen.

Most Likely to be Picked #1 overall: Everyone wants pitchers, and Allyson Pierce is the consensus top pick. I know that she was not impressive in her first start here, but that is not going to kill her draft status. She was much better in her second start, allowing one run through six innings. I still think she is likely the #1.

Most Likely to Decide To Play In Super-Llamaland: This is a great idea. I had a wonderful time in my later playing years in the country, and recommend it to anyone looking for something a little different. That said, who the heck knows when they are teenagers. Might as well pick a relief pitcher, since the opportunities could be better. So, Kristen Pearson.

Most Likely to Be a Draft Bust: The answer here doesn’t mean the play won’t have a professional career, but more because the player will be picked in a spot that is too high. I think catchers are always picked higher then they should be. Here, I will pick Cheryl Daley. She has only played in one game thus far, which gets your attention.

[The Jovannic]

The Jovannic shows attacking prowess in demolition of the United Civil Republic Bears

After the dismal debut against the rock-solid defence of the Kalactin U21s, The Jovannic brought it together to trash the United Civil Republic Bears in 3 games. The first went smoothly as the United Civil Republic Bears broke down and we ran 6 without reply twice, winning by a score of 22-1. The second game was much tighter, with the United Civil Republic Bears showing some great mettle, but The Jovannic's deceptive ultimately defeated them 5-2. The United Civil Republic Bears collasped in the end of the 3rd game, as The Jovannic scored 7 in an inning, and although the United Civil Republic Bears showed moments of resurgence, The Jovannic still lorded over them 17-5. "The lads really did well today, couldn't ask for more from them." Head coach Ho Leng Chua said after the match. "Amazing result today, if we play like that for the next matches we could go really really god damn far." Pitching coach Koser Wittle reportedly siad at a private interview a the training field.

Next match is against the Tikariot Thunderforge, who defeated the Kalactin U21s by the result of 2-1. It will be an extremely tough match, but The Jovannic has proved its mettle, and victory is very very possible.

[Nova Anglicana]

Nova Anglican locker room, Khalil Dennis Park

Most of the players had left, but John Yates, Bryce Duncan, and Andy Sutton, the three starters of the Sarzonia series, as well as Jared McLaurin, the catcher, Jean-Luc Desjardins, the shortstop, and Hal Middleton, the right fielder had remained behind. These six were some of the informal leaders on the team. They had gathered to discuss the "Last Chance All-Stars'" performance six games into the IBS.

Yates stood up. "We've got to reverse this trend. 1-5 is not where any of us expected to be, and it's far from where we'd hoped to be. I know we have problems on both sides of the ball, but I have to say, the offense is really letting us down. 11 runs in 6 games, and against mostly university students and A/AA-ball guys? Come on."

Desjardins spoke up. "It isn't like the pitching's been great either. 28 runs in 6 games is more than 4.5 a game, it's not like we can just flip a switch and score five runs a game."

Yates replied, "Yes, but I've turned in two quality starts, and Bryce only made one mistake in game two. If he'd had a little more run support, heck, any, we'd have won that one."

It was Middleton's turn. "Come on now, Yates. That Sarzonian kid had everything working. You don't strike out thirteen guys if you've got nothing going for you."

Tempers were flaring a bit as McLaurin stepped in. "Guys, please. Blaming each other isn't going to get us anywhere. Yeah, the pitching staff hasn't been great. And some of that's my fault as the guy in there calling the game. But the offense has to step up. I'm not hitting well, and it's not just me. Mental blocks, blaming others, and fighting is what keeps us out of the bigs. We all have the tools, but it's as much mental as physical. We aren't the 'Last Chance All-Stars' for nothing. For any of us to succeed, we all have to succeed. If we fail, nobody's going to get credit for having hit well or pitched however many quality starts. They aren't going to pay attention and none of us gain anything."

Finally, it was Andy Sutton's turn to speak up. "Jared's right. I pitched like shit. That's on me, not the offense. If there's one thing I learned from rehabbing after I blew out my arm, it's that you've got to want it. I could have gone home instead of playing in front of small crowds for a few thousands pounds and waiting to get cut. But I wanted to make it to the bigs. I think we came in, saw we were playing a bunch of young people, and figured we'd wipe 'em out. University students don't know all the things we know about baseball. But they've got talent, and we got complacent. If we want to win, make it to the bigs, have personal success, whatever, we've got to play as a team. I know enough of y'all from playing with or against you over the years."

Yates gave a little sigh. "Jared and Andy are right. I got a little heated 'cause I'm so close, you know? I'm 28 and I finally feel like I've got the best stuff of my life, and if we don't get noticed, it's all for nothing and I never get the chance. So many of us are in that position. Once and for all, I'm behind every one of you 100%. I'm going to pitch my best, and do extra practice with the guys, and clap my head off in the dugout and just make a fool of myself until everyone knows we're a team. We stand together."

Bryce Duncan spoke at last. "I've got as much right to complain as anybody. 7 innings, one mistake, and I take the loss? That sucks, bro. But we have to appreciate what we've got and where we're at. I've never been a 'prospect' or been able to do much of anything except get ground balls. So to be one step away from the bigs, and wearing my country's uniform to boot? That's gravy. Take it easy, be thankful for every day you're alive and get to play baseball for a living. If we loosen up, take our opponents seriously, and don't take ourselves too seriously, we'll be all right."

Middleton nodded in agreement. "I think I'm the oldest guy on the team, besides maybe Paul, and I've been disappointed plenty of times. I don't want me or anyone else to be the reason I or anyone else gets disappointed this time. Ethane's 1-5, just like us, so this is about our last chance to win something and get to the playoffs. The 'Last Chancers'' last chance. Let's mess 'em up and show those kids and everyone else at home that we're not just has-beens or never-weres. This is still anyone's tournament, so let's m*****f***in' do it, boys! Whattaya say?"

There was a chorus of agreement, and they hugged and fist bumped as they collected their equipment. The rest of the team was going to get the message, one way or another.

[Jeckland]

TIGERS FIGHT BACK TO DROP SPUDS TO SECOND

Super-Llamaland fought back from a defeat in the first game to claim a 2-1 series victory over Jeckland, a result which loses them top spot in the group at this early stage.

The Tigers started that first game well, opening their account in the first innings, but it would turn out to be their only run of the game. 20 year old Jeckish pitcher Earnest Keen showed a surprising amount of tactical nous, varying his pitches greatly to confuse the opposition batsmen. Jeckland were also kept fairly quiet with the bat in hand but not enough to prevent the victory, with a run in the second followed by two in the fourth. A comical running mix-up prevented what could have easily been more in that inning, but it turned out not to matter as the Spuds went 4-0 with a 3-1 win.

However, things started to go downhill from there. Having scored at leas four runs in each game against Kohnhead, Jeckland followed up their three in the first game with a solitary run in Game 2 of this series, with sharp fielding from the Tigers combined with some lackadaisical swinging of the bat resulting in a below par output. Pitcher Bonner didn't do a bad job, but the batting woes meant that once Super-Llamaland took the lead there only looked likely to be one winner.

So the final game became a series decider, and whilst ultimately this game had no more meaning than the seventeen others in the group stage, a series on the line often raises the stakes. This resulted in an explosive finale at Rack City Ballpark, with Super-Llamaland racing 4-0 up at the top of the first. Jeckland got one back, but a further two from the Tigers made it 6-1 and gave the Spuds a mountain to climb. But by the bottom of the innings it was level again, with Allison and Bernard scrambling home before a Nigel home run worth three made it 6-6 with two thirds of the game left to play. Corwin ran home in the fourth to put the hosts 7-6 up, a lead they held until the top of the sixth where scores were levelled again. Some below par pitching from Hammond meant the visitors sprung into a 10-7 lead. But Jeckland refused to die, with runs in the eighth and ninth setting up a blockbuster finale. With a man on second base, youngster Hilliam was struck out at the end for the Spuds to fall just short.

Jeckland will now jet off across the multiverse, playing their three away series consecutively. Next up is the Pelicans of Mitary. Despite some seeing them as the underdogs in this group, they have won both series 2-1 to date, placing them ahead of Jeckland on run difference heading into the series. The winners of it will be top of the table at the halfway mark and in a great position to progress to the knockout phase.

[Tikariot]

TSG TV news anchors Sarah Ladle and Angelo Mori are not in their usual surroundings of the studio, but they are on the grass of Port Rhovanyon's Oceanview Park, where tonight the Tikariot Thunderforge, or now better known under their nick name Devil's Rejects, will be facing The Jovannic Emperors in their first home series of the group stage of the International Baseball Slam. It is raining hard and the pitch is covered by tarps and a little tent like structure has been put up to protect the two announcers from the heavy precipitation.

Sarah Ladle: Good evening from Port Rhovanyon, where tonight the final series of the group stage of the International Baseball Slam will take place.

Angelo Mori: Yesterday's series against the Kalactin U21s was a hard fought battle in the team's attempt to defy all odds and the team prevailed through sheer team spirit and willpower. Let's have a look at the games right now.

Wilbur Wardlow (voiceover): Game one got off to a good start with three RBIs by Carlton Baines and Bronson Ghirardello had the Thunderforge, or maybe we should call them the Devil's Rejects now, up 3 nil early on, but despite that they could never really pull away. The highest lead came in the fourth inning, when a 3-run homer by Yosvani Fernandez in the third and two single runs brought them to a 8-2 lead. After this the U21s cranked it up a notch and after a homerun in the eighth inning got them into a two-run range, but a stellar performance by closer Rory McElhinney clinched game one for Tikariot.

Game two did not go as planned, being down by two runs right in the first inning, a deficit that the team never recovered from. It was a very defense oriented game by both teams, with some gusty winds making it very hard on the pitchers of both teams to keep their balls under control. The Rejects managed to equalize in the sixth with Mike Romanov scoring two RBIs, but Kalactin pulled away another run right at the bottom of the sixth and ensured that our team did not get a real scoring chance for the rest of the game.

In the third and decisive game, though, The Devil's Rejects came flying out of the starting gate, hitting six runs in the first inning, including a grand-slam homer by outfielder Steven Marangoudakis in his first start, replacing Yosvani Fernandez who was sitting out the game with a muscular injury, which the team doctors hope will not prevent him from participating in the upcoming decisive series.

Kalactin did put up a good fight, though, narrowing down Tikariot's lead to 8-7 by the end of the fifth inning, but scoring another five runs in the remaining four compared to just one by the U21s secured the win for the Rejects and with that a split win of the series.

The picture comes back to Angelo and Sarah.

Ladle: Thank you, Wilbur, it is great to see that our team still is going strong, even in the face of adversity, such as losing their first game of the Slam. Now the pressure is on, though, because with the Kalactin U21s going up against the United Civil Republic Bears, who have yet to win a single game, it is safe to say that the U21s will very likely score another 3-0 series, which means that our team is almost doomed to win against The Jovannic Emperors to ensure a first place finish.

Mori: Yes, obviously once you have tasted the number one spot you don't want to lose it again, but, if that makes the pressure any more bearable, as long as they win one of the three games against the Emperors they are at least guaranteed the second place in the first half of the group stage, so as long as they don't completely lose their touch against The Jovannic, they should make it through.

Ladle: You make it sound as if after this series we're done here already.

Mori: Oh, I wish, I wish, but no, I am very aware that we still have the second half of the round robin to go, however with a good foundation out of the first three games, who knows what is possible!

Ladle: Looking at the devastating series of the Bears against the Emperors, where they lost the series by 33 runs, even the scores themselves could prove to be decisive now in the case of being level on wins, unless the head-to-head results come into play then, so there is plenty of incentive for our team to give their all for a third time before going into the backstretch of the group stage.

Mori: Let's hope that we can bring the enthusiasm and euphoria so far into our first home stand of the International Baseball Slam and carry over the momentum in what already is a more than just memorable foray into international waters. Now all we can hope for is that the rain is going to let up by the time the games are supposed to start, the forecast is looking good, however looking out there right now I'm not so sure anymore.

Ladle (laughs): Yes, but at least we have wind that is supposed to blow the clouds off towards Tikariot City, so let's hope for the best.

Mori: Indeed. So, you have no excuses not to tune in for tonight's series, especially since apparently all TV stations have picked up coverage, so you don't even have a chance not to watch it! Go Rejects! Until then, I'm Angelo Mori and this is Sarah Ladle.

[South Newlandia]

ELEPHANT VALLEY MAIL
Sports -> Youth Baseball
South Newlandia takes two more, pitchers impress

The Newport Stadium, home of the Newport Dolphins, was the sight for the second match series for the South Newlandian U22. The entirely new stadium was built after the last World Baseball Classic, anticipating rising Baseball support in Newport. The IBS is the first international tournament where it is used, but it won’t be the last one. Recently, South Newlandia has officially indicated desire to participate in the 49th edition of the World Baseball Classic. This announcement received widespread positive reactions, with people “ready for more Baseball”, and “tired of Soccer”. South Newlandia faced the Maniladrid Mariners on the second matchday of the International Baseball Slam here.

Game 1                1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Maniladrid Mariners   0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0   0
South Newlandia U22s  1  3  0  1  0  0  1  2  X   8

Jay Kramer was on the mount for the first match. It started well for South Newlandia, as they got a run in the bottom of the first inning to take a lead, scored by Adam King. In the bottom of the second, Mitch Sneider started the team of with a single. Jack Mine drew a walk, and Mike Larsen was struck out. Adam King was next, and he got another single, loading the bases with one out. Daryl Dunlop got another single, scoring a run for Sneider and keeping the bases loaded. After David Drum got retired, Shawn Zimmerman decided in favour of a sacrifice fly, getting runs for both Mine and King to get South Newlandia up by 4 points in total. Kramer kept the opponents out, and Mike Larsen got another run in the bottom of the 4th and South Newlandia now led by five. It looked like the game would be smooth sailing from here. Kramer completed the shutout over six innings, and Barnaby Butt came in as a closer. In the bottom of the 7th, South Newlandia scored again, with Sophia Smiths getting a run. Butt managed to avoid any opponent runs over the last three innings, and in the bottom of the eighth, South Newlandia managed to get even more runs. After a single by Adam King, a home run by David Drum got the South Newlandians two more runs, making the final score a crushing 8-0.

Game 2                1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Maniladrid Mariners   0  0  3  0  0  1  0  0  1   5
South Newlandia U22s  1  0  1  0  0  0  0  0  1   3

Marcus Raj took the mount for game two. South Newlandia seemed very confident that they could easily crush the Mariners. That confidence would come back to screw them over, however. It started out well enough, with Adam King scoring a run in the bottom of the first. In the top of the third, the Mariners had runners on first and third base with two out. A weak 3-1 pitch by Raj was hit very well by the Center Field, and the stadium saw the second home run of the day. Suddenly, South Newlandia was down 1-3. They didn’t give up so easily, coming back with a run by David Drum in the bottom of the third do be down by only one. After that, the South Newlandian batters seemed to blank, but the Mariners’ pitcher was doing good work as well. In the top of the 6th, Raj even gave up another run. Ian Capan came in for the 7th as a closer, but South Newlandia remained down by two until the last inning. Capan gave up another run, and South Newlandia needed to catch up three runs to make extra innings. Sophia Smiths started the team out with a double, but Fred Burn’s fly ball was caught. Mitch Schneider got a single in, and Jack Mine was up next. He got retired, and Mike Larsen needed to do something. He got a nice single, narrowing the distance to two runs with runners on first and second base. Adam King was up next. He hit a 2-2 pitch very well, and the ball went deep into the field. The ball was too short for a home run, but a fantastic catch by the Left Field of the Mariners ended the South Newlandian hopes to get back into the game. They lost game two by 3-5.

Game 3                1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Maniladrid Mariners   0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  1   1
South Newlandia U22s  1  0  0  0  3  0  0  3  X   7

South Newlandia really wanted to avoid defeat in game three to keep a positive overall record at least. Ryan Hunter took the mount. For the third time in a row, South Newlandia scored in the bottom of the first, this time by Adam King, and for the third time, they lead 1-0 after the first inning. Until the bottom of the fifth, nothing really happened. Hunter shut the Mariners out, allowing only two hits until then. The bottom of the 5th saw David Drum starting, and he drew a walk. Shawn Zimmerman also got a walk, and Sophia Smiths was struck out. Fred Burn was up next, and he hit the very first pitch perfectly, and the stadium saw home run number three of the day. With that, South Newlandia was up by 4 with four innings to play. Hunter completed the shutout, even continuing through the top of the seventh. Barnaby Butt came in to close the game. In the bottom of the 8th, South Newlandia got themselves some more runs. After Jack Mine got retired, Mike Larsen hit a double. Adam King singled, and another double by Daryl Dunlop got the team a run and second and third base loaded with only one out. David Drum got a single, securing another run. Shawn Zimmerman got retired, but a sacrifice fly by Sophia Smiths got a third run for the team. South Newlandia was now up 7-0 with only one inning to play. Barnaby Butt actually allowed a run in the last inning, but the final score of 7-1 was a clear win anyway.

Current standings:

P Team Name             G W L RF RA  RD Win Pct.
1  South Newlandia U22s 6 4 2 32 15 +17 0.667
2        Falisiand U22s 6 3 3 25 16  +9 0.500
3   Maniladrid Mariners 6 3 3 13 29 -16 0.500
4  Mathuvan Union Moose 6 2 4 18 28 -10 0.333

With the two more wins, South Newlandia remains on top of the standings, and now prepares for the top duel with the Falisiand U22s. The series may be already crucial for both teams, and South Newlandia will look to play their best.

[Kohnhead]

Kohnhead get their first win but fall to 1-5

Team Name          1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Kohnhead Pandas    0  1  0  3  0  0  0  0  0   4
Mitarian Pelicans  0  2  0  0  0  0  0  0  1   3

Travelling to Coca-Cola Stadium in Mitary, Kohnhead finally came out on the winning side of a close game. In game 1, Kohnhead would start off the scoring in the top of the second. Facing Josef Rodrick, Vlad Burch would lead off the inning on the third pitch with a homerun to left field that went over by a couple inches. Unfortunately in the bottom of the second with two outs John Titoni hit a triple over Holden's head scoring two for the Pelicans.

Just two innings later, Kohnhead would get the run back and more. Stuart Dorsey started out the inning with a four pitch walk. Burch struck out on three pitches all outside of the zone. Chiara Thompson would send Dorsey to third on a single. Helena Mata with a full count hit a ground rule double sending Dorsey home to tie the game, and sending Thompson to third. Santana would walk loading the bases, before Wagstaff hit another double scoring two but Santana tried to stretch and was thrown out at the plate. Mohamed would strike out to end the three run inning. Despite Mitary getting a solo homerun from Martin Mickey in the ninth, they couldn't manage another run, and the Pandas won 4-3.

Team Name          1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Kohnhead Pandas    2  1  2  0  0  1  1  2  1   10
Mitarian Pelicans  4  1  0  2  0  2  1  1  X   11

In this game, Kohnhead suffered another one run loss and both starters and their respective bullpens were knocked around all game. This was a game full of homeruns (four of them, including a grand slam for Mitary in the first), and despite a late Kohnhead comeback, scoring at least one run in the last four innings they would lose by one.

Team Name          1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 Total
Kohnhead Pandas    0  2  0  0  0  1  0  0  0   3
Mitarian Pelicans  0  0  1  0  1  0  0  0  3   5

In game three despite an early 2-0 lead, the Pandas would stop hitting for most of the game, a far cry from the runs scored in game two. This would give the series to Mitary who are looking good early on. While 1-5 looks bad, I must emphasize that the main goal of the tournament was not to win every game. With that being said let's do well against the Tigers.

Here are the standings, notice how well Mitary is doing

G W L RF RA RD Win Pct.
1      Mitarian Pelicans 6 4 2 35 30  +5 0.667
2         Jeckland Spuds 6 4 2 27 24  +3 0.667
3 Super-Llamaland Tigers 6 3 3 27 29  -2 0.500
4        Kohnhead Pandas 6 1 5 27 33  -6 0.167

Our ace Bloggs will start game one, Crouch will be in game two, and Mclellan will pitch the third.
Here is the projected lineup for game 1:
1. CF Lucca Hahn
2. SS Jessie Cherry
3. 1B Monica Ratliff
4. DH Vlad Burch
5. 3B Cecilia Dickerson
6. LF Stuart Dorsey
7. C Sandra Craft
8. 2B Artur Wagstaff
9. RF Helena Mata

[Super-Llamaland]

POST-EVENT LBL AT RISK OF MASSIVE TALENT DRAIN

Martin Löf, LSN Baseball

What do Fiona Niemi, Miles Villenueve, Edward Zhuang, and Simon Chu have in common? All of them are talented members of the IBS squad who have impressed in bursts so far (although the Tigers have sputtered out of the gate, sitting out of the playoff picture with a 3-3 record), and all of them will be eligible for the LBL Draft in a few years. But there's one more thing they share that should keep Llamanean Baseball League commissioner Owen Duffy awake at night - after the Llamanean borders were re-opened after ten perilous years, all of them are (with good reason) itching to go abroad.

For the past ten years, a mysterious force-field surrounding the borders of Super-Llamaland prevented Llamaneans from leaving and foreigners from entering (although foreigners were strangely able to leave, allowing star foreign nationals in the LBL to return to their homelands if they desired). As a result, communication with the outside world was shut down, and the burgeoning international presence the Llamanean Baseball Association had cultivated with it. Now that the veil has been lifted, so to speak, Llamanean baseball players are finally free to go abroad - and it seems that many of them, with no opportunity to travel in the past ten years, are chomping at the bit to take it.

Of course, much bigger-profile names than high schoolers Niemi, Villenueve, and Chu are planning on going abroad. An anonymous survey as LBL players found that over 60% of them were considering a career abroad. One of the highest-profile Llamaneans seeking to go abroad is veteran shortstop Dominik Kästner. The 33-year-old New Llama Wizards star is in the final year of his contract, and has publicly stated that "I've always wanted to travel the world during my career, and the loss of international baseball has stripped me of the ability to do so in my prime. Now that The Event has finally ended, I'd love to go to another high-profile baseball league and learn a different style of ball." However, not just the stars want to go abroad. For young outfielder Willow Reilly, going abroad wouldn't just be an adventure, but a great opportunity to advance her career: "As far as I'm concerned, we're ten years behind on how to play baseball. If I can go to Newmanistan or Nova Anglicana, I might be able to pick up enough to look more attractive to the national team. The money wouldn't hurt, of course, and I'd imagine the level of competition would also be higher there, since we've only had Llamaneans for ten years."

The biggest concern for Duffy, as well as young Tigers manager Sofia Rasmussen, will be a generation of teenagers who haven't be able to leave the country since their infancy. Dynamite infielder Miles Villenueve said as much in a recent post-game interview, suggesting that "I think I've been abroad like, once, when I was six. So the prospect of going abroad is incredibly enticing - I'd love to see what I've been missing out on, and I know many of my high school teammates feel similarly." If waves of fresh talent leave the country, it could seriously damage Rasmussen's ability to build a cohesive team dynamic, and the scouting teams could soon be stretched thin running around the multiverse. The LBL would also be brought to its knees without constant infusion of fresh talent.

However, there could be an opportunity here, as well. Before The Event, Super-Llamaland had tried very hard to build up their international baseball presence by signing big-name free agents like Ducky Fitzhugh and Kayla Carey. Maybe a better way to advertise Llamanean baseball would be waves of young, talented Llamaneans washing up abroad and surprising in their international leagues. Owen Duffy had better hope so, or his LBL - and maybe even his job - could be on the line.