4th Londinium Challenge Invitational (Invite only)

[Nova Anglicana]

4th Londinium Challenge Invitational

The Londinium Challenge Invitational was conceived by the sub-ministry of Sport following the Lions' first-ever WBC championship. It was thought of as a small tournament pitting the best of the best against Nova Anglicana, both as a warmup for the WBC team and a way to whet fans' appetite for the upcoming tournament. The tournament, as conceived of, would see the two finals participants and the best debut team visiting Nova Anglicana.

For the fourth LCI, the participants were: Banija, South Newlandia, Le Choix, and Nova Anglicana.

The format would be: a single round-robin group stage consisting of three games and then a three-game championship series and a three-game third-place series. All games would take place at Archbishop Stadium in Londinium. All told, the tournament would take about a week.

Londinium Challenge Invitational Participants

Le Choix (36)
Nova Anglicana (4)
Banija (1)
South Newlandia (3)

IC Schedule

Day 1: Teams arrive
Day 2: Teams practice
Day 3: Le Choix vs South Newlandia, Nova Anglicana vs Banija
Day 4: South Newlandia vs Banija, Le Choix vs Nova Anglicana
Day 5: Nova Anglicana vs South Newlandia, Banija vs Le Choix
Day 6: Championship series and third place series Game 1
Day 7: Championship series and third place series Game 2
Day 8: Championship series and third place series Game 3 (if necessary)

OOC Schedule

8/2: IC thread posted
8/5: Scorination

Those invited, and nobody else except moderators, should post rosters and RPs, if any. This tournament ICly takes place before the WBC begins.

Xkoranate with NSFS adjusted formula will be used.

[Nova Anglicana]

Welcome to Nova Anglicana/Bienvenue á la Nouvelle-Anglais

The Nova Anglican Baseball League and the nation as a whole welcome the nations of the 4th Londinium Challenge Invitational and wishes them much luck in the competition. Below are the venues and some information on Nova Anglicana.

Archbishop Stadium in the Capital of Londinium (35,000)

Archbishop Stadium is the home stadium of the Londinium Capitols as well as the Nova Anglican national team. It is big and it plays big, with a serious nighttime marine layer, an enormous right-center gap known as "Triples Alley" and an imposing right field wall. It's not as hard on right-handed hitters, but is a fly ball pitcher's paradise. Many people are seen in the bay outside of the stadium attempting to catch home runs hit into the water or simply cruising the bay while enjoying the sound of the game on the radio.

About Nova Anglicana

Nova Anglicana maintains a strong public transport system, both inside and out of urban areas. Most large cities have a metro or subway system, managed by the city, but subsidized by the central government. Bus service is ubiquitous in cities with a population of 25,000 or more, and several private companies provide long-distance bus service. Many families own cars in Nova Anglicana, but these are often used for pleasure trips or as a symbol of status. Residents of urban areas often rely on public transport, and those in the suburbs often find that driving to the station and riding the metro is less time-consuming should they wish to enter the city. The state-owned NovaRail connects cities in the various provinces of Nova Anglicana and is widely regarded as an efficient and affordable way to travel within or between provinces.

For longer journeys or international travel, Nova Anglicana has international airports in each of its ten largest municipalities and domestic airports scattered across the country. The municipalities own the airports, but the security is provided by private companies as well as national air marshals and all flights are provided by private companies.

Crime is rarely a problem in Nova Anglicana, as a strong social safety net and good public education, along with an improved economy, give most Nova Anglicans little reason to commit crimes. Crime is so low that the central government spends nothing on law & order (except for border control), preferring to leave it to the individual cities and provinces.

In addition to its strong infrastructure and miniscule crime rate, Nova Anglicana is consistently ranked among the top nations in many categories. Visitors always remark on the warm welcome they receive from citizens, and Nova Anglicana is considered one of the happiest and healthiest nations in the NS universe. It also enjoys great weather and culture, so there is always plenty to do no matter what one's idea of fun is.

Food and Drink

So when you and that Nova Anglican fan hit it off and go for a drink and meal, what can you expect? Lots of fish, b'y. Londinium is located in the province of Newfoundland, which has a very strong fishing industry. Fish and chips, cod every way you can think of (tongues are a favorite), flounder, halibut, salmon, and lobster are some of the typical seafood one can expect, though if you're lucky, you might be able to find seal flipper pie, a real treat. For land fare, try caribou, deer, rabbit, or the famous "jiggs dinner", salted beef with boiled vegetables, as well as pickles and beets. For dessert, think figgy duff, a sweet raisin pudding, or one of our many baked goods flavored with molasses.


But what you really want to know about is the beer, right? Pubs in Londinium are open from noon to midnight, usually, and later on the weekends, and local breweries usually hold the same hours, give or take an hour or two. Expect to see plenty of traditional lagers and ales, though local microbreweries are turning out more complex beers, including a popular blueberry ale made with local blueberries. The most popular in the city is Lion, both in its lager and stout form. George Street, located near the harbour, is the best place to go for local nightlife, featuring over 20 bars, pubs, and clubs. Expect plenty of live music, mostly folk, though the clubs will play American and Canadian pop, as well as rap, hip-hop, and R&B.

Language and Religion

Being formed from parts of Anglophone and Francophone Canada, Nova Anglicans do not all speak the same language. English is, of course, the most widely spoken language and the language in which most classes are taught. Translators will be available at official functions, but good luck understanding the particular brand of English the people of Londinium speak (at least the natives).

Nova Anglicana is about 95% Christian of varying stripes, though mostly Anglican and Roman Catholic, and all religions are legal to practice, provided they don't involve animal cruelty or human sacrifice or something like that. Londinium is a cosmopolitan city, so one expect to find a synagogue, mosque, temple, or any other place of worship for a major religion, if you should find yourself in need of one.

[Nova Anglicana]

Nova Anglicana Roster: LCI IV

Starting Rotation (order as given)
RHP #44 Rex Boyd, 33 - sits 95, but can ramp up to 97-98 if needed, throws a slider and a changeup as well
LHP #19 Christian Hammond, 27 - known for his big bender that arcs into the strike zone, but fastball is more than respectable, 94-96 but can reach back for 98 at times, broke onto the scene by developing a tight slider, changeup excellent fourth pitch
RHP #56 Rocky Gantt, 28 - pops the glove at 96-97, devastating slurve, good changeup and average cutter help him against lefties
RHP #36 Jonathan Drake, 27 - nice, easy, repeatable delivery that gives him a low-effort mid-90s fastball that can be ramped up if necessary, throws a slider and split change as well
LHP #20 Joshua Rouillard, 24 - a wizard on the mound, throws just 92-94, but has two-seam, four-seam, and cut varieties of fastball, while curveball, screwball, changeup, and slider give him a lot of different off-speed looks


Bullpen
LHP #57 Branford Bass, 24 - big-bodied guy at 6'3, 230, not overwhelming at 93-95, but hits his spots and mixes in a good curve and slider, will work in long relief
LHP #48 Dallas Hawkins, 31 - lefty has developed into a strong closer, features a 96 MPH fastball with a biting slider and tricky curve
LHP #46 Grant Graham, 30 - former starter now a lefty specialist, throws his dangerous curve close to 50% of the time, most of the rest is a fairly hard fastball with a change and slider just to give hitters an occasional change of pace
RHP #38 Ricky Hart, 25 - throws just two pitches, a slurve and an upper-90s fastball, but it's a devastating combo
RHP #16 Caleb Sherman, 24 - as a starter, has four offerings of at least league-average (fastball, curve, slider, change), but as a multi-inning reliever, expected to rely heavily on 95-97 fastball and 12-6 curve
RHP #11 Justin Chandler, 26 - violent delivery means he almost falls off the mound as he pitches, but he sits 98 with a dynamite slider, not much else
RHP #43 Roger Bizet, 28 - Bizet is kind of an anomaly, chucking mid-80s sliders from a sidearm slot over 70% of the time, but fastball is 92-93 and can pull out a change against lefties too
RHP #30 Cody Brock, 32 - sits 100, throws a changeup at 87 that is tough to handle, and his slider is 91 as well, control issues
RHP #23 Eric Norton, 30 - the kind of guy that rears back and lets loose, 4-seam at 98-99, 2-seam at 94-95 that dives back over the outside corner to righties and dives just out of the zone low and away to lefties, hard slider at 90, decent change, also good control

C #60 David Conner, 24, (S/R) - a do-it-all guy, framing, arm, blocking, average, and power, speed is below average, but has worked on his patience
C #18 Curtis Hughes, 31, (R/R) - below-average receiver, but he has power for days and is the best-hitting catcher in the league
C #51 Daniel Hunter, 28, (R/R) - a nuclear deterrent behind the plate for runners, already an excellent game-caller as well, offense will likely never be better than below-average, defensive replacement and occasional starter for this team

1B #21 Erik Austin, 31, (S/R) - bat speed is incredible and he has .300/.400 potential, power is growing, an above-average defender at first, and can play third if needed
3B #26 Barrett Satterfield, 28, (S/R) - first thing you notice about him is his booming, sometimes inappropriately loud voice, can be goofy but motivator and cheerleader in chief, beyond off-field skills, combines spray-hitting approach with solid arm and quick feet, has tapped his substantial raw power
SS #11 Luke Mills, 33, (S/R) - former #1 overall pick out of high school, outstanding fielder, but his hit tool has really taken off, good power for a SS, a national team fixture
2B #6 Nolan Dunning, 27, (L/R) - slick fielder can man short or second, though better at second, quick bat who hits for a high average and draws a good number of walks, though not much power, very fast
CI #50 Vincent Saint-Denis, 24, (R/R) - he's here for raw power, lot of swing-and-miss in his game, but crushes the ball when he makes contact, sneakily good on defense
IF #27 Davis Shipley, 25, (R/R) - hit tool is below-average but developing, presently great at adding value outside of his bat, silky smooth in the infield, makes throws from anywhere, good eye at the plate, more of a smart baserunner than speed demon

OF #25 Joey Keller, 30, (R/R) - features a solid arm and good range in left, athletic power bat who has found his plate discipline, 30/15 guy
OF #35 Hank Oliver, 25, (S/L) - whiz kid makes highlight-reel plays in center, great jump/first step means he has tremendous range, arm is fair, doesn't hit for a terribly high average or power, but draws a lot of walks and steals/takes the extra base whenever possible
OF #29 Sam Erickson, 26, (R/R) - has a tremendous arm while also showing off above-average range for right, power most notable part of offensive game, solid speed, will hustle, take the extra base, situational hitter when needed
OF #24 Gary McKinney, 22, (S/R) - standout tool is batting average and control, very difficult to strike out and can hit it anywhere, good foot speed and can play any outfield position, arm average, needs to take more walks and hit for more power
UTIL #40 Dusty Davidson, 33, (S/R) - Davidson is a super-utility guy, tall enough to play corner infield, quick enough to play middle infield, and fast w/a good enough arm to play any outfield position, will steal bases, draw walks, and play good defense, not much power, middling average

Mark Singleton #55 (Manager)

Jay Garrett #1 (Hitting Coach)

Nick Berry #47 (Pitching Coach)

Dale Garner #9 (1st Base Coach)

Eli Nelson #8 (3rd Base Coach)

Casey Cain #15 (Bench Coach)

Toby Meyer #52 (Bullpen Coach)

Starting Lineup w/o DH (/9 is an estimation of about how many games each player would play in a situation using this lineup)
1B Erik Austin/Saint-Denis (Austin 7/9, Saint-Denis 2/9)
SS Luke Mills/Davidson (Mills 8/9 games, Davidson 1/9)
LF Joey Keller/McKinney/Davidson (Keller 7/9 games, McKinney 1/9, Davidson 1/9)
3B Barrett Satterfield/Davidson/Saint-Denis (Satterfield 7/9, Davidson 1/9, Saint-Denis 1/9)
C David Conner/Hughes/Hunter (Conner 6/9 games, Hughes 2/9, Hunter 1/9)
RF Sam Erickson/McKinney/Davidson (Erickson 7/9 games, McKinney 1/9, Davidson 1/9)
2B Dunning/Shipley/Davidson (Dunning 7/9 games, Shipley 1/9, Davidson 1/9)
CF Hank Oliver/McKinney (Oliver 7/9, McKinney 2/9)
P Pitcher's Spot

Starting Lineup w/DH
1B Erik Austin/Saint-Denis (Austin 7/9, Saint-Denis 2/9)
SS Luke Mills/Davidson (Mills 8/9 games, Davidson 1/9)
LF Joey Keller/McKinney/Davidson (Keller 7/9 games, McKinney 1/9, Davidson 1/9)
3B Barrett Satterfield/Davidson/Saint-Denis (Satterfield 7/9, Davidson 1/9, Saint-Denis 1/9)
DH Vincent Saint-Denis/Hughes (Saint-Denis 6/9, Hughes 3/9)
C David Conner/Hughes/Hunter (Conner 6/9 games, Hughes 2/9, Hunter 1/9)
RF Sam Erickson/McKinney/Davidson (Erickson 7/9 games, McKinney 1/9, Davidson 1/9)
2B Dunning/Shipley/Davidson (Dunning 7/9 games, Shipley 1/9, Davidson 1/9)
CF Hank Oliver/McKinney (Oliver 7/9, McKinney 2/9)

My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose my runscorers: Yes
Choose my lineup: No
Follow my pitching rotation: Yes
Godmod scoring events: No
RP injuries to my players: Yes, but not serious ones. Back stiffness, jammed fingers, bruises, etc. Nothing that would keep them out of the lineup for more than 1 game. Reciprocity is expected.
Godmod injuries to my players: No
Eject my players: No, but manager is fair game
Godmod other events: No
Use DH at home: No
Style Modifier: +1

[Le Choix]

My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose my Scorers: Yes
Choose Scoring Events: Yes
Godmod Scoring Events: No
RP Injuries to my Players: Yes (I will determine severity)
Godmod Injuries to my Players: No
Assign Penalties to my Players: Yes
Eject my Players: Yes (max 1)
Godmod Other Events: No
Note: Le Choix is a theocratic dictatorship. Any attempts to interfere with the goings-on with "L'Élu" (The Chosen) or the country should be communicated with me directly. Any attempts made otherwise will be ignored.

Style Modifier: -5

Le Choix Roster for LCI IV
Nation Info
Name: La Théocratie Éclairée du Choix/The Enlightened Theocracy of The Chosen
Head of State: Grand Évêque Jacques du Crépuscule
Head of the Church: Pontifax Jacqueline de Feu
Capital: Espoir du Ciel (Hope of Heaven)

Baseball in Le Choix: Despite being one of the longer tenured sports in the Theocracy, Baseball is the least popular sport. It's run for fifteen editions, with Les Croisés (The Crosses) winning the regular season four times and Les Vainquers (The Vanquishers) winning the title four times. Ten teams play in a eight-time round-robin schedule, with the top six teams making it to the playoffs, which are all Best of Seven. Le Choix prefers pitching duels, leading to proficient batters being at a premium.

Team Info:
Nickname: La Lumière/The Light
Home Stadium: National Stadium (Cap. 10,500)

Baseball History

Yr   #    Table Champions      Series Champions
518  01   La Capitale (1)      Le Répondu (1)
519  02   Les Moines (1)       La Capitale (1)
520  03   Les Saints (1)       La Capitale (2)
521  04   Le Recherche (1)     Les Chevaliers (1)
522  05   Les Illuminés (1)    Les Moines (1)
523  06   Les Vainqueurs (1)   Le Répondu (2)
524  07   Les Moines (1)       La Capitale (3)
525  08   Les Vainqueurs (2)   Les Vainqueurs (1)
526  09   Les Croisés (1)      Les Vainqueurs (2)
527  10   Les Saints (2)       La Capitale (4)
528  11   Le Recherche (2)     Les Vainqueurs (3)
529  12   Les Croisés (3)      Les Croisés (1)
530  13   Les Saints (3)       La Capitale (5)
531  14   Le Recherche (3)     Les Vainqueurs (4)
532  15   Les Croisés (4)      Les Croisés (2)
533  16   Le Répondu (1)       Les Moines (2)

Coaching Staff
Mattieu Geade, 42, Les Croisés

The Starters
1. 2B Éloïse Baudry (R/R/24), Le Recherche - Solid leadoff hitter, great defensive second baseman
2. 1B Léa Côté (R/R/20), Les Moines - Captain of the Moines squad, average hitter, great runner
3. C Audrey Pellerin, (R/R/21), Le Capitale - Best catcher in the league by far
4. SS Valentine Raynaud (L/R/23), Les Croisés CAPITAINE - Best player in the league for multiple seasons
5. LF Mariam Poulain (L/L/24), Les Vainqueurs - High powered hitter
6. CF Tom Pinto (L/L/26), Les Saints - Great defensive center fielder
7. RF Oscar Guillon (R/L/22), Les Vainqueurs - Home run threat (or strikes out)
8. 3B Noam Armand (L/R/22), Les Illuminés - Likes to take risks
9. P

The Bench
1B Jessica Crepin (R/R/25), Le Sauvé
2B Sophie Magne (L/L/25), La Capitale
3B Séverin Jaubert (R/R/23), Les Moines
C Milo Favre (R/R/26), Les Illuminés
LF Léonie Baudin, (L/R/22), Les Croisés
CF Ségolène Morin, (L/L/24), Les Vainquers
RF Irène Reverdin, (R/R/21), Les Moines
SS Enzo Lagarde (R/R/27), Les Croisés

The Reserves
1. PH/IF Lucile Bresson (R/R/25), Le Capitale
2. PH/IF Maxence Soler (R/L/24), Le Sauvé
3. PH/OF Victor Badeaux (/R/R/22), Les Chevaliers
4. PH/OF David Meyer (L/R/23). Le Recherche
5. PR Remi Courtial (R/R/26), Le Répondu
6. PR Élodie Montgomery (R/R/24), Le Capitale

The Starters
1. RHP Josée Lahaye (25), Les Vainqueurs - Fastballer
2. LHP Gwenaëlle Azéma (19), Le Répondu - Changeup, four-seam
3. RHP Maxence Nicollier (21), Les Saints - Uses a great slider with a fastball
4. RHP Timothé Saint-Yves (25), Les Croisés - Changeup, fastball
5. LHP Roseline Gide (24), Les Moines - Uses whatever she feels like using
6. RHP William Arceneaux (26), Les Illuminés - Uses three different speeds of fastballs

The Bullpen
1. LHP Pierre Gérin (27), Les Vainqueurs - Long Reliever
2. RHP Gilberte Auberjonois (25), Les Croisés - Long Reliever
3. LHP Anaïs Bureau (24), Le Répondu - Reliever
4. RHP Nadège Rochefort (25), Le Capitale - Reliever (LH Specialist)
5. LHP Miryam Reverdin (26), Les Saints - Reliever
6. RHP Raoul Laframboise (24), Les Vainquers - Setup Man
7. RHP Bérénice Cuvillier (25), Le Répondu - Closer

[Banija]

Banija National Baseball Team



Coaching Staff
The current manager, Ousman Kakay, is in his 7th cycle as the team's manager. He has been wildly successful at the helm, leading the team to a bronze medal his first tournament(WBC 46), and a championship his second tournament(WBC 47), while getting to the quarterfinals in three straight classics before winning title #2 at WBC 51.

He is an old school manager, less into analytics and more into traditional baseball thinking. He believes in the strength of this team, which are hsi starting pitchers- he is much more likely to leave a starting pitcher in too long rather than pull them out too quickly. He also strongly rejects the idea of a "bullpen game."

The entire coaching staff from WBC 51 is returning for this cycle.

Manager- Ousman Kakay. 69 years old. Starting managing the team at the beginning of WBC 46.
Bench Coach- Baluta Colley. 59 years old. Seventh Cycle on staff. Spent five classics as hitting coach, but when the bench coach, Isaac Oladipo, took the promotion with Super Llamaland, he moved up to the bench coach role.
Hitting Coach- Theodosia Osano. 54 years old. Second Cycle on Staff. First ever female on the coaching staff.
Pitching Coach- Lemuel Okombo. 47 years old. Second Cycle on Staff. Like his predecessor, he likes big, tall, hard throwing pitchers. Manager in the WBBL for the past three seasons.
1st base Coach- Elijah Anoko. 44 years old. Second Cycle on Staff. Previous manager of University of Moravica baseball.
3rd base Coach- Jeriah Opolo. 81 years old. Second Cycle on Staff. Served as a mentor to Ousman Kakay, this will be first and only classic on the staff.

WBBL = Western Banijan Baseball League, Banija's top-flight professional baseball leauge.
If they have never played in a WBC and this is their first cycle, they are italicized.

Batting Order with DH
1 SS Mesuli Calata. 24 years old. Right-handed. Aggressive on basepaths, extremely fast, decent defensive player. Very aggressive in terms of decisions to steal and what not.
2 RF #22 Momodou Joof. 33 years old. Right-handed. Graduate of Istria City College. Aggressive on the basepaths, hits for average but very little power.
3 1B Malik Soley. #30. 27 years old. Switch-hitter. Straight up superstar, face of the team. Can also play right field, and has a big arm, although he does not have much range. Throws with right hand. Hits for both power and average, easily the team's most dangerous hitter.
4 DH Luxolo Mbeki. 25 years old. Left-handed. Strong hitter, also plays first base and catcher. Hits for power but a decent average as well.
5 LF Nyaniso Hani. 26 years old. Right-handed. Hits for average but not much power. Has a strong arm and a lot of range, regarding as an elite defensive player.
6 3B Jung Jassey. #17. 32 years old. Right-handed. Alumnus of Loyola-Istria. Hits for power, takes huge swings, but has a poor average.
7 2B Chiki Uche. #4. 32 years old. Right-handed. Alumnus of Loyola-Istria, WBBL Player.
8 C Anathi Zimema. #57. 21 years old. Right-handed. Plays at Bunyoro A&M.
9 CF Bailo Suso. #16. 29 years old. Right-handed. Alumnus of Loyola-Busukuma. Great defensive player, great range and arm, needs to improve hitting.

Bench with a Designated Hitter
OF Aman Teklu #22. 34 years old. Right-handed. Defensive utility player in the outfield. Alumnus of Northern Moravica, WBBL player.
1B/C Assefa Mulugeta. #25. 33 years old. Switch-hitter(right-handed). Alumnus of Northern Moravica, WBBL Player.
2B/SS Ifeatu Chee. #2. 30 years old. Great baserunner, often pinch runs. Defensive utility player. Terrible hitter. Alumnus of Kizza I College.
3B/LF Ebrahima Sillah. #88. 21 years old. Right-Handed. Plays at the University of Moravica. WBBL Player.
C Bailo Sey. #99. 34 years old. Right-Handed. Alumnus of Moravica A&M. WBBL Player.
OF Sarjo Corr. #15. 27 years old. Alumnus of Bunyoro A&M. Left-Handed. Alumnus of Lake Alexandre State. WBBL Player.

Batting without a DH
1 SS Mesuli Calata. 24 years old. Right-handed. Aggressive on basepaths, extremely fast, decent defensive player. Very aggressive in terms of decisions to steal and what not.
2 CF #22 Momodou Joof. 33 years old. Right-handed. Graduate of Istria City College. Aggressive on the basepaths, hits for average but very little power.
3 RF Malik Soley. #30. 27 years old. Switch-hitter. Straight up superstar, face of the team. Primarily a 1B, and has a big arm, although he does not have much range. Throws with right hand. Hits for both power and average, easily the team's most dangerous hitter.
4 1B Luxolo Mbeki. 25 years old. Left-handed. Strong hitter, also a catcher and a DH. Hits for power but a decent average as well.
5 LF Nyaniso Hani. 26 years old. Right-handed. Hits for average but not much power. Has a strong arm and a lot of range, regarding as an elite defensive player.
6 3B Jung Jassey. #17. 32 years old. Right-handed. Alumnus of Loyola-Istria. Hits for power, takes huge swings, but has a poor average.
7 2B Chiki Uche. #4. 32 years old. Right-handed. Alumnus of Loyola-Istria, WBBL Player.
8 C Anathi Zimema. #57. 21 years old. Right-handed. Plays at Bunyoro A&M.
9 PITCHER

Bench without a Designated Hitter
OF Aman Teklu #22. 34 years old. Right-handed. Defensive utility player in the outfield. Alumnus of Northern Moravica, WBBL player.
1B/C Assefa Mulugeta. #25. 33 years old. Switch-hitter(right-handed). Alumnus of Northern Moravica, WBBL Player.
2B/SS Ifeatu Chee. #2. 30 years old. Great baserunner, often pinch runs. Defensive utility player. Terrible hitter. Alumnus of Kizza I College.
3B/LF Ebrahima Sillah. #88. 21 years old. Right-Handed. Plays at the University of Moravica. WBBL Player.
C Bailo Sey. #99. 34 years old. Right-Handed. Alumnus of Moravica A&M. WBBL Player.
OF Sarjo Corr. #15. 27 years old. Alumnus of Bunyoro A&M. Left-Handed. Alumnus of Lake Alexandre State. WBBL Player.
OF Bailo Suso. #16. 29 years old. Right-handed. Alumnus of Loyola-Busukuma. Great defensive player, great range and arm, needs to improve hitting. Primarily a center fielder, frequent defensive substitution.

Starting Pitcher Rotation
All of our starters are tall pitchers who like to throw the ball hard.
1 Ramata Kabba. #35. 30 years old. Left-handed. Female. Alumnus of Loyola-Istria. #5 starter during WBC 49, #4 starter during WBC 50 & 51. Her first cycle as the staff's ace. Throws a four seam fastball(up to 96), a curveball, a sinker, and a slider.
2 Ensa Suso. #33. 36 years old. Right-handed. Alumnus of Kizza I College. Former #5 starter for WBC 46-48, #3 starter for WBC 49-51. Throws a four seam fastball(up to 95), two seam fastball(up to 90), a curveball, and a sinker.
3 Faraba Conateh. #44. 27 years old. Right-Handed. WBBL player, alumnus of Hangaza Tech. Throws a four seam fastball(up to 97), a sinker, a slider, and a cutter(up to 90). #5 starter in WBC 50 & 51, dropped to bullpen for the playoffs of both tournaments.
4 Xolile Gola. #77. 23 years old. Left-Handed. Female. Throws a four seam fastball(up to 94), a slider, a sinker, and a curveball.
5 Zamekile Mbizo. #79. 19 years old. Right-handed. Male. Throws a four seam fastball(up to 96), a curveball, a slider, and a changeup.

Bullpen
LRP Alifa Kakay. #74. 32 years old. Right-Handed. Alumnus of Loyola-Busukuma. WBBL Player.
MRP Badara Ogunsola. #17. 29 years old. Right-Handed. Alumnus of Bunyoro Central College. WBBL Player.
MRP Mizpah Askari. #45. 25 years old. Second female player on the team. Left-Handed. Alumnus of Ankole College for Creative Studies. WBBL Player.
MRP Ismaela Ndour. 22 years old.RIght-Handed. Plays for Northern Moravica University.
MRP Yoro Coulibaly. #41. 31 years old. Right-Handed. Alumnus of Istria City College. WBBL Player.
MRP Lwazi Fassie. #29. 27 years old. Left-Handed. Alumnus of the Kabaka's Military College(Army).
SU Bouba Kujabi. #13. 35 years old. Right-handed. Alumnus of University of Aksum. Long-time middle reliever, promoted to setup man. #41
CL Sama Kinte. #48. 37 years old. Right-Handed. Alumnus of Loyola-Istria. WBBL Player.

Pitching Schedule
Matchday 1- Ramata Kabba v. Nova Anglicna
Matchday 2- Ensa Suso v. South Newlandia
Matchday 3- Faraba Conateh v. Le Choix

Championship Series/Third Place Series Game 1- Xolile Gola
Championship Series/Third Place Series Game 2- Zamekile Mbizo
Championship Series/Third Place Series Game 3(if necessary)- Ramata Kabba

Records(W-L, Win %):
All-Time AO Baseball Series Record: 4-2, 66.67%
All-Time Olympic Record: 10-10, 50.00%
All-Time LCI Group Stage Record: 3-0, 100%
All-Time LCI Championship Series Record: 2-0, 100%
All-Time LCI Record: 5-0, 100%
All-Time WBC Record: 287-189, 60.29%
All-Time Record(All competitions): 306-201, 60.36%

Accomplishments
Champions of the Inaugural Londinium Challenge Invitiational
Champions of World Baseball Classic 47
Champions of World Baseball Classic 51
2nd place at the AO Baseball Series I
3rd place at XI Olympiad in Aeropag, Commerce Heights.
3rd place at 46th World Baseball Classic.

My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose my runscorers: Yes
Choose my lineup: No(I have it all spelled out for you above! You can make in game substitutions for pinch runners/hitters or defensive subs as you see fit, but please follow the lineup as given above).
Follow my pitching rotation: Yes (I have it labeled game by game to prevent any confusion, so please follow! Make pitching changes of course during games as you please, but please do not have other starters coming into a game in relief)
Eject my players:Yes(My manager is a hothead, you can eject him too)
Godmod scoring events: No
RP injuries to my players: Yes (however, they must be minor enough to where they'll be completely healthy by Game 1 of the World Baseball Classic)
Godmod injuries to my players: Yes (however, they must be minor enough to where they'll be completely healthy by Game 1 of the World Baseball Classic)
Godmod other events: Yes (Whatever's fair game, but don't godmod scoring events, don't kill anyone w/o my permission, and no COVID/pandemics to effect Banija/any Banijans. Otherwise, have at it!)
Use DH at home: Yes
Style Modifier: -3
Park Factor: 75
Other: When we are pitching, they induce a lot of ground balls. The strike out rates aren't terribly high for Banijan pitchers, but they play solid, fundamental defense, and they have strong arms all over the diamond. However, while Banija's rotation is one of the strongest in the multiverse, the bullpen leaves much to be desired, especially the middle relievers, who are well known to be the team's weakest link. For the knockout stages, we'll have one starter in the 4 man rotation available every game for an inning or two out of the bullpen. That is listed in the rotation. If those guys are brought in, it is for an absolute maximum of 35 pitches, however many outs that takes.

[Nova Anglicana]

LCI IV RP Prompts

Below are RP prompts and Nova Anglicana's responses to them. Please feel free to respond to all of them, none of them, or somewhere in between. The prompts are here for your enjoyment or to fire ideas, not because they are the only acceptable way to RP for this tournament. You will not receive more or less RP bonus for responding or not responding to these prompts.

How often are your baseball players exposed to competition from different countries? Is it only in international tournaments or does your domestic league feature players from different countries? Are there particular connections or rivalries between your nation and other nations in baseball?

Nova Anglican baseball players are most often exposed to competition from different countries in the WBC and IBS. Until the campaign to send fringe guys to the IBS, this was a relatively stratified situation, with only the top players in the country ever playing against top multiversal competition. However, with the recent revival of the IBS, and the signing of several Nova Anglicans to the South Newlandia Baseball League, more players have had that opportunity. A couple of players have also played in Newmanistan's baseball league and a few Nova Anglicans recently signed to play in the San Isidro Labrador Winter Baseball League in the off-season.

Elsewhere, a few Nova Anglicans, most notably former NT player Brooks Merriman have been signed by MLB clubs and toiled in the US minor leagues. No Nova Anglican has ever appeared at the major league level, however. Some Nova Anglicans have played in US independent leagues, but none in Japan or Korea.

As far as international rivalries and connections, the Nova Anglican national team has played Cassadaigua in two of its four final appearances, defeating them for the Lions' historic first WBC title in WBC 48, but falling short in WBC 50. They have also lost to Cassadaigua in the WBC 49 third-place series, the inaugural Londinium Challenge Invitational 3rd place series, and the 3rd LCI championship series. In the early days of the national team, Nova Anglicana had rivalries with Super-Llamaland and New Wolfopolis, as well as connections with Gregoryisgodistan in the IBS. Only Super-Llamaland remains from those teams, though the Lions and Tigers have not played much in recent years. With regards to participants in LCI IV, Nova Anglicana has never faced off against Le Choix, but has played South Newlandia in the inaugural LCI, losing 4-3, and in WBC 50, winning in the Round of 16 three games to two. The Lions also defeated the South Newlandian team in the finals of IBS XIII, albeit with neither team being the senior national team. Finally, Banija. The Lions defeated Banija 3-1 in the quarterfinals of WBC 50, and won two of three games in the group stage of WBC 35, but lost to them 7-3 in the inaugural LCI. Also in IBS XIII, the Lions defeated a combined military academy all-star team.

How famous are baseball players in your nation? Is your domestic league highly regarded? Do millions follow your WBC campaigns? If not, why not? If so, how do your baseball players/athletes handle fame?

In Nova Anglicana, the top echelon of baseball players are among the most highly-regarded athletes. No doubt this is due to their sustained success in WBC competition, but the Nova Anglican Baseball League is the second most-popular sport, trailing only the Nova Anglican Football League and narrowly leading the Nova Anglican Hockey League. Top players appear in commercials or on billboards/posters and sometimes are stopped if recognised on the street. The effect drops off sharply when you get to second-tier players. Since the nation's decision to withdraw from World Cup competition, the WBC is the most high-profile competition, with nearly 4 million viewers watching the WBC 48 Game 7 against Cassadaigua (out of a population of 9-10 million).

When it comes to fame, Nova Anglican baseball players handle things in a number of ways. Some, like former national team ace Wyatt Templeton, are more reserved and prefer to keep a low profile outside of mandatory appearances, while others, like former slugging first baseman Kareem Al-Aniz, embrace it. Following his success in the early days of Nova Anglican WBC participation, Al-Aniz went on to make guest appearances on TV shows, even a short movie career, as well as becoming a beloved commentator for the NABL and promoting youth participation in baseball. One thing that most Nova Anglican baseball players that become famous have in common is charity. While some have dedicated causes, like original national team ace Elmer Sutton's advocacy and fundraising for premature infants, others are simply culturally pressured into using their fame for good. A lot of them end up doing things like glove drives or cutting PSAs encouraging kids to get exercise, but we've also seen anti-racism advocacy, beach cleanup, animal rights, and music education.

How much pressure is placed on baseball players from your nation to succeed internationally? Domestically? In this tournament? How do your baseball players/athletes react to this pressure? Do particular players, domestic teams, or your national team have rituals, practices, or systems in place to address this?

It's a big question: what's more important, doing well in the WBC or winning a championship in the NABL? Well, given that the NABL opts to suspend its season at times to accommodate WBC participation by the nation's best players, in Nova Anglicana, it's international baseball. It is this commitment to international success that has allowed the Lions to consistently field their best team and maintain their almost perfect streak of making the WBC playoffs. Sure, winning the NABL championship is important, and NABL prowess helps the national team to select both players and coaches, but international prestige is just so much higher. This means that the Nova Anglican national baseball team faces intense pressure to succeed; the defeat in WBC 51 in the Round of 16 was seen as a major disappointment, despite the fact that it came against a top-tier team like the Sherpa Empire. In the NABL, the stakes for top-tier players are somewhat lower, as their international reputations are much more important, but mid or lower-tier players often deal with a lot of pressure because they will never represent the country, so this is the pinnacle for them. There is, of course, pressure to win the LCI because the Lions host it and play the best teams in the world, but people recognise it's an exhibition competition and therefore don't put as much pressure on the athletes. That doesn't mean they wouldn't boo lustily or that you wouldn't see critical op-eds if the Lions go 1-4 or 0-5, though.

Because Nova Anglican national baseball team players often remain on the national team for multiple WBCs, the best players in the country are more accustomed to the pressure. They can rely on earlier experiences or the expertise of players who went before them in order to stave off the pressure. That doesn't mean that there aren't other ways to address the issue or that people don't experience it. The national team builds in time for prayer and meditation, which is useful for many players, and employs mental health professionals so that players can have safe spaces to discuss issues that may be holding them back from their full athletic potential. And of course there are the superstitions. From wearing the same socks to never washing your jock strap, throwing a certain number of pitches in warmup, drawing a cross in the dirt, or eating the same pre-game meal (one former player swore by rappie pie, another by cod tongues, and a third by figgy duff), Nova Anglican players have their own special ways of "ensuring" that their team wins.

[Le Choix]

Baseball in Le Choix

As Le Choix looks toward their second WBC, it's important to note the difference between Le Choix and the different countries around the world when it comes to the sport. In the first WBC, no home matches were played in the Theocracy at all, all games being played in South Newlandia instead. This upcoming WBC, there will be games played at the new National Stadium, which will allow 10,500 fans to be present at the matches. Those matches will be the very first time that athletes from foreign countries will be allowed into the Theocracy to play baseball. (The stadium at Sang des Martyrs was the first in Le Choix history for the sport of football.) All of the players in the Ligue de Baseball are from Le Choix as the nation has been very nationalist and isolationist.

In that memorable WBC, Le Choix faced six different opponents. If they were to face any of them again, there could be a rivalry. Both Ethane and Hannasea are in Esportiva, so that's more possible.

As far as fame in the Theocracy, football is what reigns supreme. The Ligue de Baseball is older than the Ligue de Glace, but the Ligue de Glace is a bit more popular. That makes baseball players the least recognizable sportspeople in the country. To their credit, they don't really care as this is just their job. If they do their jobs well enough, the nation will start to care. As the Church wills, the nation goes: therefore, viewings of all games featuring La Lumière are mandatory. This gets rid of the possibility of much disparity in individual fame, and keeps the spirit of the nation pure.

It is starting to catch onto the rest of the nation that they may be good at more than just one sport, or that they might be better at baseball than hockey or football. It will be interesting to see how that changes the future.

[South Newlandia]

The Londinium Challenge Invitational. Not the biggest tournament out there, but one that holds great prestige regardless – only four teams, four of the arguably best every Classic, facing off in one epic, short tournament. South Newlandia qualified for the first one by virtue of being the best newcomer team in WBC 48, after upsetting all kinds of teams before getting swept by Newmanistan. At the LCI, those Elephants upset Cassadaigua and Nova Anglicana, two of the best baseball nations of all time, and lost in the final to – Banija. Now look at this – it’s the fourth LCI, and South Newlandia is back. After losing the WBC 51 final to Banija.

It’s a weird time in South Newlandian baseball. Sansara, the coach that had always been with the Elephants, is gone, and the new coach isn’t going to take the reigns until the start of WBC 52. It honestly seems like they forgot they would have a tournament to play in, but there is. As a reward to the players that made it here, the Elephants will bring the exact same players and coaches as they had in WBC 51 – except for Sansara, of course. The relevant decisions that would usually fall to a head coach will be made by hitting coach Anthony Smith-Miller, who will try to use the five or six games he gets to show off his potential, or lack thereof. South Newlandia isn’t expecting much, but whatever happens, they’ll gladly take.

My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose my runscorers: Please
Choose my lineup: as long as your changes are reasonable
Follow my pitching rotation: I’m going to state one. Please use that. Relievers, you’re way more free there.
Godmod scoring events: Yes!
RP injuries to my players: Yes
Godmod injuries to my players: TG or Discord in advance, please.
Eject my players: TG or Discord in advance, please; South Newlandians don’t get ejected a lot.
Godmod other events: TG or Discord in advance, please, but most likely yes
Use DH at home: Yes

Coaching staff

Head coach: vacant

Hitting coach: Anthony Smith-Miller (37)

Pitching coach: Damian Bolton (41)

Bench Coach: Gabriel Brown (45)

Bullpen coach: Mohamed Felix (42)

1st Base Coach: Jakub Mayo (57)

3rd Base Coach: Diego Kirk (46)

Starting pitchers [* denotes best (not necessarily most likely) pitch]

(SP1) Jacob Conroy (28, R) [Ko-orenite League] (game 1; 6 (if needed))
(Arsenal: 4-seamer*, Curveball, Changeup, Cutter)
Conroy has been the South Newlandian ace for six years, and will be back once again. He has a fastball that can rival that of good relievers, and works a couple good pitches off of it. Like all South Newlandian pitchers, he isn’t held to any particular pitch count, but gets pulled whenever he doesn’t have his best stuff. Sometimes, that means he goes the entire game. Even though South Newlandia uses a DH, he occasionally has to hit here or there, and like all South Newlandian pitchers, he’s quite bad at it.

(SP2) Ryan Hunter (27, L) (Ratzupalfu Rhinos) (game 2)
(Arsenal: 4-seamer, Circle Changeup*, Cutter)
Hunter is perhaps most well-known for an incident with Midnight, the bear that used to play for Hampton Island. Since the bear charged the mound there, giving him a good scare before Midnight was shot with a tranquilizer gun. He hasn’t given out a single international walk since. He doesn’t really need to, either, having earned his spot as #2 on the South Newlandian team with good fastballs and an excellent changeup that just vanishes, seemingly. He’s also the best hitter among the pitchers, for when the team has to play without designated hitter.

(SP3) Jay Kramer (24, R) (Masmow Dragons) (game 3)
(Arsenal: 2-seamer, Changeup, Slider*)
Kramer, ace of the Masmow Dragons, has earned his spot on the team with an awesome slider and otherwise solid hitting. He’s pretty average aside from that, but he is known to collapse in spectacular fashion. Sometimes, when he gets overwhelmed, the wheels just completely come off, so putting him in high leverage situations isn’t always ideal.

(SP4) Blake Robbins (30, R) (Ruditown Dachshunds) (game 4)
(Arsenal: 4-seamer, Splitter*, Forkball, Changeup)
Robbins, the oldest pitcher the Elephants have, is the only pitcher with his particular skillset. Whether that works to his advantage remains to be seen, but it certainly is more unusual then what most the South Newlandian pitchers have. He’s also the worst hitter among the pitchers by a long shot.

(SP5) Ben Gonzalo (22, R) (Newport Dolphins) (game 5)
(Arsenal: 4-seamer*, Slider, Curveball)
Gonzalo is the only WBC rookie among the starting pitchers, earning his spot with a fantastic IBS in Banija. His combination complements itself well; throwing the 4-seamer most of the time with a phenomenal curveball that completely disappears from where it was initially going. If he has to bat, he swings for the fences every single ball thrown to him, which isn’t the ideal strategy, but could go well if he ends up hitting one.

Bullpen

(Closer) Barnaby Butt (27, L) (Masmow Dragons)
(Arsenal: 2-seamer*, Circle Changeup, Slider)
Real pitching habits only evlved slowly with the Elephants, but they will make another step towards a usual bullpen this Classic. With Butt, the best among the relievers, the team has found a capable left handed pitcher to close out games with. Watch out for that Slider.

(Setup) Patrik Bryant (24, R) (Malidridad Mariners)
(Arsenal: 2-seamer, Cutter*, Slider)
A setup pitcher will be used by the team for the first time, but probably not all the time. Bryant isn’t exactly a dominant reliever, but he can get some outs, especially with a cutter he can throw hard and with a decent amount of movement.

(Primary1) Abby Conrad (22, R, *F) (Sophie City Girls)
(Arsenal: 4-seamer*, Cutter, Curveball, Slider)
Conrad is the only female player on the roster this year, but she will make history as the first female pitcher to pitch for South Newlandia. She definitely deserves that role, featuring a strong fastball and a great Curveball/Slider combination.

(Primary2) Gostaf Sjabard (25, L) (Rüsselsheim Blue Sox)
(Arsenal: 4-seamer, Changeup, Curveball*, Cutter)
Although Sjabard uses a similar set of pitches as Conrad, the two play very differently. For one, Sjabard is a lefty, and aside from that, he has a changeup he likes to use. His masterpiece, though, is a fantastic curveball that is very deceptive for the amount of movement is creates.

(Lefty specialist) Bert Hoosier (23, L) (Elephant Valley Homers)
(Arsenal: 4-seamer, Curveball, Circle Changeup*)
Hoosier will be the man to get lefties out. With a great Changeup, he can do just that; but he probably will not be called on a whole lot. South Newlandian coaches still dislike changing pitchers too often.

(Mop-up1) Marcel Adams (30, R) (Elephant Valley United)
(Arsenal: 2-seamer*, Slider, Changeup)
Adams might be the least interesting player on the team, average in everything he does. Don’t expect great things for him, but he rarely collapses either. He is most commonly brought in for the almost decided games. Don’t underestimate him, that 2-seamer is no joke. Still, he’ll most likely be out there in the games that are already lost.

(Mop-up2) Brayden Colhusion (27, L) (Newport Owls)
(Arsenal: 4-seamer*, Curveball, Slider, Changeup)
Colhusion is going to make his first international appearance at 26 years old, earning recognition with a terrific season with the Owls. He’s the only pitcher that can reliably approach 100 mph on this team, seemingly finding out how to just this year, and he’s going to show it off. He still lacks experience, so he’ll be stuck here; maybe brought on for the games well in hand already.


Fielders (starters) (fielding is based on the position here, while everything else is not)

(1B) Adam King (27, R) (Elephant Valley Homers)
(Speed: Average | Power: Very High | Contact: Average | Fielding: Average)
King is definitely the biggest power threat on this team. He is definitely capable of hitting quite a few dingers without warning, but can approach a cold stretch just as quick. He can hit for contact too, if he has too, but is mostly mediocre at fielding or running fast.

(2B) Igor White (31, R) (Elephant Valley United)
(Speed: High | Power: Average | Contact: High | Fielding: Good)
Igor White is, at just 30 years old, the oldest player suiting up for the Elephants. He’s still fast, hits well, and most importantly, works together with Drum excellently. He does have frequent issues with his knees, and missed time during the season with United, but if he’s healthy, he’s a centrepiece of the team.

(3B) Ian Pearce (28, R) [Ko-orenite League]
(Speed: High | Power: Low | Contact: Very Low | Fielding: Very Good)
Ian Pearce has been on this team since the beginning, and he still didn’t figure out how to hit. Maybe he picked something up in Ko-oren, but he is definitely the least likely player to score runs. He is fairly fast, and by far the best fielder on the team. He produces few errors, and can throw out even the fastest runners on grounders to third.

(SS) David Drum (25, R) (Newport Dolphins)
(Speed: Average | Power: High | Contact: Low | Fielding: Good)
Drum has established himself as an elite shortstop, being both a scoring threat and an excellent fielder. He does have a tendency to produce trouble in the clubhouse, though, and isnt regarded as the best team player; except when it comes to his buddy Igor.

(LF) Daryl Dunlop (27, R) (Masmow Dragons)
(Speed: Very Fast | Power: Average | Contact: High | Fielding: Average)
Dunlop, another player from the Dragons, is the fastest guy on the team, and the only one to go for the steal often. He’s fairly good at getting on base too, but his fielding abilities are fairly average at best. Going for steals of course leads to getting thrown out occasionally, too.

(CF) Shawn Zimmerman (23, S) (St. Riecarn Saints)
(Speed: High | Power: Average | Contact: Very High | Fielding: Good)
Zimmerman is one of the biggest talents playing for the Elephants. The five-tool player excels at everything, and started for this team at just 18 years old. Now, four years later, he is phenomenal at getting contact, and goes for the deep ball less often then he used too. He’ll end up on base a lot, and has the speed to get more. That also allows him to cover lots of ground defensively, making him, coupled with a strong arm, one of the best South Newlandian players.

(RF) Fabio Ventura (29, L) (Elephant Valley Homers)
(Speed: High | Power: Average | Contact: Very High | Fielding: Bad)
Ventura has been the offensive star on this team since the beginning. Like most South Newlandian hitters, he goes for contact a lot, and is very good at it. His formerly phenomenal speed, however, is dropping, and he’s never been a great fielder in the first place. Nevertheless, he’ll be the first to step in the box every game, just like he always has been.

(C) Fred Burn (23, R) [Ko-orenite League]
(Speed: Average | Power: Low | Contact: Average | Fielding: Average)
Burn, another player in the Ko-orenite baseball league, is the only truly new player on the starting lineup, replacing Garner. He’s not bad at hitting, and works with the pitchers well; which is all the Elephants need from him. He’s a bit too paranoid about sequences, and not too good at throwing base-stealers out, but after four years of sitting on the bench, he’s more than ready.

(DH (RF)) Mike Larsen (24, L) (Newport Dolphins)
(Speed: High | Power: Low | Contact: Very High | Fielding: Average)
Larsen, the Designated Hitter for the team, is another Contact hitter, usually not going for power. He’s decently fast, and has among the best plate discipline of the squad. Despite that, he rarely strikes out. He plays in Right Field for the Dolphins, and could be the player to eventually replace Ventura there.


Bench:

(C) Brad Moore (24, R) (Newport Dolphins)
(Speed: Low | Power: High | Contact: Low | Fielding: Good)

(IF (1B)) Nicolas Perez (21, R) (Sun City Flames)
(Speed: High | Power: Very High | Contact: High | Fielding: Average)
Perez is one of the biggest talents for South Newlandia, a true five tool player, who’ll break into the roster sooner than later. He’s also the most likely pinch hitter.

(IF (SS)) Bob Flowers (26, R) (Ratzupalfu Rhinos)
(Speed: Average | Power: Low | Contact: Average | Fielding: Very Good)

(OF (CF)) Rufus Salas (21, R) (Ratzupalfu Rhinos)
(Speed: Fast | Power: Average | Contact: High | Fielding: Average)
Salas is decently fast, and the most likely option to be pinch running.

(OF (RF)) Gary Promises (20, R) (Newport Owls)
(Speed: Low | Power: Very High | Contact: Low | Fielding: Good)
Promises, who really bulked up in the offseason, is a really, really strong guy. He goes for the deep ball, and that’s about all he does. He’s the other good option for pinch hitting.

Lineups:

With DH:
1. Fabio Ventura
2. Mike Larsen
3. Shawn Zimmerman
4. Adam King
5. Daryl Dunlop
6. David Drum
7. Igor White
8. Fred Burn
9. Ian Pearce

Without DH:
1. Fabio Ventura
2. Daryl Dunlop
3. Shawn Zimmerman
4. Adam King
5. David Drum
6. Igor White
7. Fred Burn
8. Ian Pearce
9. Pitcher

[Banija]

Banija back at the Londinium Challenge Invitational as short-form World Baseball Classic looms


It's simply that time of year again in the great sport of baseball

LONDINIUM, NOVA ANGLICANA- At the inaugural Londinium Challenge Invitational, the Banijans went 5-0, taking home the tournament's trophy for the first time. And now, coming back to the LCI for the fourth edition, as both the defending WBC champions and the world number ones, the Banijans are excited to be back in Nova Anglicana to kick off the summer of baseball cycle.

"We've got an important WBC coming up, with big time changes most likely coming to the format." Said Ousman Kakay, the manager. "It's not going to be like old Classics, where it's going to be almost like a miniature season in the group stages- which, of course, is my own preferred format. Assuming the Ko-oren/Hannassea bid wins, we're going to have a short form group stage. Only 10 games to seperate yourself. My opinions on it do not matter- what matters is that is the challenge in front of us- in front of anybody. We're going to have to get to Ko-oren & Hannasea in midseason form, ready to win games. If you lost three of four to start in the old format, it wasn't great, but it wasn't fatal. But this new format? It absolutely could be."

"We've got a number of fresh players to the international scene coming on board for this cycle as well. It just means that each game has an outsized amount of importance. Baseball has always been a sport where anyone can win- but with such a short group stage, this tournament is truly wide open. We believe that this is a team capable of flourishing in all formats- long form, short form, etc... But it is incumbent upon us to make sure our players are ready for the sprint. Fortunately, we qualified for the LCI, another short form tournament, to get our players used to it."

Ousman Kakay was asked about the team's goals coming into the tournament. "Obviously, winning. Winning begets more winning- I'd like to add another LCI to the trophy cabinet. But most importantly- getting everybody a chance at playing in big moments. Especially those who have not done so before. We've got two new starters in the pitching rotation who have never pitched for their country before. They're going to start games 1 and 2 of the medal round. The pressure of pitching in the knockout stages of the World Baseball Classic cannot be replicated- but this is as close as we can get. We know how Ramata Kabba and Ensa Suso can pitch under pressure. But Xolile Gola is 23. And Zamekile Mbizo? Just 19. I want to see how they handle the mental side of things here, especially in an unfamiliar environment like Londinium. Can they keep their confidence? Can they keep their heads when they inevitably get in trouble? Can they handle the bright lights?"

Kakay said that there were a number of position players that he'd like to evaluate at this tournament as well. "We've got four new starters who do not have international experience heading into this WBC. How will they handle the stage? Especially our catcher, Anathi Zimema, who is 21- how will he respond? This tournament, more than anything, will get so many of these players introduced to the pressure and rigors that come for putting on the black and orange for your country. It's a different beast entirely, and we will make sure they are ready."

Banija will play host nation Nova Anglicana in the nightcap on Day 1, while playing Le Choix in the nightcap on Day 3. They will play the opening game of Day 2 in a rematch of the WBC 51 Championship Series, against South Newlandia.

[Nova Anglicana]

LCI cutoff.

Banija                 5 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0  7
Nova Anglicana         0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  2

South Newlandia        4 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 0  7
Le Choix               0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0  1

Nova Anglicana         1 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 0  7
Le Choix               0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0  1

Banija                 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0  2
South Newlandia        0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 4  6

South Newlandia        0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  1
Nova Anglicana         0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 X  2

Le Choix               0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0  1
Banija                 0 0 0 0 2 3 0 0 X  5

LCI Group Stage        Pld   W  L   RF  RA  RD  Pts 
1 South Newlandia        3   2  1   14   5  +9    6*
2 Banija                 3   2  1   14   9  +5    6*
3 Nova Anglicana         3   2  1   11   9  +2    6*
4 Le Choix               3   0  3    3  19 −16    0

*All teams 1-1 in H2H, so sorted by run differential

Championship Series
Banija                 5 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1  9
South Newlandia        0 0 0 1 1 3 0 1 0  6

Banija leads series 1-0

South Newlandia        0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0  1
Banija                 1 2 0 2 1 1 2 0 X  9

Banija wins series 2-0

3rd Place Series
Le Choix               0 2 0 2 0 1 0 0 0  5
Nova Anglicana         0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0  2

Le Choix leads 1-0

Nova Anglicana         0 0 0 0 0 4 0 2 1 1  8
Le Choix               1 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0  7

Series tied 1-1

Le Choix               0 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 0  4
Nova Anglicana         0 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 0  3

Le Choix wins series 2-1

Standings (record)

1. Banija (4-1)
2. South Newlandia (2-3)
3. Le Choix (2-4)
4. Nova Anglicana (3-3)

OOC: Xkoranate with adjusted NSFS formula, max rank was Banija's rank of 4.40 plus roster bonus. I view the results mainly through the small sample size lens, you are free to interpret them however you like. Again, this takes place ICly before the WBC.