To tank or not to tank…. that’s the real question!<o></o>
As the season comes to close with only four games left, the race is on to get into the playoffs and win the championship for the league and get promoted to the next level of the Hierarchy. The 56 league owners are closely watching some of the tightest race that we have seen in recent memories. Even though some are out of the running, they are still closely watching their rivals because next year they will have a chance to become the top team in their league.
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There is also another race that OOTP owners need to watch as well. The fight to stay in their level and not get demoted to a lower level is also a fight to the finish. The worst record in their perspective division will get demoted. If the team does indeed get demoted, the penalties are the loss of fan loyalty and perhaps the loss of some revenues. The question becomes, should tanking be a viable choice for teams that are in last place? In our league, tanking and getting demoted is one of the worst things that can happen to a team. There is no first pick in your league that you will get demoted from but a later pick. Another reason to not tank and try to get the 2<sup>nd</sup> worst record in your division is an even tougher job then trying to win the league outright. Let’s take a look at the many tight races all around World Baseball Hierarchy.<o>
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U.S League<o></o>
Since the U.S league is at the top of the pyramid, there isn’t a next level for them but to crown “King of the Hill”. There is one guarantee in this year’s race; the legendary Toledo Mudhens managed by Andre G. will not win the championship for the first time in 3 years. The tight race between Akashi Fordians and first year participant Hukoka Hawks has the same record to meet the three time runner up <st1:city><st1>Santiago de Cuba</st1> </st1:city>for the highest championship in WBH.
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The other known race is the two teams that are trying to stay alive are the Toledo Mudhens (as mention, three time U.S League winner) and Vertienetes Fumadores. Both teams have identical records and they will face each other for the last series of the year. What an exciting ending.
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How many owners in WBH are looking closely to this action? The once unbeatable <st1:city><st1>Toledo</st1></st1:city>, who is coming off from three consecutive championships could actually be demoted! Every step that an owner makes whether it is free agent signing, trades or just trying to rebuild while staying in the league can make a huge difference.
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</o><st1:country-region><st1>
Japan</st1></st1:country-region>
League<o></o>
While both division leaders are locked to make the playoffs. Both Pittsburgh Pirates and Asahikawa Green Guild will go head-to-head and the chance to get into U.S league next year. This will be the second consecutive year that <st1:city><st1>Pittsburgh</st1></st1:city> will be in the Japanese playoff to get back to the original league while <st1:city><st1>Asahikawa</st1></st1:city> first playoff appearance.
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The “tank” race to watch in the Japan League is former champions from their original leagues; last year <st1:country-region><st1>Venezuela</st1></st1:country-region>’s champion Barquisimeto Obeliscos and 2008 <st1:country-region><st1>Dominican Republic</st1></st1:country-region> champion Mao Dadaistas. Currently Mao is 1 game back from <st1:city><st1>Barquisimeto</st1> </st1:city>and the mountain is harder to climb as well. They have one last series against division champ <st1:city><st1>Pittsburgh</st1>
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Cuba</st1></st1:country-region>
League<o></o>
While there is no “tank” race in the Cuba League the tight race between Cienfuegos Piratas and Quebec Dragons are no laughing jokes between these two. What a way to end this season! Both Piratas and the Dragons will be facing each other in their last meeting before the playoffs starts. As of right now the Dragons are 13-8 against the Piratas.
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</o><st1:country-region><st1>
Dominican Republic</st1></st1:country-region>
, <st1:country-region><st1>
South Korea</st1></st1:country-region>
, <st1:country-region><st1>
Venezuela</st1></st1:country-region>
, and <st1:country-region><st1>
Canada</st1></st1:country-region>
Leagues<o></o>
While there is no current level under the four leagues, the race to being promoted is anyone’s guess right now. The Venezuela League playoff teams (Maracay Fighting Jalapeños and Anaco Anacondas) and has already clinched their playoff spot more than 3 weeks ago; they are both fighting for home field advantage. Baracoa Bahia and Suwon Samsung Lions have also clinched their playoff spots in the South Korea League as well as La Habana Los Leones and Calgary Outlaws in the Canada League.
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The most interesting race in the level 3 pyramid has to go to the Dominican Republic League. Both divisions within the league are still up for grabs. Let’s take a look at the Latitude division, the Moca Machine is 2 games ahead of the Tokyo Tanuki and their last series will be against last place Puerta Plata Pumas.
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The Longitude division is even more baffling because there are three teams still in the race for the other playoff spot. With four games left in each of their schedule, Santiago de los Caballeros is leading the way with only a 1 game lead on Santo Domingo Saints and a 3 game separation on the Bani Banshees. What a race, three teams still have some air left and trying to get into the playoffs for a chance to get promoted! It looks like the Bani Banshees have the easiest schedule left, but lets take a look at their remaining schedules.
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Schedule remaining<o></o>
Santiago de los Caballeros – 1 game vs. Bani, 3 games @ Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo Saints – 1 game @ <st1:city><st1>Nagasaki</st1></st1:city>, 3 games vs. Santiago
Bani Banshees – 1 game @ Santiago, 3 games vs. <st1:city><st1>Nagasaki</st1>
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New expansion leagues: <st1:country-region><st1>
Panama</st1></st1:country-region>
and Puerto Rico League<o></o>
The 16 new owners that are eagerly waiting to see how these crazy races work itself out and try to bloody each other up. They are excited and anxiously waiting to get into the mix of things. Both of the leagues are th4<sup>th</sup> level of the Hierarchy. Starting next year, the <st1:country-region><st1>South Korea</st1>, </st1:country-region><st1:country-region><st1>Canada</st1></st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region><st1>Venezuela </st1></st1:country-region>and Dominican Republic Leagues cannot just “tank” their season without a penalty anymore. The 4<sup>th</sup> league is now here and the penalty is getting stiffer. The new owners smell blood and they are ready for the fight of their lives. The question for the new owners is, can they handle 72 owners in a very active league that is fighting for every free agent, waiver claims and available players on the trading block. Let the Hierarchy begin!!!!!
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To the potential OOTP owners<o></o>
If you are looking for a challenge or if you are a new player that wants something unique in their league then WBH could be a viable league for you. As the article above, you can’t tank a season without any repercussions. Some owners have tried to rebuild while staying competitive to stay within their level but have failed. There is so many ways to rebuild a team but the trick is to rebuild but not be the worst team in the league. Tanking can be a “savior” for some other leagues but not this league. There is no such thing as tanking and getting a reward for it, only a demotion. If you want a challenge and are interested, please click on the “
join” button at our website and apply. If you have questions, ask away and will happy to answer it.
World Baseball Hierarchy website
http://wbh.allsimbaseball3.com/