The International Baseball Federation

[RMc]

In this thread I set up a world-wide league of national baseball teams, with special feeder leagues designed to give each country talent-appropriate players (i.e. the US and Japan get great players, Trinidad and Tobago not so much). Here's a blow-by-blow account of my IBAF, starting with its first season in 2001:

The IBAF is a three tiered-system with promotion and relegation: the top-level World League (24 teams; the last-place teams in each of the four divisions get relegated), Baseball League One (46 teams; the playoff champion and the next three teams in WPCT are promoted, while the bottom four are relegated) and Baseball League Two (44 teams; the playoff champion and the next three teams in WPCT are promoted).

WORLD LEAGUE

Red Division W L PCT GB
USA Revolution 112 50 .691 -
El Salvador Cuscatlecos 84 78 .519 28.0
Mexico Diablos Rojos 81 81 .500 31.0
Lithuania Vetras 79 83 .488 33.0
Australia Bushrangers 71 91 .438 41.0
South Korea Wyverns 70 92 .432 42.0

Blue Division W L PCT GB
Cuba Leones del Caribe* 92 71 .564 -
Panama Canaleros** 91 72 .558 1.0
Argentina Celestes 84 78 .519 7.5
India Wonder Boys 73 89 .451 18.5
Taiwan Cobras 67 95 .414 24.5
Nicaragua Pinoleros 63 99 .389 28.5

Green Division W L PCT GB
Italy Azzurri 93 69 .574 -
Brazil Canaries** 92 70 .568 1.0
South Africa Bafana 83 79 .512 10.0
Puerto Rico Blue Hurricane 80 82 .494 13.0
Netherlands Orange Crush 74 88 .457 19.0
France Les Bleus 58 104 .358 35.0

Gold Division W L PCT GB
Dominican Rep Azucareros 107 55 .660 -
Canada Canucks** 95 67 .586 12.0
Venezuela Vintotinto** 93 69 .574 14.0
Japan Samurai 83 79 .512 24.0
Guatemala Chapines 72 90 .444 35.0
Hungary Magicians 48 114 .296 59.0

*won one-game playoff, 4-1
**wild cards
Relegated teams in italics


BASEBALL LEAGUE ONE

Africa W L PCT GB
Mali Eagles* 94 68 .580 -
Nigeria Super Eagles 91 71 .562 3.0
Zambia Copper Bullets 78 84 .481 16.0
Zimbabwe Warriors 72 90 .444 22.0
Cameroon Indomitable Lions 71 91 .438 23.0
Ghana Black Stars 71 91 .438 23.0
Namibia Brave Warriors 68 94 .420 26.0
Togo Sparrow Hawks 67 95 .414 27.0

Americas W L PCT GB
Colombia Cafeteros* 97 65 .599 -
Chile Rojas* 95 67 .586 2.0
Aruba Islanders 88 74 .543 9.0
Honduras Catrachos 86 76 .531 11.0
US Virgin Islands Dashing Eagles 83 79 .512 14.0
Netherlands Antilles Island Kings 82 80 .506 15.0
Ecuador Toreros 80 82 .494 17.0

Asia Oceania W L PCT GB
Pakistan Greenshirts* 89 73 .549 -
Indonesia Red and White 86 76 .531 3.0
Bangladesh Bengal Tigers 85 77 .525 4.0
China Dragons 83 79 .512 6.0
Phillipines Bohemians 79 83 .488 10.0
North Korea Chollima 75 87 .463 14.0
New Zealand All Blacks 74 88 .457 15.0
Brunei Leopards 73 89 .451 16.0
Myanmar Golden Lions 72 90 .444 17.0
Papua New Guinea Kumuls 72 90 .444 17.0
Samoa Gold Star 67 95 .414 22.0

Euro 1 W L PCT GB
Georgia Crusaders* 117 45 .722 -
Russia Red Horses* 99 63 .611 18.0
Spain Red Fury* 94 68 .580 23.0
Denmark Dynamite 91 71 .562 26.0
Germany Untouchables 79 83 .488 38.0
Cyprus Doves 77 85 .475 40.0
Armenia Phoenix 74 88 .457 43.0
Croatia Blazers 73 89 .451 44.0
England Monarchs 69 93 .426 48.0
Austria Violets 62 100 .383 55.0

Euro 2 W L PCT GB
Slovakia Jondas* 108 54 .667 -
Switzerland Grasshoppers 92 70 .568 16.0
Sweden Tre Kronor 85 77 .525 23.0
Bulgaria Tricolors 84 78 .519 24.0
Estonia Tribulised 84 78 .519 24.0
Belgium Red Devils 81 81 .500 27.0
Romania Speedsters 80 82 .494 28.0
Finland Owls 73 89 .451 35.0
Moldova Bison 65 97 .401 43.0
Turkey Crescent Stars 61 101 .377 47.0

*playoff team
Relegated teams in italics; Togo relegated due to 0-3 record vs. Samoa

BASEBALL LEAGUE TWO

Africa W L PCT GB
Kenya Harambee Stars* 112 50 .691 -
Lesotho Crocodiles* 98 64 .605 14.0
Morocco Lions of the Atlas 92 70 .568 20.0
Tunisia Eagles of Carthage 89 73 .549 23.0
Ivory Coast Elephants 82 80 .506 30.0
Liberia Lone Stars 82 80 .506 30.0
Uganda Cranes 81 81 .500 31.0

Americas W L PCT GB
Costa Rica La Seleccion* 101 61 .623 -
Bolivia Verde* 99 63 .611 2.0
Peru Rojiblanca* 98 64 .605 3.0
Paraguay Guaranies 91 71 .562 10.0
Bahamas Baha Boyz 85 77 .525 16.0
Jamaica Reggae Boyz 74 88 .457 27.0
Trinidad and Tobago Soca Warriors 44 118 .272 57.0
British Virgin Islands Great Brits 23 139 .142 78.0

Asia Oceania W L PCT GB
Malaysia Tigers* 91 71 .562 -
Fiji Island Warriors 87 75 .537 4.0
Thailand War Elephants 87 75 .537 4.0
Singapore Super Reds 86 76 .531 5.0
Iran Persepolis 76 86 .469 15.0
Uzbekistan Lokomotiv 74 88 .457 17.0
American Samoa Manu Eagles 40 122 .247 51.0
Cook Islands Woodcarvers 37 125 .228 54.0
Palau Dolphins 37 125 .228 54.0
Micronesia Four Stars 28 134 .173 63.0

Euro 1 W L PCT GB
Kazakhstan Kairat* 100 62 .617 -
Ukraine Yellow-Blues 97 65 .599 3.0
Greece Pirates 96 66 .593 4.0
Czech Republic Sparta 95 67 .586 5.0
Norway Blue Dragons 94 68 .580 6.0
Israel Miracle 93 69 .574 7.0
San Marino TA Eagles 88 74 .543 12.0
Wales Red Dragons 88 74 .543 12.0
Northern Ireland Green and White 79 83 .488 21.0
Luxembourg Red Lions 34 128 .210 66.0

Euro 2 W L PCT GB
Slovenia Devils* 101 61 .623 -
Scotland Bravehearts 96 66 .593 5.0
Latvia Skonto 94 68 .580 7.0
Ireland Green Boys 90 72 .556 11.0
Poland Red Eagles 90 72 .556 11.0
Belarus Dinamo 86 76 .531 15.0
Malta Kinghts 86 76 .531 15.0
Portugal Golden Nine 85 77 .525 16.0
Serbia White Eagles 78 84 .481 23.0

*playoff teams

Playoffs to follow...

[RMc]

In the World League quarterfinals, the USA and Canada both advanced with four-game sweeps (over Panama and Brazil, respectively) while the Dominicans beat the Cubans in six games. The other quarterfinal was a thriller: the upstart Italians, led by HR champion Luigi "Heartthrob" Baldini, battled Venezuela the full seven games. In Game 7 at Maracaibo, Giovanni Cugnoni tripled in the top of the 10th and scored on a sac fly, then Firmino Fugazzi slammed the door in the bottom of the inning to give the Azzurri a spot in the WL semifinals against the Revolution. The Dominicans will play Canada in the other semi.

In Baseball League One, the incredible Georgia Crusaders, whose 117 wins led all of the IBAF, needed the full five games to get past a determined Spain squad to advance to the semis. They will meet Chile, who eliminated Slovakia, three games to one. Russia and Colombia -- the Russians were already guaranteed of promotion to the WL in '02, while Cafeteros needed a win -- met in another quarter, with the Red Horses winning in four games. The Russians will next take on the African champs from Mail, who swept out Pakistan in three straight.

Over in Baseball League Two, Malaysia swept out Kazakhstan while league leaders Kenya needed four games to dispatch Peru. The other two quarters went the full five games as Slovenia beat Lesotho and Costa Rica beat Americas Division rival Bolivia.

Next up: the semifinals!

[RMc]

The Azzurri were the surprise of the WL in 2001, and when they won the first game of their semifinal series against the USA, 3-2, in New York -- thanks to a three-run homer by Raffaelo Tasso in the top of the eighth -- all Italy cheered. But their relief ace, Firmino Fugazzi, hurt his back in the game and was lost for the rest of the series. After Rob Starks shut out the Italians in game two on three hits, 3-0, the Revolution bats went to work, scoring 42 runs in the next four games of the semifinal. On to World Championship Series for the USA!

The Canucks were looking to make the WCS an all-North American affair after snatching game one of their semi with the Dominicans in Toronto: Todd Toope's double in the bottom of the 11th scoring Mitch Wilbur gave Canada a 2-1 win. But after taking game two by a 5-3 count, the Azucareros ensured the series would not return to the Great White North by sweeping three straight in Santo Domingo. Raul Tejada was masterful in the deciding contest, holding the Canadians to two hits and striking out 13 in a 5-1 win. Game one of the WCS is set for October 17 in Yankee Stadium.

In BL1, both Chile and Mali needed to advance to the One Championship Series to have any hope of being promoted to the WL for 2002. The Eagles of Mali made it, crushing the Russians in five games, but Chile didn't, falling to the Crusaders of Georgia. Georgia, Russia and Colombia are now guaranteed promotion, and Slovakia will become the fourth -- unless the Mali Eagles can pull off the upset in the BB1 championship!

In Baseball League Two, Kenya top this? The Harambee Stars already punched their ticket to BL1 with 112 regular-season victories, but they want a Two Championship Series title, too, evidenced by beating back Slovenia in six games. Mutara Koigi was the star in game six, with a HR and 3 RBI in a rain-drenched, 5-3 win in Nairobi. Costa Rica will be the Stars' opposition in the 2CS after blasting Malaysia in five games; both teams are guaranteed spots in BB1 in '02, along with Slovenia and Kazahstan.

[RMc]

CRUSADERS SWEEP EAGLES IN BL1 FINAL
Georgia to join World League in 2002

TBILSI, Georgia -- Demna Rustavelli hit two home runs as Georgia won the Baseball League One Championship Series, 4-3, over the Mali Eagles. Georgia will join the World League next year, along with Russia, Colombia and Slovakia. Mali will return to BL1.

"They just overwhelmed us," said Eagles manager Lopahin Ajanov. Mali scored just five runs in the four games and led only once: after scoring a run in the top of the first of the series opener. "Our guys just ran into a buzzsaw," Ajanov said, referring to the Crusaders pitching staff, who shut out the Africans in games two and three, allowing just seven hits in the two contests combined.

"We're ready to take on the world!" shouted exuberant Georgia skipper Vladislav Hanyak. "Bring on the USA!"


COSTA RICA TAKES TWO LEAGUE CROWN

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica -- La Seleccion clinched the Two Championship Series today with a 5-1 win over the Harambee Stars of Kenya. Costa Rica won the 2CS, four games to one. Both teams will advance to Baseball League One in 2002, as will Slovenia and Kazakhstan. Jose Ramos, who made up for a .239 regular-season average with a .429 mark in the playoffs, keyed a three-run rally in the sixth with a two-run double.

[CRTsports.com]

Good luck and I will be rooting for the team from Mexico!!!

[RMc]

2001 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
USA Revolution vs. Dominican Republic Azucareros

GAME 1 at Yankee Stadium, New York

The Americans scratched out a run in the first off 22-game winner Jesus Hurtado when Patrick Higgins reached on an error, went to second on a bunt, then scored Steve Hailey's single. The Azucareros (or "Zooks," as their fans call them) loaded the bases with no one out in the fifth; after Pedro Bustamante tied the game with a sac fly, US pitcher Andy Chavez induced a double play to get out of the jam. In the last of the fifth, Hailey blasted the first pitch he saw 412 feet to give the USA a 2-1 lead. In the sixth, Hurtado made another blunder, trying to sneak a breaking pitch past MVP candidate William Harmon. Harmon hit his third HR of the playoffs (to go with his 45 regular-season round-trippers) to give the US a 3-1 lead. That was all Andy Chavez would need, holding the Zooks to four hits over eight innings before giving way to Donald Blackwell in the ninth.

USA leads series, 1-0.


GAME 2 at Yankee Stadium, New York

The second game of the WCS was a back-and-forth affair with numerous missed opportunities on both sides: the Dominicans left nine runners on base while the USA stranded ten. The Zooks grabbed a 3-1 lead in the third on back-to-back-to-back doubles by Jose Romo, Pepe Soto and David Perez. But USA starter Wes Dawson settled down and the Revs offense went to work: single runs in the third and fourth tied the game, and Keith Coates' two-run single in the sixth broke the deadlock. Lawrence Moore's double scoring William Harmon in the seventh put the icing on the cake for the USA. The Zooks put two runners on in the ninth off relief ace Donald Blackwell but couldn't score, putting the Revolution three wins away from a world title.

USA leads series, 2-0.


GAME 3 at Yankee Stadium, New York

Revolution starter Rob Starks was looking at history after five innings against the Azucareros. Then it all came apart. Starks sent the first 15 Zooks down in a row, while his teammates gave him a 1-0 lead on William Harmon's run-scoring double in the second. Then...bam! Julio Gracia slammed a 408-foot HR to right, costing Starks a perfect game, no-hitter, shutout and the lead, all at once. Two batters later, Eduardo Rico put the Dominicans on top, and David Perez made it 3-1 on a sac fly. Two more runs chased Starks in the sixth, and the USA offense was helpless against Jose Rosario, who handcuffed the Revs on two hits, retiring the last 19 USA batters in a row. The WCS now heads to Santo Domingo.

USA leads series, 2-1.

[RMc]

Good luck and I will be rooting for the team from Mexico!!!

The Diablos Rojos were actually in danger of relegation for a while there, losing 15 of 18 in July. But they survived, largely due to their pitching staff, fourth-best in the WL. The real shocker was the Koreans (newly-crowned Olympic champs in our world) who will drop to BL1. And, hey, how about Lithuania!

[RMc]

GAME 4 at Estadio Quisqueya, Santo Domingo

The next four games of the World Championship Series are scheduled for tiny but loud Estadio Quisqueya. For the Americans, that's about four games too long. The Azucareros took a 2-0 lead on an RBI single by Manny De La Cruz and a solo HR by Pepe Soto. Corey Dickerson cut the lead to 2-1 on a run-scoring single in the fourth, but the Zooks got the run right back in the bottom of the frame. For the US, it was like death by a thousand paper cuts: the Dominicans scored single runs in the first, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and eighth innings, while starter Raul Tejada and two relievers held the Revolution to six hits. Tejada did walk seven batters, and the USA had the bases loaded in the fourth and seventh, but just couldn't deliver the big hit. The WCS is now tied, two games apiece.

[RMc]

...aaaand that's when my computer crashed. I was afraid that it would wipe out that last game, and I'd have to play it over again.

Nope. It wiped out the whole season.

Never mind.

"Are you sure you want to quit the program?" it asks.

Oh, yes. I'm sure I want to quit the program, erase OOTP from my hard-drive, and never speak of it ever again. That's how sure I am!

[Loeffle]

Hail Lithuania

Home of the worlds prettiest women )