The Pastime Baseball League

[EMSoccerCoach]

Ryan Ludwick was the Southern League Championship Series MVP, batting .466 with 7 runs scored and 5 RBI as he hit safely in all six games. In the regular season, Ludwick hit .240 with 16 homers and 68 RBI.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League
PLAYOFF PREVIEW

3rd ANNUAL PBL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Orlando Orcas (89-73) vs Wichita Brigade (91-71)


ORLANDO LEADERS

Team Leaders AVG S. Crawford .337 P. Browning .303 H. Wagner .268 B. Freeman .251 P. Chacon .243	Team Leaders HR S. Crawford 27 B. Freeman 21 R. Ludwick 16 P. Browning 15 W. Cruise 12	Team Leaders RBI S. Crawford 128 P. Browning 88 B. Freeman 84 R. Ludwick 68 H. Wagner 58
Team Leaders W B. Hoffer 19 L. Cheney 14 T. Keefe 14 R. Munger 13 A. Javery 12	Team Leaders ERA B. Hoffer 3.46 T. Keefe 3.94 L. Cheney 4.34 A. Javery 4.65 R. Munger 4.67 WICHITA LEADERS Team Leaders AVG B. Kerr .332 F. Chance .301 M. Moynahan .298 G. Davis .271 F. Isbell .262 Team Leaders HR J. Gibbons 18 F. Chance 14 F. Isbell 12 G. Davis 10 2 tied with 8 Team Leaders RBI F. Chance 101 M. Moynahan 86 B. Kerr 82 G. Davis 75 2 tied with 66 Team Leaders W A. Orth 19 R. Waddell 18 J. Whitney 14 J. Gaines 10 J. Schmitz 10 Team Leaders ERA A. Orth 3.51 R. Waddell 3.98 J. Whitney 4.71 Team Leaders K R. Waddell 275 J. Whitney 143 J. Schmitz 121 J. Gaines 116 A. Orth 101	Team Leaders K B. Hoffer 167 T. Keefe 154 R. Munger 128 L. Cheney 124 A. Javery 113

Wichita steamrolled New York, winning four straight; Orlando, who most expected to get steamrolled, knocked off the Los Angeles Idols in six games. Anything is possible.

Orlando didn't pitch great, but showed great resiliency. They trailed each game that they won, coming back against tired Idols starters left in too long because there was no faith in the bullpen.

That won't happen here. Wichita's pitching is strong and they have an offense not so tied to the long ball as L.A. Prediction here is Wichita in 5.

[PhillieFever]

Here we go! A Television Executive's dream matchup: Orlando vs. Wichita? Are you sure this isn't a Hockey League LOL.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Originally Posted by PhillieFever

Here we go! A Television Executive's dream matchup: Orlando vs. Wichita? Are you sure this isn't a Hockey League LOL.

The series is airing on ESPN46. You can get good reception from the right mountaintop!

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League
PLAYOFF REVIEW

3rd ANNUAL PBL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Orlando Orcas (89-73) vs Wichita Brigade (91-71)

Game One: We kick off the third PBL Championship Series with the shocking Orlando Orcas starting ace Bill Hoffer (19-11, 3.46) against Wichita's Al Orth (19-9, 3.51).

The Orcas get two on in the first against Orth, who survives when Buck Freeman bounces into an inning-ending double play. Wichita suffers the same fate, though, loading the bases before Buddy Kerr bounces into a double play to end it, too.

The Orcas get first and third with one out in the second, threatening again. Claude Ritchey flies to left, and Benny Kauff tags to score. But Jimmy Sheckard makes a perfect one hop throw home to cut him down to end the threat and the inning.

Both pitchers settle in smoothly from there until Orlando bats in the top of the fourth. Ryan Ludwick hits a two-out double abd Kauff ropes a single to left, hard enough to Ludwick has to hold at third. Buck Ewing then lines a 2-1 fastball into center to score Ludwick and Ewing, who had stolen second on the previous pitch, giving Orlando a 2-0 lead.

Wichita, as is their trademark, came back in the bottom of the inning, as Frank Isbell hit a two out, two-run homer to tie it.

Nobody threatened until the top of the 8th, when Pete Browning led off with a single. Sam Crawford bounced into a force, leaving him on first. The Orcas gambled by running Spud Johnson for Crawford, removing their best bat from the game. It looked to pay quickly, as Johnson stole second, leading Orth to intentionally walk Freeman. Ludwick then hammered a double into left-center, scoring Johnson as Freeman took a wide turn but held at third, Orlando now leading 3-2. That was just the beginning, as Ewing - already with two RBIs - walloped a three-run homer to make it 6-2, giving him five RBIs and stunning the Wichita crowd into silence.

Wichita would get its chance in the ninth, Orth still on the mound for the Orcas. David Dejesus hit a one-out double and Hub Collins followed with an RBI single to make it 6-3. Sheckard would then single to make it first and second to bring the tying run to the plate. Mike Moynahan lined back to the mound for the second out. One out away from a complete game, Orth was pulled and closed Takashi Saito entered to face Frank Chance.

The count went 2-2 before Saito ripped off a perfect slider to freeze Chance looking at strike three to end it, giving the Orcas a much-needed first game victory.

Orlando leads series 1-0.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League
PLAYOFF REVIEW

3rd ANNUAL PBL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Orlando Orcas (89-73) vs Wichita Brigade (91-71)

Game Two: Orlando skipper Eddie Dyer sends Al Javery (12-12, 4.65) to the hill against Wichita's Johnny Schmitz (10-2, 2.09).

Wichita strikes first this time, as Jimmy Sheckard knocks a leadoff double, moves to third on a wild pitch and scores on Frank Chance's lined single to right center.

The Orcas' Walton Cruise put Orlando up in the top of the fourth, though, slugging a two-run homer off Schmitz - who allowed only three in 151 innings this season - to put the Orcas up 2-1. Despite being a lefty, each home run Schmitz gave up - including this one to Cruise - was to a lefty.

Jay Gibbons evened the score in the bottom of the fourth with one-out solo homer to left center to tie the game at 2.

In Game One, it took until the 8th to break the 2-2 tie. This time, it would be the seventh, in a chaotic half inning.

Buck Ewing popped out to catcher to lead off, but Ezra Sutton walked on four pitches. Pelayo Chacon bounced to third and was thrown out at first, as Sutton moved to second. Schmitz then struck out Honus Wagner, which should have ended the inning. But catcher Frank Chance couldn't handle the pitch, and Wagner raced down the line to be safe at first, Sutton moving to third.

With the count 1-2 to Pete Browning, Dyer elected to send Wagner. The pitch was a ball, and Chance's throw sailed into center, allowing Sutton to score and Wagner to race to third, making it 3-2 Orlando.

Chance - the SLCS MVP - sat dejectedly in the dugout as his teammates assured him they would pick him up.

Browning then laced one into the gap in right-center, scoring Wagner as Browning slid into third safely with a triple, giving the Orcas a 4-2 lead. Crawford then bounced one through the hole on the right side for a single and a 5-2 lead.

Buck Freeman added an RBI single in the 8th to make it 6-2 before Wichita got its crack in the 8th. Sheckard singled to lead off and Javery tried to pick him off, but threw it down the line. Chance, visibly bothered by his rough day, lined a vicious single to center to drive in Sheckard and cut the deficit to 6-3. Buddy Kerr would then hit a 2-out double to score Chance and make it 6-4.

Jay Hughes would shut Orlando down in the top of the 9th, meaning Orlando closer Takashi Saito would again come in for a save attempt. George Davis led off with a single, bringing the tying run to the plate - three times. And each time, Saito set them aside, punctuated by a strikeout of Sheckard for the last out, giving Orlando a position nobody expected...

Orlando leads series 2-0.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League
PLAYOFF REVIEW

3rd ANNUAL PBL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Wichita Brigade (91-71) vs Orlando Orcas (89-73)

Game Three: Wichita finds itself in a desperate situation, down 2-0, and heading to Orlando needing to take 2 of 3 to salvage their season. Rube Waddell (18-9, 3.98) goes for the Brigade against Tim Keefe (14-15, 3.94).

Wichita strikes first, as Keefe walks Jimmy Sheckard and Mike Moynahan to open the game. Two batters later, a Jay Gibbons single makes it a 1-0 affair.

Orlando answers right back off Waddell, though, with three straight singles from Honus Wagner, Pete Browning and Sam Crawford. But as Wagner scored, Browning got hung up between second and third, minimzing the threat of a rally.

Wichita scored on two walks in the first, and in the third two walks and a hit batsman generated a run on no hits, as Moynahan scored on a Buddy Kerr double play ball to put Wichita back up 2-1.

Orlando answered again, as Buck Freeman slammed a two-run homer to put the Orcas up 3-2.

Wichita got a pair of singles from George Davis and David Dejesus to open the fourth, but Julio Lugo hit into a double play, moving Davis to third. Sheckard, though, saved the inning from being a loss despite the halt of any rally, as a single brought Davis in to knot things at three.

Yet again, Orlando answered, as Wagner stroked an RBI double in the bottom of the fourth to score Pelayo Chacon and put the Orcas up 4-3, Orlando's immediate comebacks bringing to mind a trait Wichita's team has always seemed to have, particularly the championship team in the PBL's inaugural season.

Wichita loaded the bases with no outs in the fifth on two singles and walk. Kerr again grounded into a double play, getting in a run but again thwarting a potential big inning, and Wichita had to settle for a 4-4 tie.

Missed opportunities and poor execution have burned Wichita all series, and Waddell walking home a run in the sixth was just another example of that, as the Orcas took a 5-4 lead. But thankfully for them, Sheckard would come through again, leading off the seventh with a game-tying solo homer to make it 5-5.

In the seventh, Waddell walked Walton Cruise to open the inning and a Buck Ewing sacrifice moved him to second. Cruise would tag on a sac fly, bringing up Benny Kauff with two outs and the lead run on third. That was the end of Waddell's day, as he gave way to Jay Hughes.

Kauff bounced the first pitch from Hughes to first, where Frank Isbell let it go through the wickets into right, bringing Cruise home and giving Orlando a 6-5 lead on yet another Wichita mistake.

This time, though, Wichita couldn't answer back. Keefe worked through the eighth, and closer Takashi Saito came on to pick up his third consecutive save and put Orlando one win away from the championship.

Orlando leads series 3-0.

[PhillieFever]

I have to say,I'm a little shocked.I really thought that Wichita would put more of a fight.I know it's not over yet,but the fat lady is at the mic.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Originally Posted by PhillieFever

I have to say,I'm a little shocked.I really thought that Wichita would put more of a fight.I know it's not over yet,but the fat lady is at the mic.

It's almost like watching the Twins and Angels against the Yanks in the playoffs this year. They're just making mistake after mistake.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League
PLAYOFF REVIEW

3rd ANNUAL PBL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Wichita Brigade (91-71) vs Orlando Orcas (89-73)

Game Four: Desperation reaches a high point for Wichita, as the Brigade need to win four straight. The Brigade start Al Orth on three days rest, while the Orcas won't temp fates here, sending Bill Hoffer out to close out the series.

Both pitchers cruise through three before the wheels fall off for Hoffer in the fourth. Wichita bangs out five straight hits to open the inning: Mike Moynahan singled, Frank Chance tripled him home, Jay Gibbons singled in Chance, and Buddy Kerr and Frank Isbell singled to load the bases. But Hoffer struck out George Davis, got David Dejesus to tap back to the mound for a force at home, and got Julio Lugo to fly lazily to center. The 2-0 lead was nice, but skipper Whitey Herzog would have loved more.

That was even more true when Orlando answered, as they have all series, with two themselves in the bottom of the inning. Sam Crawford and Buck Freeman singled before Ryan Ludwick doubled both home with a liner into the rightfield corner, tying the game at 2.

That's how it stayed until the seventh, when Orlando struck again. Benny Kauff led off with a double. Buck Ewing bounced one through the right side, scoring Kauff. Gibbons made an ill-advised and errant throw home, which allowed Ewing to go to second. Two batters later, Honus Wagner singled to score Ewing and make it a 4-2 game.

Wichita answered back in the top of the 8th, as Gibbons reached on an error to open things up. Kerr then singled, but Isbell popped up the sacrifice attempt and Hoffer corralled it for a huge first out. Davis then grounded to first, moving the runners up but costing an out in the process. Hoffer unloaded a wild pitch that scored Gibbons, moving Kerr to third and making it a 4-3 game. But Dejesus flew out to left to retire the side and leave Wichita with three outs left in their season if they couldn't respond.

That got more daunting as Orlando bounced back with a pair in the bottom of the eighth, getting an RBI single from Freeman off Orth, and an RBI groundout from Ewing off reliever Jim Whitney. What was a one-run game became a three-run game with three outs separating Orlando from a title.

Takashi Saito came on as he had in the first three games. Pinch-hitter Chick Stahl flew out to right. Jimmy Sheckard grounded weakly to second. Moynahn then topped one 10 feet in front of the plate, which Ewing scooped and thew to first to retire the side, end the game and give Orlando an improbable - put it mildly - sweep of Wichita for the PBL Championship!

Orlando sweeps series 4-0.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League
PLAYOFF REVIEW

Orcas Closer Saito Named PBL Championship Series MVP

ORLANDO -- Orlando Orcas closer Takashi Saito was named PBL Championship Series MVP, having saved all four games in Orlando's four-game sweep of the Wichita Brigade.

Saito struck out Frank Chance as the tying run to end Game One, then threw scoreless innings in each of the following three games.

The 38-year-old closer saved 25 games in the regular season.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League

PBL 2011 Award Winners Announced

Northern League Outstanding Hitter

Roger Connor (1B, New York Heroes) 87.5% of vote

G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	SB
162	617	207	47	4	25	117	110	61	.335	.439	.546	1

Northern League Outstanding Pitcher

Frank Killen (New York Heroes) 75% of vote

G	GS	Rec	SV	ERA	IP	HA	HR	BB	K	WHIP
37	31	22-6	0	3.04	245.2	236	17	65	122	1.23

Southern League Outstanding Hitter

Mike Donlin (CF, Los Angeles Idols) 75% of vote

G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	SB
157	653	234	36	8	32	121	73	62	.358	.421	.585	25

Southern League Outstanding Pitcher

Ted Trent (San Antonio Sheriffs) 45.45% of vote

G	GS	Rec	SV	ERA	IP	HA	HR	BB	K	WHIP
34	34	16-8	0	2.91	247.1	231	9	79	204	1.25

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League

Northern League Golden Glove Winners

P - Al Orth (Wichita, 1st)
C - Dick Higham (New York, 3rd)
1B - Nick Johnson (Indianapolis, 1st)
2B - Fred Dunlap (Charlotte, 1st)
3B - George Davis (Wichita, 2nd)
SS - Buddy Kerr (Wichita, 1st)
LF - Irish Meusel (New York, 1st)
CF - Stan Musial (Indianapolis, 1st)
RF - Billy Southworth (Louisville, 2nd)

Southern League Golden Glove Winners

P - Frank Dwyer (Memphis, 1st)
C - Hank Gowdy (Arizona, 1st)
1B - Buck O'Neil (San Antonio, 3rd)
2B - Pelayo Chacon (Orlando, 1st)
3B - Billy Nash (Arizona, 1st)
SS - Rafael Furcal (San Antonio, 2nd)
LF - Harry Stovey (Los Angeles, 2nd)
CF - Oscar Charleston (Memphis, 2nd)
RF - Ryan Ludwick (Orlando, 1st)

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League

PBL UNVEILS NEW LOGOS FOR 2012 SEASON

NEW YORK -- Pastime Baseball League officials unveiled separate logos for the Northern and Southern leagues, in what PBL president Matt Hendricks called a subtle but needed move to brand the respective leagues.

"We stuck with the old-school, grass and dirt color scheme, but wanted to expand the identities of the respective leagues a bit more as the PBL has been established," Hendricks said in a brief statement.

The logos will be used in published league reports as well as on merchandising for teams in the respective leagues.

Thanks to davms for creating the main logo and these two as well!

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League

Change at the Top
Managerial changes likely in New York, Louisville

NEW YORK -- After the Pastime Baseball League's best pennant race in its three-season history, the managers of the two teams involved both seem to be out.

The New York Heroes let the clock run out on skipper Pat Moran's contract without renewing it, while the Louisville Racers did the same with manager Ned Hanlon.

Both moves are surprising, but particularly that of Moran, who led the Heroes to three division titles and one Northern League pennant. They have won 95+ games each season. But reportedly the sides are far apart on contract talks, and Moran was essentially given the freedom to see what the market will bear.

"We continue to have an open dialogue with Pat and have by no means ruled out bringing him back to the New York dugout for 2012," general manager Ken Snyder said yesterday.

Some feel Hanlon is being scapegoated for Louisville's inability to hold on during the September race. Louisville has now finished second to New York all three seasons, but this year played 6 games above pythagorean record, generally regarded as a sign the skipper has done something right.

General manager Javier Tapian said Hanlon will meet with team executives next week to see if something can be worked out.

Things could get interesting, though. Philadelphia skipper John Ward announced his retirement, forcing a vacancy there.

And it's housecleaning time in Chicago, where general manager Eric Kasper and manager Bill McKechnie were cut loose yesterday, as the Hitmen try to right the ship. The next GM and manager will be the third and fourth, respectively, as the PBL enters its fourth season.

That's four jobs up in the air with plenty of candidates up to fill the void (including Ron Gardenhire, Charlie Manuel and Dick Williams).

Who lands where figures to have a great impact on the 2012 season, and beyond.

[kenyan_cheena]

Those logos are fantastic.

[kenyan_cheena]

I've been contemplating a new dynasty for a while now but can't decide whether to start it in the past or modern times. I DL'd the free version of OOTP8 and will probably use it but haven't got around to exploring it much yet.

I'm also undecided on the format I'll use for the dynasty. I don't want to go too detailed 'cause that will probably put off most of the readers here. The trick is to find a balance of telling a good story but also not making it too overwhelming for the reader.

In the meantime I've thoroughly enjoyed the PBL. Great work, EM.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Originally Posted by kenyan_cheena

I've been contemplating a new dynasty for a while now but can't decide whether to start it in the past or modern times. I DL'd the free version of OOTP8 and will probably use it but haven't got around to exploring it much yet.

I'm also undecided on the format I'll use for the dynasty. I don't want to go too detailed 'cause that will probably put off most of the readers here. The trick is to find a balance of telling a good story but also not making it too overwhelming for the reader.

In the meantime I've thoroughly enjoyed the PBL. Great work, EM.

Thanks, KC. Only advice is to pick something that really interests you. I love doing cross-era stuff, so that's the angle I took. Helps keep your own interest, which is necessary for anyone else's!

[PhillieFever]

Originally Posted by kenyan_cheena

I've been contemplating a new dynasty for a while now but can't decide whether to start it in the past or modern times. I DL'd the free version of OOTP8 and will probably use it but haven't got around to exploring it much yet.

I'm also undecided on the format I'll use for the dynasty. I don't want to go too detailed 'cause that will probably put off most of the readers here. The trick is to find a balance of telling a good story but also not making it too overwhelming for the reader.

In the meantime I've thoroughly enjoyed the PBL. Great work, EM.

Dude,I've been struggling with this for weeks now,and sadly my dynasty has suffered.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League





Hitmen Hire Moran

CHICAGO -- Apparently, Pat Moran feels he needs to prove himself.

In a move nobody saw coming, the Chicago Hitmen pounced on Moran to fill their managerial opening. The last-place Hitmen coaxed Moran - who led New York to three 95-plus win seasons, each with a division title - with a five-year deal.

The hiring came from ownership, as Chicago had terminated general manager Eric Kasper along with manager Bill McKechnie last week. The GM vacancy has yet to be filled.

"I was approached with a generous offer that made me feel wanted, and a commitment to winning moving ahead, with an incredibly talented core," Moran said. "I am thankful to the fans in New York and the great players I coached there. I hope to meet them in the NLCS in 2012."

That would require an improbable turnaround for a team that went 65-97 this season.

New York General Manager Ken Snyder issued a statement thanking Moran for "three years of outstanding service to our organization," but noted in the same statement that "the Heroes are ready to move ahead and keep up our winning ways in quest of our first PBL Championship."