The Pastime Baseball League

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League



Stingers Choose Soto #1

SACRAMENTO -- They lost 101 games, have yet to have a winning season and have seen their team ERA increase each season. So the Sacramento Stingers decided to go with pitching, choosing righthander Mario Soto with the first overall pick in this year's amateur draft.

General Manager Shawn Sanderson knows his job is on the line, as the Stingers need to present something more than they've shown so far to keep fans coming to the park.

They believe Soto can do that.

"Mario throws hard with a great changeup," Sanderson said of the 21-year-old righty. "He also brings a fiery attitude that I think this team really needs."

"I'm glad to join the Sacramento organization," the Dominican said in an interview. "There's lots of work to do, but I look forward to helping bring Sacramento a title."

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League

Draft Recap
A look at the five-round PBL draft team-by-team

Sacramento Stingers
Mario Soto, Paul Molitor, Dave Stewart, Joel Youngblood, Jeff Leonard

Las Vegas Bosses
Lonnie Smith, Willie Wilson, Terry Puhl, Mark Fidrych, Ken Landreaux

Chicago Hitmen
Len Barker, Joe Sambito, Joey McLaughlin, Garry Templeton, U.L. Washington

Alabama Airmen
Jim Beattie, Bob Welch, Floyd Bannister, Mike Morgan, Ernie Whitt

Memphis Strummers
Dale Murphy, Alan Trammell, Rance Mulliniks, Joaquin Andujar, Willie Upshaw

Charlotte Cougars
Bob Knepper, Rick Sutcliffe, Jim Clancy, Moose Haas, Billy Sample

Philadelphia Ringers
Andre Dawson, Mitchell Page, Ron Hassey, Jason Thompson, Steve Trout

Arizona Sandmen
Dennis Martinez, Britt Burns, Pat Zachry, Ruppert Jones, Tony Armas

more to come...

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League

Draft Recap (cont.)
A look at the five-round PBL draft team-by-team

San Antonio Sheriffs

Mike Krukow, David Palmer, Rich Gale, Steve Kemp, Dave Rozema

New Orleans Knights
Bruce Sutter, Bob Horner, Barry Bonnell, Dwayne Murphy, Mike LaCoss

Indianapolis Engines
Pedro Guerrero, Ron Davis, Lee Mazzili, Gary Roenicke, Dennis Lamp


Orlando Orcas
Al Holland, Bob Stanley, Bob Shirley, Steve Henderson, Pete Redfern

Los Angeles Idols
Eddie Murray, Jack Morris, Lance Parrish, Willie Aikens, Tom Hume


Wichita Brigade
Willie Hernandez, Don Aase, Carney Lansford, Scott McGregor, Bo Diaz

Louisville Racers
Ed Whitson, Gene Richards, Ozzie Smith, Lou Whitaker, Wayne Gross

New York Heroes
Scott Sanderson, Danny Darwin, Terry Kennedy, Larry Sorenson, Broderick Perkins

[PhillieFever]

And the rich get richer.Wichita,LA,and Louisville all had great drafts,with Memphis and Sac-Town coming in behind them.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Originally Posted by PhillieFever

And the rich get richer.Wichita,LA,and Louisville all had great drafts,with Memphis and Sac-Town coming in behind them.

Sacramento needs this draft badly. Love the Los Angeles and Memphis drafts. The duo of Sutter and Horner for New Orleans is a good top two. Very interested to see how Fidrych's career plays out here.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League

Offseason Rundown

Trades
Charlotte Cougars trade 1B Harry Davis to LasVegas Bosses for P Andy Sonnanstine

New York Heroes trade SS Hughie Jennings to Sacramento Stingers for P Jesse Duryea

Wichita Brigade trade 1B Frank Isbell to Chicago Hitmen for SP Rube Foster

Arizona Sandmen trade 2B Nap Lajoie to Orlando Orcas for SP Larry Cheney

Wichita Brigade trade RF Chick Stahl to San Antonio Sheriffs for 3B Mike Lamb


Indianapolis Racers trade C Charlie Bennett to Memphis Strummers for P Hank Wyse.



Managerial Moves

Pat Moran doesn't resign with New York, taking managerial job with Chicago Hitmen, who fired Bill McKechnie.

Ned Hanlon doesn't resign with Louisville, taking managerial job with Philadelphia Ringers, who had to replace skipper John Ward when he retired.

Louisville hired Jimy Williams to take over as manager.

Bill McKechnie takes managerial job in New York.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League

SPRING TRAINING 2012



Eastern Division

Charlotte Cougars 13-11
Louisville Racers 13-11
Philadelphia Ringers 12-12
New York Heroes 9-15

Western Division

Wichita Brigade 14-10
Chicago Hitmen 13-11
Sacramento Stingers 12-12
Indianapolis Engines 10-14




Eastern Division

Orlando Orcas 14-10
Memphis Strummers 13-11
New Orleans Knights 13-11
Alabama Airmen 12-12

Western Division

Arizona Sandmen 16-8
Los Angeles Idols 13-11
Las Vegas Bosses 8-16
San Antonio Sheriffs 7-17

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League

April Review
Standings as of May 1, 2012

East	W	L	PCT	GB
New York Heroes	15	12	.556	-
Philadelphia Ringers	14	13	.519	1.0
Charlotte Cougars	12	14	.462	2.5
Louisville Racers	9	16	.360	5.0
West	W	L	PCT	GB
Indianapolis Engines	16	10	.615	-
Chicago Hitmen	15	10	.600	.5
Sacramento Stingers	11	14	.440	4.5
Wichita Brigade	12	15	.444	4.5

East	W	L	PCT	GB
New Orleans Knights	17	10	.630	-
Orlando Orcas	13	14	.481	4.0
Alabama Airmen	12	14	.462	4.5
Memphis Strummers	11	14	.440	5.0
West	W	L	PCT	GB
Los Angeles Idols	15	10	.600	-
Las Vegas Bosses	13	13	.500	2.5
Arizona Sandmen	12	13	.480	3.0
San Antonio Sheriffs	11	16	.407	5.0

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League

April Review (cont.)
Leaders as of May 1, 2012

Batting AVG
B. Roberts	LOU	.425
E. Waitkus	CHI	.423
M. Holliday	CHA	.398
W. Pipp	IND	.379
J. Beckley	IND	.375

Home Runs
J. Gibbons	WIC	11
J. O'Rourke	PHI	9
J. Beckwith	CHA	7
E. Flick	IND	6
C. Jones	PHI	6

Runs Batted In
J. Gibbons	WIC	30
J. Beckwith	CHA	23
J. Anderson	PHI	22
R. Connor	NY	22
W. Pipp	IND	22

Runs
F. Jones	NY	20
J. Sheckard	WIC	20
J. Anderson	PHI	19
J. Beckley	IND	19
J. Gibbons	WIC	19

Stolen Bases
H. Ramirez	IND	12
J. Anderson	PHI	7
T. Brown	CHA	6
J. Beckley	IND	4
J. McGraw	CHA	4

ERA
H. Pollet	CHI	1.33
F. Killen	NY	2.43
B. Byrd	NY	2.76
J. Francis	PHI	2.90
R. Waddell	WIC	2.98

Wins
H. Pollet	CHI	5
J. Santana	CHI	5
R. Waddell	WIC	5
P. Galvin	IND	4
F. Killen	NY	4

Strikeouts
R. Waddell	WIC	57
C. Marmol	SAC	35
B. Byrd	NY	34
J. Schmitz	WIC	32
B. Donovan	PHI	29

Innings Pitched
R. Oswalt	LOU	51.1
R. Waddell	WIC	51.1
B. Byrd	NY	45.2
J. Schmitz	WIC	43.0
J. McCormick	NY	42.2

Saves
J. Papelbon	NY	8
C. Cordero	WIC	6
B. Jenks	CHI	6
J. Soria	IND	6
G. Mogridge	SAC	5

Batting AVG
S. Crawford	ORL	.409
M. Donlin	LA	.363
O. Charleston	MEM	.361
C. Tracy	NO	.343
F. Carroll	NO	.333

Home Runs
L. Pike	LV	7
S. Thompson	NO	7
H. Davis	LV	6
M. Tiernan	ALA	6
C. Anson	MEM	5

Runs Batted In
S. Crawford	ORL	24
M. Donlin	LA	23
S. Thompson	NO	22
H. Davis	LV	20
O. Charleston	MEM	19

Runs
S. Strang	LA	29
M. Tiernan	ALA	22
J. Rollins	ALA	20
V. Stephens	LA	20
S. Thompson	NO	20

Stolen Bases
S. Podsednik	SA	10
R. Furcal	SA	8
J. Rollins	ALA	8
M. Tiernan	ALA	8
C. Figgins	LV	6

ERA
T. Trent	SA	1.96
A. Javery	ORL	2.02
D. Haren	ALA	2.06
B. Hoffer	ORL	2.08
A. Harang	ORL	2.16

Wins
R. Harden	NO	4
B. Hoffer	ORL	4
J. Meekin	LV	4
M. Prior	NO	4
D. Willis	NO	4

Strikeouts
M. Prior	NO	45
D. Haren	ALA	42
T. Bond	LV	41
J. Clarkson	LA	37
A. Sanchez	ARI	36

Innings Pitched
B. Hoffer	ORL	52.0
T. Bond	LV	50.2
M. Prior	NO	49.2
J. Clarkson	LA	48.0
D. Willis	NO	47.1

Saves
S. Jones	SA	7
J. Valverde	ARI	7
J. Tannehill	MEM	5
J. Chesbro	NO	4
C. Qualls	LA	4

[PWillisTheMan]

War Idols! Philadelphia had a nice draft, but I have to roll with Eddie for the next 15 or 20 years.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Originally Posted by PWillisTheMan

War Idols! Philadelphia had a nice draft, but I have to roll with Eddie for the next 15 or 20 years.

Interesting spot for Eddie...Los Angeles drafted him, but they already have Fred Tenney - who went .316-30-135 last year - at first base. All the guys from the inaugural draft, such as Tenney, are arbitration eligible at the end of this year...L.A. is the PBL's largest market. Will be interesting to see if they pay Tenney or decide that's where they can shed salary if necessary and hand the job to Murray.

[PWillisTheMan]

Lame, and they drafted Aiken too. Is Eddie getting any time at DH?

[EMSoccerCoach]

Originally Posted by PWillisTheMan

Lame, and they drafted Aiken too. Is Eddie getting any time at DH?

Right now, Eddie is on the reserve roster. We've had this discussion...the game's drafting abilities are lacking. I wonder if playing without a minor league and just having reserve rosters affects that. They don't have to draft to fill positions on the minor league levels, so they just draft the best player available regardless of position.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League

April Review (cont.)

It's a new beginning in the Pastime Baseball League, but some things remain the same. And despite a change of manager, the New York Heroes still find themselves on top of the Northern League's East Division.

The Heroes sport four .300 hitters as of May 1, including a resurgent David Wright (.324-3-16), who vowed last year's hideous performance would not be repeated. Though Jim McCormick (1-4, 5.06) is off to a tough start, the tandem of Frank Killen (4-1, 2.43) and Bill Byrd (3-2, 2.76) remains strong. Closer Jonathan Papelbon has recovered from the injury that ended his season last year to go unscored upon in his first 10 outings this season, with 8 saves.

Only a game back are the Philadelphia Ringers, in what figures to be a heated rivalry after Philadelphia's role in the end of last season. The feud may go deeper with Louisville than New York - since New York made the playoffs - but nonetheless there's no love lost there. Way too early for that talk, though. For now, Philadelphia will be pleased to have made it through a road-heavy first month (18 away, 9 home) above .500. Also positive is the contribution of rookie Andre Dawson (.299-2-11), who was given the centerfield job as John O'Rourke (.227-9-19) was moved to DH. Add the work of fellow rookie Steve Trout (0-1, 2 SV, 2.61) and Philadelphia feels good. One downer? Satchel Paige (3-1, 5.24) leads the team in wins but hasn't been sharp.

The Charlotte Cougars are trying to stay positive, but it's a tough go. They traded 1B Harry Davis (.247-23-78) to Las Vegas for Andy Sonnanstine (14-12, 4.13) in the hopes of improving their pitching staff. But 1B replacement Pedro Feliz (.170-0-4) isn't getting it done, and Sonnanstine was knocked around in the spring before being diagnosed with a partially torn labrum, and is expected to be out until sometime in June. Consider that Ben Sheets threw a complete game 1-hitter against New York in his first start of the year, and has since lost four in a row with an ERA over 7. For now, Matt Holliday (.398-3-17) and John Beckwith (.295-7-23) are the lone bright spots. And yet, they are only 2 1/2 out...for now.

Roy Oswalt (4-1, 3.51) has four wins...the Louisville Racers have nine total. That sums it up, pretty much. While New York had adapted well to their managerial change, Louisville has stumbled out of the gate under new manager Jimy Williams. One guy not struggling is Brian Roberts (.425-3-17), who leads the Northern League in batting.

Out West, the story isn't who's in first, but who's in last. The Wichita Brigade have started 12-15, sporting a strong offense but the NL's worst pitching staff, which took a devastating blow when Al Orth went down in his first start of the year and has been knocked out for the season with a torn UCL that will require Tommy John Surgery. That followed the spring injury to Jake Westbrook that put him out for the year, and preceded by a week the shoulder strain to new acquisition Rube Foster that will shelve him until June. Rube Waddell (5-1, 2.98) leads the league in strikeouts and looks great, and Jay Gibbons (.366-11-30) has picked up where he left off last season.

For now, though, the leaders are the Indianapolis Engines, who despite subpar starting pitching lead the way behind a strong offense and the league's best bullpen (a 1.98 collective ERA). Wally Pipp (.379-3-22) has taken over at first base and done so brilliantly, moving reigning batting champ Jake Beckley (.375-3-14) to DH. Add Elmer Flick (.357-6-18) and the Engines are roaring out of the gates.

He's deflecting praise right now, but don't think former New York skipper Pat Moran doesn't feel great with the 15-10 start for his Chicago Hitmen. Cy Young hurt his shoulder in his third start and will miss four months. Adam Dunn tore a ligament in his ankle a week into the season and will be out until June. Joe Bush tore the labrum in his shoulder and will be out until at least August. No problem. Eddie Waitkus is hitting .423, Albert Pujols is hitting .323 and Johan Santana has five wins already. So does Howie Pollet, who is 5-0 with a 1.33 ERA.

Then there are the Sacramento Stingers, who had what was widely praised as a strong draft. Top overall pick Mario Soto has great promise...he made it two innings into his first PBL start before leaving with a torn UCL. He's tabled for Tommy John Surgery and out for the season. Second-round pick Paul Molitor hit .368 in spring training, had a three-hit, 4 RBI game in his fifth PBL game, then separated his shoulder the next day and is out another month. It may be time to consider that Sacramento is a cursed franchise, though that they managed a 12-15 month in the face of these two disappointments says something.

AWARDS

Player of the Week

4/9 CF Paul Hines - Charlotte Cougars
4/16 RF Jay Gibbons - Wichita Brigade
4/23 RF Elmer Flick - Indianapolis Engines
4/30 RF Jay Gibbons - Wichita Brigade

Hitter of the Month

RF Jay Gibbons - Wichita Brigade

Pitcher of the Month

Howie Pollet - Chicago Hitmen

Rookie of the Month

1B Wally Pipp - Indianapolis Engines

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League

April Review (cont.)

The New Orleans Knights started the season 17-10 and sit atop the Southern League's East division, buoyed by - well, everything. They've scored the most runs in the league and allowed the fewest, a good recipe by any measure. Four starters have ERAs below 3: Doc McJames (2.41), Josh Towers (2.45), Mark Prior (2.54) and Rich Harden (2.98). The only one above 3 is Dontrelle Willis, who is 4-1 despite a 4.75 ERA. Rookie Bruce Sutter has allowed 2 hits in his first 5 2/3 innings of work, and could take over the closer duties currently held by Jack Chesbro, despite Chesbro's own strong start, with four saves and a perfect ERA.

The defending champion Orlando Orcas have scored the third most runs, allowed the second fewest, and yet sit 13-14. The starters have posted a collective 2.74 ERA, tops in the league with Bill Hoffer, Aaron Harang and Al Javery a combined 10-3 with a 2.09 ERA. But the bullpen has a 5.45 ERA that has let Orlando down often in the early going, including closer and PBL Championship Series MVP Takashi Saito, who has an ERA over 9.

In Alabama, the Airmen are hitting only .242 and have dropped 7 of 10 after starting 9-7. CC Sabathia has posted an 0.55 ERA out of the bullpen and has been placed in the rotation, knocking out Barry Zito, whose 7.07 ERA can't be tolerated any more. Jimmy Rollins (.321) and Mike Tiernan (.307, 6 homers) are the only bats producing right now.

Other than the record, the world has returned to normal in Memphis, where the Strummers' Ty Wigginton (.228-3-13) has returned to earth after last year's 30-homer campaign; and Cap Anson has rediscovered his power stroke it appears. In 2009, Anson hit .338 with 26 homers. In 2010, he hit .282 with 5 homers, and last year .287 with 4 homers. But he's hitting .330 to start 2012, and already has five homers to top last season's total. A return to form by Anson would be a huge boost for a Memphis club hoping to return to pennant-chase baseball.

Out west, the defending division champ Los Angeles Idols are on top again, and once again it's the offense - led by last year's Outstanding Hitter Mike Donlin - leading the way, hitting .363 in the season's opening month. They've scored the second most runs while allowing the most.

The Las Vegas Bosses are throwing their rookies into the fire, carrying Terry Puhl, Willie Wilson, Lonnie Smith and Ken Landreaux on the big club right now. While the others are bench players for the moment, it's Puhl who has distinguished himself, hitting .322 while playing every day and earning Rookie of the Month honors. Lip Pike, whose injury plagued 2011 limited him to only 10 homers, has hit 7 in the season's first month. Oddly, he's been moved back to his natural position of first base, Alberto Callaspo is playing second - where Pike had been - and Ryan Howard finds himself on the bench, despite his status as 10th all-time in homers in PBL history (75).

The Arizona Sandmen can once again pitch but can't score, and that was worsened when Willie Wells went down with a badly sprained ankle. He's expected to miss a month, cutting the dynamic top duo of he and Jose Reyes (.318) in half. The bullpen has an ERA of 1.26 and has just been phenomenal, with Randy Choate, Jack Harper and Jose Valverde yet to allow a run.

Two-time Outstanding Pitcher Ted Trent is off to another great start, but his San Antonio Sheriffs can't say the same, stumbling out to an 11-16 start despite his 1.96 ERA. Making things worse is the loss of closer Hideki Okajima to an elbow injury that could end his season. The PBL's alltime leader in saves (88) hopes to return in September.

AWARDS

Player of the Week

4/9 LF Sam Crawford - Orlando Orcas
4/16 RF Mike Tiernan - Alabama Airmen
4/23 CF Oscar Charleston - Memphis Strummers
4/30 LF Pete Hill - Arizona Sandmen

Hitter of the Month

LF Sam Crawford - Orlando Orcas

Pitcher of the Month

Bill Hoffer - Orlando Orcas

Rookie of the Month

CF Terry Puhl - Las Vegas Bosses

[kenyan_cheena]

Considering those injuries, it's a great start for the Hitmen. Maybe this could be the year...

[EMSoccerCoach]

Originally Posted by kenyan_cheena

Considering those injuries, it's a great start for the Hitmen. Maybe this could be the year...

The injury to Orth is huge for Wichita. Will be interesting to see if the Hitmen can hang long enough to get healthy.

Also, added the Southern League awards for April above.

[PWillisTheMan]

It's tough to back a team with one of the greatest first basemen in history on the pine. So until they play Eddie I'll have to stick with Philly.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Originally Posted by PWillisTheMan

It's tough to back a team with one of the greatest first basemen in history on the pine. So until they play Eddie I'll have to stick with Philly.

I brought up the CPU drafting question in the general forums, and so far - crickets!

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League

May Review
Standings as of June 1, 2012

East	W	L	PCT	GB
New York Heroes	34	20	.630	-
Charlotte Cougars	25	28	.472	8.5
Philadelphia Ringers	24	30	.444	10.0
Louisville Racers	22	31	.415	11.5
West	W	L	PCT	GB
Indianapolis Engines	33	21	.611	-
Wichita Brigade	32	24	.571	2.0
Chicago Hitmen	27	26	.509	5.5
Sacramento Stingers	23	30	.434	9.5

East	W	L	PCT	GB
New Orleans Knights	30	24	.556	-
Alabama Airmen	27	26	.509	2.5
Memphis Strummers	26	27	.491	3.5
Orlando Orcas	26	28	.481	4.0
West	W	L	PCT	GB
Los Angeles Idols	32	21	.604	-
Arizona Sandmen	30	23	.566	2.0
Las Vegas Bosses	21	33	.389	11.5
San Antonio Sheriffs	18	38	.321	15.5