War of the States League

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Richard Nixon was as shocked as anyone when he heard the news in March 1973: the MLB had folded. Baseball would not be back again next month.

Millions of people around the country were devastated. Fans and players alike, all wondering what they would do with their summer. And Nixon felt the same way. His country's national pastime had disappeared in the blink of an eye.

But for Nixon, it was also an opportunity. He knew he had won the election unfairly, and he was getting more and more paranoid about getting found out every day. So he decided he would get out before that happened, and dedicate himself to saving America's game. So on March 22nd, 1973, Richard Nixon became the first president in US history to resign.

Again, the American people were devastated. They knew nothing of Nixon's foul play. They only knew they had lost both baseball and their president in the same month. But Nixon promised that his vice president, Gerald Ford, would serve his country well. And he promised to bring back baseball.

Nixon viewed this as his chance for redemption. He carried an immense amount of guilt with him for what he did, but he could make up for it by saving baseball. He could be a national hero.

Nixon spent the next four years putting his league together, finding owners, building ballparks. And on December 12th, 1977, Nixon unveiled his new league: The War of the States League.

In his press conference, Nixon announced that there would be 50 teams in the new league, one for each state. There would be 10 divisions (5 in the Democratic League, 5 in the Republican League), each with 5 teams, and each named after one of the first ten presidents of the United States.

DEMOCRATIC LEAGUE

Washington Division
Connecticut Constitutions
Maine Pine Trees
New Hampshire Granite
Rhode Island Ocean
Vermont Green Mountains

Jefferson Division
Delaware Diamonds
Massachusetts Bays
New Jersey Gardens
New York Empires
Pennsylvania Keystones

Monroe Division
Maryland Old Lines
Virginia Old Dominions
North Carolina Tar Heels
South Carolina Palmettos
West Virginia Mountains

Jackson Division
Alabama Yellowhammers
Florida Sunshine
Georgia Peaches
Mississippi Magnolias
Tennessee Volunteers

Henry Harrison Division
Illinois Prairies
Indiana Hoosiers
Kentucky Bluegrass
Missouri Proof
Ohio Buckeyes

REPUBLICAN LEAGUE

Adams Division
Arkansas Trail Blazers
Kansas Weasels
Louisiana Lumberjacks
Oklahoma Jackhammers
Texas Huskies

Madison Division
Arizona Grand Canyons
Colorado Centennial
Nevada Sagebrushes
New Mexico Enchantment
Utah Beehives

Quincy Adams Division
Alaska Frontiers
California Gold
Hawaii Alohas
Oregon Beavers
Washington Evergreens

Van Buren Division
Idaho Gems
Iowa Hawkeyes
Montana Treasures
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Wyoming Equality

Tyler Division
Michigan Wolverines
Minnesota North Stars
North Dakota Sioux
South Dakota Mount Rushmores
Wisconsin Badgers

The Inaugural Draft will be on New Year's Day, 1978.

The season would begin on April 1st, 1978 and be 270 games long. The schedule length was very controversial. The regular season won't end until January 19th, 1979, which means the offseason will be very short.

The All-Star Game will be held on August 16th. The trading deadline will be on October 30th, and roster expansion on December 1st. The Amateur Draft will be June 5th.

The playoffs will be 4 rounds (Division winners + 3 wild cards per league), 3 games, 3 games, 5 games, and 7 game series.

The DH will be used in the more progressive Democratic League, but not the conservative Republican League. There will be 3 levels of minor leagues.

Also in the past 4 years, all real life players have mysteriously disappeared and been replaced by fictional players.

This dynasty report will go day by day throughout the 270 game season. I'll use in game recaps to make it go quicker.

The Georgia Peaches had the first pick in the 108 round Inaugural Draft. We'll get started with games in the next post.

[Sizeman21]

Wow, very controversial indeed. Interested to see where this goes in the future. Good work!

[rleb]

Wow, with that many games, the revenue generated will be crazy!

Imagine the salaries a few years down the line.

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Originally Posted by Sizeman21

Wow, very controversial indeed. Interested to see where this goes in the future. Good work!

Thanks, haha. Hopefully it goes well!

Originally Posted by rleb

Wow, with that many games, the revenue generated will be crazy!

Imagine the salaries a few years down the line.

I think if something like this were to happen in real life players would demand even larger salaries than they'll eventually get on here. Super long season and not a lot of rest in between. Hopefully they'll be up to it!

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January 1st, 1978.

Shortly after the Inaugural Draft was completed, the OSA released its list of the top 100 prospects. Here are the top 10.



1. RHP Craig Shaffer, 24, West Virginia Mountains
2. CF Chris Miller, 22, Connecticut Constitutions
3. RHP Joel Jordan, 23, North Carolina Tar Heels
4. C Rogelio Rodriguez, 23, Ohio Buckeyes
5. LHP Nelson Tavarez, 23, West Virginia Mountains
6. RHP Oscar Ramirez, 21, Pennsylvania Keystones
7. RF Ricky Cardona, 21, Pennsylvania Keystones
8. RHP Ryan Workman, 20, Hawaii Alohas
9. RHP Bryan Dunford, 21, Indiana Hoosiers
10. CF Scott Brown, 23, Indiana Hoosiers

The West Virginia Mountaineers have the best farm system in the league, according to the OSA, with Connecticut in 2nd and Pennsylvania in 3rd.

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January 29th, 1978

Off-Field Accident Injures Jed Ridgeway



Bad news early on for the Virginia Old Dominions as they've already lost their left fielder, Jed Ridgeway, who broke his hand in an undisclosed off-field accident. The 34-year-old Indianapolis native was the team's 13th round pick in the Inaugural Draft.



He'll be replaced in the lineup by Rob Burton, Virginia's 26th round draft pick. Burton is 25 and will hit 9th in the batting order for now.

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March 18th, 1978

Spring Training Begins

WSL clubs will have just 2 weeks to evaluate their rosters in Spring Training and make the difficult decisions of who will make the 25-man roster and who won't.

We won't be following each Spring Training game, just big news, and will start going game-by-game in the regular season.

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March 19th, 1978

Injury Sidelines Oblakov for Season



Ignaty Oblakov verified reports that he is probably headed to the disabled list. The injury that has kept the New Jersey reliever out of action since 03/18/1978 -- a torn ulnar collateral ligament -- is significant enough, he said, that he will have to "shut it down for a while." How long? "Probably 14 months," he said.
Oblakov was drafted in the 14th round of the WSL. Before being injured in yesterday's game, he had allowed 2 runs on 3 hits in 2.1 innings against New Hampshire. All in all, it was a bad day for Oblakov.

Injury Takes Toll, Steve Johnston Out



Steve Johnston at first refused to leave today's Colorado-Nebraska game after he suffered knee tendinitis while running the bases. But his manager convinced him not to be foolish. "I want to be on the field," the feisty Nebraska shortstop said. "I'll play through just about anything." Given time to reflect on the situation, he knew it was in his best interest to get immediate treatment. The injury is expected to keep Johnston out of action for 3-4 weeks.
This is a big loss for Nebraska, as Johnston was their 2nd round pick and had performed well in 2 Spring Training games, going 3-for-4 with a run and 2 walks, but luckily he'll only miss a couple weeks of the regular season.



Rogelio Rios, who was drafted in the 33rd round, will substitute for Johnston while he's gone. He's gone 1-for-3 with a walk and a run so far in 2 games in the pre-season, but the 32-year-old does not show a ton of promise. Cornhusker fans will eagerly await Johnston's return.

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March 20th, 1978

Injury Update for Vermont, Gonzales



The Vermont Green Mountains have informed Tony Gonzales that he is likely headed to the disabled list. The 33-year-old center fielder has been sidelined since 03/18/1978 with a strained hamstring. Recent tests have confirmed the extent of the injury. It will be at least 3-4 weeks before the 5th round draft pick returns to the field. Gonzales did not get a hit in his only Spring Training AB.



Jordan Saucedo, a 28-year-old Dominican, will fill in at center while Gonzales is out. He was taken in the 26th round and has no hits in 5 at bats in Spring Training to date.

Ranking: The Top 5 WSL Starting Pitchers - Spring Training Wins



1. Willie Alba, TX, 1
2. Ray Andersen, NM, 1
3. Jorge Araujo, TN, 1
4. Chad Bombardo, SC, 1
5. Mike Brisbane, IN, 1

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March 22nd, 1978

Victor Martinez Suffers Injury



After injuring himself, Proof closer Victor Martinez headed straight to the hospital. He was removed from the game as a precaution after throwing a pitch and the team's worst fears were confirmed when it turned out to be a little more serious. Martinez will miss at least 2 weeks with a sore elbow. Martinez was drafted in the 4th round in January and had allowed just 1 run in 6.1 innings in Spring Training.



In the interim, Alonso Rey, a 9th round draft pick, will close games for MO. He's got a 6.00 ERA with a win and a blown save so far in 3 games and 6 IP. He's also struck out 10 batters in Spring Training.

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March 23rd, 1978

Gallon Out of Commission 5 Months



A blow for Tim Gallon today -- team doctors were able to determine the full extent of his recent injury. He will miss 5 months with a torn back muscle. Gallon suffered the injury on 03/20/1978. South Carolina will likely place Gallon on the disabled list today. Gallon was drafted in round 16 of the Inaugural Draft and threw 1.2 scoreless innings in a game against Ohio before getting hurt.

Guzman Receives Injury Update



Team officials for the Kentucky Bluegrass have revealed that the recent injury to Johnny Guzman will keep him out for 6 months. The 34-year-old catcher suffered a ruptured achilles tendon on 03/19/1978. He has not played since. He was off to a hot start, going 2-for-4 with a triple in 2 games. He was drafted in the 4th round.



Roberto Neira was selected 15 rounds after Guzman and will hit 8th while Guzman is out. So far Neira is hitting .250 with a homer and 4 RBI in Spring Training games.

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March 24th, 1978

No Comeback This Season for Hovancik



Clearly dejected, T.J. Hovancik left the Oregon clubhouse nearly in tears this afternoon. He acknowledged that his season is over, after sustaining a torn flexor tendon in his elbow in a ballgame recently. It brings an early end to the Oregon reliever's season. He was the 25th round draft pick for the Beavers and threw 2/3 of a scoreless inning in a Spring Training loss to Hawaii on the 21st.

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March 25th, 1978

Neil Foster Will Miss 4 Weeks



Injuries have really piled up in Spring Training. I guess that's what happens when you have 50 teams playing. The Sagebrushes Neil Foster is the latest. He was injured running the bases during today's game against the Kansas Weasels. The team doctor expects the second baseman to miss 4 weeks with an oblique strain. No roster changes were announced by team officials. Nevada would really like to get this guy back on the field as soon as possible, as he was their 1st round pick at the #47 slot. He was hitting .312 after 5 games in Spring Training.



Jonathan Leach is going to play 2nd until Foster's return. He's a real downgrade compared to Foster, as he's hit .091 with an RBI in 5 Spring Training games and wasn't drafted until the 29th round.

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March 26th, 1978

Season Ends for Salazar



After several days of waiting for test results, bad news was delivered to Rafael Salazar today. The Louisiana reliever will be out the rest of the year due to a torn labrum he suffered on 03/23/1978. Many are wondering if this injury will end the 38-year-old's career before it began. Salazar was a 36th rounder and made 2 relief appearances in Spring Training, throwing 1.2 scoreless innings.

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March 27th, 1978

Nebraska Loses Espinosa for 6 Months

The Nebraska Cornhuskers have made it official: Miguel Espinosa is headed to the disabled list. The 27-year-old center fielder has been out since 03/23/1978 with a concussion. He is expected to miss 6 months. The Cornhuskers will miss their 3rd round draft pick, who was having a poor Spring Training, hitting .154 with a triple through 5 games.



Cody Seabol is the replacement, probably until September. He was selected in round 26 and is hitting .214 with an RBI in 5 games this pre-season.

Rankings: The Top 5 WSL Batters - Spring Training Batting Average



1. Evan Vanatta, PA, .571
2. Juan Hernandez, OR, .552
3. Mike Kallio, NY, .476
4. Jose Lomas, WV, .474
5. Omar Pech, FL, .429

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March 30th, 1978

Diaz Has Season End



Obviously disappointed, Emilio Diaz confirmed today that his season is officially over. The West Virginia starting pitcher offered mostly monosyllabic responses to reporters. "Nope," he said, when asked if he might possibly return this year. The 35-year-old Diaz suffered a torn flexor tendon in his elbow on 03/27/1978 and has been out of action since.
He was a 15th round pick and went 1-1 with a 3.18 ERA in 2 games and 5.2 IP in Spring Training.

[AlexPoland]

I love this idea! Go NY!

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April 1st, 1978

Preseason Predictions






A couple of the abbreviations are messed up. BRO is Louisiana, BAL is Kansas.

Opening Day

It's finally here. Opening Day. Baseball is back. Fans all over the country skip work and school to celebrate the return of America's national pastime after a 5 year absence. But first, a couple news stories:

Tony Esparza's Camp Ends, Big League Career Begins



With Spring Training ending recently, the highly-touted North Dakota Sioux prospect, Tony Esparza, was excited to get his big league career started.
"I had fun in camp. I learned a lot about what it takes to be a big league player and I am excited to get going," he said.
"I like everything I see. Everybody likes his talent, likes the man. I was happy to have him in camp." said North Dakota Sioux manager, Omar Ayala. "Tony has all of the makings of a great ballplayer and we look forward to having him on the team."
It is obvious the North Dakota Sioux's GM was correct weeks ago when he encouraged major league campers, players and visiting fans alike, to "get a first look at Esparza, because you'll be seeing him a lot more very soon."

Vermont to Lose Emery for 7 Months



George Emery will have to wait a while longer. The Vermont right fielder was informed this afternoon that he will miss another 7 months with a ruptured medial collateral ligament. The injury has kept him off the field since 03/28/1978. Though Emery had hoped to return soon, he has no choice but to be patient. "Gotta stay focused," he said. "Gotta stay positive."
Vermont won't miss Emery too much. They drafted him in the 83rd round. He went 2-for-6 with a double and an RBI in Spring Training.

Top 10 Prospects

An updated top 100 list was released. Here are the highlights.



1. 2B Phil Esancy, 24, Wisconsin Badgers
2. CF Chris Miller, 22, Connecticut Constitutions
3. RHP Craig Shaffer, 24, West Virginia Mountains
4. SS Severino Noblet, 19, Wisconsin Badgers
5. RHP Bryan Dunford, 22, Indiana Hoosiers
6. 1B Tony Esparza, 24, North Dakota Sioux
7. RHP Joel Jordan, 23, North Carolina Tar Heels
8. RHP Bill Quiroz, 23, Massachusetts Bays
9. LHP Nelson Tavarez, 23, West Virginia Mountains
10. LHP Jason Britz, 23, New Jersey Gardens

And finally, here are the results of the first 3 games in WSL history!

Bluegrass Bang Out 8-1 Win Versus Virginia



The Kentucky Bluegrass got their 1978 season off and running with a win over the Virginia Old Dominions at Bluegrass Ballpark. The final score was 8-1. Kentucky pitcher Brian Fry was named player of the game.
Chris Schiffman, who was drafted in the three round of the 1978 draft, aided the Kentucky cause with a 2-run double in the bottom of the first. For the game, the shortstop went 2 for 3 with a double, while adding 3 RBI and scoring once.
"You can't get too high when things go well, or too low when things go bad. Right now, I'm just happy we got the win," Fry told the Kentucky Daily News.

Diamonds Bridle Keystones, 3-1



The Delaware Diamonds started the 1978 season with an impressive 3-1 win against the Pennsylvania Keystones at Diamonds Ballpark. Mike Moss was named player of the game. The winning pitcher was Moss, now 1-0. He tossed 7 innings of 4-hit ball, while walking 4 and fanning 4. Todd Rogers closed the door for Delaware, picking up his 1st save of the year.
The Diamonds got a big at-bat from catcher Gabriel Hernandez. For the game, Hernandez went 1 for 3 with a home run. He drove in 2 runs and scored once. In the bottom of the fifth, with a runner on 1st, he stroked a 2-run home run. His 1st home run of the season gave Delaware a 3-1 lead.
"I just trusted my stuff," said Moss.

Constitutions Win at New Jersey, 3-2



Fans brought energy and enthusiasm to the New Jersey Gardens home opener. Josh Raby started for the home team against Michael Dougherty for the Connecticut Constitutions. The Gardens were unable to reward the home crowd with a win. The final score was 3-2, Connecticut. Josh Raby was named player of the game. Jose Perez earned his 1st save in 1 try.
The Constitutions got a big at-bat from designated hitter Eddie Gonzalez. For the game, Gonzalez went 1 for 4. In the top of the fourth, with runners on 1st and 2nd, he stroked a run-scoring single. His 1st hit of the season gave Connecticut a 1-0 lead.
"We played a good game and came out on top," said Gonzalez.

Next: More opening day games

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April 1st, 1978

Yellowhammers Bang Out 7-5 Win Versus Ohio



Fans of the Alabama Yellowhammers who packed the stands for the home opener were rewarded with a Alabama win over the visiting Ohio Buckeyes, 7-5. Luis Sosa started for the home team against Raul Ramirez. Salvador Hinojos earned the coveted player of the game honors. Luis Sosa earned the win for Alabama. He lasted 7 innings, allowing 4 earned runs on 5 hits, while striking out 2. With the win, he raised his record to 1-0.
Melvin Polanco was a key contributor to the win for the Yellowhammers. In the bottom of the fourth with no one out, the light-hitting shortstop stroked a double to right. He went 1-3 with a double and a walk.
Polanco told an Alabama Daily reporter that he was "satisfied" with the win.

Peaches Win at Missouri, 3-1



The 1978 season did not get off to quite the start the Missouri Proof had hoped, with an opening day loss to the Georgia Peaches at Proof Ballpark. The final score was 3-1. Starting Pitcher Arturo Medina was named player of the game for Georgia. Medina picked up the win for Georgia, going 7 innings. He gave up 1 run on 5 hits. He now sports a record of 1-0. Picking up the save was Aaron Gillespie, his 1st.
Sang-your Kim aided the Georgia cause with a solo home run in the top of the ninth. For the game, the third baseman was 1-4 with a home run.
"If I go out there and help the team win, that's all you can do," said Medina.

Prairies Walk Off in 15th Inning with 3-2 Win



The 1978 season is off to a good start for the Illinois Prairies. The hometown Prairies knocked off the Rhode Island Ocean, 3-2, at Illinois Grounds. Illinois pitcher Gene Cain was named player of the game.
The Prairies were down to their final out when third baseman Micah Bent turned a 1-2 curveball from Dakota Jones into a 2-run home run. The walk-off home run made the Illinois Grounds crowd go wild.
"It's great when the crowd gets into it," Cain said.

Empires Get Past Maryland for 4-3 Win



Fans brought energy and enthusiasm to the Maryland Old Lines home opener. Bob Rocha started for the home team against Alberto Apodaca for the New York Empires. The Old Lines were unable to reward the home crowd with a win. The final score was 4-3, New York. Bob Rocha was named player of the game. Devon Kinley was credited with the save for New York, his 1st of the season.
Marcos Romero made it 4-3 in favor of New York when he delivered a run-scoring single. It came with one out in the top of the eighth. The Empires went on to win.
"It feels good to get this one," Romero told the New York Times.

Green Mountains Sneak Past Magnolias, 2-1



Crowds lined up early in front of Green Mountains Ballpark, eagerly awaiting the start of the 1978 War of the States League season. On the mound was Michael Coates for the visiting Mississippi Magnolias and Jim Treusch for the hometown Vermont Green Mountains. In a spirited contest, the Green Mountains pulled out the win, defeating the Magnolias by the score of 2-1. Earning player of the game honors was Jim Treusch. Vermont reliever Justin Cameron got the win, raising his record to 1-0. George Miller was tagged with the loss.
The Green Mountains beat the Magnolias in part due to timely hitting. Case in point: the two-out single Andy Gallop produced in the bottom of the 14th. Batting against Mississippi pitcher George Miller, Gallop gave his team a 2-1 lead when he hit a walk-off run-scoring single.
"I had pretty good command out there," said Treusch.

Brooks Finishes Off Tar Heels



The Indiana Hoosiers started the 1978 season win an impressive 2-1 win against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Ballpark of Indiana. Jason Brooks, who was drafted in the 2nd round of the 1978 draft, was named player of the game.
Brooks's performance can only be described as masterful. He notched 5 strikeouts in 9 innings while allowing 4 hits. Brooks, who was drafted in the two round of the 1978 draft, goes to 1-0 on the year with 5 strikeouts.
"It was just a matter of executing," said Indiana manager Tim Chase.

Granite Score Late, Stun Pine Trees, 2-1



The New Hampshire Granite put one in the win column with an opening day 2-1 triumph over the Maine Pine Trees. The crowd at Ballpark of New Hampshire watched Andy Pytlak put on a fine performance, for which he was named player of the game.
Liangde Hoong was the walk-off hero for New Hampshire. With the game tied in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Granite right fielder hit a dramatic run-scoring single to send the teams home.
"We'll relax tonight and get back after it tomorrow," Hoong said after the game.

Volunteers Edge Past Bays, 1-0



Ballpark of Massachusetts was the site of the home opener for the Massachusetts Bays. The contest featured a prime matchup between Cory Hyslop of the visiting Tennessee Volunteers and Chris Jacobs of the Bays. The final score was 1-0, the Volunteers getting the win. Earning player of the game honors was Cory Hyslop. Jordan Antunez locked down his 1st save.
Adam Shoopman made it 1-0 in favor of Tennessee when he delivered a run-scoring single. It came with two out in the top of the ninth. The Volunteers went on to win.
"If you pitch well, you give yourself some opportunities," said Tennessee manager Mike Millham.

Pott, Florida Prevail in Pitchers' Duel



Opening day festivities have begun throughout the league. Fans of the Florida Sunshine were eager to watch Pete Pott square off against Santiago Ruiz of the visiting West Virginia Mountains. In the end, the Sunshine won the game, 1-0, with Pete Pott earning player of the game honors. Javy Benavidez earned the save for Florida, his 1st.
Pott delivered a quality start for Florida. The 6' 5" right-hander allowed no runs on 3 hits over 7.1 innings of work.
"If we play like this, we can win a lot of games," Pott told the Florida Gazette.

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Originally Posted by AlexPoland

I love this idea! Go NY!

Thanks! New York seems to have a pretty good team to start off despite picking 43rd in the draft.