Confederate Baseball Association (solo fictional)

[jmm8356]

July 12, 1949

JACKSONVILLE - John Foster's leadoff triple sparked a four-run 4th inning as the Eastern All-Stars defeated the West, 6-2, at Humana Park. Scott Heyer, Darrell Shehan, Jeff Hickox and Dave Hoffman each hit RBI singles in the East's big inning. Richard Safford's pinch-hit homer off Sam White in the 6th earned him the game's MVP honors. Keith Ward's three perfect innings were wasted, while Tyler Scott's two-run triple in the 6th plated the West's only runs.


Western Division All-Stars

Starters

SP Mike Wilkins (NSH) - 11-2, 3.01, WHIP 1.30

C Don Spies (DAL) - .272, 9 HR, 39 RBI, .344 RISP

1B Duane Noland (NSH) - .313, 18 HR, 60 RBI, 33 2Bs, 65 R

2B Tyler Scott (NSH) - .319, 10 HR, 46 RBI, 13 2Bs

3B Chris Wardell (DAL) - .330, 5 HR, 35 RBI, 19 2Bs, 51 R

SS Raymond Timmerman (NSH) - .320, 14 HR, 60 RBI, 16 2Bs

LF Malcolm Harris (NWO) - .359, 3 HR, 16 RBI, 25 R in only 153 AB

CF Jeff McGovern (SAN) - .319, 5 HR, 39 RBI, 51 R, 52 BB, 37 SB

RF Matthew Tallman (HOU) - .318, 21 HR, 58 RBI, 55 R

Reserves

SP Keith Ward (SAN)
SP John McElveen (DAL)
SP Steven Mackay (HOU)
SP Quinton Reed (DAL)
SP Curtis Ring (SAN)
SP Richard Doney (NWO)
MR Bill Thomas (NWO)
CL John Logsdon (NSH)
MR Sam White (SAN)
C Joe Deutsch (NWO)
1B Chris Roseboro (MEM)
RF Stephen Delisle (DAL)
RF Jason Music (MEM)
RF Charlie Sharpe (NWO)
SS Ken Bennett (SAN)
SS Greg Benz (NWO)


Eastern Division All-Stars

Starters

SP Dave Haskell (TAM) - 9-5, 1.79, 119 K in 125 2/3 IP

C Dave Hoffman (CAR) - .300, 15 HR, 47 RBI, 48 R

1B Jeff Hickox (CAR) - .270, 17 HR, 51 RBI, 59 R

2B John Foster (MIA) - .291, 9 HR, 53 RBI, 5 3Bs

3B Richard Safford (JAX) - .331, 11 HR, 51 RBI, 23 2Bs

SS Ted DeRouen (NOR) - .285, 8 HR, 47 RBI, 22 2Bs

LF Bill Danner (TAM) - .324, 17 HR, 38 RBI, 52 R, 67 BB

CF Scott Heyer (NOR) - .344, 12 HR, 40 RBI, 21 2Bs, 57 BB, 30 SB

RF Jim Gamble (CAR) - .314, 6 HR, 46 RBI, 45 BB

Reserves

SP Joe MacLeod (MIA)
SP Steve Bruce (JAX)
SP Dan Light (NOR)
SP Lawrence Miles (TAM)
SP Paul Walker (JAX)
SP Stephen Vance (ATL)
MR Ross Dodson (JAX)
CL Rodney Browne (JAX)
MR Alex Yardley (TAM)
C Pete Duval (TAM)
1B Jim Johnston (ATL)
CF Jeff Frost (ATL)
CF Dave Floyd (JAX)
LF John Theiss (CAR)
3B Travis O'Connell (ATL)
SS Darrell Shehan (ATL)

[jmm8356]

August 1, 1949

San Antonio wins ten straight before the break (including sweeps of Norfolk and Miami) to take a two-game lead over Dallas in their bid to repeat as Western Division champs. Behind ace Keith "Superfly" Ward (11-4, 1.79, 144 K in 156 IP, .178 OAVG), the Missions lead the league in stolen bases once again, with CF Jeff McGovern (.317, 10 HR, 56 RBI, 45 SB) and 2B John Watkins (.250, 6 HR, 53 RBI, 38 SB) burning up the basepaths.

Last place Houston's woes continue as they lose 1948 MVP 1B Matt Wille (.233, 17 HR, 50 RBI) for the season to a broken wrist on July 6. The Buffaloes must not be too concerned, however, as they ink Wille to a four-year, $10.1 million extension at the end of the month. New Orleans also breaks out the checkbook to tie up CF Charlie Norwood (.256, 19 HR, 66 RBI, 15 2Bs, 65 R) at $7.4 million for three years and SP Ronald Absher (7-8, 3.11, 21 BB in 162 IP) at $6.4 million for four years.

In the East, Norfolk stumbles as Miami takes a 1 1/2 game lead over the Clippers. The Meteors' 3.51 staff ERA tops the league, thanks to Edwin Frey (8-6, 2.55), Joe MacLeod (11-5, 2.82), and Kevin Dotson (8-5, 2 SV, 3.16, 9 GS).

After rebounding a bit in July (19-7), Atlanta signs their top two starters to extensions, with 38-year-old Tim Steele (7-4, 3.31) getting another year at $5.7 million and Stephen Vance (9-5, 3.91) receiving $5.1 million for three years.

Western Division Batter of the Month:

SS Raymond Timmerman (NSH) - Hit .420 with 3 HR and 17 RBI

Western Division Pitcher of the Month:

Keith "Superfly" Ward (SAN) - Went 3-0 with an 0.81 ERA and 45 K in 44 2/3 IP

Eastern Division Batter of the Month:

LF Bill Danner (TAM) - Hit .314 with 8 HR and 22 RBI

Eastern Division Pitcher of the Month:

Kevin Dotson (MIA) - Went 4-0 with a 2.32 ERA


Western Division Standings

San Antonio... 59 - 45 .567 -
Dallas........ 57 - 47 .548 2
Memphis....... 52 - 52 .500 7
Nashville..... 51 - 53 .490 8
New Orleans... 50 - 53 .485 8.5
Houston....... 46 - 58 .442 13

Eastern Division Standings

Miami......... 58 - 47 .552 -
Norfolk....... 56 - 48 .538 1.5
Tampa......... 52 - 53 .495 6
Jacksonville.. 51 - 54 .486 7
Atlanta....... 47 - 58 .448 11
Carolina...... 47 - 58 .448 11

[jmm8356]

September 1, 1949

Norfolk regained the Eastern Division lead by four games over Miami with an eight-game winning streak beginning August 12. CF Scott Heyer (.348, 17 HR, 61 RBI, 31 2Bs, 99 R, 91 BB, 43 SB) and RF Rick Brown (.265, 17 HR, 75 RBI, 122 BB) lead the Clipper offense, while Joe Melton (12-5, 2.49, WHIP 1.14) and CL Dave Samuelson (8-2, 5 SV, 1.47, .161 OAVG) are keying the league's top pitching staff.

The West remained virtually unchanged as San Antonio continues to hold a precarious three-game lead over Dallas for the top spot. CF Jeff McGovern (.313, 10 HR, 65 RBI, 80 R, 82 BB, 54 SB) and 2B John Watkins (.255, 9 HR, 69 RBI, 50 SB) are one-two in the CBA for swipes, and Missions closer Sam White (35 SV, 2.76, WHIP 1.12) keeps improving every month.

Western Division Batter of the Month:

RF Mark Clark (SAN) - Hit .400 with 5 HR and 14 RBI

Western Division Pitcher of the Month:

Bill "Spike" Ebeling (NWO) - Went 3-0 with a 1.72 ERA (First honor for first overall pick in initial draft)

Eastern Division Batter of the Month:

SS Darrell Shehan (ATL) - Hit .393 with 9 HR and 30 RBI

Eastern Division Pitcher of the Month:

Tom "Juice" Birt (CAR) - Went 1-1 with a 0.98 ERA and 44 K in 46 IP


Western Division Standings

San Antonio... 74 - 59 .556 -
Dallas........ 71 - 62 .534 3
Memphis....... 68 - 65 .511 6
Nashville..... 63 - 70 .474 11
New Orleans... 62 - 70 .470 11.5
Houston....... 57 - 76 .429 17

Eastern Division Standings

Norfolk....... 75 - 58 .564 -
Miami......... 71 - 62 .534 4
Jacksonville.. 68 - 65 .511 7
Tampa......... 68 - 65 .511 7
Atlanta....... 61 - 72 .459 14
Carolina...... 60 - 74 .448 15.5

[Vris]

Interesting idea and I hope you keep up with it.

[jmm8356]

Thanks Vris. I think the only thing that could slow me down is getting impatient and jumping into a manager spot earlier than planned.

October 1, 1949
Both pennants are still up for grabs with only two days remaining in the second season of the Confederate Baseball Association!

Norfolk is clinging to a one-game lead in the East, but the Clippers have dropped their last four while the surprising Tampa Tomahawks have won eight of their last nine, including a sweep of Miami to dash the Meteors' playoff hopes. Tampa's resurgence has been highlighted by LF Bill Danner's (.331, 35 HR, 93 RBI, 103 R, 128 BB) twenty-game hitting streak through September 20 and SP Dave Haskell's (17-12, 2.44, 216 K in 236 1/3 IP) 1.59 ERA in the past month. Norfolk hosts lowly Carolina while Tampa visits Miami for the final two games of the year.

In the West, Dallas has surged past San Antonio to take a two-game lead with two to play. Drifters RF Stephen Delisle (.363, 13 HR, 84 RBI, 93 R, 23 2Bs) has been red-hot, hitting 11 for 20 (.550) with 3 HR and 9 RBI in his last five games. Though the Missions have won their last four, they'll need two more over Houston plus two losses by Dallas to New Orleans in order to force a one-game playoff.


Western Division Batter of the Month:

RF Stephen Delisle (DAL) - Hit .440 with 4 HR and 26 RBI

Western Division Pitcher of the Month:

Keith "Superfly" Ward (SAN) - Went 3-0 with a 1.09 ERA for his third PotM this season

Eastern Division Batter of the Month:

SS Darrell Shehan (ATL) - Hit .345 with 11 HR and 27 RBI, including 3 homers at Miami on September 19

Eastern Division Pitcher of the Month:

Gary Nardi (JAX) - Went 3-0 with a 0.79 ERA, only 2 BBs in 34 IP


Western Division Standings

Dallas........ 88 - 72 .550 - (Magic: 1)
San Antonio... 86 - 74 .537 2
Memphis....... 85 - 75 .531 3
Nashville..... 79 - 81 .494 9
New Orleans... 76 - 84 .475 12
Houston....... 67 - 93 .419 21

Eastern Division Standings

Norfolk....... 87 - 73 .544 - (Magic: 2)
Tampa......... 86 - 74 .537 1
Miami......... 82 - 78 .512 5
Jacksonville.. 80 - 80 .500 7
Atlanta....... 75 - 85 .469 12
Carolina...... 69 - 91 .431 18

[jmm8356]

October 2, 1949

Carolina 1, Norfolk 0 (11)

3B Clifton Sloan's two-out double off Jim Gustin (L, 5-3) in the top of the 11th scores pinch-runner Justin Kuehn from first as Carolina edges Norfolk, 1-0. The Clippers manage only three hits against Birt (8 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 4 K), Roebuck (1 2/3 IP, 1 H, 3 K), Klinger (W, 8-6) and Meyer (SV, 9), and Norfolk has now lost five straight.

Miami 5, Tampa 2

Two RBI-singles by C Mike McCreary and two runs scored by RF Jeremy Keener lead to a Meteors win, 5 to 2, in this must-win game for the Tomahawks. Ben Brown (W, 2-0) threw 5 1/3 good innings and four Miami relievers, including Ron Nauman (SV, 16), finished the job. Tampa needs a win tomorrow and a Norfolk loss to tie the Clippers and force a playoff.

Dallas 4, New Orleans 2

Ron Stephenson (W, 11-7) allowed just one hit, a homer by Charlie Norwood, and one walk in eight innings as Dallas clinches the Western pennant with a 4-2 win over New Orleans. The Drifters pile up five doubles, two by C Don Spies who goes three for three with an RBI. Chase Kirkham made things interesting by putting the tying run on first before Harry Garvin (SV, 2) collected the one-pitch save before the sellout crowd at Mercury Field. Stephen Delisle left after a pitch to the head in the 1st, but reports indicate he was not seriously hurt.

[jmm8356]

October 3, 1949

Norfolk 3, Carolina 0

Timing, they say, is everything, and the Clippers are big believers in that particular cliche today after Kyle Roemer (W, 12-9) threw a no-hitter to clinch the Eastern Division for Norfolk. Casey Pattison's two-run homer was more than enough for Roemer, who walked two and struck out two before the exhilarated crowd at Harbor Stadium. Kyle, not known for going the distance (averaging 6 1/3 innings in 32 starts), needed only 99 pitches to dispatch the Flyers.

Elsewhere, Tampa lost to Miami, 6-3, to finish two games back in the East.


Final Western Division Standings

Dallas........ 90 - 72 .556 -
San Antonio... 87 - 75 .537 3
Memphis....... 85 - 77 .525 5
Nashville..... 81 - 81 .500 9
New Orleans... 76 - 86 .469 14
Houston....... 68 - 94 .420 22

Final Eastern Division Standings

Norfolk....... 88 - 74 .543 -
Tampa......... 86 - 76 .531 2
Miami......... 84 - 78 .519 4
Jacksonville.. 80 - 82 .494 8
Atlanta....... 77 - 85 .475 11
Carolina...... 70 - 92 .432 18

[jmm8356]

October 5, 1949

Confederate Series Preview

The Dallas Drifters (90-72) have skipper Steve Hamilton to thank for the Western Division crown, as Dallas exceeded their expected record by nine games, most in the CBA. The Clippers and Drifters split their season series, six games each.

The Drifters led the league in batting (.271) but low walk (454, 12th) and homerun (112, 11th) totals held their scoring down to fifth-best (720). RF Stephen Delisle (.361, 13 HR, 84 RBI, 93 R, 198 H, 23 2Bs) is only 22, and All-Stars 3B Chris Wardell (.329, 8 HR, 64 RBI, 86 R, 28 2Bs) and C Don Spies (.274, 11 HR, 56 RBI, 22 2Bs) contribute big as well. 2B John Allen (.289, 14 HR, 54 RBI, 93 R, 21 2Bs, 8 3Bs, 43 SB) and SS Jerry Carroll (.254, 17 HR, 79 RBI) have surprising pop for middle infielders.

Dallas pitchers allowed the second-fewest homeruns (119) in the league, but their 721 runs allowed was only 8th best. Quinton Reed (17-8, 3.53), John McElveen (16-10, 3.77) and Ron Stephenson (11-7, 3.91) are each solid starters, while closer Chase Kirkham (7-10, 25 SV, 3.24) anchors a decent bullpen.


The Norfolk Clippers (88-74) are led by last year's Manager of the Year, Lloyd Jorgensen. Norfolk will have to overcome their poor road record (36-45), as Dallas has homefield advantage for the series. Clippers fans hope the season's dramatic ending will spark their squad, who lost seven of their last ten.

Norfolk allowed the fewest runs (636) of anyone in the CBA last season. Joe Melton (15-7, 2.64) and Kyle Roemer (12-9, 3.24) are a strong left-right starting punch, and southpaw closer Dave Samuelson (9-3, 11 SV, 1.66, .163 OAVG) has been stellar in the second half of the year.

The Clippers' offense led the league in walks (677) and ranked second in batting (.265) and runs scored (741). CF Scott Heyer (.345, 21 HR, 76 RBI, 112 R, 100 BB, 50 SB) and SS Ted DeRouen (.294, 14 HR, 108 RBI) each hit 42 doubles on the year, while RF Rick Brown (.259, 19 HR, 83 RBI, 90 R) walked 140 times despite being hobbled by a torn calf for most of May.

[jmm8356]

October 14, 1949

Confederate Series Recap

Game 1 - Wednesday, October 5 - Norfolk 12, Dallas 5 (13)

DALLAS - A five-hour, 29-minute heartbreaker for the Drifters today as Norfolk plates seven in the top of the 13th to win this nailbiter, 12 to 5.

After 2B Dick Howes hit a leadoff double and was sacrificed to third, Dallas reliever Harry Garvin (L, 0-1, 2 IP, 7 R, 6 ER, 4 H, 4 BB) threw three consecutive walks to LF John Smith, 3B Eli Cardinale (3 for 6) and CF Scott Heyer (4 for 6) to give the Clippers the lead. RF Paul Gregg's 2-run single then opened the floodgates for Norfolk. Both SS Ted DeRouen (3 for 5) and C Dave Fried drove in three for the victors. Norfolk's bullpen was outstanding, as Pouliot, Samuelson, Gustin, Hamill, and Lyons (W, 1-0) allowed just two hits in 5 1/3 scoreless innings.

Adding injury to insult, All-Star Drifter 3B Chris Wardell (2 for 3) pulled up lame with a strained hip while legging out an RBI-double in the 6th; he appears doubtful for the remainder of the series, but his replacement, Dave Starnes, also hit two for three.


Game 2 - Thursday, October 6 - Norfolk 8, Dallas 1

DALLAS - C Arthur Hedge pounded a two-run double to right as part of a five-run 1st as the Clippers clobbered the Drifters, 8-1, to take a two-games-to-none series lead back to Norfolk.

Dallas starter Quinton Reed (L, 0-1, 1 IP, 6 R, 7 H, 1 K) lasted just one batter into the second inning after giving up five two-out hits in the 1st. Both Hedge and SS Ted DeRouen drove in three; DeRouen has 6 RBIs for the series. Kyle Roemer (W, 1-0, 6 IP, 1 R, 6 H, 2 BB, 5 K) was solid coming off his dramatic no-hitter on Sunday.

SS Terence Hurlburt, in for an ejected Jerry Carroll, hit a triple in the 6th and scored the sole Drifter run.


Game 3 - Saturday, October 8 - Norfolk 5, Dallas 3

NORFOLK - Clipper fans, bring your brooms! Norfolk can sweep the Drifters tomorrow, thanks to a 5-3 victory at Harbor Stadium today.

RF Rick Brown's 3-run shot down the right-field line in the 3rd gave Norfolk the lead, while LF Raymond Smith and CF Scott Heyer both hit RBI-doubles in the 6th which proved decisive. Dallas RF Stephen Delisle's two-run homer in the 8th made things close, but Dave Samuelson (SV, 1) closed things out in the 9th.

Dan Light (6 IP, 1 R, 6 H, 2 BB, 5 K) earned the win, and John McElveen (5 1/3 IP, 3 R, 7 H, 3 BB, 7 K) picked up the loss.


Game 4 - Sunday, October 9 - Norfolk 2, Dallas 0

NORFOLK - 1B Casey Pattison's monster solo-shot in the 7th was all Joe Melton needed to seal Norfolk's sweep of the Dallas Drifters, 2-0.

Pattison's 449-foot bomb off Ron Stephenson (L, 0-1, 7 2/3 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 4 H, 2 K) splashed into the Elizabeth River past the center-field scoreboard. Melton (7 2/3 IP, 6 H, 2 BB, 6 K), Jimmy Pouliot and Dave Samuelson (SV, 2) combined to blank the Drifters, who scored just four runs in their final three games.

Clippers' SS Ted DeRouen was named the series MVP after hitting 7 for 16 (.438) with three doubles and six RBI.

[jmm8356]

October 15, 1949

Year In Review

Western Division Most Valuable Player:

SS Raymond Timmerman (NSH) - .348, 23 HR, 108 RBI, 84 R, 36 2Bs, 83 BB

Western Division Hurler of the Year:

Keith "Superfly" Ward (SAN) - 17-7, 2.13, 224 K in 236 1/3 IP, WHIP 1.00, OAVG .190

Western Division Rookie of the Year:

CF Raymond Simmons (HOU) - .229, 10 HR, 43 RBI, 17 2B, 63 BB in 475 AB

Western Division Manager of the Year:

Steve Hamilton (DAL) - Improved from 77 wins to 90 wins to win Western pennant


Eastern Division Most Valuable Player:

SS Darrell Shehan (ATL) - .310, 35 HR, 120 RBI, 102 R, 17 2Bs, 7 3Bs, 78 BB

Eastern Division Hurler of the Year:

Dave Haskell (TAM) - 17-12, 2.44, 216 K in 236 1/3 IP, .201 OAVG

Eastern Division Rookie of the Year:

Not awarded.

Eastern Division Manager of the Year:

Ryan Willoughby (TAM) - Improved from 80 wins to 86 wins and 2nd place


Western Division Slick Fielders

P Steven Mackay (HOU)
C Ron Cowell (HOU) (2)
1B Chris Roseboro (MEM) (2)
2B Greg Archer (MEM) (2, including 1 at 3B)
3B Bob Wall (HOU)
SS Jeff Huff (MEM)
LF: Not awarded.
CF Craig Lotz (DAL)
RF Raymond LaVallee (NSH)

Eastern Division Slick Fielders

P Steve Shilling (CAR)
C Mike McCreary (MIA)
1B Jeff Hickox (CAR)
2B Roy Fisher (TAM)
3B Clifton Sloan (CAR) (2)
SS Adam Bradley (CAR)
LF Bill Danner (TAM)
CF Dave Floyd (JAX) (2)
RF Bob Sanders (JAX) (2)


League Leaders

Batting

.361 - Stephen Delisle (DAL) - NEW LEAGUE RECORD
.348 - Raymond Timmerman (NSH)
.345 - Scott Heyer (NOR)
.340 - Richard Safford (JAX)
.336 - Mark Clark (SAN)

Homeruns

36 - Charlie Norwood (NWO)
35 - Bill Danner (TAM)
35 - Darrell Shehan (ATL)
34 - Chris Roseboro (MEM)
34 - Matthew Tallman (HOU)

RBI

120 - Darrell Shehan (ATL)
111 - Brian Gray (MIA)
108 - Raymond Timmerman (NSH)
108 - Ted DeRouen (NOR)
105 - Jeff Frost (ATL)

Doubles

49 - Duane Noland (NSH)
42 - Scott Heyer (NOR)
42 - Ted DeRouen (NOR)
37 - Bob Wall (HOU)
36 - Raymond Timmerman (NSH)

Triples

18 - Bob Wall (HOU) - NEW LEAGUE RECORD
10 - Raymond LaVallee (NSH)
10 - John Foster (MIA)
9 - Phil Murray (MEM)
Four players tied at 8.

Runs

112 - Scott Heyer (NOR) - NEW LEAGUE RECORD
111 - Duane Noland (NSH)
104 - Bill Danner (TAM)
102 - Darrell Shehan (ATL)
100 - Charlie Norwood (NWO)

Stolen Bases

62 - Raymond LaVallee (NSH)
62 - John Watkins (SAN)
60 - Jeff McGovern (SAN)
51 - Tony Fairman (HOU)
50 - Scott Heyer (NOR)

ERA

2.13 - Keith Ward (SAN)
2.44 - Dave Haskell (TAM)
2.44 - Bill Ebeling (NWO)
2.64 - Joe Melton (NOR)
2.85 - Tom Birt (CAR)

Wins

19 - Mike Wilkins (NSH)
17 - Dave Haskell (TAM)
17 - Keith Ward (SAN)
17 - Quinton Reed (DAL)
16 - John McElveen (DAL)

Saves

50 - Jeff Davis (MEM) - NEW LEAGUE RECORD
39 - Sam White (SAN)
35 - Alex Yardley (TAM)
31 - John Logsdon (NSH)
29 - Rodney Browne (JAX)

Strikeouts

224 - Keith Ward (SAN)
222 - Steven Mackay (HOU)
216 - Dave Haskell (TAM)
200 - Bill Ebeling (NWO)
186 - Tom Birt (CAR)

[jmm8356]

March 1, 1950

Offseason Recap

Though several are on the hot seat, no managers are fired this offseason.

Carolina and Tampa receive $5 million each via revenue sharing.

1948 Hurler of the Year Joe Melton (15-7, 2.64, 141 K in 225 1/3 IP last year) is the big arbitration winner this season, jumping from $4.5 million to $6.4 million after getting a ring with Norfolk last year.


Free Agency Highlights

February 2 - SS Greg Benz (.282, 28 HR, 86 RBI) starts the free agent period off with a bang, inking a four-year deal with Houston at $11 million per to become one of the CBA's top five highest paid players.

February 3 - Nashville loses RF Raymond LaVallee (.283, 16 HR, 80 RBI, 31 2Bs, 10 3Bs), who signs with Atlanta for three years at $6.6 million.

February 4 - A new league record contract for the CBA's first draft pick ever! Nashville gets SP Bill Ebeling (13-5, 2.44, 200 K in 217 2/3 IP) five years at a whopping $16.7 million!

February 5 - Atlanta re-signs 3B Travis O'Connell (.311, 14 HR, 85 RBI, 95 BB) for four years at $8.5 million.

February 6 - The defending champion Clippers pick up SS Adam Bradley (.271, 15 HR, 66 RBI, 142 BB); Norfolk will pay Bradley $8.6 million for the next three years.

February 7 - Despite a lackluster year with Miami, SP Daryl Warren (6-11, 3.95, WHIP 1.36) gets a five-year deal from Memphis at $6.7 million.

February 11 - 2B John Foster (.297, 11 HR, 73 RBI, 70 BB, 28 SB) moves up the Florida coast from Miami to Jacksonville after the Ospreys give him $8.3 million per year for five years.

February 20 - It takes nearly two weeks, but Miami returns the favor to Memphis, signing 1948 Hurler of the Year Jonathan Ford (14-10, 3.51, WHIP 1.16) to be a Meteor for four years at $8.5 million.

March 1 - A sad day for the Atlanta faithful, as the Flames send RF Waldo Hertel, MVP of the first Confederate Series, and $1.4 million to Jacksonville for reliever Jack Parsons (5-2, 2 SV, 3.33, WHIP 1.38). Unfortunately, Hertel struggled in 1949 (.258, 6 HR, 40 RBI) after missing May and June with broken ribs.

March 2 - Rule 5 Draft

Cash-strapped New Orleans acquires reliever Justin Holsinger off the Drifters' roster. Holsinger had a 5.02 ERA in 71 2/3 innings last season for Dallas.

Tampa picks SP Lou Valentine from Houston; Valentine went 10-11 with a 4.07 ERA at AAA Baton Rouge last year.

[jmm8356]

May 1, 1950

Norfolk's title defense got off to a strong start in April as the Clippers sailed to a 3 1/2 game lead over second-place Jacksonville. The champs lead the league in scoring (140), thanks to Batter of the Month Rick Brown, CF Scott Heyer (.337, 2 HR, 12 RBI, 18 R, 16 BB) and C Dave Fried (.309, 2 HR, 18 RBI).

Elsewhere in the East, Carolina's season got off to a rocky start. Opening the year at Norfolk (watching the Clippers raise their 1949 pennant) on April 4, the Flyers lost SP Tom Birt (6-10, 2.85 last year) for the season with a torn bicep. Carolina proceeded to lose 11 of their first 12, then reverse course and go 11-3 to end the month in fourth place.

Out West, the Nashville Hounds lead New Orleans by one game and Memphis by 2 1/2. Pitcher of the Month Everett Lane seems better than ever after surgery last May to remove bone chips from his shoulder, and Bill "Spike" Ebeling (4-2, 2.11, WHIP 1.00) is earning his $16.7 million so far.

Meanwhile, Dallas has a firm grip on the Western cellar, as the Drifters lost 12 straight beginning April 9. Swept at San Antonio, Memphis and New Orleans, Dallas has a road record of just 2-14.


Western Division Batter of the Month:

SS Raymond Timmerman (NSH) - Hit .341 with 5 HR and 30 RBI

Western Division Pitcher of the Month:

Everett Lane (NSH) - Went 5-0 with a 2.08 ERA

Eastern Division Batter of the Month:

RF Rick Brown (NOR) - Hit .349 with 4 HR and 17 RBI

Eastern Division Pitcher of the Month:

Steve Bruce (JAX) - Went 3-1 with a 1.06 ERA


Western Division Standings

Nashville..... 14 - _8 .636 -
New Orleans... 14 - 10 .583 1
Memphis....... 13 - 12 .520 2.5
San Antonio... 11 - 11 .500 3
Houston....... 11 - 14 .440 4.5
Dallas......... 6 - 19 .240 9.5

Eastern Division Standings

Norfolk....... 17 - _7 .708 -
Jacksonville.. 13 - 10 .565 3.5
Tampa......... 14 - 13 .519 4.5
Carolina...... 12 - 14 .462 6
Miami.......... 9 - 12 .429 6.5
Atlanta....... 11 - 15 .423 7

[jmm8356]

June 1, 1950

After two months of play, the Western Division remains tight. Though Memphis holds a half-game lead over San Antonio (who won ten straight beginning May 19), fifth-place Houston is just three back. The Blues' rotation of Pitcher of the Month Daryl Warren (5-3, 2.66), leftie Vernon Elswick (6-0, 2.74), Douglas Agan (2-2, 3.44) and Frank Welsh (4-3, 3.48) go a long way towards Memphis having the second-best ERA (3.57) in the league.

The East, meanwhile, is a two-horse race thus far, with Norfolk winning nine of their last ten to maintain their 3 1/2 game lead over Jacksonville. The Ospreys have kept pace with the Clippers despite losing their $8 million 2B John Foster to a pulled ACL on May 3. Foster, batting just .242 on the year, is due to return to the Jacksonville lineup in a few days.


Western Division Batter of the Month:

CF Charlie Norwood (NWO) - Hit .337 with 7 HR and 21 RBI

Western Division Pitcher of the Month:

Daryl Warren (MEM) - Went 4-0 with a 2.45 ERA

Eastern Division Batter of the Month:

3B Richard Safford (JAX) - Hit .353 with 4 HR and 23 RBI

Eastern Division Pitcher of the Month:

Gary Nardi (JAX) - Went 5-1 with a 3.62 ERA, WHIP 1.10


Western Division Standings

Memphis....... 29 - 22 .569 -
San Antonio... 28 - 22 .560 .5
Nashville..... 26 - 23 .531 2
New Orleans... 27 - 24 .529 2
Houston....... 26 - 25 .510 3
Dallas........ 20 - 31 .392 9

Eastern Division Standings

Norfolk....... 34 - 17 .667 -
Jacksonville.. 31 - 21 .596 3.5
Atlanta....... 24 - 28 .462 10.5
Tampa......... 23 - 30 .434 12
Carolina...... 20 - 31 .392 14
Miami......... 18 - 32 .360 15.5

[jmm8356]

[I've decided to only detail those draftees with over three blue stars, since recapping the entire first round takes forever. ]

June Draft Highlights

Houston (1st) - SP Oscar Alloway, 20 (8/6/6)
With 167 Ks in 125 1/3 IP for the University of Maine, this starter keeps the ball down and the hitters guessing.

Carolina (2nd) - MR Howard Bozarth, 17 (10/9/7)
With a 0.35 ERA and 110 Ks in 52 IP for Wapsie Valley HS (Iowa), this rightie hits his spots well.

Tampa (9th) - MR Larry Goddard, 18 (10/5/4)
This young righthander has a really live arm, evidenced by his 167 Ks and 0.26 ERA in 70 1/3 IP at Winchester Community HS (Indiana).


Post-Draft Minor League Rankings

New Orleans (194)
San Antonio (192)
Memphis (159)
Atlanta (147)
Miami (144)
Dallas (130)
Houston (129)
Nashville (102)
Norfolk (83)
Carolina (73)
Jacksonville (67)
Tampa (35)


Top Minor League Records

AAA Austin (SAN) - 32-18
AA Melbourne (TAM) - 32-21
A Lafayette (NWO) - 29-22

[jmm8356]

July 1, 1950

Jacksonville remains in second place, but lost 12 out of 13 beginning June 2 to fall eleven games behind defending champion Norfolk. The Ospreys' .244 team batting average is worst in the league, with LF Tim Ryan (.199, 9 HR, 27 RBI in 271 AB), C Greg Olson (.189, 9 HR, 40 RBI in 225 AB) and RF Waldo Hertel (.186 in June) the worst of the lot.

Though there is little drama in the East, the Western Division remains very tight. At the moment, San Antonio leads Memphis by a half-game, but many days in June saw four teams within a single game of the top spot. Nashville, still just 3 1/2 back, slip to fifth place after SP Bill Ebeling (6-5, 3.00) and his $16.7 million salary went down for the year with a ruptured disc on June 10.


Western Division Batter of the Month:

SS Raymond Timmerman (NSH) - Hit .350 with 6 HR and 25 RBI, 2nd BotM of the year for 1949 MVP

Western Division Pitcher of the Month:

Dave Donnell (HOU) - Went 5-0 with a 1.22 ERA

Eastern Division Batter of the Month:

3B Travis O'Connell (ATL) - Hit .356 with 8 HR and 32 RBI

Eastern Division Pitcher of the Month:

Jonathan "Crash" Ford (MIA) - Went 4-0 with a 2.36 ERA, but a pulled tricep on June 24 puts Crash on the DL for an estimated three to four weeks.


Western Division Standings

San Antonio... 43 - 35 .551 -
Memphis....... 43 - 46 .544 .5
Houston....... 42 - 37 .532 1.5
New Orleans... 41 - 38 .519 2.5
Nashville..... 39 - 38 .506 3.5
Dallas........ 34 - 45 .430 9.5

Eastern Division Standings

Norfolk....... 49 - 30 .620 -
Jacksonville.. 38 - 41 .481 11
Atlanta....... 38 - 42 .475 11.5
Tampa......... 37 - 43 .463 12.5
Carolina...... 36 - 43 .456 13
Miami......... 33 - 45 .423 15.5

[jmm8356]

July 11, 1950

NASHVILLE - Joe Deutsch hit a two-run shot off Steve Boyd (L, 2/3 IP, 4 R, 4 H) in a four-run 4th as the Western All-Stars defeat the East, 5 to 1. Singles by Chris Wardell, Raymond Timmerman and Jeff McGovern, followed by an RBI groundout from Charlie Norwood, set the table for the 396-foot blast to right. Deutsch, 2 for 3 with 2 runs and 2 RBI on the night, was named the game's MVP, while Western hurlers Absher (3 IP, 1 H, 6 K), Elswick (W, 2 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 2 BB, 2 K), Taylor (2 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K) and Bivins (2 IP, 0 H, 1 K) held the East to six hits. Rick Brown's RBI-single in the top half of the 4th scored Richard Safford for the East's only tally.


Western Division All-Stars

Starters

SP Don Skelly (SAN) - 9-2, 2.29, WHIP 1.10

C Patrick Baskerville (NSH) (2) - .355, 3 HR, 39 RBI, 24 2Bs

1B Sean Baugh (SAN) - .327, 8 HR, 49 RBI, 19 2Bs

2B John Watkins (SAN) - .334, 9 HR, 54 RBI, 49 R, 34 SB

3B Chris Wardell (DAL) (2) - .282, 3 HR, 32 RBI, current 7-game hitting streak

SS Raymond Timmerman (NSH) (2) - .346, 15 HR, 81 RBI, 55 R, 21 2Bs

LF Malcolm Harris (NWO) (2) - .285, 10 HR, 40 RBI, 46 R

CF Charlie Norwood (NWO) (2) - .290, 19 HR, 58 RBI, 48 R, 5 3Bs

RF Stephen Delisle (DAL) (3) - .331, 6 HR, 31 RBI, 5 OF As

Reserves

SP Dave Donnell (HOU)
SP Vernon Elswick (MEM)
SP Ronald Absher (NWO) (2)
SP Daryl Warren (MEM)
SP Everett Lane (NSH)
SP Ralph Taylor (HOU)
MR Harry Garvin (DAL)
CL Sam White (SAN) (2)
MR Franklin Bivins (NWO)
C Joe Deutsch (NWO) (3)
1B Jeff Hickox (DAL) (2)
RF Mark Clark (SAN) (2)
RF Charlie Sharpe (NWO) (2)
CF Jeff McGovern (SAN) (2)
SS Jerry Carroll (DAL) (2)
SS Ken Bennett (SAN) (3)


Eastern Division All-Stars

Starters

SP Joe Melton (NOR) (2) - 11-5, 3.41, WHIP 1.21

C Dave Hoffman (CAR) (3) - .270, 16 HR, 48 RBI, 6 SB

1B Jeff Daniels (JAX) - .296, 9 HR, 44 RBI, only 3 E in 682 TC (.996)

2B Lee Pinkney (ATL) - .296, 5 HR, 42 RBI, 21 2Bs

3B Travis O'Connell (ATL) (3) - .347, 16 HR, 63 RBI, 51 R

SS Tom Calder (MIA) - .338, 7 HR, 50 RBI, 42 R, 16 2Bs

LF John Theiss (CAR) (2) - .315, 10 HR, 40 RBI, 44 R, 20 2Bs, 15 SB

CF Scott Heyer (NOR) (2) - .345, 8 HR, 46 RBI, 62 R, 19 2Bs, 21 SB

RF Rick Brown (NOR) - .284, 11 HR, 54 RBI, 82 BB

Reserves

SP Kyle Roemer (NOR) (2)
SP Dave Haskell (TAM) (2)
SP Gary Nardi (JAX)
SP Steve Bruce (JAX) (2)
SP Curtis Ring (CAR) (2)
SP Steve Boyd (TAM)
MR Jeff Wozniak (CAR)
CL Dave Samuelson (NOR)
MR Alex Yardley (TAM) (3)
C Dave Fried (NOR)
1B Nick Crouse (TAM)
CF Nick Bacon (TAM) (2)
LF Rudolph Stagner (ATL)
RF Raymond LaVallee (ATL) (2)
3B Richard Safford (JAX) (3)
SS Darrell Shehan (ATL) (3)

[jmm8356]

[Any strange AI behavior this month can be attributed to me not changing the AI percentages from June (40/15/30/15) to July (40/24/24/12). However, nothing looks completely ridiculous at first glance.]

August 1, 1950

The Eastern Division continues to be a rout as Norfolk leads by twelve games. Not counting the Clippers, the East has gone 112-157 (.416) versus the West thus far, which explains why Jacksonville remains in second place despite a .500 record. Norfolk is not complacent, however; the Clippers send last year's hero Kyle Roemer (12-3, 3.69) and $2.5 million to Miami for younger and better rated Ken Chilton (4-5, 3.42) on July 30.

Only six games separate worst from first in the Western Division after former cellar dweller Dallas wins 14 straight over Tampa, Atlanta and Carolina beginning June 29. San Antonio maintains a slim one-game lead over Memphis, but both squads may be vulnerable in August. The Blues lose Douglas Agan (4-6, 3.56) with a fractured elbow on July 25; Agan is due back in mid-September. The Missions, meanwhile, are bitten hard by the injury bug on back-to-back days. On July 28, Keith Ward (8-6, 3.04) goes down for about six weeks with an inflamed rotator cuff, and the next day sees SS Ken Bennett (.291, 12 HR, 55 RBI, 68 BB) tear his tricep on a throw. Bennett may return by the final week of the season.

In transactions news, starter Steve Boyd (8-6, 3.70) had one crazy month. On July 4th, Carolina deals Boyd to Tampa; one week later, Boyd is in the All-Star Game (and gives up the winning run). July 18 sees Boyd sent from Carolina to Atlanta, and then Boyd is dealt one more time, from Atlanta to New Orleans on July 30. Throughout all this, he manages to go 2-1 in four July starts with a 3.73 ERA.

Big extensions signed at the end of the month are topped by Tampa LF Bill Danner's (20 HR, 49 RBI) five years at $9.8 million, despite hitting just .219 this season. Batter of the Month Darrell Shehan also gets $9.8 million but for four years. Other extension highlights include:

NOR SP Joe Melton (13-7, 3.53) - 6 years at $7.1 million

HOU CL Will Bergen (20 SV, 3.14) - 3 years at $7.1 million

NSH SP Everett Lane (8-8, 4.15) - 4 years at $6.8 million


Western Division Batter of the Month:

SS Jerry Carroll (DAL) - Hit .351 with 6 HR and 20 RBI

Western Division Pitcher of the Month:

Joseph Phillips (DAL) - Went 5-0 with a 1.25 ERA

Eastern Division Batter of the Month:

SS Darrell Shehan (ATL) - Hit .340 with 8 HR and 25 RBI, receives a four-year $9.8 million extension (up from $9.0 million)

Eastern Division Pitcher of the Month:

Dan Light (NOR) - Went 3-1 with a 2.37 ERA


Western Division Standings

San Antonio... 58 - 47 .552 -
Memphis....... 57 - 48 .543 1
Houston....... 56 - 49 .533 2
Dallas........ 54 - 51 .514 4
Nashville..... 53 - 51 .510 4.5
New Orleans... 52 - 53 .495 6

Eastern Division Standings

Norfolk....... 65 - 41 .613 -
Jacksonville.. 53 - 53 .500 12
Miami......... 48 - 57 .457 16.5
Tampa......... 48 - 58 .453 17
Atlanta....... 46 - 60 .434 19
Carolina...... 42 - 64 .396 23

[jmm8356]

September 1, 1950

Memphis holds a one-game lead in the West as San Antonio slides from first to fifth. The Missions lost 13 of 14 starting July 30, including a sweep at Houston with three losses in extra innings (14, 13 and 12). On the flip side, Dallas, in last place on July 1st, have since gone 37-17 to move into second spot and contend for the pennant. The Drifters have allowed the fewest runs (515) in the CBA, thanks to starters Quinton Reed (13-6, 2.73), Joseph Phillips (11-8, 3.54) and PotM Devon Couch (10-10, 3.76).

The Eastern Division is all but decided, with the Norfolk Clippers out front by an astonishing sixteen games over Jacksonville in second. The defending champs' magic number is just 14, thanks to the efforts of CF Scott Heyer (.341, 16 HR, 78 RBI, 95 R, 28 2Bs, 81 BB, 31 SB) and closer Dave Samuelson (6-5, 41 SV, 2.69 ERA, WHIP 0.99).

Elsewhere in the East, a pair of two-time All-Star pitchers had their careers ended by torn back muscles. Atlanta's Stephen Vance (Career 24-16, 3.37) was felled on August 17, and recently acquired Kyle Roemer (Career 39-21, 3.62) went down on August 26 for Miami.


Western Division Batter of the Month:

LF Buck Blasingame (NSH) - Hit .304 with 7 HR and 25 RBI, including 7 RBI versus New Orleans on August 5

Western Division Pitcher of the Month:

Devon Couch (DAL) - Went 4-1 with a 3.48 ERA, but put on the DL with back spasms on August 29

Eastern Division Batter of the Month:

CF Nick Bacon (TAM) - Hit .431 with 3 HR and 23 RBI

Eastern Division Pitcher of the Month:

Tim Steele (ATL) - Went 5-1 with a 2.79 ERA, signed two-year extension for $4.6 million (from $5.7 million) at age 39


Western Division Standings

Memphis....... 72 - 61 .541 -
Dallas........ 71 - 62 .534 1
Houston....... 69 - 64 .519 3
New Orleans... 66 - 67 .496 6
San Antonio... 66 - 67 .496 6
Nashville..... 63 - 70 .474 9

Eastern Division Standings

Norfolk....... 83 - 50 .624 -
Jacksonville.. 67 - 66 .504 16
Atlanta....... 64 - 70 .478 19.5
Miami......... 62 - 71 .466 21
Tampa......... 60 - 73 .451 23
Carolina...... 56 - 78 .418 27.5

[jmm8356]

September 30, 1950

Only two days remain in the third season of the Confederate Baseball Association, and the Western Division crown remains up for grabs, as worst-to-first Dallas leads Memphis by a single game. The Drifters can clinch the pennant with a win at New Orleans combined with a Blues loss against Houston today.

Norfolk, meanwhile, sealed their second Eastern title in as many years on September 14 with a 6-2 victory at Miami. With two games to play, the Clippers lead the red-hot Atlanta Flames by nineteen.


Western Division Standings

Dallas........ 86 - 74 .537 - (Magic: 2)
Memphis....... 85 - 75 .531 1
Houston....... 81 - 79 .506 5
San Antonio... 81 - 79 .506 5
New Orleans... 78 - 82 .487 8
Nashville..... 76 - 84 .475 10

Eastern Division Standings

Norfolk...... 100 - 60 .625 -
Atlanta....... 81 - 79 .506 19
Tampa......... 77 - 83 .481 23
Miami......... 76 - 84 .475 24
Jacksonville.. 74 - 86 .463 26
Carolina...... 65 - 95 .406 35