Koana Baseball Association - Season 2012 Preview

[Nugget699]

NEW to the 2012 season:
- All promotion's and relegation's from the exciting 2011 season, including the Gold Coast Tigers who were promoted to the citibank Second Division via the appeals board.
- The new alignment to the citibank Third Division, including new teams the East Bayside Roosters and Port Humoor Fleet as per real life.
- The Nooka Combined States Premier League, the fifth tier of baseball and highest semi-professional baseball is also included to incorporate promotion and relegation from the citibank Third Division that is new to Koana Baseball this year.

Upgrades for the 2012 season:
- Vizhune Vipers logo has been updated
- Correct schedules for all divisions
- All players at their correct teams prior to the April 6 release with correct histories, including 2011 statistics.

Stay tuned for more interesting facts and stories in the build-up to Season 2012!

[Nugget699]

How East Bayside became Koana's answer to the "Evil Empire"



BAYSIDE --- Deep in the heart of the commercial hub of Bayside two men greet each other with a friendly handshake and sit down to enjoy a meal with their respective families.

Nobody else in the restaurant bats an eyelid at one of the richest men in the Koana Islands sitting down to enjoy a meal with George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars. That's because they have been best friends for years.

Everton Secura, a hugely successful businessman who made his fortune on the small pockets of Oil in Snowy Island has known George Lucas when they met during auditions for American Graffiti when Everton's wife, Julia, was auditioning for the part of Laurie.

"We just hit it off, we really clicked" said Everton.

"We just got chatting and realised we had so much in common.

"I have always had a fascination in movies and was really keen to listen to George's movie plans. I even helped fund Star Wars" he continued.

"He was one of only a handful of people who believed in my project, my plans" interrupted George, laughing.

The two became inseparable over the last 35 years with George Lucas even naming a character in Star Wars after Everton's daughter, Aayla.

When the Koana Baseball Association annouced they were looking for two new teams to enter the fourth tier of professional baseball, Everton Secura jumped at the chance.

"I've been a Baysidite all my life, and to have a city this big with a baseball team (Bayside Bombers) that has played so poorly is beggar's belief.

"I really wanted to right the ship at the Bombers a number of years ago, but their finances are a mess, the stadium is in disrepair from years of neglect.

"I didn't want in on that mess and kind of resigned myself to never being a part of baseball in the Islands until George caught wind of my plans one night over dinner" announced Everton.

"Yeah" said George, "Julia mentioned at the dinner table how Everton really wanted to own a team in the Koana Baseball Association (KBA) but he had all but given up hope.

"We got talking about the two new teams that the KBA were after to fill up the Third Division for 2012.

"Ideally, the KBA were looking for large semi-professional clubs to fill the gaps".

League Commissioner Ian Sovijaarvinen was all but aware that the teams needed strong financial backing to cope with the financial strains of the game in the fourth tier.

"When Everton and George came forward with their plan to introduce a second team in Bayside we really noticed" said Ian.

"Having a second team in Bayside has always been a plan of ours; it's a real hidden gem in regards to possible revenue and both Everton and George had a sound business plan that envisaged their club climbing the ranks in no time".

When East Bayside were accepted as the second and last team to join the citibank Third Division (Port Humoor Fleet having been accepted three days before) on Tuesday, November 22nd the news was anything but fantastic to the rest of the KBA, which now includes the Nooka Combined States Premier League.

The Bayside Bombers were very vocal about their displeasure at East Bayside being guaranteed sole use of the Floby Sports Centre, just a few kilometers away from where the Bombers play at The Wind Tunnel. The Bombers were originally promised full use of the stadium whilst The Wind Tunnel was repaired to reduce loss of earnings.

All Third Division teams were frustrated at losing players to the expansion draft that took place this morning (8th of February). Riverburgh Claymores in particular were cleaned out of all but the 17 they protected.

"We came dead last in 2011, which didn't really matter as we were on a path to rebuilding. Now we have the distinct possibility we could be the first team to be relegated out of the professional leagues where our teams future is uncertain, all because we don't have a famous movie maker helping to fund the team" said Claymores owner Fergus Langman Jr..

All 40 teams in the Nooka Combined States Premier League also announced their displeasure at being overlooked for a team that had no players or staff.

Even Megopolis Titans owner Ben Mathisson Jr., whose fortunes vastly outweighs even that of Everton Secura and George Lucas combined said he was frustrated at the way money seemed to play a big part on which teams were selected.

"It's a cliche, but you have to have your critics" said Everton. "We are going into the season with every team in the country vying for our blood, hoping we fail.

"We just have to worry about ourselves and not let the frustration of our involvement in the league worry us".

Everyone will be watching closely to see how the East Bayside Roosters perform in their first season along with fellow newcomers the Port Humoor Fleet.

The two square-off on Opening Day in Port Park at 7:00pm.

[Nugget699]

2012 Super League Predictions



- New Auckland Warlocks are firm favorites to win their third straight Super League title on the back of their amazing pitching rotation.
- Vizhune Vipers should finish runners-up whilst Megopolis Titans go through a period of change on their roster.
- Dyce Whalers are the best newly promoted team to have any chance of survival this year. The Whalers bounced straight back up to the Super League after relegation in 2010.
- Fellow newcomers the Lexington Wasps should all survive. They last played in the top flight back in 1998. They have played in the First Division ever since and were nearly relegated a second time when they finished 17th in 2007.
- Saphire Coast Sharks and Hollydale Islanders have it all to do to avoid the drop. They were promoted to the Super Legue in 2009 and 2008 respectively and struggled to survive ever since. The Islanders in particular have struggled financially.
- Despite their first Super League appearance since 1991, Nyhaven North Stars are expected to fall straight back down to the First Division.

[Nugget699]

2012 First Division Predictions



- A tough division all round will see recently relegated teams Blanchester Wild and the Ivywood Thunder in strong positions to go straight back up to the Super League. The Ivywood Thunder were recently purchased by millionaire Erasmus Crawford Jr. who has expressed an interest to make them compete with the top teams in the Super League.
- Stondon Steelers are also in with a chance. They have bounced around between the lower divisions since 1988 when they last played in the Super League
- Megopolis Titans' local rivals the Downtown Metros, relegated last year, can also prove a big threat and are not to be underestimated.
- The Uckford Ducks missed promotion by 1 game last year, but are not expected to be so lucky this year.
- Newly promoted Ocean Point Swarm have a very slim chance of making back-to-back promotions, whilst fellow newcomers Cruden Bay Tribe and Conneaut Spartans are expected to try and consolidate in the lower half of the table.
- Zion Mercury have a big ask to avoid the drop this year after finished 17th last year. They have struggled ever since their promotion to the First Division in 2006.
- Water Valley Hurricanes have had difficulties since their relegated from the Super League in 2009. They finished 14th last year but a shockingly poor pitching staff will almost certainly see them in the Second Division next year where they last played in 1992.
- Black Island Mercenaries have replaced many of their better players with good prospects this year meaning last place is almost a given for the inexperienced side. But watch out for them in 2013 in the Second Division...if they can hold onto their young stars.

[Nugget699]

2012 Second Division Predictions



- Pinebrook Stags, who went 37-125 last year have strengthened their side with two strong Starting Pitchers to hopefully allow a quick return to the First Division. CF Joel Maxwell is in his final year before he can file for Free Agency. Expect him to sign with a top 5 Super League team next year.
- Bayside Bombers are hoping to end their stay in the Second Division after 5 years and should do so easily.
- Bryankeld Panthers, who finished 15th last year (64-98) are easily the third best team in the division with a couple of good Starting Pitchers in their rotation. The Panthers have been in the Second Division since their relegation from the First Division in 1995.
- Recently relegated Clayfield Blaze will have a tough time bouncing back up, whilst Cherry City Devils and the Glenton Hills Chiefs who finished 16th and 9th respectively last year are also probably not up to the task.
- The Gold Coast Tigers, the last winner of the Third Division play-offs are expected to consoliate before pushing on for promotion in 2013, becoming the new "Triple Jumper" a phrase coined to teams who win usually fly through the pyramid on the back of great financial stability. They are one of only a handful of teams to have never played in the Super League. They last played in the Second Division in 1997.
- Shettleston Blue Sox finished 14 games behind a promotion spot in 5th place last year, but are expected to struggle to survive this season. The Springside Thrashers finished 6th (97- 65) and have similar problems as the Blue Sox with lack of depth across all positions.
- Cumberland Jets finished 18th last year, which would've seen them relegated in any other division were it not for the "1 up, 1 down" system to the Third Division. This year they won't be so lucky. They won promotion to the First Division in 2003 before dropping back down 2008 where they have struggled since. The Jets last played in the Third Division in 2002.
- The Angelsea Armada finished 19th last year in a dreaful season for the northern team, they are expected to fair slightly better this year.
- Ruysdael Generals, a team who financially are quite stable have gone into complete rebuild mode. Unfortunately they may have bitten off more than they can chew, and with just a couple of weeks before the start of the season things are looking bleak for any new signings to strengthen the team. This could be a long year.

[Nugget699]

2012 Third Division Predictions



- Another tough division to pick this year with the merger of the Eastern and Western Conferences, although the Waterford Avengers are slight favorites despite finished last in the East in 2011. SP Franz Gerber is in his last year before he can file for free agency so the Avengers need him to help them as much as he can in his last year.
- The Dunnport Rhinos finished 4 games short of .500 ball last year but are in with a great chance thanks to LF Calle Häggvist who will certainly be Super League bound at the end of the season. The Rhinos have never been out of the Third Division since it's start in 1963!
- Another team to have never left the Third Division is the Cape Coral Crushers who have a fine chance to leave the bottom rung of the Koana Baseball Association (KBA). The Aigburth Jazz who were relegated to the Third Division in 2007 have a chance as well.
- Myrtle Beach Flames and to a lesser extent the Newport Royals will also be fighting for a promotion spot. Newport were only relegated in 2009 whilst the Flames have struggled financially for years since their relegation in 1969.
- Riverburgh Claymores have been given an official warning to improve their on-field performances or face expulsion from the KBA. They haven't made the play-offs since 1991 and haven't finished higher than 5th in the West since 2004. Thankfully the only spot up for relegation from the Third Division belongs to the most poorly run team in the history of all things...
- The Forres Thistle Oilers are firm favourites for not only relegation but also setting the lowest winning percentage in the Third Division which is currently held by the Ridgewich Falls Pride in 1980 (.139). The Oilers have no Starting Pitchers and rely on Relievers and also have a squad the same size as most Super League teams yet without any talent. The Oilers were relegated from the First Division in 2004 and have struggled on field and financially ever since. They are well on track to become the first team to lose its KBA license when it is relegated and absorbed into the Baseball Association of Koana Islands (BAKI) later this year.

[Nugget699]

2012 Combined States Premier League Predictions

Western Conference


Eastern Conference


New this year is the Combined States Premier League sponsored by Nooka. The league is run by the Baseball Association of Koana Islands (BAKI) and was the largest Semi-Professional baseball league in the Koana Island's until it's merger with the Koana Baseball Association in mid-2011. 2012 will be the first year of competition.

At the completion of 144-game schedule, the top three teams from each Division and two wildcards from each Conference will meet in the Play-Offs in which each round is a best of 5. The winner at the end of the Play-Offs is promoted into the citibank Third Division.

Due to the financial difficulties teams this low down the pyramid suffer, the KBA and BAKI have passed laws allowing any player who has played in any division above the CSPL can file for Free Agency regardless of age following a hearing. This allows teams who are struggling financially to avoid falling into administration when they are relegated out of the Third Division.

For instance, the Forres Thistle Oilers, who are close to financial ruin have a payroll of KK 7,000,000, nearly 4 million higher than the CSPL average and 2 million higher than the leagues highest payroll of KK 5,000,000 held by the Linktoria Ravens.

Any players filing for Free Agency will be forced to give their reasons as to why a move down to the CSPL will be detrimental to their careers.

Due to the inclusion in the baseball pyramid, some teams were forced to re-brand to avoid any duplicate names with other professional teams. The list is below:

Aalen Mountaineers (Lumberjacks)
Algona Seahawks (Skyhawks)
Prywynne Astros (Whalers)
Fayborough Defenders (Titans)
Iris City Bulls (Chargers)
Ljungby Wanderers (Wolves)
Stonefair Centurions (Spartans)

[yougo1000]

wrong board...