Friday, December 28, 2012

Minor DMB Game Enhancements

DMB published a minor patch after our season started last year, and thus we were not able to reap the benefits. .  This upcoming season will be simmed using the new patch; here are the enhancements:
  • Pitcher won't be removed for pinch runner if he's throwing a no-hitter.
  • When late in game and behind, pitcher will not automatically bunt if base runners are needed.
  • Improved defensive substitution logic when player changing positions.
  • Improved substitution logic when replacing OFer removed for PH/PR.
  • CM wasn't bunting enough before the 4th inning.
DMB hasn't published anything to give us an idea what "improved" or "wasn't bunting enough" means, but these are all positive developments.

PS.  #1 is so incredibly awful I can't believe it hadn't already been fixed.  I cannot imagine my pitcher, tossing a no hitter, was allowed to bat only to be removed for a pinch runner.  ATB uses a DH so this was a non-issue for us.

Monday, December 24, 2012

Team by Team Schedule

Here it is if anyone's curious.

Lymon Bostock announces return of Willets Point "Mechanics" Franchise

Owner Matt B has selected Lymon Bostock as the manager for his Willets Point "Mechanics" franchise.  The logo returns as well:


Shamokin Miners Announce Franchise



Mike M has joined the fray and announced his franchise will be named Shamokin Miners, playing out of Pennsylvania.

Shamokin is the home town of Baseball Hall of Famer Stan Coveleski, but more importantly to Mike, he has family roots who worked in this quasi-famous mining town.

Friday, December 21, 2012

History of Picks 3 and 4

Pedro Martinez 2000
Is ATB 7 or ATB 10 his best?

Barry Bonds 2004
I've waited 8 years for his 2004 year to be tried again... Finally!

Batting History for Picks 1 and 2

Reminder that the player cards are a great resource to aid you in draft prep.  They summarize the all resim, regular season, and career data for each player in league history.  They also include defense, general ratings, graphs, and major awards.

For the 1st Round selections (maybe just top 10) I'll post the pertinent batting sections for each player.  Oscar Charleston is new so no history there, but Ruth has had some tremendous seasons, along with some (relatively) disappointing ones too.

Oscar Charleston 1924-1925
You can't win without some risk, but did Justin assume too much by taking an untested player with the first pick overall?

Babe Ruth 1920
How 'bout that ATB 10 season for Brad (Lima de Equipo); Ruth '21 was taken in ATB 6 and 12

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Picks 1 and 2

Solely to create a sense of false anticipation, I'll be publishing the draft order in reverse order over the next few days.  As always, the random order was determined by the excel random number generator formula.

In parenthesis are the selections at that slot for the past two seasons.

01 - Justin P--(Babe Ruth - - - - - Babe Ruth)
02 - Gary G----(Pedro Martinez - -- Pedro Martinez)
03 - Brian B---(Barry Bonds - - - - Barry Bonds)
04 - Jason B---(Mickey Mantle - - - Mickey Mantle)
05 - Joe T-----(Lou Gehrig - - - -- Ted Williams)
06 - TJ O------(Rogers Hornsby - -- Lou Gehrig)
07 - Sean S----(Jimmie Foxx - - - - Hugh Duffy)
08 - Ted K-----(Ross Barnes - - - - Lady Baldwin-b4 update)
09 - Steve C---(Ted Williams - - -- Rogers Hornsby)
10 - David K---(Greg Maddux - - - - Honus Wagner)
11 - Leanne S--(Fred Dunlap - - - - Jimmie Foxx)
12 - Mike M----(Honus Wagner - - -- Tip O'Neill)
13 - Joe V-----(Ty Cobb - - - - - - Gregg Maddux**)
14 - Bill N----(Stan Musial - - - - Oscar Charleston*)
15 - Ivar A----(Joe DiMaggio - - -- Norm Cash)
16 - Mike S----(George Brett - - -- Ty Cobb)
17 - Lou P-----(Walter Johnson - -- Ross Barnes)
18 - Jeff B----(Arky Vaughan - - -- Larry Walker)
19 - Brad P----(Norm Cash - - - - - George Brett)
20 - Matt B----(Tip O'Neill - - - - John McGraw)
21 - Allen C---(Tris Speaker - - -- Stan Musial)
22 - Greg M----(Randy Johnson - - - Tris Speaker)
23 - Shotgun S-(Nap Lajoie - - - -- Joe Jackson)
24 - Jay H-----(Oscar Charleston* - Arky Vaughan)


* Before update to new negro league set
**Holy Crap that is a good pick

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

PIcks 3 and 4


Solely to create a sense of false anticipation, I'll be publishing the draft order in reverse order over the next few days.  As always, the random order was determined by the excel random number generator formula.

In parenthesis are the selections at that slot for the past two seasons.

03 - Brian B---(Barry Bonds - - - - Barry Bonds)
04 - Jason B---(Mickey Mantle - - - Mickey Mantle)
05 - Joe T-----(Lou Gehrig - - - -- Ted Williams)
06 - TJ O------(Rogers Hornsby - -- Lou Gehrig)
07 - Sean S----(Jimmie Foxx - - - - Hugh Duffy)
08 - Ted K-----(Ross Barnes - - - - Lady Baldwin-b4 update)
09 - Steve C---(Ted Williams - - -- Rogers Hornsby)
10 - David K---(Greg Maddux - - - - Honus Wagner)
11 - Leanne S--(Fred Dunlap - - - - Jimmie Foxx)
12 - Mike M----(Honus Wagner - - -- Tip O'Neill)
13 - Joe V-----(Ty Cobb - - - - - - Gregg Maddux**)
14 - Bill N----(Stan Musial - - - - Oscar Charleston*)
15 - Ivar A----(Joe DiMaggio - - -- Norm Cash)
16 - Mike S----(George Brett - - -- Ty Cobb)
17 - Lou P-----(Walter Johnson - -- Ross Barnes)
18 - Jeff B----(Arky Vaughan - - -- Larry Walker)
19 - Brad P----(Norm Cash - - - - - George Brett)
20 - Matt B----(Tip O'Neill - - - - John McGraw)
21 - Allen C---(Tris Speaker - - -- Stan Musial)
22 - Greg M----(Randy Johnson - - - Tris Speaker)
23 - Shotgun S-(Nap Lajoie - - - -- Joe Jackson)
24 - Jay H-----(Oscar Charleston* - Arky Vaughan)

* Before update to new negro league set
**Holy Crap that is a good pick


Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Picks 5 and 6


Solely to create a sense of false anticipation, I'll be publishing the draft order in reverse order over the next few days.  As always, the random order was determined by the excel random number generator formula.

In parenthesis are the selections at that slot for the past two seasons.

05 - Joe T-----(Lou Gehrig - - - -- Ted Williams)
06 - TJ O------(Rogers Hornsby - -- Lou Gehrig)
07 - Sean S----(Jimmie Foxx - - - - Hugh Duffy)
08 - Ted K-----(Ross Barnes - - - - Lady Baldwin-b4 update)
09 - Steve C---(Ted Williams - - -- Rogers Hornsby)
10 - David K---(Greg Maddux - - - - Honus Wagner)
11 - Leanne S--(Fred Dunlap - - - - Jimmie Foxx)
12 - Mike M----(Honus Wagner - - -- Tip O'Neill)
13 - Joe V-----(Ty Cobb - - - - - - Gregg Maddux**)
14 - Bill N----(Stan Musial - - - - Oscar Charleston*)
15 - Ivar A----(Joe DiMaggio - - -- Norm Cash)
16 - Mike S----(George Brett - - -- Ty Cobb)
17 - Lou P-----(Walter Johnson - -- Ross Barnes)
18 - Jeff B----(Arky Vaughan - - -- Larry Walker)
19 - Brad P----(Norm Cash - - - - - George Brett)
20 - Matt B----(Tip O'Neill - - - - John McGraw)
21 - Allen C---(Tris Speaker - - -- Stan Musial)
22 - Greg M----(Randy Johnson - - - Tris Speaker)
23 - Shotgun S-(Nap Lajoie - - - -- Joe Jackson)
24 - Jay H-----(Oscar Charleston* - Arky Vaughan)

* Before update to new negro league set
**Holy Crap that is a good pick

Monday, December 17, 2012

Picks 7 and 8


Solely to create a sense of false anticipation, I'll be publishing the draft order in reverse order over the next few days.  As always, the random order was determined by the excel random number generator formula.

In parenthesis are the selections at that slot for the past two seasons.

07 - Sean S----(Jimmie Foxx - - - - Hugh Duffy)
08 - Ted K-----(Ross Barnes - - - - Lady Baldwin-b4 update)
09 - Steve C---(Ted Williams - - -- Rogers Hornsby)
10 - David K---(Greg Maddux - - - - Honus Wagner)
11 - Leanne S--(Fred Dunlap - - - - Jimmie Foxx)
12 - Mike M----(Honus Wagner - - -- Tip O'Neill)
13 - Joe V-----(Ty Cobb - - - - - - Gregg Maddux**)
14 - Bill N----(Stan Musial - - - - Oscar Charleston*)
15 - Ivar A----(Joe DiMaggio - - -- Norm Cash)
16 - Mike S----(George Brett - - -- Ty Cobb)
17 - Lou P-----(Walter Johnson - -- Ross Barnes)
18 - Jeff B----(Arky Vaughan - - -- Larry Walker)
19 - Brad P----(Norm Cash - - - - - George Brett)
20 - Matt B----(Tip O'Neill - - - - John McGraw)
21 - Allen C---(Tris Speaker - - -- Stan Musial)
22 - Greg M----(Randy Johnson - - - Tris Speaker)
23 - Shotgun S-(Nap Lajoie - - - -- Joe Jackson)
24 - Jay H-----(Oscar Charleston* - Arky Vaughan)

* Before update to new negro league set
**Holy Crap that is a good pick

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Picks 9 and 10


Solely to create a sense of false anticipation, I'll be publishing the draft order in reverse order over the next few days.  As always, the random order was determined by the excel random number generator formula.

In parenthesis are the selections at that slot for the past two seasons.

09 - Steve C---(Ted Williams - - -- Rogers Hornsby)
10 - David K---(Greg Maddux - - - - Honus Wagner)
11 - Leanne S--(Fred Dunlap - - - - Jimmie Foxx)
12 - Mike M----(Honus Wagner - - -- Tip O'Neill)
13 - Joe V-----(Ty Cobb - - - - - - Gregg Maddux**)
14 - Bill N----(Stan Musial - - - - Oscar Charleston*)
15 - Ivar A----(Joe DiMaggio - - -- Norm Cash)
16 - Mike S----(George Brett - - -- Ty Cobb)
17 - Lou P-----(Walter Johnson - -- Ross Barnes)
18 - Jeff B----(Arky Vaughan - - -- Larry Walker)
19 - Brad P----(Norm Cash - - - - - George Brett)
20 - Matt B----(Tip O'Neill - - - - John McGraw)
21 - Allen C---(Tris Speaker - - -- Stan Musial)
22 - Greg M----(Randy Johnson - - - Tris Speaker)
23 - Shotgun S-(Nap Lajoie - - - -- Joe Jackson)
24 - Jay H-----(Oscar Charleston* - Arky Vaughan)

* Before update to new negro league set
**Holy Crap that is a good pick

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Min, Max, Average OPS for Select Players

Yesterday I quickly showed how the 500 resim average stat line for Oscar Charleston doesn't tell the whole story.  I don't want to pick on Oscar, so here are a few other select examples.

.900+ OPS Players

.850 - .899 OPS Players



Select .800 - .850 OPS Players



Colorado Green Sox, Manetheren Red Eagles, and Sparta Hoplites Announce Franchises

Gary G, Lou P, and Sean have announce their franchises:

Colorado Green Sox (Gary)


Manetheren Red Eagles (Lou)


Sparta Hoplites (Sean)

Friday, December 14, 2012

500 Resims Lines are Just One Possible Outcome

At this point I am repeating myself, but it's important to drill home this message - stats aren't guaranteed.  DMB purposely builds uncertainty into their game engine so that each season is not a repeat of the last - what fun is there in that.

In the 500 resims Oscar Charleston was an absolute monster, hitting .338 / . 442 / .625 in 225,000 at bats.  That is his average, at his best he went off the charts batting .420 / .499 / .813 - talk about falling into it if he does that for someone in ATB XV..

But we can't forget about his worst either:  .267 / .387 / .455.

So before making a selection understand the stats are not guaranteed - hope for the best, but plan for the worst.

2012 Park Data Added

Choose your ballpark from any stadium and year on this list.

Basic Ballpark Resource


Thursday, December 13, 2012

Picks 11 and 12


Solely to create a sense of false anticipation, I'll be publishing the draft order in reverse order over the next few days.  As always, the random order was determined by the excel random number generator formula.

In parenthesis are the selections at that slot for the past two seasons.

11 - Leanne S--(Fred Dunlap - - - - Jimmie Foxx)
12 - Mike M----(Honus Wagner - - -- Tip O'Neill)
13 - Joe V-----(Ty Cobb - - - - - - Gregg Maddux**)
14 - Bill N----(Stan Musial - - - - Oscar Charleston*)
15 - Ivar A----(Joe DiMaggio - - -- Norm Cash)
16 - Mike S----(George Brett - - -- Ty Cobb)
17 - Lou P-----(Walter Johnson - -- Ross Barnes)
18 - Jeff B----(Arky Vaughan - - -- Larry Walker)
19 - Brad P----(Norm Cash - - - - - George Brett)
20 - Matt B----(Tip O'Neill - - - - John McGraw)
21 - Allen C---(Tris Speaker - - -- Stan Musial)
22 - Greg M----(Randy Johnson - - - Tris Speaker)
23 - Shotgun S-(Nap Lajoie - - - -- Joe Jackson)
24 - Jay H-----(Oscar Charleston* - Arky Vaughan)

* Before update to new negro league set
**Holy Crap that is a good pick

Contact Info, Team Names, and Logos

The owners page is up.  Please check the email address and let me know if you spot any problems.  This is the address other owners will contact you for trades.

Also feel free to send in any team names or logo's.

http://www.alltimebaseballsim.net/owners.htm

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Eligible Batter, Eligible Pitcher, and Era Files Updated

for the 2012 season.

Real Life Era Data
Eligible Batters
Eligible Pitchers

Picks 13 and 14


Solely to create a sense of false anticipation, I'll be publishing the draft order in reverse order over the next few days.  As always, the random order was determined by the excel random number generator formula.

In parenthesis are the selections at that slot for the past two seasons.

13 - Joe V-----(Ty Cobb - - - - - - Gregg Maddux**)
14 - Bill N----(Stan Musial - - - - Oscar Charleston*)
15 - Ivar A----(Joe DiMaggio - - -- Norm Cash)
16 - Mike S----(George Brett - - -- Ty Cobb)
17 - Lou P-----(Walter Johnson - -- Ross Barnes)
18 - Jeff B----(Arky Vaughan - - -- Larry Walker)
19 - Brad P----(Norm Cash - - - - - George Brett)
20 - Matt B----(Tip O'Neill - - - - John McGraw)
21 - Allen C---(Tris Speaker - - -- Stan Musial)
22 - Greg M----(Randy Johnson - - - Tris Speaker)
23 - Shotgun S-(Nap Lajoie - - - -- Joe Jackson)
24 - Jay H-----(Oscar Charleston* - Arky Vaughan)

* Before update to new negro league set
**Holy Crap that is a good pick

AL Central Divisional Alignment


Our final division is the AL Central, the only division with two 1,000+ game winners in it.  Lou P and Mike S rank 1st and 3rd in the all time power rankings and as far as I can tell, haven't faced off head to head in at least 8 seasons.  Lou was ATB Champion last year with a 104 win team while Mike advanced to the League Championship Series before losing to Brian in 4 games.

Jeff B and Ivar A round out the division, both having played about .500 ball over the past two seasons.  Jeff won 77 and 82 in his last two, while Ivar had 78 and 80 win seasons.

Here's the full picture for the entire league:



Brouthers 2 HR takes game 5; Brawlers win Tournament!


Box

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Heat Map of Player OPS for Draft

Nothing groundbreaking here, but an interesting take at where the strongest positions are in the draft.  Hopefully it's obvious, but blue shading indicates a superb OPS and as it shades from green, to yellow, to orange, and finally to red the available OPS gets worse and worse.

This is based upon an assumption that teams will draft about 16 batters and have a somewhat normal distribution of players - 48 catchers, 56 first basemen (some used as DH), etc.

A few things to point out
  • Left Field is the most top heavy
  • First base is the deepest
  • Shortstop falls off a precipitous cliff after pick 3
As always, positional scarcity is so important yet so difficult to predict on draft day.  Honus Wagner has always been a top 10-12 draft pick, not because of his .800 OPS, but since there is literally only one other great hitting shortstop, Arky Vaughan.  This season Willie Wells is available too, perhaps Wagner slips.

First base is now so very deep is someone like Lou Gerhig - a masher, but a masher with just average defense - still a top 6 pick?

Just to illustrate the point, he 16th best available OPS at each position:

.685 - Short Stop
.692 - Second Base
.695 - Catcher
.722 - Third Base
.767 - Right Field
.779 - Center Field
.784 - Left Field
.799 - First Base


* Of course the above does not take into account defense.

Picks 15 and 16


Solely to create a sense of false anticipation, I'll be publishing the draft order in reverse order over the next few days.  As always, the random order was determined by the excel random number generator formula.

In parenthesis are the selections at that slot for the past two seasons.

15 - Ivar A----(Joe DiMaggio - - -- Norm Cash)
16 - Mike S----(George Brett - - -- Ty Cobb)
17 - Lou P-----(Walter Johnson - -- Ross Barnes)
18 - Jeff B----(Arky Vaughan - - -- Larry Walker)
19 - Brad P----(Norm Cash - - - - - George Brett)
20 - Matt B----(Tip O'Neill - - - - John McGraw)
21 - Allen C---(Tris Speaker - - -- Stan Musial)
22 - Greg M----(Randy Johnson - - - Tris Speaker)
23 - Shotgun S-(Nap Lajoie - - - -- Joe Jackson)
24 - Jay H-----(Oscar Charleston* - Arky Vaughan)

* Before update to new negro league set

NL East Divisional Alignment


The NL East is a souped up version of the AL west, featuring two historically talented owners and a sophomore owner that almost made the playoffs in his rookie season.

Steve C has two ATB titles in 5 years and has an incredible 113 win season to his credit.  Last year in one of the toughest divisions in recent memory, he took a small step back with his Chips going 84-78 but his overall career winning percentage remains 3rd highest in league history.

Joe T is a 5-year veteran and has never seen his franchise to a record below .500.  He's made the playoffs three times, reaching the world series once.  Last year Joe came up short in a challenging division, winning 84 games for third place, missing the playoffs in a division with two 90-win teams.

This will place significant pressure on David K and Bill N.  Having played numerous times in other leagues, David isn't an All Time Great league rookie, and last season was in the thick of the playoff hunt for most of the season, falling back only in the second half of September.  This has to concern Bill N, who undoubtedly has drawn the toughest spot in the entire league - the 4th team in a division with 3 accomplished owners.

Barnstormers leave tying run on 3rd; Stargell 4 RBI helps Brawlers win 9-8

Game 4 (Finals)

Clover Bottom Barnstormers @ Borischtown Brawlers



Starting Pitchers
Podres - 2.1 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
Scott -- 6.2 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 2 K

ATB V Era Details

Note:  This post only matters to the few of us who go a bit crazy with the stats, trying to rank every player in baseball history in the order we think DMB would prefer it.  Everyone else can skip!

Earlier the fall I mentioned a change to the ATB era we simulate games in.  Here it is:


This works out to be a slash line of .248 /.298 / .328.  Obviously as a whole the league will hit much better (all time greats and all), this is just the basis of the game engine.  The actual 500 resims resulted in an average line of : .255 / .321 / .397

Last year the league was simulated with a slash line of .265 / .315 / .328 and the 20 resims after ATB XIV averaged .272 / .331 / .385.


Monday, December 10, 2012

Abandoning the Hate for Jimmie Foxx

Long has Jimmie Foxx been questioned as an early first round draft choice.  Over the last few seasons, Foxx has been drafted 7th, 11th, 9th, 11th, and 11th.  Here's his player card:

As always, click to enlarge
While this is certainly very good, a first basemen with a .349 OBP is generally not sufficient reward for a high draft choice.  In the last two seasons the following batters were still on the draft board when Foxx was drafted (ATB average stats in parenthesis): 

Ted Williams - - (.334 / .446 / .533)
Norm Cash - - -- (.309 / .397 / .473)
Ross Barnes - -- (.345 / .397 / .451)
Rogers Hornsby - (.310 / .380 / .464)
Fred Dunlap - -- (.322 / .384 / .450)
(Plus others who are arguably on par or better - Honus Wagner, Greg Maddux, Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Tris Speaker, and Stan Musial)

Williams is obviously the better choice but so is Cash and any one of the big three second basemen.  Yet the allure of the 40+ home run season is so very appealing for many owners it must be too difficult to pas up.  After all, only 20 players on ATB history have accomplished the feat more than once, and only Barry Bonds, Babe Ruth, and Mark McGwire have accomplished it more than Foxx's 8 times.

How about a little compromise?  Which of these two players would you prefer:

.254 / .345 / .506, 20 2B, 43 HR, .851 OPS
.274 / .350 / .539, 33 2B, 39 HR, .889 OPS

The first line is Jimmie Foxx circa 1932 via the 500 resims.  The second line is Jimmie Foxx circa 1933 in the .500 resims, and further, is a year that no owner has chosen in our 15 year history (or at least since we've kept records).  Incredibly, every owner on record has apparently chosen the wrong year for Double X.

If you must take Jimmie Foxx early choose 1933, giving up 4 home runs for the sake of 38 points in OPS.  It's the difference between the 12th best and 24th best batters in the game today.

Note:  Special thanks to Sean S who discovered all of this over the weekend.

Picks 17 and 18


Solely to create a sense of false anticipation, I'll be publishing the draft order in reverse order over the next few days.  As always, the random order was determined by the excel random number generator formula.

In parenthesis are the selections at that slot for the past two seasons.

17 - Lou P-----(Walter Johnson - -- Ross Barnes)
18 - Jeff B----(Arky Vaughan - - -- Larry Walker)
19 - Brad P----(Norm Cash - - - - - George Brett)
20 - Matt B----(Tip O'Neill - - - - John McGraw)
21 - Allen C---(Tris Speaker - - -- Stan Musial)
22 - Greg M----(Randy Johnson - - - Tris Speaker)
23 - Shotgun S-(Nap Lajoie - - - -- Joe Jackson)
24 - Jay H-----(Oscar Charleston* - Arky Vaughan)

* Before update to new negro league set

NL Central Divisional Alignment


The NL Central may be a case of old guard versus the new.  Justin P is arguably the best owner in league history.  He sports the second best winning percentage all time, has won two titles, and recently came through with several dominant teams in the All Time Great ATB Team competition.

While Justin must be considered the favorite, Brian B was the talk of ATB last season, effectively employing a defense first team (to the tune of a slap hitting Ex/1 shortstop).  It worked, Brian won 91 games and finished as the 2nd best team in the after season 20-resim competition.

What all this means is an uphill battle for both Jay H and Greg M.  Jay has owned three previous ATB franchises peaking with 77 wins two years ago. 4th year owners have improved significantly in the past (see Brian and Shotgun) so this may be his year.

Which brings us to ATB rookie Greg-M.  Brother of Mike M, Greg has his work cut out for him in this division.  The 500 resims will be an [powerful tool, one that will likely level the playing field even more so than last years batch of resims.

Appier, Lloyd give Brawlers 6-4 Game 3 Win; Lead Series 2-1


Game 3 (Finals)
Clover Bottom Barnstormers @ Borischtown Brawlers

Sorry, not time for a write-up tonight.

Starting Pitchers
Cicotte - 4.2 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 0 K
Appier -- 8.0 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Picks 19 and 20


Solely to create a sense of false anticipation, I'll be publishing the draft order in reverse order over the next few days.  As always, the random order was determined by the excel random number generator formula.

In parenthesis are the selections at that slot for the past two seasons.

19 - Brad P----(Norm Cash - - - - - George Brett)
20 - Matt B----(Tip O'Neill - - - - John McGraw)
21 - Allen C---(Tris Speaker - - -- Stan Musial)
22 - Greg M----(Randy Johnson - - - Tris Speaker)
23 - Shotgun S-(Nap Lajoie - - - -- Joe Jackson)
24 - Jay H-----(Oscar Charleston* - Arky Vaughan)

* Before update to new negro league set




AL West Divisional Alignment


Something will have to give in the AL West.  Jason, Leanne, and Shotgun each have historical records above .500 and with 22 games each other this season, one of the three will assuredly finish with more losses than wins.

A few seasons ago Jason's John McDonald Fanclub franchise won 109 games only to fall short in the League Championship series.  In the last two seasons he's won 81 and 84 games however, and looks once again cross the 90 win  plateau in ATB XV.

Leanne's back at the helm after a two year hiatus, and hopes to repeat (or of course improve upon) her rookie campaign of 87 wins, one in which her Beau Brummels fought to the last day of the season, narrowly missing the playoffs.

After relatively disappointing rookie and sophomore seasons (ATB learning curve) Shotgun has advanced to the playoffs two years consecutive, and drafted one of the best teams in the league last year (+111 Run Differential). It may be difficult to improve upon 92 wins in this division however.

Pay no attention to Gary-G's 74 win total from last season.  Gary graciously took over a team he had no part in drafting last season, jumping in for another owner who dropped out shortly after the season began.  The more I think about the more I realize what a good position Gary is actually in - he now has ATB experience yet is not responsible for the results of last seasons 74-88 team.

Minor Housekeeping

The links at the top of the page have been updated.  Two changes of note:

  • 500 resim data is permanently linked
  • The Player Cards are not linked as well.
FYI - the Draft Board is still last years version

Turn about: This time Barnstormers rejoice after improbable 9th inning comeback

Game 2 (Finals)
Borischtown Brawlers @ Clover Bottom Barnstormers


In Game 1, the Borischtown Brawlers came back from a 5 run deficit stealing game 1 in the top of the 9th inning.  Tonight in Game 2, it was the Clover Bottom Barnstormers turn for 9th inning heroics.  The offense listless against Ron Guidry for much of the night, and heading into the night it managed just 5 hits.  With a 3-0 lead and Guidry cruising the Brawlers sent their starter out to complete the game.

Guidry was sharp, striking out Joe Jackson looking to start the inning, but Cap Anson next worked a 5 pitch walk.  Guidry then fell behind Pujols, and the first basemen made him pay roping a double into the right center field gap.  Anson had to wait to see if Tris Speaker, a wonderful defender, could make the play and as a result he couldn't score.

With the tying run at the plate, the Brawlers manager turned to bullpen.  Gran Balfour came in to face Edgar Martinez and the DH hit a laser over Dan Brouthers' head, scoring both runners.  Martinez, a plodder, couldn't make second and was held to a single.

The Barnstormers, incredibly, turned to starter Johnny Podres to pinch run for Martinez and it worked.  Podres stole second and back to back walks later, scored the tying run moments before Billy Spiers crossed the pate for the winning run thanks to a King Kelly 2-run walk off double.

Starting Pitchers
Guidry - 8.1 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
Cone - - 8.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 7 K

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Down 9-5 in 9th, Javy Lopez 2- run home run caps improbable comeback

Game 1 (Finals)
Borischtown Brawlers @ Clover Bottom Barnstormers


You had to witness it to believe it.  Trailing by 5 in the 8th the Borischtown Brawlers scored 7 runs in two innings, winning Game 1 by a final score off 11-10.

The Clover Bottom Barnstormers jumped all over Henry Boyle early, scoring 4 in the first and 3 in the fourth and had the game in hand at 7-3, the main blow a Duke Snider Grand Slam.  The Brawlers cut to the lead to 7-4, but once again fell far behind 9-4 thanks to a Joe Jackson 2-run single in the 7th.

In the 8th, a timely single by Bill Dickey cut the lead to 4 and finally in the ninth, the Brawler offense came alive.  You have to read the scoresheet to get the full effect, but with one out the Brawlers:  singled, walked, tripled, singled, stole second, singled, singled, then Javy Lopez homered.  6 runs and they had an 11-9 lead.

The Barnstormers tried to come back in the bottom of the 9th, scoring 1 on a ground out, but Snider couldn't bring the heroics twice, striking out swinging with the tying run on second.

Starting Pitchers
Boyle - - 3.1 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
Jenkins - 6.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 5 K

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Picks 21 & 22


Solely to create a sense of false anticipation, I'll be publishing the draft order in reverse order over the next few days.  As always, the random order was determined by the excel random number generator formula.

In parenthesis are the selections at that slot for the past two seasons.

21 - Allen C---(Tris Speaker - - -- Stan Musial)
22 - Greg M----(Randy Johnson - - - Tris Speaker)
23 - Shotgun S-(Nap Lajoie - - - -- Joe Jackson)
24 - Jay H-----(Oscar Charleston* - Arky Vaughan)

* Before update to new negro league set

NL West Divisional Alignment Announced


This will be an interesting division to watch.  Brad P faces off against TJ O, two owners with nearly identical win totals, and two owners that have combined for 27 years of ATB experience.  They'll match wits and draft technique with Ted K and Mike M, two ATB rookies.

Brad and TJ squared off last season, with Brad missing the playoffs by 3 games, and TJ finishing at 81-81, just two games behind Brad.  In ATB XIII the two swapped, with TJ winning 84 and Brad 81.  Throw the winning percentages above out the window, these two owners are evenly matched.

Ted K is one to keep an eye on.  By no means a DMB rookie, and by no means an All Time Great league rookie, Ted comes to us via the Legends Of Baseball league which employs much the same rules and player sets as our own ATB.  He piloted his team to 89 wins and a playoff birth in the most recent LOB season.

Finally we come to Mike M, of whom, frankly, we know very little about.  I do know that Mike has already immersed himself in our stats and the website data, and if the recent rookie campaigns of Justin B (the dreaded Gossamers) and David K from last year are any indication, Mike is certainly capable of a playoff run.

Jenkins outduels Clemens 3-1; Barnstormers advance to finals


Game 5 (3 vs 7)
Clover Bottom Barnstormers @ Stoughton Storm



Fergie Jenkins last 7 innings, tossing 4 hit, 1 run ball before turning the game over to a bullpen closed the series out with two perfect innings.  Jenkins only hiccup was a bad pitch to Ken Caminiti that the third basemen rocked for a solo home run in the 6th.

For his  part, Storm starter Roger Clemens pitched well too, lasting the full 9 innings striking out 7 but allowing 3 runs to score in the process.

Two of the runs came in the first.  Eddie Collins led the game off with a single, swiped second, then trotted home on a Joe Jackson triple.  The right fielder scored a moment later on a Joe Kelley single.  Two runs were all Jenkins and the Barnstomers needed.

Series MVP was Joe Jackson who hit .476 and drove in 5.


Starting Pitchers

Jenkins - 7.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
Clemens - 9.0 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 7 K

Trammell's 2 HR not enough, Brawlers 4 HR lead to 7-6 win

Game 5 (1 vs 5)

Lancaster Red Roses @ Borischtown Brawlers



The Borischtown Brawlers survived a poor start from Ron Guidry and advance to the tournament finals with a 7-6 win in Game 5.  The Brawler offense tagged starter Johan Santan for four home runs, the last of which came in the 6th by Tip O'Neill and proved to be the game winner.  Javy Lopez, Tris Speaker, and Willie Stargell also went deep.

Lancaster shorstop Allen Trammell did all he could to keep the series alive, slamming home runs in the 1st and 5th innings, driving in 5 on the night.  McGwire and Trammell partnered to drive in 3 in the first to take a 3-0 lead.  The Brawlers stormed back, scoring 2 in the second and three more an inning later, taking a 5-3 lead.  Trammell then hit a 3-run homer in the 5th and the Red Storm faithful breathed a huge sigh of relief, hoping their team could hold on and take the series to a game 6.

It was not to be.  Matt Williams led off the bottom half of the inning with a looping single to shallow right field, and advanced to second on an error from Dixon in right field.  A Dan Brothers ground ball out advanced him to third and one out later scored thanks to a weak infield single by Jimmy Williams.  The game was tied.

In the 6th the Brawlers struck again, taking the lead for good.  O'neill took a 1-0 hanging curve over the fence in right center for the game winner.

Series MVP is Tris Speaker.  He batted .421 with a .737 slugging percentage.


Starting Pitchers
Santana - 2.2 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
Guirdry - 4.0 IP,10 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 1 BB, 5 K

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Draft Lottery - Picks 23 and 24


Solely to create a sense of false anticipation, I'll be publishing the draft order in reverse order over the next few days.  As always, the random order was determined by the excel random number generator formula.

In parenthesis are the selections at that slot for the past two seasons.

23 - Shotgun S-(Nap Lajoie - - - -- Joe Jackson)
24 - Jay H-----(Oscar Charleston* - Arky Vaughan)

* Before update to new negro league set

AL East Divisional Alignment

In the coming days I'll be announcing the divisional alignments for the upcoming season.  Last year if you recall we had a 4 division 24 team league.  This ended up less than ideal, as 6 of the 8 races were decided by mid December, with the last two featuring an anticlimactic race with two teams fighting for two playoff spots.

This year I've decided upon a 6 division alignment.  While we'll have the same number of playoff spots as last season, the extra division should ensure more teams in the playoff hunt as September comes to a close.

The one drawback is the schedule.  A balanced schedule isn't possible in six division, 24 team league and as a result, each team will play more intra-division games than inter-division ones.   This is ok, after all, it's how most professional sports league's do it too.

On to the AL East:


With more career wins then the other three teams combined, and one of just four owners with multiple World Series titles, Sean S is seemingly the hands on favorite for the division title.  In ATB XIV he won 89 and a captured the division title by 7 games; in ATB XIII he went 87-75 but finished just outside the playoffs.

Still, a solid case can be made for the rest of the division.  Matt B may have had an off year in ATB XIII (79-83) but he is just one season removed from a 90 win campaign (best Greg Maddux season ever!) and a post season appearance where he fought the eventual champions to 6 games in the 1st round.  

Joe V is a sophomore owner and therefore past the hardest portion of the ATB learning curve.  Other sophomore owners have added 15-20 wins compared to their first season, so the question for Joe is how long is his learning curve - one, two, or three seasons?

In four seasons Allen C has struggled, averaging just 59 wins per season.  His career high came two years ago, but at 68-94 was still a long way away from a playoff birth.  Allen  has drafted Jimmie Foxx with a top-10 pick for time immemorial, and while I appreciate a good fielding power hitter as much as the next guy, it may be time to go in a different direction.


Lopez 2-run walk off homer leaves Brawler one win away from advancing


Game 4 (1 vs 5)
Lancaster Red Roses @ Borischtown Brawlers



Throughout the tournament, few games have been better than this one.  It was a pitchers duel, only decided upon the 9th inning thanks to 1-out walk off home run from Javy Lopez.

The Red Roses jumped out to an early 2-0 lead thanks to solo shots from Bill Monroe in the first and Luis Santop in the second.  Lancaster wouldn't score again and managed only 3 more hits off starter Henry Boyle and reliever Mickey Haefner.

Trailing 2-0 heading into the 9th, the Brawlers had to face start closer Bruce Sutter.  The first batter Matt Williams struck out weakly on four pitches, but Dan Brouthers followed with a line drive single to right.  Javy Lopez calmly strode to the plate, waited out Sutter for a 3-1 count, and drilled the game winning home run over the left field wall.

The Brawlers lead the series 3-1 and look to close it out tomorrow night with Ron Guidry.  Louisiana Lighting will face ace starter Johan Santana.

Starting Pitchers
Ellsworth - 8.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
Boyle - - - 8.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K

Podres 3-hits Storm; Barnstormers offense bangs out 16 hits for 6-1 victory

Game 4 (3 vs 7)

Clover Bottom Barnstormers @ Stoughton Storm


Few wins  could have been more satisfying for the Clover Bottom Barnstomers.  Their starter Johnny Podres was brilliant, 3-hitting the Stoughton Storm tossing a complete game, striking out 6.  Their offense was at it's peak, banging out 16 hits, scoring runs in 5 different innings en route to a 6-1 easy victory.

Joe Jackson recorded 4 hits in 5 chances and the 7th and 8th hitters Don Mattingly and Donnie Bush each collected 3 hits of their own.  In all, a different batter drove in each of the Barnstormers 6 runs.

Game 5 is tomorrow night where Fergie Jenkins will try and right the Storm ship facing off against Roger Clemens.

Starting Pitchers
Podres - 9.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
Ward - - 6.0 IP, 11 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 4 K

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Home runs from Gibson, Henderson get Storm back into series with 7-4 win


Game 3 (3 vs 7)
Clover Bottom Barnstormers @ Stoughton Storm



Behind a solid start from Bill Foster, the Stoughton Storm won game 3 tonight, winning the first game of the series 7-4.  Foster struck out 7 batters in 8 innings, giving up 6 hits and 3 walks in the process.

The game was knotted at 2 at the end of teh 4th inning, but the home team stuck for four runs in the bottom of the 5th.  Lead off hits from the first two batters placed runners on 2nd and 3rd with nobody out.  ARky Vaughan hit a sharp, but playable, ground ball to second but the sure fielding Eddie Collins couldn't handle it, scoring a run.  Clover Bottom Barnstormers starter Eddie Cicotte was oddly flustered, balking the runners up on the next pitch.  Batter Larry Walker took advantage, singling home two more and extending the lead by 3.

That was all for Cicotte but not all for the Storm.  Daver Roberts entered the game in relief but tossed a wild pitch to his first batter followed by a walk and a single, loading the bases.  Robertson induced a force out at home from Jim THome, but next walked Fred Nicholson, scoring another run.

The Barnstormers attempted a comeback thanks to an 8th inning Joe Kelley 2-run home run, but an inning later King Kelly missed an opportunity to be a hero, grounding out with the bases loaded to end the game.


Starting Pitchers
Cicotte - 4.0 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
Foster -- 8.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 7 K

Lloyd's two home runs, 6 RBI lead Brawlers in 8-6 win

Game 3 (1 vs 5)

Lancaster Red Roses @ Borischtown Brawlers



Scoring runs in bunches, the Borischtown Brawlers took the all important game 3, taking the series lead against the Lancaster Red Roses.  The home Brawlers jumped out to an early 3-0 lead with two first inning bombs from Tris Speaker and Pop Lloyd.  Two innings later, Lloyd struck again, this time with a clutch 2-out 3-run home run, knocking Red Roses starter Bill Bernhard from the contest and securing a 6-1 lead.

The Red Roses cut the lead to 4 in the top of the 5th, but the Brawlers added two more in the bottom half of the inning, including another RBI from Lloy who had 6 on the night.

In the 7th Lancaster knocked starter Mike Scott from the game, scoring two and a couple of hits and a couple of walks.  They struck for two more in the 8th on four consecutive hits, a lead off double by Chase Utley followed by three consecutive singles from John McGraw, Bill Monroe, and Oscar Charleston.  The reliever Doug Corbett settled down and ultimately retired three in a row to end the treat.  Against closer grant Balfour, Lancaster managed a walk, but nothing more, ending the game 8-6.


Starting Pitchers
Bernhard - 2.2 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
Scott - -- 6.0 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 7 K


Welcome Bill N!

Bill N joins the ranks of our ATB community becoming the 24th and final owner for our 15th season.

Bill comes to us via the DMB forums. Welcome Bill!

Monday, December 3, 2012

Five Questions About the Upcoming Draft - Batters

Our draft is a little over a month away - it appears the 7th will work for the most people - so it's not too early to speculate on how the new Negro League players might fit in, or how, in general, people may tend to draft armed with the 500 resim data.

Here's a view of last season top draft picks along with their 500 resim results.  For our purposes today, let's focus entirely on batters.


No real surprises above, though, Double XX remains a top-10 pick for some reason.  Judging by the resims a few questions come to mind:

  1. First and foremost, where will Oscar Charleston be selected?  Charleston is the best of the Negro League batters, putting up remarkable numbers in the 500 re-sims:  .338 / .442 / .625, 1.067 OPS.  That's roughly equivalent to Barry Bonds or Lou Gehrig, the 3rd and 5th round picks last season.  Add in Ex/55 defense (with a Vg arm) and Charleston has a shot to go #1, especially if a defensive minded owner gets the first pick.  It will be difficult, however, to forego Babe Ruth's .474 OBP and 175 walks.
  2. Have we settled the Barry Bonds question?  Perhaps.  Bonds '04 (.609 OBP year) simmed to a 1.086 OPS, Bonds '01 (73 home run year) had a 1.086 as well, and Bonds '02 (.370 year) came in with 1.079.  Incredibly close.  '04 and '02  give up about 15 home runs for the sake of 30 points in on base.  Given that Bonds rates above average defensively only in 2004 he will likely be the preferable choice from here on out.
  3. Who will be the first infielder taken?  It's almost always Lou Gehrig, but last season Rogers Hornsby went right after him and he's arguably the 3rd best second basemen in the draft.  Ross Barnes (.913 OPS, Ex/124 defense) and Fred Dunlap (.940 OPS, Vg/111 defense) may finally vault ahead of the Iron Man this season.
  4. What of the other great Negro Leaguer's?  Three come to mind.  First up is Heavy Johnson, a plodding right fielder who is likely going to be an ATB DH. Johnson's 1922-1923 campaign simmed best (.317 / .364 / .585 with 48 2B, 16 3B, and 31 HR) and he's basically a souped up version of Stan Musial, at least at the plate.  He's still not quite as good as Ted Williams, a Top-10 pick who often DH's.  Given that, it's entirely plausible Johnson sneaks into the top-10.  Second up is outfielder Turkey Stearns.  Unlike Johnson, Stearns plays well above average defense but isn't quite the hitter.  His 1926-27 season features a .331 OBP and .578 SLG (in the resims) while his 1929-30 season comes in at .368 and .528.  I don't think his top-10, but he's certainly better than Joe DiMaggio who went 15th last season.  Finally, I can't wait to see where Willie Wells go's.  Honus Wagner went 12th overall last season and scored an .809 OPS in the 500 resims.  Wells scored an .843 OPS and plays just as good defense (Ex/79).
  5. Some players we just can't figure out, which year is best for them?  We've tried 7 Mike Schmidt season, 6 Alex Rodriguez's, 5 Ty Cobb's, and 4 David Ortiz's.  Several others have 4 or 5 as well, but let's stick to the most popular.  We've gotten Schmidt right, last season's 1981 selection is easily the best for him (by 80 points of OPS).  The same is true for Cobb as his 1917 is 50 OPS points better than 1910.  Alex Rodriguez's 2007 season has the best OPS, but one has to live with a .226 average; therefore 1996 with 13 less points in OPS but 50 points in batting average may be more attractive.  Ortiz wasn't even drafted last year, but his 2007 year resulted in a .775 OPS (.342 OBP, .443 SLG) is easily top-10 round material
There are dozen's of other questions as well, these werew merely the first five that popped into my head.  Next up, the pitchers, where we'll discuss whether or not Nip Winters cracks the 1st round.

Faber outduels Appier; leads Red Roses in easy 7-3 win


Game 2 (1 vs 5)
Borischtown Brawlers @ Lancaster Red Roses



The Red Roses tied their series and the Brawlers with a 7-3 win in Game 2.  Red Faber was wild but effective, lasting 8 innings and allowing 3 runs to score.  It was a bit smoke and mirrors though, he walked 7 and allowed 6 hits.

Brawlers starter Kevin Appier wasn't particularly effective himself, walking 7 as well, but left the game with his team in the hunt, trailing 4-1.  His pen failed him though, with Haefner and Buddy Groom giving up 7 hits and 3 runs in 3 innings of work.

Mark McGwire homer in the win, while Chase Utely drove in 2.


Starting Pitchers
Appier - 5.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 7 BB, 5 K

Faber -- 8.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 7 BB, 2 K

Barnstormers 6 spot in 2nd holds up; win 7-5 to take lead 2-0

Game 2 (3 vs 7)

Stoughton Storm @ Clover Bottom Barnstormers



In Game 2, the Clover Bottom Barnstormers exploded for 6 runs in the 2nd inning and never looked back, defeating the Stoughton Storm 7-5.  Starter David Cone struggled, giving up 5 runs in as many innings, but Eddie Collins and the offense were more than a match for Stoughton starter, Roger Clemens.

"The Rocket" struck out Joe Kelley to start the second but ran in trouble immediately thereafter.  Back to Back to Back hits from Duke Snider, Cap Anson, and Don Mattingly scored two runs.  After retiring Donnie Bush for the second out, Clemens hit a wall yielding two more hits, a walk, and wasn't helped from an error by Anson.  When the dust settled, 5 runs scored and Clemens was on the bench.  Bill Henry relieved him, but Kelley slapped yet another hit and the score was 6-1.

The Storm fought back, scoring 3 in the 5th and 1 in the 6th on home runs by Steve Nicholson and Jim Thome, but couldn't put any rally's together for the rest of the game.  They were in fact, held hitless, after Thome's lead off home run in the 6th.

Starting Pitchers

Clemens - 1.2 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
Cone - -- 5.0 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 2 K

ATB XV Owner List So Far

Allen C
Brad P
Brian B
David K
Gary G
Greg M
Ivar A
Jason B
Jay H
Jeff B
Joe T
Joe V
Justin P
Leanne S
Lou P
Matt B
Mike M
Mike S
Sean S
Shotgun S
Steve C
Ted K
TJ O

This is 23, looking for at least 24 again.

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Welcome Mike and Greg M

Mike and Greg M (the brothers M) will be joining ATB XV.  They come to us via the Diamond Mind Baseball Forum's which are worth checking out if anyone is interested in buying the game for themselves.

http://fansofdmb.yuku.com/

Welcome Mike and Greg!

Anson and Pujols slam 9th in Home Runs to give Storm 4-3 win


Game 1 (3 vs 7)
Stoughton Storm @ Clover Bottom Barnstormers


Apologies for the lack of a write-up, I am introducing my children to "A Christmas Story" tonight.  This is a big moment in my life.

Starting Pitchers
Ward - -- 8.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
Jenkins - 9.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 5 BB, 8 K

Brouthers slam, Dickey power Brawlers to 7-4 victory

Game 1 (1 vs 5)

Borischtown Brawlers @ Lancaster Red Roses


Apologies for the lack of a write-up, I am introducing my children to "A Christmas Story" tonight.  This is a big moment in my life.

Starting Pitchers
Guidry -- 7.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
Santana - 5.0 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 6 K

Welcome Ted K!

Lady and Gents - we have a new owner, Ted K.  Ted comes to us from the Legends of Baseball league  and of interest, he's our first owner to be a member of SABR.

He'll be piloting the Harrisburg Giants.

Welcome Ted!

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Snider HR and 6 RBI send Barnstomers to 2nd Round; win 11-8

Game 7 (3 vs 6)

Gold Country Gossamers @ Clover Bottom Barnstormers


In a wild night at the Palace of the Fans in Clover Bottom, the Barnstormers advanced to round 2, securing a clean sweep in all four series for the Legends of Baseball League.

The hero of this night was left fielder Duke Snider.  The righty mashed a grand slam to tie the game in the bottom of the first, smacked a run scoring single in the 4th, and drove in what proved to be the game clinching run in the 8th with a 2-run single up the middle.

The grand slam was key, and not just because of the 4-runs.  The Gossamers exploded for 4 runs of their own to start the game.  Starter Eddie Cicotte wasn't sharp, but his defense let him down as well and the combination was almost fatal.  Walking two to start the inning, Cicotte induced a likely double play ball out of Bobby Murcer, but Albert Pujols muffed the play at first, loading the bases.  Roger Conner then doubled home two, followed by a Ross Youngs run scoring single.  Youngs then got greedy, trying unsuccessfully to steal second.  Cupid Child bailed him out though, and driving in the 4th run of the inning on a force out.

The Barnstormers scored 5 runs in the third through fifth innings, taking a 9-4 lead.  Gold Country tried to make the game interesting in the 8th scoring 3 off of Cla Meredith, but in the end fell short.

Series MVP was Snider.  In all he batted .357 / .379 / .857, with 4 HR, 7 R, and 11 RBI.

Starting Pitchers
Roe - - - 1.1 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
Cicotte - 5.0 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K