Absolutely love the look of the teams. Always happy to root for a Brooklyn team too. 

Capital City Baseball Club:

The Capitals were formed in 1903, immediately following the Association’s demise. Federal Athletic looked to be in an extremely poor position to retain any Mid-Atlantic power, so former pre-Association Federal Athletic player, and Washington diplomat, Elliot Scheevel formed his own squad to compete and win for the city. Involved in foreign policy, Scheevel was able to convince Aliza Scidmore, the largest proponent of planting cherry trees in Washington, to have some plant plant them outside his team’s ballpark. The original shipment had to be burned after it was learned that they were infested with parasite. One sportswriter at the time remarked the following June to comment on the team’s winning ways, “Just like the blossoms outside their park, Capital City is on fire.” The team nickname Cherry Blossoms became very popular by both admirers and detractors, and Scheevel was able to acquire some of the 2,000 trees shipped in 1913.

Scheevel’s estate has since sold off many of his shares of the club, and the organization has become a members association. This team’s fanbase, like many in the mid-atlantic, is extremely ravenous and boisterous. However, unlike many, the Capitals have a right to be, winning two EPL titles and consistently finishing top 5 in the year’s final standings.

If anyone has a chance of catching Brooklyn, it’s these guys. The infield of (first to third) Matt Dellnger, Tim Graverson, Jamie Chiaradonna, and John Jones is undoubtedly the best in the game, and the stellar defense of left fielder Bob Byers, Ryan Parshall, and Brian Malone have been given the nickname “Protectors of the Potomac” for their tendency to rob home runs that look like foregone conclusions. Their staring rotation of Andy Odgers, Matt Johnson, Ty Williams, Quinn Layden, and Collin Cross will simply have to manage the score, as the best batting order in the East is surely going to be the gamechanger. Scott Loven and Joe Magg, both young war vets, got some action last year in the pen and are looking to do the same this year. Watch out Brooklyn, this team has come to play.

Last edited by H-Town1141 (7/19/2021 12:37 pm)

Enigmajones wrote:

Absolutely love the look of the teams. Always happy to root for a Brooklyn team too. 

I doubt you'll be disappointed in your decision 

Chicago Republics Baseball Club:

Originally named Sporting Athletic Chicago, the team was to be sold after a scandal in the final game of 1901, when a pitcher walked 14 batters in the bottom of the 9th to lose a game on purpose. The team effectively bought itself and sold shares of the club in order to raise money for a new stadium. Rob De Jong, manager of the team until his death in 1936, is said to be the forefather of modern american baseball for his teachings about technique and the first to suggest that the Republics become a members association. The team’s colors are inspired by the city’s flag and the 1893 Statue of the Republic, while black was simply an aesthetic choice held onto since the 1920’s. The team’s long history of success, including multiple Midwestern championship trophies and barnstorming campaigns that saw them travel to everywhere in the country that would take them, have given them a large, cross-cultural fanbase all around the country. However, the team’s historic success haven’t been indicative of recent results, and this team is expected to finish last in the Midwest for the 47 campaign.

Their stadium is a marvelous 50,000 seat superstructure with a neoclassical facade along Lake Michigan. The stadium, although it has short fences, is known to be a pitcher’s park with how the wind blows into the stadium.

No sugarcoating here, everyone on this team is bad except for a 29 year-old catcher Taylor McShane, who lost most of his prime development time to war. The team boasts first-year pro Jose Gonzalez at first, Jesse Gurgenidze at second, Scoot Weeden at third, and Elijah Godley at short. Josh Lehr is in lef, Nate Staats is in center, and Marcus Murray is in right. Pitchers Kyle Sisk and Chase Shapiro are the only ones besides Gonzales that didn’t play for the team before the war, while Bobby Rogers, Casey Belknap, and Jake Kramer are all over-the-hill and fading. Kevin Bartlett and David Beedy lead a bullpen that is short on talent that tries to make up for it in experience and leadership. This team shouldn’t be expected to be much, but fun nonetheless.

Last edited by H-Town1141 (7/19/2021 12:38 pm)

Cincinnati Reds:

The most successful Midwestern Association team, the Reds had no problem sustaining success after they left. This team has over 40 years of sustained success, even after the club was sold to a member association over the course of the 1920’s. Since 1930, Cincinnati’s team president Josh Check has developed a powerhouse along the Ohio River through shrewd moves and commanding nature. With multiple championships with him at the helm, this team looks extremely strong heading into the first MABL season.

With Check in control, fans have enjoyed relative ease of mind about the club, knowing he will ensure success at any cost. However, the city of seven hills is anxious about this year. If Check doesn’t like what he sees, it’s known that heads will roll.

Luckily, the team seems to be in top shape. Catcher Matthew Jones, first baseman George Mersinger, second baseman Roman Lomax, third baseman Harry Simkins, an shortstop Allen Chaffee look to be one of the best infields in the game, while Craig Baer is the only slight blemish in the outfield, with Brian Greenfield and Tom Grossman occupying the other two spots. George Rogers II, the grandson of famed Milwaukee pitcher George Rogers, was an absolute stud last year in his age 23 season, and looks to do it again this year. He leads one of the most solid starting rotations in baseball, followed up by Eric Littlefield, Jorge Barrios, T.J. Hill, and Ryan Diallo. The bullpen of Ronnie Stout, Mike Moss, Dustin Skrip, and Andrew Fulton are the final pieces to this puzzle, and if everyone is healthy, expect a Cincinnati Midwestern crown.

Last edited by H-Town1141 (7/19/2021 12:38 pm)