Steelman wrote:

Love seeing all the maps! The country makes a lot more sense seeing it in context. The new identities are nice. The red shirt for the Blues seems like an odd choice. Aeros look sharp.

Forgot to mention the Trent Herons traditionally wear a red clash jersey, just another nod to them. I also want to give you guys some series' previews.

First Round
(3) Stratford Condors v. (6) Traders Bay Tigers
With star C Chris Dodge being added to a solid lineup, Stratford Condors might average 8 runs a game in this series. We expect their lack of effective pitching to lose them the first game against proven veteran and former Condor, Ricardo Sultana, but they should win the series with relative ease. Not quite up to par with Dodge's premonitions, but the Condors will win in 5, 6 at most.

Team Stats: AVG-Stratford (3rd), Traders Bay (6th) HR-Stratford (1st), Traders Bay (3rd) RPG-Stratford (2nd), Traders Bay (5th) ERA-Stratford (6th), Traders Bay (5th)

(4) Silver Point Voyagers v. (5) Bangor Kings
The combination of a resurgent Don Beutel and manager Ken O'Shea will prove either a beautiful swan song or turning point in keeping O'Shea in Silver Point. After a wicked start to the year, the Voyagers clawed their way back. Don't expect that attitude to stop as they face the once great Bangor Kings. Star IF Roger Bisset is about all this team has left with RP turned SP Todd Lacey feuding with management. This series could go the distance if both teams were at top strength, but I'll say Voyagers in 6.

Team Stats: AVG-Silver Point (2nd), Bangor (5th) HR-Silver Point (6th), Bangor (5th) RPG-Silver Point (4th), Bangor (6th) ERA-Silver Point (4th), Bangor (3rd)

(1) St. Patrick Gaels v. (5) Bangor Kings
After starting in Game 3 of the First Round, P Todd Lacey wasn't able to pitch in Game 1. Although Bangor has a decent pitching staff, the Gaels, specifically OF Ned Mathers tore into the secondary Kings pitchers, winning 7-1. P Lenny Royston also shined in his first postseason win this season. Game 2 saw a war of attrition as St. Patrick outlasted Bangor once again, 4-2. Notable in his lack of productivity thus far was Bangor IF Roger Bisset, who was hitting a lowly .125 going into Game 3. After resting the first 2 games, Todd Lacey started Game 3 and allowed Bangor Kings to take their first lead of the series going into the 4th. However, a quick downfall from Lacey in the 7th put the Kings in danger of losing. To put the Gaels to sleep Bangor needed three outs in the 9th inning up 1. While the outs were secured, they came by way of 2 fly outs to the warning track, and a diving catch sandwiched between, not exactly the most encouraging thing for a team on the brink. In Game 4 Bangor's offense awoke, scoring 5 in one inning in route to a 10-6 win. Bangor star P Lenny Royston started for the second time this postseason in Game 5. This time around went more roughly as he gave up 3 in the first 4 innings. The worst part for the Gaels was Royston's 5th inning, which saw him tweak his arm, forcing his coming out of the game. St. Patrick went on to lose its second game in a row, 5-1. After being looked at by the medical staff, it was determined that Royston would need to at least sit out the rest of the series due to the shoulder injury. Game 5 saw a slugfest with St. Patrick OF Ned Mathers clobbering 2 home runs in a 11-8 loss. Bangor star P Todd Lacey would start Game 6 in St. Patrick, and without P Lenny Royston, St. Patrick seemed to be disadvantaged from the start ending a historic 48-22 season with a 6-4 loss to the once thought dead Bangor Kings.

(2) Hamstead Ranchers v. (3) Stratford Condors
While Stratford Condors can mash the ball, Hamstead Ranchers play more of a finesse game with the best pitching staff in the SBL. P Jerald Thorne ran through the first few innings, only giving up 1 hit to none other than Stratford OF Syd Braxton. After a 3-2 win in Game 1, Game 2 went much the same with Stratford struggling to put runs together as they had been doing before and losing 5-1. Just as it looked like Hamstead's cold streak was turning, OF's Syd Braxton and Chris Dodge lit Hamstead pitching up in Game 3, winning 9-4. Game 4 flipped the script again with the Hamstead offense scoring late to win 5-3. While notoriously low ERA P Jerald Thorne started Game 5, he gave up 5 runs in his 8 innings pitched. Luckily for Thorne, OF Daisuke Hayashi nailed a double in the 9th to win 7-6 and send the Ranchers to the Silverian Series.

Silverian Series Preview
While Bangor may be trending up with its run in the playoffs, Hamstead in simply the better team of the two. Unless something unexpected happens like Lenny Royston's injury, the tough Hamstead staff and discipline-minded hitters should get this one done pretty quickly. Hamstead in 5.

Team Stats: AVG-Hamstead (4th), Bangor (5th) HR-Hamstead (4th), Bangor (5th) RPG-Hamstead (3rd), Bangor (6th) ERA-Hamstead (1st), Bangor (3rd)

(2) Hamstead Ranchers v. (5) Bangor Kings
Game 1 started off with a bang in perhaps the most exciting starting matchup of the playoffs, Hamstead P Jerald Thorne v. Bangor P Todd Lacey. The score remained little to none throughout the game, with a single in the 7th making the difference, Bangor 2-1. The win seemed to solidify Lacey as arguably the 3rd best pitcher in the SBL. However, in Game 2 the pitching fell off in a 5-3 win for Hamstead. Game 3 moved the series to Bangor and the mecca of baseball in Silveria, Worcester Park. Home field heroics weren't enough as OF Daisuke "Sake" Hayashi bashed 3 hits for 2 RBIs in a 6-2 win. After being surprisingly on and off in the playoffs, Bangor IF Roger Bisset led the Kings to a 7-5 win in Game 4. Thorne and Lacey pitched again in Game 5 leading to another defensive battle and 1-run game in favor of Thorne's Ranchers, 3-2. For Game 6 the series moved back to Hamstead. On the brink of elimination, Bangor. In wake of his loss, Bangor P Todd Lacey reportedly did not show up until half way through the game. What he saw was an unfortunate end to a pretty solid series, a 11-4 blowout sponsored once again by the perfect combination of contact and power that is Daisuke Hayashi's hitting.



With the postseason over, Hamstead Ranchers have won their first title. It''s also the first to be won by another team besides Bangor Kings. The Silverian Series, yet again, broke the TV ratings record for a baseball game in Silveria, with the highest rated game unsurprisingly being Game 1. The SBL announced that an expansion draft would take place prior to next season. Reports say only 10 players will be allowed to be protected by each current team. Teams agree the 6-team playoff was a success, with more games bringing in more money at a higher rate than the Regular Season. However, there has been concern over whether a team with a losing record such as Bangor should have a chance to win the Silverian Series, something which they almost pulled off this past season. 

Last edited by jxhnhvhn (7/30/2019 6:57 pm)

1962 SBL Offseason 
Expansion Draft
While otherwise pretty uneventful, the Expansion Draft saw one major player taken. Newspapers lit into the defending champions Hamstead Ranchers, for shockingly not protecting P Jerald Thorne. It’s rumored that there may have been tension between management and Thorne as a result of the 1 year left on his contract. While this may be a rental for Haydon, expect Thorne to carry them to victories. 

SIL manager Ken O’Shea
The first domino to fall in the offseason was that of Silver Point manager Ken O’Shea. After reports leaked mid-season of the possibility of his leaving, the Voyagers ended up going on a nice run to end the year, putting the decision in further doubt. However, it’s been reported that Silver Point Owner Jack Lund was unwilling to meet the monetary demands of his manager. O’Shea went on to sign the richest contract for a manager in the SBL with Trent Blues. This would cause an uproar amongst the league’s owners, as O’Shea reputation was that of a good not great and out of date manager. 

BAN P Todd Lacey and IF Roger Bisset
With both of it’s star players in Free Agency, Bangor looked like they might not be able to afford the price tag, especially with Todd Lacey’s disgruntlement. However, their’s was a team that at times could simply refuse to lose. Lost in the confusion was Roger Bisset who seemed the more likely to stay. But, after Bangor assured Lacey that he would strictly play from the bullpen and gave him a whopping, 2-year $80,000 contract, he caved. Without as much money still on the table, Bisset accepted an offer with Traders Bay Tigers for 3 years and $105,000. While previously trying to rebuild, it seems the Tigers have shifted their approach to possible contention. 

International FA
For the first time in its history it seems like the SBL has become a destination. Silver Point kicked it off under a new manager with the signing of top prospect C Bert Bowmen. Also, St. Patrick picked up P Reynaldo Vasquez, who starred in the Mexican league this past year. 
Other News
Bangor is considering a switch back to the Old English-B style hat they wore before the inception of the SBL. While two championships came in the wheel-n-crown, fans have never been happy with the decision to get rid of the Old English-B. And, with a possible rebuild in the near future, expect at least a return to the hat. The SBL also announced that the 1963 season would see the first all-star game, in a battle between east and west. 

Here are the rankings the Player-Media poll put out regarding the best of the best in the SBL. 
Owner Rankings: 1. BAN-Huey Giles 2. HAM-Terrance Cheshire 3. STC-Whitney Horton 4. SPG-Jarvis Langdon 5. TBT-Mase Pettigrew 6. TRE-Billy Hogan 7. HYD-Cleve Bartalotti 8. SIL-Jack Lund 
Manager Rankings: 1. BAN-Larry Anotonelli 2. SPG-Charlie Akers 3. TRE-Ken O’Shea 4. HAM-Frank Hoffman 5. STC-Ed McConnell 6. TBT-Damon Seaver 7. SIL-Robin Gray 8. HYD-Jimmy Caulfield 
Star Rankings: 1. HAM OF-Daisuke Hayashi 2. SPG P-Lenny Royston 3. HYD P-Jerald Thorne 4. TBT IF-Roger Bisset 5. STC OF-Syd Braxton 6. SPG OF-Ned Mathers 7. STC C-Chris Dodge 8. BAN P-Todd Lacey 9. SPG P-Reynaldo Vasquez 10. SIL P-Teddy Tracey 11. SIL C-Bert Bowmen 12. TBT P-Ricardo Sultana 

Steelman wrote:

Getting rid of the Pizza logo? Say it ain't so! But I could see the B back on the cap, that makes a lot of sense.

Tough loss for the Condors. What do they need to get over the hump?

 
Like in recent years past, the Condors struggled the most with pitching this past season, not to mention they traded their best starting pitcher. They definitely need more pitching depth in general, but one player they’ve been linked to has been the newly acquired Haydon Aeros pitcher Jerald Thorne. Thorne is in the late stages of his prime, at 33, and is expected to be traded by the expansion team for future assets.

Stratford Condors
The dynamic duo of C Chris Dodge and LF Syd “The Barbarian” Braxton will power the Condors this year. However, Stratford failed to catch up its rotation to the other 5 original teams and it looks to hold them back once again. Manager Ed McConnell has chosen to roll with a 5-pitcher rotation this year, being one of only two teams to do so, along with the expansion Haydon Aeros. While Braxton is 34 now, Dodge at 28 with a seemingly innovative club will provide a bright future. Of course, for their long-term benefit they’ve sacrificed their short-term benefit a little bit. Now the third youngest team, it’s a long way from the days when Bangor and the Condors fought for the crown of oldest team. Expect a decent season given their undeniable hitting prowess, but not more than 38 wins, which would be 5 more than last year with competition against generally speaking worse teams, fitting for the Offseason no-shows. With Chris Dodge’s contract year coming up, a
mid-season re-up could be in store if the Condors put the right pieces around him.

Avg Age: 28.75
Stars: C Chris Dodge (28/1), LF Syd Braxton (34/3)
Starters: SP Hyun-Jung Lee (35), SP Tobin Burns (29), SP Adrian Wickham (31), SP Wilford Monday (38), SP Derrick Seward (21), 1B Jess McNaughton (20), 2B Foster Cummins (24), 3B Darrel Kendrick (24), SS Bernardo Cardozo (25), CF Gorden Penny (30), RF Conan Haines (34)
Bench: RP Clark Hamilton (26), RP Duane Sadler (35), 1B Brooks Haden (36), 2B Ryan McQueen (27), 3B Sly Craig (26), CF Griffith Lawrence (32), RF Lonnie Joyner (20)
Management: Manager Ed McConnell (53/3), GM Daley Otis (58/2), Owner Whitney Horton (76)

Stadium: Herald Field (21,000)
Founded: 1946 (James Herald)
Before SBL: Played in the SPBL, 7-time champion

It’s hard to rank the rest of the original 6 in order, all are pretty talented and as for Silver Point and Traders Bay, could be moving up the food chain.

Bangor Kings
As for Bangor, while they appeared in their third consecutive Silverian Series, they seem to be very much past their prime as the oldest team in the SBL. SS Roger Bisset left in the offseason in a wild saga that saw SP/RP Todd Lacey re-sign with the team he spoke out publicly against. One things for sure, legendary Manager Larry Antonelli won’t add another trophy to his cabinet this year. But, then again that’s what was said last season after a poor Regular Season. Something about these teams gets it done in the Playoffs, a dark horse candidate for sure, but one with extensive experience. Expect about 35 wins this year given the expansion teams. As far as their star goes he’ll be locked down this season and next. To get back to championship level they’ll have to rebuild without a complete reset.

Stars: SP/RP Todd Lacey (29/2)
Starters: SP Roger MacMathan (38), SP Mick Delany (28), SP Clay Lennox (21), C Stuart Hope (31), 1B Seamus McInnis (20), 2B Rhys Hodson (34), 3B Giang Pham (22), SS Leo Schulz (21), LF Bryan Peacock (37), CF Ciaran Ray (28), RF Russ Wynne (33)

Bench: RP Paddy Pender (37), RP Camden Morris (28), RP Manley Ray (34), C Kurt Haden (37), 1B Jeremy Bourne (37), SS Sam Finnegan (23), CF Horris Blakesley (38), RF Buddy Fausti (31)

Management: Manager Larry Antonelli (70/2), GM Jarred Grant (53/2), Owner Huey Giles (70)

Stadium: Worcester Park (16,000)
Founded: 1950 (Huey Giles)
Before SBL: Played in Riverlands Baseball League (RBL), 5-time champ