Press Releases:

December 1st, 2018

The Outlawz are coming off one of their worst seasons in 2018. There were some bright spots with Altuve, Posey and Morton, but overall the pitching and hitting took a big downward slide. The biggest surprise of the year was management trading its superstar 2B, Jose Altuve for Manny Machado. GM Kenan stated: "the team needed a shakeup and when Manny became available, it was a move I had to make, as hard it was to trade Jose". The future looks bright for the Outlawz with a solid nucleus of "team captain" Buster Posey, Freddie Freeman, Manny Machado, Michael Conforto, Shin-Soo Choo and new rookie sensation, Miguel Andujar. The big question marks going into 2019 is if Jonathan Villar can adequately fill in at 2B and if the talented Adalberto Mondesi can keep progressing and hold down the SS position. A big plus is that 3 of our starting infielders can play multiple positions which gives us a lot of flexibility. The other huge question mark is starting pitching. We have 3 solid arms in the rotation of Leake, Morton, and the newly acquired Danny Duffy, but after that its a cast of: Wade Miley, Tyler Mahle and Ty Blach. The bullpen is fairly decent with Vizcaino (needs to stay healthy), Ramos and Grace. And, another major concern for the Outlawz is the health of their 2 young pitching prospects coming off of major surgeries, Alex Reyes and Julio Urias. These guys not being available has really hurt the Outlawz rotation for the past 2 years. The team needs to stay healthy, especially the pitching staff, as it has had more than its share of injuries. 

 

October 1st, 2018

In a highly anticipated divisional playoff series, the New Jersey Beatles eliminated the Towaco Wolf Pack, 4 games to 2. These teams battled for the Rogers division all year, with Towaco prevailing with a Staub Conference-leading 104 wins, including a 14-4 record against New Jersey. The Beatles, who won 101 games in the regular season, looked to turn the tables in this playoff series. They did not disappoint.

Game 1 saw Brad Peacock (12-3) take on Dallas Keuchel (11-4). Neither man would factor in the decision. The teams were tied 3-3 after 6 innings. In the bottom of the 7^th, MVP candidate Paul Goldschmidt launched a 2-run bomb off Felipe Rivero. That was the difference in the game, as the Wolf Pack bullpen held the Beatles scoreless the rest of the way. Towaco goes up 1-0 with a 5-3 win. W-Colome; L-Rivero; S-Rodney

In game 2, the Wolf Pack picked up where they left off, jumping out to a 4-0 lead against Beatles starter Justin Verlander (15-6), who lasted only 4 innings. New Jersey touched up Alex Cobb (16-6) to get to within 4-3 in the top of the 5th, but Towaco added 2 runs in the bottom of that frame to extend their lead to 6-3. New Jersey put together some timely hitting in the 8^th, rallying for 3 runs to tie the game at 6. In the top of the 10^th, Carlos Correa smashed a 2 run dinger against Fernando Rodney to put the Beatles up 8-6. Towaco battled back in the bottom of the inning, but ultimately, Trevor Rosenthal held them off. New Jersey wins 8-7(10) to tie the series at 1. W-Albers; L-Rodney; S-Rosenthal

The series headed to the Cavern for game 3, which featured Towaco’s Mike Clevinger (10-4) taking on New Jersey’s Chase Anderson (12-7). The Beatles opened up the scoring in the 2nd, capitalizing on a Zack Cozart error and Jacoby Ellsbury’s 2-run double. Towaco came back to tie the game on solo homers by Cozart and Carlos Gomez in the 3^rd and 5^th innings, respectively. New Jersey took the lead again in the bottom of the 5^th on Yasiel Puig’s run-scoring double. Both teams’ bullpens took over from there, and that’s how the game ended. New Jersey wins, 3-2, and leads the series 2-1. W-Anderson; L-Clevinger; S-Albers

Game 4 saw Towaco’s Rich Hill (12-5) facing Jersey’s Dylan Bundy (12-4). New Jersey jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning on an RBI double by Rafael Devers and a run-scoring single by Jay Bruce. That’s how the score stayed until the 9^th inning. With one on, and Towaco down to their last out, Paul Goldschmidt stepped to the plate and crushed a game-tying home run off of Beatles closer David Robertson to send the game to extra frames. An inning later, pinch hitter Lucas Duda smashed another 2-run homer off of Robertson. The New Jersey crowd was in stunned disbelief, as Towaco ties the series 2-2 with a come-from-behind 4-2(10) win. W-Rodney; L-Robertson; S-McGee

In game 5, Peacock and Keuchel faced off again, as each team looked to take a crucial 3-2 series lead. New Jersey opened up a 5-1 lead behind 2 Carlos Correa home runs. The Beatles bullpen could not hold the lead, as the Pack battled back with 2 in the 6^th and 2 in the 7^th to tie the game, 5-5. New Jersey opened the 9^th inning with singles from Jose Martinez and Devin Marrero. Jacoby Ellsbury came up and lined a single up the middle, as the Beatles got a huge walk-off win, 6-5, to take a 3-2 lead in the series. W-Albers; L-Colome

The series returned to Towaco for game 6, with Justin Verlander taking on Alex Cobb, in a rematch of game 2. New Jersey opened the scoring in the 2nd inning on Martin Maldonado’s 2-run jack. Towaco battled back to tie the game on Tommy Pham’s sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 2^nd and Travis Shaw’s solo home run in the 3^rd. The Beatles were not to be denied, however, as they homered in each of the next 4 innings to open up a 7-2 lead. The bullpen was able to hold off the Wolf Pack, and New Jersey won the game 8-4, and the series, 4-2. W-Albers; L-Cobb

Matt Albers had a stellar series, winning 3 games and notching a save, as he pitched 7 1/3 scoreless frames in relief. Carlos Correa hit 5 home runs over the 6 games to lead the Beatles’ offense. New Jersey will face the winner of the Longue Pointe-San Diego series, and will be looking to make it to the finals for the first time since their championship run in 2013.

 

September 18th, 2018  Game 163

The city of Philly had the day off as fans poured into downtown to see game 163 that will settle the CBA Schmidt Division champs. 
 

Jared Eickhoff took the mound for the Phanatics and maybe some nerves showing as he hits Mitch Haniger to start. With Mitch at 2nd and 2 down, Rob Hite Intentionally walk Hosmer and brings up Tucker Barnhart who ripx a double and plates the games first run. Rob then walk Suarez to face the (6L) Brian Dozier, who bangs one up the middle and NWS has a 2-0 lead. Antonio Senzatela cruises and Eickhoff settles down and going into the 5th the score is the same.  Haniger rip a double with 1 out and again Rob use the Int. Walk putting Bour on.  Eickhoff then walks Steven Souza to load them up. Eric Hosmer K's and Rob brings in Jose Torres to face Barnhart.  Ball  4 - NWS 3-0. 

Senzatela finally cracks in the 5th and gives up a HR to Wilmer Flores.  After 5, 3-1.  In the 6th Chris Brazeau goes with his bullpen which got him here.  Chris Devenski, John Brebbia and Shane Greene keep it a 3-1 game into the 9th. 

In the top of the 9th, Addison Russell doubles and Haninger and Bour hit singles to add a run.  Steven Souza walks and they are loaded.  Lance Mcullers time, he strikes out Hosmer and Barnhart and get Suarez to ground out keeping this one close. 

Tyler Lyons starts the 9th against Bryce Harper and hits one to Dozier, one of the best 2bs in the game. Boots it.  Really, in the 9th, no stress!  Ken Giles comes on and gets the next 3.  Final NWS 4 - PPS -1
 

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August 2018 races in both Conferences. 

The Dawson battle has emerged, and the two players right now are Longue Pt and Belfast. Both teams will need good bench performances to move them into thhe top spot.  Both have regulars in need of rest. What if the Crows win 2 or 3 good blocks?  Will the Crows and Neah Bay do damage to both teams?

At current pace in Staub,  With the Dawson division hovering around .500 and bench rest coming to the Brawlers and Loggers, this could develop into quite an August. Will either team will make moves considering that other teams in Staub may also be competeing for the Second wild card spot?  Thhe next few blocks are critical.  Whoever gets hot may take Dawson.  Odds favor that the teams in that division may need to win thhe title to make the playoffs.  Longe Pointe has pitching a team 1.21 WHIP, and an IRSC of .263.  Belfast may not boast the pitching numbers, but the offenses show similar offensive team Sabermetrics...Neah Bay's Wellington Castillo may be CBA's best catcher.  Batting .372 17  HR 40 RBI,  if ever there were an all star this year, he's one.



  Towaco and New jersey are embroiled in an epic Rogers division battle, and a trade war.  Both have moved significant future stocks to compete in Staub.  Division champ and rival Essex has done somewhat the same.  All are competing for the playoffs. Towaco stepped out in front of Rogers after Joliet and Indiana swept New Jersey. New Jersey is interesting.  The team holds opponents to .227 BA, but thhe bullpen despite paultry ERA's, WHIPS, allows a poor 33% of inherited runners to score.  Jersey outslugs opposition with homers, 174 of 'em. Towaco is known for the pitching in Citifield whhere thhe ballpark singles are a '1-1'.  Despite that, the Wolfpack still slug .426, and create 4.76 runs per game. Bullpen you ask? .176 IRSC, well below league .330 average, awesome....
Essex underachieving need to win a few series or sweep some games they should win. Pretty much rested, expect a push for a wildcard.  The key will be head to head match ups with Detroit, and their division rivals.  The move for Altuve makes sense in a non DH Conference. Can the Wheels spoil dreams?  Can't count them out of causing trouble for that division.


Joliet has started  to piece back together their season and with a good block or two could complicate matters for the plentiful pack of contenders. They are well rested, and still talented.  Buckle up your seat belts.  With SD dropping some games last block, and Temple on a surge, the outlook is for a tight August race for the Carter title.  It's anyones guess who can emerge there. Further complications, Temple Angels GM Cory Light went and added lefty ace John Lester who should give some needed innings down the stretch.  The Angels lefties Vargas and Lester could hurt certain playoff bound teams.  They may not stop Gianmichaelcarlo Stanton of rival SD. He has a .310 40 HR 79 RBI season happening right now.  Thhe losers of this battlle for Carter may all be in contention for 1 wildcard spot if NJ and Towaco do not fade.



Parker division has Brooklyn holding 5 games over Newton.  That division is up for grabs between those two teams as Atlanta cashed in her chips in another Loria like massacre upset some GM's in it's wake.  With these two teams looking at possibly a title and a wildcard, a tremendous race is on within the Schmidt for wins.  Wins to take the title and knock the Willdcats from their perch, but needed wins to gain a wildcard.  All teams are within reach still.  Philly keeps rising after a slow start.  CBA's leading BA,  the Phantastics platoon is working, and are well rested.  Bryce is hitting.342 with16HR now...The Willdcats are rested too.  The official Schmidt pennant chase is on.  This is the first ever for the previously underdog Wildcats.  Chris Brazeau, has rebuilt the franchise into a contender after years of labor and less than stellar records.  This year has to be gratifying. Although NH's Greinke is 9-10 right now,  it's been in hard luck as his ERA 2.79 and WHIP 0.95 are terrific. He could be the races X factor....Stirling is competing as well.  A strong offense,  but problems at the end of the rotation have limited the wins for the Sox. Remains to be seen what Malachi does as the deadline approaches.  Two clear signals that  the Sox could in August be on the rise, are a strong bullpen .261 IRSC, and a nice .75 fld Xrating.  They also have a few sub.500 teams  scheduled...The Otters need some pitching help fast.  The pen is in shambles Feliz 1-7,  Strickland 5.68 ERA, Ziegler,  Romero, alll over 5.00+   Mike Trout's best 28 HR 71 RBI  .320,  and  the potent offense may not be enough to carry them through without pitching help.


  Thhe Monday is all Carolina right now.  CTown also cashed in their chips, andall that remains is Skokie who is looking toward the trade market.  With Carolina's hot usagefor pitching, will they sustain?  Does anyone want to win this division right now? If Carolina fades then what will happen?  Should be interesting as the Copperheads will face playoff contenders all through August. This division thhough quiet now could become a real surprise if no one steps up.  This may need to be HOF'er Scott Kenan's best managing job to date... Did we read correct Bob Fidler's Redbirds rekindled olld magic and swept Jersey?  Fidlers been awful quiet during a dismal season, but capable of defeating any given team, at any given time.  Adam Jones  .319 18HR 69 RBI.  Ohio lands Machado. Could be the start of a new ERA in Ohio.   Kenan hopes to revisit the World Series, and another CBA championship to his trophy chest.  This may not be the year, but never count a Kenan out.

 

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t has been a whirlwind week in the Portsmouth, NH offices of the New Hampshire Wildcats.  The team has engineered an overhaul of its roster this week.   With many CBA teams wading into the All Star break trade waters, the Cats took a hard look at this current season and put a critical eye to next.   New Hampshire's front office knew that for the rest of this current season their identity was just a pesky team that contenders were annoyed by, sort of like the nats and black flies that plague the summers in this otherwise idyllic coastal town.   But as the All-Star break approached, GM Chris Brazeau saw vast improvement in his pitching staff in for the 2018 season.  Assuming the likes of Robbie Ray, Zach Greinke, Lance Lynn, James Paxton, Areil Miranda and J.A Happ finish strong the Wildcats could be formidable.  However the offense was looking older, the outfield was a bit thin and defense could be an issue. The question was how to improve? Well, good pitching in a pennant race is always attractive.  So, the hard decision was made to put long time Wildcat J.A Happ on the block.  He was getting older and he was willing to accept a trade for a shot at a ring this year.
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> First Trade - The Montreal Crows saw the advantages of adding a quality arm like Happ and came knocking and NH picked up Justin Bour and a #4 pick from the Crows. This looked like NH added to their log jam at 1b and DH, adding Bour to Hanley Ramirez, Danny Valencia and Kendys Morales.   But the chance to get a younger guy with his power was attractive.  However, there was another fire burning.  Enter Cooperstown for the Second Trade.  They were looking for outfield defense to bolster their playoff run and were willing to part with Matt Kemp.  A deal was worked out.  Cooperstown got Kevin Keirmaier and Danny  Valencia and NH got Matt Kemp and Albert Almora.   Win-Win for both teams.  NH added another big bat to the middle of their lineup and an young up and coming player in Almora who not only can throw the leather, but can hit.  The OF that, two days before looked like a weakness, was vastly improved.  The log jam a 1b/DH had thinned by trading Valencia.  But NH still had 3 guys for two slots.  So the Cats put Morales on the trade block hoping to pick up another outfielder.  Skokie came calling and Trade 3 happened.  NH sent Morales to Skokie which provided them a big bat for their playoff push.  NH gets Steven Souza.  In Souza, NH got a very good defensive player who is putting up some impressive numbers.  A.369 OBP, .280 Avg and 17 knocks at the break.  Yes, he strikes out a ton but pretty much everyone does these days, well except Buster Posey (has anyone noticed he has more RBI's then strikeouts!!). 
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> Post whirlwind, the Wildcats starting  pitching still looks impressive next year.   Their bullpen will be a strength . The outfield now boasts Souza, Kemp, Haniger and Almora.  Their sluggish 1B/DH log jam has been dispersed, what is left is Ramirez and Bour.   NH also has  8 picks in the first 5 rounds next year.  With that cache NH will almost certainly be active in the offseason.  The Trade Committee was kept busy this week.  Clearly the Cats are steering towards 2018 and planning on being the team swatting away the nats and black flies on their way to meaningful games past April and a deep playoff run. 
 

Press release Stirling Red Sox

At the halfway point (as close as we get) we are 42-36.  We just finished going 3-9 in our last 12 games.

 

Being 6 games over .500 is a pleasant surprise.  We are hitting .261 as a team and have slugged 98 HR. Tyler Flowers who has just been a filler/backup catcher in the past has been hot.  He leads the team with a .333 BA (55 games played, 180 AB).  The story for our offense has been Adam Duvall.  The Red Sox has been lacking a power bat ever since the days of Carlos Pena.  He has cranked out 23 Hrs, driven in 65 and scored 45 times.  Dustin Pedroia who is suppose to be over the hill continues to hit. He and his DP partner Elvis Andrus since 2011 continue to play solid Defense up the middle.  They have only comitted 6 errors all season.  Speaking of defense up the middle Lorenzo Cain and Free agent signee Aaron Hicks have not committed an error all season in CF.

 

Our Bullpen has been solid and the staple of our success.  Led by Kensley Janson (despite his 4 loses and 3 blown saves) with 16 saves. Rookie Matt Bush has been outstanding. In 37 ip he's only given up 1 er (which was a HR), with a .76 whip. David Phelps has been solid in long relief.  He's picked up 5 wins 

 

Now this rotation has been sort of a sore spot.Overall we have a team era of 4.76 (starters only)  With so many young arms we have expected the growing pains.  Jon Gray, Sean Manaea, Brandon Finnegan, and Archie Bradley they only have 24 quality starts out of 55.  If we are going to make noise down the stretch it's going to be in the arms of these kids.

 

Other news Kyle Schwarber is going though rehab, and we have decided he will not play this season

 

Down on the farm: In Alamo City the Salado Creek Flames are having a good season led by the bats of Vogelbach and Bellinger, but the talk is about the pitching.  Berrios, Servino, Edwards, Estevez are looking MLB ready.  Look for some of them to get a call up in the second half to get some experience of a pennant race.