AROUND THE DIAMOND IN THE ABL

ABL 2014 PLAYOFFS

10/16/14

BIG STORY: Last year division champion Syracuse and 3rd place Tallahassee reached the finals. For the first time since 2011 two non-division winners are in the finals as Titusville and Syracuse both took the long road to reach the final series of the season. Titusville returns to the finals for the first time since 2010 when they won their first title after getting past the division champion Channel Cats in five games. Titusville will play in their 2nd finals winning on their lone appearance against Long Beach Island. The Syracuse Hazard continued their dream to become the 3rd team in history to repeat. After a tough round one series the division finals were even tougher. After taking a commanding 3-0 lead over Orlando in the series the Sharks forced a game seven that ended in the 12th inning. Syracuse is making their 2nd finals appearance in consecutive seasons as they won their first title just last season. Regardless of the outcome, one team will lose their first trip to the finals. Will Syracuse join Tallahassee and Chesapeake Bay as the only teams in history to win it all back to back? As Titusville has seemed destined since opening day like the B-Mets in 2014, will it be their year once again? Only one team will be crowned as the rest of the field managers get ready for next year. Remember Legends are born in October!

“BAMBINO CUP” FINALS Titusville vs. Syracuse (Series 0-0) GM 1 At Syracuse Saturday at 2 p.m. GM 2 GM 3 GM 4 GM 5 GM 6 GM 7

NATIONAL FINALS Titusville vs. Chesapeake Bay (Titusville won series 4-1)

GM 1 TV 7 CB 0 GM 2 CB 11 TV 4 GM 3 TV 4 CB 1 GM 4 TV 5 CB 1

GM 5 TV 1 CB 0

AMERICAN FINALS Syracuse vs. Orlando (Syracuse won series 4-3)

GM 1 SYR 9 ORL 2 GM 2 SYR 8 ORL 7 GM 3 SYR 7 ORL 5 GM 4 ORL 12 SYR 3 GM 5 ORL 8 SYR 0 GM 6 ORL 9 SYR 8 11 Inn. GM 7 SYR 4 ORL 3 12 Inn.

NATIONAL SEMI-FINALS Tallahassee vs. Titusville (Titusville won series 3-0)

GM 1 TV 6 TA 3 GM 2 TV 2 TA 0 GM 3 TV 1 TA 0

AMERICAN SEMI-FINALS

Nashville vs. Syracuse (Syracuse won series 3-1) GM 1 NAS 6 SYR 0 GM 2 SYR 6 NAS 4 GM 3 SYR 1 NAS 1 GM 4 SYR 5 NAS 3 2014 ABL TEAMS AND MANAGERS: National Division Chesapeake Bay Channel Cats(25th Season) Scott “Commish” Allen Tallahassee Terriers(24th Season) Don “Legend” Allen Jr. Titusville Perfectos(7th Season) Lennart “Lenny” Saaf Abilene RoughRiders(7th Season) Duran “Stole” Allen Manahawkin Pelicans(6th Season) Steve “Stevo” Bomysoad American Division Chicago Gangstas(22nd Season) Anthony “Antman” Marrongelli Orlando Sharks(15th Season) Greg “Buck” Dietzen Long Beach Island Starfish(12th Season) Jim “Skibby” Bomysoad Syracuse Hazard(10th Season) Jason “Coop” Cupelo (Defending Champions) Nashville Titans(6th Season) Chad “Trader Jack” Degnan ABL 2014 IP’S Orlando 15 Long Beach Island 15 Manahawkin 15

Syracuse 14 Chesapeake Bay 14 Titusville 14 Tallahassee 12 Abilene 11 Chicago 10 Nashville 8

ROLLING DICE?? (Q and A with Game Play Notes)

(Italic are present in the current charts)

1. On the Close call on the infield range chart,

speed?

ANSWER: No. The +/- is not the infielders throw but the ability to turn a double play.

infielder's double play pivot rating. “+” mean the infielder isn’t the best at turning the do

“-“ meaning the infielder is really good at turning the double play.

The +/- rating is used on the “Toss?” play on the infield range chart and also on the “RG+” play on the

error chart.

PLAYOFF WEATHER: In the regular season, Odd numberebe considered night games. In the playoffs, all best of five series will continue to use the odd numbered

are day games and the even numbered are night games.games. Reminder: Weather effects will be determined by the geographic location of the chosen city. ABL PLAYOFF PITCHING AND INJURY RULES:The break between the regular season and playoffs will count for two games. That includes injurierest requirements. This doesn’t apply to suspensions. All Starting Pitchers will be fully rested except the Starting Pitcher who pitches in the final regular season game. That pitcher will need one extra day of rest since the break between the regular season and playoffs is only two games. Each change of venue includes one day of rest in a five and seven game series

4, 5, Rest, 6, 7, Rest. Thus, the 2-3-in the 1st, 4th, and 7th games. Five Game Series Example: 1, 2, Rest, 3, 4, Rest, 5, Rest.

showdowns do not get any extra rest between games. One game showdowns are considered the start of the post season in the ABL. Pitching will

Q and A with Game Play Notes) (PLEASE TAKE NOTE)

in the current charts)

On the Close call on the infield range chart, does the +/- on the infielder’s card affect the batter’s

is not the infielders throw but the ability to turn a double play.

infielder's double play pivot rating. “+” mean the infielder isn’t the best at turning the do

“ meaning the infielder is really good at turning the double play.

rating is used on the “Toss?” play on the infield range chart and also on the “RG+” play on the

Odd numbered games will be considered day games. Even numbered games will In the playoffs, all best of five series will continue to use the odd numbered

are day games and the even numbered are night games. All best of seven series will aWeather effects will be determined by the geographic location of the chosen city.

ABL PLAYOFF PITCHING AND INJURY RULES: The break between the regular season and playoffs will count for two games. That includes injurierest requirements. This doesn’t apply to suspensions. All Starting Pitchers will be fully rested except the Starting Pitcher who pitches in the final regular season game. That pitcher will need one extra day of rest

ular season and playoffs is only two games.

Each change of venue includes one day of rest in a five and seven game series. Example: 1, 2, Rest, 3, -2 format enables a manager to use a starter three times in a se

Five Game Series Example: 1, 2, Rest, 3, 4, Rest, 5, Rest.

showdowns do not get any extra rest between games.

One game showdowns are considered the start of the post season in the ABL. Pitching will

on the infielder’s card affect the batter’s

is not the infielders throw but the ability to turn a double play. The +/- is the

infielder's double play pivot rating. “+” mean the infielder isn’t the best at turning the double play and

rating is used on the “Toss?” play on the infield range chart and also on the “RG+” play on the

Even numbered games will In the playoffs, all best of five series will continue to use the odd numbered

All best of seven series will all be all night Weather effects will be determined by the geographic location of the chosen city.

The break between the regular season and playoffs will count for two games. That includes injuries and rest requirements. This doesn’t apply to suspensions. All Starting Pitchers will be fully rested except the Starting Pitcher who pitches in the final regular season game. That pitcher will need one extra day of rest

. Example: 1, 2, Rest, 3, 2 format enables a manager to use a starter three times in a series, i.e.,

Five Game Series Example: 1, 2, Rest, 3, 4, Rest, 5, Rest. One game

One game showdowns are considered the start of the post season in the ABL. Pitching will carry from

series to series for rest requirements. Each playoff series will count as the maximum games for injury and pitching purposes regardless of how many actual games are played. For example, a seven game series will count as ten games including the three off days for injuries and rest requirements. Again this doesn’t apply to suspensions. Playoff teams must set up rotations accordingly. If a starting pitcher is injured during a playoff series and no starting pitcher is rested on the playoff roster. Use a starting pitcher on the roster that hasn’t pitch in that game. Refer to the Diamond Chart and running out of players section. Teams may make one injury roster move from their taxi team to the active roster during each playoff series. The roster transaction must happen between games. The player that is replaced can’t play in the next playoff series. TEAM NEWS: If any manager plans on not participating in the ABL next season please let the Commish know as soon as possible for planning purposes. Please leave the league in good standing so you may return in the future if you desire to do so. If a former manager is considering returning to the ABL for next season, please request an expansion application to reactivate your franchise before November 15th. Your franchise will officially be re-activated once the league fee is paid in full. ABL 2014 WINTER MEETINGS: The 2014 ABL Winter Meetings will take place Sunday November 23rd at 11:00 a.m. est. at the ABL League Office. Mark your calendar and plan to attend or call in for the 2014 ABL Winter Meetings. ABL 2015 FEE: The 2015 ABL fee will stay the same as 2014 at $60. If you finish with 15 IP’s, you can get it lowered down to $50. Win the title and it’s on the ABL’s nickel. Each manager must pay the $60 operational fee for the American Baseball League Season by November 15th for the next season. If it isn’t paid in full by November 25th, the ABL will fold your team for that upcoming season unless other arrangements have been made with the league. The fees help with expenses to run the league. This is a firm deadline; please communicate with the Commish if you can’t meet the deadline. Remember the 2015 fee is due November 15th. Please pay the fee on time if you want to play ball in 2015. If money is a problem, let the Commish know and something can be worked out. You have plenty of notice to make sure the fee is paid on time. If an Expansion Team Fee is paid by November 15th, the new manager will be able to vote in the November Off-Season voting session. The first expansion team to pay their fee in full will get the highest pick in the expansion draft. The second team to pay their fee in full will get the 2nd pick in the expansion draft and so on. There is no extra cost for Expansion teams in 2015. Fees Currently Paid: Chesapeake Bay Commish Fee Fees Due: (Fee could change by lost IP’s or championship) Abilene $60.00 Manahawkin $50.00 Tallahassee $30.00

Long Beach Island $30.00 Chicago $60.00 Orlando $50.00 Syracuse $60.00 Titusville $40.00 Mudville $60.00 Expansion Team $60.00 ABL 2015 EXPANSION TEAM APPLICATIONS: All possible new 2015 ABL managers must fill out an ABL Expansion Team Application. The Application will be reviewed and acceptance won’t be final until the expansion fee has been paid in full. Remember all new perspective managers must complete the new ABL Development Plan for new managers. Tell a friend or co-worker about the fun of managing in the ABL. DEADLINE FOR 2015 EXPANSION TEAMS: November 15th is the deadline for any new expansion team or re-activated team to enter the ABL for the 2015 season. Exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis till the cards arrive. If you have someone possibly interested, let the Commish know so they can fill out the Expansion Team Application. ABL 2015 STADIUM/NAME CHANGES: All current teams must notify the league office by November 15th if they plan on switching ball parks for the upcoming 2015 season. Stadiums are on a first come basis. Teams must stay in the same stadium for duration of three seasons before requesting a move. Teams must also let the ABL office know about any team name changes by November 15th also. ABL TENTATIVE SCHEDULE: MLB Rosters frozen for the ABL Oct 1st Fee Deadline Nov 15th Expansion Team Deadline Nov 15th Expansion Team Draft Nov 23rd Franchise Players Deadline Dec 1st Triple Play Cards Arrive Jan 1st Spring Training Games Begin Jan 1st Existing Teams Drop Deadline Feb 11th Expansion Teams Drop Deadline Feb 11th Free Agent Draft Day Feb 22nd Spring Training Games Deadline Feb 25th Taxi Teams Deadline Feb 25th Regular Season Begins Feb 27th

SKIBBY’S SPOTLIGHT:

Skibby’s Spotlight – Finals Preview And now only two remain. The spotlight finally loses a prediction by the Hazard pulling off an upset over the Orlando Sharks. It was a hard fought series as the Sharks were down 3-0 but managed to scrape back, send it to game 7 and fell just short in extra innings. An exciting way to move on for sure going 7, games 6 and 7 going bonus, taking out the mentor. Syracuse is sure showing some #want in their bid to #repeat. On the other side the Perfectos’ pitching staff held the Channel Cats down as they took their series in 5. Soon enough we will preview the finals matchup between the Syracuse Hazard and the Titusville Perfectos. Gone Too Soon – This was supposed to happen next week with the celebration of a Sharks championship. The sentimental favorite as Buck takes his leave from the league (hopefully temporarily) and most teams probably felt if they couldn’t win it themselves that they wanted the Buckster to finally get his name on that cup. Unfortunately fate in the form of his student in Coop took him out in extra innings in game 7. I know the nickname came from an intentional walk with the bases loaded. Hell, I wouldn’t have wanted to face Bonds back then either! 1 run allowed is better than 4 any day. Future math major right here! But Buck took that nickname and made it something else entirely. He created a persona, a feisty style of ball that drove many bonkers. Playing Buck was always unpredictable because you never knew how aggressive he’d be that day and it was always a challenge. Teams had to set up their rotation to face him not because they were worried about matchups but they wanted that 3 hold -2 steal facing his team. I can say that he may not have the best offensive cards sometimes, but Yadier Molina was worth his weight in gold against Buck. And he’d still run on me! And usually was successful. Absolutely crazy but ya gotta pad the stats somehow. So next season when you’re rolling and you’re thinking about doing something crazy like steal with a 4, think of Buck, and do it. He’d want it that way. Thank you Buck for not only introducing myself and Coop to the game (and in turn current Pelicans manager Stevo and former Rockhoppers manager Amanda) that we’ve all grown to love and appreciate it, but for changing the way many of us manage, set up our teams, you’ve forever changed the game we play and we appreciate you and what you’ve meant for all of us. Playoff Time – has been fun in my house. I sit and watch the games in the basement and when Amber comes down I get to point and say “that guys on so and so’s team”. I get to watch

baseball and she’s been visiting less and trying to talk to me during the game less. It’s a win-win-win! Moose-Tacos for everyone! – Royals prospect bust Mike Moustakas spent part of this season in AAA Omaha after struggling to start the MLB season. He came back up due to some injuries, and finished the season batting .212. Don’t tell him he struggled, because this postseason he’s now hitting .318 with 4 home runs and a crucial sac bunt as the Royals have still yet to lose a post season game since 1985. 2 current and 1 incoming ABL manager were not alive the last time the Royals lost a postseason game. Thou shalt not steal – Unless you’re Billy Butler. This postseason he’s stolen his first base since 2012, scored from 1st twice, and got an infield single. Not bad for a guy they call “Country Breakfast”. Bet he wouldn’t have swiped a bag if Yadi was catching that game. If it’s not obvious I’ve been paying a lot of attention to the AL playoffs as I am very intrigued by the ALCS. A lot time has passed since these two teams have been in this position. It’s been nice to see some fresh names and fresh faces. If baseball fans didn’t know who guys like Alex Gordon or Lorenzo Cain or Billy Butler are they should now because they’ve been doing some big things this postseason. I am still waiting for a heroic moment from the Orioles. Nick MyCarKeys and Adam “Not Pac-Man” Jones have been good but aren’t getting much help. As there have been two really tights games so far the Orioles could very well get back into this thing. Update – The Orioles can no longer come back. The Royals swept the series. Pitching, defense, and timely clutch hitting win games and look like they might win championships. The bullpen is ridiculous, save for an inning or two in game 3 the Royals outfield is where balls go to die. Lorenzo Cain won the ALCS MVP and deservedly so with a consistent bat and a few web gems a night. Go Royals! More Retirements – Josh Beckett has announced he will most likely forgo surgery and rehab for a hip injury and retire from baseball. Best known for his WS MVP with the Marlins back in 2003, he was a career Bear/Dark Knight/Starfish, winning pitch of the year in 2007 and finishing with a 26-15 mark in the ABL. Glutton for Punishment – Brian Cashman resigned to be Yankee GM for another 3 years. Either he’s really confident he can fix the mess that’s been created or he really likes the abuse of being in NY. If he survives the length of the deal he’ll have been GM for 20 years. He’s had surprising longevity in a volatile market. I did read today that the Yankees are considering signing Omar Minaya for a front office position. It’ll be great to have him back in NY and torturing someone else’s fans. Checkbook just got a lot bigger – Andrew Friedman, GM of the Rays is now the former GM of the Rays. He has taken over as President of the LA Dodgers. Talk about a step up in payroll. I wonder if the interview was “here’s how much money we have, our payroll could buy your former team” and he shrugged and said okay.

Spotlight Poll: Is it harder to be a GM in a large market, mid-market, or small market? Big Name Free Agents – Speaking of GM’s, they will have some talent to pick through on the free agent market. There’s some solid to star level talent that could be available but at what cost?

- First Base – Michael Cuddyer, Corey Hart, Victor Martinez, Kendrys Morales

- Second Base – Brian Roberts, Ben Zobrist (pending option), Rickie Weeks (pending

option)

- Shortstop – Asdrubal Cabrera, Stephen Drew, Hanley Ramirez, Jed Lowrie

- Third Base – Pablo Sandoval, Chase Headley, Casey McGehee

- Catcher – Russell Martin, Geovany Soto, AJ Pierzynski, Ryan Doumit

- Outfield – Nori Aoki, Melky Cabrera, Nelson Cruz, Jonny Gomes, #oldmanwatch,

Colby Rasmus, Seth Smith, Ichiro, Delmon Young, Alex Rios (Rangers declined

option today)

- Starting Pitching – Gavin Floyd, Jason Hammel, Colby Lewis, Jon Lester, Francisco

Liriano, Justin Masterson, Brandon McCarthy, Jake Peavy, Ervin Santana, Max

Scherzer, James Shields, Edison Volquez

- Relief Pitching – Joba, Phil Coke, Luke Gregerson, Casey Janssen, Jim Johnson,

Andrew Miller, David Robertson, K-Rod, Sergio Romo, Koji Uehara

Some pretty solid names on that list. Buyer beware as big money doesn’t get you what it used to. Finals Preview – Titusville Perfectos vs. Syracuse Hazard – Not the preview I was expecting to write today. When I saw the Sharks took game 6 I figured the Hazard were toast. They almost were. They apparently weren’t dead yet though. Tale of the Tape – So far the story for the Perfectos has been pitching, pitching, and wait, more pitching. As it stands right now they’ve averaged giving up 2 runs per game which doesn’t do it justice. If you take away one really stinker of a game, they’ve given up 5 runs in 7 games. 0.71 runs per game. 4 shut outs and 2 one run games. That’ll win ya some playoff games I’ll tell ya that! Just ask the Royals all about that! The Perfectos offense has averaged 3.75 runs scored per game so far. Not too far off their pace from the regular season. The Hazard on the other hand is currently averaging scoring 5.27 runs per contest. I’m no math major (yet) but that’s more than 3.75. Then you look at his runs allowed. He’s averaging giving up 5.81 runs per. He’s giving up on average more than he scores right now. That’s not a fantastic formula for postseason success. Errors – In the ALCS the Hazard shortstops gave up 6 errors in 7 games. Defense could be crucial. Will he go with the light hitting Didi Gregorius or the better hitting but defensively inept Jonathan Villar? That question right there could make or break a game or two, and in the playoffs the entire series. Rumor has it the Hazard are starting to miss Jose Reyes who would have been back from injury now.

It’s a light preview – but I’ve previewed these guys twice now. Not much has changed. The Perfectos are turning heads with their pitching and Syracuse is coming in with the superior offense. The Perfectos have lost one game this postseason whereas the Hazard have lost a total of 4, one against the Titans and almost losing a 3-0 series to the Sharks. Seriously I was searching for a bloody sock. Prediction Time – Call me a sucker, but as I watch more postseason baseball I am enamored by the pitching and defense I keep seeing. I am going to predict Perfectos in 6. Pitching wins championships, and so far this postseason the Perfectos have had the superior pitching staff. Nothing would surprise me at this point, but the Perfectos have been rolling and I’m going with the hot hand. Signing off – This is the last spotlight that will have a preview in it this season. It’s been fun, I appreciate the feedback I’ve gotten and hope you all enjoy reading them. This will most likely not be the last spotlight of the season, but the last with a preview. There will be plenty of them next season as the spotlight will be taking over preview duties for Diamond Notes in 2015. So for now, skibby signing off. Best of luck to both teams in the finals. I hope it’s enjoyable and this is what we all play for. To one day get our name on the cup.

BASEBALL THOUGHTS: Article found on Delphi Forum

http://dynastyleaguebaseball.mlblogs.com/2014/10/04/blue-jays-radio-broadcaster-mike-wilner-on-his-experience-playing-dynasty-league-baseball/ Voice of the Blue Jays: “Great scoresheets, too. I still use them to this day – I have scored every

Blue Jays game since 2002 on PTP scoresheets in the broadcast booth.”

FUTURE ABL MANAGERS: Reminder to all managers that if you find someone interested in baseball let’s get them started in the ABL Developmental Plan playing practice games. We have created two practice teams consisting of players not in the ABL player pool called the Lake Erie Explosion and Binghamton Bulldogs. Contact the Commish for a sample set of cards/charts and start teaching the ABL’s next Billy Martin the excitement of tabletop baseball. ABL Developmental Plan Guidelines: At a minimum new perspective managers must complete the following:

1. Two practice games with a current ABL Manager with score sheets. 2. Submit two recaps within a reasonable time frame to be included in Around the Diamond. 3. One practice game with a current ABL Manager on the dice roller. 4. Total of three practice games must be completed with at least two different current ABL

Managers. 5. Finally the new perspective manager should request an ABL Expansion Application.

TRANSACTION REPORT: 10/1 TAXI TEAM: Orlando sent down Jhoulys Chacin, Danny Farquhar, Rex Brothers and called up Bobby Parnell, Bronson Arroyo, Eric Young.

INJURY REPORT: PLAYER TEAM GAMES ACTIVE WEEK? OFF/IR None

RECAPS OF ABL BASEBALL: National Finals Titusville vs. Chesapeake Bay Perfectos Power and Pitching Prevail Titusville 7 Chesapeake Bay 0 Wainwright vs. Buchholz The Perfectos got timely power to take the first game of the National Division Championship Series. The first came in the top of the first, when Bryce Harper launched a three-run shot for the early lead. The second was a grand slam for Edwin Encarnacion in the seventh, an inning that was extended by a Pedro Alvarez error. The Channel Cats could not get started against Clay Buchholz and the Perfectos bullpen. They stranded the bases loaded in the first, and were able to scatter only six hits over the remainder of the game. R H E LOB TV 300 000 400 7 10 0 6 CB 000 000 000 0 9 1 8

TV PITCHING Buchholz 6 (WIN) Hochevar 2 Holland 1 (SAVE) CB PITCHING Wainwright 7 (LOSS) Oberholzer 2 INJURIES: none Cats Clobber Iwakuma to Even Series Chesapeake Bay 11 Titusville 4

Colon vs. Iwakuma In Game Two it was C-Bay’s turn to rev up the power. Werth and Holliday hit round-trippers in the second for an early 4-1 lead. Iwakuma’s undoing came later in the fifth, when the Cats batted around and put up a six-spot, punctuated with Holliday’s second homer, a three-run shot. Titusville tried to scrape back into it, and scored three in the seventh, but, even with creative math, it was too little, as C-Bay coasted to an 11-4 win and evened the run totals for the series. R H E LOB TV 001 000 300 4 5 0 6 CB 130 060 01x 11 11 0 5

TV PITCHING Iwakuma 5 (LOSS) Hochevar 1 Scheppers 2 CB PITCHING Colon 3 Oberholzer 2 (WIN) Dunn 1.2 Nathan 2 Chapman 0.1 INJURIES: none 16 Ks Sink C-Bay Ship Titusville 4 Chesapeake Bay 1 Cole vs. Hudson As the series moved south to Titusville, the Channel Cats’ bats cooled off drastically. After putting one across in the first on two singles, only three more hits were forthcoming. There were, however, lots of strikeouts. T-Ville starter Gerrit Cole fanned eight, and the Perfectos pen combined to strikeout another seven. Titusville managed only two more hits than the Cats, but one was a solo home run from Matt Adams, and two more runs came from batters who drew bases on balls. The BFH made its first appearance in the series and would remain on the otherwise bare head of the Perfectos manager for the duration of the series. R H E LOB CB 100 000 000 1 5 0 5 TV 101 101 00x 4 7 0 6 CB PITCHING Hudson 3.2 (LOSS) Chapman 2 Oberholzer 0.1 Nathan 1 Kimbrel 1 TV PITCHING Cole 5 (WIN) Thielbar 1 Hochevar 2 Holland 1 (SAVE)

INJURIES: none Masterson Continues Titusville Pitching Buzzsaw Titusville 5 Chesapeake Bay 1 Buchholz vs. Wainwright The Titusville pitching juggernaut continued to stymie Chesapeake Bay in Game Four. Starter Buchholz unexpectedly ran out of gas in the third inning, and Justin Masterson made an emergency appearance. He was MASTERful and allowed only three base runners over three and one-third innings of scoreless relief that provided a vital bridge to the bullpen. The Perfectos got to Adam Wainwright early in the first with five straight hits that gave Titusville a 4-0 lead that would hold up to the end. Waino settled down and went six, giving up only one additional run. After Masterson’s effort, the Perfectos pen contributed three hitless innings to give Titusville a commanding 3-1 series lead. R H E LOB CB 001 000 000 1 3 0 6 TV 401 000 00x 5 10 0 4

CB PITCHING Wainwright 6 (LOSS) Nathan 1 Vincent 1 TV PITCHING Buchholz 2.2 Masterson 3.1 (WIN) Thielbar 1 Scheppers 2 Holland 1 INJURIES: none BIRTHS: Marco Scutaro welcomed a new baby girl to the family and will miss Game Five. Walk-Off Win Advances Titusville to Finals! Titusville 1 Chesapeake Bay 0 Iwakuma vs. Colon Game Five was a full-on pitchers’ duel, but not so much with the starting pitchers, who totaled less than seven innings combined. Iwakuma was lifted after three, as the T-Ville manager did not want to see a repeat of his Game Two meltdown. Colon left in the fourth after an elbow twinge ended his season. The relievers then commenced a battle that would almost continue into extra innings. Two aggressive base-running move by C-Bay were trumped by the Titusville defense. In the first inning David Ortiz was thrown out at home attempting to score on a Tulo double. Then in the sixth Gentry was thrown out at the plate trying to score on a Stanton fly ball. The Perfectos had no such threats through eight—only two runners reached second, and none went further. In the bottom of the ninth, still scoreless, Matt Adams led off with a double against Joe Nathan. Craig Kimbrel came in and struck out the next two to bring Wilin Rosario to the plate. Rosario lined one up the middle, Big City lumbered home, and the Perfectos got the walk-off win at home to advance to the Bambino Cup Finals! R H E LOB CB 000 000 000 0 6 0 4 TV 000 000 001 1 6 0 6

CB PITCHING Colon 3.2 Vincent 0.1 Oberholzer 2.1 Nathan 1.2 (LOSS) Kimbrel 0.2 TV PITCHING Iwakuma 3 Scheppers 2 Thielbar 1 Hochevar 2 Holland 1 (WIN) INJURIES: Colon 15 games. Harper 1 game (HBP). EJECTIONS: Hosmer Scott, thanks for rolling, even though the rolls did not go the Cats’ way. I will do my best to represent the National Division. American Finals Syracuse vs. Orlando Would the Sharks storybook farewell tour continue on the quest to get their 1st Cup Championship? Or Would the Hazard fight on to defend their crown? GAME 1 HAZARD GET TO KERSHAW LATE, TAKE GAME 1 Max Scherzer would take on Clayton Kershaw to kick off a series that was predicted by NL Champion Lenny Saaf in his first power rankings. The pitching would be as billed with Scherzer only surrendering a HR to Freddie Freeman and Kershaw only giving up an RBI double to Andrew McCutchen. That is, until the 6th. In the 6th the Hazard started finding the double ranges, double from Miggy and Marlon Byrd would put the Hazard up 4-1. In the 7th the Hazard would add 3 runs on an rbi single from Pedroia and a 2 rbi single from Paul Goldschmidt. The Hazard would make it 9-1 in the top of the 9th with a 2 run single from Yan Gomes. The Sharks would get one back in the bottom of the 9th thanks to a Jose Iglesias single and a Didi Gregorius error. However, Scherzer goes the distance and the Hazard take a 1-0 series lead. PIT CUSE Scherzer - W - 9 IP ORL Kershaw - L - 8.1 IP Smyly - .2 IP HR

CUSE none ORL Freeman No stolen bases ERRORS CUSE Gregorius (Cuse Shortstops committing errors would be a theme this series) ORL none no injuries GAME 2 OFFENSES LOCK HORNS, BUT MIGGY REIGNS SUPREME The Sharks came out in game 2 looking to get on top of Cliff Lee early and they certainly would. Eric Young would lead off with the Buckball special, the single and swipe. Two batters later Hanley Ramirez would do something that every manager loves, a 2-run moonshot home run! Eric Young would come back to do more damage in the bottom of the 2nd with a 2-run double to make it a 4-0 ball game. The Hazard would get things rolling in the top of the 3rd loading the bases with 2 outs and getting a 2-run single from Paul "MVP" Goldschmidt. The Sharks would answer back in the bottom half after back to back Errors from Miggy and Didi a bases loaded walk to Cargo and a 2 run single for Russel Martin would make the score 7-2. In the top of the 4th the Hazard would get after Matt Harvey in a big way, 11 batters and 6 base hits with an intentional walk to Miggy would yield 5 runs (rbi base hit for McCutchen, 2-run single for Carlos Santana, rbi single for Paul Goldschmidt and Chase Utley) to tie the game at 7. Then the pitchers would show up. Cliff Lee would only allow one more base hit. Harvey would only allow one hit himself, but Miggy got to touch ALL the bases a solo shot to take an 8-7 lead. The Hazard bullpen duo of Rosenthal and Janssen would hold on for the hold and save and the Hazard would take game 2 8-7 and lead the series 2-0. PIT CUSE Lee - W - 6.2 IP Rosenthal - 1.1 IP Janssen - S - 1 IP ORL Harvey - L - 6 IP Cotts - 3 IP HR CUSE Miggy

ORL HanRam SBs CUSE none ORL Young ERROR CUSE Cabrera, Gregorius ORL none No injuries GAME 3 A GRAND BYRD IS THE WORD, HAZARD TAKE 3-0 LEAD The Sharks were feeling like they were in a "must win situation" and they came out of the gates looking like it again. Taking a 2-0 lead in the top of the 2nd on base hits from Saltalamacchia and Coco Crisp. The Hazard would get one back in the bottom of the inning via a Marlon Byrd base hit. The Sharks would add to their lead in the top of the third on an rbi triple from the bat of Cargo and a sac fly from Adrian Beltre would make the score 4-1. The Hazard would cut into the lead in the bottom half with Didi Gregorius scoring on a double play ball. The score would stand at 4-2 until the top of the 7th when Cargo would score on an Adrian Beltre single to push the Sharks lead to 5-2. In the bottom of the 7th McCutchen would earn a walk and the Sharks would give Miggy the free pass. Carlos Santana would drive in McCutchen on a single, Paul Goldschmidt would then strike out. With 2 down Dustin Pedroia would walk to load the bases before Marlon Byrd would become the word. A Marlon Byrd Grand Slam would put the Hazard up 7-5. Trevor Rosenthal would pitch a 3 batter 8th and Glen Perkins would face 3 batters with 3 strikeouts in the top of the 9th to give the Hazard a 3-0 series lead. PIT ORL Arroyo - 5.1 IP Cotts - L - 1.1 IP Hoover - 1.1 IP CUSE Greinke - W - 7 IP Rosenthal - 1 IP Perkins - S - 1 IP HR ORL none CUSE Byrd

SB ORL Cargo CUSE McCutchen (2) ERROR ORL none CUSE Gregorius INJURIES Dustin Ackley crashes into Chase Utley to break up a double play ORL Ackley 3 Games CUSE Utley 5 games GAME 4 KERSHAW EXTENDS SERIES, SHARKS EXPLOIT SHORTSTOP ERROR TO STAY ALIVE In a win or go home situation the Sharks would send Clayton Kershaw to the mound. The Hazard would fall back on Max Scherzer. The Hazard would come out of the gates making it seem as though they still had Kershaw's number. Paul Goldschmidt would hit a 2run, 2 out double . In the bottom of the 2nd Yan Gomes would get into a Kershaw offering to make it 3-0. Then Clayton Kershaw remembered who he is and stopped letting Syracuse batters on base all willy-nilly. In the top of the 5th the Sharks would take advantage of the subpar defense the Hazard have been displaying at shortstop and extend an inning, bringing in 2 runs on back to back singles from Jedd Gyorko and Coco Crisp. The Sharks would take the lead in the 7th inning on a 3-run HanRam homer. They weren't done though, 3 consecutive run scoring singles from Crisp, Jose Iglesias and HanRam to push the score to 8-3. The top of the 9th would come with more insurance runs, Adrian Beltre would lead off with a home run, Russel Martin would smack an rbi double, followed by a Jedd Gyorko with a 2-run single to finally end the bleeding. the Hazard would sit down mildly in the bottom of the 9th to end the game and put the Sharks on the board 3-1. PIT ORL Kershaw - CG- W - 9 IP CUSE Scherzer - L - 7 IP Hamels - 1.1 IP Belisle - .2 IP HR ORL HanRam

Beltre CUSE Gomes NO SB ERROR ORL none CUSE Villar NO INJURIES GAME 5 HAZARD LEAVE THEIR BATS AT HOME, BELTRE, HARVEY LEAD SHARKS A dominating performance by Matt Harvey would cool the Hazard's momentum. Harvey would scatter 10 hits over 8 innings while striking out 10. Meanwhile the Cliff Lee that was around for the second half of the regular season showed back up for the Hazard giving up 14 hits and 7 runs to the Sharks. Orlando would start early getting an rbi double from Adrian Beltre. The Sharks would make the score 2-0 on a Freddie Freeman single before the game would get out of hand in the 5th via a Beltre 3-run shot and a Russel Martin rbi single. The Sharks would tack 2 on in the 9th for good measure on a Russel Martin 2-run single. The Hazard offense barely broke a sweat in this one never getting any momentum going against Matt Harvey. The Sharks win 8-0 and get the series to 3-2. PIT ORL Harvey - W - 8 IP Uehara - 1 IP CUSE Lee - L - 8.1 IP Bailey - 0.2 IP HR ORL Beltre CUSE none NO SB ERRORS ORL Polanco

CUSE Gregorius (for those keeping track that's 5 CUSE SS Errors in 5 games) Cabrera NO INJURIES GAME 6 BLOOD IN THE WATER, SHARKS WON'T BACK DOWN. FORCE GAME 7 The Hazard felt going into the series that they needed to win in 6 games or less if they wanted to win the series. They started off playing that way. The ol' Buckball standard, single and swipe from lead off hitter Christian Yelich and he would be driven in by Miggy Cabrera to give the Hazard a 1-0 lead in the 1st. In the top of the second Yelich would strike a big blow, with the bases loaded Yelich would double and all three runners would score, Yelich would then score on a Goldschmidt double to make the score 5-0. Bottom of the 2nd and the Sharks would awaken, back to back doubles from Jay Bruce and Salty would put the Sharks on the board, Dustin Ackley would then drive in Salty to make the score 5-2. The Hazard would get a run back in the top of the 4th on back to back doubles by McCutchen and Miggy to push the score to 6-2. The Sharks would not let that score stand as Jay Bruce would lead off the bottom half with a solo home run to make the score 6-3. Every time the Hazard would score the Sharks would answer right back. A Miggy bomb in the 6th to make the score 7-3 would be followed by a Coco Crisp rbi single, 7-4. Cargo would lead off the bottom of the 7th with a home run to make the score 7-5, but the Hazard would stretch it back out to 8-5 in the 8th on a Pedroia single and swipe and Cutch rbi single. This score would carry to the bottom of the 9th, the Hazard would turn to their closer Casey Janssen to give them the opportunity to return to the Championships. Janssen would give up a leadoff double to Carlos Gonzalez before striking out Beltre, Freeman would single setting up first and third with one out. Jay Bruce would strike out before Salty would step into the batter's box. Salty would send one out of the yard to tie the game at 8s. Both teams would turn to the bullpen and this would pretty much go as expected, with the Sharks bullpen lasting a bit longer than the Hazard's. With 2 outs and 2 on in the bottom of the 11th Dustin Ackley would dig in against Matt Belisle and Ackley would get ahold of one and send a base knock right back up the middle scoring Beltre and forcing a game 7! PIT CUSE Greinke - 6.1 IP Rosenthal - 1.2 IP Janssen - BS - 1 IP Belisle - L - 1.2 IP ORL Lackey - 1 IP Smyly - 3 IP Parnell - 2 IP Cotts - 4 IP Uehara - 1 IP HR CUSE Miggy

ORL Bruce Cargo Salty SB CUSE Yelich Pedroia ORL none ERRORS CUSE Gregorius (yeah, 6 in 6) ORL none NO INJURIES GAME 7 PITCHERS SHOW UP TO END THE SERIES, HAZARD DEFEND AL CROWN The first batter for the Sharks, Coco Crisp, hit a homerun and that lead stuck for 5 innings. After that first batter Max Scherzer didn't allow another run until regulation had passed. The Hazard had a tall task trying to get a run off Kershaw, again, this time it would be Kershaw who would give a run to the Hazard. Dustin Pedroia would lead off the 6th with a double and would get pushed to 3rd base when Miggy would wrap into a double play. Kershaw would then throw a pitch in the dirt that Salty would not be able to handle and Pedroia would score to tie the game at 1. In the top of the 10th, facing Koji Uehara Cutch would lead off with a double and Miggy would destroy a pitch to give the Hazard a 3-1 lead. In the bottom of the 10th Freddie Freeman would lead off with a single and then Jay Bruce would tie the game off Max Scherzer. So the bullpen duel would start again, but this time it was the Sharks who would blink, Cutch would lead off against JJ Hoover before Miggy would double, the Hazard would try and score Cutch from first but he would get gunned down. Miggy would move to 3rd on the throw and Christian Yelich would drive him in to give the Hazard a 4-3 lead. The Hazard then faced a decision, give the ball back to Casey Janssen, or rely on the lefty Glen Perkins. After the game 6 debacle Coop would elect to send in the lefty and Perkins would not disappoint, striking out 3 straight batters and sending the Hazard to the Finals! PIT CUSE Scherzer - 9.2 IP Rosenthal - W - 1.1 IP Perkins - S - 1 IP

ORL Kershaw - 8.2 IP Uehara - 2.1 IP Hoover - 1 IP HR CUSE Miggy ORL Crisp Bruce SB CUSE Cutch Villar ORL none No Errors (the only game that a Cuse Shortstop did not commit an error) No injuries One of the best series I can remember, MLB or ABL, taking on my mentor like that was more emotional than I had thought it would be. We're gonna miss you Buck!

A LOOK AHEAD IN THE ABL: ABL 2014 PLAYOFF SCHEDULE AND MATCH UPS: Round 3(Best of Seven 2:3:2) Titusville vs. Syracuse Deadlines: Series begins by October 17th Recap and Score sheets are due two days after the completion of the series at 8 p.m. est. Series completed by November 2nd

Enjoy the Great Game of Playoff Baseball Commish