Superior League Playoffs: Charlotte vs New York

Game 1: Charlotte took a 4-1 lead in the top of the third, as Mike Carpenter walked 6 batters that inning and 9 in four innings for the game. Charlie Zito could not hold the lead, allowing a 2 run triple to Mick McAndrews in the 4th to tie the game. McAndrews later scored on a ground out. That was all the offense, as both bullpens shut the game down. James Willits pitched 2 2/3 innings for the win and Joe Dirte got the save. New York, 5-4.

Game 2: Charlotte evens the series with a 3-2 win. They score all of their runs early, while Elladan Corinvar strikes out 9, allowing 1 run and 3 hits in 6 2/3 innings. Rob Porter records the last 4 outs for the save.

Game 3: Charlotte wins a blowout, 10-1. Joseph Smith Langford pitches a 2 hitter over 6 innings, and Anakin Solo drives in 3 runs with a single, double, and triple. Jacen Solo and Eddie Cedeno also have 3 hits each.

Game 4: New York evens up the series with a 10-2 win. Eddie Carey pitches 7 strong innings while Alex Murray is hammered. Bob Brady hits a 3 run homer, and Brandon Bergeron has a 4 hit game.

Game 5: Mike Carpenter recovers from his game one control problems, going the distance without walking anyone in a 3-0 shutout. Charlie Zito pitches well and completes the game for Charlotte, but a 2 run homer by McAndrews gives New York the 3-2 series advantage.

Game 6: Charlotte loads the bases with nobody out in the first inning off Grant Dunn, but he avoids the big inning by getting Ryan Ponder to hit into a double play. Eddie Cedeno scored on the play, but that was the last run they would get off Dunn. New York gets 2 runs in the bottom of the first on a 2 out, bases loaded single by Vernon Coles. New York added a run later on a Darin Elam single. Dunn pitched 8 innings, allowing 4 hits. Joe Dirte closed the game with a 1-2-3 9th, striking out Mike Connor to send New York to the next round.

Was Conan Fortold in the Book of Mormon?

APBA scholars have investigated the near-religious following of Conan in Utah.  He's the owner of their baseball team, the leader of the greatest team ever assembled, winner of four championships, and holds the league records for homeruns and runs batted in.  But there's more to it than that.  Many fans believe that Conan is the reincarnation of Nephi, from the Book of Mormon.  After uncovering an artist's portrayal of Nephi, we have to admit there is some resemblance.

Nephi

Conan

Holmes on Broadway

Hall of Fame Ute center fielder Kermit Holmes is now a Broadway star, winning the leading role in Conan the Musical celebrating the life of none other than his friend, teammate, and current Ute owner Conan.  While Holmes is a bit of a stretch physically to portray Conan, he has no problem with the voice.

Who Will be the Top Pick in the Draft?

The APBA 2013 draft prospects are finally announced.  Check out all the stats of the 120 players here: http://www.baseballprojection.com/apba/home.htm.  But who will be the top pick?

Italian Catcher Dominick DeCocco is a homerun hitting machine at Auburn University.  He's a big, stocky guy, but is a little raw behind the plate.  He has a strong arm and is working hard to get his catching up to APBA standards, but could also end up at first base or designated hitter.

Florida outfielder Byron Jones is a 5 tool player.  He's got enough arm to show 95 MPH heat off the mound, but will be an outfielder as a pro.  His center field play has been breathtaking, combining great speed with pure baseball instincts, and a 44 inch vertical leap allowed him to wow the APBA scouts with homer-saving catches.  One scout reports "He's got a real head for playing bridge, and you all know what that means in the clubhouse."

Mexican shortstop Eddie Del Toro is the youngest player in the draft.  He's got power, speed, a good eye at the plate, and top of the line fielding ability.  The youngest of 18 children, he's always had to fight for food.  Scout says "never bet against someone with fight, or who wears a purple blazer.  Del Toro has both."

The top pick could also be a pitcher, and this years's top pitcher is North Umberland University's Jonathan Umber, who is the grandson of the GreatJon.  His baseball experience is limited due to pitching in a cold land with constant reminders that winter is coming, but Umber stands 6 foot 9, throws 98 MPH, and has enough natural athleticism to repeat his delivery well.  Scout says "You can really tell Umber apart from the crowd, because everyone else is a head shorter than him"

Vegas Terminates General Manager

Earlier today Kenny was having lunch with Las Vegas Owner/GM/Manager Boba Fett.  Kenny and Boba were just finishing up our soup course when Kenny heard a slight whistle and felt something breeze by Kenny's ear.  Kenny then turned around to see what was behind Kenny when Kenny heard a thud.  Kenny quickly turned back around and saw Boba face down in his soup.  Man, that's some messed up shit!  The next thing Kenny knew, some robot thing came over and scooped up Boba's carcass and carted his limp body off like it was late for dinner.  Then, who walks through the door?  That's right, Boba Fett!  Fett sits down at Kenny's table, summons the waiter, and asks for a new soup!  Kenny be the coolest man in any room Kenny's in, but Kenny was all shook up.  Boba explained he was terminating his General Manager after a disappointing season.  He then asks Kenny if Kenny would want the job!  Kenny said Hell no!  Kenny loves Boba, but ain't no damn way Kenny would work for a lunatic who offs his GM.  So there you go, Vegas GM is out and he ain't gonna be workin' for no other team.  Damn, the shit be messed up.  Kenny knows Kenny said that already,but DAMN!

Coyote Fails Again

AP Reporting - (Graceland, TN) After a carefully plotted out three year plan that resulted in competitive but ultimately playoff-less teams, the Hawaii Hounddogs have fired Super Genius, Wile E. Coyote. 

Owner Lisa Marie Presley authorized some major deadline deals including trades to acquire middle infielders Jason Gonzalez and Rafael Jimenez as well as signing Bubba Lewis to play Virgil.  Lewis hit .556 with a 1.636 OPS in 7 games.  Jimenez barely played and Gonzalez was horrific.  In the end, the Hounddogs went 10-20 after the trades, finished a distant 12 games out of first and below .500 for the first time since 2006. 

Presley has named former Hawaii GM and current Hawaii 3rd Baseman Kana Wake as the new General Manager.  When asked about the fate of current manager Eddie, Lisa Marie deferred to her new GM saying, "Kana has complete say over who will manage the Hounddogs in 2013.  While we are all disappointed in our finish no one has taken it harder than Eddie.  In fact he is currently sitting in the Tree of Woe contemplating what went wrong."  When pressed further on the arrangement of allowing Eddie to only manage Home games in person and Road games via hologram, Presley remarked, "Wile approved the arrangement and has been held accountable.  Eddie is a Hall of Famer and one of the greatest managers in the history of the game.  I don't believe his complete utter failure this season had anything to do with the arrangement.  I am certain things will be better in the future.  That is all I have time for.  Thank you.  Thank you very much."

One thing is clear, Hawaii is likely going to enter a nuclear winter with nearly every player on their roster a free agent and their previously declared intention of not resigning anyone.  Will Wake be able to work some magic?  Has he learned anything since his previous, unsuccessful, stint as GM?  Time will tell. 

Superior League, 6 Days to go

With 6 days of games left in the season, The New York Knights have long wrapped up a division title with a league best 105-53 record.  Baltimore is second and has clinched the wild card with 90 wins, and the surprising Orlando Rugrats hold the 4th best record in the league at 82-76.  They are just one year too early to benefit from a second wild card, scheduled for the 2013 APBA season.

Utah, with an 86-70 record, has clinched the west.  In the central, we have a surprise race as Charlotte has struggled down the stretch and is now tied with Toledo, both teams only 4 games above .500.  Cleveland remains alive as well, only 2 games back.

The Cy Young award is an interesting race, as no pitcher has a better ERA than Dan Mason's 3.27, but 10 pitchers are between 3.27 and 3.54.  This one may come down to the old fashioned win stat, with three Knight pitchers leading the way.  Mike Carpenter has 19, Eddie Carey 18, and Grant Dunn 17.  Storm Morris has 15 wins and a league high 223 innings.  Paul Finch has 227 strikeouts, 3 ahead of Joe Callahan.

Jesse Myers has a slim lead in the batting race at .323, 2 points ahead of Anakin Solo and 4 ahead of Joe Young.  Solo leads in slugging percentage at .635, 38 points ahead of Young, and as usual, Frank Lewis tops the OBP lead at .454.

Manny Ortez leads in RBI with 122, and Adama Dunn is far ahead of everyone in both walks (128) and homers (55).  Miami's Jim Concepcion (58) and and Brian Kaat (53) lead in steals.  Utah's Kermit Crawford has 39, which ties a Utah record set in 1997 by another Kermit.