IGBC playoffs

Team USA lost to Venezuela as Fausto Thibodeaux hit a grand slam. Venezuela then lost to the Dominican as Alex Duran hit a pair of homers.

In the other division, Eddie's Animals scored 7 times in the second, knocking C.C. Salbacca out of the game, and defeated Coruscant.

An exciting matchup of the Animals and the undefeated Elves was lost to a game error. The box score is gone, this blog will be the only record the game was played. Animals took an early lead. Elves tied it up, but overall it was a fine pitching matchup between Silvanoshei Bonis and Loki Sasaki. Loki went 7 innings. The game was still tied in the 9th.

In the top 9th, Peter Rabbitt and Tomas Gatito reached with nobody out, and Warner Wolf bunted them over. Aster and Billy Bass struck out however, keeping the score even.

In the bottom of the inning, Dior Thingolheir tripled to lead things off. After a walk to Drow Jones, catcher Faran Leafshade singled past a drawn-in infield to end the ballgame.

The Elves will next play Bill The Cat's Dominican team for the trophy. Ack. Thpppt.

IGBC Results

 In the Earth conference, we know who the playoff teams are. Team USA and the Dominican team are in with 5-1 records. The only thing to be determined is the first round bye. If both teams win, or both lose, USA gets the first round bye due to winning the head to head matchup.

Venezuela will have the other wild card. They are one game ahead of Japan and South Korea, but hold the tie breaker over both.

In the otherworld conference, the Elves are a perfect 6-0. They play Coruscant (5-1) in the finale. Winner gets a first round bye. The pitching matchup will be Silveran Kanan Bonis against Din Djarin.

The Animal People (4-2) need a win or a loss from the Dwarves (3-3). The Dwarves hold the tiebreaker. Expect Fozzy Wacha to pitch for the People, and Pedro Frozenfist for the Dwarves.

Looking through archives, the 2006 IGBC came down to USA vs Tatooine, however the final series was not reported. Team USA won, with Roger Chillingworth winning the final game.

IGBC part 4

 Westeros Dragons

Manager: Tywin Lannister Captain: Robb Stark

They have a solid lineup, good power, and two elite starting pitchers. Not a lot of depth, but might be enough in a short tournament.

Canada Maples

Manager Ike Broslofski Captain: Mark Stevens

Definitely an underdog team

Cybertron Machines

Manager: Battletrap Captain: Bulk Head

This would have been an elite team 30 or 40 years ago, but the talent on Cybertron is not what it was. Bulk Head is the only one currently on an OOTP roster, and he’s in the minors. It will be interesting to see young Maximus Prime, a potential first round draft pick next summer.

Lonely Mountain Stone Cutters

Manager: Thorin Oakenshield Captain: Mitch Oakenshield

Mitch is the only OOTP player on this roster. He’s nearing the end of his career, but will always remember hitting a homer to account for the only run in a world series game 7. 

The wild card teams will play a single elimination game with the division winners getting a by. Then division finals and tournament finals, all single elimination.

IGBC part 3

 Grey Havens Tree Huggers

Manager: Kith-Kanan Bonis Capain: Silveran Kanan Bonis

The elves have top of the line talent starting with Chicago’s two way superstar. Playoff legend Tonka and Silvanoshei Bonis, who has not brought his talents across the sea, join him in the rotation. Solostaran Kanan, a power hitting third baseman, makes it a fearsome lineup, and young Drow Jones brings his defensive talent to center field.

Animal People

Manager: Eddie Bird Captain: Squirrel Nutkin Jr.

Eddie returns to the dugout after a decade in retirement. He knows how to win, or at least he once did. The team will try to ride the forepaw of Loki Sasaki, who might be the best pitcher in the universe. Young felines Aster and Katniss will soon be breaking into the big leagues. This team is likely to at least earn a playoff spot.

Coruscant Starfighters

Manager: Skip Yoder Captain: Boba Chette

The Chicago Winds contributed two elite arms here with Yodano and C.C. The lineup has some talent with Chette and the big Mandalorian first baseman Paz Vizsla. What their catchers lack in size they make up in depth - carrying 4 at the position.

Tattooine Banthas

Manager: Damon Nkik Captain: Miguel Tejawa

The team that went to the finals in 2006 is and underdog today. They have two solid starters in Clayton and Marlon Lewis, but most of the team is well past prime or still developing. The top position player is the Mos Pelgo Peach, Cobb Vanth. He’s also a bit long in the tooth and has never played on Earth, though he has over 3000 hits in his long career on Tattooine.

IGBC part 2

 Cuba Revolutionaries

Manager: Fidel Duenas, the hero of Little Havana, Captain: Cesar Corona

Odds are long. Other than Corona, they are short on star power.

Venezuela Lions

Manager: Mario Pujols Captain: Roberto Vargas

Their strength is at the catcher position, with a pair of elite switch hitters in Vargas (.313-27-81, fresh off a world championship) and Leon Morales (.283-22-65, 49% basestealers thrown out). The plan is to alternate them between catcher and DH, keeping both bats in the lineup.

Mexico Generales

Manager: Ryne “el jawa” Solo Jr Captain: Manny Nunes

They have a solid team that could compete in OOTP big leagues, but are a little short on allstar talent.

South Korea Dinos

Manager: Gyu-hyun Kim Captain: Yoon-tae Kim

Another team that is a longshot to advance.

Intergalactic Baseball Classic 2023

 For the first time since 2006, when Team USA played Tattooine United, we have a classic tournament.

Format: 16 teams compete in two 8 team division. Each team plays every other team in their division, total of 7 games. Division winners and two wild cards from each division advance. Ties will be broken by 1) head to head record and if necessary 2) run differential, 3) fewest runs allowed.

The teams are:

Puerto Rico Giants 

Manager: Luis Vasquez Captain: Denny Berroa

The team has some power arms and outfield speed, but the lineup does not have the power of the top contenders.

Japan Samurai, Manager: Hiroshi Yamashita Captain: Tommy Masuda

While not a favorite to win, they have some elite upside in the rotation and power bats of Masuda and young 3B Kosaku Rin.

Team USA, World Police:

Manager: Wally Calhoun, Captain: Bryce Parkman

They have the most overwhelming talent in the tournament, with top to bottom power, a rotation full of 200+ and some 300 strikeout men, and a bullpen full of closers.

Dominican Tigers:

Manager Bill the Cat, Captain Miguel Cruz

An outstanding infield led by Cruz, MVP Alex Duran, and fragile megatalent Ricardo Rosario. This will be Rosario’s time to shine as injuries have been turned off for the 7 game schedule. When it’s over, he will resume his customary place on the 60 day IL for the New York Knights.

Bill the Cat was arrested for being a drug mule in a Dominican Airport. The government agreed to drop charges if he managed their team to victory, however he is looking at hard time if the team falls short.

To be continued…