baseball and/or diplomacy

Any interest in a fantasy or rotisserie baseball league (one of our (SABG) own or us all joining a free one to fill in any additional slots)? Any interest in a simulation baseball league (computer or table top (strat or other))? Any interest in another Diplomacy game?

SABBL World Series Game 7

The 2008-9 SABBL season came to a close last evening with the playing of the several months rain delayed game 7 of the world series:
Top of the first
With one out Grady Sizemore reached on an error by Carlos Zambrano
Shane Victorino singled advancing Sizemore to third and Victorino then stole second
Frank Thomas singled scoring Sizemore
Dustin Pedroia hit a sac fly scoring Victorino
2-0 Sean
Bottom of the first
Solo home run by Vlad Guerrero
2-1 Sean
Top of the third
Rollins singled and stole second
Sizemore was hit by pitch
Victorino was hit by pitch
Thomas singled scoring Rollins
Pedroia grounded out scoring Sizemore
4-1 Sean
Bottom of the fourth
with one out, Guerrero walks
Posada singles
Ramirez singles scoring Guerrero and advancing Posada to third
Ramirez steals second
Figgins walks loading the bases with one out
starter Jeremy Guthrie is pulled for Hideki Okajima
Matt Diaz pinch hits for Eric Byrnes and pops out to short
Ramon Hernandez pinch hits for Chris Young and grounds out to short
Sean 4-2
Top of the fifth
with one out Frank Thomas walks and reaches second on a wild pitch
with two outs Josh Willingham homers
Sean 6-2
Bottom of the fifth
with two outs Howard walks
Guerrero walks
Posada singles scoring Howard
Ramirez singles scoring Guerrero
Figgins grounds out to end the inning
Sean 6-4
top of the 6th
Melvin Mora hits a solo homerun off of reliever Kevin Gregg
Sean 7-4
Top of the 7th
With Francisco Rodriguez on in relief
Victorino walks; steals second; advances to third on a wild pitch, and scores on a passed ball
Sean 8-4
Bottom of the 7th
Wolfe on in relief
Ortiz doubles
Howard flies out
Guerrero hits a 2 run homer
Posada hits a solo homer
Ramirez grounds out
Figgins doubles
Diaz singles advancing Figgins to third
Johnny Damon singles scoring Figgins
Matsui lines out to end the inning
game tied Sean 8, Scott's Marlin Cubs 8
With Downs in for Scott and Accardo in for Sean both teams go down 1, 2, 3 in the 8th
Top of the 9th
Billy Wagner in relief
with one out Frank Thomas singles
with two outs Josh Willingham hits a 2 run home run
Sean 10-8
Bottom of the 9th
Accardo on for his second inning
with one out Ramirez is hit by the pitch
Figgins hits in to a force play
Diaz singles advancing Ramirez to third
Amezaga is brought in to pinch run for Diaz
nevertheless Sean refuses to hold the runners
after several bluffs Amezaga settles back to a normal lead and does not attempt the steal
Johnny Damon grounds out
Final score Sean 10-Scott's marlin cubs 8
An exciting finish to the season
Dennis I will get your cards back to you the next time we attend the same session; probably the next Monday you come
I personally would love another season of some sort of baseball league this year but unless there are at least 4 other like minded individuals in SABG; I am not sure it will happen.
Victorino walks, steals second; advances to third on a wild pitch by

SABBL world series

I am happy to post game reports as detailed as folks would like but sensing less interest I figure I will just post the scores of the five games to date:
game 1 Sean 2 Scott's Marlin Cubs 15
game 2 Sean 7 Scott's Marlin Cubs 1
game 3 Scott's Marlin Cubs 5 Sean 0
game 4 Scott's Marlin Cubs 8 Sean 3
game 5 Scott's Marlin Cubs 5 Sean 11
So that leaves us going back to Philly, my home stadium with my team up 3-2 and needing one of the last 2 games.

end of sabbl season?

Ok, so the first question is are Brian, Dennis, Jon, or Michael interested in playing any more regular season games and within mathematical reach of 4 games over .500 in their remaining games? Based on what I have heard and not heard I think the answer to this is no. So the second question is whether Chris is interested in playing any more regular season games. I asked last night and the answer was no. If any of these folks would like to indicate that I am wrong or that they have changed their minds hopefully they can do so within the next week.
All of this is preface to what otherwise appear to be the final standings of the top 3 in the league: MarlinCubs (my team) 16-11; Sean's team 14-10; Chris' team 12-9. (I would hope this would qualify me for manager of the year or luckiest strat baseball manager for the regular season since I ran my team and the second part of Sean's team.)
So this would seem to set up the SABBL world series between my team and Sean's team with my team getting home field advantage games 1-2 and 6-7. (Interesting side note that I play in Philly stadium and Sean in Fenway; the two stadiums that were in our league and that are at least for the moment still in the running in the MLB post season; coincidence?)
I asked Sean last night and at that point he was willing to take back over the reigns of his team to play me and my team in the world series. Sean, if you have had or have a change or heart let me know.
So I am thinking/hoping this means we could start the SABBL world series Monday night? I assume a 4 man rotation because of the days of rest between games 2 and 3 and 5 and 6.
Again please let me know if you feel anything I have outlined doesn't sound right but otherwise perhaps we can put an end to this season and enjoy some final baseball. (Dennis I have Chris' team and can give it to you the next Monday you can attend.)

fantasy/roto/sim/strat sports/sabbl

Ok, I am thinking there is an excellent chance that this post will end up as a mere speed bump but what the heck:
Does anybody have any interest in a fantasy or rotisserie hockey or basketball league since both regular seasons are starting in the not too distant future?
re sabbl
I know the plan is/was to end the SABBL regular season at the end of September and then have the world series at the beginning of October. Pending hearing for sure Chris and Jon and Michael's records and pending any other series that actually get played in the last week and a half of this month; I think that the current top 3 are Chris and myself and Sean's team (probably but not necessarily in that order). Unfortunately, it is looking like there is an excellent chance that I will be unavailable for gaming all of October and the first week in November. Thus, I am wondering if anybody other then me still has any appetite to play any regular season games. If not I am wondering if we might play the SABBL world series yet this month? I am hoping that if that is not feasible and if my team or Sean's or both make the series that the series could wait until I am able to return to gaming after my unfortunately timed upcoming hiatus? Thoughts?

Leftorium Roster

For SABBL eyes only -- everybody else scroll down and read Ben's session report.

Scott mentioned that I never posted my roster, so I'm putting it below:

Starting Lineup:
Jason Varitek (c)
Todd Helton (1b)
Chase Utley (2b)
Jose Reyes (ss)
Aramis Ramirez (3b)
Eric Byrnes (lf)
Randy Winn (cf)
Nick Markakis (rf)
Travis Hafner (dh)

Bench:
Jeremy Hermida (rf)
Aubrey Huff (1b/3b)
Kelly Johnson (2b)
Kenny Lofton (lf/cf)
Miguel Olivo (c)
Miguel Tejada (ss)

Starting Pitchers:
John Lackey
C.C. Sabathia
Kelvim Escobar
Oliver Perez
Orlando Hernandez

Relief Pitchers:
Manny Delcarmen
Lee Gardner
Brad Hennessey
Ryan Madson
Darren Oliver

Saturday in Review

At least from me.

Michael and I finished off our series. Despite being up 5-2 when the rain delay started (two weeks ago), a late almost-rally had me worried and I won the second game 5-0. The last game was an unexpected pitcher's duel when Barry Zito inexplicably had a good day, giving up 1 ER and 4 H in the first five. Still, I had no trust and pulled him late in the 6th for Marmol, to keep it a 1-0 game. At the top of the ninth Matt "I'm supposed to be pretty good" Holliday finally did something and hit a solo HR to tie it. Carlos "Me too" Beltran hit a single and stole second, then scored on a Garrett Atkins hit to go up 2-1.

Alas, Marmol was a bit wild, hitting Troy Tulowitzki, then giving up a home run to Robinson Cano, so Michael avoids the sweep. I've now finished my first tour, and am 8-10.

After the series, Michael and I played a few games of Race waiting for people, then one group did Descent while I taught some more bridge. We ended (at least I did) with a game of Tichu.

Thanks to Chris and Mr. Black for hosting.

Playing Unassisted Triples

In the real world, Asdrubal Cabrera turned the 14th unassisted triple play last night. Good for him. (He then tossed the ball to the fans and, at least according to one report, let out an anguished "Oh no!").

In the SABBL, I hosted Chris's league leading team. The whatever he calls them.

In the opener, I only had 6 hits, but four of them were HRs (and I had several warning track shots). I won 5-3.

In the second, Chris rolled 6-9 six times during 9 innings (about 40-45 rolls). Unfortunately for me (and Micah Owings ERA), that's a triple double split. So Chris, in that one game, got as many triples as I've gotten all season (3). (And yes, Micah Owings pitched 7 fatigued innings. He only had one strikeout converted to a single, but those damn triples kept popping up). I pulled together a 4 run rally in the 8th, but managed to lose 13-4.

In the last game, Barry Zito was yanked in the top of the fifth after giving up a walk and run (breaking up his perfect game and no hitter, respectively), since it was a high-leverage situation and I had Marmol up. Sadly, Marmol's card didn't enter into it and my one run lead vanished. I lost 4-1.

The only other stat of note (since I can't bear to look at my stats) ... Moises Alou sat all three games. Slacker. He's sat out 8 of 16 games.

Weekend Planning, Beisbol

I will be out of gaming again for the next two Saturdays, so I just wanted to put that out there early in case someone else wanted to start plans for the weekend.

BASEBALL ONLY FOR THE REST OF THE POST...

Jon and I got together for the 2nd and 3rd games in our series. In the first game played about 2-3 weeks ago, I jumped out to a 4-0 lead after two innings, followed by Jon loading the bases and calling his shot, saying "One eight" and then rolling...one eight, which equated to a 2 out grand slam and a fatigued starter on my part before I was out of the third. He proceeded to run away with it as my guys shut it down after the demoralizing blow, winning something like 9-4. That was the setup for the second game in the series. This time, my players realized that the keys to success were 1) more than a 4 run lead against Jon, and 2) not having the starter get fatigued before the end of the 3rd inning. I sent 11 players to the plate in the top of the first and the rout was on, with HIS starter getting fatigued before getting out of the first. Jon left his starter in to learn the error of his ways, and I managed to touch him for at least four fatigue-singles throughout the game. The good news is that his starter pitched a complete game. The bad news is he was on the losing end of the 15-4 decision. But only 12 of those were earned, so that's something.

The third game, the rubber match, lived up to the hype, as the two teams fought and scratched the entire way. A-Rod hit a solo shot in the first to give my team the early lead. We managed to get out to a 3-0 advantage after 3 innings. In the fourth, Jon said "breakout inning." And there was a breakout inning. And it was good...for him. He got a clutch two-out two-RBI hit that gave him a 4-3 advantage. By the end of the fifth, Bonds had jacked a solo shot to make it 5-3 for Jon. In the sixth, I put my first two on by a walk and a single. My backup DH came to the plate (starting DH Glaus wasn't "feeling it" and had decided to sit this one out). At this point, Jon and I talked about when a sitting player could come in to pinch hit, as I asked whether or not Glaus could come in off the bench. We looked up the posts on this blog and could only find Brian's reference to "no early game substitutions." Jon conceded that the sixth was no longer "early game" and allowed the sub. (Maybe we need to agree to a bit more specific definitiion of when sitters are allowed to come in as substitutes for the benefit of all the players in their future games?) So, Glaus strides to the plate...and blasts a pinch-hit 3 run home run to take the lead, 6-5. (For what its worth, the HR came off the pitcher card, so the sub was inconsequential when all was said and done.) Jon got runners in scoring position in the eighth and ninth, but I sent in three relievers over the last two plus innings to hold on for the nailbiting 6-5 win, with Papelbon getting the last out for the save.

So Jon and I are both 8-4 after 12 games played, which I'm pretty certain is the league lead right now (+4 differential). I've gone 2-1 in all four series I've played against Dennis, Sean, Scott and Jon. I think this leaves Brian and Michael for me, and I'm not sure who's up next for Jon.

Gaming at Seans, and Baseball

Dennis and I arrived at the same time, so played the Federally Mandated game of Race while others arrived. Tiffany and Travis made their appearance, and we broke out Ra. As usual, a bizarre little game that saw me waste 2 gods, but my 3rd grabbed a critical civilization tile. Alas, that only tied me for Dennis, who was himself one point behind the leader.

By this point, Ben, Jon, Scott and Steve had commandeered the back table to use as the pacific ocean for their game of Pacific Typhoon. I wager that there were winners and losers. We ordered pizza, I narrowly edged out the title of "Galaga player of the afternoon." We set up Cash and Guns Yakuza, then had the caloric interlude. Charlie also had some cheese, but was generally disappointed by a lack of "the dropsies." Sorry, Charlie.

Both games of Yakuza were run aways. (I actually prefer vanilla CnG to Yakuza, but it's a mild preference, and with 7-9, what can you do?)

After that we thinned out to 5 and played Typo. Then we trimmed to three and tried out Dry Gulch Junction. I like it, but need to play again to see how much I like it. It's much faster than Dry Gulch, which is nice.

Finally Sean and I played our first series. You non-Baseball people can stop reading now.

In the opener at Camden Yards, I shellacked Matt Halladay for 7 runs in 6 innings (he started the seventh, but never got an out). Meanwhile, Jason Marquis was cruising to the win (and smacked Dustin Pedroia out of the series, for good measure), but I left him in way too long in the 8th and he gave up 6 runs. [Because I'm playing games out of order, I wanted to save my bullpen. Most of the damage was with 2 outs, and if I could have gotten that third out then I could use Wagner to close and be able to play in either the prior or next game]. But in the bottom of the 8th Orlando Hudson hit a double, and then Matt "Still bad, but improving" Holliday singled him in, which stood up. So I won 8-7.

The 2nd game had Ted Lilly (Sean) vs Lincecum (Me). Let's turn to the 2nd inning.

Lincecum gives up a walk. Then a wild pitch, then a walk (I think). Then a wild pitch. The next batter hits a bloop down the 1st base line, and Victor Martinez fields it, but then makes a throwing error to let the runners get an extra base (hit + error). Then a (you guessed it) wild pitch and a single. Three runs score on 2 hits. A few more runs score for each side, but the damage was done. Sean wins 4-2. Marmol pitched 4 scoreless innings, but chucked a sympathy wild pitch (after a walk).

The rubber game saw Weaver vs Matt Cain (for me). This time the RockOrioles got the big second inning, with 4 hits (+ a HBP and walk) to score three runs. Again, a few other random runs scored, but I win 4-2, and take the series. I'm at 6-7, Sean is 3-6.

Series notes -- Camden was totally on my side, until it went home early in the 8th inning of the last game. I missed perhaps one Infield Single split (those are 1-9R, 1-6L), and Sean made only one split the entire series, until the last two innings where he made 1 each. The HR splits didn't show up much, though. Chone Figgins (1e12 or 1e16 SS) gave up two errors during the series. Garrett Atkins (4e30 1B) had a check and rolled a 3d6 17 ... which is the only non error in the range 12-18, I think.

RockOriole Notes -- Matt Holiday had 4 hits (including 2 doubles and a HR) + a walk in 15 PA, which helped him out. He's still .180/.288/.340. The team did much better on Strikeouts, only whiffing 15 times in the series, which lowers their K rate to .172). After 13 games, Mariano Rivera has 1 Save. The rest of my team has none. My bullpen has as many wins as my starters.
Of course, this continues my massive disparity between my starters and bullpen.

Starters -- 82 IP, 5.73 ERA, 1.73 WHIP, .270 BAA, 1.12 K/BB, 6 HBP
Bullpen -- 31 IP, 1.44 ERA, 0.67 WHIP, .130 BAA, 4.75 K/BB, 0 HBP

Quite a bf the bullpen is just Carlos Marmol, who has 20 IP, with 6 hits and 1 walk, 21 Ks, and 3 earned runs.

If someone wants to trade me a great starter and mediocre reliever for a great reliever and mediocre starter, let me know. (I could trade Billy Wagner, Juan Cruz, Mariano Rivera or Pedro Feliciano).

Live From ATT Park

You would think that averaging 5 runs/game in notoriously pitcher friendly ATT park would be good. But when your opponent averages 8 runs/game, then you get swept. Jon's team crushimated me.

Game 1 -- Barry Zito does not last to the seventh out and I yank him (big mistake). Marmol pitches 4 innings to allow me to get within a few runs, but nothing good happens. Cruz also pitches multiple innings, so all my long relievers are tired. I lose 3-7. At least Zito severly injured Brad Hawpe, forcing him to miss the rest of the series.

Game 2 -- Can faces nine batters in the first ... and nine batters in the second. Despite being fatigued after 5 outs, I keep him in the full game (who else do I have to replace him). However, he goes 1-2-3 in the 3rd, 4th and fifth, and shuts Jon out for the remainder. I lose 6-8.

Game 3 -- Lincecum manages to make it past 7 outs before fatiguing. Since I'm not on the board and it worked so well ... keep him in! He blanks Jons team, except for a Bond's solo home. In the top of the 8th I score six runs (Jon kept Brandon Webb in when fatigued for a few hitters, but lifted him after Martinez hit a 3 run HR. At this point I put in Rivera (two run game), and Bonds got another solo jack for insurance.

Some stats (no batting stats yet) -- According to my pythagorean, I should be 5-4. I'm 3-6. (54 RF, 49 RA).

As I told Jon, if those breakouts occured in the fifth (or later), I'd have likely won all three games, since I'd have yanked those bad boys.

My starters -- 56 IP 5.79 ERA, 1.8 WHIP. 38 BB, 35 K.
My relievers -- 21 IP 2.14 ERA, 0.76 WHIP, 6 BB, 23 K.

Victor Martinez allowed a passed ball and gave up an error in the same inning. Way to go!

Remember my request that the gods of baseball not punish me with any multi-base errors? Denied.

In all games Jon loaded the bases by the 2nd inning, I believe.

Bonds had something like 6 RBIs (including two scored on walks). Imagine what he would have done if he played all three games. One of the HRs was on the Petco diamond result (HR 1-4).

I did finalize one players batting stats. Matt Holliday has shattered the Mendoza line. BA .143, OBP .244, Slug .249 (OPS of .493). Serious slump. He actually hit a home run (1-4 Right) in the final game .... and then I realized he was on first, and looked at the right card. One of his walks was actually mis-read from another card, but we let it stand rather than rewind.

Jon is 4-2.

Camden Home Opener

[Sorry for not having all the names, I only have my sheets ... but this is still an amazing story.]

"Welcome back. For those of you just joining in, the RockOrioles are up by one going into the ninth. The Orioles lost the first game of the series 4-1, and won the second 17-7. That game featured 17 batters in the fourth inning, and three pitchers (The '5 runs in an inning rule.') There's been terrible defence all around, which you'd expect from the Florida team."

"Yes, everyone remembers Scott's selection of Hanley "Error" Ramirez ..."

"True, but our boys have three (including 2 two-base errors), not to mention a passed ball."

"Still, Orioles are up by one, and we're safely in the bullpen. One of our starters may get the win. Pedro Feliciano is in for a long middle relief and gets the first batter. He walks the next batter ... The batter is pulled for a pinch hitter ... and now Brian is walking to the mound. Looks like they are going for Rivera. Now, scott is pulling the pinch hitter for a different pitch hitter! Not every day you see someone in the game for no plate appearances and no defence..."

"Trying to play that left vs right game. He's going to be hurting on defence, but this is the ninth."

"And it doesn't matter, Rivera gets the strikeout."

"We've got another pinch hitter... he hits an easy grounder to Orlando Hudson, and Hudson drops the ball! He completely muffs the play! The final out to end the game. Ooh, Hudson only had 12 errors last year and that's his second of the series."

"Rivera gives up a hit, two runs score! Oh, that error has hurt us. The RockOrioles escape without further damage, but we're down by one in the bottom of the ninth. Francoeur is pulled to put the Left Cliff Floyd in. Floyd hits slightly better ... Zambrano takes his leave after 8 IP to be replaced by downs. And he gets Floyd to strikeout looking."

"Next up is Orlando Cabrera. Downs was a LOOGY, so he gets pulled for Fredrick Rodriguez."

"And Cabrera smashes a shot down the right field line ... its sneaks into the corner ... he's easily into third. A triple! Next up is Hudson, he can redeem himself with a big hit ... but he strikes out. Next up is the DH Moises Alou ... and the manager pulls him!"

"Well, Alou isn't clutch at all. He's as bad as A-Rod" [Alou has 13 hit chances turn into out in clutch situations.] "In comes Mark DeFranco ... He hits a strong shot to Hanley Ramirez and Ramirez flubs it ! Cabrera scores, DeRosa is safe ... the scorer charges another error. Matt Holliday, who hasn't lived up to expectations of a first round draft pick, strikes out. We're playing extra innings."

Rivera gives up a walk (I believe), and the runner promptly steals 2nd. The hit sends a runner home, and FRod gives up a hit and walk, but in the other order, so the RockOrioles lose 6-5 (in 10).

How bad was the defence? Well, apart from each team dropping a game-winning play ...

• The Orioles scored 23 runs ... 11 earned.
  
• There were 3 multiple-base errors.
  

After this series Scott is 4-2, and I'm 3-3.

Starting the trading

[Just a reminder, add the SABBL label to any baseball posts. It will help later on].

The RockOrioles (aka the Weavers) have 'excess' pitching. Twelve pitchers, actually. An ugly miscount. I'd like to trade two pitchers for one pitcher and one Position player (or possibly two position players). Most trades may involve an extra player to balance (giving up some OPS to balance a trade, etc).

I think we can get mutually beneficial trades. My 3rd (or 4th) best reliever may be better than your second.

Starting Position Players [OPS]
C Victor Martinez 4e5 (0) [.879 Switch Hitter]
1B Ryan Garko 4e11 [.842] (Garret Atkins may start, don't know).
2B Orlando Hudson 1e12 [.817 Switch Hitter]
3B Mike Lowell 1e16 [.877]
DH Moises Alou (4e8 (+1) LF) [.918]
SS Orlando Cabrera 1e12 [ .742]
LF Matt Holliday 3e3 (0) [1.012]
CF Carlos Beltran 1e6 (-3) [.878 Switch]
RF Jeff Francoer 1e5 (-4) [.782]

Backups
Garret Atkins 1st, 3rd [.853]
Mark Derosa -- Everywhere, [.791]
OF Cliff Floyd [.793]
C Mike Napoli 3e12 (0) [.794]

Starters:
Barry Zito (LHP S(6))
Tim Lincecum (RHP S(6)
Jason Marquis (RHP S(6))
Matt Cain (RHP S(7))
Jake Westbrook (RHP S(6))
Micah Owings (RHP S(6), R(3)/N)

Relievers:
Manny Corpas (RHP (1)/4)
Pedro Feliciano (LHP (1)/1)
Billy Wagner (LHP (1)/6)
Mariano Rivera (RHP (1)/6)
Juan Cruz (RHP (2)/N)
Carlos Marmol (RHP (2)/0)

Incidentally, I do like my team, although I'm fragile. Going strictly by the STAR draft sheet, I got a great catcher, great 2B, good 3B, good SS, Great LF & CF, (Moises at DH is fine). Francoer is a light bat, but a good arm, making him an OK late pick. My top 5 relievers are ranked from #58-105 (and we're probably missing 1/3rd of the ranked players). But starters ... whoo.


Chris and I played a pre-season game and it (thankfully) went like I said. Micah Owings took the start against John Smoltz and, after two innings I was down 4-3 ... but that settled it until we went into the bullpen (which features two of the scariest cards in the game ... Rafael Betancourt for Chris vs. Carlos Marmol for me. Martinez managed to hit the only extra base spot on Betancourt and the Beltran popped one over the short-right field wall at Camden. I think I won 6-4. Earl Weaver would be proud.

Anyway, I'm not going to play my first regular season game until we've had time to look at trading (and I need to get L/R splits, etc), but I'd be willing to do a pre-season game (or two) one evening. Not monday, natch.

Final SABBL Rules answer, questions

After our practice games, and thinking about things, I looked up a few rules.

1) The chart that Dennis mentions on the SA charts is minimum rest required for STARTERS only, not relievers. (Basically, if you don't have a * and go 6-9 innings, four days of rest. 5 innings requires 3 days rest). Relievers follow the same basic rules (two days on, then off). The most innings a relief pitcher can be used is POW + 2. (So a (1) reliever must exit after 9 outs). We need to clarify how we are working that. I think "2 consecutive reliefs of any length require a rest, and any long relief requires a rest". Long can be defined how we like, but I think it should be 6+ outs.
2) According to 27.62, you can use a starter as a reliever, but he's instantly vulnerable. (POW rating of 1).
3) I'm not completely hosed at Outfield ... moving OFs around just causes a range penalty. 25.21.
4) Remember to use the Super Advanced Cutoff rules. Among other things, this means that with a runner on first, a DOUBLE (no star) results could have the lead runner try to take home and the trail runner taking third (and being thrown out if the other manager decides to concede the run). Follow those flowcharts carefully.
5) As we decided after the draft, on an injury an OK result remains (Stay in game). A REM or 1 game miss turns into "Miss current game." Miss 2-3 games turns into "out this game and the next (if in the same series)" And Miss 4+ turns into "Miss the remainder of this series." This is a slight change from what we discussed early.
5) VARIANT Proposal (post draft). Just to make things interesting I think any of the "e0" people should be assumed to have a basic error (E1) result on a 3 or 18. (About 1% per check).

I think that's all.

SABBL 2nd Season Rules Things

Since we said we'd get the rules down before the draft... I figured I'd start a thread on hashing out points...some of these were discussed Saturday and/or Monday.

1) We're playing with a DH (as per Dennis).
2) We're playing with "mostly" super-advanced rules (need to clarify ... my interpretation is "Everything but super-stealing, which is only if both managers agree"). In particular, that means we're playing with the SA X-chances, the closer rule, park effects (& weather), clutch hitting, corners in, catcher blocking the plate, robbing home runs, outfield in, pickoffs, balks and wild pitches.
3) We're using the solitaire rules for resting position players. This implies a "no early game substitutions" rule. (So you can't "start" your terrible backup, then pull him for your great player who'd have to rest if that position came up on a check).
4) As per Sean's question ... you pick two teams, then take one from the stack and pass the stack.
5) Qualifying for the postseason (which I assume will just be a world series) requires you play a home and away 3-game series against each other manager. (That's 36 games, but we're playing over the season, so a bit more than two series a month).
6) Managers can trade freely. Don't collude. [I'd add in a note that trading teams should have played roughly equal number of games].

Points that I'm assuming but haven't been specified:

A) We're drawing seating position for passing separately (after the draft).
B) What are the minimums for a player to be draft eligible? 300 PAs (250 for catchers) is the "standard" for tournaments.
C) Ditto for pitchers and relievers. (125 IP for Starters, 40 IP for relievers). Also, what rest rules are we using? Are we sticking with a 4 pitcher rotation or 5-pitcher? Are we simply going with 2 games out of 3 for relievers? (The STAR tournaments use "3 games out of four AND no more than 4 IP in 4 consecutive games.")
D) Apart from sending game results to Dennis (and tracking pitcher usage), all book-keeping is optional. I don't know if I'll be keeping detailed stats, this time. It's time consuming.
E) Best W-L% of qualifying teams? Or Best Differential?
F) We said injuries were to be limited to a current series, but there should probably be some scaling ... ie, any 1-4 game injury becomes out for the game. 5-9 becomes miss next game (if in the same series) and 10+ becomes "miss next two (if in the same series)." [I want the chance for a key player to miss a series ... because that happens, but I do want it to be rare. If people want to just limit injuries to the current game, and let the rest rule take care of the other stuff, that's fine too.]
G) I'm assuming you have to draft at least 2 catchers, 4 (or 5) starting pitchers, one park, 3 relievers (you'd want more, no doubt) and have people to cover two positions.

We can use this comment thread to hash out what issues are open, and then discuss pre-draft.

Mini Monday

Dennis and I started with the one-game playoff for the NL pennant. Cards (with Chris Carpenter) vs the Mets (John Maine). As you would expect, not many hits in this one. Tied (1-1) going into the seventh, when the wheels came off for the Cards. After Valentin whiffed, Shawn Green got on base, so I pinch hit for Maine (with Cliff Floyd) who singled. Jose Reyes singled and drove in Green. This fatigued Carpenter, but even so he was better than relieving him (especially as he batted first at the top of the 8th. Needless to say the "Strikeout (if not fatigued)" result hit, scoring another run. The Mets advance to the World Series on a 4-1 victory.

Sean had shown up, so then we played Phoenicia, Acquire, and a new game called "Fast Figure." In that one the answers are all numbers (0-100). When you answer you drop your card between the numbers already used in previous answers. So a round may start with 0 and 34. The question is "Name the number of amendments in the bill of rights." So you throw your card in ten and first scores a point. Now the #s are 0, 10 and 32, and the next question is worth two points. A reasonable game, although we should definitely play with an extra starting card (or two) at the begining of each round.

After that Sean and I played a learning game of Blood Bowl, with Dennis offering advice. I took the Norse vs Sean's Orcs. The first half saw the Orcs score, and then Norse failed a 5/6 shot to score on the final turn of the half. The second half was much more chaotic, with more missed rolls (which end your turn, usually). Despite some horrific rolls, I managed to get a touchdown, but had to score faster than I'd hoped, leaving enough time on the clock for the Orcs. Sean got the ball and built a cage around his runner, I managed to stun two of his three black orks (strong brutes who dish out the US Recommended Daily Allowance of Pain) so with them down he couldn't cover everywhere. His cage had a weak spot and I had an advantageous blitz, only to fail with snake eyes (double-skull) and no rerolls! However, on the next turn Sean had to blitz with the ball-carrier to excape and returned the favor (snake-eyes, no rerolls left). So the ball bounced around to a dead spot, at which point there wasn't enough time for either of us to score, so we just inflicted a few flagrant fouls and called it a night. Sean ended up inflicting 3 serious injuries, to my 1. He was a bit unlucky to not inflict more (the Norse have poor armor), but on the other hand he only had a few blocking turnovers (two die blocks without the blocking skill should fail 1/9th of the time)

Dodgers-Mets 1 Game Playoff

Bottom of the 4th, Dodgers and Mets tied at one. In the Top of the 4th Pedro Martinez beaned Repko, sending him out of the game....

• First pitch, Lo Duca gets beaned by Derek Lowe.
• Ramon Castro pinch runs, as Lo Duca looks groggy.
• Endy Chavez reaches on an error.
• Jose Valentine pops out to 2nd.
• Shawn Green reaches on another error.
• Pedro, up to bat with the bases loaded, lays down a perfect squeeze bunt that not only scores Castro, Pedro beats out the throw!
• Lowe walks Reyes (scoring Chavez)
  
• ... then walks Wright (scoring Green)
  
• ... then beans Beltron (scoring Pedro)
• ... then walks Delgado (scoring Reyes)
• ... before mercifully striking out Castro and getting Chavez to pop into shallow right.
  

Why, we've got a full blown case of Derek Lowe Face! I do feel bad for Derek (and Chris) in that he'd never be in that situation except for two errors. (If those had been outs, the exact same sequence would be Pedro whiffs, walk, walk, HBP, out, out).

Pedro makes it through 8 2/3rds before Reyes muffs the final out, allowing Martin to reach. Then pedro issues his 2nd walk of the game, followed by 2 hits. At this point he gets yanked to give Chad Bradford the ball -- strikeout, game.

Fun Facts

There were 5 beanballs in the game (4 injuries). The Dodgers put 17 players onto the field. Of the nine runs scored in the game, seven were unearned. Delgado continues to be ice cold, with no hits (one walk during the horrific sequence above) and a DP. At least Reyes continues his hot streak .. (reaching four out of five with a BB, 1B, 2B and 3B).

Next up the Mets face the Cards in the final NL playoff game.

More Baseball -- League Rules Thread

OK, since we're talking about the 2nd league, I figured I'd start a thread. Off the top of my head:

Please leave a comment if you are interested, and answer the following questions. Also, if you are in the current league and don't want to play, let us know. (I'd be perfectly happy to have co-managers, for people who don't want to make a full commitment, or to allow someone to manage two teams, if they really wanted more baseball ...)

1) How long/what pace/what format would you like the league to be?
2) How would you like the teams to be formed (drafted, auction)?
2a) How many teams should we have to choose from? [All ML players? 1 real team per team?]
2b) What should the minimum requirements be for a player to appear in the league
3) This is going to mean re-arranging our sets to make up the teams, how should we handle this?
4) Baseball/Strato specific rules
4a) NL or AL? (Designated Hitter)
4b) What kind of pitching rotation? Limits for relievers?
5) Rules variations -- We currently use the Advanced rules .... but we could add some super-advanced (SA) rules. Feelings on those?

Yankees @ Tigers, Week #7

So the Yankees at Detroit.

Game #1 was all Yankees, as Verlander gave up 7 ER (and 3 Unearned) while Randy Johnson gave up 4 ER. (Both starters went 7.2 innings). Proctor gave up 3 runs in the ninth, but that wasn't enough. Yankees win 10-7.

The second game saw Bonderman vs Mussina. In the top of the fifth Jeter got on base, followed by a Johnny Damon triple ... Damon later scoring on Sacrifice Fly. Then in the seventh, Jeter gets on base and Damon .... triples again (later scoring on a base hit). [In the first game, Damon also reached third while batting, but that was a double, then advancing when the outfielder threw to home].

In the bottom of the 7th, Shelton doubled. Mussina was yanked (even though not tired) to put in Myers as a LHP. Myers gave up a double to Shelton, but that was his only hit allowed in 2 innings of relief, and then Rivera closed out the ninth. Yankees 4-1.

Mets @ A's (Week 6)

"...and we're back for the second game in our double header. The As won the opener 5-3, in an ugly game full of headhunting. In fact, we've just received word that the Mets are formally requesting that the A's starter be reprimanded. You'll remember that in the fourth he hit Shawn Green and Paul LoDuca with back to back pitches, sending both to the bench."

"Good luck getting that fine past the union rep."

"The Mets did hit Payton earlier in the first, though ... so it's a tough call."

"The story for tonights game ... the Mets Lineup. Because of Shawn Green sitting out nearly half the season because of contract negotiations, the Mets were already scrambling ... but having to use LoDuca and their backup catcher means that nobody is available to play catcher. So Lastings Milledge is putting on unfamiliar pads. Steven Trachsel, the expected starter, is resting as well, and the ball is being handed to John Maine. Also appearing are Eric Chavez, Aaron Hernandez and Cliff Floyd. Looks like the Mets figure its best to lose an interleague game rather than one later on."

"Really, we joke about Quadruple A, but this team barely qualifies as AAA. They do have the core of the order, with Reyes, Wright, Delgado, and Green. But players are all out of position. Anyway, here we go ... Reyes is up for the Mets and he jacks it out of the park! A nice start for the Mets."

"Now in the bottom of the first, John Maine walks Swisher, then gives up a single to Payton. Kendall flies out at in deep center ... he just doesn't have the power to reach the wall [1]. Frank Thomas takes a patient walk ... bases loaded with one out. Scutaro lines out to third, and then Kotsay hits a one hopper to shortstop, to let Main Escape."

*****

"Top of the Seventh .... Mets still lead 1-0. After the first inning both pitcher settled down. A few runners got on base, but nothing ever came of it. Now the Mets threatening with runners on first and third, one out ... and Cliff Floyd hits a deep ball to Center ... and it's gone! That will drive Loiaza from the mound ...."

"Bottom of the ninth. Mets are up 11-0, as the A's bullpen gets pounded. But everyone's sticking around to see if John Maine can deliver the shutout."

"First up, Marc Ellis .... a strong fly to left field, but Cliff Floyd is sitting under it. One out. Next up is Brian Kielty ... he takes a strike, then drives it straight back to Maine, who gets a glove on the ball and bats it down. An easy throw to first .... the crowd is on it's feet, cheering for Maine..."

"At this point the game is a laugher, but seeing a shutout is something special. Final batter, Crosby. Ball one. A nice curve for strike one. And .... ooh, he got all of that. A solo shot for Crosby to break up the shutout. Maine went 8 2/3rds ... oh so close. Now here's swisher, who hits it straight to Valentin at second (replacing the unknown Hernandez who pulled up short trying to beat out a throw to first base in the 5th [2]. John Maine gets the complete game win, putting this team of misfits on his shoulder and carrying them to the split."

"Maine's #s. 9 IP, 6 Hits, 1 run. 4 Walks, 4 Ks, 37 Batters faced."

[1] Kendall got N-HR twice, but he's weak. He also, as in this at bat, missed a HR split.

[2] Hernandez has literally one good roll against a RHP, but not only did he manage to not get a hit, he get a running injury. Amazing. For those keeping score at home, there were five injuries in this series.