FOOL 2097 Regular Season Thread
 

Sim time, getting exports now

YAY FOOL SIM!

Tokyo Cyclones: Signed free agent SP J. Guerrero to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,315,000.

Toronto Marlboros: Signed SP P. MacDonald to a 2-year contract extension worth a total of $2,790,000.

Georgia Devils: Signed free agent 3B P. Esparza to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,540,000.

Brunswick Barons: Signed free agent 2B C. Cudmore to a 1-year contract worth a total of $657,500.

Baltimore Charm: Signed free agent MR F. Hernández to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,407,500.

Brunswick Barons: Signed free agent MR M. Torres to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,067,500.

Hartford Harpooners: Signed free agent MR J. Yarbrough to a minor league contract.

Hartford Harpooners: Signed free agent MR J. Chambers to a minor league contract.

Colorado Rancheros: Signed C P. Hobson to a 2-year contract extension worth a total of $2,665,000.

Ok here we go. Good luck everyone!

RL Selects Adams April's #1 Pitcher
Wednesday, May 1st, 2097: Greg Adams has made fans throughout Front Office Offseason League take notice over the past month with an exceptional 4-0 record. No pitcher in the Republic League threw better in April, garnering him the Pitcher of the Month award today.

In 5 starts Adams compiled a 1.50 ERA, putting up a 4-0 record, striking out 37 and tossing 36 innings.


Ortíz Grabs CL Top Pitcher Trophy
Wednesday, May 1st, 2097: Veteran Jorge Ortíz put together quite a successful stretch in April for the Georgia Devils, earning himself the Continental League Pitcher of the Month award.

Ortíz racked up a 3-0 record in 6 starts, posting a 1.51 ERA over 41.2 innings and striking out 29.

Hi Teach!

GOOD LUCK PEOPLE! :)

Super Month Nets Sánchez #1 Batter Prize in RL
Wednesday, May 1st, 2097: When Lorenzo Sánchez stepped up to the plate in April, he did it with confidence and today he was honored with the Republic League Batter of the Month award.

The young Hammersmith first baseman posted a .443 batting average with 9 home runs, 30 RBIs and scored 29 runs. Sánchez also worked pitchers for 8 walks to post a .508 on-base percentage.


CL's Best Batter Selected
Wednesday, May 1st, 2097: Seasoned by several years of professional experience, 31-year-old Políbio Castel put together a solid offensive month for Georgia and was crowned April's top batter in the Continental League.

He batted .308 with 7 home runs, 16 RBIs and 14 runs scored.

Hi Tasan!

There's THREE whole people in here tonight! *is happy*

Republic League Names Rookie of Month
Wednesday, May 1st, 2097: Youngster Martin Smith emerged as the latest Republic League Rookie of the Month today. The young man from Hartford deserved the honor, batting .318 with 4 home runs and 8 runs batted in. Is the month of April a harbinger of things to come or just a fluke? We'll find out someday, but for now, we'll just let Smith enjoy the limelight.


CL Selects Rookie Star of the Month
Wednesday, May 1st, 2097: A veritable toddler to the Continental League, Rafael Reyna just sewed up the Rookie of the Month trophy for April.

Over the past month the 21-year-old left fielder for Noblesville hit .286 with 30 hits, 1 home run and 8 RBI. He also logged 5 walks and compiled a .330 on-base percentage.

May 1st, 2097:

Continental League Standings

Team W L PCT GB Pyt.Rec Diff Home Away XInn 1Run M# Streak Last10 Baltimore Charm 14 9 .609 - 13-10 1 2-4 12-5 1-0 2-2 139 W2 8-2 Tokyo Cyclones 15 10 .600 - 13-12 2 7-3 8-7 1-0 7-0 138 W1 5-5 Georgia Devils 15 12 .556 1.0 15-12 0 8-7 7-5 1-2 4-5 W1 3-7 Apex Assassins 14 12 .538 1.5 14-12 0 10-5 4-7 2-0 5-8 L2 5-5 Halifax Winter Wolves 12 11 .522 2.0 11-12 1 7-7 5-4 0-1 3-3 L2 6-4 Noblesville Millers 10 17 .370 6.0 11-16 -1 5-11 5-6 1-2 5-5 L1 4-6 Napa Valley Winemakers 7 16 .304 7.0 11-12 -4 4-7 3-9 1-2 1-4 W1 4-6

Republic League Standings

Team W L PCT GB Pyt.Rec Diff Home Away XInn 1Run M# Streak Last10 Hammersmith Hooligans 17 10 .630 - 18-9 -1 9-7 8-3 2-1 4-3 136 W4 6-4 Chico Rebels 13 10 .565 2.0 13-10 0 8-3 5-7 0-2 6-4 W3 7-3 Colorado Rancheros 14 12 .538 2.5 13-13 1 9-6 5-6 1-4 4-3 W2 2-8 Ann Arbor Winged Lingerines 14 13 .519 3.0 13-14 1 8-7 6-6 4-0 6-3 L3 6-4 Hartford Harpooners 11 12 .478 4.0 13-10 -2 3-3 8-9 1-0 2-3 W2 6-4 Toronto Marlboros 11 12 .478 4.0 11-12 0 6-8 5-4 1-2 1-4 L3 5-5 Brunswick Barons 7 18 .280 9.0 6-19 1 4-6 3-12 2-2 3-6 L4 1-9

hrm... rough start there teach

Portillo Fires Shutout in Marlboros Victory
Saturday, May 4th, 2097: The Hooligans were no match for José Portillo of the Toronto Marlboros. He totally shut down Hammersmith at Ballpark of Hammersmith. In the 4-0 win, Portillo tossed a 1-hitter, struck out 5, and walked 2.

To date this season, Portillo has a record of 4 wins and 2 losses and a 2.25 ERA. He has appeared in 6 games and struck out 25 in 44 innings.

I take no responsibility. I haven't run my team for a week.

Barons Held Hitless by López
Tuesday, May 7th, 2097: The Hammersmith Hooligans and their fans had a lot to celebrate today as 34-year-old hurler Miguel Angel López no-hit the Brunswick Barons 8-0 at Patriots Place.

"He mixed his pitches well, hit his spots...and got some help from above," said his pitching coach. "Miguel Angel really took it to another level today."

On his record-setting day López had 6 strikeouts and no walks.

His manager added, "I don't remember a better pitched game. And how about our defense, too. We played some good 'D' today."

López has made 7 starts this season, posting 3 wins and 2 losses. Opposing clubs are batting .216 against him and he has 31 strikeouts in 47 innings with a 2.49 ERA.

Not a bad start on your end though!

Farías Earns 300th Save In Rebels Win Over Marlboros
Thursday, May 9th, 2097: After the game the Chico Rebels outstanding reliever Pablo Farías celebrated his 300th-career save by reminiscing about his first save. "I remember it clearly. I was a rookie and the last one standing in the bullpen in an extra-inning game. Our staff was worn to a frazzle and was desperate for a pitcher. So they put me in. I faced four batters, rung up the victory and took the first step toward 300 saves."

The 37-year-old Farías got number 300 by preserving the Rebels 4-2 win over the Toronto Marlboros.

Up to now in his career Farías has compiled a 90-72 mark in 958 games with 971 strikeouts and 253 walks in 1106 innings. He has been credited with 300 saves and has a 3.26 ERA.

Millers Castellanos Sizzles with Cycle
Tuesday, May 28th, 2097: Getting 4 hits in a game is a pretty good feat, but when those 4 hits include a single, a double, a triple and a home run -- that makes it extra special. The Noblesville left fielder did just that, hitting for the cycle and sparking the Millers to a 6-5 victory over the Winter Wolves at Mill Park.

The elated Castellanos told reporters, "Winning is the name of the game... and hitting for the cycle puts a little icing on it."

The 4-6 day was also good for his batting average as he saw it rise a few percentage points. In addition, Castellanos had 3 RBI and 3 runs scored.

J. Castellanos tripled in the 2nd, struck out in the 3rd, flied out in the 5th, hit an RBI single in the 7th, hit an RBI double in the 9th and hit a solo-shot off R. González in the 11th.

Castellanos currently has a .194 batting average with 37 hits, 5 homers, 22 RBIs, 16 runs scored and a .248 OBP.

RL Top Pitcher for May Picked
Saturday, June 1st, 2097: Augusto Martínez has been around the league long enough to know that relievers are often overlooked. That has never stopped him from doing what he does best -- and he did it extremely well in May and stole away with the Republic League Pitcher of the Month award.

The Marlboros bullpen ace collected 10 saves and 9 strikeouts in 11.2 innings, holding the opposition to a .200 average and posting a 1.54 ERA and a 2-0 record.

So far this season Martínez has 15 saves in 22 relief appearances with a 2-0 mark and 1.25 ERA. Opposing teams are hitting .176 against him.


May's Starter of the Month Goes to Loyola
Saturday, June 1st, 2097: It was a very good month for Martín Loyola in May. The 37-year-old veteran starter for the Halifax Winter Wolves outpitched everybody -- young and old -- to claim the Continental League Pitcher of the Month award earlier today.

Loyola ran up a 4-1 record in his 7 starts during the month. In 50.2 innings he fanned 37 and recorded a 2.13 ERA.

To date Loyola is 7-3 in 13 starts with a 2.43 ERA and has 59 strikeouts in 89 innings.

Blankenship Crowned Batter of the Month in May
Saturday, June 1st, 2097: Joe Blankenship battered Republic League pitchers all May and wound up taking home the Batter of the Month Award.

"I've been around Front Office Offseason League long enough to know you really have to work hard day in and day out to be able to put up this kind of consistency," the 29-year-old Blankenship told reporters. "I put in a lot of work, even on the days I may not take the field and it's always nice when everything comes together for me like it did this last month."

In 25 games, Blankenship hit .375 with 9 home runs, 24 RBIs and scored 23 runs.

Batting .335 to date, Blankenship has 19 home runs and 51 RBIs.


Salinas Takes Best Bat Trophy in May
Saturday, June 1st, 2097: May's Hitter of the Month has been selected by the Continental League. This month's trophy was presented to the Tokyo left fielder, José Salinas.

He starred by hitting .373 with a .462 on-base percentage, totaled 41 hits in 110 at-bats, 2 home runs, 17 RBIs and scored 21 runs.

Thus far this season Salinas has hit .366 with 4 home runs, 29 RBIs and scored 39 times.

Rookie Wiz Gets May Award in RL
Saturday, June 1st, 2097: Yoritoki Nakamura certainly had a lot to crow about in the Republic League in May. The rookie third baseman for Hartford tagged opposing pitchers for a .348 batting average and was the top votegetter for the Rookie of the Month trophy.

He won it by going 23-66 in 20 games with 3 home runs, 15 RBIs and 15 runs scored.

This year Nakamura has collected a .325 batting average to date with 37 hits in 114 at-bats, 24 RBIs, 4 home runs and scored 26 times. He has played in 35 games.


Morán Grades Out as May's Top Rookie
Saturday, June 1st, 2097: Juan Jose Morán's eyes seem to light up whenever he sees the baseball. The young Tokyo shortstop has been hitting everything in sight for the better part of a month.

In May he was voted the Rookie of the Month Award.

During the month he hit .319 with 7 doubles, 1 triple and no home runs. Morán also scored 11 times and drove in 9 runs.

Hitting .304 to date, Morán has no home runs and 21 RBIs. He has played in 49 games.

June 1st, 2097:

Continental League Standings

Team W L PCT GB Pyt.Rec Diff Home Away XInn 1Run M# Streak Last10 Apex Assassins 33 19 .635 - 31-21 2 19-8 14-11 7-0 10-8 109 W2 7-3 Tokyo Cyclones 33 21 .611 1.0 30-24 3 19-7 14-14 2-1 12-4 L1 5-5 Baltimore Charm 28 22 .560 4.0 25-25 3 11-12 17-10 4-1 9-3 L1 5-5 Halifax Winter Wolves 26 24 .520 6.0 26-24 0 14-12 12-12 0-3 5-9 L1 6-4 Georgia Devils 25 26 .490 7.5 24-27 1 15-12 10-14 1-5 6-9 W1 5-5 Napa Valley Winemakers 19 32 .373 13.5 23-28 -4 11-14 8-18 2-4 4-8 W1 4-6 Noblesville Millers 16 36 .308 17.0 21-31 -5 7-19 9-17 2-4 6-11 L1 3-7

Republic League Standings

Team W L PCT GB Pyt.Rec Diff Home Away XInn 1Run M# Streak Last10 Hammersmith Hooligans 31 21 .596 - 32-20 -1 14-12 17-9 3-2 7-6 112 W8 8-2 Hartford Harpooners 30 20 .600 - 30-20 0 18-5 12-15 2-0 7-3 113 L1 6-4 Toronto Marlboros 30 20 .600 - 28-22 2 16-10 14-10 2-2 4-5 113 L4 5-5 Chico Rebels 24 27 .471 6.5 27-24 -3 14-11 10-16 1-5 6-12 W1 5-5 Ann Arbor Winged Lingerines 23 28 .451 7.5 21-30 2 13-14 10-14 5-0 11-6 L1 5-5 Colorado Rancheros 21 31 .404 10.0 22-30 -1 13-14 8-17 4-8 8-9 L2 2-8 Brunswick Barons 21 33 .389 11.0 21-33 0 14-12 7-21 2-2 6-8 W1 5-5

A verrrrrry slow climb perhaps? lol

Hi cgould!

I don't think the season's long enough for your rate!

And there go our postseason hopes. What a horrible month.

Jones Tops Georgia 11-4 for 200th Win
Saturday, June 1st, 2097: Johnny Jones of the Halifax Winter Wolves pitched his way into the exclusive 200-win club today at Howler Meadow by stopping the Georgia Devils 11-4. In his historic outing, he surrendered 10 hits and 4 runs in 7 innings with 5 strikeouts and 2 walks.

With a huge grin on his face, the 36-year-old Jones told reporters after the game, "Now I got to get real busy -- and start working on my next 200 wins."

During his career the 36-year-old Jones has piled up 3325.1 innings. Over that time, he has fanned 1908 batters, walked 532 and put up a 4.25 ERA. His lifetime won-lost mark is 200-171 and opposing clubs have hit .271 against him.

Toronto Comes up Empty Against Yamamoto
Thursday, June 6th, 2097: It turns out that Colorado's Mitsuhide Yamamoto needed little run support to beat Toronto today 4-0 at Ballpark of Toronto. In a solid outing Yamamoto recorded 2 strikeouts and 1 walk as he held the Marlboros to 2 hits and shut them out.

So far this year Yamamoto has made 12 starts, tossed 83.2 innings, struck out 30 batters and walked 15. His record is 3-3 with a 4.41 ERA and he has limited opposing teams to a .268 batting average.

Dream Killer!

Fielding Sharp, Whitewashes Marlboros
Monday, June 10th, 2097: Before the game Cam Fielding liked his chances and his instincts proved to be right. In a superb outing the Barons pitcher whitewashed the Toronto Marlboros 4-0.

Fielding said in the clubhouse afterward, "I just had a feeling it was going to be my day. My control was awesome. I could throw my curveball even when I was behind in the count."

The Brunswick starter held Toronto scoreless, giving up 2 hits while registering 9 strikeouts and issuing 2 walks.

"We didn't have very many good at-bats," the Marlboros manager said in his postgame interview.

"When that happens, you usually lose."

Over the season Fielding has thrown 84 innings and dished out 76 strikeouts with a 6-2 mark and a 3.54 ERA.

Cyclones Salinas Stops Baltimore for 400th Save
Tuesday, June 18th, 2097: As he's done throughout his career, relief standout Jesús Salinas took the ball and got it done. The only difference - this save, which gave the Tokyo Cyclones a 7-3 win over the Baltimore Charm, was number 400 in his famed career. It's a milestone many dream about, but few reach. That fact was hardly lost on Salinas as he talked with reporters after the game. "I think back to when I was a teenager just hoping to get my shot in this game and never did I think I'd be saving 400 games," he said. "It's truly an honor to achieve this and I'm proud to put my name in the record books. I'm just glad I've had the opportunity to stick in the league long enough to accomplish this."

In his career Salinas has picked up 400 saves.

Hartford Whitewashed by Espinosa
Sunday, June 23rd, 2097: Today at Harpooners Ballpark III Orlando Espinosa baffled Hartford batters on 2 hits en route to a 3-0 shutout.

"He was able to keep hitters off balance and got the ball down," said the Rebels skipper about his starter's performance.

Espinosa had 1 strikeout and 3 walks in the game.

To date this year, Espinosa shows a 4-8 record, 14 starts, 94 innings, 27 strikeouts and a 4.98 ERA.

Foster Dominates, Whitewashes Assassins
Tuesday, June 25th, 2097: "Good pitching beats good hitting" is an old baseball adage.

Well, good pitching also beats bad batting.

In his postgame interview the Apex manager said, "Kane Foster made us look real bad today. He was outstanding. He was down in the zone with all his pitches. Everything was sinking."

Foster had 3 strikeouts, no walks and allowed only 2 hits as the Halifax Winter Wolves whitewashed the Apex Assassins 3-0.

For the season Foster has logged 9 wins and 6 losses and struck out 55 batters in 118.1 innings while compiling a 3.57 ERA.

RL Selects Olivares June's Best Pitcher
Monday, July 1st, 2097: Vicente Olivares is at the zenith of his career and today he was selected as the Republic League Pitcher of the Month for June.

He made 11 relief appearances for Colorado last month, throwing 10 innings and collecting 10 saves, a 0-0 record, 8 strikeouts and a 1.80 ERA.

He has 37 relief appearances in 2097, worked 44.2 innings and struck out 40. Vicente Olivares has posted 20 saves with a 3.43 ERA and a 3-4 record.


Best Starter Chosen by Continental League
Monday, July 1st, 2097: Despite the number of years he's been in the league, José Torres still gets excited when he puts together a quality stretch like he had in June. The 29-year-old starter for Napa Valley was named Continental League Pitcher of the Month earlier today.

He collected 5 wins and no losses with 21 strikeouts in his 5 starts, putting up a fine 2.61 ERA in 38 innings of work.

Torres has made 15 starts, tossed 101 innings, struck out 74 batters and walked 34. His record is 9-1 with a 2.41 ERA and he has limited other teams to a .241 batting average.

Republic League Selects June's Best Batter
Monday, July 1st, 2097: The Republic League has made it official -- Joseph Denton is the winner of the Batter of the Month trophy.

In June, the Colorado center fielder starred with a .388 batting average, 6 home runs and 21 RBIs. Denton also had 17 walks, posted a .474 on-base percentage and scored 19 times.

Denton is batting .324 this year with 19 home runs, 64 RBIs and 60 runs scored. He has 103 hits in 318 at-bats.



Napa Valley's Rodríguez Bags CL Top Batter for June
Monday, July 1st, 2097: On the heels of a very productive June, Nelson Rodríguez received Continental League Batter of the Month recognition today.

The battle-tested shortstop hit .368 for the Napa Valley Winemakers and racked up 8 home runs, 27 RBIs and 16 runs scored.

Thus far this year Rodríguez is hitting .297 with 12 home runs, 48 RBIs and 46 runs scored.

RL Announces Rookie of the Month
Monday, July 1st, 2097: During the month Xing-peng Men socked and slapped the baseball all over Republic League ballparks to pull in a majority of the votes for the Rookie of the Month award.

In June the first baseman for Hartford collected 20 hits, 7 home runs, 14 RBIs and 11 runs scored. He batted .294 with a .377 OBP.

Men is presently hitting at a .244 pace with 11 home runs, 41 RBIs and has scored 29 times.



Noblesville Newcomer June's Best Rookie
Monday, July 1st, 2097: Carl Blatchford was toddling around on his tricycle when some of the guys he's playing against were in their prime, but the 24-year-old second baseman definitely knows how to get to first, second or beyond. Today he was chosen June's Continental League Rookie of the Month for his remarkable month of hitting.

In 26 games Blatchford batted .320 for Noblesville, slapping 31 hits in 97 at-bats with 3 home runs, drove in 16 runs and scored 9 times.

Currently Blatchford is batting .256 with 72 hits and 4 home runs. He has knocked in 27 runs and scored 24 times.

July 1st, 2097:

Continental League Standings

Team W L PCT GB Pyt.Rec Diff Home Away XInn 1Run M# Streak Last10 Baltimore Charm 44 32 .579 - 38-38 6 21-18 23-14 6-2 14-4 85 W7 7-3 Tokyo Cyclones 44 34 .564 1.0 44-34 0 26-13 18-21 3-3 14-12 W2 3-7 Apex Assassins 43 36 .544 2.5 43-36 0 23-17 20-19 7-1 15-17 L5 1-9 Georgia Devils 41 35 .539 3.0 39-37 2 22-16 19-19 3-6 10-12 W4 8-2 Halifax Winter Wolves 37 41 .474 8.0 39-39 -2 19-20 18-21 0-4 7-14 L3 4-6 Napa Valley Winemakers 32 43 .427 11.5 36-39 -4 20-19 12-24 3-5 11-12 L2 6-4 Noblesville Millers 29 49 .372 16.0 31-47 -2 14-22 15-27 6-7 12-12 L2 5-5

Republic League Standings

Team W L PCT GB Pyt.Rec Diff Home Away XInn 1Run M# Streak Last10 Hammersmith Hooligans 46 32 .590 - 47-31 -1 21-15 25-17 3-2 9-11 85 W2 6-4 Hartford Harpooners 44 32 .579 1.0 46-30 -2 27-12 17-20 3-0 13-6 W1 6-4 Toronto Marlboros 40 38 .513 6.0 40-38 0 21-18 19-20 2-5 6-9 W1 3-7 Colorado Rancheros 39 40 .494 7.5 37-42 2 23-17 16-23 5-8 14-9 L1 6-4 Chico Rebels 34 41 .453 10.5 38-37 -4 22-17 12-24 2-5 9-18 L1 3-7 Ann Arbor Winged Lingerines 33 43 .434 12.0 30-46 3 18-20 15-23 5-1 14-10 W1 6-4 Brunswick Barons 34 44 .436 12.0 34-44 0 20-19 14-25 3-2 10-12 L2 4-6

See Tas, you killed our dreams and crushed our spirits. There is no coming back from that.

FOOL News: The All-Star Game Rosters Have Been Announced
Wednesday, July 10th, 2097: Once again it is time to honor the elite players in the Front Office Offseason League. The league office today announced the names of the players selected to play in the annual league All-Star classic.

Representing the Continental League:


SP J. Torres (NVY)
SP M. Loyola (HAL)
SP J. Ortíz (GEO)
SP O. Díaz (APX)
SP R. Peña (APX)
SP R. Patino (GEO)
CL Y. Fujita (BAL)
CL J. Acosta (GEO)
CL J. Salinas (TOK)
SP S. Liu (TOK)
MR A. Suárez (APX)
MR R. Nolan (NOB)
LF J. Salinas (TOK)
C P. Castel (GEO)
3B B. Barr (BAL)
C D. Torres (TOK)
1B A. Ramírez (NOB)
RF M. Lynn (APX)
2B J. Díaz (BAL)
CF R. Nadeau (TOK)
SS N. Rodríguez (NVY)
LF R. Laughren (GEO)
LF G. Nelson (BAL)
1B C. James (TOK)
RF L. Cao (HAL)
3B M. Good (NOB)
CF T. Dubé (GEO)
1B C. Martínez (BAL)


Participating for the Republic League:


SP V. Hernández (TOR)
SP C. Cunningham (CHI)
SP J. Portillo (TOR)
SP M. Watanabe (HAR)
SP G. Adams (CHI)
SP M. Sellars (HAM)
CL A. Martínez (TOR)
CL V. Olivares (COL)
MR C. Rojas (HAM)
CL O. Medina (HAR)
MR J. Castellands (ANN)
CL N. Lee (BRU)
RF O. Ornelas (HAR)
LF J. Cruz (HAM)
CF J. Denton (COL)
1B E. Garland (ANN)
3B Y. Nakamura (HAR)
SS M. Gibson (CHI)
C M. Alexander (BRU)
C M. Velásquez (ANN)
2B C. Cudmore (BRU)
1B L. Sánchez (HAM)
1B J. Blankenship (HAM)
1B A. Smith (TOR)
LF J. Price (CHI)
CF D. Ortíz (TOR)
3B B. Ogbourne (CHI)
CF M. Cheriton (ANN)

Santvario July's Best Hurler in RL
Thursday, August 1st, 2097: Pedro Santvario certainly found a groove in July. The Hartford starter posted 3 wins last month to easily claim the Republic League Pitcher of the Month.

During the month Santvario was 3-0 with a 0.61 ERA. He made 4 starts, tossed 29.2 innings and had 27 strikeouts.

This season Santvario has worked 130 innings with 107 strikeouts en route to a 11-5 record and a 3.05 ERA.


Cardenas Acclaimed Top Pitcher in July
Thursday, August 1st, 2097: Miguel Cardenas's been around the league long enough to appreciate the honor he received today. After going 4-0 in July, the 33-year-old Apex hurler has been named Continental League Pitcher of the Month.

He fanned 22 in 32 innings, logged an ERA of 0.28 and allowed opponents to hit .185 against him.

This season Cardenas has crafted a 8-6 mark with a 2.18 ERA in 144.1 innings. Opposing clubs are batting .215 against him and he has 130 strikeouts.

RL's Best Batter Announced
Thursday, August 1st, 2097: There's nothing like putting up good, solid numbers in the last year of your contract. Today Joseph Price helped his contract negotiations by nabbing July's Republic League Batter of the Month honors.

The Chico left fielder put together a .303 batting average with 9 home runs, 24 RBIs and 19 runs scored.

Someone will surely be opening up the vault this offseason if Price continues at this brisk pace.

This season in 100 games, Price has hit at a .276 clip with 113 hits, 30 home runs, 79 RBIs and 63 runs scored.



Continental League Announces July's Best Batter
Thursday, August 1st, 2097: Roger Laughren of the Devils hit .350 in July with 4 home runs, 14 RBIs and 19 runs scored to capture a majority of votes for the Continental League Batter of the Month trophy.

The 27-year-old is in the last year of his contract and will undoubtedly use these numbers to try and bring in a huge pay raise.

This season Laughren is batting .335 with 15 home runs. He has scored 64 runs and driven in 55.

RL Best Newcomer Trophy Awarded
Thursday, August 1st, 2097: Martin Smith is still a bit shy, but then, who could blame the newest Republic League Rookie of the Month honoree? He hasn't been around the league long enough to fully know the ropes yet, despite the fact that he's putting up veteran-like numbers.

In July the Hartford hitter tagged opposing pitching for a .289 average with 22 hits, 7 home runs and 14 RBIs.

This season Smith has hit at a .260 clip with 46 RBIs, 14 home runs and 51 runs scored. He has played in 100 games.


Marquee Month for Morán, Top CL Rookie
Thursday, August 1st, 2097: Juan Jose Morán earned July's Rookie of the Month honors in the Continental League for last month's performance. The boyish Tokyo shortstop might be wet behind the ears, but he's proving that he has what it takes to play at this level.

Morán hit .302 with 1 home run, 5 RBIs and 11 runs scored this past month on his way to winning the award.

A look at his season totals shows Morán with 1 home run, .274 BA, .335 OBP, 30 RBIs and 37 runs scored.

August 1st, 2097:

Continental League Standings

Team W L PCT GB Pyt.Rec Diff Home Away XInn 1Run M# Streak Last10 Apex Assassins 60 40 .600 - 60-40 0 29-18 31-22 8-1 21-18 59 W1 7-3 Georgia Devils 58 44 .569 3.0 55-47 3 32-23 26-21 4-7 15-16 L1 7-3 Tokyo Cyclones 56 43 .566 3.5 53-46 3 32-17 24-26 7-3 17-14 L1 6-4 Baltimore Charm 55 45 .550 5.0 51-49 4 24-21 31-24 6-4 18-8 L1 5-5 Halifax Winter Wolves 47 55 .461 14.0 51-51 -4 25-28 22-27 0-8 10-20 W1 4-6 Napa Valley Winemakers 40 60 .400 20.0 46-54 -6 26-28 14-32 4-5 15-20 W2 3-7 Noblesville Millers 36 65 .356 24.5 39-62 -3 19-30 17-35 8-9 16-16 W1 3-7

Republic League Standings

Team W L PCT GB Pyt.Rec Diff Home Away XInn 1Run M# Streak Last10 Hammersmith Hooligans 58 43 .574 - 58-43 0 29-20 29-23 3-2 11-14 61 W2 6-4 Hartford Harpooners 56 44 .560 1.5 59-41 -3 31-14 25-30 4-0 15-9 L2 6-4 Colorado Rancheros 51 49 .510 6.5 48-52 3 29-18 22-31 5-8 16-9 W2 5-5 Toronto Marlboros 50 52 .490 8.5 51-51 -1 25-28 25-24 3-6 10-12 W1 5-5 Chico Rebels 46 54 .460 11.5 50-50 -4 30-24 16-30 2-6 12-21 W2 6-4 Brunswick Barons 45 54 .455 12.0 42-57 3 26-23 19-31 3-3 15-14 L6 3-7 Ann Arbor Winged Lingerines 46 56 .451 12.5 44-58 2 27-28 19-28 6-1 15-15 L1 4-6

Ramos Tosses Shutout Against Hartford
Friday, August 2nd, 2097: "That was one of my best outings," said Jesús Ramos. "I was worried a lot in the bullpen. My ball wasn't quite right. Luckily, it can be two different worlds -- the bullpen and the game. Once I stepped on the field, it all fell into place."

It was an impressive start for the Winged Lingerines hurler. He blanked the Harpooners 6-0 on a strong 2-hitter while ringing up 3 strikeouts and doling out 2 walks.

Up to now Ramos has recorded a record of 9-8. In 21 starts he has fanned 55 batters in 119 innings with a 4.84 ERA.

Number 300 for Miller
Friday, August 2nd, 2097: Baltimore's outstanding right fielder Brendan Miller joined the 300 home run club today at Charm Ballpark with a booming blast in the Charm win over the Devils. They topped Georgia 9-8.

On his milestone day Miller had 1 hit in 3 at-bats with 2 RBI and 1 run scored.

Tongue-in-cheek he told the press, "Don't tell me when I get close to the next milestone. Just tell me after I reach it. It will be easier to hit that way."

As far as career numbers Miller has compiled a .287 batting average and collected 2132 hits, 300 home runs and 1286 RBIs.

OUT OF SIGHT: Miller Sends 4 into Orbit
Saturday, August 3rd, 2097: Brendan Miller of the Baltimore Charm had a history-making game against the Georgia Devils today. He clobbered 4 home runs in an awesome display of power in the 16-1 victory.

The Baltimore right fielder went 4-5, had 5 RBIs and scored 4 times in the game.

"There have been a few times when I consciously tried to hit one out," said Miller, "but it doesn't often work. Well, it worked today for the last one. I guess this day was just meant to be."

B. Miller hit a two-run home run off E. Zhu in the 1st, hit a solo-shot off E. Zhu in the 4th, hit a solo-shot off A. Sandoval in the 4th, hit a solo-shot off W. Purchase in the 6th and flied out in the 7th.

This season Miller has hit 27 home runs and posted a .295 batting average.