FOOL-X 2023 Regular Season Thread

[Alan T]

We are ready to start the 63rd season of FOOL-X baseball!

From the offseason thread, here are the pre-season FOOL-X predictions!

Originally Posted by Alan T

[Alan T]

Getting exports now!

[CleBrownsfan]

Going to be one ugly year for the Naps!

Good luck all...

[TeachEnEspanol]

I didn't look at the rest of the teams to compare, but I have a feeling that "C" is going to be the perfect prediction for us.

[TeachEnEspanol]

Originally Posted by CleBrownsfan

Going to be one ugly year for the Naps!

Good luck all...

Same for us, but good luck to the rest of you!

[Alan T]

Have some illegal roster issues to deal with as well as PM requests for moves involving free agents. So probably about 15-20 minutes till we're ready to roll.

[TeachEnEspanol]

I did my file with a migraine and am actually too sick to get out of bed today (made for some really interesting sub plans) so I have a feeling one of those PMs is coming my way for some reason.

[hyde4us11]

Originally Posted by TeachEnEspanol

I did my file with a migraine and am actually too sick to get out of bed today (made for some really interesting sub plans) so I have a feeling one of those PMs is coming my way for some reason.

Parents always gave me migraines as well when I was coaching youth baseball.

[TeachEnEspanol]

Originally Posted by hyde4us11

Parents always gave me migraines as well when I was coaching youth baseball.

I don't think I've ever had one before. I fully intended on going back to school today. But my entire body hurt and nothing made it better (sitting, standing, lying down, medicine). It hurt so bad that I thought I was going to throw up. Is that normal?

[hyde4us11]

Migraines are very very nasty. Honestly stay in a dark environment it makes it better. Feeling like your going to throw up is good though. It means you haven't yet. Advil migraine works best for me. Caffeine is also of help.

[Alan T]

Monday, April 3rd, 2023

St Louis Hops: Signed free agent MR Raúl Martínez to a 1-year contract worth a total of $7,645,000.

St Louis Hops: Signed free agent LF Ramiro Salas to a 1-year contract worth a total of $15,239,000.

Portland Axemen: Signed free agent RF Earl Griffith to a 1-year contract worth a total of $7,345,000.

Havana Banana Sluggers: Signed free agent SP Jason Booker to a minor league contract.

Havana Banana Sluggers: Signed 3B Javier García to a minor league contract extension.

St Louis Hops: Signed free agent MR Marvin Hodge to a 1-year contract worth a total of $5,833,000.

Washington Freedom: Signed free agent CF Lyndon Evershed to a minor league contract.

Waikiki Beach Boys: Signed free agent SP Richard Juhl to a minor league contract.

Washington Freedom: Signed free agent LF Valerio Coqueno to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,199,000.

St Louis Hops: Signed MR Brett Hall to a 4-year contract extension worth a total of $9,700,000.

Maricopa Rattlers: Signed MR Leonardo Valdés to a 1-year contract extension worth a total of $2,800,000.

Chicago Southpaws: Signed free agent SS Pedro Martínez to a minor league contract.

[TeachEnEspanol]

Originally Posted by hyde4us11

Migraines are very very nasty. Honestly stay in a dark environment it makes it better. Feeling like your going to throw up is good though. It means you haven't yet. Advil migraine works best for me. Caffeine is also of help.

I love it here, early morning chats, fake baseball, medical advice...

Thanks!

[Alan T]

Ok, here we go. Good luck to everyone this season!

[hyde4us11]

Originally Posted by TeachEnEspanol

I love it here, early morning chats, fake baseball, medical advice...

Thanks!

your welcome Teach, glad I could help.

[Alan T]

Bryant Slams Milestone Homer
Friday, April 28th, 2023: Plantana right fielder John Bryant blasted himself into an elite group of baseball players. Today he joined the exclusive 300 home run club in the Pirates 8-5 loss to the St Louis Hops.

"As soon as I hit it, I knew it was gone. I was happy to move on. Now I can go and have some fun. It is a weight lifted off my shoulders," Bryant told the press. He admitted just how much pressure he had been feeling. "Especially every time you'd get out of the hotel, everybody would say, 'Hey, when are you going to hit it?'"

In his milestone game, Bryant went 1 for 5 with 1 run batted in and 1 run scored.

During his career Bryant has chalked up 1342 hits and a .258 average with 300 home runs and 866 RBIs.

[Alan T]

Reliever Snags RL Top Hurler Trophy
Monday, May 1st, 2023: Steven Parker is at the zenith of his career and today he was selected as the Republic League Pitcher of the Month for April.

He made no relief appearances for Waikiki last month, throwing 32.2 innings and collecting no saves, a 4-1 record, 28 strikeouts and a 1.93 ERA.


CL's Premier Starter is Durán
Monday, May 1st, 2023: Veteran Alberto Durán put together quite a successful stretch in April for the Stafford Terriers, earning himself the Continental League Pitcher of the Month award.

Durán racked up a 4-1 record in 5 starts, posting a 2.68 ERA over 37 innings and striking out 22.

[Alan T]

Santiago Martínez Winner in April
Monday, May 1st, 2023: Santiago Martínez of the New York Legends stood out in April with a .351 batting average against Republic League pitchers to land him the Batter of the Month award.

The 26-year-old left fielder totaled 15 home runs, 33 RBIs and 32 runs scored. He also chipped in 9 walks for a .405 on-base percentage.


Spivey Wins CL Batter of the Month
Monday, May 1st, 2023: Seasoned by several years of professional experience, 33-year-old Lawrence Spivey put together a solid offensive month for St Louis and was crowned April's top batter in the Continental League.

He batted .340 with 10 home runs, 21 RBIs and 24 runs scored.

[Alan T]

Republic League Names Rookie of Month
Monday, May 1st, 2023: A veritable toddler to the Republic League, Retta Antar just sewed up the Rookie of the Month trophy for April.

Over the past month the 25-year-old catcher for Cleveland hit .324 with 35 hits, 5 home runs and 28 RBI. He also logged 4 walks and compiled a .351 on-base percentage.


CL Selects Rookie Star of the Month
Monday, May 1st, 2023: Tom Holmes is still a bit shy, but then, who could blame the newest Continental 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 April the Chicago hitter tagged opposing pitching for a .289 average with 33 hits, 3 home runs and 22 RBIs.

[Alan T]

May 1st, 2023:

Continental League Standings

Team W L PCT GB Pyt.Rec Diff Home Away XInn 1Run M# Streak Last10 Havana Banana Sluggers 17 8 .680 - 16-9 1 5-2 12-6 1-0 4-3 136 L5 5-5 Chicago Southpaws 16 10 .615 1½ 17-9 -1 9-8 7-2 3-2 4-6 W1 5-5 Washington Freedom 15 10 .600 2 15-10 0 5-3 10-7 0-0 5-1 L1 6-4 Stafford Terriers 14 11 .560 3 13-12 1 5-7 9-4 1-1 5-1 W4 7-3 St Louis Hops 14 11 .560 3 11-14 3 10-6 4-5 3-0 3-0 W1 5-5 Plantana Pirates 10 15 .400 7 8-17 2 1-8 9-7 1-2 2-0 L1 4-6 Oshawa Mullets 8 18 .308 9½ 8-18 0 3-9 5-9 0-3 1-7 W4 4-6 St Cloud Raindrops 8 19 .296 10 13-14 -5 5-16 3-3 0-1 0-6 L4 4-6

Republic League Standings

Team W L PCT GB Pyt.Rec Diff Home Away XInn 1Run M# Streak Last10 New York Legends 18 9 .667 - 17-10 1 14-7 4-2 1-2 3-1 133 W1 6-4 Spring Lions 13 12 .520 4 13-12 0 2-6 11-6 1-2 3-2 L1 3-7 Ann Arbor Wolverines 13 12 .520 4 13-12 0 7-5 6-7 1-0 4-2 W2 6-4 Las Vegas Wildcats 13 13 .500 4½ 11-15 2 4-8 9-5 4-3 5-3 L1 6-4 Waikiki Beach Boys 12 13 .480 5 15-10 -3 4-3 8-10 0-1 1-3 L2 3-7 Maricopa Rattlers 12 14 .462 5½ 13-13 -1 8-9 4-5 1-2 4-6 W1 5-5 Cleveland Naps 11 14 .440 6 11-14 0 6-10 5-4 2-0 4-4 W2 6-4 Portland Axemen 10 15 .400 7 10-15 0 5-4 5-11 2-2 3-6 L2 4-6

[Alan T]

League Leaders AVG B. Ouellet - CLE .437 2 J. Pérez ANN .431 3 S. Méndez STL .400 4 C. Li SPG .394 5 M. Sakurai WAS .392	League Leaders HR S. Martínez - NY 15 2 Á. Castillo SPG 11 3 H. Pak STC 10 3 L. Spivey STL 10 5 T. White HBS 8	League Leaders RBI S. Martínez - NY 33 2 L. Velásquez STL 32 3 T. White HBS 31 4 H. Pak STC 30 5 R. Antar CLE 28
League Leaders W 5 tied with 4 1 C. Arredondo NY 4 1 A. Durán STA 4 1 R. Hartley STL 4 1 2 more tied with 4	League Leaders ERA P. Ortíz - WAI 1.24 2 S. Parker WAI 1.93 3 O. Belzile WAS 2.22 4 J. Samuels CHI 2.23 5 J. Saito NY 2.41	League Leaders K 2 tied with 36 1 D. McDonah OSH 36 1 N. Muller PLN 36 3 F. Fortin MAR 35 4 J. Samuels CHI 34

[TeachEnEspanol]

Ahaha, I think my team hears the word "rebuild" and thinks "vacation."

[Alan T]

Fox Pitches Rattlers to Shutout Win
Saturday, May 13th, 2023: "Sometimes I was smart... and sometimes just a little lucky." That's how Clyde Fox of the Maricopa Rattlers described his shutout victory over the Ann Arbor Wolverines. Fox blanked them 14-0 on 3 hits while striking out 7 and walking 3.

This year Fox has posted a 4-2 mark in 8 starts and has a 3.33 ERA.

[Alan T]

Originally Posted by TeachEnEspanol

Ahaha, I think my team hears the word "rebuild" and thinks "vacation."

We secretly replaced the Raindrops with Foldgers instant raindrops. Lets see if anyone notices.

[Alan T]

May's Premier Pitcher Announced By RL
Thursday, June 1st, 2023: Gerald Morton 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 Legends bullpen ace collected 2 saves and 17 strikeouts in 17.2 innings, holding the opposition to a .257 average and posting a 2.04 ERA and a 3-0 record.

This year Morton has chalked up 28 relief appearances, worked 32.1 innings, struck out 32 and issued 9 walks. He has 7 saves with a 1.67 ERA and a 4-1 won-lost mark.


Castro Chosen May's Best CL Hurler
Thursday, June 1st, 2023: Despite the number of years he's been in the league, Ricardo Castro still gets excited when he puts together a quality stretch like he had in May. The 29-year-old starter for St Cloud was named Continental League Pitcher of the Month earlier today.

He collected 4 wins and no losses with 25 strikeouts in his 7 starts, putting up a fine 1.99 ERA in 40.2 innings of work.

To this point in the season, Castro shows a 6-2 record, 14 starts, 69.2 innings, 47 strikeouts and a 3.36 ERA.

[Alan T]

Great May Gets Castillo RL Best Hitter Award
Thursday, June 1st, 2023: In the last year of his deal with Portland, Juan Castillo has created some waves by winning May's Republic League Batter of the Month title today.

He put up a solid .349 batting average with 9 home runs, 31 RBIs and 29 runs scored. He also worked RL pitchers for 28 walks and a .489 on-base percentage.

If he keeps churning out numbers like these, the 40-year-old is sure to draw some attention, when contract time rolls around.

So far this year Castillo is hitting .289 with 12 home runs.


Salas Earns May's Top Batter Prize in CL
Thursday, June 1st, 2023: When guys like St Louis's Ramiro Salas win Batter of the Month awards, it just makes you feel good. In a productive May, the longtime Continental League veteran toyed with opposing pitchers all month long, collecting 42 hits in 109 at-bats.

The veteran left fielder hit for a .385 batting average and collected 8 home runs, 25 RBIs and 24 runs scored.

For the year Salas is batting .340 with 11 home runs, 42 RBIs and 44 runs scored.

[Alan T]

May's Best Newcomer Named by RL
Thursday, June 1st, 2023: Retta Antar's eyes seem to light up whenever he sees the baseball. The young Cleveland catcher 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 .318 with 9 doubles, 2 triples and 13 home runs. Antar also scored 21 times and drove in 36 runs.

So far this season Antar is hitting .321 with 18 home runs.


May's #1 Rookie Named by CL
Thursday, June 1st, 2023: Júlio Flores earned May's Rookie of the Month honors in the Continental League for last month's performance. The boyish Washington right fielder might be wet behind the ears, but he's proving that he has what it takes to play at this level.

Flores hit .372 with 1 home run, 26 RBIs and 17 runs scored this past month on his way to winning the award.

So far this year in 50 games Flores is hitting .325 with 3 home runs, 36 RBIs and 35 runs scored.

[TeachEnEspanol]

Originally Posted by Alan T

We secretly replaced the Raindrops with Foldgers instant raindrops. Lets see if anyone notices.

If they do it will only be to mock our craptastic performance.

[Alan T]

June 1st, 2023:

Continental League Standings

Team W L PCT GB Pyt.Rec Diff Home Away XInn 1Run M# Streak Last10 Washington Freedom 34 20 .630 - 35-19 -1 16-9 18-11 2-1 9-2 107 W5 8-2 Stafford Terriers 31 22 .585 2½ 29-24 2 14-10 17-12 3-3 12-7 L1 5-5 Havana Banana Sluggers 30 24 .556 4 29-25 1 15-12 15-12 1-0 8-5 W1 4-6 St Louis Hops 29 24 .547 4½ 27-26 2 16-11 13-13 3-1 4-4 W1 4-6 Chicago Southpaws 29 24 .547 4½ 30-23 -1 12-11 17-13 5-2 10-12 L1 3-7 Plantana Pirates 23 31 .426 11 20-34 3 9-19 14-12 2-2 8-5 L3 4-6 St Cloud Raindrops 20 35 .364 14½ 26-29 -6 9-22 11-13 1-4 5-14 L1 6-4 Oshawa Mullets 18 34 .346 15 18-34 0 11-18 7-16 1-5 7-14 W1 5-5

Republic League Standings

Team W L PCT GB Pyt.Rec Diff Home Away XInn 1Run M# Streak Last10 Maricopa Rattlers 29 24 .547 - 28-25 1 12-11 17-13 1-3 8-10 109 W1 6-4 Spring Lions 29 25 .537 ½ 29-25 0 9-16 20-9 2-6 10-8 W3 6-4 New York Legends 29 26 .527 1 27-28 2 19-12 10-14 3-2 7-5 L1 4-6 Cleveland Naps 27 26 .509 2 27-26 0 11-16 16-10 4-0 8-6 L1 6-4 Waikiki Beach Boys 27 27 .500 2½ 29-25 -2 15-12 12-15 0-1 6-8 W1 4-6 Ann Arbor Wolverines 26 27 .491 3 24-29 2 11-13 15-14 3-2 10-6 W1 5-5 Las Vegas Wildcats 24 28 .462 4½ 25-27 -1 12-17 12-11 5-4 8-9 L1 7-3 Portland Axemen 23 31 .426 6½ 26-28 -3 14-14 9-17 3-3 6-11 L3 3-7

[TeachEnEspanol]

Originally Posted by Alan T

Castro Chosen May's Best CL Hurler
Thursday, June 1st, 2023: Despite the number of years he's been in the league, Ricardo Castro still gets excited when he puts together a quality stretch like he had in May. The 29-year-old starter for St Cloud was named Continental League Pitcher of the Month earlier today.

He collected 4 wins and no losses with 25 strikeouts in his 7 starts, putting up a fine 1.99 ERA in 40.2 innings of work.

To this point in the season, Castro shows a 6-2 record, 14 starts, 69.2 innings, 47 strikeouts and a 3.36 ERA.

Hey, this one's about us! Who'd have thunk?

[Alan T]

League Leaders AVG H. King - SPG .368 2 M. Sakurai WAS .367 3 C. Li SPG .362 4 T. White HBS .357 5 C. Carmelo WAI .351	League Leaders HR S. Martínez - NY 22 2 R. Antar CLE 18 3 Á. Castillo SPG 16 3 H. Pak STC 16 3 T. White HBS 16	League Leaders RBI R. Antar - CLE 64 2 L. Velásquez STL 59 3 H. Pak STC 50 4 Á. Castillo SPG 49 4 T. White HBS 49
League Leaders W 2 tied with 7 1 C. Gutiérrez STL 7 1 R. Hartley STL 7 3 R. Castro STC 6 3 3 more tied with 6	League Leaders ERA Q. Strapoudopolos - STA 2.08 2 R. Hartley STL 2.51 3 D. Ross PLN 2.97 4 J. Samuels CHI 3.00 5 A. Durán STA 3.05	League Leaders K R. Hartley - STL 75 2 N. Muller PLN 74 3 D. McDonah OSH 71 4 C. Fox MAR 69 4 D. Ross PLN 69

[Alan T]

Cunningham Sizzles -- Smokes Axemen for 6 Hits
Sunday, June 11th, 2023: Maricopa right fielder Eddie Cunningham wielded a big stick today against the Axemen and his club walked off the field winners by the score of 18-6. Cunningham helped tame Portland with 6 hits in 6 at-bats.

Eddie Cunningham hit a two-run double in the 1st, singled in the 1st, doubled in the 3rd, hit an RBI double in the 4th, doubled in the 6th and singled in the 8th.

This year Cunningham is hitting at a .358 pace with 12 home runs and 46 RBIs. He has played in 64 games and scored 46 times.

[Alan T]

Pérez Tags Number 300
Thursday, June 15th, 2023: The St Cloud Raindrops had something to celebrate today even though they dropped a 7-4 decision to Oshawa. The reason -- the splendid slugger Luis Pérez hit his 300th career homer in today's contest at Molson Stadium.

"I'm fortunate to be here," Pérez told the media after the game. "The Raindrops have a classy organization and some great fans. Homer #300 was for them."

In his career Pérez is hitting .293 with 1633 hits, 300 home runs, 888 runs scored and 939 RBIs.

[Alan T]

Ridin' High: Osler Hits for Cycle
Friday, June 30th, 2023: Dane Osler cracked out all four legs of the cycle today at Banana Sluggers Ballpark, but Stafford still lost to the Havana Banana Sluggers by a final score of 6-5.

In a sensational performance, Osler had 4 hits in 5 tries with 2 runs batted in and scored 2 runs.

Dane Osler doubled in the 1st, grounded out in the 2nd, tripled in the 5th, singled in the 7th and hit a two-run home run off Luis García in the 9th.

This season Osler is hitting .251 with 5 home runs.

[Alan T]

June's RL Top Pitcher is Beach Boys Ortíz
Saturday, July 1st, 2023: The premier pitcher this past month in the Republic League was Pedro Ortíz of the Waikiki Beach Boys. He was one mighty tough pitcher, finishing June with a sensational 5-0 record and a 1.35 ERA.

The Beach Boys star made 6 starts and surrendered 28 hits in 40 innings. He struck out 32 and walked 11.

To date this year Ortíz has compiled a 9-4 mark with a 2.50 ERA in 17 starts.


Wheaton Grabs CL Top Pitcher Trophy
Saturday, July 1st, 2023: Mike Wheaton's been around the league long enough to appreciate the honor he received today. After going 4-1 in June, the 34-year-old Chicago hurler has been named Continental League Pitcher of the Month.

He fanned 38 in 45 innings, logged an ERA of 2.40 and allowed opponents to hit .228 against him.

So far this year Wheaton has made 20 starts, tossed 120.1 innings, struck out 93 batters and walked 16. His record is 9-4 with a 3.44 ERA and he has limited opposing teams to a .253 batting average.

[Alan T]

RL's #1 Batter Chosen
Saturday, July 1st, 2023: Hot-hitting left fielder Santiago Martínez of the New York Legends really pounded opposing pitchers in June and collected Republic League Batter of the Month honors.

He hit .318 with 12 home runs and 32 RBIs and scored 17 runs.

This season Martínez is batting .285 with 34 home runs. His totals include 80 RBIs and 61 runs scored.


Estrada Takes CL's Best Bat Trophy
Saturday, July 1st, 2023: It's official. BNN writers have voted Jorge Estrada of the Chicago Southpaws the Continental League Batter of the Month award for June.

During the month he recorded a .336 average with 10 home runs, 41 RBIs and 20 runs scored.

In this current campaign Estrada is hitting at a .255 clip with 18 home runs and 77 RBIs.

[Alan T]

June's #1 Newcomer Named by RL
Saturday, July 1st, 2023: June was a month Cleveland first baseman Peter Beck is not likely to forget very soon. Not only did he hit .308, he was also named the winner of the Republic League Rookie of the Month award.

He nailed down the honor with a .308 average, 28 hits, 1 home run, 7 RBIs and 9 runs scored during the month.

To date this season Beck is hitting .266 with 12 home runs.


Dunse Wins Rookie of the Month
Saturday, July 1st, 2023: Jim Dunse was toddling around on his tricycle when some of the guys he's playing against were in their prime, but the 22-year-old shortstop 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 28 games Dunse batted .323 for Chicago, slapping 32 hits in 99 at-bats with 2 home runs, drove in 16 runs and scored 15 times.

This season Dunse is batting .299 with 36 RBIs, 48 runs scored and 4 home runs.

[Alan T]

July 1st, 2023:

Continental League Standings

Team W L PCT GB Pyt.Rec Diff Home Away XInn 1Run M# Streak Last10 Washington Freedom 52 30 .634 - 53-29 -1 22-16 30-14 4-2 14-5 80 W4 8-2 Chicago Southpaws 50 31 .617 1½ 49-32 1 26-13 24-18 6-2 15-13 L1 7-3 St Louis Hops 46 35 .568 5½ 43-38 3 23-18 23-17 3-3 9-9 W1 5-5 Stafford Terriers 43 37 .537 8 42-38 1 19-20 24-17 3-5 15-15 L3 4-6 Havana Banana Sluggers 41 40 .506 10½ 40-41 1 21-20 20-20 2-1 13-7 W4 5-5 Plantana Pirates 32 48 .400 19 30-50 2 11-26 21-22 4-3 11-11 L1 5-5 Oshawa Mullets 29 50 .367 21½ 29-50 0 17-25 12-25 1-6 9-18 L8 2-8 St Cloud Raindrops 30 52 .366 22 36-46 -6 14-32 16-20 3-4 9-17 W1 4-6

Republic League Standings

Team W L PCT GB Pyt.Rec Diff Home Away XInn 1Run M# Streak Last10 New York Legends 46 36 .561 - 42-40 4 28-18 18-18 4-3 14-9 80 L1 5-5 Waikiki Beach Boys 44 37 .543 1½ 46-35 -2 26-15 18-22 2-3 12-15 W2 7-3 Maricopa Rattlers 43 38 .531 2½ 43-38 0 20-19 23-19 4-6 16-15 W1 2-8 Ann Arbor Wolverines 40 40 .500 5 38-42 2 19-20 21-20 4-3 16-14 L2 6-4 Cleveland Naps 39 42 .481 6½ 39-42 0 18-23 21-19 5-2 13-9 W2 5-5 Spring Lions 39 43 .476 7 40-42 -1 13-25 26-18 5-9 15-16 L1 5-5 Las Vegas Wildcats 37 42 .468 7½ 37-42 0 16-26 21-16 6-6 10-13 W1 7-3 Portland Axemen 35 45 .438 10 38-42 -3 19-18 16-27 6-4 11-16 L3 3-7

[Alan T]

League Leaders AVG M. Sakurai - WAS .369 2 C. Li SPG .357 3 C. Carmelo WAI .356 4 E. Cunningham MAR .345 4 H. King SPG .345	League Leaders HR S. Martínez - NY 34 2 H. Pak STC 26 3 R. Vargas STC 23 4 R. Antar CLE 22 4 M. Parrish WAS 22	League Leaders RBI L. Velásquez - STL 82 2 S. Martínez NY 80 3 J. Estrada CHI 77 4 R. Antar CLE 76 5 H. Pak STC 74
League Leaders W 6 tied with 9 1 O. Belzile WAS 9 1 R. Castro STC 9 1 C. Gutiérrez STL 9 1 3 more tied with 9	League Leaders ERA A. Durán - STA 2.44 2 P. Ortíz WAI 2.50 3 D. Ross PLN 2.59 4 K. Jian STC 3.34 5 2 tied with 3.44	League Leaders K 2 tied with 104 1 F. Gutiérrez CLE 104 1 R. Hartley STL 104 3 D. McDonah OSH 99 3 2 more tied with 99

[Alan T]

Did New York revert their park back without me knowing about it? Martinez is on pace for 67 HR this season!




(and no, the answer is they didn't. Martinez is just tearing it up! Now if only he could mix in some singles or walks too)

[TeachEnEspanol]

What exactly is a Southpaw?

[Alan T]

FOOLX News: The All-Star Game Rosters Have Been Announced
Sunday, July 9th, 2023: The All-Star Classic is here again! -- the 2023 FOOL-X All-Star Game! This is a game for the fans. They choose the players that are the best at their positions. Then these fan favorites take on one another to determine which league is best. Who will be top league this season? -- the Continental League or the Republic League? We'll get the answer soon.

The Continental League All-Stars have these fine performers on their roster:

SP Oscar Belzile (WAS) - 10-2, 3.48 ERA
SP Ricardo Castro (STC) - 9-3, 3.46 ERA
SP Alberto Durán (STA) - 8-2, 2.50 ERA
SP Carlos Gutiérrez (STL) - 10-0, 3.80 ERA
SP Ke-yue Jian (STC) - 5-3, 3.21 ERA
SP Juan Vera (CHI) - 11-4, 3.83 ERA
SP Mike Wheaton (CHI) - 9-4, 3.70 ERA
MR Martin Davis (STA) - 4-4, 19 SV, 4.47 ERA
MR René Gauvin (WAS) - 3-3, 15 SV, 2.25 ERA
CL José Garza (HBS) - 5-1, 18 SV, 2.45 ERA
CL Richard Molenaar (CHI) - 3-2, 17 SV, 2.12 ERA
CL Mike Tucker (PLN) - 4-2, 12 SV, 2.84 ERA
C Joe Green (STL) - .340/.389/.504, 9 HR, 60 RBI
C Aaron Turner (WAS) - .308/.374/.420, 0 HR, 49 RBI
1B Luis Velásquez (STL) - .326/.392/.555, 21 HR, 89 RBI
1B José Ruíz (HBS) - .320/.386/.564, 11 HR, 53 RBI
1B Matsusuke Sakurai (WAS) - .368/.433/.460, 1 HR, 43 RBI
2B José Serrano (STA) - .324/.427/.526, 14 HR, 68 RBI
3B Santiago Méndez (STL) - .343/.396/.464, 8 HR, 40 RBI
3B Gil Field (WAS) - .284/.376/.513, 22 HR, 69 RBI
SS Jim Dunse (CHI) - .303/.354/.458, 5 HR, 39 RBI
LF Hyun-koo Pak (STC) - .316/.372/.641, 27 HR, 78 RBI
LF Ramiro Salas (STL) - .313/.412/.594, 22 HR, 82 RBI
LF Landon Jones (CHI) - .318/.403/.520, 16 HR, 51 RBI
LF Anastasio Coronado (HBS) - .322/.483/.513, 7 HR, 41 RBI
LF Marc Parrish (WAS) - .308/.397/.598, 27 HR, 78 RBI
CF Carlos Pérez (CHI) - .306/.360/.439, 8 HR, 47 RBI
RF Júlio Flores (WAS) - .316/.388/.564, 12 HR, 66 RBI


While the Republic League All-Stars will be represented by these talented players:

SP Clyde Fox (MAR) - 8-4, 3.57 ERA
SP Pedro Ortíz (WAI) - 9-5, 2.72 ERA
SP Pedro Sánchez (CLE) - 8-6, 1 SV, 4.18 ERA
SP León Soriano (MAR) - 7-3, 3.64 ERA
SP Juan Velásquez (POR) - 7-7, 4.02 ERA
MR Ian Jeavons (POR) - 7-3, 1 SV, 2.56 ERA
MR Leonardo Miranda (WAI) - 2-4, 23 SV, 4.66 ERA
MR Steven Parker (WAI) - 7-7, 3.68 ERA
CL Roberto Álvarez (SPG) - 4-4, 16 SV, 2.79 ERA
CL Matt Cain (MAR) - 3-4, 22 SV, 4.62 ERA
CL Charlie Lewis (LVS) - 2-1, 15 SV, 3.12 ERA
CL Gerald Morton (NY) - 7-2, 12 SV, 2.10 ERA
C Larry Jordan (SPG) - .312/.345/.441, 7 HR, 57 RBI
C Retta Antar (CLE) - .276/.320/.540, 22 HR, 77 RBI
1B Chi-ming Li (SPG) - .352/.409/.534, 14 HR, 67 RBI
1B Mark O'Reardan (WAI) - .308/.360/.500, 15 HR, 72 RBI
1B Júlio Pérez (ANN) - .335/.394/.492, 9 HR, 47 RBI
2B Shigetaka Suzuki (LVS) - .234/.309/.491, 25 HR, 74 RBI
3B Lowik de Weever (WAI) - .323/.413/.492, 9 HR, 46 RBI
3B Matt Whittier (ANN) - .257/.389/.521, 19 HR, 55 RBI
SS Juan Castillo (POR) - .275/.419/.478, 14 HR, 52 RBI
LF Harry King (SPG) - .338/.413/.594, 20 HR, 56 RBI
LF Ángel Trujillo (NY) - .284/.361/.508, 16 HR, 52 RBI
LF Santiago Martínez (NY) - .278/.318/.622, 35 HR, 84 RBI
CF Kirk Auclair (SPG) - .323/.371/.406, 1 HR, 47 RBI
CF Juan Alaniz (WAI) - .303/.444/.430, 4 HR, 35 RBI
RF Carlito Carmelo (WAI) - .360/.430/.477, 2 HR, 39 RBI
RF Eddie Cunningham (MAR) - .339/.389/.564, 17 HR, 65 RBI

[Alan T]

Originally Posted by TeachEnEspanol

What exactly is a Southpaw?

A left handed pitcher

[TeachEnEspanol]

Originally Posted by Alan T

A left handed pitcher

Thank you! (google was inconclusive)

[Alan T]

Whittier Launches Number 300
Tuesday, July 18th, 2023: Ann Arbor third baseman Matt Whittier pounded a home run during the Wolverines 6-3 loss to Portland yesterday. Despite the defeat the long ball was a significant achievement and raised his career home run total to 300.

"Some hitters never live up to the hype," said his manager. "Matt has definitely lived up to his. He's hammered the heck out of the ball year after year."

The Ann Arbor star went 1 hit for 4 at-bats during the game, scoring 1 run and had 1 RBI.

During his career Whittier is hitting .286 with a total of 300 home runs.

[Alan T]

Pirates Blanked by Belzile
Friday, July 21st, 2023: The Washington Freedom posted a 4-0 shutout over Plantana today on the strength of a strong performance by Oscar Belzile. The Freedom pitcher held the Pirates to 3 hits while walking 1 and fanning 10 in the route-going win.

Belzile has gone 11-3 this season with an ERA of 3.36 and 60 strikeouts in 112.1 innings pitched. Other clubs are hitting .228 against him.

[Alan T]

Originally Posted by TeachEnEspanol

Thank you! (google was inconclusive)

Historically ballparks were set up where homeplate was to the southwest of the pitcher mound. Right handers would thus face west. Left handed pitchers however would face south and thus a southpaw.

If you want to look at some of the historical parks, Fenway or Wrigley are among some of the un-modified older parks still around.

In more modern stadiums, often parks have had to be oriented more to fit them into cities or multipurpose stadiums, so it might not be the case in every park these days though.

[Alan T]

Chapman Touches All the Bases, Hits for Cycle
Sunday, July 23rd, 2023: Alan Chapman of Las Vegas helped his team in a big way today, hitting for the cycle in their 11-2 win against the Ann Arbor Wolverines. His 4 hits, 2 runs batted in and 5 runs runs led the way for the Wildcats.

Alan Chapman hit a solo-shot off Tadaaki Kishita in the 1st, grounded out in the 3rd, hit an RBI triple in the 5th, singled in the 7th, doubled in the 8th and walked in the 9th.

This year Chapman is hitting .337 with 9 home runs and 57 RBIs in 98 games played. He also boasts an OBP of .382 with 33 walks and 56 runs scored.

[Alan T]

Holt Is RL's Best Pitcher in July
Tuesday, August 1st, 2023: The Pitcher of the Month Award in July has been selected and the Republic League honor went to Spring hurler, Edward Holt. For his excellent performance he has been named the league's top pitcher.

During the month, Holt was superb with a 2.97 ERA and 4 wins and no losses. In 30.1 innings he struck out 20 and gave up 24 hits and 10 walks.

This year Holt has compiled a 9-5 record with a 3.92 ERA in 22 starts.


CL Selects Durán July's #1 Pitcher
Tuesday, August 1st, 2023: July's elite pitcher was Alberto Durán of Stafford. He silenced Continental League hitters the entire month and claimed the Pitcher of the Month award with 4 wins and no losses in 4 starts.

Durán restricted opposing hitters to a .254 batting average. He rang up 21 strikeouts in 30.1 innings of work, surrendered 1 walks and crafted a 2.08 ERA.

This season Durán has crafted a 11-2 mark with a 2.35 ERA in 126.1 innings. Opposing clubs are batting .234 against him and he has 92 strikeouts.

[Alan T]

Suzuki Snares RL Top Batter Award in July
Tuesday, August 1st, 2023: Shigetaka Suzuki put his mark on the Republic League this July by putting together some award-winning numbers. Las Vegas's second baseman took home the Batter of the Month award on the strength of his .295 batting average.

He tacked up 31 hits, 9 home runs, 30 RBIs and 22 runs scored.

This season-to-date Suzuki has 28 home runs and a .241 batting average.


CL Best Hitter Trophy Goes to Vargas
Tuesday, August 1st, 2023: Rafael Vargas earned July's Batter of the Month honors in the Continental League by reeling off a .365 average, going 35 for 96 with 8 home runs, 19 RBIs and 22 runs scored.

The soon-to-be free agent was hitting with great urgency in an effort to bolster his asking price in the St Cloud clubhouse and around the rest of the league.

Currently Vargas has 31 home runs and a .261 batting average.

[Alan T]

Red-Hot Cleveland Rookie Rated RL's Best
Tuesday, August 1st, 2023: The batter wants to "hit 'em where they ain't." And that is just what Retta Antar did all month long to net the Republic League Rookie of the Month Award.

In July he slapped 25 hits in 99 at-bats for a .253 batting average. Antar also racked up 5 home runs, 16 RBIs, and 14 runs scored.

For the year Antar has hit .274 with 27 home runs, 92 RBIs and scored 69 runs.


CL Selects Rookie of the Month
Tuesday, August 1st, 2023: Youngster Júlio Flores emerged as the latest Continental League Rookie of the Month today. The young man from Washington deserved the honor, batting .329 with 6 home runs and 20 runs batted in. Is the month of July a harbinger of things to come or just a fluke? We'll find out someday, but for now, we'll just let Flores enjoy the limelight.

Thus far this season in 97 games Flores is batting .308 with 14 home runs, 74 RBIs and 64 runs scored. He has 104 hits in 338 at-bats.