Clubhouse Report
NORTHERN VIRGINIA VOLUME XXXIV NO 10
APBA BASEBALL LEAGUE 1 October 2007
Commissioner’s Corner
The Master reminds his flock that the deadline for games played is Sunday October 21. He will show no mercy.
Next Meeting – October
Anybody who has less than 60 games in had better get moving. 60 seems like it’s close to 88, but it is still 7 series left to play. That’s a lot, so start playing now.
STO in DC
I’ll be in DC for the weekend of Oct 5 & 6. Here’s my schedule:
Oct 5: 9:00 Bart at the Aerodrome (Larry’s house) for 8
Oct 5: 7:00 Walt at the Pirate’s Cove
Oct 6: 9:00 Jim at Lorton Penitentiary for 8
That will complete my year, and we’ll know whether I’ll be coming back in December or not ☺
Roberto will also be coming in, but a day later than me. He’ll be visiting Bart the night of the 6th at Bucolic Ballpark. In what is sure to prompt the first row among the newly weds, he and Shan will be staying in Front Royal that night. The next night the couple moves in with Larry, just as I vacate the guest room. I’ll leave the light on for ya’.
Transactions
None
Typical let down after the trading deadline. We’ll see some activity again after the regular season as over, as next year’s contenders begin to assemble the pieces for their playoff run in ’08. Hank did a fabulous job of this a few years ago, basically building a bullpen where everyone was 18 or over before opening day.
Standings
Coastal Division
Team
|
W
|
L
|
%
|
GB
|
41
|
19
|
0.683
|
--
| |
29
|
27
|
0.518
|
10
| |
41
|
39
|
0.513
|
10
| |
27
|
29
|
0.482
|
12
| |
24
|
28
|
0.462
|
13
| |
37
|
43
|
0.463
|
14
|
Piedmont Division
Team
|
W
|
L
|
%
|
GB
|
40
|
28
|
0.588
|
--
| |
34
|
30
|
0.531
|
4
| |
29
|
27
|
0.518
|
5
| |
33
|
35
|
0.485
|
7
| |
42
|
46
|
0.477
|
8
| |
23
|
49
|
0.319
|
19
|
Is Sterling really this good?
The gap between Sterling and everyone else is huge, just like in the Henle years. I think all of us believe that they are good, just not this good. I’m sure we’ll be saying this when Walt is hanging his second plaque in the guest room.
Results
 | |
The Wizard of Darkness took the month off as he prepared his vile potions and sacrificed to the Evil One in preparation for his stretch drive.
Arlington had the most success this month, sweeping playoff bound Washington and vaulting themselves into the playoff picture ahead of preseason favorites Pelham. Inexplicably, Arlington also split with moribund Pleasant Hill.
Pleasant Hill, considering a name change to Needle Park (see map of SF for insight), did nothing to harm their most favored draft position.
Pelham announced that because of a shortage of fried chicken in New England, they will be temporarily relocating to Alabama for the remainder of the season. Contact Master Newdorf to play against Pelham. The Young Master will make every effort to accommodate your schedule.
The Overachieving Oracles took a hit this month, but then the Southern Gentlemen from Richmond did the gentlemanly thing and dropped their series to KC. So Delphi lost no ground in the playoff race.
KC must be careful not to win 5 games or more and thus promote OAK in the draft. They must be especially careful not to win since their last 8 are against STO.
Roswell, a team that would have been favored for a playoff spot had they not had a new manager, moved to striking distance of a spot with their 5-3 month. Can they maintain consistency?
After getting bombed by South Lakes, you get the feeling they are just a year away. Faced them this past week with Jared Weaver starting, a 15X, and it was no fun. They scored 16 runs in one game off 6 HR’s, 3 HR’s in the next game, and 11 total in the series. I’ve never done that in 10 years in the league.
Wiki Watch
Two months ago I wrote that Wiki was looking like a cut but “if he performs at a Papelbon rate over the remainder of the season, he might be a keeper.”
Unbelievably, Wiki did not allow an earned run while with Arizona in September and finished with a 3.58 ERA.
Stonehenge is pleased and proud to announce that Bob “Wiki My Brother” Wickman will be returning to the team in all his 11Y glory next year, it will be Wiki’s 11th season with the Druids.
MLB Action
What a great finish to the regular season! As of this writing, the SD v. COL game is about 7 hours away. I for one am praying that Peavy gives up 8 ER’s and retires no one, but the odds favor the opposite happening.
Still, what fun if both Philly and Colorado were to make it to the playoffs.
In the AL, there are 4 fabulous teams, all flawed, all dangerous. Can Cleveland’s young pitchers handle the pressure? Will LA small ball overcome NY’s long ball? Will JD Drew continue his hot September or go back to sleep for Boston?
Will the AL reclaim the title that the streaking St. Louis team captured last year?
Football, what’s that? This is baseball’s time of year.
And for you bullriding fans out there, I hope you caught the finals of the Mohegan Sun Invitational on Fox Sunday. Wiley Petersen moved into 5th place overall with his first win of the year, but still trails leader Justin McBride by substantial points.
The PBR finals are the last weekend of October and the first weekend of November, and they make great complementary viewing to the World Series.
I’m looking forward to seeing you guys this weekend.
Play hard, have fun!
