The Death Star.
Bad news for the Rebels.
***
Quack.
A message from The Commish:
Its funny that LarryZ voted for the crew of Perry and company at the winter meetings. So did the ducks, and every other team present. There was another option on the table… but we went with perry by a 11-0 manager vote. The suggestion of one ump was never brought up, but it is a welcome topic for next year. As for this year, we have a contract with Perry… if you know of another association willing to send one ump to every game for $50, email pittnaba@yahoo.com
As for scheduling? Talk to your managers. they had the schedule a week before it was released to the public, and were welcome to make any changes themselves. Very few did. Agreed upon league No play dates? Memorial Day Weekend and fourth of July. Hence, the long layoff for most teams in may. As for teams starting later? The Owlz and Matadors could not have physically fielded a team, the majority (not 2-5 players), were still in college. I tried making them last year, and they each forfieted games.
There was a proposition to split them into a separate division… but it was tabled by the managers without even being brought to vote. Them starting later, and having more doubleheaders and 4 games in a three day span seemed liek the only fair comprimise. They could not have fielded teams.
Divisions/Realignment? I’ll take the heat on that. I forgot to put it to a vote after the draft. I will say that the Top teams in the Monogahela have appeared to improve thier teams significantly, while most other teams have made more modest improvements. However, the current configuration was established to maintain some existing rivalies (Warriors/Oilers/Bulldogs & Ducks/Black Sox/Rebels), and try to minimize travel for most teams. That is difficult since there are three guys responsible for getting all the permits (Cool=Findlay, Finkel=Gateway, Graff=everything else)!
The managers make the final decision on everything that happens before the season starts. During the season I make decisions based on what I think is best for the league. I’m not always going to make everyone happy, but I’m trying to do what’s fair and in the best interests of the league.
In short, I spend hours of time trying to make the league run smoothly, with very few offers of assistance. We would not have a league presently if I was not securing umpires, and getting the field permits that I have. I don’t think its perfect, but its the best I can do with the time and resources I have. Want change? Simply talk to your managers, show up at winter meeting where they decide these things… or better yet, offer to help! I’m all for improving the league any way we can!
-”Commish”
A special “thank you” to Gala, Gwin, Strom, Martin, Shukla, Boley, Finkel, Cool, and all managers… all of whom have assisted the league in some form this year. Your time and effort is appreciated.
As always, Don Henley is on the money.
Quack.
“One who resists authority”
No wonder they don’t get along with The Commish.
Fantastic Discussion thread a couple posts back.
Thanks for reading.
Larry think the owlz take it too seriously, The Owlz will probably throw their ace at the Gray (0-5) Bats and hurt Larry’s feelings, if his aging mind doesn’t forget about their game.
Black Sox and the Owlz hate each other.
some guy was drafted by the red sox.
I’ve heard viscious comments from members of each team directed at one another, nothing to repeat, but there is a real dislike there.
(logo of the Denver Black Sox NABA team.)
Rebels (1-3) beat the Eagles (2-3), the 7-0 score would indicate forfeit perhaps?
This is a big divisional game sunday, followed by the Ole’s on Sunday, and Team Consipracy at the Duck Pond Monday night.
All hands on deck.
We have great depth, but lack a minor league system to call up players when we’re missing two thirds of the roster.
Standings
18A Allegheny Division – Wood Bat
18A Monongahela Division – Wood Bat
The Black Sox have righted the ship, and stand at 4-2, after a rough 0-2 start.
B-Sox pitcher JT Slavicek is having an OK start to the season.
The Owlz defeated the Matadors, 7-0, probably another forfeit, and are 3-0 after trouncing the Ducks over the weekend.
I recommedn not having a mid-day double header on Mothers Day in the future.
I doubt it was intenional, but that is clearly why we lost – the scheduling, not the 8 errors.
The Gray Bats will be better than their 0-5 record thus far. The have reinforcements on the way.
What ever happened to Pittsburgh NABA legend Mike “Playmaker” Pleva?
The Gray bats could use a player of his caliber, someone put them in touch, it would be for the benefit of all involved.
Confederacy blah blah, rebels, civil war, Jefferson Davis, blah, etc….
This cartoon was banned.
I had nothing to do with the removal of the Rebels blog post, I was actually joking when i said the commisioner removed it as part of The Conspiracy.
Dicey situation brewing perhaps.
Jim Perry could at least pretend to give a shit about our league.
As an insider and a role player in The Conspiracy, I can say for a fact this is not the Commissioner’s fault. The increase in cost for another association is astronomical.
The fact is we don’t know the alternatives to many of the problems that arise during our season, therefore we can’t say they’d be better if some hypothetical solution were in place, there would just be other hypothetical problems.
I don’t agree with every decision made by Joe, (Stacking our division, games three days in a row then a ten-day layoff, woo-hoo) but when i approach him he gives me answers, and the logic behind his “controversial” decisions.
CALL TO ARMS
We need fields, if anyone knows of any fields our league can obtain, email pittnaba@yahoo.com
Baseball is fun.
Quack.
(knows what he’s doing.)
Adam Smith responded with 4 scoreless innings, to help propel the South Oakland Ducks to a 9-5 victory over the Confederacy(0-2), securing the Ducks first 3-0 start in team history, and ensuring the sate of the Union.
MVP candidate Jesse Smith led the way offensively, going 2-3 with a double and and RBI.
The Ducks led 2-0 going into the bottom of the fourth when, Les is more ripped a double to left center that was misplayed by CF, Jefferson Davis.
(Mars would have had it)
Mars followed with a walk, then after two failed bunt attempts, Ben Gwin doubled to right giving the Ducks a 4-0 lead. J. Smith selflessly moved Gwin over to third, and Novak, Kirk Gibosn, Watson, Wojoton, Depo, and Cheese, all reached base safely in some manner.
That inning got a little out of hand.
When the dust settled South Oakland led 9-0, after 4 innings.
Both teams left runners in scoring position in the game’s early going, Feathers and Smith both pitched out of trouble.
Ray Finkle’s single in the third inning was the first hit of the year for Monroeville.
(laces out, Dan)
The Rebels can cry and talk shit all they want, but through two weeks of the season, Wojoton, and Gwin each have as many RBI (5) as their team has runs scored.
That almost wasn’t the case, in the top of the second with South Oakland nursing a 1-0 lead, Former MVP John Tremmel hit a ball to the wall with the bases loaded, but CF, Mars made a tough running catch to keep the game close.
Mars proceeded to drive in the Ducks second run with a sac fly, and
would later throw out a Rebel at second who foolishly tried to take second on a hit to right center in the seventh inning.
Captain took the mound in garbage time, the Rebels battled back, but their supply lines were cut, and they were drastically outnumbered.
The Ducks closed the door in the bottom of the seventh.
The Rebels really wanted this one.
What a shame.
That’s what you get for naming your team after the greatest atrocity in American history.
Abe Lincoln would not name his amateur baseball team the “Rebels”
More later, maybe.
Quack, Quack, Quack.
Another important, early-season divisional game.
The 2007 Champions are looking to rebound after a sub-par 2008 campaign.
The Confederacy is still looking for their first hit of the season.
South Oakland looks to go 3-0 for the first time in team history.
The Rebels have some talented players, but are outnumbered by the Union 2-1.
There’s some bad blood here. and here.
The Ducks have never beaten this team, except by forfeit.
Time to change that.
Who better to put on the hill vs. the Rebels than Captain America.
***
Batting Practice: 6pm-730pm at the Pitt IM field.
Abe Lincoln. Bad News for the Rebels.
Quack
The Rebels history is sordid. In 2006 head coach Ray Finkle left, (seceded from) the Black Sox with a few other key players and formed his own team, the Monroeville “Rebels”.
Behind the dominant pitching of Robert E. Lee, the Rebels won the 2007 Pittsburgh NABA Championship.
In 2008, the team added two Warriors’ defectors, former Braves prospect John Tremmel, and gutsy pitcher/infielder Chris Feathers. However the team lost staff ace, Lee, and the team finished 4-17-1 with head coach lightning-quick center fielder, Jefferson Davis, at the helm.
On his horse, literally.At the all star break in 2008, the Rebels were in last place, 1/2 game behind the Ducks. Then South Oakland went on a tear to sneak into the playoffs on the last day of the season, while the Rebels effectively surrendered, and finished the season in the Monongahela Division cellar. Given the core of talent on that team, the Rebels collapse was somewhat surprising. Some attribute to the fall to the containment of Pickett’s troops in their attempt to Flank Union soldiers at Gettysburg, but not to be ignored is the incredible advantage the North had in both its sheer number of troops, and effective supply lines. Which is interesting since this team has a history of forgetting to let free agent acquisitions (who aren’t deemed to be top-tier ) know when their games are.
Who knows what tricks the Confederate leaders have up their gray sleeves this summer.
They can’t be much worse.
Projected finish: Last in the Monongahela then dissolved into the Union.
There are a bunch of solid guys on this team, I feel for them.
Quack.
Ducks: Get your money into coach Jones.
St. Patrick’s Day Party at Gies and Guthries’ on March, 13th.
Miss you, Jerry
The Owlz are the 2008 Pittsburgh NABA Champions. I have no doubt that the only thing on Rob Cool’s mind while assembling his team during the off-season was winning a championship, which he and hiz fellow Owlz did.
The Owlz won both the Division Series and the Championship series on walk off singles in third game of best of three series (once in extra innings). There was some great baseball down the stretch this year.
In 2009, would you rather be on the Owlz, or the team who beats the Owlz on the way to the title? Team of Destiny ’09 is gunning for you next year, Z-Men. Enjoy it while it lasts. Quack, quack.
Here are the Ducks 2008 team awards as chosen by Manager of the Year, TC Jones, who also wrote the summaries.
Team MVP: Nick Homa.
Without a doubt Nick deserves the MVP award. Not only was he arguably the leagues best pitcher, but he put up pretty good offensive numbers too. Without Homa we would have been an under .500 team.
Offensive Player of the Year: Ben Gwin.
This may have been the hardest award to pick. I think this award could have easily gone to Chris Wojoton or Jesse smith, but I chose Ben Gwin because of his clutch and timely hitting. Any time we needed to drive in important runs, Gwin was the one to do it. The +20 RBIs on the season prove it.
Defensive Player of the Year: Coby Kolaja.
Can we argue with the diving catches, the flowing hair, and the absolute cannon of an arm? I don’t think so. Coby Kolaja surprised everyone on the Ducks with his good reads and surprisingly accurate outfield arm.
Quack Talker of the year: Jim Spagnola.
I give this award to the Duck who made his presence felt with his verbal antics. It was a close call between Jim and Rick Whalen (both had particularly disgusting topics to ponder on the bench), but my decision was made after Spagnola called out an “F— You” to an opposing pitcher after getting a hit.
Duck of the year: KT Murphy.
I give this award to the Duck who best accepted his position on the team as a role-player. KT was at every game and never complained. He was also our most timely pinch hitter and made the most out of every opportunity he got.
Most Improved Player of the Year: Garret Moore.
To be honest, at the beginning of the season I wasn’t sure how much time I would be able to get this man. But his hustle and ability to put the baseball in play during at bats gained him the starting role as the DH.
***
My only complaint is that Garrett won an award instead of having another award named after him and given to someone else. ie. the Garrett Moore mustache of the year award, goes to James Spagnola.
I’m just happy to be here, and to be able to help the team.
No individual is bigger than the Ducks, except Rambo.
Nick Homa for 2008 Pitcher of the Year
TC Jones for 2008 Manager of the Year.
***
The season in review will be lengthy.
The final game, much like the Ducks’ sixth season, came and went in a green and yellow blur.
It’s going to be odd when 6pm approaches on Monday and it won’t be time to get ready for batting practice before leading the caravan to Spring Hill.
The Ducks season opened with a 15-1 loss, and unofficially ended with a 15-3 victory, a nice bookend. It is never fun when a good thing ends, and this season was very good in many ways, but South Oakland went out quacking, in a game that featured the pitching debuts of Ryan Novak, and right-handed specialist, Jimmy Spagnola, by trouncing the Bulldogs in what may have been a preview of next season’s championship (barring radical realignment, which is possible).
Dan Morgan started for the BulldogsNovak also hit Coby in the groin with a sixth inning curve ball, Novak’s curve was so deadly, not only did it paralyze the Bulldogs, it dominated his own catcher who had presumably called for the pitch.
South Oakland lead 5-3 going into the top of the fourth, when Manager of the Year, TC Jones’ strategy to bat twelve hitters in the starting lineup paid off. The Bulldogs moved middle linebacker, Dan Morgan, from the mound to first base the Ducks sent twelve batters to the plate and scored seven runs, on a handful of hits putting the game out of reach.
Nick Homa relieved Novak and pitched a scoreless sixth, stranding the bases loaded.
The seventh inning was James Spagnola’s NABA pitching debut. Spags pitched a scoreless seventh after catching the first five innings of the game, impressive. The CMU Robot Master will look to break into the rotation next season, and at the very least add depth to the bullpen.
An unfortunate clip of the fans after game three of the Monongahela Championship between the Owlz and Black Sox.
The Owlz won 3-2 in nine innings. It was a great baseball game, somewhat tarnished by the carrying on of the fans.
Black Sox, pitcher Florian pitched six strong innings when he could barely walk, NABA veteran adn friend of the Ducks’ pitcher Luke Demsey, worked out of a bases loaded, no outs jam in the seventh to send the game to extra innings. SS, Kenny Rayl made a phenominal play on a would be game winning hit up the middle to save the game in the eighth, but the Sox could not score a run off Dunn, who allowed only one runner while pitching the eighth and ninth innings. Some guy on the Owlz singled in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth.
The Ducks support the Warriors in the finals.
(we’ve got to keep it Old school, Fago, nothing personal)
MVP
Rakers Larry, you can come to the Ducks as well if you want.
First, I’d like to apologize to Nick Homa’s grandparent’s for the use of profanity a few posts back. The line in question it is a quote from the film “The Big Lebowski”, which is one of my favorites. I assure you I don’t hate anyone, and don’t normally use the f-word as a modifier in my writing. I will temper my language from now on. Thanks for reading, and providing Nick with wonderful baseball genes.
Storm
This game will be made up some time this week. Thankfully, Storm will be fighting giant robots in a far away galaxy, and will not be able to help her friend Joe delay the inevitable beating by the South Oakland Ducks any longer than a few days. (put that on your bulletin board, you Mutant lovers.)
In other news, the Ducks will take on the Confederacy on Saturday at a field to be determined sometime in the noon hour. That will give me another week to anger them into hitting me with a pitch.
South Oakland will potentially play four games in six days this week. We will be provided 24 hours notice before any games are scheduled.
This is happening league wide in an attempt to get all the rain-outs played, every team will deal with this, so don’t start feeling sorry for ourselves, or mad at Joe just because we had our pitching rotation set on “Decimate” for the final playoff push.
The Ducks’ bullpen is ready to pick up the slack. Jim has been dreaming of this since the Matadors’ game, TC’s wing is well rested, and ready fire.
In theory, I’m in favor of the move. It would cause problems if the Rakers finished with one more game than the Ducks and the Eagles. I don’t like the fact that I may either have to miss work, or a game because of it. So it goes….
We have a chance to get into the playoffs. I will do everything I can to get to the games, it is in our team’s best interest the rest of the Ducks do the same.
Both Rambo and Captain America would have fought for the Union.Check out the costume change. Note the Voodoo Child (slight return) tease.
“Without slavery, the rebellion could never have existed. Without slavery, it could not continue.”
Abraham Lincoln, December 1, 1862, Message to Congress.
IN 2007, They split from the Black Sox and decided to call themselves the “Rebels”.
Opposition to team names and logos such as the Atlanta Braves and Cleveland Indians is documented and understandable, both Native Americans and white people fall on either side of the issue. I don’t really care, but I’m not the one whose culture is being marketed, and sold as though it were a bottle of moonshine wrapped in Smallpox infested blanket.
Oddly, I can’t remember hearing about any protests against UNLV or Ole’ Miss for naming their teams “The Rebels”, at least not to the extent of the “tomahawk-chop” issue on which Sports Center or Outside the Lines inevitably does an annual filler piece during the slow months of the sports year. I’m not trying to be some kind of anti-free speech, PC douche bag, teams have every right to chose any name and logo they want, even one relating to the pro-slavery side of the American Civil War, it’s just not what I would do.
Anyway
It is a bit nationalist to view the term “Rebels” strictly in terms of the American Civil War. In many cases, throughout world history, rebel armies were the “good” guys. However, when your logo is this guy, 
and your predominant uniform color is gray, one can assume no one has gone to great lengths to avoid Confederate connotations. It is not as if there aren’t far superior options for a “Rebel” logo out there. Consider the following:
You can probably find his image on a t-shirt (most likely ironically weaved in sweatshop) worn by a hippie who spends more time taking bong hits and ranting nonsensically about “fascism” than actually doing anything. Just buy 16 of those shirts, slap numbers on the back and you’re good to go.
Not a fan of Che Guevara, go the Sandinista route:
looking for something less controversial and “leftist”? How about this:
Afraid no one knows that’s the Star Wars Rebel logo? how about something more overt:
Sure he was only in it for the money at first, but Solo was a huge, late-season addition to the Rebel cause. Incorporating him into the uniform would be tough, but clearly worth the trouble. I dare anyone to claim Han wouldn’t provide a more intimidating screen-printed presence than Yosemite Sam.
Only one conclusion can be drawn, these guys are a bunch of racists, or at the very least not very creative. They could be rocking Billy Idol jerseys and Star Wars hats, but instead they disgrace our national past time by going with a caricature of a confederate soldier.
To be fair I won’t discount entirely the outside possibility that Rebel management is operating on an elite level of triple-reverse-irony that is over my head, but I doubt it.
Go Ducks.
