Author: mightyeskimo

Three Divisions

2015 South Oakland Ducks Baseball, NABA, pittsburgh NABA

The league moved to three divisions. We will be in the middle division. Teams in Double A will play regular season games against every team in the league. All games will be weighted equally. Playoffs will be seperated by division.

I’m excited for the chance to play against the best teams in the league.

The games against the AAA teams will help prepare us for playoffs, and the games agasint the A teams will allow us to get everyone playing time. The Double A Division will be tough.

Big picture wise, this will allow more teams to have more competitive games and allow everyone to compete for a championship in their respective division.

I wonder how teams will set their rotations against the upper and lower level teams. Do you punt games against Jefferson Hills to save arms for when you face the WOLFPACK, or the Express? There’s another element of stategy added now with the unbalanced schedule. It should be interesting.

Discussions got heated today in the league meeting. It was pretty hilarious. The New Lions team guaranteed a win against Clinton. I love the confidence.

quack.

Long Read: Season Scheduled to Start Week of April 18th and Other News

2015 South Oakland Ducks Baseball, NABA, pittsburgh NABA

Ducks: Uniforms have been ordered. Register on the league site ASAP. Send me money. Make checks payable to Pittsburgh NABA.

I trust you have all been training since August and are ready to dominate.

After a busy offseason, our roster is pretty much set. We will not draft any players this season. We hope to compete for a title, but it will depend on pitching.

The Ducks have acquired several mercenaries who’ve defected from the Militia, added some infield depth via a couple guys we met shooting pool at Uncle Jmmy’s, and won a bidding war with the Oilers for the rights to Ducks 2014 home run leader, Anthony Ciccone, who will return as our Super-Utility player.

saul

one day I will properly photoshop this

For the first time in almost ten years, we will roster an actual South Oakland resident, Grahm Harkins, who may start on opening day and, at worst, will provide bullpen depth.

Garrett Moore is not retiring.

TJ Morgan is returning to South Oakland after a brief stint with the Black Sox.

TJ and TC Jones are both former Ducks managers and will provide veteran leadership. We just need to get Fago back and we will have the whole flock of coaches.

ducks invade

League News and Rumorz

I’m guessing we will go to three divisions this year. If so, we would likely be in the middle division. This means we would get to avenge our season ending loss at the hands of the WOLFPACK!, and we’d also get to renew our rivalry with the Black Sox in the regular season. Another exciting subplot – former Ducks pitchers, Jeremy Barchie and Randy Patton have signed with BIG OIL, in Single A, and we may face one or both of them in the regular season.

The Oilers managed to get a time slot at Mellon Park, but of course it is at 6pm, during the week, and is therefore inconvenient for 80% of the players in the league.

jeremy_scott

The Lions split into two teams. That pitcher who yelled a lot started his own team, I think, and moved up to Double A. Walko is starting another Single A team. Should be an intense game when they play each other. Lots of yelling and fancy stat-keeping devices.

All the teams that moved up to AA last year, got crushed repeatedly, and had a miserable season of baseball, are moving back down to either single A, or to the middle division along with the top teams from single A and maybe the Express. This is why we need a middle division, so we don’t have to keep repeating this process with the top A and bottom AA teams every year.

Speaking of the Express, there were rumors of a Bulldogs-Express merger that never quite materialized.

large_bulldog

The elephant in the room at the league meetings has been the tenuous state of the Bulldogs. I assume they will return with some roster turnover, but their questionable status as late as last month, goes to show how tough it is to keep a team together for over ten years, even when you’re winning games. You do what you have to try to put together a competitive roster and manage all the personalities. It’s challenging.

champz Owlz Clinton Cherokee

Both Jefferson Hills and Clinton are trying to make it seem like all the other teams in the league have just as good of a chance to win a title as anyone. It’s great how those guys are all about competitive balance and fair play. Some pitcher from Pitt jumped ship from the Indians to the Cherokee. Clinton’s coach may or may not have a shrine of old newspaper clippings and yearbook photos of that kid in the secret room in the sub-basement under his garage. Smallpox infested blankets for all.

Rebels Week: Day III

If the Commish would only listen to my idea: Those two teams would play a 23 game series against each other at an all dirt field with no dugouts, in Burgettstown, and then the winner would take on, and probably lose to, the fifth place fed league team in a play-in game for the right to join the Daily News league in 2016. (Hopefully the field for the play-in game isn’t double booked.) I think we need to make this happen.

I swear, I’m proposing radical shift to a two-team division with a playoff format spanning three non-affiliated leagues because I think it’s good for the league and is super fair, not because it is better for just my team and slightly improves our chances of winning.

Back to the Ducks.

I think we are going to rake this year, play more consistent defense thanks to added depth, and if we get pitchers who throw strikes we will win a lot of games. I don’t really know how good a lot of the teams are in our division, but I think we improved. I guess we’ll see. I’ve been told my ability to judge talent has been my downfall as a manager.

quack.

WOLFPACK!!! 2014 Single A Champs. Cherokee take AA title

2014 South Oakland Ducks, NABA, pittsburgh NABA

Congrats to ths year’s Pittsburgh NABA Champions.

I’ll post updates after the league meetings in January.

Roster spots for next years Ducks team will be offered to returning players first, and we will fill in as needed. We will also add a couple pitchers because our staff has an average age of 32.

Look for Ducks utility player, Anthony Ciccone’s NABA hotstove blog. Coming soon!

quack.

 

A Message From The Commish Regarding Player Eligibility and Protests, Some Notes on Bill Franciscus, and a Brief History of the Ducks Cheating

NABA, pittsburgh NABA, South Oakland Ducks Baseball

Gentlemen –

 
Below is my decision and reflections regarding the appeal of James Pasquine.  I appreciate your patience as I reached this conclusion.  As it is not subject to appeal, I wanted to be as thorough as possible in reaching a decision.
 
You will find below:
A)     The Ruling
B)     Rational behind the ruling
C)     Evidence considered in the ruling
D)    Comments and consideration from the League President
E)     Future Considerations
 
A) The ruling
 
James Pasquine has been deemed eligible for playoffs.  The protest is denied and Jefferson Hills will be permitted to continue in the playoffs.
 
The decision was reached after careful consideration of the available evidence, and a review of our NABA rules.  Prior to reaching this decision, I consulted with a number of managers, umpires, outside parties, and other League Presidents.
 
B) Rationale for denying the protest:
 
1)       Insufficient evidence exists to prove that James Pasquine DID NOT APPEAR in the 5 game minimum as dictated by our local rules.
2)      The filing of the protest itself did not meet the league specifications
 
C) Evidence & rules in support of denying the protest: (#2 – The filing of the protest)
 
I will start with the second reason (the protest did not meet specifications), because it is simpler to explain.  Protests involving ineligible players must be filed within 24 hours of game start time. I was out of town without my rulebook present when the protest was filed.  While I recommended to the filing manager not to file it, I did not realize then that it actually was not permissible.  Regardless, I did encourage, and will continue to encourage, managers to file game day protests on players they believe to be ineligible.  This is the only way to uphold player eligibility requirements.
In truth, this did not factor heavily into my ultimate decision because it was only brought to my attention after I collected and reviewed evidence.  However, in the future, a protest of this nature would not be permitted.  As such, and due to my own error, the protest fee will be refunded to the manager.
 
D) Evidence & rules in support of denying the protest (#1 – appearing in 5 games)
 
In this case, the burden is on the managers to prove that James Pasquine did not appear in the 5 game minimum.  When this rule was added in 2012, it was done so with my permission, and by a vote of the managers.  However, I expressly stated then, and in every managers meeting since, that the enforcement of this policy would come down to individual managers keeping accurate books during the regular season. 
 
Within 8 hours of the formal protest, I had collected all of the evidence I required.  However, I wanted to have a few independent parties review the evidence and come to the best decision possible knowing the impact it would have on the league either way.
Jefferson Hills has James Pasquine listed as played in 6 games by their official scorebooks.  Three opposing scorebooks corroborate those records completely.  One scorebook differs in that it does not show the substitutions that the Jefferson Hills scorebook does, including the entry of James Pasquine into the lineup.  The opposing managers in the two other games did not keep a scorebook at their games.
  While I can only certify that James Pasquine played in 3 games, I cannot uphold the contention that he didn’t play in the two others where no book was kept by the opposing manager.  Since the burden of proof is on the opposing managers in this case, James Pasquine must be given credit for having played in at least 5 games as indicated by the available evidence.  The 6th game where the books are clearly disputed by the two managers is therefore irrelevant in reaching this conclusion, because the other 5 games are uncontested.
 
D) Commentary
 
While I can’t deny there are many inconsistencies in what I found, I cannot prove that James Pasquine did not play in 5 games without the support of managers and their records.  The worst evidence against James Pasquine in this case was Jefferson Hills’ own record keeping.  However, I cannot determine if that was out of negligence, or outright fraud. 
After having multiple conversations, and reviewing the rule book multiple times, it became quite clear to me that punishing an entire team (the penalty would have forfeited the Jefferson Hills club from the postseason) for the possibility of an infraction was not supported by the evidence, and simply not the right thing to do.  Every League President I consulted with, and shared my evidence with expressed this same opinion that this protest must be denied.
Many mangers have brought to my attention inconsistencies, and outright falsified records on Jefferson Hills’ website.  This did not factor into my ultimate decision other than to lay a framework for discussion with Keith Reynolds about his record keeping.  It is my opinion that while Keith’s online records are riddled with errors, inconsistencies, and inaccuracies; that does not prove intent, nor is it evidence against Mr. Pasquine.  In an unofficial review of other teams records (including my own), I also found records that did not add up, or did not completely match the record of the game.
Eteamz is not the host of our official rosters because it is subject to tampering and errors.  As such stats are required to be posted simply to allow a public window into teams.  Since 2012, I have enforced that teams post stats by our annual playoff meeting to ensure managers an opportunity to review player eligibility.  Teams that did not have at least 9 players with at least 5 games played on the site were ruled ineligible for postseason play because opposing managers had no insight into them. 
However, the league has never deemed an individual player eligible or ineligible using the website due to the inherent tampering/errors that could potentially exist while updating the site.  Player playoff eligibility has been determined by my official rosters (waivers); and since 2012, a minimum of 5 games played.  All questions on the use of illegal players should be resolved by a formal protest, and review of game day records.
It should be noted that while Jefferson Hills, and by extension Keith Reynolds, came into this league due to being forced out of another, that in and of itself was not a factor in this determination.  As I have said every year at our managers meetings, if you have an issue with player eligibility, you need to address it at the field. 
Until managers call out ineligible players at their field, and keep quality records for review, any talk about ineligible players is purely speculative.  As such, people can develop reputations merely on the suggestion of fact, rather than fact itself.  Without a doubt, that was a contributing factor in the case here.
The only reliable records I found in any of this were those of Cranberry, who should be commended.  While their conflicting books did not ultimately factor into this decision, it was clear that the consistency of their records was the best of any of the other teams I reviewed, an opinion that was supported by multiple managers.  
Unfortunately, not every team keeps as detailed and consistent records as Cranberry.  For a rule like this to be enforced as it is written, accurate record keeping must occur.
It has been brought to my attention that denying this protest would cause players and managers to possibly lose faith in the rules of this league, and my upholding of them.  My sincere response to that criticism is that I believe this particular rule is flawed.  The spirit of the rule has good intention and is good for the league. 
However, the proof required to enforce such a rule is very difficult to acquire as seen in this case.  While the timing of the protest is unfortunate, I am grateful that the protest has shed light on the inherent flaws in a rule of this type.  The league will be better in 2015 as a result of the discussion that takes place on this ruling.
 
E)  Future Considerations
 
            1) The 5 game minimum rule will be revised or eliminated in 2015.  When the 5 game minimum was introduced in 2012, I am on the record as being in support of the spirit and purpose of the rule, yet clear in the difficulty of actually enforcing it.  The national NABA rule is simply to have the player registered by the deadline, which I have always enforced, as it is a very clear cut thing to prove.  If that rule were the only one in place here, the player would be eligible without any question.
 
            2)  Player protests of this variety will no longer be considered during playoffs.  The idea that a team may advance in the playoffs due to a forfeit sickens me, and most everyone else I spoke with.  Therefore, a rule will be implemented to permit playoff rosters to be verified in advance of the playoffs starting in 2015. In actuality, this rule was in practice from 2003-2011, but the addition of the 5 game minimum opened the door for protests of this variety in 2012. A players’ eligibility will now be determined in advance.  Protests regarding ineligible players can therefore be handled immediately at the field, as a league-approved roster will be available.  Therefore, no research will need to occur after the playoffs have begun and no delays in the playing of playoff games will result.
 
            3)  Jefferson Hills will be required to send a representative to all offseason meetings in 2015.  While I have consulted with Jefferson Hills regarding rules, it is quite clear to me that they need to be present when rules are discussed with the league as a whole.  In this manner, issues can be addressed face-to-face by managers, and a dialogue can be initiated.  This will also afford Jefferson Hills the opportunity to help shape rules as they see fit, and eliminate any possible omissions I may make in discussing the rules with Jefferson Hills.
 
            4) Enforce player eligibility, lineup, and scorebook rules on game day during the regular season.  While no manager enjoys asking a player they don’t know for their ID, and then protesting the game if they are ineligible (not registered) during the regular season, this is the only way to ensure our rules are enforced.  Protests can be dropped at any time, so this becoming a more common practice would be welcomed and supported by the league and its affiliates.
 
 
Sincerely,
 
Joseph E. Graff Jr.
League President
Pittsburgh NABA

 

(Joe why are you putting 2 spaces after a period!?!)

I think Joe did the right thing here. I also think the player in question is probably ineligible. Generally, I agree with how Joe runs the league. He’s fair and honest, and I’d never want to put up with the kind of shit he does.

Maybe it’s because I can remember when our league played 3pm double headers at Cornell, and we operated at a loss for six years that I don’t really have an issue with most of the problems we have today. However, I do think there is room for our league to improve, but I’m just happy to be playing and without Joe putting all this time and effort into the League there wouldn’t be a Ducks.

The Ducks might have just been eliminated by a team with an illegal player, but whatever. That’s not why we lost games 2 and 3. We made more mistakes than West View did, and we didn’t capitalize on some opportunities. I will reiterate that I’m not 100% West View had a guy who only played 4 games on their roster, but I didn’t want to bother with the protest and all the bullshit and maybe be wrong. We play in an adult league that is marketed as one for players of all ages and abilities, and if teams feel the need to bring in guys for the playoffs then that’s pretty weak. I know because I’ve done it, and it feels shitty.

In the TC Jones era, we brought Pitt club guys in all the time. It was fun. No one really cared. They were all Bill Franciscus, and we worked within the roster rules to have them eligible for playoffs. Again, against the spirit, but within the letter of the law.

In 2011, TJ Zarewicz played maybe 4 regular season games for us, then played for us in the playoffs legally. He plays on the WOLFPACK now for some reason. In 2012, after the 5 game minimum was created, DeFillippo was on our roster from the start of the season, played for us and in the Daily News league, and only appeared in 4 games as a Duck and then played in the playoffs where he drove in the winning run in a 2-1 win over the Militia. I lied to the Militia manager’s face when called out on this and I feel shitty when I lie to people. I don’t do it much. Tremmel, I’m sorry for lying and cheating in 2012. I’m even sorrier for playing TJ over guys who had been on the Ducks for 4 years and deserved a chance to play in the playoffs that season.

I think the first instance of Zarewicz in 2011 was a worse thing for me to allow as a manager, than the instance with Flip, even though it was legal and the 2012 instance wasn’t. For the sake of the other guys on the team anyway, it caused a rift. I considered Flip a teammate, and TJ as a guy who came in and played catcher for us. Both good guys and good ballplayers.

A big reason why I wanted to drop down to Single A was to avoid feeling pressure to pull shady roster moves at the expense of guys who had been there all year. We were legit this season.

I’d like to open this up for discussion below. I ask that anyone commenting on this identify themselves.

quack.

Ducks Lose, Season Over.

2014 South Oakland Ducks, pittsburgh NABA, South Oakland Ducks Baseball

South Oakland lost 5-0 to the WOLFPACK Wednsday night in Carrick.

We scored zero runs, I think we only allowed one or two earned runs, but that was enough.

The Ducks only had two men in scoring postion all game. Not a great offensive night without our leadoff and five hitters. Their pitcher was lights out. Galvanek, Gwin, Hartranft and Sorosky (2) had hits for the Ducks, and that was it.

I think I’m pulling for the Lions in the finals. Their home field is more interesting.

***

This wasn’t the way we would’ve liked the season to end, but I’m more optimistic about the core group of players we have and the state of the team big picture-wise than I have been in years. This was the most fun I’ve had playing baseball since 2008.

We won a lot of games, many on the last at bat or by one run in come from behind fashion. With a few pieces we should content for the championship again, and I think moving ahead we will always be right there, quacking and playing teams tough as long as we can keep the nucleus intact. Feathers and bills and such. Green and gold. We were really close. Next year Garrett will announce games from the press box in Spring Hill, and maybe podcast play-by-play of our games. That would dominate the Lions fancy webpage with ther robot game recaps! Maybe we can get a decent writer on the blog. Though, Ciccone offered to write up team by team season previews before next season, so look for them in late March!

For next year, we need to figure out what youth leagues have all the city permits so we can get better time slots and help get PSL off the baseball fields. There are so many softball fields. Quit ruining our mounds, and trashing our batter’s boxes! Slow pitch softball is the worst.

Anyway, thanks for reading and thanks for a great season.

quack.