The Fly-By-Night BA

± December 01, 2012 ± 1974 - 2012 ± Vol. 39, Issue 24 ± Commissioner Rob Bruno. Presidents - American League Ed Griffin - National League Bob Figella

COMMISSIONERS CORNER:

World Series Results and the Voting Ballot . Please return ballot by December 7th .

Game 1: Shields vs. Gonzalez Buccaneers...... 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 1 10 1 Psychics...... 3 1 3 3 0 0 0 0 x- 10 15 0 W: G. Gonzalez, L: J.Shields, Sv: Z. Greinke HR: H.Ramirez(1st), P.Sandoval(1st), R.Howard(1st)

Pablo Sandoval slammed a homerun and had 3 RBI as the Salem Psychics defeated the Burlington Buccaneers by a score of 10 to 1 at Hammerdome. Gio Gonzalez(1-0) pitched well for Salem in their victory. He went 6 innings and surrendered up 6 hits and 3 walks. After the 4th inning, neither team was able to score. Gonzalez got help from who earned his 1st . James Shields(0- 1) was the loser. He got hammered, allowing 15 hits and 2 walks in 8 innings. Salem up 1-0.

Game 2: Latos vs. Niese Buccaneers...... 0 0 5 0 0 2 0 0 0 - 7 11 1 Psychics...... 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 - 8 11 1 W: J. Papelbon, L: C. Martinez HR: H.Ramirez(2nd), N.Schierholtz(1st)

Jonathan Papelbon had an impressive outing and right fielder Nate Schierholtz slammed a homerun and had 3 RBI at Hammerdome as the Salem Psychics won in their last at-bat beating the Burlington Buccaneers by the count of 8 to 7. The game was won by Salem when they scored a run in the bottom of the 9th inning. After an out was recorded, Mike Napoli drew a walk. Pablo Sandoval was next and he doubled, but Napoli was thrown out at home to keep Burlington alive. Billy Butler then banged out a single making Salem the victor and beginning a joyous home town celebration. Both teams totaled 11 hits on the afternoon. The victory was credited to Papelbon(1-0) who went 3 innings, allowing no runs. Cristhian Martinez(0-1) was hit with the loss in relief. He gave up 3 runs in 2 innings of work. Salem up 2-0.

Game 3: Detwiler vs. Vazquez Psychics...... 0 0 0 3 0 5 0 0 3 - 11 16 1 Buccaneers.....4 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 - 5 7 2 W: D. Robertson, L: S. Santos, Sv: E. O'Flaherty HR: L.Morrison(1st), M.Napoli(1st), P.Sandoval-2(3rd), R.Howard(2nd), H.Ramirez(3rd)

Pablo Sandoval knocked 2 homeruns at Buc Stadium as the Salem Psychics beat the Burlington Buccaneers 11 to 5. Sandoval had a big day at the plate. He blasted a solo shot in the 4th inning, ripped a solo in the 6th inning and stroked a base-hit in the 9th inning. For the game Salem out-hit Burlington 16 to 7. David Robertson(1-0) picked up the victory, allowing no runs in 1 and 2/3 innings. Robertson got help from Eric O'Flaherty who was credited with his 1st save. Sergio Santos(0-1) took the loss in relief. He surrended 3 homeruns in his 1/3 of an inning. Salem up 3-0

Game 4: Gonzalez vs. Vogelsong Psychics...... 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 - 1 6 1 Buccaneers.....0 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 x - 4 7 0 W: R. Vogelsong, L: G. Gonzalez, Sv: T. Gorzelanny HR: None

In a good matchup it was the Burlington Buccaneers 4, the Salem Psychics 1 at Buc Stadium. Salem never recovered after Burlington took the lead in the bottom of the 2nd inning with 2 runs. Justin Turner led off and got things going when he reached on an error. After an out was recorded, Michael Bourn came to bat and tripled. Jonathan Herrera then would ground out. That early run support was enough for Ryan Vogelsong(1-0) and Burlington. Burlington finished with 7 hits in the victory. Tom Gorzelanny recorded his 1st save. Gio Gonzalez(1-1) was hit with the loss. He surrendered 6 hits and 3 walks in 6 and 2/3 innings. Salem up 3-1.

Game 5: Greinke vs. Shields Psychics...... 1 2 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 - 7 13 0 Buccaneers...... 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 - 4 7 0 W: J. Motte, L: J. Shields, Sv: J. Papelbon HR: R.Howard(3rd), M.Izturis(1st), V.Martinez(1st)

Second baseman Maicer Izturis slammed a homerun and had 2 RBI at Buc Stadium as the Salem Psychics beat the Burlington Buccaneers by the count of 7 to 4. Salem tallied 4 runs in the top of the 7th inning with the help of 4 hits. The big moment was provided by Billy Butler who deflated the mood of the partisan fans when he banged out a single plating two runs. Salem had 13 hits for the game and Burlington had 7. The win was credited to Jason Motte(1-0) who went 2/3 of an inning allowing no runs. Jonathan Papelbon got the save, his 1st. The loss was charged to James Shields(0-2). He got hit pretty hard, allowing 10 hits and 3 walks in 6 innings. Salem wins 4-1.

After 18 years of good records followed by playoff disasters Salem wins it's second FBN Title in 3 years. This series played out much differently than I expected, figuring that it would be low scoring. Instead, the games turned out to be slugfests, and Burlington ended up scoring as many runs in 5 games (21) as California and Hart Street did combined in 10. Ultimate I got the rolls when I needed them, especially in game 3 when I got some ridiculous luck on rolls, including consecutive ball park homers at Bob's park on 1-4 chances out of 3 homers in 1/3 of an inning vs. Sergio Santos. My strategy of flooding Bob with lefties didn't work out very well as both Jonathon Niese got hit hard, but ultimately the key was 10 homers for Salem.

Ryan Howard was the MVP of the series, batting .476 with 4 doubles, 3 homers, 5 runs and 7 RBI, narrowly out pacing Pablo Sandoval. In general, the middle of Salem's lineup was hot: Howard .476, Schierholtz .462, Napoli .389, Sandoval .348. Ellsbury .333, and Butler a clutch .316 with 7 RBI. Once again, Salem's bullpen was key, with Jonathan Papelbon, Sergio Romo, and Jason Motte combining for 2 wins, a save, and allowing just 1 hit and 1 walk, while striking out 12 in 10.2 IP.

For Burlington, the two stars were who you would expect: Victor Martinez batted .400 with a homer, 3 runs, and 4 RBI, and Hanley Ramirez, who had only 3 hits but they were all homers, with 4 runs scored and 5 RBI.

Salem's overall playoff MVP was Pablo Sandoval, who batted .356 with 5 2B, 5 HR, 12 runs, and 11 RBI, just edging out Jacoby Ellsbury for the honor. They key for the Psychics was the bullpen, where the main 3 righties, Jason Motte, Sergio Romo, and Jonathan Papelbon, pitched 33.2 IP, allowing just 12 hits, 1 run, and 2 walks to go along with 35 K's.

Congrats to Bob for his long playoff drive, defeating Hazardville, Allyn Street and Taxachusetts, and slugging it out bat for bat throughout our series excepting game 1. Not bad for a wild card team! I had no idea that the Bucs had been to the series 4 times!

Rich

2013 Draft Order: 1. Arsenal 2. Baton Rouge 3. Illinois 4. Maine 5. Florida 6. USJarheads 7.Yorktown 8. Johns Creek 9.Wall Street 10.Urpaign 11.Lake Wobegon 12.Hotlanta 13.Klee’s 14. Connecticut 15.New England 16.Hazardville 17.Taxachusetts 18.California 19. Burlington 20. Norwich 21.Allyn Street 22.Hart Street 23.Milford 24.Salem

Transactions: 1. HS trades Nathan and Iannetta to TX for TX 2014 #1,3 & 5. 2. HS trades Ruggiano, Baxter and 2014 #5 to CT for CT 2014 #2, 3 and 6 3. California confirms Pena for KK 4th in 2013.

4. Chiefs trade Gerald Laird DET to California for Kelly Shoppach IL.

Latest Manager’s Directory attached.

OFFICAL CORRECT BALLOT Return by Dec. 7th Voting results 2012

1 Commissioner: I vote for Rob Bruno. 1 Yes____ No____

2a NL President: I vote for Bob Figella. 2a Yes____ No____

2b AL President: I vote for Ed Griffin. 2b Yes____ No____

If conflicting rules should pass we will list them against each other for a final vote.

3 Vote to increase pre-draft protected roster from 37 to 39, with in season roster to increase from 40 to 42 maximum. 3 Yes____ No____

4 Expand the roster limit to 38 and make the 38th player a no card requirement. You can either use a current player with no card to fill the spot or draft a no carded player. You could still carry more than 1 no card players on your roster. The ability to draft a no card player would include anyone in a MLB organization. No card picks would be limited to one per team and not tradable. This would protect against the wealthier teams picking up multiple no card talent because they have current few needs. The pick could be used at any point in the draft…1st round to the last round. 4 Yes____ No____

5 Allow trades during the season that could put a team over the 40* man limit. Teams will be allowed to cut a player(s) to reduce the roster to the 40* man limit. *note that the limit is 42 if item 3 passes. 5 Yes____ No____

6 It will be mandatory to publish the 25 man active roster for all blocks, with the exception of the last block since everybody is eligible. This is just the 25 man roster. Starting rotation does NOT need to be announced. 6 Yes___ No___

7 Final records in reverse order will determine the draft order. If a tiebreaker is needed it will be the team with the worst home record going first. If there is still a tie a coin flip will decide. THE TEAM WINNING THE COIN FLIP WILL CHOOSE FIRST IN THE ODD NUMBER ROUNDS. THE TEAM LOSING THE COIN FLIP WILL CHOOSE FIRST IN THE EVEN NUMBER ROUNDS. 7 Yes____ No____

8 Allow an outfielder to play out of position from the 7th inning and later. SOM outfielder out of position injury chart is our guide. 8 Yes____ No____

9 Allow an outfielder to play out of position at any time and use the SOM outfielder out of position injury chart as our guide. 9 Yes___ No___

10 A voting rule must have 13 yes votes to pass. 10 Yes____ No____

For item 11 vote yes for only one and vote no for all the ohters. 11 Keep the present rule requiring a starting must pitch at least 4 innings unless he's week etc. etc. 11 Yes___ No___

11a Repeal the rule requiring a starting pitcher mus t pitch at least 4 innings unless he's weak, injured or the third run is in scoring position. This would

also apply to post-season games. 11a Yes___ No___

11b Repeal the rule requiring a starting pitcher must pitch at least 4 innings unless he's weak, injured or the third run is in scoring position but retain

it for the post-season, 11b Yes____ No____

11c Keep the rule requiring a starting pitcher must pitch at least 4 innings unless he's weak, injured or the third run is in scoring position. In addition, as long as the starting pitcher substitution restriction is in force, a manager may not substitute for a position player. This would also apply to post-season games.

11c Yes____ No____ 11d Reduce the requirement for removing a starting pitcher to 3 innings completed or 3 runs allowed. All other pitching usage rules to

remain the same. 11d Yes____ No____

12 Voting for the all-star game and league awards is mandatory, like all other league reporting requirements. Failure to cast votes by the deadline will result in a -3BP penalty. 12 Yes____ No____

13 During the December voting period, casting your vote is mandatory like all other league reporting requirements. Failure to cast votes by the deadline will result in a -3BP. 13 Yes____ No____

14 Any voting item must be seconded by at least 2 member s to be placed on the official ballot. 14 Yes____ No____

15 Drop our present Closer rule and adopt the SOM Super- 15 Yes____ No____ Advance Closer Rule.

15a If 14 passes the rule will take effect in 2013 or 2114 15a 2013____ 2014____

16 Repeal the rob the Homerun rule. 16 Yes____ No____

17 Post Season Reliever usage: Reduce a reliever only from 12% of actual IP to 8% with a max usage of 8 innings per series. If a starter or a starter/reliever starts and relieves he may pitch 12 innings in the series. If they pitch in relief only they are limited to 8 innings. 17 Yes____ No____

18 Post Season pitcher usage: 18 innings as the limit for S/R used both as a st arter and reliever in the series. 18 Yes____ No____

19 Post Season pitcher usage: All * starters have no limit on innings pitched in a series as long as they are used as starters only. With a maximum of 10 innings per start. 19 Yes_ ___ No____

20 Post Season change: In the post -season one starter -only pitcher may be designated a reliever. He may be used ONLY as a reliever for the remainder of the post -season. 20 Yes____ No____

21 Post Season change: A non * starter is limited to 10% of the actual IP 21 Yes____ N0____ on his card.

22 Post Season change: ALL starting limited to 10% of actucl IP 22 Yes___ No___ on his card.

23 Post Season change: A reliever is limited to 8% of the actual IP 23 Yes____ No____ on his card.

24 Post Season change: A starter -only that is used as a reliever is limited to 10% of actual innings on his card or 12 innings max with the following three r estrictions: A. If he is used as reliever only he is limited to 7IP for the series. B. 3IP/9outs per relief game. C. His POW is the same as a 2IP reliever. 24 Yes____ No____

25 Post Season change: Pitchers are limited to 12% max real life IP with any combination of 27 IP max as a starter and 16 IP max as a reliever. 25 Yes____ No____

26 Post Season ALL PITCHERS usage change: ALL PITCHERS are limited to 7.5% of their allowable FBN usage in each round of the playoffs. 26 Ye s____ No____

27 Post Season Change: Each team gets one 3 -day * SP start per series. 27 Yes___ No___

28 The only time an * SP can pitch on 3 days rest is an elimination game for his team. 28 Yes___ No___

29 An * SP who pitches on 3 days rest is at POW after 5 IP'ed and needs 4 days off before his next start. 29 Yes___ No___

30 League Realignment: I vote for the one league proposal. 30 Yes____ N0____

League Realignment:

The league will be reorganized into a single 24 team entity, with no separate divisions. The following describe the proposed new structure of the league:

Playoffs: To preserve the number of teams currently in the playoffs, the top 10 teams will make the playoffs, seeded by record. Ties for seeding will be broken by head to head record, followed by a coin flip. A tie for the final playoff position will be determined by a 1 game playoff. Seeds 7 through 10 are considered "wild card" teams and will play a series to determine which two teams are included in the final 8, with the 7th seed playing the 10th seed, and the 8th seed playing the 9th. Then the remaining 8 teams are ordered by seed and 1 plays 8, 2 plays 7, etc. Each round, the remaining teams are reseeded by record (so, for example, if the teams that won the first round were the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 8th seeds, 2 would play 8 and 3 would play 4).

Schedule: This approach would require a new group of schedules. Should th is proposal pass, myself along with 2-3 other GM's will work through the various ideas for schedules and present the two or three best ideas to the league for a secondary vote. Since I proposed this issue, I will be responsible for drafting up the schedules.

All -Star Game: For all -star game voting, the teams would be chosen by a method determined once we finalize the format of the schedule. The game will be played at last year's champion's stadium, with the two managers who played in the finals playing the game.

Jack Brajack Award: Since there is less of a concept of inter -league play in the new format, The Brajack award will be given to the team that finishes with the best regular season record.

League Officials: The l eague will still maintain the current structure with a commissioner and two "league presidents". The group of teams each president represents will be determined depending on how the 24 teams end up being grouped (by seed or by "AL" and "NL")

Items not covered above: All items not specifically discussed above will remain the same as in the current league format. If anything else needs to be addressed in order to make the new league structure work, the commissioner and presidents will decide if it is determined to be a minor issue, or if they deem it necessary a league vote will be taken. The slightly revised version of the Realignment proposal just creates a secondary vote to work on scheduling if the initial issue passes. Why? Because there have been some good comments, particularly by Dave G. and Bob F. with ideas and concerns regarding playoff races and schedule balance that should be considered. Based on those comments, my current "best idea" to address those two issues would be this:

Each team will play the other 23 teams in the schedule 7 times, a series of 3 games at one stadium and a series of 4 at the other stadium, for a total of 161 games. The one remaining game would be a "rivalry game": each of the 24 teams in the league would be paired with a "natural rival", who they would play the extra with. This game would be added to the 3 game series on the schedule between the two teams wherever it happens to fall. Using this scheduling plan, every team would play a virtually identical schedule to everyone else to maximize balance.

The season would be broken into 8 blocks as is currently the case in order to keep the flow of the season and dates roughly the same as it is now. With 46 series per team (1 home and 1 away vs. every other team), there would be 6 blocks of 6 series, and 2 blocks of 5. In order to maximize having teams competing for playoff seeding and spots, the schedule might work like this: The league would be broken into two groups based on the reverse of the previous year's draft order: Seeds 1-12 (seed 1 being the team with the best record the previous season) would be one group, and seeds 13-24 the 2nd group. The blocks would lay out like this:

Example schedule for team in the 1 -12 grouping :

Block 1: 6 series vs. teams in the 13 -24 group Block 2: 6 series vs. the other 6 teams in the 13 -24 group Block 3: 6 series vs. teams in the 1 -12 group Block 4: 5 series vs. the other 5 teams in the 1 -12 group (half way point of the season, teams have now played one series against every other team in the league) Block 5: 6 series vs. teams in the 13 -24 group Block 6: 6 series vs. the other 6 teams in the 13 -24 group Block 7: 6 series vs. teams in the 1 -12 group Block 8: 5 series vs. the other 5 teams in the 1 -12 group

By using this approach, the final 2 blocks would be against the teams most likely in the same situation as the team playing the schedule, and the teams in that group would all be playing those teams so you'd still have situations where you'd be "scoreboard watching" other teams you were directly competing with and would soon play.

This is just one idea. Other options with this format might be to make the dis tribution in the first half of the season random and have only the second half focus on playing like seeds, or breaking the league into 3 groups of 8 for scheduling instead of two groups of 12, etc.

Another approach: In the original proposal, I proposed something like this, which would allow the FTF guys to play an extra game against each other:

For purpose of scheduling, and in order to maximize face to face opportunities for those interested in more face to face play, the teams would be broken into two groups: The NL (face to face guys): AS, BB, US, WS, NN,CT, HP, KK, TX, NE, AG, Vic's team? and the AL (NetPlay / By Mail Guys): SP, LW, BR, UR, IL, MY, MD, HS, HT, FS, YA, CD (these groupings are negotiable depending on who wants to be in the FTF group). Each team would play the other 11 teams in their groups 8 times each (4 home and 4 away), 11 of the teams in the other group 6 times each (3 home, 3 away) and one team in the other group 8 times (4 home and 4 away) in order to keep the 162 game schedule. To develop the schedule, I would develop 24 schedules, AL1 through AL12, and NL 1 through NL12. Each season the teams would slot into the schedule for their league based on last year's record. The one 8 game series against the other league would be played against the team with the same seed. So for example, the team with the best record of the NL teams would get the NL1 schedule and would face teams NL2 through NL12 8 times each, with the extra 8 game series being vs. AL1 for 96 games, and teams AL2 through AL12 6 times each for 66 games, making a total of 96+66 = 162 games. Broken into a total of 46 series.

2012 MANAGER’S DIRECTORY – November 24, 2012

NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST Rob Bruno ALLYN STREET 89ERS Rich Hamel SALEM PSYCHICS 33 Stony Hill Drive COMMISSIONER 29 Ledge Hill Rd AOL IM ramel4129 Mystic, CT 06355 [email protected] Southborough, MA 01772 [email protected] HM (860) 536-2074 WK (860) 889-3811 x52646 CELL (617) 721-5796 HM (508) 303-0630

Don Decker NORWICH NAVIGATORS Larry Huck ILLINOIS PRAIRIE DOGS 1026 Shewville RD AOL IM Gatormanddd1 4207 Crystal Lake Road Ledyard, CT 06339 [email protected] McHenry, IL 60050 [email protected] HM (860) 886-6531 HM (815) 344-4428 WK (815) 385-1718

Bill Nieman US JARHEADS Mike Holbrook BATON ROUGE 23 Devonshire Drive Asst. Manager and 48 Birchwood DR SILVER BULLETS Waterford, CT 06385 Asst. GM Harry Nieman Blue Grass, IA 52726 [email protected] HM (860) 447-3414 [email protected] HM (563) 381-9986 Cell (563) 940-1088

Bob Mendez BURLINGTON BUCCANEERS Jim Ferguson LAKE WOBEGON WHIPPETS 190 West Chippens Hill RD 1125 Twin Hill LN AOL IM lwwhippets Burlington, CT 06013 [email protected] Knoxville, TN 37923 [email protected] HM (860) 673-7352 WK (860) 659-4111x50253 HM (217) 714-7564

Joe Rutka WALL STREET BARONS Barry Shanks MAINE YAKS 180 Wall ST 3065 E. Highway 50 Apt Q3 Colchester, CT 06415 [email protected] Canon City, CO 81212 [email protected] HM (860) 537-5073 Cell 860-705-9146 (719) 315-2508

Dean Morris ARSENAL GUNNERS Bruce Gletty URPAIGN DRAGONS 745 Robinson Farms DR 607 S. Russell Street Marietta, GA 30068 [email protected] Champaign, IL 61821 [email protected] HM (678) 560-0151 HM (217) 356-3994 *********************************************************************************************************************************** NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST Dave Gineo CONNECTICUT BLUE DEVILS Mike Gerack FLORIDA SUN 369 Addison Road 5881 Marigold RD Glastonbury, CT 06033 [email protected] Venice, FL 34293 [email protected] HM (860) 659-9647 WK (860) 342-3560 HM (941) 716-1642

Bruce Fogg NEW ENGLAND ANGELS Jim Jalutkewicz HOTLANTA POSSUMS 375 W. Center Street AIM bfogg09 3858 Stonecroft Place Southington, CT 06489 [email protected] Duluth, GA 30097 [email protected] HM (203) 232-2365 HM (770) 623-4374 WK (770) 243-5205

Bob Figella HAZARDVILLE POWDERKEG Frank Simonutti CALIFORNIA DREAMERS 10 Grove ST NATIONAL LEAUGE PRESIDENT 1616 Emerson CT Enfield, CT 06082 [email protected] Wheaton, IL 60189 [email protected] HM (860) 749-8033 HM (630) 517-8735 Cell (731) 225-9047

Bud Drapeau TAXACHUSETTS CHIEFS Jeff Merklin YORKTOWN ADMIRALS 50 Donahue LN AOL IM ifitstaysfair 698 Wedgewood Drive [email protected] Manchester, CT 06042 [email protected] Marysville, OH 43040 WK (937) 642-4070 Cell (860) 490-5012 WK(860) 875-7000 HM (937) 644-8622 FAX (937) 644-4390

Roland Klee KLEE’S KLUBBERS Ed Griffin HART STREET HOGS 132 Hany LN 15 Mystic Street AMERICAN LEAGUE PRESIDENT Vernon, CT 06066 [email protected] Methuen, MA 01844 [email protected] HM (860) 490-5804 Cell (860) 490-5804 HM (603) 560-9167 WK (781) 935-6020 ext 364

Vic Handel JOHNS CREEK Glen Boucher MIFORD DOGFISH 2550 Runic Way CRACKER JACKS 49 Bertrose AVE AOL IM glen0828 Johns Creek, GA [email protected] Milford, CT 06460 [email protected] Cell (203) 747-1110 HM (203) 231-3904 WK(203) 924-3118

LEAGUE EMAIL ADDRESS: [email protected]

Backup members: As of July 24, 2012 1. Ralph Billings [email protected] IM: oldjock43 tele 904-673-8288 (anytime) 2. Lorenzo Mendez – Check with Glen 3. Scott Maples from KS. Scott is interested but seemed concern about playing by RI or by NP. [email protected] Phone 620- 779-2211 4. Sean Crawford 9073 Old Indian Trail Chatham, IL 62629 (919) 434-5551 [email protected] 5. Dave Sanborn [email protected] 6. Dan Bruno 7. Mike Petie (Dan Bruno’s friend