STATS - Week XIII

INTRO 

And you thought last week was close?

 

Only three teams played twice this week, the Tap Masters, Gruesome Devils and Brew Jays.  For the other 12 teams we faced the prospect of a winless week or going undefeated.  Not much room for redemption in week 13. 

Fortunately, 13 is lucky number for some.   

• Tuesday - Tuesday night featured 4 games at Coventry and it was playoff night!  At least it felt that way.  There were two 12-11 games.  The average scores of the four winning teams was 12.5.  The average of the 4 losing teams was 8.  If this what September looks like, sign me up!
• Wednesday - And then it changed.  Wednesday featured offense and average scores of 23-8.  
• Thursday - #12 beats #1; just a taste of what the playoffs will bring. 

Weird and Wacky

• In their last 3 games the Grisslies are 3-0 with a +3.  3 one run games, once as the home team needing to score to win and twice as the visitors needing to hold. 
• The Beer Bros. team batting average is .644 in games where they have all their players, .601 in games where they're missing one or more players.
• If you took Steve Lahey's .872 average and 68 hits out of the Dog Catchers line up and replaced him with no one, they'd still have the league's best team batting average by 14 points. 
• Speaking of Lahey, he leads the league in runs scored (49) and has scored 4 in a game on 8 occasions.  He's not had a game of 5 or more this season. 
• There have been 19 occurrences of 5 run games this season.  There have been no games (yet) in which a player has scored more than 5 runs. 
• During the Grisslies 7 game unbeaten streak only Farah, Routledge, Escott and Dwyer have played in all games.  #1 thru #4 have missed at least a game and the train keeps chugging. 
• During the Dodge City Rounders 7 game winning streak only Barry and Goncalves have played in all games. 
• The Dusty Cleats team batting average with Jim Rouleau in the line up is .675.  Without him its .620.
• The Gruesome Devils were scoring 13.72 runs per game (not counting subs) through the first 11 games of the year.  Since then they're scoring 11.66 runs a game. 
• The Hot Tub Woody's Tito Presenza's team team leading 27 runs scored (tied with Troy Hope) actually already ties his total from last year. 
• Hurtin' Units rookie Joel Hodges hasn't missed a game since joining the league in time for game #5.  He has the best winning percentage on the team. 
• Its often said, "as goes Mark Banks, so go the Rusty Rebels".  The Rebels are one of the hottest teams going right now and I think I know why. In his 1st 11 games Mark was .611, since then .684. 
• I believe him when Kevin Moon says he's hurt.  He's an honest, good man.  We should all be so "hurt".  50 hits, 40 runs scored, .714 average.  He's ahead of last years average and has already scored more runs. 
• If he doesn't have any vacations booked, I think Jamie Allan will get his 48th at bat (minimum needed to qualify for the batting title) during the last game of the season.  Jamie missed a ton of time with a badly strained ligament in his ankle.  However he's batting .833 in his limited at bats and if he can maintain that pace while collecting the needed at bats, we could have a surprise when its all said and done.     

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TOT Tournament

People!!!!  The Beer League is starting to hum thanks to your awesome support!!!

We've got about 4 days left and I know we can collect a few more folks and submit at least another team.  I can confirm now that with the names have so far, we're at 6 teams!  3 of the teams have 13 players which means we're well on the way to a 7th club.  You send me the names and I'll get you on a club.  Registration is simple, contact me. 

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We are already up to 5 teams and this is the year we get 8 or more balanced teams for a great tournament that supports our league!
 

Subs

It would seem as though the regular subs have been tapped out for various reasons.  If you can play, please let Rob know and he'll get you to the top of the queue should a game matching your rating come up. 
Robert.Farah@Sympatico.ca

QUICK NOTES:

• 4 more games saved at Coventry on Tuesday.  We've now avoided rescheduling 12 games to 9:30 slots thanks to Dave Fleming's pump and squeegee procedure.  So easy that even I can do it.  Not well....but I can do it.  If you find yourself available on a Tuesday afternoon and the after it has rained Monday or Tuesday morning, drop by Coventry.  Thanks to Charlie O'Leary, Larry Turner, Geoff Keogh, Dan Chiasson, Leanna Cameron and Paul Gyori who have helped us out in weeks gone by (apologies to those I've missed).       
• We are finally down to less than 20 players who have hit in every game of the season.  Here are your 19 players remaining!

   

• And the run in every game list lost Laurier Plante who is on vacation.  That's usually how people fall off at this stage of things.   Lets see if anyone can make it the whole way!

TEAMS

Who's hot, who's okay, who's not so much  

Grisslies 1-0

A three week run on the 'hot' list has brought the Grisslies from 10th place to 3rd.  The Grisslies remain the only team that hasn't had a loss in the second half of the season, with their loan blemish being a tie to the Dog Catchers.  This game against the Sliders was a defensive affair that needed a major 7th inning come back.  Craig (Dude) Escott wielded the hot bat going 4/4 with 3 of hits coming with 2 out.  The Grisslies retained the Beer Cup and will defend next week against the Sons Of Pitches.    

Dodge City Rounders 1-0

Another team enjoying week #3 on the Hot List, the Rounders are positively on fire with a 7 game winning streak.  Like the Grisslies they lost twice in week 9 and not since.  There were lots of good hitters in their 16-11 win over the Sons Of Pitches but Henry "Dutch" Lukassen and Keith Dell were both 4/4.  They both also scored 3 times.  Next up are the offensive minded Sliders on Tuesday.  

 

Beer Bros. 1-0

Have I mentioned that I kind of like this team?  They have resolve.  Every time you're about to bury them they do something special.  In this case they laid a defensive beating on the offensively competent Gruesome Devils.  The Bros only gave up 7 runs while doubling the Devils.  Leading the way was Paul Piellusch's 3/4 with 3 runs scored.  Up next are the Tap Masters who have been the most even team in the league this year by far.     

 

Draft Kings 1-0

In the "I survived the Hunt Camp" game, the The Kings had 7-3 lead over the Brew Jays after 5, an 8-3 lead after 6 and then they blew it open in the 7th win going away 14-3.  The final belies how close the game was throughout.  Jerry Muirhead's 4/5 with 2 runs scored was the line of the night.  Next week the Draft Kings #1 defense will have to contend with the Sliders potent offense and the crazy hot Rusty Rebels.   

Hot Tub Woody's 1-0

The Woody's carried over the defense from their one run game against the Grisslies last week and added in their potent bats to walk away with a 15-6 victory over the Hurtin' Units.  Ed Hopkins 4/4, 2 run performance was bested only by Will Goodin's 5/5, 2 run night.  With games in hand on everyone above them, the Woody's will have a lot of influence on the final standings.  Nothing is assured, but you have to like where their sitting.  Up next are the Blues Brothers. 

Rusty Rebels 1-0

The Rusty's are in the weeds....but I can see them.  They are having a great 2nd half, but have played fewer games than everyone so you might not notice them.  If you're looking at +/- you might not be impressed.  If you're looking at points, they look good, maybe not "great".  Think again.  They are a game behind the Tap Masters from a GBL perspective and there is no team hotter.  This week rookie Victor Dermott (6/6, 2runs) and Cliff Tucker (6/6, 4runs) shared big bat honours.  Next week they'll start to make up games when they face the Dusty Cleats and Draft Kings.        
 

Brew Jays 1-1

The Brew Jays used their shot at redemption to split the week.  They fell hard to the Draft Kings 14-3 and then returned the favour by beating the Dusty Cleats 17-9.  Tim Sullivan at 6 for 8 was the most consistent hitter of the week and he also scored four runs.  The Brew Jays face the Hurtin' Units and the Hot Tub Woody's next week.  A win over the Units will guarantee that they don't finish in last place. 

Gruesome Devils 1-1

Another club that used their redemption card.  After dropping a 12-7 decision to the Beer Bros., they answered back loud and clear by knocking the Tap Masters out of a share of 1st place with a 15-11 win.  Greg Aucoin's 6/7 was top dog for the Devils.  Next week the Devils face the Dusty Cleats.  A win in that game would mean the best the Cleats could do is tie them in the standings and right now the Gruesome Devils hold the 3nd tie breaker (runs scored).

Tap Masters 0-1

The Tap Masters missed an opportunity with their split week.  More on that below. The week started great with a 12-11 playoff style win over the very tough Dog Catchers.  But the followup against the Gruesome Devils was.....less than their normal masterful selves.  Credit to the Devils who played well and handed the TM's their largest defeat of the season (4 runs) but the Tap Masters lacked their usual panache in this affair and fell 15-11.  Steve Brooks continues to have a dominant offensive year.  This week he was 8/8 with 7 more runs!  Great week Brooksie.  The Tap Masters draw the Beer Bros. next week in the "neighbour match up".  A win will ensure a top 7 finish.      

 

Sliders 0-1

A tough way to end up on the 'not' list, dropping a one run decision in a closely contested game.  The Sliders might look at this as one that 'got away' but I think it bodes well to set up for a playoff run.  they've hit all year and been waiting for defense.  Now they know they can do it.  The Sliders don't have an easy run next week.  The #1 defense in the Draft Kings and the #1 team in the Dodge City Rounders.     

 

Dog Catchers 0-1

The Dog Catchers can relate to the Slider as they also fell by single run in their only game of the week. Usually when your clean up hitter is 4/4 with 4 runs scored (Steve Lahey) your team scores more than 11 runs.  Chalk it up to it just being one of those nights.  The Dog Catchers have been in the hunt for 1st place all year and still are.  But realistically, its not their points that hurt them, its trailing in the win column.  Like any team that isn't the Tap Masters or Rounders, they pretty much need to run the table to get 1st AND get help.  Next week they'll face the Sons Of Pitches and Hurtin' Units.

Blues Brothers 0-1

The Blues Brothers were missing a little too much fire power to contend with the Rusty Rebel's booming offense of late.  Dropping a game by 20 can kind of smart a little, but Tom Ball had a great night at the plate going 4/4 and scoring 3 runs.  Next week they'll try to straighten things out against the Hot Tub Woody's.

Hurtin' Units 0-1

The Units ran into the Woody's defensive buzz saw.  The Hurtin' Units second half record of 3-4 puts them right in the middle of the pack during that time frame.  The good news is that they're getting better overall.  The Better news is that they could be playing a game next week that gets them out of the basement.  Esau has been on fire of late and 4-5 in the loss.  Brew Jays V. Hurtin' Units, C2, next Tuesday at 7pm.  Should be a big crowd.        

Sons Of Pitches 0-1

The offense never really got on track until the 7th, but their defense held them in the game and gave them a chance.  A spirited rally fell short in the 7th as it was simply too big a hill to climb in falling 16-11 to the first place Dodge City Rounders.  Chris "the Whale" Parsons and Jamie Allan were both 3/4 with two runs scored in defeat.  The Sons have a two game week next week starting with the Dog Catchers and finishing with the Grisslies.  

Dusty Cleats 0-1

A tough night for the Cleats.  They lost 17-9 but the score was somewhat flattering.  They gave up two 7 run running innings to the Brew Jays for 14 of the runs and got out of a heck of a lot of trouble in the other ones to keep them from getting over 20.  Winston Gayle seems to back to his old speedy self, tracking flies and going 4/4 with a run.  The Dusty Cleats have to contend with the Rusty Rebels and Gruesome Devils next week. 

 

The Beer Cup

 

 

The Beer Cup was retained by the Grisslies this week or a 3rd time!  And for the 3rd consecutive time it was defended by a single run.

The Beer Cup is in its 2nd year.  Last years champs, the Dodge City Rounders retained the Beer Cup to start the season and defended it twice by beating the Blues Brothers and the Brew Jays.  The Sons Of Pitches then defeated Dodge to take it over before losing it to the Rusty Rebels.  The Rebels were defeated by the Tap Masters.  The Tap Masters, who waited for a year to play for the cup were only able to retain it for a single game as they fell to the Beer Bros. The resilient Beer Bros. beat the 1st place Hot Tub Woody's to become the second team to retain the cup. However, their ownership wouldn't last the week as they fell to the Blues Brothers.  The Blues Brothers would then  defend against the Tap Masters and most recently by beating the 1st place Dog Catchers!  But it wouldn't last.  They fell to last years champs the Draft Kings. The Draft Kings enjoyed a title defense against the Sliders before the Grisslies wrestled it away from them.  The Grisslies then held off the Hot Tub Woody's by a run and fought back to steal a game from the Tap Masters by one to retain the cup.  The Grisslies then dialed up a 5 run 7th inning to retain it against Slider, winning 12-11. 

The holders of the Beer Cup at the end of the season receive both the cup and its inherent adulation and 12 beer tickets at the banquet.

Next week the Grisslies will try to defend against the Sons Of Pitches on Thursday.   
   

Teams that have held the Beer Cup (8)

• Dodge City Rounders
• Sons Of Pitches
• Rusty Rebels
• Tap Masters
• Beer Bros.
• Blues Brothers
• Draft Kings
• Grisslies

Teams that have defended the Beer Cup (5)

• Dodge City Rounders (2)
• Beer Bros. (1)
• Blues Brothers (2)
• Draft Kings (1)
• Grisslies (3)

                                             Teams that have Played a Beer Cup Game (10)

• Dodge City Rounders (3)
• Blues Brothers (4)
• Brew Jays
• Sons Of Pitches (2)
• Rusty Rebels (2)
• Tap Masters (4)
• Beer Bros.
• Hot Tub Woody's (2)
• Dog Catchers
• Draft Kings (3)
• Sliders (2)
• Grisslies (4)

Teams that have yet to play for the Cup(3)

• Gruesome Devils.
• Dusty Cleats
• Hurtin' Units

STATS
TEAM

CLOSED:  Each teams record over the first 11 games of the season. 

This isn't much changed from last week.  Except for the Rusty Rebels who, with fewer games played are making a second half statement!

And the full season.  The Dodge City Rounders are in complete control now with 4 games left.  However, they have the toughest schedule among the 'contenders' so it ain't quite over yet. 

Our regular league standings.

sure....lets talk about this a bit.  No offense intended to the Draft Kings and everyone below them, but the eventualities at 18 points and below are a bit mind boggling.  Lets focus on the top 6 this week.  The games played make this very deceiving.  The 5th and 6th place teams, Hot Tub Woody's and Rusty Rebels are in a better situation to finish 2nd than the 2nd, 3rd and 4th place teams. 

Its true. 

First off, the Rusty Rebels have the easiest schedule of the contenders (combined .365 winning percentage of the competition) AND they're 4-1 in the second half and firing on all cylinders.  Can they close out 6-0?  Its a tall order, but sure, why not?  If they go 6-0 they finish at worst in a tie for second with the Woody's (and the Woody's own the tie breaker). 

Speaking of the Woody's who have a 5 games left, they're row is a little harder to hoe and they're not quite as hot right now (3-3 in their last six) but they're a formidable, patient and baseball savvy squad.  Their opponents are a combined .472, still under .500 and still achievable.  Should they win out they are guaranteed 2nd place.  There's nothing anyone can do about it.  However, if Dodge stumbles and losses a couple, its a whole new ball game and 1st place is open. 

The Dog Catchers were looking home and cooled out.  They're still in great shape but there is a queue ahead of them to get to 2nd place.  the good news is that they're competition is playing at a .387 clip.  The bad news is that they have the Woody's.  The winner of the Dog Catchers Woody's game will stay in the hunt...they other will undoubtedly be in 3rd or below. 

The Grisslies also have 4 games left and have the softest (tied with the Rebels) schedule of the contenders with a their opponents playing at .365 clip.  However in the Grisslies schedule are the Dodge City Rounders.  If the Grisslies can knock them off for a second time, it not only keeps the Grisslies hopes for 1st alive, but also brings every teams into the mix for a shot at 1st.  However everyone would still need the Rounders to lose a 2nd game. 

Which brings us to the Tap Masters.  They are in the same boat as the Dog Catchers.  3 games left and their opponent winning percentage is .462.  They could still finish 1st with help.  But they could win out and finish 4th.  But everyone will be cheering for them to win out because they have the Dodge City Rounders on their dance card for the last game of the season. 

And finally Dodge.  Win out and get 1st.  Go 3-1 and get 1st.  Go 2-2 and everyone in the top 6 has a shot.  A team that's 13-5 shouldn't have trouble going 3-1, right?  Well as luck would have it they have the have the hardest schedule remaining of all the top 6 teams.  Their opponents are playing a combined .559 and they don't face a single team under .500.  Tough.  The Sliders (8-8), Grisslies (11-6-1), Draft Kings (9-8) and Tap Masters (12-7). 

Keogh Park, 7pm August 28th Dodge City Rounders Vs. Tap Masters, followed by Hot Tub Woody's Vs. Gruesome Devils at 8:15.  My guess is spots 1-9 won't be decided until those are done. 

Who's gonna get 1st place?  My pick

Dodge City Rounders 25% Chance
Rusty Rebels 20% Chance
Hot Tub Woodys 20% Chance
Grisslies 15% Chance
Tap Masters 10% Chance
Dog Catchers 10% Chance

Addendum (Latin for "that which is added")

So after my trip to Grisslieland this evening its clear that no one really understands what I mean by this.  Last chance. 

Dodge are the favourites.  If they win out they can't be caught, the one caveat (Latin for "let a person beware) is that they have the toughest schedule. 

The Woody's and Rebel and rebels are the next "co-favourites".  If they win out, and we'll deal with them being tied later, they only need help from one team and that team is Dodge who they need to lose twice.  The caveat with respect to them is that they play more games, 5 & 6 remaining respectively, which makes a run like that less likely.  Possible certainly but less likely.

The Grisslies are next on the list.  There schedule is 'lighter' in theory and they have only 4 games left which increases the likelihood marginally but the caveat here is that they would need help from Dodge (2 losses), the Woody's (1 loss) and the Rebels (1 loss) all while running the table.  Less likely right?  Even if you're a Grisslie you've got to admit that the chances are getting slimmer. 

Which brings us to the Tap Masters and Dog Catchers.  Yes they can capture 1st.  Of course they can.   But they need to not only run the table, they need two losses from Dodge, 2 losses from each the Woody's and Rebels and 1 from the Grisslies.  Slim. 

By the time you start working out scenarios for the Draft Kings, you'll need the resurrection stone, the cloak of invisibility and the Elder wand to pull it off.  (if anyone gets that let me know). 

Okay, that's it.  The unexpected will make this awesome and I'd love to see it come down to the last day.  Just don't lay any money on it. 

The pool set up is getting a little clearer.  As the possibilities wind down, only one team will remain in each of these boxes.  1st in the league is seed one of Pool A; 2nd in the league is seed 1 of Pool B; 3rd in the league is seed 1 of Pool C....etc

The Grisslies seem to have joined the less than 20 points party now for a couple of weeks; but this remains largely unchanged.  Hmmmmm Dodge has the 6th ranked defense, eh? 

For what its work....the quick offenses. 

INDIVIDUAL

Don't twitch Adrian!  Ryan's played an extra game than you. 

CLOSED:  Congrats Skip!

CLOSED:  Congrats Rick!

Not quite over.  We have 4 teams with 1 game remaining and 2 teams with 2 games. 

And we have one team that's worked they're way into Q4.  So for the record....this isn't Q4, there are are only 4 games in this segment so we'll make due. 

Adrian is moving up to #2 next year. 

What's not to like about this crowd?  I don't know how Vic Dermott is "only" batting .714, every time I see him he as a double. 

 Emeil's .782 might stand yet.  Chris can't afford more than a couple of bad at bats the rest of the way.

 I should have tracked 7th year players....we'd kick this group's ASS!!!!

(not really)

 

CLOSED:  Congrats Skip!

 

 

CLOSED:  Congrats Laurier!

 

 

Still open. 

 

 

One team in the 4th quarter.

 

 

Your most improved list, featuring 2 DeLands, 2 Candy's and a BEECHEY?????

 

 This is a little tougher to get on that the league version because I require 3 ABs per game.  Mean, he?

Well the Lahey watch is almost over!   He needs 12 runs in 4 games.  3 a game will get it done.  Its a lot of work folks, Steve's remarkable season currently has him scoring 2.27 runs per game.