The Swamp

With the past week we've officially crossed the halfway point of the season. We continue to be one of the league's strongest teams, though we've seen our division lead trimmed as Utica continue their hot streak. Whether they'll fade away or continue to mount a challenge remains to be seen.



Next week we start with a pair of inter-conference games against the Shreveport Ratchets (hope you brought protection!) followed by a four-game set against the Middlesex Offenders (hope you brought protection!)

Here are our scheduled starters:

7/4 @ SHR - DSafe
7/5 @ SHR - TT
7/6 vs MID - Sabo
7/7 vs MID - Degen
7/8 vs MID - Brian
7/9 vs MID - DSafe

Stay tuned...

Is our owner John Pagel related to Mike Pagel?

Fun fact...Pagel, Art Schlichter, and Pat Beach effectively used the 1982 NFL lockout to train at the Owings Mills JCC by often helping my mother teach Pre-K Physical Education. The Colts would use the weight room and fields there to work out on their own.

I ain't the most loquacious, apparently.

It's better to burn outttttttt
Than it is to rustttttttttt

Proud to see the shortstop's batting average now firmly above the Mendoza line.

Am I leading the league in losses?

DSafetyGuy wrote:Am I leading the league in losses?

I looked it up and there are four guys with 10, so you're in the clear for now.

So we are clearly a buying team as we move into the 2nd half of the season. The coats are having a good run in AAA so I assume we have some talent we can move to get a bit better. Who is on the hot seat and who are we looking at. I know success to Mr. Pagel is just a winning record, but I think we know we are better than that.

WEEK 14 UPDATE


Victory Over Ratchets Takes Burlington to 51-33
Burlington Sports Frogs starter DSafetyGuy was locked-in. He led his team to a win over the Shreveport Ratchets, 2-1. Burlington goes to 51-33. The win puts them 4½ games up in their division.

DSafetyGuy provided the big break for the Sports Frogs in the top of the second inning. With runners on 1st and 3rd, he hit a run-scoring single, helping Burlington to get the win.

"DSafetyGuy's tempo and rhythm were good," said Sports Frogs manager Johnny Carwash. "He was the key to us winning."



Ratchets Edge Sports Frogs, 7-6
Gabe Carr helped his team muscle past the Burlington Sports Frogs, 7-6. In the game, the Shreveport first baseman went 2 for 4 with a home run, while adding 4 RBI and scoring once. Mauricio Ramos earned the win for Shreveport. He lasted 7 innings, allowing 2 earned runs on 7 hits, while striking out 8. With the win, he raised his record to 10-5. The Ratchets bumped their record to 48-37 with this latest triumph.

Carr had an important at-bat with runners on 1st and 2nd in the bottom of the fifth, when he hit a 3-run home run. The Ratchets went on to win.

"I still think this team has room for improvement," Carr told the Shreveport Chronicle.



wlu_lax slugs 2 home runs, Sports Frogs Move to 52-34
Not everyone stuck through the 57-minute rain delay, but those who did went home happy.

Burlington second baseman wlu_lax was instrumental in his team's 11-6 win over the Middlesex Offenders. wlu_lax, who is tied for 9th in the Bensell in extra base hits with 41, went 3-4 with 3 runs scored to lead the offensive attack for the Sports Frogs. Burlington reliever L-Jam picked up the win, upping his record to 2-3. Jay Burke was saddled with the loss.

wlu_lax had an important at-bat with runners on 1st and 2nd in the bottom of the fourth, when he hit a run-scoring single. The Sports Frogs went on to win.

"I just try to see the ball and put a good swing on it," said wlu_lax.

Burlington leads the Bensell Conference Northeast Division by 4 games.



Sports Frogs Stumble, Lose to Offenders
The Middlesex Offenders topped the Burlington Sports Frogs, 9-0, in Bensell Conference action at Green Mountain Grounds. The player of the game was Middlesex pitcher Bobby Guillen. Middlesex is now 38-50. Burlington is 52-35.

Adam Parker aided the Middlesex cause with a 2-run double in the top of the first. For the game, the catcher was 2 for 5 with 2 doubles, while adding 5 RBI.

"For the most part, I made good pitches when I needed to," said Guillen.



Offenders Subdue Burlington, 4-3
Middlesex right-hander Matt Breidenbach pitched his team to victory over the Burlington Sports Frogs at Green Mountain Grounds. The final score was 4-3. In 5 innings, Breidenbach surrendered 6 hits, while striking out 4 and walking 1. He allowed 3 runs. With the win, Middlesex goes to 39-50, while the Sports Frogs fall to 52-36.

It could have been a different outcome for Middlesex, had it not been for Carlos Ochoa, the 25-year old center fielder. Ochoa contributed a run-scoring sacrifice fly in the top of the sixth inning to put Middlesex up, 4-3.

"If we play like this, we can win a lot of games," Breidenbach told the Middlesex Times.



Sports Frogs Roll to 8-1 Win Over Offenders
Burlington Sports Frogs starter DSafetyGuy was in fine form against the Middlesex Offenders at Green Mountain Grounds, leading his team to a 8-1 win. In 6 innings, DSafetyGuy surrendered 1 hit, while striking out 3 and walking 8. He allowed no runs. The Sports Frogs bumped their record to 53-36 with this latest triumph.

In the bottom of the first, Pruitt hit a 3-run home run for Burlington. The 26th home run of the season for the Burlington third baseman put the Sports Frogs on top, 3-0.

"We looked pretty good up and down," said Burlington manager Johnny Carwash.

NEWS AND NOTES:

- Congratulations to our Sports Frogs All-Stars! wlu_lax and Pruitt were voted in as starters, with A_B selected as a reserve. wlu_lax looks ecstatic to be there.



- A week after lamenting his won/loss record, DSafetyGuy went 2-0, picking up Player of the Game both times. Good job!

- Other Swamp players from around the league who made the All-Star team include Joe K (Utica), DC47 (Boise), Nonlinear FC (Kalamazoo), and Rex (Chattanooga). Here's a quick snapshot of how everyone is doing:




- Joe K's 144 strikeouts lead the league. Maybe his nickname should be...Joe K.

- While not quite making the All-Star team, Jerloma won the Conference Player of the Week award. His play has improved markedly since that game where we hit him a bunch of times. You're fucking welcome, J-Lo.

- Brontoburglar should be returning from the DL (again) at the end of the upcoming week.

- In an odd streak, we have yet to lose a game on Saturday this season.

Batting Stats to Date:


Pitching Stats to Date:


Minor League Report:

Our AAA Burlington (NJ) Coats continue to lead their division at 49-34. Here's how our Swampers are doing:

Rams Fanny: .299/.387/.503, 10 HR, .890 OPS
GoodKarma: .239/.360/.355, 3 HR, .715 OPS
Giff: .313/.394/.505, 8 HR, .899 OPS
Rush2112: 4-2, 3.02 ERA, 1.28 WHIP

So, here is where things stand at the All-Star break. We have the second-best record in the league, and lead our division, but Utica has emerged to mount a serious challenge. We'll need to maintain a high standard of play to be safe.



The All-star break will take up the first part of the coming week; after that we kick off the season's second half with a road series against the Ajax Fighting Hosers. Here are the projected starters:

7/14 @ AJX - Sabo
7/15 @ AJX - Degen
7/16 @ AJX - Brian

Stay tuned...

It's a nice honor, but really, it's back to work tomorrow.

could not decide this week

Johnny Carwash wrote: wlu_lax looks ecstatic to be there.

Virtual Wife and Kids just wanted some time with wlu_lax6 at the Atlantis.

There better be some damn good RFers making the AS team. I was robbed. And give me my new contract.

are the rest of us going on a fishing trip?

degenerasian wrote:are the rest of us going on a fishing trip?

I'm gonna go to Vegas during the break and spend some of my money coming from my big contract next year.

Johnny Carwash wrote: - A week after lamenting his won/loss record, DSafetyGuy went 2-0, picking up Player of the Game both times. Good job!

I get that six shutout innings of one-hit ball is nice, but EIGHT walks in those same six innings should have kept me out of the Player of the Game voting in the last game.

Gunpowder: 19 H, 7 HRs

Maybe ease up and focus on contact a bit, GPJ

DSafetyGuy wrote:

Johnny Carwash wrote: - A week after lamenting his won/loss record, DSafetyGuy went 2-0, picking up Player of the Game both times. Good job!

I get that six shutout innings of one-hit ball is nice, but EIGHT walks in those same six innings should have kept me out of the Player of the Game voting in the last game.

I love how yours and TT's stats are virtually identical now, yet you're 4-9 and he's 10-4. Wins are a dumb stat.

Gunpowder wrote:Gunpowder: 19 H, 7 HRs

Maybe ease up and focus on contact a bit, GPJ

Sean Deer.

mister d wrote:

Gunpowder wrote:Gunpowder: 19 H, 7 HRs

Maybe ease up and focus on contact a bit, GPJ

Sean Deer.

It's pretty much exactly how I play softball.


"Only" a 20% strikeout rate, but a lowly 6% walk rate. I must be popping up a lot.

Didn't I have a bonus in my contract for being voted in as a starter?

Hey, I think I found the guy with the best randomly-generated name in the game.



We'll be facing him the week after next.

WEEK 15 UPDATE

Short week as the first half was taken up by the All-Star break. Here's a recap of the game:
- The Shrew Conference beat the Bensell Conference 9-5.
- wlu_lax went 1-2 with a single.
- Pruitt went 0-2.
- A_B went 0-1 as a pinch hitter.



Victory Over Fighting Hosers Takes Burlington to 54-36
Burlington starter Sabo put a stranglehold on the Ajax offense. The right-hander had complete command of his curveball in leading the Sports Frogs to a 4-1 win. Sabo went 8 innings to notch the win. He scattered 5 hits, walked 1, and struck out 6. His record improves to 12-4. The first-place Sports Frogs, at 54-36, now lead their division by 3½ games.

In the top of the first, Pruitt hit a 2-run home run for Burlington. The 27th home run of the season for the Burlington third baseman put the Sports Frogs on top, 2-0.

"If you pitch well, you give yourself some opportunities," said Burlington manager Johnny Carwash.



Sports Frogs Roll Fighting Hosers, 8-1
The umbrellas came out during the Burlington-Ajax contest at Ballpark of Ajax.

The Burlington Sports Frogs topped the Ajax Fighting Hosers, 8-1, with center fielder EnochRoot playing a big role. EnochRoot went 4 for 5 with 4 singles, while adding 2 RBI and scoring once for the Sports Frogs in the win. Ajax's current losing streak is now 6 games.

Burlington catcher A_B changed the complexion of the game in the top of the sixth inning. That's when he belted a 2-run home run off Gary Stone. His 6th home run of the season put Burlington in front, 2-1.

"We played a good game and came out on top," said A_B.



Victory Over Fighting Hosers Takes Burlington to 56-36
Burlington beat Ajax on the strength of starter Brian's fine effort. The right-hander led his team to a 9-3 win. Brian went 9 innings to notch the win. He scattered 5 hits, walked 2, and struck out 2. His record improves to 7-4. Burlington is now 56-36, 3½ games up in the Bensell Conference Northeast Division.

One important at-bat came with the bases loaded in the top of the fourth inning. Facing Ajax hurler Bruno Arnaud, P.D.X., who is rated as the 52nd best prospect by BNN, reached on an error by the 3B, driving in 2 runs. The Sports Frogs went on to win.

"We'll relax tonight and get back after it tomorrow," Brian said after the game.

NEWS AND NOTES:

- A trade proposal! Assistant GM Mario Proa is right, this is a shitty trade, but putting it up here FYI. C.J. Dean is a good hitter, but not nearly as good as wlu_lax, and is in the last year of his contract (wlu_lax has one more year after this one). Plus they want money. This is a load of bullshit, especially from a division rival.

• 

- Bronto is back from the DL (again). Gunpowder goes back down to AAA to open the roster spot.

- As mentioned a while back, I'm going to start cycling some guys between the majors and AAA during the coming weeks just to give everyone some exposure. We'll start this week by calling back up Rush, with chedda going down in his place.

- Ryan spontaneously grew some weird creepy facial hair over the break without my input. Maybe he is subtly lobbying for a trade to Middlesex?

• 

Batting Stats to Date: (Let me know what you think of the new report format; it has a few less advanced stats, but is easier to read and includes people currently in the minors or on the DL.)


Pitching Stats to Date:


Minor League Report:

Our AAA Burlington (NJ) Coats continue to lead their division at 50-39. Here's how our Swampers are doing:

Rams Fanny: .308/.390/.500, 10 HR, .890 OPS
GoodKarma: .230/.344/.348, 4 HR, .692 OPS
Giff: .316/.401/.507, 8 HR, .907 OPS
Gunpowder: .324/.395/.648, 13 HR, 1.043 OPS
Rush2112: 4-2, 2.97 ERA, 1.25 WHIP

We started the second half strong with a three-game sweep, but so did Utica, who remain just three games back.

Knock yourself out with the magic number, wlu_lax.



Two more Canadian series await us this week, first a three-game trip to Saint John, and then a crucial three-game homestand against Halifax, the league's best team. Here are our scheduled starters:

7/17 @ STJ - DSafe
7/18 @ STJ - TT
7/19 @ STJ - Sabo
7/21 vs HAL - Degen
7/22 vs HAL - Brian
7/23 vs HAL - DSafe

Stay tuned...

You know what I think would be really interesting to everyone here? Full hitting stats, but starting May 1st, not the beginning of the season.

I'm gonna get hurt again and not qualify for the batting title

You need to average like 5 PA per game to qualify.

Johnny Carwash wrote: - Ryan spontaneously grew some weird creepy facial hair over the break without my input. Maybe he is subtly lobbying for a trade to Middlesex?

I'm trying to hide for the rest of the year to keep my average over .300

Johnny Carwash wrote: Knock yourself out with the magic number, wlu_lax.

I'll be ready to blank those hosers from Halifax, skip.

Says a lot about my life that the fact that "I" have 90 rbis in 86 games makes me very proud.

At the very least, if I stay healthy and my gout or plantar fasciitis or skin tags don;t flare up, I could challenge Hank Greenberg for most Jew ribbies in a season.

Pruitt, meant to ask: since I now know what you look like IRL, do you want a new in-game picture, or are you OK looking like an Alberta shitkicker?

I'm superstitious, keep the look as is.

im a bit miffed about my allstar snub...10 wins should mean something damnit

Fuck Utica.