The All-Star Baseball Classic 2010!

Posted on December 28, 2009 by Joe

All-Star Baseball ClassicThe All-Star Baseball Classic is the premier event for players of Cadaco’s All-Star Baseball board game. This eight team National League style tournament is held annually in the home city of the defending Champion on President’s Day weekend in February. A trophy is awarded to the Champion, with the runner-up and third place winners receiving medals.

The festivities begin on Thursday night, with an exclusive invitation-only Champions Dinner. This is a baby-blue blazer formal event for ASB Classic Champions only.

Events continue on Friday evening as delegates from each team arrive. A banquet is held celebrating the start of the Classic, with the draft following. Each team drafts one single-season player and 10 career players to go with a pre-determined franchise player and eight pitchers for a total roster of 20 players. Draft order for the single-season player will be determined by the finish of the previous year and draft order for career players will be determined by a special weighted “lotto” disc. A home-run derby featuring one player from each team will be held following the draft.

Saturday features a round-robin format in two, four-team pools that play on two stadiums. The first game of the day will feature a rematch of the previous years Championship contest and will begin at 10:05 a.m., with pool 2 beginning play at 10:15. Games will begin every hour until 3:05, when a 30 minute break will be held to prepare for the days featured game at 3:45. At the conclusion of the day’s games, a closed vote by all teams will be taken to determine seeding for a double elimination tournament to be held Sunday. The remainder of the evening is spent eating, drinking, discussing the day’s events and tomfoolery.

Sunday’s double-elimination tournament Round One starts at 9:35 a.m. on two stadiums and continues every hour until every team but one has lost twice. The Championship rounds will be played on Macintosh Stadium in Fogelberg. A short awards ceremony will be held following the Championship game where the previous Champion awards the new Champion the 2010 ASB Championship Trophy.

————————–

*(SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

Draft Order (Single Season)

1. Bamford Bears
2. Aginville Sketchers
3. Boggstown Boilers
4. Lincoln Square Devil Dogs
5. Jenks Wildcats
6. McCall Mudhens
7. Jeetzton Beanbags
8. Fogelberg Falcons

Pools

Blue Pool
@ Brisson Field

Orange Pool
@ McCall Memorial

Fogelberg Falcons
Boggstown Boilers
Jeetzton Beanbags
Bamford Bears

Jenks Wildcats
McCall Mudhens
Lincoln Square Devil Dogs
Aginville Sketchers

Schedule

Start Time

Blue Pool
Home vs. Away

Orange Pool
Home vs. Away

10:05

Falcons vs Beanbags

10:15

Mudhens vs Sketchers

11:05

Boilers vs Bears

11:15

Wildcats vs Devil Dogs

12:05

Beanbags vs Boilers

12:15

Sketchers vs Devil Dogs

1:05

Bears vs Falcons

1:15

Wildcats vs Sketchers

2:05

Falcons vs Boilers

2:15

Devil Dogs vs Mudhens

3:05

Beanbags vs Bears

3:45

FEATURED GAME:
Mudhens vs Wildcats

Tournament Bracket

Double Elimination

Draft: Single Season

First Base

Second Base

Jack Clark (198X)
Frank Thomas (1996)
Lou Gehrig (1936) (X)
Norm Cash(1961) (X)
Todd Helton (2000) (X)
Jimmy Foxx (1932 & 38) (X)
Carlos Delgado (2000)
Mike Sweeney (2002)
Jeff Bagwell(2002)
John Olerud (1993)
Ryan Klesko (199X, RF)
Albert Pujols (2001, 2005)
Mike Sweeney (2002)
Jeff Bagewell (2002)
Willie McCovey (1970)
Hank Greenberg (1938)
Derek Lee (2005)
Gil Hodges (1952)
Cap Anson (1890)
Mark Grace (1997)
Elbie Fletcher (1941)
Ferris Fain (1952)

Rogers Hornsby (193X)
Joe Morgan (1975)
Max Bishop (1933)*
Tony Lazzeri (1929)*
Pete Runnels (1959) (2B, 1B)*
Jeff Kent (2000)
Roberto Alomar (2001)
Jose Vidro(2002)
Junior Spivey(2002)
Mark Bellhorn(3B, 2B – 2002)
Edgardo Alfonzo (2000)
Brett Boone (2001)
Chuck Knoblauch (1996) (X)
Jose Offerman (1998)
Mark Bellhorn (3B 2002)
Nap Lajoie (1901)
Junior Spivey (2002)
Eddie Stankey (1950)
Willie Randolph (1980)
Alfonso Soriano (2002)
Jose Offerman (1998)
Jackie Robinson (1952)
Eddie Collins (1914)
Charlie Gehringer (1937)
Tony Phillips (2B, OF – 1993)

Third Base

Shortstop

John McGraw (1899)*
Red Rolfe (1939)*
Wade Boggs (1998)
Chipper Jones (1999)
Jim Thome (1996)
Troy Glaus (2000)
Eric Hinske(2002)
Scott Rolen(2002)
Robin Ventura(2002)
Sal Bando (1970)
Whitey Kurowski (1947)
Eric Hinske (2002)
Robin Ventura (2002)
Johnny Pesky (1950)
Eddie Yost (1959)
Eddie Mathews (1954)
Harlond Clift (1936)
Geroge Kell (1949)
Billy Goodman (UTL, 1950)
Edgar Martinez (DH ONLY, 1995)

Alex Rodriguez (200X) (X)
Arky Vaughan (1935) (X)
Eddie Joost (1949)
Nomar Garciaparra (2000)
Derek Jeter (1999)
Miguel Tejada(2002)
Jose Hernandez (2002)
Edgar Renteria (2002)
Omar Vizquel (1999)
Rich Aurilia (2001)
Barry Larkin (1996)
Jose Hernandez (2002)
Phil Rizzuto (1950)
Luke Appling (1936)
Ernie Banks (1959)
Topper Rigney (1924)
Honus Wagner (1900)
Jimmy Rollins (2002)
Nomar Garciaparra (2000)

Catcher

Right Field

Mickey Cochrane (193X)
Ivan Rodriguez (1998)
Mike Piazza (1997)
Jorge Posada (2000)
Mike Lieberthal (2002)
A.J. Pierzynski (2002)
Michael Barrett (2002)
Jason Kendall (2000)
Ted Simmons (1977)
Rick Ferrell (1936)
Mike Soscia (1985)
Gabby Hartnett (1930)
Bill Dickey (1936)
Yogi Berra (1950)
Roy Campanella (1953)

Babe Ruth (193X)
Dwight Evans (1987) (RF, 1B)*
Ichiro Suzuki (2001)
Larry Walker (1999)
Gary Sheffield (1996) (X)
Magglio Ordonez (2002)
Bobby Abreu (1999)
Shawn Green (2002)
Austin Kearns (2002)
Vlad Guerrero (2000)
Elmer Valo (1952)
Al Simmons (1931)
Stan Musial (1951)
Sam Crawford (1911)
Tony Gwynn (1987)
Elmer Valo (1952)
Harry Heilmann (1927)
Mel Ott (1930)
Ryan Klesko (1B, RF – 2002)

Left Field

Center Field

Ted Williams (19XX)
Ralph Kiner (1951) (X)
Barry Bonds (2001) (X)
Manny Ramirez (2000 & 02) (X)
Joe Kelley (1894) (OF)*
Roy Cullenbine (1946) (OF)*
Brian Giles (CF, RF, 2000)
Albert Pujols (3B,RF,1B, 2001)
Luis Gonzalez (2001)
Pat Burrell (2002)
Cliff Floyd (RF, LF – 2002)
Tip O’Neal (1887)
Adam Dunn (2002)
Lance Berkman (2001)
Rickey Henderson (1990)
Bob Johnson (1939)
Adam Dunn (2002)
Billy Williams (1970)
Al Kaline (1955)
Charlie Maxwell (1956)
George Selkirk (1939)
Carl Yastrzemski (LF, 1B – 1970)

Mickey Mantle (195X)
Bernie Williams (1999)
Jim Edmonds (2000)
Steve Finley (2002)
Andruw Jones (2002)
Carlos Beltran (2002)
Johnny Damon (LF, 2000)
Brady Anderson (1996)
Ken Griffey Jr. (1993)
Ray Lankford (1997)
Brett Butler (1987)
Al Simmons (1931)
Jim Edmonds (2000)
Billy Hamilton (1894)
Fred Lynn (1979)
Duke Snider (1955)
Hack Wilson (1930) (X)
Ty Cobb (1915)
Joe Cunningham (OF, 1B – 1959)
Torii Hunter (2002)
Johnny Damon (CF, LF – 2000)
Joe DiMaggio (1939)
Tris Speaker (1912)
Brian Giles (OF – 2000)

(X) = Not Eligible

Draft: Career

First Base

Second Base

Frank Thomas*
Mark McGwire*
Jeff Bagwell*
Jimmy Foxx (X)
Lou Gehrig (X)
Hank Greenberg
John Olerud
Willie McCovey
Keith Hernandez
Kent Hrbek
Eddie Murry
Dan Brouthers
Cap Anson (1B, 3B, C)
John Kruk
Bill Terry
Boog Powell
Gil Hodges
Orlando Cepeda
Steve Garvey
Johnny Mize
Ferris Fain

Rogers Hornsby
Joe Morgan
Max Bishop
Eddie Stanky
Jackie Robinson (2B, 1B)
Willie Randolph
Rod Carew
Eddie Collins
Roberto Alomar
Joe Gordon
Nap Lajoie
Charlie Gehringer
Franky Frisch (2B, 3B)
Frank White
Bobby Doerr
Lou Whitaker
Bill Madlock (2B, 3B)

Third Base

Shortstop

Wade Boggs
John McGraw
Johnny Pesky*
Edgar Martinez*
Harmon Killebrew (LF, 3B, 1B)
Eddie Yost
Bill Joyce
Eddie Mathews (3B, 1B)
Pedro Guerrero (OF, 3B)
Bob Horner (1B, 3B)
Sal Bando
George Kell
Darrell Evans (1B, 3B)
Bobby Bonilla (3B, LF, RF)
Pinky Higgins
Brooks Robinson
Ron Cey
Ken Boyer
Dick Allen (1B, 3B, LF)

Tony Phillips (UTL)
Tony Fernandez (SS, 3B, 2B)
Lou Boudreau
Eddie Joost (2B, SS)
Barry Larkin
Luke Appling
Arkey Vaughn (X)
Honus Wagner
Phil Rizzuto
Ernie Banks (SS, 1B)
PeeWee Reese
Cal Ripken Jr. (SS, 3B)
Robin Yount (SS, CF)
Joe Sewell (3B, SS)
Buck Ewing (C, UTL)

Catcher

Right Field

Mickey Cochrane*
Roger Bresnahan
Rick Ferrell
Roy Campanella
Gabby Hartnett
Thurman Munson
Terry Steinbach
Yogi Berra
Bill Dickey
Elston Howard
Gene Tennace (1B, C)
Joe Torre (C, 1B, 3B)
Ted Simmons (1B, C)
Darrell Porter
Jodi Davis
Mike Piazza
Craig Biggio (2B, C, OF)
Mickey Tettleton

Babe Ruth (LF, RF)
Hank Aaron
Rocky Colavito (LF, RF)
Roberto Clemente
Tony Gwynn
Reggie Jackson
Stan Musial (LF, RF, 1B)
Mel Ott
Jim Rice
Frank Robinson
Paul Waner
Harry Heilmann
Larry Walker
Eric Davis
Juan Gonzalez
Tim Salmon
Paul O’Neill

Left Field

Center Field

Ted Williams
Barry Bonds (1986-1999) (LF, CF)
Andre Dawson
Rickey Henderson
Joe Jackson
Al Kaline
Dave Winfield
Carl Yastrzemski (LF, CF, 1B)
Ralph Kiner (X)
Willie Stargell
Ed Delahanty
Riggs Stephenson
Goose Goslin
Billy Williams
Greg Vaughn
Albert Belle
Kiki Cuyler
Charlie Keller

Roy Cullenbine (OF, 1B)*
Mickey Mantle (CF, LF, 1B)
Ty Cobb (OF)
Joe DiMaggio
Lenny Dykstra
Billy Hamilton (CF, RF)
Willie Mays
Willy McGee
Kirby Puckett
Duke Snider (CF, RF)
Tris Speaker
Hugh Duffy (OF)
Jackie Jensen (RF, CF)
Ethan Allen
Hack Wilson (X)
Dom DiMaggio
Earl Averill
Fred Lynn
Bernie Williams

(X) = Not Eligible

Special Thanks to Cadaco Inc. & Ethan Allen for inventing the Cadaco All-Star Baseball Game.

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Happy holidays!

Posted on December 25, 2009 by Joe
Posted in All-Star Baseball blog | Comments Off on Happy holidays!

Mudhens Celebrate Title In Style

Posted on December 11, 2009 by Joe

McCall MudhensMcCall MudhensIt’s party time McCall!

The McCall Mudhens will celebrate their first title in grand McCall fashion – with a “ticker tape” parade up Johnson Street on Saturday.
Bob Gibson, Lou Brock and the rest of the Hens’ will be swimming in a sea of confetti and congratulatory cheers on lower Johnson to City Hall starting at 11 a.m.

Mayor Woody unveiled the parade plans after the Mudhens stunning victory Wednesday night.
“Congratulations to all the Mudhens for bringing the world championship home to McCall, where it belongs,” said Woody, who watched Game 6 at at McCall Memorial

He will present the keys to the city to the champs at a City Hall ceremony right after the triumphant march.
While anyone can line the route, a limited number of tickets to the City Hall celebration will be available, the mayor’s office said. Information on how tickets will be distributed will be available today.

The weather is expected to cooperate too – the forecast is for a crisp cool fall day, partly cloudy, with temps near 50.
McCall citizens are pumped and primed for the parade.

“I am so psyched; it’s wonderful,” said Andrea Lilly 28, an executive at William Barthman Jewelers, whose store sits along the route. “The parade is such an uplifting thing.”

It will be the first ticker-tape parade on Johnson for the Hens’.

Holiday Baseball ClassicAbout 20 office buildings on Johnson will get stacks of shredded recyclable paper to toss down. Ticker tape hasn’t been used since stock tickers became obsolete in the 1960s.

Some 36 tons of paper will be used for the Hens” parade said Tim Bunker, senior vice president for operations at Downtown Alliance, which is set to distribute the confetti.

“The excitement is building,” he said.

Enthusiasm was running high elsewhere in downtown McCall where office workers get a bird’s-eye view of the floats.
“It’s a spectacle, and it’s not like it happens every year,” said Tom Srack, 32, who works at the local Petro 2. “They haven’t won in a while.”

The city says the parade will cost about $331,000, with all but $24,000 covered by private donors.

McCall Mudhens

Posted in All-Star Baseball blog, Holiday Baseball League, McCall Mudhens | 1 Comment

Mudhens Reign Supreme!

Posted on December 8, 2009 by Joe

McCall Mudhens Celebrate title

Game 1:
Mudhens 6, Crawdads 5
Back-to-back home runs from Jackie Robinson and Lou Gehrig off of Crawdads closer Dan Quisenberry in the 9th win the game for the Mudhens. Dizzy Dean provides a quality start as Joaquin Andujar walks away with the win.

Game 2:
Mudhens 17, Crawdads 5
The pitching of Bob Gibson and the steady offense of the Hens’ rolls past Charlie and Liebrandt and the dismal Crawdad offense.

Game 3:
Crawdads 9, Mudhens 11
The offense of Lou Gehrig was enough to send the Hens over the top in game 3. Gehrig went 5-6 with a double, Home-Run, 3 runs scored, 3 RBI and a go ahead 2 run homer in the 8th.

Game 4:
Crawdads 10, Mudhens 9
The Crawdads defeat the Hens for the first time in the series on the arm of Nelson Briles and the clutch hitting of Hank Greenberg. Going 4-4 in the game with a walk, 3 doubles and 2 RBI, Greenberg steadied an up to that point lackluster Crawdads offense. Gabby Hartnett also contributed two hits for the Dads’

Game 5:
Crawdads 15, Mudhens 14
Nolan Ryan of the Joplin Crawdads provides another quality start in game five as the Dads’ push the series back to McCall. Gabby Hartnett earns game MVP honors goin 3-5 with a home run, double and 4 RBI.

Game 6:
Mudhens 18, Crawdads 9
The Hens’ close out the series at home by blasting the Dads’ pitching. Hits came from every part of the lineup as the balanced attack takes home hardware.

Posted in Holiday Baseball League, McCall Mudhens | 1 Comment

Hens’ battle Dads’ for HBL Championship Tonight!

Posted on December 7, 2009 by Joe

HBL Championship
McCall Mudhens

McCall Mudhens

VS.

 Joplin Crawdads

Joplin Crawdads

X

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Rain Delays Championship!

Posted on December 4, 2009 by Joe

McCall – Heavy rains in McCall have delayed the championship round of the Holiday Baseball League between the McCall Mudhens and the Joplin Crawdads. Games have been rescheduled for next week.

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Holiday Baseball League Championship Tonight!

Posted on December 3, 2009 by Joe

HBL Championship
McCall Mudhens

McCall Mudhens

VS.

 Joplin Crawdads

Joplin Crawdads

X

Posted in Holiday Baseball League | Comments Off on Holiday Baseball League Championship Tonight!

A Time For Thanks

Posted on November 29, 2009 by Joe

Holiday Baseball ClassicFogelberg – The smell of Turkey rises above sounds of laughter at the Fogelberg home of Falcons manager Don Zimmer on a cold Thanksgiving afternoon. Zimmer, who is hosting his second annual managers luncheon, is sitting in the corner wearing a sweater that his wife Jean picked out that morning. To his left sits friend and former Mudhens manager Don Blasingame. The pair discuss the old days of the league, classic games, nights on the town and traveling.

“Hell, it used to be that there were only two teams,” Zimmer said while sipping a Chuck and Coke. “Us versus them. Them versus us… We played each other so many times that I used to close my eyes and see that damn logo.” A sly grin slips on Zimmer’s face as he reaches out and slugs Blasingame’s arm.

As the meal is served, Buck O’Neill asks Jack McKeon to pass the salt. “I’ll give it to you if you promise to not tell a story about that one time Satch passed you the salt,” McKeon says with a laugh. “I will tell you a story about your Momma,” O’Neill reply’s playfully.

The newest member of the ASB managers club, Darrell Porter of the Joplin Crawdads plops down next to Owls manager Ed Bailey. After a few moments of talking, the two disappear to the outside deck to “have a smoke”.

“You know, I am really thankful to be a part of this great event and league,” current Mudhens manager Whitey Herzog says… A Holiday Baseball League title would make Herzog even more thankful.

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Improbable Run Continues For Crawdads

Posted on November 24, 2009 by Joe

Joplin CrawdadsHoliday Baseball ClassicJoplin – The Joplin Crawdads continued their unprecedented run toward a title by sweeping the first place Boggstown Boilers in four games during the American League Championship Series of the Holiday Baseball League Monday night and locked in a head-to-head battle with the McCall Mudhens for the Championship. Undefeated in 7 playoff games, the Dads’ played remarkably sound defense, displayed steady pitching and provided adequate offense to defeat the still slumbering Boilers.

In a lineup cast with unlikely heros, Rogers Hornsby again proved to be the stabilizer. Reaching base safely 21 times out of 24 at-bats in the series, Hornsby’s truly unbelievable run at the plate during these playoffs have led the Dads’ from the worst team in League history to Championship caliber in just a few weeks. Hornsby has been retired a total of three times in 7 playoff games.

When The Crawdads needed it they seemed to find outs in the form of double-playes, runs being cut down at the plate, singles attempting to be stretched into doubles, and run saving throws from their outfield not allowing Boiler runs to cross. Since the installation of new manager Darrell Porter, the Dads’ have taken a one hour long infield practice before every game in hopes of limiting runs.

Holiday Baseball Classic“They looked TIGHT on defense,” analysts Joe Gordon said after the game. “They saved themselves about 10-15 runs total in the series just by cutting down Boiler base-runners… The way they played tonight, I think they still would’ve won, but against a tough Mudhens squad they might NEED those runs.”

Once again the Crawdads seemed to find the two out hits that they have begun to be known for. Whether it’s Roberto Clemente with a grand-slam, Orlando Cepeda with a two-run single or catcher Gabby Hartnett with a clutch double, the Dads’ always seemed to have an answer for a Boilers rally.

A brilliant pitching performance by Nolan Ryan in game one set the tone for Joplin as Ryan allowed one earned run in 9 innings to earn the win. Closing the game with 5 scoreless innings, Ryan earned the game MVP honors and displayed a rare dominance over what was considered the best offense in the league.

X

ALCS

Date

VS

Score

WP

SV

MVP

11/23/09

Boilers vs Crawdads

5-11 (JC)

Ryan

–

Ryan

N. Ryan: 9IP, 1ER

11/23/09

Boilers vs Crawdads

8-14 (JC)

Liebrandt

–

Liebrandt

C. Liebrandt; 7.2IP, 5ER

11/23/09

Crawdads vs Boilers

21-10(JC)

Palmer

–

Clemente

R. Clemente: 4-5, 6RBI, GrandSlam, BB, Triple

11/23/09

Crawdads vs Boilers

14-10 (JC)

Gubiza

–

Hornsby

R. Hornsby: 4-6, 4Runs
Posted in Holiday Baseball League, Joplin Crawdads | Comments Off on Improbable Run Continues For Crawdads

ALCS Tonight

Posted on November 23, 2009 by Joe

ALCS
Boggstown Boilers

Boggstown Boilers

VS.

 Joplin Crawdads

Joplin Crawdads

X

Holiday Baseball Classic

Boggstown – When the ALCS of the Holiday Baseball League gets underway this evening in Boggstown, two teams with polar opposite seasons will be battling for a chance to face the McCall Mudhens in the Championship round. The Boggstown Boilers, who amassed the most wins in any regular season (10) will face a team that redefined what it means to loose as the face the Joplin Crawdads. On paper this series seems like a no-brainer, but a recent resurgence in Joplin has Vegas oddsmakers puzzled.

Mike Rohr“I ain’t never seen nothin’ like it,” odds maker Mikey Rohr said from his Vegas apartment. “I wouldn’t ah given da Dads’ a chance in f-ing hell before day beat da crap outa them Falcons… Looks like even money now.”

Defending champs might need directions to ballpark
The Boilers, who finished the season with a remarkable 10-2 record and winners of 6 straight games, will have home field advantage in the series as they take the field after a one month layoff. Manager Jack McKeon has been quietly critical of the schedule makers as the has prepped his squad for the post season.

“If that were my team I would be really pissed and I’m actually surprised that Jack of all people has not EXPLODED,” analysts Joe Gordon said. “I’ll tell you what though, if any team can absorb something like that it’s this Boilers team. They are so balanced throughout the lineup. They don’t have to rely on average players to have big series the way that some of the other teams have had to do… They’re a group of professional hitters up and down the lineup.”

Joplin looks to stay hot
The Crawdads, who finished with a 3-9 record in the regular season and amassed the most losses of any team in the history of the game, are 5-1 since the arrival of new manager Darrell Porter. Tonight’s games will be a test for the surging Dads’, who have not played the Boilers during the streak (all 6 games were against the Falcons).

One Crawdad that seems to be surging at the right time is single season juggernaut Rogers Hornsby. After a productive regular season, Hornsby exploded in the Divisional Series and was not retired in 17 straight at-bats against he Falcons. He will need to turn in a similar series if Joplin hopes to unseat the defending champs.

Players to watch:
Boilers: T. Cobb, G. Brett
Crawdads: R. Hornsby, O. Cepeda

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