POWER RANKINGS WEEK 4

1. Monterrey Stars (59-25) (Previous Week – 1)

2. Indianapolis Clowns (52-32) (Previous Week – 8)

3. Anaheim Beefpound (53-31) (Previous Week – 11)

4. Tacoma Pioneers (52-32) (Previous Week – 5)

5. Atlanta Brave Vawts (50-34) (Previous Week – 7)

6. Milwaukee Bucks (50-34) (Previous Week - 6)

7. New Britain Fisher Cats (49-35) (Previous Week – 2)

8. Durham Bulls (44-40) (Previous Week – 12)

9. Arizona Sting (49-35) (Previous Week – 14)

10. Kansas City Bobcats (48-36) (Previous Week – 4)

11. St. Louis Cornerstone (47-37) (Previous Week – 16)

12. Houston Hitmen (50-34) (Previous Week – 3)

13. Cheyenne Xpress (49-35) (Previous Week – 9)

14. Jackson BlaZers (46-38) (Previous Week – 15)

15. Cincinnati Highlanders (44-40) (Previous Week – 19)

16. Florida GaToRs (39-45) (Previous Week – 18)

17. Scranton Beet Farmer's (39-45) (Previous Week – 21)

18. Portland Landports (37-47) (Previous Week – 26)

19. Wichita Wranglers (45-39) (Previous Week – 10)

20. Colorado Springs Armed Forces (41-43) (Previous Week – 13)

21. Ottawa Crawdaddies (33-51) (Previous Week – 28)

22. Madison Lasers (38-46) (Previous Week – 24)

23. Honolulu Honus (40-44) (Previous Week – 22)

24. Fargo Woodchippers (39-45) (Previous Week – 23)

25. Burlington Ice Storm (38-46) (Previous Week – 20)

26. New York Cab Drivers (39-45) (Previous Week – 17)

27. Boise Hurricanes (34-50) (Previous Week – 27)

28. New York Mets (33-51) (Previous Week – 29)

29. San Diego Skyhawks (30-54) (Previous Week – 30)

30. Jacksonville RAIDERS (28-56) (Previous Week – 31)

31. Boston Braves (28-56) (Previous Week – 25)

32. Tampa Bay Manta Rays (21-63) (Previous Week – 32)

USMLB DAILY

Welcome to the Ninth edition of the USMLB Daily. A lot of news and information will be in here and fun things will be added through out it. I hope that you enjoy and that the report will be up Monday through Friday till the end of the season. Draft information will also be added to the Daily report after the draft. Trades that happen from this day forward will also be added to the report. If there’s anything you would like me to cover or add (real or not) just let me know and I’ll do my best to add it.

Interview with the Tacoma Pioneers from the National League West Division.
The Pioneers find themselves on top of the National League West and look to be a good position to repeat as National League West division champions.

So what are you goals for the season:
My goals for this season was simple make the playoffs and have the best pitching staff with an ERA around 3, I would prefer it to be lower then 3 but there’s some good offensives in the National League this season.

What has surprised you most about this team:
Well the offensive is beginning to come around as I thought I might be the worst offensive in the league and win just with pitching like last season but the offensive has held it’s own so far. But the biggest surprise has been the bullpen. The bullpen last season was blowing saves left and right and so far this season they have been able to hold there leads and not letting in runners come around when they come in and that is a great success to me.

What team scares you the most to face:
The Stars would be that team, there just so powerful on offensive and have a good pitching staff to back that up. Should be a good out of the division rivalry if he keeps continuing to win.
Who do you think will make it to the World Series out of the American League:
That’s a tough choice with so many good team on the American League side but I would have to say the Atalanta Brave Vawts as there pitching is great and if they where in the National League I would have a good fight for the best pitching staff in the league.

Why have you been trading away some of your top pitchers this season:
That’s a good question. The pitchers that I’ve traded this season will not fit with the direction that this team is going in the future. With each one close to arbitration I figured that it was best to trade them while there hot rather then when there salary is high and can’t trade them. Plus is fun it fun to see if you can add more depth and better players on the fly, rather then waiting for the bottom to fall out before you rebuild your team.

Anything else you would like to add:
This truly is a great league, as it was my first and the won I really have but everything I can into this league. So thank you everyone for making this a great league.

Trades:
Monterrey Stars traded Damaso Velazquez (P) to the Arizona Sting for Dicky Puffer (P). Rating: C
This was just a trade to provide minor league help for each franchise as I really don’t see either player making it to the major any time soon if ever.

Arizona Sting traded Carmen McPherson (P) and 800k to the Ottawa Crawdaddies for Shawn Durbin (SS). Rating: C+
The Sting have some extra pitchers that they need to get rid of and McPherson was one of them and with the Crawdaddies needing some pitching help it was a good trade for both.

Indianapolis Clowns traded Hooks Gagne (RF) and Allen Chase (P) to the Ottawa Crawdaddies for Gus Wilkins (SS) and 2.9m. Rating B-
The Clowns got another offensive weapon for a stretch run as the owner has loved Wilkins for a long time and he finally got him. The Crawdaddies probably got the better end of this trade as they got a good outfielder and pitcher who will probably make it to the majors in a couple seasons.

Rumor Mill:
Breaking news there has been a lawsuit filed against the Brave Vawts mascot claiming that there mascot is a danger to others. There has been no comment from the Brave Vawt organization about this or who has filed the claim.
The mode in the Houston Hitmen organized has gotten worse as the season has gone on with the team struggling a bit now. Hopefully the return of the playing the National League will get this team back into shape.
“The Puffman” Dicky Puffer has never been more happy then joining the Stars franchise to help there Double-A team make a run to the Double-A championship.
We are still waiting for Vawt to explain to us what a Vawt is?

Poll Question:
Looks like you guys think that the Lasers will not make the playoffs this season even though there in first place right now.

Useless Information:
The National League won the inter-play games this season going 104-96 versus the American League, with the National League South having the best record versus the American League South going 28-20.
The Anaheim Beefpound had the best record 10-2 versus the National League West.

Franchise Information:
The Atlanta Brave Vawts franchise has the most saves then any other team in the league with 233 saves while the Jacksonville RAIDERS franchise has the fewest saves with 151 saves.
The Cheyenne Xpress franchise has the most stolen bases then any other team in the league with 1195 stolen bases while the Arizona Sting franchise has the fewest stolen bases with 159 stolen bases.
The Scranton Beet Farmer's franchise has the fewest errors then any other team in the league with 281 errors while the Madison Lasers has the most errors with 540 errors.

What has happen to him:
Now what has happen to Hank Epstein this season? The two time Firemen of the Year and three time All-Star has really struggled with a 2-3 record, 4.96ERA and 0 saves. The life as a closer is very short termed in this league as he had 134 saves in the first four season and now is bullpen help only. I tried to get a comment from him but the Beefpound are still on lock down but after speaking with his wife she said that maybe a change of scenery would be best for his future.

USMLB DAILY

Welcome to the Eighth edition of the USMLB Daily. A lot of news and information will be in here and fun things will be added through out it. I hope that you enjoy and that the report will be up Monday through Friday till the end of the season. Draft information will also be added to the Daily report after the draft. Trades that happen from this day forward will also be added to the report. If there’s anything you would like me to cover or add (real or not) just let me know and I’ll do my best to add it.

Interview with the New Britain Fisher Cats from the National League North Division.
The New Britain Fisher Cats find themselves in first place and looking to be the first team from the National League North to repeat as divisional champions.

So what are you goals for the season:
Last season my Fisher Cats started off somewhat slow, but kicked it into gear and were able to win the division and make the playoffs, though we were eliminated in the Divisional Championship Series. We have a good group of talented players here and the ways and means to make the playoffs and to hopefully get to the World Series and walk away with a trophy.
I think the Fisher Cats have as good chance as any in the National League to go to the World Series but it will be a tough road.

What do you think of the league that you helped create:
I love this league. We have a great group of owners here that have really come into their own. To be honest I didn't know how this league would turn out because I've been in some bad leagues where I just had to get out. Now I can never see myself leaving. Originally, Beef and I were trying to start our own leagues but had trouble with recruiting. He contacted me about combining our efforts, and I didn't see a reason not to. We both had our share of committed owners, and with some good recruiting, we filled the league. Now we are in Season 5, which is weird because sometimes it seems like we are still back in the first season. We've definitely come a long way and I appreciate everyone who have helped in making this league a great one.
I think I can say this for everyone. Thank you..

What team scares you the most to face:
The Fisher Cats fear no team. Though we are concerned with how much better the Milwaukee Bucks have become. They have such a good offense. Danny Harding is a beast this year and he could very well challenge for the MVP award.
I don’t think a lot of the elite teams are very happy about that comment.

Who do you think will make it to the World Series out of the American League:
In the American League: Atlanta and Anaheim are always good. They both have great pitching as well as great hitting. With the amount of wins they pile up each year they could both be serious World Series contenders. Though my pick is Beef and his Beefpound, because who wouldn't love a World Series showdown with the two creators of USMLB.
A lot of teams are picking the Beefpound to represent the American League this season and plus it would be interesting to see the creatures face off in the World Series.

With so many of your top players up for arbitration after this season will we see a big jump in payroll from your team:
The time has come where young players need to get paid the big bucks. I'm sure my payroll will take a jump, though I don't know how much as of right now. In terms of their futures, I haven't quite decided yet what I will do with my players. I have a good pool of solid prospects, so I can look within if I happen to deal players or let them go.
I think this will be a huge problem for a lot of teams in the near future as a lot of there young players will need to get paid or let them enter the free agent. Should be interesting to watch.

Anything else you would like to add:
Thank you again to all of you who have committed to this league and who have done your part to make this one of the elite. You may not think of it, but I believe that we are all a family here. A crazy family that is obsessed with this game and can't seem to get away. Good luck to everyone this season.
Yes good luck to everyone.

Trades:
Houston Hitmen traded D.T. Telford (P), Mark Allensworth (P) and Duke Ford (P) to the Tacoma Pioneers for Mac Nakamura (P). Rating: B+
A lot of people will think trading away Mac Nakamura is crazy at this point in his career but after speaking with the Pioneers they believed with all the pitchers coming into there arbitration years they just wouldn’t be able to keep all there pitchers and to let a couple go while there worth a lot more then in the next year. This trade will help out both teams in the long run.

New York Cab Drivers traded Tuck Pisciotta (LF) and Juan Alomar (CF) to the Fargo Woodchippers for Vernon Cain. Rating: B-
I think this will be the beginning of the Woodchippers getting rid of there major league talent for some good prospects as the National League North looks to be really tough this season with the Bucks improving so much.

Rumor Mill:
Dario Wallace is said to be very un-happy in Boise and would like to move to warmer climate as his sick and tried of the cold north, also he would like to play somewhere near sea level as he thinks the thin air is effecting his pitching. Little does he know it’s not the thin air effecting his pitching, it’s his pitching that is effecting his pitching.
Dicky Puffer is contacted me and would like all the GM’s to stop making fun of him and would like to report that his not gay if that’s effecting any team from picking him up.
It doesn’t look like any team from the American League North really wants to win the division as every team in under .500 and with every team struggle expect for Scranton Beet Farmer's we could see are first division leader with out a winning record in the league this season.
We are still waiting for Vawt to explain to us what a Vawt is?

Poll Question:
Looks like right now with the poll that you guys think the Madison Lasers will not make the playoffs even though there in first-place a couple games ago.

Useless Information:
Cookie Pena is one of the few teams that fears his bat as he’s the all-time leader in Intentional Walks with 62 but I believe that Erik West who started the season with 60 will pass him this season. Hoss Boone holds the single season record with 46 intentional walks in season 3.
Kane Hines hold the record for the best saving percentage in a single season as he went 48 for 49 in season 2 for .980 percentage. He also as the best career save percentage at .932 percent (192 – 206)
Claude (The Vacuum) Marshall has the most career great plays at second base with 23 great plays and holding the single season with 14 great plays at second base.

Franchise Information:
The St. Louis Cornerstone franchise has the most strikeouts by any pitching staff in the league with 5026 strikeouts, while the Kansas City Bobcats franchise has the fewest strikeouts by any pitching staff with 4174 strikeouts.
The Cincinnati Highlanders franchise has hit he most balls over the fence in the league with 1450 homeruns, while the Tacoma Pioneers franchise can’t seem to find the fence as they have only 662 homeruns.
The Wichita Wranglers franchise love to help out there pitching staff as they have the most double plays in the league with 2080, while St. Louis Cornerstone have the fewest with 1646 double plays but with the Cornerstones leading the league in strikeouts they don’t really need the double play to help there team win.