After a few seasons on hiatus, the Joey Belle Times is back in business. I'm going to try to keep the blog updated frequently with news and notes on our league and I welcome any suggestions for content that you may have.
We are at the mid-point of the free agent signing period and there are some interesting developments just a couple of days away.
Where will Jesus Gomez end up after his max contract with Syracuse? How high will the bidding go on top pitching free agents Wanatabe, Frascatore and Cerda?
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Monday, August 29, 2011
Week 5 Power Rankings
1. San Diego Surf Babies(71-42)--The Surf Babies have taken over the overall best record in Belle as well as the top spot in the power rankings!
Previously Ranked:6th(+5)
2. New York Necromancers(70-43)--New York has had a hard time scoring runs consistently recently. If they can't get that figured out then they will have a hard time being a true contender for the World Series.
Previously Ranked: 1st(-1)
3. Jacksonville Jinxed(67-46)--The Jinxed have been playing excellent ball as of late and have climbed 6 spots in the power rankings as a result!
Previously Ranked: 9th(+6)
4. Cleveland Katanas(67-46)--Cleveland has been playing excellent baseball as well. That coupled with some poor baseball recently by the Revenge has jumped Cleveland back into a tie atop the AL East. This could be an excellent race to watch.
Previously Ranked: 8th(+4)
5. San Juan Senators(65-48)--The Senators have stayed pretty steady for the most part of this season. They continue to go as far as their excellent pitching staff will take them.
Previously Ranked: 7th(+2)
6. Washington D.C. Revenge(67-46)--The Revenge have fallen on some tough times here recently, but there's no reason to think they won't rebound and make a very nice race for the AL East title.
Previously Ranked: 2nd(-4)
7. Oakland Surenos(67-46)--Oakland has a very good offense leading them atop the NL West. They will have to try and fend off the upstart Scottsdale team who has a very good offense of their own!
Previously Ranked: 3rd(-3)
8. Salem Goonies(66-47)--The Goonies are led by an incredible offense who has to be taken seriously as they march towards the playoffs.
Previously Ranked: 5th(-3)
9. Chicago Free Swingers(65-48)--Chicago has falled on some tough times trying to get their offense going a little more. Hopefully the friendly confines of Wrigley will help when their team is up to bat.
Previously Ranked: 4th(-5)
10. Little Rock Pebbles(63-50)--The Pebbles continue to play very good, steady baseball as they stay atop their division and in the power rankings.
Previously Ranked: 10th(E)
Previously Ranked:6th(+5)
2. New York Necromancers(70-43)--New York has had a hard time scoring runs consistently recently. If they can't get that figured out then they will have a hard time being a true contender for the World Series.
Previously Ranked: 1st(-1)
3. Jacksonville Jinxed(67-46)--The Jinxed have been playing excellent ball as of late and have climbed 6 spots in the power rankings as a result!
Previously Ranked: 9th(+6)
4. Cleveland Katanas(67-46)--Cleveland has been playing excellent baseball as well. That coupled with some poor baseball recently by the Revenge has jumped Cleveland back into a tie atop the AL East. This could be an excellent race to watch.
Previously Ranked: 8th(+4)
5. San Juan Senators(65-48)--The Senators have stayed pretty steady for the most part of this season. They continue to go as far as their excellent pitching staff will take them.
Previously Ranked: 7th(+2)
6. Washington D.C. Revenge(67-46)--The Revenge have fallen on some tough times here recently, but there's no reason to think they won't rebound and make a very nice race for the AL East title.
Previously Ranked: 2nd(-4)
7. Oakland Surenos(67-46)--Oakland has a very good offense leading them atop the NL West. They will have to try and fend off the upstart Scottsdale team who has a very good offense of their own!
Previously Ranked: 3rd(-3)
8. Salem Goonies(66-47)--The Goonies are led by an incredible offense who has to be taken seriously as they march towards the playoffs.
Previously Ranked: 5th(-3)
9. Chicago Free Swingers(65-48)--Chicago has falled on some tough times trying to get their offense going a little more. Hopefully the friendly confines of Wrigley will help when their team is up to bat.
Previously Ranked: 4th(-5)
10. Little Rock Pebbles(63-50)--The Pebbles continue to play very good, steady baseball as they stay atop their division and in the power rankings.
Previously Ranked: 10th(E)
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Power Rankings for Week 4
1. New York Necromancers(59-27)--The Necromancers are led by a dominant pitching staff that has been stellar in the first half of Season 21. They continue to have one of the top defenses in the world as well.
Previously Ranked: 2nd(+1)
2. Washington D.C. Revenge(56-30)--The defending champs keep getting better and better as this season goes on. They have a top 5 offense as well as pitching staff. They will be strong favorites to get back to the World Series at this point.
Previously Ranked: 5th(+3)
3. Oakland Surenos(53-33)--Oakland has been playing some great baseball. They have been one of the hottest teams in Belle led by an awesome offense.
Previously Ranked: 10th(+7)
4. Chicago Free Swingers(51-35)--The Free Swingers continue to hang around in the highly competitive NL North. They have a great fielding team to help support a very good pitching staff.
Previously Ranked: 6th(+2)
5. Salem Goonies(53-33)--The Goonies continue to crush the ball. They easily have the best offense in Belle this season.
Previously Ranked:9th(+4)
6. San Diego Surf Babies(51-35)--The Surf Babies are lead by a great pitching staff as they continue to battle for the AL West division.
Previously Ranked: 4th(-2)
7. San Juan Senators(49-37)--San Juan hit a little bit of a rough patch, but they should get it back together and make a nice run towards the playoffs and division title.
Previously Ranked: 1st(-6)
8. Cleveland Katanas(49-37)--The Katanas have jumped into the Power Rankings for the first time this season. They have been playing solid all-around baseball. They have a top 10 pitching staff with an offense that is quickly playing better and better.
Previously Ranked: NR
9. Jacksonville Jinxed(50-36)--The Jinxed continue to play as well as their pitching and fielding will allow them too. If they can get a better offense going this team will be one to worry about.
Previously Ranked: 7th(-2)
10. Little Rock Pebbles(46-40)--Little Rock is also making their Season 21 debut on the Power Rankings. This team is lead by an awesome offense that has a very capable pitching staff behind it.
Previously Ranked: NR
Dropping out: Columbus Criminals, Syracuse Saltine Warriors
Previously Ranked: 2nd(+1)
2. Washington D.C. Revenge(56-30)--The defending champs keep getting better and better as this season goes on. They have a top 5 offense as well as pitching staff. They will be strong favorites to get back to the World Series at this point.
Previously Ranked: 5th(+3)
3. Oakland Surenos(53-33)--Oakland has been playing some great baseball. They have been one of the hottest teams in Belle led by an awesome offense.
Previously Ranked: 10th(+7)
4. Chicago Free Swingers(51-35)--The Free Swingers continue to hang around in the highly competitive NL North. They have a great fielding team to help support a very good pitching staff.
Previously Ranked: 6th(+2)
5. Salem Goonies(53-33)--The Goonies continue to crush the ball. They easily have the best offense in Belle this season.
Previously Ranked:9th(+4)
6. San Diego Surf Babies(51-35)--The Surf Babies are lead by a great pitching staff as they continue to battle for the AL West division.
Previously Ranked: 4th(-2)
7. San Juan Senators(49-37)--San Juan hit a little bit of a rough patch, but they should get it back together and make a nice run towards the playoffs and division title.
Previously Ranked: 1st(-6)
8. Cleveland Katanas(49-37)--The Katanas have jumped into the Power Rankings for the first time this season. They have been playing solid all-around baseball. They have a top 10 pitching staff with an offense that is quickly playing better and better.
Previously Ranked: NR
9. Jacksonville Jinxed(50-36)--The Jinxed continue to play as well as their pitching and fielding will allow them too. If they can get a better offense going this team will be one to worry about.
Previously Ranked: 7th(-2)
10. Little Rock Pebbles(46-40)--Little Rock is also making their Season 21 debut on the Power Rankings. This team is lead by an awesome offense that has a very capable pitching staff behind it.
Previously Ranked: NR
Dropping out: Columbus Criminals, Syracuse Saltine Warriors
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Power Rankings for Week 2!
1. San Juan Senators(28-17)--The Senators have been playing some great baseball to vault themselves up into the top spot in the Power Rankings. Led by a top 3 offense the Senators have jumped out to a 6 game lead in their division.
Previously Ranked: 8th(+7)
2. New York Necromancers(29-16)--The Necromancers rode a 12 game winning streak at the beginning of week 2 here in Joey Belle, but they have come back down to earth since then playing .500 ball. They are playing in possibly the best division in Joey Belle so they will need to get their bats swinging more consistently if they hope to finally win this division.
Previously Ranked: 1st(-1)
3. Columbus Criminals(28-17)--Columbus is sitting awfully pretty with a 9 game lead in their division already. Obviously the class of the division so far, if they can keep up with their pitching they will run away with the division.
Previously Ranked: 2nd(-1)
4. San Diego Surf Babies(28-17)--The Surf Babies have vaulted themselves past mighty Salem here in the early going. They have a very good pitching staff so far and they will have to continue that if San Diego hopes to topple Salem from the top spot by season's end.
Previously Ranked: NR
5. Washington D.C. Revenge(28-17)--Wasthington continues to stay atop their division this season so far. They have a slim 3 game lead over Scranton. They have a top 5 offense and top 10 pitching staff so far in their bid to try and repeat as World Series Champions!
Previously Ranked: 6th(+1)
6. Chicago Free Swingers(27-18)--Chicago, along with San Juan, have been the hottest team in Joey Belle here in week 2 of the season. That has vaunted them into 2nd place breathing down the necks of New York in the NL North.
Previously Ranked: NR
7. Jacksonville Jinxed(27-18)--The Jinxed are lead by a good pitching staff and an even better defense here in the early going. If they can find a way to score more runs consistently this is a team that will run away with their division if everything stays as it is now.
Previously Ranked: NR
8. Syracuse Saltine Warriors(26-19)--Syracuse is the 3rd team from the NL North in the Power Rankings. They are only 3 games back in this very competitive division. Their offense should start putting numbers a little more consistently which should put everyone in the NL on notice.
Previously Ranked: NR
9. Salem Goonies(26-19)--The Goonies continue to slug the ball better than anyone else in the majors. If this team can get their pitching straightened out some then the rest of the world may not even have a chance.
Previously Ranked: 5th(-4)
10. Oakland Surenos(26-19)--The Surenos are locked in a tie atop the NL West right now. They have been playing very good baseball and should be in contention all season long fighting for their division as well as the wild card race.
Previously Ranked: 9th(-1)
Dropping out: Pawtucket Slater Paws, Ottawa Ice, Scottsdale Valley Vipers, and Scranton Stranglers
Previously Ranked: 8th(+7)
2. New York Necromancers(29-16)--The Necromancers rode a 12 game winning streak at the beginning of week 2 here in Joey Belle, but they have come back down to earth since then playing .500 ball. They are playing in possibly the best division in Joey Belle so they will need to get their bats swinging more consistently if they hope to finally win this division.
Previously Ranked: 1st(-1)
3. Columbus Criminals(28-17)--Columbus is sitting awfully pretty with a 9 game lead in their division already. Obviously the class of the division so far, if they can keep up with their pitching they will run away with the division.
Previously Ranked: 2nd(-1)
4. San Diego Surf Babies(28-17)--The Surf Babies have vaulted themselves past mighty Salem here in the early going. They have a very good pitching staff so far and they will have to continue that if San Diego hopes to topple Salem from the top spot by season's end.
Previously Ranked: NR
5. Washington D.C. Revenge(28-17)--Wasthington continues to stay atop their division this season so far. They have a slim 3 game lead over Scranton. They have a top 5 offense and top 10 pitching staff so far in their bid to try and repeat as World Series Champions!
Previously Ranked: 6th(+1)
6. Chicago Free Swingers(27-18)--Chicago, along with San Juan, have been the hottest team in Joey Belle here in week 2 of the season. That has vaunted them into 2nd place breathing down the necks of New York in the NL North.
Previously Ranked: NR
7. Jacksonville Jinxed(27-18)--The Jinxed are lead by a good pitching staff and an even better defense here in the early going. If they can find a way to score more runs consistently this is a team that will run away with their division if everything stays as it is now.
Previously Ranked: NR
8. Syracuse Saltine Warriors(26-19)--Syracuse is the 3rd team from the NL North in the Power Rankings. They are only 3 games back in this very competitive division. Their offense should start putting numbers a little more consistently which should put everyone in the NL on notice.
Previously Ranked: NR
9. Salem Goonies(26-19)--The Goonies continue to slug the ball better than anyone else in the majors. If this team can get their pitching straightened out some then the rest of the world may not even have a chance.
Previously Ranked: 5th(-4)
10. Oakland Surenos(26-19)--The Surenos are locked in a tie atop the NL West right now. They have been playing very good baseball and should be in contention all season long fighting for their division as well as the wild card race.
Previously Ranked: 9th(-1)
Dropping out: Pawtucket Slater Paws, Ottawa Ice, Scottsdale Valley Vipers, and Scranton Stranglers
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Hall of Fame votes
Thought it might be cool to see how the final HOF votes ended up. Here is the list:
Joe Rivera 23
Juan Romero 16
Luis Piedra 11
Phil Kimura 10
Steven Vaughn 10
Rico Nunez 10
Alex Ramirez 7
Charles Bottalico 4
Pat Yamamoto 4
Lee Brooks 3
Jon Prokopec 3
Willie Magadan 3
Dwight Long 2
Hong-Jin Kobayashi 2
Lawrence Simpson 2
Valerio Santana 1
Martin Clifton 1
Charles Yamamoto 1
Darrell Womack 1
Ben Cortes 1
Al Kingman 1
Kelly Lewis 1
Jim Patterson 1
Harry Rodrigo 1
Joe Rivera 23
Juan Romero 16
Luis Piedra 11
Phil Kimura 10
Steven Vaughn 10
Rico Nunez 10
Alex Ramirez 7
Charles Bottalico 4
Pat Yamamoto 4
Lee Brooks 3
Jon Prokopec 3
Willie Magadan 3
Dwight Long 2
Hong-Jin Kobayashi 2
Lawrence Simpson 2
Valerio Santana 1
Martin Clifton 1
Charles Yamamoto 1
Darrell Womack 1
Ben Cortes 1
Al Kingman 1
Kelly Lewis 1
Jim Patterson 1
Harry Rodrigo 1
Sunday, July 24, 2011
First Power Rankings for Season 20
Are you ready for the unveiling of the Power Rankings in the Joey Belle Times? Just to give a little background into how The Joey Belle Times firgures them up. We take the overall record into consideration as well as the expected winning percentage. We also figure in the rank in 3 categories: runs scored, ERA, and fielding percentage. After the initial Power Rankings the number of wins since the last Power Rankings will also be figured in for each team. Without further ado:
1. New York Necromancers(13-7)--The Necromancers started a little slow, but have won 7 out of their last 8 and are getting some very good overall pitching. New York will probably only go as far as their offense carries them though.
2. Columbus Criminals(13-7)--Columbus has started out playing well in every faucet of the game. This team has already jumped out to a 3 game lead in their division.
3. Pawtucket Slater Paws(12-8)--Pawtucket has a suspect offense in the early going, but they haven't needed to do too much as the pitching staff has been phenomenal.
4. Ottawa Ice(12-8)--The Ice have been hitting the ball and scoring runs in bunches. The pitching staff has been solid, but if they can bring it up a notch it will be hard for New York to hold them off.
5. Salem Goonies(15-5)--Going by strictly record this is a shock. The Goonies have absolutely crushed the ball. They have outscored everyone else in the league with 2nd place 14 runs behind them. Conversely, they have some pitching and fielding problems in the early going.
6. Washington D.C. Revenge(12-8)--The reigning World Series Champions' are playing solid baseball. They are in the top 10 in ever faucet of the game.
7. Scottsdale Valley Vipers(13-7)--The Valley Vipers have picked up right where they left off in first place in the NL West. They are powered behind a very good lineup and just enough pitching to get the job done.
8. San Juan Senators(11-9)--The Senators have a decent pitching staff that is made a little better by a very good offense.
9. Oakland Surenos(11-9)--Oakland's record doesn't correctly reflect how this team is playing. They have a solid offense behind a very good pitching staff. If this team continues to play well they will definitely improve in the wins column.
10. Scranton Stranglers(12-8)--The Stranglers have one of the worst pitching staffs in the majors in the early going. However they also have one of the best offenses in Joey Belle. They like to play in some high scoring games.
1. New York Necromancers(13-7)--The Necromancers started a little slow, but have won 7 out of their last 8 and are getting some very good overall pitching. New York will probably only go as far as their offense carries them though.
2. Columbus Criminals(13-7)--Columbus has started out playing well in every faucet of the game. This team has already jumped out to a 3 game lead in their division.
3. Pawtucket Slater Paws(12-8)--Pawtucket has a suspect offense in the early going, but they haven't needed to do too much as the pitching staff has been phenomenal.
4. Ottawa Ice(12-8)--The Ice have been hitting the ball and scoring runs in bunches. The pitching staff has been solid, but if they can bring it up a notch it will be hard for New York to hold them off.
5. Salem Goonies(15-5)--Going by strictly record this is a shock. The Goonies have absolutely crushed the ball. They have outscored everyone else in the league with 2nd place 14 runs behind them. Conversely, they have some pitching and fielding problems in the early going.
6. Washington D.C. Revenge(12-8)--The reigning World Series Champions' are playing solid baseball. They are in the top 10 in ever faucet of the game.
7. Scottsdale Valley Vipers(13-7)--The Valley Vipers have picked up right where they left off in first place in the NL West. They are powered behind a very good lineup and just enough pitching to get the job done.
8. San Juan Senators(11-9)--The Senators have a decent pitching staff that is made a little better by a very good offense.
9. Oakland Surenos(11-9)--Oakland's record doesn't correctly reflect how this team is playing. They have a solid offense behind a very good pitching staff. If this team continues to play well they will definitely improve in the wins column.
10. Scranton Stranglers(12-8)--The Stranglers have one of the worst pitching staffs in the majors in the early going. However they also have one of the best offenses in Joey Belle. They like to play in some high scoring games.
Friday, July 22, 2011
20 questions with coach34
1. What should we call you?
Wool or Coach34- I go by Coach34 on a couple of message boards
2. Any hobbies or favorite pastimes besides HBD?
not really these days with having 2 young kids
3. How did you fall into HBD?
somebody posted about it on a message board I frequent and I checked it out- been hooked ever since
4. How many teams do you run? How many hours per week do you pour into your teams?
6 right now, but cutting down to 5 or 4....and I spend 6-7 hours a week
5. Married? Children?
yes and yes. Have 2 with ex-wife, and 2 more with new wife- ages 14, 9, 2, and 4 days
6. City/State you live in? Hometown where you grew up?
Shreveport, La...born and raised in Jackson, Miss
7. Occupation? Do you check in on your teams often during the workday?
On my 3rd career- was a HS football/baseball coach, then surgical sales, now a stay at home dad for the next year
8. Who is your favorite baseball player of all time?
Nolan Ryan
9. What makes you laugh?
people tripping and falling in public, Sam Kinison, Dice Clay, Chris Rock
10. Top 3 all time movies?
Goodfellas
Pulp Fiction
Caddyshack
11. What popular song past/present do you most identify with?
Wherever I May Roam- Metallica (I've moved 11 times in the last 7 years)
12. Real baseball team you grew up loving? Still in love with them?
Cubs because of Harry Carey- not as much because the front office is so damn stupid
13. Tell me 2 things you wish you knew about particular Joey Belle owners?
ages of other owners I guess
14. You're fairly outspoken as a Joey Belle owner. Why?
I'm a loudmouth in real life
15. What is your GM philosophy?
I'm a Steinbrenner- all about winning now- worry about down the road later
16. Any special meaning for your WIS nickname? Your Joey Belle team name?
it's the name I've been called for 20 years- and I wore 34 in college because of Nolan Ryan- Free Swinger pretty much described me as a hitter
17. Who is/was your favorite Joey Belle owner? Why?
Me
18. Which MLB Commissioner do you admire or identify with most? Why?
Kennesaw Mountain Landis- had to come in and clean up cheating and the throwing of games- tough job and had to make some unpopular decisions
19. General pet peeves about the HBD game?
DITR is a waste of time- feel there should be some sort of penalty for losing 100 or more games 2 seasons in a row
20. If I was Joey Belle Commish for a day I would...
keep status quo
Wool or Coach34- I go by Coach34 on a couple of message boards
2. Any hobbies or favorite pastimes besides HBD?
not really these days with having 2 young kids
3. How did you fall into HBD?
somebody posted about it on a message board I frequent and I checked it out- been hooked ever since
4. How many teams do you run? How many hours per week do you pour into your teams?
6 right now, but cutting down to 5 or 4....and I spend 6-7 hours a week
5. Married? Children?
yes and yes. Have 2 with ex-wife, and 2 more with new wife- ages 14, 9, 2, and 4 days
6. City/State you live in? Hometown where you grew up?
Shreveport, La...born and raised in Jackson, Miss
7. Occupation? Do you check in on your teams often during the workday?
On my 3rd career- was a HS football/baseball coach, then surgical sales, now a stay at home dad for the next year
8. Who is your favorite baseball player of all time?
Nolan Ryan
9. What makes you laugh?
people tripping and falling in public, Sam Kinison, Dice Clay, Chris Rock
10. Top 3 all time movies?
Goodfellas
Pulp Fiction
Caddyshack
11. What popular song past/present do you most identify with?
Wherever I May Roam- Metallica (I've moved 11 times in the last 7 years)
12. Real baseball team you grew up loving? Still in love with them?
Cubs because of Harry Carey- not as much because the front office is so damn stupid
13. Tell me 2 things you wish you knew about particular Joey Belle owners?
ages of other owners I guess
14. You're fairly outspoken as a Joey Belle owner. Why?
I'm a loudmouth in real life
15. What is your GM philosophy?
I'm a Steinbrenner- all about winning now- worry about down the road later
16. Any special meaning for your WIS nickname? Your Joey Belle team name?
it's the name I've been called for 20 years- and I wore 34 in college because of Nolan Ryan- Free Swinger pretty much described me as a hitter
17. Who is/was your favorite Joey Belle owner? Why?
Me
18. Which MLB Commissioner do you admire or identify with most? Why?
Kennesaw Mountain Landis- had to come in and clean up cheating and the throwing of games- tough job and had to make some unpopular decisions
19. General pet peeves about the HBD game?
DITR is a waste of time- feel there should be some sort of penalty for losing 100 or more games 2 seasons in a row
20. If I was Joey Belle Commish for a day I would...
keep status quo
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