Despite an explosive 5-run rally in the sixth, the Piney’s Court Pilgrims were unable to hang on, letting both the game and tournament hopes slip away. After losses to Faulkner and now Twin Hills, the Pilgrims find themselves the first team to be eliminated.
The Pilgrims dug themselves an early hole against Twin Hills, as Preston Bell Jr. struggled to find his command and the offense sputtered. By the 6th, the Hilltoppers had built a comfortable 5-2 lead. But then the Pilgrim’s bats came to live. The first three runners reached, loading the bases. A sacrifice fly and a walk later, Piney’s Court had shortened the margin, and now trailed 5-3 with a golden opportunity for more. Jessie Elliot, finding himself batting in the two-spot, stepped in and drilled a 1-0 slider an estimated 412 feet over the left field wall, clearing the bases and giving his squad a 7-5 lead heading into the 7th.
But closer Yoshi Iwamura was hit hard and often by the Hilltoppers, who with the aid of a triple and two doubles, stole back the lead 8-7.
The Pilgrim’s looking to tie it in the bottom of the 7th, came up just 90 feet short. After a single and two sacrifices moved the runner to third, Yoshi Iwamura was left in to hit for himself. He attempted a surpise suicide-squeeze bunt for a base hit, but popped it up lazily into the glove of 3rd basemen Sniffy Winfield for the third out.
“I failed my team tonight,” said Iwamura through a translator, “I was given a chance to redeem myself with the bunt, but I failed once more. I am sorry to my team mates and coaches, because now we are out, and it is my fault.”
When asked about the dubious decision to leave Iwamura to hit for himself with two outs and Bertie Goodrich available on the bench, skipper Jason Tidwell replied, “I suppose that wasn’t the best call in retrospect. I had seen G.H. [Henderson] pull it off for the Red Barons up in the big leagues, and I thought we could do the same. You know, catch ’em by surprise. Plus I wanted to save Iwamura in case we tied it up. But I guess it wasn’t the right call, and we as a team paid the price.”
Piney’s Court will pack their bags and head home, while Twin Hills awaits the victor of tonight’s matchup between Oxford North and Quobbins Beach.
Though the major league squads still have plenty of season left, and plenty of fighting to do for remaining playoff spots, the big league players have certainly kept tabs on the action in the minor league championship tournament.
“It’s fun, you know? Watching the division II clubs duke it out. At least one of those squads will be moving up to our league next year, so you want to know what you’re going to be dealing with. You want to be prepared,” said Rudy Webster, shortstop for the 4-2 Lake Wampaug Marauders, who can seal a playoff spot with a win over Auburn Station in the pbc invitational.
The last place team automatically drops to division II, with the 6th and 7th place teams fighting it out against the 2nd and 3rd place in the minors, respectively. This means Barrington (1-5), Essex (1-4), and Dorchester Heights (1-3) all have their backs to the wall. Each game they fail to win diminishes their chances of returning to play with the rest of division 1.
“Our playoff hopes may be shot, but we still have to play with purpose. These final ball games still mean a heck of a lot,” said Barrington 1st baseman Julian Drexler. “It’s been a frustrating year, but we still have a chance to right the ship enough so that we at least have a shot again next year. Nobody on this squad wants to drop down to division II.”
Meanwhile teams like Murrayfield and Grant (5-1), Auburn Station (4-1) and Lake Wampaug (4-2) are guranteed to return to the big time next year, but their sights are set on higher prizes.
“Personally I haven’t paid a whole lot of attention to the minors so far,” said Murrayfield and Grant’s star right fielder, Clifton Lloyd Harris. “We’re in a playoff hunt, with every other team gunning for us. There will be plenty of time to think about who’s moving up and who’s moving down once our regular season is over. Right now we’re focussed on one thing and one thing only, and that’s winning our baseball games.”
Murrayfield and Grant stands atop the standings with an impressive 5-1 mark, despite being in a number of nail-biting contests. They appear to be the midseason favorite, although Auburn Station and Lake Wampaug will be offering serious competition.
“You look at those squads atop the standings, and you’re just in awe at the quality of baseball they play. It’d be a dream to compete with talent like that,” said Q Ives, shortstop for the Cedar Creek Sidewinders. “It’s really been a big motivator in our division II tournament this year. I think we have just as good a shot as anybody to make it.”
Whether Ives’ Sidewinders make the cut or not, the young shortstop has caught the attention of several big league clubs, and is expected to be drafted by next season’s start.
Who will stay, who will go, and who will win it all? Only time will tell as these 16 clubs fight tooth and nail to stake their claim in PBC glory.
PBC League Table
as of August 19, 2010
| team | w | l | pct. | p# | rs | ra | str. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn Station* | 5 | 1 | .833 | 7.5 | 50 | 33 | w3 |
| Murrayfield & Grant | 5 | 1 | .833 | 7.5 | 36 | 27 | w3 |
| Lake Wampaug* | 5 | 2 | .714 | 6.9 | 49 | 26 | w5 |
| Concord Park | 2 | 3 | .400 | 4.4 | 22 | 23 | l3 |
| Essex | 3 | 5 | .375 | 3.8 | 47 | 48 | w2 |
| Greenwood | 2 | 4 | .333 | 3.8 | 38 | 45 | l2 |
| Dorchester Heights | 2 | 4 | .333 | 3.8 | 32 | 55 | l1 |
| Barrington | 2 | 6 | .250 | 2.5 | 52 | 66 | w1 |
RECENT RESULTS
8/19. Barrington 16, Dorchester Heights 1
8/16. Essex 6, Concord Park 5
8/16. Essex 6, Concord Park 3
8/15. Lake Wampaug 4, Greenwood 2
8/8. Dorchester Heights 6, Essex 5 (10)
With convincing wins over Essex and Barrington, Auburn Station (5-1) has cruised into first place with no sights of looking back (only the second team to hold that honor this season).
 AS Slugger P. Yarborough |
|---|
The Railroaders very well could take the triple crown in its inaugaural year in the PBC, with their sights set on winning the regular season pennant, the PBC Series, and the PBC Invitational. Of course, there have been questions as to
whether the Railroaders can afford to have so many stars on the roster once the season ends and the new market structure begins. But the Station seem to be looking at the present before the gazing into the future, allowing debt to
accumulate alongside the wins.
Without a doubt, the Railroaders have the most dominant pitching staff in the PBC, with Deedhams, Browning, and Garfield all aces on the mound. Pair that with the exceptional bats of Higgins, Crewe, Kraeger, Dawson, Vine, and Yarborough,
and you’re looking at the deadliest team in the league.
The Railroaders rotation will each get a shot in the final three games of the season and pitcher selection will be key. Don’t expect the Railroaders to make any moves on the market until the off-season, as it seems the pieces are in
place.
We expect Station to take the pennant from the Red Barons in the final game of the season, cruise through the playoffs, and get some retribution on Lake Wampaug (the only team to beat the Railroaders) in the PBC Invitational Final.
Simply, the Railroaders look unstoppable.
Games Remaining: Greenwood, Murrayfield & Grant, Lake Wampaug*
Predicted Finish: 1st Place PBC Summer Classic, PBC Series Champion, Winner PBC Invitational
Even if the Maurauders drop their final two regular season games and the PBC Invitational final against the red hot Auburn Station, they can still make the playoffs based on the work they’ve done this far.
 LW Captain George Guiterez |
|---|
The Mauraduers’ final two regular season games are against Dorchester Heights and Greenwood, two teams looking to battle for the coveted fourth spot. Look for Wampaug to come out strong, though both Hulowitz and Shornick have been
looking tired in recent outings, perhaps due to the lack of a third reliable starter. Experts predict they will at least end the season 5-3, and likely in third place. But the fans in Wampaug would still like to see their squad pick up
an improbable, but possible, pennant.
After a rough regular season start, Wampaug found their groove toppling Murrayfield and Green in ten innings, and Essex in a record 15 innings in the tournament. The PBC Invitational Final means a lot more to the Marauders than Auburn
Station, as “The Dream Continues” mantra has been repeated by players and fans alike. Urban Koontz has become Skipper Dewey Long’s tournament and perhaps season hero, coming up with timely hits to keep Wampaug alive.
On the market, we expect the Lake to search for their third and final pitcher prior to the playoffs. Many suspect the Mauraders may make moves to prematurely call up a player from the minors for some needed relief.
If Auburn Station runs away with the pennant, odds are we’ll be looking at a final post-season showdown between Lake Wampaug and rival Murrayfield & Grant in the first round of the tournament. These teams have split the season series 1-1
with the changing tides favoring Lake Wampaug in the final match.
Having won four in a row and still climbing, Wampaug fans are in for a ride.
Games Remaining: Dorchester Heights, Greenwood, Auburn Station*
Predicted Finish: 3rd Place PBC Summer Classic, Runner-Up PBC Series, Runner-Up PBC Invitational
It seems that good luck may finally be running out for Murrayfield & Grant (5-1), as the Red Barons have fallen from grace in recent weeks.
 Injured Ace G.H. Henderson |
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In mid-July, Skipper Denny Davis Sr. announced that ace G.H. Henderson had been experiencing some strain on his rotators cuff and would be placed on the disabled list until the end of the regular season, at the earliest. A week later,
star catcher Vincent Knox was caught with an illicit tonic-substance in the clubhouse (Knox maintains it was prescribed to him for his injury). And a week after that, the Auburn Station Railroaders won their third straight game, taking
over first place in the league.
Though news isn’t all bad for the Barons, as the acquisition of the Lincoln brothers may give Murrayfied some much needed relief on the rubber. The late inning heroics of star outfield Clifton Lloyd Harris cease to amaze as the Barons
squeaked by the Robins 3-1 in their last outing, Harris sniping a winning homerun.
We appreciate that the Red Barons are perhaps the hardest fighters in the league, boasting a slew of dramatic finishes and all-star plays, but they did them all under the leadership of Henderson and Knox.
While the tabloids and baggage following this team has turned into some late-season drama, we expect the Red Barons to finish a respectable second-place, but bowing out early to Lake Wampaug in the first round of the playoffs.
But with Harris in center field, we’re not taking it to the bank.
Games Remaining: Concord Park, Auburn Station
Predicted Finish: 2nd Place PBC Summer Classic
The future of Concord Park (2-1) is still a mystery, as the Nine have been away playing in other tournaments for most of the regular season.
With five games remaining, Concord Park’s finish is anybody’s guess, but with the bottom four teams posting a string of consistent losses, we expect the Nine to sneak into the playoffs with the fourth seed.
 Power-hitter Lee Loveland |
|---|
Concord Park will pick the season back up with a highly anticipated double-header against the Essex Admirals, one which has just as much on the line for the Nine as do the Admirals.
The Concord boys then must face off against a wounded Murrayfield & Grant, with a possibility to upset the once league leaders. While the Barons hope to take the opportunity to extend their penant chase to a final showdown with Auburn
Station, the Nine look to solidify their place in the standings.
But the final two games for Concord Park will be the most crucial: Greenwood and Dorchester Heights. With both teams slowly gaining on Concord’s tail, it will take more than a lucky break for the Nine to escape the chase of these heavy
hitters.
Regardless of who has the first to take the coveted fourth spot, we expect them to fall limp to winner of the pennant and leave the postseason early.
Games Remaining: Essex (2), Murrayfield & Grant, Greenwood, Dorchester Heights
Predicted Finish: 4th Place PBC Summer Classic
If there is one team other than Concord Park that can sneak into the postseason, it’s Dorchester Heights (2-3). The Athletic Club’s late inning meltdowns have led to 2 of their 3 losses thus far (though they
were smacked 11-2 by Deedhams and the Railroaders in their other loss).
 Power of DHAC Webb Slater |
|---|
With three games remaining and Auburn Station in their rearview mirror, Dorchester Heights hopes that their slightly-easier strength of schedule can power them into the postseason.
The acquisition of Cassius Sizemore paid off in their extra-innings thriller over Essex, but whether he will give them the spark they need is still to be seen. Though the Athletic Club may have enough sparks already as they lay claim to
the powerhouse Webb Slater atop the league in run production. Slater has 6 dingers and 13 RBI’s on the year, however, some well timed intentional walks may be enough to hold Slater stagnant. Even so, the power of Slocumb, Pollard, and
Burke or the consistency of Nunez, Tennyson, and Astor may be enough for the Club to win out.
In the bullpen, Burnside and Chamberlin have looked like both aces and rookies, often in the same outing. Dorchester, like Wampaug, is on the market for a third pitcher if they can somehow extend the season into the fall.
Games Remaining: Concord Park, Lake Wampaug, Barrington
Predicted Finish: 5th Place PBC Summer Classic
The Greenwood Robins (2-3) are an average baseball club. Some say they may be erratic enough to sneak into the playoffs, but we don’t buy it.
This season has been a tale of two Greenwoods. They pulled an incredible rally to top the Athletic Club, but then lost to Essex. They handled Barrington, but were toppled by Auburn Station. They pinned Murrayfield & Grant to 3 runs, but
couldn’t bring the bat to take home the victory.
 Struggling Ace Luigi Ryle |
|---|
If you ask Greenwood fans how they think the Robins will finish out the year, there seems to be a resounding, “It depends who shows up”.
With three games to play, Greenwood could actually make the playoffs. But with three games to play, Greenwood also could be sent down to the minors. Automatically.
It seems the problem with an average baseball club, is that you never know who you’re going to get on any given day. The power is there: Titus, Little, Fump, and Flint. The pitching could improve, they could try to play a little bit more
small ball. The point is, the pieces are there for a playoff team.
But what worries fans more than not making the playoffs, is that Greenwood is the type of team that could, say, drop a game to a ‘B-League’ squad and find themselves back in the minors.
On the market, Greenwood appears very receptive to make a trade, especially in the bullpen. Skipper Winslow Babbidge has even, on occasion, suggested he would be willing to get back on the mound if the “powers-that-be” let him (Babbidge
himself once threw for Lonelyville before winding up in Halifax for most of his career).
Although Greenwood is a team that would be very lucky to make the playoffs, they’d be lucky enough to return to the league next season.
The question remains: Which Greenwood will show up?
Games Remaining: Lake Wampaug, Auburn Station, Concord Park
Predicted Finish: 6th Place PBC Summer Classic, Relegation.
What do Barrington, Murrayfield & Grant, Lake Wampaug, and Dorchester Heights have in common? They all beat the Essex Admirals (1-5) in extra-innings, in games they should have otherwise lost.
Essex even had Auburn Station tied in the ninth. They lost by three runs.
You heard it here: The Essex Admirals (1-5) are cursed. Essex’ late addition to the PBC had teams scared: the Admirals looked dangerous. Emerson Shaft, Pappy Foster, and Henry Nemoy brought the power. Sean Venture and Anthony Peel on the
mound brought the heat.
But the Admirals somehow always managed to have the wind taken out of their sails: a late-inning walk, an unimaginable bunt.
Luckily, the Admirals still have a chance to avoid relegation, and it looks like the management isn’t going to let them go softly. While Essex may have made a mistake in sending the reliable Sizemore to Dorchester, acquiring Steinbeck
may bring some much needed speed around the base paths.
Steinbeck charged home to keep the Admirals alive in their meeting with Dorchester, barreling into home for the tying run in the ninth. Essex lost in the tenth.
With a crowded roster in a seller’s market, Essex may be able to land a big player as teams get desparate in their final games. Dorchester, Greenwood, and even Faulkner have showed interest in some of the Shipmen. Ambrose Hill is back in
action for Essex and hopes to lead the team away from a playoff with Barrington.
Though playoff hopes are nearly infintismal, Essex hopes a sweep of rival Concord Park could help them escape a potentially nasty elimination game.
Essex may have had a lack-luster season, but we don’t see them leaving the league anytime soon.
Games Remaining: Concord Park (2)
Predicted Finish: 7th Place PBC Summer Classic
While Murrayfield’s drama has been the focus of the press, the Barrington Buzzards’ (1-6) has stayed out of the limelight.
 BAR Slugger Bubba Logan |
|---|
The Buzzards opened the season in Branford, but were sold off by Clyde Townsend and the Bears Board when financial prospects looked dimmed. In exile, the Bears were taken in by nearby Barringon, a baseball town without a flagship team
to call its own. But the then 0-2 Buzzards couldn’t turn the season around: They have dropped four of their last five, often in ugly fashion.
With one game to go, Barrington faces relegation from the league if they can’t arrange a win against Dorchester Heights. The Buzzards fell 10-9 in their first meeting, but have hoped to turn things around in the rivalry series.
Despite the losses, the Buzzards have some standout players: Bubba Logan, Julian Drexler, and Thaddeus Taguchi, all of which have been sought after this season. Dorchester Heights have given Barrington nearly free-reign to negotiate a
trade, so long as they don’t touch the Athletic’s prized Webb Slater. On the mound, Spackles has been unable to deliver for Barrington, and relief has done little more.
The move from Branford has been especially hard in the ticket booth. With attendance and sponsorship down, investment seems to be targeted toward younger clubs such as Hawthorne, Faulkner, and Lonelyville. Barrington may very well be
forced to liquidate upon relegation.
But if Concord Park sweeps Essex, or Barrington can upset Dorchester Heights, the Buzzards could at the very least force a playoff game with Essex (the only team Barrington has beaten).
Games Remaining: Dorchester Heights
Predicted Finish: 8th Place PBC Summer Classic, Relegation
PBC League Table
as of August 8, 2010
| team | w | l | pct. | p# | rs | ra |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn Station* | 5 | 1 | .833 | 7.5 | 50 | 33 |
| Murrayfield & Grant | 5 | 1 | .833 | 7.5 | 36 | 27 |
| Lake Wampaug* | 4 | 2 | .667 | 6.3 | 45 | 24 |
| Concord Park | 2 | 1 | .667 | 5.6 | 14 | 11 |
| Greenwood | 2 | 3 | .400 | 4.4 | 36 | 39 |
| Dorchester Heights | 2 | 3 | .400 | 4.4 | 31 | 39 |
| Essex | 1 | 5 | .167 | 2.5 | 35 | 40 |
| Barrington | 1 | 6 | .142 | 1.9 | 36 | 65 |
RECENT RESULTS
8/8. Dorchester Heights 6, Essex 5 (10)
8/7. Auburn Station 10, Barrington 6
7/26. Auburn Station 6, Essex 3
7/21. Auburn Station 6, Concord Park 4
7/19. Murrayfield & Grant 3, Greenwood 1
Although an upset by the 1-5 Buzzard over the 4-1 Railroaders would have come as a shock to the PBC world, perhaps few expected such an ruthless beating out of the gates by the boys from the Station.
The Railroaders sent 10 men to the plate in 2nd inning, and by the 3rd they had staked themselves to a commanding 6-0 lead. A team that has enforced it’s offensive dominance with the long ball all season long stuck to their guns tonight, belting five homers.
Skip Higgins and Sigfried Crewe contributed two long balls each, while Vine added one to increase his team leading total to six on the year. Phinaeus Yarborough also contributed three hits, including a two-out bases-loaded single in the second that set the tone for the rest of the contest. Yarborough has now batted in 11 runs through six games.
The Railroaders, now 5-1, find themselves locked in a first place tie with Murrayfield and Grant, a team that seemingly does not know how to lose. The two juggernauts of the PBC will lock horns in the final game of the regular season.
Meanwhile Barrington will lick their wounds and prepare themselves for their last game of the year, a showdown with rival Dorchester Heights. Failure to tally a victory against the Athletic Club will put the Buzzards in great danger of being dropped to division II.
