Power Pros Forum

Do NOT post here! This is so i can find all the story updates easily in one location.
Positions
SP: Collin Matthews (AgentP)
SP: Anthony Palmer (AnthonyP)
CL: Ryan Techer (Dishnetkid)
C: Mack Evans (Detroittigers)
1B: Gilgamesh (Cooldude)
2B: Sufjan Kumar (Redsfan)
3B: Jay Stewart (detroitigers15)
SS: Jimmy Panther (BrewersFuzz)
OF: Jack Allen (Powerprosfan)
OF: Bryan Murphy (MacCrash)
OF: Hunter Veil (Zumikaku)
Util: [IF] Jamey Jennings (AnthonyP)
Util: [P/C] Adam McCoy (AgentP)
Util: [C] Harry Benthym (Zumikaku)
Util: [IF] Danny Jones (Powerprosfan)
Util: [OF] Rusty Rhodes (Redsfan)

Quote:
OFFICIAL IBL LEAGUE MEMO:
Hey there, IBL managers! Spring Training for the inagural season is underway, and league rules have been set. Read carefully!

DIVISIONS:

North America
1) El Paso Rawhides (Southern USA)
2) Rio Rivers (Brazil)
3) Portland Hipsters (Northern USA)
4) Pacific Islanders (Pacific Islands)
5) Vancouver Inuits (Canada)

Europe:
1) Rome Gladiators (Italy)
2) Paris Towers (France)
3) Berlin Walls (Germany)
4) London Tigers (UK)

Asia:
1) Hong Kong Kings
2) Tokyo All-Stars (Japan)
3) Sapporo Sox (Japan)
4) Beijing Pandas (China)
5) India Invaders

The top team from each division plus the team with the next best record will move on to a four team single elimination playoff with 3-game series. All games, regular season and post-season, are played in suburban ballpark in New York City. The season is 15 games long, and standard major league rules apply in each game.

Thanks again,
IBL Commissioner Otaku Kamura


Lane Street put down the memo, still warm from the printer, and gazed at the Rawhides' spring training field, Local Ballpark, from his special owner's box seat. Well, this is it, he thought to himself.

It was always Lane's childhood dream to become a pro 1st baseman, but a freak leg injury while making a tough stretch in 7th grade forced him to give up a sport. While his slight limp still prevented him from playing, he could still manage a team well due to his stat nerd tendencies. He was still a bit tired, as he had been up all night trying to sign all the players he had drafted. Sadly, he hadn't been too successful, and only 16 had accepted their contracts. Well, at least if I find a good starting lineup, I can find some good free agents to fill out the bench. he thought to himself.

A sound interrupted him, and he quickly opened the door to his office. A bus was now unloading the new draftees. This looks like a quirky bunch.

He strode out onto the mound. "Guys, make sure you play your hearts out during these practices, ok? Remember, your performance decides whether you get a starting spot. Let the training begin!"

He first decided to work with the pitchers.

"So, Collin, I've heard you're what they call a 'power pitcher,' right?"
"Correct, sir."
"Well step up to the mound, and we'll see what they taught you down at Oklahoma State."
Collin dug into the side of the rubber and watched as coach Street set up a radar gun.
"Well, wing one in there!"
Decision time for AgentP!
a) Throw as hard as you can!
b) Don't risk it, just throw like you normally would.
c) Throw that new breaking ball you've been working on.
d) "Why don't you make me?"

He then called Ryan Techer to the mound.
"Hey there, bud. How'ya doin?"
"Pretty good, Mate."
"Here's a little test of a closer's nerves for ya."
Lane wheeled out two giant amplifiers on either side of the mound. He blasted sound effects of a screaming crowd. He then sent the hitting coach, Kris Powell, to the plate.
"All you gotta do is strike this guy out. Pretend like there's 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th."
Decision time for DishNetKid!
a) Pitch around him.
b) Pump some fastballs in and then throw a knuckler.
c) Nothing but curveballs.
d) Nothing but fastballs.

Then, a tall, skinny kid with blond hair walked up to the rubber.
"You must be Anthony, right?"
"Right as rain, mister."
"Well I've heard great things about your control. You've got 10 balls, throw them into this hole on the target board."
The hole wasn't that much bigger than the ball itself, but Anthony thought he was up to the task.
Decision time for AnthonyP!
a) Throw a Circle Change at it!
b) Throw a fastball at it
c) Throw a meatball at it!
d) Throw a curveball at it!

He then motioned for Adam McCoy to come to the mound and looked at his scouting report.
"Wait a sec, you're a pitcher AND a catcher?!?!?"
He nodded.
"You sound like a great asset to the team. Well kid, I've got a special practice for you."
He was moved to a room with a giant screen.
"You'll do a drill like a video game, where you call pitches for this virtual pitcher."
The scoreboard on the top left of the screen showed that it was the last inning of the game, with a 1-run lead and 2 outs. Bases were loaded. He chose 2 fastballs for strikes and then threw a curve down and away, which the batter took. What do you choose next?
Decision time for AgentP!
a) Fastball, up and in
b) Changeup down and away
c) Curveball up and away
d) Fastball outside

He pointed to the other two catchers, Harry Benthym and Mack Evans. "You guys will work with the fielders today. You'll get your chance with the fielders tomorrow."

Pitchers, make your choices! Fielders will make choices next!

PITCHERS:
Collin Update
Gotta impress coach... thought Collin. He wound up, gritting his teeth, and felt his whole body send the ball hurtling into the bullpen catcher's mitt. A perfect strike.
"Nice! 83 MPH, better than most guys in this league. Way to go!"
Top Spd ↑ 3/25 (83)
Ctrl ↑ 2/40 (G)
Pwr Pitcher ↑
Coach's Eval: 4/10

Ryan Update
Closing his eyes and trying to forget the pressure, Ryan focused on throwing strikes by sticking to fastballs. With the count at 2-2, Ryan threw a knuckleball down and in. The batting coach stepped into the pitch early, but was somehow able to flick his wrists and hit a blooper into shallow left field. In a game situation, this would be an easy single. "So close, buddy, just remember to bare down with 2 strikes!"
Choke Artist ↑ 2/10
Ctrl ↑ 1/40
Coach's Eval 2/10

Anthony Update
CLANG! The targetboard rattled a bit as the circle change barely missed the bulls-eye. "Crud!" Exclaimed Anthony in disgust. After missing the first 3 in a row, he was able to salvage his self-confidence to go 5 for ten. "50% ain't bad, but you can do better," said Lane.
CCHG ↑ 2/35
CTR ↑ 1/40
Coach's Eval 1/10

Adam Update
The virtual pitcher wound up and hurled some high cheese up and in. The batter was thrown off guard and hit a grounder up the middle. The second baseman just barely made a diving snag to finish off the game. "Close call, but you still got 'em," Lane said.
Gd Catcher ↑ 1/10
Fld: 2/40
Coach's Eval 3/10

As he was leaving the bullpen, Lane headed to the batting cage, where the outfielders were working on their swings. Looking good, he thought. Better give 'em some individual challenges, though.

He walked up to the first cage. Hunter Veil was inside, taking some cut with his red bat.
"Looks like you've got some nice power."
"Thanks, coach."
"You ready for a challenge?"
"Uh... sure."
"I'm gonna choose a random pitch setting on the machine. Look out though, as each pitch has a level, 1-7 and also a speed setting. Let's see how good you are at judging the pitch."
Hunter Veil dug into the batters box, shaking, as he was a little nervous.

Decision time for Zumikaku
a) Get ready for some heat!
b) Stay back for a nasty curve.
c) Take the pitch.
d) Look out for the changeup.

In the next cage was Jamey Jennings.
"So, my scouting report says you're Anthony's pal?"
"Yeah, ever since 3rd grade."
"Well, lets hope you do better than he did today. This drill is to test your spray hitting."
He sent him to the field and set up some fielders.
"All you've gotta do is get a hit, but this pitch is gonna be super fast and inside, so you'll be forced to hit one into the shallow outfield."

Decision time for AnthonyP!
a) Pull to the left
b) Slap to the right
c) Bunt
d) Screw that, swing for the fences!

Jack Allen was next on his list.
"Hey, bud, have you ever played MLB Power Pros?"
"Yeah, what guy in his right mind hasn't?"
"Good, this drill is just the same as the scout hitting challenge!"
"Ok, Coach!"

Decision time for Powerprosfan!
a) Warning track power = big points!
b) Bunt
c) Bat against Marvin
d) Spray some into the outfield.

Finally, he called Bryan Murphy out to the weight room.
"Hey, bud let me watch you do a few sets."
"Alright, coach."
Decision time for Maccrash!
a) Go all out on the bench press
b) take it easy with some curls
c) lift a moderately heavy barbell
d) punch the punching bag.

Can someone give me a choice? I'm Rusty Rhodes.