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ERISA Dude
 Post subject: Re: Season Log: Iowa City Country
PostPosted: Thu May 09, 2013 9:37 pm 
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White Sox – Country Championship Preview

DIVISION SERIES
    The White Sox beat the Yankees in five games, scoring 37 runs in the series – an average of over seven runs per game – while the Country beat the Athletics in four games in which they totaled 16 runs (averaging four per game). Scoring most of their runs in the last two games, including the game against Athletics' ace Blanton, Country fans hope this indicates a turnaround from their relatively poor offensive showings throughout most of December.

SEASON MATCHUPS
    During the season, the Country were the victors in 10 of 12 meetings with the White Sox, but the White Sox won their last series with the Country, taking two of three, when the Country scored five runs over the course of the series to the White Sox' six runs (the Country's lone win was a shutout).

    Both teams were 17 and 11 in September, with the White Sox scoring 14 more runs during that month, but allowing 13 more runs to score.

PITCHING
    On the mound, the White Sox have a solid staff, and should be able to expect three of their top five starters (Vasquez (95 CA SL – two, CB – three, SP - one, CH – three), Buehrle (90 CA 2SF – two, SL – two, CU – four, CB – three, CH – four), Contreras (95 FB 2SF – two, SL – one, SP – four, CH – two)) to be able to go toe to toe against the Country's dominant starters, while Pedro Martinez and Linebrinks are effective relievers.

HITTING
    At the plate, the White Sox continue to boast a powerful lineup, boasting three outfielders with power levels of B, one of whom (Nick Swisher) had a significant amount of success against Country pitching in their last meeting. In the field, the Sox use light hitting third baseman and shortstop Ozuna and Itzuris, leaving a small hole at the start of their lineup before power hitters Konerko, Thome, and Pierzinski come to bat.

    Pierzinski continues to be one of the top all-around catchers in the game today, but his weakness feeds into a potential strength of the Country. With a level E arm, the Country should be able to establish a running game that just got on track against the Athletics strong-armed catcher in their last game. This could be especially so against the two White Sox starters whose fastball maxes out at 90 mph. If the Country run wild against the White Sox, that could mask a lot of their recent offensive woes since they could get runners in scoring position more frequently.

CONDITIONING
    While neither team had an easy series, the Country pitching staff seems to be in pretty good shape, with Rijo and Bailey already available to start and Lincecum and Grindell almost ready. The White Sox had a longer series and although Contreras is ready to go, their next three best starters are still in gray condition. Both teams relief staff are good to go. Offensively, a number of the White Sox starting lineup is in blue condition, including Paul Konerko, and their catcher is in purple condition. The Country have also had to deal with the weariness in their lineup, with Erdos just coming out of purple condition to blue, and Jack Cust being in blue condition, while Orlando Hudson recently reported in purple condition. Some of their lineup has recovered from being in poor condition early on in the Athletics series, but backup utility men Riggins and Schrager are in purple and blue, respectively.

SUMMARY
    The Country have the better team, although the White Sox have been playing better recently. The Country, as a team, is also in better condition. We expect a hard-fought, close series, with the country coming out on top in six games.
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ERISA Dude
 Post subject: Re: Season Log: Iowa City Country
PostPosted: Fri May 10, 2013 10:08 pm 
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2010 AL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: IOWA CITY COUNTRY AND CHICAGO WHITE SOX

(Games 1-3)

Game one: Country Rijos (97 DB SL – five, CB – three, FO – three) versus White Sox Contreras (95 FB 2SF – two, SL – one, ST – four, CH – two)

    Rijos was plowing through the White Sox lineup until their ninth hitter, Nick Swisher, drilled a slider over the left-field wall. In the sixth, the Country challenged Contreras, starting the inning with two singles and bringing in a run one out later when Huisman hit a soft liner into left field. Cust came to bat next and drilled an outside changeup for a three run homerun that sent Contreras to the showers. Linebrink relieved Contreras, but hung a one – zero pitch that Johnson hammered over the right field wall. The Country added another run when Fields doubled and Hamilton made it all the way around to score from first. End of six, six – one, Country

    Rijos did not start the eighth inning, exiting after allowing one run on just two hits through seven. Uchiyama and Brown closed out the eighth and ninth innings.

Final score: six – one, Country

National League: Marlins beat Mets four – zero

Game two: Country Bailey (94 EB 2SF – THREE, HSL – THREE, DCB – FOUR) versus White Sox Nolasco (95 FC 2SF – one, CB – three, CH – two)

    The White Sox obtained Nolasco in a late-July trade with the Marlins for minor-league pitcher Great Lee (88 FE KN – four). The Country are starting Bailey, who dropped from red to yellow condition, over Lincecum, purple condition, Grindell, blue condition, or Depablos, gray condition.

    Jack Cust led off the second inning with a bang, letting an inside changeup go before smacking an outside changeup over the left field fence. The Country added to their lead in the third when Johnson doubled two runs in. Bailey, meanwhile, did not allow the White Sox their second hit until the sixth inning, when Swisher grounded the ball deep into the hole at second base that was retrieved by the Country second baseman, but not in time to complete the out. The White Sox threatened in the top of the seventh, putting runners at second and third with one out. A bloop hit allowed one of the runner to score before a double-play ended the threat.

    Broxton pitched a perfect eighth-inning, and was allowed to start the 9th, being pulled after allowing the first two batters to reach first and third. Harden entered the game at that point, allowing one run to score on a fielders choice, but ultimately earning the save.

Final score: three – two Country (two – zero)

National League: Marlins (two) beat the Mets (zero) 12 – 11

Game three: Country Depablos (94 DB SL – three, CB – four, DSL – four) at White Sox Danks (90 DB SL – one, CH – two)

    Lineup: Spilborghs and Erdos are in today's lineup against the left-handed Danks, even though both are blue, while Hamilton, in red condition, sits. Cust is being given the day off, having reported in purple condition while Hudson, sitting out the last couple of games in purple condition, remains purple but is being shifted over to DH and Schrager continues to start at second base.

    The Country put a run on the scoreboard in the top of the second when Erdos reached first on an infield single, stole second, and scored on a Schrager base hit up the middle. The White Sox five – seven hitters loaded the bases with one out, and all three scored on a Uribe double that split the Country left and centerfielders. End of two, three – one, White Sox

    Dan Johnson hit a solo homerun in the fourth, and the Country tied the game in the top of the 5th, when Hudson singled, stole second, and scored on a ground ball from McCurdy that rolled between the first and second basemen. Spilborghs followed with another single, but fielders choices resulted in no more runs. The White Sox got their lead back when Swisher hammered a slider over the centerfield wall. In the sixth, Depablos tired and exited with a runner on second and two out. Brown entered the game, allowing that run to score on a single from Pierzynski. Five – three, White Sox

    Danks was pitching effectively, but had a high pitch count since he kept trying to nibble at the corners. Singles by Schrager, Hudson, and Spilborghs brought in a run and the White Sox went to their bullpen.

    In the ninth, Dan Johnson led off against the White Sox closer with a single. Pinch runner JR Towles easily stole second when a wild pitch was thrown, and moved to third on a fielders choice hit into by Erdos. With the tying runner on third and one out, Schrader struck out, and Hudson grounded out to third.

Final score: five – four White Sox. The Country lead the series 2 – 1

National League championship series: Mets (one) beat Marlins (two) five – one
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ERISA Dude
 Post subject: Re: Season Log: Iowa City Country
PostPosted: Mon May 13, 2013 9:18 pm 
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2010 AL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: IOWA CITY COUNTRY AND CHICAGO WHITE SOX

Game four: Country Grindell (94 EB CU – four, CB – three, PA – three, HSK – four) at White Sox Buehrle (90 CA 2SF – two, SL – two, CU – four, CB – three, CH – four)

    Both teams threatened in the first, as Spilborghs reached first on an infield hit down the third base line and went to second on an unusual play when Josh Fields hit a towering fly ball to left field that was caught and the leftfielder tried to double Spilborghs off at first. Spilborghs was fast enough to retreat back to first and then make it all the way back to second before the leftfielder's throw reached the first baseman. Ultimately, Spilborghs was stranded on third. In the bottom half of the inning, Jim Thome reached first safely and probably would have come around to score when Konerko hit a deep fly ball that appeared would hit the wall, but Erdos made an excellent over the shoulder grab for the final out of the inning.

    Luck may have been on the Country's side in the third inning, when Erdos singled with one out, stole second, moved to third on a wild pitch, watched the next two batters hit flyballs that were way too shallow, and then scored on a second while pitch. In the bottom of the inning, Nick Swisher continued to feast on Country pitching, hitting a two run homerun to right field. The weak-hitting Ozuna (power F) followed with a solo home run to left. Three – one, White Sox

    In the top of the fourth, Hunter Pence hit a tailor made cut fastball that drove into the middle of the plate for the game-tying two run homer. The Sox threatened in the bottom of the inning, with Pierzynski hitting a leadoff double that triggered Grindell's exit relatively early, but Brown entered and retired the next three batters without allowing a score. Three – three

    The Country grabbed the lead in the fifth when Spilborghs singled with two out, stole second, and came home on a solid single from Huisman, who waited one pitch before taking off for second and then scored on a Josh Fields single up the middle. The score remained unchanged until the eighth inning when Josh Fields ripped a homerun to lead off the inning. The White Sox threatened when, with a runner on first and Jim Thome batting against Broxton, Thome hit a sharp liner at Fields who threw to second but his throw was wide and a potential double-play ball resulted in runners at first and second, no out and Paul Konerko representing the tying run at the plate. Konerko sharply lined the ball down the first baseline just under Dan Johnson's glove and the bases were loaded for Xavier Nady. Nady doubled home two runs, and Broxton was removed in favor of Harden. Harden got a popout that he handled himself from Pierzynski, Quinten flied out to shallow centerfield (with the announcers thinking that the Sox should have tried to tag up on the play), and then a strikeout of Uribe. Six – five, Country

    Harden stayed in the game for the ninth inning and served up the game-tying homerun to Swisher on a high, inside slider. The game entered the 10th inning tied at six

    Josh Fields stepped to the plate with one out against the White Sox reliever and drilled a slider into the White Sox bullpen for the go-ahead home run. Harden stayed in the game to pitch his third inning and retired the Sox' five – seven hitters in order, earning the win.

Final score: Country (three) over the White Sox (one), seven – six

National league championship series: Mets (two) beat Marlins (two) two – zero

Game five: Country Stratton (88 DC SL – three, CB – four, FO – three, SHU – four) at White Sox Vazquez (95 CA SL – two, CB – three, SP – two, CH – three)

    Vazquez started out challenging the Country with strikes and that paid off early on as he retired the first four batters he faced on only eight pitches, but Josh Hamilton crushed a slider and gave the Country a 1-0 lead. The White Sox failed to score after putting runners in scoring position with one out in the 2nd, but tied the game in the bottom of the third when Konerko hit an RBI single to left. After an inning with the score remaining one – one, the Country went up on singles from Cust, Huisman and McCurdy. A sharply hit single from Orlando Hudson loaded the bases, and one out later, Dan Johnson doubled in two runs. When Lincecum, who never improved beyond purple condition since his last start, pitched his second inning of relief without allowing a run, the Country led four – one

    In the bottom of the sixth, Pierzynski had a solo homerun to dead center field, and after infield hit, Uribe homered to right field, tying the game. An Orlando Hudson home run (right after a Country base stealer was thrown out, in part because Pierzynski's throw was off-line to the first base side of the second base bag) restored the Country's lead, but Jim Thome tied it up with a home run off of Country reliever Uchiyama.

    In the eighth, the Country threatened when Spilborghs got a pinch-hit single and stole second, but was stranded at second base when Cust popped out. In the 9th, the Country threatened again when Josh Fields doubled off the right centerfield fence. Huisman singled, but Fields had to hold up to see if the 2b would make the play and was I'm only able to proceed to third. With JR Towles at the plate, the Country did a risky maneuver, putting both runners in motion on a one – zero pitch. Towles grounded softly to second and the second baseman relayed the ball home too late to catch Fields. One out later, Erdos hit a soft RBI single to left field and the Country took a two run lead into the bottom of the 9th. Hardin pitched the ninth inning, allowed a baserunner who was erased on a steel attempt, and then struck out Jim Thome to save the game and win the league championship.

Final score: seven – five, Country

National League championship series game five: Mets (three) beat Marlins (two) seven – one

National League championship series game six: Marlins (three) beat Mets (three) 15 – three

National League championship series game seven: Marlins (four) beat Mets (three) six – five

WORLD SERIES MATCHUP: FLORIDA MARLINS VERSUS IOWA CITY COUNTRY
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ERISA Dude
 Post subject: Re: Season Log: Iowa City Country
PostPosted: Tue May 14, 2013 9:56 am 
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2010 World series preview: COUNTRY V. MARLINS

STATS
    The Country won 8 of 9 games played against the Marlins this season. The Marlins 18 and 10 September record was one game better than the Country's, and their 148 runs scored is 16 better than the Country's 132 runs scored in September, but their 114 runs allowed in September were just a little worse than the 110 runs allowed by Country pitchers.

PITCHING
    The Marlins have a formidable pitching staff that should give the Country problems even though they're coming off of a seven game series, as all five starters have level B stamina and most have an array of pitches with at least one being level 3 or higher. Their one pitcher who has provided some long relief and spot starting (i.e. the role filled by Stratton on the Country) was their 2010 draft pick, Scobee, who was very effective in his 2 starts against the Country this season. In addition, once the relief pitchers take over, the Marlins have one of the hardest throwers in the game, Zumaya, who can reach 102 mph on the radar gun, and all-world closer Francisco Rodriguez.

OFFENSE
    Offensively, the Marlins field a very solid team, although most still question their trade with the Yankees that sent all-star Dan Uggla to Yankees in exchange for Melky Cabrera, who was left off the major league playoff roster. With Gary Sheffield, Jeremy Hermida, Luis Gonzalez, Carl Crawford, and Alfredo Amezaga on the roster, it is hard to fault the Marlins for leaving Cabrera off the major-league roster, but the loss of Uggla forces the underwhelming Jorge Cantu (DEDEDD) into starting action at 2d. At catcher, Matt Trainer (EEDADC) could halt the Country's running game, and we have seen them struggle against decent pitching when they cannot use the stolen base to move runners into scoring position.

    Marlins starting lineup:

      SS Ramirez (AABECD): average defensively, amazing offensively, the Country have a better defensive SS and their lead off hitter (normally Spilborghs -BBA- or Hudson -CBA) is not noticeably worse.
      Edge: Marlins

      CF Amezega (EDBEDD): speed is his game, although he has an uncanny ability to find holes in the defense, but the Country's #2 hitter (Huisman - BDC) is more of a threat and the Country's CF (Spilborghs and Hamilton) are equally average in the field.
      Edge: Country

      RF Sheffield (DBEDCD): a fierce power hitter who moves well in the field, this aging warrior is outdone by the Country's #3 hitters (usually Cust -BA- Johnson -BB- or Pence - BB) and Pence is better in the field
      Edge: Country

      3B Glause (EBEDCC): the weak-armed 3b gets the job done and is feared at the plate; the Country's 3b (CBEBFD) is better at the plate and even in the field, having a better arm, but worse range.
      Edge: Country

      LF Crawford (BBACBC): an all-star at the plate and in the field, he is even with whoever the Country would bat 5th and better than all the Country's OF
      Edge: Marlins

      2b Cantu (DEDEDD): the Country's dynamic Orlando Hudson outshines most 2bs, let alone the average Cantu
      Edge: Country

      C Treanor (EEDADC): a stronger arm than the Country's catcher, but weaker offensively.
      Edge: Even

      1B Velasquez (FFFFFE): a minor leaguer taking up a roster spot
      Edge: Country

    Two of the Marlins top hitters, Ramirez and Glause, do very well against lefties, which could be problematic for Country left-handed starters Rijos and Depablos, but Cantu, Ramirez, Amezaga, and Crawford do tend to strike out - some when there are runners in scoring position and others when they have two strikes on them.

PREDICTION
    While the Marlins put up some runs, the hole at the back of their lineup at second, first, and catcher, is too much to overcome and the Country, who seemed poised to come out of their hitting slump, win in five
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ERISA Dude
 Post subject: Re: Season Log: Iowa City Country
PostPosted: Tue May 14, 2013 9:07 pm 
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2010 World Series

Game one: Country Lincecum (100 DA 2SF – three, SL – five, DCB – four, CH – four) at Marlins Litsch (93 DB SL – three, CB – two, CH – two, SP – two)

    Dan Johnson, batting third, homered with Huisman on first. Two innings later, Johnson came home on a Pence RBI single after doubling off the right centerfield wall. The Marlins scored one run in the fourth on singles from Amezaga, Sheffield and Crawford. The score remained three – one until the top of the ninth when Hamilton led off with a double, moved to third on a Fields single, and scored on a Hudson single. The Country stranded a runner in scoring position, but entered the ninth inning with a four – one lead.

    Final score: 4-1, Country

    Tim Lincecum was the player of the game, having thrown a complete game, allowing one run on six hits with six strikeouts. Dan Johnson was 3/4 with two RBIs, two runs scored, and missed hitting for the cycle by a triple.

Game two: Country Depablos (94 DB SL – 3, CB – four, VSL – four) at Marlins Sanchez (93 FB SL – four, CB – five, CH – three)

    Depablos almost wriggled out of his jam from when Hanley Ramirez led off with a triple, but ultimately allowed the run to score on a fielders choice. While the Country offense did very little, the Marlins continued to challenge and Depablos allowed runners to get into scoring position in the next two innings, although no one scored. The Marlins pressure got to Depaolos in the fifth and he exited with runners (one of them, the Marlins pitcher) at second and third and two out, but Broxton gave up a weak single to Gary Sheffield that brought in both runners. End of five, three – zero Marlins

    In the sixth, Dan Johnson hit his second two run homerun of the series. In the following inning, the Country stranded the tying runner at third.

    The game entered the ninth inning with the Marlins protecting a one run lead, and they brought in closer Francisco Rodriguez to face Jack Cust. Cist was looking fastball and when Rodriguez started him off with one, he put into the right-field stands, tying the game. In the bottom of the ninth, Uchiyama allowed three singles to the Marlins seven – nine hitters, bringing up Hanley Ramirez with nobody out. The Country played their infield at regular depth, but brought in their outfield, and also brought in closer Harden. Harden struck out Ramirez, but Amezaga grounded the first pitch he saw just outside the reach of the Country's first and second basemen for the game winning RBI.

Final score: four – three, Marlins
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philliesfan134
 Post subject: Re: Season Log: Iowa City Country
PostPosted: Tue May 14, 2013 10:01 pm 
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I love that series comparison. Looks like it mostly favors you guys but it could be a bit of a challenge. They have a nice lineup but pitching, I don't know. I'm guessing Johnson/Nolasco/Sanchez are still there.

Feel bad that they have that scrubby 1B though.

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ERISA Dude
 Post subject: Re: Season Log: Iowa City Country
PostPosted: Wed May 15, 2013 5:44 am 
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philliesfan134 wrote:
I love that series comparison. Looks like it mostly favors you guys but it could be a bit of a challenge. They have a nice lineup but pitching, I don't know. I'm guessing Johnson/Nolasco/Sanchez are still there.

Feel bad that they have that scrubby 1B though.


Thanks. I don't remember seeing a "Johnson," but in addition to the guys you mentioned, they have Jarred Weaver, who's real solid with his level 5 slider.

What I didn't account for, is that since my settings kind of pump up the opposing team while hindering my guys, a BB player on my team is similar to DB on theirs, and a CD player on my team is like a DE player on theirs.

What seems to be really hurting my offense more than anything since September (and I really didn't think it would have such a drastic effect) is my changing the CPUs fielding to powerful. My softly hit flies are now getting snatched my the midfielders or CF instead of falling in.

Anyway, thanks for your comments, and for reading my blog.
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ERISA Dude
 Post subject: Re: Season Log: Iowa City Country
PostPosted: Wed May 15, 2013 11:07 am 
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World series (cont'd)

Game three: Country Grindell (94 EEA CU – four, CB – three, PA – three, HSK – four) versus Marlins Weaver (95 CB SL – five, CH – three)

Comments: the Marlins Jarred Weaver is in purple condition and normally does poorly against left-handed batters, but the Country are battling condition problems of their own, as their shortstop is in purple condition and Cust, Hudson and Erdos are in blue. In the bullpen, only Brown and Broxton are in decent condition, and we are told that Jiang and Harden are unlikely to pitch except in the event of an emergency.

    The Country threatened the first inning, but a diving catch of a line drive by Jorge Cantu ended the threat. Cantu also ended the Country's second inning by catching a line drive. The Country threatened again in the fourth, starting the inning with two singles, but two infield flies and a soft grounder to short handed the threat.

    In the meantime, Grindell showed why he is arguably the most dominant pitcher on the Country's staff, holding a powerful Marlins lineup to 3 hits through 7 innings, and the 3rd hit that he gave up in the seventh was due to the outfield playing back

    In the bottom of the seventh with Towles on first and Spilborghs (who entered the game when Erdos injured himself sliding back into first) at-bat, employed the hit and run with a two – one pitch that resulted in runners at first and third, no outs and Orlando Hudson at-bat. In prior at-bats this game, Hudson was clearly just looking to make contact, but with Weaver tiring, Hudson looked to turn on a pitch and did, hitting a bullet over the right field wall.

    Brown pitched a perfect eighth inning and recorded the first out of the 9th before being pulled in favor of Broxton. Broxton recorded the second out, but then allowed Marlins to reach second and third with Troy Glause at the plate. Three pitches, three strikes, game over.

Final score: three – zero, Country. The Country lead the world series 2 games to 1

Comments: Orlando Hudson, who hit the three-run homer that brought in all Country runs, was the player of the game, although Grindell, pitching into the seventh inning for the first time since August, deserves honorable mention. Cust, Hamilton, and Fields were a combined 0/11. The Country's first and second batters were a combined 6/8

Game 4: Country Bailey (94 DB 2SF – three, HSL – three, DCB – four) versus Marlins Olsen (93 CB SL – three, CH – two)

    Hanley Ramirez led off the game with a homerun off of a two seam fastball that did not dive down or in. The Marlins added two more in the third when the Marlins batters found holes in the Country's defense and got four consecutive base hits. The Country, meanwhile, did not get their second hits of the game until the fifth inning. In the bottom of the fifth, Bailey grooved a fastball down the middle of the plate and Carl Crawford took him deep.

    The Marlins starter would continue to keep the Country offense off-balance and when the Country batters did hit the ball hard, they were tracked down by the Marlins' fielders.

Final score: four – zero, Marlins. The World Series is tied at two games apiece

Game five: country Rijo (97 DB SL – five, CB – three, FO – three) versus Marlins Mitre (95 CB SLV – three, CH – two)

    Rijo is pitching in purple condition as all the other regular starters are in gray, and James and Stratton are in blue condition.

    The Country only waited one inning before lighting up the scoreboard with consecutive singles from the five – seven batters. One out later, Huisman (batting ninth in purple condition) got a broken bat single to shallow centerfield brought in another run, with the runners moving up to second and third on the Marlins throw to the plate, and then a third run came home on a Hudson sacrifice fly. A Spilborghs single brought home a last run, giving the Country a four – zero lead after two.

    Troy Glause lead off the fourth with a homerun, and a Sheffield RBI single off of Chuck James, who relieved Rijo, brought in another run.

    The Country extended their lead to three runs in the bottom of the seventh when Dan Johnson smacked a home run off of a tiring Mitre. In the eighth, doubles by Sheffield and Crawford brought in a run, and then a Cantu single off of a hanging changeup brought in a second run. When the Country failed to mount any offense in the eighth, the game entered the ninth inning with the Country clinging to a one run lead.

    Broxton, who was shaky and his last two appearances, entered the game and retired the Marlins in order, earning the save.

Final score: five – four, Country. The Country now lead the World Series race, three – two

Game six: Country Lincecum (100 DA 2SF – three, SL – five, DCB – four, CH – four) at Marlins Litsch (93 DB SL – three, CB – two, CH – two, SP – two)

    In this rematch of Game 1 starters, Hanley Ramirez led off with a triple, and the Marlins took a one – zero lead when Ramirez scored on fielders choice, but Josh Hamilton tied the game when he led off the second inning with a homerun, and when Litsch, who was pitching in purple condition, grooved a fastball just a little right of center, Pence gave the Country a lead with a homerun of his own. Litsch Held the country in check for the next 2 – 2/3 innings, until he grooved another fastball to Orlando Hudson that Hudson turned into a homerun. Huisman followed with a single and was then replaced with pinch runner JR Towles. Huisman had been playing in purple condition and the Country manager commented after the game that Huisman did not seem to be playing as sharp defensively, so he was being replaced at that point. Cust followed with a deep fly ball and, to everyone's amazement, the Marlins 41 year 11 month old Gary Sheffield climbed the wall and made an amazing attempt to catch the ball, but Cust hit it just out of the right fielders' reach for a two run homerun. Still, we believe this was the first time in Sheffield's 22 years in the majors that he scaled that wall. After Lincecum give up a single to the Marlins picture and a double to Hanley Ramirez, Amezaga came through with an opposite field single that brought in both runners. End of five, five – three Country

    In the sixth, the Marlins pulled within a run when Cantu single, moved to second on a fielders choice, and scored when relief picture Zamaya lofted the ball over the Country first baseman.

    The game entered the ninth inning with the Country clinging to a five – four lead, having used up all of their pinch hitters, and Harden taking the mound. With the aid of a double-play, Harden retired the Marlins first three batters, earning the world championship.

Final score: five – four, Country

Comments: Hanley Ramirez was 5/5 and missed hitting for the cycle by a homerun. In spite of those hits, which included a triple and a double, he had no RBIs. Lincecum was not sharp, allowing 4 runs over six innings with only one strikeout. Jiang entered the game in the seventh and pitched well, allowing only one hit in his two innings of work.
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ERISA Dude
 Post subject: Re: Season Log: Iowa City Country
PostPosted: Wed May 15, 2013 4:17 pm 
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2010 Titles and Awards

Spilborghs led the AL (and the NL) with a 386 batting average and 60 stolen bases

Jack Cust lead major-league baseball with 72 homeruns. He also took home the AL MVP, Hank Arron Award, DH of the year.

Hardin led the league with 50 saves. He was also named relief pitcher of the year

Country midfielders, Huisman and Hudson were named AL fielders of the year, and Spilborghs, Pence, and Fields were listed awarded hitter of the year for their respective positions

Dan Johnson was named most valuable player of the World Series
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ERISA Dude
 Post subject: Re: Season Log: Iowa City Country
PostPosted: Thu May 16, 2013 5:27 am 
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2010 Contract Negotiations

The Country had to negotiate with 24 of their players this off-season. The Country released a statement exclaiming their successes and that no Country player will reach the free-agent market this year, but apparently there was some contention.

A Country official who asked to have his name withheld because the Country prefer to keep negotiations private, reported the following:

    While starting pitcher Tim Lincecum signed the richest contract in Country history, at $9.8 million for three years, after he initially requested a single year salary of $5.75 million, he rejected five year offers that would pay $9.75 million and $10 million per season.

    Starting pitchers Depablos and Rijo requested single year contracts paying $790,000 and $940,000, respectively, and they received those; however, we are told that the Country are disappointed that each rejected 3 separate five-year offers that would pay 4 million, 5 million, and $5.75 million per season

    Relievers Stratton and Brown requested single year contracts paying $600,000 and $1 million, respectively, and each received their requests. Stratton reportedly turned down contracts that would pay him $2 million over five years and then a second offer of $2 million over four years, while Brown rejected a three-year contract that would pay $1.5 million per season.

    Jiang, who earned his way from middle reliever to late inning reliever requested and received a $1 million single-season contract, rejecting offers to pay him 1.5 million and then 2 million over five years and a third offer to pay 1.5 million over two years.

    Perhaps most surprising is what we heard about the negotiations with McCurdy, the starting catcher who requested a salary decrease from $1 million down to $700,000. After rejecting offers that would pay him $2.1 million per season for five seasons, $2 million over four seasons, and $2 million over three seasons, the Country agreed to his single-season contract at $700,000.

    We are told that the Country or also unhappy with shortstop Huisman, who played a key offensive role at times this season and was named American League Defensive shortstop of the year. Huisman actually requested a salary decrease down to $420,000 for the 2011 season. We're told that the Country expected Huisman to be ecstatic at their opening offer of $1.3 million for five seasons, but he rejected that offer. After he also rejected offers of $1.3 million for four seasons and $1.8 million for four seasons, the Country agreed to his single season contract, but we are told the country are unhappy with how negotiations went and we wonder if Huisman is upset about the Country picking up shortstop DeVito two seasons ago and Finnigan last season.

    Hunter Pence received the single-season contract and $1.27 million, as he initially requested. We're told the Country are upset and that they were looking to sign Pence to a long-term contract, but he rejected $2 million deals that would span five seasons and then four seasons, and even rejected a four year contract that would pay $3.25 million per season

    Ryan Spilborghs requested a salary decrease from $1 million to $630,000 and received that contract after he rejected an offer of $1.1 million for five years and $1 million for three years.

    Outfielder Erdos, who burst forth this year with 20 homeruns before struggling through the playoffs, requested a single-season contract paying $1.42 million, but after rejecting to counteroffers, accepted a three-year contract paying $1.85 million per season

    While not financially significant, word has it that the Country are miffed with first-year player Hyatt, who the Country received in a trade with the Orioles. Unlike most first-year players who requested bumps from $390,000-$420,000, Hyatt requested $620,000, and rejected two counteroffers from the Country, before agreeing to a one season $500,000 deal.
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ZeroGibson13
 Post subject: Re: Season Log: Iowa City Country
PostPosted: Thu May 16, 2013 9:54 am 
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ERISA Dude
 Post subject: Re: Season Log: Iowa City Country
PostPosted: Thu May 16, 2013 10:41 am 
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LOL! Some of these guys, like McCurdy, need to fire their agents. Insisting on $700,000 over $2 mill for 3 years? He's not gonna make more than that!
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ERISA Dude
 Post subject: Re: Season Log: Iowa City Country
PostPosted: Thu May 16, 2013 10:11 pm 
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2011 Free Agency

The Country did not dip their toe into free agency. The GM explained their hesitancy as follows: "Our top priority this offseason was to resign certain of our own free agents. Remember, a lot of our key players, such as Josh Fields, Erdos, and our top 5 starters, are young players who are still improving, so resigning our own players improved our roster." Of this year's crop of free agents, we are told that they did look into signing right fielder Alex Rios, thinking that the 29-year-old star outfielder's request of a three-year contract paying $1.63 million per season was quite reasonable, but ultimately felt that adding him to their current mix of Pence, Cust (who recently improved his error rating from G to F), Spilborghs, Erdos, Hamilton, and Kemp, not to mention several solid minor-league prospects, would be too much. Off the record, they also commented that they thought Rios strikes out too much.

Some notable free agents on which they passed include OF Brad Houck (DACCEB), who was asking over $5 million per season for two seasons; 34-year-old Jose Guillen (DBCACC), who is asking for a four-year contract paying more than $2.7 million per season, 34-year-old Vladimir Guerrero, Andrew Jones, Pat Burrell, Matt Holliday, who was requesting a $10 million per season contract, and Carl Crawford.

Notable infielders included first baseman Carlos Pena, Paul Konerko, Albert Pulhols, who was requesting a five year $17 million contract, third basemen Adrian Beltre and Garrett Atkins, shortstop Jimmy Rollins

The crop of quality free-agent pitchers was thin, but included Jake Westbrook and Jeremy Bonderman. The Florida Marlins defensive catcher was the only catcher on the market.

After the free agency period closed, some teams released certain players, and the Country signed a pitcher who was released. Darula (92 DC SL – three, CB – one) is 27 years old and signed a two-year contract paying $470,000 per season. When asked about the signing, the Country GM said "We were attracted to his plus 90s fastball and even though his stamina is level C, it is technically at 106 – just short of a B. Since pitch speed and stamina tend to take the longest to develop, we figured we'd give him a shot and see what happens. His "plus slider" is a bonus, too. We will probably have him learn a split fingered fastball during spring and see how he improves in the minors over the course of the season. With Stratton having the long-reliever/spot-starter role locked up and James and Pettyjohn expected to compete for the 6th starter spot, we do not expect to see Darula until the rosters expand, but you never know!"
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ERISA Dude
 Post subject: Re: Season Log: Iowa City Country
PostPosted: Sat May 18, 2013 9:23 pm 
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TRADE REPORT

1/15/11: The Country accepted a trade offer from the Milwaukee Brewers today, sending the Brewers valuable utilityman JR Towles (FDCBCC), who can play all infield positions but first base (and pitcher), and will receive leftfielder Ryan Braun (CADEFG) in return. Braun is 27 years old, like Towles, and is under contract for the next three seasons at $420,000 per season, while Towles is under a one-year contract paying $450,000.

Said the Country "we realize we have a crowded outfield, and our DH has led the league in home runs and won Hank Aaron award for two years in a row, but how could we turn down the opportunity to get a player with CA contact and power, who is young, and costs less than the utility person we are shipping over?"

A representative from a Country intradivision rival, who asked not to be named, responded as follows when told of the deal: "Is this a joke!!! Who trades a young, power-hitting superstar who's earning close to the league minimum for a utility-guy! I'll admit that Towles is a great utility man. The dude is a strong catcher, 3b, SS, and 2b, and he puts the ball in play, but Ryan Braun?!? Why don't the Brewers just hand the Country their 4th World Series?!?"

On this same day, the Country turned down a trade that would have sent first year catcher, Dunwoody (EEFDED) to the Pirates in exchange for outfielder Wilkerson (EBBDEC) and a minor league OF. Said the Country "With our crowded outfield, we didn't think adding Wilkerson for $3.39 million was worthwhile, and we want to see what Dunwoody can do."
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ERISA Dude
 Post subject: Re: Season Log: Iowa City Country
PostPosted: Sun May 19, 2013 10:12 pm 
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2011 spring training

OVERVIEW

    While in prior years, the focus in spring training was offense, this year the focus has been on defense and on increasing pitching stamina. In September, the Country purchased equipment to increase players batting trajectories and had a lot of their players increase their trajectory from 1 to 2, or 2 to 3. During the playoffs, the Country purchased fielding equipment and also equipment to help their pitching staff improve their game stamina.

PITCHING

    All the Country's starting pitchers have been focusing on improving their stamina and it has largely been successful. Depablos and Rijo jumped from 113 to 118 and 119, respectively, while Grindell jumped from 112 to 118, and Pettyjohn[/color], who's been focusing on his stamina since being sent down to the minors when the playoffs started, improved from 110 to 117

    Stratton is another pitcher using that equipment and he is now at a level B stamina, improving from 107 up to 111. It is not clear whether the solid long reliever will be fighting for the sixth starter's roll with James[/color] and Pettyjohn, or if he is locked into the long reliever/spot starter position. Free-agent Darovula[/color], who took time in the spring to develop a split fingered fastball, is still at 109, but should hit 110 early in the season.

    Uchiyama (96 DC SL – 3, CH – three, SHU – three, SC – one), who pitched well in a middle relief role last season and made the postseason roster, developed a screwball. We are told the Country were hoping he would learn a slow curve, but he was unable to do so.

    Oliver (92 DC CU – three, CB – three, SLV – four, VS – four) is the only non-starting pitcher from the original team, along with Jiang, to remain on the roster. Word is that the Country were disappointed in Oliver's inability to get outs, thinking that his level 3 and 4 pitches should have resulted in more success. This off-season, he added one mile-per-hour onto his fastball and at the end of last season, increased his vertical slider to a level four. He has pitched better this spring, although he is clearly their least effective pitcher, and should be available for trade. His one year $420,000 salary might be the only reason the Country are continuing to have patience with him.

    Giron (94 EC SL – four, CB – three, PA – one), selected in the second round of the 2010 draft, is major league ready, with a biting slider, a nice curve, and an effective palm ball that he learned this spring. The only question is whether, with Brown, Jiang, Uchiyama, Broxton, and Hardin, there is room for him on the roster.

    Broxton was shaky in his playoff appearances, but comes in as the primary set up man. He increased his stamina slightly, although he is still a low level E. He is younger than number of relief pitchers who are battling for his spot, including Giron, and Uchiyama, but probably would be available for trade.

    Brown (97 DE SL – five, CD – three, CH – five) increased his slider to a level five towards the end of last season, and added a mile-per-hour on his fastball this spring. He fell from set up man to middle reliever, more due to the impressive performances of Broxton and Jiang (Jiang being the only left-handed reliever on the staff) more than due to anything he did wrong. Solid and dependable, he is the oldest pitcher on staff (at age 30, he is nine months older than Harden and James, a year older than 2010 draft pick Giron, and more than a year older than the Country's other pitchers) and his annual salary ($1 million) is tied with Jiang for the second-highest among relievers.

OUTFIELD

    The outfield defense in 2010 could be characterized as average at best, but should be more of a an asset this year, with players improving their arm strength and defensive range. Kemp and Cust, in particular, have increased their error resistance and the Country hope the recently obtained Ryan Braun can do the same. Kemp improved his arm strength to an impressive level C and upped his error resistance from G to F, while Cust may expect more playing time, as he now boasts BDF defensive statistics. Ryan Spilborghs increased his trajectory to a level 3 at the end of last season, and improved his defense to CEC levels. Erdos[/color] now has a level D arm and C range, making him one of the better defensive outfielders on the team. Josh Hamilton[/color] improved his arm strength to level C, but did not improved his level F error resistance, as the Country would have hoped, but he has made himself comfortable in left field, and is now back to practicing on the fielding equipment.

    Ryan Braun is an absolute monster at the plate, and should make playing time for any outfielder not named Jack Cust more difficult. Braun, Cust, and Pence are likely locked into the everyday lineup, leaving Ryan Spilborghs, who led the league in batting average and stolen bases, to battle it out for the one remaining OF spot with Erdos, Hamilton, and Kemp. Spilborghs is the most accomplished, and should be considered the "incumbent," but he is also the oldest of the group. He is two years older than Hamilton, who shows impressive power against righties. Spilborghs is five years older than Kemp, who is an all-around talent, and he is eight years older than Erdos, who has been very valuable to the team and has the highest salary.

    As for the minor-league outfielders, Stanley (DDDEDD) improved his fielding and error resistance by one level, Thurston, who was the Country's best defensive backup outfielder with DCD ratings, upped his trajectory to level 3 and continued to focus on power hitting, and Timpner (DDBEDD) improved his error resistance, although we are told that Country management is a bit disappointed he didn't improve more." We know he can get on base and be a solid base stealer, but it would have been nice for him to improve his defense a little more this off-season."

INFIELD

    The infielders have also been focusing on fielding practice, and starting third baseman Josh Fields has shown improvement, increasing his fielding from F to E and his error resistance from D to C. Back up third baseman and general utility person Schrager (CCECDC) increased his trajectory to level III, and improved his arm and defense from DE levels, probably making the Country more comfortable with him substituting in at second and third.

    Huisman, AL defense of shortstop of the year, increased his trajectory to a level two, and appears almost ready to increase his arm to level B early in the season. Management has commented how amazing it would be to have a shortstop with C range and a B arm, and this spring, his trajectory increase and his improved arm have been on display, making many excited about this original Country player's upcoming season. From what we observed of the other shortstops – third year player DeVore (who learned second base last spring) and second-year player Finnegan, neither poses a real threat to unseat Huisman in 2011.

    DeVore (FDCDCD) has shown some power at the plate, but has looked unsure in the field, although he only recently improved his error resistance from E to D. When in the field, he really does not have the arm strength to play the left side day in and day out, although he is practicing and hopefully will increase his arm strength soon.

    Finnigan handles the bat well, although he does not have the power shown by DeVore. Finnegan (DDDCDD) increased his arm strength and error resistance to levels C and D. Right now, he has the arm strength to play shorts or third, but would need to improve his range to be a starting caliber shortstop. The Country chose not to have him learn another infield position, not wanting to take him away from improving his overall training. Knowing how the Country management values flexibility, this focus will likely result on him being called up to the majors less often than DeVore.

    Orlando Hudson (CBABAC) is the most consistently dynamic player on the team. He focused on continuing to increase his level B power, and while all indications are that he will play out the remainder of his two-year contract at $3 million per season, since she is the oldest person on the team (33) and the Country would probably be comfortable with Shrager (CCECDC) and DeVore (FDCDCD) backing up shortstop and second base, he might be available in a trade.

    Shawn Riggins (DFEACC) had a busy spring, making himself comfortable at first base, which will allow him to be inserted at any infield position accept pitcher, and increasing his trajectory to a level two. With the trade of JR Towles, Riggins is expected to be the only backup catcher on the roster (although starting SS Huisman can still catch in a pinch). If the battle for the lone, remaining starting OF spot and the backup OF spot runs into the season, and the Country a cry an extra OF, Riggins could also be the only backup SS on the ML roster.

    Minor-league third baseman turned first baseman Merrill (DCEDED) improved his error resistance, but clearly did not do enough to leapfrog Schrager in the pecking order as primary backup to Josh Fields and Dan Johnson

    2010 first-round draft pick Cornejo (3b, EDEDED) increased his trajectory to a level III and improved his fielding and error resistance to ED. He showed in spring training that he can handle the bat and may have a future in the bags, as he seems poised to increase his arm strength to level C soon.

    Hyatt (GFFCDC) and Dunwoodie (EEFDED), the Country's minor-league catchers, have had a chance to display their skills. Hyatt already has the defense to be in the majors, although he has yet to throw out a base stealer (he increased his arm strength to level C on the last day of spring training). Dunwoodie had a couple of good throws to second but what really separates Dunwoodie from Hyatt is the bat, as Dunwoodie seems able to handle himself while Hyatt looks overmatched. Look for these two to continue to work in the minors.

    McCurdy[/color] had a solid spring, increasing his trajectory to level two and improving his arm strength to level B. Right now he is in blue condition and is resting, but expects to focus on increasing his trajectory to level three when he returns to practice, but that will probably take some time.
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