Over 80 players showed up for some Saturday Blast action, all to compete for fun, respect, and a nice trophy. After the first two rounds of play the huge 18 team field was narrowed down to just 8 teams.
The final 8 teams:
Rage - Her0, Mattman13, PrinceAL, Proto
ReJected - AWinkler2, LuckyMe89, soulcrshr, BRM1975
Empire - Mafia, Futurama, TheMan, Fire911, Frogger
BombSquad - DERAILER, Killerboy, PapaRoach, AraBBeast
Legacy - MelkyNYY, BiGMarC, Dre
Lynx - ThatMan, Writhe, xXBRAVOXx, SantiagoM, Jeeps
Flight - Puddles, SEC, Yardog, D3thklok, DrDeath
BumbleBees - gatyopin2, Baptiste, 0, DanTheMan, ABSmoke
Quarterfinals
Rage vs ReJected
Rage dominated ReJected who were "hawt" off a win over Hawtness (klemens, Skoal, Scooter, TunaGob, Zack). ReJected's lone run came in the top of the 3rd from a BRM1975 solo HR. Rage's offense exploded in the bottom of the 2nd with RBI singles from Proto and Her0 and then a monsterous grandslam from Mattman13.
Final score: Rage 7, ReJected 1.
Empire vs BombSquad
Maybe it was the BombSquad spirits of old that carried the team this far, but they stood no chance against Empire. Futurama hit Empire's only HR of the game, and went 3-4 for the game. TheMan knocked in 3 RBI's and Mafia chalked up a RBI, going 4-5 in the winning effort. Fire911 pitched well giving up 0 runs through 2 IP, but after a UDP TheMan was forced to take over the helm. The BombSquad scored 2 runs in the 3rd inning, but it wasn't enough to match the 6 runs Empire had already put up.
Final score: Empire 6, BombSquad 2.
Legacy vs Lynx
Legacy got a nice shock to their system as Lynx powered their way to victory. SantiagoM blasted 2 homeruns and xXBRAVOXx hit a solo shot. Heading into the bottom of the 3rd inning, Legacy was staring at a 6-1 deficit. With a nice rally Dre hit a 2-run HR and Melky added another 2 run HR, but it was all too late.
Final score: Lynx 6, Legacy 5.
Flight vs BumbleBees
With good pitching on both sides, each team was always within strike of taking the lead. DrDeath and gatyopin2 each pitched excellently, but DrDeath was on the wrong end of 2 BumbleBee homeruns. gatyopin2 took the initiative early, hitting a solo HR in the very first at bat of the game. ABSmoke hit the 2nd HR giving the BumbleBees a 2-0 cushion heading into the bottom of the 3rd. Down 2 with a runner on base and 2 outs, Krynn was unable to deliver.
Final score: BumbleBees 2, Flight 0.
Semifinals!
Lynx vs Rage
Jeeps made a late arrival to take out the Rage offense holding them to just 1 run. Rage's only run came off a harmless RBI single in the top of the 2. Even with only allowing 1 run, Lynx still saw themselves losing in the bottom of the 3rd. Writhe changed all that knocking a walkoff 2-run single.
Final score: Lynx 2, Rage 1.
BumbleBees vs Empire
How you score 7 runs and hit 0 HRs I'm not sure. BumbleBees did just that with hits all across the board. Baptiste led the BumbleBees with 3 RBIs and gatyopin2 and 0 each had 2. Empire made a late run with Frogger hitting a solo single and an RBI double from Futurama. Unfortunately, it was all to late and gatyopin2 recorded the 3rd and final out.
Final score: BumbleBees 7, Empire 3.
Championship.
BumbleBees vs Lynx
Before the game even began, Jeeps had a bad feeling in his gut. After asking him to keep my informed on the game highlights, he responded "I can tell you the future and make it easy...me = raped." Though a little crude, he was spot on. The first inning saw his prediction come true as 0, DanTheMan, and gatyopin2 went back to back to back, but things were only going to get worse. Writhe hit a solo HR in top 2 to attempt to bring Lynx back into the game, but it was to no avail. The BumbleBees stung Jeeps were it hurts the most knocking an insane 11 runs in the top of the 2nd. 0 and gatyopin2 each had hit their 2nd HRs and the game quickly became a slugfest. After the carnage was cleared, Lynx made a dying effort with SantiagoM hitting a HR to bring Lynx back within 10 runs. gatyopin2 deemed it was enough and registered his 3rd strikeout of the game to bring things to a close.
Final score: BumbleBees 14, Lynx 4.
Recap
I caught up with Baptiste after the game.
NEWBert: Do you have any closing words for the tournament?
Baptiste: Banana phone.
To coincide with my Top Performer Awards (TPAs), I have to give out the usual MVP for the Saturday Blast. The BumbleBees had two standout players, 0 and gatyopin2. Each blasted 5 homeruns and knocked 10+ hits in the tournament. I really cannot choose one over the other, so hell, we've got our first Co-MVPs. Congrats 0 and gatyopin2, y'all are MVPs.
Once again I'd like to thank all for participating in the 3rd installment of the Saturday Blast. I'd also like to give a special shout-out to GM19 for spending his Saturday with us, as well donating his time and effort.
Saturday Blast III - Recap
Memorial Day Finals: Recap
The Pregame
Both managers had their respective teams in the practice clubhouse getting the last bit of atbats in before the start of the ballgame. Two of the premier elite teams in RBO were looking to get underarmb down to a tee before game time. The starters....
Empire: MelkyNYY, Roguee, Pete998, Prooot, ElDuque
FlightAL: ZachAtack, Puddles, ClarkKent, SEC, DrDeath
Empire vs Flight "Controversy Flies High"
Top 1 - FlightAL Batting
ElDuque started strong getting ZachAtack to fly out to Right Field. Puddled then singled. ClarkKent lined out to LF. Manager SEC then also singled. DrDeath nudged a soft hit between the 3B and the SS to load up the bases.
KEY MOMENT: With 2 Outs and a chance to put his team on the board, ZachAtack grounded out with the bases loaded. After the Top of the First, it was 0-0.
Bottom 1 - Empire Batting
MelkyNYY led off the game with a homerun, working a full count and launching a knuckleball into the centerfield seats. Roguee popped out, then had to leave the game because of an undisclosed injury. Cristobal was ubbed in to take his place. After the substitution, Pete998 Homered to RF to give Empire a 2-0 lead. Dr.Death recovered momentarily striking out BigMarc, but then let up another homerun to ElDuque making it 3-0 Empire. Melky homered again, as Empire started off hot with a 4 homerun first inning. Cristobal would single but Pete998 would pop out to RF to end the frame.
Top 2 - FlightAL Batting
FlightAL looked to cut the lead quickly in the second. Puddles singled but back to back outs by ClarkKent and SEC rendered it moot. DrDeath followed with yet another infield single, and ZachAtack did the same.
KEY MOMENT: With 2 Outs and 2 consecutive bases loaded, Puddles failed to bring a runner home by grounding out to LF.
Bottom 2 - Empire Batting
Proot/BigMarc started the inning off flying out to RF. Duque followed with his second homerun of the night, and the inning ended with a ground out to firstbase by Melky, and a lineout to RF by Pete. An infield single by Cristobal was sandwiched in the middle. It looked as if DrDeath had made the adjustment.
Top 3 - FlightAL Batting
ClarkKent singled to leadoff the third. Duque managed to induce a fielders choice and then get DrDeath the strike out. Zach singled in his next ab and then the big bat came: Puddles. With a 3-run homerun, Puddles put Flight within 2 runs. Clark then flied out to RF
KEY MOMENT: With 2 outs and a shot to get out of the inning, Elduque gave up a single to Zach and a 3 run homerun to Puddles.
Bottom 3 - Empire Batting
Nothing doing for Empire in the bottom of the frame. A single by BigMarc, a lineout by ElDuque, a single to the LCF gap by Melky, and another single by Cristobal loaded the baes for Pete. Nothing. Dr.Death wiggled out of the jam.
KEY MOMENT: With 2 Outs and the bases loaded, Pete998 could not get the runners home.
Top 4 - FlightAL Batting
ElDuque tried his best to get through a tough fourth inning but not before Flight got right back into the game. SEC led off with a homerun to RF to make it a 5-4 game. DrDeath then added his third consecutive infield single. Zachatack grounded out into a fielder's choice, continue his early struggles. Puddles hit the ball hard into the LCF Gap but Melky managed to get there in time and make the play for the second out. 6-5 Flight. That wasn't all though. SEC singled and DrDeath added yet another infield single. Zachatach shot an RBI single down the right side to make it a 7-5 ballgame. Puddles then connected with a 3 run homerun to make it a 10-5 contest. ClarkKent then singled, and SEC homered to make it 12-5 Flight. DrDeath then shoved every infield single he had, put them together, and launched a bomb over the fence to make it 13-5. ZachAtack ended to rally, by making the last out of a long inning. 13-5 Flight.
KEY MOMENT: More 2 Out baseball as Flight was unable to be stopped by ElDuque.
Bot 4 - Empire Batting
How will Empire respond? Not a good start as BigMarc lined out. ElDuque though, would single to put a baserunner aboard for Melky. Melky doubled in the gap to give Pete runners on 2nd and third with one out. Pete would then homer to make the game respectable at 13-8. BigMarc lined out to end the frame.
Top 5 - FlightAL Batting
ElDuque was still in the game. Puddles singled and Clark homered to give FlightAL 15 runs on the night. SEC struckout, DrDeath added an infield single to the party. Zach and Puddles both made outs to end the inning.
Bot 5 - Empire Batting
ElDuque started the inning with a pop out. Melky, KidNasty (subbed in for Cristobal), Pete all singled to load the bases. BigMarc added another single over the head of the shortstop to make it 15-9. ElDuque then launched a single down the LF line that plated 2, but BigMarc got hung up between second and third and was tagged out. 15-11.
On first with a 1-1 count, KidNasty asked Melky on vent before the windup if he wanted him to white now, shocked that Melky would consider it with one strike. Melky then typed during the windup up "white now", since no one talks during the actual ab on vent. Melky jumped off of first base and saw the 1B wave, seeing this he slid into second safely. He then asked to go back, which FlightAL did not want to do. Knowing that every other team does this, Melky called a GM who misunderstood the situation as a bunt for some reason. Anyway, later, knowing all the details Rubber would rule that he would have had Melky go back anyway. DrDeath gave up a 3 run homerun to Kidnasty on the very next pitch. Pete would single, and BigMarc continued to struggle by striking out.
KEY MOMENT: Really?
Top 6 - FlightAL Batting
ClarkKent started the inning off with an out. SEC singled, Dr.Death Kd and Zach continued his rough night by lining out to end the inning.
KEY MOMENT: ElDuque came back on the hill and allowed no runs to score.
Bot 6 - Empire Batting
ElDuque led off with a single. Melky took a ball to the LF wall, barely missed it, for the first out of the inning. KidNasty grounded into a Fielder's Choice and Pete followed suit with a signle. With 2 on and 2 outs BigMarc launched a down and in sinker over the RF wall for a walkoff victory.
KEY MOMENT: Walkoff
Though Newbert seemed to have not given out MVPs because i guess he misunderstood the Flight situation (NEWBert didn't misunderstand the situation, he just disagrees with the end result), I will. Obviously Rubber ruled that he would have made the SAME ruling knowing the facts, and other managers like CTAP also confirmed teams let the runner back, I don't think it really is an issue anymore.
MVP: ElDuque - with no backup pitcher he helped his own cause and came up big and big situations throughout the tournament.
Predictions: Melky 1-0 , Newbert 0-1
Final Score: Empire 17, Flight 15
MVP Award - Memorial Day Mayhem
The MVP for the Memorial Day Mayhem does not go to either team due to the controversy surrounding the game. Instead the award goes to GM19. His stats for the tournament include having his balls against the wall, being up the creek without a paddle, and trying to dig his way out of a hole.
In a situation where video footage would solve all, GM19 was left to make a controversial decision. Unfortunately, there was no 100% correct solution to the situation. So props to GM19 for winning his 1st Top Performer Award!!!
Catching Up to the Top Performers
Looks like I've fallen behind on my Top Performer Awards (TPAs). I'm going to do this ass-backwards and say congrats to KidNub, Wiggy, Nataliamo, SlayerXX, and DrDeath to winning their 1st TPA's. Don't ask why I picked 5 players, I just can't leave some guys out.
Wiggy - The man is an animal...nuff said. He basically carried the Carnage squad in their game against Empire. He's hit 4 HR's and slugged 2.875 for the tournament, so it's virtually impossible to deny him a TPA.
KidNub - Walkoff HR anyone? KidNub is 9-12 with 3 HRs and 6 RBIs. He was a huge roadblock for Megatron in the Empire, Carnage game and he's got his eye on that Memorial Mayhem trophy.
Nataliamo - He's one of the reasons that Rage had some early success. 16-20, 5 HRs, 8 RBIs, 10 runs...scary that he's just an All-star with limited tournament experience.
SlayerXX - The other reason Rage had their early success. No one really knows what to expect from SlayerXX and he's certainly made a push to establish him as yet another great pitcher in the elite ranks.
DrDeath - He's back. DrDeath's underhand pitching is never fun to bat against (unless you're one of those underhand hitting freaks). DrDeath's been back on his game and has carried a 6.50 ERA through 18 innings of work.
Memorial Day Finals Preview
Preview time once again. Time to highlight why so and so will win so and so by so and so. FlightAL is coming off of a thrilling late inning win last night again Rage. Puddles' walk off homerun sent FlightAL to the finals in style. FlightAL celebrated through the night and want to put their organization back on the map with a solid win today. Not to be outdone, the New York Empire are coming off of a 2 out, 4 run barrage of a comeback against Carnage. Kidnub's walkoff homerun also sent his team into the finals against a solid Carnage team. The Carnage and Rage dream matchup was not to take place tonight, as FlightAL and Empire try and build their own rivalry.
The Side Story
If Crede24 sees the field, it will be the first time he faces his former team. Crede24 has been rather nonexistent in FlightAL's plan, but if FlightAL manager SEC wants to add some fire into the lineup look for Crede24 to have a reason to play well.
ElDuque looks to face off against his former team with Empire first baseman Mafia taking the field behind him. Does FlightAL have ElDuque's number? Can Mafia and ElDuque use their experience on FlightAL for an added edge?
The Pitchers
Dr.Death: 2 - 0 6.50 ERA 18 IP 11 Ks 1.44 WHIP .333 BAA
ElDuque: 2-0 6.23 ERA 13 IP 7Ks 1.38 WHIP .321 BAA
Advantage: Draw
Both pitchers have righty under b windups and both of these teams are familiar with each pitcher. DrDeath and ElDuque are both more or less on the same boat when it comes to their incredible tournament stats. Death has been consistently solid and ElDuque seems to shut every team down for 4 or 5 innings.
The Sluggers
ZachAtack: 9-18 2 homeruns 3 RBIs
Puddles: 9-20 4 homeruns 7 RBIs
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Roguee: 9-15 1 Homerun 1 RBi 5 Runs Scored
KidNub: 9-12 3 Homeruns 6 Rbis
Advantage: Empire
Both are solid hitters, but Roguee and KidNub are on base and across the plate slightly more than FlightAL's sluggers. Both hitters hitting well over 600 or 600 and both hitters showing gap power.
What Will Happen?
Game will be tied until the fourth, where Roguee hits a solo homerun to put Empire on top. FlightAL ties it up with a SEC homerun in their abs. The Bottom of the 5th sees Empire go Scoreless, and FlightAL manages to put together a small rally and score one in the 6th. In the Bottom of the 6th, KidNub walks off again and sends Empire home in a 3-2 victory.
Melky's Prediction: Empire 3, FlightAL 2
Melky's Players to Watch: ElDuque, DrDeath
Newbert's Prediction: Empire 6, FlightAL 8
Newbert's Players to Watch: MilkyNYY, DrDeath
Memorial Day Tournament - Round 3 Recap
The semifinal game between FlightAL and Rage proved to be much more than the laugher I predicted (or Newbert for that matter). The game was a competitive game from the first inning all the way to the sixth inning in which one team came up big. Empire sat their intently watching as they awaited their opponent in the Finals.
Lo' and Behold
Are we seeing a rise of more elite teams, or is Rage just having one of those tournaments. Expected to be blown out for the second straight game, Rage found themselves entwined in a prototypical pitcher's duel. Dr. Death did not disappoint, masterfully picking apart what has now become a solid Elite hitting team. Nataliamo has been having one hell of a tournament, and Rage proved that their timely hitting in their last game was not a fluke.
The Offense
Nataliamo is 16-20 with 5 homeruns and 8 RBIs in this tournament. His continued pressure on the Flight defense and his ability to drive home runs put FlightAL on notice. Only behind Nataliamo in batting average, Her0 has been having a solid tournament. Not showing any power since his first game, me managed a pair of hits off of Dr.Death and is only second to Nataliamo in runs scored.
SEC and Puddles carried the FlightAL offense today both homering in the game. ZachAtack failed to homer for the first time this tournament. FlightAL managed to score about a run an inning throughout the game, and found themselves trailing by 1 heading into the final frame.
The Upset?
Not on FlightAL's watch. Puddles drilled a 2 out walkoff homerun that broke the heart of every Rage player in the lobby and in the game. A gallant effort by Rage but FlightAL moves on to face Empire later tonight.
Final Score: FlightAL 8, Rage 7
Player of the Game: Puddles
Next Game: Finals v Empire
Memorial Day Tournament - Round 3 Preview
A little late for previews, as game time is about an hour away but we will give it a go anyway. Only one game will be played tonight as the winner of the matchup will face Empire in the finals. FlightAL knocked off T.Tech, the best team in the field per RBO Chronicle Power Rankings and Rage upset the second best team, Bombers. The matchup should be interesting. FlightAL clearly seems to have the upper edge, can Rage pull off another upset?
FlightAL vs Rage "Can They Do It Again?"
No. I have FlightAL winning this game rather easily. After analyzing the Rage and Empire game, I came to the conclusion that Rage ran into some incredible luck and timely hitting. These two things are very hard to duplicate. Nataliamo and Busted both had great games, and the way Dr.Death is pitching I am pretty sure the FlightAL ace should be able to control them. Her0 needs to hit the ball hard and the rest of the Rage offense has to put some runs on the board which is very difficult to do off of Dr.Death.
The Rage pitcher, xxSlayerxx, had an amazing game against the Bombers offense. Impressive. Can he repeat it? FlightAL is far more active and more dangerous than FlightNL right now, so their offensive inconsistencies should not be compared. FlightAL has repeatedly scored runs off of difficult pitchers. Zachatack, RBush, and SEC look to continue end Slayer’s streak. Rage made a hell of a run, but I am predicting FlightAL defeats rage rather easily and face off against Empire in the finals tomorrow.
Melky’s Prediction: FlightAL 11, Rage 3
Melky’s Players to Watch: Zachatack, xxSlayerxx
Newbert’s Prediction: FlightAL 30, Rage 0 (I figure I can't go wrong, twice)
Newbert’s Players to Watch: SEC, Her0
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