This weekend is the 45th annual Illowa APBA League All-Star Game!
The ten managers of the IAL (10 team, basic game, 162 games per season) will be convening (one virtually) this Friday and Saturday in Downers Grove, Illinois.
The ballots have been cast and the starters have been chosen. JD Martinez of my Thunderchickens was an unanimous choice to represent the Country Gents in the outfield. In addition, Manny Machado and Yan Gomes came in second in voting for their respective positions so with any luck, they will be chosen as bench players.
Other Country Gents who were unanimous in the polling were shortstop Alex Bregman and Giancarlo Stanton. The City Boys unanimous vote-getters are Nolan Arenado, Christian Yelich and Mike Trout.
Here are the results of the 2019 Illowa APBA League All-Star ballot. For kicks, check out the City Boys’ catcher voting. Oof!
But that’s not what I wanted to talk about…
…what I wanted to talk about was Luke Voit. Take a look at this APBA card.
I drafted this card at the beginning of the season and have sat on it (sometimes literally) all year. He has played one game for me all year.
That means he has 46 games and 140-some at-bats left for the rest of the IAL season. Right now, we are 96 games into the season with 66 games left. With a few more six-game series rest, I can start playing him. That means a September call-up is in store for Luke Voit.
I have to give my regular first baseman Eric Hosmer some credit. He has hit 11 homeruns and even led my team last year. But so far, he’s batting .198 in 2019. I’m hoping Mr. Voit can turn that around. Batting Martinez, Machado and Voit in a row will start making a difference.
It will be just what my Twin City Thunderchickens need. We’ve dropped from second place to a tie for fourth place. To advance to the postseason, we need to finish in fourth or higher.
Let’s go Country Gents! And they’re not booing, they’re yelling “Luuuke!”.
I had completely forgotten he was drafted. How much $ is needed so he doesn’t face Dragons pitching this weekend?
Go Thunderchickens! Silence the duck call.
Voit hit 3 home runs with 6 rbi in the league i’m in, on my opponent’s team. in his first 3 at bats. grounded out his 4th AB. 5 for 10 with 9 rbi in 3 games. a pretty fierce looking SOB
Awesome, Erik! What league are you in?
the All American Baseball League (AABL). a basic cards and dice league. 16 teams. managers from all over. we been around for at least 15 years. i joined in the 2nd.