This weekend, the Illowa APBA League will meet in the Chicago area. We will conclude the 2022 season with the postseason. Once that’s over, we will draft for the 2023 season and play the first 30 games of the regular season.
The IAL is a 10-team APBA basic game league that has been in existence since 1975. We are a continuous-ownership league based mostly in the Midwest and only draft rookies to replace those players who have retired or not received a card (per league rules).
But wait, what about the 2022 season?
Oh boy, it was ugly for my Thunderchickens.
I haven’t given an update on the IAL’s 2022 season finish because frankly, my Twin City Thunderchickens did not warrant one. You can see the standings above. The T-chix finished last with a 58-104 record. This was not a surprise even to me as early as a year ago. With a lot of D starts, my pitching staff was not up to snuff with the rest of the league and the hitting didn’t perform well enough to counteract that.
Here were a few of the highlights:
- Aroldis Garcia 30 HR, 25 doubles
- Kyle Schwarber .266, 24 HR in 290 HR
- Javier Baez .247, 30 HR, 22 SB
Pitching (these guys outperformed their grades, I thought)
- Dylan Floro (BY*) 1.97 ERA, 25 saves
- Wil Crowe (D) 8-11 3.96 ERA
- John Means (CYZ) 10-7, 3.19 ERA
I had no plans to pick Garcia a year ago. When he was still there in the fourth round, I couldn’t NOT pick him. It turned out to be a decent choice for 2022 and beyond.
Here are the stats for my Thunderchickens from 2022 (not for the faint of heart!).
2022 IAL Postseason
On Friday, the IAL postseason is played. The top four teams in the standings make it to the postseason according to our rules.
This is how it plays out:
Rob Moore (Chicago Highlanders) vs Marcus Bunch (Colona Upperdeckers)
Don Smith (Molly Putts Marauders) vs Dennis Jennings (Global Glaciers)
The winners of these 5-game series meet up in a 7-game World Series.
Good luck to everyone!
The 2023 draft
Since I ended up in last place in 2022, I have the dubious honor of picking first. I have my choice of some quality prospects. I’ll tell you right now that I know who it will be unless some IAL manager makes me an incredible offer for that pick.
Commissioner Mike Bunch has issued us all the eligible draftable rookies. The Illowa APBA League has a provision that we can keep a player uncarded if we feel he can come back. I have two decisions to make in that regard. The downside is that essentially costs me a draft pick each and right now, every roster spot is so valuable.
But honestly, I’m just looking forward to getting together with everyone again. John Brandeberry is flying back from Montana for the draft weekend and I’m really looking forward to seeing him again.
The draft weekend is one of the most intense league events and I always enjoy them.
See you all soon, guys!
