This past weekend, the Illowa APBA League crowned the 2019 champion after a hard fought postseason. Rob Moore and his Chicago Highlanders emerged the victor, defeating Thomas Nelshoppen’s Twin City Thunderchickens in a memorable World Series.
Think about the importance that baseball historians place on Bill Mazeroski’s game-winning homerun in the 1960 World Series against the Yankees.
The Highlanders’ Christian Yelich can do one better.
In game 7 with the game tied in the 10th inning, he hit a walk-off homerun to give Moore’s Highlanders the IAL championship. Yelich was immediately named the WS MVP.
The Highlanders defeated Don Smith’s Molly Putts Marauders to advance to the playoffs. My Twin City Thunderchickens took on co-Manager of the Year Marcus Bunch and his Moline Upperdeckers and barely won that series.
How close was my playoff series against the Upperdeckers? In the four game series, every game was a one-run game and we were tied in the 8th or 9th inning in each game. Each of us were on pins and needles! Franmil Reyes was named playoff MVP after hitting two homeruns and driving in seven runs.
Check out Marcus and I both getting the Manager of the Year award from Commish Mike Bunch! That plaque is already on my mantle where it will sit for half of the season. At that point, Marcus will have to pry it from my hands.
Seriously, I feel honored to be put in same category as Mr. “100-win” Bunch.
2020 IAL Rookie Draft
Once we were done with the postseason, it was time to draft! I was woefully unprepared but knew I needed. After a quick trade with my World Series opponent Rob (I received J.A. Happ for reliever John Brebbia), we began.
The Top 5
| 1. | Vladimir Guerrero Jr. | Dragons |
| 2. | Sandy Alcantara | Rattlesnakes |
| 3. | Fernando Tatis Jr. | Glaciers |
| 4. | Pete Alonso | Hitmen |
| 5. | Bo Bichette | Bombers |
Fifty rookies were taken with two players protected according to IAL rules.
The 2020 season begins!
Most of us got 30 games in during the weekend. My Thunderchickens were scheduled to take on their 2019 opponent very first thing in 2020. We went 2-4 versus the Highlanders.
After another 2-4 series against the Glaciers, things settled and we split 3-3 against our two other teams. I will be finishing up my series with Scott Wednesday night and hopefully we can salvage our weekend.
Long story short: this won’t be a playoff year for the T-Chix.
As always, a great weekend with the guys! Special thanks to Mike Bunch and Rob Moore for putting it all together.
Congrats again to Rob Moore for a great World Series win!!
Well, largely due to this site, I just ordered the basic game. Last played in a league in 1979. I guess that was … damn …. 40 years ago.
I’m an OOTP player. I’ve played dynasty league. But I was looking to just go back old school and use pens, pencils and paper.
I want to solo play in the same room as my wife knits. I want to get away from the computer. Maybe one day I can be in a league like the ones you describe.
I play fantasy baseball (daily transactions) and I’ve played scoresheet.
Looking forward to rolling the dice.