Illowa APBA League All-Star Game this weekend

Will happy times repeat for the City Boys in the 2015 All-Star Game

This Friday is the annual All-Star weekend for the Illowa APBA League, one of most fun times of the year for the guys second probably to the Draft weekend.  On Saturday, The City Boys will attempt to repeat as victors.  Last year, they won 10-4 over the Country Gents. 

The ballots have been sent out and the managers have spoken.  Here are the starters for the two teams. 

For the visiting “Country Gents”

Manager:            Marcus Bunch

Catcher:               Buster Posey (Unanimous)

Firstbase:             Jose Abreu  (Unanimous)

Secondbase:       Jose Altuve  (Unanimous)

Thirdbase:           Anthony Rendon  (Unanimous)

Shortstop:           Troy Tulowitzki

Outfield:              Adam Jones  (Unanimous)

Outfield:              Matt Kemp

Outfield:              Kris Davis or Kole Calhoun (Manager’s Choice)

For the Home “City Boys”

Manager:            Chuck Lucas

Catcher:               Yan Gomes

Firstbase:             Miguel Cabrera (Unanimous)

Secondbase:       Robinson Cano  (Unanimous)

Thirdbase:           Pablo Sandoval

Shortstop:           Starlin Castro

Outfield:              Mike Trout  (Unanimous)

Outfield               Giancarlo Stanton

Outfield:              Andrew McCutchen

I’m a “City Boy” now.  It wasn’t too long ago when I was a “Country Gent” but I left the small town and I’m walking tall with the big guys now.  (That’s all talk.  The Country Gents know I miss them.)

I’m a little concerned though.  Yan Gomes and Pablo Sandoval are both on my Twin City Thunderchickens.  I love that they’re playing in the IAL Classic but Gomes dominated the vote despite having a .217 batting average as of August.  Not only that, he actually deserved the vote.  Believe it or not, his average was the highest among the six of the division catchers.  

Sandoval has more respectable numbers with a .260 batting average, 12 homers, and 46 rbis.  I was a little disappointed that the best player on my team J.D. Martinez (.281, 16 HR, 36 rbis) came in sixth among City Boy outfielders.  Overall though, I’m not complaining that my last place team garnered two starting spots in the lineup. 

Something Different

  The IAL is trying out a slightly new format this year.  Previously, we would have our league meeting during our World Series/Draft weekend before the new season starts.  Before the 2015 season, we decided to move the league meeting to the All-Star weekend. 

Why?

One, the Draft weekend is already filled with playoffs, World Series, draft plus 30 games per team.  Practically, it just made sense to relieve some time from that weekend. 

Two, some proposals introduced in the league meeting may affect game play and it wouldn’t be fair or practical to enact them immediately especially if a manager has already set they’re team in a certain way based on the status quo.  Having a mid-season meeting would allow managers to prepare for the off-season with advance knowledge of any rules that would take affect. 

The proposal rumor mill had been quiet for a while until a couple weeks ago.  Then our inbox has been filled with proposals, friendly amendments and maybe not-so-friendly amendments.  A few of the ideas proposed:

• Allowing D pitchers to pitch beyond their actual innings pitched to add flexibility
• Enact the Designated Hitter
• Each team gets a set amount of picks instead of picks determined by attrition. 
• Exploring the idea of league expansion

So, needless to say, it may be an exciting league meeting.   

The DH rule proposal has been brought up ever since I was in the league in 1980, I think.  Back then, it was just an inside joke and the traditional way to end our league meeting.  However, in the last ten years, the idea has gotten traction.  More and more managers are wanting to see the DH with low offense our teams have. 

Regardless, I’m am excited about this weekend.  While we all like to win, the IAL has always been about the friendships and the fun.