One week to Chicagoland sub-.500 tourney

In one week, the 2016 Chicagoland APBA Tournament will take place.  Under the new guidance of organizer Rob Spatz, the tourney is going strong.  They have a full docket with a whopping total of 32 participants.  All 32 APBA fans will gather on Saturday November 12th at the Comfort Inn- O’Hare in Des Plaines, Illinois.

The theme for this tournament was simple.  The team chosen by each participant must have a sub-.500 record that is, more losses than wins.  Some participants really did their research and found those teams that were just on edge of the .500 mark or otherwise had a fantastic team.  Others just picked their favorite team and ran with it.

As for me, I’ll be taking the 1966 Chicago Cubs.  No, they are not a powerhouse.  In fact, they placed last in the NL with a 99-103 record.  I do think they can play above that though with a bit of luck.

Actual game rules are not too different than previous tourneys.  A 25-man roster will be used as well as a 4-man rotation.  Basic boards will be used (one change though… the new APBA booklets will be used not the older boards).

Here are the full set of rules if anyone wants to read them.

Rob also has an All-Star Game scheduled to break up the pace of the regular series action of the tournament.  This has proved to be quite popular at previous tourneys.  It only takes 15-25 minutes but it is a blast.

And now, announcing the divisions of the 2016 Chicagoland APBA Tournament!

Division 1- The Steve Garvey Division

• Bob Eller 1979 Los Angeles Dodgers
• Justin Schubert 1987 Chicago Cubs
• Eric Berg 1964 Minnesota Twins
• Thomas Nelshoppen 1966 Chicago Cubs

The APBA Blog sez: “Look out for Eller’s Bums!”

Division 2- The Richard Hidalgo Division

• Kyle Daniels 1921 Detroit Tigers
• Jason Cox 1959 Detroit Tigers
• Todd Daniels 2000 Houston Astros
• Gary Lindley 1936 Boston Red Sox

The APBA Blog sez: “Don’t count out Lindley’s previous tournament success.”

Division 3 – The Dave Kingman Division

• Rob Spatz 1934 Pittsburgh Pirates
• Kurt Bergland 1979 Chicago Cubs
• Curt Bartel ` 1965 St. Louis Cardinals
• Dave Rueck 2005 Texas Rangers

The APBA Blog sez: “My heart says Cubs.  My brain says Rangers.”

Division 4 – The Oscar Gamble Division

• Clark Eichman 1978 Chicago Cubs
• Jim Welch 1999 Seattle Mariners
• Doug Schuyler 1982 New York Yankees
• Mike Hill 1991 Cincinnati Reds

The APBA Blog sez: “Watch out for Schuyler’s dice!  They go flying!”

Division 5 – The Roberto Clemente Division

• Larry Eichman 1954 Cincinnati Reds
• Chuck Lucas 1968 Pittsburgh Pirates
• Bob Spatz 1973 Atlanta Braves
• G.F. Korreck 1998 Baltimore Orioles

The APBA Blog sez: “Lots of power on Pops Spatz’ Braves. Just sayin’”. 

Division 6 – The Joe Charboneau Division

• Ryan Daniels 2001 Colorado Rockies
• Bradd Romant 1980 Cleveland Indians
• Ken Schultz 1967 Atlanta Braves
• Pastor Rich Zawadzki 1920 Saint Louis Browns

The APBA Blog sez: “ The sentimental side of me want to see a Browns win here.”

Division 7 – The Harry Chiti Division

• Chet Wazio  1971 Chicago White Sox
• Scott Fennessy 2015 Arizona Diamondbacks
• John Roels 1955 Cincinnati Reds
• Don Smith 1961 California Angels

The APBA Blog sez: “I would pay to watch a game between Smith and Roels. Let’s face it, they have probably seen these guys play.”

Division 8 – The Jose Oquendo Division

• Maddelyn Vanicelli 1998 St. Louis Cardinals
• Chris Shores 1987 Boston Red Sox
• Vince Bianco 1964 Los Angeles Dodgers
• Tom Johnson 1973 Pittsburgh Pirates

The APBA Blog says: “1964 Dodgers a good call.  Drysdale and Koufax and pray for rain.”

Good luck to all!  I am looking forward to seeing you all!