THE SOMBILLA

Vol XXIII, No. 1

November 8, 2009

The SOMBILLA’s 30th season will kick off on Sunday November 8th, at 4:30 p.m. at the Bay City/Commissioner house in Holliston.

------>>>>> Predictions <<<<<-------

This year’s picks courtesy of the combined brainpower of Harold, Tom, Jed, Robin and Arnie. Thanks to all who participated.

　

  1. Tom (Constantinople)
    2.  - Of course he will win the World Series, thus enraging himself at blowing a chance for an early draft pick, yet again. . Already preparing for the extra media attention A-Rod will draw—is considering not only laminating, but bullet-proofing his card.　.　.　Very strong rotation and bullpen; fortunately for the league he can use only one of CC’s cards.　.　.　　I have to put myself in the playoffs to have something to shoot for, but this is a pretty bad team. The pitchers are better suited to the playoffs than to the regular season. Little flexibility and less power .... Headlines read "From Worst to Worst" -- The worst SOMBILLA champion to the worst record ...Jason Bay, Sheets and E. Santana carry the team into the playoffs.　.　.　Terrific bullpen.　.　.　A good but not a great team.
  2. Eric (Dem Bums) –
    3.  He said he was the team to beat at the draft and he has won more than twice the number of games I have and has the best post-season wining percentage... But will the move and drive be a distraction?.　.　His catchers can catch, throw, and hit..　If he does win it, we could be watching a new dynasty as his team looks better next year.　.　.　Eric forgets to order computer Strat-O by February, so the playoffs are postponed until late June when Eric finally admits he won’t be purchasing it and he drives to Arnie’s to play the 8 makeup games with Jed on the computer. Then he ends up having to play Jed in the playoffs, so drives back to Arnie’s and loses on the 4th of July because Eric’s post-season voo-doo powers do not translate over the Internet.　.　.　A good but not a great team.　.　.　 Pretty good collection of starters. I’m gaining on him in number of Red Sox players, although Adrian Gonzalez will probably be a Sox.
  3. Arnie (North Dakota)
    4.  – You’d think he’d have learned with last year’s computer ballpark study, but no. He’ll be blaming the ballpark within the first three series.　.　.　.　Shocks Constantinople in the playoffs.　.　.　Pujols, Pedroia, Balfour, H. Ramirez are the best players.　.　.　Starting rotation is this team’s strength. Bay City castoff Grant Balfour anchors a bullpen that’s not quite as tough as usual. .. I guess Cliff Lee isn’t a one-year wonder after all.. Manager has molded the middle infield in his image, as Pedroia-Rollins could be shortest DP combo since Freddy Patek and anyone.　.　.　What an asshole...A good, but not a great team.　
  4. Jed (Knuckle Sandwiches)
    5.  – Jed shot his wad with last year’s team.　.　.　. All those #1 draft picks have matured and he has the computer advantage... Looks good this year and next.　.　.　Arguably the league’s best reliever in Soria.　.　.　 A good, but not a great team.　.　. Daisuke and Milton Bradley have both been overheard trashing the team in the off-season.　..　Dice-K’s games last 90 minutes.　.　.　I think last year was their year.　.　.　His catchers also can catch, throw, and hit and do it with sideburns　..　Wins the World Series over North Dakota in a rematch of 1985 by conjuring up the ghost of Ron Kittle.　
  5. Randy (Future Wax)
    6.  - Randy misplaces his blackberry for the month of January and reverts to semaphore.　.　.　 Solid bullpen. A good, but not a great team.　.　.. When Eric made his bold claim at the draft about being the team to beat, Randy immediately said that he would challenge him... I was listening to a podcast and they started a conversation on the best young outfielders in the game and they all play for Future Wax. Their starters are not as good as usual (but wait till next year with Greinke).　.　.　They have the league’s best catcher: McCann, and Ludwick’s pretty good too.　.　.　 This is not your father’s Future Wax, with no Griffey, Nomar, Pedro, or Bonds. Their defense is improved and they can still hit.　.　.　They have had some tremendous drafts the last couple of years and the wake-up call of having their post-season string broken will propel them into the playoffs. .　.I like Harden...Again he will have to overcome the call of musical theater and concentrate on Strat during the season.　.　.　He has the best starter in the SOMBILLA and as always he can hit.
  6. Jeff (Area 51) –
    7. Pitching seems weak.　.　.　Will give up a lot of extra runs on hits to left with Johnny "Plus 3" Damon out there.　.　.　..Every other year, Jeff finishes last. So, I guess he’ll have a good team this year.　.　 Too many Yankees—how will Jon Lester mesh (Meche?) with aging Yanks in rotation?.　.　.　The Aliens have been piling up the draft picks, but have not concentrated on building a team for the current year. However, after next year watch out..　Although this is a good but not a great team, he’s got some great players – Sizemore, Teixeira, Markakis, but starting pitching could be an issue.　.　.　Some good hitting and defense, including rookie Longoria, whose drafting paved the way for Crede’s subsequent cutting, thus making Crede BC’s starting 3B.　.　.　
  7. Robin (Bay City) –
    8. I have no basis in fact for saying this, but I think Robin will do well this year.　.　.　.Sorry, honey, I love you dearly, but I am picking you for last place.　.　.　.　Good bullpen.　.　.　 They’re cute, they just don’t hit very well (except against lefties). ..Halladay is amazing.　..First time in years (and likely the last time) I can go with a 4-man rotation. ..Off year for Victor Martinez means not much offense from C. ..A good but not a great team.　　
  8. Harold (New Orleans) –
    9. Harold snuck up on people last year; that won’t happen again – because his team isn’t that good.　.　　.　.　A good, but not a great team.　.　.　 I picked this team for last year, so what do I know, but this year’s version looks even worse to me... It’s clear Fausto Carmona was the number 1 pick from the Couch of Woe.　.　.　 Rivera unbeatable since the retirement of Bill Mueller.. Wright is the best 3B in the league.　

　

　

Voting summary

Votes were counted based on predicted postseason performance. So, someone who was chosen to win it all receives a first place vote, WS loser a 2nd place vote, etc.

Points equal 1 for 1st, 2 for 2nd, etc. The fewer points the better.
　

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6th

7th

8th

Total

Tom

4

 　

1

 　 　 　 　 　

7

Eric

 　

2

1

1

1

 　 　 　

16

Arnie

 　

1

2

 　

2

 　 　 　

18

Jed

1

1

1

 　 　

1

 　

1

20

Randy

 　 　 　

2

1

1

1

 　

26

Jeff

 　

1

 　 　

1

1

 　

2

29

Robin

 　 　 　

2

 　 　

2

1

30

Harold

 　 　 　 　 　

2

2

1

34

Upcoming milestones this season:


New rules in a nutshell

  1. No more requirement to cut players before the draft.
  2. All teams would get 12 draft picks, no matter what.
  3. Waiver draft of the players on the cut list.in the same draft order as the regular draft.

For the obscure new rule clarifications, see the bylaws or the summer newsletter.

　

　

Old rules worth repeating. Please take a few minutes to read these.

  1. Before every series, two dice are rolled. If snake eyes (a "2") come up, there is a rainout. This means that all pitchers get an extra day of rest (but no games would actually be postponed - it would be too much of a pain to play a makeup game). The day-off/rainout rule also applies to injuries (counts as an injury day), and a one-game playoff, but not post-season (no rainouts in the post-season).
  2. In celebration of the league’s unplayed All-Star game, at the Holiday "All-Star" break (i.e after the 7th series), the whole league receives a day off. This not only helps relievers, but could also help an unstarred starter pitch > 5 innings in his last start before the "All-Star" break.
  3. After the 20th game roster freeze, if you have an injury, you are stuck with the player called up for the duration of the injury, even when the injury crosses multiple series.
  4. When the bases are loaded and the infield is in, a gb()A results in a home to first double play. Other runners advance one base.
  5. Relievers who pitch 2 games in a row are tired.
  6. Holding a runner on 1st - 1B AND 2B or SS have defense rating go up 1 (e.g. 4e10 becomes 5e10).
  7. Holding a runner on 2nd - subtract 4 from 2nd rating; must get good lead.
  8. Trail runners on throw home = speed + arm - 5.
  9. Trail runners on throw to 3rd = automatic.
  10. Starter yanking - 4 innings or 3 runs.
  11. Lo(max) - 1-7 TRIPLE PLAY; 8-20 double play, lead runner out.
  12. When a runner is held on first or second, subtract 1 from running rating. If NOT being held, add 1 to running rating. With runners on 1st and 2nd, this rule applies to the runner on 1st, who is considered held if the lead runner is held.
  13. On fly (rf) B only, a runner at second base may advance: Running speed +/- right fielder's arm, +2 for a throw to third base from right field. The only OUT chance is a roll of 20. If the roll is higher than the highest safe chance, but not 20, the runner holds. Example: A 1-14 runner and a -1 arm. Safe 1-15; Hold 16-19; Out 20. This rule does not apply to fly (rf)B? readings from cards or to F2 readings from the fielding chart.
  14. With the bases loaded and the corners or infield positioned in, downgrade the bunting rating two levels instead of one level (e.g. A bunter becomes C bunter) for squeeze plays.
  15. Each owner must decide whether his or her park has an outfield fence that falls under this rule: Whenever there is a Homerun/Flyout split (from the cards or the ballpark chart), if the last number in the homerun range or the first number in the flyout range is rolled then the outfielder's ability will be checked with another roll of the 20-sided die. Refer to the following chart to determine which outfielder has a chance for the catch:

    16. Batter Bats

    Last number in HR range

    First number in Flyout range

    Left-handed

    Rightfielder

    Centerfielder

    Right-handed

    Leftfielder

    Centerfielder

    For instance, if the homer range is 1-14 and you roll a 14 or a 15 on the 20-sided die then you must roll the 20-sided die again and refer to the following chart to determine the outcome:

    Outfielder's Rating

    Homerun

    Flyout

    1

    1-3

    4-20

    2

    1-7

    8-20

    3

    1-11

    12-20

    4

    1-15

    16-20

    5

    1-19

    20

  16. Whenever there is a play at the plate the catcher’s blocking ability comes into play if the last number in the safe range or the first number in the out range is rolled (sometimes referred to in the SOMBILLA as a ‘disputed call’). For example, if the safe range (after all adjustments have been made) is 1-14 and you roll a 14 or 15 on the 20-sided die, then you must roll the 20-sided die again and refer to the following chart to determine if the runner is safe or out:

Catcher’s Rating Safe Out

1 1-2 3-20

2 1-6 7-20

3 1-10 11-20

4 1-14 15-20

5 1-18 19-20

17. gb()A, gb()B, or gb()C hit to 1b or 3b with runner on 1st, 1st and 2nd, or 2nd only, and corners are in, refer to infield in on the charts (because the fielder is in).

Starred starters

Jeff – Lester, Mesche, Mussina, Pettitte, Vazquez

Jed – Blackburn, F. Hernandez, Nolasco, Webb

Harold – Arroyo, Floyd, Garland, Lilly, O. Perez

Robin – Buehrle, Halladay, Maholm, Oswalt, Volquez

Tom – Billingsley, Cain, Sabathia, E. Santana, Sheets

Eric – Burnett, Dempster, Lincecom, Lowe, Sonnanstine

Arnie – Danks, Haren, Lee, J. Shields

Randy – Greinke, Hamels, Jiminez, J. Santana

　

　

　

Ballpark limits for the upcoming season:

Max BP HR differential between L and R: 7 (floor)

Max BP S differential between L and R: 9 (Washington)

Ballpark singles more than ballpark homers, maximum: 17 (lefty hitters at Fenway)

Ballpark homers more than ballpark singles, maximum: 15 (lefty hitters in Chicago A)

Max HR = 17 (Chicago, Arizona)

A reminder too that all teams, not just the teams opening at home, must announce their ballparks by Opening Night.

Ballparks

Singles

Homers

Arizona

L 1-11

R 1-15

L 1-17

R 1-11

Atlanta

1-9

L 1-4

R 1-10

Chicago (NL)

1-10

1-13

Cincinnati

L 1-7

R 1-4

1-16

Colorado

L 1-13

R 1-19

L 1-11

R 1-15

Florida

1-6

1-6

Houston

1-7

1-12

Los Angeles

1-7

L 1-12

R 1-9

Milwaukee

L 1-6

R 1-3

1-9

New York (NL)

1-2

1-8

Philadelphia

L 1-10

R 1-7

1-14

Pittsburgh

1-12

L 1-7

R 1

St. Louis

1-8

1-4

San Diego

1

L 1-2

R 1-5

San Francisco

1-12

1-3

Washington

L 1-15

R 1-6

L 1-4

R 1-8

Baltimore

L 1-6

R 1-12

L 1-11

R 1-17

Boston

L 1-19

R 1-16

L 1-2

R 1-5

Chicago (AL)

L 1-2

R 1-5

1-17

Cleveland

L 1-11

R 1-8

L 1-9

R 1-6

Detroit

L 1-7

R 1-12

1-10

Kansas City

1-13

1-6

Los Angeles

1-13

L 1-4

R 1-7

Minnesota

1-5

1-4

New Yuck (AL)

L 1-4

R 1-7

L 1-15

R 1-9

Oakland

1-3

L 1-8

R 1-5

Seattle

1-4

1-7

Tampa Bay

L 1-6

R 1-3

1-9

Texas

L 1-8

R 1-11

1-11

Toronto

1-3

1-13