The Story of the Israel Baseball League

[YEAH DAAAAWG]

Setting Up the League - The DH
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Today would mark the league's first meeting of executives and owners (who would be the same people until the league managed to get established, if it did). Mark (owner of the Blue Sox), Donald Schneider (owner of the Miracle), Fred Smith (owner of the Express), Andy as he will now be known (owner of the Pioneers), Sandy Koufax (owner of the Tigers) and myself (owner of the Lightning) were all in attendance. Sandy was recently announced as the last one to buy into the league, although he didn't so much buy into it as Mark practically gave him the team when he sold him the team for a hundred grand up front and another hundred grand later down the line when the league got established (again, if it did). Not that it was a bad idea, Mark knew Sandy would give the league some instant credibility with his status as a Hall of Fame pitcher and his Jewish lineage.

The meeting was called for the purpose of tackling some final road blocks in the institution of the league. We were to discuss the possibility of some simple yet key rules, such as whether or not we would use the DH and the possibility of expansion down the road. We had been told ahead of time that majority would rule in all matters that were put up to vote.

Mark started off, "Ok, let's start by going over some of the things that have already been decided. There will be six teams in the league's inaugural season, the Blue Sox, Miracle, Tigers, Lightning, Pioneers, and Express."

There was a slight murmur of yes's and heads nodding throughout the room.

Mark continued, "There will be only one league with two divisions and three teams in each division. The top team from each division will battle it out at the end of the season in the playoffs for the title of Israel Baseball League Champions."

The same murmur and head nodding phenomenon occurred.

And he finished, "And with only six teams in the league and the league currently lacking much financial muscle, the schedule will consist of only 60 games."

For the last time on that day, the phenomenon occurred.

"Now, the first issue up for discussion today; The DH."

I was the first to speak up, "I think we should have a DH. We're starting up a brand new league and trying to compete with one of the top professional leagues in the world in terms of fans and revenue. In order to do that we're going to have to draw fans somehow, and that's going to be with high scoring games and offense, and we're gonna need the DH to do that."

Sandy spoke out next, "Normally I would detest the idea of the DH, being and old school guy and pitching in the National League, but I think John is right here. New fans are gonna want to see offense, and that will be a lot easier if we have the DH in place."

"Alright, let's have a vote."

The results came back:

John Monahan (Tel Aviv Lightning) - Yes
Sandy Koufax (Netanya Tigers) - Yes
Mark Cuban (Bet Shemesh Blue Sox) - Yes
Donald Schneider (Modi'in Miracle) - No
Fred Smith (Ra'anana Express) - No
Andy von Bechtolsheim (Petach Tivka Pioneers) - Yes

"Results rule 4-2 in favor of the DH. We will have a DH."

I took a sigh of relief knowing that the first issue was tackled and in my favor. It didn't hurt to know that my argument may have helped sway it that way either.

[YEAH DAAAAWG]

Please, no more inquiries about the beat writer position, unless noted otherwise. I've had three people apply so far and that's enough, if not more so.

[YEAH DAAAAWG]

Setting Up the League - Future Expansion
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"Now that the easy one is over," Cuban started "let's get to the fun stuff."

He then started handing out booklets with the title "Expansion" printed across the front page in large, all capital letters. The booklet detailed the plans for expansion and had stats and facts and things of the like on all the biggest cities in Israel.

"The subject of whether or not we WILL expand is not up for debate. What is up for debate is how soon and where."

Schneider spoke, "What about Jerusalem? It's the largest city in Israel and there's a ton of history."

Cuban acknowledged and seemingly agreed to the idea with a slight nod of his head.

Andy spoke next "I'm not sure about that idea. I don't think it's a good idea to put a professional baseball team smack-dab in the middle of the war between the Israelis and Palestinians."

Fred backed up Donald by saying, "We can't start a league and leave the largest city in the country out too long, now can we? Especially not if we're planning to contend with Major League Baseball."

"And we can't start a league or plan to contend with Major League Baseball by putting our fans and players in such obvious danger. A stadium packed to the brim with fans and athletes is a prime target for an attack," Andy answered.

"So what?" said Cuban "We'll just have extra security for all games played at a stadium in Jerusalem.

"I agree with Andy," I began "we're not just risking the possibility of bombing because it's a convenient target, but we could also draw the ire of radicals on either side. We don't need to be making enemies this early on."

Sandy was last to speak on the matter of Jerusalem, "Jerusalem is the holiest, largest, and most well-known city in Israel, and while it's true it's in the middle of a war, it would be a sham not to have a team in the city."

"Let's have a vote." Cuban said for the second time that night.

The results came back:

John Monahan (Tel Aviv Lightning) - No
Sandy Koufax (Netanya Tigers) - Yes
Mark Cuban (Bet Shemesh Blue Sox) - Yes
Donald Schneider (Modi'in Miracle) - Yes
Fred Smith (Ra'anana Express) - Yes
Andy von Bechtolsheim (Petach Tivka Pioneers) - No

I simply shook my head at the results of the vote and looked over at Andy to see his reaction, and it was the same as mine except that he had his face buried in his hands while he did it.

"Ok, Jerusalem will be one of the cities we expand to, what about the second?"

Sandy was first to speak this time, "Jerusalem will be in the southern division, so we'll need a northern team. What about Haifa? It's arguably the economic capital of the Israel."

There was no argument this time, everyone simply nodded their heads in agreement.

"Even though it seems everyone likes Haifa, we have to have a vote."

The results came back unanimous:

John Monahan (Tel Aviv Lightning) - Yes
Sandy Koufax (Netanya Tigers) - Yes
Mark Cuban (Bet Shemesh Blue Sox) - Yes
Donald Schneider (Modi'in Miracle) - Yes
Fred Smith (Ra'anana Express) - Yes
Andy von Bechtolsheim (Petach Tivka Pioneers) - Yes

"Ok, now that the cities are settled, I've decided what year it will be, we were going to have a debate about it but I decided otherwise. Unless fan attendance and the finances are drastically low, we will expand for next season, and as already determined the cities expanded to will be Jerusalem and Haifa."

I thought to myself, "Great, he's already turning into a dictator."

[HeraldSports]

good lead in, let's get it on....

[rockiesfan4ever]

With the formation of a brand new league you have a new influx of players, each with their own range of talents, abilities, and weaknesses. We, the fans, need to be able to see what these players are capable and need to know what to expect of these guys. This report will point out the best 10 ball-players in the league, regardless of age, salary, position, team.

First, the 10th best player in the Israel Baseball League is the 29 year old Starting Pitcher from the Bet Shemesh Blue Sox, Sam Zosa. This 6' foot even righty is a pitcher that demands you keep an eye on the ball. With his very good movement he can make even the top hitters look like tee-ballers. A concern for the youngster is his health, as he has below average health and he just got healed from a torn rotator cuff that occurred while playing in the Mexican Summer League about a year and a half ago. This might stem from the fact he can't go very long into the games, he average about 6 IP/game in the Mexican League before his season-ending injury.

Next up, at number 9, is the 32 year old righty from the Modi'in Miracle, Brian Miller. This 6'4" righty is a dominant force on the mound. He can put the ball in your hot zone and when you swing the ball will be at the completely opposite side of the plate. His great movement along with average control allows for some interesting experiences in the box. He has been known to let a few curveballs "slip" and that has lead to his fair share of hit batters. The good thing for the hitters' is that the pitch isn't coming in at 95+ MPH, as he blows the gun away at a blazing 89 MPH fastball.

Taking home the 8th position is the 27 year old Joel Crompton of the Tel Aviv Lightning. He clocks in at a tiny 5'9" 180 pounds on the mound, which isn't very intimidating. However, he can make you screw yourself into the ground with his wicked two-seam fastball. He's definately not over-powering, hence his 180 pound frame, and clocks in at a fastball somewhere in the range of 87-89 MPH. Look out for this guy in the future as scouts project him to just keep growing and growing until he is the pitcher you rely on every game for that crucial W.

At #7 is the 17 year old Starter John Monahan, also from the Tel Aviv Lightning. Monahan is also known as J-Dawg and he is intimidating. This young righty can blow the ball past you with a fastball in the 97-99 MPH range and along with dynamite control this proves to be a nasty combination. He also can keep you guessing with 6 different pitches. The only downside is that he lacks experience. This is a 17 year old pure rookie, baseball virgin, and could get rattled if he starts to get hit.

At #6 we have the 28 year old Lefty pitcher from the Tira Pelicans, Yahalom Balfour. This pitcher probably won't live up to his last name as he has above-average control and great movement. This guy should be a dominant pitcher for the next couple of years and then could be a back of the rotation filler, he has decent health, but because he is only 28 that definately will work against him. While he is in the majors he should be able to have a successful career.

We have reached the half-way point and at #5 we have our first non-pitcher. The 34 year old RF from the Tel Aviv Lightning, Angel Hirachita. This is a scary player to be facing as an opposing pitcher. Hirachita has the contact and power skills to hit the balls into the gaps and over the fences, but he also has the eye to take borderline pitches and draw the walk. Hirachita is an average defender with his only downfall being his age/health. Being a 34 year old rookie in this league means that Hirachita will only be able to play at his peak for about 2 more years. We don't know if those years will be injury ridden or not either, meaning that you could be getting about 1 full season out of him before he is 36 due to injuries.

The 4th best player in the IBL is a 27 year old RHP who starts for the Modi'in Miracle, and he is Nagate Asano. This is a player who will be a workhorse for the Miracle for years to come. He has above average endurance and average health which you can assume would lead to a nice lengthy playing career. Which I can say will be most successful due to his high movement and decent control. His top 2 pitches are both fastballs, which are in the high 80 range, and then he comes with a decent change and curve to throw you off balance. Asano thinks he could be out pitching 9 innings every game and he wants to, this guy is a real competitor.

We are onto the bronze medal position, third, and it is the 32 year old RHP from the Netanya Tigers who goes by Colin Doan. This guy has a nasty curveball that he can make go wherever he wants the ball to go. He's not necessarily overpowering, a fastball in the low-90s, but he can put the ball anywhere and then move it like he had it on a string. He will be a guy who can be the best pitcher in the league and go 8+ innings every outing. If he can get that last inning, last out, last pitch, then he will try; he is very greed and ego driven to make sure he does the best for himself.

At the silver, #2, position we have the 24 year old Starting Pitcher Arto Oleveira. Oleveira could pitch the Bet Shemesh Blue Sox to a bunch of wins if he just stays healthy. His health is decent and he would love to stay healthy because he could be the best pitcher in the league when he is healthy. He has a dominating knuckleball that could make anybody look silly trying to hit. Alongside the movement he has dominant control over it, so he could put it anywhere he chooses and then just watch the batter try and hit it. He can go out and give you 7-8 innings every ballgame.

And your #1 best player in the Israel Baseball League...Michael Oeltze, a 27 year old Centerfielder for the Tel Aviv Lightning. Oeltze is a dominating force at the plate, but could a a little bit of a liability out in the field. This guy easily has the potential to hit .330 with 40 HR, and along with a great eye could be a trouble spot in the lineup for opposing pitchers. He is not your typical get a single/walk and then steal a base. This is a guy who will just make it easy for himself by blasting a double or putting a ball 3-rows up into the LF bleachers.

The Writing of Abdul-Jabbar AL-Shakkir is not affliated with any of the IBL teams. It is completely unbiased.

[YEAH DAAAAWG]

good lead in, let's get it on....

This weekend .

RF4E will be the "beat writer" for the league, and he may gosensgo may be teaming up with him, but gosens hasn't decided or told me yet. He'll be doing little feature articles, quarterly reports, reactions to plot points, and things of the like on the league. In a nutshell, I brought him on to help me cover this new league and to provide an objective, unbiased opinion of the season and events that happen within the league.

[DarthJaker]

My guy's not in the top 10!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[YEAH DAAAAWG]

Oh yeah, and #7 is a guy I made. The name is my own and the nickname is also my own. He's really good because it's my dynasty and I can do what I want .

[DarthJaker]

can i be the TV anylist?

[DarthJaker]

do we have a league file?

[YEAH DAAAAWG]

can i be the TV anylist?

I'm not sure this was serious, but regardless, no. I don't want too many people working on this because from what I've seen with multi-person dynasties they tend to be unorganized, get cluttered, and die out quickly, and I don't want that to happen with this dynasty.

Sorry.

[DarthJaker]

nah its ok dude ill be reading

[YEAH DAAAAWG]

do we have a league file?

I have one, and I'm going to start posting it once the updates start.

If you have an insatiable urge to see it right this moment I can post it, but otherwise I was planning on just posting it with every update.

[DarthJaker]

nah i can wait i was just wondering

[YEAH DAAAAWG]

nah i can wait i was just wondering

I was planning on doing an intro to my team tonight, so I may post it with that.