Chuck Lucas poses for the press after his Northside Hitmen win Game 7
The Illowa APBA League accomplished quite a lot this past weekend. We managed to fit in postseason play, an annual league meeting and our rookie draft al on Friday night. That left all day Saturday and Sunday morning for the beginning of the 2015 season!
Here’s the wrap-up of our weekend that took place at the Downers Grove Comfort Inn:
I took the train into Chicago on Friday and met my buddy John Brandeberry at O’Hare airport. He was flying in from Missoula, Montana for the APBA weekend. It had been a while since I’ve seen Brando and a bro hug was in order. Once we got his rental car, we were off to Downers Grove Comfort Inn. When we got there, the first round of the playoffs were already underway.
IAL Postseason
Marcus Bunch and Chuck Lucas play for all the marbles
Rob Moore’s Chicago Highlanders were taking on Chuck Lucas’ Northside Hitmen and Todd Ventresca’s Three Rivers Gamblers were competing against the Moline Upperdeckers skippered by Marcus Bunch.
During the World Series, Todd and Keith shake on a deal, Fielder for Howard.
As it turned out the two first place teams made to the World Series, the Hitmen and the Upperdeckers. Chuck’s Hitmen got off to a quick 3 games to 1 start in the World Series but Mark made very interesting by winning the next two and tying it up 3-3. A major comeback wasn’t in the works for the ‘Deckers though as the Hitmen regrouped and won Game 7 and bragging rights for the 2015 IAL Championship.
IAL League Meeting
Take note: these are the guys who are voting for the DH
I always look forward to the IAL league meeting but I think I’m the only one. For some reason though, those who complain about the length of the meeting are the ones who like to talk during it (just kidding guys).
Commissioner Mike Bunch presents Rob Moore with the Manager of the Year award
During the meeting, we did have some meaningful dialog and some proposals were passed (more on that in a later post). Most importantly, Rob Moore, whose rag-tag Highlanders eked into playoffs against all odds, was honored as Manager of the Year. Congrats, Rob!
IAL Rookie Draft
Todd Ventresca mulls over the rookies during draft time
I’ve already posted the 2015 IAL rookie draft. Managers were allotted five minutes for each first round pick and three minutes for picks in all other rounds. Nick Tegeler had the first three picks in the draft so he had plenty of time to think about who he was going to pick. His choices? In order, Jose Abreu, Jorge Soler, and George Springer.
This year, we abandoned the white board and projected the draft on to the wall thanks to Rob Moore’s projector connected to his laptop. Great idea!
The 2015 IAL season begins!
It was about 11:30pm by the time the draft ended and most IAL managers were ready for bed. Not Brando and Todd. They came all the way from Montana and Pennsylvania respectively and they were ready to play. They gathered their dice and started rolling. The rest of us joined them the next morning.
We all got started early Saturday morning but perhaps not as early as we had hoped. Our league plays six-game series against the five inter-league teams for a total of 30 games.
Scott doing his best with my Twin City Thunderchickens. He at least took Don Smith into extra innings
Scott Fennessy came by midday to join us! It is always good to see Scott and the league always enjoys his banter. Scott, you know you’re in good graces when managers will trust you with their team. Indeed, Scott pinch-managed for a couple guys who needed a break.
The big winner after 30 games it seems was Chuck and his Hitmen. He’s off to another good start. Don Smith’s Molly Putts Marauders and Mike Bunch’s East Moline Bombers did well too. Mark Bunch’s Upperdeckers may not be so lucky. He is just one win ahead of my Thunderchickens with a 12-18 record.
The whiteboard doesn’t lie
Mark and I finished off our last series by 1:30am Sunday morning. Thirty games in 17 hours. We did manage to take a break for lunch at Fuddrucker’s across the street from the hotel. That’s becoming a league tradition. No one has tried the Elk burger, yet though.
Those who had games left finished up on Sunday. Thanks to Chuck Lucas who dropped me off at the Metra station near his house. We stopped by his house for 20 minutes and (what else?) looked at APBA cards. Chuck promises to send his 1959 NL update soon, by the way.
More photos from the weekend here. One last one of Brando and me here. Thanks to Rob for taking it.
Thanks to everyone especially Mike and Rob for setting this up. Despite my 11-19 record, it was a great time!!
Thanks for posting the info. I personally had a great time. The big moments for me at the table were managing Keith’s team and getting back to back homers from Castro and Rizzo. Had a solid run with Don’s team. Posey was red hot for both of us.
I really am grateful for the trust that was given to me that afternoon.
wow, back-to-back hrs from Castro and Rizzo? You must have been stoked!