Now that IAL is in its short offseason, I have been participating in an online tournament in these cold months. For those who have participated in weekend tournaments in past years, it’s a lot like that. There are some parameters set and maybe an overall theme tying it all together. The big differences is that the games are played online and over a period of time rather than one or two days.
The tournament I’m playing in is called “COVID Riot APBA” and Eric Berg was the one who invited me to play. It’s the second go-round for COVID Riot APBA and includes many of the usual suspects I’ve played at Prairieland and Chicagoland tournament.
Tourney setup
The theme of COVID Riot APBA is unique. Managers draft a fictional baseball player from any medium in the first round. Eric assigns an actual card to that player. In the second round, the manager drafts a team from the franchise that fictional player is associated with.
For example, I drafted Eddie Harris, the broken down pitcher in the movie “Major League”. If you have seen the movie, you know Eddie had a propensity to use “a little something” on the ball when he pitched. Eric appropriately assigned me 1972 Gaylord Perry (well played, Eric!). I had no problem with that as Perry is a Grade AYZ.
By the way, kudos to Howie Mooney who designed these custom APBA cards for the tournament!
I chose the 1986 Cleveland Indians as my team in my tourney to match the team in “Major League”. The 1986 Indians include good hitting players such as Joe Carter, Cory Snyder, Julio Franco and Brook Jacoby. They’re a bit light on pitching but that’s where Eddie Harris’ AYZ comes in handy.
COVID Riot APBA uses typical tournament rules with no DH. However, once the starter comes out, a reliever can pitch one inning per game unless he is a starter who is not in the rotation.
I’m one series into the tournament and we’re off to fun start. I just played my buddy Rob Spatz and his 2018 Rockies on Saturday. That’s us up top. His Rockies were helped out by Steve Nebraska (aka 1916 Babe Ruth A&CY).
Game Recaps
Game 1
Nebraska helped win one for the Rockies in a two-run CG. It was actually a 2-2 game until the 8th inning when David Dahl hit a three-run homer against Harris. His cap must have dried up.
Rockies 6 Indians 2
Game 2
It was a 2-2 game again this time through eleven innings. Tom Candiotti was doing a great job through nine until we brought in Cleveland’s “closer” Ernie Camacho who is a CY. David Dahl hit his second homer in two games to tie it 2-2. Eventually, Andy Allanson drove home the game winner in the 12th. Scott Bailes, a D (no, Cleveland’s bullpen is not great), got through the bottom of the inning for the save.
Indians 3 Rockies 2
Game 3
The Indians scored four runs in the first inning to give starter Ken Schrom some breathing room. Brook Jacoby went 3 for 4 with a homer and 3 rbis while Joe Carter hit a double and a triple in the win.
Indians 7 Rockies 3
So we delivered the first two losses to Rob’s Rockies after he started out 6-0. His Rockies do have a pretty awesome lineup. Thanks for playing, Rob!
Next up: Kyle Daniels and the 1930 New York Giants plus Roy Hobbes (aka 1955 Ted Williams). Kyle and I play Wednesday night.
Thanks for thinking of me, Eric! I always appreciate different ways of enjoying APBA.
I have seen a few of these online tournaments spring up lately in these days of social distancing. Keep an on the APBA Baseball group on Facebook if you’re interested in taking part.
