One of my favorite things about doing the annual Pitching Grade Challenge is virtually learning about APBA fans everywhere. Scott Miller is a great case in point. You all finally get to hear about Scott, the final winner of the Pitching Grade Challenge 7.
This week’s monster card comes at the suggestion of Rich Zawadzki. It’s a bit different as it’s a relief pitcher. Take a look a 2024 Emmanuel Clase.
Last Sunday, six of the Illowa APBA League managers played three nine-game series to close out the league’s 50th season and more importantly, determine who would take the top four playoff spots. Here is how it all shook out:
In my occasional correspondence with APBA’s John Herson, we sometimes talk about the weather. This time around though, he’s the one suffering the cold and snow along with everyone else in the Atlanta area.
I hope everyone in APBA-land had a nice holiday season with their families. As for me, we had a quiet Christmas day since we will be spending time with my daughter and her husband in Tennessee over New Year’s.
I’ll be the first to admit that I was wrong about Bobby Witt. I made the mistake of listening to the Royals fan base about him during his rookie season. And as we all know, team’s fans are the harshest critics of their own players.
With the release of the 2024 APBA baseball set, I am sure trading has picked up in a lot of the leagues. It sure has in the Illowa APBA League.
When I choose my first Monster Card of the year after the set comes out, I put some thought into it. And to be honest, this Ohtani card was in the running. It wouldn’t have been his first time.
When the 2024 set grades came out and the Pitching Grade Challenge 7 was over, I tabulated the results. I always like to see where I stand. Well, the good news is that I scored 80%, a bit higher than last year. Then I compared myself to everyone else.
What a year for the Pitching Grade Challenge!Sometime down the balloting process, I wondered if I made it too easy. Indeed, I think I did. There were five participants out of the record 259 voters who were 20 out of 20 perfect.