Good evening,

R.I. P. Don Newcombe, a class act. Last week, Frank Robinson now Don Newcombe.

On the other side of the coin,  I'm not "Johnny Hustle" gets $300 million over 10 years.  The Padres GM must know something no else does.  All you have to do is look at Pujols and Cabrera and their deals, to say no to more than a 5 year contract.  I suppose next the Padres will need public monies to modify their stadium to suit "Mr. I'm not Johnny Hustle."

I ran across an old APBA ad this past week on this subject. "Draft Your Own Free Agents with THE APBA MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL GAME. (You Won't Have to Pay Them a Penny!)  Just another reason to play APBA. 

Also, there are no pace of play issues in APBA. 

Congratulations to Randysteinman, the winner of the inaugural APBA GO Where is he going Free Agent contest.  You had to select the new teams for 25 free agents.  Our winner got 5 correct.  There  were 50 entries.  The  number of correct consensus picks was also 5.  Randy won 20,000 APBA GO points.  Each contestant received a 100 APBA GO points for every correct answer. Thank you all who participated.

Please open your packages as soon as soon as you can after they are delivered to you.  If you wait years, yes years, and something is missing, it will difficult if not impossible to resolve the issue.  For example, someone contacted us that they were missing several cards from an order.  We had replacement cards printed but APBA had redone the season since the delivery and the customer wanted cards from the previous version of the set or a complete set of the new version so that all the cards were from the same version.

Please review your order sooner rather than later.

 New Products:

Tired of winter.  Lets go golfing! Two new courses

A new golf course Sandhills. Get it here.

 Rubber City. Beat the winter blahs and break the clubs out!

The 2017-18 UEFA Champions set is now available.  Bring these soccer stars home here.

Next week, we will start shipping the football game again with the 2018 teams.  Also, the 2018 Super Bowl and National Championship sets will be available. 

We are redoing the Golf game manual. No major changes.  Mainly edits for better clarity.  We expect to have the golf game in stock the week of March 4th.  

   

NEW APBA COMMUNITY MEMBERS

Please welcome the following new members to the APBA community. New members are folks who have recently made their first purchase of APBA products. Several of you have asked for the new members contact info.  In this day and age, we can't do that.  But we will send your contact information to them if you ask us to. Please identify the name of the person you want us to send your contact info. 

 

THIS WEEK IN APBA ("TWIA") RADIO SHOW 

APBA sponsors a weekly broadcast offering insights into the game of APBA and players within the APBA community.  The host is John Asalon who offers a extremely professional broadcast. Every week, John will be releasing a new show.  We have adopted a flexible schedule to meet both John's and our guest's busy schedules.  New shows will be announced on the APBA Home page and by John via Facebook. 

 

Listen to archives shows here.

 

We are working to resolve the issues with Upstream and considering other alternatives.
Check the archives below the large screen on the first page of the above link for earlier broadcasts.

 

APBA GO

 APBA GO NOW HAS A SOLITAIRE PLAY FEATURE.
Check APBA GO out here. Its free!

 You can now draft your own team for APBA GO via the custom teams function. 

Go here to check it out.

You now have the capability to operate a draft league in APBA GO.  With custom teams and collections, all the statistics of your draft team are computed automatically.  Who is going to start the first APBA GO draft league?

 

There is some confusion that APBA GO is only available as a subscription service.  That is not correct.  You still have the option to purchase individual teams or seasons for APBA GO.  

 

REGIONAL TOURNAMENTS

(Editors note:  The Tournament director is having back surgery tomorrow. Good luck my friend)
 

There were no regional tournaments held or to report on this week.

 

Upcoming Tournaments

 

The next scheduled tournament is The Inaugural 2019 Scenic City Shootout in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  This will be a wide open team selection tournament with a $20 entry fee to cover cost of location, food, and trophies.  Contact Steve Ryan at [email protected] or Mike Kehrer at  [email protected].

 

The 2019 APBA Regional Tournament schedule is as follows.  Please mark your calendars accordingly and be sure to attend and participate in one of these fine events.  You will not regret the experience of face-to-face gaming and APBA brotherhood.

 

Saturday February 23, 2019 - Inaugural Scenic City Shootout, Chattanooga, Tennessee.  The inaugural event will be held at the Embassy Suites by Hilton at Hamilton Place, 2321 Lifestyle Way, Chattanooga TN 37421.  This will be a wide open team selection tournament with a $20 entry fee to cover cost of location, food, and trophies.  Contact Steve Ryan at  [email protected] or Mike Kehrer at  [email protected].

 

Saturday March 2, 2019 - 2019 Greater Michigan APBA Baseball Tournament, Jackson, Michigan. The venue for the 5th Annual GMABT will be at Loomis Park Baptist Church, 2301 North Elm Road Jackson, MI 49201 in their Fellowship Hall (No smoking on church property or foul language on poor dice rolls please).  The tournament theme is any MLB Team from 1940-1968 and pitchers will hit.  The price will be $15 and will include sub sandwiches, soups, and salads as well as drinks.  Contact Pastor Rich Zawadzki at  [email protected].

 

Saturday March 23, 2019 - Inaugural Southern California APBA Baseball Tournament, Westminister, California.  Contact Steve Radtke at  [email protected].

 

Saturday March 23, 2019 - The APBA Wisconsin 2019 Spring Tournament, Wauwatosa Public Library, 7635 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.  Please contact Kurt Bergland to register at  [email protected] before March 1.  Registration fee is $20 and registration and team selections are underway and are taken on a first come, first served basis.  The theme will be "Steroids? What steroids?"  Any teams from the 1980 through the 1999 seasons may be used.  You are to prepare two teams.  In the morning will be a great teams tourney.   Only teams with a regular season winning percentage greater than .500 may be entered.  In the afternoon, the second tournament takes place.  In "The Dregs" tournament, only teams with a regular season winning percentage below .500 from the years 1980-1999 may participate. 

 

Saturday March 30, 2018 - Florida's Spring Break Reality APBA Baseball Tournament, 4700 Kilt Court, St Cloud, Florida 34769-1607 (southeast of Orlando).  Any team issued by The APBA Game Company created (regular season, GTOP, World Series) or Skeetersoft team is eligible.  There is a $10 entry fee (No food or drink is being provided by the tournament organizer).  Contact Tony Stevens at  [email protected] (preferred) or call 352-600-0974 .

 

Saturday March 30, 2019 - The 2019 Heartland Apba Tournament, Stillwater, Oklahoma.   Any non playoff or World Series team from 1950 to present (excluding 1994). There is a $10 entry fee.  Contact Earle Shamblin at  [email protected] to register or for more details. 

 

Saturday April 6, 2019 - Twin Cities APBA Baseball Tournament (TCABT-XI ), Maple Grove, Minnesota.  Contact Jim Fraasch at [email protected].  Note: This is NCAA Final Four weekend which is being held in Minneapolis so please plan accordingly.

 

Saturday April 13, 2019 - The Prairieland IV APBA Baseball Tournament, Springfield, Illinois.  The cost is $20.  More information on the drafting process and other details can be found at https://www.facebook.com/events/350013095841289/ or at the APBA Blog  http://www.apbablog.com/tournament-2/april-13th-prairieland-iv-tournament-details-announced. ; If interest or questions contact Thomas Nelshoppen at  [email protected].

 

Saturday April 13, 2019 - Richmond's Old Dominion APBA Tournament, Richmond, Virginia.  The theme will be Disco 70's/Yuppie '80s (any APBA issued team 1970 through 1989 except GTOP).  The tournament will be held at Jim Saska's home ( 9921 Wenatchee Court, Richmond, Virginia 23236) beginning at 9 am.  Team selection will begin with this announcement.  If interested contact Jim Saska at  [email protected].

 

Saturday May 4, 2019 - The Inaugural Mason-Dixon APBA Baseball Tournament, Hagerstown, Maryland.  The theme will be "Between the World Wars 1919-1939.  Cost is $20 and participation is limited to 24 players.  Contact Bill at  [email protected].

 

Thursday June 20 - Sunday June 23, 2019 - The APBA National Convention, Alpharetta, Georgia.  The convention cost and registration information will be posted on the game company website  www.apbagames.com.  Contact John Herson at [email protected].

 

Saturday July 20, 2019 - The Third Annual Lancaster World Series Tournament will held at the Millersville Brethren in Christ Church. The cost is $20 and includes lunch. The theme is "World Series Losers." Contact Dale Shreiner at  [email protected] for more details. 

 

Saturday, July 20,  2019 - 2019 Chicagoland APBA Baseball Tournament will be held at the Comfort Inn O'Hare in Des Plaines, Illinois.  Additional information can be found at https://www.facebook.com/events/260393537887940/?ti=cl. ; Please contact Rob at  [email protected] if interested.

 

Saturday, August 24, 2019 - The 5th Annual Toledo Glass City APBA Baseball Tournament (GCABT-V) will be held at the Maumee-Bowling Green Elks Lodge #1850 137 W Wayne St, Maumee, Ohio 43537.  The cost is $15.00.  The theme is "Second Place Teams".  Only teams from 1930 through 1999 that finished second in their league/division will be eligible.  A 3-man rotation, DH,  Unusual Play and Error Distribution play chart, and advanced fielding will be used.  On June 1st, Ron will randomly determine a draft order for coaches who have already signed up and you will be able to pick a team at that time.  Please email Ron at  [email protected] or send him a message on Facebook with your name and cell phone number if you wish to participate. 

 

NEW - Saturday October 5, 2019 - Twin Cities APBA Baseball Tournament (TCABT-XII ), Maple Grove, Minnesota.  Contact Jim Fraasch at [email protected]. 

 

Saturday October 12, 2019 - The Linda B. Schulz Memorial Apba Baseball Tournament V, Slippery Rock Township Building, Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania.  Entry fee is $15.  Contact Ken Schulz at  [email protected]. 

 

Saturday October 28, 2019 - The Second Furniture City APBA Tournament will be held in Grand Rapids, Michigan at Legends Sports. Any team from 1920-1972 is elegible; 25-man rosters, no XCs, plus one player from the dead ball era (1901-19). Draft for team seelction begins on August 31, 2019. For more details or to register, contact GF Korreck at [email protected]

 

Saturday, November 9th, 2019 in Zephyr Hills, Florida from 9am to 5pm.  The theme is is 100 losses in a single season teams (1903-present).  The cost is $20 (bring or buy your own food and drinks).  Please contact Tony Stevens at  [email protected] or call 352-600-0974.

 

If your tournament is not mentioned above and you are planning a Regional APBA Tournament in 2019 please forward me your tournament and contact information at [email protected] and I will be sure to promote your event in APBA's company electronic newsletter.  Remember all APBA game tournaments are welcome.

 

THIS WEEK IN APBA RADIO SHOW 

 

APBA continues to sponsor a weekly broadcast offering insights into the game of APBA and players within the APBA community.  The host is John Asalon, who offers a extremely professional broadcast.  Please join John Asalon and his guests each week. John maintains a flexible schedule to accomodate his and his guest schedule for THE THIS WEEK IN APBA (TWIA) radio show.  

 

There was no new show posted as of Sunday evening but be sure to check back in next week for more This Week in APBA with John Asalon and his guest.

 

APBA LEAGUE INFORMATION

 

I am pleased to report that this column continues to assist leagues in finding new managers and pairing individuals looking for leagues.  I will be glad to run your league opening, if you contact me at  [email protected] with a brief and concise write-up.  Openings or individuals looking to join leagues are as follows:

 

February 17th Openings

 

There are no new league openings to announce this week.

 

February 10th Openings

 

The COBL APBA Baseball League Opening -  COPL is a modern day salary cap league finishing its 17th season and looking for a couple new GMs.  The league is a contract league that signs players through an auction process.  Each team gets a certain amount of money and contracts range from 1 to 5 years in length.  The available teams include the World Series champion - new mangers will do a dispersal draft from the three available franchises.  (One has already been filled.)  Top players include Jose Ramirez, Clayton Kershaw, Trevor Story and others.  Contact John at  [email protected] if you are interested. 

 

The Northern Virginia APBA Baseball League (NVABL) Opening - NVABL is looking to immediately fill a vacant manager's slot for the 2018 season.  The NVABL is a 12 team Master Game league that plays mostly online via Google Chat and phone.  They have their roots in the DC suburbs but currently see players as far North as New Hampshire and West as sunny California.  More about the league can be found at  https://sites.google.com/site/apbanvabl/. ; The open team is the Holiday Stingrays - a competitive team with current and future star power including Kris Bryant, Didi Gregorius, Stephen Strasburg and Trea Turner.  If you're interested in finding out more about the league and taking over the Holiday franchise, please contact Dwight at  [email protected].

 

USBL Opening - The USBL is a BBW 5.75 continuous ownership league that allows you to draft up to 4 never before carded players and retain their rights.   They currently have three openings.  The league has new managers draft from a supplemental pool made up of all players from teams that are managerless.  If interested, please contact Phil at  [email protected] for more information.

 

February 3rd Openings

 

True Franchise Baseball league Opening - The TFBL is a league in which each team owns all of his minor league players affiliates from rookie league to AAA.  The TFBL plays BBW, in is in its 3rd season only, with aim.  The TFBL has 24 teams and four 6 team divisions.  The four Division winners and two Wild Card Teams qualify for the playoffs.  The league has a 40 men roster with 28 active and 12 on the farms.  The available team is the Washington Nationals.  If you are a National's fan, this is the perfect occasion to manage a team with your favorite players, Bryce Harper, Juan Soto, Trea Turner, Scherzer, Strasburg etc. and all of its minor league affiliates.  If interested or for more info, please contact Alain at  [email protected]          

 

LLB League Opening - The LLB League is in it's 8th season.  The LLB has 20 teams, 4 divisions, and is a full Aim Salary League based on MLB salaries.  The open team owns Blake Snell, Charlie Morton, Dallas Keuchel, George Springer among others.  A keeper league, they have an annual June Amateur Draft.  The FA draft is coming soon.  If interested or for more info, please contact Alain at [email protected]          

 

January 27th Opening

 

FABL League Opening - The Fantasy APBA Baseball League (FABL) is a modern day BBW league finishing its 22nd season.  Its a 20 league team with 40-man rosters and 2 openings.  Each team is associated with an MLB team, and have first dibs on that team's rookies.  The prospective owner would take over the Diamondbacks or Rays roster franchises, but next year can switch to the White Sox, Tigers, Blue Jays, Mariners, Angels, Nationals, Mets, Braves, Reds, or Giants.  Contact Kevin at  [email protected] your APBA or sim experience and questions.

 

January 20th Openings

 

Non-AIM Nation League Opening - The league has 1 opening in a 19 year old Non-AIM National League 12 Team League. Theye usually draft face-to-face (attendance is highly encouraged) Presidents Day weekend near Hackettstown, NJ.  They also get together each summer for a stadium tour (non-mandatory). If interested, please email  [email protected] or phone 770-689-7847. 

 

The North American Pro Baseball League - The NAPBL is a 16 team BBW based league starting it 41st season. Their 2019 Winter Meeting is scheduled for February 9th in Northeast, Ohio.  Approximately 8 to 10 managers will attend.  They are in need a couple managers! The league was founded in 1978 Cards and Dice. In 1999 the league switched to the Computer game.  They are a mail league, but there is a lot of face to face play.  The league features permanent 40 man team rosters with multiple opportunities to play computer games face to face the 164 game schedule during the year. The league is centered in the eastern states, CLEVELAND, OHIO, TORONTO, CANADA, BUFFALO, NY, HARTFORD. CT, and ST. LOUIS MO. The 7 month season runs April-October. playing 2-3 series a month. The draft, the trading of players, money and draft picks has become a yearly highlight and has made the NAPBL very competitive. - they invite you to enjoy the fun!  Please contact the John M. Wilson Jr. or Steve Lawrence  with questions and inquiries:  [email protected] or  [email protected] or call 216-789-3764.

 

Cooperstown League Openings-  Current 2017 season running second half thru March 2019.  Looking for GM's/Coaches to come join in the fun of this modern day 24 team (12 AL/12 NL, 3 - 4 team divisions) BBW 5.75 league.  It is a fantasy roster league where AL players play in the AL, NL players play in the NL, no interleague play until the WORLD SERIES. This league is currently in its 7th season under construction, has 40 man carded rosters plus prospects to let GM's put their stamp on the organizations.  Seasons run from late September thru March, 160 game schedule-played in MLB STYLE series, with Home and Away games...every team has their own Stadium assigned to the organization, play with 27 man active roster throughout the season (up to 40 for final month)..OFF-SEASON cut-down... uses official disk.. FULL AIM..  minor league draft.. Playoffs with 3 division winners plus next best 2 records in each league playing a 1 game Wild Card play in game.. Weekly line-up scheduled, daily e-mailed results, game also uses micromanagers as fall back-but teams are eligible to make line-up changes if an injury was to affect their weekly line-ups (daily team status report.. sent as part of daily results package).  Obviously not everyone can devote a lot of time to this, that's where the micromanagers assist in the season moving forward.  AL leagues play with the DH, not so in the NL.  Organizations are tied to ACTUAL MLB player movement.. meaning if players become free agents, then Cooperstown will follow suit, every off season player movement is tracked ..the organizations player list updated (sent to GM's) and the off-season begins (Cut-downs-Free Agents draft -2 phases**those with draft picks attached** and those without picks attached), then an open claim on remaining carded players.  Once the season is final and standings have been established.. a rookie DRAFT of prospects will take place.  If interested you can e-mail Tracy at  [email protected] and note as Cooperstown Interest.  Come join the fun to finish out the 2017 season, and see if your interest is peaked to continue permanent ownership of your organization.  The league has been set up with written constitution rules, so if interested I can send a package of the rosters and rules out as soon as possible.  

 

December 17th Openings

 

The Baltimore-Washington APBA Baseball League - The Baltimore-Washington APBA Baseball League currently has a managerial opening for the 2019 season.  If you've ever thought about joining a league or are currently in one or more and still need to play more APBA baseball, here's your opportunity. The league is a 12 team, continuous ownership, F-T-F, MG league entering their 45th season.  They play an 84-game schedule.  Each team plays 12 games against each other team in their division and 4 games against each team from the other division.  The inter-division games are played at two scheduled league meetings during the season. Their draft will be held on Sunday, March 10, 2019 so there is plenty of time for preparation.  You can check out their website at  http://www.angelfire.com/games2/bwabl/. ; They can accommodate someone from either Baltimore or DC as they have one manager willing to switch divisions if needed.  They are also starting to experiment playing through Google Hangouts so, while they prefer someone in the greater Baltimore/DC area, they would consider someone outside the region as well.  If you are interested, or know someone who might be, please contact Tim Haller at  [email protected].

 

O.Z. League Opening - The O.Z. League, an APBA Baseball group created in 1982, is always looking to add new members to their family.  Currently the league is at 12 Franchises; if you live on the East Coast and want to join a fun but dedicated League this is one you should inquire about. They use BBW, MG, and the hybrid Paul Marino Boards as preference of the Home Team.  This league was featured in the N.Y. Daily News in 1988 and plays a 162 game schedule from February to October. The Annual Draft is held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Ronkonkoma every February. If you are interested contact Dom at  [email protected].

 

NPL APBA Baseball League - The NPL has one opening in a 19 year old Non-AIM National League 12 Team League. They usually draft face-to-face (attendance is highly encouraged) Presidents Day weekend near Hackettstown, NJ.   They also get together each summer for a stadium tour (non-mandatory).  If interested, please email Randy at  [email protected] or phone 770-689-7847. 

 

APBA Player Looking for a League - Phillip is looking for an APBA Baseball League near Cincinnati, Ohio.  If you have an opening pleas contact Phillip at  [email protected].

 

December 9th Openings

 

ABLE League Openings - ABLE is a modern day 20 team BBW League that will begin its 34th season in April, 2019.  A unique feature to the league is that each team is associated with a Major League franchise, and have "first right of refusal" on their rookies.  The new owners will be able to affiliate to any of the following teams for the 2019 MLB season, and begin freezing its rookies with their draft picks beginning with the 2020 draft: Yankees, Orioles, Blue Jays, Rays, Royals, Angels, Nationals, Marlins, Cubs, Reds, Padres, or Rockies. The two teams will create their initial rosters from a pool of 72 players that were on the previous teams, so that each manager can put his own stamp on his new team.  The two teams will select their initial 36-man rosters from a mini-draft of the 72 players that were on the previous squads, so that each manager can put his own stamp on his team.  There are some awful good players available, including stars such as Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper, Charlie Blackmon, Jose Ramirez, Anthony Rendon, Chris Sale, Jason Verlander, Zach Greinke, and many more.  The league is very flexible and has laid back schedule consisting of 12 home games a month.  If interested contact Tom Battiato at  [email protected].

 

MDTL League Opening - The MDTL is finishing it's 46th season.  They have one manager that is retiring at the end of the season and are looking for a replacement manager to take over the ownership of this very successful franchise.  Players on the team include Moustakas, Abreu, LeMahieu, and Russell. The league is a 20 team league with 25 man rosters.  They use the basic boards with a few modifications. This is a very solid league with a competitive but friendly membership. If you are interested in joining the league please email Keith at [email protected] with your gaming history and any questions you may have.

 

OOTL League Opening - The OOTL (ootlapba.com) plays the Master Game face-to-face in the Harrisburg, PA, area.  They are always looking to grow their ranks and would welcome additional franchises for their upcoming season. Find out more about their 20+ year tradition on their site or by contacting Commissioner Brandon directly at  [email protected].

 

November 25th Opening

 

Philadelphia Area League Openings - A face-to-face Master Game league in the greater Philadelphia area is looking for new managers in a well-established league.  The 12-team league, playing a 99-game season mostly on "League Nights" in one of the manager's homes, has been in existence since the early 1970s and has included notable managers, such as Thatcher Longstreth and David Eisenhower.  Most of the managers live along the "Main Line", though one commutes from Reading and another lives in Allentown.  In addition to the 12 active teams, there are 2 inactive teams that are available to new managers.  It is a keeper league, using the new card sets.  Draft occurs in early February, and the season begins shortly thereafter, winding up in November with playoffs and "World Series".  If interested, please contact Dusty Welsh at  [email protected].

 

TUBLUSA Opening - The TUBLUSA has two openings. 24-team current-day BBW league.  The league has a 40-man rosters, no offseason cuts, no salaries, and uses official disk.  The league has been in existence since 1998 with stable ownership.  Most managers have been in the league for quite some time.  Once we identified the new owner, there will be a dispersal draft of the two vacant teams.  If interested please contact Michel at [email protected].

 

FRENCH TRANSLATION - Ouverture TUBLUSA-le TUBLUSA a deux ouvertures. 24-Team actuel-Day BBW League.  La Ligue a un 40-Man alignements, pas de coupes intersaison, pas de salaires, et utilise le disque officiel.  La Ligue est en existence depuis 1998 avec une propriété stable.  La plupart des gestionnaires sont dans la Ligue depuis un certain temps.  Une fois que nous avons identifié le nouveau propriétaire, il y aura un projet de dispersion des deux équipes vacantes.  Si vous êtes intéressé, veuillez contacter Michel à  [email protected]

 

November 18th Opening

 

The Iowa Baseball Confederacy (IBC) Opening - The IBC has two openings for their upcoming 32nd season that starts in March.  The IBC is a 24-team, present-day BBW draft league utilizing full AIM.  The IBC features 42-man rosters, minor league drafting, live internet play via Team Viewer, and a great group of managers.  The drafting of minor leaguers and the live internet play are the heart of the IBC, and that does mean devoting a bit more time, it usually takes 2 to 3 hours to play a series live and they play one series a week from March to September.  Obviously not everyone can play every series live, but they do try to encourage it as much as possible as opposed to using micromanagers.  Their draft is held in January/February so if you join now you'll have plenty of time to prepare for the draft and to start making trades.  The league is a very active trading league, averaging about 100 transactions per year over the past 10 years.  The IBC has a web site with rosters and lots of IBC history, records, draft results, and pictures.  The web site is  http://ibc-apba-baseball.com/ibc_index.php. ; The available teams are Mile High City and Pocket City.  If you are interested in joining please send Bob Scharnberger an email at  [email protected].  

 

November 4th Opening

 

Looking for a League in Orange County California - Lewis is moving from New York to Orange County California and is interested in finding an APBA Baseball league(s) to join.  Anyone with a league in Orange County with an opening please contact Lewis Myers at  [email protected].

 

I trust this column is continuing to bring many APBA players together be it in regional tournaments or league play.  I am glad that we can continue to provide this service to the APBA community.