October 8, 2019

THIS WEEK IN APBA

Volume II Issue 43    

   

  Phone 1 470 359-5094                      [email protected]     

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Good morning,
 
If you have questions about ordering the 2019 baseball products, read further down the newsletter.  
 
Please note in the box above APBA's new phone effective Wednesday the 9th.  We continue to recommend ordering at APBAGAMES.com/shop/ and using email for customer support at [email protected].  

Two items for this week's newsletter: (1) a special APBA GO tournament and (2) the World Series card sets.
 
 The APBA GO JIMMY FUND TOURNAMENT
Gordon Edes, extraordinary sports writer since 1972 and Offical Boston Red Sox historian, is hosting an APBA GO tournament to benefit the Jimmy Fund..   
 
Here is Gordon's annoucement of the Jimmy Fund tournament:  
 
"Missing the action of the postseason? Ever play a computer-sim baseball game, or want to try? Want to play for a chance to win 2020 (Red) Sox tickets, a tour of Fenway Park (including BP) conducted by me?  Helping the Jimmy Fund at the same time?  With the help of APBAGO.com- the same folks who brought you the great baseball board game APBA- I'm launching a
 tournament this month. Make a $50 donation to the Jimmy Fund- and you will be enrolled to play. Donate here:http://twitter.com/GordonEdes/status/1175385323112718336  First come, first served.
 
Manage any MLB team from 1946 on. Manage Ted and Dom, Pedro and David, Yaz and Rico, Schill and Tek, even Reggie and Thurman.
 
Format will depend upon the number of players.  Best- of-seven finals will be held at Fenway.  Tourney winner then plays me (Gordon) to win a baseball uniform jersey of their choice.  Donate by Oct. 15 to play."
 
I'm sure many of you have managed a game from Fenway in your APBA cave. Now is a chance to manage at the real place.   
 
Since its founding in 1948, the Jimmy Fund has raised millions of dollars through thousands of grassroots efforts to help save lives and give hope to cancer patients everywhere. 
 
Good luck to those who enter the Jimmy Fund Tournament. 
 
THE WORLD SERIES CARD SETS.
Please read the following carefully. 
Many of you do not want to buy a full season card set.  You have asked for a cheaper product.  That is the World Series card set.  The teams are based on their regular season performance.  The team includes the players in the APBA season base card set.  No XCs.  This is not based on their World Series performance.  We cannot create accurate cards based on such a small sample size.  
 

 2019 BASEBALL SEASON PRODUCTS 
We got the first question about the availability of 2019 baseball products this weekend.  Once again there will be no pre-orders.  The 2019 APBA GO file will be available at the end of November.  The 2019 season baseball cards and BBW CDs and files will be available in January 2020.  The timing is similar to past years.  Since it is only September 4th, we have not finalized the actual 2020 dates or prices.
 
 
NEW APBA COMMUNITY MEMBERS
   
MICHAEL PIETTE KIRKLAND, QC
AARON KITTERMAN DAVENPORT, IA
RICHARD CANTWELL BEAVERTON, OR
BRIAN MACMILLAN AUBURN HILLS, MI
ANN HOOG WASHINGTON DC
ROB PLUSH LAWTON, OK
EDWARDS GIBBONS NISKAYUNA, NY
JOSEPH RAMSER GIBONIA, PA
SEAN FORD GRAFTON, ND
SHAWN O'NEAL DUNEDIN, FL
ALEXANDER PAWLIK TROY, MI
STEPHEN WONG MISSISSAUGA, ONT.
 
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   
 
John' summer vacation is over. But his fall break is right around the corner. He is back at work feeding school kids. John has now started a career as a heavy equipment operator. This week's guest is John Asalon.
 
If you haven't already, download the Anchor Podcast app, then search for the TWIA podcast and begin listening!  Don't forget to "favorite" the podcast, as well!!  
 

TOURNAMENT REPORT 
  [ Congratulations Randy on forty years of married bliss. Well done.]
Forty years ago today (10/06/79) I married my beautiful bride. We actually were the last ones to leave our reception. Where have forty years gone? Two children and three grandchildren later. I am truly a lucky guy. We leave for Florida on Tuesday. Have a great week.
 
Randy
 
 
REGIONAL TOURNAMENTS
 
The Twin Cities APBA Baseball Tournament (TCABT-XII) - The 12th edition of the TCABT was held on Saturday October 5th but as of press time the results had not been reported. The results of the tournament will appear in next weeks edition of the newsletter.
 
UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS
 
The next scheduled tournament is The Linda B. Schulz Memorial Apba Baseball Tournament V in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania under the direction of Ken and Darren Schulz . See tournament details below:
 
2020 REGIONAL TOURNAMENT CALL-OUT - Tournament Directors who are planning an APBA Regional Tournament between January and May of 2020 are requested to forward tournament information to Randy Coryer at  [email protected] for inclusion into the newsletter.  Thank you in advance for your assistance.
 
IMPORTANT UPDATED INFORMATION - EACH TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR OVER THE NEXT YEAR IS REQUESTED TO MAKE A DONATION TO THE ALS FOUNDATION IN THE NAME OF RANDY WALKER - 2019 APBA HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE.  RANDY IS IN LATE STAGE OF ALS BUT CONTINUES TO FIGHT THE DISEASE AND ENJOY PLAYING APBA WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF HIS WIFE LISA.  THE DONATION CAN BE COLLECTED THE DAY OF THE TOURNAMENT BY PASSING A HAT OR BY INCREASING THE TOURNAMENT REGISTRATION FEE.  APBA WILL AWARD A PRIZE TO THE DIRECTOR AND TOURNAMENT RAISING THE MOST MONEY FOR ALS.  REMEMBER IT IS IMPORTANT TO BE BENEVOLENT WHEN AN APBA BROTHER IS IN NEED.  I KNOW I CAN COUNT ON YOUR SUPPORT.  MORE DETAILS WILL FOLLOW IN THE COMING WEEKS.
 
DONATIONS CAN BE SUBMITTED THROUGH THE ALS ASSOCIATION WEBSITE  WWW.ALSA.ORG/DONATE. ; DONATIONS CAN BE MADE VIA PHONE, CHECK, CREDIT CARD, OR PAYPAL.  PLEASE REFERENCE THE DONATION IN YOUR WRITE-UP.   RANDY AND LISA WALKER THANK YOU FOR THE APBA COMMUNITY SUPPORT TO A VERY WORTHY CAUSE.
 
Upcoming Tournaments
 
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.
 
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 26, 2019 - The Second Furniture City APBA Tournament will be held in Grand Rapids, Michigan at Legends Sports. Any APBA carded non-pennant winning MLB 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 2, 2019 - The DVAL Tournament will be held at Concordia Lutheran Church, 3003 Silverside Road, Wilmington, DE 19810.  Eligible teams are from 1946 to present, excluding 1981 and 1994.  You may begin sending your requests for teams as soon as you like. The tournament will use the DVAL boards (which will be provided) but in the interest of time they will not use MG pitching grades as in the DVAL.  Basic Game pitching grades only.  For those of you unfamiliar with the DVAL boards, there are no changes to the hit numbers 1-11 - the main change is in the fielding.  For some plays where a fielding position is listed in the left margin of the board, you must roll for that fielder and use the MG Fielding Column Finder Chart for the result.  Other playing rules will be sent out shortly to anyone who asked to be on the mailing list.  Tournament cost will be in the $20-$30 and will be finalized once arrangements for lunch are finalized.  Contact Dick Moore at  [email protected] with questions or to register for the tournament.
 
Saturday, November 9, 2019 - The Fall 2019 Wisconsin Tournament will be held at the Wauwatosa Public Library in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.  The tournament will start at 9 am and end at 4:30 pm.  BATS 3 is the tournament theme, with each participant randomly selecting a post-1961 team upon arrival at the tournament that morning.   The DH, 3 man rotations, and 2 inning limits per game for any relief pitcher will be used.  After each player has his or her team, they will have 10 minutes to cut down to a 22 man roster .... and then they will start rolling!   The cost is $20 and includes lots of prizes and good food!  Please contact Kurt Bergland at  [email protected] for details and registration.
 
Saturday, November 9, 2019 in Clermont, Florida 34711 at the Lake Hills Church.  The theme is 100 losses in a single season teams (1903-present).  The cost is $20. If this is your first Florida tournament, the cost is only $10.  A team selection draft lottery will be held in October 2019.  Please contact Tony Stevens at  [email protected].
 
UPDATED INFORMATION - Saturday November 9, 2019 - The Bath City APBA Baseball Tournament in Mount Clemens, Michigan 48043. The Inaugural 2019 Bath City APBA Baseball Tournament is now full with eighteen (18) entries all of which have paid in full! The Draft order for team selection was processed on Monday September 30, 2019 and the drafting of teams has now begun. To see all entries & which Major League Playoff team from 1919 - 2018 that did NOT win a World Series whom they have selected for the Tournament please visit the APBA Bath City Baseball Tournament at:  http://www.straybaseball.com/bathcity-apba/draft-order/. The Schedule is also built for the Tournament and can be viewed online at:   http://www.straybaseball.com/bathcity-apba/schedule/ls5.htm. The tournament director is Stray Corrado and can be contacted at [email protected] or at 810-357-9024.
 
Saturday November 9, 2019 - Inaugural Veteran's Memorial Tournament in honor of USN, CAPT John Scalzo will be held in Leesburg, Virginia.  Cost $20.  Any team during the Cold War 1946-1991 plus a veteran from that team any time (ie. 84' Det plus 1911 Ty cobb).  For more detail or to register contact Rob Wyks at  [email protected]
 
Saturday February 22, 2020 - The 2020 APBA Scenic City Shootout will be held in the Hamilton Room of the Embassy Suites by Hilton located at 2321 Lifestyle Way Chattanooga TN 37421.  The cost will be $20 with the event scheduled to start at 8am.  The tournament theme is The Expansion Era 1961-Present with teams having a Winning Percentage between .475 - .525.  Team selection will begin on November 30, 2019 at Noon.  The rules will be similar to the 2019 Shootout.  APBA Hall of Famer Charlie Fouche was the Inaugural Scenic City Shootout Champion.  Email Mike Kehrer ( [email protected]) or Steve Ryan ( [email protected]) with any questions or to register.
 
Saturday March 7, 2020 - The 6th Annual Greater Michigan APBA Baseball Tournament at The Loomis Park Baptist Church, 2301 North Elm Road, Jackson, Michigan 49201. There is a $20 Entry Fee ($10 Cancellation Fee if you cancel after August 16, 2019).  The tournament theme is any MLB team from 1901-2018 with winning % of less than .600 %.  This tournament still has room for participation (capping at 72) and plenty of good teams remain available.  Please contact Pastor Rich Zawadzki at  [email protected] if interested in attending or with your team selection by December 31, 2019.
 
Saturday March 21, 2020 - The 2nd Annual Far West APBA Baseball Tournament.  The tournament is open to any team from 1908 to present PROVIDED that 154 or more games were played in that season.  Last year's champion 1930 Philadelphia A's may not be used.  The tournament play is the basic game using the advanced fielding option.  Boards and dice will be provided, bring your lucky dice tower or shaker (They have APBA shakers available). Cost for tournament is $40 and includes lunch, drinks, continental breakfast, trophy, and a day of great fun and camaraderie.  If interested please contact Steve at  [email protected] for more details. 
 
Saturday March 28, 2019 - The 3rd Annual Heartland Apba Tournament is scheduled for Saturday March 28, 2020 in Stillwater, Oklahoma.  The tournament the is any team with a .500 record or worse.  The DH will be used.  You can give Earle your team when you commit.  Three-man rotations will be used and starters must go a minimum of 5 innings unless yielding 5 runs.  Relieve pitchers can pitch one inning each game.  The cost to participate is a $10 entry fee.  Trophy and APBA. gift card to the winner!  Hope to see you there!  For more info contact Earle Shamblin at  [email protected] 
 
Saturday April 4, 2020 - The 13th edition of the Twin Cities APBA Baseball Tournament
(TCABT-XIII) will be held Saturday, April 4th, 2020, at the usual location in Maple Grove, MN. Interested parties can contact Jim Fraasch at  [email protected].  There already 32 entrants for this semi-annual tournament.
 
POTENTIAL TOURNAMENT IN SEATTLE AREA  -  There is an effort underway to conduct an APBA Baseball Tournament in the Seattle, Washington area.  If interested, please contact Dave Bednarek at  [email protected] with you name, contact information, and a preference for a Spring or Fall tournament.
 
POTENTIAL TOURNAMENT IN HOUSTON AREA - At present, there is no planned regional tournament in Texas.  If anyone would be interested in participating in a baseball tournament in the Houston area in 2020, please contact Ed Hubbard at  [email protected], and provide your name, email address and phone number, and preferred time from March-October 2020 when you could attend such a tournament.  At this point, they are considering an open tournament for any teams from 1946-72, with no DH, and 25-man rosters. They would follow the APBA Annual Convention tournament rules.  Once interest is determined and preferred dates identified, they will obtain a venue and set an entrance fee.  Let's go Houston area APBA players.
 
POTENTIAL TOURNAMENT IN NEW ORLEANS -  Are you tired of only seeing tournaments on the East Coast and Mid-West??  If there is enough interest, a small group of New Orleans players are looking to set up a regional in the NOLA area in 2020, please contact Randy Tabor at  [email protected] (note the underscore "_" in email address).
 
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.
 
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:
 
September 22nd Openings 
 
All American Baseball Association Opening - The All American Baseball Association, a hybrid card/dice and computer league that started in 1983 has an opening for a manager to take over a franchise.  The AABA is a 20 team draft league, with a 162 game season running April through October.  Three home/away series are played per month.  The league uses the Basic game with upgrades including MG pitching grades and a few others.  Our computer managers play BBW in manual mode.  Realistic pitching and use of hitter limits are applied.  The league draft is a live in person or by phone hookup in February.  They usually have 10 to 12 managers attending the draft for the weekend, with the others hooked up by teleconference.  The available Franchise features Bryce Harper, Gleber Torres, Joey Gallo, and excellent draft picks for the coming year.  If interested to learn more about the AABA opening, send a personal message to  [email protected].  Great group of managers, with three  still around since 1983.  Many of our other managers have been with the league for 20 years or more.
 
September 8th Opening 
 
21st Century League Opening - The 21st Century APBA BBW Baseball League is now open and recruiting owners.  This is a 2 Division (American / National), 2 Conference (East / West) per Division and 5 team per Conference (20 teams' total) league.  They play a 150 game season with an All Star break and DH and non DH Divisions.  The league utilizes Micromanagers for away or home games.  The League rosters consist of 26 active players and 40 total players. The first season starts in spring 2020.  The starting year for the League is TBD.  If interested, please contact Commissioner Scott Rutherford at  [email protected] to join.  
 
September 1st Opening
 
AABL League Opening - The AABL, a 16 team basic game (with modifications) mail league in its 16th year, is looking to replace a manager who had to resign suddenly for personal reasons.  The open team has some nice buiding blocks like Josh Bell, Charlie Blackmon, and Mike Moustakas...but could use some help on the pitching staff.  With the current season almost over (ends in September) it is likely that the new manager won't have to do anything except play with the roster heading into the winter and the 2020 draft.  If interested please contact Andy at  [email protected].
 
August 18th Opening
 
OAPBA (Orlando APBA Assn) Opening - The OAPBA is seeking one or two new managers to expand the five-team league in 2020.  The league ( www.oapba.org) has been in existence since 1988 and is one of the longest-running leagues in the U.S.  It's face-to-face, Master Game, with some minor adjustments.  Thirty-three (33) player rosters with a pool of 30 players active and a three-play "farm system" (inactive, basically a futures list).  Detailed records for the entire lifetime of the league.  One needs to be knowledgeable about MLB and baseball strategy and APBA.  Contact Rod Caborn at  [email protected] or Dave Larson [email protected] if interested.
 
August 11th Opening
 
Central New Jersey League Opening -  The 16 team face to face APBA league is based in the Philadelphia/South and Central New Jersey area and has been in existence for over 40 years.  This is a face to face league although league play using Computer rolling is also permissible.  The league plays a 162 game schedule and begins when the cards come out and ends the regular season by October 15th.  Anyone interested please contact Ed Dress at  [email protected]
 
August 4th Openings
 
ART League Opening - ART ( Almost the Real Thing League) is a 24-team BBW computer league looking for 3 (Brahmins, Compromise and Winos) dedicated managers.  The league follows the majority of MLB rules.  Each roster has 40 man ML and MI rosters.  Players follow option rules, teams work within budget guidelines ( based on wins), drafts for International FA, "First Year" draft, Rule V, and Free Agency.  The league has been in existence for 15+ years and all three franchise are either currently competitive or built for success long term.  If you are looking for a year round commitment with a fun group, you will enjoy what this league has to offer and they would love to have you join them.  If interested, contact Lanny at " [email protected]".
 
July 28th Openings
 
TSL League Opening - The TSL has a great opportunity for a new manager.  They are a 12-team draft league, currently at the halfway point of their 2019 season.  They are a cards and dice league, playing the basic game with only the most commonly used modifications (things like the optional fielding rules).  Don't miss this chance to join a league with 40+ years of history!  If interested, please contact Dan Spangler at  [email protected].
 
July 14th Openings
 
TSL League Opening - The TSL has a great opportunity for a new manager.  They are a 12-team draft league, currently at the halfway point of their 2019 season.  They are a cards and dice league, playing the basic game with only the most commonly used modifications (things like the optional fielding rules).  Don't miss this chance to join a league with 40+ years of history!  If interested, please contact Dan Spangler at  [email protected].
 
APBA Science Press Plus (S.P.P.) League Opening - The APBA S.P.P. League has an upcoming managerial openings. They are based in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and have existed over 40 years.  The league is looking to add at least two new teams for the upcoming season. This is a face to face league although league play using Skype is also permissible.  The league plays a 160 game schedule and begins when the cards come out and ends the regular season by Oct. 15th.  Anyone interested please contact John at  [email protected].
 
June 9th Openings
 
LABL League Openings - Ken Schulz is considering a restart of an existing cards and dice league but using APBA Go.  There are potentially up to 6 open spots with pre-existing rosters that have some very big names from the 2002 season.  This league would be an 84 game schedule, 2 divisions (1 AL only and 1 NL only), and a small draft prior to the start.  If you would be interested in competing in a league using APBA GO Collections to compile stats, please contact Ken at  [email protected].
 
I trust this column is continuing to bring many APBA players together be it through regional tournaments or league play.  I am glad that we can continue to provide this service to the APBA community and further promote brotherhood within our beloved hobby.

If you have a question about your order or if APBA has made a mistake, please contact us at [email protected]. Remember all prices listed do NOT include shipping and handling  charges.
 
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Thank you for your support of APBA.
 
Sincerely,

John
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