HISTORIC SIMBL MOMENTS

Official Birth Of The SIMBL: 9/2/2006
SIMBL Inaugural Draft: 9/17/2006-10/17/2006
2005 SIMBL Season: 10/18/2006-12/27/2006
2006 SIMBL Season: 1/22/2007- 4/4/2007
Website Crash: 4/15/2007-4/22/2007
2007 SIMBL Season: 5/5/2007-7/16/2007
2008 SIMBL Season: 8/6/2007-10/17/2007
2009 SIMBL Season: 10/31/2007-1/19/2008
2010 SIMBL Season: 2/2/2008-4/20/2008
2011 SIMBL Season: 5/2/2008-7/10/2008
2012 SIMBL Season: 7/21/2008-9/29/2008
2013 SIMBL Season: 10/13/2008-12/27/2008
2014 SIMBL Season: 1/10/2009-3/28/2009
2015 SIMBL Season: 4/11/2009-7/11/2009
OOTP 6.5 To OOTP 10 Conversion 8/1/2009-9/1/2009
2016 SIMBL Season: 9/2/2009-12/18/2009
2017 SIMBL Season: 12/28/2009-3/5/2010
2018 SIMBL Season: 3/22/2010-

Key moments in SIMBL history are listed below:

JULY 25, 2015

OWLS' GUERRO NO-HITS 'PUPPETS

Bristol Righty Gives Light On Team's Surprisingly Disappointing Season

Bristol's Manny Guerro (above right) talks to the SIMBL media after throwing a no-hitter against Los Angeles in 2015 SIM 18.  Guerro, 27, was originally signed as a free agent who entered the league in 2008 by Owls GM Greg Checovetes.  At the time, Guerro's  $6,000,000 a year/five season deal was controversial to risk so much cash on an undeveloped prospect and caused an outcry by SIMBL GMS concerned about the league's salary ceiling for unproven players.  Guerro was a 10/6/6 prospect back then and has developed into a 9/6/5 veteran in his third SIMBL season.

Saturday 7/25/2015: Los Angeles has no chance in a NO-HITTER by Manny Guerro

LOS ANGELES - Manny Guerro had his best stuff going, and Los Angeles hitters were chanceless. Bristol's right-hander fired a NO-NO, his 1st shutout of the season. Guerro (9-10) was overpowering, fanning 10 while walking 6, throwing 128 pitches. 'Giving my team a chance to win is the most important thing for me. I was able to do it today, and it's especially nice to do it in such fashion.' Antonio Flores provided Bristol with the offense Guerro needed as he finished 2 for 5, and driving in 2 runs. Bristol scored 3 runs on 9 hits.

JULY 7, 2015

WHALERS' CAMPBELL FIRST SIMBL PLAYER TO GARNER 2000 HITS

Will 31- Year Old Hartford Hitting Machine Reach 3000 Hits Before End Of Career?

Former Bristol Owl, San Diego Warewolve and current Hartford Whaler Robert Campbell (above) was the first player to reach 500, 1000 and 1500 SIMBL hits and now becomes the first to achieve 2000 career SIMBL hits in 2015 SIM 15. Campbell is known as one of the league's purest contact hitters and sports a .310 career batting clip.

Tuesday 7/7/2015: Robert Campbell stars with 2000th career hit

HARTFORD - Hartford's rightfielder Robert Campbell joined some elite company today, collecting his 2000th career hit! He hit a single in the 4th off Jamie Coop for number 2000. In 10 years of big league action so far, Robert has compiled a batting average of .310, along with 108 homeruns and 831 RBI. 'Baseball is a great game, and adding something to it's history is smething I've always wanted. What a great day!'

APRIL 9, 2015

PORTLAND'S RISING STAR FULLER SETS NEW SIMBL HITTING STREAK RECORD

Punishers All-Star's Streak At 32 Straight Games & Counting

Punishers 2B Duane Fuller (above) is off to a blistering start in 2015 and an encore for his superb rookie season of a year ago. Fuller broke San Diego SS Israel Moton's 2013 hittng streak record of 30 consecutive games in 2015 SIM 2.

Portland's rising star 2B Duane Fuller set a new SIMBL record in 2015 SIM 2 as his hitting streak has reached 32 consecutive games breaking San Diego SS Israel Moton's previous record of 30 straight games in 2013.

Fuller, the 13th overall pick in the first round of the 2012 SIMBL Draft, had one of the best rookie seasons last year in the history of the SIMBL when he hit .289 with 35 HR and 101 RBI. Unfortunately, he was overshadowed by fellow rookie Pablo Figueroa of San Diego who had a historic season setting a new SIMBL record with a .358 season batting average, the best in league history, as "Figs" went on to edge Fuller for 2014 SL Rookie Of The Year.

APRIL 8, 2015

SAN DIEGO LEGEND RYLES HITS 500TH CAREER SIMBL HOME RUN

Future SIMBL Hall Of Famer San Diego's Daryl Ryles (above) is a player heads and above of others in the SIMBL. Ryles continues his legend as he hit his 500th career SIMBL home run in 2015 SIM 2.

Wednesday 4/8/2015: Daryl Ryles stars with 500th career homerun

SAN DIEGO - Daryl Ryles got a standing ovation from 44976 fans in San Diego, who witnessed his historic 500th career homerun. Perhaps his best year so far was 2008 where he hit .352 with 69 homeruns and 172 RBI. Daryl hit 30+ homeruns in a season 10 times, hitting 40 bombs 9 times. 'This day is special, I'll probably remember it my whole life. Thank god I'm blessed with the talent to play this game.' His historic shot, off James Golding in the 10th inning, was a two-run homerun and cleared the fence in center field. It's no secret that he will one day be in the Hall of Fame!

APRIL 5, 2015

BEARCATS' ROOKIE HAVILAND HURLS NO-HITTER IN FIRST SIMBL CAREER START

Rookie Feat Never Done Previously In History Of League

Carolina's 2/8/5 rated rookie Christopher Haviland (above) contemplates the coming of his no-hitter in the dugout before the start of the ninth inning against Las Vegas in 2015 SIM 1. Haviland became the only pitcher in SIMBL history to hurl a no-hitter in his first career SIMBL start and threw the earliest no-hitter in league history.

Sunday 4/5/2015: Christopher Haviland NO-HITS Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS - Christopher Haviland made some history on Sunday by pitching a no-hitter in his first big-league start. Carolina's right-hander baffled Las Vegas all day witch his great stuff. What a way to begin a career! Jesse Cohn spoiled the bid for a perfect game when he walked with 2 away in the 6th inning. Haviland (1-0) struck out 5 and issued 1 BB, throwing 62 of 102 pitches for strikes. 'I really like to play baseball, and I love the way I was able to play it today. I still cannot believe I did it.' Shirley Boles provided Carolina with the offense Haviland needed as he stroked 2 hits in 3 AB, doubling once, and collecting 2 RBI. Carolina scored 8 runs on 11 hits.

NOVEMBER 7, 2014

ESPITIA'S 12TH INNING HOMER CAPS 'WOLVES COMEBACK FOR SIXTH SIMBL TITLE

San Diego Rallies Back From 2-1 Series Deficit Against Calgary For Sixth Coveted Cup In Ten Seasons

San Diego players start to charge the field as longtime Warewolves 2B Lucas Espitia (above) rounds the bases after hitting a 12th inning walk-off home run in the bottom of the 12th innning off Calgary reliever Thomas Akers in 2014 SIMBL CS Game Six. Espitia is known for his speed and not his power, being the SIMBL's all-time stolen base leader with 654 career swipes, but gave San Diego GM Paul Ware's tough Warewolves their sixth SIMBL Covted Cup in ten seasons of SIMBL play.

As the SIMBL continues to grow in popularity and legions, several celebrities were spotted at the 2014 SIMBL Coveted Cup Championship Series including The Beatle himself, Sir Paul McCartney (above), who waves to the crowd in San Diego after being noticed by SIMBL fans.

San Diego second baseman Lucas Espitia (above) raises the SIMBL Coveted Cup Championship trophy up high after his 12th-inning walk-off home run in Game Six gave the 'Wolves their unprecedented sixth SIMBL championship in the past ten seasons.

The San Diego Warewolves of GM Paul Ware pulled themselves off the ropes after trailing two games to one in the 2014 SIMBL Coveted Cup Championship Series to GM Christian DeMarco's Calgary Clippers and won three straight games en route to their unprecedented sixth SIMBL Coveted Cup Championship in seven tries and are the 2014 SIMBL Champions. The entire series was SIMMED live over the phone involving on-the-spot strategies and decisions by both DeMarco and Ware.

Game Six was one for the ages that went twelve innings. Calgary led 2-0 going into the bottom of the eighth inning. Clippers ace Steven Yingling was tough going six innings only allowing three hits and no runs. DeMarco brought in rookie Lester Almaraz, who led all SIMBL relievers this season with a miniscule 1.41 ERA in 74.1 IP. Almaraz allowed singles to LF Greg Lainez and former Clipper PH Buster Tate.

The 8/8/10 rated Almaraz was then yanked by DeMarco for fellow rookie and Calgary's former 2013 first round draft choice, 9/6/8 rated Francis Cox.

Cox got 'Wolves 2B Lucas Espitia to ground out into a fielder's choice that sent Lainez to third base with Tate out at second and Espitia at first. Cox struck out SS Israel Moton swinging and then DeMarco ordered a controversial intentional walk to the always dangerous six-time SL MVP Daryl Ryles to load the bases with two outs.

DeMarco then brought in his reigning the UL Fireman Of The Year, 7/10/10 rated John Campbell, to take care of business. Campbell had a 88.4% save rate this season with a 2.12 ERA and 38 saves and is one of the best closers in the SIMBL. Campbell blew the save by allowing a single to SL Rookie Of The Year favorite RF Pablo Figueroa that scored Lainez and the speedy Espitia to tie the game 2-2. Campbell then composed himself to get 1B Michael Quiros to strike out swinging.

Three-time SL Fireman Of The Year Bill Hyer was brought in by Ware in the top of the ninth and Hyer shut down the high-octane Calgary offense the rest of the way, allowing one hit and striking out three in four innings, his longest outing of the season.

Calgary had a golden chance in the top of the 11th as 3B Keith Smith singled and stole second base upon orders from DeMarco. But, longtime Clips' SS Serafin Fradera lined out to rightfield as Smith was running for a rare 7-4 double play that ended the threat and inning. It may have been Fradera's last hoorah with the team he has spent ten seasons with as the Clippers are unlikely to resign the 37 year-old six-time All-Star due to the SIMBL's salary cap restraints.

The Clippers #1 man out of one of the best bullpens in the league, 9/10/10 rated Thomas Akers, was brought in in the bottom of the 11th and retired the side in order. After Calgary passed in order in the top of the 12th, Akers walked Lainez in the bottom of the 12th and Espitia followed with a 418-foot home run to seal the series and break the hearts of DeMarco and legions of SIMBL fans who were pulling for Calgary to suspend the perennial SIMBL San Diego dynasty for another season.

Previously, before hitting the historic SIMBL Championship-wining blast, Espitia hit a career-low 11 home runs this season while Akers allowed only five home runs in over 97 innings pitched this season.

The SIMBL Commissioner, DeMarco, and the SIMBL Vice-Commissioner, Ware, faced each other in the title series for the first time after boasting several of the SIMBL's top winning teams the past decade and the well-known past trash-talking between the two that came with it.

"Paul has built a heck of team to try to put strategy to. They seemingly have no weaknesses and that is alot to deal with when trying to matchup against him and with ingame decisions. Congratulations to Paul and his 'Wolves and this only makes us here with the Clippers and the rest of the league try harder to topple them in the future," said DeMarco.

San Diego SP Bobby Grimes added to his SIMBL Hall Of Fame future resume and was named the 2014 SIMBL Coveted Cup Championship Series MVP, winning the second SIMBL CS MVP of his career. Grimes won two pivotal matchups against UL Hurler Of The Year favorite Nicholas Lenard, pitching 14.1 innings, allowing nine hits, four earned runs while striking out twenty Calgary batters. Grimes previously won the 2009 SIMBL CS MVP award as well and joins Ryles as the only players to win the award twice in their careers.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

KITCHENER'S INEJIRO SIXTH PLAYER IN SIMBL HISTORY TO REACH 300 HR & 1000 RBI

Often Unheralded Compared To His Other SIMBL Star Japanese Imports, Does Slugger Deserve SIMBL Hall Of Fame Consideration?

Often overshadowed by his other Japanese SIMBL sensations, Kitchener's 37 year-old Maiku Inejiro (above) has had a very solid SIMBL career. Inejiro has driven in 90+ RBI in eight of his ten seasons and is a four-time All-Star and one-time All-SIMBL Team selection. Inejiro recently became only the fifth player in league history to amass 300 HR and 1000 RBI thus far in the league's ten-season history. Inejiro is more than a big bat and has won three Gold Gloves also in his career.

Kitchener's 37 year-old slugger Maiku Inejiro became the sixth player in SIMBL history to belt 300 home runs in his career recently. Inejiro, who is sixth all-time with 302 career blasts, also becomes the fifth player in league history to amass 300 HR and 1000 RBI, joining San Diego's Daryl Ryles, Birmingham's Glenn Knapp, Moscow's Luis Franco and Toronto's Eddie Meas in that elite club.

Inejiro was originally a fourth round pick in the 2005 SIMBL Inaugural Draft by former Oregon GM Tom Hickman. The Japanese sensation played from 2005 to 2008 with the Pioneers making two All-Star teams. In 2005, he hit .294 with 47 HR and 124 RBI, coming in third-place in SL MVP voting next to Ryles and Meas. He bested those numbers in 2007 when he hit a SIMBL-record at the time 48 home runs and drove in 138 runs and was named to the All-SIMBL First Team.

Inejiro was traded back to Hickman when he took over the Marin Mountainmen after a brief hiatus from the league. He played with Marin from 2008-2012 when he signed with GM Robert Don's Kitchener Rangers in offseason free agency and is in his third season with the Rangers.

Inejiro is a four-time All-Star and has won three Gold Gloves. He will be best remembered for his two monster seasons of 2005 and 2007 but he was a superb defensive outfielder and reached 100+ RBI in six of his ten seasons and blasted 30+ HR in four seasons. Inejiro reached 90+ RBI in eight of his first ten SIMBL seasons, including his first seven from 2005-2011.

Boston LF Dominick Lund, Marin CF James Mahaffey, Hartford 1B Kenny Blumberg, San Diego RF Buster Tate and New York LF Willie Sullivan are all within 25 HR of reaching the 300 HR Club next season and all appeared poised to reach 1000 RBI in their career next year as well.

Inejiro, along with Calgary 1B Taitarou Haranobu, Las Vegas SP Isogorou Chomei and Dalton SS Kanesaburou Jiro have been the Far East's major stars in the SIMBL's first ten seasons.

JUNE 22, 2014

BLUE SOX'S KNAPP BELTS 300 CAREER SIMBL HOME RUN; JOINS EXCLUSIVE COMPANY

Probable Future SIMBL Hall Of Famers Making Rare Lists In League's Tenth Season Of Play

Former Marin, Jacksonville and current Birmingham slugger Glenn "Waco" Knapp (above) became the fifth player in SIMBL history to amass 300 HR in 2014 SIM 12. Knapp also drove in his 1000th career RBI joining San Diego's Daryl Ryles and Moscow's Luis Franco in rare company to amass 300 HR and 1000 RBI. The former 2010 UL MVP and 2010 SIMBL CS MVP is also 43 runs scored away from joining Ryles as the only players in SIMBL history to collect 300 HR, 1000 RBI, 1000 BB and score 1000 runs.

History was made in 2014 SIM 12 as Birmingham's Glenn Knapp belted his way into the exclusive SIMBL 300 Home Run Club. Knapp became the fifth player to amass 300 or more taters in the league's ten-season history. He joins San Diego's Daryl Ryles, Moscow's Luis Franco, Augusta's Mike Chisholm and Toronto's Eddie Meas as the only players currently to pass the 300 HR plateau.

Knapp also drove in his 1000th SIMBL RBI last SIM as well putting him in rare company with Ryles and Meas as the only players in league history to accumulate at least 300 HR, 1000 RBI and 1000 BB.

Knapp needs to score 43 more runs this season to join Ryles as the only players to have 300 HR, 1000 RBI, 1000 BB and have scored 1000 runs in their careers. Meas needs 21 more RBI to join them both as well in that exclusive listing.

Kitchener slugger Maiku Inejiro is the next player looking to break through the 300 HR mark needing ten more blasts to become the sixth player to reach that plateau in SIMBL history. He also needs 18 more RBI to reach the 1000 RBI mark and will be the next 300 HR/1000 RBI club member, joining Ryles, Knapp and Franco.

Such listings will be pivotal in selecting who will be the first entrants into the SIMBL Hall Of Fame after the first wave of the league's Inaugural Draft talent phases out of their careers shortly.

JUNE 15, 2014

'WOLVES ROLLING; SET NEW SIMBL CONSECUTIVE WINS RECORD; STREAK HALTED AT 19

No Stop Signs In Sight For Rampaging Five-Time SIMBL Champs

SIMBL history was made the past 2014 SIM 11 as San Diego GM Paul Ware's Warewolves set a new SIMBL record by winning a blistering 19 games in a row before the streak came to an end.

Here are the SIMBL records for most consecutive wins in the league's ten-season history:

19 SAN DIEGO 2014
13 CALGARY 2014
13 CHICAGO 2012
13 CHICAGO 2012
12 JACKSONVILLE 2012
12 BOSTON 2011
12 SAN DIEGO 2010
12 BEND 2008

APRIL 19, 2014

T-JACKS' ARNOLD THROWS FOURTH PERFECT GAME IN SIMBL HISTORY

Former SIMBL Top Ten Prospect Blossoming Late After Slow Start To Career

Longtime SIMBL Top Ten prospect Michael Arnold (above) gets a hug from Timberjack teammate 3B Lornezo Castro after throwing the fourth perfect game in SIMBL history against Augusta in 2014 SIM 3. Arnold was scouted to be one of the 2005 SIMBL Inaugural Draft's top prospect aces but has taken a long time to develop. Now 28 years-old, Arnold may give Pocatello fans hope of those previous expectations.

Sunday 4/19/2014: Michael Arnold throws PERFECT GAME against Augusta

POCATELLO - Great things can happen when you throw strikes. And Michael Arnold did so today, in a perfect game against Augusta. The crowd of 18891 gave him a standing ovation when teammates carried him off the field on their shoulders. Arnold (3-1) was overpowering, fanning 10 while walking none, throwing 84 pitches. 'My catcher called a very good game. I have to give credit to him. He was the main reason I accomplished this feat.' The hitting star for Pocatello was catcher Lino Gonzalez, he got 2 hits in 3 AB, scoring twice. Pocatello scored 3 runs on 6 hits.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2013

PIONEERS' OUTSTANDING SP RODRIQUEZ SETS NEW SIMBL RECORD WITH 27TH WIN OF SEASON; HURLS ONE-HITTER VS. BROOKLYN

Oregon 8/7/10-Rated 31 Year-Old Having Historic Season At 27-3 With 2.03 ERA

Oregon SP Angel Rodriquez (left) gets congratulations from his catcher Cane Wilson after he won his 27th game of the 2013 season setting a new SIMBL record. The Pioneers have been the SL wildcard the last three seasons finishing second to San Diego each year in the SL West. The Pioneers and and Warewolves have met in the past three SL Championship Series with each series going the full seven games. Oregon leads San Diego by one game with 13 to play as they seek their elusive first SL West division title and to break their bitter division rivals eight-season grip on the division.

Saturday 9/19/2013: Angel Rodriguez shuts out Brooklyn on one hit

OREGON - Great days are rare. But not for Oregon's right-hander Angel Rodriguez. Brooklyn found out the hard way that he is among the leagues top pitchers, getting just one hit. It's his 3rd shutout this season, and the 6th time he has done it in his career. 'That was one of the best games of my career. I had my stuff working very well today.' Rodriguez (27-3) was overpowering, fanning 10 while walking 1, throwing 100 pitches. Omar Velazquez provided Oregon with the offense Rodriguez needed as he collected 3 hits in 4 trips to the plate, blasting a homerun, with 2 RBI. The final score of the game was 12-0.

AUGUST 16, 2013

HITMEN'S MEAS BECOMES FOURTH PLAYER IN SIMBL HISTORY TO BLAST 300 CAREER HOMERS

Chicago Slugger Also Approaching Rare 1000 RBI, 1000 BB & 1000 Runs Scored Club

Chicago's Eddie Meas (above) watches his 300th career SIMBL home run and becomes the fourth player in league history to reach the 300 HR plateau. Meas is in rare company in approaching compiling 1000 career walks, RBI and runs scored as well. He remains the only player in SIMBL history thus far to achieve a 40 HR/40 SB season as well.

Chicago's 37 year-old CF Eddie Meas made SIMBL history on August 16, 2013 by blasting his 300th SIMBL career home run joining an exclusive club in league history.

Meas, who led the SIMBL career home run list for two seasons before being overtaken by San Diego's Daryl Ryles in 2007, joins Ryles, Kitchener's Mike Chisholm and Brooklyn's Luis Franco as the only players thus far in the nine-season history of the SIMBL to amass 300 dingers.

Ryles has a sizeable lead with 437 blasts followed by Franco's 311 and Chisholm's 309.

Birmingham's Glenn Knapp sits fourth with 280 and Kitchener's Maiku Inejiro (277), New York's Willie Sullivan (260), Marin's James Mahaffey (259), Oregon's Buster Tate (255) and Boston's Dominick Lund (254) round out the top ten.

Meas was the first player taken in the second round of the 2005 Inaugural SIMBL Draft. He played two and a half seasons in Jacksonville before being traded to Chicago in a memorable trade for SP Earl Hendrickson, SP Neil Posey and 2B Bill Lucas. Hendrickson was a top prospect who turned out a bust and Posey was a rising SIMBL star who suffered a career-ending injury shortly after the trade which turned out to be one of the biggest trade blunders in the SIMBL's history for Stampede GM Brandon Clifton.

Meas has achieved 100 RBI in six of his eight full seasons and has belted at least 29 homers each season and over 20 in seven. He blasted 45 HR and drove in 142 RBI while batting .309 in 2005 finishing second to San Diego's Daryl Ryles in a controversial SL MVP vote that led the two to be bitter rivals.

He followed with 47 HR and 118 RBI the next season again finishing second in the SL MVP voting this time to Boston's Dominick Lund.

Meas is one of only two current players approaching 1000 career RBI, walks and runs as well and still the only player in league history to achieve a 40 HR/40 SB season. He has also had three other 30 HR/30 SB seasons as well.

Meas is a six-time SIMBL All-Star and two-time All-SIMBL Team choice.

Meas is hitting a career-low .175 for the Hitmen as they chase Las Vegas in their annual SL Central slugfest. He is on pace for 26 HR and 80 RBI though as his SIMBL Hall Of Fame career is coming to an end.

AUGUST 3, 2013

TACOMA ACE BUSHMAN BLAZES NO-HITTER PAST SAN DIEGO

Rain's 24 Year-Old 10/10/9 Stud Becomes 20th Pitcher In SIMBL History To Hurl A No-No

Tacoma's Justin Bushman's (above) ascension to becoming one of the SIMBL's top aces has been fast since Rain GM Jeff Williams picked him sixth overall in the 2010 SIMBL Draft. At only 24 years olds and already 10/10/9 developed, Bushman looks to dominate for years to come.

Monday 8/3/2013: Justin Bushman fires NO-NO against San Diego

SAN DIEGO - Tacoma's right-hander Justin Bushman made some history today, firing a no-hitter against San Diego. Their hitters found out the hard way that he is among the leagues top pitchers, never having a chance against his overpowering stuff. 'They took some ugly cuts at my breaking stuff, so I kept throwing it. Fortunately they were not able to adjust in time.' Bushman (11-7) fanned 5 and walked 3, throwing 97 pitches. David August helped Bushman at the plate, he went 3 for 5, doubling three times, and collecting 4 RBI. The final score of the game was 6-0.

JULY 31, 2013

HARTFORD'S TAPIA BELTS OUT SIX HITS VS. BRISTOL

38 Year-Old Former Inaugural Draft Third Round Draft Pick Is Ninth Player In SIMBL History To Achieve Feat

Friday 7/31/2013: Paul Tapia socks six hits for Hartford

BRISTOL - 'You know, in batting practice I didn't really feel that comfortable about my stroke today, but baseball is more than hitting. Then, when you're not trying to force a hit, you slug them in droves,' says Paul Tapia after his 6 hit game, which Hartford won 17-2 against Bristol. He had singles in the 2nd inning , in the 4th (two RBIs) , in the 5th , in the 7th inning , in the 8th (one RBI) and in the 9th (one RBI). Paul did drive in 4 while scoring 3 runs on his own. His 6 hit performance increases his batting average to .272.

JULY 10, 2013

NEW YORK'S TAFOYA SETS NEW SIMBL RECORDS WITH FOUR HOMERS & TEN RBI VS. HARTFORD

Becomes First Player In League History To Hit Four Dingers In Game

New York's Claver Tafoya (above) has had an average four-year SIMBL career after being the third overall pick of the 2007 SIMBL Draft selected by Brooklyn. For a player who has never hit more than 16 home runs in a season, Tafoya set a SIMBL record by becoming the first and only player in league history to hit four homers in a game. On July 10, 2013 Tafoya blasted four dingers against Hartford and also drove in a new SIMBL record 10 runs as well in going 5 for 6 with a double, four home runs and ten RBI.

Friday 7/10/2013: Claver Tafoya pounds four dingers

HARTFORD - Hitting a homerun is fine, but hitting four of them in one game is something special. New York's rightfielder Claver Tafoya accomplished that feat in a 22-10 win over Hartford. His 1st shot, a three-run homerun off Anthony Mann in the 4th inning, cleared the fence in left-center. His 2nd shot, off David Desantis in the 4th inning, was a two-run homerun and cleared the fence in center field. Number 3 in the 5th inning, a shot estimated at 407 feet, cleared the wall in left-center. A 398 foot drive to right-center marked his 4th bomb, a solo homerun off Santiago Curet in the 8th inning. Overall he collected 5 hits in 6 trips to the plate, stroking a double, with FOUR runs scored and collecting 10 RBI.

JUNE 4, 2013

DALTON'S POWELL HURLS NO-HITTER VS. HARTFORD

2013 Prized Supplemental Free Agent Dominating SIMBL In First Season; 11-1 3.05 ERA; Throws 20th No-No In SIMBL History

Dalton Dawgs teammates pie the face of SP Vernan "Victory" Powell (above) in celebration of his no-hitter. Powell was signed during last offseason's fevered Supplemental Free Agent bidding. The 7/7/9-rated righthander was signed by GM John Treadway to a $14,000,000 a season/three season deal. Powell has dominated the SIMBL upon entering in his freshman season currently leading the league with a 11-1 record and a 3.05 ERA. Powell hurled the second no-hitter of the 2013 season in 2013 SIM 9 blanking Hartford.

Thursday 6/4/2013: Vernan Powell dominates Hartford, throws NO-HITTER

DALTON - Vernan Powell had some fun again. REAL fun. Hartford hitters did not. Dalton's right-hander fired a no-hitter in his 1st shutout of the season. He now has 1 career shutouts in 12 games started. Mario Witty spoiled the bid for a perfect game when he walked with 2 away in the 6th inning. Powell (11-1) was overpowering, fanning 10 while walking 3, throwing 102 pitches. 'Wow, what a nice day. I guess I had a good breakfast today. That's a dream coming true for me!' The hitting star for Dalton was second baseman Harold Bates, he stroked 2 hits in 3 AB, hitting 2 doubles, with 3 RBI. Dalton improved its record to 34-22, scoring 6 runs on 9 hits.

MAY 31, 2013

'PUPPETS ACE SOUSA FIRST TO ACHIEVE 150 SIMBL CAREER VICTORIES

At Only 28 Years Old, Los Angeles Southpaw Is On Target For 300 SIMBL Wins

By Oscar Madison
Los Angeles Meat Puppets Beat Writer
SIMBL Contributor

Los Angeles ace James Sousa (above) has been fearsome to hitters this season going 8-1 and completing 4 of the 13 games he started. His 1.47 ERA leads all UL pitchers. Sousa has won two of the last three UL Hurler Of The Year Awards.

Los Angeles - James Sousa received credit for his 150th career victory last Sunday, May 31st. It was another complete game from the sturdy pitcher who allowed 2 runs while striking out 10 Enforcers on the way to a 7-2 victory over New York. San Diego's Bobby Grimes is second on the career wins list with 140. At the tender age of 28, a time when most pitchers are just hitting their prime, Sousa currently leads in all major career pitching categories (outside of saves). At the moment, he’s the only pitcher with enough innings pitched (minimum of 2000) to qualify on the ERA leader board. After 2098 IPs, Sousa has maintained a 2.83 ERA. A few pitchers have lower career ERAs (Grimes, Los Angeles' Michael Arnett, Marin's Richard Dicks) and may knock Sousa down a notch or two if they maintain that consistency until they pass the 2000 innings plateau.

Sousa has more strikeouts than any pitcher who’s pitched in the SIMBL, sitting down 2277 opposing batters. Sousa’s 96 mph fastball paired with a deceptive change-up that comes in at nearly 20 mph off that pace tends to confuse hitters. Add in a slider that cuts from one side of the plate to the other and a curveball that dips nearly a foot and you’ll understand why batters have a tough time facing the lefty. Chicago’s Miles "Blackjack" Farrelly is a close second with 2249 K's.

Part of Sousa’s success comes with him being stingy in games with the ball. He doesn’t tend to hand the ball over to the bullpen very often as can be attested by his 48 complete games, 21 of those shutouts! Sousa leads the league in both of those categories. Grimes has 20 career shutouts at the moment, so that stat could be in jeopardy.

In 2013, Sousa leads the UL with a 1.47 ERA, has 12 quality starts and is sitting on an 8-1 record. The 'Puppets are riding the crest of a 7 game winning streak as we head into June. Hopefully, Sousa and new acquisitions to the team, 3B Manuel Ciles, CF Robert Wedge and LF Francisco Cespedes can keep the wave going as LA chases down those neolithic Marin Mountainmen. Pass me a stogey and a brew and keep the pitches comin'. Madison out

MAY 25, 2013

RANGERS' CHISHOLM & CYLCONES' FRANCO JOIN EXCLUSIVE 300 HR CLUB IN 2013 SIM 7

Duo Joins 'Wolves' Ryles In SIMBL Power Club History In SIMBL's First Decade Of Play

Former Pensacola Red Sox and current Kitchener Rangers 1B Mike Chisholm (above), the UL MVP in 2008 and 2009, joins the SIMBL 300 HR Club in 2013 SIM 7 and is in rare company thus far in the SIMBL's nine-season history.

Former 2007 UL MVP SS Luis Franco (above) is considered one of the top sluggers in the SIMBL's first decade of play and recently topped the 300 SIMBL HR plateau.

Longtime SIMBL veteran, Chicago's Eddie Meas (above,) is the only player in SIMBL history to achieve a 40 HR/40 SB season and will soon become the fourth player to join the exclusive 300 HR Club as well.

In 2013 SIM 7, two players joined San Diego's Daryl Ryles in the exclusive SIMBL 300 Home Run Club.

Longtime veteran Kitchener 1B Mike Chisholm and Brooklyn SS Luis Franco each clobbered their 300th career SIMBL taters and are the only two players, along with Ryles, to achieve the feat through the league's first nine seasons.

Franco won the UL MVP in 2007 as a member of the Toronto Rush, who drafted him 17th overall in the first round of the Inaugural 2005 SIMBL Draft. Chisholm won the UL MVP the following two seasons in the UL in 2008 and 2009 and is the only other two-time MVP winner in SIMBL history other than Ryles.

Chicago's Eddie Meas only needs nine home runs to achieve 300 dingers as well and should be the only other player to achieve the feat this season.

MAY 17, 2013

'WOLVES' SS MOTON SETS NEW SIMBL HITTING STREAK RECORD AT 30 GAMES

Reigning SL Rookie Of The Year Leading SIMBL With .431 BA

San Diego sophomore SS Israel Moton broke James Mahaffey's five-season old record SIMBL hitting streak in 2013 SIM 6.

Moton passed Mahaffey on May 14, 2013 when he hit in his 28th straight game. The new record came to an end on May 17, 2013 against Birmingham in a 1-0 win over the Blue Sox. Blue Sox pitchers Hotarou Fukusaburu, Joe Doucet and Jarod Quimet did something that no team could do in the previous 30 games against Moton, hold him to a hitless game.

Moton, the ninth overall pick in the first round of the 2010 SIMBL Draft, won the SL Rookie Of The Year Award last season and is currently leading the SIMBL in hitting with a .431 clip through the first 32 games of the 2013 season.

APRIL 9, 2013

'WOLVES' GRIMES THROWS THIRD PERFECT GAME IN SIMBL HISTORY; DOMINATES DIVISION RIVAL IN SHOWDOWN WITH PIONEERS' RAMIREZ

Two Of The Very Best Aces In The SIMBL Combine For Classic

Thursday 4/9/2013: Oregon has no chance in a PERFECT GAME by Bobby Grimes

SAN DIEGO - San Diego's left-hander Bobby Grimes made some history today, firing a perfect game against Oregon. Their hitters found out the hard way that he is among the leagues top pitchers, never having a chance against his overpowering stuff. The crowd of 44986 gave him a standing ovation when teammates carried him off the field on their shoulders. 'Giving my team a chance to win is the most important thing for me. I was able to do it today, and it's especially nice to do it in such fashion.' Grimes (2-0) was overpowering, fanning 11 while walking none, throwing 103 pitches. Daryl Ryles provided San Diego with the offense Grimes needed as he finished with 1 hit in 3 AB, blasting a homerun. San Diego improved its record to 6-3, scoring 1 run on 4 hits.

NOVEMBER 7, 2012

SIMPLY A CLASSIC!

'Wolves Comeback From 3-1 Deficit; Stun 'Puppets For Fifth SIMBL Title In Eight Seasons

Game Seven Is A 1-0 9th Inning Thriller One For The Ages

San Diego's Wesley Almedia hits what would be the game-winning single off of Los Angeles' William Cimino driving in Israel Moton in the top of the ninth inning in Game Seven of the 2012 SIMBL CS.

Warewolves veteran ace Felix Murff (above) was masterful in the 2012 SIMBL CS, winning two huge games and only allowing three earned runs in 17.2 IP earning SIMBL CS MVP honors.

Los Angeles ace James Sousa (above) cemented himself as the best pitcher in SIMBL playoff history yet his SIMBL championship ring has eluded him twice with two memorable series with San Diego and his nemesis Bobby Grimes. Sousa is 7-2 with a 1.66 ERA in 16 stars and 124.1 IP in his postseason career. The 2012 UL Hurler Of The Year favorite went 1-0 pitching 15 innings allowing 12 hits and three earned runs while fanning 19 in his two starts against the Warewolves.

In another classic ninth-inning of the seventh game SIMBL Coveted Cup Championship Series, the San Diego Warewolves of GM Paul Ware came back from a three game to one series deficit to stun GM Dave Bliley's Los Angeles Meat Puppets to win the 2012 SIMBL Championship and their fifth SIMBL title in eight seasons.

The series was SIMed live over the phone using a three-way call between the two GMs and SIMBL Commissioner Christian DeMarco to certify fairness and authenticity. The games featured live strategies and decisions in the game by Bliley and Ware.

Bliley decided to pull starting pitcher Theodore Wilson in a 0-0 Game Seven in the ninth inning. Wilson was masterful in the game going 8.1 innings allowing 3 hits. Reliever William Cimino, the former 2010 SL Fireman Of The Year, came in and allowed the series-winning hit to RF Wesley Almedia driving home rookie SS Israel Moton, whom Wilson previously walked. Cimino got the red-hot Ernest Crivello, the SLDS MVP, to fly out to end the inning.

"I'll be rethinking the decision to pull Wilson for Cimino for a long time now," sobbed the heartbroken Bliley whose beloved Meat Puppets have now lost two heartbreaking series for the SIMBL crown to San Diego in the last four seasons.

SL Fireman Of The Year favorite Bill Hyer came in and closed the door getting former Warewolve Doug Linsley to ground out to 1B Michael Quiros and the party was on in San Diego's soldout Great American Ballpark. It was Hyer's SIMBL-record seventh save of this season's playoffs.

2012 Coveted Cup MVP Felix Murff was outstanding in Game Seven, going 8 innings, allowing only four hits and no runs while striking out two. Both teams finished with only four hits each. Murff went 2-0 pitching 17.2 innings allowing 11 hits and only 3 runs while fanning 12 to earn MVP honors.

The comeback from a 3-1 deficit marks the third time in SIMBL playoff history it has occured. GM Zach Deuel's Pocatello Timberjacks did the same to GM Pat Flanagan's Texas Roadrunners in the 2008 SIMBL Coveted Cup while GM Christian DeMarco's Calgary Clippers came back last season in the ULCS against GM Dave Burgess' Boston Patriots.

"What a series! I couldn't believe that it would be this emotionally draining for just a game," said Ware. "Great series and we look forward to doing it again with Dave next year."

Bliley wasn't as enthusiastic as Ware was after the exciting and draining Game Seven heartbreaker.

"This is twice now that Paul has squeaked his ass past us. Oh shit," Bliley sighed as Meat Puppets personnel quickly led him away from the postgame podium.

Ware then complained about DeMarco who was clearly rooting for Los Angeles in the series and their tumultous relationship continues to heat up again.

"Christian disappointed me. As Commissioner of this league he has always remained neutral in such contests until now."

DeMarco only commented, "Hey, Dave's team is from the UL and I am a UL guy."

As it did in the memorable 2009 SIMBL CS, this year's series featured two key matchups of perhaps the two most dominating pitchers in the SIMBL right now and the likely 2012 Hurlers Of The Year in both leagues: Los Angeles' James Sousa and San Diego's Bobby Grimes. And they didn't disappoint in their newfound rivalry.

Sousa beat Grimes in Game Two, while Grimes took the win in Game Five. Sousa garnered a no decision in that contest while pitching 6 innings allowing 7 hits and two runs while fanning 9. Grimes went 8 innings giving up two runs on five hits and fanning 8. Grimes finished the postseason 1-4 with a 3.46 ERA while Sousa finished 2-1 with a 1.36 ERA in six starts. Sousa now has a 1.66 career playoff ERA in 16 starts and 124.1 innings, the best in SIMBL history.

It was the fifth title for Ware, whose teams three-peated from 2005-2007 and won their previous title in 2009. It was the second time that Los Angeles succumbed to San Diego, losing the title to them in 2009 in six games.

OCTOBER 13, 2012

LOS ANGELES & HARTFORD PLAY LONGEST GAME IN SIMBL PLAYOFF HISTORY

Teams Play 29 Innings In Back-To-Back Playoff Game Nights

In Game five of a memorable seven-game 2012 LDS, Los Angeles GM Dave Bliley's Meat Puppets and the Hartford Whalers of GM Mike Gemme played an 18-inning epic won by the Whalers 5-4. The next night, the two teams played an eleven-inning game won by Los Angeles 4-0. The teams managed to play 29 innings and score 13 runs in back-to-back long nights in SIMBL playoff history.

FINAL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 R H E
Los Angeles 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 4 15 0
Hartford 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 5 13 1
WP: Mariano Alfaro LP: Travis Boyd

OCTOBER 10, 2012

BRISTOL, CALGARY PLAY 'SNOWBALL' AT THE PARK AT CHIPPEN HILLS

October Connecticut Storm Allows Owls & Clippers To Play First SIMBL Postseason Game In Snow; Game Halted Thirty Minutes In SIMBL's Coldest Game Ever

Possible 'Collusion' Charges Coming As Tension Builds Once Again Between SIMBL Commish & SIMBL Vice-Commish?

Calgary pitcher Nicolas Lenard (above) tries to deal with the elements as snow starts to fall at Bristol's Park At Chippen Hills. The snowstorm intensified shortly after and Game Two of the ULDS was delayed for thirty minutes. Lenard later blamed the storm on his arm 'tightening up' in a Clippers' 6-4 loss.

Bristol Owls team officials meet with SIMBL umpires as the freak snowstorm won't let up and decide to delay the game in the second inning. The game later finished in 29 degree weather, the first time snow ever has interrupted a SIMBL game and the coldest game in SIMBL history. Calgary GM Christian DeMarco stated that he 'stayed out of the umpires' decision to play the game' yet grumbled when he left responsibility ultimately to SIMBL Vice-Commissioner Paul Ware, who was seen in Bristol GM Greg Checovetes' team suite with Bristol up 2-0 in the game when the weather became questionable.

In what will become some sort of infamous SIMBL history, on October 10, 2012, GM Greg Checovetes' Bristol Owls and the Calgary Clippers of GM Christian DeMarco squared off in 29 degree weather in the cold Northeast in Bristol, Connecticut.

What wasn't expected was a freak snowstorm that delayed the game for thirty minutes in the second inning in what would become a 6-4 Owls win.

"To be forced to continue to play in these conditions was pathetic," cried Calgary mouth and catcher Adam Wells. "It definately affected our abilities to see the ball and my pitcher, Nicolas Lenard, just froze up."

Bristol players begged to differ.

"Tell Wellsy to stop being a crybaby and call a spade a spade. Both teams played in it and were equal in the adversity," stated the Owls' ace Bryan "Stinky" Kaplan, who was knocked around a little in the game but still took the win going five innings allowing six hits and four earned runs before giving way to the stellar Bristol bullpen trio of Aaron Williams, Jairo Martinez and Richard Bell, who secured the win by throwing scoreless ball the final three innings.

Lenard seemed to agree with his signal-caller Wells though.

"I could definately feel my arm tighten up in the third inning and I never have pitched in this kind of weather. I am just a surfer pitcher from California, man!"

Lenard, who went 17-10 this season, went 3.2 innings getting bumped by Bristol for nine hits and five earned runs.

"We should just appeal this game and play it over," grumbled Wells, a seven-time All-Star selection, as he stormed out of the lockerroom.

Ironically enough, the next game was played in the deeper north in Calgary's Victor's Field where game time temperature was a contrast at 61 degrees.

SIMBL Commish Christian DeMarco, who also is Calgary's GM, said he had "nothing to do with the decision to play in the weather."

DeMarco stated that he stayed out of the decision and let the umpires to decide whether or not to play.

He also stated that he left ultimate responsibility to SIMBL Vice-Commissioner Paul Ware on the final decision.

Ware declined to comment if a decision or order was given to the umpires to play the game only asking, "What was the score of the game at the time the storm came in?"

Ware wouldn't elaborate on his comment any further but was seen in Bristol GM Greg Checovetes' team suite around the time the storm hit.

When asked about possible collusion charges, DeMarco declined comment as well though Bristol was up 2-0 in the game at the time the weather became questionable.

OCTOBER 6, 2012

RYLES FIRST IN SIMBL HISTORY TO PASS 400 HR, 1000 RBI

Come Playoffs San Diego Megamouth Ends Season-Long Blockade Towards SIMBL Media; 'Guarantees' This Year's SIMBL Title

Bristol Proves That The SIMBL Longball Is 'Hogwash'

THE MOUTH THAT ROARS: One of the SIMBL's biggest mouths, San Diego's six-time MVP, Daryl Ryles (above), recently ended his season-long barricade towards SIMBL media and lamented in the glory of his recent 400 HR/1000 RBI achievements, far and away ahead of any other player in SIMBL history. Ryles' grip on the past five SL Slugger Of The Year awards looks to be to an end to Las Vegas' Ray Barrot due to Ryles' missing six weeks earlier this season. Ryles 'guaranteed' another 'Wolves SIMBL Championship this season.

By Lance Stanley
SIMBL Contributor

Hi again youngsters...Lance Stanley Reporting.

Despite missing significant time this past season due to injury for the first time in his illustrious SIMBL career, San Diego's Daryl Ryles kept his torrid Hall Of Fame pace this season and still finished with a .308 batting average with 37 HR and 98 RBI, the lowest production of his career and ending his seven season streak of at least 40 home runs and 100 RBI. Ryles' streak of four straight seasons with 50 or more blasts ended as well.

The 9/10/10 rated Warewolves superstar became the first player in SIMBL history to reach the 400 HR mark, finishing the season with 403 career blasts. Ryles also was the first player to amass 1000 RBI and sits atop that career list with 1081.

"I told you all when I was drafted that I would set all power hitting records for this league for all-time. My records will never be broken. I told all you idiots that eight years ago. I like being alone on top anyways," said the outspoken Ryles recently. Ryles was the first player taken overall in the SIMBL Inaugural Draft eight seasons ago.

"Let's not think about that right now, let's think about another San Diego SIMBL ring. I guarantee it," he barked as he ended his season-long silence to the SIMBL media and stormed out of the locker room in true Ryles form.

When asked about his SL MVP streak ending at five straight seasons and six out of the last seven seasons to the SL's likely MVP, Ray Barrot of Las Vegas, the volatile Ryles snapped, "Put him on the DL for six weeks also and I'd still have better numbers than that punk kid."

OCTOBER 2, 2012

PIONEERS' MORALES STYMIES STAMPEDE WITH NO-HITTER

Oregon Righthander Hurls Third No-No Of 2012 SIMBL Season

Oregon's Andre Morales (above center) celebrates with his Pioneer teammates after throwing a no-hitter against Jacksonville in 2012 SIM 26. Moreno's gem was the third no-no of the 2012 season following Hartford's Bill Hightower and Texas' Cedric Monasterio earlier in the season.

Friday 10/2/2012: Andre Morales dominates Jacksonville, throws NO-HITTER

OREGON - Oregon's right-hander Andre Morales made some history today, firing a no-hitter against Jacksonville. Their hitters found out the hard way that he is among the leagues top pitchers, never having a chance against his overpowering stuff. Manuel Ciles spoiled the bid for a perfect game when he walked with 1 away in the 5th inning. 'They took some ugly cuts at my breaking stuff, so I kept throwing it. Fortunately they were not able to adjust in time.' Morales (15-10) was overpowering, fanning 10 while walking 2, throwing 105 pitches. Oregon's centerfielder Bill Bonar finished with 1 hit in 4 AB, and driving in 2 runs. That was enough to support the brilliant performance of Morales. The final score of the game was 3-0.

REAL LIFE DATE SEPTEMBER 2, 2008

STAND UP & BE COUNTED

SIMBL Celebrates Two-Year Anniversary Due To It's GM's Dedication & Passion For The League & Game

It's been two real-life years that the SIMBL and it's colorful cast of GMS has been in existence.

The SIMBL was founded by SIMBL Commissioner Christian DeMarco on September 2, 2006. DeMarco set out to form a league that was "For The GM and By The GM" and a league that was fun and a refuge for those who participated in it to get "away from life's bullshit for a few minutes a day or so". The SIMBL started with a month-long Inaugural Draft that lasted from September 17-October 17, 2006. Seasonal play began on October 18, 2006 and has lasted over two years now. Two years of regular three times a week SIMMING is considered a very rare accomplishment in OOTP circles, especially for a 6.5 league, and is a testament to all SIMBL GMS in which we all should be proud of. Most online leagues don't last two real-life years, let alone a league that uses the dated 6.5 software, which makes finding replacement GMS that much harder to man vacant GM openings at times.

The SIMBL has grown into one of the most respected leagues online today and that couldn't have happened without it's participants- all 24 SIMBL GMS who man their teams and keep plugging away regardless if they are winning or losing at the time. The league continues to have an outstanding export rate which indicates interest and active participation among it's owner core.

In the past year, we have seen much activity and history made in the SIMBL on and off the field. Last winter, real-life SIMBL GMs even met in Colorado Springs, Colorado after arranging a real-life "SIMBL Summit I". We're also well into our eighth season of play and making league history each SIM and are starting to see the first phase out of the 2005 Inaugural Draft veteran players who are bowing out as the league is getting older in history. We are also starting to see the infiltration and takeover of the "SIMBL Next Generation" of talented youngsters who are getting their feet wet in the SIMBL and taking the flame from the pioneering retiring and declining veterans.

The biggest thrill for me is to show that 22 of the 24 SIMBL franchises have made the playoffs in the first seven seasons of play. The other two teams that haven't are now competitive and are seriously challenging for division titles and wildcard berths this season. That shows us all that we have a great group of competitive GMS who know how to win and challenge for a SIMBL ring and that the turnover in the file is realistic and strong and representative on what good GMS in this league do to win and build their teams.

I would like the thank everybody who is so into the league and who participates so keenly in it and keeps us going. This league was founded for YOU and is for YOU GUYS. I'd also like to thank everybody who has helped us out in the past. I remember everybody who helped out in the beginning and with the monumental month-long SIMBL Inaugural Draft way back two years ago (man, that was fun though wasn't it?).

I'd also like to especially thank Paul Ware who religiously and like clockwork runs the SIMS in what seems to have become so effortlessly, but in reality, Paul has dedicated himself to this league and has taken as much time as anybody to make sure we all have fun and continue to have something to look forward to in our recreation three times a week. Without Paul, none of this would be possible. Cheers brother. Nobody takes you or your dedication to the SIMBL for granted Paul, including I.

While we have been joined by many quality GMS, whom are some of the best in the game and true assets to this league since we started, several diehard original charter SIMBL GMS who founded their teams have to recognized for their dedication to their teams and to the SIMBL: Boston Patriots GM David Burgess, Bristol Owls GM Greg Checovetes, Calgary GM Christian DeMarco, Bend Bandits GM Ted Williams, Los Angeles Meat Puppets GM David Bliley, Marin Mountainmen GM Tom Hickman (founded the Oregon Pioneers), Texas Roadrunners GM Pat Flanagan, Tacoma Rain GM Jeff Williams, Augusta Spartans GM Andre Girard (founded the Belle River Bullfrogs), San Diego Warewolves GM Paul Ware, Portland Punishers GM Jon Vicic and Pocatello Timberjacks GM Zach Deuel. Oregon Pioneers GM Mike Senn must also be recognized as the longest tenure in the SIMBL as a non-charter member. Thanks guys for the two years of dedication and for being here from the start.

After this season we will have had over 250 SIMS together over a two-year span. We all look forward to another two real-life years together as we approach the 10th Season Anniversary Season of the SIMBL in just a few short months. Again, two real-life years and ten simulated seasons is quite an accomplishment to behold in this type of online game and with the hectic lives of the many who happily find the time to run the league and those who play in it.

This is a toast to you guys for all the fun and may we all be together competing, having fun and busting each other's balls for another two years.

Thanks guys. Thanks to you this is fun and a getaway for all of us.

Here is who should be and will be recognized:

Dave Burgess- Boston Patriots GM; Founding Charter SIMBL GM
Greg Checovetes- Bristol Owls GM; Founding Charter SIMBL GM
Chris Gattuso- New York Enforcers GM
Steve Marshall- Former New York Enforcers GM
Mike Gemme- Hartford Whalers GM
Ken Holak- Former Atlantic City Aces GM
Christian DeMarco- Calgary Clippers GM; Founding Charter SIMBL GM
Eric Savard- Toronto Rush GM
Robert Savard- Kitchener Rangers GM
John Treadway- Dalton Dawgs GM
Ted Williams- Bend Bandits GM; Founding Charter SIMBL GM
Dave Bliley- Los Angeles Meat Puppets GM: Founding Charter SIMBL GM
Pat Flanagan- Texas Roadrunner GM; Founding Charter SIMBL GM
Tom Hickman- Marin Mountainmen GM; Founding Charter SIMBL GM
Brendan Gribbons- Brooklyn Cyclones GM
Rick Magar- Former Brooklyn Cycylones GM
Jay Levin- Former Brooklyn Cyclones GM
Brandon Clifton- Jacksonville Stampede GM
Jonathan Oakes- Former Jacksonville Prophets GM
Angel Perez- Charlotte Crusaders GM
Ryan Scott- Former Montreal Royales GM; Founding Charter SIMBL GM
Andre Girard- Augusta Spartans GM; Founding Charter SIMBL GM
Steph Mabie- Fomer Augusta Spartans GM; Founding Charter SIMBL GM
Mike Lynch- Chicago Hitmen GM
Chip Orton- Las Vegas Hustlers GM
Tom Lifsey- Former Asheville Smokies GM
Jeff Williams- Tacoma Rain GM; Founding Charter SIMBL GM
Andy Hutchinson- Carolina Bearcats GM
Brian Anderson- Former Carolina Bearcats GM
Paul Ware- San Diego Warewolves GM; Founding Charter SIMBL GM
Mike Senn- Oregon Pioneers GM; Longest Tenure Of A Non-Founding Charter GM
Jon Vicic- Portland Punishers GM; Founding Charter SIMBL GM
Zach Deuel- Pocatello Timberjacks GM; Founding Charter SIMBL GM; CATO Coordinator

Respectfully,

Christian DeMarco
SIMBL Commissioner and Website Maintainence

Paul Ware
SIMBL Co-Commissioner and SIM Coordinator

JULY 20, 2012

PIONEERS' MORENO OFF TO BEST START IN SIMBL HISTORY

Oregon's 'Other Pedro' Off To Sizzling 14-0 Start

Oregon SP Pedro Moreno (above) is pumped up as he raises his record to 14-0 and is off to the best start by a pitcher in SIMBL history passing Brooklyn ace Marcus Dinges' 11-0 start back during the 2009 season. Moreno's emergence, along with ace Pedro Moreno and Angel Rodriquez, give the Pioneers possibly the best trio of starting pitchers currently in the SIMBL.

Oregon's Pedro Moreno recently made SIMBL history in 2012 SIM 15 by posting his twelfth consecutive win to start a season. Moreno, last season's SIMBL Coveted Cup MVP where he led the Pioneers to a sweep of Calgary for GM Mike Senn's first SIMBL title, is off to a mesmerizing 14-0 start this season with a 2.81 ERA.

Moreno, 26, was drafted in the 20th round of the 2005 Inaugural SIMBL Draft by Toronto and traded to the Pioneers during the 2006 season in the much-debated deal that sent star 1B Taitarou Haranobu to the Rush during his MVP-winning season.

Moreno has current 6/8/7 ratings and passes Brooklyn ace Marcus Dinges for the best start of a season in the SIMBL's eight season history. Dinges started the 2009 season with a 11-0 record and unthinkable 1.19 ERA. Dinges' season ended that year with a 18-2 record and a 2.41 ERA despite missing the final seven weeks of the season due to ruptured tricep tendon, which he also spent six weeks on the DL again for the following season apparently suffering no ratings lumps in the process luckily for new Cyclones GM Brendan Gribbons.

Moreno seems to have emerged from the shadow of his well-known teammate and namesake, Pedro Ramirez, known as one of the top aces in the SIMBL.

Moreno's historic streak came to an end after 14 wins in 2012 SIM 17 with a 5-0 loss to Las Vegas.

JULY 13, 2012

HITMEN & PUNISHERS SET NEW SIMBL STREAK RECORDS

GM Mike Lynch's Chicago Hitmen set the new SIMBL consecutive wins record in 2012 SIM 13 with 13 before falling to to end the historic streak. The Hitmen bests Jacksonville (2012), Boston (2011), San Diego ( 2010) and Bend (2008) who all won twelve straight earlier in SIMBL history.

GM Jon Vicic's Portland Punishers also made SIMBL history by setting a new consecutive loss record in SIMBL SIM 14 as they lost their 14th straight.

Portland's new record breaks Jacksonville's record of 13 set during the 2009 SIMBL season.

JUNE 1, 2012

'PUPPETS' ARNETT FIRST TO ACHIEVE 2000 SIMBL CAREER K's

Five SIMBL Flamethrowers Likely To Top Two Thousand Strikeouts This Season

Longtime Pensacola/Kitchener ace Thomas "The Deacon" Leverett (above) has been a blur to SIMBL hitters for most of his career and recently struck out 15 batters and has done the feat seven times in his SIMBL career. Leverett is among five SIMBL pitchers who are likely to pass the 2000 career strikeout mark this season.

Los Angeles veteran ace Michael "Ace" Arnett recently made SIMBL history when he became the first SIMBL pitcher to amass 2000 strikeouts in league history. Arnett, at 36 years old still one of the league's best with 10/8/6 ratings and a 2.81 career ERA, has gone 118-64 and also stands second on the all-time wins list next to his teammate James Sousa who leads in SIMBL history with 128 career wins.

Kitchener 36 year-old veteran ace Thomas "Deacon" Leverett, like Arnett also a former first round draft pick in the 2005 Inaugural SIMBL Draft, is well known for striking out 15 or more batters seven times in his career, is second on the list and will break the 2000 mark this season barring injury.

Another former Inaugural Draft first rounder, Chicago's Miles "Blackjack" Farrelly is five strikeouts behind Leverett while Sousa and Charlotte's Ronald Koenig are all pitchers who will break the 2000 mark during the 2012 season.

MAY 25, 2012

STAMPEDE TIE LEAGUE RECORD OF TWELVE STRAIGHT WINS

APRIL 18, 2012

HARTFORD'S HIGHTOWER LATEST SIMBL SP TO THROW GEM; NO-HITS HARD-HITTING CALGARY

Two No-Nos Thrown In Last Two SIMBL SIMS

Hartford's Bill Hightower (above) points to the heavens after recording the last out of his no-hitter against Calgary in 2012 SIM 2. Hightower, once a SIMBL Top Ten Prospect, is off to a blazing start this season with a 3-1 record and 2.70 ERA for the Whalers.

Saturday 4/18/2012: Bill Hightower NO-HITS Calgary

HARTFORD - Hartford's right-hander Bill Hightower is a really great pitcher. And he once again showed his stuff while making history, blanking Calgary on no hits. 'I really like to play baseball, and I love the way I was able to play it today. I still cannot believe I did it.' Hightower (3-1) struck out 3 and walked 1, throwing 53 of 84 pitches for strikes. The hitting star for Hartford was first baseman Michael Quiros, he finished 1 for 3, hitting a double, and driving in 3 runs. Hartford scored 3 runs on 4 hits.

APRIL 6, 2012

TEXAS' MONASTERIO HURLS EARLY 2012 NO-NO

Roadrunners' SP Masterful In Mowing Down Mountainmen

Texas Roadrunners SP Cedric Monasterio (above) had an outstanding season last year and has picked up where he left off throwing an early 2012 SIMBL no-hitter against Marin.

Monday 4/6/2012: Cedric Monasterio NO-HITS Marin

TEXAS - Marin's bats were sleeping, and Texas' Cedric Monasterio gave them no chance at all to wake up. He was untouchable in firing a no-hitter in his 1st game started this season. 'They took some ugly cuts at my breaking stuff, so I kept throwing it. Fortunately they were not able to adjust in time.' Monasterio (1-0) was overpowering, fanning 10 while walking 7, throwing 137 pitches. Texas' shortstop Edward Vizcaino finished with 2 hits in 4 AB, hitting a homerun, scoring twice with 3 RBI. That was enough to support the brilliant performance of Monasterio. Texas improved its record to 5-2, scoring 11 runs on 12 hits.

NOVEMBER 5, 2011

SWEPT AWAY!

Oregon Rides Phenomenal Pitching To Sweep Of Calgary & Wins 2011 SIMBL Title

GM Mike Senn's Oregon Pioneers celebrate after the last out of SIMBL CS Game Four on Calgary's Victors Field earning them their first SIMBL Championship.

2011 SIMBL Coveted Cup MVP Pedro Moreno (above left) and teammate Robert Barnhouse (right) celebrate the bubbly after their Game Four SIMBL Championship Series win.

Calgary CF Walker McElfresh (above) can't watch as the 2011 SIMBL title is won by Oregon giving the Clippers another long offseason to ponder. The Clippers have won five division titles in seven seasons and over 100 games the last four seasons yet have not won the elusive SIMBL Coveted Cup.

Congratulations to Oregon GM Mike Senn who won his first SIMBL title by promptly sweeping the Calgary Clippers of GM Christian DeMarco in the 2011 SIMBL Coveted Cup Championship Series. The Pioneers received some of the best pitching in the history of the SIMBL playoffs and were practically unhittable.

Their trio of Pedro Ramirez, Pedro Moreno and Angel Rodriquez held the vaunted Clipper offense to nine runs in four games.

Former Clipper Buster Tate did his old teammates in earning Game Four Player Of The Game honors with a game-breaking home run in the 8th inning and another shot earlier in the game of Calgary ace Isogorou Chomei. Tate was drafted in the fourth round by Calgary in the 2005 Inaugural SIMBL Draft and traded to Oregon in 2006 for SP Jamie Coop and CF Willard Gilmore.

Oregon's young SP Pedro Moreno earned 2011 SIMBL CS MVP honors winning two games pitching 14.1 innings while allowing ten hits and three earned runs and striking out nine.

AUGUST 20, 2011

BROOKLYN VETERAN WHITFORD NO-HITS PORTLAND

Cyclones' SP Throws First SIMBL No-No In Over A Year

Brooklyn SP Kevin Whitford (above) delivers a pitch during his no-hitter against Portland in 2011 SIM 20. Whitford also struck out 15 Punisher batters tying the SL record for strikeouts in a game.

Thursday 8/20/2011: Portland has no chance in a NO-HITTER by Kevin Whitford

BROOKLYN - Kevin Whitford had his best stuff going, and Portland hitters were chanceless. Brooklyn's right-hander fired a NO-NO, his 0th shutout of the season. 'I hit the corners with all of my pitches. That helped a lot!' Whitford (11-5) struck out an astounding 15 and walked 3, throwing 71 of 116 pitches for strikes. Luis Franco provided Brooklyn with the offense Whitford needed as he got 1 hit in 4 AB, hitting a homerun, and driving in 2 runs. Brooklyn improved its record to 71-52, scoring 3 runs on 6 hits.

After a flurry of ten no-hitters thrown in the SIMBL in the 2009 and 2010 seasons combined, Whitford's no-hitter was the first thrown in over a year since Texas ace Robert Carson threw a no-no on August 13, 2010. Whitford's gem was the 15th no-hitter in SIMBL history.

Whitford also made SIMBL history by tying the SL record for strikeouts in a game with 15 in the game.

SIMBL HISTORY - NO HITTERS

9/25/2006, Marcus Dinges (BKN), 5 K, 1 BB
9/19/2007, John McCasland (CLE), 6 K, 1 BB
4/13/2008, Walter Lopez (BEN), 8 K, 4 BB
8/31/2008, Marcus Dinges (BKN), 9 K, 1 BB
9/29/2008, Casey George (CGY), 3 K, 3 BB
5/3/2009, Travis Boyd (CGY), 6 K, 0 BB (PERFECT GAME!)
5/23/2009, George Anderson (ORE), 7 K, 1 BB
5/26/2009, Miles Farrelly (CHI), 12 K, 0 BB (PERFECT GAME!)
8/7/2009, Mario Fung (AUG), 8 K, 2 BB
9/4/2009, Mark McCready (NY), 6 K, 4 BB
4/6/2010, Pedro Ramirez (ORE), 9 K, 2 BB
4/29/2010, Neil Palomares (BOS), 6 K, 4 BB
7/13/2010, Sam Glisson (POC), 9 K, 4 BB
8/13/2010, Robert Carson (TEX), 9 K, 2 BB
8/20/2011, Kevin Whitford (BKN), 15 K, 3 BB

AUGUST 17, 2011

'WOLVES' RYLES & GRIMES MAKE SIMBL HISTORY

San Diego Superstar Third Baseman Continues To Put Up Numbers Never Seen Before Nor Will Be Seen Again

Love him or hate him but San Diego's volatile superstar Daryl Ryles (above) shows no signs of slowing down and dominates the SIMBL with no remorse.

It is no wonder the San Diego Warewolves of GM Paul Ware continue to be the dominant team in the SIMBL after winning four SIMBL Championships in the last 6 seasons. The 'Wolves have one of the league's top aces, if not the best ace in the league, while having the best player in the league and possibly the best player who ever will wear a SIMBL uniform when his career is finished.

In 2011 SIM 19, San Diego's SP Bobby Grimes and 3B Daryl Ryles made statistical SIMBL history.

Ryles, the 5-time SL MVP, became the first and only player in league history to hit 40 + HR in seven consecutive seasons. Ryles has clubbed 50 + HR the last three seasons and will be looking for a fourth this season. He currently has 43 HR.

The volatile SIMBL superstar, known for his outlandish and arrogant personality on and off the field, is the only player in SIMBL history to win a SIMBL Triple Crown achieving the feat with his historic 2008 season in which he batted .352 with 69 HR and 172 RBI, records that still stand today and which many SIMBL followers believe will never be broken.

Ryles, now 32 years old, has hit 41, 43, 47, 69, 54, 51 and currently has 43 HR in his SIMBL career. Along with his teammate 1B Kenny Blumberg, he is the only player in SIMBL history to have seven consecutive seasons with 100+ RBI accumulating seasons of 135, 110, 126, 172, 159, 126 and his current 104.

Ryles boasted at the SIMBL Inaugural Draft after he was drafted first overall in 2005, that he would set all SIMBL power and hitting records that would stand for history. Many didn't take him seriously at the time and few expected him to be a first ballot SIMBL Hall Of Famer to be compared to the likes of Hank Aaron, Ted Williams, Willie Mays and others. In fact, Ryles has put up better numbers of any of those mentioned before him in baseball history.

Grimes, a 9/10/9 rated lefthander, won his 20th game of 2011 this past SIM becoming the first and only player to win 20 or more games in four seasons. Grimes has won 20 + in four of his five SIMBL seasons and also won 18 games the other season. He has rapidly accumulated 102 wins in his career and has a 2.81 career ERA.

Grimes has gone 20-8, 18-12, 23-2, 21-9 and is currently 20-6 in his outstanding career. The 96 MPH-throwing southpaw is still only 28 years old and tied for fourth all-time in SIMBL career wins.

JULY 9, 2011

BOSTON TIES SIMBL CONSECUTIVE WIN STREAK RECORD

The Boston Patriots of GM Dave Burgess made SIMBL history in 2011 SIM 14 by winning their 12th straight game and tied San Diego's 2010 and Bend's 2008 mark for most consecutive wins in league history. The streak came to an end on July 9, 2011 with a 5-3 loss to GM Eric Savard's Toronto Rush.

APRIL 1, 2011

LOS ANGELES ACE SOUSA FIRST SIMBL PITCHER TO NOTCH 100 CAREER WINS

Meat Puppets' UL Hurler Of The Year Youngest On Top 25 Wins List As Well

Los Angeles ace James Sousa (above) was drafted in the second round of the SIMBL Inaugural Draft of 2005 as a 20 year-old phenom by 'Puppets GM Dave Bliley. Sousa immediately went on to SIMBL stardom and is considered one of the top pitchers in the league. Sousa became the first pitcher in SIMBL history to achieve the 100-win plateau and is easily on pace for 300+ wins by the end of his brilliant SIMBL career.

SIMBL History was made in 2011 SIM 1 when Los Angeles ace James Sousa was the first pitcher in SIMBL history to rack up 100 wins.

The 26 year-old reigning UL Hurler Of The Year notched #100 with a 6-3 win over Marin. Sousa, a 9/10/9 rated 96 mph-throwing southpaw, scorched the SIMBL last season by setting the SIMBL record with 25 wins and going 25-4 with a career-low 2.45 ERA for the defending UL West champion Meat Puppets of GM David Bliley.

NOVEMBER 8, 2010

MOUNTAINMEN COMPLETE POSTSEASON MARCH AND TAKE 2010 SIMBL TITLE IN GAME 7 THRILLER

Marin Completes Historic Playoff Drive For Their First SIMBL Ring; Deny San Diego's Fifth Coveted Cup Championship

Marin slugger Glenn Knapp (right) hugs catcher Cane Wilson (left) after the last out of the Mountainmen's 2010 SIMBL Coveted Cup Game 7 16-12 victory to give them and GM Tom Hickman his first SIMBL championship.

The 2010 SIMBL Coveted Cup Championship Series was one for the ages.

In a Game 7 thriller that went back and forth all night, GM Tom Hickman's Marin Mountainmen became the first wildcard team in SIMBL history to win a title as they defeated the four-time SIMBL Champion San Diego Warewolves of GM Paul Ware 16-12 for their first SIMBL Coveted Cup.

Marin scored eight runs in the first four innings to take a 8-5 lead off of San Diego ace Felix Murff. The juggernaut Warewolves weren't just going to lay down and watch their SIMBL title be given away and responded with five runs to take a 9-8 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Marin then exploded for eight runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 16-9 lead. The M-Men rocked the 'Wolves usually trusty relieving corps of Jonathan Travis, Paul Magness and Ralph Hecker for 9 earned runs in 3.2 innings after rocking one of the league's best aces, Felix Murff, for 7 runs on 10 hits in only 2.1 innings.

The 'Wolves still came back but their effort to win their fifth SIMBL title in six seasons fell short as reliever Joesph Kestner held on for Marin to the end in a 16-12 championship-clinching victory.

Eugene Pelzer, one of the SIMBL's most underrated players, went 3 for 6 with 6 RBI, a double and a home run to win Player Of The Game honors. Pelzer, the UL batting champion this season, drove in 22 runs on 6 home runs and a .269 batting average in Marin's postseason march to the title.

"We are convinced that we have a dang fine ballclub and weren't no 'Cinderella' team or 'Team Of Destiny' as proclaimed by some," said Hickman in a frenzied postgame celebration between sips of champagne and being drenched by his superstar first baseman Glenn Knapp. Knapp was named the SIMBL In Game UL MVP immediately after the game for the 2010 season after hitting .281 with 41 HR and 135 RBI.

"We have the nucleus of a very good team and are expecting to compete and defend our title for a very long time," said Hickman.

San Diego GM Paul Ware was impressed by Hickman's team and effort.

"Those boys buzzsawed through the UL playoffs and beat some very solid teams in Los Angeles and Calgary to get to us, so we knew they weren't just a wildcard pushover. I feel good for Tom after all of these years of competing against and with him in other leagues and it will now just push me and our team harder to get our Coveted Cup title back again."

Congratulations to Marin GM Tom Hickman on making SIMBL history. His Mountainmen squeaked into the playoffs in a tight UL wildcard race and then promptly defeated a solid 104-win Calgary team of GM Christian DeMarco in a four game sweep and then knocked out a 108-win defending UL champion Los Angeles club of GM Dave Bliley to get to the Coveted Cup Series. Hickman's 89-win team then knocked out the 112-win four-time defending champion Warewolves to make SIMBL history in a quest that many SIMBL pundits doubted would ever happen at the start of the playoffs.

The 'Wolves become the first team in SIMBL playoff history to complete three seven-game series. They beat Chicago and Oregon in grueling seven-game series to reach their fifth SIMBL title series in the league's first six seasons of play.

AUGUST 13, 2010

ROADRUNNERS' ACE CARSON HURLS NO-HITTER AGAINST BEND

Texas SP 16-6 On The Season; Gunning For UL Hurler Of The Year Award

Thursday 8/13/2010: Bend has no chance in a NO-HITTER by Robert Carson

TEXAS - Texas' right-hander Robert Carson made some history today, firing a no-hitter against Bend. Their hitters found out the hard way that he is among the leagues top pitchers, never having a chance against his overpowering stuff. Carson (16-6) fanned 9 and walked 2, throwing 92 pitches. 'Giving my team a chance to win is the most important thing for me. I was able to do it today, and it's especially nice to do it in such fashion.' Juan Salo helped Carson at the plate, he got 2 hits in 4 AB, blasting a homerun, stroking a double, scoring twice and collecting 3 RBI. Texas improved its record to 63-53, scoring 4 runs on 7 hits.

JULY 13, 2010

T-JACKS' GLISSON NO-HITS SMOKIES

Pocatello Righthander Becomes 12th Pitcher In SIMBL History To Throw Gem

Pocatello's Sam Glisson became the 12th pitcher in SIMBL history and third in the 2010 season to throw a no-hitter as the Timberjacks' 27 year-old righthander blanked Asheville on July 13, 2010. Glisson struck out 9 and walked four in the 9-0 win over the Smokies.

REAL LIFE DATE: FEBRUARY 26, 2008

'SIMBL SUMMIT I' A SUCCESS

Beers, General Talk & SIMBL Smack Featured In Real-Life Hookup Of League's GMs

The first real-life meeting of SIMBL GMs took place last night in Colorado Springs, Colorado. From left to right: Brooklyn GM Rick Magar, Jacksonville GM Brandon Clifton and Oregon GM Mike Senn.

The SIMBL's first real-life meeting among the league's participants and GMs took place last night, February 26, 2008 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Travel plans and logistics allowed long-time OOTP comrades Brooklyn Cyclones GM Rick Magar, Jacksonville Stampede GM Brandon Clifton and Oregon Pioneers GM Mike Senn to meet a Champps Sports Bar for some beers, general talk and most notably, some SIMBL smack. Los Angeles Meat Puppets GM Dave Bliley was also expected to attend but unfortunately couldn't make the meeting due to work committments.

"We tossed back a few beers and talked about many things, but OOTP and the SIMBL were first and foremost!" said Senn about the meeting.

A fly on the wall would've loved to be there for the league to wonder how many trade talks were initiated from the meeting.

It's good to know that we can use the SIMBL to get away a little from life's turbulences and use the league and the game for recreation and to even make acqaintances and friendships. And most of all, even though we all have had some disagreements in the past and will in the future in a competitive nature, that we all will remain SIMBL brethren throughout anything and still will be able to have fun competing with each other.

"It makes me happy that the hard work that we all put into this league can reach out into real life and even create friendships. It makes our dedication to the our teams, the SIMBL and the game even more worthwhile. I wish I could've been there with the guys," said SIMBL Commissioner Christian DeMarco.

Good job guys and we look forward to the next planning of the next SIMBL Summit II meeting in the future for more GMs to possibly meet and for the league to carry on for all of us together for many seasons to come.

JUNE 21, 2010

SAN DIEGO TIES CONSECUTIVE WIN STREAK RECORD

Oregon Ace Ramirez Halts Streak As 'Wolves Tie Bandits' 2008 Record

The San Diego Warewolves added to their legacy as they quietly tied the SIMBL record for most consecutive wins in 2010 SIM 11.

GM Paul Ware's 'Wolves tied GM Ted Williams' Bend Bandits' record by winning 12 straight games before falling to Oregon ace Pedro Ramirez on June 21, 2010. San Diego streak started on June 8, 2010 and featured sweeps of Carolina, Jacksonville, Chicago, and Pocatello. Impressively, nine of the wins were on the road.

JUNE 2010

SAN DIEGO'S BANDY FIRST SIMBL PLAYER TO GATHER 1000 HITS

Teammate Ryles & Portland's Arevalo Also Top Mark In 2010 SIM 10

Some monumental SIMBL history was made during 2010 SIM 10 as San Diego SS Hayden Bandy became the first player in league history to get to 1000 career hits. Bandy's teammate 3B Daryl Ryles and Portland RF Pedro Arevalo also achieved the feat this past SIM and are the first among a multitude of players who will achieve the mark later this season.

Amazingly, San Diego places four of the top five career leaders in Hayden Bandy, Daryl Ryles, Robert Campbell and Lucas Espitia. The 'Wolves place five of the top ten when Kenny Blumberg is added in.

APRIL 29, 2010

LAND OF NO-NOS: BOSTON'S PALOMARES LATEST TO THROW A SIMBL NO-HITTER; BLANKS KITCHENER

Patriots' SP Throws 12th No-Hitter In SIMBL History, 7th In The Past Two Seasons

Boston's Neil Palomares (above) is mobbed by his Patriots teammates after getting the last out of his no-hitter against Kitchener in 2010 SIM 4. Palomares became the 11th pitcher in SIMBL history to throw a no-no and the 7th in the last two seasons.

Wednesday 4/29/2010: It's NO-NO time for Neil Palomares against Kitchener

KITCHENER - With his best stuff going, Boston's Neil Palomares overmatched the opposing hitters all day long. Kitchener had no chance, getting NO hits against the right-hander. Palomares (3-3) fanned 6 and walked 4, throwing 103 pitches. 'I was able to keep´em off balance. That certainly helped. What a day!' Matthew Fout provided Boston with the offense Palomares needed as he went 2 for 4, blasting a homerun, stroking a double, scoring twice with 3 RBI. The final score of the game was 6-0.

Palomares' no-hitter was the second this season and second in the month of April. Oregon ace Pedro Ramirez threw the SIMBL's earliest no-hit gem earlier this month on April 6, 2010. He becomes the 11th pitcher in SIMBL history to throw a no-no. It was the 7th no-hit gem in the past two seasons after a SIMBL-high five no-nos were thrown last season.

APRIL 6, 2010

PIONEERS' ACE RAMIREZ THROWS EARLIEST NO-HITTER IN SIMBL HISTORY

Oregon Lefty Shuts Down San Diego For 11th No-No In League History

Monday 4/6/2010: Pedro Ramirez fires NO-NO against San Diego

SAN DIEGO - With his best stuff going, Oregon's Pedro Ramirez overmatched the opposing hitters all day long. San Diego had no chance, getting NO hits against the right-hander. 'Giving my team a chance to win is the most important thing for me. I was able to do it today, and it's especially nice to do it in such fashion.' Ramirez (1-0) struck out 9 and issued 2 BB, throwing 66 of 122 pitches for strikes. The hitting star for Oregon was centerfielder Robt Wedge, he finished with 1 hit in 2 AB, blasting a homerun. The final score of the game was 1-0.

Ramirez's no-hitter is the earliest thrown in a season in SIMBL history, beating Bend's Walter Lopez by one week. Lopez threw a no-no on April 13, 2008 against Calgary.

Ramirez's gem upstaged San Diego ace Bobby Grimes, who couldn't have pitched any better in the loss. Grimes threw a two-hit complete game striking out 11. His only mistake of the game was allowing a lead off solo home run to Pioneers CF Robt Wedge in the top of the first inning which proved to be the game-winner.

NOVEMBER 5, 2009

'WOLVES FIGHT TOOTH AND NAIL WITH 'PUPPETS FOR FOURTH CUP IN FIVE SEASONS

San Diego's Grimes Named MVP; Outduels LA Ace Sousa In Hard Fought Pitcher's Series

2009 SIMBL Coveted Cup MVP Bobby Grimes (above) goes deep into the night in Game 6 outdueling LA's James Sousa to in a Game 6 series clinching victory to give the Warewolves their fourth SIMBL Championship in five seasons. Grimes, a 8/10/8 rated lefthander with a 96 MPH fastball, was a 12th round scouted draft pick in the 2005 SIMBL Inaugural Draft. Grimes went 23-2 with a 2.31 ERA and is a favorite to win the 2009 SL Hurler Of The Year Award.

2009 SIMBL Season: 10/31/2007-1/19/2008

The Los Angeles Meat Puppets of GM David Bliley gave a great fight and fought run-for-run in a hard fought series but fell short as the San Diego Warewolves of GM Paul Ware won their fourth SIMBL Coveted Cup Championship Series in five seasons in Friday night's SIM.

The Championship SIM was run using an exclusive three-way phone call with SIMBL Commissioner Christian DeMarco, Bliley and Ware. The games were simulated through the fifth innings and then situational control took over running inning by inning and then pitch for pitch at some strategical points in the games.

"That was very fun and good for the league," said DeMarco. "Dave and Paul are both excellent GMs and know their baseball. We look forward to making this a tradition every season at title series time".

The very first first three-way Coveted Cup phone call SIM was in the 2007 Coveted Cup with DeMarco, Ware and Augusta GM Steph Mabie, whose Spartans lost to the Warewolves that year in six games.

It was a series of unbelievable pitching between aces Los Angeles' James Sousa and San Diego's Bobby Grimes. Sousa won the battles by outpitching Grimes, but Grimes won the war. Sousa went 15 innings allowing 8 hits, only two earned runs with one walk and 17 strikeouts. Grimes went 16.1 innings giving up 15 hits, 4 earned runs, walking one and striking out 8.

Behind Sousa, the 'Puppets held the loaded 'Wolves bats to only four hits in Game 6. Even more so, Sousa held the dangerous Daryl Ryles, Robert Campbell, Kenny Blumberg, Hayden Bandy and Lucas Espitia to a 3 for 26 showing yet still lost the game. San Diego was up 2-0 going into the bottom of the 9th and Los Angeles SS Jose Zena hit a solo home run with one out to cut the deficit to 2-1. But Grimes went the distance in getting 2B Alberto Andrade to strike out and 3B Manny Martinez to ground out to the mound and the celebration was on for the fourth Warewolves title in the past five SIMBL seasons.

San Diego only outscored Los Angeles 23-30 in a very tight series that had every game close to the last out. The 'Puppets have received unexpected great pitching all season and it didn't stop in the Championship Series.

Usual postseason terror Daryl Ryles, who has been named Coveted Cup MVP twice in the last three seasons, was held to a 4 for 21 series with 2 HR and 3 RBI. Legendary playoff hero SS Hayden Bandy, only hit 5 for 17.

The 'Wolves speedy second baseman Lucas Espitia went 9 for 26 with 4 runs scored, 3 RBI and was named Player Of The Game in Games One and Four but it was Grimes, who outdueled the 'Puppets' duel 19-game winners Isidro Valles and James Sousa in Games One and Six who was named the 2009 Coveted Cup Championship Series MVP.

While battling Sousa pitch-for-pitch in Game 6, the lefthanded Grimes was masterful going 8.1 innings allowing 5 hits and only one earned run while striking out 10 frustrated Meat Puppets with his 96 MPH stuff.

SEPTEMBER 4, 2009

NEW YORK'S McCREADY HURLS FIFTH NO-HITTER OF 2009 SEASON

Enforcers' Relatively Unknown SP Outside 'Big Three' Blanks Columbus

New York's #5 starter Mark McCready gets big hugs from his Enforcer teammates after throwing the SIMBL's fifth no-hitter of the 2009 season in SIM 22. McCready is 13-7 with a 3.38 ERA on the season and is often overshadowed by his more known "Big Three" teammates: SPs John McCasland, Peter Calvillo and Michael Arnett.

Friday 9/4/2009: Columbus has no chance in a NO-HITTER by Mark McCready

NEW YORK - Mark McCready had his best stuff going, and Columbus hitters were chanceless. New York's right-hander fired a NO-NO, his 1st shutout of the season. McCready (13-7) struck out 6 and walked 4, throwing 62 of 112 pitches for strikes. 'Giving my team a chance to win is the most important thing for me. I was able to do it today, and it's especially nice to do it in such fashion.' Jl Perez helped McCready at the plate, he went 2 for 3, hitting a double, with 3 RBI. New York scored 5 runs on 5 hits.

AUGUST 7, 2009

AUGUSTA'S FUNG THROWS 4TH NO-HITTER OF 2009 SIMBL SEASON

7th No-No In Two Seasons; 9th Overall In League History

Augusta veteran SP Mario Fung (above) is all locked in as he mows down Tacoma en route to the fourth no-hitter of the 2009 SIMBL season.

Friday 8/7/2009: Mario Fung dominates Tacoma, throws NO-HITTER

AUGUSTA - Mario Fung had his best stuff going, and Tacoma hitters were chanceless. Augusta's southpaw fired a NO-NO, his 1st shutout of the season. 'They took some ugly cuts at my breaking stuff, so I kept throwing it. Fortunately they were not able to adjust in time.' Fung (7-9) struck out 8 and walked 2, throwing 62 of 105 pitches for strikes. The hitting star for Augusta was rightfielder Wilbert Prager, he collected 2 hits in 4 trips to the plate, doubling twice. The final score of the game was 1-0.

Fung, originally drafted in the third round of the SIMBL Inaugural Draft by Bristol where he spent the first three seasons of his SIMBL career, joins Calgary's Travis Boyd, Oregon's George Anderson and Chicago's Miles Farrelly who have all thrown no-hitters in the 2009 campaign. Boyd and Farrelly threw the first two perfect games in SIMBL history earlier this season. The SIMBL has seen an epidemic of no-nos the last two seasons with seven total thrown and now nine overall in league history.

JULY 4, 2009

BROOKYN'S DINGES OFF TO BEST START IN SIMBL HISTORY

23 Year-Old Phenom Is 11-0 With A 1.19 ERA At The Break

Brooklyn's 23 year-old ace Marcus Dinges (above) has enjoyed the best first half of a season of any pitcher in SIMBL history. He is off to an amazing 11-0 1.19 ERA start for the first-place Cyclones in the SL East.

Brooklyn's 23 year-old SP Marcus Dinges enjoyed the best start and first half of a season by a SIMBL starting pitcher in the five season history of the league in 2009. Dinges, who already has two career no-hitters under his belt at his tender age, has started 11-0 with an amazing 1.19 ERA and an out of his world 0.76 WHIP in his first 15 starts of the 2009 campaign.

Dinges has 13 of 15 quality starts and has thrown 98.1 innings allowing just an amazing 11 walks and only 2 home runs in that span. He won SL Pitcher Of The Months Awards in May and June and was selected to his second SIMBL All-Star Game making his first career start in the game for the SL.

Dinges is on pace to possibly have the best season ever thus far in SIMBL history and already stands at 46-22 with a 2.68 ERA in his young career and still looks to have the best years of his career yet ahead of him.

JUNE 24, 2009

BENNETT'S SAVE STREAK SURVIVES AS CALGARY'S CAMPBELL IS STOPPED AT 43 STRAIGHT

Clips' Closer Blows First Save Of Season In 8-7 Bears' Comeback Win

(SIMBL LEAGUE OFFICE)- Columbus closer Aaron Bennett's amazing streak of 46 straight save conversions will remain a record as Calgary's John Campbell blew his first save of the season, and only the third in his two and a half season career in 2009 SIM 12. Campbell had saved 43 consecutive games and comes up three short of tying Bennett's record set in 2007.

Campbell entered the bottom of the 9th inning with a 7-3 lead over Newark on June 24th. He was roughed up for three runs on three consecutive hits in 2/3 of an inning taking the loss in a 8-7 come from behind win for the Bears of GM Bob Currier. The 23 year-old Campbell is having an outstanding season with a 1.88 ERA and 17 saves.

Texas' fireball closer Alex Fabregas now has the SIMBL's longest consecutive save streak at 30 straight games. Portland's All-Star closer Richard Lynch has saved 25 straight for the Punishers.

MAY 26, 2009

HITMEN'S 'BLACKJACK' IS PERFECT!

Chicago Ace Farrelly Shuts Down San Diego With 2nd Perfect Game In SIMBL History; Second No-No In A Week; Third Of The Month

Chicago ace Miles Farrelly (above) mows down San Diego hitters on his way to the second perfect game thrown in SIMBL history and second thrown this season.

Tuesday 5/26/2009: It's El Perfecto time for Miles Farrelly against San Diego

CHICAGO - Chicago's right-hander Miles "Blackjack" Farrelly is a really great pitcher. And he once again showed his stuff while making history, blanking San Diego on no hits. The crowd of 38,249 gave him a standing ovation when teammates carried him off the field on their shoulders. 'Wow, what a nice day. I guess I had a good breakfast today. That's a dream coming true for me!' Farrelly (4-2) was overpowering, fanning 12 while walking none, throwing 111 pitches. Chicago's centerfielder Eddie Meas finished 1 for 5, blasting a homerun, and collecting 3 RBI. That was enough to support the brilliant performance of Farrelly. Chicago improved its record to 23-26, scoring 9 runs on 11 hits.

After nearly five seasons of previously not having a perfect game, the SIMBL has seen two thrown in the last month. Calgary's Casey George threw the league's first perfect game in it's history on May 3, 2009.

Farrelly's gem not only is the 8th no-hitter in SIMBL history, it is the second in four days. Oregon's George Anderson threw a no-no on May 23. The three no-hitters in May, 2009 are a SIMBL record oddity.

MAY 23, 2009

OREGON'S ANDERSON THROWS 7TH NO-HITTER IN SIMBL HISTORY

Perfect Game Bid Broken In 9th With Walk To Palomares

Oregon veteran starting pitcher George Anderson (above) pumps his fist as he smells a no-hitter after retiring the side in the 8th inning. Anderson became the sixth pitcher in SIMBL history to throw a no-hitter in 2009 SIM 7.

Saturday 5/23/2009: George Anderson dominates Carolina, throws NO-HITTER

CAROLINA - Carolina's bats were sleeping, and Oregon's George Anderson gave them no chance at all to wake up. He was untouchable in firing a no-hitter in his 12th game started this season. Pedro Palomares spoiled the bid for a perfect game when he walked with 1 away in the 9th inning. Anderson (4-1) fanned 7 and walked 1, throwing 99 pitches. 'Well, the ball went where I wanted it. I was able to hit the corners with all of my pitches. I'm so happy that it was enough to pitch such a great game.' The hitting star for Oregon was third baseman Joseph Montoya, he finished 2 for 3, homering once, and driving in 3 runs. Oregon improved its record to 29-18, scoring 8 runs on 12 hits.

Anderson's no-hitter comes 19 days after Calgary's Travis Boyd threw the first perfect game in SIMBL history. The two gems by Boyd and Anderson are the closest no-hitters thrown in the five season history of the league.

Anderson (4/9/8) is a 31 year-old crafty veteran who was selected in the 12th round of the Inaugural SIMBL Draft in 2005. He is off to a 4-1 start in 2009 with a 4.00 ERA. Anderson is 58-52 in his SIMBL career and ranks 13th all-time in SIMBL wins.

MAY 3, 2009

OFFSEASON 2009

DH REALIGNMENT HITS THE SIMBL

Realignment with the implementation of the DH into the SIMBL occured before the 2009 SIMBL season. All SIMBL GMs voted on the DH issue and it was decided, after long debate, that the SIMBL would be divided into a DH conference (Union League) and Non-DH conference (Syndicate League)

Original SL teams Boston, Los Angeles, New York and Texas migrated by DH choice to the UL. Augusta, Brooklyn, Carolina and Pocatello went to the Non-DH SL by voted choice.

Divisions were realigned then with Boston and Bristol replacing Augusta and Brooklyn, who went to the SL East, in the UL East. Original UL East Pensacola moved to the UL Central. Los Angeles and Texas moved to the UL West replacing Carolina, who went to the SL Central, and Pocatello, who went to the SL West.

Asheville was moved to the SL Central from the SL East.

Also beginning with the 2009 season by league voting, the SIMBL put into effect interleague play and voted out the use of the Rule 5 draft. The decision to stay with the 6.5 version of the OOTP game was voted on with future considerations to be used if needed to evolve to the OOTP 2007+ software.

NOVEMBER 2, 2008

2008 PLAYOFFS TO GO DOWN AS BEST EVER?

5 Of 7 Playoff Series Are Classic Seven Game Thrillers; New York-Ashville SLDS One For The Ages; Heavy Favorites Knocked Off In Upsets

T-JACKS COME BACK FROM 3-1 DEFICIT TO WIN 2008 SIMBL CHAMPIONSHIP!

GM Deuel's Cinderella T-Jacks Complete Worst-To-Champions Ascension; Win Three Straight After Facing Elimination To Take '08 SIMBL Title Away From Texas

Pocatello teammates celebrate on their home Shoshoni Field after coming back from a three games to one deficit and winning the final three games of the 2008 SIMBL Covted Cup Championship Series against Texas. The T-Jacks completed a rebound from three straight last place finishes and lost 91 games last season en route to the 2008 SIMBL crown.

Texas veteran starting pitcher Merrill Sanger (above right) hangs his head low as Pocatello's James Mahaffey circles the bases after giving up the first of Mahaffey's two Game 7 home runs as Texas let go of a commanding 3-1 series lead losing the 2008 SIMBL Championship Series to the Timberjacks in seven games.

Pocatello reliever Silvio Sachs (above) points to the heavens after getting the last out of the Timberjacks' Game 7 6-1 victory at Pocatello's Shoshoni Field starting a celebration throughout the night in Idaho celebrating the T-Jacks' 2008 SIMBL championship over Texas.

The Pocatello Timberjacks of GM Zach Deuel completed their worst-to-champions ascension from last season in grand style. With the amazing season that they have had, why would it have been any other way?

The T-Jacks, facing elimination down three games to one going into Game 6 of the 2008 Coveted Cup Championship Series, won their final three games to stun Texas GM Pat Flanagan's Roadrunners and become the 2008 SIMBL Champions.

Deuel went out after former Portland two-time All-SIMBL centerfielder James Mahaffey at this season's trade deadline winning the bidding war among several teams with Portland. Many SIMBL pundits believed that Deuel gave up too much in a bumper crop of top prospects in acquiring Mahaffey at the time. Mahaffey had a solid, if not spectacular rest of the season in Pocatello to flame the SIMBL critics well-winded fires.

Mahaffey, the 5th overall pick of the Inaugural SIMBL Draft in 2005, also was lukewarm in the Coveted Cup until he erupted in Game 6 and Game 7. Mahaffey went 6 for 9 in both games with 4 runs scored, two home runs and 4 RBI in helping the T-Jacks to the first SIMBL title outside San Diego. Mahaffey went 3 for 5 with a RBI in Game 6 and he went 3 for 4 in the clinching Game 7 blasting two home runs and driving in 3 runs. He won Player Of The Game honors in both games. Mahaffey finished the 2008 Coveted Cup Championship Series going only 8 for 28 but batted .316 with 5 HR and 14 RBI in the Timberjacks playoff run.

Deuel signed "The Rascal" Mahaffey to a $96,000,000 contract extension shortly after the trade giving him $16,000,000 a year for six seasons ensuring that Mahaffey will be roaming centerfield in Idaho for the forseeable future.

Rightfielder Matthew Skinner came one RBI shy of tying San Diego's Kenny Blumberg's 2005 postseason record of 26 RBI. Skinner, capping off an unbelievable year, hit .395 with 2 HR and 25 RBI in leading the T-Jacks to their improbable title run. Skinner went 11 for 27 with 6 RBI in the '08 Coveted Cup Series.

Even more impressive than Skinner and Mahaffey for Pocatello was SP Celso Larios. The 28 year-old went 6-0 in the playoffs with a miniscule 1.99 ERA. Larios went 2-0 in the Coveted Cup throwing 14 innings, allowing 14 hits, 2 runs, 2 earned runs, 1 walk and 8 strikeouts. Larios was named the 2008 Coveted Cup Championship Series MVP by winning two of the T-Jacks four games in dominating fashion.

"We are thrilled to give the dedicated fans of Pocatello, Idaho a SIMBL Championship ring," said an exhuberant Deuel while celebrating on Pocatello's Shoshoni Field, home field advantage in Game 7 earned by a UL All-Star Game victory in July. "These fans stayed faithful during our down times and are still with us now, " he concluded.

Pocatello finished with the worst record in the SIMBL in 2005 and 2006 earning the first pick in the following season's drafts both years. Deuel stayed patient and calmly built a young talented team in the process of three consecutive 90 + loss seasons. The T-Jacks went 65-97 in 2005, 62-100 in 2006 and 71-91 last season before playing Cinderella this season after adding some quality veterans to their young nucleus.

SP Roland "Chunky" Clark, he of the disputed $20,000,000 a year contract he signed with Augusta GM Steph Mabie, was rocked throughout the playoffs for Deuel. Clark turned that around in Game 6 by throwing 6 innings allowing 3 runs on 4 hits and striking out 10 Roadrunners. Clark finished the postseason with a 1-3 record and a 6.53 ERA but came through when he was needed by his new teammates.

Clark's Game 6 performance was indeed surprising. The once-dominating 2006 UL Ingame Hurler Of The Year, has been one of the well-known postseason busts in the SIMBL in the past. In 14 career playoff starts with Augusta and Pocatello, Clark has gone 4-8 with a 5.54 ERA. Clark took a lot of criticisim from SIMBL pundits after being pounded twice by Calgary in the 2006 ULDS and has been putrid at best during the postseason in his career. Clark was the 8th overall pick of the Inaugural SIMBL Draft and led Augusta to three straight postseason appearances from 2005-2007 for Spartans GM Steph Mabie.

In the end, the questioned pickups of Clark and Mahaffey gave a young and maturing Pocatello ballclub the veteran leadership it needed to claim a title as both were instrumental in the finale.

The 2008 SIMBL postseason will go down as the best and most exciting playoffs in league history. Five of the seven playoff series went to seven games. Pocatello defeated Augusta in the ULDS and Texas in the SIMBL CS in seven game thrillers.

New York and Asheville played a classic and thrilling 7-game 2008 SLDS in which each game was pitch-for-pitch and out-for-out. New York SP Michael Arnett and Asheville SP Owen Loper had two classic pitchers duels in Games 3 and 6 and New York won the series despite scoring only 17 runs in 7 games in a series that will go down in SIMBL history as one of the best playoffs series ever.

OCTOBER, 2008

ALL THREE 100-WIN GIANTS SLAYED!

Pocatello, Brooklyn & Texas All Pull Off Monumental Upsets In '08 LDS; It's Timberjacks Vs.Cyclones In ULCS & Roadrunners Vs. Enforcers In SLCS As Three Of Four LDS Go Seven Games

2008 First Round Playoffs Go Down In SIMBL History As One Of The Best

GM Pat Flanagan's Texas Roadrunners celebrate on the road after knocking off the three-time defending SIMBL champion San Diego Warewolves of GM Paul Ware in the 2008 SLDS. The Roadrunners were heavy underdogs and won the last two games of the series after facing elimination in Game 6.

The Brooklyn Cyclones celebrate on the road in Calgary's Victors Field their upset of the 109-game winning Clippers in the ULDS. The Cyclones of GM Rick Magar won three straight against the Clippers of GM Christian DeMarco to knock off heavily-favored Calgary and advance to their first ULCS in team history against Pocatello.

Brooklyn rookie 1B Michael Giroux (above) has been one of the top-rated prospects in the SIMBL for most of the last four sesaons and he showed why in the Cyclones' ULDS victory over Calgary. The recently called-up Giroux batted a robust .417 with 3 HR and 9 RBI in the series to earn ULDS MVP honors. Giroux's performance may be an indication of what is to come in future years for Cyclone foes.

Pocatello's Cinderella season continues as the Timberjacks of GM Zach Deuel savor the moment of their ULDS Game 7 victory with their GM somewhere in the pile in the barren Bobby Jones Memorial Stadium on the road in Augusta. The T-Jacks knocked off GM Steph Mabie's favored Augusta Spartans in seven games to advance to their first ULCS after losing 90+ games the previous three seasons.

New York Enforcers teammates douse SP Peter Calvillo (above) with celebratory champagne after winning an exhausting and thrilling seven-game series against Asheville. GM Steve Marshall's troops advance to their second consecutive SLCS and will try to advance to their first SIMBL Coveted Cup Championship Series against Texas. The Enforcers' series against GM Tom Lifsey's Smokies will long be remembered as one of the classic run-for-run pitch-for-pitch playoff series in SIMBL history.

New York's amazing veteran ace Michael "Ace" Arnett (above) continues to have a Hall Of Fame 2008 season. After going 23-4 with a 1.89 ERA and setting new SIMBL records for wins, ERA and WHIP in a season, Arnett continues to blaze for the Enforcers in the playoffs. Arnett matched Asheville's Owen Loper pitch-for-pitch in two classic pitcher's duels with the former Pensacola Red Sox hurler. Arnett won SLDS MVP honors by throwing 13.2 INNINGS OF 0.66 ERA ball while striking out 18 in two very important brilliant performances to save New York from two equally brilliant outings from Loper.

What a start to the 2008 SIMBL postseason! SIMBL playoff history was made as all three 100-win heavy favorites and two-top seeds were upset with perhaps the biggest upsets to be in SIMBL history. Also, the first round of the 2008 playoffs featured one of the best playoff run-for-run pitch-for-pitch series in SIMBL history with the Asheville-New York SLDS in which New York scored only 17 games in the seven games yet won the series. New York SP Michael Arnett and Asheville SP Owen Loper had two classic pitch-for-pitch matchups. In the 2008 Pocatello-Augusta SLDS matchup, three of the seven games went into extra-innings. All together, the 2008 first round of the LDS went down in SIMBL history as some of the best postseason series in SIMBL history!

All three heavy favorites and the three teams that won 100 games or better in the 2008 SIMBL season were taken down. Three of the series went to exciting seven games and the wildcard entries in both the UL and SL took down their top-seeded foes.

There will be a new SIMBL Coveted Cup Champion this season as the three-time defending champion San Diego Warewolves of GM Paul Ware were upset by GM Pat Flanagan's Texas Roadrunners in the SLDS. Texas advances to their first SLCS as the SL wildcard and won the last two games of the series on the road to stave off elimination in Game 6.

Asheville and New York played a classic run-for-run series with New York GM Steve Marshall's Enforcers squeaking by GM Tom Lifsey's Smokies in Game 7. The series featured one 14-inning exciter and one ninth-inning win and scores of 5-2, 4-2, 2-1, 5-2, 4-2, 1-0, 3-1 and a Game 7 2-0 nailbiter.

GM Christian DeMarco's 109-game winning Calgary Clippers were ousted by GM Rick Magar's Brooklyn Cyclones in the only series to not go the full seven games. Rebounding from a 2-1 series deficit, the Cyclones won three straight rather convincingly. Brooklyn pounded on Calgary's pitching for 34 runs in the final three games for 9-8, 12-3 and 13-8 wins and held the vaunted Calgary offense to 10 runs the last two games of the series.

DeMarco, who as SIMBL Commish witnessed fairness for the league and listened to the SIM live via telephone with SIMBL SIM Coordinator Ware, conceded, "Rick's team swiftly gave us a wake-up call. Yes, we may have underestimated them and had some of our stud players not play worth a shit when it counted. We'll definately remember this for next year and will be back for a ring shot. Congratulations to Rick and (Pocatello GM) Zach Deuel for 'slaying the giants' of the UL and for them to win the Coveted Cup for our league. Go UL!"

Pocatello GM Zach Deuel's Timberjacks continue their amazing rise from the ashes and defeated the Augusta Spartans of GM Steph Mabie, who went 100-62 in the '08 regular season, 6-4 in Game 7 of their ULDS. Another classic tight series with scores of 2-0, 6-4, 7-6, 4-3, 4-3 and 6-4 in six of the seven games. Three games in this series went into extra innings! The Spartans continue to be the hard luck team of the SIMBL as they are only one of two teams to reach the postseason every season in the last four years but have failed to bring home the ring each time.

OCTOBER, 2008

SAN DIEGO'S RYLES COMPLETES QUEST FOR FIRST SIMBL TRIPLE CROWN

New York's Arnett Sets New SIMBL Pitching Records

San Diego's superstar third baseman Daryl Ryles (above) has had a volatile SIMBL career both on and off the field but there is no disputing his legend. Ryles is the first player in SIMBL history to achieve a Triple Crown by hitting an amazing .354 with 69 HR and 172 RBI. Many SIMBL followers expect these new records to never be broken in the history of the SIMBL.

Love him or hate him is usually the case with San Diego's volatile and outspoken third baseman Daryl Ryles. But there is something now that Ryles' many detractors can't dispute now.

Ryles completed his personal quest for a SIMBL Triple Crown and set several batting records in 2008 that may never be broken.

When Ryles was selected with the #1 overall pick of the Inaugural Draft back in 2005 by Warewolves GM Paul Ware he promptly caused a stir when he paraded up to the podium and promptly declared, "I will set every power hitting record that will stand the test of time in the SIMBL."

Ryles won the rare Triple Crown by hitting a new SIMBL-record .354, breaking his old SIMBL record of .349 set last year that he shared with Bristol's Matthew Shaner. Ryles also hit a SIMBL-record 69 home runs and drove in an unbelieveable 172 runs. He scored a SIMBL-record 153 runs as well. Ryles is a heavy favorite to win his third SL Slugger Of The Year award in four seasons.

Ryles also set new records with a 1.246 OPS, .773 slugging percentage and a .473 on base percentage.

New York's Michael Arnett set a new SIMBL record with a 1.87 ERA. Arnett went 23-4 and tied San Diego's Felix Murff for most wins in a SIMBL season matching Murff's 23 wins last season. Arnett boasted a new SIMBL-record 0.84 WHIP and is a heavy favorite to win his second Hurler Of The Year Award. Arnett won the UL HOTY in 2006 for the former Atlantic City Aces (Newark Bears).

SEPTEMBER 29, 2008

CLIPPERS' GEORGE THROWS 5TH NO-HITTER IN SIMBL HISTORY

Calgary SP Avenges No-Hitter By Bend SP Lopez Earlier This Season

Calgary's Casey George (above) throws the last pitch of his no-hit gem of Bend in 2008 SIM 26. George became the 4th pitcher in SIMBL history to throw a no-no.

CALGARY - Bend's bats were sleeping, and Calgary's Casey George gave them no chance at all to wake up. He was untouchable in firing a no-hitter in his 35th game started this season. 'Well, the ball went where I wanted it. I was able to hit the corners with all of my pitches. I'm so happy that it was enough to pitch such a great game.' George (15-12) struck out 3 and walked 3, throwing 56 of 98 pitches for strikes. Jacob Northcutt provided Calgary with the offense George needed as he finished 2 for 2, with 2 RBI. The final score of the game was 4-0.

Earlier in the 2008 season, Bends SP Walter Lopez no-hit Calgary for the 3rd no-hitter in SIMBL history. George, Lopez and Brooklyn's Marcus Dinges have all thrown no-hitters in the 2008 SIMBL season.

The no-hitter gave George his 15th win of the season giving him three consecutive seasons of at least 15 wins or more for the Clippers.

SEPTEMBER 5, 2008

CALGARY'S GILMORE SETS NEW SIMBL SEASON HITS RECORD

SIMBL's All-Time Hits Leader Shatters Season Hits & Doubles Records; Sets New UL Runs Scored Record

Calgary veteran centerfielder Willard Gilmore (above) watches his SIMBL-record 206th hit of 2008 leave the infield. Gilmore set a new season record for hits and doubles and is quietly having a historic season for the Clippers. Gilmore has 23 games to add to his season hit record and also break San Diego's Daryl Ryles' and Bristol's Matthew Shaner's .349 season batting average record as well.

In 2008 SIM 23, Calgary's veteran hitting machine centerfielder Willard Gilmore shattered the record for most hits in a season by a player. Gilmore broke the former record of 205 set by Bristol's Robert Campbell in 2007, Belle River's Pedro Arevalo in 2006 and Boston's Dominick Lund in 2006.

Gilmore is quietly having a historic and UL MVP-caliber season as he is also chasing San Diego's Daryl Ryles' and Bristol's Matthew Shaner's season batting average record of .349. Gilmore has hit above .360 all season long and currently sports a .357 batting average with 10 HR and 73 RBI and 32 steals as the UL Central-leading Clippers leadoff man and catalyst. Gilmore has also hit a SIMBL-record 58 doubles this season and leads the UL in extra base hits and total bases. He has also set a new UL record with 121 runs scored and counting. He sports a .921 OPS (5th in UL) and a .516 slugging percentage (7th in UL), which is impressive as he is not considered a power hitter with a "4" power rating but yet has outslugged some of the best power hitters in the UL and the SIMBL this season.

Gilmore was originally a 5th round draft pick by original Oregon GM Tom Hickman in the 2005 SIMBL Inaugural Draft. He was traded to Calgary along with top SP prospect Jamie Coop for RF Buster Tate, MR Justin Monks and a #1 draft pick in 2007. Tate and Monks have had solid years for Pioneers GM Mike Senn and have been instrumental in the Pioneers challenging for a SL wildcard playoff berth.

"We congratulate Willard on his historic achievement in this league. He has 211 hits and still has 23 games to play. Since we acquired Willard last season at the trade deadline, he has been nothing but a leader and an All-SIMBL type talent on this team. He has, quite frankly, changed the whole attitude of this ballclub since he has arrived and has been the catalyst of our offense without question," said Calgary GM Christian DeMarco, whose Clippers have taken over the SIMBL's best record at 90-49 in SIM 23 by reeling off seven straight wins.

On a team already powerfully loaded with the best offensive lineup in the SIMBL, Gilmore's arrival seemingly made their offense unpenetrable as they added one of the best contact and average hitters in the league. Gilmore also gave the Clippers a needed high-on base percentage leadoff hitter who could steal a fair number of bases as well.

Impressively, Gilmore has had 57 multiple hit games this season including 30 two-hit games, 18 three-hit games, 6 four-hit games and 3 five-hit games.

Gilmore also leads the SIMBL in career hits with 746 and sports a .311 career batting average. Gilmore also amassed 197 hits for Oregon in 2006 and won a Gold Glove in centerfield for the Pioneers that season as well. He is on pace for a unworldly 246 hits this season with 23 games to play.

AUGUST 21, 2008

AUGUST 13, 2008

'WOLVES' RYLES BLASTS NUMBER 49 AND COUNTING TO SET NEW SIMBL SEASON RECORD

Bend Wakes Up To Win 12 Straight To Set New SIMBL Win Streak Record

Two long-standing records were broken in 2008 SIM 19 and the SIMBL record book will have to be altered. San Diego's Daryl Ryles broke the SIMBL's single season home run record formerly held by Belle River's Wilfredo Espana's and Marin's Maiku Inejiro. Ryles broke the former record of 48 with his 49th blast of the season against Charlotte on August 12, 2007. Ryles is enjoying a historic season and still has a 49 games to add to his SIMBL record collection.

Espana set the record of 48 blasts in the SIMBL's inaugural season of 2005. Inejiro, who also blasted 47 in 2005, also hit 48 in the 2007 season. Ryles also has 126 RBI's and is chasing to break Espana's record of 141 RBI in a regular season. Chicago's Eddie Meas is listed in the SIMBL record book with 142 RBI's in a season but his last four came in a one-game SL playoff in Game #163 when Jacksonville and Oregon had to play a tiebreaker in that 2005 season, so Espana is recognized as the record holder by the SIMBL League Office.

The Bend Bandits of GM Ted Williams have turned around what was being a horrendous season in Oregon and have set a new SIMBL record with 12 straight wins active through the August 13, 2008 SIM 19 league date. The Bandits won the UL as a wildcard in the first SIMBL season of 2005 and lost to San Diego in the first SIMBL Coveted Cup Championship Series. Since then, the team has faced adversity with 90 + loss seasons in 2006 and 2007.

The start of the 2008 season looked like the Bandits would also secure the first pick of next season's SIMBL Draft with the worst overall record but that has changed. Bend has swept Toronto, Newark and Brooklyn during their streak and breaks the former record of 11 straight held by GM Dave Burgess' Boston Patriots in 2005.

JUNE 29, 2008

BOSTON CLOSER CHOW'S SIMBL RECORD UNEARNED RUN STREAK ENDS AT 51 INNINGS

Blows First Save Of Season As Oregon Ends Historic Streak

Boston's 10/7/9 rated closer Mathew Chow (above) has earned elite status among SIMBL firemen with 41 saves last season and a SIMBL-record 51.0 innings of unearned ball to start the 2008 season. Chow's historic streak ended in SIM 13 with a 6-5 loss to Oregon.

All good things must come to an end. But, it seemed like Boston closer Mathew Chow's unearned runs streak that started the 2008 SIMBL season would never end.

Chow went his first 51.0 innings this season without allowing an earned run to set a SIMBL record. On June 29, 2008, Chow allowed a two run single in the bottom of the 8th inning to Oregon shortstop Richard Cummings to allow the Pioneers to earn a 6-5 victory over the Patriots.

Chow is now 7-1 with a miniscule 0.34 ERA on the season as we head into the '08 All-Star break and goes into the SIMBL record book as the longest unearned streak in SIMBL history to date.

REAL LIFE DATE SEPTEMBER 2, 2007

SIMBL CELEBRATES FIRST REAL-LIFE YEAR ANNIVERSARY

League Of Solid GMS Celebrates One Full Year Already Of Real-Life Time Existence

Well guys, it is true. We have quickly reached our first year of real-time existence. It was on September 2, 2006 that SIMBL Commissioner Christian DeMarco founded the league that we all are a part of. The 2005 Inaugural Draft started on September 17, 2006 and proceeded until October 17 and league play started on October 18, 2006.

We have gone through 3 1/2 seasons since then and have only grown stronger with the addition of some distinguished GMS that were added to our already solid core of charter GMs.

While some weaker leagues have folded due to a variety of unnecessary reasons, the SIMBL only continues to grow stronger and more competitive each day of each season, and in essence, more fun for all of our recreational passions.

It's been a great first year guys and we all look forward to the next year to be even a better ride all together with our SIMBL brethren.

Thanks to all SIMBL GMS and "SIMBLers" on a great and fun first year of league existence and the SIMBL looks to be around for a long time to follow.

Cheers guys. This beer is for you.

APRIL 14, 2008

PORTLAND'S MAHAFFEY SETS NEW SIMBL HITTING STREAK RECORD

"The Rascal" Shatters Sets New Record At 27 Straight Games

(PORTLAND)- The Portland Punishers' talented centerfielder James "The Rascal" Mahaffey has set one of the most hallowed records in the SIMBL in 2008 SIM 2.

Mahaffey's hitting streak reached 27 straight games before it was ended and reached back to last season. Mahaffey, the fifth overall pick of the 2005 Inaugural SIMBL Draft, has come under scrutiny from SIMBL pundits who have criticized him for not playing up to that high draft status, though Mahaffey is a two-time SL starter in centerfield, being elected by SIMBL GMs in 2005 and 2006.

Mahaffey breaks his All-Star teammate Jacobo Escarcega's record of hitting in 23 straight games set last season.

APRIL 13, 2008

BEND'S YOUNG GUN LOPEZ THROWS SIMBL'S 3RD NO-NO

23 Year-Old Ace Stymies Calgary's Potent Offense With Near Perfect Game

Bend's 10/7/8 rated 23 year-old stud SP Walter Lopez (above) is all locked in during the ninth inning of his no-hitter against Calgary. Lopez came one 5th-inning walk to David Padron from the first perfect game in SIMBL history. He becomes the third pitcher in the SIMBL's four season history to throw a no-hit gem.

Friday 4/13/2008: Walter Lopez dominates Calgary, throws NO-HITTER

BEND - Bend's right-hander Walter Lopez is a really great pitcher. And he once again showed his stuff while making history, blanking Calgary on no hits. David Padron spoiled the bid for a perfect game when he walked with no outs in the 5th inning. Lopez (2-0) struck out 8 and walked 4, throwing 67 of 114 pitches for strikes. 'I felt early that I was on top of my game. Fortunately I was able to keep that feeling the entire game.' Bend's rightfielder Lyle Mousseau stroked 2 hits in 3 AB. That was enough to support the brilliant performance of Lopez. Bend improved its record to 5-7, scoring 1 run on 4 hits.

New York's John McCasland was the last SIMBL pitcher to throw a no-hitter doing so last season. Brooklyn's Marcus Dinges threw the first no-hitter in SIMBL history back in late 2006.

Lopez is off to a sizzling start in 2008. He is 2-0 in three starts. Lopez has allowed only 10 hits and 1 run in 24.0 innings pitched and has a unimaginable 0.38 ERA.

OCTOBER 30, 2007

'WOLVES COMEBACK FROM 2-1 DEFICIT TO 'THREE-PEAT'

Augusta Can't Finish Off San Diego As Ryles Wins His 2nd Coveted Cup MVP

The San Diego Warewolves celebrate their third straight SIMBL Coveted Cup Championship as they came back from a two games to one deficit to defeat Augusta for the 2007 SIMBL title on real-life date July 16, 2007.

In a unprecedented three-way phone call between SIMBL Coveted Cup participating team owners Paul Ware and Steph Mabie, and with SIMBL Commish Christian DeMarco on the phone to verify authenticity and fairness, the San Diego Warewolves came back from a two games to one series deficit to win their third straight SIMBL Championship.

Augusta scored 9 or more runs in the first three games to go up 2-1 on San Diego. The ‘Wolves bombed Spartans ace Roland Clark in Game One 12-9. Augusta came back behind rookie sensation Israel Mitchell to win Game Two 10-2 as they returned the favor and bombed San Diego ace Felix Murff to tie the series.

The Spartans won Game Three 9-3 behind Victor Myers solid pitching to go up 2-1 and looking forward to wrapping the series up at home. San Diego showed why they have won three straight rings by never giving up and won the next three games 4-1, 7-2 and 9-1.

San Diego’s Daryl Ryles won his second SIMBL Coveted Cup MVP and finished the postseason hitting .524 with 7 HR and 19 RBI. Osvaldo Lueras finished hitting .448 with 2 HR and 16 RBI and Stephan Foster finished hitting .373 with 3 HR and 17 RBI for Augusta.

Ryles showed why he is regarded as the best player in the SIMBL by going 8 for 9 with 9 RBI in Games 5 and 6. He hit 3 HR and two doubles in those last two games and almost single-handedly finished off the Spartans himself.

Ryles hit two home runs in the series clincher and after the game sought out his nemesis, the SIMBL Commish, and promptly mooned him with what read “Who’s Haack?” written on his buttocks. SIMBL league officials have stated to expect a major fine and possible suspension of Ryles’ for his latest antics from DeMarco.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2007

CLEVELAND'S MCCASLAND NEAR PERFECT IN NO-NO AGAINST BELLE RIVER

'Blowtorch' Throws Second No-Hitter In SIMBL History

Cleveland ace John McCasland (above) celebrates the last out and became the second pitcher in SIMBL history to throw a no-hitter on September 19, 2007. McCasland came one walk short of throwing the first perfect game in SIMBL history.

BELLE RIVER - John McCasland had some fun again. REAL fun. Belle River hitters did not. Cleveland's right-hander fired a no-hitter in his 2nd shutout of the season. "Blowtorch" threw the second no-hitter in SIMBL history. McCasland struck out 6 and issued 1 BB, throwing 57 of 103 pitches for strikes. The final score of the game was 8-0. McCasland was one walk away from throwing the first perfect game in SIMBL history. Brooklyn's Marcus Dinges threw the first and previously only SIMBL no-hitter on September 25, 2006, almost a year to the day to McCasland's latest gem.

AUGUST 21, 2007

JUNE 8, 2007:

PORTLAND'S ESCARCEGA SETS NEW SIMBL HIT STREAK RECORD

Portland Punisher's second baseman Jacobo Escarcega celebrates with his teammates after setting the new SIMBL hitting streak record of 23 games against Asheville in 2007 SIM 10.

(PORTLAND)- In a season that already has seen Los Angeles' Guy Gilliam's two-season old hitting streak tied by Cleveland's Stephan Mathias and Pocatello's Joel Sabatino's Union League 19-game hitting streak record tied by Toronto's Xavier Quijada in the past month, Portland second baseman Jacobo Escarcega finally topped them all.

Escarcega, Punishers GM Jon Vicic's second round pick (#44 overall) in the 2005 SIMBL Inaugural Draft, broke Gillham's streak on June 8, 2007 against Asheville. Escarcega went 2 for 3 in a 6-0 win over Tom Lifsey's Smokies. His 23-game hitting streak is currently the longest in SIMBL history.

OCTOBER 2006:

BANDY'S GAME 7 11TH INNING HIT GIVES SD A REPEAT

San Diego All-Star SS Hayden Bandy singles in the winning run in the 11th inning in Game 7 of the 2006 SIMBL Coveted Cup Championship Series against Pensacola. Bandy was named MVP in a classic and to be remembered SIMBL CS for years to come.

Penacola ace Thomas Leverett consoles Red Sox slugger Mike Chisholm after the Sox were heartbroken in losing Game 7 in the 11th inning of the 2006 SIMBL CS. The Sox were down 3 games to 1 in the series and came back as they had all season long. Pensacola trailed Augusta all season long in the UL East until the 2nd to last day of the season when they beat the Spartans with an amazing walk-off 9th inning rally to clinch the divison in dramatic glory at home.

RAO'S WILD PITCH IS SIMBL'S OWN 'BUCKNER MOMENT'

Chcago closer Banny Rao's wild pitch allows San Diego a 9th inning walk-off win to steal a win in the bottom of the 9th in the 2006 SL Championship Series and sealed the Hitmen's doom in the series. The wild pitch is likened to Bill Buckner's fabled error in the 1986 World Series by SIMBL pundits thus far in SIMBL history.

SEPTEMBER 2006:

BROOKLYN ROOKIE DINGES THROWS FIRST SIMBL NO-NO

Brooklyn rookie Marcus Dinges throws the last pitch of the first no-hitter in SIMBL history. It took almost two full seasons for a pitcher to throw a no-no in the league's history.

SD SPEEDSTER ESPITIA SHATTERS SIMBL SB RECORD

Speedy San Diego 2B Lucas Espita shatters Bill Evans' previous SIMBL SB record of 56. Espitia goes on to steal 74 bases in 2006 to set the SB plateau in the SIMBL.

JULY 2006:

PENSACOLA WINS LONGEST GAME IN SIMBL HISTORY

Pensacola's Mike Chisholm slides across home plate next to Calgary catcher Adam Wells at home to score the winning run in the bottom of the 21st inning to win the longest game in SIMBL history.

MARCH 2006:

DALTON'S ROTY KROUSE FIRST BIG NAME SIMBL PLAYER TO SUFFER CEI

After becoming the first rookie in SL history to be named SL Rookie Of The Year in 2005, Dalton's Christopher Krouse (above) becomes the first big name player to suffer the notorious career-ending injury in spring training 2006 ending a promising career for the young Dawgs centerfielder.

FEBRUARY 2006:

LOUDMOUTH RYLES BRINGS FIRST SIMBL SCANDAL

in an interview with Jacksonville beat writer Hank Henry that was supposed to be off-the-record but recorded by the nearby veteran SIMBL writer Lance Stanley, San Diego's outspoken Daryl Ryles blatantly accuses Belle River slugger Wilfredo Espana of using steroids. Ryles discovers that Stanley is recording the remarks and then goes after and threatens the 72 year-old "Grandfather Of The SIMBL" resulting in a $100,000 fine by SIMBL Commissioner Christian DeMarco. In typical Ryles defiance, Ryles later calls the fine "beer money". The scandal started a long-running fued between the Commish and the arrogant Ryles.

OCTOBER 2005:

SAN DIEGO WINS FIRST SIMBL COVETED CUP IN LEAGUE HISTORY

San Diego fans celebrate teh Warewolves 2005 SIMBL Coveted Cup Championship. The 'Wolves won a SIMBL record 106 games and defeated UL Champions Bend 4 games to 2 games in the inaugural 2005 SIMBL Coveted Cup Championship Series.

BLUMBERG UNCONSCIOUS DURING 2005 SIMBL PLAYOFFS

San Diego 1B Kenny Blumberg sizzled during the 2005 postseason and set records that may stand for years to come. "The Silent One", known for his quiet demeanor, blasted 9 homers and drove in an amazing 26 runs in just the 2005 LDS and LCS alone (10 games) in easily being named MVP in both series.

AGING ESPANA STILL SHOWS STUDLINESS IN 48 HR 141 RBI SEASON

Belle River GM Andre Girard took some smack for selecting 38 year-old WIlfredo Espana and his high ratings with his #1 pick in the Inaugural SIMBL Draft, but Espana didn't disappoint. The veteran slugger set SIMBL records that have yet to be broken by slamming 48 home runs and driving in 141 runs in the 2005 first year of SIMBL play.

JULY 2005:

LA'S GILLHAM SETS SIMBL HITTING STREAK RECORD AT 22

Los Angeles 1B Guy Gillham smiles after hitting safely in his 22nd consecutive game to set the SIMBL hitting streak record in the first season of SIMBL play.

MAY 2005:

'THE DEACON' IS BLURRY IN BLOWING AWAY 18 BATTERS

Pensacola ace Thomas 'The Deacon' Leverett fans 18 and allows 2 hits in a complete game victory to set the single-game strikeout record in the SIMBL and after two seasons of complete SIMBL play is the only pitcher in the league to fan 15 or more, doing it 3 times thus far.

APRIL 2005:

Love him or hate him, but the SIMBL followed tradition and invited President George W. Bush to throw out the first pitch in SIMBL history as the upstart league founded in September 2006 officially and finally started play with the 2005 SIM season on October 18, 2006.

RYLES FIRST PLAYER EVER TAKEN IN SIMBL INAUGURAL DRAFT

San Diego chooses 25 year-old 3B Daryl Ryles with the first-ever pick in the 2005 Inaugural SIMBL Draft that formed the league at it's inception. Warewolves GM Paul Ware ignored Ryles' past troubles with the law off the field to select the volatile but talented slugger #1 overall. The SIMBL's original 24 GMS all pitched in to help the monumental draft run relatively smoothly. The draft ran for exactly one long month going from September 17, 2006 to October 17, 2006.