League News: September 19, 2005

Numenor and Mirkwood Snag Pennants
GONDOR - The Numenor Kings became the first team to secure a playoff berth by defeating the Condors at Gondor on September 14. The victory came at the end of a 9-game winning streak and a season that has seen Numenor outpace its closest rival, Rohan, by 20 games for most of the season. All-Star hurler, Tigor Noseprodder (13-5), got the 7-2 win for the 2004 League Champions.

MIRKWOOD - The Mirkwood Marauders were the first Shire Conference team to cross the finish line, taking the Elf Division title with a win over Wilderland on September 15. Mirkwood, who has vied with Numenor for the best record in baseball this season, won a 14-9 slugfest with the 2003 League Champions. Homers by Graniteslinger, Elvörion and Beladrieng contributed to the Marauder offense, and Elvörion was named Player of the Game for her 3-for-5, 5-RBI performance. Halin Goblinfist picked up the win.

Starbasher and Armormasher win Player of the Week award
MIDDLE EARTH - Vridash Starbasher from Lake Town wins his 2nd Player of the Week award for putting up the best numbers this week in the Shire Conference. In 18 at bats he hit .556 with 2 HR and 11 RBI. The Player of the Week award in the Mordor Conference goes to Isengard's Boran Armormasher this time, as the catcher displayed the best offensive perfomance in his league. He hit .563 with 7 RBI and slugged 1.000 in 16 at bats.

Fingersmasher sets new League record for Saves
GONDOR - Numenor's ace closer, Kuuggek Fingersmasher, set a new record for saves by notching his 43rd in a game against Gondor on September 17. He broke the record set by Rohan's Hilin Goldarm last season by preserving the Kings' 3-1 victory, but he didn't have an easy time of it! With 1 out in the 9th, Condor right fielder, Florra Eäröl, tripled down the right field line. After an intentional pass to Binus Anvilworker, Fingersmasher walked Hamson Muddyfoot to load the bases. Finally, he got Vrsuurg Swordtorturer to fly out to shallow left-center and Thuvmina Sol to pop out to second for the save.

Dead Marshes' Grudgesmelter severely injured
DEAD MARSHES - Dead Marshes is without its right-hander Karin Grudgesmelter for at least 9 weeks, ending her season in the middle of the Uruk-hai run for the Orc Division pennant. She injured herself while throwing a pitch to Malin Brandybuck in a game against Weathertop on September 14. Her face showed signs of pain immediately after the ball left her hand. Grudgesmelter was rushed to an hospital near the ballpark, where doctors took x-rays. Those revealed the serious injury--a pulled rotator cuff muscle. Opposing players hit .219 against Karin this season. While posting an ERA of 4.16 she went 13-7 in 32 starts, fanning 128 and walking 63 hitters. She has one complete game and one shutout. She's 10th in the Mordor Conference in wins.

Erunai Cleaverpunishr will miss 6 weeks
CARROCK - When it rains, it pours. Carrock's ace Erunai Cleaverpunishr will not pitch for at least 6 weeks, effectively ending his season and handing the team a huge setback as they try to take the Shire Conference Wild Card spot. He suffered a serious injury in a game against Bywater on September 16 where he left the field in the 3rd inning. After being taken to a local hospital, Cleaverpunishr was examined by specialists. The diagnosis revealed the sad truth, a Ruptured Elbow Ligament. Opposing players hit .233 against Erunai this season. While posting an ERA of 2.90 he went 14-9 in 30 starts, fanning 162 and walking 57 hitters. He has 7 complete games and 3 shutouts.

Old Forest's Elvywyn out for 7 weeks
OLD FOREST - Old Forest's season has taken a hit after one of their best players, first baseman Myrtai Elvywyn, injured himself while rounding a base on September 13. He is likely to miss 7 weeks, thus putting him out for the year. After being taken to a local hospital, Elvywyn was examined by specialists. The diagnosis revealed the sad truth, a strained posterior cruciate ligament. Elvywyn has walked 56 times this year and posts a .326 OBP. While batting .233, 97 for 416, he has driven in 78 runs.

Lake Town Third Base Vacancy
LAKE TOWN - Lake Town third baseman Tigthor Tändel was injured while running the bases on September 13. He has a pulled achilles tendon. He is out for about 3-4 weeks. On top of that his replacement, Tigra Tadrielad, was injured while throwing a ball on the 16th. Tadrielad should be ok in about 1-2 weeks, but that puts a damper on the fact that the Archers are just 1 game away from a trip to the playoffs.

Dwarfcrawler Ties League Doubles Record
GREY HAVENS - The third baseman for the Stars, Grukak Dwarfcrawler, has tied the League Record for doubles in a season, set last year by Rohan's Rafur Rockback. His 54th double of the year came in a game against Dagorlad on September 17.

INJURY NEWS
Dunharrow's Theodore Nazgul has a strained back and will miss about one week.

Bree's Belil-Gariand was injured while pitching in a game on September 17. Looks like he has a strained tricep and will miss the rest of the year.

Gondor's Hob Proudfoot was injured while pitching on September 17. He is definitely out for the season.

Posted at April 20, 2004 07:03 AM | more from League News