November 15, 2024
Akron vs. Highland: Winner Take All!
OCALA, FL - The Highland Freedom swept their way into the BDBL World Series
and will now face the Akron Ryche for the 2024 BDBL championship. If Akron wins, it will be DJ Shepard's second trophy in three years. If Highland wins,
it will the Bob Sylvester's third trophy and Bobby Sylvester's second.
November 12, 2024
The LCS is Set
OCALA, FL - The Darien Blue Wave are heading to their first OLCS after easily defeating the Los Altos
Undertakers on the OLDS. They will be facing the Akron Ryche, who are playing in the OLCS for the third year in a row. In the Eck League, the #1-seeded
Lake Norman Monsters were upset in the ELDS by the Highland Freedom. The Freedom will face the Chicago Black Sox, who are still searching for trophy number
one.
November 4, 2024
Let's Go!
OCALA, FL - Let the Tournament of Randomness begin! The field is now set. In the OLDS, we have the
#1-seeded Darien Blue Wave facing the lowly Los Altos Undertakers, and the Akron Ryche hosting the Florida Mulligans. In the ELDS, the defending EL
champion Lake Norman Monsters will take on their division rivals, Highland Freedom, and the Chicago Black Sox will battle against the South Philly Gritty.
Best of luck to all involved!
September 15, 2024
The Final Stretch
OCALA, FL - Only one chapter remains in the 2024 season, and we still have a dead tie in the
Griffin Division. Thanks to a 22-6 chapter, the Darien Blue Wave took over first place in the McGowan and now own a comfortable four-game lead.
South Philly and Akron also enjoyed a 22-6 chapter. There are three teams in the McGowan that are on pace to win at least 103 games, and one of them
will be sitting on the sidelines in November.
July 31, 2024
What a Chapter!
OCALA, FL - With only two chapters remaining, we still have two division ties and one race that is
completely up for grabs. The 25th (mostly) annual BDBL Weekend was held July 19-20 in Texas. Defending champ Jeff Paulson has quit the race despite being
tied for first. Bart Chinn added Wander F'ing Franco AND Blake Snell without giving up much of anything! Greg Newgard is trailing in third place despite
a .625 record! And we still have two more to go!
June 15, 2024
Halfway Home
OCALA, FL - We have officially reached the halfway point of the 2024 season and several division races
are still wide open. In the McGowan Division, the Flagstaff Peaks and Florida Mulligans are tied at the top, with Darien trailing by only three games.
Only one game separates the Lake Norman Monsters and Highland Freedom in the Wilkie Division. Akron is leading by only three games in the Benes.
And the defending-champion Los Altos Undertakers are somehow only three games ahead of the South Loop Furies in the Griffin.
April 30, 2024
Tight Races!
OCALA, FL - With two chapters in the books, four divisions are currently led by three or fewer
games. The Akron Ryche and South Carolina Sea Cats are all tied up in the Benes Division. Three teams are separated by just two games in the McGowan.
The Los Altos Undertakers (3 G) and Lake Norman Monsters (2 G) are clinging to slim leads. Meanwhile, the Chicago Black Sox broke away with a 21-7 record
in Chapter Two to take a commanding 7-game lead.
March 15, 2024
One in the Books
OCALA, FL - The Flagstaff Peaks (21-7), Lake Norman Monsters (19-9), Akron Ryche (18-10),
and Los Altos Undertakers (18-10) dominated Chapter One of the 2024 season. All six division races are tight for the moment, with Flagstaff (+5)
owning the largest lead in the league. Flagstaff's Mookie Betts had a monster chapter (.458/.511/.805), leading the BDBL in several categories.
February 1, 2024
Let's Try This Again
OCALA, FL - Season number twenty-six is about to begin! The 2024 season promises to be
an exciting one, with several teams in each division looking like contenders on paper, including three teams that lost 100 or more games last season.
The Darien Blue Wave and Lake Norman Monsters are the prohibitive favorites to win the OL and EL, but as we've seen before, anything can happen.
Let's play ball!
January 3, 2024
Chicago Lands the Biggest Fish
OCALA, FL - The Chicago Black Sox walked away with the grand prize of the auction
when they signed Matt Olson to a $13.5 million deal on the first night of the auction. Lake Norman added of the top arms in the auction, Aaron Nola, for
just $7 million. Nolan Arenado ($6M to Myrtle Beach) and Bryan Reynolds ($7M to Florida) also went Type H.
November 25, 2023
Los Altos Does It Again
OCALA, FL - The Los Altos Undertakers have won the 2023 BDBL championship. It is the
record-tying fifth championship trophy for Jeff Paulson, tying Tom DiStefano's record as an owner, and also tying Virginia's record as a franchise.
The Undertakers defeated the Lake Norman Monsters in five games in the World Series, winning the last two games in extra innings.
November 20, 2023
History in the Making
OCALA, FL - The Los Altos Undertakers will attempt to become the first franchise in BDBL
history to win FIVE BDBL championships. In order to do so, they will have to get past just one more team: the Lake Norman Monsters. The Monsters, led by
third-year owner Joe Demski, won a trophy under John Duel in 2012. Both teams won their Championship Series in five games.
November 10, 2023
LCS Match-ups Are Set
OCALA, FL - The four-time-champion Los Altos Undertakers and
defending-champion Akron Ryche will square off for the OL title in
the OLCS. In the EL, the Lake Norman Monsters will take on the
Charlotte Mustangs as Tony Chamra looks to win his second BDBL
trophy and Joe Demski fights for his first World Series appearance.
October 31, 2023
Let the TOR Begin!
OCALA, FL - For the first time in league history, two one-game playoffs are necessary
to determine which teams will advance into the BDBL postseason! The Ravenswood Infidels and Cleveland Rocks will play for the OL wildcard, and the
Kansas Law Dogs and South Philly Gritty will play for the Higuera title. The rest of the field is set, with Los Altos and Lake Norman owning the top
seeds in the OL and EL, respectively.
September 15, 2023
Down to the Wire
OCALA, FL - With only 28 games remaining in the 2023 season, both wildcard races are
wide open, and one division remains too close to call. Four teams are within two games of each other in the OL wildcard hunt. The Myrtle Beach
Hitmen and Niagara Locks are battling it out in the EL wildcard. The brotherly race in the Higuera Division took an unexpected turn in Chapter Five.
South Philly now leads by two.
August 1, 2023
Playoffs Picture Clearing Up
OCALA, FL - Chapter Four was a turning point for several teams, providing the
inspiration needed to wave the white flag or go for it. In the former category, the first-place South Philly Gritty's owner decided to hand the
division to his brother after a 10-14 chapter. The Florida Mulligans had such a disastrous chapter (10-14) that they managed to convince two teams
(Ravenswood and Bear Country) to go for it. Meanwhile, the Los Altos Undertakers (19-5) are running away with it all yet again.
June 15, 2023
Halfway There
OCALA, FL - Heading into the all-star break, there are still many tight division races happening.
The Florida Mulligans (12-12) fell apart in Chapter Three, allowing Darien (16-8) to pull ahead in the McGowan Division. Niagara and Lake Norman (both
15-9) remain tied atop the Wilkie. Ravenswood (15-9) expanded their lead in the Benes thanks to a 12-12 showing by Akron in Chapter Three.
April 30, 2023
Tight Races Throughout
OCALA, FL - We are now 35% of the way through the 2023 season and we're seeing several
tight races in the BDBL. In the McGowan Division, the Mulligans leapfrogged over the Blue Wave in Chapter Two thanks
to a league-best 21-7 Chapter Two. The Ryche (19-9) are now tied with the Infidels atop the Benes Division. In the Wilkie Division, not a
single team played above .500 in Chapter Two, leaving Lake Norman and Niagara tied atop the the division. Myrtle Beach managed to gain ground on the
Mustangs in the Hrbek Divison, and are now separated by just one game.
March 15, 2023
One Done
OCALA, FL - Chapter One of the 2023 season is officially over. The Darien Blue Wave (20-8) and Los Altos
Undertakers (20-8) led the way with the best records in the league. Ravenswood (19-9) has shocked the establishment with a strong start. The Luhning brothers
are within one game of each other in the Higuera Division. Lake Norman and Niagara are all tied up at 17-11 in the Wilkie Division. The Myrtle Beach Hitmen
(16-12) are still trying to find their footing in the Griffin, and trail the Charlotte Mustangs (18-10) by two games.
February 1, 2023
Opening Day, 2023!
OCALA, FL - Opening Day is just around the corner! Our 25th season promises to be unusually
exciting for a number of reasons. Realignment has created many new natural division rivalries. Expanded interleague play will allow us to interact with
every team in the league. Several teams that haven't reached the postseason in years should be contenders in '23. Monster starting rotations are all the
rage. Get ready for an epic season!
January 10, 2023
The Year of Monster Rotations
OCALA, FL - On Tuesday night, the Los Altos Undertakers officially signed ace
Max Scherzer. He joins fellow aces Sandy Alcantara, Shane Bieber, and Luis Severino in a ridiculously bloated rotation of Cy Young candidates. Los Altos
is not alone in that regard. Tony DeCastro has signed both Justin Verlander and Joe Musgrove in this auction. They join Julio Urias and Zac Gallen in an
equally bloated rotation of Cy Young candidates. It's going to be a long year in the Ozzie League.
January 3, 2023
Lake Norman Lands Machado
OCALA, FL - Manny Machado, the offensive prize of the 2023 auction, has signed with the
Lake Norman Monsters at a salary of $15 million. Machado instantly becomes the best hitter in the Monsters lineup, which also includes Seiya Suzuki,
Starling Marte, Alejando Kirk, and Brandon Drury. Several other big bats have flown off the shelves during the first four days of the
auction, including Paul Goldschmidt ($11M to Cleveland), Freddie Freeman ($11M to Bear Country), and Jose Altuve ($13M to South Loop.)
November 30, 2022
Walk-off!
OCALA, FL - The Akron Ryche are our new reigning BDBL champions following a dramatic 10th inning walk-off
home run by Ronald Acuna in Game Six of the World Series. Akron GM/skipper D.J. Shepard, one of the original founding members of the BDBL, has won his
first-ever BDBL championship! Kansas GM Chris Luhning won it all in 2007, and has now appeared in four BDBL World Series. This is the second BDBL World Series
in the past four years to end with a walk-off home run in extra innings.
November 20, 2022
2022 World Series: Akron vs.
Kansas
OCALA, FL - The Kansas Law Dogs nearly blew a three-games-to-none lead in the ELCS,
but eked out an EL title by taking Game 7 from the Chicago Black Sox. Akron also needed seven games to defeat the Salem Cowtippers in the OLCS. This is Akron's
first second World Series appearance in the past three seasons. For Kansas, it is their third, and first since 2017. Kansas won it all in 2007. Akron is still
looking for that elusive first BDBL championship.
November 10, 2022
LCS Matchups Are Set
OCALA, FL - Both the Akron Ryche and Salem Cowtippers swept their way into the OLCS. They will now
face each other in a series that seemed predestined to happen. In the EL, the Chicago Black Sox needed seven games to beat the Niagara Locks. They will face
the Kansas Law Dogs, who defeated Charlotte in five games in the ELDS.
November 1, 2022
Let the Playoffs Begin!
OCALA, FL - The top-seeded Akron Ryche will face off against their division rivals,
Ravenswood, in the OLDS. The winner will face either Salem or Bear Country in the next round. In the EL, Charlotte will square off against Kansas in their
EL Division Series, with Niagara taking on Chicago in the other ELDS. This is Mike Ranney's first appearance in the BDBL postseason!
September 15, 2022
Akron Makes a Statement
OCALA, FL - The Akron Ryche cranked the dial to eleven in Chapter Five, going 23-5,
sweeping the Ravenswood Infidels, and taking a commanding five-game lead in the Benes Division race. The Higuera Division race is a tight race, with
Buckingham leading the way, with Kansas (3 GB) and Great Lakes (6 GB) trailing close behind. The EL wildcard race is wide open, with Chicago, Myrtle Beach,
and Kansas all within two games of each other.
July 31, 2022
Four Down, Two to Go
OCALA, FL - Chapter Four is officially in the books. Several playoff spots remain up for grabs.
Akron and Ravenswood remain tied atop the Benes Division. Buckingham owns a 2-game lead over Kansas in the Higuera. Three teams are within two games in the
EL wildcard race. All three races will come down to the wire!
June 15, 2022
Halfway to the Finish Line
OCALA, FL - We are now halfway through the 2022 season and five of the six divisions are
still up for grabs. The Akron Ryche and Buckingham Sovereigns hold slim one-game leads in their divisions. The Niagara Locks hold a two-game lead over two
teams in the Wilkie Division. The Bear Country Jamboree (4 G) and Charlotte Mustangs (6 G) own slim leads as well.
April 30, 2022
All Tied Up!
OCALA, FL - Fifty-six games into the 2022 season, we have ties atop the Benes and Griffin Divisions.
Akron and Ravenswood continue to battle it out in the Benes, while Blacksburg surged into a tie with Bear Country in the Griffin. Great Lakes still (somehow)
holds a slim lead in the Higuera over the surging Buckingham. Niagara clings to a tenuous 3-game lead in the Wilkie.
March 15, 2022
One Down
OCALA, FL - One-sixth of the way into the 2022 season, two division races are tied, and two others are
led by fewer than three games. In the Benes Division, the Akron Ryche and Ravenswood Infidels are tied at 18-10. In the Wilkie Division, the Niagara Locks
and D.C. Memorials are knotted at 16-12. The Salem Cowtippers (23-5) and Charlotte Mustangs (20-8) own the best records in the league.
February 1, 2022
The 2022 Season Has Arrived!
OCALA, FL - Opening Day of the 2022 BDBL season officially kicks off on Tuesday, February
1st. Although there are several strong teams on paper this year, there is not one that stands out among
the crowd as the early favorite to win it all. The field is set, and the trophy is up for grabs!
January 3, 2022
Akron Reels In the Big Fish
OCALA, FL - The Akron Ryche's $14 million bid for Gerrit Cole somehow stood without
any competition on Monday night, allowing Akron to walk away with the biggest free agent of the winter. Cole joins NL Cy Young Corbin Burnes, Brandon
Woodruff, Cal Quantrill, and Kenta Maeda in a rotation that ranks among the best in league history.
November 30, 2021
Joplin Wins!
OCALA, FL - The Joplin Miners, led by BDBL Founding Father Billy T. Baseball, are the new
BDBL champions of the 2021 season! Joplin swept the Black Sox in four games, which marks the fifth World Series defeat for the Chicago franchise.
This is Joplin's first World Series victory in five trips to the Show.
November 20, 2021
BDBL World Series 2021
OCALA, FL - Neither the Chicago Black Sox nor the Joplin Miners franchise has ever won a
BDBL championship in five total trips to the World Series. That is about to change. Chicago is 0-for-3 in the World Series, losing in 2000, 2004, and 2015.
The Joplin franchise was swept in both the 2006 and 2018 World Series. One of these two teams is about to break their losing streak and become the 12th
franchise in 23 seasons to win the BDBL championship.
November 10, 2021
LCS Matchups Set
OCALA, FL - The top-seeded Great Lakes Sphinx will face off against the Chicago Black Sox in the
ELCS in a matchup between the league's only two 100-win teams. In the EL, the Las Vegas Flamingos will face the Joplin Miners. During the regular season,
Great Lakes went 9-3 against Chicago, while Vegas and Joplin split their season series. If Great Lakes or Vegas wins their series, it will be the first
BDBL World Series appearance for either franchise.
November 1, 2021
Let the Playoffs Begin!
OCALA, FL - The 2021 regular season has officially come to an end. The Great Lake Sphinx
have earned the #1 seed in the playoffs. They will be facing the Highland Freedom in the ELDS, while the Chicago Black Sox will face off against the
Buckingham Sovereigns. In the OLDS, the top-seeded Las Vegas Flamingos will face the Bear Country Jamboree, and the Allentown Ridgebacks will
play the Joplin Miners.
September 15, 2021
Don't Worry; It's Almost Over
OCALA, FL - Five chapters down, one to go. Three races remain: the McGowan Division
(where Joplin owns a two-game lead over Salem), the OL wildcard (where Los Altos leads Bear Country by one game), and the EL wildcard (where Buckingham
owns a one-game lead over Cleveland.) But wait! What's this? Has Jeff Paulson, leader of the OL wildcard, thrown in the towel? With only 28 games left?!
July 31, 2021
Races Heating Up
OCALA, FL - McGowan Divisin rivals Joplin and Salem both added big
impact players at the
Chapter Four trading deadline. Joplin added Cody Bellinger and Corey
Knebel, while the Cowtippers added Jose Altuve to the lineup. Joplin
currently leads the division by four games. The Highland Freedom
moved into a tie with the Carolina Saints atop the Wilkie Division.
The Griffin Division (where Allentown holds a four-game lead) and
both wildcard races remain tight as we head into Chapter Five.
June 15, 2021
Gimme a Break
OCALA, FL - Yet another wild and wacky chapter came to an end, and
the 2021 season heads into the all-star break. The Cleveland Rocks
came out of nowhere to post the league's best record at 18-6. The
Eck League once again topped the Ozzies in interleague play. Several
big names (Patrick Corbin, Mike Clevinger, Asdrubal Cabrera, Daniel
Murphy, Khris Davis) traded uniforms. Three division races are led
by a margin of four or fewer games. What on earth does the second
half have in store for the BDBL?
April 30, 2021
Topsy-Turvy Chapter Two Ends
OCALA, FL - The wildest and craziest chapter in recent league
history has come to
an end, thankfully. Great Lakes (22-6) added to their league-best
record. Joplin (18-10) and Niagara (18-10) practically reversed
their Chapter One performances, with the schizophrenic Miners taking
over first place in the McGowan Division. A flurry of trades, many
involving major impact players, will shake up the pennant races the
rest of the way.
March 15, 2021
Chicago Throws Out the Towel
OCALA, FL - John Gill did practically everything he could to make
2021 a rebuilding
year, but his Chicago Black Sox have refused to go along with that
plan. Chicago finished Chapter One with the best record (21-7) in
the BDBL, and own the
largest lead (7 games) of any division leader. Salem (18-10),
Carolina (18-10), Las Vegas (17-11), and Great Lakes (17-11) also
had a successful chapter.
Allentown, currently one game behind Los Altos in the Griffin
Division, made the biggest move of the chapter, adding Chris Sale
and Matt Carpenter.
February 1, 2021
Opening Day, 2021!
OCALA, FL - The most unique and challenging season in BDBL history has arrived! For the first
time in league history, the stats we use will not be the actual MLB stats from the previous season. This will have a major effect on our game play this
season, both positive and negative. Without question, 2021 will be our most challenging season to date, and perhaps our most competitive. Play ball!
January 3, 2021
Darien Catches the Big One
OCALA, FL - Darien Blue Wave GM Lee Scholtz busted open the piggy bank and shattered
the BDBL record for salary, signing free agent Mike Trout to a whopping $26.5 million salary with a guaranteed three-year contract of $79.5 million.
The previous record was set back in 2009, when C.C. Sabathia was signed at a salary of $22 million by the Los Altos Undertakers
January 2, 2021
Draft Day, 2021!
OCALA, FL - The Myrtle Beach Hitmen officially kicked off the 2021 draft season by selecting
17-year-old prep outfielder Elijah Green with the first pick of the farm draft. The Hitmen loved the draft pool so much this year, they traded for the
second pick as well, using that slot to select high school senior Jordan Lawlar. Day One of the auction has already resulted in a record-tying bid of
$22 million for Mike Trout.
December 20, 2020
Hot Stove on Fire!
OCALA, FL - A lot of big names traded places this winter during the BDBL's Hot Stove Season.
Chicago and Los Altos traded young superstars, with Fernando Tatis, Jr. heading to Chicago and Shane Bieber and Eloy Jimenez joining Los Altos.
South Loop added Freddie Freeman, Tim Anderson, and Madison Bumgarner. Joplin welcomed Josh Donaldson and Luis Severino. Allentown snagged Matt Olson and
an entire bullpen. Cleveland landed Zack Greinke and Ketel Marte. And the newly-named Highland Freedom added Manny Machado.
December 3, 2020
The BDBL Has Been Slymed!
OCALA, FL - Bob Sylvester and the Southern Cal Slyme are our new BDBL Champions of the World!
The Slyme defeated the tough-as-nails Akron Ryche in six games in the BDBL World Series, winning the last two games after splitting the first four. This is
Sylvester's second BDBL championship, which comes seven years after his first. He is only the fourth person in league history to win more than one title.
November 30, 2020
For All the Marbles
OCALA, FL - Founding fathers of the BDBL, Bob Sylvester and D.J. Shepard, will face off against
each other in the 2020 BDBL World Series. This is the fourth World Series appearance for Sylvester's SoCal Slyme, which includes one championship win in 2013.
For Shepard's Ryche, this is their first appearance in The Show.
November 20, 2020
Upset!
OCALA, FL - The Akron Ryche shocked the BDBL universe by sweeping the top-ranked Los Altos Undertakers
in the OL Championship Series, winning Game Four on a walk-off homer by series MVP Ronald Acuna. For the first time in 22 seasons, D.J. Shepard and the
Akron Ryche are heading to the BDBL World Series.
November 15, 2020
LCS Match-ups Set
OCALA, FL - The Los Altos Undertakers easily defeated the division-rival Bear Country Jamboree
in the OLDS, setting up a OLCS match-up against the Akron Ryche, who easily defeated Salem. The Kansas Law Dogs' defeat of the Chicago Black Sox was
anything but easy. Kansas needed 12 innings in the seventh and final game to advance to an ELCS face-off against the SoCal Slyme.
October 29, 2020
All Over But the Crying
OCALA, FL - The Bear Country Jamboree defeated the Ravenswood Infidels in a one-game
showdown to determine the OL wildcard winner. They now advance to the OLDS against the Los Altos Undertakers. The Salem Cowtippers will face Akron in the
other OL Division Series for the second year in a row. In the EL, Cleveland won the wildcard on the final day of the season to advance to an ELDS matchup
against the Southern Cal Slyme. Chicago will face Kansas in the other Division Series.
October 20, 2020
All Tied Up!
OCALA, FL - Bear Country's winter investment, Hyun-Jin Ryu, paid major dividends when he pitched his
team to a win over Akron, which secured a tie for the OL wildcard. Bear Country will now play a winner-take-all game against the Ravenswood Infidels, with
the winner to play the top-seeded Los Altos Undertakers in the OLDS. Salem will face Akron in the other OLDS series.
September 15, 2020
One to Go
OCALA, FL - As we head into the final chapter, only two playoff races remain in doubt. In the Benes
Division, the Akron Ryche hold a slim one-game lead over the Ravenswood Infidels. And in the OL wildcard battle, the Bear Country Jamboree hold a four-game
lead over Ravenswood. Five teams managed to win 20+ games in Chapter Five: Salem (21), Southern Cal (21), Bear Country (21), Kansas (20), and Chicago (20).
July 30, 2020
Surging and Stumbling
SALEM, NH - Chapter Four was a defining chapter for several BDBL teams and multiple
playoff races. The Chicago Black Sox stumbled to a 11-13 chapter, yet maintained a three-game lead over the suddenly surging Cleveland Rocks in the Hrbek
Division. The Akron Ryche finished with an OL-best 16-8 record to pull into a tie with the Ravenswood Infidels atop the Benes Division. First place teams
Southern Cal (17-7) and Kansas (16-8) built on their leads, while the Salem Cowtippers (12-12) have seemingly ground to a halt.
June 15, 2020
Halfway Home
SALEM, NH - The strangest midseason draft in league history wrapped up on Tuesday. Prep star Zac
Veen was the #1 pick by the Myrtle Beach Hitmen. The Ravenswood Infidels and Los Altos Undertakers shared the best record of Chapter Three at 16-8.
Ravenswood barely staved off Akron, who went 15-9. For the first time since 2017, the Eck League bested the Ozzie League in interleague play, 100-92.
April 30, 2020
Two Down
SALEM, NH - Chapter Two is a wrap. The Chicago Black Sox (19-9) led the way, pushing ahead of the
Cleveland Rocks to claim sole possession of first place in the Hrbek Division. Salem, Kansas, and the surprising South Carolina Sea Cats all went
18-10 on the chapter. The Iron Spider Pigs (8-20) and Myrtle Beach Hitmen (6-22) pulled up the rear.
March 15, 2020
One in the Books
SALEM, NH - The 2020 season is officially 17.5 percent complete. To the surprise of no one,
the Los Altos Undertakers ended the first chapter with the best record (21-7) in the BDBL. The Salem Cowtippers (20-8), Bear Country Jamboree (20-8),
and Great Lakes Sphinx (19-9) also enjoyed a stellar start to the season.
January 15, 2020
Going Once, Going Twice, Sold!
SALEM, NH - The newly-enhanced BDBL free agent auction process has officially ended.
A total of $295.5 million was spent on the 50 free agents in the auction, the most since 2014, and second-highest total in the past ten years. Bear Country
was a big winner, signing five players, including Hyun-Jin Ryu, J.D. Martinez, and Paul Goldschmidt. The Great Lakes Sphinx added Christian Yelich (at $18M)
and Mike Minor ($9.5M) among others. Kansas added Jacob deGrom ($17.5M) and Salem added Max Scherzer ($15.5M).
December 18, 2019
The Return of the Emperor
SALEM, NH - Five-time BDBL champion Tom DiStefano officially returned to the BDBL on
December 18th, taking over the franchise formally known as the Flagstaff Outlaws. It was the third change in ownership for the franchise since Greg
Newgard stepped down at the end of the 2019 season. DiStefano won four league titles as the owner of the Allentown Ridgebacks from 2001-2013. He then
teamed up with Gene Patterson to win title #5 in 2014 before finally stepping down after the 2015 season.
November 14, 2019
They Did It!
SALEM, NH - Game Seven. Two outs. Two strikes. Bottom of the 10th inning. Down by three runs. Bases loaded.
In this impossible-to-believe scenario, Enrique "Kike" Hernandez hit a walk-off grand slam home run to give the Salem Cowtippers their first BDBL
championship in six tries. Yes, that actually happened.
November 12, 2019
World Series, 2019: Salem vs.
Charlotte
SALEM, NH - The Salem Cowtippers and Charlotte Mustangs will go head-to-head for all the
marbles in the 2019 BDBL World Series. The Cowtippers are 0-5 in their previous attempts to capture the elusive trophy. Tony Chamra of the Mustangs is
a perfect one-for-one, as he won the championship 13 years ago at the helm of his previous franchise.
November 7, 2019
Underdogs Rule!
SALEM, NH - Out of the four Division Series played this November, three were won by the team
with the lower playoffs seed. The EL wildcard Charlotte Mustangs defeated the team that won their division this season to advance to the ELCS against
a Southern Cal team that defeated the heavily-favored Kansas Law Dogs. In the OL, the wildcard-winning Joplin Miners upset the Los Altos Undertakers,
who were favored to win it all. Joplin will face their division rivals, Salem, in the OLCS.
November 5, 2019
Upset!
SALEM, NH - The Los Altos Undertakers, holding the #1 seed in the postseason after a 112-win season,
lost in seven games to the Joplin Miners in the OLDS. Series MVP Charlie Morton tossed a pair of gems in the series, and Joplin managed to hold the
BDBL's top offense to a batting line of just .179/.262/.275 with only 15 runs scored. The Joplin franchise advances to the OLCS for the sixth year
in a row.
November 1, 2019
St. Louis Collapses!
SALEM, NH - The St. Louis Apostles completely choked in Chapter Six, going 9-19 on the chapter.
Not only did they lose the division title to the Southern Cal Slyme, but they fell into a tie with the Great Lakes Sphinx for the second EL wildcard. This
forces a one-game playoff between the two teams just to get the one-game Wildcard Game!
September 15, 2019
One to Go
SALEM, NH - Heading into the final chapter of the 2019 season, the five Ozzie League playoff spots
appear to be locked up. The only remaining question is whether Los Altos or Salem will capture the coveted #1 seed. In the Eck League, six teams are
still chasing four playoff spots, including two division titles and both wildcards.
July 31, 2019
Playoffs Picture Still Unclear
SALEM, NH - The Salem Cowtippers went a BDBL-best 20-4 in Chapter Four to
climb into a tie with the Los Altos Undertakers for the #1 seed in the OL playoffs. The Joplin Miners own a commanding 12-game lead for the OL wildcard,
and the Ravenswood Infidels and Bear Country Jamboree are within a game of each other for the second wildcard. In the EL, Kansas, St. Louis, and Chicago
own comfortable division leads, and five teams are within six games of each other in the battle for the two wildcard spots.
June 15, 2019
Halfway There
SALEM, NH - The 2019 season is offically half done. The only movement in the standings this
past chapter was the Apostles taking over first place from the slumping SoCal Slyme in the Wilkie Division. Great Lakes (17-7) also made strides in
the EL wildcard race. Several big-name players were traded in Chapter Three, including Christian Yelich (to Charlotte), Scooter Gennett (to Akron),
Travis Shaw (to Salem), Gio Gonzalez (to Joplin), and Brandon Nimmo (to Salem.)
April 30, 2019
Another Chapter In the Books
SALEM, NH - The surprising Cleveland Rocks surged to 17 wins in Chapter Two and pulled themselves
to within five games of the Hrbek Division lead. The SoCal Slyme managed to hold onto their lead over the St. Louis Apostles in the Wilkie Division.
Salem and Joplin (both 18-10 in Chapter Two) continue to battle it out for the McGowan title.
March 15, 2019
And We're Off!
SALEM, NH - One full chapter is officially in the books. The Los Altos Undertakers and Kansas
Law Dogs both dominated the first chapter with records of 21-7. Southern Cal (20-8), Salem (19-9), Akron (19-9), and St. Louis (19-9) also enjoyed a
healthy chapter. On the flip side, Niagara (6-22), Darien (8-20), Kansas City (9-19), Myrtle Beach (9-19), and Cleveland (9-19) can begin looking
toward 2020.
February 1, 2019
Are You Ready For Some Baseball?
SALEM, NH - Opening Day of the 2019 season officially begins February 1st!
The St. Louis Apostles look to become only the third team in history to win back-to-back championships. This winter, they added Tommy Pham,
James Paxton, and Yuliesky Gurriel, among others, to help with that effort.
November 26, 2018
Apostles Win!
ST. LOUIS, MO - The St. Louis Apostles became the first team in BDBL history to sweep all three
series in the postseason. Apostles GM/manager Bobby Sylvester captured his first BDBL championship (the second in his family) by sweeping the Joplin
Miners in the BDBL's 20th World Series.
November 20, 2018
Joplin vs. St. Louis in BDBL World
Series
SALEM, NH - The Joplin Miners fought back from a three-games-to-one
deficit in the OLCS and upset the Flagstaff Outlaws, extending Jim Doyle's fairytale season into the World Series. Doyle's Miners will face the St. Louis
Apostles, who swept their way through both the Division and League Championship Series, including a record-setting 26-9 rout of the Great Lakes Sphinx in
Game Two of the ELCS.
November 1, 2018
Let the TOR Begin!
SALEM, NH - The 2018 Tournament of Randomness kicks off this month with the Flagstaff Outlaws
sitting as the heavy favorites to win it all. Flagstaff will face South Loop in the OLDS, while Joplin takes on Kansas City. In the Eck League,
Charlotte matches up against Great Lakes while the Buckingham Sovereigns take on the St. Louis Apostles.
September 15, 2018
Vegas, Joplin, Akron Make Their
Moves
SALEM, NH - The Las Vegas Flamingos went 22-6 in Chapter Five, launching
themselves back into the Benes Division race. They now sit two games behind South Loop. Joplin also went 22-6 on the chapter, and won their last twelve in
a row to increase their McGowan Division lead to nine games. Akron's 19-9 chapter placed them into a tie with Great Lakes for the EL wild card lead.
August 28, 2018
Busy Chapter Four
SALEM, NH - There were a many trades made before the final deadline, but only one involving
an impact player. Joey Votto heads to the Las Vegas Flamingoes, who trail their division by seven games. BDBL Weekend in Minnesota saw the second-largest
turnout (10) in BDBLWE history. Joplin and Flagstaff (17-7) had the most productive Chapter Four in the league. Buckingham (15-9) led the EL.
June 15, 2018
Halfway Home
SALEM, NH - Flagstaff, Buckingham, Akron, and St. Louis all went 16-8 in Chapter Three. Salem
pulled into a tie with Joplin atop the McGowan Division. The Ozzie League narrowly defeated the Eck League in interleague play, 97-95. Joplin
added a starting pitcher, Jake Arrieta, in trade, while division rival Salem added Sonny Gray. The league said goodbye to Ryan Glander and welcomed
back Mike Ries.
April 30, 2018
Division Races Tighten
SALEM, NH - The Great Lakes Sphinx (19-9) reduced the Buckingham Sovereigns (17-11) lead
to just two games in the Higuera Division. In the McGowan Division, Salem (16-12) managed to gain a game on the Joplin Miners (15-13). In the Benes
Division, South Loop (18-10) overtook the Las Vegas Flamingoes (10-18), and now hold a three-game lead in the division.
March 15, 2018
Flagstaff, St. Louis Dominate
Chapter One
SALEM, NH - The St. Louis Apostles won a league-leading 22 games in
Chapter One, and have already racked up a seven-game lead in their division. Flagstaff went 21-7, winning four more games than any other team in the
Ozzie League. Buckingham won 18 games, and Las Vegas, Joplin, and Kansas City each went 17-11. Granite State (7-21) and Cleveland (8-20) were the
league's only 20-game losers.
February 1, 2018
Season 20 Set to Begin
SALEM, NH - The 20th season of BDBL baseball is set to begin! Will this be the year that
Jim Doyle finally makes it to the playoffs? Will his former franchise, the Myrtle Beach Hitmen, also make it to the postseason? Will Jeff Paulson finally
let someone else win the BDBL championship? What whacky strategy will Bobby Sylvester employ this year? Will all of Greg Newgard's wheeling and dealing
pay huge dividends in November? We'll find out soon enough!
January 2, 2018
Draft Season Underway
SALEM, NH - Switch-hitting catching prospect for the Dodgers, Keibert Ruiz, officially became
the first player selected in the 2018 draft when the Granite State Lightning became the first team in history to forgo the #1 overall pick in the Farm Draft,
handing that first overall selection to the Myrtle Beach Hitmen. Ruiz was followed by prep star Ethan Hankins, San Diego flamethrower Michel Baez, and
yet another Milwaukee Brewers prospect (Monte Harrison) added to the mini-Brewers farm system of the Akron Ryche.
December 20, 2017
Winter Trading Season Ends
SALEM, NH - A somewhat subdued winter trading season officially came to an end
Thursday night with eight trades announced just prior to the 10:00pm deadline. Among the biggest trade acquisitions of the winter were
Chris Sale (to Flagstaff), Justin Verlander (to Joplin), Justin Turner (to KC), Dallas Keuchel (also to KC), and Corey Kluber (to Kansas.) Next
up on the BDBL docket: Cutdown Day.
November 25, 2017
Three-Peat
LOS ALTOS, CA - The Los Altos Undertakers have done it again. With a sweep of the Kansas Law Dogs in the BDBL
World Series, Los Altos becomes the first franchise since the Stamford Zoots to win three championships in a row. It is the fourth championship for Jeff Paulson,
which ties him with Marazita and DiStefano as managers, and is one fewer trophy than DiStefano won as a GM. It is only the second time in league history that
the winning team swept the World Series.
November 20, 2017
For All the Marbles
SALEM, NH - Los Altos defeated the New Milford Blazers in the OLCS (prompting Blazers owner
Anthony Peburn to quit.) This gives the Undertakers a chance to become the first team since the 1999-2001
Stamford Zoots to win three BDBL championships in a row. To get there, they will have to get past the Kansas Law Dogs, who defeated the Charlotte Mustangs
in a hard-fought ELCS six-game series.
November 1, 2017
Let the TOR Begin!
SALEM, NH - The 2017 regular season officially came to an end on Sunday. The New Milford Blazers
became only the second team in league history to finish a season with 120 wins. Los Altos (113) and St. Louis (103) also joined the 100-win club yet again.
The earlier-than-usual BDBL postseason officially kicks off on the week of the 16th. The Division Series will include matchups between New Milford and
Ravenswood, Los Altos and Salem, St. Louis and Kansas, and Great Lakes and Charlotte.
September 15, 2017
Final Chapter
SALEM, NH - Only one race remains in the 2017 BDBL season. Two games separate three teams in the Eck
League wild card race. The Chicago Black Sox went 19-9 in Chapter Five to creep within two games of the wild-card-leading Kansas Law Dogs. The Buckingham
Sovereigns also trail by two games in that race. The Los Altos Undertakers have already won more than 100 games with a full chapter remaining, and the New
Milford Blazers are one win away from winning 100+ games six years in a row.
August 1, 2017
Running Away With It
SALEM, NH - The New Milford Blazers began the second half clinging to a four game lead over
the Salem Cowtippers. Twenty-four games later, their lead stands at fourteen games. Their 21-3 performance in Chapter Four tops even the Los Altos Undertakers
(20-4), who won twenty or more games in a chapter for the fourth chapter in a row. Both teams are now on pace to win more than 120 games this season. In the
EL, Kansas (16-8) and Chicago (14-10) each picked up ground in their division races, and now trail by one and six games, respectively.
June 15, 2017
Halfway There
SALEM, NH - There was little movement in the standings in Chapter Three, but some big trades
could change that. The Great Lakes Sphinx greatly upgraded their starting rotation, adding Carlos Carrasco and Jeff Samardzija. But the biggest impact
was the acquisition of Cy Young-caliber ace Jose Fernandez by the St. Louis Apostles. The Los Altos Undertakers led the way with 19 wins in Chapter Three, followed
by Salem (17), New Milford (16), and St. Louis (16).
April 28, 2017
Two in the Books
SALEM, NH - Chapter Two featured four 20-win teams: St. Louis (23), New Milford (20),
Los Altos (20), and Great Lakes (20). The Apostles and Sphinx captured first place, and the Charlotte Mustangs managed to hang on to their lead
despite a 14-14 chapter. The firesale in Bear Country began, while the firesales in Chicago and Niagara have been put on pause.
March 15, 2017
One Done
SALEM, NH - Chapter One of the 2017 season officially ended on Wednesday. The New Milford Blazers (22-6),
Salem Cowtippers (20-8), and Los Altos Undertakers (20-8) led the way in the first chapter, and the Granite State Lightning (8-20) and Western Kansas
Buffaloes (8-20) took up the rear. The biggest surprises of the chapter were the first-place standings of the Niagara Locks and Charlotte Mustangs, both
of whom went 17-11.
January 30, 2017
Splitsville
NEW MILFORD, CT - After a one-year hiatus, the Salem Cowtippers and New Milford Blazers resumed their
long-standing BDBL tradition by playing the first series of the season. Salem's bullpen blew a lead in the first game, and New Milford's Masahiro Tanaka
shut down the Salem offense in Game Two, giving New Milford a 2-0 start to the season. The Cowtippers then rallied and won the final two games to earn
the split. It is the first time since 2012 that the Blazers did not win the Opening Day Series.
December 30, 2016
And the First Draft Pick of 2017
Is...
SALEM, NH - ...some 16-year-old punk named Kumar. With the #1 selection in
the 2017 farm draft, the Southern Cal Slyme selected 16-year-old high school junior Kumar Rocker. This is the third time in league history that Southern Cal
has owned the #1 overall farm pick, but the first time since 2004. SoCal selected Jose Contreras in 2003 and Maels Rodriguez in 2004. Rocker is the
third youngest player to be selected with the #1 overall pick, trailing Bryce Harper (2004) and Lazaro Armenteros (2016).
December 20, 2016
Winter Trading Season Comes to an
End
SALEM, NH - Winter is coming. But the BDBL Winter Trading Season officially
came to an end on Tuesday night. A whopping 63 trades were made this winter, including big names such as Miguel Cabrera,
Joey Votto, Jose Altuve, Miguel Sano, Giancarlo Stanton, Zack Greinke, Jake Arrieta, Andrew McCutchen, Justin Verlander,
Jean Segura, Jose Bautista, Matt Harvey, Justin Upton, and Buster Posey.
November 27, 2016
Back to Back
LOS ALTOS, CA - The Los Altos Undertakers defeated the St. Louis Apostles in six games in the BDBL
World Series, giving them their second BDBL championship in a row. They are the first franchise to win back-to-back championships since the 2001 Stamford
Zoots. The Undertakers now look to equal that team's feat of winning three in a row. Los Altos wrapped up the 2017 season with an astounding 140 wins.
November 22, 2016
David vs. Goliath
ST. LOUIS, MO - The St. Louis Apostles have done it again. The team that won just 82 games during the
regular season defeated their highly-favored, 100+ wins opponent yet again in the postseason. This time, the Apostles SWEPT the highly-favored Great Lakes
Sphinx to give Bobby Sylvester his second BDBL World Series appearance in his career. To win the championship, all the Apostles have to do is defeat the
greatest, most dominant team in BDBL history.
November 15, 2016
ELCS: GLS vs. STL
ST. LOUIS, MO - The Great Lakes Sphinx defeated the Chicago Black Sox in six games in the ELDS,
which advances them to the ELCS for the second time in franchise history. They will face the St. Louis Apostles, who pulled off a major upset of the Kansas
Law Dogs in the ELDS, defeating the highly-favored, 115-win team in seven games.
November 8, 2016
OLCS Matchup Set
FLAGSTAFF, AZ - To the surprise of no one, both the Los Altos Undertakers and New Milford Blazers
barely broke a sweat in the OL Division Series, and will advance to the Championship Series for an epic, instant-classic, battle. The Undertakers
easily dispensed with the Ravenswood Undertakers in five games, while the Blazers swept the Flagstaff Outlaws in the Division Series. This is the second
year in a row these two teams will face each other in the OLCS, and the third time in the past six seasons.
October 30, 2016
Flagstaff Wins Wild Card
FLAGSTAFF, AZ - The Flagstaff Outlaws bested the Bear Country Jamboree by a score of 9-7
in a hard-fought one-game battle to decide the winner of the OL wild card. Gerardo Parra (3-for-3, 4 RBI's) and Ben Paulsen (4-for-4, 2 RBI's) did most
of the damage against Matt Harvey and the Jamboree bullpen. Flagstaff used a total of eight pitchers to hold off the Bear Country attack, which ended
with the tying run on first base. Flagstaff will now face the New Milford Blazers in the OLDS.
October 13, 2016
Kershaw Makes History
NEW MILFORD, CT - The pitcher formerly known as Asswipe made BDBL history on Wednesday by tossing
the league's first-ever perfect game. The Blazers' ace was previously involved in two no-hitters, but was pulled in the fifth and sixth innings of those
games. This time, he was allowed to finish what he started. Facing the Kansas City Boulevards, Kershaw whiffed eleven batters and needed to throw
only 104 pitches. In the process, he won his 21st game -- his fifth season in a row with 20+ wins.
October 12, 2016
Record-Breaking Season for NMB,
LAU
SALEM, NH - The New Milford Blazers set a new record by clinching their division
for the sixth year in a row. New Milford has now won the division in seven out of the past eight seasons. The Los Altos Undertakers extended their BDBL
record as well, winning their twelfth division title in eighteen seasons.
September 15, 2016
Five Down, One to Go
SALEM, NH - The Los Altos Undertakers continued to make a laughingstock of the BDBL in
Chapter Five, going 22-6 on the chapter and blazing past 100 wins on the season with an entire chapter left to play. Kansas (21-7), Buckingham (20-8),
and St. Louis (20-8) also had wildly successful chapters. The Chicago Black Sox snuck past the Cleveland Rocks in the Hrbek Division, and the Flagstaff
Outlaws eked past the Bear Country Jamboree in the OL wild card race.
July 30, 2016
Chapter Four in the Books
SALEM, NH - Chapter Four of the 2016 season officially ended on Thursday. To no one's
surprise, the Los Altos Undertakers finished with the best record (20-4) in the league. They are now playing nearly .800 baseball, and are on pace to win
128 games this season. The Chicago Black Sox went 19-5 on the chapter, and have cut Cleveland's division lead down to one game. The Kansas Law Dogs also
went 20-4, and hold a three game lead over the Great Lakes Sphinx in their division.
June 15, 2016
Hail to the Ozzie
SALEM, NH - The 2016 season is officially half over. To the surprise of no one, the Los Altos Undertakers
head into the all-star break with the best record in the league, with the New Milford Blazers trailing closely behind. In the Eck, the surprising Great
Lakes Sphinx own that distinction. The Undertakers (19-5), Sphinx (19-5), Blazers (18-6), and Flagstaff Outlaws (19-5) enjoyed an outstanding chapter, and
for the first time in six years, the Ozzie League defeated the Eck League in interleague play.
June 1, 2016
Jamboree Adds a Pair of Aces
BEAR COUNTRY - The Bear Country Jamboree added both David Price and Garrett Richards to
their rotation through a trade with the Niagara Locks. The Jamboree currently lead the OL wild card race by three games over the Flagstaff Outlaws. The
Outlaws have been equally busy at the trading table this chapter, adding both Alex Rodriguez and Justin Grimm.
April 26, 2016
Bryant, Sano Swap Teams
SALEM, NH - The Salem Cowtippers and Chicago Black Sox continued their tradition of making
bold trades when the two clubs swapped franchise players Kris Bryant and Miguel Sano just minutes before the Chapter Three trading deadline. Along with
Bryant, Chicago acquired closer Ryan Madson. Salem also added top prospect Andrew Benintendi along with several other players, including Alex Rodriguez.
March 15, 2016
Break Up the Sphinx!
SALEM, NH - The Great Lakes Sphinx shockingly emerged with the best record in the Eck League
after the end of the first chapter of the 2016 season. The Kansas Law Dogs, who are heavily favored to win the division, trail the Sphinx by two.
In the Ozzie League, to the surprise of no one, the Los Altos Undertakers (21-7) and New Milford Blazers (20-8) own the best records in the league.
February 20, 2016
BDBL HOF Expands by Two
SALEM, NH - Jim Thome and Chipper Jones have officially become the newest members of
the BDBL Hall of Fame, joining an elite group of eight. Thome, who compiled a .980 OPS in his fifteen year career, captured ninety percent of the votes.
Jones, who batted .288/.390/.503 during his stellar fifteen year career, was enshrined with 85 percent of the vote. Salem legend Lance Berkman fell just
two votes short.
January 3, 2016
Giants Sign Votto
SALEM, NH - Joey Votto, the #1-seeded free agent in the 2016 auction class, was signed to
a $12.5 million salary, with a three year, $37.5 million commitment, by the New York Giants. It is a record-high salary for a BDBL first baseman. New York
also signed Adam Lind, another first baseman, to a $5.5 million "Type H" salary. With that, the Giants now have just $6.6 million remaining to spend on 18
roster spots.
January 1, 2016
Farm Draft Kicks Off
SALEM, NH - Cuban phenom Lazaro Armenteros became the first overall pick of the 2016 season
when he was selected by the Mississippi Meatballs. To the surprise of no one, he will be traded to the St. Louis Apostles prior to Opening Day.
The Apostles have now traded for the #1 overall pick in five of the last nine farm drafts.
November 28, 2015
Winter Trading Season Begins
SALEM, NH - It was a relatively calm winter trading season in the BDBL. A total of 48
trades were made, which pales in comparison's to last winter's 73 trades. Among the biggest names switching uniforms were Max Scherzer, Andrew McCutchen,
Josh Donaldson, Cole Hamels, and Carlos Carrasco. Next up on the BDBL calendar is Cutdown Day, which is scheduled for December 27th. The free agent auction
begins just five days later, on New Years Day.
November 27, 2015
Los Altos for the Win!
LOS ALTOS, CA - The Los Altos Undertakers became the 2015 BDBL champions by clinching a hard-fought
World Series win over the Chicago Black Sox on Saturday night. The series ended with back-to-back extra innings games - only the second time in league history
a World Series has included two extra innings games. This is the second BDBL championship for Jeff Paulson.
November 20, 2015
For the Trophy
SALEM, NH - The World Series matchup has been set, following a Monday evening packed with excitement
in both the OL and EL Championship Series. In the OL, the Los Altos Undertakers overcame a Game One defeat by winning the next four games in a row in
relatively easy fashion. Over in the EL, the Chicago Black Sox continued their hot streak by taking the ELCS in six games over the Cleveland Rocks.
Los Altos now look to capture their second BDBL trophy, while the underdog Black Sox hope to win their first.
November 7, 2015
History Repeats in Southern Cal
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA - Another SoCal Upset The top-ranked team in the Eck League has been upset in the Division Series
once again. The SoCal Slyme went down in defeat at the hands of the Chicago Black Sox in just five games. SoCal managed just one win, in a 17-inning
marathon, and were limited to just ten runs in the series. Chicago pitching held the powerful Slyme to a .217/.251/.313 batting line. Chicago will
now face the Cleveland Rocks in the ELCS.
November 1, 2015
Let the Tournament of Randomness
Begin
SALEM, NH - The seventeenth annual BDBL Tournament of Randomness is
scheduled to begin on Sunday. In the Eck League, the SoCal Slyme will have a chance for redemption against the Chicago Black Sox, while the Cleveland
Rocks look to win their first playoff game ever in a battle with Kansas. In the OL, division rivals New Milford and Salem go at it once again, and
the Los Altos Undertakers will spar with the Las Vegas Flamingos.
October 20, 2015
Vegas, Baby!
LAS VEGAS, NV - The Las Vegas Flamingos officially captured the Benes Division title on Tuesday night with a sweep against the Bear
Country Jamboree. It is the third division title for Vegas GM John Bochicchio. The Flamingos will face off against the Los Altos Undertakers, who are now four games away from tying the
all-time record for wins, with eight games remaining. Also this week, the Kansas Law Dogs and Southern Cal Slyme officially clinched their divisions, while the Chicago Black Sox edged
to within one game of the EL wild card.
September 15, 2015
Down to the Wire
SALEM, NH - With one chapter remaining, only two close races remain. In the Benes Division, the final spot in the OL playoffs is
down to two teams separated by just one game. The Las Vegas Flamingos went 17-11 last chapter and finished on top of the New York Giants. In the Eck League, the wild card spot is now a
two team battle between the Charlotte Mustangs and Chicago Black Sox. The 'Stangs currently lead that race by four games.
July 30, 2015
Four Down, Two to Go
SALEM, NH - Chapter Four is officially in the books. As always, there were a flurry of trades made before the final trading
deadline of the season. The Niagara Locks added slugger Lucas Duda, the Giants acquired Zach Wheeler, and their division rivals, the Vegas Flamingos, added Ryan Braun, Jhonny Peralta,
and two relievers. The top three teams in the Benes Division are separated by just one game.
June 15, 2015
Halftime in the BDBL
SALEM, NH - The 2015 season has reached its halfway point, and to no one's surprise, the Los Altos Undertakers and Southern
Cal Slyme own the best records in their leagues. The Undertakers went a BDBL-best 16-8 in Chapter Three to up their record to a BDBL-best 54-26 (.675). The Slyme went 15-9 last chapter,
and own a 51-29 (.637) record. Making the situation even more dire for the Undertakers' opponents, they added Chapter Three Hitter of the Chapter Michael Brantley to their lineup in a deal
with the Granite State Lightning.
May 30, 2015
Niagara Rotation Gets a Facelift
NIAGARA - Mike Ranney has completely transformed his starting rotation with the acquisitions of dual aces
Johnny Cueto and Garrett Richards. They join a rotation that includes David Price, Chris Tillman, and Jorge de la Rosa. Ranney's Niagara Locks went 12-12 in Chapter Three, and are
now three games behind in the EL wild card race.
May 29, 2015
Chicago Hope
CHICAGO, IL - The Chicago Black Sox may have had a disappointing season, and they may be eight games below .500, and thirteen games out
of the division race, but they have not given up yet. On Friday, the Sox added Miguel Cabrera in a deal with the Bear Country Jamboree, in the hope that he can turn his season around
and carry the team back into the race in the second half of the season.
May 13, 2015
New Milford Gives Away the Entire
Farm!
NEW MILFORD, CT - The New Milford Blazers made a bold and risky move on Wednesday, trading away their entire farm
system, including two of the top 120 prospects in the entire world, in exchange for three players with a combined age of 100 years old! Meanwhile, the beneficiaries of this lopsided deal, the
Akron Ryche, are now set up nicely for 2016 and well beyond, and will likely win numerous BDBL championships over the next decade thanks to this core of talented young prospects.
April 25, 2015
Dogs Dominate
KANSAS - Chapter One came to an official end on Monday night, and the Kansas Law Dogs emerged as the top performer of the chapter,
finishing with an impressive 23-5 record. Despite a record of just 10-18 in Chapter One, they now hold a four game lead over the Wyoming Ridgebacks in the Higuera Division.
April 15, 2015
Sphinx Riddled
GREAT LAKES - The impressive and inexplicable streak of success appears to have run its course after seven chapters. After a four
game sweep at the hands of the division rival Kansas Law Dogs, the Great Lakes Sphinx have fallen to 7-17 on the chapter, and have dropped from first to last place in the Higuera Division.
Great Lakes has hit .227/.290/.366 as a team this chapter, and their vaunted pitching staff has posted an ERA of 4.77.
March 13, 2015
Fee Fi Fo Fumble
NEW YORK - The New York Giants took a tumble down the beanstalk when they lost three of four to the Ravenswood Infidels this
week. That series loss places the Giants two games behind the Infidels in the division race. They wrapped up Chapter Two with a 14-14 record. At 9-7 so far this chapter, Ravenswood
still has a dozen games remaining before the chapter ends.
March 13, 2015
Who Are These Guys?
GREAT LAKES - Don't look now, but the Great Lakes Sphinx are doing it again. The surprise team of 2014 has continued
their surprising success into the first chapter of the 2015 season. After 28 games of play, the Sphinx lead the Higuera Division with a 17-11 record, three games ahead of
the Wyoming Ridgebacks and Big River Beavers. Chapter One came to a close on Wednesday night, with the Southern Cal Slyme (21-7) and Los Altos Undertakers (20-8) enjoying the
most successful chapter, to the surprise of no one.
March 10, 2015
Slyme Off to a Fast Start
SOUTHERN CAL - The Southern Cal Slyme wrapped up their first chapter with an impressive 21-7 record. They are hitting
.281/.344/.421 as a team, and own a team ERA of just 2.17. So far, they have outscored their opponents by 63 runs, second to only the ridonkulus Los Altos Undertakers.
February 9, 2015
GIANTS UPGRADE
BEDFORD, NH - In a deal with the Kansas City Boulevards, the first place New York Giants have upgraded at closer and catcher at
the expense of two top-25 prospects. Craig Kimbrel takes over as closer for the departed Junichi Tazawa, and Derek Norris becomes the new catcher, replacing Travis D'Arnaud, who was
also included in the deal. The Giants currently lead the Benes Division with a 13-15 record.
January 30, 2015
Blazers Wins Opening Day Series
NEW MILFORD, CT - The New Milford Blazers took three of four in their traditional Opening Day Series against the
rival Salem Cowtippers. New Milford began the series with back-to-back wins in extra innings. After getting shut out in the third game, Kyle Lohse held the powerful Salem offense in
check to earn the series win.
January 3, 2015
Tulo Signs With New Milford
NEW MILFORD, CT - Russell Martin was the #1-ranked free agent on the market this winter, but it is Troy Tulowitzki who has
(so far) earned the biggest paycheck. The all-star shortstop, whose MLB season was cut short by injury, was signed to a $13 million salary by the Blazers on the second day of the auction.
Six days into the ten day auction, Tulo is one of nine players to be signed to a "Type H", guaranteed three-year-minimum contract.
November 28, 2014
2015 Starts With a Bang
SALEM, NH - The 2015 season began with a whirlwind of trades that completely changed the faces of several
teams. Among the many names traded during the winter trading period were Yasiel Puig, Jon Lester, Adam Wainwright, Michael Brantley, Johnny Cueto, Buster Posey, Freddie Freeman,
Chris Sale, Jose Abreu and Robinson Cano. The league now takes a rest before the auction begins.
November 27, 2014
Trophy Number Six
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Trophy Number Six The Wyoming Ridgebacks Superfriends team of GM Tom Distefano and manager Gene Patterson have won the
2014 BDBL championship. It is the fifth trophy for DiStefano, which breaks Paul Marazita's BDBL record, and is the second trophy for Patterson. The Ridgebacks took the
series in five relatively easy games, with the Flagstaff Outlaws winning only Game Two. Koji Uehara saved all three of the final three games to earn the series MVP.
November 21, 2014
Outlaws Sweep the Meatballs
FLAGSTAFF, AZ - After twelve years and four attempts, Greg Newgard is heading to the BDBL World Series at last.
Newgard's Flagstaff Outlaws made short work of the Mississippi Meatballs in the franchise's first OLCS appearance. The Outlaws swept the Meatballs, outscoring them by a
total of 19-7. Flagstaff will now face the Wyoming Ridgebacks in the BDBL World Series.
November 20, 2014
Superfriends Return to World
Series
WYOMING - The Superfriends team of Tom DiStefano and Gene Patterson are returning to the BDBL World Series
for the seventh time in the past thirteen seasons. The Ridgebacks defeated the Chicago Black Sox in the ELCS in six games, thanks to their pitching and
defense, which held Chicago to just 15 runs in the series. The bullpen combo of Grant Balfour, Randy Choate, Mike Dunn, Darren O'Day and Koji Uehara didn't
allow a single run in the series in 13 innings combined. Wyoming now awaits the outcome of the Flagstaff/Mississippi series.
November 12, 2014
Blazers Eliminated
NEW MILFORD, CT - The New Milford Blazers played .800 ball at home this season for the second year in a row. And for the second year
in a row, that homefield advantage meant nothing in the post-season, as the Blazers were eliminated by the Mississippi Meatballs in the OLDS in seven games.
New Milford lost two of the four home games in the series, including a Game Seven shutout in which series MVP Chris Sale and four relievers held the Blazers to just five hits.
The Meatballs will face the Flagstaff Outlaws in the OLCS.
November 8, 2014
Flagstaff Wins!
FLAGSTAFF, AZ - For the first time in franchise history, the Flagstaff Outlaws have won a post-season series. Down three games to one
in the OL Division Series, the Outlaws managed to win all three of their final games, including a 16-inning nail-biter in Game Five. That game was won on a pinch hit single by pitcher
Tyson Ross, who also won two games in the series on the mound, and shared co-MVP honors with Salem's Max Scherzer.
November 6, 2014
Chicago Pulls Off an Upset!
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA - The Chicago Black Sox delivered a stunning upset of the 106-game-winning Southern Cal Slyme in the ELDS.
Chicago's pitching held the powerful SoCal lineup to just 24 runs in six games. Series MVP Bryce Harper clubbed four home runs in the first three games, and the Black Sox rallied for three
runs in the eighth inning of Game Six to walk away with the improbable win. Chicago will now face the Wyoming Ridgebacks in the ELCS.
November 5, 2014
Wyoming Wins
WYOMING - The Wyoming Ridgebacks Superfriends team defeated the underdog Great Lakes Sphinx in the Division Series in four games.
Likely EL Cy Young winner Anibal Sanchez racked up two wins in the series, and likely EL MVP Mike Trout hit .389/.542/1.056 with two homers, five runs scored and four RBI's.
Wyoming will now face the Chicago Black Sox in the ELCS. It is the sixth trip to the ELCS for this franchise.
October 29, 2014
One Game Showdown
RAVENSWOOD, IL - Ravenswood's Chris Davis launched a pair of home runs in the final game of the season, forcing a one-game playoff with the
Mississippi Meatballs for the Benes Division title. The Infidels and Meatballs finished the season with identical 84-76 records. They will play on Tuesday night to decide which team will
face the New Milford Blazers in the Division Series. It is the first one-game playoff in BDBL history since 2000.
October 18, 2014
Clinchers!
SALEM, NH - This past week, several teams clinched a spot in the post-season. The Salem Cowtippers wrapped up their third straight
OL wild card, the Chicago Black Sox clinched their fifth Hrbek Division title, the Wyoming Ridgebacks took their third straight Hrbek Division title, the Great Lakes Sphinx officially
captured their second wild card win, the Flagstaff Outlaws finally won their first division title, and the New Milford Blazers offically won their fourth straight division title.
September 25, 2014
SoCal First to Clinch
SOUTHERN CAL - The defending champion Southern California Slyme are the first team in 2014 to capture a spot in the playoffs.
This past week, the Slyme officially clinched their seventh Person Division title, which was inevitable from Opening Day. They will more than likely face the Chicago Black Sox in
the Division Series next month.
September 15, 2014
One to Go
SALEM, NH - Only one chapter remains in the 2014 season, and there are still two playoff spots up for grabs. In the Benes Division, the
Ravenswood Infidels capitalized on a 15-13 chapter to overtake the Mississippi Meatballs and capture sole possession of first place. They now lead by one game. The Bear Country Jamboree
went a remarkable 21-7 in Chapter Five, yet failed to gain ground in the division. They did, however, pick up several games in the OL wild card race, and trail Salem by two games.
August 15, 2014
Outlaws Create Some Space
FLAGSTAFF, AZ - The Flagstaff Outlaws have put some distance between themselves and the second place Bear Country
Jamboree in the Griffin Division race, winning 16 of their first 20 games this chapter. They now hold a seven game lead in the division. Despite a 10-2 record this chapter, the
Jamboree have lost ground in the division, but are now just four games behind in the OL wild card race.
July 30, 2014
Four in the Books
SALEM, NH - Chapter Four officially came to a close on Monday night, and the final trading deadline of the season passed
with barely a whimper. As the league heads back into head-to-head divisional play, only two likely pennant races remain. In the Benes Division, the Mississippi Meatballs lead the
Ravenswood Infidels by a game. In the Griffin Division, Flagstaff enjoys a comfortable five game lead over Bear Country.
June 25, 2014
Sphinx Still On Top
GREAT LAKES - This is definitely no fluke. After more than half a season, the Great Lakes Sphinx still remain in first
place in the Higuera Division. Thanks to a 10-2 start in Chapter Four, their lead over the Wyoming Ridgebacks now sits at two games. Great Lakes leads the entire BDBL
with a team ERA of 3.04 and an opponent's OPS of just .633.
June 15, 2014
Halfway Home
SALEM, NH - The first half of the 2014 season officially came to a close on Thursday night. The big winners in Chapter
Three were the Bear Country Jamboree (17-7), New Milford Blazers (16-8), Ravenswood Infidels (15-9), Flagstaff Outlaws (15-9), SoCal Slyme (15-9), St. Louis Apostles (15-9)
and Cleveland Rocks (15-9). And for the sixth year in a row, and ninth time in the last ten years, the Eck League trounced the Ozzie League in interleague play by a tally of 104-88.
June 10, 2014
Cowtippers Add Votto
SALEM, NH - The Salem Cowtippers made a move today to bolster an offense that was shut out six times in Chapter Three.
In a deal with the division rival Corona Confederates, Salem sent Mark Teixeira, Michael Conforto and Justin Smoak to Corona in exchange for Joey Votto. The Cowtippers finished
Chapter Three with a 12-12 record, and now trail the New Milford Blazers in the Butler Division by four games.
June 3, 2014
The Best Get Better
SOUTHERN CAL - The Southern Cal Slyme are not only the defending champions of the BDBL, but they also
currently own the best record in the BDBL at 45-23 (.662). Today, the best got even better when they added all-star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki to a lineup that
already leads the Eck League in runs scored. In exchange, the Slyme sacrificed pitching prospect Kevin Gausman, who becomes the latest prospect in the stockpile
of prospects on the St. Louis Apostles roster.
May 3, 2014
Ravenswood On the Rise
RAVENSWOOD, IL - The Ravenswood Infidels have leapfrogged the Mississippi Meatballs, and have captured sole
possession of first place in the Benes Division. Ravenswood is 14-6 on the chapter, while Mississippi is 4-4 after only eight games. The Infidels have smacked around
the Eck League in interleague play, winning ten of twelve.
April 18, 2014
Chicago Steps It Up
CHICAGO, IL - Traditionally, the Chicago Black Sox have been slow starters, and this season was no exception.
After one chapter, the 'Sox were two games below .500 and trailed the first-place Akron Ryche by three games. But it seems they have righted the ship in Chapter Two,
as they finished with a 20-8 record, and now sit four games ahead in the Hrbek Division.
April 2, 2014
Flagstaff Flies into First
FLAGSTAFF, AZ - After one chapter of play, the Flagstaff Outlaws, Bear Country Jamboree and Los Altos Undertakers
were all tied atop the Griffin Division. So far this chapter, it appears as though the Outlaws are breaking away from the pack. They took three of four from the Jamboree, and
then took three of four from the New Milford Blazers, and now hold a two game lead in the division. This, despite the fact that their best hitter, Paul Goldschmidt, is still
in a massive slump, and is hitting just .222/.311/.354 on the season.
March 3, 2014
Three-Way Tie
BEAR COUNTRY, USA - The Bear Country Jamboree dropped three of four to the Salem Cowtippers this week, temporarily resulting in a
three-way tie at the top of the Benes Division. In the second game of the series, Salem slugger Yadier Molina hit a game-tying home run with two outs in the ninth inning. Salem
then had two outs and nobody on base in the top of the 13th inning, and scored a run on three straight walks (including Salem's pitcher) and an error through the legs of second
baseman Jeff Bianchi. Bear Country (20-20), Los Altos (14-14) and Flagstaff (14-14) all own .500 records at this point.
February 27, 2014
BDBL Weekend, Arizona
SALEM, NH - The 15th annual BDBL Weekend festivities were held in Arizona this past weekend. Eight league members,
and two non-members, soaked in the sun and watched three spring training games. A second BDBL Weekend is tentatively scheduled for Toronto in July.
Full story.
February 22, 2014
Quinn Rides Off into Sunset
SALEM, NH - Michael Quinn announced his resignation from the league, abandoning the Cuenca Strangegloves franchise
he took over in October of 2012. Quinn departs with a career record of 57-103. When the next owner is announced, it will be the fifth owner for this beleaguered franchise since the
start of 2012.
February 15, 2014
Another Shameful Start
BEDFORD, NY - After fourteen straight sub-.500 seasons, the New York Giants have begun the 2014 campaign with
a pathetic record of 8-20. New York lost five of the seven series they played in Chapter One, and have already been outscored by more than 50 runs this season.
Perhaps it's time for another name change.
February 13, 2014
BDBL HOF Welcomes Three More
SALEM, NH - Manny Ramirez was unanimously elected to the BDBL Hall of Fame on his first ballot, and
Gary Sheffield and Curt Schilling were also enshrined by a razor-thin margin. Ramirez played for fourteen different teams during his 13-year BDBL career, and retired
just one home run shy of the 500-homer club. Sheffield posted a .941 career OPS, and Schilling was a three-time 20-game winner and owns a 149-96 career record.
February 10, 2014
Nestle's Nonsense
NEW MILFORD, CT - A dozen games into the season, the New Milford Blazers are sporting a 10-2 record, with all twelve games played
at their home, Cartoon Network Park. As a team, the Blazers are hitting .311/.360/.477, with 14 home runs in 12 games, and 61 runs scored and a .364 BIP average.
On the mound, New Milford is sporting a 2.08 team ERA. Joe Nathan, Caleb Thielbar, Chris Withrow, Clayton Kershaw and Jose Quintana have allowed just four runs
allowed in 54+ innings.
January 23, 2014
Free At Last!
SALEM, NH - After 22 grueling days of pressing the Refresh button over and over and over and over again, the
2014 draft officially came to an end with the traditional picking of Draft Poster Boy, Jeff Bianchi. A total of 297 free agents and 106 farm players were drafted during
that 22-day span. The 2014 season is now just around the corner!
January 5, 2014
Salem to the Max
SALEM, NH - The defending Ozzie League champion Salem Cowtippers made a big move today, adding AL Cy Young award winner
Max Scherzer to their starting rotation. Signed at a salary of $14 million -- the second-largest ever in franchise history -- Scherzer joins a formidable rotation that includes
Stephen Strasburg and Derek Holland.
January 3, 2014
Cano Re-signs With Blazers
NEW MILFORD, CT - The reigning Ozzie League MVP was re-signed by the New Milford Blazers on the first day of signings for
free agents in the auction. Cano, who hit .314/.383/.516 in MLB last season, signed for $12.5 million, which amounts to a $2.5 million pay cut. In the same auction lot, former Cowtipper
Ryan Zimmerman signed with Chicago for a salary of $8 million. With Evan Longoria already manning the hot corner in Chicago, Zimmerman is penciled in to start at first base. Nick
Swisher ($5MM to Cleveland), Miguel Montero ($4MM to Wyoming) and Ryan Doumit ($2.5MM to Las Vegas) rounded out the lot.
December 31, 2013
Farm Draft Has Begun
SALEM, NH - East Carolina right-hander Jeff Hoffman has been selected as the #1 overall pick in the
2014 Farm Draft. Although the pick belonged to the Mississippi Meatballs, it is no secret that Hoffman will be traded to the St. Louis Apostles. In the 2013
season, Hoffman allowed 99 hits and 39 walks in 109+ innings for East Carolina, with 84 strikeouts. After a brilliant Cape League campaign, he is generally
considered to be among the top candidates for the #1 overall pick in the 2014 MLB amateur draft.
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