August 7, 2008 
Notes for 1981 Season 
FRANKFORT, IN - With the drafts now just being a few days away, I would like to remind everyone about the special things concerning this years play. As most baseball purists considered the real life 1981 season a special blight on the history of the game, due to the extended mid-season strike and the stupidity of making MLB play a split season, once play resumed, we here are SPB will set the record straight. ;-)

Which means, in essence that we will play the normal 162 game schedule that was originally intended of course, for real life MLB. This has meant that the real life at bats for hitters, and the starts and reliefs for each pitcher had to be adjusted for SPB to show the probable statistical totals based on "if each player had played a full schedule that season using their real life appearances projected to a full seasons play of 162 games".

Thanks to our more than sufficient webmaster John Turnbull these stats were taken on and you may find the real life allowances for each batter (AB's) and pitchers (Starts & Reliefs) that will be allowed for SPB's play of the full 1981 season. On the SPB IV webpage, in the column on the LH side of the page you will find a 1981 Hitting Limit & the 1981 pitching limits under the first heading (SPB-4 Links). This is an easy to read chart that gives these limits for every player in SPB. John also lists the actual stats that players would have had for other statistics as well, had the players played in their projected limits. The bonus players have had their extra stats figured in as well. Thanks again John!

Most SPB IV managers already know about this, but some may have missed it. I feel it is very important that all 1981 SPB managers know their player limits for this coming season, so it would be a good idea for all of you to check this out and make sure you know your limits heading into the drafts so that you will be able to meet your needs at every position. SPB's AB limits for hitters, and start and relief limits for pitchers will be based on these projected stats and not on real life ones. When the season is completed, player overuse penalties will be based on these projected totals, not real life ones. The good news for 50% is that I will continue to use the real life stats in figuring the 50%. After we do need a break somewhere in all this. :)

If you have any questions on reading the projected totals, concerning your player limits for 1981's SPB season, please contact John T. or myself. I want to wish each of you a solid season in 1981, where we will see what the players really might have done with a 162 game schedule. 
:

July 28, 2008 
Roster movements 
FRANKFORT, IN - A further note about the East Kenosha team, they were the only 1981 team with more than 38 players going into the rookie draft, so accordingly they have released the following 3 players to get down to 38:

OF Bombo Rivera (82) - This ends Bombo's SPB career as he does not play enough in 1982 to stay in SPB (less than 15 AB's). 

OF Tom Poquette - Poquette is now placed back into the 1981 rookie draft.

P - Eric Rasmussen (82) - Eric will return to SPB in the 1982 rookie draft.

July 9, 2008 
New manager announced 
FRANKFORT, IN - It is my privilege to announce a new manager for the former Bronx Storm team has been appointed in SPB IV. The new man is Steve Lehman. His email address is: thelehm@cox.net. He will be renaming the team as the San Diego Vaqueros, and will keep Yankee Stadium as his home park. Please take a second to welcome Steve to SPB IV, if you can. He is a veteran DMB manager and plays in a few other leagues. He likes to play head to head games when possible. Welcome aboard Steve.

On the other end, former manager Tim Johnson is giving up the team for health reasons. Tim has had a long run with us in SPB IV. But the good news is he will be staying in SPB I & II. Thanks Tim for all the faithful seasons you put in as manager in SPB IV. 

June 18, 2008 
1980 Awards announced 
FRANKFORT, IN - All SPB IV Mangers, As the voting has recently been finished up for the 1980 season, it is now the time to announce the winners!

In the MVP balloting for the American League it was a real battle with RF Reggie Jackson of the Dorsey Lemmings edging out 1B Steve Garvey of the Louisiana Lightning by a very close 79 - 71 point margin. 3B George Brett of the Hawaii 5-0's easily swept the N.L. MVP trophy garnering 122 points. 

Voting for the Cy Young Award in the N.L. had Rick Waits of the Kansas City Barons winning in a close one with Toledo Mud Hens Fergie Jenkins finishing 2nd. Point spread was 89-72. In the A.L., another close battle saw Pocono's Mike Norris win over Dave Steib of Lafayette by a scant 8 points 79-71.

The Firemen of the Year for 1980 saw Kenosha Comet Tom Burgmeier easily outdistance all opposition in the A.L. gathering 131 votes (most of all winners), while in the N.L., Dan Quisenberry of the Bronx Storm had 105 points.

The A.L. Rookie hitter of the year is Pocono Oaks OF Joe Charboneau take honors with 126 rather convincing points. In the N.L., Wabash Revolvers Dave Stapleton won the rookie hitter honors with 93 points.

The N.L. Rookie pitcher of the year was a bit close as reliever Doug Corbett of the Wabash Revolvers made it a Wabash rookie sweep by edging Frankfort Firebugs starting pitcher Britt Burns by a 100-87 margin. The A.L. rookie pitching honors were handed to reliever Al Holland of the Gotham Ghosts with a high total of 113 points.

The American League's Manager of the Year was won by Louisiana Lightnings peerless young dynamo Mike See. Finishing 2nd was the Lafayette Snow Bears veteran manager Steve Ehresman, and in 3rd place was Jim Wheeler finishing up his last year in SPB V with the Pocono Oaks. Mike easily won with 116 points.

The National League's Manager of the Year for 1980 was Frankfort Firebugs gallant leader Gary Plunkitt. (Thank you all!) Finishing in 2nd place was the Toledo Mud Hens grizzled Rich Applegate. Taking the 3rd spot was Monteazuma Revenge's Greg Stillwagon, in his farewell tour. Gary captured 91 points for the Award.

To see the full list of vote getters (every vote is there) be sure to check out the full and complete revealing results on the SPB webpage under the Voting Booth. Quite a story. See how many of your players received votes for these prestigious honors. Book it!

June 12, 2008 
Managers trade teams/leagues 
FRANKFORT, IN - SPB I, II, and IV Managers, Following a most unusual request from a pair of seasoned SPB managers, I have decided to approve their strange "trade". Bill Lanke is giving up his teams in SPB I & IV in the move. Greg Henning is giving up his SPB II team. Greg will also take over the Wabash Revolvers now, in SPB IV (1981). This league will begin on October 1st, and the drafts will be held on August 9th. The Wabash Revolvers will become the Baltimore Rifles

May 22, 2008 
1981 Draft date set 
FRANKFORT, IN - The 1981 Rookie Draft for SPB IV will be held in Frankfort, Indiana on Saturday, August 9th. I would like to invite each of you for a plain old fashioned SPB draft at my place. Please let me know ASAP if you might be able to attend in person, or will be (which is even better!). Or let me know if you will be using a draft list, or attending this draft in the SPB Auditorium chatroom. Plenty of talent to disperse at this one, so feel free to join the festivities in early August. 

May 15, 2008 
New Manager named 
FRANKFORT, IN - It is my pleasure to announce that an old standby is returning as manager in SPB IV to take over the former Montezuema Revenge team. This is Greg Stillwagon's old team. Rick Ryan will be returning to SPB IV after missing last season. Rick will rename the team as the Rossville Rockets, and will remain in Fenway Park. Rick's info will be added to the SPB IV managers page shortly by our esteemed webmaster John Turnbull. Welcome back Mr. Ryan!

May 11, 2008 
New President named 
FRANKFORT, IN - It is my privilege to announce that Steve Ehresman has been appointed as the new President of SPB IV. This is a little past due as former league Pres. Jim Wheeler, resigned a while back from SPB IV. I am very glad to welcome Steve to the position. Steve is an original member of SPB dating back to 1991. He will serve on the Rules Committee as well. 

May 1, 2008 
Revenge go back to back in 7-game series win 
DAYTON, OH - Congratulations to Greg Stillwagon's Montezuma Revenge for gutting out a tough 7-game victory over Mike See's Louisiana Lightning.   Complete World Series coverage can be seen on the links to the left.  

April 24, 2008 
1980 World Series set 
FRANKFORT, IN - A hearty congratulations goes out to Mike See & Greg Stillwagon as they advance to begin the 1980 SPB World Series soon. Mike's Louisiana Lightning will represent the American League, as they swept past Steve Ehresman's Lafayette Snow Bears in 3 straight games in the A.L.C.S. Gregs' Montezuema Revenge defeated Gary Plunkitt's Frankfort Firebugs in a hard fought 5 game series to take the National League pennant. 

April 10, 2008 
Two teams enters witness protection program 
FRANKFORT, IN - Marc Robinson, who just changed parks, has decided to give his team a whole new identity for 1981. He is giving up the monicker Iron City Rovers and will now be known as the Los Angeles Missions. An old PCL label.  The Kenosha Comets will become the East Kenosha Legends in 1981. 

April 10, 2008 
Three more ballpark changes 
FRANKFORT, IN - The following ballpark changes are in the books:

Dave Lauer is pulling the plug on Dodger Stadium and moving his Kenosha Comets to his new home park at Riverfront Stadium (Cin). 

Marc Robinson is making a move out of Comiskey Park into Dodger Stadium. The team involved is the Iron City Rovers. 

Mike Boling is leaving his old haunts for the Kansas City Barons. Mike will be abandoning Toronto's Exhibition Stadium for the leisurely Comiskey Park in Chicago. 

Toronto's Exhibition Stadium and California's Anaheim Stadium are the two open parks in SPB IV. 

April 10, 2008 
Three new managers named 
FRANKFORT, IN - It is my pleasure to announce that we have 3 new managers in place for the coming 1981 season! Here is the info for our new field leaders:

Taking over the former Spirit Mountain Volcanoes will be a manager familiar to many with history in SPB, Vin Onstott, from Michigan has taken this team and renamed them to become the Shelby Stars. He will remain in the Oakland Coliseum for their home games.
Former manager was Marc Hollingsworth.

Assuming the reigns of the former Gotham City Ghosts will be John Laburda. John has renamed the team the Moose Jaw Corsairs, and has chosen Montreal's Olympic Stadium as his new home park, abandoning Cincinnati's Riverfront. Former manager was John Cusack.

Last, but certainly not least, we have Greg Grover taking over the former Pocono Oaks team. He will rename the club as the New York Knights, and retain the Houston Astrodome as his home park. Former manager was Jim Wheeler.

Welcome to the league Vin, Greg, & John! With your experience in SPB, I know the teams are in good hands. All the information on these changes will be made to the SPB IV webpage very soon by our noted webmaster, John Turnbull.

FOOTNOTE:
This will leave the open ballparks in SPB IV as Cincinnati's Riverfront Stadium and California's Anaheim Stadium as the available parks. If any SPB IV managers would like to make a stadium change (providing they have played at least two full seasons in their current park), now is the time to make the move.

April 3, 2008 
Three manager resignations 
DAYTON, OH - Now that the regular season has concluded, I can announce that we have had 3 manager resign. They all notified me a few months ago that they were leaving this SPB League at the end of the 1980 season. 

First Jim Wheeler is leaving his post as manager of the Pocono Oaks. Jim will be staying in SPB NOW, as his only league. Jim was the original Commish of the SPB League for the first 5 years, but has slowly dropped out of every league, except NOW, over the last 3 years.

2nd manager to leave is another former SPB old timer, John Cusack is leaving the Gotham City Ghosts, this was John's last tie with SPB.

3rd manager to go is Marc Hollingsworth of the Spirit Mountain Volcanoes. Marc had been manager of this team for 4 seasons. He will be staying in all other SPB leagues he is involved with.

Each manager has given the reason of dwindling time left to devote to managing these teams. We will be looking for some new managers soon to replace them. Best of luck to all 3 managers, and many thanks for your years of involvement in SPB! 

April 3, 2008 
1980 End of season reports 
DAYTON, OH - Commissioner Gary Plunkitt has issued the yearly lost players due tote 50% use them or lose them rule, as well as the overusage report.