Good afternoon,
Welcome to the new format of the newsletter. Constant Contact changed some things and our old format had to be redone.
We are getting questions about the 2020 baseball season products. Here is what I can tell you there will be no 2021 APBA baseball card for Robinson Cano.
APBA is offering (1) 2020 APBA GO file, (2) 2020 APBA Baseball card base set, (3) 2020 APBA Baseball XC cards, (4) BBW 2020 Baseball season file, and (5) BBW 2020 Baseball season CD. The release dates will be similar to past years. Only the APBA GO file will be available in 2020.
We will close at the end of business on Wednesday December 16th. Any orders received on the 16th will ship on the 17th. We will be closed until after the first of the year.
This gives us time to be with our families during the Christmas season. Secondly, this eliminates the drama and extra shipping expense of placing orders at the last minute.
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY THE PRODUCT DESCRIPTIONS.
THIS WEEK'S NEW PRODUCT:
We are on course to have every World Series set from 1901 through 2019 available before we shutdown for the holidays.
RECENTLY RELEASED NEW PRODUCTS:
Six new World Series sets including another what if series: 1904, 1911, 1929, 1939,1970, and 1998.
A new golf course Palm Beach,
the 2020 Golf game card set.
College Football Great Teams Vol.2. Bring home 1971 Nebraska, 1972 USC, 1979 Alabama, 1987 Miami (FL), 1988 Notre Dame, 1991 Washington, 1992 Alabama, 1994 Penn State, 1995 Nebraska, 2001 Miami (FL), 2004 USC, 2005 Texas, 2009 Alabama, 2013 Florida State, 2018 Clemson, and 2019 LSU
A Note from the Corner – Michigan & Trumbull Dice Boxes
Hello, again! Just unveiled an awesome dice tray design for hockey rinks that’ll blow your mind! I’ve been making some up - getting one ready for you, if you’re ready for some awesomeness! Check ‘Em out on Facebook or Instagram!
The way to contact M&TDB remains the same, for the US and Canada:
Email:
Facebook:
@michigantrumbull1901
Instagram:
REGIONAL TOURNAMENTS
The 2020 Regional Tournament schedule has concluded with the schedule being severely impacted due to the COVID virus. I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving and joyful holiday season. Be safe, stay-in-place, and we will see you in 2021 starting with The QuaranTEAMS III Tournament, a Video Baseball Blitz Tournament which begins on Saturday January 2, 2021.
2020 APBA Blog Pitching Grade Challenge
Thomas Nelshoppen announced that The APBA Blog is conducting the Third Annual Pitching Grade Challenge. This year, APBA fans can guess the grades of twenty pitchers from the 2020 season. The APBA Company will be donating a prize to the winner.
CALL FOR 2021 TOURNAMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS
I am now accepting Regional Tournament announcements for the first half (January through June) of 2021. Please submit your tournament information to Randy Coryer at
[email protected]. Please keep the announcement to 100 words or less and include the tournament date, name, location, theme, price, any deadlines or restrictions, and tournament director contact information. An example of a brief and to the point tournament listing is as follows:
Saturday March 6, 2021 - 7th Annual Greater Michigan APBA Baseball Tournament, Jackson, Michigan. The tournament will be held at The Loomis Park Baptist Church, 2301 North Elm Road, Jackson Michigan 49201. If interested, please contact Rich Zawadzki at
[email protected]
TOURNAMENT NEWS
The outbreak of the Covid-19 Coronavirus has resulted in the cancellation of The June 2020 APBA National Convention in Alpharetta, Georgia and postponement and rescheduling of 12 regional tournaments. See details below for rescheduled tournament information.
APBA Regional Tournament Schedule
The APBA Regional Tournament schedule is as follows. Please mark your calendars accordingly and be sure to attend and participate in one of these fine events. You will not regret the experience of face-to-face gaming and tournament play.
Scheduled 2021 APBA Tournaments
Saturday, January 2nd, 2021 -- QuaranTEAMS III, a Video Baseball Blitz Tournament. The tournament theme is Thanks for the Memories; teams MUST have one of the following former MLBers on the roster: Johnny Antonelli, Glenn Beckett, Lou Brock, Tony Fernandez, Whitey Ford, Damaso Garcia, Bob Gibson, Jay Johnstone, Al Kaline, Matt Keough, Don Larson, Mike McCormick, Joe Morgan, Ron Perranoski, Biff Pocoroba, Tom Seaver, Tony Taylor, Claudell Washington, Bob Watson, or Jimmy Wynn. All games will be played over a video program so that the games are played face-to-face. All rolls must be shown on the video camera. The prize being played for is APBA's 2020 MLB season (an $85 dollar -- includes the $10 shipping fee). The entry fee is $10 ($11 PayPal) and you must have a computer that is able to connect to a video program (i.e. Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, Google Hangouts, etc.). Registration Opens: Friday November 27, 2020. If interested or to ask for tournament rules, please contact Tony Stevens at
[email protected],
UPDATED INFORMATION - Saturday February 20, 2021 - The 2021 Charlie Fouche APBA Shootout, Chattanooga, Tennessee. The tournament will be held in the Hamilton Room of the Embassy Suites by Hilton located at 2321 Lifestyle Way Chattanooga TN 37421. The event will begin at 8 am and conclude about 7 pm. The theme will be Non-World Series Playoff teams with a non-Hall of Fame franchise player optional. The non-Hall of Fame player will be limited to one card per career. For Example: Someone may use Miguel Cabrera's 2012 Season with the 1987 Tigers but no other Miguel Cabrera cards from the Tigers may be used. The 2006 Miguel Cabrera from the Marlins may not be used with the 2020 Marlins if the 2012 Miguel Cabrera is submitted first.) The cost is $20 and includes food, snacks, & drinks. COVID-19 safety protocols will be in place. Hand sanitizer will be readily available. Event pages are located at
https://www.facebook.com/events/218256186105241 andhttps://cookinwithbobbijo.wordpress.com/events/ or email Steve Ryan at
[email protected].
Saturday March 6, 2021 - 7th Annual Greater Michigan APBA Baseball Tournament, Jackson, Michigan. The tournament will be held at The Loomis Park Baptist Church, 2301 North Elm Road, Jackson Michigan 49201. If interested, please contact Rich Zawadzki at
[email protected]
NEW DATE - Saturday April 10, 2021 - The Twin Cities APBA Baseball Tournament (TCABT-XV), Shakopee, Minnesota. Team selection will begin in January 2021. Tournament details and specific site location will be provided at a later date. If interested or to register please contact Jim Fraasch at
[email protected].
Thursday June 24 through Sunday June 27, 2021 - APBA National Convention and Tournament, Alpharetta, Georgia. Convention details will be announced in January 2021. The Convention and Tournament Director is Mr. John Herson, President and CEO of the APBA Games.
Saturday, July 31, 2021 - Florida RollAPBAlooza, Clermont, Florida. If interested please contact: Tony Stevens at
[email protected]
If your tournament is not mentioned above and you are planning a Regional APBA Tournament in 2020 or the first half of 2021 please forward me your tournament and contact information at
[email protected] and I will be sure to promote your event in APBA's company electronic newsletter. Remember all APBA game tournaments are welcome.
Potential Upcoming APBA Tournaments
POTENTIAL TOURNAMENT IN SEATTLE AREA - If interested, please contact Dave Bednarek at
[email protected] with you name, contact information, and a preference for a Spring or Fall tournament.
POTENTIAL TOURNAMENT IN NEW ORLEANS - If interested, please contact Randy Tabor at
[email protected] (note the underscore “_” in email address) with your name and contact information.
APBA LEAGUE INFORMATION
I am pleased to report that this column continues to assist leagues in finding new managers and pairing individuals looking for leagues. I will be glad to run your league opening, if you contact me at
[email protected] with a brief and concise write-up. Openings or individuals looking to join leagues are as follows:
November 15th Openings
Frontier League Opening - The Frontier League, a continuous ownership APBA league in operation since 1979, is looking for a new manager. The league uses 5.75 with monthly C-Files. Over the past few years, they have phased in a novel Salary Cap and Contract structure. The effect is managers must be proactive and effectively manage player performance against cost. We are looking for a new manager to step into a team with some excellent players and a lot of flexibility in taking the team in new directions. Please contact League Commissioner Steve Jones at
[email protected] if you are interested.
http://fl.bleacherbums.info/
The Southern California APBA Baseball League (SCBL) Openings - The SCBL has openings for 2 managers for the upcoming 2021 replay season. The SCBL is a 16 team, card and dice, face to face, keeper league, using a slightly modified basic game format. The SCBL has its winter meeting in November, draft in February, and plays from March to September. If you are interested, please contact Rich Hottel at
[email protected].
COBL League Opening - The COBL APBA Baseball league is looking for a couple of new managers! The COBL has been around for over 20 years and has a strong core of GMs. It is an auction league - players are signed to contracts of from 1-5 years in length. It is a fantastic way to acquire and manage a roster. With two teams available they would typically have a dispersal draft depending on the wishes of the new GMs. The COBL uses the current season of the computer game. The auction is a unique experience that is highly recommended! If you are interested, please contact John at
[email protected].
November 8th Openings
APBA Player Looking for a BBW League - An APBA Player is looking for a BBW league that has all the players that ever played available to draft in a franchise setting. He is open to franchises that are available but grew up a Pirates/Indians fan. If you have such a league opening, please contact Ted Krueger at
[email protected].
Long Distance Baseball Association Opening - The Long Distance Baseball Association (LDBA) is looking for three new members. The LDBA will be entering its 41st season next summer and is a 24 team BBW league using full AIM. All open teams will be pooled and drafted from that pool. One of the major differences between the LDBA and many other leagues is that the LDBA uses a Free Agency system, but doesn't involve money. Contracts are given based on dice rolls and tables that have been designed by the commissioner, Mike Willett. The LDBA rookie draft includes five rounds of live Internet drafting. The league also includes many offseason activities based on the free agency system. If interested, have questions, or would just like more information, please contact Joe Schall at
[email protected].
The Ultimate APBA (baseball) League (UAL) - The UAL has openings for two managers interested in testing their General Manager skills in creating and approving team trades as well as managing their players on the field. The UAL is using the 2019 baseball season APBA cards on 32 man player rosters. As GM, you build a roster through trades and drafts but must balance player selection against a salary cap. As the manager, you must use pitchers and fielders judiciously as UAL playing time is tied to actual playing time. The UAL plays 160 games from October through March with playoffs in April and May. The UAL plays five game series throughout the season and three such series each month except two series in December and March. So each manager plays fifteen home games per month but only ten in December and March. So the new manager will start right in the beginning (30 games played) of the pennant race. Each manager must also compile series stats and email to opposing managers by 25th of month. The UAL also has a well defined Constitution available for inspection.
Both teams available are in the middle of a rebuild and have all of their draft picks for next season.
Traverse City, has two first round picks. Traverse City is headed by Jack Flaherty and Jose Altuve. Traverse City has two B starting pitchers and A&C* kxy, B*kxz, four C* RP. Salary cap remains at $12.0 million so you have a good cap going forward.
Tennessee is led by Manny Machado 3B5 SS8 and Carlos Correa SS9. Tennessee has three C starting pitchers and four B* plus six C* relief pitchers. Their salary cap remains at $6.3 million.
Interested GMs/managers should email their interest to Larry Wilson at
[email protected].
October 25th Opening
S.P.P.L. League Opening - The S.P.P.L. is looking for a new manager to take over an established team. This team will have the 1st pick in the upcoming draft. This is a face to face league but you can also skype or duo. The league runs an 160 game schedule and starts when the cards come out and the regular season ends October 15th. If interested, Contact John at
[email protected].
October 18th Openings
TCWBA Winter League Opening - The TCWBA has been a premier winter APBA league since 2001 and opportunities to join the league are few; but one now exists. The league is a C&D league which only applies the APBA basic game with the latest available card set. The league has 18 teams in three divisions playing a 162 game schedule that begins in October and runs through March. The league applies a few modifications to the APBA basic game that are all listed on our Constitution web page. Team rosters are 35 with 30 held from year to year. The league rolls about 12-16 games each month. Knowing EXCEL or similar program is required due to its heavy use for instructions and results. The TCWBA maintains an excellent web site. The site gets updated during the season almost daily and the statistics page monthly. A free agent draft is held in June via e-mail. The season is underway and you’ll need to jump right in, get instructions out and roll some games. You can view the available team roster here:
http://www.rcmba.com/tcwba/tw-rosters/riverwolf.html. ; If you would like to join the league, please contact John Briggs at
[email protected].
1957 BBW League Opening - More than one franchise is open in a start up BBW league. Please email John Cress at
[email protected] if interested in details.
October 11th Openings
2021 OAPBA (Central Florida) - The OAPBA is entering its 32d season in 2021 and is seeking a manager to take over a vacated franchise. The manager does not need to live in Central Florida and can play the entire schedule via FaceTime. The OAPBA plays a total of 80 games, two 40-game halves, using Master Game cards, with minor modifications (e.g. error randomizer). The manager must be able to compile team statistics and submit them in a timely fashion. To learn more about the OAPBA go to
www.oapba.org or contact Rod Caborn at
[email protected] or Dave Larson at
[email protected].
August 23rd Opening
Southern APBA Baseball Association (SABA) Opening - SABA has openings for 3 managers for the upcoming 2000 retro-season. SABA is a card and dice play by mail league using the basic game with some innovations. The SABA season runs from October to May. If interested, please contact Larry Grant at
[email protected].
August 9th Opening
CMBL Openings - The CMBLII, a BBW League, has two team managerial openings. This is a franchise based winter play league. Continuous ownership where you keep debut players from the franchise you're tied to. Draft coming soon and would like to fill positions quickly. If interested please contact Eric Meister at
[email protected]. or Bob Jacobus at
[email protected].
August 2nd Opening
Jersey Central League Opening (corrected site address) - The Jersey Central League is a cards and dice current season league that has been in existence since 1979. They are a 14 team league that has been playing face-to-face in the metropolitan Philadelphia and South Jersey area. Due to COVID-19, they have been playing league games using the Rolz dice roller online, and with 1 opening, they are looking for a manager not necessarily in their physical area. The league plays the basic game with many master game variations and play the games using an incredible scorebook program. If interested, please contact Larry Sitron at
[email protected], and visit the league web site at
www.jselmon.com/JerseyCentralLeague/home.asp.
July 18th Opening
Patriot League Opening - A BBW 12-person NL only league needs one new member. The Patriot League was established in 1971 and is very reliable. The team you would be inheriting is currently one game out of the division and has a roster for long-term success. The league is unusual in that they have a first round draft as well as a blind bidding process for undrafted players. They also have historical statistics since the inception of the league. If interested in joining the Patriot League please contact Brian Hey at
[email protected].
I trust this column is continuing to bring many APBA players together be it through regional tournaments or league play. I am glad that we can continue to provide this service to the APBA community and further promote brotherhood within our beloved hobby of APBA gaming. Stay Positive and COVID Negative!
