10/28/14

• 2014 Benchwarmer Playoffs - League Championship Week begins
• For anyone still alive with a chance to be in the Benchwarmer Bash.  Playoff lineups can be reset again one more time that will cover all weeks of the Bash. Lineups are due Friday night, Oct 31 at 11:59 PM EDT.

10/25/14

• 2014 Benchwarmer Playoffs - Conference Championship Week complete

10/22/14

• 2014 Benchwarmer Playoffs - Bottom Feeder quarterfinals are complete - we move on to the semifinal round during games 4-6 this week.

10/20/14

• 2014 Benchwarmer Playoffs - Conference Championship Week begins

10/16/14

• Week 25 Statistics and Players of the Week

10/15/14

• Playoff Tiebreakers
  • In prep for the playoffs we need to resolve any ties for 2nd or 3rd place to figure out who goes to the Gore Cup and how reward money for division placement is distributed.
  • Now complete, including:
    • Tiebreakers for possible League Championship matchups
    • Conference championship home field advantage
    • Seeding for Gore Cup and Bottom Feeder Open tournaments

10/13/14

• Congratulations to owners with multiple division wins:
  • 18 Teams - Tom Twomey
  • 12 Teams - Roland Dupont
  • 10 Teams - David Henning
  • 9 Teams - Michael Quinn
  • 8 Teams - Sherman Wan
  • 7 Teams - Don Kruse
  • 6 Teams - Robert Elias
  • 5 Teams - Kevin Connors (including co-owned team), Ken DeGroot, Jerry King, Michael Lehman, Tom McGraw, Jesse Roche
  • 4 Teams - Mike Cerny, Leif Johnson (including co-owned teams), Andrew Lehman, Jon Swanson
  • 3 Teams - Ricardo Alexander, Andy Deeble, Doug Schnack, Jacob Vass, Danny Zaccaro, Scott Campbell and Leif Jonson co-owned teams
  • 2 Teams - Phillip Dang, Michael Horvitz, Jason Kiernan, Mike Prohaska, Jamison Reese, Adam Wilson

10/12/14

• I am back!  A few hiccups on travel Friday/Saturday pushed back my plans to get caught up...look for the playoffs brackets to be set up in the next few days, and my hope is to begin scoring the first round of games by Wednesday (maybe Thursday).  The overall goal will be to finish off the league championships by about the end of the World Series.
• Meanwhile - since I don't need them yet, I'll reopen lineup changes for the first week of the playoffs until Wednesday at 7 PM Eastern.
• Final recap of Division Champions from tiebreaker games on Sept 26: (See standings for all leagues)
  • Blue and Gray League - Sherman Division: Major Miracle (owner Roland Dupont - 12th win in 2014) - Second division crown; also won it in 2010
  • Deuces Wild League - Brett Division: Everglades Alligators (owner Michael Lehman - 5th win in 2014) - Third title; first since 2010
  • Firemen League - Smith Division: Mammoth Grizzlies (owner Michael Quinn - 9th win in 2014) - Repeat champion
  • Experts League - Print Division: Alcatraz Island Inmates (owner Michael Burkert) - Third title; Advanced to finals previous two times
  • Perfect World League - Kenny Rogers Division: Utopia Unicorns (owner David Henning - 10th win in 2014) - First division title; best finish had been 2nd in 2013
  • They Might Be Giants
    • Marichal Division: Edgewater Underwear Thieves (owner Tom Twomey - 18th win in 2014) - Won division title in all three of league's seasons
    • Terry Division: Centre County Gunslingers (owner Tom McGraw - 5th win in 2014) - First win after two straight 2nd place finishes

9/26/14

• So - now comes the break in the schedule that I referred to last winter/spring.
• Regular season is complete, but I'm on a trip for the next two weeks - we'll do the playoffs when I return.
• Playoff lineups are due Saturday, October 11 - 3 PM Eastern.
• In the meantime, maybe you want to give your input/opinion for potential Rule changes
  • I have a collection of items for consideration
    • Some things I'd like to fix
    • Some fixes I suggest based on comments in the past
    • Some direct suggestions from you in the past several months via email
    • Topics include: Trade deadline, Are "cash only" trades good or bad?, Dealing with lineup construction and bench usage or who should be considered for the starting lineup, Startup Draft, Redistribution Draft.
  • Check out the Benchwarmer Blog for the items of discussion and enter your comments
  • No changes coming soon - probably not until November - but your input now and during the next few weeks will be valuable.

9/25/14

• Seven division ties to break - RESULTS - Now the regular season is complete
  • Blue and Gray League - Sherman Division: Vicksburg Siege (Michael Lehman) at Major Miracle (Roland Dupont) -  - Result: Major 5  Vicksburg 4 - Box
    • Major won the season series 13-5
    • Major won 4 of 6 in the final three weeks.
    • Record for the last 10 games: Vicksburg 6-4 Major 5-5
  • Deuces Wild League - Brett Division: Bemidji Blue Ox (Sam Campbell) at Everglades Alligators (Michael Lehman) -  - Result: Everglades 5  Bemidji 2 - Box
    • Everglades won the season series 10-8
    • Everglades won 4 of 6 in the final three weeks.
    • Record for the last 10 games: Everglades 7-3 including winning the final 6; Bemidji 1-9 including losing the final 9
  • Firemen League - Smith Division: Venice Beach Longshots (Ken DeGroot) at Mammoth Grizzlies (Michael Quinn) -  - Result: Mammoth 4  Venice Beach 2 - Box
    • Mammoth won the season series 10-8
    • Venice Beach won 4 of 6 in the final three weeks.
    • Record for the last 10 games: Both went 5-5
  • Experts League - Print Division: Alcatraz Island Inmates (Michael Burkert) at South America Piranhas (BWB League Office - an orphan team) -  - Result: Alcatraz Island 6  South America 5 - Box
    • South America won the season series 11-7
    • South America won 4 of 6 in the final three weeks.
    • Record for the last 10 games: South America 6-4 Alcatraz Island 3-7
  • Perfect World League - Kenny Rogers Division:  Utopia Unicorns (David Henning) at Long Island Ducks (Bill Munger) -  - Result: Utopia 3  Long Island 2 - Box
    • Long Island won the season series 10-8
    • Utopia won 4 of 6 in the final two weeks.
    • Record for last 10 games: Long Island 7-3, Utopia 6-4
  • They Might Be Giants - Marichal Division:  Hampton Flashes (Roland Dupont) at Edgewater Underwear Thieves (Tom Twomey) -  - Result: Edgewater 2  Hampton 1 - Box
    • Edgewater won the season series 11-7
    • Hampton won 4 of 6 in the final three weeks.
    • Record for last 10 games: Hampton 9-1  Edgewater 4-6
  • They Might Be Giants - Terry Division:  Centre County Gunslingers (Tom McGraw) at Alcatraz Inmates (Michael Quinn) -  - Result: Centre County 3  Alcatraz 2 - Box
    • Alcatraz won the season series 11-7
    • The teams split 3-3 in the final three weeks of the season
    • Record for last 10 games: Centre County 8-2  Alcatraz 2-8, including losing the final 5 games

9/24/14

• Seven divisions ended in ties that will require one more game to settle it all - Michael Quinn, Michael Lehman, and Roland Dupont are all in two Game 151 situations.  We've got an orphan team in one match up.  A couple teams came out of nowhere...And two divisions in They Might Be Giants are still up for grabs.  See the list of tiebreaker games further down the page...
• Division Champions from games on Sept 23: (See standings for all leagues)
  • Batman League:
    • Kilmer Division: Wall Street Banksters (owner Adam Wilson - 2nd win in 2014) - First win - had only been as high as 3rd in previous seasons
    • Clooney Division: Gotham City Knights (owner Jon Swanson - 4th win in 2014) - Third straight title
    • Bale Division: Kersh & Trouty and a Bunch of Scrubs (owner Sherman Wan - 8th win in 2014) - Second win - also took 1st place in 2011
  • Beer League:
    • Water Division: Foster's Cardinals (owner Michael Quinn - 8th win in 2014) - 2nd division win - repeats from last season
    • Malt Division: Canadian Moosehead (owner Mike Cerny - 3rd win in 2014) - Repeat division winner - 4th time overall
• Blame Canada League - Eric Division: North Stars (owner Roland Dupont - 8th win in 2014) - Second win - also won league championship in 2011
• Bleed Dodger Blue - Campanella Division: Malibu Gigilo's (owner Doug Schnack - 3rd win in 2014) - First title; best finish had been 2nd in 2012
• Bronx Bombers League - Gehrig Division: Sweet Potatoes (owner Roland Dupont - 9th win in 2014) - First title; Best finish was 2nd in 2011
• Chevy Chase League:
  • Clark W. Griswold, Jr. Division: Bath County Black Sheep (owner Tom Twomey - 16th win in 2014) - 5th straight division win; League champ in 2012
  • Fletch F. Fletch Division: Cannonball Cockamamie (owner Steven Michaud) - First title in 8th season of the league - had finished 2nd in 2013 and 2012
• Cleveland Rocks - Boudreau Division: The Flats ! (owner James Doud) - Defending league champion
• Commissioners League - Frick Division: San Andreas Quakers (owner Bill Munger) - Also won in 2012
• Deuces Wild League - Cobb Division: Wet Hens (owner Roland Dupont - 10th win in 2014) - Won the league championship last season
• Federal League - Brooklyn Tip-Tops Division: Del Mar Longshots (owner Ken DeGroot - 5th win in 2014) - Repeat title
• Fenway Fenatics - Fisk Division: Skeleton Crew (owner Ken Stevenson) - First title; Lost 103 games in 2013
• Four Star League - Bradley Division: NYC2ATL Jr Blackbirds (owner Ricardo Alexander - 3rd win in 2014) - 3rd straight win - won the league in 2012
• Longball League:
  • McGuire Division: Heartland Big Red (owner Don Kruse - 6th win in 2014) - 2nd title - won league championship in 2011
  • Killebrew Division: Lemon Juice (owner Roland Dupont - 11th win in 2014) - 3rd division win - 2008 league champion
• Minnie & Paul League - Viola Division: Battle Creek Cereal Killers (owner Michael Lehman - 4th win in 2014) - First title after 3 consecutive 3rd place finishes
• Moneyball League - Scott Hatteberg Division: Sarnia Sailors (owner Gary Renwick) - Defending division champ
• Motor City League - Newhouser Division: Windsor Wolverines (owner Tom Twomey - 17th win in 2014) - Won the league's first championship last year; won 21 fewer games this year
• North Siders League - Inaugural Season of League
  • Williams Division: Omaha Golden Spikes (owner Don Kruse - 7th win in 2014)
  • Sandberg Division: Waypoint Spartans (owner David Henning - 8th win in 2014)
• Perfect World League - David Wells Division: Millard Quackers (owner Mike Cerny - 4th win in 2014) - First win - best finish had been 2nd in 2013 (but still 13 GB)
• Superman League - Christopher Reeve Division: Krypton Krushers (owner David Henning - 9th win in 2014) - Defending league champion
• Three of a Kind League - Wagner Division: Havana Lounge Lizards (owner Jerry King - 5th win in 2014) - Returns to the playoffs for first time since league championship in 2011

9/23/14

• Week 25 Complete - Except for ties - Games 149-150 posted - See Results

9/23/14 Continued

• Division Champions from games on Sept 22: (See standings for all leagues)
  • Anchorman League -  Chancellor Division: Detroit Ron Burgundys (owner Mike Prohaska) - Inaugural season for the league
• Blame Canada League - Kyle Division: Aurora Borealis (owner Sherman Wan - 7th win in 2014) - 1st title - had 2 second place finishes before this
• Bleed Dodger Blue - Drysdale Division: Minneapolis Lakers (owner Jacob Vass - 3rd win in 2014) - First return to the playoffs since winning 2010 league title
• Blue and Gray League:
  • Grant Division: Gettysburg Rifles (owner Jon Swanson - 3rd win in 2014) - 2nd straight title - made it to finals last year
  • Lee Division: Cincinnati The dl 3 (owner Michael Horvitz - 2nd win in 2014) - Team never rose above 3rd place until this win
• Bronx Bombers League - Ford Division: Iowa Farmers (owner Tom Kohl) - Defending league champion
• Cleveland Rocks - Doby Division: California Comeback Kids (owner Robert Elias - 5th win in 2014) - 101 losses in 2013, the league's first season
• Commissioners League - Chandler Division: Cleveland Steamers (owner Tom McGraw - 3rd win in 2014) - Best finish until now had been 3rd
• Fenway Fenatics - Boggs Division: Werewolves of London (owner Jamison Reese) - First division crown
• Four Star League - Eisenhower Division: Savin Hill Sox (owner Michael Travers) - 2nd title - also won in 2011
• Geek Pride League: Berners-Lee Division: Mt. Airy Diplomats (owner Micah Bustard) - Defending division and conference champion
• Moneyball League - David Justice Division: Random Ninjas (owner Jason Kiernan - 2nd win in 2014) - Defending division champ
• Phightin' Phils League - Roberts Division: Phillie Cream Cheezers (owner Jamison Reese - 2nd win in 2014) - 3rd straight title - made it to finals last year
• Shadowball - Memphis Red Sox Division: Oklahoma Plate Streakers (owner Tom McGraw - 4th win in 2014) - 5 second place finishes in 9 years - gets first title in 10th season
• Silver Screen League - Inaugural Season of League
  • Major League Division: Nuke's Cards (owner Michael Quinn - 7th win in 2014)
  • Bang the Drum Slowly Division: Vegas Big Losers (owner Joe Swithers)
• Steel City League - Mazeroski Division: Greenbelt Terrapins (owner Robert Elias - 6th win in 2014) - Inaugural season for the league
• Superman League - George Reeves Division: Detroit Men of Steel (owner Mike Prohaska - 2nd win in 2014) - Two 3rd-place finishes in the first two years of the league
• Three of a Kind League:
  • Connor Division: Maryland Marauders (owner Michael Gaston) - First division win since 2008
  • Speaker Division: Atchafalaya BizKitZ (owner James Harris) - Won the division in 2011 too
• Triple Crown League -
  • Robinson Division: Dave's Dynamo (owner David Henning - 7th win in 2014) - League champion in only other playoff appearance in 2010
  • Medwick Division: Kansas City Barrons (owner Matt Strawbridge) - 5th franchise title - won the league championship in 2012 and 2009

9/21/14

• Division Champions from games on Sept 21: (See standings for all leagues)
  • Anchorman League - Inaugural season for the league
    • Jennings Division: Brick Barometers (owner Tom Twomey - 11th win in 2014)
    • Rather Division: Dan's Crew (owner Roland Dupont - 4th win in 2014)
    • Reasoner Division: Las Vegas Hangover Crew (owner Ken Degroot - 2nd win in 2014)
• Blame Canada League - Stan Division: South Alabama Jaggurnauts (owner Christian Zaccaro) - Defending conference champion
• Bronx Bombers League - DiMaggio Division: Cincinnati Red Stockings 1 (owner Michael Horvitz) - First title - best finish had been 3rd
• Commissioners League - Giamatti Division: South Park Butters (owner Tom Twomey - 12th win in 2014) - 6 years - 6 division titles but this was the closest one - defending league champ
• Federal League - Buffalo Buffeds: Buffalo Wings over America (owner Michael Lehman - 2nd win in 2014) - 3rd straight title - won the conference in 2013
• Four Star League
  • Patton Division: Kelly's Heroes (owner Andrew Lehman - 3rd win in 2014) - Also won in 2012
  • MacArthur Division: Tennessee Longshots (owner Ken DeGroot - 3rd win in 2014) - 3rd title; League champ in 2010
• Geek Pride League: Zuckerberg Division: Loco Motion (owner Roland Dupont - 5th win in 2014) - Finished 2nd last year in league's first season
• Golden Throat League - Jack Buck Division: Lincoln Salt Dogs (owner Mike Cerny - 2nd win in 2014) - 6th division win for franchise - no league titles yet
• Hall of Fame League: Cooperstown Division: Oaxaca Revolution (owner Sherman Wan - 6th win in 2014) - 8th division title; Won league championship in 2009 & 2008
• The Kings of Queens League
  • McGraw Division: Woodside Dingos (owner Tom Twomey - 13th win in 2014) - 5 seasons, 5 division titles; League champ in 2011
  • Koosman Division: Kansas Bucks (owner Greg Flees) - 4th title - back after missing playoffs in 2013
• Longball League - Mays Division: New Jersey Reign (owner Andrew Lehman - 4th win in 2014) - New owner gets team 3rd division crown
• Murderers' Row
  • Big Puma Division: Guttenberg Gandolfinis (owner Tom Twomey - 14th win in 2014) - 5 years - 5 division titles; League champ in 2012 and 2010
  • Big Donkey Division: France 2016 UEFA Euros 2016 (owners Scott Campbell and Leif Jonson; 2nd win together in 2014, Leif's 3rd) - First time to make the playoffs
• Pacific Northwest League
  • Huskies Division: Raw Recruits (owner Roland Dupont - 6th win in 2014) - Finished 3rd last year in league's first season
  • Beavers Division: Bluff Creek Sasquatch Hunters (owner Robert Elias - 4th win in 2014) - Defending conference champion
• Phightin' Phils League - Alexander Division: Hannibal Cannibals (owner Michael Lehman - 3rd win in 2014) - 3rd straight title - made it to finals last year
• Shadowball - Birmingham Black Barons: Bedrock Water Buffaloes (owners Scott Campbell and Leif Jonson; 3rd win together in 2014, Leif's 4th) - First title for the franchise; finished 2nd 4 times (most recently in 2011)
• Silver Screen League - Bad News Bears Division: Venice Beach Old Timers (owner Ken DeGroot - 4th win in 2014) - Inaugural Season
• Steel City League - Inaugural season for the league
  • Traynor Division: Hershey Special O.P.S. (owner David Henning - 6th win in 2014)
  • Kiner Division: Hiroshima Peace Frogs (owner Tom Twomey - 15th win in 2014)
• Superman League - Brandon Routh: Heavenly Hash (owner Roland Dupont - 7th win in 2014) - Repeat division winner
• Triple Crown League - Klein Division: Arkham Knights (owner John Stroba) - 3rd division win
• Winners Circle League:
  • Alexander Division: Long Island Threat (owner Andy Deeble - 3rd win in 2014) - First division win
  • Matthewson Division: Longfellow Public Television Donors (owner Jacob Vass - 2nd win in 2014) - Third straight title
  • Spahn Division: Mobile Baseball Legends (owner Danny Zaccaro - 3rd win in 2014) - Returns to the playoffs after a conference title in 2011

9/20/14

• 6 games left in the regular season - still over half the divisions (84 out of 164) are not yet decided.

9/19/14

• Division Champions from games on Sept 19: (See standings for all leagues)
  • Beatleball
    • Lennon Division: Roseville Bandidos (owner Andy Deeble - 2nd win in 2014) - Back to the playoffs for first time since 2011; League champ in 2008
    • Harrison Division: Margaritaville Parrotheads (owner Tom Twomey - 10th win in 2014) - 3rd title in a row, 4th overall; League champ in 2010
• Commissioners League - Ueberroth Division: Covina Romans (owner Michael Quinn - 6th win in 2014) - Sixth season brings team first title; finished 3rd in 2013 - 4th in all other years
• Experts League
  • Web Division: Irish Alcohooligans (owner Jerry King - 4th win in 2014) - First title after 3 straight 2nd place finishes including losing tiebreaker game in 2013
  • Blogs Division: Sumer Anunnaki (owner Kevin Connors - 5th win in 2014) - Team repeats - won the conference too in 2013
• The Kings of Queens League - Hernandez Division: Astoria Argyle Sox (owner Sherman Wan - 5th win in 2014) - First win; highest finish so far had been 2nd place
• Minnie & Paul League - Carew Division: Nebraska Legends (owner Doug Schnack - 2nd win in 2014) - First time on top; best finish had been 2nd in 2012
• North Siders League - Jenkins Division: Pick Pockets (owner Roland Dupont - 3rd win in 2014) - Inaugural season
• Pacific Northwest League - Cougars Division: North By Northwest Crop Dusters (owner Danny Zaccaro - 2nd win in 2014) - Defending league champ
• Reality Bites - Fear Factor Division: Nashville Longshots (owner Ken DeGroot) - 3rd title - back after a year out of playoffs
• Redbirds League: Smith Division: Long Island Threat (owner Phillip Dang - 2nd win in 2014) - 2nd-year owner gets team 2nd division title - first since 2008

9/17/14

• Week 25 Transactions Posted - Week 26 deadline - playoff lineups  - TBD
• Division Champions from games on Sept 16: (See standings for all leagues)
  • Bronx Bombers League - Rizzuto Division: Santa Cruz Waves (owner Andrew Lehman - 2nd win in 2014) - Also won division in 2011
  • Deuces Wild League - Biggio Division: Sugarland Cards (owner Michael Quinn - 4th win in 2014) - 2nd title - made it to the finals last time in 2010
  • Firemen League - Wagner Division: Reggae Boys (owner Ricardo Alexander - 2nd win in 2014) - Repeat winner
  • Geek Pride League:
    • Dorsey Division: Swingset Erectors (owners Jeff Zick and Kevin Connors; Kevin's 3rd win in 2014) - Finished 3rd last year in league's first season
    • Tomlinson Division: Phantastic Phantoms (owner David Henning - 5th win in 2014) - Repeat winner
  • Golden Throat League - Ernie Harwell Division: Boomer Sooners (owner Phillip Dang) - Won league title 2006-2008; First return to playoffs since '08
  • Hall of Fame League:
    • Wagner Division: Boar's Nest (owner Tom Twomey - 8th win in 2014) - 10th division title for the franchise; won the league in 2005 and 2003
    • Cobb Division: San Diego Surfriders (owner Andy Deeble) - Defending league champ; 4th division crown
    • Ruth Division: Seattle Survivors (owners Scott Campbell and Leif Jonson; Leif's 2nd win in 2014) - Repeat division winner and 3rd time overall
  • K Street League - Sutton Division: London Governors (owner Doug Schnack) - Franchise had never finished higher than 3rd in previous 9 seasons
  • North Siders League - Sutter Division: Hostile Take-over (owner Danny Zaccaro) - Inaugural season
  • Pacific Northwest League - Ducks Division: Sagle Shroomage (owner Tom Twomey - 9th win in 2014) - Back to back titles
  • Phightin' Phils League - Klein Division: Backwoods Sasquatch (owner Kevin Connors - 4th win in 2014) - Defending league champ and only team to win the division in league's 4 seasons
  • Reality Bites - Bachelor Division: Memphis Bighitters (owner Michael Quinn - 5th win in 2014) - 4th straight first-place finish; 6th overall; 2011 League champ
  • Winners Circle League - Galvin Division: Crumpton Roches (owner Jesse Roche - 5th win in 2014) - 2-time defending league champ; Won BW Bash in 2012

9/16/14

• Week 24 Continues - Games 141-142 posted - See Results
  • Who are we waiting on?  These teams have played the fewest games (through 9/15)
    • 149 games: Cle, KC, Mia, NYY, Oak, SD, Sea, Tex, Tor, Was
    • 150 games: Many teams
    • Subtract 5 from the MLB game # to determine how many BWB games can be scored. 
  • Yeah, there are enough MLB games to finish off the week, but I'm running out of time today. Next update expected Thursday night.
• More Division Champions from games on Sept 15: (See standings for all leagues)
  • Bleed Dodger Blue - Sutton Division: Tennessee Rockers (owner Andrew Lehman) - First division title; best finish had been 2nd in 2012
  • Chevy Chase League:
    • Ty Webb Division: St Cloud Ice (owner Jerry King - 3rd win in 2014) - League champ in 2007-08; Makes first playoff appearance since 2011
    • Emmit Fitz-Hume Division: Quahog Drunken Clams (owner Don Kruse - 5th win in 2014) - Defending league champion; 3rd division title
  • Cleveland Rocks - Harder Division: Toledo Torpedoes (owner Tom Twomey - 6th win in 2014) - Repeat winner
  • Golden Throat League - Bob Prince Division: College Park Turtles (owner Adam Wilson) - 2nd division win - last time was in 2008
  • Moneyball League - Art Howe Division: Crumpton Roches (owner Jesse Roche - 4th win in 2014) - Repeat winner
  • Motor City League - Gehringer Division: Maplewood Prospects (owner Jacob Vass) - Went young in draft and lost 90 games; Division winner in year 2
  • Phightin' Phils League - Ashburn Division: Kalas City Broadcasters (owner Robert Elias - 2nd win in 2014) - Only division winner in league's four seasons
  • Reality Bites - Amazing Race Division: Sea Isle City Sandsharks (owner Robert Elias - 3rd win in 2014) - 3-time league champ; missed playoffs in 2013
  • Redbirds League:
    • Brock Division: Manalapan Monchichis (owner Tom Twomey - 7th win in 2014) - 5th division win - made it to finals in 2012 and 2013
    • Slaughter Division: Bloomingdale Camelback Crickets (owner Chris Bellina) - 6 years in the league never finished higher than 3rd; Wins division in 7th season
  • Silver Screen League - Angels in the Outfield Division: Oscar's Cast of Legends (owner David Henning - 4th win in 2014) - Inaugural Season
  • Three of a Kind League - Beckley Division: Wyalusing Whiffers (owner Jay Snyder) - 3rd title - won the league in 2012

9/14/14

• More Division Champions from our last games of Week 23: (See standings for all leagues)
  • Batman League - Keaton Division: Killer Bees (owner Robert Elias) - Defending league champion
  • Beatleball - Starr Division: Killer Bees (owner Roland Dupont - 2nd win in 2014) - 2nd title; Conference champ in 2011
  • Cleveland Rocks - Averill Division: Lake Erie Storm (owner David Henning - 2nd win in 2014) - Finished 2nd last year in league's first season
  • Deuces Wild League - Musial Division: Washington Insiders (owner Don Kruse - 4th win in 2014) - Third straight division win - fourth overall
  • Federal League - St. Louis Terriers Division: Atlanta Kool Runnings (owner Ricardo Alexander) - Team finished 4th in league's previous 2 seasons; 94 losses in 2013
  • Fenway Fenatics - Doerr Division: Giza Resonance (owner Kevin Connors - 2nd win in 2014) - Repeat division crown; League Champion in 2011
  • Firemen League - Eckersley Division: Miami Valley Mystic Revelation (owner David Henning - 3rd win in 2014) - Second win - got to the finals in 2012
  • Golden Throat League - Haray Carey Division: Newport News Aliens & Predators (owner Tom Twomey - 5th win in 2014) - 6th title; Franchise won the league in 2012 and 2009
  • K Street League:
    • Blyleven Division: Alvin Express (owner Michael Quinn - 3rd win in 2014) - First title for this owner; 5th overall - League champ in 2010 and 2005
    • Seaver Division: Altoona Thunder Chicken (owner Jerry King - 2nd win in 2014) - Return to playoffs for first time since 2011 - fifth title overall; League champ in 2011
    • Perry Division: D.C. Lobbyists (owner Jon Swanson - 2nd win in 2014) - 3rd consecutive title
  • Longball League - Robinson Division: Trinidad Island Vikings (owner Leif Jonson) - 2 time defending league champ; 7th division title
  • Motor City League - Greenberg Division: Mt. Pleasant Bomb Squad (owner Jason Kiernan) - 3rd place last year in league's initial season
  • Murderers' Row - Big Poison Division: Palookaville Pugs (owner Sherman Wan - 3rd win in 2014) - 3rd division win - also on top in 2011 and 2012
  • Perfect World League - Randy Johnson Division: Malta Falcons (owner Sherman Wan - 4th win in 2014) - Back to back titles
  • Redbirds League - Dean Division: Pittsburgh Huskers (owner Mike Cerny) - Franchise's first title in league's 7th season
  • Steel City League - Wagner Division: House of Lannister (owner Brian Haines) - Inaugural Season
  • Superman League - Dean Cain Division: Hometown Pizza Boys (owner Tom McGraw) - Team had never finished above 2nd
  • Triple Crown League - Yastrzemski Division: Little Mack Attack (owner Tom McGraw - 2nd win in 2014) - Wins division even years - 2010 and 2012 before this

9/9/14

• Reminder: This is the final week for free agent acquisitions - Week 25 is limited to lineup changes, cuts, and IR moves

9/8/14

• Reminder: Roster expansion for "callups" occurs in Week 23-25 to allow your taxi squad and minor league players to contribute to game action.
  • Repeat of note from 8/25 below: See some additional explanation of how this rule really works - it's not exactly like an extension of your bench.  Added today to this link are some additional notes from 2013 on how bench spots are filled and the "callups" are used.
• More Division Champions from our first games of Week 23: (See standings for all leagues)
  • Beatleball - McCartney Division: London Groove Armada (owner Sherman Wan) - Has stranglehold on this division - 8 wins in 11 seasons; League titles in 2011 & 2006
  • Beer League - Hops Division: Kingfisher Ale Slammers (owner Tom Twomey - 3rd win in 2014) - 4th straight win - 5th overall; Won the league in 2011
  • Bleed Dodger Blue - Reese Division: Aksarben Krusaders (owner Don Kruse) - 4th division win - Conference champ in 2011
  • Fenway Fenatics - Cronin Division: Utopia Unibrows (owner Tom Twomey - 4th win in 2014) - 4th straight title - only team to win this division; League champ in 2012
  • Firemen League - Franco Division: Smoke on the Water (owner Sherman Wan - 2nd win in 2014) - Defending league champ
  • The Kings of Queens League - Harrelson Division: Dunder Mifflin Sabres (owner Don Kruse - 2nd win in 2014) - 4th straight win - Conference title in 2011 is only advance to the finals
  • Minnie & Paul League - Oliva Division: Kansas City Monarchs (owner Don Kruse - 3rd win in 2014) - Repeat winner and 3rd time on top - advanced to finals in 2013
  • Motor City League - Horton Division: Gratiot Cards (owner Michael Quinn) - Repeat winner in the league's second season
  • Perfect World League - David Cone Division: Arkansas Hogs (owner Michael Quinn - 2nd win in 2014) - Defending league champion; 4th division title
  • Reality Bites - American Idol Division: Mighty Mice (owner Roland Dupont) - Back to the playoffs after a year off - 5th franchise division win
  • Shadowball - Chicago American Giants Division: Las Vegas Billionaires (owner Jim Sowerby) - 6th division win in 10 years - 3rd straight. League champ in 2012 & 2007
  • They Might Be Giants:
    • Hubbell Division: Belgium Particle Men (owner Jon Swanson) - 1st title - closest to the top before this was 10 GB in 2013
    • Ott Division: San Jose Usurpers (owner Michael Lehman) - Defending league champion and 3rd straight division crown

9/6/14

• 2015 Package Sales - Extended through September 15! - Beat the 2015 price increase
  • Season Ticket for 2015 teams for less than the 2013 price
  • Cooperstown Club is $100 off
• 18 games remain in the regular season - all within your division
• Two more Division Champions as Week 22 closes: (See standings for all leagues)
  • Federal League - Baltimore Terrapins Division: Ohio Diamond Prodigies (owner David Henning) - First title; best finish had been 2nd in 2012
  • Blame Canada League - Kenny Division: Thunder Bay Voyageurs (owner Jerry Stevens) - Repeat winner and 2nd division title

9/1/14

• Next Division Champion from Week 22 games (See standings for all leagues)
  • Minnie & Paul League - Blyleven Division: Tonga Tarantula Hawks (owner Tom Twomey - 2nd win in 2014) - 4th straight division title - league runner up in 2011

8/29/14

• Two more Division Champions as Week 21 closes: (See standings for all leagues)
  • Experts League - Airwaves Division: Crumpton Roches (owner Jesse Roche - 3rd win in 2014) - 4th straight division title, 5th overall; Defending League Champ
  • Blue and Gray League - Jackson Division: Charleston Cannon Fodder (owner Jerry King) - Only team to ever win this division - 6 straight years; 2009 League Champ

8/28/14

• Trades closed for the season

8/27/14

• Around BWB  This recap of the best and worst among the 41 leagues in operation this summer updated to show:
  • Franchises that have never won a division title currently in first place
  • Division winners from last year currently under .500

8/25/14

• Reminder: Roster expansion for "callups" occurs in Week 23-25 to allow your taxi squad and minor league players to contribute to game action.
  • It doesn't count yet - we're setting lineups now for Week 22, but I've turned on the option to let you set the order of your minor league guys a little early.
  • See some additional explanation of how this rule really works - it's not exactly like an extension of your bench.
• Two Division Champions out of the August 24 games: (See standings for all leagues)
  • Beer League - Yeast Division: The Natty Lights (owner Jesse Roche - 2nd win in 2014) - 2-time defending league champion; 5th straight division win
  • Moneyball League - Ron Washington Division: Crestone Current (owner Kevin Connors) - Finished 2nd in 2013, 25 GB

8/24/14

• 2015 Package Sales - Now through Labor Day! - Beat the 2015 price increase
  • Season Ticket for 2015 teams for less than the 2013 price
  • Cooperstown Club is $100 off
• If you still have Brady Aiken on your roster, he's going to be removed from the player list after the season as an unsigned draft pick...might as well drop him.

8/23/14

• Another Division Champion before we even start the final 1/5 of the season:
  • Shadowball - Pittsburgh Crawfords Division: Jersey City Dirty Bombs (owner Tom Twomey) - 6th division title; Won the conference crown in 2013

8/19/14

• Our first Division Champion:
  • Murderers' Row - Big Ed Division: Crumpton Roches (owner Jesse Roche) - Defending League champ; won league and BW Bash in 2011

8/14/14

• Transaction/Lineup deadline now shifts to WEDNESDAYS for the final 5 weeks

8/9/14

• Rule changes?
  • I have a collection of items for consideration
    • Some things I'd like to fix
    • Some fixes I suggest based on comments in the past
    • Some direct suggestions from you in the past 2-3 months via email
    • Topics include: Trade deadline, Are "cash only" trades good or bad?, Dealing with lineup construction and bench usage or who should be considered for the starting lineup, Startup Draft, Redistribution Draft.
  • Check out the Benchwarmer Blog for the items of discussion and enter your comments
  • No changes coming soon - probably not until October - but your input now and during the next few weeks of August and September will be valuable.

8/7/14

• Thanks to new people in the game each year that dig into the rules and find problems/inconsistencies.  Here's another correction in the scoring formula - not a rule change or game-scoring change, but something left out of the batting score formula when converting from spreadsheets & computer code to the text of the rulebook.

8/2/14

• At Game 100, we reached the 2/3 mark of the regular season.

7/27/14

• Don't forget - final week to submit contract extensions - Information - Rules Page
  • Submission Form - Due Thursday, July 31 - 9 PM Eastern
  • Plenty of information on the links above, but remember:
    • You must have all the money on hand now
    • No rebates for future seasons
    • A player cannot be extended and traded in the same week - he's got to be on your roster already
    • This is a cost-saving move - paying a cheaper price for a player now than he will be next season.  You do NOT have to do this in order to keep the player for 2015.  You do NOT have to spend the money now or lose it.  You'll keep any leftover cash throughout the winter for paying 2015 salaries and signing free agents.

7/26/14

• Teams already received their July cash disbursement of 1 million bucks - so the cash you have is what you have available for this week's final shot at contract extensions (plus any salary rebates from trades this week and cash you get based on Week 16 games).
• ORPHAN CLEARANCE: We still have some orphan teams available. Contact us to get set up with one.  These are FREE for the remainder of 2014 AND you'll get the team in 2015 at the orphan rate ($35)

7/19/14

• Rule changes...
  • Not really a rule change but a rule page change and clarification about how the save score is calculated during game scoring
  • And upcoming in 2015, a chance to reset your rotation completely in Week 16

7/17/14

• I've been alerted to a problem with receiving emails related to trades and broadcast messages from other users - particularly if your email address is Yahoo, AOL, Gmail and some others.
  • You can look up DMARC for the technical details, but this will mean that I need to redo how BWB generates emails between team owners.
  • In the meantime, if you think you are not receiving trade offers, don't forget that you can see all of your pending transactions across all teams - including pending trade decisions.  This works even if you have only one team.
• Here's a new page: Around BWB.  This will show of recap of the best and worst among the 41 leagues in operation this summer.  Currently it shows the teams with the best and worst records in the system - but look for additional categories in the next month or two.

7/4/14

• Some additional page changes to reduce clicks:
  • As with the signs/drops, there's no more intermediate page after making lineup changes - you'll go right back to the lineup change form in case you have more adjustments.
  • On the all my rosters and all my transactions pages, instead of just switching only to the team roster, you have choices to go directly to your lineup change form and transaction page.

6/29/14

• Two things to be aware of in July for your rosters and transactions:
  • You have 2 more weeks to get salary rebates for cut players - Week 15 (deadline Friday 7/11) is the last chance to cut a player and get money back on his salary.
  • Contract extensions - Week 18 (July 31) is the final chance to do contract extensions this season.

6/21/14

• Hopefully a beneficial change with some page modifications - there's no longer an intermediate processing page for adds/cuts - you'll go right back to your transaction index.  For those of you with multiple teams this should greatly decrease the number of clicks and page loads you need each week for your transactions!

6/17/14

• First round draft picks - one point of warning.  If the players do not sign a contract, they are removed from the game (you don't get to keep them for the next draft).

6/13/14

• First round draft picks are now included in the player list (use the selection filters on the player list/free agent pages to find them).

6/12/14

• Let's do this...Weekly transactions/lineups due at the first MLB regularly scheduled game time of the day.

6/10/14

• 2014 First Round Draft Picks
  • Will be added to the player list Friday night after processing Week 11 transactions
  • Available for signing during Week 12 - deadline Friday, June 20 at noon Eastern.

6/4/14

• New page - if you have multiple teams, this shows you a quick listing of all cuts in each of your leagues

5/31/14

• All teams received an extra million in cash during next week's transaction processing.  Next cash distribution is Week 13 (deadline June 27).

5/17/14

• New page - if you have multiple teams, this shows you a transaction results recap for all your teams.

5/7/14

• Planning ahead - some rule changes for 2015 (cash changes that couldn't be implemented with short notice in 2014)

5/4/14

• We start 8 weeks of games outside your division
• Reminder - every 5 weeks our transaction/lineup deadline date shifts to match up with MLB games.  Starting this week transactions and lineups are due every SATURDAY at Noon Eastern.

4/24/14

• There have been some questions about the "saves" part of the score in game scoring.  I think I translated program code to written rules incorrectly a couple of years ago - I will try to clarify that this weekend.

4/11/14

• Reminder as you set your lineups from one week to the next about the effect of moving starting pitchers around (to avoid playing around with the rotation spots and previously-known performances).
  • If you move a pitcher from a spot starter, taxi squad, or minor league slot into the starting 1-5 rotation, all previous starts are ignored - even if queued in the spot role - and no starts will count until the deadline date of the transaction week.
  • Exception - pitchers signed or acquired via trade one week earlier can be assumed to have been obtained for purposes of immediate use and any eligible starts will be used if they are placed in the rotation.
  • In a 2014 rule change to relax this a bit (and allow for dealing with injuries more quickly) - if you move a pitcher from the minors or taxi squad to a spot starter role, any eligible starts may be used and won't be thrown out if before the deadline.
  • See the rule change and the full rule.

4/10/14

• Opening Day! Week 1 Begins - Game 1 posted.  See Results

4/8/14

• BWB 2014 Schedule Posted.  How to find this on a regular basis?
  • When games are scored - the home page notice will link to the schedule
  • On your league's home page, find the link "This Week's Games"
  • On any page, down in the footer, find the link "Results"

4/6/14

• Week 1 Transactions Posted
  • This is the first big influx of new players to the player list
  • To find new players, on the free agent list, choose the proper week number that players are first eligible for signing - with this group, you'll find them via "Week 2"
• When's the first game?
  • We use batting stats 5 games ahead of our BWB game # in order to queue up enough pitching stats, so a team's MLB game #6 is used for BWB game #1.
  • Weather permitting, Detroit will be the last team to get to Game 6 - on Tuesday (thanks to a rainout already) - and that makes Wednesday the earliest we can post a game.
  • Usually it's more time-effective to score 2-3 games at a time, but often doing a single game first helps me clear the cobwebs on how to do this again for the first time since Sept/Oct...so look for a game on Wednesday night.

3/30/14

• We still have plenty of orphan teams available. Contact us to get set up with one.
• It's Week Zero Transactions: Deadline has been changed to 7 PM Eastern on Monday.  Check out the schedule/deadline page for some planning about what you need to do for Week Zero and Week One.
  • Lineups are due Week 1 (April 6), but there's a one-week lag between picking up a player and using him.  So if you need to fill spots for Opening Day, you need to pick them up by March 31.
  • Also - don't forget that for returning leagues, your cash balance must be at 5000 or lower at Week Zero.

3/29/14

• Silver Screen League Draft. See the Silver Screen Draft Index for updates.  Phase Two Draft, Part Two complete.  Rosters and finances updated.
  • Silver Screen Draft is complete
  • It's a quick turnaround, but Silver Screen is now eligible for Week Zero transactions, including cuts, trades, and free agent signings.  Deadline is Monday at 5 PM EDT.

3/25/14

• Payment is due soon.  Check your status - team fees for 2014 are due by Week 1.

3/22/14

• Welcome to Benchwarmer Baseball - It's a different form of fantasy baseball as we play individual head-to-head games simulated from daily MLB stats - this isn't a Rotisserie game.
  • This is fantasy baseball 365 days a year.  Teams are now completing their rosters for the 2014 season.
  • Check out the Benchwarmer Baseball Tour for an introduction.
  • We're not drafting any more new leagues in 2014.  But, if you'd like to attempt to turn around a struggling team, these orphan teams are available...pick up an existing team and rebuild it, rather than start from scratch.
    • Orphan teams are just $35 - about 1/2 the normal price.
    • If you're interested, your first step is to sign up here.  Then check out the orphan list again and send us your choice.
• There are still a couple of invite-only orphans in private pay leagues - Beer League and Moneyball - that are available.  There's an extra entry fee by the league owner and they pay out prizes (BWB standard leagues do not pay out except in free teams and discounts for next year).

3/21/14

• Do you have multiple teams?  Are you looking for a way to figure out if your teams have been hit by the injury trend - and what rosters might hold Medlen, Beachy, Corbin, Iglesias, Chapman, et. al.?  Don't forget that there is a page that shows all players on all your teams - and from that you can see which teams have a particular player.
• New leagues for 2014 ignore this - but everyone else - don't forget that you need to have your team's cash balance at or below 5000 after Week Zero transactions (March 31 deadline).  See the rule.
  • One way to get your cash to 5000 or lower - sign players, trade for more expensive players, or give up cash in trades.
  • Another way is to sign players to multiyear contracts (be careful with this so early in the season...don't overdo it).

3/18/14

• Thinking ahead: Sunday at Noon is the deadline for Week minus One transactions.  Check out the schedule/deadline page for some planning about what you need to do for Week Zero and Week One.
  • Lineups are due Week 1, but there's a one-week lag between picking up a player and using him.  So if you need to fill spots for Opening Day, you need to pick them up by March 31.
  • Also - don't forget that for returning leagues, your cash balance must be at 5000 or lower at Week Zero.

3/16/14

• North Siders League Phase Two Draft, Part Three posted - see North Siders Draft Index - That's it for the draft - you're done.  We start off with weekly transactions with deadline next Sunday.

3/4/14

• Steel City League Phase Two Draft, Part Four posted - see Steel City Draft Index - That ends the draft process...and you're off to trades and free agency beginning with this week's transaction deadline of Sunday, March 9.

2/25/14

• Contract extensions are now open.  The strong suggestion is unless you need to get your cash balance to 5000 or below by March 31 that there is no rush and great risk to do these now.  You have until the end of July to complete multiyear contracts.

2/23/14

• Contract extensions will begin this week...but are not yet activated (plenty of time)

2/17/14

• Anchorman League Phase Two Draft, Part Three, results posted - see Anchorman Draft Index Draft is complete!  League now enters weekly transaction cycle (starting this week - deadline Sunday).

2/16/14

• Redistribution Results Index Draft complete - Rosters updated with new players
• Free agency and trades are open.  This week's deadline is Sunday, Feb 23 at Noon EST.  Transaction order for this week is the same as for the Redistribution Draft.
• Special posting of Week -7 Transactions - This is a pre-Redistribution Draft cut of retired players from the rosters.  Players that officially retire before the start of the season are removed with a 100% salary rebate (unless previously signed to a multiyear contract, then there is no rebate).

2/9/14

• The Redistribution Draft is extended to allow me time to finish off the orphan teams.  You have a couple more days to make your selections (see the link on your team roster).  Deadline is Tuesday 2/11/14 Noon EST.

1/27/14

• Results of carryover choices posted.  View the Transactions page to see the cuts in your league.
• The 2014 Redistribution Draft is now open.  You have 2 weeks to make your selections (see the link on your team roster).  Deadline is Sunday 2/9/14 Noon EST.

1/20/14

• There are a few open spots in some private "prize" leagues - they require an extra entry fee but the leagues pay out prizes.  Check out the list of orphans and under the invitation leagues you can check out the teams for Beer League, Murderers' Row, and Moneyball League.  If interested, you can email me and I'll get you in touch with the league owners.

1/17/14

• Deadline shift - Carryover selections - Sunday, Jan 26 noon EST.  Meanwhile here's a reminder about the carryover process in the postseason information page and the BWB Rules.