Power Pros Forum

As the sun rose on Miami Beach, the president/manager/catcher/bus driver of the Carquinez Pirates, Alonzo Brown had several problems to deal with the day after thanksgiving.
No sooner had shortstop Solomon Perez accepted his award for 2015 MVP, than he was recruited--along with six other players--to join on with a baseball club that would be touring Mexico and Central America for the winter and foreseeable future.
Along with a gutted baseball team, the team bus had a cracked radiator he needed to replace to get his remaining players home for a winter of recuperation and skill building.
Brown was thankful for those that had stayed on, and showed his appreciation with a huge thanksgiving banquet at his favorite Miami soul food restaurant, Mama Corncakes.
...
Bob "Hollywood" Davis knocked on Browns hotel room door. He was wearing stylish shades and a bathrobe.
"Morning skip, you wanted to see me?"
"Morning Bob. I've got a favor to ask. Can you post these flyers around town? We need to start filling this roster out so we can get back on the field at full strength."
"Sure thing skip, right after I exfoliate."
Brown sighed audibly. "Do what you need to Bob, then get those flyers up."
"Oh, and Bob,"
"Yeah, skip"
"You're our starting shortstop now"
"Wow, thanks skip."
...
On his way to the copy shop, Bob read the flyer:

Baseball club looking for a few good players.
Preference given to those who can both pitch and play the field.
Pay includes room and board, plus performance incentives.
Must be willing to travel.
Come in person to the Thunderbird Hotel by noon Saturday.
Bring the following:
Passport ( International games),
Glove,
and a signed permission slip if under 18.
Also, PM DustyFarmer on the MLBPPworld message board to get yourself signed up with our human resources department.
Include your:
1. Name(optional), Age, Hometown
2. Fielding position and Pitching role,
3. Greatest weakness,
4. Greatest strength
...
Bob posted the flyer on every street corner in the city.
By that afternoon, players began showing up at the hotel.

Sorry, but when are you gonna start? I'm sorry if I am rude.

Just got off of work. Going to have a drink of port, make some tacos, and then write up the next post.

Alonzo Brown was snoozing by the pool at the Thunderbird Hotel when he Jack Caselli woke him rather rudely.
"Hey fatso, I've been looking for you."
"Huh? Who's that?"
"Jack Caselli"
"Oh, look kid, I don't need any Boy Scout cookies, run along."
"I'm here to play baseball, not add to your waistline, if that's even possible."

Now Brown sat up and really surveyed the kid. "How old are you?"
"Twelve. Are we going to play twenty questions or do I get the job?"
"Kid, I like your confidence. But I need to know if can you hit a grown man's fastball. Come with me."

They went out to the parking lot, where Jefferson Jackson the Pirates closer and resident fireballer was repairing the team bus.
"Hey JJ, I need your help evaluating a potential ball player."
"Sure thing, just let me know when he gets here."
"You're looking at him, bro." Piped up Caselli,
"You? Uh-huh. Well, grab a bat."

Brown placed his hat on the ground for home plate and invited Jack to step to it. Jack noted that "JJ" had shifted from casual to full game face. The first pitch whizzed just under his chin, brushing him back.
Now Jack had his game face on, too. He fouled off the next three pitches before cracking a liner thru a window on the bus.
"Nice work, kid", said Brown, and to Jackson,"looks like you've got some more bus repairs to get done."
"Yup", JJ replied, not taking his burning stare off the kid.
"Problem?" Jack said to JJ.
"Whoa kid, settle down", said Brown, "You don't want to get your new roommate in a bad mood so soon."
"WHAT!?" They said in unison,
Brown ignored the tension between the two and began walking back to the poolside so he could continue his nap.
"Well, you're a Pirate now kid, welcome aboard. What jersey number do you want?"
...
JACK CASELLI, 12 yrs old
2B, Bats/Throws Right
Trj 1, CON 7, PWR 60, SPD 5, ARM 3, FLD 7, ERES 5,
TOP SPD 75mph, CTL 110, STAM 25

ALONZO BROWN, 35 yrs old
Catcher, Mopup Man. RHP, Throws/Right
Trj 2, CON 6, PWR 100, SPD 5, ARM 13, FLD 12, ERES13
TOPSPD 93, CTL 90, STAM 75, KnCrv 2

JEFFERSON JACKSON, 25 yrs old, LHP, Bats Left
Closer, Outfielder
Trj 2, CON 8, PWR 140, SPD 7, ARM 11, FLD 8, ERES 6
TOPSPD 95, CTL 120, STAM 75, 2SFB 2, CCHG 3

Caselli replied "26, because I like Chase Utley"
"Ok", said Brown, "26 it is"
(Got "BREAKUP DP" ability)

--( editors note; you guys can feel free to just make a post on this thread, or you can PM me if You think that would better serve the story)

Heh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh.
If they had DOUCHEBAG ability he'd get that too...

On the Saturday after thanksgiving, Alonzo was about ready to head out of Miami.
He'd met a few eager ball players, but only one so far with enough talent to crack his roster.
Unfortunately, that meant he only had eight men.
If only he could find one more, he could at least schedule some early exhibitions for 2016 and keep recruiting.
The team got on the bus. Jack was doing his rookie duty of loading up all their bags when a strapping young man in filthy clothes approached the bus.
"What the *censored* do you think you're doing?", asked Jack.
"I heard 'bout a baseball team that needs players, so here I am", said the young man,
Alonzo had poked his head out of the door to see what was holding up Jack from getting the bags loaded, and said "Who's this guy?"
"A ball player I guess", said Jack
"Darn good ball player" said the young man
"Well what's your name, son?"
"Esau Yokel, sir"
"Esau? What kind of name is that?"
"It's from the bible. He was the first son of Isaac and Rebekah."
'Well, ok then, um..."
"My friends call me Dusty, sir"
"Oh, well that's more of a ball players name...What about your clothes? Have you been shoveling *censored* all day?"
"Yes sir, I have".
Well, Alonzo thought, he looks strong, and seems to be strong, if not a bit dull...
"You've got yourself a one pitch tryout son. Jack! You pitch to him, everyone else is already asleep on board."
Jack had peeked at Jefferson's grip for his Circle Changeup earlier that day during warmups, although he'd only tried it out a couple times. So he had two pitches he could throw, does he go with the
A. change, or the
B. fastball.
PM me your answer.

And for Dusty, does he guess a. Fastball, or b. Breaking ball
PM me that answer too please.

Jack gripped the only pitch he really felt confident with: his fastball.
Dusty, who was country strong and filthyand desperate to make this team, guessed breaking ball.
The result was that he was so late on the pitch, and swung so violently, that he spun around and wound up on his butt.
Jacks FB +1 MPH
Jack howled with laughter.
Dusty picked up the ball and tossed it up to himself to hit. In his haste he missed it again, then again.
The third time he connected, and the impact was like a gunshot in Alonzo's ears. The ball sailed deep into the evening sky, and hit something far off with a dull thud.
He's got power at least, thought Alonzo, and it'll give us a nine man team until more players come along...
"Nice hit kid. Climb aboard, you're a Pirate now."
...
Dusty Yokel
2B, middle relief
Trj 2, CON 3, PWR 85, SPD 5, ARM 5, FLD 5, ERES 5,
TOPSPD 80, CTL 100, STAM 25

Saturday, November 28
The Pirates bus rolls into the parking lot of the Tampa Bay Value Inn.
They are going to play a double header on Sunday at Tropicana Field, visible just a few blocks away.

In the lobby, Alonzo realizes that Dusty needs a roommate.
"Dusty! You need a roommate. Who do you want?"

A. Hansuke Sawamura, SP, Crafty lefty from Tokyo, likes fly fishing and Legos
B. Cassius Patterson, SP, Power pitcher from L.A..; enjoys philosophy and boxing
C. Cristobal Santos, 1B, Power Hitter; from Caracas, plays dominoes and reads sci-fi
D. Paul Huxley, CF, Strong Defense and Speed; from Detroit, all punk, all the time.
E. Bob Davis, SS, from Hollywood, All-Star with an ego, enjoys fashion and going to salons

you can just post your answer

Dusty chooses Bob Davis for a roommate.
"Ok then," says Alonzo "Bob! You got a new roommate!"
Bob "Hollywood" Davis was busy turning the cute hotel receptionist into putty with his impeccable looks and sleazy--yet effective--charm. He turned to see Dusty, waiting expectantly.
"Good God," said Bob,"where did you come from?"
"I joined the team yesterday while you were sleeping."
Bob groaned, then instructed Dusty to go get himself cleaned up.
Dusty headed up to their room to get cleaned up.
Bob finished charming Tammy, the receptionist, arranged for a date that night and went to get settled in.

A NOTE FROM YOUR NARRATOR:

Something I didnt mention--because I just thought of it--is that I'm going to edit together a team on PP08 and play out a lot of these games, or at least sim them. I'll be editing your abilities as we progress along.

So, some info I hadn't asked for yet but that I welcome your input on:
1. Your pitching form.
2. Batting Stance.
3. Throwing arm, and what side you bat from.
4. Any other physical appearance stuff you'd like to have, pink earrings, beards, whatevs...

--thx, Dusty

LOL

Sunday morning, November 29, 2015

Alonzo was walking from the hotel to the stadium, mulling over his roster, and what his lineup might be today. His roster was razor thin, with no margin for injuries or giving someone a rest if they weren't feeling 100%
At a park along the way, he saw a couple of young guys having more than your average game of catch, making strong, accurate throws from more than a hundred feet apart.
Brown had a good feeling and approached the two.
Of the two, one had a great throwing motion that reminded Alonzo of Mo Rivera, and he had some decent zip on his throws, he introduced himself as John Bradley.
The other guy was bigger and stronger looking, and said he was a better hitter than fielder, truth be told. His name was Lance Derby.
A few minutes later, the Carquinez Pirates had an eleven man roster, which put a bounce in Alonzo's step as he went to survey the stadium and get his lineup ready.

Carquinez Lions Roster

JACK CASELLI, 12 yrs old
2B, Bats/Throws Right
Trj 1, CON 7, PWR 60, SPD 5, ARM 3, FLD 7, ERES 5, BreakupDP
TOP SPD 77mph, CTL 110, STAM 28

ALONZO BROWN, 35 yrs old
Catcher, Mopup Man. RHP, Throws/Right
Trj 2, CON 6, PWR 100, SPD 5, ARM 13, FLD 12, ERES13, GoldGlove,GrtCatcher,PullHitter
TOPSPD 93, CTL 90, STAM 78, KnCRV 2

JEFFERSON JACKSON, 25 yrs old, LHP, Bats Left
Closer, Outfielder
Trj 2, CON 8, PWR 140, SPD 7, ARM 11, FLD 8, ERES 6
TOPSPD 95, CTL 120, STAM 78, 2SFB 2, CCHG 3, DrK, FB Life

ESAU "DUSTY" YOKEL, 21 yrs old
2B, middle relief
Trj 2, CON 3, PWR 95, SPD 5, ARM 5, FLD 5, ERES 5,
TOPSPD 84 mph, CTL 105, STAM 28

JOHN BRADLEY, 26 yrs old
Starting Pitcher, outfield
Trj 2, CON 4, PWR 50, SPD 5, ARM 5, FLD 4, ERES 3
TOPSPD 88 mph, CTL 110, STAM 93, CHG 2

LANCE "SWIGGER" DERBY, 19 yrs old
1B, 3B, middle relief
Trj 2, CON 5, PWR 90, SPD 3, ARM 7, FLD 5, ERES 5
TOPSPD 81 mph, CTL 100, STAM 28

BOB "HOLLYWOOD" DAVIS, 20 yrs old
RHP, SS, infield
Trj 3, CON 10, PWR 120, SPD 12, ARM 9, FLD 6, ERES 7, RallyHitter, PivotMan, Star
TOPSPD 80mph, CTL 100, STAM 53, SLD 2

CRISTOBAL SANTOS, 28 yrs old
3B, 1B, Catcher, Setup Man
Trj 4, CON 4, PWR 160, SPD 6, ARM 12, FLD 7, ERES 8, CLUTCH 4, PowerHitter
TOPSPD 90, CTL 120, STAM 73, H-SNK 2

PAUL HUXLEY, 18 yrs old
CF, of, middle relief
Trj 1, CON 11, PWR 70, SPD 14, ARM 10, FLD 13, ERES 12, BuntMaster, Steal4
TOPSPD 80, CTL 100, STAM 53, KN 2

CASSIUS PATTERSON, 20 yrs old
SP, outfield
Trj 2, CON 7, PWR 90, SPD 9, ARM 6, FLD 10, ERES 11
TOPSPD 94, CTL 150, STAM 153, CRV 3, SiFB 3, FB Life4, GroundballP

HANSUKE SAWAMURA, 19yrs old
LHP, outfield
Trj 1, CON 4, PWR 70, SPD 10, ARM 8, FLD 10, ERES 12
TOPSPD 90, CTL 170, STAM 153, Shutto 3, V-SLD 3, SPIN 4, LUCKY