This newsletter contains series and game summaries for the 2013 NABC World Series and other playoff series. The box scores and playoff statistics are all available in the final C-file that I distributed by e-mail. Congratulations to the 3rd seeded Danbury Dirt Dobbers, managed by Steve Davis, who defeated manager Dave Brim and his 5th seeded Wyandotte Falcons, in a tightly-contested 6 game series. Wyandotte led 2 games to 1, before Danbury rallied to take the final 3 games. This was the first matchup of #3 and #5 seeds in the World Series since seeding began in 2000 and just the second time the #3 seed won the title. The WS games were played online via join.me, as, once again, this season all playoff games were contested via either a phone or chat connection. Thanks to all playoff managers for completing games promptly.

For Danbury manager Steve Davis, in his third NABC year, this was his second playoff and finals appearance, having lost the WS in 2012. The Danbury franchise, in the playoffs for the first time since 2005, now has 20 playoff runs in 33 seasons overall, plus 4 World Series titles in 11 tries, with the most recent previous championship in 2001. For Wyandotte’s manager Brim, in his 29th season in the NABC as the only Falcons manager, this was the 5th World Series appearances, plus the 10th qualification for the playoffs. The Falcons’ two previous titles were won in 1994 and 2005.

In the series, Danbury dropped the opener in 12 innings, won game 2 and lost game 3, before bouncing back to win the last 3 games, including a 10 inning 3-2 walk off in the clinching game 6. Over the course of the post-season, the Bison offense was led by Ben Zobrist (.319, 22 for 69, 12 runs and 14 walks), the pesky Marco Scutaro ( .357, 20 for 56) and Buster Posey (.233, 6 hr, 14 rbi). Kyle Lohse (3-0, 2.08, with 3 complete games) and Jake Peavy (2-0, 1.99) led the Dirt Dobbers starting staff. For Wyandotte, Paul Goldschmidt (.283, 15-53, 6 doubles, 8 runs, 6 rbi), Andrew McCutchen (.220, 4hr, 13 rbi) and Justin Ruggiano (.259, 14-54, 10 runs) were the most productive hitters, while Felipe Paulino (4-0, 1.41, 3 complete games and 14 hits allowed in 38.1 innings was spectacular. Indeed, an injury to Paulino in WS game 5, after facing just 1 Dobbers batter, seemed to take the wind out of the Falcons’ sails.

Congratulations to both Steve and Dave for making it to the finals, and thanks to all NABC managers for another great year!