No Balls No Babies Wins Week 24 Prize

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 2:21 am

Congratulations to No Balls No Babies in Chicago League 1 for finishing first in the NFBC last week with 2,708 points.

Carlos Lee (.429-2-4) led the way offensively while Adrian Beltre (.393-3-9-1), Ryan Shealy (.318-3-12) and Chris Iannetta (.429) also had good weeks at the plate. Rich Hill won two games and fanned 16 to lead the pitching staff while Billy Wagner and Trevor Hoffman had two saves apiece.

For finishing first last week No Balls No Babies wins an autographed Brad Lidge baseball courtesy of Tri-Star Productions. Congratulations again to No Balls No Babies and good luck to everyone in the NFBC this week.

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 2:30 am

Living just 10 minute away from Miller Park in Milwaukee, the stench of losing baseball has been difficult for Brent Grooms to ignore this season. But unlike the Brewers, who are stumbling their way toward another dismal season, Grooms is finding some late-season magic that is helping his season close on a positive note.

And he has a former Brewer to thank for that.

Thanks in large part to a big week from Carlos Lee (.429-2-4), Grooms’ No Balls No Babies team in Chicago League 1 finished first in the NFBC last week with 2,708 points.

Adrian Beltre (.393-3-9-1), Ryan Shealy (.318-3-12) and Chris Iannetta (.429) also had good weeks at the plate. Rich Hill won two games and fanned 16 to lead the pitching staff while Billy Wagner and Trevor Hoffman had two saves apiece.

“My success this week can be directly tied to the hitting of Ryan Shealy and Adrian Beltre, as well as great pitching out of Rich Hill, Erik Bedard, Chuck James and Mike Mussina,” Grooms said. “The entire season my pitching staff has been solid but I have been waiting for my hitting to catch up.”

Grooms is in a heated battle with The Lollygaggers for the league title in Chicago 1. As of Monday night, only one-half point separated the two teams.

Grooms credits his draft strategy for keeping his team in the race.

“I knew that speed would be going early and often from the numerous mock drafts I had competed in,” he said. “Drafting from the 10 spot I was targeting David Wright in the first and Jimmy Rollins in the second. Thankfully, both landed in my lap.

“After that I basically tried to fill my roster with the best available player with an emphasis on filling my middle infield spots by the end of Round 6. I took my closers in the fourth and fifth with Wagner and Hoffman, then filled out the rest of my pitching staff with high strikeout pitchers.

“Fortunately, it has worked out pretty well to this point but these last two weeks are going to be intense.”

For finishing first last week Grooms wins an autographed Brad Lidge baseball courtesy of Tri-Star Productions.

The Lollygaggers · Post by **The Lollygaggers** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 3:45 am

I can vouch for Brent's solid draft strategy, especially pitching. I was drafting behind him at #11, and he scooped me several times. I'm still bitter about Mike Mussina.