USBA Offices – Somewhere in Wisconsin
In many ways the 2022 version of the Premier League was one of the best that the league has had to offer. The 10th edition of the USPL saw Boston take the crown again with a dominating performance topping the table by by eight games to runner up Richardson City. This season also featured the first ever USBA Tournament of Champions creating a lot of buzz around the USBA. The ToC quickly turned into the “PL Invite” as ML champs Oakland and SL champs Vancouver were bounced in the opening round. The finals featured a slight upset as RC downed Boston capturing the inaugural trophy. When the final pitch was thrown the silverware was spread around to Boston (Shield), RC (ToC), and Houston (USBA Cup) for only the second time in USBA history.
Single season records set in 2022:
Steals- Noel Ballard (51) Chicago
The Chicago speedster lit up the basepaths on the North Side this year racking up 51 swipes to go with only 16 times caught stealing. The steady second baseman made a habit of getting on base then embarrasing Premier League backstops. A mountain of pilfered bags is no stranger for Ballard who also owns the Silver League record of 69 steals (nice). Even though he has spent a good chunk of his career in the SL Ballard could pass the career record held by Jose Pena in short order.
Strikeouts- Pedro Morales (146) Buckhead
Morales serves as the face of the new baseball minds that consider an out and out. The Buckhead center fielder still put up a 3.9 WAR season even though he topped the career mark for wiffs. Bowties management is looking to go green this offseason by converting 35% of Morales’s ABs into wind energy.
Saves- Fred Pitts (35) Atlanta
Atlanta’s miracle season would not have been a reality without the stopper Fred Pitts at the backend of their bullpen. Riding a two pitch combo of an elite cutter, and a curve ball that is such a hammer Ron Jeremy would be jealous. Even though he shut the door in the end Smoke Pitts kept Smoke fans on the edge of their seats throughout the season allowing his fair share of runs. Time will tell if Freddys micropenisesque BABIP of .239 is sustainable going forward.
Games Pitched- Craig Gasnier (70) Phoenix
Gasiner served as the sacrificial lamb for the relegated Phoenix side soaking up innings in blowout losses like a Sham Wow!. The bullpen phone rang Craig more than your one friend that just joined a pyramid scheme, but won’t stop calling to get you to join. Returning to the bump only to get shelled was a nightmare akin to Groundhogs Day. Mercifully, Gasiner is going down to the Silver League where the friendly Canadian has a better chance at success.
Kerry- Buckhead GM