Let’s be honest: it was an overly optimistic idea to create a 10-division competition for (mainly) British fantasy baseball fanatics. And then, to structure it so that everyone was competing for the overall highest points scorer prize just made it more of a headache for the organisers. But do you know what? I think Bat Flips & Nerds pulled it off.
Congratulations to all 10 division winners and commiserations to the runners-up. Hopefully, everyone who participated in the competition enjoyed the format: Fantasy Baseball… with a British Twist.
The 10 division winners will be invited to join the Champions League in 2024. And be aware that the Champions League is an auction draft; this is the gold standard of fantasy baseball.
Want to get involved next season? Stay tuned to Bat Flips & Nerds. Entries open in January.
| DIVISION | WINNER | RUNNER UP |
| AL CENTRAL | Michael Garmston | Jason Toms |
| AL EAST | Bat Flips & Nerds | Dan Roach |
| AL NORTH | Chris Jones | Manc Baseball |
| AL WEST | Chris Deeley | Paul Dearnley |
| NL CENTRAL | Richard Davison | |
| NL EAST | Mark Finbow | Marc Collins |
| NL NORTH | Martin Wood | Timothy Burtt |
| NL WEST | Luke Kendrick | |
| BASEMENT | Ash Smith | Jon Lansdown |
FINAL RANKINGS (AI generated based on the points scored and the finishing position in the division)
HIGHEST POINTS SCORER
The prize for the highest points scorer across all 10 divisions was not as tightly fought as I had hoped. Richard Davison annihilated the field. His margin of victory over second-place Michael Garmston was truly incredible.
A trophy for the Great British Fantasy Baseball Superleague 2023: Highest Points Scorer will be on its way to Richard in the next week or two.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
At the end of July, my team led the Champions League, and a spot in the playoffs was almost assured. But I let complacency creep in, and an August capitulation meant I entered the playoffs with an underperforming roster and was easily cast aside by Mark Blakemore.
In the other semi-final, Adam Nicholson (who finished the regular season in the top spot of the Champions League) rightly reached the final with a narrow victory over David Runciman.
The length of the two-week final period was designed to remove anomalies of a single-week final, and Adam was deservedly crowned the first Champions League winner of the Great British Fantasy Baseball Superleague.
Such was the intense competition that it would not have been a surprise had either Ryan Owens (RotoBrits) or Jonny Gould/James Holden (Behind Home Plate) won the Champions League. In the end, Ryan pipped the Jonny/James combo in the battle of the former champions for fifth place.
The division winners will shortly be receiving their trophies for the Great British Fantasy Baseball Superleague 2023. And you can be sure all of them will have a target on their backs in 2024.
Want to get involved in next season’s Great British Fantasy Baseball Superleague? Entries open in January 2024. Stay tuned to Bat Flips & Nerds for further details.