WEEKLY VIDEO

Our weekly feature, Baseball Videos! These are from YouTube or other sources and may have advertisements in them but they are usually worth it. Each week or so we will feature a different video. YouTube or other similar websites are the host for these video's and I assume the videos are not copyright protected if they are on the YouTube website. If a video is taken down it is done by YouTube. Enjoy!!

3-1-26 Baserunning is making a comeback in Major League Baseball. The steroid era made teams power hungry and baserunning became an afterthought. With a few rule changes and as all the other things return to normal there is now more focus on good baserunning. Being more aggressive on the basepaths lead to some exiting plays. A great slide can make all the difference. Here is a video featuring " MLB Best Slides".

Click here to play this weeks video clip...

If you would like to replay an old video check out the Video Archive on the left side of the website.

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LEAGUE NOTES:

Here is the 2026 FBN League computer file. Download the file and install it on your computer. There are instructions for installing the file in the computer section on the left menu. If you find a problem with the file please let Bob Figella know about any issues. You must use this file for all league games.

Click here for the 2026 FBN computer file...

This is the only file that will be issued by the league unless we find a problem. Each member must do all their own transactions. Please do not move or trade players until the trade becomes effective. An example is if you make a trade that is effective the next block DO NOT MOVE THE PLAYERS UNTIL YOU HAVE PLAYED ALL GAMES IN THAT BLOCK. Moving players early is one major cause of problems. It can duplicate players or delete players. If you are creating a computer manager for the next block the same logic applies. Do not adjust your roster and create the computer manager until all your games are played for games involved before the trade become official. If you have a computer issue and need a new computer file during the season and do not have a file in your backups then email Bob Figella and he will supply the latest file with all transactions to that date but it will not include your stats.

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TEAM NOTES:

DEVIL DOODLES - 9-25

The Blue Devils wrapped up play in its 39th season in the FBN with a flourish going 17-4 in the last block to finish 95-67 - tied for the 4th seed in the playoffs with Norwich. However, Norwich finishes ahead as they handled CT winning 6 of 9 in the regular season. Norwich will have home field advantage in the Wild Card playoff series.

The Blue Devils head into the post season for the 21st time clearly on the back of the pitching staff that was outstanding all year long. In fact, the pitching staff set a new franchise record with a team ERA of 3.05 - the lowest in the teams' 39 year history. It completely obliterated the previous best mark of 3.18 set back in 1993 for a team that went 106-56. What makes it more special is that it was a complete team effort. 19 different pitchers made appearances with 10 pitchers having ERA's under 3.00 and 17 out of 19 pitchers ERA's under 4.00. Only two pitchers had double digit wins- Zach Eflin 14-7 and Andrew Heaney 11-7. The most innings pitched was 181 by Eflin. In comparison, back in 1993, only 15 pitchers were used with 4 starters pitching over 200 innings each led by Greg Maddux 25-7 2.26 294 IP. Jose Rijo won 17 games, Rheal Cormier won 16 games and Kevin Tapani won 14 games. Definitely shows how the game has changed from starting pitcher focused to the current bullpen focused.

Another franchise record was set by closer Raisel Iglesias who saved 44 games passing the previous best mark of 43 by Darren Holmes in 1994. The pitching staff also set a franchise record allowing just 403 walks besting the 411 walks allowed in 2012.

Offensively, Connecticut was very inconsistent all season long batting just .238 as a team - the 2nd lowest mark in franchise history. Freddie Freeman led the team in almost every category - 98 runs, 86 RBI, 47 doubles, 30 HR's and 85 walks but batted just .255 - much lower than expected. Bobby Witt Jr ended up having a solid season with 24 HR's, 83 RBI, 88 runs and batted .275. But overall it was much less production than anticipated and only 15 stolen bases. The biggest disappointment from the "Big 3" was Corey Seager. He batted just .244 with 21 HR's, only 70 RBI and 51 runs. The Blue Devils will need all 3 stars producing in the post season to make any kind of run and try to defend their NL pennant crown.

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Older team articles can be found in the Team Article Archive on the left side menu.

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2026 INSIDE THE FLY BY NIGHT
Written by Ed Griffin
March 2026

Hey guys,
Here you go. Another exciting FBN season about to roll. I have two prohibitive favorites. We’ll see how they do. Good luck to everyone and have fun playing the lowly but frisky FIGHTING KOI!

Ed