Windosill may not be the last game I will play in 2020 but it is probably the last game I will finish this year. It was very short. If you have a half-hour to spare, you may be able to finish it. It was a nice little puzzle game and good filler to play in between longer titles. The gameplay consisted of clicking on various objects to uncover a small box. You use the box to unlock a door to exit the room. I believe there were ten rooms in all. I'm not sure which game I will tackle next but it will almost certainly take longer to complete than the charming little Windosill.

With an 89-73 record, the Brooklyn Knights had their least successful season ever. In 20 previous seasons, the Knights failed to win their division only once (2013). However, that 2013 team still managed to win 96 games. What went wrong in 2020? The offseason/preseason gave some reasons for concern before the season began. While other teams were making trades and signing free agents, the Knights were the only NALB team that did not add a new player to its roster. Brooklyn's only trades involved minor leagues players, which were not impactful. The Knights' plans for 2020 involved minimum roster changes. One significant decision was to let third baseman Alberto Pescador leave for free agency. The plan was to move John Ruben from first base back to third base, which is his natural position. The Knights wanted to sign Mabon Beniniger as their new first baseman. After seven years in Dunedin, Beniniger filed for free agency and was the most coveted player on the market. Unfortunately for Brooklyn, the Washington Allies wasted no time offering Beniniger a deal. They quickly came to terms ($133.2 million over 8 years) before the Knights could match or exceed the offer. In response, the Knights called up Ramone Alconer from AAA to play first base.

Preseason predictions had the Brooklyn Knights winning 93 games, which placed them 5 games ahead of the Dayton Grizzlies. In April, however, the Knights did not resemble a top team. After the first month of the season, they were in third place with a disappointing 9-13 record. Many thought the 2020 Knights would struggle offensively with far fewer top hitters and less power. Surprisingly, it was their pitching that looked completely atypical. Their pitching staff was a team strength but they did not play like it early on. As the season progressed, however, the Knights looked better and better. By June, they had climbed to first place in the division. They slipped a bit in July but trailed the Grizzlies by a mere two games at the all-star break. Down the stretch, the Grizzlies kept winning just enough to keep the Knights at bay. Brooklyn was never able to close the gap.

Overall, the Knights offense was mediocre and the weakest in franchise history. Out of 8 League 1 teams, they finished 5th in runs scored with 689. Likewise, their team batting average of .252 was only good enough for 5th place. After a rocky start, Brooklyn's pitching mostly returned to form. A team ERA of 3.53 was tops in League 1. That was largely due to the excellence of the Knights' bullpen. Their starters collectively had a 4.19 ERA, which was only 5th best in League 1. Staff ace Tony Tamayo had a particularly frustrating year. He failed to win 10 games for the first time in his career. His 9-12 record was predominately caused by home runs allowed (28) and a career low in run support (2.4 per game).

The outlook for 2021 is somewhat unclear. Three players are over 35 years in age. Hooks Goetz is 40; Bernard Gastelu and Flavio Marquez will turn 38 next year. Their best days are behind them. The Knights could use a younger player with a big bat to add to their lineup. Unfortunately, there are no upcoming free agents the caliber of a Mabon Beniniger. The Knights committed a lot of money to their "big three" starting pitchers: Tony Tamayo ($13.5m), Marcos Delgadillo ($15.0m), and Aaron Patterson ($10.0m). An upgrade to their fourth or fifth starter could be in order. The bullpen appears solid for the near future, particularly with the six-year extension given to closer Ken Hannah. The biggest challenge going forward will be staying competitive with a significantly improved Dayton Grizzlies team, the current NALB champions.

Here are North American League Baseball’s prestigious individual award winners for 2020.

League 1
Outstanding Batter Award: Leonard O'Marron (Luisville Beasts)
Outstanding Pitcher Award: Rey Alvarado (Dayton Grizzlies)
Reliever of the Year Award: Alfredo Maldonardo (Cornfield Axemen)
Newcomer of the Year: Paco Rivera (Luisville Beasts)
Manager of the Year: Steve Blakey (Dayton Grizzlies)

Platinum Stick Award Winners
Catcher: Andrew Strain (Brooklyn Knights)
First Baseman: Hsiao-lou Yeh (Luisville Beasts)
Second Baseman: John Edwards (Nashville Firecats)
Third Baseman: Derk McPartland (Dunedin Otters)
Shortstop: Lariel Gómez (Dunedin Otters)
Left Fielder: Yvon Chouinard (Luisville Beasts)
Center Fielder: Beagan Cajar (Dayton Grizzlies)
Right Fielder: Leonard O'Marron (Luisville Beasts)
Designated Hitter: Toru Kobayashi (St. Rock Mudcats)

Slick Fielder Award Winners
Pitcher: Paco Rivera (Luisville Beasts)
Catcher: Luís Ellanos (Dayton Grizzlies)
First Baseman: Ramone Alconer (Brooklyn Knights)
Second Baseman: Richard Brehm (Dunedin Otters)
Third Baseman: Moray Williams (Las Vegas Luck)
Shortstop: Carlos Cardenas (St. Rock Mudcats)
Left Fielder: Yvon Chouinard (Luisville Beasts)
Center Fielder: Jonathan Robb (Cornfield Axemen)
Right Fielder: Michael Jackson (St. Rock Mudcats)

League 2
Outstanding Batter Award: Mabon Beniniger (Washington Allies)
Outstanding Pitcher Award: Braulio Crame (Stade Maples)
Reliever of the Year Award: Tim Sanders (Stade Maples)
Newcomer of the Year: Cletus MacPherson (St. James Crusaders)
Manager of the Year: Senon López (Key West Corals)

Platinum Stick Award Winners
Pitcher: Braulio Crame (Stade Maples)
Catcher: Sancho Alguirre (Phoenix Rattlers)
First Baseman: Mabon Beniniger (Washington Allies)
Second Baseman: Dave Groot (Key West Corals)
Third Baseman: Yves Provençal (Quebeck Sky Chiefs)
Shortstop: Márque Parita (Quebeck Sky Chiefs)
Left Fielder: Aramis Jáquez (Richmond Slam)
Center Fielder: Pedro Castro (Vancouver Wild)
Right Fielder: Arturo Guerrero (Phoenix Rattlers)

Slick Fielder Award Winners
Pitcher: Alejandro Rocha (Key West Corals)
Catcher: Nick Koche (Quebeck Sky Chiefs)
First Baseman: Mabon Beniniger (Washington Allies)
Second Baseman: Jorge Cheno (Stade Maples)
Third Baseman: Adelmo Porcayo (Key West Corals)
Shortstop: Ramiro Socastro (Stade Maples)
Left Fielder: John Patterson (Phoenix Rattlers)
Center Fielder: Gilberto Malgoso (Quebeck Sky Chiefs)
Right Fielder: Joe Geddes (Vancouver Wild)

The Dayton Grizzlies won their first division title in 2020. In this magical season, they held off the Brooklyn Knights to finish in first place. They proceeded to beat the formidable Luisville Beasts in the League 1 Series. Finally, they became NALB champions by defeating the Key West Corals in six games in the World Championship Series. What a season it was for the Grizzlies and their fans. Dayton set a franchise season attendance record as fans increasingly realized this could be "their year." The Grizzlies were two games ahead of the Knights at the all-star break and they never relinquished that lead.

On a team with many great players, there were a few standouts. Starting pitcher Rey Alvarado had a magnificent season with a league leading 20-5 record and 2.36 ERA. Last year's Newcomer of the Year Beagan Cajar followed up with an even better sophomore season. The center fielder hit 41 home runs and led the league with 11 triples and 126 RBI. The Grizzlies' best player may have been Bubba Webb. He split his time between shortstop and first base. With a .287 batting average, 38 doubles, 33 home runs, and a .564 slugging average, Webb had a great all-around season. He elevated his game in the playoffs and was named the MVP of both the League 1 Series and the World Championship Series.


Click the image for the NALB 2020 World Championship roster

2020 World Championship Series - Dayton Grizzlies (93-69) vs. Key West Corals (100-62)

Game 1: Dayton 4, Key West 3
Game 2: Key West 1, Dayton 0
Game 3: Dayton 5, Key West 4
Game 4: Key West 8, Dayton 6
Game 5: Dayton 5, Key West 4
Game 6: Dayton 6, Key West 4

Series MVP: Bubba Webb (Dayton Grizzlies)

The Dayton Grizzlies had been an up and coming team on the verge of breaking out. After three straight second place finishes, they won their first division title in 2020. This season's team was their most talented yet. They were well-balanced with skilled pitching and hitting, plus plenty of power. Proving they were no fluke, the Grizzlies dispatched the Luisville Beasts rather easily in the League 1 Series. Facing the Grizzlies in the 2020 World Championship Series was the Key West Corals. The Corals had somewhat of a dynasty from 2013 to 2016. In that span, they appeared in three World Championship Series and won two. After missing the playoffs the last two seasons, Key West led all teams with 100 wins this year.

Game 1: Rey Alvarado (20-5, 2.36 ERA) vs. Porfiro Quiñones (5-8, 3.73 ERA). Although their regular season records might indicate otherwise, this was an evenly matched game between two experienced starting pitchers. Both hurlers gave up three runs. Quiñones pitched six innings for while Alvarado lasted seven for Dayton. It came down to the closers in the ninth inning. Third baseman Jason Raynor came in to pinch hit for the Grizzlies. He delivered a solo home run off of Lowie Zuydam. Xavier Widdison closed out the game for the Grizzlies' 4-3 win.

Game 2: Jade Pradia (14-6, 2.79 ERA) vs. Alexander Sandilands (10-6, 3.70 ERA). Dayton's Pradia put on a pitching clinic for five innings, giving up only a single run. However, Sandilands was even better. He pitched 5.1 scoreless innings and the Corals' bullpen was equally as effective. The only run in Key West's 1-0 win was from a solo homer by right fielder Carlos Tehera in the third inning.

Game 3: Hartman Ivers (6-5, 4.04 ERA) vs. Eric Matts (9-10, 4.17 ERA). The series moved to Dayton for game three. The Corals had a veteran 34 year old Ivers on the mound. The Grizzlies started big 6'6" lefty Eric Matts, one of the hardest throwers in the game. An early 4-3 lead by the Grizzlies was erased in the sixth inning. Grizzlies' right fielder Rainer Rojas tied the game 4-4 with a solo home run. The game was decided in the bottom of the tenth inning when third baseman Quilvio Martínez won the game for the Grizzlies with a solo homer to left field.

Game 4: Peter Burdick (10-6, 3.61 ERA) vs. Norberto Baleazar (11-12, 4.55 ERA). The starting pitching for game four wasn't as good as previous games. Both pitchers struggled and gave up five runs each. Tied 5-5 after six innings, the seventh inning ended up as the game's decisive turning point. Key West claimed the lead thanks to a three-run homer by Adelmo Porcayo. The Grizzlies scratched out a run in the bottom half of the inning but took the loss by a score of 8-6.

Game 5: Porfiro Quiñones vs. Rey Alvarado. With the series tied 2-2, game five in Dayton had the potential to be the pivotal match-up. It featured a rematch of the game one starters. The score was different but the outcome was the same. The Grizzlies won by a single run. Although Quiñones had a quality start with three runs over six innings, Alvarado was the clear player of the game. The Dayton starter pitched seven shutout innings. With a 3-0 lead heading into the ninth inning, Dayton almost let the game slip away. Closer Xavier Widdison blew the save and gave up four runs. It took a walk-off two-run homer by first baseman Bubba Webb to give the Grizzlies the 5-4 win.

Game 6: Jade Pradia vs. Alexander Sandilands. Down three games to two, the Corals needed to win both remaining games in Key West. They hoped for a repeat of Sandilands' masterful game two start, which contributed to a shutout victory. It was not to be, however. He was pulled in the third inning after surrendering four runs. Pradia fared better with three runs given up over five innings. The Grizzlies scored two runs in the first inning and never looked back. The Corals never managed to catch up. Every time they scored, the Grizzlies answered with more runs. In the end, it was a 6-4 win for Dayton. The Grizzlies' Bubba Webb was masterful. He went 3 for 3 with a walk and 2 home runs. The victory made the Dayton Grizzlies the 2020 NALB World Champions!

Dayton's Bubba Webb was named the MVP of the World Championship Series. Webb had 4 home runs, 7 RBIs, and played tremendous defense at first base. His great play was a key factor in the Grizzlies' success over the regular season and playoffs. He was previously named as the MVP of the League 2 Series.

2020 League 2 Series - Phoenix Rattlers (89-73) vs. Key West Corals (100-62)

Game 1: Key West 4, Phoenix 1
Game 2: Key West 5, Phoenix 0
Game 3: Phoenix 7, Key West 3
Game 4: Key West 2, Phoenix 1
Game 5: Phoenix 2, Key West 0
Game 6: Phoenix 5, Key West 1
Game 7: Key West 9, Phoenix 5

Series MVP: Chi-ju Fong (Key West Corals)

The Phoenix Rattlers, reigning NALB champions, hoped to become the second franchise in league history to win back to back World Championships. To date, the only team with that distinction is the Brooklyn Knights. In the way of the Rattlers was the Key West Corals. They were NALB's winningest team in 2020 with 100 victories in the regular season.

Two veteran pitchers started game one of the League 2 Series. For Phoenix, it was Heath MacKissock (11-11, 4.14 ERA). Key West's starter was Porfiro Quiñones (5-8, 3.73 ERA). Both starters pitched well. Heading into the seventh inning, the Rattlers held a slim 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the seventh, the Corals strung together five hits, including a three-run home run. That put Key West up 4-1, which was the final score.

Game two was a one-sided affair. Corals' starter Hartman Ivers frustrated Rattlers' hitters for 6.2 scoreless innings. Key West won easily, 5-0.

The Rattlers looked like a different team back in Phoenix for game three. They jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first inning and added three more runs in the fifth. Meanwhile, starter Stafford Konig kept Phoenix in check. Konig surrendered only one earned run across 6.1 innings. The Rattlers offensive star was first baseman Grandberry, who had three hits and a walk in four plate appearances. The 7-3 win gave the Rattlers some much needed life.

Game four featured another pitching duel between two pitchers who looked very sharp. Phoenix's Shane McSweeny gave up one run in six innings while Key West's Alexander Sandilands gave up one run in 6.1 innings. The outcome was decided in extra innings. A solo home run by shortstop Chi-ju Fong in the top of the tenth led to a 2-1 Corals' win.

It was do or die for the Rattlers in game five. Fortunately for them, they responded to the challenge. MacKissock avenged his game one loss to Quiñones and the Corals. He pitched 5.2 scoreless innings and gave up a mere two hits. Phoenix's 2-0 shutout victory sent the series back to Key West.

The Corals were unable to wrap up the series in game six. Hartman Ivers was not as sharp as he was in game two. The Rattlers scored five runs off of Ivers, which was plenty for their starter David Bracy. Bracy gave up but a single run and led the Rattlers to a 5-1 win.

Tensions were high for the decisive game seven. The Corals didn't waste any time to secure the victory. After scoring two runs in the first inning, they added six more in the second inning. It was Chi-ju Fong's grand slam in the second that took the steam out of the Rattlers. The Rattlers still showed a lot of fight but the deficit was too great. The Key West Corals won the game 9-5 and will advance to the World Championship Series to play the Dayton Grizzlies.

The sweet swing of shortstop Chi-ju Fong led his team in the League Series. The Key West Corals star earned series MVP honors. For the series, Fong hit .320 with 2 home runs, 7 RBIs, and scored 4 runs.

2020 League 1 Series - Dayton Grizzlies (93-69) vs. Luisville Beasts (97-65)

Game 1: Dayton 5, Luisville 4
Game 2: Dayton 6, Luisville 1
Game 3: Dayton 9, Luisville 6
Game 4: Luisville 13, Dayton 12
Game 5: Dayton 9, Luisville 2

Series MVP: Bubba Webb (Dayton Grizzlies)

With four straight division titles, the Luisville Beasts were no strangers to the League 1 Series. The difference this year was the absence of the Brooklyn Knights. Instead, the Dayton Grizzlies made their first playoff appearance. Both teams were very solid with great hitting and pitching.

The game one opener in Luisville was a competitive contest. The Grizzlies had starter Rey Alvarado (20-5, 2.36 ERA) matched up against rookie sensation Paco Rivera (15-9, 3.46 ERA) for the Beasts. Dayton scored in each of the first three innings and built a 4-0 lead. Luisville tied the game 4-4 in the bottom of the third, however. Third baseman Quilvio Martinez hit an RBI double in the fifth inning to give the Grizzlies a 5-4 win.

Game two was a classic pitchers' duel with Dayton's Jake Pradia vs. Luisville's Cory Gregory. After four innings, the game was tied at one run apiece. Both bullpens kept things in check as the game was still 1-1 heading into the 13th inning. The Grizzlies scored five runs to earn a decisive 6-1 win.

Having lost the first two games at home, the Luisville Beasts felt the pressure heading to Dayton for game three. They did not respond well. The Beasts gave up three runs in the first, five more in the fourth, and another run in the sixth. Down 9-0, the outcome appeared certain. The Beasts scored 6 runs in the eighth but their comeback fell short. Grizzlies center fielder Beagan Cajar was the star of the game. The 2019 Newcomer of the Year award winner went 4 for 5 with a double, a home run, and 5 RBIs. Dayton's 9-6 win put them up three games to none and one win away from victory.

The Beasts showed guts in game 4. With their backs up against the wall, they struck early with four runs in the first inning. Going into the sixth inning, they clung to a 5-3 lead. The Grizzlies stormed back in the sixth and seventh, however, and took the lead 10-5. Possessing one of NALB's most formidable offenses, Luisville showed its prowess in the eighth inning. They scored eight runs, which included a three-run homer from third baseman Okura Kono. Dayton almost pulled off a comeback by scoring a run in the eighth and another in the ninth. When the slugfest was over, however, the Beasts remained victorious 13-12.

The Grizzlies had one more chance to wrap up the series at home in game five. They did just that. They scored runs in spurts, putting up three in the second inning, three in the seventh inning, and a final three in the eighth inning. The Beasts scored two runs in the ninth but it was too little, too late. The Dayton Grizzlies won 9-2 to clinch the League 1 Series.

Dayton's first baseman Bubba Webb was named series MVP. Webb was red hot in the series, which saw him put up a .333 average, as well as 2 home runs and 9 RBI.

The Dayton Grizzlies won their division for the first time. This was only the second time in 21 NALB seasons that the Brooklyn Knights failed to finish in first place. Despite some competition from the Otters and Firecats, the Luisville Beasts repeated as division champions for the fourth straight season. The Key West Corals outpaced a tough Stade Maples team to win its first division title since 2017. Finally, the Phoenix Rattlers won their division for the third straight year. The defending champions edged the Vancouver Wild by a single game. They also survived a furious season finish by the Richmond Slam.

The League Series match-ups:
Dayton Grizzlies (93-69) vs. Luisville Beasts (97-65)
Phoenix Rattlers (89-73) vs. Key West Corals (100-62)

Head to head this season:
The Beasts were 12-12 against the Grizzlies.
The Corals were 13-10 against the Rattlers.

Playoff injury report:
Starting pitcher Kent Eliot is on Dayton's injury list. He has been unavailable since May, however, so the Grizzlies have become accustomed to playing without him. Injuries have taken their toll on the Beasts. The following players are on Luisville's injury list: SP Charles Revels, SP Noel Trevenot, SP Anastasio Urbáez, RP Albin Audelo, CL Ed Boudrou, and 2B Amsalu Kanda.

The Corals have several players on the injury list: SP Vincent Cadieux, RP Fred Dyball, RP Danny Ruíz, and CF Phil Tompkins. Likewise, the Rattlers have four players on the IL: SP Ralph Kerfoot, SP Jaview Rosavio, SP Markus Wrightm and RP Fernando Landaes.

September 2020 awards:

League 1
Batter of the Month: Beagan Cajar (Dayton Grizzlies)
Pitcher of the Month: Rey Alvarado (Dayton Grizzlies)
Rookie of the Month: Paco Rivera (Luisville Beasts)

League 2
Batter of the Month: Mabon Beniniger (Washington Allies)
Pitcher of the Month: Lowie Zuydam (Key West Corals)
Rookie of the Month: George Medforth (Stade Maples)

Things couldn't have gone much worse for the Brooklyn Knights to start the month of August. Down 5½ games to the Grizzlies, the Knights were an abysmal 4-11 in the first half of the month. In late August, the Knights traveled to Dayton for an important three game series against the Grizzlies. Dayton won two games out of three. Heading into September, the Grizzlies maintain a six game lead over the Knights. With a 14 game lead, the Beasts are well on their way to winning another division. Things look a bit trickier for the Maples. Their lead over the Corals has shrunk to a mere two games. The Rattlers are NALB's reigning champs and appear ready to fight to defend their title. They are back in first place and now have a two game lead in the division.

August 2020 awards:

League 1
Batter of the Month: Hsiao-lou Yeh (Luisville Beasts)
Pitcher of the Month: Renato Balcazar (Nashville Firecats)
Rookie of the Month: Paco Rivera (Luisville Beasts)

League 2
Batter of the Month: Yves Provençal (Quebeck Sky Chiefs)
Pitcher of the Month: Lewis McGrew (Vancouver Wild)
Rookie of the Month: Whitney Todd (Richmond Slam)

Heading into July, the Brooklyn Knights had climbed into first place in their division with a two game lead over the Dayton Grizzlies. By the All-Star break, however, the Grizzlies turned the tables on them and held a two game lead over the Knights. Brooklyn was inconsistent in July, posting a 12-12 record. By the end of the month, Dayton surged to a 5½ game division lead. The Grizzlies were 20-5 for the month, which included a 10 game winning streak and a 9 game winning streak. The Beasts and Maples had no problems staying in first place. Both teams widened their division leads. League 2 Division 2 is often a competitive division and 2020 is no exception. The Vancouver Wild overtook the Phoenix Rattlers in July and now hold a narrow half-game lead.

July 2020 awards:

League 1
Batter of the Month: Leonard O'Marron (Luisville Beasts)
Pitcher of the Month: Rey Alvarado (Dayton Grizzlies)
Rookie of the Month: Paco Rivera (Luisville Beasts)

League 2
Batter of the Month: Cletus MacPherson (St. James Crusaders)
Pitcher of the Month: Braulio Crame (Stade Maples)
Rookie of the Month: Cletus MacPherson (St. James Crusaders)

NALB held its annual All-Star Game on July 14, 2020. Six Brooklyn Knights were voted onto the League 1 All-Stars roster, four pitchers and two fielders. Brooklyn's Tony Tamayo had the honor of starting the game for League 1. Braulio Crame of the Stade Maples got the start for the League 2 All-Stars. Pitching dominated the game early. In the middle innings, however, the bats came alive. After some back and forth scoring, the League 1 All-Stars broke things open with four runs in the seventh inning. The Firecats' catcher, Dacey Rager, was selected as the player of the game. Rager was perfect at the plate with three hits in three at bats.

                     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9   R  H  E
League 2 All-Stars   0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0   3  8  1
League 1 All-Stars   0 0 0 1 3 0 4 0 X   8 11  1

W: E. McEachran
L: T. Stivers

The NALB Home Run Challenge was held on the evening prior to the All-Star Game. Yves Provençal won the event, though he had to beat some stiff competition. In the final round, the Quebeck Sky Chiefs' third baseman was matched against the Luisville Beasts' Hsiao-lou Yeh. Provençal defeated him by a score of 17-15.

On July 12, the NALB Prospects game was played, which is a great showcase for future stars. It was primarily a one-sided affair. The League 1 Future Stars pounded League 2's pitching and took a 12-1 lead into the ninth inning. The League 2 Future Stars made it interesting, however. They staged a furious 10 run comeback in the ninth and came up short by a single run. Roberto Cabrera earned MVP honors for his impressive performance. The 23 year old catcher plays for Vancouver's AAA team. He had 4 hits, including a double and a home run.