The 1916 Southern Union Baseball season was the twenty-second season of professional baseball within the Southern Union.

The year saw the running of the fourth Centaurus Cup, and it was the last time Division Ett consisted of 16 teams before expanding to 18. The Koanian Basebollförbundet agreed to expand both divisions over the next two years, with a view to create a third tier of professional baseball for 1919. It also marked the last time the Nationwide League in Ianoia consisted of 14 clubs, and was the final season before the Novainsula Baseball Federation officially began play.

International Baseball

Centaurus Cup

The 1916 Centaurus Cup was held in Ianoia, marking the first time the nation hosted such an event. This edition of the Cup saw the same five nations competing like the 1911 edition: Koana Islands, Albaland, Günsovölk, host nation Ianoia, and Houtmansland. It was also the last time before the addition of Novainsula joined South Indian Ocean Baseball Association

Koana Islands emerged as the victors with an impressive record of 5 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses. This triumph marked their second championship win, with their first being during the inaugural 1906 tournament held in their homeland.

On the other hand, defending champions Günsovölk could only muster a third-place finish. The host nation, Ianoia, landed in the fourth spot. Despite their ranking, an official from the Ianoian Baseball Association remarked, “While we see this as a step forward in our team’s performance, it is clear that we still have some ground to cover to be where we aspire to be.”

Houtmansland, though finishing last for the second consecutive time, showed a glimmer of improvement from the 1911 tournament. They celebrated consecutive wins over the formidable teams of Koana Islands and Ianoia.

Gameday 1 - 31st October
Ianoia         1  0  0  0  0  1  0  0  1    3  5  0    Koana Islands  1  0  0  1  0  4  0  0  0    6 12  0
Houtmansland   0  0  1  0  0  1  0  0  0    2  4  1    Albaland       3  0  0  1  1  0  0  0  1    6 11  1

Gameday 2 - 4th November
Houtmansland   0  0  0  0  2  0  1  0  0    3  3  1    Günsovölk      0  0  0  0  1  0  0  0  1    2  5  0
Albaland       0  1  0  2  0  1  1  0  -    5  8  1    Koana Islands  0  2  2  0  0  1  3  0  -    8  9  3

Gameday 3 - 7th November
Koana Islands  0  0  1  1  0  0  2  0  1    5  5  0    Albaland       4  1  0  0  0  0  3  0  1    9 15  0
Ianoia         0  0  0  0  1  1  0  0  1    3  2  0    Günsovölk      0  0  2  1  1  0  1  0  0    5  4  2

Gameday 4 - 11th November
Houtmansland   2  0  0  0  0  1  0  0  0    3  4  1    Ianoia         1  1  0  0  0  0  0  0  1    3  5  0
Günsovölk      0  0  1  0  1  0  0  1  3    6 12  2    Albaland       0  1  2  0  1  0  0  0  -    4  6  1

Gameday 5 - 14th November
Koana Islands  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    0  6  0    Günsovölk      0  1  0  0  1  0  0  0  1    3  5  0
Houtmansland   1  0  0  0  2  0  0  0  -    3  5  0    Ianoia         0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    0  9  0

Gameday 6 - 18th November
Houtmansland   0  2  0  0  2  0  0  0  1    5  6  2    Albaland       0  1  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    1  4  0
Ianoia         0  0  1  1  1  1  0  0  0    4 11  1    Koana Islands  0  1  1  0  0  0  3  0  -    5  6  0

Gameday 7 - 21st November
Albaland       1  0  0  0  0  1  0  1  0    3 14  1    Koana Islands  4  2  0  2  0  3  0  1  0   12 24  0
Houtmansland   0  1  0  0  0  0  0  1  1    3  9  0    Günsovölk      0  0  0  1  1  0  0  0  2    4  6  0

Gameday 8 - 25th November
Ianoia         0  0  0  1  0  1  0  3  1    6 13  0    Günsovölk      0  0  2  2  1  0  2  0  0    7 12  0
Koana Islands  0  0  0  0  0  2  0  0  0    2  2  1    Albaland       0  1  0  0  3  3  0  0  1    8 10  0

Gameday 9 - 28th November
Günsovölk      2  0  1  0  0  1  1  0  1    6  5  1    Albaland       0  0  0  0  0  1  2  0  1    4  4  0
Houtmansland   0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    0  4  1    Ianoia         0  0  2  0  1  0  1  1  -    5 11  2

Gameday 10 - 2nd December
Houtmansland   0  1  0  1  0  0  1  0  0    3  5  1    Ianoia         0  0  1  1  0  0  1  0  1    4  6  0
Koana Islands  0  0  1  2  1  2  3  0  -    9  6  0    Günsovölk      0  1  0  1  2  1  0  0  -    5 12  1

Domestic Baseball

Koana Islands

Super Ligan

After a four-year gap, Ny Aucklanda IF clinched the Super Ligan title for the third time in their history. For a considerable duration of the season, Ny Aucklanda IF found themselves in third place. However, an impressive run of form saw them climb the standings and challenge for the top spot, which was further boosted by Jordnot Kanjon BK’s faltering form, as the latter managed to secure just a single win towards the end of July.

Jordnot Kanjon BK still had a golden opportunity to claim the championship on the final day after Ny Aucklanda IF lost 8-2 to Glenton Kullar BbK. However, fate had other plans. A dramatic walk-off home run by BF Oberoendestad in the bottom of the 9th inning meant that they lost the deciding match 3-2, and with it, their chance to lift the title.

Last year’s winners, BK Salau, had a relatively subdued season. While they managed to claim the top position for a day, thanks to Jordnot Kanjon BK’s dip in form, they couldn’t maintain consistency and eventually finished third.

Defying preseason expectations, AIF Thomassmåstad and IF Blidområde were both predicted to be relegation contenders, but they surprised fans and critics alike by securing 5th and 6th, respectively.

Newly-promoted Körsbärstad IF and SK Ryttare proved their worth in the top tier. Körsbärstad IF’s finished 9th but only moved into those dizzying heights on the final weekend of fixtures having spent much of the year in 12th. SK Ryttare also managed to secure their place in the Super Ligan for the subsequent season thanks to strong months of May and June.

1890 Ängelar SK and IK Förenta Saffron faced the unfortunate fate of relegation. IK Förenta Saffron’s season was particularly challenging, as an 11-game losing streak during July and August all but sealed their fate early, with both teams returning to Division Ett after a two-year stay.

Division Ett

The season was marked by significant shifts in team performances and league standings. Ruysdael Akademisk IF, after a rather slow start to their campaign, staged an impressive comeback, eventually clinching the league title. Their ascent was highlighted by a decisive 10-5 victory over BK Randia, securing their promotion to the Super Ligan with 11 games to spare. This achievement was not just a triumph for the season but a historic moment for the club, marking their return to the Super Ligan for the first time since 1902.

However, the fate was not as kind for Rovaniemi Förenta, who, after relinquishing their top spot, struggled to maintain their form. They held onto the final promotion spot until the penultimate Sunday of the season. Their hopes for promotion were dashed following consecutive losses, including a critical sweep by BK Embleton on the final weekend, which relegated them to a disappointing fourth-place finish. In contrast, Atletisk Nyhamn, capitalizing on these shifts, secured the second spot, ensuring an immediate return to the top flight.

Vizhune IS, a team with a storied history in the Super Ligan, faced a challenging season in Division Ett. In their first season outside the top division since the Super Ligan’s inception in 1895, Vizhune IS could only manage an eighth-place finish, a position they found themselves in for much of the year. This represented a significant setback for a club accustomed to higher standards of performance.

Litenstat Jarnekdal SBK’s season narrative was one of recovery and resilience. After a disastrous start, losing their first eight games, the team made a steady climb up the standings. By the end of May, they had successfully moved out of the bottom spot, eventually securing 14th place, just ahead of Elon BF, another team that spent a considerable time at the lower end of the league table.

In a move signaling the growth and increasing popularity of baseball in the Koana Islands, the Koanian Basebollförbundet announced an expansion of Division Ett to 18 teams for the next season. This decision coincided with plans to enlarge the Super Ligan from 14 to 16 teams in 1918. Despite the expansion, the league maintained its policy of re-election for the bottom two clubs. Västra Delen 95 and Freyr Viksida IK, finishing in the 15th and 16th spots, were put up for re-election. Both teams managed to secure their spots in the league, though Västra Delen 95 received a stern warning about their poor on-field performances, with speculations about their potential exclusion in the upcoming season.

The season concluded with the announcement of two new teams joining Division Ett. After an extended voting period, SK Vattendal and Udde 1903 were confirmed as the new entrants. Notably, Udde 1903’s inclusion marked it as only the second team to be based off the mainland. This expansion was a strategic move by the Koanian Basebollförbundet, underlining the importance placed on broadening the sport’s reach across the country and laying the groundwork for the possibility of establishing a Third Division in the future.

Günsovölk

Baseball Meisterschaft

VfB Andacht, after finishing as runners-up in the previous season, clinched their first-ever Championship in a nail-biting conclusion to the campaign, narrowly edging out the defending premiers and seven-time winners, Rasensport Sorgenfrei.

The season’s narrative was shaped by an intense battle for the top spot. Blau-Weiss Ruigoord, held the lead entering the final month of play. However, their form plummeted dramatically, resulting in a winless streak of six games and causing them to fall behind the chasing pack led by VfB Andacht and Rasensport Sorgenfrei. Die Delfine path to victory was not straightforward either. Their chances seemed to diminish when they split a two-game series against both Thijssen Juist and Ducibus BV, which allowed Die Wildkatzen to momentarily move into the top spot. Nonetheless, VfB Andacht made a remarkable comeback by sweeping 21st-placed 1. Trappen, securing the Series Sweep Bonus Point, and reclaiming the top spot on the final day. This dramatic turn of events was a bitter pill for Blau-Weiss Ruigoord, who despite being initially predicted for a mid-table finish, ended their season in disappointment.

Outside the top-of-the-table drama, Eintracht Ruysch and Hafenstadt BV emerged as the season’s highlights. Both teams made significant strides from their disappointing performances in the previous year to finish 6th and 8th, respectively. Eintracht Ruysch, particularly impressive, was placed as high as third midway through the season and even led the league briefly in May.

Another notable performance was from Thijssen Juist, a team up for re-election last season. They finished a respectable 14th, buoyed by a strong start to the season. Their success was somewhat overshadowed by BC Burgbernheim, who led the league after 28 games with an impressive 18-4-6 record but could not maintain their momentum. Tapfer Concordia BV, expected to finish mid-table, ended up in 15th place, a testament to their challenging season marked by only five wins in their first 24 fixtures.

The bottom of the table presented its own drama. Ahnüü 96, having languished in 22nd place for much of the year, managed to avoid re-election having gone through the process last season. A late-season surge saw them escape the bottom spot in late September and climb out of the re-election zone with four games to spare. This shift relegated 1. Trappen, who managed only 5 points from their final 13 fixtures. They, along with Fortuna Juemen and Gelb Kekerdom TuS, were put up for re-election but all comfortably secured their professional status for another season.

Güns-Kelch

LR Benëe spectacularly prevented VfB Andacht from achieving the first domestic double in a dramatic final inning. LR Benëe scored twice in the 9th, clinching the victory with a 6-4 scoreline over the recently crowned Baseball Meisterschaft champions.

The journey to the final was no less thrilling for LR Benëe. They eliminated the defending holders, Mächtstadt VfL, during the Third Round which also saw them defeating prominent professional sides, Hafenstadt BV and BSV Berümt.

The First Round of the tournament was marked by several shocks, underscoring the unpredictability of the competition. Notably, Fortuna Juemen and BC Burgbernheim, both established names in the league, were surprisingly defeated by non-League sides Achlum BV and SC Tyasinck, respectively. Whilst BV Küstestadt and Mächtstadt VfL needed replays to avoid early exits against Fritzlar BC and TuRa Kerkdriel.

QUARTER-FINALS
LR Benëe (BM) 4-0  (BM) Hafenstadt BV
Ducibus BV (BM) 4-3  (BM) Eintracht Ruysch
Blau-Weiss Ruigoord (BM) 5-8  (BM) BSV Berümt
VfB Andacht (BM) 5-0  (NON) SC Tyasinck

SEMI-FINALS
VfB Andacht (BM) 1-0  (BM) Ducibus BV
BSV Berümt (BM) 0-6  (BM) LR Benëe

FINAL                                                            R   H   E
LR Benëe (BM)             0   0   1   2   0   1   0   0   2      6  15   0
VfB Andacht (BM)          0   1   2   0   0   0   0   1   0      4   6   1

Ianoia

I-League

In what was considered one of the most unlikely outcomes of the season, Ulcombe United clinched their first I-League title. This victory was particularly notable considering their history of near misses, having finished as runners-up in 1910 and 1913. The team, not initially expected to be a serious contender for the title, moved into the top spot in October, overtaking the defending champions Racing Welford.

Racing Welford, on the other hand, experienced a season of highs and lows, ultimately finishing second, six points behind the champions. Their campaign was notably marred by a poor run in May, where they managed only two wins in twelve games. This slump in form during a critical part of the season ultimately proved costly.

The league witnessed a tight contest for the remaining top spots, with Sporting Cuckney, Oldstead Irish, Tyrant-Ilford, and McCutchen City all finishing within a mere two points of each other. Byfleet Hawks, securing seventh position, made headlines on the final day by achieving a no-hitter against Red Flag, a feat that added some positive flair to the end of their season.

The relegation battle was not quite as gripping, and appealed to the purists of the sport. Blenkinsopp Town faced the unfortunate fate of relegation, having been rooted to last place since the second weekend of play in April. In contrast, Red Flag, the first team to ascend from the Nationwide League, managed to survive their inaugural season in the top flight. Their season was a rollercoaster of performances, starting with a series sweep against Tyrant-Ilford. However, a challenging period in May and June, where they secured only six points from a possible forty, saw them slump to 11th place, a position they maintained for the remainder of the year.

Nationwide League

Athletic Ivychurch, having experienced the disappointment of being the first team relegated to the Nationwide League, staged an impressive comeback to secure a swift return to the top flight. Their journey to clinching the league title was a suspenseful affair, marked by a narrow one-point lead going into the final day of the season. In an unforeseen twist, The Dockers suffered a 6-2 defeat at home to Flitwick & Forest. However, fortune favored them as their closest rivals, Brinkburn Coastal, also faced a 6-2 defeat against Canons. This parallel loss allowed Athletic Ivychurch to retain their slender lead and claim the league title, ensuring their promotion back to the I-League.

In the midst of these high-stakes battles, Heslington United emerged as the stars of the division. Having never finished higher than 10th and undergoing the re-election process in the previous season, the Valiants concluded this season in an astonishing 4th place, a position they only ascended to in the final month. Their journey wasn’t without challenges, as they endured a no-hit game at home against Canons in May.

Contrastingly, Caunton Victoria had a season they would rather forget, mirroring their worst-ever finish of 11th, a significant drop from their 5th place in the previous season. The club recorded its fewest wins in a season (29) since the league extended to 78 games. Their winning percentage plummeted to 0.436, the lowest since 1900 when they had a mere 0.389. They concluded the year just a point behind Flitwick & Forest, who themselves were up for re-election last season.

Athletic Bedlington & St. Barlow, facing the uncertainty of re-election, received a reprieve. With the Ianoian Baseball Association announcing an expansion of the league for the next year, both clubs were comfortably re-elected, ensuring their continued participation in the league.

The off-season saw the formal induction of two new teams into the league. Willsden and Gedding Town were voted in to begin play in the upcoming year, signaling a new era and expanded competition in the Nationwide League.

Social Cup

The 1916 Social Cup saw Chatteris United finally clinching the coveted title after two near misses. Having previously finished as runners-up in 1911 and 1914, their victory in this year’s edition marked a significant milestone for the club.

The final against Juniors was a closely contested affair, characterized by tense moments and a defensive struggle. Chatteris United secured their victory with the only run of the game scored in the first inning. Despite facing challenges, including committing two fielding errors during the match, they managed to hold on to their narrow lead. For Juniors, this match was their second appearance in the Social Cup final. They had previously emerged victorious in their first final appearance in 1913 against Oldstead Irish. However, this time, they couldn’t replicate their earlier success and had to settle for the runner-up position.

While the final itself was a highlight, NN Kingsdown captured much of the media’s attention throughout the tournament. As a Nationwide League side, their journey to the semi-finals was remarkable, attributed partly to a relatively easy draw. They successively overcame Strelda, Clattercott Sports, Waterloo Borough, and Brinkburn Coastal, showcasing their prowess, but perhaps benefiting from the fortune of the draw.

The tournament also witnessed some notable upsets, none more so than Nationwide League-side Souldrop eliminating defending holders Spartans of Martletwy in the First Round. In other surprising results, non-League side Thespians Wickersley knocked out Athletic Ivychurch in the first round, signaling their potential, whilst Flitwick & Forest caused a major stir by stunning I-League side Tyrant-Ilford.

QUARTER-FINALS
Athletic Ragdale (NW) 4-4  (NW) Souldrop [Replay: Souldrop (NW) 3-4 (NW) Athletic Ragdale (F/10)]
NN Kingsdown (NW) 8-2  (NW) Brinkburn Coastal
Athletic Bedlington (NW) 4-8  (ILG) Juniors
Oldstead Irish (ILG) 1-4  (ILG) Chatteris United

SEMI-FINALS
Chatteris United (ILG) 6-2  (NW) NN Kingsdown
Athletic Ragdale (NW) 3-4  (ILG) Juniors

FINAL                                                             R   H   E
Chatteris United (ILG)     1   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0      1   9   2
Juniors (ILG)              0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0      0   5   0

Albaland

Baseball League

The 1916 season marked a significant shift in the league’s dynamics, as for the first time since 1911, a team other than Sandwick City emerged as the champions. Bridgebank, building on their momentum from being runners-up the previous year, clinched the league title with a game to spare, breaking Sandwick City’s five-year winning streak.

Bridgebank’s journey to the top was not without its challenges. They had a slow start to the season, suffering 11 of their 16 total losses in the first two months. Midway through May, they were languishing in 9th place, with Sandwick City initially leading, followed by Oxenfoord Athletic, who took charge with seven consecutive wins in July. However, Bridgebank’s remarkable turnaround, marked by an 11-game winning streak, transformed the league’s narrative, turning it into a two-horse race towards the season’s end. Sandwick City’s third-place finish marked their lowest since 1910 when they finished 9th, ending their dominant five-year run at the top.

Rigside Nine emerged as the surprise package of the season. After several years near the bottom of the table, they achieved a respectable 8th place, buoyed by an unbeaten run of ten games in the final weeks of the season. This impressive form saw them rise from 12th to finish above Douglastown BC, who suffered the humiliation of being no-hit by Bridgebank in May.

The bottom of the table saw Melton Coss undergo a dramatic collapse, winning only once in their final 16 fixtures. This slump saw them drop from 9th to 12th, just ahead of Waltonians, who remained in 13th throughout the second half of the year. Abner Arduaine spent most of the season in last place but managed to overtake both United Bankfoot and Strathmiglo Wanderers in the final month. Despite improving their position, it was still a dismal season for the Tigers, finishing with their second-worst winning percentage in league history.

For Strathmiglo Wanderers, the season was particularly bleak. They finished last for the second consecutive year, setting a new team record for the least wins in a season with only 15 victories. Their away performance was especially poor, ending with a 5-3-22 record, the worst in their history.

Alba Shield

South Angel finally claimed the Cup, a triumph that had been just out of their reach in previous seasons. This year marked their third appearance in the final and second in a row, but it was this edition of the tournament that saw them emerge victorious, narrowly defeating Warriors with a score of 3-2.

South Angel’s win, though by a slim margin, didn’t fully reflect the control they had over the game. Warriors, despite the close scoreline, struggled to truly challenge South Angel, who seemed comfortable throughout the match without needing to exert their full force. This year was the second time Warriors had made it to the Alba Shield final, with their previous appearance in 1914 ending in a 9-7 loss to Oxenfoord Wanderers after 10 innings.

Defending holders Terregles Colleries were eliminated by Bridgebank in the Second Round, by a score of 3-to-2.

A notable story of the season was the unexpected success of Kinnordy Hurlers. The non-League club made a surprising run to the Quarter-Finals, an impressive feat for a team outside the main league structure. Their journey included victories over Kilmorack Colts and Balmullo Thistle after they made the First Round proper, before their eventual defeat to Warriors.

In contrast, Abner Arduaine’s season, both in the league and the cup, was summed up by their early exit from the tournament. They suffered a 4-3 loss to non-League side Eastern Rise in the First Round, in what was the sole major upset of the tournament.

QUARTER-FINALS
South Angel (BL) 1-0  (BL) Strathmiglo Wanderers
Warriors (BL) 8-4  (NON) Kinnordy Hurlers
Sandwick City (BL) 5-3  (BL) Oxenfoord Athletic
Strathore Abbey Road (NON) 2-4  (BL) Bridgebank

SEMI-FINALS
Sandwick City (BL) 4-6  (BL) South Angel
Warriors (BL) 2-2  (BL) Bridgebank [Replay: Bridgebank (BL) 2-8 (BL) Warriors]

FINAL                                                             R   H   E
South Angel (BL)           0   0   1   0   0   1   0   1   0      3   4   1
Warriors (BL)              0   0   0   1   0   0   0   1   0      2   5   1

Houtmansland

Topklasse Divisie

The season saw Atletisch Bath emerging as champions for the first time since 1911. Their ascent to the top was marked by consistent performances throughout the season, with the team taking the lead in early May and maintaining their position at the summit without relinquishing control. In stark contrast, the defending premiers, Eikenheuvel HC, found themselves out of contention for the title early on. They finished the season 11 points adrift of the champions, a gap exacerbated by a disappointing start that saw them secure only three wins in the first month.

SHC Koedijk had a remarkable season, their best since 1909. The team set a new record for themselves, achieving the most wins in a single season with 28 victories. This impressive feat led them to exceed expectations and finish in a commendable 4th place. However, their hold on 3rd position going into the final day was short-lived as they were overtaken by HHV, following a narrow 3-2 loss to them.

Bos Aan Zee experienced a season of struggles. Their first win came only on the third Saturday of the season, and their campaign was further marred by losing streaks of five and eight games. These challenges culminated in their worst-ever finish in the league, ending the season in 8th place, a stark contrast to their history of never finishing below 5th. Despite these difficulties, Bos Aan Zee managed to stay ahead of RKC Mesch in the standings, particularly after overtaking them just before the winter break.

The season was particularly harsh for Herksen-Heerenveen, who endured one of their most challenging seasons on record. They set a dismal new record for their worst away performance, with a 3-3-21 record. The poor showing throughout the year nearly eclipsed RKC Mesch’s long-standing record for the lowest winning percentage, a record that has stood since 1902, prior to the implementation of the Durand Rules. Herksen-Heerenveen’s season was further marred by a nine-game losing streak towards the end. Despite these setbacks, the team managed to retain their professional status after a vote by their peers, offering a glimmer of hope after a season filled with disappointments.