ibllogo (4K)INTELLIVISION BASEBALL LEAGUE


The first day of the fourth IBL season started just like the first day of any other sports season: each team full of optimism and focused on being the league champion. Little did anyone know that 2017 would be the craziest, greatest, and most historic season in the IBL's short history.

The Smash and Beamriders had great starts again, leaving the other Action Network teams behind. Most of the Battle Network remained tight during the first half.

The biggest news of the first half was the River Raiders setting a record for the most runs in a game, scoring nine against the Bombers.

Beamriders beat Armada in 11 innings

Deadly Dogs blow up Spartans

River Raiders score nine runs
After losing their first game, the Deadly Dogs set a new league record with a seven game win streak. The River Raiders and Armada set another record for the longest game with the Armada winning a 19 inning marathon 1-0. This record was then tied a few weeks later as the Ghosts beat the Bombers 1-0 in 19 innings.

Deadly Dogs walk off win vs. Armada

Armada score their winning run in the 19th

Ghosts score their winning run in the 19th
Towards the end of the season, the Beamriders and Smash fought for first place in the Action Network, while the Deadly Dogs had a two game lead over the rest of the Battle Network.

The Deadly Dogs clinched the Battle Network title two weeks before the end of the season. The Smash lost two critical games in the second half which helped the Beamriders win their fourth straight Action Network Championship.
The Deadly Dogs hosted Game 1 of the championship series on June 26. Both teams got a lot of hits, but were shut down by their opponent's defense. The Deadly Dogs scored on a Beamriders error in the 7th inning and won 1-0.

Game 2 was at Beamriders Field, where once again the Beamriders were shut out 3-0 to complete the first sweep in championship series history.

Dogs take lead in game 1

Dogs score three in game 2

League records broken or league firsts this season:
Most runs scored in a game
9, River Raiders @ Bombers, 4/20/17

Longest game
19 innings, River Raiders @ Armada, 5/22/17
19 innings, Bombers @ Ghosts, 6/20/17

Longest winning streak
Deadly Dogs, 7 games

Consecutive shutouts
11 games, 5/10/17-5/25/17

Consecutive 1-0 games
6 games, 5/17/17-5/25/17

First time a season has completed with a Battle Network team more than two games back of first place (Bombers & River Raiders)

First sweep of the League Championship Series

First time all games of the League Championship Series were shutouts

Best start to a season in league history
Deadly Dogs, 7-1

Worst start to a season in league history
Bombers, 0-7