An introduction and the 2013 Twins so far...

 Hi, my name is Fred Benson, and I've been a long time fan of tabletop sports games for over 25 years...I have enjoyed great baseball games like Strat-o-Matic, Replay and APBA, but the best tabletop baseball game for the money (it's free!) is National Pastime, Next Generation (NPNG+)! NPNG+ is like APBA, but with a few more tweaks, but it's fun to play, and it is also free (unless you print it out at a copy store or library, like I do)...

I would like to begin my NPNG+ journey with the 2013 Minnesota Twins, because '13 is the most recent modern season they have, and the Twins are my team (even though I'm from south of Pittsburgh, and I listen to Twins games on the internet)...here is a Wikipedia link to a recap of the 2013 Twins season, which was so disappointing: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_Minnesota_Twins_season

The Twins were horrible in the 2013 season, but I decided to add 6'8" rookie right-handed reliever Philip Fitzpatrick to set-up for All-Star closer Glen Perkins, and to help Team Minnie and Paul win a few more games...and, boy, they have come out of the gate fast in my replay, with a 15-5 start, including a 11-game winning streak (I think)!

Here are some of the statistical highlights of the first 20 games...

BATTING AVERAGE - .248

HOME RUNS - 19

RUNS SCORED - 101

ERA - 4.09

RUNS ALLOWED - 82

STRIKEOUTS - 127

HOME RUNS ALLOWED - 15

and the team leaders so far...

BATTING AVERAGE - Brian Dozier, .344

DOUBLES - Aaron Hicks, 8

TRIPLES - Hicks and Oswaldo Arcia, 2

HOME RUNS - Dozier, Joe Mauer and Trevor Plouffe, 3

RBI - Mauer, 16

STOLEN BASES - Dozier, 5

WINS - Vance Worley, 4

LOSSES - Scott Diamond, 2

INNINGS PITCHED - Worley, 29 2/3

ERA - Worley, 3.94

STRIKEOUTS - Worley, 20

SAVES - Glen Perkins, 10

As for Philip Fitzpatrick, he is 0-0 with a 3.48 ERA...he has also struck out 14 batters in 10 innings, and he has 2 saves...

So that's my thoughts on NPNG+ and the first 20 Twins games of 2013 so far...to print out your favorite season of this game, along with the rules, simply go to http://ntlpt.com...remember, it's free!

Up next, we will get this blog going, with a recap of the 4/28/13 game at Target Field, as the Twins and Kevin Correia finish their 4-game series with Alexi Ogando and the Texas Rangers...I'll see you at the front row, on your home for Twins NPNG+ baseball!