The Draft a day of Family.

[Clayman]

P Quon Chien, Honiara Islanders.
1st round 2nd pick 2nd overall
Birthday: 02/02/2026
Born in: Sydney, NSW
Nationality: Australian
Height: 6' 1" Weight: 170 lbs
16G 0GS 1-0REC 11SV 0.00ERA 17.2IP 2H 0HR 4BB 29K

P Todd Dixon, Moresby Seahawks.
2nd round 2nd pick 12th overall
Birthday: 10/22/2025
Born in: Newcastle, NSW
Nationality: Australian
Height: 5' 9" Weight: 160 lbs
14G 0GS 1-1REC 8SV 1.17ERA 15.1IP 7H 0HR 5BB 23K

P Lindsay Neal, Tarawa Sun Kings.
3rd round 2nd pick 25th overall
Birthday: 03/06/2026
Born in: Newcastle, NSW
Nationality: Australian
Height: 6' 7" Weight: 195 lbs
6G 6GS 2-2REC 2.35ERA 30.2IP 19H 3HR 3BB 41K

P Bradley Dixon, Suva Desperados.
4th round 2nd pick 35th overall
Birthday: 02/23/2026
Born in: Sunshine Coast, QLD
Nationality: Australian
Height: 6' 6" Weight: 185 lbs
13G 0GS 0-2REC 4SV 2.66ERA 20.1IP 16H 2HR 5BB 23K

P Dongdo-pay Yong.
5th round 2nd pick 45th overall
Birthday:07/15/2023
Born in: Launceston, TAS
Nationality: Australian
Height: 6' 1" Weight: 170 lbs
18G 18GS 5-6REC 2.70ERA 86.2IP 57H 11HR 21BB 93K

P Carlos Rodda, Weno Crush.
6th round 2nd pick 55th overall
Birthday:v12/06/2025
Born in: Adelaide, SA
Nationality: Australian
Height: 6' 3" Weight: 185 lbs
15G 0GS 0-2REC 8SV 3.32ERA 19.0IP 15H 3HR 4BB 27K

2B Toby Hagerty, Perth Galaxy.
7th round 2nd pick 65th overall
Birthday: 08/06/2025
Born in: Townsville, QLD
Nationality: Australian
Height: 6' 4" Weight: 195 lbs
23G 87AB 33H 7D 2T 4HR 14RBI 8BB 15K .379AVG .449OBP .644SLG 4SB

2B Richard Underhill, Koror Checkers.
8th round 2nd pick 75th overall
Birthday: 12/06/2025
Born in: Darwin, NT
Nationality: Australian
Height: 6' 0" Weight: 170 lbs
17G 65AB 18H 3D 0T 1HR 10RBI 5BB 20K .277AVG .329OBP .369SLG 4SB

Not only was Australia represented in the UMEBA 2042 Rookie Draft but the Dixon family baseball tree got two new additions, both going to the Athens Fighting Centaurs. Firstly Todd Dixon a pitcher from the Moresby Seahawks taken with the 12th overall pick in the second round, 23 picks later and another pitcher was taken by Athens and another Dixon, Bradley Dixon, coincidence?

Of course not, during the draft we had GM Thomas on numerous occasions stating "we have a plan", well a 23-14 record the second best in the UMEBA would agree the Centaurs do have a plan.

That plan started with drafting highly rated Quon Chien from the Honiara Islanders, some questioned the decision to pick a closer with the second overall pick. Well if they questioned that decision they must have thought he'd gone crazy, with Athens picking another closer in Todd Dixon. Surely he wasn't going to pick another closer with Athens third pick, rest easy Centaurs fans Athens did pick a pitcher but it wasn't a closer. This time it was starting pitcher Lindsey Neal who GM Thomas had this to say about him "Quon could be the All Star of the draft, Lindsey could be the steal of the draft" only time will tell.

"The Plan" took on a family affair when Bradley Dixon was taken with the 35th overall pick, cousin to Athens 2nd round pick Todd Dixon both sons of ex BBA players, both of whom were pitchers.

The Athens war room was getting a bit tense, they'd spent hours going through hundreds of names, game reports even psychology reports. A couple of pitchers were next on the list, a couple of scouts nearly coming to blows. It was then a voice in the back of the room "can we not pick someone who can swing a bat?" GM Thomas swung round ready to fire a broadside of words that would make the devil blush, however he stopped when he saw Mr Papadakis.

Mr Papadakis had sneaked into the room and was sat on a chair in the corner with a smile on his face, tell you what Papa we'll pick Dongdo-pay Yong and Carlos Delgado with the 5th and 6th picks but if Delgado's not there you can pick a bat in the 6th, definitely in the 7th how's about it?

The owner nodded, he got his wish. It made him feel like a child again when he used to collect baseball cards and play fantasy baseball, this is why he put all that energy and money into the Centaurs he loved this game.

GM Thomas picked the phone up, with the 7th pick of the 2042 UMEBA Draft honorary scout of the day Mr Papadakis picks second baseman Toby Hagerty from the Perth Galaxy.

When Athens 8th round pick came around GM Thomas looked around at his scouts he didn't need to talk they all knew what he was thinking, they all smiled and nodded. GM Thomas stood up looked at Mr Papadakis and said "finish the draft of for us, your pick your call".

Papa who most called him within the franchise walked over to the GMs chair, sat down and picked up the phone.

"The Athens Fighting Centaurs with their 8th and final pick in their first ever UMEBA Draft select second baseman from the Koror Checkers Mr Richard Underhill".

As he replaced the phone GM Thomas noticed the owners eyes filling with water, he put an hand on Papa's shoulder and said "how about you call Mr Underhill and welcome him to our family".