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The Islandian Times
Sunday, September 22, 2002
Around the Town in the IPA
STONER STARS
Owner: Nonnac Textiles
GM: Beanie Billingham
Manager: Willie Dickens
Stoner, population 55,000, can be found in north central Ruthlandia, halfway between Rocky Rapids to the northwest and Cold Creek to the southeast. The majestic Green River runs by it on the way to Forest City, the nation's capital, then flowing southward through the Lowlands towns of Middlefield and Sugar Valley, finally emptying into Belair Bay near Belair Beach. The climate is cold and harsh during the winter, but quite moderate and nice the rest of the year. The rocky soil of Stoner makes it difficult for agricultural endeavors. The primary industry is manufacturing. The Green River Dam provides cheap and abundant electric power to drive the local plants and factories.
The town of Stoner got it name from Yancey Stoner and his family in the 1850s, who settled the area. He had emigrated here from Lancashire, England, where he worked for ten years at one of the textile factories there. There he gained the first-hand knowledge needed to build and operate a textile factory. He settled in Stoner because of the abundance of water power. He started on a small scale, beginning with a cottage industry that used women at home to make the textiles and slowly expanded over the years, eventually selling out to Nonnac Textiles.
Nonnac Textiles was established in 1872 and is headquartered in Stoner. The entire town revolves around the mills. It is a tight-knit community. Mill life is a simple life, yet satisfying. Nommac made sure its workers lacked for nothing. The Stoner mill families shared schools, medical facilities, churches and recreation centers, all created by their benevolent employers. Unions never got a foothold in Stoner, the company made them unnecessary. Nonnac was a leader in clean air, long before it became popular. They made certain the air was safe to breath in their town. Because of their progressive policies, Nommac can still compete with overseas manufacturing and still prospers today. The factory whistles are still blowing strongly and proudly in Stoner.
Nonnac Textiles brought "base ball" (its original name) to Stoner in the 1880s. The mill built a ball diamond for its plant workers and their families to enjoy. In 1891, the game had gotten so popular that Nonnac organized its own league. In the early 1900s the company's best players would travel to other nearby towns and plays those towns best teams. A great rivalry sprang up between Rocky Rapids, Cold Creek, Sligo, Volusia and LaGrange. In 1909 Nonnac Textiles constructed Nonnac Stadium and it has been the home of the Stoner Stars company teams ever since. The stogy old ballpark will be used by the IPA Stoner Stars, which are owned by Nonnac. You can see the Nonnac factory off in the distance over the outfield wall at the stadium.
The Stoner Stars fans really take the game of baseball seriously. It is a no-nonsense atmosphere at Nonnac Stadium. No theatrics or promotions, just good old-fashioned baseball the way it is meant to be played...and watched. All eyes are on the ballfield at Nonnac Stadium. Be aware that there are no guest singers for the Ruthlandian national anthem prior to the first pitch of the game. You are expected to sing it yourself, loudly and clearly...or you could get a raised eye or two, if you don't. The Stonerites are very patriotic. You are also expected to sing baseball's national anthem "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" at the traditional Seventh Inning Stretch. As far as stadium food, you also just get the standard fare...hamburgers, hot dogs, cokes, beer, peanuts and crackerjacks.
The Stoner GM is Beanie Billings, a budding genius for his scientific approach to baseball. He uses computer analysis to create his player roster and to evaluate talent. For a manager, however, he has an old school manager, Willie Dickens, who was a journeyman outfielder in his playing days and a very successful manager in industrial leagues.
Nonnac Stadium (1909)
Capacity: 6,625
Dimensions:
Left Field Line - 334
Left Field - 360
Left Center - 387
Center Field - 410
Right Center - 390
Right Field - 360
Right Field Line - 340
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