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Eugene Church · 06-26-2009, 10:25 PM

The Islandian Times

March 13, 2004

Valmara Runs Second To Ranford In RU North Preseason Poll
Under manager J. Jackson Samuel the Valmara Vipers have been third, third and first in the first three seasons of the Islandian Pro Alliance. The inaugural year they didn't qualify for the Pro Cup playoffs, but they have the last two seasons. The Vipers lost in the First Round to Far Mountain in 2002, which won the division. Last year Valmara won the division flag and almost won the Pro Cup, but came up short in the finals against the Turon Typhoons of the Tycobbian Union.

Samuel has a potent ballclub, strong in hitting and pitching. In the BNN preseason poll the Vipers were voted the number two team in the RU North with the nod given to the Ranford Bulls, last year's close runner-up. The general consensus was that the Bulls improved over the off-season, while Valmara remained static. None of the Viper newcomers are slated to be impact players and will just play secondary roles. The baseball scribes still think that Valmara will finish ahead of Glasco, Far Mountain and Taranto, the other clubs in serious contention for playoff consideration. Samuel has more firepower and better pitching than the other contenders. Valmara has a solid nucleus of players led by pitchers Danny Blauser and Yanni Wlodarczyk and position players Jet Kazmarek, Jan Szymanski, Steve Androwski, Floyd Vinson, Yoshi Motsuzuki and Masaichi Okawa.

Valmara has five sound starters and a fine closer and can score runs with the best of them. The Vipers only weakness may be on the defensive side. Shoddy defense hampers them at times. Samuel favors hitters over defense and is not likely to go with lightweight batters with good gloves over the run producers. The trend with most teams in the IPA is to go with the offense.

Top Pitchers: LHP Danny Blauser (23-11 2.93), Andre Trepanier (16-13 3.16), Vanya Vasylenko (13-12 3.50), Ted Farentino (9-4 3.40) and closer Yanni Wlodarczyk (9-3 2.90) with 8 saves and 49 relief appearances.

Top Batters: LF Jet Kazmarek (.358 BA/14 HR/91 RBI/117 R/102 SB), CF Jan Szymanski (.262 BA/28 HR/80 RBI/93 R/13 SB), SS Steve Androwski (.271 BA/20 HR/68 RBI/95 R/15 SB), 1B Masaichi Okawa (.248 BA/20 HR/88 RBI), C Yoshi Motsuzuki (.282 BA/16 HR/72 RBI/94 R/37 SB) and 2B Floyd Vinson (.299 BA/7 HR/99 RBI)

06-26-2009, 10:25 PM	#1059
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,877	The Islandian Times March 13, 2004 Valmara Runs Second To Ranford In RU North Preseason Poll Under manager J. Jackson Samuel the Valmara Vipers have been third, third and first in the first three seasons of the Islandian Pro Alliance. The inaugural year they didn't qualify for the Pro Cup playoffs, but they have the last two seasons. The Vipers lost in the First Round to Far Mountain in 2002, which won the division. Last year Valmara won the division flag and almost won the Pro Cup, but came up short in the finals against the Turon Typhoons of the Tycobbian Union. Samuel has a potent ballclub, strong in hitting and pitching. In the BNN preseason poll the Vipers were voted the number two team in the RU North with the nod given to the Ranford Bulls, last year's close runner-up. The general consensus was that the Bulls improved over the off-season, while Valmara remained static. None of the Viper newcomers are slated to be impact players and will just play secondary roles. The baseball scribes still think that Valmara will finish ahead of Glasco, Far Mountain and Taranto, the other clubs in serious contention for playoff consideration. Samuel has more firepower and better pitching than the other contenders. Valmara has a solid nucleus of players led by pitchers Danny Blauser and Yanni Wlodarczyk and position players Jet Kazmarek, Jan Szymanski, Steve Androwski, Floyd Vinson, Yoshi Motsuzuki and Masaichi Okawa. Valmara has five sound starters and a fine closer and can score runs with the best of them. The Vipers only weakness may be on the defensive side. Shoddy defense hampers them at times. Samuel favors hitters over defense and is not likely to go with lightweight batters with good gloves over the run producers. The trend with most teams in the IPA is to go with the offense. Top Pitchers: LHP Danny Blauser (23-11 2.93), Andre Trepanier (16-13 3.16), Vanya Vasylenko (13-12 3.50), Ted Farentino (9-4 3.40) and closer Yanni Wlodarczyk (9-3 2.90) with 8 saves and 49 relief appearances. Top Batters: LF Jet Kazmarek (.358 BA/14 HR/91 RBI/117 R/102 SB), CF Jan Szymanski (.262 BA/28 HR/80 RBI/93 R/13 SB), SS Steve Androwski (.271 BA/20 HR/68 RBI/95 R/15 SB), 1B Masaichi Okawa (.248 BA/20 HR/88 RBI), C Yoshi Motsuzuki (.282 BA/16 HR/72 RBI/94 R/37 SB) and 2B Floyd Vinson (.299 BA/7 HR/99 RBI)