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Eugene Church · 01-31-2013, 12:20 AM

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Sunday, April 1, 2035

Tight Race In RU South, St. John Slight Favorite
A wide-open race is predicted in the Ruthlandian South this season with as many as six clubs contending according to The Islandian Times preseason poll. The winner could come from St. John, Claxton, Belair Beach, Grand City, San Dimas and last year's champ and Pro Cup runner-up Crystal Lake. Anyone of them could hoist the 2035 pennant in their ballpark. St. John with an impressive mound corps and adequate hitting is slightly favored by the sportswriters.

The St. John Crusaders won the RU South two years ago and was second last year, so it could be their season to shine again. Heading up a fine group of starters is Jeremy Kirk (23-10/2.73) and Nelson Hawthorne (17-14/3.74). Bullpen ace Raydon Burk (12-5/2.16/8 saves) tops the relievers. As a team the Crusaders batted a lofty .286 last year, but they don't possess the longball. Top bats are SS Hal Burton (.316/2 HR/71 RBI/103 R)), 2B Byron Johannsen (.316/12 HR/73 RBI/80 R), 1B Johnny Zaun (.319/12 HR/76 RBI/81 R), CF Ted Price (.301/4 HR/69 RBI/68 R) and IF/OF Gerry Sives (.306/4 HR/65/68)).

The number-two pick in the poll, the Claxton Diamonds, will be in the thick of things according to the baseball experts. The Diamonds have four quality starters in Tommy Brothers (16-13/3.83), Max Jung (13-12/3.54), Richie Raeburn (12-7/3.98) and Sam Nathan (13-20/3.56). The offensive leaders are vets RF Ivan Krause (.278/37 HR/86 RBI), C Jaan Hoogendoom (.310/11 HR/60 RBI), 1B Alekos Kotas (.280/18 HR/63 RBI) and 3B Jonas Weiss (.272/17 HR/75 RBI). Also on the plus side, Claxton has added 7-time All-Star and 5-time Gold Glover C Kyle Hunt (.257/7 HR/49 RBI) via free agency from Ranford.

Third in the balloting was the Belair Beach Sunbirds, who came in a strong third last year and is poised to move up in the standings. Kerstan Mak (19-7/3.57), Joel Gregg (19-17/2.97) and Todd Clyman (17-12/3.85) are the leading hurlers. Topping the bats are CF Bobby Meusel (.292/26 HR/84 RBI/102 R), SS Johnny Wofford (.307/12 HR/73 RBI), LF Pat Webb (.291/18 HR/77 RBI) and 2B Joey Harris (.270/18 HR/71 RBI/104 R).

Grand City was chosen the fourth-best club in the RU South. The Cybercats can hit the ball, both for average and for distance, and have sufficient pitching. Four free agents will add to the scoring power and defense: IF Jan Kessinger (.310) from Kenwood, RF Justin McCall (.313) from Midway, 1B Chuck Moyer (.295) from Fort Benton and C Durward Anderson (.269) from High Mesa. Add in top guns 2B Teddy Grantham (.327/34 HR/80 RBI/95 R), LF Bull Durham (.284/26 HR/84 RBI/80 R) and CF Thomas Hall (.304/20 HR/63 RBI) and you've got a scoring machine. Grand City has two solid starters in Herb Stewart (19-15/3.64) and Quentin Tyler (16-13/3.65). They also have signed free agent Doug Hansack (13-20/3.41) away from High Mesa.

Crystal Lake had a superb season last year, winding up second in the IPA. The Crushers have a wealth of hitters with 1B Big Sam Takota (.313/31 HR/98 RBI), C Stan Stanek (.315/23 HR/88 RBI), SS Mackie Cummings (.320/22 HR/89 RBI/91 R) and RF Paul Dillon (.342/11 HR/64 RBI/104 R). However, they lost ace Denny Mills (22-13/3.35) to Denton City, one of the prime reasons the Crushers were not picked to repeat. They still retain two quality starters in Arnie Cason (21-5/2.84) and Douglas Merrill (16-16/3.70).

The San Dimas Rancheros finished fourth last season and still have a good ball club with four good starters and a bunch of big bats. The Rancheros are ranked sixth in the preseason poll, but could easily be a pennant threat. Gregg Hughes (19-8/3.23), Zack Dowdle (16-14/2.91), Raul Carrasco (16-12/3.98) and Carroll Cain (10-9/3.98) are the starting rotation. Leading the Rancheros' hit parade are SS Gordon Pratt (.353/12 HR/61 RBI/67 R), 1B Mick Langston (.331/29 HR/92 RBI), RF Denny Hendrix (.312/27 HR/78 RBI/93 R) and 2B Weldon Reeder (.258/20 HR/95 RBI/71 R).

The Waleska Westerners and the Valka Blackhawks will battle it out to stay out of the basement. Waleska will be led by superstar LF Loco Dillinger (.301/20 HR/80/73), who missed one-third of the season in 2034... he should get some good support from RF Niles Gregory (.266/31 HR/105 RBI/112 R), who was really the big man in the batting order last season, along with 1B Glenn Childress (.279/18 HR/100 RBI/83 R) and 3B Dorak Aranda (.278/23 HR/86 RBI/65 R)... 2B Monty McMurtry (.287/9 HR/49 RBI/95 R) also chipped in as well... the Westerners can put runs on the scoreboard, but they just do not have the pitching to contend... Terry Richards (14-12/2.73) is the only quality arm from last year... free agent from the Sligo Rovers Earl Perkins (19-14/4.06) could be a big help.

Valka has stuck near the bottom of the RU South for the last six seasons... the Blackhawks have no pitching except for Jake Weiland (17-14/3.36), but they can hit pretty well with 1B Mikk Kukk (.301/13 HR/81 RBI/79 R), 3B Bill Bradford (.309/14 HR/84 RBI/60 R), RF Kenny Mitzusaka (.294/11 HR/72 RBI/61 R) and veteran SS Olari Ojastu (.275/17 HR/82 RBI/79 R)... again the Blackhawks look like the worst team in the division... looks like last place for the third time in six years.

My Ruthlandian South Forecast: Too close to call... should be a great race... anyone of the six contenders could win the flag.

01-31-2013, 12:20 AM	#3418
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,969	*THE ISLANDIAN TIMES* Sunday, April 1, 2035 Tight Race In RU South, St. John Slight Favorite A wide-open race is predicted in the Ruthlandian South this season with as many as six clubs contending according to The Islandian Times preseason poll. The winner could come from St. John, Claxton, Belair Beach, Grand City, San Dimas and last year's champ and Pro Cup runner-up Crystal Lake. Anyone of them could hoist the 2035 pennant in their ballpark. St. John with an impressive mound corps and adequate hitting is slightly favored by the sportswriters. The St. John Crusaders won the RU South two years ago and was second last year, so it could be their season to shine again. Heading up a fine group of starters is Jeremy Kirk (23-10/2.73) and Nelson Hawthorne (17-14/3.74). Bullpen ace Raydon Burk (12-5/2.16/8 saves) tops the relievers. As a team the Crusaders batted a lofty .286 last year, but they don't possess the longball. Top bats are SS Hal Burton (.316/2 HR/71 RBI/103 R)), 2B Byron Johannsen (.316/12 HR/73 RBI/80 R), 1B Johnny Zaun (.319/12 HR/76 RBI/81 R), CF Ted Price (.301/4 HR/69 RBI/68 R) and IF/OF Gerry Sives (.306/4 HR/65/68)). The number-two pick in the poll, the Claxton Diamonds, will be in the thick of things according to the baseball experts. The Diamonds have four quality starters in Tommy Brothers (16-13/3.83), Max Jung (13-12/3.54), Richie Raeburn (12-7/3.98) and Sam Nathan (13-20/3.56). The offensive leaders are vets RF Ivan Krause (.278/37 HR/86 RBI), C Jaan Hoogendoom (.310/11 HR/60 RBI), 1B Alekos Kotas (.280/18 HR/63 RBI) and 3B Jonas Weiss (.272/17 HR/75 RBI). Also on the plus side, Claxton has added 7-time All-Star and 5-time Gold Glover C Kyle Hunt (.257/7 HR/49 RBI) via free agency from Ranford. Third in the balloting was the Belair Beach Sunbirds, who came in a strong third last year and is poised to move up in the standings. Kerstan Mak (19-7/3.57), Joel Gregg (19-17/2.97) and Todd Clyman (17-12/3.85) are the leading hurlers. Topping the bats are CF Bobby Meusel (.292/26 HR/84 RBI/102 R), SS Johnny Wofford (.307/12 HR/73 RBI), LF Pat Webb (.291/18 HR/77 RBI) and 2B Joey Harris (.270/18 HR/71 RBI/104 R). Grand City was chosen the fourth-best club in the RU South. The Cybercats can hit the ball, both for average and for distance, and have sufficient pitching. Four free agents will add to the scoring power and defense: IF Jan Kessinger (.310) from Kenwood, RF Justin McCall (.313) from Midway, 1B Chuck Moyer (.295) from Fort Benton and C Durward Anderson (.269) from High Mesa. Add in top guns 2B Teddy Grantham (.327/34 HR/80 RBI/95 R), LF Bull Durham (.284/26 HR/84 RBI/80 R) and CF Thomas Hall (.304/20 HR/63 RBI) and you've got a scoring machine. Grand City has two solid starters in Herb Stewart (19-15/3.64) and Quentin Tyler (16-13/3.65). They also have signed free agent Doug Hansack (13-20/3.41) away from High Mesa. Crystal Lake had a superb season last year, winding up second in the IPA. The Crushers have a wealth of hitters with 1B Big Sam Takota (.313/31 HR/98 RBI), C Stan Stanek (.315/23 HR/88 RBI), SS Mackie Cummings (.320/22 HR/89 RBI/91 R) and RF Paul Dillon (.342/11 HR/64 RBI/104 R). However, they lost ace Denny Mills (22-13/3.35) to Denton City, one of the prime reasons the Crushers were not picked to repeat. They still retain two quality starters in Arnie Cason (21-5/2.84) and Douglas Merrill (16-16/3.70). The San Dimas Rancheros finished fourth last season and still have a good ball club with four good starters and a bunch of big bats. The Rancheros are ranked sixth in the preseason poll, but could easily be a pennant threat. Gregg Hughes (19-8/3.23), Zack Dowdle (16-14/2.91), Raul Carrasco (16-12/3.98) and Carroll Cain (10-9/3.98) are the starting rotation. Leading the Rancheros' hit parade are SS Gordon Pratt (.353/12 HR/61 RBI/67 R), 1B Mick Langston (.331/29 HR/92 RBI), RF Denny Hendrix (.312/27 HR/78 RBI/93 R) and 2B Weldon Reeder (.258/20 HR/95 RBI/71 R). The Waleska Westerners and the Valka Blackhawks will battle it out to stay out of the basement. Waleska will be led by superstar LF Loco Dillinger (.301/20 HR/80/73), who missed one-third of the season in 2034... he should get some good support from RF Niles Gregory (.266/31 HR/105 RBI/112 R), who was really the big man in the batting order last season, along with 1B Glenn Childress (.279/18 HR/100 RBI/83 R) and 3B Dorak Aranda (.278/23 HR/86 RBI/65 R)... 2B Monty McMurtry (.287/9 HR/49 RBI/95 R) also chipped in as well... the Westerners can put runs on the scoreboard, but they just do not have the pitching to contend... Terry Richards (14-12/2.73) is the only quality arm from last year... free agent from the Sligo Rovers Earl Perkins (19-14/4.06) could be a big help. Valka has stuck near the bottom of the RU South for the last six seasons... the Blackhawks have no pitching except for Jake Weiland (17-14/3.36), but they can hit pretty well with 1B Mikk Kukk (.301/13 HR/81 RBI/79 R), 3B Bill Bradford (.309/14 HR/84 RBI/60 R), RF Kenny Mitzusaka (.294/11 HR/72 RBI/61 R) and veteran SS Olari Ojastu (.275/17 HR/82 RBI/79 R)... again the Blackhawks look like the worst team in the division... looks like last place for the third time in six years. *My Ruthlandian South Forecast:* Too close to call... should be a great race... anyone of the six contenders could win the flag. Last edited by Eugene Church; 02-01-2013 at 12:00 AM.