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Eugene Church · 02-01-2013, 09:01 PM

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Sunday, April 1, 2035

Fort Benton Best In The RU West
The weak Ruthlandian West only had three teams .500 or better last season and much the same is expected this year by the Islands' baseball gurus. The best in the West in 2035 is the Fort Benton Defenders, who got a shaky nod in The Islandian Times preseason poll. In reality, none of the eight teams are overpowering. Anyone could win it. Forest City was voted the number two team with Stoner third and Middlefield rounding out the first division in fourth place. The Sligo Rovers are slated to come in fifth, followed by Rocky Rapids sixth, Colfax seventh and last year's champion Volusia last, which is difficult to understand.

Fort Benton is the favorite in the RU West, but not by much. The Defenders have been in the top three for the last five seasons. They finished tied for second last year with Middlefield, both with 77-77 records, 7 games back of Volusia. Pitching is the Defenders' best trait. They don't have much of an offense. Augie Marquis (24-15/2.87) was superb last season and will be joined in the rotation by two other quality arms: Chris Calsworth (17-16/3.72) and Edd Farmer (7-7/3.44). The bats are few in number with 3B Edmund Daisak (.280/21 HR/87 RBI/67 R) and 2B Alec Leclerc (.268/1 HR/42 RBI/83 R) the best of the lot.

It's been five seasons since the Forest City Lumberjacks had a winning season. They have a shot at it this year. Last year they were tied for 4th with Stoner and 14 games under .500. On the mound and at the plate the 'Jacks are a run-of-mill club. The best starters are Rich Barstow (17-18/3.34), Jeff Watford (17-18/3.47) and Judson Davis (14-16/3.88). Third-year man Walter Gibbons (5-8/2.49) made good progress last year and shows good potential. C Bob Brisdon (.306/23 HR/70 RBI/64 R) is the only decent batter in the order.

The Stoner Stars have a ways to go to respectability. The last four seasons have not been very good. The pitching is suspect with veteran Frank Robichaux (15-17/3.95) the most experienced and most dependable. There are lots of question marks about the mound staff, but rookie Mel Glosterman has gotten glowing comments from the scouts. The Stars have three solid hitters in LF Felix Jobin (.350/21 HR/ 77 RBI/86 R), 1B Fletch Fowler (.317/13 HR/75 RBI/65 R) and CF Don Cain (.316/5 HR/60 RBI/79 R).

The Middlefield Roosters haven't had anything to crow about since the glory days of 2023 to 2026 when they copped four RU West flags in a row. They did make a little progress last year with a tie for the runner-up spot with Fort Benton. As per usual the Roosters will depend on the longball for success. The power guys are C Brad Alexander (.270/31 HR/69 RBI/65 R), 2B Paul Coker (.260/29HR/85 RBI/68 R), RF Yank Quinlan (.286/24 HR/62 RBI/65 R) and RF Timmy Agelakos (.259/21 HR/67 RBI/48 R) and the contact hitters are SS Kenny Johnston (.310/10 HR/65 RBI/95 R) and 3B Colt Chadwick (.293/9 HR/61 RBI/71 R). The lackluster starting rotation consists of Ron Sinclair (16-14/4.09), Lou Page (10-10/3.76), Peder Ree (12-13/3.51) and Judd Hampton (10-18/3.66).

The Sligo Rovers went from first in 2033 to last in 2034, going from 79-76 to 63-91. The Rovers pitching went into the pits. Tom Pierson (9-9/3.28/14 saves) was the most productive as he spent time in the bullpen and finally as a starter. Mark Smith (17-18/3.57) performed well at times, as did Ricky Cooke (14-14/4.22). The bats did a good job and were led by late bloomer 3B Paul Newton (.301/33 HR/97 RBI/77 R), who got his first chance ever to start with the Rovers at age 35 after spending two years as a benchwarmer in Eastshore. LF Vasco Aguilar (.283/24 HR/74 RBI/78 R) and 2B Neil Mitchell (.289/20 HR/59 RBI/90 R) also lent good run support. 1B-3B Lou Wilhoit (.270/24 HR/72 RBI/48 R) was signed as a free agent. He played last year with Colfax.

It's been a long dry spell for the Rocky Rapids Snappers, who haven't been to the postseason in years. The last time the Snappers were in the Pro Cup playoffs was a string of pennants from 2017-2020, including their only Pro Cup trophy in 2019. It appears the drought will continue at least through 2035. The most reliable pitchers are Paulie Pieroni (17-18/3.18) and Ed Ayers (13-17/3.33). Leading the offense this year will be SS Kelvin Cassidy (.316/23 HR/70 RBI/65 R) and free agents RF Billy Gray (.341/8 HR/47 RBI/50 R) from Southport and 2B Dwight Dickey (.310/6 HR/49 RBI/66 R) from San Alejo.

The Colfax Blasters had an excellent year in 2032, when they won the RU West with 98 wins, but it's all been downhill since as they fell to fourth in 2033 and seventh last year. Colfax has a poor offense and mediocre pitching. The Blasters lost ace pitcher Rudy Rosario (15-13/1.83), who posted the best ERA in the IPA last season. Rosario went to Tuckanarra in the off-season. Randell Perkins (14-19/3.85) and Milton Garnett (10-17/3.92) will try to rebound from tough seasons. The Blasters signed no one to replace Rosario. Vet C Mitch Fullerton (.287/16 HR/47 RBI/69 R) and SS Kristian McEly (.259/22 HR/71 RBI/54) paced the club offensively last year.

It was an exciting season for the Volusia Vigilantes in 2034 as they made the playoffs for the first time in almost three decades and in the first round they eliminated the powerful Pro Cup favorite Eastshore. Strange as it may seem the pollsters have made them the worst team in the RU West this year. The V's still retain the good offense from last season and the pitching looks pretty fair with the signing of free agents Bob Bondy (16-19/3.73) from Southport and Fabio Medeiros (12-16/3.98) from Luxora. Medeiros sat out the entire 2034 season in protest and didn't sign with anyone. They will join Jacy Chandler (20-8/3.40) and Marv Webb (18-9/3/57) to give them a pretty fair set of starters. Bats are aplenty in Volusia with 1B Ernie Pryor (.303/31 HR/100 RBI/82 R), C Tubby Tarkanian (.316/29 HR/85 RBI/77 R), 3B Antonio Diaz (.302/19 HR/85 RBI/83 R), CF Ernesto Andujar (.316/25 HR/79 RBI/96 R) and 2B Carl Kendall (.306/12 HR/60 RBI/45 R). Actually, Volusia still looks like the best team in the RU West.

My Ruthlandian West Forecast: I totally disagree with The Islandian Times preseason poll. Volusia is still the class of a weak division and should win the division handily. After the Vigilantes, it's a toss-up among the other teams. Middlefield has the best chance to finish second because they can score some runs. The remaining teams are all fairly mediocre without any redeeming qualities.

02-01-2013, 09:01 PM	#3420
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,946	*THE ISLANDIAN TIMES* Sunday, April 1, 2035 Fort Benton Best In The RU West The weak Ruthlandian West only had three teams .500 or better last season and much the same is expected this year by the Islands' baseball gurus. The best in the West in 2035 is the Fort Benton Defenders, who got a shaky nod in The Islandian Times preseason poll. In reality, none of the eight teams are overpowering. Anyone could win it. Forest City was voted the number two team with Stoner third and Middlefield rounding out the first division in fourth place. The Sligo Rovers are slated to come in fifth, followed by Rocky Rapids sixth, Colfax seventh and last year's champion Volusia last, which is difficult to understand. Fort Benton is the favorite in the RU West, but not by much. The Defenders have been in the top three for the last five seasons. They finished tied for second last year with Middlefield, both with 77-77 records, 7 games back of Volusia. Pitching is the Defenders' best trait. They don't have much of an offense. Augie Marquis (24-15/2.87) was superb last season and will be joined in the rotation by two other quality arms: Chris Calsworth (17-16/3.72) and Edd Farmer (7-7/3.44). The bats are few in number with 3B Edmund Daisak (.280/21 HR/87 RBI/67 R) and 2B Alec Leclerc (.268/1 HR/42 RBI/83 R) the best of the lot. It's been five seasons since the Forest City Lumberjacks had a winning season. They have a shot at it this year. Last year they were tied for 4th with Stoner and 14 games under .500. On the mound and at the plate the 'Jacks are a run-of-mill club. The best starters are Rich Barstow (17-18/3.34), Jeff Watford (17-18/3.47) and Judson Davis (14-16/3.88). Third-year man Walter Gibbons (5-8/2.49) made good progress last year and shows good potential. C Bob Brisdon (.306/23 HR/70 RBI/64 R) is the only decent batter in the order. The Stoner Stars have a ways to go to respectability. The last four seasons have not been very good. The pitching is suspect with veteran Frank Robichaux (15-17/3.95) the most experienced and most dependable. There are lots of question marks about the mound staff, but rookie Mel Glosterman has gotten glowing comments from the scouts. The Stars have three solid hitters in LF Felix Jobin (.350/21 HR/ 77 RBI/86 R), 1B Fletch Fowler (.317/13 HR/75 RBI/65 R) and CF Don Cain (.316/5 HR/60 RBI/79 R). The Middlefield Roosters haven't had anything to crow about since the glory days of 2023 to 2026 when they copped four RU West flags in a row. They did make a little progress last year with a tie for the runner-up spot with Fort Benton. As per usual the Roosters will depend on the longball for success. The power guys are C Brad Alexander (.270/31 HR/69 RBI/65 R), 2B Paul Coker (.260/29HR/85 RBI/68 R), RF Yank Quinlan (.286/24 HR/62 RBI/65 R) and RF Timmy Agelakos (.259/21 HR/67 RBI/48 R) and the contact hitters are SS Kenny Johnston (.310/10 HR/65 RBI/95 R) and 3B Colt Chadwick (.293/9 HR/61 RBI/71 R). The lackluster starting rotation consists of Ron Sinclair (16-14/4.09), Lou Page (10-10/3.76), Peder Ree (12-13/3.51) and Judd Hampton (10-18/3.66). The Sligo Rovers went from first in 2033 to last in 2034, going from 79-76 to 63-91. The Rovers pitching went into the pits. Tom Pierson (9-9/3.28/14 saves) was the most productive as he spent time in the bullpen and finally as a starter. Mark Smith (17-18/3.57) performed well at times, as did Ricky Cooke (14-14/4.22). The bats did a good job and were led by late bloomer 3B Paul Newton (.301/33 HR/97 RBI/77 R), who got his first chance ever to start with the Rovers at age 35 after spending two years as a benchwarmer in Eastshore. LF Vasco Aguilar (.283/24 HR/74 RBI/78 R) and 2B Neil Mitchell (.289/20 HR/59 RBI/90 R) also lent good run support. 1B-3B Lou Wilhoit (.270/24 HR/72 RBI/48 R) was signed as a free agent. He played last year with Colfax. It's been a long dry spell for the Rocky Rapids Snappers, who haven't been to the postseason in years. The last time the Snappers were in the Pro Cup playoffs was a string of pennants from 2017-2020, including their only Pro Cup trophy in 2019. It appears the drought will continue at least through 2035. The most reliable pitchers are Paulie Pieroni (17-18/3.18) and Ed Ayers (13-17/3.33). Leading the offense this year will be SS Kelvin Cassidy (.316/23 HR/70 RBI/65 R) and free agents RF Billy Gray (.341/8 HR/47 RBI/50 R) from Southport and 2B Dwight Dickey (.310/6 HR/49 RBI/66 R) from San Alejo. The Colfax Blasters had an excellent year in 2032, when they won the RU West with 98 wins, but it's all been downhill since as they fell to fourth in 2033 and seventh last year. Colfax has a poor offense and mediocre pitching. The Blasters lost ace pitcher Rudy Rosario (15-13/1.83), who posted the best ERA in the IPA last season. Rosario went to Tuckanarra in the off-season. Randell Perkins (14-19/3.85) and Milton Garnett (10-17/3.92) will try to rebound from tough seasons. The Blasters signed no one to replace Rosario. Vet C Mitch Fullerton (.287/16 HR/47 RBI/69 R) and SS Kristian McEly (.259/22 HR/71 RBI/54) paced the club offensively last year. It was an exciting season for the Volusia Vigilantes in 2034 as they made the playoffs for the first time in almost three decades and in the first round they eliminated the powerful Pro Cup favorite Eastshore. Strange as it may seem the pollsters have made them the worst team in the RU West this year. The V's still retain the good offense from last season and the pitching looks pretty fair with the signing of free agents Bob Bondy (16-19/3.73) from Southport and Fabio Medeiros (12-16/3.98) from Luxora. Medeiros sat out the entire 2034 season in protest and didn't sign with anyone. They will join Jacy Chandler (20-8/3.40) and Marv Webb (18-9/3/57) to give them a pretty fair set of starters. Bats are aplenty in Volusia with 1B Ernie Pryor (.303/31 HR/100 RBI/82 R), C Tubby Tarkanian (.316/29 HR/85 RBI/77 R), 3B Antonio Diaz (.302/19 HR/85 RBI/83 R), CF Ernesto Andujar (.316/25 HR/79 RBI/96 R) and 2B Carl Kendall (.306/12 HR/60 RBI/45 R). Actually, Volusia still looks like the best team in the RU West. My Ruthlandian West Forecast: I totally disagree with The Islandian Times preseason poll. Volusia is still the class of a weak division and should win the division handily. After the Vigilantes, it's a toss-up among the other teams. Middlefield has the best chance to finish second because they can score some runs. The remaining teams are all fairly mediocre without any redeeming qualities.