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Eugene Church · 08-15-2014, 07:12 PM

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Sunday, April 5, 2048

RANFORD TO REIGN IN RU NORTH
Last year the sports media across the Islands chose the Ranford Bulls to haul in the Ruthlandian North Division pennant, but they flopped badly and wound a poor sixth, 31 games behind the champion Far Mountain Redhawks, who led the IPA with a resounding 101 triumphs. Well, with basically the same ball club the Bulls are again the choice of the sportswriters and broadcasters. In fact, the preseason predictions go so far as forecasting an easy race for Ranford. LaGrange was number two in the poll with Far Mountain slotted for third place this year and Valmara for the fourth spot.

In the second division the prognoticators have placed the Glasco Athletics in spot number five, Kilkenny sixth, and perpetual also-rans Taranto and Ancona will battle it out for the last two places in the standings.

Ranford does have a new left fielder Joey Hawkins and new reliever Rickey Graham. Hawkins is a powerful bat that hit five homers in spring training and batted .302. Graham, a fireballer, showed some good potential in the spring, too. But the Bulls will need vast improvement on the hill and at the plate to rival the Redhawks.

In actuality, Far Mountain has improved a bit this year roster-wise with a power-hitting rookie shortstop Jesse Stetson, who is also a solid defender. The Valmara Vipers are the most-improved club on paper. They have added two solid pitchers Mark Polaski and Niki Delance to the staff and two potent rookie infielders Justin Rascoe and Arnie Pliska to the lineup. Far Mountain ran away with the title last year, whipping second place LaGrange by 15 games. It seems highly unlikely that the other clubs can make up so much ground when they haven't improved their lots much. LaGrange has six rookies on its squad, but no standouts. Glasco had added three new players, but no season changers.

Last year Far Mountain dominated the division. The Sports were 15 games behind in the runner-up spot, the A's third and 18 games off the pace and the Vipers came in fourth, trailing by 19.

Other newcomers to watch are RF Seth Cooks of the Kilkenny Cats, pitchers Paul South and Armani Pizziconi of the Taranto Tars and shortstop Steven Truman of the Ancona Red Elephants.

RUTHLANDIAN NORTH DIVISION PRESEASON PREDICTIONS

08-15-2014, 07:12 PM	#4324
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 36,062	THE ISLANDIAN TIMES Sunday, April 5, 2048 RANFORD TO REIGN IN RU NORTH Last year the sports media across the Islands chose the Ranford Bulls to haul in the Ruthlandian North Division pennant, but they flopped badly and wound a poor sixth, 31 games behind the champion Far Mountain Redhawks, who led the IPA with a resounding 101 triumphs. Well, with basically the same ball club the Bulls are again the choice of the sportswriters and broadcasters. In fact, the preseason predictions go so far as forecasting an easy race for Ranford. LaGrange was number two in the poll with Far Mountain slotted for third place this year and Valmara for the fourth spot. In the second division the prognoticators have placed the Glasco Athletics in spot number five, Kilkenny sixth, and perpetual also-rans Taranto and Ancona will battle it out for the last two places in the standings. Ranford does have a new left fielder Joey Hawkins and new reliever Rickey Graham. Hawkins is a powerful bat that hit five homers in spring training and batted .302. Graham, a fireballer, showed some good potential in the spring, too. But the Bulls will need vast improvement on the hill and at the plate to rival the Redhawks. In actuality, Far Mountain has improved a bit this year roster-wise with a power-hitting rookie shortstop Jesse Stetson, who is also a solid defender. The Valmara Vipers are the most-improved club on paper. They have added two solid pitchers Mark Polaski and Niki Delance to the staff and two potent rookie infielders Justin Rascoe and Arnie Pliska to the lineup. Far Mountain ran away with the title last year, whipping second place LaGrange by 15 games. It seems highly unlikely that the other clubs can make up so much ground when they haven't improved their lots much. LaGrange has six rookies on its squad, but no standouts. Glasco had added three new players, but no season changers. Last year Far Mountain dominated the division. The Sports were 15 games behind in the runner-up spot, the A's third and 18 games off the pace and the Vipers came in fourth, trailing by 19. Other newcomers to watch are RF Seth Cooks of the Kilkenny Cats, pitchers Paul South and Armani Pizziconi of the Taranto Tars and shortstop Steven Truman of the Ancona Red Elephants. RUTHLANDIAN NORTH DIVISION PRESEASON PREDICTIONS Attached Images Last edited by Eugene Church; 08-15-2014 at 07:16 PM.