TYCOBBIAN UNION MIDSEASON REVIEW
WITH SECOND-HALF SURGE 6 TEAMS CAN STILL WIN THE TIGHT TU NORTH
The White River Rascals apparently were not a flash in the pan like year when they captured the Tycobbian North. At midyear they are thriving and still atop of the standings. The preseason poll placed the Rascals the fourth-best club, despite last year's division title. Currently White River is 3 and a half games ahead of runner-up North Hills, 4 better than Oxford and 6 games up on Blue Lake. The preseason choice Hartsdale has slumbered in 5th place so far, trailing by 6 and a half games. Subpar offense has hampered them this season. Strong pitching, fairly good home-run power and a very good defense are keeping the Rascals ahead of the pack. The North Hills Hawks look like their toughest rival because of their solid pitching. It's a pretty good pennant race. 6th place Mahaska is just 7 games off the pace. White River is no lead pipe cinch in the TU North.
SUNSETS OWN TU SOUTH AGAIN, CRUISING FOR 4TH DIVISION CROWN IN A ROW
3 years ago the Summerland Sunsets just barely won the Tycobbian South by one solitary game over the Southport Sun Sox. 2 years ago they bested the Turon Typhoons by only 2 games. Lo and behold, last season the Sunsets cranked it up and dominated by 12 games over the Sun Sox. They just might do it again. Halfway through the season Summerland already has a whopping 9-game edge over second place Southport and Arroyo Grande with no let up in sight. Great pitching and great hitting is a great formula for success in the IPA. Will there be a miracle team in the TU North this year? In a word: Nope! The Summerland Sunsets are better-than-ever and look like a surefire Pro Cup winner this year. They will cruise to their 4th division title in a row and may also crown the season with a Pro Cup Trophy. Of course, Forest City, South Fork and La Claire may question that thought.
SF STALLIONS RUNNING STRONG RACE IN TU EAST, SEEKING 3RD CONSECUTIVE TU EAST TITLE
The South Fork Stallions have copped the Tycobbian East for the last two seasons. This year they appear to be a powerhouse -- great offense and strong pitching. Thus far, at midseason the Stallions have run roughshod over the other clubs, chalking up a 7-game lead over second place Tuckanarra. Nobody else is in sight. Third place Ozarka is already behind by 15 games. The Tucks are a pretty good club, but not in the class of the Stallions. Nope, the Blue Jays are not going to catch the Stallions this year. South Fork is a much-improved team over the last two years. Those teams lost to IPA champion La Claire in the TU Title Series and to Pro Cup winner Valmara in the Pro Cup Finals two seasons ago. The South Fork Stallions definitely look like a huge threat to win the whole shebang this year. They are a darn good ballclub.
3-TEAM TUSSLE IN TU WEST, LA CLAIRE TIED FOR FIRST WITH ROLLING HILLS, BAYVIEW CLOSE BEHIND
The lackluster reigning Pro Cup champion La Claire Lynx just quietly go about their business winning the Tycobbian West with great regularity. The Lynx have won it four successive seasons and look like a winner again this year. They have even won 2 -- yes, I repeat, 2 Pro Cups. Hard-to-believe La Claire excels with fine pitching and just enough offense to win. All of their pennant rivals, Rolling Hills and Bayview, can outhit them and outscore them, but they can't outpitch them. And so far in the last few seasons, they have not been able to beat the Lynx. It won't be easy, but La Claire will still triumph in the TU West this season. Great pitching beats good hitting. With a little bit of luck, the Lynx just might win their 5th pennant in a row and just may end up with its third Pro Cup. Could happen. Great pitching can beat good hitting in the postseason, too.
