[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
January 1, 2017

Wholesale Changes Made In IPA
16 teams finally gave up on coaching legends and made managerial changes in wholesale numbers in the IPA this season. Teams have been very slow to move out the old guard in the past, but not this year. They are turning to former players to turn things around.

- Valmara's owner J. Jackson Samuel got the ball rolling by going into retirement and hiring all-time legend Jet Kazmarek to replace him.
- Ditto for aging owner Mac Connery in Red Bluff. He called it a day and put former Red Sox star Bucky Frizzell in the slot.
- T. K. Holmes in Cold Creek kept it in the family by making his grandson Trip Holmes his successor. Trip will be a playing manager at age 38.
- Benny Stern will take over in Stoner for Willie Dickens.
- Andrei Kokk replaces Jaan Kurus in Valka.
- Cyclone Cobb will guide the Arroyo Grande Suns, Jean-Luc Marchand is out.
- In Belle Plaine, owner Boo Ladrieux is stepping down for Lou Dozier.
- Griff Clarke has put former star Rex Sokolov in charge in East Point.
- Owner George Costanza was not happy with Zoggy White, Sam Malone is in.
- Glasco replaced McDuffie Hughes with outfield great Ike Plunkett.
- Grand City owner Gates Billingham has fired Torry Joseph and put Wynn Joslin in.
- Arky Spanderson has been let go in Hillsboro, Rawhide Martin will be the new skipper.
- Foxy Jimison is gone in LaGrange, catching great Otto Kronvath will take over.
- Former outfielder Cristo Viamonte replaces home run great Alejandro Rodrigo in Luxora.
- Ranford chose infield favorite Rick Fargnoli over legendary pitcher Page Satcher, who had very limited success with the Bulls.
- and in San Alejo, it will be outfielder Marcellino Zuniga, a star when the Montaneros were winning pennants, who will take over for Lando Peceda.

It looks like management has decided to go by results. IPA managers will not be able to live off of their industrial league reputations any longer. Look for more changes next season.