ISLANDIAN PRO ALLIANCE (RUTHLANDIA and TYCOBBIA BASEBALL UNIONS)

[Eugene Church]

Oxford Red Caps Sizzle in Second Half, Takes TU North Title

What a second half of the season Campy Roy's Oxford Red Caps had! They played .600 ball and won the Tycobbian Union North by 3 games over the mid-season leader, the Luxora Zorros. At the All-Star break, Roy's Red Caps were in fourth place, but 8 games behind. A hot September won it for them. Oxford was 11-3 in the month, while the Z's faded with an atrocious 4-10 mark. The Red Caps were the only team in the division with a winning record in the second half as they chalked up a sparkling 52-31 mark. Home run power was the decisive element. The Fairfax Frogs came in third, 6 games off the pace and the Mahaska Haymakers finished fourth and trailed by 9 games. The top four teams will vie in the First Round playoffs with Oxford versus the Haymakers and Luxora playing the Frogs in a best-of-three series.

Best Hitting - Luxora .277 BA
Most Homers - Oxford 144
Best Pitching - Luxora 3.28 ERA
Best Defense - Fairfax and North Hills .979 FA

Oxford Red Caps - Campy Roy, Manager
Best Pitchers - Bomber Belinsky (17-12 3.33), Nicky Nicholson (8-1 2.41), Jim Melanakos (11-11 2.86), Del Anderson (6-4 2.76) with 21 saves
Best Hitters - 3B Joe Courtney (.302/36 HR/114 RBI/112 R), CF Ike Plunkett (.272/27 HR/83 RBI/73 R/18 SB), RF Austen Conover (.300/2 HR/40 RBI/97 R/90 SB)

Luxora Zorros - Alejandro Rodrigo, Manager
Best Pitchers - Tito Tovares (23-12 2.51), Fernando Fernandes (11-9 3.37), Eddie Hoffman (16-12 3.39), Keith Callahan (15-13 3.49), Elio Laurente (5-7 3.04) with 25 saves
Best Hitters - LF Pedro Vizquel (.343/11 HR/67 RBI/71 R), CF Lacey Tompkins (.322/18 HR/83 RBI/90 R), RF Cristo Viamonte (.312/9 HR/69 RBI/88 R/16 SB), 3B Pablo Santa Cruz (.299/5 HR/53 RBI/91 R/28 SB)

Fairfax Frogs - Harry Buckley, Manager
Best Pitchers - Robby Meredith (15-11 3.23), Kaz Hayagawa (18-12 3.31), Barrett Carruthers (11-5 3.44)
Best Hitters - SS Warren Lee (.288/22 HR/72 RBI/87 R), RF Gregg Vincent (.278/20 HR/70 RBI/71 R), Cecil Parmenter (.292/13 HR/61 RBI/83 R), CF Billy Echevarria (.268/17 HR/47 RBI/87 R/40 SB)

Mahaska Haymakers - Rusty Tanussa, Manager
Best Pitchers - Braydon Turner (10-7 2.31), Boomerang Hines (18-13 2.92), Dain Abner (6-3 3.06) with 20 saves
Best Hitters - 3B Kris Dragovich (.316/4 HR/55 RBI/69 R), LF Stan Kobzar (.329/5 HR/58 RBI/50 R), 2B Val Ivanenko (.287/12 HR/71 RBI/71 R/18 SB), 1B Thom Scarborough (.265/23 HR/69 RBI/56 R)

Hartsdale Hellcats - Zim Donner, Manager
Best Pitchers - Tal Vaitkus (17-17 3.44), Phil Reed (16-17 3.32), Gene Young (11-10 3.61)
Best Hitters - CF Mac Faulkner (.322/15 HR/74 RBI/68 R), 2B Hoppy Hill (.306/1 HR/36 RBI/92 R), 3B Whiz Weaver (.252/18 HR/69 RBI/75 R), 1B Rick Castle (.274/14 HR/68 RBI/43 R)

Blue Lake Blue Sox - Cobb Tyson, Manager
Best Pitchers - Bennie West (15-16 3.10), Neil Krogstad (11-13 3.38), Jay Clay (15-13 4.07)
Best Hitters - SS Cy Orgeron (.290/10 HR/54 RBI/65 R/17 SB), 1B Charley James (.290/18 HR/64 RBI/55 R), 2B Ken Bennett (.270/17 HR/71 RBI/57 R), Donnie Frazier (.269/14 HR/55 RBI/59 R)

White River Rascals - John Randison, Manager
Best Pitchers - Butch Beaulieu (14-19 4.10), Emile Sifko (7-4 2.00) with 16 saves
Best Hitters - LF Roy Cochran (.330/21 HR/95 RBI/91 R), 1B Al Joyner (.296/37 HR/92 RBI/76 R), RF Dennis Bertrand (.258/22 HR/61 RBI/79 R)

North Hills Hawks - Hub Carlson, Manager
Best Pitchers - Ben Dewberry (10-15 3.43), Jaybird Jackson (10-15 4.10), Stan Ballard (10-11 4.25)
Best Hitters - LF Kevin Schmidt (.270/20 HR/88 RBI/74 R), C Duke Hogan (.257/20 HR/79 RBI/54 R), CF Roy Stainbrook (.230/25 HR/78 RBI/80 R/14 SB)

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Around the Town in the IPA

MAHASKA HAYMAKERS

Owner/GM: Rickey Branch
Assistant GM: Rick Branch, Jr.
Manager: Rusty Tanussa

Mahaska, a township of 67,000 nestled on the banks of the White River in the west central plains of Tycobbia, is part of the nation’s breadbasket and heartland with vast fields of wheat, corn, oats and other grains. Grain elevators, storage silos and processing plants are its main industry, along with cereal factories and beef, chicken and pork meat processing plants. The Mahaska townspeople have a strong work ethic and live a nice middle-class existence. Church and family are of prime importance in their lives. Shady streets and quiet subdivisions best describe life in Mahaska.

Mahaska was settled in the 1850s by immigrants from Iowa in the United States. They were hearty farm people well-versed in all aspects of agriculture. The transplanted Iowans named their town after the Iowa county where most of them lived. Mahaska was named after a famous Iowa indian chief. Around 1900 the town got an influx of emigres from the Ukraine, who fit in real well with their expert knowledge of growing wheat and grains. The Ukraine is the breadbasket of Russia.The new additions to Mahaska quickly were assimilated into the town culture and even picked up the game of baseball, which was rapidly becoming the National Pastime in Tycobbia.

Mahaska is also home of the Haymakers baseball team who play at the new Heartland Stadium, where the best barbecue in Tycobbia is served along with delicious, melt-in-your-mouth hamburgers. Traditional ballpark food and soft drinks are available in abundance, too. Musical entertainment during games is provided by the Mahaska Sym-Phony, a group of musically-inclined fans. They entertain during games and highstep around the field in celebration after every Haymaker victory...it's the only symphony in Mahaska.

The team is family-owned and family-operated; no high-powered corporation or millionaire runs it. Rickey Branch is one of the most knowledgeable baseball administrators in Tycobbia and is the sole owner of the team. He is also one of the league founders. His son, Rick Branch, Junior, is the assistant GM and is a fine baseball man in his own right; the team will be passed down to him when his dad retires. The Branches are well-respected members of the Mahaska community and active in civic activities. Team manager Rusty Tanussa was a journeyman outfielder in the company leagues, but was a top-notch and very successful industrial league manager.

Heartland Stadium (2000)

Capacity: 7,935

Dimensions:
LF Line 340
LF 365
LCF 390
CF 425
RCF 390
RF 365
RF Line 340

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Around the Town in the IPA

MARSTON NINE

Owner: Abe Doubleday of Doubleday Sporting Goods

GM/Mgr: Johnny Walters

Marston has a population of 95,000 and is situated on the Central Plains in East Central Ruthlandia approximately 75 miles from the Valerian Ocean. Its main industry is sporting goods equipment, sportswear and fashions. The Doubleday Family has a monopoly on these products and a branch of the family resides in Marston. Grain processing plants are in abundance in the "Breadbasket of Ruthlandia".

Marston is famous as the site of the first organized baseball game in the Islands in the late 1890's. The first amateur club and the first industrial league team were formed here, both known as the Marston Nine. They played at Legends Field (circa 1903), which is the second oldest ballpark in Ruthlandia (Waleska is the oldest - 1902) and is built on the actual site of the first organized game. In fact, home plate is in the exact same spot as the original home plate for the first game. Every ninth seat in the stadium is painted red in honor of those two early Marston Nines. The other seats are painted black. Marston's colors are red and black.

The Marston Nine plays in the Ruthlandian Baseball Union's East Division and are owned and operated by the Doubleday family, headed by the board president, Abe Doubleday. They are distant relatives of the creator of American baseball, Abner Doubleday.

A special feature of Legends Field is the Ruthlandian Baseball Hall of Fame. It is located in the stadium and houses memorabilia from the country's amateur and industrial league past. The Marstonians sing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” at the traditional seventh-inning stretch, but they also have the ninth-inning stretch, when they give the home team a standing ovation, win or lose. If they win, the fans are treated to an exciting fireworks display, all accompanied by live organ music.

Live organ music is played throughout the game, a tradition still practiced in only few other towns - Ozarka, Kenwood and Hillsboro. Marston fans are among the most knowledgeable and intense in the Islands. They watch every pitch and are mesmerized by the action on the field.It is a tradition at Legends Field to throw back any ball hit in the stands by the opposing teams. No self-respecting Niner fan would want to get a souvenir baseball that way. Every Sunday is Niner Day at Legends Field and every ninth fan through the turnstiles is given a free pass (or “Annie Oakley”) to a game in the next homestand.

At the concessions stand nothing special is served. All you get is baseball basics: peanuts, crackerjacks, popcorn, soda pop, cotton candy, ice cream, hot dogs and hamburgers. It is a family town and a family-oriented ballpark...no alcoholic beverages are served.

The great and legendary righthanded pitcher of company leagues, Johnny Walters is the manager of the Marston Nine.

LEGENDS FIELD (1903)

CAPACITY: 12,500

LF Line 320
LF 345
LCF 385
CF 375
RCF 405
RF 380
RF Line 345

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Around the Town in the IPA

MIDDLEFIELD ROOSTERS

Owner: Middlefield Merchants Association
GM/Manager: Smitty Michaels

Middlefield, population 76,000, is located in the southern lowlands in east central Ruthlandia on the scenic Green River. The river traverses north to south from Far Mountain in the Appian Mountains, through Rocky Rapids in the northwest plains, eastward to the state capitol, Forest City. There it intersects with the Silver River, then meanders down through Middlefield where it takes a westward bend before continuing on to Sugar Valley, to end at Belair Beach on Belair Bay.

Middlefield was settled in the 1850s by disgruntled Southerners from the United States that wanted to preserve their culture and livlihood and not be involved the political problems that evolved due to slavery. They came to a new country and left slavery back in the USA.

The wonderfully rich and fertile black alluvial soil deposits are vital to the area’s economy. It is a rich farming region with cotton farms, textiles and farm equipment factories and a wide array of agricultural products. The town itself is rural and rustic in nature; the visitor feels that he has traveled back a hundred years in time. Middlefield takes great pride in its revered past and goes to great lengths to keep its old-fashioned flavor. By law, modern architecture is not allowed by the city fathers.

The town’s centerpiece is the exquisite Cotton Palace Fair and Exhibition Center. It is over 150 years old and plays host to farm conventions, music concerts, theatre and the Cotton Palace Opry, famed for its live country music show and dance every Saturday night. Middlefield is a nice quiet place to live, work and raise a family.

It is also home of the Middlefield Roosters Baseball Team. The town merchants banded together in civic pride and sold bonds to individual investors to get the franchise. It truly is a “town team” owned by the citizens of Middlefield and is a member of the IPA’s West Division. The Roosters play at ancient Middlefield Park on the outskirts of town, right in the middle of farmland. Whenever a new pitcher is brought in from the bullpen, he rides in style on a fancy blue and red tractor (team colors) to pay homage to the farm industry. While the relief pitcher is being chauffeured in to the mound, the fans sing “Old MacDonald had a farm” with special lyrics:

Old MacDonald had a farm, Ee-i-ee-i-oh.
And on this farm he had a pitcher, Ee-i-ee-i-oh.
A fastball here and a curveball there ...

It might sound corny, but the Middlefield folks get a big kick out of it, especially the young’uns. They get a big kick out of the great fried chicken, hot dogs, hamburgers, peanuts, crackerjacks, cokes, beer and ice cream at the concessions stand, too.

The Merchants Association has hired Smitty Michaels as Manager and GM. A lifelong resident of Middlefield, Michaels is a famous third baseman and slugger who played many outstanding seasons in the local company leagues. Michaels didn't need it as he packed prodigious power in his swing, but he did benefit from the short fences at Middlefield Park, one of the most compact in the IPA.

Middlefield Park (1927)

Capacity: 7,450

Dimensions:
LF Line 315
LF 330
LCF 362
CF 385
RCF 375
RF 335
RF Line 326

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Wednesday, September 18, 2002

Tycobbian Union South Division Final Standings

[Eugene Church]

San Alejo Dominates TU South, Wins 102 Games
Lando Peceda, the skipper of the San Alejo Montaneros must have the cushiest job in the IPA. The Montaneros dominated the Tycobbian Union South by winning 102 games. The closest competitor was the Colchester Elites, a very distant 19 games behind them. San Alejo was 24 games in front of the third place teams, the Southport Sun Sox and Turon Typhoons.

Peceda's club is solid in all aspects of the game - hitting for a .272 batting average (3rd), clouting 165 homers (2nd), compiling a 3.14 ERA (1st) and fielding at a .981 percentage (2nd).

The Montaneros are now heading for the IPA playoffs. In First Round action it be San Alejo tangling with tough Turon, one of the better second-half team. In the other division match-up it will be Colchester and Southport.

Best Hitting - Ginza Ninjas .282 BA
Most Homers - Arroyo Grande 168
Best Pitching - San Alejo Montaneros 3.14 ERA
Best Defense - Summerland Sunsets .983 FA

San Alejo Montaneros (102 -52) - Lando Peceda, Manager
Top Pitchers - Ernie Arredondo (25-8 2.73), Alberto Herrera (16-3 2.23), Jaime Serrano (17-11 3.25), Vitorio Valarde (12-7 3.18) and closer Tino Elardo (3-5 3.27) with 28 saves
Top Hitters - 3B Paolo Huerta (.275/27 HR/114 RBI/101 R), RF Marcelino Zuniga (.305/26 HR/94 RBI/89 R), LF Bernie Valente (.301/20 HR/87 RBI/96 R/26 SB), CF Vidal Munos (.264/24 HR/86 RBI/67 R), 1B Rodger Wooten (.270/22 HR/72 RBI/66 R), SS Erico Pilar (.329/5 HR/31 RBI/71 R)

Colchester Elites (83-71) - Robbie Wilbertson, Manager
Top Pitchers - Dickie Pendarvis (21-10 2.80), Barry Henry (13-12 3.51)
Top Hitters - 3B Niles Stanton (.268/39 HR/115 RBI/81 R), LF Tom Barella (.304/16 HR/56 RBI/97 R/68 SB), 1B Harlan Roscoe (.346/16 HR/69 RBI/63 R), 2B Leland Curtis (.346/7 HR/63 RBI/85 R/38 SB)

Southport Sun Sox (78-76) - Charley Oscar, Manager
Top Pitchers - Walt Corbin (19-14 3.27), Roy Thomas (12-9 3.30), Johnny Ballard (14-20 3.33), Seth Osmer (10-15 3.38), Closer Nick Humphrey (4-6 3.10) with 32 saves

Turon Typhoons (78-76) - Ashton "Whitey" Richburn, Manager
Top Pitchers - Keir McNamara (14-11 3.11), Scotty Boswell (12-12 3.10), Jeb Pickett (13-6 3.72), Closer Mac Yokum (6-8 3.12) with 25 saves
Top Hitters - C Trace Crittenden (.321/24 HR/123 RBI/75 R), 1B Boots Dubois (282/12 HR/59 RBI/101 R/25 SB), RF George Farley (.251/22 HR/75 RBI/82 R/17 SB)

Ginza Ninjas (76-78) - Huroko Uchiyama, Manager
Best Pitchers - Carl Trebek (10-5 3.16), Ken Connor (13-8 4.08)
Best Hitters - LF Ronnie Cahill (.366/4 HR/57 RBI/43 R), 1B Kenshin Yamamoto (.301/15 HR/87 RBI/68 R), CF Nick Winters (.299/6 HR/57 RBI/68 R/18 SB)

Summerland Sunsets (70-84) - Will Hackett, Manager
Best Pitchers - Paul Felkner (14-13 3.10), Byron Hastings (11-16 3.69), Duncan Cade (11-11 3.76)
Best Hitters - LF Dennis Alsup (.306/10 HR/62 RBI/59 R), RF Stacey Zacker (.289/28 HR/102 R/97 R/18 SB)

Cape Coral Hurricanes (69-85) - Huggy Miller, Manager
Best Pitchers - Jeff Salow (17-14 3.86), Tommy Archer (12-11 3.95)
Best Hitters - CF Edmundo Montano (.338/3 HR/68 RBI/79 R/14 SB), 2B Hoshi Sato (.273/23 HR/84 RBI/80 R/11 SB), Danny Mullins (.288/8 HR/54 RBI/63 R)

Arroyo Grande Suns (49-105) - Jean-Luc Marchand, Manager
Best Pitchers - Marty Patino (9-13 5.08)
Best Hitters - CF Dante Brunet (.260/33 HR/99 RBI/96 R/16 SB), RF Pete Clavell (.266/24 HR/71 RBI/62 R), LF Robby Wells (.240/29 HR/80 RBI/61 R)

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Around the Town in the IPA

MIDWAY WOLVES

Owner: Midway Baseball Cooperative

GM/Manager: Cochise Chandler

Midway is a river town with 55,000 residents, founded on the banks of the Appian River in the central plains of Tycobbia. Midway gets its name because it is right in the middle of the country. Originally settled by the Kewanna Indians, as was most of the central plains area. The Kewannas called the area "place of the wolves". In many ways, a pack of wolves and a tribe of Indians have significant similarities. They both work for the greater good of the pack or tribe, they hunt for all to eat and are both led by a single leader. It isn’t surprising that because of these similarities, the Native Indians had a great respect for wolves and viewed them as a significant part of the world with which they lived harmoniously. In the Kewannan language the word for "wolf" is "Meed-whay". Subsequent English-speaking settlers, who emigrated in the 1870s understood it as "Midway". That is how the town name came to be.

Kewanna Indians still make up a large part of the town's population. The emigres and the Indians have always lived together in peace in Tycobbia. The emigres always treated the Natives fairly and did not take their land without proper payment.

Life has never been easy in Midway as it has to depend on the land for its livelihood. No rich mineral deposits, petroleum or forests are found here. No manufacturing. Just wheat, oats and corn as the staple crops. It also has a thriving dairy industry. There is one big employer in Midway, Nosyt Farms. In the Kewannan language "nosyt" is the word for "chicken". The company was started in 1895 by Joe Wolf and is still run today by his descendants. Nosyt Farms products are known for being grown naturally and are totally free of chemicals. This makes it a very popular brand name in the environment-conscious Islands.

Baseball got a late start in Midway. It was the 1920s before teams began to organize. It got its first impetus under the auspices of Nosyt Farms, which began a company league for employees. The company league was soon open to the town residents, too. By the 1940s Midway was competitive with the surrounding towns. It was one of the last town to get a franchise in the new Islandian Pro Alliance.

It is a community-owned franchise with over 5,000 stockholders. They chose the name "Wolves" because of the wolf's tough image and also because of its Kewannan connection and heritage. The Midway Wolves play at an old ballpark on the outskirts of town named in honor of Joe Wolf. It was built in 1928 and dedicated by Joe Wolf himself. It is located on Nosyt Farms and is maintained by the company as a community service.

Joe Wolf Park is not fancy, but it is functional and a good place to see a ballgame. Most modern day Kewanna Indians get their food like anybody else...at the supermarket. Only on special ceremonial days do they prepare tribal foods. So all you will find at the ballpark are the traditional hot dogs, cokes, beer, peanuts and crackerjacks... and of course, delicious Nosyt fried chicken... the best in the Islands.

Cochise Chandler is both the GM and manager of the Midway Wolves. In fact, he holds quite a few shares in the Midway Baseball Cooperative that runs the ballclub. Chandler was an accomplished ballplayer in Tycobbian baseball circles. He was a powerhitting outfielder and played until his mid-forties. Chandler has also been a successful manager, too.

Joe Wolf Park

Capacity: 7,775

Dimensions:

LF Line 335
LF 360
LCF 380
CF 401
RCF 380
RF 360
RF Line 335

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Around the Town in the IPA

NORTH HILLS HAWKS

Owner: Hawk Steel
GM/Manager: Hub "Scroogie" Carlson

North Hills, a modern and vibrant town with 71,000 population, is in the Appian Mountains in northeastern Tycobbia. It is situated on the important Appian River, which flows the length of the country north to south, passing Hartsdale, La Claire (the capital) and finally coming to an end at Bay St. Claire on the Kelnyck Ocean.

North Hills is rich in natural resources, forests and mining deposits (coal and iron ore). It is the home of Hawk Steel Corporation whose product is much in demand because of its very high quality and relatively inexpensive cost.

North Hills is a cosmopolitan town with a rich and diverse population. Immigrants from the coal and steel industries from the United States, England and Eastern Europe have forged a vibrant culture in the hills of Tycobbian.

Hawk Steel is the owner of the local club, the North Hills Hawks, who play at The Hawks Nest, a relatively new stadium, from which in the background you can see the majestic Appian Mountains. North Hillian fans love their baseball. And that’s all you get at The Hawks Nest. There are no in game promotions or sideshows. They sing the National anthem, play ball, sing “Take me out to the ball game” during the seventh inning stretch, have a beer or soft drink, peanuts, crackerjacks, hamburger or hot dog, watch the ball game, cheer their Hawks to victory, then go home and get ready for another day at the mines or steel mills.

The Hawks are run by Hub "Scroogie" Carlson, one of the best left-handed pitchers ever in Tycobbian amateur baseball circles. Carlson was known for his wicked screwball. He is both GM and manager.

The Hawks Nest (1998)

Capacity: 6,965

Dimensions:
LF Line 338
LF 370
LCF 402
CF 395
RCF 402
RF 365
RF Line 335

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Around the Town in the IPA

OXFORD RED CAPS

Owner: Tyco-Tech

GM: Amanda Effings

Manager: Campy Roy

Oxford is a town of 89,000 found in the east central plains of Tycobbia, 10 miles east of the Blue Lake and 10 miles west of the Silver Mountains. It is a rural area, settled by English emigres in the 1850s and was originally called Mills Creek. In its early days farming and sheepherding were the mainstays of the economy. One of the emigres was a young commoner, Charles Emerson Winchester, who had been turned down for admission to the famed Oxford University in England. It was his dream to be an educator and eventually become a university scholar and administrator. His heart was broken by Oxford's rejection, so he enrolled in a lesser school and graduated summa cum laude. He then emigrated to Tycobbia, where there was no class system and started a small rural college in Mills Creek. Winchester said, "My voice shall be heard from this wilderness"... and it was. It was the first college in Tycobbia and within a few years became so successful that the name of the town was changed to Oxford. Winchester said his dream to teach at Oxford had finally come true. Oxford rivals St. John University in Ruthlandia as the outstanding higher learning institution in the Islands.

Today Oxford University is a thriving private institution and much desired by the Islands high school graduates. The Oxonian graduates are in much demand in Tycobbia and Ruthlandia. The university is the town's dominant industry and supplies the local high tech companies with outstanding recruits. One of those high tech companies is Tycob-Tech, which is the owner of the Oxford Red Caps in the Islandian Pro Alliance. The team is named in honor of the university and adopted Oxford's red and white colors for their own. The school even shares historic Winchester Stadium (circa 1909) with the Red Caps.

Oxford's entry into baseball began in the late 1890's, when the college began an intramural baseball league. That soon expanded to include the townspeople. By 1905, Oxford baseball expanded to playing other town teams in Tycobbia. In 1920 the Amateur Baseball Alliance changed it rules, so that players could be employed by companies and play baseball. In theory, they were not paid to play baseball, just given time off from work to practice and play games. It continued that way until 2001, when Ban Johnson, the ABA commissioner, said it was time for a professional baseball league, where players could be paid just to play baseball and do it legally. The company and industrial league sponsors had long been circumventing and violating the spirit of the amateur rules. Johnson said it was time to bring it out in the open. That is how the IPA came to be.

Winchester Stadium is situated on the beautiful Oxford campus. Smokestacks and school buildings are visible beyond the outfield fences. The Oxonian fans have a rousing good time at the Red Cap games. It is a college crowd, filled with undergrads and alumni. Cheerleaders and a dance team inspire the fans with all of the old Oxford cheers, adapted for the Red Caps. You still hear "two bits, four bits, six bits, a dollar" and the Oxford fight song reverberating throughout the ballpark. In the seventh inning there is the traditional "Take Me Out to the Ballgame". Then in the eighth, everyone sings the Oxford Alma Mater. If the game goes into extra innings and reaches the fourteenth frame, the fans will sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" in the Fourteenth Inning Stretch. This is unique in all of baseball. No one else does this. Food concessions at Winchester Stadium are just the typical hot dogs, hamburgers, cokes, beer, peanuts and crackerjacks.

The Oxford Red Caps have an experienced management team, consisting of Amanda Effings as General Manager and Campy Roybal as Manager. She was the women's softball coach and athletic administrator at Oxford. Campy was an outstanding catcher and hitter, who played college ball at the school and was active as an industrial league player and manager.

Winchester Stadium (1909)

Capacity: 10,250

Dimensions:

LF Line 335
LF 355
LCF 382
CF 420
RCF 368
RF 335
RF Line 300

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Wednesday, September 18, 2002

Tycobbian Union East Division Finals Standings

[Eugene Church]

I just discovered the customized playoffs don't work very well.

I had two teams tied for first place in the TU East. They did not play off to see who would get the first seed in the playoffs. The game apparently just chose the team using the alphabet. High Mesa got the top seed over South Fork, just because "H" comes before "S".

I also had a three-way tie for the last two playoffs spots in the East Division. It gave Tuckanarra a bye, apparently using the alphabet again. This time in reverse. East Point and Ozarka played a single-game playoff with East Point winning. Ozarka was eliminated.

Sure would prefer the teams to play off to determine seeding.

[Eugene Church]

High Mesa and South Fork Co-Winners in TU East.
The Tycobbian East was the tightest and hottest-contested division in the IPA with only 12 games separating first place from last place. Only 2.5 games separated third place and last place. Going into the last week of the regular season all 8 teams has a shot at the playoffs.

The High Mesa Cowboys and the South Fork Stallions ended the season in a dead heat and tied for the division pennant. There was also a three-way tie for the last two playoff positions between East Point, Ozarka and Tuckanarra. The Blue Jays got a bye and advanced to the Round One playoffs and East Point beat Ozarka to gain the other playoff slot. The Panthers completed the season 9.5 games off the pace with Tuckanarra 10 games out and Ozarka 10.5 games back. High Mesa will be the top seed in the playoffs with South Fork seeded second. The Cowboys will go up against Tuckanarra and the Stallions will play East Point.

In a sixth-place tie were the Midway Wolves and Red Bluff Red Sox, both 11 games behind. In the cellar were the Hillsboro Blazers, just 12 games out.

Best Hitting - Tuckanarra Blue Jays .280 BA
Most Homers - East Point Panthers 198
Best Pitching - Ozarka Naturals 3.03 ERA
Best Defense - Ozarka Naturals .980 FA

High Mesa Cowboys (87-67) - Frisky Franks, Manager
Best Pitchers - John Owens (17-4 3.36), Kael Claxton (14-13 3.86), Donnie Rinaldi (11-11 3.54), Joey Popovich (11-14 3.19), Closer Glen Green (8-6 2.65) with 13 saves
Best Hitters - LF Adam Zitek (.292/45 HR/127 RBI/110 R/13 SB), SS Rolf Kellgren (.319/16 HR/99 RBI/127 R/43 SB), C Jay Fessler (.313/12 HR/89 RBI/106 R/33 SB), 2B Ed Granberg (.325/15 HR/76 RBI/90 R/17 SB), 1B Babe Holloman (.292/23 HR/75 RBI), RF Kenny Edelstein (.277/17 HR/56 RBI/75 R/14 SB), CF Lex Neville (.244/18 HR/77 RBI/79 R/13 SB)

South Fork Stallions (87-67) - DeRoche "Lips" Leon, Manager
Best Pitchers - Flint Battle (26-11 2.88), Vince Bernini (14-16 3.17), Glenn Turnbull (9-6 3.55), Closer Ken Marsh (4-8 3.35) with 24 saves
Best Hitters - 1B Keith Burke (.291/23 HR/78 RBI/73 R/14 SB), CF Ronnie Lee (.287/15 HR/56 RBI/90 R/32 SB), 3B Glenn Holliday (.268/31 HR/91 RBI/75 R), C Darryl Burnett (.258/13 HR/67 RBI/64 R)

East Point Panthers (78-77) - Griff Clarke, Manager
Best Pitchers - Charlie Hale (15-11 3.92), Carl Thompson (13-17 3.79), Jack Black (15-18 4.35), Closer Bill Glasscock (11-7 2.70) with 22 saves
Best Hitters - 2B Karol Zodoka (.351/54 HR/146 RBI/119 R/18 SB), 3B Rex Sokolov (.271/37 HR/105 RBI/97 R), SS John Cottrell (.280/13 HR/74 RBI/78 R) LF Tom Drenner (.271/24 HR/74 RBI/78 R), 1B Felipe Velasco (.280/11 HR/46 RBI/47 R), CF Bobby Joseph (.289/8 HR/62 RBI/72 R/18 SB)

Tuckanarra Blue Jays (77-77) - Carlton "Lefty" Stevens, Manager
Best Pitchers - Coorain Janama (21-11 3.48), Niles Applewhite (13-13 3.75), Leland Akana (10-15 3.90), Titus Bristow (11-13 3.96)
Best Hitters - LF Corey Tavington (.325/20 HR/104 RBI/92 R), SS Donnie Allgood (.322/14 HR/60 RBI/73 R), RF Monty Draycott (.300/30 HR/98 RBI/103 R/17 SB), 2B Owen MacArthur (.95/10 HR/70 RBI/111 R/14 SB)

Ozarka Naturals (77-78) - Joe Mac Carney, Manager
Best Pitchers - Alex DiMaggio (14-14 2.41), Sid Hyder (16-10 2.64), Pat Schwartz (12-8 2.80)
Best Hitters - Kermit Wiggins (.333/1 HR/49 RBI/77 R/49 SB), RF Denny Little (.296/10 HR/50 RBI/70 R/23 SB), LF Ronnie Patterson (.232/23 HR/70 RBI/69 R)

Midway Wolves (76-78) - Cochise Chandler, Manager
Best Pitchers - Nosyt Sani (12-9 2.76), Hershel Moody (11-14 3.46)
Best Hitters - RF Gerry Alger (.296/26 HR/92 RBI/56 R), 3B Tommy Kawatoose (.289/26 HR/82 RBI/106 R), LF Archie Greene (.273/22 HR/95 RBI/81 R), SS Little Johnny Yuma (.300/6 HR/52 RBI/77 R/12 SB), CF Johnny Gillespie (.347/8 HR/46 RBI/57 R/12 SB)

Red Bluff Red Sox (76-78) - Mack Connery, Manager
Best Pitchers - Jerry Kline (13-10 3.08), Mila Mohoski (15-9 3.17), Closer John Dougherty (4-6 2.49) 20 saves
Best Hitters - LF Tony Blundell (.330/24 HR/74 RBI/85 R/29 SB), CF Howard Fullerton (.321/16 HR/66 RBI/62 R), 2B Tony Borcellino (.262/29 HR/74 RBI/53 R), 1B Bucky Frizzell (.268/22 HR/65 RBI/76 R)

Hillsboro Blazers (75-79) - Arky Spanderson, Manager
Best Pitchers - Nick Brennan (18-9 2.76), Waco Carlson (12-11 3.51), Ronnie Grienke (13-11 4.14), Closer Whit Achord (4-5 3.02) 25 saves
Best Hitters - 2B Timmy Enrick (.279/27 Hr/94 RBI/92 R), RF Rawhide Marshall (.281/28 HR/68 RBI/79 R), CF Arnie Greco (.277/16 HR/47 RBI/80 R/10 SB)

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Around the Town in the IPA

OZARKA NATURALS

Owner: J. R. Ewing
GM/Manager: Joe Mac Carney

Ozarka, a Silver Mountains resort town of 73,000, is located in south central Tycobbia and near the Caledonia River, which flows southward through Hillsboro, then westward and comes to an end at Turon on the southwest coast. Nestled among scenic forests and outdoor hot springs, Ozarka is host to tourists who come for snow skiing during the winter and boating, swimming, fishing, camping, hiking and hunting the rest of the year. Big time developers have made this a mecca for the rich and famous with luxury hotels and nightclubs that attend to every possible need: hot spring spas and bathhouses, superstar entertainers, magnificent golf courses, gourmet food, art galleries and gift shops. Ozarka is a retirement center, too.

It is also home to the Ozarka Naturals. J. R. Ewing’s father, Jock Ewing, got tired of the incessant sibling quarrels over the operation of the family-owned Waleska Westerners in the Ruthlandian Amateur Association, so he bought the battling brothers and club vice-presidents, J. R. and Bobby, their own teams in the IPA. Bobby owns the South Fork Stallions and J. R. has Ozarka, where he is a prime real estate developer. Bobby named his brand new stadium after his dad. Not to be outdone, J. R. named his brand new stadium after his mom, Miss Ellie. So the sibling rivalry continues on and off the field.

Ellie Ewing Stadium is one of the few parks in baseball that still has a live organ player at each game which adds a nice nostalgic touch, especially during the seventh inning stretch. Kenwood and Hillsboro are the other towns that still feature organ music. And at the concessions stands is a succulent gourmet buffet fit for the rich and famous. You will also find all of the traditional baseball fare at a Naturals game. Ellie Ewing Stadium is a pitcher's paradise and a hitter's worst nightmare. It takes quite a blow to clear the fences - 350' down the lines and 390' in the power alleys.

J. R. Ewing spares no expense when it comes to impressing people and paying his ballplayers. He likes to get his way. He even got the all-time winningest manager in company league history to come out of retirement and take over his team. Joe Mac Carney is now the GM and Manager of the Naturals. And he is very well paid, too.

Ellie Ewing Stadium

Capacity: 11,750

Dimensions:
LF Line 350
LF 370
LCF 390
CF 375
RCF 390
RF 370
RF Line 350

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Around the Town in the IPA

RANFORD BULLS

Owner: Barnes Oil Company
GM: O'Neal Buckman
Manager: Paige Satcher

The Ranford Valley has long been known for its rough and tumble lifestyle. During its early years the town of Ranford was a hamlet set up to offer merchant services to the soldiers at Fort Branagh which was built to protect the Valdar Bay gateway.

The army decided to consolidate all the island’s armed forces in Valmara in 1912. Ft. Branagh was abandoned and Ranford became a refuge for outlaws, gamblers and bootleggers. It was sometimes referred to as the "forgotten city" as much of Ruthlandia cut any existing ties to the area which was kept afloat by the economic backbone of barkeepers and gambling halls.

After the great revival of ’29, churches slowly started to outnumber the saloons and commerce and merchants from the mainland began to return and expand into Ranford. For the next 35 years Ranford’s reputation moved from a town of debauchery to being known as the hardest-working town in Ruthlandia. It was a well-earned distinction as those who toiled with the rough and rocky terrain were well-suited for the country’s lumber and manufacturing faction.

In the mid 1960’s oil was discovered inland and within five years extensive exploration had begun. In what seemed overnight, much of Ranford’s blue collar work force had joined the aristocracy.

Ranford has a diverse population with just about all ethnic groups in the Islands represented. They come from near and far to participate in the oil prosperity in the area. Ranford has become one of the most affluent cities in Ruthlandia, but has kept to its blue collar roots.

The early years of baseball in Ranford consisted of amateur teams made up of soldiers, sailors and ruffians from the area. Despite the amateur status of the teams, the games were taken very seriously and brawls often took place between players and fans alike. During the industrial years the team was known as the Outlaws, but in efforts to makeover the town’s reputation it was later changed to Bulls and stayed that way when the Islandian Pro Alliance was formed in 2001.

The owner of the Bulls is Cliff Barnes of the Barnes Oil Company. He inherited the company from his father, Digger Barnes. The Barnes have always had a running feud with the Ewing family that still continues to this day because Jock Ewing had supposedly swindled Digger out of his share of an oilfield partnership, when both were just getting started in the oil industry.

Barnes hired O'Neal Buckman as his general manager. Buckman had played for and managed Barnes Oil Company teams in the amateur leagues for 30 years and had been quite successful. Buckman was a favorite of fans and the press because of his vibrant and optimistic personality. Buckman surprisingly hired a teammate of many years, Page Satcher, to be his manager. Satcher was a heck of a player, but had no experience as a manager. Satcher alway gave the appearance of not taking the game of baseball too seriously. Many baseball people questioned Buckman's choice for those reasons. When grilled about this, Buckman just grinned and said, "Old Satch is gonna make you guys regret those words. He's gonna be a darn good manager. You just wait and see."

Satcher, who was a local star for the Ranford Outlaws back in the industrial league years and one of the best pitchers ever to throw a baseball. Satcher played into his 50s and never revealed his age, saying, "How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are?" Not only was he good, but he was good with a quote. "I ain't ever had a job, I just always played baseball."

Speaking about his work ethic, Ol' Satch would gleefully say, "I don't generally like running. I believe in training by rising gently up and down from the bench."

Satcher also had the reputation for doctoring up the ball. "I never threw an illegal pitch. The trouble is, once in a while I would toss one that ain’t never been seen by this generation."

Asked what the secret of his success was, he would reply, "Just take the ball and throw it where you want to. Throw strikes. Home plate don’t move."

The Ranford Bulls will play at Ranford County Stadium, a nondescript, but adequate ballpark. It probably won't be long before Barnes tries to outdo the Ewings and build a baseball Taj Mahal.

Ranford County Stadium (1953)

Capacity: 7,850

Dimensions:

Left Field Line - 315
Left Field - 362
Left Center - 382
Center Field - 402
Right Center - 382
Right Field - 362
Right Field Line - 315

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Wednesday, September 18, 2002

Tycobbian Union West Division Final Standings

[Eugene Church]

Bay St. Clair Bucs #1 in TU West Race
It was a very tight race in the Tycobbian Union West until mid-season with only 6 games separating the top 6 clubs. Bay St. Clair only had a one-game lead at the All-Star Game, but from then on out, it was all the Buccaneers. They won going away by 7 games over the Kenwood Wildcats and the Rolling Hills Reds. The fourth spot went to the Bayview Vikings, who were 17 games off the pace. Arlon and Chicopee tied for fifth and finished the season 19 games behind with Denton City and La Claire deadlocked for 7th and last, trailing by 21 games.

In the First Round playoffs it will be Bay St. Clair and Bayview in a best-of-three series. Kenwood will play Rolling Hills in the other series.

Best Hitting - Bay St. Clair .274 BA
Most Homers - Chicopee 134
Best Pitching - Rolling Hills 3.22 ERA
Best Defense - Bayview, Chicopee, Rolling Hills .979 FA

Bay St. Clair Buccaneers (92-62) - Guy Rondre, Manager
Best Pitchers - Denny Coulon (19-7 2.33), Duncan McFalls (18-13 3.23), Duke DeVree (15-7 3.28)
Best Hitters - 3B Ed Albrecht (.288/24 HR/101 RBI/84 R), CF Wayne Latham (.317/10 HR/76 RBI/89 R/16 SB), RF Jose Valenzuela (.285/11 HR/83 RBI/79 R), 2B Tony Mann (.331/8 HR/67 RBI/60 R), SS Chuck Hankins (.223/21 HR/69 RBI/90 R/33 SB)

Kenwood Wildcats (85-69) - Aaron Hankins, Manager
Best Pitchers - Corey Brabham (11-7 2.51), Nick Deville (15-8 3.74), Timmy Owen (12-11 4.07), Andrew York (12-5 4.18), Closer Jerry Ardnt (0-5 2.45) with 32 saves
Best Hitters - SS Ned Chamberlain (.306/23 HR/82 RBI/87 R/19 SB), 2B Dennis Carruthers (.369/7 HR/67 RBI/55 R), RF Aydan Winthrop (.222/26 HR/79 RBI/70 R), LF Grover Chilcott (.305/5 HR/51 RBI/48 R), 3B Caleb Curry (.302/11 HR/41 RI/69 R)

Rolling Hills Reds (85-69) - Matty Christianson, Manager
Best Pitchers - Keith Greenwood (14-11 2.13), Roger Davidson (15-12 3.32), Hondo Anoki (13-13 3.43), Hoyt Paulsen (13-9 3.44), Closer Shane Hooper (8-4 2.68) with 15 saves
Best Hitters - CF Wille Mays Nixon (.268/25 HR/78 RBI/82 R/30 SB), 1B Sunshine Anaba (.258/18 HR/61 RBI/51), 3B Big Jack Minninewah (.255/16 HR/66 RBI/53 R/12 SB), SS Jamie Meade (.302/6 Hr/57 RBI/55 R), RF Big Boy Charisa (.292/11 HR/41 RBI/32 R)

Bayview Vikings (75-79) - Walter Johanssen, Manager
Best Pitchers - Adam Strom (8-4 3.46), Jerry Harrison (15-14 3.81), Paul Hood (14-16 3.97)
Best Hitters - C Hank Bethel (.300/26 HR/101 RBI/89 R), 2B Alan Hansen (.303/3 HR/63 RBI/97 R/60 SB), 1B Chancey Quibedeaux (.306/17 HR/79 RBI/61 R/18 SB), 3B James Scott (.304/8 HR/49 RBI/74 R/26 SB), SS Shorty Richards (.279/5 HR/79 RBI/64 R/18 SB), CF Phil Kanaan (.273/12 HR/51 RBI/80 R/30 SB)

Arlon Champions (73-81) - Gary Louis, Manager
Best Pitchers - Sean Dudek (13-9 2.68), Jeff Nieman (17-13 3.25), Ace Howe (12-14 3.48), Connie Gavagan (15-14 4.08)
Best Hitters - LF Matt Merrill (.319/23 HR/93 RBI/81 R), CF Steve Barnett (.294/17 HR/57 RBI/90 R/33 SB), 1B Dwayne Coleman (.282/17 HR/53 RBI/49 R), 2B Karl Detwiler (.281/12 HR/62 RBI/73 R)

Chicopee Braves - Harry Fleetfoot, Manager
Best Pitchers - Warren Paul (15-10 3.75), Wayne Blackwell (17-15 3.71), Alan Goodwin (10-14 3.23)
Best Hitters - CF Orville Butler (.276/35 HR/102 RBI/60 R), 2B Black Hair Shilah (.322/14 HR/77 RBI/69 R/10 SB), 3B Johnny Kajika (.285/13 HR/62 RBI/81 R), SS Ben McClendon (.282/9 HR/60 RBI/76 R). Big Stick Takala (.297/14 HR/48 RBI/54 R)

Denton City Redbirds (71-83) - Ford Whiteman, Manager
Best Pitchers - Bob Coleman (16-11 3.63), Joe Hoffman (13-14 3.68)
Best Hitters - RF Cris Willis (.344/1 HR/81 RBI/82 R/19 SB), SS Trevor Tomlinson (.266/16 HR/61 RBI/103 R/66 SB), 3B Kenny Sterling (.288/24 HR/81 RBI/70 R), LF Cliff Land (.312/2 HR/66 RBI/69 R), CF Jakie Creekmore (.284/7 HR/56 RBI/88 R/17 SB)

La Claire Lynx (71-83) - Rip Calkin, Manager
Best Pitchers - Munoto Kishata (17-11 2.80), George Gentry (13-11 3.36), Pat Daniels (15-16 3.72)
Best Hitters - CF Lucky Collins (.306/6 HR/60 RBI/94 R/34 SB), 3B Luis Marquez (.290/15 HR/66 RBI/77 R), LF Rich Hart (.276/16 HR/61 RBI/57 R)

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Wednesday, September 18, 2002

IPA Playoffs - Second Season Begins Today
With the playoffs mere hours away, each of the 32 contenders are putting their game faces on. It's time for ballplayers to leave it all on the field. In the Islandian Pro Alliance playoffs, miracles do happen, but most often it's simply the team that plays better baseball that goes home with the prize -- the much-coveted Islandian Pro Cup Series championship. The First Round series will be best-two-out of three with the lower seed hosting game one. The higher seed will be given the advantage of playing two games at home, if necessary.

In the inaugural season last year, the Volusia Vigilantes of the Ruthlandian Union won the IPA Pro Cup Series, sweeping all four games against the Ginza Ninjas of the Tycobbian Union. The V's are back to defend their title, but Ginza did not make the playoffs this year. The Ninjas missed the playoffs by two games, finishing fifth in their division. The Vigilantes wound up second to Forest City in the RU West.

This year the baseball gurus are saying the race is wide open with 12 teams in the running for the coveted title of the best pro team in the Islands. Glasco, Far Mountain, Valmara, Ranford, Sugar Valley and Forest City are the favorites in the Ruthlandian Union, while San Alejo, Bay St. Clair, High Mesa, South Fork, Oxford and Rolling Hills are given the nod in the Tycobbian Union.

The best team doesn't always win short series like this, so upsets and surprises are quite possible. Two good pitching performances can make an underdog the winner. Last year, both Volusia and Ginza made the IPA finals much to the chagrin of the experts, who had picked them sixth and seventh in the field of eight.

This year according to a poll by BNN, the victor will be San Alejo Montaneros in the Tycobbian bracket and Glasco Athletics in the Ruthlandian bracket. In the finals the critics are giving the edge to San Alejo, who won 102 games this season. The A's captured 96 games, second best in the IPA. But don't be too surprised if some of the hot second-half teams knock the favorites off. The Oxford Red Caps, High Mesa Cowboys, Turon Typhoons and Rolling Hills Reds of the Tycobbian Union and the Valka Blackhawks and Ranford Bulls of the Ruthlandian Union all sizzled down the home stretch and are all playing excellent baseball. The RU's Far Mountain, Valmara, Forest City and Sugar Valley are highly-touted, too. In the TU Luxora, Colchester and South Fork are good teams as well.

Schedule:

Ruthlandian Union

Glasco Athletics at Ranford Bulls
Far Mountain Redhawks at Valmara Vipers
Sugar Valley Rattlers at Cold Creek Catamounts
Elnora All-Star at Eastshore Elegants
Valka Blackhawks at Grand City Cybercats
Belair Beach at Claxton Diamonds
Forest City Lumberjacks at Stoner Stars
Volusia Vigilantes at Middlefield Roosters

Tycobbian Union

Oxford Red Caps at Mahaska Haymakers
Luxora Zorros at Fairfax Frogs
High Mesa Cowboys at Tuckanarra Blue Jays
South Fork Stallions at East Point Panthers
San Alejo Montaneros at Turon Typhoons
Colchester Elites at Southport Sun Sox
Bay St. Clair Buccaneers at Bayview Vikings
Kenwood Wildcats at Rolling Hills Reds

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Wednesday, September 18, 2002

East Point Star Zadoka Wins Triple Crown in TU
When it came to hitting the baseball, Karol Zodoka had few peers in the Tycobbian Union this year. The gifted second baseman for East Point led the league in hitting, home runs and runs batted in to capture the 1st Triple Crown in IPA history.

He put up a .351 average, 54 home runs and 146 RBIs during the 2002 campaign. A truly historic performance.

Speaking to reporters, Zodoka said, "I'd be happy to lead the league in just one of these categories... to win all three... makes this an extra special season. Now I hope the Panthers can really complete the season by winning the Pro Cup playoffs."

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Wednesday, September 18, 2002

Valmara's Kazmarek First IPA .400 Hitter
Outfielder Jet Kazmarek of the Valmara Vipers had an historic season this year. He hit everything in sight and then some, chalking up an astounding .428 batting average. No one came within 74 points of him. "To be the first to do it in the IPA is a great honor," said Kazmarek. "It's been an unbelievable season... beyond my wildest dreams."

Kazmarek's 248 hits included 49 doubles, 29 triples and 15 home runs. He also scored 135 runs and batted in 111. He also stole 80 bases to complete a once-in-a-lifetime year. In his initial season in 2001, Kazmarek batted .314 and led the league in stolen bases with 70 and triples with 26.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Wednesday, September 18, 2002

Ruthlandian Union North Division First Round Playoffs

Bernhoffer Halts Glasco, Bulls Win Opener 5-2
One of the favorites to win the IPA Pro Cup may have run into a buzzsaw... Chris Bernhoffer stuck out a dozen Glasco A's today at Ranford County Stadium to whip them 5-2 in the opening game of the First Round playoffs... Glasco and San Alejo were picked to play in the title series, but it looks like the red-hot Ranford Bulls may have some difference of opinion in the matter... Bernhoffer surrendered seven hits and walked five in the game... Bernhoffer evened delivered a crucial two-run single in the eighth to give the Bulls a three-run cushion... Ranford racked up 11 hits in beating Charles Darby... Darby (0-1 3.86) left after seven innings trailing 3-2... SS Rick Fargnoli had three hits and two RBIs for the Bulls... The Athletics will try to even up the best-of-three series tomorrow at Athletics Field in Glasco.

FM Redhawks Rips Vipers in Playoff Opener 10-5
Things were looking great for the Valmara Vipers at home at War Memorial Stadium in the opening game of their RU North playoff series with Far Mountain... the Vipers scored four times in the first frame and added another run in the third to take a 5-0 lead... but to no avail - the Redhawks recovered with a vengence, scored six times in the sixth and four more in the ninth to rip Valmara 10-5 and take a one-game lead in the best-of-three series... Far Mountain pounded three pitchers for 16 hits and were paced by 1B Royce Benson, LF Karl Dietz and 2B Steve Kaminski, each with two runs batted in... Manager Alex Groveland got superb relief work from John Luzzatti, Vincent Moore and Dave Johnston, who blanked the Vipers on one hit over the final six innings after starter Robby Kelly was slapped for four first-inning scores... Luzzatti (1-0 0.00) notched the victory with two perfect innings... Andre Trepanier (0-1 3.00) suffered the loss, but gave up only three earned runs in six innings, but was hit hard for a dozen hits and six runs in all... Only one homer in the game, a two-run shot by Dietz in the big sixth frame... Game two is set for tomorrow in Far Mountain.