ISLANDIAN PRO ALLIANCE (RUTHLANDIA and TYCOBBIA BASEBALL UNIONS) - Page 142

Eugene Church · 11-09-2011, 12:57 PM

The Islandian Times
Wednesday, October 6, 2027

2027 IPA Final 4 Series

Ruthlandian Union

CL Whips Bobcats 8-6, Wins RU Final 4
The favorites are falling fast in the IPA Pro Cup playoffs... for the second consecutive round Crystal Lake has handily disposed of higher-seeded opponents... the Crushers spanked second seed Beechwood 8-6 in game five and won the RU Final 4 Series four games to one to qualify for a shot at the grandest title of them all - the Pro Cup champion... the game started well for the Bobcats as they jumped off to a 2-0 lead in the first on CF Vic Valenti's 4th postseason clout, but it didn't last long... Crystal Lake torched starting pitcher Maury Patterson for 6 runs in the opening inning and raised it to 8-2 after 3 frames, then held off the Bobcats, who scored 3 runs in the last two innings... the Crushers belted 14 hits and were sparked by SS Jimmy Conroy (.294) with 2 hits and 3 RBIs and C Tommy Trent (.158) and 2B Pete Hicks (.256), who batted in two runs each... Beechwood rapped 11 hits and were led by Valenti (.233), 2B Stan Tipton (.191) and 3B Skipper Smith (.255) with 2 hits apiece.

Crystal Lake's starter Duncan Welch hit Miron Burczyk after Valenti's homer... Burczyk charged the mound, mild fisticuffs ensued and both were toss from the game... Roger Bishop came on in relief and held Beechwood to 2 runs and 5 hits over the next 7 innings, but he didn't get the victory... Ross Birchford (1-0 0.00) got the last out in the first after the fight and got credit for the win... Patterson (3-1 5.47) lost it, going just two-thirds of an inning and was tagged for 6 runs and 5 hits... Crystal Lake is bound now for the Pro Cup Finals... the Crushers will play the Tycobbian Final 4 winner... underdog Southport and the Pro Cup favorite Rolling Hills are tied after four games.

Tycobbian Union

Sun Sox Sneak By Reds 4-3 in Game 5, Up By One
It just might be the Year of the Underdog in IPA Pro Cup circles... the seventh-seed Southport Sun Sox staved off Pro Cup number one seed Rolling Hills numerous times in game five and sneaked away with a 4-3 triumph... the Reds had the advantage in hits 11 to 7, but couldn't produce in the clutch, leaving 12 runners on base and also hit into 4 double plays... now Southport is in command three games to two in the TU Final 4... one more victory and the Sun Sox will be in the Pro Cup Finals against another underdog - the Crystal Lake Crushers.

Ronnie Galus (3-0 1.44) wasn't great, but he was stingy with runs, allowing only 2 in 8 innings, though Galus was tagged for 9 hits... Galus fanned 6 and walked 3... closer Joel Shepard took over for him in the ninth with a 4-2 lead and gave up 1 run on 2 hits before getting the final 2 outs... the Sun Sox tallied single runs in the first, second and fifth off starter Sal Jordan... the Reds were held scoreless by Galus until the eighth when they narrowed it to 3-2... Southport upped the margin to 4-2 in the bottom of the inning... Jordan (0-2 1.08) pitched well in defeat, gave only 7 hits and 2 earned runs, while going the distance... LF Alton Queeg (.214) led Southport with 3 hits... SS Scoop Adams (.205) chipped a pair of hits for the winners... Reds RF Bobby McConnell (.410) garnered 3 hits to pace them with 2B Jeff Booker chipping in 2 hits.

Eugene Church · 11-09-2011, 01:49 PM

The Islandian Times
Thursday, October 7, 2027

2027 IPA Final 4 Series

Tycobbian Union

Southport Wins TU, Bumps Reds Off In 6 Games
Another IPA giant has fallen... the Pro Cup favored Rolling Hills Reds were upset by the seventh-seeded club, the Southport Sun Sox in the Tycobbian Union Final 4 Series... the Sun Sox won the series in six games, finishing off the Reds 3-0 on the road... little-used starter Bob Bundy (1-0 0.00) replaced the injured Dan Pascioni in game six and pitched superbly, shutting out the Reds on 6 hits in 8 innings, striking out 6 and walking one... closer Joel Shepard relieved Bondy in the ninth and finished off the Reds in spite of 2 hits... Bondy made only 11 starts during the year, finishing up just 3-5 with a sky-high 5.26 ERA... Pascioni suffered the injury in game three last Monday, but will likely be ready for the Pro Cup.

Kenny Leonard (1-2 1.59) tossed a good game, surrendering 3 runs and 6 hits in a complete-game outing... the Sun Sox got to him for a gift run in the first on four bases on balls... a walk to LF Alton Queeg (.176) forced in a run... the game stayed 1-0 until Southport added 2 more in the top of the ninth on 3B Jason Hinton's (.243) RBI double and a sacrifice fly by CF Rick Cabrini (.375).

This year's Pro Cup Finals will be a battle between two unheralded teams: the Tycobbian champ Southport was ranked seventh in The Islandian Times Pro Cup poll and the Ruthlandian champ Crystal Lake was the number four seed... the best-of-seven series will begin this Sunday at Crystal Lake... the Crushers have the home field advantage... they were 83-71 during the regular season, while the Sun Sox were 81-74... this year's finalists have the second-worst records in Pro Cup history... only Volusia (78-72) and Ginza (81-69) in the 2001 Pro Cup have had poorer records.

Eugene Church · 11-10-2011, 07:37 PM

The Islandian Times
Sunday, October 10, 2027

2027 IPA Pro Cup Final Series

CL Crushers Pro Cup Choice
No one predicted a Crystal Lake-Southport Pro Cup this year, but lo and behold - they made it. 10 teams had better seasonal records than Crystal Lake and 20 were better than Southport. But here they are and overjoyed to be here. This will be the Crushers third appearance in the last seven seasons, but it was not much expected this year. Crystal Lake was rated the fourth-best team by the baseball experts in The Islandian Times Pro Cup poll. The Crushers captured the Pro Cup trophy twice, in 2020 and 2022. Island baseball analysts are making Crystal Lake the favorite to bring home Pro Cup number three this year, citing its fine hitting and unexpected great pitching. The consensus is that Southport is just too weak at the plate to be much of a challenge. The two clubs will tangle in a best-of-seven series for the Islandian championship, starting this Sunday afternoon. T. D. Burnham, Duncan Welch and Arnie Cason will Crystal Lake's starters. Southport has indicated it will be Al Laclair, Ronnie Galus and Bob Bondy in it starting rotation. The Crushers will host games one and two, plus games six and seven, if necessary. The Sun Sox will be the home team in games three, four, and five, if needed.

Manager Herman "Baby" George's ball club rolled over two higher seeds, last year's Pro Cup winner Valmara (third seed) and Beechwood (second seed), finishing them off in 5 games each. George told reporters, "We don't apologize to anybody. We beat two very good teams to get here and it wasn't lucky. We beat their butts pretty good. You win 8 out of 10 against the best and that says something. And we'll have to play just as well to whip Southport. We certainly are not going to take them for granted."

This will be the first time ever the Southport Sun Sox have reach the Finals. It's been a long, long time since the Sun Sox even made the playoffs. Southport has appeared in the postseason only one time, way back in 2002 and they were quickly eliminated in the first round. To get to the Pro Cup Finals this year the Sun Sox defeated the fifth-seeded White River Rascals in seven games in the first round, then pulled a huge upset over the the top-seeded Rolling Hills Reds in six games. Manager Charley Oscar said, "The team is excited... the town is excited... this has been an unbelievable season... when you beat a team as talented and as good as Rolling Hills, you deserve to be here. We brought our bats and gloves and intend to give it our all and see what happens. When you reach this far in the Pro Cup playoffs, there ain't no weak teams. We feel good about our chances."

At a glance it will Southport's fine pitching (3.17 ERA) trying to hold off Crystal Lake's hitting (.266 BA). Neither team hits for much power, but the Crushers are better offensively, ranking 4th in scoring runs during the regular season. The Sun Sox were 23rd in scoring. CF Herm Taylor (.343/2/58/101), 1B Josh George (.284/25/97/95) and 3B Carl Bentley (.269/10/91/74) top the Crushers, while RF Lorne Evans (.296/42/105/101) and CF Rick Cabrini (.320/9/57/89) are the big sticks for the Sun Sox... Evans led the IPA with 42 homers this year.

Crystal Lake has been prolific at the plate in the playoffs with a terrific .285 team BA, paced by SS Jimmy Conroy with 8 RBIs and a .294 mark, CF Herm Taylor with a .357 BA and 7 runs scored, 1B Josh George with 6 RBIs, 7 runs and a .286 BA, LF Glenn Winters with a .333 BA, 5 RBIs and 5 runs and 3B Carl Bentley with a .326 BA, 3 RBI and 7 runs. The Sun Sox have been pathetic with a .214 BA. Only CF Rick Cabrini has been effective with a .375 batting average, 6 runs batted in and 5 runs scored. 2B Sam Cousins has 7 RBIs and scored 7 runs, while batting just .200. Southport has the edge in homers, 4 to1 in the playoffs.

On the mound Southport stands out with starter Al Laclair and a great bullpen. Laclair racked up a 22-11 mark with a splendid 2.24 ERA... Not too impressive are the other starters. Ronnie Galus is number two in the rotation with a 7-11 regular season record and a 3.34 ERA. Don Pascioni was 15-16 with a 3.30 ERA and Bob Bondy was 3-5 with a 5.36 ERA. The Sun Sox relievers chalked up a fancy 2.31 ERA and ranked third in the TU. Closer Joel Shepard compiled a 10-5 record with 27 saves and a super 1.44 ERA.

In contrast Crystal Lake was 27th in its league with a lofty 3.89 ERA. T. D. Burnham was the team's ace with a 21-8 mark and a 3.00. Duncan Welch was number two with a 19-15 record and a 3.49 ERA. Arnie Cason will be the number three man. He was 13-7 this year with a 3.30 ERA. The Crushers bullpen was not very good, winding up with a 4.10 team ERA (28th).

However in the postseason for Southport, Galus has really been great with a 3-0 record and a strong 1.44 ERA and Bondy pitched a shutout in his only start. Laclair has struggled at 1-3 with a 4.17 ERA. The bullpen has stood out. Overall in the playoff the team has a 3.03 ERA. Crystal Lake has been outstanding in the playoffs, far better than in the regular campaign. The Crushers have marked up a fantastic 2.09 team ERA, sparked by T. D. Burnham with a 4-0 record and a 1.54 ERA, Arnie Cason is 1-0 with a 1.42 ERA and Duncan Welch is 1-1 and 3.57 ERA. Closer Keith Hunter has saved 3 games and posted an impressive 1.08 ERA.

Eugene Church · 11-11-2011, 06:04 PM

The Islandian Times
Sunday, October 10, 2027

2027 IPA Pro Cup Final Series

Southport Shocks Crystal Lake 13-2 In Game One
No one would have thought it... the weak-hitting Southport Sun Sox shocked everybody in the Islands with a 13-2 demolition of favored Crystal Lake in game one of the 2027 IPA Pro Cup Finals... the Sun Sox beat the Crushers at their own game by pounding them for 16 hits... Southport also got a strong performance from Al Laclair, too... Laclair has struggled in the postseason after winning 22 games in the regular season... but this time around, Laclair (2-3 3.74) was at the top of his game... he hurled a complete game, held Crystal Lake to 2 runs and 7 hits, while fanning 5 and walking 3.

1B Kyle Ross (.245) led the Sun Sox at the plate with 3 hits, 3 runs and 5 RBIs in the rout, cracking a 2-run homer and a double... CF Rick Cabrini (.417) added 4 hits and scored 4 times... plus LF Alton Queeg (.227), SS Scoop Adams (.226) and C Luis Alvarado (.161) drove in 2 runs each... Alvarado also homered for Southport... Crusher starter T. D. Burnham (4-1 2.58), previously unbeaten in 4 games, never had a chance... the Sun Sox shelled him for 8 runs and 7 hits in just 3-plus innings.

Eugene Church · 11-11-2011, 08:27 PM

The Islandian Times
Monday, October 11, 2027

2027 IPA Pro Cup Final Series

Whoops! Sun Sox Win Again In Game 2
A few days ago, many folks across Islandia were feeling sorry for Southport, giving them very little chance in the Pro Cup Finals against Crystal Lake... now that sympathy has turned to bewilderment, mixed with hope... the underdog Southport Sun Sox have shook the Islands by winning the first two games in the best-of-seven set... though outhit 13 to 9, the Sun Sox pulled off a 6-5 victory, rebounding from an early 3-0 deficit after 2 innings of play... Southport rallied for 4 runs in the top of the third... the Crushers tied it in the bottom of the inning at 4-4... then the Sun Sox went up to stay in the fifth with 2 runs on CF Barry Ruth's (.200) RBI groundout and 3B Alex Hodge's (.182) single.

Southport starter Ronnie Galus (4-0 1.64) went 7 innings for the win, although he allowed 11 hits and 5 runs, but only 2 of them earned... it took 4 pitchers to get the last 6 outs with the save going to Eddie Baron, who worked a perfect ninth... Crusher starter Duncan Welch (1-2 4.40) was a rare loser in the postseason... Welch staggered through 6 frames, yielding 6 runs on 8 hits for the loss... Welch is a career 16-4 in 24 playoff starts, 2 of the defeats were this year.

1B Sam Cousins (.200) and 2B Keith Ingram (.200) led the Sun Sox at the plate with 2 runs batted in apiece... C Tommy Trent (.222) led the Crushers with 4-4 and 2 runs scored and 2B Pete Hicks (.245) went 2-5 and drove in 3 runs.

Eugene Church · 11-11-2011, 09:33 PM

The Islandian Times
Tuesday, October 12, 2027

2027 IPA Pro Cup Final Series

Sun Sox Win 3rd In A Row, Bondy Blanks CL On 1 Hit
Bob Bondy will never forget this postseason... for the second successive crucial playoff game the 21-year-old Southport right-hander has fired a shutout... this time one-hitting Crystal Lake 1-0 in game three of the IPA Pro Cup Finals to put the Sun Sox in complete control of the series... Southport has won all three games thus far and needs just one more win to capture its first Pro Cup in its history... Only once in Pro Cup history has a team leading 3-0 lost the series... In 2009 Far Mountain fell to Turon after taking the first three games... Only twice in Pro Cup history has a team come from a 3-1 deficit to take the crown. That was in 2011 when the Far Mountain Redhawks rebounded against Ozarka Naturals and in 2014 when the Kenwood Wildcats came back and whipped the Belair Beach Sunbirds.

At Pleasure Beach Park in Southport, Bondy blanked Crystal Lake 1-0 on just one hit, a fifth-inning single by SS Jimmy Conroy... Bondy (2-0 0.00) chalked up 8 Ks and issued a couple of walks in going the distance... Crystal Lake's Arnie Cason (1-1 0.92) was sharp, too, allowing just one run and 5 hits with 5 strikeouts and 2 bases on balls in his 7 innings... an unearned run in the fifth did him in... a two-out single by CF Rick Cabrini (.426) plated SS Scoop Adams (.220) from third place with the only run in game.

Eugene Church · 11-12-2011, 05:08 PM

The Islandian Times
Wednesday, October 13, 2027

2027 IPA Pro Cup Final Series

Sun Sox Sweep Crushers In Pro Cup
After a 25-year drought the Southport Sun Sox finally copped a Pro Cup and they did it in style, sweeping favored Crystal Lake in four games... Southport longtime ace Al Laclair nailed down the club's first ever IPA crown by crafting a 5-1 triumph over the Crushers, who got only one run and 6 hits off Laclair... Laclair (3-3 3.29) fanned 3 and had perfect control with no walks... T. D. Burnham (4-2 2.72) also went all the way in defeat, surrendering 5 runs - 3 earned - and 8 hits... Burnham also issued 10 bases on balls... Laclair got the best of Burnham again in the series... Laclair also beat him in game one 13-2.

The Sun Sox got single runs in the first and second frames... 1B Kyle Ross (.232) grounded into a bases-loaded double play to get run number one in... a passed ball by C Tommy Trent allowed the second run in... Crystal Lake cut the gap to 2-1 on back-to-back doubles by LF Glenn Winters (.283) and C Tommy Trent (.235)... Southport finished the Crushers off with singletons in the fifth, sixth and eighth innings on SS Scoop Adams' double, an error by pitcher Burnham and another two-bagger by Adams (.234).

There were no clear-cut stars on the Sun Sox... skipper Charley Oscar commented on the team's success, "Everybody did his part and it all meshed together at the right time. As far as a most valuable player award, I would have to split my vote up about up about 25 different ways."

Manager Baby George lamented the loss, "We didn't play as well as we thought we could... The Sun Sox hit a lot better that we thought they could and they even pitched better than we thought they could...they thoroughly whipped us."

Eugene Church · 11-13-2011, 10:58 PM

The Islandian Times
Thursday, October 14, 2027

Southport's Galus Pro Cup MVP
It was pretty clear that Ronnie Galus of the Pro Cup champ Southport Sun Sox was the Pro Cup Most Valuable Player this year. Galus got all of the first place votes in The Islandian Times poll announced today. Only one other player received any support. Southport center fielder Rick Cabrini garnered all of the second place votes in the balloting. No one else collected any votes. Galus was a perfect 4-0 in the playoffs in 5 starts with an exceptional 1.64 ERA. The 26-year-old right-hander had a disappointing regular season with a 7-11 mark and a 3.36 ERA, but came alive in the postseason and was the main reason the Sun Sox won their first Pro Cup in the club's 26-year history. Galus is a 7-year veteran, who until this year had been a reliever. He struggled as a starter early in the season was relegated back to relief at mid-season, but got a reprieve in August when the Sun Sox lost starter Wiley Wheeler for the season.

Cabrini played very well in the playoffs, too, with a .423 batting average, 4 doubles, a triple and a home run, while collecting 30 hits, 8 RBIs and scoring 10 runs. No one in Southport's starting line-up hit higher than .250 other than Cabrini. Cabrini had a fine regular season, hitting .320 with 195 hits and 9 roundtrippers in 143 games. Cabrini is only in his second season in the IPA and is just 20 years old.

Eugene Church · 11-14-2011, 08:11 PM

The Islandian Times
Friday, October 15, 2027

'Jacks Cox Acclaimed Best RU Rookie
2027 began as a wonderful season for Forest City's young right-hander, 20-year-old Doug Cox, but it soon came to an abrupt and sad ending. He registered a standout 14-6 record with a great 2.48 ERA in his initial year, but then suffered a devastating arm injury in August that put an end to his rookie season and ultimately his career. Nonetheless Cox was acclaimed the Ruthlandian Union Rookie of the Year. Recently it was announced that Cox's injury was so severe that it ended his career just when it was starting.

Second in The Islandian Times poll was Volusia's fine first-year pitcher Cisco Almeida, who posted a 19-16 mark for the sixth place Vigilantes with a strong 2.63 ERA and 6 shutouts. Coming in third in the voting was another fine rookie twirler Frankie Quinn with a 17-12 record and a 2.92 ERA. Quinn led the Fort Benton Defenders to one of its best seasons recently with a third-place tie in the RU West.

Ninjas Cornwall Ranked Top TU Rookie
Getting accustomed to pro ball didn't take Cotton Cornwall very long. The Ginza center fielder hit at a .306 clip, clouted 30 homers, batted in 101 runs and scored 96 times in his rookie season, stats good enough to win him the Tycobbian Union Rookie of the Year Award. He also made the All-Star team in his first season.

To win the honor Cornwall had to beat out two rookie hurlers. Lou Chylak of the Hartsdale Hellcats came in second in the balloting and Fabio Madeira of the Luxora Zorros finished in the third spot. Chylak posted a 16-14 with an impressive 2.37 ERA, while Madeira chalked up a 16-15 record with a 3.09 ERA.

Eugene Church · 11-15-2011, 07:47 PM

The Islandian Times
Saturday, October 16, 2027

Hobbs Hauls In His 6th Gold Bat
For the second successive season and sixth time in his illustrious career Waleska's superlative center fielder has hauled in the coveted Ruthlandian Golden Bat Award. Hobbs paced the Westerners to a third-place finish with a .348 batting average, second best in the RU and third best in the IPA. He made the All-Star team and topped the IPA with 124 runs, hit 30 homers and batted in 93 runs. Hobbs has been honored as the league's best batter in 2014, 2017, 2021, 2022, 2026 and again in 2027.

Runner-up was Belair Beach first sacker Kees Draeger, who batted .337 with 40 homers, 100 RBIs and 98 runs. He tied for the RU home run lead with Dean Woods of Sugar Valley and ranked third in the IPA. Third in The Islandian Times poll was Grand City's talented center fielder Thomas Hall with a .321 BA, 28 roundtrippers, 102 RBIs and 107 runs scored. Draeger and Hall also were All-Stars this year.

Kenwood's Hankins Top TU Batter
24-year-old Babe Hankins comes from a fine baseball family. His dad, Aaron Hankins, is the manager of the Kenwood Wildcats and is the Islands all-time home run leader in the industrial leagues, the forerunner of the IPA. Young Hankins had a super season with a .354 batting average, which topped the Tycobbian Union and was second best in the IPA. Hankins, a right fielder, led the TU with 209 hits, rapped 27 home runs, drove in 93 runs and scored 103 runs. He also made the 2027 TU All-Star team.

Coming in second in the TU Golden Bat balloting was Southport's splendid right fielder Lorne Evans, the IPA home run leader with 42. Evans sparked the Sun Sox to the TU South pennant with a .296 BA, 105 RBIs and 102 runs. Rolling Hills fine first baseman Billy Christianson wound up in the third spot. Christianson was an important cog in the Reds 104 victories, the best in the IPA this season. He batted .321 and collected 14 homers, 99 RBIs and scored 110 runs.

Eugene Church · 11-16-2011, 10:44 PM

The Islandian Times
Sunday, October 17, 2027

Bobcats Arby Top RU Hurler
He's just a 20-year-old kid, but Ken Arby is a whale of a pitcher. Arby of the RU East division-winning Beechwood Bobcats toyed with 30 victories this season and was selected the Ruthlandian Golden Arm Award winner. Arby edged out Beechwood teammate Maury Patterson and Far Mountain's Jeff Cooper. Arby flirted with 30 wins, but wound up at 28-8 with a league-leading 2.33 ERA. He struck out 286 in 316 innings, held teams to a .205 batting average and completed 18 games. No one has ever won 30 games in a season in IPA history. Shane Farmer holds the record with 29 in 2018 for the Turon Typhoons of the Tycobbian Union.

Runner-up Patterson, who also toiled for the Bobcats, compiled a fine 26-11 mark with a 2.90 ERA. He had 5 shutouts and 17 complete games, along with 287 strikeouts. Cooper was third in The Islandian Times poll, winding up with a 22-11 record, 4 shutouts and a 2.40 ERA. Cooper fanned 183 batters and completed 23 games.

Ozarka's Lane Nabs TU Golden Arm
The 2027 Tycobbian Golden Arm has been awarded to Maury Lane of the Ozarka Naturals. The 21-year-old southpaw chalked up a terrific 27-7 record with a 2.80 ERA, 229 strikeouts, 12 complete games and 3 shutouts.

The number two votegetter was Greg Moss of the Bay St. Clair Buccaneers, who came in with a 21-8 mark and a sensational 2.14 ERA, which led the IPA this season. Rolling Hills Errol Gaudet came in number three the poll. Gaudet was 24-8 with a 2.31 ERA and 6 shutouts.

Eugene Church · 11-17-2011, 07:44 PM

The Islandian Times
Monday, October 18, 2027

Beechwood's Arby Is RU MVP
'Twas a season to remember for Beechwood's gifted Ken Arby. First Arby won the Ruthlandian Golden Arm Award presented to the league's best pitcher, now he has been selected the league's Most Valuable Player, too. He led his Bobcats to the division title and the best record in the RU with a sparkling 28-8 record. Arby came up just one victory short of tying the all-time IPA mark for most wins in a season, currently held by Shane Farmer of Turon, who went 29-3 in 2018. Arby topped the RU with a 2.33 ERA and held opponents to a .205 batting average.

This year's Golden Bat winner Roy Hobbs came in second in The Islandian Times MVP poll. Waleska's famed center fielder was voted the league's best overall hitter for the sixth time with a .348 batting average and led the IPA with 124 runs scored. Hobbs sparked the Westerners to a third-place finish with 30 homers and 93 RBIs. Marston's superstar center fielder Russ Woodward was third in the poll. Woodward led the Nine to second place in the RU East by batting .325 with 31 homers, 90 RBIs and scored 108 times.

Sun Sox Slugger Evans Names TU MVP
2027 was a great season for the Southport Sun Sox. They made the playoffs for the first time in two decades by winning the TU South division crown. One of the prime performers for the Sun Sox was 22-year-old slugging outfielder Lorne Evans, who packed a lot of wallop in his bat with 42 home runs, .296 BA, 105 RBIs and 101 runs. Evans was the IPA home run leader. And his efforts were rewarded by being named the 2027 Tycobbian Union Most Valuable Player.

Two Rolling Hills Reds were also in the running for the MVP honor, winding up number two and three in the balloting. Errol Gaudet anchored the Reds rotation with a very impressive 24-8 record and a 2.31 ERA, leading his club to the best record in the IPA with 104 victories. Reds first sacker Billy Christianson was the club's offensive leader with a .321 batting average with 43 doubles, 10 triples, 14 roundtrippers, 99 RBIs and 110 runs scored.

Eugene Church · 11-17-2011, 08:24 PM

The Islandian Times
Tuesday, October 19, 2027

IPA Picks Top Gloves Of 2027
The Islandian Pro Alliance has honored its top defensive players by awarding them special recognition as the Golden Glove Award winners. Leading the Ruthlandian Union Golden Glovers was Vic Valenti of the Beechwood Bobcats, who was named for the sixth time in his great career. Kenny Willard of Ancona was selected for a fifth time and Kyle Hunt of Ranford made it a third time. The only other multi-year winners were Glen Smith of Colfax and Todd Nasso of Ancona, second-time winners. Luxora's Pete Gibbs paced the Tycobbian top defenders. Gibbs was picked as a Golden Glover for the third time in his career. Four others were named to the squad a second time: Ginza's Johnny O'Rorke, Arroyo Grande's Andy Pearson and Summerland's Joe DeLucca. No rookies defenders were picked this season to either team.

Ruthlandian Union Golden Glove Team:
Pitcher: Scotty Simmons (Ranford) 15-11/3.26 ERA/1.000 FA
Catcher: Kyle Hunt (Ranford) .344/9 HR/73 RBI/.996 FA/2 PB/43.3% RTO
First Baseman: Garris Aiken (Glasco) .285 BA/19 HR/77 RBI/.996 FA
Second Baseman: Alec Latrec (Valmara) .268 BA/0 HR/46 R/.986 FA
Third Baseman: Todd Nasso (Ancona) .257 BA/21 HR/83 RBI/.972 FA
Shortstop: Benny Webster (Stoner) .262 BA/11 HR/66 RBI/.980 FA
Left Fielder: Kenny Willard (Ancona) .303 BA/23 HR/101 RBI/1.000 FA
Center Fielder: Vic Valenti (Beechwood) .305 BA/25 HR/99 RBI/.994
Right Fielder: Glen Smith (Colfax) .246 BA/5 HR/65 RBI/.988 FA

Tycobbian Union Golden Glove Team:
Pitcher: Bob Ferguson (Chicopee) 18-13/2.59 ERA/.978 FA
Catcher: Pete Gibbs (Luxora) .233 BA/12 HR/56 RBI/.993 FA/2 PB/44% RTO
First Baseman: Johnny O'Rorke (Ginza) .289 BA/31 HR/106 RBI/.995 FA
Second Baseman: Andy Pearson (Arroyo Grande) .255 BA/12 HR/66 RBI/.981 FA
Third Baseman: Kurt Holstein (Ginza) .212 BA/7 HR/40 RBI/.958 FA
Shortstop: James Couch (Ozarka) .289 BA/12 HR/74 RBI/.985 FA
Left Fielder: Pat Webb (Rolling Hills) .294 BA/21 HR/106 RBI/.996 FA
Center Fielder: Joe DeLucca (Summerland) .250 BA/12 HR/55 RBI/.995 FA
Right Fielder: Ken Mayberry (Ozarka) .315 BA/4 Hr/39 RBI/.983 FA

Eugene Church · 11-19-2011, 10:28 PM

The Islandian Times
Wednesday, October 20, 2027

George And Christianson Top IPA Skippers
The Islandian Pro Alliance has picked its 2027 Managers of the Year in a poll conducted The Islandian Times. Matty Christianson of the Rolling Hills Reds won the honor in the Tycobbian Union for the fourth time in his career and Herman "Baby" George picked up his second trophy in the Ruthlandian Union. Christianson also captured the award in 2017, 2019 and 2022, while George bagged his first one in 2022.

Christianson guided his Reds to a second straight TU West division title, but this time they were 104-50, by far the best record in the IPA this year. Christianson outpolled Luxora's Lacey Tompkins for the award. In his rookie year as the Luxora Zorros skipper, Tompkins guided them to a second-place finish in the TU North, much improved over last place the previous season. Also in his first season, East Point's Karol Zodoka came in third in the voting. He helped the Panthers rise up from seventh to second in the TU East race. Other receiving votes were Southport's Charley Oscar in fourth place, followed by White River's Mick Cronyn and Arlon's rookie manager Rocco Belasario.

George improved Crystal Lake from fifth place in 2026 to the RU South champ, dethroning tough Waleska. The Colfax Blasters under new manager Ilya Szabo moved up from fifth to second in the RU West. Szabo was the runner-up in the poll, just ahead of Eddie Keys of the Sligo Rovers, who climbed up from the fifth spot in the RU West to the top spot.

Eugene Church · 11-19-2011, 10:32 PM

I will now get to work on the 2028 IPA season.

Eugene Church · 11-19-2011, 11:12 PM

The Islandian Times
Monday, October 19, 2028

Southport Hosts 28th IPA All-Star Game
The stars will be shining this Wednesday afternoon at Southport's Pleasure Beach Park, the home park of the defending Pro Cup champion. The 28th edition of the Islandian Pro Alliance All-Star Game will feature the best players from the Ruthlandian Union going up against the elite players of the Tycobbian Union. The RU Stars are on a three-game winning streak in the series, but they still trail the TU Stars 18-9 overall.

Ruthlandian All-Stars
SP Earl Perkins (Sligo) 12-2/1.56
SP Joaquin Lima (San Dimas) 12-5/2.65
SP Cisco Almeida (Volusia) 11-4/2.33
SP Wild Bill Butler (Waleska) 10-5/2.23
SP Terence Mulloy (Rocky Rapids) 10-4/2.34
SP Lou Neuman (Stoner) 10-1/3.04
SP Frankie Quinn (Fort Benton) 10-7 2.71
SP Miguel Valdes (San Dimas) 10-6/3.06
CL Kenny Nikas (Ancona) 1-1/0.40/15 saves
CL Ivan Guzek (Valmara) 1-0/1.33/14 saves
C Kyle Hunt (Ranford) .283/11/33/40 - 1.000 FA/2 PB/43.8% RTO
C Floyd Randolph (Valmara) .233/17/41/33 - .989 FA/1 PB/37.9% RTO
C P. J. Blake (Stoner) (.291/10/42/24 - .994 FA/3 PB/40.0% RTO
1B Mick Langston (Grand City) .321/26/70/61
1B Kees Draeger (Belair Beach) .290/21/43/41
1B Kent Harmon (Belle Plaine) .326/12/39/50
2B Gary Colton (Colfax) .278/14/41/37
2B Greg Murphy (Taranto) .286/11/31/42
3B Jeff Henderson (Stoner) .331/21/67/45
3B Leevi Viru (Valka) .364/14/53/50
3B Hector Cuellar (San Dimas) .337/17/42/36
SS Johnny Gentry (Kilkenny) .299/8/29/31
SS Byron Johannsen (St. John) .316/5/25/35
LF Loco Dillinger (Waleska) .340/32/67/50
LF Kenny Willard (Ancona) .313/19/49/49
LF Owen Newman (Belle Plaine) .297/22/54/43
CF D. Collins (Sligo) .337/18/61/40
CF Hal Granders (Colfax) .325/8/33/50
CF Roy Hobbs (Waleska) .332/20/52/51
RF Ivan Krause (Claxton) .296/23/51/47

Tycobbian All-Stars:
SP Pat Kovacs (LaClaire) 13-3/2.93
SP Johnny Brown (Rolling Hills) 12-4/3.03
SP Errol Gaudet (Rolling Hills) 12-4/2.65
SP Jamie Gustafson (Tuckanarra) 12-5/1.75
SP Paul Sardini (White River) 12-2/1.77
SP Frank Blair (East Point) 11-3/2.64
SP Richie Raeburn (South Fork) 11-5/1.33
SP Bobby Dorignac (Midway) 9-4/1.98
CL Zach Dowdle (Fairfax) 4-0/0.42/15 saves
CL Buddy Palmer (Arlon) 2-1/0.65/15 saves
C Johnny Gore (High Mesa) .340/10/39/25 - .991 FA/3 PB/21.3% RTO
C Durward Anderson (Hartsdale) .328/7/27/42 - .995 FA/2 PB/27.5% RTO
C Crash Davis (Ginza) .301/4/24/27 - 1.000 FA/4 PB/23.5% RTO
1B Michael Page (Turon) .348/23/46/43
1B Lynn Starr (Tuckanarra) .307/20/52/52
1B Tetsu Tanaka (East Point) .307/21/41/53
2B Howard Winston (Ginza) .292/12/35/42
2B James Mack (Blue Lake) .279/13/37/39
3B Flash Devlin (LaClaire) .282/17/39/48
3B Skipper Smith (Blue Lake) .284/5/26/37
SS Jeff Lang (Kenwood) .327/5/43/39
SS James Couch (Ozarka) .338/5/21/37
SS Russ Van Kleek (Ginza) .305/6/30/37
LF Pat Webb (Rolling Hills) .310/19/63/45
LF Carroll Candy (LaClaire) .318/19/52/40
CF Cotton Cornwall (Ginza) .291/17/42/44
CF Shannon Farmer (Ozarka) .304/11/33/43
LF Lorne Evans (Southport) .299/30/59/58
RF Travis Tuttle (Mahaska) .340/22/59/45
RF Wayne Kenney (Bayview) .351/17/44/43

Eugene Church · 11-20-2011, 10:08 PM

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Tuesday, June 20, 2028

2028 IPA Mid-Season Standings

Eugene Church · 11-20-2011, 10:32 PM

2028 Ruthlandian North Mid-Season Recap

Valmara On Top At Mid-Year, Ancona Close 2nd
As usual the Valmara Vipers and the Ancona Red Elephants are the clubs to beat in the Ruthlandian North. The Vipers have won the division the past two seasons and have a 4-game edge at the All-Star break over Ancona. The Red Elephants have finished in the runner-up spot the last three years. The long-suffering LaGrange Sports are the surprise team, rising up from 8th place to 3rd place this year. Improved pitching has helped the Sports. It's been 20 years since LaGrange has won the division flag and made the Pro Cup playoffs (2008) and 11 seasons since they made the first division (2016). Fourth place Ranford is 8 games behind in the race. The biggest disappointment this year are the Far Mountain Redhawks, who have tumbled out of the first division into a sixth-place tie with Taranto, 12 games off the pace.

Eugene Church · 11-20-2011, 11:20 PM

2028 Ruthlandian South Mid-Season Recap

Tight 4-Club Race In RU South
Just like last year the clubs in the Ruthlandian South are tightly bunched with four teams in the running at mid-season. The San Dimas Rancheros hold a 2-game lead over Waleska and St. John and are 3 up on fourth place Valka. San Dimas, Waleska and Valka were in the race last year. Only champ Crystal Lake has faltered. The Crushers have had hitting problems and plunged to last place, 9 games out. The St. John Crusaders have made the biggest upward move, climbing from 6th to a tie for second.

Eugene Church · 11-20-2011, 11:51 PM

2028 Ruthlandian East Mid-Season Recap

Wynnamac Wins First Half, Tops RU East By 4
With the sudden demise of the powerful Beechwood Bobcats, the Wynnamac Sundowners have taken over in the Ruthlandian East. The Sundowners are 4 games ahead at the All-Star break. Second place belongs to the Belle Plaine Musketeers. The most improved team this year is the Elnora All-Stars, who wound up sixth last season. The All-Stars are sitting in third place and trail by 6 games with the Marston Nine in fourth and 8 games out in the pennant race. Last year's division titlist Beechwood has fallen 14 games back into sixth place in the standings. Beechwood is suffering from poor pitching with two of last year's aces struggling this year, Ken Arby (5-7 3.04), the Golden Arm and league MVP winner, and Maury Patterson (8-5 3.16). Arby was 28-8 last year and has been on the DL for six weeks so far this season. Patterson has won 26 games in each of the last two seasons. Patterson is hurt and will miss two weeks after the All-Star Game. The Bobcats are in trouble without their dominating presence.

11-09-2011, 12:57 PM	#2821
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,874	*The Islandian Times* Wednesday, October 6, 2027 2027 IPA Final 4 Series Ruthlandian Union CL Whips Bobcats 8-6, Wins RU Final 4 The favorites are falling fast in the IPA Pro Cup playoffs... for the second consecutive round Crystal Lake has handily disposed of higher-seeded opponents... the Crushers spanked second seed Beechwood 8-6 in game five and won the RU Final 4 Series four games to one to qualify for a shot at the grandest title of them all - the Pro Cup champion... the game started well for the Bobcats as they jumped off to a 2-0 lead in the first on CF Vic Valenti's 4th postseason clout, but it didn't last long... Crystal Lake torched starting pitcher Maury Patterson for 6 runs in the opening inning and raised it to 8-2 after 3 frames, then held off the Bobcats, who scored 3 runs in the last two innings... the Crushers belted 14 hits and were sparked by SS Jimmy Conroy (.294) with 2 hits and 3 RBIs and C Tommy Trent (.158) and 2B Pete Hicks (.256), who batted in two runs each... Beechwood rapped 11 hits and were led by Valenti (.233), 2B Stan Tipton (.191) and 3B Skipper Smith (.255) with 2 hits apiece. Crystal Lake's starter Duncan Welch hit Miron Burczyk after Valenti's homer... Burczyk charged the mound, mild fisticuffs ensued and both were toss from the game... Roger Bishop came on in relief and held Beechwood to 2 runs and 5 hits over the next 7 innings, but he didn't get the victory... Ross Birchford (1-0 0.00) got the last out in the first after the fight and got credit for the win... Patterson (3-1 5.47) lost it, going just two-thirds of an inning and was tagged for 6 runs and 5 hits... Crystal Lake is bound now for the Pro Cup Finals... the Crushers will play the Tycobbian Final 4 winner... underdog Southport and the Pro Cup favorite Rolling Hills are tied after four games. Tycobbian Union Sun Sox Sneak By Reds 4-3 in Game 5, Up By One It just might be the Year of the Underdog in IPA Pro Cup circles... the seventh-seed Southport Sun Sox staved off Pro Cup number one seed Rolling Hills numerous times in game five and sneaked away with a 4-3 triumph... the Reds had the advantage in hits 11 to 7, but couldn't produce in the clutch, leaving 12 runners on base and also hit into 4 double plays... now Southport is in command three games to two in the TU Final 4... one more victory and the Sun Sox will be in the Pro Cup Finals against another underdog - the Crystal Lake Crushers. Ronnie Galus (3-0 1.44) wasn't great, but he was stingy with runs, allowing only 2 in 8 innings, though Galus was tagged for 9 hits... Galus fanned 6 and walked 3... closer Joel Shepard took over for him in the ninth with a 4-2 lead and gave up 1 run on 2 hits before getting the final 2 outs... the Sun Sox tallied single runs in the first, second and fifth off starter Sal Jordan... the Reds were held scoreless by Galus until the eighth when they narrowed it to 3-2... Southport upped the margin to 4-2 in the bottom of the inning... Jordan (0-2 1.08) pitched well in defeat, gave only 7 hits and 2 earned runs, while going the distance... LF Alton Queeg (.214) led Southport with 3 hits... SS Scoop Adams (.205) chipped a pair of hits for the winners... Reds RF Bobby McConnell (.410) garnered 3 hits to pace them with 2B Jeff Booker chipping in 2 hits. Last edited by Eugene Church; 10-30-2023 at 04:03 PM.

11-09-2011, 01:49 PM	#2822
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,874	*The Islandian Times* Thursday, October 7, 2027 2027 IPA Final 4 Series Tycobbian Union Southport Wins TU, Bumps Reds Off In 6 Games Another IPA giant has fallen... the Pro Cup favored Rolling Hills Reds were upset by the seventh-seeded club, the Southport Sun Sox in the Tycobbian Union Final 4 Series... the Sun Sox won the series in six games, finishing off the Reds 3-0 on the road... little-used starter Bob Bundy (1-0 0.00) replaced the injured Dan Pascioni in game six and pitched superbly, shutting out the Reds on 6 hits in 8 innings, striking out 6 and walking one... closer Joel Shepard relieved Bondy in the ninth and finished off the Reds in spite of 2 hits... Bondy made only 11 starts during the year, finishing up just 3-5 with a sky-high 5.26 ERA... Pascioni suffered the injury in game three last Monday, but will likely be ready for the Pro Cup. Kenny Leonard (1-2 1.59) tossed a good game, surrendering 3 runs and 6 hits in a complete-game outing... the Sun Sox got to him for a gift run in the first on four bases on balls... a walk to LF Alton Queeg (.176) forced in a run... the game stayed 1-0 until Southport added 2 more in the top of the ninth on 3B Jason Hinton's (.243) RBI double and a sacrifice fly by CF Rick Cabrini (.375). This year's Pro Cup Finals will be a battle between two unheralded teams: the Tycobbian champ Southport was ranked seventh in The Islandian Times Pro Cup poll and the Ruthlandian champ Crystal Lake was the number four seed... the best-of-seven series will begin this Sunday at Crystal Lake... the Crushers have the home field advantage... they were 83-71 during the regular season, while the Sun Sox were 81-74... this year's finalists have the second-worst records in Pro Cup history... only Volusia (78-72) and Ginza (81-69) in the 2001 Pro Cup have had poorer records. Last edited by Eugene Church; 10-30-2023 at 04:08 PM.

11-10-2011, 07:37 PM	#2823
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,874	*The Islandian Times* Sunday, October 10, 2027 2027 IPA Pro Cup Final Series CL Crushers Pro Cup Choice No one predicted a Crystal Lake-Southport Pro Cup this year, but lo and behold - they made it. 10 teams had better seasonal records than Crystal Lake and 20 were better than Southport. But here they are and overjoyed to be here. This will be the Crushers third appearance in the last seven seasons, but it was not much expected this year. Crystal Lake was rated the fourth-best team by the baseball experts in The Islandian Times Pro Cup poll. The Crushers captured the Pro Cup trophy twice, in 2020 and 2022. Island baseball analysts are making Crystal Lake the favorite to bring home Pro Cup number three this year, citing its fine hitting and unexpected great pitching. The consensus is that Southport is just too weak at the plate to be much of a challenge. The two clubs will tangle in a best-of-seven series for the Islandian championship, starting this Sunday afternoon. T. D. Burnham, Duncan Welch and Arnie Cason will Crystal Lake's starters. Southport has indicated it will be Al Laclair, Ronnie Galus and Bob Bondy in it starting rotation. The Crushers will host games one and two, plus games six and seven, if necessary. The Sun Sox will be the home team in games three, four, and five, if needed. Manager Herman "Baby" George's ball club rolled over two higher seeds, last year's Pro Cup winner Valmara (third seed) and Beechwood (second seed), finishing them off in 5 games each. George told reporters, "We don't apologize to anybody. We beat two very good teams to get here and it wasn't lucky. We beat their butts pretty good. You win 8 out of 10 against the best and that says something. And we'll have to play just as well to whip Southport. We certainly are not going to take them for granted." This will be the first time ever the Southport Sun Sox have reach the Finals. It's been a long, long time since the Sun Sox even made the playoffs. Southport has appeared in the postseason only one time, way back in 2002 and they were quickly eliminated in the first round. To get to the Pro Cup Finals this year the Sun Sox defeated the fifth-seeded White River Rascals in seven games in the first round, then pulled a huge upset over the the top-seeded Rolling Hills Reds in six games. Manager Charley Oscar said, "The team is excited... the town is excited... this has been an unbelievable season... when you beat a team as talented and as good as Rolling Hills, you deserve to be here. We brought our bats and gloves and intend to give it our all and see what happens. When you reach this far in the Pro Cup playoffs, there ain't no weak teams. We feel good about our chances." At a glance it will Southport's fine pitching (3.17 ERA) trying to hold off Crystal Lake's hitting (.266 BA). Neither team hits for much power, but the Crushers are better offensively, ranking 4th in scoring runs during the regular season. The Sun Sox were 23rd in scoring. CF Herm Taylor (.343/2/58/101), 1B Josh George (.284/25/97/95) and 3B Carl Bentley (.269/10/91/74) top the Crushers, while RF Lorne Evans (.296/42/105/101) and CF Rick Cabrini (.320/9/57/89) are the big sticks for the Sun Sox... Evans led the IPA with 42 homers this year. Crystal Lake has been prolific at the plate in the playoffs with a terrific .285 team BA, paced by SS Jimmy Conroy with 8 RBIs and a .294 mark, CF Herm Taylor with a .357 BA and 7 runs scored, 1B Josh George with 6 RBIs, 7 runs and a .286 BA, LF Glenn Winters with a .333 BA, 5 RBIs and 5 runs and 3B Carl Bentley with a .326 BA, 3 RBI and 7 runs. The Sun Sox have been pathetic with a .214 BA. Only CF Rick Cabrini has been effective with a .375 batting average, 6 runs batted in and 5 runs scored. 2B Sam Cousins has 7 RBIs and scored 7 runs, while batting just .200. Southport has the edge in homers, 4 to1 in the playoffs. On the mound Southport stands out with starter Al Laclair and a great bullpen. Laclair racked up a 22-11 mark with a splendid 2.24 ERA... Not too impressive are the other starters. Ronnie Galus is number two in the rotation with a 7-11 regular season record and a 3.34 ERA. Don Pascioni was 15-16 with a 3.30 ERA and Bob Bondy was 3-5 with a 5.36 ERA. The Sun Sox relievers chalked up a fancy 2.31 ERA and ranked third in the TU. Closer Joel Shepard compiled a 10-5 record with 27 saves and a super 1.44 ERA. In contrast Crystal Lake was 27th in its league with a lofty 3.89 ERA. T. D. Burnham was the team's ace with a 21-8 mark and a 3.00. Duncan Welch was number two with a 19-15 record and a 3.49 ERA. Arnie Cason will be the number three man. He was 13-7 this year with a 3.30 ERA. The Crushers bullpen was not very good, winding up with a 4.10 team ERA (28th). However in the postseason for Southport, Galus has really been great with a 3-0 record and a strong 1.44 ERA and Bondy pitched a shutout in his only start. Laclair has struggled at 1-3 with a 4.17 ERA. The bullpen has stood out. Overall in the playoff the team has a 3.03 ERA. Crystal Lake has been outstanding in the playoffs, far better than in the regular campaign. The Crushers have marked up a fantastic 2.09 team ERA, sparked by T. D. Burnham with a 4-0 record and a 1.54 ERA, Arnie Cason is 1-0 with a 1.42 ERA and Duncan Welch is 1-1 and 3.57 ERA. Closer Keith Hunter has saved 3 games and posted an impressive 1.08 ERA. Last edited by Eugene Church; 11-02-2023 at 11:51 PM.

11-11-2011, 06:04 PM	#2824
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,874	*The Islandian Times* Sunday, October 10, 2027 2027 IPA Pro Cup Final Series Southport Shocks Crystal Lake 13-2 In Game One No one would have thought it... the weak-hitting Southport Sun Sox shocked everybody in the Islands with a 13-2 demolition of favored Crystal Lake in game one of the 2027 IPA Pro Cup Finals... the Sun Sox beat the Crushers at their own game by pounding them for 16 hits... Southport also got a strong performance from Al Laclair, too... Laclair has struggled in the postseason after winning 22 games in the regular season... but this time around, Laclair (2-3 3.74) was at the top of his game... he hurled a complete game, held Crystal Lake to 2 runs and 7 hits, while fanning 5 and walking 3. 1B Kyle Ross (.245) led the Sun Sox at the plate with 3 hits, 3 runs and 5 RBIs in the rout, cracking a 2-run homer and a double... CF Rick Cabrini (.417) added 4 hits and scored 4 times... plus LF Alton Queeg (.227), SS Scoop Adams (.226) and C Luis Alvarado (.161) drove in 2 runs each... Alvarado also homered for Southport... Crusher starter T. D. Burnham (4-1 2.58), previously unbeaten in 4 games, never had a chance... the Sun Sox shelled him for 8 runs and 7 hits in just 3-plus innings. Last edited by Eugene Church; 11-04-2023 at 09:06 PM.

11-11-2011, 08:27 PM	#2825
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,874	*The Islandian Times* Monday, October 11, 2027 2027 IPA Pro Cup Final Series Whoops! Sun Sox Win Again In Game 2 A few days ago, many folks across Islandia were feeling sorry for Southport, giving them very little chance in the Pro Cup Finals against Crystal Lake... now that sympathy has turned to bewilderment, mixed with hope... the underdog Southport Sun Sox have shook the Islands by winning the first two games in the best-of-seven set... though outhit 13 to 9, the Sun Sox pulled off a 6-5 victory, rebounding from an early 3-0 deficit after 2 innings of play... Southport rallied for 4 runs in the top of the third... the Crushers tied it in the bottom of the inning at 4-4... then the Sun Sox went up to stay in the fifth with 2 runs on CF Barry Ruth's (.200) RBI groundout and 3B Alex Hodge's (.182) single. Southport starter Ronnie Galus (4-0 1.64) went 7 innings for the win, although he allowed 11 hits and 5 runs, but only 2 of them earned... it took 4 pitchers to get the last 6 outs with the save going to Eddie Baron, who worked a perfect ninth... Crusher starter Duncan Welch (1-2 4.40) was a rare loser in the postseason... Welch staggered through 6 frames, yielding 6 runs on 8 hits for the loss... Welch is a career 16-4 in 24 playoff starts, 2 of the defeats were this year. 1B Sam Cousins (.200) and 2B Keith Ingram (.200) led the Sun Sox at the plate with 2 runs batted in apiece... C Tommy Trent (.222) led the Crushers with 4-4 and 2 runs scored and 2B Pete Hicks (.245) went 2-5 and drove in 3 runs. Last edited by Eugene Church; 11-04-2023 at 09:06 PM.

11-11-2011, 09:33 PM	#2826
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,874	*The Islandian Times* Tuesday, October 12, 2027 2027 IPA Pro Cup Final Series Sun Sox Win 3rd In A Row, Bondy Blanks CL On 1 Hit Bob Bondy will never forget this postseason... for the second successive crucial playoff game the 21-year-old Southport right-hander has fired a shutout... this time one-hitting Crystal Lake 1-0 in game three of the IPA Pro Cup Finals to put the Sun Sox in complete control of the series... Southport has won all three games thus far and needs just one more win to capture its first Pro Cup in its history... Only once in Pro Cup history has a team leading 3-0 lost the series... In 2009 Far Mountain fell to Turon after taking the first three games... Only twice in Pro Cup history has a team come from a 3-1 deficit to take the crown. That was in 2011 when the Far Mountain Redhawks rebounded against Ozarka Naturals and in 2014 when the Kenwood Wildcats came back and whipped the Belair Beach Sunbirds. At Pleasure Beach Park in Southport, Bondy blanked Crystal Lake 1-0 on just one hit, a fifth-inning single by SS Jimmy Conroy... Bondy (2-0 0.00) chalked up 8 Ks and issued a couple of walks in going the distance... Crystal Lake's Arnie Cason (1-1 0.92) was sharp, too, allowing just one run and 5 hits with 5 strikeouts and 2 bases on balls in his 7 innings... an unearned run in the fifth did him in... a two-out single by CF Rick Cabrini (.426) plated SS Scoop Adams (.220) from third place with the only run in game. Last edited by Eugene Church; 11-04-2023 at 09:07 PM.

11-12-2011, 05:08 PM	#2827
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,874	*The Islandian Times* Wednesday, October 13, 2027 2027 IPA Pro Cup Final Series Sun Sox Sweep Crushers In Pro Cup After a 25-year drought the Southport Sun Sox finally copped a Pro Cup and they did it in style, sweeping favored Crystal Lake in four games... Southport longtime ace Al Laclair nailed down the club's first ever IPA crown by crafting a 5-1 triumph over the Crushers, who got only one run and 6 hits off Laclair... Laclair (3-3 3.29) fanned 3 and had perfect control with no walks... T. D. Burnham (4-2 2.72) also went all the way in defeat, surrendering 5 runs - 3 earned - and 8 hits... Burnham also issued 10 bases on balls... Laclair got the best of Burnham again in the series... Laclair also beat him in game one 13-2. The Sun Sox got single runs in the first and second frames... 1B Kyle Ross (.232) grounded into a bases-loaded double play to get run number one in... a passed ball by C Tommy Trent allowed the second run in... Crystal Lake cut the gap to 2-1 on back-to-back doubles by LF Glenn Winters (.283) and C Tommy Trent (.235)... Southport finished the Crushers off with singletons in the fifth, sixth and eighth innings on SS Scoop Adams' double, an error by pitcher Burnham and another two-bagger by Adams (.234). There were no clear-cut stars on the Sun Sox... skipper Charley Oscar commented on the team's success, "Everybody did his part and it all meshed together at the right time. As far as a most valuable player award, I would have to split my vote up about up about 25 different ways." Manager Baby George lamented the loss, "We didn't play as well as we thought we could... The Sun Sox hit a lot better that we thought they could and they even pitched better than we thought they could...they thoroughly whipped us." Last edited by Eugene Church; 11-04-2023 at 09:08 PM.

11-13-2011, 10:58 PM	#2828
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,874	*The Islandian Times* Thursday, October 14, 2027 Southport's Galus Pro Cup MVP It was pretty clear that Ronnie Galus of the Pro Cup champ Southport Sun Sox was the Pro Cup Most Valuable Player this year. Galus got all of the first place votes in The Islandian Times poll announced today. Only one other player received any support. Southport center fielder Rick Cabrini garnered all of the second place votes in the balloting. No one else collected any votes. Galus was a perfect 4-0 in the playoffs in 5 starts with an exceptional 1.64 ERA. The 26-year-old right-hander had a disappointing regular season with a 7-11 mark and a 3.36 ERA, but came alive in the postseason and was the main reason the Sun Sox won their first Pro Cup in the club's 26-year history. Galus is a 7-year veteran, who until this year had been a reliever. He struggled as a starter early in the season was relegated back to relief at mid-season, but got a reprieve in August when the Sun Sox lost starter Wiley Wheeler for the season. Cabrini played very well in the playoffs, too, with a .423 batting average, 4 doubles, a triple and a home run, while collecting 30 hits, 8 RBIs and scoring 10 runs. No one in Southport's starting line-up hit higher than .250 other than Cabrini. Cabrini had a fine regular season, hitting .320 with 195 hits and 9 roundtrippers in 143 games. Cabrini is only in his second season in the IPA and is just 20 years old. Last edited by Eugene Church; 11-04-2023 at 09:09 PM.

11-14-2011, 08:11 PM	#2829
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,874	*The Islandian Times* Friday, October 15, 2027 'Jacks Cox Acclaimed Best RU Rookie 2027 began as a wonderful season for Forest City's young right-hander, 20-year-old Doug Cox, but it soon came to an abrupt and sad ending. He registered a standout 14-6 record with a great 2.48 ERA in his initial year, but then suffered a devastating arm injury in August that put an end to his rookie season and ultimately his career. Nonetheless Cox was acclaimed the Ruthlandian Union Rookie of the Year. Recently it was announced that Cox's injury was so severe that it ended his career just when it was starting. Second in The Islandian Times poll was Volusia's fine first-year pitcher Cisco Almeida, who posted a 19-16 mark for the sixth place Vigilantes with a strong 2.63 ERA and 6 shutouts. Coming in third in the voting was another fine rookie twirler Frankie Quinn with a 17-12 record and a 2.92 ERA. Quinn led the Fort Benton Defenders to one of its best seasons recently with a third-place tie in the RU West. Ninjas Cornwall Ranked Top TU Rookie Getting accustomed to pro ball didn't take Cotton Cornwall very long. The Ginza center fielder hit at a .306 clip, clouted 30 homers, batted in 101 runs and scored 96 times in his rookie season, stats good enough to win him the Tycobbian Union Rookie of the Year Award. He also made the All-Star team in his first season. To win the honor Cornwall had to beat out two rookie hurlers. Lou Chylak of the Hartsdale Hellcats came in second in the balloting and Fabio Madeira of the Luxora Zorros finished in the third spot. Chylak posted a 16-14 with an impressive 2.37 ERA, while Madeira chalked up a 16-15 record with a 3.09 ERA. Last edited by Eugene Church; 11-14-2011 at 08:16 PM.

11-15-2011, 07:47 PM	#2830
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,874	*The Islandian Times* Saturday, October 16, 2027 Hobbs Hauls In His 6th Gold Bat For the second successive season and sixth time in his illustrious career Waleska's superlative center fielder has hauled in the coveted Ruthlandian Golden Bat Award. Hobbs paced the Westerners to a third-place finish with a .348 batting average, second best in the RU and third best in the IPA. He made the All-Star team and topped the IPA with 124 runs, hit 30 homers and batted in 93 runs. Hobbs has been honored as the league's best batter in 2014, 2017, 2021, 2022, 2026 and again in 2027. Runner-up was Belair Beach first sacker Kees Draeger, who batted .337 with 40 homers, 100 RBIs and 98 runs. He tied for the RU home run lead with Dean Woods of Sugar Valley and ranked third in the IPA. Third in The Islandian Times poll was Grand City's talented center fielder Thomas Hall with a .321 BA, 28 roundtrippers, 102 RBIs and 107 runs scored. Draeger and Hall also were All-Stars this year. Kenwood's Hankins Top TU Batter 24-year-old Babe Hankins comes from a fine baseball family. His dad, Aaron Hankins, is the manager of the Kenwood Wildcats and is the Islands all-time home run leader in the industrial leagues, the forerunner of the IPA. Young Hankins had a super season with a .354 batting average, which topped the Tycobbian Union and was second best in the IPA. Hankins, a right fielder, led the TU with 209 hits, rapped 27 home runs, drove in 93 runs and scored 103 runs. He also made the 2027 TU All-Star team. Coming in second in the TU Golden Bat balloting was Southport's splendid right fielder Lorne Evans, the IPA home run leader with 42. Evans sparked the Sun Sox to the TU South pennant with a .296 BA, 105 RBIs and 102 runs. Rolling Hills fine first baseman Billy Christianson wound up in the third spot. Christianson was an important cog in the Reds 104 victories, the best in the IPA this season. He batted .321 and collected 14 homers, 99 RBIs and scored 110 runs.

11-16-2011, 10:44 PM	#2831
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,874	*The Islandian Times* Sunday, October 17, 2027 Bobcats Arby Top RU Hurler He's just a 20-year-old kid, but Ken Arby is a whale of a pitcher. Arby of the RU East division-winning Beechwood Bobcats toyed with 30 victories this season and was selected the Ruthlandian Golden Arm Award winner. Arby edged out Beechwood teammate Maury Patterson and Far Mountain's Jeff Cooper. Arby flirted with 30 wins, but wound up at 28-8 with a league-leading 2.33 ERA. He struck out 286 in 316 innings, held teams to a .205 batting average and completed 18 games. No one has ever won 30 games in a season in IPA history. Shane Farmer holds the record with 29 in 2018 for the Turon Typhoons of the Tycobbian Union. Runner-up Patterson, who also toiled for the Bobcats, compiled a fine 26-11 mark with a 2.90 ERA. He had 5 shutouts and 17 complete games, along with 287 strikeouts. Cooper was third in The Islandian Times poll, winding up with a 22-11 record, 4 shutouts and a 2.40 ERA. Cooper fanned 183 batters and completed 23 games. Ozarka's Lane Nabs TU Golden Arm The 2027 Tycobbian Golden Arm has been awarded to Maury Lane of the Ozarka Naturals. The 21-year-old southpaw chalked up a terrific 27-7 record with a 2.80 ERA, 229 strikeouts, 12 complete games and 3 shutouts. The number two votegetter was Greg Moss of the Bay St. Clair Buccaneers, who came in with a 21-8 mark and a sensational 2.14 ERA, which led the IPA this season. Rolling Hills Errol Gaudet came in number three the poll. Gaudet was 24-8 with a 2.31 ERA and 6 shutouts.

11-17-2011, 07:44 PM	#2832
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,874	*The Islandian Times* Monday, October 18, 2027 Beechwood's Arby Is RU MVP 'Twas a season to remember for Beechwood's gifted Ken Arby. First Arby won the Ruthlandian Golden Arm Award presented to the league's best pitcher, now he has been selected the league's Most Valuable Player, too. He led his Bobcats to the division title and the best record in the RU with a sparkling 28-8 record. Arby came up just one victory short of tying the all-time IPA mark for most wins in a season, currently held by Shane Farmer of Turon, who went 29-3 in 2018. Arby topped the RU with a 2.33 ERA and held opponents to a .205 batting average. This year's Golden Bat winner Roy Hobbs came in second in The Islandian Times MVP poll. Waleska's famed center fielder was voted the league's best overall hitter for the sixth time with a .348 batting average and led the IPA with 124 runs scored. Hobbs sparked the Westerners to a third-place finish with 30 homers and 93 RBIs. Marston's superstar center fielder Russ Woodward was third in the poll. Woodward led the Nine to second place in the RU East by batting .325 with 31 homers, 90 RBIs and scored 108 times. Sun Sox Slugger Evans Names TU MVP 2027 was a great season for the Southport Sun Sox. They made the playoffs for the first time in two decades by winning the TU South division crown. One of the prime performers for the Sun Sox was 22-year-old slugging outfielder Lorne Evans, who packed a lot of wallop in his bat with 42 home runs, .296 BA, 105 RBIs and 101 runs. Evans was the IPA home run leader. And his efforts were rewarded by being named the 2027 Tycobbian Union Most Valuable Player. Two Rolling Hills Reds were also in the running for the MVP honor, winding up number two and three in the balloting. Errol Gaudet anchored the Reds rotation with a very impressive 24-8 record and a 2.31 ERA, leading his club to the best record in the IPA with 104 victories. Reds first sacker Billy Christianson was the club's offensive leader with a .321 batting average with 43 doubles, 10 triples, 14 roundtrippers, 99 RBIs and 110 runs scored.

11-17-2011, 08:24 PM	#2833
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,874	*The Islandian Times* Tuesday, October 19, 2027 IPA Picks Top Gloves Of 2027 The Islandian Pro Alliance has honored its top defensive players by awarding them special recognition as the Golden Glove Award winners. Leading the Ruthlandian Union Golden Glovers was Vic Valenti of the Beechwood Bobcats, who was named for the sixth time in his great career. Kenny Willard of Ancona was selected for a fifth time and Kyle Hunt of Ranford made it a third time. The only other multi-year winners were Glen Smith of Colfax and Todd Nasso of Ancona, second-time winners. Luxora's Pete Gibbs paced the Tycobbian top defenders. Gibbs was picked as a Golden Glover for the third time in his career. Four others were named to the squad a second time: Ginza's Johnny O'Rorke, Arroyo Grande's Andy Pearson and Summerland's Joe DeLucca. No rookies defenders were picked this season to either team. Ruthlandian Union Golden Glove Team: Pitcher: Scotty Simmons (Ranford) 15-11/3.26 ERA/1.000 FA Catcher: Kyle Hunt (Ranford) .344/9 HR/73 RBI/.996 FA/2 PB/43.3% RTO First Baseman: Garris Aiken (Glasco) .285 BA/19 HR/77 RBI/.996 FA Second Baseman: Alec Latrec (Valmara) .268 BA/0 HR/46 R/.986 FA Third Baseman: Todd Nasso (Ancona) .257 BA/21 HR/83 RBI/.972 FA Shortstop: Benny Webster (Stoner) .262 BA/11 HR/66 RBI/.980 FA Left Fielder: Kenny Willard (Ancona) .303 BA/23 HR/101 RBI/1.000 FA Center Fielder: Vic Valenti (Beechwood) .305 BA/25 HR/99 RBI/.994 Right Fielder: Glen Smith (Colfax) .246 BA/5 HR/65 RBI/.988 FA Tycobbian Union Golden Glove Team: Pitcher: Bob Ferguson (Chicopee) 18-13/2.59 ERA/.978 FA Catcher: Pete Gibbs (Luxora) .233 BA/12 HR/56 RBI/.993 FA/2 PB/44% RTO First Baseman: Johnny O'Rorke (Ginza) .289 BA/31 HR/106 RBI/.995 FA Second Baseman: Andy Pearson (Arroyo Grande) .255 BA/12 HR/66 RBI/.981 FA Third Baseman: Kurt Holstein (Ginza) .212 BA/7 HR/40 RBI/.958 FA Shortstop: James Couch (Ozarka) .289 BA/12 HR/74 RBI/.985 FA Left Fielder: Pat Webb (Rolling Hills) .294 BA/21 HR/106 RBI/.996 FA Center Fielder: Joe DeLucca (Summerland) .250 BA/12 HR/55 RBI/.995 FA Right Fielder: Ken Mayberry (Ozarka) .315 BA/4 Hr/39 RBI/.983 FA

11-19-2011, 10:28 PM	#2834
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,874	*The Islandian Times* Wednesday, October 20, 2027 George And Christianson Top IPA Skippers The Islandian Pro Alliance has picked its 2027 Managers of the Year in a poll conducted The Islandian Times. Matty Christianson of the Rolling Hills Reds won the honor in the Tycobbian Union for the fourth time in his career and Herman "Baby" George picked up his second trophy in the Ruthlandian Union. Christianson also captured the award in 2017, 2019 and 2022, while George bagged his first one in 2022. Christianson guided his Reds to a second straight TU West division title, but this time they were 104-50, by far the best record in the IPA this year. Christianson outpolled Luxora's Lacey Tompkins for the award. In his rookie year as the Luxora Zorros skipper, Tompkins guided them to a second-place finish in the TU North, much improved over last place the previous season. Also in his first season, East Point's Karol Zodoka came in third in the voting. He helped the Panthers rise up from seventh to second in the TU East race. Other receiving votes were Southport's Charley Oscar in fourth place, followed by White River's Mick Cronyn and Arlon's rookie manager Rocco Belasario. George improved Crystal Lake from fifth place in 2026 to the RU South champ, dethroning tough Waleska. The Colfax Blasters under new manager Ilya Szabo moved up from fifth to second in the RU West. Szabo was the runner-up in the poll, just ahead of Eddie Keys of the Sligo Rovers, who climbed up from the fifth spot in the RU West to the top spot. Last edited by Eugene Church; 11-19-2011 at 11:10 PM.

11-19-2011, 10:32 PM	#2835
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,874	I will now get to work on the 2028 IPA season. Last edited by Eugene Church; 11-19-2011 at 11:13 PM.

11-19-2011, 11:12 PM	#2836
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,874	The Islandian Times Monday, October 19, 2028 Southport Hosts 28th IPA All-Star Game The stars will be shining this Wednesday afternoon at Southport's Pleasure Beach Park, the home park of the defending Pro Cup champion. The 28th edition of the Islandian Pro Alliance All-Star Game will feature the best players from the Ruthlandian Union going up against the elite players of the Tycobbian Union. The RU Stars are on a three-game winning streak in the series, but they still trail the TU Stars 18-9 overall. Ruthlandian All-Stars SP Earl Perkins (Sligo) 12-2/1.56 SP Joaquin Lima (San Dimas) 12-5/2.65 SP Cisco Almeida (Volusia) 11-4/2.33 SP Wild Bill Butler (Waleska) 10-5/2.23 SP Terence Mulloy (Rocky Rapids) 10-4/2.34 SP Lou Neuman (Stoner) 10-1/3.04 SP Frankie Quinn (Fort Benton) 10-7 2.71 SP Miguel Valdes (San Dimas) 10-6/3.06 CL Kenny Nikas (Ancona) 1-1/0.40/15 saves CL Ivan Guzek (Valmara) 1-0/1.33/14 saves C Kyle Hunt (Ranford) .283/11/33/40 - 1.000 FA/2 PB/43.8% RTO C Floyd Randolph (Valmara) .233/17/41/33 - .989 FA/1 PB/37.9% RTO C P. J. Blake (Stoner) (.291/10/42/24 - .994 FA/3 PB/40.0% RTO 1B Mick Langston (Grand City) .321/26/70/61 1B Kees Draeger (Belair Beach) .290/21/43/41 1B Kent Harmon (Belle Plaine) .326/12/39/50 2B Gary Colton (Colfax) .278/14/41/37 2B Greg Murphy (Taranto) .286/11/31/42 3B Jeff Henderson (Stoner) .331/21/67/45 3B Leevi Viru (Valka) .364/14/53/50 3B Hector Cuellar (San Dimas) .337/17/42/36 SS Johnny Gentry (Kilkenny) .299/8/29/31 SS Byron Johannsen (St. John) .316/5/25/35 LF Loco Dillinger (Waleska) .340/32/67/50 LF Kenny Willard (Ancona) .313/19/49/49 LF Owen Newman (Belle Plaine) .297/22/54/43 CF D. Collins (Sligo) .337/18/61/40 CF Hal Granders (Colfax) .325/8/33/50 CF Roy Hobbs (Waleska) .332/20/52/51 RF Ivan Krause (Claxton) .296/23/51/47 Tycobbian All-Stars: SP Pat Kovacs (LaClaire) 13-3/2.93 SP Johnny Brown (Rolling Hills) 12-4/3.03 SP Errol Gaudet (Rolling Hills) 12-4/2.65 SP Jamie Gustafson (Tuckanarra) 12-5/1.75 SP Paul Sardini (White River) 12-2/1.77 SP Frank Blair (East Point) 11-3/2.64 SP Richie Raeburn (South Fork) 11-5/1.33 SP Bobby Dorignac (Midway) 9-4/1.98 CL Zach Dowdle (Fairfax) 4-0/0.42/15 saves CL Buddy Palmer (Arlon) 2-1/0.65/15 saves C Johnny Gore (High Mesa) .340/10/39/25 - .991 FA/3 PB/21.3% RTO C Durward Anderson (Hartsdale) .328/7/27/42 - .995 FA/2 PB/27.5% RTO C Crash Davis (Ginza) .301/4/24/27 - 1.000 FA/4 PB/23.5% RTO 1B Michael Page (Turon) .348/23/46/43 1B Lynn Starr (Tuckanarra) .307/20/52/52 1B Tetsu Tanaka (East Point) .307/21/41/53 2B Howard Winston (Ginza) .292/12/35/42 2B James Mack (Blue Lake) .279/13/37/39 3B Flash Devlin (LaClaire) .282/17/39/48 3B Skipper Smith (Blue Lake) .284/5/26/37 SS Jeff Lang (Kenwood) .327/5/43/39 SS James Couch (Ozarka) .338/5/21/37 SS Russ Van Kleek (Ginza) .305/6/30/37 LF Pat Webb (Rolling Hills) .310/19/63/45 LF Carroll Candy (LaClaire) .318/19/52/40 CF Cotton Cornwall (Ginza) .291/17/42/44 CF Shannon Farmer (Ozarka) .304/11/33/43 LF Lorne Evans (Southport) .299/30/59/58 RF Travis Tuttle (Mahaska) .340/22/59/45 RF Wayne Kenney (Bayview) .351/17/44/43

11-20-2011, 10:08 PM	#2837
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,874	*THE ISLANDIAN TIMES* Tuesday, June 20, 2028 2028 IPA Mid-Season Standings Attached Images

11-20-2011, 10:32 PM	#2838
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,874	2028 Ruthlandian North Mid-Season Recap Valmara On Top At Mid-Year, Ancona Close 2nd As usual the Valmara Vipers and the Ancona Red Elephants are the clubs to beat in the Ruthlandian North. The Vipers have won the division the past two seasons and have a 4-game edge at the All-Star break over Ancona. The Red Elephants have finished in the runner-up spot the last three years. The long-suffering LaGrange Sports are the surprise team, rising up from 8th place to 3rd place this year. Improved pitching has helped the Sports. It's been 20 years since LaGrange has won the division flag and made the Pro Cup playoffs (2008) and 11 seasons since they made the first division (2016). Fourth place Ranford is 8 games behind in the race. The biggest disappointment this year are the Far Mountain Redhawks, who have tumbled out of the first division into a sixth-place tie with Taranto, 12 games off the pace. Last edited by Eugene Church; 11-20-2011 at 10:34 PM.

11-20-2011, 11:20 PM	#2839
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,874	2028 Ruthlandian South Mid-Season Recap Tight 4-Club Race In RU South Just like last year the clubs in the Ruthlandian South are tightly bunched with four teams in the running at mid-season. The San Dimas Rancheros hold a 2-game lead over Waleska and St. John and are 3 up on fourth place Valka. San Dimas, Waleska and Valka were in the race last year. Only champ Crystal Lake has faltered. The Crushers have had hitting problems and plunged to last place, 9 games out. The St. John Crusaders have made the biggest upward move, climbing from 6th to a tie for second.

11-20-2011, 11:51 PM	#2840
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,874	2028 Ruthlandian East Mid-Season Recap Wynnamac Wins First Half, Tops RU East By 4 With the sudden demise of the powerful Beechwood Bobcats, the Wynnamac Sundowners have taken over in the Ruthlandian East. The Sundowners are 4 games ahead at the All-Star break. Second place belongs to the Belle Plaine Musketeers. The most improved team this year is the Elnora All-Stars, who wound up sixth last season. The All-Stars are sitting in third place and trail by 6 games with the Marston Nine in fourth and 8 games out in the pennant race. Last year's division titlist Beechwood has fallen 14 games back into sixth place in the standings. Beechwood is suffering from poor pitching with two of last year's aces struggling this year, Ken Arby (5-7 3.04), the Golden Arm and league MVP winner, and Maury Patterson (8-5 3.16). Arby was 28-8 last year and has been on the DL for six weeks so far this season. Patterson has won 26 games in each of the last two seasons. Patterson is hurt and will miss two weeks after the All-Star Game. The Bobcats are in trouble without their dominating presence.