ISLANDIAN PRO ALLIANCE (RUTHLANDIA and TYCOBBIA BASEBALL UNIONS)

[Eugene Church]

That completes the 2078 Islandian Pro Alliance season.

Will begin work on the 2079 season soon.

[Eugene Church]

I got another goofy count of views today... 2270 views.
This cannot be correct.

That's almost 700 more than my record views... which was probably not correct... that was twice the number of the previous record.

Guess I will just stop worrying about views... something is wrong.

[Eugene Church]

MY LIFE IN 2023
EC's Life's Filled with Glee in '23

As you buckaroos know, EC was never a serious reader of good literature... my only serious reading was done in the sports pages of the local newspapers, The Sporting News and sports magazines... in the last few years I got serious and read some fine baseball classics like The Boys of Summer and Ball Four.

I just started a fun new book, Baseball Bafflers 2 by Slammin' Sam Weiser... it's a baseball quiz, filled with trivia and strange moments in baseball history.

"Wit, Quips and Quotes from the Diamond Minds"

EC loves the book's dedication: "To Those Who Hate To Read, But Love Baseball".

Excerpt from Baseball Bafflers 2:

A Heads-Up Play
A batter hits a long fly ball that bounces off the center-field fence, strikes the outfielder on the head and bounces into the stands. The umpire rules a ground-rule double.

Is the ruling a good one?

The umpire is right when he rules a "bounding" fair ball that is deflected by a player into the stands in fair territory is a double. Once a fly ball hits the fence, it is considered to be a "bounding" ball, not a ball "in flight" -- that is, a fair fly ball "in flight" that is deflected by a player into the stands in fair territory -- is a home run.

The Expos' Andre Dawson, in a 1977 game at Montreal's Olympic Stadium, rocketed a long fly ball to center field that bounded off the wall, struck Dodger outfielder Rick Monday on the head and bounced into the stands.

Dawson got a double, Monday a headache.

Here's another related situation:
A batter hits a line drive that bounces out of the glove of the left fielder and flies over the fence into the stands. The umpire ruled the hit a double.

Is he right?

The umpire, in this case, is wrong and should be overruled. When an umpire miscalls a book rule, another arbiter may reverse his call.

In a 1953 game between the Cardinals and the host Braves, Milwaukee's Bill Bruton hit a fly ball that deflected off left fielder Enos Slaughter's glove and bounced over the fence. One umpire called the hit a double, another arbiter reversed the call and awarded the batter a home run.

The second umpire's decision, based upon the rule that a fair fly ball "in flight" that is deflected by a fielder into the stands in fair territory is a home run, was a correct one. Bruton was awarded a game-winning homer.

[Eugene Church]

Wednesday, January 11, 2079

BLUE CAP GREAT SCHUELER ONLY ENSHRINEE FOR 2079 IPA HOF
Another great Islandian Pro Alliance player has been selected to the elite immortals in the IPA Hall of Fame... Steve Schueler, the fleet center fielder of the Blue Lake Blue Caps, was enshrined into that legendary group this spring at the Hall of Fame in Marston.

What a model of consistent high play... Steve Schueler played 18 years with the same team, the Blue Lake... he starred from 2057 to 2074, batted .310 over his career with 3136 hits, 538 doubles, 189 triples, 73 homers, 1039 RBIs, 1771 runs, 1840 walks, 415 stolen bases and .416 OBP... his worst year was his last at age 38... Schueler hit .280 with 30 doubles, 3 triples, 2 homers, 39 RBIs, 92 runs scored, 18 stolen bases, 99 walks and a .399 OBP... not bad for an old guy... Schueler was a standout center fielder winding up with a .987 BA... Blue Lake rarely made the playoffs during Schueler's career... they captured their only TU North pennant in 2068 and lost in the first round four games to one to the Southport Sun Sox..

The full voting results are included here. Players require 75% of ballots cast to be elected to the Hall, may stay on the ballot for up to 10 years if they receive at least 5% of the votes. Players must be retired for 3 years before they are eligible for induction to the Hall of Fame.

CF Steve Schueler 77.3 (2nd year) Inducted HOF
SS Jameson Mulbert 72.9 (3rd year)
C Freddie Civik 65.0 (3rd year)
CL Luis Villavaso 62.5 (3rd year)
CF Maxie Mullinax 56.7 (3rd year)
CF Chris Kile 45.1 (2nd year)
3B Cooter Eldridge 44.4 (2nd year)
RF Gabriel Macedo 43.0 (6th year)
3B Barney Fiske 37.5 (2nd year)
SP Paulo Passos 33.9 (2nd year)
CL Dave Loxley 33.9 (2nd year)
C Robin Hargroder 32.1 (6th year)
1B Boomer Carlton 31.0 (2nd year)
1B Bralen Josephson 30.7 (2nd year)
C Ozzy Crenshaw 23.5 (3rd year)
LF Donald Ray Mooney 20.2 (7th year)
2B Luke Hazlett 19.5 (3rd year)
SP Dontrelle Gilbreath 17.0 (3rd year)
SP Pat McFarlane 13.4 (6th year)
C Kuro Ishihara 11.6 (3rd year)
LF Eliot Marcum 10.5 (7th year)
C Carlos Silva 9.0 (6th year)
RF Bob Purkey 7.6 (7th year)
SS Walt Ivy 7.6 (3rd year)
CF Freddie Woodruff 7.2 (7th year)
SS Dan Fargo 6.5 (3rd year)
RF Alfie Elbourne 6.5 (3rd year)
CL Adrien Renaud 6.1 (3rd year)

[Eugene Church]

YESTERDAY IN THE IPA
"THE 2024 IPA PLAYOFFS"

The Islandian Times
Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Valmara-Tuckanarra Repeat Forecast
It's Elite 8 Time all across the Islands. Beginning tomorrow afternoon 8 elite squads and division winners will start their quest in search of the Holy Grail in Islandian baseball - the Pro Cup. The Islandian Times released its annual Pro Cup poll today and if the pro baseball experts are right, the 2024 IPA Pro Cup will be a repeat of last year's title clash between Tuckanarra and Valmara. The Blue Jays got the best of the Vipers in a six-game set and are favored to do it again. But they each will have to dispose of several pretty fair teams to get there. Upsets are not a rarity in Pro Cup circles. Top-seeded Tuckanarra will open at home against the eighth-seeded Kenwood Wildcats. Number-two seed Valmara and the seventh-seeded Waleska Westerners will clash on the Vipers home field. Fourth-seeded Sugar Valley will slug it out at home with the Middlefield Roosters, the sixth seed. Number-five seed Arroyo Grande will entertain third-seeded White River in another match-up between heavy-hitting teams.

By the Numbers:
Best Record - Valmara 97-57 (1st)
Best Team BA - Arroyo Grande .269 (1st)
Most Runs - Arroyo Grande 795 (1st)
Most Home Runs - Middlefield 211 (1st)
Best Team ERA - Tuckanarra 2.85 (1st)
Best Starters ERA - Tuckanarra 3.03 (2nd)
Best Bullpen ERA - Kenwood 1.98 (2nd)
Best Fielding - Valmara .977 FA (2nd-tied)

Worst Record - Middlefield 85-69 (13th)
Worst Team BA - Kenwood .243 (27th)
Fewest Runs - Kenwood 659 (21th)
Fewest Home Runs - Waleska 105 (18th)
Worst Team ERA - Arroyo Grande 3.77 (17th)
Worst Starters ERA - Arroyo Grande 3.71 (18th)
Worst Bullpen ERA - Middlefield 3.52 (25th)
Worst Fielding - Waleska .968 FA (57th)

#1 Seed - Tuckanarra Blue Jays (96-58) Tycobbian Union
Pro Cup champ is even better than last season... the Tucks have brilliant pitching with three super starters and an exceptional bullpen... early this season they lost 20-game winner Dean Peterson (20-11 2.92) with a career-ending injury at age 25... Peterson won the title game last year... the addition of rookie starter Croc Wedgedale (20-8 2.81) greatly eased the loss of Peterson... coupled with Glynn Starr (19-12 2.56) and Quinn Starr (17-17 2.61), this gives manager Carlton "Lefty" Stevens one of the best rotations in the IPA... closer Archie Desmond (6-4) heads up a top-notch bullpen with 33 saves and a 1.80 ERA... the Blue Jays have a solid core of hitters led by star 1B Lynn Starr (.342 BA/29 HR/104 RBI/97 R), along with RF Danny Redd (.274 BA/13 HR/55 RBI/117 R), 3B Koora Nawajuk (.264 B/18 HR/88 RBI/70 R), LF Jeff Johns (.258 BA/21 HR/87 RBI) and SS Narra Gilyinju (.268 BA/21 HR/76 RBI/83 R).

#2 Seed - Valmara Vipers (97-57) Ruthlandian Union
Last year's Pro Cup runner-up, skippered by former IPA and Viper great Jet Kazmarek, 8-time All-Star, .350 lifetime average... best overall IPA record... best defense... two Pro Cup seasoned starters in Clem Carmouche (20-8 2.52) and Billy Ray (20-11 2.93)... fine closer Chris Phillips (5-4) with 34 saves and great 1.01 ERA... good offense led by CF Teddy Szymanski (.333 BA/27 HR/110 RBI/104 R) and LF Sonny Oliver (.299 BA/30 HR/111 RBI/85 R)... key will be number three starter Johnny Vasylenko (21-11 3.97), who labored last year with a poor postseason. He was 0-2 with a 5.28 ERA in 4 starts... lost crucial sixth game.

#3 Seed - White River Rascals (88-66) Tycobbian Union
Mick Cronyn has a well-balanced club with fine pitching and hitting... Pro Cup success depends on star pitcher Jon French (3-3 3.39), who was on the DL most of the season, but came back late with modest success, but nothing like the 16-6 and 1.96 ERA he had in 2023... if he is sharp, the Rascals will be right up there with Tuckanarra and Valmara... the two prime starters Paul Sardini (17-10 2.11) and Ron Hendrix (24-9 2.63) are as good as anybody in the IPA... big shortcoming is the closer... Carl Dreux (5-10 6.96) struggled badly this year and was replaced in late season by Arnie Montel (0-1 2.12)... Cronyn has some real good bats, sparked by superstar Marty Blake (.292 BA/34 HR/89 RBI/92), CF Hal Littleton (.316 BA/11 HR/59 RBI/82 R) and RF Kenneth Kent (.280 BA/18 HR/92 RBI/80 R), plus four others who have hit 10 or more homers.

#4 Seed - Sugar Valley Rattlers (88-66) Ruthlandian Union
Solid offensively with good power, can score runs... strong starting pitching and great bullpen... Nick Moore (20-13 2.70) and Benny McConnell (20-15 3.04) give manager Gibby Bobkins two fine starters... closer Dallas Casey (5-5) heads up an excellent relief corps with 28 saves and a 1.70 ERA... needs some good starts from number-three man Harry Diefendorf (21-11 3.75) to go deep in playoffs... top bats are 2B Jan Kessinger (.335 BA/7 HR/71 RBI/94 R), RF Randall Hawson (.300 BA/37 HR/86 RBI/76 R), 1B Dean Woods (.288 BA/29 HR/95 RBI/79 R) and LF Marty Beckett (.278 BA/30 HR/ 94 RBI/72 R).

#5 Seed - Arroyo Grande Suns (89-66) Tycobbian Union
Cyclone Cobb has the best hitting team in the playoffs and the worst pitching, at least statistically... superstar 1B Rusty Vizcarra had another colossal season with an IPA-leading 54 homers, 161 RBIs and 129 runs, while hitting .341... and he got plenty of help from SS Andy Pearson with 26 roundtrippers, 124 runs, 80 RBIs and a .315 BA and C Gary Troxell with 34 home runs, 95 runs batted in and a .289 average... the Suns also have several other capable bats in the line-up... they hit .269 overall with 187 home runs (2nd) and 795 runs (2nd)... Cobb's pitchers are better than you might think with a 3.77 team ERA... starters Sixto Moreno (24-14 3.00) and Ernie Matthews (20-14 3.48) are very capable... the Suns needs the number three starter to step it up in the postseason... Cesar De Leon (15-10 4.37) and Earl Reilly (13-11 4.06) were off-and-on during the regular season and will have to be better in the playoffs... closer Jason Patrick was somewhat spotty at times with a 7-9 record and 31 saves with a 2.93 ERA.

#6 Seed - Middlefield Roosters (85-69) Ruthlandian Union
The name of the game in Middlefield is home-run power... the Roosters smacked 211 out of the park to top the IPA and they wound up second in scoring with 758 runs... all eight of manager Bailey Norcross's regulars totaled 10 or more homers, paced by 1B Allan Stewart with 53, LF Floyd McClellan with 32 and CF Tom Daniels with 29... Stewart batted .302, drove in 113 runs and scored 108 times... McClellan hit .318 with 99 runs batted in and 90 runs scored... 3B Stu Butterworth chipped in with 19 homers, 86 RBIs, while batting .280 for average... Middlefield only has one quality starter... Frank Dean is the Rooster ace with a 17-12 record and a fine 2.81 ERA, considering he has to pitch in such a small home stadium... Glenn Tackett (14-17 3.10) is wild-and-wooly as the number-two starter... Danny Denver (17-12 3.73) is number three in the rotation

#7 Seed - Waleska Westerneers (91-63) Ruthlandian Union
McGraw Johnson led Waleska to its best season ever with strong pitching and a fairly good offense... the Westerners had four quality starters: Pete Herrmann (21-13 3.04), Chet McNeil (17-10 3.15), Charlie Chan (15-14 3.21) and Sammy Grimaldi (16-15 3.47)... and a wealth of relievers led by closer Jarred Laclair (3-2), who posted 33 saves with a standout 1.55 ERA... most of the offense was supplied by superstar CF Roy Hobbs (.325 BA/32 HR/106 RBI/102 R), 1B Glenn Childress (.305 BA/19 HR/97 RBI/92 R) and C Stu Milligan (.285 BA/9 HR/80 RBI).

#8 Seed - Kenwood Wildcats (90-64) Tycobbian Union
Aaron Hankins noted that "the last time his Wildcats were in the playoffs they were rated the seventh-best team... that was in 2014, the year Kenwood won the Pro Cup... so it's nothing new to be seeded eighth... look at Valmara last year... they were seeded last and almost won it... you still have to play the games to determine the Pro Cup champ... and we've got good pitching this year... I think my Wildcats can compete"... Hankins has two strong starters with Jody Gentry (21-10 2.15) and Thomas Norman (19-15 2.59), plus a superb closer in Glenn Kennedy, who chalked up 26 saves with an extraordinary 0.96 ERA and a 5-2 record... Kenwood's relief corps was the second best in the TU with a 1.98 ERA... RF Babe Hankins (.279 BA/20 HR/81 RBI/80 R) and LF Nicky Carpenter (.299 BA/26 HR/86 RBI/88 R) lead a so-so offense and will need a lot of help for the Wildcats to win the Pro Cup again.

[Eugene Church]

YESTERDAY IN THE IPA
"2024 IPA PLAYOFFS REVIEW"

In IPA First Round action in the Tycobbian Union, Tuckanarra toppled Kenwood in six games: 2-1, 0-2, 13-6, 6-9, 4-0, 5-3.

White River lost the first two games to Arroyo Grande, but ended up the victor four games to two: 0-1, 2-4, 3-2, 3-2 (10th), 12-10, 4-3 (13th).

In the Ruthlandian Union First Round it took seven games to decide each series... Sugar Valley upended Middlefield: 7-2, 6-2, 3-10, 0-8, 5-7, 12-3, 5-4... and Valmara edged past Waleska: 6-2, 7-3, 1-4, 0-4, 5-4, 2-3, 5-4.

In the IPA Union Title Series Sugar Valley upset last year's Pro Cup finalist Valmara by sweeping the four games: 3-2, 4-0, 11-3, 5-2... the Vipers were ranked #2 in the postseason playoffs this year, while the Rattlers were rated #6.

In the TU Title Series Pro Cup favorite and reigning IPA champion Tuckanarra bested White River four games to two: 5-1, 3-4, 5-2, 8-1, 2-6, 8-3... the Rascals were the 3rd choice in the playoff poll.

The Islandian Times
Thursday, October 3, 2024

Tucks Favored Over Rattlers In Pro Cup Finals
When the baseball experts picked the defending Pro Cup champion Tuckanarra Blue Jays to win a second successive title, it was no big surprise. Manager Carlton "Lefty" Stevens has another rock-solid club just like last year when they whipped Valmara in six games. The Tucks opponent this year are the Sugar Valley Rattlers, who just eliminated Valmara in a stunning sweep in the Ruthlandian Final 4. The Vipers had a pretty good squad and were picked to go up against the Blue Jays again, but it didn't happen. The Rattlers got great pitching and enough hitting to win. So look for this to be a very exciting and very competitive match-up that could go seven games.

Tuckanarra has the best pitching in the IPA with three very talented starters in Glynn Starr (19-12 2.56), Quinn Starr (17-17 2.61) and rookie Croc Wedgedale (20-9 2.81). Sugar Valley's skipper Gibby Bobkins can't match them, but he has two very strong veterans in Nick Moore (20-13 2.70) and Benny McConnell (20-15 3.04). The Rattlers suffered a severe loss when the number three starter Harry Diefenforf (21-11 3.75) went down with a back injury and will likely miss the Pro Cup Series. His replacement in the rotation, number four starter Johnny Kingsberry (15-16 4.22) will have to come through big time for Sugar Valley to upset Tuckanarra. Both clubs have excellent bullpens. Blue Jay closer Archie Desmond (6-4 1.8) had a standout season with 33 saves as did Rattler ace reliever Chris Phillips (5-5 1.70), who notched 28 saves. Each team also possess a wealth of strong relievers.

At the plate it's a pretty even-steven stand-off with neither club having the edge. Tucknarra is led by 1B Lynn Starr (.342 BA/29 HR/104 RBI/97 R), RF Danny Redd (.274 BA/13 HR/55 RBI/117 R/34 SB), SS Narra Gilyinju (.268 BA/21 HR/76 RBI/83 R), 3B Koora Nawajuk (.264 BA/18 HR/88 RBI/70 R) and LF Jeff Johns (.258 BA/21 HR/87 RBI). Sugar Valley will counter with 2B Jan Kessinger (.335 BA/7 HR/71 RBI/94 R), RF Randall Hawson (.300 BA/37 HR/86 RBI/76 R), 1B Dean Woods (.288 BA;/29 HR/95 RBI/79 R) and LF Marty Beckett (.288 BA/30 HR/94 RBI/72 R).

[Eugene Church]

YESTERDAY IN THE IPA
(2024 IPA PRO CUP SERIES)

The Islandian Times
Friday, October 4, 2024

2024 IPA Pro Cup Finals

Blue Jays Batter Rattlers 12-4 In Pro Cup Opener
In the opening game of the IPA Pro Cup Finals, defending champion Tuckanarra hit everything in sight and battered Sugar Valley 12-4 at the Blue Jays home field... the Blue Jays blasted out 17 hits at Central Park Stadium off four Rattler pitchers, sparked by RF Danny Redd (.382), 1B Lynn Starr (.333) and 2B Kendall Smith (.208) with 3 hits and 2 RBIs each... winning pitcher Glynn Starr (.273) even got in the act with a home run... Starr (4-1 3.11) claimed his fourth postseason victory, but gave up 4 runs on 9 hits with 5 strikeouts and 4 walks... Benny McConnell (3-1 3.81) lost for the first time in the playoffs, being shelled for 5 runs in 2 innings.

[Eugene Church]

MY LIFE IN 2023
EC's Life's Filled with Glee in '23

Wow!
EC just learned an amazing fact about "The Big Train" Walter Johnson... after he died he won 3 more baseball games and struck out 11 more batters... yep, I know that's crazy... only Jesus rose from the grave... nope, Walter didn't rise from the grave, but he still won 3 more games and struck out 11 more batters after his death.

"Wit, Quips and Quotes from the Diamond Minds"
Excerpt from the book "Baseball Bafflers 2: The Second Inning" by Slammin' Sam Weiser.
The book was dedicated to "those who hate to read, but love baseball".

In his book titled "Walter Johnson: Baseball's Big Train" about his grandfather, Henry W. Thomas wrote with pride, "My Granddad was such a great pitcher that he won 3 more Major League games and struck out 11 more batters after he died".

Well now, pilgrim, that's really somethin'...how can that be?... simple, baseball researchers in 1946, several years after Johnson's demise, checked all of the box scores of his games and discovered that he won 3 more games and fanned 11 more batters... the new figures gave Johnson 416 victories and 3508 strikeouts... amazingly Johnson threw 110 shutouts... that is still the all-time record.

EC is predicting that Johnson's shutout mark will never be broken...yep, that's what I'm predicting.

[Eugene Church]

YESTERDAY IN THE IPA
2024 IPA PRO CUP SERIES

The Islandian Times
Saturday, October 5, 2024

2024 IPA Pro Cup Finals

Tucks Bash Rattlers Again, Win Game Two 9-4
For the second day in a row the Tuckanarra Blue Jays had it their way with a 9-4 bashing of the Sugar Valley Rattlers in the IPA Pro Cup Finals... So far it's been all Blue Jays... they cracked 10 hits, led by 3B Koora Nawajuk's (.327) 3-run homer and a 2-run smash by LF Jeff Johns (.349)... RF Danny Redd (.407) added 3 hits and 2 runs batted in... Redd had a double and a triple... Nawajuk now has 13 RBIs in the playoffs and Redd has 12... Quinn Starr (5-0 2.85) won his fifth consecutive postseason game, allowing 4 runs on 8 hits with 4 walks and 8 Ks... Tucknarra pounced on loser Nick Moore (2-2 5.04) for 7 runs in 2-plus innings... Moore was terrible giving up 7 hits and walking 6 batters... it was only close for two innings... the Blue Jays snapped a 4-4 tie with 3 in the third, then put them away with 2 more in the sixth.

The Islandian Times
Saturday, October 5, 2024

2024 IPA Pro Cup Finals

Tucks Win 3rd Straight, Crush Rattlers 14-1
Never in the 24 years of the Pro Cup Finals has a team dominated like the Tuckanarra Blue Jays this year... they totally crushed Sugar Valley for the third game in a row, burying them 14-1 in game three of the best-of-seven series... the Blue Jays belted 5 homers and 13 hits... 1B Lynn Starr (.350) homered twice and batted in 4 runs, LF Jeff Johns (.348) had a 3-run shot, SS Narra Gilyinju (.226) a 2-run home run and C Coco D'Abadie (.217) a solo job... on the hill, rookie Croc Wedgedale (2-3 2.32) tossed a strong game, fanning 8, walking 2 and scattering 9 hits... losing pitcher Johnny Kingsberry (0-2 9.49) was ripped for 9 runs in 3-plus innings... nothing is going well for Sugar Valley... they committed 4 errors, too.

The Islandian Times
Sunday, October 6, 2024

2024 IPA Pro Cup Finals

Blue Jays Repeat, Sweep Rattlers In Pro Cup
The Tuckanarra Blue Jays have done it - they have become the third team in IPA Pro Cup history to repeat as champions... the Tucks completed the sweep of the Sugar Valley Rattlers with a 4-3 come-from-behind victory... Sugar Valley had a 3-2 lead going into the top of the ninth, but closer Dallas Casey (1-1 4.82) was pelted for 3 extra-base hits and blew the save and the game... 1B Lynn Starr (.359) led off the fatal inning with a double... PH Bryan Stickland (.167) tied it up at 3-3 with another double... then 2B Kendall Smith (.220) drilled a game-winning two-bagger... the Rattlers mounted a rally against Archie Desmond (1.29) in the last of the ninth, getting men on first and third with two away, but the Blue Jay bullpen ace came through and struck out the final batter for his 4th postseason save... Glynn Starr (5-1 2.96) worked 8 rocky innings, permitted 9 hits and 3 runs, struck out 8 and walked 5... Sugar Valley just couldn't come through in the clutch and left 13 runners on base... Benny McConnell (3.18) was outstanding for the Rattlers, hurling 4-hit ball for 8 innings and allowing only one earned run... McConnell had 4 Ks and walked no one... Sugar Valley had the advantage in hits 11 to 7.

Tuckanarra joins the Far Mountain Redhawks and the Eastshore Elegants as the only teams in IPA history to win back-to-back titles... Far Mountain won three in a row 2011, 2012 and 2013 and Eastshore did it in 2016 and 2017.

Blue Jay skipper Lefty Stevens was elated and overjoyed, telling the press, "Winning last year was tremendous... to win the Pro Cup one time is really special... to repeat is totally awesome and beyond words... I can't say enough about my ball club."

Losing manager Gibby Bobkins told reporters, "We came in the series on a high, thinking we could knock the Blue Jays off, but Tuckanarra plays at another level... actually two levels higher in this series... people raves about their pitching, which is fabulous, but they hit pretty darn well, too... they gave us one chance to win a game and we blew it... they gave us a good old-fashioned butt kickin' in every way you can."

The Islandian Times
Monday, October 7, 2024

Quinn Starr Selected Pro Cup MVP
Last year's IPA Pro Cup Most Valuable Player was a star, a real Starr. Same thing this year except it's a different Starr. Last year it was Glynn Starr. This season it's his triplet brother, Quinn Starr, who was picked the best player in the playoffs. Quinn edged out RF Danny Redd and his brother Glynn to capture the prestigious award this year. Last year Quinn was third in the balloting. Even the other triplet Lynn got some votes this year in The Islandian Times Pro Cup poll, along with CF Jim Garrison and 3B Koora Nawajuk.

Quinn Starr was unbeaten in the playoffs for the second straight season with a 5-0 record. Starr compiled a fine 2.85 ERA against the best teams in the IPA. Last year Starr was 4-0 with a superb 2.37 ERA. During the regular season Starr was only 17-17, but had a sparkling 2.61 ERA. In his three years in the IPA, the 26-year-old Starr is 57-45 with a 2.60 ERA.

Danny Redd was another vital ingredient in the Blue Jays repeat win in the Pro Cup. Redd topped the Tuckanarra attack with a .383 batting average, 2 homers, 13 RBIs and 13 runs scored in 16 games. The 30-year-old right fielder Redd batted .274 in the season with 117 runs scored and 55 RBIs. Glynn Starr wound up a close third in the balloting as he compiled a 5-1 mark with a fine 2.96 ERA. Glynn posted a 19-12 regular-season record.

Rounding out the votegetters were three more Blue Jays: 1B Lynn Starr, who batted .359 with 4 home runs, 10 RBIs and 16 runs. Starr was a .342 hitter in the regular campaign with 29 homers and 104 RBIs, center fielder Jim Garrison with a .364 mark, 11 RBIs, 13 runs and 4 thefts and 3B Koora Nawajuk with a .333 BA, 1 HR, 16 RBIs, 14 runs and 8 stolen bases.

[Eugene Church]

YESTERDAY IN THE IPA
2025 IPA Postseason Playoffs

The Islandian Times
Wednesday, September 24, 2025

Times Poll Picks Reds In Pro Cup
The baseball experts have made the Rolling Hills Reds of the Tycobbian Union the top choice to win the IPA Pro Cup this season. Number two in The Islandian Times poll was the Crystal Lake Crushers of the Ruthlandian Union. These two talented clubs are predicted to win their leagues and face each other in the Island finals. In the championship series Rolling Hills was given the edge because of its better hitting. Crystal Lake has great pitching, but not much at the plate. The Wynnamac Sundowners were voted the third-best team with the South Fork Stallions rated fourth. In spite of winning the most games in the regular season, the Stallions were downgraded because they only have two strong starters. The Sundowners have excellent starters and a lineup that can score runs. The Ginza Ninjas and the Far Mountain Redhawks are rated dark horses with the Fairfax Frogs and Middlefield Roosters given little chance to take the Island title. Middlefield is the only returning club. The Roosters lost out early in the first round last season. They lost superstar first baseman Allan Stewart in June and will greatly miss his bat this year... South Fork whipped Tuckanarra in the TU East this season. The Blue Jays won the Pro Cup the last two years. Far Mountain, Crystal Lake, Middlefield and Wynnamac have won the Pro Cup in previous years. The Redhawks took three straight 2011-2013 and the Crushers won twice in 2020 and 2022. Wynnamac copped the Pro Cup in 2008 and Middlefield in 2005.

The Islandian Times Pro Cup Poll
1. Rolling Hills Reds (93-61)
2. Crystal Lake (92-62)
3. Wynnamac Sundowners (92-62)
4. South Fork Stallions (96-58)
5. Ginza Ninjas (93-61)
6. Far Mountain Redhawks (91-63)
7. Fairfax Frogs (87-67)
8. Middlefield Roosters (85-69)

The Islandian Times
Wednesday, October 1, 2025

IPA Final 4s Set, Stallions And Crushers Favorites
The number-one seed Rolling Hills is gone after the first round in the IPA Pro Cup playoffs. In round two, the Ruthlandian and Tycobbian Final 4s will feature the number 2, 4, 5 and 8 seeds. In the RU, number 2 Crystal Lake will try to take care of underdog Middlefield, the lowest rank team, and over in the TU it will be fourth seed South Fork and fifth seed Ginza. The most impressive teams in the Elite 8s were the Crystal Lake Crushers, who easily disposed of Far Mountain in 5 games and the South Fork Stallions, who beat the top-ranked club, the Rolling Hills Reds in 6 games. The Ginza Ninjas also played very well whipping Fairfax in 5 games. The unheralded Middlefield Roosters bounced back from a 2-1 deficit to win the last three games and eliminate favored Wynnamac.

Ruthlandian Union Elite 8 Series
Crystal Lake (4) - Far Mountain (1)
Game Scores: 0-1, 5-4, 5-1, 2-1, 7-2

Middlefield (4) - Wynnamac (2)
Game Scores: 6-5, 3-4, 7-1, 4-1, 5-4 (12), 7-3

Tycobbian Union Elite 8 Series
Ginza (4) - Fairfax (1)
Game Scores: 0-2, 1-0, 10-9, 2-1, 5-1

South Fork (4) - Rolling Hills (2)
Game Scores: 2-8, 6-4, 12-7, 1-2, 3-1, 1-0

Duroche "Lips" Leon's South Fork Stallions gained a lot of respect by knocking off a very talented Rolling Hills team, but they are in for another battle in the TU Final 4. Ginza has fine pitching and will be no pushover. In fact, the Ninjas took 2 of the 3 regular season games with the Stallions, who led the IPA with 96 victories. South Fork has fine pitching, plus some very good bats. That should give them the edge over Ginza. Crystal Lake's pitching dominance continued into the postseason. The Crushers allowed Far Mountain only 9 runs in 5 games. Baby George's Crushers are a very similar team to Wynnamac. Neither of them have much offense, but pitch very well. Bailey Norcross's Roosters took care of the Sundowners and feels he can do it to Crystal Lake, too. The two clubs split 6 games in the regular campaign. All of them were decided by 2 runs or less. This may be a closer match-up than the soothsayers say.

[Eugene Church]

YESTERDAY IN THE IPA
2025 IPA FINAL 4 SERIES

The Islandian Times
Monday, October 6, 2025

2025 IPA Final 4 Series

Ruthlandian Union

Roosters Earn Pro Cup Slot
Higher seeds don't mean much to the eighth-seeded Middlefield Roosters... they have KO'ed another one and now will get a shot at the Holy Grail - the much-coveted IPA Pro Cup... the Roosters have won it only once... in 2005, 20 years ago... of course, they will have to beat another higher seed to win it.

Middlefield powered 4 home runs and came back from a 7-0 deficit to nip favored Crystal Lake 11-10 in game five of the Ruthlandian Final 4... the Roosters took four of the five games and put an end to the Crushers season... LF Floyd McClellan was again the hero with 2 roundtrippers and 4 RBIs... 1B Keith Yashin (.326) got his 5th homer in the series and drove in two runs... 3B Stu Butterworth (.433) cracked his 3rd and batted in 4 runs, too... overall Middlefield smacked 16 hits, while Crystal Lake managed 14.

1B Benny Rousseau clouted his 4th postseason home run and drove in 3 runs to lead the Crushers... SS Phil Hicks (.233) had 2 hits, 3 RBIs and scored twice... CF Herm Taylor (.227) went 2-5 with 2 runs batted in... 3B Tommy Gompers (.233) was 3-5 with 2 doubles and 2 runs scored... and C Rob Stern (.361) had 3 hits and scored two times for Crystal Lake.

Middlefield's Butterworth singled in the series-winning run in the bottom of the ninth... the Roosters rallied with 3 runs in the third and 6 in the fourth to take a 9-7 lead... in a seesaw game the Crushers tied it with single runs in the fifth and sixth, then lost the lead again when Middlefield scored a run in the last of the seventh, making it 10-9... Crystal Lake managed to tie it up in the top of the ninth, only to lose it and the series in the last of the ninth.

8 of the 9 pitchers in the game gave up runs... Glenn Tackett (1-0 9.00) blew the save, but copped the win... Keith Hunter (1-1 2.57) was the loser... Middlefield will take on the Tycobbian champ in the Pro Cup Series... it will be either the 4th seeded South Fork Stallions or the 5th seeded Ginza Ninjas... no problem for the Roosters... they have already beaten the second and third seeds.

SF Stallions Race By Ginza In 5 Games
After losing the opening game in the Tycobbian championship series, the South Fork Stallions reeled off four victories in a row to wipe out the Ginza Ninjas... Now South Fork will battle Middlefield, the RU champ, for the Islands' Pro Cup... They lost in the second round in 2001... and in the TU Final 4 in 2002... haven't been in the playoffs since... and have never played in the Pro Cup Finals.

Game 5 went to the Stallions 4-2 behind the solid pitching of rookie left-hander Bill Massey (4-0 1.86)... He tossed 8 innings, held the Ninjas to 2 runs on 8 hits with 2 walks and 6 strikeouts... Ricky Raeburn closed it out with a perfect ninth for the save... Harlan Wilson (0-1 4.00) took the loss in his first start of the postseason... Wilson allowed 4 runs and 7 hits in 7 innings, walking 6 and fanning 4.

South Fork had 9 hits to 8 for the Ninjas... RBIs by RF Robby Michael (.256), LF Patric Giles (.225), CF Shelby Glasscock (.227) and 2B Norris Nettles (.314) gave the Stallions a 4-0 lead after 6 and a half innings... CF Lyle McCann (.333) doubled in Ginza's only runs in the seventh.

Ruthlandian Union Final 4 Series
Middlefield (4) - Crystal Lake (1)
Game Scores: 2-3, 7-3, 8-3, 6-5, 11-10

Tycobbian Union Final 4 Series
South Fork (4) - Ginza (1)
Game Scores: 1-4, 5-0, 2-0, 9-8, 4-2

[Eugene Church]

MY LIFE IN 2023
EC's Life's Filled with Glee in '23
As EC was perusing the book "Baseball Bafflers 2" by Slammin' Sam Weiser, a book of baseball trivia, facts, unique statistics and strange moments, I read a baseball fact that made me say to myself "Ah, The Sweet Mystery of Life"... but EC didn't stop there - I love to chase rabbits on the internet - so I researched the saying... it came from a song in the 1935 movie starring Nelson Eddy and Jeanette McDonald.

Ah! Sweet mystery of life
At last I've found thee
Ah! I know at last the secret of it all;
All the longing, seeking, striving, waiting, yearning

Now you muse to yourself, why are we chasing rabbits on the internet and why are we pondering the sweet mystery of life?... this is a baseball website..."well, pilgrim, I'll tell ya." (in my bad John Wayne impersonation)... people pay attention when the Duke says that in his movies.

"Wit, Quips and Quotes from the Diamond Minds"
"Baseball Bafflers 2" gave me a very interesting fact that the guy with the most wins in baseball history ALSO had the MOST losses... EC had never thought about that... yep, it makes sense to me now... the more games you pitch, the more games you can win... and the more games you pitch, the more games you can lose.

Cy Young won the most games in MLB history... he won 511 games... Cy also lost the most games in MLB history... he lost 315 games.
Now, that really surprises me... the biggest winner in baseball history was also the biggest loser.
Thought I would share this with you baseball afficianados, devotees, enthusiasts and yep, you fans, too.

And then EC decided to chase this rabbit a little bit further... what is the "sweet mystery of life... that is, what is the "real meaning of life"?... why were we created by Our Creator?... what is our purpose in life?

My thanks to the Fellowship of Christian Airline Personnel for sharing this with me on the internet.
Excerpt from Ecclisiastes 7: "Ah Sweet Mystery of Life"

The full meaning of this present life's experience will never be known until death intervenes. Then will come all the answers, abundantly, satisfying, fully.

That is the Christian perspective of life. If we succumb to the empty view of the world around us, we too will find ourselves all ajitter, frustrated, bitter, angry, and upset with our circumstances. But these words of Solomon call us to realize that the meaning of life can never be found by trying to solve all its problems. Rather, it is by trusting in the living God, who knows what He is doing and who is working out His strange purposes through our lives, teaching us all we need to know as we go on through. Then our eyes will reflect the peace of God and our hearts shall respond with joy at the promises that await a fulfillment yet to come.

So all you little darlin's and all you buckaroos, too, listen up... it is written in Jeremiah 29:13, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart"... then and only then, will you have a peace in your heart and mind that "passes all understanding"... you will be at peace with God... and that the "sweet mystery of life" - to be at peace with the Our Creator.

This is my prayer for you... that you are at peace with God.

Please listen to Dion DiMucci... yep, Dion of the Dion and the Belmonts... remember "Runaround Sue, Ruby Baby, I Wonder Why" and many other hits?.

Dion is singing better than ever... and he's singing for Jesus now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nqbtTbUGVM

[Eugene Church]

The number of views is whacky again... too many to be correct.

2922 views... something just has to be wrong.

Can viewers on the forum view a thread more than once and just inflate the number of views?

A week ago it was 2270... I have never had that many views before.

1581 was the most prior to that... and that was twice the record number of 815.

If it is a good good number... that is great... 2922 views.

Thanks to all of the viewers... much appreciate you.

[Eugene Church]

MLB All-Time Leaders in Wins and Losses.

[Eugene Church]

I'm working on the new rookie additions to each team... I will add a starting pitcher and a needed position player to each team.

They will be 18-21 years old... I need some young blood in the old IPA... the teams are getting too old... I wish the AI would do a better job of getting rid of old unproductive players that should be retired.

I have added rookies to 24 of the 64 IPA teams for the new season of 2079 coming to a ballpark near you soon.

[Eugene Church]

YESTERDAY IN THE IPA

The Islandian Times
Wednesday, October 8, 2025

South Fork Favored In Pro Cup Finals
The 25th IPA Pro Cup begins play on Friday afternoon at J. R. Ewing Stadium in South Fork. Middlefield hasn't been to the Pro Cup Finals for the last two decades and South Fork has never been here until now. So who's the favorite? It's easy for the critics and the forecasters. Just go by the season records - the Stallions were tops in the IPA with a 96-58 record, while the Roosters were a lowly 85-69. Or go by what The Islandian Times Pro Cup poll indicated - South Fork was rated the fourth-best team in the playoffs and Middlefield was the worst. All that was based on stats, suppositions, summations and speculation. However on the diamond, South Fork whipped the Pro Cup favorite Rolling Hills Reds and fifth seed Ginza, while the overlooked Roosters knocked off number three Wynnamac and number two Crystal Lake to get their shots at the renowned Pro Cup, symbolic for the best pro baseball team in Islandia.

Serious analysis doesn't go with the heart and choose the underdog Roosters. Most of the experts point out South Fork won more games than anybody over the long regular season. Not only do the Stallions have better starting pitching than Middlefield, they hit better, too. The two bullpens are pretty much even. Defensively South Fork is a little below average (.971 FA) with the glove, while Middlefield is poor (.968 FA).

The experts say this is the first time in the playoffs the Roosters will face a good-hitting team. Crystal Lake and Wynnamac possessed outstanding pitching, but neither Crystal Lake, nor Wynnamac could hit. Those that favor Middlefield counter that South Fork will be facing a team with power for the first time in the playoffs. Middlefield hammered 170 homers in the regular season and top the playoff teams with 15 roundtrippers so far. South Fork went deep 136 times duing the year, but only 5 times in the postseason.

It will be a close series going six or perhaps seven games. One key factor for South Fork will be whether Gary Price can regain his regular season form. Price was 22-14 with a fine 2.95 ERA, but has struggled in the postseason with an 0-3 mark with a high 4.44 ERA. Another key factor will be whether number three starter Jim Tettelbach can sustain his remarkable playoff performance. Tettelbach is 2-0 in 2 starts and has not allowed a run. During the season he was 17-12 with 3.63 ERA.

All things point to a Pro Cup crown for the South Fork Stallions. Manager Duroche "Lips" Leon has the better starters. Rookie Billy Massey was great in the regular season with a 21-10 record and a strong 2.99 ERA... and even better in the postseason with a spotless 4-0 mark and a superb 1.85 ERA. And Tettelbach has been extraordinary. All Leon and the Stallions need is for Price to do it like he did during the season and they are home free. If that happens, it could be a short four or five games series. At the plate in the postseason the Stallions top performers have been SS Kurt Pankewicz with a .300 BA, 1 HR, 8 RBI and 5 runs scored, 2B Norris Nettles with a .314 BA, 0 HR, 5 RBI and 5 runs, CF Shelby Glasscock with a .227 BA, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 5 runs and 6 SB and LF Patric Giles with a .225 BA, 2 HR, 6 RBI and 10 runs scored.

Skipper Bailey Norcross needs his starters to step it up a notch for the Roosters to upset the Stallions. He also needs his bats to keep booming and bombing. Danny Denver is the ace and only consistent starter. Denver went 23-7 with a 3.31 ERA. None of the other starters had winning records. Frank Dean was only 16-17 with a good 3.03 ERA, especially in the small confines of Middlefield Park with its very short dimensions. Rookie Tyrus Cobb was 11-14 with a 3.20 ERA. In the playoffs Denver is 1-1 with a 3.67 ERA, Dean 1-1 with a 3.09 ERA and Cobb 2-1 with a 4.57 ERA. But Cobb has really pitched well in his last two starts after being creamed in his initial start. Offensively in the playoffs Middlefield has been led by 3B Stu Butterworth with a .433 BA, 3 HR, 9 RBI and 8 runs, 1B Keith Yashin with a .326 BA, 5 HR, 8 RBI and 11 runs, CF Tom Daniels with a .306 BA, 1 HR, 9 RBI and 5 runs and LF Floyd McClellan with a .341 BA, 3 HR/5 RBI and 9 runs scored.

South Fork will have the homefield advantage. The Stallions were 49-28 at home and 47-30 on the road, while Middlefield played very well at home with a 51-26 mark, but dismally away, posting a poor 34-43 record. South Fork hits right-handers better, compiling an 81-47 record. Against southpaws there were only 15-11. The Roosters were better against lefties with a 22-14 record. They were 63-55 against the righties. Middlefield has four portsiders, while South Fork only has two. Two of the three starters on each team are right-handed.

Pro Cup Prediction: South Fork Stallions in 6 games.

[Eugene Church]

Lordy mercy... what's going on?

There is no way 3073 viewers looked at the IPA thread the last 24 hours.

Oh, well... won't worry about it... but it would be great if the count is accurate.

[Eugene Church]

YESTERDAY IN THE IPA

The Islandian Times
Friday, October 10, 2025

2025 IPA Pro Cup Series

Roosters Stun Stallions 9-3 In Pro Cup Opener
On the road the underdog Middlefield Roosters jumped out to an 8-0 lead in the first two frames and stunned the favored South Fork Stallions 9-3 in the opening game of the 2025 IPA Pro Cup Finals... the Roosters ripped rookie Bill Massey for 6 runs in the first inning and never looked back... it was Massey's (4-1 3.41) first postseason loss... Middlefield pounded out 15 hits and were paced by RF Chuck Larkin (.196) with a homer and a double and 4 RBIs... LF Floyd McClellan (.348) and SS Tim Tyler (.263) batted in a couple of runs apiece... Danny Denver (2-1 2.85) was effective, especially with such a big lead... He permitted only 2 earned runs and 7 hits, while going the distance.

[Eugene Church]

40 of the 64 teams rosters have been updated for the 2079 IPA season.

3 more divisions to do... 24 teams... then spring training will begin.

[Eugene Church]

MY LIFE IN 2023
EC's Life's Filled with Glee in '23

EC was a little bit disappointed in my latest literary endeavor by Slammin' Sam Weiser, a baseball book entitled "Baseball Bafflers 2"... not much in it that was very interesting... EC didn't get much material to use here in this thread.

"Wit, Quips and Quotes from the Diamond Minds"
Excerpted from the book "Baseball Bafflers 2: The Second Inning" by Slammin' Sam Weiser.
The book was dedicated to "those who hate to read, but love baseball"... that is a very apt description of yours truly, EC.

Question: Who was the only starting pitcher in World Series history to bat somewhere in the lineup other than the traditional number 9 slot?

Answer: It was a guy who was a pretty fair .342 hitter in his career with 714 homers... yep, his name was George Herman Ruth... better known as Babe Ruth... he was the starting pitcher in the fourth game of the 1918 World Series and he batted in the number 6 slot in the batting order.

Ruth won the fourth game of the series 3-2 over the Chicago Cubs... he worked 8 innings and got the win, his 2nd of the series... Ruth allowed 2 runs on 6 hits with 2 walks and 6 strikeouts... at the plate he went 1 for 2 and tripled in 2 runs.

By the way, during this game, Ruth's streak of 29 and two-thirds scoreless innings in the World Series came to an end... this was the World Series record at that time.

In the World Series opener, Ruth batted in the #9 spot and went hitless in 3 appearances with 2 strikeouts... on the mound he was outstanding, firing a complete game and shutting out the Cubs 1-0 on 6 hits with one walk and 4 Ks.

The Boston Red Sox won the 1918 World Series 4 games to 2 over the Chicago Cubs in 6 low-scoring pitcher's battles.