ISLANDIAN PRO ALLIANCE (RUTHLANDIA and TYCOBBIA BASEBALL UNIONS)

[Eugene Church]

Saturday, January 4, 2081

SUPREME SWINGER ROBERTS AND SUPER SLINGER ALESSI SELECTED FOR IPA HALL OF FAME

ROBERTS CLUBS HIS WAY TO IPA HALL OF FAME
The 2081 inductees to the Islandian Pro Alliance Hall of Fame are supreme swinger Roy Roberts of the High Mesa Buckaroos and super slinger Rico Alessi of the Oxford Red Caps. Roberts is the 83rd position player and Alessi is the 51st hurler. A total of 134 IPA immortals are in the hallowed halls.

The Islandian Pro Alliance Hall of Fame honors those players who are the best at their position, those special individuals whose skills make them unforgettable in the eyes of baseball fans everywhere. Another such player was recognized today, as High Mesa first baseman Roy Roberts was enshrined into IPA immortality. He starred for 18 seasons from 2060 to 2077, but sadly never made the postseason playoffs. The robust Roberts made the TU All-Stars 10 times and won the TU Golden Bat Trophy on 4 occasions in 2066, 2069, 2070 and 2071.

There was no mistaking the look of pride on Roy Roberts's face as he saw his statue for the first time and the plaque recounting the many accomplishments over his 2600-game career. Roberts played until he was 39 and had a lifetime .285 batting average with 872 home runs. Baseball's newest Hall of Famer batted in 2036 runs and scored 1771 times. Roberts ranked second all-time in roundtrippers and ninth in RBIs. Only career home-run leader Jerry Culpepper of the Bayview Vikings had more fourmasters. Culpepper hit 878 out of the park, 6 more than Roberts.

Fans of all ages watched in appreciation as Roberts blinked back tears. "I really don't know what to say during such an enormous moment," he managed to finally say, "because words cannot describe all the feelings and thoughts running through my head. The love and appreciation from all my fellow players and all the fans out there has been overwhelming, but I would not be here today without the love and support of my family. My greatest thanks goes to them."

MOUND MAESTRO ALESSI MAKE IPA HALL OF FAME
At his Hall of Fame induction legendary pitcher, Rico Alessi reminisced about his baseball career: "My how time flies. It is only a mere moment from your first spring training game to your first oldtimer's game. But it was a magnificent journey." Alessi played from 2058 to 2077. He was proclaimed the TU Golden Arm Award winner 4 times, 2060, 2062, 2073 and 2074. 6 times Alessi made the TU All-Star team.

Today Alessi was elected to the Islandian Pro Alliance Hall of Fame after his selection by the Islandian Baseball Writers Association.

Baseball's newest HOF inductee was one fine hurler for the Oxford Red Caps for 19 of his 20 seasons. When Alessi retired at age 40, he had registered 270 wins and 149 losses, struck out 2225 hitters, pitched in 637 games and compiled a superlative 2.94 ERA. Alessi stood out in the playoffs with a stellar 9-3 mark with an impressive 1.82 ERA. He made 14 starts and made 19 games appearances.

Among the many people he mentioned in his induction speech was his first manager. "He gave me my first opportunity when he could have kept other people. I was lucky -- he was a Rico Alessi fan. You can't get in the Hall of Fame without your first chance."

[Eugene Church]

Islandian Pro Alliance Hall of Fame Voting Results for 2081

The ballots are counted and the results are in. This year we will witness two players added to the Hall of Fame. Roy Roberts, and Rico Alessi received the ultimate honor this year in being voted as the newest members of the Hall of Fame.

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.

1B Roy Roberts 99.1 (1st year) Inducted HOF
SP Rico Alessi 93.7 (1st year) Inducted HOF
SS Jameson Mulbert 69.5 (5th year)
C Freddie Civik 65.6 (5th year)
CL Luis Villavaso 60.1 (5th year)
CF Maxie Mullinax 55.0 (5th year)
RF Gabriel Macedo 39.6 (8th year)
3B Cooter Eldridge 38.7 (4th year)
CF Chris Kile 29.9 (4th year)
RP Brownie Ashmore 29.0 (2nd year)
1B Bralen Josephson 19.6 (4th year)
C Robin Hargroder 17.5 (8th year)
C Ozzy Crenshaw 17.5 (5th year)
CL Dave Loxley 17.2 (4th year)
LF Donald Ray Mooney 16.6 (9th year)
1B Boomer Carlton 15.1 (4th year)
SP Paulo Passos 14.5 (4th year)
RP Butch Baird 13.6 (2nd year)
2B Luke Hazlett 13.3 (5th year)
SP Bucky Dodge 11.5 (2nd year)
SP Pat McFarlane 11.2 (8th year)
LF Eliot Marcum 11.2 (9th year)
SP Eric Connor 9.4 (1st year)
CF Freddie Woodruff 9.4 (9th year)
SP Hal Christy 9.4 (2nd year)
3B Cleve Juban 9.4 (1st year)
SP Dontrelle Gilbreath 9.1 (5th year)
RP Don Loewenthal 8.5 (2nd year)
SP Carlos Santa Ana 7.3 (2nd year)
C Kuro Ishihara 6.0 (5th year)
CL Adrien Renaud 5.7 (5th year)
RF Alfie Elbourne 5.7 (5th year)
SS Walt Ivy 5.4 (5th year)
1B Billy Southward 5.1 (1st year)
RF Bob Purkey 4.8 (9th year) Dropped
SS Dan Fargo 3.9 (5th year) Dropped
SP Angus McDade 0.9 (1st year) Dropped
1B Miguel Blanco 0.0 (1st year) Dropped
SP Michael Morris 0.0 (1st year) Dropped

[Eugene Church]

Wednesday, April 2, 2081

DIAMOND BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN; IPA OPENS 81ST SEASON FRIDAY AFTERNOON; WHITE RIVER DEFENDING CHAMP
Yeah, buddy, the Boys are back in town this Friday afternoon. All across the Islands baseballs will be flying everywhere as the 81st Islandian Pro Alliance season begins. The White River Rascals, fresh off their first Pro Cup ever, will back in business trying to repeat as IPA champion, something that rarely happens. It has occurred 7 times in IPA history. Far Mountain did it twice (2011-12, 2012-13). Actually the Redhawks did a three- peat. Other clubs that did it were Eastshore (2016-17), Tuckanarra (2023-24), Valmara (2049-50), Midway (2053-54) and Southport (2065-66).

The Islandian Baseball Sportswriters and Broadcasters have made the Elnora Clippers and the Turon Typhoons the preseason favorites to meet in November for the IPA Pro Cup Trophy. The Belair Beach Sunbirds may challenge the Clippers in the Ruthlandian Union, while the Ozarka Naturals will contend with the Typhoons in the Tycobbian Union. White River is picked to win the RU North once again, so the Rascals just might be in the hunt, too. Don't forget the Wynnamac Sundowners. The Macs made the Pro Cup Finals last season. You have to be a pretty good team to accomplish that.

2081 IPA PREVIEW PREDICTIONS

RUTHLANDIAN UNION ROUNDUP
GATORS FEAST IN RU NORTH; BULLS RARIN' TO GO; TARS, TOO
The LaGrange Gators are picked to feast in the Ruthlandian North this year in a good race with last year's flag-winning Ranford Bulls and the Taranto Tars.

SCRIBES FOR THE BIRDS IN THE RU SOUTH; SUNBIRDS SHINE; BLACKHAWKS FLY HIGH, TOO
A trio of teams will tie up in the Ruthlandian South this season. Belair Beach gets a slight nod over runner-up Valka with third place Crystal Lake not far behind. The Skippers are the reigning RU South Division titleholder.

CLIPPERS, KINGS AND MACS FAVORED IN RU EAST
The Elnora Clippers are rated the top team in the Ruthlandian East, but they are not shoo-ins. The Eastshore Cotton Kings will test them. Last season's RU East Division winner Wynnamac and Pro Cup finalist will certainly have a say, too. The outlook is for a tight, three-team tussle.

CANNONS BEST IN RU WEST; BUT WILL BE CHALLENGED BY 5 CLUBS
The Fort Benton Cannons are primed and prepared in the Ruthlandian West. The Cannons are exploding with talent and are favored to win their third RU West title in the last five years. Nope, it will not be easy. Parity is rampant in the division. Any one of six clubs could sneak away with the crown. It's always a rat race in the RU West. Fort Benton should triumph in a hot race with Volusia, defending champ Sligo, Stoner, Forest City and Middlefield. Even bottom-rung teams, Colfax and Rocky Rapids, won't be far off the pace in the hotly-contested division.

TYCOBBIAN UNION TABULATIONS
RASCALS AND ZORROS RIDIN' HIGH IN TU NORTH
Reigning Pro Cup champion White River and Luxora are forecast to fight it out for the Tycobbian North crown. They are dead even according to the baseball gurus. The Rascals home-run power should make the difference. There are three other teams capable of making a run for the flag. Hartsdale, Oxford and Blue Lake could be in the hunt.

TURON TO TAKE TU SOUTH, YOU ALL
Perennial Tycobbian South power Turon is the pick again this year. And why not? The Typhoons have won it 8 times in the last 11 years. They have also won the Pro cup twice in that time (2072 and 2078). Yep, Turon is a team with talent and experience. The Typhoons have good pitching year-after-year. That's why the baseball pundits always have faith in them. Last year's TU South champion and surprise upset winner Arroyo Grande is back again and will not give up their title without a fight. The Summerland Sunsets may sneak in and give chase, too. Darkhorses Colchester and Cape Coral could be in contention, too.

EAST POINT FALLS OUT OF FAVOR; OZARKA CHOICE IN TU EAST
The East Point Panthers were a wonderful story last season. The Cats came out of nowhere and captured its first TU East pennant in decades. They should still be one of the better clubs. For some reason last year's darling has fallen out of favor with the preseason prognosticators and placed in the sixth spot. Ozarka is rated the top team this year with the Tuckanarra Blue Jays a close second. Hillsboro, High Mesa, Red Bluff and East Point all follow at a distance... The outlook from the scribes is for a two-team race.

ROLLING HILLS AND CHICOPEE CREAM OF THE CROP IN TU WEST
Last year's division-winning Kenwood is only the third choice to win the pennant in the Tycobbian West. Rolling Hills and Chicopee are the fair-haired lads this year. The Racers and the Braves ranked a little bit better than the Wildcats. The preseason pickers and grinners also low rated the up-and-coming Arlon Champions, who surprised the baseball world and soared up to second place last season after years and years of being an also-ran. The Champs were dropped to fifth in the preseason poll. The Bayview Vikings are forecast to make the race and contest this season. The Vikings should wind up in the top four teams.

[Eugene Church]

Tuesday, July 1, 2081

CL SKIPPERS AND WR RASCALS HAVE SOLID LEADS AT MIDSEASON, 6 RACES STILL UP IN THE AIR
It seems that the rich just get richer. Two of the top teams from last season are still shining bright this year. Crystal Lake has the best record in the IPA, followed closely by the reigning Pro Cup champion White River. 'Twould not be a surprise to see these two titans tangle for the 2081 Pro Cup Trophy. Both teams are riding high with good 6-game leads. At least 23 teams still have serious aspirations to win the division pennants in the other 6 races. At the midyear point in the Islandian Pro Alliance none of the teams have dominated. Unheralded Cold Creek, Colfax, Colchester and Blue Lake are all pennant contenders halfway through the season.

Around the Towns in the Ruthlandian Union

FAVORED GATORS CHALLENGED BY VIPERS, TARS AND CATS IN RU NORTH
The preseason favorite LaGrange is flourishing in the Ruthlandian North at the halfway mark in the season, but the Gators do have several clubs clinging on their heels. Valmara is 2 and a half games behind, Taranto 5 and a half and Kilkenny 6 games back.

RU NORTH OUTLOOK:
It will be a tight race between LaGrange, Valmara and Taranto. Any one of them could win the pennant. Kilkenny doesn't have the offense to stay with the other contenders. The Gators, Vipers and Tars are solid teams with good pitching and good hitting.


SKIPPERS SMOOTH SAILING SO FAR IN RU SOUTH
Halfway through the season last year's champion Crystal Lake has sailed to a 6-game edge in the Ruthlandian South. Only second place Waleska is in striking distance. Third place Valka is 10 games off the pace. It is looking good for the Skippers. Preseason pick Belair Beach has been a disappointing fourth thus far, trailing by a whopping 16 and one-half games.

RU SOUTH OUTLOOK:
Crystal Lake is going to be hard to beat. The Westerners are not going to catch the Skippers. Valka is a solid team with good pitching and hitting, but they are too far behind to catch Crystal Lake.

UNLIKELY RACCOONS ATOP RU EAST
The unheralded Cold Creek Raccoons are red-hot in the Ruthlandian East at midseason with a 3 and a half-game margin over runner-up Elnora and 5 games better than defending champion Wynnamac. Fourth in the standings, Belle Plaine and Eastshore are still in the hunt, 6 and one-half games out. Cold Creek, along with Belle Plaine, was only the fifth choice in the preseason poll.

RU EAST OUTLOOK:
Nobody is expecting the Cold Creek Raccoons to keep playing at the pace they are. They were forecast to be a losing team. The winner should come from the big three, preseason pick Elnora, last year's champ Wynnamac and last year's third-place finisher Eastshore. They are the powers that be that probably will be. This looks like a four-team photo finish in September. The Raccoons have not won the RU East since 2042, almost four decades ago. We wish them luck and hope their critics are wrong and they won't do a second-half swoon.

PERENNIAL ALSO-RAN COLFAX BEST IN RU WEST
The best in the Ruthlandian West at midyear is the perennial also-ran Colfax Black Sox. It's been 16 years since the Sox copped the division flag and made the Pro Cup playoffs. Colfax was ranked near the bottom of the barrel in the preseason poll. They have surprised and possess a 2-game lead over runners-up Fort Benton and Forest City. Last year's winner and this year's pennant favorite Sligo is in the fourth spot, trailing by 5 games. It a jam-packed division with two more teams in the fracas. Stoner and Volusia are tied for fifth, just 5 and a half-games out.

RU WEST OUTLOOK:
This year's RU West champion will probably come from perpetual pennant winners, the Sligo Rovers, who have won it 3 times in the last 6 years and the Fort Benton Cannons, the winner twice in the last 4 seasons. The Rovers triumphed last year, the Cannons came in second. Fort Benton was favored to take the title in the preseason poll. Forest City had some good starters and can score runs. The Firebirds will stay in contention, along with the Black Sox, Cannons and Rovers. Volusia can score runs, but has terrible pitching. The Vigilantes will fade away in the second half and drop out of sight.

Around the Town in the Tycobbian Union

RASCALS ROLLING TOWARD REPEAT IN TU NORTH
Yeah, buddy. The White River Rascals would like nothing better than to repeat in the Tycobbian North and also chalk up their second straight Pro Cup crown. Thus far, the Rascals are well on their way with a solid 6 and a half-game bulge over second place Blue Lake. And even better, White River is 11 games up on third place Oxford and 11 and a half ahead of fourth place Mahaska. Preseason co-pick Luxora is wallowing way back in the fifth spot, 14 and a half games behind in the race.

TU NORTH OUTLOOK:
It could tighten up in the second half of the season. Blue Lake is playing better ball in the last month than White River. If the trend continue the Blue Caps could catch the Rascals. But this is not likely to happen. White River is too good of a ball club. Don't be surprised if they win by 10 games or more. It has been 12 years since Blue Lake made the postseason playoffs. The Blue Caps have only been in the playoffs 4 times in their IPA history, but they did win one Pro Cup back in 2030. Nope, don't think they will win it this year, but the Rascals just might.

'CANES AND ELITES TOPS IN TU SOUTH, FOLLOWED BY TYPHOONS AND SUNS
Two clubs that rarely make the postseason are running neck-and-neck in the Tycobbian South this season. It been more than four decades since the Cape Coral Hurricanes and the Colchester Elites made the playoffs. At the midseason mark the 'Canes are one game in front of the Elites. Lurking in the shadows, just 5 games away, are the preseason favorite and perpetual powerhouse Turon Typhoons. Another threat is last season's division winner, the Arroyo Grande Suns. The pollsters only rated Cape Coral and Colchester, the number-four and number-five choices.

TU SOUTH OUTLOOK:
Turon and Arroyo Grande are even-steven, but they should be aware that Cape Coral just might be as good as they are. The 'Canes have a pretty good starting rotation and they can put some runs on the scoreboard. The Hurricanes just might prove to the better ball club... it looks like a 3-team tussle in the TU South.

SO FAR PUNDITS WRONG, WRONG, WRONG IN TU EAST; PANTHERS ARE STILL THE TEAM TO BEAT
The preseason prognosticators picked the Ozarka Naturals to win the TU East -- WRONG. They also chose the Tuckanarra Blue Jays as the second best club - WRONG! The baseball soothsayers also selected last year's flag winner, the East Point Panthers, to wind up way down in the standings at the sixth spot -- WRONG! -- DEAD WRONG AGAIN!

Thus far, to the contrary, East Point has a 3-game edge over second place Hillsboro, 5 and a half-game up on third-place High Mesa, 7 games better than fourth-place Midway, 7 and a half games ahead of fifth-place South Fork, 8 and a half in front of sixth place Ozarka, 14 games up on seventh place Red Bluff and finally, 22 and a half games better than last-place Tuckanarra. There is a lot of parity in the TU East this season. Any one of six clubs could win it in the second half.

TU EAST OUTLOOK:
The pennant race will probably come down to East Point and Hillsboro. The Panthers have a little better mound staff, but the Blazers have a little more home-run power. Give East Point a slight edge in the two-way race. High Mesa could sneak into the hunt. The Buckaroos can score, hit with power and possess 5 solid starters and a fairly good bullpen. The Midway Wolves are very similar and could make a run at the pennant, too. The Buckaroos and the Wolves have been missing from the Pro Cup playoffs since the early 2060s. The Blazers last made the postseason in 2067. Hillsboro has only made the playoffs 2 times in its terrible IPA history.

NO BIG SURPRISES; VIKS, RACERS, CHAMPS BEST IN TU WEST
The Tycobbian West race is playing out pretty closely to the preseason forecast. At midseason the preseason pollsters' third-choice Bayview and preseason co-favorite Rolling Hills are in a dead heat for the lead, followed closely by third-place Arlon. Preseason co-pick Chicopee and last year's winner Kenwood are standing in the wings, both within striking distance of the leaders. The Braves are fourth, 7 GB. The Wildcats are in fifth place, 8 GB. Any one of the five clubs could spurt in the second half of the season and win it.

TU WEST OUTLOOK:
Does good pitching beat good hitting? That's what the Tycobbian West race comes down to. Can the Bayview hurlers hurl the Vikings to the division crown? Can the Rolling Hills with its solid pitching and scoring win it? Can Arlon top guns hit their way to the pennant? During the regular season the spoils usually go to the pitchers. In the postseason, it favors the bats. It will be close and down-to-the-wire. Since Rolling Hills has a well-balanced ball club, they are the odds-on favorite in the TU West. Bayview just can't compete offensively. Arlon falls short on the hill.

2081 Ruthlandian Union Midseason Standings



2081 Tycobbian Union Midseason Standings

[Eugene Church]

I went back to the black skin... the graphics and colors look much better to me than on the white skin.
The contrast is much better. My logos show up much better.
My logos were designed to be use on the black skin. So it makes sense it would look better.

[Eugene Church]

Don't know what is wrong, but I can't post any screenshots right now.

[Eugene Church]

Saturday, July 13, 2081

TU AND RU ALL-STARS WILL SHINE AT WHITE RIVER STADIUM THIS TUESDAY AFTERNOON IPA ALL-STAR CLASSIC
All of the 2081 All-Stars will be in full radiance at the 81st Islandian Pro Alliance All-Star Classic this Tuesday afternoon at White River Stadium in White River, the home of the reigning IPA Pro Cup champion. Tycobbia will be sparked by 9-time All-Star third baseman Zak Smalley of Bayview, 8-time All-Star left fielder Charles Larson of La Claire and 5-time All-Star hurler Clete Engstrom of Turon. Leading the way for Ruthlandia will be 5-time honoree first baseman Dude Gurley of Cold Creek and 4-time picks third sacker Cookie Garland of Crystal Lake and right fielder Troy Swinnerton of LaGrange. The oldest performer is Zak Smalley at age 38 and the youngest are 20-year-old pitcher Adamo Costales of Luxora and 20-year-old first baseman Viggo Frandsen of White River. No rookies made the squads this season.

The Tycobbian Union has dominated the Ruthlandian Union in the IPA All-Star Game over the years, winning 51 times and losing only 29 times. White River manager Butch Slattery will be at the helm of the TU Stars. Wynnamac skipper Nioka Inkamara will pilot the RU Stars.

[Eugene Church]

Wednesday, July 16, 2081

TU STARS DELANEY AND STRATTON TEAM UP TO DEMOLISH RU STARS
The stars shone brightly yesterday afternoon at White River Stadium, home of the current Pro Cup champion Rascals. Especially the Tycobbian All-Stars who demolished
the Ruthlandian All-Stars 13-4 in the 81st annual Islandian Pro Alliance All-Star Classic. The TU Stars walloped four out of the park, led by two by Clifford Stratton (Rolling Hills)
and one apiece from Bobby Delaney (Arlon) and Adam Christy (Cape Coral). Game MVP Delaney drove in 5 runs, 4 of them coming on a grand slam in the 3rd frame.

The Tycobbian Union All-Stars upped their lead in the series to 52-29 over the Ruthlandian All-Stars.

[Eugene Church]

Thanks for following the IPA.
The views have improved greatly in the last week now that I am posting league news on a regular basis.

The views are up to 150 a day, about half of what it use to be.

[Eugene Church]

Saturday, September 27, 2081

IPA REGULAR SEASON ENDS; PRO CUP PLAYOFFS ON THE WAY MONDAY
Eight division winners are set to compete for the prestigious IPA Pro Cup Trophy. The action begins this Monday afternoon across four venues in the Islands. Defending Pro Cup holder White River is back again. Crystal Lake and Rolling Hills, perennial contenders, secured their division titles, along with LaGrange, Fort Benton and East Point. Dark horses Cold Creek Raccoons and Cape Coral Hurricanes surprised everyone by clinching playoff spots. Neither team has been to the postseason in over 40 years. Neither team has ever won a Pro Cup. 5 defending division flag holders Ranford (6th), Wynnamac (2nd), Sligo (6th), Kenwood (5th) and Arroyo Grande (4th) failed to make the playoffs, winding up way back in the pack.

Ruthlandian Union (RU)
In the RU, the LaGrange Gators narrowly edged out the Kilkenny Cats and Taranto Tars in the North Division. The Ranford Bulls took the division title last year. The Bulls came in sixth, 14 GB. This will be LaGrange's first postseason appearance in 14 seasons. The Bulls have never won the Pro Cup.

Crystal Lake, a powerhouse, comfortably secured the RU South title by 10 games. The Skippers have won it for the last three years in a row. Waleska, Valka and Claxton didn't challenge the Skippers very much. Crystal Lake has won the Pro Cup 4 times. 2074 was the last time.

Cold Creek surprised everyone by winning the RU East, beating out last year’s champion, Wynnamac, Sugar Valley and preseason choice Elnora in a fairly good race. They all tied for the second spot, 6 games behind Crystal Lake.

Preseason favorite Fort Benton prevailed in the Ruthlandian West Division. Runner-up Forest City gave them some trouble, trailing by 5 games. Volusia wound up in third place, 9 GB. The rest of the division were far behind. Last year's winner Sligo floundered badly this season, finishing sixth, 14 games out. The Cannons have never nabbed a Pro Cup. They have copped the RU West crown 3 times in the last 5 seasons.

Tycobbian Union (TU)

Reigning IPA Pro Cup champion White River dominated the TU North. Blue Lake (11 GB) and Mahaska (12 GB) offered little competition. Preseason pick Luxora (19 GB) never contended and lagged in the fourth spot in the standings. The Rascals won their first Pro Cup last year, whipping the Wynnamac Sundowners in 6 games.

Dark horse Cape Coral triumphed in the TU South, surpassing second-place Colchester by 8 games and preseason favorite Turon by 10. Last year's champ Arroyo Grande came in fourth, 13 GB. No one was close at the end, but it was a good race most of the season. The Hurricanes last appeared in the Pro Cup playoffs in 2041.

The East Point Panthers repeated their victory in the RU East Division, despite being low-balled in the preseason poll. The Panthers defeated Midway (9 GB), Hillsboro (11 GB), and this year’s preseason choice, Ozarka (11 GB). The pundits picked the Panthers to wind up a lowly sixth this year. East Point is still seeking its first-ever Pro Cup Trophy.

Rolling Hills, a perpetual playoff participant, fought off Bayview (4 GB) and Arlon (8 GB) to claim the TU West title. Defending champ Kenwood flopped badly (25 GB) and never put up a fight.

Last year's Pro Cup finalists were the White River Rascals and the Wynnamac Sundowners. The Rascals wrapped up the revered Pro Cup in six games.

The Rolling Hills Racers will be gunning for their record 10th Pro Cup Trophy. Stay tuned for an exciting week of baseball as the teams battle it out for glory in the Islandian Pro Alliance postseason playoffs starting this Monday afternoon at 4 venues around the Islands!

First-Round matchups pit Cold Creek at Fort Benton and LaGrange at Crystal Lake in the Ruthlandian Union. It will be White River hosting Cape Coral and East Point on the road in Rolling Hills. The playoffs in the Islandian Pro Alliance consists of best-of-seven series in all rounds.

2081 Ruthlandian Union Final Standings and Statistics

[Eugene Church]

[Eugene Church]

2081 Tycobbian Union Final Standings and Statistics

[Eugene Church]

[Eugene Church]

Monday, September 29, 2081

AWAY WE GO!
IPA PLAYOFFS BEGIN TOMORROW! RASCALS AND SKIPPERS TO MEET FOR PRO CUP CROWN
Beginning tomorrow afternoon the Islands will be aglow at four diamond palaces. It's the annual quest for the cherished Islandian Pro Alliance Pro Cup Trophy. This is the 81st edition, featuring the top 8 teams in the IPA. 5 of the contenders have never won the Pro Cup. Only Rolling Hills (9 Pro Cups), Crystal Lake (4 Pro Cups) and White River (1 Pro Cup) have ever captured the esteemed prize. The Rascals are the reigning IPA champion. White River bested the Wynnamac Sundowners last season in 6 games to nab their first Pro Cup Series.

In the opening round, the IPA Elite 8 Series, Crystal Lake will be at home, hosting the LaGrange Gators in the Ruthlandian Union. Cold Creek will travel to Fort Benton in the other RU series. In the Tycobbian Union it will be defending champion White River entertaining the Cape Coral Hurricanes, while Rolling Hills will welcome the East Point Panthers. All IPA postseason series are the best-of-seven.

If the postseason plays out according to the way the baseball scribes and soothsayers say in The Islandian Times Pro Cup Poll, it will be Crystal Lake and White River in the Pro Cup Finals with the nod going to the Rascals, who are forecast to win back-to-back IPA titles.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES PRO CUP POLL

1. WHITE RIVER (95-59)
Long-ball power coupled with strong starters and a solid bullpen will win it for the Rascals, led by their top guns at the plate Viggo Frandsen and Babe Coleman and Shorty Meaux and Fuzzy Swearingen on the mound. Keep in mind, White River is suspect defensively. They do make errors.


2. Rolling Hills (96-58)
The Racers are right up their with the Rascals. Ollie Ringer, Clifford Stratton and Jaron Shufford can belt the ball with the best of them. Skeets Kazlauskas, Elvis Hutton and Ivan Malek are a very capable threesome in the starting rotation. The bullpen is rock-solid, too. And the Racers play good defense, too.


3. Crystal Lake (98-56)
The prime performers for the Skippers are Angelo Marinello, Lloyd Mason and Augie Augustus on the hill. Leading their high-powered attack will be Cookie Garland, Culver Jensen and Jeff Setser. Crystal Lake also plays excellent defense.


4. LaGrange (87-67)
The Bulls have a powerful lineup with Tory Swinnerton, Gary Harvey, Michel Colbert and Jules Robichaux. They can put runs on the scoreboard. LaGrange has two fine starters in Juro Kinura and Bryan Bushnell. However, they are questionable in the bullpen and with the gloves.

[Eugene Church]

5. Fort Benton (90-64)
The Cannons are explosive at the plate with Olev Kotli, Trace Lansing, John Harding and Stosh Dusek. They also have two quality starters in Luis Trevino and Fletch Redmond. Monty Gulliver and Timmy Blythe give them a good relief corps. Fort Benton plays defense with the best of them. The Cannons could be a sleeper. This club reached the Pro Cup Finals in '79 and lost in 6 games to IPA Pro Cup champion Rolling Hills.


6. Cold Creek (88-66)
The Raccoons are robust with the bats with the likes of Dude Gurley and Benny Wright. Plus Orin Wessex Kristoffer Helgeland and Kyell Stendahl are capable starters. But the defense is lacking.


7. Cape Coral (92-62)
It's been a great season for the Hurricanes. For the first time in over four decades they won the pennant and made the playoffs. The 'Canes did it with a rock-solid bunch of batters, sparked by Adam Christy, Sarge Agarn, Sonny Zambello and Marcus Paulette. They are one of the best defensive teams in the IPA. And they possess one fine starter in Chipper Simpson. But he is not enough. Teams needs three solid starters and a good relief corps to go deep into the playoffs.


8. East Point (92-62)
The Panthers can match anybody in the IPA on the mound, paced by Kent Burleigh, Jorgy Neal, Flash Fesmire and Howie Wible. Jalen Abercrombie also excels in the bullpen. Offensively, East Point is pathetic. Judah Woods is their best threat, but he only had 67 RBIs, 19 homers and a .294 BA. The Panthers only hit for a .246 BA. Teams with fine pitching and weak bats never win the Pro Cup. Teams with a high-scoring offense with mediocre pitching staffs can occasionally win it all. It's the good all-around, well-balanced teams that do best in the postseason.


2081 IPA Pro Cup Series Forecast:
It will be a 7-game series. White River should win it, but don't be surprised if Crystal Lake comes out the winner. The Skippers look better on paper. However, you have to go with experience and the Rascals are the reigning kings of the IPA. They have been there and done that. White River will repeat as the Pro Cup champion.

[Eugene Church]

Thursday, October 9, 2081

IPA ELITE 8 SERIES REVIEW

FAVORITES FLOURISH, WHITE RIVER, ROLLING HILLS, CRYSTAL LAKE AND FORT BENTON ADVANCE TO IPA FINAL 4 ROUND
Pro Cup favorite and current Pro Cup champion White River and three other favored clubs won their Elite 8 Series and will advance to the IPA Final 4 Round. The Rascals polished off Cape Coral four games to one in the Tycobbian Union. White River got fine pitching and 10 home runs to eliminate the Hurricanes. Viggo Frandsen and Babe Coleman both bashed 3 out of the park to spark the Rascals. Shorty Meaux, Bubby Dancer and Hap Hartigan all stood out on the mound.

Rolling Hills also triumphed in 5 games over the East Point Panthers. Clifford Stratton and Jaron Shufford paced the Racers at the plate in the hard-fought series. The Panthers just didn't have the offense to hang with Rolling Hills. Skeets Kazlauskas, Elvis Hutton and Ivan Malek really shut down the East Point offense.

White River and Rolling Hills will battle for the Tycobbian Union title.

Over in the Ruthlandian Union Elite 8 Series Crystal Lake handily disposed of the LaGrange Gators four games to one to move on to the RU Title Series against the Fort Benton Cannons. Cookie Garland, Don Grady, Gino Lorenzetti and Dave Sewell all hit .400 or better in the series. The Skippers pitching corps was outstanding, led by Angelo Marinello with 2 victories. Bret Lynch and Lloyd Mason copped the other wins in good performances.

The Fort Benton-Cold Creek was an offensive brawl. 4 of the 7 games went into extra innings, one of them lasted 18 innings. The Cannons won it in 7 games and had to come back from a 3-2 deficit to win it. Noah Fairclough spun a 5-hit gem in the series finale to send the Raccoons home for the winter. Leland Carmack had 2 homers and 8 RBIs to spark Fort Benton. Stosh Dusek, John Harding and Cloyce Farmer also hit well in the series. Dude Gurley and Benny Wright excelled in defeat. Gurly homered 3 times and drove in 9 runs, while Wright socked a pair of home runs and drove in 7 runs.

[Eugene Church]

[Eugene Church]

Thursday, October 9, 2081

RU AND TU TITLE SERIES MADE IN HEAVEN
It is almost perfect. Baseball fanatics in the Islands are in for a treat. The top three picks to win the 2081 Pro Cup survived the first round. Only one of them, number four LaGrange didn't survive. The Bulls had the misfortune to meet third-ranked Crystal Lake and the Skippers were at their best. The Ruthlandian Union and Tycobbian Union Final 4 Series are matches made in Heaven. Crystal Lake will host number five Fort Benton for the RU title and the right to go on to the Pro Cup Series for the overall IPA championship. In the TU title series number-one choice and reigning Pro Cup champion White River will be at home against number two Rolling Hills. Both are exciting crackerjack matches. They almost couldn't be better. Any one of the four challengers could win the coveted Pro Cup Trophy. Only Fort Benton has never won the IPA overall title. White River and Crystal Lake have the homefield advantage.

The victors in this round will be the team that gets the best pitching. Based on first-round statistics Fort Benton has a pretty good chance to upset Crystal Lake. The Cannons will edge the Skippers in a seven-game affair. Fort Benton is hot at the plate and on the hill. Crystal Lake might not have the depth in the pitching department, but the Skippers can swing the bat just about as good as the Cannons.

The Tycobbian title series will also go the full-seven game distance with White River skimming by Rolling Hills. The Rascals have the edge in home-run power. The mound corps are pretty even.

The Pro Cup outlook is for the Pro Cup Finals to be between the Fort Benton Cannons and the White River Rascals. Then again, you could also say it will be Crystal Lake and Rolling Hills. Yeah, buddy, the fans are in for some great postseason baseball this year. Both series will be rootin' tootin' shootouts.

Rolling Hills has nabbed the most Pro Cups, a total of 9, followed by Crystal Lake with 4 and White River with one. The Rascals won it last year, the Racers captured it two years ago and the Skippers were triumphant in 2074. Poetic justice would be for the Cannons to win the whole shebang this year. That's how it would be in a Hollywood script - however, as you and I both very well know, things like that don't happen in the real world of Islandia.

[Eugene Church]

Sunday, October 12, 2081

RASCALS AND SKIPPERS GRAB IPA FINAL 4 OPENERS
Current IPA Pro Cup champion White River and Crystal Lake are off-and-running in the IPA Final 4 openers. In the Tycobbian Union title series, the Rascals got strong pitching from 38-year-old Shorty Meaux (2-0/3.60 ERA) and bested the Rolling Hills Racers 5-3 on the road. White River rapped 12 hits and were led by James Lundin and Viggo Frandzen with 3 hits apiece and J.R. North with 2-4 and 3 runs batted in. Skeets Kazlauskas (2-1/2.25 ERA) lost it, shelled for 5 runs in 7 innings.

In the Ruthlandian Union Final 4 opening game Crystal Lake's Lloyd Mason (2-0/2.60 ERA) won a pitcher's duel with Fort Benton's Luis Trevino (0-2/4.30 ERA), nudging him 2-1. Both of them spun complete games. Gino Lorenzetti's solo homer in the 5th was the difference.

[Eugene Church]