ISLANDIAN PRO ALLIANCE (RUTHLANDIA and TYCOBBIA BASEBALL UNIONS)

[Eugene Church]

Wednesday, January 3, 2091

IPA WELCOMES BELAIR BEACH 2B MURDOCH TO HALL OF FAME
How do you get to the Islandian Pro Alliance Hall of Fame?
Just hit 400 homers, get 2500 hits, win 200 games or perhaps just save 250 games. Not an easy task, is it? But occasionally it does happen -- it happened to the gifted second baseman Evan Murdock, who retired at the age of 38. All of his 19 seasons were with the Belair Beach Sunbirds from 2069 to 2087. He was on 3 Pro Cup winners (2071,2084,2086), was ranked 7th all-time with 1949 walks and 10th in stolen bases with 671. Murdoch stood out defensively, too. He was a 5-time Gold Glover.

Evan Murdock was recently inducted into the coveted shrine of hardball heroes by the Baseball Writers Association. Murdock was always a favorite of the beat writers -- always quick with a quip and always willing to talk about the game -- but that's not why he got elected to the Hall of Fame. Murdock played a good brand of baseball, too. He played in 2567 games, had 2642 hits, 62 home runs, 894 RBIs and scored 1771 runs while batting .282 in his career.

Reminiscing about his life in baseball, Murdock said it all began by hitting grand slam homers in the last of the ninth in his backyard and ended up in the Hall of Fame. "It was quite a trip. I can't believe they pay us money to play a kid's game. Thank goodness I was good at it. I only got a high school education and I had to cheat to get that. Who knows what I would have done without baseball. I was just a poor old country boy. For the longest time I even thought the last words of the national anthem were 'play ball".






19-YEAR VET HURLER KAMINSKI NOW AMONG IPA HALL OF FAME GREATS
There is a new statue in the Islandian Pro Alliance Hall of Fame.
It belongs Jaromir Kaminski. The star pitcher was inducted this past weekend. All it took to get there was 280 wins. Kaminski played 19 seasons for four teams, Valmara 13 seasons, Marston 2 years, White River 1 season and his last 3 years with Middlefield. He retired at age 39, still a quality pitcher. Kaminski was 14-14 his last year with a pretty fair 4.16 ERA for a 6th place club, way under the .500 mark. His career ran from 2069 to 2087, the same as the other inductee Evan Murdoch..

"I always dreamed of being a Islandian Pro Alliance player, but I never dreamed of being in the Hall of Fame," Kaminski said, "I could have never envisioned myself standing next to my childhood idols and yet here I am. And to the Hall of Famers sitting behind me, I am truly humbled and in awe of standing here in front of you."

In his career Kaminski posted a record of 280-192 and fanned 3173 batters in 4345 innings with a 3.43 ERA. Kaminski was voted the 2069 Ruthlandian Union Rookie of the Year and he also nabbed the 2071 Ruthlandian Union Golden Arm Award.

At times Jaromir Kaminski fought back tears as he thanked his family and close friends for sticking by him when he had to overcome some difficult personal problems.

Summing up his years on the diamond, Kaminski offered a hopeful message to the large induction crowd.

"I care for this game with my heart and soul. I dedicated my life to being the best pitcher I could be. You leave me humbled and grateful for this honor. I'd like to leave an offering of a message of hope. That is, with the grace of God, you can change your life, whoever you are."

[Eugene Church]

And away we go for another glorious Islandian Pro Alliance season!

[Eugene Church]

Wednesday, April 4, 2091

AND AWAY THEY GO - 91ST SEASON IN IPA - THE BOYS ARE BACK!
Spring has sprung!
Baseball is back in the Islands. Our world will soon be filled with runs, hits and errors. Season 91 will get underway this Friday afternoon at 32 glorious green mansions. The baseball prognosticators are busy trying to figure out who is who in the diamond world. Will the La Claire Lynx be able to repeat as Pro Cup champion? In a word --- Nope. The last time it happened was many moons ago, back in 2065 and 2066 when the Southport Sun Sox accomplished this difficult task. Back-to-back IPA titles have occurred only 7 times in the league's history. 5 of last year's division winners are forecast to win again including the title-winning Lynx. Will last year's Pro Cup finalist Valmara win their second Pro Cup in the last three years. Once again, in a word --- Nope. That only happens about as often as teams repeating as Pro Cup champion.

PRO CUP POSSIBLES --- FOREST CITY VS SOUTH FORK
The outlook is for Forest City to reign supreme again in the Ruthlandian Union, while South Fork gets the nod in the Tycobbian Union. On paper the Firebirds are the best ballclub in the Islands with the Stallions a close second. Valmara and La Claire figure to be their biggest challengers for the overall IPA crown.

Let take a quick perusal of what the prognosticators are predicting will come to pass in this brand-spanking new season.

RUTHLANDIAN UNION PREDICTIONS

IN A CLOSE 3-TEAM RACE VIPERS THE TEAM-TO-BEAT IN RU NORTH AGAIN
Last year's Ruthlandian North flag winner Valmara will do it again for the third consecutive season in a pretty close race with up-and-rising Kilkenny and Far Mountain. The Cats were well down the list last season in 6th place, 21 GB. The Redhawks ran a great race last year, beaten out by just 3 games by the Vipers. Neither club has made the playoffs lately. Kilkenny last won the RU North in 2077 and 2078. Far Mountain's last division crown came in 2083. Rookie pitchers just might make a serious title contender out of the Kilkenny Cats.

BLACKHAWKS AND SKIPPERS PRIME TEAMS IN RU SOUTH
Most of the baseball media think it will be just a two-team affair in the Ruthlandian South between the Valka Blackhawks and the Crystal Lake Skippers with the Grand City Cybercats and the Claxton Diamonds distant dark-horse possibilities. The baseball experts forecast gloom and doom this year for powerhouse Belair Beach. The Sunbirds are picked to finish 6th this season in the RU South. Belair Beach has won the division 6 times in the last 9 years. They are the defending champion. Claxton won it in 2089, Grand City in 2087 and Valka's last title came in 2077.

MACS AND NINE TO FIGHT IT OUT IN RU EAST
This year the Islands' baseball crystal ballers foresee just two challengers in the Ruthlandian East pennant hunt. The Wynnamac Sundowners and the Marston Nine seem to be the best of the lot with Eastshore Cotton Kings and the current division flag holder Belle Plaine trailing in the shadows. The Sundowners have been recent also-rans and last made the playoffs in 2083. The Nine has contended the previous three seasons and won the division title in 2086. The Cotton Kings won in 2089 and made a pretty good run last year, losing out to Belle Plaine by 7 games. The Musketeers are not aging and look like they are as good as ever, maybe a little improved, however, the pundits are predicting they will wind up a distant 4th in the RU East standings. Belle Plaine has won the division crown 3 times in the last 4 seasons. The Muskies won the Pro Cup in 2088.

FC FIREBIRDS EASY PICK IN RU WEST, JUST A ONE-TEAM RACE
It the "same old, same old" in the Ruthlandian West. The Forest City Firebirds will torch all comers again this season and easily claim its fourth successive division flag. Once again they will be the choice to win the Pro Cup Trophy. Once again the Firebirds will win the division crown with only token competition. The Colfax Black Sox will again do their best and wind up in second place, way ahead of the other 6 RU West also-rans. Do you think Forest City just plays in a weak division? Is that the reason for their great regular-season domination? The Firebirds always do well in the first round of the Pro Cup playoffs and then get eliminated in the RU Title Series. But to be fair, Forest City lost to IPA Pro Cup champion Belle Plaine in 2088, to Pro Cup champion Valmara in 2089 and last year to Pro Cup finalist Valmara. So it is quite possible they are a pretty fair ballclub.



TYCOBBIAN UNION PREDICTIONS

HELLCATS HEADED FOR HEAVEN ATOP TU NORTH
According to the Islands' top baseball analysts Hartsdale will continue to do well in Tycobbian North circles. The Hellcats have captured the pennant in 5 of the last 9 years and they have the best chance to do it again. They are the class of the division with the best offense. No one, not even last season's champion White River, will rival the Hellcats. Blue Lake, Oxford and White River will battling it out for second place. The Blue Caps only have a good team once every decade. Blue Lake last made the playoffs in 2069. It is not obvious why the press is so big on them this year. The Red Caps have had winning ballclub for the last four years, even winning 101 games and the pennant in 2089. The Rascals were the top team last year and finished third in the standings in 2088. White River still has good pitching and is still a good ballclub. It's their less-than-average offense that holds them back.

DEFENDING TU SOUTH CHAMP SUMMERLAND WILL STAVE OFF SOUTHPORT AGAIN
The two clubs with the best mound corps will again stand out in the Tycobbian South pennant race. The Summerland Sunsets are set to win their fourth straight flag, but they will still have the Southport Sun Sox putting a lot of pressure on them again. The homer-hitting Arroyo Grande Suns may get into the fracas and come in third. The Suns have been a winning club for the last decade. However, their last postseason appearance was in 2080. The other five teams will end up far behind the front three in the TU South this season.

DOMINANT SOUTH FORK FAVORED AGAIN IN TU EAST
For the fourth time in the last six seasons the South Fork Stallions will win the Tycobbian East division title and do it in dominating fashion. The Stallions are by far the best team in the division. One and all, the sportswriters and scribblers are picking them to win a third straight pennant. No one can really compare to them. The Ozarka Naturals will try and keep it fairly close. The Nats won the pennant in 2088 and have played well in each of the last three seasons. When it comes to talent, compared to South Fork, Ozarka is not in the ballpark. Forget about the remaining teams. None of them will rival South Fork and Ozarka this season.

LA CLAIRE SHOOTING FOR 3RD PRO CUP IN 5 YEARS
Strong pitching and solid bats will spark the La Clair Lynx to a fifth consecutive Tycobbian West crown and could possibly lead the reigning Pro Cup champion to a third Pro Cup title. The Lynx also won it in 2090 and in 2087. The Kenwood Wildcats are the best bet to slow down the La Claire pennant express, but it is not likely. Neither the Rolling Hills Racers, nor the Chicopee Braves can do it either. All three teams can match the Lynx at the plate, but not on the hill. The Wildcats last made the playoffs in 2082, winning the Pro Cup, but have been pathetic since. The Racers always have a competitive ball team, but they have not won the pennant since 2086. The Braves made the playoffs in 2085, but have been mediocre ever since.

[Eugene Church]

2091 Ruthlandian Union Division Preseason Favorites

[Eugene Church]

2091 Tycobbian Union Division Preseason Favorites

[Eugene Church]

I have done the midseason recap for the Ruthlandian Union.
I will do the Tycobbian Union midseason recap Wednesday.
Been busy doing radio shows.
It a two-hour show... I record hour one each Monday... hour two on Tuesdays.

[Eugene Church]

Monday, July 2, 2091

IPA REACHES MIDPOINT IN SEASON
In the Islandian Pro Alliance standings first place in July is a good spot to be in. However, it's where you are in October that determine success or failure. First place in the IPA standings on October 3 is an even greater spot to be in. So far the season has been a good one for the division leaders. Ruthlandian Union leaders are Kilkenny and LaGrange in the RU North, Crystal Lake in the RU South, Marston in the RU East and Forest City in the RU West. Tycobbian Union leaders are White River in TU North, Summerland in the TU South, South Fork in the TU East and defending Pro Cup champion La Claire in the TU West.

RUTHLANDIAN UNION MIDSEASON REVIEW

6-TEAM SUPER-DUPER RACE IN RU NORTH
What a topsy-turvy race in the Ruthlandian North! It's a fans' delight! Would you believe from first to sixth place is just a three and a half-game difference. Today Kilkenny and LaGrange are tied for the top spot. Who knows where they will be next week? The Cats and Gators are 2 games up on third place Far Mountain. Last year's division champ and this year's favorite Valmara is in fourth place, followed closely by Taranto and Ancona. 6 clubs are above the .500 mark. No way to tell if someone will break out of the pack. All 6 contenders are pretty equal. It's looking like a fight to the photo finish with no clear favorite.

CL SKIPPERS RIDING THE WAVE OF SUCCESS IN RU SOUTH
For the first time in almost a decade the Crystal Lake Skippers are riding high in the Ruthlandian South standings. 2082 was their last postseason appearance. The Skippers are having a jolly good time, scoring lots of runs and doing well on the mound, too. The Skippers seem to have it all going their way. They possess a solid 5-game lead at midseason, but they still have 3 clubs in close pursuit. There is still a lot of fight in the Claxton Diamonds, last year's pennant winning Belair Beach and this year's preseason pick Valka. The outlook among most baseball observers is the Skippers will go full speed ahead and capture their first division crown in 9 seasons and who knows? Maybe Crystal Lake just might contend for their first Pro Cup since 2074. But beware the Valka Blackhawks. They have been slump-ridden in the first half of the season and still have stayed in the race with dynamite pitching. Look out if their bats and offense perk up.

4-CLUB PENNANT CHASE IN RU EAST
At the halfway mark in the season 4 clubs are making a run for the pennant in the Ruthlandian East. Magnificent pitching has kept the Marston Nine on top of the standings. At midyear the team ERA is an astounding 2.54. A solid club Wynnamac is doing well, clinging close by, just 2 games behind. The Macs are in it for the long run. It just might end up a two-team affair. Third place Cold Creek and last year's winner fourth place Belair Beach just don't have the pitching to be in the pennant hunt. Wynnamac was the preseason pick to win the division flag.

FIREBIRDS MIGHT SOAR TO A 4TH STRAIGHT 100 VICTORIES
Pro Cup favorite Forest City is flying high in the Ruthlandian West and just might be soaring to 100 or more wins for the fourth straight season. They are seeking their 4th pennant in a row. Rolling Hills copped 12 consecutive division flags. Most teams in the IPA have not ever posted 100 victories in a season. Over 30 of them have never won the Pro Cup. The best ever was the Rolling Hills Racers with 100 wins 7 times in 9 years from 2062 to 2070. The Racers and Valmara also have done it 4 successive seasons. The Racers accomplished it from 2065 to 2068 and the Vipers did it from 2048 to 2051.

Forest City tops the Ruthlandian West by 2 and a half games over runner-up Fort Benton. The Firebirds have a first-class team in all respects. No one is likely to catch them or even pressure them. Their main rivals, third place Rocky Rapids and fourth place Colfax are 7 and 9 and a half games out. Baseball experts do not expect the Cannons to keep up their pace in the second half, leaving the Firebirds to dominate the division again this year. Fort Benton has been near the bottom of the division the last three seasons. An influx of top-notch rookie hurlers have fashioned this surge to the top of the standings. The big question: Will it last? In a word: Nope. Not likely. Along with South Fork, Summerland and Valmara, the Firebirds will be one of the favored teams once again in the running for the IPA Pro Cup Trophy.

2091 Ruthlandian Union Midseason Standings

[Eugene Church]

2091 Ruthlandian Union Midseason Leaderboards

[Eugene Church]

TYCOBBIAN UNION MIDSEASON REVIEW

WITH SECOND-HALF SURGE 6 TEAMS CAN STILL WIN THE TIGHT TU NORTH
The White River Rascals apparently were not a flash in the pan like year when they captured the Tycobbian North. At midyear they are thriving and still atop of the standings. The preseason poll placed the Rascals the fourth-best club, despite last year's division title. Currently White River is 3 and a half games ahead of runner-up North Hills, 4 better than Oxford and 6 games up on Blue Lake. The preseason choice Hartsdale has slumbered in 5th place so far, trailing by 6 and a half games. Subpar offense has hampered them this season. Strong pitching, fairly good home-run power and a very good defense are keeping the Rascals ahead of the pack. The North Hills Hawks look like their toughest rival because of their solid pitching. It's a pretty good pennant race. 6th place Mahaska is just 7 games off the pace. White River is no lead pipe cinch in the TU North.

SUNSETS OWN TU SOUTH AGAIN, CRUISING FOR 4TH DIVISION CROWN IN A ROW
3 years ago the Summerland Sunsets just barely won the Tycobbian South by one solitary game over the Southport Sun Sox. 2 years ago they bested the Turon Typhoons by only 2 games. Lo and behold, last season the Sunsets cranked it up and dominated by 12 games over the Sun Sox. They just might do it again. Halfway through the season Summerland already has a whopping 9-game edge over second place Southport and Arroyo Grande with no let up in sight. Great pitching and great hitting is a great formula for success in the IPA. Will there be a miracle team in the TU North this year? In a word: Nope! The Summerland Sunsets are better-than-ever and look like a surefire Pro Cup winner this year. They will cruise to their 4th division title in a row and may also crown the season with a Pro Cup Trophy. Of course, Forest City, South Fork and La Claire may question that thought.

SF STALLIONS RUNNING STRONG RACE IN TU EAST, SEEKING 3RD CONSECUTIVE TU EAST TITLE
The South Fork Stallions have copped the Tycobbian East for the last two seasons. This year they appear to be a powerhouse -- great offense and strong pitching. Thus far, at midseason the Stallions have run roughshod over the other clubs, chalking up a 7-game lead over second place Tuckanarra. Nobody else is in sight. Third place Ozarka is already behind by 15 games. The Tucks are a pretty good club, but not in the class of the Stallions. Nope, the Blue Jays are not going to catch the Stallions this year. South Fork is a much-improved team over the last two years. Those teams lost to IPA champion La Claire in the TU Title Series and to Pro Cup winner Valmara in the Pro Cup Finals two seasons ago. The South Fork Stallions definitely look like a huge threat to win the whole shebang this year. They are a darn good ballclub.

3-TEAM TUSSLE IN TU WEST, LA CLAIRE TIED FOR FIRST WITH ROLLING HILLS, BAYVIEW CLOSE BEHIND
The lackluster reigning Pro Cup champion La Claire Lynx just quietly go about their business winning the Tycobbian West with great regularity. The Lynx have won it four successive seasons and look like a winner again this year. They have even won 2 -- yes, I repeat, 2 Pro Cups. Hard-to-believe La Claire excels with fine pitching and just enough offense to win. All of their pennant rivals, Rolling Hills and Bayview, can outhit them and outscore them, but they can't outpitch them. And so far in the last few seasons, they have not been able to beat the Lynx. It won't be easy, but La Claire will still triumph in the TU West this season. Great pitching beats good hitting. With a little bit of luck, the Lynx just might win their 5th pennant in a row and just may end up with its third Pro Cup. Could happen. Great pitching can beat good hitting in the postseason, too.

[Eugene Church]

2091 Tycobbian Union Midseason Leaderboards