ISLANDIAN PRO ALLIANCE (RUTHLANDIA and TYCOBBIA BASEBALL UNIONS)

[Eugene Church]

2091 TYCOBBIAN UNION FINAL REVIEW

Tycobbian North Division

RED-HOT HELLCATS FINISH STRONG TO HOLD OFF FEISTY RASCALS IN THE TU NORTH RACE
Five to six clubs contested in the Tycobbian North this year up until August when it turned into a two-team affair. Hartsdale was picked to win the division flag fairly easily by 7 games and 8 games over Blue Lake and Oxford in the preseason poll, but it didn't turn out that way. Last year's champion White River hung on to the Hellcats' heels the whole season before they lost out in a photo-finish by one game with three games to go. The pesky Rascals were chosen 4th in the preseason and forecast to wind up a distant 12 games behind in the pennant chase. Hartsdale sizzled the last two months with a 37-16 mark, while White River wound up a solid 30-23. The Rascals had a woeful 13-14 record in August, which cost them the title. The Hellcats have been a perennial contender, last winning the TU North pennant in 2088. This was their 6th division flag in the last decade. Hartsdale will be making their 22nd postseason appearance. They have captured 2 Pro Cup Trophies (2046 and 2063). The Hellcats have a good all-around ballclub and just might be a sleeper in the Pro Cup playoffs.

SUMMERLAND SIZZLES, WRAPS UP TU SOUTH PENNANT AT MIDYEAR
The baseball pundits forecast just a two-team tussle in the Tycobbian South this season with a close race between this year's favorite and last year's flag winner Summerland and second choice Southport. Only Arroyo Grande was given an outside chance of getting involved in the hunt. As it turned out the Sunsets ran away with the division, winning it by 10 games over the Sun Sox and the Suns. Summerland won its fourth division title in a row. This will be their 10th postseason appearance with no Pro Cups. The Sunsets are primed and poised to make a noise in the playoffs this year. The only thing they lack is the longball. Summerland will be a team to watch in the postseason. Their starting foursome is really something.

SF STALLIONS IN A RUNAWAY STAMPEDE IN TU EAST
It was a marvelous season for the South Fork Stallions with 106 victories, one of the best records of all-time in the Islandian Pro Alliance. The Stallions won their third TU East title in a row and 4th in the last six seasons. Like Summerland they breezed to the pennant by a ridiculous 21 games over runner-up Tuckanarra. The Blue Jays were rated to end up way back in 5th place, 28 games off the pace. In the preseason poll only Ozarka (7 GB) was given any shot at the pennant. South Fork (20-7) opened up a solid 7-game lead over the Tucks (15-13) by July, never looked back and won going away. The Stallions have the hosses to win their 5th Pro Cup. South Fork previously won the overall IPA crown in 2025, 2042, 2073 and 2077. They will certainly be one of the Pro Cup favorites this season along with Summerland, reigning Pro Cup champion La Claire and Forest City from the Ruthlandian Union. South Fork has its all except for a good defense. That just might be their thorn in the flesh. Otherwise, the Stallions can do it all. However, they have a gigantic task to get by La Claire, Summerland and Hartsdale to get to the Pro Cup Series against Forest City, the heavily-favored Ruthlandian Union champion. This year's Pro Cup playoffs is chocked full of talented teams.

LA CLAIRE OUTRACES ROLLING HILLS FOR 3RD STRAIGHT TU WEST TITLE
By the halfway point in the Tycobbian West the pennant contenders had dwindled down to just 3 teams, La Claire, Rolling Hills and Bayview. The Lynx and the Racers were deadlocked for the top spot in the standings with the Vikings 6 games back. La Claire was favored to win comfortably over Kenwood (8 GB) and Rolling Hills (13 GB) in the preseason balloting. In July Bayview (6-18) faded out of the race and Kenwood (15-9) got into the hunt. The Wildcats didn't last long and fell out of the running by August (13-15). Heading into September La Claire only led Rolling Hills by 2 and a half games. They both fought hard the final month with the Lynx going 18-8 and the Racers hanging right with them with a 17-10 mark. La Claire finally prevailed by 5 games and copped their 5th consecutive TU West title. The Lynx have nabbed 2 Pro Cups in the last 4 seasons and they will be seriously seeking their 3rd IPA overall crown. No one has repeated as Pro Cup champion since the 2065 and 2066 Southport Sun Sox. La Claire just might be a better team this year with more home-run power and a tad better on the mound. I do declare it could be La Claire in the IPA postseason playoffs this year. It will take a rock-solid club to beat the Lynx this season and halt their repeat chances in the Pro Cup playoffs.

2091 Tycobbian Union Final Standings and Team Statistics

[Eugene Church]

2091 Final Tycobbian Union Batting and Pitching Leaderboards

[Eugene Church]

EC has not forgotten the IPA... just been busy with life and wife...actually with wife's life... she is keeping me busy... I will do the 2091 IPA Pro Cup Preview this weekend... hope to post it perhaps on Monday.

Here's is a sneak preview:

1. South Fork
2. Forest City
3. La Claire (defending IPA Pro Cup champ)
4. Summerland
5. Hartsdale
6. LaGrange (the Gators beat last year's Pro Cup finalist Valmara for the RU North flag)
7. Marston
8. Claxton

[Eugene Church]

Wednesday, October 3, 2091

PRO CUP PREVIEW -- SF STALLIONS, FC FIREBIRDS, LC LYNX AND SUMMERLAND SUNSETS AMONGST MOST-FAVORED TEAMS
The current and defending IPA Pro Cup champion La Claire Lynx are given a fair chance at repeating as The Islands' top baseball team. If it happens it will be the first time in almost three decades since the Southport Sun Sox accomplished the feat in 2065 and 2066. However, it was the South Fork Stallions and the Forest Hills Firebirds that were placed in the Pro Cup spotlight this season. The diamond experts are forecasting a South Fork-Forest City finale for the much cherished and revered Pro Cup Trophy in the Pro Cup Series with the Stallions riding off into the sunset with the ultimate and glorious goal and prize of the Islandian baseball kingdom.

2091 IPA Pro Cup Series Preview

1. SOUTH FORK STALLIONS (106-48) (4 Pro Cups - 2025, 2042, 2073, 2077)
In a remarkable season the Stallions ran away with the Tycobbian East banner by an astounding 21 games, posting the third-most victories ever in the IPA. Only the Rolling Hills Racers with 111 wins in 2066 and the Midway Wolves and Colfax Blasters with 107 triumphs in 2054 and 2010 respectively topped South Fork's mark. The Stallions have romped off with three straight TU East titles and are ready to reap it all in this year with a 5th Pro Cup crown. They last won it in 2077. South Fork has a power-laden attack with 186 homers (3rd in 64 IPA teams), 858 runs (1st) and a .277 team BA (2nd), coupled with a solid mound staff that compiled a 3.23 ERA (9th). No team in the IPA has the offense the Hosses have. Defense may be their only weak link. They ranked 62nd in the IPA with a .975 FA.


SOUTH FORK STALLIONS
Owner: Ewing Oil Enterprises
President and CEO: Bobby Barnes Ewing
GM: James Billings
Manager: Jay Murphy

South Fork is a rural and provincial town with a population of 58,000. The main industries are cattle and ranching mixed with agriculture. South Fork is situated in the fertile Caledonian River basin in southern Tycobbia. Rich and black alluvial soils produce a plethora of crops on the farms in the area.

This is cowboy country and home of the South Fork Stallions of the Islandian Pro Alliance, begun by Bobby Ewing of the wealthy, influential and powerful Ewing family headed by patriarch Jock Ewing. The Stallions play in the Tycobbian Union East Division.

Here is the fabled history of the creation of the South Fork Stallions. Bobby and brother J. R. were squabbling vice-presidents of the Waleska Westerners of the old Tycobbian Industrial League in the 1990s. To separate the two siblings, the family patriarch bought each one of them a baseball team. Bobby got South Fork and J. R. got the Ozarka Naturals. Bobby built a beautiful new stadium and named it after his daddy, Jock Ewing Stadium. It is located at the edge of town and has a wonderful panoramic view of the town rising up behind the gigantic electronic scoreboard. J. R. built a new state-of-the-art stadium with a monstrous scoreboard, too, and named it Ellie Ewing Stadium after his mom, Miss Ellie. The Stallions and Naturals are still bitter rivals in the Tycobbian East Division, even though the Ewing Brothers have long ago passed the torch to their offspring, who still run Bobby Ewing Enterprises and Ewing Oil Company.

Stallions fans are a rowdy bunch who love their team. They never let up on the opposing teams, giving them a lot of discouraging words and a lot of harassing at every opportunity. They even throw home run balls hit by the opposition back onto the playing field. No self-respecting Stallions fan would want possession of a ball that harmed the best interests of their favorite team.

For entertainment the Stallions have a Texas swing band at every game. You ain't never heard a better version of "Take me out to the ballgame" . There is a whole lot of two-steppin during the seventh-inning stretch at Jock Ewing Stadium. And when the buckaroos and little darlin's mosey on over to the concessions, stands hot and juicy charcoal-broiled steak sandwiches await them there along with imported Lone Star Beer (Brewed deep in the heart of Texas).

Life at Jock Ewing Stadium was always quite interesting for the fans. Finley Charles was the Stallions GM and promotions director for the first 20 years. Charles was famous for his creative promotions and innovations in baseball. His teams were the first to wear loud-colored uniforms, like solid orange road uniforms. One of his amateur teams even dressed in a soft pink and wore Bermuda shorts. He also experimented with an orange baseball and having only 3 balls and 2 strikes in the game. He said it would speed up the game and create more action. None of his leagues instituted his ideas, but he kept trying. Charles retired in 2025 and things settled down to normalcy in South Fork baseball circles.

The Stallions were quite a team with a GM like wacky and creative Finley Charles and an outspoken skipper like Deroche "Lips" Leon. South Fork finally won the Pro Cup in 2025 under Leon, who had a stormy career. Lips didn't get along with many people. And he didn't care, saying "nice guys finish last". But Leon lasted 38 years as the skipper. Taking over after Lips was Blackie Terranova. He starred for them for 15 seasons (2010-2024), winding up with a fine 273-202 record and a 3.31 ERA. Terranova retired at age 42. His last season was 15-21 with a 3.56 ERA for a sixth-place club. South Fork had a rejuvenation under Terranova, winning the Tycobbian East three years in a row from 2041 to 2043. In 2042 the Stallions won their second Pro Cup. He was fired in 2051 after a 56-98 season.

Running the ballclub currently is general manager James Billings, famed for his statistical baseball research and analysis. Billings has applied his findings to the team's operation and has been very successful.
The current manager is Jay Murphy, a former player. He was the ace of the 2042 Pro Cup title team. Murphy was the Tycobbian Golden Arm winner in 2042 (25-7) and 2044 (28-7). He also captured the Tycobbian MVP in '44. Overall his lifetime statistics for 16 seasons is 250-185 with a fine 3.24 ERA. He has turned the Stallions around since taking over in 2058. South Fork fields a competitive team year after year. Murphy's Stallions have won 10 pennants and 2 Pro Cups. So far, all total, South Fork has nabbed 4 Pro Cups. They also won in 2025, 2042, 2073 and 2077.

Jock Ewing Stadium (2000)
Capacity: 11,750

Dimensions:
LF Line 347
LF 360
LCF 383
CF 400
RCF 383
RF 360
RF Line 347

[Eugene Church]

Jock Ewing Stadium

[Eugene Church]

2. Forest City Firebirds (99-59) (1 Pro Cup - 2068)
The Firebirds pulled away from their main rivals Fort Benton and Colfax in the final two months of the season to nab the RU West comfortably by 10 games. Forest City has reached the RU Title Series for the last three years in a row. They have their sights set on the whole shebang this season. This could be the year. The Firebirds can do it all. Hit with power with 169 HRs (8th of 64 IPA teams), scored 726 runs (11th), .262 team BA (10th) and strong mound corps with a 3.06 ERA (5th) and a good defense with a .980 FA (13th). The Pro Cup outlook for Forest City is looking mighty fine.


FOREST CITY FIREBIRDS
(aka LUMBERJACKS 2001-2051)
Owner: Jackson Investments, Jackie Jackson II, President and CEO
General Manager: Rich Barstow

Forest City is the capital of Ruthlandia and the second largest town in the Islands with a population of 125,000. The town was settled by a group of American abolitionists from the North and the South, who foresaw the coming Civil War and decided to emigrate to Ruthlandia and Tycobbia and establish countries free from the rigors of slavery and religious intolerance. It was one of the earliest settlements because of the access to timber and its strategic location near the intersection of the Green River and the Silver River in the central part of the country.

The beautiful Green River emanates out of the Appian Mountains in the north near Far Mountain (ski resort), runs south throught Rocky Rapids (lumber, grain and transportation center) in the western foothills and plains, flows through Forest City, then winds its way past agrarian Middlefield and Sugar Valley in the fertile southern lowlands and finally empties into Belair Bay and the Southern Sea at the bayside resort and shipping center, Belair Beach.

The Silver River originates in its namesake, the Silver Mountains, which form the western border of Ruthlandia. It travels eastward through Volusia in the western foothills (silver mining and timber interests) and merges with the Green River at Forest City.

The Ruthlandian capital is an old town with buildings and homes that go back a hundred years or more. It is rare that the town planning commission allows much in the way of a modern building. It is noted for being the seat of the Federal government, for banking, commerce, railroads, steel, advertising, autos, paper and lumber industries and also the home of the Forest City Firebirds. The club updated its nickname from the Lumberjacks in 2060... Forest City was originally called the Lumberjacks to honor the forest industry, one of the first major industries in the Islands.

Forest City is in the Ruthlandian Union's West Division. The Firebirds play their games at old and quaint Riverside Stadium (circa 1915), right on the riverbanks with a wonderful view of the Silver River just beyond the left and center field fences. Across the river in the distance the fans can see the main part of town. Hot and freshly fried river catfish is a house speciality at Riverside, along with traditional ballpark fare.

Forest City is owned and operated by the Rob Jackson family. Jackson was also GM and Manager in the early years of the club. Jackson was a four-letter man in college, excelling in baseball, football, basketball and track. He played many years in the industrial league for one of the biggest banks in the Islands. When his playing days were over, he went to work for the bank, managed its company team, moved up in the banking ladder and eventually became its president and chief administrative officer. He then expanded to professional baseball and was one of the prime originators of the Islandian Pro Alliance. He joined with good baseball men like John Banson (IPA creator and commissioner), Manny Earl of the Sugar Valley Rattlers and Rip Calkin of the La Claire Lynx to create the first professional baseball league in the Islands.

Multi-millionaires also were involved and provided the needed finances to establish the league. Men like Jock Ewing of the Waleska Westerners, Brent Steiner of the Bayview Vikings, Jorge Trujillo of the Belair Beach Sunbirds, jazz great, Louis "Sugar Lips" Charles of the Bay St. Clair Buccaneers and rock 'n' roll superstar, Conway Birdie of the Cape Coral Hurricanes.

Jackie Jackson II is the current CEO of Jackson Investments and is in charge of team operations. He never played in the IPA. However, his father Jackie Jackson was a solid second baseman for Forest City Lumberjacks from 2023 to 2030. His last 10 seasons were spent with Colchester and Belair Beach. Yep, his dad Rob traded him when he demanded too much money. So much for family loyalty. Jackie Jackson retired as a player at age 35 in 2038 and became the Lumberjacks skipper in 2039. Jackson didn't have much success in his managerial role. He only had 2 winning years. As a player Jackson had a lifetime .284 BA with 2172 hits, 165 HRs, 1122 runs and 869 RBIs. His older brother Rob, Junior also played shortstop with the 'Jacks from 2022 to 2033 and had a modest career batting .248 with 53 roundtrippers and 397 RBIs.

After Jackie Jackson was demoted as manager and promoted to GM, Rich Barstow was the Forest City skipper from 2046 to 2067. Barstow toiled for a mediocre club for years and is the all-time leader in victories. Barstow put up a 260-295 record with a respectable 3.79 ERA. He played for the 'Jacks from 2027 to 2046. In his second season in 2048 Barstow led the Lumberjacks to the playoffs for the first time in 45 years. Their only other postseason appearance was way back in 2003 under Rob Jackson.

Randy Snow, a solid outfielder for the Firebirds from 2052 to 2064, succeeded Barstow in 2068 and enjoyed great success by amazingly winning the IPA Pro Cup in his first season. Snow batted .297 in his career with 301 homers, 1060 ribbies and 1003 runs scored. He has won 6 RU West division flags in his managerial career and one Pro Cup.

Riverside Stadium (1915)
Capacity: 14,780
Dimensions:

LF Line 332
LF 360
LC 388
CF 400
RCF 381
RF 350
RF Line 325

[Eugene Church]

3. La Claire Lynx (96-58) (2 Pro Cups - 2087, 2090)
It was another rock 'em, sock 'em season where the Lynx had to beat off perennial power Rolling Hills Racers by 5 games. La Claire slowly pulled away in the last month of September to capture their 5th consecutive Tycobbian West flag. The Lynx are dead set on repeating as IPA champion and snaring their third Pro Cup in the last five seasons. And yeah buddy, they do have the club to do it. La Claire hit .260 BA (17th of 64 IPA teams), socked 156 HRs (13th), scored 798 times (10th) with a 3.10 team ERA (6th). Defensively, not so good with a .978 FA (34th).



La Claire Lynx

Owner: The Rip Calkin Sports Foundation and Enterprises
GM/Manager: Jonny Bacon

La Claire is the capital of Tycobbia and its largest town with a population of 120,000, second largest in the Islands. It is located in the central section of the country on the meandering Appian River, which cuts through two thirds of the country, flowing from the Appian Mountains in the north near North Hills, southward to Hartsdale, through the capital, then down to Bay St. Clair and empties into the bay there.

The town was established in the 1850s by a group of American abolitionists from the North and the South, who saw the coming Civil War. They wanted to set up a country free from slavery and religious intolerance.

La Claire is an enchanting town of the old, mixed with the new. The State Capitol and governmental offices are in the center of Capitol Park, which is the center of the town. Lush greenery is everywhere, with the new modern section at the edge of town, which houses the movers and shakers of Tycobbia's business, financial, banking and automotive worlds.

La Claire is also home to the La Claire Lynx of the Islandian Pro Alliance. The Lynx play in the Tycobbian Baseball Union West Division. The club plays at Capitol Park Stadium, a charming old ballpark constructed in 1923. Spectators get a spectacular view of the State Capitol over the right field fence and can see the new developing part of town in the distance beyond the left field fence. Most of the food and drink at the ballpark are typical, except for the Dippy Dogs , a gourmet wiener, dipped in a maize/corn batter and fried. It is unique to State Capitol Park and is especially tasty, when the meal includes a refreshing cup of freshly-squeezed pink lemonade.

Before and after a Lynx game, fans can enjoy the fine restaurants, diners and shops on the shore of the Appian River. Movie theaters, old-fashioned soda fountains, concert halls and fashionable night clubs are in abundance, too. All within easy walking distance.

Rip Calkin, famed shortstop in his industrial league career, noted for rarely missing a game, started up the Lynx. Calkin did not turn out to be much of a manager. They rarely had a winning team and only made the postseason twice in his 24 seasons. The team is owned by the Rip Calkin Sports Foundation and Enterprises.

Jonny Bacon, a former outfielder for La Claire, took command in 2083. After a rough 2 seasons, he has won 5 straight Tycobbian West crowns and 2 Pro Cups in 2087 and 2090. Bacon had a solid career as a player from 2061 to 2069, batting .292 with 197 homers, 733 ribbies and scored 739 runs.

Capitol Park Stadium (1923)

Capacity: 13,557

Dimensions:

LF Line 330
LF 350
LCF 374
CF 400
RCF 374
RF 350
RF Line 334

[Eugene Church]

4. Summerland Sunsets (96-59) (Pro Cups - None)
The Sunsets are sneaky good. They possess the very best pitching staff in the entire IPA with a standout 2.70 ERA (1st of 64 IPA teams), yet they may be better at the plate than you think. Summerland hit .260 for team BA (23rd), scored 718 runs (14th), walloped 114 out of the park (49th). The Sunsets lack home-run power, but can score runs. They handle the gloves well with a .980 FA (13th). Summerland will sneak up on you. The Sunsets are rated a sleeper in the Pro Cup predictions. Don't be surprised if they win it all and bring home their very first overall IPA Pro Cup championship. Summerland made it all the way to the Finals in 2088, the TU Title Series in 2089. Last year they lost in the TU First Round to White River.



SUMMERLAND SUNSETS
Owner: Angelo Altonno, La Cosa Nostra Enterprises
GM and Manager: Jayson Hallstrom

Summerland is a serene paradise south of the Tycobbian mainland populated by about 93,000 residents and located on the northeastern edge of Arvonian Island in the Southern Sea. It was originally settled by the Dutch in the 1840's and called Sommerland and still has a sizeable Dutch minority, but with a British majority. Both ethnic groups have really taken to the sport of baseball. Like every town in the Islands, baseball is king.

Modern day Summerland is a year-round playground with perfect weather amid a lush tropical landscape. People love to slip away to the sunshine of Summerland with its sparkling stretches of white powdery sand and crystal clear turquoise seawaters. Summerland’s high-rise hotels and seaside villas offer world-class amenities, impeccable service and accommodations topped off with tempting epicurean pleasures and a bountiful array of activities designed to pamper and delight. It is the home of the Summerland Sunsets of the Islandian Pro Alliance, who play at Sunset Park, one of the plushiest ball palaces in the league. The club plays in the Tycobbian South Division.

Sunset Park is built right on the water with the front facade looking out on the Bay of Caledonia. Each evening tourists gather on the shore to watch the majestic tropical sun slowly sink into the sky-blue azure waters. The Summerland skyline, with its luxury hotels and retirement condos, is visible from the park.

The Sunsets are still owned and operated by the Augie Altonno family, baseball fanatics with some questionable business affiliations. The Altonno family spares no expense when it comes to the Sunsets. At each game there is a Big Band orchestra to entertain the fans. After the game an automated dance floor is set up so the fans can swing, sway and dance the night away. The first owner and club president, Augie Antonno, was quite a character... Augie loved to dance and could often be seen dancing with a lovely young thing acting like Tony Manero with “Saturday Night Fever” on the dance floor. Most of the time Augie went home to Mama Rosa and left the “Fever” on the dance floor... yep, most of the time he headed home to Mama Rosa.

The Altonno family spares no expense when it comes to the concessions at Sunset Park, either. You have wide choice of menu, Italian, Dutch, or standard baseball fare. Delicious spaghetti, lasagna, pizzas and muffalettas are on the menu, along with Dutch specialities like broodje (hot dog), bratwurst, patat met (chips with mayo) and Frikandel (meatloaf croquette). Famous Italian beers like Peroni and Birra Moretti are served along with Dutch beers like Heineken's and Grotsch and of course American beer, cokes and fine Italian wine. The Antonnos' favorite dessert is available, too - Angelo Brocato’s Spamoni ice cream imported from the French Quarter in New Orleans. A visit to the Antonno family's baseball palace is “to die for” (figuratively speaking, of course). The family is pretty legit these days.

Summerland was guided by beloved Will Hackett for the first 48 IPA seasons. He was a legendary company league icon as a player, one of the best hitters ever in amateur circles, but Hackett had little success as manager, making the postseason playoffs only 4 times (2005, 2033, 2040, 2046). He only had 23 winning seasons. Fortunately for Hackett, he was a member of the Antonno family. He married Augie's only daughter, the lovely Mona Lisa. That was pretty good job security. However, Hackett did have one great season and almost won the Pro Cup in 2040. That year the Ranford Bulls upset the heavily-favored Sunsets in a sensational 7-game series.

The next skipper was Antonio Vasquez, a rock-solid and steady Golden Glove outfielder for the club from 2030 to 2048. He batted .281 lifetime with 103 homers, 1411 runs, 1116 RBIs and 372 stolen bases. Vasquez succeeded his father-in-law Hackett and piloted the team from 2049 to 2067. Overall he was more successful than Hackett, finishing over the .500 mark in 14 of his 19 seasons at the helm, but Vasquez only made the playoffs one time (2063) and lost in the first round. Vasquez was a fine skipper and didn't need any job security, but just to be sure he married Will Hackett and Mona Lisa's lovely daughter, Venus. Yep, it never hurts to be a part of the family. Vasquez stepped down as manager in '67 and became the GM. In 2078 he retired as GM .

Vasquez selected long-time pitching superstar and his former teammate Jayson Hallstrom to take over the managerial reins in 2068. Hallstrom also became the GM in 2078. He did not have a lot of success until recently. The Sunsets have been one of the better teams in the TU South ever since 2086. Overall he has won 5 division titles. In his career Hallstrom was 368-274 with a great 2.65 ERA in his 21 seasons from 2037 to 2057. He was inducted into the Islandian Pro Alliance Hall of Fame in 2061.

Sunset Park (2001)
Capacity: 7,550

Dimensions:
Left Field Line - 353
Left Field - 372
Left Center - 375
Center Field - 415
Right Center - 375
Right Field - 372
Right Field Line - 353

[Eugene Church]

5. Hartsdale Hellcats (93-61) (2 Pro Cups - 2046, 2063)
Don't underate the Hellcats -- they are a well-balanced club and Pro Cup contender -- a good .265 team BA (7th of 64 IPA teams), 160 homers (11th), 700 runs (18th), solid 3.36 team ERA (11th) and fine .981 FA (7th). Hartsdale was pressured the entire season in the Tycobbian North by last year's pennant winner, the White River Rascals, finally winning a photo finish by one single game. The Hellcats are a darkhorse, yet they do have a shot at the Pro Cup crown this year.


Hartsdale Hellcats

Owner: Pioneer Brewing Company
GM/Manager: Mark Markis

Hartsdale, with population of about 74,000, is situated on the slopes of the Appian Mountains of Northern Tycobbia. It is a blue-collar, working class town, functional and old-fashioned in architecture. Primary industries are coal and iron ore mining, timber, glassware and beer. The vital Appian River begins in the Appian Mountains near North Hills, travels most of the country from north to south, past Hartsdale to the capital city, La Claire, then finally culminates at Bay St. Clair, a seaport town on the west central coast. The river provides an inexpensive source of transportation and is crucial to Hartsdale’s and Tycobbia’s economies.

Hartsdale is also the home of the Hellcats baseball team of the Islandian Pro Alliance. They are in the Tycobbian Union North Division and play at Pioneer Park. The Pioneer Brewing Company owns the club and is the maker of Tycobbia’s favorite brew, Pioneer Premium Beer. The brewery can be seen just beyond the center and right field fences of Pioneer Park. In fact, the brick walls of the factory form part of the right field bleachers. Company bigwigs can watch the ballgame from their offices.

Hellcats fans take their baseball very seriously and are serious students of the game. It’s baseball, beer and hot dogs in the hearts of the fans -- and the last two are a very distant second. When they go to a game, their eyes stay glued to the action on the field. They are hardcore Hellcats fans, too, and give no breaks or quarter to the opposing team or their fans. Very few visiting fans have the courage to display their loyalties very much in front of the rough and rowdy Hellcats. They get some very hard stares or worse, if they do. The Hartsdalians are tough and demanding on the Hellcats players, too. "We calls them as we sees them". At the traditional seventh-inning stretch each adult is gifted with a small miniature sample of Pioneer Beer and it is used to toast their cherished baseball team as they sing a few bars of “99 bottles of beer on the wall”, followed by “Take me out to the ballgame”. And you can get the best burgers and dogs in Tycobbia, grilled to perfection on the concessions concourse... Beers, burgers and baseball is what you get at Pioneer Park. And it don't get any better than that!

The Hellcats are corporately owned. Zim Donner, a 50-year veteran in amateur and professional baseball, was the first Hellcat skipper in the early days of the Islandian Pro Alliance. He was a fine up-and-coming shortstop until he suffered a couple of beanballs that turned him into just a journeyman infielder. But he is one fine manager and baseball teacher. When he was the manager Donner was known to charge the mound occasionally. The fiery Hellcats fans love him. However, he only took them to the postseason 5 times in his 25 years. Donner moved upstairs as GM in the late 2020s and made Hall of Fame shortstop Jud Turchin the skipper in 2026. The Hellcats finally won the Pro Cup in 2046 under his leadership. He was a seven-time All-Star in addition to being a Gold Glove fielder, who swung a big bat. In his 21 seasons with Hartsdale (2002-2022) Turchin batted .304 with over 300 homers, 1600 RBIs and 1800 runs scored. He played in 2957 games, collected 3360 hits and was inducted into the IPA Hall of Fame in 2036.

The current GM and skipper is Mark Markis. He took over from Turchin in 2062 at age 30. Markis has a unique background. High school and college ball were his only experience and he was just a mediocre or so-so outfielder at best. He never made it to the Islandian Pro Alliance, but Markis is an analytical genius. Turchin hired him to help him evaluate ballplayers. Markis so impressed Turchin over the years that he was given the reins to the ball club. The Hellcats have made the playoffs 13 times under his reign and won a Pro Cup in 2063, which was just Markis' second season as manager. Overall Hartsdale has made the playoffs 22 times and copped 2 Pro Cups. Their initial one came in 2046.

Pioneer Park (1954)
Capacity: 10,000

Dimensions:
LF Line 322
LF 345
LCF 375
CF 415
RCT 375
RF 345
RF Line 322

[Eugene Church]

6. LaGrange Gators (94-60) (Pro Cups - None)
The Gators just might be better than we think. They were under duress from 5 challengers just about the whole season in the Ruthlandian North. It took a fantastic 37-16 stretch drive in August and September to pull away from the pack and win the division flag by 9 games over defending champion Valmara. The Vipers did not go quietly, they went 33-21 the final two months. How good are the Gators? Well, the Vipers won the Pro Cup in 2089 and were runners-up last year to Pro Cup champ La Claire. That ought to tell you something. In 2088 LaGrange piled up 105 victories, but lost in the RU First Round to that year's Pro Cup title winner Belle Plaine. Just look at these Gator stats for this season: .279 team BA (1st of 64 IPA teams), 765 runs (3rd), 174 HRs (6th), 3.47 team ERA (13th), combined with a very good .982 FA (7th). Weak bullpen is the only shortcoming of LaGrange, otherwise they are a bonafide Pro Cup contender.


LAGRANGE GATORS (AKA SPORTS 2002-2059)

Owner: Foxy Jamison Sports
Manager: Antoine Robicheaux (2077)

LaGrange, with 65,000 residents, is found in the sparse and craggy foothills of the Appian Mountains in northeastern Ruthlandia. LaGrange is a very modern and up-to-date town with its main industries being silver and gold mining (some of the world’s richest reserves) and forestry and associated paper production industries. LaGrange was the second settlement in the country, populated by French Acadians during the 1850’s gold rush. Cajun French and English are spoken here.

The LaGrange Sports Baseball Club was the second amateur team in Ruthlandia. Marston was the first. LaGrange was originally called the Sports, but was renamed the Gators in 2060. LaGrange plays in the Ruthlandian North Division.

They play their games at the old Sports Stadium, now aptly called The Swamp, which has the town’s impressive skyline visible in the distance beyond the outfield walls. There’s a lot of fine food, fun, and frolic at The Swamp with great Cajun food and great Cajun music. A Zydeco band plays at every game. At the seventh inning stretch, “Take me out to the ballgame” is sung first in English and then in Cajun French. And throughout the game Cajun yells of “aaahh-eeeee” (exclamation of joy) and “laissez le bon temps rouler” (“let the good times roll”) can be heard cheering the home club to victory.

Mouthwatering Cajun cuisine can be sampled at the concession stands -- the tastiest in the whole wide world, mes amis ("my friends"). Seafood and okra gumbo, jambalaya and crawfish pies are in abundance along with the most delicious bread pudding soaked in a sweet whiskey cream sauce, café brulot (orange and spice flavored coffee) and crème brulet (superb custard dessert).

The LaGrange Gators are owned by the family of one of the all-time great sluggers and first basemen in Ruthlandian company league circles, Foxy Jemison. He got his start in lumber mills, played ball for the company team, made a name for himself, moved up in the company hierarchy until he ended up owning it. Jemison sponsored a company team for years and worked hard to get a team in the IPA. Jemison managed the team through the 2026 season when longtime IPA superstar and Hall-of-Famer Quincy Peterson replaced him as the skipper of the Sports. It's a good thing that Jemison owned the team. He only made the playoffs one time in 2008 and posted only 7 winning seasons.

Peterson played the outfield and was voted into the IPA Hall of Fame in 2027. He played in 3087 games in 22 seasons, the last 15 of them in LaGrange. Peterson had a career .294 BA with 3514 hits, 565 homers, 1956 RBIs and 2029 runs. Peterson was a 6-time All-Star and 4-time Golden Glover... the team won 5 Ruthlandian North pennants under Peterson... he retired as manager after the 2057 season and was succeeded by current skipper John Rodgers, who played for LaGrange from 2038 until 2053.

Rodgers was a 5-time All-Star and 2-time Gold Glove shortstop, batting .293 lifetime with 343 roundtrippers and 1337 RBIs. Rodgers copped 3 pennants since taking over in 2058. He was forced to step down after the 2076 season after a string of poor seasons and was replaced by Antoine Robicheaux, who only played 6 years in the IPA, chalking up a 33-19 record with a 3.91 ERA from 2067 to 2071. After a terrible first year, Robicheaux had turned it around for the Gators and made them into a perennial contender. So far, LaGrange has won 6 RU North pennants in his tenure. The Gators are still seeking their first-ever Pro Cup Trophy.

The Swamp (2001)
Capacity: 10,732

Dimensions:
LF Line 325
LF 345
LCF 400
CF 400
RCF 400
RF 345
RF Line 325

[Eugene Church]

7. Marston Nine (92-62) (Pro Cups - None)
From the looks of things, the Marston pitching corps is going to have to win the Pro Cup this year all by themselves. The bats are sorta woeful -- only 651 runs (37th of 64 IPA teams), just a .255 team BA (31st) and 147 home runs (21st). However on the hill the Nine are very good with a 2.97 team ERA (4th), but they are mediocre with a .979 FA (26th). I think this may be an easy call -- no Pro Cup for the Marstonians this year.



MARSTON NINE

Owner: Abe Doubleday of Doubleday Sporting Goods
GM/Manager:
Marston has a population of 95,000 and is situated on the Central Plains in East Central Ruthlandia approximately 75 miles from the Valerian Ocean. Its main industry is sporting goods equipment, sportswear and fashions. The Doubleday Family dominates the industry in Ruthlandia and its company headquarters is here. The family also resides in Marston. Grain processing plants are in abundance in the "Breadbasket of Ruthlandia".

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

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

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

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

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

The first skipper of the Nine was the great and legendary right-handed pitcher of company leagues, Johnny Walters... he guided the team for 46 seasons with only modest success and retired in 2046. Walters only won 6 RU East flags and no Pro Cups.

His replacement was Marston's Hall of Fame great Russ Woodward, who starred in center field for 21 years (2013-2033)... Woodward was a 9-time All-Star and 6-time Golden Glover... his career batting average was .315 with 3641 hits (7th), 621 homers (12th), 2052 RBIs (6th) and 1938 runs scored (17th)... he took over the managerial reins in 2047 and won the pennant his first season. Woodward managed until 2075. He won his 6th and last TU East pennant that season and chose star second sacker Damien D'Amboise as his replacement. D'Amboise had fielded a competitive team, but has won only 2 division titles while at the helm. As a player he played from 2048 to 2066 with a .295 BA, 3291 hits, 632 doubles, 121 triples, 158 homers, 1328 RBIs and 1700 runs scored with 354 stolen bases. D'Amboise was a 4-time All-Star and 3-time Gold Glover. Those are Hall of Fame numbers, but he has never been inducted. It was harder to make the IPA Hall of Fame during his playing time. One of these days the IPA will get around to a Veterans Committee to take a look at stars that got overlooked. D'Amboise certainly deserves another look.

LEGENDS FIELD (1903)

CAPACITY: 12,500

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

[Eugene Church]

8. Claxton Diamonds (91-63) (1 Pro Cup - 2064)
Claxton had to win the IPA's closest pennant race to make the postseason. Three teams fought down to the last two days of the season. If the Diamonds had not won the last two games, they might have had a three-way playoff with runners-ups Valka and Crystal Lake. This was their second Ruthlandian South division pennant in the last three seasons. They could have easily won it last year, too. Claxton has the offense to do well in the playoffs, but not enough pitching. The Diamonds put 749 runs (8th of 64 IPA teams) on the scoreboard, batted .263 for average (9th) with 139 dingers (31st). Pitching and defense are not their strong points. The team ERA is 3.51 (15th) and their fielding average is .979 (26th). Claxton is not likely to win the 2091 Pro Cup. They will have to wait at least another year.



Claxton Diamonds

Owner: DeBeers Mining Company
GM: Jojo DeLucca
Manager: Abe Schiffman

Claxton is a company town, a mining town of 107,000 in the southwestern foothills of the Silver Mountains, famous for its very high quality diamond industry. DeBeers, the world's largest diamond company, has a branch in Ruthlandia, where the ultimate diamonds are mined, cut, polished and processed, then distributed to the four corners of the world.

Claxton diamonds are very much in demand worldwide because of their very fine quality. Gold and silver mining is also a vital part of the town's and Ruthlandia's economy. Claxton is a hardworking, blue collar town, who really love their baseball team, the Claxton Diamonds.

The club is owned by DeBeers and plays their games at gorgeous Avalon Stadium, built by DeBeers as a showcase stadium in 1990, complete with a scenic view of the Silver Mountains. The Avalon Casino is located in center field and is one of the most popular in the Islands. World famous entertainers appear regularly there.

DeBeers sponsors a "Lucky Diamond" sign on the left field scoreboard. DeBeers starts off each season with diamonds worth $1000 in the pot and increases it by $1000 each game, until someone wins it. Whenever a Claxton batter hits that sign, the player wins whatever is in the Diamond Jackpot and a lucky fan is also a jackpot winner, too. The lucky fan is chosen by the lucky scorecard number. During the fourth-inning stretch it is a Diamonds' tradition for the ladies at the game to sing "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend". A diamond is given away at each game to some lucky lady. In the seventh inning everybody joins in for the traditional "Take Me Out to the Ballgame". At the concession stands you can feast on hot dogs, hamburgers, cokes, beer, peanuts and crackerjacks.

The Claxton Diamonds are in the Ruthlandian Union and play in the South Division. The first GM and manager was the iconic Stacy Engel, known as "The Old Perfesser". He was the most successful manager in the Islandian amateur and company leagues. Engel was the only one considered for the Claxton job in 2001, the first year of the Islandian Pro Alliance. His amateur success continued in the IPA with 8 division flags. Engel retired in 2029.

Following the iconic Engel as skipper was Dixie Baker, a star Golden Glove outfielder for the Diamonds from 2001 to 2014. He batted .266 in his 13-year career with 363 homers and over 1100 RBIs. Claxton made the postseason playoffs 5 times in his playing days. Baker also skippered the club for 22 seasons, 2029 to 2051, garnering 6 pennants. In 2052 superstar player Jojo DeLucca took charge of the Diamonds as player-manager. He also handled the GM duties.

One of the greatest player in the history of the Islands, DeLucca had a fabulous 24 years in the IPA, batting .303 with 635 homers, 2425 RBIs and scored 2099 runs. The great infielder made the RU All-Stars 15 times, was a 6-time Golden Glover and was named the RU Most Valuable Player in 2045. Delucca retired as a player at age 42 and was inducted into the IPA Hall of Fame in 2061. But, after five straight subpar seasons, DeLucca resigned as skipper in 2057, but retained the GM role. Durable and workhorse hurler Abe Schiffman took the managerial reins in 2058 and has turned the team around.

As a player Schiffman was 238-177 with a 3.70 ERA for 15 seasons from 2037 to 2051 and helped the Diamonds win 5 pennants. Three times Schiffman paced the Ruthlandian Union in strikeouts. As skipper he won the RU South 7 consecutive years from 2063 to 2069. In 2064 Schiffman paced them to their only Pro Cup Trophy. In time, however, things went downhill for him. Schiffman retired in 2074, replaced by star third baseman Fred Hahn in 2075. Since 2085 Claxton has done quite well with only one losing season and 2 pennants. Hahn was a 5-time All-Star and a Golden Glover. From 2055 to 2069 he batted .298 with 2482 hits, 304 homers, 1219 RBIs and scored 1190 runs. Hahn retired as a player at the end of the 2069 season with good and productive numbers at age 34.

Avalon Stadium (1990)
Capacity: 10,500

Dimensions:
LF LINE 325
LF 350
LC 390
CF 399
RC 365
RF 355
RF LINE 320

[Eugene Church]

Sorry folks. It's the first of the month. I have a lot of radio programs to do.
I will begin the IPA playoffs in a few days.

[Eugene Church]

WOW!

Can you believe it?

I just passed the 1,000,000 mark in views.

Thank all of you for being such faithful followers of the Islandian Pro Alliance over the last 18 years.
The first post was December 16, 2007.

From the bottom of my heart a huge thank you.
You are the reason I still do this. Without your faithful viewership I would have stopped long ago.
I was worried I wouldn't live long enough to reach a million.

Our Creator must have a good reason for keeping EC around. He still has me doing this Dynasty Report and 23 years after retiring from radio, He has me on 9 Country and Southern Gospel radio stations.

[Eugene Church]

Sunday, October 14, 2091

HARTSDALE HALTS SOUTH FORK IN SURPRISE IN IPA ROUND ONE PLAYOFFS
FOREST CITY, LAGRANGE AND LA CLAIRE ALSO ADVANCE
#5-rated Hartsdale upset #1-ranked South Fork in the IPA First Round action, #2 Forest City whipped #8 Claxton in a hotly-contested 7-game series, #3 La Claire survived a 7-game set with #4 Summerland and #6 LaGrange bested #7 Marston in another red-hot 7-game affair.

Tycobbian Union First Round Review

HELLCATS STAFF STIFLES STALLIONS
Hartsdale corralled the favored South Fork Stallions in a quick 5-game series with splendid pitching and timely hitting. The Hellcats won the first two games on the road, winning both games 5-2. South Fork copped game three 3-2 in Hartsdale, only to have the Hellcats wrapped up the series with 4-0 and 11-9 victories at home in games four and five.

Hartsdale hurlers stood out, sparked by starters Dandy DeBusshere (1-0/2.70 ERA/2 starts/10 IP), Darren Peabody (1-0/1.86 ERA/1 start/5 IP) and Bennie Frye (0-0/0.00 ERA/one start/5 IP). The middle relief was good, led by Spats Baham (0-0/0.00 ERA/3 saves/6 IP/4 games) and Mitch Womack (1-0/1.29 ERA/4 games/7 IP). Closer Kurt Schnell (1-0/9.00 ERA/4 games/6 IP) struggled. Top hitters were Calvin Mannon (.350 BA/7-20/1 HR/3 RBI/4 R), Scottie Deutsch (.286 BA/6-21/2 RBI/2 R), Delton Gunn (.333 BA/6-18/2 RBI/4 R), Jorah Hladki (.300 BA/6-20/2 HR/6 RBI/4 R), Bill MacPherson (.316 BA/6-19/4 RBI/2 R) and Wayne Gervais (.294 BA/5-17/3 RBI/3 R).

Owen Frank (0-0/0.00 ERA/1 start/5 IP) gave the Stallions their only strong start. Lee Mantle (0-0) was good in the bullpen with 3 appearances and a 1.80 ERA. Otherwise the South Fork staff floundered. Only Tommy Leduc (.400 BA/8-20/3 RBI/4 R) and Silas Leeuwenhoek (.333 BA/6-18/3 RBI/4 R) wielded good bats. The Hartsdale pitching corps silenced the rest of the lineup.

LA CLAIRE RALLIES AND OUTLASTS SUMMERLAND IN 7 GAMES
It looks like the series was over after three games, all won by the La Claire Lynx 3-0, 12-3 and 6-3. But Summerland did not roll over and ride off into the sunset. The Sunsets made the Lynx sweat by taking the next three games with fine pitching 1-0, 6-0 and 5-3. La Claire rebounded and got a great complete-game performance from Roger Arenado (2-0/1.17 ERA/2 starts/15 IP) in the game-seven finale at home and won 3-0. He also won game three 6-3. La Claire also got quality work from starters Don Bartels (1-1/3.00 ERA/2 starts/15 IP), Shuggie Garsett (1-0/3.38 ERA/2 starts/13 IP) and Clayton Benedix (0-1/1.12 ERA/1 start/8 IP). Rick Gautreau (0-0/2.25 ERA/2 games/4 IP) did well in middle relief, while closer Erich Richthofen (0-1/5.79 ERA/1 save/3 games/5 IP) was not effective.

Leading the La Claire hit parade were Rick Wall (.360 BA/9-25/3 RBI/2 R), Dennis Culpepper (.320 BA/8-25/1 HR/5 RBI/2 R), David Glascock (.250 BA/7-28/2 HR/5 RBI/6 R), Gino Manda (.350 BA/7-20/1 HR/4 RBI/1 R), Judah Pickens (.250 BA/7-28/2 RBI/5 R) and Howie Ellenberger (.250 BA/6-24/1 HR/6 RBI/5 RBI). Manda was injured in the series and may not return for a week or two.

Summerland suffered a devastating loss when ace Gary Glanville (19-7/2.74 ERA) was lost with a back injury in game four. Paul Pegram (1-1/1.80 ERA/2 starts/15 IP) did his best to pick up the slack, but he got no help from the other starters Ruben Jans (0-2/6.39 ERA/2 starts/13 IP) and Wes Warrick (0-1/7.88 ERA/1 start/8 IP). Closer Bubba Byers (2-0/1.29 ERA/4 games/7 IP) thrived in the series. Quality middle relief was provided by Reg Atherton (0-0/3.00 ERA/1 save/6 IP) and Duke Snijder (0-0/1 save/3 games/3 IP).

Only Norris Chance (.345 BA/10-29/0 RBI/4 R), Boogie Bonham (.269 BA/7-26/4 RBI/2 R) and Gerrit Maas (.250 BA/7-28/1 HR/4 RBI/3 R) provided any offense for the Sunsets. The La Claire staff handled Summerland very well at the plate.

Ruthlandian Union First Round Recap

FAVORED FOREST CITY TRIUMPHS OVER VALIANT CLAXTON IN 7 GAMES
Yes indeed, the favored Forest City Firebirds knew they were in a series. Claxton won the opener 5-3 and then fought valiantly the rest of the series, only to fall 6-3 in the seventh game. Most of the games were decided in the late innings. The Firebirds evened the series in game two with 5-1 victory, then took a one-game lead, knocking off the Diamonds 6-4. Claxton knotted it up in the fourth game 5-3, only to lose the lead in game five to the Firebirds 4-3. Game six went to the spunky Diamonds 6-2, thus forcing a decisive seventh game.

Forest City exploded for 4 runs in the last of the sixth in game seven to snap a 2-2 tie with three doubles off loser Adriaan Bakker (0-1/7.15 ERA). Big Boy Walker (2-0/2.77 ERA) fired a solid game and did not allow an earned run in his 6 innings.

Fuzz Smiley (.321 BA) sparked the Forest City attack with 8-29 at the plate with one homer, 5 RBIs and 4 runs scored. Jurgen Borgmann (.276 BA/8-29/2 HR/6 RBI/5 R), Milt Moncriffe (.296 BA/8-27/1 HR/4 RBI/5 R), Brodie Northern (.267 BA/8-30/1 HR/2 RBI/2 R), and Tony Benedetti (.389 BA/7-18/2 RBI/1 R). Clete Ward (.233 BA/7-30) also had a productive series with a homer, 2 ribbies and 4 runs scored.

The top twirlers for the Firebirds were starters Big Boy Walker (2-0/2.77 ERA/2 starts/13 IP) and Matty O'Mara (0-0/3.65 ERA/2 starts/3.65 ERA/12 IP). Thomas Tate (14-6/3.30 ERA) and Robbie Matthews (7-3/2.02 ERA) did not fare well against Claxton. Closer Curt Leininger (1-0/1.12 ERA/1 save/5 games/8 IP) was a standout, along with middle relief Craig Ballantyne (1-0/0.00 ERA/3 games/5 IP).

Claxton was paced by fine plate performances by Arnfried Beckenbauer (.412 BA/14-34/7 RBI/2 R), Pokie McBryde (.375 BA/9-24/1 HR/1 RBI/5 R/9 BB/4 SB), and Vincent Vos (.286 BA/8-28/3 RBI/3 R). They did well against the superior pitching of Forest City.

Diamond starters Tony Bickham (1-0/2.45 ERA/1 start/7 IP), Monty Maples (0-0/3.46 ERA/2 start, 1 RA/13 IP) and Irv Dawkins (1-1/3.86 ERA/2 starts/16 IP) kept the series close. Middle relief did pretty well with Riivo Possos (0-0/0.00 ERA/1 save/5 IP), Willie Wills (1-0/0.00 ERA/1 game/3 IP) and Johan Timmerman (0-1/3.18 ERA/4 games/6 IP).

GATORS EKE OUT 7-GAME VICTORY IN HARD-FOUGHT SERIES WITH SPUNKY NINE
Boy, what a series!
All seven games were decided by two runs or less. Favorite LaGrange won the first two with superb pitching at home, both by the scores 2-0. The series switched to Marston where the Nine won the next three in their friendly confines 5-4, 4-2 and 1-0. Solid pitching did it. The homefield advantage paid off for the Gators as they continued with splendid mound work and copped the series four games to three by nabbing the last two games 5-2 and 2-0.

Lordy mercy, the entire series was about pitching. Both staff were excellent. Not one pitcher actually had a bad series. LaGrange was marvelous on the mound with Andre Dujardin (2-0/1.20 ERA/2 starts/15 IP), Bucky Erdmann (1-0/0.00 ERA/2 starts/13 IP) and Jules Dufour (0-1/1.50 ERA/1 start/6 IP) and Jules Le Royer (1-1/0.53 ERA/2 starts/17 IP). The Gators rarely had to go to a reliever. When they did, Julius Hauer (0-1/1.29 ERA/2 saves/4 games/7 IP) came through in 3 of his 4 appearances. The only run he allowed was a game-losing solo homer.

Heading up the LaGrange lineup were Evon Layton (.444 BA/12-27/1 HR/3 HR/3 R), Charley Gray (.333 BA/9-27/3 RBI/3 R) and Lenny Lang (.348 BA/8-23/3 RBI/3 R).

Marston lost the series because they just couldn't put any runs on the scoreboard. Glen Chatsworth (.240 BA/6-35/2 RBI/4 R), Billy Graham (.261 BA/6-23/1 HR/3 RBI/2 R) and Tarmo Juczyk (.227 BA/5-22/1 HR/4 RBI/3 R) were the best of the bad. Nobody was really good at the plate. That how much the LaGrange staff dominated them.

You have really got to compliment the Marston moundsters. They, too, shined brightly most of the series. Remember the Gators are one of the best offenses in the Islandian Pro Alliance. Yet the Nine almost won the series. Hats off to Jayzy Stecko (1-1/1.42 ERA/2 starts/13 IP), Mal McElroy (0-1/2.84 ERA/2 starts/13 IP) and Merle Dubbins (0-2/3.55 ERA/2 starts/13 IP). Dubbins had the worst stats of any pitchers on either squad. His two losses were 2-0 and 5-2. That's not shabby pitching. He only gave up 2 runs and 3 runs in the defeats.

Yeah, buddy, the first round was really exciting. Just look at what is coming up in round two. The Ruthlandian Union Title Series will feature the #6-ranked LaGrange Gators taking on the #2-rated Forest City Firebirds, while the matchup in the Tycobbian Union Title Series is just as attractive. It will be the #3 La Claire Lynx against the #5 Hartsdale Hellcats. The Firebirds and the Lynx have the homefield advantage in the best-of-seven series.

[Eugene Church]

Sunday, October 14, 2091

FIREBIRDS AND LA CLAIRE FORECAST TO BEAT LAGRANGE AND HARTSDALE IN IPA UNION TITLE SERIES
Two exciting series are set to determine the IPA finalists this year. The #2 Forest City Firebirds are forecast to defeat the #6 LaGrange Gators for the Ruthlandian Union title in round-two action, while defending Pro Cup champion and the #3 La Claire are picked to get by the Hartsdale Hellcats in the Tycobbian Union Title Series. The survivors will then clash in the 2091 Pro Cup Series.

The opening games will be played Monday with Forest City hosting LaGrange at Riverside Stadium and the Lynx welcoming Hartsdale at Capitol Park Stadium in La Claire.

Both series look like 7-game showdowns with Forest City getting the best of LaGrange and La Claire toppling Hartsdale. The Gators will test the Firebirds in all respects, but they don't seem to have the pitching to quell Forest City high-powered attack. The Firebirds seem to have everything needed to win the Pro Cup this season. Same scenario in the TU Title Series. The Lynx mound corps is superior to the Hellcat hurlers.

LaGrange right-hander Jules Le Royer (13-4/1.91 ERA) will toe the rubber in the Ruthlandian Union opener at Forest City opposed by right-hander Matty O'Hara (18-6/2.15 ERA) of the Firebirds.

Lefty Dandy DeBusshere (18-6/2.55 ERA) gets the call for the visiting Hartsdale Hellcats. It will righty Don Bartels (18-6/2.88 ERA) for La Claire.

[reds1]

Originally Posted by Eugene Church

WOW!

Can you believe it?

I just passed the 1,000,000 mark in views.

Thank all of you for being such faithful followers of the Islandian Pro Alliance over the last 18 years.
The first post was December 16, 2007.

From the bottom of my heart a huge thank you.
You are the reason I still do this. Without your faithful viewership I would have stopped long ago.
I was worried I wouldn't live long enough to reach a million.

Our Creator must have a good reason for keeping EC around. He still has me doing this Dynasty Report and 23 years after retiring from radio, He has me on 9 Country and Southern Gospel radio stations.

Actually, for the Islandian Pro Alliance, I can believe it. Your continued enthusiasm and dedication has made it possible.

Congratulations, Eugene and thanks for sharing the IPA universe with us!

[Eugene Church]

Originally Posted by reds1

Actually, for the Islandian Pro Alliance, I can believe it. Your continued enthusiasm and dedication has made it possible.

Congratulations, Eugene and thanks for sharing the IPA universe with us!

Thank you reds1.

I appreciate it!

As I have told you many times, in my opinion your Braeland Dynasty is one of the Top 5 of Alltime and it's still going strong... soon you will reach the half-million mark. Hope you reach a million views, too. I love your graphics and your wonderful story telling. Your back story for your Dynasty is one of the best ever. I will never forget your story when the young Prince met Babe Ruth.

For you folks that have never looked at reds1's great Dynasty, here is an excerpt from it.

A Young Prince Meets a Sultan
April 1926

Despite being denied from playing with the neighbourhood children, William nevertheless was fascinated with the big league version of baseball as well. He would follow both the National and American Leagues with zeal, with such stars as Jimmie ‘The Beast’ Foxx, Lou ‘The Iron Horse’ Gehrig, and Walter ‘Big Train’ Johnson setting off his imagination as well as the imaginations of other baseball mad children. But above all the others, there was one player he idolized: George Herman ‘Babe’ Ruth Jr., the man American journalists would dub ‘The Sultan of Swat’ for his hitting prowess. Years later, the King would recount with pride the experience of witnessing Babe Ruth play ball first at the Polo Grounds, and later, Yankee Stadium:

“Those were definitely heady days, as you had two great teams, the Giants and the Yankees, competing for centre stage at the Polo. But it really was no contest as the Yanks had the Babe and that’s all that mattered. Looking back, I can understand [New York Giants’ manager John] McGraw’s frustration, but Ruth was worth the price of admission alone.

“The first time I heard that sound of the ball making contact with his bat is something I will never forget. His sound was different, completely unique from anyone else’s.”

The occasion of attending his first ballgame at Yankee Stadium was due to another time-honoured ritual often observed by the rambunctious kids – skipping lessons to sneak into the ballpark. While William would quickly pay a stern price for that stunt, there was no denying him. William was hooked. The Queen Mom, understandably protective of her children, eventually grew tolerant of their fondness for baseball, at least when his schooling was over for the summer.

Meeting the Babe

In 1926, Colonel Jacob Ruppert, owner of the New York Yankees, invited William to meet his idol for the first time upon learning of the lad’s lineage and his reverence for the Babe. Walking out onto the green grass of expansive Yankee Stadium in the bright sunshine enthralled William. But it paled in comparison after the Colonel called out to a man leaning on his bat waiting his turn at batting practice.

“Hello Babe, I have someone who would like to meet you.”

Turning around, the man looked down upon his young admirer, who was now standing completely in his shadow.

”Hey kid, how you doin’?”

The lad, rendered speechless, could all but shake the Babe’s outreached hand.

“What’s the matter son - cat got your tongue?”

The broad smile on Ruth’s face put William at ease and he finally found the words.

“Would you teach me how to hit a baseball like you?”

Ruth laughed. “Sure kid. Here, let me show you how to hold a bat.”

It would be the beginning of a friendship that would last to this day. The Prince would continue to meet his idol on numerous other occasions, learning the finer elements of hitting and how to wait for a pitch. His Highness recalled another experience he had with the Babe later that same summer:

“I was swinging the bat back and forth trying to apply what the Babe was teaching me while he relaxed on the grass.

“Keep your feet square son, and bend those elbows”, he implored. “Keep them close to the body. You gotta watch for those inside pitches.”

Looking out towards the pitcher’s mound, I made the mistake of thinking out loud.

“It must be easy to be a pitcher. All you do is wind up and throw.”

“Easy?” Ruth exclaimed, “That just goes to show how little you know about baseball!”

“Why, have you tried it?” I asked.

The immediate laughs from the other players within earshot made me realize that I had just stuck my other foot in my mouth. Needless to say, that little session quickly became a pitching clinic. As the rest of the team lined up to watch him take to the mound, my awe of the Babe only grew.

“There’s nothing he can’t do!” I said to myself.””

As pleasant as it was for the young royal family in America, home was never far away for the Queen Mother. For the first time in years, the news from Braeland sounded hopeful. Unrest over the oppressive regime was spreading throughout the island. The Resistance was successfully turning the tide, and clamour for a return of the monarchy was becoming more vocal. In anticipation of their eventual return, William would now be groomed in preparation for assuming the Brunswick throne. While his personal contact with the Babe would become less frequent, his education and training would not deter him from following Ruth and his Yankees. In time, Ruth himself would pay William a visit, although under much different circumstances.

[Eugene Church]

A Legend Returns
July 1940

Leaning over the ship’s railing, the passenger flicked the ash from his cigar into the turbulent waters below. Afforded a rare occasion where his ever-present wife was not tending to him, the man retired to a lonely spot along the promenade deck to enjoy a contraband havana, one he had stowed away in the inner lining of his coat pocket.

Having watched the port town of Honolulu slowly recede from view, the man closed his eyes, lost in thought, allowing the South Pacific sun to warm his face. Suddenly, the silence was broken.

“To hell with ‘em!”, he heard himself holler. The man opened his eyes and stood erect, surprising himself at his sudden outburst. He looked around to make sure he wasn’t overheard.

But he now realized that any misgivings he had of leaving America were gone. He was going to pursue his dream one way or another, and if the baseball barons stateside were going to shut him out, he’d simply take his business elsewhere. One way or another, he was going to get his chance.

Just then, he heard his name being called by someone just around the corner.

“George? George? Oh, where is that man?”

He quickly took one last puff from his cigar and tossed it overboard just as his wife came into view.

“George – there you are! What on earth are you doing out here?”

“Just enjoying the sea air, my pet.”

His wife leaned into him and took a big whiff. “Is that tobacco smoke I smell? George, how could you? You know how I feel about them.”

“Now don’t get yourself all riled up – I just had the one. Besides, this is a long trip. A man is entitled to one now and again, ain’t he?”

“But they’ll be the death of you, I swear!”

“Oh, now don’t worry, yourself, Claire. I’ll get the better of them before they ever get the better of me! But what’s with all the ruckus? What’s the panic?”

“There’s some gentlemen on board that would like to meet you. They say they have some important matters to discuss. You need to get dressed and meet them straight away.”

“Meet them? What important matters? The only important matter I want to discuss is the return to our cabin and chow down! I’m starving! And dress up? Who are these people anyway?”

“Now, George, you’ll find out soon enough. They’re very important people and they’ve invited us to dine with them in the private banquet hall. The sooner we get going, the sooner we can eat and find out what this is all about. Now come on, George – they’re waiting!”

Following a frantic visit to their suite to freshen up, they made their way to the banquet hall. With his wife pulling him by the hand, George reluctantly followed, but stopped just short.

“Wait, wait – I haven’t finished doing up my tie! Why do I have to wear one of these things anyway?”

His wife neatly fixed his tie, kissed him gently on the cheek and looked at him with a knowing smile on her face.

“You’ll thank me later.”

Reaching their destination, attendants on either side opened the doors on their behalf. Stepping into the opulent room, George looked around to see guests formally dressed seated around a large elongated dining table. He recognized none of them until his eyes lighted upon a young man seated at the far end. A man he had not laid eyes on in nearly five years.

Upon seeing him enter the room, the young man’s face lit up. He immediately jumped up from the table and raised his champagne glass with an exuberance that startled the others who had been in quiet conversation.

“Hello, Babe! Remember me?”

Ruth beamed at seeing his old friend. “William! What the devil are you doing here? I wasn’t expecting to see you until we arrived in Braeland!”

William rushed over to greet his idol with a hearty handshake and hug. “You know me; I couldn’t wait that long and so we sailed to Hawaii to meet up with you half way. It’s so good to see you again! Hello Claire – thank you for keeping it a surprise for me!”

One of the guests, startled at Mr. Ruth’s informality, leaned over and whispered into the ear of Alexander Louden, the King’s Private Secretary. “He calls him ‘William’?”

“He calls him ‘kid’, too”, added Louden, as the guest looked on in disbelief.

For a moment, the two began to reminisce while the guests stood in awkward silence. Finally, a beautiful young woman approached and gently tugged on the King’s arm.

“William dear, perhaps you should introduce them to the rest of your guests?”

The King, having returned to the present, turned around and realized that all eyes were upon him.

“Why yes, of course. Thank you, Lily. How foolish of me. My friends, allow me to introduce to you Mr. George Ruth and his wife Claire. They are our honored guests for this evening.”

“We do apologize for our tardiness, your Majesty”, replied Claire as she and her husband were shown to their seats at the dining table.

“No apology necessary, Mrs. Ruth”, the King countered, as he and his fiancée returned to their places. “It is I who should apologize, for springing this last minute engagement upon you. And I know how all of you must be famished, so I will make my remarks brief. We can dine and then following which, we can tend to the business at hand.”

“I have had the privilege of knowing Babe Ruth personally for nearly 15 years and I cannot tell you how excited I am at the prospect of him joining our ‘United League’ family. And so I propose a toast: To Babe Ruth, the greatest ballplayer who ever lived and the greatest friend a person could ever hope to have. May you meet with every success as you embark on your new adventure in Braeland.”

“Thank you, your High–er, your Majesty”, responded Ruth, as his wife nudged him in the ribs, correcting him.

The slight faux pas drew a hearty laugh from William while the other guests followed suit. As the Chief Steward commenced the serving of the meal, Lily’s curiosity got the best of her.

“It’s such a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Ruth. William has told me so much about you, but he hasn’t actually informed me as to the nature of your visit to Braeland.”

“Oh, haven’t I dear?” interjected the King. “You must forgive me. The Babe will be the new field manager for the Brunswick Legends this coming season.”

“Really? Oh, how splendid. I know you will really enjoy it here in Braeland,” Lily continued. “Have you done much managing before in America?”

A look of horror swept across William’s face and an awkward silence descended upon the dining party, but Ruth was unfazed. Indeed, he seemed relish the opportunity to respond.

“No I have not, and it is a fair question to ask why”, answered Ruth, while holding his champagne coupe up as it was being filled. “Ah, thank you”, Ruth replied to the waiter, as he took a big gulp of his champagne.

Ruth continued.

“I believe the American owners are afraid; afraid of being proved wrong. They have this silly notion of me not having the capability of managing a team simply based on personal habits and conduct. But if anyone should know how to handle players on a team, it should be one who has been there, in the trenches and gone through all the ups and downs, both on the field and in personal life. And believe me; I have experienced all of that first hand.”

“Rogers Hornsby, Pie Traynor, Frankie Frisch – all of them big names; and all of them have managed and managed successfully without needing time in the minors. I’m just asking for my fair shot, and I am grateful to the Brunswick Legends and their owner, Mr. Reomel Buesa, for giving me that opportunity.”

“Hear, hear” and “well put” responded the dining party following Ruth’s comments.

“And we’re so very pleased to have you as our manager, Mr. Ruth,” replied Legend’s owner, Reomel Buesa, as he raised his glass in his honor. “Once we conclude this fine meal, I propose that we follow through on the King’s suggestion and retire to the Captain’s Quarters to make everything official.”

The parties involved did indeed make it official following the sumptuous meal, as representatives from the team and League met with the Babe to sign off on the contract and issue the official press release, announcing that none other than the immortal Babe Ruth had signed on to manage the Brunswick Legends for the upcoming 1940-41 season.

--------

After the evening’s unexpected flurry of activity, Ruth was eager to retire to his cabin and unwind. But as he had done earlier in the day, the Babe found himself once again along the promenade deck alone. Ruth, pleased with the day’s developments, watched as the light from the full moon danced over the restless waves below.

“Beautiful evening, isn’t it sir?” asked a voice that seemingly came from out of nowhere.

Ruth turned to address the stranger. “It sure – William! What on earth are you doing out here?”

“I knew you were a night owl, so I figured you’d still be up”, replied William, as he turned down the collar of his sport jacket that he had used to try and conceal his identity. “It’s not every day that I get a chance to spend time with my good friend.”

The two men leaned forward against the railing and remained silent for a few moments.

Finally William spoke up. “Are you happy with how things turned out?”

“Very”, replied Ruth. “Managing is something I’ve always wanted to do, and now I’m getting my chance. And I have you to thank for that.”

“It’s the least I could do. Besides, this just might be step that’s needed to get that manager’s job back in the States.”

Ruth looked up at William, who had a knowing smile on his face. Ruth smiled as well, and returned to looking out over the waves in silence.

“Here, I have something for you.” William pulled a couple of cigars out of his coat pocket and gave one to the Babe. “I didn’t know you smoked, kid”, replied a surprised Ruth.

“Just on very special occasions; and this is a very special occasion.” William pulled out a lighter and lit the Babe’s cigar, before doing the same for himself. “Just don’t tell Lily, OK?”

Ruth looked at his friend with a wide grin on his face and took a puff from his cigar.

“You’ve got my word, kid; you’ve got my word.”

[Eugene Church]

The Send Off
April 1942

The manager stepped inside his office, for the last time he thought, and gazed upon the empty desk and shelves. Only yesterday it had been filled with cigar smoke, champagne bottles and other remnants of the Legends’ United Cup victory party. A surge of satisfaction welled over him as he reflected on the achievement his players had accomplished; a scrappy team that overcame adversity to win it all. But the feeling quickly dissipated as he remembered why he was leaving: how could he remain thousands of miles away from home while young Americans were dying in the defense of their country – his country. At 47 years of age, he knew he could not have a direct share, but he was sure there was something he could do to help raise money for the war effort. And what better time to return home he figured, than right then – fresh off a championship. Besides, his wife Claire was homesick and if he was completely honest with himself, so was he. It was time to leave.

But he also had misgivings. Since the start of the playoffs, he had not seen or spoken to William and was worried how his friend would feel upon learning about his sudden decision to leave Braeland. Especially after what the King had done to secure him his dream job: manager of a professional baseball team. He wanted the opportunity to speak to him and explain his decision, but forces beyond his control prevented it until his very departure scheduled for that afternoon. He wondered how he could reach him, never mind just trying to explain it.

Just then, members of the team staff passed by his office.

“Hey, look who`s still here. If I didn`t know any better Mr. Kelloway, I`d think he wanted his old job back!” joked Gary Gott, the Legends pitching coach.

Ruth laughed as he accepted Gott’s outreached hand.

“And who could blame me? It’s the best job in the entire league! And I appreciate everything you did for me, Mr. Kelloway”, replied Ruth, as he turned to shake Legends owner’s hand.

“Babe, you’re sure you wouldn’t reconsider?” asked Brendan Kelloway, with a teasing smile his face.

Ruth smiled back and sighed. “No, but thank you just the same. All things considered, it’s time to go back home.”

“I understand completely, Babe. What do you say we go up to my office and have a drink? Claire and your luggage won’t be arriving for another half hour. I’ll make a highball just for you!”

“Now that’s an offer I can’t pass up!” smiled Ruth, rubbing his hands.

Ruth and Kelloway made their way to the Owner’s office, passing through the Legends club house. As they did so, the few remaining players who were cleaning out their lockers stood up out of respect.

“Take care, skipper”, offered Harry Chatwin, the Legends star rookie centerfielder as he stepped forward to shake Babe’s hand. “All the best and thanks for everything you taught me.”

The other players stepped up as well to get one last chance to thank their idol.

“Well thank you, boys”, replied Ruth, who relished his role as a mentor. “Just remember – if you continue to play as hard as you did this season, the Cup will stay here in Brunswick for a very long time. It was a real privilege to have been your manager, men. God bless you all.”

The two men made their way up the Owner’s office. Ruth sat down in one of the lush leather chairs and watched as Kelloway pulled back the doors to the wet bar.

“Scotch and seltzer fine with you, Ruth?” asked the owner as he dropped ice cubes into the glasses.

“Oh, that’ll be just dandy”, replied Ruth, as he loosened his tie and collar.

“So, I hear you’ll be flying out on one those newfangled C-54s the U.S. armed forces is employing now”, remarked Kelloway as he handed Ruth his drink.

“Yes – too dangerous to head out by ship now”, responded Ruth, as he took a gulp from his drink. “Ah, that hits the spot. The U.S. Navy has kindly given my wife and me clearance to leave on one of their transport planes that’s heading stateside this afternoon. I just feel bad that we have to leave in a rush and all. There are so many people we would like to say goodbye too, y’know?”

“Well, you got to go when opportunity affords itself. It’s the navy after all. But I wouldn’t worry too much. Despite the secrecy, there’ll be a waiting entourage to see you off at the tarmac.”

“You think so?” asked a hopeful Ruth as he took another gulp of his highball.

Just then, Kelloway’s secretary knocked on the door and poked her head into his office. “Excuse me, Mr. Kelloway, but there’s someone here to see Mr. Ruth. They’re waiting in his office.”

“My office?” exclaimed Ruth. “Well, I guess is it until you officially hire someone else! Must be my wife.”

Ruth looked at his watch. “I suppose it’s that time. Thanks for the drink, Mr. Kelloway; I should be heading down now and not keep Claire waiting.”

“I’ll join you, if you don’t mind, Babe”, replied Kelloway. “I’ll be heading out to see you off as well. Oh, and please, call me Brendan, Babe. No need for any formality now, is there?”

“No, I suppose not”, laughed Ruth as Kelloway patted him on the back.

The men made their way back to Ruth’s old office. As Ruth opened the door, he was greeted by his wife only to realize that she was not alone.

Ruth noticed someone was seated in his old swivel chair but had his back to him. As the young man swiveled around, Ruth instantly recognized a familiar face. “William!”

But William was in no mood for pleasantries.

“What’s this I hear of you leaving without saying goodbye?” a stern looking William asked. For a moment, tension filled the air as Alexander Louden, the King’s personal secretary and Dr. David Westfall, the Commissioner stood in silence with the others at the King’s unexpected outburst.

But the King couldn’t keep the act going any longer, and broke out in a wide grin. “Gotcha!” William shouted as he playfully pointed to his much relieved friend.

Ruth could only smile as William gleefully got up and slid over the desktop to embrace him, as the crowd of onlookers in the tiny room breathed a sigh of relief as well.

“You had me going there, kid”, exclaimed Ruth. “Truth is I wouldn’t blame you if you were angry at me. I wanted to talk to you before we departed, but I didn’t know how in the short time we had left.”

“Angry at you? That’s not even possible, is it?” asked an incredulous William. “I knew this day was coming sooner or later, what – with the war breaking out and all.” Then William paused. “I just didn’t think it would be ‘sooner’.”

William then turned to acknowledge Ruth’s wife Claire and his own wife, Lily, who was holding their three month old daughter, Hannah. “Besides, you don’t owe me anything, Babe. There’s nothing more important than family and home.”

A silence then fell upon the subdued crowd, as no one was prepared to spoil the moment for William and the Babe. Finally, it was William himself who broke it. “Well, we can’t put it off any longer. It‘s time to take you and Claire home safe and sound. Alex, if you’d be so kind as to lead us out to the motorcade; we mustn’t keep the navy waiting.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Fifteen minutes later, the motorcade arrived onto the tarmac at Lune Military Airfield just outside of Brunswick, where the U.S. Navy’s Douglas R5D was waiting for them.

Getting out of the car, the King covered his eyes from the bright afternoon sun and whistled as he gawked at the gleaming transport.

“She’s a beauty, alright,” concurred Ruth.

“I’ll see to it that you’re luggage and passage is taken of, Mr. Ruth”, informed Louden as he turned to meet the approaching military personnel.

Unsure whether he would be able to keep his emotions in check, William stayed back with his wife and daughter as United League Commissioner David Westfall and Legends owner Brendan Kelloway spoke in turn and presented, among other things, the Legends’ United Cup trophy to a surprised Ruth as a keepsake.

Ruth called out to Louden who was returning from the transport. “Hey Alex, got some more for ya!”

Laughter erupted as Ruth handed off the keepsakes to the deluged Secretary. Then, Ruth approached William, who had remained subdued.

“I’ve got something for you, your Majesty.” Ruth pulled out a baseball from the pocket of his sports jacket and gently tossed it to William. “It’s the home run ball that won us the United Cup.”

Now it was William’s turn to be surprised. “Are you sure, Babe?”

“I’m positive, kid. A little token of my appreciation. Something to share with Hannah when she’s old enough.”

William laughed. “I will, Babe. I’ll make sure she knows all about it.”

Just then Louden approached them once again. “You’re baggage is all loaded up Mr. Ruth; Mrs. Ruth. They’re requesting that you board immediately.”

“Well, take care of yourself, Babe. Goodbye, Claire”, offered William as he shook their hands in turn. Then, as the realization of their leaving finally sank in, William struggled to get the words he wanted to say out. “I’ll never forget the times we spent together, Babe. Thank you for everything.”

“So long, kid; it’s been a swell ride, and I’m grateful for all you’ve done for me. See ya when the war’s over.”

“I’d like that, Babe”, replied William. The two men stood motionless, facing each other, not wanting to leave each other’s company, but both recognized there was no point in delaying the inevitable.

After a final wave of goodbye, the Ruths turned and walked across the tarmac to the transport, up the stairs and disappeared inside. As the doors closed and the plane taxied to the runway, William turned away, unable to watch any longer. He had something in his eye.

William closed his eyes and listened as the transport took off. Within a matter of minutes it was out of view. Then a subdued Louden approached the King, who still had his back to the runway. “You’re Majesty?”

“Yes, Alex; we should go now.” The entourage withdrew and headed back to the waiting motorcade. As the others piled in, William asked Louden a favour. “Take my family home would you, Alex? I want to head back to the ballpark – alone.”

Louden didn’t have to ask why. “Yes, sire.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Arriving back at the ballpark, William gently tapped his chauffer on the shoulder. “Wait for me here, Albert. I’ll be but a few minutes.”

As William emerged from the motorcar, he paused to glance up at the ‘Babe Ruth Park’ marquee as its neon lighting fought back the threatening shadows. Entering through the side door that was opened for him, William took his time walking down the dark, lonely tunnel that led to the field behind home plate. Emerging from the home dugout, William walked up to the top step and leaned against the railing. He contemplated the rays from the late afternoon sun that streamed across the green grass and thought back to the time when he first met the Babe at Yankee Stadium all those years ago. He thought of the present as well, the brief moment in time it seemed; of witnessing the Babe manage his club to glory from those very steps. Just then, he remembered the ball Ruth had given him and pulled it out of the pocket of his sports jacket. Looking at it more closely, he noticed the inscription for the first time: “To William – Thanks for everything, kid. Your friend, Babe.”

William immediately looked around through increasingly glistening eyes, making sure he wasn’t being observed. Returning his attention to the ball, William stared at it, lost in thought, and allowed himself a faint smile. He wasn’t sure of a lot of things in life. Like the outcome of a senseless war or whether he would ever see his friend again. But he was sure of one thing.

Baseball would continue to thrive in Braeland – it just won’t be the same without the Babe.