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#1861 |
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 35,868
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The Islandian Times
Saturday, September 28, 2013 2013 Tycobbian Union Final 4 Series - Game Four at the Frog Pond in Fairfax Frogs Still Kicking, Beat Tuckanarra 6-4 In Game 4 The Fairfax Frogs are alive and kicking in the Tycobbian Union Final 4 Series. Ken Hill labored, but survived with a 6-4 decision over the Tuckanarra Blue Jays in game four of the best-of-seven series to keep the Frogs chances alive. They still trail three games to one and will have to win out to take the series. Hill (2-1 1.85) struggled and allowed 14 hits and 4 runs, but none after the fifth frame. He got stronger as the game proceeded. Hill was helped out with 3 double plays. LF Phil Nelson's (.206) two-run single in the sixth was a game-winner. Titus Bristow (2-2 5.11) took the loss as he was ravaged for 6 runs in 6 innings. |
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#1862 |
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 35,868
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The Islandian Times
Sunday, September 29, 2013 2013 Tycobbian Union Final 4 Series - Game Five at the Frog Pond in Fairfax Fairfax Back In Series, Hampton Halts Tuckanarra 7-2 in Game 5 After the first three games of the TU Final 4, manager Harry Buckley's Fairfax Frogs were on the brink of elimination with three defeats in a row, but now they are back in the series with two consecutive victories. Today Joe Hampton halted the Blue Jays 7-2 to cut the margin to three games to two. Now the Frogs have a fighting chance. Hampton was backed by a 12-hit attack, led by SS Wes Hickox (.357), RF Dane Wesner (.222), 2B Fran O'Brian (.378), C Cuz Irby (.302) and 3B Robby Franklin (.292), all of them had two hits apiece. Franklin drove in 3 runs, while Hickox and Wesner each scored twice. Hampton (1-1 3.38) hurled a strong game, stopping Tuckanarra on 6 hits and two runs with 4 strikeouts and one walk. Fairfax jumped all over Delaney Elliott (2-2 3.62) for 5 quick runs in the first two innings and dealt him the loss. The rest of the series will be played at Central Park Stadium in Tuckanarra. Game 6 is tomorrow. |
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#1863 |
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 35,868
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The Islandian Times
Monday, September 30, 2013 2013 Tycobbian Union Final 4 Series - Game Six at Central Park Stadium in Tuckanarra Tuckanarra Pro Cup Bound, Wipes Out Fairfax In 6 The Tuckanarra Blue Jays returned home to Central Park Stadium after three games on the road and finished off the Fairfax Frogs in the Tycobbian Union Final 4 with an 8-4 shellacking. The Blue Jays won the series 4-2. Tuckanarra is now bound for the IPA Pro Cup Finals opposed by the powerful Far Mountain Redhawks, who have won it the last two years. Tuckanarra lashed out early against Steve Aaron with 6 runs in the first two frames. After 7 innings they were in front 7-0 behind the fine pitching of Roy Spence. The Frogs made a comeback with 4 in the eighth, highlighted by SS Wes Hickox's (.348) 3-run smash. Spence (3-0 2.18) spun the win, permitting 4 runs and 6 hits in his 8 innings. Bardo Julama worked a scoreless ninth in relief. The defeat went to Aaron (1-2 3.81), who was gone after two innings. The winners were paced by CF Earl O'Brien (.265) with 3-for-4, 3 runs scored and an RBI. 3B Rocky Fuqua (.238) and RF Danny Redd (.383) each delivered a pair of hits and 2 RBIs. The Blue Jays racked up 12 hits, while the Frogs only got 6. The stage is now set for the teams that had the most victories in their leagues to meet. It is the first time in the 13-year Pro Cup history that this has happened. Tuckanarra led the Tycobbian Union and IPA with 100 wins this year. Far Mountain topped the Ruthlandian Union with 93 victories. The 2013 IPA Pro Cup Series will get underway in Tuckanarra day after tomorrow. It is a best-of-seven affair. Last edited by Eugene Church; 03-22-2022 at 06:37 PM. |
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#1864 |
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 35,868
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The Islandian Times
Tuesday, October 1, 2013 Redhawks Seeks 3-Peat Against Blue Jays In Pro Cup Finals The Far Mountain Redhawks are back again, again and again. For the unprecedented third year in a row the Redhawks have returned to the IPA Pro Cup Finals and are favored slightly by most experts to take the crown. However, they are playing a team that is no slouch when it comes to winning and beating good teams. Ashton "Whitey" Richburn's Tuckanarra Blue Jays topped the IPA with 100 victories this season and they have whipped two fine clubs to get to the finals. The 2013 Pro Cup Series is shaping up to quite a battle between two superb pitching corps. Far Mountain chalked up 93 wins and had the best season record in the RU. This is the first time in IPA history that the teams with the best regular season records have ever played in the Pro Cup Finals. Far Mountain is the defending Pro Cup champion. The Redhawks have won for the past two years. Groveland had the best mound staff in the Ruthlandian Union with a 3.18 ERA, but Richburn's Blue Jays were the best in the entire IPA with an extraordinary 2.92 ERA. Neither club is an offensive powerhouse. Far Mountain batted .258 (14th) with 121 homers (26th) and 668 runs (22nd), while Tuckanarra totes a .272 batting average (5th), but hit only 107 home runs (31st) and scored 709 times (16th). Defensively, they look about equal with .975 fielding averages. The Redhawks have raced through the postseason without a loss. They swept the St. John Crusaders and the Wynnamac Sundowners and have posted 8 straight victories. Far Mountain has been unstoppable at the plate with a startling .333 batting average. They have also raised their play to a higher level in the postseason with an outstanding 2.46 team ERA. The Tuckanarra staff has its work cut out for them. The Blue Jays possess a 3.14 playoff ERA and have hit well with a .278 mark. Power numbers show the Redhawks with a 9-4 advantage in homers. The Blue Jays are 8-4 overall in the playoffs as they defeated two tough teams, the Turon Typhoons and the Fairfax Frogs. Turon was the favorite to win the Tycobbian title and oppose Far Mountain in the finals. The Blue Jays are 5-1 at home and will get the home field advantage because of winning the most games this season. They were 58-19 at home this past season and 42-35 on the road. The Redhawks were 49-28 on their home field and 44-33 away. Look for these players to be the prime performers during the series. For Far Mountain it will be starters Woody Crawford (23-9 2.49), Boomerang Hines (14-5 2.53) and Robby Kelly (19-16 3.17), along with relievers Rich Burton (14-4 2.47) and Jesse Hughes (2-3 3.08). At the plate 3B Duane Parsons (.293/27/106/92) and SS Don Nichols (.293/20/82/89/23 SB) are Groveland's top bats. CF Xavier Sosa has really turned it on in the postseason with a .400 batting average, 3 homers and 17 RBIs. He missed half the season with a groin injury and batted only .244 with 7 home runs and 37 RBIs in 88 games. Tuckanarra will be led by its ace Titus Bristow (25-9 2.04), who was number one in the IPA in ERA and 8 shutouts. Delaney Elliott (20-14 2.69) and Roy Spence (19-13 3.71) will be the number two and three starters. Offensively the Blue Jays best bats are rookie RF Danny Redd (.329/9/83/88/36 SB), SS Wayne Snider (.312/13/73/72) and CF Earl O'Brien (.305/13/65/104/44 SB). The BNN prognosticators are giving the edge to Far Mountain because of its Pro Cup success and experience, plus they are playing extremely well on the mound and at the plate. It should be a whale of a series. Last edited by Eugene Church; 03-22-2022 at 06:42 PM. |
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#1865 |
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 35,868
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The Islandian Times
Wednesday, October 2, 2013 2013 IPA Pro Cup Finals - Game One at Central Park Stadium in Tuckanarra FM Redhawks Victorious In Magnificent Opener, Nips Tucks 3-2 In 14th All the predictions pointed toward an epic Pro Cup Series between two very talented teams and the opening game proved to be just that. Far Mountain and Tuckanarra went at it for 14 magnificent innings and it was finally decided on a home run by RF Julian Zavala (.333). The Redhawks nipped the Blue Jays 3-2 to go one-up in the best-of-seven series. It was the 9th postseason win in a row for the defending Pro Cup champion Redhawks. Both starters lived up to their billing. FM's Boomerang Hines and Tuckanarra's Titus Bristow both departed after 9 innings with the score tied at 2-all. Bristow was especially strong as he limited the Redhawks to just 4 hits. Hines was touched for 9. Far Mountain helped its cause with 3 double plays. Pitching was superb in the game. FM's Jesse Hughes and Rich Burton blanked the Blue Jays over the final 5 frames with Burton (1-0 0.00) getting the win. In a brilliant performance he retired all 9 batters he faced and fanned 4 of them. Tuckanarra's Stephen Eubarinja and Yuka Nawajuk were terrific as well. Eubarinja allowed no runs in the 10th and 11th and losing pitcher Nawajuk (0-1 1.08) only allowed one hit in three innings and struck out 5. Zavala's home run was the only hit off Nawajuk. The Blue Jays outhit the Redhawks 12 to 6. This was only the second time in the postseason Far Mountain was held under 10 hits. Far Mountain scored first on 2B Jim Rhodes' (.300) RBI single in the top of the second. Tuckanarra came back and knotted it at 1-1 in the fourth when C Yoshi Motsuzuki (.385) doubled, advanced on a grounder and scored when 2B Milt Sims (.209) grounded out. The Redhawks regained the lead on CF Xavier Sosa's (.361) double, SS Don Nichols' (.282) single and a sac fly by 3B Duane Parsons (.444). The Blue Jays evened the score at 2-2 in the last of the eighth on Motsuzuki's RBI fly after singles by 1B Erik Vayda (.250) and LF Dan Hill (.226) put runners on second and third. Motsuzuki leads Tuckanarra with 10 RBIs in the postseason. Last edited by Eugene Church; 03-22-2022 at 06:42 PM. |
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#1866 |
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 35,868
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The Islandian Times
Thursday, October 3, 2013 2013 IPA Pro Cup Finals - Game Two at Central Park Stadium in Tuckanarra Redhawks Beat Blue Jays Again, 10th Straight Playoff Win The defending Pro Cup champion Far Mountain Redhawks are unbeaten on the road, unbeaten at home and unbeaten in the playoffs this season. Alex Groveland's crew bumped off Tuckanarra 8-6 for its 10th straight postseason victory. This time it was the bats that prevailed. The Redhawks registered 11 hits and were sparked by SS Don Nichols (.302) with 3 RBIs and 2 hits and LF Phil Stewart (.186), who scored three times and batted in a run. 1B Fran Grzanka (.349) cracked a solo homer for the winners. Trailing 3-2 Far Mountain put 3 runs on the scoreboard in the fourth and 3 more in the sixth frame to do away with Tuckanarra. The Blue Jays made it close with single runs in the seventh, eighth and ninth. Robby Kelly (3-0 2.42) posted the victory. He struggled at times, but went 8 innings, allowed 11 hits and 5 runs, while fanning 7 and issuing 3 bases on balls. Jesse Hughes (1.29) got his 3rd playoff save despite giving up a run in his only inning, the ninth. The Blue Jays collected 12 hits to 11 for the Redhawks. Loser Delaney Elliott (2-3 5.18) had a dismal start and was rocked for 5 runs in his 5 and two-thirds innings. SS Wayne Snider and rookie sensation RF Danny Redd made it close. Snider (.271) homered and drove in 4 runs with 3 hits, while Redd (.421) had a perfect 4-for-4 day at the plate and scored 4 times. Last edited by Eugene Church; 03-22-2022 at 06:43 PM. |
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#1867 |
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Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 35,868
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The Islandian Times
Friday, October 4, 2013 2013 IPA Pro Cup Finals - Game Three at Sky Mountain Stadium in Far Mountain FM Redhawks Romp To 11th In A Row, Bomb Blue Jays 10-2 in Game 3 No team has ever dominated the Pro Cup playoffs like the Far Mountain Redhawks. They bombed the Tuckanarra Blue Jays 10-2 for their 11th straight triumph in a row. Far Mountain has not lost a single game this postseason. The Redhawks rattled the fences at home in Sky High Stadium for 16 hits and were paced by RF Julian Zavala (.364) with 4-for-5 and 2 runs scored, CF Xavier Sosa (.395) with 2-for-4 and 3 RBIs and SS Don Nichols (.326) with 2-for-3 and 2 RBIs. Even starting pitcher Woody Crawford (.429) stroked a hot bat with 3 hits and scored twice. Crawford (3-0 3.38) worked a solid complete game for his 3rd playoff victory. Crawford permitted only 2 runs and 7 hits, but did walk 4. Roy Spence (3-1 3.35) suffered his first defeat of the postseason. He was tagged for 9 hits and 6 runs in just 4+ innings. LF Earl O'Brien (.274) and CF Gilberto Montenegro (.200) provided Tuckanarra weak offense with two solo homers. Last edited by Eugene Church; 03-22-2022 at 06:44 PM. |
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#1868 |
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Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 35,868
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The Islandian Times
Saturday, October 5, 2013 2013 IPA Pro Cup Finals - Game Four at Sky Mountain Stadium in Far Mountain The Islandian Times Saturday, October 5, 2013 2013 IPA Pro Cup Finals - Game Four at Sky Mountain Stadium in Far Mountain FM Redhawks Sweep Tuckanarra In A 3-Peat The powerful Far Mountain Redhawks quickly disposed of the Tuckanarra Blue Jays in a four-game sweep to win its unprecedented 3rd IPA Pro Cup in a row. Far Mountain has played in 4 of the last 5 Pro Cups. The Redhawks wrapped it with a thrilling 3-2 win, highlighted by Fran Gzanka's clutch seventh-inning 3-run homer. Boomerang Hines (4-0 2.05) continued his postseason brilliance by outpitching tough Titus Bristow (2-3 4.10). Hines worked 8 innings, limited the Blue Jays to 6 hits, struck out 4 and walked 2 for his 14th career playoff victory. He has lost only 4 games overall with a very impressive 1.74 ERA. Closer Jesse Hughes held Tuckanarra without a run in the ninth, although he was tagged for a pair of two-out singles and had the tying run on third, when he struck out the final batter. Except for the Grzanka clout Bristow (2-3 4.10) was outstanding. In all he gave up 8 hits and 3 runs and went all the way. 1B Fran Grzanka (.333) led the Redhawks with 2 hits and C Yoshi Motsuzuki (.354) had two hits for the Blue Jays. Tuckanarra snapped a scoreless tie with 2 runs in the top of the sixth. LF Dan Hill (.250) tripled in the first run, then scored on Motsuzuki's base hit. Statistically in the Pro Cup Series, Far Mountain dominated Tuckanarra. The Redhawks had a decisive edge with a .275 batting average to .254 for the Blue Jays. It was even more pronounced with a splendid 2.20 ERA to a very poor 4.87 for Tuckanarra. Far Mountain outscored them 24-12 in the four-game series. Winning manager Alex Groveland told the press, "Good things happen when you pitch like we did and hit like we did. My guys have played flawlessly the last three years. Going 12-0, 12-2 and 12-4 in the playoffs against the best teams in the IPA really says something. We weren't too bad in 2009 either, when were 11-7 and let Turon come back from a 3-1 deficit in the finals." Blue Jay skipper Carlton "Lefty" Stevens commented, "We had our chances in game one and game four when we lost by a run each time. The other two games we were just outgunned. It obvious that Far Mountain is a great team. When you have been in the Pro Cup four of the last five seasons and won three of them, that's says it all. I guess if you have to lose, it best to do it to a great team." Redhawks CF Sosa Pro Cup MVP Again For the second year in a row the IPA Pro Cup MVP went to Far Mountain's fine center fielder Xavier Sosa. He always seems to turn it up a notch or two in the postseason. In a poll by The Islandian Times Sosa beat out three teammates for the honor. Sosa drove in 20 runs to lead everyone in the Pro Cup playoffs. He batted .391 with 3 homers and also scored 11 runs to lead the Redhawks to their third Pro Cup title in succession. Sosa won it last year, too. Finishing number two in the balloting was Boomerang Hines, who was 4-0 in the postseason with an excellent 2.05 ERA. Closer Jesse Hughes was third. He worked in 6 games and compiled a 1-0 mark with a great 1.13 ERA and 4 saves. Robby Kelly was next in the poll with a 3-0 record and a strong 2.42 ERA. Hines, who was the Pro Cup MVP in 2011, missed the playoffs last year because of injury, but came back strong this year. Sosa hit .450 with 6 roundtrippers, 14 RBIs and 20 runs to win the award last season. Last edited by Eugene Church; 03-22-2022 at 06:45 PM. |
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#1869 |
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 35,868
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The Islandian Times
Sunday, October 6, 2013 2013 Best Gloves Picked by RU Golden Glove Awards are the symbol for defensive excellence, a recognition of the best of the best in defense. The Ruthlandian Union Golden Glove Award trophies for 2013 have been awarded to its outstanding fielders. SS Danny Church won his 5th trophy. C Virgil Carpenter, 2B Karol Zodoka and 3B Warren McDaniel were honored for the 4th time and 1B Ray Slater was selected for his second time. The only rookie Gold Glove winner was LF Kenny Willard. Pitcher: Harry Dye (Beechwood Bobcats) (16-14 3.42) .989 FA Catcher: Virgil Carpenter (St. John Crusaders) (.259 BA/17 HR;/82 RBI) .991 FA/5 PB/29.5% RTO First Baseman: Ray Slater (Beechwood Bobcats) (.295 BA/6 HR/58 RBI) .996 FA Second Baseman: Karol Zodoka (Stoner Stars) (..275 BA/23 HR/83 RBI) .989 FA Third Baseman: Warren McDaniel (Belle Plaine Musketeers) (.269 BA/20 HR/86 RBI) .974 FA Shortstop: Danny Church (Marston Nine) (.287 BA/5 HR/49 RBI) .982 FA Left Fielder: Kenny Willard (Ancona Red Elephants) (.290 BA/26 HR/92 RBI) .993 FA Center Fielder: Carl Johnson (Rocky Rapids Snappers) (.299 BA/26 HR/77 RBI) .993 FA Right Fielder: Clayton Luck (St. John Crusaders) (.296/12 HR/46 RBI) .979 FA Last edited by Eugene Church; 08-03-2010 at 12:24 PM. |
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#1870 |
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 35,868
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The Islandian Times
Monday, October 7, 2013 TU Names Golden Glove Award Choices for 2013 Defense is a critical element in the game of baseball. Many times late in the game, a light-hitting defensive specialist will be inserted in place of a superstar hitter. Good defenders are worth their weight in gold and today the best of them for 2013 have been recognized by the Tycobbian Union. RF Chucky Gilton picked up his 3rd Golden Glove award. Named for the second time were SS Jose Aguilar and LF Rocco Belasario. Rookie phenom Jack Elliott was the only rookie to make the mythical squad. Pitcher: Manny Tettelbach (Bayview Vikings) (16-18 3.74) .988 FA Catcher: Jim Schubert (Red Bluff Red Sox) (.305 BA/15 HR/68 RBI) .991 FA/2 PB/34.5 % RTO First Baseman: Jack Elliott (High Mesa Cowboys) (.355 BA/61 HR/144 RBI) .996 FA Second Baseman: Phil Strong (Midway Wolves) (.266 BA/10 HR/58 RBI) .994 FA Third Baseman: Todd Chadwick (Ozarka Naturals) (.302 BA/27 HR/115 RBI) .983 FA Shortstop: Jose Aguilar (Red Bluff Red Sox) (.302 BA/13 HR/81 RBI) .980 FA Left Fielder: Rocco Belasario (Arlon Champions) (.284 BA/27 HR/89 RBI) .980 FA Center Fielder: Derek Ryckman (Cape Coral Hurricanes) (.290 BA/12 HR/53 RBI) 1.000 FA Right Fielder: Chucky Gilton (Arlon Champions) (.264 BA/19 HR/83 RBI) .991 FA Last edited by Eugene Church; 08-03-2010 at 12:22 PM. |
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#1871 |
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 35,868
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The Islandian Times
Tuesday, October 8, 2013 Taranto's Marshall Crowned RU Top Rookie The Ruthlandian Union's Rookie of the Year Award winner for 2013 is Augie Marshall, the 19-year-old superstud right fielder for the Taranto Tars. He won the award by hitting .315 and collecting 174 hits, 42 home runs, 126 RBIs and 53 walks with 106 runs scored and a .376 on-base percentage. Runner-up in the BNN poll was Waleska's standout center fielder Roy Hobbs, who batted a lofty .356 with 22 homers, 104 RBIs and 105 runs scored. Coming in third was Stoner's superb pitcher Billy Chapel. The young right-handed whiz compiled a fine 20-13 mark in his first season with a 3.00 ERA. TU's Top Rookie Proclaimed Today the Tycobbian Union announced the winner of the 2013 Rookie of the Year Award. The top-ranked rookie was the talented High Mesa first baseman Jack Elliott. The 20-year-old Cowboys newcomer had a colossal season, perhaps the greatest year in IPA history. Elliott took the trophy by hitting .355 in 154 games this season and finished with 222 hits, a league record of 61 home runs, 144 RBIs and 134 runs scored. The High Mesa slugger easily broke East Point's Karol Zodoka's home run mark of 54 set in 2002. Elliott was also named to the Golden Glove team yesterday. Second place in the voting went to Denton City's ace Jeff Russell, who had a sensational year with 21 victories, only 9 losses and a strong 2.90 ERA. Rated third in the BNN Rookie poll was another fine freshman hurler, Wilcy Lord of the Southport Sun Sox. Lord, a southpaw, notched a 16-6 mark with a very impressive 2.57 ERA. Unfortunately he ended his season in early September with a rotator injury and will possibly miss some of next season. Last edited by Eugene Church; 08-03-2010 at 05:04 PM. |
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#1872 |
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 35,868
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The Islandian Times
Wednesday, October 8, 2013 FM's Groveland Acclaimed RU Skipper Of The Year Many times a manager with the best teams gets bypassed when it comes to winning awards. Some voters think they just have a good team year-after-year and win the league title by default because of talented players. It happened to Far Mountain's Alex Groveland for quite a few years in the past. He finally won it last year. Guess what? They gave Groveland the Ruthlandian Union Manager of the Year Award for the second straight season and he richly deserved it. The Redhawks had the most victories in the RU with a 93-61 record and took the pennant in the RU North. The poll is conducted by The Islandian Times. Groveland is now even up with Colfax's Clem Rogers for the most Manager of the Year awards with a pair each. Rogers captured the trophy in 2009 and 2010. "This award is a true honor and a testament to the perseverance of our players and staff," Groveland said in a release. "As a team, we overcame several obstacles to put together a successful season." Dickie Billings of the St. John Crusaders was Groveland's biggest competitor. His club rose up from a lowly seventh place and copped the crown in the RU South with an 87-67 mark, an improvement of 19 games over the previous season. The Elnora All-Stars went from sixth to second in the RU East and lost out to Wynnamac by single game. Manager Zoggy White guided his team to a 16-game jump from 2012 with an 86-69 record. White was the number three votegetter in annual poll. Ranking fourth in the balloting was Forest City's Rob Jackson. His Lumberjacks climbed from 7th place in the RU West to the top spot with an 85-69 mark, up 11 games over last season. IPA Manager of the Year Ruthlandian Union 2004 Foxy Jimison- LaGrange 2006 Stacy Engel – Claxton 2007 Manny Mickens – Ancona 2008 Robbie Jackson – Forest City 2009 Clem Rogers – Colfax 2010 Clem Rogers – Colfax 2011 Eddie Keys – Sligo 2012 Alex Groveland – Far Mountain 2013 Alex Groveland – Far Mountain Last edited by Eugene Church; 03-22-2022 at 06:50 PM. |
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#1873 |
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 35,868
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The Islandian Times
Thursday, October 9, 2013 Tuck's Stevens TU's Top Manager Actually it is quite simple to win the manager of the year award, all you have to do is win a hundred games and you'll get it for sure. Just ask this year's Tycobbian Union Manager of the Year, Carlton "Lefty" Stevens, first-time recipient of the annual honor given by The Islandian Times. The only problem with that philosophy is winning the hundred games. But Stevens and his Tuckanarra Blue Jays did just that in an outstanding 100-54 season and captured the TU East pennant with ease. The Blue Jays climbed up from fifth place to first place, a remarkable 27-game turnaround over 2012. "One guy doesn't win an award like this," Stevens said in a conference call. "The Tuckanarra Blue Jays won this award." Turon's Ashton "Whitey" Richburn was the runner-up to Stevens. Turon is a gifted team season-after-season, but Richburn piloted them to a super 95-69 record and regained the TU South title back after a year's absence. This was 7 games better than 2012. It's a mighty tough task to improve once you reach the 90-win level on a consistent basis like Richburn. Frisky Franks and his High Mesa Cowboys rode high in the saddle this year with an 88-66 mark. They rose up from sixth place to second place in the tough TU South with an 18-game improvement in their record. Franks was the third highest votegetter in the poll. IPA Manager of the Year Tycobbian Union 2004 Huggy Miller – Cape Coral 2006 Gary Louis – Arlon 2007 Matty Christianson – Rolling Hills 2008 Gary Louis – Arlon 2009 Ashton "Whitey" Richburn – Turon 2010 Cobb Tyson – Blue Lake 2011 Harry Buckley – Fairfax 2012 Hub Carlson – North Hills 2013 Carlton "Lefty" Stevens – Tuckanarra Last edited by Eugene Church; 03-22-2022 at 06:52 PM. |
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#1874 |
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The Islandian Times
Friday, October 10, 2013 Stevenson Selected RU's Premier Batter Sugar Valley's star catcher culminated a huge season by being named the Ruthlandian Union Golden Bat Award winner for 2013. Hal Stevenson, a 10-year veteran and 6-time All-Star, was one tough out this season as he battered pitchers for 49 home runs, drove in 134 runs and scored 109 times, while batting at a .311 clip. The 30-year-old Rattler backstop paced the RU in homers and RBIs. This is the first time Stevenson has won the award. He is a career .290 hitter and just past the 300 mark in home runs. His biggest competition came from Forest City's fine left fielder 31-year-old Joe Judlin and Waleska's standout rookie center fielder Roy Hobbs. Judlin finished second in the balloting. He hit .320 with 35 roundtrippers, 115 RBIs and 102 runs. Hobbs led the RU with a .355 batting average, drove in 104 runs, scored 105 times and walloped 22 out of the park. Last edited by Eugene Church; 08-03-2010 at 10:36 PM. |
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#1875 |
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The Islandian Times
Saturday, October 11, 2013 Jack Elliott Wins TU Best Bat Trophy It's beginning to look like the Year of Jack Elliott in the Islandian Pro Alliance. Already this week Elliott was named as the best fielding first baseman in the TU and won a Golden Glove, plus he was chosen the Rookie of the Year. It has been a phenomenal freshman year for the 20-year-old Elliott. Today High Mesa's record-breaking rookie was named the Tycobbian Union Golden Bat Award winner for 2013 by The Islandian Times. He pounded TU hurlers hard all season long, collecting 222 hits in 626 at-bats for a .355 batting average and totaled 26 doubles, 12 triples, 61 home runs, 144 RBIs and 134 runs scored. Elliott established a new IPA standard for roundtrippers and beat Karol Zodoka's previous mark of 54 in 2002 for the East Point Panthers. Youngster Elliott had to beat out two superstars for the honor. La Claire's splendid center fielder Zeppy Deshotel wound up second in the poll. The 30-year-old Deshotel unloaded 44 home runs, stole 41 bases, batted in 125 runs, scored 112 runs and sported a .350 batting average. Number three was Turon's great first sacker Clyde Kingsford. Last year's top rookie had an even better second season with a .316 average, 46 homers, an IPA-leading 147 RBIs and 117 runs scored. Last edited by Eugene Church; 08-03-2010 at 10:24 PM. |
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#1876 |
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The Islandian Times
Sunday, October 12, 2013 Wynnamac Ace Takes Golden Arm Award The Golden Arm Award for 2013 has been presented and the Ruthlandian Union winner is Jerry Meeks of Wynnamac. The 27-year-old Meeks excelled with an impressive 22-6 record in 39 starts and was instrumental in the Sundowners winning the East Division flag. In 307 innings he yielded 278 hits and 49 walks, while striking out 197 and compiling a fine 2.47 ERA, which was the fifth best in the league. Meeks was a first-time winner of the Golden Arm Award. The Golden Arm runner-up was Far Mountain's 22-year-old Woody Crawford, who paced the RU with 23 wins. Crawford lost 9 games and chalked up a 2.49 ERA. He was an important ingredient in the Redhawks fifth consecutive RU North pennant. Taylor Gibbs, Elnora's longtime ace, was third in The Islandian Times polling. Gibbs was 21-11 with a 2.60 ERA and he led the league with 251 strikeouts in 298 innings. Elnora finished a very close second to Wynnamac for the division crown, losing out in a single-game playoff. Last edited by Eugene Church; 09-21-2015 at 06:38 PM. |
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#1877 |
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The Islandian Times
Monday, October 13, 2013 Turon Twirler Wins TU Golden Arm Award 24-year-old Nicky Engstrom of the Turon Typhoons put together a good year in 2013 for such a young player. Engstrom was named today as the winner of the Tycobbian Union Golden Arm Award. Engstrom crafted a very impressive 25-6 record and a 2.10 ERA. In 300 innings he allowed 247 hits, struck out 246, and walked 72. Lifetime Engstrom is 88-33 with a superb 2.17 ERA. The star right-hander has won 20 games in each of his first four seasons in the IPA. Turon won the TU South title this year and three times in the last four years. Titus Bristow of the Tuckanarra Blue Jays finished number two in the Golden Arm balloting. Bristow registered a 25-9 mark with a 2.04 ERA and 8 shutouts. He topped the league in ERA and shutouts and tied for the most victories. Fairfax's Ken Hill also won 25 games and dropped 11 with a 3.09 ERA. Both Tuckanarra and Fairfax won their divisions. |
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#1878 |
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 35,868
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The Islandian Times
Tuesday, October 14, 2013 Sundowners Meeks RU MVP Choice Without Jerry Meeks the Wynnamac Sundowners would not have won the RU East crown this season. Meeks had a superlative 22-6 season with a brilliant 2.04 ERA and now has been awarded the Ruthlandian Union Most Valuable Player trophy given out annually by The Islandian Times. He was just recently chosen the best pitcher in the league and received the Golden Arm Award. Meeks struck out 197 batters in 306 innings, completed 14 games in 39 starts and had 4 shutouts in a marvelous year. Meeks is 27 years old and a five-year vet. He has an overall 68-38 won-loss record with a 2.75 ERA. Meeks told reporters, "This was a special year. The Sundowners won the pennant and I helped them do it. It really is nice to get acknowledged this way. It's truly an honor to get this award." Forest City's talented left fielder Joe Judlin was second in the poll. He played a huge part in leading the Lumberjacks to a surprise pennant in the RU West. They had been sixth the previous year. 31-year-old Judlin hit at a .320 pace with 35 home runs, 115 RBIs and 102 runs and provided much of the 'Jacks offense. This year's RU Golden Bat winner Hal Stevenson came in third in the MVP vote. The superstar catcher for the Sugar Valley Rattlers knocked 49 homers, batted .311, drove in 134 runs and scored 109 times. Stevenson topped the league in home runs and RBIs. Last edited by Eugene Church; 03-22-2022 at 06:48 PM. |
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#1879 |
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 35,868
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The Islandian Times
Wednesday, October 15, 2013 Elliott Is TU MVP, Sweeps Major Awards Jack Elliott is "Mr. Baseball" this season in the Tycobbian Union and also in the entire Islandian Pro Alliance. The High Mesa rookie first baseman swept all of the major awards. First, he was named to the Golden Glove team, next came the Rookie of the Year and Golden Bat and now Elliott has been acclaimed the TU Most Valuable Player. The 20-year-old record-smashing slugger put up astronomical numbers in his first year in the IPA. Elliott broke the home run record with 61, led the TU in runs scored with 134 and was second with a .355 batting average and third in RBIs with 144. No other rookie has ever approached those stats. His great year sparked the Cowboys in their rise from sixth to second in the TU East. Cowboys manager Frisky Franks commented at the press conference, "I don't think anyone envisioned what Jack has done. We knew he was a very talented and gifted player, but did not expect him to do what he has done this year. He has been truly amazing." Elliott told reporters, "Hey, I know I'm a good ballplayer and I have always excelled, but never in my wildest dreams did I think I would hit like I have this year." Another rookie wound up second in the MVP poll, conducted annually by The Islandian Times. Pitcher Jeff Russell was the main reason Denton City won the TU West. Russell had a terrific year with a 21-9 record and a 2.90 ERA. He made 39 starts and completed 16 of them with 3 shutouts. Turon's fantastic first baseman Clyde Kingsford paced them to the TU South championship. The second-year player and last year's Rookie of the Year was even better this season with 46 homers (4th) and an IPA-leading 147 RBIs, while hitting .316 and scoring 117 runs. Last edited by Eugene Church; 03-22-2022 at 06:48 PM. |
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#1880 |
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 35,868
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The Islandian Times
Tuesday, April 1, 2014 IPA Begins 14th Season The brand new 2014 pennant race begins today. The clubs are poised and primed for another new season of baseball filled with plenty of spills, chills, hits, runs, errors and homers. Another exciting Islandian Pro Alliance season kicks off a new year with 32 games around the Islands. The defending champion Far Mountain Redhawks of the Ruthlandian Union will be in quest of its fourth Pro Cup in a row. They swept the Tuckanarra Blue Jays of the Tycobbian Union in four games to take the Pro Cup last year. Both clubs are expected to be in contention again this season. |
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