ISLANDIAN PRO ALLIANCE (RUTHLANDIA and TYCOBBIA BASEBALL UNIONS)

[Eugene Church]

Sunday, August 1, 2060

BULLS, MACS BOLT FAR AHEAD
Six weeks are left in the season in the Islandian Pro Alliance but it looks like it's already over in the Ruthlandian North and Ruthlandian East... Ranford and Wynnamac are running roughshod over everybody in sight and seemingly have wrapped up the division flag very early... the rest of the six divisions in the IPA still have genuine pennant races.

The Ranford Bulls (73-35) bolted to a remarkable 23-6 in July and now have a gigantic 10-game bulge over second place Glasco (63-45)... nobody is likely to catch the rampaging Bulls... what makes this even more amazing is that the Bulls finished in the RU North basement last year... plus they were just the seventh choice to take the division title this year... looks like Ranford might just accomplish fantastic feat, going from the outhouse to the penthouse in just one season... third place Far Mountain (59-49) is 14 games back in the race... the LaGrange Gators (58-50) are in the fourth spot in the standings, 15 games out... 'nuff said.

Same thing in the Ruthlandian East Division... the Wynnamac Sundowners (73-35) went 22-7 and now has a huge 12-game margin over runner-up Elnora (61-47)... Marston (55-53) is 18 games off the pace... and Cold Creek (53-55) is 20 games behind Wynnamac... no one is expecting a meltdown by the Macs anytime soon... so in essence, the race is over... the baseball preseason pollsters were right on the money... they picked the Macs to win the RU East in easy fashion... prophecy fulfilled.

But alas, all is not lost... there are plenty of redhot races left in the IPA... in the Ruthlandian South the St. John Crusaders (65-43) are just two games in front of the Grand City Cybercats (63-45)... and third place Waleska (57-51) and fourth Claxton (56-52) are within striking distance should the top two falter in the stretch... the Crusaders chalked up an 18-11 mark last month, while the Cybercats only managed 15-14... the Westerners dropped back drastically with a 12-17 record... the Diamonds were 16-13.

Three teams are contending in the Ruthlandian West... Volusia (62-46) picked up steam with an 18-11 July to up its lead over Sligo (58-50) to four games... the Rovers were 15-14... Sligo won it last year and were the preseason pick to repeat as division champion... Rocky Rapids (57-51) is in the third spot, trailing by 5 games... the Snappers were 14-15 for the month... fourth place Fort Benton (52-56) is 10 games behind... the Defenders had a poor month at 12-17... the race will probably come down to Volusia and Sligo… they have much better pitching than Rocky Rapids.

4 HOT RACES IN TU
Another hot spot is the Tycobbian North where powerful Oxford (65-43), the defending champ, has open up a little space in the standings with a 20-9 record last month... second place Luxora (62-46) hung tough at 18-11 and are now three games back in the race... third place Mahaska (60-48) is nearby, too... only five games behind... the Haymakers posted a 16-13 mark in July... fourth place White River (58-50) was 15-14 for the month and is seven games out... Oxford and Luxora are a lot alike... good hitting, good power... and good pitching... they are well-balanced clubs... one of them will will the pennant... Mahaska is not quite up to the level of the Red Caps and the Zorros... the Haymakers lack longball power... White River can't score runs... and Fairfax can't stop anyone from scoring.

The current Pro Cup champion, the Ginza Ninjas (62-46) had a losing month in July with a 13-16 record and lost their lead to Turon (64-44), which was a sizzling 19-10... the Typhoons are now in front by two games over the Ninjas... two other challengers are nearby, too... the third place Southport Sun Sox (58-50) are six games behind Turon... the Sun Sox didn't fare well in July, going 14-15... the Summerland Sunsets (57-51) are surging late with a 19-10 month... they are now seven games out... Turon and Ginza have the edge over the other two clubs... much better offenses... but Summerland has a whale of a pitching staff, but is horrible at hitting.

It's just a two-team race in the Tycobbian East, but it is a tight one between first place Tuckanarra (67-41) and South Fork (66-42)... just one game separates them going in to the final six weeks of the regular season... both are playing quite well... the Tiger Cats were 19-10, while the Stallions were ever better at 21-8... the Red Bluff Red Sox (54-54), Ozarka Naturals (51-57) and last year's division winner High Mesa (50-58) are tussling for the third spot in the TU East... the Tucks have the offense... the Stallions have the pitching, but lack scoring... this might favor Tuckanarra.

The Rolling Hills Racers (61-47) have a very slight one-game edge over the defending division champ, Denton City (60-48)... the Redbirds skied to a standout 19-10 in July, while the Racers were 16-13... the two clubs could go down to the last day of season again... Denton City beat Rolling Hills last year in a single-game playoff... Bay St. Clair (58-50) is in the third spot, but the Bucs didn't play well last month with a poor 11-18 record... but they are just three games behind the leading Racers... just a short winning streak out of the top spot in the TU East...all three contenders are good, solid ballclubs... Rolling Hills might be a little better offensively than Denton City, who is a little better offensively than Bay St. Clair... the mound staffs are fairly equal... preseason favorite Kenwood (54-54) is now up to the fourth spot, seven games back in the pennant race... Bayview (53-55) is eight out... and La Claire (52-56) is nine games behind... but none of them are likely to catch the leaders... none of them played well in July... the Wildcats were the best of the lot with a 15-14 mark... the Vikings and the Lynx were both 13-16.

Ruthlandian Union Standings

[Eugene Church]

Ruthlandian Union Leaderboards
Thursday, August 1, 2060

[Eugene Church]

Tycobbian Union Standings
Thursday, August 1, 2060

[Eugene Church]

Tycobbian Union Leaderboards
Thursday, August 1, 2060

[Eugene Church]

Wednesday, September 1, 2060

SEPTEMBER CRUNCH TIME IN THE IPA
September is finally here... and now is the time to play your best in the Islandian Pro Alliance, especially if you are in the hunt for a spot in the elite Pro Cup Series... the only way you get one of the eight precious spots is to win your division... there are no wild cards in the IPA.

Can you believe it?... the magnificent Wynnamac Sundowners have already nabbed a spot in the playoffs... and the remarkable Ranford Bulls just have to play out the regular campaign and get set for the Pro Cup playoffs... but most of the other division leaders around the IPA have their work cut off for them... they are going to have to finish strong to insure their spot in the much-coveted postseason playoffs.

Ranford (88-48) still has a 10-game lead in the Ruthlandian North... not likely runner-up Glasco (78-58) or third place Far Mountain (75-61) can catch the amazing Bulls... the Bulls went 15-13 in August... same as the Foxhounds... the Redhawks were 16-12 last month.

First place St. John (82-54) and second place Grand City (80-56) are still going at it hot-and-heavy in the Ruthlandian South race... only two games separate them... both were 17-11 in August... the Crusaders and the Cybercats are even steven in talent... the lucky one will win... as they say in baseball, sometimes it's better to be lucky than good... will it be St. John or Grand City that Lady Luck will smile on?

I guess you could safely say Wynnamac (92-44) has skunked everybody in the Ruthlandian East... the Macs are 20 games in front of runners-up Elnora (72-64) and Marston (72-64)... they have already clinched the division title with three weeks to go... that how overwhelming the Sundowners have dominated this season.

It's a race in the Ruthlandian West with three clubs still in the pennant chase... preseason favorite and last year's winner Sligo (76-60) has a slight two-game edge over second place Volusia (74-62)... seven games off the pace Rocky Rapids (69-67) has a chance in theory, but the Snappers have a lot of ground to make up and very little time to do it... only 18 games left on the schedule... the Rovers had a fine August with an 18-10 mark and they raced past last month's leader, the Volusia Vigilantes, who slumped badly to 12-16 and slipped to second... Rocky Rapids had a bad month, too, finishing a woeful 12-16, too... too close to call between the Rovers and the V's... based on recent play, Sligo has the momentum in the race.

The hot races in the Tycobbian Union have cooled off... only one real tight battle is going on... that's in the Tycobbian East where South Fork (84-52) and Tuckanarra (83-53) are continuing their season-long encounter... heading into September the Stallions are just barely ahead by one game... South Fork was 18-10 for the month, while the Tucks were 16-12... the Stallions regained the top spot in the standings... they have seesawed back and forth in the league the entire season... the Stallions had the lead in May and June, the Tiger Cats in July and August... South Fork has a slight edge in pitching and much better defense than Tuckanarra, but the Tucks have the better offense... this is another one too close to call... the difference maker could be the depth of the Stallion starting rotation.

The Oxford Red Caps (83-53) are riding high in the Tycobbian North after a strong 18-10 record in August... they now have a fairly comfortable seven-game margin over second place Mahaska (76-60)... Blue Lake (75-61) is eight games out... Luxora (74-62) is nine behind... and White River (72-64) trails by 11 games... the Red Caps have a high-scoring attack with home-run power and pretty good pitching... things are looking good for Oxford as far as the postseason... the Red Caps are a fairly good bet to repeat as TU North champion... the Haymakers were 16-12 last month, but still lost ground... Blue Lake went 19-9, but could gain only one game on the Red Caps... Luxora slipped to 12-16 and White River was even at 14-14.

In the Tycobbian South race Turon (81-55) extended its lead to six games over Pro Cup champion Ginza (75-61) and Summerland (75-61)... last month the Typhoons were 17-11, Ginza was a poor 13-15 and Summerland 18-10... fourth place Southport (74-62) fashioned a 16-12 mark in August... veteran pitching and strong bats give Turon the favorite's role down the stretch... the Ninjas have had two bad months in a row and looks like they have killed their chance to defend their IPA title... the Sunsets just don't score runs... not likely to catch the Typhoons... the Sun Sox are not likely to make a run at Turon, either.

And the best in the Tycobbian West is the Rolling Hills Racers (81-55)... they made shambles of a tight race by rolling to a 20-8 record last month, while the two main competitors tanked... second place Denton City (73-63) could only muster a 13-15 mark and Bay St. Clair (68-68) dropped totally out of the race with a dismal 10-18 month... don't think the Redbirds can catch the high-flying Racers.

[Eugene Church]

Ruthlandian Union Leaderboards
Wednesday, September 1, 2060

[Eugene Church]

Tycobbian Union Standings
Wednesday, September 1,2060

[Eugene Church]

Tycobbian Union Leaderboards
Wednesday, September 1, 2060

[Eugene Church]

Monday, September 20, 2060

KARATE KIDS STRIKE AGAIN
CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?
Going into September... defending Pro Cup champion Ginza was down and almost out... six games behind first place Turon in the Tycobbian West... however, the Ninjas avoided the knockout punch and pull off another remarkable finish... they rebounded with a 14-4 month and won the TU West by two games over the bewildered Typhoons... Turon (87-67) was only 6-12 down the stretch and blew the pennant... in a head-to-head clash, the Karate Kids (89-65) took two out of three in the final series of the season... Ginza smashed Turon 11-3 on the last day of the year, took the division flag and now will get a chance to win back-to-back Pro Cups... yeah, I know it sounds like a fairytale... but as I heard in the movie "E. T.".... "This is reality, Greg."

In the only other close race, South Fork (95-59) took care Tuckanarra (91-63) in the Tycobbian East... the Stallions posted an 11-7 September, while the Tiger Cats could only go 8-10... the rest of the Islandian Pro Alliance divisions were won pretty much in a breeze.

The Ranford Bulls (99-55) steered their way over Glasco (89-65) by 10 games in the Ruthlandian North... this will be the Bulls first postseason since 2041... both clubs played well in the last month, going 11-7... Ranford has never won the Pro Cup... this season the rampaging Bulls chalked up the second-best mark in the IPA... only Wynnamac had more wins.

The St. John Crusaders (94-60) put the finishing touch on the Ruthlandian South title with a 12-6 run in September, while the Grand City Cybercats (86-68) crashed to 6-12... the Crusaders pulled away and won by eight games... St. John last made the Pro Cup playoffs in 2057... the Crusaders are seeking their first IPA crown.

The Wynnamac Sundowners (104-50) totally destroyed all comers in the Ruthlandian East Division, winning by an unprecedented 25 games... Wynnamac topped the IPA with the most victories... the Elnora Clippers (79-75) came in a very distant second to the magnificent Macs... the Sundowners have appeared in the postseason playoffs six times in the last nine years... they last made the playoffs in 2058... have won the Pro Cup twice in the team's history... 2008 and 2055... Pro Cup number three could be just over the horizon... Wynnamac had a good September with a 12-6 mark.

The Sligo Rovers (90-64) entered September with a tender two-game edge on the Volusia Vigilantes (83-71), but won going away with a sparkling 14-4 finish and whipped the V's by seven games... Volusia went 9-9 down the stretch... this was the Rovers' second pennant in a row... they were eliminated last year by Pro Cup finalist Valmara in the second round... Sligo has been to the Pro Cup playoffs on 10 occasions and has one Pro Cup trophy... they won it all in 2021.

In the Tycobbian North, Oxford carried a healthy eight-game lead in the September and finished strong with a sizzling 14-4 month... the Red Caps (97-57) won the division flag by 10 games over Mahaska (87-67)... the Haymakers were a solid 11-7 and finished a fine season with a flourish... Oxford has been to the playoffs two times in the last three years... they fell in a tense seven games to Pro Cup champ Ginza in '59... and in the Tycobbian first round in '57 to Turon... the Red Caps are ripe for a Pro Cup title... it's been over five decades since Oxford won in 2007.

The Rolling Hills Racers will be returning to the Pro Cup playoffs for the first time in 13 seasons... they last appeared in 2048 and won the whole shebang and beat the Claxton Diamonds in five games... the Racers (93-61) will be seeking their fourth Pro Cup trophy... last year's division champ Denton City (85-69) wound up second, losing by eight games... both clubs did well in the final month... both were 12-6.

PRO CUP OUTLOOK:
At a glance this appears to be a very well-balanced Pro Cup playoff... there are no weak sisters... all eight clubs look like they could win it... and all of them are heading into the postseason playing excellent baseball... the 2060 IPA Pro Cup Series should be truly a feast for sore eyes... do you think the Karate Kids can do it again?

[Eugene Church]

Tuesday, September 21, 2060

PRO CUP 60 ON THE WAY WED
There is nothing else like it in the Islands... the IPA Pro Cup Series... once a year in the fall all eyes and ears turn to the baseball diamonds and the lush green mansions... a time when eight baseball teams engage in battle for the much-revered Pro Cup... emblematic of baseball supremacy in Islandia... this will be the 60th edition of this much-cherished event... it all began six decades ago in 2001.

Eight division champions from around the Islandian Pro Alliance begin play this Wednesday afternoon at four sites around the country... in the Ruthlandian Union, the St. John Crusaders will travel to Ranford County Stadium and go up against the Ranford Bulls... and the Sligo Rovers will be hosted by the Wynnamac Sundowners at Granger Field... in the Tycobbian Union, the South Fork Stallions will entertain the Rolling Hills Racers at Jock Ewing Stadium... and the reigning king of the IPA, the Ginza Ninjas will open defense of their title on the road at Winchester Park in Oxford against the hometown Red Caps.

Each postseason series will be the best-of-seven and will culminate and climax with the champion of the Ruthlandian Union meeting the champion of the Tycobbian Union... it takes three rounds of play and the winner will be crowned the IPA Pro Cup champion, the best overall and supreme team in Islandia.

St. John Crusaders (94-60) (Ruthlandian South Champion)

[Eugene Church]

Ranford Bulls (99-55) (Ruthlandian North Champion)

[Eugene Church]

Sligo Rovers (90-64) (Ruthlandian West Champion)

[Eugene Church]

Wynnamac Sundowners (104-50) (Ruthlandian East Champion)

[Eugene Church]

Ginza Ninjas (89-65) (Tycobbian South Champion)

[Eugene Church]

Oxford Red Caps (97-57) (Tycobbian North Champion)

[Eugene Church]

Rolling Hills Racers (93-61) (Tycobbian East Champion)

[Eugene Church]

South Fork Stallions (95-59) (Tycobbian West Champion)

[Dark Horse]

i'll be hoping for a Bulls-Macs championship in Ruthlandia. That Bulls lineup is impressive. The Macs look really good. But will the bullpen be their downfall? In Tycobbia, i like the the Stallions' pitching staff and they play good defense. But will they score enough?

[Eugene Church]

Originally Posted by Dark Horse

i'll be hoping for a Bulls-Macs championship in Ruthlandia. That Bulls lineup is impressive. The Macs look really good. But will the bullpen be their downfall? In Tycobbia, i like the the Stallions' pitching staff and they play good defense. But will they score enough?

Looks like you did your scouting... I'll have to do my homework... will let you know my picks soon.

[Eugene Church]

Post Deleted.