ISLANDIAN PRO ALLIANCE (RUTHLANDIA and TYCOBBIA BASEBALL UNIONS)

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Tuesday, October 2, 2018

2018 IPA Pro Cup Playoffs

Ruthlandian Union Final 4 Series

Wow! Ancona Did It!
The amazing Ancona Red Elephants defied logic and upset the Rocky Rapids Snappers in seven games to win the Ruthlandian Final 4... down 4-0 in the second inning and 5-1 after six, the Red Elephants roared back to defeat the Snappers 9-7 in 10 innings by scoring 2 runs in each of the seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth frames... CF Ken Rutledge tripled in the winning score and LF Kenny Willard tacked on an insurance run with a single... Ancona battered the Snappers for 14 hits, while giving up 11... John Sharpe (1-0 3.38) got credit for the win, despite surrendering a run in his 2 innings... Nikon Maragos, the fifth Ancona hurler, got the save with a scoreless tenth... loser Milt Baker (0-1 3.60), who hadn't allowed a run in the playoffs, was belted hard for 2 runs and 5 hits in an inning and two-thirds... Rutledge (.300), Willard (.262) and RF Louie DiMucci (.302) led the Red Elephants with 2 hits each... CF Carl Johnson (.245) cracked 3 hits for the Snappers and batted in 3 runs... 3B Paul Shelton (.241) also had 3 hits and LF Rob Barton got a 2-run homer... Ancona's next mountain to climb is the Turon Typhoons, who won the Tycobbian Final 4... the Pro Cup begins Thursday at Typhoon Stadium in Turon.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Wednesday, October 3, 2018

David Vs. Goliath In Pro Cup Finals
Not a soul expected Ancona to defeat Rocky Rapids in the Ruthlandian Final 4, but they did. Now the task before them is the Turon Typhoons, who have played in more Pro Cups than any team in the IPA. This will be Turon sixth time to play for the Island championship. The Typhoons have been victorious on three occasions: 2003, 2006 and 2009. Twice they were beaten in seven games: 2010 and 2017. Ancona, on the other hand, has only made a very brief appearance in the playoffs prior to this season. In 2007, the Red Elephants were eliminated quickly 4 games to 1 in the first round. But as manager Manny Mickens told the press, "It's not about past years. It's about this year and the right now. And right now my Red Elephants are playing as well as anybody. We just beat a very fine team to get here and we can do it again. There have been numerous teams in Pro Cup history that were unlikely winners. Most recently, the Kenwood Wildcats, who upset all the predictions in 2014."

Ancona's success depends on its number two and three starters Dave Blair (15-10 4.14) and Nikon Maragos (17-15 3.75). If they can keep them in the ball game, the Red Elephants 2-3-4-5 hitters may be enough to pull them through offensively against the talented Turon mound corps. Bullpen specialist John Sharpe (24 saves) will have to produce as well. Ancona's ace Clete Dukas (20-12 3.01) can hold his own with anybody in the IPA. 2B Phil Alston (.267 BA/19 HR), LF Kenny Willard (.331 BA/28 HR), RF Louie DiMucci (.298 BA/30 HR) and 1B Johnny Lee Harder (.288 BA/18 HR) are a formidable foursome that can put runs on the scoreboard.

However, Nicky Engstrom (18-11 2.59), Shane Farmer (29-3 2.60) and Ted Farentino (18-13 3.72) form a very strong rotation. The Typhoons also have a fine closer in Merle Studebaker (34 saves), too. Turon also has a potent batting order with 1B Clyde Kingsford (.338 BA/44 HR), CF Mac McCurnan (.304 BA/32 HR), RF Dominick DiCaprio (.297 BA/29 HR) and LF Andy Porter (.308 BA/20 HR). Asked if he liked being heavily-favored to win, Whitey Richburn replied, "Yes... and I hope the experts are right."

The experts are forecasting a Turon victory in five or six games. They have much better pitching than Ancona.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Thursday, October 4, 2018

IPA Pro Cup Finals - Game 1 At Typhoon Stadium In Turon

Turon Takes Pro Cup Opener 4-3
Playing at home, Turon took an early 3-0 lead and then had to fight off a determined bunch of Ancona Red Elephants as they came back in the seventh to tie it up at 3-all... but lost it 4-3 when RF Dominick DiCaprio (.382) tripled to lead off the bottom of the eighth against a tired Clete Dukas and scored the game-winner on LF Andy Porter's (.500) base hit... Dukas (3-3 2.42) went all the way in defeat, yielding 4 runs on 8 hits... Nicky Engstrom worked the first 6 frames for Turon and gave up 2 runs on 6 hits... Engstrom was KO'd in the Ancona 3-run outburst in the seventh, highlighted by 1B Johnny Lee Harder's (.348) 2-run clout... Juan-Carlos Torriente (1-1 8.10) got credit for the win, but was tagged for the tying run... closer Merle Studebaker copped his 4th playoff save with a perfect 1-2-3 ninth... CF Mac McCurnan (.222) sparked the Typhoons with 3 hits, including a pair of RBI doubles in the first and second innings... 1B Clyde Kingsford (.208) drove in the other Turon run in the third.

[Eugene Church]

A computer virus got me and it will be a few days before I get my computer back.

I posted this with my wife's computer.

Maybe Monday or Tuesday I will be able to continue the IPA Pro Cup.

[HGVoyager]

Sorry to hear that. I hope you get back into the action soon!

[Eugene Church]

If you get System Tool on your screen, it will tell you your computer is infected with Trojans and begin running a scan. It wants you to purchase software to remove the Trojans.

DON'T DO ANYTHING TO THE WINDOW. If you do, it will lock up your computer.
Don't close it or cancel it... Don't respond that you are not interested.

The minute you see it on the screen, just hit "Ctrl/Alt/Delete" and choose Task Master, then highlight what ever is running on your computer and end the task. This is what a computer tech told me to do.

I tried "Ctrl/Alt/Delete" after I had tried to close the window and cancel it.

I then tried to go to the Control Panel and uninstall the program.

Too late. It had already locked up my computer.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Friday, October 5, 2018

2018 IPA Pro Cup Finals - Game 2 At Typhoon Stadium In Turon

Blair Beats Turon 5-2, Ancona Evens Series
15-game winner Dave Blair outpitched Shane Farmer, a 29-game winner, to gain a split of the first two games in the best-of-seven IPA Pro Cup Series... Blair (4-1 2.61) led the Ancona Red Elephants to a 5-2 decision over the Turon Typhoons at Typhoon Stadium, holding them to 2 unearned runs on 8 hits in 6 innings... Blair also walked 4 batters... Turon had all kinds of opportunities to get back in the game as they stranded 16 baserunners... Farmer (2-3 4.61) had another sub-par outing as he was battered for 5 runs and 9 hits and was sent to the showers in the seventh inning... the Red Elephants collected 10 hits in all and were led by 1B Johnny Lee Harder (.353) with 2 hits, 3 runs scored and an RBI... SS Benny Morgan (.282) drove in two runs to top Ancona... relievers Lynwood Marshall (2.29) and John Sharpe (2.79) blanked the Typhoons over the last 3 frames with Sharpe getting his 4th save in the postseason... the game was scoreless for the first 3 innings... Turon took a 2-1 lead after 4 innings, but Ancona rallied and built up a 5-2 margin after 7... the series will now switch to Ancona for games 3, 4 and 5.

[HGVoyager]

It's back!

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Saturday, October 6, 2018

2018 IPA Pro Cup Finals - Game 3 At Jay Loman Park In Ancona

Typhoons Win Game 3 With Late Flurry 5-4
On the road in Ancona, Turon had to mount a late-inning rally to edge the feisty Ancona Red Elephants 5-4 in game three of the IPA Pro Cup Finals... the triumph gave Turon a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series... trailing 3-1 after 6 innings, the Typhoons got to Nikon Maragos for a pair of runs in each of the seventh and eighth frames to go ahead 5-3, then had to stave off a last-ditch effort by the Red Elephants in the bottom of the ninth... RF Dominick DiCaprio (.365) tripled in the tie-breaking run in the top of the eighth and LF Andy Porter (.500) singled in the eventual game-winner with a single... Ted Farentino (4-0 2.63) hurled another solid game, scattering 8 hits over 8 innings and departed with a 5-3 lead... closer Merle Studebaker almost blew the game and backed into his 5th playoff save... Maragos (0-2 5.01) faltered late and was the loser... he only gave up 5 hits and struck out 6 in his 9 innings... Porter led Turon with 2 hits, 2 runs and 2 RBIs... Porter hit his 4th postseason homer in the second inning... 3B Alex Brazzi (.178) went deep for the Red Elephants in defeat... it was his 3rd in the postseason.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Sunday, October 7, 2018

2018 IPA Pro Cup Finals - Game 4 At Jay Loman Park In Ancona

Ancona Ties Pro Cup, Trips Turon 6-5
The Ancona Red Elephants may be the underdog in the IPA Pro Cup, but they certainly are not just rolling over and playing dead... Ancona snatched a ninth-inning victory away from the heavily-favored Turon Typhoons 6-5 on Kenny Willard's (.244) two-run double and knotted up the series at two games apiece... the Red Elephants collected 11 hits and were sparked by RF Louie DiMucci (.292) with 3 RBIs and 2B Paul Alston (.246) with 3 hits and 4 runs scored... Clete Dukas (4-3 2.66) gutted out a complete-game win... Dukas allowed 5 runs and 9 hits... he blanked Turon 3-0 for the first 6 frames, then was tagged for 5 runs in the next two innings and entered the ninth behind 5-4... Typhoon starter Nicky Engstrom worked 7 innings, gave up 7 hits and 4 runs and left trailing 4-2... Juan-Carlos Torriente (1-2 9.00) was the loser... he was hit hard for 3 hits and 2 runs in the decisive ninth... Turon 1B Clyde Kingsford (.200) drove in 2 runs to pace the Typhoons.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Monday, October 8, 2018

2018 IPA Pro Cup Finals - Game 5 At Jay Loman Park In Ancona

Penn's 3-Run HR Gives Typhoons Pro Cup Lead
Reggie Penn saved the day for Turon with a dramatic 3-run smash in the seventh inning to defeat Ancona 4-2 in game 5 of the IPA Pro Cup Series... with the win the Typhoons nudged ahead three games to two... up until Penn's clout, Dave Blair had it pretty much his way... Blair shut them out for the first 6 innings, but caved in in the four-run seventh... LF Penn (.257) topped Turon at the plate with 3 hits... winner Shane Farmer (3-3 4.14) gave Turon a strong start, holding Ancona to 2 runs on 5 hits with 4 Ks and 4 walks... the loss went to Blair (4-2 3.00), who permitted 7 hits and 4 runs in 7 innings... SS Benny Morgan (.271) drove in both of the Red Elephants scores... the clubs will close out the series in Turon at Typhoon Stadium... the Typhoons need one win in the two games to claim their record fourth Pro Cup... Ancona needs to sweep the final two contests for its first Pro Cup crown.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Monday, October 8, 2018

2018 IPA Pro Cup Finals - Game 6 At Typhoon Stadium In Turon

Turon Pro Cup Winner, Trounces Ancona 10-2
Valiant Little David was exhausted and finally succumbed to powerful Goliath... The talented Turon Typhoons of the Tycobbian Union put it all together in game 6 and trounced Ancona of the Ruthlandian Union 10-2 at Typhoon Stadium to romp to a four-games-to-two victory in the IPA Pro Cup Finals... it was Turon's 4th title in its history, tops in the league... Ted Farentino (5-0 2.57) had a flawless day on the mound and Typhoon hitters mauled the Red Elephants for 2 homers and 3 doubles in the runaway... Turon racked up 11 hits in all, led by home runs by C Cory Moore (.314) and CF Mac McCurnan (.229)... 2B Matt Madison (.257), LF Andy Porter (.452) and Moore all batted in 2 runs each... LF Kenny Willard (.256) sent 2 out of the park in defeat... Willard had 5 homers in the postseason... Farentino tossed 8 fine innings, fanned 9, walked 1 and surrendered only 2 runs on 7 hits for his 5th playoff victory... Nikon Maragos (0-3 5.75) suffered the loss, allowing 7 runs in 3+ innings... Turon manager Whitey Richburn finally got his 4th Pro Cup after being edged out in seven games in 2010 and 2017... the Pro Cup Series now stands 10 to 8 in favor of the Ruthlandian Union.

Turon also captured the IPA Pro Cup Trophy in 2003, 2006 and 2009.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Tuesday, October 9, 2018

Farentino Pro Cup MVP
37-year-old Ted Farentino had a year he will never forget. Farentino, a 6' 5" journeyman right-hander, sparked the Turon Typhoons to the fourth Pro Cup title in the team's history with a 5-0 mark in the postseason and has been acclaimed the Pro Cup Most Valuable Player in a poll by The Islandian Times. Farentino posted two wins in the Finals and finished the postseason with a 2.57 ERA in 6 starts. Farentino was Turon's number three starter during the regular season. He was 18-13 with a 3.72 ERA. However, the 18-year veteran turned it up a notch in the playoffs and took the MVP trophy. In his career Farentino is 245-223 with 4 teams. Lifetime he sports a 3.72 ERA.

Second in the balloting was Typhoon left fielder Andy Porter, who batted a scorching .452 in the playoffs with 4 homers, 11 RBIs and 8 runs scored. The number three vote-getter was Turon right fielder Dominick DiCaprio with a .355 batting average, 2 home runs, 9 RBIs and 15 runs scored. Fourth in the poll was Typhoon closer Merle Studebaker, who chalked up 5 saves with a 0.61 ERA and a 1-0 record in 10 postseason appearances.

The only Ancona players to receive votes were starter Dave Blair and first sacker Johnny Lee Harder. Blair was 4-2 with a 3.00 ERA and ranked fifth in the poll, while Harder finished sixth and hit .328 with 3 roundtrippers, 10 RBIs and 13 runs.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Wednesday, October 10, 2018

This Year's Best Gloves Chosen by RU
Great glovemen can range far and wide to make a backhand stop or an over-the-shoulder catch -- and the best usually make it look easy. Today the winners of the Ruthlandian Union Golden Glove Award for 2018 were announced. Sugar Valley catcher Hal Stevenson was named to the team for the 6th time and San Dimas right fielder was selected for the 4th time. These awards for defensive excellence go to:

Pitcher: Melvin Key (Eastshore Elegants) .988 FA
Catcher: Hal Stevenson (Sugar Valley Rattlers) .997 FA/57.1% RTO/10 PB
First Baseman: Ricky Tinker (Middlefield Roosters) .995 FA
Second Baseman: Ron Freiberg (Valmara Vipers) .986 FA
Third Baseman: Brent Skurlock (Sugar Valley Rattlers) .970 FA
Shortstop: Jimmy Bell (Crystal Lake Crushers) .984 FA
Left Fielder: David Drummond (Glasco Athletics) .994 FA
Center Fielder: Vic Valenti (Beechwood Bobcats) 1.000 FA
Right Fielder: Norm Owens (San Dimas Rancheros) .988 FA

2018 Golden Glove Award Trophies Given out by TU
"Hit 'em where they ain't" is a great hitting philosophy, but it doesn't always work when a fielder can seemingly appear out of nowhere to make the play. These magicians are often taken for granted as the season grinds along, but today they take center stage. Arlon's superb left fielder made the squad for the 5th year. White River second sacker Vinny Ulrich and Tuckanarra's right fielder Danny Redd were honored for the second time in their careers. The Tycobbian Union Golden Glove Award selections for 2018 are:

Pitcher: Tommy Price (Denton City Redbirds) 1.000 FA
Catcher: Pete Gibbs (Denton City Redbirds) .997 FA/41.9 % RTO/3 PB
First Baseman: Marty Blake (White River Rascals) .995 FA
Second Baseman: Vinny Ulrich (White River Rascals) .991 FA
Third Baseman: Buddy Petrisko (Southport Sun Sox) .961 FA
Shortstop: Tommy Shore (Bayview Vikings) .977 FA
Left Fielder: Rocco Belasario (Arlon Champions) .997 FA
Center Fielder: Glenn McLaughlin (South Fork Stallions) .993 FA
Right Fielder: Danny Redd (Tuckanarra Blue Jays) .987 FA

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Thursday, October 11, 2018

RU Announces Top Batter Award
Don Nichols has been around Islandian Pro Alliance enough to know a good hot streak when he sees one -- and he got to see one firsthand all year. For his standout run through the 2018 season, he's taking home the Golden Bat Award in the Ruthlandian Union for the first time in his star-studded career. The Far Mountain shortstop put up a batting average of .354 with 27 doubles, 7 triples, 24 home runs and 100 RBIs. Nichols also stole 39 bases and scored 117 runs. The 37-year-old Nichols led the Redhawks to a second-place finish in the RU North. He is a lifetime .311 hitter and 9-time All-Star.

Marston's outstanding center fielder Russ Woodward was the runner-up. Woodward batted .342 with 34 homers, 123 RBIs and 102 runs. Number three in the vote was Waleska's talented center fielder Roy Hobbs, who hit .340 with 36 roundtrippers, 117 runs batted in and 108 runs scored.

TU's Best Batsman Selected, It's Elliott Again
In a yearly ritual High Mesa's Jack Elliott put the wraps on another fine campaign today by winning the 2018 Tycobbian Union Golden Bat Award. This is the sixth successive season the 25-year-old super slugger has captured the award. He has won it every year he has been in the IPA. Elliott scorched the opposition with a .369 average, picking up 186 hits, 24 doubles, 6 triples, 49 home runs and 110 RBIs, while scoring 122 runs. It was the sixth straight year Elliott has led the IPA in homers and fourth year in a row for batting average. If Elliott hadn't missed a month of the season, he might have had a shot at his second Triple Crown Award.

Coming in second in the Golden Bat voting was Turon's terrific first baseman Clyde Kingsford, who led the Typhoons to the TU South pennant. He socked 44 home runs, drove in 143 runs, scored 114 times, while batting .338 for average. Kingsford paced the IPA in RBIs. La Claire's fine third baseman Flash Devlin was third in the voting. Devlin went deep 44 times, scored 140 runs, batted in 115 runs and hit at a .343 clip. He led the IPA in runs.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Friday, October 12, 2018

2018 RU Golden Arm Award Announced
The Golden Arm Award for 2018 has been presented and the Ruthlandian Union winner is Joe Schneider of Middlefield. The 22-year-old Roosters star hurler excelled with an impressive 22-8 record in 39 starts. In 308 innings he yielded 238 hits and 62 walks, while striking out 286 and compiling a fine 2.19 ERA. What is so amazing is he did it while pitching in one of the most hitter-friendly parks in the IPA. Schneider topped the RU in ERA and strikeouts. This year's Golden Arm winner was a prime reason Middlefield wound up over .500 for the first time in 6 seasons.

34-year-old Randy Andrews of the Grand City Cybercats was in the runner-up with a 23-9 mark and a 2.38 ERA. This was the first winning season for the Cybercats in six seasons. Rocky Rapids Junior Noland was third in the poll as he fashioned a 23-10 record with a 2.57 ERA, sparking the Snappers to the RU West crown.

Tycobbian Union Crowns Luxora's Torres
The Tycobbian Union Golden Arm Award winner has been chosen and the trophy goes to Luxora hurler Tiago Torres for his fantastic season in 2018 in which he paced the Zorros to the TU North title for the second year in a row. Torres was quite impressive with a 25-6 record and a 1.57 ERA. In 39 starts and 333 innings, Torres struck out 266 and gave up 209 hits and 89 walks. Teams only hit .182 against him. It was a truly dominating season for the 31-year-old southpaw as he set a new low for ERA in the IPA.

Shane Farmer also had an astounding season for the Turon Typhoons with a 29-3 and a 2.60 ERA, but ended up second to Torres for the best pitcher award. His 29 victories broke the IPA record, originally established by Ernie Watkins with a 28-11 mark in 2006, while playing for Rocky Rapids. Left-hander Bob Montgomery of Southport was ranked third in the poll with a 23-9 record and a 2.23 ERA. He led the Sun Sox to a third-place spot in the TU South standings.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Saturday, October 13, 2018

Beauregard Captures 2018 Rookie of the Year Award
Jim Beauregard started his Ruthlandian Union career in style, capping it off with the Rookie of the Year Award for 2018. The left fielder for the Belle Plaine Musketeers played in 142 games, hitting .324 with 168 hits. He totaled 30 home runs, 103 RBIs and 86 runs scored.

Beauregard's main competition came from Volusia's fine freshman right-hander Sixto Moreno, who crafted a 15-10 record and a 3.69 ERA. Belair Beach left fielder Florent Schoonmaker was a distant third in the poll with a .273 BA, 23 HR, 78 RBI and 80 runs.

TU's Top Rookie Named, Honor Goes To McLaughlin
Glenn McLaughlin put together a sparkling rookie season to snag the Tycobbian Union's Rookie of the Year Award for 2018. He also won a Golden Glove with a .993 FA. In 142 games, the South Fork center fielder hit .280 with 166 hits, 9 home runs, 53 RBIs, 67 walks, 101 runs scored and a .356 on-base percentage.

Number two in the balloting was Arroyo Grande's middle reliever Steve Sampson with a 7-3 mark and a strong 2.04 ERA in 34 games. Number three was Mahaska's starting pitcher Denny Kozlovski, who was 17-11 with a 4.04 ERA. Kozlovski was one of the few rookies in the IPA to break into the starting rotations.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Sunday, October 14, 2018

RU MVP Goes To FM's Nichols
Fresh off winning the Ruthlandian Union Golden Bat Award, Far Mountain's fine shortstop Don Nichols added the league's Most Valuable Player trophy to his collection. Nichols hit for a .354 batting average, socked 24 homers, drove in 100 runs, scored 117 and stole 39 bases. The Redhawks ran a good second to Ancona in the RU North pennant chase.

Marston's gifted center fielder Russ Woodward was next in the voting. Woodward hit .342 with 34 homers, 123 RBIs and 102 runs. Woodward paced the Nine to the RU East division title. Third was Rocky Rapids fine young pitcher Junior Noland, who posted a 23-10 record with a strong 2.57 ERA. Noland helped the Snappers to their second straight RU West crown.

Torres Takes TU MVP Trophy, Too
It has been a banner season for Luxora's stingy southpaw Tiago Torres, who was 25-6 with a record-low 1.57 ERA, the best in IPA history. Torres led the Z's to the TU North flag and also won the prestigious Golden Arm Award. Now 31-year-old Torres has added the Tycobbian Union Most Valuable Player Award to his laurels. Torres has won 20 games in each of his two seasons in the league.

Torres outdistanced two talented peers to capture the honor. Shane Farmer of Turon won a record 29 games this season and lost only 3, pacing the Typhoons to a third successive pennant in the TU South. Turon won 102 games to lead the IPA in victories. The third highest vote-getter was Turon's terrific first baseman Clyde Kingsford, who led the IPA with 144 RBIs, hit .338, scored 114 and belted 44 homers.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Monday, October 15, 2018

Ancona's Mickens Honored As RU Best Manager
For the second time in his managerial career Manny Mickens of the Ancona Red Elephants has been named the Ruthlandian Union Manager of the Year by leading Ancona (87-67) to the RU North title. Mickens also took the honor in 2007. Marston's Johnny Walters ran second in The Islandian Times poll. He got the Nine (96-58) within an eyelash of winning the RU East as they wound up a very close second to powerful Eastshore (97-57). The Elegants skipper Killer Brewster was third in the balloting. He guided them to the most wins in the RU. Ryan Noland of Rocky Rapids (94-60) was fourth as he led the Snappers to their second straight RU West pennant.

TU Best Manager Award Goes To Typhoons Richburn
The Turon Typhoons won more games than any club in the IPA. That achievement got skipper Whitey Richburn his second Tycobbian Union Manager of the Year trophy. Turon was 102-52 and took the TU South flag for the third successive year and fifth time in six seasons. Richburn was also honored in 2009. Only two other managers received votes in The Islandian Times annual poll. Ozarka's Joe Mac Carney was second as his Naturals (101-52) had the second-best record in the IPA and copped the TU East pennant. The Luxora Zorros (91-63) won the TU North for the second year in a row under Cristo Viamonte, who finished third in the voting.

[Eugene Church]

Season 2019 coming up soon.

I'm working on the roster updates.