ISLANDIAN PRO ALLIANCE (RUTHLANDIA and TYCOBBIA BASEBALL UNIONS) - Page 61

Eugene Church · 09-11-2009, 07:43 PM

The Islandian Times

Monday, June 20, 2005

Ruthlandian Union North Division 2005 Mid-Season Standings

Eugene Church · 09-11-2009, 07:47 PM

The Islandian Times

Monday, June 20, 2005

Super-Tight Race in RU North, 3-Way Tie at All-Star Break
There are some new teams on the rise in the Ruthlandian Union North. Ancona has gone from the outhouse to the penthouse, startling everyone by being in a three-way tie for first with Taranto and defending champ Valmara at the mid-summer All-Star break. Taranto has also surprised in the first two months of the season, climbing up from fifth place last season. Far Mountain is fourth, just a game out of the top spot, Ranford trails by four in fifth place. Glasco and LaGrange are within striking distance at seven and eight games back with hapless Kilkenny pulling up the rear, 18 games out.

Manny Mickens' Ancona Red Elephants (39-34) shot to the top of the standings with an outstanding 18-7 in April, but have since come back down-to-earth, going 21-27 in May and June. Mickens told reporters, "Give credit to the offense. Vets 3B Denny Harris (.321/10 HR/42 RBI) and RF Louie DiMucci (.269/8 HR/41 RBI) have led the way, along with three outstanding newcomers, rookies CF Tavi Vakros (.333/12 HR/39 RBI/55 R), 1B Johnny Lee Harder (.289/8 HR/39 RBI) and third-year man C Bart Harben (.305/9 HR/31 RBI). Freshman Vakros was selected to play in the All-Star Game. Mickens also commented on his pitching, "On the hill Nikon Maragos (10-5 3.67) has been our main man and stopper. To stay alive in the race, our pitchers have to step it up another level. That will be the key to our season."

In Taranto, skipper Tommaso Lazzorda is having a great time. "The food is great, the women are prettier, our bats are blazing and the Tars are winning. Life doesn't get any better." Taranto (39-34) was six games behind after a month of play, going 12-13, but have picked it up with a 27-21 mark the last two months to move into a first-place tie. The Tars are topping the RU North with a hefty .278 batting average and 102 homers, but could use some improvement in its mound staff, which staggered in at mid-year with a 4.20 ERA. Lazzorda's All-Star home run bashers, Dominick Zuccaro (.336/25 HR/66 RBI/56 R) and Tony Blaser (.340/24 HR/64 RBI/53 R) have carried the club and are ranked highly in homers and RBIs. Four-year ace Anthony Nardone (10-3 3.24) is Taranto's top twirler and could be headed for his finest year ever.

Like they always are, the powerful Valmara Vipers (39-34) under J. Jackson Samuel are in strong contention and in a three-way deadlock for first. Valmara is looking for its third consecutive division crown. They started off slowly with a 12-13 record in April, but have since put up a fine 27-21 mark. The Vipers do it the best way - with solid hitting (.263 BA) and solid pitching (3.41 ERA). Star LF Jet Kazmarek (.348/5 HR/29 RBI/49 R/36 SB) and RF Val Krol (.284/8 HR/42 RBI) pace the attack with help from rookie All-Star C Eric Adamczyk (.305/8 HR/42 RBI). Samuel is really missing his long-time center fielder and clean-up hitter Jan Szymanski (.289/20 HR/53 RBI/51 R), who was traded to Midway in the Tycobbian Union over the winter for shortstop Toby Bidwell (.273/4 HR/36 RBI/36 R). So far, the trade has been a big disappointment for the Viper fans. However, 1B Masaichi Okaza (.262/14 HR/51 RBI) has filled the clean-up role quite well. Vanya Vasylenko (10-6 4.18) and Danny Blauser (8-6 2.59) give Valmara two dependable hurlers. The middle relievers Erich Ptacek (2-2 1.83) and Eddie Dorn (2-0 2.45) have been excellent thus far. Chuck Kowalcyzk (2-1 1.50) has also stood out since taking over the closer spot in May. Valmara should still be near the top of the RU North at season's end. The Vipers are a good ball club.

Alex Groveland is in charge of the Far Mountain Redhawks (38-35). Groveland has a good-hitting line-up (.258 BA), good power (73 HR) and fair pitching (4.13 ERA). The Redhawks are fourth in the standings, but just one game behind the co-leaders. Far Mountain's top performers this year are pitchers Dave Johnston (7-3 3.26) and Robby Kelly (7-6 3.65) along with position players RF Karl Dietz (.228/21 HR/60 RBI), 1B Royce Benson (.319/6 HR/30 RBI) and C Dave Davis (.326/3 HR/33 RBI). Rookies LF Gary Horn (.280/10 HR/33 RBI) and 3B Kyle Henderson (.272/11 HR/45 RBI) have also contributed. The Redhawks have played on an even keel througout this season, playing a little better than .500 ball each month. Far Mountain could slip ahead of Ancona Red Elephants and Taranto Tars, if the front-runners hitting falls off.

Page Satcher's Ranford Bulls (35-38) are still in the battle, holding on to fifth place and trailing by only four games at the half-season mark. Satcher's offense has carried the Bulls this year. He needs his hill corps (3.82 ERA) to step it up a notch to really contest for the division pennant. Pitchers Leland Shaddock (7-3 2.24) and Chris Bernhoffer (5-7 2.99) keep Ranford in every game. Closer Tim DeKosky (2-5 1.42) has done well with 12 saves in his 33 appearances. Supplying the offense have been All-Star 3B Colin Fairclough (.305/12 HR/45 RBI), All-Star SS Rick Fargnoli (.323/7 HR/42 RBI) and 1B Jordy John (.332/10 HR/41 RBI). Last year's RU Rookie of the Year LF Jose Castillo (.274 10 HR/34 RBI) has avoided the sophomore slump and put up some good numbers.

The Glasco Athletics (32-41) have not played up to par this year and have fallen to seven games off the pace. A second-division finish is forecast. The A's are just mediocre at bat (.255 BA) and on the mound (3.84 ERA) with not much home run power (59 HR). Manager McDuffie Hughes' best players have been hurlers Charles Darby (10-6 3.59) and Ray Cook (8-7 3.41), as well as 2B Barry McCord (.284/5 HR/38 RBI), C Jonas Ogburn (.323/4 HR/33 RBI), CF Bobby Pascarelli (.268/11 HR/34 RBI) and rookie RF Sookie Givens (.289/10 HR/33 RBI).

Last year's RU Manager of the Year Foxy Jimison was looking forward to the best season ever for his LaGrange Sports (31-42). In 2004 they had battled down-to-the-wire and ended up in third place, just three games behind. But it just hasn't happened - unbelievably, everybody's numbers are down from last year. So the Sports have plummeted in the standings to seventh place, 8 games in back of Ancona, Taranto and Valmara.

"I can't believe the whole team is having a down year all at the same time," Jimison told BNN. Only newly-acquired All-Star shortstop Bill Nilsen (.286/13 HR/45 RBI) has done reasonably well, but his numbers are also down compared to his great season last year. Pitcher Hunk Schweitzer (7-3 2.32) has been a big plus for LaGrange since being promoted from the bullpen in late May.

"Maybe it will all even out and we can have a great second half and get back in the pennant chase," Jimison said optimistically. Unless the offense and mound staff can pick up where they left off in 2004, LaGrange can write off this season.

Kilkenny (21-52) is last in the IPA in just about everything, so it's no wonder the Cats are way down in the cellar, 18 games back. Kilkenny is batting just .250 with only 57 roundtrippers. The Cats have compiled an awful 5.09 ERA, the highest in IPA history. But they do have a couple of good ballplayers in All-Star RF Rick Audubon (.288/14 HR/50 RBI) and center fielder Kirk Pitzer (.298/5 HR/40 RBI). At the All-Star break manager Kieran McKenna made wholesale changes in his mound corps, signing five new free agents. McKenna told remarked to reporters, "Surely they can't do any worse than what we had."

Eugene Church · 09-12-2009, 08:04 PM

The Islandian Times

Monday, June 20, 2005

Ruthlandian Union South Division 2005 Mid-Season Standings

Eugene Church · 09-12-2009, 08:18 PM

The Islandian Times

Monday, June 20, 2005

Sunbirds Soar to 6-Game Lead in RU South
The Ruthlandian Union South is playing out true-to-form halfway through the season with the favored Belair Beach Sunbirds up by six games at the All-Star hiatus. Valka is number two, while Claxton is seven games off the pace in third place and San Dimas is fourth, 10 games out.

Belair Beach (45-28) is the class of the division with a splendid 2.94 ERA and a .272 team batting average. Manager Marty Pedroza has a wealth of talent with strong pitching from starters Slim Mosley (13-2 2.60), Ray Watson (12-2 3.24) and Tiny Lindgren (9-7 2.06). Mosley and Watson were named to the RU All-Stars. In the bullpen Johnny Spears (1-2 2.59) has chalked up 14 saves and worked in 26 games.

In addition, the Sunbirds have a bunch of standout sticks in 1B Phil Gravelli (.339/19 HR/49 RBI/51 R), 3B Mike Janocko (.298/8 HR/46 RBI/43 R), C Little Jake Bungarooba (.320/6 HR/34 RBI/38 R), RF Matty McDermott (.317/5 HR/32 RBI/45 R) and 2B Art Parker (.310/1 HR/38 RBI). LF Nicky Swift also chipped in 13 homers and 36 RBIs, but has hit only .238 on the year. The outlook is for Belair Beach to claim its second straight South title. No one has the pitching to challenge them.

The Valka Blackhawks (39-34) are piloted by Jaan Kurus, who has three quality starters in rookie Keith Cline (6-2 2.22), Darryl Vannoy (8-5 3.03) and hardluck Bobby Karu (6-9 2.31). The Blackhawks also have a very good closer in Tommy Ruffin (3-2 2.92), who has saved 10 games, while making 33 relief appearances. Kurus' pitching corps is rated third in the division with a 3.52 ERA, beaten out by first place Belair Beach and fifth place St. John (3.48 ERA).

Valka has a very well-balanced line-up with all eight of the regulars batting between .267 and .304, led by the fine rookie SS Bobby Stroud (.299/8 HR/47 RBI) and 3B Buddy Petrisko (.284/5 HR/43 RBI). As a team the Blackhawks sport a .261 mark, good enough for third place in the division. Only Belair Beach (.272) and fourth place San Dimas (.267) are better. Kurus' crew began the season poorly with an 11-14 record in April, but soon regrouped for an impressive 28-20 record over the past two months. The Blackhawks will have to hit better and score more runs to overtake Belair Beach, but second place and a playoff spot is possible.

Claxton manager Stacy Engel recently lamented to the press, "My boys can hit the ball, but so can the opposition. We need a couple of pitchers to step it up and we'll be alright." The Diamonds (38-35) had a very good April (15-10), but have tailed off to 23-25 over the past two months. But they still are in third place in the RU South, one game out of second and six out of first. Claxton's strong point is the long ball. They are the top club in the division with 84 homers and rank third in runs scored with 332. First place Belair Beach has outscored everybody (366), followed by fourth place San Dimas (338). The Diamonds are hitting .258 (6th) as a team. Engel's line-up is sparked by veteran LF Dixie Baker (.335/16 HR/51 RBI), who is having his best season ever. Crackerjack CF Jackie Faust (.244/12 HR/53 RBI/45 R), rookie SS Carl Deaver (.255/10 HR/30 RBI/49 R) and 2B Bobby Ritter (.297/7 HR/27 RBI/45 R) are also producing runs.

On the hill, Engel needs improvement (3.92 ERA) and is rated 4th in that category. Engel has a quality foursome in his rotation with Terry Kuznetsov (9-7 4.19), Gino Franchi (7-3 3.62), Doug Torvik (7-7 3.34) and Ken Wade (4-0 2.73). Middle relief is poor and closer Tom Dahl (2-3 4.02) has had a so-so season thus far. In the battle for the last playoff spot, Claxton is stronger than Valka in firepower, but the Blackhawks are superior in pitching (3.52 ERA). The nod goes to Valka.

Paco Banderos' San Dimas Rancheros (35-38) kicked off the year in grand style with a 16-9 mark in April, but have faltered drastically since with a 19-29 record and have slipped down to the fourth spot in the standings and 10 games back. Long relief is Banderos' sore point (5.09 ERA). Overall San Dimas has put up a dismal 4.30 team ERA (6th). Banderos has an All-Star hurler in Zippy Hodge (10-6 3.15) and a solid closer in Cleve Skinner (3-3 2.35), who has registered 10 saves and appeared in relief 26 times.

It has been San Dimas' offense that has led the way. The Rancheros are batting .267 as a team, good for second place behind Belair Beach (.272). All-Star 1B Johnny Carducci (.273/23 HR/70/50) is one of the IPA's elite sluggers. He is the top run producer in the league. Also aiding the attack are RF Goose Garlin (.272/14 HR/39 RBI), CF Dennis Jones (.307/4 HR/39 RBI), 2B Cyclone Cobb (.297/1 HR/21 RBI/51 R/36 SB) and 3B Domingo Rios (.278/8 HR/32 RBI). It's not likely San Dimas can stay in the first division. St. John is playing better right now and should overtake them. Fifth place may be the best the Rancheros can do.

St. John leaped from out of nowhere two years ago to take the RU South title, but then dropped back to fifth place last season. Not much was expected this year. Another lackluster season was the prediction by the BNN scribes. The Crusaders, managed by Dickie Billings, performed poorly the first two months (21-33), but have recently caught fire and gone 13-6 in June, mainly due to some very fine pitching. They currently hold fifth place, 11 games behind. If it stays this way, St. John could climb up to fourth, maybe third place before the year's end.

Billings has so many quality starters, he can't used them all as much as he would like. St. John has the second-best team ERA (3.48) in the division. Sterling Eccles (9-5 3.26) and Zach Simon (7-9 2.71) are the workhorses. George Martz (3-3 2.54) has looked good as the Crusaders #3 starter, while Adam Chirra (4-6 3.22), Karl Ladendorf (3-2 2.76) and Kris Garvik (0-1 2.19) are vying for the #4 slot in the pitching rotation. The Crusaders have a capable closer, too. Paul DeJohnette (3-2 3.27) has saved 11 games and appeared in 27 games.

St. John has a fairly good .260 batting average (4th-tied) with 65 homers (3rd). Billings has four rookies on his line-up card, headed by C Phil Lakos (.286/9 HR/38 RBI), 2B Rod Burzik (.281/11 HR/37 RBI), 3B Sully Hull (.300/6 HR/31 RBI) and Clayton Luck (.277/10 HR/23 RBI/47 R). The Crusader frosh are outperforming the veterans.

The Waleska Westerners (33-40) are led by one of the best managers ever in the Islands, at least in the company leagues. However, McGraw Johnson has not been very successful in the IPA. The Westerners have made the playoffs only one time in their four-year history, back in 2003. Things are not boding well this year. Waleska is wallowing 12 games back in sixth place and its prospects are not too good for anything better. Johnson is simply short of talent. That's the plain truth.

Waleska has the worst ERA (4.37) in the RU South and is tied for fourth in hitting (.260) with little power, just 53 home runs (6th). Gary Hill is the Westerners ace with an 11-4 record, but a high 4.42 ERA. Johnson's top batters are LF Big Hoss Burkhalter (.313/18 HR/53 RBI/41 R), All-Star rookie CF Harold Setser (.304/8 HR/52 RBI/46 R) and RF Charley Williamson (.308/3 HR/30 RBI).

It looks like another long, long season for manager Torry Joseph of the Grand City Cybercats (29-44). They held their own for the first two months of the campaign with a 25-29 record, but have now gone into the tank with a dismal 4-15 mark in June to fall down to seventh place, 16 games off the pace. Lucky that Crystal Lake is in the division, otherwise it would be the basement for the Cybercats.

Joseph only has two dependable pitchers. Starter Frankie Novikov (6-8 2.94) and closer Bill Berglund (5-2 1.21). With better run support Novikov could easily be 11-3 and on the All-Star team. Berglund has been excellent in his 29 relief appearances. Three position players have stood out for Grand City: rookie 1B Jason Albright (.304/16 HR/52 RBI), CF Russ Baumer (.351/5 HR/32 RBI/36 R) and the veteran RF Teddy Giacone (.264/10 HR/34 RBI).

Legendary home run hitter Baby George has the infamous honor of managing the worst team in IPA history. The Crystal Lake Crushers have never remotely lived up to their name and have finished in the basement the last three seasons. Their best year was 2002 when they ended up in seventh place. This season is no different. Crystal Lake (23-50) is in last place, way down in the RU South cellar, 22 games off the lead with no light at the end of the tunnel.

Tony Hartwig (3-11 3.19) and Tony Tipton (4-4 3.54) are George's top hurlers and 3B Nelson Tolliver (.287/10 HR/29 RBI) and LF Ben Butler (.239/12 HR/29 RBI) are his best batters.

Eugene Church · 09-14-2009, 09:53 PM

The Islandian Times

Monday, June 20, 2005

Ruthlandian Union East Division 2005 Mid-Season Standings

Eugene Church · 09-14-2009, 10:20 PM

The Islandian Times

Monday, June 24, 2005

Ruthlandian Union East Division 2005 Mid-Season Standings

6-Team Tussle in RU East
It's quite a race in the Ruthlandian Union East at the mid-year break. There are six clubs within three games of the top spot, currently held by the Sugar Valley Rattlers, but the leader changes almost daily. Three teams, Belle Plaine, Cold Creek and Eastshore, are tied for second place, only one game off the lead and two more, Elnora and Marston, are just a scant three games back and tied for fifth place.

Powerful Sugar Valley (45-28) is at the head of the class so far. Manager Gibson Bobkins always has his club near the top of the division. He has made the playoffs in three of his four years at the helm, missing out with a third-place finish in 2001. Bobkins copped the division crown in 2002. The Rattlers do most things well - 3.49 ERA (2nd), 64 home runs (4th-tied), 351 runs (3rd) and .978 FA (1st-tied). Sugar Valley's only shortcoming is a .261 BA, which is last in the division, nonetheless it is still very close to the league average.

A red-hot April (18-7) and June (13-6) have kept the Rattlers among the leaders all season long. Sugar Valley's star performers have been All-Star Gregg Neal (11-2 2.67) and Hec Skurgan (8-1 2.57) on the hill. At bat the Rattlers have been paced by All-Star 1B Ron Armstrong (.299/12 HR/56 RBI/43 R), 3B Jorge Vargas (.328/12 HR/50 RBI), LF Bruno DiPirro (.310/5 HR/40 RBI/45 R/15 SB) and SS Flipper Bird (.281/6 HR/37 RBI/53 R/15 SB).

Boo Ladrieux, skipper of the Belle Plaine Musketeers (44-27), never has finished higher than fourth, but he has opened some eyes this year with the best pitching in the division, ranking first with an impressive 3.31 ERA. His Muskies also have registered a .273 team batting average (3rd-tied) and are tied for the top spot with a .978 fielding percentage. Belle Plaine began slowly with a 13-12 mark in April, then took off and took 31 of 48 in the next two months.

Landrieux told the press, "My Musketeers are not a flash-in-the-pan... we are not going to fade in the second half. We started getting better last year and have gotten better this season. We do have a legitimate shot at the playoffs." Belle Plaine's best have been pitchers Milo Anthony (7-5 2.80), Pistol Pete Westberry (10-3 3.26) and All-Star Kent Wells (2-2 1.59). Wells is the brilliant closer, who has saved 15 games and made 37 relief appearances. Leading the bat attack have been LF Juan Mendez (.338/4 HR/27 RBI/49 R), 1B Scott Theriot (.297/6 HR/53 RBI) and 3B Dominique Rousseau (.303/11 HR/48 RBI).

The other two clubs tied for the runner-up spot were expected to finish far down in the standings. Cold Creek was forecast sixth in the preseason poll by BNN, while Eastshore was supposed to be in last place. But here we are in the middle of June and they are within a game of first place.

The Cold Creek Catamounts (44-27) under T. Kelly Holmes have never come close to making the playoffs. Fourth place in 2001 was the top finish, the rest of the time they have been buried deep in the standings. But it has all come together this season. The Catamount bats are booming with 75 roundtrippers (2nd) and a torrid .281 team batting average (1st). Holmes' hurlers are doing it on the hill, too, with a sparkling 3.45 ERA (2nd). Cold Creek can catch the ball, too, with a .977 FA. No wonder they are right up with Sugar Valley and ahead of Elnora and Marston. They are playing with the big boys this year. The 'Cats started off slowly at 12-13, but have picked up speed in the last two months, racking up a fine 32-16 record.

How would you like to have a starting line-up with everyone hitting at least .264 and peaking out at .355? All-Star LF Fernando Baldera (.355/17 HR/69) is having a colossal season and he is getting plenty of help from CF Trip Holmes (.264/13 HR/38 RBI/58 R/13 SB), 3B Kelsey Yates (.286/11 HR/38 RBI), 1B Nat Mayakovsky (.281/36 RBI/45 R), RF Emile Stosha (.291/8 HR/35 RBI/48 R) and C Whitey Cosgrove (.305/8 HR/29 RBI). Even Chris Hale (.287) has filled in admirably for star shortstop Russ Russell, who went out after 10 games hitting .395. Russell tore a back muscle and will be out for a few more games. Hale has really shored up the defense with an outstanding .980 fielding percentage. It may be tough for Russell to get his position back, despite his powerful bat. On the mound Cold Creek's Kyle Peterson (8-3 2.20), Tommy Weeks (7-3 2.75) and Payton Saunders (5-1 3.03) have more than gotten the job done.

The Eastshore Elegants (44-29) are another Cinderella club in the RU East. After playing good ball for their first two seasons in the IPA, Killer Brewster's crew plunged to last place in 2004 and this year's outlook didn't appear to offer much hope. However, a robust offense led by three vets and a rookie, has revived the franchise. The Elegants are second with a .273 BA, tied with Belle Plaine, and leading in homers with 90. They also have outscored all of the opposition with 395 runs. Pitching-wise Brewster's staff holds it own with a 3.67 ERA.

All-Star LF Darrel Alston (.309/20 HR/53 RBIj/47 R), RF Ron Dizon (.278/16 HR/47 RBI/49 R), 1B Vito Iacoboni (.255/11 HR/44 RBI), rookie CF Chris Krychevsky (.311/10 HR/43 RBI) and C Fran MacIntyre (.340/7/23 RBI) have provided the run production. Eastshore's starting rotation is composed of rookie Steve Ohlinger (7-2 3.70), Igor Jorgerson (9-7 2.95), Fred Duhon (9-7 3.45) and Stony Blackwell (10-6 4.10). In the bullpen Tommy Ladner (1-1 2.43) has stood out as the closer with 16 saves in 28 games.

Like the other three contenders the Elegants are playing their best ball right now. They were only 12-13 the opening month, but have since blazed to a sensational 32-16 mark in May and June.

The preseason favorite Elnora All-Stars and third choice Marston have some unexpected opposition, but Zoggy White's and Johnny Walters' teams are still right in the fight, just three games behind and tied for fifth place.

Elnora (42-31) is a sound club all-around. The All-Stars have chalked up a .267 team batting average (5th) with a solid 3.50 ERA (4th). For most of the season they were near the top of the RU East standings, but have slumped to 7-12 in June. Starting pitching has been the drawback as two old reliables, Harry Dye (4-5 4.16) and Charlie Murphy (4-10 4.06), have not been effective. Elnora has been carried by All-Stars Lou Horn (10-6 3.19) and Matty Wilkerson (7-0 1.96). Closer Wilkerson has been superb with 9 saves and 29 appearances. Starter Taylor Gibbs (8-6 2.81) has pitched very well, too.

White's top batters have been 3B Dmitri Vrotsos (.300/7 HR/43 RBI), C Todd Simons (.292/5 HR/41 RBI), LF Quincy Peterson (.295/11 HR/35 RBI/53 R) and rookie 1B Andy Tucker (.325/9 HR/31 RBI/40 R).

The Marston Nine (42-31) began the season with a 12-13 record in April and 15-14 in May, but caught fire in June with a strong 15-4 mark to get back in the race. The Nine's main attribute is their .275 batting average (2nd), energized by All-Star SS Don Nichols (.367/12 HR/47 RBI/62 R/23 SB), All-Star rookie 3B Jimmy Holman (.297/17 HR/56 RBI/42 R), CF Dennis Riley (.273/9 HR/51 RBI/42 R/10 SB) and rookie RF Helmut Graczyk (.286/12 HR/42 RBI/42 R).

But it's another story on the mound - Marston is the worst in the RU East with a 4.06 ERA. Skipper Johnny Walters has gotten good work out of starters Mark Falzone (8-7 3.11) and Vinnie Gardner (10-4 3.53). Long reliever Hayden Bagshaw (7-1 2.15), who has been outstanding will move to the starting rotation to beef it up. Walters could use more help in the middle relief and closer spots. The usually-dependable closer Booger Burchfield (1-5 5.40) has been terrible this season.

The seventh-place Beechwood Bobcats (36-37) are guided by Bret George and they are currently nine games back in the race. The Bobcats are a lackluster ball club this season with few standouts. Only pitchers Dek Jumonville (9-6 2.87) and rookie Ozzy Burton (9-6 3.70) have done well. At bat only 1B Ray Slater (.322/3 HR/44 RBI/42 R/17 SB) and RF Clifton Czabo (.307/8 HR/33 RBI/52 R/10 SB) have excelled. Beechwood has a .262 team batting average (7th) with little power. They have hit only 50 roundtrippers (8th). On the hill George's group has compiled a mediocre 3.83 ERA (6th).

The only way Wynnamac (30-43) can go is up. The Sundowners are in their customary position near the bottom of the division, trailing first place Sugar Valley by 15 games at the All-Star break. Manager Matt Donnelly has a good hold on the cellar and the forecast is bleak. His club is batting .264 (6th) with 66 homers (4th) and a 4.04 team ERA (7th).

Wynnamac's best talent this season has been hurler Rich Walters (9-5 3.03), 1B Nate Cockroft (.320/15 HR/55 RBI/41 R), All-Star LF Dalton Leeds (.342/10 HR/42 RBI/40 R) and 3B Joey Kingford (.291/15 HR/39 RBI/40 R).

Eugene Church · 09-15-2009, 10:04 PM

The Islandian Times

Monday, June 24, 2005

Ruthlandian Union West Division 2005 Mid-Season Standings

Eugene Church · 09-15-2009, 10:25 PM

The Islandian Times

Monday, June 24, 2005

Ruthlandian Union West Division 2005 Mid-Season Standings

Volusia 1st, Sligo 2nd and Middlefield 3rd at Mid-Season in RU West
The baseball experts got the top three teams right, but not in the same order. Halfway through the 2005 campaign Volusia has a slight two-game edge over Sligo and a five-game over the preseason favorite, the Middlefield Roosters.

Alfonso Feliz and his Volusia Vigilantes (43-30) are always very close to the top of the Ruthlandian Union West Division. The V's won it in 2003 and finished second the other three years. They have never missed the playoffs and took the IPA Pro Cup in 2001. Volusia tops the RU West with a 3.47 ERA, ranks number two in fielding with a .980 FA and produces enough runs with its .262 batting average (5th) to get by.

Heading up the pitching staff are All-Star Tommy Betanzos (11-4 2.74) and closer Hernando Espaderos (4-5 2.60), who has picked up 14 saves and appeared in 36 contests. Ricky Moreno (8-5 4.10) has pitched well, too. The Vigilantes have not been as strong as usual on the mound. Ace Carl Schmitz (5-7 3.44) is having an off-year so far. Feliz is hoping both he, Moreno and Raul Sandoval (7-8 4.26) can get straightened out during the second half.

Actually it seems that the offense has put the V's on top this season. All-Star CF Ryan Raines has led the way with a .310 BA, 12 homers, 49 RBIs, 49 runs scored and stolen 22 bases. Other contributors are LF Briscoe Crowder (.295/7 HR/42 RBI/41 R/13 SB), 1B Francisco Abreu (.285/11 HR/32 RBI) and SS Scooter Perez (.304/1 HR/25 RBI/45 R/26 SB). It's hard to believe Volusia has a five-game lead over potent Middlefields until you see the Roosters 4.55 team ERA.

The Sligo Rovers (41-32) have made good progress in the league under the direction of Eddie Keys. They rose to third last year and are in the thick of things this season, only 2 games off the pace. The Rovers pitching has been their key to success the last two years. They are second with a fine 3.52 ERA with All-Star Dix Edenborough (13-7 2.92) showing the way. Vern Vidmar (9-5 3.36) and Al Bukowski (8-4 3.39) have also pitched effectively. In the bullpen closer Razzy Raziano (3-4 3.23) has been solid with 12 saves in 35 games.

Keys could certainly use help in the batting department as the Rovers are last with a poor .255 team batting average and sixth in homers with only 50. However, they manage to be fifth in runs with 324. Sligo's best hitters are SS Hollis Waldrup (.273/11 HR/51 RBI/41 R/22 SB) and LF Lefty Roberts (.257/12 Hr/40 RBI/43 R).

Everything favored the powerful Middlefield Roosters (38-35) going into 2005. Manager Smitty Michaels won the division last year and always makes the playoffs. His club had excellent pitching and hitting last year and signed some fine new hitters. That's why the Roosters were strongly favored to take the RU West crown again. But something happened - the pitching went into the pits. The team's ERA ballooned to a stunning 4.55 (7th), one of the worst in the entire IPA. The whole staff has struggled. Jamie Hicks, a 23-game winner last season, has staggered to a 6-5 record with a 4.25 ERA. 19-game winner Denny Yarrow has slipped to 7-8 and a 5.06 ERA. And closer Dave Webb has staggered to 1-5 mark with an horrendous 5.73 ERA. Only Joshua Jackson (8-6 2.63) has delivered for Michaels.

Michaels told the press, "I'm not gonna give up on these guys. I'm going to stick with the same staff the rest of way. I'm gonna hang with the guys that I have been successful with in the past. I think they will turn it around."

Thank goodness, the Middlefield hitters are having a great season. They are tearing up the division with a .270 batting average (1st), 102 home runs (1st) and have scored 398 runs (1st). Four All-Stars are powering the Roosters: RF Bailey Norcross (.294/14 HR/55 RBI/55 R/23 SB), rookie 3B Charlie Gamble (.320/22 HR/52 RBI/51 R), C Mike Kanjorsky (.311/6 HR/28 RBI/33 R) and great glove man, Timmy Gage (.270/6 HR/40 RBI/47 R). They haven't done it alone. CF Ty DeWitt (.280/13 HR/51 RBI/47 R) and RF Cecil Clark (.304/13 HR/29 RBI/44 R) have shouldered some of the offense, too.

Just a little improvement in the pitching could put Middlefield right back in the race with Volusia and Sligo.

Improved pitching would do wonders for Colfax (36-37), which is in a tie for fourth place with Forest City, seven games in back of Volusia. The Blasters are a minor version of Middlefield with a .263 BA (4th), 84 roundtrippers (2nd) and 350 runs (2nd). Manager Clem Rogers has the hitting, but falls short with a 3.94 team ERA. Only Ilya Szabo (8-4 2.80) and Tommy Fuller (5-2 2.67) have produced for Rogers. Former 20-game winners Harry Manning (6-8 3.59) and Jasper LaForge (5-7 4.95) have fallen on hard times this season. Closer Daric Jacoby (4-6 4.57) has also taken a tumble. But Rogers is blessed with some heavy hitters in rookie LF Chris Carroll (.297/19 HR/53 RBI/43 R), All-Star 3B Neely Keeton (.284/17 HR/47 RBI/48 R) and 1B Dennis Cole (.258/13 HR/34 RBI/42 R).

After failing to make the postseason for the first time in its history, Forest City (36-37) skipper Robbie Jackson made a big move in the off-season by trading All-Star shortstop Bill Nilsen to LaGrange for three players. He got pitcher Al Thibaut, outfielder Roger Marley and shortstop Marvin Hollis, all fine players. Thus far, the advantage goes to LaGrange. Thibaut (7-7 3.23) and Marley (.322 BA) have done well. The Lumberjacks have dipped to a tie for fifth and suffer from a lack of offense. They are hitting only .259 (6th) with only 67 homers (4th). In the past Forest City has been among the leaders in home runs year-in and year-out. But not this season. Jackson badly misses Nilsen's 30 homers a year. Defensively the Lumberjacks are pathetic, fielding only .967 for the season. Only Southport of the Tybobbian West is worse with a .966 fielding percentage.

The Lumberjacks pitching corps has done its job, compiling a good 3.54 ERA (3rd), which is just a smidge behind Volusia (3.47) and Sligo (3.52). Jackson's rotation of Timmy Brooks (9-4 2.73), Knucks Nomellini (6-3 2.80), Thibaut (7-7 3.23) and Doyle Chadwick (7-7 3.52) has been solid and steady. Jackson needs to find some offensive help for LF Dave Jagger (.300/11 HR/40 RBI) and CF Ryan Morse (.266/8 HR/26 RBI/43 R/11 SB). Roger Marley (.322/6 HR/27 RBI) took over right field in late May and has injected some life in the 'Jack attack. The platoon at first base has also worked out pretty well with J. T. Edmonds (.291/7 HR/21 RBI) and rookie Andy Doiron (.313/3 HR/12 RBI). It looks like Forest City may miss the playoffs for a second year in a row and also drop to the second division. The Lumberjacks don't have what it takes to overtake the clubs currently ahead of them.

The remaining three clubs are closely-bunched. The Stoner Stars (33-40) are in sixth place, 10 games back. Not since 2002 have Willie Dickens' Stars made the first division and the playoffs. That trend is very likely to continue in 2005. Stoner can score runs (344), ranking third behind Middlefield (398) and Colfax (350). The Stars are batting .258 (7th), but have 70 dingers (3rd). Lousy pitching is holding them back. They are dead last with an awful 4.61 ERA.

Dickens has a strong and balanced line-up with C Benny Stern (.322/8 HR/41 RBI), RF Dutch Rheinecker (.287/15 HR/39 RBI 44 R), SS Yancy Bellows (.296/5 HR/34 RBI/38 R) and 3B Allan Black (.270/8 HR/34 RBI/55 R/11 SB). Rookie first sacker Lou Martyn (.238 BA) has contributed 16 home runs and leads the team with 50 RBIs.

Not much to speak about when it comes to pitching. Only two Stoner starters Norman Canfield (6-3 3.09) and Dave Pierre (8-6 3.87) have been effective.

The Fort Benton Defenders (32-41) and Rocky Rapids Snappers (32-41) are deadlocked for the seventh spot in the RU West, standing 11 games behind in the pennant race and will battle it out for the rights to the cellar. Both clubs have poor histories in the IPA. Fort Benton has never finished out of the cellar and Rocky Rapids is an habitual second-division team. Neither have been to the playoffs.

They are pretty-evenly matched. The Defenders carry a .268 batting average (2nd) with 43 homers (8th) and a fair 3.73 ERA (4th), while the Snappers are hitting .266 (3rd), have 45 roundtrippers (7th) with a 3.94 team ERA (6th). Rocky Rapids has the edge in defense with a .978 FA (3rd) to .975 (5th) for Fort Benton.

The Defenders have two All-Star representatives in closer Tom Chiarra (3-3 2.72) with 10 saves and 27 appearances and rookie catcher Jake Varshon (.347/9 HR/37 RBI). Manager Robbie Brooks has gotten excellent work from starter Leroy Hill (9-7 2.83).

The Snappers skipper Ryan Noland has several talented players. His best is his All-Star 1B Stan Haddix (.356/6 HR/48 RBI/43 R). LF Scott Camden (.285/9 HR/36 RBI/41 R) is also a solid batsman for him. Rocky Rapids has two fine starters in Charlie Medford (7-3 3.24) and Ben Mashburn (6-7 3.31) as well as an excellent closer in Herbie Drahm (2-2 1.93), who has stepped into the role and done very well in his 22 relief appearances.

Eugene Church · 09-17-2009, 10:30 PM

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, June 25, 2005

Tycobbian Union North Division 2005 Mid-Season Standings

Eugene Church · 09-17-2009, 10:54 PM

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, June 25, 2005

Tycobbian Union North Division 2005 Mid-Season Standings

Blue Sox Blossom, Red Caps Collapse in TU North
There are two big stories in the Tycobbian Union North Division. Story number one is the total collapse of the Oxford Red Caps, who have taken a nose dive into the second division after being selected a huge favorite to take the title again this season. Story number two is the Blue Lake Blue Sox.

Success has been a way of life for Cobb Tyson, manager of the Blue Lake Blue Sox. First he was a great player, many say he was the greatest - he had the highest career batting average (.367) in industrial league history - then he became one of the finest managers in the industrial leagues. However, except for the first season in the IPA, when Tyson finished second and made the playoffs, his pro career has been very lackluster, much to his chagrin. But all that has changed this year. Tyson's Blue Sox have bolted out of nowhere to the top of the TU North this season. Blue Lake is in first place and three games in front of runner-up Luxora, four games ahead of third place Hartsdale and 8 games up on fourth place White River.

Blue Lake (44-29) has quality starters, relievers and quality hitters. Tyson has put together a very well-balanced team. He has the best team ERA (3.62) and a solid batting order with good hitters throughout the line-up. The Blue Sox are hitting .262 (5th) with 71 home runs (5th) and 347 runs (5th). Tyson only has one All-Star in his first-class closer Pat Grange (3-0 2.11), who has made 37 relief appearances and saved 10 games. Blue Lake has steady and consistent starters in Tom Waltenbury (8-5 3.45) and Benny DeBartolo (8-5 3.53). Tyson has molded a good rotation by using four other pitchers into the number three and four spots.

The best Blue Sox batters are rookie LF Tad Kirklin (.279/20 HR/64 RBI/51 R/10 SB), RF Fred Collins (.297/10 HR/40 RBI/44 R/13 SB), 3B Loren Babcock (.318/8 HR/39 RBI/36 R/12 SB), CF Rick Hilliard (.303/10 HR/33 RBI/49 R/11 SB) and SS Cy Orgeron (.279/6 HR/28 RBI/44 R/11 SB). Blue Lake seems to be for real this season with a solid ball club, but they have their work cut out for them with the likes of Hartsdale and Luxora hovering close by and just waiting to take command.

The Luxora Zorros ranked second in the BNN preseason poll with Hartsdale rated third. Heavily-favored Oxford was the overwhelming choice to take the TU North pennant, but that hasn't happened. The Red Caps pitching (4.65 ERA) has totally collapsed and they have sunk down to seventh place in the standings. It is unlikely they can make up 13 games during the second half of the season.

Manager Alejandro Rodrigo has piloted the Zorros to a 41-32 mark this year. The Z's have made the postseason in three of his four seasons, missing only in 2001, when they came in fourth. Luxora's strong point is its offense. The Z's sport a .270 team batting average (3rd) with 76 homers (3rd) and 350 runs scored (4th), coupled with a good 3.86 ERA (3rd) and a good defense with a .976 FA (3rd).

At the heart of the Zorro attack are All-Star 2B Pablo Santa Cruz (.325/6 HR/35 RBI/51 R/14 SB), RF Cristo Viamonte (.311/13 HR/37 RBI/50 R), CF Lacey Tompkins (.293/11 HR/41 RBI/41 R), LF Joel Reed (.278/16 HR/45 RBI) and rookie 1B Matt Maxwell (.281/6 HR/43 RBI). Rodrigo's top hurlers are Marco Braceros (9-7 2.79) and Eddie Hoffman (10-6 4.10).

Rodrigo spoke with BNN recently and said, "All we need is two of my pitchers to get it in gear and we can take this division. Tito Tovares (7-7 4.56) hasn't been himself this season. He's going to the bullpen for awhile to see if he can get his mechanics right. It seemed to work for Francisco Fernandes (3-2 3.32), who will return to the regular rotation for the second half. Chris Pierce (2-0 1.72) will also get a shot at starting, too." If Luxora gets another strong starter, they just might cause Blue Lake some serious concern.

The Hartsdale Hellcats (40-33) are holding forth in third place in the TU North. Skipper Zim Donner has only one division title in his four years in charge of the Hellcats. They won it in 2003, the only year Hartsdale has played in the postseason. The Hellcats were third last season.

Zimmer has his club primed to make a run at the flag this year. The Hellcats are the second-best hitting team (.275), third-best in scoring behind White River (425) and Oxford (372) with 360 runs and number two with a .979 fielding percentage. Zimmer could use more long balls. Hartsdale has only 62 (6th) for the year. Pitching-wise the Hellcats staff has compiled a 3.78 ERA, good enough for second place behind division-leading Blue Lake (3.62).

Paving the way at bat for Hartsdale are All-Stars Mac Faulkner (.379/17 HR/66 RBI/56 R) at first base and Jud Turchin (.325/13 HR/52 RBI/52 R) at shortstop. LF Emile Djorovich (.325/5 HR/42 RBI) and rookie CF Mark Garzelli (.283/5 HR/32 RBI/43 R) have also provided run support.

On the mound Zimmer doesn't have a standout stopper. He has used six starters and as a group they have done well. The current rotation consists of Mark Sakelaris (6-5 3.14), Phil Reed (5-4 3.21), Gus Kostro (7-5 4.24) and Tal Vaitkus (4-2 3.88). Vaitkus missed a month of the season with an injured back. Ben Manderson (7-6 3.77) filled in for Vaitkus and has now returned to be a spot starter/long reliever. The key to the season lies with Kostro and Vaitkus. They have to re-emerge and pitch like they have in recent years when they were 20-game winners. Also closer Nico Carnera (5-4 4.50) has to get back on the right track, too. The trio have been disappointments in 2005.

Manager John Randison and the fourth-place White River Rascals (36-37) have really stirred up the waters in the TU North this season. The Rascals are hitting the lights out with a terrific .285 team batting average (1st), 93 homers (2nd) and have scored an astronomical 425 times (1st). The Rascals have put on an awesome attack and are on pace to set a new IPA record. High Mesa holds the mark at 835 runs, set in 2002. If Randison had any sort of pitching, he would run away with the pennant. White River has a pathetic 4.77 ERA (8th).

White River is powered by three three All-Stars: rookie LF Lee Taryn (.317/19 HR/79 RBI/54 R), CF Hal Hoover (.384/12 HR/53 RBI/56 R/16 SB) and 3B Rupert Doan (.292/11 HR/35 RBI/56 R/14 SB). And the hitting doesn't stop there. The Rascals also feature 1B Bryan Dickerson (.290/17 HR/53 RBI/46 R), 2B Riley Cloy (.253/11 HR/39 RBI/60 R). No matter who Randison put on the line-up card, they break out in hits. Two platoon players were just promoted to full-time because of their bats. Matt DeMarsche (.355/3 HR/26 RBI/20 R) and Dennis Bertrand (.305/6 HR/24 RBI/24 R) will take over at shortstop and right field respectively.

Randison has used 12 starters this year and just added one more starter and a new closer in an attempt to get somebody out. That will make 16 pitchers used so far this season. Only Dante Langlais (5-3 3.21) and Joe Hudson (5-3 4.06) have any sort of success.

The North Hills Hawks (34-39) have been a pleasant surprise. Manager Hub Carlson's club was forecast last in the BNN preseason poll. Instead the Hawks have used good pitching to climb up to fifth place, 10 games behind Blue Lake. Carlson's staff is fourth with a 3.87 ERA. He has a decent group of starters in Leland Clinkscales (5-6 2.96), Ben Dewberry (7-5 3.04) and Adam Heckmann (5-5 3.39). The Hawks also have a fine closer in Carson Romine (4-4 2.57), who has saved 8 games and made 31 appearances.

North Hills is hitting a very poor .247 (8th) with little power and only 61 home runs (8th). Carlson really needs some good bats. Thus far his only productive performers have been rookie CF Boyd Harbuck (.268/14 HR/50 RBI/45 R), LF Kevin Schmidt (.272/15 HR/43 RBI) and 2B Jimmy Ryland (.312/5 HR/28 RBI/52 R).

The Hawks have never made the first division and have never been in the postseason. Despite the relative success, it looks like they will continue this tradition this season.

In Fairfax, the Frogs (33-40) have always finished among the top four teams each season. Harry Buckley's team won the TU North crown in the IPA inaugural season and have made the playoffs three times. They missed for the first time last year and it is beginning to look like they will be left out this season. The Frogs are 11 games behind and in the sixth spot in the standings. Fairfax is similar to North Hills with fair pitching and anemic offense. The Frogs are batting just .252 (6th-tied) with only 63 homers (6th) and last in scoring with 310 runs. 1B Jeff Vretsos (.306/12 HR/39 RBI), 3B Fran O'Brian (.284/10 HR/39 RBI) and rookie LF Dane Wesner (.280/10 HR/30 RBI) top the dismal offense.

Talent is sparse on the hill, too. Buckley's best are Robby Meredith (7-8 3.80) and Barrett Carruthers (6-10 3.96). Both have been 20-game winners in the past. Buckley needs to do some serious rebuilding in Fairfax. The future is gloomy.

All is not well in Oxford (31-42) this year. Head man Campy Roy has taken the division pennant in two of the Red Caps three seasons and they have made the playoffs each year. Picked to win again by BNN in the 2005 preseason balloting, Oxford has been a gigantic failure and fallen down to seventh place, 13 games off the pace. Outrageously bad pitching is the reason. Oxford possesses three 20-game winners in its starting rotation. Nicky Nicholson (5-12 3.72), Dan Phillips (10-6 3.95) and Bomber Belinsky (4-7 5.95) would bring smiles to most managers' faces, but not this year. The Red Caps team ERA has skyrocketed to 4.65 (7th) with no relief in sight.

It's a good thing that Roy's Boys can still hit the cover off the ball. Oxford still has a prolific attack, spearheaded by three All-Star sluggers: 3B Joe Courtney (.302/18 HR/53 RBI/50 R), 1B Kenny Jablonski (.339/16 HR/49 RBI/52 R) and CF Ike Plunkett (.331/24 HR/49 RBI/68 R). LF Mac Spencer (.278/14 HR/44 RBI/41 R) has made his presence known, too. As a team the Red Caps sport a .266 batting average (4th) with 102 roundtrippers (1st) and have chalked up 372 runs (2nd).

It's probably too late, but there may be a sign that Oxford is finally coming alive - the Red Caps took a string of 8 wins in a row into the All-Star game. Roy told reporters, "All we need is just a little better pitching and we might get back in the race. We don't think it's over yet." It is going to be tough to make the playoffs this year - Oxford is 13 games behind Blue Lake and 10 games behind second place Luxora - that's a lot of ground to make up in half a season.

The Mahaska Haymakers (30-43) and manager Rusty Tanussa have had only one good season. They finished fourth and made the playoffs in 2001. It's been all downhill since, nothing but seventh and eighth place finishes. Likewise in 2005. The Haymakers are in the basement, 14 games out and headed nowhere. Tanussa's team is hitting only .252 (6th-tied) with 75 homers (4th).

On the mound the Haymakers have compiled a mediocre 4.04 team ERA. Not a lot of talent on the club except for All-Star Boomerang Hines (12-4 2.09), who has been brilliant this season. Closer Ike McDaniel (3-5 2.16) has also stood out with 8 saves and 30 game appearances. At the plate Mahaska has a fine first baseman in Miles Shufford (.290/24 HR/63 RBI/44 R). The Haymaker second baseman Dusty Eaton (.282/8 HR/31 RBI/49 R) has performed well, too. It is rumored that both Hines and Shufford are on the trading block, but it will take six quality players to get them. Some of the contenders around the IRA that have a lot of young talent may be willing to deal.

Eugene Church · 09-18-2009, 09:34 PM

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, June 25, 2005

Tycobbian Union South Division 2005 Mid-Season Standings

Eugene Church · 09-18-2009, 09:50 PM

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, June 25, 2005

Tycobbian Union South Division 2005 Mid-Season Standings

Hurricanes Dominate TU South, Up by 7 Games at All-Star Game
For the second consecutive season the Cape Coral Hurricanes are blowing away the competition in the Tycobbian Union South with a very solid ball club that has magnificent pitching and very good hitting. The Hurricanes have already built up a seven-game bulge over runner-up Summerland and Turon, who are tied going into the mid-season break.

Arroyo Grande and Ginza are both fourth, nine games back. Colchester, who was expected to give Cape Coral its stiffest competition has sunk down to sixth and trails by 10 games. San Alejo is seventh, 14 games off the pace and Southport is in last place, a very distant 24 games out.

The reigning Manager of the Year, Huggy Miller, told BNN, "This is a great job. These guys are talented, work together, no big egos and are a joy to work with." White has guided Cape Coral since the inception of the Islandian Pro Alliance. The Hurricanes won the TU South in 2004. Prior to that Miller was third in the first season, fell to seventh in 2002, then rebounded to second place in 2003.

The Hurricanes (48-25) have the best record in the IPA. Miller's standout mound corps has registered an unbelievable 2.86 ERA (1st). Not only do they pitch well, they hit the ball well, too. The team batting average is .270 (3rd) with 72 homers (3rd) and 356 runs (3rd). Cape Coral has five solid starters in All-Star Cody Burg (12-3 1.64), Cal Holtzman (8-1 2.45), Doug Lyons (10-5 2.91), Zane Robinson (6-2 3.07) and Jeff Salow (7-4 3.41). All Miller needs is a good closer and he would almost have the perfect team.

The Hurricanes top run producers are LF Kippy Doyle (.324/19 HR/68 RBI/46 R), All-Star 3B Hoshi Sato (.332/17 HR/39 RBI/52 R), CF Edmundo Montano (.309/1 HR/30 RBI) and RF Simon Manetas (.295/4 HR/29 RBI/40 R).

Summerland's Will Hackett has his charges running neck-and-neck with Turon. The two clubs are all even, deadlocked for the second spot in the standings at the season's halfway point. The Sunsets (41-32) and Typhoons are well-rounded teams. Summerland's main strength is two steady starters Paul Felkner (10-7 3.13) and Bill Taft (10-4 2.55) and the Sunsets top-notch closer Bobby Winwood (5-2 2.86), who has 14 saves. Hackett has some consistent hitters, too. Leading the list are All-Star 2B Tucker Hill (.351/4 HR/23 RBI/55 R), LF Hank Hamilton (.303/7 HR/43 RBI/41 R) and 1B Karl Van Kooten (.277/15 HR/49 RBI).

Turon (41-32) is back in the playoff hunt after a year's lapse. Skipper Ashton "Whitey" Richburn led the Typhoons to the postseason in his first two years. Richburn won the IPA Pro Cup in 2003, but slipped badly last season, dipping to sixth place. But he has righted the ship this year. Two excellent starters and a very good closer are the prime reasons for the resurgence. Heading the Typhoon rotation are Scotty Boswell (7-3 2.53) and James Longstreet (7-4 2.79). James Stuart (7-3 2.93) has converted from a starter to a closer this season quite successfully with 9 saves. Strong defense has helped Turon as well. The Typhoons top the TU South with a .979 fielding average.

Richburn gets a lot of offense by platooning several positions. Turon is surprisingly second in runs with 357. The Typhoons have no outstanding hitters, just a bunch of journeymen, paced by RF Andy Porter (.299/12 HR/45 RBI/39 R) and C Trace Crittenden (.272/9 HR/41 RBI/44 R). In the battle for the postseason, Summerland gets the nod over Turon because of its superior pitching.

Jean-Luc Marchand and his Arroyo Grande Suns (39-34) suffered mightily in the first three years and did not come close to even the first division, much less the postseason. The Suns lost a hundred-plus games in 2002 and 2003 and finished seventh last year. But all that has changed - suddenly Arroyo Grande is terrorizing TU pitchers with a .283 batting average (1st), 116 home runs (1st) and have scored 395 times. Offensively they are on a record-setting pace. Marchand's prolific crew is currently tied for fourth with the Ginza Ninjas.

Marchand has been rotating six outfielders and all of them have been productive. So has All-Star 1B Cristian Avajos (.307/22 HR/59 RBI/42 R) and rookie shortstop Jared McCarthy (.301/18 HR/48 RBI/42 R). C Don Holden (.317/7 HR/30 RBI/44 R) will also play in the All-Star Game in Red Bluff. Also chipping in with the bats were 2B Alberto Ibarra (.297/7 HR/37 RBI/34 R) and outfielders Ernie Estaban (.355/12 HR/27 RBI/28 R), Maurice Vidrine (.339/10 HR/26 RBI/23 R) and Willie Clarke (.300/3 HR/17 RBI/26 R/12 SB).

The Suns have absolutely no pitching except for All-Star twirler Miguel Aguilera, who has had a phenomenal year, capturing 13 wins with only two defeats and an impressive 3.09 ERA on a staff with a out-of-sight 4.76 ERA (8th). Most experts don't see the Suns continuing to hit like they have in the first half of the season. They expect Ginza to move ahead them in the second half because of superior pitching.

Huroko Uchiyama's Ginza Ninjas (39-34) are fundamentally sound with good defensive play and fine pitching. The Ninjas are second with a 3.25 ERA and .978 fielding percentage. Ginza is a fair hitting ball club with a .263 BA (4th), but pitiful in power with only 46 roundtrippers (8th).

Uchiyama has a trio of strong, veteran pitchers in All-Star Alex Sasek (11-4 1.88), Carl Trebek (9-8 3.20) and Kojiro Matsumoto (7-9 3.61). On the offensive side of the ball Ginza is led by rookie SS Ed Dorland (.292/5 HR/37 RBI), 3B Toshiro Nomura (.300/7 HR/34 RBI) and RF Lonnie Jacobson (.302/9 HR/36 R).

Colchester manager Robbie Wilbertson is looking for his Elites to pick up the pace and play up to potential in the last half of the year. Colchester (38-35) is in the sixth spot in the TU South, trailing by 10 games. Wilbertson has his eye on second place, which is only 3 games away.

Quality starters and power hitting could get the Elites in a challenging position for the division's second playoff slot. All-Star Jimmy Simmons (12-3 3.26), Frank Payne (10-5 3.80) and Hootie Boatner (5-7 2.75) give Colchester some strong and experienced arms. Wilbertson's team has put up a 3.62 ERA (4th) and gone deep 74 times (2nd). His top hitters are 1B Harlan Roscoe (.315/14 HR/52 RBI), RF Tony Barella (.303/7 HR/37 RBI/40 R/17 SB), LF Douglas Tilford (.326/12 HR/36 RBI/55 R/22 SB) and 3B Niles Stanton (.266/14 HR/39 RBI). This is not a sixth-place ball club. Look for the Elites to climb higher in the TU South standings.

The seventh place San Alejo Montaneros (34-39) are no semblance of the tremendous team that won the pennants in 2002 and 2003. The rest of the division has caught up and surpassed Lando Peceda's club. The Montaneros mound staff continues its downward spiral this season with a miserable 4.35 ERA (6th) and a .257 BA (7th). San Alejo is 14 games out going into the All-Star break.

No one on the Montaneros is having a good year. Peceda's best batters are LF Bernie Valente (.329/7 HR/28 RBI/49 R) and 3B Paolo Huerta (.303/8 HR/32 RBI/43 R). On the hill only Juliano Nuevo (8-6 3.62) is having a decent season.

You have to go back to 2002, Southport's first year in the IPA, to come up with a good season. The Sun Sox shined that year, finished third in the division and made the postseason. Manager Charley Oscar has had no success since, ending up near the bottom in seventh or eighth place. Going into 2005 the prognosis was more of the same and that is exactly what has transpired. Southport (24-49) is having a pathetic season, is in the basement again and 24 games out of first.

The Sun Sox are hitting only .258 (6th) with only 53 home runs (7th) and are last in runs scored with just 268. Southport is near the bottom with a high 4.44 ERA (7th) and is the worst defensive club in the IPA with .966 FA.

Not much to cheer about in Southport. But the Sun Sox do have a fine first baseman in Pat Mystryk (.271/14 HR/51 RBI) and a pretty fair rookie starter in Mark Mumford (5-3 3.24). Mystryk is a career .287 hitter with 86 homers and 384 RBIs in his four years with the club.

Eugene Church · 09-19-2009, 09:36 PM

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, June 25, 2005

Tycobbian Union East Division 2005 Mid-Season Standings

Eugene Church · 09-19-2009, 09:55 PM

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, June 25, 2005

Red Bluff Alone at the Top, 8 Games Ahead in TU East
The defending IPA Pro Cup champions, the Red Bluff Red Sox, could be headed for their third pennant in a row in the Tycobbian Union East. The Red Sox are way in front with an eight-game lead over Midway and Ozarka. Upstart Hillsboro is fourth in the standings, 10 games back, followed by fifth-place High Mesa, 11 games out, South Fork, 13 games off the pace in sixth, Tuckanarra trails by 17 and is in the seventh spot with East Point last, 19 games behind.

It is hard to beat a club that is number one in batting (.281), pitching (3.61 ERA) and defense (.984 FA). No wonder that Red Bluff is 46-27 this season. Manager Mack Connery has a strong roster with three of best hurlers in the IPA and a group of solid hitters to back them up. His talented trio of Leonard Urban (10-5 2.81), Frank Beaudoin (3.02) and Milo Mohoski (9-4 3.16) consistently give good performances.

The Red Sox batting order has three All-Stars in RF Kris Grabowski (.313/13 HR/53 RBI/45 R), rookie SS Jose Aguilar (.358/9 HR/38 RBI/53R/19 SB) and C Virgil Carpenter (.268/14 HR/36 RBI/32 R). The addition of Aguilar's offense and defense has greatly improved the Red Sox. Other pluses for Connery are LF Tony Blundell (.292/7 HR/41 RBI/39 R/18 SB) and CF Stan Helmke (.311/9 HR/37 RBI/46 R/17 SB).

The Midway Wolves (38-35) are tied for the number two spot this season. They have never made the playoffs, but came close last year, losing a one-game playoff to Tuckanarra to decide second place. Manager Cochise Chandler thinks the time has come. He told reporters, "The trade acquisition of Szymanski and Mazurek from Valmara put us over the top. Szymanski (.289/20 HR/53 RBI/51 R) has been a ball of fire with his bat and his glove. Mazurek (.258/4 HR/24 RBI/25 R) is a great fielder (.985 FA) and a dependable bat."

LF Johnny Gillespie (.322/10 HR/55 RBI/55 R) is Midway's lone All-Star. Chandler also picked him up in a trade with Rolling Hills in 2002. Chandler added, "Trades have made us a contender. We have bargained well, so far." 2B Little Johnny Yuma (.314/3 HR/18 RBI/49 R) gives the Wolves another good glove and bat. 1B Don Piper (.272/11 HR/41 RBI/44 R) has been an important element, too.

In a hit-heavy division, Midway is fourth with a 4.27 ERA. That a little worse than average (4.04). Chandler could certainly use another quality arm or two like Nosyt Sani (11-5 3.68) and C. J. Carper (7-4 4.09). Closer Joe Eckermann (3-3 3.66) has been reliable again this season with 14 saves. Pitching will decide the Wolves fate this year.

This is one of the Ozarka Naturals (38-35) better seasons. Manager Joe Mac Carney has them in a third-place tie with Midway at mid-season. Carney has only made the postseason once in his tenure. That was 2003. The Nats have the second-best pitching (3.71 ERA/) and third-best in batting average (.268), but little power and poor defense. Ozarka is 7th in homers with 62 and last with a .968 fielding percentage.

Carney's top pitchers are Sid Hyder (8-2 2.92), Pat Schwartz (6-4 3.42) and Alex DiMaggio (5-9 3.30). In the batter's box All-Star 3B Nathan Ferrell (.358/15 HR/45 RBI) has done an outstanding job with some help from RF Gus Dufrene (.282/4 HR/40 RBI) and CF Kermit Wiggins (.282/2 HR/38 RBI/49 R/15 SB). The key to success for the Naturals will be giving run support to its pitchers. Alex DiMaggio won 20 games last year. This season he's 5-9 because of poor run support.

The Hillsboro Blazers (36-37) have leaped from last place to fourth this season with some heavy hitting. Halfway through the year the Blazers are 10 games out of first. Skipper Arky Spanderson has never made the playoffs. This year he thinks he has a shot at it. He told BNN that "Red Bluff is probably gonna make the playoffs, but there are at least five clubs with a chance for the second postseason spot and my Blazers could do it."

Spanderson's spunky group is busting the ball at a .269 pace (2nd) with 92 roundtrippers (1st) and has scored 385 runs (2nd). That sounds good until you find out that Hillsboro has an astronomical 5.50 ERA, allows the opposition to hit .290 and has given up 117 home runs. Luckily the other teams are pretty much in the same boat and have no pitching either. So the Blazers have as good a chance as anyone. At mid-year in desperation Spanderson revamped his pitching staff by dropping five pitchers. He really had no other choice. It's tough when your ace pitcher is 7-5 with a 4.66 ERA.

However Hillsboro can boom the ball. Spanderson top swatters are All-Star rookie SS Barry Bassett (.327/20 HR/60 RBI/54 R), LF Kevin Baker (.275/19 HR/53 RBI/46 R) and CF Jorge Mercado (.290/14 HR/46 R/45 RBI).

Frisky Franks is at the helm of the High Mesa Cowboys and has had success in his first two seasons. He won the IPA Pro Cup in 2002 and finished second and made the playoffs in year two. But Franks has slipped since then. High Mesa (35-38) has much the same problems as Hillsboro - the Cowboy chuckers can't get anybody out - maybe "clunkers" might be a better word. Despite this, High Mesa is in fifth place, but only three games away from a playoff spot.

High Mesa has compiled a .268 average (3rd), ripped 83 home runs (3rd) and tops the division in scoring with 387 runs. But the Cowboys sport a dismal 4.79 ERA (6th). At mid-season Franks added three new hurlers to try and drum up some pitching to help his ace, Joey Popovich, who has excelled with a 12-4 mark and a 3.70 ERA. Most of the mound staff had ERAs over 5.00 thus far this year.

In spite of the good offensive numbers, most of the Cowboy core are having a semi-down season. If they catch fire in the second half, then it bodes bad for the other playoff contenders. High Mesa's high roller this year is All-Star LF Adam Zitek (.276/23 HR/80 RBI/48 R), who is on track to crack the record for most RBIs in IPA history. The record is 146 by Karol Zodoka of the East Point Panthers in 2002. SS Rolf Kellgren (.277/7 HR/27 RBI/58 R/19 SB), 2B Ed Granberg (.294/9 HR/40 RBI/49 R) and RF Kenny Edelstein (.271/13 HR/40 RBI/42 R) are all productive, but having subpar seasons, at least for them.

South Fork (33-40) is sixth in the TU East standings, 11 games out. Manager Duroche "Lips" Leon has a woefully weak team at the plate. The Stallions are batting only .248 and are last in all offensive categories. But they are good in the pitching department with a 3.83 ERA (2nd) and excellent defensively with an outstanding .982 fielding percentage (2nd). Only first place Red Bluff is better in those categories.

Like High Mesa, several of South Fork's stalwarts are having off-years. LF Art Atkins (.240/9 HR/34 RBI/43 R) and 1B Keith Burke (.241/10 HR/32 RBI/35 R/11 SB) are each down 50 points on their career averages. They could do wonders for the team if they rebound in the second half of the season. CF Preston Crim (.292/12 HR/41 RBI/36 R) has had to carry the offensive load pretty much all by himself this year. On the mound, old reliable 37-year-old Flint Battle (8-7 2.91) has done his part. He has won at least 15 games in each of his three previous seasons and might make it again this year, especially if the Stallions come up with better bat support.

2005 is not a good year for the Tuckanarra Blue Jays (29-44). Carlton "Lefty" Stevens is not a happy camper with his ball club. After making the postseason in each of the first three seasons, they dipped to seventh last year and might do worse this time around. The Blue Jays are in seventh place, 17 games back, but only two games up on last place East Point.

Tuckanarra is near the bottom in all categories with poor pitching (4.49 ERA), poor hitting (.248 BA), plus poor fielding (.971 FA). That is usually a formula for failure. But the Blue Jays do have a few good men - starting pitchers Mike Amato (8-3 3.65) and Titus Bristow (7-8 3.53) along with new closer Coorain Janama (1-1 1.93), who took over the reins in the bullpen in June and has done extremely well. At bat 1B Charley Schofield (.310/11 HR/48 RBI/43 R) is having his best year. Rookie SS Dan Conroy (.264/12 HR/40 RBI) has been a pleasant surprise with his bat and had performed adequately defensively. Skipper Stevens has greatly missed the big bat of RF Monty Draycott, who has hit only 5 homers, batted .240 and driven in 40 runs so far.

The East Point Panthers (27-46) have been a big flop this season. Manager Griff Clarke was expecting better things this year. Even BNN moved them up to fourth in its preseason poll. Clarke has made the playoffs only once, that was in the club's first season in the IPA in 2002, when they ended up in third place.

The Panthers still pound the ball well with 85 roundtrippers (2nd) and a .267 team batting average (5th-tied), but don't have any pitching. Clarke's mound corps has a composite 4.92 ERA (7th). Yet his old standbys Carl Thompson (8-10 4.21) and Jarred Robillard (5-9 4.15) still give East Point a decent chance to win a game. But Charlie Hale (4-10 6.67) and closer Jed Erdmann (1-8 7.92) has suddenly fallen prey to failure. Both have been exiled to long relief and mop-up for the rest of the year to make way for some new blood on the staff.

Fortunately the Panthers still pack a punch with 3B Rex Sokolov (.292/18 HR/52 RBI/42 R), 2B Karol Zodoka (.260/11 HR/50 RBI/42 R), RF Jimmy Cappola (.302/12 HR/38 RBI/38 R) and SS Keith Wasik (.300/8 HR/23 RBI/47 R). East Point is too good to remain in the TU East cellar. Look for the Panthers to rise and roar a little bit in the last half of the year.

Eugene Church · 09-21-2009, 04:58 PM

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, June 25, 2005

Tycobbian Union West 2005 Mid-Season Standings

Eugene Church · 09-21-2009, 05:13 PM

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, June 25, 2005

5-Team Battle In TU West, DC Redbirds Lead at Halfway Mark
In the BNN Preseason Poll it was supposed to be just a two-team race in the Tycobbian Union West, but it has turned into a five-team tussle. At the season's halfway mark Denton City has a three-game lead over number two Bayview.

The Vikings were favored to be on top in the poll, but so far the Redbirds have prevailed. Bay St. Clair has done better than expected and in third place, trailing by just four games. Kenwood, rated worst in the division, has proven the experts wrong and is a surprising fourth in the standings, just five games off the pace. The Arlon Champions are fifth, only six games behind. It has been a tough year for three teams that were picked to finish higher. Instead of three, four and five, La Claire is last, Rolling Hills sixth and Chicopee seventh.

Ford Whiteman is in charge of Denton City (43-30) and over the past four years the club has improved from seventh, to third, second and now the top spot in the TU West. This season the Redbirds have used their bats to surpass the vaunted Bayview Vikings. Denton City has smashed 89 homers (1st), hit .282 (2nd) and scored 370 times (3rd). The Redbirds have also compiled a 3.79 ERA (3rd) to go with their strong offense.

The Redbirds boast a fearsome line-up consisting of All-Star CF Paul Coniglio (.322/19 HR/61 RBI/54 R/12 SB), LF Danny Nash (.382/12 HR/50 RBI), 1B Rod MacCormack (.325/13 HR/45 RBI/52 R/10 SB), RF Lavon Gooch (.315/14 HR/42 RBI/44 R/12 SB) and 3B Jay Petit (.294/13 HR/45 RBI/46 R).

Denton City's pitching corps was its main strength at the beginning of the season, but most of his starting rotation have struggled with off-years. Whiteman could use a couple more starters, but thus far he has gotten by with All-Star Gino Carmazzo (11-3 3.35), some solid middle relievers and Bubba Lear (4-3 3.28), his closer. Lear has chalked up 11 saves in his 34 appearances.

The Bayview Vikings (40-33) are in the same boat as Denton City. Manager Walter Johanssen has had to depend on his hitters this season. His mound staff has fizzled and flopped with a sky-high 4.42 ERA (8th). 20-game winning Jerry Harrison has slipped to 7-9 and seen his ERA soar to 4.81. Johanssen's number three starter Georgie Fambreau is 8-5, but with a dreadful 5.05 ERA. Of his big three only Frank Wells (9-5 3.62) has been effective. However, there is one positive addition to the rotation this year. Rookie closer Josh Glover has excelled and even made the All-Star team with a 4-3 record, impressive 2.17 ERA and 13 saves in 36 games.

Fortunately the Bayview batters have saved the season with a monstrous .285 average (1st), 399 runs (1st) and 76 home runs (2nd). The Viking batting order is imposing with three All-Stars: All-Star 2B Alan Hansen (.397/2 HR/44 RBI/57 R/20 SB), All-Star CF Wayne Latham (.343/13 HR/42 RBI/48 R/17 SB) and C Hank Bethel (.281/12 HR/42 RBI). Add five more solid hitters and opposing teams have a lot more than they can handle: LF Karl Yashin (.278/14 HR/41 RBI), 3B James Scott (.293/9 HR/39 RBI), RF Phil Kanaan (.282/6 HR/42 RBI/46 R/15 SB), 1B Chancey Quibedeaux (.272/8 HR/39 RBI/46 R) and SS Shorty Richards (.280/6 HR/35 RBI/43 R).

The TU West regular season title will go to the team that comes up with better pitching over the final half of the year. Denton City is going with the same pitchers, while Bayview has chosen to bring in three rookies to solve the pitching woes. The Redbirds skipper Ford Whiteman has dropped two veteran starters from the rotation and inserted three freshmen as spot starters. The Viks manager Walter Johanssen will use one rookie as a spot starter and the other two in long relief. It doesn't appear that any of the other clubs in the division can challenge the top two teams. They simply don't have the offense to compete with them.

Guy Rondre and the Bay St. Clair Buccaneers (39-34) have beaten the oddmakers this season thus far by rising up to the third spot in the standings after being slotted for sixth place in the preseason BNN poll. The Bucs are hanging around just four games back of the first place Redbirds and just a game behind the second place Vikings.

Bay St. Clair gets by on the strength of two quality starters in All-Star Denny Coulon (10-7 2.67) and Duncan McFalls (9-3 3.90). They give Rondre a chance to win every series they play. The Bucs bullpen is also in good hands with All-Star closer Norm Gross (3-1 2.39), who has piled up 15 saves in 30 appearances. But overall Rondre's pitchers sport a so-so 3.95 ERA (6th).

Run support is hard to come by. The Buccaneers are batting .259 (4th) and are rated fifth and sixth in homers (59) and runs (307). All-Star 3B Ed Albrecht (.297/9 HR/37 RBI/37 R), rookie 1B Gerry Fields (.310/16 HR/48 RBI/43 R) and LF Stan Denton (.294/2 HR/28 RBI/38 R) are Rondre's few run producers.

The perennial cellar-dwelling also-ran Kenwood Wildcats (38-35) have dumbfounded the experts with their play this season. Forecast to finish last, Manager Aaron Hankins has them in fourth place, only five games back. The Wildcats attack can score runs. They are batting only .257 (6th) and are last in long balls (53), but have racked up 157 doubles (1st) and 382 runs (2nd). Kenwood is the only team that might have a chance at the playoffs other than Denton City and Bayview. The Wildcats can rival them on the scoreboard. Kenwood also is second with a 3.68 ERA, certainly another plus in the pennant chase. The Wildcats should end up at least third in the TU West.

Hankins has some very capable players in All-Star LF Aydan Winthrop (.302/17 HR/59 RBI/50 R), rookie 1B Russ Honor (.249/10 HR/54 RBI/44 R), 2B Xavier Rocha (.282/4 HR/35 RBI/43 R) and rookie CF Dayton Walker, who is hitting a very lofty .383 in 48 starts this year. Hankins has just installed him full-time in center. On the hill Kenwood has a good group of starters in Johnny McBee (8-5 3.06), Pedro Acosta (6-4 2.92), Kris Angelico (6-1 3.33) and Antonio Garafalo (8-7 3.99).

The Arlon Champions (37-36) under the leadership of Gary Louis are in the fifth spot in the standings and still in the chase for the postseason as they trail Denton City by just six games at the All-Star interlude. The Champs are sparked by pitchers Connie Gavagan (8-3 2.88) and Kurt DeHaan (7-6 3.07). The Arlon staff has registered a 3.86 ERA (4th). Batting-wise they don't hit for a high average, only .256 (7th), but they can score runs. The Champions are third in dingers with 73 and fourth with 359 runs.

Louis' line-up is led by CF Steve Barnett (.323/10 HR/43 RBI/43 R), rookie LF Rocco Belasario (.283/13 HR/42 RBI/53 R/18 SB), LF Matt Merrill (.260/12 HR/46 RBI/42 R) and 1B Jay Dunbar (.255/11 HR/42 RBI/49 R).

Rolling Hills Manager Matty Christianson was optimistic going into the 2005 season thinking his Reds were on the uptake, but it hasn't panned out that way. His club is 10 games out and in sixth place. Baseball analysts selected them fourth in the preseason poll. Rolling Hills (33-40) is just a little less than average in most respects with a 3.95 ERA (5th), .259 BA (4th-tied) with 58 homers (6th) and 310 runs scored (5th).

Christianson has steady starters in Roger Davidson (8-10 3.17), Logan Atwell (4-5 3.00), Peter Brenneman (4-4 2.89) and Keith Greenwood (7-10 3.86), but not much in middle relief. Rolling Hills has an adequate closer in Shane Hooper (3-1 3.24), who has delivered 12 saves and been in 35 games. The Reds just don't render enough run support. Christianson's best batters are RF Theron Latigo (.266/14 HR/36 RBI/45 R) and LF Willie Mays Nixon (.264/13 HR/35 RBI) with some help lately from rookie CF Bob Havilland (.313/6 HR/24 RBI/17 R), who has started just 29 games. Rolling Hills just doesn't have the offense to compete with the big boys in the TU West.

Unless they turn it around soon, the seventh-place Chicopee Braves (32-41) and skipper Harry Fleetfoot are going to have to endure a fifth season of never making the postseason. At the mid-year mark the Braves are 11 games back. Fleetfoot has revamped his pitching corps with four newcomers, all of whom will be starters and spot starters. Thus far this season Chicopee has compiled a mediocre 4.23 ERA (7th). On the offensive side of the ledger sheet the Braves have a .260 BA (3rd) with 63 home runs (4th), but have scored only 305 runs (7th). Fleetfoot could certainly stand some improvement here, too.

Chicopee only has one proven starter in Johnny Falcon (8-6 3.68). Wayne Blackwell (8-2 3.57) has been effective in long relief and will now get a chance at starting. The best Fleetfoot can summon up in the hitting department are 2B Ben McClendon (.339/5 HR/32 RBI), 3B Wild Deer Etchimin (.300/8 HR/40 RBI) and 1B Big Charlie Hansa (.267/12 HR/34 RBI). The outlook is not good for the Braves. It may be tough to hold on to seventh place.

Rip Calkin in La Claire (31-42) has always had decent pitching, but always fell way short in offense. Last year the Lynx led the TU West with a 3.16 ERA and wound up third in the standings. On that basis they were chosen third in the BNN preseason balloting - but it hasn't worked out that way - Calkin's crew is situated way back in the basement, 12 games behind in the race. Blame it on too much overall offense in the league this season. La Claire is still on top in ERA, but it has climbed up to 3.61 because of the influx of talented hitters this year. The only problem is the Lynx didn't get any of the them. La Claire is batting only .250 (8th), hit only 54 roundtrippers (7th) and scored only 297 times (8th). Not good when the .264 is the league average.

Calkin still has a solid core of hurlers in Andy Murray (6-7 2.98), Nikon Danos (6-3 3.24), Munoto Kishata (5-9 3.79) and Jim Melanakos (7-11 3.92). But what a difference a year makes - Melanakos was a 23-game winner and Kishata won 18 games. It's not likely they will come close to that this season.

Batting-wise La Claire has an outstanding All-Star CF in Lucky Collins (.335/10 HR/48 RBI/53 R), but he doesn't get much support. Rookie LF Zeppy Deshotel (.286/12 HR/48 R) and first-year RF Benny Gibbs (.307/5 HR/20 R/43) have helped some, but more is needed for the Lynx to contend with the top teams in the division.

Eugene Church · 09-21-2009, 11:41 PM

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, June 25, 2005

2005 IPA All-Stars Announced
The votes are tallied and the players have been chosen -- all that's left is to "Play Ball"! It's time once again for the Islandian Pro Alliance All-Star Game, the mid-year classic where the league's premier performers come together to show their skill and talent. The All-Stars from the Ruthlandian Union and the Tycobbian Union are set to tangle to determine which league is the best. All-Star Game V will be played at Red Bluff Park in Red Bluff. Last year's Pro Cup managers, Mack Connery of the IPA champion Red Bluff Red Sox and Gibson Bobkins of the runner-up Sugar Valley Rattlers, will renew their rivalry in today's game. The Tycobbian stars have won three of the four games.

Ruthlandian Union All-Stars

Starting Pitchers
Dix Edenborough - Sligo (13-6 2.85)
Slim Mosley - Belair Beach (12-2 2.70)
Ray Watson - Belair Beach (12-2 3.16)
Tommy Betanzos - Volusia (11-3 2.35)
Gregg Neal - Sugar Valley (11-1 2.63)
Zippy Hodge - San Dimas (10-5 2.77)
Lou Horn - Elnora (10-5 2.77)
Tiny Lindgren - Belair Beach (9-7 1.83)
Dek Jumonville - Beechwood (9-6 2.87)

Relievers
Tom Ladner - Eastshore (1-1 2.59 16 saves)
Kent Wells - Belle Plaine (1-2 1.85 15 saves)
Tom Chiarra - Fort Benton (2-3 2.10 10 saves)
Matty Wilkerson - Elnora (7-0 2.08 9 saves)

C Jake Varshon - Fort Benton (.349/8/33)
C Erik Adamczyk - Valmara (.316/9/32)
C Mike Kanjorsky - Middlefield (.313/9/32)
1B Johnny Carducci - San Dimas (.273/20/63)
1B Stan Haddix - Rocky Rapids (.358/5/42)
1B Ron Armstrong - Sugar Valley (.300/11/52)
2B Cal Duplessis - Cold Creek (.332/3/25)
2B Timmy Gage - Middlefield (.276/5/35)
3B Charlie Gamble - Middlefield (.319/20/47)
3B Jimmy Holman - Marston (.300/20/47)
3B Neely Keeton - Colfax (.281/16/44)
3B Colin Fairclough - Ranford (.313/12/45)
SS Don Nichols - Marston (.365/12/45)
SS Rick Fargnoli - Ranford (.328/7/42)
SS Bill Nilsen - LaGrange (.293/12/45)
LF Fernando Baldera - Cold Creek (.350/17/68)
LF Dominic Zuccaro - Taranto (.330/23/60)
LF Dalton Leeds - Wynnamac (.345/9/40)
LF Darrel Alston - Eastshore (.301/18/46)
CF Tavi Vakros - Ancona (.329/12/38)
CF Harold Setser - Waleska (.306/8/50)
CF Ryan Raines - Volusia (.306/12/48)
RF Tony Blaser - Taranto (.343/23/61)
RF Bailey Norcross - Middlefield (.297/13/53)
RF Rick Audubon - Kilkenny (.294/14/50)

Tycobbian Union All-Stars

Starting Pitchers
Miguel Aguilera - Arroyo Grande (13-2 2.93)
Boomerang Hines - Mahaska (12-3 2.03)
Jimmy Simmons - Colchester (12-2 3.14)
Cody Burg - Cape Coral (11-3 1.42)
Gino Carmazzo - Denton City (11-2 3.03)
Denny Coulon - Bay St. Clair (10-6 2.48)
Alec Sasek - Ginza (10-4 1.86)
Leonard Urban - Red Bluff (10-4 2.83)

Relievers
Pat Grange - Blue Lake (3-0 2.23 10 saves)
Josh Glover - Bayview (4-3 2.27 13 saves)
Norm Gross - Bay St. Clair (3-1 2.52 15 saves)

C Virgil Carpenter - Red Bluff (.268/13/34)
C Don Holden - Arroyo Grande (.316/7/30)
C Hank Bethel - Bayview (.284/12/42)
1B Mac Faulkner - Hartsdale (.396/17/64)
1B Kenny Jablonski - Oxford (.344/14/43)
1B Cristian Avajos - Arroyo Grande (.294/20/54)
2B Alan Hansen - Bayview (.390/2/42)
2B Tucker Hill - Summerland (.337/3/18)
2B Pablo Santa Cruz - Luxora (.327/6/33)
3B Hoshi Sato - Cape Coral (.333/15/37)
3B Rupert Doan - White River (.301/11/33)
3B Joe Courtney - Oxford (.296/16/50)
3B Ed Albrecht - Bay St. Clair (.300/9/36)
3B Nathan Ferrell - Ozarka (.358/15/45)
SS Jose Aguilar - Red Bluff (.357/9/38)
SS Jud Turchin - Hartsdale (.318/12/50)
SS Barry Bassett - Hillsboro (.317/17/55)
LF Adam Zitek - High Mesa (.272/22/74)
LF Danny Nash - Denton City (.378/12/49)
LF Johnny Gillespie - Middlefield (.320/12/47)
LF Lee Taryn - White River (.319/17/73)
CF Hal Hoover - White River (.376/12/51)
CF Lucky Collins - La Claire (.340/10/45)
CF Wayne Latham - Bayview (.338/12/40)
CF Ike Plunkett - Oxford (.332/23/43)
CF Paul Coniglio - Denton City (.331/18/57)
RF Aydan Winthrop - Kenwood (.307/15/56)
RF Kris Grabowski - Red Bluff (.326/13/53)

EMSoccerCoach · 09-21-2009, 11:42 PM

Man, I have a tremendous amount of respect for the time and effort you put into this, even moreso because of the fictional players. I've tried, I just can't get into a fictional league. That you do so and do it with such rich detail is simply outstanding.

Eugene Church · 09-21-2009, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EMSoccerCoach

Man, I have a tremendous amount of respect for the time and effort you put into this, even moreso because of the fictional players. I've tried, I just can't get into a fictional league. That you do so and do it with such rich detail is simply outstanding.

Thank you for the nice comments.

As you know, real players are easier to handle because you know them already. My old All-Time All-Star Association was really enjoyable for that reason. It only had 16 teams. Much, much easier to administer and recap.

I'm still learning who plays for who in the IPA. I have learned the individual players and skill levels, but I can't always remember the team they play for. 64 teams is too much to keep track of. Sadly, I realized this too late. I spend so much time on setting it up, I just had to follow through on it. I am really attached to the towns, teams and players in the Islandian Pro Alliance. It's a "labor of love" with lots and lots of labor required.

Eugene Church · 09-22-2009, 06:09 PM

The Islandian Times

Wednesday, June 26, 2005

TU Wins Again, Tops RU 2-1 In IPA All-Star Game V
The Tycobbian Union continues to rule the roost in IPA All-Star competition. For the fourth time in five years the TU triumphed over the Ruthlandian Union. This year Tycobbia took a tight 2-1 squeaker at Red Bluff Park. Denton City CF Paul Coniglio's solo blast in the seventh inning decided the game. It came off Ray Watson of the Belair Beach Sunbirds.

TU squandered three hits by White River CF Hal Hoover, Hartsdale 1B Mac Faulkner and High Mesa LF Adam Zitek in the opening inning when Hoover was thrown out at home by Taranto RF Tony Blaser trying to score from second. Tycobbia took the early 1-0 lead in the last of the third when Bayview 2B Alan Hansen got aboard on a two-base error by Taranto LF Dominic Zuccaro, who dropped a liner. Hansen then scored on Hoover's line single to right off Sligo's Dix Edenborough. Marston 3B Jimmy Holman evened the score at 1-1 with a bases-empty homer in the top of the seventh off of Bay St. Clair's Denny Coulon.

Coniglio was voted the game's Most Valuable Player for his game-winning roundtripper. Watson suffered the loss. Coulon got credit for the victory despite allowing Holman's homer. Tycobbia outhit Ruthlandia 10-4. Hoover was the top batter with 2-for-2.

Winning manager Mack Connery of the IPA champion Red Bluff Red Sox got great pitching from his All-Star staff. Cody Burg of Cape Coral started and struck out the side in the top of the first. He tossed two scoreless innings and retired all six batters he faced. Ginza's Alec Sasek, Mahaska's Boomerang Hines, Arroyo Grande's Miguel Aguilera and Red Bluff's Leonard Urban shut out the RU Stars for the next four frames. After Coulon gave up a run in the seventh, Colchester's Jimmy Simmons and Bay St. Clair's Norm Gross also shut them out and finished them off.

Ruthlandia's skipper Gibby Bobkins from Sugar Valley got shaky performances from most of his pitchers. Only Greg Neal of Sugar Valley and Kent Wells of Belle Plaine held Tycobbia hitless and runless in their inning of work. Eight TU hurlers fanned 10 and walked three in the win, while seven RU pitchers walked one and whiffed just three in the game.

The Tycobbian Union has won four of the five All-Star Games, winning 6-0 in 2001, 2-0 in 2003 and 4-3 in 2004. Ruthlandia got its only victory in game two 5-4 in 2002.

09-11-2009, 07:43 PM	#1201
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,094 Blog Entries: 1	The Islandian Times Monday, June 20, 2005 Ruthlandian Union North Division 2005 Mid-Season Standings Attached Images Last edited by Eugene Church; 09-15-2009 at 04:16 PM.

09-11-2009, 07:47 PM	#1202
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,094 Blog Entries: 1	The Islandian Times Monday, June 20, 2005 Super-Tight Race in RU North, 3-Way Tie at All-Star Break There are some new teams on the rise in the Ruthlandian Union North. Ancona has gone from the outhouse to the penthouse, startling everyone by being in a three-way tie for first with Taranto and defending champ Valmara at the mid-summer All-Star break. Taranto has also surprised in the first two months of the season, climbing up from fifth place last season. Far Mountain is fourth, just a game out of the top spot, Ranford trails by four in fifth place. Glasco and LaGrange are within striking distance at seven and eight games back with hapless Kilkenny pulling up the rear, 18 games out. Manny Mickens' Ancona Red Elephants (39-34) shot to the top of the standings with an outstanding 18-7 in April, but have since come back down-to-earth, going 21-27 in May and June. Mickens told reporters, "Give credit to the offense. Vets 3B Denny Harris (.321/10 HR/42 RBI) and RF Louie DiMucci (.269/8 HR/41 RBI) have led the way, along with three outstanding newcomers, rookies CF Tavi Vakros (.333/12 HR/39 RBI/55 R), 1B Johnny Lee Harder (.289/8 HR/39 RBI) and third-year man C Bart Harben (.305/9 HR/31 RBI). Freshman Vakros was selected to play in the All-Star Game. Mickens also commented on his pitching, "On the hill Nikon Maragos (10-5 3.67) has been our main man and stopper. To stay alive in the race, our pitchers have to step it up another level. That will be the key to our season." In Taranto, skipper Tommaso Lazzorda is having a great time. "The food is great, the women are prettier, our bats are blazing and the Tars are winning. Life doesn't get any better." Taranto (39-34) was six games behind after a month of play, going 12-13, but have picked it up with a 27-21 mark the last two months to move into a first-place tie. The Tars are topping the RU North with a hefty .278 batting average and 102 homers, but could use some improvement in its mound staff, which staggered in at mid-year with a 4.20 ERA. Lazzorda's All-Star home run bashers, Dominick Zuccaro (.336/25 HR/66 RBI/56 R) and Tony Blaser (.340/24 HR/64 RBI/53 R) have carried the club and are ranked highly in homers and RBIs. Four-year ace Anthony Nardone (10-3 3.24) is Taranto's top twirler and could be headed for his finest year ever. Like they always are, the powerful Valmara Vipers (39-34) under J. Jackson Samuel are in strong contention and in a three-way deadlock for first. Valmara is looking for its third consecutive division crown. They started off slowly with a 12-13 record in April, but have since put up a fine 27-21 mark. The Vipers do it the best way - with solid hitting (.263 BA) and solid pitching (3.41 ERA). Star LF Jet Kazmarek (.348/5 HR/29 RBI/49 R/36 SB) and RF Val Krol (.284/8 HR/42 RBI) pace the attack with help from rookie All-Star C Eric Adamczyk (.305/8 HR/42 RBI). Samuel is really missing his long-time center fielder and clean-up hitter Jan Szymanski (.289/20 HR/53 RBI/51 R), who was traded to Midway in the Tycobbian Union over the winter for shortstop Toby Bidwell (.273/4 HR/36 RBI/36 R). So far, the trade has been a big disappointment for the Viper fans. However, 1B Masaichi Okaza (.262/14 HR/51 RBI) has filled the clean-up role quite well. Vanya Vasylenko (10-6 4.18) and Danny Blauser (8-6 2.59) give Valmara two dependable hurlers. The middle relievers Erich Ptacek (2-2 1.83) and Eddie Dorn (2-0 2.45) have been excellent thus far. Chuck Kowalcyzk (2-1 1.50) has also stood out since taking over the closer spot in May. Valmara should still be near the top of the RU North at season's end. The Vipers are a good ball club. Alex Groveland is in charge of the Far Mountain Redhawks (38-35). Groveland has a good-hitting line-up (.258 BA), good power (73 HR) and fair pitching (4.13 ERA). The Redhawks are fourth in the standings, but just one game behind the co-leaders. Far Mountain's top performers this year are pitchers Dave Johnston (7-3 3.26) and Robby Kelly (7-6 3.65) along with position players RF Karl Dietz (.228/21 HR/60 RBI), 1B Royce Benson (.319/6 HR/30 RBI) and C Dave Davis (.326/3 HR/33 RBI). Rookies LF Gary Horn (.280/10 HR/33 RBI) and 3B Kyle Henderson (.272/11 HR/45 RBI) have also contributed. The Redhawks have played on an even keel througout this season, playing a little better than .500 ball each month. Far Mountain could slip ahead of Ancona Red Elephants and Taranto Tars, if the front-runners hitting falls off. Page Satcher's Ranford Bulls (35-38) are still in the battle, holding on to fifth place and trailing by only four games at the half-season mark. Satcher's offense has carried the Bulls this year. He needs his hill corps (3.82 ERA) to step it up a notch to really contest for the division pennant. Pitchers Leland Shaddock (7-3 2.24) and Chris Bernhoffer (5-7 2.99) keep Ranford in every game. Closer Tim DeKosky (2-5 1.42) has done well with 12 saves in his 33 appearances. Supplying the offense have been All-Star 3B Colin Fairclough (.305/12 HR/45 RBI), All-Star SS Rick Fargnoli (.323/7 HR/42 RBI) and 1B Jordy John (.332/10 HR/41 RBI). Last year's RU Rookie of the Year LF Jose Castillo (.274 10 HR/34 RBI) has avoided the sophomore slump and put up some good numbers. The Glasco Athletics (32-41) have not played up to par this year and have fallen to seven games off the pace. A second-division finish is forecast. The A's are just mediocre at bat (.255 BA) and on the mound (3.84 ERA) with not much home run power (59 HR). Manager McDuffie Hughes' best players have been hurlers Charles Darby (10-6 3.59) and Ray Cook (8-7 3.41), as well as 2B Barry McCord (.284/5 HR/38 RBI), C Jonas Ogburn (.323/4 HR/33 RBI), CF Bobby Pascarelli (.268/11 HR/34 RBI) and rookie RF Sookie Givens (.289/10 HR/33 RBI). Last year's RU Manager of the Year Foxy Jimison was looking forward to the best season ever for his LaGrange Sports (31-42). In 2004 they had battled down-to-the-wire and ended up in third place, just three games behind. But it just hasn't happened - unbelievably, everybody's numbers are down from last year. So the Sports have plummeted in the standings to seventh place, 8 games in back of Ancona, Taranto and Valmara. "I can't believe the whole team is having a down year all at the same time," Jimison told BNN. Only newly-acquired All-Star shortstop Bill Nilsen (.286/13 HR/45 RBI) has done reasonably well, but his numbers are also down compared to his great season last year. Pitcher Hunk Schweitzer (7-3 2.32) has been a big plus for LaGrange since being promoted from the bullpen in late May. "Maybe it will all even out and we can have a great second half and get back in the pennant chase," Jimison said optimistically. Unless the offense and mound staff can pick up where they left off in 2004, LaGrange can write off this season. Kilkenny (21-52) is last in the IPA in just about everything, so it's no wonder the Cats are way down in the cellar, 18 games back. Kilkenny is batting just .250 with only 57 roundtrippers. The Cats have compiled an awful 5.09 ERA, the highest in IPA history. But they do have a couple of good ballplayers in All-Star RF Rick Audubon (.288/14 HR/50 RBI) and center fielder Kirk Pitzer (.298/5 HR/40 RBI). At the All-Star break manager Kieran McKenna made wholesale changes in his mound corps, signing five new free agents. McKenna told remarked to reporters, "Surely they can't do any worse than what we had." Last edited by Eugene Church; 09-11-2009 at 11:10 PM.

09-12-2009, 08:04 PM	#1203
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,094 Blog Entries: 1	The Islandian Times Monday, June 20, 2005 Ruthlandian Union South Division 2005 Mid-Season Standings Attached Images Last edited by Eugene Church; 09-15-2009 at 04:17 PM.

09-14-2009, 09:53 PM	#1205
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,094 Blog Entries: 1	The Islandian Times Monday, June 20, 2005 Ruthlandian Union East Division 2005 Mid-Season Standings Attached Images Last edited by Eugene Church; 09-14-2009 at 10:20 PM.

09-15-2009, 10:04 PM	#1207
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,094 Blog Entries: 1	The Islandian Times Monday, June 24, 2005 Ruthlandian Union West Division 2005 Mid-Season Standings Attached Images

09-12-2009, 08:18 PM	#1204
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,094 Blog Entries: 1	The Islandian Times Monday, June 20, 2005 Sunbirds Soar to 6-Game Lead in RU South The Ruthlandian Union South is playing out true-to-form halfway through the season with the favored Belair Beach Sunbirds up by six games at the All-Star hiatus. Valka is number two, while Claxton is seven games off the pace in third place and San Dimas is fourth, 10 games out. Belair Beach (45-28) is the class of the division with a splendid 2.94 ERA and a .272 team batting average. Manager Marty Pedroza has a wealth of talent with strong pitching from starters Slim Mosley (13-2 2.60), Ray Watson (12-2 3.24) and Tiny Lindgren (9-7 2.06). Mosley and Watson were named to the RU All-Stars. In the bullpen Johnny Spears (1-2 2.59) has chalked up 14 saves and worked in 26 games. In addition, the Sunbirds have a bunch of standout sticks in 1B Phil Gravelli (.339/19 HR/49 RBI/51 R), 3B Mike Janocko (.298/8 HR/46 RBI/43 R), C Little Jake Bungarooba (.320/6 HR/34 RBI/38 R), RF Matty McDermott (.317/5 HR/32 RBI/45 R) and 2B Art Parker (.310/1 HR/38 RBI). LF Nicky Swift also chipped in 13 homers and 36 RBIs, but has hit only .238 on the year. The outlook is for Belair Beach to claim its second straight South title. No one has the pitching to challenge them. The Valka Blackhawks (39-34) are piloted by Jaan Kurus, who has three quality starters in rookie Keith Cline (6-2 2.22), Darryl Vannoy (8-5 3.03) and hardluck Bobby Karu (6-9 2.31). The Blackhawks also have a very good closer in Tommy Ruffin (3-2 2.92), who has saved 10 games, while making 33 relief appearances. Kurus' pitching corps is rated third in the division with a 3.52 ERA, beaten out by first place Belair Beach and fifth place St. John (3.48 ERA). Valka has a very well-balanced line-up with all eight of the regulars batting between .267 and .304, led by the fine rookie SS Bobby Stroud (.299/8 HR/47 RBI) and 3B Buddy Petrisko (.284/5 HR/43 RBI). As a team the Blackhawks sport a .261 mark, good enough for third place in the division. Only Belair Beach (.272) and fourth place San Dimas (.267) are better. Kurus' crew began the season poorly with an 11-14 record in April, but soon regrouped for an impressive 28-20 record over the past two months. The Blackhawks will have to hit better and score more runs to overtake Belair Beach, but second place and a playoff spot is possible. Claxton manager Stacy Engel recently lamented to the press, "My boys can hit the ball, but so can the opposition. We need a couple of pitchers to step it up and we'll be alright." The Diamonds (38-35) had a very good April (15-10), but have tailed off to 23-25 over the past two months. But they still are in third place in the RU South, one game out of second and six out of first. Claxton's strong point is the long ball. They are the top club in the division with 84 homers and rank third in runs scored with 332. First place Belair Beach has outscored everybody (366), followed by fourth place San Dimas (338). The Diamonds are hitting .258 (6th) as a team. Engel's line-up is sparked by veteran LF Dixie Baker (.335/16 HR/51 RBI), who is having his best season ever. Crackerjack CF Jackie Faust (.244/12 HR/53 RBI/45 R), rookie SS Carl Deaver (.255/10 HR/30 RBI/49 R) and 2B Bobby Ritter (.297/7 HR/27 RBI/45 R) are also producing runs. On the hill, Engel needs improvement (3.92 ERA) and is rated 4th in that category. Engel has a quality foursome in his rotation with Terry Kuznetsov (9-7 4.19), Gino Franchi (7-3 3.62), Doug Torvik (7-7 3.34) and Ken Wade (4-0 2.73). Middle relief is poor and closer Tom Dahl (2-3 4.02) has had a so-so season thus far. In the battle for the last playoff spot, Claxton is stronger than Valka in firepower, but the Blackhawks are superior in pitching (3.52 ERA). The nod goes to Valka. Paco Banderos' San Dimas Rancheros (35-38) kicked off the year in grand style with a 16-9 mark in April, but have faltered drastically since with a 19-29 record and have slipped down to the fourth spot in the standings and 10 games back. Long relief is Banderos' sore point (5.09 ERA). Overall San Dimas has put up a dismal 4.30 team ERA (6th). Banderos has an All-Star hurler in Zippy Hodge (10-6 3.15) and a solid closer in Cleve Skinner (3-3 2.35), who has registered 10 saves and appeared in relief 26 times. It has been San Dimas' offense that has led the way. The Rancheros are batting .267 as a team, good for second place behind Belair Beach (.272). All-Star 1B Johnny Carducci (.273/23 HR/70/50) is one of the IPA's elite sluggers. He is the top run producer in the league. Also aiding the attack are RF Goose Garlin (.272/14 HR/39 RBI), CF Dennis Jones (.307/4 HR/39 RBI), 2B Cyclone Cobb (.297/1 HR/21 RBI/51 R/36 SB) and 3B Domingo Rios (.278/8 HR/32 RBI). It's not likely San Dimas can stay in the first division. St. John is playing better right now and should overtake them. Fifth place may be the best the Rancheros can do. St. John leaped from out of nowhere two years ago to take the RU South title, but then dropped back to fifth place last season. Not much was expected this year. Another lackluster season was the prediction by the BNN scribes. The Crusaders, managed by Dickie Billings, performed poorly the first two months (21-33), but have recently caught fire and gone 13-6 in June, mainly due to some very fine pitching. They currently hold fifth place, 11 games behind. If it stays this way, St. John could climb up to fourth, maybe third place before the year's end. Billings has so many quality starters, he can't used them all as much as he would like. St. John has the second-best team ERA (3.48) in the division. Sterling Eccles (9-5 3.26) and Zach Simon (7-9 2.71) are the workhorses. George Martz (3-3 2.54) has looked good as the Crusaders #3 starter, while Adam Chirra (4-6 3.22), Karl Ladendorf (3-2 2.76) and Kris Garvik (0-1 2.19) are vying for the #4 slot in the pitching rotation. The Crusaders have a capable closer, too. Paul DeJohnette (3-2 3.27) has saved 11 games and appeared in 27 games. St. John has a fairly good .260 batting average (4th-tied) with 65 homers (3rd). Billings has four rookies on his line-up card, headed by C Phil Lakos (.286/9 HR/38 RBI), 2B Rod Burzik (.281/11 HR/37 RBI), 3B Sully Hull (.300/6 HR/31 RBI) and Clayton Luck (.277/10 HR/23 RBI/47 R). The Crusader frosh are outperforming the veterans. The Waleska Westerners (33-40) are led by one of the best managers ever in the Islands, at least in the company leagues. However, McGraw Johnson has not been very successful in the IPA. The Westerners have made the playoffs only one time in their four-year history, back in 2003. Things are not boding well this year. Waleska is wallowing 12 games back in sixth place and its prospects are not too good for anything better. Johnson is simply short of talent. That's the plain truth. Waleska has the worst ERA (4.37) in the RU South and is tied for fourth in hitting (.260) with little power, just 53 home runs (6th). Gary Hill is the Westerners ace with an 11-4 record, but a high 4.42 ERA. Johnson's top batters are LF Big Hoss Burkhalter (.313/18 HR/53 RBI/41 R), All-Star rookie CF Harold Setser (.304/8 HR/52 RBI/46 R) and RF Charley Williamson (.308/3 HR/30 RBI). It looks like another long, long season for manager Torry Joseph of the Grand City Cybercats (29-44). They held their own for the first two months of the campaign with a 25-29 record, but have now gone into the tank with a dismal 4-15 mark in June to fall down to seventh place, 16 games off the pace. Lucky that Crystal Lake is in the division, otherwise it would be the basement for the Cybercats. Joseph only has two dependable pitchers. Starter Frankie Novikov (6-8 2.94) and closer Bill Berglund (5-2 1.21). With better run support Novikov could easily be 11-3 and on the All-Star team. Berglund has been excellent in his 29 relief appearances. Three position players have stood out for Grand City: rookie 1B Jason Albright (.304/16 HR/52 RBI), CF Russ Baumer (.351/5 HR/32 RBI/36 R) and the veteran RF Teddy Giacone (.264/10 HR/34 RBI). Legendary home run hitter Baby George has the infamous honor of managing the worst team in IPA history. The Crystal Lake Crushers have never remotely lived up to their name and have finished in the basement the last three seasons. Their best year was 2002 when they ended up in seventh place. This season is no different. Crystal Lake (23-50) is in last place, way down in the RU South cellar, 22 games off the lead with no light at the end of the tunnel. Tony Hartwig (3-11 3.19) and Tony Tipton (4-4 3.54) are George's top hurlers and 3B Nelson Tolliver (.287/10 HR/29 RBI) and LF Ben Butler (.239/12 HR/29 RBI) are his best batters.

09-14-2009, 10:20 PM	#1206
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,094 Blog Entries: 1	The Islandian Times Monday, June 24, 2005 Ruthlandian Union East Division 2005 Mid-Season Standings 6-Team Tussle in RU East It's quite a race in the Ruthlandian Union East at the mid-year break. There are six clubs within three games of the top spot, currently held by the Sugar Valley Rattlers, but the leader changes almost daily. Three teams, Belle Plaine, Cold Creek and Eastshore, are tied for second place, only one game off the lead and two more, Elnora and Marston, are just a scant three games back and tied for fifth place. Powerful Sugar Valley (45-28) is at the head of the class so far. Manager Gibson Bobkins always has his club near the top of the division. He has made the playoffs in three of his four years at the helm, missing out with a third-place finish in 2001. Bobkins copped the division crown in 2002. The Rattlers do most things well - 3.49 ERA (2nd), 64 home runs (4th-tied), 351 runs (3rd) and .978 FA (1st-tied). Sugar Valley's only shortcoming is a .261 BA, which is last in the division, nonetheless it is still very close to the league average. A red-hot April (18-7) and June (13-6) have kept the Rattlers among the leaders all season long. Sugar Valley's star performers have been All-Star Gregg Neal (11-2 2.67) and Hec Skurgan (8-1 2.57) on the hill. At bat the Rattlers have been paced by All-Star 1B Ron Armstrong (.299/12 HR/56 RBI/43 R), 3B Jorge Vargas (.328/12 HR/50 RBI), LF Bruno DiPirro (.310/5 HR/40 RBI/45 R/15 SB) and SS Flipper Bird (.281/6 HR/37 RBI/53 R/15 SB). Boo Ladrieux, skipper of the Belle Plaine Musketeers (44-27), never has finished higher than fourth, but he has opened some eyes this year with the best pitching in the division, ranking first with an impressive 3.31 ERA. His Muskies also have registered a .273 team batting average (3rd-tied) and are tied for the top spot with a .978 fielding percentage. Belle Plaine began slowly with a 13-12 mark in April, then took off and took 31 of 48 in the next two months. Landrieux told the press, "My Musketeers are not a flash-in-the-pan... we are not going to fade in the second half. We started getting better last year and have gotten better this season. We do have a legitimate shot at the playoffs." Belle Plaine's best have been pitchers Milo Anthony (7-5 2.80), Pistol Pete Westberry (10-3 3.26) and All-Star Kent Wells (2-2 1.59). Wells is the brilliant closer, who has saved 15 games and made 37 relief appearances. Leading the bat attack have been LF Juan Mendez (.338/4 HR/27 RBI/49 R), 1B Scott Theriot (.297/6 HR/53 RBI) and 3B Dominique Rousseau (.303/11 HR/48 RBI). The other two clubs tied for the runner-up spot were expected to finish far down in the standings. Cold Creek was forecast sixth in the preseason poll by BNN, while Eastshore was supposed to be in last place. But here we are in the middle of June and they are within a game of first place. The Cold Creek Catamounts (44-27) under T. Kelly Holmes have never come close to making the playoffs. Fourth place in 2001 was the top finish, the rest of the time they have been buried deep in the standings. But it has all come together this season. The Catamount bats are booming with 75 roundtrippers (2nd) and a torrid .281 team batting average (1st). Holmes' hurlers are doing it on the hill, too, with a sparkling 3.45 ERA (2nd). Cold Creek can catch the ball, too, with a .977 FA. No wonder they are right up with Sugar Valley and ahead of Elnora and Marston. They are playing with the big boys this year. The 'Cats started off slowly at 12-13, but have picked up speed in the last two months, racking up a fine 32-16 record. How would you like to have a starting line-up with everyone hitting at least .264 and peaking out at .355? All-Star LF Fernando Baldera (.355/17 HR/69) is having a colossal season and he is getting plenty of help from CF Trip Holmes (.264/13 HR/38 RBI/58 R/13 SB), 3B Kelsey Yates (.286/11 HR/38 RBI), 1B Nat Mayakovsky (.281/36 RBI/45 R), RF Emile Stosha (.291/8 HR/35 RBI/48 R) and C Whitey Cosgrove (.305/8 HR/29 RBI). Even Chris Hale (.287) has filled in admirably for star shortstop Russ Russell, who went out after 10 games hitting .395. Russell tore a back muscle and will be out for a few more games. Hale has really shored up the defense with an outstanding .980 fielding percentage. It may be tough for Russell to get his position back, despite his powerful bat. On the mound Cold Creek's Kyle Peterson (8-3 2.20), Tommy Weeks (7-3 2.75) and Payton Saunders (5-1 3.03) have more than gotten the job done. The Eastshore Elegants (44-29) are another Cinderella club in the RU East. After playing good ball for their first two seasons in the IPA, Killer Brewster's crew plunged to last place in 2004 and this year's outlook didn't appear to offer much hope. However, a robust offense led by three vets and a rookie, has revived the franchise. The Elegants are second with a .273 BA, tied with Belle Plaine, and leading in homers with 90. They also have outscored all of the opposition with 395 runs. Pitching-wise Brewster's staff holds it own with a 3.67 ERA. All-Star LF Darrel Alston (.309/20 HR/53 RBIj/47 R), RF Ron Dizon (.278/16 HR/47 RBI/49 R), 1B Vito Iacoboni (.255/11 HR/44 RBI), rookie CF Chris Krychevsky (.311/10 HR/43 RBI) and C Fran MacIntyre (.340/7/23 RBI) have provided the run production. Eastshore's starting rotation is composed of rookie Steve Ohlinger (7-2 3.70), Igor Jorgerson (9-7 2.95), Fred Duhon (9-7 3.45) and Stony Blackwell (10-6 4.10). In the bullpen Tommy Ladner (1-1 2.43) has stood out as the closer with 16 saves in 28 games. Like the other three contenders the Elegants are playing their best ball right now. They were only 12-13 the opening month, but have since blazed to a sensational 32-16 mark in May and June. The preseason favorite Elnora All-Stars and third choice Marston have some unexpected opposition, but Zoggy White's and Johnny Walters' teams are still right in the fight, just three games behind and tied for fifth place. Elnora (42-31) is a sound club all-around. The All-Stars have chalked up a .267 team batting average (5th) with a solid 3.50 ERA (4th). For most of the season they were near the top of the RU East standings, but have slumped to 7-12 in June. Starting pitching has been the drawback as two old reliables, Harry Dye (4-5 4.16) and Charlie Murphy (4-10 4.06), have not been effective. Elnora has been carried by All-Stars Lou Horn (10-6 3.19) and Matty Wilkerson (7-0 1.96). Closer Wilkerson has been superb with 9 saves and 29 appearances. Starter Taylor Gibbs (8-6 2.81) has pitched very well, too. White's top batters have been 3B Dmitri Vrotsos (.300/7 HR/43 RBI), C Todd Simons (.292/5 HR/41 RBI), LF Quincy Peterson (.295/11 HR/35 RBI/53 R) and rookie 1B Andy Tucker (.325/9 HR/31 RBI/40 R). The Marston Nine (42-31) began the season with a 12-13 record in April and 15-14 in May, but caught fire in June with a strong 15-4 mark to get back in the race. The Nine's main attribute is their .275 batting average (2nd), energized by All-Star SS Don Nichols (.367/12 HR/47 RBI/62 R/23 SB), All-Star rookie 3B Jimmy Holman (.297/17 HR/56 RBI/42 R), CF Dennis Riley (.273/9 HR/51 RBI/42 R/10 SB) and rookie RF Helmut Graczyk (.286/12 HR/42 RBI/42 R). But it's another story on the mound - Marston is the worst in the RU East with a 4.06 ERA. Skipper Johnny Walters has gotten good work out of starters Mark Falzone (8-7 3.11) and Vinnie Gardner (10-4 3.53). Long reliever Hayden Bagshaw (7-1 2.15), who has been outstanding will move to the starting rotation to beef it up. Walters could use more help in the middle relief and closer spots. The usually-dependable closer Booger Burchfield (1-5 5.40) has been terrible this season. The seventh-place Beechwood Bobcats (36-37) are guided by Bret George and they are currently nine games back in the race. The Bobcats are a lackluster ball club this season with few standouts. Only pitchers Dek Jumonville (9-6 2.87) and rookie Ozzy Burton (9-6 3.70) have done well. At bat only 1B Ray Slater (.322/3 HR/44 RBI/42 R/17 SB) and RF Clifton Czabo (.307/8 HR/33 RBI/52 R/10 SB) have excelled. Beechwood has a .262 team batting average (7th) with little power. They have hit only 50 roundtrippers (8th). On the hill George's group has compiled a mediocre 3.83 ERA (6th). The only way Wynnamac (30-43) can go is up. The Sundowners are in their customary position near the bottom of the division, trailing first place Sugar Valley by 15 games at the All-Star break. Manager Matt Donnelly has a good hold on the cellar and the forecast is bleak. His club is batting .264 (6th) with 66 homers (4th) and a 4.04 team ERA (7th). Wynnamac's best talent this season has been hurler Rich Walters (9-5 3.03), 1B Nate Cockroft (.320/15 HR/55 RBI/41 R), All-Star LF Dalton Leeds (.342/10 HR/42 RBI/40 R) and 3B Joey Kingford (.291/15 HR/39 RBI/40 R).

09-15-2009, 10:25 PM	#1208
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,094 Blog Entries: 1	The Islandian Times Monday, June 24, 2005 Ruthlandian Union West Division 2005 Mid-Season Standings Volusia 1st, Sligo 2nd and Middlefield 3rd at Mid-Season in RU West The baseball experts got the top three teams right, but not in the same order. Halfway through the 2005 campaign Volusia has a slight two-game edge over Sligo and a five-game over the preseason favorite, the Middlefield Roosters. Alfonso Feliz and his Volusia Vigilantes (43-30) are always very close to the top of the Ruthlandian Union West Division. The V's won it in 2003 and finished second the other three years. They have never missed the playoffs and took the IPA Pro Cup in 2001. Volusia tops the RU West with a 3.47 ERA, ranks number two in fielding with a .980 FA and produces enough runs with its .262 batting average (5th) to get by. Heading up the pitching staff are All-Star Tommy Betanzos (11-4 2.74) and closer Hernando Espaderos (4-5 2.60), who has picked up 14 saves and appeared in 36 contests. Ricky Moreno (8-5 4.10) has pitched well, too. The Vigilantes have not been as strong as usual on the mound. Ace Carl Schmitz (5-7 3.44) is having an off-year so far. Feliz is hoping both he, Moreno and Raul Sandoval (7-8 4.26) can get straightened out during the second half. Actually it seems that the offense has put the V's on top this season. All-Star CF Ryan Raines has led the way with a .310 BA, 12 homers, 49 RBIs, 49 runs scored and stolen 22 bases. Other contributors are LF Briscoe Crowder (.295/7 HR/42 RBI/41 R/13 SB), 1B Francisco Abreu (.285/11 HR/32 RBI) and SS Scooter Perez (.304/1 HR/25 RBI/45 R/26 SB). It's hard to believe Volusia has a five-game lead over potent Middlefields until you see the Roosters 4.55 team ERA. The Sligo Rovers (41-32) have made good progress in the league under the direction of Eddie Keys. They rose to third last year and are in the thick of things this season, only 2 games off the pace. The Rovers pitching has been their key to success the last two years. They are second with a fine 3.52 ERA with All-Star Dix Edenborough (13-7 2.92) showing the way. Vern Vidmar (9-5 3.36) and Al Bukowski (8-4 3.39) have also pitched effectively. In the bullpen closer Razzy Raziano (3-4 3.23) has been solid with 12 saves in 35 games. Keys could certainly use help in the batting department as the Rovers are last with a poor .255 team batting average and sixth in homers with only 50. However, they manage to be fifth in runs with 324. Sligo's best hitters are SS Hollis Waldrup (.273/11 HR/51 RBI/41 R/22 SB) and LF Lefty Roberts (.257/12 Hr/40 RBI/43 R). Everything favored the powerful Middlefield Roosters (38-35) going into 2005. Manager Smitty Michaels won the division last year and always makes the playoffs. His club had excellent pitching and hitting last year and signed some fine new hitters. That's why the Roosters were strongly favored to take the RU West crown again. But something happened - the pitching went into the pits. The team's ERA ballooned to a stunning 4.55 (7th), one of the worst in the entire IPA. The whole staff has struggled. Jamie Hicks, a 23-game winner last season, has staggered to a 6-5 record with a 4.25 ERA. 19-game winner Denny Yarrow has slipped to 7-8 and a 5.06 ERA. And closer Dave Webb has staggered to 1-5 mark with an horrendous 5.73 ERA. Only Joshua Jackson (8-6 2.63) has delivered for Michaels. Michaels told the press, "I'm not gonna give up on these guys. I'm going to stick with the same staff the rest of way. I'm gonna hang with the guys that I have been successful with in the past. I think they will turn it around." Thank goodness, the Middlefield hitters are having a great season. They are tearing up the division with a .270 batting average (1st), 102 home runs (1st) and have scored 398 runs (1st). Four All-Stars are powering the Roosters: RF Bailey Norcross (.294/14 HR/55 RBI/55 R/23 SB), rookie 3B Charlie Gamble (.320/22 HR/52 RBI/51 R), C Mike Kanjorsky (.311/6 HR/28 RBI/33 R) and great glove man, Timmy Gage (.270/6 HR/40 RBI/47 R). They haven't done it alone. CF Ty DeWitt (.280/13 HR/51 RBI/47 R) and RF Cecil Clark (.304/13 HR/29 RBI/44 R) have shouldered some of the offense, too. Just a little improvement in the pitching could put Middlefield right back in the race with Volusia and Sligo. Improved pitching would do wonders for Colfax (36-37), which is in a tie for fourth place with Forest City, seven games in back of Volusia. The Blasters are a minor version of Middlefield with a .263 BA (4th), 84 roundtrippers (2nd) and 350 runs (2nd). Manager Clem Rogers has the hitting, but falls short with a 3.94 team ERA. Only Ilya Szabo (8-4 2.80) and Tommy Fuller (5-2 2.67) have produced for Rogers. Former 20-game winners Harry Manning (6-8 3.59) and Jasper LaForge (5-7 4.95) have fallen on hard times this season. Closer Daric Jacoby (4-6 4.57) has also taken a tumble. But Rogers is blessed with some heavy hitters in rookie LF Chris Carroll (.297/19 HR/53 RBI/43 R), All-Star 3B Neely Keeton (.284/17 HR/47 RBI/48 R) and 1B Dennis Cole (.258/13 HR/34 RBI/42 R). After failing to make the postseason for the first time in its history, Forest City (36-37) skipper Robbie Jackson made a big move in the off-season by trading All-Star shortstop Bill Nilsen to LaGrange for three players. He got pitcher Al Thibaut, outfielder Roger Marley and shortstop Marvin Hollis, all fine players. Thus far, the advantage goes to LaGrange. Thibaut (7-7 3.23) and Marley (.322 BA) have done well. The Lumberjacks have dipped to a tie for fifth and suffer from a lack of offense. They are hitting only .259 (6th) with only 67 homers (4th). In the past Forest City has been among the leaders in home runs year-in and year-out. But not this season. Jackson badly misses Nilsen's 30 homers a year. Defensively the Lumberjacks are pathetic, fielding only .967 for the season. Only Southport of the Tybobbian West is worse with a .966 fielding percentage. The Lumberjacks pitching corps has done its job, compiling a good 3.54 ERA (3rd), which is just a smidge behind Volusia (3.47) and Sligo (3.52). Jackson's rotation of Timmy Brooks (9-4 2.73), Knucks Nomellini (6-3 2.80), Thibaut (7-7 3.23) and Doyle Chadwick (7-7 3.52) has been solid and steady. Jackson needs to find some offensive help for LF Dave Jagger (.300/11 HR/40 RBI) and CF Ryan Morse (.266/8 HR/26 RBI/43 R/11 SB). Roger Marley (.322/6 HR/27 RBI) took over right field in late May and has injected some life in the 'Jack attack. The platoon at first base has also worked out pretty well with J. T. Edmonds (.291/7 HR/21 RBI) and rookie Andy Doiron (.313/3 HR/12 RBI). It looks like Forest City may miss the playoffs for a second year in a row and also drop to the second division. The Lumberjacks don't have what it takes to overtake the clubs currently ahead of them. The remaining three clubs are closely-bunched. The Stoner Stars (33-40) are in sixth place, 10 games back. Not since 2002 have Willie Dickens' Stars made the first division and the playoffs. That trend is very likely to continue in 2005. Stoner can score runs (344), ranking third behind Middlefield (398) and Colfax (350). The Stars are batting .258 (7th), but have 70 dingers (3rd). Lousy pitching is holding them back. They are dead last with an awful 4.61 ERA. Dickens has a strong and balanced line-up with C Benny Stern (.322/8 HR/41 RBI), RF Dutch Rheinecker (.287/15 HR/39 RBI 44 R), SS Yancy Bellows (.296/5 HR/34 RBI/38 R) and 3B Allan Black (.270/8 HR/34 RBI/55 R/11 SB). Rookie first sacker Lou Martyn (.238 BA) has contributed 16 home runs and leads the team with 50 RBIs. Not much to speak about when it comes to pitching. Only two Stoner starters Norman Canfield (6-3 3.09) and Dave Pierre (8-6 3.87) have been effective. The Fort Benton Defenders (32-41) and Rocky Rapids Snappers (32-41) are deadlocked for the seventh spot in the RU West, standing 11 games behind in the pennant race and will battle it out for the rights to the cellar. Both clubs have poor histories in the IPA. Fort Benton has never finished out of the cellar and Rocky Rapids is an habitual second-division team. Neither have been to the playoffs. They are pretty-evenly matched. The Defenders carry a .268 batting average (2nd) with 43 homers (8th) and a fair 3.73 ERA (4th), while the Snappers are hitting .266 (3rd), have 45 roundtrippers (7th) with a 3.94 team ERA (6th). Rocky Rapids has the edge in defense with a .978 FA (3rd) to .975 (5th) for Fort Benton. The Defenders have two All-Star representatives in closer Tom Chiarra (3-3 2.72) with 10 saves and 27 appearances and rookie catcher Jake Varshon (.347/9 HR/37 RBI). Manager Robbie Brooks has gotten excellent work from starter Leroy Hill (9-7 2.83). The Snappers skipper Ryan Noland has several talented players. His best is his All-Star 1B Stan Haddix (.356/6 HR/48 RBI/43 R). LF Scott Camden (.285/9 HR/36 RBI/41 R) is also a solid batsman for him. Rocky Rapids has two fine starters in Charlie Medford (7-3 3.24) and Ben Mashburn (6-7 3.31) as well as an excellent closer in Herbie Drahm (2-2 1.93), who has stepped into the role and done very well in his 22 relief appearances. Last edited by Eugene Church; 09-17-2009 at 10:31 PM.

09-17-2009, 10:30 PM	#1209
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,094 Blog Entries: 1	The Islandian Times Tuesday, June 25, 2005 Tycobbian Union North Division 2005 Mid-Season Standings Attached Images

09-17-2009, 10:54 PM	#1210
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,094 Blog Entries: 1	The Islandian Times Tuesday, June 25, 2005 Tycobbian Union North Division 2005 Mid-Season Standings Blue Sox Blossom, Red Caps Collapse in TU North There are two big stories in the Tycobbian Union North Division. Story number one is the total collapse of the Oxford Red Caps, who have taken a nose dive into the second division after being selected a huge favorite to take the title again this season. Story number two is the Blue Lake Blue Sox. Success has been a way of life for Cobb Tyson, manager of the Blue Lake Blue Sox. First he was a great player, many say he was the greatest - he had the highest career batting average (.367) in industrial league history - then he became one of the finest managers in the industrial leagues. However, except for the first season in the IPA, when Tyson finished second and made the playoffs, his pro career has been very lackluster, much to his chagrin. But all that has changed this year. Tyson's Blue Sox have bolted out of nowhere to the top of the TU North this season. Blue Lake is in first place and three games in front of runner-up Luxora, four games ahead of third place Hartsdale and 8 games up on fourth place White River. Blue Lake (44-29) has quality starters, relievers and quality hitters. Tyson has put together a very well-balanced team. He has the best team ERA (3.62) and a solid batting order with good hitters throughout the line-up. The Blue Sox are hitting .262 (5th) with 71 home runs (5th) and 347 runs (5th). Tyson only has one All-Star in his first-class closer Pat Grange (3-0 2.11), who has made 37 relief appearances and saved 10 games. Blue Lake has steady and consistent starters in Tom Waltenbury (8-5 3.45) and Benny DeBartolo (8-5 3.53). Tyson has molded a good rotation by using four other pitchers into the number three and four spots. The best Blue Sox batters are rookie LF Tad Kirklin (.279/20 HR/64 RBI/51 R/10 SB), RF Fred Collins (.297/10 HR/40 RBI/44 R/13 SB), 3B Loren Babcock (.318/8 HR/39 RBI/36 R/12 SB), CF Rick Hilliard (.303/10 HR/33 RBI/49 R/11 SB) and SS Cy Orgeron (.279/6 HR/28 RBI/44 R/11 SB). Blue Lake seems to be for real this season with a solid ball club, but they have their work cut out for them with the likes of Hartsdale and Luxora hovering close by and just waiting to take command. The Luxora Zorros ranked second in the BNN preseason poll with Hartsdale rated third. Heavily-favored Oxford was the overwhelming choice to take the TU North pennant, but that hasn't happened. The Red Caps pitching (4.65 ERA) has totally collapsed and they have sunk down to seventh place in the standings. It is unlikely they can make up 13 games during the second half of the season. Manager Alejandro Rodrigo has piloted the Zorros to a 41-32 mark this year. The Z's have made the postseason in three of his four seasons, missing only in 2001, when they came in fourth. Luxora's strong point is its offense. The Z's sport a .270 team batting average (3rd) with 76 homers (3rd) and 350 runs scored (4th), coupled with a good 3.86 ERA (3rd) and a good defense with a .976 FA (3rd). At the heart of the Zorro attack are All-Star 2B Pablo Santa Cruz (.325/6 HR/35 RBI/51 R/14 SB), RF Cristo Viamonte (.311/13 HR/37 RBI/50 R), CF Lacey Tompkins (.293/11 HR/41 RBI/41 R), LF Joel Reed (.278/16 HR/45 RBI) and rookie 1B Matt Maxwell (.281/6 HR/43 RBI). Rodrigo's top hurlers are Marco Braceros (9-7 2.79) and Eddie Hoffman (10-6 4.10). Rodrigo spoke with BNN recently and said, "All we need is two of my pitchers to get it in gear and we can take this division. Tito Tovares (7-7 4.56) hasn't been himself this season. He's going to the bullpen for awhile to see if he can get his mechanics right. It seemed to work for Francisco Fernandes (3-2 3.32), who will return to the regular rotation for the second half. Chris Pierce (2-0 1.72) will also get a shot at starting, too." If Luxora gets another strong starter, they just might cause Blue Lake some serious concern. The Hartsdale Hellcats (40-33) are holding forth in third place in the TU North. Skipper Zim Donner has only one division title in his four years in charge of the Hellcats. They won it in 2003, the only year Hartsdale has played in the postseason. The Hellcats were third last season. Zimmer has his club primed to make a run at the flag this year. The Hellcats are the second-best hitting team (.275), third-best in scoring behind White River (425) and Oxford (372) with 360 runs and number two with a .979 fielding percentage. Zimmer could use more long balls. Hartsdale has only 62 (6th) for the year. Pitching-wise the Hellcats staff has compiled a 3.78 ERA, good enough for second place behind division-leading Blue Lake (3.62). Paving the way at bat for Hartsdale are All-Stars Mac Faulkner (.379/17 HR/66 RBI/56 R) at first base and Jud Turchin (.325/13 HR/52 RBI/52 R) at shortstop. LF Emile Djorovich (.325/5 HR/42 RBI) and rookie CF Mark Garzelli (.283/5 HR/32 RBI/43 R) have also provided run support. On the mound Zimmer doesn't have a standout stopper. He has used six starters and as a group they have done well. The current rotation consists of Mark Sakelaris (6-5 3.14), Phil Reed (5-4 3.21), Gus Kostro (7-5 4.24) and Tal Vaitkus (4-2 3.88). Vaitkus missed a month of the season with an injured back. Ben Manderson (7-6 3.77) filled in for Vaitkus and has now returned to be a spot starter/long reliever. The key to the season lies with Kostro and Vaitkus. They have to re-emerge and pitch like they have in recent years when they were 20-game winners. Also closer Nico Carnera (5-4 4.50) has to get back on the right track, too. The trio have been disappointments in 2005. Manager John Randison and the fourth-place White River Rascals (36-37) have really stirred up the waters in the TU North this season. The Rascals are hitting the lights out with a terrific .285 team batting average (1st), 93 homers (2nd) and have scored an astronomical 425 times (1st). The Rascals have put on an awesome attack and are on pace to set a new IPA record. High Mesa holds the mark at 835 runs, set in 2002. If Randison had any sort of pitching, he would run away with the pennant. White River has a pathetic 4.77 ERA (8th). White River is powered by three three All-Stars: rookie LF Lee Taryn (.317/19 HR/79 RBI/54 R), CF Hal Hoover (.384/12 HR/53 RBI/56 R/16 SB) and 3B Rupert Doan (.292/11 HR/35 RBI/56 R/14 SB). And the hitting doesn't stop there. The Rascals also feature 1B Bryan Dickerson (.290/17 HR/53 RBI/46 R), 2B Riley Cloy (.253/11 HR/39 RBI/60 R). No matter who Randison put on the line-up card, they break out in hits. Two platoon players were just promoted to full-time because of their bats. Matt DeMarsche (.355/3 HR/26 RBI/20 R) and Dennis Bertrand (.305/6 HR/24 RBI/24 R) will take over at shortstop and right field respectively. Randison has used 12 starters this year and just added one more starter and a new closer in an attempt to get somebody out. That will make 16 pitchers used so far this season. Only Dante Langlais (5-3 3.21) and Joe Hudson (5-3 4.06) have any sort of success. The North Hills Hawks (34-39) have been a pleasant surprise. Manager Hub Carlson's club was forecast last in the BNN preseason poll. Instead the Hawks have used good pitching to climb up to fifth place, 10 games behind Blue Lake. Carlson's staff is fourth with a 3.87 ERA. He has a decent group of starters in Leland Clinkscales (5-6 2.96), Ben Dewberry (7-5 3.04) and Adam Heckmann (5-5 3.39). The Hawks also have a fine closer in Carson Romine (4-4 2.57), who has saved 8 games and made 31 appearances. North Hills is hitting a very poor .247 (8th) with little power and only 61 home runs (8th). Carlson really needs some good bats. Thus far his only productive performers have been rookie CF Boyd Harbuck (.268/14 HR/50 RBI/45 R), LF Kevin Schmidt (.272/15 HR/43 RBI) and 2B Jimmy Ryland (.312/5 HR/28 RBI/52 R). The Hawks have never made the first division and have never been in the postseason. Despite the relative success, it looks like they will continue this tradition this season. In Fairfax, the Frogs (33-40) have always finished among the top four teams each season. Harry Buckley's team won the TU North crown in the IPA inaugural season and have made the playoffs three times. They missed for the first time last year and it is beginning to look like they will be left out this season. The Frogs are 11 games behind and in the sixth spot in the standings. Fairfax is similar to North Hills with fair pitching and anemic offense. The Frogs are batting just .252 (6th-tied) with only 63 homers (6th) and last in scoring with 310 runs. 1B Jeff Vretsos (.306/12 HR/39 RBI), 3B Fran O'Brian (.284/10 HR/39 RBI) and rookie LF Dane Wesner (.280/10 HR/30 RBI) top the dismal offense. Talent is sparse on the hill, too. Buckley's best are Robby Meredith (7-8 3.80) and Barrett Carruthers (6-10 3.96). Both have been 20-game winners in the past. Buckley needs to do some serious rebuilding in Fairfax. The future is gloomy. All is not well in Oxford (31-42) this year. Head man Campy Roy has taken the division pennant in two of the Red Caps three seasons and they have made the playoffs each year. Picked to win again by BNN in the 2005 preseason balloting, Oxford has been a gigantic failure and fallen down to seventh place, 13 games off the pace. Outrageously bad pitching is the reason. Oxford possesses three 20-game winners in its starting rotation. Nicky Nicholson (5-12 3.72), Dan Phillips (10-6 3.95) and Bomber Belinsky (4-7 5.95) would bring smiles to most managers' faces, but not this year. The Red Caps team ERA has skyrocketed to 4.65 (7th) with no relief in sight. It's a good thing that Roy's Boys can still hit the cover off the ball. Oxford still has a prolific attack, spearheaded by three All-Star sluggers: 3B Joe Courtney (.302/18 HR/53 RBI/50 R), 1B Kenny Jablonski (.339/16 HR/49 RBI/52 R) and CF Ike Plunkett (.331/24 HR/49 RBI/68 R). LF Mac Spencer (.278/14 HR/44 RBI/41 R) has made his presence known, too. As a team the Red Caps sport a .266 batting average (4th) with 102 roundtrippers (1st) and have chalked up 372 runs (2nd). It's probably too late, but there may be a sign that Oxford is finally coming alive - the Red Caps took a string of 8 wins in a row into the All-Star game. Roy told reporters, "All we need is just a little better pitching and we might get back in the race. We don't think it's over yet." It is going to be tough to make the playoffs this year - Oxford is 13 games behind Blue Lake and 10 games behind second place Luxora - that's a lot of ground to make up in half a season. The Mahaska Haymakers (30-43) and manager Rusty Tanussa have had only one good season. They finished fourth and made the playoffs in 2001. It's been all downhill since, nothing but seventh and eighth place finishes. Likewise in 2005. The Haymakers are in the basement, 14 games out and headed nowhere. Tanussa's team is hitting only .252 (6th-tied) with 75 homers (4th). On the mound the Haymakers have compiled a mediocre 4.04 team ERA. Not a lot of talent on the club except for All-Star Boomerang Hines (12-4 2.09), who has been brilliant this season. Closer Ike McDaniel (3-5 2.16) has also stood out with 8 saves and 30 game appearances. At the plate Mahaska has a fine first baseman in Miles Shufford (.290/24 HR/63 RBI/44 R). The Haymaker second baseman Dusty Eaton (.282/8 HR/31 RBI/49 R) has performed well, too. It is rumored that both Hines and Shufford are on the trading block, but it will take six quality players to get them. Some of the contenders around the IRA that have a lot of young talent may be willing to deal. Last edited by Eugene Church; 09-17-2009 at 10:59 PM.

09-18-2009, 09:34 PM	#1211
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,094 Blog Entries: 1	The Islandian Times Tuesday, June 25, 2005 Tycobbian Union South Division 2005 Mid-Season Standings Attached Images

09-18-2009, 09:50 PM	#1212
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,094 Blog Entries: 1	The Islandian Times Tuesday, June 25, 2005 Tycobbian Union South Division 2005 Mid-Season Standings Hurricanes Dominate TU South, Up by 7 Games at All-Star Game For the second consecutive season the Cape Coral Hurricanes are blowing away the competition in the Tycobbian Union South with a very solid ball club that has magnificent pitching and very good hitting. The Hurricanes have already built up a seven-game bulge over runner-up Summerland and Turon, who are tied going into the mid-season break. Arroyo Grande and Ginza are both fourth, nine games back. Colchester, who was expected to give Cape Coral its stiffest competition has sunk down to sixth and trails by 10 games. San Alejo is seventh, 14 games off the pace and Southport is in last place, a very distant 24 games out. The reigning Manager of the Year, Huggy Miller, told BNN, "This is a great job. These guys are talented, work together, no big egos and are a joy to work with." White has guided Cape Coral since the inception of the Islandian Pro Alliance. The Hurricanes won the TU South in 2004. Prior to that Miller was third in the first season, fell to seventh in 2002, then rebounded to second place in 2003. The Hurricanes (48-25) have the best record in the IPA. Miller's standout mound corps has registered an unbelievable 2.86 ERA (1st). Not only do they pitch well, they hit the ball well, too. The team batting average is .270 (3rd) with 72 homers (3rd) and 356 runs (3rd). Cape Coral has five solid starters in All-Star Cody Burg (12-3 1.64), Cal Holtzman (8-1 2.45), Doug Lyons (10-5 2.91), Zane Robinson (6-2 3.07) and Jeff Salow (7-4 3.41). All Miller needs is a good closer and he would almost have the perfect team. The Hurricanes top run producers are LF Kippy Doyle (.324/19 HR/68 RBI/46 R), All-Star 3B Hoshi Sato (.332/17 HR/39 RBI/52 R), CF Edmundo Montano (.309/1 HR/30 RBI) and RF Simon Manetas (.295/4 HR/29 RBI/40 R). Summerland's Will Hackett has his charges running neck-and-neck with Turon. The two clubs are all even, deadlocked for the second spot in the standings at the season's halfway point. The Sunsets (41-32) and Typhoons are well-rounded teams. Summerland's main strength is two steady starters Paul Felkner (10-7 3.13) and Bill Taft (10-4 2.55) and the Sunsets top-notch closer Bobby Winwood (5-2 2.86), who has 14 saves. Hackett has some consistent hitters, too. Leading the list are All-Star 2B Tucker Hill (.351/4 HR/23 RBI/55 R), LF Hank Hamilton (.303/7 HR/43 RBI/41 R) and 1B Karl Van Kooten (.277/15 HR/49 RBI). Turon (41-32) is back in the playoff hunt after a year's lapse. Skipper Ashton "Whitey" Richburn led the Typhoons to the postseason in his first two years. Richburn won the IPA Pro Cup in 2003, but slipped badly last season, dipping to sixth place. But he has righted the ship this year. Two excellent starters and a very good closer are the prime reasons for the resurgence. Heading the Typhoon rotation are Scotty Boswell (7-3 2.53) and James Longstreet (7-4 2.79). James Stuart (7-3 2.93) has converted from a starter to a closer this season quite successfully with 9 saves. Strong defense has helped Turon as well. The Typhoons top the TU South with a .979 fielding average. Richburn gets a lot of offense by platooning several positions. Turon is surprisingly second in runs with 357. The Typhoons have no outstanding hitters, just a bunch of journeymen, paced by RF Andy Porter (.299/12 HR/45 RBI/39 R) and C Trace Crittenden (.272/9 HR/41 RBI/44 R). In the battle for the postseason, Summerland gets the nod over Turon because of its superior pitching. Jean-Luc Marchand and his Arroyo Grande Suns (39-34) suffered mightily in the first three years and did not come close to even the first division, much less the postseason. The Suns lost a hundred-plus games in 2002 and 2003 and finished seventh last year. But all that has changed - suddenly Arroyo Grande is terrorizing TU pitchers with a .283 batting average (1st), 116 home runs (1st) and have scored 395 times. Offensively they are on a record-setting pace. Marchand's prolific crew is currently tied for fourth with the Ginza Ninjas. Marchand has been rotating six outfielders and all of them have been productive. So has All-Star 1B Cristian Avajos (.307/22 HR/59 RBI/42 R) and rookie shortstop Jared McCarthy (.301/18 HR/48 RBI/42 R). C Don Holden (.317/7 HR/30 RBI/44 R) will also play in the All-Star Game in Red Bluff. Also chipping in with the bats were 2B Alberto Ibarra (.297/7 HR/37 RBI/34 R) and outfielders Ernie Estaban (.355/12 HR/27 RBI/28 R), Maurice Vidrine (.339/10 HR/26 RBI/23 R) and Willie Clarke (.300/3 HR/17 RBI/26 R/12 SB). The Suns have absolutely no pitching except for All-Star twirler Miguel Aguilera, who has had a phenomenal year, capturing 13 wins with only two defeats and an impressive 3.09 ERA on a staff with a out-of-sight 4.76 ERA (8th). Most experts don't see the Suns continuing to hit like they have in the first half of the season. They expect Ginza to move ahead them in the second half because of superior pitching. Huroko Uchiyama's Ginza Ninjas (39-34) are fundamentally sound with good defensive play and fine pitching. The Ninjas are second with a 3.25 ERA and .978 fielding percentage. Ginza is a fair hitting ball club with a .263 BA (4th), but pitiful in power with only 46 roundtrippers (8th). Uchiyama has a trio of strong, veteran pitchers in All-Star Alex Sasek (11-4 1.88), Carl Trebek (9-8 3.20) and Kojiro Matsumoto (7-9 3.61). On the offensive side of the ball Ginza is led by rookie SS Ed Dorland (.292/5 HR/37 RBI), 3B Toshiro Nomura (.300/7 HR/34 RBI) and RF Lonnie Jacobson (.302/9 HR/36 R). Colchester manager Robbie Wilbertson is looking for his Elites to pick up the pace and play up to potential in the last half of the year. Colchester (38-35) is in the sixth spot in the TU South, trailing by 10 games. Wilbertson has his eye on second place, which is only 3 games away. Quality starters and power hitting could get the Elites in a challenging position for the division's second playoff slot. All-Star Jimmy Simmons (12-3 3.26), Frank Payne (10-5 3.80) and Hootie Boatner (5-7 2.75) give Colchester some strong and experienced arms. Wilbertson's team has put up a 3.62 ERA (4th) and gone deep 74 times (2nd). His top hitters are 1B Harlan Roscoe (.315/14 HR/52 RBI), RF Tony Barella (.303/7 HR/37 RBI/40 R/17 SB), LF Douglas Tilford (.326/12 HR/36 RBI/55 R/22 SB) and 3B Niles Stanton (.266/14 HR/39 RBI). This is not a sixth-place ball club. Look for the Elites to climb higher in the TU South standings. The seventh place San Alejo Montaneros (34-39) are no semblance of the tremendous team that won the pennants in 2002 and 2003. The rest of the division has caught up and surpassed Lando Peceda's club. The Montaneros mound staff continues its downward spiral this season with a miserable 4.35 ERA (6th) and a .257 BA (7th). San Alejo is 14 games out going into the All-Star break. No one on the Montaneros is having a good year. Peceda's best batters are LF Bernie Valente (.329/7 HR/28 RBI/49 R) and 3B Paolo Huerta (.303/8 HR/32 RBI/43 R). On the hill only Juliano Nuevo (8-6 3.62) is having a decent season. You have to go back to 2002, Southport's first year in the IPA, to come up with a good season. The Sun Sox shined that year, finished third in the division and made the postseason. Manager Charley Oscar has had no success since, ending up near the bottom in seventh or eighth place. Going into 2005 the prognosis was more of the same and that is exactly what has transpired. Southport (24-49) is having a pathetic season, is in the basement again and 24 games out of first. The Sun Sox are hitting only .258 (6th) with only 53 home runs (7th) and are last in runs scored with just 268. Southport is near the bottom with a high 4.44 ERA (7th) and is the worst defensive club in the IPA with .966 FA. Not much to cheer about in Southport. But the Sun Sox do have a fine first baseman in Pat Mystryk (.271/14 HR/51 RBI) and a pretty fair rookie starter in Mark Mumford (5-3 3.24). Mystryk is a career .287 hitter with 86 homers and 384 RBIs in his four years with the club.

09-19-2009, 09:36 PM	#1213
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,094 Blog Entries: 1	The Islandian Times Tuesday, June 25, 2005 Tycobbian Union East Division 2005 Mid-Season Standings Attached Images

09-19-2009, 09:55 PM	#1214
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,094 Blog Entries: 1	The Islandian Times Tuesday, June 25, 2005 Red Bluff Alone at the Top, 8 Games Ahead in TU East The defending IPA Pro Cup champions, the Red Bluff Red Sox, could be headed for their third pennant in a row in the Tycobbian Union East. The Red Sox are way in front with an eight-game lead over Midway and Ozarka. Upstart Hillsboro is fourth in the standings, 10 games back, followed by fifth-place High Mesa, 11 games out, South Fork, 13 games off the pace in sixth, Tuckanarra trails by 17 and is in the seventh spot with East Point last, 19 games behind. It is hard to beat a club that is number one in batting (.281), pitching (3.61 ERA) and defense (.984 FA). No wonder that Red Bluff is 46-27 this season. Manager Mack Connery has a strong roster with three of best hurlers in the IPA and a group of solid hitters to back them up. His talented trio of Leonard Urban (10-5 2.81), Frank Beaudoin (3.02) and Milo Mohoski (9-4 3.16) consistently give good performances. The Red Sox batting order has three All-Stars in RF Kris Grabowski (.313/13 HR/53 RBI/45 R), rookie SS Jose Aguilar (.358/9 HR/38 RBI/53R/19 SB) and C Virgil Carpenter (.268/14 HR/36 RBI/32 R). The addition of Aguilar's offense and defense has greatly improved the Red Sox. Other pluses for Connery are LF Tony Blundell (.292/7 HR/41 RBI/39 R/18 SB) and CF Stan Helmke (.311/9 HR/37 RBI/46 R/17 SB). The Midway Wolves (38-35) are tied for the number two spot this season. They have never made the playoffs, but came close last year, losing a one-game playoff to Tuckanarra to decide second place. Manager Cochise Chandler thinks the time has come. He told reporters, "The trade acquisition of Szymanski and Mazurek from Valmara put us over the top. Szymanski (.289/20 HR/53 RBI/51 R) has been a ball of fire with his bat and his glove. Mazurek (.258/4 HR/24 RBI/25 R) is a great fielder (.985 FA) and a dependable bat." LF Johnny Gillespie (.322/10 HR/55 RBI/55 R) is Midway's lone All-Star. Chandler also picked him up in a trade with Rolling Hills in 2002. Chandler added, "Trades have made us a contender. We have bargained well, so far." 2B Little Johnny Yuma (.314/3 HR/18 RBI/49 R) gives the Wolves another good glove and bat. 1B Don Piper (.272/11 HR/41 RBI/44 R) has been an important element, too. In a hit-heavy division, Midway is fourth with a 4.27 ERA. That a little worse than average (4.04). Chandler could certainly use another quality arm or two like Nosyt Sani (11-5 3.68) and C. J. Carper (7-4 4.09). Closer Joe Eckermann (3-3 3.66) has been reliable again this season with 14 saves. Pitching will decide the Wolves fate this year. This is one of the Ozarka Naturals (38-35) better seasons. Manager Joe Mac Carney has them in a third-place tie with Midway at mid-season. Carney has only made the postseason once in his tenure. That was 2003. The Nats have the second-best pitching (3.71 ERA/) and third-best in batting average (.268), but little power and poor defense. Ozarka is 7th in homers with 62 and last with a .968 fielding percentage. Carney's top pitchers are Sid Hyder (8-2 2.92), Pat Schwartz (6-4 3.42) and Alex DiMaggio (5-9 3.30). In the batter's box All-Star 3B Nathan Ferrell (.358/15 HR/45 RBI) has done an outstanding job with some help from RF Gus Dufrene (.282/4 HR/40 RBI) and CF Kermit Wiggins (.282/2 HR/38 RBI/49 R/15 SB). The key to success for the Naturals will be giving run support to its pitchers. Alex DiMaggio won 20 games last year. This season he's 5-9 because of poor run support. The Hillsboro Blazers (36-37) have leaped from last place to fourth this season with some heavy hitting. Halfway through the year the Blazers are 10 games out of first. Skipper Arky Spanderson has never made the playoffs. This year he thinks he has a shot at it. He told BNN that "Red Bluff is probably gonna make the playoffs, but there are at least five clubs with a chance for the second postseason spot and my Blazers could do it." Spanderson's spunky group is busting the ball at a .269 pace (2nd) with 92 roundtrippers (1st) and has scored 385 runs (2nd). That sounds good until you find out that Hillsboro has an astronomical 5.50 ERA, allows the opposition to hit .290 and has given up 117 home runs. Luckily the other teams are pretty much in the same boat and have no pitching either. So the Blazers have as good a chance as anyone. At mid-year in desperation Spanderson revamped his pitching staff by dropping five pitchers. He really had no other choice. It's tough when your ace pitcher is 7-5 with a 4.66 ERA. However Hillsboro can boom the ball. Spanderson top swatters are All-Star rookie SS Barry Bassett (.327/20 HR/60 RBI/54 R), LF Kevin Baker (.275/19 HR/53 RBI/46 R) and CF Jorge Mercado (.290/14 HR/46 R/45 RBI). Frisky Franks is at the helm of the High Mesa Cowboys and has had success in his first two seasons. He won the IPA Pro Cup in 2002 and finished second and made the playoffs in year two. But Franks has slipped since then. High Mesa (35-38) has much the same problems as Hillsboro - the Cowboy chuckers can't get anybody out - maybe "clunkers" might be a better word. Despite this, High Mesa is in fifth place, but only three games away from a playoff spot. High Mesa has compiled a .268 average (3rd), ripped 83 home runs (3rd) and tops the division in scoring with 387 runs. But the Cowboys sport a dismal 4.79 ERA (6th). At mid-season Franks added three new hurlers to try and drum up some pitching to help his ace, Joey Popovich, who has excelled with a 12-4 mark and a 3.70 ERA. Most of the mound staff had ERAs over 5.00 thus far this year. In spite of the good offensive numbers, most of the Cowboy core are having a semi-down season. If they catch fire in the second half, then it bodes bad for the other playoff contenders. High Mesa's high roller this year is All-Star LF Adam Zitek (.276/23 HR/80 RBI/48 R), who is on track to crack the record for most RBIs in IPA history. The record is 146 by Karol Zodoka of the East Point Panthers in 2002. SS Rolf Kellgren (.277/7 HR/27 RBI/58 R/19 SB), 2B Ed Granberg (.294/9 HR/40 RBI/49 R) and RF Kenny Edelstein (.271/13 HR/40 RBI/42 R) are all productive, but having subpar seasons, at least for them. South Fork (33-40) is sixth in the TU East standings, 11 games out. Manager Duroche "Lips" Leon has a woefully weak team at the plate. The Stallions are batting only .248 and are last in all offensive categories. But they are good in the pitching department with a 3.83 ERA (2nd) and excellent defensively with an outstanding .982 fielding percentage (2nd). Only first place Red Bluff is better in those categories. Like High Mesa, several of South Fork's stalwarts are having off-years. LF Art Atkins (.240/9 HR/34 RBI/43 R) and 1B Keith Burke (.241/10 HR/32 RBI/35 R/11 SB) are each down 50 points on their career averages. They could do wonders for the team if they rebound in the second half of the season. CF Preston Crim (.292/12 HR/41 RBI/36 R) has had to carry the offensive load pretty much all by himself this year. On the mound, old reliable 37-year-old Flint Battle (8-7 2.91) has done his part. He has won at least 15 games in each of his three previous seasons and might make it again this year, especially if the Stallions come up with better bat support. 2005 is not a good year for the Tuckanarra Blue Jays (29-44). Carlton "Lefty" Stevens is not a happy camper with his ball club. After making the postseason in each of the first three seasons, they dipped to seventh last year and might do worse this time around. The Blue Jays are in seventh place, 17 games back, but only two games up on last place East Point. Tuckanarra is near the bottom in all categories with poor pitching (4.49 ERA), poor hitting (.248 BA), plus poor fielding (.971 FA). That is usually a formula for failure. But the Blue Jays do have a few good men - starting pitchers Mike Amato (8-3 3.65) and Titus Bristow (7-8 3.53) along with new closer Coorain Janama (1-1 1.93), who took over the reins in the bullpen in June and has done extremely well. At bat 1B Charley Schofield (.310/11 HR/48 RBI/43 R) is having his best year. Rookie SS Dan Conroy (.264/12 HR/40 RBI) has been a pleasant surprise with his bat and had performed adequately defensively. Skipper Stevens has greatly missed the big bat of RF Monty Draycott, who has hit only 5 homers, batted .240 and driven in 40 runs so far. The East Point Panthers (27-46) have been a big flop this season. Manager Griff Clarke was expecting better things this year. Even BNN moved them up to fourth in its preseason poll. Clarke has made the playoffs only once, that was in the club's first season in the IPA in 2002, when they ended up in third place. The Panthers still pound the ball well with 85 roundtrippers (2nd) and a .267 team batting average (5th-tied), but don't have any pitching. Clarke's mound corps has a composite 4.92 ERA (7th). Yet his old standbys Carl Thompson (8-10 4.21) and Jarred Robillard (5-9 4.15) still give East Point a decent chance to win a game. But Charlie Hale (4-10 6.67) and closer Jed Erdmann (1-8 7.92) has suddenly fallen prey to failure. Both have been exiled to long relief and mop-up for the rest of the year to make way for some new blood on the staff. Fortunately the Panthers still pack a punch with 3B Rex Sokolov (.292/18 HR/52 RBI/42 R), 2B Karol Zodoka (.260/11 HR/50 RBI/42 R), RF Jimmy Cappola (.302/12 HR/38 RBI/38 R) and SS Keith Wasik (.300/8 HR/23 RBI/47 R). East Point is too good to remain in the TU East cellar. Look for the Panthers to rise and roar a little bit in the last half of the year. Last edited by Eugene Church; 09-20-2009 at 05:51 PM.

09-21-2009, 04:58 PM	#1215
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,094 Blog Entries: 1	The Islandian Times Tuesday, June 25, 2005 Tycobbian Union West 2005 Mid-Season Standings Attached Images

09-21-2009, 05:13 PM	#1216
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,094 Blog Entries: 1	The Islandian Times Tuesday, June 25, 2005 5-Team Battle In TU West, DC Redbirds Lead at Halfway Mark In the BNN Preseason Poll it was supposed to be just a two-team race in the Tycobbian Union West, but it has turned into a five-team tussle. At the season's halfway mark Denton City has a three-game lead over number two Bayview. The Vikings were favored to be on top in the poll, but so far the Redbirds have prevailed. Bay St. Clair has done better than expected and in third place, trailing by just four games. Kenwood, rated worst in the division, has proven the experts wrong and is a surprising fourth in the standings, just five games off the pace. The Arlon Champions are fifth, only six games behind. It has been a tough year for three teams that were picked to finish higher. Instead of three, four and five, La Claire is last, Rolling Hills sixth and Chicopee seventh. Ford Whiteman is in charge of Denton City (43-30) and over the past four years the club has improved from seventh, to third, second and now the top spot in the TU West. This season the Redbirds have used their bats to surpass the vaunted Bayview Vikings. Denton City has smashed 89 homers (1st), hit .282 (2nd) and scored 370 times (3rd). The Redbirds have also compiled a 3.79 ERA (3rd) to go with their strong offense. The Redbirds boast a fearsome line-up consisting of All-Star CF Paul Coniglio (.322/19 HR/61 RBI/54 R/12 SB), LF Danny Nash (.382/12 HR/50 RBI), 1B Rod MacCormack (.325/13 HR/45 RBI/52 R/10 SB), RF Lavon Gooch (.315/14 HR/42 RBI/44 R/12 SB) and 3B Jay Petit (.294/13 HR/45 RBI/46 R). Denton City's pitching corps was its main strength at the beginning of the season, but most of his starting rotation have struggled with off-years. Whiteman could use a couple more starters, but thus far he has gotten by with All-Star Gino Carmazzo (11-3 3.35), some solid middle relievers and Bubba Lear (4-3 3.28), his closer. Lear has chalked up 11 saves in his 34 appearances. The Bayview Vikings (40-33) are in the same boat as Denton City. Manager Walter Johanssen has had to depend on his hitters this season. His mound staff has fizzled and flopped with a sky-high 4.42 ERA (8th). 20-game winning Jerry Harrison has slipped to 7-9 and seen his ERA soar to 4.81. Johanssen's number three starter Georgie Fambreau is 8-5, but with a dreadful 5.05 ERA. Of his big three only Frank Wells (9-5 3.62) has been effective. However, there is one positive addition to the rotation this year. Rookie closer Josh Glover has excelled and even made the All-Star team with a 4-3 record, impressive 2.17 ERA and 13 saves in 36 games. Fortunately the Bayview batters have saved the season with a monstrous .285 average (1st), 399 runs (1st) and 76 home runs (2nd). The Viking batting order is imposing with three All-Stars: All-Star 2B Alan Hansen (.397/2 HR/44 RBI/57 R/20 SB), All-Star CF Wayne Latham (.343/13 HR/42 RBI/48 R/17 SB) and C Hank Bethel (.281/12 HR/42 RBI). Add five more solid hitters and opposing teams have a lot more than they can handle: LF Karl Yashin (.278/14 HR/41 RBI), 3B James Scott (.293/9 HR/39 RBI), RF Phil Kanaan (.282/6 HR/42 RBI/46 R/15 SB), 1B Chancey Quibedeaux (.272/8 HR/39 RBI/46 R) and SS Shorty Richards (.280/6 HR/35 RBI/43 R). The TU West regular season title will go to the team that comes up with better pitching over the final half of the year. Denton City is going with the same pitchers, while Bayview has chosen to bring in three rookies to solve the pitching woes. The Redbirds skipper Ford Whiteman has dropped two veteran starters from the rotation and inserted three freshmen as spot starters. The Viks manager Walter Johanssen will use one rookie as a spot starter and the other two in long relief. It doesn't appear that any of the other clubs in the division can challenge the top two teams. They simply don't have the offense to compete with them. Guy Rondre and the Bay St. Clair Buccaneers (39-34) have beaten the oddmakers this season thus far by rising up to the third spot in the standings after being slotted for sixth place in the preseason BNN poll. The Bucs are hanging around just four games back of the first place Redbirds and just a game behind the second place Vikings. Bay St. Clair gets by on the strength of two quality starters in All-Star Denny Coulon (10-7 2.67) and Duncan McFalls (9-3 3.90). They give Rondre a chance to win every series they play. The Bucs bullpen is also in good hands with All-Star closer Norm Gross (3-1 2.39), who has piled up 15 saves in 30 appearances. But overall Rondre's pitchers sport a so-so 3.95 ERA (6th). Run support is hard to come by. The Buccaneers are batting .259 (4th) and are rated fifth and sixth in homers (59) and runs (307). All-Star 3B Ed Albrecht (.297/9 HR/37 RBI/37 R), rookie 1B Gerry Fields (.310/16 HR/48 RBI/43 R) and LF Stan Denton (.294/2 HR/28 RBI/38 R) are Rondre's few run producers. The perennial cellar-dwelling also-ran Kenwood Wildcats (38-35) have dumbfounded the experts with their play this season. Forecast to finish last, Manager Aaron Hankins has them in fourth place, only five games back. The Wildcats attack can score runs. They are batting only .257 (6th) and are last in long balls (53), but have racked up 157 doubles (1st) and 382 runs (2nd). Kenwood is the only team that might have a chance at the playoffs other than Denton City and Bayview. The Wildcats can rival them on the scoreboard. Kenwood also is second with a 3.68 ERA, certainly another plus in the pennant chase. The Wildcats should end up at least third in the TU West. Hankins has some very capable players in All-Star LF Aydan Winthrop (.302/17 HR/59 RBI/50 R), rookie 1B Russ Honor (.249/10 HR/54 RBI/44 R), 2B Xavier Rocha (.282/4 HR/35 RBI/43 R) and rookie CF Dayton Walker, who is hitting a very lofty .383 in 48 starts this year. Hankins has just installed him full-time in center. On the hill Kenwood has a good group of starters in Johnny McBee (8-5 3.06), Pedro Acosta (6-4 2.92), Kris Angelico (6-1 3.33) and Antonio Garafalo (8-7 3.99). The Arlon Champions (37-36) under the leadership of Gary Louis are in the fifth spot in the standings and still in the chase for the postseason as they trail Denton City by just six games at the All-Star interlude. The Champs are sparked by pitchers Connie Gavagan (8-3 2.88) and Kurt DeHaan (7-6 3.07). The Arlon staff has registered a 3.86 ERA (4th). Batting-wise they don't hit for a high average, only .256 (7th), but they can score runs. The Champions are third in dingers with 73 and fourth with 359 runs. Louis' line-up is led by CF Steve Barnett (.323/10 HR/43 RBI/43 R), rookie LF Rocco Belasario (.283/13 HR/42 RBI/53 R/18 SB), LF Matt Merrill (.260/12 HR/46 RBI/42 R) and 1B Jay Dunbar (.255/11 HR/42 RBI/49 R). Rolling Hills Manager Matty Christianson was optimistic going into the 2005 season thinking his Reds were on the uptake, but it hasn't panned out that way. His club is 10 games out and in sixth place. Baseball analysts selected them fourth in the preseason poll. Rolling Hills (33-40) is just a little less than average in most respects with a 3.95 ERA (5th), .259 BA (4th-tied) with 58 homers (6th) and 310 runs scored (5th). Christianson has steady starters in Roger Davidson (8-10 3.17), Logan Atwell (4-5 3.00), Peter Brenneman (4-4 2.89) and Keith Greenwood (7-10 3.86), but not much in middle relief. Rolling Hills has an adequate closer in Shane Hooper (3-1 3.24), who has delivered 12 saves and been in 35 games. The Reds just don't render enough run support. Christianson's best batters are RF Theron Latigo (.266/14 HR/36 RBI/45 R) and LF Willie Mays Nixon (.264/13 HR/35 RBI) with some help lately from rookie CF Bob Havilland (.313/6 HR/24 RBI/17 R), who has started just 29 games. Rolling Hills just doesn't have the offense to compete with the big boys in the TU West. Unless they turn it around soon, the seventh-place Chicopee Braves (32-41) and skipper Harry Fleetfoot are going to have to endure a fifth season of never making the postseason. At the mid-year mark the Braves are 11 games back. Fleetfoot has revamped his pitching corps with four newcomers, all of whom will be starters and spot starters. Thus far this season Chicopee has compiled a mediocre 4.23 ERA (7th). On the offensive side of the ledger sheet the Braves have a .260 BA (3rd) with 63 home runs (4th), but have scored only 305 runs (7th). Fleetfoot could certainly stand some improvement here, too. Chicopee only has one proven starter in Johnny Falcon (8-6 3.68). Wayne Blackwell (8-2 3.57) has been effective in long relief and will now get a chance at starting. The best Fleetfoot can summon up in the hitting department are 2B Ben McClendon (.339/5 HR/32 RBI), 3B Wild Deer Etchimin (.300/8 HR/40 RBI) and 1B Big Charlie Hansa (.267/12 HR/34 RBI). The outlook is not good for the Braves. It may be tough to hold on to seventh place. Rip Calkin in La Claire (31-42) has always had decent pitching, but always fell way short in offense. Last year the Lynx led the TU West with a 3.16 ERA and wound up third in the standings. On that basis they were chosen third in the BNN preseason balloting - but it hasn't worked out that way - Calkin's crew is situated way back in the basement, 12 games behind in the race. Blame it on too much overall offense in the league this season. La Claire is still on top in ERA, but it has climbed up to 3.61 because of the influx of talented hitters this year. The only problem is the Lynx didn't get any of the them. La Claire is batting only .250 (8th), hit only 54 roundtrippers (7th) and scored only 297 times (8th). Not good when the .264 is the league average. Calkin still has a solid core of hurlers in Andy Murray (6-7 2.98), Nikon Danos (6-3 3.24), Munoto Kishata (5-9 3.79) and Jim Melanakos (7-11 3.92). But what a difference a year makes - Melanakos was a 23-game winner and Kishata won 18 games. It's not likely they will come close to that this season. Batting-wise La Claire has an outstanding All-Star CF in Lucky Collins (.335/10 HR/48 RBI/53 R), but he doesn't get much support. Rookie LF Zeppy Deshotel (.286/12 HR/48 R) and first-year RF Benny Gibbs (.307/5 HR/20 R/43) have helped some, but more is needed for the Lynx to contend with the top teams in the division.

09-21-2009, 11:41 PM	#1217
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,094 Blog Entries: 1	The Islandian Times Tuesday, June 25, 2005 2005 IPA All-Stars Announced The votes are tallied and the players have been chosen -- all that's left is to "Play Ball"! It's time once again for the Islandian Pro Alliance All-Star Game, the mid-year classic where the league's premier performers come together to show their skill and talent. The All-Stars from the Ruthlandian Union and the Tycobbian Union are set to tangle to determine which league is the best. All-Star Game V will be played at Red Bluff Park in Red Bluff. Last year's Pro Cup managers, Mack Connery of the IPA champion Red Bluff Red Sox and Gibson Bobkins of the runner-up Sugar Valley Rattlers, will renew their rivalry in today's game. The Tycobbian stars have won three of the four games. Ruthlandian Union All-Stars Starting Pitchers Dix Edenborough - Sligo (13-6 2.85) Slim Mosley - Belair Beach (12-2 2.70) Ray Watson - Belair Beach (12-2 3.16) Tommy Betanzos - Volusia (11-3 2.35) Gregg Neal - Sugar Valley (11-1 2.63) Zippy Hodge - San Dimas (10-5 2.77) Lou Horn - Elnora (10-5 2.77) Tiny Lindgren - Belair Beach (9-7 1.83) Dek Jumonville - Beechwood (9-6 2.87) Relievers Tom Ladner - Eastshore (1-1 2.59 16 saves) Kent Wells - Belle Plaine (1-2 1.85 15 saves) Tom Chiarra - Fort Benton (2-3 2.10 10 saves) Matty Wilkerson - Elnora (7-0 2.08 9 saves) C Jake Varshon - Fort Benton (.349/8/33) C Erik Adamczyk - Valmara (.316/9/32) C Mike Kanjorsky - Middlefield (.313/9/32) 1B Johnny Carducci - San Dimas (.273/20/63) 1B Stan Haddix - Rocky Rapids (.358/5/42) 1B Ron Armstrong - Sugar Valley (.300/11/52) 2B Cal Duplessis - Cold Creek (.332/3/25) 2B Timmy Gage - Middlefield (.276/5/35) 3B Charlie Gamble - Middlefield (.319/20/47) 3B Jimmy Holman - Marston (.300/20/47) 3B Neely Keeton - Colfax (.281/16/44) 3B Colin Fairclough - Ranford (.313/12/45) SS Don Nichols - Marston (.365/12/45) SS Rick Fargnoli - Ranford (.328/7/42) SS Bill Nilsen - LaGrange (.293/12/45) LF Fernando Baldera - Cold Creek (.350/17/68) LF Dominic Zuccaro - Taranto (.330/23/60) LF Dalton Leeds - Wynnamac (.345/9/40) LF Darrel Alston - Eastshore (.301/18/46) CF Tavi Vakros - Ancona (.329/12/38) CF Harold Setser - Waleska (.306/8/50) CF Ryan Raines - Volusia (.306/12/48) RF Tony Blaser - Taranto (.343/23/61) RF Bailey Norcross - Middlefield (.297/13/53) RF Rick Audubon - Kilkenny (.294/14/50) Tycobbian Union All-Stars Starting Pitchers Miguel Aguilera - Arroyo Grande (13-2 2.93) Boomerang Hines - Mahaska (12-3 2.03) Jimmy Simmons - Colchester (12-2 3.14) Cody Burg - Cape Coral (11-3 1.42) Gino Carmazzo - Denton City (11-2 3.03) Denny Coulon - Bay St. Clair (10-6 2.48) Alec Sasek - Ginza (10-4 1.86) Leonard Urban - Red Bluff (10-4 2.83) Relievers Pat Grange - Blue Lake (3-0 2.23 10 saves) Josh Glover - Bayview (4-3 2.27 13 saves) Norm Gross - Bay St. Clair (3-1 2.52 15 saves) C Virgil Carpenter - Red Bluff (.268/13/34) C Don Holden - Arroyo Grande (.316/7/30) C Hank Bethel - Bayview (.284/12/42) 1B Mac Faulkner - Hartsdale (.396/17/64) 1B Kenny Jablonski - Oxford (.344/14/43) 1B Cristian Avajos - Arroyo Grande (.294/20/54) 2B Alan Hansen - Bayview (.390/2/42) 2B Tucker Hill - Summerland (.337/3/18) 2B Pablo Santa Cruz - Luxora (.327/6/33) 3B Hoshi Sato - Cape Coral (.333/15/37) 3B Rupert Doan - White River (.301/11/33) 3B Joe Courtney - Oxford (.296/16/50) 3B Ed Albrecht - Bay St. Clair (.300/9/36) 3B Nathan Ferrell - Ozarka (.358/15/45) SS Jose Aguilar - Red Bluff (.357/9/38) SS Jud Turchin - Hartsdale (.318/12/50) SS Barry Bassett - Hillsboro (.317/17/55) LF Adam Zitek - High Mesa (.272/22/74) LF Danny Nash - Denton City (.378/12/49) LF Johnny Gillespie - Middlefield (.320/12/47) LF Lee Taryn - White River (.319/17/73) CF Hal Hoover - White River (.376/12/51) CF Lucky Collins - La Claire (.340/10/45) CF Wayne Latham - Bayview (.338/12/40) CF Ike Plunkett - Oxford (.332/23/43) CF Paul Coniglio - Denton City (.331/18/57) RF Aydan Winthrop - Kenwood (.307/15/56) RF Kris Grabowski - Red Bluff (.326/13/53) Last edited by Eugene Church; 09-21-2009 at 11:43 PM.

09-21-2009, 11:42 PM	#1218
EMSoccerCoach Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2,464	Man, I have a tremendous amount of respect for the time and effort you put into this, even moreso because of the fictional players. I've tried, I just can't get into a fictional league. That you do so and do it with such rich detail is simply outstanding. __________________ The Pastime Baseball League The Pastime Baseball League - 10-Year Recap The Pastime Boxing Association

09-22-2009, 06:09 PM	#1220
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,094 Blog Entries: 1	The Islandian Times Wednesday, June 26, 2005 TU Wins Again, Tops RU 2-1 In IPA All-Star Game V The Tycobbian Union continues to rule the roost in IPA All-Star competition. For the fourth time in five years the TU triumphed over the Ruthlandian Union. This year Tycobbia took a tight 2-1 squeaker at Red Bluff Park. Denton City CF Paul Coniglio's solo blast in the seventh inning decided the game. It came off Ray Watson of the Belair Beach Sunbirds. TU squandered three hits by White River CF Hal Hoover, Hartsdale 1B Mac Faulkner and High Mesa LF Adam Zitek in the opening inning when Hoover was thrown out at home by Taranto RF Tony Blaser trying to score from second. Tycobbia took the early 1-0 lead in the last of the third when Bayview 2B Alan Hansen got aboard on a two-base error by Taranto LF Dominic Zuccaro, who dropped a liner. Hansen then scored on Hoover's line single to right off Sligo's Dix Edenborough. Marston 3B Jimmy Holman evened the score at 1-1 with a bases-empty homer in the top of the seventh off of Bay St. Clair's Denny Coulon. Coniglio was voted the game's Most Valuable Player for his game-winning roundtripper. Watson suffered the loss. Coulon got credit for the victory despite allowing Holman's homer. Tycobbia outhit Ruthlandia 10-4. Hoover was the top batter with 2-for-2. Winning manager Mack Connery of the IPA champion Red Bluff Red Sox got great pitching from his All-Star staff. Cody Burg of Cape Coral started and struck out the side in the top of the first. He tossed two scoreless innings and retired all six batters he faced. Ginza's Alec Sasek, Mahaska's Boomerang Hines, Arroyo Grande's Miguel Aguilera and Red Bluff's Leonard Urban shut out the RU Stars for the next four frames. After Coulon gave up a run in the seventh, Colchester's Jimmy Simmons and Bay St. Clair's Norm Gross also shut them out and finished them off. Ruthlandia's skipper Gibby Bobkins from Sugar Valley got shaky performances from most of his pitchers. Only Greg Neal of Sugar Valley and Kent Wells of Belle Plaine held Tycobbia hitless and runless in their inning of work. Eight TU hurlers fanned 10 and walked three in the win, while seven RU pitchers walked one and whiffed just three in the game. The Tycobbian Union has won four of the five All-Star Games, winning 6-0 in 2001, 2-0 in 2003 and 4-3 in 2004. Ruthlandia got its only victory in game two 5-4 in 2002.