ISLANDIAN PRO ALLIANCE (RUTHLANDIA and TYCOBBIA BASEBALL UNIONS)

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Saturday, October 8, 2016

2016 IPA Pro Cup Finals

Elegants Roll To 11th In A Row, Blank Nats 6-0
Defeat is just not in the Eastshore Elegants vocabulary, at least for the last 11 games... They have stunned the Island baseball world with 11 consecutive postseason wins... this has only happened once before in the IPA's 16-year history... Far Mountain ran out the table in 2013, sweeping all 12 games... 23-year-old righty Melvin Key (4-0 1.89) chalked up the latest victory as he blanked the Ozarka Naturals 6-0 on 4 singles, while the Elegants slammed Eddie Roberts (4-1 4.41) early and often for 6 runs in the first two innings, sparked by 2B Gerry Garner (.378), who cracked a 3-run shot in the first frame... RF Stan Cuccinello (.277) drove in 2 runs, SS Gil Lantz (.553) had 3 hits and CF Larry Lowe (.204) socked 2 hits and scored twice... This was Eastshore third straight triumph in the Pro Cup Finals... one more win and they can claim the 2016 Island baseball title for the first time in the team's history.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Sunday, October 9, 2016

2016 IPA Pro Cup Finals

Eastshore Goes Unbeaten, 2016 Pro Cup Champs
It happened again... for the second time in IPA history a team has swept all its series and gone unbeaten in the Pro Cup playoffs... The Eastshore Elegants racked up 12 straight victories to do it, equalling Far Mountain's record, set in 2013... manager Killer Brewster's crew capped a marvelous playoff run with a 2-1 win in game four to sweep the Pro Cup Series... rookie southpaw Danny Siegfried nailed down the crown with a staunch 8-inning performance... Siegfried (5-0 1.29) held Ozarka to one run on 6 hits for his 31st win this year...Siegfried was 26-8 during the regular season... Jack Wilson worked a flawless ninth for his 6th playoff save... the Naturals Benny Ostermann (0-2 2.74) also pitched very well... Ostermann went all the way in defeat and permitted only 2 runs on 6 hits... he had 7 Ks and walked 4.

An error, a single and a ground-out by RF Stan Cuccinello (.275) sent Eastshore in front in the opening frame 1-0... The Nats RF Ken Mayberry (.275) singled in the tying run in the top of the seventh... and 1B Vic Keller (.184) doubled in the winning run in the last of the 8th.

Magnificent mound work won it for the Elegants... its staff compiled a splendid 1.75 ERA in the postseason against the best teams in the IPA... offensively Eastshore sported only a modest .252 team batting average.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Monday, October 10, 2016

Eastshore's Ace Siegfried Selected Pro Cup MVP
What a fabulous freshmen year 35-year-old Danny Siegfried had in the Islandian Pro Alliance. He led Eastshore to an improbable regular season title in the RU East and then did the unbelievable, Siegfried propelled the Elegants to the overall Pro Cup crown with a standout 5-0 mark in the postseason. The Eastshore ace made 6 starts and posted a 1.29 ERA... Siegfried won the wrap-up game in each of the series. He also won the first game of two of the series and pitched 8 strong innings in the other game, but he did not get the decision in an extra-inning game. For his premier postseason exploits Siegfried has been named the IPA Pro Cup Most Valuable Player this year.

Why did it take so long for IPA teams to recognize his talent? Siegfried said he tried out innumerable times for clubs in Ruthlandia, but never got any takers. He said he finally stop going to tryouts. "All the scouts ever seemed to sign were the big, tall athletes with the overpowering fastballs. That just wasn't me. I depend on command and movement to get by." Elegant manager Killer Brewster finally convinced him to try it one more time this spring. "I guess I just have a great eye for talent", Brewster sheepishly said. Then he added, "Actually, I was desperate for any kind of pitching and decided to give Siegfried a chance. The rest is history."

Following Siegfried were three of his Eastshore teammates. 2B Gerry Garner, also a rookie, was second in the balloting. Garner hit .354 in the Pro Cup playoffs with 5 doubles, 2 triples, 1 home run, 12 RBIs and scored 8 runs. Number three votegetter was SS Gil Lantz, who blistered pitchers for a .537 batting average with 7 doubles and 4 homers, while driving in 7 runs and scoring 11 times. Rookie closer Jack Wilson came in fourth. He made 8 relief appearances in the postseason with 6 saves, 2.25 ERA and a 1-0 record. Wilson was another "Johnny Come Lately" - he was finally signed at the age of 35. Wilson told reporters, "Killer was the only one who ever gave me a chance. No one else would even talk to me."

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Tuesday, October 11, 2016

2016 Ruthlandian Union Final Batting Statistics

[Eugene Church]

2016 Ruthlandian Union Final Pitching Statistics

[Eugene Church]

2016 Tycobbian Union Final Batting Statistics

[Eugene Church]

2016 Tycobbian Union Final Pitching Statistics

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Wednesday, October 12, 2016

IPA Picks Top Gloves Of 2016
The best hands in the land were announced today by the IPA. The winners of the prestigious Golden Glove Awards in the Ruthlandian and Tycobbian Unions were presented their trophies today. Norm Owens of San Dimas is a three-time recipient for Ruthlandia. Two-time award winners were Little Jake Bungarooba of Belair Beach, Ron Armstrong of San Dimas, Johnny Madigan of Kilkenny, Don Nichols of Far Mountain and Ryan Smith of Fort Benton. Multi-year winners in the Tycobbian league were Dane Wesner of Fairfax, who captured his 5th Golden Glove, along with Kendry Moulton of Hartsdale and Dennis Ryckman of Cape Coral, who have won on three occasions, and two-time honorees Erke Tonisson of East Point and Jack Elliott of High Mesa.

Ruthlandian Union
P Denny Kristensen - LaGrange Sports (17-14) .980 FA
C Little Jake Bungarooba - Belair Beach (.323 BA) .995 FA/5 PB/36.8 RTO %
1B Ron Armstrong - San Dimas (.287 BA) .996 FA
2B Stan Tipton - Forest City (.291 BA) .988 FA
3B Johnny Madigan - Kilkenny (.295 BA) .983 FA
SS Don Nichols - Far Mountain (.324 BA) .970 FA
LF Tony Tanaka - Colfax (.263 BA) 1.000 FA
CF Ryan Smith - Fort Benton (.299 BA) .994 FA
RF Norm Owens - San Dimas (.289 BA) .993 FA

Tycobbian Union
P Erke Tonisson - East Point (12-18) .987 FA
C Crash Davis - Ginza (.367 BA) .995 FA/6 PB/24.7% RTO
1B Jack Elliott - High Mesa (.367 BA) .996 FA
2B Vinny Ulrich - White River (.308 BA) .991 FA
3B Kendry Moulton - Hartsdale (.284 BA) .978 FA
SS Marty Montero - Denton City (.229 BA) .983 FA
LF Erik Kesler - Fairfax (.313 BA) .990 FA
CF Dennis Ryckman - Cape Coral (.254 BA) 1.000 FA
RF Dane Wesner - Fairfax (.280 BA) .984 FA

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Thursday, October 13, 2016

RU Rookie of the Year Award Presented
2016 was the year of the rookie pitchers in the IPA. Only pitchers got any votes in the rookie awards competition. Danny Siegfried was the creme de la creme this year -- the cream of the first-year player crop in the Ruthlandian Union. Today he was honored with the Rookie of the Year Award for 2016. Siegfried led Eastshore to it first RU East pennant and first playoff appearance in 13 years. Siegfried started 39 games and posted a 26-8 record. The Eastshore starter struck out 176 and walked 60 in 316 innings as he compiled a 2.25 ERA. The 36-year-old left-hander topped the IPA in wins with 26, tied with Harald Turi of the Bay St. Clair Buccaneers.

Two other pitchers gave Siegfried a run for the rookie award. Second in the vote was Colfax's Cliff James, who paced the RU with a 2.17 ERA and posted an 18-5 record. In the third spot was Beechwood's Billy Ray with a 21-8 mark in his freshman season and a 2.37 ERA. Both James and Ray are 23 and sparked their teams to a division crown.

Turi Selected TU Rookie of the Year
Harald Turi of the Bayview Vikings became quite a fan favorite over the course of the 2016 campaign. The phenomenal rookie racked up a terrific 26-4 record as he reeled in the Tycobbian Union Rookie of the Year Award and led the Vikings to the TU West flag. It's been nine years since Bayview made the Pro Cup playoffs. In 40 starts, the 29-year-old Turi tallied 312 innings, 153 strikeouts and an ERA of 2.19.

Number two in the vote was North Hills closer Ben Garland. He was a vital force in the Hawks ascent to the top of the TU North. The 22-year-old Garland was 8-1 in relief with 25 saves and a sensational 1.69 ERA. Ranked third was Oxford's fine closer Arnie Bradshaw, who saved 30 games with a 2.81 ERA and a 5-5 record, despite playing for a 7th-place club.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Friday, October 14, 2016

DeLucca Selected RU's #1 Batter
Joe DeLucca of the Volusia Vigilantes had been voted the best batter in the league and has been honored with the Ruthlandian Union Golden Bat Award.
DeLucca, a 22-year-old center fielder, led all comers with a .377 average while collecting 220 hits, 34 doubles, 12 triples, 36 home runs, 118 RBIs and scoring 146 times. DeLucca led the IPA in batting average and runs scored. It was a first-time win for DeLucca.

DeLucca outdistanced Roy Hobbs of the Waleska Westerners and Volusia teammate Vince Wilson for the award. Hobbs came in second by hitting .348 with 45 homers, 120 RBIs and 124 runs. Wilson batted .335 with 31 roundtrippers, 120 RBIs and scored 111 times.

Elliott Honored With 4th Golden Bat
Jack Elliott again feasted on Tycobbian Union pitching to the tune of a .367 batting average. For his outstanding efforts he collected the league's Golden Bat Award for 2016. It's the fourth straight year Elliott has won the trophy. The High Mesa Cowboys first baseman slammed opposing pitchers for 221 hits, 53 home runs and 130 RBIs, while scoring 133 times. Elliott led the IPA in home runs and hits.

Marty Blake, first sacker for the White River Rascals, was the Golden Bat runner-up. He slugged 45 homers, drove in 135 runs, scored 117 and batted .355. Third in the voting was Ozarka third baseman Andre Dumas with a .359 average, 45 home runs, 123 RBIs and 114 runs scored.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Saturday, October 15, 2016

Ruthlandian Union Top Hurler Announced
What a whirlwind year for Danny Siegfried of the Eastshore Elegants. At age 36 he finally made it to the IPA. Not only that, Eastshore finally won its first pennant and made the postseason for the first time in 13 seasons. A few days ago Siegfried won the Rookie of the Year Award. Today Siegfried was named the recipient of the 2016 Ruthlandian Union Golden Arm Award. The rookie hurler posted a record of 26 wins and 8 losses this year with a 2.25 ERA. In 39 starts he struck out 176 and walked 60 in 316 innings. Siegfried tied for the IPA lead in victories with Bayview's Harald Turi, also a rookie.

Two other rookies wound up second and third in the poll. Second was Colfax's Cliff James with an 18-5 mark and an RU-leading 2.17 ERA. Third was Beechwood's Billy Ray with a 21-8 record and a 2.37 ERA.

Best Hurler Award Presented by TU
The Golden Arm Award for 2016 has been presented and the Tycobbian Union winner is Harald Turi of Bayview. It's the second major award this week for the 29-year-old Turi. On Thursday he was honored as the best rookie in the league. Turi excelled with an impressive 26-4 record in 40 starts. In 312 innings he yielded 245 hits and 70 walks, while striking out 153 and compiling a fine 2.19 ERA. Turi was one of the prime ingredients in the Vikings winning the TU West this season.

His main competition came from two veterans. Ozarka's Benny Ostermann was second in the voting with a 25-6 mark and a 2.58 ERA, while Turon's Nicky Engstrom ended up third. Engstrom chalked up a 21-7 record and a TU-leading 2.02 ERA, which also was the best in the IPA. Ozarka and Turon each won its division this year.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Sunday, October 16, 2016

Siegfried and Turi Win Again, Named MVPs
Rookie hurlers reigned supreme in the IPA this year. Danny Siegfried of Eastshore and Harald Turi of Bayview won all of the awards this season. Each of them won the Rookie of the Year, the Golden Arm and now the leagues' Most Valuable Player honors. This has only happened one time before in the IPA. Frank Kostro of the Hartsdale Hellcats captured all three trophies in 2003.

In his first IPA season, the 36-year old Siegfried had an unimaginable year, leading an unheralded Eastshore club to the pennant after many years of frustration and failure. Siegfried and Turi tied for the most wins in the IPA. Siegfried was 26-8 with a 2.25 ERA, while Turi was even better with a 26-4 mark and a 2.19 ERA.

Siegfried, the Ruthlandian MVP, got the best of two outstanding veteran players. He outpolled Volusia's gifted center fielder and Golden Bat winner, Joe DeLucca, who led the RU and IPA with a .377 batting average. DeLucca rapped 36 homers, batted in 118 runs and led the IPA with 146 runs. Volusia finished a very close third in the RU West, won by Eastshore. The Vigilantes missed the playoffs by only one and a half games. Far Mountain's fine Gold Glove shortstop Don Nichols was third in the vote. Nichols hit .327 with 27 home runs, 104 RBIs and scored 121 times to lead the Redhawks to the RU North flag and into the playoffs.

Two outstanding batters challenged Turi for the Tycobbian Union MVP. Ozarka's talented third baseman Andre Dumas was second in the poll. Dumas had 45 roundtrippers this season, along with 123 RBIs, 114 runs, while hitting a .359 pace. Turon's tremendous first baseman Clyde Kingsford was rated third. Kingsford put up a .326 batting average with 40 homers, 141 RBIs and scored 119 times. He paced the TU in RBIs. Kingsford was the TU's Most Valuable Player a year ago. The Naturals and the Typhoons won their divisions and made the Pro Cup playoffs this year.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Monday, October 17, 2016

Brewster Unanimous Choice, RU Manager Of The Year
No doubt about it, in a unanimous vote, the best manager in the Ruthlandian Union this season was Killer Brewster of the Eastshore Elegants. Brewster guided them to their first-ever pennant. The Elegants came out of oblivion to win the RU East with a 96-58 record. Eastshore finished fourth the year before with a 77-77 mark. It was Brewster's first Best Manager trophy. The Elegants had not been to the playoffs for 13 years.

Ozarka's Carney Carts Off TU Top Manager Trophy
For the second year in a row, Joe Mac Carney of the Ozarka Naturals has been selected the Tycobbian Union Manager of the Year. His Nats led the IPA with 105 wins and easily won the TU East. The only other person named on any ballots was John Randison, who steered the North Hills Hawks from seventh place to the TU North title. The Hawks improved from 72-82 in 2015 to 92-62 this season.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Kazmarek Retires After 16 Years
All good things must come to an end, even to one of the most prolific hitters in IPA annals. After 16 years Arroyo Grande outfielder Jet Kazmarek announced his retirement today at the age of 41. Kazmarek terrorized pitchers to the tune of a lifetime .350 batting average in over 2000 games. He won an outrageous 9 batting titles and topped the league in stolen bases 5 times. Kazmarek still holds the record for most steals in a season with 102. He is the career leader with 822 thefts.

The swift-footed Kazmarek played 6 years with Valmara and 10 years with Arroyo Grande. In 2002 he set the all-time marks with an astounding .428 batting average, 248 base hits and 29 triples. Though only 5-6 and 171 pounds, Kazmarek was a tremendous contact hitter and rarely struck out, fanning only 360 times in almost 8000 at-bats. He was an 8-time All-Star. Kazmarek hit .331 in the postseason, but never won a Pro Cup ring. The closest he came was in 2003, when the Vipers lost to the Turon Typhoons. In all Kazmarek's teams only made the playoffs 4 times.

To show his total dominance, the closest career batting average to his .350 is only .319 by Cris Willis, who played 15 years and retired last season. As far as the future, Kazmarek hopes to return to his native Valmara and work for the Vipers in some capacity. Rumors has it he will take over as manager for the soon-to-retire J. Jackson Samuel.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Vipers Samuel Retires, Kazmarek Named Manager
As expected Valmara owner and manager J. Jackson Samuel announced that he is retiring as the skipper of the Vipers and will be replaced by the legendary hitter Jet Kazmarek. Samuel ends his career with an overall 1263-1268 record and only two pennants to show for it. Both were won in Kazmarek's heydays with the Vipers in 2003 and 2004. Samuel turned over the managerial reins to Kazmarek in a press conference today in Valmara. Kazmarek batted .350 in 16 seasons.

[Eugene Church]

Season number 17 coming up!

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
January 1, 2017

Wholesale Changes Made In IPA
16 teams finally gave up on coaching legends and made managerial changes in wholesale numbers in the IPA this season. Teams have been very slow to move out the old guard in the past, but not this year. They are turning to former players to turn things around.

- Valmara's owner J. Jackson Samuel got the ball rolling by going into retirement and hiring all-time legend Jet Kazmarek to replace him.
- Ditto for aging owner Mac Connery in Red Bluff. He called it a day and put former Red Sox star Bucky Frizzell in the slot.
- T. K. Holmes in Cold Creek kept it in the family by making his grandson Trip Holmes his successor. Trip will be a playing manager at age 38.
- Benny Stern will take over in Stoner for Willie Dickens.
- Andrei Kokk replaces Jaan Kurus in Valka.
- Cyclone Cobb will guide the Arroyo Grande Suns, Jean-Luc Marchand is out.
- In Belle Plaine, owner Boo Ladrieux is stepping down for Lou Dozier.
- Griff Clarke has put former star Rex Sokolov in charge in East Point.
- Owner George Costanza was not happy with Zoggy White, Sam Malone is in.
- Glasco replaced McDuffie Hughes with outfield great Ike Plunkett.
- Grand City owner Gates Billingham has fired Torry Joseph and put Wynn Joslin in.
- Arky Spanderson has been let go in Hillsboro, Rawhide Martin will be the new skipper.
- Foxy Jimison is gone in LaGrange, catching great Otto Kronvath will take over.
- Former outfielder Cristo Viamonte replaces home run great Alejandro Rodrigo in Luxora.
- Ranford chose infield favorite Rick Fargnoli over legendary pitcher Page Satcher, who had very limited success with the Bulls.
- and in San Alejo, it will be outfielder Marcellino Zuniga, a star when the Montaneros were winning pennants, who will take over for Lando Peceda.

It looks like management has decided to go by results. IPA managers will not be able to live off of their industrial league reputations any longer. Look for more changes next season.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Tuesday, June 20, 2017

IPA All-Star Rosters Announced
All-Star Game XVII is set and ready to take place at Kraft Stadium in Eastshore tomorrow afternoon at 1:05 pm. The mid-summer classic will feature the best players from Ruthlandia and Tycobbia. The TU Stars have dominated the series with 12 wins in 16 tries. They won 9-5 last season and are on a 3-game winning skein. Five rookies made the squad for the first time. Duncan Welch of Crystal Lake, Victor Ivarsson of Middlefield and George McKay of Claxton will play for Ruthlandia and Ron van Riebe of Red Bluff and Vann Kelter of Summerland will be on the Tycobbian Stars. Vets Hank Bethel, Phil Gravelli and Mike Luzzatti lead the RU Stars. Bethel made it for the 11th time, Gravelli the 10th time and Luzzatti for the 9th time. Veterans on the TU Stars are La Claire's Zeppy Deshotel , appearing for the 8th time, Hartsdale's Jud Turchin for the 7th time and Arlon's Rocco Belasario for the 6th time.

Ruthlandian All-Stars

SP Don Chaney - Rocky Rapids (11-3 2.06) 4 times
SP Duncan Welch - Crystal Lake (11-4 2.32) rookie
SP Melvin Key - Eastshore (12-4 2.62) first time
SP Danny Siegfried - Eastshore (10-4 2.07) first time
SP Terry Kuznetsov - Beechwood (13-4 2.95) 2 times
SP Justin Eckhardt - Kilkenny (7-2 1.74) first time
SP Cal Walger - Fort Benton (12-4 2.75) first time
CL Andy Velasco - Forest City (2-1/1.32/18 saves) first time
CL Earl Pitts - Rocky Rapids (2-2 2.03/17 saves) first time
CL Jack Wilson - Eastshore (1-1/0.92/15 saves) first time
C Little Jake Bungarooba - Belair Beach (.319/3/31/40) 2 times
C Hal Stevenson - Sugar Valley (.336/15/49/54) 9 times
C Hank Bethel - Rocky Rapids (.333/12/53/35) 11 times
1B Phil Gravelli - Crystal Lake (.318/16/60/40) 10 times
1B Mike Luzzatti - Claxton (.340/23/52/47) 9 times
1B Ricky Tinker - Middlefield (.334/11/61/50) first time
2B Eddie Miles - Taranto (.321/10/36/69) 5 times
2B Paul Shelton - Rocky Rapids (.307/14/63/34) 2 times
3B Wayne Pounders - Taranto (.279/21/54/45) 2 times
3B Mike Janocko - Colfax (.321/12/46/30) first time
SS Vince Wilson - Volusia (.319/18/54/47) 3 times
SS Glenn Christian - Sugar Valley (.294/14/57/42) first time
SS Don Nichols - Far Mountain (.347/10/30/56) 8 times
LF George McKay - Claxton (.317/17/55/45) rookie
LF Kenny Willard - Ancona (.337/17/62/58) 2 times
LF Victor Ivarsson - Middlefield (.333/15/50/45) rookie
CF Roy Hobbs - Waleska (.368/19/51/51) 4 times
CF Vic Valenti - Beechwood (.354/16/51/56/42) 3 times
CF Joe DeLucca - Volusia (.329/17/60/56) 4 times
RF Emile Stosha - Cold Creek (.316/17/55/66) 4 times
RF Augie Marshall - Taranto (.331/21/75/58) 5 times

Tycobbian All-Stars

SP Sean Swensen - South Fork (12-6 1.96) 2 times
SP Benny Osterman - Ozarka (15-3 2.51) 3 times
SP Blackie Terranova - South Fork (13-4 2.40) 2 times
SP Motega Wolf - Midway (15-2 2.50) first time
SP Bob Montgomery - Southport (9-6 2.03) first time
SP Harald Turi - Bayview (10-7 2.10) 2 times
SP Joey Wallace - Mahaska (9-4 2.49) 2 times
SP Joji Azuma - Ginza (11-6 2.28) 2 times
CL Don Richard - Colchester (4-1/1.06/19 saves) first time
CL Woody Price - South Fork (3-3/1.61/17 saves) first time
C Ivar Burkholder - Chicopee (.312/14/45/41) 2 times
C Crash Davis - Ginza (.329/13/35/46) 5 times
C Bucky O'Brian - Mahaska (.329/15/46/45) 4 times
1B Jack Elliott - High Mesa (.365/28/80/68) 5 times
1B Marty Blake - White River (.358/30/73/67) 2 times
1B Eddy Dowler - Oxford (.367/13/45/43) 2 times
2B Lonnie Moon - Cape Coral (.309/11/59/42) 2 times
2B Bud Walker - Bay St. Clair (.382/10/53/78) first time
3B Andre Dumas - Ozarka (.315/18/61/44) 2 times
3B Flash Devlin - La Claire (.339/16/64/58) 3 times
SS Jud Turchin - Hartsdale (.337/11/43/55) 7 times
SS Andy Pearson - Arroyo Grande (.310/11/48/47) 4 times
SS Patsy Bates - Colchester (.332/3/33/35) first time
LF Zeppy Deshotel - La Claire (.328/13/59/47) 8 times
LF Rocco Belasario - Arlon (.315/12/41/49) 6 times
LF Bruno DiPirro - Bay St. Clair (.340/3/39/49) 2 times
CF Robby Michael - South Fork (.386/9/39/51) 3 times
CF Johnny Lee - Midway (.317/18/50/51) 4 times
RF Ron van Riebe - Red Bluff (.341/13/55/44) rookie
RF Vann Kelder - Summerland (.310/17/66/41) rookie
RF Danny Redd - Tuckanarra (.348/8/43/51) 2 times

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Ruthlandian North Mid-Season Recap

6-Team Battle In RU North, Valmara Leads At Break
The old guard, the defending champion Far Mountain Redhawks and the heavy-hitting Taranto Tars, who have controlled the division for the last few years, find themselves being challenged by the Valmara Vipers, Ancona Red Elephants, Kilkenny Cats and the Glasco Athletics. It's a 6-team race this season with all of the clubs within 5 games of each other.

Valmara, under new manager Jet Kazmarek, has a fragile hold on first place at the All-Star break. The Vipers (39-34) are one game up on Ancona, Far Mountain and Kilkenny, all with a 38-35 record... Glasco (36-37) is 3 games back in fifth place and Taranto (34-39) is sixth, but just 5 off the pace... Ranford (30-43) and LaGrange (29-44) trail by 9 and 10 games respectively.

The Valmara Vipers have the lead at the halfway point... top hurlers are rookie Tad Janicki (10-7) and Kolya Romanov (10-5)... so far the offense has been supplied by rookie 1B Tyler Ferguson (.301/3 HR), RF Lou Gdowski (.322/9 HR) and 3B Al Jalenak (.302/4 HR), but Far Mountain is still the favorite because it is such a well-rounded and experienced ball club... All-Star Don Nichols (.347) and RF Jonas Boehm (.323) head up the offense... Taranto has lousy pitching, the worst in the IPA, but can hit the daylights out of the ball... the Tars are on a record-breaking pace offensively with the likes of All-Stars Augie Marshall (.331/21 HR), 2B Ed Miles (.321/10 HR) and 3B Wayne Pounders (.279/21 HR), along with SS Aron Aiello (.322/10 HR)... Taranto has gone deep 125 times this season... Ancona may be in it for the long run with its good starting pitching and solid bats... best hitters are All-Star Kenny Willard (.337/17 HR), 2B Kevin Laroche (.311/1 HR) and RF Louis DiMucci (.293/10 HR)... Kilkenny has the pitching, but not much offense... All-Star Justin Eckhardt (7-2) and Kyle Ferguson (11-6) lead the Cats staff... Glasco can't compete in the long haul with the others... Vet Ernie Watkins (9-7) is still a solid starter and LF Tony Piel (.312/6 HR) still handles the bat well... new managers did not make a difference in Ranford and LaGrange.

[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times
Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Ruthlandian South Mid-Season Recap

Valka Tops RU South
Fairly tight race in the weak Ruthlandian South halfway through the season... The teams are pretty much even, but are not strong compared to the other three RU divisions... Valka has fine starters and decent hitting... The Blackhawks (40-33) have posted a 3-game lead over second place Claxton (37-36), which has the best hitting in the division, but not a lot on the hill... Crystal Lake (36-37) is third, trailing by 4... the Crushers are being carried by two fine starters, All-Star rookie Duncan Welch (11-4) and Ralph McCullough (11-6) are carrying the team... don't have much hitting... the St. John Crusaders (35-38) are 5 games out in fourth place... same situation as Crystal Lake with two good starters in Teddy Garson (11-5) and Glynn Morgan (8-8) and little else... defending champ Belair Beach (31-42) still has a good mound staff, but its offense has floundered badly... Belair Beach is tied for fifth place, trails by 9 games and has a lot of distance to make up to contend... Marty Pedroza has four quality arms led by Denny Whitaker (11-4)... the Sunbirds lost the number two starter for seven weeks... Rip Flippen (3-3) is now back and ready for the second half... improved hitting could get the Sunbirds back in the thick of the chase... Grand City (31-42) is also 9 games behind and has two good starters in Rusty Eisenbaum (8-7) and Jimbo Sterns (5-8), but has trouble scoring... 5-time All-Star 1B Ron Armstrong has missed 5 weeks, but is now back, which should give the offense a lift... the San Dimas Rancheros (30-43) are seventh and 10 games behind in the standings... the Rancheros are weak on the hill and at the plate... Waleska (27-46) is wallowing in last place, 13 games back and headed nowhere... not much of anything except for the exceptional CF Roy Hobbs, who plays well day-after-day, season-after-season... All-Star Hobbs is batting .368 with 19 homers... two starters Wilson Whitmore (7-6) and Jasper Rhodes (6-9) always give the Westerners good starts.