ISLANDIAN PRO ALLIANCE (RUTHLANDIA and TYCOBBIA BASEBALL UNIONS)

[Eugene Church]

Around the Park in the IPA

FAR MOUNTAIN REDHAWKS
Owner: Becker Hospitality Enterprises
GM/Manager: Benjy Donahue

Far Mountain, located in northern Ruthlandia in the Appian Mountains, is a very popular year-round ski resort and convention center. A beautiful town of 75,000 founded by immigrants from the German and Swiss Alps, Far Mountain oozes Tyrolian charm and culture. Horse drawn sleighs and buggies provide free public transportation. The rich and famous come here for wonderful ski vacations, to savor the good life and to enjoy the great hotels, nightclubs, shops, restaurants and nightlife. Yet it is priced for every pocketbook. Middle class families also partake of its many pleasures and activities. And with fine convention facilities, Far Mountain plays host to many professional and educational organizations.

And it is the home of the Far Mountain Redhawks baseball team of the Ruthlandian Union. The team is in the North Division and plays their games at Sky High Stadium with a magnificent panoramic view of the Appian Mountains in the distance. A specialty at all Redhawks games is a great polka band that furnishes music and songs, whenever there is a break in the game action. During the seventh-inning stretch Redhawks supporters have a great time doing the “Chicken Dance” and singing “Take me out to the ballgame” to the accompaniment of the polka band. And fans get to enjoy special culinary treats of Bavarian beers, Nurnberg bratwurst mit sauerkraut (fried sausage with sauerkraut), Schwartzwalder kirschtorte (Black Forest cake) and Apfelstrudel (apple strudel) pastries and hot gourmet soups at the games. Many fine German beers are served in profusion, too. In addition all of the traditional ballpark favorites are provided.

The Far Mountain Redhawks are owned by Becker Hospitality Enterprises. They are the proud proprietors of one of the oldest hotels in town, The Bavarian Gasthaus. Johan Becker developed a love for baseball in high school and college and played varsity baseball for both. He met Jock Ewing of Ewing Oil and Ewing Enterprises and developed a business relationship with him to make Far Mountain into a tourist resort. When Ewing offered him one of the franchises in the IPA, Johan quickly invested in it... his family is still running the business.

For a general manager and field manager, Becker originally hired one of the great pitchers of the industrial leagues, Alex Groveland, who was the chief architect of the famous Far Mountain three-peat, the winning of three straight Pro Cups in 2011, 2012 and 2013. It's been accomplished only one time in the annals of the Islandian Pro Alliance. Grove made the playoffs 10 times in his managerial tenure.

The second skipper was one of the best players in IPA history, Hall-of-Fame shortstop Don Nichols. As a player Nichols sparked Far Mountain to the three consecutive Pro Cup titles and seven division flags. In his 24 years in the league Nichols batted .310 in 3523 games (8th) with 3760 hits (5rd), 1773 RBIs (16th), 2161 runs (4th) and stole 668 bases (8th). In 95 playoff games he hit .300 with 9 homers, 51 RBIs, 53 runs and 17 stolen bases. Nichols was elected to the IPA Hall of Fame in 2027. He played 17 years with Far Mountain and 7 with the Marston Nine. He retired as a player in 2024.

When Nichols retired, he was replaced by his pitching coach, Robby Kelly, who was a teammate of Nichols during the glory years and also an IPA Hall-of-Famer. Kelly was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2030 after a splendid 19-year career... the chubby 250-pound right-hander posted a 279-196 record with a fine lifetime 3.23 ERA... Kelly holds the all-time Far Mountain record for wins. He played a prime role in the Redhawks' three IPA titles with a fine 11-4 mark in the playoffs those years. In a magnificent year Kelly went 22-8 in 2012 with a 2.38 ERA and was named the Ruthlandian Union Golden Arm and Most Valuable Player. Kelly's final season as a player was in 2019.

The current skipper of the Far Mountain Redhawks is a journeyman first basement Benjy Donahue, who played with the team for 11 years, posting only modest numbers... he hit .300 with 32 homers and 326 RBIs... Donahue retired in 2056 and took over the club in 2058.

Sky High Stadium (1997)
Capacity: 10,444
Dimensions:
LF Line 330
LF 354
LC 380
CF 402
RC 380
RF 354
RF Line 330

[Eugene Church]

Map of Islandia

[Eugene Church]

Around the Town in the IPA

ST. JOHN CRUSADERS

Owner: The Brothers of St. John the Baptist
General Manager: Clayton Luck
Manager: Nicky Farrugia

St. John is an isolated college town of 79,000, located in the sparsely-settled southwestern part of Ruthlandia. It is in the Southern Lowlands about a 100 miles inland from Belair Bay and the Southern Sea. Originally established by the Brothers of St. John the Baptist as a monastery and religious retreat. It is now the home of St. John University, a center of learning and the country's elite academic institution and research center. The university is run by the St. John Brothers.

The school's academic specialties are educational, agricultural and medical research. The university is the site of the oldest and largest library in the country. It also houses the largest medical center and hospital in Ruthlandia.

The Sisters of the Holy Cross Convent is also in St. John. The nuns are active in nursing and education. Together the two orders supply many doctors, nurses and teachers for the Islands.

Another important industry run by the Brothers is the Crusader Wagon Company, the makers of top-of-the-line cars, trucks and tractors used throughout Tycobbia and Ruthlandia. The company was started in the 1860s and made wagons and buggies, expanding to automobiles in the early 1900s.

The picturesque and idyllic town is filled with parks and boulevards, all centered around the university and is a nice place to call home and raise a family.

St. John is also home of the St. John Crusaders of the IPA's Ruthlandian Union South Division, who play at lovely Cathedral Stadium on the university campus. The stadium has a great view of the revered gothic cathedrals that pervade the campus. The fans also get a great panoramic view of the downtown area in the distance. The outfield walls and buildings in left, center and right fields are made of white marble. The Crusaders are owned and operated by the Brothers of St. John. Spectators and fans at the stadium can feast on wonderful and delicious sandwiches made with bread from the monastery's famous ovens and sample exquisite wines from its classic cellars and delightful cheeses from its marvelous dairies. All available at nominal prices. Typical baseball fare is also offered at the concession stands.

Crusader fans are noted for being true sportsmen in the truest sense of the word. They never boo the umpires or utter a discouraging word toward their beloved team or the visiting clubs. They will even applaud a good play by opposing players. A visit to Cathedral Stadium is truly unique and enjoyable.

Clayton Luck is the general manager of the Crusaders. He was a solid outfielder for St. John for 18 years from 2005 to 2022, retiring with a .279 career average, 2200 hits, 182 homers, 1278 runs and 846 RBIs.

The current skipper is Nicky Farrugia, who took over in 1949... Farrugia was a standout outfielder for the Crusaders from 2034 to 2047, batting .321 lifetime (13th-best in IPA history) with 365 homers and 1204 RBIs... he was a 5-time All-Star and won the Ruthlandian MVP and Golden Bat Award in 2039... Farrugia was inducted into the IPA Hall of Fame in 2047.

Cathedral Stadium (1948)
Capacity: 7,450

Dimensions:
LF Line 360
LF 375
LCF 390
CF 400
RCF 390
RF 375
RF Line 360

[Eugene Church]

Around the Town in the IPA

VOLUSIA VIGILANTES

Owner: Tierra Wools Consolidated
President/GM: Joaquin De la Hoya
Manager: Tubby Tarkanian

Volusia is a town of 99,000 on the banks of the Silver River in the rugged foothills of the Silver Mountains in west central Ruthlandia. In the early years Volusia was a gold and silver mining community. It was first settled by Spanish and English emigres, who after the gold ran out, became sheepherders and farmers. Now the area is known for fine woolen clothing and textiles. Timber and paper products are also produced.

The Spanish settlers were some of the earliest baseball enthusiasts in Ruthlandia and they organized the third amateur team in the country. Marston was the first, followed by La Grange. Because of the cultural tradition of "siestas", the Spanish played their games during this time of day, usually from 3 pm to 7 pm. Commerce and business would shut down. This custom and practice soon spread to the rest of the Ruthlandian townships and eventually to Tycobbia. The "siesta" in the Islands has come to mean quality time with family... and baseball fits this perfectly.

Many Volusians are bilingual, speaking Spanish and English. Volusia is a member of the IPA's Ruthlandian Union and plays in the West Division. It is the home of the Vigilantes, so named for the citizen-lawmen, who brought law and order to the lawless wild, wild west in the Gold Rush days. Officially the Vigilantes play at Silver River Stadium, overlooking the beautiful Silver River, but it is often referred to as "The Jail House" by the locals. Part of the old terracotta-colored jail can be seen in right field. The inmates get a good view of the V's games and "cheap" season tickets, too. The team is affectionately called "The Jail House Gang".

The lovely old ballpark, constructed in 1919, is located right across the street from the police station, which wraps around the stadium on one side. The massive live oak trees that still dominate the city park landscape were used many times in Volusia's early history for vigilante frontier justice. Over the beautiful brick arches and center field wall, the fans get a great view of the Silver River and the downtown area, just across the river from the stadium.

A wonderful Tex-Mex band provides great music during the games. The V's fans bring their sombreros and during the seventh inning stretch, they do a Mexican hat dance. Concessions are unique, too. Tantalizing tacos, fantastic flans (custard) and scruptious fried ice cream are among the culinary delicacies at Silver River Stadium. Frozen daiquiries and margaritas are house specialities. Hot dogs, cokes and beer are available, too.

The Volusia Vigilantes are owned by Tierra Wools, a farm cooperative for sheep owners, weavers and spinners to market their products. Joaquin De la Hoya is the president and general manager of the club with Tubby Tarkanian as the field manager. Tarkanian was a good defensive catcher and modest hitter... he played 16 seasons with the V's, retired in '54 and was made skipper in '55... Tarkanian batted .262 in his career with 166 roundtrippers and 800 RBIs

Volusia won the inaugural IPA Pro Cup in 2001, sweeping the Ginza Ninjas of the Tycobbian Union in four games. The Vigilantes had finished second in the regular season to the Far Mountain Redhawks in the Ruthlandian North Division... in the early years the IPA had wild card teams in the postseason.

Silver River Stadium (1919)
Capacity: 10,250

Left Field Line - 325
Left Field - 375
Left Center - 410
Center Field - 400
Right Center - 410
Right Field - 375
Right Field Line - 325

[Eugene Church]

Around the Town in the IPA

OXFORD RED CAPS

Owner: Tyco-Tech
GM: Babe Friedriksen
Manager: Dennis Hartwig

Oxford is a town of 89,000 found in the east central plains of Tycobbia, 10 miles east of Blue Lake and 10 miles west of the Silver Mountains. It is a rural area, settled by English emigres in the 1850s and was originally called Mills Creek. In its early days farming and sheepherding were the mainstays of the economy. One of the emigres was a young commoner, Charles Emerson Winchester, who had been turned down for admission to the famed Oxford University in England. It was his dream to be an educator and eventually become a university scholar and administrator. His heart was broken by Oxford's rejection, so he enrolled in a lesser school and graduated summa cum laude. He then emigrated to Tycobbia, where there was no class system and started a small rural college in Mills Creek. Winchester said, "My voice shall be heard from this wilderness"... and it was. It was the first college in Tycobbia and within a few years became so successful that the name of the town was changed to Oxford. Winchester said his dream to teach at Oxford had finally come true. Oxford College rivals St. John University in Ruthlandia as the outstanding higher learning institution in the Islands.

Today Oxford College is a thriving private institution and much desired by the Islands high school graduates. The Oxonian graduates are in much demand in Tycobbia and Ruthlandia. The university is the town's dominant industry and supplies the local high tech companies with outstanding recruits. One of those high tech companies is Tycob-Tech, which is the owner of the Oxford Red Caps in the Islandian Pro Alliance. The team is named in honor of the university and adopted Oxford's red and white colors for their own. The school even shares historic Winchester Park (circa 1909) with the the college team.

Oxford's entry into baseball began in the late 1890's, when the college began an intramural baseball league. That soon expanded to include the townspeople. By 1905, Oxford baseball expanded to playing other town teams in Tycobbia. In 1920 the Amateur Baseball Alliance changed it rules, so that players could be employed by companies and play baseball. In theory, they were not paid to play baseball, just given time off from work to practice and play games. It continued that way until 2001, when Ban Johnson, the ABA commissioner, said it was time for a professional baseball league, where players could be paid just to play baseball and do it legally. The company and industrial league sponsors had long been circumventing and violating the spirit of the amateur rules. Johnson said it was time to bring it out in the open. That is how the IPA came to be.

Winchester Park is situated on the beautiful Oxford campus. Smokestacks and school buildings are visible beyond the outfield fences. The Oxonian fans have a rousing good time at the Red Cap games. It is a college crowd, filled with undergrads and alumni. Cheerleaders and a dance team inspire the fans with all of the old Oxford cheers, adapted for the Red Caps. You still hear "two bits, four bits, six bits, a dollar" and the Oxford fight song reverberating throughout the ballpark. In the seventh inning there is the traditional "Take Me Out to the Ballgame". Then in the eighth, everyone sings the Oxford Alma Mater. If the game goes into extra innings and reaches the fourteenth frame, the fans will again sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" in the Fourteenth Inning Stretch. This is unique in all of baseball. No one else does this. Food concessions at Winchester Park are just the typical hot dogs, hamburgers, cokes, beer, peanuts and crackerjacks.

The Oxford Red Caps have an experienced management team, consisting of Babe Friedriksen as general manager and Dennis Hartwig as manager. She was the women's softball coach and athletic administrator at Oxford. Hartwig was an outstanding hitter and outfielder, who played college ball at Oxford, then signed with the Red Caps upon graduation. He starred for 16 years, batting .303 with 338 home runs and 1349 RBIs. Hartwig was a Golden Glover, Ruthlandian Rookie of the Year in 2023, Batter of the Year in 2025 and a 5-time All-Star.

Winchester Stadium (1909)
Capacity: 10,250

Dimensions:
LF Line 335
LF 355
LCF 382
CF 420
RCF 368
RF 335
RF Line 300

[Eugene Church]

Around the Town in the IPA

Southport Sun Sox

Owner: Stage Productions
GM/Manager: Lorne Evans

Southport is located on Arvonian Island on its southeast tip, the southern-most city in Islandian. Arvonian Island, a tourist's treat, sits in the Southern Sea south of the main island and is separated from the mainland by Belair Bay. Cape Coral is on the island's north coast, Summerland on the northeast shore, Arroyo Grande on the southwest coast and San Alejo is in the mountainous interior.

Southport has a good natural port with beautiful white beaches and was settled by the British in the 1860s. They had first settled in Summerland, but thought that greater opportunities lay in the sparsely-populated southern part of the island.

Southport's population numbers about 75,000 fulltime residents, but is visited by many times that number of tourists from all over Tycobbia, Ruthlandia and recently by visitors from all over the world. The town got it start in 1870s when the "Father of Southport" Henry Banks built several hotels near the hot springs along with holiday cottages. Banks promoted Southport as "Heaven on Earth" and got the plant and factory owners on the mainland to send their workers there on holiday as a reward for their work. Banks arranged for cheap passage on ships to Southport as well. The growth intensified when he got the factory owners to close down for a week each year to service and repair the equipment. Banks got them to do it on different dates throughtout the year to insure a steady flow of tourists. As more and more industry developed in Tycobbia and Ruthlandia, the more Banks' tourist enterprise prospered and grew.

Southport's early growth and character was predicated on its pioneering use of electric power. In 1879 Banks created Southport Illuminations, lighting up the Promenade, the main downtown area, with 12 arc lamps. Banks called it "Artificial Sunshine". This was a year before Edison got the patent on the electric light bulb. Also as an attraction, Banks built was one of the world's first electric tramways running from Cocker Street to Dean Street on the Promenade. The tram has remained in continuous service to this day. Southport Illuminations has now grown to a three-mile stretch on the Promenade and lit up by 100,000 light bulbs. Tourists from all over Islandia and the world come to see the light spectacle. At Christmastime the Promenade is aglow with Christmas lights and decorations. It's a wondrous sight to see.

In 1912 Pleasure Beach, a world-class amusement park, was the brainchild of a town alderman, William George Bean. He wanted to create "a place where adults could feel like children again". It succeeded beyond his wildest dreams and is still a huge attraction today. The amusement park includes a baseball stadium, built in 1962 for the town's industrial leagues. It is named Pleasure Beach Ballpark and is run by Stageworks Productions, a company Bean's son-in-law, Leonard Thompson, established to run Pleasure Beach. You can see the beautiful blue waters of the Southern Sea beyond the outfield fences.

It was through Amanda Thompson, the daughter of Leonard Thompson and CEO of Stageworks, that the corporation ventured into professional baseball and obtained a franchise in the Islandian Pro Alliance. She thought it would be a great addition to Southport's tourist attractions, considering how much the Islanders love baseball. That's how the Southport Sun Sox came into being.

The first skipper of the Southport Sun Sox was Charlie Oscar, one of the greatest all-around player ever, who starred as in the company leagues for over 25 years. Oscar was great with the glove and the bat. He could run, throw, field, hit for average and hit with power, a true 5-tool player. After leading the Sun Sox to their second Pro Cup title in 2047, Oscar retired and appointed a former Sun Sox superstar Lorne Evans as his replacement. Evans played in the IPA from 2025 to 2043, 9 years with Southport and then 10 with Tuckanarra. He was a 12-time All-Star, 4-time Tycobbian MVP, 5-time Golden Bat winner and twice was honored with a Golden Glove. Evans led his clubs to 7 pennants and one Pro Cup in his career. He was a lifetime .305 batter with 2928 hits, 701 homers, 1836 RBIs and 2045 runs. Evans is sixth in the IPA all-time in homers and ninth in runs scored... he is ranked 13th in RBIs.

Pleasure Beach Ballpark (1962)
Capacity: 12,500

Dimensions:
Left Field Line 330
Left Field 355
Left Center 385
Center Field 395
Right Center 385
Right Field 355
Right Field Line 330

[Eugene Church]

Around the Town in the IPA

HIGH MESA COWBOYS

Owner: Queen Ranch Enterprises
GM/Manager: Jack Elliott

High Mesa is located in the sparsely-populated central region of Tycobbia, a dry, dusty plains area with scrubby vegetation and low rainfall. It is midway between Ozarka in the Silver Mountains to the east, Bay St. Clair on the west coast and Midway on the Appian River to the northwest, about 100 miles from each. High Mesa has about 40,000 population.

It was sleepy little village when the Queen family arrived in 1870 from war-torn Texas in the United States. Richard Queen had made his money in shipping and riverboats during the Civil War and lost much of his wealth for being on the wrong side of the war. He and his family migrated to Tycobbia to start anew. Queen was a good businessman and when he toured the high plains area east of Bay St. Clair, he found the perfect spot for his ranch. It had the only water hole for 100 miles in any direction and was shaded and sheltered by large mesquite trees. From that small holding Queen expanded to the biggest ranch in the Islands over the next 50 years. The Queen Ranch has grown to almost a million acres and is still in business today, guided by Richard Queen's descendants.

For the last two centuries the Queen Ranch has concentrated on raising cattle and supplies much of the beef in Tycobbia. In the 1930's oil was discovered on the property and made the ranch even more profitable. The Queen family's oil industry contacts made it much easier for them to get an IPA franchise, quite an achievement for such a small town. Friends like the Ewing Oil family made it possible. The Queen Ranch is also famous for its thoroughbred horses and has produced many Arlon Derby winners over the years.

The High Mesa was originally the Cowboys. They just recently rebranded as the Mustangs... the club plays at a beautiful old stadium built in 1914. Queen Ranch Stadium has ivy-covered outfield fences that are unique in all of the Islands. It's a hitter's ballpark with short power alleys and a short center field. High-scoring slugfests are commonplace at Queen Ranch Stadium. The Cowboys have a Rhinestone Cowboy as their mascot. He gallops around the field on a splendid golden Palomino whooping it up and exhorting the crowd to cheer for the Mustangs.

An even more special treat and a great sight to see are the Rhinestone Cowgirls, an eight-member dance team that leads cheers and dances on the dugouts during the game. Some say they alone are worth the price of admission.

Queen Ranch Stadium also serves a delicious ribeye steak sandwich at the concession stands. They are cooked right before you eyes on huge barbecue grills, filling the stands with the fragrance of sizzling steaks and grilled onions. Mouth-watering hamburgers and hot dogs are also on the menu along with the customary soft drinks and beer.

The High Mesa Mustangs are managed by Jack Elliott, the greatest slugger in IPA annals. For almost two decades from 2013 to 2031 he was a terror at the plate. Elliott was a 13-time All-Star, 12-time Golden Batter of the Year, won five Golden Gloves and four Tycobbian MVP Awards. He also won the Rookie of the Year trophy his first season in the league, setting a new mark for homers at that time with 61. In Elliott's remarkable career he batted a lofty .332 (4th), has 3467 hits (12th), 848 homers (2nd), 2120 RBIs (5rd) and 2192 runs (5th).

Sadly, even with all of his gaudy numbers and fabled accomplishments, Elliott never played in the postseason playoffs in his 19 years with High Mesa.

Queen Ranch Stadium (1914)
Capacity: 6,575

Dimensions:
Left Field Line 355
Left Field 357
Left Center 368
Center Field 390
Right Center 368
Right Field 363
Right Field Line 353

[Eugene Church]

Around the Town in the IPA

ROLLING HILLS RACERS

Owner: Lemroh Meat Company
GM/Manager: Billy Christianson

Rollings Hills has a population of 78,000 and is located in the west central part of Tycobbia and was originally settled by the Kewanna Indians. "kewanna" means "hills that rise and fall" in their language. That is exactly what the landscape looks like here...gentle, rolling hills populated with sporadic groves of birch trees and acre after acre of cattle, dairy, pig, chicken and agricultural farms. Crops include wheat, oats and corn, potatoes and vegetables. In town are the stockyards and meat and grain processing plants. The population is mainly Americans and Brits with only a few Kewannas remaining.

Rolling Hills is an oldtime middle class town with wooden storefronts and bricks streets, lined with gas lamps and pedestrian walkways. No cars are allowed in the midtown area.

It is the home of the Rolling Hills Racers of the IPA's Tycobbian Union West Division. They were the Reds for over 50 years and became the Racers in 2060... The Racers play at the Midtown Base Ball Grounds, a relic from the early days of baseball. Built in 1907, it is surrounded by birchwood trees in a picturesque park area of town, where families can picnic and enjoy strolls, bicycle rides and boat rides on the park ponds, all amid the peaceful shade trees. A quaint aspect of the ballpark is that the power alleys are deeper than center field. They measure 425 feet, while to dead center it is 410 feet. It takes quite a blast for righthanders to get it out...350 down the line in left field and 375 in straightaway left. However, the lefthanded hitters love it...only 320 down the right field line and 350 to straightaway right .

The Lemroh family owns the team as well as being the owners of the stockyards and meat processing plants. The concessions stands are unique in design. All are set up like soda fountains, complete with stools. They serve up tasty hamburgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, ice cream, sundaes, banana splits, thick shakes and malts.

A Dixieland band provides the music between innings and helps the Rolling Hillians cheer their Racers to victory. Many times throughout the game the fans will dance The Charleston (dance popular in the 1920s). During the seventh-inning stretch you get a rousing Dixieland version of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame".

The first GM and Manager of the Rolling Hills Reds (Racers) was the legendary pitcher, Matty Christianson, one of the most revered players and managers in Tycobbian baseball history. Christianson stood out as a player and manager in the company leagues. When the IPA began play in 2001, Christianson became a vital part of the Rolling Hills franchise. A record four times he was named the Tycobbian Manager of the Year. Under his leadership the Reds won 10 TU West flags, made the playoffs 12 times and captured 2 Pro Cups (2029 and 2031)... this IPA legend retired after 51 years at the helm... since Christianson's retirement, his sons Billy and Matthew, have starred for the team... Billy Christianson made the Islandian Pro Alliance Hall of Fame in 2049... he had a career batting average of .302 with 258 homers and 3173 hits... Billy has managed the club since 2052... Matthew retired in 2052 after 18 seasons with a fine 292-219 record and an impressive 2.98 ERA... he was a 4-time All-Star.

Midtown Base Ball Grounds (1907)
Capacity: 6,850

Dimensions:
LF Line 350
LF 375
LCF 425
CF 410
RCF 425
RF 350
RF Line 320

[Eugene Church]

WOW!

New IPA record for views today... 688 views.
Old mark was 574.

Many thanks to all of you.

[MrHaroldG]

[Eugene Church]

Working on the Pro Cup Predictions.
Should be exciting with the big bats of Rolling Hills, Oxford and Elnora... some fine pitching, too, from High Mesa, Southport and St. John... last year's Pro Cup finalist Volusia is back again, trying to steal a Pro Cup trophy.

[Eugene Church]

Tuesday, October 4, 2062

ROLLING HILLS PICKED TO WIN PRO CUP
The baseball experts are giving the edge to the Rolling Hills Racers in this year's Pro Cup playoffs... according to the postseason prognosticators high-powered offenses will rule the day... the top three picks, Rolling Hills, Oxford and Elnora are given the best chance of hauling in the 2062 edition of the Pro Cup... for the last few seasons scoring runs is the name of the game in the Islandian Pro Alliance... good firepower and adequate pitching will get the job done... the Karate Kids of Ginza are the only club to win in recent years with just average hitting and scoring.

The teams with the solid pitching will have a tough sledding... High Mesa is the fourth-rated pick in the postseason poll... followed by number five Southport... number six is last year's Pro Cup finalist, Volusia... all of them have good pitching, but can't compare with the three elites scoring-wise... the seventh-ranked club is the St. John Crusaders... rated the least likely to win the IPA title this year is the Far Mountain Redhawks.

1. Rolling Hills is rockin' and rollin' and ready to make IPA history with their record-setting fifth Pro Cup (2029, 2031, 2048, 2060)... and they have the momentum, too... the Racers are playing their best ball of the season heading into the playoffs... the key to their success will be starters Vance Dillaway (17-5, 3.15 ERA), Brownie Ashmore (14-5, 3.34 ERA), Bob Corcorane (9-2, 3.20 ERA) and Tommy Otis (11-6, 3.94 ERA)... if they can get the job done, Rolling Hills will win... the Racers starters are just average with a 4.03 ERA (13th) ... last year in the postseason the mound staff performed poorly, both starters and bullpen... closer Rob Gates is going to have to be much better in the bullpen this year... he was lousy last year with a 9.31 ERA in 9 innings and 6 games with only one save... the Racers have plenty of high-powered bats in the batting order, top to bottom... Teddy Stonich (.345 BA, 31 HR, 134 RBI), Jean-Luc Roubique (.331 BA, 18 HR, 87 RBI), Jameson Mulbert (.299 BA, 2 HR, 74 RBI, 103 R), Lee Fountain (.299 BA, 13 HR, 81 RBI), Hugo Sutton (.329 BA,16 HR, 83 RBI), Gil Arthur (.340 BA, 10 HR, 58 RBI), Jimmy Brandini (.318 BA, 12 HR, 60 RBI) and Mark Carmickle (.300 BA, 18 HR, 83 RBI) are ready to rip and roar again... they hit a sky-high .304 this season and averaged almost 6 runs a game... Rolling Hills has a tough task right off the bat... the Racers will meet High Mesa in round one.

Rolling Hills is aching to get back at Oxford... last year in game seven in the Tycobbian finals the Racers blew a ninth-inning 5-2 lead and heartbreakingly lost 9-5... it was one of the most stunning finishes in IPA history... it cost them a chance at an unprecedented fifth Pro Cup trophy... the Racers were the best team last year, but just had one bad inning in a critical game... that has happen to a lot of good teams down the history of baseball... on any given day, the worst team in the league can whip the best team in a league... football and basketball can't say that.

2. Oxford is also intent on repeating as IPA Pro Cup champion featuring the fine starting pitching of Pat McFarlane (16-9, 2.78 ERA, All-Star Rico Alessi (19-7, 2.60 ERA) and All-Star Maury Statler (17-4, 3.61 ERA) and the explosive lineup of super bats of All-Star Buddy Blackford (.323 BA, 49 HR, 127 RBI) and All-Star Showboat Lynn (.294 BA, 41 HR, 119 RBI), along with Roland Latimer (.268 BA, 25 HR, 92 RBI)... the Red Caps relief corps will be crucial... hot-and-cold closer Chucker Pitts (14-7, 3.34 ERA, 17 saves, 62 games) will have to be steady and consistent... he was 1-4 last year in the postseason with only one save in 8 games and a 4.35 ERA... last year's Pro Cup MVP Freddy Tilford (7-3, 2.52 ERA, 1 save, 17 games) might be called on to do it again... in last year's playoffs Tilford was 3-0 in 10 appearances with a sterling 2.11 ERA... last year Blackford and Lynn got a lot of support in carrying the offensive load... that, along with quality starters Alessi, McFarlane and Statler, plus the relief work of Tilford is why they won the Pro Cup trophy... Oxford could capture its third Pro Cup title if it all magically comes together again... the talent is there... the Red Caps won their first one long ago in 2007... the Red Caps engage Southport in first round action in the IPA Pro Cup playoffs.

3. The Elnora Clippers jumped out the lackluster pack of teams and blossomed in to a pennant winner this season with a potent and hard-hitting ballclub... they hit .292 (2nd), scored a whopping 900 runs (1st) and hit 161 out of the park (3rd)... and they won the RU East with very little pitching... they were ranked 19th with a mediocre 4.26 ERA... the big question is can they handle playoff teams that have much better pitching than them... they have the worst mound staff of any of the Pro Cup teams... despite the lack of starting pitching with the likes of Matthew Minden (15-14, 3.68 ERA), Norm Griffin (19-8, 4.22 ERA), Dana Witherspoon (18-11, 4.52 ERA) and Matt Mackowiak (18-8, 4.70 ERA), the Clippers could do well in the playoffs, thanks to their terrific closer Stevie Tucker (5-1, 1.90 ERA, 33 saves, 51 games), who nailed down a lot of wins for the starting rotation... and thanks to the hyped-up firepower of All-Star Donald Ray Mooney (.367 BA, 30 HR, 121 RBI), All-Star Mickey Wilbur (.296 BA, 32 HR, 107 RBI), Kuro Ishihara (.303 BA, 16 HR, 96 RBI), Gus Abreu (.345 BA, 18 HR, 77 RBI) and All-Star Robin Staroff (.313 BA, 12 HR, 91 RBI)... decent pitching could bring home the revered Pro Cup to Elnora this year... they won their first and only overall IPA crown way back in 2033...the Clippers will take on last year's Ruthlandian champion in the opening round of the postseason... they will play the Volusia Vigilantes, who almost won the Pro Cup last year... they lost in the Finals to champion Oxford in six games.

4. And finally we get to a pitching team, the High Mesa Mustangs... they compiled the best ERA in the IPA with a brilliant 2.85 ERA (1st)... manager Jack Elliott has a solid foursome in his rotation with All-Star Weldon Herrington (18-7, 2.27 ERA), All-Star Robby Numbers (19-9, 2.29 ERA), Alex Crabtree (17-10, 2.57 ERA) and Bucky Dodge (14-15, 3.48 ERA)... and he has a strong guy in the closer role, Sandy Stevenson (9-4, 2.56 ERA, 23 saves, 48 games)... the Mustangs don't make a lot of contact with a poor .242 BA (28th), but they have another weapon that goes well with good pitching -- 192 roundtrippers (1st) -- keep the game close, bang one out of the park and then bring on Stevenson... that's a good way to have a winning team in the IPA... leading the High Mesa high-powered batting order are All-Star Kagetoki Miyazaki (.264 BA, 44 HR, 107 RBI) and Roy Roberts (.254 BA, 44 HR, 105 RBI)... they get some help from Phil Cahoon (.261 BA, 23 HR, 59 RBI) and Billy Putnam (.247 BA, 21 HR, 62 RBI)... if those guys can put some runs on the scoreboard, the Mustangs could win their first IPA title since their first year in the league in 2002... we'll see how good High Mesa is right away... the Mustangs will clash with the Pro Cup favorite Rolling Hills in round one.

5. The Southport Sun Sox are a well-balanced ballclub with really good pitching with a 3.14 ERA (4th), adequate offense with a .270 BA (11th), better-than-average scoring with 717 runs (12th) and average fielding with a .975 FA... top guns on the hill are Roman Littrell (16-8, 2.72 ERA), Jeff Moncriffe (14-7, 3.13 ERA), Jake Shank (16-7, 3.45 ERA) and Jordy Wales (15-5, 3.10 ERA)... they have a fine bullpen, too, with closer Greg Brisbourne (13-7, 2.88 ERA, 26 saves, 81 games)... this year the Sun Sox suffered from a lack of longballs... they hit only 107 homers (23rd), but they hit pretty well with a .270 BA (11th) and scored well with 717 runs (12th)... defense just so-so with a .975 FA... for Southport to go far in the postseason playoffs the offense will have to step it a notch... the top performers only have modest numbers: Walt Walmsley (.295 BA, 14 HR, 74 RBI), Perry Parkhill (.279 BA, 9 HR, 84 RBI) and Buzzy McGinnis (.301 BA, 14 HR, 69 RBI)… Southport has the daunting task of taking on the defending Pro Cup champion Oxford Red Caps in first-round play.

6. The Volusia Vigilantes are a bunch of scrappers, that went deep into the playoffs last year, finally losing out to powerful Oxford in the Pro Cup Finals in six games... the feisty V's are back again and hoping to surprise some of the big-time powers... they have fairly good pitching with a 3.91 ERA (13th)... they make very good contact with a .280 BA (6th), but have little power with only 81 homers (28th)... however, Volusia can score runs with 746 (9th-tied)... plus the Vigilantes play darn good defense with a .981 FA... the best hurlers are starters Dan Hunt (15-5, 2.75 ERA), Reynaldo Medrano (11-11, 3.30 ERA), Lonny Rinehart (11-13, 3.70 ERA) and Gustavo Clemente (15-5, 3.90 ERA)... in the bullpen they have Ron Beeman (18-7, 3.78 ERA, 18 saves, 73 games), who chalked up a lot of wins and saves this year... inconsistency can be a problem with him... Beeman pitched very well last year in the postseason with a 2-1 mark in 12 games, 2 saves and a fine 2.15 ERA... they will do well if he can do it again... top bats are just OK with All-Star Carlos Silva (.303 BA, 1 HR, 58 RBI), Ellie Hudgins (.322 BA, 13 HR, 68 RBI) and Carlos Vaz (.332 BA, 6 HR, 59 RBI)... they upset the #3 pick Wynnamac last year in the first round... let's see how they handle the #3 pick Elnora this year... they will oppose one another in the first round.

7. Another well-rounded club is the St. John Crusaders... without home-run power, they scored a heck of a lot of runs, ranking 3rd with 792... hit very well with a .277 BA... but cracked only 103 home runs (19th)... on the mound the Crusaders have a solid starting four in All-Star Teddy de Grom, All-Star Mark Faber, Smoke Early and Deke Eubanks... the pitching is pretty good with a 3.73 ERA (9th)... since Early was taken out of the closing role and placed in the starting rotation, the bullpen has been lackluster... St. John will have to find a stopper to advance in the playoffs... and they are good with the gloves with a .980 ERA... offensive leaders are Freddie Woodruff (.307 BA, 9 HR, 66 RBI), Ozwaldo Romero (.270 BA, 11 HR, 90 RBI), Mark Warner (.313 BA, 8 HR, 69 RBI), Tuffy Palmieri (.313 BA, 1 HR, 59 RBI) and Matt Silverman (.269 BA, 16 HR, 74 RBI)... the Crusaders get a break in the first round... they play the team least likely to win the Pro Cup, the Far Mountain Redhawks.

8. The unheralded Far Mountain Redhawks had a good season in one of the lesser of the divisions in the Islandian Pro Alliance, winning the Ruthlandian North... the Redhawks batted .268 (16th), but scored pretty well with 746 runs (9th-tied) with good power and 145 roundtrippers (5th-tied)... pitching-wise they put up a fairly good 3.77 ERA (10th)... but were just average with a modest .975 FA ... Far Mountain has some good sticks with Oskar Neumann (.343 BA, 21 HR, 84 RBI), Ox Gless (.292 BA, 23 HR, 90 RBI), Curt Miley (.339 BA, 13 HR, 53 RBI) and Luke Hazlett (.280 BA, 16 HR, 89 RBI)... not a lot of depth in the starting rotation, but Benny Van (12-6, 3.24 ERA) and Derek Meijer (10-12, 3.24 ERA) are quality starters... Jeffrey Chandler (12-11, 3.93 ERA) and Dylan O'Connor (7-8, 4.05 ERA) will have to step it up a level or two to make waves in the playoffs this year... in the relief corps Howie Haywood runs hot-and-cold, hit-and-miss... In 81 games he was 17-12 with 17 saves and a 3.80 ERA... the Redhawks will tangle with lightly-regarded St. John in the opening round of action.

[Eugene Church]

*

[Eugene Church]

Here's the schedule for the opening day of the 2062 IPA Playoffs:

Click on the Image to Enlarge

[Eugene Church]

Thursday, October 5, 2062

CLIPPERS, CRUSADERS, SUN SOX, RACERS WIN IPA OPENERS
What a beginning!
The Islandian Pro Alliance playoffs are off to a rollicking and rousing start... four hotly-contested games on the opening day of play... Ruthlandian favorite Elnora took a low-scoring 2-1 thriller from the spunky Volusia Vigilantes... and St. John made a huge comeback to get past the Far Mountain Redhawks... in the Tycobbian Union, Southport surprised the current Pro Cup titlist, the Oxford Red Caps, 5-3... and in a rip-roaring finish Pro Cup favorite Rolling Hills bested the High Mesa Mustangs in a 9-8 shootout.

2062 Ruthlandian Union Division Championship Series - Game 1

[Eugene Church]

[Eugene Church]

2062 Tycobbian Union Division Championship Series - Game 1

[Eugene Church]

[Eugene Church]

Friday, October 6, 2062
RACERS UP BY 2, OTHER IPA SERIES TIED 1-1
The Pro Cup favorite Rolling Hills Racers put on a powerful display and copped its second straight game from the High Mesa Mustangs in the IPA Tycobbian playoffs... they mauled the Mustangs 12-3... in the other three series the teams have split the first two games... prevailing Pro Cup champ Oxford evened it up with Southport 4-2... and in the Ruthlandian Union, Far Mountain topped St. John 8-6 in 13 innings... and Volusia slammed Elnora 7-1 to knot that series at one victory apiece.

2062 Tycobbian Union Division Championship Series - Game 2

[Eugene Church]