The Islandian Times
Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Around The Town In The IPA

OZARKA NATURALS

Owner: J. R. Ewing
GM/Manager: Joe Mac Carney

Ozarka, a Silver Mountains resort town of 73,000, is located in south central Tycobbia and near the Caledonia River, which flows southward through Hillsboro, then westward and comes to an end at Turon on the southwest coast. Nestled among scenic forests and outdoor hot springs, Ozarka is host to tourists who come for snow skiing during the winter and boating, swimming, fishing, camping, hiking and hunting the rest of the year. Big time developers have made this a mecca for the rich and famous with luxury hotels and nightclubs that attend to every possible need: hot spring spas and bathhouses, superstar entertainers, magnificent golf courses, gourmet food, art galleries and gift shops. Ozarka is a retirement center, too.

It is also home to the Ozarka Naturals. J. R. Ewing’s father, Jock Ewing, got tired of the incessant sibling quarrels over the operation of the family-owned Waleska Westerners in the Ruthlandian Amateur Association, so he bought the battling brothers and club vice-presidents, J. R. and Bobby, their own teams in the IPA. Bobby owns the South Fork Stallions and J. R. has Ozarka, where he is a prime real estate developer. Bobby named his stadium after his dad. Not to be outdone, J. R. named his stadium after his mom, Miss Ellie. So the sibling rivalry continues on and off the field. Ellie Ewing Stadium is one of the few parks in baseball that still has a live organ player at each game, which adds a nice nostalgic touch, especially during the seventh inning stretch. Marston, Kenwood and Hillsboro are the other teams that feature a live organist. And at the concessions stands is a succulent gourmet buffet fit for the rich and famous. You will also find all of the traditional baseball fare at a Naturals game.

J. R. Ewing spares no expense when it comes to impressing people and paying his ballplayers. He likes to get his way. He even got the all-time winningest manager in company league history to come out of retirement and take over his team. Joe Mac Carney is now the GM and Manager of the Naturals. And he is very well paid, too.

Ellie Ewing Stadium (2001)

Capacity: 11,750

Dimensions:
LF Line 350
LF 370
LCF 390
CF 375
RCF 390
RF 370
RF Line 350

The Islandian Times
Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Around The Town In The IPA

TURON TYPHOONS

Owner: Anastas International Shipping
GM/Manager: Ashton “Whitey” Richburn

Turon is a seaport town of 118,000 in the Caledonia River basin on the southwestern coast of Tycobbia and its second largest population-wise. The Caledonia River terminates here after winding 500 miles from east to west from Red Bluff in the central Silver Mountains southward through Hillsboro and then flowing westward near the towns of South Fork, Denton City and Arlon. The river finally comes to an end in Turon and empties into the Kelnyck Ocean and Southern Sea.

It is a cosmopolitan town with a diversified economy and a mecca for tourists. Turon is a busy trade and distribution center with many shipping interests. Agriculture flourishes here with extensive farmlands in the Caledonia River basin. It is also a diversity of cultures and was settled in the 1840s and 1850s by French, Scottish, Irish and German settlers, who came to get away from religious intolerance and persecution. Southerners from the United States came in good numbers after the Civil War defeat. Turon became their New South, but minus the slave culture.

Turon is resplendent with beauty. Streets and boulevards lined with grand live oak trees and antebellum mansions. In the countryside are majestic plantations. Near the coast you'll find sugar-white sandy beaches. You'll find plenty of Old World in Turon, but also plenty of the Modern World, too.

The Turon Typhoons of the IPA's South Division play in a very modern baseball palace, Typhoon Stadium. It is built with concrete and steel to withstand the occasional typhoon that emanates from the cold and icy waters of the Kelnyck Ocean. The old ballpark was completely destroyed twice in 1938 and 1967. The new stadium was completed in 1999 and houses the Tyrobbian Baseball Hall of Fame, a must-see for all Islandian baseball fans. It covers the entire spectrum and includes memorabilia from the amateur, college and industrial leagues.

The Typhoons really are active promoters with something going on each inning during the ballgames. All kinds of promotions, games and stunts to enliven and entertain the fans. Wild music tracks fill the stadium to rally the Typhoons and their fans. Concessions are stocked with all of the traditional ballpark delights.

Turon is owned by wealthy shipping tycoon, Onnie Anastas. His GM and Manager is Ashton “Whitey” Richburn, one of the finest defensive center fielders and lead-off men in Tycobbian baseball history.

Typhoon Stadium (1999)
Capacity: 8,010
Dimensions:
Left Field Line - 335
Left Field - 355
Left Center - 380
Center Field - 410
Right Center - 380
Right Field - 355
Right Field Line - 345

The Islandian Times
Wednesday, September 25, 2019

2019 IPA Final 4 Series
(best-of-seven)

Ruthlandian Union

Snappers Slow Down Tars 6-3 In Opener
The Rocky Rapids Snappers got off to a good start in the Ruthlandian Final 4 Series with a 6-3 victory over Taranto at Snapper Stadium... The Snappers outhit and outpitched the powerful Tars... Joe Anderson (2-0 2.42) held Taranto to 3 runs, although he allowed 9 hits... Anderson fanned 6 batters and issued 2 walks... closer Milt Baker worked a 1-2-3 ninth for his first save of this postseason... Randy Pitri, subbing for the injured Taranto ace Anthony Zinacola, took the loss... Pitri (0-1 6.75) was slammed for 5 runs and 9 hits in 6 innings... Rocky Rapids even outhomered the Tars with Carl Johnson and Don Timmons going deep... Taranto failed to hit one out of the park... Johnson (.435) and Timmons (.300) drove in 3 runs apiece, while Johnson and LF Rob Barton (.350) led the club with 3 hits each... the Snappers got 10 hits in the game and after 4 scoreless innings, broke things open with 4 runs in the fifth.

Tycobbian Union

Turon Tops Ozarka 7-2 In Game 1
30-year-old Turon right-hander Nicky Engstrom has won 20 or more games in 8 of his 9 seasons in the IPA... no matter how good he is in the regular season, Engstrom is even better in the playoffs...Engstrom (2-1 1.46) showed his stuff today at Typhoon Stadium whipping Ozarka 7-2 despite giving up 10 hits... Engstrom is now 14-4 in the postseason with a 1.99 ERA... his lifetime ERA is 2.19... the Typhoons routed the Nats Benny Osterman (1-2 4.05) early for 6 runs and 8 hits with 1B Clyde Kingsford (.318) hitting a 3-run clout in the second inning and driving in 4 runs in the game... Engstrom shut out the Nats for eight innings and was touched for both runs in the ninth... reliever Jeb Pickett got the final out for him... Each team collected 11 hits.

The Islandian Times
Wednesday, September 25, 2019

2019 IPA Final 4 Series
(best-of-seven games)

Ruthlandian Union

Rocky Rapids Rips Taranto 7-0 Again
What has happened to Taranto's terrorizing offense?... For the second day in a row the Rocky Rapids pitching has bent, but hasn't broken... Junior Noland (2-0 0.00) tossed a 10-hit shutout and beat the Tars 7-0 in game two of the RU Final 4 to go up 2-0 in the series... four double plays helped to keep Taranto off the scoreboard and Noland was backed up by a dozen base hits... it was Noland second postseason shutout this year as he stretched his scoreless-inning streak to 18... CF Carl Johnson (.407) and RF Tiger Noland (.261) slammed homers and drove in a pair of runs each... losing pitcher Yuri Dozhenko (1-1 3.98) was hit hard by the Snappers for 7 runs and 12 hits in 7+ innings... Taranto is looking forward to returning to the friendly confines of the Palazzo di Sport and is hoping for a change of fortune... the Tars managed only 3 runs in the two games at Snapper Stadium, which is much larger dimension-wise than homer-haven Palazzo di Sport.

Tycobbian Union

Typhoons Take 2-Game Lead In TU Final 4
Manager Whitey Richburn got another solid mound performance as Shane Farmer stopped Ozarka 5-3 in game two of the Tycobbian Final 4... Farmer's win lifted the Typhoons to a two-game lead in the best-of-seven series... Farmer (2-1 2.25) checked the Naturals on 7 hits and 3 runs in his 8 innings... closer Merle Studebaker, who has struggled this year in the playoffs, did his job today with a runless ninth, though Ozarka got the tying runs on base against him... CF Mac McCurnan (.357) and 2B Matt Madison (.300) sparked the Typhoons with roundtrippers... Madison and 3B Mickey O'Malley each batted in a pair of runs and RF Dominick DiCaprio (.412) slammed 3 hits and scored twice for Turon... the Typhoons had the edge in hits 10 to 8... Yuka Nawajuk (2-1 1.44), fresh off back-to-back shutouts, did not fare well today... Turon tagged him for 5 runs and 10 hits in 7 frames... the series will head now to Ozarka for games 3, 4 and perhaps 5.

The Islandian Times
Wednesday, September 25, 2019

2019 IPA Final 4 Series
(best-of-seven games)

Ruthlandian Union

UNBELIEVABLE! Snappers Chaney 1-Hits Tars
Manager Tommaso Lazzorda and his Taranto Tars were overjoyed to be back home at the Palazzo di Sport - Wrong!... Rocky Rapids Don Chaney continued to dole out misery to the Tar batters with a superb 1-hitter... Chaney was wild with 6 walks, but was almost unhittable in the 6-1 win... Right off the bat the Snappers jumped on Jimmy Mosley for 4-first inning runs, highlighted by 1B Don Timmons' (.357) 3-run smash, his 3rd of the playoffs... SS Joel Williams (.125) also went deep for Rocky Rapids, a solo shot... the Snappers only got 4 hits, all off of loser Mosley (1-1 4.20), who allowed 6 runs in 7 innings... two walks and an RBI single by 3B Wayne Pounders (.333) got the Tars their only run in the second inning.

Tycobbian Union

Ozarka Awakes, Slams Turon 9-3
Back home at Ellie Ewing Stadium, the Ozarka Naturals got back into the TU Final 4 with a rousing 15-hit attack that slammed Turon 9-3... It was the Nats first win in the three games so far... RF Ken Mayberry (.333) rapped 3 hits and scored 3 times for the Nats, while 1B Benny Rousseau (.321) had 2 hits and 3 RBIs, including a home run... Joe Mac Carney got a good start from Howard Hutch (2-0 1.59), who halted the Typhoons on 6 hits and only one earned run... loser Ted Farentino (1-1 4.86) was shelled hard for 7 runs and 11 hits in the first 4 innings.

The Islandian Times
Wednesday, September 25, 2019

2019 IPA Final 4 Series
(best-of-seven games)

Ruthlandian Union

Snappers Slug 6 HRs, Sweep Tars
We knew that Rocky Rapids had good pitching, yet we didn't expect them to outslug the powerful Taranto Tars, but they did and in a big way... the Snappers slugged 6 homers to blast Taranto 8-3 in game four of the Ruthlandian Final 4 and sweep the series in decisive fashion... Joe Anderson (3-0 2.57) held the big Tar bats at bay, permitting only 4 hits with 6 Ks and 4 walks... only 2B Ed Miles (.429) did much damage with 2 hits, including a homer and 3 RBIs... meanwhile Rocky Rapids rocked Randy Pitri for 5 homers and Pat Pappas for one... 1B Don Timmons (.375) cracked 2 into the bleachers and batted in 4 runs, giving him 5 homers and 12 RBIs for the postseason... and RF Tiger Noland (.300), SS Joel Williams (.148), 2B Paul Shelton (.281) and CF Carl Johnson (.353) all connected for the distance... Pietri lost it, surrendering 5 hits and 5 runs in 7 innings... this will be the Snappers first appearance in the IPA Pro Cup Finals... they were swept by Eastshore in the first round two years ago and lost to Ancona in the Final 4 last season in a surprising upset.

Tycobbian Union

Nats Maul Typhoons Again 7-3, Series Tied
For the second straight day at home, the Ozarka Naturals had the offense and the pitching to slap Turon 7-3 to even up the Final 4 Series at two games each... Benny Osterman (2-2 3.72) fired a solid game, holding the Typhoons to 3 runs and 5 hits with 8 strikeouts and 4 walks... at the plate LF Jose Ordonez (.452) went 4-4 with 3 runs batted in and 2 runs scored... and SS James Couch (.436) rapped 3 hits and drove in 2 runs... loser Nicky Engstrom (2-2 2.97) was battered for 6 runs and 8 hits before leaving in the sixth frame with the Nats in the lead 6-3... 1B Clyde Kingsford (.235) and LF Andy Porter (.136) had put Turon ahead 3-2 in the third... Kingsford drove in the first run and Porter the next two... game five will also be played at Ellie Ewing Stadium.

The Islandian Times
Sunday, September 29, 2019

2019 IPA Final 4 Series
(best-of-seven)

Ozarka Zaps Turon 6-2 In Game 5
For the third game in a row the Ozarka Naturals defeated the Turon Typhoons in the Tycobbian Final 4 and again made it look easy... The Nats blitzed Turon for 13 hits and a 6-2 victory, moving them ahead in the series three-games-to-two... one more win and Ozarka will be headed to the Pro Cup Finals against Rocky Rapids of the Ruthlandian Union... in a fine outing Yuka Nawajuk (3-1 1.59) held the Typhoons to 2 runs and 7 hits, struck out 4 and walked 2... for the second straight day Ozarka pounded one of the best pitchers in the IPA... Shane Farmer fell today, yesterday it was Nicky Engstrom that took it on the chin... Farmer (2-2 3.12) was ripped for 6 runs and 11 hits in 6 innings... C Frank Kiffin (.279) led the Naturals with 2 hits and 3 RBIs and 3B Andre Dumas (.289) got 3 hits and scored twice... Ozarka snapped a 2-2 tie with 4 runs in the sixth, highlighted by Kiffin's 2-run single... The Nats won all three games at home at Ellie Ewing Stadium... They will have to wrap it up... or lose it... on the road at Typhoon Stadium in Turon... the final two games are scheduled there.

The Islandian Times
Sunday, September 29, 2019

2019 IPA Final 4 Series
(best-of-seven)

Tycobbian Union

Ozarka Overpowers Turon 10-4, Pro Cup Bound
The King is dead... defending Pro Cup champs, the Turon Typhoons, have been defeated and dethroned by the Ozarka Naturals... The Nats lashed out 16 hits and overwhelmed the Typhoons 10-4 in game six to claim the TU Final 4 crown and a spot in the IPA Pro Cup Series against Rocky Rapids of the Ruthlandian Union...Ozarka lost the opening two games in the series, but came roaring back and swamped Turon four consecutive times... With the score tied 4-4 in the seventh, the Nats exploded for 4 runs to rout the Typhoons... they finished off the Typhoons with 2 more in the eighth... 2B Todd Chadwick (.351) sparked the winners with 3 RBIs and 3 hits and 3B Andre Dumas (.320) had 3 hits and 2 runs batted in... both Chadwick and Dumas homered... RF Ken Mayberry (.333) added 3 hits and scored twice and CF Ryoma Nakayama (.263) plated 2 runs... 2B Matt Madison (.262) paced Turon with 2 hits and 2 RBIs, including a home run... right-hander Howard Hutch (3-0 1.73) notched his third win in the postseason, allowing only 2 earned runs and 5 hits with 6 Ks and 4 bases on balls... 3 double plays kept him out of trouble and big innings... Last year's Pro Cup MVP Ted Farentino (1-2 5.87) ran into a hornets' nest today... The Nats stung him for 8 runs and 13 hits in 6+ innings... Ozarka has been to the Pro Cup three times in the past and lost all of them... they lost to Far Mountain in 2011 and 2012 and to Eastshore in 2016.

The Islandian Times
Tuesday, October 2, 2019

Pro Cup Rated Toss-Up, Snappers Slight Edge Over Nats
Both Pro Cup participants have really earned it. Rocky Rapids had to beat two very talented teams in the Eastshore Elegants and the Taranto Tars to capture the Ruthlandian crown and the Ozarka Naturals had to overcome the fine Rolling Hills Reds and the defending Pro Cup titleholder Turon to win the Tycobbian championship.

The baseball prognosticators see this year's title clash as a toss-up between two very gifted and evenly-matched teams. Rocky Rapids has a little better pitching than Ozarka, while Ozarka get a slight edge in hitting. The experts are forecasting a whale of a series and that the Snappers will win in seven games. The deciding factor was home field advantage. That's how close it will be. Both clubs won 97 games in the regular season. The league commissioner decided to give the team with the best playoff record the home field advantage. Rocky Rapids swept both of its series and was 8-0, while Ozarka was 8-3.

Rocky Rapids Snappers
Ryan Noland, Manager
Team BA: .270 (3rd)
Team HR: 157 (6th-tied)
Team Runs: 786 (7th)
Team ERA: 3.10 (2nd)
Starters ERA: 3.06 (2nd)
Bullpen ERA: 2.74 (1st)
Team FA: .970 (22nd-tied)

Starters: (Regular Season) - (Playoffs)
Joe Anderson (23-11 2.63) - (3-0 2.57)
Junior Noland (20-11 3.08) - (2-0 0.00)
Don Chaney (17-13 2.83) - (1-0 1.00)

Closer: (Regular Season) - (Playoffs)
Milt Baker (4-4 2.07) 34 saves - (1-0 0.00) 1 save

Top Hitters: (Regular Season) - (Playoffs)
Paul Shelton (.340/46/153/124) - (.281/1/6/4)
Carl Johnson (.312/29/91/100) - (.353/3/7/6)
Don Timmons (.279/23/71/48) - (.375/5/12/7)

Ozarka Naturals
Joe Mac Carney, Manager
Team BA: .289 (1st)
Team HR: 148 (6th)
Team Runs: 788 (3rd)
Team ERA: 3.56 (11th)
Starters ERA: 3.40 (7th)
Bullpen ERA: 3.82 (23rd)
Team FA: .976 (3rd-tied)

Starters: (Regular Season) - (Playoffs)
Benny Osterman (19-13 3.25) - (2-2 3.72)
Yuka Nawajuk (19-13 2.78) - (3-1 1.59)
Howard Hutch (19-7 3.39) - (3-0 1.73)

Closer: (Regular Season) - (Playoffs)
Josh Carpenter (5-8 3.51) 28 saves - (0-0 0.00) 1 save

Top Hitters: (Regular Season) - (Playoffs)
Andre Dumas (.277/34/100/84) - (.320/1/8/12)
Ken Mayberry (.347/6/62/105) - (.333/0/5/10)
Benny Rousseau (.308/28/89/74) - (.289/1/5/5)
James Couch (.353/12/52/75) - (.367/0/8/9)
Jose Ordonez (.288/12/69/45) - (.425/0/7/8)
Ryoma Nakayama (.302/10/65/67) - (.263/0/9/4)
Todd Chadwick (.280/8/57/62) - (.351/1/5/5)
Frank Kiffin (.284/12/60/73) - (.292/0/8/5)

The Islandian Times
Wednesday, October 2, 2019

2019 IPA Pro Cup Series
(best-of-seven)

Snappers Slip By Nats 3-2 In Pro Cup Opener
The opening game of the IPA Pro Cup Finals at Snapper Stadium went to the hometown Rocky Rapids Snappers, who racked up their 9th straight victory in the playoffs this year... They have yet to lose... Southpaw Joe Anderson throttled Ozarka on 5 hits and 2 runs in the 3-2 triumph... Anderson (4-0 2.30) walked 5 and fanned 6 in his 8 innings... Milt Baker claimed his second save of the postseason... Baker retired the Naturals in order in the ninth and whiffed two of them... Benny Osterman (2-3 3.65) pitched well, going all the way, allowing 6 hits and 3 runs... 2B Paul Shelton (.361) got 4 hits to lead the Snappers... LF Rob Barton (.250) scored twice for the winners... Ozarka's CF Ryoma Nakayama (.286) and 2B Todd Chadwick (.341) doubled in runs for the Nats.

The Islandian Times
Thursday, October 3, 2019

2019 IPA Pro Cup Series
(best-of-seven)

Rocky Rapids Raps Ozarka 6-2 In Game 2
Strong pitching and home-run power paved the way for Rocky Rapids to whip Ozarka again in the IPA Pro Cup Finals at Snapper Stadium... Junior Noland (3-0 0.67) crafted a 6-2 win to go up two-games-to-none... The Snappers have chalked up 10 successive wins in the postseason and have yet to lose a single game... the Naturals got 8 hits, but only 2 runs off Noland... the 28-year-old right-hander finally had his scoreless-inning skein snapped at 21... Ozarka got to him for a run in the fourth, but were already trailing 6-1... C Hank Bethel (.154) and RF Tiger Noland (.270) led the Snappers at the plate with home runs... Yuka Nawajuk (3-2 2.95) suffered the loss... Rocky Rapids rapped him for 6 runs and 7 hits in just over 2 innings, pounding him for 5 runs in the third frame.

The Islandian Times
Friday, October 4, 2019

2019 IPA Pro Cup Series
(best-of-seven)

RR Snappers Slam Nats 8-3, Near Pro Cup Crown
Rocky Rapids is on a fantastic roll in the IPA Pro Cup playoffs... in game three they slammed the Ozarka Naturals 8-3 for their 11th consecutive win in the postseason... one more win and the Snappers will get their first-ever Pro Cup... Don Chaney went the distance and got home-run support from Paul Shelton (.326) and Carl Johnson (.298)... a 5-run fourth finished off Nats starter Howard Hutch (3-1 2.03), who lost for the first time in the playoffs this year... the big blow was Johnson's grand slam, his 4th homer in the playoffs... Chaney (2-0 1.67) gave the Snappers another solid outing, permitting 9 hits and only 3 runs... the Snappers backed him up with 11 hits off three pitchers... 3B Andre Dumas (.323) went 4-for-4 and scored 3 runs to lead the Naturals... Dumas had 2 doubles and a triple.

The Islandian Times
Saturday, October 5, 2019

2019 IPA Pro Cup Series
(best-of-seven)

Snappers Sweep Again, Pro Cup Champs
For the first time in its history Rocky Rapids is the Pro Cup champion... the Snappers wrapped up the title with another fine mound performance by Joe Anderson, who blanked Ozarka 2-0 on 7 hits with the help of closer Milt Baker... Baker got his third save with a perfect ninth... Anderson worked 8 innings, struck out 3 and walked 4... Anderson (5-0 1.94) did not lose a game in the postseason, leading the Snappers to 12 successive victories... they swept all three of their series... only the third time in IPA history this has been done... the Far Mountain Redhawks accomplished it in 2013 and Eastshore did it in 2016.

Benny Osterman (2-4 3.35) kept Ozarka close... he only allowed 6 hits and 2 runs in 8+ innings... Rocky Rapids RF Tiger Noland (.319) doubled in the first, advanced to third on a ground-out and scored on a wild pitch... that's all they got until the 8th when 3B Cooter Bermudez added an insurance run with an RBI single... The Snappers won the Island championship with amazing pitching... The team ERA was a sensational 1.34 in the 12 postseason wins... what's even more impressive is they did it against three of the best-hitting clubs in the IPA, the Ozarka Naturals, Taranto Tars and Eastshore Elegants.

Anderson was 5-0 in 6 starts with a 1.94 ERA... Junior Noland was 3-0 with 2 shutouts and a 0.67 ERA and number three starter Don Clancy was 2-0 with a 1.67 ERA... closer Milt Baker was 1-0, worked in 5 games, chalked up 3 saves and allowed no runs in 7 innings.

The Islandian Times
Tuesday, October 8, 2019

Snappers Anderson Pro Cup MVP
Rocky Rapids 32-year-old southpaw Joe Anderson was even better in the playoffs than he was in the regular campaign. Anderson, a 3-year veteran in the IPA, was picked the Pro Cup Most Valuable Player for 2019 by The Islandian Times. Anderson led the Snappers to the title with a sparkling 5-0 mark and a 1.94 ERA. During the regular season Anderson was 23-11 with a 2.63 ERA.

Anderson won in a landslide over three of his mound teammates. Junior Noland was a very distance second in the voting with a 3-0 record and an outstanding 0.67 ERA. Don Chaney, another starter, was third. He posted a 2-0 record and a fine 1.67 ERA. Closer Milt Baker finished fourth with a 1-0 mark and 3 saves in 5 relief appearances. Baker didn't allow a run in 7 innings in the playoffs.

The Islandian Times
Tuesday, October 8, 2019

RU #1 Newcomer Named
First-year jitters didn't bother this year's top rookie, Marv Cook of Waleska. Cook performed like a vet on the hill as his poise, talent and good numbers parlayed themselves into the Ruthlandian Union Rookie of the Year Award. His stats included 46 relief appearances, 57 innings, 39 strikeouts, 19 saves and a 2.05 ERA. The Waleska relief ace earned 10 wins against 5 losses.

Number two in the voting was Ancona's Bud Garner, who chalked up a 12-7 record with a 3.72 ERA. First baseman Jimmy Kuhn of San Dimas came in third. He batted .275 with 9 homers, 76 RBIs and 78 runs scored.

Villanueva Grabs TU 2019 Rookie Honors
Eduardo Villanueva started his Tycobbian Union career in style, capping it off with the Rookie of the Year Award for 2019. The 24-year-old left fielder for the Arroyo Grande Suns played in 145 games, hitting .321 with 159 hits. He totaled 28 home runs, 110 RBIs and 84 runs scored.

Villanueva got most of his competition from South Fork's standout left fielder Patric Giles, who hit for a .312 average with 32 home runs, 96 RBIs and 94 runs scored. Third was White River reliever Arnie Montel. The 22-year-old closer was 8-2 with a very strong 1.75 ERA and 7 saves in his first season.

The Islandian Times
Wednesday, October 9, 2019

RR's Shelton Selected RU's Top Batter
It's been a year of triumph for veteran Paul Shelton of the Rocky Rapids Snappers as he hit his way to the 2019 Ruthlandian Union Golden Bat Award. The 29-year-old veteran second baseman compiled a .340 average and .376 on-base percentage by putting together 212 hits, 44 doubles, 6 triples, 46 home runs and 33 walks. Shelton also scored 124 times and led the IPA with 153 runs batted in. It's the first time Shelton has won the best batter award.

Claxton's talented first baseman Mike Luzzatti was the number two votegetter. Luzzatti batted .316 with 44 roundtrippers, 134 RBIs and 105 runs scored. Luzzatti's teammate George McKay wound up third. McKay hit at a .320 clip with 40 home runs, 121 runs batted in and 131 runs.

2019 TU Best Batter, High Mesa's Elliott
So what's new? Jack Elliott won another Gold Bat to add to his collection? Yep, he did - for the 7th successive season. Every year the superb High Mesa first sacker has been in the league, he has won the award as the best hitter. This year was no different. The 26-year-old Elliott again had quite a year by hitting .358 as he collected 209 hits, 33 doubles, 10 triples, 53 home runs and 125 RBIs. He also topped the TU with 150 runs, in addition to leading in batting average. Elliott has won the batting crown for the last five years.

Turon's terrific first baseman Clyde Kingsford gave Elliott fits in the voting. Kingsford led the league with 151 RBIs and 54 homers, while batting .339 and scoring 127 times. LaClaire's Flash Devlin ended up in third place. The Lynx third baseman posted a .320 mark at the plate with 39 home runs, 111 RBIs and 115 runs scored.

The Islandian Times
Thursday, October 10, 2019

Welch Named RU's #1 Hurler
25-year-old Duncan Welch of the Crystal Lake Crushers put together a marvelous year in 2019. Welch was named today as the winner of the Ruthlandian Union Golden Arm Award. It's the first time he has taken the award. The lanky lefty crafted an impressive 22-14 record and an IPA-leading 1.66 ERA. In 319 innings he allowed 230 hits, struck out 224 and walked 90, while leading the Crushers to their best season ever. Crystal Lake lost out on the final day to Claxton in the RU South pennant race.

Joe Anderson of the Rocky Rapids Snappers was second in the poll. He wound up the year with a fine 23-11 mark and a 2.63 ERA for the RU West winner. Beechwood's Billy Ray wound up third. He registered an 18-13 record with a brilliant 1.96 ERA.

Farmer Scoops up TU Top Hurler Award
With speculation about his retirement gaining steam last off-season, Typhoons ace Shane Farmer had something to prove. He proved it in award-winning style as he accepted the Tycobbian Union Golden Arm Award today.
The 37-year-old veteran Turon hurler posted a record of 24 wins and 10 losses this year with a 2.02 ERA. Actually he had a career year. In 39 starts he struck out 176 and walked 58 in 317 innings. Farmer tied with two others for the ERA title. This was the first time Farmer has been honored as the best pitcher in the league.

3-Time Golden Arm winner Nicky Engstrom was edged out by his Turon teammate this year. Engstrom notched a 22-9 record and a 2.02 ERA and tied for the best ERA with Farmer and Bayview's Harald Turi. Engstrom and Farmer led the Typhoons to their 4th straight TU South flag. Sal Jordan of Rolling Hills was number three in the voting with a 19-9 mark and a strong 2.15 ERA.

The Islandian Times
Friday, October 11, 2019

RU Honors Golden Glove Award Winners
Great glovemen can range far and wide to make a backhand stop or an over-the-shoulder catch -- and the best usually make it look easy. Today the winners of the Ruthlandian Union Golden Glove Award for 2019 were announced. Sugar Valley's Hal Stevenson won for the 7th time and Norm Owens of San Dimas got his 5th Golden Glove.

These awards for defensive excellence go to:
Pitcher: Don Chaney (Rocky Rapids Snappers)
Catcher: Hal Stevenson (Sugar Valley Rattlers)
First Baseman: Vic Keller (Eastshore Elegants)
Second Baseman: Paul Shelton (Rocky Rapids Snappers)
Third Baseman: Jug Slavin (Grand City Cybercats)
Shortstop: Gil Lantz (Eastshore Elegants)
Left Fielder: Billy Garrett (Colfax Blasters)
Center Fielder: Vic Valenti (Beechwood Bobcats)
Right Fielder: Norm Owens (San Dimas Rancheros)

TU Golden Glove Award Selections Announced
Defense is a critical element in the game of baseball. Many times late in the game, a light-hitting defensive specialist will be inserted in place of a superstar hitter. Good defenders are worth their weight in gold and today the best of them for 2019 have been recognized. Fairfax's gifted first sacker Chancey Quibedeaux picked up his 5th Golden Glove.

These players will receive the Tycobbian Union Golden Glove Award:
Pitcher: Pepe Pachino (White River Rascals)
Catcher: Crash Davis (Ginza Ninjas)
First Baseman: Chancey Quibedeaux (Fairfax Frogs)
Second Baseman: Phil Strong (Midway Wolves)
Third Baseman: Buddy Petrisko (Southport Sun Sox)
Shortstop: Tommy Shore (Bayview Vikings)
Left Fielder: Jeff Elliott (Ginza Ninjas)
Center Fielder: Glenn McLaughlin (South Fork Stallions)
Right Fielder: Jack Vorland (Ginza Ninjas)

The Islandian Times
Saturday, October 12, 2019

Snappers Shelton Cops RU MVP Award
Rocky Rapids Paul Shelton was one of the main driving forces in leading the Snappers to their third consecutive RU West championship and the best record in the league. Shelton had a monstrous year with the bat and has been acclaimed for the first time in his career the Ruthlandian Union Most Valuable Player. It was his second major award this year. Recently the 8-year veteran second baseman was named the league's Golden Bat winner. Shelton played in 149 games and led the RU and the IPA with 153 RBIs. The 29-year-old batted .340 with 46 homers and scored 124 times in a colossal season.

Mike Luzzatti of the Claxton Diamonds was ranked second in the poll. The 35-year-old first baseman didn't miss a game this season, playing in 155 contests. He compiled a .316 BA with 44 roundtrippers, 134 RBIs and scored 105 runs in leading Claxton to its second RU South flag in a row. Crystal Lake's fantastic pitcher Duncan Welch played a huge part in the Crushers sensational year with a 22-14 mark and an extraordinary 1.66 ERA, which was the best in the IPA by far. Crystal Lake finished a single game out of the playoffs, losing to Claxton 5-4 in a playoff game.

Typhoon Twirler Farmer Takes TU MVP
Turon's Shane Farmer has been outstanding in his 3 years in the IPA. He has won at least 20 games each year, led his team to the division title 3 times and has come close to winning awards each year. Finally at 37, Farmer cashed in big time - he won the TU Golden Arm Award earlier this week and today received the Tycobbian Union Most Valuable Player honor. The talented right-hander put up a 24-10 record and topped the league with a 2.02 ERA, tied with teammate Nicky Engstrom and Bayview's Harald Turi.

The runner-up for the MVP was Turon first baseman Clyde Kingsford, who paced the IPA with 54 home runs and led the TU with 151 RBIs, while sporting a .339 batting average. Third in the vote was Rolling Hills fine right-handed hurler Sal Jordan. He sparked the Reds to their first TU West division crown with a 19-9 record and a 2.15 ERA. Rolling Hills made the postseason for the first time since 2003.

The Islandian Times
Sunday, October 13, 2019

Brewster Best Skipper In RU
Eastshore's Killer Brewster has won the RU East flag for the past four years and got passed over most of the time for the Manager of the Year honor, but not this season. The Islandian Times presented the accolade to Brewster today in Eastshore. He guided the Elegants to the best record in the RU with a 97-57 record, which was tied with Rocky Rapids for the most wins. This is the second time Brewster has won the top skipper award. He also took it in 2016.

The Snappers Ryan Noland was a close second. His Snappers racked up its third straight RU West pennant. Taranto's manager Tommaso Lazzorda also had a fine season and wound up third in the balloting. Lazzorda managed to lift the Tars up ahead of Ancona and Far Mountain in the RU North. Lazzorda squeezed enough pitching out of the Tars to win the division flag with a 90-64 record.

RH Reds Christianson Deemed Top TU Manager
The last time the Rolling Hills Reds made the Pro Cup playoffs was in 2003. Last year they were fifth in the standings. This season the Reds climbed up to first place and took the TU West title and won the Manager of the Year Award for Matty Christianson. Rolling Hills ended the year with an excellent 93-61 mark, the third-best record in the TU. Christianson was also selected top TU skipper in 2007.

Finishing second in a close vote was Huroko Uchiyama of the Ginza Ninjas. Uchiyama's club shot up from 7th to second this season, outdone in the TU South only by perennial power Turon. Winding up tied for third in the best skipper poll were Turon's Whitey Richburn and Ozarka's Joe Mac Carney. Richburn was atop the TU South for the fourth successive year and topped the league with a 99-55 record, while Carney piloted the Naturals to their fifth division crown in a row with a fine 97-57 mark.