The Islandian Times
Monday, October 3, 2022

2022 IPA Final 4 Series
(best-of-seven)

Sligo Survives, Beats CL 5-3 In Game 5
The Sligo Rovers lived to play another day... they survived elimination with a clutch pitching performance from Les Patterson, who stopped Crystal Lake 5-3 in game five of the RU Final 4 Series... the Crushers still have a 3-2 edge in the series and need just one more victory to wrap it up... Patterson (2-3 2.76) went the route and only allowed one earned run and 5 singles with 2 walks and 7 strikeouts... Sligo built up a 5-1 lead after 4 innings and held on... CF Chris Michel (.277) led them at the plate with 3 hits and 3 runs scored... Rover 1B Johnny Lee Harder (.297) drove in 2 of the runs and 3B Matty Alou (.214) and SS Vic Carlin (.154) had one apiece... Ralph McCullough (2-1 2.32) lost for the first time in the postseason, permitting 5 hits and 5 runs, 3 earned, in 6 innings... he walked 7 and fanned 4 in a poor effort... for Sligo to defend its Pro Cup title, it will have to win the final two games at home at Silver Mountain Park.

Midway Wins TU In 5 Games, Pro Cup Finalist
In a surprise, seventh-seeded Midway upset fourth seed Arroyo Grande in the TU Final to advance to the IPA Pro Cup for the first time in its history... The Wolves captured the series in five games... 22-year-old Bobby Dorignac clinched the league crown by blanking the Suns 2-0 on 6 hits... It was his third straight strong outing in the postseason... Dorignac (3-0 1.04) whiffed 8 and walked just 2 in going the distance... Ernie Matthews (1-2 3.90) was sharp, too, yielding only one earned run and 5 hits, also in a complete game... two errors led to the Wolves first run in the third inning... RF Kyle Rigney (.386) got the last run in on a sacrifice fly in the seventh.

Midway will now get ready for an IPA showdown with Crystal Lake or Sligo for the Island baseball championship... the Pro Cup is slated to start Friday afternoon. Games one and two will be played at the Ruthlandian Union's home field... Crystal Lake was 97-57 during the year, Sligo wound up 95-59 and Midway was 92-62... Both the Crushers and the Rovers will have home field advantage over the Wolves.

The Islandian Times
Monday, October 3, 2022

2022 IPA Final 4 Series
(best-of-seven)

Crushers Dethrone Rovers in 6 Games
After a year's absence, the Crystal Lake Crushers are headed back to the IPA Pro Cup... the Crushers upended the defending IPA champ, the Sligo Rovers, finishing them off 6-3 in the deciding game in the Ruthlandian Final 4... Crystal Lake copped the series four games to two... in his first playoff start this year left-hander Vic Bauer got an unexpected start and got the job done... Bauer (1-0 2.53) held the Rovers to 3 runs and 8 hits, giving up only one earned score... Bauer had 5 Ks and 3 walks... Luka Abromowitz (3-1 3.64) dropped his first postseason game this year... he gave up 6 runs and 10 hits in 4+ frames... it just wasn't his day... C Ross Kent (.233) paced the Crusher 13-hit attack with 2 hits and 3 RBIs... 1B Phil Gravelli (.289) had a perfect 4-4 day and batted in 2 runs... 2B Greg Murphy (.390) had 2 hits and scored twice for the winners... manager Baby George chose southpaw Bauer over right-hander Dennis Taylor, who has performed poorly in the playoffs with a 1-2 mark and a high 4.87 ERA... during the regular season Sligo had trouble against lefties... Sligo started off like champs with a 3-0 lead after three innings... but it didn't last long as the Crushers tore into Abromowitz for 2 in the fourth and 4 more in the fifth to wrap up the RU title.

Crystal Lake won the IPA Pro Cup two years ago in 2020. This year's opponent is the Midway Wolves, who have played sterling baseball in whipping the number one seed Rolling Hills and the number four seed Arroyo Grande. Third seed Crystal Lake should take nothing for granted. It should be a fine series.

The Islandian Times
Wednesday, October 6, 2022

CL Crushers Team To Beat In Pro Cup
According to The Islandian Times poll of sportswriters and broadcasters around the Islands, this year's IPA Pro Cup Finals is a very even match-up. Crystal Lake of the Ruthlandian Union has the better starting pitching, but Midway of the Tycobbian Union is no slouch either. The Crushers have two left-handed starters and a southpaw closer. Midway has been known to have difficulty against lefties. Many analysts feel the Wolves can match the Crushers overall on the hill because of stronger relievers. Offensively the edge goes to Midway. The Wolves have more quality hitters and more power than Crystal Lake. In the final balloting a slight majority of the press still favored the Crushers and their superb starters.

Two years ago Duncan Welch (23-12 2.18) and Ralph McCullough (20-9 2.56) led Crystal Lake to an upset Pro Cup title and now they are back again, but this time as the favorite. Welch picked up where he left off in 2020. He's 4-0 with a 1.29 ERA in the postseason this year, while McCullough is 2-1 with a 2.32 ERA. Midway will counter with two fine starters of its own. Motega Wolf (21-9 2.44) and Bobby Dorignac (19-14 2.74) both had ERAs far below 3.00 this season and especially low in the playoffs this year. Wolf is 1-0 with a 1.08 ERA in 4 starts, while Dorignac is even better with a 3-0 mark and 1.04 ERA. The series may come down to the number three starters, Dakota Dyami (25-9 3.45) for Midway and Vic Bauer (9-2 2.36) for Crystal Lake. Dyami is 2-1 and 3.27 in the playoffs, while Bauer is 1-0 with a 2.53 ERA.

Manager Baby George relies on Phil Gravelli (.289 BA/1 HR/9 RBI), Greg Murphy (.390 BA/3 HR/10 RBI), Tommy Gompers (.313 BA/0 HR/6 RBI) and Augie Marshall (.286 BA/1 HR/5 RBI) for his scoring. For skipper Cochise Chandler his team depends on Kyle Rigney (.386 BA/0 HR/2 RBI), Sammy Murphy (.351 BA/1 HR/4 RBI), CF Johnny Lee (.316 BA/3 HR/8 RBI) and 3B Rob Gigler (.314 BA/0 HR/2 RBI) for his offense. During the regular campaign the Wolves outhomered the Crushers 179 to 113. In the Pro Cup playoffs Midway has 8 roundtrippers and Crystal Lake has gone deep 7 times.

It looks like this will be a hotly-contested affair and could go 7 games. Both teams have played outstanding baseball in the postseason. Crystal Lake whipped powerhouses Ancona and Sligo in six games each, while Midway dominated powerful Rolling Hills and Arroyo Grande, taking four out of five from each of those teams. Midway certainly has not played like a sixth-seeded team. Crystal Lake was rated the third-best team in the playoffs.

The Islandian Times
Thursday, October 6, 2022

2022 IPA Pro Cup Finals
(best-of-seven)

Welch Whips Wolf 2-1, Crushers Wins Pro Cup Opener
The opening game of the 2022 Pro Cup Series at Lakefront Stadium was all it was expected to be... both clubs had aces on the mound and they did their stuff... when it was over Duncan Welch hurled Crystal Lake past Motega Wolf and the Midway Wolves 2-1 in a classic duel... Welch (5-0 1.03) spread 8 hits and shut out the Wolves 2-0 for 8 innings, before his defense almost blew the game with two errors in the ninth... Welch fanned 7 and walked 3, almost going the distance, but needed help for the last out with the winning runs on second and third... closer Roger Bishop got his 3rd save of the playoffs when he retired Chitto Chandler (.196) on an easy grounder for the final out... Wolf (1-1 1.31) went all the way, permitted 9 hits and 2 runs with 5 Ks and 2 walks... Crusher 1B Phil Gravelli (.271) got the first run across in the first frame on a sacrifice fly that scored 2B Greg Murphy (.400)... Crystal Lake also scored in the fourth on a double by LF Jed Franks (.295) and a single by SS Alton Sonnenberg (.250)... that proved to be the eventual game-winner... Midway got its only score in the ninth on a ground-out by 3B Rob Gigler (.300).

The Islandian Times
Friday, October 7, 2022

2022 IPA Pro Cup Finals
(best-of-seven)

Midway Evens Pro Cup, Trims CL 5-2
Pitching prevailed again in game two of the IPA Pro Cup Finals, but this time it was Midway that had it... the Wolves Bobby Dorignac stopped Crystal Lake 5-2 to even up the series at one game each... Dorignac (4-0 0.79) continued his remarkable playoff run with his fourth straight victory... the awesome 22-year-old right-hander limited the Crushers to just 4 hits and no earned runs in his 8 innings... Dorignac struck out 3 and walked 3... Dom Vilaggio (.208) closed it out for him with a 1-2-3 ninth for his 3rd postseason save... Ralph McCullough (2-2 2.48) lost it in a complete game, giving up 3 earned runs and 6 hits with 4 strikeouts and a couple of walks.

The Wolves leaped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning... LF Chitto Chandler, who failed to get a clutch hit the day before, got one today... Chandler (.214) doubled in 2 runs in the opening frame... Chandler went to third on a balk and came in on a 2B Frank Reinhard (.267) ground-out... the Crushers chopped away at the lead with a run in the fourth on an error and another unearned score in the sixth... the Wolves padded the 3-2 lead with 2 insurance runs in the top of the ninth... Midway got the first one on an error and the second one on an RBI single by Chandler... Chandler paced the Wolves with 2 hits and 2 RBIs... RF Kyle Rigney (.352) chipped in with 2 runs scored... SS Maska Chandler (.191) went 2-4 and scored a run for the winners... neither club played well defensively... they each made 3 miscues.

The Islandian Times
Thursday, October 6, 2022

2022 IPA Pro Cup Finals
(best-of-seven)

Crushers Rally Late, Crush Wolves 9-3 In Game 3
Playing the first-ever Pro Cup game in Midway's Joe Wolf Stadium, Crystal Lake snapped a 3-3 tie with a 5-run explosion in the top of the eighth and came away with a 9-3 triumph and a two-games-to-one lead in the series... two runs came in on an error by 2B Frank Reinhard to make it 5-3... C Eddie Robertson (.250) made it 6-3 with a sac fly... winning pitcher Vic Bauer (.143) cracked a 2-run single putting Crystal Lake comfortably in front 8-3... LF Michael Melchiore (.125) added another run in the ninth with a sacrifice fly... the Crushers collected 13 hits, while Midway had 6... Crystal Lake had another atrocious day in the field with 4 errors, but survived them.

Winner Bauer (2-0 1.83) permitted only one earned run, struck out 4 and walked 3, while going the distance... losing pitcher Dakota Dyami (2-2 3.34) was battered for 8 runs and 11 hits in 7+ innings... CF Andy McGee (.246) sparked the Crushers with 3-5 and 2 runs scored... 1B Phil Gravelli (.281) scored twice, drove in one and had 2 hits... Melchiore (.125) homered, scored 2 times and batted in 2 runs... and Robertson had 2 RBIs... for Midway Reinhard got a solo homer in the fourth inning and RF Kyle Rigney (.373) went 3-5 in defeat... this was the Wolves first home loss in the playoffs this year... they had won six straight.

The Islandian Times
Thursday, October 6, 2022

2022 IPA Pro Cup Finals
(best-of-seven)

Sonnenberg Homers Twice In Crushers 5-2 Win
Light-hitting Crystal Lake SS Alton Sonnenberg went deep twice on Motega Wolf and led the Crushers to a 5-2 victory, moving them way ahead in the Pro Cup Series three-games-to-one... one more Crusher win and it's over... Sonnenberg slammed a solo shot in the top of the third and a two-run clout in the fifth, putting the Crushers ahead 3-0... rookie Sonnenberg (.286) had a perfect 3-for-3 day at the plate... he now has 10 RBIs in the Pro Cup playoffs... 3B Tommy Gompers (.302) also belted a 2-run homer in the fifth for a 5-0 lead.

Super ace Duncan Welch (6-0 1.03) was outstanding again, scattering 8 hits, striking out 9 , walking 2 and chalking up his 6th win in the playoffs this season and his 12th overall... Welch has lost only one game in the postseason in his career... how does he do it? - with a 98-mph fastball, great control, command and stuff... Wolf (1-2 2.14) fell to Welch again, allowing 5 runs on 7 hits in 5 innings.

The Islandian Times
Monday, October 10, 2022

2022 IPA Pro Cup Finals
(best-of-seven)

Midway Hangs Tough, Takes Game Five 2-1
Playing at home at Joe Wolf Stadium, the Midway Wolves still have some fight left in them... trailing three-games-to-one in the Pro Cup Series, Midway got another standout outing from Bobby Dorignac, who halted Crystal Lake 2-1 in game 5... Dorignac (5-0 0.64) has been sensational in the playoffs... he held the Crushers to 6 hits and no earned runs, struck out 5 and walked one in his 8 innings... closer Dom Vilaggio (1.86) came in and did his job to perfection, setting Crystal Lake down in order in the ninth for his 4th playoff save... Ralph McCullough (2-3 2.44) was almost as good as Dorignac... he worked a complete game, yielded just 2 runs on 6 hits with 7 Ks and 3 walks.

Midway scored first on 1B Cal Hunter's (.294) solo homer in the second frame... the Wolves got run number two when two singles and a walk loaded up the bases... SS Maska Chandler (.190) got the game-winner in when he grounded into a double play... the Crushers cut it to 2-1 in the sixth on a two-base error and an RBI single by 1B Phil Gravelli (.277)... Hunter and RF Kyle Rigney (.358) pace the Wolves with 2 hits apiece... Hunter scored both Midway runs.

The Islandian Times
Monday, October 10, 2022

2022 IPA Pro Cup Finals
(best-of-seven)

CL Crushers Are Pro Cup Champs Again
For the second time in three years the Crystal Lake Crushers reign supreme in the Islandian Pro Alliance - Baby George's boys are the Pro Cup champion... Crystal Lake pulled a big upset in the 2020 finals by knocking off the heavily-favored Ozarka Naturals.

The Crushers finished off a tough Midway team 6-5 in game six at Lakefront Stadium in Crystal Lake to captured the series four-games-to-two... in a seesaw battle, Midway took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second on CF Johnny Lee's (.246) double... the Crushers bounced right back with 3 runs in the bottom half of the inning, scoring one run on a wild pitch and two more on RBI doubles by C Eddie Robertson (.286) and CF Andy McGee (.257)... the Wolves evened it up 3-3 in the third on LF Chitto Chandler's (.211) two-run smash, then went on top 5-3 in the fourth frame... Midway got the go-ahead runs on two errors and a sacrifice fly by C Sammy Murphy (.321)... Crystal Lake committed 3 errors in the game, but still won.

Vic Bauer (3-0 2.60) got credit for the win, but had a rough start... Bauer was slapped around for 5 runs in the first four innings, then settled down and held the Wolves scoreless for the next four innings... closer Roger Bishop (1.80) got his 4th playoff save with a perfect ninth... Dakota Dyami (2-3 4.46) caught the loss, going 4+ innings and giving up 6 runs and 10 hits... the Crushers had the advantage in hits 10 to 4... Bauer struck out 6, walked 3, permitted 5 runs and only 4 hits in 8 innings... McGee sparked Crystal Lake with 2 hits and 2 RBIs... RF Augie Marshall (.302) and LF Michael Melchiore (.273) collected 2 hits and scored 2 runs each.

Crystal Lake was the third choice in the pre-Post Cup poll by The Islandian Times... defending IPA champ Sligo was rated the favorite with Rolling Hills second and Arroyo Grande was the number-four seed... Midway was given very little chance and was seeded seventh... the Wolves came up one starter short of taking the title.

Winning manager Baby George told the press, "The key to our success was our great pitching. Duncan Welch is superb. He has to rank with the best of all-time. I thought he was great in the 2020 playoffs... this year Duncan was unbelievable... Ralph McCullough and Vic Bauer did their jobs, too... We couldn't have won without them."

In the postseason Welch was 6-1 with a 2.33 ERA in 2020 and 6-0 and 1.03 this year. McCullough was 2-3 with a 2.44 ERA and Bauer finished 3-0 and 2.64.

The Islandian Times
Thursday, October 13, 2022

RU Golden Glove Award Selections Announced
Golden Glove Awards are the symbol for defensive excellence, a recognition of the best of the best in defense. The Ruthlandian Union Golden Glove Award trophies for 2022 have been awarded. Multi-year winners were: Jug Slavin of Grand City for the fifth time, Russ Woodward of Marston his fourth, Kenny Willard of Ancona for the third time and Tweet Tillman of Wynnamac his second Golden Glove.

* = Number of Golden Gloves

Pitcher: Sam Ervin (Claxton Diamonds) .990 FA (11-22 4.27) *
Catcher: Tweet Tillman (Wynnamac Sundowners) .991 FA/5 PB/41% RTO (.216 BA/6 HR//45 RBI/67 R) **
First Baseman: George Demopoulas (St. John Crusaders) .995 FA (.244 BA/1 HR/54 RBI/39 R) *
Second Baseman: Glenn Christian (Sugar Valley Rattlers) .987 FA (.259 BA/19 HR/77 RBI/83 R) *
Third Baseman: Jug Slavin (Grand City Cybercats) .966 FA (.304 BA/12 HR/67 RBI/95 R) *****
Shortstop: Tyler Ferguson (Valmara Vipers) .979 FA (.284 BA/8 HR/55 RBI/86 R) *
Left Fielder: Kenny Willard (Ancona Red Elephants) .980 FA (320 BA/27 HR/103 RBI/127 R) ***
Center Fielder: Russ Woodward (Marston Nine) .998 FA (.353 BA/38 HR/116 RBI/106 R) ****
Right Fielder: Jackie Paar (Volusia Vigilantes) .987 FA (.236 BA/7 HR/39 RBI/91 R) *

The Islandian Times
Friday, October 14, 2022

TU Golden Glove Award Winners Named
The Tycobbian Union awarded its Golden Gloves for the 2022 season. Heading up the list was Jim Schubert of Red Bluff, who was acclaimed for the sixth time in his career. Jack Elliott won his fourth Golden Glove. Winning for the second time were Bud Walker of Bay St. Clair, Patsy Bates of Colchester and Chucky Gilton of Arlon.

* = Number of Golden Gloves

Pitcher: Steve Aaron (Summerland Sunsets) .979 FA (14-15 3.73) *
Catcher: Jim Schubert (Red Bluff Red Sox) .995 FA/3 PB/40.5% RTO (.280 BA/15 HR/67 RBI/80 R) ******
First Baseman: Jack Elliott (High Mesa Cowboys) .997 FA (.364 BA/51 HR/133 RBI/143 R) ****
Second Baseman: Bud Walker (Bay St. Clair Buccaneers) .989 FA (.291 BA/11 HR/57 RBI/104 R) **
Third Baseman: Alan Jalenak (Chicopee Braves) .966 FA (.268 BA/8 HR/61 RBI/64 R) *
Shortstop: Patsy Bates (Colchester Elites) .978 FA (.259 BA/9 HR/60 RBI/49 R) **
Left Fielder: Jack Vorland (Ginza Ninjas) .990 FA (.237 BA/15 HR/54 RBI/44 R) **
Center Fielder: Chucky Gilton (Arlon Champions) 1.000 FA (.271 BA/23 HR/75 RBI/79 R) **
Right Fielder: Charlie Chapman (La Claire Lynx) .985 FA (.313 BA/24 HR/89 RBI/74 R) *

The Islandian Times
Saturday, October 15, 2022

Crushers Welch Pro Cup MVP
Almost hands down, Crystal Lake's brilliant 28-year-old southpaw Duncan Welch has been chosen the Pro Cup Most Valuable Player. Only one other player received support in The Islandian Times poll. Finishing a distance second was Midway standout Bobby Dorignac. Welch sparked the Crushers to the Pro Cup crown with a perfect 6-0 record in 6 starts with 4 complete games and a superb 1.03 ERA. The 22-year-old Dorignac was even better, but his Wolves didn't win the title, losing in six games. Dorignac was 5-0 with a microscopic 0.64 ERA. Welch was 23-12 in his sixth season and posted a 2.18 ERA, while second-year man Dorignac compiled a 19-14 mark and a 2.74 ERA.

This is the second time the lanky 6' 7" Welch has copped the Pro Cup MVP award. He also led Crystal Lake to the Island championship two years ago when they pulled a big upset by beating favored Ozarka. Welch was 6-1 in that series, notching a 2.36 ERA. He is 12-1 in the postseason with an outstanding 1.71 ERA. Lifetime Welch is 117-72 with a great 2.25 ERA.

The Islandian Times
Sunday, October 16, 2022

FM's Cooper Named RU Best Rookie
Jeff Cooper doesn't have a lot of experience, but the pudgy 20-year-old right-hander certainly has some talent. Enough talent to win the Ruthlandian Union Rookie of the Year. The 5'8" Far Mountain Redhawk hurler registered a 21-15 record this season in 40 starts for the fifth-place Redhawks. Over 319 innings Cooper gave up 295 hits, struck out 190 and issued 87 walks as he held the opposition to a .252 batting average and fashioned a 2.85 ERA.

Second in the balloting was Cold Creek outfielder Carl Glick, who batted .305 in his freshman season with 19 homers, 95 RBIs, 97 runs scored and 32 stolen bases in 150 games. Number three was Beechwood outfielder Jojo Davis. The Bobcat rookie hit for a .317 average in 149 games and collected 44 doubles, 2 triples and 7 homers with 72 runs batted in, while scoring 87 runs.

TU Top Rookie Is AG Suns Vizcarra
The Tycobbian Union Rookie of the Year Award has been given to Rusty Vizcarra of the Arroyo Grande Suns, who put up terrific numbers. In the 2022 season the 23-year-old first baseman played in 154 games, recording a .323 batting average with 58 home runs, 165 RBIs and 108 runs scored. Vizcarra paced the TU in homers and RBIs and led the Suns to its third consecutive TU South pennant.

Vizcarra still got quite a bit of competition from High Mesa's Bill Andrews. The Cowboys right fielder slammed 55 roundtrippers, drove in 145 runs, scored 120 times, while batting .300, helping his club to a third-place finish. It was not a runaway win for Vizcarra as Tuckanarra portsider Quinn Starr was a very close third in The Islandian Times poll. Starr had a very impressive season with a 21-11 record and a 2.88 ERA for the fifth-place Blue Jays.

The Islandian Times
Monday, October 17, 2022

Hobbs Wins Golden Bat For 4th Time
Winning the Ruthlandian Golden Bat Award is getting to be a habit for Waleska's Roy Hobbs. The wonderful Westerner center field has done it again for the fourth time in his legendary 10th year in the IPA. Hobbs racked up a .356 batting average to lead the RU for the second straight year and third time overall. This season the 29-year-old Hobbs totaled 38 doubles, 7 triples, 35 home runs with 132 RBIs, 120 runs and 21 stolen bases, while leading Waleska to its best finish in years, second place to the Crystal Lake Crushers, who wound up winning the Pro Cup.

Two other gifted center fielders ran a strong race for the award. Marston's Russ Woodward came in second in The Islandian Times voting with a .353 BA, 38 homers, 116 runs batted in and 106 runs. Number three was Beechwood Bobcat Vic Valenti, who batted .332, slugged 34 out of the park, drove in 126 runs and scored 114.

Elliott Premier Batter 10th Year In A Row
It's been another super year for veteran Jack Elliott of the High Mesa Cowboys as he hit his way to the 2022 Tycobbian Union Golden Bat Award. He won the honor for the 10th time in his unprecedented career. It was also the 7th time Elliott has won the TU batting title. The 29-year-old veteran first sacker compiled an IPA-best .364 average and .462 on-base percentage by putting together 206 hits, 29 doubles, 9 triples, 51 home runs and 103 walks. He also scored 143 times, tops in the IPA, and drove in 133 runs. High Mesa ran third to TU East pennant winner Midway, who was also a Pro Cup finalist.

Elliott got some stiff competition from Clyde Kingsford and Rusty Vizcarra. Kingsford of the Turon Typhoons came in second in the voting. He came in a close second to Elliott in the IPA with a .362 BA, while sparking Turon to the runner-up spot to Arroyo Grande in the TU South pennant chase. Kingsford rapped 40 homers, batted in 133 runs and scored 105 times in 154 games. Vizcarra was the TU Rookie of the Year, breaking in with a bang. The rookie Arroyo Grande phenom led the IPA with 58 home runs and 164 RBIs. Vizcarra hit .323 and led the Suns to their third pennant in a row.

The Islandian Times
Tuesday, October 18, 2022

Sligo's Patterson Racks Up 2nd Straight Golden Arm Award
The Ruthlandian Union announced today that Les Patterson has been chosen the Golden Arm Award winner for 2022. The Sligo hurler had everything working for him as he cruised to a outstanding 18-9 record and won the the honor for the second year in a row. Patterson put up an impressive RU-leading 1.94 ERA in his award-winning season. He started 39 times, worked 325 innings, yielded 275 hits, walked 69, fanned 205 and held opposing hitters to a .233 average. The 31-year-old righty posted 21 complete games and fired 4 shutouts and helped the Rovers win the RU West for the second successive season. Patterson has won 20 or more games in five of his six IPA seasons.

Crystal Lake's standout southpaw Duncan Welch was runner-up to Patterson in The Islandian Times poll. Welch was instrumental in leading the Crushers to their second RU South flag in three years with a fine 23-12 mark and a 2.13 ERA. The 28-year-old Welch won the award in 2019 and 2020. Third place in the vote went to lefty Clem Carmouche of the Valmara Vipers, who went 23-13 for the season with a 2.18 ERA for the sixth place Vipers.

Sun Sox Laclair TU Golden Arm Winner
Al Laclair is just 23, but he has already made quite a name for himself in this three IPA seasons with the Southport Sun Sox. This year the young right-hander has been honored with the Tycobbian Golden Arm Award by The Islandian Times. Laclair made 39 starts this year, winning 19 and losing 15 for the third place Sun Sox. He threw 318 innings, fanned 283, allowed 214 hits and 72 walks, while holding opposing teams to a .190 average as he logged an impressive 1.90 ERA. He led the entire IPA in ERA and was tied with Luxora's Tiago Torres for the most shutouts with 7. In addition, Laclair paced the IPA with 23 complete games, along with Sal Jordan of the Rolling Hills Reds.

Turon's fine twirler Nicky Engstrom wound up number two in the voting with another great season. Engstrom led the Typhoons to another high finish in the TU South with a 23-9 record and a terrific 2.04 ERA. Turon was runner-up to Arroyo Grande this season. In his fabled career Engstrom is 284-123 overall. The 33-year-old Engstrom has won 20 games in 12 of his 13 seasons. Talented Luxora left-hander Tiago Torres came in the third place in the poll. He led the Wolves to their fifth pennant in the last six year in the TU North. Torres compiled a 21-12 mark and a strong 2.12 ERA. The 35-year-old southpaw is 119-79 with a splendid 2.31 ERA in his six seasons with the Zorros.

The Islandian Times
Wednesday, October 19, 2022

Willard Wins RU MVP
Kenny Willard has been a key element in Ancona's success in the IPA. The 10-year veteran has been an All-Star three times and won three Golden Gloves. This year Willard added the coveted Ruthlandian Union Most Valuable Player Award to his resume. Willard led the Red Elephants to their third successive RU North division title and fourth in five years. The graceful 30-year-old left fielder batted .320 with 27 homers, 103 RBIs, stole 31 bases and scored 127 runs, while playing in 148 games. Lifetime Willard is a .310 hitter.

Runner-up to Willard was Middlefield's marvelous first sacker Allan Stewart, who led the Roosters to a fine season and a second-place finish to Sligo in the RU West. The 22-year-old cracked 51 roundtrippers and came in second in the RU to Sugar Valley's Randall Hawson's 52. Simmons hit .324, drove in 119 runs and scored 121 times. Third in The Islandian Times poll was Shannon White, a 24-year-old right-hander. He sparked San Dimas to a fourth-place spot in the RU South with a sparkling 25-11 record. White recorded a strong 2.54 ERA, completed 15 games and tossed 5 shutouts, while striking out 224 batters in 304 innings. Teams hit only .226 against him.

Elliott Named TU MVP For 4th Time
Year-after-year Jack Elliott plays at the superstar level, almost unrivaled in the annals of the IPA. The High Mesa star first baseman has been selected the Tycobbian Union Most Valuable Player for the second consecutive season and for a record fourth time in all. Elliott paced the Cowboys to a third-place finish in the TU East by leading the IPA with a .364 batting mark. He also topped the IPA in scoring with 143 runs, played in 154 games, hit 51 home runs and batted in 133 runs. In his unparalleled career the 29-year-old Elliott sports a lofty .359 batting average with 543 homers. He has 10 batting titles, 10 All-Star rings and won his fourth Golden Glove this season.

Clyde Kingsford of Turon was second in the balloting. At age 36 the Typhoon first baseman chalked up another banner season with a .362 batting average, second in the IPA. Kingsford went deep 40 times, knocked in 133 runs, played in 154 games and scored 105 runs, leading Turon to a second-place spot in the TU South standings. Kingsford won the MVP award in 2015. Coming in third in the poll was Luxora's terrific Tiago Torres, a two-time MVP winner. Torres played a huge role in the Zorros fifth TU North flag in the last six seasons with a 21-12 record and 2.12 ERA. The 35-year-old southpaw tied for the most shutouts with 7, had 19 complete games and fanned 250 in 301 innings. Opposing teams hit only .211 against Torres.

The Islandian Times
Thursday, October 20, 2022

RU Skipper Of The Year Is Baby George
In a very close race between three managers, Herman "Baby" George of the Crystal Lake Crushers outdistanced two other deserving skippers, Matt Donnelly of Wynnamac and Trip Holmes of the vastly-improved Cold Creek Catamounts. George has won many awards in his legendary career as one of the all-time great industrial league players and managers. After 22 seasons in the IPA and two Pro Cups, George added Ruthlandian Union Manager of the Year to his laurels. His Crushers copped the RU South title by a whopping 15 games after finishing in third place 10 games back in 2021. Crystal Lake had the best record in the RU and tied for the top spot in the IPA with Arroyo Grande of the Tycobbian South. Both clubs were 97-57 on the year. The Crushers were 80-74 last year.

Wynnamac's fine skipper Matt Donnelly was the runner-up in The Islandian Times poll. His Sundowners also make a dramatic turnaround, rising up from 7th place to first place in the RU East, improving from 76-78 to 93-63. The greatest improvement was made by Trip Holmes' Cold Creek Catamounts, who in one year went from 58-96 and 8th place in the RU East to 81-73 and a 4th-place finish. Holmes wound up third in the voting.

Reds Christianson Named TU Best Manager 3rd Time
A trio of fine managers vied for the Tycobbian Union Manager of the Year. In a close race, Matty Christianson of Rolling Hills got the best of Midway's Cochise Chandler and Arroyo Grande's Cyclone Cobb, who wound up second and third in the voting. This was Christianson's third time to be honored. He also won in 2007 and 2019. His Rolling Hills Reds captured the TU West by 7 games this season with a 96-58 mark, moving up from second place last year. They were 11 games off the pace with an 81-73 record.

In 2021 Cochise Chandler's Midway Wolves came in a distant third in the TU East, despite a great 93-61 record. This year they were 92-62, but won the division by 9 games. Cyclone Cobb had another terrific season, winding up with an outstanding 97-57 record for the second straight year. The Suns won the TU South by 6 games.

Season #23 coming soon.

I'll be working on the new roster additions.

Thanks for following the IPA.

Much appreciated.

I love this league and I love the Crystal Lake Crushers! Great job, Eugene.

Many thanks to you, edog23. You are my most loyal follower that I know of.

Your comments are always welcomed and appreciated.

I'll begin Season 24 in a day or two. I have reworked all but 18 of the 64 franchises. I should finish all the rosters today.