I would seriously like to send a very, very special thanks and appreciation to cephasjames and his 5000 logos that were the source of all the images used by the pseudo-arteest.

His 5000 logos are a godsend to all neophyte logo, jersey and cap creator wannabes.

And another very, very special thanks and appreciation to justafan for his wonderful logo, jersey and cap software.

These two guys, along with a whole bunch of graphics gurus, really, really make my dynasties something very, very special to me.

They bring my dynasties to life for yours truly... and I hope for the viewers, too.

Attachment 629231

Sunday, April 4, 2060

4 CLUBS PICKED TO REPEAT IN IPA
The Islandian Pro Alliance returns to the diamonds for real tomorrow afternoon all across the Islands... spring training is over and the 64 clubs will be playing for keeps... in the preseason polls, Ginza, the defending Pro Cup titlist, is forecast to repeat as the division winner, along with three other clubs that won the pennant last year: Valmara, Sligo and Oxford... if the baseball prognosticators are correct, there will be four new faces in the fight to replace the Ninjas as the champion of Islandia... St. John, Wynnamac, Tuckanarra and Kenwood are expected to be the new challengers... in last year's Pro Cup Finals the Karate Kids unexpectedly mopped up on the Valmara Vipers in a 4-game sweep... High Mesa and Sligo made the semi-final round.

VIPERS SEEKS 4TH STRAIGHT FLAG IN RU NORTH
Rock solid Valmara is a strong favorite to prevail in the Ruthlandian North Division... the hard-hitting Vipers are a powerhouse at the plate with fair pitching and are picked to take their fourth straight pennant... the other contenders are not quite on par with Valmara... the Far Mountain Redhawks will be their biggest problem... the Redhawks can score runs and have decent pitching... the LaGrange Gators and Glasco Foxhounds have better pitching, but aren't in the ballpark when it comes to scoring runs.

Ruthlandian North Division

**Team (last year's record)
1. VALMARA VIPERS (94-60/1st)
2. Far Mountain Redhawks (86-68/3rd)
3. LaGrange Gators (80-74/5th)
4. Glasco Foxhounds (88-66/2nd)
5. Taranto Tars (69-85/7th)
6. Ancona Red Elephants (81-73/4th)
7. Ranford Bulls (64-90/8th)
8. Kilkenny Cats (72-82/6th)

CRUSADERS CLASS OF THE RU SOUTH
The St. John Crusaders have been in the pennant mix the last few years and are now ready to take the giant step and win the Ruthlandian South title... St. John won the division flag in '57 and would like nothing better than to do it again... they stand just a little higher talent-wise than the competition, Waleska, current champ Crystal Lake, Claxton and Grand City... but the experts think the Crusaders have an improved attack, now on par with Crystal Lake with a superior mound staff than the Skippers... the Westerners, Diamonds and Cybercats can't match St. John and Crystal Lake on the scoreboard... the Crystal Lake Skippers may be hard to skuttle... they have won it the past two seasons... and definitely could do it again... looks like a two-team race.

Ruthlandian South Division

**Team (last year's record)
1. ST. JOHN CRUSADERS (74-80/3rd)
2. Waleska Westerners (70-84/6th tied)
3. Crystal Lake Skippers (85-69/1st)
4. Claxton Diamonds (70-84/6th-tied)
5. Grand City Cybercats (73-81/4th)
6. Belair Beach Sunbirds (72-82/5th)
7. San Dimas Rancheros (65-89/8th)
8. Valka Blackhawks (81-73/2nd)

Ruthlandian East Division

MACS BEAST IN RU EAST
The Ruthlandian East had an abundance of good teams last year with Marston rated one of the best teams in the IPA... but this year perennial power Wynnamac is the cream of the crop... even better than Marston... the Sundowners finished third last year... the Macs have the best mound staff and the best offense this season and they have captured 5 of the last 8 pennants... some experts say that the Sundowners just might win by 10 or more games... they are that good... last year's pennant winner Marston is rated second-best in the preseason poll... Cold Creek was second last year and is picked third this year... none of the other five clubs are expected to be contenders.

**Team (last year's record)
1. WYNNAMAC SUNDOWNERS (87-67/3rd)
2. Marston Nine (95-59/1st)
3. Cold Creek Raccoons (89-65) (2nd)
4. Sugar Valley Rattlers (78-76/5th)
5. Eastshore Cotton Kings (63-91/7th)
6. Elnora Clippers (80-74/4th)
7. Belle Plaine Musketeers (69-85/6th)
8. Beechwood Jackrabbits (51-101/8th)

Ruthlandian West Division

ROVERS WILL ROMP IN RU WEST
Six straight seasons of frustration finally ended last year for the Sligo Rovers... they had been mired and stuck in second place in the Ruthlandian West Division since 2053... but last season Sligo hit the jackpot and nabbed the division crown... and this year is supposed to be even better... no one else in the RU West is given any chance to win... the Rovers have outstanding pitching, the best in the Ruthlandian Union... only the Summerland Sunsets in the Tycobbian Union are ranked higher... and not by much... the forecast calls for Sligo to triumph by double digits... improved offense is the cause for much optimism this season.

**Team (last year's record)
1. SLIGO ROVERS (88-66/1st)
2. Volusia Vigilantes (82-72/2nd)
3. Middlefield Roosters (71-83/8th)
4. Rocky Rapids Snappers (78-76/4th-tied)
5. Fort Benton Defenders (75-79/6th)
6. Colfax Blasters (82-72/3rd)
7. Stoner Stars (78-76/4th-tied)
8. Forest City Firebirds (74-80/7th)

Tycobbian North Division

Sunday, April 4, 2060

RED CAPS READY TO ROLL AND REPEAT IN TU NORTH
The powerful Oxford Red Caps have been picked to repeat as division champs in the Tycobbian North... they should easily haul in their third pennant in the last four years...the Red Caps ran away with the flag last year by 11 games and are previewed to do even better this year... there are no challengers in sight... Oxford has everything to dominate again this season and even more... the Red Caps have improved on the hill, too... they already are an explosive offensive powerhouse... the Fairfax Frogs are slated to battle it out with Luxora and Mahaska for the runner-up spot... North Hills and White River could be in that bunch, too... TU North also-rans, the Blue Lake Schooners and Hartsdale Hellcats, are given little chance this season and are destined for the lower depths of the division.

Tycobbian North Division

**Team (last year's record)
1. OXFORD RED CAPS (97-57/1st)
2. Fairfax Frogs (80-68/2nd)
3. Luxora Zorros (82-72/4th)
4. Mahaska Haymakers (58-96/8th)
5. North Hills Hawks (74-80/6th)
6. White River Rascals (71-83/7th)
7. Blue Lake Schooners (80-74/3rd)
8. Hartsdale Hellcats (75-79/5th)

GINZA BEST IN TU SOUTH, SUN SOX 2ND
The preseason predictions are all aglow about last season's sensation, the Ginza Ninjas, who won it all last year... the Tycobbian South Division came first... and then, the ultimate, the IPA Pro Cup... Ginza came out of nowhere to win it all... this season the fabled Karate Kids have been chosen to repeat in the TU South... and who knows, they just might take the much-cherished Pro Cup trophy again... but it will be tougher this time around... Southport and Turon are right up there with the Ninjas talent-wise... and Summerland is not far behind with its fabled pitching staff... it's going to be a four-team tussle this season in the Tycobbian South pennant hunt... the team with the most firepower should win it.

Tycobbian South Division

**Team (last year's record)
1. GINZA NINJAS (96-58/1st)
2. Southport Sun Sox (83-71/3th-tied)
3. Turon Typhoons (89-65/2nd)
4. Summerland Sunsets (83-71/3rd-tied)
5. San Alejo Montaneros (69-85/7th-tied)
6. Cape Coral Hurricanes (83-71/3rd-tied)
7. Arroyo Grande Suns (69-85/7th-tied)
8. Colchester Elites (76-78/6th)

TUCKS TOP TEAM IN TU EAST
Tuckanarra has an new nickname and the Tiger Cats are ready to roar and make a lot of noise in the Tycobbian East Division... but the Tucks will have to claw their way past four other challengers... South Fork and last year's division champion, High Mesa, will be the biggest hurdles with perennial contenders, the Midway Wolves and the Red Bluff Red Sox, not far behind... the Wolves won the TU East five of the past seven seasons... they were beaten out by the IPA Pro Cup-winning Red Bluff Red Sox in '57 and last year by the High Mesa Mustangs... the Wolves and Red Sox have gotten old.

Tycobbian East Division

**Team (last year's record)
1. TUCKANARRA TIGER CATS (80-74/4th)
2. South Fork Stallions (70-84/6th)
3. High Mesa Mustangs (89-65/1st)
4. Midway Wolves (82-72/3rd)
5. Red Bluff Red Sox (83-71/2nd)
6. Hillsboro Blazers (65-89/8th)
7. Ozarka Naturals (66-88/7th)
8. East Point Panthers (72-82/5th)

KENWOOD, ROLLING HILLS 1-2 IN TU WEST
A two-team battle is predicted in the Tycobbian West Division... two high-octane attacks will be going at it... both much-improved favorite Kenwood and Rollings Hills can put runs on the scoreboard, but neither of them have good pitching... in fact, nobody in the TU West has good pitching... so the big bats of the Wildcats and Red Caps should rule... from a distance the Denton City Redbirds and Bayview Vikings will slug it out for third place... the Redbirds won the pennant last year... none of the other teams will be in the race... Kenwood and Rolling Hills are dead even... just flip a coin for the winner... they are that closely matched.

Tycobbian West Division

**Team (last year's winner)
1. KENWOOD WILDCATS (66-88/6th)
2. Rolling Hills Reds (87-67/2nd)
3. Denton City Redbirds (88-67/1st)
4. Bayview Vikings (69-85/5th)
5. Bay St. Clair Buccaneers (66-88/7th)
6. La Claire Lynx (74-80/4th)
7. Arlon Champions (83-71/3rd)
8. Chicopee Braves (60-94/8th)

Nice new logos! Looking forward to another season :eatpop:

Always good to hear from my biggest supporter.

Yeah, I thought I needed to perk up the old IPA a little bit with some nickname changes.

I'm also going to get to work on new jerseys... I use just one jersey for both home and away in some cases... I don't have good-looking home and away jerseys for all teams... some of them need to be lightened up... some of the teams have jerseys that are too dark colored.

Don't think I can get them done again on the Graphics Forum... think I will have to create them myself... I have learned to be satisfied with a lesser quality... the graphics gurus spoiled me when they redid all of my teams 3-4 years ago.

Attachment 629642

Saturday, May 1, 2060

CHAOS PREVAILS IN IPA
At the end of the first month of play in the Islandian Pro Alliance, things are not running according to Hoyle... whoever he was... in plain English, things are not playing out according to the preseason polls... the races in the Ruthlandian Union are particularly disturbing to those who put their full faith and trust into the preseason forecasts... what has happened to the vaunted Valmara Vipers in the RU North?... the saintly and faithful St. John Crusaders in the RU South and the strong and steady Sligo Rovers in the RU West?... the whole Ruthlandian Union has lost its bearings and slipped into almost total chaos... thank goodness, the Tycobbian Union is running pretty true to form.

Valmara (9-16) and Sligo (9-16) had awful Aprils... St. John (12-13) got out of the starting gate a little bit on the slow side, too... but the pollsters say, not to worry... it's just a small sample... give the Vipers, Rovers and Crusaders time and they will be up where they belong... near the top of their divisions.

Well, we'll just have to wait and see... as things stand now, Far Mountain (17-8) lived up to expectations and is on top of the Ruthlandian North Division... the Redhawks are redhot and flying high with Curt Miley (.411), Luke Hazlett (.344) and Ox Gless (.319) and a host of other solid bats sparking the offense and Jeffrey Chandler (4-1/3.62), Monte Westbrooks (3-1/2.70) and Bob Speed (3-2/3.52) hurling on all cylinders... Far Mountain was supposed to be the arch nemesis of Valmara, along with Glasco and LaGrange... you know the Redhawks are more than happy with an 8-game lead over the Vipers after just one month of play... the second place Glasco Foxhounds (16-9) are enjoying the same sort of edge, which will come in handy in the September stretch drive... wins in April also help the bottom line... the Ancona Red Elephants (14-11) had a good month as well and are in the third spot in the standings... Valmara didn't hit well and was absolutely atrocious on the mound with a 5.53 team ERA.

A fair-to-middling team, the Grand City Cybercats (16-9) are in the driver's seat in the Ruthlandian South heading into the merry month of May... super duper slingers are carrying the day for the Cybercats... Fred Barrow (4-0/1.91), Glen Smitherman (4-1/2.72), Gil Lloyd (4-1/3.65) and closer Steve Shirley (0-1/1.62 ERA/8 saves/11 games) have them off to a great start... Grand City is followed closely by the Waleska (14-11) and Valka (14-11)... favorite St. John (12-13) is struggling a tad in fifth place, but the Crusaders are well within striking distance of the leaders... the Westerners are strong on hill with an excellent 2.97 ERA (4th), anchored by Rory Beecroft (3-0/1.62), Curly Duckworth (2-0/2.45), Bret Shockley (1-1/2.45) and Rick Howzer (2-1/3.08) and closer Kenny Foster (4-1/3.00 ERA/2 saves/12 games)... the Valka Blackhawks were forecast for a down year, but have added to the chaotic season by doing a lot better than expected... pitching is also the name of the game for the Blackhawks with the best team ERA in the Ruthlandian Union at 2.58, spearheaded by Stosh Matusczak (3-2/0.53), Aavo Keskkula (2-2/1.85), Vidrik Valdma (2-1/3.53), Kert Poska (1-0/1.00), Clark Harrington (3-1/1.89) and Stan Terlecki (1-1/3.03)... surprisingly Crystal Lake, the division champ for the past two seasons, is dead last with a very poor 10-15 mark... the Skippers have terrible pitching in the early part of the season, but it's looking like it could be all season long.

All is well in the Ruthlandian East Division where teams are playing up to par... both highly-touted contenders Wynnamac and Marston are off and running with 17-8 records in the first month of action... the Macs are playing absolutely great on the hill and at the plate... Kylee Callender (4-0/1.59), Dick Vanner (3-1/1.54), George Medworth (1-0/1.13) and Tike Collazo (1-0/1.69) are excellent starters... and Snooky Bartels (.372/7 HR/25 RBI) and Manny Sendejas (.305/9 HR/22 RBI) are off to sizzling starts with the bats... the Marston Nine are playing lights out, too, sparked by Vince Boscarino (4-1/2.60), Lance McElveen (3-0/2.80), Philip Terry (3-1/2.08), D. D. Klem (2-0/3.12), Stan Pirosko (2-2/2.76) and closer Robert Tringle (1-1/1.88 ERA/5 saves/15 games)... the Nine's top guns are Soseki Ishida (.343/3 HR/14 RBI), Damien D'Amboise (.344/2 HR/17 RBI), Stan Janowitz (.329/0 HR/12 RBI), Whitlow Barksdale (.321/1 HR/13 RBI and Tom Tuckett (.290/1 HR/20 RBI)... third place Cold Creek (15-10) is nipping at the co-leaders' heels, just two games off the pace... Adam Quincy (.289/4 HR/20 RBI) and Tex Green (.270/2 HR/15 RBI) are the most productive bats... leading the hurlers are Charley Cayley (3-2/3.71), Rich Joyner (2-2/3.32), Junior Gillespie (2-2/3.65) and closer Zeke Dial (0-1/1.98 ERA/4 saves/9 games)... lending some more credence to out-of-whack polls is the Beechwood Jackrabbits, who have leaped out of the cellar with 14-11 record into fourth place in the RU East standings... time will tell if the Jacks can keep playing as well in May.

It's the Sligo bullpen that is killing them... along with their woeful batting and a slow start by most of their starters... prime starters Mickey Walsh (1-3/3.29) and Jacky Harshman (2-1/3.82) have much elevated ERAs this season... and scoring runs is almost non-existent... Volusia (18-7), forecast to finish high in the standings, is playing quite well both on the hill and at the plate... top twirlers are Ivan Meza (4-0/2.02), Lonny Rinehart (4-/2.39), Dan Hunt (3-0/2.27) and Reynaldo Medrano (1-0/1.20)... Ellie Hudgins (.412/3 HR/23 RBI) and Clement Belliveau (.275/6 HR/21 RBI) head up a potent attack... Rocky Rapids (15-10) and Stoner (15-10) had good months... the Snappers have firepower with 30 homers for April, paced by Jamey Murton (.313/9 HR/20 RBI)... the mound corps is led by Bernardo Banuelos (4-0/0.88), Big Jim Wakely (3-0/2.17), Lance Obermueller (2-1/2.55) and Clay Callaghan (2-4/3.46)... the Silver Fox are a solid ballclub, paced by starters Alberto Temozos (4-1/3.44), Jake Warrick (3-2/2.16), Paulie Patino (3-1/3.48), Vitorio Barriento (1-1/2.16) and Brad Squires (1-0/3.20)... and rock solid hitters like Jean St. Julien (.329/4 HR/20 RBI), Hector Francisco (.303/2 HR/16 RBI), Steve Brunson (.301/2 HR/14 RBI), Claude Brick (.375/2 HR/11 RBI) and Tyler Stoddard (.289/6 HR/12 RBI).

Let's see if the old adage that cream rises to the top will come true in the coming months for the very disappointing Valmara Vipers, Sligo Rovers and Crystal Lake Skippers in the Ruthlandian Union.

Attachment 629887

Saturday, May 1, 2060

TU PICKS PLAYED WELL IN APRIL
Most of the preseason picks had good Aprils in the Tycobbian Union... the defending Pro Cup champion Ginza Ninjas (18-7) had a standout start in the Tycobbian South with a two-game lead so far... highly-rated Rolling Hills (17-8) is first in the Tycobbian West... the Tuckanarra Tiger Cats, the choice to take the Tycobbian East, is right up near the top, just one game behind leader South Fork (18-7)... only one of the favorites tanked in the first month of play... after being touted as one of the top teams in the Tycobbian West, the Kenwood Wildcats had a miserable 10-15 month, and fell six games behind the pace of division-leading Rolling Hills (16-9)... the Mahaska Haymakers (16-9) had very good month and lead the Tycobbian North... the preseason choice Oxford (14-11) is right up there with them, tied for third place.

Most of the good teams in the TU North did well in April... Mahaska (16-9), Luxora (15-10) and Oxford (14-11)... Blue Lake (14-11) did better than expected... highly-regarded Fairfax (9-16) flopped badly... the Frogs got of the gate very slowly and are at the botton of the division in last place.

The first place Haymakers (16-9) have a good offense, pretty good pitching and excellent defense... top bats are Buddy Minkler (.3.04/6 HR/20 RBI), Elvis Gilford (.337/3 HR/13 RBI) and Griff Stillman (.340/1 HR/13 RBI)... top moundsmen are Cubby Darville (3-2/2.30), Marty Mobley (2-1/2.95), Kerstan Koening (2-1/2.70) and closer Wiley Youngblood (4-0/2.68 ERA/4 saves/16 games)... Mahaska looks like a club in for the long haul... not a flash-in-the-pan.

The runner-up Luxora Zorros (15-10) are using firepower to win games... 33 homers in April... but the mound staff is not up to stuff... top swatters are Francisco Queiro (.358/5 HR/19 RBI), Omar Solis (.300/4 HR/11 RBI), Wade Tibbs (.274/5 HR/17 RBI) and Riyo Nijo (.311/4 HR/15 RBI)... staff has a high ERA... best of the lot are Wallace MacPherson (3-2/3.92), Juliano Machado (3-2/3.46), Howie Huntsman (4-1/3.98)... starters are fairly good... the bullpen is abyssmal... thank goodness for the run support.

Highly-ranked Oxford, last year's TU North Division winner, still has the dynamic duo of Buddy Blackford (.284/8 HR/21 RBI) and Showboat Lynn (.281/7 HR/21 RBI)... actually they are off to a slow start offensively... they were super duper last year with 59 and 50 homers... both hit well over .300, too... fortunately, the pitching is better this year... but the offense is down... the Red Caps are still a threat and will be in the running for the pennant again... the starting five are pretty darn good: Rico Alessi (3-1/2.14), Chucker Pitts (3-1/3.00), Pat McFarlane (3-2/3.31), Maury Statler (1-1/1.62) and Meldon Eddington (1-0/3.27)... but the bullpen doesn't look very impressive... yet, Oxford was ranked heads and shoulders ahead of everybody in the TU North... they were picked to win by double digits again this year... the won the TU North last year by 11 games (97-57)... when the Red Cap offense gets hitting on all cylinders... look out... they are a fearsome team... especially if the pitching is improved over last season.

Blue Lake (14-11) came in very distant third last year (80-74)... the Schooners were picked seventh in the preseason poll, but came out playing well and are tied for third with Oxford... they are first in runs scored in their division... vets Daryl Monaghan (.316/2 HR/16 RBI), John Gilbert (.284/2 HR/10 RBI), Steve Schueler (.341/0 HR/10 RBI lead the way, but have gotten good help from two rookies, Teddy Vilardo (.280/8 HR/20 RBI) and Niles Kinnick (.269/4 HR/12 RBI)... Hank Kingman (3-0/3.05) and Weldon Nettleton (4-1/3.66) are the mainstay starters... the bullpen needs help... the Schooners need better pitching to contend for the pennant.

The Fairfax Frogs (9-16) have fallen on the faces in the early going... they were second last year (86-68) and forecast for the first division again this year... but the pitching corps has been bad... the Frogs can still score plenty of runs, but they have not been able to keep the opposing clubs off the scoreboard... 4.72 team ERA overall with a terrible 6.89 in the bullpen... top to bottom the batting order is solid with the likes of Wyatt Clausen (.327/3 HR/16 RBI), Jarred McMain (.282/3 HR/14 RBI), Paddy Fenroy (.350/0 HR/13 RBI), Mike Mitchell (.325/1/& RBI), Ron Travis (.288/1 HR/5 RBI), Kirk Waner (.302/4 HR/14 RBI), Cade Durning (.329/1 HR/10 RBI) and Arlie Buckridge (.291/1 HR/12 RBI)... they just have to get some help for starters Ken Wallington (3-0/0.36) and Ronnie Custer (2-1/2.65)... and someone in the bullpen to get someone out... the Frogs are not really this bad... it just might be a bad month.

The first place Ginza Ninjas (18-7) were the class of the Tycobbian South Division last year and the very best in the Islandian Pro Alliance... the Karate Kids won the whole shebang last season... they were the IPA Pro Cup champion... and they really look like they are headed for a repeat... the Ninjas do everything well... they hit, they score, they pitch well and they play really good defense... heading up the hitters are Gideon Tracy (.330/3 HR/21 RBI), Kuzuki Tamura (.405/2 HR/10 RBI), Nori Matsumoto (.311/4 HR/14 RBI) and Gerry Glidden (.293/3 HR/7 RBI)... the mound corps is solid, too, with Mikio Nosaka (4-0/1.16), last year's Pro Cup MVP Kurt Brophy (3-1/2.25) and Motohiro Shima (5-0/2.63)... anchoring the bullpen is Abram Worth (1-1/1.50 ERA/5 saves/12 games)... Ginza is the favorite to win the TU South for the second straight season, but they have a mess of good ballclubs to challenge them this year... it will be harder to repeat.

April was a very good month for the second place Arroyo Grande Suns (16-9)... they were seventh last year (69-85) and were not expected to do any better this year, but they have used homers (36 HR) and very good pitching (2.85 ERA) to get a quick start to the season... that's a very good combination for a good season... starters Beau McCloud (1-1/1.91), Diego Avalos (3-2/3.19), Rocky Steed (2-2/3.50) and Nap Vickerson (3-1/3.96) have done well on the hill... the bullpen (1.05 ERA) has been outstanding, led by closer Kurt Wolf (2-0/1.15 ERA/6 saves/11 games)... batting-wise the Suns don't hit much for average, but they are a productive bunch with Gaston Robin (.230/7 HR/15 RBI), Sammy Workman (.247/6 HR/15 RBI) and rookie Davis Branch (.194/5 HR/15 RBI)... the Suns will have to hit better than .213 to keep up this pace for the rest of the year... a second-division finish is more than likely for Arroyo Grande... they are not likely to shine as much as time goes on.

The third place Southport Sun Sox (15-10) have won the TU South twice in the last five years... they are picked to be the main challenger to Ginza this season... picked for a very close second place... they are a very similar club to the Ninjas... good scoring, good home-run power (27 HR) and terrific pitching (3.23 ERA)... Champ Shafer (3-1/3.32), Jeff Moncriffe (2-1/4.33), Jordy Wales (1-3/4.98) and Jace Dickenson (3-0/2.41) are a good starting foursome... the top reliever is a very good one, Troy Hill (0-1/0.47 ERA/6 saves/10 games)... vets Keiland Forrester (.310/3 HR/13 RBI), Manuelo Garcia (.273/5 HR/13 RBI), Walt Walmsley (.268/2 HR/11 RBI) and Zee Graham (.302/4 HR/10 RBI) are the top run producers.

The fourth place Turon Typhoons (13-12) have won the TU South flag five times in the last eight years... they were second the last two years and are forecast to be a close contender this season... they are hitting the cover off the baseball this year (.297), but the pitching has been woeful (4.82 ERA)... it was much better last season (3.43 ERA)... the only decent starters are Larry Lynch (4-0/4.00) and Snooky Cossman (2-3/4.82)... the bullpen is a little better than the starters (4.18 ERA)... but thankfully, Turon has seven... count 'em... seven .300 hitters: Andy Wilkerson (.364/3 HR/24 RBI), Maxie Mullinax (.304/2 HR/18 RBI), Omar Price (.304/2 HR/15 RBI), Tank Shepperton (.358/1 HR/13 RBI), Matthew Fears (.322/3 HR/12 RBI), Juan De La Roca (.316/0 HR/11 RBI and Bill Wolverton (.330/0 HR/9 RBI)... so you know they can do some damage and put runs on the scoreboard... but the pitching has to greatly improve to challenge the likes of Ginza and Southport.

The Summerland Sunsets (10-15) with its great pitching was picked to be in the fight for the pennant, but they have started off poorly, tied for fifth place and already eight games back of leader Ginza... the Sunsets are an abomination at the plate... only 9 homers and a pathetic .220 BA... however, they are terrific on the mound with an IPA-leading 2.42 ERA... starters Manny Jimanez (3-2/2.61), Tommy Underhill (2-4/2.93), Mick Marlow (0-3/2.33) and Marty Westhuizen (0-4/2.60) deserve better... the bullpen is even better than the starting rotation... Rip Norfield (.317/3 HR/11 RBI) is the only decent bat in the lineup... 'nuff said... middle of the pack may be the best Summerland can do this year.

Tuckanarra was the preseason choice to capture the Tycobbian East Division this year... South Fork and last year's champ High Mesa were picked in the poll to put up the biggest fight, along with regular contenders, Red Bluff and Midway... in the initial month of action, the Stallions (18-7) have raced to the top of the standings, but the Tucks (17-8) are right on their hooves and running a very close second... the Red Sox (14-11) are doing well in third place... the Mustangs (12-13) are tied for fourth and under the .500 mark... it looks like the Wolves have slumped into mediocrity after years of dominance and glory... 5 TU East flags in 8 years... and 2 Pro Cups ('53, '54).

The South Fork Stallions (18-7) are in the top spot in the Tycobbian East standings because of its superb pitching (2.49 ERA), second-best to Summerland (2.42 ERA)... the difference is South Fork has a decent offense, compared to the lousy Summerland offense... the Stallions have been brilliant on the mound with four rookies and a veteran... Mark Packard (2-2/1.46), Bret Danziger (3-0/1.85), Benito Banuelos (2-1/2.25), Christopher Hollie (3-0/2.83) are all first-year hurlers and Herm McClanahan (4-1/3.09) is the vet... South Fork has a standout bullpen, too, with Sam Black (2-0/1.06 ERA/6 saves/16 games)... the offense is just good enough to get by, led by Bob Purkey (.362/4 HR/16 RBI), Rudi Eberhardt (.297/2 HR/13 RBI) and Rudy Maroney (.290/4 HR/14 RBI)... and the Stallions have accomplished this without 25-game winner Emmett Coogan, who is injured and will be out about six weeks... South Fork is a club to be reckoned with this year in the TU East.

Second place Tuckanarra (17-8) has better bats than South Fork... they can put more runs on the scoreboard than the Stallions and they have solid pitching (3.12 ERA) and decent home-run power (20 HR)... it should be quite a race in the TU East this year... the Tiger Cats' lineup is productive with Boomer Carlton (.244/4 HR/20 RBI), Jamie Thomas (.259/3 HR/16 RBI), Odell Overstreet (.321/14 RBI), Orin Ryder (.349/1 HR/10 RBI), Duncan McLemore (.261/2 HR/9 RBI) and Foxy Frye (.284/1 HR/6 RBI)... the Tucks rotation is good with superstar Ian Timms (3-1/2.17), Ralph Ayers (3-1/3.30), Alan Dayton (2-1/3.60) and Skip Eberly (2-2/4.06)... and a fairly good bullpen, headed up by Mick Dooley (5-1/2.73 ERA/2 saves/13 games)... one key difference between the Tucks and South Fork is defense... the Stallions (.980) are much better with the gloves than the Tiger Cats (.973).

Right now the third spot in the Tycobbian East belongs to the Red Bluff Red Sox (14-11)... they have been a perennial power in the division for the past five years... the Red Sox copped the Pro Cup in '57 and finished a close second the last two seasons... they were forecast for fourth place in the preseason poll... no longer a scoring and home-run machine, Red Bluff depends on its pitching (3.31 ERA) these days... and they have three fine starters in Dontrelle Gilbreath (4-1/1.26), Wilson Sharpe (2-2/2.14) and rookie Shayne Cushenbury (2-1/2.42)... last year's ace Duane Sturgeon (21-10/2.20) will be sorely missed this year... he will likely miss most of this season with a torn UCL... they may also lose their prime bat, slugger Toni Kolkov (.348/9 HR/20 RBI), who has a sore elbow... Kolkov, Joe Patrick (.297/1 HR/13 RBI) and Ian Driskell (.305/1 HR/8 RBI) are about the only reliable batters in the lineup... third or fourth may be the best Red Bluff can do without Sturgeon... not likely to challenge South Fork and Tuckanarra this year.

The High Mesa Mustangs (12-13) were a bit of a surprise winner last year in the TU East... this year in the preseason poll they finished third behind Tuckanarra and South Fork... the fourth place Mustangs have been a bit sluggish this season... hitting and pitching is not up to par... superstar Kagetoki Miyazaki is hitting only .213 with three homers and 12 RBIs... he hit 50 out of the park last year and 47 the year before with a near .300 BA... but Billy Putnam (.250/6 HR/16 RBI) and Tommy Yost (.330/5 HR/16 RBI) have taken up some of the slack... the Mustangs will have to hit better to repeat as division champ... only one starter, Weldon Herrington (1-2/2.15), has been effective... he needs help from David Newell (1-0/0.00) and Bucky Dodge (1-1/4.19)... both were solid starters lasy season... last year's outstanding closer Sandy Stevenson (2-3/5.21) has stuggled mightily as a starter... if the bats perk up and the pitching returns to form, High Mesa could be in the pennant mix.

The Hillsboro Blazers (12-13) are tied for the fourth spot, but are not expected to remain there... they came in last in '59 and were picked sixth this year in the preseason poll... which is about right... the only reliable bats are Ichiro Ichikawa (.296/7 HR/19 RBI) and impressive rookie center fielder Jake Hepburn (.300/4 HR/13 RBI)... Horace Almond (2-1/2.78) is the top starter, but the rest of the rotation is lackluster... rookie Nigel Raborn (0-2/2.48) looks like he has good potential... the only one quality arm in the bullpen is Jeffrey Bevan (0-1/1.29 ERA/5 saves/9 games).

The Midway Wolves are not the team they have been... they still have superstars Norishige Ito (.284/7 HR/20 RBI) and Daryl Vale (.242/8 HR/18 RBI), plus a solid shortstop Kax Clark (.330/1 HR/8 RBI), but little else... the pitching is the worst it has been in 15 years (4.28 ERA)... ditto the .250 BA... it's rebuilding time for the Wolves... Steve Swanwick (3-2/2.61) is the only reliable starter... there is nobody decent in the bullpen.

According to the baseball pollsters, Kenwood (10-15) was supposed to be "the best in the West" this year in the Tycobbian West... instead, the Wildcats have been pretty bad and have tumbled to seventh place in the first month of action... a 5.12 team ERA is the problem... Dennis Tarrant (3-2/3.13) is the only effective starter... the rest range from 4.50 to 6.00... Kenwood is not likely to win a pennant with those kinds of numbers... the Wildcats are still hitting well, paced by Gabriel Macedo (.373/6 HR/13 RBI), Bralen Connolly (.316/4 HR/13 RBI) and Rick Lundgren (.337/0 HR/7 RBI)... if the pitchers snap out of the slumber, Kenwood could get back into the hunt.

In the meantime, Rolling Hills (16-9) has raced to the top of the TU West with a high-octane attack, sporting a .300 team BA, 25 HR (12th) and 149 runs (1st)... with fairly good pitching (3.53 ERA)... the Racers were the second choice to win the division... last year they came in a heartbreaking second to Denton City, losing out in a single-game playoff... boy, what a lineup Rolling Hills has with superstud Teddy Stonich (.327/9 HR/28 HR), Jameson Mulbert (.421/1 HR/17 RBI), Jean-Luc Roubique (.274/4 HR/19 RBI), Drayton Mayfield (.368/2 HR/12 RBI), Gil Arthur (.298/1 HR/14 RBI), Jasper Bowling (.349/0 HR/7 RBI) and Enrique Marantos (.356/0 HR/7 RBI)... leading the rotation are starters Bob Corcorane (4-1/2.80), Vance Dillaway (2-3/3.50) and Audie Stafford (3-1/3.23)... Corcorane and Stafford are rookies... the Racers need help in the bullpen... defense is strong... this could be the year to nab the pennant.

Running second to the Racers are the unheralded Bay St. Clair Buccaneers (14-11)... they came in seventh last season (66-88)... picked to finish fifth this year... but have scored well with 137 runs (3rd) and pitched well (3.71 ERA)... top performers at the plate are Whiz Ivie (.327/0 HR/15 RBI), Hersh Cranmore (.375/2 HR/14 RBI), Joseph Sloane (.283/2 HR/13 RBI) and Hal Driscoll (.255/3 HR/14 RBI)... on the hill it's Darcey Kennedy (2-2/0.97) and Neil Yoder (2-1/2.25)... weakness is in the bullpen.

Third place Arlon (13-12) has won four of the last nine division titles... the were a close third last year (83-71) to Denton City and Rolling Hills... but ranked seventh this season in the preseason... the Champions won the 2051 Pro Cup... they are holding their own this season, but the offense and pitching are down a bit... superstar slugger Jaimey Stansfield (.284/9 HR/25 RBI) is off to a good start and is getting some help from Rebel Bryce (.270/6 HR/13 RBI) and Carl Mendelsohn (.321/1 HR/11 RBI)... the rotation is steady with Harley Angus (3-2/3.19), rookie Ronny Lauren (3-2/3.00), Stephen Youngblood (2-0/3.78) and Mylon Hebb (1-2/2.84)... and closer Clyde Burney (2-0/0.40 ERA/5 saves/14 games) has been sensational thus far... not too sure the Champs have the talent to keep up with Rolling Hills and Denton City this year... but looks like a first-division team.

Denton City (12-13), last year's pennant winner, has started off slowly, but is still a contending team with rock-solid pitching (3.39 ERA) and fairly good bats... the starting rotation is doing well with Carl Coons (3-1/1.60), Brett Whatley (2-0/2.00), Robert Currie (2-2/2.83) and Gary Jackson (1-0/2.45)... and veteran closer Burnell Kelley (0-1/1.47 ERA/6 saves/12 games) has been impressive in the bullpen... ace Flash Stringfellow, a 20-game winner last season, had stuggled so far... as soon as he gets back to form, the Redbirds will do fine... should be in the chase again... and hoping to repeat... they were picked third in the preseason forecast to Kenwood and Rolling Hills... the offense has been slack so far... look for Vincent McCloud (.303/2 HR/8 RBI), Val Anniston (244/1 HR/12 RBI), Winky Biggio (.256/2 HR/12 RBI) and Ozzie Crenshaw (.293/2 HR/11 RBI) to get it going soon.[/QUOTE]

Tycobbian Union Standings

Tycobbian Union Leaderboards
May 1, 2060

Attachment 630075

Tuesday, June 1, 2060

GOOD RACES GALORE IN IPA
After two months of play in the Islandian Pro Alliance, the Ranford Bulls are the top team in the Ruthlandian North, but not by much... Grand City is ahead in the Ruthlandian South, but not by much... Wynnamac is number one in the Ruthlandian East by a bunch... and Rocky Rapids tops the Ruthlandian West, but not by much.

It's even tighter in the Tycobbian Union where Mahaska is just barely in front in the Tycobbian North... Pro Cup champ Ginza has a small lead in the Tycobbian South... South Fork has a very slim margin in the Tycobbian East... and Bay St. Clair has a little bit of breathing room in the Tycobbian West.

The biggest surprise in the IPA is taking place in the RU North... the Ranford Bulls have shot to the top in May, three games better than Far Mountain and five up on Glasco... the Grand City Cybercats are a mild surprise in the RU South... what a race it has turned out to be... Valka, St. John and Waleska are just one game out of first... no surprise in the RU East, Wynnamac is off and running and headed for a big year... already seven games ahead of Marston... and the Rocky Rapids Snappers are doing quite well in the RU West with a three-game edge over Stoner, four up on Volusia and five better than preseason favorite Sligo, who turned it around in May after a slow April... the biggest disappointments in the Ruthlandian Union have been Valmara and Crystal Lake... the Vipers were big time favorites in the RU North and the Skippers were expected to a contender in the RU South... both have started poorly going into June... both are below .500 and seventh in their respective divisions.

No leader in the Tycobbian Union has more than a three-game edge... the tightest race is in the TU North where four teams are within three games of first place Mahaska... Luxora and Blue Lake are only two games out... White River and preseason pick and last year's champ Oxford are just three games behind... it's close in the Tycobbian South, too, where three teams are within four games of number one Ginza, the current Pro Cup titlist... Turon is two games back, Arroyo Grande is three behind and Southport is four games off the pace... so far, it's shaping up as two-team tussle in the Tycobbian East between South Fork and Tuckanarra... the Stallions have a narrow one-game lead over the Tiger Cats... and the Bay St. Clair Buccaneers in the Tycobbian West have the most breathing room... three games over Rolling Hills and four over Bayview.

The biggest eyeopeners in the TU have been Bay St. Clair and Arroyo Grande, along with the Blue Lake Schooners... Mahaska is doing better than expected, but is sort of a mild surprise leader... Kenwood, Fairfax, High Mesa and Midway have been total flops so far.

Ruthlandian Union Standings

Ruthlandian Union Leaderboards
June 1, 2060

Tycobbian Union Standings
June 1,2060

Tycobbian Union Leaderboards
June 1, 2060

Attachment 630369

Sunday, June 20, 2060

60th IPA ALL-STAR CLASSIC WED IN GINZA
The midsummer dream game is set for this Wednesday afternoon at Ninja Stadium in Ginza... the Ruthlandian All-Stars will try to make it two in a row over the Tycobbian All-Stars... last year the RU Stars finally snapped a horrendous nine-game losing in the Islandian Pro Alliance All-Star Classic and would like nothing better than to start a new streak of their own... 4-time All-Stars Stan Radzikowski of Middlefield, Dickie DeBusshere of Elnora and Damien D'Amboise of Marston will lead the charge for the Ruthlandian Stars and 4-time All-Star Toni Kolkov, along with 3-time All-Stars Daryl Monaghan of Blue Lake and Errol Waldrep of Colchester, will head up the Tycobbian All-Stars... the TU Stars have the youngest player, 22-year-old hurler Rico Alessi, and the olderst player, 37-year-old reliever Troy Hill... no rookies made the teams this year.

Ginza manager Sogo Takagi will handle the reins for the Tycobbian Stars and Valmara skipper Don Ritchie will be at the helm of the Ruthlandian Stars.

Ruthlandian Union All-Stars:

SP: Rory Beecroft (Waleska) (7-0/1.67 ERA) (.170 BA/0 HR/1 RBI/0 R) (.947 FA) (first-time All-Star)
SP: Yanni Bubas (Ancona) (10-3/2.83 ERA) (.190 BA/0 HR/1 RBI/1 R) (.923 FA) (2-time All-Star)
SP: Tike Collazo (Wynnamac) (7-1/1.44 ERA) (.087 BA/0 HR/1 RBI/2 R) (1.000 FA) (first-time All-Star)
SP: Mark Faber (St. John) (10-3/2.44 ERA) (.156 BA/0 HR/3 RBI/1 R) (1.000 FA) (first-time All-Star)
SP: Dan Hunt (Volusia) (7-2/2.16 ERA) (.222 BA/0 HR/3 RBI/4 R) (.950 FA) (first-time All-Star)
SP: Tom Smithson (St. John) (7-1/2.12 ERA) (.120 BA/0 HR/3 RBI/1 R) (1.000 FA) (first-time All-Star)
CL: Kontos Christakis (Ancona) (2-2/1.20 ERA/13 saves/22 games) (.000 BA/0 HR/0 RBI/0 R) (1.000 FA) (first-time All-Star)
CL: Steve Shirley (Grand City) (0-2/2.18 ERA/21 saves/27 games) (.000 BA/0 HR/0 RBI/0 R) (1.000 FA) (first-time All-Star)
C: Glen Chambliss (Ranford) (.329 BA/12 HR/48 RBI/30 R) (.989 FA/4 PB/30.3% RTO) (first-time All-Star)
C: Skip Dawes (Wynnamac) (.318 BA/2 HR/26 RBI/25 R) (.998 FA/8 PB/26.7% RTO) (first-time All-Star)
C: Jean St. Julien (Stoner) (.327 BA/16 HR/46 RBI/34 R) (.995 FA/6 PB/36.4% RTO) (2-time All-Star)
1B: Manny Sendejas (Wynnamac) (.318 BA/17 HR/54 RBI/49 R) (.991 FA) (first-time All-Star)
1B: Taavi Soosaar (Valka) (.301 BA/15 HR/56 RBI/46 R) (.986 FA) (first-time All-Star)
2B: Damien D'Amboise (Marston) (.319 BA/7 HR/52 RBI/41 R) (.986 FA) (4-time All-Star)
3B: Allen Spears (.361 BA/4 HR/37 RBI/45 R) (.956 FA) (2-time All-Star)
SS: Dickie DeBusshere (Elnora) (.313 BA/6 HR/42 RBI/42 R) (.941 FA) (4-time All-Star)
SS: Phil McLemore (Wynnamac) (.290 BA/8 HR/46 RBI/42 R) (.983 FA) (first-time All-Star)
SS: Stan Radzikowsko (Middlefield) (.272 BA/11 HR/49 RBI/41 R) (.974 FA) (4-time All-Star)
LF: Snooky Bartels (Wynnamac) (.356 BA/12 HR/58 RBI/49 R) (.975 FA) (3-time All-Star)
LF: Jedd Blodgett (Ranford) (.361 BA/20 HR/60 RBI/59 R) (.975 FA) (2-time All-Star)
LF: Donald Ray Mooney (Elnora) (.352 BA/15 HR/53 RBI/44 R) (.963 FA) (3-time All-Star)
CF: Ox Gless (Far Mountain) (.298 BA/9 HR/44 RBI/43 R) (.980 FA) (2-time All-Star)
RF: Gilberto Gallardo (San Dimas) (.396 BA/22 HR/55 RBI/64 R) (.984 FA) (2-time All-Star)

Tycobbian Union All-Stars:

SP: Rico Alessi (Oxford) (10-2/1.76 ERA) (.129 BA/0 HR/4 RBI/1 R) (1.000 FA) (first-time All-Star)
SP: Kurt Brophy (Ginza) (9-2/2.66 ERA) (.219 BA/0 HR/4 RBI/1 R) (1.000 FA) (2-time All-Star)
SP: Darcey Kennedy (Bay St. Clair) (8-2/1.60 ERA) (.152 BA/0 HR/2 RBI/0 R) (1.000 FA) (2-time All-Star)
SP: Wallace MacPherson (Luxora) (10-4/2.33 ERA) (.243 BA/0 HR/3 RBI/1 R) (.840 FA) (2-time All-Star)
SP: Motohiro Shima (Ginza) (11-1/2.86 ERA) (.175 BA/0 HR/0 RBI/3 R) (.947 FA) (first-time All-Star)
SP: Ian Timms (Tuckanarra) (9-2/1.99 ERA) (.182 BA/0 HR/3 RBI/2 R) (.952 FA) (2-time All-Star)
CL: Troy Hill (Southport) (1-4/1.30 ERA/19 saves/31 games) (.000 BA/0 HR/0 RBI/0 R) (1.000 FA) (first-time All-Star)
CL: Abram Worth (Ginza) (2-3/1.56 ERA/16 saves/30 games) (.000 BA/0 HR/0 RBI/0 R) (.800 FA) (2-time All-Star)
C: Ozzy Crenshaw (Denton City) (.366 BA/14 HR/43 RBI/42 R) (.993 FA/5 PB/22.2% RTO) (first-time All-Star)
C: Daryl Monaghan (Blue Lake) (.376 BA/8 HR/53 RBI/46 R) (.984 FA/7 PB/32.4% RTO) (3-time All-Star)
C: Odell Overstreet (Tuckanarra) (.335 BA/11 HR/44 RBi/46 R) (.992 FA/5 PB/29.6% RTO) (2-time All-Star)
1B: Buddy Blackford (Oxford) (.304 BA/25 HR/62 RBI/49 R) (.997 FA) (2-time All-Star)
1B: Erroll Waldrep (Colchester) (.299 BA/29 HR/67 RBI/52 R) (.992 FA) (3-time All-Star)
2B: Elvis Gilford (Mahaska) (.323 BA/5 HR/37 RBI/55 R) (.972 FA) (first-time All-Star)
2B: Kirk Waner (Fairfax) (.313 BA/14 HR/49 RBI/49 R) (.981 FA) (first-time All-Star)
3B: Matthew Fears (Turon) (.336 BA/14 HR/44 RBI/55 R) (.966 FA) (first-time All-Star)
3B: Teddy Stonich (Rolling Hills) (.348 BA/17 HR/62 RBI/56 R) (.948 FA) (2-time All-Star)
SS: Jameson Mulbert (Rolling Hills) (.395 BA/8 HR/44 RBI/57 R) (.959 FA) (2-time All-Star)
LF: Ichiro Ichikawa (Hillsboro) (.321 BA/16 HR/48 RBI/46 R) (.963 FA) (first-time All-Star)
LF: Showboat Lynn (Oxford) (.262 BA/24 HR/52 RBI/55 R) (.989 FA) (2-time All-Star)
CF: Wyatt Clausen (Fairfax) (.319 BA/12 HR/43 RBI/54 R) (.981 FA) (first-time All-Star)
CF: Steve Schueler (Blue Lake) (.366 BA/1 HR/50 RBI/54 R) (.985 FA) (first-time All-Star)
RF: Toni Kolkov (Red Bluff) (.286 BA/27 HR/60 RBI/45 R) (.981 FA) (4-time All-Star)
RF: Gideon Tracy (Ginza) (.300 BA/12 HR/52 RBI/47 R) (.994 FA) (first-time All-Star)

Attachment 630378

Thursday, June 24, 2060

Attachment 630583

Thursday, July 1, 2060

IPA HITS MIDSEASON MARK
There is a whole bunch of good old-fashioned pennant races going at the midseason mark in the Islandian Pro Alliance... seven of the eight divisions are still very much in doubt... the only exception is the Ruthlandian East race where Wynnamac is seven games ahead and is looking very much like the pennant winner.

BULLS HANGING TOUGH IN RU NORTH
A quick survey of the races around the IPA still shows unheralded Ranford still ahead in the Ruthlandian North... the Bulls are showing staying power... they had a good June with a 16-10 mark... but the Glasco Foxhounds are snapping at their heels after a spectacular 19-7 month... the Bulls are just two games up... Far Mountain tanked it last month with a terrible 11-15 record to drop 8 games off the pace... the LaGrange Gators are running in the fourth spot after posting a 15-11 in June... preseason favorite Valmara has tumbled into oblivion... the Vipers are in last place, 20 games behind.

3-TEAM FIGHT IN RU SOUTH
The Ruthlandian South may be settling down a bit into a three-team fight between the current leader, Grand City, last year's champ and preseason pick, St. John, and the Waleska Westerners... the upstart Valka Blackhawks have dropped back to sixth place after sticking close to the top in the first two months of play... the bottom fell out as the Blackhawks slumped badly to 8-18 last month... both Grand City and St. John prospered in June with 16-10 records... Waleska was not quite as good and lost ground at 14-12... the Cybercats have a one-game edge over the Crusaders and are three better than the Westerners.

MACS SHINE BRIGHT IN RU EAST
After two excellent months number one Wynnamac cooled down a little in June to just 14-12 in the Ruthlandian East, but the Sundowners are still seven games in front... all of the division challengers did about the same... the runner-up Elnora Clippers were also 14-12... third place Marston was even at 13-13... and fourth place Cold Creek suffered with a 12-14 mark.

5 CHALLENGERS IN RU WEST
The Ruthlandian West Division has tightened up the last month... five clubs are within four games of each other... the Volusia Vigilantes climbed ahead of the Rocky Rapids Snappers, but not by much... the V's had a solid 17-9 month in June and jumped into first place... the Snappers dipped to 12-14 and are tied with preseason choice Sligo for second place... the Rovers were very disappointing in April (9-16), but have gotten back on track in May (17-11) and June (17-9)... Fort Benton is on the rise after playing poorly in the first month (9-16)... since then the Defenders are 15-13 and 16-10... they are now deadlocked in fourth place with the Stoner Silver Sox, four games behind... after a solid 15-10 in April, Stoner has slumped to 13-15 and 12-14 the last two months.

5 CONTENDERS IN TIGHT TU NORTH
Nobody has much of a lead in the Tycobbian Union... last year's flag winner and this year's favorite, Oxford, got it going in June with a 17-9 record, but they are being pressed closely by Luxora (15-11) and Mahaska (13-13), both just one game back of the Red Caps... White River (15-11) is just two games out... and Blue Lake (13-13) is only three games behind... ranked as a major player this season, the Fairfax Frogs have pretty much croaked... ranked the second best team in the preseason poll, the Frogs are struggling in the sixth spot and trail by eight games... but they are showing some signs of life with a good 15-11 month in June.

NINJAS NAB SOME ROOM IN TU SOUTH
Last year's Pro Cup titlist, Ginza, is playing very well so far in the Tycobbian South race... the Ninjas created some space in the race with a 16-10 mark in June... they are four games better than second place Turon... the Typhoons did alright last month at 14-12... third place Southport is right with them and five games back of Ginza after notching 15-11 for the month... after a fine opening month in April (16-9), the fourth place Arroyo Grande Suns have drifted down slowly... in June they were only 11-15 and now have fallen to eight games out in the pennant race.

TUCKS TOPS IN TU EAST
The Tuckanarra Tiger Cats are favored to win the Tycobbian East and thus far, they have done well with winning records all three months, including 16-10 last month... they have passed early leader South Fork by three games... the Stallions have stumbled since a terrific 18-7 start in April... they were only 12-14 in June... only one other club putting up a fight... the Ozarka Naturals are in third place, 7 games off the pace... the Nats were 13-13 last month.

BUCS, RACERS, REDBIRDS, BEST IN TU WEST
June was a great month for somebody to take command of the Tycobbian West, but nobody could do it... first place Bay St. Clair went 12-14... Rolling Hills 13-13... Denton City 13-13... and poor Bayview could only muster 9-17... the Buccaneers still hold on to the top spot with a two-game edge over the Racers, the second choice in the preseason poll... the Bucs were picked to finish fifth this year... last year's title winner was the Redbirds... they were rated third best this season... Denton City is six games behind in the third spot in the standings... the Bayview Vikings are fourth in the TU West and are seven games out... preseason pick Kenwood has languished so far and is tied for fifth place, eight games back, but the Wildcats are showing some signs of life, going 16-10 in June.

Ruthlandian Union Standings
Thursday, July 1, 2060

Tycobbian Union Standings
Thursday, July 1, 2060

Attachment 630703

Thursday, July 1, 2060

Ruthlandian Union Leaderboards

Attachment 630716
Sunday, August 1, 2060

BULLS, MACS BOLT FAR AHEAD
Six weeks are left in the season in the Islandian Pro Alliance but it looks like it's already over in the Ruthlandian North and Ruthlandian East... Ranford and Wynnamac are running roughshod over everybody in sight and seemingly have wrapped up the division flag very early... the rest of the six divisions in the IPA still have genuine pennant races.

The Ranford Bulls (73-35) bolted to a remarkable 23-6 in July and now have a gigantic 10-game bulge over second place Glasco (63-45)... nobody is likely to catch the rampaging Bulls... what makes this even more amazing is that the Bulls finished in the RU North basement last year... plus they were just the seventh choice to take the division title this year... looks like Ranford might just accomplish fantastic feat, going from the outhouse to the penthouse in just one season... third place Far Mountain (59-49) is 14 games back in the race... the LaGrange Gators (58-50) are in the fourth spot in the standings, 15 games out... 'nuff said.

Same thing in the Ruthlandian East Division... the Wynnamac Sundowners (73-35) went 22-7 and now has a huge 12-game margin over runner-up Elnora (61-47)... Marston (55-53) is 18 games off the pace... and Cold Creek (53-55) is 20 games behind Wynnamac... no one is expecting a meltdown by the Macs anytime soon... so in essence, the race is over... the baseball preseason pollsters were right on the money... they picked the Macs to win the RU East in easy fashion... prophecy fulfilled.

But alas, all is not lost... there are plenty of redhot races left in the IPA... in the Ruthlandian South the St. John Crusaders (65-43) are just two games in front of the Grand City Cybercats (63-45)... and third place Waleska (57-51) and fourth Claxton (56-52) are within striking distance should the top two falter in the stretch... the Crusaders chalked up an 18-11 mark last month, while the Cybercats only managed 15-14... the Westerners dropped back drastically with a 12-17 record... the Diamonds were 16-13.

Three teams are contending in the Ruthlandian West... Volusia (62-46) picked up steam with an 18-11 July to up its lead over Sligo (58-50) to four games... the Rovers were 15-14... Sligo won it last year and were the preseason pick to repeat as division champion... Rocky Rapids (57-51) is in the third spot, trailing by 5 games... the Snappers were 14-15 for the month... fourth place Fort Benton (52-56) is 10 games behind... the Defenders had a poor month at 12-17... the race will probably come down to Volusia and Sligo… they have much better pitching than Rocky Rapids.

4 HOT RACES IN TU
Another hot spot is the Tycobbian North where powerful Oxford (65-43), the defending champ, has open up a little space in the standings with a 20-9 record last month... second place Luxora (62-46) hung tough at 18-11 and are now three games back in the race... third place Mahaska (60-48) is nearby, too... only five games behind... the Haymakers posted a 16-13 mark in July... fourth place White River (58-50) was 15-14 for the month and is seven games out... Oxford and Luxora are a lot alike... good hitting, good power... and good pitching... they are well-balanced clubs... one of them will will the pennant... Mahaska is not quite up to the level of the Red Caps and the Zorros... the Haymakers lack longball power... White River can't score runs... and Fairfax can't stop anyone from scoring.

The current Pro Cup champion, the Ginza Ninjas (62-46) had a losing month in July with a 13-16 record and lost their lead to Turon (64-44), which was a sizzling 19-10... the Typhoons are now in front by two games over the Ninjas... two other challengers are nearby, too... the third place Southport Sun Sox (58-50) are six games behind Turon... the Sun Sox didn't fare well in July, going 14-15... the Summerland Sunsets (57-51) are surging late with a 19-10 month... they are now seven games out... Turon and Ginza have the edge over the other two clubs... much better offenses... but Summerland has a whale of a pitching staff, but is horrible at hitting.

It's just a two-team race in the Tycobbian East, but it is a tight one between first place Tuckanarra (67-41) and South Fork (66-42)... just one game separates them going in to the final six weeks of the regular season... both are playing quite well... the Tiger Cats were 19-10, while the Stallions were ever better at 21-8... the Red Bluff Red Sox (54-54), Ozarka Naturals (51-57) and last year's division winner High Mesa (50-58) are tussling for the third spot in the TU East... the Tucks have the offense... the Stallions have the pitching, but lack scoring... this might favor Tuckanarra.

The Rolling Hills Racers (61-47) have a very slight one-game edge over the defending division champ, Denton City (60-48)... the Redbirds skied to a standout 19-10 in July, while the Racers were 16-13... the two clubs could go down to the last day of season again... Denton City beat Rolling Hills last year in a single-game playoff... Bay St. Clair (58-50) is in the third spot, but the Bucs didn't play well last month with a poor 11-18 record... but they are just three games behind the leading Racers... just a short winning streak out of the top spot in the TU East...all three contenders are good, solid ballclubs... Rolling Hills might be a little better offensively than Denton City, who is a little better offensively than Bay St. Clair... the mound staffs are fairly equal... preseason favorite Kenwood (54-54) is now up to the fourth spot, seven games back in the pennant race... Bayview (53-55) is eight out... and La Claire (52-56) is nine games behind... but none of them are likely to catch the leaders... none of them played well in July... the Wildcats were the best of the lot with a 15-14 mark... the Vikings and the Lynx were both 13-16.

Ruthlandian Union Standings

Ruthlandian Union Leaderboards
Thursday, August 1, 2060

Tycobbian Union Standings
Thursday, August 1, 2060

Tycobbian Union Leaderboards
Thursday, August 1, 2060

Attachment 630834
Wednesday, September 1, 2060

SEPTEMBER CRUNCH TIME IN THE IPA
September is finally here... and now is the time to play your best in the Islandian Pro Alliance, especially if you are in the hunt for a spot in the elite Pro Cup Series... the only way you get one of the eight precious spots is to win your division... there are no wild cards in the IPA.

Can you believe it?... the magnificent Wynnamac Sundowners have already nabbed a spot in the playoffs... and the remarkable Ranford Bulls just have to play out the regular campaign and get set for the Pro Cup playoffs... but most of the other division leaders around the IPA have their work cut off for them... they are going to have to finish strong to insure their spot in the much-coveted postseason playoffs.

Ranford (88-48) still has a 10-game lead in the Ruthlandian North... not likely runner-up Glasco (78-58) or third place Far Mountain (75-61) can catch the amazing Bulls... the Bulls went 15-13 in August... same as the Foxhounds... the Redhawks were 16-12 last month.

First place St. John (82-54) and second place Grand City (80-56) are still going at it hot-and-heavy in the Ruthlandian South race... only two games separate them... both were 17-11 in August... the Crusaders and the Cybercats are even steven in talent... the lucky one will win... as they say in baseball, sometimes it's better to be lucky than good... will it be St. John or Grand City that Lady Luck will smile on?

I guess you could safely say Wynnamac (92-44) has skunked everybody in the Ruthlandian East... the Macs are 20 games in front of runners-up Elnora (72-64) and Marston (72-64)... they have already clinched the division title with three weeks to go... that how overwhelming the Sundowners have dominated this season.

It's a race in the Ruthlandian West with three clubs still in the pennant chase... preseason favorite and last year's winner Sligo (76-60) has a slight two-game edge over second place Volusia (74-62)... seven games off the pace Rocky Rapids (69-67) has a chance in theory, but the Snappers have a lot of ground to make up and very little time to do it... only 18 games left on the schedule... the Rovers had a fine August with an 18-10 mark and they raced past last month's leader, the Volusia Vigilantes, who slumped badly to 12-16 and slipped to second... Rocky Rapids had a bad month, too, finishing a woeful 12-16, too... too close to call between the Rovers and the V's... based on recent play, Sligo has the momentum in the race.

The hot races in the Tycobbian Union have cooled off... only one real tight battle is going on... that's in the Tycobbian East where South Fork (84-52) and Tuckanarra (83-53) are continuing their season-long encounter... heading into September the Stallions are just barely ahead by one game... South Fork was 18-10 for the month, while the Tucks were 16-12... the Stallions regained the top spot in the standings... they have seesawed back and forth in the league the entire season... the Stallions had the lead in May and June, the Tiger Cats in July and August... South Fork has a slight edge in pitching and much better defense than Tuckanarra, but the Tucks have the better offense... this is another one too close to call... the difference maker could be the depth of the Stallion starting rotation.

The Oxford Red Caps (83-53) are riding high in the Tycobbian North after a strong 18-10 record in August... they now have a fairly comfortable seven-game margin over second place Mahaska (76-60)... Blue Lake (75-61) is eight games out... Luxora (74-62) is nine behind... and White River (72-64) trails by 11 games... the Red Caps have a high-scoring attack with home-run power and pretty good pitching... things are looking good for Oxford as far as the postseason... the Red Caps are a fairly good bet to repeat as TU North champion... the Haymakers were 16-12 last month, but still lost ground... Blue Lake went 19-9, but could gain only one game on the Red Caps... Luxora slipped to 12-16 and White River was even at 14-14.

In the Tycobbian South race Turon (81-55) extended its lead to six games over Pro Cup champion Ginza (75-61) and Summerland (75-61)... last month the Typhoons were 17-11, Ginza was a poor 13-15 and Summerland 18-10... fourth place Southport (74-62) fashioned a 16-12 mark in August... veteran pitching and strong bats give Turon the favorite's role down the stretch... the Ninjas have had two bad months in a row and looks like they have killed their chance to defend their IPA title... the Sunsets just don't score runs... not likely to catch the Typhoons... the Sun Sox are not likely to make a run at Turon, either.

And the best in the Tycobbian West is the Rolling Hills Racers (81-55)... they made shambles of a tight race by rolling to a 20-8 record last month, while the two main competitors tanked... second place Denton City (73-63) could only muster a 13-15 mark and Bay St. Clair (68-68) dropped totally out of the race with a dismal 10-18 month... don't think the Redbirds can catch the high-flying Racers.

Ruthlandian Union Leaderboards
Wednesday, September 1, 2060

Tycobbian Union Standings
Wednesday, September 1,2060

Tycobbian Union Leaderboards
Wednesday, September 1, 2060

Attachment 631035
Monday, September 20, 2060

KARATE KIDS STRIKE AGAIN
CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?
Going into September... defending Pro Cup champion Ginza was down and almost out... six games behind first place Turon in the Tycobbian West... however, the Ninjas avoided the knockout punch and pull off another remarkable finish... they rebounded with a 14-4 month and won the TU West by two games over the bewildered Typhoons... Turon (87-67) was only 6-12 down the stretch and blew the pennant... in a head-to-head clash, the Karate Kids (89-65) took two out of three in the final series of the season... Ginza smashed Turon 11-3 on the last day of the year, took the division flag and now will get a chance to win back-to-back Pro Cups... yeah, I know it sounds like a fairytale... but as I heard in the movie "E. T.".... "This is reality, Greg."

In the only other close race, South Fork (95-59) took care Tuckanarra (91-63) in the Tycobbian East... the Stallions posted an 11-7 September, while the Tiger Cats could only go 8-10... the rest of the Islandian Pro Alliance divisions were won pretty much in a breeze.

The Ranford Bulls (99-55) steered their way over Glasco (89-65) by 10 games in the Ruthlandian North... this will be the Bulls first postseason since 2041... both clubs played well in the last month, going 11-7... Ranford has never won the Pro Cup... this season the rampaging Bulls chalked up the second-best mark in the IPA... only Wynnamac had more wins.

The St. John Crusaders (94-60) put the finishing touch on the Ruthlandian South title with a 12-6 run in September, while the Grand City Cybercats (86-68) crashed to 6-12... the Crusaders pulled away and won by eight games... St. John last made the Pro Cup playoffs in 2057... the Crusaders are seeking their first IPA crown.

The Wynnamac Sundowners (104-50) totally destroyed all comers in the Ruthlandian East Division, winning by an unprecedented 25 games... Wynnamac topped the IPA with the most victories... the Elnora Clippers (79-75) came in a very distant second to the magnificent Macs... the Sundowners have appeared in the postseason playoffs six times in the last nine years... they last made the playoffs in 2058... have won the Pro Cup twice in the team's history... 2008 and 2055... Pro Cup number three could be just over the horizon... Wynnamac had a good September with a 12-6 mark.

The Sligo Rovers (90-64) entered September with a tender two-game edge on the Volusia Vigilantes (83-71), but won going away with a sparkling 14-4 finish and whipped the V's by seven games... Volusia went 9-9 down the stretch... this was the Rovers' second pennant in a row... they were eliminated last year by Pro Cup finalist Valmara in the second round... Sligo has been to the Pro Cup playoffs on 10 occasions and has one Pro Cup trophy... they won it all in 2021.

In the Tycobbian North, Oxford carried a healthy eight-game lead in the September and finished strong with a sizzling 14-4 month... the Red Caps (97-57) won the division flag by 10 games over Mahaska (87-67)... the Haymakers were a solid 11-7 and finished a fine season with a flourish... Oxford has been to the playoffs two times in the last three years... they fell in a tense seven games to Pro Cup champ Ginza in '59... and in the Tycobbian first round in '57 to Turon... the Red Caps are ripe for a Pro Cup title... it's been over five decades since Oxford won in 2007.

The Rolling Hills Racers will be returning to the Pro Cup playoffs for the first time in 13 seasons... they last appeared in 2048 and won the whole shebang and beat the Claxton Diamonds in five games... the Racers (93-61) will be seeking their fourth Pro Cup trophy... last year's division champ Denton City (85-69) wound up second, losing by eight games... both clubs did well in the final month... both were 12-6.

PRO CUP OUTLOOK:
At a glance this appears to be a very well-balanced Pro Cup playoff... there are no weak sisters... all eight clubs look like they could win it... and all of them are heading into the postseason playing excellent baseball... the 2060 IPA Pro Cup Series should be truly a feast for sore eyes... do you think the Karate Kids can do it again?

Attachment 631086

Tuesday, September 21, 2060

PRO CUP 60 ON THE WAY WED
There is nothing else like it in the Islands... the IPA Pro Cup Series... once a year in the fall all eyes and ears turn to the baseball diamonds and the lush green mansions... a time when eight baseball teams engage in battle for the much-revered Pro Cup... emblematic of baseball supremacy in Islandia... this will be the 60th edition of this much-cherished event... it all began six decades ago in 2001.

Eight division champions from around the Islandian Pro Alliance begin play this Wednesday afternoon at four sites around the country... in the Ruthlandian Union, the St. John Crusaders will travel to Ranford County Stadium and go up against the Ranford Bulls... and the Sligo Rovers will be hosted by the Wynnamac Sundowners at Granger Field... in the Tycobbian Union, the South Fork Stallions will entertain the Rolling Hills Racers at Jock Ewing Stadium... and the reigning king of the IPA, the Ginza Ninjas will open defense of their title on the road at Winchester Park in Oxford against the hometown Red Caps.

Each postseason series will be the best-of-seven and will culminate and climax with the champion of the Ruthlandian Union meeting the champion of the Tycobbian Union... it takes three rounds of play and the winner will be crowned the IPA Pro Cup champion, the best overall and supreme team in Islandia.

St. John Crusaders (94-60) (Ruthlandian South Champion)

i'll be hoping for a Bulls-Macs championship in Ruthlandia. That Bulls lineup is impressive. The Macs look really good. But will the bullpen be their downfall? In Tycobbia, i like the the Stallions' pitching staff and they play good defense. But will they score enough? :eatpop:

Looks like you did your scouting... I'll have to do my homework... will let you know my picks soon.

Post Deleted.

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

AROUND THE TOWN IN THE IPA

RANFORD BULLS

Owner: Barnes Enterprises
President: Satch Buckman
GM/Manager: Bert Skippman

The Ranford Valley has long been known for its rough and tumble lifestyle. During its early years the town of Ranford was a hamlet set up to offer merchant services to the soldiers at Fort Branagh which was built to protect the Valdar Bay gateway.

The army decided to consolidate all the island’s armed forces in Valmara in 1912. Ft. Branagh was abandoned and Ranford became a refuge for outlaws, gamblers and bootleggers. It was sometimes referred to as the "forgotten city" as much of Ruthlandia cut any existing ties to the area which was kept afloat by the economic backbone of barkeepers and gambling halls.

After the great revival of ’29, churches slowly started to outnumber the saloons and commerce and merchants from the mainland began to return and expand into Ranford. For the next 35 years Ranford’s reputation moved from a town of debauchery to being known as the hardest-working town in Ruthlandia. It was a well-earned distinction as those who toiled with the rough and rocky terrain were well-suited for the country’s lumber and manufacturing faction.

In the mid 1960’s oil was discovered inland and within five years extensive exploration had begun. In what seemed overnight, much of Ranford’s blue collar work force had joined the aristocracy.

Ranford has a diverse population with just about all ethnic groups in the Islands represented. They come from near and far to participate in the oil prosperity in the area. Ranford has become one of the most affluent cities in Ruthlandia, but has kept to its blue collar roots.

The early years of baseball in Ranford consisted of amateur teams made up of soldiers, sailors and ruffians from the area. Despite the amateur status of the teams, the games were taken very seriously and brawls often took place between players and fans alike. During the industrial years the team was known as the Outlaws, but in efforts to makeover the town’s reputation it was later changed to Bulls and stayed that way when the Islandian Pro Alliance was formed in 2001.

The original owner of the Bulls was Cliff Barnes of the Barnes Oil Company. He inherited the company from his father, Digger Barnes. The Barnes have always had a running feud with the Ewing family that still continues to this day because Jock Ewing had swindled Digger out of his share of an oilfield partnership, when both were just getting started in the oil industry.

Barnes hired O'Neal Buckman as chief operating officer. Buckman had played for and managed Barnes Oil company teams in the amateur leagues for 30 years and had been quite successful. Buckman surprisingly hired a teammate of many years, Page Satcher, to be his manager. Satcher was a heck of a player, but had no experience as a manager. Satcher alway gave the appearance of not taking the game of baseball too seriously. Many baseball people questioned Buckman's choice for those reasons.
When grilled about this, Buckman just grinned and said, "Old Satch is gonna make you guys regret those words. He's gonna be a darn good manager. You just wait and see."

Satcher, who was a local star for the Ranford Outlaws back in the industrial league years and one of the best pitchers ever to throw a baseball. Satcher played into his 50s and never revealed his age, saying, "How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are?" Not only was he good on the baseball mound, but he was good with a quote, too. "I ain't ever had a job, I just always played baseball."

Another of his poetic jewels was his work ethic. "I don't generally like running. I believe in training by rising gently up and down from the bench."

Satcher had the reputation for doctoring up the ball. "I never threw an illegal pitch. The trouble is, once in a while I would toss one that ain’t never been seen by this generation."

Asked what the secret of his success was, he would reply, "Just take the ball and throw it where you want to. Throw strikes. Home plate don’t move."

After two decades at the helm, Satcher retired as manager and became the team's GM. He was followed by Chris Bernhoffer, who starred for Ranford for 14 years from 2002 to 2015, going 202-197 for mostly mediocre clubs... Bernhoffer posted a solid 3.37 ERA in his career... he was especially good in the playoffs with a 6-2 mark and a terrific 1.89 ERA in nine starts... Bernhoffer retired in 2043 and turned the reins over to standout catcher Kyle Hunt, an 8-time All-Star with a career .292 batting average... after 16 years as skipper Hunt retired and the Ranford management decided to go to the college ranks and hired a very successful college coach, Bert Skippman.

The Ranford Bulls play at Ranford County Stadium, a nondescript, but adequate ballpark... over the years the population of Ranford has remained a steady 50,000.

Ranford County Stadium (1953)

Capacity: 7,850

Dimensions:

Left Field Line - 315
Left Field - 362
Left Center - 382
Center Field - 402
Right Center - 382
Right Field - 362
Right Field Line - 315

Map of Islandia

Just thought you might want to see where all the towns are located... I will give you a brief history of each town and a look at their stadium.

AROUND THE TOWN IN THE IPA

Around the Town in the IPA

SLIGO ROVERS

Owner: Derrick Dalrymple, CEO of the Silver Mountain Ski Resort
GM/Manager: Les Patterson

Sligo is located in the slopes of the Silver Mountains in northern Ruthlandia. Because of its remote location, the area was largely uninhabited until 1872 when silver was discovered in the hills surrounding the town. The name of the town comes from Theodore Sligo, one of the men who originally discovered the silver. Sligo laid out the roads and a tent city popped up shortly after the discovery. By the turn of the century, the mines had produced more millionaires per capita than anywhere else in the nation. Many fine examples of Victorian architecture that were built during the era are well-preserved today.

When the mines stopped producing in the late 1940s, the town lost almost half of its population and fell upon hard times. It survived mainly on its timber industry until the 1970s when environmental concerns caused the town to form a commission that would seek alternative industries that could sustain the economy. The commission findings led to a rebirth of the once-beautiful city. Through various tax breaks, the town was able to attract several builders to construct ski resorts just outside of town. The town also refurbished many of the historic buildings that had fallen into disrepair and decided to place its economic emphasis on tourism.

With a population of only 38,000, Sligo is the smallest town to own a team in the Islandian Pro Alliance. The Sligo Rovers go back to the early days of baseball to the days of amateur and industrial-league baseball. At various times the team struggled to make ends meet despite having very loyal fans. The 1973 commission made it clear in its report that the town should figure out a way to provide long-term stability to the local nine as it would be a devastating blow to civic pride if the Rovers were to fold or to leave town. As a result, the ballpark was part of the downtown refurbishment and the team signed a long-term lease that makes it difficult for the Rovers to leave. In the 1980s, the team was sold to Myron Dalrymple, owner of the highly successful Silver Mountain Ski Resort. Dalrymple is respected among long-time Sligo residents for settling in town and helping to revive its economy... his grandson, Derrick, is at the helm of the Ski Resort enterprise and operates the Rovers ballclub, too.

The Rovers play at Silver Mountain Park, one of the oldest parks in the Islands, which seats 5,678 spectators and was built in 1912. The ballpark is built on a bluff overlooking the town. Some of the homers hit actually do go downtown, so to speak. The ballpark’s 1975 facelift did a good job of preserving its historic nature and the town funded yet another update in 1998 when four sky suites were added along with expanding the clubhouses. SM Park sports its original brick façade at its entrance and is tucked away in the historic Main Street shopping district. There is no parking here, but the sight of fans walking to the ballpark on a balmy summer afternoon fits in well with the town’s quaint ambiance. The team plays to that ambiance by having a barber shop quartet stationed outside the main ticket booth to greet approaching fans.

Speaking of music, you won’t find loud rock and roll music blaring from a state of the art sound system here. Like Hillsboro, Kenwood, Ozarka and Marston, the team employs an organist who serenades fans with classic tunes and is quite adept at finding songs that have something to do with the batter’s skill or idiosynchracies. Food here is among the most affordable in all of the IPA, and while you will find classic ballpark fare like peanuts, hot dogs, and crackerjacks, the most popular item on the menu may well be the roasted corn on the cob that is slathered with mayonnaise.

Despite its nod to the traditional, the team has added one of those big fuzzy mascots in recent years. “Rover”, a giant red dog, roams the stands entertaining children and adults alike. When fans catch a foul ball, the public address announcer will announce to “give that fan a contract,” and Rover will indeed present the fan with a “contract” and a "doggy bag" filled with club gifts. Another Silver Mountain park tradition traces its roots back to the team’s longtime manager in the early days of the franchise, Eddie Keys. During his playing days in the industrial leagues, fans would jingle their keys whenever he came to bat. The tradition continues to this day whenever a rally is in order.

The current manager, Les Patterson, had a Hall-of-Fame career with the Rovers... he went 306-230 lifetime with a splendid 2.79 ERA... Patterson was inducted into the Islandian Pro Alliance Hall of Fame in 2034... he has been in charge of the team since 2030 and is still going strong... Patterson won the Ruthlandian Golden Arm twice, in 2021 and 2022.

Silver Mountain Park (1912)

Capacity: 5,678

Dimensions:
Left Field Line - 328
Left Field - 350
Left Center - 382
Center Field - 387
Right Center - 382
Right Field - 366
Right Field Line - 342

AROUND THE TOWN IN THE IPA

WYNNAMAC SUNDOWNERS

Owner: Granger Co-Operative Association
GM/Manager: Jerry Meeks

Wynnamac is a town of 86,000 residents and can be found about 50 miles inland from the Valerian Ocean, which is near the eastern coast of Ruthlandia. It is located in the northeastern part of the country in the Central Plains, which spans east to west across it and is a well-known farming region, filled with seemingly endless fields of ripe golden wheat and rustic farms. It is the "Breadbasket of Ruthlandia". Settled by a diverse band of hearty and hardworking Canadian and Australian immigrants, who worked "sunup to sundown". They became known as "Sundowners" because of their great work ethic and love for the land...and for their love of baseball and the homestanding Wynnamac Sundowners. The area is also a center for meat packing and dairy industries.

Life hasn't changed much here for several hundred years and probably won't change much in the next hundred years. Wynnamac is a member of the IPA's Ruthlandian East Division. The club plays at Granger Field, which is built right next to a grain processing plant with huge silos and a water tower with a gigantic ear of corn on it...all visible from the ballpark. The Sundowners are owned by the Granger Co-operative Association, farmers banded together for the common good and welfare.

At the concession stands you get nothing fancy...just soda pop, hot dogs, hamburgers, popcorn, peanuts, crackerjacks and ice cream. No beer or alcoholic beverages are permitted at the stadium. It is against the law in Wynnamac county and strictly enforced.

Wynnamac's General Manager and Field Manager is Jerry Meeks, the famed Sundowner southpaw, who piled up a 313-214 record with an outstanding 2.93 career ERA... in 2013 he captured the Ruthlandian Most Valuable Player Award and also the RU Golden Arm trophy... Meeks played in Wynnamac his entire career from 2008 to 2028 and was named to the IPA Hall of Fame in 2029... he took command of the Macs in 2050 and thus far has captured 6 pennants and one Pro Cup trophy (2055).

Capacity: 7,965
Dimensions:
Left Field Line - 355
Left Field - 375
Left Center - 415
Center Field - 404
Right Center - 375
Right Field - 350
Right Field Line - 325

AROUND THE TOWN IN THE IPA

Ginza Ninjas

Owner: OmniSea, Ltd.
GM: Crash Davis
Manager: Sogo Takagi

Ginza began as a little fishing village in southeastern Tycobbia, settled by seafaring Japanese immigrants, who came in the 1860s during the Meiji Dynasty, a period of westernization. Today Ginza is a prosperous town of 88,000 with about one-third of its citizens being Japanese. Both Japanese and English are spoken here.

The name Ginza comes from “silver mint”, which Japanese authorities built in 1612. The modern day Ginza is a fabulous shopping area in Tokyo. The Tycobbian Ginza emulates it namesake, but on a much smaller scale. It is a free trade port and has many importers and exporters at the International Bazaar. Great bargains are in abundance in Ginza. The town also has a thriving fishing fleet and seafood processing industry.

Baseball got a late start in Ginza. The town inhabitants began playing amateur baseball in the 1930s, but soon began to challenge other towns in the sport. OmniSea Marine Processors, the largest employer in town, began sponsoring leagues and invested heavily in the game's development. OmniSea eventually expanded to industrial leagues and now to the Islandian Pro Alliance. They own the Ginza Ninjas of the Tycobbian Union South Division.

Ginza plays at Ninja Stadium, a ballpark built in 1998. A game at Ninja Stadium is really special. Most of the fans are quite reserve and quiet, typical Japanese social demeanor. However, in the left field bleachers it is another world...a wild and noisy place. There, the Ninjas have an official cheering section called “oendan” (pronounced “oh-en-dan”), that plays songs, beats drums and gongs, blows trumpets and waves flags. They stand up the entire time the Ninjas are at bat and sit down, when the opposition is batting. Fans clap plastic megaphones along with the oendan and sing chants to each Ginza player. Many fans carry umbrellas to the ballgame. Whenever the Ninjas score a run, they also open up all of the umbrellas, their way of telling the opposing pitcher, he is headed for the showers.

In the Lucky Seventh, the traditional seventh-inning stretch, they sing the Ninja fight song and then release hundreds of rocket balloons (jetto fusen). Other unique things about Ninja baseball is the public address announcer is female, the only one in the Islands. You will also see the pitcher bow in reverence to fielders, who make good plays.

At the Ninja Stadium concessions you will find not only traditional baseball fare, but Japanese as well. Ginza fans can enjoy yakisoba (fried noodles), yaketori (BBQ chicken on skewers), takoyaki (fried octopus dumplings) and bento (cold lunch in a wooden box). For the sweet tooth, kakigori (snowballs with flavored syrup and condensed milk), green tea ice cream, sweet potato ice cream, anmitsu (cold fruit dessert) and anpan (sweet bun).

The GM of the Ginza Ninjas is all-time great catcher Crash Davis... inducted into the IPA Hall of Fame in 2038 after a standout 21-year career (2013-2033)... the team enjoyed its best years during his tenure. Davis was a 15-time All-Star and 4-time Gold Glover. He batted .308 with 403 roundtrippers and 1556 RBIs. Later Davis skippered the Ninjas for many years to only modest success. The current manager is another of their superstar players, Sogo Takagi, who took over the club in 2058. Takagi made the IPA Hall of Fame in '57. He put up a .298 career batting average with 538 roundtrippers, 1768 RBIs, 1915 runs and stole 225 bases. 10 times Takagi was an All-Star and a 3-time Golden Glover. He played his entire career with the Ninjas from 2034 to 2054.

Ninja Stadium (1998)

Capacity: 10,667

Dimensions:

LF Line 330
LF 355
LCF 377
CF 400
RCF 372
RF 360
RF Line 335

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 university Red Caps, 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 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

AROUND THE TOWN IN THE IPA

ROLLING HILLS REDS

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. The were the Reds for six decades 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 3 Pro Cups (2029, 2031, 2048)... 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 Ballpark (1907)

Capacity: 6,850

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

AROUND THE TOWN IN THE IPA

SOUTH FORK STALLIONS

Owner: Bobby Ewing Enterprises (CEO Christopher Ewing)
GM: Finley Charles
Manager: Jay Murphy

South Fork is a rural and provincial town with a population of 58,000. The main industries are cattle and ranching mixed with agriculture. South Fork is situated in the fertile Caledonian River basin in southern Tycobbia. Rich and black alluvial soils produce a plethora of crops on the farms in the area.

This is cowboy country and home of the South Fork Stallions of the Islandian Pro Alliance, originally owned and started by Bobby Ewing of the wealthy, influential and powerful Ewing family headed by patriarch Jock Ewing. The Stallions play in the Tycobbian Union East Division.

Bobby and brother J. R. were squabbling vice-presidents of the Waleska Westerners of the Tycobbian Industrial League. To separate the two siblings, the family patriarch bought each one of them a baseball team. Rich folks can do things like this. Bobby got South Fork and J. R. got the Ozarka Naturals. Bobby built a beautiful new stadium and named it after his daddy, Jock Ewing Stadium. It is located at the edge of town and has a wonderful panoramic view of the town rising up behind the gigantic electronic scoreboard. J. R. built a new state-of-the-art stadium with a monstrous scoreboard, too, and named it Ellie Ewing Stadium after his mom, Miss Ellie. So much for rich sibling rivalries.

Stallions fans are a rowdy bunch who love their team. They never let up on the opposing teams, giving them a lot of discouraging words and a lot of harassing at every opportunity. They even throw home run balls hit by the opposition back onto the playing field. No self-respecting Stallions fan would want possession of a ball that harmed the best interests of their favorite team.

For entertainment the Stallions have a Texas swing band at every game. You ain’t never heard a better version of “Take me out to the ballgame”. There is a whole lot of two-steppin’ during the seventh inning stretch at Jock Ewing Stadium. And when the buckaroos and littl darlins' mosey on over to the concessions stands hot and juicy charcoal-broiled steak sandwiches await them there along with imported Lone Star Beer (“Brewed deep in the heart of Texas”).

Life at Jock Ewing Stadium was always quite interesting for the fans... Finley Charles was the Stallions’ GM and promotions director for the first 20 years. Charles was famous for his creative promotions and innovations in baseball. His teams were the first to wear loud-colored uniforms, like solid orange road uniforms. One of his amateur teams even dressed in a soft pink and wore Bermuda shorts. He also experimented with an orange baseball and having only 3 balls and 2 strikes in the game. He said it would speed up the game and create more action. None of his leagues instituted his ideas, but he kept trying. Charles retired in 2025 and things settled down to normalcy in South Fork baseball circles.

The Stallions were quite a team with a GM like wacky and creative Finley Charles and an outspoken skipper like Deroche "Lips" Leon... Never was a dull day on the range and on the ranch with this dynamic duo. South Fork finally won the Pro Cup in 2025 under Leon, who had a stormy career. Lips didn't get along with many people. And he didn't care, saying "nice guys finish last". Believe it or not, but Lips was among the suspects when J. R. was shot. But Leon lasted 38 years as the skipper. Taking over after Lips was Blackie Terranova. He starred for them for 15 seasons (2010-2024), winding up with a fine 273-202 record and a 3.31 ERA... Terranova retired at age 42. His last season was 15-21 with a 3.56 ERA for a sixth-place club... South Fork had a rejuvanation under Terranova, winning the Tycobbian East three years in a row from 2041 to 2043... in 2042 the Stallions won their second Pro Cup... he was fired in 2051 after a 56-98 season.

The current manager is Jay Murphy, a former player... he was the ace of the 2042 Pro Cup title team... Murphy was the Tycobbian Golden Arm winner in 2042 (25-7) and 2044 (28-7). Also captured the Tycobbian MVP in '44. He has turned the Stallions around since taking over in 2058. Overall his lifetime statistics for 16 seasons is 250-185 with a fine 3.24 ERA.

Jock Ewing Stadium (2000)

Capacity: 11,750

Dimensions:
LF Line 347
LF 360
LCF 383
CF 400
RCF 383
RF 360
RF Line 347

Attachment 631663
Monday, September 20, 2060

PRO CUP POLL PICKS MACS OVER RED CAPS
The IPA Pro Cup Playoffs are filled with eight fine and evenly-matched ballclubs... even the lower-rated clubs are deemed worthy and capable of winning the Island championship... looking at the postseason pairings at a glance, on the surface here's how it will go down as per the Islandian baseball experts:

In the Ruthlandian Union first round, high-scoring Ranford (99-55) will slip past well-balanced St. John (94-60) in a tight series... and powerhouse Wynnamac (104-50), the team with everything, will have an easier time with steady and consistent Sligo (90-64) in the other series.

In first-round action in the Tycobbian Union South Fork (95-59), a good, all-around team, will edge out rock-solid Rolling Hills (93-61) in a tense duel... and high-explosive Oxford (97-57) will dispose of the current IPA Pro Cup champion Ginza (89-65) in a tough tussle.

Round two in the Ruthlandian Union will be something to behold, two juggernauts going for the jugular in a titanic shootout... Wynnamac will outsmack the Ranford Bulls and win a spot in the Pro Cup Finals... and the Oxford Red Caps will outgun the South Fork Stallions with their high-octane attack to garner the other spot in the coveted Pro Cup Finals.

And then... and then... after six magnificent series... the Macs will be triumphant and victorious over the Red Caps in a battle for the ages... the Sundowners will garner their third Pro Cup trophy in a big bang bash.

2060 Pro Cup Poll conducted by The Islandian Times

1. WYNNAMAC SUNDOWNERS... Macs may have it all this year... scoring... good power... strong arms... trouble spot could be defense... won Pro Cups in 2008 and 2055.
2. Oxford Red Caps... mighty monsters at the plate... solid group of starters... good defense... lacks bullpen... won Pro Cup in 2007.
3. South Fork Stallions... best pitching... fine defense... more than adequate offense... sleeper... could surprise and win it all... won Pro Cups in 2025 and 2042.
4. Ranford Bulls... bats solid top to bottom of lineup... lots of firepower... fairly good pitching... solid defenders... decent bullpen... won Pro Cup in 2040.
5. Rolling Hills Racers... just about as good as the top four... strong attack... fairly good power... quality vet starters... fairly good bullpen... fine defense... won Pro Cups in 2029, 2031 and 2048.
6. St. John Crusaders... can play with the best... batting order deep with good hitters... can score runs... only fair power... defense a little suspect... never won Pro Cup.
7. Ginza Ninjas... not picked high last year and still won Pro Cup... playing well going into the postseason... excellent defense... great closer... good offense... lacks power... starters are not as strong this year... only Pro Cup was in 2059.
8. Sligo Rovers... may be better than people think... fine starting four... offense better than people think... can score runs... fair HR power... so-so bullpen... but questionable defense... only Pro Cup was in 2021.