The Islandian Times
Thursday, September 26, 2024

Top 4 Seeds In Final 4, Tucks and Vipers Picks
The sportscasters, writers and broadcasters were right on the money in The Islandian Times Pro Cup poll. All of the top four picks won in the Elite 8 round and advanced to the Final 4. Defending Pro Cup champion Tuckanarra, rated the top team in the postseason, will take on tough White River, the number three seed. They'll open up the Tycobbian series tomorrow afternoon at Central Park Stadium. In Ruthlandia, it will be fourth-seeded Sugar Valley on the road at War Memorial Stadium against number two seed Valmara, last year's Pro Cup runner-up. The Pro Cup Finals are predicted to be a rerun of last year with Tuckanarra and Valmara. The Blue Jays won in six games in the 2023 classic.

Both Final 4s should be hotly-contested with Tuckanarra getting the edge in the TU and Valmara the nod in the RU. Both series should be six or seven game affairs. The primary keys to the series will be the number three starters. If any of them gets hot, there could be some upsets. Tuckanarra (96-58) seems to have it all again this season - fine pitching and solid hitting. But they will be severely tested by White River (88-66), a mirror image of the Blue Jays. Valmara (97-57) looks superior to Sugar Valley (88-66) in both pitching and hitting and should prevail. During the regular season the Vipers won 2 of 3 from the Rattlers and the Rascals whipped the Blue Jays in 3 of 5 contests.

The Islandian Times
Friday, September 27, 2024

2024 Ruthlandian Final 4 Series

Rattlers Nip Vipers 3-2 In 10-Inning Opener
In the opening game of the Ruthlandian Final 4, the visiting Sugar Valley Rattlers nipped the Valmara Vipers 3-2 in 10 innings at War Memorial Stadium... in the top of the tenth RF Craig Howell (.400) was the hero with a game-winning single that drove in CF Moonie Moomaw (.400) from third base... it was a hard-earned triumph for Sugar Valley... the Rattlers were blanked for 8 innings on just 2 hits by Billy Ray, but they awoke for 2 runs in the top of the ninth to take a brief 2-1 lead... but allowed Valmara to tie it up in the bottom of the ninth... Rattler closer Dallas Casey (1-0 1.80) blew the save, but got the win...Valmara relief ace Chris Phillips (0-1 3.38) came on in the tenth and lost it, allowing 3 hits and a run... both starters were outstanding... Sugar Valley's Nick Moore (1-1 3.86) stopped the Vipers on one run and 5 hits in his 8 innings, striking out 6 and walking 4... however, Moore trailed 1-0 when he left the game... Ray (1-0 2.19) worked 9 innings, allowed 5 hits and 2 runs with 5 Ks and 4 walks... Valmara collected 9 hits, while Sugar Valley had 8... RF Randall Hawson (.304) led the Rattlers with 2 hits, while Kazmarek (.194), CF Teddy Szymanski (.387) and LF Sonny Oliver (.500) paced the Vipers with a pair of hits apiece.

2024 Tycobbian Final 4 Series

Starr Tames Rascals, Blue Jays Win Opener 5-1
The defending IPA champs Tucknarra tamed White River 5-1 in the first game of the Tycobbian Final 4 Series at home at Central Park Stadium... Glynn Starr (2-1 4.12) fired a strong game with 7 strikeouts and 2 walks... he allowed only 5 singles and went the distance, outpitching Paul Sardini (0-2 1.29), who permitted 3 runs and 6 hits in 5 innings... Sardini fanned 7, but walked 5 and only allowed one earned run... Tuckanarra scored early with 2 runs in the second on Starr's (.167) two-run single, adding another one in the third on 2B Kendall Smith's (.179) sac fly... it stayed 3-0 until the eighth when the Blue Jays chalked up two more on 1B Lynn Starr's (.393) RBI base hit and a wild pitch... the Rascals finally broke the ice with an RBI single in the ninth by 1B Ken Mathers (.333).

The Islandian Times
Saturday, September 28, 2024

2024 Ruthlandian Final 4 Series

Rattlers Up By 2, McConnell Blanks Vipers 4-0
The Sugar Valley Rattlers have surprised the favored Valmara Vipers by winning the first two games of the Ruthlandian Final 4 - and they did on the road, too... Benny McConnell (3-0 2.25) fired a 4-0 shutout, limiting the Vipers to just 3 hits... McConnell fanned 4 and walked one... Valmara starter Clem Carmouche matched him for 6 frames, but was tagged 3 runs and 4 hits in the top of the seventh... PH/RF Craig Howell (.417) got the first run across with a single... CF John Drake (.143) batted in the others with a 2-run single... Sugar Valley got its final score in the eighth on an RBI groundout by PH/LF Moonie Moomaw (.364)... loser Carmouche (2-2 3.82) surrendered 4 runs in 7-plus innings, struck out 7 and issued 4 walks.

2024 Tycobbian Final 4 Series

WR Evens Series, Rascals Trim Tucks 4-3
Playing at home, Tuckanarra was on the verge of winning its second straight TU Final 4 match with White River, when disaster struck... Croc Wedgedale was breezing along with a 3-1 lead, heading into the seventh, when the Rascals rallied for 3 runs to win the game 4-3... pinchhitter P. J. Blake (.286) tied the score with a 2-run blast and LF Jim Abrams (.172) won it with a single, driving in pitcher Ron Hendrix (.111)... Hendrix (1-0 2.42) tossed a solid game, gave up 3 runs on 6 hits, while striking out 8 and walking 4... Arnie Montel (3.18) got his second save of the postseason, holding the Blue Jays scoreless in the ninth.

The Islandian Times
Sunday, September 29, 2024

2024 Ruthlandian Final 4 Series

SV Slams Valmara 11-3, Wins 3rd Straight
It's been a couple of long decades since Sugar Valley has been in the Pro Cup Finals... 2004 was its only appearance and they lost to Red Bluff in five games... the Rattlers took a big step toward returning with its third straight victory over the Valmara Vipers... Sugar Valley belted five pitchers for 16 hits in an 11-3 runaway at home in Farmers Memorial Park... they kicked off the game with 8 runs in the first frame... the Rattlers had four players with 3 hits each: CF Johnny Drake (.219), 2B Jan Kessinger (.314), LF Marty Beckett (.300) and C Silvio Salas (.286)... Salas and Beckett both had 2 doubles and 1B Dean Woods (.219) had a homer... Salas, Kessinger and SS Jack Sanderson (.194) drove in 2 runs apiece.

The win was costly... starter Harry Diefendorf suffered a back injury and could miss the remainder of the playoffs... Diefenforf worked a strong 4 and two-thirds innings, allowing only one run and 3 hits with 6 strikeouts... Milt Baker (1-0 7.72) staggered through the sixth, giving up 2 runs and 3 hits in 1-plus innings, but got the win... then Johnny Kingsberry came in and saved it for him and was brilliant, retiring all 9 men he faced, striking out 3 of them... Kingsberry will replace the injured Diefendorf in the starting rotation for Sugar Valley... Valmara only got 6 hits... one was a homer by 2B Ron Freiberg (.250)... Johnny Vasylenko (0-3 6.75) was the victim of the first-inning fiasco and got the loss.

2024 Tycobbian Final 4 Series

Blue Jays Thump Rascals 5-2 Behind Starr
In White River Stadium, Tuckanarra's terrific tandem of Quinn Starr and closer Archie Desmond put down the Rascals 5-2 to go up two games to one in the Tycobbian Final 4... Starr (3-0 2.35) went 8 fine innings for the win, permitting only 2 runs and 8 hits with 6 Ks and no walks... Desmond (1.50) posted his 3rd postseason save with a runless ninth... Tuckanarra got to starter Jon French (2-1 3.13) for a quick 3 runs in the second, although French deserved a better fate... the Rascals piled up 5 errors and gave up 4 gift runs... French surrendered 5 runs on 5 hits in 8 innings... the Blue Jays offense was led by RF Danny Redd (.313), CF Jim Garrison (.414), and C Coco D'Abadie (.160), all with one run batted in.

The Islandian Times
Monday, September 30, 2024
2024 Ruthlandian Final 4 Series

Rattlers Return To Pro Cup After 20 Years
After 20 years of drought, the Sugar Valley Rattlers will finally make a return trip to the IPA Pro Cup Finals... they swept favored Valmara to capture the Ruthlandian Final 4 and will now meet the Tuckanarra-White River winner from the Tycobbian playoffs... in game four Nick Moore (2-1 3.25) eliminated the Vipers 5-2, checking them on 8 hits, fanning 5 and walking 5... Moore was helped out by 3 double plays... 1B Dean Woods (.222) snapped a 1-1 tie with a 3-run three-bagger in the last of the eighth that sent Billy Ray (1-1 2.81) down to defeat... Ray worked 7 and a third innings and gave up all 5 runs on 8 hits... LF Marty Beckett (.324) chipped in 2 hits and 2 RBIs for the Rattlers.

2024 Tycobbian Final 4 Series

Starr-Studded Tucks Trip Rascals 8-1
There's a good chance the reigning IPA titleholder, the Tuckanarra Blue Jays, may be headed back to the Pro Cup Finals to defend its title... Glynn Starr (3-1 2.83) stopped White River 8-1 on a 5-hitter to send the Blue Jays to a huge three games to one edge in the best-of-seven series... Starr was backed by four doubles plays... the Tucks jumped on starter Paul Sardini (0-3 2.86) for 3 runs in the opening frame and finally finished him off with 3 more in the eighth... sparking the Blue Jays bats were SS Narra Gilyinju (.270) with a 3-run double, C Coco D'Abadie (.172) with a 2-run single and 3B Koora Nawajuk (.333) with 2 hits and 3 runs scored.

The Islandian Times
Tuesday, October 1, 2024

2024 Tycobbian Final 4 Series

Rascals Remain Alive, Stall Tucks 6-2
Playing game five at home at White River Stadium, the Rascals showed they are not ready to wave the white flag and go home for the season... Ron Hendrix made certain of that with a sharp 6-2 triumph over the powerful Tuckanarra Blue Jays, cutting their lead in the TU Final 4 to three games to two... Hendrix (2-0 2.06) held them to just 5 hits and one earned run with 5 strikeouts and a walk... Hendrix benefited from three double plays... his teammates also racked up 10 hits, led by RF Kenneth Kent (.184), CF Hal Littleton (.348) and LF James Abrams (.179) with 2 RBIs each... Kent's was a 2-run homer... SS Kenny Young (.290) added 2 hits and scored twice... SS Narra Gilyinju (.268) hammered a solo homer for the Blue Jays... losing pitcher Croc Wedgedale (1-3 2.67) was battered for 10 hits and 6 runs in 6-plus innings... the series switches back to Central Park Stadium in Tuckanarra for game six... the finale will also be played there, if necessary.

The Islandian Times
Wednesday, October 1, 2024

2024 Tycobbian Final 4 Series

Tucks Trounce Rascals, Pro Cup-Bound Again
Defending IPA champion Tuckanarra is right on target and Pro Cup-bound for the second year in a row... Tuckanarra will take on the Sugar Valley Rattlers, the Ruthlandian champ, for the whole shebang beginning this Friday afternoon in Tuckanarra... the Blue Jays trounced White River 8-3 in game six to wrap up the Tycobbian Final 4 Series four games to two... Quinn Starr (4-0 2.53) led the way with a complete-game performance, giving up 3 runs on 7 hits with 6 strikeouts, while walking 5... Starr was good at stranding runners, a total of 11... the Blue Jays gave him plenty of run support with 11 hits, paced by CF Jim Garrison (.368) and 3B Koora Nawajuk (.333) with a pair of RBIs each and RF Danny Redd (.353) with 4-for-5, including 3 doubles... C Coco D'Abadie (.206) chipped in with a solo roundtripper... Rascal loser Jon French (2-2 4.67) was trashed for 6 runs in the first four innings... French left with the score 6-2.

The Islandian Times
Thursday, October 3, 2024

Tucks Favored Over Rattlers In Pro Cup Finals
When the baseball experts picked the defending Pro Cup champion Tuckanarra Blue Jays to win a second successive title, it was no big surprise. Manager Carlton "Lefty" Stevens has another rock-solid club just like last year when they whipped Valmara in six games. The Tucks opponent this year are the Sugar Valley Rattlers, who just eliminated Valmara in a stunning sweep in the Ruthlandian Final 4. The Vipers had a pretty good squad and were picked to go up against the Blue Jays again, but it didn't happen. The Rattlers got great pitching and enough hitting to win. So look for this to be a very exciting and very competitive match-up that could go seven games.

Tuckanarra has the best pitching in the IPA with three very talented starters in Glynn Starr (19-12 2.56), Quinn Starr (17-17 2.61) and rookie Croc Wedgedale (20-9 2.81). Sugar Valley's skipper Gibby Bobkins can't match them, but he has two very strong veterans in Nick Moore (20-13 2.70) and Benny McConnell (20-15 3.04). The Rattlers suffered a severe loss when the number three starter Harry Diefenforf (21-11 3.75) went down with a back injury and will likely miss the Pro Cup Series. His replacement in the rotation, number four starter Johnny Kingsberry (15-16 4.22) will have to come through big time for Sugar Valley to upset Tuckanarra. Both clubs have excellent bullpens. Blue Jay closer Archie Desmond (6-4 1.8) had a standout season with 33 saves as did Rattler ace reliever Chris Phillips (5-5 1.70), who notched 28 saves. Each team also possess a wealth of strong relievers.

At the plate it's a pretty even-steven stand-off with neither club having the edge. Tucknarra is led by 1B Lynn Starr (.342 BA/29 HR/104 RBI/97 R), RF Danny Redd (.274 BA/13 HR/55 RBI/117 R/34 SB), SS Narra Gilyinju (.268 BA/21 HR/76 RBI/83 R), 3B Koora Nawajuk (.264 BA/18 HR/88 RBI/70 R) and LF Jeff Johns (.258 BA/21 HR/87 RBI). Sugar Valley will counter with 2B Jan Kessinger (.335 BA/7 HR/71 RBI/94 R), RF Randall Hawson (.300 BA/37 HR/86 RBI/76 R), 1B Dean Woods (.288 BA;/29 HR/95 RBI/79 R) and LF Marty Beckett (.288 BA/30 HR/94 RBI/72 R).

The Islandian Times
Friday, October 4, 2024

2024 IPA Pro Cup Finals

Blue Jays Batter Rattlers 12-4 In Pro Cup Opener
In the opening game of the IPA Pro Cup Finals, defending champion Tuckanarra hit everything in sight and battered Sugar Valley 12-4 at the Blue Jays home field... the Blue Jays blasted out 17 hits at Central Park Stadium off four Rattler pitchers, sparked by RF Danny Redd (.382), 1B Lynn Starr (.333) and 2B Kendall Smith (.208) with 3 hits and 2 RBIs each... winning pitcher Glynn Starr (.273) even got in the act with a home run... Starr (4-1 3.11) claimed his fourth postseason victory, but gave up 4 runs on 9 hits with 5 strikeouts and 4 walks... Benny McConnell (3-1 3.81) lost for the first time in the playoffs, being shelled for 5 runs in 2 innings.

The Islandian Times
Saturday, October 5, 2024

2024 IPA Pro Cup Finals

Tucks Bash Rattlers Again, Win Game Two 9-4
For the second day in a row the Tuckanarra Blue Jays had it their way with a 9-4 bashing of the Sugar Valley Rattlers in the IPA Pro Cup Finals... So far it's been all Blue Jays... they cracked 10 hits, led by 3B Koora Nawajuk's (.327) 3-run homer and a 2-run smash by LF Jeff Johns (.349)... RF Danny Redd (.407) added 3 hits and 2 runs batted in... Redd had a double and a triple... Nawajuk now has 13 RBIs in the playoffs and Redd has 12... Quinn Starr (5-0 2.85) won his fifth consecutive postseason game, allowing 4 runs on 8 hits with 4 walks and 8 Ks... Tucknarra pounced on loser Nick Moore (2-2 5.04) for 7 runs in 2-plus innings... Moore was terrible giving up 7 hits and walking 6 batters... it was only close for two innings... the Blue Jays snapped a 4-4 tie with 3 in the third, then put them away with 2 more in the sixth.

The Islandian Times
Saturday, October 5, 2024

2024 IPA Pro Cup Finals

Tucks Win 3rd Straight, Crush Rattlers 14-1
Never in the 24 years of the Pro Cup Finals has a team dominated like the Tuckanarra Blue Jays this year... they totally crushed Sugar Valley for the third game in a row, burying them 14-1 in game three of the best-of-seven series... the Blue Jays belted 5 homers and 13 hits... 1B Lynn Starr (.350) homered twice and batted in 4 runs, LF Jeff Johns (.348) had a 3-run shot, SS Narra Gilyinju (.226) a 2-run home run and C Coco D'Abadie (.217) a solo job... on the hill, rookie Croc Wedgedale (2-3 2.32) tossed a strong game, fanning 8, walking 2 and scattering 9 hits... losing pitcher Johnny Kingsberry (0-2 9.49) was ripped for 9 runs in 3-plus innings... nothing is going well for Sugar Valley... they committed 4 errors, too.

The Islandian Times
Sunday, October 6, 2024

2024 IPA Pro Cup Finals

Blue Jays Repeat, Sweep Rattlers In Pro Cup
The Tuckanarra Blue Jays have done it - they have become the third team in IPA Pro Cup history to repeat as champions... the Tucks completed the sweep of the Sugar Valley Rattlers with a 4-3 come-from-behind victory... Sugar Valley had a 3-2 lead going into the top of the ninth, but closer Dallas Casey (1-1 4.82) was pelted for 3 extra-base hits and blew the save and the game... 1B Lynn Starr (.359) led off the fatal inning with a double... PH Bryan Stickland (.167) tied it up at 3-3 with another double... then 2B Kendall Smith (.220) drilled a game-winning two-bagger... the Rattlers mounted a rally against Archie Desmond (1.29) in the last of the ninth, getting men on first and third with two away, but the Blue Jay bullpen ace came through and struck out the final batter for his 4th postseason save... Glynn Starr (5-1 2.96) worked 8 rocky innings, permitted 9 hits and 3 runs, struck out 8 and walked 5... Sugar Valley just couldn't come through in the clutch and left 13 runners on base... Benny McConnell (3.18) was outstanding for the Rattlers, hurling 4-hit ball for 8 innings and allowing only one earned run... McConnell had 4 Ks and walked no one... Sugar Valley had the advantage in hits 11 to 7.

Tuckanarra joins the Far Mountain Redhawks and the Eastshore Elegants as the only teams in IPA history to win back-to-back titles... Far Mountain won three in a row 2011, 2012 and 2013 and Eastshore did it in 2016 and 2017.

Blue Jay skipper Lefty Stevens was elated and overjoyed, telling the press, "Winning last year was tremendous... to win the Pro Cup one time is really special... to repeat is totally awesome and beyond words... I can't say enough about my ball club."

Losing manager Gibby Bobkins told reporters, "We came in the series on a high, thinking we could knock the Blue Jays off, but Tuckanarra plays at another level... actually two levels higher in this series... people raves about their pitching, which is fabulous, but they hit pretty darn well, too... they gave us one chance to win a game and we blew it... they gave us a good old-fashioned butt kickin' in every way you can."

The Islandian Times
Monday, October 7, 2024

Quinn Starr Selected Pro Cup MVP
Last year's IPA Pro Cup Most Valuable Player was a star, a real Starr. Same thing this year except it's a different Starr. Last year it was Glynn Starr. This season it's his triplet brother, Quinn Starr, who was picked the best player in the playoffs. Quinn edged out RF Danny Redd and his brother Glynn to capture the prestigious award this year. Last year Quinn was third in the balloting. Even the other triplet Lynn got some votes this year in The Islandian Times Pro Cup poll, along with CF Jim Garrison and 3B Koora Nawajuk.

Quinn Starr was unbeaten in the playoffs for the second straight season with a 5-0 record. Starr compiled a fine 2.85 ERA against the best teams in the IPA. Last year Starr was 4-0 with a superb 2.37 ERA. During the regular season Starr was only 17-17, but had a sparkling 2.61 ERA. In his three years in the IPA, the 26-year-old Starr is 57-45 with a 2.60 ERA.

Danny Redd was another vital ingredient in the Blue Jays repeat win in the Pro Cup. Redd topped the Tuckanarra attack with a .383 batting average, 2 homers, 13 RBIs and 13 runs scored in 16 games. The 30-year-old right fielder Redd batted .274 in the season with 117 runs scored and 55 RBIs. Glynn Starr wound up a close third in the balloting as he compiled a 5-1 mark with a fine 2.96 ERA. Glynn posted a 19-12 regular-season record.

Rounding out the votegetters were three more Blue Jays: 1B Lynn Starr, who batted .359 with 4 home runs, 10 RBIs and 16 runs. Starr was a .342 hitter in the regular campaign with 29 homers and 104 RBIs, center fielder Jim Garrison with a .364 mark, 11 RBIs, 13 runs and 4 thefts and 3B Koora Nawajuk with a .333 BA, 1 HR, 16 RBIs, 14 runs and 8 stolen bases.

The Islandian Times
Tuesday, October 8, 2024

RU/TU Honor Golden Glove Winners
The Ruthlandian Union and Tycobbian Union announced the Golden Glove squads for 2024. The players were chosen in a poll conducted by The Islandian Times of the press and media.

Ruthlandian Union Golden Glove Team:
Pitcher: Wilcy Lord (Rocky Rapids Snappers) 17-11 3.54 ERA/.987 FA
Catcher: Pete Gibbs (Valmara Vipers) .254 BA/13 HR .995 FA/46.2% RTO/4 PB
First Baseman: Bubby Harris (Grand City Cybercats) .270 BA/13 HR .993 FA
Second Baseman: Ron Freiberg (Valmara Vipers) .232 BA/14 HR .990 FA
Third Baseman: Jug Slavin (Grand City Cybercats) .272 BA/13 HR .981 FA
Shortstop: Johnny Madigan (Kilkenny Cats) .263 BA/4 HR .980 FA
Left Fielder: Kenny Willard (Ancona Red Elephants) .296 BA/24 HR .997 FA/15 assists
Center Fielder: Vic Valenti (Beechwood Bobcats) .292 BA/21 HR .998 FA/12 assists
Right Fielder: Glen Smith (Colfax Blasters) .333 BA/11 HR .976 FA/13 assists

Jug Slavin was named for the 6th time, Vic Valenti for the 5th time, Kenny Willard for the 4th time and Pete Gibbs and Ron Freiberg for the 2nd time.

Tycobbian Union Golden Glove Team:
Pitcher: Eddie Lasky (Bay St. Clair Buccaneers) 12-15 4.16 ERA/1.000 FA
Catcher: Crash Davis (Ginza Ninjas) .285 BA/17 HR .996 FA/37.9% RTO/3 PB
First Baseman: Jack Elliott (High Mesa Cowboys) . 343 BA/49 HR .995 FA
Second Baseman: Norris Nettles (South Fork Stallions) .271 BA/12 HR .987 FA
Third Baseman: Felix Estrada (Arroyo Grande Suns) .271 BA/6 HR .963 FA
Shortstop: Lee Sullivan (Kenwood Wildcats) .249 BA/19 HR .975 FA
Left Fielder: Norm Owens (Bayview Vikings) .286 BA/20 HR .996 FA/18 assists
Center Fielder: Tim Tamiroff (Denton City Redbirds) .244 BA/17 HR .995 FA/11 assists
Right Fielder: Charlie Chapman (La Claire Lynx) .257 BA/15 HR .994 FA/13 assists

Norm Owens was honored for the 9th time in his career, Jack Elliott for the 5th time, Crash Davis for the 4th time and Eddie Lasky and Charlie Chapman for the 2nd time.

The Islandian Times
Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Noland Is RU's Rookie of the Year
Rocky Rapids fans have reason to cheer today as 28-year-old shortstop Tommy Noland brought home the Ruthlandian Union Rookie of the Year Award for 2024 and his younger brother was the runner-up. Noland put together a .288 batting average on the strength of 127 hits and swatted 11 home runs. He also racked up 47 RBIs and scored 57 runs, signaling that this might be the beginning of a solid baseball career.

Coming in second in the poll was Tommy's 19-year-old brother Walter, who joined the team in mid-season and posted a 6-7 record in 15 starts with a fine 2.96 ERA. Noland hurled 8 complete games and fanned 106 in 117 innings. In a very sparse year for freshmen players in the IPA, no one else received any votes in The Islandian Times poll.

Tommy and Walter are the sons of Snapper owner and manager Ryan Noland. Rocky Rapids now has four Noland siblings on the team. 28-year-old Tiger is a 9-year vet and is Tommy's twin. 21-year-old Cyrus is a back-up outfielder.

Scalise Is 2024 TU Best Newcomer
Carmine Scalise's age didn't show very often in his first year. He performed more like a veteran on the hill for the Oxford Red Caps and today he walked away with the 2024 Tycobbian Union Rookie of the Year Award and was the the prime reason his team almost won the TU North. The Red Caps finished just one game behind the pennant-winning White River Rascals. The 21-year-old starter registered a very impressive 22-10 record this season in 39 starts. Over 309 innings he gave up 269 hits, struck out 143 and issued 118 walks as he held the opposition to a .240 batting average and fashioned a 2.71 ERA. Scalise chalked up one shutout and had 17 complete games.

Due to a scarcity of rookies in the IPA, there was only one other votegetter. Tuckanarra's superb rookie Croc Wedgedale was a close second and compiled a standout 20-9 mark with a 2.81 ERA and 222 Ks in 228 innings. Wedgedale tossed 12 complete games and had one shutout.

The Islandian Times
Thursday, October 10, 2024

IPA Picks Golden Bats

Allan Stewart Chosen RU's #1 Batter
Middlefield's great first sacker Allan Stewart has been honored with the 2024 Golden Bat Award in the Ruthlandian Union. What a fine year he had with a .302 batting average, 165 hits, 28 doubles, 2 triples, 53 home runs, 113 RBIs and 108 runs. The 24-year-old slugger and 4-time All-Star captured the best batter award for the first time and led the Roosters to their second consecutive RU West title. Stewart paced the Ruthlandian league in homers with 53.

Waleska's super center fielder Roy Hobbs, a 4-time Golden Bat recipient, came in second this season. The 31-year-old Hobbs had another sterling year with a .325 BA, 32 roundtrippers, 106 runs batted in and 112 runs scored. Valmara's young and talented center fielder Teddy Szymanski was in the third spot in The Islandian Times poll. Only playing in his second season in the IPA, Szymanski sizzled at the plate with .333 mark, 27 home runs, 110 RBIs and 104 run. He sparked the Vipers to a second successive RU North championship.

TU Awards Best Batter Award To Vizcarra
It's been a year of triumph for veteran Rusty Vizcarra of the Arroyo Grande Suns as he hit his way to the 2024 Tycobbian Union Golden Bat Award. The 25-year-old first baseman compiled a .341 average and .417 on-base percentage by putting together 200 hits, 45 doubles, 4 triples, 54 home runs and 78 walks. He also scored 129 times and drove in 161 runs. Vizcarra topped the entire IPA in homers, RBIs and runs and came close to winning the Triple Crown, winding up 10 points behind the batting average leader. His Suns pulled in their fourth TU South pennant in the past five years.

Legendary Jack Elliott wound up second this season. High Mesa's splendid first baseman has claimed the Golden Bat a remarkable 11 times, a feat that may never be matched, much less broken. Elliott didn't win this year, but he still delivered 49 homers and 110 RBIs, while scoring 122 times and batting .343. Oxford's outstanding outfielder Denny Hartwig came in number three in the balloting. The 22-year-old Hartwig put up a .337 BA with 27 home runs, 115 runs batted in and 118 runs, while helping his Red Caps to a lofty second-place finish in the TU North, just barely missing the division crown by one scant game.

The Islandian Times
Friday, October 11, 2024

IPA Awards Whitaker and Dorignac Golden Arms

Cats Whitaker Takes RU Golden Arm
2024 was an even better season than Dave Whitaker could imagine. In his freshman year in 2023 the young righthander led the Kilkenny Cats into the first division of the RU North. This season Whitaker got them up to second place, the highest the club has finished in the last 11 seasons. The 21-year-old Cats star fashioned a 24-10 won-loss record with a 2.01 ERA, the best ERA in the Ruthlandian Union, second-best in the IPA. In 331 innings of work and 39 starts, Whitaker struck out 218 while giving up 241 hits and 102 walks. He held opposing batters to a .206 average. He tossed 5 shutouts and completed 25 games.

Crystal Lake's renowned southpaw Duncan Welch, who had collected three Golden Arm trophies and 2 MVP awards, was runner-up this year. The 30-year-old Welch went 24-12 with an excellent 2.22 ERA, 5 shutouts and 26 complete games. He fanned 222 batters in 328 innings. The Crushers ended up second to Waleska in the RU South. Number three in The Islandian Times poll was Ronald Schmitt of the Marston Nine. He racked up a 24-11 mark with a 2.67 ERA. Schmitt tossed 11 complete games and 3 shutouts, struck out 214 in his 297 innings. Marston climbed up from seventh to second this season.

Dorignac Acclaimed TU's Top Pitcher
Bobby Dorignac of the Midway Wolves was hands down the best hurler in the IPA this season. The 24-year-old righty led the IPA with an astounding 1.65 ERA, 27 victories and 9 shutouts. Dorignac compiled a 27-8 record, struck out 242 batters in 321 innings and completed 18 games, leading the Wolves to the runner-up spot in the Tycobbian East. They lost out by a single game to powerful Tuckanarra, this year's Pro Cup champion for the second straight season.

Jody Gentry of the TU West champion Kenwood Wildcats came in second in the Golden Arm poll. The 30-year-old Gentry notched a 21-10 record with a 2.15 ERA. Gentry totaled 251 Ks in 310 innings and had 5 shutouts and 13 complete games. White River won the TU pennant, paced by 8-year vet Ron Hendrix with a 24-9 record and a 2.63 ERA. Hendrix was the number three vote-getter and had 18 complete games and 3 shutouts with 234 strikeouts in 298 innings.

The Islandian Times
Saturday, October 12, 2024

Whitaker and Dorignac Win Again, Named MVPs
Good pitching beats good hitting - at least to the voters in The Islandian Times Most Valuable Player polls this season. The Golden Arms in the Ruthlandian and Tycobbian Unions both prevailed over this year's Golden Bat winners. Denny Whitaker of the Kilkenny Cats was proclaimed the RU MVP and Bobby Dorignac of the Midway Wolves was awarded the TU MVP trophy.

Whitaker has had an immense and immediate impact on the Kilkenny Cats in his two seasons. The 21-year-old right-hander has helped raise them from seventh place to second place in the RU North standings in the short time he has been there. Whitaker was 24-10 with a splendid 2.01 ERA, second to Dorignac's 1.65 ERA. RU Golden Bat honoree Allan Stewart of the Middlefield Roosters was the runner-up to Whitaker. Stewart led the RU with 53 homers, hit .323 and batted in 113 runs to spark the Roosters to the RU West pennant. Third in the voting was Roy Hobbs of the Waleska Westerners. Hobbs led the Westerners to the RU South title with a .325 BA, 33 homers and 106 runs batted in.

As good as Whitaker was, Dorignac was even better. The Midway twirler topped the IRA in wins, ERA and shutouts. Dorignac piled up a 27-8 mark with a microscopic 1.65 ERA and 9 shutouts, leading the Wolves to the TU East crown. Dorignac missed out on the Triple Crown, failing to lead the TU in strikeouts. He wound up sixth with 242. Howard Hutch of Ozarka led with 312 Ks. The TU Golden Bat winner Rusty Vizcarra was a very close second in the balloting. Vizcarra had a tremendous season and led the IPA in three categories with 54 homers, 161 RBIs and 129 runs scored. The Arroyo Grande Suns star first sacker almost won the Triple Crown, but came in fifth in the batting race with a .341 average, 10 points behind the winner, James Crouch of Ozarka. The Suns have won four pennants in the last five years in the TU South. Oxford's fine outfielder Dennis Hartwig came in third in the MVP race. Last year's Rookie of the Year paced the Red Caps to a runner-up spot in the TU North, much-improved over last year's sixth-place finish. White River won the division by just one slim game. Hartwig batted .337 with 27 roundtrippers, 118 runs and 115 RBIs.

The Islandian Times
Sunday, October 13, 2024

Johnson and Chandler Top IPA Skippers
There were lots of deserving managers in the Islandian Pro Alliance this year. Several teams did extreme do-overs and several top teams got ever better this season. It's not an easy choice to decide between the two. This year the Manager of the Year trophies went to Waleska's McGraw Johnson in the Ruthlandian Union and to Midway's Cochise Chandler of the the Tycobbian Union. It was Johnson's first time to win and Chandler's second award. He was also named the TU's top manager in 2014.

Johnson led the Westerners to the most victories in the club's history with a 91-63 record and to the RU South division title. Waleska wound up third last season with an 81-73 record. It has been 15 years since the team's last playoff appearance.

Chandler had a tougher challenge as he had to go up against the defending IPA Pro Cup champion Tuckanarra Blue Jays. Chandler's Midway Wolves gave the Tucks a tough battle, but fell one game short of the pennant. Chandler guided the Wolves to an impressive 95-59 mark, the best record in the team's history. Last season Midway was fourth and 12 games behind in the race with an 84-70 record.

Valmara's Jet Kazmarek was runner-up to Johnson in The Islandian Times poll. He piloted the Vipers to the best record they have ever had with a superb 97-57. Valmara led the IPA in victories. It was the second year in a row the Vipers took down the RU North crown.

Johnny Walters of Marston and Kevin McPhail of Kilkenny ranked third and fourth in the balloting. The Marston Nine rose up from seventh place to second place in the RU East, while the Kilkenny Cats had their best record in the club's history with a 91-63 mark. McPhail moved them up from fourth to second this year.

Chandler's biggest competition came from Tuckanarra's Carlton "Lefty" Stevens. The Blue Jays registered 96 wins for the second year in a row and won the division both years. Third in the poll was Mack Spencer of the Oxford Red Caps, who rose up from sixth place to a very close second in the TU North. The Red Caps went from 70-84 to 87-67. The division champion White River bested Oxford by one game in the pennant race. Aaron Hankins of Kenwood was the fourth-highest vote-getter. His Wildcats won the most in their history with a 90-64 record and copped the TU West crown. Number five in the poll was Will Hackett down in Summerland, who had a huge turn-around from last place to third place in the TU South. The Sunsets climbed from a dismal 59-95 record in 2023 to a pretty good 81-73 this season.

Year 24 is complete.
I will begin working on the rosters for the next season.
I need to get a few more productive rookies into the league.
Not much rookie talent this year. I let the AI creates the rookies this season.
I'll now go back to me doing it. It's a lot of work, but I think it will be worth it.

Thanks to all of you for following the IPA so loyally.
I used to have only 15 views a day. Now I suspect it is up to 40-50 a day.