THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, October 15, 2035

GAMBLE & SNYDER TOP BATS IN IPA
The 2035 Golden Bats went to two youngsters this year... Sugar Valley's Bobby Gamble was honored as the best hitter in the Ruthlandian Union and Cape Coral's William Snyder collected the Tycobbian trophy... it's the first time they have won the award.

The 22-year-old Gamble batted .324 in 142 games, collecting 177 hits, 28 doubles, 6 triples, 34 homers, 105 RBIs, 125 runs and stole 45 bases for the Rattlers and led them to a second-place finish in a very close race with the powerful Elnora All-Stars... Gamble topped the IPA with 125 runs and the Ruthlandian Union with 45 stolen bases... lifetime the Rattler center fielder is a .307 batter and a 3-time All-Star... Snyder will make 22 in a couple of weeks... he has played in the IPA for three seasons and sports a .326 career average... has made the All-Star team twice and won a Golden Glove... this year Snyder stood out with a .328 BA in 142 games, 209 hits, 33 home runs, 107 runs batted in and scored 118 runs... he tied with North Hills' Adam Thurgood for the IPA lead in hits.

Gamble's biggest competition came from 4-time All-Star and 2-time Gold Glover Scotty Lagrange of the Eastshore Elegants... Lagrange is a 9-year standout that won the RU Golden Bat and Most Valuable Player Award last season... this year he chalked up a .315 BA with 47 roundtrippers, 109 RBIs and scored 117 times in 147 games... third place in the voting went to 35-year-old superstar Loco Dillinger of the Waleska Westerners, who sparked them to the RU South pennant with a .331 average, 36 home runs, 113 RBIs and 85 runs scored... Dillinger is a 9-time All-Star and has 5 Golden Bats to his credit... Dillinger has won it 5 times in the last 8 seasons.

Snyder beat out 3-time All-Star Jarred O'Neal of La Claire and 2-time All-Star Charley Kota of Chicopee for the Tycobbian Golden Bat... O'Neal batted .325 in 146 games, went deep 29 times, drove in 101 runs and scored 94, while Kota put up a .304 mark with 29 homers, 101 RBIs and 113 runs in 149 games.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Tuesday, October 16, 2035

C'CATS GILLESPIE WINS RU GOLDEN ARM AGAIN
J. J. Gillespie of the Cold Creek Catamounts has made quite a reputation for himself by winning his second Ruthlandian Union Golden Arm in back-to-back years... Gillespie outpolled David Whitaker of Kilkenny and Augie Marquis of Fort Benton in THE ISLANDIAN TIMES balloting to take this year's trophy... the 30-year-old right-hander led the C'Cats to a close third-place in the RU East, beaten only by two powerhouses Elnora and Sugar Valley... Gillespie chalked up a 20-10 record and topped the RU with a 2.17 ERA and 7 shutouts... it's the third year in a row for him to win 20 games... Gillespie has posted a 97-51 record in his 7 IPA seasons with a 2.28 career ERA... his lifetime ERA is ranked third in the IPA records behind Luxora's Kent Halloran and Denton City's Johnny Duncan... Halloran is first with a 2.23 career ERA, while Duncan is second at 2.24.

Golden Arm runner-up Dave Whitaker paced Kilkenny to a third-place finish in the RU North with a 21-12 mark and a fine 2.34 ERA... Whitaker previously won the Golden Arm in 2024 and 2029... he also copped the RU MVP in 2024... in 13 IPA seasons with the mediocre Cats Whitaker is 241-190 with an impressive 2.78 ERA.

The number-three votegetter was Fort Benton's Augie Marquis, who helped his Defenders come in third in the RU West with a 20-12 record and a 2.61 ERA... Marquis is just 11 wins short of 200 in his 11 years in the IPA... overall he is 189-144 with a 3.07 ERA.

Z'S HALLORAN HAULS IN TU GOLDEN ARM AWARD
Luxora's record-setting southpaw Kent Halloran blossomed this season with two new IPA records and was named the best pitcher in the Tycobbian Union, winning the Golden Arm for the first time after 7 years in the league... it was also his first 20-win season... the 29-year-old Halloran established a new standard for the lowest ERA in a single season in IPA history, breaking Tiago Torres' 1.57 record set in 2018... Torres also played for Luxora... this season Halloran registered a 20-6 record with a minuscule 1.47 ERA, leading the Zorros to a third-place finish in the TU North... Halloran also took over the top spot in the IPA record books with a superb career 2.23 ERA, besting the retired Johnny Duncan's mark of 2.24 in his 12-year career, mainly for Denton City... a reliever in his first three seasons, Halloran is 95-54 lifetime with 51 saves.

Two Tuckanarra twirlers Junior Bristow and Bobby Reid came in second and third in the Golden Arm voting... they sparked the Blue Jays to a great season by winning the TU East and the IPA Pro Cup... Bristow was 22-11 with a strong 2.51 ERA and 27 complete games, while Reid was 20-12 with a 2.49 ERA... 24-year-od Bristow is 43-24 after two seasons with a 2.87 ERA... and Reid is 96-64 after seven years... Reid was a reliever his first three seasons and notched 46 saves... for the last three years has has won at least 20 games.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Wednesday, October 17, 2035

ELEGANTS' LAGRANGE ACCLAIMED RU MVP
In spirited balloting Eastshore Elegants' star Scotty Lagrange nipped two strong challengers Bobby Gamble of Sugar Valley and J. J. Gillespie of Cold Creek and was acclaimed the Ruthlandian Union Most Valuable Player in a poll by The Islandian Times... it was the first time in Lagrange's 9-year career that he has won the MVP honor... the 28-year-old Lagrange is a four-time All-Star and twice a Golden Glover... the gifted Eastshore center fielder batted .315 in 147 games and had 47 homers, 109 RBIs and scored 117 runs... Lagrange is a lifetime .307 hitter.

Runner-up to Lagrange was Sugar Valley's 22-year-old standout center fielder Bobby Gamble, who notched a .324 BA with 34 roundtrippers, 105 RBIs and an IPA-leading 125 runs... he also led the RU with 45 stolen bases... third in the MVP poll was Cold Creek's ace and Golden Arm recipient J. J. Gillespie... he led all Ruthlandian hurlers with a 2.17 ERA... it's the second time in three seasons Gillespie has posted the league's best ERA... he was 20-10 this year record-wise and also paced the RU for the third season in a row with 7 shutouts.

TUCKS YOUNGSTER BRISTOW TU MVP
It must run in the family... Tuckanarra's Junior Bristow is following in his father's illustrious footsteps by winning the coveted Tycobbian Union Most Valuable Player Award... IPA Hall-of-Famer Titus Bristow also won the honor in 2006 as member of the Blue Jays... Bristow, Jr. beat out Adam Thurgood of the North Hills Hawks and Charley Kota of the Chicopee Braves.

The 24-year-old Bristow has won 20 games in each of his first two years in the IPA...the Blue Jays captured the division flag both seasons... this year he put up a 22-11 mark with a superlative 2.51 ERA and led the Tucks to the TU East title and the IPA Pro Cup championship... Bristow is 43-24 in his two seasons with a 2.87 ERA.

The number-two votegetter in the MVP poll was North Hills' talented left fielder Adam Thurgood, who led the Hawks to a second consecutive TU North pennant... Thurgood played in 146 games, hit .331 and was the IPA co-leader with 209 hits... Thurgood collected 32 home runs, drove in 103 runs and scored 92 runs... third place went to Chicopee's fine outfielder Charley Kota... he batted .304 with 29 homers, 101 RBIs and 113 runs, leading the Braves to a second successive TU West flag.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Thursday, October 18, 2035

TU TOP DEFENDERS ANNOUNCED
The top defenders have been named in the Tycobbian Union. This year's Golden Glovers were led by three-time winners shortstop Dandy Meredith of Hillsboro and Charley Kota of Chicopee. All the other honorees were first-time recipients and included one rookie, Charley Hastings of Arlon.

Pitcher: Tyrus Cobb (South Fork Stallions) (.986 FA) (11-10/4.38 ERA)
Catcher: Ted Jarzinski (Ginza Ninjas) (.997 FA/4 PB/35.2% RTO) (.225 BA/10 HR/53 RBI/56 R)
First Baseman: Kerry Sterling (Oxford Red Caps) (.995 FA) (.306 BA/33 HR/96 RBI/79 R)
Second Baseman: Jim Cuervas (Tuckanarra Blue Jays) (.985 FA) (.253 BA/3 HR/44 RBI/79 R)
Third Baseman: Pawnee Cody (Southport Sun Sox) (.962 FA) (.236 BA/15 HR/79 RBI/46 R)
Shortstop: Dandy Meredith (Hillsboro Blazers) (.974 FA) (.227 BA/2 HR/38 RBI/61 R)
Left Fielder: Charley Hastings (Arlon Champions) (.989 FA) .290 BA/4 HR/68 RBI/91 R)
Center Fielder: Charley Kota (Chicopee Braves) (.990 FA) (.304 BA/29 HR/101 RBI/113 R)
Right Fielder: William Snyder (Cape Coral Hurricanes) (.990 FA) (.328 BA/ 33 HR/107 RBI/118 R)

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Thursday, October 18, 2035

ALL-DEFENSE TEAM HONORED BY RU
The Ruthlandian Union Golden Glove team has been chosen with three spots going to Eastshore. Kyle Hunt of the Eastshore Elegants made the squad for the sixth time in his career. There were two other multiple honorees: shortstop Larry Romney, also of Eastshore, got his fourth Golden Glove trophy and Sugar Valley left fielder Tyler White won for the second time. Two rookies were picked: pitcher Mel Glosterman of Stoner and first sacker Jojo DeLucca of Volusia.

Pitcher: Mel Glosterman (Stoner Stars) (1.000 FA) (9-18/3.56)
Catcher: Kyle Hunt (Eastshore Elegants) (.994 FA/3 PB/53.8% RTO) (.303 BA/5 HR/42 RBI/37 R)
First Baseman: Jojo DeLucca (Volusia Vigilantes) (.998 FA/(.284 BA/20 HR/95 RBI/83 R)
Second Baseman: Johnny Petrak (Eastshore Elegants) (.983 FA) (.296 BA/22 HR/90 RBI/94 R)
Third Baseman: Leevi Viru (Kilkenny Cats) (.967 FA) (.267 BA/21 HR/90 RBI/81 R)
Shortstop: Larry Romney (Eastshore Elegants) (.982 FA) (.255 BA/20 HR/62 RBI/63 R)
Left Fielder: Tyler White (Sugar Valley Rattlers) (.991 FA) (.241 BA/42 HR/135 RBI/103 R)
Center Fielder: Guy St. Laurent (Cold Creek Catamounts) (.983 FA) (.264 BA/22 HR/83 RBI/87 R)
Right Fielder: Kenny Mitzusaka (Valka Blackhawks) (.996 FA) (.315 BA/22 HR/105 RBI/72 R)

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Friday, October 19, 2035

BOBKINS EDGES CARTER FOR RU SKIPPER OF THE YEAR
It's been a long time coming, but Sugar Valley's Gibby Bobkins finally won his second Ruthlandian Manager of the Year Award. The longtime Rattler skipper edged out Elnora's Leon Carter this season. Bobkins last won the honor in 2005. Sugar Valley rose up from seventh place in the Ruthlandian East to second place this season. The Rattlers improved from 76-78 last year to 97-57 this year, just barely being beaten out by powerful Elnora by one game.

Leon Carter had a much better finish this year. His Elnora All-Stars climbed from sixth place to the top spot in the Ruthlandian East. Carter's club posted a superb 98-56 mark to win the division after ending up 81-63 the previous season. Only San Alejo of the Tycobbian Union won more games with a terrific 100-54 record. Carter received the top skipper award on two occasions in 2031 and 2032.

Rounding out the vote in The Islandian Times best manager poll were Quincy Peterson of LaGrange in the third spot and Rusty Denicola of Kilkenny in fourth place. Peterson paced his Sports to a 92-62 record and the RU North pennant. LaGrange was fourth in 2034 with a 75-79 mark. The Cats jumped from sixth to third in the RU North this season, improving from 67-87 to 84-70 under Denicola.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Friday, October 19, 2035

HERRERA NAMED TOP TU MANAGER
The San Alejo Montaneros had a magnificent season and topped the IPA with 100 victories to capture a second straight Tycobbian South pennant with Alberto Herrera at the helm. For this achievement Herrera was honored for the second time in his career as the Tycobbian Manager of the Year. He also won the award in 2032. The Monties improved from 91-63 last year to 100-54 this season. Herrera whipped Tuckanarra's Lefty Stevens by a fairly wide margin. No other manager received any vote in The Islandian Times best manager balloting.

Stevens has copped the Manager of the Year honor three times in his career, winning in 2013, 2017 and 2028. His Blue Jays again won the TU East title with a fine 97-57 record. The Tucks won in 2034 with an even better 98-56 mark.

Thanks to all of you who regularly follow this dynasty.
I appreciate each and every one of you.

I will now get ready for the 2036 season, which may take several days to revamp the rosters.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, April 7, 2036

HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL, 64 IPA TEAMS KICK OFF 36TH SEASON
Spring has sprung in the Islands and that means the passions of the people will be focused on the Islandian Pro Alliance for the next six months or so, until they crown a new Pro Cup champion. Defending titleholder Tuckanarra will try to fend off the challenges of 63 other baseball clubs. Season 36 begins today at ball parks all across Islandia. There were no big surprises in The Islandian Times preseason poll except for Volusia, which after winning its second pennant in a row, was stunningly delegated to the Ruthlandian West cellar by the press corps. For the most part, last year's division champs are forecast to be strong contenders again.

In the Ruthlandian Union, Far Mountain is favored to whip LaGrange in the RU North, Waleska should repeat in the RU South, Elnora should take the RU East for the fifth time in six seasons and Colfax should reign in the RU West. The scribes think Elnora and Waleska will again battle for the league title and the right to play the Tycobbian champion for Island supremacy.

In the Tycobbian Union, East Point got a close nod over powerhouse Tuckanarra and Ozarka in the TU East, Chicopee is predicted to take its third straight TU West flag, North Hills should win the TU North for the third consecutive year and up-and-coming Turon will just skim by powerful San Alejo in the TU South. In the Tycobbian title game East Point and Chicopee will make it to the finals with the winner going on to play the RU titleholder for the overall IPA crown.

Predictions are that the Elnora All-Stars will survive in the Ruthlandian Union and whip the East Point Panthers of the Tycobbian Union for this year's Pro Cup.

2036 Islandian Times' IPA Preseason Poll

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES PRESEASON POLL
Monday, April 7, 2036

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Sunday, June 21, 2036

5 IPA GREATS ADDED TO HALL OF FAME
There will soon be five new members the Islandian Pro Alliance Hall of Fame, bringing the number to 48 honorees. Heading up this year's elector list of all-time greats is Marty Blake, one of the top sluggers in IPA history, along with two gifted infielders Jud Turchin and Danny Church, plus one talented moundsman Errol Gaudet and standout catcher Todd Simons. They will be inducted at ceremonies at the All-Star Game in Tuckanarra on Wednesday.

Marty Blake starred for 23 years (2013-2035) in the league and recently retired in 2035 when he was 41. Blake was a fine Golden Glove first baseman mainly for the White River Rascals. He posted a career .312 batting average and was a 7-time All-Star with 3749 hits (4th), 711 home runs (3rd), 2125 RBIs (2nd) and 2034 runs (7th). Blake was fifth in games played with 3282. He sparked the Rascals to 5 division titles in his tenure with the club.

Errol Gaudet was a brilliant pitcher for 15 seasons (2019-2034), mostly with the powerful Rolling Hills Reds. The 6-foot-5 right-hander paced his club to 8 pennants and 2 Pro Cup trophies (2029 and 2031) and was still an effective pitcher at 40. Gaudet made the All-Star team 8 times and finished with a record of 283-193 and a strong 2.97 ERA. In the Pro Cup playoffs he especially excelled with a 16-9 mark and a 2.49 ERA. He was named the Pro Cup MVP in 2029 for running up a record 7-0 mark with a very stingy 1.77 ERA in 9 starts.

Shortstop Jud Turchin was a 7-time All-Star in his 21 seasons (2002-2022), all but one with the Hartsdale Hellcats. Lifetime Turchin chalked up 3360 hits (14th) with a .304 BA, 391 homers, 1580 RBIs and 1868 runs. The Hellcats won 3 pennants and participated in the Pro Cup playoffs 5 times. Turchin was standout defender though he only received one Golden Glove award. He retired at age 41.

Slick-fielding shortstop Danny Church played 25 seasons (2001-2025), finally retiring at the age of 45. For the first time in history a defensive specialist was recognized as a Hall-of-Famer. Church split his time between the Belair Beach Sunbirds and the Marston Nine. He is currently managing the Nine. Church won Golden Gloves on 5 occasions and ranked second in games played in the IPA with 3577, topped only by the legendary Phil Gravelli, who holds the league record with 3628. Church and Gravelli were teammates on the Sunbirds in the early years. Church batted .278 lifetime with 3496 hits (9th), 728 doubles (1st), 140 homers, 1337 RBIs and 1808 runs. He ranked third all-time with 2068 walks. His clubs won 5 pennants and participated 7 times in the postseason, but never won the Pro Cup. Proud of making the Hall of Fame, Church thanked the voters for putting him in, "As all of you know I wasn't noted for being an offensive force. I only hit .300 three times in my career. It's good to see the sportswriters are finally taking into consideration the defensive side of the game. Defense can win you a lot of games."

Todd Simons played for five clubs in his 25 years (2001-2025) in the IPA. His best years were with Elnora and North Hills. In all, Simons was with 5 pennant winners and made the postseason 7 times, but never won a Pro Cup ring as a player, but he did get one as the skipper of the North Hills Hawks in 2034. Simons is the IPA recordholder for the most career walks with 2682. He only batted .270, but clouted 323 roundtrippers, drove in 1641 runs and scored 1726. Simons ranked sixth in games with 3275 and fourth in doubles with 644. Four times he was voted an All-Star. Like Church, Simons called it a career at age 45.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, June 23, 2036

IPA ALL-STARS TANGLE AT TUCKANARRA
For the 36th time the Ruthlandian and Tycobbian All-Stars will tangle this Wednesday afternoon. The IPA All-Star Classic is slated for Central Park Stadium, home of the defending Pro Cup champion Tuckanarra Blue Jays. The Tycobbian Stars have captured four of the last five clashes and have dominated the overall series with 24 wins and only 11 losses. Lefty Stevens will be in charge of the TU All-Stars and Elnora's Leon Carter will be the skipper of the RU All-Stars. The team will feature 27 first-time Stars with only one rookie Terry Baird of La Claire making his debut appearance in the mid-summer contest. Talented Tuckanarra of the Tycobbian Union led all comers with 5 players named to the squads. Powerful Elnora paced the Ruthlandian Union with 3 on the team.

Tycobbian has a wealth of experienced veterans led by 9-time All-Star Lorne Evans of Tuckanarra. Billy Christianson of Colchester and Pat Kovacs of La Claire will be playing in their fifth games, while 7 selections are making their third appearances. Topping the Ruthlandian Stars will be Terry Richards of Waleska, Byron Johannsen of St. John and Bobby Gamble of Sugar Valley, all participating for the fourth time in their careers. Three others were picked for the their third All-Star game.

Tycobbian All-Stars
SP Junior Bristow - Tuckanarra Blue Jays (15-3/1.90)
SP Bobby Reid - Tuckanarra Blue Jays (11-5/2.35)
SP Johnny Young - Summerland Sunsets (11-4/2.72)
SP Jeff Owens - North Hills Hawks (12-5/3.11)
SP Freddie Quinn - Blue Lake Blue Sox (9-4/1.97)
SP Pat Kovacs - La Claire Lynx (11-5/2.38)
SP Bansuki Hasegawa - Red Bluff Red Sox (10-8/2.55)
SP Clyde Engstrom - Turon (10-4/2.48)
MR Dennis Austin - Red Bluff Red Sox (8-2/1.13/9 saves)
MR Terry Baird - La Claire Lynx (4-4/2.21/16 saves)
C Corky DiNozzo - Kenwood Wildcats (.313/19/45/40)
C Jaak Pajukivi - Fairfax Frogs (.298/9/43/27)
C Jon Paul - Tuckanarra Blue Jays (.307/15/42/36)
1B Stan Ferguson - Cape Coral Hurricanes (.303/21/58/46)
1B Billy Christianson - Colchester Elites (.304/9/46/50)
1B Josh George - Tuckanarra Blue Jays (.304/10/44/38)
2B Albert Wherry - Midway Wolves (.301/9/30/40)
2B Jack Culpepper - Bayview Vikings (.313/23/56/46)
3B Elton Jacoby - South Fork Stallions (.346/9/27/46)
3B Todd Dubbins - Luxora Zorros (.322/11/35/24)
SS C. C. Kingsford - Turon Typhoons (.318/10/46/38)
SS Dean O'Donnell - East Point Panthers (.279/19/47/40)
SS John Velasco - Fairfax Frogs (.285/10/42/41)
LF Adam Thurgood - North Hills Hawks (.358/17/61/37)
LF Jurrien Bellini - Hillsboro Blazers (.290/26/63/62)
LF Lorne Evans - Tuckanarra Blue Jays (.311/16/42/64)
CF Charley Kota - Chicopee Braves (.330/23/83/52)
CF Yancey Tanner - Midway Wolves (.353/2/31/38)
RF Iron Chest Chandler - Chicopee Braves (.232/14/51/42)
RF Blake Barrister - Colchester Elites (.318/25/60/50)

Ruthlandian All-Stars
SP Lou Gianakos - St. John Crusaders (12-5/2.52)
SP Chazz Bassett - LaGrange Sports (11-4/3.26)
SP Terry Richards - Waleska Westerners (12-4/2.13)
SP Ken Arby - Beechwood Bobcats (10-3/3.25)
SP Stan Kivas - Elnora All-Stars (10-5/2.31)
SP Jeremy Sellers - Elnora All-Stars (11-5/2.03)
SP Dave Whitaker - Kilkenny Cats (10-6/2.23)
SP Don Klingenberg - Eastshore Elegants (9-6/1.99)
SP Eldon Franklin - Marston Nine (9-3/2.58)
MR Jimbo McGinnity - Marston Nine (2-3/1.50/15 saves)
C Angelo Rossi - Taranto Tars (.331/25/63/49)
C Mitch Fullerton - Colfax Blasters (.323/13/46/39)
C Ron Marlowe - Far Mountain Redhawks (.287/14/40/27)
1B Reed Gremillion - Grand City Cybercats (.316/15/49/33)
1B Bobby Scott - Valka Blackhawks (.300/17/47/49)
1B Jojo DeLucca - Claxton Diamonds (.287/13/59/37)
2B Gary Colton - Claxton Diamonds (.308/14/52/38)
2B Akihiro Samurakami - Elnora All-Stars (.347/6/36/35)
3B Marty O'Reilly - Crystal Lake Crushers (.319/5/38/41)
3B Claude DesJardins - LaGrange Sports (.316/15/39/37)
SS Byron Johannsen - St. John Crusaders (.358/4/38/40)
SS Tommy Richardson - Ancona Red Elephants (.327/7/38/36)
SS Cody Hanks - Beechwood Bobcats (.327/15/52/47)
LF Chet Penn - Colfax Blasters (.360/14/48/48)
LF Tyler White - Sugar Valley Rattlers (.263/19/57/45)
LF Bobby Meusel - Belair Beach Sunbirds (.310/10/47/44)
CF Bobby Gamble - Sugar Valley Rattlers (.302/16/50/51)
CF Travis Houston - Glasco Athletics (.308/15/50/43)
RF Neil Farrugia - St. John Crusaders (.320/16/49/54)
RF Boo Boudreaux - Belle Plaine Musketeers (.344/14/40/50)

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Wednesday, June 25, 2036

RU SNAPS TU STREAK 4-2 IN ALL-STAR GAME
Going into the 36th edition of the IPA All-Star Game the Ruthlandian Stars had dropped three straight to the Tycobbian Stars, but today at Central Park Stadium in Tuckanarra they finally put an end to that streak with a 4-2 victory... the RU Stars racked up 12 hits and got good work from the pitching corps, who held Tycobbia to 7 hits... however, Tycobbia still has a huge 24-12 edge in the mid-summer classics.

The Ruthlandian Stars went to work early on young Junior Bristow (Tuckanarra), who started for Tycobbia... they got to him in the opening frame for a run when CF Bobby Gamble (Sugar Valley) singled, stole second and rode home on a base hit by RF Nicky Furrugia (St. John)... in inning number two 1B Bobby Scott (Valka) slammed a 400-foot homer off Bristow to make it 2-0... the TU Stars came back and tied it 2-2 with runs in the fourth and fifth frames... two walks by pitcher Jeremy Sellers (Elnora) and 2B Jerry Culpepper's (Bayview) RBI single plated SS C. C. Kingsford (Turon)... and an inning later a double by Elton Jacoby (South Fork) and Kingsford's single knotted the score... Ruthlandia retaliated with the go-ahead run in the bottom of the fifth on singles by LF Chet Penn (Colfax) and SS Cody Hanks (Beechwood) combined with Gamble's RBI groundout, which scored Hanks... the RU Stars added an insurance run in the last of the seventh when 2B Gary Colton (Claxton) doubled in 3B Tommy Richardson (Ancona) to run it up to 4-2.

Bobby Gamble (Sugar Valley) was 2-3 with a run and an RBI and was named the game's Most Valuable Player... though he allowed a run in his only inning Stan Kivas (Elnora) got the win, while Pat Kovacs (La Claire) suffered the loss... Kovacs was the pitcher of record when Ruthlandia went ahead in the fifth... 3B Elton Jacoby (South Fork) sparked Tycobbia at the plate with 2 hits and a run in 3 tries.

The winning manager was Leon Carter of Elnora, who gained a small bit of revenge over Tuckanarra's Lefty Stevens... Stevens got the much greater prize last year by winning the IPA Pro Cup.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Thursday, June 26, 2036

RU MID-YEAR LEADERS: LAGRANGE, ST. JOHN, MARSTON & COLFAX
Much to the chagrin of the baseball experts the Ruthlandian Union is not playing out the way they predicted... surprisingly division favorites Far Mountain and Elnora find themselves far off the pace at the halfway point in the season and also-rans like St. John and Marston are on top of theirs.

The LaGrange Sports are on top in the RU North, three games up on Kilkenny and Glasco and four ahead of fourth-place Ancona... The St. John Crusaders have a 4-game edge over defending RU South titleholder Waleska... the Marston Nine have bolted out of nowhere and rests four games in front of Cold Creek and Belle Plaine... and five games better than fourth-place Eastshore and Beechwood... perennial power Elnora is in last place and 13 games back of the Nine...The Colfax Blasters were forecast to have an easy time of it in the RU West, but they have been challenged so far by the Stoner Stars, Rocky Rapids Snappers and Sligo Rovers... the Stars are only one game off the pace, the Snappers three games back and the Rovers only four games behind... actually the other four teams in the division are still very much in the race... defending champ Volusia is tied for fifth with Middlefield and Fort Benton, all trailing by 5 games... and last place Forest City is just six games out.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Thursday, June 26, 2036

FEW SURPRISES IN TYCOBBIAN RACE
As forecast Tuckanarra, Chicopee, Denton City and North Hills are on top of their divisions in the Tycobbian Union at the All-Star break, along with an unlikely leader, the Colchester Elites, who pace the TU South.

The Tucks are on schedule to win 100 games again this season and are the runaway leader in the Tycobbian East... as predicted the Chicopee Braves and Denton City Redbirds are tied for first in the TU West... Rolling Hills and La Claire are running third behind them by six games... for the third successive season the North Hills Hawks are on top in the TU North with a pretty fair six-game bulge over runner-up Blue Lake and 8 in front of third place Oxford... while Cinderella Colchester has taken charge with a huge nine-game edge over the Summerland Sunsets in the TU South... preseason favorites Turon and San Alejo are far back in the pennant race... the Typhoons are in third place, 10 games out... and the Montaneros are a horrific 15 games back in sixth place.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Wednesday, June 26, 2036

2036 Ruthlandian Union Mid-Season Individual Batting Statistics

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Wednesday, June 26, 2036

2036 Tycobbian Union Mid-Season Individual Batting Statistics

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, September 1, 2036

IPA HEADS INTO THE HOME STRETCH
Four races are still up in the air in the Islandian Pro Alliance... and four are pretty much decided heading into the last month of the season... the defending Pro Cup champ Tuckanarra has a huge 16-game lead in the Tycobbian East... North Hills is 12 games in front in the TU North... and Colchester is 10 games ahead in the TU South... however, it's still a race in the TU West with only four games separating first place Chicopee and runner-up Denton City.

In the Ruthlandian Union only St. John seems to be secure with an eight-game edge over San Dimas and Crystal Lake in the South Division... three others are still in doubt... LaGrange is just clinging to a game lead on Kilkenny in the RU North... Cold Creek has a slight two-game margin over Sugar Valley in the RU East and Colfax is the leader in the RU West with a 3-game lead over Fort Benton.