YESTERDAY IN THE IPA
2025 IPA FINAL 4 SERIES

The Islandian Times
Monday, October 6, 2025

2025 IPA Final 4 Series

Ruthlandian Union

Roosters Earn Pro Cup Slot
Higher seeds don't mean much to the eighth-seeded Middlefield Roosters... they have KO'ed another one and now will get a shot at the Holy Grail - the much-coveted IPA Pro Cup... the Roosters have won it only once... in 2005, 20 years ago... of course, they will have to beat another higher seed to win it.

Middlefield powered 4 home runs and came back from a 7-0 deficit to nip favored Crystal Lake 11-10 in game five of the Ruthlandian Final 4... the Roosters took four of the five games and put an end to the Crushers season... LF Floyd McClellan was again the hero with 2 roundtrippers and 4 RBIs... 1B Keith Yashin (.326) got his 5th homer in the series and drove in two runs... 3B Stu Butterworth (.433) cracked his 3rd and batted in 4 runs, too... overall Middlefield smacked 16 hits, while Crystal Lake managed 14.

1B Benny Rousseau clouted his 4th postseason home run and drove in 3 runs to lead the Crushers... SS Phil Hicks (.233) had 2 hits, 3 RBIs and scored twice... CF Herm Taylor (.227) went 2-5 with 2 runs batted in... 3B Tommy Gompers (.233) was 3-5 with 2 doubles and 2 runs scored... and C Rob Stern (.361) had 3 hits and scored two times for Crystal Lake.

Middlefield's Butterworth singled in the series-winning run in the bottom of the ninth... the Roosters rallied with 3 runs in the third and 6 in the fourth to take a 9-7 lead... in a seesaw game the Crushers tied it with single runs in the fifth and sixth, then lost the lead again when Middlefield scored a run in the last of the seventh, making it 10-9... Crystal Lake managed to tie it up in the top of the ninth, only to lose it and the series in the last of the ninth.

8 of the 9 pitchers in the game gave up runs... Glenn Tackett (1-0 9.00) blew the save, but copped the win... Keith Hunter (1-1 2.57) was the loser... Middlefield will take on the Tycobbian champ in the Pro Cup Series... it will be either the 4th seeded South Fork Stallions or the 5th seeded Ginza Ninjas... no problem for the Roosters... they have already beaten the second and third seeds.

SF Stallions Race By Ginza In 5 Games
After losing the opening game in the Tycobbian championship series, the South Fork Stallions reeled off four victories in a row to wipe out the Ginza Ninjas... Now South Fork will battle Middlefield, the RU champ, for the Islands' Pro Cup... They lost in the second round in 2001... and in the TU Final 4 in 2002... haven't been in the playoffs since... and have never played in the Pro Cup Finals.

Game 5 went to the Stallions 4-2 behind the solid pitching of rookie left-hander Bill Massey (4-0 1.86)... He tossed 8 innings, held the Ninjas to 2 runs on 8 hits with 2 walks and 6 strikeouts... Ricky Raeburn closed it out with a perfect ninth for the save... Harlan Wilson (0-1 4.00) took the loss in his first start of the postseason... Wilson allowed 4 runs and 7 hits in 7 innings, walking 6 and fanning 4.

South Fork had 9 hits to 8 for the Ninjas... RBIs by RF Robby Michael (.256), LF Patric Giles (.225), CF Shelby Glasscock (.227) and 2B Norris Nettles (.314) gave the Stallions a 4-0 lead after 6 and a half innings... CF Lyle McCann (.333) doubled in Ginza's only runs in the seventh.

Ruthlandian Union Final 4 Series
Middlefield (4) - Crystal Lake (1)
Game Scores: 2-3, 7-3, 8-3, 6-5, 11-10

Tycobbian Union Final 4 Series
South Fork (4) - Ginza (1)
Game Scores: 1-4, 5-0, 2-0, 9-8, 4-2

MY LIFE IN 2023
EC's Life's Filled with Glee in '23
As EC was perusing the book "Baseball Bafflers 2" by Slammin' Sam Weiser, a book of baseball trivia, facts, unique statistics and strange moments, I read a baseball fact that made me say to myself "Ah, The Sweet Mystery of Life"... but EC didn't stop there - I love to chase rabbits on the internet - so I researched the saying... it came from a song in the 1935 movie starring Nelson Eddy and Jeanette McDonald.

Ah! Sweet mystery of life
At last I've found thee
Ah! I know at last the secret of it all;
All the longing, seeking, striving, waiting, yearning

Now you muse to yourself, why are we chasing rabbits on the internet and why are we pondering the sweet mystery of life?... this is a baseball website..."well, pilgrim, I'll tell ya." (in my bad John Wayne impersonation)... people pay attention when the Duke says that in his movies.

"Wit, Quips and Quotes from the Diamond Minds"
"Baseball Bafflers 2" gave me a very interesting fact that the guy with the most wins in baseball history ALSO had the MOST losses... EC had never thought about that... yep, it makes sense to me now... the more games you pitch, the more games you can win... and the more games you pitch, the more games you can lose.

Cy Young won the most games in MLB history... he won 511 games... Cy also lost the most games in MLB history... he lost 315 games.
Now, that really surprises me... the biggest winner in baseball history was also the biggest loser.
Thought I would share this with you baseball afficianados, devotees, enthusiasts and yep, you fans, too.

And then EC decided to chase this rabbit a little bit further... what is the "sweet mystery of life... that is, what is the "real meaning of life"?... why were we created by Our Creator?... what is our purpose in life?

My thanks to the Fellowship of Christian Airline Personnel for sharing this with me on the internet.
Excerpt from Ecclisiastes 7: "Ah Sweet Mystery of Life"

The full meaning of this present life's experience will never be known until death intervenes. Then will come all the answers, abundantly, satisfying, fully.

That is the Christian perspective of life. If we succumb to the empty view of the world around us, we too will find ourselves all ajitter, frustrated, bitter, angry, and upset with our circumstances. But these words of Solomon call us to realize that the meaning of life can never be found by trying to solve all its problems. Rather, it is by trusting in the living God, who knows what He is doing and who is working out His strange purposes through our lives, teaching us all we need to know as we go on through. Then our eyes will reflect the peace of God and our hearts shall respond with joy at the promises that await a fulfillment yet to come.

So all you little darlin's and all you buckaroos, too, listen up... it is written in Jeremiah 29:13, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart"... then and only then, will you have a peace in your heart and mind that "passes all understanding"... you will be at peace with God... and that the "sweet mystery of life" - to be at peace with the Our Creator.

This is my prayer for you... that you are at peace with God.

Please listen to Dion DiMucci... yep, Dion of the Dion and the Belmonts... remember "Runaround Sue, Ruby Baby, I Wonder Why" and many other hits?.

Dion is singing better than ever... and he's singing for Jesus now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nqbtTbUGVM

The number of views is whacky again... too many to be correct.

2922 views... something just has to be wrong.

Can viewers on the forum view a thread more than once and just inflate the number of views?

A week ago it was 2270... I have never had that many views before.

1581 was the most prior to that... and that was twice the record number of 815.

If it is a good good number... that is great... 2922 views.

Thanks to all of the viewers... much appreciate you.

I'm working on the new rookie additions to each team... I will add a starting pitcher and a needed position player to each team.

They will be 18-21 years old... I need some young blood in the old IPA... the teams are getting too old... I wish the AI would do a better job of getting rid of old unproductive players that should be retired.

I have added rookies to 24 of the 64 IPA teams for the new season of 2079 coming to a ballpark near you soon.

YESTERDAY IN THE IPA

The Islandian Times
Wednesday, October 8, 2025

South Fork Favored In Pro Cup Finals
The 25th IPA Pro Cup begins play on Friday afternoon at J. R. Ewing Stadium in South Fork. Middlefield hasn't been to the Pro Cup Finals for the last two decades and South Fork has never been here until now. So who's the favorite? It's easy for the critics and the forecasters. Just go by the season records - the Stallions were tops in the IPA with a 96-58 record, while the Roosters were a lowly 85-69. Or go by what The Islandian Times Pro Cup poll indicated - South Fork was rated the fourth-best team in the playoffs and Middlefield was the worst. All that was based on stats, suppositions, summations and speculation. However on the diamond, South Fork whipped the Pro Cup favorite Rolling Hills Reds and fifth seed Ginza, while the overlooked Roosters knocked off number three Wynnamac and number two Crystal Lake to get their shots at the renowned Pro Cup, symbolic for the best pro baseball team in Islandia.

Serious analysis doesn't go with the heart and choose the underdog Roosters. Most of the experts point out South Fork won more games than anybody over the long regular season. Not only do the Stallions have better starting pitching than Middlefield, they hit better, too. The two bullpens are pretty much even. Defensively South Fork is a little below average (.971 FA) with the glove, while Middlefield is poor (.968 FA).

The experts say this is the first time in the playoffs the Roosters will face a good-hitting team. Crystal Lake and Wynnamac possessed outstanding pitching, but neither Crystal Lake, nor Wynnamac could hit. Those that favor Middlefield counter that South Fork will be facing a team with power for the first time in the playoffs. Middlefield hammered 170 homers in the regular season and top the playoff teams with 15 roundtrippers so far. South Fork went deep 136 times duing the year, but only 5 times in the postseason.

It will be a close series going six or perhaps seven games. One key factor for South Fork will be whether Gary Price can regain his regular season form. Price was 22-14 with a fine 2.95 ERA, but has struggled in the postseason with an 0-3 mark with a high 4.44 ERA. Another key factor will be whether number three starter Jim Tettelbach can sustain his remarkable playoff performance. Tettelbach is 2-0 in 2 starts and has not allowed a run. During the season he was 17-12 with 3.63 ERA.

All things point to a Pro Cup crown for the South Fork Stallions. Manager Duroche "Lips" Leon has the better starters. Rookie Billy Massey was great in the regular season with a 21-10 record and a strong 2.99 ERA... and even better in the postseason with a spotless 4-0 mark and a superb 1.85 ERA. And Tettelbach has been extraordinary. All Leon and the Stallions need is for Price to do it like he did during the season and they are home free. If that happens, it could be a short four or five games series. At the plate in the postseason the Stallions top performers have been SS Kurt Pankewicz with a .300 BA, 1 HR, 8 RBI and 5 runs scored, 2B Norris Nettles with a .314 BA, 0 HR, 5 RBI and 5 runs, CF Shelby Glasscock with a .227 BA, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 5 runs and 6 SB and LF Patric Giles with a .225 BA, 2 HR, 6 RBI and 10 runs scored.

Skipper Bailey Norcross needs his starters to step it up a notch for the Roosters to upset the Stallions. He also needs his bats to keep booming and bombing. Danny Denver is the ace and only consistent starter. Denver went 23-7 with a 3.31 ERA. None of the other starters had winning records. Frank Dean was only 16-17 with a good 3.03 ERA, especially in the small confines of Middlefield Park with its very short dimensions. Rookie Tyrus Cobb was 11-14 with a 3.20 ERA. In the playoffs Denver is 1-1 with a 3.67 ERA, Dean 1-1 with a 3.09 ERA and Cobb 2-1 with a 4.57 ERA. But Cobb has really pitched well in his last two starts after being creamed in his initial start. Offensively in the playoffs Middlefield has been led by 3B Stu Butterworth with a .433 BA, 3 HR, 9 RBI and 8 runs, 1B Keith Yashin with a .326 BA, 5 HR, 8 RBI and 11 runs, CF Tom Daniels with a .306 BA, 1 HR, 9 RBI and 5 runs and LF Floyd McClellan with a .341 BA, 3 HR/5 RBI and 9 runs scored.

South Fork will have the homefield advantage. The Stallions were 49-28 at home and 47-30 on the road, while Middlefield played very well at home with a 51-26 mark, but dismally away, posting a poor 34-43 record. South Fork hits right-handers better, compiling an 81-47 record. Against southpaws there were only 15-11. The Roosters were better against lefties with a 22-14 record. They were 63-55 against the righties. Middlefield has four portsiders, while South Fork only has two. Two of the three starters on each team are right-handed.

Pro Cup Prediction: South Fork Stallions in 6 games.

Lordy mercy... what's going on?

There is no way 3073 viewers looked at the IPA thread the last 24 hours.

Oh, well... won't worry about it... but it would be great if the count is accurate.

YESTERDAY IN THE IPA

The Islandian Times
Friday, October 10, 2025

2025 IPA Pro Cup Series

Roosters Stun Stallions 9-3 In Pro Cup Opener
On the road the underdog Middlefield Roosters jumped out to an 8-0 lead in the first two frames and stunned the favored South Fork Stallions 9-3 in the opening game of the 2025 IPA Pro Cup Finals... the Roosters ripped rookie Bill Massey for 6 runs in the first inning and never looked back... it was Massey's (4-1 3.41) first postseason loss... Middlefield pounded out 15 hits and were paced by RF Chuck Larkin (.196) with a homer and a double and 4 RBIs... LF Floyd McClellan (.348) and SS Tim Tyler (.263) batted in a couple of runs apiece... Danny Denver (2-1 2.85) was effective, especially with such a big lead... He permitted only 2 earned runs and 7 hits, while going the distance.

40 of the 64 teams rosters have been updated for the 2079 IPA season.

3 more divisions to do... 24 teams... then spring training will begin.

MY LIFE IN 2023
EC's Life's Filled with Glee in '23

EC was a little bit disappointed in my latest literary endeavor by Slammin' Sam Weiser, a baseball book entitled "Baseball Bafflers 2"... not much in it that was very interesting... EC didn't get much material to use here in this thread.

"Wit, Quips and Quotes from the Diamond Minds"
Excerpted from the book "Baseball Bafflers 2: The Second Inning" by Slammin' Sam Weiser.
The book was dedicated to "those who hate to read, but love baseball"... that is a very apt description of yours truly, EC.

Question: Who was the only starting pitcher in World Series history to bat somewhere in the lineup other than the traditional number 9 slot?

Answer: It was a guy who was a pretty fair .342 hitter in his career with 714 homers... yep, his name was George Herman Ruth... better known as Babe Ruth... he was the starting pitcher in the fourth game of the 1918 World Series and he batted in the number 6 slot in the batting order.

Ruth won the fourth game of the series 3-2 over the Chicago Cubs... he worked 8 innings and got the win, his 2nd of the series... Ruth allowed 2 runs on 6 hits with 2 walks and 6 strikeouts... at the plate he went 1 for 2 and tripled in 2 runs.

By the way, during this game, Ruth's streak of 29 and two-thirds scoreless innings in the World Series came to an end... this was the World Series record at that time.

In the World Series opener, Ruth batted in the #9 spot and went hitless in 3 appearances with 2 strikeouts... on the mound he was outstanding, firing a complete game and shutting out the Cubs 1-0 on 6 hits with one walk and 4 Ks.

The Boston Red Sox won the 1918 World Series 4 games to 2 over the Chicago Cubs in 6 low-scoring pitcher's battles.

YESTERDAY IN THE IPA

The Islandian Times
Saturday, October 11, 2025

2025 IPA Pro Cup Series

Tettelbach Tames Roosters, SF Evens Pro Cup
South Fork's Jim Tettelbach cooled off the red-hot Middlefield Roosters 6-2 and snapped their 4-game winning streak... Tettelbach (3-0 0.69) stopped them on 6 hits, struck out 7 and issued two walks and won his third successive playoff game... Tettelbach's 17-inning scoreless string came to an end in the first inning, but it didn't matter... the Stallions promptly tied it up in the bottom of the first, then broke the game wide open with 4 runs in the fourth... South Fork outhit Middlefield 12 to 6... RF Robby Michael led the way with 3-for-4 and 3B Mark Barker (.320) and C Dennis Johanson (.262) collected 2 hits each... SS Kurt Pankewicz (.277) drove in 2 runs for the winners... rookie Tyrus Cobb (2-2 6.12) took it on the chin and was pelted for 6 runs and 10 hits in 3-plus innings.

Middlefield was happy to get a split at J. R. Ewing Stadium. The series will now switch to Middlefield Park after the first two were played in South Fork. Middlefield plays much better at home where the Roosters are 51-26. On the road they are only 34-43. The Stallions play well at home and away.

YESTERDAY IN THE IPA

The Islandian Times
Sunday, October 12, 2025

2025 IPA Pro Cup Series

Roosters Up 2-1 In Pro Cup, Nose Out SF 7-6
Happy to be back at home at Middlefield Park, the pesky Middlefield Roosters nosed out favored South Fork 6-5 to go ahead two games to one in the IPA Pro Cup Finals... although they were peppered for 14 hits and only got 7 themselves, they managed to salvage a win... 11 bases on balls made the difference... the Roosters shot in front 3-0 after 3 innings, lost the lead 4-3 in the fourth, regained it for good in the fifth with 4 runs, then held off the Stallions in the late innings... strong relief pitching saved the day... Ken Crawford, Waylon Hillman and Alec Bacardi combined to hold the Stallions at bay the last few innings... starter Frank Dean faltered in the seventh... Dean (2-1 4.01) got credit for the win despite being tagged for 6 runs and 13 hits in 6-plus innings... Dean fanned 6 and walked just one... Gary Price's (0-4 4.94) playoff woes continued to plague him... the Roosters routed him in the fifth and dealt him his fourth straight defeat... Price allowed 7 runs in 4-plus innings... 7 walks killed him.

Sparking the Roosters were RF Chuck Larkin (.185), who got his 3rd home run in the postseason and batted in 2 runs... CF Tom Daniels (.328) added an RBI triple and scored twice... SS Wes Gore (.222) and C Rod Buckley (.263) each batted in a run... and Dean (.200) also chipped in an RBI double... top bats for South Fork belonged to CF Shelby Glasscock (.259), LF Patric Giles (.302) and 1B Teddy Nixon (.500), all with 3 hits apiece.

YESTERDAY IN THE IPA

The Islandian Times
Monday, October 13, 2025

2025 IPA Pro Cup Series

Stallions Outslugs Roosters 9-7, Ties Pro Cup
Down 7-5 in the final at-bat at Middlefield Park, South Fork stung Middlefield for 4 runs and captured the fourth game of the Pro Cup Series to tie it at two games each... in the top of the ninth, 1B Teddy Nixon (.500) doubled in two runs to win the game... it was a slugfest with both clubs registering 12 hits... winning pitcher Richie Raeburn was superb in relief of South Fork starter Bill Massey... Raeburn (1-0 0.84) came on in the fourth frame, trailing 7-1 and shut down the Roosters on one hit and not a single run for 4 and a third innings... closer Tom Galloway took over in the bottom of the ninth and stumbled in with his 5th postseason save... Galloway loaded the bases on a single and two walks, then got out of the mess with a double play to end the game.

South Fork CF Shelby Glasscock (.290) was 3-for-4 with 4 runs batted in... one of them was Glasscock's 3rd roundtripper in the playoffs... he now leads the Stallions with 12 RBIs... LF Patric Giles (.316) also knocked in a pair of runs for South Fork... Middlefield cracked 3 out of the park with LF Floyd McClellan (.345) getting 2 of them, good for 4 RBIs and 2B Arnie Stone (.217) went deep, too... McClellan had 3 hits in defeat and scored 4 times... Rooster closer Waylon Hillman (0-1 6.75) blew his second save of the playoffs as he was battered for all 4 runs in the ninth.

48 team rosters have been updated with two rookies.

16 more to go and spring training will get underway in the 2079 Islandian Pro Alliance.

YESTERDAY IN THE IPA

The Islandian Times
Tuesday, October 14, 2025

2025 IPA Pro Cup Series

SF Nears Pro Cup Title, Tettelbach Wins 6-3
South Fork's 20-year-old rookie right-hander Jim Tettelbach continued to blitz the opposition in the playoffs... unbeaten Tettelbach posted his fourth win with a 6-3 victory over Middlefield, putting the Stallions in command in the IPA Pro Cup Finals... South Ford leads the series three games to two and only needs one more triumph to win its first-ever Pro Cup.

Tettelbach worked 8 innings, gave up 3 runs, one unearned, and 7 hits... he fanned 7 and walked only one... Tom Galloway got his 6th save in the postseason with a scoreless ninth, but the Roosters loaded the bases with three singles before Galloway put them away... the game was close for 6 innings with South Fork up 3-2... the Stallions put 3 on the scoreboard in the seventh to nail down the verdict... Danny Denver ((2-2 3.40) took the loss, permitting 6 runs and 12 hits in 6-plus frames.

South Fork had a 13-10 hit advantage, led by LF Patric Giles (.311) with 2 RBIs... CF Shelby Glasscock (.303) added 2 hits and drove in a run... and RF Robby Michael (.266) had 2 hits and scored twice... CF Tom Daniels (.371) paced the losers with 3-for-4 and an RBI.

YESTERDAY IN THE IPA

The Islandian Times
Wednesday, October 15, 2025

2025 IPA Pro Cup Series

Roosters Tie Pro Cup, Force 7th Game
The Middlefield Roosters bats boomed just at the right time to stave off elimination in the Pro Cup Finals... the underdog Roosters ravaged South Fork for 15 hits and an easy 8-2 victory to tie up the series at three games apiece... game seven will be tomorrow in South Fork for all the marbles... winning pitcher Frank Dean (3-1 3.59) tossed a steady game, holding the Stallions to 6 hits and 2 runs with 4 walks and 4 Ks... RF Chuck Larkin (.210) and SS Wes Gore (.246) sparked Middlefield with 2-run homers each... Larkin, playing with bruised ribs, had 2 hits and 3 RBIs... Larkin has 5 homers in the playoffs... manager Duroche "Lips" Leon took a gamble by starting Ozz Gatsby (2-1 10.80) in place of Gary Price, but it didn't pan out... Gatsby was hit hard for 6 runs and 11 hits in 4 innings... Price has labored in the postseason with an 0-4 record.

Slated to pitch in tomorrow's finale are rookie Bill Massey for South Fork and 5-year vet Danny Denver for Middlefield... the 20-year-old Massey was 21-10 with a 2.99 ERA in the regular season and the 23-year-old Denver was 23-7 with a 3.31 ERA... in the playoffs Massey is 4-1 with a 4.71 ERA, while Denver is 2-2 and a 3.40 ERA. Denver will be working on just 2 days' rest.

Hallelujah!

Last night EC finished updating the 64 teams with 2 rookies each.

I need to go back and make sure I purged all of the oldtimers from the first 8 teams... the AI lets them play several years longer than it should... so I have to prune the rosters and make room for the younger players.

Attachment 967189
Thursday, April 6, 2079

GET READY FOR SOME IPA BASEBALL!
79TH YEAR BEGINS TOMORROW!
The cold and dark winter has come and gone... spring is here in all its radiant sunshine and green abundance... baseball is back... and the Islandian Pro Alliance is back in business for the 2079 season... defending Pro Cup champion Turon is ready, willing and able to do it all over again... the Typhoons are again predicted to take the Tycobbian Union South Division... the forecast challengers are the Luxora Zorros in the TU North, South Fork Stallions in the TU East and Bayview Vikings in the TU West... the best in the Ruthlandian Union are the Crystal Lake Skippers of the RU South... they will have to fend off the Valmara Vipers in the RU North, Wynnamac Sundowners in the RU East and the Sligo Rovers in the RU West... come October according to The Islandian Times Pro Cup Preseason Poll, it will be Turon taking on Crystal Lake for the much-desired IPA Pro Cup trophy.

5-TEAM QUEST IN RU NORTH, VIPERS WILL REIGN
Reviewing all the divisional races, Valmara will have a tough time in the Ruthlandian North... Taranto, LaGrange, last year's division winner and Pro Cup finalist Kilkenny and the Ranford Bulls are expected to fight it out in a very close race... the Cats still have the pitching, but they need more offense to beat out the Vipers.

SKIPPERS TO ROMP IN THE RU SOUTH RACE
The Crystal Lake Skippers have the best attack and the best mound corps in the Ruthlandian South... the Skippers are forecast to sail away with the division title in pretty easy fashion, possibly by 10 or more games... Belair Beach is rated the best of the rest, followed at a distance by Waleska, Grand City and San Dimas... Crystal Lake is the cream of the crop by a lot in the RU South.

MACS WILL PREVAIL IN RU EAST
The Wynnamac Sundowners are a solid choice in the Ruthlandian East this year... the Macs are the best-hitting team and pretty close to the best-pitching team... only the Eastshore Cotton Kings can match them... the Sundowners should take the title by 7 or so games... last year's division champ Elnora looks like a distant third-place finisher this year... the other 5 clubs will be quite a ways back in the race.

SLIGO TO REPEAT IN RU WEST IN 3-TEAM TEST
The Sligo Rovers will be contested in the Ruthlandian West by a couple of teams, the Rocky Rapids Snappers and the Forest City Firebirds, but the Rovers will triumph with more breathing room than they had last season... Sligo just barely beat out Fort Benton by one game... the Rovers mound staff will be the class of the division again and lead them to another RU West crown.

ZORROS MAY DOMINATE IN TU NORTH
There may be a new kid in town in the Tycobbian North this year - the Luxora Zorros... Hartsdale has captured the crown three times in the last four seasons, but they are nowhere in sight in the preseason predictions... the sports scribes have really become enamored with the Z's, picking them to dominate the TU North by double digits this year... runner-up White River will not be close to Luxora... Mahaska, Fairfax and North Hills are picked third, fourth and fifth respectively, but far behind the Rascals... Hartsdale will end up seventh according to the poll... it's hard to believe the Hellcats will fall that far in the standings this year... nope, I don't think that will happen.

PERENNIAL POWERHOUSE TURON HEAVILY-FAVORED IN TU SOUTH
Yep, the current IPA Pro Cup titleholder, the Turon Typhoons, are as good as ever... they have won the Tycobbian South the last 2 seasons and 7 times in the last 9 years... Turon has also won 6 Pro Cups in its history... 28 times the Typhoons have made the postseason playoffs... there's a good chance it will happen again... Turon hits well, pitches well... they are the prime power in the TU South... Summerland and Southport may be in the running for a while, but when it's all said and done, Turon will triumph by a good margin, just like they have for the last decade.

SF STALLIONS TRY FOR 3-PEAT IN TU EAST
The Islands' baseball prognosticators have made the South Fork Stallions the favorite in the Tycobbian East in the preseason poll... the Hosses have taken the flag the last two years and a third one is not beyond the realm of possibilities... South Fork is getting a little older... some of their key players are reaching the age of decline, but they may have enough for another run... the Stallions can still hold their own at the plate and on the hill... they should take the TU East again this year, whipping the second-place High Mesa Cowboys by a few games... however, it will be tougher for South Fork because age is creeping up on several of their stars... not far behind High Mesa are several quality ballclubs... Ozarka, Tuckanarra and Hillsboro are not going to roll over and play dead... all three of them will be in the hunt for the TU East flag.

BAYVIEW WINS OUT IN 6-TEAM SKIRMISH IN TU WEST
The Bayview Vikings have not graced the IPA playoffs in 6 decades... that is a very, very long playoff drought... for the last decade the Vikings have been getting a little closer each year... it's time to make their move... it won't be easy to overtake the Kenwood Wildcats, a perpetual contender for the last decade... the Wildcats won the Tycobbian West hands down last year and will be in no mood to be dethroned... Kenwood is a close second pick this year, followed by third place La Claire, fourth place Rolling Hills, fifth place Denton City and sixth place Chicopee... the TU West fans will be treated to a delightful and intriguing 6-team skirmish.

IPA PROPHETS PICK TURON OVER CRYSTAL LAKE IN 2079 PRO CUP SERIES
When all the pitches have been thrown, all the swings have been swung and all the outs have been made, the IPA prophets forecast that the Turon Typhoons of the Tycobbian Union will upend the Crystal Lake Skippers of the Ruthlandian Union in a torrid and tantalizing 7-game series for the IPA Pro Cup trophy.

2079 Islandian Pro Alliance Preseason Prediction

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Attachment 967199
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If High Mesa had a little more speed and a higher level of base running acumen, they'd give South Fork a real run... heck, they might without it. Looking forward to another season of the Islandian Pro Alliance, EC!

COME ON YOU BUCKAROOS!

The Buckaroos just might upend the Stallions... High Mesa's hill corps is a mite better than South Fork.

Thanks, pauwoo.

Appreciate you checking the IPA out.

YESTERDAY IN THE IPA

The Islandian Times
Thursday, October 16, 2025

2025 IPA Pro Cup Series

What a Relief, South Fork Wins First Pro Cup
Great relief work in the seventh game of the Pro Cup Finals paved the way for South Fork's first-ever Pro Cup victory... three Stallion relievers stopped Middlefield cold, blanking them over the final 6 innings on one hit, striking out 9 and walking only one... that gave South Fork a chance to rally from a massive 6-run deficit after 3 innings... they slowly pecked away and shaved it to 6-4 after 7 innings and then delivered the coup de grace - a 5-run explosion in the eighth, putting them ahead to stay 9-6... the big blow of the game was when PH Lou Boone crashed a 3-run triple to put South Fork ahead 7-6.

Winning skipper Lips Leon exclaimed excitedly at the press conference, "Wow, that was a wild and crazy game and a wild and crazy series... to come back from a 6-0 score in game seven is fantastic... thank heavens we hit the ball today... We won the series, but got outscored... how about that!"... Both clubs averaged almost 6 runs a game with Middlefield having the edge 42-41.

Just like they were the entire season, the Stallion bullpen was fabulous... Kyle Preston worked four hitless innings and fanned 4... winning pitcher Ricky Raeburn (2-0 1.98) struck out all 3 batters in his only inning and closer Tom Galloway got his 7th save with a scoreless ninth... Galloway allowed one hit and whiffed 2 batters... Working on 2 days' rest Danny Denver ran out of gas in the late innings and lost it... Denver (2-3 4.12) was tagged for 7 runs and 8 hits in 7 innings... the Stallions outhit the Roosters 12 to 9... RF Robby Michael (.296) had 3 hits, including a home run... he drove in 2 runs... 3B Ray Hershberger (.324) also batted in a pair of runs with 2 hits.... 1B Keith Yashin (.329) had a 3-run double to pace the Roosters.

Losing manager Bailey Norcross was disappointed, but not down. "The Roosters had a great season... we won our division for the third year in a row and we went all the way to the finals of the Pro Cup... we whipped two fine teams in Wynnamac and Crystal Lake and we came pretty darn close to whipping another fine team... we had our chances... we were up two games to one... we just didn't do it... South Fork did... congratulations to Lips and his boys."

YESTERDAY IN THE IPA

The Islandian Times
Friday, October 17, 2025

SF's Tettelbach 2025 Pro Cup MVP
A 20-year-old rookie right-hander named Jim Tettelbach was honored as the IPA Pro Cup Most Valuable Player today by The Islandian Times. Tettelbach was the prime reason why the South Fork Stallions won the IPA Pro Cup for the first time in history. He was superb in the playoffs with a 4-0 record and a sparkling 1.06 ERA. Tettelbach whipped Middlefield twice in the Finals, 6-2 in game two and 6-3 in game five. He also defeated Ginza 2-0 in the TU Final 4 and Rolling Hills 1-0 in the Elite 8. During the regular season Tettelbach recorded a 17-12 mark with a 3.63 ERA.

Stallion teammate Patric Giles was a distant second in the voting. Giles, a veteran left fielder, had a fine postseason with a .313 batting average, 2 homers, 13 RBIs and 16 runs scored. Number three in the balloting was South Fork closer Tommy Galloway, who didn't allow a run in 8 relief appearances and stood out with 7 saves. Also receiving some support were two Middlefield Roosters, left fielder Floyd McClellan and first sacker Keith Yashin. McClellan batted .348 with 5 homers, 11 RBIs and 17 runs scored, while Yashin hit 5 roundtrippers, drove in 15 runs and scored 15 times with a .329 average.

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Tuesday, July 4, 2079

TURON, CRYSTAL LAKE, ELNORA FLYING HIGH AT MIDSEASON
The reigning Pro Cup champion Turon Typhoons and the Crystal Lake Skippers were the darlings of the preseason pollsters, forecast to romp to easy division titles and
eventually meet in the Pro Cup Series. So far, halfway through the IPA schedule Turon and Crystal Lake are living up to expectations with hefty leads in their division races.
However, the Wynnamac Sundowners in RU East and the Luxora Zorros in the TU North have disappointed the baseball gurus thus far with their slow starts. So has the Sligo
Rovers in the RU West.

Surprise performers include Elnora Clippers in the RU East, Fort Benton Cannons in the RU West and Mahaska Haymakers, Blue Lake Blue Caps, Oxford Red Caps all in the
TU North. All of these clubs were given poor odds as pennant contenders, but they are serious challengers at the All-Star break.

It's time to take a quick peek at the Islandian Pro Alliance races and give a midseason report on them.

VIPERS TRYING TO KEEP CATS FROM 3-PEATING IN RU NORTH
The Ruthlandian North is running pretty close to prediction. Currently the preseason favorite Valmara has a slight edge on its forecast challengers, Taranto, LaGrange and Kilkenny. The Vipers (48-29) are up by 4 and a half games over second place and last year's division winner Kilkenny (43-33), 7 ahead of third place LaGrange (41-36) and 8 games in front of fourth place Taranto (40-37). It's still a race in the RU North. Valmara has a good blend of hitting and pitching to get the job done. The Vipers also play very good defense. They seem to have it all. The Kilkenny Cats have fine pitching, but fall short when it comes to scoring runs. LaGrange has the home-run power, but not enough pitching to be a serious pennant challenger. Taranto has some very fine pitching and solid longball power, but the Tars just don't put enough runs on the scoreboard. It should get down to a race between Valmara and Kilkenny. The Tars might sneak into the fracas with its impressive pitching.

CRYSTAL LAKE SAILING HIGH IN RU SOUTH
The media baseball prophets are dead on in their preseason observations at least in the Ruthlandian South. The Crystal Lake Skippers (51-27) are already running away from everybody with an 8 and a half-game lead at the halfway point in the season. Belair Beach (42-35) is way back in second place, Waleska (41-36) trails by 9 and a half-games in the third spot and Grand City is below .500 (38-39) and 12 and a half-games back in the race. Crystal Lake ranks high in just about every category. The Skippers can hit, can score, have power, speed and strong pitching. Nobody is close to them in the RU South. Crystal Lake is better than the crystal ballers think they are.

ELNORA'S MAKING MOCKERY OF RU EAST
Preseason favorite, last season's division winner and persistent power Wynnamac is having its worse season in memory. You have to go back to 2049 when the Macs had their last losing season. The Sundowners wound up 7th and 65-89 that season. Yep, it might happen this year unless they right the ship soon. Elnora (51-25), picked for a distant third and double digits behind, has the best record in the IPA, along with Crystal Lake (51-27) in the RU South and Pro Cup champion Turon (50-27) in the TU South. A postseason matchup with both Crystal Lake and Turon would be a fan's delight. All three ballclubs are something else. The Skippers can do it all except for defense. They come up short in that category. Everybody is following far behind in their wake. Eastshore (40-37) is already 11 and one-half games behind the Clippers, Marston (39-38) is 12 and one-half games out and fourth place Wynnamac (37-39) is 14 games off the pace. 'Nuff said. You might say that Elnora is probably going to win the league flag and win big.

FIREBIRDS ARE BEST IN THE RU WEST, CANNONS CLINGING CLOSE, WHILE SLIGO SLUMBERS
Preseason favored Sligo (37-40) has been very disappointing this year. The Rovers are the defending champion in the RU West. However at midyear, they are struggling badly in 5th place, 8 and a half-game out. The strong Sligo mound corps has not performed well. That is the culprit. A second-half turnaround is needed for the Rovers to get back into the chase. So far in the RU West it has been a 3-team race between Forest City (45-31), Fort Benton (43-34) and Volusia (40-37). The Firebirds are 2 and a half games up on the Cannons, 5 and a half better than the Vigilantes and 8 games ahead of the fourth place Colfax Black Sox (37-39). The race is developing into a 2-team affair between Forest City and Fort Benton, although Sligo might get back into it with a solid second half. The Cannons are batting .300 as a team. They could hit their way to the RU West title.

2079 IPA Ruthlandian Union Midseason Team Statistics

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Tuesday, July 4, 2079

HAYMAKERS ON TOP OF TU NORTH AT MIDSEASON MARK... 7 OF THE TEAMS ARE STILL IN THE RACE
In the preseason poll the baseball prophets were saying that it was a one-team affair in the Tycobbian North. They picked the Luxora Zorros to dominant and rampage through the division by over 10 games. Thus far, it hasn't happened. Only the Fairfax Frogs are out of the hunt in the TU North at the end of the first half of the season. 7 teams are within striking distance, no more than 6 and a half games off the lead. A good second half and a team can win it.

On the 4th of July the Mahaska Haymakers (43-35) are in the precarious driver's seat, one and games in front of the runner-up Blue Lake Blue Caps (41-36), 2 and a half games better than third place White River (40-37) and Oxford (40-37). Preseason choice Luxora (39-38) is just barely above .500 and tied for 5th with last year winner Hartsdale (39-38). They are both 3 and a half games behind. North Hills (36-41) is running 7th and trails by just 6 and a half games. It's euphoria for the TU North fans with almost everybody in the division still in the pennant race. Only Heaven knows who will win it. The three teams with a blended attack - good pitching and good hitting - will have the best chance. That would be Mahaska, Blue Lake and White River. Oxford can hit, but has mediocre pitching. Hartsdale can pitch, but has trouble scoring runs. Luxora is fine at the plate, but comes up short on the mound. North Hills is just average at the plate and just plain bad on the hill. Nope, don't think the Hawks will win it this year.

TURON IN COMMAND IN TU SOUTH
The Turon Typhoons are quite a club with 6 division flags in the last 8 seasons, plus 2 Pro Cup trophies. They captured the Pro Cup last year and will get another chance again this year. Turon is the preseason choice to easily win the Tycobbian South again this year. And it is looking more and more like they will do it. At midyear the Typhoons (50-27) top the standings with a comfortable 7 and a half-game edge over second place Arroyo Grande (43-35), 8 and a half up on third place Cape Coral (42-36)and 10 games ahead of Summerland (40-37) in the fourth spot.

Turon can hold its own offensively, but really stands out on the hill with excellent pitching. No one in the TU South is close to the Typhoons pitching corps. Actually, there are only a few teams in the IPA that can match them on the mound. Bayview in the Tycobbian Union and Taranto, Kilkenny and Elnora in the Ruthlandian Union.

It doesn't appear to be anyone in the TU South that can catch Turon. Arroyo Grande and Cape Coral simply don't have the pitching to do it. Summerland has no chance because of its frail offense. The Typhoons should blow away all challengers in the TU South once again this year. Turon fans are walking around with visions of back-to-back Pro Cup trophies swirling abundantly in their heads.

5-TEAM RACE IN TU EAST... NATS, STALLIONS RUNNING ONE-TWO AT MIDSEASON... BLAZERS, TUCKS, SOX CLING CLOSE
No one ever has a easy time winning the Tycobbian East. Most of the time, there will be several teams in the mix for the division crown. That's how it is looking this year with 5 clubs still in the pennant race at the league's halfway mark. The South Fork Stallions have won the flag 4 times in the last decade with 2 Pro Cups. The Stallions were this season's #1 pick in the preseason poll, followed by High Mesa, Ozarka, Tuckanarra and Hillsboro. The Buckaroos (31-46) have flopped badly and fallen totally out of the race. However, Ozarka (45-32) has done well and possesses a 2 and a half-game edge over runner-up South Fork (42-34) at the All-Star break. Three other teams are hanging close by. Hillsboro (40-38) is third, 5 and a half games out, Tuckanarra (39-38) is fourth, 6 GB, and Red Bluff (39-39) is in the fifth spot in the standings, 6 and a half-game back.

Most of the clubs in the TU East are weak defensively except for South Fork and Hillsboro. Offensively the 5 challengers are about even, but the edge goes to the Naturals, Stallions and Blazers on the mound. The Red Sox fall far behind in pitching, but they can hold their own at the plate. Look for the race to come down to Ozarka and South Fork. The Naturals and the Stallions are fairly even in most respects except in the bullpen, where Ozarka has a wide margin. That might be the key factor in the second half of the season. South Fork usually is a strong second-half team. Beware of the Stallions. The have a tendency to rise to the occasion down the stretch. Hillsboro, Tuckanarra and Red Bluff will have to settle for the third sport. That may be the best they can do.

DC REDBIRDS SURPRISE AT MIDYEAR... THEY WILL HAVE TO STAVE OFF BAYVIEW IN 2-TEAM TUSSLE IN TU WEST
Denton City is making waves in the Tycobbian West. The Redbirds were not highly-regarded in the preseason poll by the baseball gurus, selected far down the list in 5th place, just barely over a .500 team. Yet, here it is midsummer and Denton City (48-29) is thriving, 4 and a half games in front of the preseason favorite Bayview Vikings (44-34). They are 8 and a half games up on fourth place Rolling Hills (40-38), Kenwood (40-38) and La Claire (40-38). None of the three remaining also-rans are capable of moving up and getting into the race.

Denton City can do it all. Fine hitting and scoring, solid pitching, both starters and relievers, and good defense. Nope, the Redbirds don't look like a flash in a pan. Bayview is a fine team, too, but lacks good defense, which could be a difference maker. It is looking more and more like a Denton City-Bayview battle for the TU West title. Like always, Rolling Hills can put runs on the scoreboard, but the Racers are lacking on the hill and with the gloves. Last year's division champion Kenwood has impressive pitching, but the Wildcats just can't score runs like the other contenders. They are woefully weak in home-run power. Only 23 roundtrippers this season so far. La Claire is in the same boat. The Lynx can pitch fairly well, but only have 37 dingers.

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MY LIFE IN 2023
EC's Life's Filled with Glee in '23

EC just finished "Man on Spikes" by Eliot Asinof... it is very well written and gives you a real sense of what it was like to be a minor league baseball player in the 1940s and 1950s... "Man on Spikes" is a realistic novel about a baseball player who struggles for 16 years of personal crises and professional ordeals before finally appearing in a major league game... your heart will ache for Mike Rutner and his life as a career minor leaguer... the character is based on a real player Mickey Rutner.

Reading it was bittersweet for the idealistic EC... the good old golden days of baseball of my youth were really not so good... players had to work in the off-season to support their families... baseball did not pay them a decent salary at that time.

Thought you might like to know that Mickey Rutner played for the Birmingham Barons in 1947... EC knows that because I replayed the 1947, 1948 and 1949 seasons of my beloved Southern Association.using OOTP.. I used actual players in those years and tried to do an accurate reply... A great guy, Spritzer, shared with me all the Southern Association stats and rosters from 1947 to 1959... he had the entire collection of the Spaulding Baseball Guides, which contained all of the stats of minor league baseball... they were published yearly from the early years of organized baseball... sadly Spritzer passed away 2 or 3 years ago... he was a great member of the OOTP family.

EC just started "Veeck As In Wreck" by Bill Veeck and Ed Linn, an accomplished baseball writer... it's the baseball story of the eccentric major league and minor league owner, Bill Veeck, who was a super promoter, who made going to a baseball fun with wacky promotions... sadly and historically, Bill Veeck is remembered as the guy who used a midget for one at bat in a MLB game in 1953 for the St. Louis Browns, which Veeck owned.

Read the book and I think you would agree Bill Veeck was a baseball genius and deserved a much better reputation... yep, he went too far on occasion and was a pain for the MLB owners... but Veeck created some good ballclubs... the minor league Milwaukee Brewers in the American Association and the Cleveland Indians and the Chicago White Sox in the American League... Bill wasn't just a wacky promoter, he was a pretty astute baseball man, too.

"Wit, Quips and Quotes from the Diamond Minds"

Excerpt from "Veeck As In Wreck" by Bill Veeck and Ed Linn:
"It's not the high price of stardom that bothers me... it's the high price of mediocrity"... Bill Veeck speaking about the cost of major league players in the early 1950s.

In my opinion It is truly outrageous today where we have many mediocre MLB players that are millionaires... players are grossly overpaid today. .

Picked the All-Stars for the Ruthlandian-Tycobbian annual tussle, which has been dominated by the Tycobbian Union overall 50-28... however, the Ruthlandian Union has won 6 of the last 10.

Will play the 79th IPA All-Star Game tomorrow and recap it.

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Sunday, July 16, 2079

IPA MIDSUMMER DREAM GAME SET FOR TURON TUESDAY
The best of the Boys of Summer will be in Turon at Typhoon Stadium this Wednesday afternoon for the 79th renewal of the Islandian Pro Alliance All-Star Game, pitting the top stars from the Ruthlandian Union and the Tycobbian Union.

It will be youth versus experience... the TU All-Stars are led by 36-year-old third baseman Zak Smalley of the Bayview Vikings and 33-year-old left fielder Charles Larson of the La Claire Lynx... they will be appearing for the 7th time in their careers... heading up the RU All-Stars are Waleska catcher Fritz Adenauer, who made the team for the 5th time... Valka catcher Alex Donelson and Elnora third sacker Ronald Bayless have been selected on 4 occasions.

Three rookies were honored...left fielder Mac Teale of the Eastshore Cotton Kings for the Ruthlandian Union and pitcher Bucky Crane of the Denton City Redbirds and center fielder James Lundin of the White River Rascals... Teale and Crane are the youngest participants at age 20... pitcher Gianni Caruso of Taranto and third baseman Zak Smalley of Bayview are the oldest at 36.

The Tycobbian Union All-Stars have dominated the IPA All-Star Game with a 50-28 lead in the series... the TU Stars have captured 3 of the last 4 games.

A HUMONGOUS THANKS TO TXRANGER FOR THE IPA ALL-STAR TEAM LOGOS... the game finally put them in the game after many years of failure on my part... as you know EC comes up short in the high tech arena... low tech arena, too... this year the AI put them in on its own... EC had stopped trying to install them years ago... I gave up.

Sorry folks for neglecting the Islandian Pro Alliance and the South Island Leagues... EC has been busy, busy with real life... I'm really enjoying life with my hobbies...playing OOTP Baseball, playing music at nursing homes twice a week, collecting music for my music library, listening to my 8500-song library -- and now, getting a one-hour radio program on a Baton Rouge station., yep, Danderoo (old air name) is back on the air... quite a bit rusty and out of shape, but I'm slowly getting back to where I was... however, I must say, EC best days have long passed on the radio... but I can still do a pretty good job... don't think I will embarrass myself.

It is a one-hour program each Sunday at 1 o'clock... you can stream it on the internet at the link provided below... the station doesn't have a live studio, it is almost totally automated, so I have to pre-record the program each week, which is a huge hassle... I have had to learn how to record it in Audacity and process it to send to the stations... as you know, EC is technically-challenged in computer technology... so it has been quite a struggle, but I am finally on the air after 21 years of retirement... I much prefer a live, on-air show... recording it lacks sponteneity... the excitement of being live before an audience is missing... but hey, it is what it is... I hope to get some software which will enable me to record it "Live"... it takes me 10 hours per program to record it... I could do it "live" in an hour... maybe two hours... I'm sure, I would have to tweak to a bit and do some editing.

Yep, I love it... EC is in skyhigh Heaven when I am on the radio and also playing at nursing homes... I love playing music for listerners... my strong point is the music... I have always been able to please an audience... my shortcoming is as a DJ... not a good voice... but I always related well with the listeners... not boasting, but I was almost always the most popular DJ at my stations... in the late 70s and early 80s I was the second-most listened to DJ in Baton Rouge at WYNK, the top country station.

My program, The Gospel Truth For the Lost and Found, is simulcast on two small stations in Baton Rouge, KPAE and WPAE, at 1 o'clock on Sundays for one hour... I hope to eventually have a 2-hour show on Saturday and Sunday.

Here is the link... at the bottom of the screen below Our Mission, click the "Play" Button to start the music.

https://soundradio.live/

I noticed you said that you've been busy collecting music and listening to your large library again. I've been discovering a lot of new music also, from my big band and orchestra concerts.

I'll try to remember to tune in this Sunday at 1PM to listen to your show.

Should any of you listen to the radio program, let me know what you think?
Be candid... EC has a thick skin and can take constructive criticism.
I would really appreciate the feedback.

Don't post here... Send me a Private Message, please.
That way it will easier to be candid.
And it won't clutter up this thread or cause any controversy.

Did it sound professional to you?
Were the songs played back smoothly?
Was it a good, smooth flowing radio show like your favorite music shows?
Rate the DJ talent as far as voice quality and content of the show:.. that is, what I said and how it was delivered.

Rate the DJ Talent Level:
Small Market, Medium Market ability level... no sense in giving you the Major Market choice... EC was never at that level and never would be.

If you like Southern Gospel and Country Gospel music, did you like the songs?

If you don't like Southern Gospel and Country Gospel music, did you like it after hearing it?

For the non-religious listeners, was the music pleasant to listen to despite the words and message... were the songs melodic?

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Sorry, folks, the game did not create the pitchers' stats... don't know why.

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Friday, September 1, 2079

SEPTEMBER IS THE TIME TO SURGE, NOT SWOON
About half of the division leaders in the Islandian Pro Alliance have pretty safe leads going into the the final month of the regular season... this is the time to surge or soar, not to swoon... In the Ruthlandian Union Crystal Lake, Elnora and Fort Benton have confortable margins... only defending Pro Cup champion Turon is really safe and secure with a whopping 13 and a half-game edge.

RUTHLANDIAN UNION RECAP

VALMARA ATOP RU NORTH, BUT STILL IN DANGER AFTER BAD MONTH
Around the IPA going into September... in the Ruthlandian North Valmara is up by 3 and a half games over last year's champ and Pro Cup finalist Kilkenny... LaGrange and Ranford are in the race, too, hanging just 5 games off the pace... the Vipers had a terrible August (10-17) and is slumping, the Cats (14-13) are playing steady ball, while the hot teams are the Gators and the Bulls... but LaGrange (19-9) and Ranford (16-11) have a lot of ground to catch up... history may favor Kilkenny with its solid pitching corps.

PRESEASON FAVORITE SKIPPERS LEAVE EVERYBODY IN THE WAKE
In the Ruthlandian South it is coming down to the Crystal Lake Skippers and the Belair Beach Sunbirds... last year's flag winner Valka is totally out of it this season... the Skippers were the preseason pick and they have a 5 and a half-game lead over the Sunbirds... Belair Beach ((18-9) had a great August, but it may be hard to catch the solid and steady Skippers (14-14)... time is on Crystal Lake's side.

CLIPPERS SAILING HIGH IN RU EAST
The Elnora Clippers had a splendid first half in the Ruthlandian East, topping the division by over 11 games July first, but a poor month (7-18) shaved it to just 6 games by August... last month the Clippers (15-12) righted the ship and maintained that lead sailing into September, the final month of the season... if Elnora can just play .500 the rest of the year, they should win the RU East... Wynnamac won the division crown last year and was forecast to take it again... four clubs have a remote shot at the pennant... Cold Creek is running second right now, 6 GB... Marston is third and 6 and a half off the pace... the Macs are fourth and 7 and a half games behind... and Eastshore is fifth and 8 and a half games out... Elnora is sitting pretty and should win it.

CANNONS BOOMING IN THE RU WEST, SLIGO SLIPS BADLY
The Sligo Rovers were the choice to repeat in the Ruthlandian West this year, but they have played like dogs and fallen on hard times, tumbling to sixth place and 16 and a half games behind... Fort Benton, Sligo's main nemesis in recent seasons has taken command and taken over... the Cannons won the pennant 2 years ago and wound up a squeakingly-close second last year, just one game behind the Rovers... they lost a sudden-death playoff game... the Cannons have made a lot of noise this year and top the RU West by 6 games going into the final month... only the Forest City Firebirds are within striking distance, 6 GB... based on the 9-18 mark in August, Forest City doesn't look capable of overcoming the Cannons lead... Stoner 9 GB and Colfax 11 and a half GB can call it a season... nope, nobody will catch the Cannons.

TYCOBBIAN UNION RECAP

TU NORTH NOT TRUE TO FORECAST... ZORROS ZAPPED BIGTIME... HAYMAKERS ON TOP
Out of the blue the baseball forecasters selected 7th place Luxora to have a splendid season and soar to the Ruthlandian North title this year... nope, it didn't happen...Zounds!... the Zorros are again in 7th place and the Mahaska Haymakers and White River Rascals are battling for first place down the stretch drive, trying to dethrone the Hartsdale Hellcats, the champ the last 2 years and 3 of the last 4 seasons... the Haymakers are 3 games up on second place White River... neither of them are playing well... both were just .500 teams in August... third place Oxford (8 GB) and fourth place Hartsdale (9 GB) have no chance at the division flag... it should be a fight to the finish... the Rascals are playing better than the Haymakers heading into September... White River home-run power may be the difference... the pitching is fairly even.

PRO CUP CHAMP TYPHOONS STORM PAST ALL COMERS IN TU SOUTH
Not much of a pennant race in the Tycobbian South this year... it ended by midseason... the current IPA champion Turon Typhoons have stormed past everybody in the second half, building up a preposterous 13-game edge over Cape Coral and Arroyo Grande with only one month to go... 'nuff said... nobody is going to catch Turon this year.

4 CHALLENGERS TRYING TO CATCH OZARKA IN TU EAST
No telling who will prevail in the highly-competitive Tycobbian East this year... it's a four-team fracas with the Ozarka Naturals momentarily in first place with a precarious one-game margin over the runner-up Red Bluff Red Sox... the Tuckanarra Blue Jays are flying high in the third spot, just 3 games behind... last year's division winner and preseason favorite South Fork is tied for fourth place, 5 and a half games out, along with the High Mesa Buckaroos... the Stallions have won the title the last two years... all of the contenders played well in August except for South Fork (7-20)... Ozarka (17-10), Red Bluff (15-13), Tuckanarra (19-9) and High Mesa (19-9)... it has been an up-and-down seesaw season... High Mesa was in the top spot in May, Red Bluff in June, Ozarka in July and South Fork in August... take your pick... any one of the three leading teams could win it... right now the Tucks are the best team.

SUPER-DUPER 5-TEAM CHASE IN THE TU WEST
The best pennant race in the Islandian Pro Alliance this season is in the Tycobbian West where 5 teams are separated by less than 5 games... the Bayview Vikings got the nod in the preseason poll to win a close race with 4 or 5 challengers... the Kenwood Wildcats are the defending division winner... heading into the final month Bayview and Rolling Hills are deadlocked for the top spot... Kenwood is just 2 GB... Denton City 4 GB... and Chicopee trails by only 4 and a half games... who's going to prevail?... Rolling Hills (17-11), Kenwood (17-10) and Chicopee (16-11) are playing the best going into September... the Vikings (13-15) and Denton City (11-17) floundered in August... the Racers are back to their old ways of beating people with the blazing bats... the Vikings depend on good pitching, defense and home runs... the Wildcats on its pitching... the Redbirds flew high until July, but they have fizzled in the second half... the Braves are a well-balanced club... no telling who will win it... flip a coin between Bayview, Rolling Hills and Kenwood... lean towards the Vikings.

Ruthlandian Union Standings
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Tycobbian Union Standings
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That would be interesting if Tuckanarra soon replaced Ozarka as the top team in the East. Maybe High Mesa too if they keep up a hot streak, but I'm not sure if that will happen or not...

You never know how it's gonna end up in a close race.

I remember one time a team had a 6-game lead with 10 games to go and lost... yep, I was stunned... they may have been up by 10 games going into the last month of the season.

Deleted... posted wrong league.

Whoa yeah, I would feel the exact same way. I would be shocked if that happened again to a team this season.

ChromEagle, this is for you... it's a photo finish between 4 teams... defending division champion South Fork has surged and got back into the hunt.

I thought Tuckanarra had the best chance to win, but the Tucks are now tuckered out.

With two games to go... here are the standings.

Whoa that's unbelievable! Honestly, I wasn't expecting South Fork to get back into the chase.

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Saturday, September 28, 2079

TU EAST AND TU NORTH STILL IN DOUBT WITH JUST 2 GAMES TO GO... 6 POSTSEASON SPOTS DECIDED
Six IPA divisions are signed, sealed and delivered... in the Ruthlandian Union Valmara, Crystal Lake, Elnora and Fort Benton have secured postseason spots and will contend for the Pro Cup Trophy... current IPA champion Turon is back again with a chance to repeat... the Typhoons made shambles of the TU South... the Rolling Hills Racers captured the TU West and will be that division's representative... however, two Tycobbian divisions are still undecided.

Goodness gracious, two Islandian Pro Alliance divisions are still up for grabs, the Tycobbian East and the Tycobbian North... only two days are left in the regular season and four clubs are in the TU East are still in the chase... Ozarka and Red Bluff are on top, but only one game in front of the South Fork Stallions and the High Mesa Buckaroos... two teams are tied for first place in the TU North, Mahaska and White River.

In the TU East Ozarka hosts the last place East Point Panthers today and tomorrow... Red Bluff is at home against the High Mesa Buckaroos... South Fork travels to Midway to close out the season... the Wolves have closed fast, moved up in the standings and are now in fifth place, but with no playoff hopes... but they can play the spoiler... and in the TU North Mahaska welcomes the third place Luxora Zorros for the final two games of the season and White River ends the year in Oxford playing the fifth place Red Caps on the road.

The Tycobbian North has been a dogfight the whole year between Mahaska, White River, Luxora, Blue Lake and Oxford... with two games to go the Haymakers and the Rascals are deadlocked for first place... Mahaska has to face third place and preseason pick Luxora... the Haymakers will close out the season at home... the Rascals will be on the road in Red Bluff against the 5th place Red Sox.


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This is so exciting, I wonder who's going to win the East.

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Wednesday, October 4, 2079

RED BLUFF AND WHITE RIVER WIN PLAYOFF SPOTS IN IPA
The final two playoff spots for the IPA Pro Cup playoffs were secured by the Red Bluff Red Sox and the White River Rascals... the Red Sox captured the Tycobbian East by one game over the Ozarka Naturals... South Fork, Midway and High Mesa all deadlocked for third place, 3 GB... the Rascals had to beat the Mahaska Haymakers in a sudden-death game to win the Tycobbian North title.

Here's how the final two games of the year went... Red Bluff edged High Mesa in two thrillers 1-0 and 5-4... Ozarka beat the East Point Panthers 3-1, but dropped the final game of the season 4-3... South Folk lost out by falling twice to the red-hot Midway Wolves 5-1 and 8-7.

In the season finales White River split with the Oxford Red Caps... the Rascals won 8-3, but lost 7-5... Mahaska lost to Luxora 5-2, but came back on the last day of the season to tie White River with a 4-1 victory... the Rascals claimed the division crown and playoff spot with a 5-1 victory over the Haymakers in the playoff game.
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That's really interesting, that would be nice if Red Bluff went far in the playoffs. Congrats to the Rascals for winning their division too, I love these close pennant races especially if it takes a one game playoff to decide to gets in. Also, I like the Rascals and Haymakers logos, I think the both of them look good.