THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Sunday, October 6, 2041

REMARKABLE RALLIES IN IPA HISTORY
Thirteen years have passed since an IPA team has seemingly done the impossible and has come back to win a playoff series after losing the first three games or dropping three of the first four games. It rarely happens, but it did this year when Cold Creek rebounded from a 3-1 deficit to win three in a row and take the series from the defending IPA champion Ranford Bulls, thus spoiling their chance to repeat. Only four clubs have won back-to-back Pro Cups. Far Mountain accomplished it twice when they took three consecutive IPA titles in 2011, 2012 and 2013. The Eastshore Elegants did it in 2016 and 2017 and the Tuckanarra Blue Jays repeated in 2023 and 2024.

In the 2035 Tycobbian Union Elite 8 Series Tuckanarra had to rally from an unenviable 3-0 deficit against the Chicopee Braves to move to the next round... the Blue Jays beat the Braves four in a row to avoid elimination... that has happened only three previous times in IPA history... in 2001 by Ginza in the first round... in 2009 by Tuckanarra in the Pro Cup Finals... and in 2015 by Bay St. Clair in opening-round action.

Teams have been down 3-1 on five occasions in the post-season and have come back to take the series... the Far Mountain Redhawks accomplished it in the 2011 Pro Cup Finals, the Kenwood Wildcats did it in the 2014 Pro Cup Finals, the Turon Typhoons pulled off the tough task in 2018 in first round play, Tuckanarra did it in the TU Final 4 in 2028 and Cold Creek came back in the 2041 RU LCS to do it.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, October 7, 2041

NORTH HILLS GETS FAVORITE ROLE IN PRO CUP FINALS
The 2041 IPA Pro Cup Finals should be whale of a series... both finalists are perennially-strong franchises, especially in the last decade... North Hills has won the IPA title three times since 2034 and was expected to win it several other times... the Hawks have run up a new IPA record by winning its division for eight successive seasons... Cold Creek is on a roll, too, with five division titles in the last six years... the Catamounts have also been expected to win the Pro Cup several times in recent years, but haven't... in fact, this is Cold Creek's first appearance in the championship series... North Hills, on the other hand, has won it all three times they have made the Finals... 2034, 2036 and 2038.

Oddsmakers have made North Hills the favorite over Cold Creek, citing the Catamounts' weak offense as being the main difference between the two clubs... Cold Creek did well during the regular season, but has slumped in the postseason thus far... the Hawks were the third choice in The Islandian Times Pro Cup poll, while the Catamounts were picked a lowly seventh... North Hills disposed of number one Cape Coral and number five Kenwood on the way to the Finals... Cold Creek whipped number four Middlefield and number six Ranford in the earlier rounds.

North Hills (95-59) (TU North): the Hawks have won three Pro Cups since 2034... they have great pitching, good bats and good gloves... however they lost their ace Tony Mack (23-9/2.69) in September... still they have strong pitching despite the huge loss... North Hills led the IPA with a superb 2.73 ERA.

The Hawks will be going for a record-tying fourth Pro Cup this year... they won it in 2034, 2036 and 2038, but failed the last two years despite being the favorite... second-best record in the IPA with 95 wins... only Cape Coral of the TU South was better with 97... the Hawks have great pitching with a 2.76 ERA (1st) and pretty good offense... and better-than-average defense (.975 FA).

The North Hills starters are All-Star Jeff Owens (22-11/2.33), Joey Santini (14-5/2.45/7 saves) and Nelson Hooper (14-11/2.59)... ace Tony Mack (23-9/2.69) will miss the playoffs due to injury... that's a big loss, but Hooper and Santini have been able to fill in the huge gap so far in the postseason.

The Hawks' offense is led by 30-year-old superstar LF Adam Thurgood (.307/35/99/95)... he still carries the team, but has solid help from CF Kris Anastas (.294/22/82/78), 3B Jim McDermott (.307/19/79/70), 1B Ric Hamilton (.264/19/78/71) and 2B Tommy Vavas (.273/16/70/98).

Cold Creek (86-68) (RU East): the Catamounts lived and died with its excellent pitching staff in recent years... they never had enough offense to win a Pro Cup... this year the hitting is up a bit, but the pitching is down a bit... experts don't think the 'Cats are as good as in the past. For the first time in seven years the Catamounts failed to win at least 90 games... but they still prevailed with good pitching, good offense and standout defense (.978 FA).

All-Star superstar J. J. Gillespie (22-12/2.72) is still the ace... at age 36 he won 20 games for the seventh time in his brilliant career... however 35-year-old Joey Baker (18-18/3.71) and Rob Hutchins (14-12/3.65) were down a bit from last year... Baker was 20-8 in 2040 and Hutchins was 17-11.

The offense was more than adequate, but didn't have much power... the Catamounts hit only 109 homers (31st-tied), but ranked sixth with a .274 BA and tied for fourth with 774 runs... 35-year-old CF Guy St. Laurent was the club leader with a .313 BA, 25 HRs, 90 RBIs, 92 runs and 16 SBs... SS Jeremy Hall (.307/7/79/82) and LF Jimmy Howell (.305/5/57/64) both had fairly good years.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Tuesday, October 6, 2041

2041 IPA PRO CUP SERIES - Game One

'CATS WIN OPENER, GILLESPIE OVER OWENS 1-0
The opening game of the 2041 IPA Pro Cup Finals at the Hawk's Nest in North Hills was a dilly... the pitching was almost perfect with Cold Creek superstar J. J. Gillespie just barely getting the best of North Hills' superstar Jeff Owens 1-0... Gillespie (3-2/1.41) tossed a five-hit gem, struck out six batters and walked no one in a splendid mound display... Owens (3-1/1.47) was almost as good... he only permitted one run on seven hits, but did surrender five bases on balls, while fanning three... LF Reynaldo Alvarado (.300) delivered the game-breaker in the fifth frame... he tripled in Gillespie (.133) with the only run in the game.

Gillespie was magnificent and only allowed two runners to get to second base... SS Jeremy Hall (.300) led the Catamounts at the plate with two singles... the Hawks' best bats belonged to 2B Tommy Vavas (.269) and LF Adam Thurgood (.388), who each had a pair of singles.

Cold Creek got some bad news... CF Ken Brennan hurt his wrist in the Ranford series and will miss most of this series... he landed hard on his wrist while trying to make a diving catch... Brennan might return to action on Sunday or Monday... Brennan is an outstanding defender and a solid hitter with a club-high .326 batting average in the regular season.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Tuesday, October 6, 2041

2041 IPA PRO CUP SERIES - Game Two

HAWKS HAMMER 'CATS 11-3 IN GAME 2
After being totally shut down in game one of the IPA Pro Cup Series, the North Hills Hawks exploded for 14 hits in an 11-3 rout of the Cold Creek Catamounts to even it up at one game each... the Hawks hammered out five doubles and two homers in the runaway... the victory came with mixed emotions... Hawks' starter Joey Santini left the game after two innings with a back injury and he will miss the rest of the series... this is another critical loss for North Hills, who have already lost ace Tony Mack (23-9/2.69) for the playoffs... no word yet on who will take Santini's spot in the rotation... Santini was behind 3-0 when he was forced to leave the game, however the runs were not earned... he allowed four hits in two innings... the Hawks played terrible defense with five errors in the game.

The Hawks' bullpen came through for them with Todd Taylor blanking the Catamounts for five innings on three hits... Alex Peters relieved him in the eighth and held Cold Creek hitless the rest of the game... Taylor (2-0/0.00) got credit for the win.

SS Norris Henry (.213) slammed a three-run homer for the Hawks and LF Adam Thurgood (.389) blasted a two-run job... RF Gerry Rice (.333) led the Hawks with four hits, two runs and an RBI... 3B Jim McDermott (.280) went 3-for-5, scored twice and batted across a run... and 1B Ric Hamilton (.356) had a perfect day with two hits, two runs, two RBIs and two walks.

Joey Baker (2-1/4.50) was staked to an early 3-0 lead but couldn't hold it... he was plastered for eight runs on 12 hits in five-plus innings... he departed the game trailing 8-3.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Wednesday, October 7, 2041

2041 IPA PRO CUP SERIES - Game Three

HAWKS TAKE LEAD IN PRO CUP 2-1
For the second game in a row in the IPA Pro Cup Finals the North Hills Hawks punished Cold Creek pitching... in game three at Holmes Field in Cold Creek, the Hawks cracked 10 hits in the 6-1 triumph to take a two games to one lead in the best-of-seven series... on the hill Nelson Hooper (2-1/2.56) was sharp, yielding only one run and five hits in eight innings of work... Hooper walked four and struck out six... Todd Taylor finished up for him in the ninth... it was a rocky outing for loser Rob Hutchins (1-1/3.66), who allowed five runs on eight hits... the Hawks roughed him up for four runs in the first frame and never looked back.

1B Ric Hamilton and 3B Jim McDermott paced the Hawks... Hamilton (.375) had two hits, including a two-run homer, his third of the postseason... and McDermott (.296) added two hits, two RBIs and scored twice... Catamount third sacker Eric Hollister (.250) had two hits and drove in their only run.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Thursday, October 8, 2041

2041 IPA PRO CUP SERIES - Game Four

'CATS DRAW EVEN WITH HAWKS, WIN 8-4 IN GAME 4
The big pitching duel between aces Jeff Owens and J. J. Gillespie didn't materialize this time around in game four of the Pro Cup Finals... the bats got the best of both of them... North Hills outhit Cold Creek 12-8, but came out on the short end of the score 8-4... Todd Goodwin's three-run blast in the five-run third inning put the Catamounts over the top 5-4 and they added a three-run cushion in the fifth and sixth frames.

Gillespie (4-2/1.85) registered the victory to deadlock the series at two games for each club... but he was ripped for 11 hits and four runs in seven and one-third innings... Gillespie needed help from George Bailey, who got the final five outs... Gillespie was ahead 8-4 when he left the game... he posted five Ks and walked two... Owens (3-2/3.03) had a miserable day and was battered for seven runs and seven hits in just five innings.

2B Todd Goodwin (.231) led Cold Creek at the plate with two hits and four RBIs... he drilled his second playoff homer, a 3-run salvo in the third and singled in another run in the fifth... SS Jeremy Hall (.317) chipped in with two hits, two runs and an RBI... and LF Reynaldo Alvarado (.250) had a hit and scored twice... C Timmy Stevens (.283) topped the Hawks with four hits, while RF Adam Thurgood (.375) had three hits and three RBIs... Thurgood had a two-run homer in the top of the third that gave North Hills a temporary 4-0 lead... it was his fifth of the postseason... he now has 14 RBIs... this postseason Thurgood is tied with teammate SS Norris Henry (.222) for the club lead in RBIs.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Friday, October 9, 2041

2041 IPA PRO CUP SERIES - Game Five

COLD CREEK SHOCKS HAWKS 3-2 IN 9TH
Everybody in Holmes Field was stunned... the Catamounts, the Cold Creek fans and most of all the visiting North Hills Hawks... the Hawks' Frankie Lambert breezed into the ninth inning with a 2-0 lead and needed only three more outs to put his club up by a game in the fifth game of the IPA Pro Cup Finals... Lambert, subbing for the injured Joey Santini, went to pieces... Cold Creek's CF Guy St. Laurent (.271) led off with a base hit, then 3B Eric Hollister (.242) blistered one into the left field stands to suddenly tie it up... Lambert walked two straight batters on 3-2 pitches and got one batter out on a sac bunt... with runners on second and third Lambert intentionally walked C Arved Turand (.158) to load the bases for pinchhitter John-Michal Krikma (.220), who lifted a game-winning deep sacrifice fly that enabled 2B Pat Ellis (.226) to easily tag up and score from third... that gave the game to underdog Cold Creek 3-2 and put them ahead in the series three games to two and needing only one more win for their first-ever Pro Cup... it was a shocking defeat for favored North Hills.

Right-hander Joey Baker (3-1/3.86) hurled a strong complete game in stopping the Hawks on two runs and seven hits with four strikeouts and only one walk... loser Lambert (0-2/4.86) also went the route and was touched for seven hits and three runs with one strikeout and four walks.

The game was scoreless until the Hawks broke the ice with two runs in the top of the fifth on Lambert's (.167) run-scoring single that scored RF Gerry Rice (.269)... another run came across when 2B Tommy Vavas (.243) hit into a double play.

Gave six will be tomorrow afternoon at the Hawk's Nest in North Hills... Rob Hutchins will try to wrap up the Pro Cup trophy for Cold Creek... he will be opposed by Nelson Hooper... Hutchins was 14-12 with a 3.65 ERA, while Hooper chalked up a 14-11 record with an impressive 2.59 ERA during the regular campaign... in the postseason Hutchins is 1-1 with a 3.66 ERA and Hooper is 2-1 with a fine 2.56 ERA... should it be necessary, game seven will also be in North Hills... Hooper got the best of Hutchins 6-1 in game three.

North Hills is 7-1 at home in the playoffs... Cold Creek is 5-3 on the road.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Saturday, October 10, 2041

2041 IPA PRO CUP FINALS - Game Six

NORTH HILLS NIPS COLD CREEK 4-3, FORCES 7TH GAME
In the hole three games to two, the North Hills Hawks edged Cold Creek 4-3 in game six of the IPA Pro Cup Finals at the Hawk's Nest to force a seventh-and-deciding game tomorrow afternoon... 3B Jim McDermott (.284) broke up a scoreless struggle between Nelson Hooper and Rob Hutchins with a three-run homer in the last of the seventh... later in the inning RF Jimmy Jay Ferguson (.306) made it a four-run lead for the Hawks with an RBI single that scored CF Kris Anastas (.197) with the eventual winning score... in the top of the ninth Eric Hollister (.242) close the gap to 4-3 with a three-run smash.

Hooper (3-1/2.66) hurled a good game, permitting only three runs on five hits with three walks and six strikeouts in eight and two-thirds innings... although he did need help from Todd Taylor for the final out... Hutchins (1-2/4.15) suffered the loss, going six and one-third innings, allowing four runs and seven hits with eight Ks and five walks.

RF Jimmy Jay Ferguson (.306) led the Hawks with four of their eight hits and an RBI... the Catamounts only got five hits in all.

The Hawks will be going for a record-tying fourth Pro Cup, while it will be the first for the 'Cats... Turon is the leader with four Pro Cup trophies... Both clubs have their top pitchers ready for the finale... it will be Jeff Owens for North Hills (22-11/2.33) and J. J. Gillespie (22-12/2.77) for Cold Creek... they have faced each other twice in the series so far with Gillespie winning both 1-0 and 8-4... in the postseason Owens is 3-2 with a 3.03 ERA and Gillespie is 4-2 with a 1.85 ERA.

Both clubs are 11-6 in the playoffs this year... North Hills has the homefield advantage... the Hawks are 8-1 at the Hawk's Nest in the playoffs, while Cold Creek is 6-2 at home and 5-4 away from Holmes Field... North Hills is only 3-5 on the road, but will be at home tomorrow.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Sunday, October 11, 2041

2041 IPA PRO CUP SERIES - Game Seven

NH HAWKS WIN 4TH PRO CUP
For the fourth time in eight years the North Hills Hawks have hauled away another IPA Pro Cup... they did it in splendid fashion, rallying from a three games to two deficit... the Hawks beat Cold Creek twice at home at the Hawk's Nest to come back and defeat a fine Catamount club...the seventh game was a classic between two standout pitchers... this time Jeff Owens finally beat J. J. Gillespie 2-1 to win it all... Gillespie and Cold Creek had won the first two encounters.

Both hurlers went the distance... Owens (4-2/2.62) limited the 'Cats to one run on six hits with four strikeouts and three walks... Gillespie (4-3/1.90) tossed eight innings and only allowed two runs on five hits with four Ks and two walks.

Cold Creek scored first... LF Jimmy Howell (.333) tripled in SS Jeremy Hall (.288), who had singled with one away in the first... North Hills put their only runs on the scoreboard in the second frame... 3B Jim McDermott (.286) singled and was doubled to third by 1B Ric Hamilton (.333) with no outs... after SS Norris Henry (.206) popped out, CF Kris Anastas (.203) drove in McDermott with a base hit and 2B Tommy Vavas (.231) grounded into a force out at second to score Hamilton... Cold Creek tried for a double play, but Vavas beat it out.

In the jubilant, champagne-filled Hawks' club house, record-tying skipper Todd Simons spoke in praise of his team, "Top to bottom, everybody on the team did their job... I think that's our strength... we don't have a bunch of stars, but we got some rock-solid ballplayers... we have depth at all positions... when we lost two of our starters Mack and Santini, somebody sucked it up and stepped up... we pitched when we had to and we hit when we had to... can you believe this is our fourth Pro Cup?"

Cold Creek manager Scoop Lemieux was down, but not forlorn... he said, "Yeah, this one really hurts... it's the biggest loss I have ever experienced... we came so close to winning our first title... it was there to be taken, but it wasn't to be... but I still feel good about my team... we came in second to a team that has won four Pro Cups... that says a lot about my 'Cats."

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Tuesday, October 15, 2041

HAWKS' THURGOOD EDGES OWENS AND HOOPER FOR PRO CUP MVP
There was no clear-cut Most Valuable Player in the 2041 Pro Cup Finals. There were several players that played well, but nobody dominated as in most years. Five North Hills Hawks received support in The Islandian Times MVP poll with one Cold Creek Catamount also getting votes.

The scribes and broadcasters were split in the voting with the winner being Adam Thurgood, the Hawks' superstar outfielder. He led the team with a .355 batting average in the postseason with 5 homers, 14 RBIs and 14 runs. Thurgood racked up 31 votes and bested teammates Jeff Owens and Nelson Hooper, his closest competitors.

In 2034, the 30-year-old outfielder finished a very close second to Hawk hurler and 2034 Pro Cup MVP, David Michael. That year Thurgood had a marvelous postseason with a .432 BA, 7 doubles, 5 homers, 16 RBIs and 15 runs scored. Michael was brilliant, too, with a 7-0 record and 1.96 ERA in 8 starts. Michael also won the MVP honor in 2038.

Jeff Owens won several crucial games including game seven of the Finals. He ranked second in the poll with 29 votes. Owens was 4-2 in the playoffs with a 2.62 ERA in six starts. In the regular season the 35-year-old southpaw posted an impressive 22-11 mark with a 2.33 ERA. Owens was the Pro Cup MVP in 2036 and came in second to Michael in 2038.

Number three in the poll with 26 votes was Nelson Hooper, who won several critical "must" games for North Hills during the postseason. Hooper was 3-1 in six starts with a fine 2.66 ERA. He was 14-11 in the regular campaign with an excellent 2.59 ERA.

Cold Creek's ace J. J. Gillespie was fourth in the voting and named on 21 ballots. Gillespie was 4-3 in eight starts with a great 1.90 ERA. He lost some heartbreakers: 3-1 and 2-0 to Ranford in the first round and 2-1 to Owens and North Hills in the Finals. During the season Gillespie chalked up a 22-12 record with a 2.72 ERA.

North Hills' first sacker Ric Hamilton was a distant fifth in the poll with 9 votes. He was the Hawks' second-leading hitter with a .333 BA, 3 homers, 9 RBIs and 10 runs scored. For the year Hamilton batted .264 with 19 roundtrippers, 78 RBIs and 71 runs.

Though he was injured in second-round play and didn't participate in the Pro Cup Finals, Joey Santini still received 4 votes. Santini went 2-0 in the playoffs with a 3.04 ERA. The Hawks won all four of his postseason starts. In the regular season Santini was used as a spot starter and reliever. He finished with a 14-5 record and a superb 2.45 ERA in 39 games. Santini made 16 starts.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Wednesday, October 16, 2041

RUTHLANDIAN AWARDS PRESENTED
The Ruthlandian Union announced all of its awards for 2041. The winners were Enos Conrad (Golden Bat), Gil Arnaud (MVP/Golden Arm) and Delmer Campbell (Rookie). The Golden Glove squad was also acknowledged.

RU Golden Bat:
1. Enos Conrad (Elnora LF)) .391 BA, 27 HRs, 96 RBIs, 116 runs, 102 BBs... 25-year-old Conrad led the IPA with a .391 BA and 217 hits... lifetime in six seasons he sports a terrific .355 average... Elnora still came in sixth in the standings... this was Conrad's first Golden Bat Award... Conrad posted the third-highest BA in IPA history with a .391 average... only Jet Kazmarek of Valmara and Juan Mendes of Belle Plaine have ever hit higher... Kazmarek hit a phenomenal .428 in 2002 and Mendes batted .398 in 2008.

2. Bobby Gamble (Sugar Valley RF) .320 BA, 36 HRs, 123 RBIs, 121 runs, 92 BBs, 26 SBs... led RU in runs scored... the Rattlers came in third.

3. Jason Butler (Belair Beach 3B) .320 BA, 49 HRs, 142 RBIs, 115 runs... Butler topped the RU in homers, RBIs and was third in scoring... nontheless, the Sunbirds finished near the bottom in seventh place.

RU Golden Arm:
1. Gil Arnaud (San Dimas) 24-5, 2.63 ERA... tied with George Reynolds of Red Bluff for most IPA victories... this was a career year for him... first time to win 20 games and first major award... also copped the RU MVP honor... at age 34 was the major reason the Rancheros won the RU South pennant... Arnaud is 132-111 with a 3.79 ERA in 12 seasons with San Dimas and Ranford.

2. J. J. Gillespie (Cold Creek) 22-12, 2.72 ERA... five-time Golden Arm winner and two-time MVP... Cold Creek came in first again in the RU East for the third year in a row and fifth in six seasons.

3. Tony Haskell (Waleska) 24-9, 2.75... his Westerners lost the pennant by a single game to San Dimas in the RU South.

RU Rookie of the Year:
1. Delmer Campbell (Sugar Valley C) .283 BA, 27 HRs, 101 RBIs, 67 runs... the 26-year-old was a vital cog in Rattlers' third-place finish in RU East, just three games behind Cold Creek.

2. Mark George (Belair Beach SS) .329 BA, 2 HRs, 44 RBIs, 88 runs... the Sunbirds were seventh in the RU East.

3. Rusty Howard (Forest City SP) 15-13, 2.89 ERA... the Lumberjacks were sixth in the RU West.

RU Most Valuable Player:
1. Gil Arnaud (San Dimas) 24-5, 2.63... named for the first time... also won the Golden Arm... San Dimas had a great year edging out Waleska for the RU South Division crown.

2. Bobby Gamble (Sugar Valley)... .320 BA, 36 HRs, 123 RBIs, 121 runs, 92 BBs, 26 SBs... led RU in runs scored... the Rattlers came in third.

3, Enos Conrad (Elnora)... .391 BA, 27 HRs, 96 RBIs, 116 runs, 102 BBs... 25-year-old Conrad led the IPA with a .391 BA and 217 hits... lifetime in six seasons he sports a terrific .355 average... Elnora still came in sixth in the standings... won his first Golden Bat Award this year... Conrad posted the third-highest BA in IPA history with a .391 average... only Jet Kazmarek of Valmara and Juan Mendes of Belle Plaine have ever hit higher... Kazmarek hit a phenomenal .428 in 2002 and Mendes batted .398 in 2008.

RU Golden Glove Team:
SP Todd Clyman (Belair Beach) 15-24, 4.81 ERA, .986 FA
C Arved Tarand (Cold Creek) .247 BA, 2 HRs, 44 RBIs, 52 runs, .995 FA, 8 PB, 32.3% RTO
1B Don Cain (Stoner) .290 BA, 13 HRs, 63 RBIs, 88 runs, .995 FA
2B Neil Mitchell (Sligo) .261 BA, 16 HRs, 82 RBIs, 81 runs, .980 FA
3B Ralph Sackett (Stoner) .282 BA, 11 HRs, 63 RBIs, 66 runs, .974 FA... 2nd Gold Glove
SS Jamie Garner (Taranto) .245 BA, 16 HRs, 54 RBIs, 51 runs, .968 FA
LF Chet Penn (Colfax) .346 BA, 27 HRs, 117 RIs, 91 runs, .992 FA... 4th Gold Glove
CF Art Kelley (St. John) .276 BA, 20 HR, 81 RBIs, 72 runs, .991 FA
RF Cayman Crittenden (Fort Benton) .273 BA, 18 HRs, 73 RBIs, 72 runs, .986 FA

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Thursday, October 17, 2041

TYCOBBIAN AWARDS SELECTIONS ANNOUNCED
The Tycobbian Union announced the 2041 Awards. The honorees are Jerry Culpepper (MVP/Golden Bat), Jeff Owens (Golden Arm) and Scott Courtney (Rookie). The best defenders and Golden Glove recipients were also named.

Bayview great third baseman Jerry Culpepper was a double winner, taking the TU Most Valuable Player Award for the second time in his fabulous career and winning his fourth Golden Bat. Culpepper has won the bat trophy for three consecutive seasons. It was the second straight year Jeff Owens has been chosen the league's best pitcher.

TU Golden Bat:
1. Jerry Culpepper (Bayview 3B): 27-year-old super slugger Culpepper hit .348 with 61 HRs, 144 RBIs and 123 runs... paced the IPA in homers and runs... was second in RBIs... seventh in BA... it's the fourth time in his career he has gone over the 60 mark in homers... Culpepper hold the record with 66, set last year... Culpepper also took the MVP honor for the second year in a row... the Vikings came in third in the TU West.

2. Wayman Stetson (Denton City 1B): he batted .325 with 51 HRs, 146 RBIs and scored 93 runs... topped the IPA with 146 RBIs... the Redbirds wound up fifth in the TU West.

3. Darwin Tard (Rolling Hills 1B): led the Reds to a very close second place finish in the TU West... Kenwood beat them in a playoff game for the division pennant... Tard delivered a .337 BA, 26 HRs, 102 RBIs and scored 118 runs.

TU Golden Arm:
1. Jeff Owens (North Hills SP): at age 35 he went 22-11 with a 2.33 ERA... has a career 197-113 mark in his 13 seasons with a strong 2.96 ERA... has won 20 games on six occasions... the Hawks have won eight pennants in a row and four Gold Cups since 2034... was a lackluster pitcher (23-17) in his first six seasons from 2025-2033... Owens didn't even make the team from 2030 to 2033... his career finally took off at age 27 in 2034, the first Pro Cup year for North Hills.

2. Tony Mack (North Hills SP): chalked up a 23-9 record with a 2.69 ERA when he was lost for the season and the postseason in September with a bad elbow... won the Golden Arm in 2039 with a 23-10 record and 2.22 ERA... at age 21 he joined the Hawks in 2034, but didn't become a starter until 2038... lifetime Mack is 108-62 with a standout 2.97 ERA.

3. Jay Murphy (South Fork SP): sparked the Stallions to their first division flag in 16 years with a 22-8 record and a 2.86 ERA.

TU Rookie of the Year:
1. Scott Courtney (Fairfax C): the 19-year-old hit .308 with 20 homers, 98 RBIs and 76 runs in his first season with the Frogs, who gave North Hills fits this year in the TU North... Fairfax was only three games out of first.

2. Bobby Kelman (Mahaska SP): compiled a 17-12 mark with a great 2.45 ERA, which helped the Haymakers to a fine showing this year with a third-place finish in the strong TU North.

3. Brad Johnson (Fairfax CF): another vital ingredient in the Frogs' successful season... he batted .313 with 12 homers, 97 RBIs and 87 runs... Fairfax was a close runner-up in the TU North to Pro Cup champ North Hills, winding up only three games behind the powerful Hawks.

TU Most Valuable Player:
1. Jerry Culpepper (Bayview 3B): second MVP trophy for him... also won the TU Golden Bat for the fourth time... had a colossal season with a .348 BA, 61 homers, 144 RBIs and scored 123 runs... led the IPA in homers and runs... was second in RBIs... and seventh in BA... fourth time in his career to top 60 homers in a season... Culpepper holds the mark with 66 in 2040... one better than the great Jack Elliott's 65 in 2021 for High Mesa of the Tycobbian Union... the Vikings ran a good race in the TU West and came out third, eight and a half games back of division winner Kenwood.

2. Jay Murphy (South Fork SP): he had a great year with a 22-8 mark and a standout 2.86 ERA for the Stallions, who won the TU East for the first time in almost two decades... Murphy is 26 and has completed four years in the IPA.

3. Darwin Tard (Rolling Hills 1B): his strong season helped the Reds end up just a game away from the TU West Division pennant... they lost out in a single-game playoff to Kenwood... Tard, only 21, batted .337 with 26 roundtrippers, 102 RBIs and 118 runs.

TU Golden Glove Team:
SP: George Reynolds (Red Bluff): 12-24, 3.64 ERA, 1.000 FA
C: Jaak Pajukivi (Ozarka): .299 BA, 21 HR, 74 RBIs, 78 runs, .991 FA, 8 PB, 33.9% RTO (3rd Gold Glove)
1B Zip Lowery (Bay St. Clair): .297 BA, 5 HRs, 48 RBIs, 67 runs, .995 FA
2B Kunta Burton (White River): .253 BA, 4 HRs, 45 RBIs, 61 runs, .991 FA
3B Billy Christianson (Rolling Hills): .260 BA, 6 HR,58 RBIs, 71 runs, .970 FA (4th Gold Glove)
SS Tom Milton (Tuckanarra): .261 BA, 1 HR, 53 RBIs, 57 runs, .971 FA
LF Milt Powers (Luxora): .263 BA, 28 HRs, 82 RBIs, 99 runs, .994 FA
CF Antonio Vasquez (Summerland): .332 BA, 8 HRs, 67 RBIs, 92 runs, .995 FA
RF Jimbo Foxx (Rolling Hills): .289 BA, 28 HRs, 104 RBIs, 85 runs, .987 FA (2nd Gold Glove)

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Friday, October 18, 2041

SD'S PATE RU TOP MANAGER
In a poll conducted by The Islandian Times, Wesley Pate of San Dimas just barely nipped Slick Hammill of Belle Plaine for the Ruthlandian Union Manager of the Year. Not too far behind in third place was the only other votegetter, Ricky Tinker of Middlefield. This was the first time Pate has won the best manager award.

RU Manager of the Year:
1. Wesley Pate (San Dimas): Pate piloted the Rancheros to their first pennant in 10 years... the club improved dramatically from fifth place to the top spot in the RU South, rising up from 76-78 to 92-62... last season San Dimas was 18 games off the pace of champion Waleska... this year they skimmed by the Westerners by one game.

2. Slick Hammill (Belle Plaine): Hammill guided the Musketeers from seventh place to the runner-up spot behind powerful Cold Creek in the RU East... they lost out by three games, but improved immensely from 68-86 to 83-71... in 2040 the Muskies ended up 33 games out of first place... this year Cold Creek beat them by just three games.

3. Ricky Tinker (Middlefield): the Roosters rose up from fifth place to the RU West Division crown, climbing from 76-78 to 90-64.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Saturday, October 19, 2041

'CANES BIRD BEST TU SKIPPER
In a hotly-contested race Cape Coral's Flipper Bird was acclaimed the top Tycobbian manager for the first time in his career. There were five other worthy challengers: Blackie Terranova of South Fork, Aaron Hankins of Kenwood, Matty Christianson of Rolling Hills, Todd Simons of North Hills and Dane Wesner of Fairfax.

TU Manager of the Year:
1. Flipper Bird (Cape Coral): for the first time in 12 seasons the Hurricanes won the pennant in the TU South, going from sixth to first... and going from a 74-80 mark to the best record in the IPA with 97-57... in 2040 the 'Canes finished 24 games out of the running.

2. Blackie Terranova (South Fork): the last time the Stallions were in the postseason was the Pro Cup year of 2025... Terranova took the team from 75-79 to 87-67, from fifth in the standings to the TU East flag.

3. Dane Wesner (Fairfax): the Frogs really made Pro Cup champion North Hills work hard to win their eighth consecutive TU North title... the powerhouse Hawks whipped Wesner's club by only three games as the Frogs improved from 86-68 to 92-62 and from fourth to second in the division... they came in 11 games behind North Hills in 2040.

4. Todd Simons (North Hills): Simons got some support this year though the Hawks fell from 97-57 to 95-59... once you reach an elite status like North Hills, it is tough to win awards, but it is quite an accomplishment to maintain 90 or more wins year after year... Simons has done that and more... he has averaged 95 victories a year for the last eight years and has eight straight division flags to show for it, but only one Manager of the Year trophy... perhaps more important, Simons and the Hawks have four Pro Cups to boast about.

5. Aaron Hankins (Kenwood): the Wildcats captured the TU West in a single-game playoff with Rolling Hills... the first time Kenwood had taken the division crown since 2024... they moved up from fourth to first and rallied from 79-75 to 90-65.

6. Matty Christianson (Rolling Hills): the Reds almost got back into the playoffs with a fine season... the last time they made the postseason was back in 2032... Rolling Hills rose up from sixth to second place and from 75-79 to 89-66.

That puts the wraps on another season in the IPA.

I will begin working on season 2042.

Thanks for continuing to follow this dynasty.

I very much appreciate all of you checking it out on a regular basis.

You deserve a lot of the credit for keeping it going.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Tuesday, June 24, 2042

IPA ALL-STARS ANNOUNCED, GAME WED AT NORTH HILLS
Halfway through the 2042 Islandian Pro Alliance season the league will pause and celebrate with its annual All-Star Classic, pitting the best of the Ruthlandian Union against the stars of the Tycobbian Union. This edition of the mid-summer dream game is scheduled for North Hills tomorrow afternoon getting underway at 1:05 pm at the Hawk's Nest. The Hawks won the right to host the game by winning the 2041 Pro Cup.

Crystal Lake of the Ruthlandian Union will have four players in the All-Star Game to top all the teams. North Hills, Southport, Fairfax and Cape Coral each had three players named to the Tycobbian All-Stars.

RUTHLANDIAN ALL-STARS:
SP Skeeter Millham (Volusia) 11-3/2.35
SP Basil Newchurch (Glasco) 13-4/2.04 (2nd Time)
SP Scotty Price (Sligo) 12-6/2.07 (2nd Time)
SP Jeremy Kirk (St. John ) 12-6/2.11 (3rd Time)
SP Hot Dog Huxtable (LaGrange) 12-5/2.43
SP Drew Selby (Volusia) 11-6/2.69
SP Randy Peters (Rocky Rapids) 11-3/2.89
CL Cerek Talaga (San Dimas) 2-1/2.80/11 saves)
C Cannon Johnson (Elnora) .293/9/48/37 (4th Time)
C Del Peevy (Crystal Lake) .328/6/53/34
C Barney Swindell (Stoner) .290/16/50/37 (3rd Time)
1B Daryl Brady (Crystal Lake) .382/18/71/44 (2nd Time)
1B Jojo DeLucca (Claxton) .318/14/42/44 (5th Time)
1B Denny Simmons (Sligo) .339/9/36/50 (3rd Time)
2B Kelly Hardison (Forest City) .354/10/40/54 (2nd Time)
2B Akihiro Samurakami (Elnora) .285/8/35/54 (3rd Time)
3B Jason Butler (Belair Beach) .295/21/60/43 (4th Time)
3B Kristian McEly (Colfax) .357/18/50/48 (2nd Time)
3B Leonard Purkey (San Dimas) .348/10/41/35 (4th Time)
SS Marty Featherstone (Rocky Rapids) .317/15/49/57
SS Johnny Petrak (Eastshore) .311/11/52/38 (7th Time)
LF Enos Conrad (Elnora) .404/13/46/53 (2nd Time)
LF Vasco Aguilar (LaGrange) .317/14/56/52 (3rd Time)
CF Carlo Velucci (Forest City) .325/13/48/65
CF Jesse Walker (Crystal Lake) .362/8/21/59
CF Alejandro Dominguez (Middlefield) .308/19/42/52 (2nd Time)
RF Bobby Gamble (Sugar Valley) .338/13/53/58 (7th Time)
RF Pat Dillon (Crystal Lake) .351/3/51/54 (3rd Time)
RF Nioka Inkamara (Wynnamac) .310/24/60/56 (3rd Time)

TYCOBBIAN ALL-STARS:
SP Billy Hoover (Southport) 15-2/1.91
SP Warren Sackett (High Mesa) 14-3/2.08
SP Billy King (Summerland) 11-5/2.15
SP Jay Murphy (South Fork) 12-4/1.96
SP Nelson Hooper (North Hills) 11-4/1.75
SP Rusty Bradford (Kenwood) 11-5/2.30
SP Jud Cox (Red Bluff) 11-5/2.34
CL Jack Rogers (Tuckanarra) 4-1/1.39/14 saves
C Filipe Zamora (San Alejo) .324/17/57/39 (3rd Time)
C Corky DiNozzo (Kenwood) .288/18/55/42 (6th Time)
C Scott Courtney (Fairfax) .323/7/49/41
1B Wayman Stetson (Denton City) .326/26/70/46 (4th Time)
1B Stan Ferguson (Cape Coral) .326/19/55/33 (5th Time)
1B Billy Joe Hickman (White River) .297/20/45/49
2B John Velasco (Fairfax) .332/9/59/54 (5th Time)
2B Country Crowder (Kenwood) .371/0/37/50 (2nd Time)
3B Jerry Culpepper (Bayview) .352/20/64/44 (9th Time)
3B Jim McDermott (North Hills) .329/9/39/33
3B Craig Glennon (Southport) .310/14/56/53
SS Sam Essex (Ginza) .335/12/54/36 (3rd Time)
SS Sammy Thornton (Denton City) .311/3/30/55 (2nd Time)
LF Rikky Van Dalen (Cape Coral) .379/14/53/59 (2nd Time)
LF Adam Thurgood (North Hills) .325/19/57/48 (7th Time)
LF Lorne Evans (Tuckanarra) .298/19/49/38 (12th Time)
CF Sogo Takagi (Ginza) .352/14/45/63 (4th Time)
CF Barney Lewis (Southport) .297/18/56/42
RF William Snyder (Cape Coral) .335/17/61/47 (6th Time)
RF Paulo Teixeira (San Alejo) .317/16/38/48
RF Corbett Brooks (High Mesa) .297/21/56/54 (4th Time)

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Wednesday, June 25, 2042

TU STARS TOP RU STARS AGAIN
For the fourth time in the last five years the Tycobbian All-Stars dumped the Ruthlandian Stars 6-2 for the league's 28th triumph in 42 contests... in a game played at the Hawk's Nest in North Hills, Tycobbia's pitching held Ruthlandia to just six hits with the win going to Jay Murphy (South Fork), who retired all six batters he faced in the third and fourth frames... SS Craig Glennon (Southport) homered and singled to capture the game's Most Valuable Player honor... Ruthlandia was led by 2B Kelly Hardison (Forest City) and CF Alejandro Dominguez (Middlefield) with a pair of hits apiece... Hardison collected the RU Stars' only homer, while Dominguez walloped two doubles... Scotty Price (Sligo) was whacked for two runs and three hits in the third and caught the loss.

3B Jerry Culpepper (Bayview) put the TU Stars up 2-0 in the third with a two-run double... Craig Glennon (Southport) made it 3-0 in the fifth with a roundtripper... Ruthlandia chopped the lead to 3-1 on a solo shot by Kelly Hardison (Forest City)... C Filipe Zamora (San Alejo), C Corky DiNozzo (Kenwood) and SS Sam Essex (Ginza) finished the RU Stars off with three RBIs in the sixth, upping the score to 6-1... RF Bobby Gamble (Sugar Valley) got Ruthlandia's final run when he scored from third on a wild pitch in the sixth.