THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, September 21, 2048

CLAXTON WALTZES TO RU SOUTH TITLE
The Claxton Diamonds built up a good, six-game lead at mid-season in the Ruthlandian South Division and pretty much maintained it the rest of the season, winning the title by seven games over last year's pennant winner Belair Beach... preseason favorite Waleska never really was a big factor... the Westerners finished in a third-place tie with the Valka Blackhawks, Crystal Lake Crusaders and St. John Crusaders, all trailing by 16 games.

It was Claxton's third division crown in four seasons... 12 times the Diamonds have made the postseason, but they have never come up with a Pro Cup trophy... they have a solid core of hitters with fair power and good scoring... IPA superstar 1B Jojo DeLucca (.279/30/126/91) is still the big gun at age 33... and got help from an unexpected source, rookie All-Star LF Whit Miley (.357/14/72/106), the number-two batter in the IPA at .357... other offense came from 3B Rick Clayburne (.323/12/76/74), CF Darryl Daniels (.295/12/55/88) and 2B Rich Emery (.252/19/78/81)... and pretty good pitching... Claxton has two vets Abe Schiffman (21-13/2.80) and Stan Yudash (20-9/3.48) leading the mound corps with help from rookie southpaw Jared Lipton (11-6/2.71/9 saves), Steven Ellison (18-9/3.79/3 saves) and Gilbert Clagsdale (16-12/3.84)... reliever Gary Haskin (5-8/2.95/16 saves) is the best in the bullpen... the Diamonds have the scoring to do well in the playoffs, but the key will be the pitching... it's doubtful Claxton will be among the Pro Cup favorites... ace Abe Schiffman will miss the first three games of the playoffs... near the end of the regular season he was suspended for five games for a brawl he instigated... he won't get a start until game four... this is a crucial loss for Claxton.

In Belair Beach's history they have made the playoffs only 8 times, but won the pennant last year... the Sunbirds have never picked up a Pro Cup trophy... they are just a little above average at the plate and on the hill... Jose Munoz (17-14/3.56) and Kevin Tolbert (17-15/3.42) were the top winners with 17 victories apiece... other fairly decent starters were Ronnie Roy (15-11/3.38) and rookie Glen Long (16-12/4.19)... Tom Cook (8-10/3.65/22 saves) was the top reliever on the club and ranked number-one in the IPA with 22 saves, but he was inconsistent at times... leading the hit parade were All-Star 3B Jason Butler (.311/31/121/88) and rookie All-Star SS Alvaro Abreu (.323/1/53/94)... RF Norm Ellis (.280/28/88/77), 1B Shannon Stewart (.273/11/71/72) and LF Andy Williams (.285/0/38/82) also chipped in fairly well, too.

There was a four-way deadlock for third place in the RU South between Waleska, Valka, St. John and Crystal Lake... Waleska has chalked up 7 postseason appearances with 3 Pro Cups... with the last pennant and Pro Cup coming in 2039... the Westerners were the preseason choice this year, but their starting rotation let them down... Jeff Woodruff (21-12/3.07) and Niles Nielsen (18-17/2.89) were strong starters like last year, but Tony Haskell (9-14/4.18) and Roy Schaefer (12-17/4.83) struggled quite a bit... they did have a solid closer Vince Gibson (6-3/2.48/17 saves)... Waleska hit well, but lacked power... the best offensive performers were rookie 1B James Ray Kee (.331/17/66/54), CF Kenny Hardy (.292/15/75/72), LF Gene Stevenson (.302/15/45/65) and 3B Hershel Briggs (.290/7/60/47).

The Valka Blackhawks were just an average club this year... in the team's history they have only made the playoffs 4 times... the last year was long ago in 2017... the Blackhawks have never won a Pro Cup... this year's top club leaders were All-Star SP Matvey Kazak (17-16/3.08) and Tyrone Marte (14-14/3.64)... Kazak tailed off badly after mid-season, going 5-11 in the second half... he was 12-4 with a fine 2.31 ERA at the All-Star hiatus... the best reliever was rookie Ricky Cockburn (5-8/2.49/12 saves)... the most productive bats were 1B Jess Evans (.321/31/80/68), star CF Kenny Mitzusaka (.297/23/78/74) and C Aubrey Plews (.302/15/63/68).

The St. John Crusaders have appeared in 7 postseasons and haven't won a Pro Cup yet... they last won the division title in 2042... the Crusaders hit well, but have mediocre pitching... two rookies regulars stood out, paced by All-Star RF Cris Hershey (.320/11/67/87) and 1B Al Pace (.316/19/77/70)... vets 2B Herbie Gruen (.279/17/71/62) and CF Skeets Blackstone (.283/11/69/44) also added some offense to the lineup... Frank Long (16-18/4.30) had the most wins on the team and got a little help from Liam Spears (15-13/3.98) and Zeke Yoder (15-17/3.89).

The Crystal Lake Crushers have been in the Pro Cup playoffs 10 times in history and possess two Pro Cups (2020 and 2022)... they won the RU South in 2043 and were a serious challenger in third place a year ago, losing out by only 3 games... despite leading the IPA with a .295 team BA, the Crushers came in under .500 and tied for third place... the mound staff was a dismal 4.21 overall, even worse for the starting rotation (4.66 ERA)... Dave McCauley (18-14/4.21) and Jeth Limbrick (15-18/4.12) topped the starters, while All-Star closer Josh Crosby (16-4/2.51/15 saves) had a truly fine season and got some good help from from Andy Crutcher (4-3/1.89/12 saves) in the bullpen... Crystal Lake had nine .300 hitters, led by All-Star LF Jed Murphee (.342/15/71/99), SS Ernie Addison (.332/2/50/79), C Del Peevy (.295/11/70/73), 3B Todd Schneider (.322/5/51/67), 1B Daryl Brady (.338/17/66/66), RF Paul Dillon (.329/8/81/65), CF Jesse Walker (.307/1/38/53), CF Kenny Gray (.302/17/78/43) and 2B Jim Henley (.302/3/74/50).

Not a good season for the Grand City Cybercats... they wound up in seventh place, 28 games off the pace... the C'Cats have only participated in the playoffs on three occasions... 2030 was the most recent... Grand City is still looking for its first Pro Cup... Lee Price (13-20/3.02) was the most reliable starter, along with Jimmy Engels (10-22/3.42)... superstar All-Star Benny Hull carried the club like he usually does... Hull hit .303 with 48 homers, 127 RBIs and 98 runs... he was second to IPA leader Ryan Nelms' 132 RBIs (Taranto) and third in homers behind Lenny Buisson's 54 (Belle Plaine) and Corky DiNozzo's 52 (Kenwood).

In last place this season were the San Dimas Rancheros... they last made the postseason in 2041 and have never won the Pro Cup, having appeared only four times in the playoffs... rookie All-Star reliever Kenny Robinson (5-10/2.32/18 saves) was fifth in the IPA in saves... he floundered badly after mid-season... Carl Covington (12-25/4.05) led the club in wins and had the best ERA among the starters... rookie All-Star CF Enrique Orantez (.312/23/85/105) stood out among the regulars... he got some help from 36-year-old veteran RF Denny Hendrix (.260/23/87/66).

2048 Ruthlandian South Division Final Standings and Team Statistics

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, September 21, 2048

RATTLERS WIN RU EAST AGAIN
The Sugar Valley Rattlers are very good at what they do... for the third time in the last four years they are the division champion of the Ruthlandian East... but it wasn't easy for the preseason favorite... they blew a 6-game lead at the halfway point by going a terrble 9-20 in July, falling 3 games behind Belle Plaine and a game back of Wynnamac... but the Rattlers got it in gear down the stretch going 37-10 the rest of the way to win by 9 games over runner-up Wynnamac, 11 better than Belle Plaine and 19 in front of fourth place Cold Creek... last year's champ Marston fell to a tie for fifth this season with Eastshore.

For the last 14 seasons Sugar Valley has won 5 pennants, finished second 6 times and third 3 times, always near the top and in contention... in its history 14 times the club has made the Pro Cup playoffs... but only once, in 2045, have the Rattlers claimed the IPA trophy... they are hoping to add another Pro Cup to their trophy case this season... Sugar Valley has excellent pitching with Antonio Cedeno (22-15/2.31), Joe Snow (19-4/2.29) and Cullen Winslow (18-7/2.47)... solid in the pen, too, with Domenico Renterias (13-9/2.35/10 saves)... though the Rattlers don't hit for high average, they do go deep well and can put runs on the boards, sparked by All-Star CF Carl Ramsey (.252/38/108/98), RF Bobby Gamble (.289/17/71/65), LF Walter Hanson (.311/18/77/62), RF Jeff Harvey (.258/25/73/60) and 3B Roger Hobbs (.249/21/75/81)... 9 players had 10 or more homers... rookie 1B Smokey Nix (.277/16/57/39) showed good power in a limited number of at-bats and 112 games.

The Wynnamac Sundowners wound up in second place this year with strong pitching and average bats... the W'Macs have won the Pro Cup one time... back in 2008... 7 times they have made the postseason... the last pennants came in 2042 and 2044... the Sundowners starting four is a good one with James Duncan (16-15/2.47), Milt Easterling (17-10/2.89), Sammy Hayes (18-16/3.15) and Shirai Nakamura (16-7/3.15)... the bullpen was fine until they lost closer Johnny Mitchell (11-4/1.92/13 saves) in September... offensively superstar RF Nioka Inkamara (.282/35/101/78) is still the main man with some help from 3B Duane Hudson (.302/6/43/83) and CF Darrell Donnelly (.267/13/58/66).

Third place Belle Plaine took the lead in July, but couldn't keep up with Sugar Valley's blistering run in August and September... still it was the Musketeers best season since 2041 when they came in a close second... sadly, the Muskies have never won a Pro Cup... only one time have they made the playoffs... that was years ago in 2009... Belle Plaine had the bats this year with a .291 team BA (2nd), topped only in the IPA by Crystal Lake (.295 BA)... the Musketeers led the IPA in scoring with 878 runs and finished second to Middlefield in home runs with 198... leading the attack was All-Star RF Lenny Buisson (.345/54/125/121), who led the IPA with 54 homers, was sixth in batting average (.354), second in scoring runs (121) and seventh in RBIs (125)... he also got plenty of support from All-Star 1B Chuck Gregory (.326/39/102/99), C Nuke Borg (.303/21/97/79) , CF Roy Myers (.296/19/65/73) and 2B Mac Lord (.329/7/62/108)... the Muskies had the muscle, but didn't have the pitching... although Henry Wade (20-6/3.97) put up 20 wins and Phil Lacy (18-16/2.95) gave them a lot of quality outings... closer Kurt Tandberg (8-7/2.40/13 saves) did a fine job in the bullpen.

The Cold Creek Catamounts had a very good run in the '30s and early '40s with 5 pennants... but of late they have just been a run-of-the-mill ballclub... on 8 occasions in the team's history the Catamounts have made the postseason... last appearing in 2041, when they finished second to Pro Cup champ North Hills, dropping an historic 7-games series... they have never won a Pro Cup... Rob Hutchins (23-9/2.66) and Andres Padilla (15-8/3.20/1 save) were the only bright spots in the rotation... at the plate it was rookie All-Star 2B Milt Swallow (.313/36/103/78), veteran 3B Joe Cochrane (.288/15/92/84), rookie CF Albie Forbush and rookie 1B Kinnojo Matsuzaki (.319/14/76/63).

After winning the RU East last year, the Marston Nine dropped back into mediocrity in a fifth place tie with Eastshore... both pitching and hitting suffered a relapse... Marston has made the playoffs 7 times, but never came home with a Pro Cup... Felix Delatte (14-14/3.37) and Jean-Noel Waldron (16-17/3.75) were the most dependable starters... Delatte was 24-6 the year before with a sparkling 2.52 ERA... while Waldron was 17-8... the most productive batters were rookie All-Star 2B Damien D'Amboise (.314/18/92/97), All-Star 3B Gary Armitage (.255/24/75/95), veteran star SS Stan Mila (.304/14/85/72) and LF D'Wayne Dotson (.248/20/72/91).

The Eastshore Elegants had another lackluster year... they haven't been to the playoffs since 2035, but the Elegants do possess two Pro Cups, winning in 2016 and 2017... Eastshore has played in the postseason 7 times... this year the Elegants had lousy hitting, fair starters and a strong bullpen... relievers Jody Friday (7-5/2.28/13 saves) and rookie Trent Niven (10-5/1.76/14 saves) had excellent seasons... Jimmy Phelps (21-14/3.53) and Ferrell Greenlaw (16-16/3.42) were capable starters... leading the light-hitting offense were RF Troy McFarland (.259/33/105/77), LF Bevan Shuler (.269/12/63/96) and 2B Joe Washington (.270/16/80/68).

For the third straight season the Beechwood Bobcats have wound up near the bottom... this year it was seventh place... the Bobcats don't have much pitching or hitting... the last playoff appearance was two decades ago in 2017... only 3 times has the club made the postseason playoffs... and they have no Pro Cups... vet Jimmy Herman (15-20/3.19) was the only effective starter... Tommy Banks (14-10/4.10) had the only winning record in the rotation... Terry Collins (8-1/2.24/12 saves) and Freddy Manale (4-3/3.35/15 saves) were the best in the bullpen... Gold Glove 2B Mike Mathews (.262/11/50/103) was the only regular with any good numbers... he scored 103 runs and stole 33 bases.

For the third time in the last four years the Elnora All-Stars found themselves near the bottom of the barrell in the RU East race... they came in last... the All-Stars are in a 14-year postseason playoff drought... the last pennant came in 2035... their only Pro Cup came two years prior in 2033... there's not a lot to brag about in Elnora... LF Enos Conrad (.322/13/74/67) is a career .338 hitter, but rarely put up any significant stats... at 36, eight-time All-Star and Gold Glover C Cannon Johnson (.276/16/69/67) may be showing some signs of age, but he still pulls his own weight quite well... at 37, 1B Joey Hagburn (.320/10/80/66) still makes good contact... the only starter with a winning record was Rick Lowe (16-13/4.04)... only vet Jamie Pananga (9-6/2.27/12 saves) did the job in the bullpen.

2048 Ruthlandian East Division Final Standings and Team Statistics

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, September 21, 2048

LUMBERJACKS HOIST FIRST FLAG IN 38 YEARS
None of the current Forest City Lumberjacks was even born the last time the team won a pennant... 38 seasons have come and gone since that happened... for the first time since 2013 the 'Jacks finally are the champion of the Ruthlandian West... they were in a fight for the first half of the year, but Forest City pulled away in the last six weeks of the season beating the Sligo Rovers by 10 games, Rocky Rapids Snappers by 13 and Colfax Blasters by 15 games... last year's division winner Middlefield dropped to fifth this year, 19 games off the pace.

To win the pennant, Forest City had to set a new IPA team ERA standard... the Lumberjacks compiled a fantastic 2.41 ERA, breaking the Beechwood Bobcats' mark of 2.57 in 2026... Rusty Howard (21-12/1.65) was the club and the IPA leader with a brilliant 1.65 ERA, fifth best of all-time... others in the starting rotation included Richie Meyers (10-7/2.16/13 saves), Omar Cordero (21-8/2.31), John McKee (18-15/2.63) and Walter Gibbons (15-11/2.83/2 saves)... but the experts are saying the Lumberjacks will have trouble going far in the Pro Cup playoffs because of their very poor scoring... they just don't hit well... you are in trouble when your best bats are RF Otto Glintmeyer (.293/11/65/53), C Bob Brisdon (.292/13/63/57) and SS Timmy Tarbell (.286/13/56/75)... Forest City will take on the Sugar Valley Rattlers in first round postseason play... the Rattlers have strong pitching and can score runs and go deep... they pose a big threat to the Lumberjacks, who have to depend on great pitching and defense to get by..

It's been awhile since the Sligo Rovers had a good year... they took their last pennant in 2040, ranking no higher than fourth in the RU West standings until this season... the Rovers have been in the playoffs on 9 occasions with one Pro Cup trophy, won in 2021... good starters were the team's strong point... Mickey Walsh (21-13/2.24) and Randall Steele (20-14/2.78) were the prime starters with some help from Art Hacker (17-13/3.79) and Freddy Avery (14-15/3.55)... Sligo was in the same boat as Forest City... neither of them have any standout hitters... the Rovers' best were RF Sidney Elmore (.250/27/80/81), 1B Denny Simmons (.297/7/57/68) and SS Rex Mathis (.283/3/47/83)... Sligo was better offensively than Forest City.

For the 10th consecutive season the Rocky Rapids Snappers finished in the first division of the RU West... they won pennants recently in 2044 and 2046... the Snappers have one Pro Cup in the club's history... that came back in 2019... they have made the postseason just 6 times... this season Rocky Rapids had pretty decent pitching and average hitting, winding up in third place... they faded badly in the final six weeks of the season... All-Star Buster Noland (21-16/2.46) was the club leader on the mound... Jamie Taylor (17-16/2.78), a recent Golden Arm and league MVP, is still a top-notch pitcher, but needs better run support... Dirk Halstad (17-14/3.51) and Kevin Dillard (14-13/4.14) were the other two starters... the bullpen is not much... leading the Snappers at the plate were star 2B Marty Featherstone (.302/35/100/93), All-Star 1B Masaharu Kawasaki (.276/28/104/80), All-Star C Carney Kirkpatrick (.300/22/89/67) and 3B Duncan Musselwhite (.279/5/48/96).

Colfax came in fourth this year... its best season since winning the RU West flag in 2042... the Blasters have appeared in the Pro Cup playoffs 13 times with one IPA crown in 2010, the year they racked up an all-time IPA record of 107 victories... Colfax had average bats with average power this year with fair pitching... the main sticks were LF Robb Maddox (.309/14/63/86) and C Darrell Dillon (.280/32/106/83)... Dante Breeland (14-16/3.13) was the most reliable moundsman... but Rollie Abbott (16-9/3.78/10 saves) and Jorgen Krogstad (15-12/3.71/2 saves) had more wins.

Middlefield went from division champ to fifth place this season, mainly due to a decline in pitching and the Roosters also didn't hit and score as well as in the past, but they still hit a lot of home runs due to the band box they play in with its short fences...Middlefield hit 226 homers to lead the RU and were second to Red Bluff's 242 for the IPA lead... top guns were LF Norman Antonioni (.230/37/72/56), All-Star RF Sidney Conner (.263/35/86/67), CF Russell Martin (.274/30/84/94), 1B Cliff Patterson (.287/29/80/65), 2B Ike Gary (.241/26/78/91) and SS Jimmy Beach (.258/20/50/55)... Carroll Collier (21-11/2.18) excelled this year, but veteran stars James Long (16-17/3.50) and Larry Wheelhouse (15-17/3.52) endured off-seasons... Ricky Farris (6-7/2.39/16 saves) handled bullpen chores well... in its history Middlefield has made 12 appearances in the playoffs with one IPA title... that came long ago in 2005... the Roosters were Pro Cup runner-up last year, losing a seven-game set to IPA champ Southport.

Volusia fell from second place to sixth this season... they only have average pitching and hitting... the Vigilantes' last division crown came in 2043 and the only Pro Cup title came in the IPA inaugural season in 2001... 9 times the V's have made the postseason... Mateus Branco (14-12/3.89) was the only starter with a winning mark... Will Thompson (18-19/3.54) posted the most wins... however Drew Selby (12-18/3.22) was the most effective... 1B Kris Wilson (.298/21/75/66) had the club's best BA... CF Lonny Womack (.271/29/84/83) led with 29 homers, 84 RBIs and 83 runs... C George Ruffino (.273/26/61/72) was second in roundtrippers with 26.

For the second year in a row the Stoner Stars were 64-90 and wound up in seventh place... the Stars have never won a Pro Cup and have made the playoffs just 3 times... the last pennant came in 2030... Fred Gunn (14-13/2.80/4 saves) and Billy Horton (14-13/3.28/4 saves) were the staff leaders... Stoner only has mediocre batters... the best of the lot were LF Emmett Tread (.267/14/79/72) and 1B Morgan Miller (.288/11/76/69).

And for the fourth season in succession the Fort Benton Defenders finished in the RU West basement... only one time - 2037 - have they been to the postseason...still seeking its first Pro Cup... Dick Shepard (14-21/3.55) was the best starter, while Darius Kimberly (9-9/2.78/15 saves) was the best in the bullpen... the only solid bat in the lineup was 1B Todd Higginbotham (.277/19/82/61).

2048 Ruthlandian West Division Final Standings and Team Statistics

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, September 21, 2048

RASCALS REPLACE HELLCATS IN TU NORTH
22 years have past since the White River Rascals graced the IPA Pro Cup playoffs... this year they are going... the Rascals rather easily dethroned the Hartsdale Hellcats, the division champ of the last two seasons... White River defeated them by the glossy margin of 11 games... third place went to the preseason favorite Luxora Zorros, who were 12 games back... Mahaska and Fairfax tied for fourth, trailing by 15 games.

White River last won the TU North in 2027... this will only be the Rascals' fifth postseason appearance... they have never won a Pro Cup, but hope to make a little noise this year... good starting pitching and good firepower can take you a long ways in the playoffs... White River has three fine starters heading up its rotation: All-Star Butch Slattery (20-10/2.87), All-Star Nicky Palmer (18-15/2.89) and Clem Warren (18-14/2.98)... however the bullpen is not very good... the Rascals don't hit a lot for average (.251 BA), but they have some punch... 5 regulars hit 20 or more homers, led by All-Star LF Billy Joe Hickman (.282/42/126/86) and rookie All-Star 1B Ruben Reaves (.311/35/98/118)... Hickman was tied for third in the IPA with 126 RBIs and ranked tenth with 42 HRs... Reeves was third in scoring runs with 118 for the season and hit for power with 35 homers... 2B Ryan Byrd (.227/25/72/75), rookie RF Ryne Hyland (.238/23/55/92) and C Billy Vaughan (.232/20/61/48) also chipped in with the longball on occasion, but didn't hit much for average... the Rascals will find out right away if they are Pro Cup material... they drew defending IPA champion Southport in the first round... the Sun Sox ranked second in the IPA this season with 101 wins, beaten only by Valmara of the RU North with 102... White River registered 94 wins this season.

The runner-up Hartsdale Hellcats have had a productive run the last seven seasons with three pennants and a Pro Cup trophy... they were the division winner the last two years and won the IPA crown in 2046... starting pitching let them down this year... Gil Younger (21-13/3.79) and Perry Givens (19-14/3.53) were the club's biggest winners... and All-Star reliever Alfonso Cervera (7-7/1.73/20 saves) did an impressive job in the bullpen... he was second to Belair Beach's Tom Cook, who led the IPA with 22 saves... overall the staff had declined the last two years... but the bats are still very capable of scoring runs with LF Darrell Nesbitt (.308/14/67/106, 3B Marv Shaw (.309/29/91/73), C Kenton Carmichael (.280/25/91/90), RF Emilian Burgess (.284/12/65/84), 2B Greg Melton (.268/18/72/78) and 1B John Ford (.266/21/77/64).

Luxora was the preseason choice in the TU North this year, but they got off to a slow start and never really challenged White River... the Zorros are a well-balanced ball club led on the mound by a good starting foursome in Les Liebert (18-11/3.01), Wendell Hasbro (13-8/3.15/11 saves), Joao Damaso (14-12/3.15) and Lorenzo Alonso (13-11/3.60)... at the plate the club leaders are budding talent and All-Star CF Xavier Da Nova (.300/26/95/107), 3B Tiago Chaves (.272/27/94/89), rock-solid RF Emil Pasek (.300/22/65/89), SS Eddie Burnett (.308/12/71/79) and 37-year-old player-manager 2B Joel Poche (.273/14/79/77)... rookie 1B Tuff McLendon showed well for the future... McLendon joined the team in July and tore up the IPA with a .379 BA, 10 HRs and 39 RBIs in 63 games... the future is looking bright for the Z's... good times could be coming.

The Mahaska Haymakers finally had a decent year... for the last five seasons they finished last... this year they turned it around a little bit with a winning record and a fourth-place tie with Blue Lake... the Haymakers have never won a Pro Cup and only participated in 4 postseasons... they are still far away from being a contender... Mahaska is only average in scoring and mediocre on the mound... rookie All-Star 3B Goose Fulton (.287/24/84/92) had a very solid first season... veteran SS Rocco Bertara (.329/13/48/72) topped the team in BA and did a fine job on defense... vet C James Boswell (.253/39/97/66) still tops the team in homers and RBIs and is a standout defensively... 1B Roger Lewis (.282/28/75/750) also helped out at the plate... rookie left-hander Boyd Hackman (17-6/3.38/1 save) had a strong first year... John Polk (12-9/3.69/12 saves) was a dependable starter and reliever this year.

The Blue Lake Blue Sox posted another so-so season... they haven't been to the playoffs since their only Pro Cup title in 2030... overall the Blue Sox have made the playoffs only three times in club history... not a lot to be proud of... their seven-year stretch in the first divison just barely continued this season with a fourth-place tie... Blue Lake has better-than-average hitting and power... but they are only average on the hill... the top run producers are vet 1B Mel Morrison (.290/26/97/64)... All-Star C Juan Luis Barcelona (.292/17/69/95)... vet CF Raddy Pajak (.303/11/50/78) and LF Johnny Harding (.282/22/69/80)... rookie RF Burl Baugh (.241/26/79/61) showed good power with 26 HRs in 115 games, but only hit .241 for average... the mound staff was only fair with starters Greg Mortimer (18-15/3.86), Antoine Greenleaf (17-15/3.89), rookie Dookie Denham (12-9/3.88) and vet reliever Razzy Richmond (9-8/3.06/16 saves).

The Fairfax Frogs finished even at 77-77, but wound up sixth in the standings... only 8 times have the Frogs been in the postseason playoffs with no Pro Cups to show for it... the last TU North pennant was over 15 years ago in 2033... the Frogs have solid hitters with a .275 team BA... they don't hit with power, but can manufacture runs well... the pitching is not so good... veterans stars All-Star John Velasco (.294/20/78/100) and All-Star C Scott Courtney (.333/28/99/83) are the top bats... Velasco is still quite a player at 42... they got help this year from All-Star RF Brad Johnston (.298/9/91/70), CF Trent Russell (.242/14/50/106), SS Daniel Pierce (.323/4/48/80), LF Terrence Yeoman (.289/10/74/63) and 3B K. J. Garvie (.288/14/82/59)... top mound performers were vets Harold Dorman (16-14/3.75) and Ken Perry (18-17/4.65).

Oxford came in tied for seventh and last place with North Hills this year in the standings... the Red Caps haven't won a pennant in over four decades... they last won it in 2007 and also won their only Pro Cup that same season... since then, mostly bad seasons have transpired for the faithful... Rudy Mellancamp (17-17/2.71) is a standout starter and deserves better... Lou Ellison (17-20/3.17) is a solid starter, too... Ralph Mosby (17-15/3.81) is dependable in the number three slot in the rotation... 3B Rickey Clayton (.328/21/69/81) and rookie C Terry Foster (.312/6/48/41) are the best contact hitters... Foster joined the team in June... CF Kevin Carter (.247/29/95/63) tops the team with 29 homers and 95 RBIs... vet SS Dan Zalewski (.277/12/57/87) is still a reliable hitter and very good defender.

The once-mighty North Hills Hawks have hit rock bottom... after years of great success, hard times have befallen them... the Hawks wound up last in the TU North this season... North Hills has made the playoffs 13 times and won 4 Pro Cups, most of them since 2034... mediocre bats and mediocre pitching are the culprits... the team is getting old... 36-year-old Tony Mack (16-16/3.70) is the only decent starter... and rookie reliever Carver Dillon (9-4/3.19/14 saves) did well in the bullpen... not a lot on the staff otherwise... the only decent bat in the lineup is All-Star LF Ryan Webbe (.289/33/99/86)... time has taken its toll on superstar RF Adam Thurgood (.265/10/39/26), CF Kris Anastas (.254/6/35/24) and 3B Ric Hamilton (.279/18/64/77)... they all decided to retire at the end of the season to make way for younger players... future HOF-er Thurgood enjoyed a great 16-year career in North Hills... he wound up with a .311 batting average, 506 home runs, 1613 RBis and 1338 runs... Thurgood totaled 2860 hits, was a 9-time All-Star and was the Tycobbian Rookie of the Year in 2033... he also honored with the 2038 Golden Bat trophy... Thurgood excelled in the postseason, too, with a .294 BA, 30 HRs, 79 RBIs and 82 runs in 123 postseason games... he was one of the prime reasons they won 4 Pro Cups and 11 pennants during his career... Thurgood retired at 37... rumors are abound he may come back as manager of the Hawks.

2048 Tycobbian North Division Final Standings and Team Statistics

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, September 21, 2048

HIGH MESA RIDIN' HIGH IN THE SADDLE
After almost five decades of drought, success finally came to High Mesa... the Cowboys are really riding high in the saddle after running away with the Tycobbian East pennant, whipping defending division champ and preseason pick Red Bluff and Midway by a whopping 18 games... Tucknarra came in fourth, 19 games out of first place... High Mesa made the Pro Cup playoffs in its first two seasons in the IPA... they even won the Pro Cup in 2002, but then went into an abysmal postseason slump... but the Cowpokes are back in a big way this year and are gunning for their second Pro Cup trophy.

High Mesa is a well-rounded ball club and will be a force in the playoffs... the Cowboys play in a small venue, notorious for being a home-run haven, so it's remarkable the success the pitching staff has had this year... the most effective starters were Lloyd Armstrong (22-1/2.99) and Lucius Quarles (17-11/2.55)... the number three and four starters also gave them some quality starts, too... Tee Bo Templet was 20-11 with a 4.02 ERA and Steve Tolan was 18-10 with a 4.09 ERA... the bullpen was good as well with William Morris (10-4/2.88/16 saves) and rookie Dickie Sternfeld (8-6/2.62/5 saves)... the Cowboys don't hit for a high average, but they do produce plenty of runs, led by 1B Johnny Tallis (.260/43/108/77), SS Clifford Coleman (.268/26/93/82), RF Wayne Kirkpatrick (.278/20/77/67) and 2B Randy Sweetland (.318/5/70/107).

All good things must come to an end sooner or later... Red Bluff had a great four-run pennant run, but it came to an end this season... the Red Sox pitching fizzled and they dropped to a very distant second in the standings... the club has been to the playoffs 8 times in its history with one Pro Cup to show for it... won years ago in 2004... the starters were decent this year, but only ace Jud Cox (20-14/2.51) really stood out... the others in the rotation Mickey Rosen (18-10/3.73), Sonny Wheat (16-15/3.67) and George Reynolds (14-14/3.75) slipped this year... the bats still performed quite well and again led the IPA with 242 roundtrippers... the top sluggers were superstar RF David Kelso (.302/41/104/79), 1B Josh Stevens (.266/43/87/78), star 3B Fran Blanchard (.290/34/80/101) and SS Leemon O'Donovan (.285/31/80/92)... CF Ike Sweetwater (.268/26/60/73) and LF Jesse Shaw (.279/23/74/57) also hit more than 20 homers each.

For the first time in almost a decade the Midway Wolves chalked up a winning season... they finished 8 games over .500 and tied for second place in the standings... only 3 times have the Wolves made the postseason... never have they won a Pro Cup... Midway had a pretty good offense this season... top bats were All-Star LF Justin Morrison (.345/24/94/89), who had the fifth best average in the IPA... CF Hector Pena (.285/21/70/106), 2B Kax Clark (.280/5/68/80) , RF Alfie Kincade (.294/23/86/78), C Martin Rogers (.287/21/73/60) and 1B Jerry Kennison (.252/20/89/63) also put up some good stats... Midway only had a modest mound success with Craig Armstrong (23-11/3.60) the biggest winner... and Rocket Rhodes (7-3/1.56/17 saves) was the best reliever.

The Tuckanarra Blue Jays ran second to Red Bluff for the last two seasons, but slipped to fourth this year... the pitching corps let them down... the Bluebirds have been to the postseason 17 times in the club history and have reaped 3 Pro Cups... the last pennant came 11 years ago in 2038 and the last Pro Cup in 2035... the Tucks are just an average team in most respects with little punch in the lineup... Dickie Pittman (21-13/3.43) and Ozzie Leslie (17-16/2.70) were the only quality starters... no one stood out in the bullpen... only All-Star 1B Rodger Parsons (.351/20/77/85) consistently delivered at the plate.

The South Fork Stallions have been a break-even ball club for the last few years... coming in fourth in 2046 and 2047... and fifth this year... they do hit well with decent power, but are only an average club otherwise... the last pennant came in 2043 and Pro Cup #2 came in 2042... on 6 occasions the Stallions have made the Pro Cup playoffs... the top starters were veteran star Jay Murphy (20-12/3.46) and rookie Kip Cleaver (14-9/3.11/2 saves)... All-Star reliever Big Murph McAlister (8-7/2.49/3 saves) was the bullpen's best, but he slumped in the second half of the season... two players carried the offensive load... CF Jack Boswell (.284/36/103/120) and All-Star SS Pete Arnold (.330/22/65/128)... Arnold topped the IPA with 128 runs.

The Hillsboro Blazers finished sixth in the standings, but had a 77-77 record... they had a strong pitching staff, good home-run power, but didn't hit for average at all... and for the 48th straight season the Blazers didn't make the playoffs... the starting five did very well as a group... led by Steve Cooper (23-15/3.03) with the most victories... Robby Lee Stillwell (13-10/3.49) was steady and reliable... the hard-luck hurlers were Jamie Lee Bradley (10-23/2.81) and spot starter Bailey Bilbow (8-7/2.85/1 save)... they both deserved better run support... three regulars went deep fairly often, but hit very little... LF Julien Bellini (.250/41/96/92) led the club with 41 HRs and 96 RBIs... CF Rick Willis (.256/30/79/108) topped them with 108 runs... and 1B Ernie Moxley (.220/31/92/68) didn't hit the ball often, but he homered and drove in runs.

The Ozarka Naturals wound up near the bottom of the division for the third consecutive season, finishing in seventh place... 15 times in the Nats' history they have been to the postseason... the last pennant came in 2040... though Ozarka has been a Pro Cup finalist five times, they have never worn the IPA crown... the Naturals were beaten in the Finals in 2011, 2012, 2016, 2019 and 2020... from 2010 to 2021 they racked up 10 Tycobbian East pennants and were considered among the IPA's elite teams along with Far Mountain, Eastshore and Turon... Ozarka had two solid starters this season in Jerald Kidman (18-12/3.06) and rookie Carl Hemus (16-19/3.04)... veteran 3B Artie Clayton (.221/37/93/71) topped the team with 37 homers and 93 RBIs, but batted only .221... C Paul Beasley led the club with a .323 BA, adding 20 HRs, 80 RBIs and 74 runs... veteran 2B Jimmy Woods added a .305 mark with 16 homers and 61 RBIs.

For the sixth time in eight years it's the cellar for the poor East Point Panthers... they are just a bad baseball team... only five times have the Panthers made the playoffs... the last year was in 2039... East Point has never come close to a Pro Cup trophy... Ralph Wallace (13-17/3.76) is the only decent starter... there's nothing good in the bullpen... and at the plate it's sparse pickings, too... the only decent sticks are C Kenny Bailey (.287/26/88/71), 1B Jack Gorham (.304/26/75/55) and 3B Thomas Crawford (.261/10/47/83).

2048 Tycobbian East Division Final Standings and Team Statistics

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, September 21, 2048

SUPER SUN SOX DOMINATE TU SOUTH
The powerful Southport Sun Sox are the defending Pro Cup champion and they are even better this year... the Sun Sox are a complete team with fine pitching, good defense and terrific hitting... that's why Southport rolled up 101 victories, the second best total in the IPA, and why the Sun Sox won by a demoralizing margin over three solid clubs... they whipped second place Turon by 12 games, third place San Alejo by 14 and fourth place Ginza by 19 games... nobody was close... the Sun Sox were challenged only until mid-season... they really poured it on after the All-Star Game and all of the contenders faded out far behind and into the sunset... Southport should be a serious contender to pick up a third Pro Cup trophy in the last five seasons... only the Valmara Vipers won more games this season... they registered 102 wins to lead the IPA.

The Sun Sox have won six of the last seven Tycobbian South titles... this will be their 9th postseason appearance... and they have corraled two Pro Cups in the last four seasons... Southport does everything well... its top starters are stars Billy Hoover (16-7/2.72), who missed a dozen starts with a bad hamstring... and Johnny Swanson (22-11/2.41)... the other two starters Gordon Forbes (26-10/3.64) and All-Star Brandon Delmore (21-10/3.49) had successful seasons, too... Forbes ranked second in the IPA with 26 wins... only Valmara's Teddy Twardzik won more with 28 victories... the bullpen was well-stocked, too, with rookie Troy Hill (7-3/2.18/18 saves) and veteran Hal Combs (4-7/3.23/8 saves)... Hill was fifth in the IPA in saves with 18... Tom Cook of Belair Beach led with 22... the Sun Sox also have a solid core of hitters, paced by rookie All-Star RF Tony Patrano (.280/32/92/85), veteran All-Star 1B Eddy Douglas (.340/26/93/88), C Vasilis Vlachos (.285/19/94/81), 2B Ricky Whitaker (.319/10/87/72) and 3B Craig Glennon (.267/21/82/71).

The Turon Typhoons chalked up a pretty fair season... it was their best one in the last 10 years... the Typhoons have been quite successful over the years, appearing in the playoffs 15 times and taking home the Pro Cup title a record 4 times... on two other occasions they lost in the Finals... the last Pro Cup was won in 2018... the last playoff appearance was in 2039... the Typhoons are a powerhouse at the plate... second in the Tycobbian Union in scoring with 789 runs and second in homers with 224... only Southport scored more runs with 828 and only Red Bluff outhomered them with 242... sparking the Turon attack were star RF Guido Gervasio (.315/26/95/94), star All-Star 2B C. C. Kingsford (.302/33/98/81), 1B Buford Cloninger (.282/34/83/82), SS Rafer Robertson (.275/27/90/80) and 3B Al Salisbury (.287/23/73/96)... Turon only had average pitching... Tom Fuller (23-14/3.20) and Nate Scottsdale (17-16/3.17) were the most effective starters.

For the 15th year in a row the San Alejo Montaneros made the Tycobbian South first division, but were a very distant third... the Monties have not made the Pro Cup playoffs since winning the flag in 2036, but they have contended on a regular basis... 6 times San Alejo has been in the postseason in the team's history... in 2032 they captured their only Pro Cup trophy... the Montaneros have solid pitching and average bats... leading the staff were All-Star Will McKinney (22-12/2.31) and Matt Bell (19-14/2.57)... McKinney has chalked up 20 wins in six of his seven seasons in the IPA... Bell has racked up two Golden Arm trophies and won 20 games in seven of his 10 years... star All-Star CF Paulo Teixeira (.311/37/99/115), rookie RF Erik Landau (.300/3/43/102) and LF Royce Grantham (.275/37/113/90) were the main bats... veteran 3B Sal McAlister (.272/10/82/81) and rookie SS Benito Clemente (.273/6/59/91) also chipped in some offense.

The Ginza Ninjas had another successful season, winding up 10 games over the .500 mark, which was only good for fourth place in the tough TU South Division... the Ninjas have made the playoffs only 7 times in the club's history with no Pro Cups yet... the last pennant came in 2031... Ginza is just a little above average... Charley Waskins (22-14/3.38) and Tokuji Takahara (20-12/3.98) are the most productive starters with veteran Timmy Hickens (10-5/2.60/17 saves) the best reliever... the most productive bats belong to SS Kuzuki Tamura (.304/17/71/99), superstar CF Sogo Takagi (.278/26/83/94), 3B Jiro Yamamura (.310/9/35/64) and C Whip Harrell (.248/29/70/51)... Yamamura missed almost half of the season with an injury.

The fifth place Cape Coral Hurricanes fell off at the plate and on the hill and fell below the .500 mark for the first time in years... the Hurricanes have never won a Pro Cup in 8 playoff appearances... 2041 was the last time they took the TU South pennant... back problems kept superstar OF Rikky Van Dalen (.340/13/36/45) out of the lineup most of the season... he played in only 60 games... star LF William Snyder (.305/25/65/50) also was out for one-third of the year, missing over 50 games... 36-year-old star slugger 1B Stan Ferguson (.344/27/90/54) did very well in a platooned role at first... CF Teddy Plimpton (.298/21/74/81) had a good sophomore season... and RF Eduardo Plassio (.311/6/42/63) had a good rookie year... SS Scotty Jackson (.264/25/74/71) made the All-Star team, but tailed off at bat in the second half of the season... the only reliable starter was Rik De Meester (12-6/3.28/2 saves)... as you can guess, pitching is the 'Canes biggest problem.

For several years in the early to mid '40s Summerland had super pitching and won a couple of division titles in 2040 and 2046... that is all gone now... for the last two seasons the Sunsets have sunk to sixth place... they have never won a Pro Cup and appeared only 4 times in the postseason playoffs... Summerland suffers from mediocre hitting and just average pitching... none of the aging starting four had winning records, but 31-year-old Jayson Hallstrom (15-19/3.50), 35-year-old Billy King (16-19/3.82), 34-year-old Pete Ashley (16-18/3.51) and 38-year-old Dutch De Boer (14-17/3.94) had quality starts... none of the relievers were particularly effective... the bats were not very good... the most productive regulars were 3B Jip Maas (.284/19/80/74), 2B Alex Abbotson (.277/19/75/82) and All-Star RF Rick Mayes (.275/23/64/93)... after a good first half, Mayes slumped in the second half of the year.

Arroyo Grande's terrible 16-year losing streak continued... the Suns ended up in seventh place, 25 games under .500... only 4 times in its existence have they made the postseason... Arroyo Grande still hasn't won a Pro Cup in its 47-year IPA history... Anthony Lombardi (19-16/3.80) posted the most wins... but Enriique Lopez (14-20/3.57) was the most effective starter... SS Russell Taylor (.290/22/75/98), 1B Vince Kinston (.288/27/73/47) and LF Alfred Novikoff (.246/22/79/72) were only average hitters at best.

For the last 12 seasons Colchester has been a second-division club... this year the Elites dropped all the way to the TU South cellar... just 4 times have they made the Pro Cup playoffs and they have no IPA crowns... the last time Colchester won a pennant was in 2036... the club had horrible hitting and lousy pitching this year... 25-year-old 1B Claude Garson (.295/44/95/77) was the only legitimate threat in the lineup... rookie Denzel Durand (15-13/3.46) was the only starter with a winning mark... another rookie Haden Fraser (5-5/2.28/13 saves) was the only standout in the bullpen.

2048 Tycobbian South Division Final Standings and Team Statistics

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, September 21, 2048

RH REDS IN A ROUT IN TU WEST
Rolling Hills won the Tycobbian West Division in a rout this year, easily knocking off defending champ Kenwood by 14 games... the Reds ran up an 11-game edge at mid-year and won going away... third place went to Denton City, who trailed by 16 games... while fourth place belonged to the Chicopee Braves, 21 games out in the pennant race... the Kenwood Wildcats had won the division crown six times in seven seasons... Rolling Hills finally ousted them after being edged out twice in recent years.

16 years have come and gone since the Rolling Hills Reds won the Tycobbian West... 2032 was the last pennant... the Reds have made the postseason 11 times and have rolled up 2 Pro Cup titles (2029 and 2031)... it was great pitching, strong defense and average offense that did it for them this year... the Reds' staff topped the TU this season paced by All-Star Matthew Christianson (22-11/2.19) and Johnny Howard (18-12/2.60)... the other two starters did pretty fair, too... Steve Adams (17-11/3.59) and Marty Phillips (14-14/3.76) were dependable in the three and four spots in the rotation... and Benny Young (9-5/2.37/15 saves) did a fine job as closer... putting the pop in the lineup were star 1B Darwin Tard (.294/30/94/100), All-Star LF Orin Phillips (.300/24/95/87), All-Star SS Dustin Thibodeau (.322/18/65/101) and rookie 2B Miguel Romeros (.288/19/65/61).

With six titles in the last eight seasons Kenwood has dominated the division... 9 times in the team history they have made the playoffs and have one Pro Cup trophy, won in 2014... pitching has always been the Wildcats strong point, never hitting... vets Rusty Bradford (20-16/3.00) and Tommy Carter (18-14/2.99) were the prime pitchers this year with some help from Milt Cochrane (16-16/3.85)... vet Freddy Gooch (7-5/3.08/17 saves) was the main man in the bullpen... as usual superstud All-Star C Corky DiNozzo (.335/52/126/104) carried the club... DiNozzo was second in the IPA with 52 homers and third in RBIs with 126... the leaders were Lenny Buisson of Belle Plaine with 54 HRs and Ryan Nelms of Taranto with 132 RBIs... star 2B Country Crowder (.346/3/51/74) came in fourth in the IPA in batting average... Valmara's Tomek Abramczyk led with a .361 mark.

The Denton City Redbirds just had a fair season, a little above the .500 mark... it's been eight years since they last won the pennant... in 9 tries the Redbirds have never won the Pro Cup, though they made the Pro Cup Finals twice (2005 and 2008)... Denton City hits well, but is just OK on the hill... leading the offense was superstar 1B Wayman Stetson (.295/40/95/96), twice winner of the TU Golden Bat Award and 7-times All-Star... long-time veterans RF Pete Doyle (.319/19/66/77) and LF Frankie Montgomery (.322/23/97/65) also had productive seasons... All-Star James Webb (22-11/3.94) posted the most wins, while Harry Elliott (19-16/3.09) was the most effective starter.

The Chicopee Braves came in fourth for the second year in a row... just an average ball club... no pennants since 2036... the Braves have won only 3 in all and have never come close to winning the Pro Cup... veterans Paul Foster (14-8/2.39/6 saves), Tony Dazzi (17-20/3.39) and Tom Chambers (14-10/3.84) were the most dependable pitchers... the top bats were 1B Sam Patrick (.308/43/104/76), 3B Ken Smith (.3341/8/77/78), CF Marty Hogart (.282/17/72/85) and LF Bud McClain (282/17/58/82)... Patrick tied for seventh place in homers in the IPA with 43.

The Arlon Champions had another lackluster year in fifth place... they have appeared in the postseason 5 times and have never won the Pro Cup, but the Champs were finalists in 2039, losing to Waleska in six games... 32-year-old veteran lefty Lanny Gray (17-17/3.04) is still the ace with a 100 mph fastball... Gray finished fourth in the IPA with 294 Ks in 325 innings... another fireballer Pat Stuyvesant (16-13/4.18) is number two on the staff... he chalked up 246 strikeouts in 284 innings at age 35... hard-throwing youngster Mack Blair (10-6/2.06/16 saves) gives the club a strong closer... the most productive batters are 3B John Foley (.337/4/52/91), CF Cary Rockwell (.306/24/89/72), 2B Ivan Cisneros (.286/18/73/95) and 1B Robby Westin (.274/21/72/67).

The rest of the clubs in the Tycobbian West are just plain bad... La Claire came in sixth... the Lynx have never won the Pro Cup in four playoffs appearances... Bruce Kinson (14-16/3.10) was the only good starter... in the bullpen All-Star closer Terry Baird (12-6/2.40/16 saves) had a standout season... 1B Doug Stewart (.313/19/85/71) and LF Hank Morton (.316/9/62/61) hit well for average with fair production.

Seventh place Bayview had its worst season in its history with only 59 victories... the Vikings have been to the playoffs only 6 times and has no Pro Cup trophies... the last pennant came in 2016... the pitching was atrocious this year and the offense not a whole better... veteran Bobby Knudsen (14-20/3.55) had the most wins and was the only dependable starter... at 34 legendary slugger and All-Star 3B Jerry Culpepper (.323/46/116/99) is still very productive... Culpepper now has 799 homers and needs only 50 more to top Jack Elliott's all-time IPA record of 849... Culpepper was fourth in the IPA this year with 46 HRs and 10th with 116 RBIs... for the third straight season 1B Andreas Stokke (.260/36/102/77) has driven in 100 runs... LF Jose Rosario (.256/23/72/80) and CF Rusty Hunter (.301/1/35/90) also helped out at the plate.

For 13 successive seasons Bay St. Clair had been entrenched in the second division... the Buccaneers were last this year... the last pennant came in 2030... the Bucs have never won a Pro Cup... they lost to Taranto in the 2015 Finals in five games... Dion Hawkins (14-14/3.20) was the only reliable pitcher on the staff... the bats were even worse... 3B Reece Somerset (.259/25/79/68) and SS Edison Randall (.252/18/66/570 were the best in the batting order.

2048 Tycobbian West Division Final Standings and Team Statistics

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Tuesday, September 22, 2048

SUN SOX SLIGHTLY FAVORED TO REPEAT IN PRO CUP PLAYOFFS
The 2048 IPA Pro Cup playoffs begin tomorrow afternoon all around the Islands and it should be one humdinger of a battle this year with six strong contenders. Last year's champion Southport (101-53) is back to defend its title and is this year's favorite. However, five other clubs are ranked almost as high as the Sun Sox. The Valmara Vipers (102-52) were the number two choice in the Pro Cup predictions. Third in the poll were the Sugar Valley Rattlers (95-59), followed closely by High Mesa (99-55) in the fourth slot and Rolling Hills (95-59) number five. Sixth in the balloting were the White River Rascals (94-60). There wasn't a lot of voting support for number seven Forest City (92-62) and number eight Claxton (92-62).

In the Ruthlandian slate Valmara has the homefield advantage over the Claxton Diamonds. The Vipers host them at War Memorial Park on Wednesday afternoon. The Sugar Valley Rattlers will open at home at Farmers Memorial Park against the Forest City Lumberjacks. In the best-of-seven series, the club with the best record get the first two games at home, then goes on the road for the next three games, and returns home for the final two games, if they are needed.

In Tycobbian action current Pro Cup trophy holder Southport entertains White River at Pleasure Beach Park in the first two games of the series. The Rolling Hills Reds will travel to High Mesa and Queen's Ranch Stadium for games one and two in the other first round series.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES PRO CUP PREDICTIONS:

1. The Southport Sun Sox have won six of the last seven Tycobbian South titles... this will be their 9th postseason appearance... and they have corraled two Pro Cups in the last four seasons... Southport does everything well... its top starters are stars Billy Hoover (16-7/2.72), who missed a dozen starts with a bad hamstring... and Johnny Swanson (22-11/2.41)... the other two starters Gordon Forbes (26-10/3.64) and All-Star Brandon Delmore (21-10/3.49) had successful seasons, too... Forbes ranked second in the IPA with 26 wins... only Valmara's Teddy Twardzik won more with 28 victories... the bullpen was well-stocked, too, with rookie Troy Hill (7-3/2.18/18 saves) and veteran Hal Combs (4-7/3.23/8 saves)... Hill was fifth in the IPA in saves with 18... Tom Cook of Belair Beach led with 22... the Sun Sox also have a solid core of hitters, paced by rookie All-Star RF Tony Patrano (.280/32/92/85), veteran All-Star 1B Eddy Douglas (.340/26/93/88), C Vasilis Vlachos (.285/19/94/81), 2B Ricky Whitaker (.319/10/87/72) and 3B Craig Glennon (.267/21/82/71).

2. The Valmara Vipers won their fourth pennant in the last six seasons and rang up 102 victories, the best in the IPA... Valmara won the 2043 Pro Cup and will be seeking their third one this postseason... this is the Vipers' 16th playoff appearance... with four All-Stars on the club they made shambles of the race... top pitchers were All-Star Teddy Twardzik (28-7/2.53), All-Star Primo Sirak (21-11/2.55) and Mark Polaski (25-11/2.92)... Twardzik led the IPA with 28 wins... top batters were All-Star LF Tomek Abramczyk (.361/27/118/92), rookie 3B Justin Roscoe (.305/18/90/78), CF Don Ritchie (.277/14/80/107), 2B Jorge Aparicio (.313/11/63/103), All-Star C Ron MacGuinness (.295/17/86/64) and SS Ken Jensen (.314/9/68/104)... Abramczyk topped the IPA with a .361 BA... the Vipers will be a force to be reckon with in the playoffs... they are much better than the '43 Pro Cup champ with the addition of Polaski, Abramczyk, Rascoe and MacGuinness.

3. For the last 14 seasons Sugar Valley has won 5 pennants, finished second 6 times and third 3 times, always near the top and in contention... in its history 14 times the club has made the Pro Cup playoffs... but only once, in 2045, have the Rattlers claimed the IPA trophy... they are hoping to add another Pro Cup to their trophy case this season... Sugar Valley has excellent pitching with Antonio Cedeno (22-15/2.31), Joe Snow (19-4/2.29) and Cullen Winslow (18-7/2.47)... solid in the pen, too, with Domenico Renterias (13-9/2.35/10 saves)... though the Rattlers don't hit for high average, they do go deep well and can put runs on the boards, sparked by All-Star CF Carl Ramsey (.252/38/108/98), RF Bobby Gamble (.289/17/71/65), LF Walter Hanson (.311/18/77/62), RF Jeff Harvey (.258/25/73/60) and 3B Roger Hobbs (.249/21/75/81)... 9 players had 10 or more homers... rookie 1B Smokey Nix (.277/16/57/39) showed good power in a limited number of at-bats and 112 games.

4. High Mesa is a well-rounded ball club and will be a force in the playoffs... the Cowboys play in a small venue, notorious for being a home-run haven, so it's remarkable the success the pitching staff has had this year... the most effective starters were Lloyd Armstrong (22-1/2.99) and Lucius Quarles (17-11/2.55)... the number three and four starters also gave them some quality starts, too... Tee Bo Templet was 20-11 with a 4.02 ERA and Steve Tolan was 18-10 with a 4.09 ERA... the bullpen was good as well with William Morris (10-4/2.88/16 saves) and rookie Dickie Sternfeld (8-6/2.62/5 saves)... the Cowboys don't hit for a high average, but they do produce plenty of runs, led by 1B Johnny Tallis (.260/43/108/77), SS Clifford Coleman (.268/26/93/82), RF Wayne Kirkpatrick (.278/20/77/67) and 2B Randy Sweetland (.318/5/70/107).

5. 16 years have come and gone since the Rolling Hills Reds won the Tycobbian West... 2032 was the last pennant... the Reds have made the postseason 11 times and have rolled up 2 Pro Cup titles (2029 and 2031)... it was great pitching, strong defense and average offense that did it for them this year... the Reds' staff topped the TU this season paced by All-Star Matthew Christianson (22-11/2.19) and Johnny Howard (18-12/2.60)... the other two starters did pretty fair, too... Steve Adams (17-11/3.59) and Marty Phillips (14-14/3.76) were dependable in the three and four spots in the rotation... and Benny Young (9-5/2.37/15 saves) did a fine job as closer... putting the pop in the lineup were star 1B Darwin Tard (.294/30/94/100), All-Star LF Orin Phillips (.300/24/95/87), All-Star SS Dustin Thibodeau (.322/18/65/101) and rookie 2B Miguel Romeros (.288/19/65/61).

6. White River last won the TU North in 2027... this will only be the Rascals' fifth postseason appearance... they have never won a Pro Cup, but hope to make a little noise this year... good starting pitching and good firepower can take you a long ways in the playoffs... White River has three fine starters heading up its rotation: All-Star Butch Slattery (20-10/2.87), All-Star Nicky Palmer (18-15/2.89) and Clem Warren (18-14/2.98)... however the bullpen is not very good... the Rascals don't hit a lot for average (.251 BA), but they have some punch... 5 regulars hit 20 or more homers, led by All-Star LF Billy Joe Hickman (.282/42/126/86) and rookie All-Star 1B Ruben Reaves (.311/35/98/118)... Hickman was tied for third in the IPA with 126 RBIs and ranked tenth with 42 HRs... Reeves was third in scoring runs with 118 for the season and hit for power with 35 homers... 2B Ryan Byrd (.227/25/72/75), rookie RF Ryne Hyland (.238/23/55/92) and C Billy Vaughan (.232/20/61/48) also chipped in with the longball on occasion, but didn't hit much for average... the Rascals will find out right away if they are Pro Cup material... they drew defending IPA champion Southport in the first round... the Sun Sox ranked second in the IPA this season with 101 wins, beaten only by Valmara of the RU North with 102... White River registered 94 wins this season.

7. To win the pennant, Forest City had to set a new IPA team ERA standard... the Lumberjacks compiled a fantastic 2.41 ERA, breaking the Beechwood Bobcats' mark of 2.57 in 2026... Rusty Howard (21-12/1.65) was the club and the IPA leader with a brilliant 1.65 ERA, fifth best of all-time... others in the starting rotation included Richie Meyers (10-7/2.16/13 saves), Omar Cordero (21-8/2.31), John McKee (18-15/2.63) and Walter Gibbons (15-11/2.83/2 saves)... but the experts are saying the Lumberjacks will have trouble going far in the Pro Cup playoffs because of their very poor scoring... they just don't hit well... you are in trouble when your best bats are RF Otto Glintmeyer (.293/11/65/53), C Bob Brisdon (.292/13/63/57) and SS Timmy Tarbell (.286/13/56/75)... Forest City will take on the Sugar Valley Rattlers in first round postseason play... the Rattlers have strong pitching and can score runs and go deep... they pose a big threat to the Lumberjacks, who have to depend on great pitching and defense to get by..

8. It was Claxton's third division crown in four seasons... 12 times the Diamonds have made the postseason, but they have never come up with a Pro Cup trophy... they have a solid core of hitters with fair power and good scoring... IPA superstar 1B Jojo DeLucca (.279/30/126/91) is still the big gun at age 33... and got help from an unexpected source, rookie All-Star LF Whit Miley (.357/14/72/106), the number-two batter in the IPA at .357... other offense came from 3B Rick Clayburne (.323/12/76/74), CF Darryl Daniels (.295/12/55/88) and 2B Rich Emery (.252/19/78/81)... and pretty good pitching... Claxton has two vets Abe Schiffman (21-13/2.80) and Stan Yudash (20-9/3.48) leading the mound corps with help from rookie southpaw Jared Lipton (11-6/2.71/9 saves), Steven Ellison (18-9/3.79/3 saves) and Gilbert Clagsdale (16-12/3.84)... reliever Gary Haskin (5-8/2.95/16 saves) is the best in the bullpen... the Diamonds have the scoring to do well in the playoffs, but the key will be the pitching... it's doubtful Claxton will be among the Pro Cup favorites... ace Abe Schiffman will miss the first three games of the playoffs... near the end of the regular season he was suspended for five games for a brawl he instigated... he won't get a start until game four... this is a crucial loss for Claxton.

Claxton Diamonds

Owner: DeBeers Mining Company
GM/Manager: Dixie Baker

Claxton is a company town, a mining town of 107,000 in the southwestern foothills of the Silver Mountains, famous for its very high quality diamond industry. DeBeers, the world's largest diamond company, has a branch in Ruthlandia, where the ultimate diamonds are mined, cut, polished and processed, then distributed to the four corners of the world.

Claxton Diamonds are very much in demand worldwide because of their very fine quality. Gold and silver mining is also a vital part of the town's and Ruthlandia's economy. Claxton is a hardworking, blue collar town, who really love their baseball team, the Claxton Diamonds.

The club is owned by DeBeers and play their games at gorgeous Avalon Stadium, built by DeBeers as a showcase stadium in 1990, complete with a scenic view of the Silver Mountains. The Avalon Casino is located in center field and is one of the most popular in the Islands. World famous entertainers appear regularly there.

DeBeers sponsors a "Lucky Diamond" sign on the right side of the left field scoreboard. DeBeers starts off each season with diamonds worth $1000 in the pot and increases it by $1000 each game, until someone wins it. Whenever a Claxton batter hits that sign, the player wins whatever is in the Diamond Jackpot and a lucky fan is also a jackpot winner, too. The lucky fan is chosen by the lucky scorecard number. During the fourth inning stretch it is a Diamonds' tradition for the ladies at the game to sing "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend". A diamond is given away at each game to some lucky lady. In the seventh inning everybody joins in for the traditional "Take Me Out to the Ballgame". At the concession stands you can feast on hot dogs, hamburgers, cokes, beer, peanuts and crackerjacks.

The Claxton Diamonds are run by Dixie Baker. He is both GM and Manager. Baker was a star outfielder from the Diamonds from 2001 to 2014. He batted .266 in his career with 363 homers and over 1100 RBIs. The Diamonds are in the Ruthlandian Union and play in the South Division.

Avalon Stadium (1990)
Capacity: 10,500

Dimensions:
LF LINE 325
LF 350
LC 390
CF 399
RC 365
RF 355
RF LINE 320

VALMARA VIPERS

Owner: Viper Offshore Services
GM: Jet Kazmarek
Manager: Vanya Vasylenko

Valmara is located in the northeastern part of Valdar Island, a port town of 81,000 people on Valmara Bay, an excellent deep water harbor. A clash of a warm Valerian Ocean current and a cold Kelnyck Ocean provides for heavy early morning fogs and sometimes nasty rainy weather.

The town began as a small fishing village in the 1880s and pretty much remained that way until the late 1930s. Valmara has never been considered a pleasant place to live with rocky soil, thick ocean fogs and moss growing everywhere. If not for its wonderful port, no one in their right mind would live there. The harbor and the port have brought commerce and jobs.The prime industries of Valmara revolve around the sea, be it catching and processing fish, servicing deep-ocean oil rigs or supporting the ten-ship navy of Ruthlandia.

With the threat of world war on the horizon in 1938, the Ruthlandian government established Valdarian Military Academy, a college for cadets and midshipmen studying for future service in the Ruthlandian Navy.

During the Second World War, Ruthlandia was swept up in the maelstrom in the nation's first and only war. The nation sent a regiment of troops and a fighter squadron to England to aid the Allies. The Ruthlandian navy served proudly with the 2nd Polish Corps in the Italian campaign, especially at Monte Cassino. After the war, many Poles opted not to return to their Soviet-occupied nation and several hundred emigrated to Ruthlandia. Many of the ex-soldiers did not go far past Valmara when they got off the boat.

Over the next four decades, many Poles emigrated (or escaped) from behind the Iron Curtain to Ruthlandia. After two generations of migration and birth, more than half of the town is of Polish descent.

The Valmara Vipers are owned by the descendants of Capt. Stanislaw Lem, RN (ret.) of Viper Offshore Services. He is not related to the noted author of the same name, which often causes non-native reporters much trouble. The owner was always called "The Captain" in public. Lem made a small fortune after his navy career operating ships and helicopters that serve offshore oil rigs. Thanks to the vast supply of petroleum offshore, his company's profits went through the roof. The Captain had no problem coming up with money to buy a franchise in the Islandian Pro Alliance, the first pro baseball league in the Islands history. Valmara plays in the Ruthlandian Baseball Union in the North Division.

The Valmara Vipers trace their history from the frigate Viper, which had a team in the Naval League in the 1940's. When the amateur league players became semi-pros in the 1950s and worked and played baseball for companies, the Vipers were sponsored by Marine Midland Bank. The Captain played baseball for his service team in the 1960s and was active in the industrial leagues as a sponsor in the 1970s, 80s and 90s. Since Captain Lem had been the captain of the frigate Viper in the late 1960s, when it came to naming his IPA franchise, it was a no-brainer. The Valmara Vipers were born.

The Vipers play their games at historic old War Memorial Stadium. Amateur and industrial league teams have used it for years. It is dedicated to the memory of the 121 men from Ruthlandia killed in action in the Italian campaign during the Second World War. It is a old stadium built for football and soccer, but improvised and used for baseball since 1946. The Captain commissioned noted architectural company HOK to renew the old park into a suitable baseball park. He spared no expense in updating the old stadium with modern technology and conveniences. Yet it still retains the charm of an old stadium.

Game-Day Experience:

Like many successful immigrants, the people of Valmara have fiercely adopted the values of their new nation. Ruthlandia's flag is navy blue and green. In Valmara, it's just taken to a ridiculous extreme. The team’s colors are navy blue and green. So are the water towers, the dockyard cranes, the street signs and the new city hall.

Captain Lem wanted to build a new ballpark, but the city fathers persuaded him to just refurbish the old stadium in the old part of town to be an anchor for a new mixed residential-commercial district. Civic pride got the best of the Captain and he agreed to use War Memorial Stadium. The civic renewal project has been quite successful. Because there is little parking nearby, fans have to walk nearly a quarter mile to the park. On the way, they are treated to a dozen new restaurants, bars, and pubs. The integration into the neighborhood is considered to be charming. The revitalization project has brought a good deal of commerce and energy into the east side of town. The worst of the neighborhood was torn down. The city fathers have expanded the renovations and given the old town a new look.

Food:
Fans love to scarf down bigos (cabbage and meat stew) and rye bread at cafes adjacent to the ballpark. Inside the park, everyone loves perogis (potato and cheese dumplings). Several years ago, The Captain persuaded Mama Kolski's Restaurant (home of the best perogis in town) to open a stand at his new ballpark and it was a big hit.

Beer sales are strictly regulated by city ordinance to two beers per person. This is due to the locals’ love of pale lagers that are 9% alcohol. Also, for a strange unknown reason, draft Coors is a trendy choice.

Ambiance:
Music at the ballpark is best described as LOUD. The Captain installed a very modern, very powerful sound system at the refurbished stadium.

More than a decade ago, a sound system operator substituted the Village People's "In the Navy" for the traditional "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during the seventh inning stretch and started a new tradition. It was a college night at an industrial league game, with plenty of middies from Valdarian Military Academy on hand and many crewmembers from the frigates Viper and Foxx. It was a smash hit, no doubt fueled by a hot autumn evening, cold pale lager and the nine-run Viper lead. Since then, "In the Navy" has been played during the seventh inning stretch of every game save one -- the first game at the revamped War Memorial Stadium. The Captain hates the tune and thought with the public reopening that the club could stop playing that vile song. During the Vipers first exhibition game, the fans nearly rioted and the stadium's debut was marred with a near five-minute interruption of boos before play resumed. Wisely, The Captain made a quick command decision and allowed "In the Navy" to be played during the 8th inning break...and during every game since. Of course, the Captain saw to it that "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" was restored to its revered seventh-inning spot.

In the navy
Yes, you can sail the seven seas
In the navy
Yes, you can put your mind at ease
In the navy
Come on now, people, make a stand
In the navy, in the navy
Can't you see we need a hand
In the navy
Come on, protect the motherland
In the navy
Come on and join your fellow man
In the navy
Come on people, and make a stand
In the navy, in the navy, in the navy (in the navy)
(written by Henri Belolo, Jacques Morali, Victor Willis)

Mascot

The Captain (he considers himself a traditionalist) did not believe in having a mascot until he put his own money into the old ball park. At that point, he had to figure out how to attract every dollar possible from every fan possible. So Vippy and Vippa Viper came into being. They parade around the ballpark entertaining the fans and leading cheers, dances and songs. Viper fans are noted for hissing at the umpires and the opposing teams. The Captain sells a lot Vippy and Vippa apparel and memorabilia...even rents them out to for birthday parties at the stadium, when the team is on the road.

History

Baseball on Valdar Island had a late beginning. Due to the Island topography, climate and lack of mineral deposits it was not as desirable as the Ruthlandian mainland, so it was bypassed by the immigrants until about 1910, when the towns of Valmara, Ancona, Kilkenny, Taranto and Ranford sprang up. From 1910 to 1920, touring amateur baseball teams from the mainland would play games from time to time and the game was introduced slowly. But it did catch on. In a desire to assimilate with the rest of the country, where baseball was like a religion, the Valdarians took to the game with passion and fervor. Amateur baseball clubs and company-based teams began to organize in the 1920s. By the mid-1940's Valdar Island baseball was as good as the Mainland.

The team was first managed by J. Jackson Samuel, a run-of-the-mill industrial league player that became a legendary manager. Samuel broke Jay Loman's record for the most Silver Whale Cups, given to the best amateur team on Valdar Island. Loman was the manager of the Ancona Red Elephants in the 1920s and won nine straight Valdar Island League titles. Samuel won 12 during his amateur career.

Samuel retired and turned the reins over to one of the all-time great Vipers, Jet Kazmarek. who was a .350 career hitter in his 16 IPA seasons. Kazmarek was an 8-time All-Star and won the batting title 9 times. He is also the only .400 hitter in the annals of the league. Kazmarek batted an awesome .428 in 2002.

Kazmarek retained his GM title, but in 2036 turned the managerial duties over to Vanya Vasylenko, a former Valmara pitching star. Vasylenko starred for 20 seasons for the Vipers and compiled a 304-261 record with a 3.45 career ERA. He retired as a player at age 38 in 2020.

War Memorial Stadium (1946)

Capacity: 9,595

Dimensions:
Left Field Line - 330
Left Field - 350
Left Center - 380
Center Field - 405
Right Center - 370
Right Field - 330
Right Field Line - 309

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Wednesday, September 23, 2048

2048 IPA DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES - Game 1

Ruthlandian Union

LIPTON CLIPS VIPS 4-2, DIAMONDS SHINE IN GAME 1
The Claxton Diamonds got a sharp outing from a skinny 6-foot-5 southpaw Jared Lipton in the first game of the RU Division Championship Series with heavily-favored Valmara... Lipton throttled the Vipers 4-2, holding them to seven hits in a complete game performance... the Diamonds rallied for 4 runs in the top of the eighth to erase a 2-0 Viper lead... Teddy Twardzik (0-1) suffered the loss... Twardzik led the IPA this season with 28 wins... Claxton got to him for eight hits and four runs... he struck out five and walked four.

Rookie LF Whit Miley led Claxton with 2-for-4... 3B Rick Clayburne's two-run single drove in the winning scores... Miley and 1B Jojo DeLucca also drove in runs for the Diamonds... SS Ken Jensen and 2B Robek Tyminski had two hits apiece for the losers... Tyminski and Twardzik batted in their runs.

RATTLERS POWER BY 'JACKS 5-4 IN OPENER
It was the Sugar Valley Rattlers that swung the heavy lumber in their 5-4 victory over the Forest City Lumberjacks in game one of the Ruthlandian DCS... homers by Smokey Nix, Bobby Gamble and Roger Hobbs paved the way to victory, but it was a bases-loaded sacrifice fly by Nix in the last of the ninth that decided the game... the Rattlers outhit the 'Jacks 10 to 4 to whip Rusty Howard, the IPA ERA leader... Howard (0-1) was tagged for 9 hits in eight and one-third innings for the loss... he fanned eight batters and walked three... Antonio Cedeno (1-0) went the distance for the victory, holding the Lumberjacks to four hits and four runs.

2B Richie Fry and CF Carl Ramsey had two hits each for the winners... 1B Hondo Harman led Forest City with a 3-run homer that gave them an early 3-0 lead in the top of the fourth... SS Teddy Tarbell doubled in the Lumberjacks' other run in the eighth.

Tycobbian Union

WR'S SLATTERY BESTS SOX HOOVER 3-2 IN FIRST GAME
White River's 23-year-old left-hander Butch Slattery got the best of Southport's veteran right-hander Billy Hoover 3-2 in the first game of the Tycobbian Division Championship Series at Pleasure Beach Park in Southport... Slattery (1-0) worked eight innings for the win, giving up just two runs on seven hits, but walking six and fanning six... Carlo Grimaldi relieved him in the ninth to nail down the save and protected the one-run lead... Hoover (0-1) went all the way and took the loss, allowing three runs on 11 hits.

Kenny Yarborough gave the Rascals a 1-0 lead in the top of the third with an RBI single... the Sun Sox came back and took the lead 2-1 on a bases-loaded walk to 1B Eddy Douglas and a run-scoring base hit by C Vasilis Vlachos... White River evened it up 2-2 in the fifth on a single by rookie 1B Ruben Reaves, then won the game on an RBI double by CF Pudge Tate that scored SS Kunta Burton.

Yarborough had three hits for the White River... and Ruben Reaves, Kenta Burton and Pudge Tate chipped in with two hits each... Southport's rookie RF Tony Pastrano smacked two hits in defeat.

HM'S QUARLES QUELLS REDS 3-0 IN SERIES OPENER
The High Mesa Cowboys hit with power, played well defensively and got super pitching to blank Rolling Hills 3-0 in the series opener played at Queen Ranch Stadium in High Mesa... Lucius Quarles was magnificent in his postseason debut, holding the Reds to just four hits, while striking out five and walking only one... Quarles outduelled losing pitcher Matthew Christianson (0-1), who only permitted two runs on six hits in his seven innings... Christianson walked two and whiffed eight in a tough loss.

High Mesa jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first frame... a walk to LF Jesus Guzman and double by C Dan Parks place runners on second and third... Guzman tagged up and scored on 2B Randy Sweetland's sac fly... and SS Clifford Coleman doubled in the second score... 1B Johnny Tallis added the final run on a solo homer in the eighth.

FOREST CITY LUMBERJACKS

Owner: Robert Jackson, Junior
General Manager: Jackie Jackson
Manager: Rich Barstow

Forest City is the capital of Ruthlandia and the second largest town in the Islands with a population of 125,000. The town was settled by a group of American abolitionists from the North and the South, who foresaw the coming Civil War and decided to emigrate to Ruthlandia and Tycobbia and establish countries free from the rigors of slavery and religious intolerance. It was one of the earliest settlements because of the access to timber and its strategic location near the intersection of the Green River and the Silver River in the central part of the country.

The beautiful Green River emanates out of the Appian Mountains in the north near Far Mountain (ski resort), runs south throught Rocky Rapids (lumber, grain and transportation center) in the western foothills and plains, flows through Forest City, then winds its way past agrarian Middlefield and Sugar Valley in the fertile southern lowlands and finally empties into Belair Bay and the Southern Sea at the bayside resort and shipping center, Belair Beach.

The Silver River originates in its namesake, the Silver Mountains, which form the western border of Ruthlandia. It travels eastward through Volusia in the western foothills (silver mining and timber interests) and merges with the Green River at Forest City.

The Ruthlandian capital is an old town with buildings and homes that go back a hundred years or more. It is rare that the town planning commission allows much in the way of a modern building. It is noted for being the seat of the Federal government, for banking, commerce, railroads, steel, advertising, autos, paper and lumber industries...and also the home of the Forest City Lumberjacks.

The club is named for the country's first important industry. Forest City is in the Ruthlandian Union's South Division. The 'Jacks play their games at old and quaint Riverside Stadium (circa 1915), right on the riverbanks with a wonderful view of the Silver River just beyond the left and center field fences. Across the river in the distance the fans can see the main part of town. Hot and freshly fried river catfish is a house speciality at Riverside, along with traditional ballpark fare.

Forest City is owned and operated by the Rob Jackson family. Jackson was also GM and Manager in the early years of the club. Jackson was a four-letter man in college, excelling in baseball, football, basketball and track. He played many years in the industrial league for one of the biggest banks in the Islands. When his playing days were over, he went to work for the bank, managed its company team, moved up in the bank hierarchy and eventually became its president and chief administrative officer. He then expanded to professional baseball and was one of the prime originators of the Islandian Pro Alliance. He joined with good baseball men like John Banson (IPA creator and commissioner), Manny Earl of the Sugar Valley Rattlers and Rip Calkin of the La Claire Lynx to create the first professional baseball league in the Islands.

Multi-millionaires also were involved and provided the needed finances to establish the league. Men like Jock Ewing of the Waleska Westerners, Brent Steiner of the Bayview Vikings, Jorge Trujillo of the Belair Beach Sunbirds, jazz great, Louis "Sugar Lips" Charles of the Bay St. Clair Buccaneers and rock 'n' roll superstar, Conway Birdie of the Cape Coral Hurricanes.

Rob Jackson's grandson Jackie Jackson is the current GM for the Lumberjacks. He was a solid second baseman for Forest City from 2023 to 2030. His last 10 seasons were spent with Colchester and Belair Beach. In the IPA Jackson had a lifetime .284 BA with 2172 hits, 165 HRs, 1122 runs and 869 RBIs.

The Forest City skipper is long-time hurler Rich Barstow, who toiled for a mediocre club for years and is the all-time leader in victories. Barstow put up a 260-295 record with a 3.79 ERA. He played for the 'Jacks from 2027 to 2046. In his second season in 2048 Barstow led the Lumberjacks to the playoffs for the first time in 45 years. They last made the postseason in 2003.

Riverside Stadium (1915)
Capacity: 14,780
Dimensions:

LF Line 332
LF 360
LC 388
CF 400
RCF 381
RF 350
RF Line 325

SUGAR VALLEY RATTLERS

Owner: The Manny Earl Estate and Enterprises
General Manager: Hal Stevenson
Manager: Bobby Gamble

Sugar Valley is an agricultural town of 84,000 in the Southern Lowlands on the banks of the great Green River, which splits Ruthlandia in half and runs from Far Mountain in the north near the Appian Mountains, all the way south to Belair Beach on Belair Bay and the Southern Sea.

Sugar Valley is famous as a lush farming region, that specializes in sugar cane, rice, citrus fruits and vegetables.

It is also the home of the Sugar Valley Rattlers, a team in the Ruthlandian Baseball Union (South Division) of the Islandian Pro Alliance. The Rattlers play at Farmers Memorial Stadium, named in honor of the area's most respected profession. They get their nickname from the ever-present cane rattlesnakes, commonly found in the Southern Lowlands.

It is a traditional for the Rattler fans, especially the kids, to try and rally the team with a chorus or two of the song "Sneaky Snake", led, of course, by the Sugar Valley mascot, Sneaky Snake:

Boys and girls take warning, if you go near the lake
Keep your eyes wide open, and look for sneaky snake
Now maybe you won’t see him, maybe you won’t hear
But he’ll sneak up behind you, and drink all your root beer.

And then sneaky snake goes dancin’, wigglin’ and a-hissin’
Sneaky snake goes dancin’, gigglin’ and a-kissin’
I don’t like old sneaky snake; he laughs too much you see
When he goes wigglin’ through the grass, it tickles his underneath.

(Thanks to Country Hall-of-Famer,Tom T. Hall, a wonderful country singer and songwriter for those lyrics)

The sound of mechanical rattlers and noisemakers are a tradition and also pervade the ballpark as Sugar Valley hardcore fans create quite a racket and try to ignite their team. They also do prolonged "hissing", whenever the Rattler opponents do something good or should the umpires make any decisions detrimental to their beloved ballclub.

At the concession stands you'll get the regular hot dogs, cokes and hamburgers, but also mouthwatering, made-from-scratch, country biscuits, topped with sugar cane molasses and "to die for" homemade ice cream.

The architect in charge of all of this was one of baseball's premier and most creative owners and general managers, Manny Earl. Nobody out promoted Manny Earl. He was an important cog in the IPA organization along with Jorge Trujillo of Belair Beach, Jock Ewing of Waleska, John Banson (league commissioner) and Rob Jackson of Forest City. Manny retired in 2020 and his descendants have run the Lumberjacks since.

The Sugar Valley General Manager is former player Hal Stevenson, a Hall of Fame catcher for the Rattlers from 2001 to 2023. Stevenson was elected to the IPA Hall of Fame in 2027. He made the All-Star team 12 times, won 8 Golden Gloves and captured the Ruthlandian Golden Bat Award in 2013. Stevenson hit a solid .287 with 567 homers, 2503 hits and 1758 RBIs in his fabulous career, all but two with the Rattlers. He played from 2001 to 2024. Stevenson retired at age 40.

The Rattlers' player-manager is Bobby Gamble, a legend in IPA play. Now in his 16th season with the club took over from iconic skipper Gibby Bobkins in 2047. Bobkins guided the club for its first 46 seasons, took them to 14 postseasons and won one Pro Cup in 2045. Gamble is an 11-time All-Star with a career .317 BA and 527 homers. Five times he has been named Ruthlandian Batter of the Year and Gamble has won the Most Valuable Player honor on four occasions. He is still a star player at age 35.

Farmers Memorial Stadium (1967)

Capacity: 11,655

Dimensions:

Left Field Line - 310
Left Field - 340
Left Center - 370
Center Field - 385
Right Center - 370
Right Field - 340
Right Field Line - 310

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Thursday, September 24, 2048

2048 IPA DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES - Game 2

Ruthlandian Union

SNOW COOLS OFF 'JACKS 6-2, RATTLERS WIN AGAIN
Sugar Valley is up two games to none in the Ruthlandian Division Championship Series... strong pitching from Jack Snow cooled off the Forest City Lumberjacks 6-2 in game two played at Farmers Memorial Park in Sugar Valley... Snow (1-0) stopped the Lumberjacks on six hits and one run in seven and two-thirds innings... Snow got the win, fanned six batters and walked four... Domenico Renterias got the save, but gave up one run and two hits in an inning and a third.... the losing pitcher was starter Omar Cordero, who surrendered six runs and seven hits in seven innings... Both teams garnered eight hits apiece.

Homers by C Delmer Campbell (.333) and 1B Smokey Nix (.375) powered the victory... Campbell, Nix and 2B Richie Fry (.444) each batted in a pair of runs... CF Raphael Moyers (.143) was best for the weak-hitting Lumberjacks... Moyers drove in both of their runs with a solo homer and a sac fly.

VIPERS' SIRAK EVENS SERIES, DRUBS DIAMONDS 9-2
After losing the series' opener at War Memorial Stadium in Valmara, the Vipers rebounded with a vengence to drub the underdog Claxton Diamonds 9-2 in the second game of the Ruthlandian DCS and tie it up at a game each... winning pitcher Primo Sirak (1-0) shut down the Diamonds on four hits and a run in the first six innings, struck out eight and walked two... though he trailed 1-0 going into the sixth frame, Sirak departed with a 4-1 lead, thanks to Tomek Abramczyk's grand slam home run... Zak Reeder notched the save by holding Claxton to one run over the final three innings... Stan Yudash (0-1) was belted hard by the Vipers for 11 hits and all nine runs... he had four Ks and walked seven in a very poor outing.

LF Abramczyk (.333) was the top hitter in the IPA this season with a .361 BA... he paced Valmara with two hits, four RBIs and two runs... rookie 3B Justin Rascoe (.375) added three hits and two RBIs and 2B Jorge Aparicio drove in a pair of runs... Claxton got a homer from 3B Rick Clayburne (.250) and RF Bob Best (.286) doubled in the other Diamond run.

Tycobbian Union

SUN SOX SALVAGE SPLIT, RALLY PAST RASCALS 5-4
The rain came at just the right time for the Southport Sun Sox, who were in danger of falling behind 2-0 in the Tycobbian Division Championship Series... White River's Nicky Palmer had stymied the Sun Sox 4-1 after six innings, but he was not the same pitcher when he came back after an hour rain delay... Southport shocked the Rascals for four runs in the seventh frame to rally past them 5-4 and deadlock the series at one game apiece.

Southport collected 10 hits in the win, while White River got nine... reliever Wayne Stewart (1-0) got credit for the victory... Stewart worked a scoreless seventh for the Sun Sox... rookie reliever Troy Hill notched the save by shutting out the Rascals in the eighth and ninth... the defeat went to Rascal reliever Todd Cole (0-1), who was rocked for three runs and four hits in his two innings... in a so-so outing Johnny Swanson started for the Sun Sox, went six innings, allowed seven hits and four runs... Swanson trailed 4-1 when he hit the showers.

CF Ross Good (.600) led Southport at the plate with three hits with C Vasilis Vlachos (.429) adding a pair of singles... rookie 1B Ruben Reaves (.500) had two hits and two RBIs to top White River.

The Rascals built up an early 4-0 lead with a pair of runs in the first frame and two more in the third... Reaves and LF Billy Joe Hickman (.125) singled in the runs in the third inning, while it was Reaves again in the third along with an RBI single and an RBI groundout by rookie 3B Kenny Yarbrough (.333)... the Sun Sox cut the margin to 4-1 in the bottom of the sixth when C Visalis Vlachos hit into a double play with the bases loaded and got a run in... in the seventh SS Jack Smith (.500) made it 4-2 with an RBI double... Good drove in the third run... an infield error allowed the tying run to come in... and losing pitcher Cole balked in the winning run.

REDS SNEAK BY COWBOYS 2-1 TO SPLIT SERIES
The fine pitching continued in game two of the Tycobbian DCS between Rolling Hills and High Mesa... the Reds' Johnny Howard outpitched the Cowboys' Lloyd Armstrong 2-1 to gain a split in the first two games... both of them went the distance... though High Mesa got 10 hits off Howard (1-0), he held them to a single run... he registered five strikeouts and walked two batters... Armstrong tied a playoff record by walking eight batters, but he gave up only two runs on nine hits... both pitchers stranded a lot of potential runs... Rolling Hills left 16 on base, while High Mesa stranded 12 baserunners.

It was a scoreless duel for the first five frames... 3B Gene Winston (.286) put Rolling Hills in front with a solo clout in the sixth... High Mesa came back and tied it a 1-1 in the seventh when LF Jesus Guzman (.429) singled to lead off the inning, was bunted to second base, then stole third... Guzman scored on SS Clifford Coleman's (.143) sacrifice fly... the game was decided in the top of the eighth... RF Vic Scott (.000) walked, was sacrificed to second, wild pitched to third and rode home with the winning run on SS Dustin Thibodeau's (.250) single.

CF Will Sanders (.375) racked up three hits to top the Reds at the plate... Thibodeau and Winston also collected two hits each... the Cowpokes got two hits apiece from Guzman, 3B Wes McGovern (.286) and 2B Randy Sweetland (.429).

Southport Sun Soxx

Owner: Stage Productions
GM/Manager: Lorne Evans

Southport is located on Arvonian Island on its southeast tip. Arvonian Island, a tourist's treat, sits in the Southern Sea south of the main island and is separated from the mainland by Belair Bay. Cape Coral is on the island's north coast, Summerland on the northeast shore, Arroyo Grande on the southwest coast and San Alejo is in the mountainous interior.

Southport has a good natural port with beautiful white beaches and was settled by the British in the 1860s. They had first settled in Summerland, but thought that greater opportunities lay in the sparsely-populated southern part of the island.

Southport's population numbers about 75,000 fulltime residents, but is visited by many times that number of tourists from all over Tycobbia, Ruthlandia and recently by visitors from all over the world. The town got it start in 1870s when the "Father of Southport" Henry Banks built several hotels near the hot springs along with holiday cottages. Banks promoted Southport as "Heaven on Earth" and got the plant and factory owners on the mainland to send their workers there on holiday as a reward for their work. Banks arranged for cheap passage on ships to Southport as well. The growth intensified when he got the factory owners to close down for a week each year to service and repair the equipment. Banks got them to do it on different dates throughtout the year to insure a steady flow of tourists. As more and more industry developed in Tycobbia and Ruthlandia, the more Banks' tourist enterprise prospered and grew.

Southport's early growth and character was predicated on its pioneering use of electric power. In 1879 Banks created Southport Illuminations, lighting up the Promenade, the main downtown area, with 12 arc lamps. Banks called it "Artificial Sunshine". This was a year before Edison got the patent on the electric light bulb. Also as an attraction, Banks built was one of the world's first electric tramways running from Cocker Street to Dean Street on the Promenade. The tram has remained in continuous service to this day. Southport Illuminations has now grown to a three-mile stretch on the Promenade and lit up by 100,000 light bulbs. Tourists from all over Islandia and the world come to see the light spectacle. At Christmastime the Promenade is aglow with Christmas lights and decorations. It's a wondrous sight to see.

In 1912 Pleasure Beach, a world-class amusement park, was the brainchild of a town alderman, William George Bean. He wanted to create "a place where adults could feel like children again". It succeeded beyond his wildest dreams and is still a huge attraction today. The amusement park includes a baseball stadium, built in 1962 for the town's industrial leagues. It is named Pleasure Beach Ballpark and is run by Stageworks Productions, a company Bean's son-in-law, Leonard Thompson, established to run Pleasure Beach. You can see the beautiful blue waters of the Southern Sea beyond the outfield fences.

It was through Amanda Thompson, the daughter of Leonard Thompson and CEO of Stageworks, that the corporation ventured into professional baseball and obtained a franchise in the Islandian Pro Alliance. She thought it would be a great addition to Southport's tourist attractions, considering how much the Islands love baseball. That's how the Southport Sun Sox came into being.

The first skipper of the Southport Sun Sox was Charlie Oscar, one of the greatest all-around player ever, who starred as in the company leagues for over 25 years. Oscar was great with the glove and the bat. He could run, throw, field, hit for average and hit with power, a true 5-tool player. After leading the Sun Sox to their second Pro Cup title in 2047, Oscar retired and appointed a former Sun Sox superstar Lorne Evans as his replacement. Evans played in the IPA from 2025 to 2043, 9 years with Southport and then 10 with Tuckanarra. He was a 12-time All-Star, 4-time Tycobbian MVP, 5-time Golden Bat winner and twice was honored with a Golden Glove. Evans led his clubs to 7 pennants and one Pro Cup in his career. He was a lifetime .305 batter with 2928 hits, 701 homers, 1836 RBIs and 2045 runs. Evans is sixth in the IPA all-time in homers and seventh in runs scored.

Pleasure Beach Ballpark (1962)
Capacity: 12,500

Dimensions:
Left Field Line 330
Left Field 355
Left Center 385
Center Field 395
Right Center 385
Right Field 355
Right Field Line 330

WHITE RIVER RASCALS

Owner: Tycalco, Hughie Howard, President and CEO
GM/Manager: Mick Cronyn

The city of White River, with 66,000 inhabitants, is situated in northwestern Tycobbia in the Appian Mountain foothills on the banks of the White River. Most of the time the river flows serenely, but there are occasional whitewater rapids. The river ends at Bayview on the western coast where it empties into the Kelnyck Ocean.

Prior to the mining business, this area was just wilderness. White River owes its existence and development to Tycalco. It is totally a company town. Its economy is dominated by the Tycobbian Aluminum Company, which was established in 1890. Bauxite, alumina and chemicals, found in abundance in the nearby Appian Mountains, are processed into a wide range of aluminum products and shipped to Bayview by water and Fairfax on Blue Lake to the south by rail for distribution. Tycalco’s towering corporate skyscraper can be seen from White River Park across the river in downtown White River. Architecture in the area is modernistic. However, the White River Rascals play at one of the lovely vintage and nostalgic ballparks in Tycobbia. It was built in 1924.

White River Park is a lovely old-time ball park with a scenic and wonderful view of its river namesake just beyond the centerfield fence. The 18-foot high aluminum wire fences down the left and right field lines make it a little more difficult for hitters to hit the ball into the stands, which are only 310 feet away. Tycalco originated company amateur leagues to provide the community and its employees and their families with recreational activities. When the Islandian Pro Alliance was established, the company purchased a franchise. The White River Rascals play in the Tycobbian Union North Division.

A trip to White River Park is something really special. Not only is it a baseball park, it is also a state-of-the-art amusement park. Before and after games amusement rides can be enjoyed by young and old, complete with good food, fun rides, fireworks and music concerts of all genres, all subsidized and underwritten in part by Tycalco,

The Rascals are administered and managed by former pitcher Mick Cronyn. He was 196-201 with a 3.76 ERA in his 15 seasons with White River.

White River Park (1924)

Capacity: 5,685

Dimensions:
Left Field Line - 310
Left Field - 340
Left Center - 370
Center Field - 410
Right Center - 370
Right Field - 340
Right Field Line - 310

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Friday, September 25, 2048

2048 IPA DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES - Game 3

Ruthlandian Union

GAME 3 TO RATTLERS 6-3, SUGAR VALLEY NEARS SWEEP
In game three of the Ruthlansian DCS at Riverside Stadium in Forest City, visiting Sugar Valley pounded out 11 hits off the vaunted Lumberjack pitching for their third straight triumph in the best-of-seven series... one more win in game four for the Rattlers and the season is over for Forest City... the Lumberjacks' mound staff set an IPA record this year with a super-low 2.41 ERA.... Sugar Valley had to overcome a 3-1 Lumberjack lead after five innings... the Rattlers tallied three in the sixth and two more in the ninth to whip Forest City... Delmer Campbell's three-run smash in the top of the sixth frame was the difference maker in the Rattlers' 6-3 win.

Cullen Winslow (1-0) went eight good innings for the win, holding the 'Jacks to three runs on eight hits... Winslow walked no one in the game and struck out four... Domenico Renterias marked up his second save of the postseason with a runless ninth... John McKee (0-1) started for Forest City and did a fair job, but he wilted after eight frames and departed behind 4-3... McKee had five Ks and three walks, but he was tagged for nine hits and four runs.

C Delmer Campbell (.500) paced Sugar Valley with a homer, single and four RBIs... it was Campbell second roundtripper in the series... CF Carl Ramsey (.412) also collected two hits and drove in a pair of runs... 2B Richie Fry (.500) and 1B Smokey Nix (.385) also contributed two hits apiece and each scored a run... 1B Hondo Harmon (.500), Donnie Watkins (.222) and John McKee (.000) drove in runs for the Lumberjacks.

CLAXTON'S CLAYBURNE GETS KEY HIT IN 4-3 WIN
In the third game of the RU Division Championship Series Claxton showed it's not going to play patsy to the powerful Valmara Vipers... for the second time in three games the Diamonds bested the highly-favored Vipers to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven affair... Rick Clayburne singled in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth to give Claxton a 4-3 victory.

Gilbert Clagsdale (1-0) worked a complete game, halting the Vipers on three runs and six hits, striking out seven and issuing no walks in an impressive outing... Valmara took a 3-2 lead on Tomek Abramczyk's two-run homer in the top of the ninth, but Mark Polaski couldn't finish off the Diamonds... Polaski worked eight and one-third innings and gave up four runs on nine hits... he also walked six batters in a shoddy performance.

Valmara's veteran 1B Cain Greene (.400) started off the scoring with a solo swat in the top of the second frame... Polaski's wildness allowed Claxton to tie it up in the last of the third on a single and three straight bases on balls... the Diamonds regained the lead in the last of the eighth when Rich Emery (.000) walked with two outs, stole second and went to third on a bad throw by catcher Ron MacGuinness, then scored on Roger Jackson's (.250) base hit.

Claxton's top bat was SS Stevie Wynn (.500) with 4-5, two runs and an RBI... 3B Clayburne (.333) also had two hits and drove in a pair of runs... LF Tomek Abramczyk (.400) sparked Valmara with his second homer of the series... both Abramczyk and RF Boyd Holmes (.375) socked two hits each.

Tycvobbian Union

GLENNON'S HRS PUT SUN SOX IN DRIVER'S SEAT
Craig Glennon and Brandon Delmore teamed to up to put defending Pro Cup champ Southport in the driver's seat of the Tycobbian Division Championship Series... Glennon hammered two out of the park and Delmore stopped the White River Rascals 5-3 in game three giving the Sun Sox a 2-1 edge in the series.

Delmore (1-0) fanned eight batters in eight and one-third innings... the hard-throwing southpaw held the Rascals to three runs and six hits for the victory... closer Todd Hill got the last two outs and chalked up his second save in the series... Delmore was 21-10 in the regular season with a 3.49 ERA... taking the loss was Clem Warren, who was rocked for five runs and nine hits in just six innings... Warren was 18-14 during the year with an impressive 2.98 ERA.

Southport outhit White River 9 to 6 with 3B Craig Glennon (.364) getting three hits and scoring three runs and CF Ross Good (.600) going 3-for-5, scoring twice and driving in a run... 1B Eddy Douglas (.364) had two hits and doubled in a run... rookie 3B Kenny Yarbrough (.308) cracked a two-run homer for the Rascals and 2B Ryan Byrd (.333) socked a pair of hits.

REDS CLOBBER COWBOYS 12-4, LEAD SERIES 2-1
The hitters finally broke loose with abandon in game three of Tycobbian DCS, but it was Rolling Hills doing most of the damage in the 12-4 rout... the Reds slugged three homers and punched out 11 hits to go up two games to one over the High Mesa Cowboys in the best-of-seven series.

Rolling Hills' 3B Gene Winston (.500) had a super day at the plate with three hits, two of them homers, five RBIs and he scored four runs... Winston now has walloped three homers in the playoffs... 1B Darwin Tard (.250) connected for two hits and drove in three runs... LF Orin Phillips (.182) also homered, a two-run blast... Cowboy 3B Wayne Kilpatrick (.273) clouted a one-run shot in defeat.

Winning pitcher Steve Adams (1-0) went all the way for the Reds, fanning 10 Cowpokes, walking four batters and allowing four runs on six hits... loser Tee Bo Templet (0-1) took the brunt of the beating, getting rocked for seven runs and seven hits in just five frames.

ROLLING HILLS REDS

Owner: Lemroh Meat Company
GM/Manager: Matty Christianson

Rollings Hills has a population of 78,000 and is located in the west central part of Tycobbia and was originally settled by the Kewanna Indians. "kewanna" means "hills that rise and fall" in their language. That is exactly what the landscape looks like here...gentle, rolling hills populated with sporadic groves of birch trees and acre after acre of cattle, dairy, pig, chicken and agricultural farms. Crops include wheat, oats and corn, potatoes and vegetables. In town are the stockyards and meat and grain processing plants. The population is mainly Americans and Brits with only a few Kewannas remaining.

Rolling Hills is an oldtime middle class town with wooden storefronts and bricks streets, lined with gas lamps and pedestrian walkways. No cars are allowed in the midtown area.

It is the home of the Rolling Hills Reds of the IPA's Tycobbian Union West Division. The Reds play at the Midtown Base Ball Grounds, a relic from the early days of baseball. Built in 1907, it is surrounded by birchwood trees in a picturesque park area of town, where families can picnic and enjoy strolls, bicycle rides and boat rides on the park ponds, all amid the peaceful shade trees. A quaint aspect of the ballpark is that the power alleys are deeper than center field. They measure 425 feet, while to dead center it is 410 feet. It takes quite a blast for righthanders to get it out...350 down the line in left field and 375 in straightaway left. However, the lefthanded hitters love it...only 320 down the right field line and 350 to straightaway right .

The Lemroh family owns the team as well as being the owners of the stockyards and meat processing plants. The concessions stands are unique in design. All are set up like soda fountains, complete with stools. They serve up tasty hamburgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, ice cream, sundaes, banana splits, thick shakes and malts.

A Dixieland band provides the music between innings and helps the Rolling Hillians cheer their Reds to victory. Many times throughout the game the fans will dance the Charleston. During the seventh inning stretch you get a rousing Dixieland version of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame".

The GM and Manager of the Rolling Hills Reds is the legendary pitcher, Matty Christianson, one of the most revered players and managers in Tycobbian baseball history. Christianson stood out as a player and manager in the company leagues. When the IPA began play in 2001, Christianson became a vital part of the Rolling Hills franchise. A record four times he has been named the Tycobbian Manager of the Year. Under his leadership the Reds have won 10 TU West flags, made the playoffs 12 times and captured 2 Pro Cups (2029 and 2031).

Midtown Ballpark (1907)

Capacity: 6,850

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

HIGH MESA COWBOYS

Owner: Queen Ranch Enterprises

GM/Manager: Jack Elliott

High Mesa is located in the sparsely-populated central region of Tycobbia, a dry, dusty plains area with scrubby vegetation and low rainfall. It is midway between Ozarka in the Silver Mountains to the east, Bay St. Clair on the west coast and Midway on the Appian River to the northwest, about 100 miles from each. High Mesa has about 40,000 population.

It was sleepy little village when the Queen family arrived in 1870 from war-torn Texas in the United States. Richard Queen had made his money in shipping and riverboats during the Civil War and lost much of his wealth for being on the wrong side. He and his family migrated to Tycobbia to start anew. Queen was a good businessman and when he toured the high plains area east of Bay St. Clair, he found the perfect spot for his ranch. It had the only water hole for 100 miles in any direction and was shaded and sheltered by large mesquite trees. From that small holding Queen expanded to the biggest ranch in the Islands over the next 50 years. The Queen Ranch has grown to almost a million acres and is still in business today, guided by Richard Queen's descendants.

For the last century and a half the Queen Ranch has concentrated on raising cattle and supplies much of beef in Tycobbia. In the 1930's oil was discovered on the property and made the ranch even more profitable. The Queen family's oil industry contacts made it much easier for them to get an IPA franchise, quite an achievement for such a small town. Friends like the Ewing Oil family made it possible. The Queen Ranch is also famous for its thoroughbred horses and has produced many Arlon Derby winners over the years.

The High Mesa Cowboys play at a beautiful old stadium built in 1914. Queen Ranch Stadium has ivy-covered outfield fences that are unique in all of the Islands. It's a hitter's ballpark with short power alleys and a short center field. High-scoring slugfests are commonplace at Queen Ranch Stadium. The Cowboys have a Rhinestone Cowboy as their mascot. He gallops around the field on a splendid golden Palomino whooping it up and exhorting the crowd to cheer for the Cowboys.

An even more special treat and a great sight to see are the Rhinestone Cowgirls, an eight-member dance team that leads cheers and dances on the dugouts during the game. Some say they alone are worth the price of admission.

Queen Ranch Stadium also serves a delicious ribeye steak sandwich at the concession stands. They are cooked right before you eyes on huge barbecue grills, filling the stands with the fragrance of sizzling steaks and grilled onions. Mouth-watering hamburgers and hot dogs are also on the menu along with the customary soft drinks and beer.

The High Mesa Cowboys are managed by Jack Elliott, the greatest slugger in IPA annals. For almost two decades from 2013 to 2031 he was a terror at the plate. Elliott was a 13-time All-Star, 12-time Golden Batter of the Year, won five Golden Gloves and five Tycobbian MVP Awards. He also won the Rookie of the Year trophy his first season in the league, setting a new mark for homers at that time with 61. In Elliott's remarkable career he batted a gaudy .332 (4th), had 3467 hits (10th), 848 homers (1st), 2120 RBIs (3rd) and 2192 runs (3rd).

Queen Ranch Stadium (1914)

Capacity: 6,575

Dimensions:
Left Field Line 355
Left Field 357
Left Center 368
Center Field 390
Right Center 368
Right Field 363
Right Field Line 353

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Saturday, September 26, 2048

2048 IPA DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES - Game 4

Ruthlandian Union

'JACKS AVOID SWEEP, HOWARD TOPS RATTLERS 4-1
To remain alive in the postseason the Forest City Lumberjacks needed a big game and got it from its ace Rusty Howard (1-1/2.60)... the 28-year-old right-hander easily handled the tough Sugar Valley Rattlers in game four at Riverside Stadium in Forest City 4-1, stopping them on six hits, while striking out 10 and walking only one batter... losing pitcher Antonio Cedeno (1-1/2.12) only gave up one earned run as the Rattlers played loosely on defense with four errors... Cedeno permitted 10 hits and four runs in all with 3 Ks and a walk... He also worked the entire game... the only run Howard surrendered was 1B Smokey Nix's (.353) third roundtripper of the series... Sugar Valley still possesses a solid three games to one edge in the Ruthlandian Division Championship Series.

CF Raphael Moyers sparkled at the plate for the Lumberjacks with three hits and two runs scored... SS Timmy Tarbell (.133) and C Bob Brisdon (.235) both pitched in with two RBIs each... 3B Roger Hobbs (.308) and LF Walt Hansen (.188) had two hits apiece for the Rattlers.

DELUCCA'S DOUBLE GAMEWINNER FOR DIAMONDS
In a stunning reversal of fortune Claxton stormed back from a 6-0 deficit to shock Valmara 8-7 in game four of the RU DCS at Avalon Stadium... Jojo DeLucca doubled to right-center to drive in the game-winning runs and put Claxton in a very surprising three games to one lead over the highly-favored Vipers, who led the entire IPA with 102 wins this season.

Valmara's bullpen collapsed in the bottom of the eighth... they were shelled for 8 runs... starter Teddy Twardzik shut out the Diamonds on six hits for the first seven innings and left for a pinchhitter... Claxton reliever Cliff Yarbrough (1-0) got the win, but wasn't very effective... ditto Gary Haskin who got the save... the third of four hurlers Zak Reeder (0-1) took the crushing loss... he was battered for four runs and three hits in just one-third of an inning... his relief predecessor Darek Polaski was pounded for four runs and didn't even retire one batter.

Heading up the 12-hit Claxton attack were LF Whit Miley (.412), 1B Jojo DeLucca (.214) and 3B Jack Brumfield (.200), all with a pair of runs batted in... Miley and Brumfield both homered in the eighth inning... CF Darryl Daniels (.235) and SS Rick Clayburne (.375) chipped with two hits apiece.

Valmara cracked 11 hits with 1B Jorge Aparicio (.250) getting three of them... LF Tomek Abramczyk (.400) cracked two hits, scored twice for the Vipers and drove in two runs... RF Paul McMahon (.333) had a two-run single.

Tycobbian Union

SLATTERY EVENS SERIES, NIPS HOOVER 2-1
Butch Slattery is really proving to be a thorn in the side of the defending Pro Cup champion Southport Sun Sox... for the second time in the series the young portsider has gotten the best of Sun Sox star hurler Billy Hoover... game four at White River Stadium was a classic duel in every sense of the word... the Rascals won it 2-1 to tie the Tycobbian Division Championship Series at two game each... Slattery (2-0/1.59) limited Southport to one run on seven hits in a complete-game outing... Hoover (0-2/1.59) also went all the way, permitting no earned runs and five hits.

The first six frames were scoreless... Southport took a 1-0 lead in the top of the seventh... C Visalis Vlachos (.357) doubled to lead off the inning and later scored on an RBI single by SS Gonzalo Topez (.214)... White River got its two runs in the last of the eighth... with one away 3B Kenny Yarbrough (.375) singled in Billy Vaughan (.000) with the tying run... and 1B Ruben Reaves (.250) plated Butch Slattery (.333) with the winning score when he grounded out to second base... Yarbrough paced the Rascals with two hits... he now has batted in six runs in the series... Southport was led by 2B Ricky Whitaker (.143) and C Visalis Vlachos (.357) with two hits apiece.

REDS TAKE 3RD STRAIGHT FROM COWBOYS
Playing at home at the Midtown Base Ball Grounds, the Rolling Hills Reds rolled to their third straight victory in the Tycobbian DCS... Matthew Christianson (1-1/1.20) whipped the High Mesa Cowboys 3-2 in game four to give the Reds a strong upper hand in the series with a three games to one edge... Christianson struck out four, walked one and surrendered only two runs on eight hits in his eight innings... Benny Young closed out the game for his first postseason save... Lucius Quarles, who bested Christianson in game one 3-0, lost this time... he yielded three runs, two of them earned, in six innings with eight strikeouts and three walks... Quarles was behind 3-0 when he called it a day.

Both clubs collected nine hits each... SS Dustin Thibodeau (.250) hurt his arm making a throw in the top of the first and was replaced by Chris Hale... Hale (.750) topped the Reds with three hits and two runs scored... LF Orrin Phillips (.214), CF Will Sanders (.250) and 3B Gene Winston (.429) drove in the Reds' runs... C Kyle Edwards (.250) had a double and triple... and 1B Darwin Tard (.313) had two hits for the winners.

1B John Tallis (.286) went 2-for-4 for High Mesa with an RBI... C Dan Parks (.267) and CF Giovanni Rizzo (.300) also posted two hits for the Cowboys.